What a year that was...
2014 saw the final part of my EPIC nine-book series reaching the shelves, and there was much rejoicing. It was a bit of a scramble to get it written in time, as it generally is, but this book achieved everything I wanted it to achieve, and so I remain immensely proud of it. The ninth book, and the events that transpire within it, had been a secret I'd been keeping for seven years, and it was such a relief to get it out there. Sure, I didn't tie up every last plot thread — in some cases I just ran out of time, in others I decided to be mean and simply not resolve stuff — but it was a fitting send-off, I think.
The publication saw another astonishing Tom Percival cover, plus a very limited black edition which, as it turned out, was an extraordinarily clever bit of marketing by yours truly. It meant that the excitement that first morning was ELECTRIC as everyone rushed to search through each shop. That wasn't my original intent — I just wanted a cool black book — but to follow the tweets that morning as each copy got snapped up... that was awesome.
The reaction to the book was exactly what I wanted, also. True, there was some confusion over the chapters that ended mid-sentence, but all in all, readers understood what I was doing. And then to catch you all out right at the end....
... glorious...
The Dying of the Light got me back touring, of course, and we fit in the Requiem Ball and the Theatre of Shadows, and I once again visited New Zealand and Australia and met loads of enthusiastic readers. If ever my ego was in need of a boost...
And then I got home, and got to work on the NEW book.
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«Oldest ‹Older 801 – 1000 of 4885 Newer› Newest»(Good morning, evening or afternoon)
(Hey Skeleton.)
(Herrow)
Heheh. True.
(Skeleton?)
*lifts her bloodied thumb to Sil's lip, pouring what little healing magic she possessed into healing it*
Chi: *Sits on the bed with the twins* Our babies...
Daddy will always be looking after us...I don't really think that Hades would have allowed him into the Elysian Fields...but I hope to Zeus that he's not torturing him down there...*A single tear comes to her eye but she wipes away*
*After the funeral, she will no longer cry*
(Hello Mr Castalan, how be you?
Hello Kas and Gemma, how are the both of you?)
*sighs heavily and shakes head*
It'll be fine...we'll figure it out..somehow..
*sits down, sagging*
*runs a hand down her face*
Too much has happened.
(How are you Jai?)
(Hello. I am okay. How are you, Mr Fletcher.)
*pushes Tanya's thumb away, shaking her head*
No Tan..I'm fine. I'll grab a bag when I get home..
(I am good thanks)
(Yes. As in Jack Skeleton. As in nightmare before Christmas. Keep up :P
I'm not so bad. You?)
(Good thanks, the nightmare before Christmas is one of my favourite films)
*leans against a wall*
Aye.
*finishes on his hands and begins to look through the kit for anything to reduce bruises*
Feel tired.
(Thanks Gemma, applesauce isn't too bad)
(Correction, Gem got awesomesauce. Not applesauce.)
(I be fine thanks. Ye?)
(Hello Edward.
My nickname was awesomesauce. I prefer yours)
(I be good thanks Trip)
(I know! I deleted it. god.)
(Awesomesauce is a good nickname)
*smirks slightly*
Don't even mention tired.
*pulls a porous yellow rock from her pocket*
*hands it him*
For the bruises..
*the healing magic spread from Sil's lip to Tanya's thumb, healing it too*
You need your strength, Sil. You look ready to collapse.
*extends the glass of blood she was holding towards Sil*
For you.
Ah, thanks. *holds it to his forehead*
Hey, I still have a job to do. A hard job.
I always look ready to collapse. Have faith.
*smiles*
But thank you.
*takes the glass gently, sipping it*
And what job would that be trip?
(When are we having the funeral, guys? I asked Mithria to come on for it. I suppose i'll ask star and kall too.)
The same one I've been doing for one hundred and twenty seven years. Chief spotter for the Scottish sanctuary.
Smith: *Wanders woods listening to the birds*
(Um...how about four fifteen?)
*rolls eyes*
That's not so hard..
*smiles at Sil*
I was also going to make you some human food, but I didn't know if you eat that. Do you want anything? Or more blood?
