#Decided to keep mom a highlander but played with her overall look some

[cadrenebula]

Prompt #27: Hail

Adelena grimaced down at the book on her bed. Inside might be answers. Might not. But it was what the captain had given her when she’d gone knocking. Asking questions about her father. She’d figured if anyone had known who he mother had been with, it would be the captain. Her mother and the captain had been close.

She’d not found what she wanted to do with her recently gained free time. So she’d begun to wonder about the truth of where she came from. No, that wasn’t exactly right. She knew she was a Siren and had been born into the life. Her mother had been a Siren since before she was born. But that left her to wonder who her father had been and where he’d come from.

Mother never had the natural magical talent that she did. So that meant it had to be from her father. But rarely did any of the mothers among the Sirens talk about the ones that sired their children. Her mother hadn’t been the exception in this.

But the Sirens didn’t have nearly as much work right now with current happenings. Some had already taken up other jobs in the downtime. But Adel hadn’t found anything that called to her. Not for a lack of trying either. What was she if not a Sanguine Siren? Who was she?

Grimacing down at the book that was her mother’s private journal, left in the care of the captain. What answers lay within it? Did she really want to know the truth of what sort of man her father was? Invade her mother’s private thoughts written down? 

She’d told Keten before she didn’t give a damn who the man had been who helped sire her. For the most part she still didn’t give a damn. Should just ignore the journal and find something else to do. But some part of her? Wanted to know. If for no other reason than to spit on him.

With a deep breath that is let out in a sigh, Adelena opened the journal and began to read. Akir the otter came up to snuggle in her lap as she scoured over the pages.

[justjessame]

Avery Emerson Clay: Hot Water...

I showered alone. Huge shocker there, what with Clay throwing his big boy boss pheromones around like he owned the free world, and Jake acting like he’d rather swallow one of the huge as fuck knives Roque used to carry around than make eye contact in front of him.

Instead of fuming, or at least instead of focusing on fuming, I tried to recapture how much fun it had been to introduce Jake to my goats. How his eyes had gone wide when we crossed over the hill and came to their enclosure, grin growing as he took in the brightly colored pool noodles and tennis balls I had to utilize to keep them from using their tiny horns against one another.

“Dad insisted I move them away from the house,” I told him as I parked the cart and jumped out to head toward the gate. “The smaller ones,” I pointed out Nuisance and Roo, who were bounding toward us, “didn’t respect the boundaries of outside versus inside the house.” Nuisance, my big baby was nudging my thigh as soon as I got inside the fencing. “Hey you, missed me didn’t you?” He was nuzzling my hand, and I knew he wanted to bottle feed even though he was weaned, against his will and trust me, his will was pretty fucking high handed.

“Goats,” Jake was processing as he followed me through the gate, Roo deciding he’d do in a pinch since Nuisance had my attention, nudging his hand with her pink pool noodle covered horns. “Why do they have-”

“Protection,” I answered, patting my sweet boy’s head as I made my way past their obstacle course of barrels and tires toward the real barn on our property. “If their horns aren’t covered, they’ll use them on one another or my other furbits.” I smiled over my shoulder as he followed me, petting Roo and chuckling as the other three olders came over to inspect the newbie. “I want to make sure their food is filled, their water is clean and full, and-”

“And they get the love and attention they’re used to?” He was learning, I’d give him that. “If the yoga was surprising, this is even more-”

I shrugged, hip checking my shadow of a billy goat out of the way as I filled the food trough. “I wanted to rescue some Highland cows, but Dad put his enormous, overbearing foot down.” I sighed, thinking about the fluffy cows that had ended up homeless due to no fault of their own. “We have all this fucking land and he’s worried about me overworking myself taking care of ‘unnecessary livestock’.” I rolled my eyes as Jake, which he’d told me to call him during our ride out, found the hose and started cleaning the water basin before filling it. “Mom thinks I should focus on being more of a behind the scenes charity maiden, like she was in her heyday.” Another eye roll, and another sigh. I giggled as Nuisance chose to “help” Jake with the water hose and one ended up on his ass, while the other ended up on top of the fallen’s chest.

