I'm sitting in my hotel room in... where am I? Melbourne? Adelaide? Wherever. Anyway, here I sit, tapping away at my laptop, about to go to bed and I figured I'd drop by and say hi.
So, y'know... hi.
The tour continues to go well. In fact, it's going great. Brilliantly. The response has been incredible, with so much energy and enthusiasm at each event. Signing queues have been massive, which is slightly less cool, because I just don't have the time to chat to each person as much as I'd like to, or even sign all of their books in some cases. Next time I'm over I'm going to INSIST that more time is left for signing. Some of these Minions-with-funny-accents go through an awful lot to get to me- some have been driving for 7 hours, some have even FLOWN in... The least I can do is have a chat and sign whatever they have. Sometimes that's just not possible, but I try my best.
I've met so many people from this Blog and the Forums and the Facebook pages (and the old Bebo page! Which I must reactivate... maybe... The Bebo page was DAUNTING because of the amount of comments and emails I'd have to answer every time I logged in... Every time I opened the Bebo page I'd spend HOURS there... no such thing as a quick dip in and out...)
Where was I? Oh yes, meeting a load of people I've only seen online. That's pretty cool, to be honest. I had no idea, for example, that Nixion or Calamity were Australian (well, maybe I did have an idea once, but I'd totally forgotten it). It's always so weird when I meet people and realise I know them from somewhere online- it's like we're old friends, and yet we've never met...
Another nice thing about being on tour is the amount of hyperventilating teenage girls who arrive in front of me. I swear, if Teenage Me ever found out what Adult Me is confronted with every day on tour, he'd be so insanely jealous... You're all hysterically funny and quite, quite odd.
When I get home I'll post pictures of some of the cool stuff I've been given (really, you'll have to see them to understand the coolness of some of your fellow Minions), but suffice it to say that I'm really glad I only packed half a suitcase worth of stuff- because I'll be going home with a LOT more than I came with.
Right then, just a few things before I go... According to the Facebook page, some stores in the UK and Ireland have already released KOTW. Naughty, naughty stores. On its OFFICIAL release date I'll put up a special Spoiler blog where you can discuss it here openly, but until then, please keep doing what you're doing and don't spoil it for the others. I'm very grateful to you all for the restraint you've shown so far.
Because of the fact that some schools are back early, some of the Irish times have been changed.
Thursday 30th August
Public Signing: Easons, Whitewater Shopping Centre, Newbridge, TIME CHANGE FROM 12 noon to 2PM start.
Friday 31st August
Public Signing: Dubray Books, Market Cross Shopping Centre, Kilkenny, TIME CHANGE FROM 2PM TO 4PM start.
And one last thing- the competition winners from, ahem, last year. Yes yes, it's taken me ages to send you your books, but now you're also going to get a signed KOTW too, so, like, yay...! But I need you to send your names and addresses to us again, because SOME of you, hilariously, decided not to include your real name the last time, and instead insisted that the books be sent to your online taken name... which would have confused the nice people who deliver the parcels. Also, I know that at least one of you have changed addresses since winning, so we're gonna need an update.
So, send your real name, and your real address (and also your online name so I'll know who you are) to this email:
kids.marketing@harpercollins.co.uk.
It's the only email address they could find that wasn't being used for anything else... Sorry...
EDIT:
Here's the list of winners, in case you've forgotten.
Miss Arianna Dark
Skulduggeryaddict
Octaboona
Asteria Wing
The BookNommer
Necros
Andrew
Silke Gronau
Lauren Longbottom
Mar-Chu
Valkyrie V
Kallista
Thalia
Posts
4,893 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 2401 – 2600 of 4893 Newer› Newest»*smiles*
You haven't seen me at sunset. Or at night if I forget my...medicine.
Jesa - *Quickly turns into a wolf and darts after Annabelle*
*Bites Mark so he stops trying to hurt anna but not enough to actually pierce the skin*
For gods and goddesses, yes.
