PART 3 OF 3

Trey watched as the front door opened and revealed Rickey, home from another date night with Ana, it had been a few weeks since that last, however, Rickey seemed different, his face garmented a deadpan expression, his movement seemed slow and his gaze was completely unaimed, Trey could smell even the smallest amount of liquor from a mile away, It was part of his nature, it was clear to him Rickey had, had some drinks, however Trey sensed he wasn’t intoxicated to a large degree, something else must be afoot. “C’mere Trey, let me take you outside.” Rickey’s voice travelled with little emotion, Trey listened though, he hadn’t gone on a long walk in quite some time, Rickey hadn’t been treating him like normal for the past few weeks, after a few years it was odd to Trey, not having to hear about Rickey’s day or girl problems at least once in a while. Rickey latched the leash around Trey’s collar and started outside, first to the elevator, then once they reached the first floor they began walking through bustling downtown, not something quite uncommon but Trey had learned these walks often lasted longer, something he would never oppose. “Y’know something Trey.” Rickey started, as they crossed a street absent of cars, Trey seemed to freeze for a second, taking an apparent double take, It had been a while since Rickey talked to Trey like normal, The dog filled with giddiness as he at last heard his friend again. “I just don’t understand it bud.” Rickey continued, “Maybe I never will…”

They continued, Trey began taking in the night time city view, the lights, the people, all something he didn’t see often, but now that he was enveloped in it realized how intriguing it was. Trey realized they were on the opposite side of the road they usually ended up on, but it was a minuscule detail, it lead to the same place. They began to approach an alley way that was on their right, something Rickey had never really seen up-close, he didn’t know why he changed his routine, but he did, he’s walked the beginning of this route countless times, and countless times found himself on the opposite side of the street at this point in the path. It was quiet at this part of the street, no one near them, they had gotten past the hectic part of downtown, the sound of wind scraping trash and debris into the corners of the dark street was louder than the faded voices and music behind them, a siren wailed in the distance but soon meshed in with the rest of the dulled noise. Now is as good a time as any Trey thought to himself, “Why don’t you talk with me anymore?” Trey said. Rickey froze, his mouth falling open, it was now his turn to do a double take. “What?” He asked, for most people hearing the voice of a long time friend was nothing new, for Rickey it was now dumbfounding, “W- What?” He asked again, he was drunk but that couldn’t explain his inability to think right now. “I said, why don’t you talk with me anymore, Rickey, I miss it y’know, hearing about your day, and arguing with you over the dumb stuff, you haven’t been the same recently.” Trey responded. Rickey let out a bark of laughter, he felt insane but he played along, “I don’t know man, just felt weird after long enough, especially once Ana pointed it out.” He told Trey. Trey paused before responding, sniffing some garbage on the ground, he could feel the dampness of the alley seeping into paws, “Speaking of her, how are things going?” “Things are going great, too good actually, but I just can’t understand it, I just can’t stop thinking of her… what did she do to me… “ Rickey replied, starting into the alley, he didn’t know what drew him in, maybe it was the welcoming darkness, the security of not being seen once inside, maybe it would be easier to talk with no possible way to be judged in the shadows, as he continued forward he caressed the rough bricks with his fingertips searching, he could feel the grime that had fused with the concrete pulling at his shoes with each step that he took, he didn’t care, the darkness felt inviting and he new Trey would hold no opposition. “Wanna check out this alley Trey?” “Of course, thought you’d never ask.” Trey replied, “Why don’t you just focus on Ana? No point in focusing on the past, she’s in your past, and she always will be, Rickey.” He continued. “I know, Trey, but I can’t explain it, It confuses me more than you… I- I just miss it, I miss everything about it.” Rickey replied. “If you can’t explain it, there’s no need in trying to, Ana’s perfect for you, I know you’ll make the smart decisions, lets head home it reeks here and I can’t stand walking on soggy garbage.” “You’re right, Trey.”

“Goodnight, Rickey”

“Goodnight, Man”

“Hey Bud, wanna go to park?” Rickey asked, his personality finally back to normal the next morning.

“Sure.” Trey replied.

“W- Wait… You’re… You’re real?”

