Prompt 1 & 2|In the Middle & Mining Memory

[hamlet]

Welcome to Prompts 1 and 2 of the RC Prompt series! I will post a general writing prompts (might be IC, might be OOC), and you can just free write on it for however long you have muse for. You can always work on it and come back to it later when you need a muse push.

FYI: Most of these prompts I'll be getting from various books I have with a TON of writing prompts so hopefully these exercises help your writing skillz. One of them, specifically, "What If?" by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter.

This should be fun! Work on prompts 1 and 2 in this thread.

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IN THE MIDDLE OF THINGS

The first prompt is IN CHARACTER.

Begin a post with this line: Where were you last night?

The person saying that line could be another character and you can respond to it, or your character can ask another person that question.

The objective: Most times in RPing you will be in the middle of things. Someone will feed you something and you have to build off of it. This is an exercise that will test your 'reflexes' so to speak What can you come up with while you're in the MIDDLE of things? Also a lot of times in RPing, you have to fill in the blanks for a lot of things. Sometimes, especially if you're developing a plot off the cuff...or as the thread goes along...you have to figure out what exactly happened in order to move the plot along.

Good luck!

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

"Where were you last night?"

Monte Cristo looked up sharply, peering at the speaker over the rim of his reading glasses. His head of staff, Giovanni Bertuccio, returned the glare with a fairly intense look of his own. Bertuccio had been working for Monte Cristo for some time now, since Monte Cristo's return to society. He usually kept his place and held his tongue, but occasionally, he stepped out of bounds with personal inquiries such as this one.

It was obvious that Bertuccio was only asking because he cared. Monte Cristo did not make a habit of disappearing for long periods of time, so when he did, it was probably the result of something serious. Besides, being the head of staff, Bertuccio had a right to know where his boss was. He needed to know so that he could do his job. Still, none of these realizations would keep Monte Cristo from simply pushing him away.

Monte Cristo's voice sounded cold and hard, with a definite edge to it. "I am not accustomed to being addressed by my servant in such a fashion."

The men held each other's glares for a moment, until Bertuccio blinked slowly, lowering his eyelids and raising them again. He was Monte Cristo's inferior, and he had to behave like it if he wanted to remain in the count's employ, even if the other man was wrong. He could not forget how Monte Cristo had kept him out of jail, and had exacted revenge on the man who had refused to prosecute his brother's murderer. Bertuccio owed Monte Cristo several times over, and finding out Monte Cristo's past location was not worth risking their friendship.

Satisfied, Monte Cristo returned his attention to the papers spread on the desk before him, completely blocking Bertuccio from his perception. Bertuccio watched him for a moment, then left the room, realizing that he would not get any sort of answers from Monte Cristo when he was in such a foul mood. He was used to being treated like this on very rare occasions. He and Monte Cristo got along famously, as long as he kept his nose out of Monte Cristo's personal life and affairs.

Monte Cristo frowned as he read, but not because of the material he was trying to focus on. Perhaps he should have just given Bertuccio an answer. The man was clearly just concerned about him.

The problem, Monte Cristo realized uncomfortably, had nothing to do with a staff member asking him a personal question. He did not buy into those typical employer-employee relationships. He viewed his staff as an extension of himself, because he chose no one but the best to work for him. They were excellent at what they did, and so was he. He had nothing but respect for any of them, especially Bertuccio.

No, the real problem was that he was not entirely sure how to answer that question. The simple response would have been that he had spent the night on the pier, watching the sun rise over the water. But he was well aware that such an answer begged the question why. That was the question he was afraid of and had no answer for.

For a man so perceptive and in tune with society, he was certainly not in tune with himself. There was clearly something wrong with him, something that he was doing his best to avoid addressing. He could avoid it all he wanted, but it- whatever it was- would not go away that easily. It might even grow and expand until it was out of his control. Being out of control was not a future that Monte Cristo could accept for himself.

The gentle click of the front door locking downstairs snapped Monte Cristo back into the present. Bertuccio had left, and the little apartment was quiet. Monte Cristo was alone.

The empty, consuming silence confirmed Monte Cristo's suspicion. That was the problem, the one he could neither confront nor ignore. He was alone, and the loneliness was taking a toll on him.