*looks hopefully at Sil*
(4:15? Why so specific?)
I'm good thanks Tanya. Thanks for the help..
*drinks more of the blood*
(Can we go four thirty? I have to do some stuff.)
Do we have a grave?
(I was going to say four then noticed the time. So, you know, fifteen.)
Smith: *Enters the bar and takes drink to a small table*
No..I'll go sort that.
*downs the rest of the glass and gets up*
Where..should we..um..bury him?
I suppose we should ask Chione.
Also, you do know digging a six foot by six foot hole is rather hard, right?
Okay, Sil! :)
*still smiles happily*
*takes the glass to the kitchen to wash it, humming a song while doing so*
*smiles at Trip*
I'm a vampire. Hard labour is easy.
*walks upstairs and knocks on the bedroom door*
Chi?
Smith: *Finishes drink and picks a handful of flowers* *Takes glove off and they turn to gold*
(Chi wants to make the coffin out of ice, so people can see through it)
Chi: *Looks down at her blue dress and sighs*
I need to get ready...
*Shadows from around the room come towards her and attach to her body, forming a flowing long black dress with a veil on top*
I better get you two ready too...
*Shadows surround the twins, they reach their hands out to play with them*
*They cover Lira in a Black dress and black fur coat with a little bow in her hair*
*They cover Lucas in a little waistcoat and trousers with a crisp white shirt*
Prefect...you too look so good...Daddy will be sad he missed this...
Smith: *Replaces gloves and goes to knock on the door*
Chi: *Looks over at the door*
Come in.
*waits in the hall, waiting*
*slightly opens the door*
Chi..I-I just wondered...um..wh-where...is he being buried..?
Smith: Thanks, I brought these for the funeral *hands her the gold flowers* Solid gold
*hums happily*
I'm gonna make the whole world deaf
from all of your screams
doo da la - doo da la - doo ♡
Chi: Sil-...I suppose by the lake, where we got married...
*Looks at Smith*
Thank you but you really didn't have to do that *Smiles, slightly shaking*
Smith: Its no trouble, honest. I thought they would be nice
*nods*
Okay..
*walks back to trip*
Lake. Beside the lake..
*shakes head*
I..I can't do this...
*takes a deep breath*
I've buried a lot of friends, I'll go.
*walks over to the door*
You sure you can't help?
*is beside Sil, as she has been for the entire day*
Sil?
*looks concerned*
*shakes head then sighs and follows*
I have to..
*stands straight again*
Come on. Let's go dig..
*takes a deep breath and gently forms two shovels in his hands out of energy.*
Here, have this. *hands the one in his left hand to Sil*
Chi: Thank you, Smith. That was very kind of you. They are beautiful.
*Gives a golden flower to little Lira and she plays with it*
I'll use them at the funeral...
*takes the shovel, weighting it in her hands*
*nods and holds it tight*
Okay.
Smith: Glad to be of help. If there is anything I can do, then just say
*heads down to beside the lake*
Where exactly did the wedding take place?
Next to the lake. Chi..built a building then melted it..
*helps Sil dig by digging as well*
No, where by the lake?
Just..
*walks to the spot where the alter had been*
*jams the end of her shovel into the ground*
Here.
Then let us begin. *plants the shovel into the ground, gad of the soft earth*
*nods and starts digging*
*focuses only on the digging, on the shovel*
*down, scoop, up, move*
*down, scoop, up, move*
*works quickly, jumping into the hole when she can't reach any more*
*works on cleaning off the sides, making sure it's aesthetically appealing*
(Be back in fifteen minutes)
*helps dig*
(Sorry, I'm in town, shopping, so distant, but here)
Chi: So...how are you, Smith?
(Wow Trip. Good timing..)
*finishes the digging, helping smooth the sides*
*jumps out after helping Trip out*
* steps through a portal to her house*
*finds her most appropriate funeral clothes*
*steps through to Chi's house, head bowed*
Done..
Smith: I am good thank you. Are you ok?
Chi: The only person in the world that I love more dearly than anything just committed suicide. So no, I'm not ok.
*flinches*
*looks at Chi*
Chi..if..you're ready...
