Hi everyone, FIRSTLY, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT 'E-STORY' AND WANT TO JOIN IN WITH THIS STORY THEN PLEASE READ THE ORIGINAL THREAD AT: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12436&Form.ShowMessage=1735132 EVERYONE IS WELCOME! :) Briefly, E-STORY is a writing roulette where several people participate in telling a story. If you'd like to join in please drop a message into this thread and wait for me to add you to the list of storytellers. STORYTELLER ORDER LIST ====================== 1. Drekinn 2. dialyn 3. Claymor OK, here goes my attempt to start the first e-story. :) STORY---------- A dark blanket of cloud descended on the valley. Arathorn raised his head at the faint pitter-patter of rain and listened as it echoed through the cave. He stoked the embers of a small fire in readiness for his evening meal - a stew of freshly-caught rabbit and hand-picked wild berries. Arathorn placed them in a cooking pot and set it in the flames. Outside, the sound of distant thunder mimicked the rumble of his stomach and soon a howling wind picked up, threatening to extinguish Arathorn's only source of warmth. Suddenly an explosion of lightning struck the hillside nearby and shortly afterwards screams of terror filled the air. Quickly, ignoring his hunger pains Arathorn fumbled for his sword and leapt out into the rain to investigate. ----------STORY Ok, dialyn, it's your turn to continue! :)

Have to admit, this isn't my kind of fiction, so expect a lame attempt. STORY---- He expected to see Belock. The rain lizard hunted during these water soaked hours, knowing that its favorite prey hid in convenient places. The monster's extended tongue would whip around tender flesh before there was a chance for escape. But Arathon did not see Belock, or anything familiar to him. He saw suspended in the sky a ball of light. Cave dwellers had come from the security of their nests and stood outside. Soaked by the rain, the now silent group looked up into the sky at the solemn beauty that shimmered and hummed above them. Arathon felt a touch on his arm. "What is it?" whispered Mayata. As tall as he, as strong as he, she was uncharacteristically soft in her words, unusually awed as she looked up. She was known as one who feared nothing, but clearly she felt fear now. "What should we do?" He shook his head. This was not of his experience. He wanted to appear wise to her, but he was lost. He wanted to appear brave to her, but his fear was as great as hers. He felt her hand grasped his...not a tender touch but tight with her dread. Her touch made him tremble almost as much as the ball of light that held them both to stilled silence. And then, there was a gasp through the crowd as the light seemed to brighten and then dim as it lowered itself to the ground and unfolded itself before them. =======STORY Okay, Claymor. Your turn.

Right, sorry for the delay, traveling for work for a few weeks...here goes a quick addition then... -----STORY The exterior of the glowing ball fell away in a thin gossamar curtain as it gently touched down, revealing on oddly shaped cacoon. Arathorn hesistated then took a tentative step forward, his actions playing against all his fears. Mayata, loathe to release her grip on his hand, followed a half step behind. The cacoon swelled gently, then relaxed, rose and fell again, almost as if breathing. In fact, were it not for the faint glow that seemed to eminate from somewhere deep within it Arathorn would have half expected to see a head slowly rise up from the undulating mass. As it was the wrinkled velvety covering, with or without the glow, inspired more curiosity than fear, the startling terror of only seconds earlier quickly forgotten, and within an instant all of the cave people were pushing in for a closer look. As they watched the pulsating glow increased in pace in concert with repeated "respiration". The effect was nearly stupifying as each one there stood staring deeper into the throbbing light. Slowly at first, almost inpercetibly, the cacoon began to swell. One by one the folds and wrinkles smoothing as it grew in size. Wrapt now the onlookers could only stare, all volition to move away or shy from danger somehow erased by the light and the movements of the thing before them. They could sense more than see movement now within the cacoon, something appearring to writhe in its awakening. Then, slowly, almost seductively, a hole began to tear in the top of the cacoon. Something cutting its way carefully out from the inside. The gash widened in a painstakingly slow arch as the cacoon's sole occupant began to emerge. -------STORY Sorry for the spelling and typical word choice. Just trying to keep the momentum going between customer meetings. :) Back to you then Drekkin?

Yep, back to me. Nice build up of tension there Claymor. ;) Thanks for participating by the way. It's great to finally have you with us. :) STORY---------- Bubbles and froth began oozing slowly from the gash. Everyone stood stunned and red-faced as the cocoon then emitted a loud, disconcerting, fart-like noise as it deflated quickly to the size of an orange. It shook violently from side to side causing the earth to tremble and a strong wind to blow. Surrounding rooftops began to shudder, doors clattered and crashed to and fro, and villagers were lifted up and tossed around in the air like paper dolls. Arathorn and Mayata held each other tight, grasping hold of a nearby tree branch for anchorage. Suddenly from within the cocoon a single shaft of bright, white light burst forth into the night sky, forming a large, glowing mass at its peak. From within, a tangle of sharp-clawed limbs and scaly wings emerged, thrashing and flailing in anger. Villagers ran about screaming, clutching their ears in agony as the creature let out a deafening, spine-chilling squeal. The light diminished, revealing a hideous three-headed dragon of immense proportions, batting its massive wings against the air. Its fiery, green eyes glared down at the villagers as they fled in terror. Mayata, determined to regain her courage, released her safe grip from Arathorn and promptly charged towards the beast, her sword drawn. "Miyata, nooooo!", cried Arathorn, but it was too late. Before Miyata could react, the dragon swooped down, snatched her up in one of its great claws and flew off into the darkness, its squeals echoing into the night. ----------STORY Sorry, I thought I'd better squeeze those echoes in there somewhere. ;) Ok, dialyn, over to you. :)

