Well then.
As you know, I've been writing. Writing, writing, writing. You don't get to do an awful lot of other things when you're writing. Well, sometimes you do, but not when you have deadlines like these. The short stories I'm writing, all of them, need to be delivered by Wednesday. The first draft of Book Nine needs to be delivered by the middle of next month.
To say I am a tad busy would be something of an understatement.
Of course, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and why would Jack want to be a dull boy? I've been doing things. Reading things. Watching things.
Take this evening, for instance. This evening I watched the last Sherlock of the current season. The first episode of the season was oddly character-driven, at the expense of the central mystery, but I didn't mind that in the least. The second episode, the wedding episode, was hilariously sublime. And the final episode, having Sherlock face off against a truly unique villain... well. It was just wonderful stuff.
And I've been reading. Stephen King, mostly. Going over his early works. His classics. When I was a kid, I went straight from The Three Investigators and the Hardy Boys to Stephen King and these wonderfully violent and detailed Gold Eagle books like The Executioner and Able Team and Phoenix Force, books that gave you diagrams of the weapons they used at the back of the book. Basically, I graduated from kids books to horror and action. And after a few Stephen King books like Cujo (the first King book I can remember reading) I went on to James Herbert and Shaun Hutson — overtly violent and brilliantly horrific.
And now, after all this time, I'm going back to Stephen King, and loving it all.
Recommendations? Read The Stand. Then read It. Two MASSIVE books. You won't be sorry.
So these things have been my break from the writing. Christmas, for me, was mostly about the short stories. But there was one story...
It started off fine. Exactly as I planned. It would be a new kind of story, something I hadn't really tried before. It would probably end up as one of the longer stories of the collection, though, but not by much.
I thought.
I have just finished it. Half an hour ago, I finished it. At the moment, before edits, it is over 20,000 words long. That's twice as long as The End of the World. So you'll be reading through Armageddon-Outta-Here (haw!), and hopefully enjoying the stories, and then you'll get to this brand new novella, a good, solid chunky story, and I think this story alone will make the collection worth the money.
I think. I hope. Right now I'm far too tired to form a coherent opinion. All I know is, I've been working hard. And it's not over yet.
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«Oldest ‹Older 4601 – 4800 of 4919 Newer› Newest»Nice words, though, Fabi!
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Er... *Waves to Sir* Whatcha doing?
I am obsessed with Tich/Rachel Furner. Whichever name she decides to go by. She is so perfect.
*hugs Adra*
*hugs Fabi*
At this moment, conversing with you, Ms. Dark.
I'll get you a cutout, Mara!
*Cuddles*
*Makes a face*
*Hits him with snow*
You're annoyingly correct, you know that?
I meant, before you were talking.
Which I know you knew, but you chose to ignore.
I was still talking to you, Ms. Dark, but in a higher plane of existence.
We want... a shrubbery [dramatic music]
...
...
...
...
*Slowly picks up a snowball*
*Begins to form it, without breaking eye contact*
*Walks up to him -making sure to move his hat, since it apparently holds sentimental value- and breaks the snowball on his head*
*Puts his hat back on*
*Still making eye contact*
Do you TRULY, though, Ms. Stormberg?
Because I have a feeling that you have not thought this entire "shrubbery" scheme through.
*a muffled screech*
*removes his hat*
*and the snow is gone*
Ei es su domine... *Hits self with a board* Dona eis requiem...*hits self with a board*
Wb!
What a magician, Sir.
Truly appalled.
Wow.
...
...
...
..
*Curiously* Where did the snow go?
"a shrubbery?"
"NEH! NEH!"
Adra - Tich isn't famous enough for a cutout to be made of her... although she deserves to be. She writes all her own songs and everything, and plays the piano for all of them, and of course she is such an amazing singer. But thank you. *hugs*
I'll paint you one, Mara.
We are the Knights who say... Ni!
What is the average flight speed of a sparrow?
*shrugs*
I have no idea, Ms. Dark.
*Many, many, many galaxies away, a bizarre conglomeration of seemingly random parts is stretching on a beach towel, in a Hawaiian-print shirt, enjoying the twin suns*
*a load of snow plops down on what is probably its head, frankly it's difficult to tell, and it snaps to sitting up*
*a few confused, loud roars later, it determines the most reasonable course of action- the death of any and all life forms on the planet*
*A few hours later, the creature leaves the ruined planet behind, for some reason still feeling cheated*
...
Shouldn't that be of interest?
Could the snow, like, come back for vengeance to torture and kill you along with a few dolphins?
Possibly. Snow, however, tends to not be sentient.
