《Call it a Mission》Echo Beach – 02 – He had to go his own way
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Second impression. Tasmin sister looked tired, and in a bit of a messed up state. Her blonde hair was in a bit of disarray, her face burnished darker than usual, looked a bit weathered, and she had dark circles under her eyes. Her clothes looked like she’s slept in them. Tasmin was carrying her leather shoulder bag like she had the weight of the world packed in it. Nora wanted nothing more than to take on that weight instead.
She pushed through the sudden crowd of people who were either coming, going or greeting their family/friends as well, stopped right in front of her sister gave her a big smile. Tasmin offered a tired smile back, then lowered her bag to the floor in acceptance. Nora gave her sister a big hug hoping she could smother any of the possible distress her sister still felt. In her embrace, Tasmin seemed less substantial than she’d ever been. Hadn’t her abductors fed her at all? Her sister held on but not with a lot of strength. Not wanting to make things awkward, Nora let go after about a minute, pulling back but still holding onto her sister’s shoulders and gazed into her tired eyes.
“I was so worried,” she said. “How are you? How was the flight? Did you get something to eat? You’re so thin!”
Tasmin gave her sort of an odd look with raised eyebrows. Oh, did she sound like their mother?
“Yeah that’s okay, sis, I’m fine, I’m fine,” Tasmin said, her voice sounding raspy for the first time Nora could remember. “The flight was all right, lots of snacks. There was a baby as usual, no, three. But honestly was much better than last few weeks are spent on the ground. I guess the Tuareg weren’t too big on feasts, though.”
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Nora nodded, leaned down to pick up her sister’s bag. Tasmin let her. The carryon was heavier than she expected. What was in there? Bricks? She struggled a bit, but managed to get it up and on her shoulder.
“It must’ve been horrible,” she said. “What happened to you and Dr. Burnes... Did you get some counseling? Are you okay?”
She tried to gauge her sister’s reaction, state of mind with those questions, but Tasmin just shrugged to them.
“Andy, yeah that was it for him,” Tasmin said, not seeming grief-stricken or traumatized like Nora had expected her to be. “Could’ve made some better decisions back there, you know? But look, I’m good. Other than one meal a day, they didn’t really treat me all that bad. But then you know, I’m no Andy.”
No. And there was no Andy- Dr. Burnes, not anymore.
“What you mean?” Nora realized she had misinterpreted her tone. “Dr. Burnes was a great man.”
She'd been so jealous Tasmin had been able to go to Africa with him, just be with him 24/7. So many of her favorite professor’s classes she just sat there mesmerized by his insights about the history of indigenous cultures whether they were in Africa or South America or the Pacific Islanders and many others. He seemed to be in tune with a world so far from her life in Ohio, what she’d found even more joining them to work at Palantine and Co. That had seemed like it would be a dream come true. And then barely after she’d started, they were then away ten months of the year.
“Well he had-“ Tasmin started, and stopped, then started again, as though she was trying to shake something unpleasant out of her head. “Listen to me, Nora. We both would’ve probably got back okay, but you know, Andy always had to do things his own way. I mean you know him well enough. And he had to go his own way too, for better or worse. This time for the worse.”
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It did bother Nora how dismissive Tasmin seemed, given they had been held together by the tribesmen. They should have gotten even closer, and then Dr. Burnes died after being abducted! They had a relationship, Tasmin should have been more bothered by the fact he was dead, not like someone you knew in passing and come across their obituaries.
Tasmin must have seen what was going on in her head. She sighed, patted Nora on the shoulder opposite to the one she now bore her heavy carry-on.
“It’s sad, I know. But he’s done is gone and that’s it,” Nora said in a flat voice. “Come on. I’ve got to pick up my luggage and then we have to go through that hell which will be dealing with all the paperwork getting his body through customs. And then I really need to get home, have a long shower, and a decent cup of coffee, maybe not in that order. I need to put this all behind me, got it, Nora? We all do.”
