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Author SHA1 Message Date
8526abfc8d fix: tweaked ten 2025-06-02 01:20:24 -05:00
628481edc4 fix: edited seven through nine 2025-06-01 13:44:03 -05:00
4a65f1c4e2 chore: bumping version 2025-06-01 12:07:06 -05:00
9fc0d2f015 fix: edited six and seven 2025-06-01 12:06:42 -05:00
e2eb0f9a55 fix: editing five 2025-06-01 11:49:37 -05:00
1e5383a2f9 fix: edited five 2025-05-11 00:44:15 -05:00
37dd642ce9 fix: edited chapters three and four 2025-05-10 23:52:22 -05:00
38fe283575 refactor: switching to build system and project layout 2025-05-10 23:13:57 -05:00
semantic-release-bot
f9150d27e2 chore(release): v0.36.4 [skip ci]
## [0.36.4](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/compare/v0.36.3...v0.36.4) (2023-06-26)

### Bug Fixes

* corrected some doubled words ([c14d619](c14d6199f1))
* corrected uppercase letters ([8c81ba3](8c81ba3c1a))
* edited five and six ([ef0c93c](ef0c93c4a7))
* edited one and two ([aeb972d](aeb972d9c1))
* integrated edits for four ([d9513e9](d9513e9b68))
* integrated edits from seven and eight ([12e62cd](12e62cd7bc))
* integrated more edits ([38c6e22](38c6e22865))
* preparing for Noble Pen submission ([926e375](926e375650))
2023-06-26 00:33:22 +00:00
61c4077cc6 chore: updating project files
All checks were successful
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline was successful
2023-06-23 23:44:32 -05:00
547870dd66 chore: updating project files 2023-06-23 23:42:47 -05:00
730f29e402 chore: updating project setup 2023-06-23 23:19:16 -05:00
d04142454a docs: updated notes
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ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2023-06-13 21:05:23 -05:00
c14d6199f1 fix: corrected some doubled words
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ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2023-06-13 21:04:43 -05:00
38c6e22865 fix: integrated more edits
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ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2023-05-08 22:58:16 -05:00
d239f01bdf chore: changing the address format
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ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2023-05-06 12:44:23 -05:00
9e642343a7 chore: simplifying location of house
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ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2023-05-06 12:42:09 -05:00
8c81ba3c1a fix: corrected uppercase letters
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ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2023-05-06 01:16:31 -05:00
0d9f0af971 chore: documented one through eight 2023-05-06 01:15:27 -05:00
12e62cd7bc fix: integrated edits from seven and eight 2023-05-06 00:09:55 -05:00
ef0c93c4a7 fix: edited five and six
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ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline failed
2023-05-05 23:27:56 -05:00
d9513e9b68 fix: integrated edits for four 2023-05-05 22:58:12 -05:00
aeb972d9c1 fix: edited one and two 2023-05-05 22:21:16 -05:00
926e375650 fix: preparing for Noble Pen submission 2023-04-24 09:20:57 -05:00
semantic-release-bot
6e97d622a3 chore(release): v0.36.3 [skip ci]
## [0.36.3](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/compare/v0.36.2...v0.36.3) (2023-04-24)

### Bug Fixes

* corrected typos from an email ([d95e0b1](d95e0b18ab))
2023-04-24 03:36:26 +00:00
d95e0b18ab fix: corrected typos from an email
All checks were successful
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline was successful
2023-04-23 22:14:56 -05:00
09d1b7b880 docs: updating notes so spoilers are harder to see
All checks were successful
ci/woodpecker/push/woodpecker Pipeline was successful
2023-04-23 22:11:56 -05:00
51 changed files with 3266 additions and 17251 deletions

1
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/nix/store/6gqnignnd2zdbqg95y5z32ypm7cakjbj-rust-mixed/bin

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/nix/store/6gqnignnd2zdbqg95y5z32ypm7cakjbj-rust-mixed/etc

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/nix/store/6gqnignnd2zdbqg95y5z32ypm7cakjbj-rust-mixed/lib

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/nix/store/6gqnignnd2zdbqg95y5z32ypm7cakjbj-rust-mixed/libexec

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/nix/store/6gqnignnd2zdbqg95y5z32ypm7cakjbj-rust-mixed/share

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# EditorConfig is awesome: http://EditorConfig.org
# top-most EditorConfig file
root = true
[*]
charset = utf-8
end_of_line = lf
["*"]
charset = "utf-8"
curly_bracket_next_line = true
end_of_line = "lf"
indent_brace_style = "K&R"
indent_size = 4
indent_style = space
indent_style = "space"
insert_final_newline = true
max_line_length = 80
tab_width = 4
trim_trailing_whitespace = true
[*.{js,ts}]
quote_type = double
["*.md"]
max_line_length = "off"
[*.yaml]
indent_size = 4
tab_width = 4
indent_style = space
[package.json]
["package.json"]
indent_size = 2
indent_style = "space"
tab_width = 2
["{LICENSES/**,LICENSE}"]
charset = "unset"
end_of_line = "unset"
indent_size = "unset"
indent_style = "unset"
insert_final_newline = "unset"
trim_trailing_whitespace = "unset"

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.gitignore vendored
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@ -11,3 +11,11 @@ dmoonfire*.html
dmoonfire*.mobi
dmoonfire*.epub
*.bz2
# nixago: ignore-linked-files
/treefmt.toml
/.prettierrc.json
/lefthook.yml
/.conform.yaml
# mfgames-project-setup: ignore-files
/.direnv/

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@ -1,49 +0,0 @@
stages:
- build
- test
- release
default:
image: registry.gitlab.com/dmoonfire/nix-flake-docker:latest
build:
stage: build
script:
- nix profile install 'nixpkgs#fontconfig'
- nix develop --command scripts/setup.sh
- nix develop --command scripts/build.sh
rules:
- if: $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH
artifacts:
expire_in: 1 week
paths:
- "*.pdf"
- "*.epub"
- "*.mobi"
- "*.docx"
- "*.html"
test:
stage: test
script:
- nix develop --command scripts/setup.sh
- nix develop --command scripts/test.sh
rules:
- if: $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH
- if: $CI_MERGE_REQUEST_SOURCE_BRANCH_NAME
release:
stage: release
script:
- nix profile install 'nixpkgs#fontconfig'
- nix develop --command scripts/setup.sh
- nix develop --command scripts/release.sh
rules:
- if: $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH == $CI_DEFAULT_BRANCH
artifacts:
paths:
- "*.pdf"
- "*.epub"
- "*.mobi"
- "*.docx"
- "*.html"

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@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
nodejs 15.0.1
yarn 1.22.10
dotnet-core 3.1.403

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@ -1,37 +0,0 @@
clone:
git:
image: woodpeckerci/plugin-git
settings:
tags: true
when:
event: [push, pull_request]
pipeline:
build:
image: registry.gitlab.com/dmoonfire/nix-flake-docker:latest
commands:
- nix profile install 'nixpkgs#fontconfig'
- nix develop --command scripts/build.sh
secrets:
- gitea_token
- s3_bucket
- s3_endpoint
- s3_access_key_id
- s3_secret_access_key
when:
event: [push, pull_request]
release:
image: registry.gitlab.com/dmoonfire/nix-flake-docker:latest
commands:
- nix profile install 'nixpkgs#fontconfig'
- nix develop --command scripts/release.sh
secrets:
- gitea_token
- s3_bucket
- s3_endpoint
- s3_access_key_id
- s3_secret_access_key
when:
event: push
branch: main

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@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
{
"generator-mfgames-writing": {
"promptValues": {
"author": "D. Moonfire"
}
}
}

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@ -1,3 +1,24 @@
## [0.36.4](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/compare/v0.36.3...v0.36.4) (2023-06-26)
### Bug Fixes
* corrected some doubled words ([c14d619](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/commit/c14d6199f1941ec10b45f1567dfc10b1e67244e5))
* corrected uppercase letters ([8c81ba3](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/commit/8c81ba3c1a1b14fdba6a61a8e6b0e1d630e0d27c))
* edited five and six ([ef0c93c](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/commit/ef0c93c4a732b57b8f2594480c092bd9713c6831))
* edited one and two ([aeb972d](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/commit/aeb972d9c14e1cac7895b503d14d2550d153b2df))
* integrated edits for four ([d9513e9](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/commit/d9513e9b68435f0ee4e21dee93404c2a20eb0760))
* integrated edits from seven and eight ([12e62cd](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/commit/12e62cd7bc94f00ee7996fecc9e09f751bb34c7c))
* integrated more edits ([38c6e22](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/commit/38c6e2286545b25d78af83a9e47020a35ebd4c58))
* preparing for Noble Pen submission ([926e375](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/commit/926e375650ebaaabbde22cd280c6cf33f155de2d))
## [0.36.3](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/compare/v0.36.2...v0.36.3) (2023-04-24)
### Bug Fixes
* corrected typos from an email ([d95e0b1](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/commit/d95e0b18ab3358f7c37491ed83bf3e58715eb990))
## [0.36.2](https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro/compare/v0.36.1...v0.36.2) (2023-04-07)

31
Justfile Normal file
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@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
_default:
just --choose
# Builds everything: theme, EPUB, and PDF
[group("building")]
build: build-epub build-pdf
# Builds the EPUB version of the book
[group("building")]
build-epub:
mfgames-writing-format build epub
# Builds the PDF version of the book
[group("building")]
build-pdf:
mfgames-writing-format build pdf
# Builds the DOCX version of the book
[group("building")]
build-docx:
mfgames-writing-format build docx
# Lists all the chapter summaries as a list.
[group("querying")]
chapter-summary:
markdowny list chapters/chapter-*.md
# Installs all the dependency packages
[group("setup")]
install:
npm install --ci

121
README.md
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@ -1,124 +1,3 @@
# Allegro by D. Moonfire
This is the repository for _Allegro_ by D. Moonfire.
## Notes
- She was born in summer.
- Palisis is the violin.
## Notes
- Oak Street is three blocks away.
## Characters
### Brook Kabisal
A year younger than Linsan, Brook was Dukan's eldest daughter. She had her father's dark hair but the curly hair tumbled over her shoulders and down almost to the small of her back. She has bright brown eyes.
### Marin
First wife of mother, first wife of father. Died of cancer. She was a great violin player but never had a chance. She married Junith.
### Junith
Marin's wife. She was previously parried to Tisin.
### Sian Sterlig (Father)
He was thirty-seven when she was six.
### Tisin Sterlig (Mother)
Her mother's long blonde hair was pulled into a braid that had already started to pull apart.
### Palisis
The first violin.
### Valian
A girl who got the lead in a play.
### Kavinar
A directory of a play.
### Tabil
A dance coordinator/director who is a lech.
### Tilbin
Leader of the gang. Likes to wear a duster and a wide-brimmed hat. Has a guitar. Most of the fire powers are activated through his riffs.
### Mayforn
His hands ignited into white flames as he threw himself in front of the stranger. As soon as he landed, he brought his hands together. Has a large pack over his shoulders. Strengthens flames and heat.
### Gabaw
The mechanic. Got fired from Dorsen. He can punch the ground and cause it to rupture and bend.
### City Guard
"Dame Kabisal?" One of the city guards came up. It was a hawk-faced woman that looked like she couldn't smile if her life dependent on it. She held a clipboard in her right hand.
### Kamel da Kasin
fire investigator
### Tirain Valos
Hawk-faced guard.
### Cobbler's End
### New Brunil
Larger city.
### Palanis, Roldal, Gainsburg, and Gamis
Smaller village between X and New Brunil.
"Want a ride? I'm heading through the villages until Roldal. Then I'm heading west to Gamis but you'll still be going north there."
Gainsburg is where the first time she played for money. 15 miles from home.
### Penesol (Her home town)
### Fanasis Village
### Little Rock
Geb's home.
### Miska atoi pin Strali (Mis)
Blacksmith.
She was slender with startlingly golden hair. Her waist had an almost perfect taper that only a corset could create; Linsan could spot some of the boning underneath the white cotton shirt she wore. However, his cousin wore brown trousers instead of a dress. With hands in both pockets, Cal's cousin gracefully stepped off the wagon and dropped the ground.
Linsan caught sight of Miska's hands. Like her cousin and Old Gab, she had intricate designs tattooed along her hands up to her elbows. The material of her shirt, above where the corset bound her, gave a hint that there were more tattoos along her sternum and belly.
### Calibo atoi idu Oparil (Cal)
# Quotes
> What secrets lie underneath that man's dress, hidden in the private shadows of his body only to be hinted at as he swirls across the room in glorious finery? I seek the answers, not brazen like the warrior I am, but as a thief stealing glances between the empty words with others. --- _One Mistaken Night_ (Act 1, Scene 8)
Brook had combined the remains of the three tea cups into a single one and had poured in enough sugar that it splashed with every step. She moved with a smoothness that hinted that she had done the same many times over the years.
# Guilds
"So... Daddy thought this war between the Mechanics Guild, Artificer Academy, and the Pistons
# Random
Lord Xasnal or the auctioneer, Tasire Dalisan da Genifir
> Given what happened the night before, Linsan was surprised that she didn't feel a surge of jealousy or anger. The plays and stories said that it would happen, something that would eventually poison whatever had grown between her in Brook.
However, Linsan knew the plays by heart. She had seen how relationships had been ruined by those two emotions and misunderstanding. Her own earlier thoughts came back, was she in love with Brook or was it lust or just a moment in time? Was it something forever or just two lovers in the same bed? She still didn't know, only that what feelings she had were not in any play that she had seen.

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@ -20,3 +20,9 @@
- Strali is the area in the southern town
> "Calibo atoi idu Oparil. It means Burning Woods that Comes From Oparil." He gestured north. "A few miles north of Fanasis
## Automated Searches
```
git grep '\<\([^ ]\+\) \+\1\>' -- chapters/
```

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@ -8,7 +8,14 @@ I used to do acknowledgments but then I realized there were a lot of people who
If it wasn't for the Noble Pen writing group, I would have never gotten that far.
- None
- Shannon R.
- Bill H.
- Jeff M.
- Jered F.
- Aime W.
- Alex K.
- David S.
- silky
### Beta Readers

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@ -2,22 +2,43 @@
title: Always Moving
age: 5 years
summary: >
While Linsan waits for her mother to come home, she bounces around on the furniture and talks to her father. She announces that she has named a violin her father is making Palisis and learns that the violin is for her father's first wife who got married to her mother's best friend.
While Linsan Sterlig waits for her mother to come home, she bounces around on the furniture and talks to her father. She announces that she has named a violin her father is making Palisis and learns that the violin is for her father's first wife who got married to her mother's best friend.
teaser: >
Linsan is impatiently waiting for her mother to come back. As she does, she bounces around the furniture and teases her father.
characters:
primary:
- Linsan
secondary:
- Sian
referenced:
- Marin (Unnamed)
locations:
primary:
- Robins Road 708
organizations:
secondary:
- Sterlig Family
topics:
secondary:
- Palisis
- Katsaril # Fiddle
referenced:
- History of Traditional Music (Epigraph)
constraints:
- linsan is 6
---
> For eight generations, the Sterlig Family crafted some of the most treasured string instruments throughout Kormar. --- _History of Traditional Music_
> For eight generations, the Sterlig Family crafted some of the most treasured string instruments throughout Gepaul. --- _History of Traditional Music_
Linsan bounced on her family's new couch. With a flip of her green skirt, she did a somersault along the cushions before flopping again opposite arm. The couch creaked from the impact but she didn't care. With a grin, she pushed herself over the edge until her head dangled over the blue-and-white patterned rug below.
Linsan bounced on her family's new couch. With a flip of her green skirt, she did a somersault along the cushions before flopping against the opposite arm. The couch creaked from the impact but she didn't care. With a grin, she pushed herself over the edge until her head dangled over the blue-and-white patterned rug below.
In her mind's eye, she saw white snakes crawling around the blue waters and slowly reached out to catch one of them before it escape.
In her mind's eye, she saw white snakes crawling around the blue waters and slowly reached out to catch one of them before it escaped.
Her fingers bumped against the short hairs of the rug. Stretching further along the arm of the couch, she tried to grab more.
"Are you still alive over there?"
She peeked up past the back of the couch and into her father's brightly lit workroom. He sat at his customary chair behind a heavy wooden table while peering down at the disassembled parts of his latest work. His lenses reflected the light from the chandelier above him; he always put his glasses up to his forehead whenever he worked on small details.
She peeked up past the back of the couch and into her father's brightly lit workroom. He sat is his customary chair behind a heavy wooden table while peering down at the disassembled parts of his latest work. His lenses reflected the light from the chandelier above him; he always put them up to his forehead whenever he worked on small details.
Linsan took a deep breath, taking in the smells of sawdust and stain. It was a comforting scent, like the flowers inside her mother's pillows and the little bottle of perfume her parents saved for special occasions.
@ -25,13 +46,13 @@ Linsan took a deep breath, taking in the smells of sawdust and stain. It was a c
She giggled. "No! I'm right here!"
"You weren't crashing around. I wasn't sure. I always heard four-year-old girls who weren't screaming dead."
"You weren't crashing around. I wasn't sure. I always heard that if a four-year-old girl ever stopped screaming, she was either sleeping or dead."
She rolled her body up the arm of the couch and over the back until she was bent over it. One bare foot toyed with the edge of the couch cushion as she watched her father pull out one of his delicate carving tools and hold it over the wooden board on the table.
Lifting her other foot, she waved it. "See? I'm not dead! And I'm five, Daddy! You know that. I'm five and not dead!"
"Oh, good, I was worried there for a moment," he said with a smile. His eyes never left the wood as he carved out a little curl of red. His fingers flexed for a moment before he cut another curl to match the other. Each one was smaller than the ridge of her fingernail.
"Oh, good, I was worried there for a moment," he said with a smile. His eyes never left the wood as he carved out a little curl of red. His fingers flexed for a moment before he cut another curl to match the first. Each one was smaller than the ridge of her fingernail.
He paused for a moment before he wiped the side of his cheek. Sawdust clung to his beard but quickly disappeared among the auburn and gray hairs.
@ -59,17 +80,17 @@ From behind her, her mother spoke up. "Why am I yelling at Daddy?"
Linsan spun around. "Mommy!"
She launched herself off the couch, her bare feet hitting the rug before she remembered the imaginary snakes. With a shriek, she stumbled forward. "Snakes!"
She launched herself off the couch, her bare feet hitting the rug before she remembered the imaginary snakes. With a shriek, she stumbled forward while trying to step over the snakes. "Snakes! Snakes everywhere1"
Her mother dropped the cloth bags in her hand and caught her. Groceries poured out across the floor.
Linsan pressed her cheek against her mother's. The scent of her mother's perfume surrounded her in a cloud. She must have picked up food on the way from her latest show. She turned and pointed to an patterns near the middle of the rug. "There are snakes in the rug," she whispered dramatically.
Linsan pressed her cheek against her mother's. The scent of her mother's perfume surrounded her in a cloud. She must have picked up food on the way from her latest show. She turned and pointed to the patterns near the middle of the rug. "There are snakes in the rug," she whispered dramatically.
"Oh no, did Daddy get rid of them?"
"He's working on Palisis."
Her mother frowned as she knelt down. "Palisis? Who's that?" Her head looked up as her loose curls rolled off her shoulder. "Who is Palisis?"
Her mother frowned as she glanced at Linsan's father, her loose curls rolling off her shoulder. "Palisis? Who's that?"
From the other room, her father grunted.
@ -83,7 +104,7 @@ There was a brief silence.
"Marin was daddy's first wife. That's who the violin is for. She's getting married to mommy's best friend from when she was a little girl."
She kissed Linsan on the top of her head. "Now, if daddy is trapped by the snakes, that means we have to rescue him. How do we do that?"
She kissed Linsan on the top of her head before lowering her head to speak the voice she used for her dramatic parts. Her mouth opened in mock surprise and shock. "Now, if daddy is trapped by the snakes, that means we have to rescue him. How do we do that?"
Linsan bounced, her smile growing broader. Her auburn hair fluttered everywhere as she spun around a few times. "We dance! They can't bite us if we keep moving!"
@ -93,6 +114,6 @@ Before long, they were spinning in the living room. Linsan loved when her mother
There was the brief hum of a fiddle and then a cheery tune filled the room. In the middle of a twirl, Linsan peered over the couch to see that her father had abandoned his work and picked up Katsaril, an old fiddle Linsan had named when she was three.
With the music no longer imaginary and the snakes forgotten, Linsan danced happily in the living room with her parents.
With the music no longer imaginary and the snakes forgotten, Linsan danced happily in the living room with her mother while her father played.
As far as she was concerned, that would never change.

