#thread farley 1

[siadai]

[tw: toxic relationship dynamics, mentions of suicide]

There are indomitable forces in the universe that are simply beyond explanation. For example — how is it possible that despite the vastness of New York City and the propagation of what must be over a thousand nightclubs, Lightning Surannawat finds himself once more under the same blare of scarlet lights as the demonic bastard who has ruined his life over and over again? He spots them across the hazy sea of inebriated individuals as though knowing they were there by instinct, a figure so unmistakable to him because it has belonged to him for some ten years now. Or, well, it had belonged to him — because according to their last fight it would be their final fight, that Lightning would sooner kill himself than willingly see Farley’s face ever again.

Funnily enough, Lightning would be found half-dead the next day, and really, it was an accident of arrogance more than anything else: an ardent belief that he could always handle more, being himself a god and entirely invincible, fuelled by a gluttonous desire to inundate himself with sensations in order to escape the fear that it might actually actually be their very last fight. And the next few weeks were a blur — he doesn’t know how he got to the hospital, he doesn’t even know how long he was out, but when he awoke his younger sister was there giving him the tongue lashing of a lifetime, telling him that he was to return home the moment he was released by the hospital, and that was when he had snuck out of the hospital and, well, run into hiding. That was a month or two ago, and now he had returned to New York City.

And almost immediately, the inexplicable forces of the universe that have never allowed the two entwined souls to part for too long once more manipulated the paths of their fates, for better or for worse. Lightning doesn’t approach Farley immediately: the right time will come. It always does. This time, it comes when Lightning steps through the door to the terrace to smoke. He never carries cigarettes with him, always reliant on the generosity of drunk fools. He is faced with the ever-piercing gaze of Farley Erskine Corcoran IV, and there is always something about looking them in the eye, because the emotions rush to Lightning’s chest and throat, that intense yet familiar taste of acidic rage and pitless hurt and fiery passion all at once, something that the other has always without fail evoked in him. It is an addicting feeling. He has almost missed it.    

“Did you miss me?” Lightning asks, his tone mocking, without a doubt meant to irritate and provoke, stepping into the space in front of Farley as though this space were his to seize as he desired, as though nothing has happened and the other belongs still to him and him alone. Without caring to ask for permission, he slips his hand into the inner right pocket of Farley’s suit jacket, drawing the ever-familiar cigarette case from within. His tremulous fingers fumble with the clasp, taking several moments to open the case. It is even a struggle to take a cigarette out of the case and bring it to his lips, and both of them are well aware enough of why that is. Lightning waits patiently for the other to light the cigarette that dangles from his lips.

@pangkuphos​

[theofficialastronomy101]

🌟NGC 2467 "Skull and Crossbones"🌟 Top 30

I have officially begin my TOP 30 Countdown of my most memorable astronomy photography of THREADS. Direct link is below 👇

This Photograph won Astronomy Photo of the year in 4 different Countries in 2020, 2021, 2022 and won 1 astronomy bronze award in 2022.

[gotham-ruaidh]

Little Bit Better Than I Used To Be

Catch up: Chapter 1 (Starry Eyes) || Chapter 2 (Save Our Souls) || Chapter 3 (Dancing On Glass)|| Chapter 4 (Merry-Go-Round)|| Backstage (1) || Backstage (2) || Chapter 5 (Danger)|| Backstage (3) || Chapter 6A (Love Walked In) || Chapter 6B (Without You) || Backstage (4) || Chapter 7 (Stick To Your Guns) || Chapter 8 (Time For Change) || Backstage (5) || Chapter 9 (Take Me To The Top) || Backstage (6) || Chapter 10 (Home Sweet Home) || Backstage (7) || Chapter 11a (Nightrain) || Chapter 11b (Nothing Else Matters) ||| Also posted at AO3

Chapter 12A: Handle With Care

Been beat up and battered 'round // Been sent up, and I've been shot down You're the best thing that I've ever found // Handle me with care

Soundtrack: “Handle With Care,” Traveling Wilburys, 1988 [click here to listen]

New York City || January 1988

“Watch out!”

Claire Beauchamp hoisted her overnight bag to hang from her shoulder at a different angle, biting back an insult at the man who’d just shoved into her. Nothing good would come from a confrontation, but she still flipped a middle finger from the safety of her pocket.

It was a typical weeknight rush hour at Penn Station – the squashed labyrinth that was such a poor substitute to the grand cathedral to train travel that had been so ruthlessly demolished in the 1960s. Commuters flitted across the concourse, coattails and long winter scarves flying behind as they ran to catch trains to Oyster Bay or Pennsauken. Huddled up against the walls stood the motley crew of homeless, beggars, prostitutes, drunks, and hustlers who tried to stay invisible or plied their trade among the crowd.

She’d been warned against pickpockets, and accepting “taxi” rides from strangers who approached solo women. Her fist clenched around the piece of paper she’d torn from the notebook kept by the phone in her shoebox Boston apartment, where just yesterday she’d scribbled the instructions…

Cross the Amtrak concourse. Up the stairs to the street – the Eighth Avenue side. Up the stairs of the old Farley Post Office. Third column from the left.

Cold air blasted at the top of the escalator at street level. She shoved her hands deeper into her pockets, narrowly avoiding being hit by two boys wearing Rangers jerseys. Stepped around a large puddle as she crossed Eighth Avenue. Kept her head up as she approached the post office, counting columns.

Immediately she knew it was him – though he was a good fifty yards away. Leaning against the dirty old column, long legs crossed, collar of an ancient leather jacket turned up against the cold.

He saw her immediately, too. Stood up straight. Patient.

He took her hands – so cold – at the top of the stairs.

“Why didn’t you bring gloves?”

“Why are you wearing sunglasses at night?”

“I didn’t realize you were a Corey Hart fan,” he teased, grin widening.

She threaded her fingers through his. “Hi,” she breathed.

Jamie stepped closer, still smiling. Kissed Claire long and sweet in the shadow of the column, with hundreds of people bustling by. Anonymous.

--

“And you’re sure it’s not putting him out to have me there, too?”

He hadn’t let go of her hand, and squeezed it, shifting a bit to re-fold his legs in the cramped back seat of the yellow cab.

“It’s definitely not. I’ve told him a lot about you. I hope you don’t mind. He’s really eager to meet you.”

She watched the long string of streetlights dotted down the avenue shift to green. “All right. But I still don’t understand why you won’t tell me who he is.”

“You’ll meet him soon enough.” He brought the back of her hand to his lips for a kiss. “And before you ask – you’ll have your own room. Like we talked about.”

They’d finished treatment at The Ridge just a few weeks apart – he the day after Thanksgiving, she the week before Christmas. Today was their first time together since Thanksgiving morning, in North Carolina, where she cried as he kissed her goodbye and stepped in the limousine that took him to the airport and a private plane back to Los Angeles. He’d called her at The Ridge every day, and then at her apartment in Boston once she returned there.

Because it was definitely, truly real between them. Something in their souls called out to each other. Claire was right – they were each other’s reset from a life that they hadn’t wanted. Now they wanted nothing but a life with each other.

But the Real World was hard – so, so hard. She was still on indefinite leave from the hospital; his band Print was still on hiatus, though thankfully his bloodsucking manager didn’t harass him every day anymore (he’d broken off that business arrangement, thanks to the intervention of Ned Gowan, a fellow patient at The Ridge who turned out to have quite a sharp legal mind when he wasn’t smoking crack). They had returned to their “normal” places, but struggled to build new normal routines.

They talked every day – multiple times a day – running up an astronomical long distance bill that Jamie said he’d pay for Claire. They talked about the people they knew at The Ridge, and the mundane things each of them had done that day, and crazy people Claire had seen in the grocery store, and kind fan letters Jamie had received. They talked about Jamie’s plans to do a string of acoustic concerts in the spring, testing out the dozen new songs he’d written at The Ridge (and since his return) about Claire, and sobriety, and finding strength, and Claire. And they talked about Claire’s plan to return to work, but perhaps as a family physician rather than the pressure cooker of surgery. And they talked about the life they’d build, and the places they could live.

They agreed to take their relationship slow. Not just because of his history with women – but because they could. He invited her to his house in LA, and quickly said that the guest wing was really great and completely at her disposal. She invited him to her cramped Back Bay apartment, and offered her lumpy couch.

All of it was like a dream. So when last night Jamie had asked her to meet him in New York, she didn’t realize that he meant the next day. Because that would make the dream real. Transform the voice on the phone to the living, breathing man that had held the taxi door open for her, and insisted she meet his new sobriety sponsor.

“I know you told me last night how you were introduced to him. But it’s a bit of a blur. Would you mind telling me again?”

He traced the back of her hand with his thumb. “Dougal introduced us.”

“Dougal MacKenzie? From The Ridge?”

He nodded. “They’ve known each other for a long, long time. Ran in some of the same circles, back in the 60s. This guy was living down the street from The Vanguard – that’s a jazz club in Greenwich Village. He and his band would go there every night to check out Dougal’s quartet. I think Dougal played saxophone. Anyway, he and Dougal shared a mutual interest in two things – jazz, and smack. They had the same dealer and everything.”

“But I assume he’s clean now?”

“Yup. He and Dougal got clean around the same time. Dougal left the big city and started The Ridge. This guy stayed. Almost lost his band and his wife. But he’s stronger than ever. And I want to do that, Claire. I want to be like him.”

The cab braked to a stop in front of a handsome brownstone. Claire fished in her pocket for a twenty, and slipped it through the plexiglass divider next to the driver before Jamie could even blink.

He huffed. “I’ll get your bag out of the trunk.”

--

A kindly, middle-aged woman answered the door when Jamie knocked. “You must be Claire! Come in, get out of the cold.”

Claire stepped through the entryway and shrugged out of her coat, hanging it on the coatrack. The entryway opened into a foyer – a staircase hugged the wall at one end, and the long, narrow hallway ended in what could only be the kitchen. Framed gold records – at least a dozen – dotted the wall along the hallway.

“I’ll take your bag to the guest room.” Jamie was already halfway up the stairs.

Claire turned to her hostess. The woman appeared to be in her fifties – laugh lines creased her eyes, and her blonde hair was twisted in a chic bun. “Thank you so much again for your hospitality – ”

“Oh! How rude of me. I’m Glenna.”

Claire gently shook the offered hand. “Thank you, Glenna. You have a beautiful home.”

Glenna smiled. “My husband and I bought it with the advance from his second record, back in ’65. We’ve fixed it all up, over the years. Having projects here really helped him once he got clean, because he had something to really focus on.”

Claire nodded. “Are you – ”

“In recovery? No – I never touched the smack, or anything else. Our daughter was born right before his first record, and then our son a few years later. I couldn’t be high and take care of them, too.” She paused. “Jamie said you met at The Ridge?”

Claire nodded. “Pills. Halcions, mostly. I’m a surgeon, and I threw my career away after my divorce. It’s funny to say, but Jamie was the absolutely last thing that I needed.”

Glenna shook her head. “That’s how it always works, honey. It was the same with me and Alec. Here I am, minding my own business, working as a typist at Columbia Records, when this group of four scruffy guys in sunglasses and leather jackets and motorcycle boots shuffle in to see their A&R guy. Alec took one look at me, and the next thing I know I’m down at the Village Vanguard and he’s holding my hand. We got married six weeks later. That was 34 years ago.”

Claire blinked. “That’s some story.”

“It’s all true.” A middle-aged man appeared from down the hall, kitchen towel slung over his shoulder. “She almost divorced me when I blew ten grand on smack instead of pay the kids’ school tuition. But somehow she stuck with me.” He reached out a hand, smiling kindly. “Alec MacMahon. Welcome to our home.”

Jamie padded softly down the stairs.

Claire frowned a bit, then it dawned on her.

“Alec MacMahon?” she said a bit dumbly. “Holy shit. I had an Uprising poster on my bedroom wall in high school.”

“Which one? The Master of the Horse album cover?” Jamie stepped next to Claire, grinning.

She nodded, mind still processing. “I wore out the record, I listened to it so much.”

Alec smiled. “Well, thanks for buying it. Put my son through college, that record did. But I’m a terrible host. Let’s take a seat in the living room.”

To be continued...

