TOP!!!! Please. 

Mellon! *hugs*

This thread, the idea of it, your description-is beautiful and special. 

I'd like to show how my writing had improved; it's come a long ways from my very first (and very sad) post. You know my charrie sheet book? This is some of the beginning now. Things have changed, but some remain the same. 

~~~ 

The dragons had returned. Ruineth swore under her breath. They knew about this elf. She grabbed the pistol, and weighed the odds quickly. She could make it to the woods if she could make it over the rubble quickly. 

A shudder ran through the earth behind Ruineth. It had landed, she knew. It was no use to fight back while it was on the ground. If she had a rifle instead of the pistol, she might have been able to hit it in the sky. But now all she could do was hope that she wasn’t it’s target.

“Arodon hir irotri!” The girl screamed. In fear, or pain, Ruineth didn’t know. And she didn’t care. Ruineth grabbed at the pistol, not glancing behind her. She couldn’t be frozen in place by the dragon’s irveir, or fearpoison, as it was also known as. She began to move slowly forward, hoping it was going to kill the elf instead.

“Don’t move.” Came the dragon’s gravely, yet distinctly feminine voice. Ruineth grasped at the next rock. “I said, don’t move, elf.” She pushed off another rock, not looking back. “You call yourself a human, elf.” Ruineth froze. It wasn’t the elf who they had been talking about. “I’m not moving.” Ruineth snapped, not looking back. She had to run.

“You’re an elf?” Said the girl. “It doesn’t matter if I am, now does it, if we’re about to be eaten by dragon?” Ruineth said, breathing hard by now. “Come, I won’t eat you alive. It wouldn’t be civilized, now would it?” The dragon asked coyly. 

“So you’ll burn us alive, and then eat us?” Ruineth asked snidely. “It depends on who you are.” The dragon said. The ground shook as the dragon moved closer and closer, coming to confront Ruineth. 

Ruineth began to chew at her lip, closing her eyes. She would have to play the card. She didn’t want to, especially in front of this elf, put it seemed she had no other choice. She couldn’t fight; she wasn’t there yet. And it wasn’t likely that she would be believed, either. Unless she looked the dragon in the eyes. 

She turned, and looked the dragon in the eye. It was rather small, pale green dragon. But still twice as large as her. Ruineth heard a gasp from the elf. “You are a brave elf. And a stupid one.” It smiled slowly at her show of bravado.

“Speak.” It commanded. Ruineth could feel her legs beginning to tremble. “You can’t hurt me.” She said, trying not to blink, to assume dominance over the dragon.

A rattling, hissing sort of sound echoed from somewhere in the dragon’s throat. “And why is that? I do not have all day, so be quick.” 

Ruineth inhaled, coughing a little at the smoke that hit her lungs. “Because I am Esa Lightbringer’s daughter.” The dragon made as if to strike at her like a snake, but stopped, a few inches from her face. “You lie.” 

“And you know I do not, you can see it in my eyes, can’t you?” Ruineth snapped, knowing that this game could prove risky to both parties. “Filthy half-breed,” It hissed.

“You can’t hurt me. I am Verripha Half-born, but I am still of a higher rank than you.” She said, struggling to conceal her emotion. “Prove it.” Came the taunt. 

A spasm took her body, causing her to contort in pain, and scream. She could think of nothing as the change over took her. She finally collapsed, panting. 

The elf screamed. The dragon tilted it’s head, acknowledging what it had seen. “Forgive me, Traitor’s-daughter. You deserve to die.” It snarled. 

Ruineth tossed her head. “I can kill you now. All I have to do is thank you for the chance, and rip your scales off.” A strange light of fear entered its eyes. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Ruineth lunged, her claws outstretched. It was still larger, but she was faster and stronger. Her claws reached under its lime colored scales and tore at them. It arched, and howled.

It fell on it’s back, crushing the small tail that had sprouted from Ruineth. She pulled away, her claws gripping the loose sand that crumbled away, leaving her pinned to the ground. The weight lightened as the dragon rolled away, and Ruineth did the same.

Esthelle! Hi! It's great to see you, I haven't seen you around in awhile. I don't have time to write anything big for this right now, but I just had to say: this was such a beautiful and meaningful post, and it made me want to cry. I will never understand how you do it, but you weave words in such a beautiful and exquisite way, with so much emotion--in a way I wish that I could. Bravo, you lovely person.

Hey Esthelle! I'm so glad to see you!

I remember getting excited whenever I saw your name pop up on Saturdays when you could get on the CB because I loved reading your writing so much. I want to know what you've been up to! Are you in high school? If so, or if not, how's that going for you! I've missed reading what you have to say :) 

Cho: Elen sila lumenn omentielvo! *Hugs back* I've missed you. Regarding the Chatterbox of yore, composed of so many much-missed voices, yours will always own the leading part.

Thank you so, so much! I hoped this thread would communicate what I meant to say. Now I know it has. 

I always loved your writing, and it only mellows with time. A thousand thanks for sharing! How far have you gone with this? I'd love to learn what happens next.

Unfortunately for me, beginning with my junior year, I haven't read or written half so much as before. This reunion gifts me a linger-glimpse of what I really love, so far beyond the research-papers and busy-work of secondary education. 

I have a poem I'd like to share with you, but it might be a while before I can find/post it. School consumes time with utmost efficiency. 

Leeli: Yes! It has been a touch of a while. I'm so very glad my post moved you! That's one of the greatest things you can achieve as a writer. Thank you!!!

And-- you're no mean word-weaver, yourself! Let's keep our places at this bewilder-loom of phrasing and philosophy, and wind entangled words until our fingers fall off!

Bluebird: It means so much to see you say that! Especially since you write such evocative poetry. 

I am, indeed, in high school! I started as a sophomore, and now I'm in my junior year, somehow or other. 

I think it's going swimmingly, thank you! I'm involved in Speech, Quiz Bowl, Drama, Journalism, and NHS, and I student-managed for girls' basketball. While these experiences siphon time away from other pursuits (like writing), they do provide material to draw from.  

How about all of you? What are your education-related existences like, and how have they contributed to, or diverted from, your writing? 

@Esthelle, thank you. It means a lot that you think so well of me and my writing, when I am not entirely proud of who I was, or even who I am now. I hope to help people come to God with my writing, and I'd like to go a little further and talk about writing; what you said reminds me of myself. Also, the book has been in progress for three years now. >.> I'm happy with the characters, but frankly, the plot needs help, lol.

Hi Esthelle! It's really lovely to see you! What you said really stuck with me..."Now we're growing up, and it's time to start reacting within a wider world. But no world, however wide, will ever be quite like this one." That's so true. Honestly I'm fine with getting older, because life is so interesting and awesome, but I also love to appreciate good times I've had in the past. That's a nice idea for this thread. As always, you always ask the most thoughtful questions and open discussions. Miss you, and happpy (slightly belated) Valentines Day!

Happy valentines day!!! (well...late valentines day anyways) *hugs* How've you been? That was a beautiful post, omk you're such a great writer. Promise you'll never stop, ok? So glad to see you and everyone else again!