Jen and Jennifer

[minsafedistance]

Basic description is frc.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=adventurer&thread=10184&page=3#145779



//These posts are a jumble of memories and responses. The style is one I feel comfortable it and may look like I have copied it. If you feel I have identified you too much in any post or have suggestions for entries please feel free to PM me for a change or alteration. While most of the later entries will be chronological, some of the earlier entries are from my memory of the timelines and as such may be a little hazy. I am hoping that if the entry is about you, then you will be able to identify yourself as being party to the interaction. I thank all of you that have had an impact on the sisters and I am posting this as a way of honouring your input and impact. This is a work in progress and updates will be infrequent, partially to catch up to the current time and then to protect current events.

I have used colour. I understand this will be hard on some people, feel free to highlight it all and read it that way if it is easier. Purple is hard to read I have looked for alternatives.

Music is very important to me and I have also, where possible, quoted sections of appropriate music for the situation and occasion. Some of the lyrics of these songs are not PG 13+ and it is recommended that you take this into consideration if you go and find what the lyrics are in the entirety. Some lyrics I will hide in plain sight by changing their colour to match the forum background, feel free to highlight these if you think you wish to read them.//

[minsafedistance]

The Past

The past is a closed book, it can not be changed
But it does not have to shape the future
Time to move on, the future awaits

The past has happened, its effects linger on
But you do not have to live in the past
Time to forget, live life to the full

The past shapes who I am, what I am
But this does not tie you to single path
Time to decide, can I pick them all

The past for me is mine alone
But this does not mean you have to stay alone
Time to admit, you were never alone

My past is painful, how can I share?
My past is complex, how do I explain?
My past is emotional, could you empathise?
My past is dark, will it damage you?

Let them take the risk, there are rewards for you



Songs
Kate Bush - Running up that Hill

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh...

You don't want to hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware I'm tearing you asunder.
Ooh, there is thunder in our hearts.


Chop Suey
System of a Down

You wanted to
Grab a brush and put a little makeup
You wanted to
Hide the scars to fade away the shakeup
You wanted to
Why'd you leave the keys upon the table?
You wanted to

I don't think you trust
In my self righteous suicide
I cry when angels deserve to die

[minsafedistance]

So much running

We are running again, I can not help but notice
Well yes, we had to this time
Blaming me again, what did I do, seduced the wrong person?
No not this time sister, not this time
Oh, did they find out you were a sorceress blood mage?

You are as well my sister, and yes they found out, luckily this time, too late
Oh, what happened then, another attempt to burn you at the stake?
No, slavers this time, apparently red hair is highly prized
Oh, that would have gotten us back all the way to . .
Yes, no need to remind me, lucky for us we look weak, and not capable
So you had to use the weave to escape, admit it sister, it is a gift

+sighs+ yes, it is, we just used it to assault some more men
So, wanted in another country, add that to the list of places we can no longer go
That list is rather longer than I would like
So where are we going this time?
Cormyr, next place on our list.


Music
Hazy Shade of Winter - Bangles or Simon and Garfunkle

Time, time, time, see what's become of me
While I looked around
For my possibilities
I was so hard to please
But look around, leaves are brown
And the sky is a hazy shade of winter

Hang on to your hopes, my friend
That's an easy thing to say, but if your hope should pass away
It's simply pretend
That you can build them again
Look around, the grass is high
The fields are ripe, it's the springtime of my life

[minsafedistance]

Borderline

The scene is the border post on the outskirts of Cormyr, it sees a fair bit of traffic as it politely stops and inquires to the business of everyone passing through.

Tane *holds out a hand and says* Hail and well met. Welcome to Cormyr. What manner of business brings a traveller such as yourself across our borders?
I only wish to pass into Cormyr. I hear there is a great need of adventurers within its borders.
Tane Ah I see, an aspiring adventurer. Well you will need to obtain an adventuring charter to do such. Please make your way into the outpost and speak with Torvis Mull.

