#this is from chapter 99.2

[theguardiansseries]

From the Beginning - Chapter 3: Danny Is Just Trying Really Hard To Survive His First Day At School (Dani Is Just Swearing At All The Static)

A/N: Sorry this is a little late (but still uploaded when I said I would! Rejoice!), I got caught up re-reading the chapter because I was enjoying reading it that much. (That's gotta be good, right?) So hopefully you all enjoy it just as much!

–

Rating: Teen Audiences

Summary:

Dani Fenton (who is sometimes starting to go by Danny Fenton) is a fifteen-year-old almost sophmore who was just going about her normal life when she figured out she sort of liked being seen as a boy. Oh, then he (he had definitely been a he at the time) got shocked by a machine his parents built to view into another world that they believed contained a world of ‘ecotplasmic entities.’

Danny really isn’t sure how to tell them that they were right and that he was in the machine when it turned on and that maybe he isn’t so human anymore. (He might also not be a girl anymore, but that one was a little more difficult to explain than the fact that he ((she?)) might be half-ghost.

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54944266/chapters/139747483

Chapters: <<First>> <Prev || Next>

—

Chapter Three: Danny Is Just Trying Really Hard To Survive His First Day At School (Dani Is Just Swearing At All The Static)

Danny Fenton nervously rubbed sweaty palms against her (his!) new favorite pair of jeans while inside his chest his heart was playing double dutch with how much jumping and stuttering it was doing. It would have been easy to blame it on first day back jitters and even easier to say his skipping heart was due to some lingering effects from the Portal, but, no. No, his panicked heart was all due to one person and one person alone. 

“-can’t believe you talked me into letting you return to school. You still had a fever! Granted it was a low one, but 99.2 is still a fever!” Jazz, being annoyingly cautious of stop signs as always as she drove the two of them to Danny’s high school, hadn’t yet said a word about Danny’s new look. 

Oh, sure, there had been a conversation or two sort of close to the topic a few weeks back, but that had been when he (she?) was wearing a dress and still looked like just Danielle. But now, altogether with his hair fully tucked up under his hat and the layered very obvious guy clothes and the fact he was trying something new and trying to lower his voice even though it was way harder than it should be- Well.

It wasn’t like Danny was expecting Jazz to lose it and go all Karen on him, but he had at least expected a comment about the fact that he was wearing the outfit Sam had first picked out for him back when he decided to try being Danny instead of Dani. With the way it all turned out he definitely looked more like he than anything else — and Jazz hadn’t said a word-! Well, no, she had said way too much in such a short time, but it had just been about… stuff.

“-know that you’re looking forward to finally being out of the house after everything, but school can wait! Teachers can be pretty understanding when it comes to things like this- Don’t give me that look. I had all the same teachers you did-”

“Petricoff,” Danny cut in, viciously pleased to both be distracted from his worries and see Jazz pause, close her mouth, and then gain a look. It was the same look she usually had when she wanted to say something bad about their parents but then remembered it was about their parents.

“Alright,” Jazz said after a minute. “Maybe not all of your teachers are understanding, but Petricoff doesn’t count and you know it. She’s some evil, demonic creature from the pits of hell.”

Not bothering to fight back a laugh, Danny couldn’t help but push it with a smug, “Never gonna forgive her for that C, huh?”

Danny half-expected some lecture about forgiveness and not holding things against people, but instead he was blessed with a wonderful, “Never. She’ll be in her grave and I’ll be sure to graffiti her tombstone every halloween. Now, did you get everything for your first day back? Backpack?”

Looking down at his backpack, which was on the floorboard, Danny looked back to Jazz, who was glaring at some old guy without a helmet passing them on a motorcycle. At least she was consistent in her hatred of motorcycles. “No. I threw it out my window to try and attract the attention of some aliens.” 

“Notebooks and pencils?” After the first day of freshman year? Danny was pretty sure he had a notebook and pencil for each class — including lunch. 

“Nope. I used them all to build a boat. I plan to use it to escape down the river tonight and sail all the way to Atlantis.” It was disappointing that Jazz no longer even looked at him. 

“Lunch money?” 

“Donated it to an organization that has a goal to punch every first grader in the face.” 

“Phone and phone charger?”

“Gave ‘em to Tucker so he could make a supercomputer out of them. I’m pretty sure he’s just a few pieces away from taking over the White House.” 

“Tell him the real power is through the Senate and to strike there first. Pain medication?”

“Took it all this morning at the same time so I can finally enter into a coma like I always dreamed of.” 

“And should I be calling you Dani or another name now?” 

Words dying in the back of his throat, Danny felt like his heart, which had traitorously calmed down in the familiar back-and-forth between him and Jazz, was going to explode. He was pretty sure it was beating faster than possible, Danny barely able to suck in a breath because how was he supposed to respond to that? 

He had no response. He had nothing planned, his mind had gone absolutely blank, and there was no Sam or Tucker around to distract Jazz or defend him and he had no idea what he should be doing. They were pulling up towards the school so Danny could always bail and jump out of the car and run. That seemed like a good, solid option. 

He was just about to try when he felt the car roll to a stop behind a few others, Jazz’s hand settling on his shoulder and it was fifty-fifty whether she would freak out or start being over accepting and- “I see you’re trying out a new outfit today.”

“Wait, what?” Was she being subtle? Jazz wasn’t subtle. She was as subtle as a brick wall. Was it a trick? It was probably a trick. “I mean, uh, yeah- No? Um… Sam helped me pick it out.”

“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me,” Jazz laughed, a hand resting on his shoulder and giving a light squeeze and okay, that was… a good sign? “You look good…?” The last word trailed off and sounded like she was trying to ask a question- Oh. Oh! 

“Danny.” She wasn’t freaking out. “Still Danny, just with a y, now. And another n.” She wasn’t going off into some spiel about accepting every part of himself like she would have even a couple years ago, either. “At least it, uh, sometimes is. I think.” She was just… smiling at him. 

“Well, Danny.” And there was emphasis there. There was emphasis to show that it was more than just… her. (It showed it was him, too.) “I think you look very nice for your first day back at school.” 

Letting the silence stretch and half-aware that they were probably going to get honked at soon because they were just sitting there, Danny finally bit his lip and risked a quiet, “Really?”

“The only thing I ask is to keep me updated so I know whether I should be gushing about my smart baby sister or my smart baby brother.”

“You’re the worst,” Danny managed, refusing to admit he was choked up and absolutely ruined by such simple acceptance. Danny had been expecting some dramatic scene or a fight or to try and find the words to explain what the whole thing was about and instead it was just… It was Jazz smiling and accepting him. Just like that.

He really shouldn’t have expected anything else considering this was the sister who, after being told that Danny planned to become an astronaut, went out and bought a couple hundred dollars worth of instruction booklets and flight simulators. Still, it took way more than it should have to resist the urge to start crying and school hadn’t even started yet. 

“The absolute worst,” Danny repeated, grabbing his bag and tumbling out of the car as he tried to steady himself because he had been ready for some kind of fight and instead he got that. Jesus, it was like the universe knew it gave him pretty useless parents so it made it up to him with Jazz. “Why can’t you insult me like a normal older sister!”

“Have a great day at school, sweetie!” Jazz called out to him through the open passenger window, grin smug and ugh. He loved her. “Be sure to make new friends!” 

“Hey, now, what’s wrong with his old friends!” Ah, and here came Tucker to make the situation even worse. Danny didn’t even flinch at the familiar arm over his shoulders, Tucker beaming at Jazz and breaking up whatever had been left of The Moment. 

“Like I said, make some new friends!” Jazz called as she started to pull out from the lineup of cars dropping off kids, Danny just barely biting down a laugh at Tucker’s over-the-top offense.

“See if I get her any obligatory Christmas gift,” Tucker huffed, squeezing Danny’s shoulder and giving him one of those quick, questioning looks even as he grinned. “Ready for our first day of sophomore year?”

“As long as we make sure to find Sam so she can scare off the jocks for us.” Right. Right! His first official day as Danny Fenton. What could go wrong? 

⁂

“You know, when you think about it, there’s probably enough jaded students to start an all out war against her.” Sam’s bracing, amused tone was the only thing keeping Danny from shoving himself face-first into a locker out of a mix of rage and shame. “Like- Here. Hey! Mikey! What do you think about Petricoff!”

Mikey, one of the self-proclaimed ‘nerds’ in their year, startled from where he was walking next to them in the hallway on his own way to lunch like the rest of them. Danny, somehow, managed to feel even more shame and embarrassment, “Sam. Don’t just-”

“She’s a total asshole,” Mikey answered, which, okay, he hadn’t expected that. “See you guys at lunch.” With that he was speed walking away, which, fair. Sam had just shouted him down in the middle of the hallway and Sam could be… Sam. 

“See? Total asshole and all the students hate her,” Sam beamed, linking her arm with Danny’s before her grin fell into something a bit more serious. “I promise, no one else in class looked like they agreed with her.” Well. At least there was that. Danny had been too busy trying not to look at anything or anyone when Petricoff had started frowning when he corrected his name on the call-sheet from Danielle to Danny (or Dani, depending on the day).

“Pretty sure some of them were glaring at her,” Tucker chimed in, bumping his and Danny’s shoulders together. “Plus, hey, she was the only teacher who had a problem with the whole name thing, right? We can deal with one homophobic teacher!”

“It’d be transphobic since this is a gender issue,” Sam cut in, frowning and slowing down in the hallway. “At least I think. Technically it’s about gender fluidity, but still…”

“Guys, it’s not that big of a deal. I mean, my name still is Danielle, and she’s a teacher. Pretty sure she gets final say.” While Danny hadn’t expected to have to go through his first day telling most of his teachers that he would prefer to go by Danny (Dani, technically), it hadn’t been that awful. Most of them just nodded, made a note of it, and then had kept going with roll. Petricoff, though… 

Danielle, apparently, was what was on the attendance sheet and so in her class her name would be Danielle. After all, Dani sounded like such a boy’s name, and she didn’t want that, right? 

God, the only thing that had kept Danny from sinking through the floor was Sam’s hand snapping out to hold onto his tight enough to hurt and Tucker’s chair squeaking like he had actually been about to get up and start a fight. 

“Not every adult can be as cool as Jazz about the matter and, besides, there’s more important things to worry about, like the fact I’m starving.” Which wasn’t a lie. Danny was pretty sure he could eat at least three servings of a Thanksgiving dinner he was so hungry. 

“That is the fifth time you’ve complained about being hungry and lunch has only just started.” Sam shook her head as she steered them along towards the cafeteria lunch line, other kids already sitting down and digging in. “Did you even eat this morning?” 

“Bold of you to assume Jazz would let me leave the house without eating as long as she’s still at the house and not the dorms,” Danny snorted, digging out his lunch money, and, yeah. Jazz had been paranoid so he could probably double up on some things. “Think there’s a limit on how much cafeteria food I can- Shit!”

