First, let's get some bad news out of the way... errr... you're going to have to wait just a FEW more days for the Tanith cover...
(notmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfaultnotmyfault)
Ahem.
This probably won't make you feel ANY better about the delay, but it's looking amazing right now. We still have to get the colour just right (because this was an unplanned addition to the series, it's kind of thrown our title-colour scheme up into the air...) but it's looking beautiful. Tanith looks like a total BAMF.
Middle of next week. DEFINITELY.
Hopefully.
The good news is, I've finished writing it. I finished yesterday and sent it off. Right now, before the editing process begins, it is 54,000 words long. That's fifty-four THOUSAND.
It was MEANT to be roughly twice the size of The End Of The World, which came in at something like 17,000 words. So when I started I was looking at a quick 36,000 word novella that I'd bang out between the end of the KOTW tour and the beginning of writing Book 8, giving me loads of time to relax and take it easy.
And it was going fine, it really was. I had Tanith and Sanguine, and they'd recruited their team of villains, and the story was rattling along and everything was cool... and then I introduced a team of good guys as well. So we have Dexter Vex and Frightening Jones and a few new characters, including the Monster Hunters (two guys I've been trying to find a place for in the regular books) and Saracen Rue. Saracen is the only surviving member of the Dead Men that we haven't met yet, and it was just so much fun writing them all that the word count kind of... ran off, dragging me behind it.
It was MEANT to be a little sliver of a book. Now it's practically two-thirds the length of Book One.
The things I do for you people, I swear...
The "Can Your School Get More Awesome?" competition is still going strong over at the Skulduggery website. The ingenuity on display is something to behold, with many of you using both social AND mainstream media (local papers, radio stations) to garner as many votes as possible. Have to say, I'm impressed at the imagination being displayed- there are some real smart cookies out there. There a few schools that are practically guaranteed to be in the top ten, there are plenty more who have established themselves as challengers, and then there are the schools with only a few votes. And to the people who put forward THOSE schools, I have to ask- how does it feel to be so utterly cool? How does it feel to be the only one in your area with enough good taste to vote? You are shining lights, you truly are.
I'm just looking at some of the photos... I love that the Bishopston school in Swansea and Heathcote School and a few others have sent us photos of the school crest- I have no idea how Tom would have drawn Skulduggery in THOSE photos but it would have been fun to see him try...
And St Annes in Shankill, who supplied an arial view... Dammit, if this had been voted for, Tom could have drawn Valkyrie plummeting from the sky and Skulduggery swooping in to save her. Argh! The potential for coolness would have been astronomical!
Let's see, what else... Skulduggery and Val would have looked awesome in the corridor of Holy Family Senior School in Ennis... and they have skeletons in St Matthews!... imagine Val abseiling down the side of Carterton Community College... or Skulduggery walking up the stairs of Selly Park Technology College for Girls... the dogs in Gabbinbar State School in Toowoomba (you don't have to look up Toowoomba to know it's in Australia, do you?) would have been able to chew on poor Skulduggery's leg... awww and I've just seen the picture from Invicta Grammar School with all the girls in army fatigues- I'd have loved to have visited there... I'm pretty sure that's a picture of Camilla visiting Brookside Primary School- so Val would have looked pretty cheeky pulling a face behind her back... and she would have fit right in with the girls from Oakmeeds Community College... Skulduggery would have been so proud to stand in amongst everyone in Scarborough College... then we have Skulduggery himself in Brentwood Ursuline Convent HS... and I'd have loved to have visited Hitchin Girls School, if only so I could have made a load of jokes about hitchin' girls...
Voting is still going on, so you've all got plenty of time left. Once we have the top ten, it'll be up to me to pick the photo that would lead to the best Skulduggery pic and then we'll have our winner. But the effort all of you have gone to is just hilariously impressive...
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
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FABI
NO
YOU ARE WONDERFUL.
*cries because Fabi doesn't need to be normal*
[hugs Adra]
*approaches Em's bedside* So from what I gather from how I needed introducing, you've forgotten me?
#ChaseForBook9
*She stretches her legs out with a sigh and sips a cup of water*
*She taps her belly, figuring the kid might be able to distantly feel it, but probably not*
- Just so you know Trip, Emerald is just coming out of the bathroom, she was having a bath so Lorcan is bringing her out now -
*Lorcan hears a knock on the bathroom door and he opens it. He then helps Emerald from the bathroom to her bed. Emerald stays sitting on the side of the bed for a few minutes. She still looks that unnatural grey colour*
Emerald: I don't know anyone. I can't remember anything. The only two people I have regain my memories of is Adra and Lorcan.
Alexis: *slips into Em's room wanting to see Lorcan*
*considers this, all though not very visibly.* I see.
I understand Lorcan has returned?
#ChaseForBook9
*Deacon
#ChaseForBook9
*Lorcan looks at Trip as he winks at Lexi coming in.*
Lorcan: Oh yeah, Camp Wolf turned out not to be the right place for me.
