Appy

The general idea of Valentine is kinda nice, but completely missed by the commercialising of it. If you look at what we celebrate and when, it's not that strange that we put a date to it. Or, to be precise, that the christian church put a date to it. Which isn't all that bad if it weren't for the fact that we're now dictated by the stores on HOW we'll celebrate it. I've always been remembered of Valentine's day, since it's my aunt's birthday. But I don't remember ever sending a card. If I couldn't seek contact with someone I was interested in on any other day, I didn't feel it would make it any easier or more succesfull on that day, so I reasoned. And I don't even remember for sure if I got any cards myself... could be. This is how much impact they had. Yesterday my husband brought home flowers. Just like that. Because it had been a long time since he did so, and felt he wanted to show his appreciation for me through them. Those are my Valentine's days. And, incidentally, a lot cheaper too then the actual one, would we celebrate that. In fact, I think I specifically forbade my husband to buy me any flowers as well on that date, just like Salinye. -Rambling Appy

So we just answer the questions you send us in pm? Just seeking clarification, and please ask if you need more information on Eda to write her, I'll think of something then

Nahuel stretched as he woke, and first checked the man he found the day before. He was still unconscious, but his breathing was steady, and so was his heartbeat. It looked more like he was in a deep sleep. Nahuel nodded to himself, and thanked his old teacher. She had told him that the brew would keep a man sleeping, so that his mind would not disturb the body in the healing process. He then checked on the horses, got some more water, refreshed the bandage around the man’s head, adding some herbs he had found near the stream, and whistled for Saqui. She would have to carry them both today. The grazing grounds where still far ahead, and their journey was far from over. Nahuel made Saqui kneel, and bound the man on her back, so he could sit in front of him, without him falling off. The man grunted a few times, but remained in his slumber. Not long after, the herd set off towards the hill that had been plagued by thunderstorms the night before. They hadn’t moved far or Nahuel saw the signs of another tribe living here. He stopped and discussed in his head what he should do. On one hand, it would be nice to leave the man in the care of another. On the other, he didn’t know this tribe, and could get into serious trouble. Especially because a herd this big was well sought after, but he couldn’t afford to loose even one of the magnificent horses. Nahuel stared at the hill, and decided that he would move around the east of it, riding along the forest edge. He was almost halfway around the hill, and nearing the forest as he saw a small girl moving through the grass. She was heading straight to the forest, and looked like she packed for a longer journey. Nahuel moved his legs so Saqui would halt, and heard the herd mill behind him, restless because of the sudden stop. Saqui also neighed her discontent, but then she suddenly saw the girl as well, and the change in her stance was obvious to Nahuel. Here was someone that Saqui wanted to protect, as if she had found one of her children. Nahuel frowned and patted Saqui´s neck, showing that he had understood her movement. He just didn’t understand why she acted this way. But he had always believed his friend, and so far, she had always been right in whatever her horse spirit saw that he couldn’t. Normally Nahuel would’ve stood up on Saqui´s back now, and waved a greeting. But the strange man was still strapped to him, and he couldn’t do that. So instead he whistled a tune he normally used to calm horses, and waved, hoping to attract the attention of the girl. It shouldn’t be that difficult, with the whole herd behind him, he thought. The question was if she was able to see him as well.

"Oh, hello again. I hope there´s nothing wrong with the mule, is there?" Peter stopped in the doorway and stared at the floor. "I´m not sure," he mumbled, "maybe you should have a look at it?" He shuffled his feet and looked at everything but Maria. "Well, if you have treated him as well as you did Grazer, he should be fine. But maybe it´s been eating something in the forest that it shouldn´t have.. I´ll come with you in a moment, just let me finish feeding the horses." With that, she walked away with the wheelbarrow, leaving Peter to stand in the doorway. Peter looked around a bit more now, and noticed a little boy staring at him from a corner. "Uhm, hello there littl´un." The boy continued staring. Peter scraped his throat and looked around his shoulder at the road he had come down. Nothing stirred in the moist summer heat. He looked back to where the boy was. Had been. He wasn´t there anymore. Maria walked around the back and waited for Peter to join her. "I hear you met my youngest." She said, as they walked down the path to his cottage. Peter nodded, and mumbled something about how he looked healthy. Maria sighed. "Healthy in body he is, but he´s hardly ever spoken since my husband passed away. And even less since you bought Puller of´f me. Those two had been friends y´know, but he was the only mule left, and I know you depend on it´s labour." Peter looked at Maria´s face. She had her eyes fixed on the road before her, but her worry was obvious. "Maybe.." Peter started. He sighed and tried again, "Maybe you could bring him over to the woods one day, he could keep Puller company, and even help me out a bit." Silence rang through the trees around them. "Y´know.. take the boy out of it a bit..." Peter´s voice became quite soft at the end of the sentence. He walked on a few steps before realising that Maria had stopped walking. He turned around and looked at her. Her face was a picture of worry and hope. "You´d do that for him?" Peter nodded. "Of course." Maria´s smile broke the wrinkles of worry on her face, and they walked on in silence. Puller had indeed eaten something that he shouldn´t have, and Maria instructed Peter to pay more attention to what the adventurous mule ate in the woods. Peter nodded, and a few days later he gave the same instruction to the boy. He came there everyday after. A few months later, Peter asked Maria´s hand in marriage. After looking at her boy, and seeing his smile, she accepted with her heart.

