The Friendship Festival Writing Contest ENTRIES & VOTING!

[Mr. Pooka]

All of the entries for the writing contest will be posted in this thread. Thank you everyone for entering! (-8


Please take some time and enjoy this years wonderful entries and vote for your favorite! (-8



PLEASE DO NOT POST IN THIS THREAD!!!!

[Mr. Pooka]

Entry #1


To travel some distance is what had to be done,
but that would mean no lack of fun.
Instead of the Heb being held as usual
something came up a little more beautiful.
To Phix it was that all were invited
and every Sphinx was rather delighted!
A festival of friendship was to be held
and the lavish displays surely excelled.
Great food and games, sights galore
and yet still so much more.
Those new to the city were given new guides,
who took to their roles with great strides.
Truly a great festival for this year
and nothing to worry about or fear.
From day to day there was laughter and fun,
Sphinxes from two worlds coming together as one.
Truly a festival to be remembered in days to come
with memories to never be undone.

[Mr. Pooka]

Entry #2


A Mother’s Ode


Departing from your home
Son, either with this or on this
Your promise I spoke in parting

Kissed your brow one last time
I should have foresaw
The cruelty of the fates

Prayers and offerings
Pleading with the heavens
To ensure your safety

Unanswered
For you did not return
To the world that nurtured you

Imploring the immortals why
Such a labor has been bestowed
Upon my weary sanity

My boy, my offspring, my flesh and bone
I have missed you beyond the stars
Unfailingly linked by heart-string

-----

In Phix I found sanctum
Festival of Friendship
Filling the void

Attending to honor
My boy who was lost
In the visitor’s land

My heart expanded
So long I chastised
The land that stole him

Stepping forward
Into Peace and Harmony
This joyous occasion

Serving as reminder
To who the man
My heart nurtured was

Ships arrived
Crowds flocked
Festivities roared

-----

Youthful babes
Rushing by my feet
My gaze followed their path

Recognizing the young one’s target
Tall and Strapping
Exactly akin to memory

In Phix
My unanswered prayers
Fulfilled!

Approaching my body trembled
Arms and heart beckoning
His gaze astonished

Gently set aside his young
Enveloping my being within his grasp
Tears rolling

My boy, my offspring, my flesh and bone
I have missed you beyond the stars
Unfailingly linked by heart-string

[Mr. Pooka]