Okay....here goes a slight change of direction (just for fun). STORY================ Lydia closed the manuscript and tossed it on the floor. Maddox felt an all too familiar throbbing start behind his left eye. "This is the third manuscript in five weeks that you have brought me that has a dragon hauling Miyata off like a bale of hay," she said. "Just once...just once, why isn't it Arathon that gets dragged off?" "Our target audience is men 15 to 19. They liked to see women hanging by dragon claws." She tilted back in her chair. "That might be true if this was a television series. But here's news flash: the majority readership of 'Mayata, Woman of Iron' happen to be young women 13 to 16. And our survey says they want to read about Mayata being a woman of strength, not a mealy worm for a dragon. They want to have some plot twists that werent old in the 1950s." They are too young to know what was written in the 1950sthis is all new to them. What does it matter anywayits not like were trying to write a Shakespearean play here Maddox knew that was a mistake almost as soon as the words were out of his mouth. Lydia stood up from her chair, picked up the manuscript between two fingers, and dropped it into the trash can. She took a long look at him. Her gaze moved from his face down below his waist. She shook her head and then looked back up and looked into his eyes with eyes colder than a polar ice cap in winter. If you had bothered to show up for one story board meeting, you would know what we want from this series. We want adventure books for young women. A little danger, a little romance, and a strong female role model. Not woman as victim. Woman as being strong and capable. Im going to give you one more chance. One more chance to bring this pulp up to something vaguely original. And Im only giving you that chance because youre my brother-in-law and Sandra is six months pregnant. But you better get it right this time. Maddox grunted and then retrieved his manuscript out of the trashcan and left without a further word. He patted the gun, heavy in his pocket. She didnt know, the only one with a last chance was hers, and she just used it up. ===============STORY Well, Claymor...can you take the story twist anywhere?

NOOOOO!!!! I posted yesterday but it doesn't seem to have loaded. I'll try again when I get more then 2 minutes

STORY----------- Lydia glared at the desk as Maddox walked out, shaking her head slightly only after he had gone. Sighing deeply she rose to close the door he had left open behind him. She stared in the direction he had gone for only a moment, why did he always seem to be so contradictory? As Lydia was turning to close herslef back in on her work a furitive movement caught the corner of her eye. Maddox had gone off in the opposite direction and no one else should have been in the offices this late. Lydia hesitated. If there WAS somewhere slinking around the offices late at night she should probably inform building security, but then....wouldn't that just make her out to be the "mealy worm for the dragon"? Stealing her resolve Lydia crossed the open front office toward the stairwell door weaving her way around the familiar desk and chairs that now seemed more like hiding places and obstructions than everyday furniture. Firmly grasping the doornob Lydia pushed through. Slamming the door wide in the event that the stranger was standing just inside. Suddenly something caught her amr and Lydia screamed in suprise. At least that is what she had intended to do. All that she managed to get out was a muffled groan. Something wet and damp had been clamped over her nose and mouth. A sickeningly pungent odor seemed to erase all thought. Lydia began to feel like a spectator in her own body. As the darkness descended she thought she could hear a sibilant voice coming from somewhere over her head. "Maddox should be well pleased. We took her so soon, and so easily." The last thing Lydia heard as she lapsed into unconciousness was the echo of squeeling laughter feeling the night darkened stairway. ----------------STORY Shweew, there we go.

Ok gang, we have a new storyteller who would like to join in. Welcome Ang25! :) I'll add her to the list after Claymor and since he's just contributed his part of the story it's now Ang's turn. :) New order list: STORYTELLER ORDER LIST ====================== 1. Drekinn 2. dialyn 3. Claymor 4. Ang25 ====================== Ok Ang, you may continue the story as soon as you like. Have fun. :)

:-D ok and thanks

So sorry that its taken me this long to write. I wanted to go a little further with this but I don't have enough time. STORY----- Lydia's eyes felt like lead. "why won't they open" she wondered. "OOOOww" just a little effort to move and her head was pounding. She decided to lay still for a while. Slowly, the memory was coming back to her. She'd been abducted. Hopefully, the drug would wear off soon and she'd be able to move. "Ok, be strong" she thought and tried again to open her eyes. As she squinted thru a painful eye, she saw nothing, Only darkness. It took her a minute but it finally dawned on her, someone had blindfolded her. Well her ears were still working ok and as she thought about it, she realized how awfully quiet it was here, where ever here was. She continued to assess her situation using her other senses. The place smelled dank and moldy. The air was cool. Her hands were bound but in front of her. She moved them up and removed the cloth from her eyes. Ok, now it was dark for real. She seemed to be on something soft like a matress. The silence was creepy, but better than hearing skittering noises she thought. She worked herself up into a sitting postion and spoke out loud to herself "Damn". Her head felt like it had been smacked with a baseball bat. "Hello" a voice from a short distance came out of the dark, scaring Lydia half out of her wits. It was female voice and she didn't sound frightened. "hello?" Lydia answered back. "My name is Mayata"... ----STORY Who's next?

Hello, I'd be interested in becoming the 5th person in this story for a while. -Alex.

