Brightness Random

After giving out orders, the queen turned back to her and asked for details. Brightness tried to respond, but her voice seemed caught in her throat. The queen was looking at her expectantly, so the duchess swallowed and replied. "I-I don't know for sure, your majesty. It was perhaps half an hour before you found me, two floors down from here. There was a parshman, you see, but it wasn't a parshman, it was too dangerous, too wild to be a mere parshman, and it-" her voice was shaking. Storms, this was very bad. Finish the story, she told herself, they need your help to find Winter. "It was dragging something behind it, a white wolf. I didn't get a great look at it, your highness, too busy running for that, but it was Winter. She- she didn't look too good. Actually, she looked terrible. It was awful." She cocked her head slightly, remembering a detail she had forgotten earlier. "Someone else was there. Someone else tried to stop the parshman. Ah, who was it?" she shut her eyes, trying to remember the scene. She'd never seen the other person, she'd only heard him. Who's voice was that...? "Cheese!" she suddenly exclaimed. The two sisters looked at her in puzzlement. "I meant that it was Cheese," she said, embarrassed. "Cheese United. He must have been the other witness." I hope we can find Winter in time... she thought, I don't know that I could forgive myself if something terrible happened to her.

She could see him thinking about it. He stared at her, expressionlessly, and she could see him thinking about it. Storms, she thought, how long is this going to take? Nearly a minute later, he finally spoke, and her breath caught in her throat. "It...could be done." She nearly sighed in relief, but managed to stop herself. Wait, she thought, is he still talking? ​He was saying something policies, and- the Dark Alley? She was nearly too relieved to care. Focus, focus. she told herself. What was he grumbling about now? "Oh, and advertising. Storms, but I hate advertising. I'll do my part for you since you're a member of the Bar." Yes, yes yes! she thought. This could actually work! Within a day or two, I could be making coats of arms for guilds, and- He was still talking. Stopping tuning him out, you halfwit! she berated herself, just listen! "-that you post an advertisement yourself once we get things set up." He took a long drink from his mug, then slammed it down onto the table with a loud bang. She squeaked in surprise- sitting next to the mug had apparently not been the best choice- but he didn't seem to notice. "What do you think?" he asked, "Sound good? If so, we could go check out your room." She blinked in surprise for a moment, then gathered her wits and replied. "Oh, yes! Of course! That sounds fantastic, Snoopy. I-" why was her voice so squeaky? "That sounds great." she said in a slightly calmer voice.

How's this? As she walked through the palace, careful to stay to to known paths, Brightness suddenly remembered something in her notes. Something about a wolf. Winter Cloud, she remembered, Winter went missing in the chaos! And earlier there was that parshman dragging that huge white dog- Wolf. The huge dogs are called wolves. Parshman, wolf, Winter- Winter's been kidnapped! she realized with a start. "This is a disaster!" she exclaimed, "Why didn't anyone notice?!" Luckily for the navigationally challenged girl, the Queen's study was visible down the hallway. After sprinting down the hall to the tall doors, she paused, unsure of the protocol for interrupting monarchs in their studies. Silly girl, she scolded herself, Winter's gone! Taken by that strange parshman and you're standing here worrying about protocol of all things?! She gave a quick, loud knock before throwing open the door and rushing into the Royal Study. "Winter's been taken!"

Brightness turned to cheese. "Please tell me, Cheese, why in the name of the colors I would want to do that?" she asked dryly. "Do you know what that would do to Shadesmar? No, I don't want to swap oceans, I-" she hesitated, suddenly feeling a sense of apprehension. Is this really the best idea? she wondered. I mean, there's no reason he'll agree. "I..." she started again, mouth feeling dry. "I want to run a business out of the Root Beer Bar!" she blurted. "I could design and sell coats of arms, you could provide root beer! I mean, it's so cozy in here and I don't really want to have to set up my own place, plus this way we could advertise for each other and..." she was rambling. Stormfather, she was rambling even as she asked permission to for her shop. Perfect, she thought sarcastically, Absolutely perfect.

