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 4801 – 4974 of 4974*pulls hood up over head as they exit the alley, as there are a lot of brown clothed mortals*
I'm sorry, what? When did this happen? is she okay?
((Just so you know, Kestrel is basically the opposite of a mortal sympathiser. The only reason she didn't fight with Mevolent during the war was because of how many sorcerers he caused the death of.))
Alexis: we could try to shunt back over...
*mumbles* I cant use magic he bound my magic
This happened yesterday, or last night if you rather. And no she's not alright, she's probably being tortured by Niccolo.
Hunter: There's a chance of us dying if I try it, but - anywhere in this dimension or ours. In theory. Well, anywhere I've been. Which is nowhere in this dimension. And anywhere I know how to get to. And I'm not entirely sure how to get to our dimension, although I could give it a guess. But still.
#chaseForBookNine
What? When?
Hunter: Although - *snaps fingers* I bet I could get to my house.
That's the place I'm most certain about.
Anyone want to try it?
#ChaseForBookNine
*says nothing but walks faster, keeping to the sides of buildings so as to avoid the mortals, who are slowly beginning to notice them*
*Priya nods to Zaf*
Alexis: if it gets us somewhere...did he seriously give her the plague?
*eyes the gate where the Baron stands and curses under her breath*
*Priya nods to Alexis, but then points to her hands, then to Zaf, meaning that she fixed it*
@Priya: Oh, cool. :)
#ChaseForBookNine
Alexis: good god...
*She turns her head to the side questioningly*
*stops as they get closer to the gate*
*says in a whisper* If this dimension's history is anything like our own, then the Baron should recognise me as China's student, back when she was with them. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.
Alexis: We should okay...I don't want a fight lets go before the Nics come back
*Priya nods, hopping onto Adra's back*
Ez: I think it may be worth mentioning that neither me nor Hunter are dead yet.
He can probably take you out relatively safely.
#ChaseFOrBooKNine
Hey, what's out way back again?
Because, to the best I know, Zaf can... But... Er..
*to Adra very hoarse from screaming* sigil...forehead cut it I can shunt then
Hunter: *frowns, annoyed* I'm the way back.
Seriously, it'll probably work.
#ChaseForBookNine
*Priya nudges Adra to walk forward, and gently touches Zaf's forehead anyway, pulling some power from the ground while she is at it, and giving it to Zaf for a boost, if need be*
Hunter: Well, if you can all go, I'm staying.
I'd like to find out how to replicate this stuff.
#ChaseForBookNine
Er... Okay Hunter
Hunter: @Adra: Earlier, you asked if I could dimension-hop.
Well, now I can. *smiles*
#ChaseForBookNine
*waits for Chione to respond*
*Priya tries to shout "no", but then remembers her inability to speak* *doesn't want her newer friends to be in danger*
Hunter: This is how science is born.
Ez: Remember you haven't actually tested it yet?
Hunter: *glares* Stop painting the shower curtain yellow. It's perfectly happy being blue. *laughs, staring at hands*
#ChaseForBookNine
You can?
That's awesome! *highfives*
Hunter: *hi-fives Adra* It is awesome. :) Thanks.
Ez: *casually standing against the wall remembering when Hunter drank acid and wondering if this dimension has hospitals because this is probably going to go horribly wrong*
#ChaseForBookNine
Hunter: *rolls eyes at Ez* Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
#ChaseForBookNine
Hunter I have done it and not died I can shunt if you guys rather
*Priya doesn't want to leave her new friends if Hunter does something stupid and hurts himself*
*nods, hopefully* ((sorry, poofed))
Hunter: @Zaf: You shunt them over. :) We're fine.
#ChaseForBookNine
*Priya looks even more torn*
*Remembers that her friend Sir is still in Blogland*
*Feels ripped in half, no pun intended*
But will I get through? Will you just say I'm a friend?
(Chione- were you talking to me, or to Kess?)
((Priya, me.))
He won't trust me enough to let me take a friend in. In fact, it's actually pretty unlikely that he'll let me in at all. You could be my prisoner, but the likelihood of that working is ridiculously small.
