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Story Den~~~
Chatterbox: Inkwell
Story Den~~~
Story Den
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This is a place -a subsection of the Inkwell, if you will- where CBers write, compare, contrast, compliment, and criticize short (there's no word limit, but if the stories were 500 words or less, that would be good) stories. Write of treachery, of fantasy, of mystery, of Fandom, of magic..... The possibilities are endless! Just one rule: Unless permission is given by their author, all stories are copyrighted.
I'll start.
Wings
The rain fell in torrents, drenching his fur..... Someone wailed, screaming, "Juni!!" A dense fog fell, shrouding the plain, hiding everything..... His mother cried for him again, but he couldn't see her, couldn't reach her- he was all alone now.....
Juniper woke up, gasping. The dream seemed so vivid, almost like that horrible scene was happening again. He blinked, his brilliant cyan eyes flashing. The rain was gone, had been gone for countless moons now. He stood up as much as he could in the cramped tree hollow, black pelt caked with dirt from the hollow's earthen floor. He cautiously stepped out, shaking earth from his fur and glancing around. The desert plain was quiet as the first rays of dawn crept up the terrain. The whole world seemed to be holding its breath as the sun rose, beautiful and brilliant, filling the sky with fire. An eagle's cry broke the silence and the plain came to life. The eagles soared high above, their wings spread wide, silhouetted against the dawn.
He sighed, thick tail swishing, and tore his eyes away from the eagles. How he longed to soar with them, effortlessly gliding over everything. He would give nearly anything to be a bird rather than the panther that he was. He closed his eyes, imagining the strong wings of an eagle growing from his back, then flapping them, and being carried into the sky...... He jerked himself out of his daydream. He wasn't going to get anything accomplished by standing around waiting for a miracle.
Juniper padded away from the plain after a successful hunt. He could see the border between the plain and the forest now, and he loped eagerly toward it. He purred in the shade of the trees, welcoming and cool on his black fur. It was dark. Too dark. Almost as if..... Juniper shook the thought away. That wouldn't happen again. Never.
And then came the rain. It started as a drizzle, dripping through the forest canopy, but eventually picked up force. Eyes wide, Juniper searched for an escape. He ran aimlessly, trying to find his way, but stumbled over something on the forest floor and collapsed.
Juniper was in a land full of light. A soft voice beckoned to him, lulling him.... "Juni, come here, sweet cub. I have missed you." He stumbled toward the voice, but found he couldn't see. "Where are you?" he wailed. "Why am I always alone?" The voice purred, "It's alright. I'm here, always here. Come to me now, Juniper. I can give you anything you ever wanted." Juniper imagined wings again, and how glorious it would be.... But something wasn't right. The voice was... wrong, somehow. Juniper flattened his ears, refusing to take another step. He gritted his teeth, and yowled, "NEVER!!"
Juniper was in the dark forest and the rain had stopped. The voice's words echoed in his mind... "I can give you anything you ever wanted." But that chance was gone now. Juni knew he'd never fly, would never have wings.... But he was alive.
~~~
Sorry. That story was awful. I can't really think of anything better right now, however. Oh well! Enjoy the thread.
submitted by Scylla
(April 9, 2016 - 11:43 am)
(April 9, 2016 - 11:43 am)
This sounds really fun! I'm looking forwards to getting some feedback, especially from ShoshannaLily, because you're so detailed.
It's just a silly story I wrote for yuks, but I want to see what you could make out of it.
~~~
He crept among the graves, his feet falling as silently as the wind. An owl watched from above, cocking its head, until it spread its wings and soared off into the night. All around him the tombstones rose from the earth, mist wreathing around the cracked stones. Finally he stopped in front of the one sheltered at the back of the cemetery. There it sat, desolate as ever, in its state of disrepair. A large chunk of of the name was missing from the epitaph, as if it had intentionally been destroyed. He knelt down in front of the grave, running a hand over the moss creeping along its surface. He leaned close to the cracked surface and whispered “Gratus, pater. Interrogabo vos et ego reditum facta referre plurima iura in nomine tuo,” in a voice so soft none would have heard, even if there was a soul around.
The air hung still for some time as he bent over the tombstone, then a pale shape, light as a feather yet carrying the unmistakable damp heaviness of death, rose from the grave and passed over the man’s head. He looked up and watched it depart into the land of the living. A slight smile curved over his scarred face. He quietly laughed, looking up at the darkening sky. All of a sudden he plunged his fist into the air, screaming with delight.
“You will regret the day,” he yelled, wind whipping his tangled hair all around his face. “You took my Thomas the Tank Engine lunchbox, Jimmy!”
