July 2024 SWC Writing Megathread

Hello and welcome to the official SWC writing thread! This thread is for any SWCers to share writing so we don't all have to make our own writing threads. Additionally, the second post of this thread will be a sort of “masterpost” of rules and info about SWC for campers <3

Please read through the first post of this thread whether or not you have read it before - our rules are changed and edited every session as we work on improving SWC! Yes it's long, but all of this information is important for you to know, because we share the forums with the rest of Scratch! If you have any questions afterwards, please ask me or another host on our profiles - that way it's easier for you to get a response without clogging up this thread <3

What you can put here:
Any writing you do during SWC (whether daily, weekly, word war, writing competition entry or just your own writing) can go in this thread! You can either make a new post per piece of writing, or make one post and edit your new writing into it - either is fine!

Please try not to have conversations or chat here - you can post writing, give critique and discuss others' writing but if off topic conversations happen here, it's likely the topic will be deleted or closed by the Scratch Team. We'd like to avoid that. <3

Remember to check any writing you post to make sure it does not contain any personal details or private information. If it does, you can either edit out/change the details or not post the writing! Stay safe online ^^

Ways to use this forum:
There are two main ways to use this forum - but other ways are okay too!

Making one post and editing your new writing into it. If you use this method, please edit new writing into the top of your post, so it's easier for leaders to find!

Making a new post for every writing piece (you could also include an optional “table of contents” post which contains a list of writing pieces and links to them!)

Reporting posts
Please don't hesitate to report other posts if you feel you need to! Valid reasons to report posts include:

- The post shares private information
- The post contains rude/offensive language
- The post is spam or off topic
- The post does not belong in this topic
- The post otherwise breaks Scratch's guidelines or makes you uncomfortable

When you click report, you will be provided with a comment box to explain why you reported the post - and please do so! It helps the forum moderators understand what you want them to do.

On the Scratch forums, there are lots of reasons you can report things other than that they're inappropriate. Reporting is not trying to get the user in trouble, picking on the user, or going behind their back - it's simply helping to keep the forums organised, tidy and scratch safe. You won't get in trouble for reporting a post that doesn't need reporting, as there are no rules as to what does and doesn't need reporting. So it's fine to report posts that don't belong in this thread, are off topic, or are spam as well as inappropriate posts.

Discussing people's writing
It's completely okay to respond to and comment on people's writing here. However:

People won't necessarily see your responses to their writing, because they don't get a notification when you quote their writing. Instead, you can comment on their profile, either commenting on their writing there or saying something like “hey! I responded to your writing piece here: <link>”

It's also fine to give critique to others' writing here, but make sure to give the person the link to your critique!
Also, please keep in mind that not everyone here will want critique on their writing! Make sure to ask permission before giving anyone critique.

To get the link to a post, right click the top left corner of the post, where it says the date and time it was posted. Then click “copy link address”, and paste the link wherever you need it.

Personal writing threads
Personal writing threads will be allowed this session! However, please only make one forum topic for just your writing - put it in the "Things I'm Making and Creating" forum, and use that topic for the whole of this SWC session. This means not creating a new topic for, say, your writing competition entry, and certainly not creating a new topic for each writing piece, as this is a nightmare for forum moderators and other people using the forums.
It is still highly recommended that you use the megathread in order to be considerate to other forumers! Having a lot of different writing topics makes it harder to find other topics, so please consider carefully whether you'd be willing to use the megathread before creating a personal topic

Other Ways to Share Writing
Not everyone wants to share their writing in the forums, and that's fine - here are some other places it's okay to share your writing!

You could create a new scratch project (perhaps on an alternate account if you don't want to share writing on your main account!) and share your writing as an in-project comment, in the description and notes and credits, or pasted into a costume using the text tool.

You can take a photo or screenshot of your writing and either put it inside a scratch project or upload it to cubeupload, then share that link. You will need an account to use cubeupload, but it's a safe way to share images and the Scratch team allows it.

Please note that blankslate is not allowed. If you don't know what it is, it's a writing sharing program that we used to use frequently in SWC but is no longer allowed because of its lack of moderation.

Do not attempt to bypass Scratch's filter in order to share writing on sites that are not allowed. Not only are these sites banned for a reason, but you will get caught if you attempt to share links to them on Scratch. Proof shared via other sites will not count. Cubeupload is the exception to this rule, as it is allowed by Scratch in order to share images on the forums

Thanks everyone, and happy writing!

(Many thanks to Kat, Sun, Luna, and Honey for writing the megathread post in previous sessions, from which this was mainly copied!)

If you believe any of these rules shouldn’t apply / should apply differently for a specific case (e.g. adding a daily when this guide says not to), take it to the hosts! We’re happy to deal with edge cases and/or disputes on an individual basis. Questions about these should be taken to your leader or a host's profile, not asked here

TLDR

• Only literary words may be added - see the first section below for a full description of this!
  
• Leaders may ask for proof of writing if they believe the amount you're adding is unrealistic.
  
• You must give an explanation of what you were writing when you add words. Leaders will not add words without this.
  
• You may not add more than 10,000 words at once.
  
• Dailies and weeklies must be commented in the Main Cabin before they end, even if the description has not yet been updated.
  
• Proof for dailies and weeklies must be shown on Scratch. There will not be exceptions to this rule for having inappropriate writing.
  Proof of winning a word war isn't necessary - they're run on an honor system.
  
• Please do not escalate arguments! Simply stop responding and report any offensive comments.
  
• Make sure not to take cabin rivalries too far and remember that the point is to have fun!
  

Adding words

You can add words whenever you write literarily using your cabin’s word counting method - this will most likely mean commenting the number of words you wrote in your cabin’s word counting location (this will likely be a studio but could also be a forum, profile or project!) as well as a summary/brief description of what you are adding. (E.g. “+503 words for part of an essay”.)
Your leaders will add these words to your total.
We keep track of words during SWC as they make up part of a cabin’s total points at the end of the session as well as acting as a motivation factor for campers.

*See a list of things that count below:

What counts

• Roleplay - As a guideline, you should be somewhat in character and there should be description of actions in addition to dialogue
  
• Fictional writing
  
• Non-fictional writing
  
• Literary journal entries
  
• Writing in another language - if you’re unsure on how many words to add because the language counts writing in a different way (e.g. character counts in Chinese), Google Translate it to English and use that word count. We hope that this will be close to the number of words it would be in spoken language, but if you have a different suggestion, please let us know!
  
• Schoolwork - essays, assignments that include literary/analytical writing (such as worksheets requiring analysis of parts of a novel) but not note taking or non-literary writing such as writing out math problems
  
• Giving critique (but only the words you wrote! If you gave 1000 words of critique but 300 of those were quotes of the original writing, add 700 words)
  
• Stream of consciousness writing
  
• Vents/rambles
  
• Formal emails that are longer than a paragraph
  
• Explanatory SWC dailies that are longer than a paragraph
  
• Words from comics
  
• Parodies (so long as it’s mostly your original thought)
  

As a general rule, if it contains your original ideas, it counts.

What doesn’t count

• Notetaking
  
• Texting, commenting, etc.
  
• Copying another person’s writing
  
• Translating
  
• Writing thing out from memory / copying things out (e.g. copying out a textbook, lyric spam)
  
• Code - even if using a text based programming language!
  

Needing proof

• If your leader thinks that the amount you’re writing is unrealistic, they may ask for proof or choose not to add it.
  
• You must outline what you were writing when you add words. Your leaders will not be allowed to add the words otherwise! (a sufficient outline could look like: “365 words were from an english worksheet, 1946 were from working on my novel, 568 from the daily, 2868 from working on an essay”. Be aware that a timespan for the writing is not a sufficient outline!)
  
• If you are uncomfortable sharing proof for writing, that’s okay! Exceptions to giving proof (even for large blocks of writing) can be provided on an individual basis and you will have better luck getting one if you cooperate and are willing to give partial proof and detailed explanations/descriptions on what you’ve written. Other solutions to this can include giving a leader/host proof in a discreet location (on scratch of course - this could be editing an old forum post or putting it in a comment inside an old project).

Reserves

• Reserves are words that you don’t add right away.
  
• Only up to 10k words may be added at a time, regardless of whether or not you share the writing.
  
• An exception may be granted if you were unable to access Scratch for over a week. Please contact a host if this is the case!
  
• All words become reserves after camp is over in all timezones.

Activities

• Activities must be submitted before they end in UTC, even if the Main Cabin description has not been updated yet!
  
• Campers and leaders are expected to give all required proof for weeklies and dailies, and it must be submitted on time to earn points.
  
• Proof must be provided on Scratch, and all writing must be Scratch appropriate if you need to provide proof for it. Photos of writing count as proof, and may be shared using a Scratch-approved image host.
  

Dailies

• If you have a question about a daily, ask in the main cabin! Hosts and/or leaders will make a judgment on this - if you’re a camper, please refrain from answering any questions that are subject to interpretation (clarifying rules and such is fine!), leave it to the leaders and hosts please <3
  
• Extensions for dailies are unavailable as there really isn’t any point in granting them given the low point value and short timeframe of dailies.
  

Weeklies

• If you are uncomfortable sharing proof for a weekly, you should contact the hosts or your leader as early as possible. Exceptions to giving proof can be provided on an individual basis and you will have better luck getting one if you let us know early (as opposed to simply refusing to give proof when trying to add your weekly). Other solutions to this can include giving a leader/host proof in a discreet location (on scratch of course - this could be editing an old forum post or putting it in a comment inside an old project).
  
• If you have queries about a weekly, try to wait until a host or member of the daily team can clarify.
  
• Extensions for weeklies can be granted on an individual basis. You should let the hosts know as early as possible and you can discuss it with us from there.

Writing Competition, Word Wars, & Cabin Wars

Information on these events is provided as time progresses during the session. However, if you have any questions beforehand, you’re more than welcome to reach out to a host with them!

Honoraries

Honoraries are people who are NOT participating in a session of SWC, but are invited by a leader to hang out in a cabin as an unofficial member and boost morale and/or have a role in the storyline. However, they are restricted from doing anything that leaders would typically do, such as adding words. They may not be listed in the cabin description.

If you would like to partake in a different cabin's activities or storyline, you can ask that leader if you can do so. This does NOT make you an honorary. Rather, you are just a member of a cabin who is participating in the activities of another cabin. The leader may agree or refuse (and they may decide how much of a role you can have and which of the activities you may do), and you are expected to be accepting of any decision they make. Leaders are also not allowed to list people who do this in the cabin description, and they cannot make any further contributions than completing the activities.

Anyone is welcome to hang out or boost cabin morale in other cabins at any point. Do try to be the most enthusiastic in your own cabin, though — your fellow campers will appreciate it!

Please see this project if you have more questions.

Arguments and Drama

• If any links to leader discussions are leaked, please ignore the comments. If it can be classified as spam, you can report the comments, but please don’t mass report with multiple accounts as that can lead to alerts from the ST.
  
• If you get into a fight with anyone, it’s best to stop responding so it doesn’t escalate. You can ask your leader or a host for help. Of course, report any offensive material you see as part of such an argument (e.g. projects calling people to report a specific user or people speaking badly about others).
  
• Please take care to not take cabin rivalries too far! Using this tone indicators guide can be helpful in ensuring that no one’s feelings get hurt. If you do feel that someone has gone beyond friendly jokes, you can remind them that it’s just for fun, report the comments, or ask a leader/host for help, depending on what you feel fits the situation!
  

Thanks for reading all of this! Again, if you have any questions or believe there should be an exception, please comment on a host's profile, not in this forum

FIRST POST wip!

Kenzie's Writing Corner

Hello hello! Welcome to my writing corner ; ) All of my dailies, weeklies, and other pieces will be here! : D

Dailies
Daily 1 | 1k Word Intro | 1337
Daily 2 | Letter to our future selves | 423
Daily 3 | Title | Words
Daily 4 | Title | Words
Daily 5 | Title | Words
Daily 6 | Title | Words
Daily 7 | Title | Words
Daily 8 | Title | Words
Daily 9 | Title | Words
Daily 10 | Title | Words
Daily 11 | Title | Words
Daily 12 | Title | Words
Daily 13 | Title | Words
Daily 14 | Title | Words
Daily 15 | Title | Words
Daily 16 | Title | Words
Daily 17 | Title | Words
Daily 18 | Title | Words
Daily 19 | Title | Words
Daily 20 | Title | Words
Daily 21 | Title | Words
Daily 22 | Title | Words
Daily 23 | Title | Words
Daily 24 | Title | Words
Daily 25 | Title | Words
Daily 26 | Title | Words
Daily 27 | Title | Words
Daily 28 | Title | Words
Daily 29 | Title | Words
Daily 30 | Title | Words
Daily 31 | Title | Words

Weeklies
Weekly 1 | Title | Words
Weekly 2 | Title | Words
Weekly 3 | Title | Words
Weekly 4 | Title | Words

Cabin Wars
Cabin Wars 1 | Title | Words
Cabin Wars 2 | Title | Words

Word Wars
Word Wars 1 | Title | Words
Word Wars 2 | Title | Words
Word Wars 3 | Title | Words
Word Wars 4 | Title | Words
Word Wars 5 | Title | Words
Word Wars 6 | Title | Words
Word Wars 7 | Title | Words
Word Wars 8 | Title | Words
Word Wars 9 | Title | Words
Word Wars 10 | Title | Words
Word Wars 11 | Title | Words
Word Wars 12 | Title | Words
Word Wars 13 | Title | Words
Word Wars 14 | Title | Words
Word Wars 15 | Title | Words
Word Wars 16 | Title | Words
Word Wars 17 | Title | Words
Word Wars 18 | Title | Words
Word Wars 19 | Title | Words
Word Wars 20 | Title | Words
Word Wars 21 | Title | Words
Word Wars 22 | Title | Words
Word Wars 23 | Title | Words
Word Wars 24 | Title | Words
Word Wars 25 | Title | Words
Word Wars 26 | Title | Words
Word Wars 27 | Title | Words
Word Wars 28 | Title | Words
Word Wars 29 | Title | Words
Word Wars 30 | Title | Words
Word Wars 31 | Title | Words

Other
Other 1 | Title | Words
Other 2 | Title | Words
Other 3 | Title | Words
Other 4 | Title | Words
Other 5 | Title | Words
1k word intro | 1337
Thank You Notes | Words
Writing Competition Entry (regular) | Words

The End! Thank you for reading any of my writing and any feedback, or thoughts, would be appreciated on my profile!