Entry #3


The dark-haired Noble stretched her wings to shade her eyes from the sun as her litter was being carried from the market back home.
Sure she could have gotten one of her slaves to hold a palm leaf over her but she loved to show off her wings to the poorer Sphinxes flashing her jewels.
She had traveled to the foreign market to try and find something very important to her, though she would never let on she thought so, But all she had to show for this trip was a gaggle of new slaves.
Jostled from her thoughts as the litter suddenly lurched to a stop and she almost toppled over. Lifting her wings to shout at the slaves carrying her she gasped at the sight in front of her.
Several Egyptian sphinxes were stood around them holding some very dangerous looking weapons.
"Well well Princess I think you better hand over all the gold and jewels you have or we'll have to be forced to do something unpleasant to you." The largest one said through his mask his eyes burning into her.
She pulled out the small bag of coins she had on her and threw it at them. "take them and leave us be." She said with a kind of bored tone in her voice as she shifted to sitting proudly pulling her wings into her body.
"What about that lovely charm around you arm princess. I want that too." He sneered at her as the other gathered the spilled coins.
Her eyes turned deep red as she returned his glare. "you can try to get this from me but you would regret it."
He laughed and made a move to grab the bracelet on her forearm. She was quicker than him and she twisted his paw around at an unnatural angle.
Tossing him backward she stepped down from the litter suddenly looking even bigger than before she gave him a cold glare and spoke down to him. "I gave you a warning. You should have taken what I gave you and left."
Picking himself up from the ground the thieves were unsure on what to do as now not only were they facing this, no longer timid looking, princess but the two burly greek sphinxes who had been carrying her.
Now free of the litter the stood either side of their mistress.
"mistress is too kind," one said flexing his muscles looking ready to pounce.
"Indeed brother." the second said with an evil smile.
"They have spoken so poorly to her I think they should just leave everything behind" the first smirked
"and be happy we are letting them live" the second finished.
The corner of her mouth twitched into an evil smile " Now boys. remember these poor individuals don't know how badly they have messed up."
The leader regained his footing and stood up looking her dead in the eye.
"Now listen here, Princess. I didn't want to force my hand here but it seems like you need to be taught a lesson." He pulled a saber from its sheath on his side and pointed at her.
The two slaves simply looked at each other over their mistresses head and started laughing.
"Oh boy he has NO idea how badly he has messed up." on said between giggles to his brother.
"Ture true. Mistress, would you like us to teach him a lesson?" He said bowing slightly to his mistress who had yet to move.
"No, you know what you need to do. Round up the others and we'll take them back with us." She said not taking her eyes from the leader who was now starting to show signs of stress.
As she stood up he took an involuntary step backward and she smirked.
"Of poor little kitten. You should always look into WHO you are trying to rob in the future." She walked slowly around him like a lion stalking its prey.
"If you knew me you would know I'm one of the biggest slave traders in the region."
His face faltered and his sword trembled in his paw as he seemed to realize what was now happening.
"you...you...just cant capture and sell people," he said with a shaky voice as he noticed that the few remaining members were now shackled and gagged by the two greek slaves.
He dropped his saber and tried to run but she was to fast and he found himself pinned to the floor by deceptively weak looking paws.
"Oh, don't worry your little head about what will happen to you and your friends. I have contacts with the dark hand. they look for a few good slaves every now and again. they go through them So quickly"
Without another word, her paw came down hard knocking him out. Pulling his face mask back she frowned slightly and motioned for one of the two slaves to take him.
"Mistress we need to get going. Do you want to ride in the litter again?" one of the slaves asked bowing to her as his brother moved away the body of the leader.
"No, it's fine. I'll fly back. We've done our job by capturing this group of thieves. Take them to the local guards and get our payment." She smiled softly as they walked away.
Rubbing the small bangle on her arm she let out a sad sigh before leaping off into the air.
Soaring through the sky gave her mixed feelings.
The wind rushing through her hair and wings allowed her to feel free from her daily life. Yet deep down she felt a deep sadness of why she enjoyed this feeling.
Many years back when she was still young she had been given a male child to play with. The son of one of the many slaves her father owned.
Back then she had never really thought about other or how they lived, as a small child you did what you were told and acted how you were taught.
As they had grown they hade become more friends than mistress and servant. He had been the one to teach her to fly, much to the dismay of her parents.
Great Noble greek sphinxes should never need to use their own wings to get somewhere, that's what commoners did. Their mighty wings were for displaying their wealth and were often draped in golden chains or delicate fabric that would tare if they decided to fly.
When they realized that she was being taught to fly They had taken him and sold him in the next available slave market and bought her a nonwingged slave to replace him.
She had a meltdown when she found out and her parents had no choice but to physically clip her wings to stop her flying away. They sent her to the temple to train under the constant watchful guard of the priestesses.
Years passed and she returned home the well trained perfect daughter, she even took an interest in her fathers business.
It was true he was a slave trade but he did acquire all his slaves through the normal markets. She used his contacts to start her own trading collection.
She tended to buy Families or she would be there too by set ones to bring a family back together.
The thought of families being torn apart pulled at her heartstrings. She didn't remember much about him now except his stunning red eyes and white wings. Her ongoing mission to search every market and slave auction to find him.
Yet it had been years and still no sign of him at all. She was now on her way towards Khemet for the next slave auction.
Flying high she was unaware she was entering the city limits, So enthralled with flying she failed to notice a fellow greek flying up to intercept her.
She gasped as the Large male clad in armor flew in front of her causing her to flap in place as the male circled around to fly in front of her.
"I'm sorry My lady but if you wish to enter the city limits you need to provide papers at the gate." He said slowly to her motioning down towards the city gates.
"I'm sorry I was so caught up in flying I didn't realize I had gotten to the city." She apologized as she slowly descended back towards the gate followed by the guard.
Landing on the wall by the gate she started to walk down the steps towards the check-in point before turning her head to see the guard floating next to the wall.
"Take care, My Lady," he said before flying off again. Something about the way he spoke and move niggled something in the back of her mind but she simply shook her head and headed towards the scribe taking papers.
Booking in with the city guard only took a moment, as she always carried her papers, so she walked her way towards where slave auctions would be held to get a feel of what she could buy.
Going around the other traders she briefly flipped through the auction catalog for the upcoming slaves. Making mental notes of two family groups she wished to acquire. Yet once again still no greeks.
Sitting at a local bistro she munched happily on a ripe pear when a shadow passed overhead. Allowing her self a moment she let her gaze drift skywards to see the same Guard from earlier patrolling the skies.
"You'll never see him land." came a voice from her side as a young looking female placed another jug of peach wine on the table and a new selection of fruit. "He can't stand to be on the ground for longer than a few minutes. Ever since he was made a free slave he hardly lets his paws touch the ground."
The serving girl let out a gasp as She suddenly lept to her feet and pushed off into the air her large wings sending her souring after the guard.
Her heart fluttered lightly in her chest daring to dream that this was her childhood friend. Was it him? and would he remember her?

