I have just pressed SEND.
By pressing SEND, I have emailed off the completed book to my agent and editor. It will now be sent to the copyeditor who, amongst other things, will be checking for grammar and spelling mistakes that I've missed but, more importantly, will be ensuring that everything I've written makes sense.
She will be checking facts and figures and timelines, scouring her notes on the other books to make sure I haven't contradicted myself... A good copyeditor in invaluable, and I have a great one.
It's done. I wrote the two Scapegrace chapters that I'd left until last. Oh, and I ALSO included the winner of the Die Horribly competition...
It took me until last night to pick a winner. I was sent 30 finalists out of everyone who entered. Of those 30, I quickly whittled it down to 15. Then, not so quickly, down to 10. Then it took me ages to narrow it down to 5. Then 3.
There were some great entries. Lots of funny reasons why people reckoned they should be the reader I pick to kill horribly in the book. But I needed something specific. I needed something that would fit in with what I'd written. And there was only one reader who fit PERFECTLY.
So congratulations to Lewis Holmes, from the UK. You shall have the distinct honour of being Horribly Killed in The Dying of the Light.
Lewis' death was the last thing I had to write. Now it's all over. Sure, I'll be sent the copyeditor's notes to approve, and there'll be a little more fiddling around between now and printing time, but...
... but it's over. I have finished writing Skulduggery Pleasant.
I think I need to lie down now.
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«Oldest ‹Older 3601 – 3800 of 4942 Newer› Newest»*cut opens up on forehead but stomach is protected by armour*
*hits Silente with stasis and stabs her again*
*lifts her up using blue energy and slams her back down into the ground*
You dare call me a coward? *kicks her* You're the one who had to change form to fight me. *kicks again* Stop running away and fight!
*hisses*
*frozen in mid bound*
*stabs her through the stomach again and pulls the blade out viciously*
Uh
Uh
Uh
*Begins backing away*
*Whirls about, and takes off at a dead sprint towards her house*
*hisses*
*regains the ability to move*
*kicks at Dragona's head*
*twists and jumps to her feet*
*bounds faster thab Dragona can run towards the town*
*jumping from tree trunk to tree trunk*
((bbs, location change :( ))
*hits Silente with stasis as soon as she gets to her feet*
You are not escaping from me, vampire. You are not attacking that town.
*Gets to her cabin*
*Slams the door behind her*
*Quickly runs through the small house, random pressing and twisting and grabbing sigils at random*
*The lights flicker*
*The water turns on*
*The house's temperature dramatically fluctuates*
*For some reason, it's snowing in her bedroom*
((back!))
*is frozen, AGAIN*
*black eyes glowing with hell fire*
You want to stop being frozen? Actually fight me.
*hits her with stasis again*
*frozen*
*angry frozen bloodthirsty vampire*
*stabs Silente several times in the stomach and chest*
*hisses*
*regains ability to move*
*swipes across Dragona's face*
*leaps onto him jaws wide*
*dodges the swipe and is knocked to the ground* *grabs Silente's throat and holds her teeth away from her*
*Even though it's basically Hoth, Sam hides under her bed*
Gotta go, now, so bye, everyone!
((bye Sam!))
*pushes against her hands snarling*
*puts her claws on either side of Dragona's face*
*starts digging her claws in*
*still pressing down against her hands, jaws wide*
(Bye Sam!)
*hisses in pain at the claws digging into her face*
*activates the blade again, and as it rotates to come out it slices into Silente's throat*
*jumps back gurgling slightly*
*leaps away blood pouring from the neck wound*
*turns and starts bounding off*
(Where are you bounding? Towards the town or just away?)
((generally, away from you. Into the forest))
(kk. ^^)
*watches the vampire go*
*wipes the blood from her face*
Derek replied to me on Twitter. I have no idea if this is a regular occurrence but I'm pretty pleased nevertheless.
((sorry went for food))
*rips through the foliage quickly*
*already shuddering and shaking*
*hissing in anger*
*turns left quickly and falls over into a big hole*
*lays in it shuddering and shaking*
*has stopped breathing heavily by now*
*keeps wiping blood from her face*
(I presume that's the end of the RP?)