Emerald: I'm sorry that I don't remember you. I'm still trying to understand how I can remember Adra and Lorcan.
*Adra remembers something she forgot to put on top of the pie*
*Opens a cabinet, and looks up*
*She tries to reach for it, but is, tragically, too short for it*
No!
*Jumps, but no avail*
*Slowly climbs onto the counter*
Ah, don't be. Memories can be right buggers. I myself, can't remember what could potentially be over half my life.
How're you holding up?
#ChaseForBook9
Alexis: Hey there!
(2 hour delay xD
(You may as well be a gnome!)
#XhaseForBook9
(SHUT UP CASTALAN)
((Ari: Sorry about that- dinner. I'm back now.))
Niccolo: *shoots Zafira- the parralel Zafira- a warning glare* Release him, Kerias. You're here to surrender, not reclaim your puppets.
#ChaseForBook9
*Emerald smiles slightly*
Emerald: My whole body is just disagreeing with me. I am not holding up.
I had a gentleman named Niccolo in here a few days ago and he said he found nothing but shadows in my mind. I'm not sure what that means but I just have to put up with him.
*Lorcan looks slightly sad for a moment*
Lorcan: She's constantly throwing up, can barely sleep or eat, can barely walk. It's worrying and hard for her.
(MAKE ME!)
#ChaseForBook9
Mr. Castalan, speaking as one who has met gnomes, calling Ms. Dark one is a rather large stretch. Or small, as it may be.
Wb you two! *hugs*
-
*Adra clings to the cabinet as she stands on the counter, trying to not fall off*
*Hoping to not fall off*
*Grabs a little toothpick*
Wb you two! *hugs*
-
*Adra clings to the cabinet as she stands on the counter, trying to not fall off*
*Hoping to not fall off*
*Grabs a little toothpick*
(GOD DAMMIT, SIR.
*hits both Sir and Trip with a metal bat*)
Zafira: I think not!
Do it.
Aro: *pushes her off* Get off!
Mevolent: What do you want then? I've surrendered. I know there is more to it.
Zafira: *hits Aro before going to her husband*
I have a potion or two you could try. This is Deacon, we're talking about, so I doubt they'll work, but they might be worth a try.
#chaseForBook9
*She sits down on the counter and hops off*
*Looks for some paper and a pair of scissors, then begins to fold and cut*
*Emerald shakes her head*
Emerald: No I don't want to take anything. I just... no.
Lorcan: Hey Lexi, thanks for coming.
Mam, Trip's potions might make it a bit easier for you if they work. It could be worth a try.
Emerald: No, I won't.
(AARRRG! *SHEILDS HEAD* Actually Sir, I am on quite good terms with a group of gnomes, they borrow my skin on occasion, and Adra's ability to retrieve pjes from cupboards can. Only be described as Gnome like.)
#ChaaeForBook9
Niccolò: *blocks Zafira's blow to Aro with shadows* That's quite enough of your folly.
Ari: *looks to Zaf, and then back to Mevolent* Well... We need you to keep to your own dimension. We have to ensure that you'll never come here again.
#ChaseForBook9
It's just herbs, herbs and a few delicious tasting rocks ground up for flavouring, if your worried about chemicals, *grumbles* even though everything is made of chemicals.
#ChaseForBook9
(FIGHT ME CASTALAN
RIGHT HERE
RIGHT NOW
*Pummels him with the bat again*)
-
*She finishes crafting a tulip, and places it on the end of the toothpick, and that in the top of the pie*
*Brushes the rest of the paper into a bin*
Hello. I am back... and I just made the worst joke...
so, there was an add on tv saying that Star Teek: The Searcj For Spock (or however you spell it) is on thia weekend.
and my brother ca me out with "I've lost my spock"
To which I said "did you leave it in the dryer?"
There was such an awkward silence... I am ashamed of myself.
(*summons a lightsaber and cuts Adra's bat in half, taking one half and casting away the laser sword.* Now the fight is even!)
#ChaseForBook9
"How...Where...?" André looked around.
"My cabin in Maine. We teleported."
"No, really, what happened?"
"I'm sorry, I..."
André stuck his head out the door and blinked at the forest around him. "Oh god, we're actually in Maine. We. Are. Actually. In. Maine. Maine." He sat down, hard.
Fabi nodded, swallowing back a sob. He was starting to look at her like some sort of freak now.
There was a long silence before André finally spoke.
"So Cam and I got sent off to liar school, and you got to learn how to teleport? That just isn't fair." The visible shock had mostly faded now, replaced by the look he used to get when he discovered something really exciting and interesting.
Fabi cracked a small smile. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm actually a Metalbender. I can only teleport because of this thing." She pulled her amulet out from under her shirt. "It can only take me where I've left one of the other amulets, but it's useful for getting out of sticky situations."
