#the culmination of my 8 year interest in ever after high dare i say

[gumjester]

cool so i'm doing this

i've finally gotten fed up of my own dilly-dallying around starting to publish my rewrite even though i already have 4 of the arcs planned out in their entirety, so we've just decided to say fuck it and go!!!!!!

if you would care to join me, i'm going to post the first chapter on friday 3rd march!! after that, each chapter will be posted every other friday.

i'd absolutely love for you guys to read it and tell me what you thought and ask any questions that might occur to you!! this piece means a lot to me as ive been working on it for 3 years now (????) 😭!!!!

the rewrite will be posted on my ao3, @/gumjokester (not gumjester!!). love ya!! hope to see u there <33333333

[fictionalnormalcy]

Face Amidst the Smoke Ch. 2

Rating: Explicit Word Count: 1320 Characters: Astrid Hofferson, Hiccup Haddock Summary: Astrid is paired for a project with someone who she is definitely not eager to work with. Haddock has a reputation of being a bad student, just a bad role model in general. But in being forced to work with one of the worst seniors in the school, she comes to see what is under this bad boy’s exterior… and she may be getting in over her head.

Seeking

“What do you mean?” I set the device down.

“You heard me.”

It was rare that those words ever came out of someone’s mouth. What phone couldn’t connect to the internet? Even toddlers had devices that could access the world wide web so they could watch their videos or play their games. He had to be making excuses.

“Let me see your phone.”

“Fuck off.” 

“So what do you plan on doing for the rest of the period?”

“There’s one of us actually holding a phone. Meaning you do the research, and I give the approval.”

“You’re not just going to sit there and do nothing.”

“You have any other suggestions?” He glared.

I knew he didn’t bring the supplies he actually needed, but he had to have a piece of paper. I took my notebook and tossed it on his desk.

“Start brainstorming. That way we can see what ideas we can merge or agree on.” 

“Then hand over the packet.” 

I continued my task, but I could see out of the corner of my eye that Hiccup had no interest. He flipped through the packet idly, soon enough putting it down and looking in the direction of the window. It was a rather misty day today, and there was rain in the forecast for the evening. I wanted to at least have a research topic chosen by the end of the period, but I also knew that with one of us researching not much was going to get done. The teacher would be okay with being given a topic a later day. 

The essay was due in three weeks, and the presentation would be a week after that. Which meant that this grade would be culminated by the efforts made in a month. As soon as the bell rang Hiccup had tossed the notebook on my desk, shoving aside anyone in his way to get out of the classroom. As I gathered my own things, I could swear that the teacher was giving me a glance of sympathy. We might’ve been better off working alone. Now he’d drag me down with him on his sinking ship.

Heather wound her arm through mine as we made our way out of the classroom. I could see that she had a sticky note attached to the clear plastic of her binder, a phone number written in burgundy ink. 

“I just have to say that you’re screwed.”

“Oh I know it.” An exasperated breath escaped me. 

“Of everyone to be stuck with, it had to be Haddock. The worst student in Hooligan High. You know he’s already been expelled from three other schools?”

“And the district board wanted to make the students suffer further by having to deal with him?”

“He’s just a problem they need to pass on. He has to drop out of his own volition.” 

I sighed. “He’s got an infuriating attitude, but we did just start. I have to hope that we’ll actually make progress.”

“Always an optimist, Asti.” She laughed. “You should talk to Mrs. Vaiker though. See if there’s something else you can do.”

“I can leave that as a last resort. For now I’ll be on his case about getting this done. He did show some interest in the assignment.”

“Yeah, but don’t try to push him too hard. I don’t want you to wind up getting stabbed.”

“Like that’ll happen.” I smirked. “He’ll have his own blade inside him before it even touches me. How dare you doubt my capabilities.”

I wondered if he actually carried a blade. The rumor had been floating around the school, but no one had ever reported being sliced or attacked. Maybe some students had been threatened, but been frightened enough not to say a word. The way he acted, it could be assumed that he did walk around armed. 

“Maybe you should bring pepper spray or something. You’ll be stuck with him for this project, you’ll need proper protection.” 

“Can’t go pick it up today. Got a shift from 4:30-8 later.”

“They’re making you work on a weekday?” Her eyes widened.

“Hey, better I work a few hours today then cram in eight hours on Saturday. We have practice in the morning, if you haven’t forgotten.” 