Pepper's Writing Thread ✧ SWC July '24

Table of Contents
✩ Dailies
↳ 01 :: 1k Word Intro :: 1052/1000 words
↳ 02 :: Letter to my Future Self :: 220/200 words
↳ 03 :: Fast Forwarding Ten Years :: 1412/500 words
↳ 04 :: Turn an Instrumental into Words :: 365/300 words
↳ 05 :: Word Wars :: 156 words
↳ 06 :: LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS :: 1760/400 words (no proof because it's too graphic for scratch sobbing)
↳ 07 :: How To… :: 288/250 words
↳ 08 :: Make Idioms Literal :: 457/400 words
↳ 09 :: Hero's Journey Outline :: 509 words
↳ 10 :: Use Someone's Outline :: 955/400 words
↳ 11 :: Product Advertisement :: 305/200 words
↳ 12 :: Critiquitaire :: 0 words
↳ 13 :: Cabin Wars :: 1506 words
↳ 14 :: Character Habits :: 0/xxx words
↳ 15 :: Character Aesthetic :: 6/6 pictures
↳ 16 :: Creative Liberties Spin :: 0 words
↳ 17 :: Someone Who Can See Ghosts :: 366/300 words
↳ 18 :: Roleplay Day :: ? words
↳ 19 :: Inanimate Object's Perspective :: 363/300 words
↳ 20 :: Bi-Daily Part One - Answer a Prompt :: 0/50 characters
↳ 21 :: Bi-Daily Part Two - Vote For Your Favorite Answers :: 0/0 words
↳ 22 :: description :: xxx/xxx words
↳ 23 :: SWC Suggestions :: 0/300 words
↳ 24 :: Alternate SWC Acronym Story :: 0/300 words
↳ 25 :: World Is Ending :: 239/200 words
↳ 00 :: description :: xxx/xxx words
↳ 00 :: description :: xxx/xxx words
↳ 00 :: description :: xxx/xxx words
↳ 00 :: description :: xxx/xxx words
↳ 00 :: description :: xxx/xxx words
↳ 31 :: Thank You Notes :: xxx/xxx words

✩ Weeklies
↳ 01 :: xxxx words
↳ 02 :: 1518/1150 words
↳ 03 :: xxxx words
↳ 04 :: 2640/1800 words

✩ Word Wars
↳ 01 :: luna :: 157 words :: win
↳ 02 :: moonlit :: 174 words :: loss
↳ 03 :: sarah :: 157 words :: loss
↳ 04 :: recca :: 237 words :: win
↳ 05 :: kit :: 174 words :: win
↳ 06 :: alana :: 243 words :: win/loss
↳ 07 :: user :: xxx words :: win/loss
↳ 08 :: user :: xxx words :: win/loss
↳ 09 :: user :: xxx words :: win/loss
↳ 10 :: user :: xxx words :: win/loss

✩ Critiquitaire
↳ 01 :: user :: xxx words
↳ 02 :: user :: xxx words

✩ Extras
↳ 01 :: activity :: xxx words
↳ 02 :: activity :: xxx words

✩ Important Links
↳ Bi-Fi Minion Mania :: Winning Cabin
↳ EagIe Hair Club :: Word Count Group
↳ Main Cabin :: SWC July '24

silky's writing thread ౨ৎ for horror!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

. dailies

daily #2 | 217 words

. weeklies

weekly #2 | xxx words

. word wars

word war #1 | 153 words

4th not using this, link to my writing thread is heerree!

Daily 1 - July 1st, 2024

Let’s get the worst over first. One thing you have to know about me is that I’m terrible at jokes and puns, and although I could look up one right now, I’m going to take the liberty of actually trying to recall or make up one right now. Give me a second… knock knock! Who’s there? Loud mooing cow! Loud mooing cow who? Moo!
Peak humor, I tell you.
Anyways, to all of you who don’t know me, I’m Em, leader of the Horror cabin this session. This is my second time leading, and I’m just super pumped to be here for this session in July, especially because I took a break last year during this time, and I’m really sad to have missed the mega session. The July session is also important for me because the first time I joined SWC was exactly two years ago, on this day, in Fairytales, which is one of the best cabins!
I enjoy many things, but one of them is video games. Although I only play one currently, Honkai Star Rail, I love watching others play games such as Omori, Doki Doki Literature Club, Fran Bow, and Little Misfortune. Well technically these games are just ones I’ve watched people play most recently, can you see a pattern in these games?
If you didn’t get it, they’re all horror games. And yes I’ve had a bit of trouble sleeping these two weeks, but it’s fine, I’m fine! Though I watch people play horror games, please don’t ask me to do so, especially if I’m supposed to do it alone. Although I’m not that scared of the horror genre, I don’t have the guts actually to play a horror game. Though that’s true, I’ve found psychological horror to be very fascinating, and most of the horror games I’ve watched are psychological horror games whose storylines depend on how you interpret them. The human brain is very interesting.
I’m slowly finding that there are too many things that I want to learn more about or delve deeper into, but I’ve just found that I don’t have a lot of time. I’ve been drawing on Procreate and traditionally, but because of that I don’t have time to crochet, I’ve recently just started reading books again because now I have more time to do so during Summer Break, but I have less time to go on Scratch, etc.
This is really random, but I’ve never been one to watch Marvel or whatever the other thing is movies. Honestly, I don’t watch any movies often, unless someone my age comes to my house for dinner. This happened a few days ago, and after twenty minutes of trying to find a good movie on Disney Plus, I reluctantly went into the Marvel movies, and the person that was with me said that they watched one of the Avengers movies and they were good, so we decided to watch Avengers: Infinity Wars. We only watched through half of the movie, but I found that they were a lot cooler and the story is a lot better than I thought it would be. The only problem now is finding time to watch those movies, and if any of you have suggestions, please tell me them, because I need to save time!
One of my biggest insecurities is that I’m very versatile and able to do things in many fields, but I’ve never been the best at anything. I’ve always thought that my writing pieces have been pretty good, but they’re not the best. I’m good at art, but they’re not going to win any prizes anytime soon. I’m decent at Math, but I hate it. I love Science, but I’m really bad at it. I love playing piano but I can’t compare to some people at my school. The feeling of inferiority just gets to me sometimes, you know? I have no idea why I’m putting this about me, but if you’re going to get to know me, you might as well know one of my weaknesses, right?
My dreams of being a writer are probably not going to come true, but I have been writing this story, if you’re interested, on Wapadd. I’m trying my best to write more every day, and that story is a practice piece for me. It’s hard to describe what it’s about, and I’d be too embarrassed to say what it’s about (not that it’s inappropriate haha) because…it’s complicated. I’m at Chapter 21, and at first, I thought fifty chapters would do it, but since each chapter is only 1000 words, it’ll probably take 75-100 chapters to finish the story. But I really hope that I can finish it, as I’m already too attached to the characters and I want them to have a happy ending >:0 The story’s called ‘The Sweetest Con’ (Swifties anywhere? Can you tell me what song it’s from?)
If you’re interested in my music taste, I love Taylor Swift, as you may have seen from the sentence before, but she’s not the only person that I listen to! (Honestly, she really is overrated but like not overrated enough for Billie Eilish to have almost the same monthly listeners as her on Spotify!) Conan Gray and Sabrina Carpenter are another one of my favorites, and the others you guys probably wouldn’t have heard of, because they’re really small indie artists, but I love their music! Here, I’ll give you three artists that you probably don’t know, but just in case you do, here: Stephen Dawes, BETWEEN FRIENDS, and Lyn Lapid.
Going back to SWC, I’d love to get to know every single person here, but unfortunately, that’s impossible, so I’ll just hope that I can at least talk to a few of you, and I hope to all of the new campers, that you will love SWC and come back next session! It’s just so wonderful when I meet a new camper, and then I find them joining along for the next sessions, and they tell me about how much they love SWC.
I love it too. I hope SWC never ends.
That’s one of my biggest wishes <3
I think that’s fitting ending for my introduction, isn’t it?


total words: 1038 (woah finally first 1000 word introduction!!!)

Daily 2 - July 2nd, 2024

Dear Future Self,
I believe I have written one of these to you, and although I am my future self compared to that letter, maybe I still don’t know the answers to some things I wrote in that letter. So, to add to your burden, here’s more stuff that you’ll either feel bad about or think back to and say, that was nothing. Currently, the 2024 July SWC session has started, are you still in SWC now? Or has work taken over everything? I want to tell you, if you’re not doing it, please, if you can, find time to do so, and if you really can’t, please continue writing. It’s something so dear to me, and although we may not be the best at it, I enjoy it, and I hope that you still will, so do things you love, and that’s all that matters! Maybe you’re in a different school now. Maybe it hasn’t come for the time. Maybe you’ve already taken the dreaded test. Maybe you’ve already gotten into varsity. I just want to know, was all the fear worth the end result? Was all the stress I have now, worth the outcome? Have I done the silver award, or did I decide to do other things? Well, you’re probably too overwhelmed by everything I’m saying, so here, let’s take a positive affirmation break, maybe it’ll work for you. No matter where you are right now, or how you feel, I want you to know that even if no one has your back, I always will. Remember to put what you love first, and then do the other necessary things. Don’t ever lose your personality, I mean, some people have thought and may think you have none, but both you and I know that no matter what secrets we’re keeping inside of us, there are secrets. You will always matter to me, and keep living because YOLO. When you read this, you might be embarrassed, but right now, while writing this, I’m not, and you shouldn’t be. I love you. You may not think so, but I really do. Keep reading, drawing, writing, finding new hobbies, do whatever you want! Just keep doing. I’ll always think of you.

Fondly,
Em.

Total words: 373

Daily 3 - July 3rd, 2024

The kingdom of Arcenciel resides on the shores of the greatest sea, Major. As one of the smaller kingdoms in the world, Arcenciel’s economy mainly focuses on fishing, farming, and other crafts. They are a secluded kingdom, hardly engaging in trade with other kingdoms, after all, they are on the other side of the world. That being said, many other kingdoms find Arenciel intriguing, but they have no inclination to reciprocate the feeling. A tall stone wall surrounds the kingdom, protecting it from any monsters or lurking creatures outside of the kingdom. Although it is highly advised to stay inside Arcenciel, many of its citizens still take daily walks outside near the sea. They are a flourishing and happy country, there is barely any poverty, and most people have stable jobs. The kingdom is passed down through generations of one family, the self-proclaimed “sun hearts”. Most of the rulers have been just, and although they are the rulers of this land, they live in only a mansion, in the middle of the kingdom. All other leaders in this kingdom are voted for by the citizens of Arcenciel, and everyone is at peace. The only thing the citizens wish for is for the kingdom to stay this way, after all, it’s one of the only kingdoms that has never engaged in war or terror with other peoples, and they’re doing just fine like this.

Ten years later, Arcenciel is a shadow of what it was many years ago. As said before, though other kingdoms wanted to have relations with the kingdom, they refused to do so, thinking that it would only lead to pain and suffering. After their offer was received with such a cold response, many kingdoms, instead of thinking favorably toward Arcenciel, began to covet its happiness and resources, which ultimately led to Arcenciel’s demise. With all of those kingdoms having their jealous eyes fixated on the kingdom, they soon gathered their forces to attack it. Although Arcenciel was a wonderful kingdom, they were never prepared for war, and so they lost miserably. But even after victory, the other kingdoms could not decide who would take control of Arcenciel, and so while they fought between themselves, they also unknowingly started destroying the kingdom even more, one night, in a riot between two kingdoms, Arcenciel burned to the ground. After that, there was nothing more to say, and all the kingdoms counted up their losses, and begrudgingly returned home to their own kingdoms, because all that was left of Arcenciel was a barren, dust field, never to be found again.
Ten years later and finally the dust has settled, and life is starting again. But no human has ever set foot in this place since after every citizen was killed on that fateful night during the fire. The other kingdoms, too shameful to remember the history of Arcenciel when it was they who brought it down to ashes because of their greed, told the history books to forget there was ever a place past the great sea Major, and Arcenciel was nothing more than a myth spun from fairytales, speaking of a land where it is so heavenly, that it isn’t real. And so Arcenciel was slowly forgotten, and may never be found again.
… that is, until a brave explorer ventures upon Arcenciel’s shores again.

total words: 556

Daily 4 - July 4th, 2024

Two girls sit awkwardly on a bench, one of them, with short brown hair and round glasses, glances nervously around. She can’t help but look at the other girl, even if she knows she won’t be able to say what she wants.
At first, the other girl may look like any other pretty girl walking down the street, with pink flowers in her hair, and a warm smile, but in place of her feet are tree roots. Stuck to where she is, she looks off into the distance.
She’s so pretty, the glasses girl thinks. I want to start a conversation, but- she shakes her head. What if she doesn’t like me? What if she thinks I’m weird?
This is the seventh day that glasses girl has sat here with the tree girl, in hopes of starting a conversation with her. Every time, she hasn’t been able to build up the courage inside of herself to do so.
But something that has been building up inside of her are butterflies. Glasses girl can already imagine what it sounds like for tree girl to laugh. A beautiful, lighthearted one, one that hopefully she’ll give glasses girl when she finally speaks to her.
At long last, it’s too much for glasses girl, and she musters up all the courage inside her body to place her hand on top of tree girl’s. Tree girl doesn’t react, and instead keeps looking off into the distance. Glasses girl, on the other hand, she’s ecstatic, staring off in the other direction too, cheeks flushed, and if tree girl ever wanted to move enough that her head turned in glasses girl direction, she would be able to see her brilliant smile.
Suddenly, glasses girl heard a small intake of breath from tree girl, and whether it was because of the hand on hers, or because of something else, it was new. Glasses girl had never heard anything from tree girl, and now, her breathing felt like something so new and wonderful that she couldn’t help but squeal in excitement internally.
Glasses girl loved the fact that tree girl never said anything. She never judged her, even when she would come to tree girl every day. Well, whether or not tree girl had a choice was something to be argued, but if tree girl didn’t like glasses girl’s company, she could say something about it, right? But she hasn’t, and this makes glasses girl happy.
Very happy.
And so, they continue to sit there, hands intertwined now, one mobile and another immobile, their lives, now one for ten minutes, are both the happiest they’ll ever be.

total words: 438

Weekly 1

Part 1

My part: The icy lands of June, so cleverly named have been mostly a barren land full of glaciers, caverns, and freezing water. As it is located on the edge of a flat world, no one other than the native humans has ever passed through its mountains. The temperatures are barely warm enough to keep a person alive, yet the natives still live in houses made of ice, eating flavored ice, and even showering in it too. There have been no signs of animal or plant life to be found yet. As ice is the only thing to be found on this strange land, even explorers don’t come near it, deeming June worthless and uninhabitable, not knowing who presides there. But at night, it seems as if the skies in June are alive, with dancing colors and glowing images. The natives make stories, claiming that these images in the sky are real, and are the lives of beings millions of light years away, living their own life through a spectrum of hues. But when morning comes, the frigid cold eats away at the native's body, but still, they stay in June. (189 words)

Adding on to Olyiimpic's part!

