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Round robin anyone?
Chatterbox: Inkwell
Round robin anyone?
Round robin anyone?
Doesn't matter! If no one responds I'll write NaMaWriMo myself!
We haven't had a good round robin since Meadow's reeeeeeeeeeeally long long long one (remember, with Ahtnamas, and the Wraith versus the Wave). What happened to that anyway? I just went thorough every. single. page of the Inkwell and it's not here. I think the Admins took it down. (Is that right, Admins?) Evil Admins. 
So!
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Mattie was sitting in her room, in the magical space, wedged betweed her bed and her dresser and her wall. She pulled her night table in front of her and settled down with her favorite book.
She hadn't read a page before her triplet younger brothers waltzed into the room. She stood up with a sigh.
"What is it? I just started reading!"
"Mommy says she busy and you're to take us outside!" said Sammy.
"And we wanna go to the candy store! And Mommy says you're going to give us money!" shrieked Logan.
"She did not!" yelled Devon. The two tussled. Mattie pulled them apart.
"We'll go in the backyard and play some games. Quit fighting!" she said sternly and marched them out of the house.
Their mother Jane watched them from the kitchen window. She regretted that Mattis had to take care of them so much. Thirteen was young to share mothership of three five-year-olds, but that was how it was. She couldn't watch them and feed them.
As Mattie read and the boys romped in the yard, she suddenly became aware that someone was watching her. She turned quickly. It was the nice boy from school. She waved and smiled. He waved and smiled back. She asked him what he was up to. He was off to the store on an errand. He went on, and Mattie turned back to her book. It was nice and quiet. So restful. As if...
Mattie sat upright, dropping her book. The boys were nowhere to be seen. She looked around frantically, then called their names. A sound like pressure released from a can of soda made her blood run cold. A sinister cackle sounded behind her. The hair stood up on the back of her neck. But no one was in sight. What had happened?
...
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Have fun!
No, we didn't take it down...strange! Perhaps the Chattebox ate it.
Admin
submitted by Oregano, age guess, Unknown
(May 10, 2011 - 12:46 pm)
(May 10, 2011 - 12:46 pm)
POST ON THIS THREAD!!! POST ON THIS THREAD!!! DON'T LET IT DIIIIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(May 14, 2011 - 7:59 am)
YESSSSSSSSSSS! Someone POSTED! I am eternally grateful to Elizabeth M. for POSTING!!!!!
(May 14, 2011 - 10:25 am)
DON'T WORRY ELIZABETH M.!!!!!!!! I REFUSE TO LET THIS THREAD DIE NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!!!!!
(May 14, 2011 - 2:32 pm)
Sorry, I didn't get back sooner!
Mattie felt weird at the idea of being a slime queen. Shefelt so depressed in this small world of bugs. She wouldn’t produce an ere tothe throne whatever they did. But a hidden fear kept nagging at the back of hermind. How long did she have until this happened and how could she get out ofthis world?
“Come.” The weird slime machine with the yellow eyes pulledat her arm and dragged her down the blank halls with a tight grip.
“Where are you taking me?” Mattie demanded fearfully.
The slime machine didn’t answer. She just went faster.
Soon they came to a large metal door. It was a grayish colorand two large slime machines with green eyes stood armed with scythe lookingweapons.
The slime machine spoke in a language that sounded somethinglike: “Ook mook eoor goog mouge boom.”
The slime machines nodded understanding and slowly openedthe door.
The room also had the same bland metal walls that were allover the place. A bed, with white sheets and a small pillow, was the onlycomforting thing there. Other than the bed, there was a small red loveseat. Itwas the only colorful thing she had seen in this awful place.
“You will stay here until I call.” The slime machine toldher.
Mattie didn’t say anything. She just sat there until thecreature left. Then she sat down on the bed and cried like she never hadbefore.
(May 15, 2011 - 3:38 am)
YESSSS!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
So!!!
The door opening startled her. She looked up, her face streaked with tears. It was a slime machine. This one had red eyes. It moved over to her and grasped her arm. This one was gentler. It pulled lightly on her and hissed, "Come." Mattie got up and followed it out the door. "Where are you taking me?" she said.