"What kind of sticky situations?" André frowned, the excitement now replaced by brotherly concern. "Do you regularly have to escape several dozen trained assassins?"
Fabi dodged the question. "Assassins?"
"Yeah, the majority of them weren't used to working in groups or in plain sight, so probably assassins. I guess I could be wrong."
"No, that makes sense. The man in the hat was a Necromancer, so..."
André jumped up. "Oh, no. Rebecca is going to kill me."
Fabi started slightly at her brother's outburst. "What is it?"
"Vincent and Chewy!"
"What?"
"The goats."
And not kill us all.
Mevolent: I cannot guarentee everyone will keep to our dimension.
Zafira: *goes to get a knife*
Mevolent: *grabs her wrist threatening to break it* Not all of us will, you know this, as do I.
Snow.
*Headdesk*
The Search for Spock. Man. Good times.
and then III: KHHHAAAAANNNNNNNN!
Wb done Snow.
#ChaseForBook9
((I'm not even sure what that was. Oops.))
((Well, this is where the goats fit in, if anyone has the time for me to bring that back in.))
((Ari: Oh! I see where this is going, Fabi! This is awesome!
I don't get the joke, Snow, but that's cool.))
#ChaseForBook9
(*Is shorter now*
*Stabs Trip through with a poker*
*Hangs him over a fire place to burn*)
Oh my gods, Fabi. The goats :P
-
*Adra yawns, and she leans back in her chair with a blanket, sitting sideways on it, and curling up*
@ari spock sounds like sock. Socks are often left in the dryer. I am a horrible person.
(Fire! Fire! I. Am. On fire!)
#ChaseFoeBook9
HELLO MY NICE BASTARDS
AND YOU CUT ME IN HALF YOU BUTT.
-
Hello, MycroftbunnyEmber!
EMBER HI HOW ARE YOU. I MAKE THE WORST JOKES EVER. IT IS OFFICIAL.
Ari: Well, we can't have any of your people coming in. Or ours going out. *looks to Niccolò* Is there some way we can seal off the dimension, so no one can pass through?
Niccolò: I, personally, have no such power, however I am certain there is a way. We did manage to trap the demons in their own dimension, but I am unsure of how we did it. Aretha and I were dead at the time. Grand Mage, do you recall how it was done?
#ChaseForBook9
Heya, Adra!
I'M GOOD THANK YOU. NO YOU DON'T. WE ALL HAVE OUR SHARE OF TERRIBLE JOKES.
HERROW EMBER. WE APPEAR TO BE TALKING IN CAPS NOW!
#ChaseForBook9
((Ari: Hey, Ember!))
#ChaseForBook9
Really? Ember, read up. Tell me that spock joke was not horrible. That is my usual standard of joke.
breakin the pattern
HELLO TRIP!
adra how dare u omg
I DIDN'T GET IT AT FIRST. BUT IT'S LIKE FRIENDS. YOU GOTTA WADE THROUGH ALL THE BAD JOKES TO GET TO ONE GOOD JOKE, AND THEN YOU CAN USE IT FOREVER.
((Hi Ember!))
I'm actually laughing because it took Adra, like, three hours to make pasta :P
HELLO ARI!
*HUGS FABWEE*
CAPS LOCK FTW
ADRA CANT MAKE PASTA. XD
Adra can make pasta, but it took three hours because she's been alone :P
You're just jealous you didn't get any. HAH!
But... I had spaghetti for breakfast. So... I technically got pasta.
(Sorry went to feed gerbils and Snowball refused to leave me hand)
I...*nods* Hell. And it isn't gonna be easy and actually its easier to not seal it off. The demons were different, this is beyond...they run identical until 1923. Its risky to seal them off.
Mevolent: You realize I can guarentee my side will not follow but the other side, Resistance, may?
Zafira: The people of the Resistance are so small it would be hard to tell, most of them are dead.
Mevolent: Indeed.
*looks preplexed* I'm afraid to seal yours off...
((Ari: I'll fix that once I'm finished with Mevolent, Adra. :) ))
#ChaseForBook9
*Adra, momentarily falls asleep*
*In her dream, her mind shows her what had happened yesterday- someone grabbing her arm, she flipping him, and bending his legs until they broke, stabbing the other, punching one more*
*Although the images were hazy, and everything was spinning, she definitely got a hint of recollection of what had happened during her emotional blackout*
*Sighs*
Brb.
How... Different, Snow! :P
Alright, Aretha :)
((Still here, just not much to do...))
Ari: *considers* *to Mevolent* Well, you're in control of your dimension, right? Tell everyone- your forces, your citizens, even the resistance- that they are forbidden from crossing into our dimension. Keep track of all the shunters that you can. And if we notice anyone, we'll deport them. If we notice any of your troops, we reserve the right to use force against you if we feel it necessary.
*to Grand Mage Zaf* How does that sound?