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@ -5,15 +5,40 @@ summary: >
Years later, Linsan is learning how to play the violin from her father. The lesson is interrupted when Dukan, her father's best friend and manager for the business, visits in a panic to tell him that the family's workshop in the valley is on fire.
teaser: >
Years later, Linsan is learning how to play the violin from her father. At least, until there was an interruption.
characters:
primary:
- Linsan
secondary:
- Sian
- Dukan
referenced:
- Tisin
locations:
primary:
- Robins Road 708
- Sterlig Valley
referenced:
- Oak Street, Penesol, Gepaul # Three blocks away
topics:
secondary:
- My Ass for a Glass of Milk
referenced:
- Divine Couple
- History of Traditional Music (Epigraph)
warnings:
primary:
- Fire
constraints:
- linsan is 9
---
> Much of the the Sterlig fame comes from the distinctive wood harvested from the family-owned valley near the city of Penesol. --- _History of Traditional Music_
> Much of the Sterlig fame comes from the distinctive wood harvested from the family-owned valley near the city of Penesol. --- _History of Traditional Music_
Linsan sat on her father's work chair in the center of the living room. Her bare feet dug into the faded blue rug as she struggled to sit with her back straight. She took a deep breath and worked the rest of her violin back under her chin.
"Now, hold it out to the side like this," her father said. He sat on their worn couch with one of his own violins under his chin. His arm held out at a comfortable angle, elbow bent and the neck of the instrument as solid as the ground beneath their feet.
After four years, the couch was threadbare and worn. She still remembered how springy it was when they had first gotten it. But years of abuse left it flattened and barely comfortable.
After four years, the couch was threadbare and worn. She still remembered how springy it was when they had first gotten it. But years of abuse had left it flattened and barely comfortable.
"Pay attention just a little longer. Hold it like this."
@ -21,9 +46,9 @@ She concentrated on her position. Her arm shook with the effort to keep her viol
"Don't focus too much on me. Just look at my bow. Bring it up to the violin like I'm doing and rest it right on the strings."
The bow quivered as she tried to move it gracefully like her father. The hairs bounced against the tight strings. She managed to stop it from jumping, but when she accidentally drew the bow down, she was surrounded by the jarring screech.
The bow quivered as she tried to move it gracefully like her father. The hairs bounced against the tight strings. She managed to stop it from jumping, but when she accidentally drew the bow down too fast, the screech rattled her teeth.
Linsan cringed and yanked the two apart. Tears blurred her vision. "I can't get it!" she wailed.
Linsan cringed and yanked the bow away. Tears blurred her vision. "I can't get it!" she wailed.
"It's okay. It's okay." He held up his bow. "Everyone gets those notes. It happens all the time."
@ -33,9 +58,9 @@ Linsan cringed and yanked the two apart. Tears blurred her vision. "I can't get
"Mommy is going to be here in three days. I'll never be able to play this in time."
He slid off the couch and onto his knees. Even then, he was only a few inches shorter than her. Crawling over, he leaned against the chair to straighten his posture. "Listen. You've never wanted to play the violin before. You may know a little piano and the pipe, but string instruments are a very different creature than those two."
He slid off the couch and onto his knees. A groan escaped his lips as he crawled over to the chair next to her and then used it to prop himself back onto his knees. "Listen. You've never wanted to play the violin before. You may know a little piano and the pipe, but string instruments are a very different creature than those two.They require patience."
"But, she'll love if I can play this, right?" It was her idea as a present when her mother came home. Though, at the time, she was convinced it would only take minutes to gain her father's mastery.
Linsan stared at her father. On his knees, he was only a few inches shorter than her. "But, she'll love if I can play this, right?" It was her idea as a present when her mother came home. Though, at the time, she was convinced it would only take minutes to gain her father's mastery.
He hugged her firmly. "And I'm so proud of you thinking about it. But a nine-year-old girl isn't going to pick this up in minutes. It takes time."
@ -55,11 +80,11 @@ She sniffed and struggled to grin. "That's like a mile away."
"Yes because you've been bouncing, rolling, and twirling in this house since you were five and I was carving Palisis."
"That was only four years ago."
"That was forever ago."
"Feels like forever."
He chuckled. "It was only four, Honey."
Palisis. She remembered when her father's assistant, Dukan, had come to the house to package the violin to be shipped out. There was so much silk and velvet while he crafted a custom box for the violin that he made her a small bear with the scraps. She still had a ribbon of the deep purple material in her bedroom and the bear on a shelf.
Palisis. She remembered when her father's assistant, Dukan, had come to the house to package the violin to be shipped out. There was so much silk and velvet after he finished crafting a custom case for the violin that he made her a small bear with the remains. She still had a ribbon of the deep purple material in her bedroom and the bear on a shelf.
She looked up to see the sad look in her father's eyes. Something had happened and the violin came back a few years later. Her father had put it up in the attic and never said another word. "Daddy?"
@ -83,33 +108,33 @@ Linsan pictured the last dance her mother taught her, the one she was no doubt u
"I guess. While playing, the next step is this note." He played the two notes repeatedly. "So, try it again. Back and forth, moving in steady strokes."
Furrowing her brow in concentration, she struggled to find the right way of getting her body to listen. Her father's guidance made it easier. Frustrated, she used her bare foot to mimic the maneuver, working her toes along the carpet. Together, she found the right balance of music and movement.
Furrowing her brow in concentration, she struggled to find the right way of getting her body to listen. Her father's guidance made it easier. Frustrated, she used her bare foot to mimic the maneuver, working her toes along the carpet. It didn't take her long until she found a comfortable balance of music and movement.
"There you go. Now put the two together."
She did, moving her foot and the bow together to chain the two notes together.
She did, moving her foot and the bow in tandem to chain the two notes.
"And again."
"Again."
It took her eight notes before she realized what song he was teaching her. She giggled.
It took her two measures before she realized what song he was teaching her. She giggled. It was one of her favorites, _My Ass for a Glass of Milk_.
His smile almost lit up the room. It caused the wrinkles around his eyes to crinkle and his beard to stick out slightly. "Figured it out."
His smile almost lit up the room. It caused the skin around his eyes to wrinkle and his beard to stick out slightly. "Figured it out?"
"Mommy hates this song."
"Well, it is rude and you were singing it quite loudly in the middle of church. The pastor's scowl matched your mother's." He gave her a playful wink. "But, I bet you can tell what the next note is going to be."
"Well, it is rude and you were singing it quite loudly in the middle of church. The pastor's scowl matched your mother's. Neither of them are here though and I figured you'd be motivated to learn." He gave her a playful wink. "I bet you can tell what the next note is going to be."
"Yeah," Linsan said with a giggle. She played the first eight notes and followed by the next one. To her surprise and relief, there wasn't a single screech.
"Yeah," Linsan said with a giggle. She played the first eight notes again and followed by the next one. To her surprise and relief, there wasn't a single screech.
"Good girl!"
"I did it!" She dropped her violin to hug her father.
His eyes widened as he caught it but then staggered back from her embrace. "Careful!" he said before he landed on his rear.
His eyes widened as he caught it but then lost his balance when she pushed him back. "Careful!" he said before he landed on his rear.
"Sorry, but I did it!"
"Sorry!" She was't.
He hugged her tightly. "I'm so proud of you!"
@ -117,7 +142,7 @@ Someone pounded on the front door.
Both of them jumped in surprise.
Her father frowned as he scrambled to his feet. His brown eyes turned toward the dark window. "It's really late, who would be coming at this hour."
Her father frowned as he scrambled to his feet. His brown eyes turned toward the dark window. "It's really late, who would be coming at this hour?"
"Daddy?"
@ -135,9 +160,11 @@ She jumped. This time, she set down the violin and bow. "Daddy?"
In the entry hall, her father was speaking to Dukan. The younger man had dark black hair and a short beard that stretched up both sides of his cheeks. Unlike her father's pale skin, Dukan had a tan from the hours outside.
Both of them had serious expressions and she cringed at her father's frown.
"Are you sure, Sian?" asked Dukan. He didn't look at Linsan.
"There isn't anyone to watch her." Her father's voice was sharp and tense. It sounded like when he was furious at someone.
"I don't have time to find someone to watch her!" Her father's voice was sharp and tense. It sounded like when he was furious at someone.
Linsan cringed.
@ -157,15 +184,15 @@ She looked down at her nightgown.
"Grab your bathrobe. I'm sorry, but this is important and I don't have a lot of time. Please? For me? Don't ask questions, just do it."
Minutes later, she was sitting in the saddle of a spirited horse and cradled by her father's arms and legs. She clutched the pommel with one hand and her father's thigh with the other.
Minutes later, she was sitting in the saddle of a spirited horse and cradled by her father's arms and legs. She clutched the pommel with one hand and the shirt gather at her father's elbow with the other.
Her father held his arm over her chest to hold her in place as they raced through the dark. The only light was a lantern that Dukan held up to lit the way.
As the crisp air of fall rushed past them, she shivered and held herself tight against her father.
He looked nervous, his face pale and his grip together than she expected. They were moving too fast for her to ask questions.
He looked nervous, his face pale and his grip tighter than she expected. They were moving too fast for her to ask questions but she knew exactly where they were going, to the large building that housed most of the family's workshop with the bulk of the wood working tools, drying racks, and half-finished commissioned instruments.
The family workshop was about a half hour ride during the day. The trip took them through a few valleys to a small woods nestled between two mountains. That was their family forest, the source of the wood that made her father's violins and the unique sound that came from his craft.
The half hour trip took them through a few valleys to a small woods nestled between two mountains. That was their family forest, the source of the wood that made her father's violins and the unique sound that came from the instruments he crafted.
There was a fire. She saw the glow of orange two valleys away and smelled it in the next. The stench of burning wood flooded her nostrils, choking her.
@ -175,13 +202,13 @@ Sian's grip tightened. She thought she heard him whisper a prayer to the Divine
He didn't answer.
They came up to the familiar ridge that marked the border of their family lands. The bright oranges lit up the dark, billowing clouds that rose up over the burning trees.
They came up to the familiar ridge that marked the border of their family lands. The bright orange lit up the dark, billowing clouds that rose up over the burning trees.
Sian yanked on the reins.
The equine reared.
The horse reared.
Linsan let out a cry as she felt dizzy. Her hands tightened on the pommel and reins until her knuckles turned white.
Linsan let out a cry as she felt dizzy. Her hands tightened on the pommel until her knuckles turned white.
Her father sobbed as he released the reins. "No, by the Couple, no. Not that."
@ -191,11 +218,11 @@ The workshop was engulfed in fire. A rainbow of colors burst out of the two-stor
Behind the workshop, the private forest her family owned burned. Ancient trees popped and hissed as the flames danced among the shriveled branches and burning leaves. Waves of heat, even from hundreds of feet away, beat against her face.
"Where is the Couple-damned fire brigade!" screamed her father. "The entire valley is on fire!"
"Where is the Couple-damned fire brigade!?" screamed her father. "The entire valley is on fire!"
Dukan started to get off his horse. He looked around in shock. "I-I don't know. I summoned them before I came for you. They should be here."
"Well, they aren't! This is my life!" Tears glinted in her father's eyes as he gestured angrily at the burning workshop. "My family is burning and there isn't anyone here!"
"Well, they aren't! This is my life!" Tears glinted in her father's eyes as he gestured angrily at the burning workshop. "There isn't anyone here!"
"I'll get them!" Dukan slipped back into place and spun his horse around. "I'll find out what happened."
@ -205,13 +232,13 @@ Sian half-slid, half-fell from his horse. His arms were tight on Linsan, guiding
The right side of the workshop collapsed.
"No," he screamed in a voice that felt like the heavens should have split open and cried. It was a sound she had never her father make before and it terrified her.
"No," he screamed in a voice that felt like the heavens had split open and cried. It was a sound she had never heard her father make before and it terrified her.
He staggered forward.
Linsan saw that he was going into the workshop. He was going to leave her alone in the heat of the fire. "Daddy!"
Sian turned, his face sparkling with tears. "Just stay there, Honey. I have to..." He turned and let out a sob. "My life is in there. My grandparents planted those trees, my father build that shop."
Sian turned, his face sparkling with tears. "Just stay there, Honey. I have to..." He turned and let out a sob. "My life is in there. My grandparents planted those trees, my father built that shop."
"Daddy, I'm scared."

View file

@ -2,16 +2,50 @@
title: Home Early
age: 14 years
summary: >
Unable to visit the burnt remains of the family's workshop, Linsan comes home to find her father work in depression. He had given up working on instruments and switched to writing articles about music. She goes into the attic to put some books away and finds Palisis in a corner, returned after Marin's death. She plays it, but then finds out that no one had ever played it before.
Unable to visit the burnt remains of the family's workshop, Linsan comes home to find her depressed father. He had given up working on instruments and switched to writing articles about music. She goes into the attic to put some books away and finds Palisis in a corner, returned after Marin's death. She plays it, but then finds out that no one had ever played it before.
teaser: >
Unable to visit the burnt remains of the family's workshop, Linsan comes home to find her father work in depression.
Unable to visit the burnt remains of the family's workshop, Linsan comes home to find her depressed father.
characters:
primary:
- Linsan
secondary:
- Sian
- Tisin
referenced:
- Marin
- Dukan
- Junith (Unnamed)
locations:
primary:
- Robins Road 708
referenced:
- Canton, Gepaul # about six hours away
- Sterlig Valley
topics:
secondary:
- Palisis
- Safe Adventures, Our Departed Love
- History of Traditional Music
- Virgin Instrument
referenced:
- Tears of the Broken Harp (Epigraph)
warning:
secondary:
- Depression
constraints:
- linsan is 14
- now is spring
---
> No one understands the mystical connection formed during that first note played by a musician on a new instrument. --- _Tears of the Broken Harp_ (Act 2, Scene 8)
The rain hammered down on Linsan's wide-brimmed hat. The force was enough to create a stream of water pouring down her back. Her soaked hair and backpack weighed down on her shoulders after her half hour walk from school.
The rain hammered down on Linsan's wide-brimmed hat. The force was enough to create a stream of water that poured down her back and splashed on her pack. Her soaked hair and backpack weighed down on her shoulders after her half hour walk from school.
When her fourteenth birthday was rained out, she wasn't expecting it to keep raining for a week. She was already feeling anxious because she wasn't able to visit the family's valley because of a rain-out road. She had been visiting it almost daily for five years ever since she started only a few months after the fire. At first, it was her parents visiting the ruins but now it was just herself going every day after school.
When her fourteenth birthday was rained out, she wasn't expecting it to keep pouring for a week. She was already feeling anxious because she wasn't able to visit the family's valley because of a washed-out road. She had been visiting it almost daily for five years.
At first, it was the three of them visiting the ruins but every time her father looked at the ruins, his eyes seemed to dull. After only a few weeks, he stopped going. Months after that, her mother went on one of her tours and it was just Linsan that walked the route every day after school.
Dragging her thoughts back to the present, she opened the front door, a blast of warmth brought the smells of her mother's perfume and the familiar scents of their century-old home.
@ -21,7 +55,7 @@ She wasn't expecting an answer. Looking around, she saw a pair of boxes at the f
With a sigh, she set the book back into the box. Looking around, she considered her options. Her father would be in his study. With a little spin, she twirled her way down the narrow hallway to the living room and peered inside.
Her father's office was on the other side of the faded rug. There used to be a couch there, but a few too many leaps from one end to the other had destroyed it and they had to get rid of it a few years ago. In their place, four padded library chairs were arranged in a semicircle facing the old fireplace.
Her father's office was on the other side of the faded rug. There used to be a couch there, but a few too many leaps from one end to the other had destroyed it and they had to get rid of it. In their place, four padded library chairs were arranged in a semicircle facing the old fireplace.
Sian sat with his back to her. His shoulders were hunched over his desk. The four old magical lanterns lit up the cramped room. The light shone on the stacks of newspapers, essays, and books that surrounded him. Even from the next room over, she could hear the slow but steady click of his new typewriter. It was the only major purchase he had made since the fire and even then he fretted about the expense for months.
@ -33,7 +67,11 @@ He paused, his trembling hands lifting off the ivory keys of his typewriter. Ins
He looked again and then made a low grunt. "That explains why my joints hurt. Did you go out and check?"
"Of course."
"Of course. The culvert near Bones Creek was jammed with sticks and the water had swept away the rocks and gravel."
"You didn't try to cross, did you?" His voice pricked with concern.
"No, I saw too many white currents."
Sian finally turned to her and smiled. "Rain isn't usually this bad...." The words faded from his lips and a sad look darkened his gaze. He sighed. "I need to work for another hour or so, can you entertain yourself?"
@ -53,13 +91,13 @@ The silent request hovered between them for a moment.
Linsan patted him on the shoulder and felt a moment of sadness as he returned to his work. She couldn't remember the last time he had smiled. It had been weeks for sure, maybe months. She sighed and looked at the plain walls of his office and tried to remember what it looked like years ago when it still had his tools and projects on shelves.
She sighed and patted his shoulder again before heading to the stairs and regarding the boxes. The second was smaller. She opened it and peered inside. It contained her father's old music sheets, the songs that he had written. The pages were crinkled and old; he hadn't penned a song since the fire. Idly, she flipped through the pages and remembered how he would write and play while she bounced around the room.
She sighed and patted his shoulder again before heading to the stairs and regarding the boxes. The second was smaller. She opened it and peered inside. It contained her father's old music sheets, songs that he had written between crafting instruments. The pages were crinkled and old; he hadn't penned a song since the fire. Idly, she flipped through the pages and remembered how he would write and play while she bounced around the room.
It was a different life for both of them.
Linsan grabbed the boxes and hefted them. Fortunately, they weren't too heavy and she managed to stagger up the stairs to the second floor and over to the hall where the chain for the attic dangled from the ceiling.
By the time she managed to get the boxes up the ladder and into the attic, she was sweating from the effort. She stopped to peer around at the tightly-packed room. There were chests and boxes everywhere, all arranged into neat piles.
By the time she managed to get the boxes up the ladder and into the attic, she was sweating from the effort. She stopped to flutter the top of her dress to cool herself down. With the little puffs of hair teasing her hair, she peered around at the tightly-packed room. There were chests and boxes everywhere, all arranged into neat piles.
She took a deep breath.
@ -67,21 +105,21 @@ When she caught a familiar smell, she froze. Underneath the dust and mold, there
Curious, she sniffed and circled the empty space until she found where the smells were stronger. The sharp scent, even after years of storage, brought back a rush of memories and she could almost picture her father's workshop before it had been stripped down.
A desperate need rose up and she grabbed the boxes and pulled them aside to try find the source. She peered into boxes as she did, a swarm of fond memories crashing into her thoughts as she recognized paintings that had been mounted on the walls. One of them was of Sian, her mother, and herself. It was a portrait set in front of the forest with him playing his violin as she and her mother danced around him.
A desperate need rose up and she grabbed the boxes and pulled them aside to try find the source. She peered into boxes as she did, a swarm of fond memories crashing into her thoughts as she recognized paintings that had been mounted on the walls. One of them was of Sian, her mother, and herself. It was a portrait set in front of the workshop with him playing his violin as she and her mother danced around him.
Linsan remembered that day. She rubbed her eyes as she stroked her finger along her parent's faces. They were both smiling in that picture. In the last few months, the joy had faded from both of their eyes and she could tell her mother had to force her expression.
Linsan remembered that day. She rubbed her eyes as she stroked her finger along her parent's faces. They were both smiling in that picture. In the last few months, the joy had faded from both of their eyes and she could tell her mother had to force the smiles on her face.
The next box had a pile of scorched instruments in it. The stench of burning wood clung to the box, seeping out in memories that darkened the cramped attic. She looked through them for a moment before pushing it aside.
Then she found what she was looking for. A heavy wooden toolbox. She saw down in front of it. With a trembling hand, she worked the rusted latches open and swung the top aside.
Then she found what she was looking for. A heavy wooden toolbox. The wood had been heavily stained and carved. She could even see where she had attempted to scratch her initials on the top. She saw down in front of it. With a trembling hand, she worked the rusted latches open and swung the top aside.
A dozen carving tools all lined up neatly as if they were about to be used in only a few minutes. Each one still shone with a thin layer of oil and only a few had spots of rust along the blades. The smell of wood stains rose around her. The familiar scents brought a tear running down her cheeks.
She couldn't remember when her father had put them away. She was ten when she came into his workshop to find the table swept clean and everything put away. The half-built instruments were also gone. It was as if he had given up overnight.
Wiping the tear from her face, she ran her fingers along his tools. He was always so happy when he was working with wood. She loved to dance and bounce as he spoke from his table. Nothing would let her forget the smell of wood stain or the dust that drifted down as he sanded away some tiny imperfection.
Wiping the tear from her face, she ran her fingers along his tools. He was always so happy when he was working with wood. She loved to dance, and twirl, and bounce as he spoke from his table. Nothing would let her forget the smell of wood stain or the dust that drifted down as he sanded away some tiny imperfection.
The other changes were less obvious. The fire had destroyed their family's reputation. It wasn't that her father couldn't create more instruments, but people stopped ordering new ones as he was forced to cancel the commissions he had started. Without the unique woods that went into each one, the sounds that made her family famous were irrevocably lost. Without that, he couldn't compete with the cheaper craftsmen who had built factories to produce cheap sounds.
The other changes were less obvious. The fire had destroyed their family's reputation. It wasn't that her father couldn't create more instruments, but people stopped ordering new ones as he was forced to cancel the commissions he had started. Without the unique woods that went into each one, the sounds that made her family famous were irrevocably lost. Without that, he couldn't compete with the cheaper craftsmen who had built factories to produce bland but consistent sounds.
Linsan sighed and shook her head sadly. She closed the lid to the tools and pushed the box aside. She looked around with bleary eyes and a sob caught in her throat. She had been visiting the burnt remains of the workshop and the valley for years without a problem, but seeing the boxes was too much.
@ -91,15 +129,15 @@ She started to push herself to her knees then she noticed a polished wooden box
On top was a couple sheets of music for a song she had never heard before, _Safe Adventures, Our Departed Loves_. She picked it up curiously and saw her father's name. But before she read a few notes, she spotted a violin nestled into the velvet indentions of the case.
It was a beautiful instrument. Untouched by dust and flame, it shone even in the dim light of the attic. Along the edge, she could see her father's rich details and carvings. The wood was a warm reddish brown, a beautiful example of the wood of the now burned forest. The neck was smooth, designed for playing. The scroll at the top, on the other hand, was an intricate whorl of wooden petals and vines. Marin's name had been carved in one side and "Palisis" on the other.
It was a beautiful instrument. Untouched by dust and flame, it shone even in the dim light of the attic. Along the edge, she could see her father's rich details and carvings. The wood was a warm reddish brown, a beautiful example of the wood of the now burned forest. The neck was smooth with elegant curves and a gentle sweep. It was designed for a master to play. The scrollwork at the top, on the other hand, was an intricate whorl of wooden petals and vines. Marin's name had been carved in one side and "Palisis" on the other.
Linsan stared in shock and longing. It had been a long time since she heard or seen the violin's name. After the fire, her father had tried to continue her lessons but both of them had given up after only a few months. More tears ran down her cheeks as she ran her fingers along the strings. They were loose but it only took a few twists to tighten them.
In that moment, she wished she knew how to play. Only a few weeks of lesson wasn't enough, but the need to hear the past overwhelmed her.
With a delicate flick of her finger, she strummed along the strings. They were all out of tune but she vaguely remembered how each string should ring out. Using her fingers, she pried it out of the case enough to twist one of the keys. When she flicked the string, it sounded even worse and she turned the tuning peg in the opposite direction until it sounded better. Working from memory of what the violin should sound like, she adjusted the other strings until she was satisfied.
With a delicate flick of her finger, she strummed along the strings. They were all out of tune but she vaguely remembered how each string should ring out. Using her fingers, she pried it out of the case enough to twist one of the keys. When she flicked the string, it sounded even worse and she turned the tuning peg in the opposite direction until it rang out clearly. Working from memory of what the violin should sound like, she adjusted the other strings until she was satisfied.
Her father would know exactly how to make it sound right but it was close enough for her.
Her father would know exactly how to tune it but it was close enough for her.
Linsan picked up the song again. She played it out in her head, working through the complex notes across the bars. It was a song for a violin, but a player who possessed considerably more skill than herself. She read through it twice and realized she had no chance of even remotely following her father's creation.
@ -135,13 +173,13 @@ Her father sniffed and wiped the tears from his eyes.
"That was beautiful," said her mother.
She let out her breath with a whoosh. Trembling, she reached for the handrail and held it tightly as she inched down the stairs.
Linsan let out her breath with a whoosh. Trembling, she reached for the handrail and held it tightly as she inched down the stairs.
Her mother came up to meet her. Her hands were cool but firm. "You know how I feel about that song."
Her mother came up to meet her. Her hands were cool but firm. "You know how I feel about that song. One should not play naughty songs like that."
Linsan blushed. "Sorry."
"It was just wonderful to hear your father's work again." Her voice turned into a whisper. "That was Marin's instrument but she never had a chance to play it."
Her mother hugged her. "I'll forgive you this time. It was just wonderful to hear your father's work again." Her voice turned into a whisper. "That was Marin's instrument but she never had a chance to play it."
As Linsan's confused look, she amended herself. "I'll explain later."
@ -165,7 +203,7 @@ Tisin winked. "We'll just write a little note that it hasn't been played before.
It felt crass to put a price on the last instrument her father had made but she knew that they had already lost so much since the fire. She sniffed and wiped her tears away. "Who's Marin?"
"Your father's wife... from his first marriage. She married my wife when you were young."
"Your father's wife... from his first marriage. She married my wife when you were just a babe."
Linsan froze as she stared at her mother in shock.