(theirs)

Rocking himself back and forth in the old, rusty swing set, Cam observed the other children before him, solitary. It stung to see how they ran and laughed through the school's playground, chasing one another through the lush, green fields, but even more so that he would truly never join into this bliss. How could he, given Cam's reputation of inexplicably causing awful events to happen wherever he went?

A freak. That's what he was, though he never understood why he was the harbinger of such bad omens.

Cam redirected his gaze to a large, blackened tree stump in the distance- where it burned down the surrounding greenery a year prior when his family first moved to town. When he first began to introduce himself to, perhaps, the person who would call him a friend. Nervous nature ignited inside of him, and the rest was history. He became recluse, trying to cover up what he had done by hoping the others would forget him.

He briskly walked over, sitting down at its edge and moving his hands through the grass, gripping its edges. Perhaps things would change someday, and he could finally leave this forsaken town.


mine:

Ten winters came and went, freezing the earth below Cam’s feet, and his heart at the same time. He had tried his best to mingle around people, but in the end, he came to the grave conclusion that maybe, they would be better without him.

He hadn’t left his house for five years, and his parents were worried. What good is a child who doesn’t want to communicate with others? Cam had tried to explain to them what was happening, but they never understood. They wouldn’t ever.

Even school was a lost cause. If he had to answer a question, the teacher would suddenly get a cold, if he was working with other students, the next day they wouldn’t come back.

His therapist couldn’t try, even if he wanted to. After one session, Cam had been forbidden from coming back to his office after spilling a box full of sand, a coffee mug shattering for no apparent reason, and ten paper cuts on his therapist’s arms.

Now he sits, watching the rain fall down onto the hard cement ground, and he feels as if he’s trapped inside his head. Inside a world where nothing will go right for him. He wants to rip his head out. Maybe then he wouldn’t feel this pain. Maybe then there wouldn’t be parents whispering worriedly behind closed doors. Maybe he could be with someone.

But he can’t. (233 words)

Daily 8 - July 8th 2024

idiom: break the ice

It had taken me a whole day to get to this camp, and now all we’re doing is staring uncomfortably at each other.
A few minutes ago, my mother had just dropped me offf after coming with me from our home from across the world.
“Lili, this is good for your English! You’ll get to see what America is like, and you can make some friends there.” She had told me excitedly. As someone who was never able to come to America, she had placed all her dreams on me, and I’m pretty sure she thinks that this is the start of a new era for me, and more importantly her. “It’s just a regular camp for three weeks, I’m sure you’ll be fine.” She chastised me after I told her I didn’t want to come. “You don’t even have to learn anything, it’s going to be so easy!”
So easy? Say that to me now, when ten of us our looking at each other as our cabin counseler tries to get us to talk. “How about we all break the ice?’
I look at the counseler strangely. I think her name was Grace. But what does break the ice mean? This must be one of those things that they say but don’t actually do, I tell myself confidently. They wouldn’t have us actually break ice, right? And for what reason would they in the first place?
“We’ll do some activies to get to know each other when we break the ice!” Grace repeats. “Here, give me a second and I’ll come back with the ice, and then we can start.” She rushes out of the cabin, apparently to get ice. I’m so confused. Is America like this all the time?
The other girls seem as if nothing strange has happened, so I’ll assume it is an American thing. While we wait for Grace to come back, some of them start talking with each other, but I’m too scared to join in. No one starts talking to me.
After a few minutes, Grace comes back, pushing a huge block of ice. I’ve never seen one as big or clear as the one in front of me right now. It’s shiny huge, and definitely very cold. I resist the urge to touch it.
“I brought pickaxes!” Grace cheers, as she hands each person one. I stare at mine curiously. So, we’re supposed to break the ice with this? I don’t think I’m strong enough for this, but I guess I can try.
“Let’s go in a circle. Each person says their name and their favorite animal, and then they get to hit the ice five times. We keep going around the circle, and after everyone has went, we switch what you have to say. Whoever breaks the ice first wins! I’ll go first, I’m Grace, your counseler, and my favorite animal is a chipmunk.” She gives the ice five hard gashes, each time she looks concentrated, as if she really wants to win this.
As everyone takes their turn, they have the same sentiment. All the girls who were bored earlier take extra care to hit the ice as hard as they can.
So I decide to too. “I’m Lily, and my favorie animal is a tiger.” That introduction should probably do the trick. Taking my pickaxe, I make sure to aim where the crack is the largest, and hit it on the nose five times. On the fifth time, I heard something break, and the ice cube came tumbling down.
“Great job Lily!” Grace clapped in excitement. “Well, now it’s time for lunch! Hurry off everyone!”
And with that, the room was empty in the matter of seconds.
So why was everyone so serious about this again? By the looks of it, I feel like no one cared, but at least I won.

total words: 684

Bi-daily Part 1 - July 9th, 2024

Ordinary World -

In a small and distant town from all other civilizations, a girl named Wisteria lives with her older sister. After both her parents passed in a tragic sinking of a ship while they were off doing business, her sister Alora took care of her. Usually Alora works at her job nonstop to be able to earn enough money for the both of them while Wisteria attends a small school. She’s perfectly happy with her life, and although some days there might not be enough food on the table, it always feels cosy, in this home that she lives in.

Call to Adventure -

One day, Alora gets a job opportunity that promised great riches if she accepted it. Knowing that it would be best for both her and Wisteria to take it, she did. The only issue is that the job required her to go far away from Wisteria, but she had to leave. Now Wisteria remains alone in her home, and Alora mails money every month to her, along with a letter, telling her all about how wonderful the real world is. Wisteria misses Alora, but wants to stay where she is. After a year, she gets a letter, this time not from Alora, but from the mysterious company that hired her. Apparently an unfortunate accident happened to Alora, and her whereabouts are unknown. They instead now offer the job that Alora had to Wisteria.

Refusal of the Call -

Being perfectly happy where she is, Wisteria doesn’t want to go work at some strange city. But she knows that if Alora truly is gone, then soon Wisteria won’t have any money to support herself. At first, she tries to ignore the letter, but after another month, it became clear that she needed the money, so she wrote back, asking if the job is still available, and after only a few days, she got a response, saying that she could start to work now. Wisteria knows that not only does she need to earn enough money to go back to her little town, she needs to find out what happened to Alora, after all, she doesn’t think that she disappeared with no warning, Alora isn’t one to do that. Maybe, her parent’s death could have something to do with this too.

Meeting the Mentor -

On her way to the city where her job is at, Wisteria stops a woman because at first, she thought they were Alora. When they turned around, although still looking strikingly familiar, she knew that it wasn’t her. Instead, they start talking, and Wisteria shows the woman where she’s going to work at. The woman warns her about how she heard that that company was known for ‘accidents’ and ‘disapperances’. Wisteria thanks the woman for her help, and the woman in turn gives her a strange device, telling her that if she gets in trouble, the woman will know. Although Wisteria finds this a bit strange, she also realizes that this device can do many things, with a laser weapon, gps tracker, speaker, and more. She continues on.

Crossing the First Threshold -

When Wisteria reaches the strange building, she discovers that her job is to take care of magical animals that powered the city in many ways, heat, electricity, water, and more. All of this is to prevent global warming, because if you use magical animals to work, they won’t produce as much carbon dioxide as coal or gases. Wisteria, at first doesn’t think to much of it, and her first job is just to tend to the animals. Refilling water and food bowls, cleaning the high-maintenence ones, and just earning a lot of money.

Initiation

Tests, Allies, and Enemies -

Wisteria soon discovers that this strange building is not as it seems. Aided by the help of a spy pretending to be worked called Sky, she discovers that these animals have been illegally transported to the city and are being illegally worked in sweathouses. She also realizes that her sister probably rebelled agains the company, thus they took care of her and made her disappear into thin air. She decides to free all the animals, and at night Wisteria and Sky sneak in, only to be caught by a night watch. After a chase scene and some fighting, Wisteria using her strange laser device, they free half of the animals, the other half were in high-security places where they had no chance of opening. More things happen while Wisteria tries to destroy the company with Sky.

Approach to the Innermost Cave -

Soon, the company realizes who has been behind all of them and captured Sky, sending a message to Wisteria to meet with one of the company’s bigshots, probably because Wisteria was in hiding, not wanting what happened to Alora happen to her. She prepares to meet the worker, not before calling the strange woman, and receiving a few weapons just in case she’ll need them at the meeting.

Ordeal -

At the meeting, the worker threatens her, saying that they know that she possess powerful weapons, and that if she hands them over, then she can go free, but not after she signs a contract, paying for her silence. Wisteria obviously refuses, and cut to the first real boss fight, where they unleash a mad magical animal onto her. She wins, but spares the animal, knowing that it’s been through a lot.

The Reward -

While escaping the company’s building, she finds a strange room and decides to enter it quickly, before discovering that her sister’s been trapped inside it for months. She leaves with her sister, and decides to return home, but apparently her sister has been paralyzed from some kind of machinery the company has in order for her to not try to escape.

The Road Back -

The company sends many of their workers and animals to attack Wisteria and paralyzed Alora, but even when the battles came close, Wisteria always won.

Resurrection -

When they finally reach home, Wisteria discovers the strange woman standing on their doorstep. She introduces herself as their aunt, and the CEO of that company that they were both working for. At first, she just wanted to do Wisteria and Alora a favor by giving them a job at her company, but when she realized that they didn’t have the same ideas about her company, she decided to see what both of them will do. She tells them that she is very disappointed by the two of them, and starts attacking. It seems as if Wisteria will lose, but at the last moment, Sky swoops by, knocking Wisteria’s aunt out.

Return With the Elixir -

Things go back to normal. Wisteria goes back to school Alora continues with her old job after her paralyzation wore over. Their aunt is detained and confesses that she also made the ‘accident’ that killed their parents. Wisteria finds this hard to believe, as someone who has been very sheltered, this is a reality check. But Wisteria knows she did the right thing by destroying her aunt’s company, and now also goes to a shelter that has magical animals and takes care of them. The End.

Total words: 1190

Part - 2

Using @Theoddity's refusal of call outline part

I stare at the letter. The words seem to beautiful and mystical to believe that it was true. The village boys have always loved to play pranks on me, so it wouldn’t be something new if they sent me on some wild goose chase adventure for me to return and for them to start laughing hysterically about how gullible I was to believe it.
So I decide to ignore the letter, but as I flip it over just to check the back, I see my family seal imprinted on it. A crescent moon and three stars. Something I haven’t seen in a long time. I have vague memories of my parents stamping the seal on all the letters they wrote, but that stamp was long gone, and I hadn’t seen wax in years.
Who could’ve written this? Only members of the family have the family’s special seal, so it couldn’t be any of the boys, unless they stole it from me, but why would they do this? It’s too elaborate to be a prank. The most that they would do is booby trap the path that leads to my cottage to dump mud on me. It can’t be them.
Whatever this is, it’s too dangerous for me to meddle in. So I put the letter back into it’s envelope, and decide to ignore it’s wishes. After all, who knows what will happen if I follow it’s instructions?
After a few days of the same old scavenging for food and money, I come home, tired and upset from the village boys who had decided to make me slip in the neighboring swamp, making my whole body wet and covered with bugs.
As I take off my shabby clothes to change into another pair of shabby clothes, my eye catches the envelope again. I reconsider. Why shouldn’t I follow the envelope’s directions? Even if it’s dangerous, I have nothing to lose. Would I rather go on a dangerous adventure than stay here and be berated at?
I might as well travel to find it’s sender, maybe they’ll have information about my parents, after all, they have the family seal. Maybe they’ll have answers. I can never say no to answers.
Maybe I should go.
So I do.
Packing up the last of my few belongings, I leave the abandoned cottage. All that remains in there is stuff that no one would want, stuff that I only took because I had to. It’s like I’m moving away from this town. To a new chapter of my life.
And I can’t say I’m not enjoying it.

total words: 432

Daily 11 - July 11th, 2024

As you lay in bed after a long day, you’re bound to get hungry, right? Well, when you have your daily late night cravings, now you don’t have to get out of bed and disturb everyone too! Introducing the all new and patented Pizza Blanket! (eatable version) With this blanket, you can stay warm, and eat it whenever you want to.
There are many different versions of pizza blankets, cheese, extra cheese, pepperoni, meat loves, mushroom, any toppings you want! With the Pizza Blanket you’ll never have to order out for pizza anymore! You’ll have pizza at home! Pizza at home: Pizza Blanket.
Made by the top chefs of the century, we assure you that the craftsmanship of our Pizza Blankets is top notch. You will never be disappointed by the Pizza Blanket you order!
Your Pizza Blanket will come with Warm It Up™ technology that keeps your Pizza Blanket exactly how warm you want it to be. Whether you’re a cold connoisseur or a fanatic of the heat, the Warm It Up™ will do exactly as you want it to.
If you’re wondering, just how you can get this wonderful Pizza Blanket, we have an unlimited supply on the shelves of IKEA, and only IKEA. If you’re feeling a bit lazy today, we also have the option to shop online on IKEA too! Remember, this invention is exclusive in IKEA, the BEST furniture store to ever exist!
Well, what are you doing here? Go out or go onto IKEA’s website to get your very first Pizza Blanket, if you buy one, you get the second one free! Prices may vary. There is no 100% complete confirmation that you won’t be soaked in oil by the next day. Meat may be raw or cooket. Chefs are all taken specifically from the IKEA kitchen to make these Pizza Blankets. Human consumption of Pizza Blanket may lead to health issues like cancer, trouble giving birth, and birth defects. Consume at your own choice.

