cryptomancer

Mallory stood in the perfectly circular spotlight, her hair and gown drawn to its complete perfection as it should have been, and bowed deeply to the judges. "thank you, thank you, this is such an honour, thank you." drowning her voice were the applause of a few thousand toon characters, from the insane to the just plane crazy, big and small alike, all chasing fighting and parodying each other to the best of their abilities, while being distracted occasionally to applaude some more. Mallory stood in the small storm of roses that fell around her, ducked the three dozen rose bouquet that almost knocked her off stage and retalliated in typical toon fashion. The anvil took out the perpetrator, (and an innocent raven) much to the liking of her fans. Scooping up the offending flowers mallory took one last chance to bow, before leading her volumous entourage off stage. OOC: Thank you all for the chance to write with you, i thoroughly enjoyed the game. Thank you judges, thank you Cheermynx, thank you all.

Mallory looked at the judge’s panel from offstage. She had been rather nervous about the swimsuit round, her animator had been adding extra curves to her form and it was starting to get to her, no amount of exercise can remove a curve that is drawn on, and swimsuits show off far more on a toon than on almost anything else. Mallory stepped out once more upon the stage, hoping that all was in order and her instructions were being followed to the letter. Any miss-drawn line could destroy the look completely. So, doing a beautiful imitation of a catwalk model, Mallory moved forward, the shimmering robe covering her shoulders seemed almost alive with the drawn fluidity that it possessed. With all the grace of a model the robe was slipped off her slender frame, and in a single movement cast aside to become a waterfall, cascading to form a pool at the front of the stage. In true toon style the deep blue single piece swimsuit that Mallory wore was painted on, (yes, literally). The front row of the audience suddenly erupted into a panel of wolves dressed in zoot suits and whistling. Stepping over the tongues that lay across her path, Mallory stepped into the pool. With a short dive she disappeared under the surface, and then emerged, walking slowly, dressed in a white bikini, a black dive belt and knife casually draped around her waist. The bikini showing off her flawless figure perfectly, each line drawn to her liking, every single shaded tone perfect, except her waist, Mallory blushed. Signaling to a stage hand she finally on her third attempt got hold of her manager, and after a few whispered words, and a lot of apologies to the judges, a large brush appeared from someplace off-screen, and in a few well placed strokes corrected the slight rounding of lines, making them straighter, more fitting to a toon of her stature. Walking forward Mallory took the towel that seemed to just be there ready for her hand to find, and casually began to dry her long hair. With a turn, she posed for the benefit of the judging table, her new lines attracting more whistles from the front row, and then, winking at the wolves, slowly walked off stage. The pool and scene fades to black, with the trademark white circle in the centre, trapping a wolf’s tongue, and causing yet another, final, wolf whistle.

From someplace high above the stage a brilliant beam of light hits the ground, forming a perfect white circle and dimming everything around to a deep black shadow. All that can be seen for a few moments is the single tall stool that sits in front of the judges table at the exact center of the circle of white. Mallory slowly walks onto the stage, her hips sway with each step, the long, figure hugging dress shimmering in the light. Sitting on the stool Mallory looks at the expectant crowd, her smile glistening deep red and perfect. “If I won the pageant, what would I do for the Pen?” Mallory stated the question, letting her smooth seductive voice grab the attention of the audience. “My goal would be to provide a state of beauty and wonder, mixed with the joy of fun and games, to truly bring all together as a family.” Mallory deepened her smile, letting her eyes caress the crowd, winking at those that met her gaze. “My plan was to open a portal to my world; a world of fun and extreme excitement, where everybody can experience the joy of sugar, caffeine and roller coasters. With a special area for those that are not this tall.” Mallory held out her arm, placing her hand at a level to indicate her point. “Every day you can play ‘dodge the anvil’, or shoot at targets to win prizes, or even if you wish, tour a replica of the haunted mansion that was used in last years ‘Halloween werewolf game’. And for those that wish to test their survival skills, we have a replica of the ‘Recruiters Office’ a maze of such complexity that we still have not found the construction crew.” Mallory sat her hands folded daintily in her lap, legs crossed at the ankle, her smile still seductively innocent as she described the joys of extreme sports like ‘hunt the rabbit’, and ‘catch the birdie’. Pausing as she finished, Mallory dabbed her eyes, removing the tear from her cheek. “I am sorry; I do miss my home so very much at times.” Gently Mallory slipped from her seat, walked to the very edge of her circle of light and bowed to the judges table. “Thank you all so much for making me so welcome.” Then, as the circle faded to black, Mallory walked slowly off stage.

