[xem]

THIS THREAD IS FOR FORMS ONLY PLEASE DO NOT POST QUESTIONS HERE
all questions belong on the questions thread

So you’ve got a design approved and now it’s on to the fun part! While it would be all kinds of fun to just give everyone an MYO to go hog wild on, we want to make sure that these kiddos are loved and developed, which is where this page comes in! Below you’ll find a link to a list of prompts you’re welcome to choose from at your own discretion and some guidelines as to how the development you do ties in with our token system.

PROMPT LIST
* you may only do each prompt once *


Above is a chart that shows how we break down and “judge” each prompt response you do! So, for example, if you did a full-body, colored, pixel piece that would be worth 9 tokens c: If you have any questions about this list please ask on the questions thread!
Note: things like color, shading, and backgrounds must have obvious effort put into them. A simple solid or patterned background is not going to get you extra points. This is up to staff discretion, if you have a question on if something would count please feel free to double check!
clarification on animations

ALL PROMPT RESPONSES MUST BE POSTED ON THIS THREAD!
Any prompts not posted on this thread with the proper form will not be counted.
All development/writing/art must be done by you. For this event you may not commission art etc. in order to earn tokens.
The following form can be used each time you post a response and will help staff log how many tokens you have earned.

Code: Select all

Username + ID#:
Kalon Link: [either to the oekaki page or off-oekaki form]
Chosen Prompt:
Prompt Response:
Token Worth: [please give us the word count or art breakdown]
Previous Responses: [please link to each previous response]

[bakuraas.]

Username + ID#: bakuraas. #876991
Kalon Link: [Marduk]
Chosen Prompt: World Building | "What is their world’s creation story?"
Prompt Response:
The world of the trio exists as an expansion of an existing world, connected by loose strings and put together by kalons that showed the thoughts of those living in the father world. The world started with three kalons with differing status and power, all wanting something different from the world they were creating. The three would argue and attempt to come to some sort of consensus, but to no avail. Each of them were stern on their creative vision for the world, even if it clashed with another's vision. Because they were not able to agree on a singular creation, the world was split into three portions that would not interfere with each other. Hypnos, a mage specializing in sleep and good dreams, created the Cloudcovers in his vision of a land straight from his dreams. Spenroe, a loving father and freelance artist, created the surface of the world out of his vision for a creative realm that would advance the arts and care for people as intensely as he did. Finally, Harvuin, a monster created from a laboratory, created the Crystaldark as a realm for him to experiment with the land and its people whenever he had a new idea cross his mind.

Hypnos formed the Cloudcovers with his pillows and stuffed animals, creating extremely fluffy clouds with the ability to hold cities on top of them. Though the world below would still get rain and all sorts of weather, the cleanliness of the pillows and the softness of the stuffed animals assured that the Cloudcovers would experience nothing but sunshine and clear skies. From his sleep magic he created the creatures, drowsy things that floated on casually or glided through the air on fluffy feathery wings. These creatures were sweet and kind, and Hypnos made sure that no animal would ever cause harm to another, making every creature in the Cloudcovers an herbivore. There are some myths about a carnivorous creature in the Cloudcovers, but that creature was not a creation of Hypnos' doing. The plants of the Cloudcovers was made by the strings that held Hypnos' stuffed animals together, making them in a manner that would be helpful no matter the situation. Hypnos created plants that could be harvested without the worry of them running out, and plants that would be able to be used for any possible need. Small, soft grass that could be used in medicine, food, and as a fiber for string. Large berries that could be used for dyes, food, or even to squeeze to let out some stress without the worry of the berries being squished. The Final creation of Hypnos was the Cloudcovers citizens; though unable to make kalons directly, Hypnos was able to influence what kinds of kalons would be born into this new world. It was determined that the kalons of the cloudcovers would be soft both in heart and in appearance, that they would be light enough to step on clouds but strong enough to protect others, and that they would have eyes that shined like stars. Hypnos did not just create part of a world, he created what would be the closest thing to paradise.

