#cork city library

[hybrid-vigour]

Read To Meet You

The story I wrote and illustrated for @corkcitylibraries' Summer Reading Challenge 2018.

It begins with a strange new arrival at Cork City Library, and follows Children's Library mascot Red and his friends on their quest to uncover the origins of this "most singular beast".

[corkcitylibraries]

Echoes of our Past | March 17th 1923

Librarian Richard Forrest takes a look at news highlights published in The Echo 100 years ago this week.

Festival Observations

The weather was delightfully fine for the National Festival with the shamrock and harp abundant. Large numbers of people wore flags sold in the streets to support the language movement. All the masses in the city were well attended and a spirit of devotion was everywhere manifested. High Mass was sung at the Cathedral at noon which members of the Corporation (City Council) attended. Subsequently his Lordship the Bishop briefly addressed its members in the Presbytery. At the Military Barracks the troops were paraded and the new colours presented to the Southern area. They were blessed along with the national tri-colour by the Very Rev. Dr. Scannell, Chaplain to the forces. The national flag was then hoisted by Major-General Reynolds and the troops marched passed giving the salute.

Latest Tragedy

Yesterday evening, William Beale, 53 and unmarried, was returning home to Elm Grove, Ballyvolane when he was shot and seriously wounded. Mr. Beale was unaware that he was being followed by two men until he had almost reached his gate. He then heard the men approach swiftly and was about to turn around when they challenged him. Before he could reply he was shot at point blank range from revolvers. The perpetrators stated that the act was “a reprisal for the execution” and immediately disappeared. Mr. Beale was hit in three places and removed to the South Infirmary and operated on. One bullet entered his back, perforating the intestines in three places and exited through the abdomen. There were two further wounds in the arm. A member of a well-known Cork family, Mr. Beale has always been a most inoffensive gentleman and took no part whatsoever in politics. (William Beale died on March 20th).

News Round

National Troops fighting Irregulars at McGillycuddy’s Reeks captured an injured ex-R.I.C. man. He died shortly after capture. In Dublin, troops captured an Irregular named James Donovan. Described as “Director of Chemicals”, Donovan had been engaged for some time past in smuggling explosive materials from England. The Evening Herald was suppressed briefly to-day by order of the Government. The 6 a.m. mail train from Ballina to Dublin was saved from disaster by the pluck of a farmer’s daughter. On board were 14 National Officers, five wounded men and some civilians. The rails had been lifted spanning a river at Foxford and the brave girl, waving a green flag, brought it to a standstill within a yard of the abyss. The dead body of Nicholas Corcoran, an Irregular leader shot on Wednesday was on board being conveyed to his native place in Galway for burial.

International Snippets

A serious railway accident is reported from the Crefeld district, Germany where a French troop train collided with a goods train. The carriages were completely telescoped and forty soldiers are stated to have been killed. An earthquake with its centre in the Adriatic Sea caused serios damage on the Dalmatian coast, particularly at Ragusa (Dubrovnik). The French Government has laid before the Chamber of Deputies a Bill proposing a loan of 100 million francs (£1.4m) to Rumania for the purchase of war materials from France. The Russian expedition to Lapland headed by Professor Bartjenko has returned to Petrograd. It found traces of civilisation as old as the Egyptians on the Kolo Peninsula.

Hurling News

Castletreasure have surpassed expectations by figuring prominently in the hurling final of the city division of the intermediate championship. The Douglas lads first played to a draw against a sturdy Blackrock II, and, on the replay, have actually knocked out the Rockies! Their success is the product of consistent, intelligently directed training and the necessary determination to win. It is an example that might be followed by all young clubs. The meeting of the Barrs and Sarsfields in aid of the Poor Children’s Excursion Fund last Sunday was well attended despite inclement weather. The hurling was excellent throughout. Eventually the Sarsfields had to acknowledge defeat 3-3 to 3-0 but not without giving their opponents a lively time. Fixtures for to-morrow: Sarsfields vs U.C.C., St. Finbarr’s vs Redmonds II, Mallow vs St. Ann’s, Commons Road vs Nemo Rangers, Passage vs St. Mary’s II.

