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wipsnips.bsky.social
I have been sick and this completely snuck up on me and I am LATE, but the very first #WIPSnips post was on September 18th, 2023!!

Happy three years of WIPSnips!

Thank you all so much for participating and making this community special. Some of you have been here since day one!
A cupcake with yellow icing and three lit candles. Rosie smiling and holding a cupcake with yellow icing and three lit candles.
September 26, 2026 at 7:56 PM
wipsnips.bsky.social
The #WIPSnips word for September 29th is "well"

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag September 29 - well Share a line from your WIP with the daily word for inspiration Use #WIPSnips. Don't forget Alt Text for graphics Synonyms, variation and vibes are fine. Support others on the #WIPSnips tag! Hosted by rosie-j-potter.bsky.social The image behind the text is a border that is dark blue with gold stars with a black background with neon blue border. An illustrated caticorn holding a pencil and writing in a book with a rose behind one ear is in the lower right corner. A different version of the same illustrated caticorn is curled up writing in the lower left corner
September 29, 2026 at 5:11 AM
wipsnips.bsky.social
The #WIPSnips word for September 30th is "guard"

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag September 30 - guard Share a line from your WIP with the daily word for inspiration Use #WIPSnips. Don't forget Alt Text for graphics Synonyms, variation and vibes are fine. Support others on the #WIPSnips tag! Hosted by rosie-j-potter.bsky.social The image behind the text is a border that is dark blue with gold stars with a black background with neon blue border. An illustrated caticorn holding a pencil and writing in a book with a rose behind one ear is in the lower right corner. A different version of the same illustrated caticorn is curled up writing in the lower left corner
September 30, 2026 at 5:11 AM
wipsnips.bsky.social
Welcome to a new week of #WIPSnips!

The word for September 28th is "prime"

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag September 28 - prime Share a line from your WIP with the daily word for inspiration Use #WIPSnips. Don't forget Alt Text for graphics Synonyms, variation and vibes are fine. Support others on the #WIPSnips tag! Hosted by rosie-j-potter.bsky.social The image behind the text is a border that is dark blue with gold stars with a black background with neon blue border. An illustrated caticorn holding a pencil and writing in a book with a rose behind one ear is in the lower right corner. A different version of the same illustrated caticorn is curled up writing in the lower left corner
September 28, 2026 at 5:11 AM
charliedeltawrites.bsky.social
September 29th – well

T’orrin really did not think this plan through.

Nor does he have good answers for these questions.

#DawnsBlood

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Slipping inside, T’orrin closed the door quietly behind him. And turned around to find two men in guard uniforms watching him intently. Perhaps he was wrong about his luck. “Well, well, well,” the first man stepped forward, “we were told to watch for people sneaking out of the city, not in. But this works just as well.” “I have no idea what you are talking about,” T’orrin stammered. “We are just cutting through our friends’ house, on our way back from hunting in the woods. We do it all the time. Just ask them.” “Hunting, eh?” The second man sneered. “Where is your game, then?” “Not my lucky day.” “And your weapons?” “Left them in the woods.” “And her shoes?” He nodded towards the woman’s bare, bleeding feet. T’orrin hesitated. He didn’t have an answer for that one. It didn’t really matter anyway, because it was obvious that they weren’t buying his story. The first guard stepped closer and pushed back the woman’s hood.
September 29, 2026 at 5:12 AM
bookspotlight.bsky.social
If you repost AI videos and have an AI book cover - WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME?! Jesus. Just because I repost #WIPsnips and #AwesomeCharacters and #booksky A LOT doesn’t mean I won’t stop scrolling and fact check your cover. I am not an idiot and I send covers to artists ✨ all the time ✨ to verify AI.
Whatever dumbfuck told you I am a patient man is a dumbfuck.
September 29, 2026 at 1:09 AM
wipsnips.bsky.social
The #WIPSnips word for September 27th is "delay"

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag September 27 - delay Share a line from your WIP with the daily word for inspiration Use #WIPSnips. Don't forget Alt Text for graphics Synonyms, variation and vibes are fine. Support others on the #WIPSnips tag! Hosted by rosie-j-potter.bsky.social The image behind the text is a border that is dark blue with gold stars with a black background with neon blue border. An illustrated caticorn holding a pencil and writing in a book with a rose behind one ear is in the lower right corner. A different version of the same illustrated caticorn is curled up writing in the lower left corner
September 27, 2026 at 5:11 AM
sagecollins.bsky.social
Under orders of a mind-controlling super, Dr. E knocked BigBad out w/ a microscope