(April 11, 2016 - 3:09 pm)
That twist ending was hilarious! You were very descriptive. I liked your story.
(April 11, 2016 - 6:57 pm)
My story will be magical and adventurous. Yay!
The autumn leaves blazed like fire while Anna Johnsonn stepped noiselessly through the woods. She was searching for fairies, autumn fairies. These little sprites only came out in the fall, enchanting trees to change color and drop their leaves. They were shy and hard to catch. The reason Anna wanted to catch one was because she needed a friend. No other girl in Wellington believed in magic, and they all laughed at Anna.
Anna stopped walking and sat by a stream, listening to the creeks' constant murmuring. She had been searching for a while, with no avail. Anna placed her net on a flat, mossy rock. She closed her eyes, enjoying the sounds of the forest, and when she opened them, her net was gone. Where did it go? She wondered. But Anna didn't need to ask. It was the autumn fairies. She was certain.
Anna slowly stood up, careful not to make a sound. She turned her head this way, then that. A flash of red flickered at the edge of her gaze. But when Anna turned around, no one was there. Suddenly, Anna heard a tiny voice. "Looking for this?" it said. Anna whipped around. Behind was a little person wearing a long, red dress. The fairy had iridescent wings and short brown hair. She was holding Anna's net. "I'm Carmine. I see you are looking for a friend. But you don't need a net to make a friend." Anna thought about what the little fairy had said. She's right. Anna thought. That net was unessesary.
"I'm Anna." Anna told Carmine. "You were right. I don't need a net to make a friend." The fairy smiled. "Before you ask, yes I would like to be your friend." Anna grinned. "Do you want to find an apple tree?" she asked. Carmine nodded. "Apples are my favorite!" She stood up, patting her stomach. Anna laughed. "Let's go!" The new friends walked off into the forest, talking cheerfully.
(April 11, 2016 - 7:29 pm)
So… Scylla… About those tips?
(April 11, 2016 - 7:38 pm)
Later, I promise.
(April 12, 2016 - 10:47 pm)
I want to see how much my writing's improved since I joined the CB. Here's a post from my Pokémon RP....
Serina~
I crouch in a jungle in the Hoenn region. I am searching for an undiscovered species of Pokémon to write about. I hear a rustle in the bushes nearby. A strange Pokémon waddles out confusedly. It looks just like aa Treeko, but is black and purple with coils of smoke and shadow. It looks dazed and promptly collapses on the dirt. Since it seems pretty weak, I successfully catch it to document in my studies.
Here's the last post in my ski lodge.
(Gathers notes) The time has come! It's time for. . . . THE EPIC CONCLUSION!
(April 11, 2016 - 9:33 pm)
Interesting. Very descriptive.
(April 12, 2016 - 7:06 am)
Since no one commented on my last story, I will write another.
The full moon shone overhead. Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted. Marika slid silently through the forest, careful not be seen. A slice of dazzling moon hit her eyes. Her skin prickled. Marika saw fur spourt all over her arms. No, no, no. Not now! she thought. Marika felt a twitch. She whipped her head around. At the base of her back, a tail has appeared.
Suddenly, Marika felt the urge to hunt. Her fingernails became claws. Her ears became pointed at the ends and traveled up her head. Marika dropped on to all fours. My transformation is complete. she thought with a purr. The curse is gone. I am what I was born as. A black cat slid into the bushes, hungry for a mouse.
(April 12, 2016 - 7:28 am)
A young girl clutched an elegant box to her chest. She stood in front of the teacher's desk, shaking. The whole classroom watched her and giggled excitedly as they waited for her to speak.
It was Show and Tell in Sarah's kindergarden class and her turn to go up. Her smile continued to twitch and her eyes darted around the room until the teacher gently tapped her shoulder.
"Sarah?"
She turned to look up at her teacher with wide blue eyes, her mouth open slightly.
"What have you come to show us today?" The teacher's calm reassuring smile did it's job, and Sarah nodded.
She stopped clutching the box and held it in front of her, letting the class examine it. "This is my jewlery box," she explained. It looked too exquisite to be in a five year old's hands, but she took great care of it.
The dark wood glistened in the light and the numerous jewls sparkled with each movement. Gold adorned the corners and made feet that would hold the base of the box up from the ground. It wasn't real gold, of course, but nobody told Sarah that before.
One of the other girl's raised her hand. The teacher called on her. "I have a jewlery box too, and mine can play music." Her voice was full of envy, for her jewlery box was just a pink heart and not nearly as pretty.
Sarah's jewlery box had music too, and she smiled. "Mine can too!" The other little girl frowned.
"Where did you get the box?" the teacher asked with a grin.
