#the elementalists rewrite | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

bedlamgames · 2 years

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No Haven 0.972

Highlights for this one includes new Assignments, a new Race, Weapons, Emissary rework, Destinctions, and more

Download links can be found on the No Haven page.

If you don’t have RAGS and you need a copy to run it there’s one on the help page here or the one pinned on the patreon you can find a link to in the attached read me which is more up to date. If RAGS has never worked on your system despite the help page suggestions then it might be worth trying with one of the alternate players. There’s also improvements on there to the RAGS player that can also help with performance.

One thing I've noticed on the discord is that some people are using 3 and it's looking to me like less of a good idea than I might once have said for an incrasing number of reasons from usability to memory errors. If there's a red background when there's choices then regardless of what it says in the player (that's says what the game was made with, not what you're using) then I reccomend uninstalling the rags you're using and installing the version I've hosted on the link that can be found on the attached text file. There are more requirements than 3, but if you follow the guide there though then I'm sure that you won't have any problems.

0.97 to 0.972 Change logs under the break:

0.972 Change Log

-New Commissions: ---Changing Places. ---Decadence Like No Other. Old commission for this one is now used for Listening to Whispers which has had a rewrite to the intro and Success text to reflect the change in art from the former placeholder. Decadence has variants used for the intro, Female Gorgon Slaves, Futa Gorgon Slaves, Female Cityborn Slaves, and Futanari Cityborn. ---Supply Run and Sell Excess Supplies. Has three variants which will be chosen at random when you start the Assignment.

-Emissary Rework: ---You can now set a focus for your Emissary under General Orders. There's some new text when you assign one to notify that this is a thing you can do. This can be set to any of the Assignment types (yes even Crafting) and this can gain a variety of buffs, penalties, specific assignments of that chosen type, or improvements to rewards. ---The Emissary is now much more resilient with a variety of alternative bad things that can happen to them rather than just being removed or wounded. ---It's now possible for the Emissary to gain or lose a number of traits depending on the focus chosen. Though some of the better rewards like these do need the Emissary to have been on a number of trips before they are eligible to begin receiving them. ---Now how a slaver feels about Emissary work will also affect how good they are at the Scouting Assignments in the same way Guarding preferences works with Abandoned Watchtower. ---The previously helpful traits of Cunning (Cun), Fleet (Flt), Flying (Fly), Seductive (Sed), Persuasive (Per), Tactful (Tac) now help more often and also now stack rather than just having one of them. Mind Reader (Min) has been added to those and work in the same way with the same larger bonus that Flying (Fly) has. Other traits now help too for the type of Assignment chosen to focus on. Specifically there are : Slaving=Trainer (Trn), Infiltration=Sneaky (Sne), Trading=Logical (Lgl), Diplomacy=Friendly (Fnd), Exploration=Tracker (Tra), Marauding=Leader (Lea), Corruption=Depraved (Usc+), Defending=Honourable (Hon), Scavenging=Perceptive (Pcp), Crafting=Creative (Cre)

-Miscellaneous additions: ---Rewrote and improved the intros to all five Scouting Assignments. ---As I changed the corruption wording to be updated on Examine a while back to be more generated on Examine there's no need like there used to be to have Males as gender neutral in case of some transformation so I've changed that to be more specific and fixed some grammar issues caused by those variables in the process. ---Various Harpy types have had their favoured Trait of Singer (Sin) replaced. Icewyld got Elementalist: Water (E:Wa), Kestrae got Magic: Nature (M:Na), and Tsumi got Magic: Illusion (M:Il). Icewyld also should have had Nethemir as a Favoured Race but on checking incorrectly had Elementalist: Air so that's now been fixed. ---Updated the starting Harpy Trait packages. Lyonixin are now far more likely to also have Aggressive (Agg) if a Slaver or Defiant (Def) as a Slave, with a small chance for Slavers to have Onslaught (Agg+). Tsumi have lost Singer (Sin) entirely, and now are more likely to have Herbalism (Hrb), Loner (Lon), or Magic: Illusion (M:Il). Kestrae and Icewyld now have their own specific starting trait packages rather than sharing the Carrakar one and then just adding Agile (Agi) or Resilient (Res). ---Updated the starting Drider Trait packages to the proper full varied set most races get compared to the three options they used to come with. ---Changed the Harpy lore page to remove the comment about extra limbs which is no longer a thing for either NH Harpies or NH lamia. ---Updated the Neko racial to give them a Success bonus on Gloryhole Box, Saving Glory, and A Taste of Glory. ---There's now a variable cooldown between Forced Encounters with about ten days as the average but depends on the roll can be shorter or longer. The cooldown result is then reduced by three days on Hardcore Difficulty. ---Added an alternate oath during dialogue for Night Goblins and Drow to represent their totally not the same entity racial Goddess. ---The auction official who had such a grudge at their opposing number at the arena has mysteriously disappeared, and as such the penalty for selling an arena prize has been reduced from -300 to -100. While it has no gameplay effect it should be noted that the arena official in question now has a much better morale at work which could be put down to their new slave who they've been bringing in to keep under their desk. ---The addition to the examine gained from Basic Lesbian Training now has an Assignment bonus which is the same as having an Established Lesbian Mantra (does not stack if they have both). Now also has a Value Estimate bonus (does stack if also has a Fully Embedded Lesbian Mantra).

-New Content Improvements and fixes ---Many, many, many fixes for the Arrogance Storyline starting with the cock length that had been breaking things. Also a heavy amount of re-writing, and way, way more entirely new writing. A lot more depth and variation compared to the first attempt that was locked off by the cock length bug so probably a good thing you're seeing this version instead. This can result in a new Enchanted Item, and the potential Encampment Upgrades you can get are more potent and interesting, Some of the new text is based on your chosen race including an ending outcome that you can only get as a Lizardman. Had missed the asked for new planning out assignments text and bonus so that's also now in there and can change based on how things work out.

-Bug fixes: ---Fix for an issue where Common Deep Mountains Assignments other than Hold Back the Dark weren't being generated. ---Fix for losing a Spiritual Leader potentially removing the tracking of your Emissary instead. ---Fix for an issue where along with getting the eight day version of Pillow Talk as a reward you'd also get the Cathayan Caravan. That also blocked getting that Cathayan Caravan as a reward. ---Fix for the hidden wings corruption also giving you butt wings. ---Fix for being able to get Mind Reader (Min) on the player character with corruption. ---Fix for an issue where trying to cancel any of the Opportunity type assignments including Green Wooden Door could break the game. ---Fix for Gorgons not having a base race estimate value. ---Fix for the oversight with the new fae player character being able to go on Corner of your Own as the whore and getting removed for good on a Disaster. I've also now updated the Success, Fail, and Disaster text to better reflect the change in who is in charge. I've also added a couple of extra paragraphs to flesh out the regular Fail result. ---Fix for being able to buy slaver upgrades for yourself while you're not in the encampment. ---Fix for a whole load of issues that had been affecting Bed Warmers including other slavers using them. ---Fix for the Unique Aspect - Not So Unbreakable not working when being used for the bonus to coming along on Assignments. ---Fix for mercenaries not having weapon descriptions. ---Fix for some issues with the rewards on the last part of Temple Takeover.

0.971 Change Log

-Slaving Distinctions: ---To encourage more engagement with some of the mechanics now selling a a slave with one of the Tertiary Trainings via Opportunities, the Auction, and from certain Assignments where the gold you receive is based on the Slave's Estimated Value will earn a Slaving Distinction. ---Spending one of these will result in the next Assignment having a roll of 1% which likely will guarantee a Critical Success. ---There are limits on when these can be earned, when they can be spent, and how many can be earned which are covered in greater depth ingame. ---These can be found on the player as a new option like if you wanted to Examine yourself or do a Personal Assignment. ---As part of this you can now earn progress towards the Seller of Quality Special Encampment Upgrade from selling in the same place as earning Distinctions so that's now not Auctions only. This includes Tribute of the Lost where you earn Favour instead of Gold.

