Scene-Shots

I love writing, but I seem to have this subconscious block that causes me to write more "middle-scenes" than full out plots or stories. (middle-scene: a scene from the middle of a larger story) This blog is to help me express those scenes. Each weekday I'll find an inspiration post and finish here. Occasionally I'll post entirely original content that started and ended in my head. Maybe someday I'll actually finish an entire story.

[papercraneswriting]

I think today is the day to start a bullet journal. Anyone already use this? Thoughts/comments/advice?

[athoshale]

I started on a few months ago. I'm still working out the kinks and it's not all "artsy", but so far it works for me. I always remember things better if I right them down. All I can say is make it your own. Don't worry if it's not like others you see. Do what works for you.

[athoshale]

She pulled him up so, even though he was leaning heavily against her, he was standing. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her. She wrapped her arms around him in return, resting his hesd on her shoulder and cradling it in her hand. "You poor boy." She murmured softly to him. "You tried so hard and look where it got you." With her free hand, she grabbed one of the arrows protruding from his back. The shaft was sticky with blood. Yet instead of pulling it out, she began to slowly push it further in. She felt his body stiffen in pain and fear. She savored the warmth of his blood as it began to flow over her hand. When the arrowhead rested against his heart she stopped. She could sense his struggle. He wanted to pull away, wanted to stand defiently before her. He  wanted desperately to be free of her grasp, but was too weak to do anything but groan in his pain and torment. She pushed his head closer against her shoulder, fingers gripping his hair. Her lips brushed his ears as she spoke. "I would have given you everything. I would hear sheltered you from all this misery and suffering. You and I- the two of us  could have ruled the world. We could have lived forever. All you had to do was say the word. One simple, little word." She pushed on thr arrow again. Through her magic, she felt the chords that tethered his soul to his body being cut as the arrow pierced his heart. She felt the life drain from him and the light of his soul fade. As his body went limp, she let him fall. His lifeless body hit the ground with a dull thud. She looked down at it as it lay there, eyes open and staring at the grey sky. Finally she uttered, "All you had to do was say, 'Yes.'"

[talaline]

Reblog if you’re currently writing a novel, even if it’s only in your head or scribbled in the back of a notebook somewhere.

Think about how many books don’t exist yet.

[athoshale]

Untitled Star Wars 2

Author's Note:

    This is a very rough series of scene-shots. I apologize in advance to any hard-core Star Wars fans who may read it and find canonical and technical errors and misconceptions in it (especially regarding the Jedi and the Force). I am a big  fan of Star Wars, but have not been able to express that love for some time (a long story that does not have a place here) and this has led to a lack of knowledge about much outside of the movies. As with most of my scene-shots it is mostly un-edited, nor did I do any research for it. In light of that, please forgive the lack of planet names and other species. I simply wrote what came to me based on what I already know. Also, it is not intended to have any relation or bearing to the current or previous cannon. It simply occurs in the same GFFA. Thank you for your understanding, and may the Force be with you.

***********************************************************************************

Cast     Captian Nohrann- Zabrak

    Un-named Padwan - Human

   Skippy- Twi'lek

    Captain Nohrann stared at the figure lying on the bed and finally understood the human phrase "déjà vu." The scene reminded him of the first time he and the former Padawan had met.

    Seven years ago, he and his crew had found the you human female severely injured and hiding among their cargo. While the fact that they had a stowaway was a surprise, the fact that that the stowaway was a Jedi was even more so.

    Only a few days before, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, now Emporer Palpatine, had declared the Jedi to be traitors. Any sightings were to be reported immediately. However, Nohrann and his crew had never reported her and had instead gave her some much needed medical assistance and sanctuary.

    Later, when she had asked why, Norhrann told her that a Jedi had saved his life years earlier. When asked how he could repay him, the Jedi told him that he could do so by someday helping a Jedi who needed it. The captain hadn't seen a Jedi until he had found her in his cargo hold.

    With the captain and the rest of the crew willing to keep her secret, the girl joined the crew of the Star Sprite. Over the next few years she had slowly changed. Her demeanor was less reserved and she often filled the ship with laughter. She had traded her Jedi robes for clothes more suited for her new identity. Her hair, which had always been bound up, was left to grow free and was now a mass of curls. While she had not been able to bring herself to cut off her Padawan braid, she had added similar braids so it was no longer obvious.

    She had also traded her lightsaber for two blasters. The lightsaber, along with a Clone Tropper helmet were always locked away in her cabin. She still practiced with it, but only when there were no passengers on the ship. Her real name and the reason she had the helmet were two things neither Nohrahnn nor his crew had ever asked her about.

