Rogue Tides[Y/N](PT. 1)

Rogue Tides[Y/N](PT. 1)

You never really stop being a mother.

It was night when she first saw them, wading in the cold waters of the north where she was passing through; Haya couldn't fathom the idea of their breath steady in their lungs but upon pulling them out with a hook-... An action she now regrets, it was discovered just how alive they truly were, though it was no surprise the hypothermia had begun to settle in. Tossed from another ship, perhaps fallen from a cliff and was carried to open waters, this is what the elderly chimera assumed happened as she dragged the human's body across the floor of her deck. Regardless, the winged one still showed some motherhood in her care as she stripped the individual of their clothing, taking new ones out of her closet and dressing them accordingly and then settling them in her own bed.

See, you never really stop being a mother.

Tucking them in as if they were from a litter she had bore, the woman grumbled softly as she turned to the outside again, hanging the wet clothes to dry before starting her day. The sun rose in the East as it always did, the shrill cries of seagulls mocking her as she climbed the steps back to the deck of the ship. Starting her duties with the most patience consuming of them all, Haya approached the post holding the dirty cream-colored sail and cracked her knuckles.

Adjusting the sails was by far the most tedious chore on her ship; Everyday it was gripping the ropes and guiding the sail into position, and god forbid a storm have come through the previous night. She never asked for help though-… Haya, that is. If anything the stubborn old scrybe insisted on doing it all herself, whether it be the fear someone else would screw it up, or if it was a show of pride was unclear. All that was known was that she couldn’t work with others. She liked being alone. In her mind, the eyes of the village followed her everywhere she went, so it made sense she led a cause to spend her safety that on open waters where no one could stare.

They couldn't stare here though, alone. Well, alone until you arrived.

Haya was anything but a dull worker, she got it done quickly without question, her strength unmatched as she tied down the sail in it's proper position, only pausing as one seagull swooped down to perch on one of the barrels fastened to the boat. Smiling quietly, Haya would approach the clever avian with a wagging finger, cooing to the thing softly before taking a rolled up piece of paper from it's back where a tiny leather scroll-carrier had been fastened, using a singular claw to scratch the seagull's head. fishing out a small cheesecloth from her pocket, Haya plucked a piece of cheese off a small block, offering it to the bird who accepted it as if it hadn't eaten in years.

"Thank you Pierre, you silly little thing."

With that she turned to unroll the parchment, humming curiously as her gilded eye-shaped sigils scanned the paper. It didn't take long before she rolled the thing back up, a grin spreading across her face as she gripped it in between her thumb and index fingers. The letter had been from an old friend, and one that carried great news of recent events. With what had been entailed on the paper, it was no wonder now why she seemed to be all but glad.

Hooves clicking briskly against the wooden floor of the deck, Haya took her time admiring the sun as it rose, using a hand to shield her eyes as she stared. It wasn't really necessary, she couldn't be harmed by something so small anyways but, it was a habit still. Too much time wasted, she scolded herself as she turned to bustle off, wetting a mop to clean the wood of the floor. No need to dry as the winds and the sun would do that for her; There was no need to put in extra work for such a small thing. Next was breakfast, then after that, cleaning up the cabin and keeping everything in shape.

For breakfast she cut fruits into little shapes and placed them on a tray, scooping the insides of an avocado out onto two slices of bread and then making an omelet-... Two actually, one for herself and one for her snoring guest. Lips pursing and curling into an amused smile, the woman folded what clean laundry was handled and put it away, eating bite by bite as she worked. She was never known to waste time, what could be done then should most certainly be so.

Humming quietly to herself, Haya finished her food and put the dishes away into her admittedly undersized sink, sucking her teeth before cleaning up the booth area only to pause silently. Turning her head to the back of the boat, the woman stared intently back at a small figure standing in the doorway to her sleeping quarters. It was easy to say, they looked terrified. Perhaps they hadn't ever met the other scrybes, or maybe they had and she truly was just the most monstrous.