-New Commissions: ---Coastal Corsairs now with two parts. First part is also used for the Human Northerner Male Slave Examine and second part is also used for the Human Northerner Female Slave Examine. The first part will also be used as the Examine for Dark Elf Female Slavers with Black hair. Other colours will use the existing one. ---Dance the Night Away. Has a maskless version used for the Critical Success and the non Fel Tainted Slave Examine to replace the old cropped one. ---Savage Orc Portrait. Replaces the placeholder Far Ranger portrait with the new Far Hunta keeping her former traits and updated her description to match the new commissioned art. Has variants which replace the Orc Succubus and Orc Demi-Angel Portraits. They've also had their descriptions updated too.

-Miscellaneous additions: ---New playable Unique Fae start. Has a new Aspect which will increase the chance of Forced Encounters and allows them to go on A Corner of Your Very Own in the Slave position which has an alternate Critical Success instead of the normal one with some different text. ---New Super Negative: Meeting of the Miraculous (TF Edition only). Allows a full encampment with a choice of some of the rarest races such as Demi-Angels or Draki at the cost of increased Disaster chance on all Assignments outside of the Encampment. ---It's now possible to obtain a Unique Slave with a new Aspect from To Hunt a Paladin if you go on it and meet the requirements to be able to get her by having enough Rank Ups in one of two Assignment types. Uses the part 2 commission for To Hunt a Paladin for her Examine, normally but this will change if you give her Favoured Pet training. The unique human noble you can find on Centre of Attention will now work the same way with her Examine being updated if she gets the Favoured Pet training. ---Deleted a loop when crafting which checked every entity to see if they were wearing an outfit that wasn't needed anymore. Given this could fire many, many times for each crafting I've decided to see what happens by just removing it. Should make crafting a lot faster than it was. ---Enchantments on a Epic or Quality item now increase the chance of a Critical Success on top of the usual bonus. ---As I don't think anyone has ever been on a Deeper Foray you now only need to have succeeded at A Brief Foray twice to unlock that Assignment rather than having to do it three times. The new Rare Assignment that is also connected to A Brief Foray will also be unlocked to be able to be found when that has been done. ---Dark Elves are much more likely to have black hair than before. Akir, Kreen, and Cathayan have also increased their chances of that with only a rare chance to go blonde instead. ---Expanded several of the possible results on Marshlands Survival. ---Expanded the You going Success result text on A Taste For Glory. ---Expanded the Critical Success results for Heal Slut Training. ---Expanded the You going Fail result on Deluge of Oozes if you end up wearing what's on offer. ---Expanded the Human Wastelander lore page. ---If Shadriel happens to be wearing a maid outfit it will now be shown in her examine. ---On a Critical Success or Success whoever ends up not being the one in charge for House Sitting will either go from Dominant to Switch, or will gain Submissive if they don't already have it. I've also added some extra text if that slaver happens to be a certain draenei wright with an extended version for the Critical Success. ---To address the logic issue with the Fail on Pillow Talk I've extended the text for both you and for sending a slaver to explain what happened after being turned away. ---Added an extra line to the Fail on Bred to be Broken to make it clearer what's going on. ---Added an alternate version of the Basic Blowjob Critical and Success result text if you or the slaver doing it is Female. ---Added a Submissive version of the Dance the Night Away Success result if you go yourself that increases the amount of gold you earn. I've also made the none Submissive version of that result for you less subby than it previously was. ---Tidied up some of the wordings on the Ooze lore page and added an extra pause to break it up more so it's less of a wall of text. ---Rhys Ashenscale now has a specific weapon.

-New Content Improvements and fixes ---The new special Assignment with a findable Unique which continues one of the Marshlands storylines should now be in fully working order. Greatly expanded the existing text, added a lengthy amount of alternate text on the Failure and Disaster for Submissive players, and added a Lore Page for the Unique. ---The new Rare Deep Mountains Assignment as another branch off from the Foray storyline should now be in fully working order. The special items you can get from this one are now far more detailed in terms of their description, changed a bunch of the mechanics, and generally all eight should be a lot more impressive. If you've already got the item the clothing or armour you get instead will now have the resilience and strength enchantments on the find something for a leader goal, and a seduction enchantment on the find something for a pet. Rewrote the results text, and now there's a bunch more variety of what races turn up to get involved. ---The Arrogance Storyline should now start correctly with some additional text in the Sable Masquerade result to serve as a better lead in. ---Fix for you not being able to go on Spear Fishing.

-Other Bug fixes: ---Fix for one slave having the estimated value of another. ---Fix for being able to learn Sneaky from Marshlands Corruption if the trainee is glowing from the luminescence Corruption. ---Fix for Burning Passions having the unable to take a slave messages despite being able to go on that slave when full or having the conflicting order. It was at the end of the assignment so wasn't actually preventing going on it, but the messages still shouldn't have been there. ---Fix for the Girlier modifier not being applied to crafted items if they're specifically not going to be a form of restraints or if they specifically are going to be a form of restraints. ---Fix for Temple Takeover not having the Disaster modifier on the risk check for that result. ---Fix for you being able to go on House Sitting. ---Fix for opportunities where they want a Human Commoner but Humans are a deal breaker. ---Fix for the convent gained from the third part of the Temple storyline not also being a lamia to match the commission for it if you do send Alrissa Cynnesh in the first position. The lamia convent you get will also now always have Hypnotic. ---Fix for incorrectly having Shun the Other or Harmony if you picked the other one or you picked Outcast as part of Quick Start with Extra Options. ---Fix for Sworn Duty being an Exceptional on Road 'Tax' Collecting but it was only being counted for the Suggestions and not the actual Assignment result. ---Fix for the starts with a specific set clothing as standard not getting to have a new outfit if the aspects Pretty Maid or Exhibitionist are taken (TF Edition only). The new Fae start has an exception for Exhibitionist as she gets that as part of her Aspect and so her specific outfit is already appropriate. She will however get a new one if you do customise her with Pretty Maid. ---Fix for some name variable errors when selling a slave via dilemma. ---Fix for assignments that can increase cum addiction were incorrectly overwriting other assignment text. That will also sort if you go on those results starting with: 'you - You...' ---Fix for one of the being bent over text variables having a consistently missing leading space. ---Fix for the broken formatting on the Icebreaker Assignment traits. ---Fix for the broken formatting on the lore discussion about orc ears. ---Fix for that if suggestions are turned off then if you're away and a slave recapture happens the suggestions from that would not be cleared and then turn up on the next assignment. ---Fix for several potential issues that could be caused by cancelling one of the Fulfil Opportunity Assignments. ---Fix for not getting anything for Heal Slut being asked for and provided for on the Fulfil Opportunity Assignments. Also now if Advanced Obedience Training is requested, Heal Slut Training will count, and will be worth more for having it. ---Fix for the Great Plains Dilemma Lead claiming it costs 50g if it should cost 25g. ---Fix for Crafter: Metal (C:Me) not being checked correctly as an Assignment Trait. ---Fix for Connected (Con) not being a positive on Back Alley Abduction despite being listed in the positive Traits. ---Fix for the Wood Elf check not working on Both Alike in Afamy. ---Fix for you doing healing missing some text set by a variable that should have been there. ---Fix for not getting the gold on the Fail of Burning Passions. ---Fix for an issue where completing a training of Neko, Anal, or Favoured and one of the others had been done it would assume another other one had also been done and would incorrectly add that training to the target. ---Fix for Aesandril's race sometimes being incorrect. ---Fix for Nora having her correct commissions shown and instead having the default Human Noble Examine. ---Fix for Visit the Aversol Markets not checking any of the listed traits correctly. ---Fix for Taggerfolk being able to get eye colour changes from the Stylist. ---Fix for a Switch or Obedient Slaver gaining Submissive from the Critical Success while overseeing Advanced Dominance Training. ---Fix for an issue with the slavers that can be trained as slaves in Alice, Bles, and Alyanara where the chack to see if they were still a slaver or not could get confused as create a ghost version. ---Fix for Centaur Demi-Angels having a mount to ride around on when they are already their own mount. ---Fix for accompanying Bed Warmers not getting any benefits from their Training. ---Fix for Maid Training not being added correctly to accompanying Slaves. ---Fix for supply routes and favour tributes being multiplied incorrectly and so the resources can be gained excessively for what should be normally the one return. ---And finally a whole bunch of various text fixes.