((probably))
((unless you want to prolong it?))
*skin begins to regrow stopping the bleeding*
*lays in the ditch with an arm over her arm*
*groans and smiles*
(Nah, that's fine - at least you can attack more people another time. ^^)
((Aw you sure? We'll either way I'm rping getting dressed and returning to the clearing..we could talk as our characters?))
*laughs*
*taps the sigil on her nose and walks through the portal*
*the portal closes behind her*
*gets dressed*
*taps the sigil and steps through about a metre from the clearing*
*walks to the clearing, whistling*
(Well, talking would be fine - just no fighting. Because I'm currently picture editing and yeah :P)
Hi Silente.
Hey Dragona. You look...out of breath? What's up?
(As RP my character is currently called Sophia who is from my Mass Effect story but yeah :P)
Well, I think I just pissed off a vampire.
((right yeah sorry I keep forgetting that..))
You..that's not very smart. Most vampires hold grudges..wait there was a vampire here?! What did they look like?!
*points at the blood trail going to the forest*
Yes, there was a vampire here.
It might not be the smartest thing I have ever done, but I have led a fleet into battle before and taken on a base full of mercenaries by myself. What harm can a little vampire do?
The vampire was a female. She was wearing a mask so that's all I can tell you.
Wait..masks? Like the one who took Dugglyn?
*looks at the blood*
*looks back at Sophia*
I though she was human?
Yes. The exact the same.
She was human for a start, or at least she wasn't in her vampire form. Then it appeared that I had pissed her off very badly and she must have transformed whilst Sam and I escaped, because the next thing we knew we had a vampire bounding after us. She was trying to get to the town. I kept stopping her. Then she jumped at me and caused *points at face* this. But I managed to slit her throat with my blade and she ran off into the forest.
Oh. Most vampires can't control when they change though..not unless they use serum and needles..or...how hard did you hurt her?
*looks into the forest after the blood*
*shivers slightly*
She was missing quite a few body parts and that was before I threw a grenade into the room.
Ah. That'll explain it. Some vamps can change if they're hurt bad enough. Did you just randomly attack her? Or did you have a reason? Like was she just walking or..?
When I walked in she was trying to torture Sam. I have a reason for everything.
Oh poor Sam! Is she okay?
*acts worried*
She didn't get hurt too bad did she?
*slight smirk*
*corrects it to a worried look*
She is fine, as far as I'm aware. The last time I saw her she was running. The vampire only had time to pull out a fingernail.
*evidence is starting to build in her head, as she sees the smirk*
Food brb.
Oh good. Thank the heavens. Some people now a days. Well I'm sure Sam will be fine. So long as her finger doesn't get infected. We really must catch this person! Who knows who she'll go after next!
*eyes wide*
*staring straight at Sophia*
Although you and me will most likely be safe, she appears to be going after weaker women..
*smiles*
Kk
Silente, if you're still here, email?
*still here*
Did dragona die?
well done derek *pats on back*
i hope you realise that when this book comes out and i have read it. i will become very depressed in knowing there will be no more waiting for another sequel. no more wondering what happens next. i will only know one thing... there all dead... so many unanswered questions for me. ugh why do you have to end it!
Back.
.....
boo.
Hey Jubi! How are you?
DRAGONA!!! *supermegatacklehugsofdoom*
HAI!
I'M GOOD!
It's been ages. ^^
I KNOOOOWWW
I came on yesterday for the first time in MONTHS DDD:
How are things?
Things are fine, thank you. How are things with you?
So *pokes* Where have you been? *pokes* Where have you been? *pokes* *pokes again for good measure*
*also gives "welcome back" cookie*
COOKIE! *munches*
fanksh
Things are dandy as a dandelion! School ends in eight days which is fabulous, but it also means that the teachers assign tons of work before summer...
@dragona wb. I said oh good. Thank the heavens. Some people now a days. Well I'm sure Sam will be fine. So long as her finger doesn't get infected. We really must catch this person! Who knows who she'll go after next!
*eyes wide*
*staring straight at Sophia* Although you and me will most likely be safe, she appears to be going after weaker women.. *smiles*
Earlier btw.
Hey Jubi!
