Kitar Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Apparently doing copious amounts of yard work is rather conductive to working up ideas, two postings in one night. NotLPrompt: Love Letters and Secret Valentines only 2k-ish words! Featuring: Aric and SW (Kit'ar) Spoilers: None Timeline: Takes place months after the NotLP Dreams and Nightmares, for index purposes please file this one after the Nightmare prompt. ty NAR SHADDAA Beginning Decryption Process: … Primary Language Detected … Starting Cross Language Translation: … Working... Working... Translation Complete: ... Continuing Decryption Process: … Cross Checking Encryption … Working … Routing Through Security Besh ... Working... Working.... Confirming Voice Recognition Patterns Decryption Complete: … A red blinking light appeared on the datapad. Kit'ar depressed a recessed button. A long missed voice filled the air as a brief text message appeared on the screen. “It has been to long babe. To long,” the rumbling voice sighed. “My next shoreleave is in two weeks, I am sorry I wasn't able to catch up with you during this break, it's just a fast stop over for supplies and fuel. In ten days I will be waiting at the apartment hopefully you will be there to meet me.” The sad voice continued, “I miss you terribly. Until then I have a gift for you.” The sound of rustling paper filled the air, “Look in the cabinet above the datapad.” The words carried a small hint of a smile. Reaching up she opened the cabinet, before her sat a beautifully wrapped package, its wrapping paper a creamy white with dark blue waves flowing across its pearl essence surface. She smiled gently picking up the box; he always managed to find the most lovely paper. Slipping a copper coloured nail under a taped seam she gently loosened the paper. Her smile grew, apparently his little habits had been rubbing off on her. Turning the box she slid her nail under the opposing seam. Peaking inside the paper she saw a dark green box adorned with gold embossed lettering; a light floral fragrance floated past her nose. “Ohhh,” she sighed, slipping the rest of the paper off the box and setting it on the slightly dusty counter. In her hand she held a much-coveted box of Coruscante tea. It was a very fragrant tea, slightly citrusy and she loved it. She grinned as she hit the replay button on the datapad, listening to Aric's subtly sad voice as she opened the teabox. His voice filled the air, it was a poor substitute for the actual person but she would take what she could get. Setting the box on the counter she moved to the basin filling a dark grey kettle with water. After placing it on the stove she absentmindedly waved her hand, depressing the burner's button, as she walked to a decorative stand holding ceramic mugs. Pulling a small wrapped package from her robes inner pocket she picked up her favorite mug, liberating it from its peg. Walking back to the stove she placed her mug and the small box on the counter before reaching over her head into the cabinet. Her fingers grabbed a glass jar filled with a light golden brown honey. Setting the honey alongside the brightly coloured mug she picked up the small wrapped package. She smiled as she idly rolled the bright red box between her fingers. ~*~*~ He keyed in the door's entry code, sighing as he heard the locks slide home. Crossing through the living area he dropped his battered leatheris duffle on the burgundy upholstered couch as he made his way into the kitchen. He moved to the counter, a smile replacing his scowl. There waiting for him on the counter was the datapad. Claw tapping the screen he woke the dormant machine. Quickly he tapped in the devices security code. The machine began to quietly whirr, text scrolling across the screen as it documented its warm-up. When it was completed a blinking light confirmed what he already knew, there was a message waiting for him. Smiling he entered another series of commands followed by the sequence to begin the message playback. Scrolling text confirmed the nature of the message as it prompted him to enter a security code. Happily he obliged, claw tapping on the screen. Chirping its agreement the datapad began the message's decryption. While he waited for the message to be translated and decrypted he headed to the conservator. Cracking open the door he found, in the nearly empty interior, two neat rows of Corellian Ale and Rodian Ale. Smiling he reached out grabbing one of the former. Apparently she was going to make it, the ale had been restocked. Aric heard a slight whirr as the datapad cycled through. Using his thumbclaw he popped the cap off the top of the bottle. Walking back to the counter he glanced down, the blinking light boldly proclaiming that the message was ready. Pushing the recessed button Aric took a healthy pull off the dark amber bottle. Her voice was so welcome as it filled the air. “Yes,” she agreed. He could hear the smile in her voice. “I will be able to make it to the apartment. I do look forward to seeing you again, you are right it has been to long, far to long.” A small sigh emanated from the datapad, “I grow impatient waiting for the days we are done with this nonsense, when this dance finally stops.” Her tone grew cold, causing his bottle to pause on its journey to his lips. He cast a frown at the datapad; he was frustrated too. “But,” her tone was considerably brighter, “it will stop, we can count the months on one hand now. I left you a little something as well. In the usual spot.” He heard her smile; almost laugh. What had she gotten him? Aric set the bottle on the counter as he reached up into the cabinet where she stored her teas. There sitting next to