    She had proven herself to be a capable crew member and a good friend. Nohrahnn knew she had nightmares and struggled with the loss of what had been her only family, even though she hid it well. He also knew it was a struggle for her to be unable to use and rely on the Force, the ever-present power she and so few others now had access to. It was this particular struggle that had put them in their current predicament.

    While working a job on (Planet), which was heavily infested with Imperial troops, she and several other had been caught in an explosion. She had saved the others by using the Force to push them out of the blast radius. She, however, had taken the brunt of the blast. A family who child had been among those saved offered them a place to hide for awhile. She now lay in a spare room with a broken leg, cracked ribs, several burns, and possibly a concussion and internal bleeding.

    Her heroics had saved lives, but had also alerted to the local Imps to the presence of a "Force-sensitive" and possible Jedi survivor. He and his crew were now trapped on (Planet). They were unable to reach their ship, and taking her to a med-center was not an option.

   One of his crew, a Twi'lek nicknamed Skippy, had been a medic during the Clone Wars. He had done what he could for her, but she was still in a lot of pain. What made it worse, for her at least, was the that she was unable to use the Force to hasten her healing. She would have to rely solely on her fellow crew members and her body's natural healing rate.

    Furthermore, they still had a job that needed finishing.

[athoshale]

To write is to bare the soul.....

[athoshale]

To the Forgotten

Hey, I know you’re busy, but I just wanted to let you know, that no matter what, I will always remember you. I know you don’t think you are very important, and to most people you probably aren’t; but you’re important to me. You are one of the reasons I get up in the morning. You are one of the reasons I can keep on going, no matter how bad it gets. Your smile, your passion, your  love for life, the crazy way you “freak out” about the things you love- these are all precious to me. You may think you’ll never amount to anything, and the world probably thinks so too. I don’t. I know that I would not be where I am today without you. You have inspired me to become what I am.

Unfortunately, as the years pass, you will probably be forgotten by most. Your name will never be in lights or flashed in the credits; but it will always be a name that is burned into my soul. It is a name that will be followed by “Who’s that?” and then I will have the amazing chance to tell the world about you. Rest assured that I will tell them, even though I know they will forget in the next five minutes. I will tell them your name and your story because you are important to me, and you always will be. Just as you pass on my name, I will pass on yours.

Below is a poem I found for you, whenever you are feeling down and forgotten, read it. It will remind you that not everyone who is important makes it into the history books. Sometimes, the most important people are those who no one remembers.

The Death of an Unknown

There was a man who died today,

I do not know his name.

I know he was born,

He lived, he died,

And that he died today.

I probably never saw him,

On TV or in the news,

And he was probably not the most popular,

In high school or at work.

He was probably only well known,

By his children and his wife,

And might even have a friend or two,

Who will miss him because he's gone.

There was also a woman who died today,

Her story is much the same;

But possibly the only thing they share,

Is that they died,

The death of an unknown.

Yet being unknown is not so bad,

For it is a fate that most share.

So few are known,

Some by design,

But many just by chance.

The unknown are those

Who make the known,

Who pass along their name.

Just as a house is not a house,

Without its boards and nails,

Fame cannot be obtained,

Without those who have none.

So if fame is what you seek,

I wish you the best of luck;

But for those who at the end of the day

Are no more known than before,

Don't be depressed,

And don't be sad,

For you help the world to spin.

Someone succeeded,

Because someone failed.

There cannot  be the death of a known,

Without,

The death of an unknown.

-Tiffiny Hagan

 Sincerely,

The one who will always remember.

[athoshale]

Working map for the story “Dragon Knights.” Read the ongoing story here: https://www.wattpad.com/story/66057351

[athoshale]

Well, the only true story anyway. I've told a lot of untrue stories (I'm really good at those); but this story, this is the one and only true story I'll ever tell. It's not because I don't like the truth or anything, I've just never felt the need. Why tell the truth when a lie is so much more fun? The challenge that comes with building and building on it. The rush you get when you know someone has fallen for your lie. It's a kind of drug. This time however, the truth is important. Lives are at stake. Not mine, mine is already lost; but the lives of those who need this truth. Those who are unaware of what hides not only in the dark, but also in the light. So, I tell this last, true story for them in the hopes that they can do what I could not.