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8 230ANNO: 1623
This is a tale. One of Life, Of Death, And of the unnatural disregard for the rules that govern both. This story arguably begins at this climax, just after the death and reincarnation of a random eccentric. In a turbulent world experiencing a forceful, remorseless revolution, we follow the saga of a possessed young noble and the world around him. Follow Levi, a slightly crazy (Laughs), psychopathic, possibly apathetic yet apt youth... Possessing dual souls, and the memories that come with them, He challenges head-on the complicated political structure and social-economic hurdles that plague a budding, war-stricken civilization. Come along, oh dear traveller... To Anno, a world hiding legendary secrets worthy of your exploration. For it is the year 1623 S.T. The year it all began. ... [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]
8 124Mark of the Mountain [formally : the masked queen (drottingr)]
Lyssia - the masked Drottine of Ilvana - has to discover the strength of her own voice and uncover the dark secrets that threaten to undermine the safety of her people while maintaining her own secret, a struggle that may force her to choose between her kingdom and her life. * * * * * * * * * * Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge! * * * * * * * * * * Armed with an uncontrollable talent for premonition and a dangerous secret that could cost her her life, Lyssia - the masked Drottine of Ilvana - has to learn to survive in a land designed to weed out the weak. Lyssia always thought her survival at court depended upon her identity as the greatest pretender of all. But when Magnor - the newly crowned King of Dunival - arrives unannounced and threatens the tenuous peace between their two kingdoms, Lyssia soon realizes that he carries secrets even more dangerous than her own. As Lyssia struggles to discover the true intentions behind Magnor's visit, she is faced with an impossible choice: Sacrifice her secret - her freedom - her life to save a dying land... or allow Ilvana to be overcome by what lies hidden in the shadows. Can Lyssia find the strength to stand and fight for her people, or will the lies she has hidden behind her entire life prove too strong to be overcome? * * * * * * * * * * A kongdomr of warriors, though rusted their swords A kongdomr of voices, raised in hopeful song A kongdomr of drakuns, forsaken, forgotten A kongdomr of masks, neither young nor old A kongdomr of faces, expectantly raised To this new chance, a new age A new Drottingr Ilvana of legend Rise, Warriors, Rise * * * * * * * * * * CAST, DEFENITIONS, PLAYLIST CAST Ilvanian (the three-pointed mountain) Lyssia (Lys) - Drottine of Ilvana, heir, present day 22YO Dizean - Kongr of Ilvana, Lyssia's father Azerian (Az) - Lyssia's maternal cousin, present day 22YO Carryn - Lyssia maternal aunt, Azerian's mother Roakev (Ro) - Lyssia's paternal cousin, present day 24YO Eindre - Lyssia's paternal uncle, Roakev's father and Drengr Nimeah - Eindre's wife, Roakev's mother Seaka - old Lach and Lyssia's former caretaker Bjarke - Master Skald, employed the Kongr of Ilvana Aturnel (the guardian) - highest mountain point on Ilvania-Listoria border Thivness (the wildness) – dangerous, impassable cliff between eastern forest and sea Vatn – Lesser mountain named after the lake found at its feet Arvid – Lyssia’s Dubkir horse, named after her great grandfather Sikurd – Roakev’s Dubkir horse, named after an old hero from a Lay Isi - girl Lyssia meets on road to Steiner Mart Diyana - Lyssia's songbird, also Rilken's wife Ofrid - Lyssia's maternal cousin, close to Roakev's age Reeza - Lyssia's older maternal cousin, has a oat named OdilHoney - good natured mare rode by Lyssia Hanne – village representative’s niece celebrating her wedding Ardbon - Karl involved in Steiner Mart fight Liefer - Karl involved in Steiner Mart fight, his son’s name is Nurik Rilken - the last Drakun Kongr of Ilvana Steiner Mart - Eda-Yute Mart held every year in Steiner Field, also called the crossroads Gavin Brinson – young western