This year is the fiftieth anniversary of Doctor Who. To celebrate, Puffin Books asked eleven different authors to take a Doctor and write a story. When I was asked, I said I'd only do it if I could write for the tenth or eleventh incarnation. Puffin gave me Ten. I was a happy bunny.
It was such a joy to write this character. As you all know, I've been a fan of the show since I was a kid, and David Tennant holds joint top-spot with Matt Smith as my favourite Doctor. In my opinion, it was Tennant's era when the Doctor's love of dialogue really came out— that quick-fire patter that he does so well — and it was an absolute pleasure to channel that.
The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage will be released as an e-book on October 23rd (my birthday! Skulduggery's deathday!) and then it, along with the other stories, will be collected into a PHYSICAL book which will be out near the end of November.
There will be a video released in a week or two where I talk more about it, but in the meantime, here's a link to a snippet (which explains where the somewhat old-fashioned title comes from...)
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/interactive/2013/oct/01/doctor-who-mystery-haunted-cottage-derek-landy-extract
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«Oldest ‹Older 1201 – 1400 of 4966 Newer› Newest»Thats why i love you Rose :) msd
Listen to Carolyn by Black Veil Brides. Andy is a babe...
Also, I'm sleeping right now. My guardian angel saved my lift again last night and I'm going shopping tomorrow.
I hung myself again. I stopped my heart and he was there. He saved me again. He knows I've got something big to play in this world and he's not letting me take the coward's way out.
Cheers mate.
*Hisses at Zaf and ducks back into her sleep mode*
Rose!!! *pokes Aussie* WAKEY WAKEY!!!! ZAFFY WANT HER AUSSIE!!! *cries*
*life
Deathy wants her sleepy... She was up until four RP-ing with randoms and woke up at six to continue... She's got a shopping spree tomorrow...
Just look at Andy Sixx and life will become better... I don't care what people think off anymore. It's a wonderful feeling...
Greetings!
Greetings, Mycroft!
...
I should really change Miss September's profile picture for her. It is, in all honesty, not a nice image to associate with my lovely self.
Greetings, Doctor!
How are you this lovely day?
I am quite well, having consumed a large number of waffles, received a fabulous new haircut, and slain a number of abominable snowmen.
I am concerned by the lack of pictures of me on Miss September's computer. I shall put an end to this!
I have also consumed a large number of waffles.
A good haircut can make you feel like an entirely new person, don't you think? More confident?
Truthfully, I felt a little silly at first, but I've been told I look fabulous, so I'm beginning to feel more confident. And there should ALWAYS be MANY pictures of you on EVERY computer. You know this.
Awwwi can't see Leon in maths the German kids are going to the middle school today...maybe by 7/8 they'll be back...
Indeed I do.
And please don't take this the wrong way, but I am sure you do look fabulous.
☂I LOVE THIS PICTURE HERE ---->☂
☂I spent five minutes trying to screenshot this gif properly because it was going so fast...☂
*quirks eyebrow at Zafira*
Has somebody been getting a little... chummy with one of the boys in their class?
I'm sorry you can't see Leon, Zafira. My heart bleeds for you. *dramatically clutches her chest in pain*
I GOT SHERLOCK SEASON 1 AND 2 BUT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO WATCH IT!!
☂NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO☂
☂MITH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO☂
☂WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY☂
☂WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY☂
☂Hey Mith, you should totes do a post about when you watch it for the first time!!!☂
My mum kept it. I'll get a test back tomorrow and if I get a 1 or a 2, she will give it to me.
Oh, I WILL do a post about Sherlock!!
MITHRIA!!!!!!!! AUGH!!!!!!!!! THAT MUST BE TORTURE!!!!
PLEEEEEEASE WATCH THEM! I DON'T WANT TO BE TRAPPED IN THIS CRAZY FANDOM ALOOOOOOONE . . .
☂I'm sure you'll do well, Mith!!!!!☂
☂And it'll be a really wonderful reward!☂
It is torture, Annika... But I'm pretty sure that I will get it tomorrow. And guess what I'll do the whole weekend? :D
STUDY HARD.
