#matt goodfellow

[adventuresofalgy]

After his amazing Hogmanay Hootenanny had finally drawn to a close, Algy slept for many, many hours, and when he awoke he found that all his party guests had vanished, no doubt returning to the many magical places around the world from which they had come.

Feeling that he needed a wee bit of fresh air and exercise after such extensive partying, Algy flew around his assistants' garden several times. But he found that it was unpleasantly cold… It was early January, after all; the ponds were covered with thin sheets of ice, and the garden was hushed and quiet.

Suddenly, the sun burst through the wintry clouds, and although it was still exceedingly low in the sky, only just managing to clear the rocky ridges of the surrounding hills, parts of the garden were bathed in a beautiful golden light… at least for a few minutes, for the sun could evidently feel the chill too, and soon retreated to warmer climes.

It was glorious while it lasted, however, so Algy found himself a perch on a sunlit tree stump and indulged in a harmonious duet with a wee robin friend nearby, until the light faded into greyness once again. And while the two fluffy birds sang in wordless harmony, Algy took deep gulps of the January air and thought:

Something’s moving in, I hear the weather in the wind, sense the tension of a sheep-field and the pilgrimage of fins. Something’s not the same, I taste the sap and feel the grain, hear the rolling of the rowan ringing, singing in a change. Something’s set to start, there’s meadow-music in the dark and the clouds that shroud the mountain slowly, softly start to part.

[Algy is thinking of A Poem for the New Year by the contemporary English poet Matt Goodfellow.]

[warlockofagnesi]

Poem for the week. Something's set to start.

and heck why not, a bonus track to start the new year: something's coming right.

[vidarelationships]

Relationship Counselling Vancouver: Revitalize Your Connection with Vida Relationships

In the bustling city of Vancouver, maintaining a healthy and fulfilling relationship can be challenging amidst the demands of daily life. Whether you're facing communication breakdowns, lingering conflicts, or a gradual disconnect, seeking professional guidance can be a transformative step. At Vida Relationships, we specialize in relationship counselling Vancouver, offering tailored services to help couples and families navigate their unique challenges and rediscover harmony.

Relationships are foundational to our well-being, providing support, love, and a sense of belonging. However, even the strongest bonds can face hurdles. Misunderstandings, unmet expectations, and external stressors can strain connections, leading to frustration and distance. Engaging in relationship counselling offers a proactive approach to address these issues, fostering open communication and mutual understanding.

Located in the heart of Vancouver, Vida Relationships is led by the dedicated husband and wife team, Matt Turner and Carly Goodfellow. Together, they have assembled a group of specialist relationship counsellors committed to helping individuals, couples, and families find their way back to meaningful and healthy relationships. With a client-centered approach, Vida Relationships offers personalized counselling services tailored to meet each couple’s unique needs.

How Relationship Counselling in Vancouver Can Help

Couples counselling Vancouver provides a structured and supportive environment where partners can explore their emotions, voice concerns, and develop healthy conflict resolution strategies. Many couples experience challenges such as poor communication, unresolved disagreements, or difficulty rebuilding trust after infidelity. Through evidence-based techniques, Vida Relationships guides couples toward understanding each other’s perspectives and building a foundation of emotional safety.

For married couples, Vancouver marriage counselling at Vida Relationships focuses on strengthening the commitment and intimacy within the relationship. Over time, the pressures of work, parenting, and other life responsibilities can create distance between partners. By addressing these concerns through counselling, couples can rediscover their connection and foster a deeper sense of companionship.

Online Couples Counselling BC for Greater Accessibility

In today's fast-paced world, attending in-person counselling sessions may not always be feasible. Vida Relationships offers online couples counselling BC, allowing clients to receive professional support from the comfort of their own home. This option is particularly beneficial for those with demanding schedules, long-distance relationships, or mobility limitations. With secure virtual sessions, couples can access high-quality therapy while maintaining their daily routines.

Family Therapy in Vancouver for Stronger Bonds

Relationship challenges are not limited to romantic partnerships. Family dynamics can also be complex, often leading to misunderstandings, conflicts, and emotional distance. Vida Relationships provides family therapy Vancouver to help parents, children, and extended family members communicate more effectively and resolve long-standing disputes. Family counselling is an excellent resource for families struggling with generational differences, parenting conflicts, and blended family challenges.

The goal of family therapy is to create a safe space where each member can express their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment. By fostering empathy and active listening, Vida Relationships helps families build stronger bonds and develop healthier ways to support one another.

A Holistic Approach to Relationship Healing

At Vida Relationships, the counselling process is rooted in research-backed methodologies such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method. These approaches focus on improving emotional intelligence, enhancing communication, and fostering secure attachments between partners. By combining these evidence-based techniques with a personalized approach, Vida Relationships ensures that every couple and family receives the guidance they need to thrive.

