MegaTreeSeed t1_iy6u7fi wrote on November 29, 2022 at 4:19 AM

Reply to comment by Substantial-Spend-59 in The reason I failed no nut November by zachariusfrost

You wander through the woods to get some wendussy ONE TIME and suddenly you've got a few new monthly bills. Ones that can't be paid in cash.

MegaTreeSeed t1_iy6skpy wrote on November 29, 2022 at 4:05 AM

Reply to comment by AutoModerator in [WP] Every time you cooked over a campfire, you would throw some food into the fire as an offering to the gods. One evening, just as you're about to perform your little campfire ritual, you hear a voice behind you say "You know, I would very much prefer my food un-burnt." by DragoTheFloof

I mean I actually do this, though the offering is to the fire itself. Every time I make s'mores at least one full s'more gets fed to the fire, as well as many marshmallows. Same when I cook anything over a fire. Probably stems from the scene in howls moving castle where he feeds calcifier during breakfast.

MegaTreeSeed t1_iu7i3jq wrote on October 29, 2022 at 3:36 AM

Reply to comment by jon_stout in [WP] "I WILL NOT LISTEN TO THIS ANY LONGER" "But Your Majesty, the prophe-" "You want me to send a GODDAMN TEENAGER TO FIGHT WHEN WE HAVE TRAINED SOLDIERS" by JustLostInInternet

It was one of my favorite shorts from college lit! And this prompt just fit so I figured I'd give it a shot!

MegaTreeSeed t1_iu6myn6 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 11:15 PM

Reply to [WP] "I WILL NOT LISTEN TO THIS ANY LONGER" "But Your Majesty, the prophe-" "You want me to send a GODDAMN TEENAGER TO FIGHT WHEN WE HAVE TRAINED SOLDIERS" by JustLostInInternet

"You want me to send... a child. A literal, actual, child?" The king shook his head. "My predecessor may have been fond of child soldiers, master prophet, but I am not."

"But surely, surely you cannot allow the entire kingdom to fall? The prophecy-"

"DAMN THE PROPHECY! We walked away from that cursed place, we chose to be better and DAMN IT!"

"So, what shall you do? You cannot hope to defeat the dark lord! Once you call prophecy from the gods it must come true, that's how this works. If you learn of the future it becomes written!"

The king slumped in his throne. He knew, he knew all of this. He'd learned it in the pristine academy when he was younger, his eldest brother's sacrifice for their former nation granting his family a lot of privilege.

"You cannot defeat him, sire."

The king breathed a sigh as dire as grave wind.

"There are... other ways to neutralize a threat".

The priest looked confused, and watched with some trepidation as the king began to call forth scribes and calligraphers, sending messengers to his court.

The priests eyes widened as he realized.

"YOU MEAN TO TRY DIPLOMACY? With that, that fiend?!"

The king looked to be a hundred years old in that moment, the vim and vigor of his young 20's completely lost.

"I will save my people. I will not allow another Omelas to rise on my soil. The monarchy, this monarchy, is finished. Perhaps it is for the best. One man should not have this much power over the lives of so many. In that, our dark lord is correct."

"So you mean to form an alliance?"

"Alliance? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Diplomatically we will have more options. We can win more time. He has shown himself to be open to negotiations witother nations. I cannot defeat him. But I will not doom a child to suffer in my stead. If I fail, it will be my burden. I will leave my people the tools to stand without me, and if I fail they will be left the means to try again."

The king rose, his confident posture and determination returning.

"I am no longer a hero, nor was I ever truly one. In fact, if my brother still lived, he'd probably call me a coward, or worse. But... but I cannot allow what you suggest. But a diplomat? This... this perhaps I can do."