Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Users' Choice!
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
- Location
- Random place
[X] Let Bao Qian mingle with the other guests. Its very likely she is here for you
- Location
- Finland
[X] Let Bao Qian mingle with the other guests. Its very likely she is here for you
Can't remember if i voted, so just to be sure.
Really exited about this development, and really happy we went for the weilu instead of courting imperials, might have had been somewhat awkward backgroudn music for the conversation.
Can't remember if i voted, so just to be sure.
Really exited about this development, and really happy we went for the weilu instead of courting imperials, might have had been somewhat awkward backgroudn music for the conversation.
It's the proper thing to do. You don't show up at a small performance with your aura at full blast. It's rude, like wearing white at a wedding. Obviously she doesn't want to make a scene but she isn't hiding her presence. Some have noticed her already, she's just discreet enough to not make a big deal out of it. I don't expect we'll see much of a malus from ignoring the nobles once rumor spreads, even if they're here at our invitation.
She's aware of that much, seeing as she's been in the shadow of significantly more powerful individuals all her life.
Though...it's who she wants to be, if I'm reading this right.
Simple statements. Probably need to work behind that to get what she means by pretty and quiet. How is it contrasted against, and was what came before and after as pretty?
Compare it to the noise of the storm that laid down the snow perhaps, or to the beauty unseen of the night before? The sun as a transition, terminal to the snow, but essential for bringing out its beauty.
That sounds like quite a few strings, it sounds like a place not easily booked on short notice.
Hah, all the airs of a diva but with the patience of a twelve year old.
Good idea, seeing as him napping through that would make Hanyi miffed!
Hmm...she looks like a drowned child, so its Double Down or Mitigate. Usually with a child you don't need much.
Double Down probably goes on to maximize the contrast, draw attention to her nature. The classical chinese movie method would be using overkill on blushes to emphasize how pale the rest of the look is, or black lipstick and whitened teeth with eyeshadow to accentuate the lack of blood.
Or mitigate and try to just smooth things out so she looks a bit unearthly, but cultivator unearthly over undead unearthly.
Oh no Ling Qi has gone full mom and has dragged all her friends and coworkers into the recital.
Maintaining the appearance of everything being fine while preparing hard and writing in the histories that "nothing went wrong ever".
Future generations are going to have a hard time indeed.
People are all different after all.
The ones under Xiangmen would have been acutely aware of the Tree's presence, compared to the relative frontier under the Argent Sect.
That breeds rather different attitudes about the capabilities of their neighbors..and if they project their own structure onto others, perhaps they might not have realized that the Empire was a larger and more coherent entity.
Very hard for anyone to not treat things like this personally.
Its always easy to generalize enemies. People aren't archetypes and nations are not just very large persons.
Doing this at war is a great way to lay grudges for generations.
Not that doing it at peace is much better, but they literally have to consider whether they want to spend lives or money here.
Law of Wealth?
Somebody ascended as the Great Spirit of Money?
Still the good old airhead.
When she's not exerting her attention such things just don't stick.
Hmm, that probably IS it actually. Her one interaction got enough interaction to show up to hopefully have a sequel talk.
Not a bad political move either - Shenhua showed interest, and that is always important for the winds of court.
Renxiang Elsewhere: "Why do I feel an urge to facepalm?"
- Location
- Finland
So, a diva.
Moon, Mom, same thing really, she cultivates it regularily.
You say that like the urge ever goes away.
- Location
- Athens, Greece
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
[X] Let Bao Qian mingle with the other guests. Its very likely she is here for you
NoxOfUmbra
Shadow of the night
- Location
- Colombia, South América
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
They will surpass us if we don't pay attention guys
Royalty is a continuous facepalming motionSo, a diva.
Moon, Mom, same thing really, she cultivates it regularily.
You say that like the urge ever goes away.
DeusExBritannia
Red-White-Black-White
- Location
- Texas
Reach Heaven Through Drug Abuse.Royalty is a continuous facepalming motion
- Location
- United States of America
So, I don't know if anyone has discussed the next level of Melody of Spirit Seekers, but it looks like it will be a fun one!
Essentially, if I am reading it correctly, it will allow us to safely communicate with Cyan level spirits who might be dangerous to others by their existence, either powerful weather effects or other extremes. As long, of course, the other spirits are friendly enough to communicate with.