Greetings Alex! Yes, you're very welcome to join in. I'll add you to the end of the order list after Ang25, but since I'm super eager to contribute my bit you'll have to wait another cycle. Hope this is ok. :) New order list: STORYTELLER ORDER LIST ====================== 1. Drekinn 2. dialyn 3. Claymor 4. Ang25 5. TheAlex ====================== Seems like I might first need some sleep before I continue this seat-of-your-pants mystery thriller. ;)

:) OK, I'll throw my hat into the ring as well. I will warn you, I am not a writer, but I have a good imagination. :) This just looks like too much fun to pass up.

Sorry for the delay everyone. I've been a bit busy lately. :( Love that twist of yours Ang. I was hoping the story might connect back up somehow. ;) Welcome pstekky. Wow, yet another newcomer. I never knew creative writing was so contagious. ;) Great to have you with us, although it's starting to get a little crowded. However I'll gladly add you to the list. You'll be after TheAlex. Hope you have fun. :) STORYTELLER ORDER LIST ====================== 1. Drekinn 2. dialyn 3. Claymor 4. Ang25 5. TheAlex 6. pstekky ====================== Now, on with the story. :) STORY---------- Lydia reeled in shock. 'Mayata?' 'Yes, and who are you? It warms my heart to hear another voice here in the cold darkness.' Lydia sat deep in quiet disbelief for a moment, trying to comprehend the situation. 'Mayata?' Mayata shuffled closer. 'Yes. Why does this name surprise you? Have we met before? What is your name?' 'I'm... I'm Lydia.' 'Hello Lydia,' said Mayata, reaching out a friendly hand in the darkness, finding Lydia's and holding it tenderly. 'How are you feeling?' 'Like I've been hit by a truck, and these wrist bindings are agony,' winced Lydia. 'A truck?' puzzled Mayata as she produced a sharp blade and promptly cut free Lydia's hands. 'Better?' she asked with a smile. 'Yes, thank you,' said Lydia gratefully. She ran her fingers uneasily along the edge of the mattress and onto a rough, rock floor, laden with thick dust. She struggled with words. 'How... who... w-why are you here?' Mayata sighed. 'I was taken from my village several days ago by one of Snaketooth's foul dragon beasts and have been locked in this chamber ever since.' 'A dragon??' 'Yes, he uses them to terrorize the people of this land and cause chaos and destruction wherever they go.' 'Don't be ridiculous! You expect me to believe such nonsense? Look, I have to get out of here ok.' Lydia jumped up and began fumbling around in the dark, groping the cold walls in search of an exit. 'There's no way out. Not yet anyway.' Mayata stood and retreated to the far side of the chamber where a thin beam of light entered through a small crack. With her hands she wrenched back three wooden boards revealing a gaping hole in the wall. Daylight flooded the chamber. 'I've been secretly chiselling my way through during the nights, when the guards are sleeping. It's not quite wide enough to squeeze through, but by tonight, with your help, it may prove to be our means of escape.' Now in the dim light Lydia could clearly see Mayata. Her appearance matched that exactly of the "Mayata - Woman of Iron" character she knew so well from the popular comic books. 'How could this be?' she thought. Lydia approached the hole slowly and gazed out, her jaw dropping at what she saw. They were perched high up on the side of a smouldering volcano. Thin streams of molten lava trickled down the hillside into large, bubbling cauldrons. Hissing jets of steam spewed out noisily from the craggy ground just metres away, and in the sky above, strange winged creatures circled around a dark and menacing tower. 'Where the hell are we?!' shrieked Lydia, horrified. 'Snaketooth's fortress,' Mayata replied solemnly, staring out into the gloom. 'It is said that ye who venture here are never seen again.' 'How can this be!' sobbed Lydia. 'This must all be a dream!' Mayata placed a reassuring hand on Lydia's shoulder. 'Don't worry. Tonight will we be free.' Suddenly, from the other side of the chamber door there came a loud voice. 'Hey! What's going on in there?!' snarled an angry guard. Lydia and Mayata both panicked at the sound of keys jingling in the lock. 'Hurry! Help me board up the hole!' cried Mayata. ----------STORY Ok dialyn, your turn. :)

I don't write but I do read! Just thought I would let you know I am enjoying this very much.

STORY=========== There wasn't time to do a thorough job of blocking the hole....Mayata slid a board across the opening and shoved Lydia against the wall to hold it in place. Lydia would have protested but the door opened and she was suddenly saw the biggest and ugliest man she had ever had the misfortunate to see. He looked inside the room and grunted. "Hmmm, tasty," he said. He might have said more but, as he stepped into the chamber, he fell forward onto the floor. Another man stood just behind him. He held a bloody sword in one hand and a spear in the other. He tossed the spear to Mayata who picked it out of the air. He stepped inside. "You're late, Arathon," Mayata said. "I nearly had to rescue myself." Arathon shrugged and began pulling at the body to move him inside. "Guard rounds soon." Mayata nodded and looked over at Lydia. "Come on, help us." Lydia didn't like being given orders at the best of times, but even she realized this was not the time to argue. They pulled the body inside, closed the chamber door, and then shove the massive man against the door. "I don't think we can leave the way I came in," Arathon said. He took a hard look at Lydia. "Who is this? She is not of the village." "She is Lydia, a stranger." Lydia felt Arathon take her measure and somehow sense he found her lacking. Mayata showed him the hole she had made in the wall. "This is our way out now." "Are we taking her?" "I'm not going anywhere with you two. This is all some huge joke and I'm not playing anymore. The lights are going to come up and I'm going to find out that I'm on that reality series, 'You Gotta Be a Fool.' And I can tell you, heads will roll." "If you don't come with us," Arathon said calmly, "Your head will roll." Every bit of logic in Lydia told her this was all an elaborate fiction; every instinct in her body told her that escape was her only chance at survival. She had lived her life, up until this point, depending on her intelligence; but it didn't seem to be adequate for this situation. ------------------------------- "So, is our prisoner comfortable?" Maddox didn't really care if Lydia was comfortable or not, but he needed to break the silence. Having just passed through the portal, he was still dressed in a business suit and carrying his attache case. Lord Snaketooth, draped in animal and lizard skins, was drinking from a glass that was filled with something thick and red. "They are secure. What do you bring me?" Maddox felt for his gun. He never came here unarmed. They were allies but not friends. He didn't trust the fanged man before him. "What you wanted." "You have the world in your square sack?" His lordship drew out the s's into a hiss. "For I want nothing less." ========STORY Claymor's turn.