Imprisoned Ace has been getting free when he’s sure BB won’t catch him

ICYMI: Ace & BB share Evie’s body, & the boys are in a “control room” in her brain

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
From Master/Puppet 🦹🏼😈
Black text, green background, “well“ highlighted pink [BigBad] lies on the floor of the teleporter platform, and the screen is black. Are we dead? Did Dad kill us? The lights on the console tell me Evie's body's still going. Maybe if she looks like herself, maybe it's enough to stop Dad, the way going from Evie to [BigBad] was enough to stop the Cheetah. But Caleb was so specific for the Cheetah, and Dad knows I'm still in here. [Big Bad] doesn't move. How long until he comes to? Is he aware now? It doesn't matter. I have to wake Evie. I undo my bindings and stumble to the console, killing that damn noise. "Wake up. Evie, this is Ace! I'm telling you to wake up." My fingers stumble over some buttons that I've seen [BigBad] use to give Evie commands. "You have to. Please, wake up, now!" "WELL, this is new." My breath catches in my throat, and I don't dare move, much less turn around to face him. "I'm saving us." "And what an admirable job you're doing, Acey." His voice drips with false sweetness. "Go ahead, let's see what you've got. Then we'll talk about how we're going to deter you from getting loose again." My hand falls from the console. "Evie," I whisper, "save me."
September 29, 2026 at 5:19 AM
wipsnips.bsky.social
The #WIPSnips word for September 26th is "observe"

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WriteSky
WIPSnips a bluesky writing community tag September 26 - observe Share a line from your WIP with the daily word for inspiration Use #WIPSnips. Don't forget Alt Text for graphics Synonyms, variation and vibes are fine. Support others on the #WIPSnips tag! Hosted by rosie-j-potter.bsky.social The image behind the text is a border that is dark blue with gold stars with a black background with neon blue border. An illustrated caticorn holding a pencil and writing in a book with a rose behind one ear is in the lower right corner. A different version of the same illustrated caticorn is curled up writing in the lower left corner
September 26, 2026 at 5:11 AM
acturek.bsky.social
Still AMANDA 💎 Writing Rushak
but dressed up for Halloween!
#fantasy #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WIPSnips #well

Aaran’s vision

- Brother’s Keeper, my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power
He splintered into pieces of flashing steel. About him, cacophony and chaos spiraled and he within it, not steel bits himself, he now saw, but surrounded by them, and all else smeared with blood. Above the battle, a black shadow heaved itself upward on heavy, articulated wings. Its neck snaked forward, sinews bulging like Silverbark roots from a body armored with volcanic boulders. Its mouth opened, vast and fiery. The earth cracked under its appalling screech, and a deeper, still more dreadful wailing arced from elsewhere across a dark sky ribboned with crimson rents. He knew that scream, or would know it, issuing from a WELL of anguish as deep as the Nethernight itself: his own voice, or that of some other. He dropped his longsword. Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
September 29, 2026 at 6:14 AM
charliedeltawrites.bsky.social
September 30th – guard

Conveniently, this picks up pretty much where yesterday left off!

They probably should have just left the barefoot and hooded woman alone…

#DawnsBlood

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
“Don’t be stupid.” Se’ul rolled his eyes. “We need to go.” M’iol sighed. “Very well. You’re no fun, you know that?” Turning back to the girl one last time, he bent down and looked into her eyes. “Still, it’s a shame. Pretty thing like this, just going to rot in that tower for the rest of her life.” At that, the woman leaned forward, ever so slightly, so that her lips touched his. The guard seemed pleasantly surprised for a moment, returning the kiss willingly, but then it turned into something else. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him fast as he began to struggle, trying to pull away. T’orrin watched, too stunned to even react, as the man’s struggle weakened and finally stopped. M’iol slumped against her, and she stepped back, letting him fall to the floor. Se’ul shook himself and took a step towards the woman, drawing his blade. She turned and raised her hand, waving it almost dismissively. A flash of light arced between them, and the guard dropped to the ground. She strolled over to the fallen man, pulled him up, and placed her mouth over his. This time, T’orrin didn’t mistake it for a kiss. It was closer to a bite, like she was consuming something, drawing it out of him.
September 30, 2026 at 5:12 AM
wasphole.bsky.social
🧛‍♂️ A Gentleman's Tour of the Empire 🦇

In most ways, migrating to a culturally similar country is far easier. EXCEPT there will be a million teeny rules and references you'll be expected to know but don't. Here Dr Edwards falls foul of this phenomenon.