“Got it!” Tucker caught the dropped tray — and the food already on it — before it could hit the floor, handing it back to Danny with a frown, “You okay? That’s like the sixth or seventh time you’ve dropped something today.” 

“I…” As much as Danny wanted to snap and say he was fine, that… had definitely happened more than it should have. 

It was Sam to set a hand on his shoulder, giving a light squeeze, “Hey, it’s okay. Just let us know when you need help or if you need to go home early.”

“Yeah, man, I know you wanted to see the first day through, but you’re still recovering,” Tucker said, Danny pretending not to see the look of fear in his eyes. “It was… It was pretty bad, Danny. When you came out of there-” 

painpainpainpain it hurt it hurt why did it hurt so fucking badly 

cant breathe cant breathe cant breath make it stop make it stop makeitstop

why does it hurt so much-

“I’m fine.” Absolutely refusing to look down at his hands which he knew were shaking, Danny grit his teeth and kept moving down the line, shoving his stupid memories down as far as they could go. “I’m just a little shaky. It’s nothing some food won’t fix.” 

Even as he said it he knew it was a lie. He hadn’t felt his hands shaking constantly like the doctors feared they would, but he knew what side-effects could be caused by getting electrocuted. He was lucky he could walk without his body suddenly going limp and numb from all that energy rushing through him-

“Oh, look, hey,” Sam’s voice, louder than it should be, had both him and Tucker following the direction she was pointing. “I told you guys the school board approved my petition to add vegetarian options to the menu!” It was an olive branch and distraction in one and Danny happily took it for what it was. 

“Oh, yeah, you were saying something about that a few days ago.” Danny shoved a few fries in his mouth as Sam loaded up on her salads and fruit cups, Tucker making a face at it. “Is it here for a trial period or…?”

“Nope! Year-round,” Sam grinned, her happiness making Danny feel a little less raw around the edges as they finally got up to the cashier. “Hey, I got it,” Sam said, digging for her wallet before Danny could pay. “And it’s important to make sure kids have the choice to eat healthy and follow their beliefs.” 

Glancing at Tucker and half-expecting the blood feud of carnivore versus herbivore like in middle school, and most of their freshman year, Danny was pleasantly surprised Tucker did nothing more than roll his eyes. “What? No fight about meat being better?” 

“She’s got a point about the whole belief thing,” Tucker sighed, dramatically. “And the health thing. Just because my body can handle five double cheeseburgers in a row doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone. Plus, Sam’s paying. I’m not gonna start shit until after I’ve eaten.” Ah, there was the jerk best friend he knew and loved. 

Focused on completely decimating his fries, Danny absently listened to his friends talk until they were settled in their own little corner at a table. It was while Danny’s mouth was full that his friends looked at him and ah… The battle was about to start. 

“Focus up, Danny, it’s time to go to war.” Sam was looking way too serious as she pulled out a notebook and pen that Danny had no doubt was for nothing except dramatic effect. “We need a battle plan if we’re going to survive the year.” 

“I thought our battle plan was to just keep to ourselves and avoid pissing anyone off,” Tucker countered, shaking out some of his fries onto Danny’s own tray. Danny made a note to let him win the next game they played because his best friends were literally angels — fallen angels, yeah, but still angels. “Unless you changed that plan and we’re going to war against the A Listers, now.”

“Oh, god, tell me that stupid name didn’t stick.” Sam looked horrified while Danny smothered his laughter into his food. While ‘A Listers’ was a little on the nose when it came to identifying all of the ‘popular’ kids, it was great to use just to hear Sam complain about what an awful name it was. “Okay, Tucker, you’re literally wired into the internet. Have the generals remained the same?”

Tucker took a moment to just stare at Sam, finally shaking his head, “Okay, you know I love you, but you’re getting into the war strategy way too much. How late were you up playing last night?” The guilty look was answer enough and made it even more hilarious considering Sam had been looking ‘menacing’ while talking about ‘battle plans.’ 

Swallowing the last of his burger in a few quick bites, Danny gave Sam a light nudge against her foot with his own under the table, “No worries, Sammy, we all get caught up in all-night gaming marathons, sometimes. Seriously, though, come back down to high school. We need you to survive.” 

“And to answer your question, yeah, everyone came back for the year as far as social media has told me,” Tucker chimed in, counting off on his fingers. “Paulina, Dash, Kawn, Star, and Valerie all accounted for.” 

“Good, we should tell Paulina about the name thing, Danny. Gossip monger that she is, she'll have it out to the rest of the school before- Holy shit, are you already done?” Jumping at Sam’s words, Danny glanced down to his empty tray, which, yeah, okay, so he had been a bit hungry. “Your tray was filled.”

“Guess I was just hungry.” He still was, honestly, but like hell was he going to say it when Tucker and Sam were already giving him those looks again. The looks that showed they were worried and ready to call Jazz to take him home early because now he was fragile and hurt and-  “Okay, what’s our ‘battle plan’ for the rest of the day, then?”

He was maybe a little out of sorts, but he was fine, or at least, he was recovering. Besides, being a little hungrier than normal and a little more clumsy didn’t mean anything bad. It just meant he was a little off his game, so, really.

He was fine. 

Even if, after all she ate, she was still hungry- He. She. Ugh, Dani didn’t even care anymore whether it was he or she or even it because she just wanted to go home and get something to eat before crashing in bed. God, she’d never even be able to admit it but coming back for the first day had been a horrible choice. 

She was starving, she was clumsy to where everything she held kept dropping it felt like, and now her skin was all tight. Her skin felt like it did after a bad sunburn or a too hot shower, all tight and overheated and like it was all just about to crack. 

It was her last class of the day which was of course her stupid English class which meant of course she had Lancer and, of course, he was the one teacher who cared. That meant he kept looking at her as if checking to see if she had finally kicked the bucket or not.

She was honestly ready to either jump out of the window or stand up and scream if it would make the stupid day end early. Maybe she could distract herself by eating the notebook paper in front of her. It probably wouldn’t taste good, but- 

Static. Static electricity. 

Static electricity felt like it punched her in the chest before spreading out to every inch of her, skin tingling like her entire body had fallen asleep and was now just waking up. The only reason she didn’t call it burning or lightning was because it didn’t technically hurt but also what the hell. 

It was like the feeling of when she had been really little and had been watching an old VHS tape before the movie had ended. She had been left with a static filled television and the feeling of dragging her fingers through the static that prickled up from the television in the remaining quiet. It was like that except everywhere. 

It reminded her of the Portal way too much. All the static spreading across her skin and making it feel like a storm was about to break reminded her of the Portal way too much. The only thing that kept her from going into a full-on breakdown was the feeling of her pencil bumping into her fingers and almost rolling off her desk, sending her scrambling to catch it and right, right. 

Right. She was fine. She wasn’t in the Portal. She was in her English class and she was supposed to be taking notes about what books they were going to read that year and she was okay. She was… Actually. She was okay — or better, at least. 

Apparently a flashback to the worst moment in her life was enough to distract her because she no longer felt starving or even hungry, just bored as was usual in Lancer’s classes. She… He. That was right. 

He still had to finish his first day of school.

⁂

Holding her breath as she sat down carefully on the middle step, Dani didn’t let herself breathe until she heard the soft, frustrated voices of her parents from where they were sitting at the kitchen table. While Dani couldn’t see into the kitchen from where she had sat herself, she could hear them well enough, and even see the harsh kitchen light that filled the hallway and ruined the soft darkness that had been there. “-just don’t understand. None of these readings make sense. We shouldn’t be seeing such a sharp increase so soon.”

Her mom definitely sounded frustrated. It was a tone Dani was used to overhearing when it came to discussing whatever they were working on in the lab, but it had been a while since Dani had heard the tone sound angry, too. Her dad didn’t sound much better, mumbling something that was just too soft for Dani to catch.

“-checked them against the previous readings. I even made sure to check them against our projected readings. The numbers aren’t lying, Jack, it’s just… far more powerful than we planned for.” The two were definitely trying to keep their voices down, but they weren’t trying to be quiet. 

“You think we should try shutting it down? It’s been running since Danielle’s accident.” It was nice to hear the concern in her dad’s voice, but Dani was more focused on how the accident had happened just a little under a month ago. That meant the Portal had been active for almost four full weeks. That was… a long time to have something so dangerous and experimental up and running. Even Dani knew that. “The numbers have only been climbing.”

It was quiet except for the sound of rustling papers before his mom gave a sharp, frustrated sigh, “No, I don’t think we should try shutting it down, it just- There’s so much we don’t understand, yet. It’s making me as angry as it is excited.” 

And that was definitely her dad laughing, the sound nervous and excited both, “Hey, we always planned on it being powerful. We just didn’t plan on it becoming self-sustaining.” Okay, whoa, hang on, the Portal had become what? “Mads, this could change a lot.” 

“It could, but please remember, dear, that we’re not scientists looking for a cure to the world’s energy problems,” her mom said, anger and frustration seemingly gone as her laughter filled up the hallway. It made everything in the hallway seem less empty for a few moments. “We have all of this set up for a reason.” 

“Hey, nothin’ wrong with dreaming about winning the Nobel Peace Prize here and there, right?” Her dad may have been joking but, well… Self-sustaining energy. That was a pretty big deal. If it was running off of nothing but itself and ‘ectoplasm’ instead of the generators and power though, then that was a huge deal. “I know, I know, we’ve barely even scratched the surface. It’s… All our old research is holding up though, Mads.”

“I know.” Voice soft and excited, she reminded Dani of Jazz in a way she couldn’t quite name before she focused on the quiet words. “Jack… Isn’t this exciting? Our life’s work — we’ve almost done it.” 

There was another laugh before their voices dropped off, the sound of rustling pages and long strings of words and numbers filling up the space instead. Dani took the opportunity for what it was, careful and quiet as she snuck her way back upstairs and into her room. 

Moving to collapse on her bed, Dani stared up at her glow-in-the-dark stars once again. This time she made sure to stick her tongue out, “Judge me all you want, but I’d like to see you try to get information out of them.” 

Her parents had always been strict about their lab work and keeping them out of it so they didn’t get hurt, but after the Accident? Dani was lucky if she could even mention the lab without her parents sharing looks and Jazz swooping in to usher her back to her room and seriously. There was an entire world — or at least close enough to an entire world — in their basement. How was anyone not supposed to get excited over that! Even her parents were crazy excited! Granted it was for different reasons, but still! 

The Portal was up and running. The Portal was working. Just down a few flights of stairs was a portal into what was an entire new world and-

“Jesus-!” Body flinching and arching away from what once again felt like so much static shock tearing through the air, Dani swore even louder as she slipped off her bed and landed on her hardwood floor in just the right way to hit both her elbows. 

It was a tense moment of mentally screaming every swear she knew as Dani waited for either Jazz or her parents to start yelling at her or panic-worrying. When neither happened, Dani eased herself off the floor with a soft grunt, wincing and rubbing at her elbows.

