Prompt: Broken

“Mama Mama!”

Callista's paw was tugged and she looked down to the entreating, squeaky voice. Her daughter was bouncing and pointing eagerly to the walkway that lead to the Ligacus Aquilo Waypoint. Her brother followed Aelia's pointing and added his squeaky voice to the pleas, tugging Callista's other paw.

“Smow?”

Callista knew Robar meant snow. The cubs adored playing in the snows around Hoelbrak and it was hard to explain to them why traveling through the asura gates could be a dangerous game of chance these days. With one waypoint down in Lion's Arch...

“No snow for now, little ones.”

Prompt: Stumble

It was a mad dash as the two little cubs wove around the room avoiding their pursuer. Aelia had the advantage at first until she tripped over her oversized paws. Her brother dashed off, leaving her behind to her fate. Aelia's baby blue eyes widened and she squeaked with alarm as the large attacker sprang on her. Desperate, she scampered on her feet and sparked off an instinctual spell, leaving a faint magenta line traced between her and the large figure.

“Woah now!”

Her father wasn't blocked by the fledgling curtain, but it did cause him to stumble his landing.

((Label Callista Ironmaker because this is her family))

Prompt: Inspired

The scoopula clattered across the table as Deoir gave a frustrated scoff. She rubbed her temples, weary from another failed attempt at the synthetic she was trying to create. She'd been at it for too many consecutive hours, she rationalized. She took her staff and headed outside for a break.

The evening breeze blew against her face as she rested under a blossoming tree, her minions curled in her lap. When she awoke later, she drowsily toyed with some ivy attempting to curl around her fingers. Deoir smiled slightly as inspiration struck; she might finally have something for Felix.

Prompt: Sad, But True

Teekla was about to return to her studies in the Reach with the leyline reports, but the perplexing quandary Vimm presented her with was niggling at her brain.

If his situation was accurately described, he was seemingly in a rather dismal situation. Teekla highly prized recordings during research. If research was being sabotaged, even by one's own hand...

She went to a terminal and entered her clearance. Maybe first, she'd run a little background check...

And perhaps after that, she could find a way to put a little computer containment within the inventor's system...

Prompt: Gentleness

Seneca smiled at the end of the song. “Very gentle. Reminds me of you.”

“Me?” Callista returned with surprise. She shook her head. “I admit I seek calmness and mercy, but on the field I work with explosives and high-power firearms. I am hardly gentle.”

Seneca chuckled. “I'm talking about you Calli. Not your work. Or do you hide a wild side I don't know about? Do you scratch up Dryden during a romp in the sheets?” She laughed heartily at the shocked and vaguely horrified look on the younger charr's face. “Trust me Lil' One, you're a gentle charr.”

Prompt: Sugar Rush!

Diana regretted letting the girls have so many treats at the Menagerie. The pair were running and jumping around the room while Zaree chattered about the Jester airship, her favorite topics these days. “It is ever so nice! I can show it to you!”

“I wanna see the airship!”

“We're going to visit grandma and grandpa in Claypool this weekend girls.” Diana reminded them. That halted the girls dashing around the room as they looked at each other. Diana used the pause to clap her hands with a smile. “How about a game of Mad King Says before bed?”

Prompt: Triumph

Caedyn had thought she'd known what she'd signed up for; she'd joined a group of powerful hunters to take down a dragon on a grand scale hunt. But this hadn't been a hunt, but a war. One with innocent folks, many likely never even lifted a sword, slain in the streets.

She'd come into the Vigil with a bit of a chip on her shoulder, but her comrades still saw a change from even that fiery-ness. She was more intense, more focus, and, with mixed reactions they noted, she'd stopped leading evening moot songs. Even after the triumph over Scarlet.

Prompt: Commotion

Mazu took advantage of the commotion between a Peacemaker and a hapless fellow to pick a few pockets. She rarely came out to Rata Sum, but with her ship and hometown in ruins, she was drifting without a port. She'd had to let what remained of her crew go.

Short cons of false shuffles and shell games weren't going to get her sailing again. Maybe it was time for a bigger take. She considered for a bit, deciding a good option might just be running the White Mantle Scam on an Inquest krewe. She just needed to find a shill.

((Note: shrill is a confederate of the con artist, who may act like a friend/peer of the victim in a scheme))

Prompt: Wanted (II)

Naevia nervously fidgeted, claws absently flicking the end of the purple ribbon tied on her wrist as she watched the stars.