That is to say, snow the precipitation. Ms. Stormberg seems to be sentient.
... that last bit was very hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, sir.
Are you sure?
I've had snow fallen on me from trees before, without any forewarning.
It can be quite rude, you know
It could certainly be seen that way. My author has been re-reading quite a bit of it lately, Ms. Stormberg.
Most things are rude, Ms. Dark. It is why they usually never speak back.
Hmph!
Well!
I recall the story of a certain snowman that refused to melt.. *Cough*
Indeed, terribly rude of him, would you not say, Ms. Dark?
What exactly do you mean? An African or a European sparrow?
...
Either you're purposely blocking some truth here, or just being, well, an idiot.
Ms. Dark, to be frank, I have entirely lost track of this conversation.
*Pinches the bridge of her nose*
*Picks up some snow*
*Repeats her earlier action*
Wake up, Sirrrr
...
*another muffled screech is heard, he lifts his hat again, and the snow is gone once more*
I am awake, Ms. Dark. I am simply confused.
Where are you sending the snow?
I dont know- *is thrown into the chasm beneath the bridge*
Idek anymore..
How does Tich make something so simple like jeans and a white blouse look so stunning? ugh
Rain against the person
Umbrella against the rain
Wind against the umbrella
Coat against the wind
Cold against the coat
Movement against the cold
Wind against the movement
Umbrella against the wind
Rain against the umbrella
Person against the rain
...
I have returned.
Theoretically.
What... is your name?
What... is your quest?
What... is your favourite colour?
*shrugs*
Ms. Dark, as I said before, I have no idea. It could be, quite literally, anywhere in th-
*the snow, having been transported quite far above him, finally lands on his hat with a solid THUMP*
Hello Fabi, *hugs*
Greetings, Ms. Fabienne.
Wb, Fabi! *hugs*
-
*Cracks a smile*
*Falls into a fit of uncontrollable laughter*
*sighs, and takes off his hat*
*shakes the snow off of it, and puts it back on*
Of all the places for it to go, it went there.
*sighs once more*
[hugs Maralily] Hi. :-)
Salutations, Sir!
[hugs Adra]
That is quite funny, actually.
But how do you not know it's final destination? You've manipulated portals before to where you can control where you go? How is this different?
People say you have to know yourself
Otherwise you don't survive in this world
Of sticks and stones,
Well so that happened
Not portals, Ms. Dark. These bridge dimensions, not places.
*frowns*
Which means that someone else out there is laughing as much as you were, Ms. Dark.
In any case, I'm not bothering to check the destination before I open it.
It is the equivalent of throwing trash out your window in Pennsylvania, but for all you know it could end up in Turkey.
@fabi well thats good. Theoretically being back is the best.
Sorry, I poofed to go get ice cream XD a truck went past
What if the first snow you send off landed in someone's face who was allergic to water?
Or they were having a terrible day, and that snow slighted them.
G2g
Considering the rarety of other dimensions with life, it is rather unlikely.
Bye Snow, *hugs*
Hmm..
*Thinks for a moment* Can I see one?
http://youtu.be/g1HLQpf1jWg
Thats what I did. Ok I win for doing it
*frowns*
Excuse me, Ms. Dark?
Can I see another dimension? Can you take me to one? You don't even have to walk around or anything- I'm sure it would be obnoxious. But, if you took me to one, and maybe came back tomorrow to get me, and... yeah!
...
Ms. Dark, that would not be... A very good idea.
*Frowns* Why not?
Well...
To be frank, what would you do if I, say, dropped you off in an entirely different country. You don't know the language, culture, and, worst of all, to everyone there, you seem to be some abomination who looks nothing like them.
I'm not perfect. Never have been, never will be. And the thing is: I never want to be. And I never have wanted to be. Beacause I'm not perfect in the slightest and I love it.
An Earthen country?
I know the majority of the main languages on this planet, Sir, as well as a few unknown. I think I would be able to get by.
And in any case. My charm and wit has gotten me out of stranger situations before.
-
*Hugs Snow* A very rightly so statement :)
Jay: The time has come.
*Zafira appears in the same room as previous, her eyes locked on Jay*
Jay: Will you do as I say, or do I kill you?
Nobody is killing me.
Jay: *smiles* You have three killers in the room and then you, a Necromancer.
*quietly* A failed assassin doesn't count.
Javier: *grins* Failed am I? I killed many.
Hyde: And I did the entire Board in, I would stop talking, Kerias.
*laughs madly* Do you really think I care? If I die, I die.
