[✦ nemuri]

Round One Form


Story about Past / History:

"No! What if I told you that I didn't want to become a stupid spring nymph or whatever? At least have the decency to respect my wishes before telling me that I must become something I don't even want to be!!"

Brushing a paw against my strangely-coloured fur, I let out a small sigh. I was rudely awoken due to a particularly horrific nightmare, but it wasn't like it bothered me too much. I was feeling restless before I fell asleep, so I suppose that was my body's way of waking me up. Exhaling slightly, I shivered as the cool winter air wafted into my room. It was never this cold before. There was something unearthly about the temperature, as well as the pale, crystalline mist that was starting to gather in my room. Wait, what?!
"What in the world...?" I asked, dumbfounded, as I rubbed at the corners of my eyes. It was just an illusion. It was just me being tired and not getting enough sleep these days because of those nightmares. "Or better yet, I'm probably still sleeping and this is what the nightmare turned into. Wouldn't that be a great and wishful thought?" Shuddering, I could feel the fur on my neck bristle slightly as an ethereal figure emerged from the mist. I knew that this wasn't normal. It couldn't be. I inhaled sharply, ready to run, to flee for my life, but something was holding me in place. I couldn't move, and it scared me a lot.
The figure made his way in front of me, his metallic red eyes sweeping watchfully over my room. It appeared to be inspecting the area for any possible dangers, which there shouldn't be any. After all, why would I be living in this space if it did?
"Someone planted a bomb in your room. Sure, it isn't big, but it's enough to do major damage yet not make a sound. That's the power of the night faeries, those damn twits." Scoffing in disdain, the figure twitched the tip of his ears as it inclined his head towards me. I stiffened even more, embarrassed that I had said my thoughts out loud. "Apologies, you must be terribly confused. My name is Benedict. You're the next spring nymph, and I've been assigned to be your companion." Sliding out from the shadows, I saw that the figure with red eyes was actually a small, gray tabby cat. Still, I couldn't get his words out of my head.
"Excuse me, what did you just say? I misheard you, didn't I? What the hell is even a spring nymph? How am I supposed to be one if I don't even know what that is?" Exhaling nervously, I almost didn't realize that my limbs were mobile again. The cat sniffed as it made his way over to my feet. Bounding onto the bed, it landed lightly on all fours and took a seat next to me.
"You don't? Well, I think you should start learning quickly. There isn't much time left until the transition from winter to spring, and if we don't have a spring nymph by then, the earth would die. How horrifically, I don't know, but I guess all the snow and ice would melt and then flood the earth, leaving no land spared." Bending his head, Benedict closed his scarlet eyes and leaned against me. "You'd do a good job if you put your all into it, you know? The oracles spoke of your name, Zeyla. You are destined for greatness."
Pausing before speaking, I reached down to feel Benedict's fur. As my paws rubbed against his ears, he let out a throaty purr of content and rubbed his his face against my arm. Momentarily distracted, I opened my mouth to speak again. "Why me, though? If that's the case, then there should've been so many more Viscets who are more capable than I am."
Tilting his head, Benedict glanced at me with his piercing eyes. Letting out a throaty hum, he climbed into my lap without authorization. "That is something you can ask the God yourself. He was the one who insisted on you. You should be very honoured, honestly."
[ 700/700 words ]
Story about Past / History (CONT):

"This doesn't make any sense at all... Why are all of you so insistent on choosing me? I just want to live my life normally, without any disturbances. Why do you wish to disrupt the peace that I currently have for your own selfish whims?"

I didn't say anything in response. Biting my tongue to avoid replying back with a snarky comment and giving Benedict a bad impression of who I am, I shivered slightly. Alright, Benedict seemed normal enough - minus the fact that he could talk and literally materialized out of nowhere, thanks to that mist, which was still hovering about in my room. "Ah, okay then... It doesn't seem like something that I'd feel honoured over, because apparently I'm dragged into this mess of the world ending if I don't take this role of being some sort of messiah, which doesn't sound very appealing to me."
Flicking his ears, the gray tabby cat shot me a look that seemed like a sort of menacing glare. "Not a messiah, get your facts straight. No offense, but even if you were to take upon the role of spring nymph, your title would still be inferior to that of a messiah. A messiah is someone who would save the world on the brink of death. There is still some time before the world destroys itself." Giving his paw a discontent lick, Benedict closed his eyes and got to his paws. "Anyways, you have a week to make up your mind. After that week, the world will officially end. I hope you will take my words to the heart, Zeyla, because there is something truly frightening about holding the fate of the entire world in your paws. As it is, I'll be taking you to the God himself for the final judgement." Latching himself onto me and dragging me towards the mist, Benedict frowned. Giving me a final push towards the mist, I was aware of the ticks of the bomb that Benedict had mentioned before seeing my room blow up in front of my very eyes.

