#welladays

[dido-main]

welladay ● txt

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○genre: hurt-confort

○synopsis: txt comforting you after a crisis headcanons

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yeonjun

i think he would get on his problem solving mode. but not in the way like "if you sleep well, ..." or "if you gain confidence, ..." kinda way but actual advices.

the injustice probably bothers him too.

he will actually help you with the following solution, too.

but at that moment, he just tries his best to listen your problems and what you have been going through.

tries his best to not to say something that could upset you even more.

rubbing his hands on your shoulders and of course hugs

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soobin

he is the leader because he has great communication skills and lets be honest he looks like he listens everyone's problems so his s/o would be no exception.

he helps you find the solution yourself rather than directly comping up with it.

he leads the conversation that way and boom suddenly the crisis is just an obstacle that you can overcome.

he would lowkey cry with you tho...

like imagine him saying "everything will be okay." leaning his forehead to yours while you both cry

he is a simple man of course he hugs.

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beomgyu

nervous. he is nervous. basically freaks out as if they were his problems.

but doesn't show it. he tries to distract you and himself instead.

and when he feels your tantrum calms down, he actually starts to comfort you.

very kind words from such a lovely boy, he suggests to help you with what has been bothering you. even plans revenge if necessary.

he sings songs that feels like lullabies and warm hugs.

most of his comforting is physical touch. he caresses you, hugs you, kisses you, makes you lean your head to his shoulder.

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taehyun

even though he gives the vibe to be the logical one in these situations vibes for most people, i don't agree.

he knows emotions are necessary. he is not a teenage boy who keeps saying "facts don't care about your feelings."

senses that you haven't been letting yourself to feel your emotions so your outburst is no surprise to him.

listens to you and tries his best to understand you.

you both come out with options to solve what has been bothering you. and decide together

he isn't very touchy in these things but definitely hugs you.

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huening kai

the most unpredictable member imo. like i know he would definitely be there for you but i have no idea how he will be there for you.

my guess is on like beomgyu he distracts you, then comforts you.

you can't make healthy desicions with those intense emotions so he waits.

listens to you but not the most responsive. he waits for you to finish completely before he actually expresses his opinion.

hand holding and hugs. heavy emphasis on hand holdings. i won't elaborate

[darkpoetrynprose]

“Winds of May, that dance on the sea, Dancing a ring-around in glee From furrow to furrow, while overhead The foam flies up to be garlanded, In silvery arches spanning the air, Saw you my true love anywhere? Welladay! Welladay! For the winds of May! Love is unhappy when love is away!”

― James Joyce

[bea-lele-carmen]

Winds of May, that dance on the sea

Dancing a ring-around in glee

From furrow to furrow, while overhead

The foam flies up to be garlanded

In silvery arches spanning the air

Saw you my true love anywhere?

Welladay! Welladay!

For the winds of May!

Love is unhappy when love is away!

[ohwelladays]

MS Paint warm ups feat. summer boys

[gummybearzgocrazyagain]

my top hilarious moments (c) in tsc universe, in no particular order

Aline off the bat assuming jimon was real 

“Stop hugging Shadowhunters in front of my place of business!” (c)

“Don’t you forsooth me. [...] You know my rules about forsoothing in my room. Also the use of the words ‘howbeit,’ ‘welladay,’ and ‘alack.’ ” “What about ‘zounds’?” “The punishment for ‘zounds’ is severe,” (c)

Entire Robert x drunk!Simon crucifix interaction 

“Remember, Thomas is the most elderly of our group. He is required for day patrol.” “I am not sure just eighteen is precisely elderly,” said James.  “He should have some years before senility sets in.” “I get the sense sometimes that he rather likes Alastair Carstairs. Which would indicate senility has already set in.” (c)

the effect water from Lake Lyn had on Magnus aka “that one of you there is very attractive” and Dru trying to cover Tavvy’s ears

“There are a lot of hot shadowhunters,” said Elliott. “That’s the point of them, isn’t it?” (c) p r e a c h sis

“only if it was a very gay spider”

every. single. word. of  “The Voicemail of MB”, okay, almost every word, excluding the heartbreaking parts, obvi

Ragnor x Christopher Lightwood “bromance”

Iblis demon x Christopher Lightwood “bromance” 

everyone having something to say about Thomas’ growth spurt

Lily pretending not to know who Robert is in bten

“Alec and I are unafraid to express our manly love,” said Jace. “Sometimes he carries me around like a swooning damsel. “Really?” said Kit. “No,” said Jace. “I’m very heavy, especially when fully armed. What did you want to talk to me about?” “Actually, that,” said Kit. “My weight?”(c)

Matthew’s judgement of Jamie only having one hair brush in the Academy

the “bodyguard” dialog between Simon and Raphael

half of the things Mark said “It is better that you go,” he said, “that I might forget your fair, cruel face, and heal my heart.” (c), and Cristina’s “unnecessary” comment