Two application forms diligently filled out and turned in that she awaited being processed. Even though she'd been assured they were practically formalities, Naevia was nervous she would somehow be denied formal clearance after all.

She wondered if asking that she could get what she wanted counted for one wish or two. Probably better to wish on two falling stars, she decided. One for the warband and one for the apprenticeship. Just in case.

Prompt: Wanted

Helen twirled her hair around her finger. It was a rare night her mother was joining them for dinner and Helen was certain the relaxed setting with both her parents present would offer the best chance of success to her request.

“Mother, I'd like to travel out to the Vigil Keep and see how the recovery of the Arch is starting.”

“That countryside is dangerous, Helen.”

“Scarlet's dead now- I can offer better aid if I see for myself what they need.”

“No-”

“Let her go, Julie.” her father cut in. “She needs to see more of the world.”

Prompt: Elegance Embodied

Freya had always admired her mother's beauty. Like Freya, she had russet auburn hair and deep, emerald eyes. But, unlike the tanned, freckled, and lanky young adult, her mother was porcelain, statuesque, and, in Freya's eyes, perfect. She was an embodiment of elegance and beauty.

That is, she had been. Freya looked over at her mother. The thinning hair and sunken cheeks gave away her illness as much as the hazy unfocused quality of her eyes. The shaman cautioned Freya that her mother would need a full-time caretaker soon. Freya began to consider finding better paying work outside Snowden.

Prompt: Escapism

((Continuation of Prompt: Rage!))

She stayed outside, not returning to Ragnar's. She slept under the stars and uncharacteristically went escaping her troubles by creating stories of the charr walking around the factorium.

Her fanciful narratives were interrupted, overhearing some traveling bakers plan to sell his expired pastries and hit the road thereafter. His partner expressed concern, saying, “Even my iron stomach would get sick on those!”

Naevia was dismayed when the partner quelled, even more dismayed to see their target: the kindly charr who'd offered her a doughnut before. With a quick lightning whip, she snapped the chandelier cord. Rancid eclairs were splattered everywhere.

Prompt: Excitement

Callista walked into their quarters that afternoon and was surprised to find Dryden standing in front of... something. Furniture, she guessed, but it was hard to tell with the black cloth draped over it. He was looking at her with bright eyes that did little to hide the excitement he was feeling. “Know what today is?”

Callista blinked at the question and rattled off the date, she was perplexed as he looked at her, obviously expecting more. Finally, he broke into a grin and exclaimed enthusiastically. “It's our anniversary!” Callista gasped as he removed the cloth to reveal his present for her: an upright piano.

Prompt: Remembrance

A head of blond hair caught Freya's attention. She went about her duties, serving Durgar's guests, but her eyes kept darting back to the jovial blond fellow in the back.

Memories of her brother came to mind. He'd been so cheerful and exuberant. As cheerful as his blond hair. She remembered so well how he had little resemblance to herself and mother. He'd taken after his father, tall and fair-haired. He would be sixteen now, and Freya wondered, as she eyed the visitor, if she'd be able to recognize him if she saw him.

Prompt: Rage!

She'd been sad, depressed, and uncertain for a while. But now, she was just angry.

She sat on a rooftop overlooking the factorium with her uncle's letter in her paws. There were a lot of question in it: asking where she was, if she was alright, why she had left... She could read the worry and concern. However, there was also a good deal of scolding.

How could you do this Naevia? I cannot condone going Gladium.
This is not a solution to your problems.

It kindled the same fury she'd felt when Drub attacked her. She crumpled the letter.

Prompt: Going Home

Freya took one last look around the lush gardens. Everything was so alive, so green in this Krytan land. It was incredibly warm as well, though some of the talk she'd overheard by the locals seemed to indicate they found the weather mild at best. Freya couldn't imagine how hot the summers were here. Still, she thought she would very much like to see more of the area.

It would have to wait, she told herself. She needed to go home and make sure mother had enough firewood and the walkways were clear of ice.

Prompt: Hungry

Naevia had been looking over maps, trying to figure out where she might go. Honestly, she was no closer today than she had been yesterday. She'd been hiding in Ragnar's office while he was gone. She probably would have stayed lurking in the shadows if hunger hadn't spurred her out. She went to one of the booths selling food in the factorium, looking through her pockets for some coppers. A charr walked past with a large box of doughnuts. Naevia's stomach growled at the sight of them.