"I... Do I really not have a single say in this?"

I was still stunned by the obliteration of my room just as Benedict pulled me out of the mist. We had materialized into some sort of throne room, and there was a palely coloured Viscet pacing around the room anxiously. The moment his eyes fell on me, he nodded to himself absentmindedly.
"Good job in bringing her here, Benedict. You took less time than I had imagined." The gray tabby cat gave him a mock bow, before backing off and hiding behind me.
Gulping, I turned to face the nameless figure and tilted my head. "You are the God that Benedict spoke about, I presume. What is this nonsense about the world dying?" My voice sounded incredulous, just the way I had intended it to be. The Viscet paused, before inclining his head towards me.
"It is what it is. The world will end without a spring nymph, and you are the ideal candidate for the position. The previous spring nymph was killed in an accident."
I stopped, feeling my throat go dry. I didn't know why, but all I wanted to do was curl up in my bed and sleep, except everything in my room was blown up. Now that I thought about it, I won't be able to return to my normal life ever again after being involved in this. "I... Will accept the offer.

But only because the world is going to self destruct. We will owe each other nothing, nothing at all."
[ 600/600 words ]

[mellow yellow.]

Round One Form

༺༒༻𝓛𝓲𝓪𝓶༺༒༻

▛

So, you wanna heard a story from the great Liam?

▜

Of course you do! So sit down, shut up, and wait for my glorious voice to soothe your
ears with my story. Let’s see, what’s a good story to tell… Ah ha! I got one.

When I was a little viscetling, I was one of the more made-fun-of viscets in my group.
I had been one of those “nose in the books” type viscet. I was smarter than all of my peers.
That was one thing they picked on me about. The other was my wings, which they all said
made me look “girly”. I thought my wings were fine; they made me different from the rest,
and if they didn’t like it it didn’t matter to me. That is, until they tried to tear them off.
I was just barely able to escape them. But, if their bullying thought me one thing, it was
that I had to make a change; so I started training.

They had told me I was scrawny and weak, so I started with the physical training.
I had done running, and even done a couple sports based around running to keep training.
Once I was able to run more, I started with my strength training. I started with the simple
things that humans did, lifting mortal weights, then I started trying to pick of
other viscets around my age; not my bullies, of course.

After I had finally gained the attention of my bullies for my physical abilities, they
started teasing me about my personality; how I wasn't funny or too smart or how I
]had no friends. I couldn’t do anything to make me less intelligent, but I found
ways to make friends. I would talk to people in class who had similar interests to
mine. Once I had made the friends, I had learned how to make jokes by them
always telling me some, then I tested it out on my peers.

Once I was strong enough and had some sort of personality my peers liked, my
bullies left me alone, for the most part. A few had apologized and asked to be my
friend a little while they had started leaving me alone. I had assembled my own
little following within my peer group, something we all liked. Although I didn't
like it at the time, I think that bullying made me the amazing viscet I am
today. Now I just gotta keep this up.

▙

▟

▛

▜

▙

▟

(396/600)
(Finished at Eastern Standard Time 4:26)

[trans]

Round One Form


note: weird pov ig ?? this is p much the Literal Beginning ,,,


History: ↴


Themis had just been out for a quick supply run when she found it.

It was only supposed to be quick trip. She had expected to get the herbs she needed in a few minutes, and then she'd be done and on her way back home. Nothing suggested anything was amidst today, and she had received no sign or warning. So far, everything had been according to plan.

When she had found the strange-looking egg, hidden amongst some weeds off to the side of the trail, she had gotten quite the shock.