[toonabby]

Q1 (January to March) anniversary recap thread:

Here's a listed of works that celebrated their milestone anniversaries this year and people who celebrated their milestone birthdays that I missed last quarter, as well as works that released this year:

[Note that this draft was made in March 31, but I didn't have enough time to post it, hence why it's here]

1964 and earlier:

Colonel Heeza Liar's African Hunt - January 10, 1914

Gertie the Dinosaur - February 18, 1914

Colonel Heeza Liar Shipwrecked - March 14, 1914

Janet Waldo✝️(Late American voice actress known for portraying Judy Jetson from The Jetsons) - February 4, 1919

Felix Out of Luck - January 1, 1924

Ron Moody✝️(Late British actor, singer, and composer) - Born January 8, 1924

Felix Loses Out - January 15, 1924

Felix 'Hyps' the Hippo, Colonel Heeza Liar's Mysterious Case - February 1, 1924

Felix Crosses the Crooks - February 15, 1924

Felix Tries to Rest - February 29, 1924

Alice's Day at Sea - March 1, 1924

Yanky Clippers - January 21, 1929

Sick Cylinders - February 18, 1929

James Hong (Chinese-American actor known for Mr. Ping in the KFP franchise) - Born February 22, 1929

Bob Uecker (Former MLB player) - Born January 26, 1934

Barry Humphries✝️(Late Australian actor known for portraying Bruce in Finding Nemo) - Born February 17, 1934

Hamateur Night - January 28, 1939

Mickey's Surprise Party - February 18, 1939

Ferdinand the Bull - February 23, 1939

Goofy and Wilbur - March 17, 1939

Jerry Springer✝️(Late American comedian) - Born February 13, 1944

R. Lee Ermey✝️(Late American actor and Marine drill instructor) - Born March 24, 1944

Adventures of Pow Wow - January 30, 1949

Pat Farley (American voice actor for Krang, Casey Jones and Baxter Stockman in the 80's TMNT series) - Born February 18, 1949

Oprah Winfrey - Born January 29, 1954

Shigeru China (Veteran Japanese voice actor) - Born February 4, 1954

James Carter Cathcart AKA Jimmy Zoppi (Retired NY-based voice actor known for portraying James, Meowth, and Pros. Oak) - Born March 8, 1954

Clancy Brown (voice actor for Mr. Krabs) - Born January 6, 1959

Sleeping Beauty (1959) - January 29

Clutch Cargo (1959) - March 9

The Magilla Gorilla Show - January 14

Michelle Obama - Born January 17

Mika Kanai (Japanese voice actress for Vanilla H, Satoko Houjou, and Histoire) - Born March 18

1969:

Mr. Lawrence (American animator and recurring voice actor in SpongeBob SquarePants) - Born January 1

Himitsu no Ako-chan - January 6

Patton Oswalt (American comedian) - Born January 27

Lee Toker (Canadian voice actor for Bling-Bling Boy, The Roach, and Snips) - Born February 11

Paget Brewster (voice actor for Elise Pearson, Della Duck, and Judy Ken Sebben) - Born March 10

Kevin Shinick (producer of MAD) - Born March 19

1974:

Heidi, Girl of the Alps - January 6

Christian Bale (English actor beat known for portraying Batman) - January 30

Vicky the Viking - January 31

Seth Green (American voice actor for Chris Griffin and creator of/recurring voice actor for Robot Chicken) - February 8

Bagpuss - February 12

Kamen Rider X - February 16

1979:

Amigo and Friends - January 1

Julie the Wild Rose - January 4

Battle Fever J - February 3

Josh Keaton (American voice actor for Spider-Man) - February 8

Maryke Hendrikse (Canadian voice actor for Susan Test, Revy, and Gilda) - February 23

1984:

Katri, Girl of the Meadows - January 8

Kaiji Tang (LA-based voice actor for Archer, Fang, and Jinshi) - Born January 25

Cristina Miliza (voice actress for Poison Ivy, Jessica Cruz, and Charlene) - Born February 1

Choudenshi Bioman - February 4

Ian Sinclair - Born March 2

Lupin III Part III - March 3

James the Cat - March 10

Future Boy Conan and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind - March 11

Doraemon: Nobita's Great Adventure into the Underworld - March 17

1989:

Marianne Bray (Crunchyroll English dub voice actress for Charlotte Flampe, Mia Christoph, and Ichigo Saotome) - Born February 6

Chip & Dale: Rescue Rangers, Kousoku Sentai Turboranger - March 4

Doraemon: Nobita and the Birth of Japan - March 11

Babar - March 28

1994:

Reina Ueda (Japanese voice actress) - Born January 17

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - February 2

Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? - February 5

Ninja Sentai Kakuranger - February 18

Dakota Fanning (American actress and daughter of Steve Fanning) - Born February 23

Duckman - March 5

The Busy World of Richard Scarry - March 9

Alan Ituriel (Mexican creator and voice actor for Villainous) - March 10

Doraemon: Nobita's Three Visionary Swordsmen and Dragon Ball Z: Broly - Second Coming - March 12

Super Metroid - March 19

Thumbelina - March 30

1999:

The PJs - January 10

The Brothers Flub - January 17

Super Smash Bros - January 21

Zoboomafoo and Dilbert - January 25

TNK (Japanese animation studio known for School Days and High School DxD) - January 29, 1999

A Little Curious - February 1

Power Rangers Lost Galaxy - February 6

Ojamajo Doremi - February 7

Mario Party (US) - February 8

Final Fantasy VIII - February 11

Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive - February 21

Babar: King of the Elephants - February 26

Joshua David King (Africa-American voice actor and singer) - Born February 28

WonderSwan - March 4

Doraemon: Nobita Drifts in the Universe - March 6

Tarzan of the Apes - March 9

Neo Geo Pocket Color - March 16

Doug's 1st Movie - March 26

2004:

Drake & Josh - January 11

Seven Little Monsters - January 14

Vocaloid - January 15

Teacher's Pet - January 16

Whoopi's Littleburg - January 18

The Koala Brothers, Boohbah - January 19

Kamen Rider Blade - January 25

Winx Club - January 28

The Lion King 1½ - February 10

Power Rangers Dino Thunder - February 14

Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger - February 15

Clifford's Really Big Movie - February 20

Duel Masters - February 27

Tripping the Rift - March 4

Doraemon: Nobita in the Wan-Nyan Spacetime Odyssey - March 7

Game Over - March 10

Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed - March 26

2009:

Huntik: Secrets & Seekers, Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight - January 3

The Electric Company - January 19

Wolverine and the X-Men - January 23

Kamen Rider Decade - January 25

Olivia - January 26

Hulk Vs - January 27

RuPaul's Drag Race - February 2

Coraline - February 6

Friday the 13th remake - February 13

Samurai Sentai Shinkenger - February 15

Madea Goes to Jail - February 20

League of Super Evil - March 5

Watchmen - March 6

Doraemon: The New Record of Nobita: Spaceblazer, Power Rangers RPM - March 7

The Amazing Spiez! - March 15

Barbie Thumbelina - March 17

Pretty Cure All Stars DX - March 20

Monsters Vs. Aliens - March 27

2014:

Every Witch Way - January 1

BeyWarriors: BeyRaiderz, Space Dandy, Seitokai Yakuindomo - January 4

Noragami - January 5

D-Frag, Robot Girls Z, Super Sonic: The Animation - January 6

Numb Chucks - January 7

Engage to the Unidentified - January 8

Go! Go! 575 - January 9

No-Rin, Wake Up Girls - January 10

Nisekoi - January 11

Tesagure! Bukatsu-mono Encore - January 12

The Nut Job - January 17

Sheriff Callie's Wild West, The Idolmaster Movie: Beyond the Brilliant Future! - January 25

The Lego Movie - February 7

Barbie: The Pearl Princess, Power Rangers Super Megaforce - February 15

Ressha Sentai ToQger - February 16

Peabody and Mr. Sherman - March 7

Pretty Rhythm: All Star Selection - March 8

Cardfight!! Vanguard: Legion Mate - March 9

Nerds and Monsters - March 12

Pretty Cure All Stars New Stage 3 - March 15

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth2: SISTERS GENERATION - March 20

Muppets Most Wanted - March 21

2019:

Abby Hatcher - January 1

Dororo remake - January 7

The Rising of the Shield Hero - January 9

The Quintessential Quintuplets - January 10

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War - January 12

The Magnificent Kotobuki - January 13

Gigantosaurus - January 18

Gen:Lock - January 26

Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty - January 27

Arc of Alchemist - February 7

The Lego Movie 2 - February 8

Doom Patrol, The Umbrella Academy - February 15

Super Sentai Strongest Battle - February 17

Corn & Peg, How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World - February 22

Tyler Perry's A Madea Family Funeral - March 1

Power Rangers Beast Morphers - March 2

DC Super Hero Girls, Captain Marve, Costume Quest - March 8

Fully Funtasia - March 11

Wonder Park - March 15

Kishiryu Sentai Ryusoulger - March 17

Pokemon the Series: Sun & Moon - Ultra Legends - March 23

Dumbo remake - March 29

Victor and Valentino - March 30

2024:

[animalcrossingmemedump]

Series 5 amiibo thoughts

(Copied from my twitter)

My thoughts on who might have amiibos in series 5, a thread

I’m assuming this series has 100 cards like series 1-4, there should be 16-17 special characters and 83-84 villagers

Special characters that are extremely likely to get amiibo cards (they’re in acnh, but don’t have amiibos yet):

C.J., Daisy Mae, Flick, Orville, Wilbur, Harvey, Wisp

Gullivarrr may get an amiibo since he’s... kind of... a new character

Any other past characters could return too and get and an amiibo

This could include: Cornimer, Farley, Frillard, Kaitlin, Serena

Or spin-off characters: Beppe, Carlo, Giovanni

Or others like: Lloid, snowmen

And of course, there could be new characters!

Now onto villagers!

I assume that we will get amiibos for: Audie, Cyd, Dom, Judy, Megan, Raymond, Reneigh, Sherb

There are also villagers from previous games that have the potential to come back

These 53 are the most likely to appear: Ace, Aisle, Aziz, Belle, Bessie, Betty, Cece, Champ, Chico, Chuck, Dozer, Elina, Emerald, Epona, Faith, Felyne, Filly, Flash, Flossie, Ganon, Hambo, Hank, Hector, Holden, Huggy, Iggy, Inkwell, Jane, Leigh, Liz, Lulu (hippo), Marcy, Medli, Nosegay, Otis, Oxford, Penny, Petunia (cow), Pigleg, Quetzal, Rhoda, Rio, Rollo, Sue E, Sven, Tiara, Twirp, Valise, Viché, W. Link Woolio, Yodel, Zoe

There are some other villagers from old games that I did not include because they were either a Japan exclusive character or have a name that someone in acnh already has. I figured those were less likely to be brought back.

And there could definitely be new characters!

[holdyourbatboy]

Bat Boy fans! I just stumbled on an incredible fan fiction I cannot believe I had not seen! Please go read threads and give this author some love! It’s a really fantastic post-story fic that elaborates on Shelley and Edgar’s relationship. Spend your post-Valentine’s day love on bat boy!

[inopinion]

Writing prompt: "would you give everything up, if it would save him?" "No."

Another prompt given to me pre-War Storm. Forgive the late delivery.

See Part 1 here…

@lilyharvord, @mareshmallow, @redqueenfandom, @anyone-anything-canbetrayanyone, @tiberias-vii, @runexandra, @mom2reesie, @scarletguardsource,  @adraxsteia, @redqueenfandom,  @wrenskonos, @Maria-habs, @cordelnight, @naercxy, @morebooks-pls, @lamemathpuns, @booksmusicmoviesandmore, @thespacebetweenthestars, @book-fandoms-rule-the-world, @juggyandbetty, @redqueen214, @giihmonzane13…

Remember, War Storm Spoilers are involved…

And reblog to share with a friend.

Paranoia isn’t an unfamiliar partner after what I’d been through, but I am certain it’s not just my damaged psyche nor the influence of the alcohol. People are watching us. Strangers that I don’t know crane their necks and track us off the dance floor. Each step becomes a stomp that defies their judgement–real or imaginary. 

So close to him, I can’t imagine allowing enough space to do anything but test the strength of the thread holding his buttons. Cal is like no other lover I’ve ever had because there is.. was.. I guess is actual love between us. Has been, will be, forever. Some part of me belongs to him even if that part got left behind on a battlefield. Perhaps he carries it with him like I carry his earring. I’m eager to see if I can find it, the search will be fun enough of a reward.