Intriguing poem Wyvern, not for the least because it's in a format that I could've chosen myself. You have me quite confused about the last stanza though, and I will have to come back to that many times to actually understand it. But, like Regel said, the first words, Image, think and pretend open up a big potential, and I think you used it well. I would be curious what made you write this, and why you went with this style.. it's so unlike you, which is quite refreshing I must admit, but still makes me think. Thanks for posting.

1. purple-green 2. bouncy 3. Laanders 4. lucky 5. wandered 6. shoe-maker 7. Bollocks! 8. dreadful 9. blue dress 10. teeth 11. green slippers 12. changed 13. building plane-models 14. Laander´s pink bathrobe 15. disinfected 16. Sweetcherrie 17. bathslippers 18. 42 19. sensual 20. formally Hope I did this right

Powerful image you have here. I really like how it changes from Better take care to won´t care. Thank you for posting.

The part in italics is what Jacob notices in his feverish dreams.. feel free to tell me to change things, or add to it yourself Patrick

The horses had stayed restless most of the night, even though the thunderstorm had stopped soon after they had reached the valley. The next day he decided to go straight to that hill. It was unlikely for that thunderstorm to have hung around and it should be save now. Nahuel hadn’t slept much, and therefore almost fell of his horse as she reared. He saw the reason. There was a strange looking man lying on the ground, his head against a stone. Most of the herd had passed him without noticing. So either he was dead, or pretending to be… Nahuel jumped to the ground and calmed Saqui by leaning his forehead against her neck. He then got his knife out of it’s sheet and sneaked towards the man. That’s when he saw the dark spot on the stone. He flared his nose and noticed the metallic smell of blood. Dead or wounded then. He crouched closer and took in the strange clothes and his skin. He was pale, very very pale. Nahuel doubted the man was still alive and touched his forehead. “Ou!” The man was burning! The wound in his head looked terrible, but Nahuel had seen enough that men who had looked worse had survived before. He stared into the distance for a while (the herd had gathered behind him again as soon as they noticed Saqui had stopped) and made the decision to stay. His teacher had done well to imprint on him a most important lesson; “Always be willing to help the wounded, friend, stranger, or foe”. After all, he might need it himself one day. And if he was always prepared to help others, the gods would be more willing to send help. He whistled for Saqui and took his pack down. A short while after he had a fire going, had found running water nearby, and almost had it cooking in one of his leather skins. Skilled hands took his head and carefully lifted it. Something warm was moved over the back of his head for a long time. Then he was put on the ground again, this time lying on his right cheek. Not long after, something was wrapped around his head. Put lying down again. A blanket draped around his body. Something hot forced between his lips, which he couldn’t swallow. Darkness

Nahuel is a young boy from a tribe far away, trying to get home. I don't know yet why he's so far from home, but we're going to find out I think Saqui's the leading horse-lady of his herd, and his best friend as far as he's concerned. He probably has a number of significant items on him, but I don't know yet which precisely. Consider him of slight build, typical indian clothes, and the feather of some hunting bird braided into his (mostly) loose black hair. In other words, he's a complete mystery for you AND me at this moment. Should be fun

The horses were restless. Nahuel looked at the sky and saw the thunderclouds hanging above the next hill. The view from here was impressive, he could see all three hills that he would have to pass still to get home, and further. The herd circled around him, neighing with every lightning flash and thunder. Nahuel sighed and got of Saqui. He would have to decide whether to camp here, on the hill, where it would be very bad should the thunderstorm catch him. Or he could go down to the valley, and camp there. He made his way through the herd and set his knee down at the edge, a thoughtful look on his face as he looked at the hill again. Something was funny about this thunderstorm.. He had seen many in his years, but never had one concentrated itself so clearly around one hill. They always wandered down into the valleys, as if sliding of the slopes. Nahuel made a decision. He would camp in the valley sideways of the hill he was on. That way the horses wouldn’t see the thunderstorm but he could still easily find out whether it had stopped or not. He whistled and grabbed Saqui’s manes to jump on as she galloped past, steering her to the left with only the slightest pressure of his hand against her neck. Saqui snorted and changed direction, the herd following her without command.