Hunter: @Priya: You go with them . . . I know Ez, and I know me, and I can move us really well. When I'm moving new people, however awesome the new people are, the possibility of breaking them is much larger. You won't break if you go with them. It'll be better. :)
#ChaseForBookNine
((Of course- apologies for the mistake))
...
*Priya hops down from Adra's back and hugs him, jumping as high as she can to compensate for her small stature* *moves away and hugs Ezter tightly as well, before letting go and adjusting her flower*
*she smiles, then turns, hopping on Adra's back again*
I guess... That means we go, Zaf
Let's try it anyway! ^.^ * walks ahead of her*
Ez: *smiles to Priya, reaching to feel her own flower* Bye.
Hunter: Good luck with your life, Priya. :) See you soon.
*looks at Ez* You know radioactive milkshakes?
Ez: *slight smile, twinged with nerves* Yes, Hunter?
Hunter: We'll get them. *grabs Ez*
Hunter and Ez: *disappear*
#ChaseForBookNine
*She waves faintly, watching them leave*
((Star: *isn't entirely sure what happens now*
I swear, sometimes your characters just go and do things and then you're sitting there going what the hell no why is this happening and then they're just laughing at you. :P))
#ChaseForBookNine
*nods and shunts our group into Blogland before finally passing out from the amount of energy*
*makes his way to the old, abandoned playground*
*settles down in a swing seat, and idly sways*
((Damn that doesn't inclue kestrel and j does it zaf?))
*Priya immediately sets off, feelin the ground for Sit's energy*
*appears close behind Sir* *whispers* Are you a believer?
#ChaseForBook9
*she immediate goes to the treehouse* RAVEL
(Uhm it can...
*Sir
Sorry about that
((I can sympathize, Star*
((Chione, nope. So now we're in the alternate dimension trying to get into Mevolent's palace for no reason. Fun.))
*hurries ahead of Chione and up to the Baron, who pretends not to recognise her.*
I heard you had arrested Zafira Kerias. Is that true?
Ravel: *goes down* You have her?
(Sir if he annoys you I can control my pet....*laughs* Bite me Nic I felt needed)
((I've done that to Aretha on more than one occasion, Star. Consider it an occupational hazard of sorts of anyone who can only exist in this reality through the will of other people.))
#ChaseForBook9
*swears that she will slap kestrel if they get insidd for that*
...
*stands up, and calmly walks away*
*even though he feels both the urge to scream and to kill whoever was behind him*
((WB Niccolo and, by extension, Aretha :P))
(Nic you exsist in my heart too :) ))
*Priya jumps onto Sir's back*
Gtg, bye everyone!
Hunter and Ez: *reappear by waterfall that exists in their dimension also*
Ez: We're not dead. Um, well done?
Hunter: . . . Damn, that felt weird. *closes eyes*
Ez: *looks at him analytically* You okay?
Hunter: *lies down on grass, eyes closed, water splashing onto his face* *opens eyes again after a moment* I don't think that was such a good idea.
It's all tangled.
It's not happy.
*looks frightened, but distantly, staring into space*
Ez: . . . Oh.
Hunter: I don't think it wants me to do it again.
But we have to get back.
*stares unseeingly at waterfall* I think . . . all the time layers . . . they're all twisted together with the planes now.
Tangle.
And when you tangle up people get all squished.
I'M SORRY! YOU DIDN'T TELL ME!
*stares up at sky, eyes stinging*
Ez: *sits, looking down on his face* What'll happen now, then?
Hunter: *shrugs* Oh, we'll be eliminated. If you take out the knot, all the strands are free.
Ez: If we got back and aren't here anymore . . .
Hunter: Tangles still there. *sighs* I'm sorry, Ez.
Ez: That's fine. We'll get through it. *chews lip* Could we cut the tangles?
Hunter: Nope. They're like everlasting footprints. if we walk over there, we're leaving more.
Ez: Could we brush out the footprints? You have interdimensional powers now, yeah?
Hunter: Temporary ones. And not footprint-erasing ones.
*silence*
#ChaseFOrBookNine
((Bye Kestrel...))
