tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88104062232668732282024-03-13T22:38:02.664-07:00Dead Night Official BlogThe Night Speaks....are you it's voice?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-23750901965482882532016-04-17T15:43:00.000-07:002016-04-17T15:43:25.959-07:00Why everything about today rocked.So, today I met Cassandra Clare.<br />
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I am absolutely not over it yet, I've been on cloud nine all evening and I had to just tell someone. I love meeting authors, going to book events and all that jazz, but when it's an author I really admire...well, I get so excited I almost burst...and that is sort of how today went.<br />
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So, reasons today rocked? Let me count the ways...<br />
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1. My hair stayed in Cybelle ringlets all day and didn't even fall out (a small victory, but a victory nonetheless). I got to wear my Cybelle dress once more, and I am very flattered how many compliments I received on it! Ahh, all that swearing at the godawful satin being swallowed by my sewing machine was not in vain!<br />
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2. I got to spend the day with my wonderful other half who shares my love for the Shadowhunters series.<br />
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3. At my third attempt, I have made a hand sculpted replica of Tessa's clockwork angel necklace from the Infernal Devices.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiTW5bdPL8hwrzrSWNV6RvwhtOigjXKTRP2L0Nxtcjajj-egaJMYYv7pSbc_mYJp6qorywPzdmWiY55x0PmQZ2ctXt732AV7lrkwzhY1t9i9UlFOt2jhF0ms73O3PGOhtSeb0z_9Ndd8t/s1600/CgQUjvmWQAAVUnI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiTW5bdPL8hwrzrSWNV6RvwhtOigjXKTRP2L0Nxtcjajj-egaJMYYv7pSbc_mYJp6qorywPzdmWiY55x0PmQZ2ctXt732AV7lrkwzhY1t9i9UlFOt2jhF0ms73O3PGOhtSeb0z_9Ndd8t/s320/CgQUjvmWQAAVUnI.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tessa's clockwork angel with real pocketwatch parts. Third time lucky!</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1093753535"></span><span id="goog_1093753536"></span> 4. We got in line outside Waterstones in Birmingham in the early afternoon. I was buzzing and gradually became increasingly excited, clutching a shiny new copy of the Shadowhunter's Codex, and of course, Lady Midnight, while happily reading Clockwork Angel. Well, we turned out to be standing in line with a bunch of the loveliest people I have ever met at an event! I made a group of new friends today, all from different places, different backgrounds, but united by our love for the books. Honestly, the hours and hours we waited in line and I barely noticed the time go! We talked for ages about books, about Shadowhunters, planned cosplays and how fabulous we all agree Magnus Bane is. It was amazing meeting everyone today and I hope we can all stay in touch, I'm honoured to have met such a great group of fellow Shadowhunters!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujUf4hD6SM2pAKZf9CqPaDXyIOck62K8qJBHxB5-OY0eRpMuARqAagsGfFqh3ge8e39_zwwRvgXY5x4Zk7M5qf3UNfk1HeAQJZUnC6ZA-8Dv8OQZww2Nt3ehAGfZx358vEJx04nBoCAJ4/s1600/CgQYegsW8AA4UWE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujUf4hD6SM2pAKZf9CqPaDXyIOck62K8qJBHxB5-OY0eRpMuARqAagsGfFqh3ge8e39_zwwRvgXY5x4Zk7M5qf3UNfk1HeAQJZUnC6ZA-8Dv8OQZww2Nt3ehAGfZx358vEJx04nBoCAJ4/s320/CgQYegsW8AA4UWE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of us getting very excited! Photo courtesy of Dame Deadly on Twitter. I hope you don't mind me re-posting it here as I do not frequent the Twitter (so much modern technology *^.^*)</td></tr>
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5. Well the time finally came. I met Cassandra Clare herself. I must have looked utterly starstruck in hindsight. She's really lovely though! She complimented my outfit and and everything, even said I looked like Tessa or a Victorian Shadowhunter. Despite the lack of time and the 800+ people who turned up (I know!!), we got to talk for a couple of minutes and I am now the proud owner of a signed copy of Lady Midnight. I actually have even more respect for her, the way she makes time to talk to her fans and volunteered to stay after time to make sure everyone got their books. And, of course, it is incredible to meet the lady behind a book series and world that I absolutely adore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwcIrNaig39wUk_oWlbjvdQmy9-HSX2RxDWOEliD7KhJIe6lfce2CzIBaVOpURnTs7oXJpVJE31EV12FJ4C3efuuGmnN0z7D6BcgBRcviiRzv5yGeKfxC_7OyxLTtgFIxcSV_c429gx5z/s1600/IMG_20160417_233859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwcIrNaig39wUk_oWlbjvdQmy9-HSX2RxDWOEliD7KhJIe6lfce2CzIBaVOpURnTs7oXJpVJE31EV12FJ4C3efuuGmnN0z7D6BcgBRcviiRzv5yGeKfxC_7OyxLTtgFIxcSV_c429gx5z/s320/IMG_20160417_233859.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new treasure for my collection.</td></tr>
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6. Against the odds, I managed to get the perfect present for a good friend of mine...<br />
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I think I shall be in my element for at least the next two weeks. But I am feeling newly inspired, which is exactly what I needed! I do believe my writers block has been cured and my motivation restored.<br />
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Though with a bit of luck....I will still have time to make a Tessa cosplay to go with that clockwork angel......<br />
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Love and tea,<br />
I. I LaverickAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-10294002559221302592015-04-22T12:57:00.003-07:002015-04-22T12:57:53.772-07:00A Humble RequestHello all!<br />
I am sorry for the lack of activity just lately. This is, of course, my more personal area of the web, and I have been quite focussed on my professional things lately, in more ways than one, since I've almost completed my Foundation in Art and Design and will be heading off to university in September! So not much personal writing is going on right now that is quite ready to share.<br />
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Now, I know less people come here, but I have a request. In light of some recent events, one being the progress I'm making on the second book in the Dead Night series, I am really, REALLY looking for feedback on book one. So, if you have read Dead Night, I would be eternally greatful if you could hop onto Amazon or good reads and leave me a review. It doesn't have to be long, just let me know what you think and preferably why! ;)<br />
<br />
Thanks, and watch this space. If you want more frequent updates of what is going on at DN HQ, you can follow my wonderful assistant's DN Facebook page (just search for The Dead Night Saga) or you can go to my main website: http://imolaverick.wix.com/dead night official<br />
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Have a wonderful week, chaps and chapesses!<br />
<br />
Love and tea<br />
I. I. LaverickAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-28425722091601182022014-12-24T14:27:00.001-08:002014-12-24T14:27:57.804-08:00Red Snow on Whitechapel-xmas special 2014A little short story for Xmas! Introducing life after DN, the Guild's Midwinter Day celebrations, and the Sun Sector!! Enjoy, and merry Xmas from the Guild! ;)<br />
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<br />
Red Snow on Whitechapel<br />
The cab sped through the London streets as if the very fires of hell chased it; horses galloping as if unaware of the treacherous weather. One or two heads turned, eyes peered from under hat brims and over spectacles, but most knew not to pay any mind to a suspicious black carriage in this area…it was safer to pretend not to have seen it at all. Those who knew not where it was headed (which accounted for most people) had dark suspicions which had the same effect.<br />
I twitched the purple velvet curtain back over the window, quickly tiring of watching the general public pretend we were not there and sat back in my seat, raising one eyebrow at my colleague, James.<br />
“You don’t suppose this one is going to cost me any more blood, do you?” I grumbled.<br />
“I should hope not!” He replied, “We’ve done quite enough for one year, don’t you agree?”<br />
“I’ll say.” I murmured, wincing as the bones of my corset jabbed at one of my less ignorable wounds.<br />
I was far better than I had been…oddly; dying, or half-dying had that effect on me. So what did my dear friend Avangelene think was a perfect mission to help me find my feet again after being stabbed by a psychotic Vampire? Meeting up with a psychotic Vampire. Of course.<br />
James leaned forward in his seat and took my hand in his, “You’ll be fine, Cye. You’re just not quite back to your old self yet.”<br />
I couldn’t help but smile at that, “Well, you would know that more than anyone.”<br />
He allowed a smile to creep across his own features, but did not reply. Our little secret was ours alone for now.<br />
The cab continued to speed on, the streets growing darker and quieter as we turned to more obscure surroundings. Eventually, we came to a halt, and there were dull taps and scrapes on the walls of the carriage as the driver climbed down to open the door for us.<br />
As we descended, we were greeted with the sight of the aforementioned psychotic Vampire.<br />
Jessie DelAmor smiled sweetly in greeting. She was dressed head to toe in a deep purple silk gown and fur lined woollen cape. Her silver, unmistakably Vampiric eyes peered out from beneath an angled, veiled hat. I noticed that the umbrella her black, leather gloved hands gripped tightly had an unusually thick handle, and deduced that it concealed a hidden blade. Classy.<br />
“Cybelle, I am glad to see you well once more.” She greeted me in her bright, sharp voice, “And James.”<br />
“Miss DelAmor.” He nodded, placing his hat back on his head and gripping his own concealed blade-cane. They were useful things, concealed blades…I should get one.<br />
Jessie took a step towards the driver who had brought us, “Thank you for escorting my dear friends here.” She began, “But as far as you are concerned, this never happened. And of course if you begin to allow people to think this has happened…well, I may be forced to resort to desperate measures.” With this, she leaned in close and continued in almost a whisper, a wicked grin turning the corners of her lips upwards, “I could kill you with my mind.”<br />
The driver attempted to remain composed, but failed to hide a small, nervous gulp as he nodded and scrambled back up to his carriage.<br />
Jessie whirled around, her dress making a soft track in the snow, “I love telekinesis, it’s so useful.” She said brightly, and motioned us to follow her.<br />
“And they say Vampirism is a curse.” I replied as we turned a sharp corner into a little alley. She giggled at that, a giggle reminding me of our own dear Lizzie before a hunt.<br />
After a few moments, we came to a small door. It looked as if it led into some kind of shack for it was such a tiny building, but when Jessie held open the door, and warm yellow light flooded out from beyond, it’s secret was given away. This was the Sun Sector’s Whitechapel base.<br />
We stepped inside, and a petit, wavy haired Witch with soft features stood up and smiled at us. “Cybelle,” She said, “and James! How very long it has been!”<br />
“Indeed it has, Loretta.” I replied.<br />
“I heard about the Aristocrat.” Her face changed into a sympathetic frown, “He really took a chunk out of you.”<br />
“It’s alright, we gave him a great crevice in return.” James concluded, blunt as ever.<br />
Jessie bolted the door and propped her umbrella up against the wall, “If we are quite done with the reintroductions, we may turn our minds to the matter at hand.”<br />
The three of us crossed the room to the desk at which Jessie now stood, spreading out some newspapers for us to look at.<br />
“Oh, Vampires in Whitechapel. That’s new.” I sighed, picking up one of the papers.<br />
“Now Cybelle, I expect better of your observational skills.” Jessie replied, “I appreciate that you are bitter by nature, but please do try to…look alive.”<br />
“Excuse me, who in the room has just been stabbed by a fatal weapon off the Elder Promises? Oh just me then, allow me a little scepticism.” I knew that I was milking it, using my condition as an excuse to snap, but I just wasn’t in the mood. I had no attention for mind games and mysteries, I wanted a nice simple target to get me back into work. I think Pierce’s riddles had extinguished any attention I might once have paid to such a challenge.<br />
“Hark at this, the Night Sector appear to have become far too accustomed to picking and choosing their work!” Jessie remarked, and then she sighed and looked at me straight, clearly having mustered up any scrap of sympathy she was capable of, “I know these missions are a pain, but if we get the damn thing done, we can all be back home for mulled wine and fruitcake in time for Midwinter Day.”<br />
“It’s fine.” I muttered, “I hate taking time off, it’s left it’s mark on me already.”<br />
James rolled his eyes, but seemed to decide that whatever challenge he was going to make could wait for later.<br />
“Well, that’s all fine and lovely for you, but some of us like our holidays.” Loretta replied, but not sharply; she was attempting to lighten the mood.<br />
“Now, if you please, do try to concentrate.” Jessie requested, and passed a couple more of the newspapers over to us, “Do you see the abnormality?”<br />
