Glancing back at old Blog entries, I happened to notice that on December 23rd of 2012 I had 13,320 words of LSODM written. This was a good thing to notice. It means that, with 18,504 words of Book 9 already spewed forth onto the page/screen, I am well ahead of where I was last year — and I finished LSODM in PLENTY of time, did I not?
Well, actually, no, I didn't. It was pretty much down to the wire, as they say. I couldn't afford to make ANY mistakes with LSODM, because I had no time to do anything resembling a significant rewrite. But at least I know it can be done. At least I know I can do it. Now all I have to do is hope I DO do it.
Pressure pressure pressure... It's everywhere. I don't actually mind pressure. It's a handy tool to make you sit down and write, after all. And I have no one to blame for these onrushing deadlines but me, because I'm the one who agreed to them in the first place. I'm the one who said "Hey, let's collect all the short stories, and I'll write a few more brand new ones, and we can publish in the summer before the final book!" And what a wonderful idea that was. What a magical, wonderful idea, to schedule the writing of short stories at the same time as I've scheduled the writing of a book. How clever that was.
I had wanted to include ten new stories in the collection. I STILL want to do ten — but the fact is, I might not be able to. I may only be able to do five. I want to tell a tale of the Dead Men during the war. I want to tell the tale of Billy-Ray Sanguine and what he did when he was recovering from the sword-wound that Valkyrie inflicted on him in The Faceless Ones. I want to show you how Val met Caelan for the first time. But most of all, I want to go back to Skulduggery and Valkyrie, back before the screaming and the killing and the darkness. I want to see them having fun again, before the death and the destruction and the heartache and the loss. The collection will be out mere months before the final book, after all... I want you to enter into Book 9, fully aware of how good it used to be between them.
And then I want to shatter what remains of your souls.
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«Oldest ‹Older 2401 – 2600 of 4974 Newer› Newest»(Snow, Jubilance, please don't. It's rather inappropriate.
No offense, Sir.)
*Dimitri hobbles over to her again and climbs in her lap* *she holds him, grateful for a second presence* *She cries harder*
((Hmmm pkay))
(( fine, you spoil sports. i'll stop... but i can't make jubi stop. ))
(Plus, it's a bit silly. Sir needs someone rather more refined, and I need someone who likes ducks.
As simple as that.)
((AND YOU NEVER WILL >:D
No jk I'll stop :3))
Absolutely none is taken, Ms. Barnosky.
My good Doctor, while they are grossly inaccurate, they are hardly offensive. They certainly make interesting reading material. An outsider perspective, as things may be.
... You alright, Adra?
Ravel: Zaf come here...
*moves closer to*
Ravel: you want to go out as we probably should?
*smiles* sure
I find it fascinating. The skewed sense that the Mortals get of the sorcerer world. It's not just monsters that have suffered, monster hunters have suffered too. I find things like those two brothers and that ridiculous trench-coated angel to be COMPLETELY inaccurate. If inoffensive, I suppose.
And don't get me started on . . .
*shudders*
Buffy . . .
XD i have to admit, sirctor reminds me of snowlock.... two people un-willingly forced into a RP relationship... XD good times, good times...
Quite alright...
(Grr . . . Snow, my friend, my dear friend, as HONORED as I am that people think I would make an appropriate partner for Sir,
it is very
very
SILLY.
It would not work. It would be silliness. SILLINESS, I say!
And I would prefer not to spoil our friendship.)
Omg Snow xD
.... You sure, Adra?
(( nor am i suggesting you should. i am meerly saying it would be hilarious to watch...
* simply, not meerly... wth? i wrote simply... *looks at computer weirdly*
I agree, Ms. Barnosky.
Perhaps, my good Doctor. Re-interpretation is the name of horror, what scares one generation may not even faze the next.
Positive..
((Plot twist: Anni secretly is enamoured by Sir))
(( *high-fives adra* lol))
Fortunately, their attempts at emulating the horrors of our world have not even come close. I doubt most of the human race would ever sleep again.
