Random Story Setting Idea (you don't have to do anything with this if you don't want to, I just want to see writers' thoughts when they hear these prompts):
The charming and elegant guest bedroom with a four-poster bed in a medieval fantasy world
Celest dropped on the bench with a loud groan. More to herself, she announced, "I, am officially exhausted."
"I could carry you," Lunu offered immediately, his light green wings twitching.
"You just can't make that offer to only Celest," Geore grouched, dropping onto the same bench, the unfortunate seat sinking into the ground while the other end shot up, making Celest squeak as she was tossed up, then dropped into orc's side.
Lunu made a displeased chitter. "I could never carry you, Geore. You're too big."
"I think it's more your open bias that's the issue," Chandelure said, looking a little flushed, sending a half hearted glare to the sun.
"But I always show my bias. Why is it an issue now?"
Sighing, Celest offered her waterskin to the merfolk, offering, "Do you need my water, Chand?"
"I need a bath," Chandelure groaned. "And soon. Luckily, Sir Magnificence is one of the wealthiest teachers of Valore, so we'll get something good."
"Indeed you will my dedicated students!"
The all had a start as the wizard appeared, offering them all a big smile. It dropped when he turned his gaze to Celest and Geore. "Aaaand Geore. Who's ruining public seating. I'll get billed for that later..."
Geore gave a low growl.
"WHO'S ready for a four star hotel experience!" Magnificence asked dramatically, offering them all a big beam.
"Really?!" Celest gasped.
"You four have the honor of having me as your escort for this adventure! What amazing teacher would I be if I didn't treat you guys?"
"This is so much better than traveling with Rafaello!" Chandelure squealed.
Celest quietly agreed. As much as she admired the gruff wingless harpy, as he was a powerful and capable monk, one of the greatest heroes to arise in the recent era; he was not the pampering sort. Even in cities, he'd rather they camp out in a local park than an inn. Builds character, he'd say.
But sometimes, she just wants a bed.
And the excitement for that bed drew as Sir Magnificence lead them to his selected inn, looking like a palace to their tired eyes. The teens were all walking on an eager high as they were led up to their room, which came crashing down when they saw a singular bed.
It was big.
Easily able to fit four people.
But it was still a single bed.
"What is this," Chandelure demanded.
"Your room," the wizard answered, like it was obvious.
"Why is there only one bed?" Chandelure demanded.
"Ah, a room with five beds was double this one's price. I have to be a little frugal."
"Are you serious! Geore's going to crush us in our sleep!" Chandelure proclaimed.
"Hey!" Geore protested.
"You'll be fine," Magnificence dismissed, "at most, you'll just be Geore's teddy bear for the night. He likes to cuddle with someone while he sleeps."
"No I don't!"
"Geore. I did most of the night watch. You hug your pillow more than you sleep on it."
"I still want my own bed!" Chandelure snapped.
Lunu announced, "I don't sleep in beds. I sleep on walls."
"Well there you go! You got some extra space now! That all works out, right?"
Chandelure and Geore glared at him.
Celest was still gaping at the big singular bed.
"You guys sleep well, we leave at the crack of dawn," Magnificence said, leaving them with a dramatic flare of his cloak.
With an irritated groan, Chandelure said, "I'm going to take a back. Celest, when I am done, you're going to help me get out of it, and when we sleep, I am sleeping far away from Geore."
"Fine with me," Geore snapped, "I don't want to get poked by your fins or deal with a wet bed."
"I'll be dry when I got to bed!" Chandelure snapped.
"Just give me a shout when you need my help," Celest sighed, rubbing at her face. "And I'll... I'll sleep in the middle."
"Works for me," Geore declared, heading for the bed and just dropping onto it, gear and all, making it bounce and rattle.
Chandelure practically hissed, "At least change clothes!"
When the two girls later settled for the night, as Magnificence had warned, Celest wound up having a snug night as Geore all but hauled Celest close, holding her securely as he snored and drooled on the lavish pillow.
A little stiff and tired, she wound up accepting Lunu's offer to be carried the next day.
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Random Story Setting Idea (you don't have to do anything with this if you don't want to, I just want to see writers' thoughts when they hear these prompts):
A charming and inviting cafe with steampunk-inspired decor and clockwork gadgets in a world where people can change their physical form.
Celest wondered if this had been a good idea.
She had her suspicions, and she felt she had to act on them. The integrity of Julian Joyrous was at stake. She knows that for elves, accusation of theft were not to be treated lightly. They were proud people, and held themselves to a high standard.
It had been such a seen when Hydraal rampaged her way into their study date, grabbing the elf by his throat and hauling him back to his room. The draconian then ripped out the drawers of his dresser, revealing her stolen treasure.
Celest tried to reason that it was a framing, that there was no way that Julian would loser himself to such standards.
But Hydraal would not be so easily soothed.
And poor Julian looked so enraged and shocked, Celest feared that he was going to faint.
It was with luck that Headmistress Katlyn was able to calm Hydraal down, promising that they'd look into this, in her own coy cat-like manner. It really had been quite a sight seeing the two foot tall black cat staring up at the nine foot dragon-like being, not even batting an eye as icy mist blew past Hydraal's nostrils. But she was the headmaster of the College of Valore. She wouldn't be so if she was so easily intimidated.
But fortunately, or unfortunately, Celest did have an idea on who had done it.
She could always sense the small shift, that brush of fae magic. She had suspected for a while, and with this, maybe it was time to confirm it.