"My daddy gave it to me before he left." She recalled her dad kneeling next to her and placing the box firmly in her hands. He told her that he loved her, and that she was his little angel.
"Mommy says that he will come back though. It makes her sad to be lonely. I try to give her hugs and kisses, but she still wants him to come back." Sarah paused, glancing down at her present. "He will come back though."
For the first time in her life, Sarah doubted what her mom had been telling her. The words were weak, and not spoken from the heart like before. He hadn't come back even though each time she asked mommy the answer was the same. "Soon, baby."
The teacher let out a sad sigh. She knew the mother well, and tried to support her by giving Sarah a ride home each day. "Why don't you play the music?"
The little girl cheered up instantly and fiddled with the little golden latch before it came off without a sound. Slowly the lid lifted itself up as the first few notes trickled from the opening.
They were magical. The delicate trills wavered at first, but gradually gained confidence as they peeked out of the box. They rose like flower petals upon a soft breeze, rolling along and dancing in groups of three. One note followed the other and soon more notes joined in the soft melody. Each sound contrasted eachother in a perfect way, striking a melodic feel.
Sarah had never cried before.
Daddy isn't coming back....
~~~~~~~
This is really sad D:
I hope it hits a string in your heart like it did mine~
(April 12, 2016 - 4:34 pm)
That was beautiful! Oh mah cat. Oh. Mah. Cat. Wow. Wow. Wow. Okay, I'm done now.
(April 12, 2016 - 6:52 pm)
Who likes my stories? Just wondering if anyone is reading them.
My CAPTCHA says ckaa. Kaw? Like a bird? Is it saying to write a story about a bird?
(April 12, 2016 - 7:21 pm)
I like the one about Marika the Cat. It was cool. Maybe we could share a story about a bird? I love birds.
Okay. My ski lodge post was very descriptive because it's the last post of the ski lodge, darn it. They're usually the best, most awesome, and most amazing posts in the story. Read the whole thing in Pudding's Place on the third page. It's called "You stroll along..." by Story Spinner.
(April 12, 2016 - 7:46 pm)
Raven Hearts
The wind howled fiercely, carrying leaves to unwanted destinations. Rain pattered down hard on the magnolia's glossy leaves, but Geniq stayed dry in his cozy nest. After being kicked out of the Ameldun Clan, Geniq lived by himself. The days he had lived in the Clan were happy ones, especially the ones with Kyra. Geniq sighed. He missed Kyra.
A sudden rustle of leaves brought Geniq out of his memories. Another raven settled a the side of his nest. "Hello," whispered a voice. It was Kyra. "Kyra!" Geniq cried, ruffling his feathers. "Happy to see me?" Kyra asked. "W-what are you doing here?" Geniq sputtered. Kyra shoved her way into Geniq's nest. Geniq smiled. "I'm glad you came," he murmured. While the tempest raged on, the two birds slept together, happier that any other bird.
(April 12, 2016 - 7:52 pm)
Here's another little story.
P.S. BumbleBuddy, I liked yours! My last name is Raven, so I always like hearing about them.
~~
Rose skipped happily up to her room, humming as she went along. Bursting in through the door, she cried "Hello, my friends!" Of course, none of them replied, but Rose bounced into the middle of the gathering anyways. "Just like I left you!" she murmured, picking up her favorite toy. It was a worn domino cat plush, with sky-blue eyes and now-scraggly fur. She hugged him, purring "I love you, Mr. Meow Mittens." (She had named the cat when she was two.)
Placing Mr. Meow Mittens in the middle of the circle of toys, she turned her attention on a hard plastic dinosaur. "And you, Monsiuer Scales." She grabbed the dinosaur in her pudgy young fingers and set him next to the cat. Once all her various toys were assembled, she began to play with them, creating fantastical conversations with each of them.
"Why, hello, Mr. Meow Mittens."
"And a good day to you, Pan-pan. I must say, I loved your bamboo banquest last time."
"Oh, thank you, my kitty. I adored your fish feast."
"Oh, you. Don't tease."
"Goodness! Is that the time? I must be going now! Nice to see you around!"
"And to you the same!"
Eventually, though, with the same attentino span as all young children do, Rose wandered out of her room to get a bite to eat, casting one last glance at her motionless animals. "I wish you could talk, my friends. Then we could play together." She left the room, and the door clicked shut.
...
"Is she gone?" asked Mr. Meow Mittens.
(April 12, 2016 - 10:01 pm)
Thx for the compliment. You are a good writer too! That story about Rose was funny and discriptive. Rose wishing her toys could talk and then they do? Very funny!
(April 13, 2016 - 7:05 am)