total words: 333

Weekly 2 -

Part 1, Three Word Stories

I’m sorry. I never thought that it would end up this way. Call me crazy, but I really thought we could do this. It’s probably my fault actually, for being too reckless, too rash, when all you wanted was for us to be happy.
I’m sorry I even brought up the idea of loving you. I’m sorry I ever persuaded you to agree. Thinking back to it, you were always reluctant. Maybe the only reason you ever wanted this was because I wanted this and you never wanted to make me feel bad.
Even when you only loved me as a friend. Even when you only wished the best for me, I dragged us down into the sinking waters, pushing your head down so I could breathe. I was so ignorant, so stupid, and you just let it happen.
Why did you let it happen?
I know it doesn’t excuse my behavior, but why did you let me do those terrible things to you? Did you really love me, just not in the way I wanted you to love?
And I’m sorry it’s come to t his, that I have to write this letter, but I can’t bear to see your grave, when I have so many questions to ask you, when I have so many apologies for you to accept or to not accept, and I just want to talk to you like we could before everything came down.
I pushed your head down in the water, allowing me to breathe, but making you drown in the salty seas.
Can I really give this letter to you Will you really read it? I don’t know if you can tell me, but I just want to say I’m sorry. I really thought this would work out. I really thought we’d be happier, when all I did was make it worse. At first, I thought I was happier too. But instead, I was too controlling.
You just sat there, with your pretty face, smiling at me. Mouth shut, and that’s all you did. Couldn’t you have tried harder for the both of us too?
Well, now everything’s over, so I guess it doesn’t matter, because you paid your price in tenfold, and I left unscathed from this relationship of sorts. Please forgive me, and I’ll forgive you too. (Words: 387)

Part 2 - Best-selling bookstore

“I’ve always moved around a lot. Never staying in the same place, never making the same friends. People always felt bad for me, and all I could do was nod and try to zone out while they expressed their dearest condolences to a person who could never be somewhere for more than a month at once. We’d move every time we saw my face on a poster labeled MISSING. Then it was time to run.” (75 words)

Story part:

This was it. I it was the perfect plan. If I can’t have love, then I’ll force these two to be together! I pump my fists up in the air excitedly. My plan would definitely work. They both often cross paths in the dairy section, so if I somehow rig it so they are stuck together…
If the supermarket had an elevator, it would’ve been perfect! But unfortunately, it doesn’t. The only good thing that I have on my side is that fact that they always go shopping every week on Saturday at the exact same time. I know right? It was meant to be!
I’d tell them both to go to the dairy aisle, saying that the 2% milk had a discount of 50%, and there were only a few left, and if they wanted to get it, they’d have to go to the dairy section! Both of them don’t buy 2% milk and will take a few minutes searching for it, so if I time it right, both of them can be there searching for the 2% milk! I’ll make sure to remove all the 2% milks until they leave, placing only one somewhere hard to find, so that they’ll be arguing about who should get the 2% milk, and bam, they’ll fall in love!
I know it’s not a very stable plan, but I know both of them can’t resist a deal. After a year studying both of their habits, they always buy anything that’s on sale. Hopefully the milk is the same thing.
Looking at my watch, it was almost time. The automatic doors open, and I rush to see who’s there, pretending as if I’m walking around, looking for people to find. Surprisingly, they walk in at the same time, but ignore each other. Although this is reasonable behavior for two strangers to act like, it still deflates some hope in my chest.
I shake my head. No. They’re perfect together. All I have to do is play cupid and they’ll get married in a few months and invite me to their wedding! I’ll be able to cry happily in the front row as they kiss, knowing that their happiness was because of me.
Taking a deep breath, I shout. “50% off of 2% milk! That’s a lot of percents! Limited time only until stock runs out!” Hopefully I don’t get in trouble with my boss. Hopefully no one else reaches the milk first. Wait. I got it! I could block anyone from taking the 2% milk until they come! Ah, I can be so helpful sometimes.
Both of their faces light up, as if they’ve been told they won the lottery. Without even taking a shopping cart like they usually do, they dart to the milk aisle without hesitating. I follow behind them, trying to pretend like I’m not totally following them.
“This milk is mine!”
“* off you little mother f****”
“Well you should go *******!”
“Bold of you to say when you’re a little *** who has the audacity to take this milk from my *** hands **** you this is mine!”
I gulp. Those two voices are definitely them. Why are they fighting so much though?
“**** off you little ***hole! I never want to see you again!”
One of them runs away, holding the 2% milk, while the other flips them off.
What have I done? (561 words)

Part - 3 Ekphrastic Poem

Young Ladies of the Village
Based on the painting by Gustave Courbet

A strange sight to behold
For it is a combination of lifestyles
The poor and the wealthy
Standing together
On lush grassy cliff

On the side are two cows
Grazing happily
While they look upon
The scene that
Unfurls in front of them
Alas, we’ll never know
What they would think
Of what’s happening

Right next to the cows
Is a little dog
Gazing keenly at the gentle giants
It seems to have been brought up
In a world that many envy
Its coat gleaming,
Tail curled
Alert and ready

It stands near three young women
Parasols clutched,
Sunday hats
And Bonnets worn
With fancy clothes
Few can afford
Silky
Colorful
And posh
It’s clear that those women know who they are

Yet the girl besides them
Did not have the same upbringing
A stark contrast
With a cloth covering her hair,
Farmers hat on her back,
Barefoot,
Tarnished clothes,
She looks eagerly at the
Piece of bread covered in sauce
In food
That one of the fancy girls is holding towards her

Yet it doesn’t seem as if they’re happy
The one clutching a parasol looks
Disdainfully
At the little girl
As if one who can’t afford food
Is beneath all of them.
Alls to say is that
These girls must be on vacation
And the little one
Must be fighting for her life
Every day

239 words

Part 4 - Google Translate

Translated Part:

There is a woman nearby.
The house has a balcony.
So the dress is amazing.
in conjunction with the fabric.
with the dress
You can buy a lot
That's just two thanks
excellent
cool
What are you talking about

Story out of it:

The woman sits on the porch, waving her fan in the torrid heat as she sighs. At least the house has a balcony, to sit and view the wonders of summertime from the leisure of her home. How wonderful!
Her dress is wonderful too. Though may fail to mention, she takes great pride in how the fabric is in conjunction with the dress. It surely is a sight to behold, pink silk woven together with patterns of marigolds and lily-of-the-valleys. The length of the dress may be a bit too long for summer, but that doesn’t stop her from wearing it almost every day. Why should you sacrifice fashion in the name of heat? What kind of noble cause would that be?
She treasures this dress a lot, of you weren’t able to notice. A gift from her late father, someone she hardly talks about. Many others scorn the fact that he died of an early age on the battlefield, but she knows better. He bought her this dress. That put him in her good books. It’s enough for her. Others don’t understand as much as he did. People tell her to stop worrying about worldly troubles like getting mud on her dress, but little do they know, you can buy a lot with the money that the dress costs, so if perchance any time comes by when she has to sell it, she will get good money out of it. They don’t understand that.
Dresses are the best way to covertly earn money. Each dress can be worth up to millions of dollars. What they don’t know is that while she may not love her dresses that much to keep them after her death, she loves them enough to sell them for a staggering profit, which she has already begun to do. It only takes a few braincells to realize that this is good for business. She has at least that many in her head.
Every time someone purchases her dresses off the market, where she gets a merchant to sell them, she makes sure to give two thanks, and two thanks only for every dress sold, just like how she did when her father gave her that treasured dress she is currently wearing. It’s a tradition that must be upheld, no matter what circumstances she is in. It’s surely such an excellent and cool ploy, well how do you think she earned that much money to buy a house with a balcony?
She stops and pauses, on her rocking chair, staring out at the sunset. What was she talking about again? She can’t remember very well now. Shaking her head, she goes back to her leisure and comfort that her dresses have given her.
She doesn’t have to worry about anything anymore. But a nagging feeling still stays at the back of her mind. Has she forgotten something? All her anxiety about how death is inevitable and eventually the whole world will be swallowed up by the sun takes over her. She collapses, barely breathing. Then she sees her pretty little pink dress that’s too warm for the occasion.
She sits back up. What was she thinking about again? (531 words)

1718 words in total

Daily 14 - July 14 2024

List of good habits:

Organizing your time
Making a schedule
Being polite to everyone you meet
Prioritizing things that need to be done first or things that are the most important, and leaving the fun to after.
Eating healthy
Being respectful
Knowing a time and place for everything you do

Alice has never been the best at figuring out when to do things. Sometimes she’d forget that she had homework, and decide to play games. Sometimes she’d go out even though she did know that there were things to be done. Sometimes, when she was feeling it, she would do waht she needed to do, and very quickly. It really did depend on her mood.
And Alice was fine with that. She didn’t see any problem, because as long as she gets things done in the end, what’s the big issue here? If she’s feeling that she doesn’t want to do it now, she’ll just do it later. It would’ve been fine for her to continue like this, that is if she wanted to be the kind of person who does this. But she doesn’t.
One night, Alice comes home from school, burnt out and tired. Tomorrow is the due date for one of the biggest projects for her marketing class, a power point presentation. She’s been holding back from finishing it because it never seemed interesting, and she had been always distracted by other things, like a trip to the cafe, or a new skin on her favorite character.
Today is no different. It’s been a long day, with heavy classes, and all Alice wants to do is sit back, relax, and watch a movie. She knows that her powerpoint is tomorrow, but tells herself that she’ll do it after the movie. It’s only two hours, after all.
She heats up some popcorn, turns on the movie, and starts enjoying. It turns out that today had been very stressful, because not long after the movie, she finds it hard to get out of the bedsheets that’s she’s in. Looking at the clock, it’s only eleven. If she takes an hour nap, she’ll still be able to finish the project, right?
Wrong. After forgetting to set an alarm, she wakes up and realizes that she completely missed her class, but even if she went, she’d have nothing to present, other than a few white slides with “Marketing 101” plastered on them.
As someone who has always wanted to succeed in her classes, this came as a surprise to her, it had never happened. She vows to next time, make sure to schedule her time better, otherwise she won’t end up in a very good position with life.
Failing your classes won’t be very good on your resume, will it?

459 words total

Daily 15 -



Daily 16 - July 16th 2024


Wires turn and gears clack as I reside comfortably in my home. It’s been a long day, and it’ll be even longer once the calls come in. All I can do is wait and sip on some kind of liquid that may or may not be alcohol. I can’t really tell.
Though many people may think that I’m a liar, I call myself someone who ‘avoids the truth’. It’s a very useful trick, especially at work when you just need to do what you need to do to make some money.
A few wrenches and nails lie on my workplace, and so does a small dial phone with a wire that connects to an elaborate machine that I had tinkered a while ago so that when the phone rings, the lights flash out and then back until you pick up the phone. Motivation so that I don’t get too lazy.
The phone rings once, and I pick it up immediately, placing it right next to my ear. “Hello, Pemberly Associates, who’s calling?”
“Hi, yes, I need a lawyer. Is there anybody you can send my way.”
Clearing my throat, I get ready to make something up. “Of course, we have all the best lawyers in London. May I ask when you can meet and I will set up a date for you?”
“Tomorrow at 5 o’clock works for me,” the garbled voice tells me.
I pretend to flip through a logbook, looking at the blank pages as if they really meant something and was a puzzle in disguise. “I think that will be good. One of our lawyers will be contacting you at your home address tomorrow. All we ask is that you make a cash deposit first at the post office, box 1753. Then, all your needs fill be satisfied.”
“Just making sure, you have the best lawyers in London, right? And I have to give you the cash deposit before the services are fulfilled?”
“Yep,” I respond eagerly. “That’s the only way we’ll send that lawyer to you.”
They agree after a few more minutes of debating, and I hang up. Looking to the right, I see the cash pile that I’ve gotten over the last week. I wonder what I’ll be able to do with it, what I should buy. It’s a lot of money from just avoiding the truth.
The phone rings again, and I pick it up on the second ring. “Hello, is this Pilking and Co. Mechanics? I need some help with the machines in my house.”
I switch my facade quickly, before answering. “May I ask what machines need to be fixed? We have a variety of talented employees, and we’re trying our best to cater exactly to what each customer needs so that you’ll be satisfited with the job our employees will do.”
“My, my,” the customer sounds pleased. “I’m so glad that you take our interests into account. It’s hard to find a hard-working company that really tries their best to make sure that their customers are happy. Here, I’ll deposit some cash at your box, and just tell one of your employees to come to my house at ten o’clock sharp in the morning. I have some issues with the bathroom water not coming out, but I’m sure you’ll be able to fix it.”
I lie completely. “Of course. We’ll do our best to try and fix your water. See you tomorrow!”
After a few more calls and people confirming they’ll drop money, I have a small dinner of beans and toast, this time rationing completely. Food is short, but with all this money, I’ll be able to do more.
Grabbing a dark shirt and mask, I go to the post office.
Once I get there, I pull out my box and see how much cash is in there. Holding back a gasp, I take it all out. I can’t believe my eyes. I haven’t had a day as good as this since a very long time ago. Today I had hit the jackpot. I would be going home with all of this.
I get home, get a bag, and put all my money in it.
Then, I walk down the dark streets to a place I’ve already memorized long before. It says “Local Orphanage”
Walking in, there is a tired lady at the front counter, but when she sees my face, she lights up. “Welcome again!”
“I’m here to make a donation,” I place the bag on the counter. “All this money today for the kids.”
She looks up at me gratefully. “We’ve never met someone so kind. This will help everyone so much. The kids will be so happy. Would you like to visit them someday? I’m sure they’ll appreciate it!”
Shaking my head, I say “No need. All I can do is support them. They deserve it.”
And so I walk out of the orphanage, back into the dark, happy. I had done my share of kindness again.
Another day of making money to donate is creeping up on me, but I don’t mind. It’s always enjoyable.