the dark green box of Coruscante tea was a red box. Fangs flashing as he grinned, he reached up grabbing the box, it was long and rectangular covered in a bright red paper. Quickly hooking a claw under the taped seam he gently cut through the tape, before rapidly turning the box to run his claw along the remaining tape. As he pulled the paper off in a solid sheet and set it on the counter, a rich earthy fragrance filled his sinuses. Grinning he pulled the top off the box, nestled inside were four incredibly dark brown cigarras, each wrapped in its own red and black label. Csillan. He honestly had no idea where they were grown; they were nearly impossible to get outside of the Ascendancy. Gently he picked up one of the cigarras bringing it up to his nose. Eyes closed he inhaled, the rich earthy fragrance filled his nose, carrying a thick sent of deep roasted nuts and a slight woody note but also a near cloyingly sweet floral scent, reminiscent of zherries. Grinning from ear to ear he extended a razor sharp claw, ready to slice the end off, when her laughter filled the air. “I know this is cruel but could you wait a moment?” Aric glared at the datapad, damn woman, why give them to him if he was supposed to wait? Frowning he continued to hold the cigarra, his claw extended as he waited for an explanation. “I managed to get dinner reservations for eight o'clock this evening, if my estimation is right you arrived at roughly seven. I took the liberty of having your dress greys cleaned; they are hanging in our room. I shall be along shortly.” Her voice was laughing as she cut the recording. "Damn it," he muttered. Regretfully he took another deep breath, inhaling the rich aroma of the much-coveted cigarra. He would have to wait until after they returned home from dinner. He wondered briefly where they were going. Gently he set the cigarra back in its box nestling it on top of its mates. Shaking his head he grabbed the open ale bottle and headed down the hall to their bedroom. There hanging on the front of the armoire securely wrapped in a thin transparent sheet of plastic was his dark grey formal wear. Taking a final swing off his bottle he killed it setting it on the nightstand. Glancing at his chrono he double-timed it across the room, he was running out of time. Fingers flew as he unbuttoned his fatigues; he pulled off his shirt tossing it on the bed. His belt quickly followed. His pants dropped to the floor, left in a crumpled pile entangled with his discarded boots, as he clawed open the plastic bag. Pulling the pants free from their hanger he stepped into them, hastily tucking in his undershirt as he grabbed for the suit jacket silently cursing the exorbitant amount of damn buttons the thing possessed. He shot a scowling look at the dark burgundy sash that accompanied it, he swore the damn bit of fabric was laughing at him. Shrugging the jacket on he pulled on the lapels, getting the damn thing to rest on his shoulders. Cracking open the door of the armoire he grabbed his dress boots, shined and ready to go. Standing on one leg then the other he pulled them on. Returning his attention to the suit jacket he growled as he started fastening the buttons, the dark grey stone buttons which seemed to be getting slipperier with every passing second. “Here let me help,” her voice rang through the air, he unconsciously jumped. He never even heard her enter the apartment. Then again if she wanted to be quiet, it would be damn near impossible for him to hear her. He turned to look at her, his scowl immediately replaced by a crooked grin. Kit was standing in the doorway to their bedroom, wearing the slinky black Killik silk dress he loved, the one with the plunging neckline and the impossibly low open back. Her dark auburn hair was up, bangs framing her face. As she sauntered towards him her porcelain thigh flashed through the dress' very generous slit up the left side, her saber hilt appearing and disappearing as she moved. “So how long have you been standing there?” Aric growled staring at her slow approach. A lewd grin crept across her pink lips, “Long enough... I was very tempted to stop you from getting dressed.” She stopped in front of him, her hands slipping up along his chest. “But we have reservations.” His hands settled around her waist as she finished buttoning his jacket. She smiled as she moved and straightened the sash, her black painted fingernails sliding along it before coming to a rest on his hips. “I missed you.” Her dark violet dusted eyes started to close as she leaned closer. He tightened his grip on her waist, his clawtips gently digging into her bareback. “Do we have to go?” he whispered as he brushed his lips against hers, being oh so careful not to smudge her makeup. “We do,” she mumbled into his mouth, her hands tightening. “It's dinner and then we have all night.” “Is that all we have?” he rumbled. “Sadly yes,” she sighed breaking the kiss. “Duty calls.” He leaned down his lips ghosting over hers as he kissed her before begrudgingly dropping his hands. “Who needs sleep, come,” he held his arm up, offering it to her. Smiling she slipped her left hand in grasping his arm. “I take it you have a taxi waiting?” She grinned, her green eyes sparkling, “Was there any doubt?” He returned her smile, “Never.” “Good,” she reached up, tucking a wayward lock of mane behind his ear. “Lets get going then," Aric rumbled, "don't want to be late, it would cut into our time for dessert and I'm really looking forward to it.” Her green eyes rolled as she shook her head, but he saw the smile as she turned her head away from him. Fangs flashing as he grinned he started walking down the hall, escorting her