Spenroe created the surface from a box of paints, coloring his vision into existence and not only accepting but appreciating the small mistakes that were made along the way. He was inspired heavily by the world he grew up in, and painted in trees and flowers that most would find normal. However, he would be reminded of the fun plants and animals that his children would make up and laugh about, and he found himself adding them into the world instead. Some were quite funny, such as the duck with the head of a squirrel, and some were more dramatic, like the large dragon with scales for not only every color in the rainbow, but every color in existence. The Surface was a land of intense and powerful creativity splashed onto realism, and while there was still things to be wary of on the Surface, most of the kalons there only had to worry about what sort of artistic endeavor they would be find themselves in next. Spenroe, in a way, also reassured that this would be their only worry; making the only requirement for surface life a desire for artistic enlightenment, or just wanting to have fun with the artistic world.

Harvuin's creation of the Crystaldark is shrouded in much more mystery than the creation of the surface or the cloudcovers. In fact, some would even theorize that the Crystaldark was created by Harvuin dumping a box of building blocks down and putting whatever monsters he had created into the pile of blocks. And while it was an overexaggeration of sorts, it definitely didn't seem too far off. The Crystaldark was created as some sort of amalgamation of every biome possible in the world. The snowy biomes of the ice caves could be next to the magma lakes of the fire tunnels, and the populated lands of the stalagmounds could be just a walk away from the terrifying, empty lands of the void expanse. Harvuin would also create whatever he wanted, without the thought about if he should- however, somehow his creations would find a way to make sense of the world and keep it running properly, even if it was in the case of a hummingbird insectoid creature devouring ten times their body weight in strange purple weeds. The inhabitants of the Crystaldark didn't fair too much better either, as Harvuin made it a point to say that those who would be born into the Crystaldark would have something that would cause most others to look away in fear. That didn't make the citizens any less happy, and Harvuin didn't intend for it to be that way either. Though the Crystaldark is a bit mysterious and not many know much about Harvuin's thoughts behind its creation, with how it's survived and thrived, it can be said that Harvuin still wanted that part of the world to succeed.

Token Worth: 10 [1,008 words ]
Previous Responses: n/a

[bakuraas.]

Username + ID#: bakuraas. #876991
Kalon Link: [Marduk]
Chosen Prompt: World Building | "Describe some of the flora/fauna that is unique to their world."
Prompt Response:
Gemhounds are a creature with an appearance similar to pitbull terrier dogs, but act much more like lizards. Gemhounds also commonly have scales going across their back and face that are similar to dragon scales. These creatures are native to the Crystaldark ice caves and commonly eat gemstones and rocks as their main source of food. Gemhounds commonly cannot go near kalon societies in the Crystaldark because they tend go into a hibernation-like state when in a warm environment. Despite this, gemhounds are still able to be domesticated, and kalons who live in the ice caves commonly have gemhounds as pets and as sled hounds. Some gemhounds have been brought to other areas of the Crystaldark, but commonly have a jacket that is filled with ice from time to time in order to keep them awake and active.

Crystalstompers are a breed of horse unique to the Crystaldark that are often found close to openings to the surface in order to take in the sunlight. They're similar in stature to Clydesdale horses, but instead of feathering on their hooves, there's large crystals growing for their legs that is used for self defense. Additionally crystalstompers can have horns similar to bulls, these also being made of crystal. These horns are seen as small gemstones on the heads of young Crystalstompers before they grow out into matured horns. Crystalstompers are commonly domesticated and used in order to haul large amounts of material, but the stables where they stay usually are close to surface openings so that the crystalstompers are still able to sunbathe as they would normally.

Siliyks are a creature made out of slime that commonly takes the shape of another Crystaldark creature, but can easily be identified by it's blue appearance and slimy texture. Siliyks are seen as pests due to their ability to survive in any environment, as well as their particular sense of taste. Siliyks cannot digest meat, but can eat anything else- including metals and gemstones. Additionally, siliyks find an object or plant is more tasty if it has a high sentimental value to someone. Kalons of the Crystaldark have even designed custom boxes that are Siliyk-proof in order to keep family heirlooms and other valuable items safe. It's very rare, but some will keep a Siliyk as a pet, often times training them to target a specific person they don't like in order to cause them problems.

Buzzles, despite the name, are not closely related to bees. In fact, the Buzzles are avian creatures that seem to be related to hummingbirds. Unlike hummingbirds however, Buzzles have multiple legs similar to an insect. Buzzles feed off of sugar primarily, but will eat anything that is out of the norm in the Crystaldark, which makes them integral to the control of invasive species. Buzzles are able to digest any material, and any attempt to poison them will be unsuccessful. Farmers in the Crystaldark will often have a flock of Buzzles that they care for that they use in order to protect their crops. Some Buzzles have even been trained to attack Siliyks that attempt to eat valuable plants.

