{
  "submission_id": "3509518",
  "keywords": [
    {
      "keyword_id": "122653",
      "keyword_name": "a christmas carol",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "28"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "1580",
      "keyword_name": "daughter",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "6692"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "46383",
      "keyword_name": "draenei",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "286"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "1843",
      "keyword_name": "dreams",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "541"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "817449",
      "keyword_name": "dwarnei",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "5"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "999",
      "keyword_name": "father",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "8203"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "9731",
      "keyword_name": "father/daughter",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "3920"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "123",
      "keyword_name": "female",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "1102841"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "37992",
      "keyword_name": "gnome",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "378"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "143429",
      "keyword_name": "granddaughter",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "113"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "25597",
      "keyword_name": "grandfather",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "292"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "1186",
      "keyword_name": "holiday",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "4979"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "68",
      "keyword_name": "incest",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "46770"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "468129",
      "keyword_name": "life lesson",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "11"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "165",
      "keyword_name": "male",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "1212884"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "957",
      "keyword_name": "minotaur",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "2574"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "2075",
      "keyword_name": "nsfw",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "60747"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "76",
      "keyword_name": "sex",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "134689"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "120",
      "keyword_name": "straight",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "42169"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "7547",
      "keyword_name": "taboo",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "600"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "956",
      "keyword_name": "tauren",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "1640"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "1846",
      "keyword_name": "voyeurism",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "4978"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "281184",
      "keyword_name": "winter veil",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "8"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "13129",
      "keyword_name": "worgen",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "1208"
    },
    {
      "keyword_id": "958",
      "keyword_name": "world of warcraft",
      "contributed": "f",
      "submissions_count": "2481"
    }
  ],
  "hidden": "f",
  "scraps": "f",
  "favorite": "f",
  "favorites_count": "1",
  "create_datetime": "2024-12-26 23:00:50.086808+00",
  "create_datetime_usertime": "27 Dec 2024 00:00 CET",
  "last_file_update_datetime": "2024-12-26 23:00:47.613843+00",
  "last_file_update_datetime_usertime": "27 Dec 2024 00:00 CET",
  "username": "BenRiote",
  "user_id": "377252",
  "user_icon_file_name": "112917_BenRiote_terofire_portrait.jpg",
  "user_icon_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/112/112917_BenRiote_terofire_portrait.jpg",
  "user_icon_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/112/112917_BenRiote_terofire_portrait.jpg",
  "user_icon_url_small": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/112/112917_BenRiote_terofire_portrait.jpg",
  "file_name": "5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.txt",
  "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.txt",
