DREAMS of a CLOUD
Peruse the many random ramblings of a writer-in-training as I build stories and develop my craft.
2 February 2023
Keiko rubbed her chin, and after a moment a twinkle formed in her eyes. “Still, I have some work for you once you’ve checked in with everyone, if you’re willing.” She nodded her head toward the half-finished homes. “The faster those get finished, the better prepared we’ll be for winter and whatever else is coming.”
“Ah, yeah.” Hanako scratched the back of her head. “Those guys… I’m not sure if that’s the best idea.”
“If they don’t like it, tough. Tell them to take it up with me.”
31 January 2023
Arylwen was interrupted by a sudden stinging on her cheek. She looked in shock at Bethany–quiet, timid Bethany–and could barely believe the girl had slapped her.
Bethany certainly wasn’t timid now. She glared up at Arylwen, the corners of her eyes glistening. “Charles isn’t like that. You know Charles isn’t like that. And I’ll never forgive you if you ever say something so cruel about him again.”
29 January 2023
“If this is all a creation within your mind, then surely I would be unable to tell you anything you didn’t already know.”
I chuckle. “If. Sometimes, honestly, I have my doubts.” I tap the wooden desk, then glance around, noting the simple, yet elegant chandelier above us. “Do I really create all of this, or did I simply discover it, my mind viewing scenes of your world as if through a dark glass, distorted?”
28 January 2023
“What can you tell me about this city? What should I watch out for?”
The beggar hesitates for a bit, then points a trembling finger. “Don’t go that way; Her Ladyship has it blocked off. I don’t know what it is but they’re not very nice with anyone as gets too close.” He pauses, and in a whisper he adds, “And never go out on the main road on a Tuesday. That’s when Her Ladyship goes on her grand procession.”
24 January 2023
Moria’s eyes flash, and the next thing I know I’m slammed up against the wall with her claws around my throat. Good thing I’m not actually physically present; that seems like it would have hurt.
“Don’t you dare,” Moira hissed, “send my girl into that pack of arrogant, self-serving pigs.”
19 January 2023
The ghost turned around to face her. Liz had to take a step back, because the entire left side of the ghost’s face was missing, leaving just the skull below the hairline.
Even that, Liz could have handled. One doesn’t become a field-based anthropologist by being squeamish, especially around human remains. No, the trouble came when the ghost opened its mouth and screamed.
17 January 2023
Elizabeth gave him a flat look, though the effect lost a lot of its power since she was drenched in sweat. “Ghosts aren’t real. And even if they were, wouldn’t that be the exact kind of thing your crew would avoid?”
13 January 2023
This was a point where everything seemed to be a struggle. I felt like I had no time, no energy. So I went ahead and used an assignment from my Institute class (kind of like a Bible Study type of thing) to count for my daily writing this day.
12 January 2023
“So, why a pirate?”
“Hmm?”
“Well, you’re a dragon. You could have gone anywhere, done anything. Singer, artist, baker. So why did you choose to become a pirate?”
“Call it a whim.” Her eyes got a far off look, and she chuckled to herself. “I happened to run into Jasper one day, and he intrigued me.”
11 January 2023
Serafina narrowed her eyes. “You haven’t told them you’re the prince yet, have you?”
Caspir flinched and collapsed into a nearby chair. “It’s not like I’m trying to hide it. I’ve even told them I’m wealthy, or that I bought this or that. They just… don't believe me.”
10 January 2023
Chad slammed Tirian against the wall so hard the concrete broke. “This isn't about your father! Or the headmaster, or anyone else! Right now, you are in the ring with me. Respect me enough to fight me seriously!”
He let go of Tirian’s lapel and let him sink to the ground. Tirian looked down at his hand. “I… don’t know if I can do that. The very thought of use his power–”
Chad smashed a fist into the wall above Tirian’s head, sending a spray of rock chips out around them. “Then make it yours!”
9 January 2023
Just as they opened the door, the old man called out to Zad. “This is big risk your family take. Next time in Luskra, if you make it, I give you special deal. Tell your father.”
Zad seemed more than a little surprised, but he nodded. “I’ll tell him.”
8 January 2023
It’s easy to say, out in the light, that darkness isn’t a thing. And they’re right; it’s not. It’s the absence of a thing, the absence of light. But when you’re trapped hundreds of feet down without any light, the darkness has got weight to it. If you’re not careful, it’ll crush you just as surely as any cave-in.
7 January 2023
“So, how’d it start? When’d you meet?”
Elliott chuckled. “Well, he already spent most of the time in the castle, since his mother was one of the royal bodyguards. At first, he mostly played with the other kids in the castle, but one day he randomly noticed that I spent my time alone in the library.”
“Ah. More of that brooding.”
He shot Arylwen a glare.
6 January 2023
Eventually, one of them, a shorter woman with ruffled brown hair, came over and watched Adeline for a while. When she finally spoke, she asked, “You must have really done a number on Kenna for her to be this spooked by you. What the heck did you do?”
As best as she could with the manacles, Adeline signed, “I don’t know.”
5 January 2023
This was fun. I was dead tired, and I had my online class soon, so I pulled something random, and decided to write an explorer’s impressions if he (or she) had run into the pop-tart people that show up in the comics on the boxes. I might be conflating them with the minions from the Despicable Me series in some ways, but eh. Short little nonsense piece. I think that’s important sometimes, too.
4 January 2023
This one is short, because I spent most of my evening planning things out for this story and trying to figure out who Elliott was better. In particular, I want to get a better grasp on the dynamic between Elliott and Charles, and the way that will evolve over the course of the series.
3 January 2023
“Every family’s different. Some are like yours; cold and distant from each other, too concerned about pride to care about love. A lot are way worse; there are whole portions of our local governments dedicated to dealing with abuse and shattered homes. But yeah, this is real.” I mused for a moment, then added, “I wouldn’t be surprised if many of your own people had families like this. What was Tairsi’s family like?”
Eenaia had no response. The palace around me shifted, somehow, as Esenaia tried to withdraw, close herself off.
2 January 2023
Charles bit his lip, then asked, “W-were those wings real? Are you really a dragon?”
“Well, yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”
At that, Elliott finally reacted. “But, that means you’re some sort of royalty! And yet, you’re dressed like that, without any sort of royal dignity!”
Arylwen shrugged. “I don’t care about any of that crap.”