Friday, November 16, 2012

A Bad Review

Hullo there.

This post started out as a quick response to a few comments in the previous entry, but it grew into something a little more detailed. So even though I really have to get back to the Tanith novella, I figured I'd address it here instead.

Kestrel LeStarre (hi Kestrel!) posted an excerpt from a Good Reads review of Book One- a review that wasn't exactly favourable. Every writer gets all kinds of reviews- some good, some great, some bad, some terrible. It's the business. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. I'll deal with this one in stages.

Disappointing. The title/name and the cover illustration really appealed to me, but the book was generic and unbelievable from the start. I suppose some could be forgiven considering that the intended audience appears to be maybe 11 year olds (?), but I personally don't believe that children's books should be low quality just because they are aimed at children.

I can't find fault with this statement. I mean, I don't exactly AGREE with it, and most of you probably don't either, but the reviewer is merely stating that this isn't his cup of proverbial tea. He doesn't think the writing is as good as it should be. I got a few of these responses to the first book and my reaction was to shrug. Fair enough. That's what they think. I can read back over the series and make a note of where and when and how my writing improved- I am a MUCH better writer now than I was back then- but for every negative statement I received, I got hundreds of positive ones from readers who were willing to forgive any first-book-mistakes and simply dive right in, ready to be swept away on a tsunami of, er, awesomeness.

And hey, how can you disagree too harshly with a guy who appreciates Tom's covers like that?

...oh, and saying "I'm a genius" all the time does not make a character full of "dry wit".

This is very true. The fact that he is full of dry wit makes him full of dry wit. Nicely pointed out.

...oh, and being spunky child full of spunk who sprays spunk everywhere does not mean the child is equivalent to an adult. Children can be clever, creative, work in groups, et cetera but having them physically fight adults 1-on-1 strains credulity.

Ah, now here is the only point he's made that I take issue with. Having a spunky child fight an adult one-on-one does NOT strain credulity. Having a spunky child BEAT an adult one-on-one, however, very much does. It took Valkyrie YEARS to be strong enough to hold her own without the use of magic, and even then I don't think she's ever WON. In Death Bringer, when she's fighting Moore in her house without magic, even though she's had a few years of the best combat training in the world, the fact is she's still a 16 year old girl and he's a grown man. And Val doesn't exactly win that fight. She needs help.

I've always had a problem with YA books that show young teenagers beating adults in a physical brawl. They might get lucky, absolutely. A lucky punch can knock anyone out. But most of the adults they go up against are criminals or villains of some description- men and women who KNOW violence. No amount of martial arts in the world will make that a fair fight. Fair fights, in fact, are ridiculously stupid. Why would you EVER get into a fair fight? If you have to fight you need to WIN- and that means you fight on YOUR terms, not his.

Val has adopted this philosophy because this is my philosophy. 

When Val has to fight, she fights. She uses every dirty trick she can. This is the girl, remember, who tore out a creature's throat with her TEETH down in the caves in Death Bringer. Fair fights are for suckers.

...oh, and not all adults are doofuses.

I'm assuming he's referring to Desmond here, who is very much a doofus- though this statement kind of skips over the fact that Skulduggery, Ghastly, China, Tanith, Bliss and most everyone else except Stephanie/Valkyrie is ALSO an adult, so...


Anyway, what was the point in discussing this here? It's not like this is the only bad review I've ever got. There is one in particular that stands out as being SO unbelievably bad that you get the feeling the reviewer has a personal grudge against me- like he was determined to hate every single thing about the book. But I didn't respond to THAT review. Someone like that is really not worth my time. So why this one?

First of all, the reviewer is not being mean. He doesn't like the book, and the review is quite snarky in its own playful way, but there is not one trace of malice in those words. It's just his opinion, and he not only has a right to HAVE that opinion, but he has a right to SHARE it as well. I'll never give a bad review of any book (apart from maybe books by HUGE writers), because I know how hard it is to get published in the first place and the last thing a writer needs is someone else going "you suck." If I don't like a book I'll simply ignore it. I won't say anything at all about it. But that's me, being in the privileged position that I'm in. Any negative opinion of mine can actually damage someone else's success, so it becomes something more than an opinion. But all this reviewer is doing is letting people know that he didn't respond well to Skulduggery Pleasant.

But again- why am I discussing it here?

Some of you like Twilight. That's fine. I don't like it. Twilight is one of those books I feel I can criticise because nothing I say will effect its success. By now it's untouchable. So... some of you like it. All of you probably know at least a few people who love it. Of course you do.

A few years ago, Stephen King criticised Stephanie Meyer for, you know, not being any good. In return, he got an avalanche of angry responses from Twilight fans.

(I refuse to call them Twihards.)