Smith: Oh, I... I'm sorry
*dyes hair and changed clothes to black, and returns to Sil*
*slowly walks up to Chi's house*
*bites her lip, desperately trying to think of something to say*
I have returned!
(Chloe might be late by the way, she is on the bus)
(Hello Mithria)
(Hi Ed!)
*returns in a suit, a small speech in his mind*
(How be you?)
Chi: *shakes her head*
Sorry, Smith...that was... that was uncalled for, I shouldn't have snapped at you.
*Looks at Sil* Yeah...I'm ready but I think I'm going to walk there, just the twins and I... You all go...
*Picks up the twins*
I'll see you all there...
*Heads down the stairs and opens the door*
M-Mithria...
(Hello Sister, glad you could come on for a little while.)
(@Ed: Um... not sure, tbh. You know, funeral and everything...)
*just stands there, looking at chi and the twins*
I-
(@Chi: I have no idea about how long I can stay. I might have to leave any second but I'll try to be back as soon as possible, I promise!)
*Sets the twins down at her feet and hugs Mithria*
Look at that Lira, Lucas, Auntie Mithria has came to see you...
*Picks them back up and they smile up at her*
(@Mithia I understand)
Smith: Don't worry about it, your upset.
*Ed appears outside with a man in a suit either side of him* I am only here for this, I cant exactly escape. *Approaches Trip* Am I late?
(Sorry. Was punishing dad.)
*nods and walks down*
*pauses*
Chi...have you made a coffin?
(*Hugs Kall*
Thanks for coming.)
(Hello Kallista)
*manages a small smile at the sight of the twins*
*looks back at Chi*
*shakes her head slightly without a word, not knowing what to say*
*prepares to give the service down by the lake*
No, people haven't started arriving yet.
(Hey Kall..)
Silente, the coffin will be made of ice and shadow. Unless you want to lift an ice coffin into the ground, I will make it when we get there...
*Thinks*
W-who's going to take the body... *Looks over to the garden where Blake's Corpse is laying*
Sil, Mithria, take the twins a moment.
*Gives one of the twins to each of them*
*Goes over to the body*
We can't have you looking like this for your funeral honey...you're all still covered in blood... *tries to smile, her mouth twitches*
Right, I wont be able to stay long. It took enough paperwork to be able to be able to come as it is
*holds Lira*
*looks at Mir, then to Chi*
*shifts awkwardly*
(Oh God. Now Mir will be holding Lira...this is gonna go in a circle..)
(Hello Xan)
*greets people as the arrive, thanking them for coming*
*lightly hugs Sil*
(brb, Chloe might be late by the way)
*picks Lucas up, holding him close*
*manages a small smile* Hey there...
*wants to go after Chi but doesn't dare to*
*looks at Sil*
*hugs Tanya back with one arm*
Thanks..
*quietly to Mir*
Do we...follow her?
(I hate my parents. I'll be back as soon as possible, I promise!!)
(Okay Mir.)
I... I'll stay here and look after the kids, if that helps... they shouldn't be alone...
(Jai, email.)
*shakes head*
She...needs a moment. We'll give her her moment..
Oh god...
I-I have to call my brother.
Sil, can I borrow your phone a second?
*Dominic, Sebatian, cordelia and jesabelle show up at the grave all dresses in black*
D - What's this, a funeral?
S - Yeah, for blake Soul, the one who's wife made the Christmas dance hall.
C - Such a shame...he seemed so happy with his family...
D - Ah...That is a shame. How did he die?
S - He committed suicide to stop his true name coming out.
D - God...
*hands Chi her phone*
*tries to smile reassuringly*
Annabelle: *stands somberly at the grave*
MrBBWolf, Ashlea, Manuel and Orpheus: *also at the grave*
*soon returns with chairs and invites people to sit down*
(*Msd for food if so will eat as quick as possible*)
Chi: *Takes the phone and types in Tsubaki's number*
T - *picks up the phone* Hello? Sis?
Chi: Tsu...Blake...he...it's his funeral today and...I...
T - Gods, sis...i'll be right there ok?