THE END

Hopefully you enjoyed if you made it this far, sorry about the mess of multiple parts, might’ve been a tad too long for Reddit to allow in 1 post

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PART 2 OF 3 (Begins with small time skip)

“Ready to go?” Rickey asked, “Yes, of course, let me grab my things.” “No problem, I’ll put this stuff up real quick.” Rickey replied, gathering the dishes, wondering if there was any point going to the Rooftop Bar after having drinks. One of the privileges of living downtown he thought, everything within walking distance. Rickey was caught in a trance, staring out at the city lights, taking in its beauty, wondering what everyone else had going on in their lives down below, a sharp yelp followed by a “Goddamnit” broke him free and he ran to the living room alarmed, “What happened Ana?” He looked down and seen crimson flowing out of Ana’s foot, a small wound, but it had split her sock and caused quite a stream. “I- I don’t know.” She said, now sitting on the ground nursing her right foot. “I’ll grab the first-aid kit.” “Thank you, Rickey.” She replied, he stared at her, she was still beautiful, her bottom lip bit, gulping as she gazed at the blood, he stopped and grabbed the kit, starting to tend to her, he grabbed a disinfectant wipe and a large band-aid, “This might sting.” He said. Ana grabbed a handful of her own shirt in anticipation but it proved futile, he could see the color flush from her face the moment he made contact with the wound. She didn’t say anything, only winced, the alcohol in her system was helping.

“You should be good now.” Rickey said as he finished up. She started to stand and began walking, gingerly. “Want to me to call you an Uber? I think we’ve had enough alcohol for one night.” He asked, “Yes, that’ll do, sorry about all this.” “It’s not your fault, I didn’t clean up Trey’s mess completely, I’ll make this up to you, on the next date of course.” Rickey said with a smile, maneuvering through the app on his phone. “You’re lucky I already decided you could have another date before this, Rickey.” She smiled. “Otherwise I wouldn’t be too sure.” She continued. Rickey let out a chuckle, “Thanks.” They waited for a moment before Rickey’s phone pinged, “Your ride will be here soon.” He said. “Great, we should probably head to the elevator then.” She replied, “Care to carry me?” She continued in a taunting tone. “Of course I will.” He replied with a smirk.

CONTINUED IN REPLIES

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>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include "[Poem]" >* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail >* See Reality Fiction and Simple Prompts for stricter titles >* Be civil in any feedback and follow the rules

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My hands feel like lead. Heavy and stiff they rest in my lap, a pair of useless rusted heaps that have fallen into disrepair. Look at them. Pale. Weak.

I can barely move them.

“My hands...” Welled wetness dawdles down my cheeks.

“Oh, hush! Nothin’ wrong with dem hands. Pink and ‘ealthy as ever.”

My focus stays on my powerless fingers. I do not address the ceaseless positivity of my moronic mentor. How could he know? How dare he even try to placate me with words. I have lost everything.

Everything. That dumb bastard has—

“Ya sniffin ya lip again, Lad! Don’t you go finkin’ meanly of me or I’ll—”

“Or you’ll what?”

“Ah, got ya eyes on me now does ya?” I hate to admit it but his threat had earned my ire and my attention. He brought his pink, bulbous, dark-pored, hairy-nostrelled nose to mine. A yellow toothed grin glinted out of his grey and frazzled beard. “You always pout and pucker and snorts and huffs when ya thinkin’ angry meannesses at me. You does it more and I’ll turn you frog-wise, I will.”

“I’d like to see you—”

“Ye can’t block me at the moment, Lad. Thinks on that. Not a ants hatful of magic in ye at the moment. Is why ye’ve been mopin’ about, remember? So! Cut. Your. Crap.”

I bite my lip to stay the words. Not because they would have been mean. Not because I am afraid of him. It is because they would have been spells and...and they wouldn’t have worked. Not now. Not ever again. Three days now and I haven’t been able to so much as conjure a spark, every potion I have stirred has turned to an inedible soup.

A pair of pale palms and wilted grey fingers stare up at me from my lap. Why are they so heavy?

“My hands...”

“Oh, fer Liam’s Rake! Yer hands are fine! You. Are. Fine!”

“I can’t use magic!” I am standing and screaming down at the hunched and squat creature that has failed to teach me anything of magic. It’s his fault. It’s his fault that I’ve lost my gift! “Magic! Everything I am and was and would have been, Gerbond! All of it gone. You have no idea — no idea at all — what that means to me. I. I.”

He’s taller than me again. My knees had given way. I am sat and my hands are in my lap and they are so very heavy.

“I. I am...weak.”

“Lad. Jass, listen. Yer feelin’ weak cause ya magic is...see, we Mage-folk, we uses magics e’en when we don’t wants ta! Is in our blood the stuff is. Gives us pep. Makes us live longer.”

“And mine is gone...forever.”

“What is magics, Lad?”

“Power—Ack!” I grabbed my ear and glared at him...but whats the point of anger. Having my ears twisted by stronger people was the way of my life now.

