Story Thread: Aidan and Marenya

From Christine:
Betsy and I are trying an experiment we call "Improvisational Fiction." The interplay between our fantasy worlds and characters has been such a rich mine of material for us the past week, we decided to try pushing it a little farther and see what happens. 

This is spontaneous; we don't know what is going to happen. We welcome other characters to jump in if they wish. We appreciate your forbearance, and your feedback.
 
From Betsy:
We're starting story threads so we don't continue to hijack the regular discussions. In future, we'd love to launch new stories for other characters and authors to play with. You need only email one of us and we'll set up a new thread.

We want to encourage other characters and writers to read and participate. Feel free to jump in at any time as an antagonist, someone needing help, an innocent bystander, or simply an observer with comments. Everyone is welcome.

A brief summary of our story so far:
After months of shameless flirting here at CIC, the demidemon Aidan decided to get a little more serious with Marenya, a respectable hanorja. This prompted Faldur, Marenya's actual love interest, to make his claim on her and approach her uncle about a period of formal courtship. When her uncle refused, Faldur left on a mission, furious. Marenya left, too, seeking some time away from everyone. But Aidan sensed she was in danger and crossed into her world. He saved her life and finally admitted how heartbroken he was over losing her. She agreed to let Aidan speak to her Uncle, who reluctantly approved the match. Unfortunately, when Aidan crossed into her world, he discovered evidence his enemy, the demon Asmodai, has a presence there. He wants to approach the king about making a formal alliance against this shared enemy.

Group Story: A Winter's Tale

Nearly a month has passed since we shared our New Year's resolutions. Since then, some parts of the world (and perhaps the universe as well) have seen their fair share of cold, ice, and snow. So, before we forget about Come In Character altogether, let's jump-start our creativity with a group story.

For those who haven't yet participated in such a collective tale, group stories can be a real treat. Normally, we focus on one particular genre – such as romance, science fiction, or horror – but this time, it could be fun to mix genres.

So, what do you say, authors and characters, are you up for the challenge?

If so, here are the first few lines of our little winter's tale:

As she sat beside the flickering hearth, warming her damp hands and feet, the petite, middle-aged midwife glanced toward the bay window that, in summer, would overlook the overflowing vegetable garden. Despite the outer darkness, Mathilda could still see the snowflakes falling, as they had for hours, and even with the fire, it seemed that she might never stop shivering. Suddenly, though muffled by the wind, the porch creaked and a knock sounded through the front door.

“Who could be here at such an hour,” she thought, a mite concerned. “And in this weather?”

Group Story: Urban Legend

Over the past few months, Wednesdays here at CIC have been reserved for our midweek character update – otherwise known as “What's Happening Now?” - but I realize that we might all be a little weary of the routine.

So, I think it's high time we return to our creative roots and compose a story together. In fact, it's hard to believe that our last attempt was back in early February when we created a group romance.

Although we seemed to have fun that day, I thought it might be cool to try a new genre. Now, while we've covered plenty of genres in the past, from classic literature to science fiction, I was surprised to realize that we've never done an urban legend before.

Since there's no time like the present, I'll kick it off with a classic... the tale of the flushed baby alligator who grows up in the sewers of an urban metropolis. Remember, all authors and characters are welcome to participate.

Once, there was a little Cajun alligator named Boudreaux who went on a trip with his human family to the Windy City, where he was accidentally flushed down a hotel toilet...

Group Story: Romance

On Monday, we kicked off February – the month of romance – with an outpouring of love in all its forms... soul mates, lost loves, arranged marriages, even those that doth protest too much. It was enlightening, uplifting, and poignant as always, so why not keep the love and lust flowing in the form of a group story? A group romance, to be precise.

For those that have been around a while, you might recall that Come In Character spawned another curious romance last April, but I think we can do even better!

I'll get us started with a first line, and then we'll be off and running! Feel free, of course, to follow the twists and turns of your fellow storytellers – or go wherever your heart compels you. Just remember – you can contribute as an author, a character, or all of the above!

Okay, are you ready for romance? If so, here's the first line:

A bitter, cold wind crossed his path, but Cupid didn't care; the chubby little matchmaker had spotted two lovelorn souls in the distance, and he was determined to make this a Valentine's Day to remember...

Group Story: Tell-All Book

Every month, it seems that someone is spilling the beans about something – often in the form of a best-selling, tell-all book. True, it's usually a Hollywood celebrity or a former politician, but that doesn't mean the rest of us don't have salacious stories of our own.

So, let's put our heads together and create our own best-selling, tell-all book.

Characters, here's your chance to dish some dirt about your authors and the folks that share your worlds!

Authors, here's your opportunity to let it all out about your wayward creations!

(I'd suggest we keep it clean and polite – but where's the fun in that?)