However, her initial shock was only brief, soon replaced by concern. She quickly reached down and scooped the egg in her arms, glancing at it in a mixture of pity and curiosity. It was clean as a whistle far as she could see, not even the tiniest speck of dirt on it, but it showed no sign of having belonged to anyone. For all she knew, it had been abandoned.

The thought was saddening, but she knew of no other reason for an egg to be left behind and with no one around to care for it.

With a quick look around, Themis kneeled down and set the egg on a soft patch of grass, then turned to her basket and shuffled around the contents to make space. After gently laying the egg inside, she wasted no time heading back home, taking great care not to jostle or break the egg lying in her basket. She was determined to take care of it and see it hatch, and she would do whatever it took to make that happen, even if it meant taking care of it herself.

However, this determination started to dwindle as she went, and the road to the village felt longer than it should have. Each step had her feeling more and more like lead weighed down her limbs as she realized what taking the egg meant, and the possibility the egg hadn't actually been abandoned.

What if the parents were just out for awhile and are now were panicking over a missing egg? What if she was breaking some unspoken rule by taking it into her care? What if it was just an unusually large egg and there was nothing to become of it?

Ignoring the last one, she couldn't help but feel the crushing feeling of anxiety over her decision. It made her consider going back and returning the egg multiple times, but the feeling that the egg really had been abandoned, or in some way ended up alone, was stuck in her mind like it had been glued on, and she couldn't bare to think about leaving the egg and having been right all along, and something happened to it.

Her previous determination to see the egg, whatever it might be, grow to become an adult, returned, and spurred the young woman to keep it and look towards the future. She couldn't dwell on the past, the what-if's and the potential possibilities. She had an egg to take care of now, and she would see to it that it grew up no matter what.

This egg was a very precious thing, and deserved the opportunity to see the world it grew up in, and she would see to it that it did. She promised the being inside the egg that much.

(559/700)

Extras: ↴


"What is that."

Themis spun on her heels to stare at whoever spoke, finding herself stiffen when she found her sister standing in the doorway to the cottage.

"It's.." She mumbled, starting to wring her hands out of nervousness. How was she going to explain this? How would she justify it to someone who wouldn't get it no matter what she might try?

"An egg. You have a giant egg." Marion deadpanned, shooting a disdainful, judging glance at said egg. Clearly, she did not think so highly of it.

"Y..Yes. An egg." Themis replied as calmly as she could manage, pursing her lips to avoid biting them until they bled. The scrutinizing stare of Marion only worsened her anxiety, but she held her ground, albeit weakly.

"Where did you even get an egg like that? Did you steal it? I thought we talked about this Themis—" Marion went on, but Themis cut her off with what she only hoped was a firm tone,

"I found it, most likely abandoned. If I didn't take it, what do you think would have happened to it?"

"Nature would've let the world decide if it made it or not, Themis. You know not to interfere with things like this." The older girl returned curtly, a hint of disappointment and scorn in her voice.

"No. I refuse. This egg—this, whatever is inside—it does not deserve such a cruel fate as that. I have let things go many a time because of your advice, but this time—absolutely not." Themis retorted defensively, scooting the egg closer to her. She refused to give the egg up. She wanted to do this, what was the problem?

"Themis, you can't just take an egg! You don't even know what it is! What if it's dangerous?! What if it hurts you?!" Marion tried to reason, desperation seeping into her voice.

"Then so be it, but I will not return it or give it away. I found it, and I have resolved to—" She said pointedly, only to be interrupted.

"What are you going to do with it? Raise it?!" The older girl shouted, pointing to the egg with an accusing finger. "Look at it! It's got danger written all over it!"

"Yes! I am, in fact, and you can't stop me this time Marion!" Themis snapped, anger and frustration building up in her chest. "It was alone, for all we know whatever group of family it belonged to is long gone or dead. Have some compassion will you?!"

"I do have compassion, but I also want you to be safe!—"

"Then help me look after it. At least until it can live on its own." Themis stepped forward, a hopeful spark in her eyes. "Please?"

Minutes passed with nothing but silence between them, and Themis felt her breath halt, waiting in anticipation for the answer, until finally Marion's shoulders drooped, and a quiet, resolved sigh could be heard.

"...Fine." She grumbled, then lifted her gaze to meet her sister's. "But it will be your responsibility. You brought that thing here, it's your's to raise. However... I might be willing to help. If you need it." Marion finished, trying to ignore the thankful look on Themis' face.