Chi: *Nods and hangs up*
*Gives the phone back to Silente*
Thanks..
*puts the phone in her pocket, cradling Lira gently*
(Back)
Smith: *goes to stand by the grave*
guard: *stands behind Ed*
*sighs* Its a funeral, I wont run will I
(im here but could disappear at any moment because of my damn life.... *sighs* )
*Orpheus, MrBBWolf, Manuel and Ashlea sit down*
Annabelle: *joins Jess*
(Here)
*slips in *
(Those pesky lives. always getting in the way.)
*leans to be able to whisper to the guard*
Sir, I'm afraid this funeral is for friends and family only, you're going to have to leave.
(Hello Chloe, how art thou?)
Guard: *whispers to Trip* Sorry sir, but Mr Fletcher has to be supervised, he may run
*Dominic, Jesa, Sebastian and Cordelia sit down*
*Jesa and Dominic sit up the back at opposite ends*
*Jesa stares at the back of Annabelle's head*
*Dominic stares at BB's*
Tsu: *Walks up the garden and sees Chi Kneeling next to Blake's body*
Sis...
Chi: *Looks up, is still playing with Blake's hair, his body now deathly pale and cold*
C-could you fix his head...w-we wouldn't want him looking like this right now...
Tsu: Of course. I wish I could heal him completely but he's been dead for a few days now, hasn't he?
Chi: *Nods*
Tsu: I'm sorry sis...*His hands turn blue and glow*
*The wound in his head heals up, the blood returning to the inside of his body, a little colour coming back but now enough*
Chi: Th-ank you...
*The shadows surround them, new shadows forming around Blake in their normal way in a suit*
There...
*She starts crying again*
You- look so handsome...Blakey...
Tsu: *Almost cries himself, but he can't, he has to be there for his sister.*
*He hugs her tightly and pats her head*
(I'm tired )
Chlo Chlo! *huggles tightly* )
Hey Trip *bro hugs* )
If he runs, I'll happily retrieve him, but you really need to leave. You can watch him from over there. *points to the top of the hill*
Please, this is a funeral.
(Rhossie! *glomps*)
(Perhaps you should sleep Chloe)
Guard: Sir, I really must insist. I am making no trouble here for anyone... *sighs* fine *heads to hill to watch*
Thank you Trip, I can try to escape after the funeral now
You will do no such thing Ed. There will be no shenanigans at this funeral.
(I should but I can't)
*sees Ed and sighs*
Of course not, I am here to pay my respects.
*Sees Inky but cannot walk over*
(*accepts glomping and holds you in a much needed huggle*)
I mean it Ed. You do ANYTHING, and I will destroy you.
(Argh. I'm back now.)
(*huggles Rhpssie *)
*tries not to look at him*
*has twins in arms and lilith in a baby carrier*
I am hre because Mr Soul was a friend, I will cause no trouble but I will not go back with that guard. Now Trip, lets not argue here *looks over at Inky and then at guard on the hill*
(*huggles Chloe and sighs* )
(im just going to be watching for tonight )
Very well. But do it the hell away from the funeral.
(Okay Rhossie pie)
(Also back now. Ate too quick. Might pop.)
Annabelle: *shifts uncomfortablely, resisting the urge to look around and see who's watching her*
MrBBWolf: *shifts over so there's room for Inky*
*gently holds Lira*
*waits for Chi*
Chi: Tsu...do you mind carrying the body to the lake for me...? I'll be there soon...
Tsu: No problem sis...*Picks up Blake's body and starts to walk to the lake*
Chi: *Goes over to her sisters*
Thank you, both of you. I'll take the twins and see you both there...
*Takes the twins into her arms*
*Starts walking to the lake, the longer way round*
Lira: walk, mummy!
Chi: Lira sweetheart...you can't walk yet...Lucas can bu-
Lira: Walk!
Chi: *Sets lira and Lucas down and takes both of their hands, they start walking beside her*
Let me guess...daddy taught you, didn't he?
*Lira and Lucas grin up at her*
Chi: *She smiles despite herself*
Of course Trip *Goes to walk to inky* I am so sorry
*checks his watch*
I hope Chione gets here soon...
