It’s take a Bubble Bath Day!
Click on the read more for a small Sylum snippet.
Tag: Sylum Snippets
Happy Mojito Day
It’s Mojito Day! A day to celebrate Sam Axe and his love for mojitos!
Sylum Snippet by Bj Jones
Random Post: National Kissing Day
“You going to give me a kiss?” Nico’s voice was soft and playful. “Oh don’t give me that look. Come on, just a tiny one, you know you want to.”
Warrick laughed lightly as the small parakeet shyly moved up his Mate’s arm and pecked his cheek, then squeaked before flying off.
“Do I get a kiss?” Warrick asked smiling at how content Nico was surrounded by his birds.
He laughed as he leaned over and kissed Warrick on the cheek. “Later I’ll kiss you all over.”
“I don’t mind an audience.” He waggled his eyebrows, making Nico roll his eyes, though straddled him easily. The birds suddenly squawked louder. “Oh hush, not like you haven’t seen this before.”
He swore they all collectively rolled their eyes.
Nico ground down on the half hard dick, his chuckle deep in his chest as he took Warrick’s mouth into a deep kiss. “By the way Happy National Kissing Day.”
“I like this day.” He pulled him back into a kiss, ignoring the Parrots who he swore were judging his performance.
Random Post: National Velociraptor Awareness Day
Yes! It’s an actual day!
For More Information: National Velociraptor Awareness Day
Sylum Snippet by Bj Jones
Pi Day
Happy Pi Day!!
Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. Pi Day is an annual opportunity for math enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about math, and to eat Pie.
For More Information: Pi Day
Click link for Sylum Snippet by Bj Jones
Happy Mardi Gras
May you get the baby in the King Cake.
Catch the beads.
Eat good food and drink good wine.
And now for a small Sylum Moment
Guest Post: Hug a GI Day (From Paula Cas)
March 4 – National Hug A GI Day
Sylum Snippet by Paula Cas
Sylum Snippet: “I will always come for you.”
As stated in the State of the Clan Speech there maybe moments I post snippets from stories or ideas that popped into my head, that either aren’t part of a larger storyline or a one off scene. These may never go anywhere or become longer stories.
This particular snippet sets in the Yet to Come category.
Inspirational Music: To Live Forever – Epic North
Qui-Gon stepped into the sunlight, blinking at the harshness. He was a man of nature, though he had been surrounded by the earth and he could feel the living force around him, he had missed the energy of the sun.
His fellow prisoners all looked around in shock and awe. Some of them hadn’t seen the light of day in years, even a few had been imprisoned for over a decade.
The mission had been simple, visit the small colony planet to check on rumors of rumors. There had been a few influential families who stated their loved ones disappeared on the small outpost.
When he got there, he knew instantly why.
The small outpost was a front for slavers.
They would give small infractions to travelers who couldn’t pay and had to work off their debts, and for those with money take what they could then convict them of a crime … leading to a prison sentence to work in their slave camps.
When they realized Qui-Gon was going to report his findings, he was convicted of immoral conduct, the third daughter of the governor accused him of seducing her.
He pointed out he had a husband.
If it wasn’t the fact he knew he was going to get dragged off to a prison labor camp, he would’ve laughed at the shocked blinking expression the ‘Court’ had at the very idea a Jedi was married.
Well they would be meeting his husband soon enough.
They had collared him with a Force suppressant, which had muted his Bond to his Mate. But their Bond was forged deeper than most Jedi Partners, so he could still feel the flair of emotions coming from his beloved.
In the still of night … he could reach out and sooth his pissed off husband.
He was looking forward to seeing what Obi-Wan Kenobi would do, not to just the outpost, the slavers, or any council (Jedi or Senate) that tried to stop him.
His Mate was beautiful when righteously pissed.
And to think he almost walked away, from some absurd moment of self sacrifice that Obi-Wan was better off without him.
It had never been his place to remove himself from him.
The Force had a funny way of making sure things happened the way they were meant to, no matter what anyone else thought.