0.97 Change Log

-New Assignments: ---A new Uncommon City of Aversol Assignment and a new Training path in Neko Training. Linked these as the before and after commission is for the one and then the other. The Training can provide a crafter outfit like Ponygirl Training, and is available after Advanced Obedience Training. Neko Training is boosted (and has a chance to embed) the Bimbo Mantra. ---A new Training path about making them better at the Bedwarmer and Head Slave roles. Has a commission that was generously funded by a patron. This Training requires Bottom Bitch, Heal Slut, or Fellatrix Training, and will also be an option after other Tertiary Trainings when they are added. Boosted by the Obedience Mantra. From the Disaster on this one and also from regular over use of a slave there's now a new result where the slave can now no longer take this Training, can not be assigned to most encampment roles, takes a small reduction to their Value, but it does also increase the power of the Submissive/Obedient Trait. ---A new Uncommon Great Plains Assignment based on scavenging an abandoned mine and the various things that might be found in such a place. Uses a previously included as an Examine commission. ---A new Uncommon Great Plains Assignment based on the new race detailed below. Has some increased rewards if you send someone with Bimbo or Sex Addict or you go yourself as Submissive. ---A new Rare Deep Mountains Assignment as another branch off from the Foray storyline. Uses a previously included as an Examine commission though this Assignment uses the full piece. ---A new special Assignment with a findable Unique which continues one of the Marshlands storylines. Has a commission for it generously provided by a patron. ---A new Super Rare Deep Mountains Assignment that results from a new storyline that touches on three other Deep Mountains Assignments including one that needs to go very badly to be able to progress on this one. Can result in a new findable Unique with a very complex new Aspect.

-New Commissions: ---Dwarfs. Used for a Feminine Male, Female, Succubus, and Demi-Angel starting portrait. Will also be used as Examines. Replaces the previous Male Tunnel-Runner, Female/Futa Dwarven Nobility, Demi-Angel, Fallen, and Succubus Dwarfs with new descriptions. ---The Unlockable Location. This will replace all the existing placeholder art used at that location barring the Arena which already has a commission, and the current placeholders for two of the characters you meet there when you first unlock the area. ---Mistress of Torments. Also used for Succubi with Neko heritage, and a new corruption.

-Taggerfolk: ---New race of Beastkin, available as all possible genders. Can be played (with Fav/Unf specific to them), can be slavers, and can also be slaves. ---Has their own commission with different variations for gender and also uses the Decadence Like No Other one with variations for slaves. ---For other portraits the Decadence version with Bangs was used for the Transformed Slaver start, and the version without bangs is used for the Promoted Slaver start (TF Edition only) ---Has a new racial for them. ---Has a recruitable Unique using a crop of the main examine. Also comes with a new Sea Elf male start who brings her along when not put through Full Custom. ---Uses the Horned One name generator, but all of the time, unlike Horned Ones who have a low chance to have regular human names. Due to these I've more than doubled the current name variation for Horned Ones including some surnames specific to Taggerfolk.

-The Arrogance Storyline: ---This is getting continued not by new Assignments but by special events that can take place at Finish Day when you have the required Uniques present in the Encampment. ---This has various options, and is based on various factors, so that you have some control over how the various events play out, can change the two Uniques in various ways, and how about another various cause why not.

-Weapons: ---Now slavers you start with and recruit come with a description of what they use when they go off on Marauding and the other more combat focused Assignments. ---These are for description and extra characterization rather than having mechanical effect. They however can change based on mechanical changes. Notably some of the buyable slaver upgrades. ---These are based on their race, traits, corruption, and height. Does more to explore the character of several races via the various implements that they like to carry around when they go out to kick some bottom. ---Many of the Recruitable and Findable Slaver Uniques have a specific weapon rather than rolling a generic one. If you have had a non-player Unique and you want a different weapon description then please let me know.

-Miscellaneous additions: ---The town robbery will now cap out at 100g loss if you have more than that with some new text to reflect that. So no more comely lasses suddenly finding they can now go out and buy their own personal slave princess any more. ---To reflect the new art dwarfs can now have pale-white skin and will be more much likely to do so. If they do they will also likely now have red eyes. ---Changed the Sea Elf dialogue colour mainly as I wanted them to use the same one as Taggerfolk and a shade of blue for them is certainly better than the maroon they had before. ---Redid a ton of code that's used on every Assignment that covers levelling up, a bunch of bonuses from Aspects like Green Soul, the Fae Racial, other random things like the Size Queen'd increase or some of the Events, and the extra bonus text and rewards from Conjured Companion, Slave Driver and Strict Supervision. Basically I'd say I've taken about 5/6 of what was there before so that should be both better, quicker, and more efficient. ---I'm not sure if this is a fix or not so it's listed here. Some assignments like Hold Back the Dark on certain results have extra morale hits that were possibly sometimes being blocked by a check that I'm pretty sure was incorrect so I've made them now automatically apply. ---Added some extra trait description for Fiendish as a separate sentence after their other traits. ---Two new corruptions in hidden bat-like wings (also comes with an Enlarged version), and saurian talons which will display the new Mistress-of-Torments commission when gained via ritual in the Encampment. ---Sadistic and Fiendish slavers will always be Brutal in training automatically with some new text to reflect that. ---Added a title in bold for the letter from the Ensnared Rose to make it much harder to miss the day it comes out. ---If someone with Impure Origin does end up with Fel Tainted that racial won't be listed on their Examine.

-Bug fixes: ---Fix for the Unique with Flesh Artisan not getting that correctly on their description. ---Fix for Horned Ones who are generated randomly having smaller cocks than those that are found specifically. ---Fix for the Green Wooden Door rarity being a bit too high on the Great Plains compared to the ones in the other regions. ---Fix for Acceptable Quality Slave being a positive not working correctly. ---Fix for Alyanara d'Vyr missing her Aspect in her short traits. ---Fix for the Bonus Gold from Seven Veils which was only half of what it should have been. ---Fix for being able to take Shadowplay with a Fel Tainting of (5) as it was still using the old forehead branding blocking. ---Fix for the orc from Maid to Serve being listed as having previously been through Advanced Dominance Training if you take them on as a slaver. ---Fix for gorgons getting the slaver title of chosen if they don't have the corrupted armour to go with it.

#NO HAVEN

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sceptilemasterr · 3 years

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Defenders of the Flame (TE Rewrite) Act 3, Scene 6 - Romance and Reflection

Title: Defenders of the Flame (A CIU Screenplay)

Main Pairings: Shreya x F!MC, Beckett x F!Atlas

Other Pairings: N/A

Genre: Full Rewrite (The Elementalists, Book 1)

Rating: PG-13 for violence, blood, swearing, alcohol, and sexuality

Summary: An impatient Shreya takes matters into her own hands.