SILENTE!!! *Supermegatacklehugsofdoom*
HAI!
*dodges the hug* hey Jubi. How are you?
DANDY AS A DANDELION! :D
Thats mighty dandy!
indeedio it is
You odd school yet?
**off
No... I have until next friday :) You?
I've got this week off but then its back to school till some time in...July, I think..
oooOOOOoooo fuunn :P
Can't wait till the summer holidays! FREEEEEEEEEDOOOOOOOOM!
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *Spins around*
...dragon ran away again..
...Jubi?
*Peeks out from under her bed*
*It has stopped snowing*
*But it's still really cold*
Sorry I poofed.
GAH
I'M SORRY
THE INTERWEBS WERE CALLING
Hiya Jubi, Sil, and Dragona!
SAM!!!! *supermegatacklehugsofdoom*
HAI!
.....Have we met before?
GAH! be right back
GINGER BISCUITS... I AM HAPPY.
Well, until recently, I was trapped in between asterisks, but Sil got me a body!
Hey Sam.
Dragona, read up a tad.
Wb Jubz. Can I call you Jubz?
*smiles with Silente*
Yes, it seems so. I hope I have scared her off, even though that is unlikely. However when she attacks again I'll be ready.
Say, out of curiosity, where were you when the vampire tried taking Sam?
Me? I was..what time did it happen?
A few hours ago, Silente.
I saw you sneaking away. Where were you going?
Oh. I was pitching some of my glitter toys to some kids toys companies. They all said no. Something about glitter not being cool enough.
*shrugs*
I blame Trip. If he hadn't shut down my factory I wouldn't have to pitch to idiots. I'll get there though, a few teeks here and there. Glitter bubbles! New idea! Ha see, I'll there!
*grins and nods*
BACK!
Jubz is a beautiful name :3
Silente: And why, then, do you always smirk or smile and then try and hide it when I mention the attempts of the masked woman to kidnap and torture people?
And I don't believe that you would have anything to do with glitter. You avoided Jubi's hugs.
Indeed.
Avoiders of my hugs are avoiders of glitter.
Im dead
Oh
Uh, sorry, Zaf? Why?
NOOOOOO!!! ZAF!!!!! *sobs over your limp body*
SHE WAS SO YOUNG!!! AND NOW SHE'S DEAD!!!
Dragona, go do know me right. I carry endless glitter shakers around. I created the glitter thrower, the glitter bomb. I am a very glittery person! You blame me for avoiding having my face stuffed into someone's shoulder or neck like an invitation? I'm a vampire, being near blood is uncomfortable for me.
I smirk because this person is really now that careful or that skilled. Any half trained assassin could be a better job. I hide it because grinning at that sort of stuff could be take the wrong way. Why dp you ask?
Oh...
Vampire..?
heh *Silently vows to never supermegatacklehugofdoom Silente again*
Yeh Jubz. Vampire. Hence, dislike of hugs.
Curiosity, Silente. Curiosity.
Well do remember the saying Sophiaumy dear, curiosity killed the cat.
*grins showing her pointed teeth momentarily*
And I wouldn't want you to get hurt.
**Sophia my
Well I went to Special Olympics. And I have been outside since 8:15am I did not go inside the building until 1:50pm
It's a good thing I am no cat then, isn't it?
*shifts into a cat*
Yes, I suppose it is. But still, keep in mind thay curiosity can be bad for your health. I don't want you to get hurt.
*smiles*
*frowns feeling the sigil on her lower back heat up*
Forgive me, work calls.
*smiles and walks to her vault*
*the sigil on her back no longer burning*
Don't worry. I will be careful. *watches Silente walk away*
*Peeks out of her cabin*
...
*Seems to be clear*
*Heads towards the door*
*Stops*
*Turns back*
*Suddenly fakes a sprint towards the door*
*Skids to a halt, and throws herself to the wall*
...
*Nobody there*
*Riiight*
*Goes towards the back of the house, and quietly climbs out of the window*
Hello Sam. Be on your guard.
I mean, what are the chances of the same person attacking me TWICE?
*wanders around as a kitty*
It depends how determined they are. They failed the first time and they could come back, Sam. They could go after me, too. Since y'know I pissed the vampire off.