She rolled her eyes at his theatrics, but still smiled. "That's because I hadn't told you it yet. I've been thinking about it for a while now, but I'll need your permission to go through with. I'll need one of the spare brewing rooms."

Brightness sighed to herself, slouching over for a moment before perking back. "I've just remembered my brilliant idea!" she announced. She hurried across the room and sat down on Snoopy's table, a few feet down from his mug of root beer. "Hey, Snoopy!" she said in a sing-song voice, "I've just remembered my brilliant idea!"

Brightness Random looked to Snoopy, (see #1) by his ridiculous comments. "If you prefer, Snoopy," she told him, "I could be a Fullborn/Master-of-all-10-surges/10th-heightening-Awakener/Master-Forger, but I felt that we already have enough variations on that theme floating around the 17th Shard. I prefer to contrast with others and their confidence. Also, it's lots of fun to write. Not to mention-" (see #2). "I'm sorry, that kind of broke the 4th wall, didn't it..." Pausing, she shook her head to herself. "No. The Root Beer Bar is a place where people can RP or just be themselves. I do suppose that would have been okay..." She looked back to Snoopy. "Forget that. Look, I don't need your high headed confidence, as I'm a perfectly good, easily startled, easily embarrassed, root beer loving, poetry writing, emblem designing lighteyed lady and that's that." "Besides..." she said, almost to herself, "it would have to be at least 10 words apiece to make it worth putting it in my sig..."

"Thank you, your majesty." Brightness said, bowing low. She was slightly stunned at this turn of events- Her? Royal Emblem Mistress?- but she was glad that her little drawings could make people happy. "If you'd like, your highness, I could add color to it. I don't know that I'll have time this week, or even next week, but I would love to have the chance to go through and color it in."

Ah... I see... wonderful. Care for some root beer? It's freshly brewed.

Is it?! Is it simple?!

Do I even want to know what that's referencing? Well, it's an associate's, so it's just general stuff. It's not really a degree "in" anything in particular, as I understand it.

Heh. Heh. In my defense, he started it. You all saw that, right? That was not me. Snoopy, I'm glad you're not saying anything about your PhD in neurosurgery that you're graduating with half way through your 11th grade year, as that would make me feel both one upped, and nervous about the new direction the DA is taking.

Ah ha! You're one of those homeschoolers who doesn't have a life! I should have realized! Okay Mister Fancy-Shmancy, Don't-Stereotype-Me, Homeschooler, how's this? I've never been public schooled, and I started doing online schooling a few years back. Always homeschooled before that, though, and I could argue that I still am, as I do everything from home. Before you laugh too hard at my piles of work, keep in mind that I'm taking several collage level classes, alright? You can laugh when I graduate from high school with my associate's, but right now I have an essay to write, okay? On a lighter-hearted note, I am that typical homeschooler with "no life". That joke was worse than the first, I think. Bad jokes are an art, though, so have another bad joke: What would happen if everyone in the country bought a pink car? We'd have a pink carnation!

I've seen a few of them. I'd never really thought about the artistic themes they have in common, though now it seems obvious. Thanks for the insight! That highstorm is amazing! I always love looking at clouds, and so paintings with good clouds are very much appreciated. The Stormlight Archive certainly has some nice clouds on it's covers.

I've heard that one before, Snoopy, and it's awful, even in person. *shakes head to self* ...such bad jokes... Actually, I heard it in band, so there was a real live percussionist there to play the drum sting. I also learned this joke, which amuses my younger siblings to no end: "Why did the plane crash?" "Why?" "Because the pilot was a loaf of bread!" Cue drum sting and puzzled looks. Bow and exit. By the way, it does seem that time has run out on me. I have 10 hours of homework due Tuesday, and I'm busy all day tomorrow. So honestly, I shouldn't be here, but writing my paper in the other tab... (On an entirely different note, I was just on a video call and so now I can't stop smiling. You know, just sitting here with a polite smile on my face, nodding my agreement to people's thoughts. I should really be done with this, but even now that I'm off the call and on 17th Shard, I'm still smiling and nodding at people's posts. Why?!)