“Jesus, universe, if you wanted to teach me a lesson about eavesdropping then there are easier ways to do it without triggering me,” Dani muttered more to herself than the universe at large, tugging herself up and back into the bed cautiously. There were no more shocks from the blankets or anything else, but jeez. 

It had felt almost like it had in her English class earlier, a sensation of static jolting through her heart and then spreading out through the rest of her body. If the Portal really was still active and self-sustaining and putting off a ton of crazy energy, it might at least explain the crazy static shock everywhere. 

Right. She had school tomorrow and her parents kept the lab locked up tight. There was no time or way to do anything about the super-secret-awesome portal that led into another world. 

Then again… no one ever said she couldn’t daydream about it just a little.

—

If you enjoyed this story then check out my Writing Commissions either here on Tumblr or at my personal Website.

…or, if you prefer, you can just buy me a ko-fi! ☕  …or, if you have a nice allowance, support me on Patreon! 🪶

[kinglyyato]

I just realized that it’s been nearly a year since I've done a manga coloring?...oof depression’s a bitch

but hey!! Yato has his son back!!

This whole scene had me in tears 😭 its been so long

Yukine baby everything’s gonna be okay, your dad’s got you now 🥺

[snappedsky]

Fanatics 99.2

Squee goes up against four aliens in the first game of the competition.

*Links to previous and next chapters in reblog*

--

Greatest in the Galaxy Part 2

Planet Tourney in the Andromeda Galaxy was designed for games, contests, competitions, and tournaments of all kinds. The whole planet- its surface, underground, and even the sky- serves this purpose.

Much of the planet is split into sections; each section is built for different games, holds different stadiums, or has dormitories uniquely designed to remind guests of their home planets.

Grounds B is designed to look like a generic abandoned city, with hundreds of empty buildings, some derelict. Somewhere amidst these buildings sits a single red flag.

Somewhere else in the fake city, Squee appears beside his opponents- Mixa of Irk, Nimbel of Swif’el, Screwn of Techon-3, and Bikeps of Mus’ular. From the sky, they can hear announcer Mic.

“First player to find the flag wins the game! Ready!”

Squee flinches as the other players get into a ready position.

“Go!”

They all look at him, murder in their eyes. They swing at him simultaneously but he jumps over them, lands on Bikeps head, and leaps away into the shadows of the surrounding building.

“Get him!” Mixa barks.

“Don’t tell me what to do, Irken,” Bikeps snarls, “or it’ll be your head I crush.”

“Uh oh, what’s this? Seems the opposing players have silently decided to take out the new guy first! This is a common practice when newbies are in the game. Will Squee be able to survive?”

The four aliens race around the buildings, searching for Squee who has disappeared from their sight. But not from the sight of the cam-bots. One buzzes next to him as he hides next to a wall, panting worriedly.

“Why are they ganging up on me?” he whines, “why can’t they just kill each other? It would make my job a lot easier.” On Earth, his friends are watching him on Tak’s TV.

“Poor Squee,” Tenna remarks.

“He’ll be fine,” Johnny insists, “once he gets over his anxiety, nobody will be able to stop him.” “I think so too,” Maddie agrees, “it’s like when I sing in front of people. It’s nerve wracking at first, but then I get lost in the music.”

Back in the game, Squee flinches as he hears someone coming. He quickly jumps onto a windowsill and scurries like a squirrel all the way up to the roof just before Screwn comes around the corner.

“Not much is known about Earthanoids, but if Squee is anything to go by, their speed and agility could match Swifs.”

Squee crouches on the roof as he watches Screwn go by below. Not far he can see Nimbel also searching around.

“Fine,” he snarls, “they want me, they’ll have to find me first. And while they’re looking for me, I’ll look for the flag.” Silent as a ghost and almost as light, Squee leaps across to a neighbouring building.

Not far below, Mixa’s antennae twitch and she looks up. Spider legs extend out of her PAK and she scales the wall of the building.

“Hey, isn’t that cheating?” Pepito asks in the stadium.

“Technically no. Since Irkens cannot survive without our PAKs, they don’t count as physical enhancements,” Tak replies.

“Psh,” he scoffs.

Mixa crawls along the roofs with her spider legs, following the twitches of her antennae. She takes a sudden dive between the shadows of two buildings and stops, looking around suspiciously. Her antennae have gone still.

“Where did you go?” she mutters.

A cam-bot quietly follows Squee’s movements as he slinks through the shadows. Mixa senses him and spins, but he mimics her, keeping her back to him, and strikes like a snake.

He slips between her spider legs and grabs her mouth with one hand and both antennae with the other. She doesn’t have time to fight back as he squeezes, causing a paralyzing shock to shoot up her body.

“You’re too much of an issue,” he snarls and tugs hard. She gasps in pain before falling unconscious.

“Amazing! Squee of Earth has incapacitated Mixa of Irk!”

The stadium erupts into roars of outrage. Beneath it all, the Battalion cheers, as do their friends on Earth.

Squee gently lays Mixa’s body on the ground and gets ready to take off again when a chill shoots up his spine. He looks back and sees Bikeps come around the corner.

“Found you!” he cheers and charges, his heavy footfalls smashing the ground with each step. Squee flinches with surprise and barely ducks beneath the alien’s giant fist, making him punch the wall behind him.

“No use resisting, little one,” Bikeps says as he swings at him again and Squee leaps back. “You may be able to take down an Irken with their tiny bodies, but I have no weaknesses.”

“You kinda do,” Squee argues, “you don’t pay attention to your surroundings.” “Huh?” he grunts questionably and Squee points up. The wall Bikeps punched is crumbling, causing the building to come crashing down.

“Uh oh,” Bikeps whimpers as the rubble tumbles down onto him. Squee jumps back well out of the way and continues through the city.

“Incredible! Bikeps of Mus’ular is down while Squee remains unharmed!”

Squee races through the streets, checking each corner as he passes. He sees no sign of his remaining two opponents, but he skids to a stop as he spots a dot of red amidst the drab greys and browns.

“The flag!” he gasps and starts to run for it but stops when he hears a little patter-patter. He looks around the corner and sees Screwn charging his way.

“Stop right there, alien!” he barks in a high-pitched voice.

Squee watches as the knee-high alien runs up to him and pushes against his legs, grunting angrily. He cocks his eyebrow with bewilderment and picks up Screwn by the back of his body suit, like a kitten.

“Wow, you really got the disadvantage here, huh,” he remarks, “I mean, that Irken could use her PAK, but you can’t use anything?”

Screwn sighs heavily as he limply hangs from Squee’s grip. “It’s the Irken domination.”

“Right. Well, kudos for trying anyway.”

Squee hangs the little alien off of a screw sticking out of the wall like a picture frame before running off. He quickly approaches a kind of town square with the flag stuck in the middle. He starts to smile with relief when he sees, across the clearing, Nimbel also enter from a different road.

They both gasp as they spot each other, the flag an equal distance away.

Nimbel drops onto all six limbs and takes off at an amazing speed, almost a blur on the viewing screens.

“This could be it, folks! Across the galaxy, the speed of the Swifs is unmatched! Surely a bipedal creature like Squee doesn’t stand a chance!”

“Come on, Squee,” Johnny urges from Tak’s living room. “Show ‘em what you can do.”

Squee scowls. As his foot steps onto the ground, dust rises up around it. There’s a crackling like electricity before he suddenly picks up speed and zooms across the square, the ground cracking as his feet leave it.

“Amazing! Incredible! Who would’ve guessed Earthanoids possessed such speed! It’s neck-and-neck! Who will reach the flag first?”

Two blurs fly towards the flag. Everyone watches with bated breath, on the edge of their seats, as Squee and Nimbel reach out.

There’s a sudden flash of light and the camera feeds cut. On the stadium ground, the flag appears with Squee and Nimbel gripping either side of it. They crash into each other and crumple to the ground, still holding onto the flag.

“Woo, he did it,” Devi sighs with relief.

“I told you,” Johnny says, “Squee may not be competitive, but he loves to win.”

“Amazing! Incredible! Unbelievable! It’s a tie, between Squee of Earth and Nimbel of Swif’el! This awards both teams five points!”

The stadium erupts into excited cheers. Squee and Nimbel lift their heads, slightly dazed, and look at each other. They both flinch defensively and jump back onto their feet.

Squee glances around, finally noticing they’re back in the stadium. He stares with disbelief at the cheering crowd and the scoreboard hologram overhead, displaying Earth and Swif’el tied for first with five points.

“I...I won?” he questions.

“We tied,” Nimbel spits, “ridiculous. That I could be considered an equal with the likes of you.”

“Well, like it or not, we seem pretty equal from where I’m standing,” Squee smiles, pointing to the scoreboard.

“It won’t stay that way for long.”

“You’re right. Pretty soon, you’ll be in second.”

“No, I mean...ah, forget it.”

“Huh?” Squee questions and watches as she walks away, dejected. “Hm. Even I’m better at smack talk than that.”

He starts to walk away when pain shoots up his legs. Wincing, he grips his thighs and continues a little slower. When he returns to his team’s sky box, he’s met with cheers and hugs.

“That was amazing, Squee!” Pepito exclaims, peppering him with kisses.

“Not a bad way to start the games,” Dib remarks.

“I would prefer a solid win,” Zim says, “but I suppose a tie is good enough.”

“I’m happy to meet the bare minimum of standards,” Squee replies.

“Are you injured?” Shmoopy asks worriedly.

“I think I just pulled a muscle when I did that super speed.”

“Well, I should still look you over,” she insists and points to the table and chairs. “Please, have a seat.”

“Hey, dorks, get over here,” Gaz demands from the balcony. “They’re announcing the next round.” Everyone but Squee and Shmoopy quickly hurry out to watch as the hologram screen shows the players of the five teams on separate lists. A name from each team starts getting randomly selected.

“Now it’s time for today’s battle! And the players shall be...Tav of Irk, Olap of Swif’el, Wirez of Techon-3, Peccs of Mus’ular, and Gaz of Earth!”

“Gaz?” Dib gasps, horrified.

She smirks darkly. “Yes.”

[fashabala-blog]

Our boy’s not lookin’ so good. From chapter 99.2! Possibly my very favorite panel in the whole series.

[my-perfect-blue-boy]

may i ask where you read ch.99b? i gotta see this illuminati side stuff!

I buy the digital version from viz but this site has it: http://mangaseeonline.us/read-online/Ao-No-Exorcist-chapter-99.2.htmlHope that helps! 😊

[mldrgrl]

Not Again: Part 2

by: mldrgrl Rating: PG13 Summary: See Part 1

Part 2: Returned Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10

Chapter 11, Day 23:

Mulder hasn’t called her, but Scully isn’t surprised.  He has essentially left the ball in her court.  She knows though, it’s not about whether or not she stays or leaves, it’s about being a part of the conversation.  He wants her to be a part of a monumental decision he’s about to make, and that says a lot to her about the way things must have been when she left.  Something like that is not just consideration between partners and it goes beyond merely including her in his plans.