((You cheeseball, Zaf))
*she nods, beckoning for him to follow her to Zaf*
She's out cold, but... Alive
*speaks softly, tauntingly* Come on, I'm right behind you. You know you want to kill me. Try.
#ChaseForBook9
((Bye, Kessie!
OH NO EZ AND HUNTER))
*Priya tries to hiss* *it sounds strangled and weird*
((Star: @Niccolò: *laughs* Thanks.))
#ChaseForBookNine
((Thank you, Adra/Priya.))
#ChaseForBook9
Ravel: *follows her* He tortured her. Niccolò. Where is he I swear I will kill him.
Alexis: Well I could tame him but Aro may give him self control soon.
((Hunter: @Adra: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS YOU DIDN'T CALL US EZTER! :D
Ez: And it doesn't matter as we're stuck in another dimension on the verge of being eliminated.
Hunter: But still.))
#ChaseFOrBookNine
*cocks his head, and turns*
Uh... Come again?
I understand that you are being atmospheric, and it is wonderful, truly an act of villainy, but...
Well, I can't hear a bally thing that you're saying, what with all the muttering.
((Star: And on that note, I think I might leave it for now, because sleep. :)))
#ChaseForBookNine
((My babies, though!!!))
Holy your horses, Ravel. *she quickly draws a symbol in the ground around her*
It should keep Niccolò out..
*smiles uneasily at the Baron* hi..eh kestrel left in a hurry, I'm her friend, can I torture Grand Mage Zafira too?
Baron: Arrest her!
Shitttttt *runs*
*has already vanished by the time Sir turns around* *was bored, so decided to pay Aretha a visit*
#ChaseForBook9
((Goodnight, Star! *hugs*))
*Priya smiles at what Sir said*
((NOOOOO))
((Goodnight then, Star.))
#ChaseForBook9
(( NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Oh gods why no))
Ravel: *kneels beside Zaf* Should we move her to the treehouse? *hides the anger from his voice and faceial expression*
*shrugs*
Well, I suppose he's gone, now. Took the cad long enough.
(I'm under control guys I'll just give Nic control of himself eers yeah
Good night, Ms. Inkbright. Sleep well.
((Should I roleplay this, or just put it on Nameless or something?))
#ChaseForBook9
((THATS EVEN WORSE
OH GOD DAMN))
Of course. I'll draw a symbol there as well
*Priya nods a lot, then hugs Sir in greeting*
(Lets not even MENTION this *wastypingtogiveNiccontrolofhimselfbutnowicantbecauseofthis*
((EITHER WAY IT's gonna be pretty damn painful oh god my heart hurts oh no oh JESUS help I think I'm having a heart attack))
*creates an ice path to the roofs and sprints along them followed by redhoods, Baron and sorcerers*
Bloody hell, what's that! An army or something! I'm one person!
Ravel: *easily picks her up and takes to treehouse and into her own room* What did he do to her may I ask?
Erm... Quite, Ms. Priya.
(I hate myself I was in the middle of typing it refreshed i read that and bleh UGH i hate myself
((I'll just write it out like a story, then, and I'll post it here, and maybe I'll put it on Nameless, too.))
#ChaseForBook9
((You can write it, Zaf, and he'll just gain control randomly while he does whatever he's going to do to me. Better late than never, right?))
#ChaseForBook9
(Then im out not staying to read this so yeah
((I can just put it on Nameless if you don't want it here.))
#ChaseForBook9
*jumps through the window of the next house, makes a copy of herself and puts the cloak over it then jumps down the stairs and slowly onto the street*
*She smiles, shrugs*
*She signs* "How are you, friend?"
((Gracious woman, calm down..))
It's better if you don't know
(Doesnt help much now this is why i was giving him control...god damn it im going screw giving him control its too pointless by the time i would he'd have done damage
*she quickly draws a symbol underneath the entirety of the treehouse, so that it is wide*
*she powers it up, and it glows, the entire house warded*
*she nods*
*shouts up* Watch after her, I have to go get something at my lab
Ravel: I guess not...(wait is she like healed totally or does she still have the lung infection or plague not sure what Nic did
Ravel: will do *sits next to watching her*
I am well. And yourself, Ms. Priya?