Ambrosia is the food of the gods, that also heals us
But you know we're the same person- and I wasn't strong enough to keep that part of myself back... You and Adra were happy, and I just destroyed everything...
(Bye Dugglyn)
Mark: *growls loudly at Jesabelle, struggling*
Annabelle: *snarls in Mark's face*
We were happy, yes. I was happy. But you were not to blame.
Ember: You're right, but nevertheless.
Bethany: Have I ever seen you when you haven't taken your serum?
Jesa - *clamps her jaw so he can't escape*
*Growls loudly back and glares at him with her startling green eyes*
*shakes head*
No...well, sorta...that time I met Alex...
I was- I am... *glances away for a moment* I'm sorry. I know words can never repair the damage I've caused, but I do apologize. ...I should go. *turns and heads for the door*
Mark: *keeps growling and snarling, refusing to back down, trying to bite Jesa*
Annabelle: *bites his ear, ragging it hard and drawing blood, tearing it slightly*
Bethany: But not in person... I'm glad Alexandra decided to help you...
Niccolo, you will stay and you will drink with me. That will go some way to helping me heal.
*nods*
Same..and I hope you NEVER see me without my serum..
*Decides that she should go back to her room and leave the two men alone*
*Does so and sits on her bed with her Nectar*
Jesa - *Bites down harder, starting to draw blood*
*Glares at him, telling him to back down or this is going to end badly*
Mark: *growls but submits, albeit unwillingly*
*stops, and slowly walks back* *quietly* Alright.
Bethany: I might be able to reason with it...
Jesa - *Lets him go*
*Growls louder than the two of them can*
*Puts one paw forward, showing him that she's dominant*
*slaps him on the back. It's not very strong, owing to trip's weakness* Good man. Now, what would you like? We have it all.
I have no preference...
No one can reason with it. It doesn't know reason.
Mark: *bares his teeth*
*changes to human quickly and leaps, tackling Jesa while she's a wolf, hands round her throat, ready to snap it-*
Annabelle: *leaps onto his back, violently tearing at his back*
Jesa - *Struggles to get him off*
*Lays down, making it harder for mark to reach her neck and easier for Annabelle to get to mark*
Bethany: I managed to reason with your father and I didn't think he did, either...
Mark: *lets Jesa go, shaking Annabelle off*
*runs, stumbling occasionally*
Annabelle: *growls after him and gives chase*
*laughs slightly*
Trust me, all it knows about is blood lust.
Ariadne, fetch us two teas would you? Milk, no sugar?
(HE RETURNS! http://explosm.net/comics/3816/)
Bethany: But... I have light... I could maybe do something...
Claire: Vampires are mindless without serum. Trust me.
Claire's right...without serum, all they care about- all WE care about, is blood. It's...not pleasant to see..
Yes, Trip.
*Comes out of her room and goes downstairs to get them their tea*
*Comes back up and hands it over*
Two teas, Milk no sugar
*Smiles*
Anything else for you gentlemen?
Jesa - *Chases after Annabelle, she's faster so she passes Anna and tackles Mark to the ground*
No thank you, except something for you.
Thank you, Ariadne.
Mark: *yells out, struggling*
Annabelle: *catches up, growling down at Mark*
Bethany: ... Okay.
Ember: There is an astonishing lack of fire in this realm.
*Rolls eyes*
Yeah there tends to be. Try visiting the sun? That's pretty much a ball of fire and gas.
Ember: Lovely. I shall be back in a moment. *she vanishes in a flash of fire*
(I will be back soon.)
*he smiles* Perks of being the boss. *he sips the tea, unsure as to what to say*
(seeya Soph)
*blinks*
*blinks*
..didn't actually expect her to listen but okay..