out of their home and to the waiting taxi. AN A zherry the star wars equivalent of a cherry. I learned something new, a fridge in star wars is called a conservator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 New week, new prompt! Week of 4/25/2014 Bushido - The seven classic Western virtues--see this week’s NotLP--are very individual-oriented. By contrast, the Bushido code stresses community and interaction: Rectitude (gi, righteousness or justice), Courage (yuu), Benevolence (jin), Respect (rei), Honesty (makoto), Honor (meiyo), and Loyalty (chuugi). Write about the presence or absence of bushido virtues in your characters' lives. Thank you, BrightEphemera, for this prompt idea. And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250864&postcount=4734and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250865&postcount=4735 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). This week's featured NotLP: Seven Virtues - Last week we looked at the seven deadly sins. But we’re not all sinners here. We all have our virtuous sides too, and many of our characters take one or more of the traditional "seven virtues" to heart: wisdom, justice, restraint, courage, faith, hope, and charity. Write about a time in which your characters embraced one or more of these virtues and how it affected them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Many apologies for the late response, Kitar. I really enjoyed this tender look at both Jorgan and Kit'ar. The gifts were lovely for both, and the sensory descriptions excellent. They read very much like people in love who know each other's tastes well. Long past the initial infatuation stage and enjoying the more mature, deeper kind of love that only comes from a long-term relationship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 New week, new prompt! Week of May 2, 2014 Tests and Examinations - Tests are almost as pervasive as credits: Jedi or Sith trials, ship or vehicle operator’s license exams, weapons certifications, advanced intelligence analysis, basic maths. What kind of tests has your character taken? Did she prepare well or wing it? Pass or fail? What about retakes? Write about your character getting through some of the various testing and certifications he’s encountered. And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250864&postcount=4734and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250865&postcount=4735 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Do the Math - speaking of mathematics, tons of things in life can be reduced to, or perhaps just unhelpfully compared to, the math that rules our worlds. Write about your characters or things in their lives adding, subtracting, dividing, or multiplying. Or do they ever have to integrate? Or deal with binary logic? Or try to keep a limit on their eccentricity? Or handle something that's just...odd? Write about it! (Somewhat off-the-wall, but I hope y'all find something fun to play with in there, not necessarily strictly math-rigorous!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 New week, new prompt! Week of May 9, 2014 Miracles and Wondrous Things - Star Wars is a universe with amazing high technology and an equally amazing mystical Force. Is there room between these two for a miracle? How would your character explain what defies explanation? Has he ever had to? What would she say to someone who disagrees? This prompt courtesy of Frauzet. Thanks, Frauzet! And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250864&postcount=4734 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250865&postcount=4735 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Home Ec - Our ships and everyday living arrangements have to keep running somehow. Maybe a slave or ship's droid handles it all for you; maybe...not so much. How do your characters manage cooking, cleaning, budgeting, ship maintenance, appliance repair, and more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 New week, new prompt! Week of May 16, 2014 Neither a Borrower nor a Lender Be. Whether borrowing money, your sister's clothes, your mother’s starship, or living on borrowed time, everyone borrows things. What happened when your character did? Did he lose it? Break it? Have a heck of a time giving it back in one piece? Or was your character the lender? Was the item ever returned or the credits paid back? What kind of condition was it in? Write about a time your character borrowed or lent out something. Prompt courtesy of Mirdthestrill. And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250864&postcount=4734 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250865&postcount=4735 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: I Love This Bar - We all do our time in the watering holes of the galaxy. What's your character's favorite memory of things seen, heard, done, purchased, insinuated, shot, kissed, imbibed, discombobulated, or otherwise rendered memorable in a cantina? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 (edited) New week, new prompt! Week of May 23, 2014 Obsession: Everyone has interests. Occasionally, they devolve into fandom, or even obsession. What things obsess your character? Is it a favorite holoshow? A musical group? Perhaps swoop racing or huttball? Maybe something more esoteric--akk dog breeding, archaeology, perfume making, fine-tuning hyperdrive engines, or something else. Love feels a lot like obsession in the early infatuation stage. Or might it be a true obsession: intrusive thoughts or actions your character can’t ignore. Write about some of them and how they affect your character. And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250864&postcount=4734 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250865&postcount=4735 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: As Time Goes By - No matter where you are in your character's story they are probably quite different from when they started. Maybe some are ready to settle down and others are starting to feel the passage of time. (All that Force leaping can't be good for the knees!) Has your character noticed any changes or have they stayed the same while others changed around them? Tell us about it. Edited May 23, 2014 by Striges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Happy Second Birthday, Short Fiction Weekly Challenge! The original thread began on a whim, June 1, 2012 and this spinoff not long afterward. We’ve seen contributors come and go and some stay for the long haul. In honor of a forum thread running for two years constant, now at 500 pages and climbing: Week of May 30, 2014 Monuments: Beings everywhere create monuments. They can be statues or walls or great tomes or endowments to museums. Made to heroes, to wars, to governments, to benefactors, to saints, or even stupidity. They may be ancient or recent or forgotten. They may be revered or reviled, or maybe even both at once. Perhaps monuments to your character, desired or not, known or not. Write about your character’s interactions with monuments. Or: Serendipity: Merriam-Webster defines serendipity as “the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for; also : an instance of this.” For many, stumbling on this thread was an instance of serendipity. Not all surprises are bad, and sometimes good things happen when you least expect it. When has your character experienced serendipity? And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250864&postcount=4734 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250865&postcount=4735 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: First Day on the Job - Some of our characters have very long, very colorful employment histories. Others picked a job or had it picked for them when they were very young. Pick one of the jobs your character has held and describe the day they came to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted June 6, 2014 Share Posted June 6, 2014 For a bit of a change, June will be the Month of Meta-Prompts. These prompts will be less about situations, and more directed at the writer. Experiment with form and sources of inspiration. Week of June 6, 2014 Something Borrowed-writers find inspiration everywhere, sometimes in other people’s fic. Not necessarily characters, though we had a prompt for that, too. Sometimes it’s a scene or a description, a side character or a setting. The name of a bureau, what the hyperspace vortex looks like, a slogan, or something else! The main thread hosted a number of collaborations recently, so let’s make it official. Write your story and be sure to note what you borrowed and from whom. Add a link to your inspiration if you can. And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250864&postcount=4734 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250865&postcount=4735 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Loyalty and Betrayal - Two loaded words that can have major impacts on a person's life. Which characters of yours always follow orders? Which never compromise in loyalty to their friends or cause? How do your companions (not just that one) deal with challenges to their loyalties? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted June 13, 2014 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Week Two in the Month of Meta-Prompts. These prompts are less about situations, and more directed at the writer. Experiment with new forms and different sources of inspiration. Week of June 13, 2014 The Sounds of Silence-Tell a story without dialogue. Perhaps the characters are cannot speak or choose not to. Maybe the characters are incapable of speech. Maybe communications are cut off. Thoughts don’t count unless they’re audible in some way, and while journal entries or written correspondence fit the letter, they miss the spirit. Challenge yourself! And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250864&postcount=4734 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7250865&postcount=4735 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: First Day on the Job - Some of our characters have very long, very colorful employment histories. Others picked a job or had it picked for them when they were very young. Pick one of the jobs your character has held and describe the day they came to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Week Three in the Month of Meta-Prompts. These prompts are less about situations, and more directed at the writer. Experiment with new forms and different sources of inspiration. Week of June 20, 2014 Background Music and Leitmotif:-Imagine Darth Vader’s entrance without the Imperial March. It’s hard. His music is as much a part of his character as his black cloak and mask. Many writers have playlists for their stories, or at least particular songs that apply to certain characters or situations, or that help evoke a character or a sense of place as they write. This week’s challenge: Write a story and link the background music that goes with it, or a story centered on your character and link their leitmotif. Prompt courtesy of Mirdthestrill. And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Laws and Governance - Our characters pass through a huge number of jurisdictions with a huge variety of regulations, forms of government, fine print, and - eek - legal penalties. Write about an interaction