Jay: *grabs her neck and flings her into a wall, then takes the gloves off grabbing her*
*cries out trying to throw him off*
Jay: Now, do as I asked. Or I kill you.
Hyde: Why don't we broadcast the reveal of her wronging you to the world?
No!!!!
Ms. Dark, please. You know what I meant.
*plops down in a tree* I'll be here if you need me but I might not comment much
Okay, Snow...
*Watching Zaf*
-
I do?
Hm. Well. To be honest, the chances of another civilization like ours is pretty slim, right?
And, in any case, there are always simple methods of communication- drawings, gestures, etc..
Jay: Hyde, her pocket.
Hyde: *takes Zafira's phone handing it to Javier to unlock the passcode*
Javier: Whenever you're ready, Jay.
*finally throws Jay off and knees him in the gut* Get. Away!
Javier: *focuses on Zaf enough so Jay can get up*
Jay: *grabs her wrist* You'll pay for that!
*knees again as a scream escapes her as his magic is taking a toll on her ability to think*
Ms. Dark, that is only feasible if firstly, the life you find is sapient, and secondly, it thinks as you do.
And, of course, if it does not attempt to kill you on sight.
I have a sword?
*Nods* I've spent my life fighting. I know how to protect myself.
Ravel: *stalks in the room using the air to push Hyde away* Unhand her.
Jay: Grand Mage Ravel, what a pleasant surprise.
Ravel: Unhand her.
Javier: Oh hell no! The fun just is beginning!
Ravel: *pushes Javier into a glass vase with air* It ends now.
Jay: *laughs unhanding Zafira* Oh I wouldn't say that. Sit down, I got a story to tell you.
Ravel: The Cleavers will be here, its over.
Jay: Well I'll be quick. See long ago Zaffy there and the original Council locked me up but I was innocent. I was imprisoned and she went on in life! How is that fair?! So I am getting revenge. She can lose her job and see what happens.
Eruption
Prudent
Valid
Cognizant
Captivate
Eclipse
Unsurpassed
Doleful
Plant
Correspondence
Melodious Flourish
Filament
Inclination
Dilemma Insight
Cherished
Ineligible Aloft
Paradise Electric Rouse
Criticism Cache
Warrant Penmanship
Malefactor Turbulence
Unruffled Esteem Remote
I like "Melodious Flourish"
Ravel: If Zafira is a crimminal I wouldn't care. Now I highly suggest you give up.
Javier: Jay go time *tosses the phone and grabs his companions teleporting out via bracelet*
Ravel: Zaf?!
*stands* I'm ok its just when he touches you with bare skin.
Ravel: *sighs* We have a lovely story to twll, eh?
I agree. *takes back to the Sanctuary*
Ms. Dark, do you know how to fight something with entirely alien physiology, that you have never encountered before?
No, but that's what makes it fun!
*laugh slightly at how childish adra is being*
I'm not being childish!
Adventure is for adults, too!
*sighs*
I must decline, for your personal safety. You have quite a bit more at stake now, you know.
[Smiles]
Yes, adventure is for adults too... but you sound so whiney andit really is funny
*Huffs* Don't you know of a safer place I could explore at, then?
*Glares at Snow*
:D
*leans back in my tree*
Ms. Dark, you have an entire planet at your disposal.
Ravel: Come on...*takes hand* No go to Roarhaven.
Alright.
Yes, and in the 400 years I've been alive, I've explored the majority of it already.
*Puts on her best puppy-face* Pleaseeeeeeeeee?
((I am honestly wauting for something random to happen... *thinks about hitchhikers guide to the galaxy*))
Much has changed in 400 years, Ms. Dark.
*Sighs deeply*
Fineeeee I'll just go back home and get them to put me somewhere.
*Moves off towards her lab, already pulling her phone out*
I just made literally the most time-consuming Little Mix edit ever omg.
*frowns*
*hums Piano Man*
Yay Mara! *hugs* Congrats!
Ay, Snow :P
-
*Doesn't even notice the portal that looks like water that she trips over the edge, and falls through*
...
Oh, honestly.
It's really bad and it's 3am oops
Wait
I was making that edit for an hour
What
Tadaaaaa ➡️
Helloooo
Helloooo
*Stares at Mara through the invisible internet*
-
*Adra falls, then hits a body of weird water- rather, a gelatin, well... Some... Bouncy thing*
*That's glowing green*
*Grins, appearing to be in some cavern of a sort*
Cool profile pic, Mars!
I AM SO BORED TODAY I DUNNO WHY
GORGEOUS, MARA! It looks lovely!!!
Hi Emby!
