fardell24b

[fardell24b]

Mysteries of Aurora - Kristaanland

Official Name: Samveldi Kristaanland (Commonwealth of Kristaanland)

Common Name: Kristaanland

Type of Government: Federal Republic

Head of State: President Linus Bornsson

Head of Government: Prime Minister Rinna Ulvaeus

Legislature: Althing

Capital: Kristaanhavn

Largest City: Kristaanhavn

Languages: Auroric: 42.5%; Auroran: 41.3%; American English: 6.2%; Georgian English; 5.3%; North American First Nations Languages: 3.4%; Other: 1.3%

Religions: Christianity: 56% (Pentecostal: 24%; Lutheran: 16%; Catholic: 11.5%; Baptist: 2%: Other: 0.5%); Atheist/Agnostic: 32%; Islam: 5%; Judaism: 4%; North American First Nations Faiths: 2%; Other: 1%)

Ethnicities: Kristaanlander (Descendents of original and later colonists of both Auroran and Auroric ancestry): 75%; Auroric: 5.6 %; Auroran: 5.5%; White American: 5.3%; Jewish 4%; African American: 3.1%; North American First Nations: 1.5%

Population: 17 million

[fardell24b]

Spider Quinn 16 Tempest and Change Part 3

Shortly afterwards, Quinn changed to SpiderGirl on the roof of the theatre. The themes of change resonated with her, specially with the changes she had undergone since she got bit by that spider and after her father died. ‘Daddy! I will always miss you! Thank you for saying ‘With Great Power. Comes Great Responsibility.’ It has given me something to strive for.’ She then thought about Brittany as Ariel. ‘She’s pouring herself into the role.’ Then she heard sirens to the east, across the creek in Lawndale Flats. ‘Responsibility calls,’ she thought as she swung away.

Daria and Jane left the Historia, heading towards the pizza place. “That was rather good for a first rehearsal,” Jane said.

“The actors had time to learn the script. And many were already familiar with The Tempest,” Daria said.

“Including Brittany? That was a surprise.”

“Apparently she had read Shakespeare since she was young.”

“I must have missed that,” Jane mused. “What do you think about the guy playing Prospero?”

“Tom? He’s good. It must be because Fielding covers Shakespeare better than a public school would.”

“I mean, he’s cute.”

“I don’t think so,” Daria said. “He’s like all the other boys.”

Jane shrugged. “Maybe. Still, all of them were good, including Tania.”

“She did well in her audition. Just because she was running around town accusing people of being the vigilantes over a week ago doesn’t mean I would not give her the opportunity.”

“Of course. Of course.”

Brittany got home at 6 after spending most of an hour patrolling as Ninja Talon. After packing her suit below her floorboards she went down and saw Ashley-Amber making dinner. “Smells good, Ashley-Amber,” she commented.

“It’s a pasta bake,” Ashley-Amber responded. “How was the rehearsal, Honey?”

“It went very well. Everyone was on point.”

“I knew that you being into Shakespeare would pay off.”

“Thanks,” Brittany said.

“Your father will be home soon.”

“I’m not sure what he would say.”

“That’s certainly true,” Ashley-Amber said wistfully. “He has a limited view of people. Sometimes I feel stuck here. But I also remember the opportunities.”

Brittany smiled. “The play is helping me express myself. Maybe he should see a performance.”

“That’s a good idea. The opening night is on Friday, right?”

“Yes.”

Dinners at the Taylors were usually quiet affairs, other than Brian mucking up from time to time. “So, you started rehearsing that play, Brit?” Steve asked.

“Yes. It has started very well,” Brittany answered. “Also, I’m wondering if you would come to one of the performances?”

“I’ll see if I can swing it,” Steve said.

Brittany looked disappointed.

“It is important to her,” Ashley-Amber said.

“I know that. But I’m also busy. She just announced that she joined the play over a week ago. Sometimes my schedule is planned weeks in advance,” Steve said. He turned to Brittany. “I will try to make it.”

“Opening night is Friday,” Brittany said.  “Then Saturday. It will run like that for four weeks, before other plays start coming to the Historia.”

“Another thing to check out. You can’t believe how competitive Osborn is. Even in his condition, Oscorp is outbidding me in Oakwood and Middlebury,” Steve said.

‘Oakwood and Middlebury too!’ Brittany noted.

“And I have to reassure investors that Lawndale’s current troubles are temporary.”

“I hope they are,” Ashley-Amber said quietly.

Sandi had finished her dinner. She had been at the Historia earlier, when the play had finished, although she hadn’t caught up with Daria. She did hear the rehearsal had gone well. She opened the yearbook. After Natalia Charles was Samara Collins. ‘Is she in the play?’ she wondered. She knew Brittany and Tania were. She downed the energy drink. “Findu mann sem heiter: Samara Collins!”

She found Samara at her home on the east side of the creek.

Daria was finishing desert when WLND’s usual review show came on.

“I was at the rehearsal for the new Tempest at the Historia today, and I must say that the production was amateurish!”

“Amateurish!” Daria exclaimed.

“Now, Daria, what do you expect?” her mother asked.

“That they would take the circumstances into account,” Daria said as she picked up the phone.

“We now have a caller,” the critic said. “What’s your name.”

“Daria.”

“Daria, why are you calling.”

“I think your assessment of the rehearsal of Tempest is unfair.”

“And why is that, Daria?”

“Because the actors tried their best.”

“The actors who are mostly teenagers? And are you Daria Morgendorffer? The writer and director of the play in question? You sound like her.”

“Whether I am that Daria or not is not the point. It’s that you’re not taking the circumstance into consideration. They are teenagers doing their all for the play, including the director herself.”

“I don’t have to, Miss Morgendorffer. It’s up to the people of Lawndale themselves to judge whether I’m right or not.”

“Did you have to try to argue with the critic, Daria?” her mother asked.

“I guess I wanted the play to have the best chance,” Daria said.

“I can’t argue with that.”

“Maybe you can ask your colleagues to come on Friday night,” Daria suggested.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Daria was still thinking about the argument with the critic when she snuck out as Dafoanairi after midnight. ‘It is something I will have to face in the future. It’s something I have to face now,’ she thought. ‘I guess I have to talk to someone about it. But I’m not sure that Sandi is the right person.’ Even so, she headed towards Grandstaff Drive.

The Enigma met Dafoanairi halfway towards Glen Oaks Lane. “I see that you’re, like, doing this more often,” she said.

“I figure Lawndale needs me to do it, and last night showed that I need to get more experience,” Dafoanairi said.

“That’s true,” the Enigma said.

“And I thought I needed the fresh air.”

“And someone to talk to.”

“Jane was out,” Dafoanairi said. “I didn’t want to talk to Trent about it.”

“There’s what I said a few weeks ago.”

“Let’s not revisit that.”

“Are you sure?” the Enigma asked.

“Of course, I’m sure. Jane is not one of the other vigilantes.”

They then headed downtown.

In Dega Street, Dafoanairi responded to another mugging attempt as the Enigma watched from on top of the Zon/Zen. She rushed out from an alley, and used the staff to knock the would be mugger down, before urging the would be victim to run. She then made herself scarce before the man got up. She watched the would be victim hide before she turned a corner into a well lit street. ‘I still wonder why Dega Street has poor lighting,’ Dafoanairi said as she went to the side of the Zon/Zen.

“I’d say that went well,” the Enigma said.

“Well enough. But I still need to practice with the staff more to be better able to defend myself.”

“Maybe that dojo you told me about.”