STORY====================== Maddox supressed a a shudder as he usually did when speaking to "His lordship". The creature was beneath him really but a necessary evil, at least for the moment. "If the world were small enough to fit in my briefcase" he stressed the word to show his superior intelligence, "would it really be worth having?" He knew this response was pushing it a little. "His lordship" liked to think himself superior and to be treated as such. Maddox always walked on the edge in that regard. He continued in a slightly less patrnizing tone. "May I remind your lordship that these two women are central to our plan. If they were to somehow manage to escape...." He left it hanging there. ------------ Arathon busied himself searching the body of the recently deceased guard as Mayata listened closely lest anyone should come looking for him. Lydia sat hunched in the corner hugging her knees to her chest trying to concentrate. Her initital reactoin had been somewhat obstinate, almost a reflex. But now she was reconsidering. She'd seen this plot plenty of times before, stranger in a strange land, bizarre surroundings, madness just around the corner, all familiar stuff really. She asessed her options: 1. This is an elaborate hoax. If this is the case my best hope is to play along with it and look for flaws, gaps, anything that will explain the eventual intent. Just going through the process was steadying... 2. This is truly some form of time/space rift. Less plausible but, if it be the case, the best hope is to play along, integrate into this world as quickly as possible while using my personal skills to overcome obstacles and find a way out. Her breathing started to come under control... 3. I have gone mad. Unacceptable. My sense of self, time and place are all intact. She chuckled softly to herself, "The lunatics are now running the assylum..." Every story of this kind that she had ever read, reviewed, critiqued, skimmed or heard about included someone who denied the reality of where they were in order to keep "their sanity". But those characters always had looked so incredibly foolish to her. "Don't deny it, evovle with it." She had been talking to characters in books since she was old enough to read. "The more you blend in the more you can observe, the more you observe the more you learn, the more you learn the greater your opportunity to change, influence and control." That had been her mantra in the industry and it would serve her well now. "Arathon", she said softly to get his attention, "If I am to escape with you and Mayata I am going to need better shoes." Arathon looked up with a puzzled frown. "Better shoes?" "Yes, and don't you think that this Armani suit will stand out just a little?" She glanced at the still form of the guard on the floor. Mayata was quick to agree. "She is right Arathon. Secrecy and stealth will get us out of this cell but we won't get too far unless Lydia looks like she belongs." Arathon grunted in mute aquiesence and began stripping the garments and skins from the corpse. "The two of you have until nightfall to make something useful out of these. Then we leave. Whether the stranger is naked or clothed, in rags or....soot." ============================= STORY

patmartj, Yes, I must say I'm enjoying this immensely too. It's the unknown twists and turns that arise which make it addictive. If you'd like to join in just say the word. :) Looks like it's your turn Ang. :)

Yep, and I apologize for taking so long. I started something on Weds and I decided to post it just now since I work so much and don't have a lot of time, but darn it, I can't find it. So when I get home from work today, I'll either find it and post it or try to rewrite from memory what I had. Again I am sorry for the delay. Angela

Ok got a raging lightning storm going on outside, not the smartest time to be sitting in front of my computer but here's what I've got. Story=== "Sheesh, typical male" Lydia thought to herself. "Never really thinking about the whole picture. And what the hell did he mean by soot? Oh well. Best not to make enemies with him. Besides he does have a fantastic physique' Mayata was perfection in Lydia's eyes. Lydia was able to observe her and it amazed her that the woman never complained about her pain when it was so obvious. There were horrendous black, blue and yellow bruise marks all around her torus. If Lydia bought into this was reality, then these were caused by the talons of a flying dragon grabbing and carrying her off to this prison. Regardless of how she had gotten these marks they were certainly not faked. She'd seen Mayata bend over once when she wasn't really looking her way and she saw the grimace on Mayata's face. No, she wasn't faking her injuries. But nor was she letting others know that they even existed. This was exactly the type of character that Lydia was looking for in her manuscripts. Why couldn't Maddox see that. "Maddox" what did he have to do with what was happening. She'd seen him patting his pocket, it scared her. She'd never trusted him from the day her sister introduced him to the family. "Gold digger" that was all that came to mind when she saw him. Mayata was working wonders with the cloth Arathon had pulled off the dead guard. Lydia now had clothing on that wouldn't draw attention to her. And it seemed it was just in time. Darkness was falling and it was time to use Mayata's tunnel. Mayata went first, then Lydia with Arathon bringing up the rear. According to Mayata all they needed to do was hit the wall at the end of the tunnel a few times and it would crumble and they would be free to leave. Everything seemed to work perfectly, Mayata gave the wall a few smacks and the humid night air was before them. It was difficult to see, it seemed there was no moonlight to help guide them. When Lydia said how bad it was that the moon wasn't out, they both snorted at her. "Ok" Lydia thought "keep your opinions to yourself from now on". The screech pierced the darkness and sent a chill down Lydia's spine. "Come on! we mush hurry" Mayata said as she grabbed Lydia's arm and pulled her along a path that Lydia could not see. Stumbling along her other arm raised across in front of her face to keep from getting hit by unseen branches, Lydia let Mayata lead her... ===Story So now its TheAlex's turn :-D