*shrugs*
But maybe you're right. Maybe, given a generation or two, even the horrors our world has to offer will be like just another day at the office.
I'm not entirely certain whether that's a good thing or a bad thing.
Aaaaalrighty then..
((YES! :D pleasseee?)
(Plot Twist: Anni sneaks into Adra's house and beats her with a pool noodle until she takes that comment back.)
*nods, looking at her fox and leans further against the wall, further in the shadow of her desk*
((Plot twist: Anni is giggling irl))
lol... okay, okay, we'll stop... maybe...
(Plot Twist: Anni is plotting a murder.)
(( worst time to make me laugh: in the middle of a quiet classroom. luckily the teacher is out of the room...
...
Well, I know something that would certainly think it a bad thing.
*pauses*
Quite ironic, that.
Hmm?
Care to elucidate?
free time is great, but... everyone else is so quiet and i'm nearly rolling on the ground
((Plot twist: Anni knows I'm right and can't deny it no matter how many times she wants to and the more she denies the more that is validated))
Ex- Excuse me, Jubi.. *brushes past her and down the hallway, down multiple hallways from there*
(Plot Twist: Snow's teacher is outside the door and wondering why Snow is squeaking like a gerbil.)
Well, considering that one of the most basic desires of monsters is to scare, as well as kill, eat, et cetera et cetera, the increasing commonality of monsters in media would reduce their effect upon the masses, and thus render them rather impotent in some aspects.
Until they all just decide to slaughter all human civilization, but that is another story.
XD
(Plot Twist: Anni reads Adra's comment and, despite vowing not to laugh, accidentally spits tea all over the screen of her expensive laptop, which she then has to clean off, while saying nasty things about Adra under her breath.)
((oooo nicely done, Adra :P))
Um... Alright.. *turns and watches her walk away*
(PLOT TWIST: we all die o_o)
*chuckles*
Well, no offense, but the killing and eating habits of monsters are my bread and butter.
As much as I wouldn't wish death and slaughter upon the human race, the moment the monsters slip back under the bed for the last time, that's the day my career ends and I'm left broke and homeless.
I have to pay Anton for my room, and I have to keep gas in my van's tank. Plus, I need to keep buying tea and Poptarts.
I'd rather be broke and homeless than be without tea and Poptarts.
XD you people... *hugs all* i couldn't live with out y'all
((Plot twist: Adra doesn't care, it's hilarious))
*she opens the door into a large room with a tall ceiling*
*she falls to the ground, muttering -for lack of a better word- prayers, in an old alchemical language*
Officially year ten today.
Blast.
Greetings, Ms. Rose!
*shrugs*
That is... Understandable? My good Doctor.
(Plot Twist: Anni is upset because she has to go get a fresh cup of tea.)
hey deathy! you missed so much... XD
*pokes Deathy*
Hai :3
*supermegatacklehugsofdoom*
It's the truth.
I suppose I could find a new profession, if I had to. Put that 'Precocious and Sons: Smiling Undertakers' setting on my van to good use.
*laughs*
(Ah! Hullo, Death Rose!)
g2g... XD
oh and
Plot Twist: i am actually an alien who is getting info on planet earth for an invasion
now, bye!!
Er, quite.
Undertaking is a good job. Free room, board, you get to use the company horse, and get time off for family funerals.
*pauses*
Or is that something else?
(Plot Twist: Annika is not surprised by this revelation of extra-terrestrialism at all.)
*GAAAASSSPP*
BIGGEST PLOT TWIST EVER!
BAI SNOW SNOW! *Supermegatacklehugsofdoom*
Good bye, Ms. Snow.
((Hi Rose))
*Adra folds her legs under her, leaning forward, her head near the floor*
*in front of her is a strange table with a collection of items on it*
*she continues her words in her language, with strange sounds of words*
It's a good business. You can invest a lot in a funeral home; it's not as if death will suddenly stop.
Or at least, I HOPE death doesn't suddenly stop.
I'll have nothing to look forward to.
*nods slowly*
Honestly, how silly of me, I was thinking of Death.