The slime machine only pulled a little harder. "Not to talk to you," it hissed. "Strictly forbidden. One word only, I speak to the walls. Bath."
"Bath?" said Mattie. "You mean... I can clean myself? In water? With soap?"
The slime machine pulled a little harder and squeezed her arm.
"But why not?" asked Mattie. "Why can't you talk to me? I mean... I'm just a kid..."
"Father says no." The slime machine whispered it, almost imperceptibly quiet, turning its head toward the walls.
"That boy is my father? That's right, he's my father. I never knew before who my father was. And the triplets, the little boys, is he their father, too?"
"Unknown." As the slime machine said it, they turned a corner into another hallway and bumped into the king.
"Oh, very well!" said the king crossly. "Talk to her, then, if you must. She is ignorant, anyway, of our customs. Familiarize her with our customs and history. Forget the stupid rule that no human over twelve can be adressed by a Sters/gunt-si, forget that she'll ever be queen, just treat her like one of you. But only you can speak to her thus! And only from a year. Teach her everything she'll need, language, manners, respect for elders, how to administer electric shock. Remember! Only you! If in a year she learns everything, you will be rewarded." He walked off.
The slime machine was flustered. It finally made up its mind and pulled Mattie along again.
"My name is Sthris/qi-se," it hissed. "I am to be your handmaid and, now, tutor."
It ushered Mattie into a steamy room. A large bathtub filled its length, filled with water, and stocked with a bar of soap. Sthris/qi-se helped Mattie peel off her clothing; Mattie, in a gesture of complete defeat, dropped all her modesty and dignity and pride, consenting to undress before almost a complete stranger. Sthris/qi-se tested the water temperature and helped Mattie into the tub. Mattie relaxed in the water and finally felt the tiredness of a very, very long day overcome her. She had no idea what time of day it was. But she fought the sleepiness and sat up to let down her hair and wash it. As she scrubbed, she asked question after question to stay awake.
"Are you a girl?"
Sthris/qi-se looked at her and tested the water again. "I am not a girl," it said, "and I am not a boy. I am a Sqi/ti-ye, a royal handmaid. I am neither. Some Sters/gunt-si are girls; some are boys; some are born neither, and they are intended from birth to serve the royalty."
"Why does my father look like he's near my age?"
"Here in the land of Sters, a monarch who has mated does not seem to age. But he does."
"Then how old is my father?"
"He is currently thirty-four Surface Years of age."
"Surface Years?"
"Time passes differently for us. There is no sunrise, no sunset, for the underground world. We tell time by the clock brought us by our first ruler, and by marking off days. We use Surface Years so as not to confuse the ruler."
"Do humans age differently here?"
"Yes and no; their life span is near the same, they only appear younger."
"You're telling me my father mated when he was my age?"
"At the age of twenty Surface Years. That is an acceptable age."
"How long has he been king?" Mattie began to rinse her hair.
"He has been king since before you were born. His mother died of a disease before her natural time. She was the queen before him."
"So he was king when he was six?"
"Five Surface Years. It is not an unusual thing, for a ruler do die young here. Our scientists research it. They say the rulers need more sunshine and different food."
Now that Mattie thought about it, her father was in fact very pale.
"So what was my father's father like?"
"I know not. I never saw him. He was thrown into the dungeon when your father succeeded to the throne. That is the custom."
"So when I become queen, my family will go to the dungeon?"
"That is right."
Mattie stood up in the tub, dripping wet and covered in soapy water. "Right? How can it be right to slaughter innocent people?"
"That is how it is," said Sthris/qi-se quietly. "When you are queen, perhaps you can change it. But that is not easy. Your father loved his father very much. He would have saved his father's life if he could. But he was too young; he was not quick enough. To kill the mate and family is the last act of a ruler, the deathbed command. You are lucky that you are already as old. You may succeed in stopping the order before it is carried out."
To be continued!!!!!!
(May 15, 2011 - 3:52 pm)
I said if no one responded, I'd write anyway, and I will! But thank you anyway to Elizabeth M and Meadow!!!!!