Previous Scene: To Ask a Question

Masterlist: Link

INT. PCSA MAIN QUAD - DAY

The main doors of Glebiza Hall swing open, and Shreya leads Fiora by the hand as they emerge onto the snowy quad. When the cold air hits, they both make a few quick gestures almost without thinking. A moment later, a layer of warm air surrounds them.

FIORA: Shreya... where are we going? It’s cold out here, and our Heatshells won’t last forever!

SHREYA: Just trust me, dear. I know what I am doing!

The two of them walk in silence for several moments. Fiora seems to be deep in thought as she repeatedly steals glances at Shreya. Before long, they have arrived in front of Fletchly Hall, and Shreya stops and turns to face Fiora.

SHREYA: Fiora, do you recall coming here for the first time?

FIORA: How could I forget? I was so confused. I thought for sure I was gonna be kicked out.

SHREYA (smiling): Luckily for both of us, that wasn’t the case. I remember convincing you that it was no mistake.

FIORA: Yeah. I was pretty surprised when you did that Stoicheal Transfer on me!

SHREYA (laughs): Quite the fiery Awakening, to be sure.

They continue their conversation as Shreya resumes walking, leading Fiora past Fletchly Hall and further along the quad.

SHREYA: As surprised as I was to learn you’d been raised Tuneless... I think we did a fairly good job navigating Penderghast life. Don’t you think?

FIORA: Yeah... (sighs) Listen, Shreya, I’m sorry for pulling you into all my issues. It can’t have been easy, and I know it’s tough dealing with all my insecurities and anxieties, and I don’t even know what you--

SHREYA: Please, Fiora. If any of that bothered me, you would have been the first to know. I like you, Fiora. Because you’re Fiora, and that’s all.

FIORA: Shreya...

SHREYA: Like I told you the other day: you need to see yourself the way I see you. Because what I see is a wonderful woman who has already grown so very much since the day we met!

Shreya stops, and Fiora looks around to realize they are standing on the steps to Tubigan Hall. Shreya turns to face Fiora again.

SHREYA: You can be frustrating at times, to be certain. But at the same time, you are kind, fiercely protective, gentle yet strong when you need to be... you’ve brought all of us Pend Pals together, you know. You say you’ve been following all of us, but in truth, lately... it’s us who’ve been following your lead. Haven’t you noticed?

FIORA (shocked): Wh...what?!

SHREYA: It’s true. Things could have gone much worse at the birthday party were it not for you mediating between us and Atlas... when you showed that you trusted her, we all did the same. You have so much more than you give yourself credit for.

Her eyes watering, Fiora pulls Shreya into a tight hug.

FIORA: Shreya... I can’t... I didn’t even realize--

SHREYA (laughs): There’s a lot you “don’t realize,” Fiora. Trust me on that.

A thought occurs to Fiora, and she pulls back, hesitating.

FIORA: You’re... you’re right. Look, Shreya, can I ask you something?

Shreya gets a glint in her eyes, and she smiles.

SHREYA: Hold that thought, would you, Fiora?

FIORA: Uh... okay?

SHREYA: You do know where we are?

FIORA: We ran into each other here. Literally.

SHREYA: Exactly. And there’s one very special reason I’ve brought you here today.

Fiora watches curiously as Shreya looks back toward the entrance, snaps her fingers, then makes a gesture above her head. A small burst of flame shoots out of her hands and into the air... and behind her, covering the entire front facade of Tubigan Hall, a massive sign made of floating neon lights appears. It reads: “FIORA LUXEN... WOULD YOU BE MY GALA DATE?” When she reads it, Fiora gasps and stumbles back.

FIORA (astonished): Wha... I... Shreya! Oh my God, yes!

They hug each other, laughing and giggling before pulling one another into a deep kiss.

LUCIA (O.S.) (shouting): Shreya? Are we done yet?

Shreya and Fiora break apart. Shreya laughs and waves a hand up toward one of Tubigan Hall’s second floor windows.

SHREYA (shouting): Yes, Lucia, thank you so much! The sign was wonderful! And she said yes!

LUCIA (O.S.) (shouting): Yay, congrats, you two! Glad I could help!

The lights making up the sign converge into a single beam, which rockets up toward the window where it gets absorbed by the person standing behind it, presumably Lucia.

FIORA: I was wondering how you did that...

SHREYA: Lucia was all too happy to help out. I doubt I could have said the same for Arvan, though.

They both giggle at the thought of Arvan helping out with anything romance-related.

FIORA: Shreya, this was genius. Honestly, I was just gonna ask you a minute ago, I’d only now figured out that you wanted--

SHREYA (laughs): You can be so dense, Fiora! It seriously took you this long to figure it out?

FIORA (blushing): Yeah...

SHREYA: Zeph was right. He’s actually where I got this idea from, you know. He said, and I quote: “You’d need a neon sign the size of a building before Fiora gets the hint!”

FIORA: Well, I dunno if he meant it that literally! But yeah... I honestly didn’t realize. I thought you were expecting someone else to ask you.

SHREYA: What, aside from you? Nonsense. You, Fiora Luxen, are the only one I want as my date to the gala.

FIORA: And I’ve never been happier! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Giddily, the two of them walk hand-in-hand back toward Glebiza Hall, Fiora practically skipping with happiness.

_______________________

Notes: Nice little reminiscing session for Fiora and Shreya. Our MC has come pretty far since her first day at Penderghast!

_______________________

Next: Never Bet Against Fiora

CIU Tag List: @brightpinkpeppercorn @endlesshero1122 @bbaba-yagaa @acidsugar0 @shaylan211 @griselda1121 @acanthisorbis @marmolady @choicesbabie

DotF/Elementalists Tag List:

#the elementalists rewrite #choices the elementalists #choices stories you play #csyp #fanfic #ciu project #choices interconnected universe #defenders of the flame #dotf #fiora luxen #shreya mistry #lucia cruz #zeph hernandez #shreya x mc #wlw #FINALLY lol #looks like zeph lost his bet...

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hidterrae · 3 years

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Delphine is calm on the outside, but she is in fucking TURMOIL in her head. I imagine both and her father have been working towards subtly steering the kingdom towards mage liberation and to see all of that work undone by Sylas? Delphine is gutted. But not only that, she would stop her magic all together, which negatively impacts her physically.

She's an elementalist. It's impossible for her to deny what she is because if she does not use her powers it slowly starts to kill her. But J4 is regrettably too volatile in his grief for her to risk anything.

So yeah, that's your mental image for the night. Delphine a nervous wreck in her manor, trying to rebuild what Sylas uprooted alongside the Demacian court, all while dealing with her own chronic pain of stifling such a potent ability

#im rewriting del #and headcanoning what its like to be a mage vs a bonafide elementalist #so i was having some FEELINGS #|| ooc. ||

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i-mybrunettelady · 2 years

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Headcanon time: Blessings of the human gods

Okay okay I may have gotten myself hyped from the post @synchrosgw2 made about Lyssa (check here!!!) and though it’s god-related, it’s not about that theory, but yeah, inspo where inspo’s due.

But I did have thoughts about how being blessed by a certain god/dess manifests in real life. I hc there’s a social ritual of joining a church and declaring yourself blessed by that particular god at the age of 8; this is because most gifts manifest themselves by that age and if they haven’t, you kinda pick one (and changing churches if you’ve made a mistake is a bit of a pain in the ass honestly and involves tons of new ritualistic stuff.) There’s a grand celebration (if you can afford it) and there are families for whom this blessing is hereditary, or so it socially stands; this is most prevalent in priestly families and to give you an example, Nyra was named after her mother’s late cousin, Alysannyra Gwent, and lady Gwent was born in a family that mostly worships Lyssa -> her name being Alysannyra (which is translated as “to Lyssa (be) the glory.”) But this is social rules, not actual magical thing.

