Ayshela

rhythmically this is a great improvement, but i would embrace it with caution. "sins" and "mistakes" have differences in connotations, though some differences are subtle. Additionally, "sins" in conjunction with "atone" in any form draws in definite theological concepts - i would only caution you to be sure that what this says, in both connotation and denotation, is what you actually mean and intend for it to say. (and if you want the theological discussion on it i'd be more than willing, but would suggest that it be taken to PM ) ah. i've studiously avoided Vegas, so that's not a phrase i'm familiar with.

LOL i love it! how i wish my sleeping hours were populated with such fun characters!

parents are human, and humans are flawed, this is true. some people, however, should never BE parents. Having lived with one who hated me passionately and made my every breathing moment undying hell, i can honestly say that sometimes you *are* better off without your parents. *hugs* to Arwen for the courage to speak up and *hugs* to Regen for caring enough to provide the voice of caution

First off, i like this, and i'm glad to see you posting in here. You've got a lot of good stuff packed in here, but it's kind of "lumpy" in some places and needs a little "refolding" (if we're going to go with a packing analogy.. lol) Bearing in mind that any suggestions i make are only suggestions: Wisdom Gained Words are hard to fathom Personally, i wouldn't change this stanza at all. Feelings are understood Knowledge isn’t wisdom And hatred burns like wood. The world is not a safe place Our bodies are flesh and bone And when we’re gone we are replaced Some mistakes can never be atoned. This line is too long to fit the rhythmic pattern you've set up in the first two stanzas, so i mentally "trip" over it reading through. Given the content i'm not sure how that would be reworded, so all i can do is point out the issue, for which i apologize. I learned that pride comes before a fall You switch from three "feet" to four here. The phrase is smooth enough to work, but it is a pattern shift, just so you're aware of it. And remembered it every time I fell Again with the length issue, and smoothness of flow. Perhaps "And remembered it when i fell"?? Dilemmas are rarely small And here you're about a half a "foot" short for smooth flow. This especially stands out as this whole stanza appears to be built on a four foot rhythm. You don’t have to die to be in hell. No criticism here, just pointing out the core truth of this, and how much i love it. Truth can be a weapon Back to three feet. Again, it works, but pointing it out for your awareness. You can lie to a friend And this line, again, is short. The concept truth is complete, but i'd play with wording a bit to more clearly illuminate it and mesh the rhythm with the surrounding lines a bit better. Humour isn’t always fun Beginnings always have an end. These two lines, depending on emphasis in speaking pattern, could be either three feet or four. The last line is (to me) pretty clearly four, but i'm not sure at the moment how to tighten it. Work is how some define themselves Very true, and you've eased back to four feet. This stanza seems to alternate three and four, which could work to tie together a piece which floats between the two. My job is not who I am Faces all have certain tells I'm not quite sure what you mean by this line. Should this be "tales"?? or could this be clarified a bit? My critics can all be damned. =) excellent Probably the most important thing you could do to resolve the issues you have with smooth flow is to read it out loud, paying attention to the natural cadence, and make note of where that stumbles. You have *excellent* material here, and as it is it's a very nice piece. With a bit of polishing, it would be absolutely stunning. *hugs*

and sometimes, that truly is the only answer. well done!

*smiles* yes, friendship is great, when it's real. absolutely beautiful.

meep meep! yes, it is! i wanted to make sure that the thread got opened this morning, my time zone, though - that way it would be opened in time for those whose time zones puts them much later in the day.

The Ballroom doors are now open, and you are all cordially invited in. Bumping this as a reminder that we need character intros and the participation of everyone possible.