“Let’s see,” James muttered, “Victims drained of blood, left in obvious places… Scotland Yard baffled-naturally…”<br />
“All signs point to a new-born except…” I read on a little to confirm my theory, “Yes, some had signs of reanimation! This was an experiment made up to look like a new-born feeding fest!”<br />
“Well observed, Cybelle. I apologise for doubting you.” Jessie replied, “Now, this is a suspicious occurrence, not that I need tell you. I fear that some kind of disgraced high Vampire or an awfully powerful Necromancer is on the loose, attempting to recreate the Kiss of Blood on these poor unsuspecting humans. The reason? I would rather not know. As much as I could not care less what happened to the little beasts…”<br />
“The creator needs to die before the dominoes fall.” I finished.<br />
James looked over the papers again, “Anything could happen if we left them to it.” He mused, “I doubt they would succeed but it’s a pitiful waste, and it’s attracting too much attention. We’re the stuff of penny dreadfuls already, best not to fuel the fire.”<br />
“Particularly not after one of our own has killed a high, and Council Member Aristocrat.” Jessie pointed out, “Not that I blame you, he was a slimy little shit.”<br />
Loretta crossed the room to remove a bulky hand gun from a bracket over the fireplace. I had seen that thing before, a commission that had been made of Emma a couple of years ago. It was a clever little contraption that shot wooden spikes, small enough to wound but not kill a Vampire…a fantastic tool for obtaining information. She turned around, loading it with one of those spikes and looking at the rest of us, “So what now?”<br />
Jessie narrowed her eyes, “Could you point that thing elsewhere, Loretta?!” She sighed, and the Witch did as she was told with an embarrassed flush, forgetting her companion’s Aristocrat blood, “Now we wait for cover of night, not that it means an awful lot here in the beautiful streets of Whitechapel, but it will conceal us from human eyes if we obscure our faces.”<br />
“And presumably, we find this would-be leech and stick them as quickly as possible.” I suggested, “Simple enough. Although I don’t doubt Loretta’s little toy could get some interesting facts from them first.”<br />
“Yes, that’s true. We should interrogate before we kill.” Jessie agreed.<br />
“Well, that settles it then.” Loretta concluded. “We have a few hours before we set out, anybody care for tea?”<br />
“Now there is a proposition.” I replied.<br />
***<br />
“You really never celebrate Midwinter?” James asked of me. We were all sat around the fireplace awaiting the time for our mission, and I was on my third cup of tea. Loretta made bloody good tea.<br />
“No.” I replied, “I never quite felt the need. It was something my family used to do many years ago but…I suppose it means nothing to me anymore.”<br />
“I always wondered where you went off to. You should stay this year, celebrate with the rest of the Guild.” He suggested, glancing at the scar on my shoulder, “You’ve earned a break.”<br />
“I never thought of breaks as a good thing, but perhaps.” I sighed, “I remember little of the tradition.”<br />
“That hardly matters around here I think.” Loretta pointed out, she was leafing through the newspapers again, circling odd street names to aid the search, “Midwinter at the Guild is very much like the Guild itself; thrown together.”<br />
“We do the Goddess proud on her day.” Jessie added from behind the desk, “I presume it is the Moon Sector’s turn to host?”<br />
“It is.” James confirmed, “Speaking of which, I hope Emmett remembered to hide some of the spirits from Avangelene…”<br />
“Of course he won’t have.” I corrected him with a smile and a shake of my head, “Anyway, the time is drawing near. Did we intend to travel in uniform? It would be practical but…”<br />
“Reckless.” Jessie finished for me, and stood up, “Travel light, but casual. It is as white as something Vampiric out there and we shall be spotted a mile away. Should anybody find our presence unusual, then it would be worse if we were dressed like music hall harlots.”<br />
“Thank you.” I murmured, “Alright, shall we depart?” I set down my teacup and retrieved my cloak from the hook nearer the door. It was longer than Jessie’s…in fact exactly long enough to conceal a pair of katanas with little trouble. With a holster for my revolvers over my arms, I looked like a perfectly respectable lady with it on.<br />
“We should waste no time.” Jessie agreed, and retrieved her own cloak and put her leather gloves back on over a pair of silver tipped knuckledusters. She needed few weapons really, her telekinesis could cause chaos enough without, but she like to be prepared.<br />
James and Loretta followed suit; James hiding one of Emma’s specially designed retractable swords under his trench coat, Loretta hiding the Vampire gun in her own.<br />
“It had better be a Necro.” James uttered, “I’ve had it with bloody Vampires! No offence meant, Jessie.”<br />
“None taken, James.” She replied, “Your wit knows no bounds.”<br />
With a frown, she held open the door, leading us out into the night.<br />
***<br />
The four of us stalked through the midnight, occasionally breaking off to search odd alleys and side streets. I didn’t think much of the mission at the time…of course it was odd, and I should have known much better, but I suppose recent events considered, I had forced my mind back into routine. A job needed doing. I had the upper hand and I’d get it done. Simple as that.<br />
“Nothing here.” Loretta said lowly, sweeping back out of another alley.<br />
“This is becoming longwinded.” Jessie murmured, “If I just knew what the buggar looked like, I could bring him to us.”<br />
“There’s not much point in ifs.” James pointed out, “We just have to do some things the old fashioned way.”<br />
We turned into a new street, and I stopped in my tracks.<br />
I smelled blood.<br />
I could tell by the way she tensed and her eyes glinted that Jessie had noticed it too. Vampiric instinct kicked in and both of us crept closer, fangs elongating a little, poised to attack.<br />
James had noticed too, once he had come closer, his head shot up and he looked around, surveying the scene. “I think we’ve got them.” He whispered.<br />
Loretta took out her gun.<br />
Reaching for the hilt of my sword underneath my cape, I tracked the smell to a small alley leading off into darkness. I mouthed at the others to follow me, and we crept closer, Vampirism allowing most of us complete silence, skill for the others. The smell had gotten stronger, and though Jessie was experienced and could handle herself very well, she could not help her fangs lengthening and her eyes changing. Her transformation went much quicker than mine. She gripped the handle of her umbrella tighter, ready to unsheathe the hidden sword.<br />
“I wondered when you would get here.” A voice purred in the silence, “The famous Assassin’s Guild…and Misses DeHamphir and DelAmor no less! My…I am privileged.”<br />
Though it was pitch black, even to immortal eyes, we could tell that the owner of that voice was smiling grimly. There was a soft thud…the sound of a body falling to the cobbled, snow speckled floor beneath…I could not help the minute sharp breath I drew in that microsecond at the memory the sound brought up.<br />
A figure rose from the shadows. Phantomlike, and clad in a black leather overcoat and tall black top hat. I could tell from his movements and sarcastic tone that he was clearly a Vampire…probably some sort of noble judging by his attire…but fallen, his coat was torn and hat battered, I could now make out straggles of dirty blonde hair beneath it. I gave a short glance to Jessie, and she shook her head once. We were right, not an Aristocrat.<br />
I used my Witch’s elemental powers to ignite a small flame in an old lamp hanging on the wall, flooding the little alley with light and illuminating our Vampire. Convenient lamps, I love it when that happens.<br />
There was a small, tattered figure slumped in the corner. It looked like he had been busy.<br />
“So.” Jessie said, folding her arms, “Anything to say for yourself before we begin?”<br />
The figure bowed low, “Francois Lecroix.” He introduced himself.<br />
“You don’t sound French.” James observed.<br />
“You don’t act like a Lovett.” Francois replied.<br />
“I don’t give wolf shit where you’re from or what your name is, Fran.” I hissed, “Why are you trying to turn Vampires, you’re no Aristocrat. You can’t perform the Blood Kiss.”<br />
Francois sniggered, and Loretta barged forward and shot him in the arm with a wooden spike, making him screech.<br />
“Do you want to try that again?” She challenged.<br />
Francois staggered back and tore the spike out of his arm with anther howl, throwing it to the ground with shaking hands. He looked at all of us for a long moment; Jessie with her eyebrow raised and hands poised to take out her blade, Loretta, gun pointed firmly in his direction ready to shoot, James, sword swung casually over on his shoulder ready to swing, and me, sword outstretched and glinting in the flickering light.<br />
Slowly, he reached into the pocket of his coat.<br />
When he took out his fist and released it, a small glass phial fell to the floor (clearly magically enhanced, as it did not shatter) and rolled along the cobbles. Keeping my eyes on Francois, I bent to pick it up.<br />
Jessie looked at it, and her eyes widened then narrowed furiously when she caught sight of the symbol inked on the phial’s label. It looked like a viper wrapped around a bottle, it was something she had seen before in her long years…something that had once been in the hands of some brave but idiotic Vampire Hunters.<br />
“You disgusting little creature.” She whispered, “You pathetic being…”<br />
Francois smirked, “I wondered when you might come to reclaim your blood, Jessica.<br />
“How did you come by the venom?” I growled, lurching forward and pressing my blade against his throat.<br />
“Same way you came by that pretty Jade bracelet, Cybelle. I stole it.”<br />
“From who!?” I demanded.<br />
“None of your business.” He replied, “Trade secrets, you should know.”<br />
James marched forth and joined me, standing over the Vampire, one hand on his sword, the other grabbing him by the collar, “You listen to me, pig.” He growled, “You will show some respect to Miss DeHamphir. Wipe that pathetic smirk of your face, answer her question and maybe, JUST maybe, I’ll let you live.”<br />
Francois saw the angry flash in James’ eye and gulped. “Fine.” He murmured, “I stole it from some Hunters. The council had arrested them for questioning and I had this feeling they weren’t coming out again.”<br />
James shoved him and I pressed my blade a little harder, drawing blood. “And this!?” My partner cocked his head in the direction of the body in the corner.<br />
“Experiment.” Francois choked, “I wanted to be the first to make a Night Walker of a Human.”<br />
The four of us looked at each other, and then back at the captive. “That information is most useful.” I said slowly, and removed my blade.<br />
James let go of his collar, dropping him to the ground. “Leave.” He commanded, and Francois scrambled to his feet and ran. Before he could even clear the alley, I had taken one of my revolvers and sent a bullet chasing after him.<br />
The bullet won.<br />
“I said if he paid some respect to Cye, I’d let him live.” James said absently, “I never said Cye herself would let him live.”<br />
“I take back everything I said about you, James.” Jessie said, looking impressed.<br />
“…You said what about me?” He replied.<br />
“Oh, nothing at all.” She concluded, and led the way out of the alley, lifting her skirts to step over the Vampire’s decaying remains.<br />
***<br />
I have no idea how it happened, as I had never any intention of actually doing it, but James, Jessie and Loretta somehow managed to persuade me to come back to the Guild for Midwinter celebrations.<br />
I swear, this “new reason for living” thing was making me soft.<br />
So, if you were wondering what force of the supernatural had me standing out in the cold in front of the Guild that night, it was James and his incredible persuasive talents.<br />
“The Night speaks!” Called Emma on the other side of the door. She sounding happy…oh dear. I wondered which bit of the Guild house had suffered for it.<br />
“I am it’s voice.” James answered. The door swung open as usual and we were let inside.<br />
The Guild was quite a picture. Everybody was in, Sun Sector and all…There was Loretta deep in conversation with the Bennetts about weapons, Jessie coming down the stairs with a goblet of something in her hand.<br />
Avangelene came over and greeted us, “Cybelle! You actually turned up…what happened, London out of convicts to chase?” She winked.<br />
“How are you?” I smiled, “How is…?”<br />
My old friend allowed herself a small grin and she lowered her voice “A boy.” She said, placing her hand on her stomach, “I saw it! It’ll be a little boy.”<br />
I still was not used to the idea of Avangelene settling down like that, having children and getting married, but she looked happy. For once all the hell was taking a break, and something good could happen to her. I was glad. It disturbed me a little, but I was glad.<br />
“Anyway, I’m sure you two will want some time alone.” She said, nodding at James, “I’ll be around.” At that, she wandered off.<br />
Lizzie thrust a chalice at me as I walked past, “Drink.” She said, “Judging by the month you’ve had, you need one.”<br />
“I’m alright, Liz, but thank you.” I said, but took it anyway…well it wasn’t wine. I hadn’t fed recently.<br />