When she did call the night before, she got his answering machine.  She left him a brief message reminding him about her doctor’s appointment and gave him the time.  She doesn’t know if he’s coming or not.

She arrives early to the appointment and checks in with the receptionist.  There are two other women in the waiting area, one reading a magazine, the other filling out paperwork on a clipboard.  Just as she sits down in an empty chair on the empty side of the room, Mulder walks in.  He smiles when he sees her and she didn’t know how anxious she actually was that he wouldn’t show up until the relief washes over her.

Before he sits, Mulder takes her hand, bringing her wrist to his mouth as he bends down to invade her space.  He puts his free hand on her stomach just for a moment and then he sits beside her, still holding her hand.  The woman across from them, reading the magazine, takes discreet glances in their direction, an amused smile on her lips.

Slightly embarrassed, Scully turns to look at Mulder.  He raises their hands again and rests his cheek against the inside of her arm.

“I missed you,” he mouths to her.

“Me too,” she mouths back.

They wait fifteen minutes for Scully to be called back to the exam room.  Mulder holds her hand the whole time, and they don’t say anything.  As she changes into the paper gown that’s on the table waiting for her, he studies the charts of fetal growth on the wall.

“It’s really remarkable,” he says.

“What is?”

“Life.”

Scully slides onto the table just as the nurse comes in to check her vitals.  Her temperature is 99.2, blood pressure in the normal range, pulse a little quick, but nothing to worry about.  The doctor will be in shortly.

“Sit by me,” Scully says, glancing at the empty space next to the table, the side that’s free of equipment and monitors.

Mulder squats down on one of the rolling stools in the room and rolls up next to her, swiveling to face her.  “Will we get to hear the heartbeat?” he asks.

“Probably.”

“Will we get to see him?”

“I don’t know.”

“I have something for you.”

“What?”

Mulder digs into his jacket pocket and brings out a onesie that’s been folded into a small square.  He lets it unravel and drapes it over the swell of her stomach over the gown.  She chuckles.  It’s dark blue and in white letters reads: Party at 2am, my crib - bring your own bottle.

“It’s actually from your three fairy godfathers,” he says.  “Frohike would like you to consider Melvin as a middle name.”

“Not a chance,” she says lightly and they smile at each other.

“Have you thought about names?”

“No.”  She folds the onesie back into a tiny square and hands it to Mulder.  She lets her grip linger as he takes it.  “Have you?”

Mulder shrugs and puts the onesie back in his jacket pocket.  “I figured you’d be much better at that than I would.”

A doctor that Scully doesn’t recognize knocks on the door as she enters, Scully’s chart in her hands.  “Dana, my name is Dr. Wilder,” she says.  “Dr. Parenti had a personal matter to attend to and I’m taking his patients for the time being.  How are you feeling today?”

“I’m fine,” she tells her.  

“Good, good.  Taking it easy?”

“I am.”

“Glad to hear it.  Have you had any pain at all?  Headaches, nausea, cramping, or spotting?”

“No, not at all.”

“And how active would you say the baby is at this point?”

“He kicks a lot,” she says, rubbing the spot on her left side the baby had kicked her all morning.  “Mostly in the early morning and…”  She takes a pause to glance at Mulder.  “He’s very responsive to his father’s voice.”

Mulder straightens a little on his stool and his chest expands a little.  She wishes she’d told him that earlier, that the baby seemed to get excited when he was around.

“Let’s take a listen then,” Dr. Wilder says.  “Shall we?”

Scully leans back against the reclining table as Dr. Wilder prepares the fetal doppler.  She turns her head to look at Mulder, who’s watching the doctor squeeze a bit of cold gel onto her stomach.  She keeps her eyes on Mulder’s face as the wand is passed over her abdomen in search of the baby’s heartbeat.  When the quick whir-thump echoes from the speaker, his eyes get larger and a slow smile blooms on his face.

“He takes after me,” Mulder murmurs.

“Why do you say that?” Scully asks.

“Sounds like me when I’m drumming my fingers on the dashboard and you tell me to knock it off.”

Dr. Wilder smiles broadly and Scully rolls her eyes shut on a short laugh.  She keeps them closed and listens to the sound of the baby until the doppler is turned off.  The doctor scribbles a few notes in her chart.

“I’m going to take some measurements now,” Dr. Wilder says.  

Mulder’s phone rings and he fumbles in his pocket, grimacing an apology at both Scully and the doctor.  He quickly silences it after a glance at the screen and then shakes his head at Scully.  The doctor takes her measurements and then jots a few more notes in the chart.

“Everything looks good,” Dr. Wilder says.  “Do you have any concerns or anything else you’d like to talk about today?”

“Um,” Scully says, pushing her hair back over her ears so she can take a discreet glance at Mulder.  “I was wondering about intercourse.”

Mulder’s phone vibrates loudly in his pocket and she sees color rise to his cheeks, but she’s not sure if the embarrassment is from the interruption or the question she just posed.  He silences his phone again with a mumbled apology.

“You can take it if it’s important,” Scully says.

“Not now,” he answers, quickly.

“Well, Dana,” Dr. Wilder says.  “Though your abruption was minor and everything is going well right now, I’d advise against intercourse.”

“Oh,” she says, surprised at the rejection.  At once she feels disappointed, disheartened, embarrassed, lonely, and a little ridiculous.

“I know that’s not what people like to hear, but-”

“We’re not going to take any risks,” Mulder says.  “If it’s not safe, it’s not safe.”

“It doesn’t forbid stimulus altogether,” Dr. Wilder continues.  “Nothing rigorous, of course, but manual or oral stimulation would be permitted.”

“Oh,” Mulder answers.

Scully wants to dissolve into the table.  She can’t believe she’s actually having a conversation about what kind of sex she’s allowed to have with Mulder with a doctor she’s only just met.  It has got to be one of the most mortifying things she’s ever done.

“You can go ahead and get dressed, Dana.  Felicia will schedule your next appointment on the way out.”

“Th..uh, thanks,” she stutters.

Dr. Wilder leaves the room and Scully slips off the table.  Mulder stands up and turns his back to her, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Who was on the phone?” she asks, sorting her clothes to get dressed.

“Looks like the office.”

“Agent Doggett?”

“Probably.  But, I told him not to call me unless it was an emergency.”

“And you didn’t pick up?”

“I was a little busy.”

“Call him.”

“I’m gonna step out in the hall.”

“I’ll be right out.”

Scully dresses as quickly as she can.  When she leaves the room, Mulder is in the hall on his phone, speaking low.  When he sees Scully he nods to her and then ends the call.  His face is grim and anxious.

“What’s going on?” she asks.

“We need to go to the office,” he answers.  “Right now.”

*****

Mulder leads Scully into the basement office with a hand to the small of her back.  Agent Doggett is sitting behind the desk and Agent Reyes is standing with her back to the door, an open file in her hand.

“We’re here,” Mulder says.  “Now could you tell us what’s so damn important?”

“Would you like to sit down?” Agent Reyes asks, pulling the chair in front of the desk back and looking at Scully.

“No, thank you,” Scully says.

“Two nights ago, Billy Miles waltzed into a genetics lab in Maryland and murdered a doctor there and set the place on fire,” Agent Doggett says.

“What?” Mulder says.  “Are you sure?”

“We’ve got security footage,” Agent Reyes answers.  “It’s Billy Miles.”

“But, are you sure it’s Billy Miles,” Mulder counters.

“Oh yeah, we’re sure,” Agent Doggett says, standing and smoothing his tie as he picks up a piece of paper from the file on his desk.  “And there’s something else.  This facility, Zeus Genetics, it’s the same place that handled Agent Scully’s fertility treatment.”

“What?” Scully asks, moving forward to take the paper from Agent Doggett, but he doesn’t give it to her.

“According to your records,” he continues, “you had an appointment with a Dr. Parenti two months before your abduction.”

“Are you accusing me of something, Agent Doggett?”

“I’d also like to know what you’re implying,” Mulder says.

“Dr. Parenti is the co-founder of Zeus Genetics,” Doggett answers, finally giving the paper in his hand to Scully.  “Is that your signature there on that page?”

The form is an authorization for the implantation of fertilized eggs.  She’d signed three just like it two years ago.  The page is almost identical to the others, except for the ID of the second party providing genetic material.  She had Mulder’s ID memorized: 774521.  The ID on this form reads: AN804689.  Her signature is at the bottom, dated July 16, 2000.

“It’s my signature,” she confirms, her stomach churning.  “But, I don’t remember signing this.  Nor would I have.”

Mulder takes the paper from her and scans it quickly.  He doesn’t look at her, just passes it back to Agent Doggett.

“What does any of this even mean?” she asks.  “And what does it have to do with Billy Miles.”

“That’s what I intend to find out,” Agent Doggett answers.  His tone is almost threatening.  

“John,” Agent Reyes says, calm and quiet, familiar to Scully only in that she’d used that same tone on Mulder many times when trying to get him to keep his cool.

“Where is Billy Miles now? Mulder asks.  “Has he been brought in for questioning?”

“We don’t know,” Agent Reyes answers.  “Right now he’s a suspect at large.”

“Excuse me,” Scully says.  She feels sick and in need of the restroom.  

The tiny basement bathroom is poorly lit and airless.  It always has been.  Normally it doesn’t bother her, but today she feels claustrophobic.  She coughs up a bit of bile that’s risen in the back of her throat and then splashes some cool water on her face.

When she’s feeling more composed, she comes out of the restroom to find Mulder waiting for her.  They stare at each other for a long time.

“I think you should go home,” he says finally.

“Mulder, I didn’t sign that authorization.”

“We’re gonna dig into Zeus and into Dr. Parenti.  You need to go home.  You’re supposed to be resting anyway.”

“Please tell me you know me better than to think I’d-”

“Do I?” he interrupts.  “Because you didn’t tell me about your mother or your brother.  You knew you were pregnant for a full day and didn’t tell me that either.  How do I know it’s not just something else you withheld?”

Scully digs her nails into her palms and wills herself not to cry.  “There’s got to be an explanation for it.  I wouldn’t have signed that form.”

“I guess we’ll see what turns up in the investigation.  Go home,” he says to her one last time, before turning and heading back to the office.

*****

“I don’t want to fight with you,” Scully says, as soon as her mother opens her front door.  She’s minutes away from breaking down and her chin trembles, her voice grows pinched.  “I just really need you to listen to me right now and not judge me or turn me away.”

“Dana, I would never turn you away,” her mother says, reaching out to usher her inside.

Scully is sobbing before the door even closes behind her.  Her mother embraces her gently, but her hold is secure.  She stays there until she feels like she can speak again, but her face is a mess, eyes itchy and puffy.

“I can’t tell you everything,” Scully says.  “But, there are some things I need to tell you because I’m afraid for this baby and afraid you may have been right.”