“Can I have your autograph, Raphael?” asked the faerie lady. She produced a large, shiny green leaf and a quill. Raphael wrote LEAVE ME ALONE on the leaf. “I’ll cherish it,” said the faerie. She ran away, clutching the leaf to her bosom. “Don’t,” Raphael yelled after her.” (c) because i c o n i c

Christopher’s reaction to Cordelia threatening to stay out the whole night and having to marry either him or Thomas

“Christ, Kieran, what the hell—” “What foreign gods do you call on now?” (c) 

“Please forgive him. He’s from a horrible desert wasteland and he doesn’t know what’s going on,” said the other werewolf. “I’m from Ohio!” “That’s what I said.” (c)

“I must be off,” he said. “There’s an orangery in Kensington Gardens that needs smashing. Ladies, lock up your outbuildings. James Herondale is in town and he has been slighted in love!” (c)

Raphael being traumatized by 12yo Alec’s flirting, and proceeding to question his age at every encounter

“stupid hot people [...] they won’t let me eat cookies” (c)

“i’ll just hang around until then!” (c)

Bridget with her opinions on Herondales’ and Lightwoods’ prospective sexual appeal

“Of course, due to Will’s prejudice toward all things Carstairs, he probably thought Alastair was perfect and also pretty.”(c) Cordelia

“We could together slay a frost giant, or devour a deer”(c) - attempt to ask a pretty woman out was made here

Kit actually yelling the first time he saw Jessamine

Our brilliant Alexander “Polyglot” Lightwood trying to coerce his son to fall asleep with “Adorno”

“James, why are we locking all the windows? Are we afraid of overcurious pigeons?” James slammed a bolt home and turned to look at the others. “I have spent the past four years of my life trying to train myself not to do what I’m about to do. I don’t wish to even consider the possibility of being interrupted.” “By a pigeon?” said Matthew” (c)

Henry’s memoir being called “A Whoops and a Bang: The Shadowhunter of a Modern Age” (1910)

Magnus being annoyed with Jace’s compulsive tidiness during his stay at the loft in CoA

“Sensor technical support FAQ” chapter of the Codex

+ bonus: “all Lightwoods look the same to me” and “doubtless repellent brat” for the sheer irony

[dailymiquotes]

A strange evening, forsooth," he said.  "Don't you forsooth me." She flopped down on the bed next to him. He wouldn't sleep on the bed, but he didn't seem to mind using the mattress as a sort of giant sofa. He set his back down and leaned back against the footboard. "You know my rules about forsoothing in my room. Also the use of the words 'howbeit,' 'welladay,' and 'alack.'"  "What about 'zounds'?" "The punishment for 'zounds' is severe," she told him. "You'll have to run naked into the ocean in front of the centurions." Mark looked puzzled. "And then?

Mark Blackthorn and Emma Carstairs (Lord of Shadows)

[universitybookstore]

WINDS OF MAY

Winds of May, that dance on the sea, Dancing a ring-around in glee From furrow to furrow, while overhead The foam flies up to be garlanded, In silvery arches spanning the air, Saw you my true love anywhere? Welladay! Welladay! For the winds of May! Love is unhappy when love is away!

-- James Joyce

[livmoose]

Chamber Music

James Joyce

I

Strings in the earth and air Make music sweet; Strings by the river where The willows meet.

There's music along the river For Love wanders there, Pale flowers on his mantle, Dark leaves on his hair.

All softly playing, With head to the music bent, And fingers straying Upon an instrument.

II

The twilight turns from amethyst To deep and deeper blue, The lamp fills with a pale green glow The trees of the avenue.

The old piano plays an air, Sedate and slow and gay; She bends upon the yellow keys, Her head inclines this way.

Shy thought and grave wide eyes and hands That wander as they list -- The twilight turns to darker blue With lights of amethyst.

III

At that hour when all things have repose, O lonely watcher of the skies, Do you hear the night wind and the sighs Of harps playing unto Love to unclose The pale gates of sunrise?

When all things repose, do you alone Awake to hear the sweet harps play To Love before him on his way, And the night wind answering in antiphon Till night is overgone?

Play on, invisible harps, unto Love, Whose way in heaven is aglow At that hour when soft lights come and go, Soft sweet music in the air above And in the earth below.

IV

When the shy star goes forth in heaven All maidenly, disconsolate, Hear you amid the drowsy even One who is singing by your gate. His song is softer than the dew And he is come to visit you.

O bend no more in revery When he at eventide is calling. Nor muse: Who may this singer be Whose song about my heart is falling? Know you by this, the lover's chant, 'Tis I that am your visitant.

V

Lean out of the window, Goldenhair, I hear you singing A merry air.

My book was closed, I read no more, Watching the fire dance On the floor.

I have left my book, I have left my room, For I heard you singing Through the gloom.

Singing and singing A merry air, Lean out of the window, Goldenhair.

VI

I would in that sweet bosom be (O sweet it is and fair it is!) Where no rude wind might visit me. Because of sad austerities I would in that sweet bosom be.

I would be ever in that heart (O soft I knock and soft entreat her!) Where only peace might be my part. Austerities were all the sweeter So I were ever in that heart.

VII

My love is in a light attire Among the apple-trees, Where the gay winds do most desire To run in companies.