I can imagine that this technique could be very useful in approaching the more powerful spirits and getting their attention. After all, it's not every day that someone can go and communicate with them and not suffer the effects that surround the spirit.
Essentially, if I am reading it correctly, it will allow us to safely communicate with Cyan level spirits who might be dangerous to others by their existence, either powerful weather effects or other extremes. As long, of course, the other spirits are friendly enough to communicate with.
I can imagine that this technique could be very useful in approaching the more powerful spirits and getting their attention. After all, it's not every day that someone can go and communicate with them and not suffer the effects that surround the spirit.
A passing Storm
- Location
- The Star Kingdom of Manticore
A Passing Storm
Lightning rumbled above, laughing at the play and actors below. Li Shen knelt on the ground, head bowed to the hammer beats of rain. An older man stood behind him, an arm bound to his chest and head wrapped in bandages revealing a sorry state. Li was little better, cuts and scrapes from the wild escape burned, his left eye blurry and unfocused from the blows sustained. Neither of them were in a state to fight, let alone run. With a sigh Li stood up and canceled his art.
"Hu. They have found us again."
The old man nodded once, a nod of dejection heavy with weary. "What now, Lord?"
"Do you remember the abandoned mines?"
"Yes."
"They are the village's best chance. I have been unable to contact forces of the clan or duchy. Given the strength of this incursion it may be some time before we can be found again. Travel by night and when you reach the mines stay inside. Some may be sent out to forage if food becomes dire. Minimize time spent outside and wait for imperial relief."
"As you say Lord. Where shall you meet up with us?"
Li Shen wiped away rain from his eye. "Such arrangements won't be necessary."
Old Hu's hand twitched, as if he almost reached out to drag Li Shen away. Then Old Hu bowed his head. Between one lightning flash and the next he was gone, whatever sound his departure made masked by the rumbling laughter of uncaring skies. Li Shen was alone.
Alone. Had he ever been alone? Bodyguards had shadowed him since he could crawl. Even as lowly placed in the family as he was, he was a Li. Even during his private cultivation there had always been a sense that someone, somewhere, was watching him. Now, now there was peace. The peace of being alone. The peace of being at the end of a journey.
He found himself standing at a pond. His father's pond. Above him stretched the indomitable Black Lotus Mountain and around him the flowers his mother loved waved in an autumn breeze. Kneeling at the edge of the pond, he watched as a single droplet rose above the still waters, a single memory to play out.
He had been much younger, kneeling in this same spot, watching ripples while his brother lounged on nearby rocks. Earlier that week an assassin had almost reached him and he hadn't left his room since, until then. When his brother came and dragged him out.
They had talked a lot that day. More than any day before or after. They talked about life, courage, and fear. Li Shen etched the words spoken that day into his heart. Had them guide his steps. To here.
It was the laughter that drew him away from his memories, of autumn flowers and changing leaves. He was no longer alone. A group of twelve sat astride their mounts before and above him. He could hear their voices despite the storm. Hear the barbaric and near senseless noise they made to each other. See blood still staining their beasts fur even as the rain pounded down and slickened everything. Wind and lightning crackled under hoofs as they discussed how best to kill him.
Li Shen's fingers gripped his sword tighter, flexing with the beat of the rain. He could feel where water had wormed past even as the worn handle flexed with the pressure he exerted. The blade, what was left of it, twisted slightly as he rotated his wrist. Chips and cracks marred the once beautiful blade. It was a full third shorter than it had been three days ago. Even the spine of the blade was now crooked, the haft having split and rebounded.
The apparent leader made a decision. A sharp gesture had the rest knocking their bows. Li Shen held his blade up, looking at his reflection one last time. As the barbarian leader knocked his arrow, Li Shen repeated the mantra that had guided him to this point. "With the sword, I seek courage." The arrow came as he finished his words. His blade rose to meet it.
His blade flashed through the storm. He watched as it split rain, wind and wood. Beautiful in form, perfect in function. The arrow, split in half, spun away from him, harmless. It was the best swing he had ever done, but a single raindrop is not a storm. Even if he repeated such beauty a hundred times over, he could not stop a storm.