Torvis Mull: I see you are registered, and I am assuming since you are speaking with me you wish to acquire an adventuring charter. Very well then, that will be one thousand gold lions.
Well we can just afford that my sister
Yes, and no need to sell too much this time
I will take one for me and one for my sister

Torvis Mull: That will be another thousand lions then for the second document
We do not have that much money
Torvis Mull: I tell you what, I will give you a contact around here. If you agree to do what they ask, and I'm sure they will pay you for your efforts. You should speak with the archaeologist, Lorimious. He is upstairs in the library. First door to the left.
We will go and see this man

Well that was easy sister
Yes, just collecting a few things that he wanted, fairly simple
So we are going to be adventurers this time then?
Well, we may as well, it gives us certain rights in the country
A little protection from the law this time?
Well it is better than some of the other options
Yes, better


Music
Borderline: Chris De Burg

Rolling through the countryside,
Tears are in my eyes,
We're coming to the borderline,
I'm ready with my lies,
And in the early morning rain, I see her there,
And I know I'll have to say goodbye again; And it's breaking my heart, I know what I must do,

[minsafedistance]

Adventuring licence

The scene is a small Cormyrian country town. A fairly tubby guard wanders the streets, prodding some with his sword to keep them moving and off the streets. Under the large tree at the crossroads there is a woman watching the guard warily each time he passes.

That was all our saving you know
I know, we better be able to make that back fairly quickly in case
Well yes, we might need it to be able to run to the next place
Thinking about running already?
I am always thinking of running, we need to be prepared

-sigh- be nice to stop and enjoy life a bit
That is one of the reasons we have to be ready to run
Hey, time to live a little, come on!
Always time to live, why I plan on running, keeps us alive
Well, this licence lets us adventure, lets go see what we can earn
Well as much as we have to, it might be fun,
Although I heard the local places mainly have undead
They are no fun, no fun at all
Hard to have fun with something without a pulse
Time to kick some undead arse
I do not intend to get that close sister, lets go

Music
I want it all: Queen

Adventure seeker on an empty street
Just an alley creeper light on his feet
A young fighter screaming with no time for doubt
With the pain and anger can't see a way out
It ain't much I'm asking I heard him say
Gotta find me a future move out of my way
I want it all I want it all I want it all and I want it now
I want it all I want it all I want it all and I want it now

Listen all you people come gather round
Gotta get me a game plan gotta shake you to the ground.
Just give me what I know is mine
People do you hear me just give me the sign
It ain't much I'm asking if you want the truth
Here's to the future for the dreams of youth
I want it all (give it all) I want it all I want it all and I want
It now
I want it all (yes I want it all) I want it all (hey)
I want it all and I want it now

I'm a woman with a one track mind
So much to do in one life time (people do you hear me)
Not a woman for compromise and where’s and whys and living lies
So I'm living it all (yes I'm living it all)
And I'm giving it all (and I'm giving it all)
Ooh ooh ha ha ha ha
Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I want it all all all all

It ain't much I'm asking if you want the truth
Here's to the future
Hear the cry of youth (hear the cry hear the cry of youth)
I want it all I want it all I want it all and I want it now
I want it all (yeah yeah yeah) I want it all I want it all and I
Want it now

I want it I want it
Now

[minsafedistance]

Witch, Sorceress, Blood mage

Words have meaning
Words convey emotion
Words can display fear
Words can show hatred
Words can hurt

Blood mage
How can you even suggest it?
How can you call yourself this?
Why would you think that I would dabble with blood?
I have no need to touch the stuff
Why call me something like that?
Just insult me properly and use the term Necromancer if that is what you mean.

Witch Sorceress
I do not harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the world.
I do not sacrifice to dark gods
I do not practice magic in the dark that makes you sick or changes the way you think.
Sorcerers and Warlocks get more respect and all that is just in a name
You have no need to try to purge me of magic with fire

Innate Arcane
Yes I know it is a new term for you
But listen to it
Does it bring with it the baggage of other terms?
Am I hurting you for just being one?
How can these two words frighten you?