#ChaseForBook9
I think a few of the over-the-ponds may have dropped off for the night...
*Waves to them*
((ditto fabs))
And I am back
I agree. We do have the one issue, prisoners. Ours shall be released as will yours.
Mevolent: I have done so already. They are free, in your ow dimension, as for terms I agree. *eyes Aro* The boy, he's coming back with us.
Aro: No. I'm staying here.
Zafira: Ha, no. *grabs his wrist*
Ari: Excuse me- this was an unconditional surrender, yes? That's what you agreed to. That means we make the terms. No conditions from you. Aro stays with us.
#ChaseForBook9
*Her eyes open blearily, and she rubs them*
*Notices how tired she is, and goes and lays down on the couch with her blanket*
*She plays solitaire on her phone*
*Remembers that she was supposed to call Trip again or something*
*Completely forgot, and sighs, she's probably missed him again*
*Continues playing*
((Hm... Well, I suppose Fabi could ask Ember or Mycroft to goat-sit. Or I could remove that bit from the plot...))
Mevolent: He is from my dimension, he shall return.
Aro: *hits Zafira across the face* No! Get off of me!!
Zafira: *blocks his hit and his hand becomes crushed by shadows* I think that fits you.
Enough! Control her or Nic gets permission to kill her.
((Ari: Please keep it in the plot! I love the bit about the goats!))
#ChaseForBook9
I dont seem to have anything to do...
Niccolò: *gently pulls Aro back, and places self between Aro and Zafira* He stays with us. End of story.
#ChaseForBook9
((Ari: You could goat-sit for Fabi, Snow...?))
#ChaseForBook9
(Goat-sitting :P)
Hmm... *watches rp*
Mevolent: *looks at Zafira* Get over here.
*quietly* I'd love to have her suffer as I did, see how she likes it.
Zafira: *quietly goes to him*
Mevolent: She attacked one of your own, act accordingly.
*She, in about fifteen minutes, gets through ten rounds of the game, excelling rather well at it*
*She pulls out her pad and paper again, working more on her drawing of a dress*
*Hums*
Ari: Aro is safe with us, so we needn't do anything. But if she ever comes back from him, she'll die for it. So, have we all settled on our terms?
#ChaseForBook9
((Ari: GUYS. I JUST REALIZED- YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THIS THING. IT WAS GOING TO BE SUCH A "WOW I'VE JUST BEEN HIT BY A TRAIN" THING. I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT IT. AND I NEVER EVEN TOLD YOU WHEN I HAD THE CHANCE. Hm. I'll have figure out how to write this out...))
#ChaseForBook9
Mevolent: Yes. I believe so.
Aro: *nods staying near Niccolò*
Then good.
Aro: M-may I have an escort back to collect things I have? In the other dimension?
Alright, take your time, Aretha :)
Niccolò: I shall accompany you, if you so desire- I must return Mevolent and Zafira to their dimension in any case. *shunts them all over* *stays between Zafira and Aro*
Ari: *once they're gone, leans against a wall, sinks down to the floor, curling up into a ball, and sighs heavily* *she thinks she might just cry* *she definitely will later on, if not now*
#ChaseForBook9
Mevolent: Go on. We can enter the City on our own.
Zafira: *is trying to strangle Aro*
Aro: Leave me alone!
Ari? *goes over to* Whats wrong?
((Laughs))
((Okay then. XD))
((Wbd))
((Ditto.))
Niccolò: *blows Zafira back with shadows, slamming her hard against a brick building* *he'll have broken her back unless she somehow slowed herself down* *takes Aro by the shoulder and strides away with him, till Zafira is out of sight* My apologies for that. Are you alright?
Ari: *shakes head, and not looking up* I'm fine, it's just- God, I'm so glad that that's over...
#ChaseForBook9
My granddad posted another picture of my Gran-bea... It makes me so sad- every time I see a picture of her, she looks more and more frail, and she looks pretty pale in this one..
Just- *Crawls under her duvet* I really need to get down there and see her.
((Ari: *hugs Adra* I'm sorry... I hope she's feeling better than she looks...))
#ChaseForBook9
Zafira: *has somehow stopped self but still very dazed, Nic most likely can hear Mevolent threatening her life*
Aro: I'm fine just a crushed hand. *shakes head* Thats my least worry honestly.
I am too. I know you must be upset, Ari. War changes people.
(( [hugs Adra] ))
(*hugs Adra*
*hugs adra*
I can't breathe with all of this hugging.
Doe.
Thank you, though...
*Adra sighs, setting her sketch pad on the floor- and it falls on the side with one of her lost alchemists*
*She waves it off*
*Moves so she's lying against the couch, and pulls the blanket over her, closing her eyes in hope of taking a nap*
((Sorry...))
Niccolò: I see. *heals him* I am glad you're alright. Shall we retrieve whatever it is you came here for, then?
Ari: Well, yes, but it's not that, just- I sent people off to their deaths... So many people... I'm just so happy that no one has to die like that anymore...