Except, Farley looks at me like she looks at Clara when she’s headed for a collision with gravity. But I know she’ll let me fall and scrape my knees and cry just the same. Only Clara gets a cuddle and set back on her feet. Farley won’t patch the holes I tear into myself. We’ve been through too much together for me not to respect what that look means: slow down.

Just outside the door I stall. He slows to match. I swing my head around. He takes note of our surroundings. We stop entirely.

Cal is agitated, glaring at a gaping serving girl. He exudes enough warmth that I don’t think I’d need a coat even though it’s snowing. He tugs me, resigned to the gossips. But It doesn’t feel right leaving with him, not like it did before I saw Farley’s face.

“Door’s there. Or I guess we could find some place here to talk.” He waves around us. I swallow. There is no place in the palace without ears. “Second thoughts?” he asks, bitterness coating his tone as he internalizes my hesitation.

He drops my hand and runs his fingers through the curls on his head. It sticks up in weird ways showing exactly how long the top has gotten. I have a third thought, then a fourth, but that’s mostly the alcohol.

“Hey, I want to talk. We should talk. How often are we in the same place, right?”  I cringe at his wince. I’m an expert at throwing salt in his wounds. “I just don’t think now is a good time. I mean, I have had more wine than I should. We deserve clear heads, right?”

He swallows, agrees because there’s no other option being given then we hastily make plans. He is scheduled in most of the same sessions as Farley. Almost an entire week completely booked from nine to six. Dinners with various councils and factions take up his nights. I can hear the unspoken conclusion: this is the only time he isn’t already booked.

“But you have to eat lunch, right?” I ask before he can suggest otherwise.

“Provided.”

“But it’s not scheduled. I mean, it isn’t for Farley. Can you get away for lunch? I know a cafe that makes nice sandwiches.”

“Okay, lunch, I guess. I get out of session at eleven-thirty, rejoin at one-fifteen. So, at best, ninety-minutes.”

“Plenty of time,” I respond. 

Cal’s face falls. He looks as if he can’t breath, a feeling I know so well that I hurt for him. But I can’t quite fathom why he’s stricken when he never answered my last letter. 

“If you’re not ready, that’s okay. It’s okay.” He doesn’t sound like he’s talking to me but to himself, assuring himself. 

His chin snaps up in a court-trained posture. He’s let his emotions drip down his sleeves and he makes an effort to recover. 

“I meant to start talking. I didn’t mean… I don’t know Cal. Don’t look at me like that.” I can’t help but snap at his neutral mask.

The muscle in his jaw flexes. His eyes are steady and controlled, his temperature moderated, and his voice even when he says,  “Where is this cafe?”

Cal gives me whiplash when he squeezes my hand gently and pulls his lip up on one side. Regardless of how much time it is, or what gets said, or what he thinks I’ll say when we get there, we have a date. No, not a date. A meeting. It’s just a meeting, we’ll talk, catch up, trade war stories like other soldiers. We’ll see where he is and where I am. And it’s a fucking date, and I can’t help the surge of excitement.

I walk away, back to Farley who’s critiquing dancers on the floor with another Red General. I’m too caught up in how quickly my word choice crushed Cal to remember her name. One hand, he still likes me, obviously. On the other, he didn’t exactly strike me as emotionally stable. Then again, I almost broke down before dinner just from seeing him, so who am I to talk?

“Oh, you’re still here. Lovely, let’s leave,” Farley muses, flashing teeth.

“Leave? There’s still wine isn’t there?” I smirk as I snag another glass. 

I don’t see Cal reenter the ballroom nor can I stop looking for him. I don’t even finish the glass. I hold it just to make Farley wait, which she does with expressive sighs and head rolls. Clara kept her up the night before, too excited about visiting grandma to sleep. But if I wasn’t a pain in Farley’s side, would she still think of me as a sister?

Wriggling out of ballgowns, even those so delicately tailored to my requests, is still a relief second only to a hot bath. Farley’s tub is not luxurious. It barely holds enough water to consider it a soak and my knees stick out if I want my shoulders in, but still, I fill it with water, bubbles and –for good measure– I drop Clara’s mersive and her battleship from eye height just to see them splash.

Between evasive maneuvers and using a bubble-cloud as a fog-storm, my mind veers off of elementary battle tactics and towards the more dangerous realm of silver princes. Ex-princes. Generals. Men.

Cal got upset so quickly I wonder if he expected to sweep me off the dance floor and back into his life. I very nearly left with him. I could have let him carry me out the door and to where ever he has a bed if only for a few more minutes of his warmth. But that was always our problem, too much chemistry and not enough math. We never added things up, not until the very end, and then we were both surprised when we couldn’t quite make it work. Bad analogy, I was never that great with math. 

More like we’re two pieces so closely shaped that if you squinted, we fit together perfectly. But eyes wide open, at least when we last parted, there were gaps. We didn’t fit. I couldn’t keep squinting and neither could he.

Maybe I’ve managed to fill-in the right parts of me, and maybe he’s made himself into a new shape, too. That’s what I hoped time would give us. Walking away last night, seeking a clearer head, I don’t think I could have done that before. Surging with pride, I sink the mersive to strike the battleship from below.

“Don’t sleep all day,” Farley tosses something at me, it lands with a thud. She’s out the door before I can roll over.

Bundled together with a rubber-band are brochures, pamphlets, and adds from a newspaper all about jobs. Red retraining programs touting the achievement of a true education and a trade all in one. The Guard’s military brochure is a three page tri-fold with the benefits listed in bold, red letters on a white background. The Montfort pamphlets are similar but green and lack a navy. More describe the training to join the tech sectors in the old tech towns. I let them fall on the floor and flop back over. 

It’s not that I don’t want a job, or that I don’t have one. I just don’t have one that pays money with any regularity. I can smell my mom’s complaining on the bold gesture. When we first got to our small town west of Ascendant, I helped Gisa set up her shop, read documents, kept the ledgers, took down orders. But Gisa learned to read and write and then there was little for me around the shop. Besides, my mom deserved the easy job of helping my sister. I haven’t held a steady job since. I’m unreliable. I’m flighty. I’m sensitive to sounds, fast movement, aggressive tones. At least Farley had the sense to offer me service positions, when I tell mom where I got the brochures, she’s gonna let Farley have it.

With a small pinch of joy, I fall back asleep imagining Farley’s face as my mother lectures her on getting me out of trouble and not into it.

The sun is high and the light is beautiful through the translucent drapes over the windows. They alternate purple and blue and cream creating shadows and casting color on the plain walls. I haven’t woken so rested in a long time, at least a month. My stomach growls.

I am hungry.

The sun is up, high in the sky.

Flying from the couch to the kitchen I squint through sleepy eyes at the clock and panic. There’s no time. I yank on pants, a mostly clean shirt and stuff my feet into boots. I squirt some tooth paste into my mouth and rinse with water. I am leaving five minutes later than I should. I run and it feels so good to be heading somewhere, to have the adrenaline, to chase that high all the way up the hill and down the other.

At the bottom of the hill, work crews struggle. Water pulses out of the storm drain onto the street. On the edges, it freezes into ice and builds up in layers as the waves come faster than the nymph can redirect. The silver isn’t very powerful and can do little more than redirect the water. The entire street is blocked.

I race up the hill to the road at the top and rush down half a block to the alley and then back down the hill. The detour forces me to loop around the building that holds the cafe. The clock on the bank across the street says it’s almost noon. I am nearly thirty minutes late, fifteen if he didn’t leave the council until eleven-thirty.

Through the door, I pause to watch. I want to see him without him knowing that I’m watching. I want to read him, how he is without me. How he is when he’s on his own and not a general or a lord of a high house. He looks stoically at the server behind the counter. His coat floats up as his arm pushes into it and pulls it on, preparing to leave. When the server looks away, he glances back at the table in the corner. Cal turns back, eyebrows drawn together, mouth looking pained. A few coins come out of his hand and fall in the tip jar. A bag is pushed across to him, his lunch to-go. I time it so that I walk through just as he turns to head out so I can clearly see his face.

He is appropriately disconcerted that his path is blocked, then his entire face lightens as he flushes. Blood rushes his cheekbones, he blushes into a pallor and a coy smile. Cal’s caught not knowing what to say, lips moving, tongue still. His eyes are so soft and kind and then concerned.

“Thought you might have gotten lost,” he lies.

“Nope. Just late.” I step forward. 

For every two steps, he backs up one, leading me towards the table in the corner. He slips his jacket off and sets it on the chair, his back to the wall. I peel off my coat and drape it over the chair.

“I’ll just order, be right back.”

I order a sandwich, a cup of coffee, and an apple. Cal isn’t fast enough to look away when I glance over, but the fact that he tries confirms where his eyes were wondering. It’s nice to know he still appreciates me in that way. I hope we’re ready to consider something a little more. As weak as I am when it comes to him, I try to swear my self to a resolution: slow, steady, and not just for the sizzle.

“I over slept.”

“Ah, the troubles of the victors.” He teases, I think. 

I don’t laugh, stuffing my mouth with a bite of food instead. 

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

“Not if you’re going to talk with your mouth full.” 

The disgust on his face is real. That makes me laugh for real. I cover my mouth with my hand, somewhere between me and Mareena in my manners. He unwraps his sandwich.

“So?” I ask.

“So… how’s your family? Do they like Montfort?”

If he’s asked Farley then he should know, but it’s an easy enough topic to break the ice. He keeps me talking. He asks about everyone: mom, dad, Gisa, Bree, Tramie –no one is left out.

“And finally, Kilorn. What’s that fucker up to?”

There is no other way I would want someone to refer to Kilorn. For all he is, he is at his very heart a pain in the ass. An amazing, wonderfully loyal and insufferable friend. He has managed to endear himself not just to me and my family but to Farley, and Cameron, and even, apparently to Cal. 

“Couldn’t keep him away from the water. He’s in the Nortan Navy. We get letters sometimes, mostly he’s bored. Sometimes he’s in trouble. But he’s always got a good group of people around him.”

“What ship?”

“The Cardinal.”

“I’ll keep tabs.” He holds my gaze and I know that even now, Cal will help keep Kilorn safe in what ever way he can, for me.

“Thanks.” I catch myself dry mouthed and tired lips. My coffee is cooling and my sandwich is only missing a few bites while his is all gone. I’ve talked so long. “What about you?”

“Well, you know. I’ve got fewer to look after, I guess it makes things dull.” He pushes quickly past the pain but I see it all the same. “I just keep my soldiers fit, ready, mind our posts.”

“You haven’t picked up a hobby?”

“I have, actually. I am becoming an expert at budgeting.” He smiles broadly, proud and cheerful in acknowledging his new position. 

“Damn, did you have to cut back on the armor?” His eyes flick past me, again.

He’s been looking over my shoulder, at the door every few minutes. I turn and look. The door swings shut and a patron greets another at a table. 

“You waiting for someone else?” I ask, turning back.

“No. I am here completely for you.” His eyes flick again and I hear the door shut again.

“Why you watching the door?”

“Nothing. Just a habit.” 

He crushes the paper from his sandwich between his fists. I can still read him well and there’s shame in his posture. I glance behind me again, the suspicion that I’m sitting square in a trap flashes through me and the lightning comes to my fingertips.

“Easy, Mare.”

“You’re making me nervous. Why are you watching the door?”

“I’m… checking for assassins,” he barely mumbles. When the door opens again, I watch him fight his insticts then finally give in with a glance over my shoulder.

“Assassins? You’re not the King, Cal.”

“Yeah, well, some people forget. And the last time, I almost didn’t make it.”

Silence. Stillness. Processing is slow when someone you love is uncomfortable and embarrassed and admitting their weaknesses when they want you to think they’re strong. It made Kilorn shake under our house in the Stilts, and Maven dare me from his bathtub, and Cameron open up to me as we circled the Piedmont base. I want him to tell me more, trust me with what he finds shameful. So I wait and let him come to his words.

“The girl, the one the papers got a photo of me–”

“Kissing?”

“Yeah. She got me alone, um… and then she stabbed me.” Something about how his hands drop into his lap is defensive not casual, an indication of where. I wince with him. “I almost bled to death.”