I concur with Snoopy. The atmosphere is perfect, and I'm making a killing on all these coats of arms! ...I mean, *cough* that the root beer is fantastic. Perhaps I'll write some more poetry later, if I can find the time...

Sounds good, Winter! Where do you want it posted when it's finished? I just realized that we now have 7 pages of (mostly) root beer discussions! I joined at the end of page 2, so I feel like we've made quite a bit of progress. This forum is nearly 4 times as long now!

@Lindel, I think that's about everything. That's a surprisingly good summery of the last few pages. @Winter, I'd love to! I'm having a lot of fun drawing these. It might not get finished until late next week (I'm drowning in homework), but I think it would be great to do some more. Any other symbols you'd like in the coat of arms? The more material I have to work with, the better. By the way, does anyone want some root beer? It seems we've gotten a bit off topic....

Indeed I do, Snoopy. I've PM'd you back now.

*Blushes* "Thanks, Cheese! I'm glad you like it."

I was just going off of the audiobook. Sometimes I wish for a pronunciation guide after the Ars Arcanum, but then I realize that it might add another 50 or so pages on top of Words of Radiance, and that book is heavy enough already!

It is finished! The Newcago Royalty coat of arms has arrived! What do you all think?

All my "name" experiences... When you realize that your friend who does everything perfect has a symmetrical name: Hannah. When you think "Hoid" is a completely normal name. When you're introduced to someone named "Chris", but you automatically assume it's spelled "Khriss". (After all, aren't we all talking about worldhoppers?) When you think Merrin would be an acceptable name for a boy. When you start explaining to your friend, completely out of the blue, how to tell which country a Rosharin is from based only on their name. Also, when you're sitting on the couch and you suddenly start repeating "Urithiru" to yourself to see if you can hear how symmetrical it is. Then, when your sister comes and asks what you're doing, you somehow get into this "argument": "Urithiru," "Well, you're a thiru too!" "No, Urithiru." "Yes, and you're a thiru." "Urithiru. It's a city, I'm trying to hear how symmetrical-" "You're a thiru." "Urithiru." "You're still a thiru." "Urithiru!" (And on and on for about five minutes.)

@Snoopy, so you don't play bassoon? ...I would say "good", but the world needs more bassoons (I'd say that's the one way they're like Cosmere books: the world needs more of both). As to your other points... a.) At this time I would like to direct you to WoR, page 343. (Read as much as you like. In case you were wondering, I'm Shallan.) b.) This is a tragedy. Mostly because contemporary art is incredibly interesting, but also because I, by definition, am a contemporary artist. I rather think I will go cry myself to sleep now, as you apparently think all my drawings and paintings, only one of which you have seen, are "events causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe". That made feel really good about myself, Snoopy, thank you. c.) *laffs maniacally* (I know I sued for peace, but really?! It takes only one more letter to spell it in the conventional manner. Defend your motives well, little panda, and I will not press this point.)

Startled by the queen's question, Brightness looked up in surprise. "What?" she asked, "Oh, um... yes, everything's... fine." The queen didn't seem to completely believe her, but didn't point it out. Why aren't I any good at lying? the duchess wondered, it would come in handy every now and again. The silence between them quickly grew awkward. Recognizing her open bedroom door ahead of them, Brightness rushed ahead. She turned before going in and gave the queen a quick bow. "Thank you for your assistance, your highness." With that, she slipped into her rooms and shut the door behind her, hoping that hadn't been too rude. Looking around the room, she noticed a bag that had clearly been used to transfer her belongings into the new room. Digging through it, she quickly found her notebook. Flipping through the thoroughly kept entries, she soon reached what she was looking for. I've made my way to Earth, it began, it doesn't appear to be a Shardworld, but I could be wrong. I've decided to join some local factions here, namely the Newcago Court. It seems that- The book continued, introducing people she had met and customs she had learned. As she read, she mentally began connecting the dots. That was Queen Elsa I met earlier, she realized. I almost remember now. There was a party - a danceoff - and things started falling apart. But what happened after that...? Having finished reading her notes, Brightness stood up, preparing to go back out and face the court. I hate losing my memories, she thought, it makes such mess of things.