“Just helping my fellow Vampire.” She said airily.<br />
“Really?” I raised one eyebrow.<br />
“Really.” She confirmed. “…Emmett made me do it. He promised me cake.”<br />
James stifled laughter as Lizzie swept away once more. “I swear, the only time you see some of these women smile and do things like that, you always miss it!”<br />
“I think Emmett lied about the cake.” I whispered with a stifled giggle myself.<br />
We headed to the back room, our intention (or at least my intention, this was something of a mad little get together) to simply sit around, have a drink and talk a while. Perhaps people may allow me to forget my run in with Pierce for five minutes. However, I could tell by the great, mischievous grin on James’s face as we paused in the doorway that he had other ideas.<br />
“What is that look for?” I asked, and he slowly looked up and back at me.<br />
I followed his gaze and saw this ridiculous twig hanging in the doorway. I was about to ask what the devil it was doing up there when Emma called over the room; “You COMPLETELY FELL FOR IT!” and began to laugh. Oh, a prank then. Charming.<br />
James sighed when he saw my blank expression. “Cybelle,” He said, “Let me teach you a little Midwinter tradition.” He still had that grin.<br />
“What kind of tradition?” I asked suspiciously, although his smile was contagious as usual.<br />
“Well…” He said, and turned to face me, clasping both our hands together, “When some idiot (at this, he glanced at Emma), hangs that in the doorway, it means I get to do this!”<br />
With that, he took me totally by surprise and planted a kiss on my lips. A surprise indeed but…I can’t truthfully say it wasn’t nice...<br />
I could feel my witch side, being particularly present today, trying to blush. When I realised the world was still there around us, I laughed as the Guild let out whistles and cheers in jest. I’d have been bitter at being made a spectacle but…<br />
“That is not a bad tradition.” I said as we continued inside, away from teasing chants.<br />
“Told you!” He replied, and we both smiled again.<br />
We sat down on the window seat looking over the back of the grounds. It was gleaming outside, the white of the snow conquering the darkness.<br />
James took my hand in his again, watching me in thought. “It’s all over now.” He said, “It’s all going to be fine.”<br />
“It’s never all over.” I sighed, and took a sip of my drink (how the hell had I managed not to spill that?), “Not here, not for us.”<br />
“You know what I mean.” He said, “So what if Lowell goes back to the council? They’re not psychopaths, they’re politicians. We will just work around it. I know you’re anxious, I can see it in your eyes.”<br />
“Really?” I said, meeting his eyes right then.<br />
“Really.” He confirmed, “It’s all gone, we can be at peace now, don’t worry.”<br />
“…I believe you.” I managed to smile, and he pulled me into an embrace.<br />
I could, to my surprise, believe him. This next year was going to be different…well, of course it was. If you’d have mentioned last year to me that I would have found love, then I would have called you insane. If you’d have told me that my closest friend would be pregnant I would have sent you to Bethlam, no questions asked! But it was a good change, and I would savour it.<br />
Yes, this year would be fine. For once, we would be at peace.<br />
And nobody would have to worry about dying. little short story for you! Introducing life after Dead Night, and the Sun Sector! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-55869334763873458042014-12-13T03:25:00.001-08:002014-12-13T03:25:08.450-08:00DEAD NIGHT IS OUT!!!Dead Night has officially been released!!! At long last after much work and everything going mental, we're here (and it's crazy)!!!<br />
<br />
So, if you want to buy yourself a copy, they are on amazon and my personal site (if you live in the UK, please go there if you can)<br />
<br />
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Night-The/dp/1502377292/ref=gfix-submit-correction-product-detail<br />
<br />
http://imolaverick.wix.com/deadnightofficial#!shop/cdzj<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Alternatively, you could come down to Dudley library (again, UK readers!) where I will be giving a talk and signing from 2PM!<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br />Love and tea and happy holidays from the Guild,<br />
<br />
I. I. LaverickAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-46599547473255254572014-12-10T14:14:00.002-08:002014-12-10T14:14:52.744-08:00Book shipment has arrived!!!Just in the nick of time, the books have arrived for the launch! I have fifty copies in my house now and they're gorgeous.<br />
If you want to be the first to get your hands on one, I'm launching at Dudley Library at 2PM! However on Saturday morning, I will be revealing the links to buy copies online too! Stay tuned also for different versions (audio book ebook), and I am also working on a special short story for Christmas.<br />
<br />
Now here is a photo of the books! (And me collapsing in them because I'm so happy they made it on time!)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-47161789470095600362014-11-02T16:29:00.001-08:002014-11-02T16:31:48.870-08:00The Book Launch and the Proof Copy<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's all been going on here at 'DN HQ'!<br />
<br />
First of all, it gives me great excitement to announce that there will be an official book launch for Dead Night!!<br />
The launch will take place on the 13th December 2014, At Dudley Library (West Midlands, UK for those of you who aren't from around here). The library's 1st floor will be transformed into a Victorian Vampire tea room and will feature a talk from the author (yours truly!) and many Victorian and steampunk themed crafts and goings on including a tea duel!<br />
Copies of the print book will be available for purchase and signing on the day, as well as other DN merchandise.<br />
The tea room will open at 2 o'clock and close at 4 o'clock<br />
<br />
For any questions regarding the event, please call 01384 815560 or message me and I will tell you what I can<br />
<br />
<br />
Also, I am over the moon because the first EVER copy of Dead Night arrived this week! Keep am eye on my YouTube channel as I intend to post a short book reading when I can!<br />
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Photographs and cover design by A. T. B. Foster<br />
Printed by Createspace<br />
<br />
Love and tea,<br />
I. I. LaverickAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-72524705785674137102014-09-23T15:26:00.002-07:002014-09-23T15:26:48.992-07:00The Dead Night Live Action Trailer is Here!That's right! You can watch it on YouTube!<br />
A bug huge thank you to everybody involved! love, hugs, tea and hats to you all :)<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-82337722940231449662014-07-03T15:49:00.002-07:002014-07-03T15:49:53.645-07:00the audiobook is go!Hello there!<br />
<br />
Adam and I have been working very hard this week to bring to you the Dead Night audio book! My voice is killing me, the early mornings are a pain, but it sounds wonderful and it's all going to be worth it!<br />
<br />
So, where we can't give you a preview if the actual thing yet (too much editing to do of the finished tracks) we CAN show you what the recording process looks like! (Although we don't have it here, imagine it with considerable screw ups on my part!)<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
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Love and tea x</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-60466777871986834032014-06-10T17:21:00.000-07:002014-06-10T17:21:14.472-07:00updates on everythingMorning all!<br />
<br />
Its been a while and I have LOTS of updates, so if you'll be a dear and bear with me.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Dead Night Release date</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Mark it on your calendar! Dead Night comes out in print on 13th December 2014. It LOOKS like this time, it will come out on time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>New website</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">I'm in the process if building a new website which will then be the MAIN site for DN. I will keep the blog going but that's a little more on the personal side, the official website will have more of a professional feel. Also, you will be able to read the first chapter of Legacy of Night as soon as we go live, so watch this space!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>New art</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">So, with new comic and the novel coming close to release, there will be plenty of new art. I will do my best to keep it up to date here but I seem to be having technical difficulties (again) so keep your eye on http://takarayuuki.deviant art.com and the new site when it's out. Information on merch and prints will follow closer to the date.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Trailer, soundtrack, photoshoot and interview</b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Are all in progress and I will update here as and when. The trailer and the interview are going up on YouTube.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Audio book</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Week commencing 30th June! Its going to sound amazing, I've employed Adam's help once more to get it sounding all professional. This will be available along with the eBook around the time of the print novel, but I shan't release a date, because we aren't sure if we're going to stagger the releases.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Legacy of Night</b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">I promise, we're working on it.... New art to follow.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Other stories</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">I shan't promise anything, since I finished my exams, I'm dabbling in whatever inspires me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>Site updates</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-Preview of the novel has been updated to the newest version</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-I'm looking to update the Seven Sins stories, but give me time, because they need a lot of reworking</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-Updated Guild profiles</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-Looking to update the gallery, but bear with me, I have to do it from my laptop</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-Might make a Legacy of Night page</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-Might make a personal portfolio page with more of my non specific work on it</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-I'll update the contents page soon, it's about two posts behind</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Thank you for being patient with me as I rush to get everything released on time!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Love and tea</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Madam T (I. I.Laverick)</span><br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-24676943331995808062014-01-02T13:30:00.003-08:002014-01-12T10:52:34.417-08:00Legacy of Night prologueThe prologue page to the upcoming prequel comic by I.I.Laverick and R.K.Webb<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-25215949012606508892013-10-02T08:59:00.001-07:002013-10-02T08:59:49.587-07:00The Guild is back! Raised like a phoenix!!I'm sure my last post didn't cause too much alarm, I'm not that popular *cue Galinda* but yes, Dead Night had taken a turn for the worst. I had a long period of writers block and artists block and was quite a horrible person to be around, particularly when given a laptop and a forum (I don't even like forums..........); but now I'm back, and a writer with a plan!! So, here's what is going to happen.<br />
<br />
First of all my friend, on whom the character of Avangelene Wright was based, and I will be collaborating on a script taking place many years before the events of Dead Night; this will go through each member arriving at the Guild for the first time (beginning with Avangelene and Emmett, who founded it), and each chaper will be a glimpse into the character's history. I will then turn this script into a comic, called (working title) "Legacy of Night", drawn in all traditional methods, and release it chapter by chapter, the prologue coming up shortly. <br />
<br />
With this in progress, I will also take the advice of everyone I have spoken to and use the year to make sure the book is exactly right, re-editing again. We will also continue with the posters, interview, trailers etc that were originally planned, and a soundtrack to acompany the book will be composed (but as for release, I shall speak to it's wonderful composer nearer the time)<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, when not on the Dead Night front, trying to keep the jewellery business in the air and attempting to get into university, I'm working on several projects, some of which you may recognise. Instead of promising as I always do and then finding something else, I will tell you simply that any of the following could crop up over the next year:<br />
<br />
-Eternal: A Story of Clockwork (a three part steampunk dystopia, but it's running away from the dystopian route!)<br />
-The Eternal Opera (an experemental steampunk industrial musical based on the first book of 'Eternal')<br />