Look at me
Just knowing magic is not an affliction
Having it come naturally, unsought after, ever present is not an issue.
Judge me by my actions
Form your opinion of me by what I choose

I am a Weave walker
I travel with it
I travel within it
It flows through me
I love it, caress it, become one with it

[glow=violet,2,300]Weave walker[/glow]
That is me




Music
Magic: Olivia Newton John

Come take my hand
You should know me
I've always been in your mind
You know that I'll be kind
I'll be guiding you

Building your dream
Has to start now
There's no other road to take
You won't make a mistake
I'll be guiding you

You have to believe we are magic
Nothin' can stand in our way
You have to believe we are magic
Don't let your aim ever stray
And if all your hopes survive
Your destiny will arrive
I'll bring all your dreams alive
For you

From where I stand
You are home free
The planets align so rare
There's promise in the air
And I'm guiding you

Through every turn I'll be near you
I'll come anytime you call
I'll catch you when you fall
I'll be guiding you

You have to believe we are magic
Nothin' can stand in our way
You have to believe we are magic
Don't let your aim ever stray
And if all your hopes survive
Your destiny will arrive
I'll bring all your dreams alive
For you

[minsafedistance]

Who do you think you are? Goddess’ gift?

The evening was late in Greatgaunt. A crowd gathered around the big tree. There was a braggart, posturing and posing. Showing off, in quite the most cringe worthy ways, so much ego, so little brains, passable looks and no style or panashe.

A lady in purple uncharacteristically spoke up
"Who do you think you are? Goddess' gift?
The words suddenly creating a clear space in the conversation as all eyes turn between the lady in purple and man posing who all of a sudden was a little lost for words.

When into the gap came the clear response
"Yes, I am"
From the red haired and green eyed lady in a red and yellow short cut outfit that was lit all over with a white yellow flickering flame.

There are many ways to meet Foxy.


Music
I'm Too Sexy: Right Said Fred

I'm too sexy for my love too sexy for my love
Love's going to leave me

And I'm too sexy for your party
Too sexy for your party
No way I'm disco dancing

I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah
I do my little turn on the catwalk

Too sexy by far
And I'm too sexy for my hat
Too sexy for my hat what do you think about that

And I'm too sexy for this song

[minsafedistance]

No stitches!

The hills to the East of Greatgaunt are well known for the orcs that ambush travellers on the road. Most seasoned adventurers can deal with their threat with ease and routinely clear the road. Sometimes the orcs get lucky, sometimes they just get too close.

A woman in a purple dress walks into Greatgaunt from the east looking pale and holds her hand compressed over a bandage soaked with blood to her chest. The fletching of an orcish arrow is seen sticking out of the bandage. She walks slowly and purposefully towards and then into the inn, concentrating on the effort it takes for each step, walking past the typical crowd that has gathered around the square.

A man in dirty brown patchy rags watches her approach, pass and then walk into the inn. He follows her into the inn to find where she has sat in front of the fire.

He finds her there waiting, she is slowly administering something to the wound from her pack.

The man in rags asks;
“Miss Jennifer, can I help you there?”

The woman coolly regards the man standing before her, quickly glancing about the inn before answering.

“You may, on the condition, you do not stitch the wound.”

The man responds;
“If the wound is not sealed, it will fester and become diseased.”

“I will use magical healing, to seal the wound.” Says Jennifer.

The man looks affronted at her response;
“I do not supply that, I am a skilled healer.”

Jennifer sighs lightly and responds;
“I will provide my own potions. Will you take out the arrow and clean the wound?”

The man pauses for a moment before responding;
“You will be in pain, I have a sedative for you.”

Jennifer replies; “I have already administered something to numb the pain. I do not need one from you.”

She asks again;
“Will you take out the arrow and clean the wound?”

Again the man pauses before answering;
“I will”

The scene progresses, most adventurers are now use to seeing something like this in most inns across Cormyr, a healer of some description fixing the wounds of an adventurer.

Today it was Greatgaunt and it was the man in dirty brown patchy rags. Tomorrow it might be you, how will your healer impact on your life?



Music
Scar:
Missy Higgins

He left a card and a bar of soap with
scrubbing brush next to a note,
That said "use these down to your bones".
And before I knew I had shiny skin and
it felt easy being clean like him,
I thought "this one knows better than I do"

A triangle trying to squeeze through a circle
He tried to cut me so I'd fit

<start chorus>
And doesn't that sound familiar?
Doesn't that hit too close to home?
Doesn't that make you shiver; the way things could've gone?
And doesn't it feel peculiar that everyone wants a little more.
So that I do remember to never go that far,
Could you leave me with a scar?
<end Chorus>

So the next one came with a bag of treats,
She smelled like sugar and spoke like the sea
She told me don't, trust them trust me.
Then she pulled at my stitches one by one,
Looked at my insides clicking her tongue,
And said "This will all have to come undone".