Shower over, I was wrapped in a huge warm shower sheet and walked into my bedroom, sighing when I saw Clay relaxing across my bed like he belonged there. Ignoring him, I moved to my closet and flicked through hangers.

“Avery,” he sounded exasperated, like a stereotypical older brother might be with his baby sister’s antics that had gone too far. As though I had stolen his favorite football jersey without permission or flirted with his best friend when he was over to play video games, if only.

I answered, taking full advantage of both syllables of his name, “Franklin.” My entire body was inside my closet, and I was faking more interest in my wardrobe than I ever bothered with before. I pushed aside the suits that Mom had insisted on, while I was working at the office and that I was still forced to wear when I had to go in on the rare occasions it couldn’t be avoided, and stared at the dresses that I rarely wore. What the hell, I thought, big brother was alive let’s go full throttle with the partywear.

My closet rivaled my mom’s in the size and scope of it, which meant that it was part dressing room with a built in vanity and enough space for shoes that I would NEVER run out of room in my lifetime. I found a dress that wasn’t too over the top for the type of celebration Rose was working on, grabbed some shoes that matched and pulled out panties and a bra to go with the overall look. Clay was silent while I dressed, but I knew he wasn’t gone. Biding his time, just like our dad, waiting me out.

I brushed my hair and braided it over my shoulder, but ignored the makeup table. Screw that noise, since I planned on dinner, dessert, and whatever toast Rose would make then I’d come to bed to Netflix and chill until sleep took me- or Jake, I smirked, wondering if I could convince him to join me for a nightcap.

When I came out of the closet, yeah yeah - snicker all you want, Clay was still sprawled across my bed, Ali and Sweetie snuggled like a yin and yang symbol beside him. “Alright, Franklin Jr, let’s spar.”

[mystlnewsonline]

New Post has been published on https://www.stl.news/the-latest-low-key-national-signing-day-even-at-michigan/82375/

The Latest: Low-key national signing day, even at Michigan

/February 7, 2018 (AP)(STL.News) —

The Latest on college football national signing day (all times Eastern):

10:15 p.m.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh dialed down the hype on signing day after being part of pomp and circumstance the previous two years at a downtown theater and the school’s basketball arena.

When asked why, Harbaugh said at his news conference at the football performance center Schembechler Hall, “It’s just what we decided to do.”

It was reflective of Wednesday’s national signing day, which was relatively calm after most FBS teams filled the majority of their 2018 classes in December. Most schools were just topping their classes on the traditional February date — the first Wednesday of the month.

But the low-key venue at Michigan may have something to do with Harbaugh coming off an eight-win season after earning 10 victories in each of his first two seasons with the Wolverines. And, a relatively lackluster recruiting class ranked No. 21 might have also been a factor.

Harbaugh, though, said he plans to move forward with another international trip with his players this spring a year after taking them to Italy.

“We hope and are planning to go abroad: Paris and Normandy,” he said.

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9:35 p.m.

Oregon’s new coach Mario Cristobal beat out Alabama and USC on national signing day.

The Ducks scored four-star offensive guard Penei Sewell, who hails from Saint George, Utah, is considered one of the top offensive linemen in the nation.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder made his choice dramatic: He had been expected to announce his commitment during the early signing period in December but then he decided to wait.

And he was one of the last future Ducks to officially commit on Wednesday.

“It’s a great example of the type of battles that Oregon is capable of winning. He’s an ultimate difference maker,” Cristobal said.

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9:15 p.m.

Oregon State squared off with Nebraska and the Beavers came out OK.

They lost one potential recruit to Nebraska, but lured another one from the Huskers on Wednesday’s national signing day.

First-year Beavers coach Jonathan Smith lost receiver Andre Hunt to new Nebraska coach Scot Frost. The three-star prospect from Lancaster, California, had previously committed to USC.

But Smith did land Matthew Tago, a four-star outside linebacker out of Palmdale, California, who was also considering Nebraska.

The Beavers were challenged in recruiting by last year’s upheaval and a 1-11 overall record: Former coach Gary Andersen stepped away in the midst of last season.

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4:15 p.m.

The grandson of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is carrying on the family tradition at Arkansas.

