Her Mantle Is Love

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    • - Okay. You have a plan, you have a good plan, you've thought this through, now do your job, Eli. Everybody's counting on you.

    You open the door, and step into the common room.

    The subby wolfgirl from yesterday is sitting at a table, talking in low tones with a tomboyish human girl - oh! You recognize her from her file, that must be Grace. Other than those two, though, the common room's deserted.

    You wave at the pair of them, and smile. "Hey, you two! Where is everyone? I was expecting a lot more people."

    Kayla grins, and points at the doors out into the gardens. "Listen!"

    You strain your elven hearing, and catch a snatch of song -

    "Melody's
    morning tea!
    Come drink some
    tea with me!"

    "Oh, I see."

    Kayla nods. "Not my scene."

    You wince. "- Damn it, I'm doing the thing again aren't I."

    "It's fine, she got me too." Kayla rubs her forehead. "So yeah, Lily made scones or something - she's a good cook - and then Melody's advertising them, I think the whole thing was organized by Ipsea? She's - I really like her, but I need a break from her sometimes, it's too easy to pay attention to her. And with Melody out there too..." Kayla sucks in a breath. "Yeah, I'm subby enough already, I'd rather not end up drooling on the ground under somebody's foot this early in the day."

    You raise an eyebrow. "Has that happened before?"

    "Not yet, but only through truly heroic efforts on my part," Kayla deadpans. "So instead, Grace is out here keeping me company."

    Grace offers a hand. "How do you do?"

    You shake it. "Well enough, thank you."

    She smiles. "Anything else you'd like to say, we were in the middle of a fascinating conversation - ?"

    You shake your head. "No, no, I'll go join morning tea with Melody if it's all the same to you."

    She ducks her head, and waves a lazy hand towards the garden doors. "Be my guest."

    ... Well then, the garden it is. You push through the doors, out into the sunshine.

    Ipsea and Lily, Melody, Posy,
    Sit eating scones around a tea cozy,
    Portia alone does not have a scone:
    You'd ask, but don't want to be nosy.

    Melody notices you, and waves you in,
    offers a chair with a bright, cheerful grin:
    "I'm sure there's a scone for a priestess well-known,
    a scone for a priestess elfin!"

    You shake your head and rub at your eyes,
    catch your lustful glace at Ipsea's firm thighs,
    sit down and take a scone of your own,
    doing your best to try to look wise.

    "These are Lily's?" you ask, taking a bite -
    gosh these are better to taste than to sight -
    crusty and buttery, this wonderful scone -
    you do your best not to let out a moan.

    Melody giggles, and nods her head:
    "They're just to die for, much better than bread!
    Sorry, my poetry's still roughly sewn -
    You'll find that my prose is much better known."

    You raise an eyebrow. "But I'm not rhyming now?"
    Melody shrugs. "And yet everything's more lyric somehow.
    Muses are different than you might expect,
    so maybe don't worry or be too suspect."

    Looking at Lily, you smile: "A toast!
    A toast with a scone to a wonderful host!"
    Raising it high, you take a big bite:
    Melody giggles and claps in delight.

    "Another!" she cries, her fingers conduct,
    "You're getting the spirit: without artists, I'm fucked!"
    Your eyebrows shoot up, and Melody laughs:
    "What, swearing's not suited to one of my crafts?"

    Lily rolls her eyes, and offers you tea,
    though her lips can't help but twitch up, you see:
    Portia sighs deeply, and refills her glass,
    knocking back coffee from her demitasse.

    You look at her. "Are you feeling alright?
    I know that we didn't have a very good night..."
    She cuts you off with a wave of her hand.
    "Please, not in front of the whole goddamn band."

    Ipsea just giggles: "I already know,
    I expect everyone's heard about your sideshow:
    I'll not repeat what was said to me,
    but I understand your night turned into debris."

    You sigh and shrug. "You heard this from who?
    A priestess' been slack,
    opening her sister to such an attack -
    though I must admit, it's my fault too,
    being the girl who fucked things up, true."


    ((Pick as many verses as you like.))

