All the words in the world…

So, I’ve already stated that I found my calling in doing comics.  I get to add the visuals that I can’t with books, and they are such a timed process, that I have room for adjustments in my plot as I go along.  

 

 

 

However, one downfall I have is with so much freedom, I need to make sure that each dialogue bubble says exactly what it needs to say without being too wordy.  It has to be the perfect balance of character and information.  In one panel alone, I have re-worded the dialogue so many times, I forget what I’m trying to get across.  

 

“You know For a six year old, you are kinda pretty kinda smart.”

“For a compliment, that’s kinda mean rude.   Compliments shouldn’t be mean.  You know what they say, “If you can’t say something nice…”  Most people don’t put up with people that are mean.

 

It’s funny that there is a thousand ways to say the exact same thing, yet one alteration can change everything.  

When instant satisfaction has to wait.

I like instant satisfaction.  Its why I love cooking but hate baking.  It’s why I prefer fast food to sit down restaurants.  It’s why I sleep in instead of work out.  I like things here and now, and if that isn’t how it is, I let Future Me worry about it.  So, it’s literally painful working on this comic.  I want to share my whole story NOW!  

 

Yesterday, during lunch, in one hour I wrote the outline and layout for an entire volume of my comic. I was all excited, I was yes, it sounds great, its going to look great.  Its going to be my favorite volume.  But when I counted how many pages it was going to be, I almost cried.  In one hour, I planned out three months worth of drawing, shading, posting, and editing.  And I’m only three pages into my first volume!  I won’t get to this volume until winter, at least!.  Oh god!  

 

And all I can do is sit down, hold tight, and keep up with it.  For someone who likes instant satisfaction, there are just some things you can’t take a short cut with.  This needs to be done right.  This storytelling will take time, and for every ounce of patience I give it, I will receive the same amount of patience from my readers.  If they are willing to wait, so shall I.

 

The whole while, I’ll be shivering with anticipation.   

Chasing Shadows Session 7

While our rag tag friends regrouped at the Sleepy Inn, an Inn at Thylden’s Outer City, Courtney, the real Courtney, wanders in and catches them up. She tells them of Dritha’s demise and how a great deal of the city’s people had come with her, here to Thylden. As they caught up, and exchanged information about the last day’s goings on, they heard panicked screams from the outside. While the Outer City inhabitants retreated to their houses, the Dritha peoples have no choice but to rally and find whatever they can to defend themselves against the Ghouls, which had invaded Outer City.

 

 Gathering together in order to protect the citizens, the group defeats the Ghouls and then, split up, alternating between sleep and “shaking down” the Outer City community. They find an ally in Jordeth, who is a retired Capital Soldier, who has offered to go with them to Center City, as they suspect that Marna (who slipped away during the fight with the Ghouls) has gone there.

Chasing Shadows, Part 6

Our players were resting after a night of Sprites and Dryads. Shaw, taking second watch, notices that Courtney is awake and acting suspiciously; caught her searching through different group member’s belongings. The group is alerted to her odd behavior, but she is able to convince the group to move away from the road and light a candle, which they had received in Dritha. When they had lit the candle, the compass that Shaw wears, pointed, not north, but in a direction leading to Thylden. 

 

The group decides to follow the arrow, which leads them to a Paladin camp. The Paladin had been killed by a lingering Dretch, which the group fights off, with the help of a Halfling Rogue, who had been hiding behind a nearby boulder. Searching the camp for clues and goods, Dorje and Anbelene spot a dress on the ground. Near it are bird tracks; scanning the area, the group spots an owl on that boulder. It flies down, transforming into a beautiful woman. When the young woman sees Courtney, she grabs her and kisses her, passionately. It’s then, that Courtney is revealed as a Doppelganger– the group kills the creature, and follows this young woman, who claims she is Marna, to a tavern in Thylden, to regroup.