View file

@ -2,16 +2,60 @@
title: Solace in Memories
age: 15 years
summary: >
As Linsan frequently did, she visited the family's ruins after school. The spot gave her peace despite everything they had lost. However, a bully from school, Dukan's daughter Brook, follows after her and they fight. During the brawl, they both manifest their powers: Linsan with music and Brook with concussion powers.
As Linsan frequently did, she visited the family's ruins after school. The spot gave her peace despite everything they had lost. However, a bully from school, Dukan's daughter Brook, follows after her and they fight. During the brawl, they both manifest their powers: Linsan with music and Brook with concussion powers.
teaser: >
As Linsan frequently did, she visited the family's ruins after school. The spot gave her peace despite everything they had lost. However, a bully from school, Dukan's daughter Brook, shows up.
As Linsan frequently did, she visited the family's ruins after school. The spot gave her peace despite everything they had lost. However, a bully from school, Dukan's daughter Brook, shows up.
characters:
primary:
- Linsan
secondary:
- Brook
- Gisel (Unnamed) # Friend
- Karelin (Unnamed) # Friend
referenced:
- Jakor Habir-Nos (Epigraph)
- Dukan
- Tinsin (Unnamed)
- Sian (Unnamed)
- Mabil (Unmamed) # Brook's Sister
- Farerin (Unnamed) # Brook's Sister
locations:
primary:
- Sterlig Valley
referenced:
- Koson # Distillery
- Penesol # Village
organizations:
referenced:
- Sterlig Family
topics:
secondary:
- My Ass for a Glass of Milk
- Manifestation
referenced:
- Threats of the Children with Power (Epigraph)
- Singing Ashes in Hand (Unnamed) # Ballad
- Divine Couple
- Palisis
warnings:
primary:
- Physical Assault
- Verbal Abuse
- Bullying
- Violence
constraints:
- linsan is 15
- now is spring
- Brook is a year younger than Linsan
---
> Time is the only determination when stress ignites the first manifestations of power. Is the degree of emotion and the threat of life that determines the nature and measure of the power that comes forth. --- Jakor Habir-Nos, _Threats of the Children with Power_
> One cannot pick the time when stress ignites the first manifestations of magic, nor can one choose the powers that come forth. Only introspection after the fact can guess the forces that shaped the power that came into being. --- Jakor Habir-Nos, _Threats of the Children with Power_
Linsan always loved the first week of spring. As she walked along the overgrown road, she admired the new buds sprouting on the tree branches and the leaves just pushing up through the thick mat of rotted leaves. The smells of the forest were coming to life, thawed out by the early season.
Linsan loved the first week of spring. As she walked along the overgrown road, she admired the new buds sprouting on the tree branches and the grass just pushing up through the thick mat of rotted leaves. The smells of the forest came to life, thawed by the early seasonal warmth.
She paused to shift her new violin case from one shoulder to the other. It bumped against her school bag until she managed to shift it to her other side. The heavy weight of the hard case bore down on her, but it was a comforting companion on her long walks through the woods.
She paused to shift her new violin case from one shoulder to the other. It bumped against her school bag until she managed to swing it over to her other side. The heavy weight of the hard case bore down on her, but it was a comforting companion on her long walks through the woods.
When she saw the curve with the three oak trees, some of her good mood faded and her footsteps came to a stop. She looked at the thick forest around her, the way everything was living and bright.
@ -25,21 +69,21 @@ She took a deep breath and forced herself to take a step forward. And then anoth
With every passing second, the world grew brighter. The canopy ahead of her opened up and the rich smells faded. Even the calls of the early birds broke up and grew silent.
By the time she reached the curve, the world had changed. Gone were the old growth woods and the rich smells of history. They were replaced by the bright colors of the sun-drenched valley with few plants taller than herself. Where there used to be spruce and maple, there was nothing more than grasses and wildflowers. They peeked up around the rotting remains of the old workshop, ridges of blackened wood sticking up among the rainbow of petals.
By the time she reached the curve, the world had changed. Gone were the old growth woods and the rich smells of mossy nature. They were replaced by the bright colors of the sun-drenched valley with few plants taller than herself and clouds of insects humming among the flowers. Where there used to be spruce and maple, there was nothing more than grasses and wildflowers. Her gaze was drawn to where the rotted remains of the old workshop reached up from the rainbow of petals. The ridges of blackened wood looked like the bones of a long-dead creature.
Linsan stopped and looked at the valley her family called their own. Six years had erased the memories of what the valley looked like when she was a little girl and was helpless as it burned. She couldn't remember what the workshop looked like anymore, only a few fragments of abstract memories were left behind.
Linsan stopped and looked at the valley her family called their own. Six years had erased the memories of what the valley looked like when she was a little girl and watched helpless as it burned. She couldn't remember what the workshop looked like anymore, only a few fragments of abstract memories and a faint recollection of music teased the back of her mind.
It would be decades before the trees were old enough to lumber and see if they had retained the qualities that made her family's instruments special. By then, all the skills that went into crafting violins would also be gone; her father showed no interest in teaching her his craft.
It would be decades before the trees were old enough to lumber and see if they had retained the qualities that made her family's instruments special. By then, all the skills that went into crafting violins would also be gone; her father no longer showed interest in teaching her his craft.
She started walking again, straight for the ruins of the workshop. Her heart began to beat faster with anticipation. This was her private place, the quiet valley with painful memories.
She started walking again, straight for the ruins of the workshop. Her heart began to beat faster with anticipation. This was her private place, the quiet valley with painful memories. But for all the pain, she couldn't give up the memories of happiness that still smouldered among the burnt wood.
Near the opening that once was a door, she set down her violin case and bag. She popped open her case and eased the the violin from the velvet. It wasn't one of her father's but a good-quality one her mother had bought without her father's knowledge.
Near the opening that once was a door, she set down her violin case and bag. She popped open the clasps and eased the violin from the velvet. It wasn't one of her father's---there were none at the home left to play---but a good-quality one her mother had bought without her father's knowledge.
Stepping away into the knee-high grasses, she tuned it carefully and began to play. It had been a year since the fateful day in the attic. Her mother had given her a new violin as a present and she had played it every day since. Now, she was comfortable with the instrument and could play simple songs fluidly.
Her mother was also happy Linsan finally taught herself songs that didn't center on butts, though the childish part of her loved _My Ass for a Glass of Milk_ for an entirely inappropriate song.
Her mother was also happy Linsan finally taught herself songs that didn't center on butts, though the childish part of her loved _My Ass for a Glass of Milk_ for an entirely inappropriate song that got her occasionally in trouble. She liked being a brat.
Linsan stood up and started to play. Her first song came out strong, it was a ballad about a girl and a boy. She didn't really know the words, but the melody always drew her. It was sad and sweet at the same time, an appropriate song for the ruins.
Linsan started to play. Her first song came out strong, it was a ballad about a girl and a boy. She didn't really know the words or understand why the boy was chasing the girl, but the melody always drew her. It was sad and sweet at the same time, an appropriate song for the ruins.
Closing her eyes, she just let the music flow around her. She imagined her father playing, the way he swayed back and forth with the movement of the bow. She followed suit, letting the song and the wind move her body as she ran through the notes.
@ -49,15 +93,15 @@ She took a moment to center herself and started back into the same song. She had
The sounds of her instrument drifted through the wildflowers and filled the valley.
She lost the ending in a muddled mess. Frustrated, she let the violin slip from her chin rest. She had to get it, if anything because she needed to be able to play more songs.
She lost the ending in a muddled mess. Frustrated, she let the violin slip from under her chin. She had to get it, if anything because she needed to be able to play more songs. She knew that she had made mistakes, but she couldn't quite get her fingers to play the music in her head.
As soon as she started the third attempt, she knew it would end up wrong and she gave up before the fifth measure.
"Damn it," she snapped. She paced around in a circle to calm herself. Her boots crunched on rotted wood and rocks. She hopped up on one edge of the foundation walls and off again.
After a few minutes of moving around, she was serene again. Steeling herself, she brought her violin up and started the same song. The anxiety and frustration grew despite the first notes coming out loud and clear. To fight it, she kept moving. First it was swaying but that wasn't enough. She stepped to the side, almost dancing as she swept through the songs.
After a few minutes of moving around, she was serene again. Steeling herself, she brought her violin up and started the same song. The anxiety and frustration grew despite the first notes coming out loud and clear. To fight it, she kept moving. First it was swaying but that wasn't enough. She stepped to the side, then swung her leg around. She could picture herself dancing while she swept through the songs.
Music rose from the bow. She felt it as much as she heard it. With a smile, she kept dancing, spinning and sliding with every moment as the song kept going.
Music rose from the bow. She felt it as much as she heard it. With a smile, she kept dancing, spinning and sliding with every moment as the song kept going. Occasionally, she would kick out and twirl at the bright points of the song.
When she finished without a single mistake, she couldn't help but smile. Her entire body hummed with the accomplishment.
@ -77,7 +121,7 @@ A year younger than Linsan, Brook was Dukan's eldest daughter. She had her fathe
Her outfit wasn't appropriate for standing in knee-high grass either.
Brook held the bottom of her sea-green dress away from the ground but the lace clung to the leaves that surrounded her boots. Some of the lace had caught broken leaves and there were obvious stains of wildflowers she had to wade through.
Brook held the bottom of her sea-green dress away from the ground but the lace clung to the leaves that surrounded her boots. Some of the delicate whorl had caught broken leaves and there were little burrs clinging to the fabric.
Linsan glanced at the other two. They were still wearing their school dresses, relatively plain outfits of dark colors and somber patterns. They gave Brook the appearance of stepping off a stage or coming out of a portrait.
@ -95,15 +139,15 @@ The muscles in Linsan's neck and chest tightened. She let the violin drop but ke
Brook's painted lips tightened into a thin line for a moment. "Maybe I just wanted to see you jumping around like a drunken squirrel? Or screeching like some sort of beast with that bit of wood? Everyone needs some entertainment, even refined ladies."
Linsan started to snap back but Brook interrupted her. "Before you ask, we are all going Koson's for dinner. A very exclusive dinner for people who are going up in the world, not backwaters squirrels scampering on branches. Daddy is going to meet us there with a wagon."
Linsan started to snap back but Brook interrupted her. "Before you ask, we're all going to Koson's for dinner. A very exclusive dinner for people who are going up in the world, not backwater squirrels scampering on branches. Daddy is going to meet us there with a wagon."
Koson was an expensive distillery a few miles past the valley. Even so, Brook had to come out of her way to make her way to the Sterlig's valley. It wasn't not an easy place to find.
Koson was an expensive distillery a few miles past the valley. Even so, Brook had to come out of her way to the Sterlig Valley. It wasn't not an easy place to find.
Linsan flushed. Her stomach twisted as she glared at Brook. "I come here to get away from people like you."
"Yes, you should do that." Brook stepped forward. "If fact, you and the rest of your rotten family should move here where we never have to see you again." Her dark brown eyes flashed underneath the wide brim of her hat. "You are a stain on Penesol, a reminder that even the fame of the Sterlig's would crumble."
"Yes, you should do that." Brook stepped forward. "In fact, you and the rest of your rotten family should move here to where we never have to see you again." Her dark brown eyes flashed underneath the wide brim of her hat. "You are a stain on Penesol, a reminder that the Sterlig used to be famous crafters, not cowards hiding from their debts."
With a flinch, Linsan had to force herself to relax her grip in fears of breaking her bow. She trembled as the tears rose in her eyes. "My family was ruined in that fire. We lost---"
With a flinch, Linsan had to force herself to relax her grip in fear of breaking her bow. She trembled as the tears rose in her eyes. "My family was ruined in that fire. We lost---"
"So was mine! But we didn't have your mother's fame to keep us floating in the muck. We fell in and drowned. We lost everything, I lost everything." Brook's voice grew sharper. "We had to move. I lost my room and everything in it. We had to sell the pictures, my dolls, and even my paintings. We lived in a tent for a year because of you!" Her screams bounced off the rocks before fading.
@ -111,7 +155,7 @@ Linsan shook her head. "But you're fine now. Your father is one of the richest p
Brook stomped hard on the ground. She screamed, "No thanks to you and your damn family!"
A flush of heat and discomfort rolled through Linsan's body. It was shocking how she could almost trace the wave as it radiating from her chest and flowed down into her hands and feet. Her violin trembled, the vibrations humming along the strings.
A flush of heat and discomfort rolled through Linsan's body. It was shocking how she could almost trace the wave as it radiated from her chest and flowed down into her hands and feet. Her violin trembled, the vibrations humming along the strings.
Brook stepped over Linsan's case and into the empty space between the walls. "Your father didn't help us! Your mother didn't either! Your damn parents walked away when we needed you the most!" Her face grew redder with every word.
@ -119,7 +163,7 @@ Brook stepped over Linsan's case and into the empty space between the walls. "Yo
"And I was eight and I lost everything!"
"That was six years ago! We were both little girls!" Linsan desperately wanted to get away. It was turning into a fight but there were no teachers to break it up and they were at least a half an hour away from anyone could help. She glanced past Brook to her cases. They were now trapped between the three girls.
"That was six years ago! We were both little girls!" Linsan desperately wanted to get away. It was turning into a fight but there were no teachers to break it up and they were at least a half an hour away from anyone who could help. She glanced past Brook to her cases. Her possessions were now trapped between the three girls.
Brook's face twisted into a deep scowl. "We lived in hell for most of those years! Tents, that horrible cabin, even the Couple-damned apartment filled with bugs! That is our hell and you had to go through none of it!"
@ -131,15 +175,15 @@ Her friend flinched.
Turning back, Brook took another step toward Linsan. The tall grasses dragged at her dress. "You didn't lose anything important. Just this place---"
As Brook gestured to the ruins around her, Linsan ground her jaw together. Brook didn't know what she was talking about. She had no idea how much the fire took out of her family. She opened her mouth to say something but Brook interrupted her.
As Brook gestured to the ruins around her, Linsan ground her teeth together. Brook didn't know what she was talking about. She had no idea how much the fire took out of her family. She opened her mouth to say something but Brook interrupted her.
"No, you don't get to tell me about losing things. It doesn't matter! You lost nothing but your damnable pride. You even still have one of your father's famous violins in our vault. Just a single box as if was the most important thing in the world. It's probably worth more than my father, but your parents don't have," she spat out the world, "to sell that, do you?"
"No, you don't get to tell me about losing things. It doesn't matter! You lost nothing but your damnable pride. You even still have one of your father's famous violins in our vault. Just a single box as if was the most important thing in the world. It's probably worth more than my father, but your parents don't have the Couple-damned guts," she spat out the word, "to sell that, do you?"
When Brook's father had recovered from the fire, he had bought one of the banks in town. It was where Linsan's father had taken Palisis for safe keeping.
When Brook's father had recovered from the fire, he had bought one of the banks in town. It was where Linsan's father had taken Palisis for safe keeping. Linsan remembered it was a few weeks after the day in the attic.
Linsan jumped off the wall toward Brook. "I lost more than that, cow!"
From behind Brook, her other friend spoke up. "Brook? I thought we were just going to tease her? This is going too far." She was obviously uncomfortable. Both of them had stepped back away from the wall.
From behind Brook, her other friend spoke up. "Brook? I thought we were just going to tease her? This is going too far." She was obviously uncomfortable. Both of them had stepped back, away from the wall.
Brook appeared to ignore her as she stomped toward Linsan. She released her dress which dragged along the wildflowers that Linsan hadn't crushed with her dancing. She was sweating as she did, droplets running down her face and marring her makeup.
@ -165,11 +209,11 @@ Brook's lips pressed into a thin line.
Linsan wanted to look away, to avoid the conflict, but couldn't. She stared back and waited for what would happen next. Her lungs hurt and she realized she was holding her breath, but she didn't dare let it go.
Brook yanked back. "Rot in a pile of rancid crap," she muttered and spun around. Her dress tugged on the grasses around them as she stormed forward.
Brook yanked back. "Rot in a pile of rancid crap," she muttered and spun around. Her dress tugged on the grasses around them as she stormed away.
Letting out her breath, Linsan almost slumped forward. She got a better grip on her bow and instrument; both of her palms were slick with sweat. The rest of her body still felt uncomfortable, as if her skin wasn't fitting quite right anymore.
Letting out her breath, Linsan squirmed. She got a better grip on her bow and instrument; both of her palms were slick with sweat. The rest of her body still felt uncomfortable, as if her skin wasn't fitting quite right anymore. Her damp dress weighed down on her.
She panted as she watched Brook walk toward the entrance. Beyond Brook, her two friends were already walking back. Linsan just had to hold on a little longer, then she and her friends would be gone and she could let herself go, no doubt to cry.
She panted as she watched Brook stalk toward the opening leading out of the ruins. Beyond Brook, her two friends were already walking back in the field beyond. Linsan just had to hold on a little longer, then she and her friends would be gone and she could let herself go. Her eyes burned with tears that threatened to spill out.
Brook reached the entrance. Before she crossed the threshold, she looked down.
@ -185,7 +229,7 @@ Linsan's vision blurred for a moment. She fought back the nausea, she couldn't t
Brook's friends stopped and turned to look back. Neither were smiling. One slowly lifted her hand to her mouth.
Brook held up her dress and kicked the case again. It slammed into the stone wall and the lid sheered off, bouncing on the stone before falling to the ground. Papers fluttered everywhere.
Brook held up her dress and kicked the case again. It slammed into the stone wall and the lid sheered off, bouncing on the stone before falling to the ground.
With tears in her eyes, Linsan walked toward her. "Stop! Why are you doing that!? I bought that with my own money!"
@ -211,15 +255,15 @@ Brook's smile froze. She turned and raised her arm.
Linsan swung wildly but missed.
"You cow!" snapped Brook. Her fingers raked across Linsan's face, leaving four burning lines. She followed up with a kick that caught Linsan's knee.
"You cow!" snapped Brook. Her fingers raked across Linsan's face, leaving four burning lines. She followed with a kick that caught Linsan's knee.
Linsan dropped to the ground.
Brook rolled her eyes and then brought her knee up. The soft padding of her dress did little to cushion the impact as it connected with Linsan's chin with a sickening crunch.
Brook rolled her eyes and then brought her knee up. The soft padding of her dress did little to cushion the impact as it connected with Linsan's chin with a crunch.
With a groan, Linsan fell back. She clutched her nose with one hand and felt hot blood pouring down between her fingers.
With a groan, Linsan fell back. She clutched her jaw with one hand and felt the pain radiating from between her fingers.
Brook leaned toward her. "Do you really think a dress is going to stop me? I have two sisters, I know how to fight!"
Brook leaned toward her. "Do you really think a dress is going to stop me? I have two sisters! I know how to fight!"
Sick and dizzy and enraged, Linsan staggered to her feet. "Don't you dare burn Palisis!"
@ -235,11 +279,15 @@ Linsan didn't hear the rest. She was charging forward wildly. Her shoulder caugh
The dress tore loudly and the ripping sound filled the air.
"That's it, I'm going to burn both of your violins!"
Brooke staggered forward from the impact.
Losing her balance, Linsan dropped to one knee.
Brooke spun back around, her face mottled with rage. One hand snapped out to catch Linsan's dress and pulled. The fabric dug into Linsan's throat. Brook brought her other hand up into a fist. "That's it, I'm going to burn both of your violins!"
Linsan kicked and punched as she tried to free herself. Her hands dug into the ground as she crawled to her violin. Her vision blurred but she managed to keep her attention locked on her violin. She had to get it before Brook did.
"You ruined my dress!"
"You ruined my dress! You ruin everything!"
Linsan reached her violin. She grabbed it and rolled over, clutching the instrument to her chest as she stared.
@ -255,7 +303,7 @@ Brook pointed at her. "You're going to get arrested for this! You attacked me!"
Linsan scrambled to her feet.
Brook flipped her thumb at her. "You hit me one more time and you'll spent the rest of your life rotting in some jail. I promise you, if it comes between us, you know the town will listen to my dad over yours."
Brook flipped her thumb at her. "You hit me one more time and you'll spend the rest of your life rotting in some jail. I promise you, if it comes between us, you know the town will listen to my dad over yours."
Hesitating, Linsan didn't doubt it was true. No one wanted to talk about her father anymore. They averted their eyes whenever he left the house.
@ -267,7 +315,7 @@ Brook stepped back. "What are you doing?"
Linsan stepped forward, her jaw clenched tight. She jammed the violin against her chin.
The sick feeling in her stomach soured and knotted. She felt like the world was melting away from her. The trees, the ruins, everything felt unreal. The only thing solid was her violin and her bow.
The sick feeling in her stomach soured and knotted. She felt like the world was melting away from her. The trees, the ruins, everything felt unreal. The only thing solid was her violin and her bow. It was screaming for her to play, to make some noise.
Brook held up her hands, ready to parry.
@ -283,7 +331,7 @@ Around them, the forest was deathly silent.
Brook stood up, her arms covered in dirt and blood. "What did you do?" Looking around, she bent over and picked up a large rock. With a grunt, she threw it at Linsan.
Moving reflexively, Linsan didn't dodge it. She felt the tone before she played it, a single sharp note. It ran out from her violin, drawn by her bow.
Moving reflexively, Linsan didn't dodge it. She felt the tone before she played it, a single sharp note. It ran out from her violin, drawn by her bow. In her panic, the sound ended with a screech but it was enough.
The air rippled around her as something shot out, spearing the rock and knocking it aside.
@ -293,7 +341,7 @@ The notes were burning in her head and she played them without thinking. It wasn
Brook staggered back. "Bitch!"
Enraged, Linsan continue to play. She pummeled Brook with rapid blows, each one in perfect harmony with the notes in the back of her head. She didn't think she could stop. She wasn't even sure she wanted to.
Enraged, Linsan continued to play. She pummeled Brook with rapid blows, each one in perfect harmony with the notes that screamed in the back of her head. She didn't think she could stop. She wasn't even sure she wanted to.
Brook fell back in a spray of blood. Her shoulders slammed hard against the ground.
@ -301,7 +349,7 @@ Shocked, Linsan froze. Her bow hovered inches above the strings, waiting to stri
A few birds called out.
Linsan's arm began to tremble. The anger ebbed away, leaving behind an exhaustion that startled her. She shook her head. She knew everyone had a magical talent, but no one ever explained how they got it. She always thought it would be some secret ritual her parents would use, but somehow she had just used to magic through her instrument.
Linsan's arm began to tremble. The anger ebbed away, leaving behind an exhaustion that startled her. She shook her head. She knew everyone had a magical talent, but no one ever explained how they got it. She always thought it would be some secret ritual her parents would use, but somehow she had just used magic through her instrument.
She glanced at her bow and gave a little hesitant pull. The note rang out and the energy hummed around her. It fluttered against her skin, a little caress of power that was almost invisible in the air.
@ -313,9 +361,9 @@ Linsan focused on her, holding up the bow to strike again.
One of her friends held out a hand. "We should go," she said.
"Please?" asked the other.
"Brook, please!" cried the other. "We need to go."
Linsan ignored them. "Leave my family alone."
Linsan ignored them. She glared at Brook. "Leave my family alone."
Brook stepped back, moving toward the trail leaving out of the valley. She was limping. "Like hell I will."
@ -343,7 +391,11 @@ Linsan thought about chasing after her but the cuts and ached throbbed in her jo
Her first thought was to run home but there was only one road leading into the valley. She wasn't going to give Brook a chance to ambush her. She had to wait.
With a hiss of pain, she got up and gathered the remains of her violin case and school bag. The case was ruined, shattered by whatever power Brook had summoned. The walls were also completely destroyed and the stones were scattered dozens of feet away in a spray. Brook's magic was far more destructive than Linsan's musical blasts.
With a hiss of pain, she got up and frantically looked for her violin. The fear that Brook had smashed it hovered in her thoughts until she found it unharmed in the grass. With a gasp of relief, she snatched it up along brought it to the smashed remains of her instrument case. The sides of the leather-lined container had been shattered by whatever power Brook had summoned.
Her vision blurred as she looked at the ruined wall of the workshop. Years ago, the fire had scorched the stones but Brook's power had blasted it apart. In the still crumbling opening, she could see the stones scattered dozens of feet in a spray pattern.
Brook's magic was far more destructive than Linsan's musical blasts.
Linsan scoffed. Naturally, the gods decided that Brook would have more talent.