“Want one?” Erevu offered, holding a frosted doughnut out. “They were on sale!”

Prompt: Leaps and Bounds

((In honor of Zaree getting her Tarot Card with the Jesters last night))

Zaree was so pleased with her Jester's card. It made her official! A real Jester!
She bounded up to all her friends, showing them her new card: The Two of Plumes.

Papa Nik told her that is was a card that symbolized first steps. Zaree thought that made it a very good card for herself. She loved stepping into new places for the first time. And she wasn't just good at stepping, you know! She was good at skipping, leaping, and bounding too!

She would be sure to do them all very well, just like her card said she would!

Prompt: Copious

There are things to watch out for when you are a walking static charge. Like avoiding mishaps from brushing against folks. Or going for a swim and having a large, stronger shock radius.

Naevia was pretty good at containing her spark overall. Mostly. She did perfect walking around in ice and rain with a shield to keep herself from getting wet or sending out unintended surges.

Still, she was prone to mishaps now and then. Particularly around sensitive electric or magnetic equipment. She had a feeling she should avoid visiting Rata Sum. Not that she could crash that place... right?

Prompt: Freezing

It was pretty harsh weather to be chopping wood, but they needed the fuel to warm the house during the unexpected spring blizzards.

Looking back, Freya was amazed she'd heard the pitiful hoot over the howling wind. Even more amazed she'd spotted the small fledgling snow owl being blown with swirls of snow into the drifts.

Bundling the little creature inside her fur coat, she promised him that she would try and help him find his family when the snow cleared. The baby owl blinked at her, slow and uneven, before giving a pleased hoot.

Prompt: Humility

She isn't like a lot of her kinsmen. She doesn't spend hours at a moot swapping tales of her deeds or her hunts. She doesn't proudly boast her name to everyone she meets, nor have unease that she cannot.

But even a humble norn can have her pride, and even Freya has her sticking point. She may be certain she'll never have a name, status, or a true family of her own, but she's determined to care for the little family she has with her own hands. She won't have anyone think she cannot manage to provide for her home.

Prompt: Envy

Naevia was the tail of the patrol. Again.

In a warband with uneven numbers, she always seemed to be the odd one out. They'd all known each other in the fahrar. And Argalus, who'd been made Legionnaire, wasn't going to bother with breaking up friends or changing the patrol style into marching in rows of three to fit the nine charr 'band.

Drub marched beside him in the front, as second-in-command. No surprise. They were best friends.

Naevia trudged in the back, feeling a little envious of the normal charr who could so easily make friends in their own warbands.

Prompt: Nevermore

Freya fingered the owl totem. It was only a few inches tall; easy to carry inside a pocket. It had been carved by her great-great-great grandmother.

Not for the first time, did Freya wonder how her ancestor had felt. How she had coped. How had she gone on when she lost the voices of the Spirits and nevermore could call on them to take form? Unlike her long deceased ancestor, Freya was used to the silence.

“It is what it is.” She said softly to the totem, wondering if her philosophy was inherited from the little totem's maker.

Prompt: So THAT'S What That Is

Seneca awoke from a long nap on her relaxing day off to find two letters awaiting her attention.

The official Citadel seal caught her attention and she was bewildered to read that she was being fined for “unauthorized alterations to Citadel property and use of materials.”

What is that about? Seneca wondered.

The second letter contained the answer. Apparently Oreaora has rigged up a shower system in Seneca's allotted workplace. Seneca ran a paw over her face. “And with the Gladium Canton facilities just next door...” She sighed. “Gonna have to talk with that Small One.”

Prompt: Aches and Cramps

Callista was just removing her shoes, working around her growing baby bump, when the tent flap opened. “Dryden!”

Her mate smiled and plopped onto the cot beside her. “How're you feeling?”

“I am well.”

Dryden chuckled. “Seneca said you would say that.” He slipped his paws under her shirt and kneaded her scarred back, his hands glowing with soft blue light. “How's that?”

Callista sighed softly as his kneading worked away the aches and cramps. “It feels wonderful.”

Dryden's lop-sided smile broadened in a grin and he nuzzled her neck. “Good.”

Prompt: Pepper

“It's nothing. I'm old. My dam died at 33 because of a heart condition, so it's damned amazing I've lived this long.”

“Seriously, take your pills. It's weird when you're the pessimist between the two of us.”

The white tiger face, peppered with gray, wrinkled in annoyance. “I hate popping pills.”