*walks over to Sil*
*bites her lip, still not knowing what to say*
*thinks* God, I'm terrible at this...
(thank you Chlo )
*shifts next to wolf* hey
(
Rhos G.
Chloe G.
I don't know what goes on with you two but you are clearly crazy about each other. So please keep in mind that if you leave without saying a PROPER good bye after an argument, the other person will assume it's their fault and beat themselves up about it for the entire night.
That is all.)
*Chi and the twins get to the middle of the forest, they can see all the people sitting down waiting for the body and the service to start*
Chi: We have so many good friends here...so many people we love...it'll be so hard to see them all without you by my side *looks up even though she knows he's not up there*
*to ed* for what?
Cole: it's okay Anna
I know... Come on.
*opens a portal*
Let's not be late..
MrBBWolf: hey Inky.
*takes Lilith, gently rocking her*
*Spots Chione*
Would everybody please take their seats, the service is about to begin.
Everything, just for everything. I bet you wish you hadn't met me but I am sorry. If you accept my apology then you might need this *hands her a form* If not, then I am sorry *sits down*
Annabelle: *looks at Cole*
....
*nods, thinking about how she had thought Blake were a guardian angel*
*lilith smiles at Wolf*
*nods at Sil*
*hesitates a bit, then slowly takes her hand, hoping Sil won't reject her*
*Chi and the twins get to the funeral just as Tsubaki gets to the grave with the body*
Chi: Lira, Lucas, stay here a minute
*Let's go of their hands gently and they stay up right*
*Smiles and goes to the grave*
*Raises her arms and ice and shadows swirl high above their heads*
*The shadows and ice rush down and into the grave, forming a coffin of ice with slivers of darkness running through it*
Chi: Shadow and ice. Just like us.
Tsu: *Gently places Blake inside*
Cole: *sighs* I'm not much help...sorry
Ed...I should be the one apologising *doesnt even look at the form *
And for the record I never want to forget my time with you
(okay Kas and the whole G thing is becasue both of our surnames start with a G (pretty coincidental )
and yes we are carzy about each other (well i am about Chloe, not too sure if Chloe is about me?) )
(Chloe are you crazy about me?)
Mine?
*coughs audibly, appealing for quiet*
No, you shouldn't be apologising, I messed up.
(I am ^.^)
*takes Mir's hand, leading her through the portal*
*quietly*
Come on..Let's sit down..remember, Chi needs us..
Annabelle: *quietly*
It's okay..
MrBBWolf: *smiles slightly back at Lilith*
*sits next to Sil*
I did...
I totally understand if you don't loe me any more
*nods again, holding on to Sil's hand*
*quietly* I know...
(awwwww sweetie ^.^ )
Cole: *puts arm around her*
*lilithgiggles *
*Stares accusingly at Inky*
Of course I still love you, I think its starting *sits quietly*
*sits with Mir, nodding at Tanya next to her*
Annabelle: *leans against him, glancing around trying to find who's watching her*
MrBBWolf: Shh..quiet now yeah Lilly?
*wishes she could help Chi but knows she can't*
*sighs quietly*
*looks at Trip, waiting for him to start*
*gives Mir's hand a slight squeeze and watches Trip*
*opens mouth but shuts in and turns to front*
*lilith just looks up at him and yawns*
*squeezes Sil's hand back lightly*
*closes eyes for a second, then sits up straight*
*knows she has to be strong for Chi*
MrBBWolf: Good girl..
I dedicate this page to Blake Soul and his author John. I care about them both so dearly. I can't help but remember all of the memories John and I had...the moment we met *laughs* It might sound stupid but it was on a gaming website called Roblox. I mean, it's for kids...but it's so much fun and I've been on it for around 5 years now.
John and I met around 3 years ago on a game called "Bleach". He was an arancar and I was a soul reaper (for anyone who watches the anime) And even though we had met and talked, we never properly spoke until there was only about 5 of us on a server last year. We all decided to play a game called "Roblox battle" and we all had such fun, John and I had stayed on the game almost all day. We became good friends and we got each other on Skype and facebook.