Spectramoths are rainbow colored insects similar to moths, but have much more fur compared to regular moths. They're native both to the Crystaldark and the Cloudcovers, but have very large differences depending on their land of origin. Crystaldark Spectramoths are horned and are even more fluffy than others, often times these spectramoths will have more legs to accommodate the extra weight. Cloudcovers Spectramoths on the other hand commonly have halos, and are much lighter with their large wings and relatively managed fur compared to Crystaldark spectramoths.

Lavine Weeds, otherwise known as 'the corruption' is an invasive species of plant in the Crystaldark that has been constantly combatted by Buzzles over the course of their existence. While they have no direct negative effects, Lavine weeds grow fast and can take over an entire cave in less than a few weeks, altering the plants that grow there negatively. Lavine weeds tend to have an aversion to sunlight and fire, but are alright with artificial light. Lavine Weeds have been used in medicine, but due to it's overabundance it tends to be more of a hinderance than a help in any asset of kalon life in the Crystaldark.

GemGem Berries are the common food source of the Crystaldark, and are cultivated in many different ways by farmers. Despite being one species of plant, GemGem Berry bushes can have an extreme difference in flavor and health benefits depending on where they are grown. GemGem Berries from standard farms in towns tend to be of the Cherry flavor, and commonly help with one's immune system and their strength. Berries from farms that are close to surface openings are Watermelon flavored, and improve mental clarity and memory. Berries cultivated in the ice caves are blueberry flavored and help temperature regulation in creatures. The only type of GemGem berry that would have a negative effect on a creature is one that had their growth interrupted by Lavine Weeds, which causes their flavor to become similar to rotten eggs and cause extended periods of nausea.

The world around Marduk has more strange creatures, but those are commonly native to the surface or to the Cloudcovers, both of which he does not interact with much in comparison to the Crystaldark. Most of what he knows about the fauna of the Cloudcovers is that they can all fly in some way or another, and they also tend to be herbivores. He's been told that there's creatures in the Cloudcovers that are carnivores, but he hasn't heard anything more than that, making him a bit skeptical on that matter. As for plants, Marduk hasn't really heard of plants being in the Cloudcovers in any way, and he just assumes that they just eat clouds or get their food from the surface. Marduk also sometimes jokes about the Cloudcovers kalons not knowing what plants actually are, even if some other Crystaldark folks would find the joke too tame for their tastes.

Token Worth: 10 [1,009 words ]
Previous Responses:
1.)["What is their world’s creation story?"]

[bakuraas.]

Username + ID#: bakuraas. #876991
Kalon Link: [Marduk]
Chosen Prompt: World Building | "Are there any famous ruins or landmarks? What are they?"
Prompt Response:
Harvuin's Pawprint is a tar pit found in the stalagmounds in the shape of a large kalon paw print. The area around Harvuin's Pawprint is one of the only areas in the stalagmounds that don't have a town nearby it in any way shape or form. This is due to the fact that Harvuin's Pawprint is one of the most toxic tar pits in the Crystaldark, though not in the way that one might expect. Wading in the tar pit won't physically harm you in any intense or horrific way, and it won't give you a terrifying illness that can't be cursed. In all honesty, at first you'll most likely just feel your legs falling asleep due to the tar- but after a few weeks the tar's effects will take place, which cause mutations in whoever waded in the tar pit. The most common mutations tend to be of the eyes or of the paws- for example, someone who waded in the tar pit might expect to see the color of their sclera change or their paw pads to turn into the shape of stars. Those who monitor the tar pit attempt to keep others from getting near, but children who are wild and wanting adventure will sometimes find their way to sneak past those who guard the pit and dip their paws in.

Though being an entire area of the Crystaldark, The Abyss is seen more as a famous set of ruins by most who live there. Though most creatures are unable to see in The Abyss despite any sort of light source being brought with them, some Kalons can see the ruins that are found in The Abyss due to the magical ability known as Aura Sight. Though the Abyss is somewhat dangerous with large creatures that are adjusted to live in the complete pitch darkness, there also are large structures that seem to come both from the past and the present, and some have theorized that the creatures and buildings that are found in The Abyss are experiments that even Harvuin decided were too dangerous to release out into the world. This theory has been debunked due to the creatures of The Abyss only being dangerous due to how large they are and not by their temperament. It's more of a case of not seeing someone in their walking path than a case of an aggressive creature with the intent to harm. Some have even taken temporary residence in The Abyss in order to research the ruins and creatures native to the area.