Um, Ember? How about continuing our little thingy? ;)
☂Yeah-huh! But before we do, Mith, go to my profile and zoom in on my profile picture :D☂
(*bursts out laughing* Oh Ember... :D)
A creative profile pic to be sure.
☂☂high-fives everybody☂☂
☂YEEEEEEEEEEEAH☂
☂Okay, let's do this... Mith, you start!☂
*still following Sherlock*
☂Why WAS he going home, btw?☂
Well, if you two are going to go do your own thing, I guess I'm gonna leave.
Sherlock: *stops in front of 221b Baker Street* *enters house*
*looks at Mycroft* Um... the vault is not in there, is it?
(Sorry, Annika! I don't want to make you feel like you had to leave!!)
☂No, Anni!☂
☂WAIT MITH IDEA.☂
☂STAY, ANNI, I HAVE AN IDEA FOR YOU.☂
☂Okay, Mith, I have a comment posted on your blog. Tell me what you think HERE, okay?☂
(Oh . . . okay.)
Doctor Precocious stands on the sidewalk, looking at the sky and wondering if it's going to rain.
(Agreed, Ember^^)
Sherlock: *leaves the house again and walks away quickly*
(Okay . . . Give me a sec . . .)
I'm not sure, Mithria. I told Anthea to take care of it, and I had assumed she'd put it in a safe pla--
*stops mid-sentence*
*rings Anthea*
*no response*
(Ha! Oh, this will be fun . . .)
*looks at him* Something wrong?
☂I KNEW IT WAS GONNA BE GREAT!☂
☂☂high-fives Anni☂☂
☂And thinking about it, you would be totes perfect for this!☂
No, no, nothing... we must follow him. Now.
Nothing? You don't look like it was nothing...
*sighs* Well, let's go then.
A sleek black car rolled up to the curb, and a tall man with blond hair and scars steps out. He opens the passenger-side door, and a shorter man with dark hair and a Westwood suit steps out. He catches sight of Mycroft and calmly slips into a nearby cafe to avoid being noticed. He snap his fingers, and the blond man removes a rifle-sized bag from the boot of the car.
You see, Mithria, in my excitement for our honeymoon, I might have... overdone things a tad.
Overdone? What exactly do you mean by that?
No, Seb, the OTHER one.
*Seb looks apologetic and removes a different bag. Larger. Flatter. Glowing with a faint green light.*
Perfect.
*looks bored*
Now, take cover on the roof of this building, and don't let them out of your sight for a moment.
☂(I don't exactly know what you're doing, Anni, but I'll leave that up to you. I HAVE FAITH XD)☂
☂Do you wanna delete the comments about you being Motiarty so other people don't see it?☂
*walks up to cute waitress and gives her a cold, empty look*
Do mind slipping your hand into my pocket?
*obviously upset, she does it, and takes out a stick of gum*
Thanks.
*returns to window, chewing it, and looking for Mycroft*
I... I might have planned more for you than a traditional getaway...
You'll see. I don't want to ruin this surprise for you. It's just that I'm rather concerned Sherlock has found some way to get in, and he... he doesn't know what this... what the machine does.
(Which comments? The ones I'm doing? If you want me to, though I'm not really sure what you mean . . .)
*frowns* I am not sure if I understand... No. No, I don't understand anything.
*turns head from side to side*
I feel like somebody's watching us.
Please be careful, my love.
*put an arm around her shoulders*
Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Seb is keeping a sharp eye on Mycroft and Mithria, who seem to be engaged in a deep conversation. He opens the bag and removes a large box, covered in odd lights and dials. Dials that say things like 2013-1920, and 1919-1842, and so on. A complicated meter says it's a Thursday.
Seb flicks a switch on the side, and the machine begins humming softly, searching for its twin, the only other machine like itself . . .
☂(No, just this one:)☂
☂(YES I FLIPPIN' CAN. What do you want me to do? Specifically? As Moriarty?)☂
(Where's your time machine?)
(Consider it deleted.)
It is better that you do not currently understand, my love.