That level of anger and fury and vitriol is not uncommon on the internet. The internet is the HOME of anger and fury and vitriol. It's where those things live. It's where they spawn and fester and grow. But you see it again and again: one person criticises something that a lot of other people love, and here comes the avalanche. And we're standing by, watching it all happen but not involved one way or the other, and we look at the angry people and we think "Wow. You seriously need to get out more."

The few responses from you guys to this Good Reads review have been wonderful. As I'm writing this, Ivy has just posted another response, and it is just as good-spirited as Georgina's and Beau's and Kristine's (thought Kristine's response DID make me think of Ralph Wiggum from The Simpsons going "Me fail English? That's unpossible!")

You guys are so passionate about Skulduggery and so supportive of me as a writer, and it's moments like these when I realise yet again how lucky I am to have Minions like you. Warm, intelligent, fiery people who won't even be rude to people they strongly disagree with.

You guys rock.


4,937 comments:

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Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

Ode: Alright. May we meet again, myself Grand Mages Ravel and Wahreit with you and the other Elders?

Of course. When?

Ode: I'll set it on the Link. Within an hour I'll set a time.

Thank you, until then.

Ode: Yes. *his image disappears*

*steps out of the sigils and goes to office*

(If anyone read LSODM and you note the names of people who are dead or something do not freak I am keeping pre-LSODM and may use names of Elders from LSODM as I need Elders :P

-HB/Joe- said...

Salutations, Sir :P

Yeah, year 12 haha- don't Ameriminions end with year 12 too? I guess most of you'll go onto college too though.

Noelle said...

Yeah, but I thought Ozzes went to 13?
I don't know anymore.

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

*works quietly for an hour until the Link activates with the Elders names and meeting time, English time* *sighs and works having about an hour to go*

*in Roarhaven*

Ghastly: Why does Ode want to talk?

Ravel: Zafira was quiet when we were talking...she fed the baby and left.

Mist: If she does not say, Grand Mage Ode will.

Tipstaff: Elders, may I lead the way? *does do*

Ghastly: I swear if this ends badly...

Ravel: Zafira isn't stupid.

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

*gets up and goes and soon the Elders appear and Ode speaks*

Ode: Grand Mages and Elders, I apologize for short notice, Grand Mage Kerias and I have something to share and alert you all. Zafira, if you will?

Right. Well see, Jay Javier and Hyde are free and uh my other dimensional self is a lunatic and wants us all dead!

Illori: Are you saying Mevolent broke this treaty?

No. General Kerias did.

Starke: So why is she? I do not think Mevolent would let her.

Ravel: Hey I saw first hand how insane she is. She'd do it in seconds, she is mental.

Ode: We need to catch her.

Illori: Can we? Is it wise?

Mist: It has to be. Simple. Or we die.

Ravel: Or...we use another method.

(Cliffhanger good night

Snow said...

Bye zaf

-HB/Joe- said...

Night, Zaf

Nope XD We have preschool/kindergarten, reception/prep, then years 1-12. After that we can go to a college or we can do some singular TAFE courses- i'm probably going to do the latter.

Noelle said...

Goodnight, Zaf
-
*She gets up and, with her shoes off, begins to walk down the rest of the mountain, which doesn't help her sore feet, which are most certainly going to be the death of her*
*The moment she gets back to the hotel, she goes up to her room, and flops onto her bed, grabbing her pillow, soft tears falling into the fabric as low, recurring sobs crack and break in her chest*

Noelle said...

I'm not sure what that is...
So... You're going to be the equivalent of a senior!
Hm.
Well. I'm in, I suppose, year ten.
Geddit.

-HB/Joe- said...

Yeah, I think a senior is the closest match for year 12- we get signature jacket things and all. Even though it's not America, we're getting varsity jackets. Don't know whether to be happy or not about that xD They're costing a fortune.

Noelle said...

I just saw TFIOS trailer and I'm crying already.
ffs. I'm not going to be able to make it through this.
-
Varsity jackets cost a fortune here too. I have my grandfather's, before he died. It's red and white, and the sleeves are leather. It's fairly legit. I love it :)
-

Noelle said...

Ah. I'm sorry, I have to go deal with some things. >.<

I'll see you when I can xx
*hugs*

-HB/Joe- said...

!! I forgot the TFIOS trailer was out, brb while I go watch it haha xD
Woah, sounds like you've got the real deal, a quality one :) Slightly related, but you should sew a big 'K' onto the front of the jacket (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2cAJynZyiA)

-HB/Joe- said...

:? Hope you're doing alright. S'okay, see ya when I see ya *hugs back*

-HB/Joe- said...

That trailer's beautiful. The movie's going to be amazing :D June is way too far away.

Snow said...

Bye then afra.

not looking forward to the supposed worst year of high school: grade 8. Fun.

-HB/Joe- said...

Grade 8? You're an aussie too so that'd be the transition into highschool xS My little brother's starting year 8 too. I can guarantee you it gets a whole heck of a lot better :)

Snow said...