The two figures stood in silence for several painstaking moments before the woman finally spoke up, setting down the clothes and other items she had gathered up previously. Moving to the side silently, she gestured towards the exit of the cabin, cocking her head to the side.

"You can run, I won't stop you."

More silence passed, and then, they bolted.

Snickering quietly to herself, the woman felt slightly guilty as she knew they would discover they were stranded with her, alone on such a small little boat. The cold ocean waves crashed loudly against the wood of the sailboat as the stranger cried out, gripping the rail of the boat as it lurched with the tides. Climbing the stairs again, Haya couldn't held but grab at her back, groaning as her spine ached from her standing position, and the craning down to look at the new comer.

"Alright, believe me I'm no stranger to waking up in strange places against my own will but, I did save your life. Try not to scream."

With her large ears, it meant her hearing was much more sensitive, like that of a cat, but with horns and wings. The large feathered appendages beat gently against the winds before she looked at the still rising sun again, the stranger seeming to follow her gaze and pause in a brief moment of serenity, sighing quietly as they took time to process what was happening. They has no reason to distrust her so soon, they seemed to think as they turned back to the woman.

"I also made you breakfast, if you're hungry."

Staring for a moment, she really was quiet beautiful. Her hickory colored hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall, and her lips curling into an amused smile. The wings that decorated her back looked to be nothing short of that of an angel, and she seemed to have the eyes to match.

"W-... Where... am I?"

Haya thought carefully about this.

"Well you were wading around in the ice bath that is the Tridents' Depths, when I pulled you from the waters and dried you up,"

Looking down all flush, the stranger squeaked softly realizing they had been changed, a rather alarming yet albeit endearing gesture.

"A... W-what about now?"

"Now, you're aboard the Left Chance, welcomed by its captain."

Grinning cockily with a small yet static glint in her eyes, the woman took a few steps closed before leaning over to the strangers height, holding out a small trowel used to scrape the sides of boats.

"My name is Haya, and you are mine."

The Photographer and the Shadow (Inscryption fan story pt 3)

(Part 3 of a four part story. Previous parts can be found here: Part 1, Part 2) .......................................................................................................................

This was the least he could do for her; Leshy held no anger towards the shadow. No resentment, no wrath, not like some of the other Scrybes. The two had always had a mutual respect to each other and at a time they were friends. And perhaps in someways they still were although the betrayal and pain buried that friendship far more than either could admit. And yet he could not help but give her a little kindness.. She was after all the only one to agree to be inscrybed without much of a fight. She even chose to forgo any further argument though a part of him question why. In turn He could at least answer a few of her questions to help put her worries at easy as he began to set up his camera.

“What is it you would like to know?”

It is a question the shadow could not help but ponder for a moment. Every question that she would ask she be worth its weight in the price for her life. Each one should give her an answer that would leave her feeling content before her time would be up. Glancing at the camera she continues to mewl over her thoughts for a moment longer. But before too long she soon ask one that she had always wondered first.

“If I was an animal..” She began “What kind of animal would I be?”

“Hmm..I always saw you as a Lynx." He began to exclaim with a thoughtful hum of his own. Pausing his work on his camera he leans over to his left. The sound of a latch coming undoes fills the air followed by the sound of a kind of rustling noise. He mutters something under his breath about reogranizing things but he promptly dismisses his own thought as he soon pulls something out of the darkness and sets it down onto the table. A totem; made of sturdy oaked and expertly carved to depict the face of cat like creature that stares at Juno with a hollow gaze.

"The secretive lynx represents controlled power, individualism, and sharp-sightedness. They are exceedingly observant, quiet, intelligent, and curious. Though their independent nature can strike some as aloof, they are often excellent guides and at times friends.. I think all those qualities fit you quite well. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes..And when I am made into a card what strength, health, cost and sigils would I have?”

“...You are rather curious about what value your card has aren’t you?”