Chasing Shadows, Part 5

Two day journey from Dritha, our group settles in for the night. Anbelene cooks up a stew using some of Ronald’s cockatrice meat and a variety of wild herbs and vegetables picked up in town. Unbeknownst to her fellow travelers, the Druid also throws in two mushrooms she’d picked from the Faerie ring they had encountered just two weeks prior. Having unwittingly ingested the magickal mushrooms, the group is transported, once again, to the land of Fae. There, they meet another Dryad, for whom Athelia readied a bolt. Ronald, haunted by memories of his last encounter with a Dryad, spotted Athelia’s loaded crossbow, and bespelled her into peace and silence, so as not to repeat the violence or that last meeting. 

 

As they question the Dryad, they discover that Marna had been traversing the Faerie Realms, and had been given Faerie gifts to aid her in the Mortal Realms. They also find out that Courtney is suspected, by the Fae, of following Marna to this Realm and leading the Yeth Through. Her actions have caused many Faerie deaths, and damaged many a Fae village. As a direct result, Marna was asked to leave this Realm, and to never return. For this reason, Courtney has been exiled, and the Dryad, having issued fair warning, directs them to a Sprite that will help them back to the Mortal Realm. As they are leaving, the Dryad inquires of the Turning Tribe, only to be told that the tribe had been slaughtered by the Drow.

 

The Sprite bore them no ill will, and even welcomed them back. She informed the group that Marna has been in search of her lover reincarnate, and won’t rest until he is found. In order to keep her passage secret, she has been Shape-Changing with some frequency. Bidding the group a fond farewell, the Sprite “explains” to them some of the shapes of Faerie portals, so that they might return when necessary.

Chasing Shadows, Part 4

Chasing Shadows Session 4 

 

Our group finally reaches the city of Dritha, but only so far as the outer skirts of it; the rural area of Dritha. Here, a Lord Paladin watches over this outer district, keeping order and acting as go between for these people and those in charge of the greater, growing Dritha. There is a great fuss, in this district, and the group discovers much turmoil as the people prepare for a burning. The prisoner is a young girl, raving mad and accused of murdering her seven year old brother, Keyan. The young girl, Dahlia, pleads innocence; she claims that strange shadows, with glowing eyes, like hot embers, had been haunting her little brother, since the tragic passing of her mother. Shaw, Dorje, Courtney and Chavers decide to investigate. Ronald, who’d felt insulted by the young woman, decided to go to the local tavern with Athelia—Athelia, who decided that this was not her problem, and simply could not see the logic in investigating. 

 

 As Shaw, Dorje, Courtney and Chavers questioned several townspeople, including Dahlia’s father. Having discovered Yeth Hound tracks in the field, by the spot where Dahlia had found her mother’s body, about a year ago, they followed them to the Lord Paladin’s barn, where they found an ominous note, left by Keyan’s murderer. This letter provided proof of Dahlia’s innocence and the four returned to the stockade’s where she was being kept. There, they met up with Ronald, who had become an unwitting hero in all of this, and Shaw made a most compelling speech to the townspeople, whom had sentenced Dahlia to death by burning at the stake. Sense came to the people, then, and Dahlia was released. Upon her release, Dahlia took the visitors to her home, to her brother’s room, and there, she gave them a unique item. A candle, which she said would lead them to the Moon. They left that night, to camp.

Apple of my eye.

Reddit WritingPrompt: Write a story about an unexpected side effect of Love Potions.

 

I love him and he loves me.

I remember the day well.  He had taken a sip, just one.  But that was all that was needed.  That’s all the label said.

A sip and love you will find in the eyes of your beloved.

He opened his eyes and he looked straight into mine.  As our eyes met, I saw the connection, the instant reaction of love.  Who knew that my greatest happiness would come from a bottle?

Since that day, we have been in so much love.  He always holds my hands, keeps me close, and he can never take his eyes off me.

“Your eyes are like the deepest oceans. I can not look away.  So beautiful.”

He always does my hair, making sure my bangs are out of my face.  “They always get in the way when I’m looking at you.”

We are living together.  Sleeping together.  I’ve never been happier, even if I don’t get much sleep anymore.  He just can’t seem to get enough of me.

“Stay awake with me so I may look upon you some more.  I feel like I can just look into your eyes and get lost forever.”

I can tell he loves me.  He eyes are so intense, he just can’t stop looking at me.  It’s like he can’t bare to break eye contact.  Every day it feels like he was falling more and more in love with me.