“Maybe,” Dafoanairi considered.

A while later, Ninja Talon and SpiderGirl met on top of the Historia as they had planned in the day. “Some new information,” the former said.

“What is this?” SpiderGirl asked.

“My father says he’s being outbid by Oscorp in Oakwood and Middlebury.”

“So, it’s not just Lawndale, its most of the county.”

“I think so,” Ninja Talon said. “He didn’t say anything about Cumberland.”

“That doesn’t mean they aren’t being looked at by Oscorp as well.”

“Of course. Also, he says that he might be at the play on Friday.”

“But you don’t sound hopeful,” SpiderGirl said.

“He is very busy. But I know Ashley-Amber will be there.”

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Monday February 19th, 2001

Fifth Vigilante is apparently snarky

“Is that what they’re going with?” Daria asked herself when she picked up the paper from the mailbox.

“What is that?” Quinn asked from one of her windows.

“Just the usual speculative journalist saying that the fifth vigilante is apparently snarky.”

“What evidence do they have?”

“None apparently.”

Quinn read the article at breakfast. ‘Whoever is the source probably did meet Dafoanairi in the past few days. But none of the other heroes are proclaiming themselves as I do. Not even Brittany.’

“Penny for your thoughts?” Daria asked.

“Each of the vigilantes are different. Not just in how they fight crime, but in the way they present themselves.”

“Each has their own personality, that reflects that of their secret identity, the way they want to present themselves and the role they think are playing.”

‘That’s something,’ Quinn thought. “And what does that say about SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon?”

“I’ll have to think about that. But for now I’ll say that SpiderGirl wants to be seen to be doing something for Lawndale, that there’s a sense of responsibility that drives her.”

‘That’s quite accurate.’

“Ninja Talon is similar,” Daria continued. “Although she is more stealthy, as would be appropriate, it also appears that she acts out of a sense of responsibility, such that she’s more like a samurai.”

“That’s something to think about.”

“Planning to write something in the Lowdown?”

“Maybe,” Quinn answered.

SpiderGirl thought on what her sister had said on the way to school. ‘I doubt she would make a connection that way.’

Daria, Jane, Brittany and others had Language Arts early in the day. “Daria, do you have something to say?” Mr. O’Neill asked as the class finished.

“You can see the play on Friday like everyone else,” Daria responded.

“I mean, I heard your argument with the critic. That must have been hard.”

Daria didn’t want to have that conversation. Certainly not with Mr. O’Neill. She wanted to focus on the rest of her day and prepare to tutor Brittany. “It was.”

“It must have hurt to have your work described as amateurish.”

“Of course it did. But it wasn’t only myself I was looking out for, but the others involved in the production,” Daria said as she left the classroom.

“Wait, Daria.”

Meanwhile. The critic, Kalina Ondrovic, was outside the Historia, examining it. She had received a cryptic invitation from someone. ‘Didn’t think I would be back here so quickly,’ she thought. She went inside, alert for any trickery.

“Here again?” Elisabeth Rowe asked the critic.

“I suppose you heard Daria’s argument with me?” the critic asked.

“Yes, and I agree with her.”

“And I have some background on all everyone involved here. Everyone, except Quentin Beck, other than his Hollywood credentials.”

“What do you want?” Elisabeth asked.

“The theatrical scene in Lawndale County to be respected.”

“I’m sure that Tempest won’t make it a laughing stock.”

“Still, a production ran by teenagers?” the critic asked.

“You’re biased, Kalina!”

“No, you’re biased, as Quinn is your daughter’s friend, and if it weren’t for Daria and her business plan, you would still be working for your old boss.”

“It was an opportunity. One that is working out for us and giving people in Lawndale hope at this difficult time,” Elisabeth said.

“That’s certainly true, but integrity of the arts is also important.”

“Maybe you should come on Friday and see if they improve upon the first rehearsal.”

“I’ll consider that,” Kalina considered.

“Good, but now, do you want something?”

“Coffee, black.”

Kalina was soon joined by Quentin Beck. “You were the one who invited me?” she asked.

“Yes. I heard your argument with Daria.”

“It seems a of lot people did.”

“I had my reservations,” Quentin said.

“That the theatre is being run by teenagers.”

“I didn’t quite believe it when I saw that Quinn is so young and said that she’s about to turn 16.”

“Yet you took the job,” Kalina said.

“Beggers can’t be choosers, also despite her young age Quinn interviewed well and she has a way with people.”

“I guess so.”

Kalina followed Quentin into the theatre. “As you can see. I have been setting up the special effects.”

“There’s a lot more to a play than the special effects,” Kalina said as she looked at where Quentin had placed the various projectors.

“Of course. But I think Daria has adapted The Tempest well.”

“Shakespeare needs to be done more than ‘well.’

“Maybe.”

Brittany was ready for the first tutoring session with Daria after school. She entered the library and saw Quinn there with Ben and Anna waiting for Gerald.

“So, Daria isn’t here yet?” she asked.

“She should be here soon,” Quinn said. “So should Gerald.”

Anna looked up from her book on Appalachian folklore. “He is usually late.”

“I guess I’m a little nervous,” Brittany explained.

“That’s understandable,” Quinn said. “Like, I could tell that Angie was, and Gerald definitely was.”

Daria arrived at the library at the same time as Gerald.

“Hi, Daria,” Gerald said.

“Hi, Gerald,” Daria said. “Are you coming to the play?”

“Shakespeare isn’t really my thing and I don’t like crowds.”

“You know that I’m adapting it, right? And you could come to one of the later shows.”

“I’ll think about it,” Gerald said.

“Sorry I was late,” Daria said. “Mr. O’Neill wanted to talk about the critic again.”

“I wasn’t listening at the time,” Brittany said.

“Good. But where do you want to start? More History?” Daria asked. “Or another subject? But, if it’s Art I would have to point you in Jane’s direction.”

Brittany twirled a pigtail. “Maybe more history. Or Math. Arithmetic is fine, but Algebra is quite tricky.”

“Both I can help with,” Daria said.

“That’s great!”

“First, do you have that recent assignment?”

“Of course,” Brittany said. She took it out and gave it to Daria.

Daria read it through. It seemed that Brittany was capable. ‘It’s that she hadn’t had the opportunity. It’s no wonder she auditioned for Ariel. She want’s to escape the role society has given her, much as Ariel wants to be free from having to serve Prospero.’

“…And so, Ben and I will be at the play on Friday,” Anna said.

“Daria will be happy to hear that,” Quinn said

“I heard the argument with the critic,” Anna said as she got up.

“It’s that she didn’t expect it straight way.” Quinn said.

“Like it was a rehearsal,” Ben said. “She should have waited until Friday.”

“Maybe,” Quinn said.

Daria overhead what Ben had said as she and Brittany walked up. ‘I guess she should have,’ she thought. The tutoring session with Brittany had gone well.

“When next?” Brittany asked.

“Wednesday, given that there are rehearsals tomorrow and Thursday,” Daria answered.

Brittany nodded. “Thanks, Daria.”

Quinn watched as Anna and Ben followed Daria out of the library, hand in hand. “Still can’t believe they’re dating,” she commented.

“They’ve always been friends,” Brittany responded.

“How did the tutoring go?”

“It was mostly figuring out what I need help with. Mostly Math, Science and Ancient History. Daria seems to be an all rounder.”

“She’s been buried in her books for as long as I remember,” Quinn said.

“That makes sense.”