View file

@ -1,53 +1,99 @@
---
title: Bitter Partings
teaser: >
Bruised and aching from her fight, the last thing Linsan wanted to do was meet up was Brook and her father, but they were waiting by the time she limped home.
age: 15 years
teaser: >
Bruised and aching from her fight, the last thing Linsan wanted to do was meet up was Brook and her father, but they were waiting by the time she limped home.
summary: >
Linsan comes limping home after her fight with Brook. Her parents are surprised she is there, but then Dukan and Brook show up. Dukan has his daughter apologizes and then offers to send money to the Sterlig's. Linsan's father tries to refuse it, but Dukan phrases it as helping Linsan and they accept.
Linsan comes limping home after her fight with Brook. Her parents are surprised she is there, but then Dukan and Brook show up. Dukan has his daughter apologizes and then offers to send money to the Sterlig's. Linsan's father tries to refuse it, but Dukan phrases it as helping Linsan and they accept.
characters:
primary:
- Linsan
secondary:
- Dukan
- Brook
- Sian
referenced:
- Wastor da Joknig (Epigraph)
- Marin
- Junith
- Mabil (Unmamed) # Brook's Sister
- Farerin (Unnamed) # Brook's Sister
locations:
primary:
- Robins Road 708
organizations:
referenced:
- Penesol School for Refined Women (Unnamed)
topics:
referenced:
- Divine Couple
- Manifestation
- Palisis
- After the Destruction of Natural Order (Epigraph)
- My Fairest Rose # Play
- Silk Talents
- Virgin Instrument
warnings:
primary:
- Physical Assault
- Verbal Assault
secondary:
- Depression
- Swearing
referenced:
- Cancer
- Named Character Death
- Divorce
constraints:
- linsan is 15
---
> The rise of the affluent middle class was a surprise to almost everyone. No one expected that workers would ever have the wealth and power of High Society. --- Wastor da Joknig, _After the Destruction of Natural Order_
Miserable, Linsan limped up the stone path leading home. The blood on her hands and face had dried on the long, painful walk home. It felt like every joint in her body ached from where Brook's blast had tossed her aside.
Miserable, Linsan limped up the stone path leading to her house. The blood on her hands and face had dried on the long, painful walk home. Every joint in her body ached from where Brook's blast had tossed her aside.
She spat into the wilted flowers along the side of the path and regarded the stairs leading up to her porch. Every step seemed like an agony and the three steps were almost too much.
Linsan stopped. Wiping her forehead, she turned and sat heavily down on the stairs. Her ruined violin case thumped onto the ground next to her, the makeshift binding made from strips of her skirt and her underclothes kept it sealed shut but she could hear her violin rattle inside.
Linsan stopped. Wiping her forehead, she turned and sat heavily down on the stairs. Her ruined violin case thumped onto the ground next to her. The makeshift binding made from strips of her skirt and her underclothes kept it sealed shut but she could hear her violin rattling inside.
She panted in discomfort and looked at the empty street. Fortunately, they lived on the edge of town and she only got a few curious stares on her walk home. It didn't help that most of them were double-takes and gasps of surprise. No doubt she was already the subject of gossip.
As much as she hated Brook for mocking her, the other girl was right. The only reason they survived was her mother's singing and dancing. Her reputation kept them on the edge of comfort. Dukan didn't have that steady income. He had worked hard to keep a roof over his three girls. Over the years, he had managed to take his skill coordinating contracts and wrangling suppliers into getting a license to run his own bank in the center of town.
As much as she hated Brook for mocking her, the other girl was right. The only reason they had survived was her mother's singing and dancing. Her reputation kept them on the edge of comfort. Dukan didn't have that steady income in the beginning. He had worked hard to keep a roof over his three girls. Over the years, he had managed to take his skill coordinating contracts and wrangling suppliers into getting a license to run his own bank in the center of town.
Now, neither of them could afford an embarrassment. She rubbed her aching jaw and shook her head. It was best just to pretend the fight had never happened.
Linsan glanced at the violin case. She wanted to see if the strange magic happened if she played it again. She was also scared that it wouldn't. Worrying her bottom lip, she shook her head and promised to try it again when she headed back to the valley. After the fight, she hoped Brook wouldn't try to interrupt again.
A cool breeze rippled along her thighs. She squirmed in discomfort. After a few minutes, she considered heading up to her room and seeing if she could sneak a hot shower before her father caught her with uncomfortable questions.
A cool breeze rippled along her thighs. She squirmed in discomfort. After a few minutes, she considered heading up to her room and seeing if she could sneak in a hot shower before her father caught her with uncomfortable questions.
Steeling herself, Linsan pushed herself up.
Steeling herself, Linsan pushed up.
A loud grinding noise echoed down the street.
She froze with a feeling of dread. She had heard of the new vehicles in town and there were only a few people who could afford the expensive machines. One of them was Dukan. With a groan, she watched the column of steam as it approached steadily from a few blocks away.
There were a thousand things she could have done, but none of them seemed to come to mind as the large-wheeled vehicle came to a rumbling halt in front of the house. It was monstrous thing, unnatural and harsh looking. The entire thing was black with gold trim everywhere. Near the hood, there was an intricate design of a pair of black clouds on a plaque along with some names and a year, 1842.
There were a thousand things she could have done, but none of them seemed to come to mind as the large-wheeled vehicle came to a rumbling halt in front of the house. It was a monstrous device, unnatural and harsh looking. The car was black with gold trim everywhere. Near the hood, there was an intricate design of a pair of black clouds on a plaque along with some names and a year, 1842.
The two riders weren't people Linsan wanted to meet either. Dukan got out first, his black suit glistening from the steam that clung to the fabric. He pulled a pair of goggles off his face and snapped them to the side. Flecks of water splattered onto the cobblestones.
Brook slipped off her side of the car. Her shoulders were slumped and her new dress was damp across her body. She wore a deep green color but the ruffles were all limp and dripping.
Dukan strode up the walk. "Lin! You look beaut...." His voice trailed off as he got closer. "Actually, you look like you've been in a pretty nasty fight. Brook did a number on you, didn't she?"
Dukan strode up the walk, a broad smile on his face. "Lin! You look beaut...." His voice trailed off as he got closer, and then he did a double take. "Actually, you look like you've been in a pretty nasty fight. Brook did a number on you, didn't she?"
Behind him, his daughter glared at his back. She had a black eye and bandages along her hands and shoulder. Her leather boots scuffed against the flagstone path. She held her dress away from the ground in semblance of propriety but her arms shook from the effort. She was obviously hurting as much as Linsan.
Behind him, his daughter glared at his back. She had a black eye and bandages along her hands and shoulder. Her leather boots scuffed against the flagstone path. She held her dress away from the ground in a semblance of propriety but her arms shook from the effort. She was obviously hurting as much as Linsan.
Linsan regarded Dukan. At first, she considered blaming Brook for the fight and the resulting damage. After all, she had ruined Linsan's violin case and started the argument. She deserved all the punishment she would get.
Linsan regarded Dukan. At first, she considered blaming Brook for the fight and the resulting damage. After all, she had ruined Linsan's violin case and started the argument. She deserved all the punishment she would get for the threats to Linsan's family.
But that wouldn't help anyone. She sighed and shook her head. "It wasn't a big deal," she lied.
Brook tensed and straightened her back. She looked surprised.
"Nonsense, as beautiful as Brook is, she's got a temper. Though, she has a tendency to rip dresses. An expensive habit to say the least."
"Nonsense, as beautiful as Brook is, she's got a temper. She also has a tendency to rip dresses that I have custom made for her. An expensive habit to say the least." He grinned. "She also goes through a dozen outfits a day, even when she isn't fighting in the grass."
"Daddy...."
@ -59,13 +105,13 @@ Linsan shook her head. "No, she's just left for another tour of _My Fairest Rose
Dukan ran his hand along his short, dark hair. He smiled and shrugged. "Pity. I haven't had a chance to see that play. I've always loved watching your mother dance."
"This is the third season," Broke muttered.
"This is the third season," Brook muttered.
He seemed lost for a moment. Then he smiled brightly. "Your dad in?"
"Probably. I haven't been home long but he's always in the study at this time of day."
Dukan turned to his daughter. "Stay out here and try not to ruin your dress. I'm going to talk to Sian and see if we can smooth this over." He pointed at her. "No fighting."
Dukan turned to his daughter. "Stay out here and try not to ruin your dress. I'm going to talk to Sian and see if we can smooth this over." He pointed at her. "No fighting. I mean it."
"Yes, Daddy," came the sullen response. She glanced at Linsan and then pointedly looked away with a lift of her chin and a scowl.
@ -75,33 +121,33 @@ When the door closed behind him, Linsan couldn't help but stare at the door with
She turned around to glare at Brook.
Brook was only a few inches away from her, glaring back at her.
Brook was only a few inches away from her with a snarl on her face.
Linsan gasped and stumbled back until she hit the step with her foot. "W-What?"
Linsan gasped and stumbled back until she hit the step with her foot. Her heart pounded in her chest. "W-What?"
"This is all your fault," Brook whispered in a sharp tone as she pointed angrily at Linsan.
"You started it!" hissed Linsan back.
"There is a different between talking and you throwing blows!"
"There is a difference between talking and you throwing blows!"
"You ruined my case."
"It's a stupid case, who cares?"
"I care!" Linsan managed to regain some of her balance and straightened up. She stepped forward, but Brook didn't move back so they were pressed chest-to-chest as the two teenagers hissed at each other. "I paid for it with my own money and you smashed it on purpose. This was your fault, not mine!"
"I care!" Linsan managed to regain some of her balance and straightened up. She stepped forward, but Brook didn't move back so they were pressed chest-to-chest as the two teenagers whispered through clenched teeth at each other. "I paid for it with my own money and you smashed it on purpose. This was your fault, not mine!"
Muscles along Brook's jaw tightened.
Linsan rushed forward with her anger, shoving forward with her body. "You're the one who followed me to the workshop. You were the one who said my family was trash and---"
Linsan shoving forward with her body. "You're the one who followed me to the workshop. You were the one who said my family was trash and---"
"Your family is trash, you stupid bitch!" Brook shoved back with her bandaged hands.
Ready this time, Linsan stepped onto the step behind her, lifting herself up with the force of Brook's shove. Then, with gravity helping her, she brought her hands down to shove back with all her might. "Our lives got ruined too!"
Brook stumbled back into the grass. Her ankle turned and she let out a hiss before hopping further away. "That was just a burnt-out forest, I'm talking about my future!"
Brook stumbled back into the grass. Her ankle turned and she let out a grunt before hopping further away. "That was just a burnt-out forest. A couple burned trees and a useless cottage. I'm talking about my future!"
She started forward but when her ankle took her weight, she let out a hiss of pain. Flushed, she forced out the words. "I was supposed to have a pretty power, a silk! Now, every time I clap my hands, every Couple-damned window cracks!" She was no longer hissing, but screaming at the top of her lungs. "What kind of man is going to want a wife who can shatter walls! I'll never be able to go to shows without being able to applaud, to play games, or anything with these... these things!"
She started forward but when her ankle took her weight, she let out a hiss of pain. Flushed, she forced out the words. "I was supposed to have a pretty power, a silk not a brute! Real ladies have powers to decorate fabric, make perfume, or produce lights. Not me! Not now! Now, every time I clap my hands, every Couple-damned window cracks!" She was no longer hissing, but screaming at the top of her lungs. "What kind of man is going to want a wife who can shatter walls! I'll never be able to go to shows without being able to applaud, to play games, or anything with these... these things!"
Tears sparkled in Brook's eyes. She yanked her dress from the ground with one hand and tried to lunge forward again. She tripped on her dress and stumbled to the side.
@ -113,11 +159,11 @@ Linsan fought the urge to rush forward and slap her. "You threatened to burn Pal
"It's just a stupid violin!"
Something snapped inside Linsan. She stepped down to rush Brook.
Something snapped inside Linsan. She stepped down to rush Brook, her hand raising to strike.
"Stop!" bellowed Sian and Dukan at the same time.
Linsan tripped on the edge of the step and came down hard on her knees. Pain shot through her limbs as she bent forward in pain. When she looked up through the waterfall of her brunette hair, she saw that Brook had also fallen back into the dirt.
Linsan tripped on the edge of the step and came down hard on her knees. Pain shot through her limbs as she bent forward. When she looked up through the waterfall of her brunette hair, she saw that Brook had also fallen back into the dirt.
"What in the Couple-damned hell is going on?" yelled Dukan. "How is this not starting a fight?"
@ -129,9 +175,13 @@ He held out his hand for Linsan.
Crying from the pain, Linsan took it and pulled herself up to her feet. She glanced at her father.
Sian looked old at the top of the stairs. His skin was pale and wrinkled and there was no joy left in his eyes. He sighed and shook his head.
Sian looked old at the top of the stairs. His skin was pale and wrinkled and there was no joy in his eyes as they looked her over from head to toe. With every second, his lips thinned.
She cringed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to fight."
She cringed at her dad's look. "Sorry, I didn't mean to yell."
"Anything broke? Do you need a bone setter?" Her father's voice was tense.
"No... it just hurts... a little. I'm sorry." Tears burned in her eyes as she took in his disapproving look.
"No," Dukan said, "I should apologize for my daughter. She obviously can't be trusted to exercise restraint."
@ -139,25 +189,31 @@ Brook started to speak, "Sorry---"
He held up his hand to silence her without looking at her. "Who or what is Palisis?"
Sian spoke from the porch. "It's Marin's violin. The one I gave her when she married Junith."
Sian spoke from the porch step. His voice was low and listless. "It's Marin's violin. The one I gave her when she married Junith."
"Marin? She didn't keep it? Did... she get divorced again?"
Sian shook his head. "No, she... Jun was there when she died. It was sudden and we didn't know she was sick until it was too late. About a year later, Junith sent Palisis back with her apologies. Having it near her brought up too many memories."
He sniffed and wiped the tears from his eyes. "What could I say to that, Dukan? That I would keep it until I needed money, then sell it off to the highest bidder? I poured my heart and soul into that instrument. It was a gift for the greatest women in our lives."
He sniffed and wiped his eyes. "What could I say to that, Dukan? That I would keep it until I needed money, then sell it off to the highest bidder? I poured my heart and soul into that instrument. It was a gift for the greatest women in our lives."
"It's never been played?"
Linsan tensed. She still remembered the first and only time she played the instrument. It was a beautiful sound and she ached to hold the instrument in her hand to do it again. But her mother had insisted they said it was untouched when they wrapped it up and sent to the family safe box for keeping.
Sian nodded. "Yeah, never been played."
Sian hesitated for only the shortest of moments, then shook his head. "Never been played, not by anyone of the craft. Sterligs are shapers, you know that. We feel the wood. We know how to carve to make the sounds but we aren't capable of pushing it beyond the limits of the tree it came from. We cannot touch the magic inside."
Even though he didn't say it, Linsan could see her father die a little by lying to his best and oldest friend. His eyes shimmered with tears for a moment before he wiped them with the back of his hand.
Dukan looked at Linsan. His eyes were probing and his jaw tight.
Dukan looked confused. "It's a virgin Sterlig, Sian. Selling that would get you millions of cuks. You wouldn't have to be writing essays for pittance. Why are you working when that thing could set you for life?"
She flinched at the intense look.
Sian shook his head. "It's Marin, Dukan. You know that. There isn't another person closer to both of us than her. How could I just... throw that away for some money? We are surviving. It's a hard life but there are some things Tis and I just couldn't give up."
Sian said, "She never played it. She also just manifested her powers, Dukan, which means even if she did, the wood would have never attuned to her. No, the power inside Palisis remains untouched."
Even though he didn't say it, Linsan watched as her father's shoulders tensed and he clenched his hand. His eyes shimmered with tears for a moment before he wiped them with the back of his hand.
Dukan looked confused. "It's a virgin Sterlig, Sian. Any musician with talent would sell their souls for the power that comes from being the first. Putting that on the market would get you millions of cuks. You wouldn't have to be writing essays for pittance. Why are you working when that thing could set you for an easy life for you, Linsan, and her children?"
Sian shook his head. "It's Marin, Dukan. You know that. There isn't another person closer to both of us than her. How could I just... throw that away for some money? We are surviving. It's a hard life but there are some things Tis and I just couldn't toss aside. Not our wives."
With a sigh, Dukan returned to Sian. He took the first step up to grab Linsan's father's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Forgive me. Marin was my friend too. After all, I was your guard for your wedding. I should have never asked."
@ -169,19 +225,19 @@ Linsan didn't answer.
Dukan patted Sian's hand a few more times before he backed down the stairs until he was even with Linsan. "It will be safe at my bank, Sian. I promise you that. And if you ever do decide to sell it, I will make sure you get everything you need."
Her father nodded. "Thank you, Dukan. I'm sorry for everything. I'm glad that you came out of this in a better place."
Her father nodded. "Thank you, Dukan. I'm sorry for everything. After the fire, I... I... lost myself. Between the debtors and the loss of my family's legacy, we barely made it through in one piece. I'm glad that you came out of this in a better place."
"No one could have known that the fire would destroy everything. However, it's obvious that I've obviously drifted from your life in the last eight years. I apologize for that." He glanced at Linsan. "Look, I have a good run of luck lately and life is pretty rosy for our family. Not to mention, money isn't as tight as---"
Reaching out, Dukan rested a warm hand on Linsan's shoulder. "No one could have known that the fire would destroy everything. However, it's obvious that I've drifted from your life in the last eight years as well. I apologize for that." He glanced at Linsan. "Look, I had a good run of luck lately and life is pretty rosy for our family. Not to mention, money isn't as tight as---"
He turned to Brook with a stern look. "---some of us make it out to be."
He turned to Brook with a stern look. "---some of us make it out to be. We are quite comfortable at this point and you, Brook Meljemnar Kabisal, know that."
Brook's cheeks colored.
Brook flinched at her full name and her cheeks colored.
Sian pulled a face. "Dukan, I'm honored but---"
Sian cringed before he said, "Dukan, I'm honored but---"
Dukan held up his hand. "I worked for both you and your father for my entire life. You were always good men and as close to family as you can get. This is the least I can do. Let me help, even if you are too proud, your daughter deserves this."
Dukan turned back held up his hand. "I worked for both you and your father for most of my life. You were always good men and as close to family as you can get. This is the least I can do. Even if you are too proud to ask, let me at least help your daughter. She deserves a better life."
Linsan inhaled with surprise. She glanced at Brook who looked hurt and just as surprise as herself.
Linsan inhaled with surprise. She glanced at Brook who looked hurt and just as shocked as herself.
"Just a couple hundred cukdins a month? Three? To help with the bills? Make sure she has a good start?"
@ -189,19 +245,19 @@ Sian opened his mouth to say something but then choked back a sob.
Dukan smiled at Linsan who gave him a hesitant smile back.
Then he turned back to her father. "I also came for another reason. I'm moving... to the other side of town, up near the mansions. I bought a nice house for us. They also just opened up a private school for girls and my daughters are switching over in a few weeks."
Then he turned back to her father. "I also came for another reason. I'm moving... to the other side of town, up near the mansions. I bought a nice house for us. They also just opened up a private school for girls of means. My daughters are switching over in a few weeks."
Sian nodded.
Linsan looked back. Judging from Brook's expression, she obviously didn't know about the move.
"I'm sorry, but this probably means we're aren't going to see much of each other again. Not that I've been around a lot since the fire."
Dukan gestured in the direction of the house. "I'm sorry, but you have to admit, we're never going back to the way it was."
Linsan could feel the profound sadness. Over the years, she's seen her father's friends drifting away as fortunes shifted. There weren't many left and Dukan barely visited. It felt like she was watching the last plank bridging their past lives and today being removed.
Linsan felt her father's profound sadness. Over the years, she's seen her father's friends drifting away as fortunes shifted. Dukan was one of them. The conversation between Dukan and her father felt like she was watching the last plank bridging their past lives and today being removed.
"I understand, Duk." Sian sighed and nodded.
"Please, let me help? At least until she's done with school? Maybe a few years after that? Until she's twenty?"
"Please, let me help you one last time? At least until she's done with school? She'll be eighteen then. You could use the money."
With tears rolling down his cheeks, Sian nodded again.
@ -211,7 +267,7 @@ Brook looked at her, some of the anger replaced by confusion. Then she followed
Linsan didn't move as she watched them drive away. Then she turned to look at her father. "I'm sorry."
He wiped the tears from his eyes. "I always knew it was going to happen."
He wiped the tears from his eyes. "I always knew it was going to happen. He was back on his feet less than a year after the fire."
"Daddy?"
@ -225,14 +281,28 @@ Her father stopped moving for a moment, then he turned and opened the door. "Com
"The violin?" He wasn't looking at her. His eyes were on the broken case at the foot of the stairs.
She cringed. "Yes."
She cringed. She had kept it hidden from him ever since her mother bought it for her. "Y-Yes."
"Then it would take the Couple walking the earth hand-in-hand to stop you from playing. After all, you've been teaching yourself on the sly for months. I'd rather you know how to play properly than to hurt someone with a misplaced melody or note. So, you need to have lessons and I'm probably the best person to teach you properly."
"Then it would take the Couple walking the earth hand-in-hand to stop you from playing. I'd rather you know how to play properly than to hurt someone with a misplaced melody or note."
It felt like her father's words had punched her in the stomach. Linsan stared at him.
"You need to have lessons and I'd rather teach you than you playing on the sly for the last few months when you didn't think I could hear you."
She gasped in surprise.
He raised an eyebrow and he smirked. "Your mother is a magnificent creature on the stage but she needs a script to keep her lies together. Her improvisation has always been weak."
He raised an eyebrow and he smirked but there was pain his eyes. "Your mother tried to keep that violin a secret from me. She is a magnificent creature on the stage but she needs a script to keep her lies together. Her improvisation has always been weak. She has a tendency to embellish and it's pretty clear after being married to her so long."
Leaning over, he kissed the top of her head. "Come on. I also have to write a letter to your mother to let her know what is happening so she can stop making those faces when she talks to me."
The pain darkened his eyes. "I always hoped it would have been a Sterlig in your hands when it happened but... there aren't any left." He sniffed.
Surprised and delighted, Linsan gathered her ruined case and headed up the stairs.
Linsan felt tears starting to burn her eyes.
Sian glanced at her and then shook his head. When he looked back, she could tell he was struggling to hide his emotions. "Besides, I could smell the rosin every time I changed your sheets. You hid it underneath your bed."
"Dad---"
Leaning over, he kissed the top of her head. "Come on. I also have to write a letter to your mother to let her know what happened so she can stop making those faces when she talks to me about why her pay was short."
By the time he gestured for her to follow, she couldn't said the pain in his eyes. "Come on, show me what beautiful music you can create."
Surprised, Linsan gathered her ruined case and rushed up the stairs after him.

