Asteri Wildsong

"I'll just go take a small break, I promise I'll be back!"

The Birth of a Madbloom

Take a mortal youth, no older than sixteen. Lead them into the Kingdom of Rainbows, by intent or happenstance. Should they follow their breadcrumbs safely back, let none be the wiser! Should their heart cry out for home, let mortality embrace their mossy bones. But should they be of that rare disposition─one that longs for magicks fell and fancies fae? Those are the pilgrims that wander evermore. To revels do they turn their mind, To dreams of wings and pixiekind. No food nor rest fain they to take, Forever after ne'er to wake.♪ Exhausted and enthralled, the dreamer dies. And beside their remains blooms a solitary flower. The dewy petals hold a wayward youth who purged their mortal grossness and seized the likeness of their desire. One who spurned their fate─a Madbloom!

“And what of my wishes!? What of F'lhaminn's!? What of all the people who love and care for you and want nothing more than to see you again!?” There was a small flinch on her features, knowing his anger was a fair reaction to her words but still disliking seeing her brother so filled with despair. That he would remind her of her mother, F'lhaminn's warm embrace such a distant memory after having accepted her fate as the Word of the Mother, struck deep, and yet she found a resolve to save them all, the people of the First and the Source. Her heart squeezed as she steeled herself for the words that he needed to hear, that she needed to speak. "…It is not their decision to make. It is hers. This child's. This Minfilia's." "You have ever watched over me, Thancred. Now I ask that you do the same for her. Protect her. Teach her. Stand by her as you stood by me." "There is much and more she does not know. She needs a guide to show her the ways of the world, or she will never find her own path. When the time comes, you will find me where the Flood has stayed its course. Until that day…" Minfilia leaned in, hands cupping her brother's face, heart full of sorrow in knowing this would be the last time she would speak to Thancred, gently pressing her forehead to his as he used to do with her. "…I love you, dearest brother."

"Don't you dare get comfortable in there... YOU HEAR ME BROTHER?! This isn't your end Raha... far from it... I'll come back for you! ...COUNT ON IT!!!"

"...This idiot-"

Raha brought a hand to his eyes again, wiping away pesky tears that did not want to stop rolling down his cheeks and took in a deep breath, stopping in his tracks. He glanced over his shoulder and gave his little brother a scoffed smile, shaking his head.

"I'll be-"

The doors closed with a loud boom resonating through the Crystal Tower, sealed off to the world for however long it might take.

"-waiting... Typical, I don't even get the last- hngh- word..."

He bit back a sob, his ears lowering against his crimson hair, finally letting out the tears he'd kept back to not worry his friends and family.

Movie Night with Friends & Family~

From left to right: Thancred: *These are my coworkers. Thaliak grant me the patience of your flowing waters.*

Asteri: Having the time of her life giggling at the chaos.

Raha: "Z'antieth, you've already finished a WHOLE BOWL to yourself alread-nmph!!"

Z: "And??? I'm still hungr-aenngmph!"

Alisaie: *...This was supposed to be a date night with only Z and I-* "Gods be damned Alphinaud! No one wants to know about which wood is best for a campfire you nitwit!"

Alphinaud: "-and so, the pine wood from the trees found in the surroundings of Sharlayan do not lend themselves well for kindling of fire wood. They are quite substandard compared to that of- OW! Sister-!" No one: *actually watching the movie*

Finally redecorated my house and I have a bedroom again now that Medium's can have 450 items in them!

"So? How's it look?" Z'antieth asked with a toothy grin, looking up at his best friend Alisaie who had just tied his hair into a ponytail.

"Like my favorite idiot~!"