I got inspired by my friend Kiara_Adeen and submitted the avi's below to a tektek contest (which you can find here: The Living Statue TekTek Contest - 20k Prize! Open!) The theme --as if you couldn't tell-- is "Living Statues" and you're even allowed to write little story things about your entries, too, which was fun. Whee! xd
Crying Statue:
She glared at the usual crowd of onlookers, the same sort of fools who always came to the palace gardens during peak tourist season. Their cameras flashed the same as they always did, and the people always made the same stupid remarks when they paused to look at her about what a "nice piece" she was and, with her seemingly perpetual tears --surely just a convincing illusion brought on by how the light hit her face-- "so beautifully haunting." What the hell did any of them know?
In her youth she had been free to soar the skies, her wings sparkling with radiant light. Yes, she had been beautiful; and also vain and arrogant. Her loveliness had been able to charm anyone, man or woman, and she had abused the power it gave her over others time and again to get what she desired. Her actions soon escalated as she became more and more conceited and callus-- she even started to cause skirmishes just for the sport of it-- and she was summoned by the ruler of her race that he might speak with her.
"You wish to see me, your majesty?" she had said, her voice melodious and filled with false sweetness, her eyes wide and innocent seeming.
"Indeed," he answered. "You are quite beautiful; perhaps the most beautiful of us all."
"Why, thank you." She bowed with what was supposed to look like humble appreciation, but the king was not fooled.
"And you have used your beauty and intellect a great many times to do terrible things," he went on. "I fear that this is only the beginning and that you shall grow more conceited and more hungry for power as time goes by. I cannot allow such a thing. For where would you stop? Would you start wars, perhaps? Rule entire nations? Have legions of followers bowing down to you as they worshiped images of your lovely countenance?"
Her gaze became stony cold as her true nature began to show through her false honeyed veneer. "So. What are you going to do with me then?"
"I shall place you where you shall stand above mortal men. Many shall come, even from miles away, to see you. They shall honor you with praise such as you have never heard before. And your beauty will be preserved forever."
Her vanity clouding her judgement, she did not think about the possible meaning of his words under the circumstances. "Very well. Go ahead and do so, my lord."
"As you wish." He waved his hand, and her wings froze in place. Her body became rigid. And she could no longer speak. "Since your mouth tells nothing but lies it shall henceforth function no longer, for it would be better that it not say anything at all. And since your heart is cold your body shall be turned to stone, for your heart might as well not beat at all. And since you feel nothing for anyone but yourself you shall be cursed to cry continually, day and night, forced to weep tears for all those you have hurt as their vengeance upon you. Thorns shall encircle you, to bind and oppress you as you would seek to oppress others. Your wings shall shine no longer, and you will be placed upon a pedestal in a garden where you shall stand above mortal men: many shall come to see you, even from miles away, and honor you with praise like you haven't yet heard. And as a statue, your beauty will be preserved forever."
And so it was. Many years had passed since then, and she could not stop weeping, any more than she could stop the flash of cameras, the buzz of yet more tourists, the lonely ache in her stone heart. Hers was a miserable fate. And all the more so since, in spite of her tears for other souls, the only grief she felt was for one person: herself.
Total Value: 267,082 Gold
After Exclusions: 209,795 Gold
[Item Information]
Item List:
Spirit Falcon
Winter Rose
Elegant Veil
Egyptian White Linen Dress
Oculus Mythica
Masterpieces
Nemesis, the Winged Goddess of Retribution:
He smirked up at the statues of the so-called gods and goddesses, laughing silently to himself all the while. Even they in their supposed "divine" state could nothing to stop his plans and he turned, striding out of the temple, pleased with himself. Focused as he was on his apparent triumph he did not see the eyes of Nemesis flash as he went past, her grip tightening on the hilt of her sword. He would pay dearly for his hubris; for she was the very wrath of the universe itself, sent down to reward the just and punish the wicked-- she whom none can escape.
She unfolded her wings and took off from the podium where she stood watch, weapon at the ready, her heart burning with righteous vengeance as she went out after her latest prey. She caught up to him, trailing after the man until she was sure he was alone, then cornered him.
"Wh-what madness is this?" he cried, backing up against the wall. "I tell you, I've done nothing!"
"Haven't you?" She leveled the tip of the blade she always carried right at his throat. "In your arrogance, mortal, you have dared laugh at even the gods themselves and so have I come to wreak vengeance upon you."
The man was aghast. "Vengeance? Now? Where was your anger before when I did all manner of wicked things and the 'gods' did nothing to stop me? Why was I not punished then?" She had no answer for this and he continued. "You call yourself 'just' but when was the last time you--"
Enraged by his questions she lopped off his head, and pivoted on her heel in disgust. How dare he direct such accusations at her! The goddess shook her head and took flight once more, returning to the temple as a pool of blood started to form around her felled adversary, the outrage of Nemesis once again sated.
Total Value: 458,018 Gold
After Exclusions: 429,497 Gold
[Item Information]
Item List:
Ancient Katana
Powdered Sugarplum Puff Sleeves
Buddhist Monk's Straw Sandals
Masterpieces
Spirit Falcon
Egyptian White Linen Dress
Apollo:
The young girl studied the exquisitely carved marble statue for a moment longer, and then finally tore herself away. "Mommy," she said, catching her mother's attention.
"Hm?"
"That statue looked at me."
The woman frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"His eyes moved. They looked right at me and he blinked."
"Don't be silly, dear; marble can't move. Now let's go look at the Egyptian part of the exhibit."
"But--"
As the girl was dragged off, the head of the statue tilted up ever so slightly, and the stone work of art smiled. How fun it was to play with people sometimes. And of course no one ever believed the victims of his pranks so he had nothing to worry about.
Total Value: 135,638 Gold
After Exclusions: 50,169 Gold
[Item Information]
Item List:
Enchanted Strings
Oculus Mythica
Gift of the Gods
Masterpieces
Buddhist Monk's Straw Sandals
Egyptian Sapphire Ankh Pendant
Masterpieces
Egyptian White Linen Wrap
Cheers, y'all! Hope you guys (all two people who read my journal) are enjoying summer. biggrin
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