#wipsnips #writesky #writingcommunity #vampire
“You asked to be informed when the Selkie returned from Eilbree,” said the barman brightly, before Edwards could place his order. “She put into port half and hour ago.” “The needles!” cried Edwards. “Why didn’t you knock straight away?” “Erm… Sardine said you were entertaining someone. We didn’t like to interrupt. Speaking of which,” the man said, leaning over the counter and lowering his voice. “I’ve worked both sides of the Circle Sea and while Midrans won’t bat an eye at two married men, they get a bit funny about unwed couples. Any unwed couples. A little more discretion if you’re not putting a ring on it would be my advice.” “We didn’t-” Edwards broke off and scowled. It was none of the man’s business, though he seemed to mean well. “Friends can’t share a room then?” “Only if you’re in a group. It’s not the done thing in pairs unless you’re first-degree relatives. Some inns will boot you out for it.” “Huh.”
September 29, 2026 at 6:05 AM
charliedeltawrites.bsky.social
September 28th – prime (primary)

Av’ry would like everyone to consider maybe staying safe and hidden, rather than making a deal with someone who already tried to kill them.

#DawnsBlood

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
“K’ivin’s people have been seen in the region. They’ve been asking around. Looking for us.” Mikiva watched his face. “K’ivin? I thought you said it was someone who didn’t want to kill us. Your boss made it pretty clear how he felt the last time we spoke.” “It sounds like that may have changed. Remember, K’ivin is a tactician, not an assassin. Killing us was never his primary goal. He may have learned the truth, or part of it and adjusted his plans. Maybe I should try making contact?” “Can we take that risk?” Av’ry seemed skeptical. “Honestly, the tactician thing may be a problem more than anything. If he decides we are a risk, he’ll cut us down without regret. And if you leave here, I doubt they’ll welcome you back.” “Should I be concerned with that? I’m not planning to buy property here. Fox is nearly done her task and then we have to start making plans for the future. If K’ivin is willing to bury the hatchet, maybe we should go for it.” “I know he was your mentor, but we can’t trust him. He’s already proven that.” Mikiva pinched the bridge of her nose, obviously frustrated. “I agreed with him at the time. We got past it.” “That was different.”
September 28, 2026 at 5:15 AM
pamelajeong.bsky.social
Drunk Melody introduces Guy to the treasure that is Peggy Rico. 🪷 From my spec fic, ResortWIP.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #AmQuerying
“Peggy! Peggy. I was just telling this guy… Guy! I was just telling Guy about all the wisdomous things from your mouth. Like… for example! Peggy, do tell, what sort of man should you never fall in love with?” “Far too many to list. But the worst? That would be the kind with pretty words and a long memory.” Melody grinned, but Guy cocked his head. “So, what, charm and intelligence are red flags now? Aren’t those normally considered attractive qualities?” Peggy shook her head. “Different sort, darlin’. Not charm and intelligence—gift wrap and grudges. Mark my words, once those pretty words are through, what’s he got left? A fragile ego and an inability to let go. You’ll want a parka to sit in Satan’s sauna before a man like that lets you forget all his little bruises.” Melody dropped her chin and lifted her brow at Guy. “See? You see?” Her head slumped onto Peggy’s shoulder, eyelids falling, too. “Adopt me already.” Laughter pooled in Guy’s eyes, but he shifted them to Peggy again. “And how about women? Got any advice for a hopeless bachelor?” Peggy pushed back the hair that had fallen in front of Melody’s face, tucking it behind an ear. “Now, that depends. I reserve my advice for people I like, and we’ve only just met.” “And you don’t like me yet? I’d better order you another drink, Ms. Rico.” “Careful, now, charmer.” “Good thing I’ve got a short memory.” Peggy laughed. “Hey, what do you know, charmer? Turns out I like you. So listen well now: never, ever fall in love with a woman who loves poetry and cheap wine.” “Oh? That’s the kind who won’t let you forget?” “That’s right, darlin’. But in a different way.” Peggy coaxed Melody’s glass from her limpening fist. “See, she might let you, but you won’t ever. Even long after she’s gone. You just can’t… unlearn a woman like that.” She shook her head at the glass. “Deep and light at once. Sad, but sweet. Damn hard to hold.” She knocked the drink back and smiled. “Harder still to let go.”
September 29, 2026 at 12:11 PM
sayaashrah.bsky.social
#WIPSnips 29. "Well"

Lots of "well" in the story, but only one true "Well."