(Okay Soph! Awesome eye :)
(Bye Soph)
*nods and goes back to her room*
*takes a sip of his tea, equally unsure of what to say*
Annabelle: *nudges Jesa slightly*
*bites Mark's leg violently and starts dragging him back*
Thanks for Ded!
-Zaf
Have you spoken with Aretha since you regained control?
(Herrow Zaf. How are ye?)
(You're welcome Zafira! I hope you're enjoying your birthday.)
Jesa - *Sits and glares at Mark*
*Glances at Annabelle to check if she's ok*
*Lays on her bed*
No... I have no intentions of speaking with anyone but you, and perhaps also Adra, if she wishes. I doubt that it is exactly accurate to say that I've regained control, however; my other name is giving me this time.
Good. I didn't get anything yet but next week when we have my party I will.
Oh, Nic, I really really am glad to have you back. I think having you back is so far the highlight of my birthday.
-Zaf
Annabelle: *keeps dragging Mark*
Mark: *struggles*
*kicks Annabelle in the face to make her let go*
Annabelle: *yelps, releasing his leg and whimpering*
I see.
You really should, you know. She'd really really appreciate it.
(food bbs. Maybe 20 mins..)
...I didn't want to hurt anyone...
Trust me, it would be something of the opposite. *he sips his tea again*
Jesa - *Jumps ontop of mark*
*Her face incredibly close to his*
*Growls as loud as she can, teeth bared*
((if I let Zaf go by the bar would you be upset? Nic and Trip.-Zaf))
*wanders*
(Hello again.)
(Wb Tia.)
((No, of course not.))
(Welcome back Kas)
Perhaps...
((The decision is yours, Zafira.))
((Okay! I msd for like 10 minutes if I get sacrificed for driving. Then I'll be here.-Zaf
Zafira: *goes to Trip's bar, not thinking Nic is there, or anyone, all she wanted was to get a drink, birthday calls for one, she lost track how many years ago she was born.* Oh! Errs...Did I just interupt a man to man chat?
She might be a little sad, but all in all, it'll be for the best.
You did indeed. But that's all right, pull up a chair.
*glances at Zafira, then sighs slightly and looks away*
(Back.)
Mark: *flinches at the close proximity*
*stops moving, just watching Jesa*
*quietly*
Get off and let me go.
(wb)
((Hello, Tia and Silente.))
(Hello Nicco.)
Jesa - *Turns back into a human*
Don't you dare hurt her again, then i'll let you go.
*She's stronger than she looks, pins him down*
*keeps wandering*
Mark: *smirks at the fact there's a bare woman pinning him*
What's this, girl power? You think you belong on top honey? Hmm..
(I am back.)
Bethany: She won't get hurt. It'll be fine.
*roundhouse kicks Mark to oblivion*
Ladies?
(Hey Soph!)
*nods*
Okay then..
(wb Soph)
((Hello, Sophia.))
...Is there anything I can do for you, Trip?
Jesa - *Stands up and nods at Rotia*
Hello.
*Doesn't bother changing back into a wolf*
(Hello again, Jaimie. *hugs her tightly*)
Bethany: She is a little odd...
Claire: Won't the sun like... melt the leather? Incinerate it, even?
Smile.
(Triccolo? xD)
(That sounds like a type of pasta, Ariadne.)
Why would you want that...?
(*hugs tightly back*)
Annabelle: *pads over to Jesa's side*
*nudges her hip*
Oh..I didn't think of that..
There is too much sadness in this world, my friend.
Bethany: It is unlikely. Her clothing was crafted by Aetas. As was mine. Immune to most, if not all, mortal weaponry, and able to withstand temperatures beyond anything seen in this realm.
Zafira: *smiles and pulls up a chair, looking at both boys* Because we all know smiling is your favorite activity, Nic.
Ah okay. Good.
*nods*
I'm glad about that.
(Lol Sophia, you're right, it does. And now I'm even more hungry.)