Many couples hesitate to seek counselling, fearing judgment or uncertainty about the process. However, reaching out for help is a sign of strength and commitment to the relationship. Whether you are dating, engaged, married, or navigating a separation, couples counselling in Vancouver can offer valuable insights and tools to create lasting positive changes.

Take the First Step Toward a Stronger Relationship

If you are struggling with relationship challenges, know that you are not alone. Vida Relationships is here to support you in your journey toward healthier connections and emotional fulfillment. With expert guidance and compassionate care, relationship counselling Vancouver can help you and your partner rebuild trust, enhance intimacy, and create a more resilient bond. To schedule a session or learn more about our services, visit Vida Relationships today. Your journey toward a happier, more connected relationship starts with a single step. Follow for more updates on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram.

[michaelcosio]

In Loving Memory Of the Fallen

This memorial is dedicated to the courage and honor of our fallen teammates. Their dedication and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Here are the names of our fallen. Each name is accompanied by a page dedicated to honoring and remembering them, where photos or stories can be shared.

* Indicates those who are the Original 43

January

Casey Casavant (Rooster)*

Steve Gernet (G-Man)*

Ron Johnson (Cat Daddy)*

Arthur Laguna (Art)*

Shane Stansfield (War Baby)*

Jerome McCauley (Jerry)*

Matt Fineran*

Walter Fisher*

William Reid Ray (Billy)

Sean Hawkins (Hawk)

James Patrick Flynn (Seven)

Dean Leon Silva (Windex)

Christopher P. Gaffney

February

Nicholas W. Leotti*

Michael McInnis (Mac)

Jim Grey (Mammal)

Lance Warren (#1 Dad)

Cory Gene Wainscott

Lee Eric Martin (Biggin)

Keith Jorgensen (Snake Doctor)

Tommy Lopez

Jeffrey Keith Reynolds (Festus)

Richard Garcia (Witch Doctor)

Charles Hughes (Hugo)

Glen Wenzel

March

Wesley John Kealoha Batlona (Wes)*

Stephen Scotten Helvenston (Scott)*

Mike Teague (Iron Mike)*

Jerko Gerald Zovko (Jerry)*

Bruce T Durr (Bee)*

James Cantrell (Tracker)*

Stuart Rice

William Posch

Michael Tharp

April

Peter Goodfellow (Dingo)*

Robert Gore (Jason)*

Curtis Hundley (Sparky)*

Steven McGovern*

Jason Obert*

David Patterson (Mike)*

Luke Petrik (Black Diamond)*

Eric Smith*

Patrick Waterbury (Stazi)

Craig Fuller (Firecracker)*

Norman Spruill (Old School)

Abraham Bronn

Scott Sandefer (Sandman)

May

Thomas Jaichner (Bama)*

Thomas Capel (Grundle)

Brandon Teague

Steven Powell (Junior)

June

Richard Bruce (Kato)*

Krzysztof Kaskos*

Jarrod Little*

Christopher Neidrich*

Artur Zukowski*

David Olinger (Dave-O)

Joshua Hernandez (Pedro)*

Corey Meile (Olaf)

William Larson (Gunz)

July

William Hinchman (Sonny)*

Roland Tressler (Johny Quest)*

Michael Sacks (Max)*

Cory Gray

Antouine Castenada (Lips)

Sean Barton (Taxi)

Duane Xanders

Bart Baker

August

Charles Geisler (Bullfrog)

Philip VanDyke

William Woods (Brian)*

Joseph Bixler (Bix)

Michael Oyer

Roger Abshire (Nitro)

Christopher Hartsock

Mike Hawley (Mike)

September

David Shepherd (Chief)*

Stephen Sullivan*

Peter Tocci (Bear)*

Kenneth Webb (2B)*

Jack McCracken (Stagger)

Atom Ziniewicz

Carlos Guerrero (Tony)

Alan Nowak

Robert Schierenberg

Chad Burke

October

Rod Richardson (K2)*

Thomas Capel (Grundle)

Brandon Teague

Steven Powell (Junior)

Eric Chapa

Nickolaus Dillon

Jordan Pyle

November

David Randolph*

Noel English*

Loren Hammer (Butch)*

Melin Rowe*

David Laconte

Thomas Mitchell

Christopher Coene (Superfly)

Steven White (Blanco)

Raymond Tanner

December

Dane Paresi*

Scott Roberson*

Jeremy Wise*

Scott Brachmann (Mongo)

Ken Bell (Thumper)

Christopher Shellhamer

James Parker Jr. (Doc)

Sean Bowles (Rock Ape)

Terrance Cullinan

Jason Terrell (Turbo)

Col George Smith (Doc Smith)

Willard Baber (Buddy)

Blackwater Memorial Alumni Association is a registered 501 (c)3 Non-Profit Organization

© 2023 by Blackwater Memorial Alumni Association

EIN # 83-0860644

[burningexeter]

I realized very early on that I've always been attracted to in media and fiction, unconventional protagonists that while are heroic, they're NOT at all the typical type of "heroes" you'd expect. I've always found that way more interesting and compelling than most other regular or conventional type of stories. Here's a list of the ones that I think are some (or in this case, a LOT) of my biggest influences when it comes to the characters that I write, the protagonists that I write where it's unconventional main characters fighting the odds or facing the highest stakes possible or BOTH in incredible situations or scenarios BUT are again NOT the generic "heroes" you'd think or expect them to be:

• Andy Dufrense & Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding — The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

• Paul Edgecomb & John Coffey — The Green Mile (1999)

• John McClane — Die Hard (1988)

• Arthur Morgan — Red Dead Redemption 2

• Mrs. Brisby — The Secret Of NIMH (1982)

• Norman Babcock — ParaNorman

• Frank — Thief (1981)

• Alice Johnson — A Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master & A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child

• Miguel Rivera — Coco (2017)

• Eddie Valiant & Roger Rabbit — Who Framed Roger Rabbit

• Marty McFly & Emmett "Doc" Brown — The Back To The Future Trilogy

• Samantha "Charly" Caine — The Long Kiss Goodnight

• Walter "Heisenberg" White — Breaking Bad

• Ezekiel "EZ" Reyes — Mayans MC

• Peter "Spider-Man" Parker — Spider-Man 2 (2004)

• Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton & Trevor Philips — Grand Theft Auto V

• Niko Bellic — Grand Theft Auto IV

• Jaguar Paw — Apocalypto (2006)

• Jack Sparrow, Will Turner & Elizabeth Swann — The Pirates Of The Caribbean Trilogy

• Poindexter "Fool" Williams, Alice Robeson & Roach — The People Under The Stairs

• Shane Vendrell — The Shield (FX)

• Matt Parkman — Heroes (Season 1)

• Bob & Helen Parr — The Incredibles (2004)

• The Man With No Name & Tuco Benedicto Pacífico Juan María Ramírez — The Dollars Trilogy

• Matt Murdock, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Frank Castle & David "Micro" Lieberman — Marvel Netflix

• Robyn Goodfellowe & Mebh Og MacTire — Wolfwalkers (2020)

• Kevin Garvey — The Leftovers (HBO)

• El Mariachi — The Mexico Trilogy

• John Hartigan, Marv & Dwight McCarthy — Sin City (2005)

• Andrea Grimes — The Walking Dead (Comic Series)

• Kenny McCormick — South Park

• Thaddeus "Rusty" Venture, Malcom "The Monarch" Fitzcarraldo & Gary "Henchmen 21" Fischer — The Venture Bros.

• Gwen Tennyson — Ben 10: Alien Force & Ben 10: Ultimate Alien

• Literally all of the protagonists — Generator Rex

• Virgil Ovid Hawkins/Static Shock & Richard "Richie" Osgood Foley/Gear — Static Shock

• Al "Spawn" Simmons — Todd McFarlane's Spawn (HBO)

• Billy "Shazam!" Batson & Frederick "Freddy" Freeman — SHAZAM! (2019)

• Frank Bannister — The Frighteners

• Ann Darrow — King Kong (2005)

• Sarah Bowman, John "Flyboy" & Bill McDermott — Day Of The Dead (1985)

• Rick O'Connell, Evelyn "Evie" & Jonathan Carnahan — The Mummy (1999)

• U.S. Army Captain Benjamin L. Willard — Apocalypse Now

• Staff Sergeant Mikhail "Mike" Vronsky — The Deer Hunter

• Mikasa Ackerman — Attack On Titan

• Max Rockatansky — Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior

• Sheriff Hassan — Midnight Mass

• Historia Reiss — Attack On Titan (Manga)

• Grey Trace — Upgrade (2018)

• Seth Gecko — From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

• Cecilia "Cee" Kress — The Invisible Man (2020)

• Private Cooper — Dog Soldiers

• Quintus Dias — Centurion (2010)

• Lucius Vorenus & Titus Pullo — Rome (HBO)

• Seth Bullock & Al Swearengen — Deadwood (HBO)

• Alita — Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

• O.J. Haywood — Nope (2022)

• Puss In Boots & Perrito — Puss In Boots: The Last Wish

• Po — Kung Fu Panda 2

• Bob Belcher — Bob's Burgers

• Atticus Finch — To Kill A Mockingbird

• John Rambo — First Blood

• Bruce Wayne/Batman — Batman (1989)

• Logan/Wolverine — Logan (2017)

• Charlie Shakespeare — Deathwatch (2002)

• Edward Boyce & Lewis Ford — Overlord (2018)

• Solomon Kane — Solomon Kane (2009)

• Alan Wake — Alan Wake (2010)

• Private/Sergeant J.T. "Joker" Davis — Full Metal Jacket

• Lee Everett — Telltale's The Walking Dead (Season 1)

• Bigby Wolf — Telltale's The Wolf Among Us

• Heather Mason — Silent Hill 3

And that's just merely the tip of the iceberg.

[hitchell-mope]

Hypothetical titles for season 23 of 88.

Unbridled. Season premier. Part one. The hunt Navillus is interspersed with therapy sessions that Jones urged Findlay to have with Melinda. Meanwhile. Navillus seeks some unexpected help.

Synchronicity. Season premier. Part two. Navillus’s escapades have an unwanted bit unfortunately useful effect on Findlay. Guest starring Matt Smith as the Boogeyman.

Not a girls girl. The team tracks Navillus down to New York’s red light district. Which ends with Findlay in a rather nasty situation.

Family only. Her pride and ego bruised, Findlay refuses to let anyone into her room while she’s recovering from her accident. Can Sidney and their boys get through to her?

Listen to mother. Navillus heads to England with a proposition for the Queen Mother. Guest starring Meera Syal as Nadine Burton, Dev Patel as Reuben Burton and Naomi Scott as Chantelle Burton.

All hail the queen mother. Navillus’s idea is as follows. To get her daughter back on side and reunite her with her wife and son. All Nadine has to do is recreate the British empire. Starting with America. Guest starring Rhianne Barreto as Rani Burton.

Whose side are you on? As Navillus and Nadine’s army prepares to march on manhattan, Findlay is offered an alliance from two very surprising sources; the Boogeyman and a professional thief with a distant and indirect connection to Delaney. Guest starring Ben Barnes as Ernie “Silvertongue” Roche

Reclamation. Odessa finally has enough with being left out of the loop and makes a deal with Derek Christensen to help take down Navillus once and for all. Guest starring Daniel Radcliffe as Derek Christensen. Final appearances of Navillus Yaldnif and Meera Syal as Nadine Burton

Mortem mutua tibi. Cleaning up the mess Navillus made leads Findlay into investigating Chambers mysterious, and most likely false, death.

Paper trail. The investigation into Chambers fake death leads to Arlene gaining a large inheritance and an extremely substantial extended family

The Charleston. Clyde celebrates his mother’s death by hosting a blow out party at the Oberon Hotel.

Minutes to hours. Midseason finale. Part one. Incensed at what she sees as disrespect towards Noreen’s memory, Deloris abducts Clyde and attempts to torture him into giving up his claim to their father’s fortune.

Hours to days. Midseason premiere. Part two. It’s almost Christmas and the team still have no idea where Clyde’s being held. But Butterball has a workable theory. Final appearance of Liz Gillies as Deloris O’Bannon.

Televangelism. Needing to blow off some steam. Findlay and Godfrey team up to take down a televangelist during her live stream debut.

Fads. Gideon finds out the dark origins of the latest celebrity diet.

Inside the soap dish. Findlay finally gets to experience a week as a character in The Mages And The Mundane when Theo’s unconscious spell work gets her sucked into the television. Guest starring Chris Pratt as Emerson Davenport/Jameson Oarlock, Aubrey Plaza as Tatum Mercer/Nina Oarlock, Sally Field as Marilyn Davenport/Maria Oarlock and Bruce Campbell as Ignatius Kennedy/Onslow Norman.

No more yielding but a dream. Robin Goodfellow (Maxwell Jenkins) is back. Only locked in a single form and exiled to earth due to a prank gone wrong, a schedule mishap and wrong choice in love affair. And he wants the team’s help to get back in Oberon’s good graces. By any means necessary.

The old retainers. Captain Birch is asked to liaison a case involving a break in at the Wilmington Estate that was foiled by the heads of staff while the rest of the Five Families were at The Met to celebrate Jones’s 323rd birthday. Guest starring Sam Witwer as the butler Leopold Sterling, Stephanie Beatriz as the housekeeper Ermentrude Mando and Ludi Lin as the chef Dorian Holloway.

Unreliable. Maybelle, Aida and Jacob have 10 hours to figure out if a woman is lying about an assault or not.

The torment of a satyr as a young foal. Drummond’s biological uncle is back and in so much trouble with his former ally’s that he’s disguised himself as his younger self. Guest starring Iain Armitage and Jim Parsons as Parson Elmer Carothers.

What was it that Ellis Grey said? Season finale. Part one. Findlay finds herself the target of the all female SATFDONYS. Aka. Society Against The First Daughter Of New York State. First appearance of Lucy Hale as Abigail Mordaunt.

The bitches of Eastwick. Season finale. Part two. Findlay is highly amused when Gideon manages to track down Mordaunt’s place of origin.

Buzzwords. Season finale. Part three. Jacob and Andy get to the bottom of why Mordaunt wants to bring Findlay down to her level.

The rocket’s red glare. Season finale. Part four. Findlay submits herself to a public mob trial as the New York Giants play the championship game. Guest starring Mia Wasikowska as Zara Roche (nee Christensen)

[eddisonpearson]

Valerie Bloom’s Stars with Flaming Tails illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max (Otter-Barry Books), has won the CLiPPA, the UK’s leading award for published poetry for children.

Poet Philip Gross, chair of the judges, said: “Stars with Flaming Tails is like a passport to the whole world, and beyond. This is poetry that can go anywhere, from the personal to the planetary, the surreal to the scientific, with its invitation to us all to look, and to laugh, to listen to our feelings, and to think. And meanwhile, almost without noticing it, we’re being handed the keys to the craft of writing for ourselves.”

Louise Johns-Shepherd, CLPE chief executive, said: “Valerie’s inspiring collection invites children to engage with poetry in so many different ways and speaks beautifully to all realms of human experience. It deserves to be in every book corner and library in the land.“

Stars with Flaming Tails was previously selected for EmpathyLab’s Read for Empathy Collection 2022, and longlisted for the UKLA Award. On publication last year it was selected by Imogen Russell Williams as a Guardian Book of the Month. 

Click here to watch the CLiPPA Poetry Show and award ceremony at the Southbank Centre, with performances from children whose schools took part in the CLPE Shadowing Scheme, as well as performances from event host Michael Rosen and the shortlisted poets Kate Wakeling, Laura Mucha, Matt Goodfellow, Liz Brownlee, Manjeet Mann and Valerie Bloom.

Click here for a teaching resource and for video and audio clips from the Stars with Flaming Tails launch event in 2021, hosted by Manchester Poetry Library.

[tokentraders]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Men's Bevel Edge Black Bonded Leather Buckle Belt - Goodfellow & Co™ 2XL.

[occult-psychic]

anyways uhm

Sandman buddy cop tv show but instead of it being about Lucifer Morningstar, it's about Corinthian and Matthew working as a team, as well as Loki and Puck, and trying to hide as cops in the LAPD without getting their identities revealed but also trying to take each other down at the same time.

[quality-street-rat]

Cassidy: Jail's no fun, I'll tell you that.

Robin: You've been?

Jade, rolling his eyes: In Monopoly.

[wardensantoineandevka]

12 and 36 for the ask meme, and please feel free to include another Travis character if you have one in mind!

;Weirdly specific and overly long Critical Role Ask Meme

12. Best ship of the literal seafaring vessel or skyship variety.

You're asking Tumblr user CaptainOfTheTidesBreath what the best ship of the literal seafaring vessel or skyship variety is?

The Midnight Hammer.

Okay, in all honesty, it changes depending on my mood. And I DO love the Tide's Breath. Gotta love a place you can never return to, gotta love a vessel that is more ghost than ship, gotta love a wreck.

36. Every cast member must create a main campaign character loosely based off a character they played in a one-shot not set in Exandria, a la Chetney from Chutney (as a result, Travis is excused from this exercise). Who should they choose? (Please note that Bar Room Blitz is set in Exandria. You cannot pick Jayne and you're boring for thinking it.)

Oh, I always have another Travis character in mind.

Travis - Reverend Mason, particularly if he is actually a warlock instead of a cleric but is still religiously devoted to a deity who is not his patron, as in he is sincerely trying to serve both equally.

Marisha - Alexandra O'Neill from Call of Cthulhu or Dr. Nomen Frenno from Nautilus

Sam - Slaughter Grimm from ESO: Blackwood

Ashley - Ramsey Finnigan from Tiny Tina

Laura - Grelnok Nightbringer from ESO: Blackwood, obviously, but also Seraphine Glass from Nautilus

Liam - Septimus Goodfellow from Call of Cthulhu

Taliesin - Mallory Klaxton from ESO: Blackwood

I understand this is constructed assuming Matt is DMing, but: Matt - Klaus Prigman

[parkerdoesparkour]

-Prologue Track 2: Do You Believe in Magic?-

“Off With Your Head!” 

Riddle waved his pen through the air and, after a brilliant flash of light, Grim’s fire came to an abrupt end. He sprouted some kind collar around his neck with a dark golden lock he began gnawing at with his teeth. “What the heck is this stupid thing?”

“Law of the Queen of Hearts number twenty-three,” Riddle sniffed. He turned his nose upward at Grim. “‘One shall never bring a cat to a ceremony’. You’re a cat and therefore you’ve broken that rule.”

“Grim’s not–.” Titania started but Grim’s shriek drowned her voice out. 

“I’m not a cat!” He looked to be on the verge of tears and she felt slightly bad for him, even if he’d almost set her on fire. …And threatened to set her on fire. …And accidentally set her on fire. …Yeah, maybe she doesn’t feel too bad. 

“I’ll burn this collar right off and,” Grim took in a large breath and she jumped to hide behind the nearest person. Riddle looked exasperated when she clutched his robe and peaked around his shoulder to watch Grim. But there was no fire, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t summon any flames. 

“You won’t be able to use any magic until I remove the collar,” Riddle said. He leered at poor Grim. “Just like an ordinary cat.”

“What? I’m not some kind of pet!” Grim cried. 

“You kind of look like one,” Titania said. “With the collar, I mean.”

“Shut up! And you,” he pointed a claw at Riddle, “take this stupid thing off right now! The Great Grim commands it.” 

“I’ll remove it after you leave campus,” Riddle said. The boy with glasses who had offered to help Riddle (but didn’t really do much) smiled. 

“Wonderful magic as ever,” he said, “I would love to have your Unique Magic–ah! I mean, I wouldn’t ever want that cast on me.” He laughed as if that would cover up the fact he just uttered the shadiest line Titania ever heard. 

Crowley whirled on Titania. “You must do something about this,” he said. “He is your familiar–.”

“No, he’s not,” Titania shot back. She stepped out from behind Riddle and grabbed Crowley by the ear, yanking him down her eye level. “Just like I kept telling you, I’m not a student, he’s not my familiar.” 

“Is that right…?” he let out a strained chuckle and she released his ear. He coughed and said, “Well, then we should take it outside.” He waved his hand and two students stepped forward to grasp Grim by his arms. 

“Let me go, let me go,” he shouted. He kicked his feet but it was all for naught as he was forcefully removed while shouting how he would be back. Titania wished him well, in her mind, and Crowley smiled as the students faced him again. 

“We had a bit of trouble along the way but the ceremony is now over,” he said. “Housewardens, please show the first years to their dormitories.” He paused and scanned the crowd, then added, “Is Mr. Draconia not here?”

The man with lion ears clicked his tongue. “Why are you surprised?” The silver haired boy in the turban gasped. 

“Did no one invite him? That’s so sad!”

The blonde narrowed his eyes. “If you’re going to complain, you should have done it yourself.”

“Yeah, but,” the boy in the turban said, “I don’t really know him like that.” The other students began murmuring about some ‘Malleus Draconia’ Titania couldn’t care less about. A short man with fangs sighed and shook his head. 

“Sure enough, Malleus’ invitation never arrived,” he mumbled. Then, louder, he addressed the students. “Members of Diasomnia, please follow me! I hope this doesn’t upset him…”

The mob of students squeezed out of the doors until it was only Titania and Crowley standing alone in a room that was still slightly on fire. He cleared his throat and guided her back to the mirror. “Now, Ms. Goodfellow, I’m terribly sorry but you cannot stay at this school without magic.” 

“That’s fine,” she said. She didn’t really expect to stick around at a school for mages, let alone whatever this purgatory-scape was. Maybe now she would pass on? Was that the right way to say it? Honestly, it didn’t matter, as long as she wasn’t here anymore.

“The Dark Mirror will guide you back to whence you came,” he said. Titania tensed, and bit her tongue, tasing blood. She could smell smoke again, and how it clogged her throat until she nearly suffocated. She heard the steady thunder of footsteps, the cry of a battle. She tasted blood. Blood. Blood. Blood. Blood. Blood. Blood. Blood. Blood. 

“Oh, Dark Mirror, guide this one back to the place they belong!” Crowley’s thunderous voice drew Titania back to the moment, the mirror, and the sting of her tongue. She ran it against the back of her teeth and hoped. 

The Mirror remained silent, its eyes staring back at Crowley blankly. “Once more,” he said. He smiled at Titania but it didn't assure her in the slightest. “Oh, Dark Mirror, guide–.”

“Nowhere,” the Mirror interrupted. 

Crowley stopped. “Pardon?”

“The place they belong,” it said, “is nowhere in this world.” The Mirror’s eyes shifted to look directly at her as it finished. “It does not exist.” Then it disappeared, leaving only her reflection behind to stare at. 

She stood with Crowley in silence until he muttered, “Well, what’s one more unbelievable thing on top of a pile of unbelievable things.” He faced Titania and clapped his hands together. “Where, um, did you say you were from?”