There, where the gay winds stay to woo The young leaves as they pass, My love goes slowly, bending to Her shadow on the grass;

And where the sky's a pale blue cup Over the laughing land, My love goes lightly, holding up Her dress with dainty hand.

VIII

Who goes amid the green wood With springtide all adorning her? Who goes amid the merry green wood To make it merrier?

Who passes in the sunlight By ways that know the light footfall? Who passes in the sweet sunlight With mien so virginal?

The ways of all the woodland Gleam with a soft and golden fire -- For whom does all the sunny woodland Carry so brave attire?

O, it is for my true love The woods their rich apparel wear -- O, it is for my own true love, That is so young and fair.

IX

Winds of May, that dance on the sea, Dancing a ring-around in glee From furrow to furrow, while overhead The foam flies up to be garlanded, In silvery arches spanning the air, Saw you my true love anywhere? Welladay! Welladay! For the winds of May! Love is unhappy when love is away!

X

Bright cap and streamers, He sings in the hollow: Come follow, come follow, All you that love. Leave dreams to the dreamers That will not after, That song and laughter Do nothing move.

With ribbons streaming He sings the bolder; In troop at his shoulder The wild bees hum. And the time of dreaming Dreams is over -- As lover to lover, Sweetheart, I come.

XI

Bid adieu, adieu, adieu, Bid adieu to girlish days, Happy Love is come to woo Thee and woo thy girlish ways -- The zone that doth become thee fair, The snood upon thy yellow hair,

When thou hast heard his name upon The bugles of the cherubim Begin thou softly to unzone Thy girlish bosom unto him And softly to undo the snood That is the sign of maidenhood.

XII

What counsel has the hooded moon Put in thy heart, my shyly sweet, Of Love in ancient plenilune, Glory and stars beneath his feet -- A sage that is but kith and kin With the comedian Capuchin?

Believe me rather that am wise In disregard of the divine, A glory kindles in those eyes Trembles to starlight. Mine, O Mine! No more be tears in moon or mist For thee, sweet sentimentalist.

XIII

Go seek her out all courteously, And say I come, Wind of spices whose song is ever Epithalamium. O, hurry over the dark lands And run upon the sea For seas and lands shall not divide us My love and me.

Now, wind, of your good courtesy I pray you go, And come into her little garden And sing at her window; Singing: The bridal wind is blowing For Love is at his noon; And soon will your true love be with you, Soon, O soon.

XIV

My dove, my beautiful one, Arise, arise! The night-dew lies Upon my lips and eyes.

The odorous winds are weaving A music of sighs: Arise, arise, My dove, my beautiful one!

I wait by the cedar tree, My sister, my love, White breast of the dove, My breast shall be your bed.

The pale dew lies Like a veil on my head. My fair one, my fair dove, Arise, arise!

XV

From dewy dreams, my soul, arise, From love's deep slumber and from death, For lo! the trees are full of sighs Whose leaves the morn admonisheth.

Eastward the gradual dawn prevails Where softly-burning fires appear, Making to tremble all those veils Of grey and golden gossamer.

While sweetly, gently, secretly, The flowery bells of morn are stirred And the wise choirs of faery Begin (innumerous!) to be heard.

XVI

O cool is the valley now And there, love, will we go For many a choir is singing now Where Love did sometime go. And hear you not the thrushes calling, Calling us away? O cool and pleasant is the valley And there, love, will we stay.

XVII

Because your voice was at my side I gave him pain, Because within my hand I held Your hand again.

There is no word nor any sign Can make amend -- He is a stranger to me now Who was my friend.

XVIII

O Sweetheart, hear you Your lover's tale; A man shall have sorrow When friends him fail.

For he shall know then Friends be untrue And a little ashes Their words come to.

But one unto him Will softly move And softly woo him In ways of love.

His hand is under Her smooth round breast; So he who has sorrow Shall have rest.

XIX

Be not sad because all men Prefer a lying clamour before you: Sweetheart, be at peace again -- Can they dishonour you?

They are sadder than all tears; Their lives ascend as a continual sigh. Proudly answer to their tears: As they deny, deny.

XX

In the dark pine-wood I would we lay, In deep cool shadow At noon of day.

How sweet to lie there, Sweet to kiss, Where the great pine-forest Enaisled is!

Thy kiss descending Sweeter were With a soft tumult Of thy hair.

O unto the pine-wood At noon of day Come with me now, Sweet love, away.

XXI

He who hath glory lost, nor hath Found any soul to fellow his, Among his foes in scorn and wrath Holding to ancient nobleness, That high unconsortable one -- His love is his companion.

XXII

Of that so sweet imprisonment My soul, dearest, is fain -- Soft arms that woo me to relent And woo me to detain. Ah, could they ever hold me there Gladly were I a prisoner!

Dearest, through interwoven arms By love made tremulous, That night allures me where alarms Nowise may trouble us; But sleep to dreamier sleep be wed Where soul with soul lies prisoned.