Irksome Regulations

St. Patrick’s Day has lost its historic meaning and glamour. It is full of limitations and rigidity. I am sure the saint himself, with his knowledge of the Irish character, would, disagree with many of the puritanical precepts and irksome regulations which now crowd his festival. The Scottish Sabbath air is not at all suited to us. No, neither the weather, war, nor a strange new shyness in the vicinity of publican’s premises can deter the average man from realising that he is an Irishman first and (perhaps) a partisan afterwards. I don’t agree with this modern tendency to disassociate from certain native and time-honoured characteristics. If, as I heard a preacher say recently, we are living on the religious reputation of our forefathers, let us at least acknowledge those good men in every other respect too. For we are neither better nor worse than they. This assumed contempt for our native nature is depriving some of the convivial character and a certain saving courage possessed by dead generations.

Skylarks Free

Apropos of my reference last week to an imprisoned singing thrush. A pretty story was told at the recent meeting of the Royal Society for the Protection of Wild Birds. The Duke of Rutland purchased 800 skylarks which had been for sale in an English town and set the lot at liberty! The incident may remind readers of Canon Sheehan of a similar action he once undertook and poignantly described. Our bird fanciers stive, at least, towards bigger aviaries. I have no doubt that with the advent of an enlightened and progressive administration in the country, the confining of singing birds in very tiny spaces will come to be regarded as an offence against humane conditions.

[queen-mabs-revenge]

defend your local library ✊🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🚩

[dvitalam]

Fue una semana con letargos, con emociones encontradas y con un delicioso burrito. Escribí la semana en mi diario y me di cuenta que el lenguaje de programación Python, es menos enredoso que lo que escribí sobre el martes pasado. No me culpo, hay guías y cursos online para escribir Python, pero no sobre frustración y emociones encontradas.

Por ahí, en una serie de HBO, un personaje dice: "love is a downfall".

El viernes rescaté mi semana visitando un par de lugares; primero fuí con E a Mardyke Entertainment bar, hay bolos y arcades, tiene una atmósfera vibrante. Ahí descubrí (o decidí) que la Guinnes es mi cerveza favorita: fuerte pero no amarga, tiene un toque dulce, pero no empalaga.

Después del bar fuimos a cenar a Burritos and Blues, ahí preparan burritos que uno apenas puede sostener con las manos, es un lugar que podría funcionar fácilmente en México sin necesidad de hacer ningún cambio.

El sábado mejoró mucho más el fin de semana cuando fui con E al café Alchemy, un lugar que definitivamente tiene una atmósfera mística: la decoración, la música, la gente, y por supuesto el servicio fueron agradables; todo ahí es acogedor. Cuando estábamos por irnos, un señor se sentó en la mesa de al lado y saco un cuaderno igual al que uso como diario, también reconocí que usó una pluma punto siete para escribir y sacó un libro de poesía <<seguro hacia anotaciones de lectura>>. Quería preguntarle que estaba leyendo y qué escribía, pero fue mejor no interrumpirlo, la lectura y la escritura son actos de soledad, aún cuando se hacen en lugares públicos. Me reconocí en él, leyendo y escribiendo en el futuro, a mis sesenta años.

[nerdykeith]

Irish LGBTQ and allies form a human chain to counter protest homophobic far-rightists at Cork library. I commend them and they make me proud to be Irish. Let's not let hate and bigotry win. The library and LGBTQ shouldn't have to be bullied by the demand of fascists.

[thoughtlessarse]

Librarians have reported feeling “intense” stress and trauma after being targeted by campaigners who disagree with libraries stocking LGBTQIA material and programming inclusive events, according to a new report. Several libraries around Ireland have been targeted because they supply LGBTQIA-related reading material or hold drag story events where drag queens or kings (usually men dressed as women or women dressed as men) read age-appropriate stories to children. In some cases, reading material was burned by protesters and staff were threatened. In July 2023, Cork City Library was forced to close amid fears for employees’ safety due to an anti-LGBTQIA protest. A number of people have been charged in relation to such incidents in Ireland. The campaign is part of an international trend where libraries in various countries have been targeted. Anti-trans and anti-LGBT+ misinformation campaigns in Ireland and abroad have attempted to conflate homosexuality with child abuse and implied that children can be manipulated into becoming queer or trans through exposure to the LGBTQIA community. Research carried out by UCD’s School of Information & Communication Studies highlights the experiences of Ireland’s public library staff as they face “unprecedented challenges stemming from reactionary agitation against LGBTQ+ materials and programming”.