“Right, a day that the Berkian fog will be nonexistent. Hey, I’ll come by and visit you then! I’ve been in the mood for a hazelnut latte.” 

“You just want the discount.” I grinned.

“A friend at the Nadder’s Nook has its benefits. See you then?”

Her arm left mine, and she turned in one direction while I went in another. I hadn’t even gotten to mention that he didn’t have a proper cell phone. It was just fuel for her seeing Haddock in an even worse image. I couldn’t help but boggle at his statement. A phone without access to the internet. How much did his parents hate him that they had to limit him in that way? I could only hope that he hadn’t already torn up that index card, that he was going to find some form of internet and do his own research. He’d kept the packet, and I had enough know-how to be able to make progress when I had the chance. 

I also had Heather as a resource. She’d be able to send me pictures of whatever I needed. I wished I could do the same for Hiccup. Make headway in the evening by sending him pictures of the topics we could do. I had neglected to ask for his number, considering the fact that he didn’t even want to hand his cell phone over. It was crucial. If I was going to be worrying myself this much, I needed to make that I had his commitment and could hold him to it. I’d find him at the end of the school day. He couldn’t be that hard to find. Dagur had to know where he was.

His favored spots on where to go and smoke a cigarette. After school it wouldn’t be difficult to find him. Just look for that cloud of gray and the smell of tobacco. Find that face already having seen me as I strode toward them. As I watched the clock in my remaining classes, I had time to debate whether or not it was the right thing to do. The number could wait until tomorrow. Then again, he may not even show up for class. He is known to ditch as well. Heather was afraid he’d threaten me with his blade. I felt that he would give me the same response as earlier.

Not wanting to hand over his phone. Be completely closed off. May just ignore me completely, act like I didn’t even exist. I definitely would not appreciate if he blew smoke in my face. 

When the bell rung, I carefully packed my things. Hoping not to regret what I was about to do. I found Dagur, he was was next to the exit gate, watching the students exit the school. Dagur would be one of the only people who knew where he was. He was only a couple years older than us, but he was one of the security guards who knew what most students were up to. He may be a little eccentric, but he meant well and got along well with the other teenagers. 

He gave me three locations. I wanted to try one, if he wasn’t there, wasn’t worth it. I tried to hide the surprise that Dagur knew where Hiccup may have been. Then again, he was a security guard. If he didn’t know where Hiccup liked to do his illegal habits, what kind of school supervisor was he? I headed toward the patch of trees near the east side of the football stadium. 

I had thought he wasn’t there, until a plume of smoke went up from behind a trunk.

[cassie1604]

The day started gazing up at the Liver birds, Bertie and Bella, perched on top of the Liver Building and would end with more birds… birds that I had waited my whole adult life to see.

First stop, The Museum of Liverpool.  There is no entrance fee, so there is no excuse and there is a wealth of things to see and learn about, so you need to allow yourself plenty of time.

John and Yoko bed-in for peace, 1969. Photo borrowed from Wikipedia

We only allowed ourselves time to see the Double Fantasy exhibition – the story of John and Yoko.  This exhibition has not been shown anywhere else in the world and it is incredibly detailed and poignant.  A must see.

It features art, music, and film produced by both John and Yoko, as well as interviews with family following John’s untimely death in 1980.  There is so much to take in and, without hesitation, I would go and see it again.

“Everything was made out of love. We found that we were both very strongly interested in world peace. I feel John and I are still working together. I always feel his warmth next to me.”

Yoko Ono Lennon

As a visitor to Liverpool, you should take a ferry trip.  Where to?  Across the Mersey, of course.

The song Ferry Cross the Mersey was made famous by Gerry and the Pacemakers but, on 25th August 1961, the Fab Four made the first of four appearances aboard the MV Iris, AKA the Fish and Chip Boat.

These gigs were known as  Riverboat Shuffles and were promoted by the then owner of The Cavern, Ray McFall, and featured a wide range of performers, including Acker Bilk, trad jazz clarinetist, and his Paramount Jazz Band.

There are various ferry cruises available, including evening cruises with live music.  The daytime cruises stop at Seacombe, the home of  Spaceport, where you can experience ‘life beyond the stars’ and at Woodside, where you can ‘view the amazing life on board a real German U-boat at the U-Boat Story.’