total words: 820

Daily 17 - July 17th 2024

It occured to me while I was eating a beakfast of cereal and milk, cereal first, of course, that I could see ghosts.
Well, it had started when I woke up. As I got out of bed, I thought I saw a faint image of a dog bounding to me on the ground, looking up excitedly. I realized that it looked like the dog I had had a few years ago, Lily.
Back then I had brushed it off as some weird thing I had seen. I had probably been hallucinating, after all I had just woken up, and might’ve not been in a right state. Bleary-eyed and tasting spit, I could’ve just remember Lily, and thought of her.
The thing is, as I got dressed, I could hear barking. None of the neighbors near me own a dog, and as I peered outside, there were no dogs out there. No, the sound of barking seemed as if it came from my house, the one I was in.
I never got another dog after Lily, and I don’t think my parents would’ve brought one homee yesterday night without telling me. I hit my ears a few time, just to make sure I can hear, but once I finished hitting them, the barking had ceased. I assumed that it was probably something in my ear, or some ring that went away.
After taking a quick bathroom break, I get downstairs and make myself some breakfast. As I pour my cereal, I hear panting, and try to ignore it. I must be sick, I tell myself. Nothing else.
I hold my bowl and walk to the dining room, where there’s a ghostly figure of a woman and Lily. The bowl was dropped.
The woman is ethereal, poised with grace. She sits on one of our chairs, looking expectantly at me, as if I should sit down right next to her and start talking about tea time.
“Can you hear me?” I ask, not believing it.
She nods, but doesn’t say anything and motions for me to sit down. Not knowing what else to do, I take a chair farthest away from her, and sit.
“So can you speak?”
She shakes her head and starts petting Lily, who seems very comfortable with the strange woman.
“Are you a ghost? Can I touch you?” This is so weird, and I don’t understand any of this.
She nods, and reaches her hand out, as if she’s offering to me to try to touch her. I lift my hand out gingerly, and my hand goes right through hers. Though when we touch, I feel nothing, unlike those movies, it’s like she isn’t there, other than the fact that I can see her.
I sigh, burying my head in my arms. “What am I going to do? I find it hard to believe that you’re actually a ghost. This goes against all the rules of science.”
The woman has a stern face, and she barely reacts at what I say. Intead, she nods, as if she agrees that this goes against all the rules of science. Was she aware that ghosts techinically shouldn’t exist?
“This must be a dream, isn’t it?” I pinch myself, but it hurts so much, so I know it isn’t. Or maybe it’s just a really realistic one.
Shaking her head, she lifts her right hand, which is holding a cup of tea and sips daintily.
I don’t know what to do, so I prepare breakfast again, knowing that whether or not I can see ghosts has nothing to do with whether I’m late for school. We eat in silence, the only sound is the clinking of silverware. Pushing my chair out, I stand up. “Well, I’ve got to go to school.”
Looking up at me, she gives me a small smile before waving. Lily rushes up to me and tries to lick me before realizing she can’t and gives me a sad look. This can’t be real.
Outside, there are ghosts everywhere, and they seem to notice me. They whisper and talk amongst themselves, their mouths moving but no sound comes out.
This is too freaky.

total words:692

Daily 19 - July 19th, 2024

Some people may think it’s hard to be a chair, but I digress. Some people probably say that because they’ve never been a chair, but I am, so I think I have the best opinion of being a chair. When you’re a chair, your main job is to keep people comfortable by letting them sit on you.
Think of it as a back massage. Actually, a bit less comfortable. Think of it as someone sitting on your back and occasionally hitting those sweet spots. It’s tiring to stay upright all the time. I will admit that if you place a heavy weight on me, it will feel like suffocating. It’s like your lungs are being squeezed into oblivion and you need to scream but you can’t. Because you’re a chair and chairs can’t scream. Yay.
Honestly, I’m pretty lucky for a chair. I’ve got padded cushions, which prevents most of the hurt of the weight that people put on me from going through my body. I’ve also got a headrest the people don’t use, so at least I’m always comfortable here.
I’m not immobile, so sometimes when no one is around, I try to push myself off of the four spinning wheels I have. It’s hard, but I’m sure that with a lot of practice, someday I’ll be able to escape here. When humans sit on me, they often move me around, after all that’s one of the perks of me and probably a reason why they bought me, but it gets dizzying sometimes. Especially when those annoying kids who have nothing to do just spin and spin me around in place. You don’t know how sick I get when that happens. It’s terrible. My life is hell because of them.
Other than that, my life is good. I don’t need to eat, drink, or sleep. All I do is help others, and I think that’s a pretty gratifying life. I like helping others, except those annoying little brats.

329 words

Weekly 3

Part 1

Maya -

Maya looks out the window, rain pouring down with no sign of stopping. It had been a while since she had seen such a thunderstorm. She hopes that all her friends made it back safely. Dark things came out when it rained, and she knew that getting caught by one of them would mean death.
Pulling out her phone, she texts the group chat, asking about whether or not everyone got home safe. When she presses send, her text bubble tells her there’s been an error. It must be the wifi. Dark beings love to mess with any human technology, so there were probably lots of wires broken and telephone poles on the ground.
On days like these, you should never go outside. It’s a death sentence. But she can’t help but wonder. Where they were meeting up, it was a hot spot for all the dark beings around the world. Some of her friends had walked home, so what if they had been caught?
After a few minutes of pressing the send button repeatedly, hoping that it would get through, it finally did.
She sits in her chair, eagerly awaiting everyone’s response as screams of terror can be heard outside. She tries to ignore them, tries to tell herself she can’t do anything about it.

Liz -

Liz’s phone buzzes in her pocket, but it’s not the time to take it out and check if there’s a message. She’s still outside, and she still has a chance of being caught. Although she already memorized the walk home, everything still seems scary.
The weather forcast didn’t mention a thunderstorm, so she hadn’t gotten an umbrella, and is walking on the sidewalk in the pouring rain while her clothes are getting drenched. All around her there is chaos. People fighting for cabs, shelter, locking their homes, banging on other people’s houses, pleading for refuge for the night, offering money because their home is too far away.
Everyone knows what the dark beings can do. They can kill you in one second, it would be like you never existed. They can cause chaos, fear, and make humans become their worst self.
Houses are being knocked down forcibly, people running into them while the family that owns them can only stare in horror at their once standing doors.
Every once a month this happens. Yet everyone still acts like the worst beings on earth, even worse than the dark beings.
Liz, on the other hand tries not to worry. She’s been outside lots of times when the dark beings came, and she always made it home. She knows she’s being a bit too brave, but if it hasn’t happened to her yet, there’s nothing she has to change, right?
Two more minutes, she thinks as she crosses a familiar road. Two more minutes and she’d be safe. She feels a chill down her neck, and her mind flashes back to the warnings on the television that she had sawn so many years ago.
“If you feel a chill down your neck, heavy breathing, and an urge to succumb to the darkness, you’re being chased. There’s only a one percent chance that you will escape, but after all, at least you’ll know that you’re going to die. Most people don’t realize it until they are.”
She’s going to die.
No. She can’t. She has her family. Liz starts to run, trying to lose the heavy breaths and many arms pulling her into the darkness, but the more she runs, the more tired she is, and then, she can’t run anymore.
She is gone.

Maya -

It took a few minutes, but the messages started to come in. Everyone said that they had gotten home safe, but that this was the craziest Taking there had ever been. News broadcasts had no trouble talking about them already, pointing to horrific images while it’s still going on, looking at them without empathy, as if they were nothing but scum. Nothing but people who couldn’t survive.
As Maya did a roll call of all her friends, she realized someone was missing. She texts her friends. Did anyone see Liz? Did she respond to any of their texts?
What she got was a flurry of replies. No, they hadn’t seen Liz after she said she was going to walk home. No, but she’s walked home a lot, so she’s probably fine. And one that said: Did you see the news? Turn the tv on to channel five!
Maya rushes to her small television, one that barely worked, always full of static, and turned it on. On the screen was Liz’s body, apparently the only one found, the only one that the dark beings didn’t take away to their world. They were calling it a strange phenomenon, a wonder of nature, when her best friend had died.
She collapses to the ground, calling Liz’s parents. They confirm the fact that they saw the broadcast, and the Liz hadn’t returned home. It was so real now. Liz was gone.
All because of those dark beings.

842 words


Part 2 - Unreliable Narrator

Character - The Summer Child
Crazy, wants to stay in their own world and imagine things are perfect even though there are cracks forming, they refuse to believe it because they are too afraid of change and reality.
Even when someone suggests something reasonable, the Summer Child may go to many lengths to not do it if it coincides with their beliefs. (madman trope, psychological horror)
Will do anything to prevent change.

Today I had a great day. I’m waiting for someone to come. She had already left so now I want someone else to come. I know they’ll come. They always come.
Today I had a great day. I’m waiting for someone to come. She had already left so now I want someone else to come. I know they’ll come. They always come.
Today I had a great day. Someone finally came. He’s a nice man.
Today I had a great day. I played with the nice man I met a while ago. I don’t know exactly when, because he introduced me to time, which is so interesting, so I’m trying to use time when I think now.
Today I had a great day. I picked flowers and the man asked me about this world. I didn’t want to tell him, so I didn’t. The man looked at me strangely, but I’m sure it’s because it was a bit hot today. It’s always hot.
Today I had a great day. I dipped my feet in the lake and the lovely man asked me when he could go back. But he introduced me to the idea of time, and I don’t think it’s been a long time since he came here. I think.
Today I had a great day. The sun was really hot, but every day is hot. Sometimes it feels kind of weird, though. The man didn’t really talk to me today.
Today I had a great day. I think I might’ve remembered something, which is also something the man taught me, and when I tried to do so, I think I remember.
Today I had a good day. I pulled grass out of the ground. I think someone used to tell me that I’m not supposed to, but it felt good. I don’t see the man very much anymore, but he tells me he’s preparing something for me, so it must be awesome.
Today I had a good day. The man taught me how to cook. But I’ve never ‘eaten’ before. So I don’t really need to cook. But the man looks at me really weirdly now, and I can’t tell what he’s thinking.
Today I had an alright day. I don’t really remember what I did. I think I did the same thing I do all the time.
Today I had an alright day. The man’s starting to grow a really long beard. He explains to me that it’s what happens when you don’t shave. I wonder what shave means. He tells me that time is running out. He looks kind of old too. He says he misses his home. I know he has to leave soon.
Today I had a strange day. The man is packing up to leave. I know he has to leave soon. He tells me that I’ll be coming with him. What does that mean?
T–t-to-d–a-y——-
I stare up at the man. His face has changed. He extends his hand towards mine. “Come on Summer Child, you can come with me! We can go to my home, and I can show you all the cool stuff it has! You don’t want to be stuck in this unbearable place, right?”
I stare at him. Unbearable? But this place is—–this place is—– this place is perfect! I think.
“It’s always Summer, it’s always hot, there’s nothing to do anymore,” the man complains. “I know I have to go back, but you should come with. I think you’ll like my world a lot more than this one.”
But-th-is–p-la-ce is p-er-f–e-ct?
“Are you really content with living your life all alone? Don’t you want some change? Come on, you need a bit of excitement, otherwise a child like you won’t grow up.” his tone is more desperate, more urgent. “I need an answer now, the portal that opened up is about to shrink!”
B-uuuuuuut-thisplaceis-per-fe-ctttttt.
I can’t leave. I can’t. I remember now. I CAN’T I CANT I CANT I CANT I CANT I CANT
WHY? I CANT I CANT I REALLY CANT
“WHY WOULD I WANT TO LEAVE?” I TILT MY HEAD CURIOUSLY. “THIS PLACE IS PERFECT.” I CANT I CANT IMAGINE SOMEPLACE ELSE. I CANT I CANT.
all i’ve known is here. i’m scared. i’m really scared. i don’t want to leave. i want to go back home. i don’t. i can’t.

793 words

Part 3 - Literary Tropes

Being Very Rich
The Sceret Identity

Lizzie, the perfect example of a main character looks up at me with her big brown doe eyes. I find it disgusting and hysterical as he lashes flap wildly, like a moth dying. “What do you want me to do? Snap my hands and boom there’s a lamborghini in front of you? Just because I like you doesn’t mean I’m going to pamper you in gifts and give you infinite money. You’ve got to earn it.”
She scowls at me, and suddenly she looks like a pig with lipstick on. Not very pretty, I know. “So what? After a few chapters you’re going to discover that I have a secret identity and actually is a vigilante working hard to fight against crime while the fact still stands that no one will have seen my face except you,” she checks her nonexistant watch. “In about thirty pages.”
Snorting, I respond. “You know what? Since I’m so rich I might as well go throw it on the people who actually need money instead of giving myself crazy luxuries. Who needs Versace when you could better the lives of others?” I ask saracstically. “You should definitely bet on me giving you money because I pity you.”
Her nostrils flare. “Why are you being so rude to me?” She looks around, hoping to find someone that will help defend her, but there’s no one around. Because we’re in my house. Duh. “Ugh I’m so amazing you should be arrested for even having an opinion about me. You’re such a *!” She storms off dramatically, slamming my door and almost breaking it with her super strength.
I run to the opening and shout out into the hallway. “You’re paying for that, right? Any damages that happen here, I can sue you for. Even though you’re my girlfriend, you’ve got to know how it works in the real world. How else will you be able to survive?” I try to chase after her, but it puts to much strain on my glutes, which are really expensive because I just got a plastic surgery to look beautiful and if I do any strenous exercise, I could risk breaking them. Instead of being physically active, I shout out to her. “I’m so rich I don’t even know what to do with my money! You know what? Maybe it should go to the millions of underpaid workers, but I think they’re just fine with where they are now.” My short attention span gets the better of me and I pull out my phone, looking for expensive perfumes. “Hmm, should I get sandalwood scented one, or the I’m So Rich and Better Than You one? I think I should get the I’m So Rich and Better Than You one!” Pressing order, I collapse on the ground. Sitting down too much can also be tough, but it helps a bit when you’re the world’s only trillionaire with too much money to know what to do except spend it all on yourself. Maybe I should invest in lottery tickets.

507 words

Part 4 - Self-Insertation

Suddenly a girl appears in front of me. She’s about average height with strange clothes that I’d never wear. I don’t understand why she’d wear such an atrocious outfit. Anything that isn’t designer and fashionable is trash, and that’s what she’s wearing. So I’m not very impressed, but the more important question is how she broke into a high-security level mansion. Obviously she couldn’t of done it by herself because, well, look at her! Either my security guard had one too many drink breaks, or there’s someone on the inside.
“So you’re him.” Her voice is flat, and emotionless and she stares right into my eyes. Although from the neck up she seems very confident, I notice that her legs are a bit shaky and she’s fidgeting with her fingers, moving them between a bracelet that she’s wearing.
“By him, do you mean the youngest billionaire ever?” I answer smugly, sure that she’s some wannabe fan. “Then yes, I am.”
Sighing, she shakes her head. “I don’t have any time for this idiocy. There’s someone plotting to kill you, and although you are probably the most insufferable character I’ve made, I don’t want to see you die.”
Rage courses through me. Who is she to tell me that she made me? I am my own functional being that needs no one’s help with existing, thank you very much. Snorting, I roll my eyes. “I’m not some character you made, and I’m pretty sure my security is strong enough for me to not get killed.”
“Oh yeah?” She looks amused, something that I don’t she shows a lot. “Then how am I in here?”
Gulping, I try to find the right words, looking around the fancy living room. There were no guards anywhere, and I really don’t know where they went. Did I even have security guards in the first place? I think so, but then if I did, where are they? “Uhhh…uhhh…” Apparently, I can’t find the right words currently, so instead I say “Get out of my house now. You are trespassing on someone’s property!”
She refuses to budge. “I hardly think that’s something that you should be worried about, after all, you’re going to die.” It doesn’t seem as if she’s lying. Though I wouldn’t put that past her yet. But I value my life more than anything, so I guess I’ll listen to her. For now.
“What do you want me to do? Give you all my money?” I ask sarcastically, knowing that she’ll probably start blushing and refuse the notion.
Instead, she seems as if she’s pondering it over. “Actually, that wouldn’t be a bad idea. Probably your first good one, actually. So I guess sometimes it is useful having an idiotic rich person that I created and know all about.” She smiles evily at me and I can’t deny that I’m a bit scared. “Oh yes, this is going to be perfect. Just perfect.”
I can’t tell if I should run or beg for mercy, but she doesn’t seem like she’s holding any weapon, so maybe I should run? I bolt.