-The Curious Cases and Eventful Adventures of Miss Lenora Lacey (an airship pirate novella written for my EPQ last year)<br />
-On Crimson Coloured Tides (the swashbuckling adventures of Captain Genevere Van Hagen (from Lenora Lacey) and her pirate crew)<br />
-The Chronicles of Madam Takara (a fictional account of my *ahem* 'life')<br />
-Reign of Hearts, A Modern Alice in Wonderland (an adaption of my favourite book) <br />
-Purgatory* (A collaboration with three of my college friends- 4 deaths, 4 heroes, 1 quest!)<br />
-Heart of Glass* (A fantasy tale inspired by Tolkein, but very little like Middle Earth)<br />
-????? (a new project aimed at a younger audience with the help of a new writing course I'm working on)<br />
-various poetry, flash fiction, short stories, etc<br />
........and probably others!<br />
<br />
It's SMASHING to be back! <br />
<br />
Love and Tea, <br />
Madam T! x<br />
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<br />
<br />
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<br />
*=working titleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-47416865600670365352013-07-16T07:01:00.001-07:002013-07-16T07:01:07.565-07:00It's over...The book isn't going ahead.<br />
<br />
Thank you to everyone who has supported me, the Guild, my local writers group, everyone.... but Blurb, the company who was supposed to be printing the books is frankly being pathetic. I'm too young by a year to use it as I can't use paypal and am not American. I've spent years looking for a way to publish my book the way I wanted, and if it's not going to be perfect, it' not going to happen...I'm not selling my soul to a big money hoarding publishing house and I'm not going straight to e-book, so Dead Night is... well, dead.<br />
<br />
Of course I'm going to keep writing. I have to or else I'd go insane. Don't expect a lot on the blog for a while though, I'm going to be working on other things, like my poetry and flash fiction. The Guild will go on for new adventures, they just won't be published yet, and of course Alyss and the Resistance of Cai-Terra have a future too. As I said, I can't stop writing. Maybe one day things will turn around, and we can perhaps try again next year or something. Clearly regardless of the actual content of my work, the company dissagrees with me, and will soon be receiving a very strongly worded letter.<br />
<br />
Sorry to anybody who actually wanted to read it. And thank you again, especially to the original Guild. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-581791546336930252013-07-10T16:56:00.001-07:002013-07-10T16:56:32.001-07:00New fangled whatjamacallit fan clubSO for those of you that don't live here in 1880, I have a fan club. Well, if you ask it's manager it's an "acompanying page" but it's basically a fan club ;) Well you should know by now my opinions on facebook, and so I am completely unnasociated with it, but it is run by my editor who is also my number one fan so for accuracy, it'll be quite good. ^_^ I personally have nothing to do with it though, so go and um... like... or whatever you do with those funny plastic touch screen devices of yours... I beleive it goes by "The Dead Night Saga"<br />
<br />
oh modern things.... I think I'm going to have to go and lie down...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-62383190735027154082013-07-01T05:44:00.002-07:002014-06-10T15:59:24.135-07:00DN merch!Greetings all! ^_^ <br />
<br />
First off, we've just begun the major final 'rhino charge' edit on the book! :D And I've started bringing out DN things on my etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/madamtakara">www.etsy.com/shop/madamtakara</a> <br />
If you would be so kind as to stop by some time, I have mini DN book jewellery on sale now!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNnJPHO4qzveURMKU0li8MWMNizJMY5rTXg5hDm5YXIx5iNIrrdKEHK9yIlbox6qJ2ZEhDAZL2HzIk3l6mLSPOQnnbJivXKv6XIJijqRMNy6PGU0nt7HjQuxxD5LQzHwb5rAOx0BWxagW/s1600/IMG_0009+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNnJPHO4qzveURMKU0li8MWMNizJMY5rTXg5hDm5YXIx5iNIrrdKEHK9yIlbox6qJ2ZEhDAZL2HzIk3l6mLSPOQnnbJivXKv6XIJijqRMNy6PGU0nt7HjQuxxD5LQzHwb5rAOx0BWxagW/s320/IMG_0009+(2).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Also whilst I'm here I'm going to update you on the poster series for the book, hand drawn by me. Here is Avangelene, Seer of Judgement</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75Ju_pTrvPlCtrW3aosOB4O0MRMzDSnVgVEhSr-82ElV6w99ttGoIv4HGz7ckPcMdDfcTTvEkezzselFCLHwV8tICLh71osWM3UcoOSOIFgo6cZptWh5yZfUi2mbo6R2Q3ImG5WcYO-Yb/s1600/Ange+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75Ju_pTrvPlCtrW3aosOB4O0MRMzDSnVgVEhSr-82ElV6w99ttGoIv4HGz7ckPcMdDfcTTvEkezzselFCLHwV8tICLh71osWM3UcoOSOIFgo6cZptWh5yZfUi2mbo6R2Q3ImG5WcYO-Yb/s400/Ange+Poster.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>
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^Avangelene Wright's poster</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-70658057210134338332013-05-27T14:31:00.001-07:002013-05-27T14:31:29.393-07:00Things to come...SO time for a Dead Night update!<br />
<br />
I'm still editing and adding the new scenes in the book, but my 'editor' and I have now started going back through and finalizing now, so not far off! <br />
<br />
We have a soundtrack in the making! It's full of beautiful instrumentals based on the book by Adam who also designed the cover of the book, which is also finalized.<br />
<br />
We have a trailer in the making, to Dead Night's very own theme! You'll be able to watch this on my youtube channel very soon, it'll be out before the book. I'll keep you posted for the date!<br />
<br />
I'm also being interviewed! It'll be on the old youtube.<br />
We're looking for questions from readers actually so if you've read the book. and want to know something you know how to contact me! Email, dA, or leave a comment here ^_^<br />
<br />
Finally I'm taking the book down from this blog on 1st June or thereabouts, and it will be replaced by a preiew of the updated vesrion. <br />
<br />
Well, that's everything so here's an owl:<br />
,___,<br />
(0,0)<br />
(,_,(\<br />
<br />
-I. I. LaverickAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-12770416919248305942013-05-14T15:59:00.001-07:002013-05-14T15:59:40.586-07:00Stepping into character's shoes...Evening all! Very sorry again for inactivity, but I've had to swat up for my History exam which was today... honestly, I'm just hoping it went well but enough about that.<br />
<br />
I actually wanted to show you what some friends and I have been up to lately; cosplaying as my characters! I might make a page for this, but it depends what happens. We're (well, me anyway) really hoping to shoot a book trailer to promote Dead Night when it comes out! Although of course I won't be wearing the big foofy dress I chose for MCM Birmingham comic con! So here... have some 'concept art' (big thank you to my friends and Adam for taking most of the photographs you will see here!)<br />
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<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Dead Night (Cybelle DeHamphir, James Lovett and Lizzie Vice)</span></strong><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNIwiEO3EzgjhAIK4rLbB9zvV2rSi8Fj9jV-DVW9RoPbcI3cCocwc7vnCi5I1qVFpMMYSRmeXeX7OzYEkdzGjh80sVVHpCRldLL1aD7hWuiPDVvhefnoIk8RYQuadn7qltvAvlDrVbqu3/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNIwiEO3EzgjhAIK4rLbB9zvV2rSi8Fj9jV-DVW9RoPbcI3cCocwc7vnCi5I1qVFpMMYSRmeXeX7OzYEkdzGjh80sVVHpCRldLL1aD7hWuiPDVvhefnoIk8RYQuadn7qltvAvlDrVbqu3/s320/IMG_0016.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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^ Cybelle DeHamphir, Chimera ball concept and rapier taken at MCM Birmingham comic con 2013<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6oLpWSoU4Fz1yIT18FeHfm6T13cA_XUsSbr7kJ02RRfs9wpFXCtMEY3xiIUsNnuU5cpeXIovurOOsf6uHmlAf5jrOtwl1vcZq-F0XYWLwldnepfuLy0RjvRD0ZBeWf-iwhaiAb-BMYUA/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6oLpWSoU4Fz1yIT18FeHfm6T13cA_XUsSbr7kJ02RRfs9wpFXCtMEY3xiIUsNnuU5cpeXIovurOOsf6uHmlAf5jrOtwl1vcZq-F0XYWLwldnepfuLy0RjvRD0ZBeWf-iwhaiAb-BMYUA/s320/IMG_0006.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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^Elizabeth Vice in Assassin Uniform (1) taken at MCM Birmingham 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepP5Ms1HSUv6az3adw3eEl5UCCpPJ4Xl0NMN69ywUN5FEVYZCapnBA7WXDloaBZ3vIEhin6efWzecVxCQt54yD847SSJv9YbTqAh0X34466QhRISRlCJu0Y87hB_JheDc_KYuAbX7Tx0Y/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepP5Ms1HSUv6az3adw3eEl5UCCpPJ4Xl0NMN69ywUN5FEVYZCapnBA7WXDloaBZ3vIEhin6efWzecVxCQt54yD847SSJv9YbTqAh0X34466QhRISRlCJu0Y87hB_JheDc_KYuAbX7Tx0Y/s320/IMG_0007.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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^Lizzie Vice Assassin's uniform (2) taken at MCM Birmingham 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNheWd1vWbs-Q669Ux4j2pIDpOfNseGcGGFyRtrAaRPx2JUGSgS15vHK-pzxbORYHLuzOY-v7MiI99s2hwwuwIRt_gvO1rM5xljPjOYHd9rYWAg_sbQQGLNwh553V1eS5qV7uQOYprDq43/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNheWd1vWbs-Q669Ux4j2pIDpOfNseGcGGFyRtrAaRPx2JUGSgS15vHK-pzxbORYHLuzOY-v7MiI99s2hwwuwIRt_gvO1rM5xljPjOYHd9rYWAg_sbQQGLNwh553V1eS5qV7uQOYprDq43/s320/IMG_0008.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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^Cybelle De Hamphir formal attire taken at MCM Birmmingham 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FC30tPHsaJu4XRMCO_f96a1ZFjyBw7yv8Ys2IcZNMyiAlbzyhLY87QP6MzFIn0uKhOscBkSSX-RGOEaEtbgSjtRTWrPW6kux1eNE35SygDglmpmJT0yzuhmyViMsO_Q76Vh-SynkLVZ1/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FC30tPHsaJu4XRMCO_f96a1ZFjyBw7yv8Ys2IcZNMyiAlbzyhLY87QP6MzFIn0uKhOscBkSSX-RGOEaEtbgSjtRTWrPW6kux1eNE35SygDglmpmJT0yzuhmyViMsO_Q76Vh-SynkLVZ1/s320/IMG_0009.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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^Cybelle DeHamphir and Lizzie Vice with weapons taken at MCM Birmingham 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzysjEcZvCWpc-YBgMtoVnCVunLt3EqkQGITMK3aWBDzUQXr7UhyyrWfEV_PbMGuokb6HCDopRT5WkJ69kgwTX54Sbjn0KwFrS1I3eNdf5d5JN0mikuo7sMKqeg1Wb1Hp3VJOP_a52AFF/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzysjEcZvCWpc-YBgMtoVnCVunLt3EqkQGITMK3aWBDzUQXr7UhyyrWfEV_PbMGuokb6HCDopRT5WkJ69kgwTX54Sbjn0KwFrS1I3eNdf5d5JN0mikuo7sMKqeg1Wb1Hp3VJOP_a52AFF/s320/IMG_0013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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^Cybelle and James time jump! (Thanks a million to the chap dressed as the Master Cheif, he was getting harrassed for photographs quite frequently!) Taken at MCM Birmingham 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyebWIgVCPRhkrJ5s4XFroA7uNRgkq3lOnt3C2_VwEhXbiicN53WAuqtmresQgi83GbkaxjzDQ0HX331Ka0AiHLpAXUElVn_SJQra8z6wljh5D1zGeGFmJyuY-7UNOWim-leR6oPheVPk/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyebWIgVCPRhkrJ5s4XFroA7uNRgkq3lOnt3C2_VwEhXbiicN53WAuqtmresQgi83GbkaxjzDQ0HX331Ka0AiHLpAXUElVn_SJQra8z6wljh5D1zGeGFmJyuY-7UNOWim-leR6oPheVPk/s320/IMG_0014.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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^Cybelle and James time jump.... a little bit more! Taken at MCM Birmingham 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAiFOxPHTOTwJn8fn5AhbrE5y3lITU4QX-_KbXLLv0GD5_95vacAdFsUIlmqY_1vOeULm42XB0IWuMmr7jBC6H2RmEvKX2lGXrwGRAoll135DjQvAxry-zGf-SzQjnGVl-pK8b8oRKao6/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAiFOxPHTOTwJn8fn5AhbrE5y3lITU4QX-_KbXLLv0GD5_95vacAdFsUIlmqY_1vOeULm42XB0IWuMmr7jBC6H2RmEvKX2lGXrwGRAoll135DjQvAxry-zGf-SzQjnGVl-pK8b8oRKao6/s320/IMG_0015.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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^Cybelle DeHamphir masquerade taken at MCM Birmingham 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTElsC__e6wvpCfl9hG8qlRSxtSHtCIFD9M_gQwOndumuHK1YO0aEaNuoAQ6lg0JynCfZuGyQHeXCi-jcDLEwlG7ov3RX0TBdK6HPXHfbwtCTnSRskKWsMWlP7Rhehfu489xmIr8i31n4S/s1600/James+(By+Kimi).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTElsC__e6wvpCfl9hG8qlRSxtSHtCIFD9M_gQwOndumuHK1YO0aEaNuoAQ6lg0JynCfZuGyQHeXCi-jcDLEwlG7ov3RX0TBdK6HPXHfbwtCTnSRskKWsMWlP7Rhehfu489xmIr8i31n4S/s320/James+(By+Kimi).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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^James Lovett (an old one because at the last Expo he was on the other end of the camera for most of it XD) Taken at MCM Birmingham 2012</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Un-named project and Night history/folktales, Ezlorea Rose Dawnstarre, Lady of the Amaranth </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpB6gRaGJrYzPwxntzwYaFTJTQFgCRVDxZ-eg2RIeHyoIc_weF6Kvuwo0XCRVwHn-E-Zj4AGH7GuprycivTXhNDmSP6sb4sIRgjlVvYKCsA6BwZQhb_mEkOyuQdSxFFxrRvJ3gIP9JVUky/s1600/IMG_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpB6gRaGJrYzPwxntzwYaFTJTQFgCRVDxZ-eg2RIeHyoIc_weF6Kvuwo0XCRVwHn-E-Zj4AGH7GuprycivTXhNDmSP6sb4sIRgjlVvYKCsA6BwZQhb_mEkOyuQdSxFFxrRvJ3gIP9JVUky/s320/IMG_0016.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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^Ezlorea taken at Middle Earth Weekend 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtPJNCHxOO0t8vG4gbxYcS_5RM65JUju6J9Aj-aOYdJL6i29GMLYDRhjGeMWp-CKHTBP-cPjgZb5XGif5SzjzrhVNAqfLr10qK0SHcTbGhFeFQkNvTR8LR13gQeCfePG-97cUDkZFOofx/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtPJNCHxOO0t8vG4gbxYcS_5RM65JUju6J9Aj-aOYdJL6i29GMLYDRhjGeMWp-CKHTBP-cPjgZb5XGif5SzjzrhVNAqfLr10qK0SHcTbGhFeFQkNvTR8LR13gQeCfePG-97cUDkZFOofx/s320/IMG_0017.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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^Ezlorea taken at Middle Earth weekend 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKab5GS-BHZZvRGj5eGNXMYcThWtPF0lacWF7YGzlLZpDSrTY-RPa-UL9IdaIyJ7WgGQIB2Ln-1PZEd6kp2PCakLLALQbqEr8tzByvrRA7dmQG0JPAhOp0l9-qASwCqQez_pvHAbrGKCrs/s1600/IMG_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKab5GS-BHZZvRGj5eGNXMYcThWtPF0lacWF7YGzlLZpDSrTY-RPa-UL9IdaIyJ7WgGQIB2Ln-1PZEd6kp2PCakLLALQbqEr8tzByvrRA7dmQG0JPAhOp0l9-qASwCqQez_pvHAbrGKCrs/s320/IMG_0019.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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^Ezlorea taken at Middle Earth Weekend 2013</div>