*stealth-huggles the old man* missed ya!

Just in case any one is wondering, I'm working on the next story, but my muse is insisting that it should be long. And she's taking breaks inbetween as well.. sooo you'll just have to wait.

Looks great Katz, thanks!

Apaltra, standing next to Finx in the doorway, waited patiently for Sweetcherrie to admire the gifts she got so far, before walking over to present what she had to give herself. "From me, accept this in long standing friendship and respect." She handed Sweetcherrie a long package. Sweetcherrie opened it and revealed a long wooden walking stick, the top of which was carved expertedly with various animals, with on top a flying pheonix looking quite like Troy. As she held it she felt how the wood seemed to move under her hand to fit it better. She looked puzzled at Apaltra. "It'll always be comfertable to hold, and can possibly do more. It was carved by a good friend of mine out of wood found only in my country. It is yours now, and will develop with you. May it be good to you." Apaltra bowed formally, and smiled as she looked up again. "And then there is this.." She handed over a big wooden chest, which might've looked quite decent and formal once, but was now covered in colorful drawings and little paper flowers stuck to it everywhere. "It is a gift from Appy, as you might've guessed. She was sure that you knew what to do with it." Sweetcherrie tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. "Appy said, that you should visit her, once you knew who to give this to. She's being very cryptive lately, and has some problems to solve. She was sad that she couldn't be here, but seemed quite.. giggly, when she handed this over." Apaltra looked a bit concerned, but lightened up as she saw the glint in Sweetcherries eyes. She was sure this would be just fine.. OOC: Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great day (well it's almost over, but then again, just starting at this moment ) and consider this Appy-gift as an invitation to 'play around' a bit.. it's been too long

*has to agree with Tyrion, but doesn't have a cool name for us hybrids either*

I feel somewhat silly to say this after all the debate, but I very much like this minimalistic version as well... Just thought you should know Kudos reverie for bringing forth your opinions, much appreciated

I'm gonna miss this, had some great times with you and your show. Thank you right back for including us and never being too busy to hop into chat even to talk to us during the shows. You've certainly changed my outlook on hip-hop too, just so's you know Thanks! Appy

Hmm I really liked the last stanza of the original version. And in your second version the bugspray seems completely out of place now, because you're not working up to it anymore. I'd therefor suggest keeping the last stanza as it was. I like your change in second stanza though, even though at first it seemed like you just gathered difficult words and threw them in a stanza That's just me having English as a second language tho, no worries, it's fitting I think Not sure about another stanza.. it might be stretching the point too much. Hrmm, reading it again, you already have 'some' comic relief in your fifth stanza of course... so then, if you decide to bring back the original last stanza, you'd have two creepy, a center which explains the problem quite visual, and two comic relief stanza's. You could tip the balance with an additional stanza, but be very sure about the direction you'll take then. Good luck, I'll be following this one

Congratulations!

Whooo congratulations! *hugs*

First about your worry that you didn't post this in the right place. Well, it's poetry, you are an honoured guest, therefor, the Banquet Room is perfect, especially since you gave some sort of warning beforehand. But to join us for real (so's to benefit from ALL our goodies ) requires the writing of an application. You can read all about that in the FAQ .. this link'll direct you straight to the answers about applications/applying. Then, once you're an initiate, you can post things like this in the Scarlett Pen. (which is our official non-rated forum) Even though I doubt this is very offensive to anyone, I wouldn't be surprised if the majority still felt it best to post this there. Unfortunately, I cannot move this there myself, but any of the elders will pick up on this at some point I think (they're busy people y'know ) Now.. On to the actual poem! This piece has major potential, and I enjoyed reading what you have here. Well, the message is almost harsh (from what I could pick out of it) so maybe not so much enjoyed but intrigued? As you see, I'm better at explaining things then I am at giving replies on literature, but I'll keep doing my best You have good descriptive images here, and if you would like to have it picked apart (in a friendly, helpful way), I'd be most glad to do so, just give the word Not sure if you posted here before, but in any case, welcom to the boards, and I hope you enjoy your stay

*blush* you shouldn't have..thanks. And a special thanks to Laanders for showing up here AND the poem, and to Morgane, just for showing up. Might have a proper reply later.. might not, who knows. Birthday was relaxed and no people bugging me.. ie. the perfect thing. Good food, hubby and game's all I need on a day like that.. again, thanks guys, I don't deserve a birthday thread *says she who's refused to participate in those for long already*

I love non-sensical, and this one was great in many ways. Personally I could've done without the analyses until after it had been up for a few days, but thanks for posting

I will close this sign-up for now. Eight out of nine isn't bad to start with afterall The stories will be posted here. Thanks for all the ideas!