“Magics can gets ye power, Lad, but it ain’t power itself. Yer a smart one, talented e’en, but ye always rushed through the basics.”

“I know the basics...”

“Puh! What ye knows is basic spells. Hey! Look at me, Lad!”

He does not, can not, understand. I am nothing now. Less than nothing.

A splotchy, ugly face fills my view. He has crouched and practically put his head into my hands so he could star up at me. His glassy, liver-yellowed eyes are...he seems to...

I feel a hand gloved in callouses take mine.

“Lad. Magics ain’t power. Its energy. Takes magics to do spells and make potions and enchantses.”

“And what?” My cheeks are wet and he had blurred. “I’m out of magic, now?”

“For the moment, yeah. And I ain’ts surprised! You’ve been spellin’ and castin’ and brewin’ a storm since ye got ‘ere! Surprised ye didn’t go dry earlier.”

“...wait. Wait, It’ll...will it come back?”

“Puh! Yeah, ye bloody idgit! If ye stop tryin’ to force it. If ye actually rest. If ye stop worryin' and whinin' and wait...wait in peace and quiet...and do ye damned bloody chores!”

“It’ll come back!”

“I means...y'chores won’t actually help, but—”

“When? How long does it take?”

“Well, ye has a big tank, Lad. Is why they's all impressed wit ye. So...a whiles, I'd say. I comes good after a nap and a sandwhich. Maybes a quiet weekend if I'd been busy-like. Just, relax and don’t rush it. Plenty to read up on and learn whiles ye wait.”

My hands. Pink. Boring. Free of magical pep...but only for a moment. I just have to wait.

“I...suppose I should start at the basics, then. Where...where do I start?”

“Ah, well! Would ye look at that. I has an apprentice instead of a bloody prodigy. Come on, Lad. To the garden.”

“Meditation?”

“Puh! Slugs in the ‘erb patch, Lad.” He stands and walks away. “’spose I might as teach ye about there uses. ‘Erbs and the slugs, that is.”

Disclaimer: Garbage formatting, copied from DangerNotes after I finished writing

EDIT: Words inside of asterisks like this were meant to be italicized, however, my iPad decided to disagree with me.

Thank you OP for the prompt.

Staring with a blank expression at the turmoil around him, all he could do was begin to pick up the mess, it looked like a murder, the body shredded to ribbons, it’s insides formed pools at various places on the carpeted ground, however, broken glass on the tile near the door made it almost impossible to navigate through to the crime-scene but, even during all the headache Rickey knew he would have to replace Trey’s favorite toy, and soon. The deliciously fluffy fur coat of his best friend still held evidence of the murder, the teddy bear’s head was trapped between his jaws and did no good to support his apologetic whimpers. “Really Buddy? You know the date is supposed to be here soon.” Rickey said while sweeping the rest of the broken cup into a dust-pan. “What did Franklin even do to you? This was a *massacre*. ” He said to himself slightly disgusted. 

Rickey stared at the eyes that were filled with excitement begin to flood with guilt, Trey started to his legs and began prodding his ankle with the wet nose of his. “I know buddy, I know, you didn’t mean it, it’s okay.” He reassured his companion, after all there was someone he had to get ready for and he felt he had no business thrashing his friend for having some fun. Rickey began his trip to the wardrobe, picking out his favorite turtle-neck and grabbing his loafers. “What do you think Trey?” “Yeah I know I look good man, you think it’s too formal?” “Ha, you’re right, these shoes are definitely overkill, Rickey exchanged his shoes with his trusty pair of McQueen’s, “What about these? C’mon, simplicity is key, can’t go wrong with the all white, you remember how much I spent on these?” Rickey said, squashing the memory as it formed, he couldn’t bear being reminded of the bullet he bit at check-out, all just to look good at marriage he didn’t know anyone at. Trey sensed his friends expression turning gaunt and when his head began dropping, he ran as fast he could leaping onto two legs to place his paws on Rickey’s thighs, and releasing a playful yelp. “Sorry pup, I just miss her, y’know?” Rickey let his mind wander, remembering how he thought a pair of expensive shoes would help the first expression he would give her parents. Looking back on it he felt it was naive of him to even think he’d get to that point, but after the plus-one invite to her sister’s wedding he decided to go all out, unfortunately, all she ended up going out on was the relationship. “Jesus, what time is it?” He said, snapping back to present, he glanced at the clock, *10 more minutes* he thought, relieved, he grabbed his favorite cologne, and silver chain, “Never forget the accessories, Trey, you’ll learn one day, I might even start taking you to that new dog park they built on Winslow.” Trey replied with a loud and excitement rich bark which told Rickey all he needed to know. “First you gotta meet Ana.” Trey circled his bed a few times before laying down in agreement. 