*they both follow Sherlock*
☂Mith, I'm leaving it up to you where the Vault (ooh capitals) is, okay?☂
(The comment, I mean, not the machine.)
☂Awesome. Dunno where it is. Leaving it up to Mith.☂
*turns head*
*starts being slightly worried*
(But I don't know! Gah, I'll have to think...)
☂Oh whoops.☂
☂(Can I do it?)☂
A chubby fellow in a brown leather jacket is stumbled down the street, confused and terrified. He sees Mycroft and Mithria. "You . . . you've been misplaced too!" He gasps. "I'm not alone! I thought I was the only one lost in ti-"
A gunshot splits the air and he tumbles into the street, blood dripping from his left eye.
(Please Ember!! I have no ideas today... they are all gone...)
☂(I mean figure out where the machine is)☂
(Yes Ember! Do whatever you want to do^^)
*quickly pulls Mithria away*
We must go. Now. Find the machine.
*runs, pulling Mithria with him*
*runs towards Buckingham Palace*
Urgh . . . Seb, that wasn't really necessary, was it?
*steps out of cafe*
I'll do it myself.
*Strolls down the street. His shoes look particularly interesting. Pale pink leather. Almost like . . . human skin. But that, of course, is ridiculous.*
*looks back while running, shocked* Oh my god...
The machine isn't working properly, not since Seb let off that shot. He smacks it angrily, the only way he knows how to deal with electronics. It doesn't work, and when he looks up, he sees Mycroft and Mithria running off towards the palace.
His blood runs cold. The boss will NOT like this.
Hurriedly, he grabs his gun and climbs down from the roof, forgetting the flashing, whirring contraption at the top . . .
☂Mith, once you watch ASCIB, you'll get this Buckingham Palace reference XD☂
☂ACTUALLY YOU ALREADY WILL!!!!!☂
☂COS YOU A GOOD FANGIRL AND YOU WATCHED THIS :D☂
(Is it the one whith this "Get off my sheet" thing?)
☂Btw, Anni, you're doing this wonderfully!☂
*breaks into a run*
Dammit . . . Westwood suits were not made for running . . .
*He climbs into an abandoned car and takes off down the street. He flicks on the radio; the BeeGees start playing, and he suddenly feels more confident in the situation.*
Where's Seb got to . . .
☂YEAAAAAAAh☂
*runs*
*runs in*
*runs into a large tea party filled with important guests*
*stops*
*smiles*
Greetings.
*runs past them into another room*
*drags Mithria with him*
*Mithria accidentally knocks over the queen*
Seb abandons his sniper rifle, pulls out a Glock, levels it at Mithria, and takes aim. His hand is on the trigger . . .
Im....confused
Oh my... Um... My apologies! *quickly follows Mycroft*
*is still running, turning and twisting through streets*
*bursts into room with tea party*
Where are they! Mycroft and Mithria!
"Hey!" Yells someone. "Aren't you the Storyteller? My daughter watches you on the telly all the time!"
*pulls out remote control*
Tell me where they went or I stop all your hearts.
*finger caresses the big red button on the remote*
☂DON'T BE, ZAF. THIS IS GONNA GET AWESOME.☂
☂Aw, Mith! <3 XD☂
☂THE STORYTELLER BIT!!!☂
Zaffy gonna be here somewhat but she in school.....uhm,
*tries to follow Mycroft*
Good god, what is HAPPENING?!
Person: Ou-out there! In th-the street!
Perfect.
*runs out into the street, catches a glimpse of Mycroft whipping around a corner, and runs after*
I thought Sherlock was the best distraction . . .
*smiles*
But maybe time travel is a better one.
*skids to a halt*
Damn! He's lost in the crowd. What . . . what are they watching on that telly in that department store?
*peers at the show on TV. It's called 'Elementary'*
I shall have that man killed at once . . . No! Focus! The time machine!
*smile spreads on face*
If I can find the machine . . . then I find Mycroft. And a machine can't run.
*is still running*
We need to get to the back entrance, Mithria.
Also, don't worry about the fact that you didn't pack clothes or toiletries. I have prepared for this for a long time.