He sighed and turned his attention back to his work. He did not have the time to deal with such a petty problem. His work was far too important. Besides, he'd had plenty of chances at having a wife, and had turned them all down. If he felt alone, it was no one's fault but his own, and he would deal with it.

Setting the matter aside once again, he kept at his work well into the night, retiring only when his brain shut down and refused to keep going at such a frenzied pace. He went to his room and laid down, letting the darkness and quietness push him into a fitful sleep.

[ROGER DAVIS]

"Where were you last night, Roger?"

"Y'know where I was. I was at the Life, with you guys. I didn't think you were that drunk." But Roger knew that wasn't what Collins meant. The two sat in the living room of the Loft, Roger holding a cigarette between his fingers. He was bundled up in a green sweatshirt and plaid pants to try to keep away from the cold that surrounded New York City. He brought his legs up, resting elbows on knobby knees as he looked over at the large black man, who was giving him the classic 'don't you leave me out of this story' look. The events of last night were still lingering, both in his memory and his bloodstream. He felt completely and utterly hung over, but he felt...good. Wonderful, even. He wasn't sure what it was, but he felt a little bit more free than he had two days ago. He wasn't sure if he felt alright with feeling okay. It had been seven months ago, but it felt like only seven minutes at times. His heart ached as if it had broken only moments ago, but he realised something very simple. Mimi made him smile. Mark hadn't even been able to make him laugh over the seven months, yet he found himself laughing freely with Mimi.

"Don't be lyin', boy. I saw you leave arm in arm with that cute little thing." Collins sat across from him, wearing a grey sweater and black sweatpants. A joint was firmly clenched between the man's large fingers. "So what happened, huh? Give me every sordid detail."

"Nothing happened."

Collins stared at Roger as if the man had stated that it was a hundred degrees outside and not currently the below-zero. "Liar."

"I swear!"

"Y'walked her home and...that's it?" The sound of disbelief was clear in Collins' voice. "...Roger Davis." The older man said, as if chastising a small child. "You've wrecked more chicks than I can count. Look. This is my shocked face."

Roger felt a slight smile cross his face, and he lifted the cigarette to his lips, taking drag in before he flicked ashes on the ashtray that sat on the arm of the old and worn couch. "Dude, I--We just...took a walk. We walked down at sat in Tompkins Square and just watched it snow. She said she came to New York because she wanted to be on broadway." Roger paused as he stared at the cigarette. "She said she came to New York to be a dancer and all New York gave her in return was an addiction and a death sentence." Roger lifted a shoulder in a shrug. "We stayed out until about two and then we came home. We came up to her apartment and just talked some more. We talked about life. About how we both knew Stephanie, the pretty little blonde who died right after April from AIDS. We talked about when we first found out." He paused, flicking his cigarette. "We just...talked."

Collins was resting his chin on his palm, smiling widely at Roger. "Awww, see." Collins told him, pointing a finger at the younger man. "See, I knew when you told me that you liked her. I knew she'd be good for you." he paused, and then smirked. "Y'sure nothin' else happened?"

Roger smiled, though he shook his head. "She wanted to. And maybe I wanted to, too, but...but I couldn't." Roger remembered it as if it had happened five minutes ago. Mimi had kissed him, and he remembered closing his eyes, kissing her back until the taste of her lips reminded him too much of April. He remembered tears coming to his eyes and he remembered crying. She had cried to, and the two had simply spent the night in each others arms. "We kissed. Alot. I mean, she was on top of me and...god, man, it felt so good. I forgot how good it felt."

"Sex usually feels good. 'Cept if the person ain't doin' it right. I'd think you of all people would have remembered how workin' it out felt."

"I remember, dude. I mean, it was going okay. I felt okay, and she was getting naked and...well, I wasn't really getting naked. And then it--I just remembered the night before she died. I remember how she told me she loved me." Roger paused, and then rolled his eyes. "I mean, I'm not going to get all sappy and say like, the last night that we slept together we like--confessed our undying love for each other and fuckin' came as one or anything, but...but it was nice, you know? It was different. Maybe it was different for a reason."

Collins sighed out, shaking his head almost sadly. "You'll get there, kid. It'll just take time. I mean, even with your accomplishments in the past...well, it's still gonna take time." Collins' face still held the look, almost like a mother or a father that was proud of their child. "My little boy. I think--I think I'm gonna cry--"

"Shut up, dude."