Emberrrrrrrr *is in a tree*
I NEED TO GO TO THE TOILET BUT IT S 3:48AM AND I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE MY BED
Anna talks to Rook for a while, and gets the full story on the memory thing. She then asks Rook for a demonstration of his magic. He uses some energy to heal a bruise on her elbow. She frowns slightly, then asks him if he likes cornbread.
"I don't know, I guess I'm neutral on it." Rook shrugs, wondering if this has any relevance, or if Anna is trying to be cheerful and change the subject. Probably the latter. She is a friend of Effie's, after all.
They reappear in the park, and first Rook, then Liz try to get Anna to explain what's going on. She doesn't.
Eventually, Effie joins them, grinning from ear to ear.
Liz sighs. "What have you and Mantha been up to this time?
Effie tries to look innocent. "Oh, nothing. Just band practice."
"Right," Liz mutters skeptically,
---Several hundred miles away, a retired math teacher is trying to determine why a rather rubbish cover of "Stayin' Alive" seems to be reverberating from his coffee.---
Mara.
Go to the loo.
-
*Swim-paddle- tries to move through the watery thing*
*Gets up on the side*
*nods*
*Begins to walk around the glowing cavern*
Ravel: Zaffy?
Yes?
Ravel: Are you alright? *walks with ignoring the looks given*
I'm fine, why?
Ravel: *takes inside his own home* Whats up? Was....that true?
Yes it was z
Update: I'm in the bathroom. My dad heard me. I'm taking cover.
Omg fabi. *hugs*
HELLOOOO!
*flies up to the tree*
*conjures up a megaphone*
*shouts* I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN MARA.
WHEN YOU GET UP, KEEP THE SHEETS/BLANKET DOWN SO THAT THE HEAT STAYS IN
also
ZAF AND MARA
for gods sake keep it pg from now on
on your two separate rps i means
What? Huh? *goes back into own world
Bunny ski trip continuing?
*Minutes later, runs from the portal, tripping over the side and doing a roll, coming up and it closes*
Oh man... *Her breathing is heavy and she lays down to catch her breath*
[hugs all]
Brb
K, Snow
-
*Brushes herself off*
That was a bad idea.
I see what Sir meant...
*Sips some applejuice, then concentrates on the tiny human's energy, making sure they're alright*
Backk
XD I thought I'd be longer
Aye...
msd!
-
*Adra walks past where the portal was, and wipes goo and blood off her sleeve*
Sigh sigh sigh sigh sigh sigh sigh
Treeeeeeeee
Hi snow. Sigh
Possible outcome no. 1, that is.
SORRY MY MOM DRAGGED ME OFF THE COMPUTER
And I think I won't post it until I decide which ending to use. Nvm!
[waves and hugs anyone who wants a hug]
*hugs Fabi*
How are you?
Treeeeeeee
Super bored, for no reason at all! ALSO STRESSED BECAUSE OF MY HISTORY EXAM *cry*
How're you?
Also I am cracking up at the stupidity of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zitUHJEOmI
Oh and also MY MOM'S OUT, YAY!
Omg..... ember....
...
Quite, Ms. Stormberg.
Mm. Boredom.
I should probably do something to sort out the inconsistencies with my villains in TSE. Meh.
Good luck on your history exam. I'm sure you'll do fine. :-)
Thanks, Favis.
I'm on the weird part of youtube again...
Slendermans are shuffling in a line to Spongebob music...
Fabi is turning into sir
Hey, ember...... send me the link lol. I MUST SEE SLENDERP SHUFFLE
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=1104475307058729066&postID=8975764900583873191&isPopup=true
Next post..
It just seemed like the appropriate response. :-P
Thanks, Adra.
[hugs]
New post? I don't see a new post...
Oh, I see.
@ember XD
I dedicate this page to...imperfection. nothing more need he said.
*raises glass to ded*
*throws glass in the air*
*glass flies out of the atmosphere*
You know what? I have decided that TODAY I WILL MAKE A CREEPYPASTA TEST OF SOME SORT
Personality test, I mean
[Waves to the glass]
YOU CAN JOIN CURIOSITY AND OPPORTUNITY ON MARS.
Hey, ember, bunny skiing?
Yep!
(We should take Fabi bunny-skiing with us!)
(Yushhh!)
*stormbunny amd mycroftbunny finish they're tumble down the slope and land in a tangle of limbs*
*grumbles* *bunny-signs* Why on Earth is this slope so difficult? If that man who knocked me over can do it, I should also be able to do it.
((I'm not feeling too well and msd, so it's probably better if I just watch, but thanks!))
((I had a bunny pic once. Not sure what happened to it, though... It was back in the summer...))