Gee, I'd like to stop writing and just keep reading. :) Good job, people!

mush = must darn why didn't I see that the first few times I read it over.

Because you're human. Anyone else think this would be a good story for artists to illustrate?

Yes, this is juicy. Perhaps a combat in imagination where writers vie to carry on the script as close to the story line as possible yet add a twist that's sure to claim the next writing victim. rubs hands together This is as good as the front row in Geep's tutorials!

Thanks to the people who mentioned they were reading this, it's good to know! Here is my first contribution then: STORY--------- They ran at a constant pace, then for some reason unknown to Lydia, Myata began to increase her velocity, causing Lydia to stumble and stumble and struggle to keep up behind her. The path became less path-like, errant boughs more frequently protruded in front of them, only a split-second allowed in the darkness before seeing and adjusting without clouting something. The grip on their hands was loosening, the sweat flowing more fluently as fear overtook them and the exertion increased their fervour. Lydia sensed a panic in Myata that she hadnt deemed likely, or at least that shed never read about. They ran. Riddles of moonlight began to trickle through the trees, somewhat lighting the way but making their hotfoot all the more teasing and testing. Lydia found she now had no control at all over her direction, her feet were no longer touching down as Myatas strength and speed had pulled her above ground. How she didnt strike anything she didnt know, but she closed her eyes and felt the trees rush past her. Myatas grip strengthened on her hand again, it felt somewhat rough and scaly. Lydia saw a vague shadow appear before her. It rippled and contorted until it began to take the shape of a human. She was now dreaming. The shadow faded and disappeared completely. A few seconds passed while Lydias world drifted...she felt Myatas hand grasping her wrist...she saw the shadow again...she felt the trees pass by her at speed with leaves rustling against her hair. She had time to question which was her conscious state, if any? She drifted again...the shadow reappeared in the form of a ghostly sprite. Lydia squinted as she tried to get a clearer perception of the hazy state. "Maddox?" --------STORY So, was it Maddox? ->pstekky

Woops! Was following daily, then got distracted. I will update the story tomorrow morning......... Sorry for the delay folks. ~ Rich

I hate to bail out on this story, but with summer coming up I have too many things to do. So I'll still read the story additions with great anticipation, but I can't find enough time to contribute any more. :( Its been fun, Angela

Sorry to read that, Angela, but I surely understand. Hope you return another time...I enjoy your style.

Thanks Dialyn, Its not bad stuff. I'm visiting the family on Memorial Day weekend (long drive). Then the end of June I'm planning my first trip. My daughter and I are going to fly over to England. I'm terrified but so excited. Plus I work 53 hrs a week so time is usually tight without all this new stuff. But if the story is still going when I get done all that fun stuff, I'll put in my request to rejoin Grins. Angela

Glad it's good stuff that's keeping you busy. :) Looking forward to your return and a report on England (I live vicariously). :D

Attached Link: hello to all

keep up the great story
angeldreamer

Sorry to hear that you're unable to continue with the story Ang. Hopefully you'll rejoin us again at a later date when things are less hectic. Thanks for contributing! Enjoy your time in England. :) angeldreamer, thanks for the feedback. Your website is very attractive. :) STORYTELLER ORDER LIST ====================== 1. Drekinn 2. dialyn 3. Claymor 4. TheAlex 5. pstekky ====================== Ok pstekky, over to you. :)

OK, (Sorry it took so long. Life got REAL hectic last week)
Keep in mind, I am not a writer, I'm a graphic designer. I would be more at home illustrating the story after you guys write it, but I couldn't resist the fun.

STORY----------

Maddox!

Her mind filled with a grey swirling mist with bright flashes of light now and then. From grey to bright vibrant colors, as if she were seeing the most incredible northern lights display she had ever seen. Slowly the colors faded back to grey and then to black. The silence and darkness took her.