Group Story: Family Holiday Saga

Well, my friends, it’s that time of the year again. No, silly, not football season – although that, too, can be festive (especially if your team is winning).

Whether we like it or not, the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is commonly considered the holiday season – especially in America. And this is a time largely focused on family. Your family, your partner’s family, sometimes even your friends’ families.

While it can certainly be a merry season, this period can also be a bit trying for many of us. After all, there’s nothing like a forced family gathering to reveal secrets better left unveiled, to heighten tension among siblings, and to bring out the worst in our relatives.

There’s always that one mystery dish, the ingredients of which are unfathomable. There’s always that one uncle that makes inappropriate comments at the dinner table. There’s always that one gift that seems all too familiar – having made the rounds year after year.

No matter where you live, you’ve probably experienced the dreaded family holiday gathering. So, why not channel our collective experiences through a family holiday saga? Perhaps we’ll have a bit of fun in the process. After all, something’s bound to be tasty. Right?

Authors and characters are all welcome to participate in this group tale. For a little inspiration, let's kick it off with the following line:

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the flat,
Not a creature was sleeping, not even the cat...

Group Story: Horror Comedy

We’ve created lots of group stories at CIC – from mysteries to science fiction – but surprisingly, we’ve never collaborated on a horror comedy. You know the sort I mean – stories with laughs as well as scares (or, at the very least, freak shows) – in the vein of The Rocky Horror Picture Show or the recently released Zombieland. Given all the, uh, interesting characters that frolic here, it’s a wonder such a story has yet to be told.

With only ten days to All Hallows’ Eve, it seems the perfect time to give it a go – so, let’s do it already!

Although I might regret this by tomorrow, I don’t want to put any limitations on our horror comedy, so feel free to be as silly or as gross as you like – as long as you mind the official CIC site guidelines. At this point, the story is wide open, so you’re welcome to include vampires, zombies, fairies, goblins, trolls, werewolves, djins...

undead brides...



murderous pimp daddies...



even coyote skeletons that make sea coconuts ogle in fear.



Authors, characters, and lurkers, too – keep the laughs and scares coming! And maybe, just maybe, we’ll create a horror comedy that’s never quite existed before.

Group Story: Science Fiction

At CIC, we've created many genre masterpieces together: fantasy, western, drama, mystery. We've even created a cookbook, and whipped up a limerick. But can you believe we've never done one of the most important genres in existence??? Why this genre covers space and time, the finite and the infinite, the right and the wrong of the universe. By now we're sure you know what we're talking about! And what do you think it is....?? Guess. Go on, guess.

No, it's not Romance.

Romance??? What kind of relationships have you been in??

No, we're talking about Science Fiction, of course!

Let's start with these two characters. They are clearly on a vital mission to a planet not their own. They have important things to do. They have to bridge the distance between two worlds and.......no, they are not having a romance. Would you get off the romance thing please? Anyway, they are clearly doing something important, and we're going to write a story about it.

And that story, btw, will not have any romance in it. No sireee. No romance.

The story could, however, include some instructions about how to get rid of this slimy purple blob that keeps following us everywhere. Word to the wise: if you see a flying saucer and a slimy purple blob comes out of it, and it tells you that it's ex-girlfriend never understood it, and how lovely your eyes look in the yellow glow of the nuclear engine, do NOT invite it to dinner. Yes, it's tempting, but resist. You'll thank us later.

So, anyway, back to the story, which will include no purple blob romance whatsoever. What it will include, however, is: Science Fiction!

A CIC Science Fiction Masterpiece!

Group Story: Cookbook!

For some reason, yesterday's wonderful thread made us think of food....delicious, yummy cooking.

Yummm.

So, let's write a cookbook! We can share recipes, give hints and tips, or tell stories about cooking. Maybe you want to share about your first failed attempt to boil water. Or debate the merits of the microwave vs. the oven. Or maybe you want to give us the family recipe for frozen Bxuqdke. (We don't have Bxuqdkes on this planet, but we'd still like to learn the recipe. You never know when you'll run into a Bxuqdke..........somewhere.)

What ever cooking means to you, let us know. Let's create: CIC's Group Cookbook!

Let the cooking begin.

Yummm.

Group Story: Haiku

It's time. We've had group stories, group poems and group I'm-not-sure-what-to-call-its. But we've never tackled the Haiku. Well, let's do it. Let's bring on those the Haiku.

For the uninitiated, the Haiku follows a simple format: 3 lines, and you count the syllables. The first line is 5 syllables, the second 7, the last line 5.

For example:

I write a Haiku (5 syllables)
As an example to you (7 syllables)
Oh boy, this is fun (5 syllables)

I will admit that is an especially good Haiku. Please don't feel like you have to live up to the high standard I just set. All Haiku are welcome here.