[fardell24b]

Church notes - April 2025

On LiveJournal: https://fardell24.livejournal.com/631309.html?newpost

On Dreamwidth: https://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/927348.html

[fardell24b]

Church notes - 27th April 2025

27th Matthew 28:16 - 20 Jesus has Risen The Resurrection is not the end, but the beginning. Jesus didn't let the disciples' doubt change the future of God's plan for the world. He chooses people throughout History.

The authority of Jesus The commission of Jesus The assurance of Jesus

vs 18 His kingdom will never end Jesus the King

vs 19 The Great Commission Go! Go somewhere You need to make disciples. We need to make opportunities to share the Gospel. No one can argue against your actual experience of God. The church is to be living out the teachings of Jesus. What Jesus tells us to do: Make disciples of all nations. A lifelong journey of obeying Jesus Himself. Walking besides other disciples. Praying for others. Respectfully admonishing each other. vs 20 Baptism We need to be baptising people. A symbol of a Christian's movement from death to their new life in Jesus.

They need to know who Jesus is, and His commands. They also need to follow His example.

The reason. Jesus' commands. He has risen. The assurance. He is with us always. A profound promise.

[fardell24b]

Party at 111 Howard Part 1

It's Jane Lane's sixteenth birthday, and she is having a Sweet Sixteen party with a twist. But she isn't prepared for a large number of her peers from Lawndale High to show up. Meanwhile, the other Fashion Club members are concerned about Tiffany.

Part 1 fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14463418/1/

Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/65004283/chapters/167128660

[fardell24b]

ANZAC Day

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

We will remember them Lest we forget

[fardell24b]

Mysteries of Aurora - The Manuscript Part 4

Back at the Library, Janara had found something. “There are some matches here.”

“Matches with what?” Olivia asked.

“Some obscure Nordic runes,” Janara answered. “You would know more about that than I.”

“I guess,” Olivia said. She brought up her tablet and accepted Janara’s connection request. The files loaded, and she looked at the comparison between Freya’s original sketches and the additional data Janara had added. “There is definitely something here.”

“What have you found?” Talia asked.

“The obfuscation, at least Freya’s impression of it, matches Nordic runes, which I can barely make out,” Olivia explained. “It’s probably in Auroric, or Old Norse, but I only speak Auroran.”

“Same here,” Janara said.

“Another thing Freya may help us with,” Olivia said.

“She may seem Auroric, but we shouldn’t jump to conclusions,” Janara said.

“Besides, the linguistic diversity of AAUA is similar to that of Aurora overall,” Talia said.

“So, we probably don’t need her,” Janara said.

“Probably not,” Olivia said. “But I’ll ask her in the morning.”

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Olivia looked at the time after she clambered out of bed yet again. It was still quite early. ‘5:23!’ She looked out the window and saw that the early dawn was barely visible. ‘Good thing Aurora doesn’t do daylight saving.’ She was also thankful that Aurora followed it’s own time zone. (UTC -0:30)

She looked at where Janara was sleeping. “I know you will be rested.”

She went over to her laptop and opened it. She brought up a copy of Freya’s sketches, and the runes that the patterns resembled. “This doesn’t make sense? Why use Norse runes when the manuscript is nearly two millennia older?” She wasn’t sure what to make of that. ‘It just deepens the mystery. Maybe I’ll ask Flavia when I see her in class next, or maybe Freya will have an opinion.’ She wrote that down.

But she realised that she probably wasn’t getting back to sleep anytime soon. She ran a search on the runes Freya had uncovered, but found that there were thousands of results, most of them from the Auroric regions to the northeast of Urbs Aeterna. ‘That’s way too many!’ she thought. She wasn’t sure how to narrow it down. ‘Another thing to talk to Freya about, maybe.’

She then got up and went for a walk, as she had found that usually helped clear her mind before trying to go back to sleep.

As she wandered the western courtyards around Janus Hadrian Hall, she thought about the patterns she had found. ‘I need to find out more.’

She returned to the dorm room as the sun was rising. She found that Janara was up.

“I had an idea,” Janara said, as she turned her laptop around.

Olivia looked and saw that Janara had overlaid a map of the campus on one of Freya’s sketches. “Some of the buildings match the rune?” she asked.

“Some of the buildings,” Janara confirmed. “But more specifically, buildings that were in existence prior to the Nordic Era.”

“So, before the Nordic Era, but using a Nordic Rune.”

“What I do know about Aurora’s history is that the Norse brought about as much change as the Romans did.”

“That is definitely true,” Olivia said a she looked closely at the new image. “Can you print it out?”

“Certainly. I can also 3D print a tactile version for Freya.”

Olivia nodded. ‘I’m certain she was squinting because it was bright.’

At the same time, Freya stirred. She stretched as she opened her eyes and recalled the mystery in the Library. ‘It’s certainly a mystery,’ she thought as she switched on her computer.

“Now, more on Auroric art traditions,” she murmured in Auroric.

There was a lot of sites found, as she expected. “This is going to take ages, and I might lose interest. In the meantime, the manuscript could be anywhere.” She then looked at a map of the AAUA campus.

“Maybe not the present day map,” she considered. She then looked at the historical maps. But she was bored before she reached the Renaissance, and started sketching something different.

Olivia was ready to go to breakfast when Janara said that the 3d printed image was ready. “But will she be there? She could have class.”

“Maybe,” Janara considered. “But we’ll wait. I don’t have classes until the afternoon.”

“Neither do I.”

Freya had an Advanced Music Theory class early. She met her friend, Alexia, outside the lecture theater. “Alexia!”

“Hi, Freya,” Alexia said as Freya bounded up. “I see you’re exited about something.”

“More like, it’s a mystery,” Freya responded.

“A mystery?” Alexia asked with curiosity.

Freya then started explaining about the manuscript before Professor Ingurman arrived.

At the same time. Olivia and Janara entered the Ancient Section and saw that Talia was waiting for them.

“You have found out more?” Talia asked.

“Yes,” Janara answered.

Olivia handed her the printout of the map overlaid on Freya’s sketch of the obfuscation. “We found that the rune lines up with a map of the campus as it existed during the early medieval period.”

Talia took the sketch. “This just gets more convoluted,” she commented.

“So, why are Nordic runes connected to a manuscript from two thousand years earlier?” Olivia asked.

[fardell24b]

Spider Quinn 16 Tempest and Change Part 2

A minute later, they were on top of the Historia.

“So, those goggles have night vision?” Philippa asked.

“Yes, amongst other modes.”

“And you don’t have powers?”

“I’m neither confirming nor denying. Let’s just say I wouldn’t be doing this without these gadgets,” the Shadow explained. “It’s like my own play. It seems that in the drama of Lawndale, I have taken this role to help.”

“And the other vigilantes?”

“SpiderGirl does have powers. But I am not sure if her webs are organic or not. Ninja Talon seems to be just a teenager skilled in martial arts who also uses some gadgets alongside her weapons. The fourth vigilante is telekinetic and can project energy blasts. I haven’t yet met the apparent fifth.”

“You don’t know what name she’s taken?” Philippa asked.

“I do, but it seems she wants to remain in the shadows as she helps Lawndale in her way. I just hope any battle between her and SpiderGirl is short.”

The Shadow was about to say more, but she then heard something to the northwest of the Historia, in Dega Street. “Duty calls!” she said to Philippa.

“You are going to leave me here?” Philippa asked.

“You’d be a liability. I trained with my mentor a while before I started doing this,” the Shadow then handed her the spare grapple gun. “It is relatively easy to use. But I’ll be back soon. Keep an eye on Daria and Sandi.”