*carefully extracts herself from the awkward tangle*
*bunny-signs* I dont know...
(nuuuuu)
*ears perk up* I think I'll build a snowbunny.
...But then I'd have to choose between using the carrot for the nose or eating the carrot.
*thinks*
*smiles*
*teleports away and reappears with a bag of carrots*
((Sorry...))
*looks delighted*
*bunny-signs* Thank you ever so much!
*noms carrot*
*elsewhere, an Emberbunny gives Fabi a hug*
(*huggles fabi*)
*bunny-signs* no problem
*noms a carrot*
((For your amusement, I will temporarily be a rabbit))
((Hugs Emberbubby))
*bunny
((hugs Snow as well))
((Can I just say-
BUNNUNUDDY'SSSSS))
(YAY! :D)
*starts rolling a tiny snowball*
*turns to Snow*
What if we got a human-sized ski and just rode it down to the bottom of the slope?
*BUNNYBUDDY'SSSSSSSSSS
(Fun fact: When I first learned to ski, I was afraid, so I just sat down on one of my skis and went down using my hands to steer.)
((Fun fact: I don't know how to ski. :-P))
*signs* yesh. Fun. We must do it. *eyes glint*
((Fun fact: I've never even seen snow))
((Ironic, right?))
(*gasp*)
(Skiing is horrible. Snow is crunchy.)
*bunny-signs* Now to get on the ski lift...
((Fabibunny, are you with us?))
*bunny-signs* okay.
*dashes up to the lift and waits*
*plods up to the lift*
((Another fun fact: While I was going down the ski lift with this classmate of mine who I really respect, I was talking to him about the nice view and the trees and the things down below and he was just like STOP TALKING))
((I couldn't figure out why, because he's normally so nice, but later (a LOT later) I learnt that he was afraid of heights))
((whoops))
((Idk))
((I am not afraid of heights, per se. I love airplanes, but I am not fond of ladders or wobbly towers.))
((XD
I have had three of my friends in tears when we went to canberra with the school in grade six and visited teltra tower (its really tall and the veow at night was fab)) because they were scared of hights. And yet I got them all to go out to the highest open bit with me and they adored it :) ))
(I HATE LADDERS)
((You are officially with us))
*sits in between Stormbunny and Fabibunny
((you))
((you love planes))
((BLASPHEMY))
*pokes mycroftbunny and smiles innocently*
*points at fabibunny*
*signs* she did it
*glares at Fabibunny* *bunny-signs* That was not nice.
((My dad owned one, or sort of half-owned it, back when he could afford to.))
((So we could go flying to Orcas Island or wherever, and it was really pretty and I could see Dad and Mom flying it and when they decided I was old enough, they let me have the big headphones that let me hear them talking to the people in the air traffic control tower.))
((And we landed in Eastsound and got Popsicles and I got a lemon one. :-) ))
((So yeah, I like planes.))
*tries to refrain from laughing*
*fails miserabley*
[bunny signs] What was not nice? Blinking? There are no weeping angels around. I can blink as much as I need to.
(That sounds like a reason to like planes.)
(Planes, for me, means)
(1. Mom always yells at me and blames me for all the problems
2. I get yelled at
3. I get yelled at
4. I'm always on the plane for 12 or 13 hours, or 6-7 or 12-2, and once it was 6-7---4-14-2)
*sulks* *signs* You /poked/ me.
*laughs*
[signs] I did not.
((My Mom stresses out a lot about travel, too, but I really love that feeling of being in the air. And usually I don't have as rubbish of a time in the airport as last time. :-P))
*head slowly turns to Stormbunny*
*signs* It was /you/.
(LET'S SWITCH PLACES)
*grins*
*slowly signs* maybee....
(uGH. Mom thought it would be a good idea to switch from a 6-7 flight to a 12-2 flight because it "TAKES LESS TIME")
(6+7=13)
(12+2=14)
(She did not appreciate my logic.)
*grumbles*
*rolls the snow off his suit to make a mini snowball*
*throws it at Snowbunny*
I FORGOT TO WISH MY BEST FRIEND A HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLY SHIT
(AND IT WAS YESTERDAY)
((Omg, I looovveee planes. I always have good times. Never once had a bad experience. Though I've only been on a plane.... 6... times... maybe.... 8))
[Pulls out a purple carrot and nibbles it]
[Signs] Told you it wasn't me.
*the lift stops and stormbunny jumps off, instantly starting to make a big snowball*
((D:))
((I was on a plane 13 times last year.))
((:O))
((I can see why you have a less-than-favorable opinion of them, then.))
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