There, in the clearing. Can you see them?
It was Myatas voice. Lydia woke with a jolt, realizing suddenly that she had been out for some time. The grass beneath her was cool and moist, the small rock that she had been laying on had left a small imprint on her arm. As she sat up, Arathon gently put his fingers to her lips in a gesture that was hard to misunderstand.
Be silent he whispered. There is danger ahead.
Lydia sat on the ground, leaning on her arm, suddenly shifting her balance realizing her arm was tingling from sleeping on a rock for too long. Mayata was kneeling nearby, her gaze locked on something in the distance.
Getting her bearings, she could see from where they were, a valley below them. The valley floor was dense forest, with a small clearing below them. She realized that this is where Mayata was looking.
Mayata turned to Lydia, I see youve joined us again. I offer my apologies if you were harmed. Many are not used to that kind of travel. Let me know when you are able to continue. We are not yet safe and need to move soon. Her gaze returning once again to the clearing.
Arathorn, there. She whispered, pointing towards something Lydia couldnt see. To the left of the alter. I make out 3 of them.
Arathorn nodded, Aye, Also one more over there.
Lydia strained to see anything other than a clearing in the forest. Now that she was looking at that point, she could see something grey in the middle, she assumed that would be the alter that Mayata mentioned, but to her it just looked like a large rock or something.
Wanting to know what they were looking at, she rolled to her knees and crawled up near them. I dont see anything. What are you looking at?
Mayata raised a disbelieving eyebrow at her.
Pointing again to the left of the clearing she whispered Right there. How can you not see them?
Straining once again at the distant clearing, Lydias eyes suddenly widened at the shock of seeing them. She knew now that if this WAS a hoax, it was a pretty elaborate one. She just stared realizing that she was actually seeing

---------STORY

Message edited on: 05/21/2004 12:11

Drekinn.... You still with us? :)

I was wondering that myself...

Argh! Sorry all for taking so long to reply! :( I had this major college project due this week and I just couldn't find a spare moment, but luckily now thats all over with and the time for storytelling has returned. Yippee! :) Oh, just a friendly reminder to all, that the last sentence of the story segment you write must be complete (as per the E-STORY rules). ie, please don't write half a sentence with "......." at the end. It can affect the following storyteller's writing style and also looks a bit tacky. Sorry if this seems silly but I think it's important. Ok, on with the show. STORY----------    She just stared, realizing that she was actually seeing exact replicas of herself, as captives of this world, chained up and about to be sacrificed. Two were dressed in the tattered rags she was now wearing, one still in the Armani suit she had arrived in and the other wore an outfit not unlike Mayata's, sturdy and warrior-like. Compared to the others she appeared noticeably more muscular and athletic. Her composure calm, as if fearless. All of them showed visible signs of harsh torture, some suffering from mental anguish, slumped upon the ground and sobbing.    Lydia suppressed an outburst of hysteria mixed with grief. 'How is this possible?!' she wailed softly, tears streaming down her cheeks.    Mayata looked at Lydia then back to the clearing. 'They are instances of you from past, present and future, captured by Snaketooth's goons and brought here as offerings.'    'Offerings to whom?' asked Lydia shakily, drying her eyes with her sleeve.    Arathorn stirred. 'To our greatest enemy,' he replied, his voice bitter with hatred, 'but that tale will have to wait for another time, as there are more urgent matters at hand.'    Lydia turned her gaze gloomily back to the clearing. 'Why are we waiting here? We have to save them!' she cried, attempting to stand, but finding herself being held back by Mayata's strong arm.    'Many guards lay hidden amongst the surrounding scrub,' warned Mayata. 'It is too dangerous to attempt a rescue at this time.'    Lydia's eyes flitted searchingly around the edges of the clearing below, but could see or hear nothing. She sighed, staring forlornly at her captive selves. Her focus turned to her warrior self, studying her more closely, half frightened, half in awe at what she was witnessing here. 'Me? A warrior?' she marvelled in quiet fascination.    It was at this moment that her warrior self lifted her gaze to where Lydia was, and winked.    Lydia was so startled that she lost her footing and, with a yelp, fell sideways down the face of the precipice, tumbling noisily through leaves and branches.    Alerted by the commotion, the unseen guards made themselves known as a wave of arrows whistled past Mayata's and Arathorn's ears.    'Quickly! We must flee!' alerted Arathorn.    Mayata hesitated for a moment, scanning the hillside below for Lydia, but she could see only trees.    Arathorn grabbed Mayata by the arm. 'Now!' he cried, pulling her to her feet.    Mayata nodded and together they retreated into the woodland to the rear.    During the time all this was happening, Lydia's warrior self had managed to struggle free of her bindings and disable a few guards in the process. Taking up her sword which lay nearby she severed the chains of her other selves. 'You are free to go, but hurry!' she cautioned, and watched as they scattered out of sight to safety. Then she herself took to the bushes, in the direction where Lydia had fallen.    Lydia came to, and groaned in pain as she sat herself upright. Twang! An arrow narrowly missed her head and struck a neighbouring tree trunk. Suddenly aware of the impending danger, she jumped to her feet and scrambled behind a fallen log, where she waited, trembling. Lydia gasped as a hand gripped her shoulder.    'Aah! Don't hurt me! I beg you!' she pleaded.    'And why would I do that?' her voice replied.    Lydia turned and saw that it was her warrior self, smiling back at her.    Lydia froze with shock, unable to speak.    'Thanks for the diversion. All went according to plan,' said Lydia's counterpart.    'Pl- plan?' managed Lydia, bewildered beyond belief.    'Oh yes, sorry. I'm forgetting. We've never met before have we? I know more about you than you could imagine.'    'Who are you??' Lydia demanded.    'They call me Mayata.'    'You're Mayata?!' blurted Lydia, ready to faint. 'Then who am I??'    Mayata made a sympathetic expression. 'All will be explained, but danger draws near. We must leave this place.'    Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Three arrows flew past.    'And the sooner the better,' she added. 'C'mon, I know a place we can go.' ----------STORY Things just got a whole lot more complicated. ;)

An unlikely explanation, a little exposition to cover the fact that I have no idea where to take this story.