Daria and Sandi also heard the noise as they examined an Oscorp building. “What’s that?” Daria asked.

“Sounds like something to respond to,” Sandi replied.

Daria nodded. “Right. There are plenty of places along here…”

Sandi nodded and ran off to some cover.

‘What are they doing?’ Philippa wondered.

The Enigma and Dafoanairi then met up. “What do you think it is?” the latter asked.

“Not sure,” the Enigma said as she led the way.

‘Great! They disappeared!’ Philippa thought. ‘What will the Shadow say?’ She kept looking.

The Shadow came to the spot first. A person who had just left the Zon/Zen had been mugged. She sighted the mugger running from the scene down the street. She moved into action, appearing in her usual dramatic fashion through dry ice. “Going somewhere?”

“Shadow!” the mugger said, before throwing his ill-gotten wares at the vigilante and running off. But then was cut off by energy blasts.

“Like, what the Shadow said, going somewhere?” the Enigma asked.

“Don’t need your help,” the Shadow said. “But’s it’s appreciated.” She then returned the items to the victim who was nearby.

“Thanks, Shadow,” the young lady, whom she knew in passing from Lawndale High, said.

‘Burnout Girl or Jennifer Burns, I’m sure it is,’ the Shadow thought. “You’re welcome. Remember. Crime in Lawndale is getting worse.”

“I didn’t quite believe it, even after Groundhog Day,” the blonde girl said before turning and leaving.

The Shadow turned and saw that the Enigma had left. ‘Of course.’ Then she saw another cloaked figure nearby, holding some sort of staff. “Who are you?” she asked.

“So, you’re the Shadow,” the other said in a high, yet quiet voice.

“Yes. And you are?”

“Dafoanairi. I helped SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon at the Solarium as Lawndale’s Fifth Snarky Vigilante.”

“I see and you use that staff?”

“Yes. It has been effective.”

“Effective is good,” the Shadow said. “Lawndale needs all the help it can get. But I need to get going.”

“Of course.”

Philippa didn’t need to wait long before the Shadow returned. “I’m afraid, Daria and Sandi disappeared somewhere,” she said as she handed the spare grapple gun back.

“I knew it was a long shot anyway. Plenty of spaces for them to duck into,” the Shadow responded.

“Something happen?”

“I helped avert a mugging. But the fourth vigilante and the actual fifth also responded.”

“Did the fifth have a name? Or is that being hidden as well?” Philippa asked.

The Shadow considered Philippa’s question. ‘It will come out soon enough, even if the Enigma’s hasn’t.’ She thought some more. “Dafoanairi, but I would keep that to yourself for now.”

“Dafoanairi,” Philippa repeated before yawning. “Something to consider in the morning.”

“I’ll get you home.”

Daria and Sandi met back in front of the Oscorp office they were examining earlier. “That went well,” the latter said.

“Except the mugger got away.”

Sandi shrugged. “Burnout Girl got her stuff back.”

“You mean, Jennifer, right,” Daria said. “I’m not sure why she has that nickname.”

“Jennifer, of course.”

“Anyway, she’s in the play.”

“I see,” Sandi said.

“And I have now met the rest of the vigilantes. I still have no idea who they are.”

“Maybe if you spend more time with them.”

“Maybe, but I’ll continue as I have been,” Daria said as she peered into an office window.

As she and Philippa headed back towards Glen Oaks Lane, the Shadow considered her encounter with Dafoanairi. ‘She was quiet and was pitching her voice up. But I change my voice, SpiderGirl speaks confidently, Ninja Talon pitches hers down and the Enigma speaks blandly.’ No proof to identities there.

SpiderGirl emerged at the usual time. She reflected on the changes in herself and those around her. ‘Before I got bit by that spider and Daddy died, I wouldn’t have dreamed that I would be a superhero and helping to run a theatre at my young age.

A short while later, she heard something to the north and swung away.

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Sunday, February 18, 2001

Cafes in Cranberry Commons losing Customers

Jennifer Burns arrived at the Historia at 12:30. The previous night’s experience had had her jittery. More than Groundhog Day had. She went up to the counter.

“How may I serve you?” Stacy Rowe asked.

“Hamburger with coffee,” Jennifer responded quietly.

“Got it!” Stacy said.

 “So, you’re in the play?” Stacy asked when she had passed the order on.

“As a stagehand,” Jennifer said. “I’m not cut out to be an actor.”

“You won’t know until you try.”

“Have you tried?”

“Yes,” Stacy admitted. “It’s much like when I’m behind the wheel. Exhilarating. As long as I don’t look at the audience.”

“I still don’t quite believe you street race.”

“It will start up again soon. I hope the vigilantes won’t get in the way.”

“They might,” Jennifer mused. “I’d inevitably look at the audience.”

“I try looking at the fellow actors or offstage.”

“I guess so.”

Quentin arrived at 1:00. ‘I’m sure Quinn said she’d be here.’ He entered the café and looked around. No Quinn. But he did see a girl with long auburn hair who he supposed was her sister eating with a girl with raven black hair and blue eyes.

“Hello, you’re one of the Morgendorffers?”

“Who’s asking?” Daria asked.

“Quentin Beck.”

“The new special effects person? Yes, I’m Daria, and that’s Jane.”

“Yo!” Jane said. “I’m involved in the set design.”

“Quinn says that you select the plays?”

“To put it succinctly yes. Quinn will be here soon, you can order some lunch while you’re waiting. The rehearsals won’t start for another hour and a half,” Daria said.

“I will do that,” Beck said.

Ninja Talon arrived on the top of the Historia, where SpiderGirl was waiting. “Ready for the play?” the latter asked.

“I am,” Ninja Talon answered. “But you’re worried about something?”

“Two things. First, Daria knows the Enigma’s secret identity. Second: I have hired the special effects artist.”

Ninja Talon thought about the first point. “How do you know?”

“Jane saw the note she had made and told us at Dinner,” SpiderGirl answered. “It’s on her wall, where she has been putting newspaper articles about me up.”

“Oh. It must be because she has been spending a lot of time with her.”

“That’s obvious. It’s making me even more wary of spending any amount of time with Dafoanairi. I don’t want her figuring out that I’m her sister that way.”

Ninja Talon still wasn’t sure that SpiderGirl was right about that. Dafoanairi didn’t remind her of Daria much. She decided to change the topic. “But the special effects person?”

“He was rather condescending when he saw that I was the one doing the interview. The others weren’t so much. They were more likely to believe that teens would be running a theatre.”

“And you think you made the wrong choice?”

“I rarely second-guess myself, Talon. It’s like an intuition, but not normal intuition. The Spider Sense isn’t tingling either. Something just seems off. Like, why would someone from Hollywood come to Lawndale?”

“I’m not sure, Spidey, but I’ll help you figure it out.”

“Thanks,” SpiderGirl said as she looked at her friend, and then around at the town. “Let’s go down.”

Quinn and Brittany entered the café. “There he is,” Quinn said, as she pointed out Quentin to Brittany.

“I see,” Brittany said. “I’ll talk to Daria and Jane.”

Quinn ordered and found Stacy where she was sitting near one of the windows. “Hey, Stacy.”

“It’s been a busy morning,” Stacy said.

“Like, everyone in Lawndale is curious about the Historia now,” Quinn said.

“The interest has only grown since the opening, which is why this is a good time for the play to start.”

“Which is what I said in the interview yesterday.”

