#day172021

Daily Writing Challenge 2021 Day 17 - Spellbinding

Weekday mornings had a tendency to be quiet around Booty Bay, aside from the occasional ship docking or departure for the day. It made sense, the Bay was what most would consider a ‘night town’: That’s when all the rowdy locals and visitors would head to the bars, clubs, gambling halls, or brothels for a night full of shenanigans. During the day it almost felt like a completely different place.

Today in particular was an unusually quiet one, and Taric found himself slouched behind his alchemy shop’s counter, leaning lazily against both elbows. The distant sounds of the sea and the faint hum of his fan lulled him into a light sleep every now and then, although he quickly jolted awake when his elbows started to slip. He could be restocking, or making up some potions he was low on, but sometimes you just wanted to sit and do absolutely nothing. Even Pickles, the shop’s cockatiel, was low on energy and quietly chilling on his favorite perch that sat atop the counter. They were quite the exciting duo, these two.

Taric perked a brow when the dock bell rang, sitting up straighter to see a new ship pulling into port. It was definitely a passenger vessel, which appeared to be carrying a good number of bodies. Excellent, customers. He looked over to Pickles who was excitedly hopping in place and ready for his cue. “Go sing for them, Pickles.” As annoying as that bird could be with his jumpscare squawking and terrible jokes, he could whistle a spellbinding tune. But that was by design. 

The bird took off through the open window and began his song; one that Taric’s mother had often sung herself while working in the shop. The melody was carried by the sea breeze, resonating throughout the entire bay and it immediately caught the attention of a handful of the newcomers stepping off the boat. From his front door, Taric could see the delighted smiles as they obediently followed enchanting tune. 

Pickles continued his lullaby even after landing on his perch just inside the window of The Red Rook, and the people followed. Taric gave the bird a little scritch on his cheek with a promise of treats in the near future, but right now he had a plethora of new customers to greet.

Rhys reached a hand up towards the sunny, blue sky to shield his eyes from the bright glare, adjusting his position until one of the sunflowers hovering above did the job for him. This had become his favorite place in all of Azeroth, laying in the dirt among the field of flowers as they created a canopy of green and yellow above him. It was peaceful, no one bothered him aside from a stray animal every now and then, but their company was always welcomed. 

He decided that if he were to ever build a house, he would have his own field of sunflowers instead of having to sneak into one of the neighboring farms. Not that they seemed to mind his presence when they did catch him, the owner’s wife doted on him often and would even let him cut his own bouquet to display in his room.

It was a simple existence he lived, and he had finally grown to enjoy his life - for the most part. For so long he had spent always wishing he had more. Growing up in an orphanage wasn’t easy for anyone, but especially for those children that were never adopted.  It was all he ever knew, and while the matron was a warm, loving woman, he felt as if he had missed out on so much in life. He could recall sitting at the window for hours and watching the rest of the children run about Stormwind in their fancy clothes, with their fancy toys, and with parents that looked at them like they were the most precious things in the world. No one ever looked at him like that.

He had so badly craved that life, it was difficult not to let the constant disappointment get to him: A disappointment to parents looking to adopt, a disappointment at school, but mostly a disappointment to himself. The matron did her best to assure him otherwise, but she was a busy woman and their talks were few and far between.  For as rough as he had it before, things were pretty good now. Not perfect, but good. He had a job he enjoyed, a roof over his head, food to eat, and some spending money. And, of course, this field of giant sunflowers.

“Rhyyyyyys!”

He stood up with a grunt as his name echoed through the fields, looking towards the dividing fence to see the woman he worked for waving something in the air. So much for being left alone. Then it dawned on him what it was in her hand: A letter. He had been expecting a letter for about a week now, although he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to open it. 

Trudging towards the fence, he smiled as he took the mail. “...Thank you, Mrs. Padley.”

“Ohhh honey, you gotta start just callin’ me Eve.” She cupped a hand to his cheek, lingering for maybe a little too long, before giving it an affectionate pat and turning away to leave. “Dinner’s in an hour!”

Rhys retreated back into the safety of the field, sitting cross-legged as he stared at the letter addressed from his secondary school. Back in the orphanage while he was still attending school, he had failed his final exams and never actually graduated. After that, he turned 18 and decided that it wasn’t worth it to keep trying and just dropped out. School had always been difficult for him. He wasn’t a fast learner unless it was hands-on, and his reading comprehension was worse than mediocre. No one really had the time to help him, nor did the orphanage have the funds to get him a proper tutor; it had always been a constant struggle.