#ChaseForBook9
I think I have a serious problem with procrastination... I haven't even started my latin that's due Friday. Oops.
Aro: Yes. And..I'm afraid she'll come for me. She's controlled and Mevolent is a bit harsh on her. I lived long enough to know...*leads them into the City and to a small house* I lived here. I wanted to collect my journals.
*hugs* I know. I try to keep going, i try. Ravel helps me a lot of the time.
*In her sleep, Adra's hand twitches slightly, and makes a soft, low whine, her eyes squeezing shut harder*
*Although it isn't able to be seen, her heart speeds up a bit*
*Her fingers clutch at her blanket*
*She makes yet another sound, her muscles tightening, and her one hand digs into the other*
Ari: I mean, I'm happy. So happy that it's finally over. Well, anyway. *hugs back* Thanks.
Niccolò: Go and fetch your journals, then. I shall follow you.
((Ari: Sorry for my distance. Bit of a story coming. It takes place just after I woke up after falling asleep on the island, by the way.))
#ChaseForBook9
Oh. Alright, good luck :)
-
*She sighs, and her muscles let go, and she falls still, relaxed*
((I think I'll just go, then. Au revoir.))
Vale, Fabi *hugs*
*grins* We're free Ari! We are free! You want to join me in telling people over the Global Link?
Aro: Yes, I know. *goes into the house and into his room where he collects his journals and other belongings that mean value* Niccolò, in your dimension....would I need the robes I have as a Sense-Warcen?
Aretha's eyes widened, and just as quickly as she'd stood up, she sat down. "That's... I..." She felt Niccolò's guilt tearing through her like a glass shard through wet paper. "Oh, gosh, you don't have to- please, calm down, you haven't done anything wrong..." There was so much he wanted to say, but she knew all of it already. It pulsed through her just as much as it did him. He loved her without Mevolent's help, and it didn't matter to him that it had all started as some sort of sick manipulation. But she had no romantic feelings for him- she never had- so should he even tell her that? Did it even matter to her? Why should it even matter to him, if she didn't care? Why-
"Hey," her voice, and her hand on his shoulder, pulled him back into reality. "I don't care that you only cared because he made you care. I care that he made you anything. I mean, that's your emotions he was messing with- he just toyed with every part of you, and I can't... I mean, I know he's horrible, and what he did to me was horrible, but what he did to you..."
He smiled faintly, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "That's what you do with a name, Aretha. You change the very fabric of their being. That wasn't the first time I became a different person, and I'm sure it won't be the last. I've grown accustomed to it by now."
"But you haven't," she protested, tears brimming in her eyes. "You haven't, and you never will. It kills you inside. Every time. I know that." Aretha was convinced now that she might cry if she just sat there thinking, so she stood up and hugged him instead. "I can feel it, too. Just... Why would he even do that? What could he hope to gain?"
"I needed a weakness," Niccolo explained. Mevolent could control me with my name, but if I never had any reason to come to him, I was undetectable. He needed something more to use against me. The only thing I had was you, so..." His voice seemed caught in some terrible place between pain and whatever you call the opposite of regret. "Bit by bit... He made me care. He made me fall in love with you." He was silent for a bit, but the next time he spoke he was genuinely smiling. "Although I cannot insult his choice of leverage."
Aretha laughed a little, and sat back down, suddenly feeling tired again. "I'm sorry," she muttered, "I think I might fall asleep again..."
"Of course," he reassured her, "Sleep for as long as you wish to."
"You'll be ok, then?" It was somewhat of a pointless question- she already knew the answer.
"Certainly," he replied warmly, but she could feel the anxiety building up inside of him again as her mind slipped into dreams.
#ChaseForBook9
Niccolò: I doubt it, however you are welcome to bring whatever you would like, whether or not you imagine it will be useful.
Ari: Sure.
((Ari: Ok then, Moss. *hugs*))
#ChaseForBook9
Oh man- I think I'm going to cry now. Okay. I'm crying now. Now that I'm there, I'm just going to say that I hate and love your ability to make me feel. Hate, because it's sad, but love, because it's really well written
*Curls under her duvet again* bae
Oh.
My.
Uobihbhkbbqehocbojqebcjojbecuo
((Not here)
*goes to desk and after a few moments is able to launch the Link* People, I sound insane but we won! We are free! Mevolent has surrendered we are free! The terms are not to cross dimensions. Prisoners will be transported to their home country's Sanctuary. *is grinning*
Aro: *gets a few more things* Thank you I'm ready.