(Fine here whateber isnt gonna do much anymore not with the whole stupid thing you're writing
Aro: *after a while backs out of Nic's head enough so he has his own free thought and will* Oh go look what you've done to friends *backs out so Nic can't trace him*
*She gives him a thumbs up* *She looks around at where they are curiously, not noticing it before*
((Zaf, you're being mean.))
*she runs into her lab, immediately noticing Tzipora and Kerra on the couch, wondering where Kerra came from*
*she sighs, rubbing the back of her neck*
*shrugs, and continues walking*
*She observes as she goes along, noticing the minute details in the leaves and the forest, down to the smallest creature inching along a leaf, it's tiny black hairs moving on it's back like an accordion*
*She then looks up at the sky, and it's strange purples and black colors, swirling together as one might imagine if one rolled a marble around a plate with the two colors*
*She would love to draw it*
(Yeah well sorry not entirely happy with myself. Maybe I should go as I seem to annoy people. Go read the pain and suffering and have fun I'll go elsewhere and be normal and not want to read and have my feelings crushed)
((Er.... Okay...))
*Em drags Lorcan up onto his feet so he is standing on with his crutches*
Lorcan: Um... what are you doing??
*Em smiles as she throws her jacket over by a tree back*
Em: I'm sick of you, moping around with those damn crutches. It's time to get you used to your skin.
*She charges and hunkers down, spinning with her leg outstetched. She kicks and it catches both crutches, knocking them down to the ground, with Lorcan crashing down. He sits up, with his mouth open in shock. Em smiles again, this time wider*
Em: Let me show you what mama can do... son.
(Mmmhmm going before I get lectured
((Oh! Btw
*waves to Aretha's changed picture*
Like star said earlier- that's the one I always think of...
Yeah.))
((Ooooh man Mels the kick ass mmmhm))
*She sighs contentedly*
(If you want Alexis cool I'm just in my treehouse kinda lost as i guess Ari went to write per usual
*remains silent, focusing on walking*
*tripping and falling would be rather bad*
*She laughs silently, enjoying the sway of his stride*
*notices the fading sun*
*hopes Sir has a torch*
(Em!!!!!))
*Lysander pops up from behind a counter*
Wh-
What the hell! Why are you all here! You have sects to protect!
*they laugh at her, except Kerra, who is the stony-faced Amazon, as ever*
*she growls, going to get food*
*blinks*
*the forest has darkened considerably, and the sun is all but hidden in the trees' branches*
Well.
Perhaps we should find somewhere more urban?
*she signs "yes please", but doubts that he can see it*
Hrm...
*sighs, and turns around*
*she smiles, glad that he may have gotten the general gist*
*she checks the energy in the ground and trusts it to tell her where to go, and what might be obstructing their path*
*Lorcan pushes himself up, taking the crutches with him. He stands as he winces*
Lorcan: That's not funny. Knocking a crippled man when he's down already.
*Em laughs as she does the same move.*
Em: Leave the crutches down if you decide to get up next time.
*Lorcan growls slightly as he sits himself up on the ground again. Em hears the growls and smirks*
Em: *whispers* Atta boy...
(Uhm shall I assume nobody else will be near me?)
*she carefully drinks refreshing water, making sure not to down it all in one*
*She then realizes that her kitchen is clean, and that her fellow alchemists have cleaned it for her*
*she smiles faintly, eating a little more*
((Em no seriously I'm sobbing you're hardcore omg this is brilliant))
http://dereklandy.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-end-is-nigh.html
Hrm...
*very carefully avoids a root in his path, that was certainly not there when the sun was up*
I...
*quickly ducks, as a branch comes loose, and swings at his head*
Believe...
*sidesteps a briar patch that was not there previously*
That the forest...
*quickly backs up, and goes around a rather large hole in the ground*
May be a bit peeved.
((That would be the next available post..))
*Priya suddenly begins to tug on Sir's shoulder*
(*watsches rather bored* i dont know what to do....im booored)
*she sighs, wishing that she put a tracker in that damn string*
*she finishes eating, her stomach still empty*
*stops, and turns his head to her*
Yes, Ms. Priya?
