The moon rises.

Chatterbox: Inkwell

The moon rises.

The moon rises.

You watch as a girl solidly in the awkward transition from childhood to adulthood stuffs her long hair into a newboy's cap. A young man, with eyes the color of charcoal and a head of thick curls does a double take.

She looks up. There is recognition in her eyes, you can tell. You don't stick around to see what happens.

The cobblestones are rough beneath the wheels of the carriages and the clopping of hooves. Even at dusk, this city is alive. You exhale loudly and watch your breath solidify into vapor in front of you. It's cold out tonight, solidly winter and everybody is excpecting snow tomorrow morning.

So you turn on your heel and enter the tavern behind you. It's loud and raucous inside, full of tipsy laughter and music and the sound of glasses clinking. Behind you, somebody whispers in your ear, so quiet you aren't sure you didn't imagine it, and when you turn around, there is no one to be seen.

This is a Castle, not a story, unless you make it one. You are in control, now.

~~

This is, I think, the fourth thread of its kind (correct me if I'm wrong). I have not made any of the other threads. The Ultimate Guide defines a castle as "A disturbingly complex thread where a CBer makes up and describes a setting (any setting) under a name that matches the setting, like Forest Maker or Tavern Keeper. Other CBers sort of make up a story taking place in that setting (basically RPing, but you don't have to fill out any sheets) while guessing the identity of the person who made the thread."

Here is the link to the first Castle:

http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/inkwell/node/398819 

The second:

http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/inkwell/node/443232 

The third:

http://www.cricketmagkids.com/chatterbox/inkwell/node/456184

~~

please enjoy :) 

submitted by A child
(February 4, 2023 - 10:03 pm)

I am not any of the people that have been mentioned above--I may or may not have been mentioned before, however no one has yet to accuse me as being me.

I am not Artemis.

~~~

I stop about a foot outside of the tavern. There -- I saw a girl -- dressed in a gown of sparkling silver and glistening gold. But she can't be. Can she?

The princess of the kingdom? Whisper.

Not mine.

I belong to no kingdoms.

I work alone.

In the dark.

Unseen by all.

Unguessed. (as of yet)

Calm.

Reserved.

And quiet.

But anyhow, that is the princess. I am sure of it.

Perhaps I shall walk back into the tavern, being careful to stay in the shadows so as no one notices my reappearance.

Specifically the sherriff -- and so I slip through the doors, creeping, unseen, next to the wall.

I make my way towards the girl and -- a merchant.

I materialize -- or so they must think -- before them, and sit down in the chair, watching their agape faces.

"Hello, Princess," I say quietly and calmly, then add "-- though, of course, you are not mine." My eyes glisten, silver, through the cowl of my cloak. My black shafted and feathered arrows sit in my quiver, unmoving, and my sleek, black longbow rests on my shoulders.

~~~

My apologies that I have not posted lately. 

submitted by The Ranger
(February 21, 2023 - 7:14 pm)

I watch, concerned, as darkness seeps from the catlike person. when it stops, I decide that it is time to keep wandering, as my name suggests.

I leave some coins on the table, then softly walk out of the tavern.

I enter an alley, then climb up a ramshackle brick wall. The building's roof is wide, slightly angled up. I tread lightly so as not to leave claw marks. 

Dawn is coming on. the cold, slightly damp wind pierces my cloak. The horizon is now starting to glow golden, casting black silhouettes of houses and trees.

it may have been my imagination, but perhaps the darkness of night lingered for moments longer than it should have.

I swiftly climb to the tallest tower, and watch as the day begins. 

submitted by a wanderer
(February 21, 2023 - 10:51 am)

I am not Echo or Pangolin. Sorry, @ the lamplighter. 

submitted by The Matchstick Girl, *yawn*
(February 21, 2023 - 10:18 pm)

'who am i?', the question of all beginnings. 

and that is where i began. 

who am i? 

am i a human or a raven or a crow or a giraffe or the beloved eagle that soars so high? could i be a cheetah, speeding to catch up with it's enemies? 

nobody knows. 

i can be humanoid or unhumaniod. 

animalistic or plantlike. 

it depends on how i feel, really. 