So, it came as quite a surprise that he left.

I’m kneeling on the floor as I hear the front door slam.  I can feel tears fall down my face.  They are hot and sticky.  They feel heavy, thicker, like my heartbreak is bleeding down my face.  But I can’t see them.  I can’t see anything.  I feel numb and cold.  I feel like I am in physical pain, and I might be but I can’t tell.  I’m crying and I can’t stop.  I start rubbing my eyes, hoping to stop the tears, but I feel nothing.  Nothing.  And the tears just keep falling.

He’s suppose to love me forever.  The potion was suppose to be forever!  I remember reading the label.  I know what the label said!

A sip and love you will find in the eyes of your beloved.

I’m his beloved!  He can’t leave me!  I try to get up to give chase, but I can’t see where I’m going.  I trip and fall back onto the ground.   I curl into a ball and sob some more.

A sip and love you will find in the eyes of your beloved.

The words seem to echo in my mind.  In the back of my mind, I know I’m in shock.  I know I need to calm down, but it’s all too much. I can’t believe this is happening.

A sip and love you will find in the eyes of your beloved.

And as the horror starts to sink in, I don’t know what is worse.  The fact that he left me, or the fact that he took my eyes when he left.

Remember the date.

Reddit’s WritingPrompts – Guaranteed Critique Week #1:  While on a promising first date, you see your ex-spouse.

When I met Tom, I was instantly attracted to him.  It was terrifying how much I liked him.  And that scared me.  The thing is, I’ve been scared of a lot of things.  Life has not been easy, and while they tell me that it’s time to move on, I haven’t been able to.  I’m still scared, scared of letting anyone get close.  But when Tom asked me out, I was more scared to say no than yes.  So I’m going on my first date in 16 years.

“How about this Friday, the 23rd?”  The 23rd?  My heart stopped.  Wait, he meant the 23rd of this month? May 23rd?  Instantly I see the flash of white flowers and shiny metal.  I hear I do’s and church bells.  I smell Jim’s cologne as he leaned in.  No, it’s too soon.  I shouldn’t have said yes.  I shouldn’t have said I do.  This was a bad idea.

“That sounds like a great idea.”

And that’s how I ended up at Pareni’s.  Tom is across from me, smiling.  “I love Italian food!”  I smile back, “I do too.”  I use to anyways.  “I’ve always wanted to go to Italy.”  I’ve been.  Soon, we are talking about Europe and wines and trips.  I thought this would be harder, but it’s not.  This conversation is effortless and easy.  I can’t seem to wipe the grin off my face.  I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.

When the waiter comes, we order.  I find out Tom loves ravioli.  He likes his dressing on the side and literally cannot not talk with his hands.  I learn we have the same taste is wine and I can’t wait to share dessert.  When the wine does come, we toast good food and long life. While we wait for the food, I get up and head to the restroom.  In front of the mirror, I touch up my lipstick.  Then I see him standing in the reflection.  I drop my lipstick.

“Hello Elena.”

Jim.  Jim in his expensive Armani suits and strong cologne.  Jim with his blonde hair and his snarky smirks.  Jim and his overbearing presence.  Jim.  I can’t breathe.  I can not get air into my lungs.  I can’t get my legs to move.  I’m frozen in spot staring at him.  This is all wrong.  Why is he here?  How can he be here?!

He leans against the wall, a knowing look on his face.  “You look good Elena.  How’s your date going?  He seems nice.”  Though he is by the door, I feel like he is too close, too suffocating. I slowly back up until I hit the sink.  “What are you doing here Jim?”  He grins and shrugs.  “You know I’m just checking up on you.  Can’t I be concerned for my wife?”  Wife.  The word cuts like a knife.  “I’m not your wife anymore Jim.”

“Don’t be silly.  We made vows.  Some little paper can’t change that.”   I need to leave.  Now.  I have to get out.  I don’t want to be here anymore.  While he is by the door, he isn’t blocking it.  I can just leave.  Can I?  Will he let me?  I need to take control of this.  If only I could.  This is so out of control, I don’t know what to do, but I need to leave.  I stand up straight and walk straight up to him.  “Jim.  It’s over.  Leave it alone.  You don’t belong here.  Go away and leave me alone.”