So how does it magically play out? Spoilers for PoF.

Simple. Enhanced abilities to do something that technically belongs in that god’s realm. Let’s see how this works on my two humans, Nyra and Ren.

1) Nyra was blessed by Lyssa, even if you’d not be too far off if you thought she was blessed by Dwayna due to her guardian magic (I hc there’s a link between Dwayna and light, hence her being a guardian deity.) Lyssa is usually associated with mesmers and water elementalists, illusion, water and beauty, but also chaos, and that’s where Nyra’s gift is. She thrives in chaos to a degree that’s not quite natural. She has a much easier time making sense in chaotic/high stress situations (even if she’s not immune to the effects of too much stress, as seen in Icebrood.)

Chaos also seems to be radiating off her; a combination of being a chaos-magnet and her personality brought about the disruption of the natural world order. As subtle as this gift is, it’s not without it’s impact.

2) Due to being an illusion-based mesmer, Ren thought for a long ass while her goddess was Lyssa too. But it took a trip to Abaddon’s temple in season 3 (a rewrite of the horrible Livia situation I’m working on that features gods sending visions, Nyra and Ren working together, maybe some Mirka in there too) for her to realise that no, her patron god was Abaddon all along; for all his death, he still affects some mortals by the residue power in the world that survived, what, 2 centuries after his death.

And it manifests in her ability to hide the truth aka lie. She is an exceptional liar. If we were to compare her and El, who are both great at lying, Ren beats him because of this. You can’t really catch her tells and she seems to have an ability to track her own lies in a way that would fool 99% of the population. Again, it’s a combo of this + her personality that makes her so good at her job.

So, someone who was blessed by Balthazar might have an earned reputation of being unbeatable on the battlefield; someone blessed by Dwayna could be very very good at healing, Melandru could be very good at being a hunter to the point of being able to parallel norn, etc.

Does this mean that by Balty dying humanity was bereft of these gifts? No! Like with Abaddon, the number of people with Balty’s gifts will only be smaller, not non-existent, and other gods are still around and kicking, though priesthood of Balthazar would like to say otherwise. This is their main point for Nyra being a traitor of humankind but it’s like,, factually incorrect.

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musicallisto · 3 years

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okay I just downloaded playchoices and seen u have one so I was wondering which ones are u favs/would u recommend?

✧˖°࿐ hi! Unfortunately for me, I've played a lot of books in that app, so I can definitely attest that the quality has been in freefall for like, one or two years now. however, there are some old gems that I always return to and you should definitely try out!

my all-time favorites:

Endless Summer

Nightbound

The Haunting of Braidwood Manor

It Lives In The Woods

Blades of Light and Shadow

The Elementalists

some other s- to god-tier titles:

A Courtesan of Rome

Open Heart (but make sure to stop after book 1 and pretend the sequel(s?) never happened)

Desire & Decorum

Veil of Secrets

The Heist: Monaco

It Lives Beneath

Mother of the Year

The Crown & The Flame

Most Wanted

The Royal Masquerade (unpopular but I loved it + the bodyguard romance route? tasty)

Good, but in a Guilty Pleasure Way:

The Royal Romance (PLEASE stop after book 3 do not read The royal heir) (though I hear now they're rewriting it and shit to cover up their retcons so even the beginning is Bad now but... when I first played it it was good </3)

A Very Scandalous Proposal (the plot is utter bullshit but I've grown attached to the main love interest against my better judgement)

Bachelorette Party (genuinely so much mindless fun and absolute chaos)

Platinum (reminded me of Episode with Demi Lovato which I was obsessed with when I was like 12 so)

Also back in my day there was a huge fandom around Bloodbound and Hero, and I never really got into it but maybe you'll like these two! They have the potential, ngl. happy playing! do not get within 3 feet of the nanny affair!

#anon #playchoices

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lovealexhunt · 3 years

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☆ January ☆ February ☆ March ☆

I’ve been on a partial hiatus for the past couple weeks, so most are from earlier in the month, but I appreciate the support on all I have created this month. Thank you, always! 💖

Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer [HollywoodU] [Red Carpet Diaries]

Jump With Me [RCD]: Alex decides she wants to play in the rain.

Family Fun [RCD]: The twins are one-year-old and are ready for their first Easter Egg Hunt!

Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley [Open Heart]

First Impressions: Bryce and Olivia meet for the first time in the Edenbrook locker room on the first day of their intern year. Neither of them expected to feel what they felt about someone they didn’t even know yet.

Together: After spending some time alone together in the serenity garden, Bryce and Olivia decide it’s time to return to the party. [Book 3 Rewrite]

But First, Kisses: Bryce has the best idea for waking Olivia up when she sleeps through her alarm.

Ethan Ramsey x Ellie Shepherd [Open Heart]

One Day At A Time: After learning about the depth to which Ellie is struggling with survivor’s guilt, Ethan tries to find small ways to help Ellie begin to readjust to life following her near death experience.

Just Because: Forehead Kiss Prompt Series

Desire & Decorum [Ernest Sinclaire] “Love Conquers All”: The ever sullen Ernest finds reflecting on the past even more painful with the loss of Ledford Park; luckily, his fiancee is by his side to remind him he is never alone.

Mother of the Year [Levi Schuler x MC; MCxDaughter] “My World”: Laura and Levi’s private conversation is interrupted by their curious daughter Lily and her best friend, Luz. The girls make a discovery that proves their theory was correct.

Save The Date[Justin Mercado] “That Could Be Us”: Justin and Mari share a quiet moment together at Nora and Monica’s wedding.

The Elementalists [Beckett Harrington]: “The Warmth of the Sun”: Beckett and Emma find new ways to entertain themselves during detention

Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer

Pregnancy Art

Kiss Art

I also started writing and creating for Marvel. This month I have focused on writing Baron Zemo from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Civil War. If you are interested, you can click the Masterlist link for synopsis on any of the given fics. All created in April 2021

Baron Zemo Masterlist

Love & Grief (Zemo x memories wife/son)

In the Moment (Zemo x Reader)

The Right Thing (Zemo x Reader)

A Promise (Zemo x Reader)

Rainy Mornings (Zemo x Reader)

I’ve Got You (Zemo x Reader)

Sleep Liebling (Zemo x Reader)

Three Words (Zemo x Reader)

Lazy Afternoon (Zemo x Reader)

Remembering (Zemo x Reader)

Unexpected (Zemo x Reader)

#thomas hunt #red carpet diaries #thomas hunt x mc #thomas hunt x oc #bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #bryce lahela x oc #open heart #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #save the date #justin mercado #the elementalists #beckett harrington #levi schuler #mother of the year #lovealexhunt #april 2021

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homeformyheart · 3 years

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masterlist - choices fics

here is my choices full-length fic masterlist (prompt fills/requests are on a different masterlist). for 18+ fics that have smut or ns*w warnings, i now have sectioned off the ns*w section with 🔥⚡ (heating up) and ❄💧 icons (cool down) so even if you’re over 18+, you have the option to skip the smut and read ahead with hopefully minimal loss of plot.

if you’re looking for prompt fills, click here.

a very scandalous proposal (vip) // simon montjoy x mc (sophie macdonald)

maybe the world could be ours | songfic to “rewrite the stars” | 2k | 13+ | AO3

blades of light and shadow // mal volari x f!mc (raina nightbloom)

foolproof | anastasia AU based on “things you said” prompt fill | 13+ | AO3

bloodbound // priya lacroix x adam vega (requested)

cigarettes | 18+; explicit smut, drug use, turning | AO3

distant shores // multiple characters x f!mc (peyton bellamy)

my two first loves // noah harris x mc (emma price)

open heart // bryce lahela x f!mc (casey valentine)

holiday bryce | 700 | 14+; fluff | AO3

platinum // m!raleigh carrera x mc (cadence dorian)

ride or die // multiple characters x mc (ellie wheeler)

rising tides // m!robin tora x mc (hayley thompson)

glow | based on geriwyn’s “morning” art | 1.1k | 14+; suggestive language | AO3, FF

the elementalists // beckett harrington x f!mc (celeste russell)

the sunshine of life | 2.1k | 13+ | minor f!atlas x shreya | AO3 expectations | 2.4k | 13+; family tension | AO3

#masterlist #my writing #choices fics #choices masterlist #not twc #long post

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heauxplesslydevoted · 3 years

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7, 9, 15 💕

Omg, you picked great questions.