*yanks open back door to BP*
*enters ridiculously long code that happens to be the whole set of lyrics to "The Fox" in Chinese*
*runs into a huge metal room, Sherlock in the middle of it, cradling his drugs next to a small machine pulsing green*
☂I HATE ELEMENTARY!☂
Sherlock: *looks up* I must say that I had expected something more difficult, Mycroft.
Sherlock: Even Lestrade would have managed to find it.
*presses hands to head*
Where have they got to . . . Buckingham Palace . . . but where . . . where . . .
*Seb toddles up, breathing heavy with exhaustion*
Seb, turn your back, your face is putting me off.
*eyes snaps open*
I have to enter my Mind Disco Club . . .
*Seb is sitting on the sidewalk, polishing his Glock, when his boss suddenly punches the air*
Yes! Ha ha, yes! The secret back room in Buckingham Palace! Seb, get the car.
☂MIND DISCO CLUB?☂
☂My God, Anni, you're great at this.☂
*laughs*
Unlikely.
I doubt even Moriarty would be able to find this.
You managed to find it because you are currently craving your alcoholic beverages and assorted powders, so you are trying harder.
If this is the best of your abilities and it took you this long, then it is I who should be disappointed.
Sherlock: You don't know since when I'm here, do you? I've been waiting for you for quite a time.
(Well, Sherlock has a Mind Palace, so naturally Moriarty must have a Mind Disco Club!)
☂I think Mycroft probably has something like a... a Mind Bakery, maybe?☂
*looks at Mycroft, then at Sherlock, then at Mycroft again*
Sorry for repeating myself but... could somebody please tell me what is going on here?
*pulls up outside Buckingham Palace*
Wait, Seb. It wouldn't do to go in there without a little welcoming present.
*removes a parka lined with Semtex out from under the seat*
Find the nearest diplomat and put him in this. Make sure the bomb's online.
*fingers remote*
I will find this time machine, and I won't leave a single stone of this palace left standing when I do . . .
(PEOPLE!! You are great!! I am laughing so much at the moment... :D)
My calculations tell me... around half an hour.
Hardly any time compared to how long I spent acquiring this machine.
Or hardly any time compared to where Mithria and I are about to go.
(Yes! Yes, a Mind Bakery, definitely! And Lestrade has a Mind Precinct [That's HIS division!])
☂Anni, you should probably hurry, Mycroft's almost about to leave with Mithria.☂
☂And possibly Sherlock, depending on what Mith feels like.☂
*looks even more confused*
☂☂falls over laughing☂☂
☂And Mrs. Hudson needs a Mind Not-Your-Housekeeper XD☂
*creeps around back and examines the door*
Well, obviously, it requires a code to get in, and obviously that code is the lyrics to a song . . .
*types in the lyrics to Stayin' Alive*
No, no that's not it . . .
Seb: Maybe you should learn the lyrics to some non-BeeGees songs . . .
THERE ARE NO NON-BEEGEES SONGS THAT MATTER, SEB.
☂☂scratches head☂☂
☂That made no sense☂
We're travelling back in time, Mithria. Just you and I. Nobody will be there to annoy us, or to poke us, or to inspect wedding rings.
*shouts at the door*
THINK HARDER, YOU BUMBLING FOOL.
Seb: *sigh*
*types in lyrics to 'The Fox' in Chinese
*looks at Seb in wonder*
Of all the song lyrics you could pick, you pick that one? How does that-
*doors swings open*
Ah.
*blinks*
*nods*
Oh...
*quickly presses some buttons on the machine*
We must go quickly, Mithria.
*kisses her*
*they are both surrounded by a green-looking light*
☂Don't forget, Anni, you have to bring your own time machine with you somehow!☂
*stares at Moriarty in horror*
*arms tighten around his wife subconsciously*
*Seb points silenced handgun at Sherlock*
*smiles at Mycroft*
Weeeeeeeeeell, if it isn't the Iceman.
*holds up remote*
Leave and the whole palace gets blown to Kingdom come.
*looks frightened, not for him but for Mithria and Sherlock*
*whispers*
I'm not the Iceman anymore, James.