And... Death stopping would be problematic, indeed.
*Tacklehugs Sharky because he hates it* Hi!!
*Evades evil hug* Hi Jubab.
Snow, I, too, have missed you! Immensely!
I don't know if I should be commenting....
Sup Doctor?
*Pokes Adra* Herrow!))
YES DEATH. YOU SHOULD INDEED BE COMMENTING!
Death. Have you met him?
I haven't had the pleasure.
*she sits upward, keeping her head towards the ground, still saying her prayers*
Well, I've met A him.
Fortunately, he was one of the Deaths that still only uses a scythe. Most have traded theirs in for combine harvesters.
That sounds . . . particularly painful.
Well, it says quite a bit about the death rates in those particular dimensions.
*laughs*
I'm sorry, I really shouldn't laugh. Such a thing is not at all funny.
*laughs again*
I suppose I should be grateful I'm not in such a dimension.
Or . . . not grateful.
I don't even know anymore.
*sobers up*
*she suddenly stops, getting to her feet* *A shudder goes through her whole form and into the ground below her* *she stomps her foot and the ground raises and falls, like a sound wave*
*nods in satisfaction and walks from the room, wearing one of her old dresses* *she casually walks outside, going for a stroll*
*walks over to the room Adra walked into, out if curiosity, and leans closer to the door, trying to see if I can hear anything*
*shrugs*
Things tend to get complicated when you begin thinking in more than one dimension.
(*Snickers* Awkward moment when I think you're talking about me...
I'm out.
Cheers, you bunch of lunatics!!))
((Whoops)) *doesnt do that*
((Goodbye, Rose *waves*))
*she stops in the middle of the field* Hmm...
Good bye, Ms. Rose. It was a pleasure seeing you.
((oh! sorry, Jubi))
*her arm violently twitches and she hops to the side, trying to shake the chink out*
Aw BAI DEATHYY *suprmegaUNEVADABLEtacklehugsofdoom*
(Sorry for the misunderstanding! I hope you're not leaving out of offense.)
Things would be rather simpler if we didn't have to think in multiple dimensions.
Then again, we wouldn't be able to travel in between them. So many adventures never had, monsters never slain, allies never met, enemies never forgiven.
Why, what would Blogland be, without its many dimensions?
Well, it would be...
Just one dimension, I suppose.
((Nah it's fine :P))
((I can't handle anymore....I can't freakin explain anything to my mother she doesn't listen to me I don't know what she did to her phone and she thinks I know everything when I just got the fucking phone too and she manages to screw it up))
One dimension, and a frightfully poor one.
*crosses her arms*
*as if she's just won some great dispute*
Without magic, no one need spare a second thought about other dimensions, apart from theoretical physicists and college students with far too much time on their hands.
I have said it before, I shall say it again.
Magic never did a thing for me that I wouldn't gladly live without.
*she sits down, crossing her arms, frustrated*
*does a quick energy thing, letting the excess fall into the ground*
*she sits there silently*
(I'm sorry, Zafira.
*pats her shoulder in an amiable fashion*
I hope it all turns out alright.)
Erm.
*opens his mouth, but decides to not bother*
Quite.
*tacklehugs Zaffy*
Parents are just confused people. And it's a pain in the ass.
((I mean I get the phone I don't screw it up, she gets it she fucks it up! I don't even know what she did and she yells at me I should know what she did and my brother told her the exact thing I said and she is fucking stupid! I mean we write her info down for Apple it fucking says Apple ID and she asks what it is...*hits head*))
((I might be a little distant... I don't really have a lot to do, so..))
(It's likely that I will be able to stay a while longer, but I may suddenly vanish . . . I'm sorry if that happens.)
*gives Sir a strange look*
*daring him to voice his thoughts*
*but says nothing*
*for fear of being rude*
. . . Would you like a cup of tea?
What exactly did she do to it...?
(*passes a hypothetical cup of tea to Adra*
Stay, do. Have a cup of tea. Drink with me, to days gone by. To the life that used to be. At the shrine of friendship, never say die! Let the wine of friendship never run dry! Drink with me, dear Adra, to days gone by.)