The Balance in the Force needed a companion.
One that could challenge and protect.
One that could bring down righteous fury, yet be the calm in the storm.
He was destined for Obi-Wan.
The years together first as Jedi Partners, and then Vampire Mates had taught him many things. He was blessed with a longer life to learn from his mistakes, to grow in the Force, and strength his relationships with all of those around him.
He’s mourned those he lost, but was secure in knowing he would see them again.
But most of all he is content being by Obi-Wan’s side.
So when he blinked at the blinding sun, wiping away the tears as they streaked down his cheeks, he wasn’t surprised to discover that they were the 11th camp to be liberated, there were two more, but this one was the hardest as it was located deep within the mountains.
“How did this happen?” Rayna, one of the young woman who had been sentenced for fighting back, asked filled with elation at finally being free. “And what of our families?”
“The Jedi.” The soldier smiled brightly. “Rumor had it he landed on the spaceport, walked straight into the governor’s mansion, sat down with the Governor having tea while explaining that his slave operation was over, and he was being arrested by the Republic for crimes against humanity.”
A few looked over at Qui-Gon, who only laughed. “Where is he?”
“The Jedi?” The soldier asked slightly startled at the laughter. “He’s down in the village. They are setting up small provincial governments in each area, to stimulate economy not based on slave labor.”
Without a glance backwards, Qui-Gon ran down the path leading to the town, he knew it wasn’t far, there had been a few times he had been dragged down to entertain guests. They stopped when he refused to do any ‘tricks’ or upset visitors by talking about slavery.
As he entered the town, he was surprised at the amount of activity. Doctors and Social Workers, he recognized their symbols, were working through dozens of slaves assessing their health and finding out if any had homes to go back to.
One of them stopped him, asking if he needed help.
“I need my husband.”
“Give me his name and we’ll see if he’s been liberated.” The worker pulled up a pad, opening the database with all the names they had recorded already.
Qui-Gon Jinn, realized he must look like something a gundark drug in and not the Jedi Master he normally was. “I’m Master Jinn, I’m looking for Obi-Wan.”
She blinked a few times, then turned and called out. “We found him!”
“Just tell me where he is.” By the tone of his voice he knew he must of sounded desperate. He probably should’ve waited until they could get the damn suppressant collar off, but he was too desperate to see his Mate.
“In the Mayor’s office at the end of town.” She pointed towards the taller structure along the main road.
He took off, not caring about protocol or if he looked like a madman, calling out Obi-Wan’s name…
***
He had been on this hell hole for six weeks. Which had made it a total of twelve weeks since Qui-Gon had gone missing.
It was supposed to be a simple mission…
…they always were.
The last note he had got from his Mate, was that he needed to speak to Hondo, which meant slavers were somehow involved. Ever since his own kidnapping at 14, Qui-Gon had made sure to always have the latest information where slavers were located, and mostly it came from the Weequay Hondo who despite his own people being pirates, slavers and other law abiding citizens, he had no taste for slavers. He was the one who helped Qui-Gon find Obi-Wan, when his own people had taken the young teenager. Even though Nicolaus had got to him first, he always took it to heart that Hondo had helped Qui-Gon.
Over the years, growing up from teenager to young man to an adult and then to Vampire – Hondo had stayed in his life. The two weren’t friends, but he could count on him for having a heart when it was at the Weequay’s worst convenience.
So when Qui and gone missing and the small outpost had lied through their teeth stating he had already left, he contacted Hondo to find out why Qui-Gon would need his services. It was through his contacts that they located the slave trade on the planet. Hondo discovered some of his own people had been ‘dropping’ off cargo in the area.
Obi-Wan later admired Hondo’s new ship, he only smirked saying he recently acquired it from someone who wasn’t going to use it anymore. It would make a good ship for smuggling perishables, not living beings.
Despite the evidence it took Obi-Wan informing not just the Jedi Council bult also the Republic Senate that if they didn’t do anything he would just take the planet for himself, give it to Hondo and be done with their political bullshit.