#ChroniclesOfTheRealms #NetherTouchedSareena #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #QueerWriters
She fell, but that didn’t stop her either: ignoring the pain of scraped knees and elbows, she scrambled to her feet, the tentacle squiggling in her grip, and kept running. As the Well of Lamentation came into view, relief gave her another push when A’zeena, Gvorran, and two other Nether-Touched she didn’t know came out of hiding, tools in hand, and though they hesitated upon seeing the pursuing wraiths and ksa’rra, A’zeena urged them forward to form a protective barrier. Unable to slow down, Sareena crashed against the Well, the tentacle flying from her hand and into the water. If she thought the River Isa’anr was dark, the… substance inside the Well was the purest black. The tentacle didn’t sink so much as was swallowed with an audible glub that made her shiver and swear she’d never bathe in those waters again.
September 29, 2026 at 12:10 PM
sagecollins.bsky.social
Trying to avoid his own guard, Sunny gets caught sneaking around Natura palace in the middle of the night by two others

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
From Summer’s Cruel Warmth, Winter’s Gentle Chill 🌞💂
Black text, green background, “guards“ x2 highlighted pink Fortunately, the threshold understands that I have no bad intentions and allows my entry. The two GUARDS at the entrance are shooting the breeze, but startle when I walk in. "Hi," I say my voice hushed, despite my sheepish grin. "Just me." "Your Highness," says the one named Avalanche, their voice a cross between a question and a scolding. Natura uniforms, similar to Summer and Winter in material and cut, differ in a really handy way. They have higher collars, and each has a tag with their name and a symbol revealing their gender. I love it, taking the guesswork out of meeting new people. The GUARDS' protective jackets don't cover the tag, so I can see "Avalanche" and the viola tricolor on theirs. Their friend, Mittens, is trying not to smile as she says, "Go ahead, your Highness. We won't tell." Only my secret mission has me saying "Thank you!" as quietly as I can. I know their gossip's about to be about me, and I wonder what adventures they're imagining up for me.
September 30, 2026 at 5:24 AM
pjccahill.bsky.social
#WIPSnips -NICEF-
An important moment for Taegen and Djilia, as well as establishing critical background for Aroi culture and motivations for Djilia and Stefan. This scene honestly lays the foundation for the real heart of the story.
Buy: pjccahill.carrd.co
Djilia smirked, nodding. "It would, yes. ...You know the history?" "That the Aroi are the ones who invented the neural-interface control system and most of the core concepts for the exo-frames?" "That's a big part of it, yeah," Djilia affirmed with a little nod. "There's a detail everyone forgets, because the Council trying to wipe us off the map in the middle of the Wraith War takes over the narrative." Taegen remained grim, but focused this time. She was clearly listening. Djilia continued, "We made Nicefs so we could survive. They were our answer to living in space. The Aroi are nomads by culture. These... colonies they've shoved us into may as well be prisons to our hearts. That was the 'compromise.' They stole our technology, tried to wipe us out, and when Ephraim's call made it out, they shoved us into preset colony space between the outer systems and core systems, and said they'd saved us. So... that's why piloting matters so much to Stefan and me. We're the descendants of the makers. We need to stand tall; we need to show the pride and nobility that everyone tried to pry out of our hands. ...We understand how dynamic and powerful the neural-interface really is." Now, Djilia shifted, angling her head intently. "No one moves a Nicef like you do. I've studied the best pilots I could find footage of since I was a baby. Getting approved to come here gave me more access, and I was studying it right up to Ardef issuing his challenge at Stefan. No. One. Moves like you do."
September 29, 2026 at 6:41 AM
wasphole.bsky.social
🧛‍♂️ A Gentleman's Tour of the Empire 🦇

Kenneth has had a liiittle too much to drink.