A triangle trying to squeeze through a circle,
She tried to blunt me so I'd fit.

<chorus>

I think I realized just in time,
about my old self was hard to find.
You can bathe me in your finest wine but I'll never give you mine.
'Cos I'm a little bit tired of fearing that
I'll be the bad fruit nobody buys,
Tell me, did you think we'd all dream the same?

<chorus>

Could you leave me with a scar?

[minsafedistance]

Chainmail bikini

Greatgaunt, the scene of so many strange events. This day, it hosted another. If you were standing in the right place you would have seen a naked woman with red hair chasing after, or was it being chased, by a woman with dark hair and stark white skin, with just the minimum amount of her covered by what would appear to be chainmail. Just another day in Greatgaunt, blink and you will miss it, sometimes you wonder just how some things happen.


Earlier, in one of the private rooms.

“Can I show you something, I got a gift from a man?”
Say the woman with white skin to the other person present.

“Sure”
replies the second, having being requested to attend, assumed there was something to discuss.

The first woman gets out a set of armour, a set of chainmail, although calling the small scraps of chainmail a set of armour, was going a little too far. What was on display barely covered a dinner plate, let alone function as armour.

“I think he expects me to wear it”
says the pale lady in exasperation

“Well it looks too heavy for me to wear, it does not look like adventuring gear”
the second lady, in a purple dress responds.

“I just not sure I could wear it, I mean, look at it, people would see me!”
says the pallid lady, in an almost pleading tone

The lady in purple looks at the other for a few minutes, assessing, and then says
“It is armour, and you are a warrior, you wear plate mail, you could just wear it underneath, no one would know”

“I would know!”
exasperates the pale woman, in an immediate response.

“And no one else would” Interjects the woman in purple
“And just to prove it, you could walk around outside, no one would notice any difference.”

The woman with the white skin barely manages a response, already knowing that soon she will be wearing the scraps of chain mail in public, it is only a matter under what terms.

Self confidence. It can be learned, it can be taught, it can be demonstrated, really it comes down to respecting yourself, trusting yourself and the realisation that in many cases, the values of others, do not have to restrict your life.


Music
I am Woman: Helen Reddy

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

[minsafedistance]

Choices: Yes or No


The night air of Greatgaunt is disturbed by the sound of magic. The sound of weave being transformed into bolts of energy. The sound of those bolts striking their target. Again and again the magic is invoked and the missiles strike the target. For anyone able to count their impacts, they would surely have lost track after a hundred such impacts.

Such noises draw a crowd in Greatgaunt. You would think that most sensible people would go the other way, but not in Greatgaunt. Noises attract people.

The first on the scene is a lady with red hair, what clothes she has on are flashing with a continual flame. She watches the display of missiles until they end, where she walks over to the lady in the purple dress with orange hair.

“What is wrong?” She asks

“She made me choose” replies the lady in the purple dress “my sister said the choice was all mine”

“What choice?” Asks again the lady sheathed in light.

“To accept or not accept my current suitor!” Is the response in return “She says since I do not give her any choice, this one is all mine to handle, to deal with, to answer.”


The crowd by now has seen that the display is over and shrugs and wanders away. Two women whispering to each other, one clearly distraught and the other holding in support is not a show worthy of attention.

The lady in purple continues to speak, quietly, hoarsely, almost to herself.

“How can I choose?”
“If I say no, then, they are a warrior, stronger than me, they will just take what they want.”
“Like a warrior always does”
“And yes?”
“I can not say yes, I can not get close while their patron is him. How could you trust someone not to turn you into an undead as you sleep? How can you care for someone who is out there defiling the dead? How can you respect their goals and dreams when they know that one day, they expect to be rewarded by being undead?”

“How can I choose?”
The question is left unanswered for a while, as the lady in purple is soothed and attended. It is just anther day in Greatgaunt. Little lives, little choices, each a little step or change in a much bigger picture.