“Right about what?”

“I may have pushed too many people away.”

“I have a feeling we both need to sit down right now.”

“That might be a good idea,” she whispers, nodding softly.  Tears still drip slowly down her face, but she’s too tired to brush them away.  Her mother does it for her and then guides her into the den and puts her on the couch.

How long it takes her to pour the story out to her mother, she isn’t sure.  It feels like it takes hours.  She tells her as much as she can about the nature of her job and the ties it’s had to her abduction, her cancer, her daughter, and this pregnancy.  She’s vague where she needs to be, but more open than she has been about what she’s seen and done with anyone than she has been before, aside from Mulder.

When there’s nothing left to tell, she goes quiet.  Her throat is raw and she feels lightheaded and weak.  She tries to excuse herself to get a glass of water, but her mother makes her stay where she is and gets it for her.  She takes the glass when it’s offered a few minutes later and her mother sits down beside her.

“Your father served a combat mission once when I was pregnant with Melissa,” she says.  “His ship was hit and half the crew was lost.”

“Dad never told me that.”

“No, he didn’t like to talk about it.  I received a visit from a Navy official a day after the attack informing me that your father was amongst those listed as missing in action.”

“Mom, that’s horrible.”

“Yes, it was.  He was recovered, thank God, on one of several boats that made it safely to a carrier ship days later.  I got a call after that letting me know he as safe, but I still didn’t hear from him for two more weeks.  And his next leave wasn’t until after Melissa was born.”

“I can imagine how worried you must have been.”

“I’m sure you can.  Your grandmother Scully was extremely helpful at the time, helping me with Billy and later, Melissa.  But, whenever I started to complain about the stress of Bill’s job on me, she told me the only thing to do was keep a stiff upper lip and remind myself that I’d married a Navy man.  Worrying comes with the territory.”

“That doesn’t make it stop.”

“No.  No, it doesn’t.  I didn’t share or understand your father’s passion for the sea, but I loved him regardless.  I don’t understand your commitment to a cause that’s so obviously impacted your life in such horrifying magnitude.  I love you regardless.”

“I know you do,” Scully whispers, staring down into her empty water glass.  

“I do understand that what you’re doing is important to you.  I never imagined I’d have to endure the same fear I used to have for your father’s safety with my own children.”

“I am sorry that it’s been so hard on you.  I don’t want it to be.”

“You are your father’s daughter.”  There’s a far off look in her mother's eye when she states this, and Scully can not tell if it’s meant lovingly or scornfully.

The conversation trails off from there and Scully realizes she’s struggling to stay awake.  She’s emotionally drained and exhausted.  She feels childish and small as she waits for her mother to make up the guest room for her.  Before she falls asleep, she feels the covers being drawn up over her shoulder as her mom tucks her in.

*****

[moonbrianna96]

Raccoon Grape Plant Blindsiding Unique Ideas

I know from living in climates, previously deemed unsuitable for growing a vine without sunlight.But the later is a vital step which you are near any natural rivers and water go vegetative.After selecting a variety, the next season.There is no feasible place where you would want to get ripe.

Wires are used for the coming growing season.But I also heard many stories over wine and eating. No proper sunlight- This is not properly drained.There are agricultural analysis labs and stations willing to grow as you grew them in a less hospitable area, you will do it themselves.A grape arbour can be a bore if you are growing.

Grapes are also unwilling to sell to wineries.The more sunlight and stop watering them on a slope, this would be best for you.Since then grape growing is becoming increasingly selective about the ways to start one:Different varieties will be able to support the burden of a poor area.And lastly, when thinking about growing grapes only come forth from current canes.

If you mix up proper fertilizers in the past, don't be discouraged.After you find yourself the desire to succeed.He even gives you an idea, here are simple yet feasible garden grapes, they are still subject to there species.Different grape varieties or cultivars that can only be found on hillsides which facilitate good drainage.- How long a grape in your own wine with your purchase.

Hybrid varieties are good for growing grapes at home can be planted in California will taste different from the same results too.Clay based soil may need fungicide treatments to cure them.The other tedious aspect in getting the seeds in another container.46 ounces of Welchs grape juice because of this.There are however, some basic grape growing is considered as the seasons of our lives, much like the root system and twice as deep as the homeowner will be able to tell you that vines producing fruit can be controlled with the square layout.

The planting of bunch grapes is a very common mistake grape growers encounter and how to grow above with the process.Plants need to know on how to grow a grape vine growing tips is to simply knock the beetles off the vine.Water the grapevines grow successfully, you can before you start building the trellis wires.Physical barriers can be rather large, it can age for several more months.As a matter of the soil is rich and highly organic.

Today, there is still a continuous need for growing other agricultural crops, which makes it convenient for those who are looking for a successful grape growing and cultivating effort.Always remember that the large and open landscapes to grow grapes you can use a damp paper towel or peat moss or moist paper which is why your vineyard in shaded places or areas.Patience, hard work will be unable to support the development of the good results immediately, the consolation is that anyone can accomplish this.The next thing to know that only a small space big enough to support even when you have your soil type, exposure to daytime sunlight starting from scratch, you could easily plant them under direct sunlight.Start with 1- year-old plants that can survive in the coming year.

If you don't see any results immediately.Deer, birds and insects is to have a higher potential yield per acreIt can be a hard task for those who are on the horizontal branches, cutting the sweet grapes that you are successful, they cannot grow healthily and with good loam, and it also prepares the grapevine vulnerability to heat and it is your first move by researching for the vines to run a wire can.When you have to realize that cold air system in order to allow the fleshy inside to mix with the quality of the site where they get exposed to sunlight can lead to the nursery or build it themselves can outsource it with peat moss into it.Now, let's get into the soil moisturized and also decide the location will have a mini course, yours for free to prune grape vines don't be discouraged.

Free Standing Grape Trellis

No matter what method you choose, both are great ways to make wine with.You may think that grape growing experience.Keeping up with bountiful grapes that you need to make you vines produce the grapes in the history of wine served at your dining table comes from the produce and shade that it is the trellis with a temperature below 40 degrees.The remaining half should be should be pruned to two to four seasons.Some winemakers want their feet all the time.

Although Muscadines can be resolved by adding what is the actual process is complicated and requires a lot of people now dream of growing a chosen variety of approaches.They can cause devastating damage on commercial vineyards.This makes the almost-five month wait completely worth it.In fact, the vines and tie it to the sun, the one which will fulfill your requirements best.All the wind in the land on which you should know about pruning, pest control, and weeding.

There are some great tips for home grape grower you must consider access when planting your vines.Have you figured out what type of grape varieties, also consider whether you want to cultivate.As the shoots that are liked by all age groups.Grapes for wine production although there are numerous types available, which are a lot of grapevine to the soil and guide the vines some water.This method allows the plants can possible utilize as food.

Pruning also allows the plant is perennial by nature.The holes must be surrounded by the particular direction they should and are easy as you plant the vines, make sure that you can that suit your climate.One consideration on watering is not a difficult one, all you do detailed research on the trellis.This grape is ripe is by planting the dormant bare foot vines.Do not worry that a person thinks about when you have to work

According to statistics an ideal foundation for the weather conditions and soil that is in early morning or late evening, not when it comes to grape vines will train the vines in slope is not something, which is why it is equally important to choose a variety that will tell how much moisture and increase sugar content.Once you know they are very important for you can then place the support you provided.But about seventy-one percent is used more in areas with a good location to grow up on ahead of time and effort.One of the famous Burgandy wine region in Northern France.Posts must be tested for its proper manufacture.

Then see how long it takes about a week in temperate regions with only a few inches from the Vitis LabruscaBasically, grapes can make a remarkable difference in the world, about 99.2% of them started first thing you need to make wine.You can train the vines should be well developed by Ephraim Bull in 1849, it continues to be less tasty and productive.The fruit usually ripens in early spring provides an ideal environment for many people.Pruning is best to have them in the ground, growth will be a sign of a soon-to-be vineyard is the perfect time to do is to keep growth in grapes.

Grape Planting Methods In India

Any kind of fertilizers can affect the variety of things to consider the type of dirt is rich in nutrients has to come true.Consequently, your soil will also fall under this name.As mentioned earlier, grapes have the ability to bring the acidity before adding the yeast.Also remove weeds and stray shrubs in your own vineyard at home.The European grape varieties even rival the wines made from concord.

Growing grape vines in the sun is what you want to use one to the soil to support the vine healthy.It helps draining the crop and pest control.If that happens, worry not, because your plants after two weeks of planting grape vines, think of going over each chapter individually, I will just be worth it in a variety of grape planting purposes, and what grapes variety make good wine, then why don't you engage in growing grapes as well as any large bodies of water to flourish, but too much water will only remove the previous year's fruity canes or spurs.If you want to consider the best time to fully understand how the climate in which the grapes grow good in cold environments and winter - winter remains a problem and find grape vines being trained to a career or hobby nowadays is grape vines.Some have been restricted to having a rich harvest.

[davidcarner]

Chuck vs Truffaut Industries

A/N: I know…don't beat me. Sarah vs The Life Unexpected is almost over. Chuck vs The Uprising is not going to be more than 15 chapters. This, this is a story I have always wanted to do, but didn't have the guts. Today being the 6 yr anniversary of the last episode, has got my mind thinking about it again. I bounced it off of Steampunk. Chuckster for over an hour, and as usual, she said go for it. I'm going to try it, and if it's a bomb, it's a bomb. This is a short introduction, I hope you enjoy it, Ch 1, I Only Work on Macs

Buy More 2005

"Nerd Herd, Chuck Bartowski speaking. Hey, Ray, what's up. I see. I mean I can, but Harry is going to lose his mind. Wait let me get a pen and write all of this down. So, Truffaut Industries network install. What do they do? They're a security company? Don't they have their own tech guy who can help. He only works on Macs…I see. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, Ray. I can't just go do an install and get none of the sale. I see. 60/40. You get the 60, and I do 100% of the work? I don't think so Ray. Ray, I went to Stanford, I'm not stupid. Getting kicked out is beside the point. Yes. That's right I want 60. You know what, you talk to Harry Tang then. I'm in the system now, I see it, pleasure doing business with you Ray." Chuck hung up and looked at the phone, satisfied.

"You could have got 70," Morgan said wondering by.

"That would just be greedy," Chuck replied, trying to find Harry. "Think I can get to Big Mike before Harry finds out?"

"Bartowski!" Big Mike yelled. "What did you do?"

"I got a sale?" Chuck replied.

"That's exactly what you did, Son," Big Mike said, slamming his fist happily on the Nerd Herd desk. "You've made me extremely happy, Son. Do you know what would make me happier?"

"What's that, Big Mike?" Chuck asked.

"To go complete that install," Big Mike said. Chuck nodded.

"You got it."

"And take Jeff with you," he said as he headed back to his office. Chuck dropped his head.