A Haiku is usually about something in Nature. And what could be more natural than this:

These cows are just waiting for someone to tell their story. And we at CIC will take on that challenge. We will tell their story. But we'll tell it Haiku style.

So, here we go: Group Haiku!

Group Story: Caveman History

When we at CIC do a historical novel, we don't just go back to ancient times. We go ALL the way back.

This person has a story. Let's tell it. Let's really tell it. Let's tell it good!

We'll start it off below:





"Zuboo was pissed. Zuboo was really pissed."

Group Limerick

Let's have some creative fun today. Let's write a limerick together.

And for no particular reason, let's write limerick about this guy. Um, or gal. And here's the first line:

There once a very odd lemur

For those who may not be familiar with the limerick, a limerick follows a five-line format. AABBA, with all the As rhyming and the Bs rhyming. Then a new stanza begins.

A very important point here: we at CIC only follow standard formats when our characters feel like it. So please consider all formats to be in the nature of a suggestion, rather than a rule.

That said, we are positive that all of our characters have a limerick within them, just waiting to get out.

Well, here's our chance. Let it out. Let that limerick fly free in the beautiful sky. Fly, little limerick, fly.

Note: Group projects are everybody posts.

Group Story: Sports

An agent recently wrote that there aren't enough Sports Novels. Well. We at CIC know a challenge when we hear one.

Let's do it! Let's write a Sports masterpiece. To start us off, I wonder what's happening here?


And here?





So, let's go! One Sports masterpiece coming up!

Group Story: Fantasy

Isn't it time we had a nice fantasy story? Bold princes, magical swords, elves, and evil witches? And prophecies! Of course we must have prophecies!












Ready?









Declan Blake, the Chosen One, stood at the edge of the forest. In one pocket was a magic talisman. In his other pocket was his breakfast, a bit of stale bread. Sadly, the magic talisman was no good at turning stale bread into a proper meal, so he would have to go hungry into the Forest of the Talking Trees.

At least he wasn't without a plan for how he would achieve his quest to save the kingdom from the evil that had befallen it. Nor was he alone...

Group Story: Western

In honor of Maelstrom, busy wreaking havoc out West right this very minute, let's write a good old-fashioned, rootin'-tootin' Western!










Put on your spurs, grab your hat, and saddle up that bronco, Pardner! This here story will run for two whole days, so come around often and channel your inner Zane Grey, y' hear?









The sun cast a golden glow over the distant mesas. Clive "Cactus" Hoskins watched in silence, then swung himself into the saddle. He patted the neck of his horse, Trumpet, and scanned the horizon. Finally he saw it--a faint cloud rising from the dry earth into the morning sky. Was it the drovers, bringing the cattle he had won from Blackheart Bartholomew in an all-night poker game? Or was it just a dust devil?

He was about to find out...

Group Story: Classic Literature

Hi, Everyone! Today, let's see if we can improve on one of the classics of Western literature. This group story will run for two days, so come back often.

Ready? Charles Dickens, eat your heart out!








From A Tale of Two Cities:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair...

Group Story: Drama

We've done a thriller, a romance and a children's story. That means, it's time. We're ready. Let's do it!

DRAMA!

Go on, let the angst out. Let it crash over you in waves of boiling emotion. And when it's finally over, and you're panting on the floor, praying for relief, it starts all over again.

Sound fun? You bet.

So, here we go. Ready or not - Let's create a dramatic masterpiece!

First line: It was quiet on that (dark and stormy) night. Alittle too quiet.

Group Story: Children's Story

Time for our next masterpiece! We've created a thriller, and a romance. What else could possibly be next but a kid's book!

Let's write a story that will entertain all the little ones. Look at that little face. The children need us. So, let's do it! Let's write a children's story!

And of course, we'll start with something truly original:

"Once Upon a Time...."

Group Story: Romance

Hi all. Tuesday is group story day. Last week we wrote a thriller. How about a change of pace? Romance!

What do you say? Shall we write the sweetest Romance ever seen? Our job won't be done until we all have at least two new cavities.

So, let's do it! Let's write a masterpiece!

First Line: It was Tuesday. Love was in the air.

Note: For those who are new to group stories, part of the fun is just to go with the twists, the turns, the U-turns, the similies that don't ever stop....turning.

2nd Note: Please feel free to contribute to the story as yourself, your character (s) or both.

Group Story: Mystery Thriller: Cold as Ice

Hi all. Let's try Tuesday for Group Story Day.

The Genre is: Mystery Thriller
(thanks to Pure Fiction for the excellent suggestion of picking a genre.)

The title of our work is: Cold as Ice





Feel free to post in character or as yourself.

Okay, let's create a masterpiece!