Turia rolled her eyes. “You know you have this weird habit of throwing common sense out the window when you're in pain?”

Seneca chuffed. “Maybe I'm just senile.”

Turia snorted with a chuckle. “Mysts will freeze over before you actually turn senile, Senna.”

((Senna's feeling her age from the battering she took in LA and her friend has noticed and is trying to get her to take painkillers. Senna can be stubborn sometimes..))

Prompt: BEEEEEEEEES!

“Hey!” snarled Drub, stumbling back to his feet. “She's sneaking air magic in again!” He tattled to the magic instructor.

“Naevia-” The Primus growled.

Naevia was going to defend her dust devil when her attunement caught the stone spike that Drub started casting. She jumped, flipping high in the air and landing out of its range. Angry with her spar partner's tactics, she flung a stone shard into the tree above him.

“Ha!” Shouted Drub. “Can't- AAAAHHH!!”

He squealed like a baby kitten as a hornet's nest crashed down and the angry swarm surrounded him.

((Takes place when Naevia was young and practicing earth magic in a spar with her fahrar mate/nemesis, Drub.))

Prompt: A Time and Place for Everything

“How can you let him do THIS?!”

Seneca didn't look up from the form she was filling out. “Because, it is something he wants and, more importantly, something he needs to do for himself.”

Axtus snarled. “You can't LET him go gladium, Flintfire!”

“He isn't going to be a gladium, you lug-head.” Seneca's eyes flicked up to see Axtus' stunned expression. “What? You think I've been on the Flint squad for over 22 years without earning some pull with the paper-pushers up stairs? Give me some credit. And close your mouth, you're catching flies.”

Prompt: Repair Job

“Callista, that- heating unit- in tent four isn't working. Do you know who can fix it.”

Callista looked over at Diana. “Just give a strong kick to the base of it.”

Diana blinked. “...Kick it?

Callista nodded. “Yes. Kick it. If that does not work, kick it harder.”

Diana blinked, then burst into light-hearted laugher that had several patients turning toward the warm sound. “You're joking!”

Callista's whiskers twitched as she turned back to her patient. “Not at all.”

Diana's bell-like laugh rose again. “I'll never look at Asuran tech the same again.”

Prompt: Not so Subtle

((This takes place a few days before Scarlet's attack.
It involves Zaree's paint jobs on the Jester airship! One of the guilds that Zaree is a member of.))

Zaree's tongue was between her lips as she fixed the last screw in before stepping back.

It had taken her some time, but she had finally managed to find the shiniest of brass sevens. She was delighted with her find. The seven was a thin sheet of highly polished brass, but it was the scale of it that delighted Zaree. At four feet tall, it filled a sizable area of the door. All around it, swirls of greens and purples that Zaree had painted on the door. Golden suns with flaming rays. Roses in red.

Donari would love it!

Prompt: Toxin

She had not asked Felix how he obtained the sample; it didn't matter.

What mattered was she was able to perfect the antitoxin she'd obsessively brewed from the data on the miasma-touched spores she'd collected herself. Antitoxin that was quickly fused into filters for the masks of the team. It would not keep the debilitating miasma at bay indefinitely, toxins not its only components, but it would hold it off for quite some time. And it would keep the members of her Order from suffering the plague-like cough that the toxins wracked on the lungs of those exposed to it.

Prompt: Pristine

She was in Applenook when it began.

She was in a rescue squad rushing the transformed war zone soon after.

Her immediate response proved her unprepared for the scale of enemies, she ran out of arrows far too quickly. Her bowstring snapped when she tried improvising arrows on the fly.

It was the sliver glint that caught her eyes. Zaree pulled the hilt from the rubble of the Trading Post. She knew swordsmanship, but this was the first she'd ever held such a large, pristine blade. It worked well, she decided, as she clashed steel with the Courtiers encircling her.

Prompt: Hindsight

If only...

She stared unseeing at the canopy of the infirmary tent above her. Her mind on a sadistic replay of the searing heat, the stench, the screams. The sight of her ship a burning wreckage in the harbor. She'd run from the Hooligan's Route, fecklessly shooting at the enemies swarming into the bombed streets. Rat-tailed Jones and Cerrel were dead on the docks. She wanted to search for the others but a firebomb exploded in the walls behind her and everything went dark.

If only she'd listened...

If only she'd sailed out on those calm morning seas...

If only..