The Rainbow River is a famous river on the surface that runs all the way from the tallest peak to ocean level. This river, much like the name implies, constantly shimmers with colors of the rainbow as it flows from the peaks of the mountains to the oceans. The legend has it that the river is actually paint that was spilled when the surface was being created, and that the different colors that swirl through the water are actually colors of paint used to create the surface itself! However, just like paint, the water from the Rainbow River is not advised to be consumed in any way. There's been no deaths involving anyone drinking from the Rainbow River, but there's been plenty of incidents where someone felt ill after trying to drink the water from the river- so it's generally advised to just admire the water. The toxic properties of the water dissipate before it enters the ocean, so it can only be imagined how poisonous the water from the starting point of the mountain might be. Thankfully, nobody has ever tried to drink from the mountain peak of the Rainbow River, as the colors of the water are bright enough in the mountains to make it clear that the liquid is more paint than water.

The Stormcloud is the only area in the Cloudcovers in which it rains, and though it is respected and known as a national landmark, it's also seen as extremely cursed, causing most of those who live anywhere near it to avoid it if they can. While nobody can genuinely explain why The Stormcloud exists, some have made note that Hypnos made the Cloudcovers in such a way as to avoid stormy weather. Talk about this often causes discomfort and worry about The Stormcloud due to it not only being strange on its own, but also being against the will of creation itself. The Stormcloud is also supposedly the home of the only carnivorous species of animal native to the Cloudcovers, making it even more of a sort of aggression towards the creator. In reality, while not what Hypnos had in mind during creation, The Stormcloud is actually what allows for the proper weather cycles to go by for the surface. It doesn't cause any problems for the Cloudcovers, if anything it's treated more like a spooky story in order to keep children from wandering around it too much. As for the carnivorous creature that lives there, it's a very simple dog made out of clouds that keeps small creatures and animals from wandering too far into The Stormcloud; he wouldn't hurt a soul, even if he does eat meat.

Hypnos' Pawprint is the cloudcovers parallel of Harvuin's Pawprint, as it is a bright light in the sky that shines down on one area of the clouds in the shape of a kalon paw print, making an indent in the clouds that is filled in with a small amount of water. While Harvuin's Pawprint causes mutations to occur, Hypnos' Pawprint does the exact opposite, purging mutations and illnesses from whatever individual wades into the water. Hypnos' Pawprint is not monitored as much as its parallel, as it's expected for those who are in need of cleansing to come to the pawprint and wade in the water in order to be helped with their ailments or mutations. The only time that the water will not work in curing someone is when their mutation is something that they are fated to have in one way or another.

Token Worth: 10 [1,016 words ]
Previous Responses:
1.)["What is their world’s creation story?"]
2.)["Describe some of the flora/fauna that is unique to their world."]

[PleaserOfCrowds]

Username + ID#: PleaserOfCrowds 756851
Kalon Link: Dioxide
Chosen Prompt: Worldbuilding | Are there other sentient races/Species?
Prompt Response:

In Dioxide’s universe, while many other sapient species exist, most Kalons will never meet them as they are largely separated due to the unstable politics both on earth and out and the few that do are one and a million each. Similarly, most kalons never leave the walled cities in which they are born in and thus never reach other cites in which those species are more common. All sapient species from earth live in largely separated communities as the world is currently a wasteland due to a very large scale nuclear disaster and subsequent nuclear winter as much of it is uninhabitable. In space, kalons haven’t had much luck finding extraterrestrial life. The few on earth that encounter other species outside of the cites end up finding that language barriers are a major problem, as many of the languages that specifically originate from other species have died out within kalonkind.

Kalons like many other sapient species on earth have a culture that is derived of what many historians cite as all of the sapient species on earth’s predecessor, humanity. Humans were wiped out by the same sort of nuclear warfare that separated all of the sapient species on earth and Kalons from eachother, as well them nearly going extinct as well. It is theorized that it was humanity that gave them sapience; records date only back to when said sapient species were the trusted companions of humans. Like kalons, all of them are able to have unnatural colors and able to speak (although in their own languages). Kalons in particular are said by historians to have been genetically modified from the fossa to have shines; their wild relatives are now thought to be long extinct before even the fall of humanity.