#wipsnips #writesky #writingcommunity #vampire
His own guffaw caught him off-guard, and he wound up snorting some of the wine out of his nose. Oh dear. Perhaps it was time to desist if he was that far gone. He stood and stumbled to a compact wooden desk by the cabin window to replace the bottle. The room did not stop swaying when the hammock did. “Throw up in here and you’re a dead man,” Jo grumbled. Suddenly she scrambled backward, flapping at something with her shoe. “Oh, get away!” A well-fed mouse, roughly the shape of a tennis ball, had scampered onto the blanket and was busy cramming its spacious cheeks with the crumbs from their sandwiches. She threw a potato at it, which missed and struck Kenneth on the ankle, nearly causing him to topple in his inebriated state. The mouse scampered to a hole near the foot of the bed, its rounded bottom almost getting stuck. Catching the creature didn’t seem like it would be a difficult task.
September 30, 2026 at 5:12 AM
charliedeltawrites.bsky.social
September 27th – delay

Nik is having a difficult day.

She might not be able to win this fight, but that doesn’t mean she has to accept defeat so easily.

#DawnsBlood

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
If she had known that sooner, she may have even been able to use it. As it stood, she doubted it would do more than delay her loss. But if she could even manage to bloody his nose, she would take it. Nik pushed herself back up and smiled. “That the best you got?” “Come now.” Os’win shook his head. “You know better than anyone that it isn’t.” Electricity crackled between them and knocked her to the ground again. She groaned and struggled to her feet, more slowly this time. “Just stay down,” he advised. “Sorry. Far too stubborn for that. Surely you remember.” “Very well,” he sighed. “I am in no real hurry.” Almost casually, Os’win raised his hand and electricity coursed through her.
September 27, 2026 at 5:12 AM
tarasgeir.bsky.social
A continuation of yesterdays #WIPSnips. They're not playing cards for money but rather whoever loses has to make sure they're not all murdered in their sleep. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
“What are we playing for?” Oula asked. “Whoever loses stays up tonight and makes sure that farmer doesn’t murder us?” I’anthal suggested with a grim smile. “That was dirty what his sister wife said to you,” Cailo muttered, his gaze focused on the cards. “Sister wife?” I’anthal asked, all innocence. “Well, you know these Laitheners.” Cailo finally looked away from his cards and glanced up at where Alitzah lay asleep. “They do like to keep it in the family.” “Rumours, I’d imagine.” I’anthal smiled and replaced one of his cards for another. “It’s like how they see us Amtervians, we’re either sex starved or sex mad.” Oula raised her eyebrows at how blunt I’anthal was. “And which are you?” He answered with a wide smile and a single word. “Satisfied.”
September 29, 2026 at 6:03 AM
pjccahill.bsky.social
#WIPSnips -NICEF-

Last snip for a while!

Wish I could give more of the scene here, because it makes Blaire look weaker than she is. Alec may as well be royalty in the setting, and he's throwing his weight behind controlling her life.

Buy: pjccahill.carrd.co
"W-well, if I'd been given the implant my doctors asked for, that neural-interface wouldn't have nearly killed me," Blaire managed with a little steel in her voice, but she was shaking, and it carried into her words. It infuriated her, but she couldn't overpower the fear completely. "You were never going to be a pilot candidate, Blaire! Why would my family's company approve a combat-grade pacemaker? You're being foolish. Come, come, let me take you to Caduceus House. We'll get you proper medical care, and you'll be within reach if anything goes awry." "I never agreed to this," Blaire rasped out, her shoulder coming up to instinctively guard against his presence. Alec frowned, and abruptly grabbed the slack at her shoulder to wrench her to face him. She yelped, her fears flooding her mind as she stared up at his dark glare. "Oh, so your family can afford that pacemaker after all? You got into Mercelo without my family's sponsorship?" "I-I am fulfilling the obligation of the medical scholarship! You have no right to make me your fiance!" She tried so hard. She wanted her anger to give her strength, she put force into her words, but her heart was pounding through her chest, she was chilly with sweat, and she couldn't stop shaking.
September 30, 2026 at 5:21 AM
stevewestenra.bsky.social
#WIPSnips - "Well."

"Well" is one of those crutch words I kept in TETK because it's very much part of Tyler's speech and how he narrates.

A dark moment. D :

If you're looking for a Hallowe'en read, find it here!: steve-westenra.itch.io/the-erstwhil...