"Sorry I'm late.....Sorrysorrysorry, I can do this in time, really, please, just a quick glace in my direction and you will note my wonderful skill..... " Mallory's voice carries over the area, just as the judges were looking to close the third round. The Judges glance to the stage area, and exchange looks of utter confuson at the complete emptyness of it. Then, in the way that only a toon can balance, Mallory suddenly appeared, the stack of rather surprised cows almost sweeping away the judges table as the sway to impossible points angles from her grip at the bottom of the whole stack. Mallory herself swaying dangerously from the seat of a small wheeled but somehow very tall unicycle, her free hand waving a small flag to draw the judges attention from the stack of suprised cows still swaying over their heads. As the crowd gasps, Mallory throws the flag into the air, followed by the first cow. The second cow follows shortly after as the flag and the first seem to soar to an impossible height. Then the third and fourth almost similtainiously follow. and just as the flag beginns its decent, the fifth and sixth cows join the scene of airborne bovines. the next moment all seems controlled, Mallory is perfectly perched in the seat od the rather talll unicycle, her small delicate arms working up a small blur as she juggles the six mooing bovines and a small flag. the stunned crowd holds their combined breath, waiting for the enevitable to transpire. "I told you I could do it, thank you, thank you for letting me take just a moment longer of your time." Mallory steps off the unicycle, it in turn skitters off to the left and the first cow hits her from above styfling her attempted bow to the judges table, the second and third land in the growing cloud of dust with rather comical mooing as background sound effects, followed by the last three one after the other. The flag seems to float down gently as if in no real hurry to finalise the comotion, but at the last second of its decent, turns into an anvil, and hits mallory as she attempts to stand up in the middle of a very surprised pile of cows. The dust clears........ Mallory Bows to the table of judges, and prances off stage giggling, swaying a bit from the impact of bovines, and swatting at the small band of animated mynxes Gryphons and Peredhils that circles her head.

The open area in front of the judges clears for a moment, before, the soft flutter of wings draws the attention of the onlookers to a small flock of birds. Each small bird, black or grey, with a white underbelly and a tail like a fan spread behind it, the tails of the twittering, flitting and fluttering flock seem to reflect light in a spiral of dizzing patterns as they play and dive at each other. Mallory steps forward into the center ot the spiralling birds. Her hair is down, falling in a liquid flow over her shoulders, the soft curve of her neck framed in the cascade of dark red that trickles down her back. As she softly turns to show her attire to the judges, the back of her hair is revealed to be trimed to match the back of her gown, covering her sylph like form with a rippling fan of red. Turning to face the crowds again she smiles, stepping forward to allow better view of her deep blue dress, strapless, backless, fanning around her on the sandy stage, tracing swirling patterns as she moves, hovering around her beautiful figure. Mallory poses center stage, turning slightly to each side in turn to display her gown from all angles for the judges. Then with a soft smile and a wink to the heckler in the back that suggested a top for her very low dress, her hand draws a paint brush from ....Someplace....(I never figured that toon trick out) and casually redraws her dress, changing it into a halter neck, framing her figure just as well, but covering a little more. Her eyes find the heckler in the back corner, in the form of a Raven, sitting on the edge of a large cup of coffee...(ok bucket of coffee, iced, hint of vanilla)... and,with a small smile Mallory draws out a cell phone, from some interestingly unmentioned place of toonishness, her speed dail echoes through the crowd, her call is answered within a single ring with "Welcome to ACME, how may I help?" With a giggle Mallory answers, "Special number 46 please, and some flowers for the Judges, charge it to my account, thanks." Her phone dissapears into the void of toon storage, and almost as soon as it is gone, a bouquet of flowers appears on the judges table, with a small note that said, "Sorry for the interuption"... in the backgrond, a styfled and somewhat alarmed squawk is heard as an anvil hits the raven from above. With a wink and a smile Mallory turns and walks off stage, her fanfair of fantails following her.