  "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.txt",
  "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.txt",
  "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.jpg",
  "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.jpg",
  "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.jpg",
  "thumb_huge_x": "300",
  "thumb_huge_y": "300",
  "thumb_large_x": "200",
  "thumb_large_y": "200",
  "thumb_medium_x": "120",
  "thumb_medium_y": "120",
  "files": [
    {
      "file_id": "5361738",
      "file_name": "5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.txt",
      "file_url_full": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/full/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.txt",
      "file_url_screen": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.txt",
      "file_url_preview": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.txt",
      "mimetype": "text/plain",
      "submission_id": "3509518",
      "user_id": "377252",
      "submission_file_order": "0",
      "full_size_x": null,
      "full_size_y": null,
      "screen_size_x": null,
      "screen_size_y": null,
      "preview_size_x": null,
      "preview_size_y": null,
      "initial_file_md5": "d6035c1ce49d817d02959bd0016e7024",
      "full_file_md5": "d6035c1ce49d817d02959bd0016e7024",
      "large_file_md5": "",
      "small_file_md5": "",
      "thumbnail_md5": "5c1341e34b8ab5be103d9f0ae233d058",
      "deleted": "f",
      "create_datetime": "2024-12-26 23:00:47.613843+00",
      "create_datetime_usertime": "27 Dec 2024 00:00 CET",
      "thumbnail_url_huge": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.jpg",
      "thumbnail_url_large": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.jpg",
      "thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5361/5361738_BenRiote_a_holiday_carol_-_winter_veil_2024_-_4.jpg",
      "thumb_huge_x": "300",
      "thumb_huge_y": "300",
      "thumb_large_x": "200",
      "thumb_large_y": "200",
      "thumb_medium_x": "120",
      "thumb_medium_y": "120"
    }
  ],
  "pools": [],
  "description": "Blizzard owns races/classes/setting, all fiction, characters mine, etc.  Consider checking out my [url=https://linktr.ee/BenRiote]Linktree[/url] to see where else I'm active, or if you're feeling generous I suppose!\n\nAnd hey, I wrote a book!  Check it out [url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2XYVYHC]HERE![/url]\n\nSo... imma come clean... I was SO on the fence about the fart joke.  But I wrote it and... and [i]every[/i] time I'd go back and read it, I'd fuckin' laugh, so I just couldn't take it out.  The fetish stuff is absolutely [i]not[/i] my thing --no offense if it's yours!-- but you probably won't see me toe that line too often. XD\n\nBut hey, for those who celebrate it, I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!  Lemme know if ya picked up anything cool!  And Happy Hanukkah AND Kwanza for the celebrants!  My sister-in-law converted to Judaism early this year actually, and while I don't celebrate myself, I've always tried to respect those who do.\n\nLast part's gonna drop on Saturday since I finished up that last Shadowclaw piece, and after Tuesday, my Thursday and Saturday posts are gonna start fresh for the new year!\n\n[url=http://www.postybirb.com]Posted using PostyBirb[/url]",
  "description_bbcode_parsed": "<span style='word-wrap: break-word;'>Blizzard owns races/classes/setting, all fiction, characters mine, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;Consider checking out my <a href=\"https://linktr.ee/BenRiote\" rel=\"nofollow\">Linktree</a> to see where else I&#039;m active, or if you&#039;re feeling generous I suppose!<br /><br />And hey, I wrote a book!&nbsp;&nbsp;Check it out <a href=\"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2XYVYHC\" rel=\"nofollow\">HERE!</a><br /><br />So... imma come clean... I was SO on the fence about the fart joke.&nbsp;&nbsp;But I wrote it and... and <em>every</em> time I&#039;d go back and read it, I&#039;d fuckin&#039; laugh, so I just couldn&#039;t take it out.&nbsp;&nbsp;The fetish stuff is absolutely <em>not</em> my thing --no offense if it&#039;s yours!-- but you probably won&#039;t see me toe that line too often. XD<br /><br />But hey, for those who celebrate it, I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!&nbsp;&nbsp;Lemme know if ya picked up anything cool!&nbsp;&nbsp;And Happy Hanukkah AND Kwanza for the celebrants!&nbsp;&nbsp;My sister-in-law converted to Judaism early this year actually, and while I don&#039;t celebrate myself, I&#039;ve always tried to respect those who do.<br /><br />Last part&#039;s gonna drop on Saturday since I finished up that last Shadowclaw piece, and after Tuesday, my Thursday and Saturday posts are gonna start fresh for the new year!<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.postybirb.com\" rel=\"nofollow\">Posted using PostyBirb</a></span>",