516 words

total words: 2658

Writing Competition Draft (very unedited so if you see spelling errors and gramer please point it out)

The Summer Child doesn’t remember how they came to be. All they remember is this strange pathway between worlds, where they reside. They see the plants grow, the deaths of people, the magic of nature, they love all of it, but understand nothing.
Whether it’s a curse or a blessing to be stuck in this place, the Summer Child tries not to think about it. At least they have companions. At least they stay for a while.
Every Summer day, the Summer Child sits by the lake near their home, a cozy cottage where they sleep. The lake is pristine, fresh, and clean. Every day they wait for a sign, for something to come to them. Although it’s not every day that that happens, something always does. The Summer Child always knows what’s going to happen.
This time, it’s a young man, with an adventurous facade, looking blankly out into the beautiful meadows of Summer Child’s world.
The Summer Child walks forward toward him, barefoot and smiling happily. Once the man notices the Summer Child, their expression of fear and surprise turns into endearnment.
“Hello little kid,” he speaks softly, in a tone that can only be said as sweet. “Do you know where this place is?”
The Summer Child responds in a precocious way. “Why, it’s the bridge between worlds, it’s the pathway to home, and it’s my home. Are you here to play with me?” They look up at the man, with such a hopeful face that no one would ever be able to refuse.
There is something about the Summer Child, something mystical. They seem to not be a part of any world, yet they still exist. They seem to be more of a being than a creature, and those who have stumbled by the Summer Child say that no matter how much time passes, the Summer Child stays the same, and so does their world.
“Well, I suppose I could spare some time for you. What’s your name?” The man asks gently.
The Summer Child stares blankly at the man. “I don’t have one. But all the living beings before you have called me “Summer Child”, so I suppose you can do the same.”
Now the man is curious. What is this strange world, with such a strange child? But who is he to question the abnomalities of this world? Can he really be the one questioning it, when he let’s life take control over himself? Oh, how he misses his own home dearly. But the way the Summer Child smiles at him, oh how it reminds him of his own home. Maybe, even though it isn’t his real home, he can stay awhile with the Summer Child. Then he can return. After all, hasn’t he had such a long journey?
He decides to sit next to the Summer Child near the lake, and both of them sit and stare for a while. He notices that the Summer Child seems like exactly how you’d imagine a young innocent, carefree child would look like, just like the kids at home. He wondered if the Summer Child had parents. He doesn’t dare to ask, after all, what if the Summer Child decided to leave? He didn’t want them to leave. He needed someone next to him, even if it was fleeting.
The lake is beautiful, impossibly blue, gentle, and calm. As they sit, he tries to start some small talk with the Summer Child. “So Summer Child, have you been here your whole life? Or have you been elsewhere?” At this point, the man is genuinely confused about what this ‘Summer Child’ was, and how any of this was even real.
The Summer Child starts pulling grass from the ground. “I don’t remember how old I am, but I think I’ve been here for a while. Living beings that have come before you have all told me that time is irrelevant here. What’s time?” He looks up eagerly at the man.
The man notices that the Summer Child is avoiding the question. It may be because the Summer Child is a child, or it could be because they just don’t want to talk about it. Either way, the man doesn’t want to pry, he doesn’t want to lose his only companion here. Instead, he decides to continue the conversation late into the night, trying to explain complex ideas like time, death, and living to the Summer Child.
It never dawned on him how strange it was that the Summer Child didn’t know any of this.
The sun never sets in this strange place, the seasons never change, and while the man never realized how long it had been since he had come here, he slowly noticed that he’d gone to sleep a number of times, and assumed that each time he slept, it was one day. It was the only way to keep track because after asking the Summer Child while they were dipping their feet in the lake, they told him that it didn’t matter.
They spent time with each other, playing, laughing, and talking. The man always made sure to take extra care of the Summer Child, as if they were a porcelain doll that could break at the slightest touch.
Even though there is no passage of time, the man could feel that when Summer was supposed to end in his world, it continued here. Forever. At least that’s what the Summer Child told him.
Some days, the Summer Child seems a bit down. After the man told him about time, he responded by saying that everything stays the same, other than occasional beings coming in and out of this world. This reassured the man, that at least he’d be able to leave, very soon, right? But what concerned him was that the Summer Child seemed lost.
One day when the Summer Child is off picking wildflowers, the man stays in their cottage, lost in thought.
What if he brought the Summer Child to his world? Although at first glance the Summer Child seems happy, but once you get to know them, you see that is just a facade. The Summer Child doesn’t know what to feel, or what to do. All they do is wait and play, the unbearable summer heat on their body every single day.
If the man brought the Summer Child to his world, then maybe the Summer Child would learn things. Maybe the Summer Child would give him a genuine smile, something he hadn’t ever seen. The Summer Child was so good at faking things, aren’t they?
He decided then and there that it would happen. It might take a lot of convincing, but it could happen. It would.
“When will I be able to return home?” The man asked the Summer Child anxiously, ready to prepare for his departure, and what the Summer Child didn’t know then, was that he wanted to bring them along.
The Summer Child wilts a bit as if the thought of the man leaving was so terrible. The man shrugs. Have it their way, then. But he wouldn’t give up. He would give this child a good life. A life of real joy.

—

Today I had a great day. I’m waiting for someone to come. She had already left so now I want someone else to come. I know they’ll come. They always come.
Today I had a great day. I’m waiting for someone to come. I know they’ll come. They always come.
Today I had a great day. Someone finally came. He’s a nice man.
Today I had a great day. I played with the nice man I met a while ago. I don’t know exactly when, because he introduced me to time, which is so interesting, so I’m trying to use time when I think now.
Today I had a great day. I picked flowers and the man asked me about this world. I didn’t want to tell him, so I didn’t. The man looked at me strangely, but I’m sure it’s because it was a bit hot today. It’s always hot.
Today I had a great day. I dipped my feet in the lake and the lovely man asked me when he could go back. But he introduced me to the idea of time, and I don’t think it’s been a long time since he came here. I think.
Today I had a great day. The sun was really hot, but every day is hot. Sometimes it feels kind of weird, though. The man didn’t really talk to me today.
Today I had a great day. I think I might’ve remembered something, which is also something the man taught me, and when I tried to do so, I think I remember.
Today I had a good day. I pulled grass out of the ground. I think someone used to tell me that I’m not supposed to, but it felt good. I don’t see the man very much anymore, but he tells me he’s preparing something for me, so it must be awesome.
Today I had a good day. The man taught me how to cook. But I’ve never ‘eaten’ before. So I don’t really need to cook. But the man looks at me really weirdly now, and I can’t tell what he’s thinking.
Today I had an alright day. I don’t remember what I did. I think I did the same thing I do all the time.
Today I had an alright day. The man’s starting to grow a really long beard. He explains to me that it’s what happens when you don’t shave. I wonder what shave means. He tells me that time is running out. He looks kind of old too. He says he misses his home. I know he has to leave soon.
Today I had a strange day. The man is packing up to leave. I know he has to leave soon. He tells me that I’ll be coming with him. What does that mean?
T–t-to-d–a-y——-
I stare up at the man. His face has changed. He extends his hand towards mine. “Come on Summer Child, you can come with me! We can go to my home, and I can show you all the cool stuff it has! You don’t want to be stuck in this unbearable place, right?”
I stare at him. Unbearable? But this place is—–this place is—– this place is perfect! I think.
“It’s always Summer, it’s always hot, there’s nothing to do anymore,” the man complains. “I know I have to go back, but you should come with. I think you’ll like my world a lot more than this one.”
But-th-is–p-la-ce is p-er-f–e-ct?
“Are you really content with living your life all alone? Don’t you want some change? Come on, you need a bit of excitement, otherwise a child like you won’t grow up.” his tone is more desperate, more urgent. “I need an answer now, the portal that opened up is about to shrink!”
B-uuuuuuut-thisplaceis-per-fe-ctttttt.
I can’t leave. I can’t. I remember now. I CAN’T I CANT I CANT I CANT I CANT I CANT
WHY? I CANT I CANT I REALLY CANT
“WHY WOULD I WANT TO LEAVE?” I TILT MY HEAD CURIOUSLY. “THIS PLACE IS PERFECT.” I CANT I CANT IMAGINE SOMEPLACE ELSE. I CANT I CANT.
all i’ve known is here. i’m scared. i’m really scared. i don’t want to leave. i want to go back home. i don’t. i can’t.
I really can’t. So I won’t.
I’ll do it. I’ll do it.
The lake boils and swallows life up.

—

The Summer Child stands, holding a kitchen knife. They’ve been digging this grave with it, strange liquids still fresh on it. The Summer Child has a strange strength inside them, a strength that allows them to lift and place this deformed body into the grave. Maybe it’s because they need to do it, but once the dirt covers everything, the Summer Child shakes their head as if they had been in a strange trance.
“The scary monster took him,” the Summer Child nods solemnly as if they’re forcing themself to believe this. After a few minutes of standing there with a blank expression, they drops the knife onto the grave, and skip away happily into the sun that never sets, as if none of this happened, stuck in a place that never changes.
But they like it that way, don’t they?

(2000 words)

Daily 22 - July 22nd, 2024

Mad Lib used: once upon a table, a pair of clouds dance deep in a crazy forest. Together they ruled a kingdom of 1333333 cows and one or two clowns. Unfortunately, comedy struck and many inhabitants cried. “Bang!” Said one ruler to the other. They did not live very skeptically ever after, but at least they got to eat mango pudding with cookie crumble!

Once upon a time, two clouds met up in a forest together. They had decided the other day that they were going to create a kingdom of clouds, and had told one another to come to the forest to dance. The day came, and the two met at the edge of the forest.
“We’ll decide all the details about our kingdom once we’re deep in the forest,” one cloud tells the other.
They walk and walk until they’re sure that it’s safe to dance. Then they perform a satanic ritual through the art of ballet to allow the forest to become a kingdom. The clouds tip-toe on both feet and pirouette in the air. It takes them a while, but soon the forest sinks and out comes a castle.
1333333 cows appear to, and the clouds are very satisfied with this number, so they decide to keep it. The cows live a good life under the clouds, who now are able to eat all the cotton candy they want.
Unfortunately, a danger is looming around the corner. When creating a castle using a ritual, it unleashes a very evil being called Comedy. It can do terrible things to your kingdom, and if it succeeds then the clouds will be left with nothing.
The clouds try their best to prepare the defense of the kingdom as comedy comes closer and closer, but alas, they are only clouds, and clouds can’t do much. One of the clouds has a brilliant idea to sacrifice all of their citizen cows to appease comedy.
It was not long before comedy struck, and many of the cows cried in pain as it took them away into a world of laughter. The only cow that was left behind, escaped the kingdom because it was too dangerous. Now it was just the two clouds again, alone in a castle.
“Bang!” One of them cries randomly in victory. The other cloud shares its sentiments, also roaring with another “Bang!”
Although they did no live skeptically ever after, the clouds were still always able to eat their favorite food, mango pudding with cookie crumble, and though there were no citizens left for them to rule, that meant more mango pudding with cookie crumble for the two of them, so they didn’t mind. The cows were also very happy to stay with Comedy, who made them cry for years to come.
So you may say that it was not a skeptically ever after, but a happily ever after!
(417 words)

Daily 23 - July 22nd 2024

If I was a host, I’d make sure to give unlimited free mangoes for all. It’s very confusing, you know, giving out mangoes to mercenaries so they have to work for it. Every cabin should have an unlimited stockiple of mangoes for everyone to share. As the saying goes, you should always have more than enough mangoes.
Next, I’d find it my duty to find SWC a place where it can be burned down, but regenerate right after. Because of arsons from camp mascots, including gurtle and camp participants, it’s hard to keep track of how many times we’ve had to rebuild SWC, or prevent it from being burned down by mass arson (a headache really), and we shouldn’t have to worry about this!
As a host, I invite everyone to a SWC where SWC will be able to be rebuilt almost immediately after every arson by an army of mangoes. This way everyone’s happy. We get our arson, but we also get to keep our SWC.
My next order of plan would to be to have free mango dishes from all around the world, catered to the camper’s tastes. Every camp needs good food, and SWC should too! It doesn’t matter if it’s online or not, people should be able to taste food from around the world, wherever they are.
The idea is digital food: A kind of food where special chefs are hired to make, and can be eaten once posted as a comment by anyone who wants it. Simply reply to the mango dish, let’s say mango cookie crumble cake, with :eats:, and boom! There it goes, right into the mouth of the replier, for their own self-enjoyment.
This would take a while to do, so I’ve already done the research. Gurtle and his team of friendly mascots, all skilled in the art of arson, which by the way is actually very helpful when handling cooking will be the head of this group.
Other participants of SWC will also be able to apply if they have the culinary skills, and at the end of each SWC there will be something called the “SWC Cooking Competition”. It’s similar to the writing competition, except the judges will be the hosts, and there will be one mascot and three campers/leaders participating to win the 50,000 point prize of master chef of mangoes.
They will have to cook three dishes, the appetizer, main course, and desert. One hour for the appetizer, two for the main course, and one for the desert. Once time is up for each of them, the hosts will be able to taste what each chef has concocted, and choose who to eliminate for each course, this will continue until the desert round where one winner will be chosen.
Then, the winner’s dishes will be able to accessed to anyone who wants to taste them in SWC, allowing for a culinary explosion of delights. Of course, this is all if I was a host, but if you hosties are out hear reading this, I promise that I will make this all happen within a month, I assure you that all of you will end up with full bellies every SWC session, for years to come <3

(520 words)

Daly 24 - July 24th, 2024

Stupendous Wizards Crying

“We did it!” The wizened wizard cries, wiping a tear off their face. “We have found the answer to writing.”
A group of wizards of all different shapes, ages, and sizes gather around a cauldron-like object placed on a high pedestal. One wizard, the wizened wizard, seems to be the leader of them all, seemingly acting like a deranged cult-like leader, which this gathering of wizards was probably one.
Some wizards clap each other on the back after this exciting revelation, some shriek with joy, and some turn into frogs and birds. It must be all the stress that comes with being so amazing.
The wizened wizard clears their throat three times, each time coughing up a solid amount of phlegm and spit onto the cauldron. The way that the wizards look at the wizened one is full of admiration and adoration for even the spit their leader emits. Immediately, they quiet their voices, rescind their claps on the backs, and even turn back to wizards, though some do that more reluctantly.
“All of you,” the wizened wizard surveys the crowd of eager faces. “All of you have contributed so much to the discovery we have made today. It just makes me…so happy,” their eyes start to water again. “Anyways, I digress. This call for a day of celebration! The stars moved at just the right angles at just the right times to give us SWC! Stupendous Wizards Crying!”
Everyone bawls into tears of happiness, and it’s so contagious that even the plants around them cry to, and so do the animals. It is truly a wonderful day.
“I propose that we make a triannual camp based on the Stupendous Wizards of Crying!” Someone shouts from the crowd. “But with a twist! They won’t know that every four months we will celebrate a whole three to four weeks dedicated the wizards, they’ll think it’s ‘Scratch Writing Camp’!”
All the wizards chime in agreement to such a fabulous idea, and so after that day, the wizened wizard, with the help of all the other wizards was able to create SWC, which now is enjoyed by people all across the world.