I spent today in ecstacy, alone, save the thoughts of love, Each caress of blessing upon my skin, echoed in my soul. I sang my life in dream, seeing all pale, and fade, For beauty was held beside me,and nothing else could remain. I spend today in wonder, alone, save the thoughts of you, Each voice of love conversing, telling me things I knew. Vocalised visions of all I could feel, cool air of morning, And the warmth of fabric, holding us close again. I spent today awakened, by the whispers of all I knew, Slept in the arms of love, that renewed my heart and soul. Each caress of passion, every moment spent, Eternity opening to our love, my life with you complete.

the beach was quiet as a gently swirling and very localized mist creaped across the sand. Small birds and woodland creatures ducked and dived and hoped in and around the shadow in its center. The mist drew nearer to center stage as trees and soft music met the sences of the gathered crowd. in the soft breeze that parted the mist and revealed Mallory, her white gown fluttered soflty around her legs, flashing their beautifully drawn curves as it moved. The white material sheer and seemed to be an echo of the mist itself, clinging to her to maintain modesty, while showing off all that a toon can safly reveal. "Hi" her voice was like liquid velvet, drifting to the ears of all gathered. "My name is Mallory, as you can tell I am a toon, drawn to excite and tease, and in the way of all toons, entertain. I just seem to be better at the Excite and tease bit." She smiled a perfect innocent smile, and turned, showing her gown to be not just strapless but backless as well. "I have been drawn to be beautiful, and learned to adapt to almost any look." Malloy twirled a paint brash in her fingers, asn in a few drft strokes across her outfit, gave it straps, a tighter fit, and a lizard skin texture, her makeup changed to that of a high fashion model, and in her gracefull twirl to display her new look, her knee length boots showed through the splits in her new dress. "So, i hope i can draw on enough inspiation to winn the judges over." Mynx glared at the wink directed at Gryphon, the smile for Peredhil, and softens ever so slightly at the bow directed toward her. Turning slowly to show off, just cause she can, Malory walked soflty off stage, the mist closing around her again, and the dance of forrest animals all clamouring for her attention began again.

Suddenly there is a change in the air of the Carnival, the gathered pennites turn, each looking for the source of the change. The Beach itself seems to buzz with life and purity, each soft caress of the air bringing beauty to whatever it touches. A soft shadow fills the area around the pagent sign up, soft satin robe hiding the figure beneath as the newest entrant walks slowly forward. Midway to the sign up the new comer stops, turning gracefully to see all from the folds of her hood, then as she continues forward, the satin robe seems to hang suspended, and out from under the soft folds steps the exquisite beauty of Mallory. Her eyes deep blue survey the gathered crowd, each line of her face hinting of the inspiration from where her form came, her hair long and flowing, tumbling across her shoulders. Each movement revealing the toned strength of a practiced dancer. Her shoulders curve gently to the striking beauty of her figure, hidden by a gown that seems to defy gravity in the way it holds to her supple form. Each step she takes reveals the smooth tanned skin of her legs through the slits of her gown, one on each side, running gently to the edge of her hips. Name- Mallory Sex- Female (animation) Height- 5' 10''

Well let me see. the art of Cryptomancy is from role playing, I played an elf, he was a cryptomancer, dm's choice as it looked fun. (The DM changed his mind when i used the rune of water to make arrows out od holy water and shoot them at his ridiculously strong vampire that had us on the back foot.) I liked the discription of the art as it fits my view of writing. Magic with words.... mmm... yummy. the Raven came from my earlier nickname 'Crow' thanks to a story told at my 21st about me talking (mimicing) to a crow in my back yard at the age 3. Friends took this as a sign because of the martial arts thing and the Crow being out in the movie theatres, I got the name. then........ my wonderful wife looked at it and suggested that i resembled the Raven from E A poe's poem, as i n i like to sit in dark corners and watch people, generally scaring them too. it stuck. as for the ego, um.. *blush* nuf said really.