XXIII

This heart that flutters near my heart My hope and all my riches is, Unhappy when we draw apart And happy between kiss and kiss: My hope and all my riches -- yes! -- And all my happiness.

For there, as in some mossy nest The wrens will divers treasures keep, I laid those treasures I possessed Ere that mine eyes had learned to weep. Shall we not be as wise as they Though love live but a day?

XXIV

Silently she's combing, Combing her long hair Silently and graciously, With many a pretty air.

The sun is in the willow leaves And on the dappled grass, And still she's combing her long hair Before the looking-glass.

I pray you, cease to comb out, Comb out your long hair, For I have heard of witchery Under a pretty air,

That makes as one thing to the lover Staying and going hence, All fair, with many a pretty air And many a negligence.

XXV

Lightly come or lightly go: Though thy heart presage thee woe, Vales and many a wasted sun, Oread let thy laughter run, Till the irreverent mountain air Ripple all thy flying hair.

Lightly, lightly -- ever so: Clouds that wrap the vales below At the hour of evenstar Lowliest attendants are; Love and laughter song-confessed When the heart is heaviest.

XXVI

Thou leanest to the shell of night, Dear lady, a divining ear. In that soft choiring of delight What sound hath made thy heart to fear? Seemed it of rivers rushing forth From the grey deserts of the north?

That mood of thine Is his, if thou but scan it well, Who a mad tale bequeaths to us At ghosting hour conjurable -- And all for some strange name he read In Purchas or in Holinshed.

XXVII

Though I thy Mithridates were, Framed to defy the poison-dart, Yet must thou fold me unaware To know the rapture of thy heart, And I but render and confess The malice of thy tenderness.

For elegant and antique phrase, Dearest, my lips wax all too wise; Nor have I known a love whose praise Our piping poets solemnize, Neither a love where may not be Ever so little falsity.

XXVIII

Gentle lady, do not sing Sad songs about the end of love; Lay aside sadness and sing How love that passes is enough.

Sing about the long deep sleep Of lovers that are dead, and how In the grave all love shall sleep: Love is aweary now.

XXIX

Dear heart, why will you use me so? Dear eyes that gently me upbraid, Still are you beautiful -- but O, How is your beauty raimented!

Through the clear mirror of your eyes, Through the soft sigh of kiss to kiss, Desolate winds assail with cries The shadowy garden where love is.

And soon shall love dissolved be When over us the wild winds blow -- But you, dear love, too dear to me, Alas! why will you use me so?

XXX

Love came to us in time gone by When one at twilight shyly played And one in fear was standing nigh -- For Love at first is all afraid.

We were grave lovers. Love is past That had his sweet hours many a one; Welcome to us now at the last The ways that we shall go upon.

XXXI

O, it was out by Donnycarney When the bat flew from tree to tree My love and I did walk together; And sweet were the words she said to me.

Along with us the summer wind Went murmuring -- O, happily! -- But softer than the breath of summer Was the kiss she gave to me.

XXXII

Rain has fallen all the day. O come among the laden trees: The leaves lie thick upon the way Of memories.

Staying a little by the way Of memories shall we depart. Come, my beloved, where I may Speak to your heart.

XXXIII

Now, O now, in this brown land Where Love did so sweet music make We two shall wander, hand in hand, Forbearing for old friendship' sake, Nor grieve because our love was gay Which now is ended in this way.

A rogue in red and yellow dress Is knocking, knocking at the tree; And all around our loneliness The wind is whistling merrily. The leaves -- they do not sigh at all When the year takes them in the fall.

Now, O now, we hear no more The vilanelle and roundelay! Yet will we kiss, sweetheart, before We take sad leave at close of day. Grieve not, sweetheart, for anything -- The year, the year is gathering.

XXXIV

Sleep now, O sleep now, O you unquiet heart! A voice crying "Sleep now" Is heard in my heart.

The voice of the winter Is heard at the door. O sleep, for the winter Is crying "Sleep no more."

My kiss will give peace now And quiet to your heart -- Sleep on in peace now, O you unquiet heart!

XXXV

All day I hear the noise of waters Making moan, Sad as the sea-bird is when, going Forth alone, He hears the winds cry to the water's Monotone. The grey winds, the cold winds are blowing Where I go. I hear the noise of many waters Far below. All day, all night, I hear them flowing To and fro.

XXXVI

I hear an army charging upon the land, And the thunder of horses plunging, foam about their knees: Arrogant, in black armour, behind them stand, Disdaining the reins, with fluttering ships, the charioteers. They cry unto the night their battle-name: I moan in sleep when I hear afar their whirling laughter. They cleave the gloom of dreams, a blinding flame, Clanging, clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil. They come shaking in triumph their long, green hair: They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore. My heart, have you no wisdom thus to despair? My love, my love, my love, why have you left me alone?

[dark-canary]

Welladay!