Minay arrived mid afternoon, much to Ayshela’s relief. She flew out the door and flung herself at him, hugging him gleefully. “Now, lass, I told you I’d be here! Here, you’d best go hang this up while we unload,” he said, handing her a carefully wrapped box which could only contain her dress. “First, let me show you where you’re going,” Ayshela said. “You’re going to love this!” Leading the way down the hall, Ayshela waited until Minay and his crew were all behind her then she opened the Ballroom doors wide and took them all inside. The room was rectangular, but the raised stage at the far end and tables dotted around the near end and curving up the sides made it seem more squared. The floor was a creamy grey marble, flecked and streaked with black. The wood paneled walls and hardwood tables had all been well polished and nearly glowed in the late afternoon sunlight. Shadows fell across the floor from the beautiful stained glass windows, expertly crafted with realistic twining vines patterning them, each one slightly different. As they walked into the center of the room, Minay looked at the ceiling and gasped in amazement. Lit by small lights flush with the ceiling were clearly visible, expertly painted scenes from the history of The Pen Keep. “Where will you be having us set up, then?” Minay asked, once he’d quit staring in amazement. “Over here,” Ayshela said, leading the way across the room. “We’ve set up a bar and buffet tables here between the tables and the stage. Lighting is variable, here, so you can have as much or as little as you like. Some of the residents prefer dim lighting, so once the Ball begins this room will be quite a study in light and shadows. Oh, and the door between you and the stage here opens out to the courtyard.” “Nice. Very nice.” Minay said, still noticing details of the impressive room. Laying a hand on Minay’s arm, Ayshela softly added “Thank you very much for agreeing to this. I’d have asked our resident experts, but I really want everyone to be able to attend and enjoy themselves. I can’t think of anyone else I’d trust with this, so I’m very glad you were available.” Minay looked at her curiously, asking “And why wouldn’t I be? I’ve a good crew, they can handle anything else on the schedule. For a friend, and the daughter of a good friend, I handle it myself. It’ll be right, now go on and hang up your dress.” With a smile and nod, Ayshela left them to their preparations and took her dress up to her room. ~~~ Ayshela, Minay, and all his crew were madly busy the next day getting everything finally set up. The lighting had to be just right, mingled areas of brightness and shadow, so that everyone would be comfortable. Lots and lots of food, beverages of all types, the musicians arrived in the afternoon and had to be shown where to set up, decorations had to be put out, the carpet runner rolled out and secured.. Minay looked at the carpet, dark brown delicately patterned with leaves in gold and bronze, and asked “Shouldn’t that be a red carpet?” “Not for a Fall Ball,” Ayshela said with a laugh. Kaylee soon had the buffet table in good order, as she kept the young men working with her running in and out making sure there was enough of everything set out and everything properly arranged. Rose and Minay stocked the bar and set up the punch bowls, then started checking off everything they’d need to make sure all was ready. Ayshela was going over her checklist for probably the fiftieth time when Minay came up and shooed her out the door to go get ready. Kay and Rose grabbed her by the arms and practically dragged her to her room, reminding her that the ball couldn’t start until she got there, so the sooner she got herself ready the sooner they could get on with it. ~~~ Ayshela appeared at the top of the stairs a few moments before the Ball was set to begin. Her elven slenderness was accentuated by her gown, soft and faintly clinging, in eye-teasing swirls of deep green, black, and gold. Her long reddish brown hair had been brushed until it shone, clipped back behind her ears and left hanging loose to flow behind her like a cloak. The soft ticking of the heels on her shoes as she came down the stairs alerted those waiting in the hall, though as she wove her way through the crowd she was lost to view among all those taller than her. Reaching the doors at last, she turned to face the crowd – her friends, and those she hoped to become friends with. “Welcome, everyone, to the Fall Ball. May your evening be as warm and enjoyable as your friendships.” With a beaming smile she threw open the doors to the Ballroom and welcomed everyone in.