*She carefully turns his head so that he's looking in the direction of a small path that is seemingly free from obstructions*
*sighs, relieved*
Thank you, Ms. Priya.
*he proceeds to head towards the path*
*Lorcan stands, leaving the crutches on the ground. He finds it hard to stand on the balls of both feet with his knees still healing but he tries anyway. Em takes a stance with her hands held out in a defensive position.*
Em: Come on Lorcan, you waiting for an invite?
*Lorcan charges the best he can and starts throwing punches. Em ducks and dives to avoid each and every one before turning and elbowing him in the back. She sends him flying to the ground again. Em starts tutting*
Em: What did your father do for 18 years, have you grow veggies? Where's your fight Lorcan?
(Am I being shunned for lashing out because you know it does hurt)
*She nods*
((No, but if you're bored, you were the one who yelled at Aretha... And told her to leave, basically. So. Yeah.))
((Btdubs, Em- I do believe that Trip should be here soon... Hopefully. He said "tomorrow", unless he meant "Monday", because it could have been 1AM then. I don't remember.))
*She feels her face run into a twig* *huffs*
Well, this is much better.
*nothing on the path has tried to murder them*
*yet*
*she begins to dig through her books for ways that could help Niccolò*
*There's a weird growling from further down the path* *Priya tenses up, not liking it*
*simply shrugs, and continues walking*
Mara: Harry... I don't feel so good..
Harry: *sits up* Boo, you alright?
Mara: My stomach... ugh.. *mumbles*
Harry: Mara.. Something's wrong. *sees the bottom of her nightdress covered in blood* Oh God...
Mara: Harry... *looks up with tears in her eyes* It's happening again..
Harry: Shh, Mara, come on... Let's get you cleaned up. We can go and see someone tomorrow.
Mara: Again, Harry. *sobs* Again. *clutches his top tightly*
Harry: *hugs her tight* I know Mara. I know.
((Idk. Msd))
*looks behind them again cautiously*
(She went and I thought she was writing I mean she was like Oh I'll put it on Nameless...*sighs* So I probably am alone until I go to bed and I don't have school tomorrow. And she probably hates me. And left because of me.)
*looks ahead of them cautiously*
((Oh my god Mara...))
*The other alchemists- apparently, Marus showed up as well- have their heads together, and are hard at work*
((Oh, quit your pity partying over yonder..))
*The growling seems to get nearer, but sounding from no one particular direction*
*yes mara*
*Direction*
Well, is that not rude? Not even having the decency to face us.
Dreadfully rude, I must say.
(You have Sir. I have nobody
((I'm just- no offence, but I have no idea how to answer that.))
*Priya doesn't smile, feeling nervous*
*there's a strangled screech- one of a rabbit's, before it is cut off*
*A figure looms up ahead of them*
Ms. Kerias, you are loved by many, including myself. Simply because they are not here does not mean that they are not anywhere.
(I made her leave dont deny it she hates me
Now, then.
*waves cheerfully towards the figure*
Evening! How's the hunting?
((She went to write.
Now please, this is... Well... yes.She'll be back soon))
(I'm a hated person nobody wants me here nobody cares I knew from the minute Ari left she hates me you all do nobody cares I'm sitting here you have each other who needs me? So I get it. You hate me. Just say it o my face
*it growls deeply, and Priya notices how tall it is* *her jaw drops*
*The figure is looming around ten to eleven feet tall, covered from head to toe in shaggy, tangled hair, all the way to it's big feet*
*she gulps*
((Direction))
(Zaf, this is getting ridiculous. She most likely left because you asked her to, and because she really wanted to write her story, not because she hates you.
Besides- I know that we continually but heads and sometimes you piss me off so much, and I you, but I don't hate you. I never could.))
((Which direction))
((New post soon... :D))
((Rather, old..))
(I didnt ask her to leave! I never once had any form of leave in my comments she left because i pissed her off
((Well, and you said her story was stupid.. And that you didn't want to hear it. Then you threatened to leave.
So yeah... ))
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