“Who found you?” The idea that he had a couple suitors never crossed my mind before. But who else would come to find him in his bedroom?

“I didn’t let her get away without injury and she didn’t make it very far before the alarm was raised. Thank my colors, I had my bracelets on.” 

“Yeah, I guess so.” I sip my coffee and avoid looking directly at him. He’s ghostly pale he’s blushing from his collarbones to the tips of his ears. Some levity seems to be needed, I reach out and touch his hand. He looks up, shocked I’d touch him. “Most importantly, did they take care of that… um… curve?”

“Shut up. It is not curved.” he retracts, losing his breath in laughs.

“Well, I mean maybe not now. I wouldn’t blame you for taking advantage of the situation. I mean, making some improvements.”

“Surprised you didn’t say bigger.”

“Oh, honey, it’s not about the size. It’s how you use it.”

“And how was I at using it?” his knee brushes mine under the table and his lip pulls up goofy and flirting.

“You got better,” I begrudgingly admit after some contemplation.

“I’d happily remind you by how much.”

“I might just…” I stop myself. His lips slam shut. He straightens and clears his throat. I can’t finish what I’m saying.

“Sorry.” He looks at his watch and then back at the door. It’s time for him to return to sessions, discussions, strategies. “Time is up.”

“This was nice,” I admit. My hand is still on his on the table.

Warm fingers slide over mine until he’s gently massaging my palm. “I liked it.”

“Enough to say the past is forgiven?” I ask.

“You never needed forgiveness from me.”

“Didn’t I?” I hold his eyes steady, not letting him look away. For the first time since we sat down, I’m being completely serious. I need to know what might follow us forward.

“What for?” He asks.

“Just one question, one honest question. If you could go back and do it all over again, if you could just flip me that coin and walk away? And I never fall into that arena, would you go back?” I can’t bring myself to use the words, but I need to know if he will live his life regretting meeting me because, in the end, and actually at the beginning, I took his brother.

Cal pulls back, leans against the chair. “Julian says it’s the curse on the survivors to spend our time trying to remake our regrets.” 

It’s a non-answer that might as well be a yes. I start to stand, tears prickling. Laughing with him, hearing him sigh, and joke reminds me of too many things I want to keep. But I don’t want to be a reminder of all that he lost. Why he lost everything.

“Mare, I have a lot of regrets. But you’re not one of them. Elara would have ruined him no matter the path. Maybe I could have had a few more years, or a few months, but she would have taken him in the end. Jon only knows, but I tend to think this might have been the best I could have hoped for, at least the way it happened, I didn’t go through it alone.”

“So, where does that leave us?”

He stands and pulls on his jacket. He takes in a deep breath and lets it out. “How about same time tomorrow?”

And the next day and the next. We have one week of sessions and meetings before he’s back on a plane to Norta. And it’s exactly the slow pace I need, that we need, to see exactly where we’ve grown and what we’ve left behind. Maybe at the end, we’ll find that we finally fit. Or maybe it answers the question differently, with less pain, fewer choices to rehash that never asking in the first place.

Reblogs appreciated.

[etakeh]

Donovan Farley @DonovanFarley Alright pals: my protest merch and print sale to cover medical costs hath begun. I need to get an idea of how many hoodies & shirts I'll need made, so what I'd like to do is when you order, tell me which image you want, what size & whether it's a t-shirt or hoodie you need.

For Naked Athena shots, please pick from these three and tell me "Athena 1" or "Athena 2" and so on along with the above info (size; hoodie or t-shirt). For example: "Elk, Hoodie, XL" is what an order should look like.  

Each of these photos is going to be edited for improvements before they're applied to the apparel. I'm going to do prints of these shots and a couple others as well and will add to this thread when that's ready, perhaps tomorrow. Tees = $25. Hoodies = $40.

Hello! Time for the prints. They’re $24 for an 8x10. If you want more than one I’ll give you a discount. Photos will be touched up—and I’m also going to some sort of screen print design, which I’ll will post soon. Ordering info below

My payment info is below. If you don't need a new hoodie or shirt but have dug my work over the years and would like to help out I certainly will appreciate you. RTs are deeply appreciated!

Ven  mo: Donovan-Farley Cas  hApp: $DonovanFarley1 Pa  yPal: DonovanFarley

This is the tweet for shirts, this for prints.   

I’ve posted stuff from Donovan Farley before.  He was out there just about every day, downtown PDX 2020.   He’s never tried to “profit” off of his time there, but desperate times and all that.

Yes I’m getting a print of the flaming elk.  How is that even a question.

[bookclub4m]

Episode 136 - Hearts of Magic: Threads Entangled

This episode we’re playing Hearts of Magic: Threads Entangled! There’s illegal printing presses, malformed creatures, rooftop chases, stolen hats, tea ceremonies, and a masquerade ball!

You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast delivery system.

In this episode

Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray | RJ Edwards

Links, Articles, and Things

Hearts of Magic: Threads Entangled

Mobile Frame Zero: Firebrands

Victor and the Bully - Spooky 365 (YouTube)

The One Shot Podcast - Episode 319. Hearts of Magic Part 1

Dark Mori (Mori Girl Wiki)

13 Supernatural / Paranormal (Non-Fiction) books by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) Authors

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcasts chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) authors to help our listeners diversify their readers’ advisory. All of the lists can be found here.

The Monster Hunter's Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Saving Mankind from Vampires, Zombies, Hellhounds, and Other Mythical Beasts by Ibrahim S. Amin

When the Chenoo Howls: Native American Tales of Terror by James Bruchac

So Much More: A Poignant Memoir about Finding Love, Fighting Adversity, and Defining Life on My Own Terms by Zulema Arroyo Farley

Brujerías: Stories of Witchcraft and the Supernatural in the American Southwest and Beyond by Nasario García

New Mexico Ghost Stories by Antonio R. Garcez

The Headless Haunt: And Other African-American Ghosts Stories by James Haskins

Moaning Bones: African American Ghost Stories by James Haskins

Craft: How to Be a Modern Witch by Gabriela Herstik

An Introduction to Yōkai Culture: Monsters, Ghosts, and Outsiders in Japanese History by Kazuhiko Komatsu

Tales from the Haunted South: Dark Tourism and Memories of Slavery from the Civil War Era by Tiya Miles

Enchantments: A Modern Witch's Guide to Self-Possession by Mya Spalter

Out of Concealment: Female Supernatural Beings of Haida Gwaii by Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson

The Seven Types of Spirit Guide: How to Connect and Communicate with Your Cosmic Helpers by Yamile Yemoonyah

Give us feedback!

Fill out the form to ask for a recommendation or suggest a genre or title for us to read!

Check out our Tumblr, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, join our Facebook Group, or send us an email!

Join us again on Tuesday, November 2nd we’ll be discussing the non-fiction genre of Music! 

Then on Tuesday, November 19th we’ll be talking about Adaptations of Books!

[elane-in-the-shadows]

Red Queen Fan Fiction - Blood Curse part 7

Find this on wattpad

chapter 1

chapter 2

chapter 3

chapter 4

chapter 5

chapter 6

chapter 7

chapter 8

chapter 9

chapter 10

chapter 11

chapter 12

chapter 13

chapter 14

chapter 15

chapter 16

chapter 17

chapter 18

chapter 19

chapter 20

chapter 21

chapter 22

chapter 23

chapter 24

chapter 25

chapter 26

chapter 27

chapter 28

chapter 29

Final chapter

A/N: Oh, something new, a fresh POV -

Gisa POV

We all squat together in the living room the first time Colonel Farley visits us. It’s been just one day since Mare left us again in the dead of night, to fight the demon king of her nightmares, and none of the Barrows has forgotten about her last farewell.

We don’t say it, but expect the worst, even if Mom, Kilorn and Tramy are good at distracting us. The colonel’s arrival doesn’t make it better with his sombre face, even though he wears it most of the time. Yet we’re too used to bad news and we steel ourselves against them. I can’t remember not thinking like that and still I feel nauseous. Right now, and every time before. My stitches blurry before my eyes.

But the colonel sounds astounded at our reaction when he greets us. He walks to Mom who embraces Clara tighter and squints at him. “Mrs. Barrow,” he addresses her, “may I – “

“What has happened to my daughter?” she barks back and I see Tramy’s grin at this; it makes me smile as well, for the fraction of a second. But I’m not surprised, of course Mom challenges him, just like Mare and Diana.

The colonel only blinks, first having to grasp our mood, and the room stuffed with fear. He draws back his outstretched hand and straightens himself. “The defense of Corvium was successful. We have no reports on the fallen yet but General Farley informed me of her and Operative Mare Barrow’s well-being.”

He pauses and our relief is visible, just like I feel the ribbons on my chest loosen. Only a little. I think about Cameron, the other electricons, Arezzo and so many more. This place is still strange, full of war-hardened and dangerous people, but I’ve followed Kilorn often enough, and I found friends among them. The colonel doesn’t talk about them. Indeed, his hesitation to go on unsettles me. There’s something he isn’t saying or can’t say. I shouldn’t be bothered, the Scarlet Guard is always like this. Even when I manage to draw tiny threads of information out of Diana if I pester her patiently and subtly enough, her father’s resolve is as hard as iron. He clears his throat and focuses on Mom again. Or rather on Clara. He speaks unusually quiet.

“The general asked me to have a look on her daughter as well,” he admits, almost shy, or embarrassed.

Mom smirks at him, her fingers toying with Clara’s. “Don’t you trust me?”

It startles him even further. “No,” he insists, “of course not, Mrs. Barrow. The general is curious, and worried, naturally. I’m merely – “ Mom laughs and we fall in line. I notice Kilorn’s distinctive cackle, a sound webbed into my memories. The colonel blushes and clears his throat again. “I see that all is well, Mrs. Barrow, I’ll visit you again when I’ve more to tell. Operatives,” he adds and turns to my brothers and to Kilorn, “I expect your presence at yard 7 at 1400,” and then he leaves.

I see Mom’s satisfied expression while she occupies little Clara. As glad as we are about the news, it’s been Mom’s accomplishment to face the fiercest soldier and win, just to lighten our grave mood like a ray of sunshine in a storm. Before Clara was with us, she’s rarely been like that for a long time. It’s something Shade was good at, too. 

It’s like I never stop waiting. Once I couldn’t wait to finish my apprenticeship and have my own shop, now I sew – for Clara, my family, the soldiers and myself - just to pass the time. To hone skills not valued here, without the materials I came to love and enjoy to reshape. But work is a good distraction while worry twists beneath my skin. I want Mare to come back, to sleep in my room again, and go away from here. I try to make the best of our stay and be open and kind, but this isn’t a home and never will be.

Half the day I think of Summerton, the Stilts, and the life I had. I’ve started to tell Cameron about it before she left, too, and it amused her, to imagine a town not smothered by smoke. Her joy makes talk more, after I kept my experiences at work to myself, drawing a distinctive border between my family and the job. Now I pride myself to be the only person to make Cameron smile. If it weren’t for her parents, still in New Town, I’d ask her and her brother to come along to be relocated immediately. I wouldn’t hesitate, if Mare agreed. Nor would I be bothered not to see little Clara again for a long time, as cute as she is. Mom wouldn’t be as ready, but I don’t know what to feel about the baby.

Two weeks after Mare left, we’re allowed to make a distance call to her and Diana; it lasts hardly a minute. Yet Mare makes jokes and addresses all of us, promising a soon return. As much as I anticipated the call, as relieved as I am to hear their voices, I notice again something weighing on them and now I spend my empty hours trying to figure it out. 

Mom’s perception is as sharp as mine and she finds ways to keep Dad and me occupied. She tells all of us, Bree, Tramy, and Kilorn as well to attend to Clara, despite their Guard duties. They aren’t any worse than me. Bree never complains and for some reason, Clara sleeps more when she’s with Tramy. Usually, during my turns I leave her in her bed and take a seat to sew and embroider and wait for the inevitable whining. Whatever Mom says, I’m sure Clara notices her mother isn’t here. Why else would she cry every two hours and refuse to be comforted until she’s rocked for 10 minutes?