"Oh, thank you thank you thank you! Don't worry, I've got this under control, I promise! I'll take great care of it, just you wait!" Themis said with a determined expression.

"I'm sure you will." Marion replied, expression softening as she watched her sister ramble on and on about the egg. Well, she supposed, if she it made her happy... Then maybe she could look past it. Maybe.

(606/600)

[Softballpup12]

Round One Form

Protector, Guardian and Friend

Aisling has quite a complicated past, but it all started the moment she woke up all alone, at the age of three, in a forest. There wasn't any sign of any adult viscets around, and her earliest memory is of that day, which she spent wandering the forest and calling out a name that she has long since forgotten. All she has is a small glass bottle with a rolled up note within. She didn't read the note until she met a special someone.

Every once in awhile, Aisling goes back to that meadow where she woke up in a stranger's life. It was on one of those days that she met Icarus and her immortal life started. Icarus was 5 years old, and she was 8, when he had gone out on a trip with his writing group to her home, Redwood National Park, though it wasn't a national park at that point, and was mauled in the shoulder by a wolf while wandering around the forest. He had limped to her meadow as it got later and fell asleep in the small den she had made there. She had happened upon him the next morning, nearly dead from blood loss. She had tended to his wounds and forced some water and healing plants down his throat, having learned to take care of herself as a young child growing up alone. She nursed him back to health, wondering why no one had come looking for him, and a week later he explained.

Worriedly, Aisling poked the slumped form in front of her, scrunching up her face as she tried to listen for his breath. The 8 year old heard a small whooshing sound and sighed with relief. Even though she didn't know him at all, it was natural for her to protect any injured being she came across. She studied the face of the small viscet before her, sniffing his injured shoulder and turning around to study the scratches on his face, which were healing nicely, except for the small, greenish tinged gouge over his nose. She sniffed it, noticing a slight rancid odor and cringed, or... she was about to. Opening his eyes, the small 5 year old viscet yelped and jumped back, slapping her face and immediately grabbing his wounded shoulder. He sat there, staring at her, eyes wide, for a full five minutes before she spoke.
"What was that for? I would expect a bit more gratitude for saving your life!" She snapped, not quite looking angry, but rather baffled at his reaction.
"I-I'm sorry! I thought, well, I thought you were going to boop me!" He exclaimed, fear shining in his eyes.
"Excuse me... Boop? What in the name of Gaea does that even mean?" She asked, still appearing to be completely bewildered by his statements.
"Well..." He started to say, blushing as he realized that was not at all what she meant to do. "My parents do this thing... You know... They like smash their faces together and rub noses... It's gross... really gross." He commented, seeming to shiver in disgust. At that statement, Aisling barked out a small laugh and all of her features relaxed into a goofy smile.
"Oh! You mean a kiss. I never did understand what was so... alluring to adults about doing that!" She observed, grinning. "And no, I definitely was not going to kiss you! I was simply sniffing your wound to see if it was infected!" She added quickly, smirking. "Speaking of which, I should finish that."
"No!" He blurted immediately. "It'd be too weird! I can smell the stink myself, and I'm pretty sure that means it's infected..."
"Mmkay... Anyway, why are you out here alone, and why has no one come to look for you?" She asked, scrunching up her face.
"See, I was with my writing group out here, and I wanted to write a poem about a bird. I asked my teacher to go down a path to follow this really cool bird I saw. I said I might be a day or two... It was like purple and teal, and almost looked furry instead of feathered, and I wanted to see where it would nest and wait... Are-are those wings!" He stammered excitedly, eyes wide with excitement. "Do they work? Can you fly? What are they made of? Did you build them? Were you born with them? ARE YOU THE BIRD?" Shocked, Aisling blinked once or twice, trying to recall his questions before answering.
"Yes. Yes. Cells. No. Yes. And how would I have a clue? Maybe?" She answered, tilting her head to the side. She was once again baffled by the strange behavior of this viscet. Then she realized something. "Hey kid, what's your name? I'm Aisling."
"Icarus," He replied with a smile, stretching out a paw in a fist bump. She responded in kind.

