Challenge #03063-H155: Handcrafted Hearth

Do you think, to prove it is love, not just an infatuation, he stays there? He learns to make musical instruments and presents to them to her for her approval or not? He starts to take singing lessons and asks to do duets with her? Maybe even introduces her to others as lovers and helps take care of tiefling children, all the while making it clear that he believes he owes HER, not her owing him, for the gift of her music in his life? Maybe she’s willing to give him a chance, at least, for friendship to begin with?

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-03021-h098-the-lengths-gone-unto – Anon Guest

No. Not for nothing. There was still the music of her voice. The possibility of knowing the person. Of course Tieflings turned out to be assholes, or part-time assholes. Just look at what the world had done to try and get rid of them. Just look at what the world had done to them before that.

Melody deserved better. He knew it. He thought he was better, but her pinpoint accuracy regarding his thoughts and motivations had made him think. Perhaps for the first time in five years. So he dragged himself away from the lure of her voice to take a look around and work some things out.

One of the most obvious things about this kingdom of the forsaken was that there were so many more children than adults. Far too many baby Tieflings for the adults to care for properly. There were found families at capacity, and not enough accommodations for all of them. Babies, children, and even teenagers were sleeping three or five or more to a bed. Well. He was a carpenter. Dan could do something to help.

[Check the source to see the full story]

(Source: peakd.com)

Challenge #03021-H098: The Lengths Gone Unto

A man walk down the crossroad late that night that when he ran into a beast in black. The beast spoke “Boy that’s a heavy load you have on your back, I can take care of your troubles and your worry woes, all you gotta is sign.” Man said “beast I do believe another devil beat you to it this time. I do wish I had something to give but ‘fraid I’m sold out. If you ain’t looking for the walking dead better find yourself another town. But if your still looking for my soul just wander down this road to a small house to the right. Cuz devil I’ve already lost my soul to devil with emerald eyes.“ – Anon Guest

[AN - ISTG those are lyrics for something but a quick search can’t find it. This has rhythm and meter… I can firkin hear Johnny Cash singing this.]

All the Tieflings were gone. So too were all those people who loved them anyway. This should have been a relief to the world because now they could tell the difference between a Fel fiend and someone who just happened to look a little bit like one. It should have been a relief for ordinary and decent folk, but one had become a statistical outlier. It wasn’t his fault. He fell in love with a Tiefling Bard just before the miracle they were calling the Fel Exile.

She had eyes of emerald green, and skin the colour of royal robes. Hair the colour of a raven’s wing that fell in luxurious curls. And her voice… he would never forget her voice. It didn’t belong in a devil’s throat. When Dan learned that all Tieflings and all unwanted peoples were sent away from decent folk by a concatenation of Wishes, he knew why she had gone. What he didn’t understand was how he had been left out of the phrasing, "and those who love them.” She was gone, and he was left sadder without her.

Dan sold everything he didn’t need and stocked up for a long journey. He didn’t care for a home without her in it. He didn’t want his family telling him it was just infatuation and he would get over her. The first part of his quest was finding out where the devils and all who were like them had been sent. And it was on that journey that he met a genuine fiend.

[Check the source to see the full story]

(Source: peakd.com)