*chooses to ignore the look*
My good Doctor, I, sadly, must deny your kind request.
*pushes the tea away and sits quietly in her little corner*
*stiffens ever so slightly*
. . . That's quite alright. I take no offense.
*produces a steaming cup of Earl Grey*
*sips it*
. . . I don't know where I'd be, without tea. It's one of the only things sorcerers have got right.
Indeed. A fascinating drink, I suppose.
*quietly frowns*
She cant acess Safari and cant verify her Apple ID and all this shit she did to it I can't even explain anymore because I never heard of it until she got her phone
*sips her tea in the newfound silence*
*outside, it is snowing*
*frost coating the autumn leaves on the streets*
*it is very, very dark*
*and a little bit creepy*
*but inside it's nice*
*apart from the blood all over the stage where Precocious sang her solo*
*but that was left over from last night's knife-throwing act*
*so nobody really cares*
Oh....
You coul always call the Apple support center people :P
lol.... I AM BACKKKKK
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young, and sure to have our way
#ChaseForBook9
Ok now I must go and shower
BUT I SHALL RETURN IN THE NEAR FUTURE! I ASSURE YOU!
(Oh, hullo, Snow.)
(Ah! Aretha! It's been too long.)
((Hey ARETHA))
(Since I've seen you, I mean. Not the comment thread.)
She has the brain cells of nothing she can't find settings. Mind you we did a half hour tutorial on the phone and it says under the app: settings. So she whines I don't help when i told her where it was half a dozen times and then it took me ages to explain her Apple ID good fucking god she doesn't deserve the iPhone if she cant listen))
My sympathies, Ms. Kerias.
Welcome back, Ms. Snow.
*remains silent, contemplatively scrunching his nose"*
hullo annika. what, may i ask, has transpired since i left?
Greetings, Ms. Tesla.
*Adra shifts from side to side uncomfortably in her corner*
*she looks at everyone else, quietly*
(Not much, really. Adra is injured, Sir and I are still conversing, and I did a little bit of setting work, clarifying where we are in case it comes up.)
Hi Ari...You come when I wanna sleep lol ah well ill stay up a tad later
((I'm not injured..))
*sips the tea*
*sighs*
*realizes that if someone's going to break the silence, it's going to be her*
. . .
. . .
. . . Do you ever get tired of it?
(Oh! I'm sorry. But you are injured in your heart, is that not so?)
gah... g2g, bye!
Hello hello, everyone! It has been far too long, Anni.
It's fine, Zaf, you can sleep. I'm not sure that I'll do much role playing tonight, and even if I do, unless he surprises me (which is unlikely) Niccolò won't be here anyway.
#ChaseForBook9
ARETHA!!!!!
((I was passing the time by simply delving into Adra's persona... It wasn't a plot or anything just- you and Sir were talking and I... Wasn't, so.. Yeah. It was a fill.))
(Oh. Goodbye then, Snow!)
(That's quite alright, Adra. Sometimes it is fun just to see where a character takes you.)
_*very, very slow puffs out a breath*
I tire of many things, my good Doctor. May you elaborate, please?
DEATH!!! *tacklehugs*
Sorry I still haven't replied to your last email- my internet did something weird with the fonts, and I'm not sure how to fix it...
#ChaseForBook9
i just found this... and i had to share before i left...
Lamentations of a Lonely Angel
The whole of time
stretches
before me;
a mess
of interconnected causality
sparking the infinitely expanding,
ever-changing,
(wibbly-wobbly)
echoes
of an inexplicably
fantastic existence;
but
for all the time in the world,
I'd sacrifice visions
of the unfathomable
for a chance
to feel
raindrops
on the backs of tightly gripped palms
gliding
through the summer haze
of a sleepy hollow;
I'd give up supernovas
and space aliens
to catch a glimpse of your eyes,
reflecting the honest heart
of a man
who can't run out of time.