Fast forward five or so years later and he thought that maybe now if he studied real hard, he could finally pass those exams and get his secondary school diploma. He had learned some tricks to help with his reading over the years, but the exam had still been difficult and the time felt as if it had zoomed by.

But just maybe….

Jaskian lay her head on Luminash’s chest and appreciated the quiet afternoon together. It was perfect. Books and the last samples from this years’ Brewfest. No. She held no disappointment here.

@daily-writing-challenge

Day 17 Spellbinding/Disappointed

Challenge: Smut!

The weeks that followed the unholy union of Tormaaz the Gargantuan and Sana’dal had been non stop celebrations of all demon kind.

Slaves from other conquered worlds were brought in to perform day and night. Exotic dances, songs, and other performance arts were made spectacle in front of all of Tormaaz’s and Sana’s subordinates.

The weeks that followed weren’t just partying, however. Tormaaz had the greatest of fel sorceresses and scientists involved in turning Sana into the perfect mate. She had been spellbound and mutated to be nearly beyond recognition. Aside from her face -which remained largely unchanged- the once elf was now built much more like Tormaaz. Her upper body had grown thick and scaly, while her lower had been extended to mirror the crocodilian centaur like shape her new husband. The transformation was finally complete, and now they could consummate their marriage... properly.

Everything was perfect. She had gathered up fresh ingredients for rhubarb tarts, a recipe she'd actually gleaned from his own notes, trying to replicate one of his mother's recipes. Her two trial batches went well, and she was pretty sure the test farm she'd pay to grow it was going to keep it in the rotation. She'd gotten the lighting just right, candles leading over to the kitchen, a nice romantic dinner all set up.

It wasn't anything crazy, but she'd gotten some chicken marinated and a flatbread to act as the vessel for it, as well as some greens and fried rice.

Music was a nice chill beat she'd picked up the record for up in Dalaran, and it was chilly enough for some fresh apple cider. To top it all off, she'd went the full mile, a fully trail of rose petals up to the room, with all the gear they'd need already set up on the bed, along with some lingerie she'd been saving.

Then the comm flared.

"Hey Pin! Got a pretty big order coming in for a last minute event, probably gonna be delayed getting home! Dont wait up for me!"

"Aww fuck..." she groaned.

(Find information on the Daily Writing Challenge here) @daily-writing-challenge

Warnings: light sexuality

Summary: Indy has a rude awakening from a lovely dream.

Indraste was dreaming. Part of her was aware that it was a dream, but not enough for her to wake from it. Blix was there, after all, and any place Blix was was somewhere Indy wanted to be. Gorgeous bone structure, muscular, strong body. That hair. And those were the least of her positive traits, even though they were the most apparent on easy glance. So when given the option to lean into the dream, or wake from it and face reality, well. Was there really a choice?

Returning home after so many years away nearly didn't feel like returning home at all. Leo'mar had visited a few times but never stayed more than a night, and never ventured to Silvermoon for anything more than reporting in for briefings on his next assignments.

Day 17, DWC 2021

Ainsley had long gotten used to the look of disappointment. It was always a look of frustration mixed with a hint of pity. She had seen it far too many times—acquaintances, teachers, mentors…her mother.

She had also gotten used to ignoring it, challenging it back with a few blinks of indifference or her usual defiant glare. Disappointment only arose from expectations, and expectations almost always led to disappointment. It was an endless cycle, and if that cycle was inevitably meant to repeat itself she figured she might as well learn to live with its constant presence.

It evolved, though. Disappointment in her shortcomings turned to disappointment in her bad choices…which led to disappointment in a lot of her choices, many of which she believed were correct.

There was simply no way to please everybody. It bothered her for only a moment. What did everyone expect of her anyway? The world was wrought with disappointment, but there she was, being looked at again like she was the failure.

Learn to live with it she did. Ainsley knew, without a shadow of doubt, that she was a good person. She did good work. She had trained for years and years to be where she was today, and she genuinely tried to be a beacon of light and hope in this irreparably dark world. She held on to those values and traits with an iron fist, wielding it like armor.

No, she was not the disappointment.

She was the victor.