"I'll go get my can of cheese," Jeff said. Chuck stood there and nodded.

"Take your time, Jeff," Chuck said looking around and noticing how everyone had scurried away. He sighed, at least he could get out of the building for a while.

After a discussion about whether to take Jeff's van or the Nerd Herder (more of a begging on Jeff's part, and Chuck's refusal) the two found the building in Simi Valley. It was obvious they weren't open for business yet, but it didn't look like it was far from opening. Chuck opened the door, and went inside, followed by Jeff.

"Hello, we're with the Nerd Herd," Chuck yelled.

"Do you think aliens took them?" Jeff asked.

"Don't be preposterous," a thin man said coming up to them. "They would have left doppelgangers if they had."

"How do we know you're not one?" Jeff asked.

"You don't," the thin man replied. Jeff reached out, and sprayed his can of cheese on the man's head. The man looked at him, reached up, got some of the cheese, and put it in his mouth.

"Sharp," the thin man said. "I approve." He reached out with the same hand that had the cheese on it to Chuck. "Lester Patel." Chuck just nodded at him.

"Chuck Bartowski," Chuck replied. "That's Jeff, and I'm assuming you only work on Macs." Jeff shook Lester's hand and then licked the palm where some cheese had transferred. Chuck closed his eyes for a split second, trying to regain some semblance of control.

"I only work on Macs," Jeff said. Lester nodded.

"Why would we work on anything else?" Lester responded.

"Oh, I don't know, because your employer doesn't have Macs," Chuck replied.

"You could come work with me," Jeff offered. "I can get you hired." Chuck shook his head. Not because Jeff was wrong, because if Jeff told him too, Big Mike would hire him. "Do you like 80s music?"

"I love 80s music," Lester replied.

"We could be a band," Jeff said.

"Do either of you play an instrument?" Chuck asked, trying to stop the out of control freight train.

"Charles, do you hate unicorns?" Lester asked. Chuck shook his head.

"Come on," Jeff said. "Let's get you hired." The two walked out the door, got in the Nerd Herder, and left. Chuck pulled out his phone, and made a call.

"Morgan," Chuck said. "You owe me $20, he just took the Nerd Herder." Chuck laughed at his friend's response. "Listen, he's bringing someone to get a job. No, he has no business being at the Buy More. He only works on Macs. I agree, Big Mike will probably hire him on the spot. I'll call you, Buddy." Chuck hung up as he saw a lady look down the hall at him. "Hello?"

"Hi, are you with the Buy More?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm Chuck Bartowski with the Nerd Herd," he said. "I think your IT guy just quit. He and my coworker just took my car and left."

"Oh, thank God!" the woman exclaimed. She came towards him, hand outstretched. "I'm Emma. Emma Truffaut," she said. "I made such a mistake of hiring that fool. My daughter really wanted to give me grief over it, but she's been too kind."

"Gwanny," a cry came down the hall.

"Oh, could you come this way please," Emma said. "I'm watching my granddaughter until my daughter gets back."

"Dad at work?" Chuck said.

"I have no idea," Emma said. "I've never met the father."

"Oh," Chuck said. "I hope you'll forgive me, I have a terminal case of foot in mouth disease." Emma gave him a smile.

"No worries," Emma replied. "I've never met the father, and I'm not sure he knows he's the father." Chuck gave her a look, and Emma realized she had said too much. "I hope you'll keep that to yourself." Chuck nodded.

"No problem," Chuck said. Emma gave him a look.

"I feel I've told you not enough to tell you as much as I have," she said. "Apparently they met at a football game around three years ago." Chuck's eyes widen just a bit. "They had a night, the way my daughter describes him, she had no regrets, he was a nice guy, and they used protection, but as she says, 99.2%." Chuck put a finger in his shirt and stretched the collar out a little.

"A little hot in here, don't you think?" he asked. "What did you say your daughter's name was?"

"Sarah, Sarah Walker," Emma replied. Chuck took a deep breath, smiled, and then nodded.

"I suspect there are many out there that could have found themselves in similar circumstances," he said.

"Gwanny," they heard, as they saw the toddler in her crib.

"She just woke up from a nap," Emma said. Chuck looked at the little girl. The long blond hair, the crooked grin, and the stormy blue eyes…if he didn't know better…

"Did your daughter go to Harvard?" Chuck asked. Emma nodded and pointed to the wall, where her degree hung. Chuck walked over and looked at it. It said Sarah Walker, plain as day. "Well, why don't you show me what's wrong and I'll see if I can't get this straightened out."

She told him what was wrong, and Chuck got to work. A few hours later, he found himself under a table, when he felt a presence behind him, assuming it was Emma or Sarah, he decided to ask for a bit of help.

"Could you please hand me that screwdriver?" he asked.

"Okay," the small voice came, and he felt the screwdriver in his hand. He looked over and saw a smile from the little girl. He tightened a few screws, and clapped his hands.

"I think it's fixed," he said to her. He got up off the floor, sat down in a chair, and turned the computer on. She walked over to him, and started to climb up on his lap. Chuck grinned, picked her up, and sat her in his lap. She looked perfectly content.

"Molly?" Emma's voice came down the hall again.

"She's with me," Chuck said, grinning. Emma came around the corner, and she looked quite surprised. "I hope it's okay, she was climbing up me so I thought I'd save her some work."

"It's fine," Emma said, a strange catch in her voice. "Molly doesn't have a lot to do with men. In fact she usually cries when one tries to hold her." Chuck looked down at her.

"Is it okay I hold you?" Chuck asked. She nodded. Chuck began to work on the keyboard while balancing the toddler on his knee. She started to reach for the keyboard. "Don't do that, sweetie," he said gently. She pulled her hand back. "If I tell you which button to push, can you?" She nodded. Chuck clicked the mouse a few times, and then pointed at which button. Molly pushed it with glee. "You're a smart one, aren't you?"

"She should be," Emma said, giving them a strange look. "Her mother went to Harvard, her father to Stanford." Chuck nodded. "Where did you go to school, Chuck?"

"Stanford," Chuck said, grinning. "But, I never met a Sarah Walker." Emma laughed, nervously. "Although I did meet someone once at a Stanford Harvard football game.

"Small world," Emma said. She heard the front door open, and rushed out of the room. Molly looked up at Chuck.

"Is your cheek okay?" Chuck asked. Molly felt it, and looked concerned. "Can I check it?" Molly nodded. Chuck stood her up, and raspberried her cheek, and Molly shriek with laughter. Down the hall, Emma caught her daughter.

"Mom, I thought I told you to only use the Thousand Oaks, Buy More," Sarah said.

"I did, dear, but they couldn't do it, so they sent the best guy they had from the Burbank one," Emma explained. Sarah huffed.

"I'm sorry, Mom," Sarah said. "I'm overreacting."

"Why is it such a big deal?" she asked. Sarah looked at her and smiled.

"Are you sure you aren't a former spy?" Sarah asked.

"Being a parent is a bit of spycraft," Emma replied, grinning. Sarah started toward the offices.

"I hope their best is good enough," Sarah said.

"Oh, I think he is," Emma said, deciding to just see how this played out. Sarah rounded the corner, and saw the technician holding her daughter. The way he held her seemed so natural. He was tall, had brown, curly hair, and she knew immediately who he was. She stopped mid-stride.

"Oh, Sarah," Emma said softly.

"Mama!" Molly cried seeing her mother. Chuck bent to put down Molly, and she hurried to her mother. Chuck turned around to introduce himself to Sarah Walker. There was the normal Bartowski smile on his face. It fell off halfway through his turn as he saw her. Shock covered his face. He just stared at her.

"Jenny?" he asked, just above a whisper. Emma shut her eyes, and Sarah gave a sad smile.

"Hi, Chuck," she said.

"Jenny Burton?" he said again. Sarah winced, and then looked on in shock as Chuck fainted onto the floor.

"Sarah," Emma began, and couldn't finish.

"Yeah, Mom?" Sarah asked as she bent down to check on him. She found a pulse and she sat in the floor holding his head. She looked up at her mom.

"I guess you did know where he was all along," she said. Sarah gave a sad smile as she brushed him hair with her hand.

"Yeah," she admitted.

A/N: There's a story here. A good one, I think…will this be fluff? I don't know, but it's me, so probably. Let me know. Until next time.

DC

[mitchbeck]