your character has had with government and/or the legal system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitar Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 Sorry for the late response to your comment Striges, life has been rather busy, now that my daughter is out of school for the summer. Many apologies for the late response, Kitar. I really enjoyed this tender look at both Jorgan and Kit'ar. The gifts were lovely for both, and the sensory descriptions excellent. They read very much like people in love who know each other's tastes well. Long past the initial infatuation stage and enjoying the more mature, deeper kind of love that only comes from a long-term relationship. At this point the two of them do care for each other. I have honestly been contemplating posting the entire story but it now sits at seven hundred pages I would completely hijack the thread if i started posting them all here. Maybe one of these days I will work up the courage to start my own thread. I know the few people who have read it do seem to enjoy it. I also have another story, I had intended to actually post two. I have been so very busy I have only been able to finish one of them. Enjoy NotL Prompt: The Sounds of Silence Featuring: Aric and Kit'ar (who else) Timeline: Takes place roughly three months before the Dreams and Nightmares Prompt Spoilers: Mentions events for Imperial Corellia planetary quest as well as npc's from Pierce's companion quest CORELLIA Frowning he shifted his weight, slowly moving to avoid creating a sound. Cautiously he rotated his left hand, rolling and flexing the stiff joints. They were late, not that he was surprised. A flippant excuse and a disparaging slur would be his only explanation, when he was finally relieved. He suppressed a growl, the sound would travel and he was not about to let his annoyance with his damn X.O. get him killed. His eyes resumed their tireless scan, searching for any signs of movement. The gorilla fighting had been intense; keeping him locked on this war-torn planet for weeks. Garza was determined that somehow Havoc was going to magically end the Imperial Occupation. Occupation, he shook his head, he knew the ruling body had agreed to join with the Empire, even if that decision was not welcomed by the rest of the populace. Just another interesting tidbit he had picked up from Kit. Again he clenched his jaw, scowling. He just went where he was ordered; currently he was ordered here. He did wish while he was here, he would have been positioned with a spotter. It would of made things a bit easier to watch the street from this height; though the rooftop did provide some decent cover. A slight sc****** teased his ear. He shifted his attention towards its source; again he heard the quick scrape of something hard against rock. Rapidly his eyes scanned the area, ears straining. Below him on the ground, near the intersection he caught a glimpse of black. Slowly he moved his head, looking through the sight and his heart sank. Before him black and red durasteel clad Imperials walked, loosely in formation, as they moved westward along the street, their shoulders adorned with a very distinctive white skull-like helmet from which emanated white rays. Quickly he scanned the slow moving Human soldiers, a thin framed raven-haired man walked alongside a brunette man with close-cropped hair. Aric's stomach started to roll. Then a massive form walked into the sight, he towered over the others, actually walking with his shoulders hunched while he talked to an attractive blonde woman. Aric's clenched his teeth, his jaw aching. It was karking Pierce. Taking a deep breath, he shifted his weight onto his left arm, moving it slightly across his chest. It was such a small movement, but Aric knew it blocked the feed from his armor cam; something that he could innocently explain away if anyone decided to pull the feed from today. Slowly he released his breath in a silent puff. Now that he was the only one who could see them he rotated the rifle to the right, continuing his search. His eyes caught the rustle of black cloth and his stomach threatened to force its way out of his throat, his mouth filling with acid. Two black robed figured emerged from the buildings shadows trailing behind the squad of Black Ops soldiers. Jaesa and Kit'ar. Closing his eyes, he willed his flipping stomach to settle; his stopped heart to resume beating. Why were they here? He was stationed up here to look for an active Imperial presence in this district. Oh frack, what the hell was he supposed to do? His Imperials were supposed to be on Dromund Kass not walking down the street in the middle of the manufacturing district the CorSecs and their silent Republic backers were trying to secure. She had told him they were going to be on Dromund Kass. He grit his teeth, well apparently something had brought them here. He watched them walk leisurely down the street; they hadn’t a care in the world, the leading pair gesturing to the repaired street and new construction. Kark, he had to do something, something that would not get picked up and recorded by his armor cam. Aric had to stop them, if they continued down that street, they would walk into the damn overly enthusiastic CorSecs, who were consolidating their forces about four blocks west of his location. Aric just could not let the group below head in blind; it would be very bloody and violent meeting. What in the Nine Hells could he do... flare would draw the wrong kind of attention, yelling well that would also alert the CorSec's and would be recorded by his armor cam. He couldn't very well get up and walk towards them, not only would that be recorded