  "writing": "<4>\n\n”So much for ambiance,” Carson lamented and shrugged the cloak off entirely.  He, too, stood buck naked, but barely any of his throbbing red rocket could be seen while firmly embedded among his granddaughter’s vice-like folds.  His knot was obviously stuck inside her, for each time either of them moved a little too far, both of them winced.  “I… suppose we can go with your plan then, Starry.”\n\n”[i]Thank[/i] you!” Starla chirped, her soft curves wobbling as she tried to grasp her grandfather’s hips to remain standing upright.  “C-c’mon then!  Let’s go somewhere more [i]relevant[/i].”\n\nBen appeared to hesitate as he eyed the worgen couple.  “Can I… at least go back ter honkin’ tiddy this time?”\n\nCarson and Starla looked at each other, with the former rolling his one good eye.  “Alright, fine,” Starla relented and puffed out her chest.  “Let’s get it over with.”\n\nBen approached cautiously, sensing the clear distaste for his request.  His hand hovered briefly over her right breast, then pulled back.  “Well now I don’t want ter!”\n\nStarla breathed in relief.  “Oh good.  I like it better when we can go by the book.”  Instead, the female worgen bent over and practically put her head between her ankles.  “Just grab my ass with both hands and we’ll be off.”\n\nBen’s eyelids fluttered in bewilderment.  He was fully expecting Carson to growl when he dared to reach over his granddaughter’s naked body, but his one good eye simply stared down at the dwarf.  Ben had to slip both hands down against Carson’s thighs in order to properly cup Starla’s rump, then squeeze.\n\n[i]*Pfffffbbbbbt*[/i]\n\n”AW WHAT THE F-“ Ben protested as the graveyard went dark.\n\nWhen the darkness lifted, the writer found himself once more outside his manor, but this time he was standing on his own roof.  Another blizzard rushed around him, and he began to shiver once more.  He spun to find Starla and Carson standing behind him, both still naked and knotted.  “Will ye two cut that out!?”\n\nCarson’s muzzle visibly trembled, but it was Starla who answered, “Trust me, we would, but he’s pretty well stuck until his balls are empty.  Just ignore us, okay?  That’s more important,” she said and pointed at the second floor window behind him.\n\nBen turned back around.  It was his bedroom window.  Carefully he shuffled across the room and peered inside.\n\nThere laid his beloved Eliza, stark naked upon their bed, her head hanging over the edge while she eagerly played with her own nipples.  Her legs were spread wide, and the top of a bald head was all Ben could see between her legs.  The dwarf gasped.  “I lost me damned hair!?  What kind o’ karma is this?!”\n\nCarson covered his face with one clawed hand.  “Look closer.”\n\nBen kept watching.  A moment later, that head pulled back… and the male figure launched himself atop Eliza, both of them giggling and tumbling together in a big, naked heap.\n\nHe was a gnome.  It wasn’t Ben.\n\nThe color drained from the dwarf’s face.  “What?”\n\n”Eliza left you a few years later,” Starla explained, a sad lilt in her voice.  “You kept withdrawing and growing more selfish.  Each holiday yielded less and less affection.  Your social anxiety and inability to push yourself started affecting David, and Eliza couldn’t take it.”\n\nBen’s lip started to quiver.  “An’… an’ where’s David?”\n\n”At your parents’ house for the day,” Carson added.\n\n”An’ she still talks ter me parents!?”\n\nStarla frowned.  “They saw the decline too.  They wouldn’t support your apathy, and, frankly, they’ve always liked their grandson more than you anyway.”\n\nBen exhaled sharply.  “Won’t argue that one,” he breathed, watching helplessly as the gnome began wildly fucking Eliza.  He barely lasted a minute before his relatively small cock erupted inside her, and the gnome collapsed atop the draenei, quivering.  “He barely lasted a few minutes… an’ he ain’t much ter look at.”\n\n”But he loves her,” Carson rumbled.  “And he just planted the seed for her second child.”\n\nThe dwarf clutched at his chest.  “I… I wanna see me.”\n\nStarla looked up at her grandfather, then nodded.  “Come.”\n\nBen padded over within arm’s reach of Starla.  Without warning, the white-furred worgen grabbed Ben by the shoulders and suddenly hurled him right over the edge of the house’s roof.\n\nThe dwarf screamed, falling into darkness, never feeling the ground reach his back.  His naked form spun through the dark, twisting and turning, until he unexpectedly was back on his feet, standing in a small, filthy apartment in the far corner of Ironforge.  