View file

@ -1,27 +1,66 @@
---
title: Revelations
teaser: >
Years later, Linsan is enjoying a picnic with her mother in the family's valley. However things aren't going as well as she thought and Linsan is left with some uncomfortable questions.
Years later, Linsan is enjoying a picnic with her mother in the family's valley. However things aren't going as well as she thought and Linsan is left with some uncomfortable questions.
age: 17 years
summary: >
Linsan and her mother are having a picnic the family's valley. They dance and play music. After that, Linsan finds out that her family is struggling with money because her father's new jobs don't pay well and her mother can't get roles for plays.
Linsan and her mother are having a picnic the family's valley. They dance and play music. After that, Linsan finds out that her family is struggling with money because her father's new jobs don't pay well and her mother can't get roles for plays.
characters:
primary:
- Linsan
secondary:
- Tinsin
referenced:
- Wagium de Pun (Epigraph)
- Sian
- Valian # is eighteen and a year older than Linsan
- Kavinar # director
- Tabil
- Marin
- Junith
locations:
primary:
- Serlig Valley
organizations:
referenced:
- Sterlig Family
topics:
secondary:
- Three Queens of Melodol
referenced:
- Fallacies of the Crystal Spheres (Epigraph)
- The Mayor's Mistress # Play
- Gone Without Water
- No Soul Left Uneaten
- Palisis (Unnamed)
- The Dame of Westmont # Play
warnings:
referenced:
- Depression
- Divorce
constraints:
- linsan is 17
- valian is 18
- now is summer
---
> Most creative talents find themselves unable to perform magic while being distracted. --- Wagium de Pun, _Fallacies of the Crystal Spheres_
It was a beautiful summer day and Linsan enjoyed it by happily dancing across the knee-high flowers that had grown up throughout the workshop's ruins. Brightly-colored petals fluttered around her pale blue skirt as she twirled and dipped. A breeze followed after it, buffing her legs and arms with warm kisses.
It was a beautiful summer day and Linsan enjoyed it by happily dancing across the knee-high flowers that had grown up throughout the workshop's ruins. Brightly-colored petals fluttered around her pale blue skirt as she twirled and dipped. A breeze followed after it, buffeting her legs and arms with warm kisses.
Her violin dipped and bobbed with her movements. After three years of lessons, she played comfortably despite bouncing across the soft earth and fragrant blossoms. With every note, the air shimmered around her. The sharp notes sparkled and reflected light, adding to an ethereal glow.
Her violin dipped and bobbed with her movements. After three years of lessons, she played easily despite bouncing across the soft earth and fragrant blossoms. With every note, the air shimmered around her. The sharp notes sparkled and reflected light, adding to an ethereal glow.
Tisin, her mother, danced next to her. Her laughter and smiles brightened the entire valley. She danced as freely as she could but there was still no way of hiding the skill as she kicked off rocks and flew across the grasses. It looked like she was gliding more than jumping.
Linsan felt a bit of jealous but that didn't stop her from continuing through the bright melody. Each note rippled across the grasses, swaying them with the waves of sound. In the distance, the music fluttered against the growing tree trunks that may become instruments in another few decades.
Linsan felt a bit of jealousy but that didn't stop her from continuing through the bright melody. Each note rippled across the grasses, swaying them with the waves of sound. In the distance, the music fluttered against the growing tree trunks that may become instruments in another century.
She reached the end of the song and slowed her feet.
"No, keep going," encouraged Tisin. She deftly jumped on the remains of the wall and danced along it. "Keep going!"
"No, keep going," encouraged Tisin. Her mother was still using the accent from her last play, a slight twang of the coastal cities that sounded exotic to the ear. She deftly jumped on the remains of the wall and danced along it. "Keep going!"
Encourage, Linsan hopped on the wall and raced along it, jumping and twirling as she did. Her bare feet smacked against the weather-smoothed rock. The sun-warmed stone felt good against her toes as she raced along the side.
Encouraged, Linsan hopped on the wall and raced along it, jumping and twirling as she did. Her bare feet smacked against the weather-smoothed rock. The sun-warmed stone felt good against her toes as she raced along the side.
She missed a few of the notes but it didn't matter. She leaped off the end and landed neatly on the soft ground.
@ -35,13 +74,13 @@ Linsan bowed back. "Thank you, my lady."
"And thank you, my beautiful lady." Tisin straightened and hopped around before heading to the blanket on the ground for their picnic. "Come on, you need a break."
She sat down and picked up a lace, wide-brimmed hat. Setting it on her piled-high brunette hair, she favored Linsan with a smile. "You've gotten so good at playing, Honey."
She sat down and picked up a lace-edged hat. Setting it on her piled-high brunette hair, she favored Linsan with a smile. "You've gotten so good at playing, Honey."
Still panting, Linsan sat down heavily next to her. She carefully set the violin back into its case. "Daddy's lessons have helped a lot."
"You were already good before he started teaching you."
Linsan shook her head. "No, these last two years of lessons have done more than I could ever hope to do by myself."
Linsan shook her head. "No, these last few years of lessons have done more than I could ever hope to do by myself."
Tisin smiled and patted the back of Linsan's hand. Unlike her daughter, she didn't seem fazed by the dancing in the sunlight. With her pale skin, she looked almost ghost-like compared to Linsan's deep tan from visiting the valley every day. She would burn quickly though, which is why she always wore a hat outside even on cloudy days.
@ -55,12 +94,16 @@ Linsan looked around at the few remaining walls. They were almost completely era
Surprised, she looked back at her mother.
Tisin looked happy as she peered around. "I guess I could think about what we lost but why? Sadness and hatred is an anchor, it pulls you down and drowns you."
Tisin looked happy as she peered around. "I guess I could think about what we lost but why? Sadness and hatred are anchors that pulls you down and drown you."
Linsan smirked. "Isn't that one of your lines?"
Tisin gave her a sly smile.
"It is! From last year's play, _The Dame of Westmont_."
"Good ear."
Unable to help smiling herself, Linsan started to say something but then she saw the briefest hint of sadness in her mother's amber eyes.
Tisin looked down and started pulling out sandwiches from the basket. "You... you wanted the almond butter right?"
@ -93,7 +136,7 @@ Another shrug. "No matter. I'd rather have a daughter who found her passions tha
Unsure of how to respond, Linsan focused on eating as she slowly cooled down.
Tisin ate only a few bites before she tilted her hat over her face and leaned back. Her slender arms supported her with her angle. She smiled and closed her eyes.
Tisin ate only a few bites before she tilted her hat over her face and leaned back. Her slender arms supported her body with an artful angle. She smiled and closed her eyes.
Linsan glanced at her. There was something not being said. Her mother had been home for almost a month when usually she only stayed for a week at most before going to rehearsals or out on tour. But Linsan hadn't seen her mother do anything since she returned.
@ -103,7 +146,7 @@ Linsan glanced at her. There was something not being said. Her mother had been h
"As much as I really enjoy spending time, what is going on?"
Tisin smile broadly and she shrugged. "No shows right now."
Tisin smiled broadly and she shrugged. "No shows right now."
"What about _The Mayor's Mistress_?" It was one of the more recent plays that had started in town. "I saw the bills when we were grocery shopping."
@ -115,7 +158,7 @@ Her mother didn't answer for a moment. Then she sighed. "You know that girl, Val
"She's seventeen!" Linsan shook her head. "That can't be right."
"Eighteen, she was born a year before you, but the director thought she pulled off a better mother than me."
"Eighteen. She was born a year before you, but the director thought she pulled off a better mother than me."
"How can that be? You are a wonderful mother!"
@ -133,17 +176,17 @@ It didn't seem right. Her mother was a wonderful actress. She had been touring G
"And that monster one? Um...." Linsan's voice trailed off as she tried to remember the name.
"_No Soul Left Uneaten._ My tits were never large enough for Tabil and I won't cheat on your father." Tisin did a little shimmy and a grin, but there was a hollowness in her eyes.
"_No Soul Left Uneaten_? My tits were never large enough for Tabil and I won't cheat on your father." Tisin did a little shimmy and a grin, but there was a hollowness in her eyes.
Linsan reached down and plucked some flowers. She toyed with the petals, working her thumb along the edge until it crumbled. She thought about the looks her parents had been giving each other when the topics changing to buying things. She knew how dependent they were on her mother's income. No shows meant nothing coming in. "Are we going to have trouble with money then?"
Linsan reached down and plucked some flowers. She toyed with the petals, working her thumb along the edge until it crumbled. She thought about the looks her parents had been giving each other when the topics changed to buying things. She knew how dependent they were on her mother's income. No shows meant nothing coming in. "Are we going to have trouble with money then?"
For the first time in Linsan's memory, Tisin's smile faded.
A cold shiver ran down Linsan's spine.
A cold shiver ran down Linsan's spine. It felt like the sun had dimmed with a single word.
"We have enough for a while," came the less-than-cheerful response. Tisin shifted slightly, sitting up. She reached for the jar of ice water they had brought with them. "This will only be a couple of months. We've saved up enough that we don't have to worry for... quite a while."
"We have enough for a while." Tisin didn't look at Linsan as she sat up. She reached for the jar of ice water they had brought with them. "This will only be a couple of months. We've saved up enough that we don't have to worry for... quite a while."
Hating the feeling of dread that draped over her, Linsan thought about their situation. She never had to worry about a roof over her head, but she knew it was always tight ever since the fire. It had been years since they lost everything, everything but a few boxes and Palisis, her father's last violin.
Hating the feeling of dread that draped over her, Linsan thought about their situation. She never had to worry about a roof over her head, but she knew money was always tight ever since the fire. It had been years since they lost everything, everything but a few boxes and Palisis, her father's last violin.
A violin that hadn't been played, a virgin as Dukan called it, would be worth millions at least. That would pay any bill that came up.
@ -151,15 +194,17 @@ A violin that hadn't been played, a virgin as Dukan called it, would be worth mi
Linsan jumped. "What? No. I mean, yes. H-How? I didn't say anything."
Her mother sighed. "Nothing more than a good guess. I figured your thoughts would go there because that was where both your father and I did. But you don't have the history of that violin that we share. You wouldn't understand how important it is to both of us."
Her mother sighed. "Nothing more than a good guess. I figured your thoughts would go there because that was where both your father and I went. But you don't have the history of that violin that we share. You didn't live through the events that led us to that day: the day when we dissolved our marriages and forged new ones, when we promised to always love each other, when that violin meant that we would all be happy. Palisis was a promise between four best friends who loved each other more than anything else."
"More than not having money?" Linsan felt weird asking her parents about such an adult topic.
A tear ran down her cheek.
Linsan reached up and brushed it from her mother's cheek.
Tisin shook her head, then she reached over to hug Linsan tightly. "Losing you is the only thing worse than losing Mar's and Jun's memory. If it came down to you and it, we'll sell it, but otherwise we're going to keep it until there is no other choice. Once made, that decision cannot be undone."
Linsan nodded.
Tisin sighed. "But, in many years down the line, when your parents are gone, you should consider selling it. It would give you a good life and you don't have the delicate silver chains shacked around your wrists that we did."
Tisin sighed. "But, in many years down the line, when your parents are gone, you should sell it. It would give you a good life and you don't have the delicate silver chains of memories shacked around your wrists that we did."
It was a good line from one of Tisin's more recent plays, but the words felt bitter and sad. Seeing the tears in her mother's eyes, Linsan nodded. "I'm sorry."
@ -173,7 +218,7 @@ Linsan was thankful for the change of topic. She forced a smile on her lips. "Pr
Tisin smoothly stood up. "The best way to get better is to practice. Come on."
Linsan picked up her violin and started to play. After only a few notes, she was already swaying in time with the complex melody that she was learning. She focused on keeping the music around her, causing ripples in the air instead of lashing out or knocking things over.
Linsan picked up her violin and set the bow on the strings. After only a few notes, she was already swaying in time with the complex melody that she was learning. She focused on keeping the music around her, causing ripples in the air instead of lashing out or knocking things over.
Her mother pirouetted next to the picnic basket and then began to dance.
@ -183,7 +228,7 @@ Her mother began to sing. It was the wrong song.
Linsan's concentration broke.
Tisin look at her with a grin. "Why did you stop?"
Tisin looked at her with a grin. "Why did you stop?"
"You're singing the wrong song!"
@ -207,8 +252,8 @@ Tisin started back into the wrong song.
"Well, I can't."
"You need to learn how to improvise then," Tinsan said with a smirk.
"You need to learn how to improvise then," her mother said with a smirk.
"So do you. Father says so every time you pretend you didn't buy sweets."
With a smirk, Tinsin leaned over and kissed Linsan on the forehead. "Then we both have something to practice."
With a smirk, Tisin leaned over and kissed Linsan on the forehead. "Then we should both be practicing."

View file

@ -1,36 +1,63 @@
---
title: Decisions
summary: >
On the day after her eighteenth birthday, Linsan realizes that her parents were losing money every day. She comes to the decision to ask for money from Dukan, though she wasn't going to tell either her mother or father about her choice.
On the day after her eighteenth birthday, Linsan realizes that her parents were losing money every day. She comes to the decision to ask for money from Dukan, though she wasn't going to tell either her mother or father about her choice.
teaser: >
On the day after her eighteenth birthday, Linsan realizes that her parents were losing money every day. She comes to the decision to ask for money from Dukan.
On the day after her eighteenth birthday, Linsan realizes that her parents were losing money every day. She comes to the decision to ask for money from Dukan.
age: 18 years
characters:
primary:
- Linsan
referenced:
- Sian (Unnamed)
- Tisin (Unnamed)
- Dukan
locations:
primary:
- Robins Road 708
topics:
referenced:
- Gone Without Water (Epigraph)
- Divine Couple
constraints:
- linsan is 18
- now is spring
---
> There is no switch that flips when one becomes an adult in the eyes of the law. No magical changes or alterations, just the same thoughts in an older body. --- _Gone Without Water_ (Act 2, Scene 1)
Linsan had only been eighteen for a day and she was about to do the first adult thing she could think of: ask for money. Her mother had not had a job or show since last summer and her father's commissions for essays were dwindling every week. Both of her parents tried to keep it hidden from her. However, ever since her mother's confession during their summer picnic, Linsan couldn't help but notice the gradual tightening of the purse strings.
Linsan had only been eighteen for a day and she was about to do the first adult thing she could think of: ask for money. Her mother had not had a job or show since last summer and her father's commissions for essays were dwindling.
It started with buying a little less at the store for food. Then it was replacing their favorite teas with more local ones with less flavor. Then the dairy delivery went from every three days to once a week and then every other week. Her mother's dresses changed with their fortune, the fancy materials carefully wrapped and placed in the attic. The ones she wore to clean house became her daily outfits, though she never stopped wearing hats and the occasional gloves. The fanciest she got was when her weekly students came in to learn how to sing. There were only three of them.
Since her mother's confession during their summer picnic, Linsan couldn't help but notice the gradual tightening of the purse strings. It started with buying a little less at the store for food. Then her mother replaced her favorite tea with a weaker, local brand. Then the dairy delivery went from every three days to once a week and then every other week. Her mother's dresses changed with their fortune, the fancy materials carefully wrapped and placed in the attic. The ones she wore to clean house became her daily outfits, though she never stopped wearing hats and the occasional gloves. The fanciest she got was when her weekly students came in to learn how to sing. There were only three of them.
What started as a vague idea became a necessity when Linsan saw how anxious both of her parents were for the monthly monies that came from Dukan, a man who worked with her father before the fire that destroyed everything. He had done well for himself, though she hadn't seen him for better part of five years. The only reminder came once a month like clockwork, two hundred and fifty cukdins on the third day. Cash.
What started as a vague idea became a necessity when Linsan saw how anxious both of her parents were for the monthly monies that came from Dukan. He had continued to do well for himself with the occasional appearance in the newspapers or a notice about a new purchase he had made. She hadn't seen him in better part of five years. True to his work, he had stop coming around and she only remembered his appearance by the ink drawings in the local papers.
The only reminder came once a month like clockwork, two hundred and fifty cukdins on the third day. A bundle of currency cards that were carefully doled out to budgets in a matter of minutes.
Dukan had said the money would last until a few years after school. With her final days in a few weeks, she decided to head for his bank and ask for an extension and possibly more money. Maybe he would be generous. Just until her mother got another show or her father got a commission for a book or something more dramatic than the weekly newspapers.
Linsan decided to ask. What was the worst that could happen? So, on the day after her birthday, she stepped out of the house before the sun breached the horizon. It was a cool morning, not quite cold enough to cause her breath to fog but still a reminder that winter had ended less than a month ago. She tugged on her wool coat over her best dress and headed down the walk.
What was the worst that could happen?
The day after her birthday was the best day to ask. From an article in the newspaper, she had learned that he only worked one day a week at the bank and she vaguely remembered that he had said the money would arrive until she turned eighteen. That meant the check her family hoped would show up soon might never come unless she asked.
To make sure she caught him, she left before the sun breached the horizon. It was a cool morning, not quite cold enough to cause her breath to fog but still a reminder that winter had ended less than a month ago. She tugged on her wool coat over her best dress and headed down the walk.
Doubt gnawed at her stomach and she clenched her hands tightly together. She wanted to run back home and just pray to the Couple that the money would continue. To ease herself, she let her imagination run wild to distract herself from her own nervousness.
In her mind, she imagined what he would say. Would he demand some sort of service? If it was to work for him at the bank, she couldn't say no to that. She was about to finish school and a steady job, even one that didn't have anything to do with music, was better than none. She would gladly help her parents with that. It didn't matter if he asked her to become a maid, factory worker, or even a herald.
She wouldn't give up the violin though. Even though she didn't understand the emotional connection between Palisis and her parents, she knew it was more important than anything else. They were willing to not sell the violin for potentially millions of cukdins because of its importance. She wouldn't betray them by ever letting that violin go.
Linsan had no clue how Dukan had changed in five years, much less what the bank looked like inside. The newspaper articles had illustrations of him, but the block prints were nothing compared to seeing the real man.
Linsan wasn't sure if that offer would ever come u. She had no clue how Dukan had changed in five years, much less what the bank looked like inside. Years ago, she walked with her mother and a wheelbarrow to deliver supplies from the attic to the bank but she had remained outside while her mother went inside.
The last time she had even gotten close was after he had moved. Her mother had taken a wheelbarrow to delivery the last of the crates from the attic to the bank vault. Everything of value, from centuries of log books, notes on crafting instruments, and even pieces of music composed by the Sterlig had joined Palisis in the vault, never to see light again.
That was the day when Tisin had made Linsan promise that she would never tell anyone that she had played the instrument. Even a simple melody would diminish the value of the instrument drastically, turning millions into hundreds.
No, Linsan couldn't do that either.
That was the day when Tisin had made Linsan promise that she would never tell anyone that she had played the instrument. Even a simple melody played by a musician with magical powers would diminish the value of the instrument drastically, turning millions into hundreds. Linsan didn't understand why, but it sounded like superstition more than anything else; she didn't remember a feeling of power when she played it that one day in the attic.
A cold wind blew past her, tugging on her coat.
She ducked her head. Thankfully, she had braided her brunette hair into her best design and stole one of her mother's favorite hair ties to keep it in place. The heavy weight, a staff award for a long-forgotten play, bounced against her back with every step.
It was time to be an adult. Her parents needed it.
It was time to be an adult.