Music
Changes: David Bowie

I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't tell t hem to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Where's your shame
You've left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can't trace time

[minsafedistance]

A gift from another

The hills in the Western Reaches contain all sorts of dangers. Some of those dangers are adventurers, gathering together to deal with the humanoids in the area. The scene is set with a small gathering of four such adventurers, a man in blue armour and three women with red, orange and brown hair. It is the way of people to interact at meetings and travels. Look closer as the lady in the purple dress and orange hair meets up and interacts with the others. A normal interaction of people meeting each other.

Man in Blue Armour: We were planning to try and investigate their lair.
Lady with Red Hair: *chuckles* Maybe you care to join us? So Juno will have three girls to cheer him on. *nods*
Lady in purple dress: Sure. +looks down and has a slight smile+ only three?
Girl with brown hair: Humph *taps her foot* Yous have flowers for hers too Juno?
Juno: I ran out.
Lady with Red Hair: She can have mine.
Lady in purple dress: From you Tarithel?
Tarithel: A gift from Juno.
Lady in purple dress: +looks at her offering a flower+ I can not accept one from Juno, if you give it.
Tarithel: *hmms* As you wish.
Juno: *cough* Well. Ogres?
All the women: Yes.


And later, when the monsters have been dealt with and the scene is more relaxed. A typical goodbye, before adventurers turn in for an evening.

Tarithel: You sure you don't want that tulip, Jennifer?
Jennifer: it has to be given from Juno to be meaningful to me
Tarithel: *raises an eyebrow*Well, Off you go, Yes, it is junk to me, That's that, then *as the flower is dumped in the rubbish*
Jennifer: +sigh+

Jennifer: +thinks – why could I not say ‘given personally’ and was it couldn’t or wouldn’t as she slowly climbs the stairs to her room+

The giving of gifts is a very special tradition. There are many layers and many options. The gift to have a special impact has to be given personally, freely and without conditions. The giving of flowers has even more nuances in their traditions, roses especially. Next time you give a gift, what will you do to ensure that its impact is not only significant, but also that it conveys exactly the meaning you wish.



Music: Head over feet: Alanis Moressette

I had no choice but to hear you
You stated your case time and again
I thought about it

You treat me like I'm a princess
I'm not used to liking that
You ask how my day was

You've already won me over in spite of me
And don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn't help it
It's all your fault

Your love is thick and it swallowed me whole
You're so much braver than I gave you credit for
That's not lip service

You've already won me over in spite of me
And don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet
Don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are
I couldn't help it
It's all your fault

[minsafedistance]

The Scroll


Valkur’s Roar is a pleasant little town on the Dragonmere. There are some who know it by different names; this one will suffice for now. It is an evening and a small band of friends are waiting around the hin merchant Froidoc convincing him to give a good price on various bits of junk that they have hauled back from the depths of some crypt. There is an elf in green with braided hair; she is passing the time showing an object around the group, and waiting for the reaction.

It is hard not to at least have some reaction to the scroll that is passing around. Fully illuminated magical scrolls are rare and this one has certainly been illustrated by someone with an eye for detail. The reactions are varied and include laughter, shock, disbelief, embarrassment and curiosity.

As they again wait for the scroll to be passed around and the selling to be completed, the lady in the purple dress ushers the elf in green over for a quiet chat.

“May I purchase that scroll?” asks the lady in purple.

“You want that scroll?” replies the elf in green a little surprised and half curious

“I do, what do you wish for it?” answers the lady in purple

“Why do you want that scroll?” counters the elf in green curiously

“It was written by one of my faith.” Answers the lady in purple, quietly to the elf in green, smiling a little “I do not tend to advertise who my patron is”

The elf in green chuckles and then answers the original question.
“Yes, you may have it; all I want for it is a scroll with the same magical effect”


The lady in purple gets out a scroll from her scroll case and hands it over with a nod and smile, knowing that she will soon be the owner of the illuminated scroll.


She never did intend to use that scroll. She intended to hold on to it, pass it around to those who needed the knowledge, share with those who would gain from the information it contained. However, used it was, and to save the life of another. What is coin or an important magical item compared to the life of another.


What would you choose?