((is Jubi still on?))
(I don't know, Silente)
Sorry... I'm distant.. :P
((i think she may have left...))
Well, I mean, you have a gun, so...
((nm she's here..))
*changes into a skirt, tights and black shirt*
*slips on a more punk styled mask*
*smiles and the mask follows the movement*
*she likes this mask*
*head up to the denser part of the forest*
*shifts to human and lays down pretty upset*
Sam, do you have any magic?
JUUUUUBIIIIII [tackles]
...
No, not really...
*takes a deep breath in*
*let's out a blood curdling scream*
*stops and runs to a hiding place*
*she can see anyone who runs past but they can't see her*
Well that makes two of us, Sam.
*hears the scream* *draws pistol*
*starts moving towards where the scream came from*
*Frowns- and then jumps as she hears the scream*
*Quickly gets behind Sophia, and carefully stay there*
*sits and waits*
At the first sign of trouble, Sam, run.
*gives Sam a shield generator*
Use this. It activates a kinetic barrier to stop fast moving objects. If the shield is damaged it regenerates after a few seconds. It'll keep you safe.
FABIOOOO!!!!!!!! *Supermegatacklehugsofdoom*
HAAII!!!
*Blinks*
*Looks at the shield generator*
...
Okay, but how does it work?
Sam have I properly introduced myself?
Press the button on the side and it activates, creating a small scale shield around you. Attach it to your belt or put it in your pocket or something.
Don't think so, Zafira.
*claps her hands together quietly*
*pulls them apart*
*throws the blue orb of energy behind Sam and sophia*
*it splits apart and forms a lot of holographic, full scale, colour, lifelike, wolves*
*the wolves start chasing Sam and Sophia*
*jumps out of dynamite tree* Zafira Kerias, Necromancer, American Grand Mage, and dynamite farmer! Pleased to meet you.
Shit. *throws a shockwave at the wolves and starts to retreat*
Good to meetcha, Zaf! I'm Sam, certified person!
*Whirls around, and shouts as she sees the wolves*
*Promptly falls on her butt, and desperately activates the shield generator*
*pulls Sam back with blue energy* Don't bloody fall over!
*the wolves images waver slightly as the shockwave passes through them*
*they carry on chasing*
*meanwhile is running to the clearing silently*
*looking for Zaf while staying hidden*
*grins* Awesome.
Oh and I'm married to Ravel and I have uhm...uh...how many kids 4 yeah 4 kids
Zaf's been BIZAY
*sits on ground* Is someone looking for me?
Aro: I was...?
*She's pulled back my Sophia...*
*And pressed up against the edge of the shield*
*Grins*
Don't worry, I'll be fine in here!
*Waves the generator about*
*sees the wolves flicker*
Shit. They're only holograms. It's a trap.
*starts running back*
*spots Zaf*
*she's with aro*
*frowns*
*that could be a problem*
I'm Fabi, aka Moss.
Twisted Poet of Excellence and Pain, at your service. [bows]
Also distributor of purple carrots.
[gives purple carrot]
[is SUPERMEGATACKLEHUGGEDOFDOOM]
My autocorrect still knows what that is! :D
How art thou, my lady Jubilance?
[Dramatic curtsey]
Aro: *goes back to the treehouse*
*casually plays with a shadow*
So many titles.
I, uh, should probably pick a discipline, just to pad out my name a bit..
*smiles seeing aro leave*
*pulls out a dart dipped in tranq*
*fires it at Zaf with tremendous speed*
*runs to a different location before it can hit*
*dives in front of the dart so it strikes her in the shoulder, but fails to pierce through her armour*
*fires a wave of blue energy in the general direction of the dart, knocking down a tree*
YOUR AUTOCORRECT IS AMAZING
And I am very well, dearest Fabienne. *dramatic curtsey back* How art thou?
Fuck this bloody little...
*voice trails off, removes the dart from her armour and flicks it away*
*registers a jab by something* Bloody hell...*falls asleep/tranquilized*
(Uh, Zaf, that might be a little late :P)
((I'm not in armour....I was in my Elder robes so yeah...it'd pierce me still.))