(362 words)

Daily 25 - July 25th, 2024

I can’t look anymore. It’s a mess of the world, that’s what it is. We all knew what was going to come, but we were all too ignorant to want to see it. Back then, all those years and generations ago, we had already started to destroy it.
If we hadn’t developed so many technologies that impacted other lives on Earth, we might’ve been able to slow it down. Some people tried. But apparently they didn’t try hard enough.
Thanks to scientist’s predictions, we were able to determine that the end was going to come in a few years, but they underestimated how powerful the nature of human destruction is. Only a few months after that science broadcast did everything start to become destroyed.
It’s a slow process. First, all the animals start to die. It takes over a span of a year for most beings to be eradicated. As a domino affect, humans couldn’t find any food anymore. Sure there were labs were they artificially created food, but it was too expensive and too hard to make, only the richest had to that.
Soon the horizon started shifting. The skies became gray, filled with too much carbon dioxide and no plants to fix it, the wall separating Earth’s atmosphere with space’s slowly broke.
And now, staring at the sky, this is the last day. Everyone can feel it. The seers claimed that they saw it in visions, and it was scientifically proved.
I stare up at the sky, clutching the last thing left by my parents to me. Their notebook. Everyone who hasn’t died is outside too. In a few seconds everything will be over.
Holding my breath, the sky goes completely dark, and this time there are no lights on Earth to see. I close my eyes and smile.

(301 words)

Daily 26 - July 26th 2024

I’ve always believed that they always had our beliefs in mind. I’ve always believed that they would do anything they could do help us. I’ve always believed that I could protect anyone.
They took Rosa. They took her, before I could choose. Before I could tell her that I loved her and that I would sacrifice my job for her. But now it’s all over. The head of the HQ has already sentenced her to death. No one will listen. To be honest, I have no idea why he did it.
All I know is that she’s gone, chained and shackled. Her powers are gone and there is no way for her to save herself. Unless I come. Her grandmother won’t do anything either. She says that Rosa told her that she could handle it herself. She has so much faith in her. I wish I did, but all I want is her safe and sound, right beside me.
If only I hadn’t chased Blackdog. If only I never made it such a big deal. If only she never liked me. If only I hadn’t saved her all those years ago, she would never be in this position.
Everything is over now. My job, my friends, and Rosa. I need to help her. I need to do this. I need to save her. I’m done being the good guy. I’m done pleasing everyone. Maybe Blackdog’s fans were really onto something. This world is twisted. The public’s opinion is twisted to every little rumor.
They think that she’s evil. I thought she was evil. Turns out she only loved me. If only I had done the same at the same time. I’ll make it up, though. I’ll save her. But maybe I won’t risk my career until I know entirely that Gilbae Choi doesn’t even want to save Rosa anymore.
I’ll be Blackdog. I’ll save her before her execution. I’ll be the one to let her escape. Maybe it’ll work. Maybe it’ll actually work. It’s always worked for me. But this time, I don’t have anyone on my side. This is going to be hard, but even if I’m the only one that wants her alive, I can do that.

(369 words)

Daily 28 - July 28th, 2024

“Skog! Wait up!” Blahaj calls from inside Gurtle’s magic transportative car. They had ‘borrowed’ it for the day, after deciding secretly to go to IKEA for the first time. Well, at least it was Skog’s first time. Blahaj, being born there has a faint memory of it, but always only reminisced about it, never going back.
Skog had suggested that they should go to IKEA and see if it was suitable for arson. Blahaj, obviously not wanting Skog to set IKEA on fire, agreed, but silently notified the authorities that if there was to be a fire in IKEA, that it should be expected.
Blahaj, not only wanting to go see his home, also thought that going to IKEA would be a great idea because after all, his little cave needed more furnishings. He rushes up to Skog, who is already standing at the front door in awe.
“So this is IKEA?” Skog asks. “It looks pretty disappointing.” Obviously on the outside, IKEA looks like a blue storage building, but little did Skog know the wonders of what was awaiting them.
Blahaj sighs. “Once you get in, you’ll understand everything I’ve said about IKEA. Come, I’ll lead the way.”
There are many people shopping inside, but Skog and Blahaj manage to find an IKEA bag to bring around as they shop, and also to be a handy place where Skog can put his gasoline and burner. Blahaj wonders whether or not he’d be able to throw it away when Skog isn’t looking.
“So where do we go first?” Skog asks.
“In IKEA, you follow the arrows on the floor to look at all the showcases and things that you might want to buy. Follow the crowd and arrows, okay?” He looks at Skog, obviously distracted by how lively the building is. “If you get lost, I won’t find you. You’ll just have to Follow The Lines on the floor,” he carefully enunciates.
“Yeah yeah yeah,” Skog answers. “Let’s go!” Moving as fast a turtle can move on land, which by the way is very fast, Skog zooms off into the distance, leaving Blahaj behind. He sighs. At first he wanted to look at all the cool displays, but now that Skog was gone, he’d have to find him. If he didn’t, he’d definitely get in trouble with the hosts for letting the most dangerous mascot out into the wild.
As Blahaj goes on a wild goose chase around the IKEA department, he gets a bit sidetracked, stopping to stare at the beautiful furniture displays. Soon enough, he smells smoke, looks down, and remembers that Skog was holding the IKEA bag when he ran away. Great. Now he’d have to call the police.
Screams could be heard, and people start running back out of the store, and the fire is soon visible in front of Blahaj.

475 words

Weekly 4

Everyone has a talent. It may take years to find but they all do. Whether it be pottery to cheesemaking, it may vary in the terms of usability, but in this world all of us do. This discovery had come to scientists who were trying to prove the theory that everyone is useful to society. Of course, we would wish that were true, but unfortunately it isn’t, so the scientists created a type a of vaccine that every child, poor or rich would get.
This vaccine would release special hormones and nerve signals that would alert your brain as you get older and start doing your specific talent, that will help you get very good at it to improve the capabilities of humans.
This means no homeless people, no wars, and peace. It’s honestly a great idea. I mean, I’m thankful for my gift at least. Some people become talented at things they don’t like, which is an issue that the scientists are currently solving, but have to do it because in this world, the only way you can succeed is to use your talent.
I like my talent. That’s what I had thought when my dad first introduced me to cooking, and we had discovered it was my talent. To my dad, it was more of a hobby. His talent was woodworking, but he enjoyed cooking every now and then.
I was delighted as I learned how to make pasta, cook meat, make soup, and later on make my very own recipes.
Which is why now I’m standing proudly over the restaurant that I made that just opened. It’s beautiful, I think as I lay down at the counter with my friend, Lyra.
“First days are always slow days, right?” Lyra asks nervously, fidgeting her hair around her finger. As a person with a talent to entertain, you would think that she would be more confident, but unless she’s talking with others, everything else is just anticipating the moment that she’ll have to do well in. In this case it’s waitressing.
I had asked Lyra to help me open this business because, well, one person isn’t enough! I can’t pay a full-time working waitress right now without a lot of money, because I was too scared to take out a big loan. Whenever I think of loans, I think of loan sharks, and them knocking down your door, so I would like to play it safe, thank you very much.
Lyra, on the other hand has nothing to do, so she agreed to helping me. She also gets 30% of our earnings, so I guess she does own part of the resturant. But I don’t like to think of it that way. I like to think of her as helping my business, not being an investor.
Although she’s a nice person, Lyra and I haven’t talked very much. She’s one of my mutual friends, but since she was the only one who manifested with the talent of entertaining and a person that I didn’t hate, I had to begrudgingly ask her. Not that I hate her. She had her own friends in school, and I had mine. No big deal.
“Yep. Maybe we should get some advertising done? Do you know Alice?”
She nods.
“Well she has a talent for art, especially graphic design, so I could ask her to help us.” I suggest.
Lyra stretches lazily across the counter like a cat. “It’s a bit too early for this. How about we worry after today has gone? You did put us as a location on Google Maps, right?” She looks at me doubtfully.
“Don’t worry,” I respond. “Of course I did.”
I had spent so many sleepless nights preparing for this moment. Of course I did. Lyra, did she even see this restaurant as anything but a passion project?
“Let’s just hope this is a slow opening day,” I tell her.
“Yep. Just a slow day.”


Dear Father,

I know you wanted me to send you a letter to tell you all about America, so here it is! Of course, I don’t have a talent in letter writing, so you’re going to have to excuse my poor skills. Hardly anyone even writes letters anyway. Here’s your letter, first class shipping so you can read it as soon as possible.
Once I arrived in America from my private jet, let me tell you that thank god you let me keep it, otherwise I don’t know what I would’ve done without it, I went to New York City. You told me to find a good restaurant to invest in, right? Well that’s going to be a bit hard. Hey, I know a good deal when I see it, but that doesn’t mean I can decipher between ten different great deals. The taste of the food is important too. Should I really be thinking about the cuisine they’re serving, or should I not?
I’m a bit confused. Would you mind sending some instructions on why you sent me here? Other than that, the city is nice. There are homeless people around though, scammers and con artists too. But I’m a bit too smart for that. It’s just annoying. If I could travel by limo every day, I would. Unfortunately, I can’t, so I’m stuck weaving through swarms of people who probably have colds and viruses that are just itching to be spread onto me. The vibe of shops and streets are nice, but I think I’ll be spending most of my time on Fifth Avenue, where all the designer brands are.

Hugo

Checking my phone, I see that my father is calling me. Sighing, I pick up the call. “What is it?” I asked, annoyed. I had just been ready to go to my hotel’s restaurant for a nice meal, and now I have to wait.
“Hugo. What exactly are you doing in New York?” Father asks angrily. “And you better give me a good answer. I’ve had to reschedule five meetings because of you.”
Rolling my eyes, I respond. “Well I wasn’t the one who told you to do that. In fact I’d actually be better off without this call, mind you.”
“Watch your tone young man,” he says sternly. “Remember what you sent me in your letter? I have the rights to your private jet for a whole month, and I can tell that pilot to not pick you up ever again.”
I groan. Did he really have to pull out that playing card? “Alright, alright. It’s only my first week here, so I’m trying to get used to the scenery, you know do a few touristy stuff.” Before he can say anything, I continue on quickly. “I have been going to a lot of restaurants and shops, a few that aren’t high-end! Can you believe that I’m actually starting on your assignment?” Fingers crossed that how lazy I am can come in clutch here.
“Hugo. We can’t let this little charade stay for any longer. You aren’t a little kid anymore. Stop thinking like one. I want you to focus only and only on what you were here to do. Offer an investment and grow a shop or restaurant.”
“But it’s going to be hard,” I complain, trying to avoid the inevitable.
“I don’t want to hear about it. Do what you need to do.” He hangs up.
Ugh. I really didn’t want to do this. Why can’t I just have a nice vacation by myself? Is that too much to ask?

Plants Interfere (Solarpunk prompt 1)

As I grumble to myself, I don’t see where I’m going and walk smack into a tree that was right in front of me. My face stings and I can feel little wood flakes in my mouth that taste disgusting. Spitting them out onto the ground, passerbys look at me with confusion and amusement at my predicament.
How annoying.
My face flushes red, and I want to kick this tree as hard as I can, but don’t want to be embarrassed furthermore.
Feeling a rush of pain in my face and hands, I look down and see that I’m bleeding. It’s a small scrape on both of them, but it still hurts. If that’s also what my face looks like, I can’t go outside anymore.
I probably look like a monster.
Turning around, I see a little resturant with no one in it. Maybe if I go in and suck up my pride for a few more minutes, I could ask the owner for some hydrogen peroxide and bandaids and be on my way again.
There’s no way I’d want to be seen like this anywhere. It’s better if only one person sees this than everyone I meet on the street. What if they remember me and see me again? What if they tell my father how stupid I was?
I take a deep breath, and open the clear glass door.

Poetry prompt 1 (Symbol of a New Beginning, Snake):

When I enter and look around, it really is empty. But everything around me seems clean and modern, just how I like it, so it must be new. There are two people at the counter, and when they seem me walk in, they jump to their feet with excitement.
“Welcome to the Daffodil!” The girl with black hair says. She eagerly walks towards me. “I’m Lizzie, and this is Lyra. She’ll be your waitress for today.”
“No actually I’m-,” before I can tell them that I’m not looking for food, the other girl with brown hair smiles at me, stands up and walks forward. “Table for one, I presume?” She speaks smoothly, as if all her life has been for this one moment. Her talent must be this.
I nod without meaning to.
“Great, I’ll take you to your seat.”
Even though there’s no one here and I could sit anywhere, she leads me to a small window seat, and I have no choice but to sit down, not wanting to say anything for some reason. She hands me the menu, and I pretend to start looking at it.
As I fidget with the snake ring on my hand, I look at it. It’s one of those things that mean something more than what it is, my father had given it to me before I left for America, it represented a new beginning, apparently in some cultures.
This right now doesn’t seem like a new beginning, only an annoying misunderstanding.