Jarl, not allied with Halvor, his family crest is a raven Sidne – Gavin’s wife, very pregnant and very helpful Halvor - outspoken jarl from western stead Sorev – Halvor’s son, family crest is a bear in mid-maul, one of eight Jarlsons present, but the only one hailing from the west Fulrik – sonless western Jarl allied with Halvor Calvin – one of the Jarlsons atttending the peacemeet, the oldest and tallest of the lot Angar – eastern Jarl in possession of the Dubkir herd, family crest is a shield painted with bright green and yellow stripes Dubkir heir – Angar’s son…when will Lyssia learn his name? Ingar – former Kongr of Ilvana and Lyssia’s grandfather Scyftan River – the unofficial divide between eastern and western Ilvana Listorian (the five-pointed flower) Andev - Kongr of Listoria Igone (of the green thumb) - Andev's wife, Drottingr of Listoria Thisska - Listorian Drakun, bonded to Igone Linea - Drottine of Listoria, Murel's twin, heir, present day 20YO Murel - Drottine of Listoria, Linea's twin, heir, present day 20YO Ansev - Kongre of Listoria, twin's younger brother Sundric - Kongre of Listoria, twin's younger brother Giall - Jarl that travels to Ilvana with royal party Dunival (the spinning dustdevil) Magnor - recently crowned Kongr of Dunival, present day 25YO Tirne - Kongre-Slad of Dunival, younger son of Rijek, present day 22YO V???? - Magnor’s self-proclaimed “second”…another name Lyssia can’t seem to learn! Deceased Erina - Lyssia's mother, deceased Rijek – former Kongr of Dunival, deceased Anitra – former Drottingr of Dunival, Magnor and Tirne’s mother, deceased The Five Kongdomren - Ilvana, Dunival, Listoria, Sinnet, Nukrevn Aonta...Definition and Cast to be discovered DEFINITIONS Kongr/Kongre - King/Prince Drottingr/Drottine - Queen/Princess Kongdomr (Kongdomren) - Kingdom (Kingdoms) Jarl/Karl - landowner/non-landowner, may be beholden one particular Jarl Lach – healer Fyr/Slad - heir/none Middig/Dreg - master/apprentice Skald - historian and musician Drengr – champion Drakuns - Dragons, the Ancient Ones Bjurn – bear Elke(Elken) – gigantic, majestic elk, native to Ilvana Ban-maudr – “executioner thorns”, found in the eastern forest, very painful and hard to remove Yute - Thanks yearly celebration between cold and growing seasons Urd/Eda/Aon(-Yute) - past/present/future, two weeks each Lay - Ilvanian historical songs Laikari - Listorian historical plays Ridineig - fast-paced dancing tune Drigneig – type of song, a dirge, “opposite” of ridineig Lur - long trumpet like instrument Bowed lyra – larger version of hand lyra, played with a bowed stick Jorki – similar to a pan flute, jokingly called “child’s flute” Drakuns - Dragons, the Ancient Ones Diyana - songbird Wulv – wolf, native to Dunival Wulvken – umm…we’re still not sure Volvstot/wulvstot – “witchbrew/wolfbrew”, dark beer that Magnor brings from Dunival Fovk - fox Vas Morginnen - Good Morning Vas Heill - Good Health Vas Daginnen – Good Day Adhuil - prosperous, prosperity Ami - genderless term of endearment Dunga - insulting way of saying someone is stupid Saedas - sweetness, another way of saying happinessSaedhirte- sweetheart Hviss - an (improper) oath Slegrl – sly Standa – stop An-rivic – be still! Brudpar – “bridal pair”, bride and groom Dubkir – famous Ilvanian horses, half-wild and bred for the hunt * * * * * * * * * * Playlists: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcaiTcdQkK6nXrjYq29srJ7GMsebdd-Sp https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcaiTcdQkK6msFQiYhbaYhZ0VqFJ0mROi Lyssia character portrait by @soretoothproductions!
8 355Klaus's Pet
Lorelei is the hybrid submissive of Niklaus Mikaelson. She lives in New Orleans with the Original Family.
8 163Hatake Pride
A Heartbeat... as unique to a person as a fingerprint or a retina scan... a heartbeat can tell someone anything if they listen hard enough... Kashin Hatake... a young boy with a dark past and a big secret. It's hard... being the special kid... the different kid... buts it harder when you are something everyone fears...
8 82A Darker Ending
What if everything was different?DISCONTINUED.
8 101