Prompt: Mortal

Callista held it together as she washed her paws and arms. She held it together as she removed the mask on her muzzle and walked through the camp. Volunteers bustling, patients coughing, birds flying.

It was when she was sheltered from watching eyes behind one of the tents in the Junction Haven that she stumbled, steadying herself against the cold stone wall as her other paw covered her silent tears.

Callista's tail curled around her feet, letting the grief out before she would need to rally for the next patient. Nothing was as hard as losing one of the children.

Prompt: Cold Hearth

“The fire's out.”

Deoir turned to the deep, growling voice; her white eyes bright in the dim, candlelit room. He was right, she'd continued working, headless of the cold in the room setting in with the dead hearth. “No matter.”

Felix looked around the room, his masked eyes grazing over her notes. They were written in an cryptic shorthand of her own design. “I suppose our base is no matter to attend to now that you've evacuated your research.”

“On the contrary,” Deoir replied coolly. “I fully intend to be at hand during the invasion.”

Prompt: Complete and Total Failure

THREE PART NAEVIA DRABBLE TALE! PART III:

“Well, that was stupid.”

Naevia blinked groggily, looking around the infirmary. “Where am I? What happened?”

“You pretended to drain all your air magic, only, really, you hoarded it up and gave yourself a heart attack. Any of this ringing a bell?” Drub smirked at her. “You gave your mentor a bad shock when she went to help you. She's left. Says you're unteachable.” Drub seemed to be enjoying explaining all this. “They sent for me when you woke up since I can control my elemental magic.”

Naevia knew trying to correct him was useless.

Prompt: Looming Darkness

THREE PART NAEVIA DRABBLE TALE! PART II:

She'd done it. Drained all her air magic as her mentor wanted.

It shouldn't feel like this, should it?

She felt so weak she had to actually think about remaining standing, at the same time, she focused on keeping the air magic at bay. Her heart was beating erratically in her her chest like a bird trying to stay flying. A tingling numbness spread up her arm.

Every instinct she possessed was screaming at her. This is wrong! This isn't natural!

She tried to tell her mentor, but the words were a slurred mess. “Isha ffur-”

Everything went dark.

Prompt: Taming of the Student

THREE PART NAEVIA DRABBLE! PART I:

“Just remember what I said, focus on grounding yourself. Pull on your earth magic if you need to once you drain the air.” The mentor reminded her.

“Can we not do this?” Naevia pleaded. “I swear, I tried this when I was little!”

Her mentor raised a brow and snarled in frustration. “Naevia. You heard the Primus tell you I can keep you out here until you do as I ask. Whatever you did as a child, you clearly did not have the control you have now. Do as I tell you!”

Neavia nodded, paws trembling.

Prompt: Keep it Moving

It was one of those sessions where fahrars from the three Legions worked together. Today, they marched on patrol in the heavy rain. One of the Iron pups was partnered with Naevia and eyed her ability to keep the rain off the pair of them enviously. “Man, elementalists are lucky.”

“Trust me,” Naevia chuckled. “You wouldn't like me wet.”

“We don't like you now.” Taunted Drub from behind her.

Naevia ignored her fahrar mate, but grinned when her temporary partner defended her anyway, shooting back. “You're a jerk!”

“Keep it moving!” The Primus bellowed.

((Drub is basically a lead bully and he is Naevia's nemesis in her fahrar.))

Prompt: Fortunes and Future

“Coming on the last few months, eh?” Seneca grinned at Callista.

“Yes.” The younger charr caressed her baby bump. “At least, I hope there will be and they do not arrive too early.”

Seneca shook her head with a chuckle. “You're probably one of the few dams I met who doesn't want her's out already. I can't see in the future, but I happen to think the fortunes will see to it that everything works out.”

Callista's small smile warmed. “I have been fortunate so far, and I do look forward to holding them.”

Prompt: Hugs!

((Naevia is only around four in this one.))

“You're all so cute!” The orange sylvari darted around, hugging the little cubs.

“Wait!” One cub called out as she reached for a particularly fluffy-looking black kit. “Don't touch her! She'll shock you!”

“Really?!” The sylvari looked at the kit.

Naevia's large blue eyes, sad and dejected, flicked between her fahrar mate and the strange sylvari. The whole fahrar was surprised when the sylvari touched a finger to her paw despite the warning. Especially when the sylvari giggled at the static spark she received, scooping up the delighted kit in a hug. “You're funny!”