Ahem... us Tasmanians start highschool year 7...

Snow said...

Anyway, I seem to get known quickly. On my 3 week last year, most people in the school knew me. Even though I was just in the library a lot. Meh

Jophiel said...

Well, I'm in year ten now and have the shittest teachers for the most important subjects.

Snow said...

:/ that sucks death

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

:-/

[hugs]

Snow said...

The old saying goes that "the best things in life are free", but thats not completely true. Uexk, its not even half true. When you add it all up, in the long term, the best things in life come with a price. That price being the number of bad things that have happened.

because, generally, more bad things happem then good things in life. Just think about it.

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

[Tilts head at Snow]

[Stands upside-down and looks at Snow]

Hm.

Snow said...

Hmm?

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

Just thinking about what you were saying. :-)

Snow said...

*nods*

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

Which would you, as a reader, prefer, more from Fabi/Mireille's past or a continuation of the present with the whole funeral thing.

Snow said...

... *thinks* ermm ... past

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

Okay. Any particular part?

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

Okay... [Plots]

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

OH WAIT

I have a surprise for you!

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

YOU'LL SEEEEEEEEE

Snow said...

Well okay then.

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

I'm sorry, I'm only about a third of the way through. :-/

Snow said...

*shrugs* *remembers the project I was doing for ember* shit... I need to finish that...

Jophiel said...

We are not looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, we're trying to find the light at the end of the pitch black cave in the middle of an eternal night.

Snow said...

*nods*

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

[hugs Deathy]

Snow said...

Either of you two any good with parody and song writing? Only I seem to be struggling.

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

Ish. Not really.

I did the Blogland ship songs, though.

Snow said...

Can I email you what im trying to do for ember? Its pretty obvious what hasnt been changed. I just need some suggestions.

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

Well... I can try to help?

Snow said...

*hugs* thanks!

Snow said...

G2g, dinner. Bye.

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

[waves]

Snow said...

I just had the best idea for my friend and I's writing challenge. She challenged me to right a Pirate War set in the Victorian era. And since anni is my evil villain... *smiles wickedly*

Star Inkbright said...

Blogger Snow Stormberg and An Ominous Voice in Italics that enjoys throwing people off buildings said...
Star is perfect sometimes :)

January 30, 2014 at 2:13 AM


Blogger The Empress Lady Adrasdos Dark, Flower Princess said...
Star really is perfection. :)
-
*She puts her things away, and washes her hands quickly, before opening the window, reaching out and grabbing a few roses from the bush outside, then weaving them into her hair*
*Looks at her clock* Hm... Sunrise is soon.

*Grabs a shawl and grabs a staff, making her way up the long and obnoxious staircase that goes up the mountain*

January 30, 2014 at 2:19 AM


. . .

Why.

@Snow: I should write a version of that for Hunter and Ez. XD They often go to Victorian times.

The thingymajingee has a base there, so . . .

Depending on what they're doing, they sometimes pretend to be married. :P

The major problem is when they have to go back to somewhere they've been before either at the same time or slightly before they went there the first time. :/

They go to other times as well, though. Although not too far back. They can only go where there are portals to, and you have to be somewhere to create a portal going to there, and how are they meant to get to the past to create a portal so they can go to the past?

They don't know how the thingmajingee does it, but then again, they don't know much about them.

#ChaseForBookNine

#ChaseForBookNine

Star Inkbright said...

I HAVE POTENTIALLY FOUND ANOTHER THING TO WASTE PART OF MY LIFE ON. C:

(it's a wonder I have any life left)

(oh wait, I don't)

#ChaseForBookNine

Noelle said...

I have so much homework I'm drowning and no one has edited my essay and the final draft is due tomorrow and I am so fucking screwed omh

Star Inkbright said...

@Adra: D: *hugs*

#ChaseForBookNine

Noelle said...

Hey Star! Not here for long, I have horseback

Star Inkbright said...

@Adra: Okay. :)

I think I'm distant. :/

#ChaseForBookNIne

Star Inkbright said...

Hey Snow! :)

#ChaseForBookNine

Snow said...

*tackles the bubble* hia!!

Star Inkbright said...

Hey Snow! :)

Thanks for saying I'm perfect. :)

If Adra's still here, I'll thank her also. :P

#ChaseForBookNine

Snow said...

*pokes* I said it because you are perfect.

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Hey! How are y'all?

Maralie Lily Charm said...

IF LITT LEMIX ARE DOING SINGINGS AND MEET AND GREETS IN IRELAND I KIGHT BE ALOOED GO YOU DON'aT UNDERSTQND JOW MICU TUS KEANS TO ME AIMkakM SCREAMJNG SO LOUDLY AND VRUING AND ,IJDUDNFYS A. SUMDRM. UM SQID THAT IF I WNEY THEM SHE"\D BYTS ME STUFF SO I CAN MAKE THEM PRESENTS AND I AM CRYING

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Hi Mara! Hey Zaf! How are you two?