“Something up?” Stacy asked.

“It’s just that I have a bad feeling about Beck.”

“And yet you hired him?”

“His credentials are good, better than the others I interviewed,” Quinn explained.

“Maybe you should keep an eye on him,” Stacy suggested.

“I was thinking the same thing.”

“He’s coming over now.”

Quentin found Quinn next to a window, talking to the pigtailed waitress. “Good afternoon,” he said.

“Quentin, this is Stacy.”

He sat down.

“Hi,” Stacy said shyly.

“We are having lunch first,” Quinn said. “Then we will talk in the theatre.”

Quentin nodded.

Brittany ordered and then sat with Daria and Jane. “Hi, Daria, Jane.”

“Hi, Brittany,” Daria said. “I’m sure you’re ready for the play.”

“Isn’t that what the rehearsal is for?” Brittany asked.

“Yes,” Daria said. “But it takes more than that.”

“That’s true. I have read up on various Shakespeare plays, not just The Tempest,” Brittany responded.

“That’s a great start, Brittany,” Daria said with a slight smile.

“Something else,” Brittany added in a serious tone and a glance at Jane.

“Yes?” Daria asked.

“I’m wondering If you would tutor me, like how Quinn is doing with the former misfits and Angie?”

“I saw how Mr. DeMartino reacted when you got that B-,” Daria said.

“And you want to get similar reactions from other teachers?” Jane asked.

“That’s part of it,” Brittany asked. “I know I can do better than I have been.”

“I’ll have to consider it,” Daria answered. “You know I’m busy with the theatre, and the investigation.”

“But the latter can take longer?” Brittany asked. ‘Two birds with one stone,’ she thought. ‘She can help me achieve academically, and she’ll probably take longer to figure out I’m Ninja Talon and Quinn, SpiderGirl.’

“That’s a good point,” Jane said.

Daria sighed. “True. It is a long-term project anyway. We can start tomorrow, after school.”

“That will be great!” Brittany enthused.

Daria winced at the squeak.

“Sorry.”

Philippa entered the Historia café and saw that Jennifer was there. ‘Why do people call her ‘Burnout Girl’ anyway.’ It made no sense to her. ‘Sure, her last name is Burns, but…’ She went to order something.

“Hi Jennifer.”

Jennifer looked and saw that it was Philippa Bynon. “Hi Philippa,” she said quietly.

“Mind if I join you?”

“Sure.”

Philippa sat down. “Is Daria as good as they say she is?”

“What do you mean?” Jennifer asked.

“That she is a good writer?”

“I have read some of the script. I would say she has done a good job of updating Shakespeare’s themes.”

Shortly afterwards, Quinn, Daria and Jane showed Quentin in the theatre. “It’s fairly small.” Quentin commented.

“There are about 300 seats,” Quinn said.

“I meant the stage,” Quentin said. “Although the room is large.”

“It doesn’t seem that small,” Daria said. “Besides we have practiced already. There is plenty of room, and this isn’t the only theatre in Lawndale dating from the same era.”

“I noticed that it’s Art Deco,” Quentin said. “Anyway, I can work with this. I just need to see the rehearsal and I can go from there. You have projectors, right.”

“Of course,” Quinn said. “There were many that still work in storage, and the main projector had been updated a few years ago.”

“That’s great!” Quentin said. He looked at the stage again. “I must say that the set looks great.”

“Once Daria described the play, and I read the script, I knew what it needed,” Jane said humbly.

The various actors soon arrived.

Brittany had been practicing when she could. The role of Ariel had intrigued her, as one who felt trapped in her role as cheerleader. (Another reason she had become Ninja Talon, as a way to escape that feeling.) She went up to the other actors. The one playing Prospero, was interesting as he had said he went to Feilding. ‘Is he looking for an escape too?’ she wondered.

Daria read over the cast list again, to make sure that everyone had arrived.

Brittany Taylor as Ariel

Tom Sloane as Prospero

Veronica Boden as Miranda

Wolfgang Shuhart as Caliban

Elias Howarth as Antonio

Ted Dewit-Clinton as Ferdinand

Corey Bateman as Stephano

Skyler Fieldman as Trinculo

Robert Korleski as Gonzalo

Cindy Brolsma as Juno

Tania Ashworth as Ceres

Nadia Blackwood as Iris

…

She looked around. All of them were there. “Ready?” she asked.

“I’m ready,” Brittany answered, as enthusiastically as she did earlier.

Quinn watched as the rehearsal began. She knew that Daria had re-imagined the boatswain as a bus driver. ‘I knew that she would do something like that.’

“…Heavens thank you for it. And now I beseech you, father, for my mind races regarding your reason for raising this storm,” Veronica said in her role as Miranda.

“Know this. It’s a strange accident, beautiful fortune. My enemies are now coming and by my prescience I find my rise does depend on a most auspicious star, whose influence I must court or else my fortunes will be reduced. Now cease your questions, for you are ready for sleep. Approach my Ariel,” Tom said as Prospero.

Brittany entered the stage and spoke. “All hail, great master, grave sir, hail. I come to answer thy best pleasure; be ‘t to fly, to swim, to dive into the fire, to ride on the curled clouds, to thy strong bidding task Ariel and all her quality.”

The rehearsal took two and half hours and finished at about five.

“You all did rather well,” Daria said. “Not bad at all for a first rehearsal.”

Brittany came down from the stage. “Thanks, Daria. That means a lot.”

“I know keeping the 17th Century language for Ariel must have been difficult.”

“Not that difficult at all. I have read Shakespeare since I was young.”

“But speaking it is different to reading it,” Daria said.

Brittany twirled a pigtail. “I suppose so.”

Tori Jericho had watched it, as Quinn had invited her and her mother to watch. She turned to her mother. “What do you think?” she asked.

“Daria certainly is one to watch,” Penelope Jericho said. “She’s adapted the play very well for a young writer.”

“She would be glad to hear that,” Quinn said. “She said that translating Shakespeare’s English into modern American English took up most of the time.”

“I imagine it would,” Penelope said.

[fardell24b]

Troubles of Lawndale - Part 1

Daria – Trouble in Lawndale

“Girls, I just want you to know your mother and I realize it's not easy moving to a whole new town -- especially for you, Daria, right?” Jake Morgendorffer said, as he and his daughters approached Lawndale High.

“Did we move?” Daria asked, as she looked around, annoyed that her father had spoken after remaining silent since they left their new home half an hour before.

“Stop following me, Daria!” her sister, Quinn, said.

“Excuse me, we’re walking along to the same school!”

“You don’t have be right behind!” Quinn said.

“It’s not my fault Lawndale has such narrow sidewalks.”

Jake, annoyed with his daughters’ arguing, put his headphones back on. “I've been working on the railroad... come on, guys, we know this one.”

Meanwhile at Lawndale High, two students were already there. (Although calling one of them a student might have been stretching the definition a bit…) “Come on, Mack Daddy! I'll get the coach to write us a note. I'll say we need extra time on the free weights.”

“I told you not to call me that!” Mack said, exasperated. “And they're not going to excuse you from English for weight training.”

“I can't take any more of this Shakespeare dude, bro. He's, like, a total chick writer!”

Mack sighed.

“Maybe we could go to that Mall of the Millennium this weekend, Daddy?” Quinn asked as they approached the school.

“A hundred miles? To go to a Mall? There’s a Mall less than five minutes from home. In a car!”

“I’m sure there are some fascinating Malls in Southeast Asia.” Daria snarked.