[athoshale]

They were words that spoke of rebellion and freedom. Rebellion against those who had oppressed us for centuries and freedom to do and be what we wanted. They were words what promised a better life for ourselves and those who came after us. I fell in love with those words and with the man who spoke them. Those inspiring words from an inspiring man. Now, I stand condemned to death. Doomed to die for fighting for a better life, for rising up against those who would keep me down. He stands beside me, my lover and commander, along with many others who rose up with us. I pray our sacrifice will not be in vain. I pray that others will hear his words and fall in love with them and the desire for freedom.

[athoshale]

The Choosing Part 2: Dragon Knights 2

   The pillar Aylin was hiding behind was above the floor where the Choosing was taking place. A long staircase that ran the length of that side of the room lead down to the main floor. From where she hid, she could see all the participants, both dragon and human.    There about thirty kids of various backgrounds. All of the nation's that comprised the Six Lands were allowed to send their children. The Dragon Knights held the peace between the Six Lands and defended it against its enemies. A Knight was only beholden to his birth country if it did not conflict with the laws and directives of the Dragon Knights.     Aylin watched as the first dragon walked the line of children. While some of the children stood at military attention while the dragon passed,  a few stood with their arms crossed and in a self-important stance. One girl, Aylin noticed,  stood out from the rest. She was of average height, but thin. She was shaking.     As the dragon passed in front of her, it stopped and turned to face her. The dragon, small by dragon standard, had two horns on it's head and pure white scales. It stared at the girl for a moment and the gently tapped her head with its snout. The dragon had chosen it's Knight.     The girl almost fainted at the dragon's touch, but managed to stay upright. She and the dragon walked to the left side of the hall and stood together. After they had taken their place, the next dragon, a green one with golden horns began to walk the line.     The Choosing continued in this manner until all but one of the fifteen dragons had chosen a child. The remaining dragon was midnight black. It's scales reflected the light with a midnight blue. Two horns rose from its head and a line of spikes ran halfway down its neck, almost like a mane. Lean and muscular, it was larger than the other dragons who had been part of The Choosing, but was still smaller than the older dragons who had escorted them here. It gave off an air of confidence and power.     Aylin had heard of this dragon. According to the Baron's son Cedric, who was only a little older than her, this dragon had been at several Choosings and had yet to select a child. While not entirely unheard of, it was rare. This would explain why it was bigger than all the other dragons participating.     She was so absorbed in staring at the dragon below that she did not hear the one approaching from behind her. She heard a low growl and turned around to face a large brown dragon. It had a scar running over its right eye and the horn above it had been partially cut off. She tried to dash away, but the dragon move faster than her and blocked her way.     Gently nudging with its snout, it ushered her between the pillars and down the stairs. She was aware that everyone was staring at her. As she descended, she was so busy trying not to imagine what punishment she would endure for spying on The Choosing that she tripped on the last few steps and unceremoniously rolled onto the hall floor.     She rolled to a stop, dazed. She was aware of feet rushing towards her, temple guards she assumed, and tried to get up. Before she could however, a dark shadow fell over her and a loud boom echoed through the hall. She looked up and was met with a roof of night black scales. The black dragon she had been watching had jumped across the hall and as now standing over her.

**If you’re interested in reading the ongoing continuation of this story please follow this link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/66057351-dragon-knights

Thanks!

[athoshale]

The Choosing- Part 1: Dragon Knights 1

    Aylin ducked back behind the pillar and prayed that she hadn't been spotted. Even though she technically had every right to be here, she had been expressly forbidden from coming. She was supposed to be back at Castle Sandorne, locked in her chambers. She was not supposed to be at the citadel in Braewood, watching The Choosing.     She held her breath as a priest walked by. If she was caught, she would be severely punished. Every three years, the Choosing was held. All eligible children of noble birth we're allowed to attend the choosing, the time when the dragons who had come of age would choose a child and they would become Dragon Knights. Only a few were chosen every year.     Aylin was an orphan. While not a disqualifying fact in and of itself, it did complicate matters. Aylin's father,  Sir Edward of Hawksrising,  had been a noble He had also been one of the greatest Dragon Knights that had be seen in centuries, earning the coveted title- Dragonfriend. During the last war, he and his dragon had been killed. Wen his pregnant wife Salyne heard the news, she had immediately gone until labor. She died the next night from heartbreak and the rigours of the labor. The baby girl, Alyin, was given to a fellow Dragon Knight to be raised as his own.     Baron Ambrose was a decent man, when he was sober; and only slightly less when he was drunk. The baroness on the other hand, had nothing but harsh words for Aylin. She had hated Sir Edward for not choosing her as his wife and had despised Lady Salyne. Her hate was so that she refused to tell Aylin anything about her parents and forbidden her from asking about them.     It was during one of the Baron's rare visits home that she learned the truth. She had been bringing his dinner to him when he had remarked that she had her father's eyes. Even though he was obviously drunk, she still asked if he jab known him. He preceded to tell her that he had served with her father during the war and of how she came to Castle Sandorne.     Aylin had kept the conversation to herself, never telling anyone. She had quietly researched her father and had grown to respect him and desire to follow in his footsteps. That was why, against her better judgment,  she had attempted to steal the letter containing the names of those from Castle Sandorne who would be attending The Choosing and add her name. She had been caught and beaten. Her back still hurt where the whip had struck it.     After the beating, the Baroness had ordered her to be locked in her chambers until the Choosing was over. What made this worse was that after this Choosing, Aylin would be too old to participate. So, with the help of a friend in the stables, she had sneaked out and ridden to Braewood. Posing as a servant girl and miraculously making her way to the grand hall.     A loud gong rung three times, snapping Aylin out of her memories. The Choosing was starting.