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Hello?

Snow said...

I am here XP

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Hello Snow! How are you?

Snow said...

Good. You?

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

I don't know tbh. Rather not get into it tbh.

Maralie Lily Charm said...

some people are so stupid omg

sorry idk if i'm here anymore

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Oh. Hi/bye Mara *hugs*

Star Inkbright said...

Sorry I poofed . . .

Msd.

#ChaseForBookNine

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Hiya Starsies! How are you?

Snow said...

XD I am confusing the BEN Drowned subprogram on Cleverbot

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Hey Moss! How are ya?

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Gtg now. Bye!

Snow said...

Bye rhy

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

Sorry needed my outfit for Macbeth

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

Yeah we're doing Macbeth in English and I'm Lady Macbeth so we needed to make our own costumes from home so I have my Red Queen dress and all so I found it! :D

Snow said...

G2g, bye

Star Inkbright said...

I'm making a lyrics video.

And it's going BEAUTIFULLY. :) :)

(I mean, I haven't actually got to the lyrics yet.)

(But considering I only installed Windows Movie Maker a few hours ago . . . :P)

(I have the title coming up IN TIME WITH THE BEATS OF THE MUSIC and then I have a few white flashes (in time, of course), and now I'm going onto the first word.

*nods*

It's all very exciting.)

(But I'm distant.)

*waves to everyone*

How are you all? Particularly Rhydian, because he asked me?

#ChaseForBookNine

Noelle said...

I have so much work and damn it horseback

Star Inkbright said...

(Damn.)

(It just malfunctioned.)

(*sighs*)

#ChaseForBookNine

Noelle said...

Hello, by the way! I'm distant

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

I have nothing

Star Inkbright said...

@Adra: :/ *hugs*
Hello!

(IT'S FIXED)
I HAVE TWO WORDS)
(IT'S SO EXCITING)

#CHaseForBookNine

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

Tomorrow in homeroom we're visiting last years English teacher and I'm reenacting Romeo's death...I was him when we did it and her classes are starting Romeo and Juliet so omg....I'm walking in with my friends drinking the poison saying his lines and dying on the floor then when the warning bell goes off we're gonna go to our homerooms

Noelle said...

I hate Romeo and Juliet so much. AMSND is where it's at. Praise be.

*hugs Star*

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

She loves it and they're starting it in 9th grade so we wanted to open her drama unit with us reenacting

The Grave of a Coward said...

(*the doors are blasted off their hinges*
*letting in a huge torrent of mist*
*I stroll in in slow-motion*
*my coat fanning out behind me*
*and my hair rippling attractively in the breeze*

Hullo, Blogland.)

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

(....

The Grave of a Coward said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Star Inkbright said...

Hi Annika! :)

We're doing Romeo and Juliet . . .

#ChaseForBookNine

The Grave of a Coward said...

(I see.
*sits down with a drink*
I do enjoy the theatre.)

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

(Macbeth! Haha I love theatre

The Grave of a Coward said...

(*looks a little embarrassed*
My personal favorite Shakespeare is a Comedy of Errors.)

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

(I'm not sure which is my favorite yet

The Grave of a Coward said...

(My favorite play of all time, however, is Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.
*sips drink*)

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

(I hated that ugh we had to read it over the summer

The Grave of a Coward said...

(*give Zafira a look*
*exhale loudly through my nose*
. . . Ah, well, to each their own.
But I, personally, loved it.)

Star Inkbright said...

Must go now. Fours!

#ChaseForBookNien

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

(True

The Grave of a Coward said...

(*sighs heavily*
*looking at the empty stage*
. . . I suppose the Vaudeville entertainment once again falls to me.
*climbs onto the stage*
*and is suddenly wearing a sequined tuxedo jacket*
*sings into an old-fashioned 50's microphone*

If I could do it all again
I’d do everything just the same
Except I wouldn’t leave my friends
And I’d leave this just the same
As the day that I came
[One more loose end]

And you’re sitting at home, as the sun sets
And I’ll be at Henry’s placing bets
And nobody there has more regrets
Than I
When winter comes the summer sets
And all my friends are at Yanks against Mets
And I’m at home, when I sleep I don’t rest
I cry
But I’ve never had a nightmare in my life

You’re my right hand man
Somebody told me
But in the dark of night when I’m
Down and out and lonely
You take me in your
Arms and you hold me
And the very next day we nod curtly
And walk down the hall
We pretend we weren’t there at all

If I could do it all again
I’d do everything just the same
Except I wouldn’t leave my friends
And I’d leave this just the same
As the day that I came
[One more loose end]

You share every day with me
And everything
We’re never seen when not together
And they think we’re a thing
They think because you’re a man and I’m a girl
You can’t keep your hands off of my curves
And I tell them they’re wrong
And the way this’ll end
Is me sitting on the sofa watching
Baseball with my best friend

If I could do it all again
I’d do everything just the same
Except I wouldn’t leave my friends
And I’d leave this just the same
As the day that I came
[One more loose end]

I love you with a love
That’s more than the love
Of husband and wife
For till the end of my li-ife
You’ll always be there
And you’ll always care
And every unspoken word
Means more than the world
To me
And there’s no better way for our little story to end
Than me sitting on the sofa watching baseball
With my best friend)

Noelle said...