The next morning found Ayshela opening the Ballroom doors and deciding what to do first. Looking around and sneezing, she decided that dusting was definitely the first order of business. The tables cleaned up quickly, but she spent the rest of the day dusting the paneled walls and carved beams. The ceiling would have to be next, and that would take some careful cleaning. But how in the world to reach it? Arched ceilings weren’t generally within easy arm’s reach, and scaffolding was out of the question. As she drifted off to sleep that night, she murmured “Of course! Why didn’t I think of that before?” As the sun began filtering through the stained glass windows the next morning, Ayshela strapped herself into her stilts and began to carefully clean the painted ceiling. The work had obviously been done by an artistic genius, it would be a shame to damage it. Her concentration was so great that when a knock came at the door she nearly fell off her stilts. She turned toward the door and called “come in!” Alaeha popped her head in and said “There are a couple girls here looking for you, shall I send them in?” “Girls? Umm.. sure! That should be fine.” A moment later she heard giggling voices in the hall and began to smile. This should be FUN! “Kaylee! Rose! What are you doing here?” she asked, as they came bursting through the door. “Oh, you know Minay, he didn’t want us underfoot while he was traveling, so he found a guide and sent us on ahead. Besides, we thought you could probably use some help,” Kay said. “Wonderful! And you’re quite right, I don’t know how I’ll ever get all this done in time otherwise. The paneling all needs polishing, would you girls mind working on that while I finish this?” Ayshela asked. The girls looked at the room in amazement. “All of it??” Rose asked, shocked. “All of it,” Ayshela replied. I’ll help you when I’m done here, but I thought it best to work from the top down.” ~~~ Two days later almost all the room preparation was done, and Ayshela, Kaylee and Rose sat in Ayshela’s room considering the best way to handle the Ball itself. “Minay should be here today, shouldn’t he?” asked Rose. “He should. I’m hoping he’ll get here fairly early, but I won’t honestly be surprised if it’s evening by the time he rolls in. I haven’t heard from him since he confirmed the arrangements, so I’ll have to assume that everything is still going according to plan.” “Do you know yet what you’re wearing?” Kay asked, eying Ayshela’s normal deep green slacks and flowing shirt dubiously. Ayshela laughed almost hysterically. “Actually, I do. Minay is bringing my dress as well, he promised to pick it up from Lady Helaina before he left. How about you girls?” “Oh, we’re all set. But we’d better get downstairs and finish up, hadn’t we?” Kay pulled Rose up from where they’d been sitting on the floor by the window, and turned to Ayshela. “Would you mind going on without me for a few minutes? A couple letters have come in that I need to deal with fairly quickly, and I’m afraid if I don’t get to them today I’ll forget.” “Sure! This should be fun!” Kay laughed, as they turned toward the door. Fun? Polishing a marble floor would be fun? Ayshela looked after them curiously, but soon forgot them as she turned to her desk and picked up a small stack of letters from home. ~~~ It was nearly lunchtime when Ayshela approached the Ballroom doors. She hurried down the hall, hoping the girls wouldn’t be annoyed with how long it had taken to finish her letters, but stopped outside the doors at hearing peals of laughter from inside. She opened the door cautiously and peeked inside, just in time to see Rose flying across the floor in front of her. The girls laughed merrily at the startled look on her face. “Come on in, it’s fun!” Kay called. Ayshela cast a puzzled look at the girls, then at the floor which was beginning to approach the gleaming finish they were aiming at. Noticing her look, Rose lifted one foot to show a soft cloth tied around it. “Come on,” she said, laughing. “Can you imagine any better way to polish this much floor?” Watching the girls skate off across the floor again, Ayshela looked at the broad expanse of marble and shuddered at the thought of polishing it all by hand. Much better by foot, she thought with a giggle, and grabbed some cloths so she could join the fun.

Hours later, Ayshela returned to her room with only two spare invitations remaining in her basket. Laying the invitations on her desk, she put the basket away in her closet and retrieved her cloak. She quickly strapped on her blades and money pouch, then stopped in brief calculation. There would be time to make the necessary arrangements and get back and still have time for all the preparations here, but taking time to travel there would leave her pressed. Nodding quickly to herself she turned back to her desk and opened the bottom drawer, taking a smallish vial from safe hiding in the very back. She tucked a paper into the frame of the mirror, made sure she had all she would need, and strode to the center of the room. Kissing the vial quickly, with a fond thought for the shaman who had given that and several other potions to her, she broke the vial open. As the gate potion took effect she disappeared in a silvery swirl, leaving behind her only a typically female note – Gone Shopping, Back Soon. ~~~ “Are you sure you won’t have any problem getting there?” she asked Minay again. He drew himself up in offended dignity. “Lass, I’ve been gettin’ into and out of places on three continents that folks’ll tell you can’t be got to, just to bring a friend a sandwich sometimes. I can find your Keep, and my crew and I will be there as I’ve said we will.” With an apologetic gesture, Ayshela said “I’m sorry, it’s been a very long day and I’m not in the mood to trust that things won’t go horribly wrong. I’ve never been hostess there before and I’m more than a little nervous.” Minay patted her shoulder reassuringly, then pocketed the money she’d given him. “It’ll be fine,” he promised. “You’ve hired yourself the best caterer the Goddess blessed, though I do say so myself.” Looking up into his impish smile, Ayshela laughed softly. “That may be so,” she said, “but do my nerves the favor of getting there a bit early, will you?” Bowing with a broad flourish, Minay said only “As you wish, my lady.” With a smile and nod, Ayshela left with one vital errand remaining. As she ran across town she thought “With my luck this will take the rest of the day and I’ll end up stuck in this goddess-forsaken town for the night.” Finding herself standing in front of a gleaming glass door mumbling to herself, she blushed hotly and looked to make sure no one had noticed. As her eyes fell on the shop sign she shuddered. “Well, what can’t be cured must be endured, and I suppose it will be worth it.” Sighing deeply, she pushed the door open and entered the dreaded dress shop. ~~~ Early the next morning, Ayshela returned to her room at the Keep. The designing and fabric selection hadn’t been as bad as she’d been afraid, but the fitting session had been even longer and more draining than she’d been prepared for – and those wicked pins! A good thing indeed she’d be so busy for the next few days, she wouldn’t sit easy for a week. Negligible compared to battle wounds, but far more humiliating. Setting her pack gently on the floor, she began to unpack her cleaning supplies. The Ballroom was lovely, but it would take a lot of cleaning to get the long-unused room ready. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she began mentally listing the things to scrub and polish, materials to get, people to contact – and didn’t even realize she’d slumped over and fallen soundly asleep.