 

i could be whatever i wanted to be. 

 

i stroll through the streets, my brightly colored wings flared out beside me, attracting looks from strangers. they've never bothered me- really. i don't need therapy. 

although sometimes a particularily snarky lady will come up to me and take some. 

that never ends well. 

and unluckily for them, it happens today. 

some snarky child has come to pick a feather. 

with a hiss, i swat away their hand, my fingers growing sharp, jagged scales until they're more claws than fingers. 

"don't touch it, lady." 

she goes back in again. 

i screech, an inhumane screech that echoes through the streets. 

and then i take off.  

submitted by a cursed shifter.
(February 23, 2023 - 2:45 pm)

I lean back in my seat, impressed. I'd never really expected this princess to possibly even consider going back. She's quite brave, braver than I'd ever expected. 

"Just a moment," I say, standing up. I walk back to my table and open my satchel. The potion bottles inside gleam, casting an array of colors on the side of the bag. I pull out a glittering red potion. I only have one of these potions on me, the ingredients it requires are quite rare and it takes a long time to brew. I pick up my satchel and return to Whisper's table.

Before I can say anything, a barmaid comes over carrying my soup and tea. I'd completely forgotten I had ordered them. "Thank you," I say, nodding to her. Then I turn to the princess. I hold out the potion and she stares down at it.

"This potion will make you look however you would like to appear. You drink half the bottle and the effects will last for twenty hours. When that runs out, you can drink the other half, that will last for twenty hours as well. Just picture what you want to look like, then drink. Keep in mind that this potion can also change height, voice, and age." 

Whisper gently takes the bottle and stares at it. She sloshs the red liquid and frowns nervously.

"Also the taste is quite unpleasant, but it doesn't last for long."

Whisper nods grimly. "When should I drink it?" She asks.

"Whenever you are ready. We can't leave quite yet, I would like to enjoy my meal first."

Whisper places the bottle on the table. "Do you have anymore?"

I smile. "No, but if you can get me into the castle, I'll make you another bottle." I eat a spoonful of soup. It's warm and incredibly comforting. Whisper is looking around the tavern, her body tense and her eyes slightly panicked. "You know," I say softly. "You don't have to help me. If you don't want to, just keep the potion. I -"

Suddenly, a person appears right in front of us. Whisper jumps and clutches at the table. I startle and reach into my satchel, ready for attack. "Hello, Princess - though, of course, you are not mine," They say quietly, as they sit down in the remaining chair. Their smile is crooked, much like mine. But I don't relax, a bow is strapped to their shoulder, glimmering obsidian black. A Ranger. 

 

I am neither Writing_in_the_dark or Zealatom! This will probably lead to me being guessed quite quickly, but my name has not been said on this thread yet.

@Runaway Princess, are you Luna Silvermoon? 

submitted by A Merchant
(February 23, 2023 - 6:05 pm)

“my, my, my,” i stroll into the room, my angelic wings flaring out behind me. today i’ve chosen the form of an angel; although i could very well turn into a bird at any given moment. 

“what do we have here?” my voice has a lilt to it, almost like i’m teasing the people. “hmm, a princess, a ranger, and a merchant. how ordinary.” 

i laugh softly. “but nonetheless; i heard from a little birdie, otherwise known as my instincts, that there was a particularly large aura of magic here. i suppose it’s from the potion?” 

i nod towards the red bottle. “sweetheart, you might want to hide that. the maids here are more known for their fast fingers than for their service.” 

nonetheless, i smile sweetly at the maids who are eavesdropping behind the counter, shooting them a glare that clearly means business. they scurry away, and i turn back to the conversation, pulling up a chair and sitting down. 