7. Which character do you wish wasnt an li?

Such a loaded question, lmao. I honestly don’t know, and I’ve never been this stumped before. I don’t know if I necessarily wish certain LIs weren’t LIs or if I wish certain LIs had better routes, more specifically the women. But I will say the Maxwell romance route is weird to me because if you aren’t romancing him, they try to push it like you’re quasi-siblings because the Beaumonts sponsored our trip to Cordnonia.

9. What crossover moment would you love to see?

Imagine if they did a Bloodbound/Perfect Match crossover? Or Bloodbound/The Elementalists? Robots vs Vampires!!!! Rheya vs our blood attuned MC!!!!! The power *chef’s kiss*

15. if you could be a writer for any series, which would you want to write for?

Open Heart, no doubt. As evidenced by my master list, I do a lot of OH rewrites and like to fill in all the gaps the writers miss. There’s no reason we haven’t had an “I love you” moment with our love interests, there’s no reason we haven’t learned more about Jackie’s backstory, I’d make Harper a love interest, there would’ve been more fallout from our MC’s near death experience, etc. AND WHERE THE HELL WAS PHOEBE?? I worked hard to get her with Elijah. And the whole Esme storyline was a flop, took up too much of the storyline, our MC had too much power, I wasn’t invested in her patient like I was with Miss Martinez, and it had a shitty resolution. She comes back regardless as Leland pays the family off.

Send me some unusual choices asks!

#unusual choices asks #playchoices #choices: stories you play

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agbcordonia · 4 years

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List of books pb could do instead of a second Baby Bump:

- Most Wanted 2 (don’t hate me but I’ve never played it though I know it’s something the fandom actually wants)

- Hero book 2

- Platinum book 2

- Nightbound book 2

- Mother of The Year book 2

- The Elementalists book 3

- A MOTY spin-off focusing on our daughter as an teenager/and or adult.

- A Freshman wedding book (yes I know we’re over wedding but it still be better)

- Cancel Babu and put the money into A) rewriting Across The Void and making it better or B) a new better written space book.

#platinum #the elementalists #most wanted #nightbound #baby bump #mother of the year #playchoices #pixelberry

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dream-does-choices · 7 months

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Guys does anyone think next year after the already planned new releases, PB should just chill with new releases and give us revamps? Like they should rewrite some books which weren't as satisfactory(e.g. Elementalists 2) and just little changes to other books (* cough immortal desires ending cough*). Also with ID getting a book 2, it opens doors for other book series ppl wanted sequels for (I really think Hero deserved better). Maybe it's just my opinion.

#playchoices #choices stories you play #pixelberry #choices hero #choices elementalists #choices immortal desires #choices bolas

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crazy-loca-blog · 3 years

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Personal thoughts on Baby Bump, Book 2, Chapter 14

Note: As the title says, these are just personal opinions on Choices books and chapters. Of course, you may agree or disagree with them, I only use this platform to express my thoughts on what I read every week and what I’d like to see in the next chapters, because none of my friends play Choices so I have no one to comment the books with.

Sometimes it seems like every Friday release is somehow affected by the mere existence of Open Heart. The most shocking for me was the abrupt ending of The Elementalists, back in 2019. Even though the series was is super popular, not even the insane amount of diamonds scenes with Beckett (who is still one of the most popular LIs in the app) could save it from an ending that no one expected after only two books. Not much was said at that moment, but a lot of people speculated that the huge success of Open Heart was partially responsible for it.

And now, it looks like Baby Bump is the new victim. Because after almost two full books, last Friday was finally released the chapter that was supposed to be the most important in this series: the babies were born. However, even though it’s easy to go and blame the release of Open Heart 3 for the fact that almost no one is talking about this milestone in our MC’s story, the truth is that there’s no one to blame but the own series.

Because what we received on Friday was, to say the least, disappointing. Where do I begin with? Our poor girl was having not one, but two babies, and her labor and delivery ended up being easier than the one we saw in The Royal Heir… how is that even possible? Yeah, I know every woman is different, but I think I expected a little more drama (or at least a little pain when feeding the babies for the first time), especially because the issues that Mariana mentioned in the very first chapter of book 2 didn’t have any effect in the end. And regarding Mariana… can we talk about how awful she was? Girl, the fact that you’re being professional doesn’t mean that you can’t smile or say nice words to the MC… someone please go and teach her the word “balance”.

Also, as a person who decided to romance the father of her babies because it felt uncomfortable to see Myles/Myra dating a pregnant woman who actually got pregnant after a one night stand with the other guy in our gang (or with the only guy in the gang if you’re dating Myra), seeing them at every moment during labor felt just so out of place… especially when Mariana asks us who is going to be with us during the delivery. I mean… why would I want to open my legs right in front of my former boss if we’re not dating? The saddest part was that I truly wanted Anna and Clint to be with my MC, but I had to get rid of my sister because accepting her meant to accept Myles/Myra too!

Things only get weirder if you choose to romance Myles/Myra instead of Clint. Choosing Myles/Myra to stay with you instead of everybody means leaving the father of your babies out of the picture… I mean… why would you leave the poor boy in the lobby when it’s supposed to be one of the happiest days of his life? That’s selfish and cruel! And shockingly, after one of the babies is born, Myles/Myra says “We’re parents”. I mean… hello… it’s not like the dad of those two babies disappeared and he forgot about his responsibility… this was just crazy!

Yeah, you can tell that after I finished the chapter I felt frustrated because the moment wasn’t what I expected at all. Despite all of this, I still think we’ll be having a third book and that the reason behind the hiatus is that they’re rewriting things so they can properly shape the transition from Book 2 to Book 3. The series is quite popular, the book doesn’t seem expensive to produce when compared to other series, and there are some things that haven’t been properly addressed yet: we had a proposal right before the babies were born (so maybe Book 3 will be a wedding book? We haven’t had one in a while and it seems quite logical at this point), we have to raise two babies (what’s the point of giving birth without actually enjoying the babies?) and there is no doubt that there is something shady about Craig that we haven’t discovered yet, so I think there is enough plot for a third book without dragging the story. I only ask for some common sense.