John Stephen Jones signed with the Razorbacks on Wednesday, and his granddad attended the signing ceremony at Highland Park High School, not far from downtown Dallas. The younger Jones led the Scots to consecutive Class 5A Texas state championships.

Jerry Jones was a lineman on the 1964 Arkansas team that went 11-0 and finished No. 2 in The Associated Press rankings with a 10-7 win over Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl. One of Jones’ teammates was Jimmy Johnson, his first hire as coach when he bought the Cowboys in 1989. They won two Super Bowls together.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, John Stephen’s dad, also played at Arkansas.

John Stephen Jones had offers from Texas Tech, Kansas and SMU. New Arkansas coach Chad Morris spent the previous three seasons leading the Mustangs.

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4:00 p.m.

ESPN updated the Jacob Copeland story, showing video of Copeland’s mother and her son hugging, not long after the mom walked out of the Florida wide receiver’s signing ceremony.

Moments earlier Wednesday, Copeland was surrounded on national signing day by several people, most of whom were either wearing Alabama gear or Tennessee gear. Seated to his right was his mother, wearing an Alabama sweatshirt and a Tennessee knit hat.

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3:10 p.m.

Pensacola (Florida) Escambia wide receiver Jacob Copeland’s mother didn’t seem all that thrilled with his college decision.

Copeland was surrounded on national signing day Wednesday by several people, most of whom were either wearing Alabama gear or Tennessee gear. Seated to his right was his mother, wearing an Alabama sweatshirt and a Tennessee knit hat.

As soon as Copeland grabbed a Florida hat and announced he would play for the Gators rather than Alabama or Tennessee, Copeland’s mother left the table.

Copeland says that he felt most welcome at Florida among his three finalists, adding “I couldn’t go with my mom, I wanted to go with my heart.”

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1:45 p.m.

The top-rated player in the state of Alabama is going to … Clemson.

Wide receiver Justyn Ross from Phenix City, Alabama, picked Clemson on signing day Wednesday, joining another top 10 class for Dabo Swinney and the Tigers. Pulling Ross away from the in-state Crimson Tide, might have been enough to keep Alabama from cracking the top-three in the final class rankings.

As the afternoon rolls around out West, Southern California is picking up steam. The Trojans landed cornerback Olaijah Griffin, the son of rapper Warren G, and linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu. The Trojans could finish with a top-10 class if they can clean up late with SoCal players.

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1:30 p.m.

Washington coach Chris Petersen has finished off the best recruiting class of his career.

The Huskies signed two players on Wednesday to finish off their 2018 recruiting class. The majority of Washington’s class signed back in December but the Huskies made noise with who they signed in the weeks since. Washington’s class was rated by 247sports.com as nearly dead even with Southern California for the best in the Pac-12 and clearly among the top 15 nationally.

Washington nabbed four-star defensive back Julius Irvin from Anaheim, California, and flipped four-star defensive lineman Tuli Letuligasenoa from Concord, California.

Irvin was rated among the top 20 defensive backs in the country, while Letuligasenoa — who was originally a verbal commit to USC — was rated among the top 15 defensive tackles in the country.

Washington was hopeful of putting a major cap on its class, but star defensive end Jeremiah Martin from Southern California committed to Texas A&M.

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12:25 p.m.

Georgia and Ohio State both got some good news on signing day.

The Bulldogs look as if they will hold off Alabama in the race for the top recruiting class on Wednesday’s national signing day. Georgia flipped linebacker Quay Walker from his Alabama commitment and signed the four-star prospect.

According to 247 Sports’ composite rankings, coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs have locked up the No. 1 class. The Crimson Tide had seven straight No. 1 classes.

Meanwhile, Ohio State announced some good news of its own.

Beyond the signing of most of the top recruits he pursued, Urban Meyer says defensive coordinator Greg Schiano will be staying in Columbus. Meyer says Schiano had NFL and college job offers.  There were reports the former Rutgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers heads coach would be leaving to become the New England Patriots defensive coordinator.

Meyer and Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith also say they were close on a two-year contract extension for the coach.

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11:45 a.m.