[athoshale]

Untitled Star Wars 1: Scene-Shot 2

 Author's Note: 

    This is a very rough series of scene-shots. I apologize in advance to any hard-core Star Wars fans who may read it and find canonical and technical errors and misconceptions in it (especially regarding the Jedi and the Force). I am a big  fan of Star Wars, but have not been able to express that love for some time (a long story that does not have a place here) and this has led to a lack of knowledge about much outside of the movies. As with most of my scene-shots it is mostly un-edited, nor did I do any research for it. In light of that, please forgive the lack of planet names and other species. I simply wrote what came to me based on what I already know. Also, it is not intended to have any relation or bearing to the current or previous cannon. It simply occurs in the same GFFA. (I will say that it would take place some time before the Phantom Menace.) Thank you for your understanding, and may the Force be with you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cast of Scene-Shot 2     Jedi Knight Wylder Cade - Human     Jedi Knight Abu Sayeed - Human     Padawan Kaedyn Jinn - Human     Wylder bowed to the council and turd of the holocomm he had been using. The Council had been unable to shed any light on what was affecting his friend and had affected his friend's apprentice. They had ordered him to wait there on (planet1) until Kaedyn awoke and speak with her when she did. Then he was to report his findings afterward.     Later, as he sat meditating, he reflected on what he knew of what had brought Abu and Kaedyn to (planet1).  It had been two year since he had last seen his friend, Abu Sayeed. Friends since childhood, they had completed several missions for the Council together as knights and had made a good team. Two years ago, after returning from a mission, Abu had decided to take a Padawan. Wylder had been sent off on a mission before he had heard Abu's choice.     He had not heard from or about his friend until the message from the Council came, requesting him to travel to (planet1). They had informed him that the Knight and Padawan had been sent to a mission on (planet2). It had been five months since anyone had heard from them. A look at (planet2)'s spaceport records showed that the ship they had been traveling on had docked safely and Abu and Kaedyn had disembarked. However, they had never met with the contact who was supposed to meet them. Two other Jedi had been sent to (planet2) to take care of the mission while a search for Abu and his Padawan commenced.     Five months later, a transmission from (planet1) was received. It stated that two Jedi had been admitted to a med-center. They appeared to be physically fine, except for minor cuts and bruises, but had remained in an unresponsive state.     The descriptions given had confirmed that they were the missing Jedi Knight Abu Sayeed and his apprentice, Kaedyn Jinn. Having just finished a mission of his own on (planet3), which was close to (planet1), he was ordered to report there and "take custody" of Abu and Kaedyn and to see what he could find regarding how they had come to (planet1), light years from where they should have been, and learn where they had been for five months.     Upon his arrival three days later, he was informed that while Abu's condition had remained unchanged, Kaedyn's had slowly been changing somewhat. Her heart rate and breathing had slowly increased, and her muscles had become tense; but she was still unresponsive. When he asked how they had come here he was told that according to local reports, Kaedyn had stumbled onto a local farm, supporting her unconscious master. Startled farm hands had rushed to her aid. She was barely conscious and only managed a weak, "Help him." before she passed out.     The farmers had brought them to a local med-center that served the surrounding farms and towns. Then, they had retraced their trail from the farm to discover a crashed and badly damaged escape pod. A search of the surrounding area revealed no other pods or survivors. There was no clue of any kind that could tell him where they had been or how they had gotten here. He would have to wait until Kaedyn awoke to learn any more. --To (possibly) Be Continued--