I thought it would be would be unnerving at first, but it really isn’t. Clara’s just a distraction, and a welcome one in a way. I’m used to hold needles and squint for 10 hours a day, so being forced to take breaks is a strange relief. I miss making true pieces of art and the rich materials I used, most of all the sewing machine. I’m not sure whether one’s here – I think there must be – and it would be too loud to use in this house anyway. Maybe I should just forget those times, but they come back at me in the strangest ways.

Today it’s Tramy’s turn with baby-sitting and Mom’s severe frown staunches his – partially fake – commitment. “Best if you wrap Clara in a slip,” Mom demands. “She’s used to being carried around, as Diana does it.” She sighs quietly, and Tramy does as well.

I give him a shove when Mom’s turned away. “Don’t bring you lady-love here,” I whisper to him, “or Diana will kill us if she finds out that you let a Silver get close to her precious girl.”

“Then why are you so disrespectful?” he jokes to dissemble. “It’s General Farley, not Diana.” I give him a stare worthy of Diana.

“And Ms. Ventos isn’t my ‘lady-love’”, he claims, but I’m still not having it.

“So you’re kissing your captive ward? Wow, Tramy. That’s worse. We should know that.”

He’s exasperated. “She isn’t a captive. She’s our ally, and –“

“Yes?” I insist.

He shakes his head. “I trust her, the colonel trusts her, and there’s no reason the general – or you – shouldn’t trust her as well. I’m just her main handler, as she can’t just walk around here without company.”

“Thus you still don’t trust her,” I deduce.

“I didn’t say –“ he starts but I’m already walking off.

I meet Kilorn outside. He’s about to leave for the Newbloods as I stop him. “May I go with you?” I ask.

He shrugs in agreement. “No chores today? Or are you tired of your needles and threads?”

“I just like to meet people and talk with them.” I smile at him. “This isn’t the first time I go with you.” I look away quickly when he pats my shoulder. I’m blushing and can’t help it, but my feelings for him are gone. He isn’t for me and never was, nor did he ever see me like that, not even when I got my hand shot in my attempt to help him. It was a stupid idea to begin with, and afterwards, I had bigger things to worry about than a young-girl-crush.

Luther Carver is the first Newblood we visit. Kilorn’s known him for a while, but I haven’t seen him before. He’s small, younger than 10, and sits in the grass with a sketchpad on his knees. He draws on it with a pencil but he flinches when he notices us. His alarm lasts only for a moment, then his face lights up. “Hi, Kilorn!”

We greet him back but as I introduce myself, Kilorn stops me from extending my hand. Luther’s hands are fists covered in cotton gloves. I think harder, realizing he has to be the boy with the withering touch. I tear my eyes from his hands and look at his and Kilorn’s faces instead.

“How are you doing?” asks Kilorn, his open smile as encouraging as always.

Luther sighs, struggling between glancing down and at our friend. “I’m trying. Power flashes are rare, and I usually train with plants. That works well.” He pauses and seems sad out of sudden. “I saw a hurt animal once, a rabbit. I touched it and … it died. Quickly.” He has to sniff. “It was the first time.”

Kilorn nods. “It’s okay if you don’t want to try this out. As long as you keep your ability in check –“

“Oh, I do,” Luther exclaims. “Um, it’s still only in my hands. Though I wish it stays this way, so I know what to avoid. So nothing will happen. And these gloves – I need new ones quite often but they’re cozy and can be washed.” He twists his pencil. “Good for drawing.” He dares to smile a little.

“It feels good to make things,” I say. It’s a reflex but feels right to speak, even more so when Luther beams at me.

“Yes, it does!” he agrees. And for this age, his sketches are really good. Plants and flowers, detailed and life-like.

“See,” Kilorn starts again, “you have to go your own way. If you feel better with gloves, keep them. Find your balance between feeling safe and free.”

“Because I’m in control,” Luther adds.

“Exactly,” says Kilorn, smiling, then becoming serious. “I hope I’m helpful, Luther. But I don’t even have an ability myself.”

Luther shakes his head. “And yet you’re not afraid, not of any of – us.”

Kilorn pats his shoulder, hesitating a fraction of a second for see the boy’s consent. “Someone has to keep us together. The notch team.” 

“I have to be home for lunch,” I say later on. “Will you come with me?”

“I’ll eat with Oskar and his friends,” he declines.

The stonemaker, I remember. “Well, till later,” I reply and dash off. I have to run to our house but I like that. I’ve walked the long way to Summerton often enough and I’ve become a little lazy in the last months. Not that I was motivated to do much sport. I was content to sit in our small rooms to be with my family and know that at least they were safe. But recently, the base’s open spaces turned into an unexpected joy.

“Bring Tramy down,” Mom demands when I arrive. But she grins while Dad prepares the table. He likes to help with small tasks to train walking, and Bree assists him. He’s on duty, yet he always arrives on time at meals, so the family can eat together. We need that.

I assume Tramy’s with Clara and go to the room she’s sleeping in. I hesitate at the door. Faintly sung tones emerge from inside, sung by the sweetest voice of Norta. My joy dissolves. I grab the handgrip and open the door. I see it’s not only Norta’s sweetest voice, but her loveliest face as well. Lacey Ventos’s hawkish features are contrasted by a curtain of curly hair like black velvet. The sunlight kisses her olive-brown skin, as if drawn to her, giving her a radiant look. She sings on, not having noticed me. She sits on the bed, while Tramy lays on it, his head in her lap. The scene is both intimate and modest. My brother’s eyes are on her and his hand toys with the ends of her long hair. He’s chosen a dyed tress; its former pink now bleached out like a fabric my mistress would’ve used only for lining.

I close the door behind me, soundly, yet the Silver woman isn’t irked. She turns her head to me but finishes her verse before rousing Tramy. “Ms. Barrow,” she greets me.

“Hello Ms. Ventos,” I reply, only slightly piqued. I don’t have to call her “my lady” here, not anymore, but I needn’t be offensive either.

The couple rises while I look to Clara’s cot. I know I’m blushing, embarrassed at interrupting their romantic moment but unfortunately, the feeling isn’t mutual. Lacey wears the mask of a Silver, as always, even without the elaborate make-up she wore when she came to my mistress’s shop so we might embroider her dresses with colourful patterns and motives, exceeding the limitations of her house colours of blue and orange. And Tramy remains unperturbed, too, I don’t know how, after our earlier conversation.

“Lunch is ready,” I tell him. He says good-bye to his lady-love and she leaves. I still stand in the door, so she has to squeeze herself through. Lacey has a large and feminine frame, not lean like Mare, nor muscular like Diana. More like me, and I would’ve tried on her dresses that I made, to feel the richness on myself for once, if Lacey wasn’t more than 20 cm taller than me and a woman grown.

Tramy comes to me at first but checks on Clara when I don’t react. “We’ll let her sleep,” he decides and touches my arm.

“I told you not to bring her here,” I remind him. “And it seems like you two have a clandestine exit already, which makes it worse.”

He sighs deeply. “She makes Clara sleep with her songs.”

“Look,” I say, “you wouldn’t keep her a secret if you thought this was okay. Diana –“

“Let that be my problem,” interrupts me. He stares at me until I give in.

“Fine. Your problem, just do as you wish.” I turn around and move away.

“Do you hate her?” he asks to my back.

“I had to work for her. She’s a haughty, vain Silver.”

“But she believes in our cause, really. She’s made the pledge.” He’s caught up and stares at me again. “She’s a good one, like Mare’s friends. Probably more so.”

I sigh dramatically, fully aware that I’m exaggerating my dislike because it isn’t real. Lacey Ventos impresses me every time I meet her, more than I like to admit. I’ve almost expected to smell her perfume on my brother, but of course, she hasn’t used it since she came as a captive, after she surrendered during the first battle of Corvium.

I sit outside with my sewing basket when I see her again, later that afternoon. She approaches me and I look up, squinting. Her hair’s moved by the wind, the dyed tresses grown out to her ears. Her clothes are as simple and threadbare as those of everyone here but they hug her perfectly; most of all her red shirt. The colour was forbidden to her as a non-royal burner at the Nortan court; now she wears it freely. For whatever reason, her face is friendly and severe at the same time, and even with her imperfections revealed now, she’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.

I nod curtly to acknowledge her; she sits down in across from me.

“I’ve tried to meet your sister at court a year ago,” she says after a while with her melodic voice.

“Aha,” I utter, too unsure for more.

“Mareena Titanos, the real one I mean, was my cousin, you see,” she explains. “We shared the same grandfather, the storm Luiz Nolle.”

I don’t answer.

“But the witch queen wouldn’t let me. None but a chosen few were allowed to come close to the lost ‘princess’. For good reason, apparently.” She chuckles half-heartedly. “Although I was related to that bitch Elara as well.”

I blink, miss a stitch, and curse, before I spin my head to Lacey. “What?”

Her black eyes are focused on me. “The Queenstrial was a year ago on this day.”

“Was it? I haven’t noticed. I have other worries,” I reply and turn away again.

She shrugs. “I’m good with dates, information and all that.” I’ve guessed so, as she doesn’t seem like the fighting type.

“Tramy says you don’t trust me but there’s a reason I wasn’t ransomed. Because I don’t want it, although my family would’ve paid for me long ago.

“I miss them. Mostly Cassie.”

I stop sewing. “If you’re so empathetic, why did you use people like me?”

Finally, I’ve managed to make her uncomfortable. “Because … I like pretty things, I assume. And I hope I’ve always paid you accordingly.”

She did, but that’s not the real matter which I can’t pin down. I shake my head. “Then show me. Prove your allyship.”

She smiles faintly. “That might be difficult. Actually, I’ve talked to General Farley, and she gave orders to me. Though they might be considered classified Information.”

I snort and roll my eyes. “Of course –“

“But there’s something you can help me with.” She outstretches her hand to me in invitation. I notice her wrists are bare, her sparker bracelets removed long ago. Yet I take her hand and unlike Cal’s, it isn’t hot at all, but of a perfectly regulated temperature. Her eyes are still fixed on me, black like onyx, shining with feverish conviction. She wants to win me over, but unlike Cal, she’s ready to make sacrifices and give something back as well. She asks for my help, but in a way, she makes an offering too.

“I’m listening,” I say. 

Tramy waits for me in the living room, this time he has Clara with him. We exchange some pointed glances, as we’re used to do. I’m certain he must have planned this meeting together with his girlfriend.

“She isn’t that bad, is she?” he blurts finally, the first of us to break the uncomfortable silence.

I bit my lip to keep from smiling although amusement lingers in my voice. “She’s actually nice.” And committed.

Tramy looks extremely relieved. Then he smirks. “Though she’s rather determined, like the general, if you think about it.”

My jaw drops but he’s so, so right. I let out an amused sigh and roll my eyes. “Burners and activists,” I mutter, then louder, “it’s almost scary how we Barrows all fall for the same brand of persons.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I have to clear my throat and need all of my trained-on self-control to calm myself. But he insists. “Gee, out with it.”

“Well, okay, I might’ve had a little, superficial crush on Ms. Ventos. Years ago, and totally over now.”

“Gisa!”

“So, I wish you the best. Honestly. While I … like someone else now, anyway.”

His curiously has peaked. “But not Kilorn? He’s great, but –“

“Oh no, not him.” I smile. “Another girl, of my age,” I add, thinking of Cameron and wishing she’ll return safe and soon with Mare and Diana. 

@calliopexclio @clarafarleybarrow Thanks for liking my drafts and commenting on then, friends <3

@mareshmallow @redqueenfandom @wrenskonos @lilyharvord @mikey-waysjawline @universegamer @asewhj and @thomaven for the Luther scene ;-)

[kevindurkiin]

Carnage Gives Controversial Advice to Opening DJs: “Bang It Out”

Carnage believes openers should go hard or go home, which goes to show it’s been a while since he’s been an opening DJ. The producer just tweeted out, letting aspiring DJs know they should “always bang it out” when given the opportunity because “it could make or break you!”

Contrary to what you may think, this is definitely not the best advice for DJs just starting off. Not only could it piss off the venue who booked you, but the artists, tour managers, and the list goes on. Opening is an art form — it’s important to play the night properly and respect the show’s headliner.

There are exceptions to this rule, as with any. However, the general consensus is that openers should rarely go as hard as possible. That doesn’t mean they need to be boring, either. Like we said, it’s an art form. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but “bang it out” is probably not always the best option. Being a good DJ isn’t always about going hard.