“Southeast Asia! To go to a mall!” Jake exclaimed.

“She’s joking!” Quinn said.

“Oh!”

Jane Lane arrived at Lawndale High. She switched off the audio recording of the last night’s Sick Sad World episode. The concept of a model creating an encyclopedia was appropriately inane. “Drawing pictures in margins…” she mused. That was something she did often.

Having been enrolled at the School, Daria found that she had Science for first period. In class she quickly found that the teacher had issues… “…and like a husband going home to his noble and self-sacrificing wife, the rat keeps returning to the food box. That is, the positive reinforcement. Huh, if only men could be more like rats. Oh, sure, they come home at first. You feed them, you wait on them, and then, after twenty-two thankless years, they just up and leave. No note, no phone call, no nothing!” She slammed her ruler on her desk for emphasis. “Just... like... that!”

“I wonder why he left,” Daria murmured to her new acquaintance, Jodie Landon.

“Now, before I divide the class into teams of two, who can give me another example of reinforcement?”

The class didn’t give an answer.

“Fine, class. Ignore me... just like he did!”

“Just as well he wasn’t Jones,” Daria commented.

“I heard that!” Barch said. “But we’re not talking about cults. You can ask DeMartino about that! But you have stumbled upon an interesting answer. A charismatic man re-enforcing herd-like behaviour in his followers, leading to tragic results!”

“Excellent example Daria,” Jodie said.

Daria shrugged.

Between classes, Sandi Griffin was talking with Joey Green, Jamie White and Jeffy Brown, ‘So I said, "Sure, it's a nice car. Do you have enough gas to get to Loserville?’”

“That’s funny, Sandi,” Joey said.

“You really know how to tell a story,” Jeffy said.

“Thanks,” Sandi said.

“Tell us the part with Stacy again,” Jamie said.

“Stacy wasn’t in that story. It was just Tiffany and I,” Sandi said.

“Well then, take Tiffany out and put Stacy in,” Joey suggested.

Stacy then came along. “Hi guys!” she said. “Sandi, Joey, Jeffy, Jerome.”

“Hi, Stacy,” Joey said.

“Hi, Stacy,” Jeffy added.

“Hi, Stacy. It’s Jamie!”

“Oh, sorry!”

“Have you seen that new girl?” Jamie asked.

“The redhead?” Stacy asked.

“She could be new member for the Fashion Club,” Sandi answered.

“There she is!” Jamie said.

Sandi sighed as Jamie and Jeffy ran off.

Daria listened as Jodie told her how busy she was. “…And that is why I can only go to study sessions in the early evenings,” Jodie said.

“I bet you don’t have to deal with Family Court,” Daria said.

“Family Court?” Jodie asked incredulously.

“It was an attempt by my Mom to use Jurisprudence in family matters after my sister and I came home late one night.”

“That sounds crazy,” Jodie commented.

“It was,” Daria said. “But it didn’t last long, because they were too busy to enforce a month-long grounding.”

“That’s something I’d like to hear about at some point,” Jodie said as they came to the next class.

“Can monkeys surf the net, and corrupt our kids? Chimpanzee chat rooms, next on Sick Sad World.”

Claire Defoe switched off the TV after students started filing into the classroom. She saw the new student, Daria. “Ms. Morgendorffer!”

Daria came over. “Yes?”

“Your records from Highland are intriguing,” the teacher said.

“I experimented, that’s all.”

“Using a glue gun as an actual gun?” Claire asked with an eyebrow raised.

Daria raised her own eyebrows. “Oh, that. Those two deserved it, but I won’t do it here in Lawndale.”

“Good. I just wanted to hear it from you personally. I would like to talk about your previous art after class. There’s a student I’d like you to meet.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Fifty dollars an hour!” Jane groused as she approached the art classroom. That was the amount Mr. Ewing had quoted for the average Math tutoring cost in Lawndale. She doubted it would be any cheaper in Oakwood. ‘Or Middlebury for that matter,’ she mused as she overheard other students complaining about exorbitant prices.

[fardell24b]

Church notes - 20th April 2025

20th Resurrection Sunday Matthew 28:1 - 15 Jesus is Risen! We still need to be reminded. We can put ourselves into a position where we need rescuing,

God was in control.

There is a response to make.

Our response

To run with great news. vs 12 - 15

Evil puts fear into you, where it doesn't belong. It is what we need to fight against.

Making a response. Put your faith in Jesus. In whatever tough situation you may find yourself in, He can help you out.

[fardell24b]

Aurora in 855.

[fardell24b]

Church notes in April 2025 so far

6th April '25: https://fardell34.blogspot.com/2025/04/church-notes-6th-april-2025.html

13th April '25: http://fardell30.deadjournal.com/309220.html

18th April '25: https://fardell24b.tumblr.com/post/781143717927124992/church-notes-18th-april-2025

[fardell24b]

Church notes - 18th April 2025

18th Good Friday Isaiah 53:11

Matthew 27:45 - 66 From praise on the previous Sunday to venomous sneering. Jesus had iron clad determination to see the plan through. It wasn't just physical darkness. All the sin of the world was placed on Jesus' shoulders at that time. vs 46 The weight of sin. Jesus felt separated from the Father. Luke 23:46 Psalm 31

He didn't waver.

John 19:30

He freely gave His life for all mankind. vs 63 The Temple curtain torn - symbolising that the Way was now open. vs 65

It was a new tomb, so there were no other bodies.

[fardell24b]

1885 Map Game - 1891

1891

North America

Francopobia increases in the United States. In some parts of the country, anyone speaking French find themselves harassed.

There are protests against this in Louisiana (which is not one of those places).

Support for a State of Lincoln increases. Legislation for the establishment of a territory is introduced to Congress by the end of the year.

Dakota and Montana gain statehood.

Prosperity in parts of Mexico continue to increase.

South America

Brazil is recovering from the war.

Africa

American control over the former French colonies increases.

The British defeat the Mahdists.

Europe

Protests continue to escalate in Spain, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. Republican sentiment increases in various places, particularly Andalusia.

Crime increases in London, but nothing like ‘Jack the Ripper’ reoccurs.

Tensions continue to rise between the Neo Bonapartist France and Germany.

Boulanger doesn’t seek to become monarch as Napoleon did, but he still centralizes power in himself as much as the rule of law would allow.

Anarchists and suspected Anarchists are rounded up throughout Germany through the year.

In Vienna, the Habsburgs had taken a pragmatic view. They didn’t want a repeat of the last time a very popular figure had come to power in Paris.

In Rumelia, protests against Ottoman rule continue.

The Russian Civil War continues. Ukrainian, Polish, and Baltic rebels continue to be successful.

Asia

Japan having already occupied Sakhalin, invades the mainland.

Oceania

The six British colonies in Australia remain separate. (There isn’t as much discussion about Federation as in OTL.)

[fardell24b]

Spider Quinn 16 Tempest and Change Part 1

16 Tempest and Change

Quentin Beck got off the bus. He looked at the terminal in front of him. “Lawndale,” he considered. Two weeks before he hadn’t heard of the place. Then the Groundhog Day Attack made national news. Some sort of crazed villain had attacked the place. But that wasn’t why he was there. He was there because there was a job offer at some sort of community theater.

After picking up his luggage in the terminal, he found a copy of the local newspaper, the Sun-Herald.

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Saturday, February 17, 2001

Brownouts resolved a second time

SpiderGirl, Ninja Talon and an apparent fifth vigilante responded and disconnected the problematic electric furnace in the Elders Solarium.