The kitchen, bed, and his desk were all in that one room, and there was only a door in the back to a small bathroom.  Glass bottles were [i]everywhere[/i], interspersed with tattered pages of worn parchment.  Ben dared to pick up one such paper, but the writing on it was almost illegible.\n\nBen looked up and saw himself seated at his desk.  His hair was half-gray, and a brace was strapped to his right hand.  He shakily reached out with his left to pick up a half-empty bottle of brandy and sip its contents, then resumed scribbling.  A worn, hole-ridden bathrobe hung loosely off his shoulders.  His belly was gone, making him look emaciated and horribly thin.  It didn’t appear as if he could’ve smiled, even if he’d wanted to.  Perhaps worst of all, Ben caught sight of a rather large, [i]unopened[/i] box of prophylactics on the floor beneath his sad kitchen table, upon which was a thin layer of dust.\n\nThe door opened to the apartment, and Starla peered inside.  “This is your fu-“\n\nBen said nothing and calmly walked out the door, brushing past Starla in the process.  He padded across the smooth stone of the underground city and took a seat with his feet dangling over the edge of the heated vent encircling the inner buildings.  His gaze was unfocused as he stared down into the vents and their swirling heat.\n\nCarson and Starla padded over to him together, but the best the stuck duo could do was kneel down together next to him.  “Ben?”\n\nThe dwarf sighed, clearly holding back tears.  “I understand now.  I… I dinnae realize how good I had it back in tha day.  I cannae even use me boy as no shite excuse, not while we both got family who care an’ can take ‘im fer a while.  I’m a shite dwarf.  I’m selfish an’ lazy.”\n\n”No.” The conviction in Carson’s voice forced Ben to look back and up at the gray-furred worgen.  “You missed the point.”\n\nStarla offered Ben a smile.  “You still have time, Ben.  You don’t [i]have[/i] to be like that if you don’t want to be.  We all know you love Eliza and David with all your heart —that was never in question— but sometimes it takes more than that to be everything that they need you to be.  The Feast of Winter Veil is the time of year to show that you care more than ever… even if it means dealing with that shit uncle who seems to think his farts don’t stink, or that cousin who only ever talks about himself and doesn’t give a crap about what you have to say, too.”\n\n”Or your grandmother who everyone thinks is sweeter than honey, but has been a raging bitch to your parents all her life,” Carson added with a sagely nod from Starla.\n\nA spark reappeared in Ben’s eyes.  “Aye… aye!  Yer right!  It don’ have ter be like this… I-I can do better!”  His gaze turned pleading, and he suddenly grabbed the tufts of white fur on Starla’s cheeks.  “Please, horny spirits!  Send me back!  I’ll change!  I’ll do better, please!  I cannae let me wife remarry a gnome!”\n\nStarla’s big, blue eyes blinked blankly.  “Okay… but we need a favor first.”\n",
  "writing_bbcode_parsed": "<span style='word-wrap: break-word;'>&lt;4&gt;<br /><br />&rdquo;So much for ambiance,&rdquo; Carson lamented and shrugged the cloak off entirely.&nbsp;&nbsp;He, too, stood buck naked, but barely any of his throbbing red rocket could be seen while firmly embedded among his granddaughter&rsquo;s vice-like folds.&nbsp;&nbsp;His knot was obviously stuck inside her, for each time either of them moved a little too far, both of them winced.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I&hellip; suppose we can go with your plan then, Starry.&rdquo;<br /><br />&rdquo;<em>Thank</em> you!&rdquo; Starla chirped, her soft curves wobbling as she tried to grasp her grandfather&rsquo;s hips to remain standing upright.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;C-c&rsquo;mon then!&nbsp;&nbsp;Let&rsquo;s go somewhere more <em>relevant</em>.&rdquo;<br /><br />Ben appeared to hesitate as he eyed the worgen couple.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Can I&hellip; at least go back ter honkin&rsquo; tiddy this time?&rdquo;<br /><br />Carson and Starla looked at each other, with the former rolling his one good eye.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Alright, fine,&rdquo; Starla relented and puffed out her chest.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Let&rsquo;s get it over with.&rdquo;<br /><br />Ben approached cautiously, sensing the clear distaste for his request.&nbsp;&nbsp;His hand hovered briefly over her right breast, then pulled back.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Well now I don&rsquo;t want ter!&rdquo;<br /><br />Starla breathed in relief.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Oh good.&nbsp;&nbsp;I like it better when we can go by the book.