From that day on we had talked on Skype almost every night. We started going out on roblox and in real life. One day we were playing a fairy tail game with some people who we had met on the game before and one of them asked "So when are you two getting married" And as a joke, John had said June. I added the 4th because it was my favourite number. But what some of you probably didn't know, was that it was also the day my mother and father got married. June the 4th. So when we got married on the blog last year, it was my mother and father's 10th wedding anniversary. I didn't think that that was a coincidence...Maybe it was...maybe it just...isn't to be...
I love you John...and I feel...empty without you in my life, but I understand if that's the best for you to move on...I wouldn't want you to hang back because of me, you know that. I'm sorry that I'm a bitch. I should have just stayed with you no matter what instead of abandoning you because you were in America and I'm here in Scotland. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry that I was unfaithful to you and that I was a bad girlfriend...
I wish you all the luck in life, I hope you find someone who returns all of your feelings and treats you as well as you treated me...Goodbye for now, old friend...
*takes Sil's other hand*
*whispers* I've never been to a funeral, Sil.
*presses a shoulder against Mir*
*quietly whispers*
Only one of us has to be strong..go ahead..it's okay..
(Hear hear)
(Hear hear.)
*whispers to Tanya*
It'll be okay..just be quiet when people talk..
(Hear Hear)
(Hear hear!)
*Sits down in the front row with the twins and Tsubaki*
*Wonders where Kaitlin is because it's her brother, wonders if she even knows*
Blake Soul, to many, was not a good man. These many, did not know the man we knew. They knew the man who was driven by his sheer loyalty to do things others could not to protect those he loved.
A man who struggled with his literal inner demon for years, for the sake of everyone.
Blake Soul to many may not have been a good man, but to us, he was a great one. He was a noble and kind man, who treasured those he loved over himself and his wellbeing
When for various reasons, I had to take time away from Blogland, I knew this place would be safe. I could watch from the shadows and know that Blake was keeping my home safe.
To me, Blake was a friend, and a saviour. One I will never forget. And, I wonder if anyone else, may have something to say?
Chi: *Silently stands up and walks to the front*
Tsu: *watches the twins*
*waits for Chi to go up, knowing she should go first*
*keeps holding on to Sil's hand*
*doesn't show any other sign of how much this is bothering her even if she didn't really know Blake*
(hear hear)
(*fades slightly*)
(*huggles Rhos, stopping him from fading*)
(*huggles Chloe*)
Blake Soul...when we met he was already tainted in darkness...but I was able to see past that, I was able to always see the good in him, he became the man I love. The man I married. And the day we got married was one of the happiest days of my life. I'm so happy that there are so many of you here and that we have such good friends. I remember when Trip and some others came and helped us build our little house on the hill...it took forever but it was worth it. It's now a wonderful home of warmth and memories for both me and my twins, Lira and Lucas. It's a shame that they will not have a father and they have lost one of their parents...but I will try my best to continue what Blake and I started...He was a wonderful father to the twins. He taught them to speak and walk...*Starts to cry* But...He was always worried about becoming a father. He changed completely for the better when they were born. You should have seen his face when Lira popped out and he found out we were having twins *laughs* But he was amazing....We were a happy family. We went on trips to the beach and parks And...we'll all miss him... But we will live on, and he will always and forever be in our hearts *is crying more as she steps down, shaking violently*
*tear falls down face * oh Chi...
*hugs Inky to support her*
*steps up*
Blake..there's a lot I could say. But none of it will define how much he meant to us.
*sighs*
Yes, he could be a pain, not just metaphorically..but he was a brilliant sparing partner. An amazing husband to Chi. A spectacular father.
*pauses*
He tried so hard to protect everyone, always doling out his own justice. Heavens know he's saved me many a time..and I'll never forget that. I owed him so much, and I guess I still do. Wherever he is now, he better be happy..and as much as I'll miss him, I'm glad that at least now he's safe from that nutjob God..
*looks at the coffin*
Bye bud...
*smiles slightly*
You'll always be like a brother to me..
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