He smiles.  “Oh my.  That’s your ‘no compromise’ face.”  He slowly reaches out and grasps my arms.  I want to pull away but I don’t.  “But you’re right.  And I love you so much, I’m going to let you have this little fling.  In fact, dinner’s on me tonight, love.”  With that, he lets go and leans back against the wall.  I am instantly suspicious.  It’s can’t be that easy.  Jim is never that easy.  “Really?  Just like that?”  He nods, “Just like that.  You should go.  I sure Tom already started to eat without you.”  I am at a loss of words.  This feels wrong.  “Thank you Jim.”  He nods,  “Anything for you, love.  I hope you enjoy the lobster ravioli.”  I frown.  I didn’t order ravioli.  Tom did.  Oh no.

“Can I have cheese instead of lobster.  I’m allergic to shellfish.”

Like a ton a bricks, I remember.  Tom!  I rush for the door and open it.  But it’s too late.  The restaurant is in chaos.  I see people grouped around my table.  I hear “Call 911!”  I see Tom on the floor.  But before I can bolt out the door, a hand grabs my arm.  I turn on Jim, “What did you do?!”  His grin is back in full force.  “Reminding you.”  I can feel the blood rush from my face as he keeps talking, “You should probably go.  Though I do suggest you don’t run.  You aren’t very good at that.  No matter how many systems they put you through and how many times you move, I always seem to find you.  And I will always find you Elena.  Always.”

I should be terrified.  I should be horrified.  But worse, I should have known better.  I knew Jim was a killer, a hit man, a mobster.  I knew that I would never be able to get away.  I knew jail wouldn’t keep him away.  I knew better.  I am paralyzed by shock, terror, and rage.  I don’t know what to do but stare at him, hoping my eyes and expressions and tears can convey what my words can not.  He reaches up and wipes a tear from my cheek, grinning like a psychopath.

“Happy Anniversary baby.”

God is a dog.

Reddit WritingPrompts: You get to heaven, God is a dog.

 

I am not a good person.  

 

I am a lawyer.  Or was anyways.  So, as I look over the white, fluffy landing in front of me, I know what this means and I know where I am.  And I don’t I belong here.  I can feel my soul crumble in my chest as I realize this.  But it’s true.  I don’t belong here.  I am not a good person.  I have sent innocents to jail.  I have let criminals go free.  I know my slate is not clean.  

 

I am not a good person.

 

“Mr. Walters.”  I look around and see him.  St. Peter.  I at least paid that much attention to the church services Jennie dragged me to.  I walk over to him.  I don’t say anything.  Peter smiles at me, and opens the book in front of him.  “Greetings and welcome.  Are you ready for your review?”  My breath catches, but I nod.  Peter pulls out one piece of paper from the book and shows it to me. 

 

James Leonard Walters.  

May 19th, 2014

Rating: Pending

 

May 19th, 2014.  That’s today.  That’s the day I died.  I look up at Peter.  “Pending?  What does this mean?”  Peter smiles again.  “Your life is judged on your last day.”  I gap at him.  Today.  What did I even do today?  Nothing!  I didn’t even get out of the house.  “Today?!  One day?!  My whole life, my eternal salvation, is determined on one day?!  That’s crazy!”  

 

Peter grins, “Well, God doesn’t like to dwell on the past.  He usually doesn’t have the attention span for it anyways.  So, lets go over your day, shall we?”  With a wave of his hand, everything around me changes and I’m in my room.  I see myself asleep.  And then time starts moving fast.  

 

I wake up groggy and angry, not wanting to go to work.  I get out of bed and trip on Jennie’s shoes.  I curse, using the Lord’s name in vain and kick the shoe.  Then Roy comes running in.  As Roy dances around my feet, hitting me with his tail, I stumble into the living room. I step on one of Tommy’s legos.  More cursing ensued.  Then there is coffee and the morning chores of taking care of Roy. 

 

By now, I’m frowning.  This won’t turn out good.  I hate my son’s dog, Roy.  I hate Roy’s breed.  I hate Roy’s hair all over my suits.  I hate Roy’s need to get on the furniture.  I hate Roy’s need to eat my papers.  I hate the way he makes me sneeze.  I hate that I’m the one that has to walk Roy.  I hate that I’m the one that has to feed him and water him, and throw his stupid ball.  