Hello Annika
Goodbye Star

The Grave of a Coward said...

(*coughs in a dignified manner*
I had come here, originally, to say that I'd appreciate a brief respite from solo role-playing, as fun as it is.
Would anyone like to play with:
Doctor Precocious,
Photo Q. Finish,
or Garrote Armitage?

. . . *quietly* It's alright if you do not . . .)

Noelle said...

Adra can, if you wish. However, if that were the case, you would need an excuse to be in Peru. I'm afraid she can't be leaving there for a while yet.

The Grave of a Coward said...

(I can easily create an excuse for Gary or Photo to be there, if that's alright. Which would you prefer?)

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

(I'm here....

Noelle said...

I have no preference- whomever you are more comfortable with.

The Grave of a Coward said...

*takes a deep breath*
*pinches the bridge of his nose*
*and tries to remain calm*
My dear Adam,
I am used to having my luggage actually sent to somewhere I was hoping they wouldn't end up.
However,
I was flying to NEW YORK CITY.

Adam: *looks distressed*
Well, your LUGGAGE is in New York City . . .

Yes, Adam,
but I AM IN PERU.

Noelle said...

*Adra is sitting in the shade of a tree with an ice cream, which doesn't seem to be helping her foul mood*
*Her one hand is on her belly, and she stares at nothing, and eats*

The Grave of a Coward said...

*makin' his way downtown*
*feeling pretty upset*
*considering the fact that he has to wait till tomorrow for the next flight*
*and he needs to kill time till then*
*without luggage*
*in a foreign land where sequins and spandex are not typical attire*
*and men do not generally wear eye shadow*

*notices someone sitting under a tree*
*is about to walk straight past her*

Noelle said...

*She licks at her ice cream again- it's simply vanilla, but she has no problem with that. Any of the foods she eats she doesn't have a problem with- including the occasional urges to eat steak and pork*
*Her hair is braided and pinned back, and the color of her clothes are darker shades of red and black, contrasting not only her skin, but that of the rambunctious tourists who are in town to climb the mountain to see Machu Picchu

Maralie Lily Charm said...

You stole the love that I saved for myself,
And I watched you give it to somebody else,
But these scars no longer hide,
I found the light you shut inside,
Couldn't love me if you tried.

Am I still not good enough?
Am I still not worth that much?
I'm sorry for the way my life turned out,
Sorry for the smile I'm wearing now,
Guess I'm still not good enough...

The Grave of a Coward said...

(Oh wait, I forgot.
A) Has Photo met Adra yet?
B) Is Adra showing yet?

I apologize for forgetting . . .)

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

(Never mind...I'm the awkward unwanted person

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

((I'm sorry I haven't been here today... Had doctor's appointments...))

The Grave of a Coward said...

(Hullo, Moss, Maralie, Zafira, etc!)

Noelle said...

Hello Mara, Moss *hugs*

Annika- Erm... I'm not sure, actually. And yes. She's at four and a half months. So, it's not like she's swallowed a basketball, but she's about halfway through.

The Grave of a Coward said...

(Alrighty then. How to do this . . . how to do this . . . hmm . . .)

*smells the faint scent of vanilla*
*glances up*

*smiles at the woman beneath the tree*
*he's always happy to see a young mother*

Hullo there.
If you don't mind my saying so, congratulations.
*nods to her belly*
*and looks a little shy*

Noelle said...

And, I hope you aren't fatally ill, Fabi! *cuddles*
-
Oh! Hello, Photo, wasn't it? *Frowns slightly* Whatever are you doing here?

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

((Hugs everyone))

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

((I'm not, just constant headaches. [hugs]))

The Grave of a Coward said...

*squints*
*recognizes her picture from the office files*
*his face lights up*
Adrasdos Dark?
By the stars!
*smiles broadly and approaches her*
I've heard nothing but good things from the boss-man.
*his face falls a little at the thought of Oscar*
Erm . . . you look lovely today, if I may say so.
*wonders wether to tell her why he's here*
*decides against it*

Noelle said...

Oh, that sounds rough. *Cuddles and gives her a bear and some chocolate* I hope they go away soon. Headaches are awful :/

The Grave of a Coward said...