Aisling and Icarus stayed friends, and she nursed him back to health before helping him get back home. She then left to go back to the forest, but Icarus visits her regularly. They shared secrets, crushes, everything, including their backstories. On some of his visits, he would urge her to read the small note in her bottle necklace, but she always refused. That was, until his 18th birthday, when something changed. That day, Icarus kissed her.

Aisling had never been kissed before, and Icarus was the only viscet she'd ever had regular contact with. He admitted that he had feelings for her, and she replied that at the current moment, she only thought of him as a friend. He smiled, and replied that that was okay, and he'd expected as much, but she needed someone to love her as family, and that if that wasn't him, then it should be someone else. He explained to her that the note may hold hints as to where she can find her parents, and that even if she didn't forgive them for leaving her in the forest, they may be able to introduce her to a brother, or some of her family that had nothing to do with her current situation. She thought over what he said, and when he left, she took a deep breath, and she opened the small container.

Aisling took a deep breath and pulled out the cork. With a powerful gust of wind, the piece of paper sailed into the sky. She gasped as it started to glow and flew after it frantically, trying to grab the small, crinkled slip. As the wind died down it landed in a pond and sunk to the bottom.
"Aisling Artemis Attwood, you are the next nature goddess," Said the trees surrounding her. "You were chosen by Gaea herself, and you shall dutifully take on your job as her loyal servant. You were chosen as a child, and taken from your parents with their knowledge and consent. This was for the good of the earth, and you shall honor the sacrifice your parents made by serving the mother earth and healing her injuries."
"No! I-I need to find them! I need to know them! To be with them!" She shrieked, eyes wide and heart pounding.
"Serve." The forest ordered, growing silent. Not even the wind rustled the grass.

Aisling has since neglected her duty to serve the earth and has continued her search for her parents, but what will she find? Are they even alive?

[Stårry]

Round One Form



Having lived many years of his life as a forest spirit, to find the sudden destruction of his forested home was distressing. Oseron was a fylgia, a guardian spirit. The original bearer of his symbol had long since left him behind, and in some twist of failed fate, he'd been left in this forest to bide his time. Neighborhoods had moved in on his borders, and while he'd known it had only been a matter of time, he'd no desire to see his ancient trees fall. For some reason, he hadn't ever chosen a new person to guard. He was waiting for the right time to make a move. That time had come

The soft jingle of the metallic charms on his draping was the only indication that he'd begun to rise, ancient eyes opening to reveal violet irises. There was a new energy shining in them, despite the dire circumstances, he found himself looking on with a positivity that he'd been a stranger to for far too long. He studied his surroundings, a distant snapping noise rousing his attention. Once he'd turned his ears towards the source of the sound, a deep thrum sounded out. The loss of an ancient life, older than his own. He felt, more than heard the tree settle deep in his chest, the weight of the loss more pressing than the weight of the wood upon the earth.

The trees were falling. His home was finally facing it's imminent destruction. Large wings swept up,
disturbing the leaves he stood on and bringing massive paws to lift off of the ground. He knew there was a neighborhood not far from here that he could surely find someone to dwell with. His preference always had been to stand guard over a child, as it was they who most often required a positive influence if they lacked one. He considered himself to be a very good influence on youth, his own sense of morals and justice aiding them well in developing positive and strong qualities in themselves. Soon, he would resume the role of a guardian, and allow a child to adopt his totem, and give them the unique permission of knowing who, and what, he was.

Children were also much easier to bond with initially, as their minds were more receptive to the idea of such
'invisible guardians'. Often adopting them as more of an imaginary friend. Adults often found the concept more difficult to grasp, cemented in their values and thoughts. Eventually he found a young girl, playing outside with a little stuffed doll. He very quickly set his sights on the doll, and before he felt the fifth tree had fallen, he was within the little toy. His new totem, and his new charge.





"Damnit, Carolyn!" The harsh retort of a slap sounded across the house. Oseon's domain extended to just about only his beloved Tabitha, the girl he'd bound himself to. She could still see him, given she was only the meager age of four. Her hand rested against his soft flank, the viscet having laid down to protect her. He stood up, his tail brushing along her side as he strode into the living room. Already he'd gotten quite proficient at navigating the house without running into anything. Tabitha alone could see him, and as her age progressed, she would loose that capability. It wasn't a fear of his, however. No, he was more than capable of staying with her and guarding her for the rest of her life.