Congratulations, very very well deserved.

Class Clown You are 28% Rational 57% Extroverted 71% Brutal 85% Arrogant. *sits stunned* 85% only 85% that cant be right, no i dont believe it, only 85% 85% only..... only 85% *drifts away stunned into shock*

The mind of a raven is a strange thing. The mind of a Raven on Caffeine is darn right scary. Not to mention highly dangerous and prone to severe errors in judgment. The coffee machine bubbled, the Raven grinned, his claw clasping something tightly. In a slow expansion of mist the human form of the runemage appeared, his hood pulled over his eyes as he played with some silver wire and a few runes of binding and protection. Adding his final touch to the small trinket in his palm, the Cryptomancer condensed to avian form and sat grinning in that way that only a raven can truely grin. The coffee machine bubbled more, and the mind of the Raven became unstable. (ok ok more unstable) *pauses and looks around* (ok ok ok so it went downright insane on caffeine and lack of sleep, possibly halucinating too) As Mynx went about her tasks, tray in paw, owls at the ready, the Raven landed on her head, and in the quizzical way of Ravens looked at her. "having fun?" Mynx swatted playfully at him, the owls glared at the intruder to their perch. Suddenly Mynx flinched as a sharp pain took hold of her ear, her owls erupted in a storm of beaks and wings and claws as the Raaven became a target of aggression. In the middle of it all the Raven dissapated into a puff of dark mist and vanished into the air around Mynx as she tried to calm her owls down again. "What the ??" her paw went to her throbbing ear, feeling a small ear ring that seemed to be the cause of the pain. "Raven!!" she heard a very avian giggle from the rafters. Turning her head she found the shadow it came from, and noticed the purpose of the new item of jewelery. The small bell chimed so sweetly and perfectly as it hung on her new ear ring. the silver catching the light so perfectly, and the note seemed to match the pitch of the crowd. Mynx shook her head in frustration, the bell chimed gently, "Raven, you are so gonna get it for this." From the rafters an avian voice giggled down, "Ring me, we can talk about it"

in the corner sat a caffeinated Raven, twitching easily in time to the soft bubble of the coffee machine that had been installed in the corner behind him.

the Raven sits watching the festivities, and keeping an eye on the various things eating birds. shifting back into the shadows of the rafters more, he whispers quietly, "happy birthday Canid"

Sitting in a glass cage, surrounded by cameras, the Raven looks up, the dawning of a thought visible in his eyes. As he looks down and goes back to his work, selling cameras to the minions of evil, his eyes suddenly widen as he writes the date on his latest invoice. In a flurry and flutter of black wings he launches himself for freedom, spinning out of reach of an Australian Demon as he evedes his boss, swooping under a display to avoid the clutching hands of his customers he gains speed heading for the front of the shop. *THWUMKplop* In typical avian style the Raven impacts with a window, just a small single piece of bullet proof, shatter resistant glass, that shimmers with the impact tremor as the Raven lays on the shop floor unconcious. Passes by see a crumpled form in the midst of the street's largest window display, the soft hum of aircon and whirl of the security cameras, harmonising with the vibration of the glass. He awakes later in the dark of the back room, doing paperwork and sorting files, cold stale air being pumped into the room through the vent in the wall. Happy birthday Mynx, hope you enjoyed the day. *hugs tight*