Hail and Hallowed Hunting dearest friends and fellow witches! I know that I have been quite quiet this week and I have a whole slew of updates, both magical and mundane, to share with you. But first and foremost, above all else, I must give thanks. To those of you who took the time to give me advice about the injury of my leg and those of you who offered such kind and thoughtful words to my most recent trance and magical struggles. Were it not for you, I may have been swallowed by the hopelessness I was feeling. I feel unworthy to have had the honor of your comfort and kindness and I cannot thank you enough for not allowing me to spiral into self-pity and blackest depression at my recent woes. On the front of the leg, it seems that I was able to nurse it properly and that it was not in fact a fracture but rather a strained muscle. You'll be happy to hear, I hope, that I took the time to rest and did not push my limits. I took the time to swim in the absence of my usual walk and even added in a bit of yoga movements that have been helping my sore and aching muscles relax and recover. I also discovered that part of the problem is that I need a better pair of shoes which I will be getting as soon as possible. I've been able to get back into my usual routine this week, though I've taken to doing a thirty minute walk rather than a forty minute to an hour one until I can get the shoes I need. I did fall off the wagon a bit this weekend as far as my diet and workout was going. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why my lower back has been hurting so terribly or why I was craving all manner of sweets, not to mention constantly hungry. It turns out that I somehow managed to forget about my monthly moontime. I was late and hardly noticed with everything else going on. And then was quite literally stabbed in the back by it over the weekend. Once I figured that out I was able to reassert control and have since become more dedicated than ever. I've spent quite a bit of time this week reading and resting not only body, but also both mind and soul. I took a highly needed rest from the constant push of my spiritual journey and instead of rushing forward headlong allowed things to come as they may. As a result, a few strange things have happened. First, quite suddenly and with no rhyme or reason for it, my house became filled not only with spiders but also with moths. The other day I counted as many as eight moths and several spiders spread throughout the house. Given that spiders have been strongly represented in my trance work and moths in my work with the Fae, I am hoping that these are good signs. On the other side of that, for the past four days I have been plagued by strange nightmares. The first nightmare was likely guilt driven for my having struggled this weekend with my diet. I tend to hold guild very strongly and I suppose it decided to manifest itself. In the second dream I was visited by my grandmother who just recently passed and given quite a talking down to about slacking with my weightloss and health journey. It was quite a shock I'll tell you because I haven't dreamt of her in years. But she did help administer the kick in the rear I needed to think about why I was struggling over the weekend as well as get me back on track. So though the nightmare itself was uncomfortable I was quite grateful. Unlike the first dream in which I had failed to meet my goals utterly, the second was more thoughtful and less painful, allowing me to see what I needed in order to get back on track. The third dream, now that was a strange one. Twisted and very dark. And not quite a dream at all. I only remember one part with total clarity. I was outside with some other people and kneeling upon the dark earth. There was a scattering of autumn leaves and it was surely closer to winter than it was to autumn. The ground was cold and wet and rich, but hard with the gold. And in this dream I, and others, were digging into that earth with our sore, bare fingers trying to uncover what was there. I found bones and strange bits of black rock and at one point, a baby or perhaps a child's toy. The child was the most unnerving part of the dream, but even with that bit of nightmare fuel there were feelings of fear and excitement, sorrow and joy as the items were being dug up. I felt strongly connected to the earth and the items and the people around me. And the winds through the trees brought strange and shape feelings of change. I have a feeling that something very interesting is going to happen with the coming winter this year. When I have more of an idea with it I will share it with you. I must say, truthfully, that I feel changed myself. I feel quite different than I did before. I am overwhelmed with an odd combination of calming numb and apprehension. And the ominous sense that I am running out of time for...something. This apprehension, this something coming, I've felt it all of my life. For as long as I can remember. Fainter in early years, but stronger with each year's passing and now, it is stronger than ever. I cannot even begin to imagine what it means, only that it has always been with me and it is important. It may pertain to the autumn dream. But I cannot be certain of that yet. As far as my journey goes, I believe that now is the time to take a different approach. I have always been as fickle as the moon herself, I've known many people who can attest to that fact. And I think now, more than ever, it is time to let my instincts drive me though this next stretch of the journey. I have some thoughts, some vague sense of what to do, without knowing exactly how it should be done. But I have a feeling that you, the community that has come to surround me, will be playing a pivotal role in this journey now. How, I am not sure yet. But the feeling will not leave me, so I believe it is important in further development. Now more than ever, your input and thoughts and ideas, hold great meaning to me. So if before shyness has kept you from voicing these things, now is the time to do so. I have a feeling that a great many new things are waiting in the wings to be awakened. And the excitement I feel for that is near overwhelming. I want to thank you all once again for following with me on this journey. And I hope to have more to share with you all very soon. Hallowed Hunting, Ydra

[copperbadge]

tailkinker-to-ennien replied to your post “Note to self”

H.G, Orson and George: Welladay (the Boy Band)

“Anyway, here’s Wonderwelles.” 

[ivorytowerblr]

NaNoWriMo 2017: Jan 23rd

We’re at just over a week before the end of the month, and I’m managing slowly to get more done.

Word Count: 1830 Previous: November (Master Post) December (Master Post) Jan: Week One(1st-7th) Week Two (8th-14th) Week Three (15th-21st) 22nd

He sits in a high-backed chair, the desk in front of him covered in a scatter of old things, papers and scavenged artifacts. He collects things -- connections, ideas, rumours -- and records them all, proof against a time when such information might not come as easily.