Two hearts can't beat the blood
around a chest
caught in the icy grip
of longing;
immortality
comes at the price
of knowing
forever is not theirs to share.
Surely even gods
must feel
just how very
empty
space can be.
For though many may come
to lay their souls
at the feet of Time,
my existence is borne
on the knowledge
that to be loved
is to endanger them;
that to love
is to doom them.
Solitude is my curse,
but my conscience
bears me no further option;
For all the moments,
the places, events, and adventures,
for all of time,
I can never be more
than a madman
in a box.
now, good bye
((Bye, Snow))
*Adra props herself up against a tree, taking out her calligraphy pen, absently writing*
It's okay, Ari! I've missed you!! *Hugs back*
((Btw... I finally started on that Tadra date thing. I apologise that it took so long to begin, but I've been neck-deep in homework, and it's so exhausting))
*sets the tea cup down on the saucer*
. . . Everything.
Magic.
Life.
This mockery of immortality we're cursed with.
Nightmares.
Loneliness.
. . . Everything.
Oh, hey, I didn't know you could write calligraphy,Adra. What style is that?
#ChaseForBook9
I miss him but if he wants to come on tomorrow I wouldn't mind!
My own... I've drawn from many different kinda, forming my new alphabet. *half-frowns* Yeah..
... Yes, as a matter of fact.
I'm going to put up a pic in a sec!!
I've missed you, too, Death. Way too much.
((That's fine, Adra- try not to exhaust yourself over it . Your comfort and well being are more important to me than any chapter, no matter how much I ship it.))
*glances warily at Doctor* Tired of everything... You sound like Niccolò.
#ChaseForBook9
*the corner of her mouth twitches*
. . . Then I'm not mad after all.
Not a daft old lady.
Not yet, anyhow.
Me and Coco right now...
Isn't he- *shuts up* He's special in his own way
*notices Aretha standing by the door*
I didn't see you there. Hullo, Aretha.
*smiles weakly*
Maybe I do sound a bit like Niccolo.
. . . I hope not.
Rose did you start summer holidays there?
*shrug*
Ms. Tesla, it comes with the territory.
My good Doctor, even I could have told you that you are sane.
(The dog looks lovely, Rose, and so do you.)
Not yet... In a few weeks. I've got today off. And Monday... And I'm bored... I can't wait for summer, though, Zaf. I love summer.
Yeah Niccolo... *muses to herself, organising her thoughts*
Oh, sweet! I also technically have my own style- it's not an official alphabet or anything- but it's so closely derivative of this form of gothic, so I usually just call it gothic.
I really don't know when he'll come, Zaf. I still haven't heard from him... Or seen him... Or, anything, really... I don't know what to make of it...
#ChaseForBook9
Ah! I get off next Friday and then we go Monday Tuesday half day Wednesday and then dont go back until the following Tuesday
Oh Sir, I love the way you try to make me feel better, but it would take a daft old lady to do the sorts of things I do.
*sips tea*
I wear a lab coat or a sequined jacket and drive throughout the universe in a shape-shifting van, in the name of killing monster, drinking tea, and Canada.
*chuckles*
I am a daft old lady. At least the insane have fun with their time in the universe.
((Aww, Coco is so cute!))
#ChaseForBook9
You look wonderful, Ms. Rose.
Well Mevolent doesnt know he exsists from what we gathered so it isnt that..I'm scared Alastair could get control again....
Thanks Anni!!
You too, Ari. Thanks!!))
Yeah... *smiles faintly it's quite lovely.. *continues scribbling*
Aw, shucks, Sir. Thanks...))
right... apparently, a can come on... wish people would make up there mind...
(That's quite alright, Snow. Sometimes, these things happen.)
hmm... i heard a girl in my school is volunteering at the children's wing in the hospital... i was thinking i might too... *contemplates*
Well...
I suppose I shall hardly be able to dissuade you, my good Doctor.
*lapses once more into thoughtful silence*
Hi then, Snow!
There are names worse than Alastair, Zaf. Not many, but they're there.