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Just a couple of updates before I go and sleep off that damn exam!</div>
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I am indeed still working on Dead Night and currently I am around half way in, and writing a brand new scene for Miss Avangelene. Around July, the full book will be taken off my blog and replaced with a preview to stop lazy people. ;) I am also in the process of designing art posters and jewellery inspired by the book, and will be sold in Madam Takara's.</div>
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Reign of Hearts is also still in progress but I have taken a break from it in order to focus on my exams and then Dead Night. It will be continuing, just not yet. ^^</div>
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The first installment of the 'Eternal' series is in progress and you can see the illustrations on my dA account at the moment. It won't be a fast writing process though, it is likely to end up being a paving slab.</div>
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Madam Takara's is now selling fantasy portrait commissions for £10; will draw OCs and existing characters. See the shop for details. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/madamtakara">www.etsy.com/shop/madamtakara</a></div>
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Until next time :)</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Love and tea</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
-I. I. laverick</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-41946165348025616932013-04-14T16:29:00.000-07:002013-04-14T16:29:11.222-07:00Re-opening of Madam Takara's Jewellery, book news and RoH 3Sorry to keep you all waiting so long for updates, the past few weeks have been hectic!<br />
<br />
So my first bit of news is that I am re opening my etsy shop, Madam Takaras, so you will now be able to buy my fine art and steampunk themed jewellery once more (and the prices have been lowered from last time, I am also doing a lot of made to order peices). Please check it out at: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadamTakara">https://www.etsy.com/shop/MadamTakara</a><br />
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<br />
Currently you can get Dead Night themed peices through my custom fine art pendants, but hopefully when Dead Night is out, you'll be able to buy more themed jewellery, cameos, and maybe special signed copies of the book! So stay tuned :)<br />
<br />
Also, Lenora Lacey... the draft is finished but I'm submitting it for EPQ and then having nothing to do with it for a few months. I'm sorry, it's just not ready. However, this means that I am now focussing on having Dead Night edited and ready for the publishing in a few months, and I'm starting a new trilogy whilst I have a break (because I want to savour writing the DN books :)). It's a post apocalyptic dystopian steampunk called "Eternal" and the first installment is called "A Story of Clockworks". This one is hopefully going to be fully illustrated, so keep an eye on my deviantART for details! (I'll add things here when I decide how it's all happening)<br />
<br />
Anyway, I must go! Things to do, things to edit ;)<br />
TTFN<br />
Love and tea.<br />
-I. I. Laverick <3<br />
<br />
P.S Thank you everyone who watches me and this blog, I've just gone over 1000 pageviews!!! :DAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-17507430679896291672013-04-14T16:14:00.000-07:002013-04-14T16:14:08.046-07:00The Reign of Hearts Part Three, A Curious Little Affair
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Part 3, The Curious Little Affair<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I fell embarrassingly, face planted the ground and ate a good mouthful
of grass I hadn’t quite wanted to eat. Jez obviously had a similar experience
about two feet away, because she muttered “bastard” and began to spit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Now that’s hardly ladylike, Miss Jezabelle.” Said a familiar voice
whose owner I really wanted to hurt at that moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“BASTARD.” Jez shouted even louder, “Don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Miss Jezabelle</i> me!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I do believe they’ve fallen on their heads.” Said another voice, smaller
and squeaky, “Don’t you worry, you’ll fit right in!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I looked up to see the cluttered and stained table with it’s checked
tablecloth and odd array of dishes containing things I had never been brave
enough to taste. There was a tall, elegant looking woman sat at the head of the
table, with piercing green eyes and dead straight red hair. She wore a curious
purple top hat with feathers and pins which completely clashed with her hair
colour. She smiled and lifted a chipped china teacup to her lips. Hatteress
Lunicie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Beside her was a great hare wearing a monocle and a waistcoat, and he
was currently trying to stuff the owner of the second voice, a similarly
dressed dormouse that could have fitted into the palm of my hand, into a
teapot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I sighed and got to my feet, brushing down my dress… Oh god, they could
have at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">least</i> done away with the
bloody dress! “Now play nice, Hare.” I warned the monocle wearing fiend, and
seized the dormouse in my hand, placing him back into his tiny armchair,
perched on top of a pile of books.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jez’s right eye twitched when she realised the change of dress, and she
marched straight up to the table to confront the hatteress, and to be honest
with you (although she’d surely kill me for saying so), it was rather comical to
watch her do so in petticoats, Mary Janes and a frilly embroidered apron. Her
face was as red as the hatteress’s hair with pure <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rage.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>The hatteress only raised
one shocking eyebrow in amusement. “But green suits you dear.” She said, which
was a really stupid move when Jez was already fuming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU’VE DONE!?” She screamed, “We were fine!
We don’t need you! We will never need you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lunicie laughed, the chirpy sound making her name ever so fitting. “Then
why on earth are you here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Because of you!” I snapped, although I’m sure Jez was about to say so
herself. “We have a life you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That’s funny, miss Alyss.” Lunicie commented, “Because we need you.
Besides, if you didn’t need us, we wouldn’t need you and therefore you would
not be here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“She’s mad again…” Hare said, busy playing a tone deaf tune on a set of
cups and saucers with a spoon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We can see that.” Jez muttered angrily and glared at the hatteress. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The trees grow gingerbread and the rivers run with tea, we are in a
true wonderland and the jabberwocky is gone. My dears, what on earth is wrong?”
Lunicie almost sang.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Your mind.” Jez shot back. “You’re madder than usual.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Your mind.” Echoed the hatteress, and then her face fell. “Oh dear,
dear, Miss Jezabelle. How did he die?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jez seemed to resist throwing a brick at Lunicie. She honestly would
have if she had a brick at hand. “None of your business, I’m fine.” She hissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You’re here.” Lunicie replied calmly. “And dear Alyss, your family…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That was a long time ago.” I snapped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Ahh, then you should have no troubles whatsoever then.” Lunicie said with
a manic grin, “The reign of Hearts will be at an end soon my friends! We shall
walk free from the Queen’s asylum so very soon my friends!” At this she flung
her arms around Hare next to her, and removed her hat in order to take out
another teapot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Asylum?” Jez repeated. “She doesn’t get any saner does she?” She sighed
and looked at me, although I knew her far too well to mistake the momentary
flash of fear in her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I shrugged, and looked back to the party of fools before us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lunicie held out her hat to us, “Take your weapons, my beautiful
knights!” She exclaimed, once again only gaining a look of confusion from the
both of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Of course.” She shook her head and reached into her hat herself, taking
out familiar blades that could not possibly have fitted in there, but it was
not like we were somewhere that paid any attention to logic. “Remember my
dears, the Vorpal blade is swift and keen, it goes snicker snack and leaves
them dead!” Lunicie giggled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“So we’re pissed at her, and she gives us swords.” Jez muttered, shaking
her head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Look around, ladies!” Dormouse said sleepily, “Do you not notice
anything different?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was a pause. Jez and I looked at each other, glanced around half-heartedly
and turned back to Dormouse with a shrug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I lost it this time when Hare began his teacup tune once more, “NOTHING
has changed since we left! It’s all the same!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Look closer.” Lunicie said calmly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“At WHAT?” I shouted back, apparently impressing Jez, “What are we
supposed to be looking for? One of your bloody hat pins in a god damn
haystack?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I turned back to Jez, expecting her to back me up again, even though the
arguing was getting us nowhere, but she hadn’t noticed… she was looking up at
the sky, and as I followed her gaze, I suddenly understood why we had been
dragged back to our own personal hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had completely disregarded the fact that the sky wasn’t blue. It was
white actually, and as far as the eye could see, a great series of interlocking
bars and chains littered the sky. Some resembled a familiar symbol that nobody
really wanted to acknowledge. I contemplated for a moment how on earth
Lunicie’s party had taken our attention away from that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Oh I see.” Jez muttered bitterly, “Is this meant to be us fighting our
way out of the obstacles of life or some crap like that?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wished we could just put it all down to something so simple. “I’m sure
if it was, we wouldn’t have eaten the grass.” I replied in a murmur. She chose
to ignore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lunicie seemed amused at this idea, picked up a clump of green blades
and nibbled experimentally. Apparently, she liked it no more than we did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At about the moment I considered looking for a cliff, or somewhere to
prop up my blade so that I could fall on it, a voice belonging to someone who
(if he had a neck) we would both have happily strangled, giggled and uttered
it’s opinion. “Well, my dears, I can’t say it’s particularly bad, but I’ve been
trying to have turtle fix the glitch in the portal for days, I assure you!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jez and I glared at the floating smile in the sky. It laughed lowly and
slowly the rest of Messenger the Cheshire cat materialized on top of Lunicie’s
tall hat, where he thought we wouldn’t be able to reach him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m going to kill you.” Jez growled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Really. I was rather hoping I could advise you otherwise my dear.” The
cat said dismissively. I got the feeling that his disbelief got on Jez’s
nerves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ll do it.” I added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Precious. Now if you can hold back on the violence for five minutes, I
have some important information for you.” Cheshire continued, settling down on
top of Lunicie’s hat and resting his head upon his paws. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“This had better be good.” I folded my arms and sat down on the grass.