    [ ] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    [ ] "Melody, I have a few lines for you,
    since later today we'll have a to-do:
    Could you tell everyone to gather for lunch?
    You'll get the word out, I've just got a hunch."

    [ ] "Where are the rest of the supplicants now?
    It seems to me I can't understand how
    two thirds the trainees have vanished away:
    do you know where they have all gone today?"

    [ ] "Have you seen Cocoa, that chocolate cat?
    I saw her and Sofya in a bit of a spat,
    and now I just wonder what there's to do:
    I'd go and see her if her whereabouts knew."

    [ ] "Have you seen Sofya, fashion CEO?
    She fought with Cocoa, then left allegro:
    I'd like to see her about that key:
    I just have to wonder where she could be!"

    [ ] Posy's the girl without a file,
    just sitting here eating with a wide smile.
    Perhaps you should ask if she has it herself?
    To look at her, she's an everyday elf...

    [ ] Write an original verse for your plan,
    and Melody might just call you her fan.
    A Muse's gratitude, that's no platitude:
    Just make sure that your lines scan.
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • This update was pretty darn cool @Evenstar .Melody's poetry should be classed as a memetic hazard!

    [X] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    [X] "Melody, I have a few lines for you,
    since later today we'll have a to-do:
    Could you tell everyone to gather for lunch?
    You'll get the word out, I've just got a hunch."

    [X] Posy's the girl without a file,
    just sitting here eating with a wide smile.
    Perhaps you should ask if she has it herself?
    To look at her, she's an everyday elf...

    Feel inspired for some write in verses but poetry takes me time, so going with this for now.
     
    I'm honestly annoyed at the rhyming. No real idea though on what to say.

    Also a bit crude to spread that rumor? I guess we have to be more proper or at least more discreet around them.

    They seem to be like the student body for an all girls high school. Just missing a Queen Bee I feel. Actually who am I kidding, she's present just not known to us possibly.
     
    We need more Melody in our life. That rhyme is noice.

    Is it a faux pas for Priestess-Supplicant relationships to exist? I wonder if we can seduce her and convince her to stay around a bit more.
     
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    [X] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    [X] "Where are the rest of the supplicants now?
    It seems to me I can't understand how
    two thirds the trainees have vanished away:
    do you know where they have all gone today?"

    [X] Posy's the girl without a file,
    just sitting here eating with a wide smile.
    Perhaps you should ask if she has it herself?
    To look at her, she's an everyday elf...

    [X] I'd quite like to know who's been spreading it round
    that I suffered a difficult evening while bound.
    Tact is important for anyone here,
    who'll be seeing much weirder by this time next year.
     
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    RedV said:
    We need more Melody in our life. That rhyme is noice.

    Is it a faux pas for Priestess-Supplicant relationships to exist? I wonder if we can seduce her and convince her to stay around a bit more.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    Guess I'm alone in that sentiment. Oh well.

    Also yeah @Evenstar is it bad for Priestesses to have those relationships? Or faux pas?
     
    @root:

    Melody accepts your delightful verse,
    metered and rhymed much better than worse:
    your write-in option is now a true vote,
    and Melody's stronger from your lively note.

    @Valkur, @RedV: Priestess-supplicant relationships are encouraged, so long as they are open relationships that come after the priestess' other duties. As such, casual sex will raise zero eyebrows, but serious dating may attract some attention to make sure everyone's staying on the right side of that line.
     
    [X] I'd quite like to know who's been spreading it round
    that I suffered a difficult evening while bound.
    Tact is important for anyone here,
    who'll be seeing much weirder by this time next year.

    [X] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    Touching the posy thing with poetry strikes me as bad idea.
     
    [X] I'd quite like to know who's been spreading it round
    that I suffered a difficult evening while bound.
    Tact is important for anyone here,
    who'll be seeing much weirder by this time next year.

    [X] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    [X] "Melody, I have a few lines for you,
    since later today we'll have a to-do:
    Could you tell everyone to gather for lunch?
    You'll get the word out, I've just got a hunch."