(May I suggest a non-caffienated tea?
Those always help me when I find myself troubled with aches of the head.)

Noelle said...

Thank you very much. *Gestures to the other side of the blanket that she's sitting on* Have a seat, stay a while.

And- I'm sure. I know for a fact that Oscar is secretly in love with me when he's not fancying Precocious.

The Grave of a Coward said...

*exaggerated gasp*
Hush your heretical words! I won't have you cast any doubt on the groom's honor. Not when he's finally got the balls to tell Ms. Precocious how he feels.
*laughs*
*sits beside her*
Although, and take this in the playful spirit in which it's intended, I think EVERYONE'S secretly in love with you. When they're not fancying Precocious. Or me.
*bats his eyelashes*
*he's enjoying this*
*it takes his mind off his dreadful errand to New York City*

Maralie Lily Charm said...

Sorry.

I'm really sorry.

Ugh.

I'm sorry.

Bye. *hugs*

Noelle said...

Apparently so...*Her smile falls a bit*
In any case, good for him. It's about time, too. After all that lying I had to do to get them together. *she sighs*

Noelle said...

Bye Mara *hug*

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

((Hugs Adra))

((Nibbles chocolate))

((Thanks... Yeah...))

((Hugs Annika, too))

((I've tried tea. It helps about as much as anything else, I guess.))

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

((Hugs Maralily))

((You don't have to be sorry...?))

((Bye))

The Grave of a Coward said...

*chuckles wistfully*
It would've happened eventually.
Or . . . or perhaps not. Maybe one would've killed the other, and the other would've . . . I don't know what would've become of the other.
*shrugs hopelessly*
But it doesn't do to dwell on what-ifs. They are in love, that is enough.
No one should have to live without love.
*gently plucks a bit of grass from the ground*
*begins to twirl it in his fingers*
Not even in Blogland.

The Grave of a Coward said...

(Goodbye, Maralie.)

Noelle said...

Of course.
And- I can agree fully with that statement.
*More than he knows*
*Licks at her icecream again*

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

((I'm sorry, I have to go now. [hugs all]))

((Might be on in a couple hours if the wifi at the studio is working (I have a dinner break) ))

The Grave of a Coward said...

(Come back soon, Moss!
*hugs*
*in a dignifiedly platonic way*)

*twirls the grass in his hand*
*lost in thought*

*quietly* You have someone, of course.
It's obvious.
*nods at her stomach*

Noelle said...

Bye Fabi! *huggles* I hope you feel better.
-
Hm? Oh. Well. Maybe.

The Grave of a Coward said...

*wants to say something*
*decides it is none of his business*
*continues twirling his grass sprig*

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

(Huh so they're still at it

Noelle said...

*She doesn't say anything, and picks a few flowers from her basket and, having finished her ice cream, begins to braid them intricately into her hair*
(wbd)

The Grave of a Coward said...

*glances up*
*smiles*
Awh. Those are pretty.
I like pretty things.
*looks at the ground*
*as if ashamed*

Noelle said...

*She frowns* What's the matter?

The Grave of a Coward said...

*opens his mouth*
*shuts it again*
*looks conflicted*
. . .
. . . Guys aren't generally allowed to like pretty stuff.
*shrugs awkwardly*
Unless they're gay.
*hurriedly* Like me.
I'm very gay. So gay. Much gay.

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

(Eh good thing I'm going soon as dare I even come on

Noelle said...

*Raises her eyebrows* And whoever made up that rule, that guys couldn't like pretty things? No one.

The Grave of a Coward said...

*chuckles*
Something tells me that, unless you've lived a very strange life, you've never been a man.
But it doesn't matter, anyhow. It's not my business to burden you with my own personal demons.
*plucks a flower from her basket*
*pins it in his hair*
What do you think?
Do I look prettyful?
*laughs*

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

(Maybe I'm here depends how irritated I get by someone

*looks over at the others* So we get her

Ravel: yes

(Fuck it im going why do i even bother? Nobody reads anything I write or roleplay. Its oh Adra is soloing lets go read hers lets worry about her character's kid who shouldnt even have been born. Ha I have Christopher nobody cared except Ari and Em

The Grave of a Coward said...

(Hullo, Sir.
Would you like to role-play with Precocious?
Adra will probably be disappearing soon, so . . .
*looks sad*)

Sir said...

Greetings, Ms. Barnosky, Dark, and Kerias.

Ms. Kerias, though I may not always comment, I always do my best to read everything that the Bloglandians write, including your work.

Certainly, Ms. Barnosky. I would hardly wish for you to be bored.

Noelle said...

I think that it is very beautiful, Photo. It matches your complexion well.
-
Hello, Sir.
-
Passive aggressiveness doesn't suit you, Zaf. Although it isn't that subtle, if at all...

The Grave of a Coward said...

Photo: *smiles kindly at Adra*

--

*pacing feverishly back and forth on the sidewalk outside the Midnight Hotel*
*rubbing her temples*
*and wondering why Photo hasn't called yet*
*and why Gary isn't back in Blogland*

The Grave of a Coward said...

Photo: *laughs*
It IS my color.
*looks up at the sun*
*and wonders how many hours there are left till tomorrow*
*but looks back at Adra*
*and smiles*
I think your baby will be beautiful.
Possibly even more beautiful than I.

Noelle said...

*Timidly smiles* Thank you, Photo. I'm sure she will.

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

Sorry in an irritable mood i'll calm down

The Grave of a Coward said...

Photo: *eyebrows raise*
She?
. . . Well, if she inherits your good-looks, I'm sure she'll be the most beautiful baby in Blogland.
Let's hope she doesn't inherit Mr. Castalan's knack for getting into trouble . . .

Sir said...

*strolls down the sidewalks of Blogland*
*frowns as he sees the good Doctor pacing*
Hrm. Something wrong, my good Doctor?

Zathract Mist said...

Hey?

The Grave of a Coward said...

*looks up*
*sighs in relief at seeing Sir*
. . . No, Sir, no.
Just eagerly awaiting a phone call. It is no matter.
*smiles meekly*

Sir said...

Greetings, Mr. Mist.

The Grave of a Coward said...

(. . .)

Noelle said...

Zathract Mist *hugs**hugs**hugs*
Wassup???
-
*Blushes, then sighs* Oh, I'm sure she already has. You don't understand how much she moves around.. Gracious.

The Grave of a Coward said...

(I would like to dedicate this page to this quote:

"Fate is like a strange, unpopular restaurant, filled with odd waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don't always like."
- Lemony Snicket)

Sir said...

My sympathies, Ms. Barnosky.


...

*scrutinizes the good Doctor, and sighs*

My good Doctor, if something WAS wrong, you would tell me, correct?

The Grave of a Coward said...

Photo: Well, I wouldn't know what it feels like to be pregnant. And hopefully never will. Though,
*shrugs*
it is Blogland, after all. Anything may happen.

Sir said...

A wonderful dedication, Ms. Barnosky.

The Grave of a Coward said...

Oh, Sir.
*gives him a reproachful look*
I would NEVER tell you if something was wrong.
I would've thought you'd know that by this time.

The Grave of a Coward said...

(Why thank you, Sir.)

Noelle said...

*Raises glass*

*Wonders why Sir always refers to her as "my good doctor"*
*First name basis, I gotta say*
-
*She half shrugs, sipping some applesauce* You never know..

The Grave of a Coward said...

Photo: *laughs*
I suppose not.
. . . Though, I must say, I would make a terrible mother.

Sir said...

Ms. Dark, it is a reference that my author believes to be clever, but is not, to be frank.


... Quite, my good Doctor.

Is there any way I can convince you to confide in me?

Noelle said...

Hm. I suppose Mist might not be here, then...
:/

I firmly believe that, Sir.
-
That very well might just be true, Photo. You never know, you might one day get the opportunity.

The Grave of a Coward said...

(*chuckles*)

Sir, I consider you to be one of my closest friends in this place.
*gestures to Blogland*
I know you do not feel similarly,
so that should show you just how desperate I am for companions.
I am not, however, foolish. There's nothing I have to say and no problems I may have that would be of interest to you, and anything I tell you I wouldn't be surprised to see you use against me.
And I can't afford that.
*tears glittering in her eyes*
Not now. Not at a time like this.

Besides . . . even if you cared to help, there's nothing you can do. Not for me.
*mutters* Photo and Gary are . . .
*and the rest is unintelligible muttering*

The Grave of a Coward said...

Photo: *shakes his head wearily*
How did we get onto the subject of my becoming a mother?
I'd like to be a father, certainly, but that'll never happen.
I think I'll be forced to live contentedly without children.

Noelle said...

Well, you could always just find someone, you know.

The Grave of a Coward said...

Photo: Ah, yes, of course, women are flocking to my door, clawing at my windows.
They're just queuing up for this.
*gestures sexily at his figure*

Sir said...

If you insist, Ms. Dark.

...

*frowns*

Firstly, my good Doctor. You are not desperate. You are surrounded by people who care greatly about you. You have a husband-to-be, and you still have years upon years of life left ahead of you.

You are an extremely fortunate woman, but for whatever stress you are experiencing right now.

Now, no matter how many accusations you lobby against me, no matter what I do or say, whether or not you believe it, I want you to be happy. And right now, you clearly are not. My good Doctor, I consider myself to be your friend.

So, I will ask one more time, because I honestly wish to help.
What is wrong?

Noelle said...

Well. Have you ever gone clubbing?
Do you even go places often? Exotic places, I mean.