OoC thread here ~~~ Ayshela sat at her desk writing tiredly, the growing pile of papers to her left giving evidence that she’d been working there for quite some time. Crossing the last name off her list, she lay her pen down with a deep sigh and gently shook her cramped hand. What a job! And only just begun, at that. Rising from her seat, she stretched as tall as she could to ease her aching back. If only she could ease her mind as readily! With a worried frown, she crossed to her window and looked out toward the courtyard. People coming and going, some she knew and some she knew of, but what were the odds she hadn’t missed someone? With a wrinkled-nosed-frown she admitted that it was quite likely. Turning back toward the desk she resigned herself to getting several ready in case of need. Having a Fall Ball had seemed like such a GOOD idea! But what a job.. the invitations alone had kept her busy for days and they weren’t even delivered yet. ~~~ Delivery. Now there was a minor problem. How to get the invitations into everyone’s hands in time to still get everything else done? Looking at the basket piled high with envelopes, each carefully sealed with her twisted ivy seal, she shuddered at the thought of going room to room through the entire Keep looking for people. Oh! With a smile bright enough to light up the whole room, she grabbed the basket and fairly flew out her door, knowing just where to find almost everyone over the course of the night. The Cabaret Room – of course! Standing outside the Cabaret Room, Ayshela looked at the doors in dismay. The outwardly-opening doors which had so caught her attention when she first arrived now worked against her as there was no way… “May I help you?” asked the soft voice interrupting her contemplation of the still-unmoving door. Looking over her shoulder, she gave a glad cry. “Alaeha! Yes, please! I really need to get into the Cabaret Room with these invitations, but can’t manage both the basket and the door – and while I’m thinking about it, your invitation is right there on top.” As Alaeha opened the door she offered to help hand out the invitations, an offer quickly and happily accepted. “Thank you so much! I couldn’t think where else to find as many people at once, and I do need to get these given out soon. They’re in alphabetical order, though I don’t for a moment think that they’ll stay that way once we start riffling through them to find the right ones.” Making their way to a table toward the middle of the room, Ayshela set the basket on the table, handed Alaeha her invitation, and then began handing out invitations to those who were in the room. Puzzled looks turned to excited murmurings as those who had already gotten their invitations opened them to read: Lady Ayshela Whisperwind Cordially requests your presence for The Fall Ball Beginning at dusk on the seventeenth In the Ballroom, The Pen Keep Ayshela and Alaeha quickly had invitations in the hands of everyone present, including those drawn in by the excited chatter. With grateful thanks, Ayshela left Alaeha to discuss the Ball with her friends, and took her greatly lightened basket in search of those whose invitations remained undelivered.

Ayshela stomps in, steel toed boots firmly in place.. with a careful line-up she KICKS the rest of the week away. She unfurls and hangs a "Happy Friday" banner, makes arrangements with the bartender for a free drink for everyone, and disappears grumbling something about monsoon season and towels and wind tangled long long hair..

YAY!!! does a happydance

whoooooaaah... wow thankyou. this part here: i've been trying for weeks to find some way to wrap words around these thoughts, and here they are.wonderful!