Deep in the corner a caffeinated raven stood and ruffled his feathers, "time to dance" he thought to himself as he hopped gently to the wooded back of the chair. As within the crowd that had gathered conversations turned to small talk and mingling chatter, relaxed recouse of the day and life in general, the stage stood momentarily empty, its open floor marked with the soft shifting of shadows that danced in the flicker of the room's light. There was a lull in the volume of the room as footsteps rang out, the conversations continuing in a softer note, so those that chose could hear. The hooded figure of Cryptomancer stood, waited, and in a deep clear voice, he spoke. Wakefulness called the room to my attention, Demanding that my mind take full note, Each ember of whispered conversation Quenched as in the silence I spoke. “Wait!” simple it drifted, And in the air hung Momentarily dazzling all And winning the attention of some. The beat that started sang my soul, Each cord I struck was gold, Echoes of the lyrics voice Shone like breath in the cold. “Far from my heart my love lives Her life so close to mine, Each kiss is stolen form time’s chest, Each moment richer than wine.” The beat drew the crowd to me, My song drank their hope, The intoxication of endless love And the heart that of it spoke. “Kiss my sweet lips, goddess fair, Lay your hands within mine, With my skin your kisses share, Before our hour does chime.” Sweet melody my voice recalled Each vision I did share Lost in love of timeless joy And treading where none would dare. The crowd saw pity and pain unite, Within my eyes so dark, So silver tongue could not beseech Nor words with happiness mark. I sang my heart to the wind Each night I sing again And in my hope I quote the bard And live on to sing again.

Congratulations all!!!! *tacklehugs all three in turn* well done, hope to see more fun and writting from all of you!!.

Upon a table top in the cabaret room sat the Raven, his aviators on the table under his left claw. The small pop of the teleport landed Patham in the chair at the table beside the avian form of the Runemage. “Hi there! Ready to begin? Um….. no apparently not, um…. Wings would be helpful.” The Raven grinned in the curiously mischievous way ravens do, looked at Patham and waited, the grin fixed firmly in place. Patham gradually diminished in size, taking the characteristics of avian shape, and as the transformation completed, swiveled his head around to stare at the Raven. “I think I am ready now, but I still need a bit of work with this.” The Raven grinned wider (this is somewhat un-nerving from something with a beak) “First question, are you still thinking as a human, or are you thinking as an owl?” Patham stared at the mad bird, “Pardon?” “Well, thinking as an owl will allow you to use your full range of movement and balance. Humans for example cannot naturally lean back so far that they look behind themselves and remain balanced.” The Raven demonstrated this, with wings outstretched and tail fanned to aid in balance. “Also, humans don’t have wings or a tail, so you need to think like an owl, not a human in an owl suit.” Patham smiled at the Raven, the idea seemed sound but the antics of the runemage in his avian form seemed to make it a tad hard to believe without some deep thought. “Ok, the idea is simple.” The raven began as he put his aviators on. “we begin slow and get faster, fluttering is not needed at high speed your wings steer with your tail and beat only to stop you slowing down, just follow me and remember this simple rule, once around each room, always anticlockwise.” Grinning the raven took off, and landed on the rafter above him, “starting from here, come on up.” Patham fluttered up to the rafter, and landed awkwardly, “how fast we gonna go?” “Fast as we can, just stay above head height” And with that they began, a slow paced flight around the keep, through the corridors and into each room they found, in each room the anti-clockwise circuit was made and as the turning became easy to judge the circuits became tighter. Patham managed to keep pace with the Raven, even avoided most of the walls and corners easily too, the Pennites managed to avoid both as they flew through the rooms. After the fifth circuit Patham was relaxed and gaining confidence his wing beat less as he gained speed. They seemed to be going rather fast now, and the nervousness of possible collision began to seep into the mind. At that moment the Raven signaled a landing, and as the touched down in the rafters again Patham smiled. “Hey, my landings are better.” “well you are thinking more owl after that.” The Raven responded, “ and you can go faster too, just need to gain confidence in your reaction time. Speed is all reaction time. Just plot a path and practice, if you want to fly with anyone just ask.” Grinning the Raven looked around, “Ok I think Gryphon is waiting someplace for you, better not keep him waiting longer than we need to.” Patham fluttered to the floor and slowly transformed, with very few hitches, before turning to leave. The Raven called from the rafters and as Patham finished transformation, “hey Patham, happy birthday, I hope you enjoy the rest of the day.”