*loosely takes Sherlock's hand so he can come with him instead of getting shot*
*disappears*
☂You can blow up the place for all he cares, btw!☂
Moriarty: Seb, the time machine.
Seb: I, uh, forgot it.
Moriarty: You . . . forgot it?
Seb: Uh, yeah.
Moriarty: WHY?
Seb: Uh, because, uh, that's what people DO!
Sherlock: *stares at Moriarty, then looks at Mycroft*
Wouln't it be time to leave now, dear brother?
☂(Mith, we've already left XD)☂
Well, this place is going too, then. And we're following them, Seb, in case you were wondering. We'll always be following them, just like we followed Carl Powers all those years ago. And what did we do to Carl Powers, Seb?
Seb: Killed him.
Right. Just like I'll kill everyone in this palace.
*presses button*
Seb: But WHY, boss?
Because . . .
. . . no matter what happens
. . . I'm stayin' alive.
*Palace explodes as they run off down the street towards their car and the time machine*
(Shit, you guys are far too fast for me...)
(Ember, where did you and Mithria and Sherlock disappear to? If I'm going to be following, after all . . .)
☂(What time period do you wanna arrive in, Mith? How about dinosaur times?)☂
(Isn't that a little TOO early? ;) )
☂(We can do caveman times, or Shakespeary time)☂
(Shakespeare would be fun, I think^^)
(Yeah! Let's do Elizabethan! To be or not to be, that is the Final Problem.)
☂Awesome! Elizabethan it is!☂
*Sherly, Mithria, and Mycroft suddenly appear in the middle of a very, ur, BRICKY road.*
Sherlock: *stumbles but manages to stand* I must say... I am impressed.
*eyes widen* What… How… I mean… Who were those two guys? And where are we? *looks around in a nervous way*
Sherlock: I do believe that where is the wrong question, Mithria. Much better would be: When?
(I'll be right back!)
Seb, this is a very delicate piece of machinery. Stop punching it.
Seb: But it's not tracing the location of the first time machine!
You have to turn these, dials, see . . . ugh! My hands! I HATE getting my hands dirty, Seb, that's why you're here.
Seb: Yes, sir, sorry sir. Wait!
What?
Seb: It's picking up something. Something in . . . the Elizabethan era.
We are currently in Elizabethan times, my dear wife and brother.
☂I wrote brife and wother just then XD☂
(Fair warning, everyone, I'm going to have to leave in 45ish minutes.)
It seems to be the year . . . 1562. What would posess the infamous Holmes brothers to go to such a year . . .
Seb: Well, we have to follow them.
True, true. But our technology will . .. attract some attention. Well, I suppose . . .
*pulls knife from leg strap*
The old ways are the best. Turn it on, Seb.
*suddenly freezes*
*machine is gone*
Wait a second.
I just realised...
I forgot to correct this small malfunction with the programming...
Sherlock: Malfunction. Wonderful.
The time machine blazes a vicious green light, which swallows up the muscular form of Sebastian Moran and the small, pale Irishman named Jim Moriarty. They are thrown spinning through a tunnel of blue and purple time and space, and something like music can be heard in the background:
DooooooWEEEEEEEEEEoooooooooo
Seb lands with a splat in a puddle of something much worse than mud on an Elizabethan street. Moriarty lands on his feet, looking at his soaked friend with distain.
Well, at least Moriarty can't fo--
Drat.
I had wondered where that spare went to.
Where . . . were are we?
What's that, Seb? The Globe Theater! Ah-ha!
*rubs hands together*
They can't be far. Come on, Seb. Let's find them.
*plays with knife*
And when we do, I'll skiiiiiiiiiiiiiin them.
Um, boys? You still did not tell me who those two men were.
☂Oh, Whoops.☂
(The last thing should be whispered...)
A horse and wagon clops along the cobblestones, kicking up a spray of effluvia from the street. Moriarty casually shoves Seb into the path of the mud. Seb gives him a tortured look. "Boss!"
Moriarty gestures to his suit.
"Westwood."
They are Sherlock's nemesis and his idiotic minion.