Good catch, Regel. That is, indeed, the point at which that becomes true. My apologies, however, i had not intended to frighten or upset anyone. How to explain.. (isn't that always the question?) This is an issue i am intimately familiar with, from *both* sides. i was the only one there to piece my aunt back together, and hold her together, when she was officially informed of her husband's death due to suicide. i have seen, and i have felt, the non-comprehension.. the anger born of pain and fear.. the guilt i dared admit to noone.. But, as you noted, i have also been aware of the depths of the despair that put the gun in his hand. The pain, the shame, the utter worthlessness.. walking around feeling dead inside - yet perversely hoping no one will notice you're already dead because they'll kill you if they find out.. and the absolute, core deep knowledge that even if the absurdly unlikely happened and anyone cared, they would never understand.. i know it. i've felt it. i also know it can be survived. Again, this was not intended to frighten or upset anyone. This was born of a burning need to effectively communicate the thought process to someone who had ranted at me on the topic once too often to simply let go. It was posted here because of the sure knowledge that if ever there were to be found understanding, it would be here. I had not expected to also find honest caring and concern, and for that i thank you. To find that there are those who understand.. To find that there are those who care enough to question.. valuable things indeed, for anyone. Yes, this is fiction. But as for what it actually is, you described it very precisely in your first sentence.

*nod* it can be very difficult, and very frightening, to set aside the masks we live inside, can't it? *hugs*

Ayshela comes into the Birthday Room, squelching with every step and dripping a near constant stream. As the warmth reaches her she begins to slowly steam, giving hope that eventually, maybe, she might even dry out! Wandering slowly from table to table, she sets several pair of sunglasses at each one. Reaching the table which awaits the birthday cake, she carefully sets a pair of extra-dark sunglasses there for the birthday girl, as those from the rain belt are unaccustomed to protecting themselves from the sun. Looked like there was some time before the party started.. with a quick nod to herself, Ayshela found a comfortable patch of grass and lay down to finish drying out. OOC: Happy Birthday, from one wetfoot to another! Hope it's grand!

*laughs* kinda like "how to give a cat a bath" eh?

brings warm soft blankets for both, and joins Wrenwind with a thankful smile *nod* i usually end up sitting at my computer, or curled up at the end of the couch.. generally the only one awake at such ungodly hours, though.. lol might as well post this here to make sense of a line in the previous, though. it still needs some polishing, but the explanation of "the ravening bedmonster" - The monstrous bed is lying there yawning, awaiting me. Its warm, enticing breath wafts over, caressing me, coaxing me, to come.. come.. come to bed. When i can resist no longer i cross the room unwillingly and carefully lie down. Pillowed on the waiting ivory, i pull the tongue up snugly and lie there awaiting disaster.

posting per request Another midnight's come and gone.. i wander the house and wonder, if i were to close my eyes, what would there be to see? it seems, so much, there's no place left.. my only refuge now destroyed, no safe haven within reach, just that i wish would let me be. there aren't blankets enough for warmth the shivering cold has gone soul deep there aren't locks enough to make safe hiding place in which to creep check the doors and windows now.. and now choose which book to read, maybe play a game instead, and make a pot of tea do anything to stall the time.. the ravening bedmonster waits, maybe if i close my eyes, this time they won't see ME? i am so deathly, deadly tired yet all that i can do is run if this is a battlefield.. i fear they've won

hah! good point, and good catch. **reaching for edit button** thanks!

Ayshela appears in the doorway, bringing a tray containing several types of sandwiches, cookies, a pot of tea and two cups. "Excuse me," she said, rather hesitantly. "You looked like you could use some food, some rest, and someone to watch your back." Moving slowly and deliberately, she entered, set the tray on the table, and seated herself. "You've no reason to trust me, so if you like, i'll join you. I've no idea when Wyvern will next be free, and it can be a lonely wait." With a symathetic smile, Ayshela settled down to wait with Cylia. OOC: welcome!! Stunningly well done!

This is actually about the sixth draft of it.

a chord is a chord, and i knew it would hit at least one of two. That she does not have your sympathies is hardly a surprise, truth be told. In her world, she wouldn't expect to. Understanding is far too much to ask for, sympathy is an abstract word in the dictionary. i do appreciate your comments. Thank you.