View file

@ -1,41 +1,69 @@
---
title: Questions
teaser: >
After hours of walking across town, Linsan finally has her chance to ask Dukan for more money or a job. She doesn't know what he is going to say or demand, but she's willing to pay almost any price.
After hours of walking across town, Linsan finally has her chance to ask Dukan for more money or a job. She doesn't know what he is going to say or demand, but she's willing to pay almost any price.
age: 18 years
summary: >
Linsan sneaks out of the house early on her eighteenth birthday to ask Dunkan for more money. But before she can talk to him, Brook stops her and they argue. Three men pass them two women as they are fighting, then later the bank explodes. Brook rushes into the burning building to fight the three men.
Linsan sneaks out of the house early on her eighteenth birthday to ask Dunkan for more money. But before she can talk to him, Brook stops her and they argue. Three men pass them two women as they are fighting, then later the bank explodes. Brook rushes into the burning building to fight the three men.
characters:
primary:
- Linsan
secondary:
- Brook
- Tilbin (Unnamed)
- Mayforn
- Gabaw
referenced:
- Dukan
locations:
primary:
- Kabisal Bank # Town Square, Penesol, Gepaul
organizations:
secondary:
- Ralonix Bankers Union (Unnamed)
topics:
referenced:
- "Talents: The Weaker Powers (Epigraph)"
warnings:
primary:
- Fire
- Physical Assault
- Bullying
---
> The most common talents that manifest are elemental and reactional: earth, water, air, fire, and lightning. --- _Talents: The Weaker Powers_
On foot, it took Linsan almost two hours to reach the center of town. Her fantasies and "what if" scenarios petered out in her head when she started going over the same ideas until they were polished. She was sure she could handle almost every offer or suggestion Dukan had. She had worked out how far she would go, what jobs she would take, and how much she was willing to do to earn the extra cash.
On foot, it took Linsan almost two hours to reach the center of town. Her fantasies and "what if" scenarios petered out in her head when she started going over the same ideas until they were so extravagant they were no longer a reasonable possibility. She was sure she could handle almost every offer or suggestion Dukan had. She had worked out how far she would go, what jobs she would take, and how much she was willing to do to earn the extra cash.
With her imagination exhausted, she entertained herself with the construction around the city center. It looked like every fifth building was being torn down, the classic styles with carved pillars and reliefs were in the process of being replaced with two- and three-story buildings with intricate wrought iron, massive windows, and delicate stonework.
With her imagination exhausted, she entertained herself with the construction around the city center. It looked like every fifth building was being torn down. The classic styles with carved pillars and reliefs were in the process of being replaced by two- and three-story buildings with intricate wrought iron, massive windows, and delicate stonework.
In the back of her head, she couldn't imagine how much the new construction cost. Her family was struggling to pay the bills but everyone seemed to be prospering.
In the back of her head, she couldn't imagine how much the new construction cost. Her family was struggling to pay the bills but everyone else seemed to be prospering.
A little of her confidence faded with doubt. Did Dukan already have skilled employees. She couldn't do much besides play a violin and dance and she wasn't sure if she had a place among the money being thrown around to build everything.
Her confidence faded with doubt. Did Dukan already have skilled employees? She couldn't do much besides play a violin and dance and she wasn't sure if she had a place among the money being thrown around to build everything.
She reached the city square, a three by three block park that had places for picnics, galleries, and even a small zoo with "marvelous creatures from the forbidden deserts!" She chuckled but didn't have the time or the three cukdins to go through the exhibit.
She reached the city square. The center was a large park with plenty of places for picnics, galleries, and even a small zoo with "marvelous creatures from the forbidden deserts!"
Not wanting to tease herself with the zoo, she went around until she spotted Dukan's bank on the far side. It was just like she remembered from before, a one-story building that reached deep into the block. Six thick pillars marked the entrance, each one a carved figure of a man carrying books or a staves. She vaguely remembered them as heads of the various banking unions throughout Kormar, but she didn't know their names or even what they did.
Curiosity tugged at her to go inside but she didn't have the time or the three cukdins to go through the exhibit.
Linsan hesitated on the opposite side of the road, one foot in the park and the other on the boardwalk that surrounded it. Around her, men in suits and ladies in dresses hurried around as they headed to their jobs and hobbies.
Not wanting to tease herself with the zoo, she circled around until she spotted Dukan's bank on the far side. It was just like she remembered, a one-story building that reached deep into the block. Six thick pillars marked the entrance, each one a carved figure of a man and carrying something different: a stack of books, an intricate staff, a pair of coins, a large mechanical lock, a miniature house, and an equally small ship. She vaguely remembered them as heads of the various banking unions throughout Gepaul, but she didn't know their names or even the significance of each item.
Linsan hesitated on the opposite side of the road, one foot in the park and the other on the boardwalk that surrounded it. Around her, men in suits and ladies in dresses hurried along as they headed to their jobs and hobbies.
She felt scared and nervous. Tugging on her wool coat, she couldn't decide if she should take it off or leave it on. It was warm but the sweat prickling her brow came from her nervousness, not the sunlight that rose above the roofs.
A high-pitched horn cut through the din. She turned to the sound as a vehicle came rolling around the corner. It was another of the automatic carriages, the black panels shining as the driver honk their horn to chase a horse and people out of the way.
A high-pitched horn cut through the din. She turned to the sound as a vehicle came rolling around the corner. It was another of the automatic carriages, the black panels shining as the drivers honked their horns to chase horses and people out of the way.
Seeing the car was another change that Linsan hadn't gotten used to yet. Only the rich could afford them but there were a lot more in the city. She had seen at least three on her way to the bank, but the horses will outnumbered the steam-belching devices.
Seeing the car was another change that Linsan hadn't gotten used to yet. Only the rich could afford them but there were a lot more in the city. She had seen at least three on her way to the bank, but the horses still outnumbered the steam-belching devices by twenty to one.
Linsan didn't like them. They scared her with so much metal and they moved too fast for her liking.
Linsan didn't like them. They scared her with so much metal, the clouds of steam, and how they moved too fast.
The car coming around the corner started to slow down near her.
She stepped back to avoid it, but then bumped into someone walking behind her. At the hiss, she forced herself to step closer.
She stepped back to avoid it, but then bumped into someone walking behind her. At the hiss, she forced herself to freeze.
To her relief, the vehicle rolled past her. The ground shook underneath her feet from its passing. A cloud of acid-smelling steam followed after it along with the heavy scent of burning oil and wet leather.
To her relief, the vehicle rolled past her. The ground shook underneath her feet from its passing. A cloud of acidic steam followed after it along with the heavy scent of burning oil and wet leather.
The driver surprised her. It was a woman driving by herself. The slender lady wore a beautiful green dress with a matching gloves and hat. The hat had lace covering her face but there was no mistaking the large curls of black hair that fell off a pale neck and silk-covered shoulders.
@ -47,7 +75,7 @@ Linsan stepped away.
The lady driver slipped out smoothly and came around the back of the car. She had a small purse in her hand but looked like she was going to a formal dinner with the way she walked with almost perfect posture that left her back arched just slightly and neck held high.
Linsan couldn't help but smile at the sight. After seeing her mother's craft, she could tell how the driver was straining slightly to keep herself in the right position and watched her steps from the corner of her eyes. She was showing off for the public.
Linsan couldn't help but smile again at the sight. After seeing her mother's craft, she could tell the driver strained slightly to keep herself in the right position and watched her steps from the corner of her eyes. She was showing off for the public.
Their eyes met for just a second and then the lady continued past the car without giving any indication that she saw Linsan. She headed straight toward the bank. Her black hair bounced with every step, the curls glistening in the sunlight.
@ -55,7 +83,7 @@ Linsan watched with a sinking sensation. She couldn't just follow after her. She
She turned and looked back at the zoo. Maybe she could peek at the creatures? She had a few cukdins in her pocket.
"Linsan Sterlig?"
"Linsan? Linsan Sterlig?"
She froze at her name. Then cringed when she realized it had to be the lady driver. Slowly, she turned around.
@ -65,11 +93,11 @@ Linsan opened her mouth but she didn't know what to say.
With a delicate step, the woman in green stepped into the boardwalk. "I haven't seen you in... what? Three years? Four? You still have that ruined valley outside of town? Or that shitty home on the edge?"
It took only a heartbeat longer for Linsan to realize who she was talking to, Brook. Brook's voice still had the disdain and disgust from before, but somehow her more refined voice had sharpened the words.
It took only a heartbeat longer for Linsan to realize who she was talking to. Brook's voice still had the disdain and disgust from before, but somehow her more refined voice had sharpened the words.
Linsan's stomach clenched and she felt sick and humiliated. "Y... Yes."
Brook snorted and pointedly look at Linsan from head to toe. Her dark gaze could be felt more than seen. It took a long count before she looked up again. She just shook her head and gave a disapproving sigh.
Brook snorted and pointedly looked at Linsan from head to toe. Her dark gaze could be felt more than seen. It took a long count before she looked up again. She just shook her head and gave a disapproving sigh.
Linsan blushed.
@ -77,7 +105,7 @@ Brook looked around. "You by yourself?"
All Linsan's "what if" scenarios hadn't covered Brook. She stammered for a moment and then gestured toward the bank with a halfhearted gesture. "I was hoping to talk to your dad."
Brook looked at her sharply. "Selling off the stuff in the vault?"
Brook looked at her sharply. "Finally selling off your crap you have shoved in our vaults?"
Linsan tensed. "Never."
@ -87,9 +115,11 @@ Linsan's blush grew hotter. She looked away to avoid looking at Brook.
Brook snorted.
Linsan struggled to say something but then three men walked around them to cut across the street. She spotted a strange case on the back of one of them. The words froze in her throat as she turned to watch them with the scent of wood smoke teasing her nose.
Linsan struggled to say something but then three men walked around them to cut across the street. She spotted a strange case on the back of one of them. It was for a stringed instrument, but the proportions were wrong. The words froze in her throat as she turned to watch them with the scent of wood smoke teasing her nose.
All three wore leather dusters, long coats that were suited for traveling on the roads and less in town. However, the case drew her curiosity. It looked like it was for a string instrument but the shell was too large to be a violin, too small for a cello, and wider than either.
All three wore leather dusters, long coats that were suited for traveling on the roads and less in town.
The case drew her curiosity back. It looked like it was for a string instrument but the shell was too large to be a violin, too small for a cello, and wider than either.
Then she realized Brook was staring pointedly at her. With her cheeks burning, Linsan clasped her hands together and nodded. "Just a little more. We just need a bit more help."
@ -101,19 +131,19 @@ Brook pointed at the bank. "It is that! You have that stupid wooden... thing in
Linsan couldn't respond to that.
In the distance, she heard someone playing music. A few chords of a melody drifted right at the edge of her hearing.
In the distance, she heard someone playing music. A few chords of a melody drifted right at the edge of her hearing. The sound was a jangle of noise, not the hum of a violin but something harsher. It took her a moment to guess that whoever was playing had metal strings, not gut.
Brook stepped closer, her voice rising. She was slightly taller than Linsan in her boots and the smell of her flowery perfume surrounded Linsan. "You choose this."
"We did---"
"You all made a choice to be poor and you know it. All you had to do was stop clinging to your past and you could be richer than us! But, you decided that it was more important to leave all that money gathering dust in a bank vault than get on with your lives!"
"You all made a choice to be poor and you know it. All you had to do was stop clinging to your past and you could be richer than us! But, you decided that it was more important to leave all that money gathering dust in a room than get on with your lives!"
Brook spat on the ground to the side. "That's what's wrong with you."
Brook spat on the ground to the side. "That's what's wrong with you. You and the rest of the Sterligs."
Linsan shivered with discomfort. She wanted to run away with doubt. Brook was right, she was asking for money like a fool. Tears burned in her eyes as she berated herself for even considering coming to the bank.
The music grew louder, a curious twang of a style that she had never heard before. She wanted to look back into the park to find the source but Brook kept her pinned with her presence.
The music grew louder. It was a style of music that she had never heard before, punchy with a beat that teased her ears. She wanted to look back into the park to find the source but Brook kept her pinned with her presence.
"Just leave," Brook said while waving her hand dismissively. "You aren't welcome here. I'm glad we got rid of your family when we did. You, your father, and even your mother are nothing more than a rope strangling everyone you touch."
@ -129,9 +159,9 @@ The front doors of the bank burst open in a flash.
Linsan jerked back reflexively.
A wave of heat and noise slammed into her and Brook. Pitched forward, Brook stumbled into Linsan and they both staggered back as their bodies collided. Their cheeks smacked before Brook managed to shove herself back. "You fucking bitch, I'm---"
A wave of heat and noise slammed into the two. She stumbled into Brook. Their cheeks smacked before Brook managed to shove Linsan to separate them. "You fucking bitch, I'm---"
The air around them grew heavy, pressing down on Linsan's skin. It felt as if something was rushing toward them. With a gasp, she looked past Brook's furious face to see another firestorm gathering inside the bank. It was rushing toward the front door, howling as gasses jetted out of the now gaping windows and doors.
The air around them grew heavy, pressing down on Linsan's skin. It felt as if something was rushing toward them. With a gasp, she looked past Brook's furious face to see another firestorm gathering inside the bank. It was poured out the front door, howling as gasses jetted out of the now gaping windows and doors.
With a gasp, Linsan looked at Brook who didn't seem to notice.
@ -147,9 +177,9 @@ Brook drew back and shoved Linsan with both hands. "---off!"
An explosion drowned out anything else Brook said. The concussion wave crashed into the car, shoving it closer to the curb.
Linsan's foot caught on the wheel but she managed to pull it free before the car tilted toward them. Shattered glass from the windows rained down on them, the sharp edges of the shards cutting across Linsan's face. Scaling liquid added to her cuts as a cup upended from inside the vehicle.
Linsan's foot caught on the wheel but she managed to pull it free before the car tilted toward them. Shattered glass from the windows rained down on them, the sharp edges of the shards cutting across Linsan's face. Scalding liquid added to her cuts as a cup upended from inside the vehicle.
Brook screamed shrilling, only stopping as an intense wave of heat blew past them.
Brook screamed, only stopping as an intense wave of heat blew past them.
Linsan panted in fear as she looked around. Her face was dripping and she could taste a strange sweetness on her lips. Licking it without thinking, she almost coughed on the bitter taste of tea and too much sugar. Her ears were ringing and she couldn't hear anything. In the park, almost everyone had been thrown to the ground and small fires were burning everywhere. Trees and grasses had been flatted by the explosion.
@ -161,11 +191,11 @@ Linsan limped back and then stood up gingerly. Her eyes turned immediately towar
Something tickled her hand. Glancing down, she saw rivers of crimson pouring down her elbow. Shaking, she followed the blood up to where a large shard of glass was sticking out of the meat of her upper arm. The sharp edge glinted as she stared at it.
Dazed, Linsan reached up and pulled it out. She could feel the wet sucking before it popped free with a gout of blood. Her hand trembling, she tossed the glass aside and then looked around for something to stop the blood that was now pouring out.
Dazed, Linsan reached up and pulled it out. She could feel the wet sucking before it popped free with a gout of blood. Her hand trembling, she tossed the glass aside and then looked around for something to stop the flow.
She couldn't tell why she wasn't panicking, or why it didn't hurt. She couldn't find anything obvious until she peered into Brook's hard. There was a blue scarf that looked like it was part of a fancy dress but it looked thick. She grabbed it and then wrapped it around her arm, wincing without really feeling the pain.
She couldn't tell why she wasn't panicking, or why it didn't hurt. She couldn't find anything obvious until she peered into Brook's hand. There was a blue scarf that looked like it was part of a fancy dress but it looked thick. She grabbed it and then wrapped it around her arm, wincing without really feeling the pain.
Brook blinked, her body shaking just as violently as Linsan. She looked up with a tortured out and then her lips moved a moment before the words came out. "... happened?" It was difficult to hear her over the ringing in Linsan's ears.
Brook blinked, her body shaking just as violently as Linsan. She looked up with a tortured expression and then her lips moved a moment before the words came out. "... happened?" It was difficult to hear her over the ringing in Linsan's ears.
Linsan gestured toward the bank. "The bank?"
@ -173,103 +203,111 @@ Brook didn't respond.
Linsan repeated herself.
The other woman mouthed the words. Then, her eyes widened as she scrambled to her feet. "Daddy?"
Brook mouthed the words. Then, her eyes widened as she scrambled to her feet. "Daddy?"
Spinning around, she gasped at the sight of the bank. "Daddy!" she screamed as she raced around the ruined car and barreled toward the burning building.
Spinning around, she gasped at the sight of the bank. "Daddy!" she screamed as she raced around the ruined car and sprinted toward the burning building.
Linsan wasn't expecting Brook's to run toward the flames, it took her painful heartbeats to chase after her. "Brook!"
Linsan wasn't expecting Brook to run toward the flames. She scrambled after Brook.
Brook raced across the burning street, her torn dress fluttering over small flames but not long enough for them to catch fire. Her hat tumbled off her shoulder, abandoned and forgotten.
Brook raced across the burning street, her torn dress fluttering through small fires but moving fast enough to avoid setting herself aflame.
To Linsan's relief, she stopped on the sidewalk in front of the building. Even from that distance, the heat was intense. It beat against Linsan's face, billowing at her as they both stared into the inferno in shock.
To Linsan's relief, Brook stopped on the sidewalk in front of the building. Even from that distance, the heat was intense. It beat against Linsan's face, billowing at her as they both stared into the inferno in shock.
"Daddy?" whimpered Brook.
Linsan looked around. "Where is the fire brigade? I... I...." She didn't know where to go.
A strange melody drifting pass the howling flames. It sounds like a string instrument of some sort and she thought about the unusual men who passed them earlier. Confused, she looked deeper into the flames.
A strange melody drifted through the howling flames. It was the metallic instrument she heard before. Confused, she peered past the broken glass to inspect the musician standing in a circle of fire.
There was a man standing in the middle of the flames, playing with no concern for the fires that roared around him. His leather duster was fluttering as he spun around, playing rapidly with a foreign tune. His instrument didn't look like anything she had seen before. It looked almost like a mandolin except that it had six strings and bars along the neck. The man's fingers were flying up and down the neck as he played with his other hand. With each melody, the flames around him seemed to shift and grow.
There was a man standing in the middle of the flames, playing with no concern for the fires that roared around him. His leather duster was fluttering as he spun around, playing rapidly a foreign tune. His instrument didn't look like anything she had seen before. It looked almost like a mandolin except the shape was more angular than anyone she had seen and the sounds were compressed. The metal strings glinted in the fires that surrounded him.
The man's fingers flew along the neck, leaving a squeak of flesh on metal. With each note plucked with his other hand, ripples of power radiated along his fingertips until a powerful chord blasted away from the instrument in sheets of flame.
Linsan gasped. The stranger was causing or controlling the flames. She reached out and tapped Brook. "Look!"
Brook followed Linsan's gesture and then gasped herself. "What is he doing?"
The stranger turned and their eyes met. He smiled broadly, his teeth shockingly white in the flames. Then he slammed his hands down across the strings and a chord of music ignited the air around him. It howled as it rushed toward them.
The stranger turned and their eyes met. He smiled, his teeth shockingly white in the flames. Then he slammed his hands down across the strings and a chord of music ignited the air around him. It howled as it rushed toward them.
Brook and Linsan dodged in separate directions.
Linsan almost fell as she staggered forward. Then she turned around just as Brook was regaining her feet.
The dark-haired woman stormed forward and then faced the open door into the fire. Snarling, she drew her hands back and then clapped them hard in front of her.
Storming forward with a scowl, Brook stopped in front of the open door. She ground her teeth together and drew her hands back. Then, she clapped them hard in front of her.
A blast of raw noise exploded from the impact, slamming into the fire and shoving it back. The burning frame cracked from the impact as the wave slammed into Linsan, shoving her back with the force of Brook's magic.
A blast of raw noise exploded from the impact, slamming into the fire and shoving it back. The burning walls cracked from the impact as the wave slammed into Linsan, shoving her back with the force of Brook's magic.
Brook screamed and clapped her hand again, a powerful blow that snuffed the flames around her and tossed burning embers in all direction---including toward Linsan's face.
Brook screamed and clapped her hand again, a powerful blow that snuffed flames. Embers flew in all directions---including toward Linsan's face.
Linsan raised her arm to protect her face.
When she peeked back, Brook was storming into the burning bank. Her hands clapped together and another explosion blew parts of the wall away.
When she peeked back, Brook stomped into the burning bank. Her hands clapped together and another explosion blasted the smoking wall away.
"Brook!" screamed Linsan and chased after her. She didn't have any ability to do anything, not without a music instrument. She left her own violin at home, thinking she wouldn't need it.
"Brook!" screamed Linsan and chased after her and into the building. She didn't have any ability to do anything, not without a music instrument. She had left her own violin at home, never dreaming she would need it, but she couldn't leave Brook to fight the stranger alone.
Inside, the heat was overwhelming. It felt like it was sucking the air out of Linsan's lungs and causing her kin to crawl with sharp scratches. Everything was burning and her eyes were blurred from the smoke and heat.
Inside, the heat was overwhelming. It sucked the air out of Linsan's lungs and caused her skin to crawl with sharp scratches and prickling dryness. Her vision blurred from the smoke and heat.
The stranger picked himself up from the ground. His instrument swung around as he slapped it into place. He managed to blast off a chord with his right hand before Brook's clap exploded against his chest. The force of the blow caused the ceiling to creak as he was thrown back into the wall. Burning wood fell down around him as he managed to keep on his feet.
The stranger picked himself up from the ground. His instrument swung around as he slapped it into place. He managed to blast off a chord with his right hand before Brook's clap punched into him. The force of the blow caused the ceiling to creak as he was thrown back into the wall. Burning wood fell down around him as he managed to keep on his feet.
He yelled "Gab! May!" before slamming out another chord. Flames shot out from his instrument, howling as it blasted toward Brook and Linsan.
Brook had to clap her hands rapidly to stop the flames. She tried to do another powerful clap, but a rapid chord interrupted her and she had to smack her hands to stop the flames from reaching her.
Brook drew back to clap again but the other man's hands flew across the metal strings and sent off more waves of flame and heat in a riff of chords. Her eyes widened at the fireball racing toward them and gave a rapid smack of her hands to blow them away before they reached her.
Linsan glanced at the back of the bank. Palisis was in the vault, she could use that to help in the fight. She inched to the side, looking for a path through the flames to the reach the vault.
Linsan glanced at the back of the bank. Palisis was in the vault, she could use that to help in the fight. She inched to the side, looking for a path through the flames.
Then, one of the strangers came out of the door leading to the vault. He had a large pack over his shoulder. His eyes grew wide and he came to a sharp stop as he stared at the stranger and Brook fighting with sound and concussion. Then, with a swear, he rushed forward. His hands ignited into white flames as he threw himself in front of the stranger. As soon as he landed, he brought his hands together.
Then, one of the strangers came out of the door leading to the vault. He had a large pack over his shoulder. His eyes grew wide and he came to a sharp stop. He stared at the fight between the stranger and Brook. With with a swear, he charged. His hands ignited into white flames as he threw himself in front of the stranger. As soon as he landed, he brought his hands together and punched the ground.
A wave of concussive force like Brook's radiated from the impact. It didn't snuff the flames in the same way but instead fanned them. They grew stronger and brighter as they roared toward Brook.
A wave of concussive force like Brook's radiated from the impact.
Brook looked frightened as she clapped her hands again. Blood splattered across the ground as she interrupted the flames but some of the heat curled her dark hair and scorched her dress. She staggered back, her feet scraping on the blackened ground.
The first man belted out another chord, one that timed perfectly with the beat from the second man's wave of force.
The third stranger came rushing in from one of the offices. He also had a bag on his shoulder and there were paper cukdins spilling out across the ground before the currency cards ignited from the heat. "Damn! What you need, Til?"
Together, the force didn't snuff out the flames but instead fanned them. Pressure and heat gathered together as they roared toward Brook.
Brook looked frightened as she clapped her hands again. Her gloves peeled back from the blast, leaving blood to splash onto the ground and sizzle in the heat. She staggered back, her feet scraping on the blackened ground.
A third man rushed in from one of the offices. He also had a bag on his shoulder and there were cukdins spilling out across the ground before the currency cards ignited from the heat. "Damn! What you need, Til?"
The one playing the instrument called out. "Gab! Car's out back, clear a path!"
The man called Gab turned, lifted his body, and then brought his hand down to punch the ground.
Gab turned, jumped into the air, and then brought his hand down to punch the ground.
Wood and flames blasted in all directions as a wave of force shot out from him to crash into the back wall of the bank. It shattered wood and bricks as it carved into the building behind the bank.
Wood and flames burst in all directions as a wave of force shot out from him to crash into the back wall of the bank. It shattered wood and bricks as it carved into the building behind the bank.
When the explosion faded, sunlight streamed in from the far side of the block.
Gab did it again, jumping up to punch the ground and blow out more of the back walls. "Out!" he bellowed before racing down the tunnel he had just created.
Gab spun to the side, brought his hands together, and then punched at the back wall.
Til stepped back, playing faster and harder. Flames and music rose around him, shifting around like some living creature. It jerked to one side and then to the other.
The blast caused the back wall of the bank to explode in a gout of bright fire. "Out!" he bellowed before racing down the opening he had just created.
Til stepped back, playing faster and harder. Flames and music rose around him, shifting like a snake. It jerked to one side and then to the other.
Brook couldn't reach him with her power as she struggled against the man between them. Both of them were using concussive forces but their attacks couldn't reach other.
However, the repeated impacts were causing damage to the burning bank. Wood and embers plummeted around them. The floor beneath everyone cracked and shuddered with each magical blast.
Linsan focused on the vault but the flames had risen up and her way was blocked. She growled with frustration, she needed to help Brook and she was useless with an instrument; not that she knew what to do but Til was obviously adept at using music to attack.
Linsan focused on the vault but the flames had risen up and blocked her way. She growled with frustration, she needed to help Brook and she was useless without an instrument; not that she had any skills against a man more adept at using music to attack.
The ground shuddered violently as boards split apart. Jets of flames rose up around all of them.
"Bring it down, May!" bellowed Til as he backed into the tunnel.
"Bring it down, May!" bellowed Til as he backed into the burning hole in the back.
May grinned and began to clap fast and hard. Heat and fire gathered around him, punching the air as his powers hammered against Brook.
May grinned and began to clap fast and hard, alternating between striking his palms and on the floor in front of him. Heat and fire gathered around him, punching the air as his powers hammered against Brook.
Brook clapped back, but she had to move faster as the flames engulfed her.
Linsan had to move. "Shit," she said before she turned away from the vault and sprinted toward Brook.
The ground erupted around her.
The ground erupted underneath her.
She spun around it, lightly kicking off a chair to dance around the flames. She twirled past as the world seemed to slow around her and she worked her way back to Brook.
She spun past, lightly kicking off a chair to dance around the flames. She twirled past as the world slowed and she worked her way back to Brook.
May suddenly drew his hands back and slammed them hard in front of him. Energy flashed around him brilliantly. The resulting concussion was less of a clap and more of an explosion as fire blasted in all directions. It tore boards from the ground and ripped apart the ceiling.
May suddenly drew his hands back and slammed them hard in front of him. A halo of energy flashed around his silhouette. The resulting concussion was less of a clap and more of an explosion as fire blasted in all directions. It tore boards from the ground and ripped apart the ceiling.
Linsan grabbed Brook by her long hair and yanked back with all her might toward the door.
Brook screamed out in frustration as she felt back. "No! Daddy!"
The floor where she was standing burst into flames, the heat shoving them back both as Linsan pulled and yanked the other woman through the door.
The floor where she was standing burst into flames, the heat shoving them back both. Linsan pulled and yanked at Brook, trying to get her through the door before any more of the building collapsed.
Over Brook's thrashing form, she saw May stepped back before he turned around and raced for the hole in the back.

View file

@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
---
title: Burn Damage
teaser: >
After the bank burned down, there is one macabre task left for Linsan and Brook, to identify the body the guards found in the vault.
After the bank burned down, there is one macabre task left for Linsan and Brook, to identify the body the guards found in the vault.
summary: >
After the fight, Brook and Linsan are asked by the investigating guards to identify a body found. Linsan identifies the corpse as her father based on a few pieces of evidence, but otherwise she can't. Linsan finds out that Palisis was missing and appears to have been stolen.
After the fight, Brook and Linsan are asked by the investigating guards to identify a body found. Linsan identifies the corpse as her father based on a few pieces of evidence, but otherwise she can't. Linsan finds out that Palisis was missing and appears to have been stolen.
---
> The field of arson investigation has been one of the more successful specializations of guard forces. There are now entire branches of magic dedicated to legally identifying the cause and source of such blazes. --- _When the Fire Burns Blue_
@ -96,7 +98,7 @@ Tirain returned. "Dame Kabisal?"
Linsan finished. "You found a body?"
Brook tensed and her back straightened. "No," she whispered.
Brook tensed and her back straightened. "No," she whispered. Then a soft whimper.
The guard cringed and nodded. "If you can, it would help with the investigation."
@ -116,7 +118,7 @@ With a groan, Brook stood up. She stepped in front of Linsan. "I'll look," she a
"Um, please be careful, your dress might catch fire," said Tirain.
The fire mage held up his hand and waved it dismissively. "Everything has cooled down, it won't even scorch the fabric."
The fire mage held up his hand and waved it dismissively. "I've diverted most of the heat already. Everything has cooled down, it won't even scorch the fabric."
Tirain gave him a hard look. "And the soot, Kamel da Kasin?" The "da Kasin" meant that he was from Tarsan, country to the east.
@ -126,11 +128,11 @@ Kamel, the fire guard, shrugged. "That will probably make a mess of it."
Linsan and the others looked at the scorched, ruined dress. A few more moments in the bank wouldn't do any more damage to the already ruined material. They followed after Brook.
The smoking ruins were still hot. Heat rippled the air around him. Linsan was surprised how much damage was burn and how much was cracks and shattered stone. She wondered if Brook's power had contributed to the collapse of the bank.
The smoking ruins were still hot. Heat rippled the air around him. Linsan was surprised how much damage was burn and how much was cracked and shattered stone. She wondered if Brook's power had contributed to the collapse of the bank.
"In the vault."
The vault was the only part of the building was was completely surrounded by stone. It had no bricks, just the smooth surface of magically shaped rock. Despite that, much of it had been burned out and everything was a jumble of scorched wood and pieces of paper. The stench was overpowering.
The vault was the only part of the building was completely surrounded by stone. It had no bricks, just the smooth surface of magically shaped rock. Despite that, much of it had been burned out and everything was a jumble of scorched wood and pieces of paper. The stench was overpowering.
Then she spotted the body. Right in the middle of the floor, there was a charred corpse. At the sight, Linsan felt bile rising up in her throat. "By the Couple," she whispered.
@ -146,7 +148,7 @@ She shook as tears splashed down on the charred ground. Lifting herself up, she
Tirain nodded and wrote quickly in her notebook.
Brook patted the corpse's pockets. " He should have his auto-driver activation gear here...." Her voice trailed off for a moment as she finished tapping his pocket. With a sicking groan, she reached over to test his other.
Brook patted the corpse's pockets. " He should have his auto-driver activation gear here...." Her voice trailed off for a moment as she finished tapping his pocket. With a sick groan rising from her throat, she reached over to test his other.
Linsan circled around, fighting the urge to vomit. She couldn't look at Brook or the corpse. Instead, she focused on the ruins inside the vault. There were destroyed shelves everywhere, thousands of boxes destroyed in the flames.
@ -160,7 +162,9 @@ She looked up.
He shook his head.
Brook sighed. "I can't find his auto-driver key. That would be more proof."
Linsan pulled her hand back.
Brook sighed. "I can't find his auto-driver key. That would have been more proof. He never set that down."
Tirain sighed and wrote on her clipboard. "Two pieces of identification is sufficient. Could I summon a wagon to take you home to verify against the other piece?"