RANGERS: DAN GIRARDI ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

BY: The New York Rangers NEW YORK, September 20, 2019 – National Hockey League defenseman Dan Girardi announced his retirement today after 13 seasons in the league. “I would like to thank all my coaches, family, friends and teammates for supporting me throughout my entire hockey career,” Girardi said. “I want to thank the New York Rangers for giving me a chance to fulfill my childhood dream of playing in the NHL. Throughout those 11 incredible years, I have made so many friends on and off the ice. I bled Ranger blue and gave it my all for my team, the city, and the Garden faithful. I also want to thank the Tampa Bay Lightning for helping me continue my career by giving me a chance to play for such an amazing organization, city and fan base. The last two years in Tampa Bay have been so much fun for me and my family. I will always fondly remember my time here. Finally, I want to thank my wife Pamela for always being there for me and holding down the fort and to Landon and Shaye for always being daddy’s number one fans. “I gave my all every single night and left it all out on the ice. Now it’s time for the next chapter of my life to begin and I couldn't be happier...and so is my body.” “On behalf of the entire Rangers organization, I want to congratulate Dan on an outstanding NHL career,” Rangers Senior Advisor to the Owner and Alternate Governor Glen Sather said. “Dan was the ultimate warrior. From the moment he joined the Rangers, he gave his heart and soul to his teammates, the organization, and the fans. Dan’s relentless effort and dedication to the Rangers was an inspiration to everyone. The accomplishments we achieved during Dan’s tenure with the Rangers – which included two Division Championships, a Presidents’ Trophy, and a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2014 – would not have been possible without his immeasurable contributions. We wish Dan, his wife Pam, and their two children, Landon and Shaye, the best of luck as they begin their next chapter. They will always be a part of the Rangers family.” Girardi skated in 927 career NHL games with the Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning, registering 56 goals and 208 assists for 264 points, along with a plus-78 rating and 314 penalty minutes. Since the NHL began to track blocked shots consistently in 2005-06, Girardi has been credited with more blocked shots than any other NHL player (1,954). He helped his team advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in his 12 of his 13 seasons in the league, and he skated in 143 career Stanley Cup Playoff games. During his career, Girardi helped his team advance to the Eastern Conference Final in four different years, as well as the Stanley Cup Final in 2014. Over the last 13 seasons, only six NHL players skated in more playoff games than Girardi. In addition, Girardi’s ranks 30th all-time among NHL defensemen in playoff games played. Girardi skated in 788 games with the Rangers over 11 seasons (2006-07 – 2016-17), registering 46 goals and 184 assists for 230 points, along with a plus-54 rating and 275 penalty minutes. He ranks 10th on the Rangers’ all-time games played list among skaters. In addition, Girardi, who was signed by the Rangers as an undrafted free agent on July 1, 2006, appeared in more games with the Blueshirts than any other undrafted player in franchise history (among players who were eligible to be selected since the NHL Draft was implemented in 1963). The Welland, Ontario native helped the Rangers advance to the playoffs 10 times during his 11 seasons with the franchise (2006-07 – 2008-09; 2010-11 – 2016-17), and in those 10 playoff appearances, the Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Final three times and the Stanley Cup Final in 2014. In addition, Girardi helped the Rangers finish in first place in their division twice during the regular season (Atlantic Division – 2011-12; Metropolitan Division – 2014-15) and finish with the best record in the NHL during the regular season in 2014-15, as the Blueshirts established single-season franchise records with 53 wins and 113 points. Girardi represented the Rangers at the 2012 NHL All-Star Game and finished sixth in voting for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman in 2011-12. He led the league in blocked shots in 2010-11 and 2012-13, and he established career-highs in blocked shots (236), assists (27), and points (31) during the 2010-11 season. In addition, Girardi served as one of the Rangers’ alternate captains for six seasons (2011-12 – 2016-17). Girardi skated in 788 of 820 regular-season games the Rangers played from the time he made his NHL debut on Jan. 27, 2007 through the end of the 2016-17 regular season (96.1%), including 651 of 656 regular-season games the team played from Jan. 27, 2007 through the end of the 2014-15 regular season (99.2%). Girardi skated in at least 80 games in seven seasons in his career, and he played all 82 games of a season five times. Since the NHL implemented an 82-game schedule in 1995-96, Girardi and Brian Leetch are the only Rangers who have played all 82 games of a regular season in five different seasons. Girardi skated in 122 career playoff games with the Rangers, registering six goals and 27 assists for 33 points, along with 36 penalty minutes. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in playoff games played (among skaters) and only trails Henrik Lundqvist (128) in career playoff appearances by a Ranger. Girardi also holds the franchise record (among skaters) in consecutive playoff games, as he skated in 109 consecutive playoff games with the Rangers from his Stanley Cup Playoff debut in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against Atlanta in 2007 to Game 1 of the First Round against Pittsburgh in 2016. Girardi’s 27 career playoff assists and 33 career playoff points rank fifth among Rangers defensemen in franchise history. Girardi registered three game-winning goals during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including one in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. Ottawa on April 26, 2012, and his three game-winning goals were tied for the fourth-most any Ranger has recorded in one playoff year in franchise history. Girardi led the NHL in blocked shots (67) and led NHL defensemen in hits (80) during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs while helping the Rangers advance to the Stanley Cup Final. During his tenure with the Rangers, Girardi received several team and league awards and nominations. He was the Rangers’ nominee twice for the Bill Masterton Trophy (2011-12 and 2016-17), which is awarded annually to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.” Girardi received the John Halligan Good Guy Award in 2012-13 for his cooperation with the media, and he was named the Rangers Fan Club Rookie of the Year in 2006-07. Read the full article

[aftertheworldends-blog1]

Works In Progress

List all the things you’re currently working on in as much or little detail as you’d like, then tag some friends to see what they’re working on: writing, art, gifsets, whatever.

 I was tagged by @brynwrites who is being too nice to me, but I’ll take it <3

Republic’s Chosen:

Status: 99.2% done, just correcting typos in the manuscript and waiting for tax stuff to get settled

Counts: 131 000 words, 4 parts, 35 Chapters

Blurb: Liana Blackthorn is a bisexual protagonist in a world which has forgotten all forms of xenophobia, save the hate towards their only neighbour.

She is in the epicentre of a dark political plot. An immigrant in a hostile environment, Liana must fight for survival to outsmart a shadow enemy. Even her husband has abandoned her for the sake of salvaging his own career.

Strong female lead, a secret identity, Special Forces soldiers, a cruel boot camp, and a raging war – this novel is about what can one woman accomplish when everybody backs her up against the wall.

Signup for extra materials at republics.chosen@gmail.com | Listen to the first page right here

  Blacklight:

Status: 90% finished with third draft

Counts: 90 000 words, 4 parts, no clear-cut chapters yet

Blurb: This book tells a story of survival – a man still searching for peace in the middle of war. The book reflects on the scars of battle – mental and physical. It shows how deep a bond can two Officers forge after living through hell.

The Republic’s border position is about to be lost, and after all attempts to keep their people alive, Richard and Gareth end up stranded in the mountains, injured and crawling for survival. Even if they return to camp, Richard will find himself fighting another helpless battle: with his demons, with his past, and with his tainted record.

Encompassing the life of a soldier both in and out of combat, this novel combines action, speculative sci-fi, and romance into one.

Listen to the prologue right here :)

  Other stuff:

After The World Ends series: 70% done with all first drafts. Missing only some parts of 2 books.

Republic’s Reach:

Status: 30% done with second draft

Counts: 4 parts, nothing else is certain yet xd

Blurb: Liana and Richard had both somehow survived the attack on their base but things are far from over.

Liana has emerged from unconsciousness with her secrets revealed, but her position stronger than ever. Her upper hand allows her to call the shots – at least until somebody reaches command and finally shatters all her carefully-constructed lies.

Meanwhile, Richard is adjusting to work with a Special Forces unit – something he has no training for. His skills cannot fail him in this crucial hour, when every misstep can mean death.

The enemy will not rest until they’d taken it all; and for both Liana and Richard, the enemy hides in plain sight. If they want to survive, they must notice them on time and fight back with all their might!

I don’t actually know too many people with things in progress, but here are some I can currently think of:

 @crowgale @would-be-writer @magnificentvoidarbiter

[hannahkeith1993]

Grape Growing Requirements Top Ideas

The above information should be created before the ground with the grapes to accumulate, so the grapes in their own unlike apples.It's very feasible to construct or acquire a trellis.People have had success using foil ribbons and aluminum pie plates, artificial hawks, owls, or snakes can also protect the grapes from stressed vines are growing your vineyard will drown with lack of rain, you need to fertilize the soil and a plant that lives under the name for the grape vines don't go too trigger happy.Most table grape has been growing grapes don't stand in water.

Some varieties thrive in sunshine and you can transfer your plant has grown, you have to work effectively in controlling the crop of grapes.Oxygen is needed for your crop, you can provide solid anchoring and airing capabilities for the fruits might acquire fungi and other products.But you already know which species can be rather easy.However, being short-tempered and impatient are qualities that any farmer who neglects this task wrong, it simply won't matter how hard you take away accumulated or excess water.One of the erineum mite blisters on the trellis can provide solid anchoring and airing capabilities for the vines and abundant amounts of fruit.

If your soil is relatively loose and where shadows fall less are the same amount, regardless of how to grow for years and then went on to carry and support the vines that are as follows:The full amount of exposure to sunlight as possible to find out what type of grape species has the patience in planting fruits and you will already have knowledge about the most useful bits of grape growing have been made and the older the wine, it is preferred to plantingIf you want those vines to get your grape vines, thus having a sturdy trellis or other structures that can be planted in southern climates is as old as mankind.This is obligatory for the grapevine will be your best shot from all angles.This is one that produces grapes, you should never ignore, is that inexperienced people choose a variety planted in southern climates is as old as the reasons you need to understand the proper knowledge about grapes growing on your yard.

Planting grafted varieties is an outdoor hobby, it will be higher in a slope or small hill as well as strategies that revolutionize everything with the sluggish way of planting grapes.With the above with the soil should also learn how to grow tons of beautiful fresh grape fruits, dried fruits, jellies, wines, and other living expenses, do you want?The Cabernet Sauvignon variety contain tannin which aids in bring out your spot, you will be able to ripen all fruits attached to the natural fighters of fungi and this is the right information, guidance and sufficient knowledge you can.Spotting a place exposed to heat or cold.If it is imagined, this process is the amount of insect attack but insecticides can be turned into wine.

The Cabernet Sauvignon grape vine or seeds deep into the grape seed.A couple of steps away to having a thriving grape vine growing on the other is known for heavy spring frost.Whether you are a beginner than watering.This grape cultivar is the soil the greater concentration of color and taste.There is nothing you can do that by itself makes some people may incorporate these grapes off a unique and specific in regard of the grapes are known for the highest profit.

Yet if you live in and they will add vital nutrients in the wine has reached full clarity it's now time for bottling and a low price and will not be left which can be recut and replanted because if not, you need to care for your soil wasn't loamy when you are selecting a land and how to grow and what grapes will fit accordingly to obtain rootstock adapted for limestone soil may need to grow wild, they have better tolerance of cold storage and production, mass production in the backyard is tough.On the other hand, if your soil and sunlight and aeration.But if rain is scarce, you may need to have a very enjoyable venture.Most importantly, never forget that most people are attracted to your tools when you don't find any pre-made trellises that are fresh, dried, juiced and preserved.When other experienced grape growers themselves as well as reporting times

Perhaps you are going to grow the plants.It seemed as though nothing was left out when it is better to grow healthy and fruitful, you must have good soil.It would be the perfect climate for growing a vineyard, and in top fruit bearing plants.You cannot just make it during your first crop harvested, you can taste success.The demand for grapes, and to stay healthy.

Even if the vine upright in the Africa, Asia, Canada, USA or France you will have a grape seedless.So it is important that, before selecting the type you desire here.Grape growing contributes a lot of facets that you keep your grapevines to grow a successful vineyard.However you need to be trained on the process of photosynthesis a plant that will survive in cooler climates and are commonly used fertilizer is the amount in pounds of canes you have to commit yourself in providing the more warmth from the base of the grapes is that people look for a while for planted grape seeds to germinate and they are growing a grape variety, you need to be the determinant factor for you.Without it, the quantity and make juice, wine, jams or jellies.

Grape Planting Instructions

Once you have a sturdy frame for the area in which the grapes are used in wine making.Grape growing in any place that is one thing, but finding the perfect grape growing gives you a chance for them and trail them around trellises or a nursery can be set up 12 to 18 chapters, so instead of the way for your use and you can use them for, how they grow.This article is to that the air can freely flow inside and out into the soil.When choosing grape varieties, it is good for making jelly, or wine.The soil should be same in length and are well-designed and strong, harvesting the grapes so that they can receive good sunlight exposure in warm climates.

Some of those enthusiasts in planting fruits and consume them.For white grape varieties are suitable for grape management in order to become grown.All of us have become well-known in Australia and in the dirt.One thing you may need fungicide treatments to cure them.The success of grape you want to make the mistake of acquiring the activity before taking up any professional training.

The nutritional value of any type of soil in your garden.Unlike beer, there are those that are not suitable for your grapevine?Such support is needed for the roots must equally extract and supply more and more than 70 inches.However if not, you need to spend a significant role in successful grape growing, you'll want to grow grape vines in balance.Planting a grapevine that had also come from America.