“My home,” she said slowly. “It’s a place called Delamere.” She said nothing else, not trusting her own voice to stay steady. Crowley sighed and she added, “I don’t think it’s anywhere around here.”

“I must agree,” he said. “I know the names of every single country a student comes from, but I’ve never heard of Delamere. Come.” He started walking towards the door and Titania scrambled to follow him.

“Where are we going?” she asked. He called out over his shoulder as they went.

“Back to the library. I’m curious about this place you call home.” When they arrived, Crowley waved his hand and a few books floated down from their spots on the shelves. He began flipping through one atlas and when he came to a world map, he pushed it towards Titania. “Do you see any place you recognize?”

She studied the map and furrowed her brows. “No,” she said. “The shapes of the continent don’t even look familiar.” Crowley skimmed through a few thicker books and sighed again. 

“I can’t find Delamere in any of our history texts,” he said. “Do you have anything to identify yourself with? A license for a magic car, perhaps?”

Titania tilted her head. “A magic what?”

Now, it was Crowley’s turn to look confused. “A car? You know, an automobile for transportation?”

“We don’t have those in Delamere,” she said. “Carriages, but not cars.”

“I see,” Crowley mused. “What about phones?” She shook her head. “Magic?” She nodded and Crowley laughed slightly. “I guess you received the short end of the stick, then.”

She paused, then said, “Everyone in Delamere is born with magic. I had magic, too, but…” she trailed off and Crowley filled in whatever gaps he needed to nod in understanding. 

“Based on this information, I must conclude that you, Ms. Goodfellow, are from another world,” he stated. 

“Come again?”

“There must have been some kind of mix up and the gate brought you over from a different world,” he explained. “Perhaps a parallel dimension of some sorts.”

“Is that possible?” she asked. 

“I’m not sure,” he said, “but it is the best explanation we have at this moment. Though, we still have one major concern…”

“What’s that?”

“I cannot allow someone who can’t use magic, regardless of your past abilities, to stay at school here,” he said. “But, as an educator, I am against kicking a penniless teenager onto the streets with no way of contacting home.”

“Sure,” Titania agreed. She thought you didn’t need to be an educator to decide something like that but she wasn’t going to interrupt his mumbling.

“There is an unoccupied building on campus that was once used as a dormitory,” he smiled. “It may be old but it certainly has charm, and with a bit of cleaning, it will be the perfect place for you to stay temporarily.” 

“Temporarily?” she repeated.

“Yes, I’ll search for a way to send you home,” he said and her blood went cold. She wanted to protest against going back, but then he would start asking questions, and so it was easier to simply smile and nod. “My graciousness is limitless! I am a model for all educators!”

Titania figured Crowley wouldn’t notice her apprehension to return home, anyways. He was too busy patting himself on the back for doing the bare minimum.

“Let’s head to the dorm, shall we?” he said and Titania simply followed, just as she had been doing the entire night.

Do You Believe in Magic? by The Lovin’ Spoonful

[kipperlillycopperkettle]

okay so like i ""get"" that dr goodfellow is a monster or whatever but he immediately walked into the school, started therapizing everyone and exiled matt davis so like julie can we KEEP him

[whoreofabaddon]

I was tagged by @poemsandmyths and @stigmatastigma to post four songs that I have been listening to a lot lately. Hallucinogenics - Matt Maeson and Lana Del Rey Holy Water - SAKIMA Xanax (A Love Song) - Krysta Youngs I Come Apart - A$AP Rocky and Florence Welch Tagging: @robin-goodfellow, @nostalgiaispeace, @mxmoth, and @winebrightruby

[yu-sigao]

Something’s set to start, There’s meadow-music in the dark And the clouds that shroud the mountain Slowly, softly start to part.

Poem for a New Year, by Matt Goodfellow.

[rockislandadultreads]

Adult 2020 Fantasy Releases: even more reads

The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence

In the ice, east of the Black Rock, there is a hole into which broken children are thrown. On Abeth the vastness of the ice holds no room for individuals. Survival together is barely possible. No one survives alone. To resist the cold, to endure the months of night when even the air itself begins to freeze, requires a special breed. Variation is dangerous, difference is fatal. And Yaz is not the same. Yaz is torn from the only life she’s ever known, away from her family, from the boy she thought she would spend her days with, and has to carve out a new path for herself in a world whose existence she never suspected. A world full of difference and mystery and danger. Yaz learns that Abeth is older and stranger than she had ever imagined. She learns that her weaknesses are another kind of strength. And she learns to challenge the cruel arithmetic of survival that has always governed her people. Only when it’s darkest you can see the stars.

Cries from the Lost Island by Kathleen O'Neal Gear

Set against the glory and tragedy of ancient Roman Egypt, this novel brings to bring to life the greatest love story of all time.