Many kalons of the current, post apocalyptic era are unaware of the existence of other species barring angels and demons; a species that mimics any sapient species they come across and despite the names, are one and the same as they just two different sides. Angels and Demons are generally recognized as kalons as many of them identify as such, Dioxide included. While originating before the rise of the first sapient species (humans), only recently have they shown up again in many millennia. Despite them being common across the globe, their origins remain foggy and unclear.

Relations between species is uncertain as many haven’t heard of eachother in a long time, in which the rare broadcasts from other species only appears so often in the cities. In the past, interspecies relationships between kalons and another sapient species were commonplace before the cataclysm. While these relationships are unheard of now in the walled cities that most kalons live in, in the wastelands these relationships still exist despite the harsh conditions that many of them face. In comparison to the walled cities, the wastelands outside are more accepting of these types of families.

Relationships between normal kalons and angels and demons are more varied, although both angels and demons are discouraged to have a romantic relationship with normal, mortal kalons. While many accepted their presence as a good sign, some tend to be more skeptical as they hide amongst normal kalons. Some straight up refuse to believe their existence since especially in the wasteland they are extremely rare there.

There has been an effort by various members of all sapient species trying to reconnect to each other by keeping other’s languages alive, as well as recognizing efforts by others in their history by some chance they can all come back together again. Although it is still a long ways away from being realized and not getting caught by the authorities as it is currently illegal to acknowledge other species, perhaps in the future they’ll meet again and times are better. Still, an underground communication system is being set up underground in which they can communicate via Morse code using old human technology that was recently unearthed.

What they all have in common is the best and worse of humanity in which they all gained their sapience from, as every culture takes different aspects from their predecessors. All of them rose from the ashes of humanity and developed a culture and language based on what humanity had, as even to this day many human languages are taught similarly to Latin for them. This however, unfortunately nearly led to the downfall of all sapient species as they started to make the same mistakes that humanity had; the hunger for power and war overtook what was supposed to be a tribute to their predecessors that gave them sapience and while at the time their society could be considered a utopia, it fell apart at the seams that they ignored until it was too late.

Kalons in particular have trouble disconnecting themselves from humanity, as nearly all of the culture they have is based on human-era technology and ideas. While many of them wish to go back and meet them, others find their actions inexcusable and wish to distance all things humanity from themselves and forge a unique cultural identity for themselves. Before the cataclysm, opinion on humanity were more positive as they strived to live up to the image that they left behind which seemed like the perfect society and an ideal world in which many of their accomplishments they credited to humanity. After the nuclear fallout and recent discoveries of notes left behind by kalons from that era, the perfect image of humans in the eyes of kalons shattered immensely and their respect lost from quite a few kalons. Still, while humanity’s flaws find themselves discredited amongst kalons, humanity itself is important to kalons long after their extinction and it is important to note that. Overall, human as kalonkind’s predecessors is on a neutral note with most kalons, with many shrugging at the suggestion.

The other sapient species are other closed species on CS that I own, each important to the progression and plot of the world. While not all of them interact with Kalons, they are still a driving force within the world’s history.

Token Worth: 10 | 1013 words
Previous Responses: N/A

[beebun]

Username + ID#: beebun 997659
Kalon Link: form
Chosen Prompt: write about this kal’s earliest memory
Prompt Response:

"where are you going esen?" she couldn’t see him - she could never see him fully in her dreams. but his voice was comforting. it sounded of home; like someone who cared. esen loved it, as she could never remember him.

"just going to the village, papa. don’t worry, I’ll be careful." this was esen talking. or rather, a young esen. a version of herself she could never quite understand. he always grunted in reply, and young esen took that as a yes and started skipping on her merry way.

it was like being stuck in someone else’s body. esen was there, but it wasn’t esen as she knew herself.

she didn’t remember the scenery. young esen’s thoughts were always focused on visiting someone. but who? esen could never remember the name of her friend in the village, never. esen knew how this dream went; she had it every time she was stressed out. the bushes and the path blurred around her, turning into flashes of color. her short hair bounced with her. esen didn’t know why, but that detail was always in focus.

oh, this was around when it happened. when she saw the cloaked kal. esen was humming to herself, her small, stubby tail swinging back and forth. that was when the kal ran in front of her. it looked like a shadow, but did shadows cause wind? no, they didn’t. curious, young child esen stopped in her tracks. and like the kit she was, esen followed the mysterious kalon. little purple flowers bloomed in her pawsteps, as if following her.