And by exotic, I mean other countries.

The Grave of a Coward said...

*looks at Sir*
*and feels genuinely touched*

. . .

There's a man who has hurt me before, and I had hoped I would never see him again.
He's taken Oscar from me, and every hour,
*holds up the notebook*
I receive a new picture of what he's been doing to him.
*silent tears drip down her cheeks*
And I'm completely powerless to do anything to stop him,
because every since the day my true name was destroyed, I've been unable to perform magic.

*stares at Sir*
*her mouth slightly open*
*shocked that she said all that out loud*
*because that makes it all the more real*
*and all the more painful*

*sways on the spot*

The Grave of a Coward said...

Photo: Oh, work sends me all over. Business trips, you know, usually to Japan, England, and,
*gestures to the scenery*
Peru.
Most recently, it has sent me to-
*stops abruptly*
Anyway, I don't find much time for clubbing. I'm always at the office.
Though the office can get pretty wild at times. It is a tall building full of supervillains, after all.

Sir said...

*blinks, and tenses slightly*

Well.

I... Suppose I should not pester you with questions, but... Do you know where this man has taken Mr. Neurotic?

Noelle said...

Right. *Rolls her eyes* Super villains. How flamboyant.

Well. I suggest taking some time off, then. Allow yourself some time to maybe find someone

The Grave of a Coward said...

*murmurs* If I knew, then he would be safe, and my uncle would be dead.
Or I'd get there too late.
Or I'd be killed.
Or . . .
*shakes her head bitterly*
I don't know where he is, Sir, of course I don't know.

The Grave of a Coward said...

Photo: No time for relaxation right now, I'm afraid. I've got to catch a bloody charter plane to New York City.

Sir said...

...

*frowns, deep in thought*

Right, well. Hrm.

The Grave of a Coward said...

*continues pacing*
*can't focus*
*ends up sitting down heavily on a nearby park bench*
*staring dazedly straight ahead*

Sir said...

Have you attempted contacting a Sensitive, my good Doctor?

The Grave of a Coward said...

*distantly* First thing we did.
All Photo could give us were three places, tracked through this.
*drops the notebook bitterly on the seat beside her*
Somewhere in Russia,
somewhere in New York City,
and somewhere in the middle of nowhere, a desert down called Hollow Falls.
And that's just if he hasn't tricked us somehow, or has a Sensitive of his own to screw with Photo's delicate head.
*frustratedly scuffs the ground with her heel*

Sir said...

Hrm.

What does he want from Mr. Neurotic?

Noelle said...

Oh. Alright, then...
*Waves faintly* It was nice seeing you

The Grave of a Coward said...

How the deuce should . . .
*swallows*
*sighs heavily*
. . .
. . . It's me.
It's all to hurt me.
*shakes her head as if trying to deny something she knows to be true*
*even tough telling Sir seems to make her feel a bit better*
He . . . my uncle was the one who divided Khasiis and I.
And he was imprisoned with her, in oblivion, for 500 years as a result.

*murmurs* It's me.
It's all me.
Oscar is dying, right now, because of me.

The Grave of a Coward said...

Photo: *waves as he walks away*
*smiling softly*
I'll miss you too, Ms. Dark.

Photo: *walks away*
*makin' his way downtown*
*wondering what to do while he waits for his plane tomorrow*

-HB/Joe- said...

{Heya guys, how're you going? *shares hugs around* There seems to be some interesting RP's going on so I'll just quietly be here with my brackets. Annika, I've read up- is Photo's last name really 'Finish'? XD Brilliant, haha}

Sir said...

My good Doctor...

I do hope this is not terribly rude, but you really have not been more wrong in your life.

*gestures to the book*

May I?

The Grave of a Coward said...

(It is indeed Finish!)

*looks at Sir*
*then looks away*
*and nods*

Sir said...

Greetings, Mr. Reynolds.

*shrugs, and picks up the book*

*idly flips through the pages*

-HB/Joe- said...

{awesome :D Is he a regular photographer? No, i know- he works in crime scene investigations, taking photos of corpses and evidence}

Noelle said...

Heyo HB! *hugs*
-
*She sighs, and wraps her shawl around herself, leaning back and shutting her eyes*
-
I THINK I HAVE FINISHED MY ENGLISH HOMEWORK!!!

NOW ONTO MY OTHER SUBJECTS!

The Grave of a Coward said...

*her mobiel quietly buzzes in her pocket*
*she checks it eagerly*
*but it's not Photo's number*
*or Gary's*
*and she bitterly lets it go to voicemail*

*PERU*

Photo: *in a Peruvian telephone booth*
Damn!

-HB/Joe- said...

(Salutations, Sir :)

The Grave of a Coward said...

*mobile

(Well done, Adra!
*gives her a stalwart clap on the back*)

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