It says alot about him, that they believed him.
Hondo had been so disappointed he wasn’t going to get his own planet.
When Obi-Wan arrived on the planet he took a seat across from the governor and informed him that he would be stripping him of his power, taking his money and lands, distributing the wealth among those he enslaved. He would then hand him over the Republic for trial.
The Governor had stared at him in shock, stammering out demands to know why he would do this, they had done nothing wrong …
“You stole my husband.”
Obi-Wan sipped his tea as the words sunk in, watching with delight as they realized the mistake they made when they sold Qui-Gon Jinn into slavery. He set the cup down, stood, and never gave them a second glance.
It took weeks to get everything organized, bringing in the personal to deal with the influx of slaves who needed medical attention, enquiries about family and their ability to go home, and how to handle those who had no place go. Plus deal with the surrounding towns, villages and cities that lived off the slave labor. Changing laws, punishing those who participated, and trying to build a new government and economy all at the same time.
“Why are you still here?” Obi-Wan looked over the map, that marked the last two slave camps. They had liberated eleven, and he still hadn’t found Qui-Gon. He knew the moment the Bond faded, that he had been likely collared with a Force suppressant, so though he knew he was on the planet he wasn’t quite sure where.
“And miss all the fun!” Hondo set some tea on the table for the Jedi, making sure to stay downwind of him. He knew the smell of his people at times physically made him ill, though over the past decades Obi-Wan recognized Hondo’s smell as … well not safe, but not a threat.
“I’m sure you have pirating to do.” He took the tea, and watched the Weequay.
“This is much more fun and profitable. These people will need supplies, and who better than I to supply them.” His hand gestures were wild, a big grin on his face.
“Nothing to do with making sure Qui is okay.”
“He’s a big boy. I would be more worried if you were taken. You have more decurm than the big lug.” Obi-Wan openly laughed, which always made Hondo smile though he would never admit it. “Or that brother of yours.”
“Nico or Kenway?”
“Both. Both is good. Kenway is a good pirate, I like him.”
“In all seriousness, Hondo why do you keep helping?” He always wondered. “And for that matter how long lived are your people?”
“Can’t get rid of me yet!” He chuckled. “We are a very long lived species, it’s our stubbornness.”
“That I believe.”
“Obi-Wan. Ben. I will have a rare moment here, so enjoy it. I stay because you are the only one who can get me to toss my immoral ways to the side and do what is right. You bring out the mushy side of me, that I like to pretend doesn’t exist.”
“Wow.”
“Is this when we hug.”
“Fuck no.”
Hondo chuckled, then paused when Obi-Wan’s head snapped towards the door. He strained his own hearing, to hear a familiar voice calling out for his Mate.
“Qui!” Obi-Wan hastily put the cup down and ran for the door, ripping it open to see his Mate making his way through town. “Qui!”
Hondo watched as the Jedi dodge citizens, slid up a wall using it as leverage to get over a turned cart, and then run straight into Qui-Gon Jinn’s arms.
“Why do you stay?”
Hondo looked over to see Jedi Master Mace Windu and Yoda standing close by watching the beautiful reunion, each of them denying the shared tears.
“Because you and I both know that if that flame was to ever be extinguished this Universe would destroy itself.”
“Nexus he is.” Yoda nodded, smiling at the sight before him. “Same as is brother he is.”
Qui-Gon held Obi-Wan close to him, both of them laughing and crying. He kissed him over and over, just wanting to touch and feel his Mate once again. With a flick of Obi-Wan’s wrist the collar unlocked and was tossed into the nearby fountain.
They both sighed when the Bond soared between them.
He kissed Obi-Wan deeply. “So how did you pull this off.”
“I told the Council if they didn’t let me come get you, that I would quit and start a rebellion.” Obi-Wan pulled him closer. “Before they actually voted…no, really, they took a vote. I reminded them I would have no problem calling Nico and Kenway to help.”
Qui-Gon laughed, he would’ve likely done the same thing. “Good thing they listened.”
“I will always come for you.”
“As I will for you.”
Now available in the Archive
Happy Australia Day
As the Clans are around the world I figured it’s always a good idea to showcase holidays, culture and history of the countries the Clans are established.
For more information:
Further information on:
History of Indigenous Australians
Click the Read More line to get a glimpse into Oceania Clan!
Random Post: Dragon Appreciation Day!
Today is Dragon Appreciation Day!
So today we celebrate the Dragons in Sylum!!
National Reptile Awareness Day
National Reptile Awareness Month!
Yes it’s a thing.
Godzilla. Reptar. Yoshi. The Geico Gecko. These are just a few of the famous reptiles we love. But on October 21 it’s National Reptile Awareness Day, a day we celebrate the most cold-blooded of our slithering friends. This day is observed to educate and raise awareness of threats to their natural habitats that our reptilian friends face.
For More Information: National Reptile Awareness
Fun Sylum Snippet in honor of this day, under the ‘read more’
Book Project: Sylum Timestamp
A while back I asked for help on a book project to help market Conversations in Real Time (If you still want to help just click on the link) for those who did I promised a timestamp for Sylum of a character they chosen from the Sylum Wiki.
This one is for Maria who asked for Nathan Algren … I do apologize for this being so late.
Title: Did That Statue Just Move
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: PG-13
Summary: He swore they were screwing with his mind.
Sylum Timeline: 1872 AD
Author’s Note: This is very raw, basically the idea finally came to me and I sat down and wrote this up … it will get cleaned and edited.
***
Nathan was pretty sure that the Hunters were screwing with him.
He settled outside his and Katsumoto’s room and began his meditation. It was the one thing that had helped him through the past months, especially with all the changes in his life.
Or now undead life.
He had come to Japan expecting a cushy job, at first he had found nothing but death. He had taken one look at the young men … no boys, and knew they would die. Just like the boys under his command at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and the last of them at Petersburg.
No one had listened.
He sat on his horse watching them be slaughtered by trained warriors. He had rode into battle, to save as many as he could.
Only to be saved himself.
Katsumoto had dried him out, made him face his demons.
Even now, being Mated and settled with the strength of their Bond around him, there are moments the screams of his men have his hands shaking, desperate for a drink to drown the noise out.
But he was stronger than that.
He knew that now.
So they trained him, made him a Samurai.
The Red Samurai.
He found himself and rode into battle next to Katsumoto, trusting his own instincts and that of his men.
Losing Katsumoto had almost did him in, but he honored his death and carried his sword to the Emperor. Told him the story of a true warrior.
Then returned back to the village, to live out his years fighting next to his fellow warriors.
Only to be even more shocked to discover that Katsumoto wasn’t as dead … well dead was the right word for it. Before he could even react he was pulled into Katsumoto’s rooms, told about Vampires and Mates, while be stripped down, washed and prepped.
Instinctively he knew that was were he belonged, so he didn’t fight it. Instead he gave himself over to his Mate.
And never regretted.
Until now.
Because he knew for sure the Hunters were fucking with him, and his Mate was in on it.
He took deep breathes to settle his mind. After a few moments he opened his eyes, and it had changed again.
“Who the hell is doing it?!” He growled moving to stand.
“My dearest…”
“Don’t you even!” Nathan glared at his Mate. “Your Hunters are screwing with my head. You know I got it when I was an arrogant drunk, I deserved it. But, this is now annoying.”
Katsumoto reached out running his hand through is Mate’s longer locks. He had contemplated having the woman cut it when they prepped him, but he was glad he didn’t. Nathan was beautiful, hair windblown, eyes flashing in suspicion and righteous indignation.
“Han is having some fun.”
“I’m kicking his ass during training later.” He muttered stalking across the small garden in the middle of the Clan houses.
He knew they weren’t the permanent Clan home, Katsumoto promised to take him in a few years, he wanted at the time being to stay close to the old tribes. Which Nathan could understand, he wasn’t quite ready to leave the area. They were isolated and this was where he found himself, he wasn’t sure if he was ready yet to … move on.