Fantasy Prompt 1 (Magical Realism):

After a few minutes, the waitress walks up. “So have you decided on what to order?”
“Um actually, I do have something to order, but would you happen to have a first aid kit lying around anywhere?” I point to my face and hands. “I had a bit of a predicament earlier and could use some help.”
She looks at me, and then at the back door, obviously thinking about what she should do. “How about you come with me to Lizzie and she can give you a band-aid?”
“Sure!” I leap out of my seat, eager to…not look like what I look like now. If my dad facetimes me, I’m screwed.
Both of us walk to the door, and she opens it, leading to a small kitchen where the other girl, Lizzie is making pots and pans float around. How exquisite. She turns around and spots us, surprised evident on her face. “What are you doing here?” She asks the both of us, and to Lyra she whisper-shouts. “Why did you bring him here?”
“This young gentlemen needs something for his face,” Lyra gestures to me.
She takes me in, and then realizes what Lyra means. “Oh, I get it. Here, come with me.” Snapping her fingers, the pots and pans float down onto the counter gently. She must have a talent for cooking. Some of those masters are able to float kitchen utensils, but only kitchen ones. It’s still very useful, from what I’ve heard to be able to do that.

Bi-fi Prompt 1: Use this prompt: All of a sudden, a rabbid moose…

All of a sudden, a rabid moose runs into the kitchen, bellowing loudly. I jump in fear as it rushes in, clinging onto Lizzie.
“Lyra? Why is there a moose in here?” Lizzie asks, bored. I stare at her surprised. Is this something that just happens in New York? I’m a bit lost for words. The moose looks at me angrily, pawing its hooves and snorting heavily.
Lyra comes in behind the moose. “I’m sorry. It’s Jake. He was trying to tame the moose, but he didn’t get to use his talent before it had escaped, and now it’s here. Jake’s coming soon, but he told us to make sure that the moose doesn’t go anywhere else, otherwise there could be some consequences, and maybe even a run-in witht he police.”
Lizzie looks exasperated as she responds. “First the monkey and capybara, and now this? Our resturant is going to get shut down for health violations before we can even serve our first customer.” She sighs, shaking her head. “Now what does Jake want us to do with this moose of his?”
Lyra shrugs, looking at the moose like it’s nothing to worry about. “Beats me. My job is to call him, not take care of the animal.” She looks expectantly at Lizzie. “You’re the one who has that job, and I don’t think you’ll be able to do it if he’s clinging on to you.”
I immediately jump off.
Gothic Prompt 1: Change the setting (I changed the time)
A few hours later, I’ve fed the moose, and the young man, Hugo, is eating his food happily. Everything is resolved, and the great thing is that someone actually came to our restaurant! After Hugo started eating, a few passerbys spotted him and entered.
So I guess it’s thanks to him that we even had people come in, because if he wasn’t here, then it would’ve been a very disappointing day. Everything would be wonderful, except the fact that Hugo, is a bit of a brat, to put it very very nicely. After Jack took the moose and apologized, he rushed in, interrupting our conversation, saying that he wanted to press charges.
I mean, if I had clung to the nearest person like they were a monkey bar, I would be embarrassed, but not embarrassed enough to press any charges. Jack tried to tell him that the moose was tame, it was just a bit riled up, but Hugo wouldn’t listen.
He only backed down when I offered him as much food for free as he wanted, and luckily he doesn’t seem like he eats a lot a lot, so currently it’s fine. We’re still earning money, albeit a very little bit from the other customers.
I whisper to Lyra. “Tell him that we’re sorry again,” hopefully that would make him shut up. He seems pretty rich, and I don’t want to get into any trouble. If you have enough time and money to even say that you may be pressing charges, you’re not an average Joe. You’ve got influence.
Ending
But today was still a successful day, and as Lyra shoots me a glare, knowing that we only have a few more minutes of work time, I’m glad that it’s over. I can’t imagine doing this again, but I guess that’s just part of what it takes to work at a restaurant.
Sure I hope I’ll never see Hugo again, but he was quiet when I put the hydrogen peroxide on his cuts, so he’s in my good books there. Let’s not forget how amused Lyra was when she saw me and him together with the moose, though she hid it very well.
Maybe my talent won’t be that bad. Though I do wonder what Hugo’s talent is, currently he just seems like someone who is bad at everything but very confident, all’s well that ends well, right?
We are CLOSED.

total words: 2672

Daily 29th - July 29th 2024

Woecliffe
Where all mysteries are made
You'll never know what you'll find
As you explore
Oh Woecliffe!
How strange you are!
The puzzles and anomalies will always be found here!
Oh Woecliffe!
You'll always want to go
For how wonderful would paranormal activities be?
We'll crush our enemies
And solve our mysteries
What more could you want from old Woecliffe?
You'll meet the head students
The best of the very best
Aspire to be them
Hey where are they?
Moss, Mouse, Lio and Veni,
They are the very best here.
Oh Woecliffe!
Your secrets are still unsolved
But maybe your students will do it for you
Through libraries, secret passageways and more
You'll find that Woecliffe has lots in store
Will you be the one to figure it out first?
Is it a race against time?
Will you ever find out what happens to old Woecliffe, or will it forever be just one more question mark?
Oh Woecliffe!
Oh Woecliffe!
How we long to know more about you!
Will there be summonings, cults, magical monsters and more?
Where do you hide all of your treasures?
In the library or in the closet?
How long until you reveal your secrets?
Or will we have to wait longer for your confounding answers?

210 words

Aesthetic: aesthetic

Daily 30 - July 30th 2024

Oly
Thank you so much for motivating me to write this session <3 though unfortunately, I didn't have time to talk to a lot of people, you were one of the few I got to know a bit better! I appreciate the conversations we've had together, along with you critiquing my writing comp piece! Can't wait to talk more <3

Poem
You're probably not going to read this, and though it's been two years, I will never forget you! SAC was my first time ever (co)leading, and I can't believe someone as awesome as you asked me to be your co-leader? Looking back on that month, I can see that I had a lot of flaws, and was overall very inexperienced, so being able to have that wonderful experience with you was very helpful! Miss you and hope you're doing well!!

Ris
Fellow swiftie <3 I love our spontaneous conversations and interactions, it's always enjoyable to talk to you <3 hope we get to talk more, and let's keep watching the Eras Tour Live on YouTube! You are so skibidi and hopefully maybe we can be in the same cabin in SWC someday??? I've known you since RPE, if you even remember that :00 puts a lot of stuff in perspective, doesn't it?

Tryphna
Not your real name, but let's just be good with this! Since you're my irl friend, you'll never read this, but thank you for allowing me to be your friend. Though we don't have so much in common like Nikki, and you should still read PJO, I love talking to you and you're one of the awesome people that make school a bit more bearable. Hopefully we'll be friends until we have to part ways <3

Nikki
As a friend I've known for almost 4 years, we know a lot about each other. Though there have been many new friends, they come and go, and I wonder if the end will just be us sometimes. So much drama, worrying, and closeness has passed between us. I hope someday you'll be able to open your eyes, and someday we can be closer. You're a great friend, and I know I can be annoying at times, but thank you for bearing with me!

(375 words)

6th claimed! (Might not use)

7th :00

8th?????

9th!!

1k intro yay!

HI IT IS MIDNIGHT FINALLYY!!!
hello everyone! i am moss! she/her! if you can tell! by all of the exclamation points! i am! excited!!!!!
i'm going to answer a bunch of random questions about myself—thanks to everyone who asked me things in the main cabin, i appreciate having things to write about other than my favorite books for the hundredth time.

1. who are you??
hello again, i am moss! this session, i'm leading gothic, executiving the polar bears (activity team), and hosting i also will be host of the main cabin this session, so you can yell at me if dailies are late! they shouldn't be though because i have set myself several reminder alarms.
though i wasn't super active for the last two sessions (robotics is incredibly time consuming ahaha), i am fully back for july and looking forward to making some new friends i'm always happy to talk to people—feel free to drop a message on my profile if you have any questions about swc or if you just want to chat!

2. tell me about gothic's storyline!!
oho my favorite question!
gothic's campers are students at st. woecliffe academy, a cliffside castle turned magical school. one day, the wards protecting the academy disappear, leaving it vulnerable to attacks from the supernatural realms!! ghosts start swarming the school! luckily, they seem relatively friendly during the day and are somewhat receptive when we try to talk to them, but at night, they are taken over by the darkness and become evil and try to capture campers' souls and turn them into THE FALLEN, semi-sentient but soulless beings.
unfortunately, it's only at night that we can gather magic goo that forms in the school, which can be used to cast powerful spells…including the one to banish the ghosts back to their own realm. on the school's rooftop, however, there are gargoyles that used to guard st. woecliffe, and students can reawaken them, bond with them, and send them out to collect magic goo at night.
if we can gather enough magic by the end of the month, we can save the school from the supernatural invaders!

3. what cabins have you been in in the past?
november 21 - adventure mountain (camper)
march 22 - hi-fi time tree (camper)
july 22 - myth maze <3 (leader)
november 22 - steampunk sanctuary (co)
march 23 - thriller escape rooms (co)
july 23 - sci-fi: galactic invasion (leader)
november 23 - fantasy: where no one goes (camper)
march 24 - myth: the odyssey (camper)
july 24 - gothic: the summonings (leader)
as you can see i have recently been tending towards cabins with colons in their names xD

4. what's your favorite dinosaur? (zy)
i am not entirely sure - ichthyosaurus is a very fun word to say, so perhaps that one

5. what's your earliest memory? (lily)
performing in my preschool play, the giant pickle sandwich! i believe i (and my best friend at the time) was a mermaid xD i don't remember much else about it, but i think i have a dvd of it somewhere (but no dvd player unfortunately).

6. weirdest story? (lily)
hmm…when i was in kindergarten i was attempting to assemble a tiny book and accidentally stapled through my finger. i tried to get the teacher to come help but she was busy (and i did not say what was going on, oops) so i just sat there with a bloody hand for five minutes waiting for her
tiny moss was incredibly shy and did not want to bother people ahaha

7. describe your family members (lily)
okay!!
i live with my parents and two small dogs named milo and izzy.
my mom is very responsible and supportive, she loves listening to indie folk music and doing ceramics (which she just got back into recently, yay!). my dad is very hardworking but often a but forgetful. he works for a software consulting company and enjoys reading sci-fi books (though it takes him a very long time to get through them) and looking for geocaches.

8. favorite genres to read, write, and watch? (lily)
read: fantasy definitely! there's so much variation in the characters and worlds, and it feels like it never gets old <3
write: also probably fantasy, for the same reasons.
watch: sci-fi!! i love space/alien movies

9. what are your ‘comfort’ things - food, music, movies, place, etc. (lily)
here are some:
-my stuffed wolf who i got for my eighth birthday - he's very old and a bit flattened, but he still makes a great pillow <3
-the elf movie - i've seen it way too many times but it always makes me happy!
-six of crows - the book and all the fanfiction! the characters and world feel so familiar to me at this point and reading about them is very comforting.
-cheese - i love cheese.
-assorted songs - it varies, but some current favorites are sun and alba's stories collab (go listen here: https://scratch-mit-edu.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/projects/894226060/ !); a million dreams (always <3); two, i'll keep you safe, and three by sleeping at last (thank you moonlit!!); and ophelia by the lumineers.

10. what is ur opinion on the cat given to ur cabin? (mango)
adorable!! i agree a white cat would fit very nicely with our cabin, so thank you for that ;D

11. favourite ikea purchase? (finley)
perhaps the pillow i am lying on right now! idk i can't think of anything else that's not very boring (like bookshelves or cabinet handles).

12. most fun thing during cabin planning? (finley)
oooh i like this one! i think the most fun thing is right after all of your cos come in and everyone is super motivated to get started and there are constant posts trying to hammer out storyline specifics. the rest of the session is amazing, but nothing quite matches the feeling of the first few days <3

13. favorite tv show? (mildred)
parks and recreation! i have seen it twice and really enjoy it!

14. should you be sleeping?
…yes

10thhhhhhhhhhhh
:mango:

will make this pretty later:

daily 1 (1k intro - 2002 words): https://scratch-mit-edu.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/discuss/topic/724071/?page=1#post-8036862

daily 2 (letter to future self - 227 words): https://scratch-mit-edu.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/discuss/topic/724071/?page=1#post-8037574

daily 3 (kindgom and time skips - 1417 words): https://scratch-mit-edu.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/discuss/topic/724071/?page=1#post-8039458

'CAUSE WHEN YOU'RE FIFTEEN AND SOMEBODY TELLS YOU THEY LOVE YOUUU- ;D /lyr

Dailies :
1: skipped
2: letter to future self / handwritten / 203/200 words
3: a kingdom and how it's changed / 574/500 words
A kingdom untouched by time or age forever reigns atop a windy peak. Children giggled and stomped through the streets, the soft pitter patter of falling rain an accompaniment to a chorus of shrieks and screams. From afar a traveling bard played the melody of the piece, a peaceful hopeful tune guiding the people of this newborn realm. The ideals their people follow are simple; the freedom to wander and the joy of being free-spirited for all of eternity. But despite all their efforts the sun still sinks over the horizon each day, and still they must pray that the fragile peace remains unbroken.

Ten years later and our gates hold strong. The people are satisfied fulfilled- and yet our walls are beginning to erode. At first I wasn't too concerned, for it was only a minuscule pebble tumbling from beneath our grand empire, but the issue soon grew. Today a chunk of the north wall gravely injured a merchant when it tumbled from its place and shattered in a grand explosion. I implore you to reinstall this section as soon as possible as a preventative measure. My king, I hope this does not worry you. Great things are coming to our kingdom just as the music crescendos.

I do wish you luck on your negotiations. Please be sure to tell the other nations that we are flourishing against all odds. We have successfully put out the fire that sparked in the east village, and there have been many outlanders seeking new life within our borders. I have spoken with the trio of travelers who arrived just yesterday and they have agreed to help us take care of our little problem with the freeze. No lives have been lost and all is well, but I do wish you would get me some earmuffs for this darned music.

My king where are you? I can't do this anymore. We've seen the sun every single day of this apocalypse, but all it seems to be doing is making a mockery out of us. There is still light but I feel no warmth within our lands. This cancer which has plagued our lands for so long has never been so ruthless. Every passing day I fear more and more for our lives, as we will soon run out of the coal that has kept us hovering just above the line between life and death. Worst of all, the music is barely audible now. I can barely hear it as I write this report to you- even the sound of a quill scratching paper is enough to drown it out. It's not like the way it was in the beginning; soft but there was hope and joy intertwined with it. Now the only thing I hear is the eeriness of it all. There's no children playing in the streets any longer, or any farmers working in the fields. My king please come back. We've never needed you more than now.

Your majesty by the time you read this I'll already be gone. Or maybe you'll never read this at all, the paper disintegrating within the ice. There is nothing anymore. No hope no dreams. We're all already gone. When you return all you'll find is ice and snow. If we're lucky, someone will still be able to read this letter and remember the tale of a kingdom silenced by the cruel winter long ago.
- your faithful bard, 502-582
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