The Night Prince - Chapter 31Chapter Thirty OneIn Which Lucia Finally Meets Princess EvangelineAs Lucia and Julian made their way back to the mansion, Lucia dared not look any of the townspeople in the eye. She focused on the rhythmic crunching of the gravel beneath her feet and tried to match her cadence with Julian’s. The prince walked at a pace that was a little slower than Lucia’s, although he seemed determined to stay just a little bit ahead of her. In any case, Lucia was careful not to stray far, because she dared not risk that the townspeople might think she was out alone. Too many people knew her face – and knew too little else.They cru
The Night Prince - Chapter 30Chapter ThirtyIn Which Lucia And Thomas Are Set Free From PrisonThe sound filled the dank air of the jail, flooding down the hallway and rushing into the cell. Lucia was quite sure she heard two distinct sets of footprints. William the jailer caused the same heavy footfalls as before. Along with his steps came the sound of the metal keys, knocking together like ominous wind chimes. However, when Lucia listened closely, she heard a second set of lighter footsteps following William an instant later. They seemed to have the weight of a man yet the stealth of a cat. The sounds’ echoing off the stone walls made it difficult to deter
The Night Prince - Chapter 29Chapter Twenty NineIn Which Lucia Learns Something Interesting From ThomasThe cold, hard jail cell offered little but silence. Through the iron bars, Lucia stared morosely at the wall opposite the cell. The sun, which had previously been visible through the thin slits that stood in for windows, had since arched out of view. As she guessed at the late hour, a knot formed in Lucia’s stomach. Poor John might think she had run off for good. Or, worse, Claudette might think she was lazing around idly somewhere, and would take it out on John and maybe even poor Margaret.Margaret. Was anyone tending to her? If it was up to John to
The Night Prince - Chapter 28Chapter Twenty EightIn Which Something Terrible Happens To Lucia And ThomasLucia burst through the apothecary's front door so fast that the shop bell's ring sounded more like a high-pitched thud. Breathless, she fell against the inside of the door and leaned against it with all her might.Looking briefly in Lucia's direction, the apothecary nodded, and then just soon returned to what he was doing. He climbed up on the stool once more and began to rummage around in the upper shelves. Scarcely looking, he extended one long arm out to where he had left his hat. He grasped it between two fingers, brought it up to his head, and dropped it
GreenAs other people pass me byAnd I turn my head downIt's not that I must feel ashamedI'm looking at the groundMinute amidst the sun-cracked earthNew life begins to growHopeful green-leafed sliversBecome brave enough to showIt's only that I'm looking downThat I'm able to seeThe world that shifts beneath our feetAnd no one knows but me
The Anime North 2011 SongAnime North 2011 Song[To the tune of "Beverly Hills" by Weezer]Where I come from isn't all that coolMy psychic powers don't ever workMy magic spells are a little weakAnd my friends are just as geeky as meI didn't go to ninja schoolWizards never fought with meWhy should they? I ain't a vampireCan't live on pockyAnime North, that's where I want to be!(Chibi chibi, chibi chibi)Going to Anime NorthAnime North, rolling with Hideki and Chi!(Chibi chibi, chibi chibi)Going to Anime NorthLook at all those cosplayersKimonos tied and shirts silkscreenedDid you see the Hello KittyFrom Organization 13I want to live
Get a Move OnLet's get a move onWe've strategizedAnd waited foreverWith fire in our eyesBut there's no light to turn greenNor check'd flag to waveJust a clock and a calendarAnd a warning to behave.And it's a long way to Heaven from hereBut the sky that sails above us is clearSo let's get a move onWe've made our plansWe haven't a secondTo wait in the stands.There's nothing behind us But gloom and malaiseAnd nothing ahead But a fresh trail to blaze
Colbert NationTo the TV I'm gluedI cheer and laugh watching J StewI'm kind of sad when it reaches the end"Here it is, your moment of zen"But I know not to feel blueBecause I know I'm just halfway throughThrough the commercials I'll be patientA patriot of the Colbert NationTonight!Fear and paranoia aboundTonight!The Alpha Dog finds somebody to houndTonight!The best damn pundit you've ever heardBreaks it down on The WordScience fiction could use some enhancin'From a superhero like Tek JansenLet's name a spider after someone like thatStephen Colbert gets a Tip of my HatTonight!Everybody is totally screwedTonight!New