As he got to the other side, there on the edge of the garden was a dragon statue. It was elegantly carved, the body curved, and front right paw was posed to strike.
The problem.
He swore the dragon was facing East yesterday.
And the day before it was the left paw lifted off the ground.
He stopped in front of if and stared at it.
“You stare long enough it will move.”
Nathan turned quickly, hand reaching for the dagger he carried. He didn’t recognize the man before him. He was tall, wearing traditional clothing, the robes flowed around him in a way that gave him full movement. He was leaning against a large staff, though he was facing Nathan, his eyes were focused over his shoulder.
He realized that he was blind.
“Of course that is only legend. I’ve stared at it for hours, never moved once.”
Nathan snorted. “I am Nathan, we haven’t been introduced yet.”
“Sifu.” He nodded his head. “We had heard Katsumoto had acquired a Mate, so we wanted to come see. Well my Mate can later describe you to me.”
“Who is your Mate?” He looked around the small garden not seeing anyone around.
“Marco.” Sifu moved closer to the statue, letting his hand wander over the curves. “He was an explorer at one time, still gets lost.”
“I do not.”
Nathan was surprised to see a Western face, he had thought Kensei was the only other Westerner.
“I am Marco, see you’ve met my asshole of a Mate. Watch it, he’ll have you searching for butterflies in the field…”
“Even when there aren’t any?” Nathan snickered. “Han pulled that one already.”
Sifu huffed.
“Where are you from? If you don’t mind me asking.” Nathan realized that he had slipped into English not even realizing it.
“Italy, along with my father. He’s away with his Mate at the moment, traveling to Syria.” Marco glanced to the statue. “Is there a reason we’re staring at it?”
“The Hunters keep moving it, or exchanging it. I swear it moves…”
Marco opened his mouth, only to have a hand cover it. “Marco! Sifu!” Han Shizhong smiled at his fellow Clan Members. “Welcome back, I’m sure our esteemed Clan Leader will like to talk with you about your travels.”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed at the other warrior.
Han just smirked, leading the two away.
“Stare long enough, my friend, and all will be revealed.” Sifu called out as they were pulled out of the garden.
Nathan bent down and looked the statue in the eyes, then felt like an idiot. He straightened up, and headed for the stables, he wanted to go for a ride to get rid of the bent up energy.
***
“You need to stop!”
Nathan came to a halt, sliding up against the wall.
“I am testing.”
“You can only go so far, before Katsumoto will get upset, because Nathan is upset.” Kensei sounded annoyed. “This isn’t one to tease…”
“Go now.”
Nathan moved around the corner to see Kensei standing by himself, hands on his hips glaring out towards the garden. He sighed and startled when he saw Nathan.
“So they are messing with me!”
Kensei eyes shifted, looking for help that was wasn’t coming. “Nathan how was your ride?”
He just gave him a look.
“My dearest.” Katsumoto stepped up to his Mate, kissing his temple, trying to calm him down. He could feel the irritation and underlying hurt. “Come with me, lets get you in a bath.”
He let himself be led away, and as they passed the dragon statue, he was damn sure its tail was flipped upwards instead of down like this morning.
“How are they doing it?” He asked as they entered their rooms.
“Tomorrow.” Katsumoto stripped him out of his robes, running his hands over the lean body making sure there were no injuries. He still didn’t like how thin Nathan was, and would make sure Kensei added more food to his Mate’s meals.
Nathan leaned into the soothing touch, giving himself over to his love.
***
The next morning he did his meditations, clearing his thoughts and settling his emotions. When he opened his eyes, he was staring at the dragon statue, which was closer than it was the previous days.
“Okay, lets do this.” He stood then moved across the small space, settling back down in front of the statue. “If I stare at you long enough, you’ll move right.”
He sat there for what seemed like hours. He knew members of the Clan were moving around him, but he was not giving up his quest.
There was a whine.
Nathan leaned forward, lifting his hand and poked the statue.