Sixteen-year-old Hal Stevens is a budding historical scholar from a small town in Colorado. A virtual outcast at high school, he has only two friends: Roberto the Biker Witch and Cleo Mallawi. Cleo claims to be the reincarnation of Queen Cleopatra. She also believes she's being stalked by an ancient Egyptian demon, Ammut, the Devourer of the Dead.

But when Hal and Roberto find Cleo murdered in the forest near her home, it appears she may have been telling the truth. Her last request sends them journeying to Egypt with famed archaeologist Dr. James Moriarity, where it quickly becomes clear that Cleo has set them on the search of a lifetime: the search for the lost graves of Marc Antony and Cleopatra.

But they are not alone in their search. Cleo's murderers are watching their every move. And not all of them are human...

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

Bound by blood. Tempted by desire. Unleashed by destiny.

Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths.

Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach.

As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it.

88 Names by Matt Ruff

John Chu is a “sherpa", a paid guide to online role-playing games like the popular Call to Wizardry. For a fee, he and his crew will provide you with a top-flight character equipped with the best weapons and armor, and take you dragon-slaying in the Realms of Asgarth, hunting rogue starships in the Alpha Sector, or battling hordes of undead in the zombie apocalypse. Chu’s new client, the pseudonymous Mr. Jones, claims to be a “wealthy, famous person” with powerful enemies, and he’s offering a ridiculous amount of money for a comprehensive tour of the world of virtual-reality gaming. For Chu, this is a dream assignment, but as the tour gets underway, he begins to suspect that Mr. Jones is really North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, whose interest in VR gaming has more to do with power than entertainment. As if that weren’t enough to deal with, Chu also has to worry about “Ms. Pang,” who may or may not be an agent of the People’s Republic of China, and his angry ex-girlfriend, Darla Jean Covington, who isn’t the type to let an international intrigue get in the way of her own plans for revenge. What begins as a whirlwind online adventure soon spills over into the real world. Now Chu must use every trick and resource at his disposal to stay one step ahead—because in real life, there is no reset button.

Chance of a Lifetime by Jude Deveraux, Tara Sheets

In one century she loved him madly, and in another she wants nothing to do with him In 1844 Ireland, Liam O’Connor, a rogue and a thief, fell madly in love with a squire’s daughter and unwittingly altered the future. Shy and naive Cora McLeod thought Liam was the answer to her prayers. But the angels disagreed and they’ve been waiting for the right moment in time to step in. Now Liam finds himself reunited with his beloved Cora in Providence Falls, North Carolina. The angels have given Liam a task. He must make sure Cora falls in love with another man—the one she was supposed to marry before Liam interfered. But this Cora is very different from the innocent girl who fell for Liam in the past. She’s a cop and has a confidence and independence he wasn’t expecting. She doesn’t remember Liam or their past lives, nor is she impressed with his attempts to guide her in any way. Liam wants Cora for himself, but with his soul hanging in the balance, he must choose between a stolen moment in time or an eternity of damnation.

Shakespeare for Squirrels by Christopher Moore

Shakespeare meets Dashiell Hammett in this wildly entertaining murder mystery from New York Times bestselling author Christopher Moore—an uproarious, hardboiled take on the Bard’s most performed play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, featuring Pocket, the hero of Fool and The Serpent of Venice, along with his sidekick, Drool, and pet monkey, Jeff. Set adrift by his pirate crew, Pocket of Dog Snogging—last seen in The Serpent of Venice—washes up on the sun-bleached shores of Greece, where he hopes to dazzle the Duke with his comedic brilliance and become his trusted fool. But the island is in turmoil. Egeus, the Duke’s minister, is furious that his daughter Hermia is determined to marry Demetrius, instead of Lysander, the man he has chosen for her. The Duke decrees that if, by the time of the wedding, Hermia still refuses to marry Lysander, she shall be executed . . . or consigned to a nunnery. Pocket, being Pocket, cannot help but point out that this decree is complete bollocks, and that the Duke is an egregious weasel for having even suggested it. Irritated by the fool’s impudence, the Duke orders his death. With the Duke’s guards in pursuit, Pocket makes a daring escape. He soon stumbles into the wooded realm of the fairy king Oberon, who, as luck would have it, IS short a fool. His jester Robin Goodfellow—the mischievous sprite better known as Puck—was found dead. Murdered. Oberon makes Pocket an offer he can’t refuse: he will make Pocket his fool and have his death sentence lifted if Pocket finds out who killed Robin Goodfellow. But as anyone who is even vaguely aware of the Bard’s most performed play ever will know, nearly every character has a motive for wanting the mischievous sprite dead. With too many suspects and too little time, Pocket must work his own kind of magic to find the truth, save his neck, and ensure that all ends well.