The Lonely KingOnce upon a time there was a beautiful and prosperous kingdom. The king lived in an immense palace and had all the riches and jewels that anyone could ever want in a lifetime. And, yet, somehow, he was not happy. Despite his wealth and power, the king was lonely. He had no friends and no family, and this made him very sad.One night, as he watched his servant blow out the candles in his bedroom, one by one, he lamented aloud about his loneliness. Usually, he knew, a king was supposed to maintain his kingly power through a kingly facade of never suffering from kingly emotional neediness. But this night, as his servant darkened the room
MarblesKaiden scowled. He threw himself back onto the narrow, metal-railed bed and pulled the sheet over his face."Kaiden," his mother's voice warned him. "I said don't do that.""I can't hear you," Kaiden replied. "I'm dead."He sniffed. The sterile smell of the hospital blanket made him feel angry all over again. It wasn't fair. Other kids got to have normal lives. You can bet that they got to have normal birthdays.Before he could think of a complaint he hadn't said already, his mother pulled back the blanket."I'm not happy about the timing either," she said. "We'll celebrate once you're feeling better.""I feel fine NOW!" Kaiden
True Vampires pt 3 of 3Meanwhile, in a temperate forest that looked like it got a lot of rain, Edward was giving Bella the piggy back ride of her life. It was the piggy back ride of her life because she thought it might actually end her life. They tore through the icy air, bits of twigs whipping at their heartbreakingly attractive teenage bodies. Bella felt like throwing up, and dying, and screaming, and perhaps also chuckling. "Edward!" She chuckled. "I think I am going to die.""That's okay!" He chucked sexily. "I will protect you."On and on they flew through the trees un
True Vampires pt 2 of 3Later that night, in another part of the city, a young girl walked alone through the dark alley. Suddenly a shadowy figured jumped out of nowhere. It landed in front of her, trapping her in a corner. Her heart skipped in fear."No, please!" She cried. "Don't hurt me.""I'm not going to hurt you," the tall and slender figure chuckled. He stepped out from the shadows, revealing a chiseled face and a sculpted body, or possibly a sculpted face and a chiseled body. No one could really be sure. He smelled like heaven and the terrified girl suspected that he tasted even better. But most remarkable of all was his skin, which scintillated -
ToNaNo Hogwarts Part 30 ENDWriting words galore in this word war I check the scoreOf my city, my best friends, and myself.I can't believe how far we've reachedAnd how many goals we've breachedAnd now we're drifting like a continental shelf.Because victory's distractingAnd now we're overactingIn the coffee shops.The deadline is advancingAnd we got each other dancingOn table tops.The month is ending and the jokes are obsceneWe feel exhausted but we're high on caffeineHere comes the manager. He closes my laptop screen.We're getting kicked out of StarbucksWe're getting kicked to the curbWe're getting kicked right out of StarbucksThe other
ToNaNo Hogwarts Part 28 and 29Part Twenty Eight: Attack of the Zombie ErrolsQuirk ducked behind a pile of crates, clutching the machine gun like it was her last hope for survival. For dramatic purposes, I should say it was, but a good grenade would have done the trick as well. Meanwhile, the zombie Errols shuffled by outside the storage compartment's thin metal walls. A characteristically loud vocalization shook the storage compartment. "ALLOOOOOO!"Quirk cast a sideways glance at Tabs, who was the only other survivor. Tabs nodded and raised her machete. She gestured towards the door, from which Quirk
ToNaNo Hogwarts Part 26 and 27Part Twenty Six: Another ChapterHello, everyone, and welcome to this chapter. Oh, wait, this chapter has been preempted by a Giant Tornado. See you in Chapter Twenty Seven.Part Twenty Seven: A Spare Chapter Because I Am At Starbucks And Have Nothing Else To Do, Except Bother Other People Who Are Trying To Finish Their Novels, So I Figure I Should Do This InsteadAs seagulls circled under the midday sun, a little raft bobbed somewhere in the middle of the South Pacific. Too far from civilization to tell which way was which, and too disenchanted to care how they got there in the first place, the few survivors waited in silence for salva
ToNaNo Hogwarts Part 25Part Twenty Five: I Hope This Is Over SoonVoldemort took off his mask. It was... dot, dot, dot...Jocelyn! Who we haven't seen in a while on purpose. Because she was Voldemort."Jocelyn?" said A-Chels. "You were Voldemort the whole time?""Yes," said Jocelyn. "And I would have made it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids.""But now that that's over with," said Professor Langley, "party in Hogsmeade!"Confetti fell from the ceiling, because the Ghost of Debs was shredding some papers. Music began to play as Rumbleroar, Anne of Green Gables, and the Spanish Inquisition paraded through."Wait a minute!" Shouted Professor Vicks