Music:
Lets Talk about Sex: Salt n Pepa

Punch it, Hurb
Yo, I don't think we should talk about this
Come on, why not?
People might misunderstand what we're tryin' to say, you know?
No, but that's a part of life

Come on

Let's talk about sex, baby
Let's talk about you and me
Let's talk about all the good things
And the bad things that may be

[minsafedistance]

Shredded

“If you touch him or take anything else of his I will shred you”
Were the words stated by the golden scaled lady with similar coloured wings to the lady in a purple dress with orange hair.

Not something you would expect from a gold dragon kin, but uttered they were, casually, like stating fact, emotionless and stark. And not even realising their full effect, putting your life in someone else’s hands, all they have to do now is complain or make up a grievance. So much for that friendship; destroyed by an overprotective mother hen, too distant to be truly understand what was said.
Not my fault, sister you have some explaining to do.



Earlier

The Greatgaunt inn has seen many drunks in its time. This one was flopped on the floor, glass of liquor in hand, obviously had too many and was going to have too much more. What you do not often see however is the bottle and glass lift off the ground away from the drunken elf and have the contents disappear and disappear rapidly for such a strong drink. The elf looked about confused as the empty bottle is returned to him. And then at the lady in tight scarlet hot pants who appears in front of him and says

“Thanks for the drink Rimieh”

You would have thought that not letting the elf die from alcohol poisoning or getting so drunk would be how you show that you care. That getting him away from displaying such behaviour in public would be how you help him. That staying with him and talking or just being there would help the hurt. You left him, you let him drink to excess, you let him be drunk in public and you have the temerity to threaten me for getting him all three by the removal of his drink.

Copious alcohol dampens some pain for a time, but all it does is delay it.
Trust me, I know.

If you care, you need to show it.


Music
Wish you were here: Pink Floyd

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
And cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange
A walk on part in the war,
For a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

[minsafedistance]

The tree

It is in the middle of Greatgaunt.
You can hardly avoid seeing it.
People seem to jostle for the limited positions under and next to it.
It is the main tree of Greatgaunt.

Greatgaunt sees so many odd things.
One more, small odd thing hardly raises eyebrows.
The locals do not even consider it a little strange.
That a lady in purple walks over to the tree about once a month and gives it a hug.

The people who know her enough do think it is strange.
And they wonder, ask and question.
Some get answered.
Fewer understand.

Some things do not come free.
There is often a cost.
Even if the cost is trivial and easy to bear.
For if the cost is not paid it leaves a debt.

And you?
What would you do?
What would you choose?

- to be in debt?
- to break a promise?
- to pay the cost?
Or would you fail to act and not need to make such decision?



Music
A Forest: The Cure

Come closer and see
see into the trees
find the girl
while you can
Come closer and see
see into the dark
just follow your eyes
just follow your eyes
I hear her voice
calling my name
the sound is deep
in the dark
I hear her voice
and start to run
into the trees
into the trees
into the trees
Suddenly I stop
but I know it's too late
I'm lost in a forest
all alone
The girl was never there
it's always the same
I'm running towards nothing
again and again and again

[minsafedistance]

Freedom from the past

It is the morning in Greatgaunt the sun rising in the east over the waters that pass through the town. Walking quietly into the town, slowly coming out of the inn and surveying the square before smiling and turning South is an attractive woman dressed in a long purple dress. She smiles only slightly remembering something and folding her arms over for a minute holding her arms just above the wrists in an action that seemingly warms from the cold of the morning.

Near the gate she turns to look back North at the town. Turning to the ticket seller of the caravan she asks for a ticket, confidently booking a passage all the way through to Suzail.

She wants to get all the way to Eveningstar, to again share the revelation that happened, and knows she now has the strength to continue. Feeling light and serene she climbs into the wagon for the journey, one that seems to take forever as each little bend brings new joys and sights to her clear thoughts.

Her lips smile as she contemplates the sudden change to her life, as she faces a promising future.

There is one phrase that she keeps coming back to, one that is now fixed in her mind.