Collins laughed a harty laugh and moved, clapping Roger on the knee as he stood up. "I'm proud of you, boy. Now," Collins said, pushing Roger up to a standing position. "I can see you're a little green, so what better than the hair of the dog? I'm gonna get you fucked up so you can't feel feelings anymore."

[hamlet]

MINING MEMORY

This prompt is both OOC and IC.

In the OOC part, name 10 "things that make me angry" or that you dislike, and 10 "things that please me" or that you like. They must be SPECIFIC...nothing like "I like apples." That could be anyone's statement. Try to add some details.

"I like apples especially in the summer time and especially with peanut butter. My mother used to cut up apples and prepare them for me when I was little." or... "What really made me angry is finding out that Boston Magazine readers have an average income of $110,000 because..." That's what we're looking for. Try to add as many reasons as to why you like/dislike the thing as possible. They can be completely random.

For the IC portion, start with your character's application and list 10 "things that make me angry" and 10 "things that please me" ---your character likes and dislikes-- in the same amount of detail.

This probably works best in first person, but you can write however way you want. It could be something that happened to the character that day, or something all together different. When you take the likes and dislikes from your app, try to expand and specify them as much as possible. If the application says your character likes "stealing," specify it by saying "Things that please me....1. )the excitement and adrenaline rush of stealing, because there's always a possibility that I might get caught. And the reward is always nice, because I get a ton of stuff without paying a dime."

Objective: Sometimes our muselessness stems from us not knowing exactly how our character would handle or react to the situation at hand. In fact, sometimes the internal musings of our character leaves us stuck and we 'don't know what to say.' This exercise helps us explore our real life personality quirks and how we react to things in our world, how we have specific reasons and specific emotions towards certain things. Once we experience that, we can really dive deep into our characters and make them come alive, figuring out how they react to things in a realistic manner.

Also, you can use all of this list (both IC and OOC) for any other writing projects. My prompt book describes it as " viewing your immediate world as a garden full of fictional seeds."

Be mindful that this is not us saying that you must have all your character's likes and dislikes set in stone. We understand that people's likes and dislikes change all the time and you might not have gotten a feel for your character yet. But we all have likes and dislikes at any given time, so it's helpful to know that about our characters.

Also, the applications at RC only require you to list 3 likes and dislikes for your character but if you ever feel the need to add on to/change anything on your application, go ahead and do so, but reply to your application saying what you've changed so admins will know.

Continue to work on both of these prompts in this thread whenever you like!

[queenmab]

((WIP))

Ten Instances That Trouble Mercutio Facetia Significantly

1. Lovey dovey snuggly wuggly romance

Look no further than my best friend Romeo Montague to comprehend exactly what I'm getting at here. Sometimes, I'm really just in the mood for some quality time with my chums that includes the usual shit storm shenanigans such as consuming good drink, extending the word "party" to a revolutionary level and examining easy beauties. But sometimes I cannot gain such satisfaction because good Romeo is too occupied with his silly love songs and his cat and mouse obsession games. I cannot stand the notion of fluffy romance and all it entails between two picture perfect yuppies flapping out of water. Someone pass me a garbage pail and step on it.

2. Being ditched/deserted and or left unexpectedly

This one is rather self-explanatory. Who would appreciate being left in the midst of their joy, or betrayed for the likes of someone else of far less importance? To put it simply so that any dimwit could comprehend..."bros before hoes."

3. People who attempt to be perfect/fakeness

Rather like my first irky irk, I rather can't stand those who put out this false image of perfection. It's a false perception of true imbecility if you ask me.

4. Aggresive Mormons

You're free to follow your own "path of enlightment" but kindly do not force your damned lies down my throat. I could easily gather a legion of followers to come to your doorstep and proclaim that God above will purge you for lack of humour.

5.Limits & Boundaries That Are Critically Restraining

I suppose I can understand the implementation of laws to govern a society and ensure that all hell does not break loose (Aww..) but I've no tolerance for a rule, law, or boundary that destroys freedom...or fun. I for one firmly believe that drug restrictions should not be in place.

6.Mummy and Daddy Dearest

Ah, yes, my principal role models. Always so encouraging and supportive, always there for me to fall back on...now that's the greatest farce I've ever known. I've left them far behind me and I'm glad. No regrets, sister.

7.