(Yeah but if you read up a little bit? ^^)
I am, as our acquaintance, Sir Reingington would say, quite standard.
Aye, forsooth, my autocorrect is most wonderful at times, others it irks me to no end.
My lady Adrasdos sends thee her greetings.
[Nods dramatically]
*fires a tranq at Sophias face*
*fires another from the opposite side a split second later at Zaf's neck*
*moves before either hits*
((I didnt get to reply
*ducks and the dart misses her face*
*arms begin glowing with blue energy*
*throws more energy at the direction of the dart*
((sorry, lost connection! Also was waiting for Zaf..))
*Awkwardly sits about in her little personal shielded area*
Gosh darn it, two pages in a row!
Blergh.
Well, I'll be distant, trying to come up with a ded.
((..who appears to have left..great.))
*growls ay the sight of Sophia*
*makes a holographic wolf*
*the wolf stands*
*she stands..*
*..and in the same second they are both running in the opposite direction, away from the clearing, nearly silently*
((Im here sorry.
((And Silente I replied to you! I'm not changing my reply))
((dragona deflected it the first time Zaf!))
*runs after Silente and the wolf*
((Blah. Then I'm confused why you'd wait for me...))
*looks confused and goes after Dragona*
*runs faster*
*and faster*
*until she's no longer in Sophia's vision*
*throws a holographic her and another holographic wolf ahead*
*hides in the bushes*
I have to go now. Bye!
*pauses the RP - or at least this situation* :P
*wait go ahead you can continue just without me* :P
*feels the air currents to find Silente* Whoever you are come out. I know you're out there!
Bye Dragona!
*leaps out at Zaf from the side*
*knocking her heavily to the ground*
*punches her face, hard*
*tries to possibly remember something Niccolò had said in the very short time he helped with hand to hand combat, and knees Silente in the stomach, shadows forming around me sharply*
*hisses the mask shifting to mimic the change*
*moves past the shadows and hits her again the mask changing again to a snarling face*
*wraps hands aound Zaf's neck*
*keeps trying to get her off, not wanting to die*
*struggling to keep hold*
*thinks back to how to knock people out*
*laughs, it was easy, pressure points*
*grabs Zaf's wrist and applies just enough pressure to knock her clean out*
*freaks as everything goes black*
((Yeah Zaf sucks at close range combat fyi))
(Never would've guessed)
~~~Time Warp~~~
*finishes drawing in the final of a chain of binding sigils on Zaf's arm*
*activates the chains on each arm*
*hopes it'll be enough*
*ties her hands to the chairs arms*
*waits for her to wake up*
*Ahem*
So I'm not sure what to dedicate to.
Maybe I could dedicate to Blogland.
I don't know what to do, though.
Maybe I could always be involved with all the plots, like Silente.
Maybe I could be like Dragona, and write a several-page, awesome sci-fi fanfic blog.
Maybe I could be like Jubi, who seems to be the happiest person I've ever met. :D
Maybe I could be like Fabi, who writes plots that make me want to tear my hair out and gnash my teeth and curl up in a ball and cry.
Maybe I could be like Adra, who is such a good writer that even her own plots make her cry.
Maybe I could be like Ari, who has literary genius constantly shining out of her 24/7.
Maybe I could be like Sir, and be all proper.
Maybe I could be like Death, beautifully tragic.
Maybe I could be like Em, and have more courage than I could ever imagine.
Maybe I could be like Emerald Phoenix, and make people happy by just being there.
Maybe I could be like Zaf, and blow a bunch of stuff up!
Maybe I could be like Clara, and sing a song, dance a dance, tell a joke, and make people sob at my roleplays.
Maybe I could be like Taia, and make the most beautiful rants.
Maybe I could be like Star, and be a lover, not a fighter.
Maybe I could be like Blake, and be a fighter, not a lover.
Maybe I could be Alistair, a strange mix of both.
Maybe I could be like Chione, and become a Frozen fanatic!
Maybe I could be like Corvo, a certified, awesome computer wrestler!
Maybe I could be like Rhydian, and have a bunch of equally amazing last names.
Maybe I could be like Trip, and manage to put TONS of creativity into an awesome, new discipline!