Still, she wondered if this was a good idea.
Celest looked around the Tinker, her favorite cafe that she discovered during her time attending the College of Valore. As an artificer, she longed enjoyed the various clocks and gadgets set around the cafe, the hum of their clicks and the thrum of magic that powered them. It made her think of home. Of her father's workshop. If she closed her eyes, she could be there, joining them as they worked on updating her mother's stave...
"If I was a date, I'd be put off seeing you look ready for a nap."
Celest had a start, looking up to see him here.
The quirky and enigmatic Lestrey.
To most, he looked like a common human. Brown hair, brown eyes, peach colored skin; but Celest could always feel something was off with him. And for someone who didn't attend her College, it was weird to see him hanging around.
She narrowed her eyes, and corrected him strictly, "This is not a date."
"Good. As the addition of your fuzzy buddy would also throw off your potential suitor."
Celest's brow furrowed in confusion, and looked over her shoulder and groaned.
There, a couple of tables away, sat Lunu. The bugbear perked when their eyes met, and all four arms whipped out to wave at her excitedly, the moth-like being oblivious so her quiet exhaustion seeing him.
She groaned, turning away and burying her face in her hands. "He's not supposed to be here," she mumbled.
Did that mean Lunu was nearby for her study date?!
Lestrey laughed good naturally, plopping down in the chair across from her. He offered in a merry tone, "I say take it as a compliment. Most think bugbears are drawn to fire but in truth, they're drawn to light." He gave her a wink. "Maybe there's more to your brilliance than you realize."
Celest gave him a flat stare, not believing him at all.
The youngest daughter of a blacksmith and a local caption of guards? In one of the smaller villages in the outskirts of Chivalryon?
Celest was certain it was only because she made herself a self-lighting lantern.
She was a little surprised that bugbears didn't flock to elves more often, they were the favored children of Nus, were they not? The brightest god of all?
Clearing her throat as she pushed those thoughts back, she gave a fast look around to make sure no one was listening. Lunu was closest, but the overgrown moth wasn't going to blab anything to anyone. So Celest leaned forward, giving Lestrey a hard stare.
Amused and intrigued, Lestrey leaned towards her as well, head tilted curiously.
In a whisper, she half stated, half accused, "You're a changeling, aren't you?"
For a moment, Lestrey just blinked at her, his smile dropping. He didn't look as surprised as Celest anticipated, just vacant. She quickly continued before the troublemaker could reply.
"And you're targeting Julian, you framed him with theft."
Lestrey released a breathe, his lips quirkiness up. "Haa, that's quite a bold accusation. You got a lot on confidence in that?"
"I can feel the fae magic from you," Celest insisted. "It's like... a change. You're never far every time I feel it."
He hummed thoughtfully, closing his eyes as he lent on his hand. "And how can a fully human artist such as yourself sense that?"
Celest winced, looking down at her hands sheepishly. "I, I don't know," she admitted.
Technically, her sensitivity to magic in general should be low. Even if artists were mages, their magic was so weak they needed mediums to wield magic. Which has led to many unique magic usage, much of it has been awe inspiring, but it did mean a weak connection to magic. Celest, as an artistic artificer, shouldn't have any means of sensing magic.
So how could she sense Lestrey?
"See, this is ehy I think there's more to your 'brilliance' than you realize. Are you sure of your heritage? Or were you classified right? Sure you're not a wizard?"
Celest scoffed. "I'm definitely not a wizard. I can't even cast a simple ember! And, yes, I am certain of my heritage."
"I don't know," Lestrey drawled out. "You did get lost in the Chasmic Maze, and you didn't have your little light up thing. It is pitch black down there, but you got around pretty decently."
Celest frowned. That was true... then she had a start. She snapped, pointing a serious finger at him. "Hey! Don't change the subject!"
He held up his hands in mock defense, but kept his aggravating smirk.
"You are a changeling." Her glare softened slightly. "And you were there to see me out."
He blew out a sigh, pouting. But he did have his irises go white for a moment, all the confirmation that she needed, before his eyes went back to brown.
"Why did you frame Julian?" Celest asked.
"I was bored, and I thought it'd be funny."
"That's it?!"
"Well..." Lestrey drawled, "I guess I was feeling rather petty."
"What did he do?" Celest wondered cautiously.
Staring at her with a cold expression, Lestrey stated in a serious tone, "He took the last elderberry muffin from the Glazed Gooseberry Bakery."
"Are you..." Celest couldn't even finish her sentence groaning in frustration.
"So what now?"
Celest glanced his way. "What do you mean?"
"You discovered a wicked changeling lives in your community. What are you going to do about it?"
"I'm going to have you confess and clear the air between Julian and Hydraal," Celest stated, like it should be obvious.
"...That's it?"
"Yes."
"Hm, nah."
Before Celest could insist he does, the satyr clerk at the counter called out in a bored tone, "A creamy coffee and chocolate chip muffin for a Dreamy McGee?"
Lestrey was on his feet and at the counter in a flash, giving her a wink as he loudly called out, "Thanks for covering for me babe! Love you! See you next time."
In a big flashy rush, he was out the door, leaving her gaping at the table.
The bored clerk turned to her, stating, "That'll be fifteen coppers."
Celest growled to herself, muttering a curse.
The satyr frowned at her. "With that attitude, it's now twenty coppers."
"What?! No! I'm sorry! I take it back!"
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