“Five vigilantes,” he considered. There were only three when the Groundhog Day Attack occurred, he was sure.

Quinn Morgendorffer entered the theatre area of the Historia. She looked at the time. 5:30. “Is the guy here yet?” she asked.

“Not yet, Quinn.” Robert Allen responded.

Quinn sighed. “How hard is it to find a special effects person?”

“He’s probably a little late.”

“I know, but I don’t want to wait too long.”

Quentin found the Historia and went inside. He took out the note he had made. “Interview will be in the theater, not the café or bookstore,” he reminded himself as he looked around. He saw that the café was to the right of the lobby and the bookstore to the left. The theater doors were straight ahead.

“There he is,” Robert said.

“Finally,” Quinn said.

The man looked around. “I’m looking for a Quinn Morgendorffer?” he asked. “About a special effects position.”

“You have found her,” Quinn said. “Quentin Beck is it?”

“Yes.”

Quentin looked at the girl. For girl she was. Short brown hair in pigtails and the curves of adolescence he was definitely ignoring. “Is there an adult I can talk to?” he asked.

“I am in charge here,” Quinn said.

Quentin was dubious. “Yeah right.”

“I run the Historia’s theater. That is the people side. That means I do the interviews.”

“So, there is someone else?”

“There is my sister, but she’s not much of a people person,” Quinn answered. “She makes the decisions about what plays to put on because she knows that stuff. She’s also only a year and half older. There is also Robert here. He’s my age. So’s the other partner.”

Quentin couldn’t quite believe it. “Four young teens running a theater bookshop café?”

“Young? Not that young, I turn 16 later this month!” Quinn said. “Besides, there is an adult working for us who manages the café, but it’s her day off.”

Quentin took that in. “Let’s get started then.”

“I have looked at your CV, it’s quite impressive…” Quinn began.

Quinn felt that there wasn’t much choice. Other applicants had been willing to look past their young age, or hadn’t even mentioned it. But none of them had had Beck’s level of experience. In Hollywood no less. (Which made her a little suspicious about why he would come to some troubled town in Pennsylvania.) She was willing to put up with his condescending attitude, and she knew that Daria and the others trusted her to make the right decision. “You’re hired.”

“Right away?” Beck asked.

“Yes. I like what I see.”

“Thanks. When do I start?”

“Tomorrow, rehearsals are starting for one of our first plays,” Quinn answered.

“Rehearsals on a Sunday? And how long have you been running?” Beck asked.

“Three weeks. Six weeks if we count the refurbishment period,” Quinn answered, “The place has really proven popular amongst Lawndale’s teens, so we want to keep that up. Many of the actors are also teens, so it’s best that we start on the weekend.”

Daria saw Quinn come back backstage. “How did it go?” she asked.

“A little touchy,” Quinn answered.

“Touchy?” Daria asked.

“He was incredulous that a teen like myself was running the theatre.”

“I would have been incredulous myself if I wasn’t one of them.”

“That’s true,” Quinn considered. “But he’s hired. His credentials are peccable.”

“You mean, impeccable.”

Quinn giggled. “Impeccable, right. But he was condescending.”

“Then why hire him?”

“Because the other applicants had little or no experience. We need someone experienced.”

“I can’t argue with that,” Daria responded.

After the interview, Quentin left the Historia to find the hotel he would be staying in until he could find a rental.

SpiderGirl looked out over Lawndale from the top of the Historia as the stars came out. She hoped that the upcoming play would go on without too many troubles. ‘Lawndale has been through a lot. Increasing crime. Groundhog Day. Brownouts. Teens and their families need something to enjoy that’s not the usual.’ She heard sirens somewhere to the south. ‘Responsibility calls.’

When Daria got home, she found that Jane Lane was waiting for her in her room.

“Your Mom said I could wait up here,” Jane said, as she looked at the wall where she had been putting various newspaper articles on.

“That’s fine,” Daria said. “Quinn and I have found a special effects person for the theater.”

“Took long enough,” Jane said as she turned away from the wall.

“And so, our productions will have extra flair.”

“And not just my contributions to the set design.”

“Of course,” Daria said.

Jane turned back to the wall. “Wait! It says here you know who the fourth vigilante is? Since when?”

“Last night, but I’m keeping that to myself.”

“So, you can continue to take advantage of her powers to investigate Oscorp? I get it.”

“It’s not just that,” Daria said. “Let’s get back on topic.”

“Right.” Jane went over to the bed and sat on it. “So, you think Lawndale is ready for your take on Shakespeare?”

“It may be cynical, but it also points to hope in the face of change.”

Quinn emerged from her closet. “Still needs work,” she said, referring to the pully mechanisms hiding her SpiderGirl gear. ‘Oiling the chains and bearings didn’t work,’ she thought, as it was still a little noisy. She clapped on her desk lamp and grabbed her sketchbook. ‘How to make it quieter?’

Shortly afterwards, dinner was ready, and Jane joined the Morgendorffers for it, as their mother had asked her to it.

“Jane, how have you and Trent been holding up, given what’s going on in town?”

“Quite fine, Mrs. Morgendorffer,” Jane answered. “Groundhog Day was the big shock of course. But the brownouts didn’t affect our part of town.”

“Good to hear,” Helen said. She turned to Quinn. “So, you found a special effects person?”

“Yes,” Quinn answered, and she launched into a description of how Beck was condescending and her decision to hire him anyway.

“Remember that usually, teens aren’t usually heavily involved in running things as you are,” Helen said.

“It’s not that heavy,” Quinn said.

“I know it’s still part time,” Helen said. “But between that and school, you’re working more than full time.”

Quinn nodded.

“And the same for you, Daria,” Helen said. “Even if you aren’t working in the bookshop as much as Quinn is in the café.”

“True,” Daria said.

“That along with your investigation. I saw that note,” Helen said.

“What note?” Quinn asked.

“I know the identity of the fourth vigilante,” Daria confessed.

“Oh, and you’re keeping it to yourself?” Quinn asked, curiously.

Daria nodded. “I promised her I would.”

“I can’t argue with that,” Quinn said in an intrigued tone.

“And you, Jane?” Helen asked.

“I haven’t done that much with the set design yet.”

Quinn thought about what Daria had revealed. ‘It makes sense that she would protect the Enigma’s identity if she’s working with her. But is it reciprocal? Should I tell Brittany?’ She ate a piece of lasagne. She decided that she would tell Brittany.

After the dinner, Jane headed home. She wanted to talk to Trent about what Daria had revealed, before he would go to play at the Zon/Zen with the rest of Mystik Spiral.

Not far across Lawndale, Sandi Griffin had had dinner and was ready to search for another person. ‘Philippa Bynon two nights ago,’ she thought as she opened the yearbook. After Phillipa was Natalia Charles. She downed the energy drink. “Findu mann sem heiter: Natalia Charles.”

She found Natalia in Crew Necke, near the Taylor’s. ‘I guess it’s not her.’

She then turned back to what she was doing before dinner. Looking at the Historia’s list of upcoming plays online.

“Tempest, by Daria Morgendorffer, based on The Tempest by William Shakespeare.”

Sandi had looked over The Tempest, she had found the plot intriguing, and she was curious as to what Daria’s take on it would be.

Trent was getting ready to leave when Jane got home. “How was dinner?” he asked.

“The usual Morgendorffer fair. The one thing I don’t miss about Mr. Morgendorffer is his overuse of spices.”

“Daria had told me.”

“And the Historia has found a special effects person,” Jane said.