With all of that being said, Carnage is giving the green light for his openers to do them. (Again, this doesn’t mean you should.)

His controversial advice has sparked debate on Twitter. Some support what he’s saying and others are voicing against it. We want to hear from you — sound off in the comments!

Carnage’s Advice for Openers

Openers should always bang it out… if the headlining dj gets mad at you… it just shows that they’re insecure… that one opening slot might be infront of an important agent or promoter… give it your all… it could make or break you !

— CARNAGE (@djcarnage) December 1, 2019

I usually never play something an opener is playing… if your folder of music is diverse enough.. you don’t have to worry about the opener or anyone else on the bill… just do you !

— CARNAGE (@djcarnage) December 2, 2019

lmao… but actually pretty funny

— CARNAGE (@djcarnage) December 1, 2019

I fuck with this

— LIL TEXAS (@LILTEXAS) December 2, 2019

well fuck

— LIL TEXAS (@LILTEXAS) December 2, 2019

— Darude (@Darudevil) December 2, 2019

this is awful advice lol

when the opening DJ plays an all riddim set at 9, it fucks up the energy buildup/flow of a show, no matter how good the headliner is. also contrary to popular belief, you CAN play a fun/energetic set without dropping a million trap/dubstep bangers https://t.co/B9EANm95vN

— Litty Kitty (@HexCougar) December 2, 2019

The f**k this guy talking about https://t.co/c0uwJMzDGS

— Kyle Watson (@kylewatsonmusic) December 2, 2019

How many new up and coming djs careers will carnage end with this tweet?

May be different in America – but if u do this in Australia, that’ll be ur last gig https://t.co/NSO8PQRwTm

— Sippy

GHOSTS out now!

(@SippyAu) December 1, 2019

I like this. I always get nervous on support slots about going too hard but my manager @HackaPalooza always tells me to bang it out. And honestly it makes sense. I want the crowd to leave the show thinking that guy fucking killed it and I must know who he is. https://t.co/6tte8UlEYj

— warez (@jordonwarez) December 2, 2019

— CARNAGE (@djcarnage) December 2, 2019

A lot of the comments in agreement assume playing a warm up set means you’ll play boring music. That’s the end of the topic right there for me. If you don’t know how to open a night without playing boring music you’re doing it wrong.

— Simon Oleary (@IAmDJSimm) December 2, 2019

The DJ is supposed to be playing for the crowd and the party not to get his or her next booking

— Terry Farley (@terrystuckshop) December 2, 2019

Terrible advice.

First thing a promoter wants is a professional.

Always put the event before your ego.

Anyone can be that DJ that hammers peaktime tracks to a half empty room early on.

A good warm up DJ will always be get brought back and be trusted with better slots

— MarkSKMA (@Mark_SKMA) December 2, 2019

This thread is full of a WHOLE lot of WACK and ELITIST energy. Seriously. Who do you think you are telling a DJ to NOT put their all into their set?

I don’t go to shows to see boring sets, opener or not. I go to lose my shit and rage out, from the moment I step in.

— matt

LAN

(@Xavior_Matt) December 1, 2019

I think the key is to ensure a smooth transition for the headline act, if someone supporting me wants to go ham that’s fine, just chill it tf out for the last 5-10 mins so there is room for me to build up the pressure.

— STENCHMAN (@STENCHMAN) December 2, 2019

No. Being an opener and “banging it out” will break you! Being an opener and respecting the headliner while building the vibe correctly will make you!

— Lowdown (@lowdownmusik) December 2, 2019

If you never want another gig in your life yes. It’s not YOUR night, it belongs to the crowd and all the DJ’s.

— Trevor Jackson (@trevorjofficial) December 2, 2019

  Photo via Rukes.com

This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Carnage Gives Controversial Advice to Opening DJs: “Bang It Out”

Carnage Gives Controversial Advice to Opening DJs: “Bang It Out” published first on https://soundwizreview.tumblr.com/

[bluebuzzmusic]

Carnage Gives Controversial Advice to Opening DJs: “Bang It Out”

Carnage believes openers should go hard or go home, which goes to show it’s been a while since he’s been an opening DJ. The producer just tweeted out, letting aspiring DJs know they should “always bang it out” when given the opportunity because “it could make or break you!”

Contrary to what you may think, this is definitely not the best advice for DJs just starting off. Not only could it piss off the venue who booked you, but the artists, tour managers, and the list goes on. Opening is an art form — it’s important to play the night properly and respect the show’s headliner.

There are exceptions to this rule, as with any. However, the general consensus is that openers should rarely go as hard as possible. That doesn’t mean they need to be boring, either. Like we said, it’s an art form. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but “bang it out” is probably not always the best option. Being a good DJ isn’t always about going hard.

With all of that being said, Carnage is giving the green light for his openers to do them. (Again, this doesn’t mean you should.)

His controversial advice has sparked debate on Twitter. Some support what he’s saying and others are voicing against it. We want to hear from you — sound off in the comments!

Carnage’s Advice for Openers

Openers should always bang it out… if the headlining dj gets mad at you… it just shows that they’re insecure… that one opening slot might be infront of an important agent or promoter… give it your all… it could make or break you !

— CARNAGE (@djcarnage) December 1, 2019

I usually never play something an opener is playing… if your folder of music is diverse enough.. you don’t have to worry about the opener or anyone else on the bill… just do you !

— CARNAGE (@djcarnage) December 2, 2019

lmao… but actually pretty funny

— CARNAGE (@djcarnage) December 1, 2019

I fuck with this

— LIL TEXAS (@LILTEXAS) December 2, 2019

well fuck

— LIL TEXAS (@LILTEXAS) December 2, 2019

— Darude (@Darudevil) December 2, 2019

How many new up and coming djs careers will carnage end with this tweet?

May be different in America – but if u do this in Australia, that’ll be ur last gig https://t.co/NSO8PQRwTm

— Sippy

GHOSTS out now!

(@SippyAu) December 1, 2019

I like this. I always get nervous on support slots about going too hard but my manager @HackaPalooza always tells me to bang it out. And honestly it makes sense. I want the crowd to leave the show thinking that guy fucking killed it and I must know who he is. https://t.co/6tte8UlEYj

— warez (@jordonwarez) December 2, 2019

— CARNAGE (@djcarnage) December 2, 2019

A lot of the comments in agreement assume playing a warm up set means you’ll play boring music. That’s the end of the topic right there for me. If you don’t know how to open a night without playing boring music you’re doing it wrong.

— Simon Oleary (@IAmDJSimm) December 2, 2019

The DJ is supposed to be playing for the crowd and the party not to get his or her next booking

— Terry Farley (@terrystuckshop) December 2, 2019

Terrible advice.

First thing a promoter wants is a professional.

Always put the event before your ego.

Anyone can be that DJ that hammers peaktime tracks to a half empty room early on.

A good warm up DJ will always be get brought back and be trusted with better slots

— MarkSKMA (@Mark_SKMA) December 2, 2019

This thread is full of a WHOLE lot of WACK and ELITIST energy. Seriously. Who do you think you are telling a DJ to NOT put their all into their set?

I don’t go to shows to see boring sets, opener or not. I go to lose my shit and rage out, from the moment I step in.

— matt

LAN

(@Xavior_Matt) December 1, 2019

I think the key is to ensure a smooth transition for the headline act, if someone supporting me wants to go ham that’s fine, just chill it tf out for the last 5-10 mins so there is room for me to build up the pressure.

— STENCHMAN (@STENCHMAN) December 2, 2019

No. Being an opener and “banging it out” will break you! Being an opener and respecting the headliner while building the vibe correctly will make you!

— Lowdown (@lowdownmusik) December 2, 2019

If you never want another gig in your life yes. It’s not YOUR night, it belongs to the crowd and all the DJ’s.

— Trevor Jackson (@trevorjofficial) December 2, 2019

  Photo via Rukes.com

This article was first published on Your EDM. Source: Carnage Gives Controversial Advice to Opening DJs: “Bang It Out”

source https://www.youredm.com/2019/12/02/carnage-gives-advice-opening-djs/

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

The Corpse Played Dead by Georgina Clarke

Lizzie Hardwicke #2

Intriguing premise for a book set in 1759 London sees Lizzie Hardwicke helping what will one be the Bow Street Runners solve a case in Drury Lane Theater. Mischief has been occurring and the theater manager has asked for help so the Magistrate requests Lizzie’s undercover assistance posing as a seamstress to spy on the situation. Little does Lizzie realize that there will be more than mischief to deal with. There will be scoundrels, abuse, lying, cheating, sneaking, hints at Lizzie’s backstory and a whole lot more. Lizzie has knowingly made the decision to work on her back for a roof over her head, food in her belly and a safe place to stay while earning money for a different future. She is an educated woman from a higher society than most in the profession and smarter than most. She is a woman I could relate to and would like to know more about. I would also like to know more about Will Davenport...and have a feeling we will be seeing both in future books of this series.

What I liked:

* Lizzie: She is smart, knows what she wants, is curious, has been given a bad hand but seems to have made the best of it. I want to know more about her.

* Will: I know he has suffered personal loss, is intelligent, seeks the truth, seems to be rather black and white in his outlook on life and is an interesting person. I want to know more about him.

* The interactions between Lizzie and Will – they are interesting and real and make me wonder what type of friendship/relationship these two will develop as the series progresses

* The hints about Lizzie’s past

* The fact that prostitution is Lizzie’s source of income but it is not who Lizzie is – and it is not the main focus of the book since she leaves her “job” to solve mysteries.

* The time period, the characters, the writing that makes me feel I am there, the grit and grime and so much more

What I didn’t like:

* The way some people in this time period were invisible and taken advantage of

* The abuse that seemed so common and expected and the fact that there was no way to avoid it or make the abuser pay for what was done

* The bad guys that I was meant not to like…

I had not read book one in this series and wonder what I missed but can honestly say that not having read book one did not interfere with my thorough enjoyment of book two. I loved this book and look forward to reading more as soon as the books are ready!

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46140579-the-corpse-played-dead?ac=1&from_search=true

BLURB

‘All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players…’

When an undercover assignment for the Bow Street magistrate sees prostitute Lizzie Hardwicke trade Ma Farley’s Bawdy House in Soho for life as a seamstress the theatre on Drury Lane, it becomes clear quite quickly - what goes on in the wings is much more intriguing than the theatrics being played out on stage…

Soon Lizzie is once again thrown together with the handsome Inspector Will Davenport when a high profile investor is brutally hanged at centre stage and Lizzie discovers the body. With the suspect list rivalling any casting call, Lizzie will have to use every trick she’s hidden up her sleeves to unravel the tangled threads and bring the culprit into the spotlight.

[lilyharvord]

Modern AU Part 6

Gather Round children!!! It’s part 1 of the WEDDDING FIIIIIICCCC!!!

Promises and Rings

It’s raining. Why is it always raining when something important happens in my life?! I glare out the window of the hotel from the bed, trying to determine how quickly it would take my mother to kill me if she heard I’d called off the wedding because of rain.

        The door into the room attached to mine creaked open, and Gisa’s messy bed hair tumbled out before her face came into view. She glanced around then tiptoed across the floor. She probably thought I was still asleep or something. Before I knew it, she had lifted the blankets and curled up behind me. She shifted my hair off of my neck and then breathed against my ear, “Hey Mare, guess what today is?”

        “The day you brush your teeth before waking me up like this?” I tease with a smile, as I push her off of me. She smirks and then pokes me in the side before laughing. “No! Today is a very special day, and it’s all about you.”

        I roll onto my back, forcing her to sit back on her haunches to avoid getting smushed under me. “Today is about Cal too, stupid.”

        “Oh come on, nobody cares about the groom, everyone stares at the bride!” Gisa squealed as she bounced up and down on the bed. I groaned and grabbed a pillow to cover my face. Today was going to be a long day of my mother and her practically doting over me at every turn. I couldn’t handle that much attention. And then there was Cal, who almost hadn’t let me sleep alone, per tradition, last night. We’d spent the whole night with our closest friends at the bar, laughing and talking, and of course drinking. I’d been slightly drunk, and Cal hadn’t been much better. He’d carried me up almost seven sets of stairs before taking me up the rest in an elevator. He’d carried me into my room and then the two of us had ended up on the bed, laughing and teasing each other. My mother had practically kicked the door to our room down when she heard me laughing, and had grabbed Cal by the collar of his jacket and dragged him out. He’d protested the whole way, asking my mother what the hell she was doing, before she’d kicked him out and thrown his bag at his chest saying that he was staying with the other men down the hall. She’d slammed the door in his face and then dragged me up to clean my makeup off and scold me for not knowing better. How did I not know that it was bad luck for the groom to be with the bride on the morning of the wedding? I’d groaned as she’d fixed my hair with pins to help with the curling process the next day, but after she got me into bed, I’d passed out.