A ferry trip is also a great opportunity to see this magnificent city from another prospective, in all its iconic glory.

“NOT SINCE THE HEADY DAYS OF THE SIXTIES HAS MERSEYSIDE BUZZED LIKE IT DOES NOW.”

ec.europa.eu

In 2012, a new landing stage for the ferries at Pier Head was opened to replace the original which sank in 2006.  The total cost was £8 Million and, it is interesting to note, that a contribution of £3.8 Million came from the European Regional Development Fund.  Remind me again why we are leaving the EU?

As morning blurred into mid-afternoon we drifted back to Aether at Liverpool One and tucked into Yu Donut’s uber-delicious duck with Cantonese noodles and prawn toast, washed down with a fine Blush.  We will return!

It was the perfect meal to set us up for my long awaited mind-blowing experience.  The Eagles in concert at the M and S Bank Arena.

Liverpudlians celebrating in 2008, kicking off a year-long celebration and signalling the culmination of a decade of regeneration in the city.

Plans to develop the underused site at Liverpool’s Kings Dock emerged in 2000 and the M and S Bank Arena (formerly The Echo Arena) with its 11,000 capacity, opened its doors on 12th January 2008.

It coincided with the official opening ceremony for the European Capital of Culture launching ‘a year-long celebration and signalling the culmination of a decade of regeneration in the city.’

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M and S Bank Aerena

Would you believe that £50 Million of this £160 Million M and S Arena project came from the EU? Please remind me, again, why we are leaving?

When you want to see the Eagles, but you haven’t got a ticket…

When the house lights dimmed, the packed M and S Bank Arena fell silent, the air wired with excited anticipation. You know the band has silently slipped on to the stage, but only their silhouettes are visible.  Then they launch into acapella mode and the stage becomes alive with a kaleidoscope of light as they kicked off what turned out to be a two and a half hour concert (without a break) with Seven Bridges Road.

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Eagles, Liverpool M and S Bank Arena, 30th June 2019

It’s a weird feeling being there, in the flesh, knowing you are about to witness something great. It’s magical and surreal at the same time and you need to pinch yourself to realise that you really are there.

I have bought all their albums and I know all their songs.  I have been word perfect since Desperado was released in 1973.  Since then, I have seen have them perform on TV and bought all the videos, but I had never seen them live.

After the untimely death of founding member Glenn Frey in 2016, I panicked, wondering if my favourite band of all time would ever tour again. Glenn’s boots were pretty big to fill, but in 2018 they added Vince Gill to the line-up, as well as with Glenn’s eldest son, Deacon. So I thought I needed to get my act together and go and see them as Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit and Steuart Smith (Steuart has played with the Eagles for years, so why isn’t he an official member of the band?) had entered their seventh decade. It was time to do something about it.  The tickets were booked months ago.

Like father, like son. Deacon Frey leaves you with that peaceful easy feeling.

Ahh, Deacon with his easygoing demeanor and killer vocals, he really is a chip off the old block and his father would be so proud of him.  I dare say that, with Deacon on board, he will be attracting a much younger set of fans.

Their flawless harmonies took us back in time.  Their voices are strong as ever and their musicianship is unsurpassed.

Timothy B Schmit singing Love Will Keep Us Alive… just for me…

Timothy B. Schmit singing Love Will Keep Us Alive, just for me,😉 was emotional, as was Glenn Frey’s photograph appearing on the screen after his son’s amazing performance of Peaceful Easy Feeling.  Don Henley’s rendition of Desperado was par excellence; his voice is better than ever.

It was a mind-blowing experience and I feel so privileged to have been there. The band members have all gone their own ways in the past but, oh, they are so good together.

I lost count of the curtain calls and they just kept on coming back.  We left the arena with that peaceful, easy feeling which led us to the Revolution bar in Albert Docks. We stayed there longer than intended, with other Eagles fans who, like us, could not quite believe what we had just witnessed.  So it’s hardly surprising I returned home to Jersey on such a high, having waited such a long time to see the Eagles soar.

Before I go off an another EU GOW Rant, I will leave you with the Eagles and Seven Bridges Road, which was recorded in Manchester on 26th June 2019, four nights before their concert in Liverpool.

FLYING HIGH The day started gazing up at the Liver birds, Bertie and Bella, perched on top of the…