-------------STORY

"Better than television, wouldn't you say?" Maddox said. Foot high, 3 dimensionsal reflections of Lydia, Mayata, and Arathon scurried acrossed a minaturized landscape. "The world in a box."

"Televison?" Lord Snaketooth warily cicled the briefcase.

"I hate to give any credit to my wife." Maddox expanded the plain view so that the landscape expanded to included a horizon across which a flying lizard soared. "But she got involved in three dimensional modeling and digital art. She started talking about how it should be possible to create television or movies in which the actors could actually be seen in three dimension, and the audience could manipulate storylines the way she manipulated her models."

"Movies?"

"Of course discovering the portal was just plain luck."

"I don't understand any of what you are saying. What is this thing?"

"It is your world in a box."

It was difficult to determine what Lord Snaketooth's expression was.

"Not just the world as you know, but the world as it is in different dimensions, in different times. With a few twists of the knobs, I can morph the fabric of time and space as if it were clay. I can sculpt it into any variation I want." This was hyperbole on his part, of course, but his lordship didn't need to know that. "This, Lord Snaketooth, is power beyond your dreams."

"Not beyond my dreams." His lordship's tongue flicked out of his mouth.

"Of course it has its limitations. Just because I can pull people from one time or environment into another doesn't mean that I can control completely what they do. And, just like clay, there is a limit to how much manipulation I can do. Too strong a morph, and the time mesh breaks and a black hole is created that sucks everything away. I lost a civilization on Mars that way. And it was too bad about the dinosaurs. I didn't now what I was doing then."

"But you do now? You have control."

"Of course." Maddox wouldn't admit to his lordship that there was any doubt of that, though, in truth, recent events had not occurred completely to plan. He had expected Lydia to be dead by now, for one thing, instead of being protected by the barbarians who should have destroyed her out of instinct. He was uncomfortable with the appearance of time generated clones as well...though Lord Snaketooth took credit for their appearance, Maddox had his doubts. They may have slipped through a tear in the time mesh and that needed to be fixed.

Unfortuanately Maddox didn't know how to fix the time mesh, despite what he said to Lord Snaketooth. On the other side of the portal, his wife unknowingly was supporting this world with her graphic program and even he was not sure how she was doing it. The portal was there, part of her software that Sandra had downloaded like any other graphics program from Mystique 3D Studio Art.

It was all very innocent at the beginning. Maddox had asked his wife to create a series of graphics for his latestt Mayata novel to sell Lydia on the idea of a comic version of the series. It seemed the least Sandra could do considering the hundreds of dollars she was spending on her hobby. And she enjoyed doing it...spending hours creating elaborate sets, peopling it, even designing waredrobes. With their wireless connection, she could easily transmit her results to the pdf he carried in his briefcase which he had planned to present to Lydia at some point. But, as his wife worked, Mayata and her world began appearing inside the briefcase. And when he discovered the portal, he found he could enter that world, and he could influence events there.

Up to a point.

But there there were some limits, however. The world inside his briefcase only appeared when his wife was actively working on a project. He had tried to initiate it himself, but he hadn't, as yet, been able to discover the sequence of controls she used, quite innocently, to launch the effect. And, while, he could move freely from this world to his own through the portal, he couldn't seem to discover a way to other worlds, though he sensed they must exist.

"Where did they go?" His lordship pushed him. "Bring them back. I want to see what is happening now."

Sandra must have closed the program. She was taking more breaks as her pregnancy advanced.

"You will have more when I choose to show you more." Maddox closed the briefcase. He had power Lord Snaketooth as long as his lordship didn't realize his power was only partial.

It was just as well his lordship couldn't see what was happening. He wouldn't have been pleased to find that his victims had successfully escaped again.

---------------------------STORY

Claymor, save me.

Message edited on: 05/28/2004 06:40

The three most beautiful words in English, French said, are not "I love you" but "to be continued." His talk was an argument for the power of the of the slowly unfolding story -- the wait, the suspense (though I don't think he ever used the word cliffhanger). The world in general, and the newsroom in particular, are like his father -- let's get to the point, cut to the chase, what's the bottom line? But the faster life gets, French said, the more powerful it is when a writer or director makes you wait to see what happens next. Tom Lenehan. "What Happens Next? Tom French on the Power of Unfolding Narrative." Poynter Online, Report on the Nieman Narrative Journalism Conference, December 1, 2001, http://legacy.poynter.org/nww/nieman/french.htm

Wow dialyn, you are truly the queen of exposition - such a creative mind. I commend your efforts! The gap of uncertainty between the two worlds is gradually narrowing. :)

It would help if I proofed before I posted. How embarressing to see the typos fly out at me. Sigh.