‘’so, dears, i suppose i should introduce myself. my name is yanyan xue, which roughly translates to smoke snow. my official title, at least in these parts, is burning snow enchantress. my sister is the scarlet snow maiden; if you’ve heard of her? i suppose not. if you need anything related to magic, i’ll have it. i’m not an enchantress for nothing— but, loves, that’s enough about me. what about you all?” 

i lean back in my chair, my green eyes glowing with what may perhaps be joy. 

i feed on demon souls from changshi lake, not humans. 

a little laugh escapes my mouth.


submitted by an enchantress
(February 25, 2023 - 2:53 pm)

Soooory I didn't have free time for this lately...

One. Two. Three. 

Forgetting the Clockmaker, I stand up and make my way to the fireplace. This can't go on for longer, like this. My fur is already sagging with siponed darkness once more.

Four. Five.

The fire is burning contently, bright and tall. It is very tempting.

Six.

I hold out my hand towards the flame. It stutters, hissing. Then it goes out instantly as shadows cancel the light.

Seven.

I sigh as balance returns, for now. I need a constant light source to keep this up, or some magic cores at least. None are in reach, unless...

Eight.

My condition drops slightly as the Enchantress enters.

Hold up. 

A glow of intrest flashes into my yellow eyes.

So that's your game.

One turn of events. One corresponding action. One change. One imbalance. "Hah." I grin to no one in paticular. "So, that's the rule, isn't it? The one rule. One turn, one chance." Some new gazes focus on me as I speak. "And it's my turn."

No one seems to understand what my words mean, but I don't care. This puts a whole new light on things. Grinning, I push myself away from the fireplace. I close my eyes and concantrate. Beckoning, I flick my tail at the doorway of the tavern.

"Come." 

There is a screech, a thump, and a dragging sound outside. Ignoring some customers who have stood up at the unexpected sound, I open the tavern entrance and find my target sprawled on the pavement outside. They look rather dazed. Not for long though. Picking up my old elegance, I saunter out to drag them back into the room.

"What are you doing?" The Enchantress stops me halfway.

I admit that dragging people into taverns are rather strange, but she can't expect me to dine outside, can she? So I ignore her, flicking my tail for silence.

She persists however, talking in that same extotic accent. "Is this for some sort of ritual? I can't see any reason for you to do this."