The doorbell finally rang, the sound recoiled off the walls of his not-so generous sized apartment, combined with the expected nervousness involved in this situation the ring might as well have signified the start of the Purge, his heart leapt, giving an incredulous look stare at the door, preparing for the task ahead. He opened the door with grace befitting that of an upset chihuahua — BANG — the loud thump was enough to turn Ana around, revealing well applied make-up to a slick olive skin tone, she was beautiful, the pictures they had taken together never seemed to do her justice when he looked back on them. “Wow, seems like I met the guy who they install door-stoppers for.” She replied letting a smirk creep to her face. “Seems I’ve met the girl beautiful enough to woo the guy they install door-stoppers for.” He replied, mirroring the smirk. “Well put.” She said, making her way inside. “Dinner’s almost done, just had to grab some sauce for the shrimp.” Rickey said, making his way to the kitchen. “Ooh, can’t wait, y’know Rickey, Marie never said you were a chef when she told me about you.” “What can I say? I’m like a Rickey of all trades.” He replied, holding his breath for a moment and going still, hoping for a laugh. “That, however, is something she mentioned, your horrible jokes.” “Impossible” Rickey said bringing a plate of shrimp cocktail accompanied by liquor and glasses to the décored living room.

“Where’s your bathroom at Rickey?” “Go to the hallway, the middle door on your left.” He replied, putting the food and drink on the coffee table, Trey stirred from his bed with only one thing on his mind, *food*, seeing shrimp hardly being attended to while Rickey filled the glasses was a dream come true for a hungry husky. “Trey, don’t even think about it, this food isn’t for you.” Rickey quipped, putting a stop to the puppies antics almost as soon as they started. “I’ll feed you later, go lay down.” However, Trey was made of sterner stuff. “Alright, one piece.” Rickey said tossing a piece of shrimp to the dogs bed on the other side of the room, “Go get it boy.” “Ooh, sorry for interrupting your conversation with Trey.” Ana said, catching Rickey off guard. “No problem.” Rickey said with a short laugh, “You talk to your dog so much, it’s almost cute, how’d you come up with Trey?” Rickey paused for a moment before replying, *hmm, I do talk to Trey often* he thought, “Oh, he was the third born, so Trey just felt natural, how’d your parents come up with Ana.” “Well, they didn’t. They came up with Anastasia, however, that’s a mouthful, I like the simpler version.” She said while taking off her shoes and joining Rickey at the couch “what’s with the ‘e’ in Rickey?” She continued. “No clue, never asked my mom, I like it though, it’s different.” He replied 

PART 1 OF 3 - CONTINUED IN THE REPLIES TO THIS COMMENT (Reddit gives me ‘Please Try Again Later’ when I don’t split it up)

Jul'rad and Kerian sheathed their swords, and I marveled as the world--once resplendent in marvelous lights--started to dim back to the natural gloom of the midnight moon. Hellreaver in particular, a nasty flaming sword that both cut and burned through swathes of enemies, had a tendency to light up both cave and nighttime alike. Hellreaver belonged to Jul'rad, and he earned it from a Fairy Queen while he was on his first adventure.

How I envied him. His sword was spoken of in legends and envied even by kings.

Of course, that didn't mean that the rest of my comrades didn't have impressive swords. Kerian had Spiteblade, the Drinker of Souls. Like its brother Hellreaver, Spiteblade wasn't forged by human hands. Born in a land far from us and made by fae that were no longer among us, the magics that gave birth to it were strange and undecipherable to us. All we knew was that it had the capability to deal catastrophic damage to the undead, who were nigh invulnerable otherwise.

While it didn't glow in unholy hellfire like its counterpart, it did glow a slight, ethereal blue that captivated me in the late nights when Kerian decided to tend to it. There was no source of the glow, Kerian wasn't quite so experienced in magic, but that didn't stop the blade from glowing all the same.

We had a running bet that it was glowing from the power of the souls that it devoured. I tried not to think about that.

"Well, we might as well set up camp, then," yelled Charmy. She was a chipper young dwarf that barely came up to our waist. Unlike the rest of her kind, she was bouncy and bubbly, and never without a wide, face-splitting smile on her face. She had come to us rather early in our journey, and invited herself into our party most handedly. "We won't be moving much further without any light and the local monsters don't seem to like us moving at night."