I envy him a lot, I think.

He’s watching the door as we come in, fixing his hidden gaze on Omega first, studying her, nodding to himself slightly, before turning to me, and behind his cowl, his lips curve in a smile.

“Marcus,” he says to me. “You look good. All recovered from those incidents?”

“Which one, my car exploding or my heart being broken?” I ask, and he gestures for us to sit. I offer Omega the chair first, since I’ve been here before, and take my own.

“Both, naturally,” he says. “You brought a guest. One of the proprietors of the Risky Venture, unless I miss my guess.”

“Is it really guessing if you’re in information broker?” Omega asks, curious. “Shouldn’t you already know?”

“There is a fine line between collecting information and mind-reading, Omega Hydratus,” he says, but smiles. “You’re right, though, I am aware of who you and your sisters are, and what they get up to in a broad sense. You have quite a treasure in Marcus there. An upright man, he is.”

“He’s helped us a great deal,” Omega says, smiling at me. “And now he’s helping us once more by introducing us.”

“Of course,” he says. “So, what is your question? What information can I find for you?”

“There is… something happening on Ultima,” I say. “A conspiracy that spans from the tops of society to the bottom. We’ve managed to pinpoint the members, but we’re not sure where everything they’re funnelling is actually going. We need to figure it out.”

“A conspiracy… and a base of operations. I see.” He threads his fingers together, and sets his chin on them. The curve of his nose and his sharp features are thrown briefly into relief. “I believe I can get you that information, but the price will be… depending on how you feel about it, quite high. There will be blood.”

“I’m… sorry, what?” Omega says, blinking. I shrug, because he’s like that. “Blood? Are you saying you’ll need to kill to get our answers?”

“No, though if you think that wars can be won bloodlessly, even silent ones, you’re quite mistaken, Ms. Hydratus,” he says. “What I require from you as an exchange is blood, some from each of the three of you, and Marcus, of course.”

“It’s not that strange,” I say, and start rolling up my sleeves. “It’s not even a full donation. Just a sample, like for a test.”

“You’re awfully quick to give up parts of yourself for a man you barely know,” Omega says, and I’m surprised by the snap in her voice, her tone. “Who knows what he could be doing with it?”

“Who knows what the conspiracy will be doing?” he asks, smiling briefly. “You could find someone else, someone whom you can throw your ill-gotten millions at, but how long will that take? How long will you need to wait to learn the terrible truth of Ultima?”

“You can take it from me, then,” Omega says. “Just me, we’re identical triplets. You don’t need blood from all of us.”

“A partial payment will get you a partial answer, in that case,” he says, shrugging. “Marcus, what happened to that nice husband of yours? The elf.”

“He left,” I say, even as he draws out a box of sterile equipment. Needles, vials. He’s done this before, I’m not worried. “Eldrad said he needed to go, that a storm was coming.”

“Indeed, though it’s usually raining here,” he says lightly. “What kind of storm?”

“A storm of fire.”

He pauses, and I catch a gleam in his eyes. “Well. Welladay. It seems that time is coming quite fast. How long ago did he leave?”

“Six months ago,” I say. “A little more. Why?”

“This may come as a shock to you, but I don’t know everything. That’s very interesting. Eldrad Uthlran has returned to his home planet.”

“I hadn’t properly thought of it like that, but… yes,” I say. “He left just before I was dragged into this.”

“Or he lit the way for your departure,” he remarks. “Arm.”

I offer my arm, and he tugs his sleeves back. Hands that are old, ageless, work deftly to fix the needle to the syringe, and the sharp, metal tooth to the rubber cap of the vial. Omega eyes it, uncertainly.

“It’s just a vacuum,” I say. “It draws the blood more easily, since you can do that when you’re taking a blood sample rather than, say, inserting an IV.”

“I’ve done this quite a bit,” he says to Omega. “Marcus has good veins. Excellent blood.”

“Makes up for the issues with my heart,” I say, shrugging, and offer my arm. He taps my veins, checking their firmness before inserting the needle. It stings, but only a little. My blood flows into the vial, looking darker than I seem to recall… but then, that’s the difference between vein and artery, isn’t it?

“How do we know your answer will be helpful to us?” Omega asks, and she’s watching too. “How do we know you’re not just some weirdo who likes to collect blood?”

“Omega--"

“The truth of the matter is that I am something of a weirdo, and I do like to collect things,” he says. “But Marcus has never known me to be wrong, or to try to deceive people, not in all the years we’ve known one-another. So it would be most unlikely for me to change my ways now, wouldn’t it? Marcus likes an honest man.”

“It’s true, I do,” I say. “Omega, look. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t think he could help us, and more than that, that the price would be fair. It’s just blood. What’s the matter?”

“I hate needles,” Omega admits. “They creep me out.”

“Then I suggest that you close your eyes while I do this,” he says, chuckling. “There are plenty of people who dislike needles.”