#playchoices #choices stories you play #baby bump #baby bump 2 #choices baby bump #baby bump choices #jen cassidy #clint covington #myles dixon #myra dixon #mariana castillo #anna cassidy #Craig Finch

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sweetwaiters · 4 years

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at this point i’m seriously hoping that the “pushing the story back” is a cover for rewriting the final chapters even though i think it’s highly unlikely. there is so much that’s missing from this book that we need. unless they can incorporate aspects like 1. a good, complex, continuous storyline like we had with mrs. martinez and dr banerji in book 1 2. GIVE ALL LIS EQUAL SCREENTIME 3. work through rafael’s storyline properly 4. incorporate missing aspects from book 1 that should’ve carried over (where are our pets???) 5. work esme into the story more (the interns are supposed to be a major plot point but are hardly ever there/ mentioned) etc. i’m doubtful we will get a book 3 which makes me so sad bc open heart is one of the best stories with the most potential that pb has ever had. i’m really hoping this doesn’t turn out to be an elementalists type situation but there are so many similarities. i mean the elementalists had major potential and great storytelling capabilities but was sidelined and i’m afraid that might be open heart’s fate as well.

#playchoices #open heart #bryce lahela #jackie varma #rafael aveiro #aurora emery #kyra santana #elijah greene #sienna trinh #ethan ramsey

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sceptilemasterr · 3 years

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Defenders of the Flame (TE Rewrite) Act 3, Scene 1 - Identity Crisis

Title: Defenders of the Flame (A CIU Screenplay)

Main Pairings: Shreya x F!MC, Beckett x F!Atlas

Other Pairings: N/A

Genre: Full Rewrite (The Elementalists, Book 1)

Rating: PG-13 for violence, blood, swearing, alcohol, and sexuality

Summary: Atlas helps Beckett, Fiora, and Shreya practice the first step of their Combat Forms.

Previous Scene: Surprises All Around

Masterlist: Link

EXT. PCSA MAIN QUAD - LAKE - MORNING

It is a frigid winter morning on Penderghast’s campus. The quad is completely deserted, save for a single figure: Atlas stands on the shore of the lake, running through some warm-up exercises on her own. Despite the fact that she is dressed only in thin athletic pants and a t-shirt, she does not appear to be bothered by the cold. Several times, she glances back in the direction of the main campus as though waiting for someone.

ATLAS (muttering): “Beauty rest” my ass. If I have to drag you out of bed myself, I will--

She stops talking abruptly when she hears the sound of footsteps in the snow. Looking back toward Fletchly Hall, she spots Fiora, Shreya, and Beckett all approaching the lake, Shreya apparently regaling the other two with a story of some kind. All of them are dressed for the weather, unlike Atlas. Atlas waves stiffly in their direction as they get closer.

ATLAS: There you are. Let’s start.

BECKETT: Yes, excellent. Straight to business.

The three of them assemble side-by-side, with Atlas standing between them and the lake. She claps her hands together and addresses the others.

ATLAS: Right. So, Stoicheal Gather.

FIORA (muttering): Well, hi to you too, Atlas...

Atlas either does not hear her sister or chooses to ignore her as she plants her feet comfortably apart, crosses her arms in front of her chest, and starts to concentrate. Within a few seconds, glowing blue wisps of Water Stoichi begin forming around Atlas, swirling faster and faster in a vortex with herself as the central point. Shreya and Fiora look around in surprise while Beckett calmly observes. The vortex of energy grows tighter around Atlas, until it finally flows all at once into her body with a thunderclap. Fiora lets out a soft shriek at the noise.

SHREYA: Wow. Nicely done!

BECKETT: An impressive display!

Atlas opens her eyes and lets her arms fall to her sides. Her skin glows a faint blue.

ATLAS: That was a Stoicheal Gather. It’s not gonna be easy; took me a year to learn it. And another year to master actual Combat Form.

Fiora frowns.

FIORA (panicking): But we’ve only got a few months!

ATLAS: And you’ve got a teacher. I was completely solo. Don’t worry about it.

She nonchalantly flicks a hand back toward the lake, unleashing a torrent of water pouring from her palm into the lake’s surface.

ATLAS: Anyway. Gather isn’t too different from what you’ve done before: sensing your innate stoicheal energy and all that. The difference is maintaining the kind of focus needed to draw up this much energy at once.

SHREYA: I’ve tried this on my own. I always lose it at the vortex. How did you get it to rush into yourself like that?

ATLAS: They call it the “foundation point.” And it’s honestly all mental.

She taps a finger to her head.

ATLAS: You need to keep your mind fixated on a single, strong concept that’s connected with who you are as a person. The way you think of yourself. Something that won’t waver or fade--that’s key! The foundation point is what’ll keep you from going feral once we get into actual Combat Forms.

FIORA: “A single, strong concept...” like what?

ATLAS: It’s unique to each of us. Mine, for example, is justice. My whole life I’ve been fighting against Raife and his damn cultists. Instead of using my hatred for Raife--which will just falter after he’s defeated--I focus on my sense of justice so I can maintain it even once he’s dealt with. That’s the most important part: it has to be a constant!

BECKETT: Ah! So, myself, for instance... I could use my identity as a Harrington and the sense of duty that comes with it. That is something that will be with me all of my life.

Atlas smirks.

ATLAS: Sure, that’ll work. As long as you think that’s strong enough.

SHREYA: Beckett, that gives me an idea! But instead of my path as a Mistry, I’d like to focus on my own path. My desire to step out from my family’s shadow and find my own future.

ATLAS: Kinda vague if you ask me, but sure. Fiora?

FIORA: Who, me? I... uh... I’ll think of something.

Atlas frowns but chooses not to comment.

ATLAS: Alright, everybody might want to spread apart a little. You saw how big my vortex started out--that’s how much space you’ll need.

Beckett, Shreya, and Fiora all exchange a glance before spreading out to allow enough space between them.

ATLAS: Right! Now, everyone try it! Focus on your foundation point and start drawing on your innate stoicheal energy!

The other three adopt similar poses to the one Atlas had done at the start of her demonstration, closing their eyes and focusing. For the first few seconds, nothing happens. Then, shining orange wisps of fire stoichi begin circling around Shreya.

ATLAS: There it is! Great, Shreya!

Fiora opens her eyes and looks over at Shreya. A few more wisps of energy steadily add themselves to her vortex as they grow faster and faster. Silver stoicheal energy starts appearing around Beckett, as well, though these are slower and fainter than the ones around Shreya.

ATLAS: Good, Beckett. Keep going!

Beckett visibly falters and his wisps of energy start to fade. He increases his concentration, bringing them back. Fiora closes her eyes and tries again, concentrating hard... but still nothing happens.

FIORA (frustrated): Ugh... come... ON!

The camera focuses on Fiora’s face, and we hear her voice, echoing in internal monologue:

FIORA (inner thoughts): Shreya... friends... Pend Pals... no, my old friends... Hartfeld... Penderghast... Shreya... Atlas, my sister... Shreya... school... justice? No, that’s Atlas’s...

ATLAS: Nice, Shreya! Now!

Shreya’s vortex is swirling furiously, fire stoichi surrounding her and almost touching her skin. Shreya opens her eyes in surprise at Atlas’s shout.

SHREYA: Wha--!

But that is enough to break her concentration. The Fire Stoichi around her dissipates, swirling off into the air and casting a brief warmth across the otherwise chilly campus.

SHREYA (frustrated): Zut alors! I was so close!

ATLAS: Not bad for your first real try. You’ve just gotta open your innate stoichi, allow it inside. It’s the opposite of what you’ve learned in class. You’re not releasing your innate stoichi, you’re letting it flow back in.

SHREYA: Ah, right. That makes sense.

Beckett’s own vortex is swirling still, but it is patchy, incomplete... large gaps in the side reveal he has not gathered quite enough Metal Stoichi yet. After another moment, the vortex starts to slow before dissipating into the air much like Shreya’s had.

BECKETT: It would seem I am struggling with this task.

ATLAS (nods): Your foundation point. Do you have anything else?