Ten Items That Please Mercutio Facetia In No Particular Ordering

1. The old in out.[/u]

Oh yes. The good old-fashioned pleasure giving, though I'm not opposed to toys and modern upgraded technology to assist and exelerate the euphoria. There are few things better than sex, and it is often on the brain, especially considering that I along with every other am such a reckless young man just bursting with testosterone!

2. Romeo Montague

((OOC Note: No one knows about his true feelings for him.))

Oh Romeo Romeo...passionate, rebellious, humorous, heart-breaker, loooooveeeer.

3. Drugs

4. Ivy League.


5. Benvolio Montague

6.

Ten Nargles That Properly Piss Randi Off And Compel Her To Punch Out a Twilight Fangirl, Bitch Please. In No Specific Order:

1. When people insist that I should calm down in a bitchy way.

Just because I'm acting very passionately or speaking loudly with a lot of tone in my voice doesn't mean you have to act so alarmed. I am not angry, upset, sad or hurt. I'm probably acting or reacting very much in the moment, whether it is a positive or negative reaction, meaning it will wear off in a few seconds. There is NO need for you to get all attitude on me k? I also think it's disrespectful for you to deny me my right to project emotions. You don't tell someone to calm down in an obnoxious or bitchy tone of voice, ESPECIALLY if someone is genuinely upset. That is uncalled for.

2. Twilight

It is not true love. It is obsession. Unhealthy relationships are promoted. Beastiality is promoted. Anti-feminism is promoted. Bella is a weak 1-dimensional character/mary sue, a compelte nightmare for any writer. If you like Twilight, then by all means go and have fun. I will not dislike you or defriend you for it, don't worry, that part in my title was just a joke. Just please don't act offended when I don't express enthusiasm when you mention it. The only things I like about Twilight are Jasper, Alice and the music soundtrack. And a few fight scenes I suppose.

3. When Twilight gets compared to Harry Potter

THEY ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IN EVERY WAY.

4. Biggots/Homophobes

Being a bisexual female I speak from my heart when I say that it hurts to know that there are people in this world who won't accept me and the other people from the LGBTQ community. We all deserve loving relationships, whether it is from a man or a woman or someone inbetween. In the words of the great Daniel Radcliffe, "You don't have to be gay to accept gays. You just have to be human." (I read this somewhere and i'm paraphraing now...if someone can give me the source of this quote I'd be very happy. I just can't find it again...)

5. When People Judge Others Without Rationalizing

Everything this man said is true:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRc_gIJj72M

6. People Who Put Themselves Before Their Children

You made that decision to become a mother or father and you better fucking live up to that promise. Of course, having only experienced being a kid and currently living in the position of a daughter, I can't make judgement calls on parenting skills but I can tell if someone is doing something that is hurting other people. Your daughter or son should be your life. The moment you see that newborn in your arms is the moment your life is not the same and never can be ever again, why? Because something profound has just happened. You have made life. You have welcomed a tiny child, a being that is a part of you, into your life. Nurture this child and take care of them, watch them and help them grow. Don't fucking treat your child like shit, don't ignore them and pretend they don't exist and for the love of God, don't think you can get away with acting like a college idiot anymore. The life when partying and having fun was number one priority for you, if that was ever a thing of your past, is OVER. You need to be grow the fuck up now and just be there for your kid(s).

7. Girls (And Boys) Who Have No Self-Respect

This is mainly directed at girls though. I try my best not to judge someone if they're not wearing a lot of clothes and they're just strutting down the street in their push-up bras, tube tops and their booty shorts. I mean...I enjoy lounging around my house naked. We should all be comfortable with our bodies and I respect that...but I don't respect girls who use their bodies to get what they want. If you have a choice, then don't whore yourself around. Don't act like such a slut. And goddamnit stop leading those poor boys on. You cunts ruin these poor boys who wanted to trust themselves to you but you just drop their names like bombs. And this double standard applies to manwhores too. If you're just playing around better make it crystal clear so no one has to get hurt.

8. Phonies

"He started telling us how he was never ashamed, when he was in some kind of trouble or something, to get right down on his knees and pray to God. He told us we should always pray to God - talk to Him and all - whenever we were. He told us we ought to think of Jesus as our buddy and all. He said he talked to Jesus all the time. Even when he was driving in his car. That killed me. I can just see the big phony bastard shifting into first gear and asking Jesus to send him a few more stiffs."
-Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye


9. My Mother.

We constantly get on eachother's cases and we don't see eye to eye a lot. I don't really feel like getting into it but I just put her down because it's the truth and because I can't think of anything else right now.

