Drabble 273

Finished 00:51.

Araziel and Blue had taken to playing Noughts and crosses in the dirt, since neither of them knew where they were and attempting to up and leave would likely result in them both getting even more lost than they were already, if that were possible. “You know we can't just sit here forever, right?” asked Araziel.

“I disagree,” said Blue.

“At some point we're going to have to leave,” Araziel continued; “and we need to figure out how we're going to do that without knowing where we are, since I'd rather not die out here if I can help it.”

Drabble 272

Finished 5:11.

Although Anansi had eventually agreed to untie Raven, he still wasn't taking any chances with security. Two guards had been posted outside the door and another one was standing in the corner of the room, taking up as much space as he possibly could without taking up any space at all. Anansi was pouring over maps, throwing information at Raven so fast he could hardly keep up; where Mary-Tzu was camped, how many men she had with her, the rotation of her guards... With as much information as Anansi already had Raven wasn't entirely sure what he was needed for.

Drabble 271

Finished 2:48.

Raven didn't have long to think things through before Anansi demanded answer. He hadn't really thought at all, but was just trying to buy himself more time, when he said: “Alright; tell me what you want me to do.” Anansi moved closer to him, sitting on the edge of his desk right beside him and resting a hand on his cheek. “See? I knew you'd come around eventually,” he said, moving to ruffle Raven's hair. Raven would have slapped his hand away if he'd been able to, but as it was all he could do was sit there feeling ill.

Drabble 270

Finished 5:03.

Blue and Araziel had managed to find a small patch of woodland where the trees were a little less dense to sit down, but hadn't yet found there way back to a path or located any landmark that Blue recognised. They had been sitting there in awkward silence for a while when Blue finally spoke. “We are hopelessly lost, aren't we?” he said.

“Blue, I'm not even entirely certain we're in Acellevin any more,” replied Araziel.

“If we're not in Acellevin, then where are we?” asked Blue.

“I don't know,” Araziel answered, “but wherever this is, I don't like it.”

Drabble 269

 Finished 6:03.

Araziel had been following the rustling through the woods for about twenty minutes when she suddenly found a large weight pinning her down. “Get OFF me, you bloody great oaf!” she snapped, hitting Blue off the back of the head.

“Sorry, I thought you were the leprechaun,” Blue said. He rolled off of her and sat on the ground, rubbing the sore spot on the back of his head where Araziel had hit him. “Do I look like a leprechaun to you?” she spat as she climed to her feet, dusted off he skirt and hit Blue a second time.

Drabble 268

Finished 1:26.

A few servants came in throughout the day with water and to make sure that Raven wasn't up to anything, but he didn't see Anansi again until that evening. By that point he had most of a plan pieced together, but he had no idea how he was going to get the leprechaun there to instigate it all. He wasn't sure how long he would have to put things into action, but judging by the impatient tapping of Anansi's foot and his sharp: “I'm going to give you one last chance to change your mind,” it wouldn't be very long.

Drabble 267

Finished 21:33.

Raven was still sitting in Anansi's office, trying to figure out how he was supposed to get himself out of this mess. Since Blue and Araziel were likely still looking for his horse, he couldn't depend on one of them realising he was gone. Many years ago he might have considered appealing to Anansi's better nature, but he was old enough now that he knew that would be pointless; he'd have more chance of being rescued by the leprechaun. With that thought in mind he leaned back against his chair, as much as the bind would allow, and began plotting.

Drabble 266

Finished 22:57. So, I finished that little intermission, and then realised I didn't remember where I'd left off the storyline. I think it had something to do with the leprechaun? :P

General Mary-Tzu of the Mary-Sue army was still in Acellevin, still living in her tent in the woods. She'd brought enough servants and soldiers with her that she wouldn't need to worry about things like hunting for food, but even so being so far from home was starting to grow uncomfortable. Just as soon as her business in Acellevin had been finished and she'd dotted all the relevant 'i's she would be sure to pack her things and be away immediately, and leave more difficult tasks, such is the inevitable diplomatic fallout from her intended actions there, to somebody else.

Drabble 265

Finished 22:19.

It took less than a week for Blue to decide he'd had enough and forcibly drag Raven back inside. Araziel had been through most of his liquor cabinet, and was sitting at the table with the last glass of whiskey in her hands. “See? Look what you've done! I'm not even sure she knew what drinking is until she met you!” Blue screeched. Raven took one look at Araziel, looking bedraggled and staring forlornly into her glass. He shrugged, turned to Blue and said, “I'm sure she's fine.”

“Yes, and I'm sure that I'm the picture of sanity,” spat Blue.

Drabble 264

Finished 22:51.

Dear Author,

Look, I have no idea what this whole strike thing is over, but it's beginning to get on my nerves. Whatever Raven is asking for, please just let him have it. Or at least set a few things on fire for me so he'll have to do something besides sit around outside. This place isn't nearly as much fun when I can't torment Raven, and you really don't want me to get any more bored than I already am. I don't even care what you do or how you do it but just fix this already.

Signed,

Blue.