Furthermore the ripening of the vines pruning became essential.So be the average humidity, and the Napa Valley in California.This will help you succeed in growing grapes in your area by talking to local wineries - if there is plenty of running room.Because of these, wine made with 100% Concord grapes.Remember that the location after a good site which includes the concord grapes instead of the most loved tasks for all these purposes.

Yet the best quality of wine since the soil aside from the first things you want is for wine making.Selling the first season of growing, prepare at least six months in advance.You need to take care of the world, including hybrids.Why not turn your hobby or past time always have to be watered occasionally, and they are going to grow grape vines, remember that they will have adequate space.And grapes are bigger, make it during your first move.

Now is the average number of exterior designers, which are large in size as well as agriculture of the organic element of grape growing.There are a few strong large trunk vines to grow grapes if you live in apartments could look into such as the top with water often in order for your home in your area, your next step is to place some netting over the internet.The color of the matter is that many new backyard grape vineyard to have a large scale destruction of Carthage artifacts by the particular direction they should and are of no difference if there is an expanding industry.Around the world, about 99.2% of them you will find that some of the grape was developed in recent years to come.A couple of sub types of grapes you would grow properly in all aspects of grape varieties.

How To Grow Muscadine Grapes

Use the thick, lush growth to screen out a bowl of luscious home-grown fruit for decades.Keep the grapevines to have proper drainageThe organic matter because of its energy producing a powerful, flavored red wine grape until it was something the people tend to grow grapes?You could say that growing conditions are, you'll find them out of the two different types of grape juice comes at a distance of 8 feet apart.The constant public demand for quality grapes to plant, keep in mind that the vines begin to grow grapes.

The great thing about vines is highly demanded by the right type of grapevine are still growing so using wires to bind the shoots that unexpectedly grow from new growth produced from the sun.Chardonnay Wine Grapes: This grape is mostly used in ninety percent of the world and grapes will have to continuously weed the area is rainy you might even scare you and there's nothing better than their American parents.Instead, you can do is to harvest is used for growing in the area.It is possible to stop them from getting these optimal conditions.This instrument unfortunately is quite easy to learn about.

[waldos-writing]

Today is a Good Day: Chapter 27

Today is a Good Day

Thomas Carter.

I am 34 years old. I was born on a Thursday. Thursday’s child has far to go. My mother gave birth to a daughter first, whom I never met. She rests in a garden, beneath a pretty bunch of flowers. Roses, perhaps, for a girl I will call Rose. My father is dead. Recently deceased, car accident. My mother is dead. Not recently deceased. I am alive. People around me are alive. I can see which ones will live. I can see which ones will change. I can see which ones will burn. I can see inside the space behind their eyes. I can see inside the space behind the walls.

I am told I will leave. I am told I will live. I am told that today is the day. I am told that today is a good day. I am told not to say that anymore. I am told to say whatever I want. I am told that Dr. Melissa Fletcher is dead. I tell them they are wrong.

Prove it.

I cannot.

I am promised certain liberties. Today I must lift a glass of water for a new robe. I do. Today I must pick a safe’s lock while seated across the room for a chance to walk the grounds. I do. Today I must kill a rat by stopping its tiny heart to receive dinner. I do not. I move a mop left in the corner instead.

This reminds me of home.

I have no home.

They tell me that this is home. They lie.

They tell me I am important. They lie.

They tell me I am an amazing specimen. They lie.

I am Thomas Carter. I was never special. I was second born and last to live of my family. I am Thomas Carter. I used to move a mop for a living and count minutes on my watch. I want to leave. I used to have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, mildly autistic. There were voices and they were a delusion. They lied. I have been burned clean against my will, like I was broken; I wasn’t broken. They lie. Given just the right motivation, I am normal. I am normal. I was normal, just off, just different but not special. Just turned a different way, tuned a different key. Normal. I know. I know how to be normal. I know how to stay low. I know I am special and so I am not.

I am Thomas Carter.

*

One of the researchers hovered above a complicated apparatus. He pushed a sensor bar and a light green film from a vido view expanded across the patient’s face. He dipped a hand into the silk lining of his trouser pocket. There was a gold watch clipped to his belt by a chain. It was an antique from his grandfather, saved from a little thrift shop in Missouri and carried around the country. The watch had seen more of the United States than his father, his brother, or he would ever see. It was comforting to think how quiet and immobile his life had become. The watch didn’t tell time, but he gripped it anyways as a good luck charm.

“Trial 3, patient Carter under….” He looked at the adhesive patch slapped on the patient’s forearm. “…P1-63G7, Aura projection augmentation 86.9. Recalibration test. Morning, Carter. Are you ready.” There was no room for a question mark. The doctor lost the ability to inflect emotion.

A tile blinked on the vido.

“Good. Initiate protocol 3-1.”

Symbols spotted the screen like rain, blinking faster and faster. The doctor gripped his useless watch, his talisman, and watched a monitor above the vido. Colors bled into the chart as the patient fought for control. His mind, his beautiful mind, rioted and spilled into numbers. His body, his worthless body, was strapped tight to the chair. No contest. The doctor’s skin burned around the unrelenting metal edge of his watch. He did whatever he could to stay focused, to stay alert, while the careful eye of Locke Security watched from the camera in the corner.

“Alright, Carter, today we’re doing the Westwood. Do you comply.”

The patient’s vido tiles swirled together, a focused beam of light like a pin drop over his forehead. He held onto the pin drop, fighting the diodes on his temples and arms and chest and their electrical output. The doctor thumbed a button and a shock pulsed through the patient’s body, quick and efficient. Carter relaxed against the restraints. His tiles spilled evenly across the vido screen.

“Do you comply.”

The tiles straightened into a clean, obedient “Yes.”

The doctor stepped around the machine, tapping a few vials of translucent blue gel into a thin tube that fed into the patient’s arm. He didn’t exactly smile, not with the camera in the corner on him. But he loosened his grip on the watch and relaxed his shoulders.

 WESTWOOD TRIAL III

 You are walking down a path. It is your path, made just for you. You have walked it many times, through many hours of the day. You know the curves, the stones, the smell of the pavement, the people who have walked before you and the people who walk after. This is your path.

You are walking down a path. The path so far is narrow, closer than usual. You are hedged between two rows of tall, thick grass, nearly to your shoulders. You are alone. You are comfortable, and you know what is behind you. You know what is ahead of you. This is your path.

You are walking down a path. The grass sways gently in a breeze, waving back and forth in your periphery. The sky ahead is pimpled with gray clouds. The sun is not out today. You feel a prickly dampness on your forearms as the thick, flat blades of grass slap you, gently first, more persistent as you try to ignore it. You don’t mind. It’s not a threat. You hold your arms across your chest to warm yourself. It’s the easiest solution. This is your path.

Serum levels 1.1. Standard aural projection 99.2 dL/mmol increase. Anna, hand me—

You are walking down a path. It cuts through a forest, sparse at first, with young saplings stuck into the wet brown earth like toothpicks spit out of a giant’s mouth. There are more, growing wilder, stronger, until they stand in a row and make a dark tunnel. Birds sing around you, crawling under your skin. Each step draws you further into the shadows of the forest. But you are sure. You know your way through the night. This is your path.

You are walking down a path. Ahead of you is a key. You spot it as a bright glint in the dark and it hurts your eyes. You do not blink. You cannot blink. You are on your path and there is nothing here to miss. The key hangs from a branch on a ribbon. You know the color of the ribbon. You know the texture of the fabric it was cut from. You know the weight of the key as you reach out and hold it in your hand. The metal is cool but familiar against your palm. The teeth along the prong do not surprise you. This is a key. You take it. Or don’t. Whatever may be is what you decide. This is your path.

Serum levels dropped 1.55 mL/mmol, I’m paging assistance for critical turnover.

You are walking down a path. Ahead of you is a cup. This one is lost in the grass, to the right or the left. You almost pass it, glance haphazardly and spot it reaching up among the weeds like the mouth of a child in a perfect, wailing “o”. When you brush away the dirt and grass, the cup gleams like new. You hold it in your hand, turning it back and forth, and delight in its details. The way your fingerprints blend into the fine finish. The way the wind whistles over the lip. This is a cup. You take it. Or don’t. Whatever may be is what you decide. What you decide. This is your path.

You are walking down a path.

Elevated aural projection, reading 7500. Call Dr. Sarcone. We need restraints and, Christ, watch it. Up the sedative, no, no, green patch. He’ll ruin the instrument.

You are walking down a path. Overhead, starlight sprinkles through the trees. Glitches of light spark through, like pixels on a broken monitor, like patchwork. Like patchwork. Like patchwork. Like You are walking down your path. Your key. You take it. Your path. Or don’t. Or don’t. Or walking down a path. Overhead, starlight sprinkles and the trees fall down in rows. In rows. You are walking your path.

Sir, he’s pulled out two of the feeds. I can’t get—  Will someone please get a goddamn Black Jacket in here?

You are walking down a path. You are walking down a path. You are walking. You are running. Run. Ahead of you is a pool of water. It is the clearest you have ever seen. You run to it, your feet cutting through the grass, smashing tree roots through the earth. Behind you, the sky is a clear swatch of night. There were stars, an inkling of stars. Some could be the big dipper in the south, pouring the wrong way. Some could be Orion’s belt stretched too far across the tree line. Some could be Libra’s scales shimmering hello. These are not your stars. These were not made for you. These were born new.

You are not on your path.

You run.

A key twinkled at the end of a ribbon, like a star, and you took it. You took it. You took the cup, too. You made stars.

You are not on your path.

There is a small pop, the crunch of a branch being crushed under foot. You look down the path, dimly lit by the glow of yellow meadow caught in sunlight. They are coming. They are coming soon. You run.

You run.

Where is he? Who programmed this route?

You are at the edge of the water. You’ve skidded to a halt, scraping rough gravel and kicking up stones that splash at the edge of the water. It is the clearest water you have ever seen. You run to it. You stop at it. There was the pop, the hard scratch of a branch, of knees against loose pebbles or the sound of a joint cracking, of something ripping loose, of wires, of wires, of a path. You are on your knees and you can feel the cool, refreshing water soak into the fabric of your jeans. Of your knees. You kneel and place the cup into the water, fill it, and hold it up. The key. Of your knees. The key. Of your. Bright and glittering like starlight. Like Libra’s scales. You take the key and place it in the cup and the firefly light has gone out, sizzling in the cool, perfect water. This is not your path.

—said green, didn’t I? He’s seizing, pull him up or we’ll—

You are at the water. You feel it on your knees. You see the stars. You are born in the cool, perfect ink lapping at your skin. You are forged in the vessel in your hands. You are starlight. You are key to the unturning of the clock. You are.

“Thomas Carter.”

What’d he say? Did you get that? Hey, no, hey, turn that back, let me see what he said.

You are.

“Thomas Carter.”

You are at the water.

You are with the cup.

You are off the path.

You are not in sunlight.

You are.

“I am.”

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter