Berries & Ink/Issues/Berries-02-06

Publication: Berries & Ink

Volume: 02

Issue: 06

Issue Date: August 1, 2025

Contributors: Eruwyn, Shaoimhe, Valynn, Allye, Kiyora, Shaylynne, Dantia, Zehira, Perune, Crobin, Nilme, Gragnel

Editor: Illiya

You tap a red-bordered parchment. A blob of berry-red wax is affixed to the parchment. It is imprinted with a plump strawberry nestled in a crown of delicate leaves. You gently open the folded parchment.

[~* Gnarled trees adorned with vibrant red strawberries and glossy black inkpots create a magical fairytale forest at the top of the page, the foliage framing the hand-lettered script: *~] Berries & Ink - Volume 2, Issue 6 [~* Editor's Note *~] Dearest Readers, With the Heralds still overhead and wild magic weaving through our lives, we may find ourselves growing accustomed to the sudden swells and odd torsions in the mana streams. There is a particular hum of mystery in the air, as if the very fabric of magic is poised to reveal its deepest secrets. Perhaps that is why this issue thrums with the inky blue glow of discovery. Within these pages we uncover forgotten corners of the world and invite fresh perspectives on visions, magic, and the quiet art of finding joy in the ordinary. If the world feels strange or oddly unfinished lately, know that you're not alone. But we hope this little collection of thoughts and stories offers a welcome resting place, a reminder that while we can't always make sense of things, we still wield the power to create love, beauty, and all the small things that make life worth living. As we wait for the next sky to fall or miracle to rise, there's still art, life, and Berries to savor. Warmly, Illiya [~* A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsor for this issue: Ysindre, hostess of Java Jumpstart *~] [~* Twin apple tree branches abloom with pale pink petals embrace the words "Guess Who? by Eruwyn Cholares" *~] Dark ink creates the drooping limbs of a tree around the spindly figure of a S'Kra woman with slitted black eyes. A clever use of gradated hues creates the impression of flickering light from the beads that are strung across her elongated face, while a series of studs and silver chains accent her black crest. Purple glitter highlights scales of abyssal black and a set of wings arch behind her creating more shadows across her form blending in with the dark red kimono that clads her. A slightly roguish expression shows as she holds forth for the viewer a simple-looking ceramic egg. (Last issue's portrait: Ollythander. Winner: Allye. MAIL in your guess for this month! The winner will be revealed next issue.) [~* A whimsical array of tarts tumbling through a series of hoops adorns the words "The Tumbling Tart by Shaoimhe Bramblebairn" *~] And so, our little Mimi was a star. Or at least on her way to being one! Training began immediately - she tumbled through obstacles, walked the tightrope (until a bit of a fall grounded those aspirations), and even danced through a rhythmic gymnastics team. And while she loved every opportunity, nothing felt right. Especially after the, uh, lion incident. In one fit of exasperation, Mimi locked herself in a storage closet and vowed to never come out again. The hours passed, and stubbornness turned to boredom. Mimi began playing with the old equipment, thankful for her secret tart stash as she toyed around with all the gidgets and gadgets that filled the room. And that is how she found...*the Cyr wheel*. [~* Eat This, Not That by Valynn Aehre *~] Throne City's Elanai's Delicate Tastes wine shop bills itself as a haven for refined palates, but most of its wines are dessert in disguise. Sugar in charge and structure didn't get an invite. The Blosu Lorel is a rare triumph. Crisp, subtle, and worthy of Elven pride. The Talan Sathra 280 follows suit with grace and depth. Sip those, and you'll wonder what went wrong with the rest. Dreamer's Blend is so delicate it disappears entirely. Halfling Apple lunges at your palate with tart theatrics and finishes as syrup. Talan Sathra 322 attempts richness but ends up a muddled mess. And Imperial Rose? A corky concoction best left on the shelf. One wonders if anyone is actually tasting before tagging. In short, two gems, four flops. Bring a sweet tooth, a sense of humor, and an escape plan. [~* A mirrored pair of swans gracefully flank the words "Fashion Alley with Allye: Nocturne Couture" *~] Embrace evening's allure in shades of inky midnight, deep indigo, slate grey, shadow-black, and silver. Drape yourself in starlight velvet, shimmering like constellations. Or opt for whisper-fine gossamer over nightsilk, filtering its darkness as if through a shadowy mist. For more structured layering, choose a dusky thornweave trimmed with jet buttons. Accent your look with gemstones: night diamonds in particular glitter like midnight skies! Phantom sapphires shift from blue to grey to ultramarine, capturing the hues of twilight. Thus, the elements of hue, material, and jewel combine to create ensembles worthy of the moonlit hours when magic stirs under the stars. [~* Stars of the Earth with Kiyora: Blue *~] Twins in crystalline composition to the fiery ruby, sapphires are an essential part of any collection. While they can boast an array of colors depending on the metals running within, the most recognizable hold a rich blue hue. It's easy to see how these cool-toned shimmers bring elegance to any scene they enter, whether showcasing the demure beauty of twilight, a quiet moment of time in the heart of summer, or even the grace of a dragon. Dragon's Scale Sapphire: Known for their particularly brilliant shine, these beauties boast a deep blue saturation with an inherent iridescence that resembles the reflective quality and pattern of dragon scales. A perfect dragon-theme accent, one of its most fascinating features is the natural bisection occurring down the center, giving the appearance of two gemstones joining together. [~* Five Fun Facts About...Visions Meetings, by Shaylynne *~] ~ Visions Meetings are typically hosted in the towering Moon Mage Guild of Shard. ~ High Court Mage Miskton leads