    [X] "Where are the rest of the supplicants now?
    It seems to me I can't understand how
    two thirds the trainees have vanished away:
    do you know where they have all gone today?"
     
    Last edited:
    @Evenstar

    How does Melody work again? The more rhyming the better she becomes or something? Sounds like a Parasitic-plant with neurological attacks.

    I want one to keep kids of my porch.
     
    [X] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    [X] "Melody, I have a few lines for you,
    since later today we'll have a to-do:
    Could you tell everyone to gather for lunch?
    You'll get the word out, I've just got a hunch."

    [X] I'd quite like to know who's been spreading it round
    that I suffered a difficult evening while bound.
    Tact is important for anyone here,
    who'll be seeing much weirder by this time next year.

    [X] "Where are the rest of the supplicants now?
    It seems to me I can't understand how
    two thirds the trainees have vanished away:
    do you know where they have all gone today?"

    [X] "Have you seen Sofya, fashion CEO?
    She fought with Cocoa, then left allegro:
    I'd like to see her about that key:
    I just have to wonder where she could be!"


    [ ] Posy's the girl without a file,
    just sitting here eating with a wide smile.
    Perhaps you should ask if she has it herself?
    To look at her, she's an everyday elf...

    [ ] Let's remember our plan, in case Posy's too shy,
    or if she doesn't know what has happened or why.
    And if answer she does, still it may not be truth;
    ask Ishaza as well, once we've talked to the youth.

    (I'm guessing ee-SHAH-zah is how it's pronounced,
    but if EE-shah-zah's right, don't be quick to denounce:
    I've prepared, so our Muse need not wince, frown, or curse,
    an alternative end to my write-in vote verse.
    ​
    Let's remember our plan, in case Posy's too shy,
    or if she doesn't know what has happened or why.
    And if answer she does, still it may not be truth;
    let's ask Ishaza too, once we've talked to the youth.)

    After seeing what Iris and Arkatekt wrote,
    I'm persuaded to silence, and changing my vote.
    Whether guilty or victim, let's not air it out
    until truth is established past reason'ble doubt.​

    [X] Now Posy's disappearing file may be queer,
    But drawing attention may upset the dear
    Posy, whom we shouldn't want quite distressed,
    So waiting to talk to Ishaza is best.

    [X] And if Posy should have it her very self,
    There's no reason to think that she would tell this elf.
    To out her own crime would not be very wise,
    So in this matter patience I still advise.


    ---


    This is far too much fun, I begin to suspect.
    If our Questmistress Evenstar doesn't object,
    I would love it if further shenanigans of
    this sort kept being part of Her Mantle Is Love.​
     
    Last edited:
    [X] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    [X] "Melody, I have a few lines for you,
    since later today we'll have a to-do:
    Could you tell everyone to gather for lunch?
    You'll get the word out, I've just got a hunch."

    [X] I'd quite like to know who's been spreading it round
    that I suffered a difficult evening while bound.
    Tact is important for anyone here,
    who'll be seeing much weirder by this time next year.

    [X] "Where are the rest of the supplicants now?
    It seems to me I can't understand how
    two thirds the trainees have vanished away:
    do you know where they have all gone today?"

    [X] Posy's the girl without a file,
    just sitting here eating with a wide smile.
    Perhaps you should ask if she has it herself?
    To look at her, she's an everyday elf...

    [X] Let's remember our plan, in case Posy's too shy,
    or if she doesn't know what has happenedor why.
    And if answer she does, still it may not be truth;
    ask Ishaza as well, once we've talked to the youth.
     
    [X] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    [X] "Melody, I have a few lines for you,
    since later today we'll have a to-do:
    Could you tell everyone to gather for lunch?
    You'll get the word out, I've just got a hunch."

    [X] "Where are the rest of the supplicants now?
    It seems to me I can't understand how
    two thirds the trainees have vanished away:
    do you know where they have all gone today?"

    [X] Posy's the girl without a file,
    just sitting here eating with a wide smile.
    Perhaps you should ask if she has it herself?
    To look at her, she's an everyday elf...
     
    [X] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    [X] "Melody, I have a few lines for you,
    since later today we'll have a to-do:
    Could you tell everyone to gather for lunch?
    You'll get the word out, I've just got a hunch."

    [X] I'd quite like to know who's been spreading it round
    that I suffered a difficult evening while bound.
    Tact is important for anyone here,
    who'll be seeing much weirder by this time next year.

    [X] "Have you seen Cocoa, that chocolate cat?
    I saw her and Sofya in a bit of a spat,
    and now I just wonder what there's to do:
    I'd go and see her if her whereabouts knew."

    [X] "Have you seen Sofya, fashion CEO?
    She fought with Cocoa, then left allegro:
    I'd like to see her about that key:
    I just have to wonder where she could be!"

    [X] "Where are the rest of the supplicants now?
    It seems to me I can't understand how
    two thirds the trainees have vanished away:
    do you know where they have all gone today?"

    [X] Now Posy's disappearing file may be queer,
    But drawing attention may upset the dear
    Posy, whom we shouldn't want quite distressed,
    So waiting to talk to Ishaza is best.

    [X] And if Posy should have it her very self,
    There's no reason to think that she would tell this elf.
    To out her own crime would not be very wise,
    So in this matter patience I still advise.
     
    Last edited:
    After reading what Iris wrote in, I concur / that we'd better tread softly until we are sure / that we're able to tell just precisely what boat / we are in. She's convinced me to edit my vote.
    After Iris's post, I now am persuaded
    that we'd better take care, be silent and shaded.
    Hence my edited vote. A vote to believe in.

    [Schielman says—]​
     
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    Oh my god. What is this thread even.

    [X] I'd quite like to know who's been spreading it round
    that I suffered a difficult evening while bound.
    Tact is important for anyone here,
    who'll be seeing much weirder by this time next year.

    [X] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    [X] "Melody, I have a few lines for you,
    since later today we'll have a to-do:
    Could you tell everyone to gather for lunch?
    You'll get the word out, I've just got a hunch."
     
    You rhyme hard you do,
    But Evenstar can you rhyme against my thing one and two?

    *Rap Battle Challenge Issued*
     
    [ ] Posy's the girl without a file,
    just sitting here eating with a wide smile.
    Perhaps you should ask if she has it herself?
    To look at her, she's an everyday elf...
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    No. Do not talk about missing confidential information in public, especially when there is literally zero privacy here and none of them have anything compelling them to tell the truth if they are involved. If anyone here is involved with the missing file then talking about it now will tell them to cover their tracks or frame someone else before we figure it all out. This is probably the worst possible thing we can do right now.

    [X] I'd quite like to know who's been spreading it round
    that I suffered a difficult evening while bound.
    Tact is important for anyone here,
    who'll be seeing much weirder by this time next year.

    [X] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    [X] "Melody, I have a few lines for you,
    since later today we'll have a to-do:
    Could you tell everyone to gather for lunch?
    You'll get the word out, I've just got a hunch."

    [X] "Where are the rest of the supplicants now?
    It seems to me I can't understand how
    two thirds the trainees have vanished away:
    do you know where they have all gone today?"
     
    Last edited:
    [X] "It's got me concerned for everyone's health,
    so I've come to check in on the trainees myself.
    Do you know anyone who could use some aid?
    There always is someone: just facts, I'm afraid."

    [X] "Melody, I have a few lines for you,
    since later today we'll have a to-do:
    Could you tell everyone to gather for lunch?
    You'll get the word out, I've just got a hunch."

    [X] I'd quite like to know who's been spreading it round
    that I suffered a difficult evening while bound.
    Tact is important for anyone here,
    who'll be seeing much weirder by this time next year.

    [X] "Where are the rest of the supplicants now?
    It seems to me I can't understand how
    two thirds the trainees have vanished away:
    do you know where they have all gone today?"

    [X] Now Posy's disappearing file may be queer,
    But drawing attention may upset the dear
    Posy, whom we shouldn't want quite distressed,
    So waiting to talk to Ishaza is best.