And so much of it is my fault... *a smile flickers across his face, though it doesn't reach his eyes* *glances away again, taking a sip of tea*
Ember: *she appears in a flash of fire, back where she was stood previously* That was rather fun.
*Rolls eyes*
Good to know you enjoyed yourse-
*pauses, looking out a window*
*curses and moves as a blur to the bedroom*
Now come on. What makes you happy?
Jesa - *Looks down at anna and ruffles her fur again*
Come on, let's go back.
*Turns around and starts to go back to the cave*
Annabelle: *pauses*
*trots over to mark, biting his leg*
*starts following Jesa, dragging him after her*
Bethany: Silente? Are you alright? *follows her*
I... Shouldn't be...
That isn't what I asked, Nic. *sips*
Jesa - *Looks back at Anna, sighing*
*Picks up Mark's limp body and carries him back to the cave*
*fumbles at the draws and grabs a needle*
*wrong one*
*roots quicker, watching the sun slowly setting*
*looks at Beth*
Out! Beth get out! I'll be a sec just..
*winces, moaning slightly, curling up a little*
*feels around in the draw*
Clear needle..
Annabelle: *pads after Jesa, brushing against her leg*
I don't know... I'm sorry, Trip.
What used to make you happy, then?
(`♡●♤}{>●`°●●□□《《▪¡\♡\}\♡》|\~``☆°°○●●•°)
(Sorry, I'm distant.)
*decides to retire to Trip's bar*
Bethany: I'm not going anywhere. *grabs a needle from the drawer, passing it her*
((Niccolo . . . :())
(*walks in slowly, sweetyless and therefore sane for the first time in my life*)
Zafira: *watches the two, mostly staying quiet, but her gaze rests on Nic, encouraging him to talk*
(*injects sugar into Seirsha's bloodstream as a way of greeting*)
*nods by way of thanks*
*stabs the needle into her wrist, shaking, pupils much too large, fingertips white and gums pale*
*depresses the plunger all the way, panting slightly*
*moans again and curls up, shaking*
*removes the needle, setting it to the side*
A, Tia, welcome. Can I get you something?
Aretha, most of the time... Seeing other people happy... Entertaining others, or solving problems, on occasion... Mainly being able to help people, or at least being able to keep myself from hurting them.
Well you being here has really brightened up my day, and Zafira's.
(*goes hyyyperrr*)
Velvet: *is still sitting outside the bar*
Well you being here has really brightened up my day, and Zafira's.
(welcome back, Velv)
(Thanks Trip!)
Zafira: Nic, I can tell you now, I'm excited beyond anything to see you. One of my friends, Zanida, is excited to hopefully meet you. So, you do have reason to smile. You also know deep down inside Trip and I want to see that you're happy and out here.
(Hey Vel/Iris
What do you prefer?)
*Comes out of her room*
Hello Tia, i'll get you a drink if you want it.
Trip, you stay sitting.
Oh no, *he stands* I've worked you enough.
((Hello, Iris.
I may suddenly disappear.))
*shrinks away slightly* Alright...
Bethany: *she curls around her* Are you alright?
*nods*
*mumbles 'hurts'*
*smiles shakily at her*
Because it's my job Trip. And I owe you.
Sit.
Ah pish on your debt. *he forces her to sit down*
Here, meet my old friend Niccolo Croatoan.
(Iris please Aria!
Hey Niccolò!)
Jesa - *Gets back to the cave and drops Mark on the floor in front of the couch*
*Sits on the couch and rests her legs on his back*
(Ok, Iris.)
(I dedicate to boarding schools, please pleased please accept my brother!)
(Thanks Aria!)
(hear hear)
Annabelle: *growls at his unconscious form, biting his arm, hard and twisting it*
*jumps up onto the couch, watching him intently for if he moves*
Zafira: When I can find that Asgardian queen I'll let you meet her, Nic.
I am sorry to disappoint her, but I would rather not meet her, Zafira.