“I believe it is within my right to know,” Juno proclaims sharply her words leaving a shallow wound on his soul but that sharpness quickly dulls with a small cough. Needing something to distract herself she reaches out towards the totem and carefully runs her features across its face giving her something to focus instead of that damndable camera. “After all I won’t be able to see it myself will I?”

“No..I suppose not.. Hmm For power, 3 should suffice, health will be the same of 3 and all the cost of 2 blood. As for sigils..I believe either the Sprinter or the Guardian sigil will work well for you though I am uncertain which I will use.”

The film roll clicks loudly into place with a small push of his thumb. The lens shutters flutters once or twice as he attempts to adjust the focus noting the small specks of dust and dirt that had gotten onto it. Time was running out. There was no telling how long he’d indulge her in her simple questions for once his camera was ready. A part of him debates on giving her more time but time wasn’t necessarily on either of their sides. It was now or never.

“Where are the others?” She promptly asked. Her question quickly gain the attention of the Scrybe across from her. His brows arching curiously as if he was trying to decipher why of all things did she choose to ask that? She knew that they were cards that much was certain. If she knew about Magnificus..if she knew about everything else that he did why would she ask such a trivial question like that. “..Allow me to specify what I mean..Are their cards in that deck of your’s like how the others use to do to you when they won control? Or did you put them someplace else entirely?”

Ah so that was it. She wanted to know where the cards were.. He recalled the P03 and Grimora asking the same question. Although only the later discovered where at least one of them were. He’d be damn if either of them discovered where that old wizard was. If he let either of them know it would only result in disaster. And now it is a question he could easily decline but..what was the harm in giving Juno just a little bit of information?

“P03 is shuffled into the cards. He will make a worthy starting card for players. His stats may be on the lower side, but it will do for certain. As for Magnificus, his location is one that you will shall never find; that much is certain.”

“....And…And..Grimora?”

“....She is..safe I promise.” He makes note of the sigh of relief that is exhaled from Juno’s lungs. It was as if all the worries in the world were expelled in that single breath as she slouches in her seat. The poor thing..He knew why she was so relieved to hear such news. He knew how close the two women had gotten over the years and easy it was for the other to worry about the other when trouble arised. But he could only imagine how the news of the necromancer’s supposed safety felt to the shadow. And whatever she felt he could not fault her for. “And worry not..Once you are inscrybe I shall put your cards with her’s..I maybe be a beast..but I am not heartless..”

“How kind, thank you Leshy that is rather reassuring to hear.."

"I am glad to hear that..Do you have any other questions that you wish to ask?"

"No..I believe that we’ve delayed this long enough.” Pressing her hands against the table the woman in blue rises to her feet her face painted with a look of sorrow the edges of her golden eye speckled with an ocean blue hue. Her hands rest over her waist clutching at the front of her corset as if she was trying to dig her fingers into it but its study material keeps it from getting it balled up. Nervousness no doubt. He would be surprised if she did not feel even the slightest bit nervous..all the others were after all. Although he supposed most of them were more fearful rather than simply nervous. There was no more time, no more stalling..it was time to end this. “Where shall I stand?”

“..Where you are now will be fine.” A twinge of sadness lingered in Leshy’s voice as he rose the camera to its face. Through the view finder her could make out Juno’s face, saddened yet still expressionless, to some degree. "Do you have..any final words?"

"No..." She admits softly. The feebleness in her voice is almost too much for him to bear. But he stays strong. He cannot cave. Not here, not now. What was done was done there was no stopping it now. And yet why did he feels such pity her? Perhaps it was because she was the only other scrybe next to Grimora that he saw as a friend unlike P03 and Magnificus..perhaps that was why his heart wretched at the sound of her quiet voice as all that she has left to say is

"Goodbye Leshy, May we meet again when the cycle starts again"

It was over...it was all over... Nodding his head he adjust his hold on the camera tightening it as his finger begins to press against the clicker. Hesitating for only a second as he takes one last look at the Scrybe of shadow through the camera's viewfinder

She stands there perfectly still, head raised to meet his gaze unmoving, and unafraid.. The Scrybe of Beasts silently thanks her for the lack of a fight and with a heavy heart he presses down on the camera’s switch. “Goodbye Juno..Have a pleasant rest..”