“How about you start with explaining this?” I suggested, gesturing wildly at
the sky.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s quite simple really, my dears.” Messenger explained with a sigh,
“You play chess, do you not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Well never.” Jez replied with a roll of her eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Oh, well then. All you dears have to do is kill the Queen.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What?” We said in unison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Indeed. Kill the Queen. Come and find me when you’re done!” And with
this Messenger disappeared again, but a floating giggle on the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I stared down at my reflection in my sword.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Quite simple indeed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-40638770002175911282013-03-20T13:25:00.000-07:002013-03-23T07:12:39.851-07:00Logic of the Night- Metamorphasis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Warewolves are not people who sometimes look like wolves, they're wolves who sometimes look like people." -Daughters of Darness by L J Smith<br />
<br />
Sooo, decided to do another 'Logic of the Night' having finally found another subject. As you will know if you've read the book, the Shape Shifting beings of the world of Night aren't exactly your usual horror film types. So here's the lowdown on each type of Shifter, and then some info on *ahem* <em>specific</em> cases.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Warewolves<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
There isn't a lot to say about them as no REAL werewolves appear in the story yet.Obviously, their key difference to Lycanth Wolves is that they can only (and have to) change on a full moon. They also tend to struggle more in the personal battle between self and Wolf. Often the Wolf wants to take over their host completely, and very occasionally (out of the ones that don't kill themselves under pressure), the Wolf can win this battle, and on that full moon, the host will not demorph back into a human, and will stay a Wolf for eternity. And it is eternity, because they're immortal. As you can see, there is a reason (or several) for lack of Werewolves in Dead Night. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Lycanth Wolves</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">A little like Warewolves in the way that they can only ever shift to a wolf's shape, however, they are the only Wolf that can part morph (although most choose not to as it looks repulsive), and unlike Werewolves, they can choose when they morph. The process is the same though (and I'll go into that later). You'll notice that there are more of these (ie, James (in part), Marrok, the Bennetts). They're an easier Night being to exist as most of the time, as the Wolf side is more one's self than a seperate personality. However, the animal instincts are still there so a Lycanth will still have trouble controlling themselves (this, like most other Night creatures' contitions is enhanced upon a full</span> </span><span style="color: white;">moon), although in this case, they're more of a danger to the people around them than themselves.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Standard Shape Shifters</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">These are basically like Lycanth Wolves but can shift to any animal they choose (that is of a particular size, not an elephant or a small turtle for example) by studying it's bones and obtaining it's DNA. They also tend to suffer from the condition Werewolves do, but only when in the form of a particular animal, it doesn't take over their human self. They can't shift to a human form (far too complex), Their morph is more painful depending on the animal and it's bone structure in particular.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Human Metamorphs or 'Dopplegangers'</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Like Shifters but can only take human morphs, they suffer no psychological symptoms from their morph, but are usually deceptive and cruel in nature. It has not been proven, but many beleive that they have no soul at all. These rare creatures are to be avoided at all costs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Fhearies</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">Pure Fhearies are usually quite petit in size, although not tiny like in the storybooks; they can be taller if they have other genes such as Elven or Witch in their family. Fhearies only have a part morph; they can summon wings. For pure blooded Fhearies with no other genes in their past, these wings are always insect like in appearence, however this is the only morph that can be polluted by other genes, akthough a case of this is incredibly rare. There are also no psychological symptoms associated with Fhearie morphs.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
***Note- All Wolf related shifts mimic the colour of the human form's hair, and have red eyes in at least Wolf form.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">How Metamorphasis Works</span><br />
<span style="color: white;">It's painful because the body has to rearrange itself. The animal like morphs are far too complicated for even me to fully explain to you, but it's to do with rearranging and rapidly growing/shrinking (ahem, CRUSHING) the bones. Also, theres a lot of morphing/regenerating/growing/excluding of various other parts of the body such as skin and hair. It's...strange.</span><br />
<em><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Special and unusual Cases...</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;"></span></em><br />
<strong><em>Cybelle DeHamphir, the Sirith Mage</em></strong><br />
Cybelle's morphs are endless, although she chooses to ignore them for all the pain it takes. However, occasionally, she will use Wolf and Fhearie morphs. It should be noted that though she does have a 'Doppleganger' gene, she will not access it (probably by choice). Same as Shifter. Her Fhearie morph has been distorted by a mix with her Vampire and (maybe) Shifter genes, and rather than insect like wings, she has a pair of massive bat wings. These, due to the nature and size of them, are INCREDIBLY painful to summon. Her wolf, as usual, mimics the jet black colour of her hair.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>James Lovett, the hybrid white Wolf</em></strong><br />
James's morph is interesting, and nobody can pin it down accept for an unproven theory of Vampire pollution (although this is highly unlkely because Wolves can't be blood polluted and it affect their morph). When he morphs, his Wolf is white, even though his natural hair colour is brown.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Verity Harman, the last Fey Witch</em></strong><br />
Verity rarely morphs as it is not neccecary, practical or painless, but should she choose to, the Witch side of her has polluted her morph to become a pair of feathered dove like wings, all black.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-65343939884810703002013-02-11T09:33:00.002-08:002013-02-11T09:33:58.621-08:00Site updates and stuff.My dear Nightlings,<br />
<br />
Just a couple of site updates! Sorry I havn't much news of other things, you got all that in my last post! <br />
<br />
So as you can see, there's been a bit of a re-vamp. The old background was pretty but not fitting... in two ways, I mean...since my blog's width was expanded, it physically didn't fit... besides, birds don't have a fat lot to do with assassins. I liked the style of my old blog, which was quite a bit more Victorian, so it has been changed to the pattern that was originally that of the Cai-Terra Archives. If only it came in red!<br />
<br />
Also, you will see that I have added a page called 'The Guest Room' which showcases DN art by other people, because they deserve the shout out! Feel free to poke around. :)<br />
<br />
I am afraid that is all! I shall keep you posted on Dead Night and Lenora Lacey as I know things.<br />
<br />
-I. I. LaverickAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-46725703312191269162013-02-09T16:05:00.001-08:002013-02-09T16:05:30.111-08:00RoH ad Dead Night news!Good Evening my Nightlings!!<br />
<br />
(I should start calling you that, it'd be like EA ad her Plague Rats :3)<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'll start with site updates. As you can see, the next chapter of Reign of Hearts is up, although I'm sorry it wasn't earlier, I released in on deviantART a few weeks ago! This is a pathetic excuse, but the deadline for Lenora Lacey has been pushed forward so I've been running around like a headless android trying to finish it! Also, you may have noticed that the Guild's study has been updated to reveal info on the blog's stories ONLY! So I hope you got those spoilers while you could!<br />
<br />
Anyway, the main news! The first ever publication of Dead Night has been confirmed! You will be able to buy copies some time this year from <em>Blurb, </em>and I am also taking orders for signed copies (which obviously, cost a bit more in delivery, depending on where you live because I have to order the book to me first, and then send it to you). Of course, Lenora Lacey will theoretically be published first, but as an e-book, and I shall keep you posted on that. In fact, while you are waiting for Dead Night, my Nightlings, Lenora Lacey is worth the read, you may even get a special surprise part way through! <br />
<br />
Anyway, I leave you on the biggest release, THE COVER! Created by my most woderful boyfriend, Adam who is a excellent photographer, and has cruelly deleted his blog, so I can only give you hid dA xD To be fair, there is more of his work on there anyway: <a href="http://takeshi-toga.deviantart.com/">http://takeshi-toga.deviantart.com</a> Also, if you like Dead Night, you should read The Black Heart, his own novel which is a more contemporary vampire story set in Japan. It's amazing, so if you do, please tell him so because he doesn't beleive it! <br />
<br />
Anyway, this is what it will look like! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Until next time! <br />
-I. I. Laverick xAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-17899647539459650652013-02-09T14:22:00.002-08:002013-02-09T14:26:00.965-08:00The Reign Of Hearts, Part Two, The Sound of Madness<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The next morning, I was rudely awoken by Aiden’s elbow in my back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Owww…” I muttered sleepily, blindly waving my arm intending to swat him
(but it wasn’t noon yet, so I had trouble opening my eyes). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently he dodged because I didn’t hit anything, and planted a small
kiss on my forehead, “Sorry, Allie.” He apologised, and seemed to leave the
room. I was too tired to object, and he had redeemed himself after all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wrapped myself in a cuccoon of duvet and slowly, the thought sank in
that I had work tonight and uni the next day, and I had done no concept
sketches in a week. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Great, Luelue’s going
to be impressed. </i>For a blissful little moment, everything was normal and my
greatest worry was my lecturer quite fittingly, giving me a lecture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The events of the previous day leaked back into my mind after a few
moments and I groaned into the pillow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Hey, wake up darlin’” Aiden laughed, and wafted a cup of tea under my
nose. “Somebody has work to do.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It depends.” I murmured, opening one eye with a little strain, “Do you
have chocolate?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He set down a packet of caramel digestives on the bedside table… Crafty.