Scene iii The computer control room inside Sibyllin's bunker
[Enter Sibyllin, looking tired. She sits in her computer chair and begins typing a series of commands. Hamish's face pops up on the screen and Sibyllin clicks on it.]
Sibyllin's voice, as narration: Hamish Kilowatt, age 53. Only 53? He must have had a late Surge or something. He doesn't look that young. Or that old. Who the hell is he, though?
[Sibyllin searches a bit more, then logs onto the secure Computer Mage forum. Typing the password takes her a good thirty seconds. The camera is to switch to showing only the screen here, with occasional switches back to Sibyllin looking annoyed]
REQUEST:
Request type: Ident
Request by: delphi005
Importance: 3
Details: I'm looking for an ident on a man who appeared outside of my HQ earlier today. He may or may not go by the name of Hamish Watt. Seeking qualifications, associations and goals.
[A response pops up almost immediately]
stingrae: I've got the info you need. What are you offering in return?
Bethany: *she wraps her wings around her* *they start to emit heat*
(*is intrigued by the playish thing unfolding*)
Jesa - *Kicks him in the ribs*
*Does it again*
(Hear hear!)
My name is Tanya, Trip. Probably. *nods*
And I'm good, thanks.
*walks and finds Velvet, proceeding to pull her into a warm hug, saying nothing*
Zafira: As you wish, I should warn you, Rose has two children that are very keen on finding sharp objects, if you spot a small person trying to take a knife, they're Rose's.
Very well. Anyone else want anything?
(@Trip Oh my iPhone goodness space shuttle flying splintering Paddington Spock! Have you seen the Retaliator!?
*is obsessed* :(
)
Velvet: *continues to sit there, looking at nothing blankly*
((I ought to be back in roughly two hours.))
*shivers, leaning into her*
Thank you...
Mark: *wakes up, crying out, rolling away*
Annabelle: *instantly pounces, growling down at him, straight into his face, teeth bared*
Mark: get OFF B*Tch!
Bethany: It's what I'm here for.
((Bye Nic. I should probably head off too. Stuff.))
[Sibyllin frowns, recognizing stingrae as one of the Forum's admins.]
Sibyllin (aside): If he or she is actually using the name stingrae...
dephi005: Name your price.
stingrae: I understand you broke into the Library. You tell me why you did it, what you hoped to accomplish and what actually happened, I'll tell you about Hamish. Do we have a deal?
delphi005: You drive a hard bargain...
[stingrae doesn't respond, causing Sibyllin to make a face at the computer screen.
delphi005: Alright. Deal.
stingrae: Good. I'll create a higher-level chat to avoid eyes and ears.
[stingrae's comments begin disappearing]
stingrae: Oh, by the way, you may want to delete this query. Hamish frequents these forums. You're lucky he isn't online now.
[Sibyllin growls and does so]
*nods and cuddles her*
Thank you...
*swallows*
I think I'm okay now..
Bethany: *cuddles her back* Are you sure?
*nods*
I am..
*cuddles her tightly*
Love you Beth..
Velv... she's alive. She's sorry. She wants to talk to you but she's afraid of what you might do...
Jesa - *Stands on Mark's face*
Don't talk to her like that.
Bethany: *cuddles her tightly back* I love you, too. Do you want to go back to Ember and Claire?
Velvet: I'm afraid too... I've already lost so much.
(Dinner now, back soon!)
Mark: *growls and bites Jesa's foot*
Annabelle: *bites Mark's arm*
Mark: *yells and stops biting Jesa in favour of thrashing his arm to remove Annabelle*
*slaps the wolf hard once she's let go*
*smiles slightly*
Mm that depends..what other options are there?
*grins*
Bethany: I don't know... They'd be suspicious if we stayed here?
And so has she. She wants to get along with you. Can you get along with her?
Jesa - *Turns back into a wolf and bites his face*
*Her eyes murderous*
*Tears some of his skin off and goes back down to bite his arm*
*sighs*
Yeah they would be...Okay, best of we go back.