It suddenly dissolved and fell to the ground, rolling onto its back with an over exaggerated sigh. “Fine you win!”
“Holy shit.” He actually hadn’t expected it to move, he wasn’t sure what he had expected. “What are you?”
“Dragon.” The creature wiggled until it’s head was in Nathan’s lap. “And I declare you my human.”
“Ahhhh.” Nathan reached out and began to touch the red scales.
It was beautiful.
Long, over six feet in length. Sinewy, he could see how he posed as a traditional oriental Dragon. The scales were mixed of the reds, and were soft yet hard. There were long whiskers coming from it’s snout, and the ears were laid back against the back of its head.
“What’s your name?” He asked slowly petting the creature.
“Mushu.”
“So it was you messing with me?” He pinched the dragon, who squeaked scurrying up until was able to look Nathan in the face.
“Testing. I saw you when you arrived.”
“Not my best,” he admitted.
“But you conquered your fears. This is a great strength.” He moved around Nathan resting his head on his shoulder. “I claim you as my human.”
“What does that mean?”
“I watch over you.” He flopped down head on Nathan’s lap again. “And you give me pets.”
He laughed lightly, giving the dragon what he wanted.
A shadow fell over them.
Nathan glanced up to see his Mate smiling down at him. “I see you finally met Mushu.”
“You could have told me.”
“It’s how he test those in the Clan. See which ones will sit down and stare at him, or others who ignore.” Katsumoto settled across from there, getting a tail in his lap. “Only one who sat down in front of him the first day, was Sifu.”
“He saw past what Mushu wanted him to see.” Nathan looked down at the now snoring dragon.
“Niccolo leaned against him to read, while Marco sat and stared at it.” Katsumoto shrugged. “He scared the crap out of Han, and Kensei still hasn’t forgiven him for messing with his kitchen.”
“And you?” He asked with interest.
“He was the one who told me, I would find my destiny when I saw the white tiger.”
Nathan reached over and took Katsumoto’s hand.
***
***
Random Snippet/Timestamp: Grumble Ferret
*click on image to see gif animation
This small little Timestamp popped up from discussion on the Sylum Chat Room.
This is off the fly and not edited.
Set before 2007
***
Van Helsing entered their rooms and came to a halt. He stared at the scene before him, wondering what the hell had happened, he had only left the two of them alone for an hour.
He took off his hat and coat, hanging them up on the hooks by the door. His guns and holster, were slipped into the small gun safe that was tucked into the cabinet, keys landed into the ceramic bowl, along with the odd bits and change from his pockets. With a sigh he sat down on the wooden bench, took off his boots, tucked them in their place.
“What the hell?” He finally commented, hands waving towards the debacle.
“It’s not my fault!” Constantine snapped, glaring at the rodent that makes his life a living hell.
“So Draco just decided for a new look?” Gabriel lips twitched as he tried not to laugh at the situation.
John Constantine stood in the middle of the living room, holding a dripping wet ferret. This actually wasn’t an unusual sight, except for the fact that parts of the normally white fur, was dyed purple. Draco was snarling at John, and the Vampire was snarling back.
“He got into the wine cellar, the small one that Kevin keeps. Broke at least a half dozen bottles, then promptly drank and pranced around in the mess.” He growled darkly at the animal, who was giving him no fucks to give attitude.
“How pissed was Kevin?” Van Helsing tried to keep a straight face and voice neutral, by the glare he got from Constantine, showed he was failing.
“He thought it was funny, Jimmy hasn’t stopped laughing, and I swear Noah took pictures and sent it to Thomas. Which means photos will be up on that damn board by breakfast.”
“You have to admit he’s kinda adorable.”
“He’s a soggy mess and is getting wine all over my suit!” John argued back, only to cry out in shock when Draco had enough of being manhandle and bit his hand, dropping to the ground.
It hissed and wandered off.
Constantine glared at it, and stormed off towards the bedroom.
Gabriel couldn’t help the laughter, as both were muttering and grumbling as they stormed off. Maybe he would take to calling both of them grumble ferrets.