And within the blink of an eye the room was bathed in a blinding white light.

To be concluded in part 4

DOES HAYA HAVE A FAVORITE FOOD?

SHE DOES AND ITS MUSHROOM TOM YUM

Quick & Dirty Writing Advice

Just a few things I’ve picked up and learned from other authors:

Write what you want to read. Writing what you think will be popular will never be as satisfying, and it’s impossible to predict what will be popular anyway.

Writer’s block is a self-fulfilling prophecy. There are reasons that you’re “blocked” from writing, such as mental health, exhaustion, lack of time, etc., but writer’s block itself doesn’t exist. You don’t wait around for inspiration (and published authors certainly can’t, being on deadlines). You can dip into your well of motivation and inspiration by reading other books, watching movies/shows, talking about your projects, and rereading your own writing. But waiting around for your muse takes the control out of your hands. Writing is active, not passive. If you’re lacking motivation, write anyway, and the act itself may inspire you.

Burn out is a real thing. I’ve gone for months without writing because that’s what I needed to do. It didn’t make me any less of a writer, and it won’t make you less of one either.

Using the word “said” is great! It’s preferred 90% of the time! It’s one of those words that the reader skims over without noticing, which smooths the flow of your writing. When you add a different dialogue tag to every piece of dialogue (such as explained, argued, protested, agreed, etc), it slows down your writing and distracts from what’s actually being spoken. Use dialogue tags sparingly, and you’ll make a bigger impact when you use them.

Learn to stop leaning on filter words. Words like “feel” “noticed” “saw” “heard.” These words put distance between your audience and what the character is experiencing.

Example: “I felt his hand on mine.”

Can be changed to: “His hand touched mine.”

Example: “I smelled freshly brewed coffee coming from the kitchen.”

Can be changed to: “The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the kitchen, filling the air with its enticing scent.”

Want to write more? Then write! If you write consistently and with regularity, whether it be every day or every weekend, you get into the habit of writing. Put on ambient sounds, grab a snack, make a cup of tea, and do that every time. Your mind starts to associate those things with writing time and puts you in the mindset before you even open that doc.

Do not edit your WIP! Get that first draft written without going back to edit. I’m serious, don’t edit a thing until you’re at a point where you’re ready to post. Only then go back and edit, otherwise your writing momentum will grind to a halt. If you need to read back a couple paragraphs to get your bearings, then go for it, but I promise you you’ll be doing yourself a huge favor by leaving editing to the very end.

First drafts aren’t supposed to be pretty or even coherent. Their only purpose is to get words on the page. Let them be a mess. That’s what the editing stage is for, to clean everything up, add new scenes, delete redundant ones, whatever makes the story better. Besides, once you start writing more, the less editing you’ll need to do as your skills improve.

And for my last bullet point, similar to the dialogue tag advice, don’t overuse your adverbs. You don’t need to describe every action with an adverb. When you use them less, they make a bigger impact. There are other ways to describe your character’s action.

Example: “He spoke quietly.”

Can be changed to: “He dipped his head, casting a glance around the room as he spoke.”

I am guilty of adverb abuse and breaking a few of these rules myself, but once you learn the rules, you can gauge when and how to break them for the sake of elevating your writing.

This advice is meant to be practical, as it’s coming from someone who works over 40 hours a week and is often distracted by exhaustion and chronic illness. My time and energy is limited, but I find writing to be very worthwhile.

For more writing advice, I suggest Alexa Donne’s youtube channel. She started writing with fanfiction, so a lot of her information is applicable to fanfic authors too.

I did it :(

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