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;Instead, the female worgen bent over and practically put her head between her ankles.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Just grab my ass with both hands and we&rsquo;ll be off.&rdquo;<br /><br />Ben&rsquo;s eyelids fluttered in bewilderment.&nbsp;&nbsp;He was fully expecting Carson to growl when he dared to reach over his granddaughter&rsquo;s naked body, but his one good eye simply stared down at the dwarf.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ben had to slip both hands down against Carson&rsquo;s thighs in order to properly cup Starla&rsquo;s rump, then squeeze.<br /><br /><em>*Pfffffbbbbbt*</em><br /><br />&rdquo;AW WHAT THE F-&ldquo; Ben protested as the graveyard went dark.<br /><br />When the darkness lifted, the writer found himself once more outside his manor, but this time he was standing on his own roof.&nbsp;&nbsp;Another blizzard rushed around him, and he began to shiver once more.&nbsp;&nbsp;He spun to find Starla and Carson standing behind him, both still naked and knotted.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Will ye two cut that out!?&rdquo;<br /><br />Carson&rsquo;s muzzle visibly trembled, but it was Starla who answered, &ldquo;Trust me, we would, but he&rsquo;s pretty well stuck until his balls are empty.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just ignore us, okay?&nbsp;&nbsp;That&rsquo;s more important,&rdquo; she said and pointed at the second floor window behind him.<br /><br />Ben turned back around.&nbsp;&nbsp;It was his bedroom window.&nbsp;&nbsp;Carefully he shuffled across the room and peered inside.<br /><br />There laid his beloved Eliza, stark naked upon their bed, her head hanging over the edge while she eagerly played with her own nipples.&nbsp;&nbsp;Her legs were spread wide, and the top of a bald head was all Ben could see between her legs.&nbsp;&nbsp;The dwarf gasped.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I lost me damned hair!?&nbsp;&nbsp;What kind o&rsquo; karma is this?!&rdquo;<br /><br />Carson covered his face with one clawed hand.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Look closer.&rdquo;<br /><br />Ben kept watching.&nbsp;&nbsp;A moment later, that head pulled back&hellip; and the male figure launched himself atop Eliza, both of them giggling and tumbling together in a big, naked heap.<br /><br />He was a gnome.&nbsp;&nbsp;It wasn&rsquo;t Ben.<br /><br />The color drained from the dwarf&rsquo;s face.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;What?&rdquo;<br /><br />&rdquo;Eliza left you a few years later,&rdquo; Starla explained, a sad lilt in her voice.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You kept withdrawing and growing more selfish.&nbsp;&nbsp;Each holiday yielded less and less affection.&nbsp;&nbsp;Your social anxiety and inability to push yourself started affecting David, and Eliza couldn&rsquo;t take it.&rdquo;<br /><br />Ben&rsquo;s lip started to quiver.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;An&rsquo;&hellip; an&rsquo; where&rsquo;s David?&rdquo;<br /><br />&rdquo;At your parents&rsquo; house for the day,&rdquo; Carson added.<br /><br />&rdquo;An&rsquo; she still talks ter me parents!?&rdquo;<br /><br />Starla frowned.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;They saw the decline too.&nbsp;&nbsp;They wouldn&rsquo;t support your apathy, and, frankly, they&rsquo;ve always liked their grandson more than you anyway.&rdquo;<br /><br />Ben exhaled sharply.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Won&rsquo;t argue that one,&rdquo; he breathed, watching helplessly as the gnome began wildly fucking Eliza.&nbsp;&nbsp;He barely lasted a minute before his relatively small cock erupted inside her, and the gnome collapsed atop the draenei, quivering.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;He barely lasted a few minutes&hellip; an&rsquo; he ain&rsquo;t much ter look at.&rdquo;<br /><br />&rdquo;But he loves her,&rdquo; Carson rumbled.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;And he just planted the seed for her second child.&rdquo;<br /><br />The dwarf clutched at his chest.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I&hellip; I wanna see me.&rdquo;<br /><br />Starla looked up at her grandfather, then nodded.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Come.&rdquo;<br /><br />Ben padded over within arm&rsquo;s reach of Starla.&nbsp;&nbsp;Without warning, the white-furred worgen grabbed Ben by the shoulders and suddenly hurled him right over the edge of the house&rsquo;s roof.<br /><br />The dwarf screamed, falling into darkness, never feeling the ground reach his back.