(mbd.)
Mark: *screams, struggling to get the murderous she-wolf off of him*
Annabelle: *whimpers from her corner where she's cowering after the slap*
Bethany: *she takes her hand*
*takes Beth's hand and stands, smiling*
Jesa - *Peels off pieces of skin form his arm, goes back up to his face and tears off more skin from his cheek and nose*
*Howls as loudly as she can*
*Claws his face*
Bethany: *leads her back to the kitchen*
Bethany: *leads her back to the kitchen*
Mark: *thrashes and cries out, sobbing slightly*
*brings his arms to cover his face*
GET OFF OF ME!!!
*smiles at Claire and Ember*
Sorry about that.
(I will be back soon.)
(okay..)
Jesa - *Claws his stomach too and then jumps off of him, padding over to Anna*
Mark: *groans, quietly sobbing*
*starts crawling away, shakily, leaning a trail of blood to follow*
Annabelle: *whimpers slightly, watching Jesa*
*cautiously walks towards her, licking over her eyes*
(I am back.)
Claire: *she shrugs* It's fine. Ember was just telling me about the sun.
(Welcome back! *cuddles*)
*nods*
Ah. Okay..
*sits back down*
Velvet: I don't know, I just... I just want my best friend back...
Jesa - *Looks after Mark, watching him not get very far*
*Looks back to Annabelle, making sure that she's ok*
(brb)
(*cuddles Jaimie back*)
Bethany: *she sits on Silente's knee*
(Okay Aria :)
Mark: *keeps crawling, as fast as he can while in his state*
Annabelle: *rubs faces with her gently, whining softly*
*smiles, holding Beth close*
Enjoy the sun then did we Ember?
(I will be back soon.)
(Okay..)
(Sorry, I keep poofing because phone battery.)
Let me take you to her. *takes Velvet's hand*
...
((Oh my Party Messages getting people to vote, awful.))
Velvet: *looks down and bites her lip* Okay...
Kayleigh: *sits with her head on a table*
*gently leads Velvet back to the bar, towards Kayleigh*
I like your profile picture, Sophia. :)
(So do I, Star. Hi!)
Velvet: *sees Kayleigh and stops*
Kayleigh: *looks up and then notices Tanya holding Velvet's hand* *swallows and looks away*
Hi, Kas! :)
Distant, I think. :) AVEN-ing and I want to start reading soon.
(*smiles* ah myrnin.. <3)
*leads Velvet to the table and sits her down*
So... time for apologies?
(BBC 2 Top Gear aye!)
(*quietly fangirls, melting a little*)
(*hugs Jaimie*
Fangirling?)
(*hugs back, smiling and sighing happily*
Myrnin..just Myrnin..)
(Myrnin?)
Kayleigh: Velvet, I'm sorry I ruined your life and-
Velvet: *suprises Kayleigh with a hug* I'm sorry too, but look, we've both done terrible things to each other... Forgive and move on?
Kayleigh: If that's what you really want.
Velvet: I just want you to be my best friend again...
Kayleigh: *grins* And you, mine?
Velvet: *nods* And me, yours... *squeezes Kayleigh*
Kayleigh: *winces*
Velvet: * Ahh... Sorry, forgot about that...
(Morganville vampires. Myrnin is just...amazing..Even when he's first introduced.. I just want to hug him and love him. Not gonna lie, I probably have a little crush on Myrnin..)
(Not an OMGLUSTARGH crush, a awwhessosweetandamazingandbrilliantandmisunderstoodIjustwannaholdhimandsaythatitllallbeokay crush)
(Hmm, I might look into this... whatever it is. What is it? :S)
(*huggles Jai and Iris* :3)
*hugs both Kayleigh and Velvet*
I'm happy that you've both got a brighter future now. *smiles*
(The Morganville Vampire Series.)
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