but it would most likely lead to him getting shot. Then it occurred to him what he could do. Aric sent up a silent prayer to the ancestors; this had to work. Keeping his left arm locked over his armor cam he moved his rifle, targeting the ground in front of Pierce. Taking a deep breath, he turned on the sniper rifles targeting system. The sight flared to life, instantly producing a readout of current weather conditions and wind speed. Briefly his thumb hovered before depressing another button, one that produced a thin yet strong band of golden light that landed right at the massive Human's feet. Pierce immediately dropped to his feet, rolling behind cover as his hand shot upward. Within seconds the entire squad including the two Sith had moved behind cover. He watched as Kit slowly crept up to Pierce's position, saber hilt in hand. Aric forced his breathing to remain even; they had not started firing. Kit was staring at the steady gold beam, her eyes slowly tracing it to its source. Aric released the button before depressing it again. Kit's attention shifted to Pierce, his head bent in a silence conference. Aric released the button only to rapidly press and release it; causing the light to flicker. Both Kit's and Pierce's heads locked onto his position. Below he watched an Imperial, the raven-haired man; bring up his rifle, resting it on an abandoned speeder. Pierce's head snapped towards the soldier. Aric wished he could hear them; eventually the soldier lowered his weapon, but his eyes never left Aric. Again Aric's durasteel clad finger tapped rapidly, producing a three beat pattern. Pierce shifted closer to Kit, his head ducked down close to her as her eyes continued to stare at Aric. The massive Human looked up at Aric as Kit'ar raised her hand crisply motioning in the direction they were headed. He responded with a quick single flash. She motioned to the Imperial squad around her and held up one finger, and then she motioned again in the direction they had been walking. He was pretty sure he understood; she had one squad. Again he responded with a quick single flash. Her hand again moved, gesturing to the squad and holding up one finger then she gestured down the street, before dropping it. Kit looked up at him, slowly holding up one finger, then two, then three. He waited watching patiently as she started holding up fingers on her right hand as well, when all ten digits were outstretched he squeezed off a single flash of golden light, praying she understood he was confirming the number of squads that were waiting mere minutes away. She dropped her hands, turning to look at Pierce as Jaesa slowly crept her way up to their position. The inability to hear them was maddening, but he could not move, he didn't dare risk the com picking them up. He watched the three of them drop their heads, a silent conference he desperately wanted to be a part of. Standing Pierce picked his arm up, hand over his shoulder making a quick circle with his clenched fist he pointed east. The squad moved out, all but the raven-haired sniper. He stood staring at Aric's position rifle in hand. Pierce's hand grabbed the man by the shoulder. Finally the sniper moved, falling in as the squad headed eastward, their jovial chatter gone as they quickly moved away from Aric. As he watched their dwindling forms, through the rifles sight, realizing Kit and Jaesa were not with them. He panned back westward; they still stood watching his prone body. Jaesa's hand on her Master's arm, Kit looked at Jaesa shaking her head, Jaesa turned walking away. Kit stood staring up at him. He felt a slight pressure against his neck, closing his eyes he leaned into it. The sensation faded he opened his eyes; he saw her black robed form walking away, heading to the east. She paused at the edge of a building, bringing her armored fingers to her lips, kissing them before holding her hand up towards him. Keeping his left arm tightly pushed against his chest, he let go of his rifle. Mirroring her gesture he brought his armored fingers up to his helmet before reaching out towards her. She moved into the protective cover of the towering building, vanishing from his sight. Sighing he watched her leave. Perhaps the ancestors were looking over him after all, he shuddered thinking what might have happened if Tanno or their Commanding Officer had been here in his place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Ah, I wondered when a minor thing like the galactic war would cause trouble for Aric and Ki'tar. I liked the suspense here and the no-win situation Aric was in. Whose side will he take? Is there a way out? One that Aric can accept? Both the build up and the resolution were good. As a comment on the entire arc, I liked the first story as pretty much humor. Aric more than a little buzzed, an ill-advised liason. But you took those characters beyond the initial setup and played around with them. I like how the story as a whole developed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 The fourth and final week of the Month of Meta-Prompts. These prompts are less about situations, and more directed at the writer. Experiment with new forms and different sources of inspiration. Week of June 27, 2014 A Punny Story:-Often derided as the lowest form of wit, some of our most respected writers --like Shakespeare and Alfred Hitchcock--adored puns. Making and understanding puns requires a large vocabulary, a vital thing for writers. This week’s challenge: write a pun story; a story that exists for the sole purpose of setting up a pun. See this TVTropes link for some examples (click at your own risk), a wonderful music related one (the story begins