    [X] And if Posy should have it her very self,
    There's no reason to think that she would tell this elf.
    To out her own crime would not be very wise,
    So in this matter patience I still advise.
     
    @Sonata:

    So you need not prepare verse for each side,
    Melody's made this pronouncement guide,
    a way built unto each name ringing true,
    without poetry for each saying tried.

    Neither EE-shah-zah nor ee-SHAH-za speak:
    IH-shah-za's this priestess, quite chic:
    LIE-ath and TAH-sha may lead this clique,
    But EL-ee-SAN-dra's the protag this week.

    COO-mi and EH-ah, the vixen pair,
    have cunning tricks you should beware:
    Last sister CHER-ee takes the stage:
    The trainees won't fit on this page.

    @Thread:
    As Melody's gathered many a fan,
    There'll be poetry quite a span:
    till gimmick wears thin,
    or fades author's grin:
    I do hope that this was your plan.
    Adhoc vote count started by Evenstar on May 24, 2018 at 12:30 PM, finished with 23 posts and 11 votes.
    Click to expand...
     
    Last edited:
    Evenstar said:
    @Thread:
    As Melody's gathered many a fan,
    There'll be poetry quite a span:
    till gimmick wears thin,
    or fades author's grin:
    I do hope that this was your plan.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    I do profess my joy
    at the verses you'll employ
    And confess no small wonder too;
    attempts at verse have left me blue

    O author would you share
    some wisdom to help one so unaware?
    For the secrets that all poets clasp
    have ever eluded my grasp.
     
    RedV said:
    I do profess my joy
    at the verses you'll employ
    And confess no small wonder too;
    attempts at verse have left me blue

    O author would you share
    some wisdom to help one so unaware?
    For the secrets that all poets clasp
    have ever eluded my grasp.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    The primary problem, I think you shall find,
    is to torture the meter to make your words rhyme.
    A natural cadence beats out strict verse:
    go with a half-rhyme if worst comes to worst.

    The primary difference between you and me,
    is that I have listened and practiced, you see:
    with practice will come the right poetry:
    this is the advice of dear Melody.

    I suggest you practice by trying free verse,
    where rhyme is not needed and hardly rehearsed:
    with iambs and trochees, you'll learn to adapt,
    and find the words to make your rhymes apt.

    If you struggle for words, rhymezone is a help:
    thought I don't suggest it for only a whelp.
    The synonyms there can damage a poet
    who understands rhyme but still doesn't know it.

    See the first point where this was discussed!
    A forced rhyme is likely to cause great disgust,
    while casual slant rhyme draws not a word:
    what poets can play with is frankly absurd.

    If a couplet won't do, change to a triple!
    Then you won't be forced to rhyme things with "nipple."
    Free-ending lines can give you a space,
    to adjust your cadence with hardly a pace.

    Strict form restricts, but also empowers:
    dash off your lines: awkward takes hours.
    A natural cadence should smoothly flow:
    if you want to be graceful, you have to go.

    When your meter stumbles, pause and retry:
    Don't force a line: let the line die.
    Experiment gives what I cannot teach:
    Some of these laws are observed in the breach.

    I leave you the words of the late George Orwell:
    the best writing advice I know how to tell.
    His sixth rule of writing, which proceeds thus:
    "Break all these rules sooner than be outright barbarous."

    George Orwell:
    (i) Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
    (ii) Never use a long word where a short one will do.
    (iii) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
    (iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active.
    (v) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
    (vi) Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

    Based on common advice by a dozen authors, in my own words:

    "Writing is best when done close to the heart. When you feel vulnerable, when you are hurt and questioning, when you wonder if this is safe, if you're putting too much of yourself into your work - that's when you're writing something worthwhile.

    This does not mean that writing should be painful. Writing should be true: and the truth, by its nature, brings pain with it. Report the facts of your nature, as honestly as you can, and the world will know that your writing holds something worth caring about.

    Honesty is often confused for directness. Don't make this mistake. Facts are confused and confusing: they are rarely direct and straightforward."
     
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