Tanner McKee from California, the highest rated quarterback still uncommitted entering signing day, picked Stanford over Alabama, Texas A&M, BYU and Texas.

It was a boost for Stanford’s recruiting class on Wednesday’s signing day.

But the Cardinal will have to wait two years for the four-star McKee to suit up in the Pac 12.

McKee is a Mormon and will do a two-year LDS church mission before attending college.

___

11:15 a.m.

This is a lighter national signing day than usual because the majority of prospects signed in December.

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald made that point clear early Wednesday morning when he tweeted “6:34 a.m. … that’s a wrap on #NSD18 and #NUView18.”

Fitzgerald’s tweet came after he announced the early morning signings of offensive lineman Sam Stovall and defensive back A.J. Hampton.

The rest of Northwestern’s class had signed in December.

Most FBS teams filled the majority of their 2018 classes in December. The traditional February date — the first Wednesday of the month — has most teams just topping of their classes.

___

10:55 a.m.

Signing day started on a bright note for new Nebraska coach Scott Frost, with four-star defensive end Caleb Tannor of Lithonia, Georgia, picking the Cornhuskers over Florida, Auburn, Mississippi and Mississippi State.

Frost has made up for lost time since Nebraska hired him in early December. Mike Riley’s class was imploding when he was fired and ranked No. 89 in the 247 composite team rankings. Frost is expected to finish with a class of 24 to 27 players that is expected to be in the top 25.

One of the big decisions Nebraska awaits is from four-star running back Maurice Washington of Cedar Hill (Texas) Trinity Christian. Washington is weighing offers from Nebraska and Arizona State, which is recruiting him as a defensive back.

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10:40 a.m.

Offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere from Tampa picked Ohio State over Alabama, Florida, Michigan and Notre Dame.

Petit-Frere kept his choice quiet. He was one of the biggest mysteries among top remaining players. His last official visit was to Columbus, Ohio. It was a big get for the Buckeyes and Urban Meyer, who lost out on in-state tackle Jackson Carman in December.

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10:25 a.m.

Five-star cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. has committed to Alabama. The son of the former NFL player by the same name was considered the top unsigned prospect left to commit. The Tide beat out LSU and Miami and might have ensured a top-three overall class by landing Surtain.

It was quite a signing ceremony at American Heritage High School in Florida. Surtain’s teammate and fellow star cornerback, Tyson Campbell, announced he would sign with Georgia, picking the Bulldogs over Miami and Alabama.

Andrew Chatfield kicked it off at American Heritage. The four-star defensive end chose Florida over Miami, with the help of a Chuckie doll.

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10 a.m.

National signing day is huge on social media as colleges often tweet out a welcome announcement for each new player entering the program.

Definitely no time to have a Twitter account suspended but that’s exactly what happened to South Florida and Missouri on Wednesday morning.

The same thing happened the day before signing day to Texas, though the account was re-opened about an hour later. USF and Mizzou also had their accounts churning out welcome tweets within an hour of the shutdowns.

Accounts are often suspended for tweeting or retweeting copyrighted material such as images and songs.

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9 a.m.

Florida State and new coach Willie Taggart had some work to do to catch up with the other traditional powers on national signing day and the Seminoles got off to a nice start.

One of the first announcements of the day out of Tallahassee, Florida, on Wednesday was Florida State flipping star running back Anthony Grant from a Tennessee commitment.

Florida State could push to the finish with a top 10 class.

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8 a.m.

Georgia and Ohio State head into the national signing day with a chance to lock up the title of No. 1 class, while Alabama is closing fast along with traditional powers with new coaches.

Most FBS teams filled the majority of their 2018 classes during the new early signing period in December. The traditional February date has most teams just topping of their classes. Georgia had the top-ranked class, according to 247 Sports’ rankings, heading into Wednesday. Ohio State was second.

Alabama, which has won seven straight recruiting championships to go with those five national titles, still has a chance to sign a top-three class.

The top unsigned prospect is Patrick Surtain Jr., a cornerback from Florida whose father played in the NFL. LSU and Alabama are among his choices.

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By Associated Press – published on STL.News by St. Louis Media, LLC (A.S)

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