Now I had to get up. I took the mug and sat on the bed, curled into a ball of
weariness and bad hair. I rolled my eyes when I finally looked at Aiden, he
hadn’t bothered to dress properly himself yet, he was wearing black jeans and
no shirt and naturally, he showed the fact that he didn’t believe in shoes. “Go
and put a shirt on for god’s sake before sis yells at you for being such a
man.” I grumbled, although it was only specifically for that reason, Jez never
let him hear the end of it, but I didn’t have any preference… honest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Yes Ma’am, zombie chief, Ma’am.” He laughed and flung open the wardrobe
in search of something clean. I don’t know why we bothered sharing chores, they
never got done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Cheeky.” I muttered, but smiled at his good mood. I dunked my biscuit
in the tea while he wasn’t looking (his turn washing up and he hated it when I
did that), and then reached for my sketchbook under the bed. “I had better
cough up an idea…” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You’ll think of something.” He said, and came to sit next to me, now
wearing a faded Iron Maiden t-shirt. “Why don’t you let me help?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Need a boss for the game…” I said and shook my head, “I’ve used all of
the good ones.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That’s a question…” He admitted, and gently seized the dog eared book
from my hands, flicking through it. “Perhaps you should wake up properly
first.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I sighed and grunted in agreement, reluctantly slipping out of bed,
setting down the half empty cup and diving into my own separate wardrobe (I was
weird about the condition of my clothes, I owned some awkward-to-store
dresses). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My outfit that day consisted of corset top, lace shrug, leather skirt
and fishnets, all black and topped off with coffin shaped earrings and a
necklace to match. Possibly tactless, but I was too tired to realise. I quickly
ran a brush through my black and red streaked hair and didn’t bother beginning
the long process of applying all that makeup.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We both entered the living room, finding no signs of life, meaning Jez
was probably still asleep, and upon this discovery, Aiden slumped into the
sofa, and turned on the TV to the first sci fi channel he could find, startling
Kurt (who was asleep next to it) awake to the sound of Star Trek.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He sighed and smiled at the poor creature, “Well it was a daft place to
go to sleep!” He protested, and scratched him behind the ear. This seemed to
compensate for the rude awakening, and Kurt then proceeded to slope off for
some breakfast, which I prepared and then sat down next to Aiden.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Ignorant bastard shift tonight?” He asked me, rolling his eyes at the
adverts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“No kidding.” I replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least it was normal so far, even if I did have a night of dealing
with the general picky public ahead of me. I worked in a coffee shop you see, but
I was really not the social kind of person, it just meant that I could pay my
third of the rent. The ‘Ignorant bastard shift” as Aiden and Jez always called
it (and me when my boss was out of earshot), was the Saturday closing, when
pretty much every asshole and his dog came to cause trouble. I couldn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wait</i> to graduate, honestly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Anyway, this boss battle.” I muttered and stared at the wall. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“How about that sleepy, crazy monster that takes the shape of my
girlfriend every morning?” He suggested, a quite conspicuous grin on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I half-heartedly swatted him but somehow, and I wasn’t surprised, we
ended up on each other’s lips… Just as Jez shuffled in in her jeans, tank top
and bunny slippers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Ugh…” She said with a shake of her head. “If I had a penny for every
time I’d walked in on this!” She smiled though as I sat up and attempted to
cover a violent blush with my hair, (perhaps the makeup would have been a good
idea after all) and she went to prepare toast.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I gave it a minute, and then followed her, motioning for Aiden to stay
where he was. He knew by now that when girl talk was the issue, he had best
keep his distance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“So.” I said, digging in the cupboard for my personal supply of
chocolate flavoured cereal, “How’re you feeling?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Pretty shit to be honest with you.” She replied, matter-of-factly as
always. “God, I can’t stop thinking about it, it’s invading my mind.” She
added, and slammed the jam jar on the counter so hard I thought it might
shatter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Somehow, I got the feeling that she wasn’t talking about Liam’s funeral.
I found myself contemplating telling her about the letter, but resolved that it
would probably make things worse.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Sorry.” She murmured and sighed, “I think I need to get out of here
before I break something.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I gave her a hug, which seemed to do only the tiniest bit of good, and
abandoned my breakfast plans. “Want to go for a walk then?” I offered, “But…
you’re going to have to lose the bunny slippers first.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She smiled faintly, staring down at said bunny slippers for a moment,
she nodded, and then pointed out uselessly, “But not the god damn park.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>***<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>About half an hour later, after I had thrown on my makeup, boots and
coat, tossed a vague excuse in Aiden’s direction and Jez had indeed swapped the
slippers for a shabby pair of trainers, we set out on an aimless wander through
the street.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m mad.” Jez declared after a few minutes of silence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I felt inclined to reply with words that were not mine, but belonged to
the Hatteress, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we’re all mad here, you’ll
fit right in</i>… But instead I kept my tactless trap shut and decided on: “Why
do you say that?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Because my fucking dreams are sending me letters.” She growled, “I must
be mad.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My heart stopped and so did my feet, and that was a mistake because the
uneasy look on Jez’s face changed to one of horror which she was trying to
cover with her cool mask. However, with the events of the previous day, that
mask had been cracked and crumbling and hardly held in place anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Not you too…” I whispered, not even wanting to say it aloud. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Bloody Hatteress doesn’t know when the hell to leave us alone.” Jez
said bitterly, her hands curling into fists. “She doesn’t get it, we don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need </i>them anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Well apparently they need <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">us.</i>”
I replied, twirling one of my red streaks around my finger, which was a stupid
habit I had when I was nervous. Jez knew this, and I saw her shoulders relax a
little and the anger on her face change again, but this time to concern. She
awkwardly put her hands on my shoulders, acting the brave big sister, and make
me look at her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“They can’t make us go back.” She assured me, although I don’t think
either of us believed her. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had left them in a state of security. No Queen to dictate, no battle
to be won… We had slain the beast that had terrorized them, what more could
they want?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What more could they want?</i>
That question spun around my head for what seemed like an age, and honestly, I
wish I had never asked it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A peculiar flat birdsong sounded from a distance away. It didn’t quite
sink in properly for a moment, but I knew I should be alarmed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then we caught sight of it. A large black bird sitting in the tree
above us, looming like an omen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jez looked at me, wide eyed, and then back at the bird. Before I could
even try to convince myself we would be fine, and this was all just a creepy
coincidence, Jez yelled, uncaring for the many people in the crowded street, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Run!”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We did indeed run. We ran like all hell was chasing us, and to be
honest, it possibly was. It depended on what your idea of hell was. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We pushed, shoved, and stumbled our way down the street, and I made the
fatal mistake of looking back to catch a glimpse of the raven… at the same time
as Jez. God damn it, it was a good thing neither of us drove, our attention
spans sucked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We went hurtling forwards into the window of an old curiosity shop.
Without breaking the glass. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“In another moment down went Alice after it, never once considering how
in the world she was to get out again.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-91537032283467458592013-01-15T15:39:00.000-08:002013-01-15T15:39:00.205-08:00Dead Night- logic of The Night!<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">*minor spoiler warning*</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Evening, all!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, having spoken to people who have read my book or know more about my characters, I decideed it's about time to answer a few of the common questions which are repeatedly coming under the 'genes' parasol. For example, "Does Lizzie feel the cold?" "When does Avangelene feed?" "Why can Cybelle only blush sometimes?" and "Why are Cye and Lina's dominant genes different?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, here's the answer: It's to do with gene percentage!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The idea is, if you belong to The Night in any way, you have supernatural "Night genes". These can belong to almost any sort of Night, such as Fhearie, Witch, Wizard, Vampre, Werewolf etc (You cannot have a ''Sirith gene'', which will be explained in a moment). So if you are purely one of these races, you only have one sort of gene... Therefore Lizzie is a Noble Vampire, therefore her blood is pure and Vampire is all there is to her. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, if you have Night blood and human blood, then your Night genes will do batle with your human genes constanly, and your percentage will often change. It is USUALLY subject to how much of that gene is in your family as to which, but one will always be dominant, it will usually be the Night gene in this case.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are a hybrid, as mentioned above, you will have a dominat gene regardless of whether you have any human blood. James is a good example of this, his dominant gene is Wolf. Note that occasionally his Vampire side might come out, but not often, due to that changing percentage.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you were a certain kind of Night before, but gaied the genes of another Night at some point in your life (such as Avangelene becoming Vampire), then your original gene will always be the strongest.As with any other hybrid type, your other genes might come out, nd they are also likely to show themselves if your body needs to use them, such as the Vampires self healing ability.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now Sirith Magi are a completely different beast. They don't have to have that gene dominant in their family tree for it to be dominant in themself. The Saage sisters are a classic example of this (and possibly the only one). Night genes do battle with eachother, but in Siriths this is a particularly big thing. By the age of about thirteen in a regular hybrid, your genes finally settle, but Siriths might do this at a very early age. Thalia and Valenteia did this, ad that is why Lina was tutored a Witch, and Cye a Vampire. Your percentage still changes, but your dominant gene will always return.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, those questions....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Can Lizzie feel the cold?</span></strong><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">I think she might sense it, but she doesn't feel it as such. she senses a lot of things, but Nobles just sort of exist and observe, it's a little hard to explain.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">When does Avangelene feed?</span></strong><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Avangelene was originally Witch, and therefore although she has become part Vampire, she rarely needs to feed, if her Vampire side is particularly present that day, then she might feel the craving, although we will probably never see this through the eyes of another character, as she is very self concious about feeding in front of people.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Why can Cybelle only blush sometimes?</span></strong><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Cye is mostly Vampire, but as I mentioned, even in Siriths, other genes might make an appearence. Sometimes her Wolf side or Witch side etc can come out and allow the little blood in her body to rise to her cheeks. Vampires are technically dead, Cybelle is a little-bit-alive. gain, it's hard to explain!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Why are Cye and Lina's dominant genes different?</span></strong><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Because as I mentioned, Sirith Magi gain a dominant gene early, and it can be anything. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you found this informative! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps I will post more Night logic in the future, but as for now, farewell.</span> <br />
<br />
-I. I. Laverick xAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-8475122617369823582013-01-10T16:49:00.001-08:002013-01-10T16:49:04.553-08:00The Reign of Hearts, Part One, The Illusion of a Dream*beware of strong language and sarcasm ;P<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all began at my
best friend’s ex’s funeral. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t even know
why we were there to be honest with you. Perhaps she’d always wanted to throw a
dead flower on his grave for the irony; who has a clue? I didn’t know what went
on in her funny little head those days… and often, I felt that I didn’t want to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jez, you
alright?” I whispered. She was staring down at the contents of the coffin as if
she were looking inside the dustbin back at the flat. Her eyes were focussed
though, and in them was pure hate… A look the stupid git must have been used
to.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God I hoped he went to hell.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m fine.” She
replied coldly after a moment, tossing her shoulder length black hair
arrogantly in a very purposeful way. Lucky thing… I always envied her hair,
right back in high school. Damn my genes and cheap hair dye.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on, I don’t
think this was a great idea.” I murmured, and tugged her arm away from the
coffin. She stole a last painful glance and then linked her arm through mine
and we marched towards the exit. That was another thing about us; I was the one
that strode ahead and did stuff, and Jez was the one who thought about it, and
then usually told me what I’d done stupidly... And was usually right ad told me
so.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think a burger
is in order.” She said with a sigh, “A big one.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought you
were on a diet sis.” I reminded her, as Jez usually forgot about her diets.
They never lasted over a week.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fuck my diet.”
She muttered bitterly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know, we’re
not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actually</i> sisters, but everybody
thinks so… and we let them. We’re like sisters, we act like it and we sort of
look like it, but we’re not. If we were, she’d probably have killed me by this
point for about a million different reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A guy caught us up
before we got to the doors. He was pretty tall, but not massively; just taller
than Jez, and she was shorter than me but wearing a loaned pair of my platform
heels (which were pretty demonic, if I say so myself). He had dark brown hair, quite
long so it got in his eyes a lot, and he didn’t smile but greeted us as
cheerfully as was possible at a funeral, which amounts to about a grave nod.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sorry to hear
about Liam.” He said sympathetically.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why, he was a
wanker.” Jez answered dismissively and got a fair few alarmed looks from the
small congregation around us (many of whom were probably thinking along those
lines anyway). We were about to carry on our way when it clicked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh hell!” Jez
apologised (in her language, that alone was usually an apology, but she was
messed up that day.) “Sorry, I didn’t recognise you!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, finally, I
cracked it. As I mentioned before, she’s the brains. “Oh my god, Jay?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You two haven’t
changed.” He said with a sneaky grin. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What happened to
you since college?” Jez demanded, and did her best impression of an
electrocuted goldfish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This and that.”
