A meta story suitable as a quirky deviation from the "common" type of stories. If developed more and expanded, it could make for a good hook for someone to look up OPR.

First and foremost, great job participating in the Jam!  It's tough to come up with a story from a prompt, type it out, and submit it all within 48 hours.  The idea to compensate around this by having a "story within a story" was a clever solution that worked pretty well in this case.

Echoing what small_grey_owl said, I think giving yourself the opportunity to brainstorm will help with finding a full story you want to write out.  you should also ask yourself questions while you're writing - Where are the characters located - a village?  A city?  What is the story that Rose and Piper Mention?  Is there anything special about the quartz?  Why is Billy the most obnoxious elf you can meet?

Asking these sorts of questions while writing (or after writing), and adding to your writing based on the answers you come up with can help you develop your story and enrich the world you're creating.  It's clear you have a lot of ideas on the world that are hinted in the writing, I'd love to see it further developed!

Thanks for sharing this for the Jam!

I was hoping we'd hear from you again after your submission to the last jam. Glad you're back!

First, regarding word count and inspirations: I don't know if you've read my story yet, but I tossed two ideas before I got to the one I submitted. I tried to write something involving space orcs, but I couldn't make it funny enough to pull off. I tried to use the high elves, and that didn't work either; I got two hundred words in and realized I was out of story. So I can definitely relate to the struggle to come up with something workable and get it submitted.

As to the story itself - You've improved as a writer even since the last jam (I went back and compared). Both halves of the story moved along well, your dialogue is good, and your imagery is nicely done. I appreciated the use of customized figures as a kind of 'dramatis personae' in your moodboard as well. I get why you went meta - always a risky move, but one you pulled off well. In all seriousness, I think you've said something really meaningful about the nature of writing, inspiration, and creative pressure, and you've woven the concept of a 'weapon' into that conversation nicely.

I was left wanting to know more about the specific story Rose and Piper are talking about in the first half, and why they're comparing their own situation to it, so if you ever revisit the story-within-the-story, please post it where we can read it!