STORY--------------- Sandra piched the bridge of her nose and squinted hard, exhaling deeply, willing herself to relax along with the sound of her harddrive winding down. She loved dabbling in her "3D World" as Maddox called it but lately her sessions were growing shorter as her belly grew larger. She had been thrilled when he had come to her asking that she create some pieces to help him with his work. The timing could not have been more perfect as she seemed to have been at a creative block just then. He had given her enough inspiration "create some scenes for the Mayata series", along with enough free reign, "make the people as you see them." The decision to model Mayata after her sister had been a simple one. Lydia was always ranting on about the need for strong female role models in the books they produced. Sandra knew, even if he never said anything about it, that Maddox and Lydia would have been at odds over THAT issue more than once. She'd started with "Lydia business woman", natural choice since she already had some clothes modeled that approximated her favorite Armani suit. Sandra had been rather proud of the how close a likeness she'd been able to create between Lydia and her 3D double. The stpes from there had been somewhat evolutionary...Lydia in something akin to a tarzan/jane outfit had been too "jungly"....Lydia in something less spotted had been too raggedy, almost like slave-girl-Lydia...eventually she'd landed on her perfect Lydia-Mayata, slightly more muscular, very confident, and warrior-like. Pleased with her work she'd shown Maddox...but he seemed almost disinterested, remarking that they looked "fine honey". Sandra had exploded at that. While she DID enjoy the work it WAS for him after all and she had done a damn fine job of modeling. But his response to her episode was even more suprising...he exploded back. Of course most of it was the typical, "you don't understand how hard I work to put food on the table" nonsense with an expected dash of "you're just hormonal" thrown in for extra bite, but Sandra felt, or thought she did, something different. Was it possible that Maddox was having an affair? Worse yet was he having an affair with Lydia? Now, leaning back in her chair, she chuckled at the thought of it. "No my dear. I know both you AND Lydia well enough to know that could never happen. Of course back then I didn't yet know about the portal did I?" She smiled softly, shaking her head as she rose akwardly from her chair. "And even now you still believe it is your secret alone. You poor poor man...it is a damn good thing you have a wife who loves you." She wandered off to the kitchen to brew up some wamr Sleepy-time Tea before going off to bed. ---------STORY Sandra needed a little character dev I thought...nice twist :) Sorry for the delay, traveling back in Europe again.

Damn...that means it's my turn. Give me till the weekend guys. :o) I live in England too by the way...

It's going great guys/gals. I'm hanging on every twist and turn.

Hey Alex, I hope you haven't forgotten about us. :( I'm on the edge of my seat here. :)

We may have to institute a time limit in which to "take your turn" so that if someone gets hung up we can skip to the next person in rotation and continue the story. Something like 15 days, 21 maybe?

I agree. I'll start jotting something down if we decide to skip ahead. Would love to hear from you though Alex. :)

Hi people, You had to wait a year between each of the LOTR trilogy films! ;) Actually, I'm really sorry - you'd think being ill off work would give me more time to write. :( I wanted to enter the monthly contest too. I promise as long as I am fit and well enough, and my computer functions - my piece will be up by midnight UK time tomorrow. It's common courtesy that things like this get done on time at least out of respect, so I do feel I've let you down even though my turn WILL be up! And I agree on the time limit Claymor. Alex.

No let down Alex, we're all just excited to keep the momentum. I'll be back in the UK next week so consider yourself threatened :) a rude american (or is that redundant?) will show up at your door if you've not posted by then.

Hehe, thanks Claymor. I'd look forward to that so you better not make such threats or I may reconsider posting and look forward to the visit instead! ;)

I'm not in a rush. The longer you take, the longer I have to think of something. ;)

Hi again folks, I sat down 45 minutes ago not expecting anything to flow, but I managed it! I hope you like the couple of twists, though I don't think I've written this passage that well. In my last piece I had to start when they were on the run too! --------STORY Lydia wondered how she hadnt seen Mayata in herself, but she struggled to see any resemblance at the moment, scampering away again with Mayatas hand clasped around her wrist. All she could see was Mayatas dark, black hair, flapping and flowing against her muscular physique as they ran. This time she was managing to keep up without too much effort, here the trees were sparser and of course it was daylight, they could see it had been after midnight when they escaped from the cave at Snaketooths mansion. What day is it? What time? she panted to Mayata. She received no response. With force she pulled from Mayatas grasp and through sudden loss of momentum and realisation that she needed to keep her legs moving to keep up, Lydia fell to the grassy ground. She pulled up her torn sleeve of her left arm to view her watch. It wasnt there. Right arm... Strange... she thought, she always wore her watch on her left arm, and here it was on her right. 8th August, 08:08 am. She was never the best at remembering dates, but was sure it was August 10th when she was about to leave the office her last vague memory of something approaching reality before she ended up trapped in the cave with Mayata. A different Mayata than the one she was with now. Her head began to swirl as she tried to take in all that had happened since then, and before then. Come on! Lydia looked up to see Mayata gesturing towards her and Snaketooths mansion rising up in the distance. Lydia, now weary, lifted up to her feet and dozily jogged towards Mayata, seemingly uninjured from her fall but her head still spinning as the strain built inside her. Youll have to be faster than that! howled Mayata, we have to be there in 10 minutes! At 8 in fact! But...but...that was 10 minutes ago? uttered Lydia. Yes, Lydia, we should just make it if we hurry, said Mayata, not about to reveal any more. Lydia didnt even bother to question why they were heading towards the mansion, though she worried as its vastness loomed before them. BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP! Sandra reached across to her dressing cabinet and switched off her alarm. Why doesnt it have a snooze button like any normal alarm clock? she contemplated. That was it with Maddox, everything he did always fell short in some way. Sandra drowsily got into her night gown and wandered downstairs to make a cup of tea. As the water in the kettle boiled and bubbled she looked forward to getting back onto the computer and dabbling in the world. She had cut short her sleep so she could get extra time alone with it before Maddox arrived home. Her tea made, no sugar, she made her way back upstairs. Damn! she cursed, I never removed that first attempt at Lydia, it never did look much like her. There were all those other characters that appeared from nowhere too. -------STORY