 

But by now, it has become a habit.  I frown as I fill his bowl, exactly two scoops.  I grumble as I fill his water bowl, exactly one pint.  I complain as I take him into the back yard, exactly 20 ball throws.   I sneeze as I comb him, exactly 200 brushes.  And then it happened.  As I take him back inside, I tripped on him and fell down the stairs, exactly one broken neck.  

 

I take a big breath.  We are back at the gates, and all I have for my day, my review, is a curse filled day with complaints and hatred.  “Well, that’s a shitty day.”  Before Peter can say anything, the gates start to open.  The clouds dissipate and I see a shadow moving towards us.  And I hear talking.

 

“What a good day!  I love those days!  So good!  Love, love, love them!  I love waking up!  And I love when you get loud and bark my name!  You are so much fun!  I love when you dance!  Grab your feet and dance!”  And now I see him.  I see God.  And I know it’s God, though he really looks like Roy.  He runs up to me, and sits at my feet, tail wagging.  And he continues to talk.

 

“Yes!  And you feed me!  I love food!  Good food!  Not your food, but still good food!  And the water!  Then there’s outside!  I love outside!  I love the ball!  Give me the ball!  Throw the ball!  And you always do!  Always throw!  Even when you sad!  Even when you sick!  You throw!  Love the ball!  Love ALL the things!  But not the brush!  Stupid brush!  I bite the brush!  But brush feels good!  So good!  Yes!  You always brush!  You always take care of me!  Always!  I love you!  I love you!  Always love you!”

 

I stare in disbelief.  How can something, someone, who I don’t like, despise, hate so much, love me so much?  I awkwardly lower my head to pet God’s head.  “Oh, so good!!! Yes!  Come, we play more fetch!  More ball! I have ball inside!  You throw ball again!”  And God bolts back past the gates.  I turn to Peter in confusion.  He just stamps my review with a big red 100%.   

 

“Shitty? Sounds like it was a good day to me.” 

 

 

 

  

 

Chasing Shadows, Part 3

Session 3 

 

Ronald, Dorje, Anbelene, Shaw, Athelia, Courtney and Shaw’s new squire (Athelia’s former slave), Chavers, set off for Thilden the next morning. After about a half a day’s walk the group came across the ruins of the temporary settlement of the Plains People. As they drew closer to the encampment, they saw that the Plains People had all been slaughtered. Some investigating, and a keen sense of hearing, lead the group to three survivors. A Shaman, who became terrified at the sight of the group, warned against a “bringer of death and destruction”. Nearby, a young woman was found, who dropped hints that Marna might have been there, but is in a safe place now, and she gave to the group a seemingly broken compass. It’s covered in rust and with intricate, even ethereal, designs. The group also found a gentleman, a weapon’s master, who bestowed upon them full Dragon Plate Armor, insisting that it will help them in their journey.

 

Seeing some jewelry about the tents, they picked up what they could, then proceeded to hold a burning ceremony for the now extinct tribe. Once the ceremony had finished, the group moved forth in their quest. By sundown they settled down for the night, only to have settled in a faerie ring. Awakening in the forest of Fae, the Ronald notices that the compass around Shaw’s neck is spinning wildly. They don’t have much chance to study it, however, as a Dryad appears, crawling out of her tree. Their might being surpassed, they flee, seeking safety amongst friendlier trees. Losing their step, they tumble down a slight hill, landing, unconscious, in a heap. When they come to, the next morning, they are back in the plains of Ylden.

 

Jolted from the night’s events, the group continues to Thilden, about a day’s walk from Dritha, they stop in a small village, where they get a few supplies and some lunch. However, their lunch is interrupted by the sound of chilling screams. They rush to the sound, and find a terrified woman, pointing in the direction of a great beast. The group give chase and find a Yeth Hound. Knowing that where the Yeth go, the Drow are soon to follow, they slay the beast. With the safety of the village in mind, they drag the body, and leave it, about an hour south of their path, and continue until sunset, when they finally put down for the night.