[Mr. Pooka]

Entry #4



A musician steps into the agora and takes a deep breath. He climbs the small stage that has been set up for performers for the afternoon and clears his throat before calling out to the passing people. "Ladies and gentlemen! I am a musician, and you may remember me from such gatherings as the Heb Bastet of 2017! I'm very well known... Well, at least I'm very well known in Akhet... That is to say, about three people know who I am in Akhet, and one of them is my mother. And, the other two are her friends, and they think my name is Harold for some reason. But anyway," he tries to stop himself from babbling, "all you need to know is that I'm on my way to stardom," he announces with gusto and awaits the audience's response.

Unfortunately, the musician's announcement is completely ignored. No one is even looking in his direction, but that wasn't going to stop him. No sir! He was a professional, and whether it was an audience of one hundred or one, or in this case none, he was going to give the best performance of his life! He cleared his throat once more and began to sing while he strummed his small lap harp.

"I went to Phix
To have some kicks
Lee lee loo lee lay!"

The musician began to scan his audience. "Connect with them," he told himself as he spotted a beautiful Greek lady passing by and managed to catch her eye.

"I saw a girl
Made my heart whirl
Lee lee loo lee lay!

Her gorgeous wings
Made me think things
That I've never thought!

With just one look
My heart she took
Lee lee loo lee lay!"

The lady he was addressing slowly approached the stage with a smile, and the musician sang with even more fervor.

"I went to Phix
To have some kicks
Lee lee loo lee lay!

Instead I found
That I was bound
Lee lee loo lee lay!

Her lips, her hair,
My lady fair
I must nearer be!"

The musician smoothly leapt from the small stage and approached his muse.

"A beauty rare
With warrior flair
Lee lee loo lee lay!

I went to Phix
To have some kicks
Lee lee loo lee lay!

My heart I gave
To love, a slave
Lee lee loo lee lay!"

The musician knelt at the feet of the beautiful hoplite and gazed up at her adoringly.

"And my reward
To be adored
By my lady love!

My warrior miss
Give me a kiss
Lee lee loo lee lay!"

The musician glanced up at the lady hopefully for a moment, anticipating his reward for his wonderfully clever song. When all she did was smile down at him, he continued with his song.

"I went to Phix
To have some kicks
Lee lee loo lee lay!

I found my match
Her heart I'll catch
Lee lee loo lee lay!"

The musician continued to kneel in front of the object of his affection, but he soon caught sight of another soldier approaching with a decided frown upon his face. When he reached them, he put a possessive paw around the female hoplite.

"But it was too
Good to be true
As they always say!

I didn't know
She had a beau
Lee lee loo lee lay!"

The musician looked nervously at the new male warrior who was pointing his weapon in the musician's direction.

"I went to Phix
To have some kicks
Lee lee loo lee lay!

I guess I had
Been very bad
Lee lee loo lee lay!"

The musician looked between the two of them as he heart fell. Then he turned his attention back to the lady one last time.