[athoshale]

Untitled Star Wars 1: Scene-Shot 1

Author's Note:     This is a very rough series of scene-shots. I apologize in advance to any hard-core Star Wars fans who may read it and find canonical and technical errors and misconceptions in it (especially regarding the Jedi and the Force). I am a big  fan of Star Wars, but have not been able to express that love for some time (a long story that does not have a place here) and this has led to a lack of knowledge about much outside of the movies. As with most of my scene-shots it is mostly un-edited, nor did I do any research for it. In light of that, please forgive the lack of planet names and other species. I simply wrote what came to me based on what I already know. Also, it is not intended to have any relation or bearing to the current or previous cannon. It simply occurs in the same GFFA. (I will say that it would take place some time before the Phantom Menace.) Thank you for your understanding, and may the Force be with you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cast of Scene-Shot 2     Jedi Knight Wylder Cade - Human     Jedi Knight Abu Sayeed - Human     Padawan Kaedyn Jinn - Human     Jedi Knight Wylder Cade stared at the med-data before him and then at his friend laying on the bed below it. His friend and fellow Jedi Knight, Abu Sayeed, lay absolutely still. His breathing was calm and measured; but it was not the deep breathing of sleep, nor the controlled breathing of meditation. The med-droids had been unable to find anything physically wrong with him besides a few scrapes and bruises.     Moments earlier, he had tried to reach out to his friend through the Force. What he had found was a void of sorts. Where he should have felt the calm, assured presence of his friend, and possibly the reason he was unresponsive, there was nothing. He could sense he was still alive, but not the reason he had remained unresponsive for so many days.     Wylder felt a shift and turned his gaze to the other figure in the room. Abu's Padawan, Kaedyn Jinn if he remembered correctly, lay a few steps away. In stark contrast to her master, who lay on his bed seemingly at peace, Kaedyn was obviously in turmoil.     While she made no outward movement, Wylder could sense she was struggling against something. Her hands were balled into fists, and her heart rate and breather were faster than they should have been. Her face was a mask of pain.     He walked the short distance to stand beside her. He looked at her for a moment and then placed his hand on her forehead. It was damp.     He reached out to her through the Force, just as he had with his friend. At first, he was met with what he assumed the same "void" as before; but as he studied it, he noticed cracks. The void was an illusion, more of a cocoon than a void. One that suppressed a being's presence in the Force and their ability, or will, to respond to any stimuli.     Kaedyn had somehow managed to crack the "cocoon" that was imprisoning her. He could sense her pushing from the inside, struggling to escape. The cocoon was pushing back. Wylder watched as some of the smaller cracks she had made began to reseal themselves.     He reached for one of the larger cracks. He felt along its edges, and then gripped them and started to pull them apart. He sensed Kaedyn's awareness and struggle shift to this crack. He sensed her fatigue and a growing amount of frustration, but also her relief and hope that help had come.     "Focus, Kaedyn." he mentally said to her. "Focus on this crack. You can do it."     He felt her efforts surge. Physically, he felt her head move and heard a quiet groan. She was breaking through.     After what felt like an eternity of combined effort, the crack they were widening created too many for the cocoon to repair, and it shattered. As they gave the final surge of effort, Wylder felt and heard Kaedyn give a low scream of pain. Moments later, the cocoon shattered, he felt her relief at finally being free of the prison.     He withdrew from the Force, and opened his eyes. He looked down at the young Padawan. She was covered in sweat and breathing hard. Her eyes fluttered and then opened. They found his for the briefest of seconds and then they closed and she succumbed to exhaustion. Her breathing eventually slowed into the deep, rhythmic sound of someone sleeping.     Wylder turned to the med-droid who was now standing behind him. He had undoubtedly come in regard to Kaedyn's elevated heart rate and scream. "She should improve now. Please come find me when she wakes up."     He glanced at his friend as he left the room. Abu still lay quietly, completely unaware and unable to respond to the struggle of his apprentice. He hoped the Council could shed some light on what had imprisoned Kaedyn and was still imprisoning his friend. --To Be Continued--

[athoshale]

Becoming the Villain

He gripped the photo tighter and tighter until it bent and crumpled and then tore it to shreds. Then, with anger filling him, he wrecked everything in sight. Books were pulled off shelves and thrown. Knickknacks were tossed to the floor where they shattered. Tables and chars were overturned. He grabbed a knife from the kitchen and slashed paintings and photos on the walls. He took a bat and shattered his windows. Nothing was spared from his anger. Finally, when the edge of his anger had been dulled, he grabbed his jacket, keys, and emergency cash and left. He would be back, however. He would be back to wreak havoc and take his revenge.