at 4:48, but the intro is totally worth it). Sadly, puns rarely translate well outside their native language. Regardless, if your story ends in a non-English pun, please include both the original and a translation/explanation. And, as ever, b]Night of the Living Prompt[/b]: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Failure - Our characters have flaws. They have bad days. They do it wrong. And sometimes they don't win. What failures have your characters experienced? What, if anything, did they learn from it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 In honor of our numerous non-native-English writers, another language-focused prompt: Week of July 4, 2014 Dialect and Accent: Everyone has one whether you're aware of it or not. Your words and how you say them reveal a lot about where you were born, where you grew up, what you like to read, or where and how you learned another language. What do your character's word choices tell about them? Does it mark them as ruling class, streetwise, coreward, rimward, immigrant, outsider, insider, or something else? Do they try to hide their unique pronunciation or revel in it? A source of shame or pride? Are they right and everyone else talks funny? Explore it! And, as ever, b]Night of the Living Prompt[/b]: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Alternate Perspectives - Meet an earlier meta prompt. Most of the time we tell a story from a single character's perspective. But what were other characters thinking at the time? Rewrite one of your past pieces from another character's perspective or write a new fic from two characters’ perspectives. Use any prompt or just make something up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Friday’s here already? Prompt time! Week of July 11, 2014A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words Pictures can also provide inspiration. A photograph, professional or otherwise, a scene in a movie, a well-known painting, a screenshot, a character portrait, if you’re lucky enough to have one. Write the “thousand words” (figuratively) behind the picture and share both if you can. Prompt courtesy of Jokad via the SWTOR forums. And, as ever, b]Night of the Living Prompt[/b]: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Stomping Grounds - Our characters all have favorite places. Somewhere they grew up, somewhere they spent a lot of time, someplace that feels like home or might as well be. Someplace they’d rather be any day of the week. Somewhere they dream of when things go wrong. Tell us about your character’s favorite stomping ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Prompt Day! Week of July 18, 2014 There's No "I" in Team: As you play you pick up companions aplenty, maybe make friends in groups, and head-canon a lot of NPC involvement in your personal story. Over time, you wind up developing a team of players who work together in some fashion. Without that team, your character would never have the level of success they've achieved. Write about either how your team learned to mesh with each other, how they function as a unit now, or how they bond in the aftermath of a mission. Prompt courtesy of SillyMonkey71 via Tumblr. And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Goals and Ambitions - Everybody has something they dream of, something they're working for in the future. For a lot of our characters it's a defining part of who they are. What are those goals? Who do our characters want to be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 New Friday, new prompt. Week of July 25, 2014 Out of Time Often, there seems not enough time in a day to get done what we need or want to do. Time management gurus to the contrary, sometimes there’s just too much going on. What about your characters? Everyone has to prioritize and has different reasons for setting priorities as they do. In fiction you can avoid all schedule conflicts, but where’s the fun in that? Write about a time your character had to make a choice about what gets done and what gets left for later, or not done at all. This prompt courtesy (in a roundabout way) of BrightEphemera. And, as ever, b]Night of the Living Prompt[/b]: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining the prompt archive and story index here. This week's featured NotLP: Behind the Scenes - Things aren't always as they seem, some events never look obvious, and wherever there's a curtain there may well be a man behind it. Write about what's really going on behind the scenes of your character's story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 New Friday, new prompt. Week of August 1, 2014 Missing Something: We have things we’re good at and things we’re not. What happens to your character when something they rely on is suddenly useless or unavailable? The obvious is if your Jedi or Sith cannot call on the Force for some reason. But what about a sniper without their trusty rifle, a smuggler without their contacts, or a trooper without their squad? How did it happen? What does your character do? And, as ever, b]Night of the Living Prompt[/b]: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining the prompt archive and story index here. This week's featured NotLP: Legacy - Legacy is an important part of the game, and a running theme throughout several of the stories. Is your character a part of a particular legacy, be it of family or ideology? What does your character want to leave behind when they're gone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Prompt Day! Week of August 8, 2014 Recurring Events: The rakghoul event is in full swing again. What other kinds of things happen to your character on a