A minute later the leader nodded in satisfaction. His mount wheeled him away, higher into the storm. The rest followed shortly. The cliffs were finally left in silence. Silent, except for a passing storm.
-------
A.N
@yrsillar Omake for the Omake throne
This piece is meant to take place during the start of the Ogodei's war. Thank you for taking the time to read it.
Lightning rumbled above, laughing at the play and actors below. Li Shen knelt on the ground, head bowed to the hammer beats of rain. An older man stood behind him, an arm bound to his chest and head wrapped in bandages revealing a sorry state. Li was little better, cuts and scrapes from the wild escape burned, his left eye blurry and unfocused from the blows sustained. Neither of them were in a state to fight, let alone run. With a sigh Li stood up and canceled his art.
"Hu. They have found us again."
The old man nodded once, a nod of dejection heavy with weary. "What now, Lord?"
"Do you remember the abandoned mines?"
"Yes."
"They are the village's best chance. I have been unable to contact forces of the clan or duchy. Given the strength of this incursion it may be some time before we can be found again. Travel by night and when you reach the mines stay inside. Some may be sent out to forage if food becomes dire. Minimize time spent outside and wait for imperial relief."
"As you say Lord. Where shall you meet up with us?"
Li Shen wiped away rain from his eye. "Such arrangements won't be necessary."
Old Hu's hand twitched, as if he almost reached out to drag Li Shen away. Then Old Hu bowed his head. Between one lightning flash and the next he was gone, whatever sound his departure made masked by the rumbling laughter of uncaring skies. Li Shen was alone.
Alone. Had he ever been alone? Bodyguards had shadowed him since he could crawl. Even as lowly placed in the family as he was, he was a Li. Even during his private cultivation there had always been a sense that someone, somewhere, was watching him. Now, now there was peace. The peace of being alone. The peace of being at the end of a journey.
He found himself standing at a pond. His father's pond. Above him stretched the indomitable Black Lotus Mountain and around him the flowers his mother loved waved in an autumn breeze. Kneeling at the edge of the pond, he watched as a single droplet rose above the still waters, a single memory to play out.
He had been much younger, kneeling in this same spot, watching ripples while his brother lounged on nearby rocks. Earlier that week an assassin had almost reached him and he hadn't left his room since, until then. When his brother came and dragged him out.
They had talked a lot that day. More than any day before or after. They talked about life, courage, and fear. Li Shen etched the words spoken that day into his heart. Had them guide his steps. To here.
It was the laughter that drew him away from his memories, of autumn flowers and changing leaves. He was no longer alone. A group of twelve sat astride their mounts before and above him. He could hear their voices despite the storm. Hear the barbaric and near senseless noise they made to each other. See blood still staining their beasts fur even as the rain pounded down and slickened everything. Wind and lightning crackled under hoofs as they discussed how best to kill him.
Li Shen's fingers gripped his sword tighter, flexing with the beat of the rain. He could feel where water had wormed past even as the worn handle flexed with the pressure he exerted. The blade, what was left of it, twisted slightly as he rotated his wrist. Chips and cracks marred the once beautiful blade. It was a full third shorter than it had been three days ago. Even the spine of the blade was now crooked, the haft having split and rebounded.
The apparent leader made a decision. A sharp gesture had the rest knocking their bows. Li Shen held his blade up, looking at his reflection one last time. As the barbarian leader knocked his arrow, Li Shen repeated the mantra that had guided him to this point. "With the sword, I seek courage." The arrow came as he finished his words. His blade rose to meet it.
His blade flashed through the storm. He watched as it split rain, wind and wood. Beautiful in form, perfect in function. The arrow, split in half, spun away from him, harmless. It was the best swing he had ever done, but a single raindrop is not a storm. Even if he repeated such beauty a hundred times over, he could not stop a storm.
A minute later the leader nodded in satisfaction. His mount wheeled him away, higher into the storm. The rest followed shortly. The cliffs were finally left in silence. Silent, except for a passing storm.
-------
A.N
@yrsillar Omake for the Omake throne
This piece is meant to take place during the start of the Ogodei's war. Thank you for taking the time to read it.
Last edited:
- Location
- UK
[X] Let Bao Qian mingle with the other guests. Its very likely she is here for you
So more patience than the average diva...