A large paw lifted and swept at a vase on a shelf, knocking it to the slate tile floor, and shattering the ceramic piece. It halted the arguing of her parents, and a shrill cry rose up after a few second's pause. Tabitha had been upset, and now she was crying. He didn't leave her, slinking back to her room to curl up behind her. He had never attacked her parents directly, but he did his part to ensure that they would not bring her harm. His tufted tail draped over her lap, his wings settling neatly against his back. She took delight in how he would flutter his wings for her, when she would ask him to.

He studied her rust-colored hair as her father approached her, berating her for being loud and trying to get her to be silent. Eventually, her cries stopped, and she curled tightly around the doll in which Oseron resided.



It had only been a few months since the girl had found Oseron, but already did he sense distress stirring within her parents. A great turmoil had been going on, and time and time again had he interrupted her parent's quarreling. He only interfered when she got terribly upset, however, and it'd led to accusations that she was the 'devil's child.' Given the heavily religious nature of the neighborhood, that wasn't entirely unexpected. Either way, Oseron's toy was lifted into her arms as her parents coaxed her into the car, with wide smiles and promises of a fun-filled afternoon. The child had no other reason to think otherwise, and after a half-hour's drive she was asleep. Even Oseron lost track of the time that had passed, as he was with Tabitha in her dreams, ensuring the girl had some source of delight, some reason to smile.

The car stopped, in the late evening. The sun was already reaching long rays out to the horizon, and soon the great golden disc would slide beneath the crest of the world until morning came. A gentle hand shook Tabitha awake, and they released her from her car seat and out into the park. They'd brought her out of the county, into a large city that she'd never visited before. She didn't know any of this, however, and as soon as her feet hit the grass, and she'd been given permission, she took Oseron and ran over to the playground. She'd named him "Oss," and as she ran over towards the playground equipment, her foot caught on the wooden boards that kept the woodchips and rocks contained behind them. She tripped, and Oss could do little to catch her. He did glance back to see if her parents were observing, now suspicious that they had remained by the car.

His suspicions were proven to be valid as he saw the tail end of their little sedan pulling back onto the road and taking off, at a speed much higher than was probably permitted. His heart sank, though it was more for his beloved Tabitha's condition than the loss of her parents. They were far too turbulent for his liking, really, and never had he wanted to deal with the day when her father's abuse against her mother would turn and rear it's viscous, ugly head to Tabitha.




Their next step would be to find someone to care for the child. He ran through, in his mind, places that he could look for... A church, perhaps, but lately they ran the risk of the place being empty, and locked. His tail swayed gently as he considered their situation, his gaze studying the details of the growing shadows. The threats, to such a child, were far too great. It was when he finally looked at the city skyline did he see it. Old words, etched in stone, but there nonetheless. Madame Rose's Orphanage. Never were they very pleasant places, but what else could he do with her? He, alone, was not enough to care for a child.

He rose, letting his tail drape over her shoulders as he walked her up to the grand doors, instructing her to knock.

1,298/1300

[corgiboy]

Round One Form
Story about Past / History: (700 words max)
Extras: (up to 3 Illustrations or 600 words - must go with story)

[kaoruthewolf]

Round One Form

Story about Past / History: (700 words max)
Extras: (up to 3 Illustrations or 600 words - must go with story)

idea; a young princess that attends to get lost in the wood, add end up make a friends with a witch or something magical.

[✦ nemuri]

Ah, quick question. Is it three pieces of art or 600 words for each extra, or just one piece of art or 200 words per extra?

[Mint Chip]

Ah, quick question. Is it three pieces of art or 600 words for each extra, or just one piece of art or 200 words per extra?

3 art is the total allowed - up to 3
600 words is the total allowed - up to 600 words.
so yea, each "extra" is 1. but you cannot have both extra"types" words and art regardless of being "sliced up", it's just one or the other c:

[✦ nemuri]

Ah, quick question. Is it three pieces of art or 600 words for each extra, or just one piece of art or 200 words per extra?

3 art is the total allowed - up to 3
600 words is the total allowed - up to 600 words.
so yea, each "extra" is 1. but you cannot have both extra"types" words and art regardless of being "sliced up", it's just one or the other c:

Ah, I see, thank you so much! I see I have to clean up my form a little then OTL