“I think I’d rather be stabbed,” Omega said. “Or shot. At least then no one would try to tell me it’s not supposed to hurt.”

“It’s essentially being stabbed,” I say as he withdraws the needle, pressing a cotton ball over top of it and then tapes it in place. “Just with a very small, very precise kind of knife.” I roll my sleeve down and watch as he does the same thing for Omega.

She does close her eyes and turn away, and he chuckles again.

“We’re paying your price,” Omega says, sounding shaky, after he’s done. “So, what’s our answer?”

“As I said, with a partial payment you gain a partial answer,” he says. “So the answer you get from me is this. The place you’re looking for is under ground.”

“Are you… are you kidding me?” Omega asks, disbelieving. “Are you serious right now?”

“I did tell you,” he says, shrugging slightly as he puts the vials away. “What you do with that knowledge is up to you. If you choose to bring this to your sisters, and they too pay the price, I will give you more. It’s not as if I’m asking anything from you that will strain you too badly.”

“I can’t believe how much of a waste of time this was,” Omega says, pulling her sleeves down and looking furious. “I don’t know why you would do this.”

“You don’t much like things that don’t go your way, do you?” he asks. “It’s strange that you’ve managed to plot and scheme for so long without anticipating that you might get a roundabout, if not entirely accurate, answer to your question.”

“I think we’re done here,” I say, and my hand reaches out to catch Omega’s. “Please don’t punch my informant in the face.”

“If I never see him again, it will be too soon,” Omega spits. “Let’s go.”

“What do you think of my information, Marcus?” he asks me, and I shrug.

“I think that if I consider my options, it will turn out to be extremely valuable advice. As I said, I’ve known you for years, and you have never steered me wrong, Hershel.”

Sitting back in his chair, my informant -- a friend in his own unusual way -- Hershel Malcador, smiles.

~ * ~

The information Hershel gave us is good, despite what Omega believes. She rants about him all the way back to the car, and then, back to the casino, while I hold on for dear life and try to calm her.

“I understand that this man is your friend,” Omega says, wrenching us from one lane to the next. “But he cheated us. There’s no question about that.”

“You need to--” I grab for the door of the car, praying it remains secure. “You need to think about this beyond being angry with him. What he said does make sense. There isn’t as much detail as you might like, but that doesn’t mean that he’s wrong.”

“How can you defend him?” she asks. “He’s like some kind of weird vampire, or--”

“Think about it,” I say. “Really think. We have looked everywhere in the city for the place those resources are going. Everywhere on the planet. If we can’t find it on the surface, then where else could it be going? We only have a few choices.”

Omega seems to think about it, even as someone leans on their horn and blasts out at us. “Off-world.”

“Is definitely a possibility, but not with the information he gave us.”

Omega makes a frustrated sound. “Then--”

“Under. Ground,” I say. “Under the ground.”

“Does he mean something like subway tunnels, like inside the ground as though buried, or as in into some kind of secret black market?” Omega wonders. “They’re all technically under ground, in a real sense or a metaphorical one.”

“That’s for us to figure out, I believe. A partial payment merits a partial answer.”

“He took my blood,” Omega grumbles. “I don’t think that was at-all necessary.”

“I suspect Hershel doesn’t need the kind of money he could ask for to procure his services,” I say as Omega drives and I pray that I won’t die this day. “I think he likes to talk to people, hear their stories and learn from them. He likely doesn’t see too many people on a regular basis, so he likes the company.”

“Careful,” Omega says. “I almost feel sorry for him.”

“I didn’t say he was a figure of pity, just one that doesn’t get much company.” I brace while Omega swings her car around to park. Another dangerous encounter survived, thankfully. “Let’s bring it to Alpha and Sigma, and find out what they think.”

“I can almost guarantee you that they’ll be as annoyed as I am.”

[tessalivesandbreathesbooks]

Emma showered carefully - the downside of having your hair long when you were a Shadowhunter was never knowing after a fight if there was ichor in it. Once the back of her neck had been green for a week. When she came out into her bedroom, wearing sweatpants and a tank top and rubbing her hair dry with a green towel, she found Mark curled up at the foot of her bed, reading a copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. He was wearing a pair of cotton pajama bottoms that Emma had bought for three dollars from a vendor on the side of the PCH. He was partial to them as being oddly close in their loose, light material to the sort of trousers he’d worn in Faerie. If it bothered him that they also had a pattern of green shamrocks embroidered with the words GET LUCKY on them, he didn’t show it. He sat up when Emma came in, scrubbing his hands through his hair, and smiled at her. Mark had a smile that could break your heart. It seemed to take up his whole face and brighten his eyes, firing the blue and gold from inside. “A strange evening, forsooth,” he said. “Don’t you forsooth me.” She flopped down on the bed next to him. He wouldn’t sleep on the bed, but he didn’t seem to mind using the mattress as a sort of giant sofa. He set his book down and leaned back against the footboard. “You know my rules about forsoothing in my room. Also the use of the words ‘howbeit,’ ‘welladay,’ and ‘alack.’ ” “What about ‘zounds’?” “The punishment for ‘zounds’ is severe,” she told him. “You’ll have to run naked into the ocean in front of the Centurions.” Mark looked puzzled. “And then?” She sighed. “Sorry, I forgot. Most of us mind being naked in front of strangers. Take my word for it.” “Really? You’ve never swum naked in the ocean?” “That’s kind of a different question, but no, I never have.” She leaned back beside him. “We should one day,” he said. “All of us.” “I can’t imagine Perfect Diego ripping off all his clothes and leaping into the water in front of us. Maybe just in front of Cristina. Maybe.” Mark clambered off the bed and onto the pile of blankets she’d put on the floor for him. “I doubt it. I bet he swims with all his clothes on. Otherwise he’d have to take off his Centurion pin.