Zafira: *shadows form behind Aro*
(Oh. My. God. *is staring in shock*
*Adra's eyes open slightly, and feels that her cheeks are wet, and wipes her eyes*
*She's had another dream*
*She chokes on a sob that's stuck in her throat*
*Grabs her coat, having to go for a walk, and slips out the door, and down to the street*
*Down the sidewalk she goes, through a small park*
Niccolò: Zafira, you are already a nuisance. Control yourself while you still have your life. *shunts back with Aro before the shadows can reach them*
Ari: *is just grinning a lot, so, so happy that it's over*
((Ari: *bows* Thank you all. I kind of wish I'd done it better- just because that whole realization was supposed to be so climactic, and I think because I waited until after Niccolò realized, I lost some of that... But I think I'm happy with how it came out... I think...))
#ChaseForBook9
Aro: Thank you. *seems scared a bit* I'm sorry for anything I did to you...when he made me control you. I doubt I could ever make it up...
*a lot of the Elders globally can be heard cheering* *after a lot of congrats the Link ends* Aretha....my god. I'm crying from happiness.
((Ari: There are just a few typos in there that are throwing me off, I think. They're too distracting. But I guess if you guys felt something, it probably came across nicely anyway. So, thanks.))
#ChaseForBook9
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K-nDfVIVhsM
XD
*She walks along a path, and reaches for her sketch pad to scribble on, but remembers that she left it back at Aretha's*
*Sighs* Damn.
*Sits in the snow, and spreads her legs out, and makes a medium-height snowman*
Niccolò: Think nothing of it. I've grown accustomed to such things.
Ari: *sighs another long sigh of relief, and hugs Zaf tightly* I know, right? *is positively beaming* Do you need me for anything else, then?
#ChaseForBook9
No no you can go home, Ari. I'll take care of things...I have to go to Ireland anyway...*smiles my eyes flickering to my ring*
Aro: If...I asked you some stuff would you help? I'm not acustomed to this dimension. I'm used to poverty all around and...I just need someone to tell me a bit about Zafira and all of you guys...
Hmm... *Lifts her snowman up, peering at it* I didn't mess up your face lines.
*She breaks the snowman, and begins to make a village of smaller snowmen*
Niccolò: *considers* Alright, what have you to ask me?
Ari: Thanks. I think I'll just head home, then. *heads out to the city, finds her hidden portal, and steps out of some bushes in her front yard* *enters the house, flops down on the living room couch, and just cries softly*
((Ari: That was... Interesting, Snow. ;P))
#ChaseForBook9
Awh Ari :/
-
*She continues to make, and make and make*
*She can name them all*
*Slowly begins to crush her snowmen*
*Lays down in the snow, looking up at the sky*
*A small urge to run off to her desert itches at her again*
*Breathes out slowly*
Aro: What are they like...what does my mother even do? I don't understand the Sanctuary at all.
Interesting... yeah
Niccolò: Your mother is a Grand Mage, which means she is the head of her government. Aretha is an Elder, which means she and one other Elder are one rank below your mother. Sanctuaries are magical governments in charge of keeping track of all the mages in their respective regions, and ensuring that magic remains hidden from the mortals.
#ChaseForBook9
Aro: Ah. You guys are like the Resistance, protecting mortals. Niccolò, if Zafira comes back for me...you should give her a few scars to remember you by. How come you can do so much? I never understodd...nor was I informed.
*She sits up, and gets to her feet, wrapping her arms around herself*
*Goes up to Aretha's apartment, and quietly slips in, having gained better control*
*Frowns*
Ari?
Niccolò: My discipline is to steal true names. I've stolen 48 of them over the years, which means in total I have 49 disciplines. If that is all that you require of me for now, I believe I ought to go soon, although I am certain your sisters can explain things in greater detail.
Ari: *doesn't seem to notice her* *her face is buried in a pillow*
#ChaseForBook9
Aretha... *She kneels next to the couch, putting a hand on her shoulder* Ari, what's happened?
Aro: My little sister....Olivia...you should go see her. They keep talking about something called Coco bear and Olivia says I should ask you? *is preplexed having never seen a teddy bear* I'm truly confused. And before you go...I'm scared to ask this but...do you think you know why I'm 17 going on 18 soon, and had my Surge? I'm sorry...nobody has explained it to me they say I'm insane.
(Girl on American Idol (ya idk why im watching this: I'm going to sing Wings by Little Mix.
Me: Mara.
Mom: What?
Me: Mara likes Little Mix. And One Direction. And I like Perrie Edward's hair. She's, like, a thing with Zayn Malik. *Realizes that she just said that* I know so much now.
Niccolò: Many children here play with soft, stuffed toys in shapes that roughly resemble bears called teddy bears. That is what she has named hers. And I fear I do not know why your surge is coming so early.
Ari: *looks up* Oh, hi Adra. *wipes away a few tears* *smiles, even though her eyes are a little red from crying* I'm fine, I just... The war is over, and I was just so relieved that I don't have to send anyone to their deaths anymore...
#ChaseForBook9
You're not... Sad? *Hugs her tightly*
(Sudden image of child Nic playing with a teddy bear...