Open Mic, Chapter ThreeWhen the dust settled, America raised his arms over his head in victory. In his hand was the microphone. England pulled a hamburger out of his pocket and used it to distract America while he retrieved the mic.“That’s quite enough of that,” said England. He set the mic back down in the middle of the table. “Let’s start with the first issue of today.”“But of course,” said France. “The most important thing we must discuss is No Pants Day.”“No Pants Day?” the other nations chorused.“Yes,” said France. “This is following up from my proposition l
Open Mic, Chapter TwoRunning like a wild stallion, America tore down the hallway and burst into the room. He leapt over a chair, cleared the railing, and landed on the other side. Letting himself sink to his knees, he slid to the blackboard and tagged it with a hearty slap.“First!” he shouted. “I’m the first one here!” This garnered a sigh of annoyance from England, who had been waiting for quite some time for the others to arrive. He was already halfway through his second cup of tea, and he had reread his notes so many times he had practically memorized them.“Really, America,” England said. “Must you alwa
Open Mic, Chapter One“Time to review the plan!” Germany shouted at his troops. Japan and Italy straightened up and saluted.“Yes, captain,” said Japan. “The plan I have devised to spy on the Allies is to put a sound transmission device into their meeting room. The device will pick up everything they are saying, and we will hear it on this machine.” Japan opened his hand toward a small wooden box with a dial and two speakers on the front of it.“Good,” said Germany. “Italy, is your part of the mission complete yet?”Italy looked up from a piping-hot plate of spaghetti. He slurped in the last nood
How To Be Awesome, Chapter TwelveCanada spent the rest of the morning sitting in his room. His heart pounded as he repeatedly relived what he had seen in Prussia’s basement. Could it be? Did The Awesome Prussia really feel as broken and lonely as Canada did? Canada wanted to say that it didn’t make any sense, but it made perfect sense to him. Replaying Prussia’s tearful complaints in his mind once more, Canada felt as though those words might have been his own.“You know, Kuma-gelatinous, I feel lonely and forgotten too.”The white bear looked up briefly from the book he was reading, and then looked back down.“And other nations al
How To Be Awesome, Chapter ElevenNot needing to pay attention to where he was going, Canada let his feet take him to Prussia’s house. He knocked on the door. He hummed to himself as he waited for someone to answer. After a few seconds, the door swung open. Germany was standing in the doorway. He blinked, possibly to acknowledge Canada’s presence.“Hello, Germany,” Canada said. “Is Pru -”“Yes,” Germany said, stepping aside to let Canada in. “He’s in the basement.”Without another word, Canada made his way over to the basement door. As he journeyed down the stairs, he heard Prussia’s voice. It
How To Be Awesome, Chapter TenWhen morning arrived in earnest, Canada opened his eyes feeling calm and lucid. He hadn’t returned to his dream from earlier, but he felt as though there were some sort of resolution as he slept. When he opened the front door, ready to greet the day, he was not surprised nor disappointed to see that Prussia was not there waiting for him.“That’s okay,” Canada told himself. “Prussia’s taught me well. I can be awesome on my own.”He strode down the street, nodding and smiling at other nations as he passed them. Each and every nation returned a friendly greeting. When Canada arrived at the fruit
How To Be Awesome, Chapter NineThat night, Canada dreamt of walking forever in a lonely grey forest. From time to time, he caught fleeting glimpses of lights flickering somewhere in the distance, but they would always fade to darkness before he could chase them. After what felt like a thousand false starts, Canada fell to his knees and let the cold earth begin to consume him. He disappeared, as if vanishing into quicksand. When he was up to his shoulders, a comet blazed over head. Shocked, Canada leapt to his feet, leaving the hungry earth beneath him. He ran like lightning after the comet, which seemed to slow down as though it were asking him to pursue it. As Cana
How To Be Awesome, Chapter EightBack in the shelter of the basement, Canada began to feel stronger. He and Prussia rearranged the room’s sparse furnishings to resemble a sort of restaurant setting. Then they made their way to the edge of the staircase and pretended they were entering for the first time. As they walked toward Prussia’s coffee table, Canada figured he should say something. He couldn’t think of a word to say, though. The awkwardness of practicing with Prussia was gone, but it was still hard for him to imagine his dear friend as a stand-in for anyone else. Sensing that Canada was struggling, Prussia started the conversation for him.&ld