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

[forsoothsayer]

The Beggar by José de Espronceda

The world is mine; I am free as air;

Let others work that I may eat;

All shall melt at my piteous prayer:--

"An alms, for God's sake, I entreat." 

The cabin, the palace,

Are my resort;

If the threat of the thunder

Shall break from the mountain,

Or the torrent's quick fountain

Shall drive me under,

Within their shelter

The shepherds make place,

Lovingly asking me

Food to grace;

Or by the rich hearthstone

I take my ease

Fanned by the odors

Of burning trees;

With the luscious banquet

And cushioned store,

Upon the couch

Of some proud señor.

 And I say to myself:--

"Let the breezes blow

And the tempest rage

In the world without:

Let the branches crack

Where the high winds go,

As I slumber with nothing to trouble about.

The world is mine; I am free as air!" 

All are my patrons,

And for all I ask

My God as I daily pray;

From peasant and noble

I get my pay,

And I take their favors

Both great and small.

I never ask them

Who they be,

Nor stop to task them

With thanks for fee.

If they desire

To give me alms,

'Tis but their duty

To tip my palms.

Their wealth is sinful

They must see;

And a holy state

Is my poverty,

And he is a miser

Who would deny

An alms, and a beggar

Blest am I. 

For I am poor and they grieve to note

How I groan beneath my pain;

They never see that their wealth is a mine

Where I my treasures gain.

The world is mine; I am free as air! 

A rebel and a discontent

Amid my rags am I;

To satirise their ease I'm sent

And with a sour-set eye

I boldly stare at the potentate

Who dares to pass me in his state. 

The lovely maid

Of a thousand scents

In her joy arrayed

With her love-locks blent--

'Tis she I follow

Till she turns around,

And my evil smells

Her sense astound.

At the feasts and spreads

My voice is heard

And they bow their heads

At my merest word.

Their joy and revel

I come to stay,

At the sight of my rags

And my voice's brags

Their music dies away.

Showing how near

Dwell pain and joy;

No joy without tear

No pain sans glad alloy.

The world is mine; I am free as air! 

For me no morrow

Nor yesterday;

I forget the sorrow

And the welladay.

There's nought to trouble

Or weary me here,--

It's a palace tomorrow

Or a hospital's cheer.

I live a stranger

To thoughts of care;

Let others seek glory

Or riches rare!

My one concern

Is to pass today;

Let the laws prevail

Where the monarchs sway!

For I am a beggar

And a poor man proud;

'Tis through fear of me

There are alms allowed. 

A soft asylum

Where'er it be,

And a hospital bed

Will be ready for me;

And a cosy ditch

Where my bones shall lie

Will cover me over

When I die. 

The world is mine; I am free as air;

Let others work that I may eat!

All hearts must melt at my piteous prayer:--

An alms, for God's sake, I entreat!"

[ohwelladays]

Russian fairy

[megan-cutler]

I’ve been doing a 52 Week 6 Word Story Challenge and I forgot last week that it was time to recap weeks 11-20, so I’ll do that this week instead ;) Week 14: "Tell a story from an animal's point of view." Domerin: The scent of blood exhilarates him. Rose: Lazing in sunbeams, she listens closely. Cazella: She can't break the short chain. Silkfoot: The rushing wind is freedom incarnate. Week 16: "Write a six word story of a personal life event that has really affected you." Domerin: My father failed to kill me. Rose: He abandoned his crown for me. Cazella: I watched as father killed mother. Silkfoot: I stole freedom with this ship. Week 17: "Write a six word story in which the first letter of each word is in consecutive order in the alphabet." Domerin: Affection became cursed; Domerin eventually fled. Rose: Rule starting today? Untimely victory. Welladay! Cazella: Keep longing. Mistakes never offer pardon. Silkfoot: Keen liars make no outrageous promises. *Week 15 is quite long, so it’s getting it’s own post tomorrow ;)

[shinyprincesspanda]

Happy Beltane

Photo by John-Mark Smith on Pexels.com

Happy Beltane!

Have a Blessed Beltane!

Merry May Day!

Merry May!

“Winds of May, that dance on the sea, Dancing a ring-around in glee From furrow to furrow, while overhead The foam flies up to be garlanded, In silvery arches spanning the air, Saw you my true love anywhere? Welladay! Welladay! For the winds of May! Love is unhappy when love is away!”