Jay said with a smile again, “I suspected I’d find the undertakers daughters at
the nearest funeral. I thought Allie was heading for Japan?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allie isn’t
actually my name by the way, but that’s what you might as well call me, because
everybody else does. Really it’s Allyson, but that’s even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">worse.</i> I tried to change it to Alyss once, but everyone was too
used to it, so I’m still Allie.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to leave
out the fact that I had about as much money as I had atomic bombs and just
shrugged, “Not without a game design course… or sis.” I explained, and then
mentally added a bit, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or money</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were beginning
to get some <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i> unwelcoming
expressions by this point, and so Jez excused us. “We have to go, erm… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mourn.</i> She said with a wink. Maybe catch
you later.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ok, see you
around, I know when I’m not wanted.” Jay joked, and we parted ways and Jez and
I left the church. In one piece too which I hadn’t expected, perhaps god had
really bad aim with that lightning strike.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well that was
more than a bit awkward.” I remarked, stating the obvious but it broke the
silence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sherlock.” Jez
replied, “Now about that burger…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>***<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So naturally, we
ended up sitting in the local crummy McDonalds, and I watched Jez destroy any
minor progress she’d made on that diet of hers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Allie?” She asked
thoughtfully after a while, as she poked at the last few fries in her box, “Do
we just have this really shit luck that follows us around?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about
it. It was unusual for her to just up and say things like that… She was usually
pretty light hearted at the best of times. Then again, this wasn’t exactly the
best of times. “Nah, we don’t. We’ve gotten this far right? And considering
high school, that’s an achievement.” I tried to smile, but I was worried about
her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She laughed a
little, but only faintly and stared down at the fries. “Remember when we were
younger, and when stuff like this broke out, we could just… deal with it? What
happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, there’s a
reason for that, remember?” I replied. Now I was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">especially</i> worried, Jez <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i>
brought up that bit of our past. It’s sort of complicated you see… I won’t
really go into it but back then we’d both been through a lot, and we developed
this kind of… Childish fantasy to help us deal with all the hell, it just got a
bit <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">too</i> real by the end. It was lucky
neither of us had ended up in an institute, we should have.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s get out of
here.” She said, changing the subject. I agreed with a sort of ‘hmf’ and we left.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked in the
park nearby in silence for a while. It was an old habit of ours, the way we
spent many lunch hours back in college. It was all as normal as the day was
going to get until that confounded cat turned up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I blame myself; if
we’d have just gone straight home like we’d intended, probably none of it would
have happened. Ok, perhaps he’d have found us, but all the same, it was the
worst time the stupid creature could have chosen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There we were, sat
on the edge of the fountain, minding our own business when it’s furry black and
white face popped up. At least he wasn’t smiling this time, but it was still
enough to paralyse us on the spot. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…I know what
you’re thinking. It could have been <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">any</i>
cat couldn’t it? Well no. You didn’t see his eyes. His eyes were bright violet,
like an unnatural shade of violet, and they stared with an expression that
suggested the smile that wasn’t there. That’s how we knew it was Messenger, and
it was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">undeniable.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at Jez,
Jez looked at me, and then we both looked at Messenger, who smiled with his
eyes. None of us said anything, and he must have realised we both intended to
ignore him, so he leapt up onto the fountain in between us, put down the item
he had been carrying in his mouth, and then ran off again. Like a phantom, he’d
disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pretended he
hadn’t been there for a precious few moments, and dared not look down at the
spot he’d been a second ago. I think Jez did the same… We had a good enough
life right now, apart from a few hiccups, we didn’t need our fantasy anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless it wasn’t a
fantasy…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dismissed the
thought and forced myself to look at the item Messenger had left. For a moment,
I thought- no, I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hoped</i>- it was a
regular British pound, but when I looked closer, my heart missed a beat. On the
surface was not the usual portrait of the Queen of England, but of a Queen of
hearts… like that in a pack of cards. When I turned it over in my hand, the
reverse bore a picture of a little rabbit wearing a waistcoat and a top hat,
and he had a little pocket watch in his paw.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Allie…” Jez said
quietly, her voice shaking so much that if she were a tower, she’d surely have
fallen, “Allie, please tell me I’m not seeing this…” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried so hard to
come up with an answer that would reassure her. Hell, I wanted an answer that
would reassure <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me.</i> In the end, though
I didn’t believe myself, I just shook my head and said, “It’s probably just
some convenient trinket. We don’t even have currency in Wonderland.” I
considered tossing the coin into the fountain and leaving it there, but my
utterly stupid curiosity got the better of me and I slipped it into the pocket
of my leather coat. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t even say
that word.” Jez muttered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on, we
should go home.” I said, although my throat was so dry I had trouble speaking
at all. “I need to feet Kurt anyway.” (Kurt was the dog). I figured at the time
that if we ignored Messenger’s visit altogether, he’d get that we didn’t need
him, and then perhaps he’d leave us alone. Dreams couldn’t pursue you could
they?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t normal,
but the state we were in as we returned to the flat was at least visually
acceptable for a girl who’s just attended her ex’s funeral, and the best friend
of that girl, so at least there wasn’t much to hide.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But all the way we were contemplating the same things… If all that
business with our Wonderland had been a dream, how did Messenger leave us a
physical coin? And even worse, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why?</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I honest to god hoped that it wasn’t because our Wonderland needed us…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>***<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The flat we rented not too far from the university (seen as I still
hadn’t got a driving licence), was pretty small and nondescript, but it was
home all the same. Quite plain (as we’d never bothered to decorate) and
furnished with mostly blankets, pillows and dog hair. Naturally, this meant
that our current landlady wasn’t exactly Kurt’s greatest fan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kurt leapt on me immediately as we walked in, which made even Jez giggle
a bit, and licked my face in the way that only a husky who happens to be a
terrible judge of his own weight could do so. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Hey there boy!” I laughed and attempted to drag him back onto the sofa
by his collar before I collapsed into a heap. “Watch out, you’ll make Aiden
jealous!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Well look at that, put aside for the dog!” Aiden himself said from the
kitchen doorway. “Don’t I get a kiss?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Oh my God, Can’t you two take it to the bedroom? I’m still here you
know!” Jez complained, and mock gagged. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feeling considerably better, I shot her two fingers for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i> outdated joke and went to grant
Aiden’s request. Jez made a great pantomime of throwing her guts up on the
carpet as I did so. It was alright, it was her turn for cleaning chores.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Sorry.” He said brightly, although he had no intention of taking her
advice, and neither did I.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again, I’m ahead of myself here; I should really explain. Aiden and I
met in high school, and we’ve pretty much almost been together since. All of
our friends always found it weird for reasons I’m not even going to try to
guess or explain. I also know he’s the man I’m going to marry someday… I just
haven’t quite gotten around to telling him so yet. Either way, I never thought
I knew what love would be like… In a way, I suppose he saved me from insanity,
and many other things besides.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Are you two done yet?” Jez groaned, and slumped down onto the sofa with
Kurt (who was politely or disgustedly burying his head in his paws).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Not yet.” Said Aiden with a smile, “If you don’t want to watch, why
don’t you go make the coffee?” He suggested, and then re-attached himself to my
lips before I could tell him not to be so mean.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m not your housekeeper dear.” She said and stayed where she was to
give Kurt a fuss. “No respect for us poor singles hm?” She said to him (his
head was still awkwardly beneath his paws).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I giggled and flicked Aiden on the nose. “You think you’re the man of
the house, you go make the coffee!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rolling his eyes in defeat, he gave me a mock salute, “Yes, ma’am!” He
replied, and marched off back into the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Sorry, sis.” I apologised, feeling a little guilty now. She was used to
us, but today wasn’t exactly a great time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s ok.” She smiled, “Kurt’s the one feeling awkward here!” She
reached behind the sofa and conjured the remote control from it’s usual hiding
place and turned on the TV.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m going to go find out what’s taking him so long with the coffee.” I
said, and wandered into the kitchen, leaving Jez to channel hop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aiden smiled when he saw me and, still filling the kettle with one hand,
beckoned me over for a hug… yeah, for a guy, he had a hug complex... and one
for messing with my hair. I wasn’t complaining. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Oh yeah.” He said suddenly, he turned around to hand me an envelope
which had been sitting on the counter gaining coffee rings. “This came for you
earlier.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I looked down at it… the paper was like old style parchment, and my name
had been printed neatly in black ink on the reverse in a fancy Edwardian
looking script. Oddly, it used the one variation of my name that I liked, but
nobody used… Alyss. “Well it’s obviously not from uni.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He began to take down what was left of the clean mugs and shrugged.
“Well maybe it’s from that Lord of the Rings fan club thing…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I shoved the envelope in my back pocket, “I’ll read it later. It’s been
a weird day, I can’t think about ents and hobbits right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Aiden’s face changed when I said that. “How is she?” He murmured,
cocking his head slightly in the direction of the living room. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Holding out I suppose.” I replied. “She’ll be fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Hope so.” He said, and started to make three coffees, one extra dark
for Jez. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I sighed and piled more sugar into my own. Yeah, it had been weird, but
I figured that if we just ignored the impossible and got on with our normal
lives, we’d be fine. We always were.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rest of that evening was pretty sane. Jez was quiet, but that was
understandable, so I dug out the old Tim Burton collection from the DVDs to
save her the trouble of conversation. She spent the films half asleep on a Kurt
too tired to throw her off his back. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We said nothing of the incident in
the park. I knew it hadn’t left either of our minds, but it wasn’t real if
neither of us voiced what we were thinking. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the bright side, no cat was coming near the flat with Kurt prowling
around…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>*** <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was only that night, when we had finally decided to turn in, that I
remembered the letter again. It was crumpled from my pocket, but undamaged
otherwise, so I opened it, and found inside a very short note. It was the very last
thing on earth I wanted to hear:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alyss,<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s no use trying to ignore
us, you need Wonderland just as much as Wonderland needs you. Messenger will
give you one final chance to return of your own free will.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you never answered my
question about the raven…<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hatteress Lunicie<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dreams couldn’t write letters either. Was this Jez’s way of playing a
sick joke to escape our lives? Somehow, I doubted very much that she would
dare. “Don’t even say that word.” She had said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tab-stops: 289.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But nobody else knew. Not even Aiden…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was only one explanation, and it was the most irrational, mad
thing I had ever thought of: Wonderland existed, and we were in trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8810406223266873228.post-17076615420137499702013-01-10T16:37:00.004-08:002014-06-10T15:25:08.839-07:00Of College, University andd Alyss...<span style="font-size: large;">uhhhhhhh</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If I'm not to active for a while, I'm currently being drained of inspiration.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> <strike>examiners, I somtimes want to slap them with a wet fish and then a copy of the Collins English dictionary.</strike></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In other news, I'm STILL working on Lenora Lacey, and I have the old block, I also have about a million drawing requests to do too v.v Woe is me.....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In other news, I have a new short story called "Reign of Hearts" It's a modern take on Alice in Wonderland written, by the way, with TOTAL respect for Lewis Carrol. It's only loosely based I suppose, my Alyss and Jez have great deal more sarcasm than Miss Liddell at times. Anyhow, I'll put it in a seperate post, hopefully that will tide you over until the release of Lenora Lacey ;P Part Two will be on it's way soon, but I'm doing it in between everything else so yes, bear with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is I. I. Laverick, really tired and stressed and out of ideas, signing out. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So long and thanks for all the fish (if I don't survive Wednesday)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">-I.I.Laverick x</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08998948207424479369noreply@blogger.com0