and then she was running, running after the kalon. but it always felt like she was running from, not to. something was chasing her. what? esen didn’t know. she liked to imagine that young esen was just excited about running; not scared for her life. the dream then shifted.

she was staring at the cloaked kal who was standing in front of a glowing, light green circle. young esen didn’t know what it was, but esen now did. it was a wormhole, or a portal, created by a timetraveler. timetravlers were kalons with rare powers to travel through time. esen had just been at the wrong place at the wrong time. what were the chances? esen wished she could go back in time and stop her young self from following this kal, so she could live her destined life. but no, a meddling timetraveler had to have come.

the shadow-y kalon turned back, finally noticing young esen. this was the only time she got a good look at their face - and their deep, ocean blue eyes. it was a look of terror, of panic and of sadness. this moment was always stretched in her dream, as if to emphasis its importance. if only esen could track down this kal.. but they’re probably already far into the future or the past. it was then the kalon jumped into the portal, esen only seeing a tail before they disappeared.

the portal stayed, though. it glowed brighter and bigger, coming closer to esen. soon enough, it had swallowed her.

it was like that well-known story. what was it called? alice in wonderland? it was like that, like falling down a rabbit hole. but everything was green and blue. esen fell for what felt like forever, into what seemed to be a never ending swirl.

that was when she fell into the forest. onto nice soft soil. she probably made a loud thump when landing, but nothing hurt. she felt perfectly fine, but everything was different at the same time.

then she heard the kal’s voice. the female kalon’s voice made her feel safe, "hello young’un. what’s your name? are you lost?" esen was trembling, and nodded hurriedly. the kit had no clue what had happened; and was terrified. the female kal frowned and picked up esen by the scruff. "come with me. we’ll get you somewhere safe. you can explain everything later." the dream ended there, with esen and the female kal, who esen now knew as mother.

Token Worth: 677 words | 5 tokens
Previous Responses: none. <3

[bakuraas.]

Username + ID#: bakuraas. #876991
Kalon Link: [Marduk]
Chosen Prompt: Preferences | "What's their favorite accessory? "
Prompt Response:

Token Worth: 11
fullbody - 4
pixel - 2
color - 3
shading - 2
Previous Responses:
1.)["What is their world’s creation story?"]
2.)["Describe some of the flora/fauna that is unique to their world."]
3.)["Are there any famous ruins or landmarks? What are they?"]

[craig?]

Username + ID#: Spottedpuppi 629149
Kalon Link: Forum/viewtopic.php?p=135367546#p135367546
Chosen Prompt: "How do they handle a bad day?"
Prompt Response:

Token Worth: 12
headshot +2
shading +2
color +3
background +5
Previous Responses: N/A

[Zailune]

Username + ID#: Zailune + 103475
Kalon Link: Here!
Chosen Prompt: Describe their ideal world
Prompt Response:

“Doubt is a bud, its roots deeply sown.
Faith is a flower, its petals welcoming the light.
Desire is truth. Actions, methods of choice.
Whether you wilt or blossom,
Never allow doubt to fester,
Grow through faith,
Cherish your truth,
Act thoughtfully.

Always remember the brighter days,
Praise the warmth of the morning sunrise,
And live with gratitude, never to waver.”

A passage from the Tomes; one that Taleon will never forget. How could she forget it? It must've been read to her a thousand times...

Taleon awoke in the early morning. Her parents always told her an earlier rise was the secret to happiness, but she mostly just preferred the quiet and stillness of the world before the sun would take its place in the sky. Today was to be a cloudy day, supposedly an omen. However, Taleon wasn't quick to call a day bad or good. She was more-so the type to wait, watch and listen, and regardless of things around her, she kept in good spirits.

Taleon peered at the crack under her bedroom door. No light, no sound, no problem – she silently stepped over to her dresser and pulled up an old drawing that she'd taped to the side of it, revealing a sort of make-shift trap door. From there, she collected her busy notebook, one filled up with crude sketches of wildlife and flora, as well as a number of personal notes from her adventures into the wilderness. She turned to one of the few remaining blank pages and wrote:

“August 23rd, 1994

Today, I plan to assess the fungal growths in the South-Eastern Bog beyond the gates.
Part One.
Tests to complete:
How do spores release from the “X” growths?
How do the “X” growths respond to temperature changes?
If relocated, what is the most viable location for the “X” growths to thrive?”

