#292 words

[asheewrites]

Doctor’s visit (part 1)

„G-good day to you, Sir?” Said the nurse at the counter, looking at him rather perplexed.  “What can I put you down as, your Highness Asmodeus?”

“You’ve heard of me, then,” he smiled pleasantly at them. And they nodded once, clicking their pen. Hah. Diligent. Asmodeus said: “Patient in need of a doctor’s care”

“Of course! Please, follow me,” the angel said, perfectly decent with their smile and walk, doing only the absolute necessities. Except for a bobbing loose strand from their short hair, they were… utterly neutral. There were no true signs of a sex, the robes concealing anything that might be telling – the face and voice not determining anything. This being was just… utterly pure.

They opened a door and indicated a chair on the inside: “Please take a seat.” Asmodeus couldn’t help but do as he was told. There was simply no malice in them.

“Thank you!” They said as he sat down. And it sounded genuine. “The doctor will be with you shortly” And with a smile, they were gone.

Asmodeus blinked. A genuine article. A true angel. Naturally rattled by him, but… huh. Heaven was full of those.

And here his mind blanked.

Honestly, he was glad for it.

… this here looked a lot more like... earth. Green plants. Many green plants. Furniture varying from beige to light brown. Landscapes of water and greenery…

The wind tousled the curtains. Just a light, cooling breeze coming through. It was… pleasant. When he walked in, the air had been still.

Mh. Raphael was the archangel of wind. Maybe that was just how it was.

The peaceful atmosphere was oddly perfect. Maybe everything was just a little too bright.

Well, he would sit and see wait for his ‘doctor’.

[asheespiquantpeculiarities]

Holy Sandwich

‚Trust me,‘ was a ridiculous statement out of a demon’s mouth.

The laugh afterward was intentional, too.

He could swear.

Richard almost ground his teeth.

The whole situation was ridiculous!

Sex was enjoyable. Sex was good. Sex was very much a pleasant pastime.

Casual sex as well.

People he did not know were full of surprises. Or had been, before one partner became enough.

But said partner had a thing for this… person.

An emotional thing. From long ago.

Enough of a thing to ask for a threesome. Also ask him to communicate with this… person.

Because it might be better if they got to know each other better, she said.

And hey, it was casual sex WITH his chosen partner, only a third party added. Of course he agreed!

 … until there was a really ugly, nagging feeling on the back of his head, that disagreed very much.

He did not doubt she loved him. But…

Jealousy was an uncomfortable sin.

That it was that person’s sin did not make it better.

At all.

 But, the communication was done.

The bed was a bit bigger than usual… the walls properly soundproof…

Enough pillows for possible support.

Everything was in order.

She was informed of straining activities in the bedroom, safeword – same ‘brainstorm’ as ever - was in place…  

Now he just needed to keep his jealousy to a minimum. And make sure the other did not actually hurt her. In any way, shape or form.

Showing me what she liked… how could this bloody person even say that. Just.

He took a deep breath.

Casual sex with a bit of demon-roleplay.

It might even be very enjoyable.

If he got his nerves under control.

Always remember: Trinity trusts him. That’s enough.

[asheewrites]

Azariest ventures

Azar stood in front of the circle.

It was a perfect circle.

The symbols were in alignment, I had the meaning quadruple-checked and re-translated seven times.

It was a perfect circle, I had only the highest quality of ingredients.

The room was sound proof.

And also surrounded by blessed water. And fire. Also incense.

One could never be too careful.

I pulled at my collar and swallowed.

It… a priest’s word had more value, right?

I studied the texts one last time before I closed the window.

An old language.

Almost forgotten.

But I had figured it out.

And so I could – now, on this day of the solar eclipse, intonate the words.

And as I did, the smell of sulfur arose.

The earth shook.

There was a cracking sound.

It was important not to show fear.

Heat flared at me. I continued speaking.

There were unearthly sounds coming from the middle of the room.

And then… I finished.

The room was silent for a while.

And then I carefully opened my e-

“BUH”

I jerked and scrambled back, holding up the sun-dial.

And I heard chuckling.

“Congrats, stupid. You summoned a demon”, he stood and touched the barrier around him, “… but at least did your homework. Heeeey~”

The demon had a tail. A tail it waved from side to side.

And he was clad in leather. And had horns.