regular basis? Hyperdrive not working? Lightsaber lost? Ship stolen? Escape in the nick of time? Maybe something more prosaic, like problems with laundry. Give us a peek into one of those ongoing things your character deals with. And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Backfired Plans - No good deed goes unpunished, and sometimes blessings come in disguise. What if something meant for good had bad effects, or vice versa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 (edited) New Friday, new prompt. Week of August 15, 2014 A Matter of Public Record: Every character is a wealth of information, and it's probably to someone’s advantage to know it. Everything from basic information like name, species, and gender, to more specific things, like school records, close relatives, or their favorite snack food. So what do they know about your character? What's on their public record and is any of it accurate? Has it been changed, erased, or confused with someone else’s? Who might want to know? Why? And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining the prompt archive and story index here. This week's featured NotLP: LF1M - Dating site profiles are full of the good, the bad, and the ugly. If your character got lonely and tired of his/her designated love interest, what profile would you write for them to submit to the HoloNet's matchmaking services? Edited August 15, 2014 by Striges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Friday again, time for a new prompt. Week of August 22, 2014 Coming Home: With the advent of strongholds, what or where does your character consider home? Do they have an apartment on Coruscant, a stronghold in the wilds of Dromund Kaas, a sky palace on Nar Shaddaa? Is their ship their home, wherever it travels? Maybe home is more about the beings they’re with--their squad, their crew, their companions. We had a prompt for “Stomping Grounds,” which was more nostalgia, a childhood or imagined home. This is more at the present. At the end of the day, where does your character come home? And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Climate - Our characters visit a dazzling array of planets, moons, and extremely large ships with a wide variety of climates and weather conditions. Write about a time when your character had reason to notice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Friday again, time for a new prompt. Week of August 29, 2014 Can’t Get There From Here: Travel--or any plan--doesn’t always go smoothly. There are delays, changes in schedules, barriers blocking the way. What does your character do when their usual route is impassable? Do they follow the detour signs? Do they know--or think they know--a much better alternative route? What happens? Thanks to Frauzet for this prompt. And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Mirror, Mirror - Images and reflections can tell you a lot. Sometimes they give an accurate perspective on what's going on. But sometimes they don't quite reflect the truth of things. Distorted or un-, write about mirrors, reflections, or echoes that your characters have encountered or left. Got an idea for a prompt? Send me a pm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Prompt Day! Week of September 5, 2014 Downtime: Our characters have plenty of responsibilities. But what do they do when there’s nothing pressing? What fills those little spaces between committee meetings, the time between jobs or assignments, the days in hyperspace en route to the next big crisis? We’ve looked at both hobbies and vacations, let’s take a look at something a little less organized. How does your character fill their downtime? Prompt suggested by DoctorToDannyBoy. And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (yes, we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining these lists. This week's featured NotLP: Working Out the Kinks - When has any device, excuse, or plan ever worked on the first try? Write about a time your character's efforts met reality and didn't go as perfectly as intended. Got an idea for a prompt? Send me a pm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Striges Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 New Friday, new prompt. Week of September 12, 2014 Another Day on the Job: Our characters lead pretty interesting lives. Things they consider routine are anything but. So what does one of those days look like? What’s a regular day in the life of a special-forces trooper or Dark Council member? What problems do they face on a day-to-day basis? What unique occupational hazards do they avoid--or what perks do they enjoy? Even an ordinary day for your character is bound to be extraordinary in some way. Write about it. And, as ever, Night of the Living Prompt: Keep on using any prompt you like! Check out the list at http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489974post=2 and http://www.swtor.com/community/showpost.php?p=7489991post=3 (we’re up to two full posts!). Many thanks to Alaurin for maintaining the prompt archive and story index here. This week's featured NotLP: Enemies, Rivals, and Nemeses - Everyone has them. Each class story hands you a number of them, and we create more in our Legacies. So, how does your character deal with his or her enemies--quick death, public humiliation, something else? What about rivals, professional or otherwise? Does your character dream of destroying them or use them as motivation to exceed? Is there a nemesis lurking in the wings somewhere? Tell us about it! Got an idea for a prompt? Send me a pm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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