Maybe I could be like Snow, and stick to people and my beliefs, no matter how many problems crop up or threaten to capsize me.
Maybe I could be Duck, the smartest bird-brain I know.
Maybe I could be like Christie.
Maybe I could be like Batma- Oh wait, already covered that with Christie.
Maybe I could be like Dugglyn, who is just so gosh darn enthusiastic!
Maybe I could be like Kestrel, and be the most encouraging, caring, wonderful Administrator there ever was!
Maybe I could be like Blue Eyes, kind, mysterious, and beautiful all at once.
Maybe I could be like Mara, and let all my cares drift away when I sing.
Maybe I could be like Luci, and take the best selfies this side of the Equator!
Maybe I could be like Matex, and swing with my kitties.
Maybe I could be like Jazlyn, and have the smoothest name, and personality, I've ever heard.
Maybe I could be like Thrust, and old-timer to Blogland, but one who's tenacious enough to still stick around!
Or maybe I could be like a billion other Bloglanders, each with a brilliant and unique personality.
Or maybe not.
Because if there's one thing that Blogland's taught me, it's that you can yourself, here. Whoever that is!
So, I dedicate to us Bloglandians, because we deserve a bit of recognition.
(Also, sorry if you weren't on here, I'm still sort of new, even after ghosting. ): )
*wakes up not really noticing her arms, and then realizes her magic is bound* HEY!!
HEAR HEAR!
*smiles at Zaf*
*still wearing the mask*
Morning sleepy. Bout time you woke up.
*moves to her tray*
*today it has a cheese grater, a kitchen knife and the nail gun from yesterday on it*
I was thinking I'd pressed too hard. Which should I use first?
*gestures to the tray*
Can I say none? Well none. Why the hell do you want me?
Why the hell do I want anyone Zafira
Kerias?
*picks up the nail gun*
*strokes the metal contraption*
Because I do, to put it simply.
*walks away slightly*
*turns lifting the nail gun*
*fires aiming first for her hand then her ears*
*tries to move head away from the nails, and growls at the nail in her hand* God damn it!!!
*laughs*
I knew there was a reason why I hadn't gagged you.
*dances around*
*fires at her arm, leg and ears*
*cries out, realizing how unable I am to fight back*
Aro: *reaches out and tries to find Zaf*
Oh I love this Zaf. I know there are easier ways to hurt you but this, this is more worth it.
*laughs again*
*fires blindly at her three times*
*walks to the tray and picks up the knife*
*grins and slooooowly approaches*
*flinches at each nail, terrified*
Stoooop!!!!
*stops*
What's that? Keep going? Okay then!
*walks forwards to Zaf knife in hand*
Hmm..where, to, start.
*presses the knife lightly against Zaf's leg*
Here seem about right.
*slowly applies pressure until it breaks the skin*
*follows the line of her leg down to the nail*
*grits teeth ignoring this, as I have had many worse torture sessions*
*Shadows grip Silente's neck, lifting her into the air*
I believe that falls under what I'd call "Going too far".
Fortunately for you I'm just popping in for this one post, but if I ever see you doing this to anyone ever again...
*The darkness throws her to the ground and he dissapears into darkness*
Hmm. I was wrong. Maybe the other methods would be more fun. Hmm..
*walks off dumping the knife on the tray*
*comes back rolling in a very realistic holographic bed with a much more realistic holographic Olivia on it*
*picks up the cheese grater*
Yes this'll be better.
*smiles at Zaf*
*walks other to the bed*
*grabs the holographic girls arm*
((*add, *gets up ignoring Blake's tantrum* to that.))
*eyes widen, and struggles against bonds* LEAVE HER ALONE!!!! *tries to summon shadows, but realizes she can't* Leave Liv....Leave her....
*grins*
Wave to mummy Liv.
*forces the holograms hand to wave at Zaf*
We're going to put on a show for mummy.
*holds the cheese grater in a tight grip*
Ready?
*presses the cheese grater to the holograms arm careful not to push it through*
*slowly begins running it up the holograms arm*
*the hologram screams out in pain*
*laughs*
(Brb food Silente))
((aww okay. Hurry back!))
*is going insane swearing in Spanish and English*
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