Quite an adorable couple, I must say.
*Wonders where everyone is*
Oh... what did you say about the "Only you and me"-thing? *sighs* Well, I suppose this will be fun. *sarcasm*
Let us look around, shall we? I brought suitable attire.
*pulls a briefcase out of nowhere*
*pulls out a beautiful dress for Mithria and a lovely suit for himself*
My apologies, Sherlock, but I was not expecting you to come on this expedition with us.
*looks very upset*
I've tried, Mithria, I really have.
Seb: Where do you suppose they've got to?
Well, use your deductive reasoning. If you were Mycroft Holmes, and you were in the Elizabethan era, where would you go?
*Pause for deep thought. Moriarty enters his Mind Disco Club, Seb enters his Mind Shooting Gallery.*
Together: A bakery!
☂☂laughs☂☂
Well, it is not your fault, dear.
Sherlock: *raises eyebrow*
(Alright, everyone, I'm sorry, but I really do have to go. I've set my darling Jim and his pal Seb off on a wild goose chase, so they should be fine for a while. Sorry! It can't be helped!)
*Opens vortex to Elizibethan times and steps through*
☂It's okay, Anni! You were fabulous! And also, Mith and Mycroft have some things to discuss and have a generally lovely little honeymoon...☂
(Annika, this was really fun! You're a great Moriarty!!)
☂Or not. XD☂
Bye Annika
*sighs*
Mithria, if you... if you feel unhappy about this, then perhaps we should return home.
☂Hey, Fletcher!☂
☂I'm sorry, I should've said hello earlier ;(☂
Hello September
No... no, I am not feeling unhappy about it. Really.
It's just... I'm not used to situations like this and...
(My computer is playing tricks on me again... Anyway, Hi Ed!)
Hello Mithria
*almost starts to tear up*
Mithria... I don't... I truly wanted you to be truly happy with this... you must understand that my work follows me... I love you. I don't want you to feel pressured into doing anything you don't want to do. And I want you to feel safe, but sometimes that can't happen. I can't promise that. The only thing I CAN promise is that I'll love you forever, and perhaps that'll be enough.
But if it is not, please feel free to say so.
☂I'm sorry if you're feeling a bit out of place now, Fletch, but I'll talk to you on the side!☂
☂How's your day been?☂
May I enquire what we are doing in this time period?
☂Mycroft tried to take Mith on a honeymoon... and Moriarty's chasing them...☂
(Dont worry September. My day was fine thanks)
*looks at him, surprised by his reaction* Mycroft, I didn't want to complain about anything! I just... I saw that you two were afraid of these men. And if even YOU are afraid of them... how terrible must they be then? *whispers* I... I'm scared...
((...... Right. I'll be back later))
(*Sighs* Seems like I have to ded... Okay.
I dedicate this page to BBC Sherlock.
I know, this was a really short ded but I'm not in the mood for a longer one... sorry.)
Hello Zaf
*hugs Mithria*
You have no need to be scared. I will protect you until the end of the Earth and even beyond then.
Sherlock: *clears throat*
☂Zaf, that's really not very nice!☂
Zaf, before I go, why is it you always ask me to leave
*very, very pointedly annoys Sherlock*
☂Zaf, you can be cool and really fun, so I'm just going to ask... why are you angry with a lot of us? We love you! You're awesome! You're an important part of our family. Are you feeling kinda sad lately?☂
What the heck my friend is making a rose in my hair....
((The Globe wasn't built until 1599 or so...!))
((Sorry... Shakespeare geek.))
#ChaseForBook9
Zaf, as you wish I shall leave
Goodbye
☂Um, Zaf...?☂
☂FABWEEEEE!☂
☂☂hugs☂☂
☂No, Fletch, stay! The rest of us want you here!☂
Hello Fabi
Now I leave
Goodbye
Sherlock: *sighs* That's all very well but may I suggest that you put your clothes on now? One person being dressed like that *points at his suit* is enough.
☂And I'm sure deep down, Zaffy wants you here too, because you're cool.☂
☂☂hugs Fletch☂☂
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