#ChaseForBook9
What if one gets out? That's my concern....I like living...
..there are?
*pauses again, thinking back in her memory*
*under her breath* ... Gods, we're in trouble now..
*chuckles*
I've always been an uncommonly stubborn sort.
*sips her tea*
*and thinks about insanity*
*and leaves Sir to his thoughts*
I hope you know that, whatever we each may be, I consider you my friend. You can tell me anything.
*sips tea thoughtfully*
Except what dimension you're from.
No offense, but I'd really rather not know that.
It sounds like a dreadful place.
hmm... *hugs people*
It...
*frowns*
I quite expect it is, my good Doctor.
*glances around*
...right
*slinks back into her dark little corner with a blanket*
Do you not recall what it was?
(I apologize, but I will likely have to go in a little over half-an-hour.)
((Hmm okay I may go to bed now....))
(( i might ignore my plot for a bit as i want to do something in the RP))
*stands in the shade of a tree, her hat tipped over her eyes, thinking*
*sits next to Adra* Why is that?
#ChaseForBook9
((Ok then. Night, Zaf!))
#ChaseForBook9
Well, it is either that, or I haven't been there yet.
Nothing, just musing...
(Goodnight, Zafira! Sleep tight! Don't let the thing in the closet get you!)
(( apparently, and i quote a girl in my class here, "a duck swimming is an unbalanced force" wth???))
*drily* I wonder what it's like to not remember such an important part of your life.
(That's true though, Snow, if we're talking physics formulas.)
(( no, we are not. we are talking metals... :-/...
MSD))
*his mouth twitches*
Quite. Still, I doubt that there would be much to remember.
(Oh, well, I don't see the relevance to waterfowl, then.)
Maybe so.
Maybe so.
*sets down the empty teacup*
*hugs Snow back* *becomes distant*
You do seem pretty absorbed in your thoughts. Do you want to talk about anything?
#ChaseForBook9
*scoots a little to the side in her corner, feeling slightly claustrophobic*
Um... N-no?
Well, certainty hardly matters in this case.
*glances out the window once more*
*gets to her feet*
I'm tired, Sir. I'm so, so tired. Of everything. All of it. And from exhaustion, frankly. I haven't slept in two weeks.
*rubs her eyes*
Hiding from the nightmares. Cowardice, I suppose.
But it's good to have a friend to confide in.
Even if you are a monster.
. . . No offense, of course, but it's still a bit of a shock, considering I've spent many of my days hunting people like you.
Sorry about that, by the way.
Raawr
*slowly walks away from the tree*
*looks up at her*
My good Doctor, you've faced more than some people can imagine. You are hardly a 'coward'.
And believe me, I am a supporter of your work in making this world a safer place.
(( *blinks* oh... oh, okay.... i just showed my teach my english work and she said i was at standered for the grade above me...
*chuckles*
They are ill-informed words, but words greatly appreciated.
*standard
*she finishes writing and seals the paper inside an envelope**she tucks it away to be later sent*
*snow finds herself slowly pacing through the woods, distracted*
(I will take it.)
(I will take the ring to Mordor.)
(Although I do not know the way.)
(( XD i didn't even realize, because i would have taken it!))
(Anyhow, I dedicate this page to the man who said his name was Sparticus at Starbucks, and then stood up and yelled I AM SPARTICUS! when they called his name.)
*sighs, and stands up as well*
I suppose I should retire, my good Doctor. I do apologize, but I must leave at once. It was a pleasure.
It was a pleasure to talk with you, Sir, as always.
*tips her hat*
*proceeds out the door*
(I too should be departing . . .)
((I believe it's spelled "Spartacus"... You know. He was from Sparta.))
((Or whichever.))
Very well. Good bye, Ms. Barnosky.
I am retiring as well.
Good night, Blogland. We shall converse on the morrow.
*sits down in dense wood, not quite sure where she is*
*mumbles under her breath*
Goodnight you two
night you two love birds you ;D
(Adra don't make me turn into a sassy black lady and smack you upside the head for that comment.)
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