The Raven landed on a table that had been placed in a prime location in front of the judges. a glittering headband on his head, and a towel draped over his shoulders as he sipped from a sports bottle, (filled with espresso). "Morning as the inspired mind knows breaks the day asunder, spilling the glory of its promises to feed the life of all." Pausing and looking quizzically at the gathered crowd, "To morning I summon my heart" And thus the Raven began. It was a dark and dreary morn All helpless and forlorn That in the echoes of nightlessness Embraced the winter dawn Sleep eyed and dream soaked To tired limbs my soul spoke Eyes fastened on the bed Legs tied in bands of lead Each step each step Only a few more Each step each step I shall reach the door The cold awoke my sleeping shell And I recall the dreams that fell For shattering upon the concrete floor I left my sleep at the front door. Legs awoke from the dream Each embraced the foe unseen And in the adrenalin flow Muscle and heart whispered, “go” Each step each step Last one I tread Each step each step I should still be in bed. The dew glittered around Scatterings on the ground Each drop a hopeful chant That I with rest my body grant I flew over the tumbled night Each ray of dawn followed my plight I fled the dreams I fled the bed The echoes of blood pounding in my head. Each step each step The pavement calls Each step each step The waistline falls I saw the sky I saw the sea The rim of the sun glanced at me I closed my heart to sand and surf I followed the path across the turf The hill I knew, my bane of old Majestic and sheer in the cold The road went up and so did I Each step closer to the sky Each step each step Heart pounding fast Each step each step I will outlast. The hill is won the summit gained Rejoicing that it hasn’t rained I set my path to the sheltered tile Home again in just over a mile. Drips of dew fell from the tree Drips of dew that seemed to be Falling from the branch above? No branch just cloud, “oh for the love….” Each step each step What’s with the rain? Each step each step Each time the same. My door at last in plain sight My body tensed and in it’s might My legs gained strength as never before And my sprint took me to the threshold floor Drenched and tired, upon the floor Sore and soaked, under the door Tick of time my watch cut short And numbers noted as my breath caught. Each step each step Fitness craze fed Each step each step I should have stayed in bed. ………

Cryptomancer looked at his notes, licked on of them and savoured the coffee that had stained the parchment. "well, great, coffee ink and paper, not mixed quite as i would like, but nevermind," His hand toyed with the small silver bell on the tabletop, making it jingle a bit as it rolled beneath his fingers. "I think it is time I had some more coffee, a couple of shots of espresso should do," Cryptomancer looked around trying to catch the eye of the feline waitress with the cute owls.

In the corner of the room a table sat the scatterings of paper and quills and a smalll silver wand hidden under the small tower of demitass coffee cups. downing his 18th double espresso in a little under an hour Cryptomancer paused in his preperations for the event, looking a tad startled as Mynx walked past with her owls and tight shirt. Grinning as Mynx waved, Cryptomancer lifted his 19th shot to his lips, a smile creeping into his eyes. As he downed the shot, his finger rolled a small silver bell around on the table top.

late in the evening in the dark and quiet halls of the pen keep, a strangly familiar piece of music starts up, the voiceover added brings to mind in those old enought the tv series known as the twilight zone. "Imagine a Gryphon going on a journey beyond sight and sound, he has left the pen, he has entered the quest zone." In the deep dark of a sleeping Gryphon's room, a shadow flits from rafter to rafter, a hooded cape covering the shape of its true form, but this effect ruined by the unmistackable flutter of feathered wings under fabric, and the scratch of claws on wood. The raven lands on the edge of the bed, hops gently toward the sleeping Gryphon, edging closer, before jumping high and landing square on the beak of his friend. The hood pulls clear as the Raven lands, sending twin jets of brilliant sunlight straight into the eyes of the suddenly woken Gryphon, the lenses of the aviators flooding the room as the small bird looks around. "So? How goes the quest then?"

ok. I give the slam thing a go. I may even add a open mic piece, we see how time and ispiration takes hold.

I am up for this, sounds fun and a good test of flair. undecided though as to open mic or slam, I will contemplate and let you know.

?tfel ot thgir ti etirw tsuj ew t'nod yhW