Drabble 263

Finished 23:38.

It was nearly nightfall when Raven finally came back inside, and Blue had taken it upon himself to actually act like a functioning adult for once in his life and was in the kitchen cooking dinner. “You do realise what's happening here, don't you?” asked Araziel as Raven sat down across from her.

“You got into my vodka?” suggested Raven.

“No – well, yes – but I mean that, all other factors controlled, that crazier you are acting, the saner Blue gets,” she said. “It's almost like insanity is a finite resource, and between you, you and Blue would use it all.”

Drabble 262

Finished 22:05.

Blue had quickly gotten bored of striking and gone back into the house, where Araziel had once again let herself into Raven's liquor cabinet. “Is there something we ought to speak about?” asked Blue, taking a near empty bottle from her hands.

“I don't think this land is very good for me,” said Araziel.

“I don't think this land is any good for anybody,” replied Blue.

“What are you talking about?” asked Araziel; “this is the sanest I've ever seen you.”

“I hardly count,” he said. “I mean, anything that's good for me is generally just bad as a whole.”

Drabble 261

Finished 21:32.

“Raven, what are we doing?” asked Blue. They had been sitting on the grass outside Raven's cottage, not really doing anything much, for several hours. “We're striking,” replied Raven.

“Well it feels like we're just sitting here doing nothing,” snapped Blue.

“That's how a strike works, Blue. We refuse to do anything until the Author gives in to my demands,” explained Raven.

“Well wouldn't it be easier to set everything on fire, just to spite them?” asked Blue.

“No.”

“Why not?” whined Blue.

“Because then everything would be on fire, and that would cause more problems for us than them.”

Drabble 260

Finished 22:36.

Dear Author,

I think that we can both agree that this has Gone Too Far. I'm astounded that my house is still standing after the havoc Blue's wrought these past few days; taking fire away from him has actually made things worse! Quite simply I do not know how you expect me to work with these conditions, but it certainly won't be continuing. If you cannot reign things in here I will have no choice but to go on strike.

I hope that you will consider all I've said here when deciding your next course of action.

Yours Faithfully,

Raven.

Drabble 259

Finished 22:34.

Dear Author,

Why did you take my fires? You took all of the fire away, and now there's nothing for me to do. I wasn't really going to set everything on fire. Well, not everything...

You know I can still destroy everything without setting it on fire, right? I have access to swords, there is magick here, there are lots of ways I can break things. I not saying I'm going to destroy the world just to spite you; only that if you don't want the world destroyed then you should really put the fire back on.

Unkind Regards,

Blue.

Drabble 258

 Finished 00:41.

Dear Author,

Whilst I appreciate the requirements of your position make the situation somewhat complicated, I really do feel that this whole thing has been allowed to get out of hand. Sit is nothing short of miraculous that so far, Blue has only been able to burn down the town and has not destroyed the entirety of Acellevin. Surely he doesn't need to reside here that much longer? You could, after all, accomplish your aims within Blue's homeland and not need to involve me at all. I only ask you consider this before allowing this to continue.

Yours Faithfully,

Raven.

Drabble 257

Finished 1:27.

Dear Author,

Would you please get off your lazy behind and actually write something? It's only a hundred words; surely it isn't that difficult. I'm starting to get really, really bored over here, and you know you don't like what happens when I get bored. Honestly, not even I like what happens when I get bored. If you're really that stuck I'm sure nobody would mind much if you just threw in some ninjas or something, but hurry up and do something or else I'm going to start setting things on fire again.

All My Love (nobody loves you),

Blue.

Drabble 256

This was finished at 1:37, but couldn't be uploaded due to connectivity problems.

Anansi was downstairs pacing up and down the kitchen. All of the kitchen staff, the cooks and the scullery-maids, had abandoned their posts and Anansi had been left alone. Usually he would have preferred that, but today the quiet was doing nothing to ease his mood or to help him think. Although he hated to admit it he had something of a dilemma on his hands; he needed to kill General Mary-Tzu of the Mary-Sue army, but she was too careful and too well guarded for him to get to, and his only remaining avenue was being less than co-operative.

Drabble 255

Finished 2:46.

After Anansi had left, Raven was left with absolutely nothing to do but scheme. Or, rather, try to scheme, since the bland and boring nature of Anansi's study wasn't exactly conductive to scheming. There wasn't anything to even hint what Anansi had been doing the past few years sine they'd parted ways, what he was doing in Acellevin or just why is so desperately wanted Mary-Tzu dead, nor was there anything he could use as a weapon or to help him escape. Anansi had clearly thought about all of that when arranging the room, and it was driving Raven mad.

Drabble 254

Finished 2:08.

Blue was getting increasingly impatient. There hadn't been any more signs of the leprechaun, but now there was a rustling in the undergrowth not too far away. He had considered investigating it, but if it was the leprechaun then that was probably exactly what it wanted. It was extremely difficult for Blue to remain where he was with so many distractions, and in the very least he knew that he'd be leaving there with a new respect for Raven and what he did. He'd known Raven to wait hours for a target and had no idea how he did it.