I sigh. Are living souls so hard to get by these days that I can't even devour one without being critizised? Honestly...

~~~~~

In my opinion, three-and-a-half wall breaks are always fun to write. My conviction stands.

submitted by The keeper
(February 26, 2023 - 9:26 am)

hold up

 

I observe that someone might be being dragged inside. By one of THEM.

Oh,wait yep,confirmed

Can't let that happen.

I draw my pen, flinging it out in a less then graceful fashion, the order would be mad at that.if they knew, that is.Next,my notebook,parchment singed from the last entity.Then,all that I know next begins to 

Ink,swishing, drawing, cutting

Annd done

" Excuse me,Mr, keeper was it? You have ten seconds to stop the soul-sucking before I exorce you with this going here"

I love my job 

submitted by The magus
(February 26, 2023 - 7:50 pm)

A single sigh. 

"When will you midgets learn?" 

My finger swishes ever so slightly, and a dagger fan appears in midair. Two snaps of a finger, and I turn into what I believe is my true form. 

Two dragon-like wings that could destroy the room in two beats, a pair of eyes filled with nothing but poison and fire and smoke. A long tail made of metal and sharp bits and pieces from junkyards. 

"I don't think you understand, my little soul-devourer. I am far more powerful than you could fathom. And... I appreciate your help, sweetheart, but I really don't need anything like that. Now. If you'll excuse me," I say, my tail swinging around me, "I have something to get back to." 

A crimson pen filled with blood and poison appears next to me as well, and I use that to tick something off my notebook. 

I shift back into my humanoid form, before kicking down the door. 

~~ 

please don't god-mod; thank you.  

*i* would never allow myself to stoop that low. 

/lightheartedly, of course.  

submitted by the enchantress
(February 26, 2023 - 10:31 pm)

Oh, my, things are happening. This should  be fun.

"What shall we do?" I murmur to Fluffles. "So many powerful people. I doubt the Magus would be interested in speaking to 'assassin scum' like me. The Mage Guild always loved looking down its nose at the rest of us. The Enchantress, she's boring. Just another soul-eater. I'll see if I can learn something from the Keeper or the Clockmaker. What the Keeper needs is a powerful light source... I could probably get that for them."

I glance at the Clockmaker. The Keeper will be back to speak to them more, I'm sure. The Keeper needs something from them. For now, I might as well speak to that Ranger. Sooner or later I'll probably have to talk to the Lamplighter as well. I doubt they'll let me leave without confrontation.

So I wander over to the Princess's table and wordlessly slide into a seat.

submitted by The Assassin
(February 27, 2023 - 11:27 am)
submitted by TOPestii, don't die, castle!
(March 9, 2023 - 9:16 pm)

Don't let this die! (Or vanish into the misty darkness of the backpage, just when I was getting around to joining...)

submitted by top
(March 11, 2023 - 4:47 pm)

Welp, if you want it to stay alive, you better post something, cuz I posted last, so theres not much I can do to help.

Ugh, everything i've said on this thread is just word vomit.... :D

submitted by The A-TOP-in, AKA The Assasin
(March 13, 2023 - 1:08 pm)

Joing this either today or tomorrow!

submitted by top
(March 27, 2023 - 12:40 pm)

I pick my way through the snow-swallowed streets carefully, although I can’t feel any of the cold.

My mind revolves on what I was supposed to have done a while ago: Prevent Princess Whisper from escaping from the castle.

What I’m doing right now: Returning the princess to the castle, immediately.

Soon dawn will arrive and gloss the sky with clouds the color of roses. Soon the dark will scatter into the corners of the earth and I’ll be forced to run to the castle.

Returning empty handed will be rewarded by…punishment, in simplest terms, which I’m certain I won’t be able to bear.

Returning with the princess will be rewarded by restoration of all the things I’ve lost over the years.

I duck into a deserted alley and melt into the darkness against a pile of convenient crates. To all human and non-human eyes, I appear to be a tired young girl, my wispy black hair and drab gray cloak blowing in the wind. The type of child who’s hard to track down and hard to notice.

After a moment of mentally searching through the kingdom, I find what I am looking for.

The tavern.

Desperate souls. Clocks. Magic. Fear. Light. Shadows.

And one frightened princess.

There is danger here, as well as powerful magic, although of course I’m not afraid. If the deity causing it did sense my presence and try to devour my soul, they wouldn’t be able to, mainly because there wouldn’t be one.

Decision made. I wait till the door of the tavern opens and then slip through (It’s tremendously annoying, but in my present state, I can’t interact with objects in the physical world). The princess is seated in the corner, whispering to a merchant. The merchant takes a red potion out of their satchel and starts talking. Whisper tilts the twinkling bottle, nodding.

I exhale sharply, remembering that I can’t hear them. Unless I…

My sense of sight vanishes instantaneously, replaced with a hubbub of sounds. I focus, and then I hear…everything.

“When should I drink it?” Whisper asks.

“Whenever you are ready,” the merchant replies, “We can’t leave quite yet, I would like to enjoy my meal first.”

“Do you have any more?”

No. No, no, no.

This could ruin everything.

I hear the clink of a utensil. “No, but if you can get me into the castle, I’ll make you another bottle,” says the merchant.

Now. Now is the time to act.

Just as I’m preparing my magic, I hear a voice that chills me to my very soul, and believe me, not many things scare me. 

“Hello, Princess,” it says, matter-of-factly. 

submitted by A Spy, age young, the tavern
(March 27, 2023 - 2:44 pm)