        Gisa shook me violently, and I screeched into the pillow as she shouted, “Come on! We have to curl your hair and get you ready! The wedding is in exactly,” she paused to calculate and then replied in a panicked squeak, “six hours! MARE GET UP!”

        She yanked the pillow away from me, and then sprinted out of the room, shouting for our mother to start the shower. I roll onto my side again and look out at the dreary sky. We’d decided on a beach wedding, something I had partially been opposed to, until Cal had literally thrown the brochures all over the bed and said, “Florida. We’re getting married in Florida.”

        Now I was regretting letting him convince me that it would be perfectly fine. It would be warm and sunny, and it would be the best decision we had made, he had said. I should have known better.

        I can hear my mother and Gisa in the other room, arranging things, arguing about what to do first, and who should do what. I end up rolling over in bed and saying into my pillow, “We should have just gotten married in the damn city hall.”

        (////)

        A few hours later, I’m standing in front of the window, looking out at the beach where the tents and everything was set up. People were already down there, drinking and laughing while they waited for the ceremony to start. Gisa came up behind me and tucking a loose strand of hair up with a pin she says, “Aren’t you excited? It’s going to be great!”

        “It’s raining.” I murmur as I watch the large fat drops continue to fall. Gisa’s lips purse as she looks at them too and then squeezing my shoulders she whispers, “It’s lucky in some cultures you know.”

        I nod quietly, and then let her step around me to fix the head piece and adjust the veil. Her tongue sits between her front teeth as she does this, and I can’t help but smile at the little action. It was so Gisa in its nature. When she finishes, she says, “I think Cal’s going to cry. He’s so emotional you know?”

        I snort to hide my laugh, because it’s true. He’s emotional enough for the two of us. The door opens into the room opens and Shade leans against the doorframe for a second, looking me up and down. I throw him a teasing glare and say, “What were you a vulture in another life?”

        He laughs and then says softly, “What? I can’t admire the fact that my little sister looks beautiful on her wedding day?”

        “Of course she looks beautiful, Shade, don’t be a doofus.” Gisa teases as she nudges me with her elbow and then brushes on an invisible speck of dust on my sleeve. Shade rolls his eyes and then tucks his hands in the pocket of his tux. He had agreed to be one of Cal’s best men, and had winked as he’d agreed, saying that he might have to wear one of those half dress half suit costumes so that he could be one of my bridesmaids too.

        He looked so handsome now though, with his usually wild hair tamed and styled cleanly (per my mother’s orders), and his shirt clean and pressed instead of covered in paint like it usually was when I visited his studio where he worked. He honestly looked beautiful like this.

        I smile and then cross the room to him before slowly adjusting his bowtie so it looks less crooked, “I bet Farley digs this whole look.”

        Shade rolls his eyes at the mention of his girlfriend of two years and says, “She hates it, cause it means she has to wear a dress. You have no idea how much coaxing it took to get her into that damn bridesmaid dress.”

        I laugh at that and then reply with a wink, “Oh I have an idea.”

        Gisa huffs and says, “Can’t be as bad as trying to get Mare to go into a wedding dress shop. Did you know that I almost had to call Cal to drag her into one?”

        I throw her a teasing smile over my shoulder and say, “Don’t be dramatic, Gee.”

        “You were going to wear a summer dress to your own freaking wedding!” Gisa shouts, exasperated, before grabbing her little bouquet and storming out of the room. Shade watches her go with a smile and then offers me his arm before saying, “Shall we then? It’s time.”

        I slide my arms around elbow and then let him lead me out of the room. He smiles down at me and then says softly, “You really do look beautiful, though.” He winks at me and I roll my eyes as I hug his arm tightly in silent thanks. Shade had been the biggest proponent of us getting married as soon as possible. He’d spent a solid week helping Gisa design the invitations, and had then taken time out of his work days to help me plan everything else. He’d been the one to drag my other two brothers to the tux shop to get fitted along with Cal. He had been the one to pick me up off the floor of my apartment when I’d had a meltdown over the stress of everything. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for more.

“I hope your best man speech isn’t filled with terrible puns.” I say as I nudge him with my hip. He gives me his characteristic crooked grin and then winks before tapping the breast pocket of his jacket when the speech was probably waiting to be read, “Of course it is, would you expect anything less from me?”

I laugh at that, happy to know that he took his best man duties seriously. If there hadn’t been any terrible puns then, without a doubt he didn’t try. I hug his arm again as we take the elevator down and then whisper, “You’re not… upset that I’m getting married?”

He gives me a curious glance and then asks hesitantly, “Are you trying to find an excuse not to get married or something?”

“No!” I say quickly, and then laugh at the abrupt state of my answer. “No, it’s just that, I don’t know, you and me were always so close, and well, I haven’t been spending as much time with you since I started dating Cal.”

With a shrug he replies, “You two love each other, who am I to step between that? Besides, Ma might behead me, or worse neuter me.”

I laugh at his response, and then elbowing him I tease, “Oh God forbid Shade Barrow get’s neutered.”

He throws his head back and laughs. It’s like old times, it’s like all the times when we were kids. I can’t help but smile around the butterflies that are starting to come alive in my stomach. I don’t have time to get cold feet, I want to scream, but it’s too late.

“Don’t be scared of the wedding jitters,” Shade says as if he knows what I’m freaking out about, then again he probably did. He presses a light kiss on my forehead as the doors to the elevator open into the lobby where everyone is waiting to start the ceremony.

(////)

The rain was still drumming against the tarp of the tent as we all dance and laugh. Cal holds me close, one arm wrapped around my hip, the other holding my hand as we sway side to side slowly. He smiles down at me and then grins widely, like he has a huge secret that he just can’t wait to share. I raise my brow at that and then ask, “What? Is my makeup smearing?”

He laughs and shakes his head before placing a kiss on my forehead, “Of course not love. You look stunning. I’m just… I just can’t think of the right words to express how happy I am right now.”

I shake my head laughing as he turns me and then brings me back to him. I wrap my arms around his neck then and he threads his arms around my hips. We continue swaying side to side, the two of us simply enjoying the moment.

“So, are you living in the moment right now?” He teases as he presses a kiss on my temple. I laugh and then crane my neck to press a kiss on his lips. He accepts the gesture, before pulling away slowly and winking, “Now now Mare, that’s for later tonight.” I gasp in embarrassment at his innuendo and then say, “Oh my God, you must be drunk!”

He laughs up to the beautiful white hanging lanterns above our head only to come back down and press another kiss to my lips. When he pulls away he asks, “Are you enjoying your night Mrs. Calore?”

I snicker at the new last name and force us to a stop before lacing my fingers together behind his neck. We look into each other's eyes for a few heartbeats before I stand on my toes and press a feather light kiss against his lips. “Of course, I wouldn’t imagine it any other way.” I exhale against the corner of his mouth, and he chuckles as he pulls me closer and teases, “But the night is just getting started.”

I roll my eyes and say, “You act like we haven’t done anything remotely like it before.”

“Well we haven't done it as husband and wife, now have we?” He asks as he picks up the slow rocking again. I shake my head to hide my smile at the innuendo. It wouldn’t be any different than the other times, but in this moment, I felt different. Everything changed from here.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Cal asked softly when he noticed my vacant gaze. I shook myself out and then smiling sheepishly at being caught daydreaming I said, “I’m trying to remember if we left Cody enough food for the dog sitter.”

He blinks, as if he’s thinking about it too, and then mutters, “shit” under his breath. I blink in horror and then hiss, “CAL! Oh my God I told you to do one thing while I was getting my dress fitted!”

He turns a wicked grin on me and then flicks my nose before saying, “I love how you fell for that. You’re more worried about the dog than our own wedding.”

“Cody has a sensitive stomach! You know that he’ll have digestive problems if he doesn’t eat the right food, and the dog sitter doesn’t know that.” I reprimand, our teasing conversation becoming serious all the sudden. Cal blinks at my tone, and then chuckling, he pulls me closer and says, “I went out and got him an extra bag, he’s got enough to last him until the world ends. He’ll make it through the honeymoon.”

“Do you think he’s upset that we’re not there?” I ask as I let him pull me back into the dance. He rolls his eyes and says, “My goodness, you are more worried about the dog. What are you going to do when we have a baby?”

I blink in surprise at his comment. His brain seems to catch up with him, and he freezes before glancing down at me. We look at each other for a few seconds in surprise at what that comment meant. We were married, someday we would have kids, and someday we would watch them get older. Before either of us can say anything about it, we both burst out laughing at our thoughts. I wrap my arms around his neck and say, “No kids for a few years, okay?”

I hold out my finger for a pinkie promise, and he smirks as he wraps his pinkie around mine. “Promise darling.”

YAAAASSS!!!! Wedding fic!!!!! Alright, part 2 is gonna be a little different than usual. I’ve decided that I apparently have the balls and audacity to post a NSFW fic on tumblr. It’s gonna be from the honeymoon part. (; Stay tuned. I will be marking and tagging it as NSFW so if you have that blocked, just be aware that you may not see it. It will probably not contain any major plot points though, so no worries if you decide not to read. (:  SHOUT OUT TO @redqueenfandom for helping edit and kicking my ass into gear to finish this ((((((: You’re bae. 

[soulsunforgiven]

for any weirdoes interested, under the cut is the entire list of the books i have with me right now. have fun. (scroll a bit further down for a video representation of it.)

and now, i shall away to bed. goodnight my friends.

BOOKS:

Shelf 1

1. Angel: Haunted - Jeff Mariotte

2. Angel: Hollywood Noir - Jeff Mariotte

3. Angel: Impressions - Doranna Durgin

4. Angel: Not Forgotten - Nancy Holder

5. Angel: Shakedown - Don DeBrandt

6. Angel: Stranger To The Sun - Jeff Mariotte

7. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Chosen - Nancy Holder and Joss Whedon

8. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Coyote Moon - John Vornholt

9. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Halloween Rain - Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder

10. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: How I Survived My Summer Vacation - various authors

11. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Immortal - Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder

12. Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Lost Slayer: Book 2, Dark Times - Christopher Golden

13. Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Lost Slayer: Book 3, King of the Dead - Christopher Golden

14. Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Lost Slayer: Book 4, Original Sins - Christopher Golden

15. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Night of the Living Rerun - Arthur Byron Cover

16. Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Gatekeeper Trilogy: Out of the Madhouse - Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder

17. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Paleo - Yvonne Navarro

18. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Resurrecting Ravana - Ray Garton

19. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Return to Chaos - Craig Shaw Gardner

20. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Unnatural Selection - Mel Odom

21. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Visitors - Laura Anne Gilman and Josepha Sherman

22. Schizo - Nic Sheff

23. Black The Circle, Book One - Ted Dekker

24. Boneman’s Daughters - Ted Dekker

25. The Bride Collector - Ted Dekker

26. You Don’t Know Me - David Klawss

27. Serenity: The Shepherd’s Tale - Joss Whedon, Zach Whedon, and Chris Samnee

28. Wolverine Origins, Part 2 - Daniel Way and Steve Dillon

29. Wolverine Origins, Part 3 - Daniel Way and Steve Dillon

30. Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Part 1: On Your Own - Andrew Chambliss and Georges Jeanty

