《B R I C K》Chapter 14: A Bard of Bands
Advertisement
It’s a bit strange to admit this. However, this Brick may be travel sick. Moving so much… Is not something of relish to me. Though I guess, being so solid and compact has that effect.
A free flowing form is much better suited. Like Ribbon’s. I like Ribbon.
Though, it’s also ineffectual without any motor capability. In this regard, the Demi Human has us beat.
However, this enhanced capacity came at a cost.
“Wait. Did you guys not bring any food?”
Provisions… Those are important for beings of flesh and blood aren’t they? Indeed they are.
Such a costly sacrifice for such a minor convenience.
I struggle to make sense of it. There are much better alternatives to Provisions. Take Snek. They have a physical form as well as motor capability, all without the need for Provisions. Instead, they function off of the essence of the dead.
They consume a much more accessible and apt supplement. And for beings like Ghost Captain, Ribbon and I, sustenance of any sort was wholly unnecessary.
Only a Will was required.
On this topic, it’s rather saddening that Door couldn’t come along with us… They would’ve much appreciated coming to the Heartlands with us.
“Brick, we’ve already approached the upper limit on lead roles,”
What? There’s a limit?
“Of course there’s a limit! The Narrative simply wouldn’t be able to sustain itself if you’re recruiting every rock, rod and ratch off the roadside!”
I feel like I could tho?
“But then it’d be redundant! Lest… Don’t tell me you’d plan to characterise all of them…”
Brick sees your point Captain.
“Exactly! Five already pushes past the limit, but when two of the cast don’t speak most of the time, this is somewhat acceptable. Door on the other hand, would butt into every damn one of conversations!”
Advertisement
Ah, I wondered why Captain brought up the concept of Roles and Characterisation. It wasn’t a matter that Ghost Captain was concerned about the composition of our party, but that Captain didn’t like Doors.
It was fair. After all, Door really likes to sneak in on conversations and gossip and just ruin your day sometimes. I had seen many a Soldier stub their Toes or crush their nails due to the whims of a Door.
“I swear those bastards are sadistic,”
“Waaaaan, I’m regwettin’ comin with yous already… Gossiping about my front door… That’s messed up!”
This isn’t messed up. I swear I’ve seen Door incapacitate Allies on multiple occasions, for the flimsiest of reasons. Although Door’s fidelity is under fire, it also attests to Door’s sheer value as a Guardian due to all punishments being abjured after the fact. I for one, wouldn’t mind if Door came along.
It would’ve even decreased the travel time!
“When were you ever this impatient?”
Hmmmm. Good question. I have no clue. But I just want to get there real quick…
Strange. Very strange.
On another note of strange is the increasing animation of the Demi Human.
Strange. Ve— oH! Right! It needs provisions!
Provisions! That was the problem we had at hand!
“Right… What does she even eat tho?”
Weren’t you of flesh once Captain? Shouldn’t you know best?
“That may be true, but I could basically live off sand, which I don’t think is applicable to little Qwrin…”
I dunno Captain, we should let her try some. I mean Snek what do you eat again?
“Chhharnel,”
Mhmm, I think Sand’s the better option.
“Good idea,” He nods, “Especially if we’re gonna go with your theory here,”
“Swand? I can’t eat swand!”
Oh… Have you tried?
Advertisement
The Pupper seems to somewhat glean our conversation, however, she still can’t read me. Pathetic.
Anyway, that’s when Captain’s help is of greater use.
“I haven’t tried!”
“Then try it,”
Needless to say, we — Ghost Captain — made her eat some sand.
She couldn’t digest it. Or even ingest it. A pity.
Looks like she can’t eat Sand.
“Good deduction, Brick. Glad to have a Brick of Science by my side,”
Though what can it eat? This is really starting to bug me.
Ribbon, do you know?
She doesn’t.
“Maybe she could eat that?”
That?
“Wa-an?” Coughing up grains of sand her teary eyes jerk toward the bearing of Captain’s finger.
“That,” Captain points just beyond our Render Distance.
It seems to be a…
“Wild cheese wheel, ”
“Wan?” As always, the Demi Human is confused. Her perplexation is without much variation.
Like damn, it’s a Cheese Wheel —Aged to perfection may I add—, what’s so hard to understand?
“Brick, it’s not the cheese wheel. I believe that the pupper sniffed out some unwanted company,”
Co—...! I’m about to enquire further, but that’s when it pops right into my Render Distance. A heinous and foul company. Their presence is nauseating even when they’re considered Allies. The absolute worst of the worst.