Prompt: Overflow

This will work, Naevia thought, unleashing the largest electrical storm she'd ever conjured. She was focused, making sure all her elemental magic was pushed into the spell.

For a moment, it worked. Her fur settled with all the magi-elemental particles gone.

But, like water filling a capsized boat, the electric charges rushed back in a flood. So much, so fast, it was far beyond what she was used to. It was painful. She fell on her knees, clutching her burning chest.

“Using magic never hurts me,” boasted her fahrar mate.

Naevia glared, with watering eyes, “You're a jerk!”

Prompt: Infatuation

It was one of those emotions that Deoir felt was over-rated. She had experienced all she cared for their wavering highs and lows with empathetic intensity during and after the Dream.

Romance was distracting and far too prone to lead to disasters. Moments of heartaches possible in a variety of ways all diverging from a common source. She decided there were far better things to be infatuated with.

Her work. Her goals. Her talents.
These were things, not only worth devotion, but would rely on no one but herself. Why trust the fickle mutual loyalty of another?

Prompt: Rushed

Naevia's feet slid on the metallic Citadel floors. Her claws scratched, trying to find traction as she skidded around the ramp into the Canton.

Turning the corner, she halted with a stumble before her Primus.

“Naevia. You are late.”

“Sorry!” The black jaguar charr saluted hastily. “I sorta short-circuited my alarm on accident!” Naevia's ears flicked briefly back in guilt. Static sparks jumped from her mane to them, but other than a quick flick of the shocked ears, Naevia took no notice.

Her Primus growled at his wayward pupil. “Get in line. NOW!”

Prompt: Good Intentions, Bad Results

Little eight year old Helen watched the new maid struggle to light the fire in the drawing room.

“Let me help!” She called out and darted in the room.

The maid looked up with a chagrined blush. “My Lad-” Her address cut off with a cry of alarm. Helen's attempt to light a fire with her budding elementalist powers set sparks scattering, lighting the elegant floor rug on fire. Helen quickly doused the flames with a wave of water magic.

It took long hours to clean the mess, amid Helen's constant tears and apologies.

Mother was NOT pleased.

Prompt: Icy

Zaree was darting across the snow for Peeta's Gate to head home when her bare foot slid across a patch of icy ground. The collection of presents in her arms went flying as much as her feet.

“Oh no!”

Ignoring the aches on her side that would surely bruise to a dark green later, all her attention was on collecting her toys. She inspected them carefully, but other than having a fine dusting of snow, they were in fine condition.

“Oh peach fuzz!” Zaree sighed with relief, hugging them to her chest. “You're all okay!”

Prompt: Confessions

She awoke in Vasha's room, listening to the rain before giving in and rousing. This wasn't the first time this past week that the activity of her unborn cubs stirred her from her slumber. She pulled on her cushioned shoes and padded downstairs quietly.

In the kitchen, she sipped a glass of water and considered her new mentor. Grax was not what she would have expected from her commanding officer. She could never imagine confessing her troubles to Keeper Olda as she was learning to do with him. His demeanor these days was far less a superior. More a friend.

Prompt: Hunger

Her stomach growled.

Her sire snarled lowly, staring at her intently, as though daring her to speak. She knew better. She tried to meet his gaze without showing anything. Never show fear.

He chuffed at her, pulling out a ration pack from his robes and dropping it carelessly on the ground in front of her. A whole one. Callista kept her eyes down, holding her breath until he left. When the lock turned in the door, she grabbed the food, darting back to the corner, ears canted toward the door of the dim bunker. Just in case he came back...

Prompt: Nightingale

Kitty watched her mother get dressed for the annual Eldmere Ball. She swung her legs as she sat on her mother's bed, waiting.

When Diana finished pining up her hair, Kitty jumped down and darted up to the vanity. “Can I?”

Diana chuckled and pushed her jewelry box closer to her daughter. “Yes, dear.”

Kitty opened the lid carefully. Instantly, a soft melody began to fill the room. Kitty rested her head on her arms, watching the small, spinning silver nightingale with fascination as her mother selected her jewels.

Prompt: Shot Through the Heart

She looked at the evidence, wishing it were all some terrible joke. Her golden eyes flicked up to her grim first mate. “Bring him in.”

The burly norn nodded, stepping out of her cabin only momentarily before dragging in the bound boatswain.

Mazu eyed her childhood friend, masking her hurt at his betrayal with a somber mien. “Why?” She asked pointedly, slapping down the letter that had luckily been intercepted before making its way to Aetherblade hands.