View file

@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
---
title: Hard Questions
teaser: >
Kamel, the fire investigator, visits Linsan and her family with some hard questions about Duncan's death. But the questions continue further, into more intimate question that would expose hidden secrets.
Kamel, the fire investigator, visits Linsan and her family with some hard questions about Duncan's death. But the questions continue further, into more intimate question that would expose hidden secrets.
summary: >
Kamel, the fire investigator, goes with Linsan to ask questions about Palisis. Sian and Tisin reveal a lot more about their relationship with Dukan and Marin. They also show how dire their finances and why.
Kamel, the fire investigator, goes with Linsan to ask questions about Palisis. Sian and Tisin reveal a lot more about their relationship with Dukan and Marin. They also show how dire their finances and why.
---
> Never underestimate the techniques of controlling a conversation. Criminals always slip up, you just have to get them to throw out enough lies they can't remember the truth. --- _Flaws of the Criminal Mind_
@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ Kamel sighed as he snapped the reins on the horse. Ever since she had mentioned
She wondered if she had said the wrong thing. She couldn't imagine what it was, she had told the truth and didn't embellish it. However, he seemed to have responded with a sharpness that worried her.
Kamel stopped the wagon across the street from her house. He looked around for a moment until she gestured to her front door. With a muttered thanks, he got out tied the horse to a nearby tether. "Come on. I have some questions for you and your parents."
Kamel stopped the wagon across the street from her house. He looked around for a moment until she gestured to her front door. With a muttered thanks, he got out tied the horse to a nearby tether. "Come on. I have some questions for your parents."
She followed him up the walk. The cracked paving stones shifted slightly under their weight and she noticed a few places that she had forgotten to weed. She glanced up at him, hating the feeling of dread that hung over her.
@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ Then, as she fell into Tisin's embrace, the cries turned into a wail. "I'm so so
Linsan struggled to explain what had happened. Every time she opened her mouth, a storm of memories and guilt crashed into her. She looked helplessly at her mother, struggling to find the way of explaining what had happened.
"Oh, Baby. It's okay, I swear. Just take a deep breath." Her voice was wavering. But when Linsan looked into her eyes, there wasn't even a hint of sorrow or fear. With a start, Linsan realized her mother was only playing a role.
"Oh, Baby. It's okay, I swear. Just take a deep breath." Her voice was wavering. But when Linsan looked into her eyes, there wasn't even a hint of sorrow or fear, only a curiosity with a hint of worry. With a start, Linsan realized her mother was only playing a role until she could figure out what was happening.
Kamel cleared his throat. "Sire Sian Sterlig?"
@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ Kamel pulled out a notepad. "Actually, I have---"
Kamel groaned. He tightened his grip on his notepad. Sweat prickled on his brow as he shook his head. "I might remind you, it is illegal to use emotional and mental manipulation against guards on duty." His voice was strained and broken. It wavered and cracked.
Tisin's posture deflated. She stepped back as she wrapped her arms over her chest. "Sorry," she said in her normal voice.
Tisin's posture deflated. She stepped back as she wrapped her arms over her chest. "Sorry," she said in her normal voice. "I was worried about my daughter."
Kamel gulped and let out a long groan of relief. "Damn. That was unexpected. You have a beautiful voice."
@ -76,73 +77,99 @@ Kamel pulled his chair across from them. He sighed and tapped his notebook. "Thi
A nod. "You knew him?"
Sian shook his head and wiped his eyes. "He was my best friend. We had known each other since he, Marin, and I were in the army. That was about twenty-five or six years now."
Sian nodded his head and wiped his eyes. "He was my best friend since we were boys. We grew up together, working on my parent's workshop. We joined the army together... about twenty-five or six years ago now."
Linsan perked up with curiosity. She didn't know that her father was in the army. Actually, she didn't know much about either of her parents.
"Which company?"
"119th Infantry. I never made rank, I wasn't that impressive. Mandatory military service, nothing more." Her father's eyes were shimmering with tears. He wiped them with the back of his head.
"119th Infantry. I still have my discharge papers, if you want."
Kamel waved his hand dismissively.
"I never made rank though, I wasn't that impressive. Mandatory military service, nothing more." Her father's eyes were shimmering with tears. He wiped them with the back of his head.
Kamel's eyes shifted to Tisin. "You?"
She shrugged. "2nd Entertainment Company, Sargent."
She shrugged. "2nd Entertainment Company, Captain."
"How did you meet your husband?"
"Marin."
"Through Marin."
"Who is Marin?"
Sian's eyes darkened. "She was my best friend. We went through training together. When we were assigned to the same company, I thought I was the luckiest man in the world. She was beautiful, smart, and funny. Of course, Duncan was also in love with her."
Sian's eyes darkened. "A young lady Duncan and I met during the first days of training. She was beautiful, smart, and funny. Didn't belong in infantry, but she wanted to be there. I had a bit of a crush on her, as did Duncan."
Kamel wrote something down. "What happened?"
Kamel wrote something down. His jaw tensed briefly. "What happened?"
Tisin smiled.
Sian shook his head and chuckled. "We were both idiots. I got so focused on fighting with Duncan over her affections, we never realized that we had pushed her away. Or, she never was interested in either of us. It was hard to tell then."
Sian shook his head and chuckled. "We were both idiots. I got so focused on fighting with Duncan over her affections, we never realized that we had pushed her away."
Tisin rested her hand on her husband's.
He smiled and patted her hand with his free hand. "She found someone else who loved her more than I ever could."
He smiled and patted her hand with his free hand. "But then Marin and I ended up on some shit details because of a prank that went wrong. We got to talking, one thing lead to the other, and we became a couple."
Kamel scribbled furiously on his notepad. He seemed to have a grim look. "Duncan?"
Kamel scribbled furiously on his notepad. He seemed to have a grim look. "What about Duncan?"
"No, my wife."
Sian stroked Tisin's hand before drawing his hand to the marriage bracelet she wore. "He had moved on. That was... I don't remember her name anymore. He had lovers in most of the cities we marched through. Later, when we were talking in our cups, he said that he was more interested in a notch on his belt and he was happy for us. He volunteered to be my guard when I married Marin."
"When was this?"
He turned to her mother and smiled broadly. "A few months before we reached the end our tour, Tisin and Duncan came up with this overly complicated---"
"It wasn't that complicated," she said.
"I wasn't planning on proposing," he said.
"You were glad you did."
"Yeah," he said. "I was."
Sian turned back to Kamel. "When I came home, I brought back with a wife, my best friend, and two new friends."
"That was... five? Who was the fifth?"
"Junith, my wife," Tisin said proudly.
Kamel's head snapped up. "W-What?"
Tisin smiled and leaned against him. "I wasn't his wife at the time. Junith would be my first spouse."
Tisin smiled and leaned against him. "I wasn't Sian's at the time. But Junith and I were friends since early school. We were in love. I married her right before I joined the service. She was exempt because of her parents, but she followed me as a camp wife and joined in our little band of friends."
"I... see. How did Duncan handle this?" The point of his pen hovered over the notebook.
"I... see. How did Duncan handle this?" The point of his pen hovered over the notebook. There was a look of confusion and being overwhelmed on his face.
"He was my best man," Tisin said. She nodded to her husband. "Sian's was Marin's. We were all close after our service. When our tours finished, we all decided to move here and help Sian with the family business."
"He was always happy for us. Got us in trouble a lot, but it was all in good humor," she chuckled. Then her eyes glanced to Linsan before she looked back. "We... did the things twenty year olds do when there is too much drink and a long time to kill between duties."
Kamel's eyes drifted to Linsan and back. He gave a shrug.
Linsan had a good idea of what her mother referred to, there were more than enough plays and stories to fill in the gaps. She didn't know how she felt herself, she couldn't imagine what it would be like to fall in love.
Tisin continued. "After we finished our tours, Junith and I didn't have much reason to return home but Sian's family could always use help. His father had gotten sick, so we all moved here to be with him and stick with our friends."
The pen dipped slightly. "You were friends? True friends?"
Linsan stared at him. He looked almost disappointed but the look quickly faded. He had at least some of the same skills her mother hand, at least at hiding his emotions. Her mother was better though.
Linsan stared at him. He looked almost disappointed but the look quickly faded. He had at least some of the same skills at hiding his emotions as her mother, but her mother had years of practice.
Leaning over, Tisin stroked her husband's hand. "Oh yes. It was just the four of us for a long time. Then Junith and I began to drift apart. She wanted more adventures but I was happy here. We separated as friends."
Leaning over, Tisin stroked her husband's hand. "Oh yes. It was just the five of us for a long time. Then Junith and I began to drift apart. She wanted more adventures but I was happy here. We separated as friends."
"Did anything between you and Duncan happen then?"
"Did anything between either of you and Duncan happen then?"
"No, he was already married and had just had his first daughter. Duncan and I stayed working with Sian on the business because we found that we worked well together."
"No, he was already married and had just had his first daughter."
She smiled softly as her eyes grew softer. "He had a talent at knowing everyone. He kept everything flowing, making sales and getting customers to pay the bills."
Then her eyes grew harder and she squeezed Sian's hand.
Sian spoke up. "After the fire, he helped us as much as he could but we lost everything including our names. There was only so much you can do when you lose everything. Most of the Sterlig sound came from the trees in our valley. When everything burned, I couldn't make any more instruments."
Sian spoke up. "After the fire, he helped us as much as he could but we lost everything including our names. There was only so much you can do when your namesake had been destroyed. Most of the Sterlig sound came from the trees in our valley. When everything burned, I couldn't make any more instruments."
"And Duncan?"
Linsan's father sighed. "He had a family. There were bills. He couldn't dedicate his life to me. I was ruined and he needed to move on."
Linsan's father sighed. "He had a family. There were bills. He couldn't dedicate his life to me. I was ruined and he needed to move on. We took our separate paths to save our families."
"Marin?"
"She married Junith about six years ago in Stone Over Moon Waters. We couldn't make it, so we sent Palisis as a gift."
"She married Junith about six years ago in Stone Over Moon Waters. We couldn't make it because of the expense, so we sent Palisis as a gift."
"Have you talked to her recently?" Kamel asked, writing down.
"Have you talked to her recently?" Kamel asked, his hands always writing.
"She died of cancer two months after they got married," came the sharp reply from Linsan's mother.
@ -190,17 +217,19 @@ When they agreed, he tucked it into his pocket. Then he flipped a page in his no
Her father shook his head sadly. "Probably not. I don't know."
"What will happen?" asked the captain.
Linsan noticed another faint look of disappointment on Kamel's face. He was looking for something but she didn't know what. It felt as if he was trying to trap them.
Kamel wrote for a second.
As he did, Sian told Tisin about Linsan going into town. Her mother smiled at her with more pride that Linsan thought possible.
As he did, Linsan told her parents about going into town. Her mother smiled at her with more pride that Linsan thought possible.
The minutes crawled by.
Linsan and her father squirmed. Tisin seemed to be perfectly at ease standing next to her husband. She was on stage again, though her expression had just a faintest expression of distrust from the guard.
"Did you have anything in the bank vault?"
"Did you have anything in the bank vault? Anything of value?"
Sian nodded. "Some old items, mementos mainly. Memories that we wanted to keep safe." Then he let out a long sigh and seemed to age in a second. "The violin was destroyed, wasn't it?"
@ -212,25 +241,33 @@ Kamel looked up. "What do you mean?" He looked frustrated and confused.
"It was Marin's but she never played it."
"An unsung instrument is worth a lot of money, isn't it?" Linsan could hear his voice growing more excited. "As one of the last instruments that you've made, that would be worth a lot, wouldn't it? Millions?"
"An unsung instrument is worth a lot of money, isn't it?" Linsan could hear his voice growing more excited.
Tisin looked at him coldly. "Are you suggesting we stole Palisis?"
That seemed to throw Kamel. He glanced at Linsan and she felt a cold shiver of fear racing along her spine. "Your daughter said that name. Aren't the most precious of instruments named like that? Seems like a useful moniker for building up a reputation to boost a sale."
"She named it. When she was six," came Tisin's sharp reply. "And instruments like that are only precious when they haven't ever felt the touch of a musician. Palisis has and is only worth the memories and emotions inside that wood and metal."
"She named it when she was six," came Tisin's sharp reply. "And instruments like that are only precious when they haven't ever felt the touch of a musician. Palisis has and is only worth the memories and emotions inside that wood and metal."
"Not according to the card I saw in the box."
Sian held up his hand. "That was a lie."
Tisin made a disapproving noise.
"I don't want to like about this, Tis. No, captain, that instrument isn't a virgin like the card says. We just put it there in case we were desperate."
"That's fraud."
"We never tried to sell it, so it wouldn't be fraud... yet."
Kamel's face froze.
"I'm fully aware that a fortune could be made if people believed it was unsung. There are only three people who knew that it had been touched by a bow. While my wife and I would never, ever consider selling that instrument while we lived, we had hoped that Lin would be able to sell it after we were gone and give herself a good life."
"I'm fully aware that a fortune could be made if people believed it was unsung. There are only three people who knew that it had been touched by someone with music magic. While my wife and I would never, ever consider selling that instrument while we lived, we had hoped that Lin would be able to sell it after we were gone and give herself a good life. And if she thought it was a virgin, it would have been worth more in her innocence."
Linsan let out a long whimper. She remembered that brief moment when she felt Palisis in her hands.
Linsan let out a long whimper. She remembered that brief moment when she felt Palisis in her hands. "But... I didn't have magic then."
Tisin looked at her with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry."
Tisin looked at her with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. You did, we heard it."
Scribbling, Kamel frowned and shook his head. He wrote furious for a few seconds. "Still, the insurance would be---"
@ -254,7 +291,9 @@ Tisin leaned forward. "Palisis is her memorial. She meant everything to the two
Linsan noticed that her mother's voice was taking on the strange timbre again. It was ringing in her head and each word felt like it was directed directly at her with the force of a gale.
"---than throw it aside for nothing more than a sack of cukdins!"
"---than throw it aside for nothing more than a sack of blood-soaked cukdins!"
Her mother had quoted a line from one of her plays.
Kamel was sweating. Linsan didn't remember seeing him moving but he was a foot away from the table with a surprised look on his face.
@ -298,4 +337,4 @@ Linsan leaned forward. "You think it was the same person?"
Kamel recovered and shook his head. "No, I know it was the same person. The resonance is identical. The flames had the same burn signature and temperature. The patterns of the burns on the ground and surfaces is the same. I've been investigating fires for close to thirty-five years. I know fire magic."
He turned to look at Sian. "Whoever destroyed your valley is also the same person who had just killed Duncan and appears to have stolen your violin."
He turned to look at Sian. "Whoever destroyed your valley is also the same person who had just killed Duncan. Given that there was no way an instrument like that could have been utterly destroyed by the fire, I would venture to guess they also had just stolen your violin."

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@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ Years of dancing helped with the slow, steady movement down the noisy stairs. Sh
Over the last day, she had secreted her travel supplies and placed them underneath the porch. Even though most of her trips were to the valley and back, she had a number of week-long camping trips at the ruins. She hoped with her gathered supplies and skills she had learned would help her on her trip.
In the back of her mind, her imagination started going through the possible failures. The biggest one that haunted her was the the possibility that she couldn't hunt or scavenge enough food. If things went well, she would hitchhike to Stone Over Moon Waters, the most probably destination for the murderers, and either scavenge, hunt, or busk for food. Any of them could go horribly wrong and she would either end up injured in the wild, robbed, or imprisoned.
In the back of her mind, her imagination started going through the possible failures. The biggest one that haunted her was the possibility that she couldn't hunt or scavenge enough food. If things went well, she would hitchhike to Stone Over Moon Waters, the most probably destination for the murderers, and either scavenge, hunt, or busk for food. Any of them could go horribly wrong and she would either end up injured in the wild, robbed, or imprisoned.
Linsan shook her head as she reached the bottom of the stairs. No, she couldn't worry about the worst case. She breathed deeply as she crept over toward the front door. She had left only one thing inside, her violin in its case. It was inside the coat closet, hanging in the back.
@ -190,4 +190,4 @@ With shaking hand, Linsan picked up the violin and followed her parents into the
Linsan held her breath as she set the bow on the string. It felt different playing already, as if it was made for her. She closed her eyes and drew the bow.
The single clear note felt like it was being drawn from her heart. The air shimmered around her, warping and sparkling as she felt the energy gathering. With a smooth twist of her wrist, she drew it it up and started into a jig that set the room alight with magic and her feet kicking.
The single clear note felt like it was being drawn from her heart. The air shimmered around her, warping and sparkling as she felt the energy gathering. With a smooth twist of her wrist, she drew it up and started into a jig that set the room alight with magic and her feet kicking.

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@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ Linsan had enough for that. "No, that's okay. I can get those. Fair is fair. Aft
"Thanks." Maril groaned again. "Hitch the horses too."
As soon as the wagon came to a stop in front of a building with a mural of pepper flowers, Maril hopped and and rushed inside.
As soon as the wagon came to a stop in front of a building with a mural of pepper flowers, Maril hopped and rushed inside.
Linsan crawled out of the back and gingerly took up the reins. Slipping off the wagon, she gave the horse a wide berth to tie the reins to a hitching post. Unsure of the knot, she did her best before stepping back to look around.

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@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ Linsan stumbled to a stop. Her case thumped against her hip. "What?"
It was more words than she had gotten from any other tribe member, but the rejection still hurt. Shaking her head, Linsan apologized and then turned away.
She made it only a few steps before before Gab called out. "What kind of person carries a damn musical instrument around here in the heat? Do you know how hot it is? What if you drop it in a creek?"
She made it only a few steps before Gab called out. "What kind of person carries a damn musical instrument around here in the heat? Do you know how hot it is? What if you drop it in a creek?"
Linsan couldn't escape the sweat that prickled on her brow. She shook her head and clamped a hand over her case. She looked over her shoulder to answer. "It's important to me."

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@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ Brook's lip curled in a smile. "I might have deserved it. Were you thinking abou
Brook looked up and swayed her hips as she thought. "I guess, mostly Guder, Padorsin, and Rag. Those were daddy's favorites."
All three were composers for symphonies. Sedate ones that that, with grand sweeping music that rose and fell like the waves of the ocean. It was the music that was perfect for dramatic scenes for her mother. However, none of them had the steady beats and rhythm that would let Linsan's magic to build nor the crescendos and twists that allowed her to manifest an attack.
All three were composers for symphonies. Sedate ones with grand sweeping music that rose and fell like the waves of the ocean. It was the music that was perfect for dramatic scenes for her mother. However, none of them had the steady beats and rhythm that would let Linsan's magic to build nor the crescendos and twists that allowed her to manifest an attack.
Brook rolled her eye and gave an exasperating sight. "What? Wrong type of music?"

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@ -316,6 +316,6 @@ The ground in a hundred feet behind them shot straight up in a column of flame a
A sickening feeling caught her as the world stopped, a brutal silence.
Then the buggy plunged into into the crater with brutal efficiency.
Then the buggy plunged into the crater with brutal efficiency.
Linsan only had time to wrap her body around the Sterlig and grab Brook's hand before they crashed to earth.

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@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ summary: >
Linsan and Brook return to Fanasis Village with the ruins of her car. The game is still going on, but they need a room for the night.
---
> To brighten their lives and enjoy the game, thousands will travel travel all day to spend the night at a nearby inn, share a wagon ride to the game, and then come back for drinks and celebration, all before heading home. --- Podalis Krum-Tercier, _A World Without Vehicles_
> To brighten their lives and enjoy the game, thousands will travel all day to spend the night at a nearby inn, share a wagon ride to the game, and then come back for drinks and celebration, all before heading home. --- Podalis Krum-Tercier, _A World Without Vehicles_
When Linsan saw the crowd gathered around the inn, she groaned.

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@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ Holding up a finger to Brook's lip, Linsan grinned. "A storm long since past. Yo
Brook's cheeks colored and her eyes crossed to look at Linsan's hand. "Yes. Please."
Stepping back, Linsan pictured the movement. "Okay, so about about this... ba-da ba-da?" As she said the beats, she swayed her body and stepped high, striking her feet in time with the beat. A familiar rush came. "And then we ba-da-da-dum!" She kicked up her feet, arched back, and then hopped forward.
Stepping back, Linsan pictured the movement. "Okay, so how about this... ba-da ba-da?" As she said the beats, she swayed her body and stepped high, striking her feet in time with the beat. A familiar rush came. "And then we ba-da-da-dum!" She kicked up her feet, arched back, and then hopped forward.
Her foot thudded on the ground. Peeking up, she saw Brook watching intently. Linsan smiled and felt a thrill of desire rushing through her. Despite being in the middle of the field, it felt as if they were once again in the bed exploring each other's bodies. "Again?"

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@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Miska's dress had gloves that disappeared into her sleeves and almost completely
Both of them had stopped at a hairdresser who brushed out and did their hair in a high pile with artful braids and what felt like a pound of pins. All topped with hats with lace and mesh and flowers.
But compared to Miska and Linsan, Brook shine. She had a green dress the color of the ocean with a moon motif embroidered on it. Layers of taffeta and lace flowed with her flowing movements that that must have taken her hours to perfect. Her posture was also flawless; Linsan thought that she looked a lot like Linsan's mother as she laughed gaily with strangers.
But compared to Miska and Linsan, Brook shine. She had a green dress the color of the ocean with a moon motif embroidered on it. Layers of taffeta and lace flowed with her flowing movements that must have taken her hours to perfect. Her posture was also flawless; Linsan thought that she looked a lot like Linsan's mother as she laughed gaily with strangers.
The auction house had too much gold and marble for any reasonable building, and that included the banks Linsan had visited. Even in the entry hall---larger than her parent's house---there were easily hundreds of people in dresses and tuxedos milling about. Their discussions were cheerful and gay. Conversations had nothing to do with the violin or the sale. Linsan guessed they just had an excuse to be seen more than the heirloom somewhere in the building.

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@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ Sopenar slowly turned. "Prove it."
He pointed to the violin case that was once again in Miska's hand. "Play me a song that only the daughter of Tisin would know. Give me a song that has never been on a stage or sung in the world."
Linsan frowned as she tore through her memory, casting through the history of her her parents. She teased the pin in her hair. "There is no..." she glanced at Junith who was crying. Then she remembered the sheet music in the case, the torn paper with a single song she had never heard of before. "_Safe Adventures, Our Departed Loves_."
Linsan frowned as she tore through her memory, casting through the history of her parents. She teased the pin in her hair. "There is no..." she glanced at Junith who was crying. Then she remembered the sheet music in the case, the torn paper with a single song she had never heard of before. "_Safe Adventures, Our Departed Loves_."
Junith inhaled sharply.

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@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ As the fireballs came raining down, the three wove around each other. Miska woul
Only waves of heat struck Linsan as she improvised her dance. All the hours of practice sank in as she took her skill to recreate the song and used it to find a dance that would match it.
Her friends worked with her her as they blocked the attacks even as Gabaw returned to strike at her.
Her friends worked with her as they blocked the attacks even as Gabaw returned to strike at her.
Heat and fire raged through the hall.

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@ -1,6 +0,0 @@
module.exports = {
extends: ["@commitlint/config-conventional"],
rules: {
"body-max-line-length": [0],
},
};

1
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@ -0,0 +1 @@
Here be spoilers!

5
docs/brook.md Normal file
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@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
---
title: Brook Meljemnar Kabisal
---
Has three daughters. Brook is his eldest.

5
docs/marin.md Normal file
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@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
---
title: Marin
---
Sian's old wife

117
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@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
# Notes
- She was born in summer.
- Palisis is the violin.
- Oak Street is three blocks away.
## Characters
### Brook Kabisal
A year younger than Linsan, Brook was Dukan's eldest daughter. She had her father's dark hair but the curly hair tumbled over her shoulders and down almost to the small of her back. She has bright brown eyes.
### Marin
First wife of mother, first wife of father. Died of cancer. She was a great violin player but never had a chance. She married Junith.
### Junith
Marin's wife. She was previously parried to Tisin.
### Sian Sterlig (Father)
He was thirty-seven when she was six.
### Tisin Sterlig (Mother)
Her mother's long blonde hair was pulled into a braid that had already started to pull apart.
### Palisis
The first violin.
### Valian
A girl who got the lead in a play.
### Kavinar
A directory of a play.
### Tabil
A dance coordinator/director who is a lech.
### Tilbin
Leader of the gang. Likes to wear a duster and a wide-brimmed hat. Has a guitar. Most of the fire powers are activated through his riffs.
### Mayforn
His hands ignited into white flames as he threw himself in front of the stranger. As soon as he landed, he brought his hands together. Has a large pack over his shoulders. Strengthens flames and heat.
### Gabaw
The mechanic. Got fired from Dorsen. He can punch the ground and cause it to rupture and bend.
### City Guard
"Dame Kabisal?" One of the city guards came up. It was a hawk-faced woman that looked like she couldn't smile if her life dependent on it. She held a clipboard in her right hand.
### Kamel da Kasin
fire investigator
### Tirain Valos
Hawk-faced guard.
### Cobbler's End
### New Brunil
Larger city.
### Palanis, Roldal, Gainsburg, and Gamis
Smaller village between X and New Brunil.
"Want a ride? I'm heading through the villages until Roldal. Then I'm heading west to Gamis but you'll still be going north there."
Gainsburg is where the first time she played for money. 15 miles from home.
### Penesol (Her home town)
### Fanasis Village
### Little Rock
Geb's home.
### Miska atoi pin Strali (Mis)
Blacksmith.
She was slender with startlingly golden hair. Her waist had an almost perfect taper that only a corset could create; Linsan could spot some of the boning underneath the white cotton shirt she wore. However, his cousin wore brown trousers instead of a dress. With hands in both pockets, Cal's cousin gracefully stepped off the wagon and dropped the ground.
Linsan caught sight of Miska's hands. Like her cousin and Old Gab, she had intricate designs tattooed along her hands up to her elbows. The material of her shirt, above where the corset bound her, gave a hint that there were more tattoos along her sternum and belly.
### Calibo atoi idu Oparil (Cal)
# Quotes
> What secrets lie underneath that man's dress, hidden in the private shadows of his body only to be hinted at as he swirls across the room in glorious finery? I seek the answers, not brazen like the warrior I am, but as a thief stealing glances between the empty words with others. --- _One Mistaken Night_ (Act 1, Scene 8)
Brook had combined the remains of the three tea cups into a single one and had poured in enough sugar that it splashed with every step. She moved with a smoothness that hinted that she had done the same many times over the years.
# Guilds
"So... Daddy thought this war between the Mechanics Guild, Artificer Academy, and the Pistons
# Random
Lord Xasnal or the auctioneer, Tasire Dalisan da Genifir
> Given what happened the night before, Linsan was surprised that she didn't feel a surge of jealousy or anger. The plays and stories said that it would happen, something that would eventually poison whatever had grown between her in Brook.
However, Linsan knew the plays by heart. She had seen how relationships had been ruined by those two emotions and misunderstanding. Her own earlier thoughts came back, was she in love with Brook or was it lust or just a moment in time? Was it something forever or just two lovers in the same bed? She still didn't know, only that what feelings she had were not in any play that she had seen.