I am strong


Music
Girls just want to have fun: Cyndi Lauper

I come home in the morning light
My mother says when you gonna live your life right
Oh mother dear we're not the fortunate ones
And girls they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun

That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Girls-- they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun

Some boys take a beautiful girl
And hide her away from the rest of the world
I want to be the one to walk in the sun
Oh girls they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have

That's all they really want
Some fun
When the working day is done
Girls--they want to have fun
Oh girls just want to have fun,
They want to have fun,
They want to have fun

I want to be the one to walk in the sun

[minsafedistance]

Loss of the tether

It is the evening in Greatgaunt the sun setting in the west over the mountain that hides the keep. Walking quietly into the town, hesitantly moving from the inn and surveying the square before frowning and turning South is an attractive woman dressed in a red shirt and short shorts. She flinches only slightly remembering something and folding her arms over for a minute holding her arms just above the wrists in an action that seemingly can not warm her from the cold of the evening.

Near the gate she turns to look back North at the town. Turning to the ticket seller of the caravan she pauses before asking for a ticket, booking a passage all the way through to Suzail.

She knows she has to get to Eveningstar to get answers as to what happened, and hope that there can find the strength to continue. Feeling lost and bewildered she climbs into the wagon for the journey, one that seems to take forever as each little bump jars and startles her from her jumbled thoughts.

Her brow furrows as she contemplates the sudden change to her life, as she faces an uncertain future.

There is one phrase that she keeps coming back to, one that she can not get out of her mind.

Am I strong enough?


Music
Bring me to Life: Evanescence

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core where I've become so numb
Without a soul, my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home

Wake me up
(Wake me up inside)
I can't wake up
(Wake me up inside)
Save me
(Call my name and save me from the dark)

Wake me up
(Bid my blood to run)
I can't wake up
(Before I come undone)
Save me
(Save me from the nothing I've become)

I've been living a lie
There's nothing inside
Bring me to life

All this time, I can't believe I couldn't see
Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything

Without thought, without voice, without a soul
Don't let me die here
There must be something more
Bring me to life

Wake me up
(Bid my blood to run)
I can't wake up
(Before I come undone)
Save me
(Save me from the nothing I've become)

I've been living a lie
There's nothing inside
Bring me to life

[minsafedistance]

Weapons

A small group of travellers emerge from the Northern Edge of the Bramble wood and pass by the border post before climbing onto the hill. Some of the more swaggering and swarthy are chatting among themselves about their equipment and their choices of weapons, how they favour one above another and why one is better. In response to this discussion the lady in a purple dress responds.

“I carry no weapons”


The heads of the others turn at this comment and reply.

“Well not like you need any”
“You just wave your hand and you enemies just fall over”
“You are the weapon”

The lady in purple blinks and is stunned by the immediate and direct responses of those present and falls silent letting those in the conversation resume where they were and how an axe is or is not superior to a long sword.

The lady in purple continues to walk along in silence but thinking furiously;

“So all I am to some is a weapon”
“A tool to be used or wielded”
“Pointed at a foe and expected to kill them”


And then more slowly

“But not any more”
“From now I make choices”
“I call the shots”
“I will never be used like that”
“I will protect myself from control”

She breaks her silence to those present by saying


“I control myself”


This breaks the conversation flow for a few minutes with a few sideways glances before the conversation again turns to the fight ahead. Not much has visibly changed. With the self awareness of another’s perspective another layer of protection is added to protect the core of being from the outside world.



Music
Breaking the Habit: Larkin Park

Memories consume
Like opening the wound
I’m picking me apart again
You all assume
I’m safe here in my room
(unless I try to start again)

I don’t want to be the one
The battles always choose
‘Cause inside I realize
That I’m the one confused

I don’t know what’s worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
I don’t know why I instigate
And say what I don’t mean
I don’t know how I got this way
I know it’s not alright
So I’m
Breaking the habit
Tonight

Clutching my cure
I tightly lock the door
I try to catch my breath again
I hurt much more
Than anytime before
I had no options left again

I’ll paint it on the walls
‘Cause I’m the one at fault
I’ll never fight again
And this is how it ends

I don’t know what’s worth fighting for
Or why I have to scream
But now I have some clarity
To show you what I mean
I don’t know how I got this
I’ll never be alright
So I’m
Breaking the habit
Breaking the habit
Tonight