“That’s still strange. That Daria and Quinn are running a theatre.”

“It still seems strange to me too. As strange as two of Lawndale’s now five hero vigilantes actually having powers.”

“What do you know of this apparent fifth?” Trent asked.

“Nothing, other than that she helped SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon resolve the brownouts. Speaking of., Daria knows the identity of the fourth vigilante.”

“Really?” Trent asked.

“She said that she promised her that she would keep the secret.”

“I guess she also knows the hero name too.”

“I’d think that would be obvious,” Jane said.

Shortly before midnight. The Shadow returned to Glen Oaks Lane. She took up a position in a tree in a yard a few lots to the east of the Morgendorffers, where she could clearly see the side of the Morgendorffers’ house and that Daria and Quinn’s lights were still on. ‘Let’s see if the fourth vigilante would show up.’

Sandi approached the Morgendorffers house from the backyard as was now usual. ‘It doesn’t matter that we know that we’re both vigilantes,’ she thought, to reassure herself as she looked at Daria’s room.

The Shadow saw Sandi climb in through the side window. ‘Sneaking in, Sandi?’ she asked herself. She had thought that Sandi was still going through the front door when she investigated at night with Daria. ‘I guess that’s one way of avoiding Quinn.’

“What are we doing tonight?” Sandi asked as she looked at the wall.

“Oscorp again,” Daria answered.

“Sure, but in what way?” Sandi asked. She glanced at the note. “Do others know?”

“All I have said is that I know and that I promised to keep the secret.”

Sandi nodded. “Then it’s reciprocal.”

“We will look at the offices in Main Street. See if we can hear anything going on after hours.”

“And you can fill me in on what’s happening at the theatre.”

“Of course,” Daria said as she reached for her staff.

“You’re taking that?”

“So, I have the option. I’m sure it’s the same for you.”

Sandi nodded.

The Shadow saw Daria and Sandi leave through the window. ‘I guess I could follow them, make sure they are safe.’ She then heard someone nearby.

“Who are you? Why are you in my yard?”

She rappelled down the tree. She recognised the girl as Phillipa Bynon, a grade below hers. “I’m the Shadow.”

Philippa looked at the Shadow. Why was one of the vigilantes in her yard? She had seen SpiderGirl swing by sometimes, but her neighborhood was still one of the quietest in Lawndale. “Again, why are you in my yard? Is it because you saw me toilet paper that Oscorp building?”

“No, that ‘s not it,” the Shadow said. “You can toilet paper any Oscorp buildings you want, apart from the Historia of course.”

“That’s not really an Oscorp building. And you deflected the question!”

“Fine! I was observing a few houses over. Strange comings and goings.”

“A few houses,” Philippa considered. “The Morgendorffers? What do you mean by strange comings and goings. Daria is reclusive, but otherwise there’s nothing strange there.”

“So, you haven’t seen the fourth vigilante?”

“No. I haven’t. I haven’t even seen Ninja Talon.”

“I believe you, but now I have to follow Daria and Sandi,” the Shadow said.

“Then I’m coming with you,” Philippa decided.

“Why?”

“Because they were with me when I toilet papered that building.”

“Fine!” the Shadow said. “As long as you are OK with going along rooftops once we’re downtown.”

“So, Tempest?” Sandi asked, after they had crossed a street.

“Yes, the Bard wrote a play based on the changes of the time, so I went on the same theme, regarding changes in a contemporary setting,” Daria answered.

“Small town, suburban, America, like Lawndale?”

Daria nodded.

“Maybe I’ll come to a performance.”

“You are welcome to.”

“Thanks.”

The Shadow and Phillipa weren’t far behind. “Wait,” Philippa said. “Were you saying that Daria is the fourth vigilante?”

“No.”

“Or that Daria is working with the fourth vigilante.”

“Yes,” the Shadow said. “As a way of investigating what is going on in Lawndale these past several months since SpiderGirl appeared.”

“And Oscorp it seems.”

“That too, although SpiderGirl seems to be involved in that too.”

Daria and Sandi arrived on Main Street, close to the Historia. “Which side?” Sandi asked.

“The south side,” Daria decided. “There are less there, so it won’t take too long.”

“You want to be rested for the rehearsals,” Sandi surmised.

“Exactly,” Daria said.

“No problem.”

Philippa was getting used to the exertions of clambering over rooftops. Then, they reached the Historia, which was a story taller than the other buildings. The Shadow fired the grapple gun again. “The Historia? Why?”

“It’s a good vantage point,” the Shadow answered, “we’ll be able to see up and down the street.”

“It’s just that my muscles are sore.”

“No problem. I can hold you if you want.”

“Maybe,” Philippa considered. “You can.”

[fardell24b]

Long Distance Prank Calls - Helen

Helen

It was a normal busy day at Vitale, et al.

The phone rang.

Marianne Kingston answered it. “Hello?”

“Hello…”

She hung up.

Helen Morgendorffer knew what happened. That boy from Springfield, North Takhoma yet again! “That has to stop,” she said.

“But, what can you do?” Marianne asked.

“I have an idea. Something Daria mentioned.”

“That sounds good.”

That evening, Marge Simpson was preparing dinner when the phone rang. She sighed and picked it up, knowing that Homer wouldn’t bother when he was engrossed in the TV. “Hello?”

“Is that Marge Simpson?”

“I’m Marge Simpson and you are?”

“Helen Morgendorffer. I’m calling because your son, Bart’s, prank calls are causing disruptions here in Lawndale.”

“I know about it. The charges are quite ridiculous compared to when he stuck to Springfield.”

“That’s not the only problem, Mrs. Simpson. He’s annoyed both of my daughters and riled up my husband,”

“I see,” Marge said.

“And you don’t want to see him when he’s riled up.”

“I will talk to him about it again.”

“Good. Otherwise I may need to take legal action,” Helen said.

“I can guess, your older daughter told me you’re a lawyer.”

“Yes, and you don’t want your son to face the full force of my ire!”

‘She’d probably file a restraining order!’ Marge considered. That was definitely something she didn’t want on Bart’s record. “And he won’t have to.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“Thanks for your call.”

After dinner, Marge called a family meeting.

“Oh, Marge, what do we need a family meeting for?” Homer asked.

“Because of Bart’s calls,” Marge answered.

“Really?” Bart asked.

“Yes,” Marge answered.

“So, someone in that town in that eastern state has tracked us down?” Homer asked.

“They knew it was a Simpson family from this flyover state a while ago,” Lisa answered.

“Oh,” Homer said.

“So, what about my calls?” Bart asked.

“Mrs. Morgendorffer spoke to me, Bart. You know that she’s a lawyer.”

“So?”

“She mentioned that she might take legal action! That could include a restraining order.”

Bart considered that. As much as he had caused trouble, he hadn’t thought about that. “Fine! I’ll stop calling Lawndale, nor anywhere else in Marylvania.

“Good! I shall write a letter and send it to them,” Marge said.

[fardell24b]

Church notes - 13th April 2025

13th Palm Sunday 100% Hope Dream from God Joseph didn't expect what happened.

Matthew 27:32 - 44 The women standing at a distance. Fear. All they could see was death. Hiding behind self imposed walls out of protection How to move on from tragedy? 'What if's can cripple. You need to make a decision to step into the presence of God. To worship Him. But pull away due to fear. He rescued us from sin. Trust Him regardless of what happens.

Luke 6:46 - 49 Stand on the rock.

Jeremiah 29:11

God can do the impossible.