Aro: Is it named after you? *smirks* Alexis told me you were someone I could trust. I- *shadows form around and Zafira appears*
Zafira: I'm baack! *grins*
Aro: *in mind* She's a witch but don't kill her, guarentee Mevolent forced her here.
Niccolò: *in Aro's mind* I shall have to kill either her or another of his generals. Which would you prefer?
*out loud* *sighs* Did I not inform you that if you returned for him, someone from your side would die?
Ari: *hugs her back* Well... I mean, sort of, but more just... I dunno, I'm sad, and also just relieved. I mean, as far as wars go, that one was tiny- didn't even last a year- but still, so many people died... But at the same time, it's already over, and no one else is going to die. So it's sort of fantastic, too, you know?
#ChaseForBook9
(Adra would you mind deleting that really long comment?
Sorry. :L)
Zafira: Kill one of us? Go steal another name, its what you do best. I just need Aro.
Aro: Kill one of the generals she's already brought Vengeous back
*Timidly smiles* It is- congrats for making it happen. *Pauses* Do you want something to eat? Although we should probably wait for Nic..
"I would like to dedicate to apple pies, which are my personal favorite.
And to food in general.
AND TO APPLESAUCE PACKS.
*Raises glass*"
There, the ded stays. Sorry :P it annoys me when I'm on my phone too
(Ty! I'm on my iPod so I'm used to it but it is annoying)
Omg that is so much better... thanks adra.
(On my tablet and the screem was zoomed out so far it was driving me nuts. Hsd to zoom in every time I reloaded. I take it ari was having the same problem)
Niccolò: *in the other dimension, another general's arm explodes* *the rest of him is alright, but he'll bleed out within minutes without immediate medical attention* One of your generals has just lost an arm, Zafira. Perhaps you ought to tend to him. And then never come back.
Ari: Oh, yeah, the food! That was so kind of you, to make all that. You really didn't have to, you know. But... *sighs worriedly* He'll probably just pass out again... Those explosives take a lot out of him... Oh! That reminds me- he wanted to apologize for any confusion he may have caused you earlier, with the apples. He was getting a little tired, so he froze time for a few minutes and ate some.
#ChaseForBook9
((Ari: Eh, I did have to zoom in, but I don't really mind. It's just moving my fingers around a bit more. I can see how people would find it irritating, though. Anyway, thanks, Adra.))
#ChaseForBook9
(It's hot enough to tan. Spent the last half hour sizzling on the trampoline... Hot.))
Zafira: I'm under strict orders. No. *throws a knife at his eye*
Aro: Get away! Maybe he'll take your name and save us all!
Oh... *nods* Hopefully he won't have to use up so much energy now that this is over. It's worrying.
And- I did wonder what that was. That makes sense, though.
*Shies away from the sun* I am happy for you and all, but just- I couldn't do that.
Niccolò: *catches the knife and tosses it back* ((May I kill her?))
Ari: Definitely worrying... It happens a good bit, though, whether or not we're at war. *sighs* There's always some new battle to fight.
((Ari: Hey Death! I hope you like the heat, in that case.))
#ChaseForBook9
*She bites her lip, and nods* I can understand that. *She trails off, and falls silent*
This is why I could never trust Niccolo.
I always knew he was going to steal another name.
We're all sorcerers.
We use magic, and we always will.
It was bound to happen.
(If I'm going with this completely wrong, please let me know.)
(I'm an Aussie. I spend all summer outside. I'm used to it. They'll have came up for a curr to cancer when I'm actually diagnosed.))
(If you kill her, you'll end up with a very angry Mevolent if you injure her enough she can't fight back he'll be less angry and won't send an army to kill you. Personally I like her because I'm actually having fun thinking of her story and dont want her dead)
((Niccolò: Gracious, no, I wouldn't steal her name. I would, however, remove her soul, or kill her in some other manner. I have not been in the habit of stealing names for quite some time now.))
#ChaseforBook9
I actually don't think he'd want to steal another name, regardless...
Yeah.
Also- thank you.
(I'd be interested to see Nic steal a name. With Jay I thought he'd do it or Zaf, both would gain him magic he didn't have.
I wouldn't want him to, regardless of whether or not it would be interesting, you know? It'd still be another burden that he has to bear, and I'd hate to see that..
-My opinion-
*Adra gets to her feet, buttoning her coat up* I apologize, Aretha- I have to get going, although please do enjoy the food, I put a symbol on them when I first started cooking that will keep the food fresh and warm for up to a week, when it'll get cold and stale... So, if Niccolo passes out, he can still have some tomorrow, if he wants. *She nods*
(I think it'd be neat plotwise, I would feel so bad for Nic though and the name he stole....I mean having Zaf been in his head hearing those screams to have John petrified to know she was stuck there, its probably scary. And it woud suck.
I remain unfooled by you, Niccolo.
What you've done, you can't just pretend to be innocent.
Just slip in, remain unnoticed.
Your show is over, Niccolo.