A Bard of Bands.
Advertisement
- In Serial75 Chapters
RE:WRITE
Fed up with a world where science has made every fantasy a reality and people just don’t care about stories anymore, a young video game developer named Kai uses ancient black magic to transport himself into one of his games, titled: Choices. Disturbed by his powerlessness on Earth, Kai makes sure to give himself the ability to change this new world as he sees fit, literally. If you were ridiculously powerful, would you throw away all your morals and do whatever you wanted?Would you find happiness? Would you find love? Or would you end up realizing that… Absolute power is pretty depressing. Note: The format for chapter titles is: “Overall_chapter_number POV_chapter_number: Chapter_title." Look at the POV chapter number to see who is narrating. Thanks to Ia-shub niggurath and peacefulcatastrophe for editing. Also thanks peacefulcatastrophe for the idea for the new cover image: John Martin, 1789–1854. The Deluge. 1834. (Public Domain) You can read it on my website too!Please vote for my story on TopWebFictions! No sign up, just click on the link and vote for as many stories as you like. Signed and fulfilled the Pledge. ~~A Proud Member of Writers to The End; we finish our fictions!~~
8 178 - In Serial29 Chapters
World in Ruins
Enter Alex, pretty normal guy, budding interest in girls, good grades, sadly orphaned. He knew what he would do after graduation. He had hopes and dreams, mostly unfulfilled, like every other teenager there is. He knew what life would give him. Until a decisive morning changed everything. Congratulations Humanity, your greed and destruction of Nature has corrupted your worldcore. While your parents fight at the front, you, the children, are given a grace period, until you turn 20 years old. Then you have to join them and clean the corruption.It can’t be cleaned through simple means, but fear not, we, the most esteemed and paramount council, have given you tools to grow in power. Your world may crumble to ash and dust, but you will rise like a Phoenix or decay in timeless strife.Rise, grow and conquer your foe. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] - 04.22 Updates Monday & Thursday
8 126 - In Serial6 Chapters
Heroes Die First
It was after World War Two ended; rumors spread of people wielding amazing powers or mutating into horrifying monsters. Seventy years later, heroes and villains dominate the news and battle in the streets, discrimination drives mutants into the criminal lifestyle, and the governments of the world are struggling to handle the rapidly shifting paradigm. Maxmillian Grants, like any sixteen year old boy, wants to be a hero and he has a secret: he has the power to do it! Except, when he actually looks into the risks and the rewards he discovers that being a hero is not really worth it. Being a villain, on the other hand, certainly pays well. If you don't mind risking being sent to prison and being hunted by heroes and other villains. Max, not being an idiot, does mind both of those things. Instead of being a hero or being a villain, Max decides to take the third option, to be a vigilante! His plan? To hit the criminals in the gut and run off with their money, making the world a bit brighter at the same time by taking down the bad guys. But how long can he actually manage alone? Can he really navigate through the dangerous world of supers and capes without declaring for either heroes or villains? Or will he be sucked into the web of plots and drama that is the life of those with superpowers? (Cover photo by Sebastiaan Stam, downloaded from Unsplash)
8 140 - In Serial14 Chapters
The Journey of an Apprentice
The kingdom of Durnea is home to perhaps the largest of all the Great Towers, Draghiem. Within Draghiem's first floor rests Eisenrahm, the kingdom's capital city, and this is where our story begins. 17 year old Rygart Aren has dreamt of being the first to reach the top of Draghiem for as long as he can remember. Now that Rygart is confident in his ability he sets out to bring his dreams into reality! However, upon reaching his destination Rygart soon learns that dreams aren't near as much fun in reality as they are in the imagination. Just as Rygart is getting a grip on his new life things begin to change within Draghiem. Due the to actions of a careless adventurer events are set into motion that are sure to change the course of history, and not only for Durnea. Follow along as Rygart gets caught up in a storm of chaos that not only threatens to tear away his dreams, but also threatens the lives of everyone he cares about!
8 151 - In Serial13 Chapters
The Devil's Chosen
Tobias lives the life everyone wants... though that's only on the outside. At home, he faces abuse and awful, unloving parents. That is, until the fateful day when he dies.
8 117 - In Serial9 Chapters
Gems
Care to peruse the pages that lie within this book?May every line, every word leave you hooked,Opening your eyes to the beauty of individuals,Who prove that one does not need wings to be an angel.
8 215