The other two grumbled amongst themselves, but they eventually relented. It was an arguing match whenever I decided that it was time to camp, but for some reason they were always willing to stop when Charmy called for it.

I didn't know whether it was because of Charmy's goodwill, or her inherent beauty, and honestly I wasn't going to ask. She was an easy way to keep them in line, and for that I was grateful.

"Get your things unpacked and set to doing your jobs. I'll start to work on the campfire."

The three of them nodded at me, before getting to work on their own tents. As a druid, I personally didn't enjoy tents. I enjoyed sleeping under the night sky and feeling the forest dirt on my back. I watched as they set off, making sure that they were doing their things, before sitting down.

Spirits of the forest, heed my call. Let the fallen branches be recall.

The tittering of field mice and the low, droning hoot of the single active owl responded to my plea. They arrived shortly, carrying old, dry branches that I could use for the campfire. I nodded and thanked them for their service before letting them back into the forest.

One fire spell later and the campfire was set.

"Charmy. We're all ready for you."

The young dwarf looked up from her project, her telltale smile already on her face. Again, she was a bright and kind and bubbly little thing, who didn't look as if she could hurt a fly. The sword she was currently sharpening, however? That didn't fit her visage at all. It was a large broadsword with nasty jagged edges and a black and red tinted blade. There were magic insignias forged directly into the metal, and they glowed with every stroke of the whetstone along the edge.

It was a truly nasty weapon, one I only got to see in action once. Charmy did not enjoy fighting, another trait she did not share with the rest of her brethren, but she did enjoy creating weapons. Her most recent weapon, Dragonstooth, was her shining masterpiece, and she took meticulous care of it.

It was already a legendary blade. I was sure of it. She said that she had made it from the scales and claws of an Ancient Dragon. I couldn't even imagine what it was like to face an Ancient Dragon. Even their corpses radiated enough strength to taint the land for centuries.

"Gotcha! I'll be right over!"

I nodded as I watched her carefully sheathe Dragonstooth, a blade that cared very little for whatever was placed in front of it. It cut and sawed and tore through any and everything it touched, and Charmy was surely a terror on the field as she carved a path through her enemies.

The stark difference in behavior was so jarring that I had to remind myself that Charmy in combat and Charmy out of combat was the same person. Rather than dwell on the thought, I rose from the firepit and made my way into the forest. If the others saw me go, they didn't say anything. They were already used to my own antics as a druid, and they understood how I preferred the company of the local flora.

As soon as I was surrounded by the oaks and far enough away from the fires, I took out my own sword. It wasn't a legendary blade that could glow in the dark and capture souls, or burn with eternal hellfire. It wasn't a legendarily crafted blade that could slice through anything with a single swing.

Rather, it was a normal shortsword. One that was surely too short for me. It was more akin to a dagger in my large hands, and since I fought with magic it wasn't something that I ever used in combat. I doubted my companions even knew that I had this. If they did, they would ask me why I carried around something that I never used.

Of course, I couldn't use it. A single swing would have been more than enough to snap it in two. And I couldn't have that. Not again.

"Glorious Starlight, Jeff," I whispered. My voice, which would rouse dryads and inspire forest nymphs to dance, was barely strong enough to spur the errant blades of grass that I trampled underfoot. "How went your day?"

I unsheathed my sword, and I smiled as a faint glow, barely stronger than firefly light, emerged from a crack that ran through the middle of it. This was a short sword that I had in my youth, and I used it liberally alongside my best friend as we travelled the forests of our hometown. I had wanted to be a swordsman, you see. As did my friend. Things... did not work out in our favor.

"My day was fine, old friend," Jeff responded. "I reckon it would be better if you tell me what we did while I was stuck in your sheath."

I smiled at the familiar snark in his voice. It was comforting, if not sad to hear. Still, I did owe the old goat a rundown of the day, so I sat myself on a log and prepared myself to tell a story.

Jesus Christ. This just got more ridiculous as it went on.

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“Then they all died” ☠️

Dnd character idea: a bard who's looking for treasures in order to provide a hoard for his quickly growing half dragon offspring.

This is just the D&D Horny Bard.

I loved this ~ I would really enjoy seeing more replies in this sub from you :)

I'm glad you did!!!!

This is just the plot of Shrek

Firestorm is an idiot

The reveal that this wasn't set in a fictional place was insightful.

Please note I mean this as positively as possible but what the fuck

I'm really sorry to hear that mate. My only suggestion is perhaps this might be everyone adjusting to this new situation. And even if not, things might change in future. But I hope that things and relationships with friends and family improve again for you.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Should be able to write something about this

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How is she the only one not affected?

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