Shelf 2

31. The Complete Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

32. Book of Magic - Bruce Coville

33. A Glory of Unicorns - Bruce Coville

34. Eragon - Christopher Paolini

35. Eldest - Christopher Paolini

36. Inheritance - Christopher Paolini

37. Mythic Vision: The Making of Eragon - Christopher Paolini and Mark Cotta Vaz

38. Dragon Rider - Cornelia Funke

39. Inkheart - Cornelia Funke

40. Inkspell - Cornelia Funke

41. Inkdeath - Cornelia Funke

42. The Thief Lord (autographed) - Cornelia Funke

43. Welcome to Night Vale (autographed) - Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

44. It Devours! (autographed) - Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

45. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy - J.R.R. Tolkien

46. The Matt Dillon Quiz Book - Gina LoBuglio

47. Rumble Fish - S.E. Hinton

48. Tex - S.E. Hinton

49. That Was Then, This Is Now - S.E. Hinton

Shelf 3

50. The Egyptian Gods and Goddesses - Clive Barrett

51. Egypt of the Pharaohs - Alan Gardiner 

52. Egyptology - Emily Sands

53. Tales Mummies Tell - Patricia Lanber

54. Fables and Fairy Tales - various authors

55. Fablehaven, Book One: Fablehaven - Brandon Mull

56. Fablehaven, Book Two: Rise of the Evening Star - Brandon Mull

57. Fablehaven, Book Three: Grip of the Shadow Plague - Brandon Mull

58. Fablehaven, Book Four: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary - Brandon Mull

59. Fablehaven, Book Five: Keys to the Demon Prison - Brandon Mull

60. Fairyopolis: A Flower Fairies Journal - Cicely Mary Barker

61. How To Find Flower Fairies - Cicely Mary Barker

62. Flower Fairies: Birthday Book - Cicely Mary Barker

63. A Flower Fairies Postcard Book - Cicely Mary Barker

64. Flower Fairies of the Spring - Cicely Mary Barker

65. 101 Fairy Tales - The Brothers Grimm

66. Grimms’ Fairy Tales - The Brothers Grimm

67. The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures - Aaron Mahnke

68. Magical Beasts: The Enchanted World - Time-Life Books

69. Mysteries of the Unknown: Mystic Places - Time-Life Books

70. The Mythology of Supernatural: The Signs and Symbols Behind the Popular TV Show - Nathan Robert Brown

71. The Red Pyramid - Rick Riordan

72. The Zombie Survival Guide - Max Brooks

Shelf 4

73. Stoneheart - Charlie Fletcher

74. The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis

75. Tales of Edgar Allan Poe - Edgar Allen Poe

76. Faust - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

77. Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman

78. The Supernaturalist - Eoin Colfer

79. Warriors, Book 2: Fire and Ice - Erin Hunter

80. Warriors, Book 3: Forest of Secrets - Erin Hunter

81. Warriors, Book 4: Rising Storm

82. Warriors, The New Prophecy, Book 1: Midnight - Erin Hunter

83. Warriors, The New Prophecy, Book 4: Starlight - Erin Hunter

84. Warriors, The New Prophecy, Book 6: Sunset - Erin Hunter

85. Warriors, Super Edition: Tallstar’s Revenge - Erin Hunter

86. The Books of Elsewhere, Volume Two: Spellbound - Jacqueline West

87. Jack of Eagles - James Blish

88. Auralia Thread Series, Book 1: Auralia’s Colors - Jeffrey Overstreet

89. Auralia Thread Series, Book 2: Cyndere’s Midnight - Jeffrey Overstreet

90. Auralia Thread Series, Book 3: Raven’s Ladder - Jeffrey Overstreet

91. Auralia Thread Series, Book 4: The Ale Boy’s Feast - Jeffrey Overstreet

92. Guardians of Ga’Hoole, Book 1: The Capture - Kathryn Lasky

93. Guardians of Ga’Hoole, Book 2: The Journey - Kathryn Lasky

94. Guardians of Ga’Hoole, Book 3: The Rescue - Kathryn Lasky

95. Guardians of Ga’Hoole, Book 4: The Siege - Kathryn Lasky

96. Guardians of Ga’Hoole, Book 5: The Shattering - Kathryn Lasky

Shelf 5

97. 100 Cupboards - N.D. Wilson

98. 14,000 Things To Be Happy About - Barbara Ann Kipfer

99. Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

100. Archaeological Study Bible - various authors

101. Precious Moments Bible - various authors

102. Birds: A Guide To The Most Familiar American Birds - Ira N. Gabrielson and Herbert S. Zim

103. Field Guide to the Birds of North America - Jon L. Dunn

104. Birds of Seattle - Chris C. Fisher

105. The Black Stallion - Walter Farley

106. Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul - varied authors

107. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff - varied authors

108. Comes a Horseman - Robert Liparulo

109. The Dawnwolf - Mary W. Hills

110. Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam - Bernard Edelman

111. Doctor Who: Character Encyclopedia - varied authors

112. Isle of Swords - Wayne Thomas Batson

113. Last Snow - Eric Van Lustbader

114. Pendragon, Book 4: The Reality Bug - By D.J. MacHale

115. Rocks and Minerals - Paul R. Shaffer and Herbert S. Zim

116. Romantic Poets - varied authors

117. Star Wars: Character Encyclopedia - varied authors 

118. Uglies - Scott Westerfield

119. William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back - Ian Doescher

Floor

120. Emma - Jane Austen

121. The Matters at Mansfield - Carrie Bebris

122. Holy Bible - varied authors

123. The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis

124. 99 Radical Answers to Questions Teens Ask - varied authors

125. Finding the Core of your Story - Jordan Smith

126. Haunted by the Past - Kelly Hagen

127. The Peter’s Angel Saga, Part 1: Peter’s Angel - Aubrey Hansen

128. No Neutrality - Joel Parisi

129. The Sword and Pen - varied authors

130. S.H.R.A.I.D., Book One: Shadow Play - Joel Parisi

131. A Mighty Fortress - Faith Blum

132. Zeal Aspiring - Ophelia Marie Flowers

133. A Son of Israel - A.L.O.E.

134. Tortured for Christ - Pastor Richard Wurmbrand

135. Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Into College - Shanley Johnston

136. Accelerated Distance Learning: The New Way To Earn Your College Degree in the 21st Century - Brad Voeller

137. Developmental Mathematics - D. Franklin Wright

138. Temeraire, Book 1: His Majesty’s Dragon - Naomi Novik

139. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank

140. Falcon - Emma Bull

141. To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee

142. Belegarath The Sorcerer - David and Leigh Eddings

143. The Cay - Theodore Taylor

144. The Warrior Heir - Cinda Williams Chima

145. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

146. Sepulchre - Kate Mosse

147. Hunt The Wolf: A Seal Team Six Novel - Don Mann

148. Treasured Horses Collection - varied authors

149. Little Rascal - Sterling North

150. 1000 Facts On Animals - varied authors

151. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Animals Of The World - Tom Jackson

152. The Big Bug Book - varied authors

153. Insiders: Predators - varied authors

154. Doug Lindstrand’s Alaskan Sketchbook - Doug Lindstrand

155. Wildlife Fact File - varied authors

156. Sangre: The Phantom’s Lair - Teddy Ashcraft

157. Sangre: The Phantom’s Lair - Teddy Ashcraft (two copies)

158. Dear America, Voyage On The Great Titanic: The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady - Ellen Emerson

159. The Face On The Milk Carton - Caroline B. Cooney

160. The Peter’s Angel Saga, Part 1: Peter’s Angel - Aubrey Hansen (two copies)

161. In The Rain: A Collection of Poetry - C.N. Hansen

162. Thoughts of You - C.N. Hansen

163. Pretty Pretty Please: A Compilation of Poems - Abigail English

164. The Merlin Spiral, Book 1: Merlin’s Blade - Robert Treskillard

165. Red Rain - Aubrey Hansen

166. Supervillain of the Day - Katie Lynn Daniels

167. Hyperbole and a Half - Allie Brosh

168. Homeland - Cory Doctorow

169. The Cross And The Switchblade - David Wilkerson

170. The Little White Horse - Elizabeth Goudge

171. The Missing, Book 1: Found - Margaret Peterson Haddix

172. Scout: The Secret of the Swamp - Piet Prins

173. 20th Anniversary Anthology - Reader’s Digest

174. Basil of Baker Street - Eve Titus

175. Dictionary of First Names - Alfred J. Kolatch

[humanoid-lovers]

Good read despite an unwelcome left turn. This was a funny and casually well-written book, a good read But it's a little frustrating because it abandons the "narrative," if you will, without finishing it. The first 2/3 of the book deal with Spade's upbringing, his grind through the comedy club scene, and his slow climb from SNL writer to SNL performer. Even though it's written with a light touch, that stuff is all pretty compelling. But it drops that thread after he's made it as an SNL cast member. It doesn't tell the story of what prompted him to leave SNL, or his movie career (except for Tommy Boy), or his experience on sitcoms. Instead, the last 1/3 of the book morphs into more of a George Carlin "Brain Droppings" type thing -- little observational essays on miscellaneous topics ranging from doing cocaine to his thoughts on dating tricks that women pull. I would have been really interested to hear why he made the jump from SNL when he did (given how hard his climb there was) and whether he's happy or not with his sitcom and movie work. The guy writes so well and so honestly about his career that I certainly could have read a lot more of it. But still, this is an entertaining read and I'd recommend it for anyone who likes a fun, self-aware memoir. Go to Amazon

Makes me nostalgic for the 90's. As a Gen Xer going to college during much of David Spade's SNL stint and loving the entire cast and every sketch during those early 90's, I became a fan of his a long time ago. I love his standup, so funny to watch. This book is not written by a professional writer which makes this better...he writes this book like he's doing standup which works perfectly for his story and his personality. As was mentioned previously a million times, I hope he comes out with another book picking up where he left off and talking more about the rest of his professional life (and personal). Dennis Finch is one of the best TV characters of the last few decades....would love to read more about that. This book gives a really fascinating insider's look at how the SNL sausage was made during that time. I have read several books by comedians but this one gets more personal than other's I've read. After you read this, you come to the understanding that he was a regular schlub, just like the rest of us, who worked his butt off to get where he is...and he must be a really charming guy. Go to Amazon

Self-deprecating, Honest, and Relatable Lots of interesting and comical situations. The sacrifices and hard work he has done shows why he has the success he has. While he doesn't have what most would consider a great writing style, I got quite a few laughs out of it. He seems to be honest and straightforward because his prose is self-deprecating yet doesn't have to be. The ending was weird, though. He stops somewhat abruptly and we miss out on his current events. The book primarily covers his childhood, his early stand-up, SNL, and Tommy Boy with Chris Farley. After that, not so much. The ending oddly detailed several bits of advice about relationships, which, I have to admit, was somewhat educational, surprisingly funny,and shamefully accurate. Don't expect the whole book to be an autobiography and don't expect the book to cover his life up to the publish date of the book. Still a great read that earns 5 stars. Go to Amazon

Spade book is a stinker It starts off ok. You get Spade as he grows up in Arizona and finds his way as a comic. When it hits Saturday Night Go to Amazon

Funnier than expected and a great light read. I ordered a sample after reading another comedic celebrity book, and it had enough interesting parts to keep it. Go to Amazon

Funny yet exceptionally written Lets face it David Spade is a funny guy, so as expected his book was funny yet honest. The way it is written it makes you feel as tho your hanging out in his den, having a bud and chatting. He lightly touches on Chris Farley which everyone always wonders about. I mean come on, they were THE comedic duo! As expected there is an inherit sadness which is totally understandable. Of course he isn't going to divulge everything but that period of time had to be extremely painful. Even with that sort of brutal honesty and raw emotion, his tale of making his way thru comedy mean streets is fantastic. I laughed, I cried and everything in-between. It made me view David Spade as more than just Dirty Joe Dirt. However, I get the distinct feeling Dirty Joe Dirt lives somewhere in Mr. Spades past. It was a eye opener to learn he grew up in Casa Grande, Az. I live not too far from there, but he has left Casa Grande in the dust. All in all I would highly recommend this endearing book to anyone who is, or isn't a fan of David Spade. Go to Amazon

Almost an interesting read It was indeed almost interesting. Go to Amazon

Good Read, But Far From Complete As others have mentioned the first 2/3 of this book is very good, but he pretty much stops after Tommy Boy and does not talk about any of his other films or TV shows. It is rather odd, unless he is planning on saving that for another book. I also had no clue that he had a daughter, only finding out by reading another review here on Amazon. She is not mentioned in the book. Bottom line, it was an enjoyable read, but it is far from a complete autobiography. Go to Amazon

The ending was kind of odd, but overall the book was interesting and fun. Pretty ineresting Very Interesting Spade's a great story teller Enjoyable read A fun real life read David's style of writing is like no other. Very Childlike. Easy read. Enjoyable Spade is a great story teller