-sends bolt of lightning towards him-
(Hey Aiden, can we not try assassinating everyone? Especially being we were in the middle of something and all...? Not to be rude...
Zaf, you've been at it for six hours, I think he can step in if he likes..
(I wasn't trying to assassinate him, I was trying to battle him.)
(Couple hours after my knee injury- still limping! Maybe I'll get out of the pacer test tomorrow
((Niccolò: However, my opinions tend to change rather suddenly, so I would advise you not to trust me regardless of whether or not I continue to steal names.
Ari: And by that he means that if another name takes over, there's no telling what he'll do. But if he's in his right mind, he only fights defensively, and definitely feels no inclination to steal names. When he does fight, though, he slips into a more violent persona.))
Niccolò: *dematerializes, so none of her attacks will have any effect on him, and walks calmly towards her* *materializes once he's close to her and stabs her with a short knife* *the one tainted with poison that will immobilize her in two minutes* *dematerializes again to avoid the lightning* You are welcome to kill me another day, Aiden, however I think you'll find that at the moment, if you kill me, Aro will become Mevolent's slave again. ((I can certainly avoid killing her, if you so wish.))
Ari: *smiles, and hugs her* Thank you, Adra.
#ChaseForBook9
Aro? I know the name.
Can I meet him?
Zafira: What the hell did you just do to me?!
Aro: Seriously, person known as Aiden don't do this ok? I'm not wanting to become a slave to Mevolent!
((Niccolò: Aro is standing quite close to me, at the moment, as is Zafira from the other dimension, purely for your reference.))
Niccolò: Certainly. *gestures towards Aro*
#ChaseForBook9
I dedicate this page to the snow and winter
And beaches and flip flops which I miss
((Ari: I used to miss summer in the winter, and winter in the summer. But I don't think I've done that since third grade. *shrugs* *quietly analyzes self*))
#ChaseforBook9
Aro, it is possible to eradicate Niccolo without sending you to Mevolent.
We need to get rid of Mevolent first.
And no, I don't intend on it being easy.
Aro: Dude we ended the war. Its just Mevolent's wife who is being a pain. And we are not killing Niccolò! *sends white hot pain through Aiden's mind*
Zafira: *starts to realize what he did* I...I...can't move!!!!
Niccolò: I could simply kill him, however I would really rather not kill anyone I don't have to. He's agreed to remain in his dimension, yet he has already broken that agreement by sending her here. She will be unable to move any moment now. Then if you...*suddenly sounds pained, as if he is physically becoming unable to speak* Wish, you may... Kill me... *coughs* Apologies. *vanishes, and returns with Aretha*
Ari: *sighs* Thank you, Niccolò. Sorry about that.
Sorry, but you may definitely not kill him, Aiden.
#ChaseForBook9
-gets a hold of the pain, absorbing it and sending it back into Aro-
Then maybe, we just need to get rid of you.
Niccolò: Ah, there. I can shunt her back now.
Aro, please, there is no need for you to involve yourself in my affairs.
#ChaseForBook9
Aro: *blocks it* Dude just go!!!
*stalks in* You. Get away from my friends and son!
Stop running, Zafira.
-fires bolt at her-
Aro: I don't like this guy. I'm sorry but I'm not leding him hurt people.
Zafira: Shunt me?! You can't tell me you'll shunt me back paralyized! How long am I like this?!
Hey-ey-ey! Zaf, be nice. *Pars her shoulder comfortingly* He can be around if he likes. He's one of us, yeah?
*ducks and sends a volley ot shadows at Aiden*
Rose he wants me dead! He's cray cray!
All the best people are.
True that. I admit
Ari: Aiden, honestly, are you just going to attack anyone who says a word against you?
Niccolò: If your quarrel is with me, it is hardly necessary for you to attack anyone else.
That will wear off in one week, Zafira. That ought to be long enough to prevent you from returning.
#ChaseForBook9
Ari: Woah, Zaf, Aro, calm down- how about we all just coexist with each other?
#ChaseForBook9
Zafira: He'll kill me...I'm so dead...
-whips away the shadows-
No, Ari. I have a quarry with Zafira, and she cowardly runs from it, as she always does.
(I don't actually believe this, Zafira, I think you're very brave. :))
He tried to kill me yesterday! Then tried to tell me to go send Christopher some god forsaken place! I am so going to fight if he attacks me. Which I have.
(Thank you Aiden.)
*eyes him* I do not run from my battles. I'm not running. Leave us alone I have not done a thing to you
Gosh, aren't we a big ray of sunshine... *She sighs, hanging her head* All smiles, all round. *She raises one hand in Aiden's direction, her other hand in Zaf's. The gravity around them starts to shift, forcing them apart* Be nice.
STOP WITH THE EXCUSES!
I AM FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH YOUR CONTRACT.
-my eyes become completely white-
Aiden...? *Her voice is laced with concern*
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