Ahem:
Sthris/qi-se pulled the plug in the bathtub. Mattie watched the water flow out, swirling toward the drain hole. "What did you do that for?" she asked.
"Here in Sters, we believe in cleanliness," said Sthris/qi-se. "You have filled the old water with soap and the grease of your head; if it stays you will not be cleaner when you get out of the tub."
Mattie shivered, feeling goosebumps rise on her skin. "Will my family get baths too?"
"I do not know."
"Who decides that?"
"Your father."
"When? Soon?"
"Perhaps. He has not been well lately."
Mattie looked quickly into Sthris/qi-se's glowing red eyes.
"Yes. It may be the start of his death-illness. He has lived already longer than his mother did."
Mattie was cold all over. She didn't love her father, but she felt a strange connection to him. Such is the bond of the family. And if he died, she would be queen, and Jane and the triplets would almost certainly die.
"What is in the dungeons?" she said, finding her voice at last.
"I do not know." Sthris/qi-se bent towards the tub as it finished draining and plugged the hole, then ran the water again. "But rumors abound."
"What rumors?"
"Some say monsters. Some say there is no air. Some say death by starvation. Some say instruments of torture, intended to create the most horrible death possible."
Mattie sat in the four inches of water, filled with dread.
"Of course, many of these rumors may be wrong. Probably most are. Perhaps it is another palace, a beautiful paradise to make the families' last years happy and peaceful ones. Perhaps it is a tunnel or elevator to the surface. I have never met anyone who has seen it. The family is sent down a tunnel. A door leads to the tunnel, the door is sealed. It is a mystery."
"But why must they die? If they don't, why must they seem to die?"
"No one knows that either. I have thought about it. If they die, there is I think only one reason." Sthris/qi-se shut off the water and tested the temperature, then added more hot water.
"What is that?"
"The kingdom of Sters is peace loving. We wish to live in harmony with the Surface. They would likely kill us if they found out of our existence. The families are killed to prevent them going to the Surface and telling the humans."
Mattie took the soap and washed herself, slowly, methodically. She doubted that this was the reason for the secrecy. Perhaps the rulers didn't want the other humans to find out, wanted instead to keep their little dynasty to themselves, of beings easily conquered and easily ruled. But it surprised her that each succesive ruler, after mating with another human, would so happily kill their mate. After scrubbing herself from head to toe, Mattie stod up again in the tub. Sthris/qi-se drained the water, then picked up a bucket of hot water and dumped it over Mattie, so she was clean. Then Mattie was handed a towel.
Mattie dried herself. She realized she was hungry. Then she realized she had nothing to wear.
"Should I put back on my old clothes?" she asked, though she was loath to do so. They were covered in slime and sweat and vomit.
"Step out of the tub," said Sthris/qi-se, "and let's see if you fit any of these clothes. They were your grandmother's when she was growing up here in Sters." Sthris/qi-se held up a dark blue gown. It was lightweight, crinkly and slightly gauzy, and full-length. It was edged with tiny silver sequins; the fabric was speckled with black dots. It was untailored, but had a regal feel to it. Mattie tried not to like it. She promised herself that if she ever got back to her home, she would learn to sew and make herself another one like it.
Sthris/qi-se passed Mattie a black satin slip, which fit perfectly. Mattie put it on, and then the dess. Sthris/qi-se tied a silvery string around it, with the knot in the front. It made Mattie feel like a princess. Then she remembered that she was a princess, and that she wasn't supposed to want to be a princess.
Once Mattie had rubbed her hair close to dry and brushed it out, Sthris/qi-se led her out of the bathroom and into the hallways again. "Come," Sthris/qi-se said softly. "You must eat, and the king has requested that you and your family dine with him. Until you are queen, they too are to be treated as honored guests, with your own wing of the palace to come and go as you choose, and visit, but your conversations I must warn you may be monitored."
They went right. They walked for what seemed a long time. They went left. There was the huge metal door again. Sthris/qi-se hissed at the two guards, who opened the door. Sthris/qi-se gave Mattie a gentle push towards the throne. Mattie stepped into the room, and the door slid shut behind her, between her and Sthris/qi-se. She walked slowly down the red carpet towards the king. The Sters/gunt-si were still on her left; her family was still on her right. It did not appear that anyone had moved but herself and the king, who arose from his throne.