Or: books2read.com/u/boB9YL

#transhorror
"You never think of yourself as that person. You think you’re way too clever and self-aware not to shut someone down as soon as red flags start popping up like China just won the showjumping gold. And you can see exactly how you got here. You trace each and every cord to its socket and pinpoint all the singular moments when you should have stopped it, walked away, said something. And didn’t. Every. Single. Time. And you hate yourself for that, too. You start to wonder, well, if you let it happen, maybe you wanted to be broken. A glass lamp standing an inch over the lip of the table—so hard not to push. Some part of you must’ve thought you deserved it. You made this happen. You summoned [redacted] like Mephistopheles. The Cavale to your Slim. [Redacted] didn’t even have to hold a .45 to my head." - The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle Image is a red theatre curtain at an angle. Text is coloured neon pink and blue.
September 29, 2026 at 12:56 PM
acturek.bsky.social
Still AMANDA 💎 Writing Rushak
but dressed up for Halloween!
#fantasy #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WIPSnips #prime -> spring

Lara gets a warning from her father

- Brother’s Keeper, my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power
"It is your love for him—I see it in your eyes—that gives me pause. As you say, the war is close to him, perhaps too close, and he is no warrior. He has not even the temperament of a hunter, though I suspect he kills well and mercifully. I’ve had a disturbing dream, my daughter, and I fear he will not return from Gibil the same lad who left the Forest in the spring of young manhood." He stroked his chin. "Observe this fire. See how cheerfully the flames dance, but without soul." Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
September 28, 2026 at 5:24 AM
adregem.bsky.social
Since I'm in Hadrian mode I'll regale everyone with another snip of Hadrian being an asshole. Here he is having a matter-of-fact talk with Dainn about Dainn's upcoming death. #WIPSnips #WIP #AmWriting #WritingPrompts #Writers #Writing #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #SciFi #ScienceFiction #SFF
Hadrian stood up, stretching. “If it helps you make peace, Riven cried when I told her. Well, she more than cried. She screamed and threw things at me. A couple of them were things I liked, too.” He laughed. “She might think you’re Antony, otherwise I don’t know why she would fucking care so much.” That didn’t help at all. The idea that Riven would grieve for him, the way she’d grieved for Antony … that made Dainn's whole body ache. “When?” he asked. “I don’t know, two or three days? Why? You want to get your affairs in order? You don’t have any affairs.” “It’s nice to know the date of one’s execution.” Hadrian yawned. “I suppose.”
September 29, 2026 at 5:11 AM
pjccahill.bsky.social
#WIPSnips -NICEF-
The preamble to the first battle Aroi House faces at the academy! This establishes the Aroi 'blessing' and Taegen's private mantra that's powered her through so many years of pain and planning. I was very happy with how the blessing came out.
Buy: pjccahill.carrd.co
The five Aroi Nicefs rose out of square openings on one side of a massive, enclosed dome. Their simple thruster-foils flexed slightly, their thrusters primed with soft distortions of heat, and they all pulled their slim, long rifles forward. With their generic silver and white colors, they vaguely resembled knights of old who'd been handed energy weapons. Even repaired and cleaned, they looked patchy and old. It was simply vastly better than they would have been. Stefan took a breath that reverberated in his enviro-seal helmet. "Alright, everyone. Whatever happens today, I need to say it's been an honor working with all of you. Djilia and I might be the only blooded Aroi present, but to stand against foes together is how the truest bonds are forged. Thank you." "Aw, you're actually being sweet," Blaire replied, both teasing and sincere. Stefan groaned faintly. "Anyway. Djilia and I are just going to wish our team luck with an Aroi blessing of sorts. Give us a sec to get through it, please." No one argued. Stefan took another breath, shifting his grip on his control sticks, feeling the connection pads on the back of his neck inside the helmet. "May Ephraim's call resound..." Djilia continued it, "May it fill our hearts and all their stars..." Stefan finished, "That we may never lose our home." Taegen glanced across the team. She piloted the Nicef on the far right. She did not wear a helmet, but the connection pads from the collar did grip her neck. Gentle intrigue showed on her face in that private sanctum of the cockpit, and she raised an eyebrow as she looked forward. "...Yes, I think that will work," she whispered to herself. "...One foot forward."
September 28, 2026 at 5:37 AM