Prompt of the week!

[Jitter]

Tehta, I think I picked Lalli’s locational skill from you? There is a story where he can tell exactly where the nearest troll is, I thought it’s yours but really I have no idea if this is indeed the case.

And… you painted that in 5 minutes? Wow. Just wow! Didn’t you just start or re-start with watercolors quite recently?

I was a bit worried over Lalli being overly emotional in this, but he is affected by Emil’s dream so he can be anything, right? And seriously human on human war must be horror beyond understanding for these guys (it is for us, and we know it happens). Also the balance between joking and the extremely serious subject matter is a bit dubious, but I didn’t want to write a complete downer. I’m glad if you find it entertaining.

[wavewright62]

There was enough detail in the story to be convincing, didn't need to have more gory details, for sure.  Cool concept!   

And a lovely beach!  You're right about the fiddling, maybe that's why I end up with muck whenever I try to use them.

[tehta]

Jitter, I don't think Lalli is too emotional. He's far from an emotionless person: he throws soup. I guess you could shorten his speech if you wanted?
(And you are right, I gave Lalli non-canonical precise troll detection in this Emilalli drabble. I am obviously very amused by the idea. But giving him geographic sensors might well be canonical, if he can really sense that the world is round...)

I could't paint that in 5mins without practicing all of the elements ahead of time (in other, horribly overworked paintings). And yes, I have been painting for less than a year, but I have been doing it A LOT.

[thegreyarea]

Your painting is so good, tehta! I share Wave's problem: too often my watercolours end up in mudcolours...
Obviously I need to practice more (remember the set I bought maybe a month ago? Sitting in the drawer, almost untouched... Writing takes up a lot of time, at least for me)

I like Lalli's precise geolocation ability! It may be (one of ) HIS special powers.

[thegreyarea]

Scattered through the Portuguese coast one may find many examples of these abandoned fortifications, improvised during the Rash's first years. (See truck in the upper right corner for scale)

Those ineffective shelters are still used today by scout parties when no better alternative is at hand.

[wavewright62]

The location sense that Lalli demonstrated has basis in canon, when in the antique store Tuuri showed him a globe.  After taking in the concept that the earth was spherical, he closed his eyes and 'felt' it for himself.  I think it's a great touch.

[tehta]

Yeah, that's what I meant by "if he can really sense that the world is round". But Minna did undermine the moment with her author's note, which said Lalli thinks he can "feel" the roundness of the earth. Okay buddy.
I still think GPS Lalli is a better option...

[dmeck7755]

Sorry for the delay.  The world was very chaotic and I had a spell of writer's block

Beach this week
https://archiveofourown.org/works/36794107/chapters/101385510

Train Last week
https://archiveofourown.org/works/36794107/chapters/101380539#workskin

[dmeck7755]

Rare, pre-rash pictures of the place called "Our Lady of the Rock".
It was an ancient fortification with vestiges from the IX century , then turned holy place with a small chapel.
After the rash it was fortified again, taking advantage of the natural choke point (see red arrow) and house of a small group of survivors. These later moved to a larger settlement at the Sagres promontory, but the place is still used as an outpost and supply point.

That looks amazing.  Are you able to walk on the top?

[dmeck7755]

Thank you for the warning, Jitter. It was indeed horrible to witness what was done to Emil's hair. (I did love the idea of Lalli having a built-in gps, compass, and altimeter, though. Sounds about right.)

But, yeah, for all the awfulness of post-Rash society, at least they don't have to cope with war.

grey, I also enjoyed your historical report. Much more cheerful.

Over here, I am still hoping to get inspired, but, oof. It isn't happening. So I challenged myself to speed-paint a beach in five minutes, and I quite like the result! (It's a mess, but it's a watercolory sort of mess. Speed-painting is nerve-wracking, but it means I can't fiddle, and fiddling is terrible for watercolor.)

Jitter..to repeat why Tehta said.. Lalli being the compass etc is great.

That is one thing that may be a benefit to the post-rash world.  People do not want to fight each other.  Maybe the common enemy. 

Tehta...you speed painted that?? that is really neat.  It is pretty.

Grey..It is amazing you still were able to see a sand fort still around after all the years...

[thegreyarea]

Thanks dmeck! And yes, you can walk on the top of Senhora da Rocha. Here's the link to the drone footage.

This YT channel has many amazing videos of Portugal and is worth exploring.

Still didn't have time to read your fics. I'll come back to that later

[thegreyarea]

Some exclusive images from the Portuguese shore



A brave scout notices an amorphous troll approaching and hides behind a dead tree trunk



The things senses the scout and comes closer. The scout SSSS



The SSSS tactic works! The thing goes away!

[dmeck7755]

This YT channel has many amazing videos of Portugal and is worth exploring.

Still didn't have time to read your fics. I'll come back to that later

Thank you Grey!!  You should be playing not reading my fic's

   🍷

[Jitter]

Haha Grey, that’s great! What should we call the media? Interpretative natural-elements puppetry theater?

Dmeck, I read both your pieces. I am obviously not an expert on the Sami, but to me it seems both fitting and respectful. I love the idea that all Sami can use the joik to an extent. I know in your arc they are in regular contact with Finns and others, but it could also work very well for a setting where the Sami have survived and decided to stay hidden, like we’ve been discussing elsewhere. I also like how you mention that information about a person and their ties can be “read” from their clothing.

Another very important and magic-related thing is the drum, also depicted in the Sami flag. Having the noaidi use drums should be well-based.

[JoB]

yes, you can walk on the top of Senhora da Rocha. Here's the link to the drone footage.

... that drone shares some weird thoughts as it visits the chapel. And speaks German to boot ...