“… holy smokes”

“Eeeeh~”, he said, wobbling his hand from side to side, “… not that much, the incense was a lil cheap, you got tricked”

When I looked over at it in slight uncomfortableness, he laughed again.

“Well then, what do they say?”, he taps his chin, “I’m at your service”, and he grinned.

… those teeth were not human.

[luxury-of-insanity]

Trialogue.

(heavily inspired by: xxx | EH always in italic)

A  table with three seats in the darkness of a room no one knows. At the table a burning candle, the only light in the room. Two people sitting on the chairs. Sherlock Holmes and Eurus Holmes. But there's another seat, empty, but still it seems like there's somebody else in the room.

The Holmes siblings are sitting next to each other. A slight grin on Eurus' face, while Sherlock seems to stare into nowhere. Somebody nods into the silence, the others don't notice.

Time flies. Until Sherlock breaks the silence.

SH: Why am I here? EH: (whispering) I saw you both in my dreams. The voice of the other one: I wished for. Or did you?

Who are you? I saw you die. You are not real. A wish makes it possible. See the truth. Reality lies in the eye of the beholder.

I wished you were here before everything fell down. You know the answer. I am everywhere you want, Sherlock.

I asked for you, before. Let it out! I was everywhere - and you always noticed me.

You meant everything. The best distraction. So much more than that. You see, I am here. For you.

Is it love? Anything? Really? Emotion? ... I stumble, and fall. Of course. Nothing else matters, Sherlock. Your heart.

Why now, here? It is time. Because ... you need me.

I can see you. But it's not real. You are not real! Who do you see? Does it really matter now?

Why me? Don't doubt. Because ... it is you. You summon me.

I can't get it. How? You won't understand. Sherlock. There's just one answer. We will be ...

... One? You always were. I was you. You were me. And I'm still alive. In your heart.

[wordvomitlit]

Well I didn’t listen to Bourdain’s piece of advice about not eating before reading his essay. I find myself repulsed and hungrier again for all the delicious foods he’s mentioned between the grime and behind the scenes of the restuarant industry. It’s strange how such a back and forth in what he says didn’t confuse at all, but rather just kept me engaged. It was very conversationl. I’ve watched Bourdain’s show god knows how mnay times with my family, and while reading this I could easily hear him say every word. It was definitely heightened a small extent, maybe refined is the better word. Nonetheless the communication seemed natural and in now way forced. Making it seem honest. In the tone of the language it felt like there was a social awareness. He knew that bashing vegetarians is not a “p.c.” thing to do, but restaurant staff hating vegetarians is a truth, at least in his world, so he shared it. There were a lot of times when the essay could have gone many ways, in terms of direction/what was being said. And it didn’t always land where I thought it woud. I’m still trying to write my college essay and the biggest struggle I’m having is keeping everything focused while not just repeating one point. I guess I saw how you can sort of jump around while still satying rooted to the main point. Also I love how candid he is with street language. It’s exactly how he talks in interviews and his show. I also liked the humor that comes through with the use of kitchen talk and the translations, that aren’t really direct but are moreso the essence of what he was trying to say I guess. 

[oldtumblhurgoyf]

10. What is Magic design currently doing wrong? How would you do it right?

One area of design I think is being underutilized is creature types in Magic, specifically with an eye toward tribal. There are a number of creature types that we haven't seen in years and which are featured on fewer than fifty cards. Minotaurs saw a tribal theme in Theros and still don't quite break that number. I would make it a sub-theme or theme of each block to have a tribal element of a creature type that so far has been featured on fifty or fewer cards. Squirrels easily fall in the realm of consideration here as well. And once you've filled all or most creature types to fifty, you move that number up to one hundred or fewer cards.

Players love playing tribal, it is known. The sheer number of creature types in Magic means some types are not supported as well as they could be. This sort of restriction, looking at developing underrepresented tribes, will lead to finding unique identities for those creature types that can be referenced in later design, and it will give some players access to more of their favorite creatures. The simple presence of the possibility to play new tribes will lead players to do that, which is another way to encourage play of cards that might otherwise get left on the wayside. Players love tribal so much that they will even have fun with “bad” cards if they are tribal.

Magic has recently seen, as mentioned, Minotaur tribal and then the return of Orcs in Tarkir block. This is a step in the right direction and I would see it continue as an explicit goal of design. And then someday I'll be able to play tribal Lammasu (okay, maybe not, but you get the idea).