the meetings, sharing the most recent and relevant offerings from the web of fate. ~ Sometimes these visions give us insights and revelations into what the future holds or guidance in how to handle a certain situation. ~ Other times these visions give meaning and clarity to events that currently are or have already occurred. ~ Visions can also be just that, visions...leaving us without answers and never coming to fruition. [~* A winding dashed line spells "Dantia's Destinations" and ends in a bright red X *~] Beneath a warehouse in The Crossing lies a place long lost to time: Aesthene's Close. Legends tell of a grand estate where Aesthene, an eccentric alchemist, devoted himself to the study of a crystal of unnatural power, driven by an obsession to manipulate time itself. The night he vanished (only to reappear wild-eyed and alight with strange revelation) marked the beginning of the end. Soon after, a violent quake tore through the earth, swallowing the mansion whole. Only a handful of servants survived to recount the tale. Does Aesthene's Close still linger beneath the city, waiting to be rediscovered? If you listen closely, you may yet hear the faint hum of something stirring in the dark, as if the place itself is still alive, waiting for someone to uncover its secrets. [~* Zehira's Soiree Etiquette: A Guide by Ershta Zehira Al'thor, Breaker of Chains of Velaka *~] Welcome to Lady Zehira's shindig! For a delightful, un-doom-filled evening, follow these simple rules. Discretion and elegance are key, unless you fancy becoming decor. Be on time - tardiness means chaos. Dress to impress: midnight, black, grey, maybe silver/amethyst, no neon. During the feast, await Zehira's seating gesture - try not to spill on anyone. The menu is "unique," don't ask about origins or waitstaff's past lives. Just compliment the chef. Keep conversation witty and deep (lore, philosophy). Avoid loud laughter and mundane topics. Admire artifacts with your eyes, hands are for eating. For your safe exit, do NOT sneak out early - Zehira's "send-off" involves screaming. A sincere bow/curtsy is mandatory - don't skimp, it could be your last. If a weird trinket appears, it's a favor - maybe don't pillow it. Follow these for unmatched sophistication and to remain whole. Enjoy! [~* Connecting with our Enemies Part II by Perune Noccarrin *~] The very nature of Aether and the functionality of magic, along with new discoveries such as the Null Spaces (and the traversal therein) makes one question whether this defensive rule of magic is as protective as we believe (ignoring spell magic specifically meant to destroy it). Consider, if you will, that within each ward must be a person who has a significant portion of Aether within to exist. That this Aether can even make them stand out amongst the field if viewed from a particular use of magical perception. Yes, a general use of magic is to conjure spell energy from bending Mana and using that to invoke an effect directed at your opponent, even when using an Ice Patch or a Hypnotize spell that activates around them - the spell energy must somehow breach the ward of the protected individual. But what if the spell energy was somehow produced from the potential energy -within- the ward? For surely, Aether and mana exist within the ward as well, for the protected person is there - with the elements needed for their survival. [A drawing is sketched below - illustrating a stick-figure pointing at a second stick figure within a larger circle. Jagged lines are now emanating from the figure within the circle.] Considering the reality of this, the elements could conceivably be invoked and altered from within. The typical purpose of wards, however, is to prevent outside activation of spell energy from within their enclosure. Alas, to make such a case applicable someone would probably need to bypass or break the immutable laws of magic pertaining to wards. Thus, these thoughts are full of conjecture and ultimately aimless. Jenajen Haize [~* The Adventures of Lavacano Gator, Ch. 16: Cut From the Docks by Crobin Yuanfen *~] Lavacano turned the favor orb over in his hand, its dull red glow pulsing faintly. He had received Everild's mark -- but now, he had to earn it. At the edge of the Crossing, near the docks, he spotted Sekmeht leaning against a post, arms crossed. The Gor'Tog's eyes flicked to the orb. "You've been marked," Sekmeht grunted. "Now fill it. Head to the lower docks. Rats there'll test your grip on that riste. And your footing." Lavacano nodded, adjusting his worn leather armor. The docks were damp and narrow, perfect for learning balance -- and pain. A chorus of squeaks echoed from below. "Go on, goblin," Sekmeht added with a rare smirk. "Don't let the rats win." With a grin and a grip on his weapon, Lavacano descended toward the shadows, ready to bleed, sweat, and earn every flicker of light within that orb. [~* Framed by tiny clusters of rosebuds tinged in the diluted hues of a sunrise are the words "Finding Joy by Langen Esturi Nilme Iondu'il" *~] The joy of living is a revelation not so easily found, But you can find it when your friends come and gather around. You can find it in the wonder of a forest's majestic beauty In the generous spirit of one who gives from kindness, not from duty. The joy of living you appreciate when a cleric you require And you can find it in the flickering flames of a summer picnic's bonfire. You can find it in the wonder of the world through child's eyes In the soaring of a flock of birds that float graciously and high. The joy of living is a gift that lays within your reach But you have to reach out and take it, like a plump, ripe peach. You can find it, as can I, if we seek its simple ways, In the world around us as we travel through our day. [~* Ode to Dusk Berries, Conclusion by Father Gragnel *~] I would tell you more... but... I grow somewhat tired... I want a sleep so deep... People think I expired... zzzzzzzzz... [The text becomes a jumbled mess and abruptly trails off as if the writer dozed mid-thought.] [~* Thank you for reading! Look out for more juicy bites in the next issue! *~]