10.



((I'm really not an angry person guys, honest <3 haha...)

[hamlet]

"Where were you last night?"

Harry stopped in his tracks once the door closed behind him. Austin, his business associate, was waiting for him at the door of the Chandler family mansion. Harry pressed his lips together in irritation, sighing as he took of his jacket. He pretended as if he didn't hear him and tried to walk past him. It was bad enough he had to come home at some point, he didn't need his employees setting up camp.

"Harry."

Harry turned around suddenly. "You know, there's something really strange about me being 29 years old and suddenly having my employees as chaperons. And I'm not even going to ask you why you're here -- oh no, wait. Let me take a wild stab in the dark, my dear uncle put you up to it, right? How thoughtful. " Harry gave a sarcastic look before turning around and walking down the large carpeted corridor. Austin followed.

"Okay, yeah. He did. So what? I mean, how long have you known me? A few years right? "

Harry didn't answer and kept walking.

"Look, have you ever considered that your mother and your uncle, hell, your family is worried about you? You've been acting...a little...off, lately, and..."

Harry rolled his eyes and in an exaggerated, dramatic tone said, "Oh yes because you know, acting like you don't give a shit when your father dies is just the norm around these parts. I'm really bad at keeping up with the trends these days."

Austin ignored Harry's dramatics. "Harry, talk to me. Where were you? You know that was an important business meeting Claudius called and you weren't there. Just...talk to me Harry."

Harry reached the library door and turned around, giving Austin an irritated glare. "Alright. I'll talk. You ever wondered what happened to that pack of pickled peppers peter piper picked? It's been bugging me for...literally, like weeks. Did no one think to finish the damn rhyme when they wrote it? Did they ever think that for years people will be left in suspense trying to figure out what happened? Did someone steal them? Did he drop them? I mean seriously, what the hell?"

Harry turned around and entered the library as if he was dead serious. Sometimes pretending to be crazy was a nuisance. If only this guy just left him alone.

Austin stayed at the doorway and leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest. "I get it."

Harry snorted. "You do, huh? Well tell me because I really don't." He plopped down in the arm chair next to the fireplace and grabbed the random book that was on the table. He started flipping through it. Maybe ignoring him would do the trick.

"You're drinking. Big time. You got flat wasted last night and you'd rather us think you're nuts than admit you have a problem. "

Guess it didn't do the trick. Harry looked up at Austin and stared at him for a second, working in his mind what to say. He blinked. Then, he gave a toothless smirk. "You got me all figured out, don't you?" Harry returned his gaze back to the book. There was a brief silence. Maybe he did have a drinking problem, but that was certainly not the reason he was "pretending" to be crazy...and apparently he needed to do a better job at it.

"Harry....Hamlet's gone. He's gone. You got to accept that. You can't let grief eat up at you. I mean, you've even been wearing black all the time as if...I don't know..."

Harry didn't lift his gaze. "Maybe I just like the way black looks on me. Or maybe I'm going through an emo vampire phase. So many possibilities..."

"Stop it." Austin said. "You have a real problem and you're not letting anyone help you. And I don't know what grudge you have against your uncle, but he's your family, he loves you, and he is holding this company up--"

Harry quickly put the book down and snapped a glare him. "He's done nothing for this company but dishonor it. And if that's family, I really can do with out any." He paused. "And you know what? You can get out if you didn't get the hint already." His stare was pointed and serious. Harry couldn't even take the praise of his uncle. Not after the dreams he had, not after the feeling in his gut that he had something to do with his father's death. It made him absolutely sick.

"Have you been drinking tonight Harry?" Austin asked him seriously.

Harry widened his eyes briefly, furrowing his brow, telling him to "get out" with his expression. Instead he said, "Maybe. A little. Now leave me alone." He hadn't had anything tonight but if it gave Austin an explanation for his behavior, so be it.

"Yeah," Austin said, nodding with some disappointment. "I can tell. Listen, stop thinking everyone is plotting against you. If you let us in on what's going on with you...maybe...we can help." With that Austin turned away to leave.

Harry sighed heavily, his mind racing, trying to figure out why Claudius would send people to "look after him" now. Did he suspect that Harry knew something?