With an excited grin, Taleon closed her notebook and stashed it in her travel pouch. Going through several other super-secret stashes, she grabbed a compass, a slightly sloppy hand-drawn map and a match box before sneaking out for the day. It seemed to her that today would be perfectly fine.

Hours passed, the sun was high in the sky and Taleon returned to town. She'd managed to sneak past the Sentry guards and slip out and in unnoticed. However, her activities didn't quite go unnoticed. When Taleon stepped indoors, she realized there was a visitor... something she hadn't been told about. Out of curiosity and suspicion, she listened to her parents' discussion with the visitor.

“She's out of our control.” (She? Who's she?)
“I must ask that you forgive us, Master. We didn't know she was breaching the border pact.” (Border pact? Like, the town border? Do they know where I've been going?)
“We'll see to it that she faces appropriate consequences, and we'll comply with any further orders. I'm truly sorry for this.” (Am I in trouble...?)
“I swear I won't allow this behavior to continue. I've already cleaned out-”

Cleaned out....?
Taleon grew white in the face, and felt her stomach drop. She carefully snuck to the stairway and entered her room. Bookshelf stash, gone. Night-table stash, gone. Desk stash, gone. Gone, gone, gone. Taleon knew her parents didn't approve of her adventures, but she hadn't a clue that they'd go to this length to restrain her activities. “What did I do to deserve this?? Why, I worked so hard on all of this, everything's gone. There's nothing left.” She thought to herself. Holding back tears, she stepped to the window and looked at the sky. In the short time that had passed, the sky had begun to flood with dark, gray, looming clouds. Clouds that blocked out the sun almost entirely.

Taleon's world was small. The town and the wilderness that bordered it was all she really knew. Her parents were strict when it came to the family's faith, and the Masters of the Sentry of Solstice were absolute. Everything seemed a bit.... robotic, at times. It was as though all of the townsfolk were willing to sacrifice their individuality to conform, and that in itself was something Taleon could never accept for herself. She didn't consider herself a troublemaker, a rule-breaker, a delinquent or a “bad kid” at all, but from the look of things, the people around her thought much differently from her. But was her unique way of living a bad thing?

She questioned herself a lot. It took a lot of convincing within herself to start her studious excursions. To an extent, she knew her parents nor the Masters would approve of it. Though, she thought back to that passage of the Tomes.
“Desire is truth. Actions, a method of choice.”
“Cherish your truth.”

These phrases together.... what else could it mean but to value that which she truly desired?
Still, there was doubt.
“Doubt is a bud, its roots deeply sown.”
She thought to herself often about the roots of her doubt, and came to find that most of her doubt surrounded the guidelines she'd been pressured to tie herself to. The restrictions and rules the Masters set seemed carelessly crafted and controlling, but Taleon knew better than to speak ill of those above her and her family in rank.

“Faith is a flower, its petals welcoming the light.”
A delicate flower, perhaps. One that only remains beautiful with careful, nurturing hands.

…
Is it so unacceptable, so vile, to desire something that is beyond one's faith?

Taleon sat on the floor beside her bed, and wondered to herself, “If I could change my world, what would I do?” Her head felt somewhat fogged, but what she wanted so desperately was clear to her. She wanted a world where she could pursue anything she wanted. To explore, to learn, and to one day teach others the things she'd discovered. A world where she could fill pages and pages with records of the wilds, and come back from the wilds to others who also cherished knowledge.

She wanted to live in a world where she could be herself, and blossom in her own ways.
But did a world like that exist? If so, would she have to lose everything else in her life to pursue such a world?

Taleon pulled her travel pack onto her lap and unzipped it, removing the notebook hidden inside. She looked at her old scribbles and notes, and couldn't help but smile from the memories it brought up. She closed the notebook, and set it down gently on the floor beside her.
She then closed her eyes, and thought to herself, “That world... I'm sure it exists. Because I know there are others just like me out there. There have to be. That's my strongest faith, and my most precious desire. Now all that's left is to act.”


Token Worth: 10 tokens | 1150 words
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[Baphymet]

Username + ID#: Baphymet + 980114
Kalon Link: Chechia
Chosen Prompt: Do they prefer a starry sky or a vibrant sunrise?
Prompt Response: Click!
Token Worth: Fullbody, Color, Shading, Background - 14
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