"Welcome, my daughter," he said, stepping down from the throne platform. "You look lovely tonight."
O-kaaaay! Maybe that'll make someone else post again!
(May 16, 2011 - 2:59 pm)
TOP! POST HERE!!! FURTHER THE CAUSE! I REFUSE TO LET THIS THREAD DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(May 17, 2011 - 7:45 am)
POOOOOOST SOMEONE PLEEASE!!!!!!!!!!!! *scream echoes around walls of pit while monster of thread death comes ever closer and looms ever larger...*
(May 17, 2011 - 1:49 pm)
Where is everyone? COME BACK!!!! POST HERE! THIS THREAD WILL DIE, AND THEN YOU WILL ALL BE CONVICTED OF MURDER!!!!!! GAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!
(May 17, 2011 - 7:09 pm)
POST HERE PLEASE EVERYONE!!!! THIS THREAD MUST NOT DIE!!!!! SAVE THE DYING THREAD!!!!! WRITE! POST! COMMENT! ANYTHING BUT THE LOOMING TERRIFYING MONSTER OF THREAD DEATH!!!!!!!
(May 18, 2011 - 6:48 am)
Top top top top top top top top top top!
I posted!!!!
(May 18, 2011 - 1:32 pm)
Ughhhhhhhhhhh. You know what I meant. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! The Thread Death Monster is closing in! Which way out????
(May 18, 2011 - 6:09 pm)
PLEEEEEEEEEASE someone post on this thread... it'll be so dull if I write it myself... it's hanging on by its fingernails... please... someone... post... here... *here is the split second before this thread's death rattle*
(May 19, 2011 - 10:56 am)
My post:
The maid slime machine (whatever her/his/its name is) led Mattie to her room.
"Stay here until your father summons you," it instructed. Mattie plopped down on her bed and looked around. She was in some sort of a dark cave, she figured. A lamp stood in the corner of a rock-table. Something was burning inside of it. Mattie leaned over and peeked inside of the lamp. Dead worms lay burning on the bottom of the lamp. So that was the horrible smell that Mattie smelled in each of the rooms that she went into. Mattie felt a little sick so she lay down on the bed. It was pretty much a big rock with a thin sheet on it. After a few minutes, Mattie was bored, so she decided to get up and explore, ignoring the slime machine's instructions. She went through the door which was just a sheet hung up in the doorway. She quietly slithered through the halls of stone. It was like a maze. A maze with no way out. Her feet took her to a room full of prison cells. Prison cells for whom? Mattie wondered. The last cell was the only one with a lock on it. Mattie's heart leaped when she saw her family again, but her heart soon broke. No wonder, for her family was locked up in a cell in the underworld while she, Mattie, would be forced to be queen of the slime machines. Logan, Sammy, and Devon were leaning against their mother. The triplets' and Mattie's mother's hands and feet were bound with chains. They were clothed in rags and their skin was covered in dirt. The boys' dirty faces were streaked with the remains of their tears. Mattie's mother was holding them in her arms, trying to protect them. Mattie's throat was choked up with emotion.
"I'll find some way to get you and me out of here," she whispered as she felt the tears coming. "Somehow. Somehow."
(May 19, 2011 - 12:46 pm)
Hmmm... before I say anything else, THANK YOU!!!!!!! for momentarily saving this thread's life!!!!!!!!!... and, then, I'm afraid there's a conflict.
Mattie and her family are being treated as honored guests. But that was a really great stand-alone post!!!
So, because it's late(ish) tonight, I PROMISE to post tomorrow!!!!!!!
Spammy says aiok. A-ok, he means! Awwwww, Spammy likes my plan!
Oh, and a thought about Spammy... I've heard a little bit about quantum mechanics, and as far as I can tell, quantum mechanics dictates that since I don't know what Spammy's going to say until I scroll down the page, he doesn't say anything! It doesn't exist! Is that cool or what??? I'd love to be a quantum mechanic (?) when I grow up.
(May 19, 2011 - 7:44 pm)