How To Be Awesome, Chapter SevenDay Two of awesomeness training began bright and early. Canada had been awakened before dawn because Kuma-journalism was making a racket. The white bear had tried to make himself a snack in the wee hours of the morning, and had caused all the pots and pans to fall out of the cabinet and across the kitchen floor. Not only did Canada wake up much sooner than he’d wanted to, but the first task of the day for him was to tidy up. He didn’t bother to reprimand his pet, because he knew his words would go unheard. Besides, it was hard enough to remember the name of that Kuma... Kuma... Kuma-jazzy.After a frustrating morning involvi
How To Be Awesome, Chapter SixSoon, the two were back in the relative security of the basement. Canada observed Prussia once more, although, by now, everything seemed to have gone back to normal. Before Canada could figure out if there was something he should say, Prussia took the lead.“Time for more training,” he said. “Pretend I’m Taiwan.”Prussia crossed to the far side of the basement and struck a pose. He shifted his weight onto one leg and rested his hand on his hip. Tossing his hair, he turned to face Canada. Canada clapped his hands over his face in embarrassment.“Yoo-hoo!” Prussia called through pouty lips.&l
How To Be Awesome, Chapter FiveThe two nations rocketed up the stairs and soon found themselves in the kitchen. The lovely scent of coffee filled the air. It was accompanied by the happy sounds of friendly conversation and coffee bubbling as it brewed. With a shy smile, Canada nodded politely toward the three nations who were seated around the kitchen table. Austria returned the gesture, but as soon as he took note of Prussia’s presence, he scoffed and excused himself from the room. Once Austria was gone, Prussia folded his arms and smiled smugly.“Is he okay?” asked Canada, gesturing toward the door through which Austria had just exited.“Ye
How To Be Awesome, Chapter FourGermany’s house was warm, inviting, and spotlessly clean. Prussia led Canada past several lovely-looking rooms and stopped in front of an unusually heavy door. Normally, such a door would be used for an external side door or an exit to a garage. It was strange to see a door like this inside a house.“Here we are,” said Prussia. “My awesome home.”With a sweeping gesture, Prussia pulled the door open, revealing a set of cement stairs that led down into blackness. He plodded down the steps, waggling his fingers at Canada to signal him to follow. Canada paused at the top of the stairs. He wondered if Prussi
How To Be Awesome, Chapter ThreePrussia charged down the street, high on enthusiasm and drunk on beer. It was a struggle for Canada to keep up with him. Every time Prussia staggered, Canada tried to anticipate where he was walking, and eventually he found it easier just to give up and lag behind.“Oh, no,” said Prussia. “Never do that.”“Do what?”“Walk behind.”Prussia stopped in his tracks, allowing Canada to catch up. As soon as Canada was at Prussia’s side, Prussia let himself lean on him a little.“You’ve got to walk with confidence. Know where you’re going and march there like the sidewa
How To Be Awesome, Chapter TwoThe sun was burning overhead by the time Canada had run out of breath. He fell against the side of the nearest building. With his hands on his knees, he stared at the ground as he let the sweat pour down his face. Silently, he cursed his brother’s name once more. He forced himself to focus on how angry he was at America, if only to forget how humiliating it was when Taiwan looked at him like that.“Pathetic,” he panted. “I’ll never be cool enough to beat America... to impress Taiwan... to even get noticed... or remembered... by anyone!”Canada sniffed. A few teardrops joined the sweat that ran down
How To Be Awesome, Chapter OneHow To Be AwesomeThe mirror hardly bothered to show Canada his reflection. With a deep breath, Canada glared at the one unruly curl that spiralled awkwardly from the side of his head and wished his genetic inheritance from France had been just a bit smoother. He reached for his hair gel.“Empty?” he said aloud. “But it was more than half full yesterday.”That was when Canada remembered America’s voice through the bathroom door, earlier that day.Look out, bro! I’m borrowing some of your stuff. I’m sure you won’t mind.Canada sighed and muttered a few words of resentment. He told hims
Attack of the Notorious Ninja BunniesThe world was now at the mercy of the notorious ninja bunnies. What had started innocently enough as a series of experiments in genetic mutation and Japanese pop culture was fast becoming a danger that threatened to take down modern society. I, for one, am thrilled.I mean, really, does anybody actually like modern society? It's just one big rat race with a side of popularity contest and a generous dash of pollution for good measure. I say, welcome, ninja bunny apocalypse. Still... Still, it is always wise to have a back-up plan.That is why we at Kaiju Tech Labs designed the ultimate battle machine in ninja bunny warfare. Let's see t
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