View file

@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
"Saddled with debt from lost commissions, her family quickly found themselves struggling with a tattered reputation and overwhelming debt. Then everything fell apart when the family's savings and the last of the violins were stolen from the local bank."
]
},
"word_count": 108904,
"word_count": 109928,
"length": "Novel",
"title_slug": "allegro",
"identifier_slug": "0037-00-allegro",
@ -49,60 +49,118 @@
]
},
"warnings": {
"text": "This novel contains no scenes of sexual assault."
"text": "This novel contains scenes where the primary character and others experience bullying, fire, physical assault, verbal abuse, verbal assault, and violence. There are also scenes where secondary characters experience depression and swearing. There are off-page references to cancer, divorce, and named character death. There is no sexual assault.",
"primary": [
"Bullying",
"Fire",
"Physical Assault",
"Verbal Abuse",
"Verbal Assault",
"Violence"
],
"secondary": [
"Depression",
"Swearing"
],
"referenced": [
"Cancer",
"Divorce",
"Named Character Death"
]
},
"chapters": [
{
"title": "Always Moving",
"word_count": 983,
"summary": "While Linsan waits for her mother to come home, she bounces around on the furniture and talks to her father. She announces that she has named a violin her father is making Palisis and learns that the violin is for her father's first wife who got married to her mother's best friend.\n",
"word_count": 1020,
"summary": "While Linsan Sterlig waits for her mother to come home, she bounces around on the furniture and talks to her father. She announces that she has named a violin her father is making Palisis and learns that the violin is for her father's first wife who got married to her mother's best friend.\n",
"teaser": "Linsan is impatiently waiting for her mother to come back. As she does, she bounces around the furniture and teases her father.\n"
},
{
"title": "Early Lessons",
"word_count": 2376,
"word_count": 2474,
"summary": "Years later, Linsan is learning how to play the violin from her father. The lesson is interrupted when Dukan, her father's best friend and manager for the business, visits in a panic to tell him that the family's workshop in the valley is on fire.\n",
"teaser": "Years later, Linsan is learning how to play the violin from her father. At least, until there was an interruption.\n"
"teaser": "Years later, Linsan is learning how to play the violin from her father. At least, until there was an interruption.\n",
"warnings": {
"primary": [
"Fire"
]
}
},
{
"title": "Home Early",
"word_count": 2969,
"summary": "Unable to visit the burnt remains of the family's workshop, Linsan comes home to find her father work in depression. He had given up working on instruments and switched to writing articles about music. She goes into the attic to put some books away and finds Palisis in a corner, returned after Marin's death. She plays it, but then finds out that no one had ever played it before.\n",
"teaser": "Unable to visit the burnt remains of the family's workshop, Linsan comes home to find her father work in depression.\n"
"summary": "Unable to visit the burnt remains of the family's workshop, Linsan comes home to find her depressed father. He had given up working on instruments and switched to writing articles about music. She goes into the attic to put some books away and finds Palisis in a corner, returned after Marin's death. She plays it, but then finds out that no one had ever played it before.\n",
"teaser": "Unable to visit the burnt remains of the family's workshop, Linsan comes home to find her depressed father.\n"
},
{
"title": "Solace in Memories",
"word_count": 4868,
"word_count": 4981,
"summary": "As Linsan frequently did, she visited the family's ruins after school. The spot gave her peace despite everything they had lost. However, a bully from school, Dukan's daughter Brook, follows after her and they fight. During the brawl, they both manifest their powers: Linsan with music and Brook with concussion powers.\n",
"teaser": "As Linsan frequently did, she visited the family's ruins after school. The spot gave her peace despite everything they had lost. However, a bully from school, Dukan's daughter Brook, shows up.\n"
"teaser": "As Linsan frequently did, she visited the family's ruins after school. The spot gave her peace despite everything they had lost. However, a bully from school, Dukan's daughter Brook, shows up.\n",
"warnings": {
"primary": [
"Physical Assault",
"Verbal Abuse",
"Bullying",
"Violence"
]
}
},
{
"title": "Bitter Partings",
"word_count": 2616,
"word_count": 3024,
"summary": "Linsan comes limping home after her fight with Brook. Her parents are surprised she is there, but then Dukan and Brook show up. Dukan has his daughter apologizes and then offers to send money to the Sterlig's. Linsan's father tries to refuse it, but Dukan phrases it as helping Linsan and they accept.\n",
"teaser": "Bruised and aching from her fight, the last thing Linsan wanted to do was meet up was Brook and her father, but they were waiting by the time she limped home.\n"
"teaser": "Bruised and aching from her fight, the last thing Linsan wanted to do was meet up was Brook and her father, but they were waiting by the time she limped home.\n",
"warnings": {
"primary": [
"Physical Assault",
"Verbal Assault"
],
"secondary": [
"Depression",
"Swearing"
],
"referenced": [
"Cancer",
"Named Character Death",
"Divorce"
]
}
},
{
"title": "Revelations",
"word_count": 2082,
"word_count": 2221,
"summary": "Linsan and her mother are having a picnic the family's valley. They dance and play music. After that, Linsan finds out that her family is struggling with money because her father's new jobs don't pay well and her mother can't get roles for plays.\n",
"teaser": "Years later, Linsan is enjoying a picnic with her mother in the family's valley. However things aren't going as well as she thought and Linsan is left with some uncomfortable questions.\n"
"teaser": "Years later, Linsan is enjoying a picnic with her mother in the family's valley. However things aren't going as well as she thought and Linsan is left with some uncomfortable questions.\n",
"warnings": {
"referenced": [
"Depression",
"Divorce"
]
}
},
{
"title": "Decisions",
"word_count": 745,
"word_count": 943,
"summary": "On the day after her eighteenth birthday, Linsan realizes that her parents were losing money every day. She comes to the decision to ask for money from Dukan, though she wasn't going to tell either her mother or father about her choice.\n",
"teaser": "On the day after her eighteenth birthday, Linsan realizes that her parents were losing money every day. She comes to the decision to ask for money from Dukan.\n"
},
{
"title": "Questions",
"word_count": 3923,
"word_count": 3966,
"summary": "Linsan sneaks out of the house early on her eighteenth birthday to ask Dunkan for more money. But before she can talk to him, Brook stops her and they argue. Three men pass them two women as they are fighting, then later the bank explodes. Brook rushes into the burning building to fight the three men.\n",
"teaser": "After hours of walking across town, Linsan finally has her chance to ask Dukan for more money or a job. She doesn't know what he is going to say or demand, but she's willing to pay almost any price.\n"
"teaser": "After hours of walking across town, Linsan finally has her chance to ask Dukan for more money or a job. She doesn't know what he is going to say or demand, but she's willing to pay almost any price.\n",
"warnings": {
"primary": [
"Fire",
"Physical Assault",
"Bullying"
]
}
},
{
"title": "Burn Damage",
"word_count": 2171,
"word_count": 2170,
"summary": "After the fight, Brook and Linsan are asked by the investigating guards to identify a body found. Linsan identifies the corpse as her father based on a few pieces of evidence, but otherwise she can't. Linsan finds out that Palisis was missing and appears to have been stolen.\n",
"teaser": "After the bank burned down, there is one macabre task left for Linsan and Brook, to identify the body the guards found in the vault.\n"
},
@ -120,7 +178,7 @@
},
{
"title": "Sneaking Out",
"word_count": 2509,
"word_count": 2507,
"summary": "Linsan tries to sneak out of the house but her parents catch her. They reveal that they realized what she was doing and had gotten her supplies for her trip, including an old Sterlig violin and a modified violin case.\n",
"teaser": "Linsan is ready to start her hunt for Duncan's murderers and the thieves who stole Palisis from her family. The only thing left is to sneak out of her house and get on the road. Just a few steps and she'll be gone.\n"
},
@ -150,7 +208,7 @@
},
{
"title": "A Glimmer of Hope",
"word_count": 2749,
"word_count": 2748,
"summary": "A chance stop in a village gives Linsan hope that she is still on the trail of the murderers.\n",
"teaser": "A chance stop in a village gives Linsan hope that she is still on the trail of the murderers.\n"
},
@ -210,13 +268,13 @@
},
{
"title": "The Feathered Queen",
"word_count": 1590,
"word_count": 1589,
"summary": "While asking villagers about the murderers, Linsan comes up to an old woman living alone who was willing to exchange something Linsan held dear: memories and music.\n",
"teaser": "While asking villagers about the murderers, Linsan comes up to an old woman living alone who was willing to exchange something Linsan held dear: memories and music.\n"
},
{
"title": "Training Day",
"word_count": 4227,
"word_count": 4225,
"summary": "Linsan and Brook take time to learn how to fight with each other so they can take on the murderers. They find out that the synergy between their powers creates a far more powerful and deadly force.\n",
"teaser": "Linsan and Brook take time to learn how to fight with each other so they can take on the murderers.\n"
},
@ -240,7 +298,7 @@
},
{
"title": "Flame and Song",
"word_count": 3682,
"word_count": 3681,
"summary": "Linsan and Brook finally meet up with the murderers. Would they finally be able to bring them to justice?\n",
"teaser": "Linsan and Brook finally meet up with the murderers. Would they finally be able to bring them to justice?\n"
},
@ -258,7 +316,7 @@
},
{
"title": "Negotiations",
"word_count": 1503,
"word_count": 1502,
"summary": "Linsan and Brook return to Fanasis Village with the ruins of her car. The game is still going on, but they need a room for the night.\n",
"teaser": "Linsan and Brook return to Fanasis Village with the ruins of her car. The game is still going on, but they need a room for the night.\n"
},
@ -378,7 +436,7 @@
},
{
"title": "Grand Entrance",
"word_count": 1912,
"word_count": 1911,
"summary": "The three enter the auction house and are quickly overwhelmed.\n",
"teaser": "The three enter the auction house and are quickly overwhelmed.\n"
},
@ -390,13 +448,13 @@
},
{
"title": "Requests",
"word_count": 2571,
"word_count": 2570,
"summary": "Linsan and Brook search for Miska who had gone missing.\n",
"teaser": "Linsan and Brook search for Miska who had gone missing.\n"
},
{
"title": "Proof",
"word_count": 3637,
"word_count": 3636,
"summary": "Linsan has the opportunity to prove that she has played Palisis before, but there are some disagreements.\n",
"teaser": "Linsan has the opportunity to prove that she has played Palisis before, but there are some disagreements.\n"
},

825
flake.lock generated
View file

@ -15,41 +15,844 @@
"type": "github"
}
},
"flake-utils_10": {
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},
"flake-utils_11": {
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},
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},
"flake-utils_13": {
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},
"flake-utils_14": {
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},
"flake-utils_15": {
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},
"flake-utils_16": {
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},
"flake-utils_17": {
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},
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},
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},
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},
"flake-utils_6": {
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},
"flake-utils_7": {
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},
"flake-utils_8": {
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},
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},
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},
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},
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"nixago-exts": "nixago-exts_7",
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]
},
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"rev": "92ac7364f8ce4a90f26bd209a8842b468545b5ff",
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},
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"nixpkgs": "nixpkgs_2"
},
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},
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]
},
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}
},
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"nixago": "nixago_2",
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"nixpkgs"
]
},
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},
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},
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},
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},
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"nixago": "nixago_9",
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},
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},
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},
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},
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"nixago",
"nixago-exts",
"nixpkgs"
]
},
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1676070010,
"narHash": "sha256-iYzJIWptE1EUD8VINAg66AAMUajizg8JUYN3oBmb8no=",
"owner": "nix-community",
"repo": "nixago",
"rev": "d480ba6c0c16e2c5c0bd2122852d6a0c9ad1ed0e",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
"owner": "nix-community",
"ref": "rename-config-data",
"repo": "nixago",
"type": "github"
}
},
"nixago_8": {
"inputs": {
"flake-utils": "flake-utils_15",
"nixpkgs": [
"mfgames-writing-setup",
"mfgames-project-setup",
"nixago",
"nixago-exts",
"nixago",
"nixago-exts",
"nixpkgs"
]
},
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1655405483,
"narHash": "sha256-Crd49aZWNrpczlRTOwWGfwBMsTUoG9vlHDKQC7cx264=",
"owner": "nix-community",
"repo": "nixago",
"rev": "e6a9566c18063db5b120e69e048d3627414e327d",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
"owner": "nix-community",
"repo": "nixago",
"type": "github"
}
},
"nixago_9": {
"inputs": {
"flake-utils": "flake-utils_17",
"nixago-exts": "nixago-exts_8",
"nixpkgs": [
"mfgames-writing-setup",
"mfgames-project-setup",
"nixago-exts",
"nixpkgs"
]
},
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1676070010,
"narHash": "sha256-iYzJIWptE1EUD8VINAg66AAMUajizg8JUYN3oBmb8no=",
"owner": "nix-community",
"repo": "nixago",
"rev": "d480ba6c0c16e2c5c0bd2122852d6a0c9ad1ed0e",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
"owner": "nix-community",
"ref": "rename-config-data",
"repo": "nixago",
"type": "github"
}
},
"nixpkgs": {
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1643805626,
"narHash": "sha256-AXLDVMG+UaAGsGSpOtQHPIKB+IZ0KSd9WS77aanGzgc=",
"lastModified": 1736200483,
"narHash": "sha256-JO+lFN2HsCwSLMUWXHeOad6QUxOuwe9UOAF/iSl1J4I=",
"owner": "NixOS",
"repo": "nixpkgs",
"rev": "554d2d8aa25b6e583575459c297ec23750adb6cb",
"rev": "3f0a8ac25fb674611b98089ca3a5dd6480175751",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
"id": "nixpkgs",
"ref": "nixos-unstable",
"ref": "nixos-24.11",
"type": "indirect"
}
},
"nixstable": {
"nixpkgs_2": {
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1622516815,
"narHash": "sha256-ZjBd81a6J3TwtlBr3rHsZspYUwT9OdhDk+a/SgSEf7I=",
"lastModified": 1736549401,
"narHash": "sha256-ibkQrMHxF/7TqAYcQE+tOnIsSEzXmMegzyBWza6uHKM=",
"owner": "NixOS",
"repo": "nixpkgs",
"rev": "7e9b0dff974c89e070da1ad85713ff3c20b0ca97",
"rev": "1dab772dd4a68a7bba5d9460685547ff8e17d899",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
"id": "nixpkgs",
"ref": "21.05",
"ref": "nixos-24.11",
"type": "indirect"
}
},
"nixpkgs_3": {
"locked": {
"lastModified": 1735563628,
"narHash": "sha256-OnSAY7XDSx7CtDoqNh8jwVwh4xNL/2HaJxGjryLWzX8=",
"owner": "NixOS",
"repo": "nixpkgs",
"rev": "b134951a4c9f3c995fd7be05f3243f8ecd65d798",
"type": "github"
},
"original": {
"id": "nixpkgs",
"ref": "nixos-24.05",
"type": "indirect"
}
},
"root": {
"inputs": {
"flake-utils": "flake-utils",
"nixpkgs": "nixpkgs",
"nixstable": "nixstable"
"mfgames-project-setup": "mfgames-project-setup",
"mfgames-writing-setup": "mfgames-writing-setup",
"nixpkgs": "nixpkgs_3"
}
}
},

View file

@ -1,28 +1,34 @@
{
inputs = {
nixstable.url = "nixpkgs/21.05";
nixpkgs.url = "nixpkgs/nixos-unstable";
nixpkgs.url = "nixpkgs/nixos-24.05";
flake-utils.url = "github:numtide/flake-utils";
mfgames-project-setup.url = "git+https://src.mfgames.com/nixos-contrib/mfgames-project-setup-flake.git";
mfgames-writing-setup.url = "git+https://src.mfgames.com/nixos-contrib/mfgames-writing-setup-flake.git";
};
outputs = { self, nixpkgs, nixstable, flake-utils }:
outputs = { self, nixpkgs, flake-utils, mfgames-project-setup, mfgames-writing-setup }:
flake-utils.lib.eachDefaultSystem (system:
let
pkgs = nixpkgs.legacyPackages.${system};
stable = nixstable.legacyPackages.${system};
in {
project-config = mfgames-project-setup.lib.mkConfig {
inherit system;
pkgs = nixpkgs.legacyPackages.${system};
prettier.proseWrap = "never";
};
writing-config = mfgames-writing-setup.lib.mkConfig {
inherit system;
pkgs = nixpkgs.legacyPackages.${system};
};
in
{
devShell = pkgs.mkShell {
buildInputs = [
pkgs.epubcheck
pkgs.nixfmt
pkgs.nodejs-16_x
pkgs.pandoc
pkgs.pdftk
pkgs.python39Full
pkgs.python39Packages.weasyprint
pkgs.jq
pkgs.s3cmd
];
packages = [ ]
++ project-config.packages
++ writing-config.packages;
shellHook = project-config.shellHook;
};
});
}

View file

@ -1,70 +0,0 @@
{
"knownWords": [
"Bobo",
"Brunil",
"Calibo",
"Dorsen",
"Dukan",
"Dukan's",
"Fanasis",
"Gabaw",
"Gabaw's",
"Gainsburg",
"Gepaul's",
"Glasscoaster",
"Improv",
"Itanith",
"Junith",
"Kabisal",
"Kamel",
"Kamel's",
"Katsaril",
"Kavinar",
"Klaston-Garis",
"Kormar",
"Koson",
"Koson's",
"Lankerni",
"Linsan",
"Linsan's",
"Lorban",
"Maril",
"Maril's",
"Mayforn",
"Mayforn's",
"Melodol",
"Mis",
"Miska",
"Miska's",
"Palisis",
"Penesol",
"Ragon",
"Ragon's",
"Ralonix",
"Salamin",
"Sian",
"Sian's",
"Sopenar",
"Sterlig",
"Sterlig's",
"Sterligs",
"Strin",
"Tabil",
"Tilbin",
"Tilbin's",
"Tirain",
"Tisin",
"Tisin's",
"Unders",
"Valian",
"Wendil",
"Wendil's",
"Xasnal",
"ba-da",
"ba-da-da-dum",
"blonde",
"cukdins",
"cuks",
"guard's"
]
}

View file

@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Cover art by D. Moonfire
All characters, events, and locations are fictitious. Any resemblance to persons, past, present, and future is coincidental and highly unlikely.
This novel contains no scenes of sexual assault.
This novel contains scenes where the primary character and others experience bullying, fire, physical assault, verbal abuse, verbal assault, and violence. There are also scenes where secondary characters experience depression and swearing. There are off-page references to cancer, divorce, and named character death. There is no sexual assault.
Broken Typewriter Press\
5001 1st Ave SE\

17684
package-lock.json generated

File diff suppressed because it is too large Load diff

View file

@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
{
"name": "allegro",
"version": "0.36.2",
"version": "0.37.0",
"private": true,
"description": "\"Allegro\" is a novel by D. Moonfire.",
"author": {
@ -12,13 +12,6 @@
"url": "git+https://src.mfgames.com/fedran-sources/allegro.git"
},
"homepage": "https://fedran.com/allegro/",
"scripts": {
"build:pdf": "mfgames-writing-format build pdf",
"build:epub": "mfgames-writing-format build epub",
"build:docx": "mfgames-writing-format build docx",
"build": "run-s build:*",
"prepare": "husky install"
},
"dependencies": {
"@fedran/writing-hyphen": "^1.0.0",
"@fedran/writing-theme": "^4.0.2",
@ -26,25 +19,13 @@
"@mfgames-writing/docx-format": "^1.0.2",
"@mfgames-writing/epub2-format": "^2.1.1",
"@mfgames-writing/format": "^3.3.1",
"@mfgames-writing/guillemet": "^1.0.0",
"@mfgames-writing/guillemet-pipeline": "^1.0.0",
"@mfgames-writing/hyphen-pipeline": "^1.0.2",
"@mfgames-writing/liquid-theme": "^2.1.1",
"@mfgames-writing/weasyprint-format": "^5.0.4",
"markdown-it-multimd-table": "^4.1.3"
},
"devDependencies": {
"@commitlint/cli": "^15.0.0",
"@commitlint/config-conventional": "^15.0.0",
"@saithodev/semantic-release-gitea": "^2.1.0",
"@semantic-release/changelog": "^6.0.1",
"@semantic-release/exec": "^6.0.3",
"@semantic-release/git": "^10.0.1",
"@semantic-release/npm": "^8.0.3",
"@semantic-release/release-notes-generator": "^10.0.3",
"husky": "^7.0.2",
"markdowny": "^0.2.1",
"npm-run-all": "^4.1.5",
"prettier": "^2.0.5",
"semantic-release": "^18.0.1"
"markdowny": "^1.1.0"
}
}

10
project-words.txt Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
cukdins
Dukan
Junith
Katsaril
Linsan
Palisis
reactional
Sterlig
Sterligs
Tisin

View file

@ -1,142 +1,144 @@
{
"metadata": {
"title": "Allegro",
"author": "D. Moonfire",
"language": "en",
"theme": "@fedran/writing-theme",
"outputDirectory": ".",
"outputFilename": "dmoonfire-{{edition.fedran.source.identifier_slug}}-{{edition.version}}.{{edition.ext}}",
"markdown": {
"extensions": [
{
"package": "markdown-it-multimd-table",
"options": {
"headerless": true
}
}
]
},
"style": {
"css": "td { width: 6em; } td[colspan=\"2\"] { width: 12em; }"
"metadata": {
"title": "Allegro",
"author": "D. Moonfire",
"language": "en",
"theme": "@fedran/writing-theme",
"outputDirectory": ".",
"outputFilename": "dmoonfire-{{edition.fedran.source.identifier_slug}}-{{edition.version}}.{{edition.ext}}",
"markdown": {
"extensions": [
{
"package": "markdown-it-multimd-table",
"options": {
"headerless": true
}
}
]
},
"includes": [
{
"json": "./fedran.json",
"merge": "metadata.fedran"
}
],
"editions": {
"epub": {
"format": "@mfgames-writing/epub2-format",
"ext": "epub"
},
"pdf": {
"format": "@mfgames-writing/weasyprint-format",
"isbn": "",
"images": {
"grayscale": true,
"opaque": true
},
"ext": "pdf"
},
"docx": {
"format": "@mfgames-writing/docx-format",
"ext": "docx"
}
"style": {
"css": "td { width: 6em; } td[colspan=\"2\"] { width: 12em; }"
}
},
"includes": [
{
"json": "./fedran.json",
"merge": "metadata.fedran"
}
],
"editions": {
"epub": {
"format": "@mfgames-writing/epub2-format",
"ext": "epub"
},
"contents": [
"pdf": {
"format": "@mfgames-writing/weasyprint-format",
"isbn": "",
"images": {
"grayscale": true,
"opaque": true
},
"ext": "pdf"
},
"docx": {
"format": "@mfgames-writing/docx-format",
"ext": "docx"
}
},
"disabled": [
{
"element": "cover",
"source": "build/fedran-covers/pov/covers/0037-00-allegro.jpg",
"linear": false,
"exclude": {
"editions": ["pdf"],
"toc": true
}
}
],
"contents": [
{
"element": "bastard",
"source": "matter/title.html",
"linear": false,
"exclude": {
"editions": ["epub", "html"],
"toc": true
}
},
{
"element": "title",
"source": "matter/title.html",
"linear": false,
"exclude": {
"toc": true
}
},
{
"element": "legal",
"source": "matter/legal.md",
"liquid": true,
"linear": false
},
{
"element": "dedication",
"source": "matter/dedication.md",
"linear": false
},
{
"element": "toc",
"linear": false,
"title": "Contents",
"exclude": {
"editions": ["pdf"]
}
},
{
"element": "preface",
"source": "matter/lorban.html",
"linear": false
},
{
"element": "bastard",
"source": "matter/pad.html",
"linear": false,
"exclude": {
"editions": ["epub", "html"],
"toc": false
}
},
{
"element": "chapter",
"number": 1,
"directory": "chapters",
"source": "/^chapter-\\d+.(markdown|md)$/",
"start": true,
"page": 1,
"pipeline": [
{
"element": "cover",
"source": "build/fedran-covers/pov/covers/0037-00-allegro.jpg",
"linear": false,
"exclude": {
"editions": ["pdf"],
"toc": true
}
"module": "@mfgames-writing/guillemet-pipeline"
},
{
"element": "bastard",
"source": "matter/title.html",
"linear": false,
"exclude": {
"editions": ["epub", "html"],
"toc": true
}
"module": "@fedran/writing-hyphen"
},
{
"element": "title",
"source": "matter/title.html",
"linear": false,
"exclude": {
"toc": true
}
},
{
"element": "legal",
"source": "matter/legal.md",
"liquid": true,
"linear": false
},
{
"element": "dedication",
"source": "matter/dedication.md",
"linear": false
},
{
"element": "toc",
"linear": false,
"title": "Contents",
"exclude": {
"editions": ["pdf"]
}
},
{
"element": "preface",
"source": "matter/lorban.html",
"linear": false
},
{
"element": "bastard",
"source": "matter/pad.html",
"linear": false,
"exclude": {
"editions": ["epub", "html"],
"toc": false
}
},
{
"element": "chapter",
"number": 1,
"directory": "chapters",
"source": "/^chapter-\\d+.(markdown|md)$/",
"start": true,
"page": 1,
"pipeline": [
{
"module": "@mfgames-writing/guillemet"
},
{
"module": "@fedran/writing-hyphen"
},
{
"module": "@mfgames-writing/hyphen-pipeline",
"exclude": ["`.*?`", "<code>.*?</code>"]
}
]
},
{
"element": "appendix",
"source": "matter/about.md"
},
{
"element": "appendix",
"source": "matter/fedran.md"
},
{
"element": "appendix",
"id": "license",
"source": "matter/license.md"
"module": "@mfgames-writing/hyphen-pipeline",
"exclude": ["`.*?`", "<code>.*?</code>"]
}
]
]
},
{
"element": "appendix",
"source": "matter/about.md"
},
{
"element": "appendix",
"source": "matter/fedran.md"
},
{
"element": "appendix",
"id": "license",
"source": "matter/license.md"
}
]
}

View file

@ -1,39 +0,0 @@
module.exports = {
branches: ["main"],
extends: ["@commitlint/config-conventional"],
message:
"chore(release): v${nextRelease.version} [skip ci]\n\n${nextRelease.notes}",
plugins: [
[
"@semantic-release/commit-analyzer",
{
preset: "conventionalcommits",
},
],
"@semantic-release/release-notes-generator",
"@semantic-release/npm",
[
"@semantic-release/exec",
{
prepareCmd: "npm run build",
},
],
"@semantic-release/changelog",
"@semantic-release/git",
[
"@saithodev/semantic-release-gitea",
{
giteaUrl: "https://src.mfgames.com",
assets: [
{ path: "*.epub", label: "EPUB2", type: "other" },
{ path: "*.pdf", label: "PDF", type: "other" },
{ path: "*.docx", label: "DOCX", type: "other" },
],
},
],
],
};