&nbsp;&nbsp;His naked form spun through the dark, twisting and turning, until he unexpectedly was back on his feet, standing in a small, filthy apartment in the far corner of Ironforge.&nbsp;&nbsp;The kitchen, bed, and his desk were all in that one room, and there was only a door in the back to a small bathroom.&nbsp;&nbsp;Glass bottles were <em>everywhere</em>, interspersed with tattered pages of worn parchment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ben dared to pick up one such paper, but the writing on it was almost illegible.<br /><br />Ben looked up and saw himself seated at his desk.&nbsp;&nbsp;His hair was half-gray, and a brace was strapped to his right hand.&nbsp;&nbsp;He shakily reached out with his left to pick up a half-empty bottle of brandy and sip its contents, then resumed scribbling.&nbsp;&nbsp;A worn, hole-ridden bathrobe hung loosely off his shoulders.&nbsp;&nbsp;His belly was gone, making him look emaciated and horribly thin.&nbsp;&nbsp;It didn&rsquo;t appear as if he could&rsquo;ve smiled, even if he&rsquo;d wanted to.&nbsp;&nbsp;Perhaps worst of all, Ben caught sight of a rather large, <em>unopened</em> box of prophylactics on the floor beneath his sad kitchen table, upon which was a thin layer of dust.<br /><br />The door opened to the apartment, and Starla peered inside.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;This is your fu-&ldquo;<br /><br />Ben said nothing and calmly walked out the door, brushing past Starla in the process.&nbsp;&nbsp;He padded across the smooth stone of the underground city and took a seat with his feet dangling over the edge of the heated vent encircling the inner buildings.&nbsp;&nbsp;His gaze was unfocused as he stared down into the vents and their swirling heat.<br /><br />Carson and Starla padded over to him together, but the best the stuck duo could do was kneel down together next to him.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Ben?&rdquo;<br /><br />The dwarf sighed, clearly holding back tears.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;I understand now.&nbsp;&nbsp;I&hellip; I dinnae realize how good I had it back in tha day.&nbsp;&nbsp;I cannae even use me boy as no shite excuse, not while we both got family who care an&rsquo; can take &lsquo;im fer a while.&nbsp;&nbsp;I&rsquo;m a shite dwarf.&nbsp;&nbsp;I&rsquo;m selfish an&rsquo; lazy.&rdquo;<br /><br />&rdquo;No.&rdquo; The conviction in Carson&rsquo;s voice forced Ben to look back and up at the gray-furred worgen.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You missed the point.&rdquo;<br /><br />Starla offered Ben a smile.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;You still have time, Ben.&nbsp;&nbsp;You don&rsquo;t <em>have</em> to be like that if you don&rsquo;t want to be.&nbsp;&nbsp;We all know you love Eliza and David with all your heart &mdash;that was never in question&mdash; but sometimes it takes more than that to be everything that they need you to be.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Feast of Winter Veil is the time of year to show that you care more than ever&hellip; even if it means dealing with that shit uncle who seems to think his farts don&rsquo;t stink, or that cousin who only ever talks about himself and doesn&rsquo;t give a crap about what you have to say, too.&rdquo;<br /><br />&rdquo;Or your grandmother who everyone thinks is sweeter than honey, but has been a raging bitch to your parents all her life,&rdquo; Carson added with a sagely nod from Starla.<br /><br />A spark reappeared in Ben&rsquo;s eyes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Aye&hellip; aye!&nbsp;&nbsp;Yer right!&nbsp;&nbsp;It don&rsquo; have ter be like this&hellip; I-I can do better!&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;His gaze turned pleading, and he suddenly grabbed the tufts of white fur on Starla&rsquo;s cheeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Please, horny spirits!&nbsp;&nbsp;Send me back!&nbsp;&nbsp;I&rsquo;ll change!&nbsp;&nbsp;I&rsquo;ll do better, please!&nbsp;&nbsp;I cannae let me wife remarry a gnome!&rdquo;<br /><br />Starla&rsquo;s big, blue eyes blinked blankly.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Okay&hellip; but we need a favor first.&rdquo;<br /></span>",
  "pools_count": 0,
  "title": "A Warcraft Carol - Winter Veil 2024 - 4",
  "deleted": "f",
  "public": "t",
  "mimetype": "text/plain",
  "pagecount": "1",
  "rating_id": "2",
  "rating_name": "Adult",
  "ratings": [
    {
      "content_tag_id": "4",
      "name": "Sexual Themes",
      "description": "Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal",
      "rating_id": "2"
    }
  ],
  "submission_type_id": "12",
  "type_name": "Writing - Document",
  "guest_block": "f",
  "friends_only": "f",
  "comments_count": "0",
  "views": "25"
}