BECKETT: What, a replacement for my identity as a Harrington? I cannot possibly--

Atlas shakes her head.

ATLAS: Not a replacement. Alongside. A foundation point can be made up of more than one concept.

BECKETT: A second foundation point? Hmm...

ATLAS: Think about it. Shreya, why don’t you try again. You almost had it.

SHREYA: Okay, Atlas.

As Shreya focuses once more, Atlas walks over to Fiora.

FIORA: Sorry, Atlas... I can’t do it!

ATLAS: You barely summoned anything. I think I spotted one or two wisps, but...

FIORA (sighs): I knew it. I’m never gonna--

ATLAS: Alright, enough of that crap. Listen, Fiora. You’ve got the raw power: I think the whole birthday cake incident was enough proof of that. So that’s not the problem.

FIORA: Then what--?

ATLAS: The foundation point. What’s yours?

FIORA: I... uh... well, there’s a lot of things, but I’m not--

ATLAS: Then there’s your problem. You should have one, single answer for me when I ask you.

FIORA: I... I don’t.

ATLAS: Then find one! Fiora, tell me this: who are you?

FIORA: ...Huh? I’m, uh, your sister?

ATLAS: No, no. Who... are... you?

FIORA (thinking): Um... a Light-Att?

Atlas rubs her forehead in exasperation.

ATLAS: I’m really bad at this. It’s just... I think you’ll need some time to think on this. Maybe Shreya or Zeph could help. I’m probably the wrong person for this part. Sorry.

FIORA: No! It’s not you! I’m just... well...

There is a sound like a thunderclap, and Atlas and Fiora turn sharply in its direction to see Shreya, glowing with orange light and smiling broadly at them.

SHREYA: Atlas! Atlas! I did it! Look!

Atlas nods and walks over to Shreya.

ATLAS: Nicely done. Now, the next step is to--

Shreya’s skin starts glowing brighter. She looks down at herself nervously as Atlas begins summoning a swirl of water stoichi in her hand.

SHREYA: Uh... Atlas? What do I--

ATLAS: Let off the excess! Straight into the lake, launch the biggest blast of flame you can!

SHREYA: I--!

Shreya thrusts her arms out toward the lake, sending twin bursts of flame into the water. Steam billows up around them all... but Shreya is still glowing.

ATLAS: Bigger!

SHREYA: What?!

Flames start erupting around Shreya’s feet, lighting the grass around them on fire despite the snow. The flames grow bigger and bigger, before--

ATLAS: Deluge.

The energy in Atlas’s palm unleashes a torrential wave of water that washes over Shreya--and the fire--before flowing into the lake. Though Shreya stands sopping wet, there is no longer any trace of the fire at her feet, and her skin is back to normal.

SHREYA (shrieking): Atlas! Do you have any idea how much I paid for these clothes?!

ATLAS: Then why’d you wear them to a training session? Anyway, you’re not on fire anymore. You’re welcome.

BECKETT: I believe I understand. Once we’ve performed a Stoicheal Gather, that energy must go somewhere, correct?

ATLAS: Exactly. Energy can’t be created or destroyed. Once you’ve gathered that much stoichi, you’ve got to use it or else... it’ll “use” you.

She gestures at Shreya’s feet, where the flames have left a neat circle of melted snow behind.

ATLAS: Since we’re not ready for Combat Forms yet, that means letting it out in a huge blast of energy. That’s why we’re practicing by the lake. Build it up, and launch it--metal, fire, doesn’t matter--straight into the water.

SHREYA: Well! You could have told us that before we began!

ATLAS (sheepishly): ...I forgot.

BECKETT: Hmph. Perhaps, if your memory was as impeccable as mine is, you wouldn’t have--

ATLAS: Shut up and keep practicing, Harrington.

BECKETT (irritated): Very well, Luxen!

FIORA (innocently): ...What did I do?

BECKETT: Not you. I meant--oh, right. Same surname. I'd forgotten.

ATLAS (sarcastically): What was that about “impeccable memory?”

BECKETT: I... erm...

A short montage ensues of several more practice attempts, as Fiora struggles to think of something to use as her foundation point. Shreya is the first to perfect her Stoicheal Gather, but she struggles with releasing her energy; Atlas has to extinguish her flames on more than one occasion. Beckett eventually performs a Gather, which is followed by a massive cube of metal which he creates and launches into the lake, letting out a splash that drenches himself, Shreya, Atlas, and Fiora. Fiora, for her part, continues struggling, still unable to maintain her focus.

ATLAS (shouting): Alright! Enough!

She claps her hands together to get everyone’s attention. In the distance, a few students can be seen walking across the quad, now that it is a little later in the morning. Fiora stares down at her feet dejectedly, and Shreya walks over to her, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders.

ATLAS: Today was a great start. I don’t know how often we’ll be able to do this--you’ve got classes and all--but we’ll find time. Class dismissed, or something.

FIORA: Thanks, Atlas.

Shreya and Fiora start walking back, away from the lake, while Beckett starts talking with Atlas. Fiora sighs in disappointment.

FIORA: Shreya, you looked so cool with your Stoicheal Gather! I’m a Light-Att and everything, but I couldn’t even manage this.

SHREYA: Fiora. It’s okay! It isn’t exactly a competition... besides, we still have months before they expect us to have Combat Form ready. Plenty of time to practice!

FIORA: I know, but still... Shreya, how did you do it? What’s the secret?

SHREYA: It’s like Atlas said: you need a strong foundation point.

FIORA (sadly): That’s exactly what I’m stuck on.

SHREYA: Here’s an easy one: why are you here at Penderghast?

FIORA: Uh... because I fell in a lake and ended up here?

SHREYA: Right. Bad example. What about the school you used to go to? The Tuneless one, I mean?

FIORA: Not really sure there, either. I was just there because it’s what people do after high school, I guess. I never really thought about it--

SHREYA: Then that’s your assignment for now: finding out what motivates you! And there’s no better person to help with that than myself, naturally!

As they continue walking, Shreya thinks for a moment, pondering how best to help Fiora with her problem. Then she catches sight of a glimmering poster affixed to the outside of the Fletchly Hall entrance.

SHREYA (excitedly): Oh! Fiora, look!

FIORA: What? Is it about Stoicheal Gather?

SHREYA: No, no, nothing like that. I’d forgotten! The Amorelia Day Gala is coming up soon! Oh, this is so exciting--my sister’s told me all about them, of course, but this will be my first chance to go to one myself!

She points to the poster, and Fiora follows her gaze. The poster is decorated with colorful silhouettes of dancing couples, all moving around the center. In the middle of the poster, the words “PCSA AMORELIA DAY GALA 2018 - MARCH 17, 7:00 PM” have been written in glimmering golden letters. Shreya beams at Fiora, who simply stares in puzzlement.

FIORA: Okay... but what is it?

SHREYA: Only the biggest social event of the school year! It’s a dance that’s held each year, celebrating the coming of spring. But mostly it’s an excuse for everyone to relax, enjoy themselves, and maybe... spend some quality time with a special someone!

She says the last few words while looking pointedly at Fiora.

FIORA: Oh. Wow. I, uh, didn’t even know about this!

SHREYA: That’s alright! It is rather exciting. And so much fun to prepare for--

FIORA: One thing at a time, Shreya... I’m too worried about this Combat Form thing to even think about a dance right now. I’ll worry about it later.

Frustrated, Fiora pushes open the doors to Fletchly Hall and steps through. Shreya frowns at the poster and sighs before following her inside.

_______________________

Notes: Here begins Act 3, and it seems like Fiora's got a ways to go to figure out this Combat Form business. Hmm...

_______________________

Next: Back in Session

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