[athoshale]

Untitled Sci-Fi story 1: Scene-Shot 1

She stared at the man pinning her to the wall. He had been like a father to her. Her parents had died when she was young, and he had taken her in and had given her a home aboard his ship. He and his crew had treated her like family. When she was old enough, he had somehow arranged for her to join the Alliance's top naval academy. Now, this man held a knife- her knife, the one he had given her- to her throat. She desperately wanted to ask him why, but she dared not speak. Recently, there had been rumors that he had turned terrorist. He and his crew had never been upstanding citizens, but they had never hurt innocent people or caused destruction for the fun of it. Her relation to him and his crew was not in her personnel file, and she had kept silent when her current captain and crew had been assigned the mission of hunting him and his crew down and bringing them in, alive if possible. She had never believed the rumors. The man she knew would never have done those things, and his crew would not have gone along with him if he had. They were good people. Now, however, as she felt the knife tip, pressed to her throat, doubt tempted her. It had been ten years after all. Finally, he spoke, "Are you alone?" His voice had an edge of steel to it. She didn't answer right away, and he pressed the knife closer to her throat and repeated the question, "Are you alone? Did anyone come with you?" She whispered, "No. I split from the others." The knife lowered, and he spoke. This time, his voice was filled with relief and apology "Good. I'm sorry, kid. I had to be sure we were alone." She took a deep breath and asked, "Do know why we're here? Is what they're saying true?" He nodded his head, "Yes, to the first. As for the second, what do you think? You flew with me for years. If I tell you I was framed, will you believe me, in spite of all the evidence?" With that last statement, he met and held her gaze. As she stared into his eyes, she realized that she would always believe him over any Alliance officer. He may operate in a grey area, but he had never lied to her or his crew, and he had always stood for what he believed in. She could count on one hand the people she had met in the past ten years who had done the same. Her current captain was a good man on first impression, but she did not know him enough to judge him against the man standing before her. As for their mission intelligence, they were operating on information that others had "gathered" and passed on. There was no way to verify its authenticity. "I never doubted you." was her reply. He smiled, although it was only a sad, half smile. "Have you told anyone your relationship to me?" "No. It was left out of my file and I never found a good reason to bring it up." "Good, you were always smart." he replied, and was silent for a moment. "We've missed you, you know. The ship's not the same without a little brat running around. Someone in the Alliance higher-ups is out to get us. We've been running secret Alliance support missions for the Three World Rebellion and someone wants us to stop. The reports are right that there's a traitor, but it's not me or my crew. You can't let anyone know you were with us. They'll just brand you a traitor too." He was silent again. After a moment he met her eyes again and spoke. "Do you trust me?" "Yes." she replied, without hesitation. "Then please forgive me." Before she could ask "For what?", she felt a sharp pain in her right side. She gasped and tried to move away, but his arm still held her against the wall. She felt her strength leaving with the warm blood now running down her side. She sagged. He held her as she slid down the wall. When she had reached the floor, he cupped her face and turned it to him. "I'm sorry. It had to be done." Then, he kissed her forehead and left.

[athoshale]

The Lost Pizza

It had been a good pizza too. Deep dish with steak, mushrooms, green peppers, and extra cheese. He had only eaten one piece when his door had been smashed in and the had fight ensued. During it's course, he wasn't exactly sure how or when, a fire had started. They had continued to fight until he had killed his attacker; but by then it was too late to save his apartment. Realizing this, he fled from it, pizza forgotten, and melted into the on-looking crowd and stood, watching it burn. There had been nothing special in the apartment, not pictures, keepsakes, or valuables. There had only been that poor, poor pizza.

[athoshale]

The Humanity Problem

"And what's that?' "You're human." .................................."I don't get it. How is being human wrong?" "It's not wrong to be human; but it's what's wrong with you. Tell me, if you were there was nothing wrong with you, what would you be?" "Perfect?" "Exactly; and if you were perfect, you would not be human. Humans make mistakes. Humans feel emotions. They lie, cheat, steel, abuse, fight, and all sorts of bad things. We're not perfect. We never will be; well, not until The King returns, but that's something else. Anyway, humans are wonderfully flawed creatures. No, it's not right what we do sometimes and we should always try to do and be better; but when you make a mistake, don't beat yourself up over it. You're human. When someone else makes a mistake or does something bad, don't beat them up either. They're human. No one is perfect."