"I turned my head
My eyes they pled
For a single kiss!"

The lady shook her head, and the musician's head dropped. It was then that he finally saw the wedding bands the two Greeks wore, and his eyes went wide.

"But then I saw
Bands on her paw
Lee lee loo lee lay!"

The musician slowly began to back away as the soldier advanced with spear raised. He took note of the insignia on the newcomer's armor. This wasn't any mere soldier, but he was a consummate musician! He was going to finish his song one way or another.

"I went to Phix
To have some kicks
Lee lee loo lee lay!

My heart's in shards
Leader of guards
Lee lee loo lee lay!

I swear that I
Didn't have my eye
On your lovely wife!

So now I'll flee
Away from thee
Lee lee loo lee lay!"

As soon as he finished the last syllable, the musician turned a ran for his life. It was just his luck that the woman he'd been flirting with was the captain of the guard's wife. He shook his head and picked up his speed. Perhaps Phix wasn't for him, but somewhere out there awaited a beautiful lady that would love him and his lyrics!

[Mr. Pooka]

Entry #5




In the lush forests that lay on the outskirts of Phix, one Sphinx found himself training endlessly. Beads of sweat rolled down his back, soaking his star patterned fur as he kept his mind on his task. He was hungry, thirsty, and tired, but Myxen simply shook his head to clear it of the nagging.


"I do not have time for such things." Myxen managed out as he panted.

Myxen spent most of his time from dawn to dusk on his training. Be it working on his skills with his spear, shield, or sword, he was always pushing himself to be the best. He had even worked on his archery this morning and was pleased with his improvements. He would always have room still yet to improve, however. There was never a time that a warrior could ever believe they knew everything about the art of war. It was bloody and ever-changing, and the moment you stopped trying to learn, was the moment you would die. He wasn't destined to be that person.


When he was a cub, his parents took him to the temple of Ares. It was no secret through the city he grew up in, that there was talk of a war soon. He was young, but it seemed a neighboring city had tried to take a good portion of their land. However, when they got to the temple, he found warriors of Ares at the altar, offering to sacrifice themselves for the sake of victory over their neighbors and opponents. Myxen was interested and yearned to become a warrior like these men when he was big and strong. His parents, fearing they had made a mistake, fearing that their son would begin to nurse a bloodlust, moved to hurry him from the temple. However, the seed was planted in young Myxen's mind. He would become a soldier, no, a champion of Ares himself!


Myxen shook his head, blue and indigo curls falling into his face. That had been a long time ago. He was no longer the wide-eyed cub he once was. Now, Myxen was a warrior in his own right. Due to knowing this forest like the back of his hand now, Myxen was usually called in to find runaway criminals or investigating potential criminals preying on the travelers. Usually, he could bring them back alive, badly injured, but alive. Other times, well, he saved the city time by just needing to bury the person.

Taking his spear back in hand, he did charge again at his practice targets, enjoying the thought that, at any day, he could prove himself in upcoming trials dedicated to Ares. He wanted to prove he could best even Ares' toughest warrior, and come out on top. Myxen proved he would settle for nothing less at this point. He had nursed his bloodlust and channeled his aggression into his training. Now he just had to prove it to everyone, that the little street urchin cub they remembered, was now a hardened warrior. With every thrust of his spear and every bash of his shield, he felt himself getting more and more ready for the next step.


It was like this with Myxen for the next two months. Every day, from dawn to dusk was training without food and very little water. He found as the days continued, he was getting less and less sleep. He decided to put that hunger into the upcoming competition. It would satisfy him more to win than a full feast would ever nourish him. You did not become Ares' champion by eating, you became his most prized warrior, by being bathed in the blood of your enemies.


When the sun rose on that day, Myxen did rise from his bed and grabbed his weapons. Heading to the temple, he did wait in the temple's Cella, not offering the other warriors there a second of his time. Instead, he stared at the same statue of the God he'd pledged himself to. As he looked up, he noticed what the others did not: a barn owl sitting there, staring at him. On his way into the town, he had fed a large black dog. Between these two sightings of Ares' sacred animals, he felt confident that he would be victorious in his endeavour.