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Post by Squirt on Nov 17, 2013 14:06:31 GMT -5
He looks kind of like, Arlo. Sorry.
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Post by Jane.Eyre.Force on Nov 17, 2013 18:20:54 GMT -5
I literally decided to enter a few hours ago, so I'm sorry if this seems rushed and hideously melodramatic! Corvidae Avem, the lonely Bard - Jane.Eyre.Force's entry
I bade my heart more constant be.
I bade it keep the world away,
And grow a home for only thee
- Matthew Arnold
 Recluse. Hermit. Waif. Those are the words that accurately sum up my existence. Lately, with increasing regularity I catch myself clumsily mumbling them like a mantra over and over, almost relishing the way my tongue trips awkwardly over their pronunciation. Vocal efforts have become a challenge for me now, after remaining silent for so many years.  I wasn't always this way. Before I died there was nothing I loved more than to socialise. Usually deep within the stagnant belly of some disgusting rat plagued pub, knocking back a hearty ale with some rather questionable company and passing the evening by in a drunken blur. Not everyone's idea of a good time, but it suited me just fine.  I used to live life as a travelling bard, never staying in one place for very long. I called myself Corvidae Avem - musician extraordinaire and took great pleasure seeing the delight in the faces of those who stopped to watch me perform. But now...now I can't even picture them. I can only watch people from a distance, envying them as they go about their busy lives.  But you see, travelling has its disadvantages. Fatal disadvantages. I was a scapegoat! I didn't do it, I swear! Framed. I'm not capable of murder. But who would trust a passing stranger? No one, as I so cruelly found out. I was sentenced to a public hanging. Even now, I can feel the burn of the rope against my neck and the terrible sound of my own choking.  Death has a heart. Did you know? It is smaller and more bitter than a penny dipped in vinegar. Black as pitch. But it exists and it beats. It can be moved, if only a little. Not by words but by music. I'm lucky, I know that. But I don't feel that way. In fact, I don't feel much of anything anymore.  There is a price for cheating Death of his true job. Oh, eternal life might sound wonderful but not when you are damned to spend it within the confines of the same suffocating walls each and every day. I can never sleep. I can't even escape into dreams. I see only Death, and now he is the only one who will watch me play my beloved violin. The nightly performances leave me feeling bitter and empty.  ...How long have I been here? For a time, I mapped the change of days but I soon stopped. It only made it worse. Where are the friends I made? What happened to them? They are long gone and only I remain. Alone. Just like the dahlia
Death comes in all its beauty
And so I stroke her petals
Push my feet root-deep
Into the composted soil
- Mark R. Slaughter (CC used on hair, clothes and textures) |
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Post by PeregrineTook on Nov 17, 2013 18:36:14 GMT -5
Nice! I particularly enjoy the usage of poetry and the presence of a bard (my favorite character class from D&D...he says, getting nerd all over the place...again). Regardless, nicely done!
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Post by Jane.Eyre.Force on Nov 18, 2013 2:45:57 GMT -5
Nice! I particularly enjoy the usage of poetry and the presence of a bard (my favorite character class from D&D...he says, getting nerd all over the place...again). Regardless, nicely done! Thanks! Bard is my favourite class to play in D&D (OH, JUST SPILLED SOME NERD) or any kind of RP for that matter, though I prefer to play them as comedic relief type characters, rather than how I represented ol' angsty Corvidae here. ;) |
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Post by KaseOfHearts on Nov 18, 2013 11:31:31 GMT -5
That was great! And all the D&D references. Everything is the best.
Listen up! At midnight tonight (EST), the contest will close and I'll put up a link to the poll. 5 days later, at Midnight on the 23rd, I'll close the polls.
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Post by Squirt on Nov 18, 2013 15:38:13 GMT -5
Is Convidae male of female, not that it matters, but I can't quite tell.
Great job, the story is very touching.
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Post by Jane.Eyre.Force on Nov 18, 2013 17:39:08 GMT -5
Is Convidae male of female, not that it matters, but I can't quite tell. Great job, the story is very touching. She is a lady, but I intended for her to look very androgynous so I'm glad it was difficult for you to figure out~ Thanks! I just wish I didn't leave it to the last minute. I think I'd like to expound upon her story some day. |
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Post by Squirt on Nov 18, 2013 17:49:29 GMT -5
That would be incredibly interesting!
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Post by PeregrineTook on Nov 18, 2013 22:33:47 GMT -5
Is Convidae male of female, not that it matters, but I can't quite tell. Great job, the story is very touching. She is a lady, but I intended for her to look very androgynous so I'm glad it was difficult for you to figure out~ Thanks! I just wish I didn't leave it to the last minute. I think I'd like to expound upon her story some day. I noticed and enjoyed the androgyny as well. Kudos. I definitely relate on the desire to someday expound on the story. I had exactly the same feeling going with Fortuna. |
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Post by KaseOfHearts on Nov 19, 2013 1:05:58 GMT -5
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Post by KaseOfHearts on Nov 26, 2013 18:58:55 GMT -5
Polling is closed! And here are the final results:  Congrats to NanGoneBanan for her wonderful, winning entry! I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I think it was absolutely inspired. Great, great job, Nan. And congrats to Jane.Eyre.Force for second place! Another awesome, creative, and deserving entry. Thank you to everyone for their submissions. They were are well-thought out and definitely befitting of our little writer community here. |
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Post by PeregrineTook on Nov 26, 2013 20:21:11 GMT -5
Congrats, Nan and Jane! And thanks, everyone, for the great entries!!
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Post by Jane.Eyre.Force on Nov 27, 2013 3:10:07 GMT -5
Congrats NanGoneBanan! Very well deserved!
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Post by Squirt on Nov 30, 2013 19:11:10 GMT -5
*Applause*
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