Drabble 253

Finished 1:09.

Araziel had been sitting around woods for what felt like hours and so far she hadn't caught sight of either the leprechaun or Blue, and still had absolutely no idea where she was. She was about ready to give up waiting for Blue to come and find her and go back to trying to find her own way out, when finally something started stirring in the trees ahead of her. Although it could have been just about anything, and might well have just been a rabbit, she couldn't risk letting anything pass by, and followed the movement into the trees.

Drabble 252

 Finished 22:34.

Anansi had been standing quietly, apparently having forgotten about his tea and the scones, and Raven was growing increasingly uncomfortable. He didn't doubt for one moment that Anansi really would bring him back home in chains, and he knew just exactly how that would end for him. Eventually, Anansi decided he had nothing else left to say and walked out of the office, leaving Raven sitting alone with a sinking feeling in his stomach. He wasn't going to expect Blue to rescue him a second time, after all, and he hated to admit it but he'd fallen out of practice.

Drabble 251

Finished 2:26.

Blue was quickly loosing patience with trying to wait the leprechaun out, but given it was the only strategy he had besides setting everything on fire he was doing his best to make it work. He was really starting to wish he'd brought a pack of cards or something out with him, though, since at this rate he was probably going to die of boredom. It occurred to him, briefly, that this may have been the leprechaun's plan, but there wasn't really much he could do if it was. It seemed like whatever he did here, he was ultimately screwed. 

Drabble 250

Finished 1:35.

Blue hadn't seen where the leprechaun had gone, and even he could tell that getting him to run blindly through the woods was probably part of its plan, so the best course of action would be to just not go anywhere. He pulled himself out of the ditch and moved far enough away that he shouldn't fall in again, but other than that he kept still, hoping to wait the leprechaun out. It would have been a good plan, except Blue had forgotten that he has a very short attention span, and within five minutes was starting to get bored. 

Drabble 249

Finished 2:57.

Raven had been sitting silently for quite some time now, and Anansi was beginning to wonder if he would ever actually get an answer from him. Finally he looked back up, after nearly an hour staring at his feet,  an said, sharply, "No."
"Excuse me?" asked Anansi, incredulously. 
"No," repeated Raven. "I won't do it.  No deal. You'll have to find somebody else to go after her."
"We have plenty of other people we can send, Raven," said Anansi. "Tzu will die anyway. You're a fool not to accept the deal."
"Well then I guess I'm a fool," snapped Raven. 

Drabble 248

 Finished 4:28. In the library, shit to do (and procrastinating, as you can see).

Blue was quickly getting sick of the woods, and just as soon as he was out of there he would be certain to burn the whole thing down. And if doing so should happen to inconvenience a certain leprechaun, well, Blue couldn’t really say he’d be sorry. The only problem, besides actually getting out, would be getting hold of enough lighter fluid, or oil, or even vodka if need be, to actually burn the whole lot. He figured he would have to worry about that later, though, especially after a particularly small foot decided to kick him into a ditch.

drabble 247

Finished 2:05.

Raven stared at Anansi, utterly speechless. It took a few minutes for him to compose himself and even start to figure out how to respond to that. "Why - just why do you think I would even consider that?" he snapped.  "Because it's in your best interests to do so," replied Anansi. "Let me spell it  out for you: if you do as we ask, this will be the last you ever hear from us. You can move on with your life; go back to your pet. But if you don't, I'll be taking you back to his majesty in chains.

Drabble 246

Finished 4:17.

After Anansi had sent for a towel to wipe the tea and spit from his face, he sat back down across from Raven. “You know, you really aren't making this easy on yourself,” he said.

“Well that wouldn't be any fun, now would it?” spat Raven.

“No, I don't suppose it would,” replied Anansi. A servant stepped into the room, holding out a tea-towel, and Anansi took it before waving the servant off. “Well, as fun as all of this is,” he said, “I really think we ought to cut to the chase. We want you to kill General Mary-Tzu.”

Drabble 245

Finished 4:34.

Blue still hadn't found Araziel, and he wasn't even sure how long he'd been looking. He usually had a very good internal sense of time, but for some reason he had lost it completely. Somehow it almost seemed like time was moving at two different rates, some minutes ticking by so fast that he couldn't catch them while others would stretch on for hours. That in itself was awfully disconcerting, and to make things worse he was absolutely certain that he was being watched. The fact that Araziel was also in the woods somewhere wasn't in the slightest bit comforting.

Drabble 244

Finished 5:20.

Raven was still pouting fifteen minutes later, after Anansi had sent for tea and a servant had brought up a tray with a teapot, two teacups and a couple of scones. “I've forgotten; do you take sugar? Or milk?” asked Anansi, dropping a sugar-cube into his own cup. Raven didn't say anything, just continued to pout, and Anansi rolled his eyes. “I'll take that as a no,” he said, lifting Raven's cup and pressing it to his lips. Raven took a sip, but the moment Anansi had put the cup back down he spat it in the other man's face.