David Grundy snorted, shrugging. “What do you care? You don't care what I want, Maz. You never 'ave!”

Prompt: Wrong Name

“We truly should compare notes sometime, Dee Dee.”

Deoir gritted her teeth and resisted the temptation to have her minion bite his ankles as she put away her purchase. “Of course, but some other time though. I'm afraid I don't have them on me.” She lied easily.

“Of course, of course.” The asuran alchemist bobbed and shuffled his wares.

Deoir scoffed and rolled her white eyes the minute the door closed behind her.

As if you would understand my formulas, she thought disdainfully. You can't even remember a simple name you've been told three times.

Prompt: Raindrops

A heavy rainstorm was rolling over the Citadel and fat raindrops clicked against the roof and windows. Seneca watched Callista's eyes as they followed the droplets racing patterns on the glass with fascination.

“Do you like the rain?” Seneca grinned.

The kit turned to her and hesitated, bearing a look of uncertainty. Seneca realized that she didn't know how to reply.

“Would you like a better look?” Seneca coaxed warmly.

Callista blinked, her whiskers perking forward. That was all Seneca needed and she carefully scooped the quiet little one out of bed and took her onto the porch.

((A longer version of this story is available here))

Prompt: Defend

((Continuation of the Drabbles for the Prompts: 'Duty' and 'Dead End'))

When word of Callista's warband's use of magic were passed along, the Centurion sent her second-in-command with a reprimand. Words Callista ignored.

“Did you hear me Legionnaire? You will give me an answer for breaking orders.”

“Look down the front lines, sir.”

He snarled and disdainfully glanced down the ranks. “What-” His words died away upon seeing what she meant. The waves of Risen were overwhelming the charr forces.

“If we survive this, the Centurion will do what she must.” Callista said evenly. “Until then, I will do what I must to defend my warband.”

Prompt: Futile

“Let me do this.”

“Can you fix it?”

“Yea, I remember what you showed me last time.”

“Really?”

“Maybe.”

“Move over.”

“No, I got this.”

“Really? Because you shouldn't cross the wire in your hand with-”

Too late. Sparks jumped from the circuit box and Axtus' fur fluffed like a bushy squirrel tail as the sparks jumped through his fur in a souped-up static frenzy. He wheezed and coughed, looking at the graying white tiger beside him. “Da---a---umn.”

Seneca shook her head. “No more circuit boards for you.”

Prompt: Chef, I am Not

“Koda's furry balls.” Caedyn cursed under her breath, looking around the kitchen.

It was an absolute disaster.

Smoke billowed from the stove and oven. Burned chicken in the pan and charcoal lumps on the sheet in the oven that were supposed to be rolls. She'd even had to scrap the salad when she realized she's cut herself while slicing the radishes and given the greens an undesirable bit of dressing...

“I ain't ne'er cooking no more!” The disgruntled norn growled to herself.

Prompt: Love and Passion

“See, part a what keeps the ship steady. She got what they got the bilge keels, you see. They like fins of a fish an' keep her from likin' to roll on.....”
.
.
.

“I'm sorry, you were saying?”

“I-- I. Um. I kinda be loos'n me train of thought when ya kiss me like that.”

“Mmm. Well, you talk too much, sometimes, but it's one of the things I love about ya.”

“Me? But I'm just a yeoman?”

“So? I'm just a cabin girl?”

“Aye, 'cept yer the purtiest cabin girl I eve--”

Prompt: Quite Unexpected

She thought that after all her reading and research, after her talks with Diana, that she would be prepared. Yet, even in the quiet, early hours as she kept a calm watch over her injured Whispers Director, not only did it take her unawares, she almost missed it entirely. The little fluttering captured her attention out of the blue, the outside world faded away as the young mother felt her babies for the first time with bated breath. In those minutes of quiet awe, her unconscious patient could have leapt from the bed and started a jig without her noticing.

Prompt: Pure Chance

((Man, I have neglected my poor Drabbles. I shall try and post more often in the future.))

She started to stand and winced. She pressed her hand briefly against her shoulder and it came away sticky with amber blood.

Crunches in the snow. She turned her head and saw a shadow step towards her from the trees.

Just Sunana.

She must have fallen during the fight. She looked up at the cliffs, where she had been hopelessly outnumbered by Svanir. Nothing above. Not a sound to be heard.

Lucky she landed in this big snow drift just by chance.