continue reading

[constance-beckman]

Heartache

Pairings: Mihawk x Fem!Reader

Summary: Mihawk's longtime lover died

Warnings: Angst, implied death (no specifics), character death, alcoholism (ambiguous), ooc Mihawk

Stepping onto the weathered dock felt different this time, compared to many times before for the golden eyed swordsman.

This time there would be no warmth welcoming him back to the castle, no fire burning in the dining hall, no sweet humming in the kitchen along with the savoury smell of her cooking. There was no warmth in his life since she left, it's been almost a year since she left and the swordsman hasn't stepped foot in his castle since.

There was no use calling it his home anymore if she wasn't wrapped in his arms in the library, snuggled up on a couch, in front of the fireplace enjoying their favourite wine, each other's company and a good book.

He has attempted many times before to walk through the large doors, but every time before he turned back around with a heavy heart, promising that one day he would return and walk through the doors.

The first time he tried 10 months ago he didn't even get within a kilometre of the island's waters, just staring at the menacing castle in the distance that was no longer his home. Every few weeks he would come again and again, everytime getting just a bit closer. He would get to the end of the beach then turn back to his boat, walk through the forest...turn around, walk through city ruins...turn around...walk to the gothic metal gate of the castle...turn around...and finally walk up to the front doors but he would still turn around, until one day he held the door of the castle open just a crack but still turned around, leaving the heavy door to shut by itself.

Every attempt he made in the past 10 months rushing through his mind a mile a second, it all mushed together into a blur until finally he noticed he was finally in the castle once he heard the doors close shut behind him. Tears gathered in his eyes when he smelled your perfume still hanging heavily in the air, oh god how he missed it so he thought to himself as he gathered up as much courage as he could and walked through the large foyer towards the kitchen.

Once he stepped in his mind was engulfed with memories of himself and his lover, cooking together and trying a new recipe, some better than others, he even cracked the smallest of smiles when he remembered the time where they got a little too distracted with each other and let the food burn, both claiming it was the others fault it happened, in the end they made do with what they could salvage and spent the rest of the night in eachothers arms in the library exchanging sweet words and light kisses between each other until they fell asleep, with sickly sweet smiles on their faces.

Breaking out of his trance, his honey golden eyes as she once described them, glassing over as his tears finally fell leaving tear stains to dry on his face shortly but they would only disappear as more and more kept coming, desperately did he need a drink, but not to savour it like he used to with her, but to make him forget his pain and even the love and happiness because all it did now was bring misery that would leave his heart aching to be with it's other half again. Struggling with tear blurred vision he pulled open the cork from a wine bottle, but the second the bottle reached his lips and the red liquid flowed he knew his once favourite was now soiled, tasting bitter and sour like everything that revolved around her, everything he once loved and enjoyed was taken along with her as nothing was the same without her.

In the rest of his living days he was no longer the world's greatest swordsman, he was no warlord, no pirate, and he became a nobody, he disappeared off the face of the earth where everyone thought he had died but, he lived, he lived for her but he could not truly live without her as she was the one who put the stars and the moon up in the night sky to lead him straight in the darkness of the night.

One night in his old age before sleep took over he knew he would not wake the next morning he remembered the words people would tell him "they're in a better place." He always hated that sentiment when she belonged there with him, but she would finally be his arms once more where they belonged.

The End

This made me tear up when I proof read

[donnetellotheturtle]

Chapter 2

The fire kingdom

Elio was about a weeks ride away on donkey. The one thing Varian hadn’t expected was that it was so lonely. There were travelers and merchants on the road sure but no conversation lasted more than a couple minutes and being from Corona, he was unused to not being able to speak to the nearest person for at least an hour or two. It made him feel more isolated than he expected.

On the evening before he made it to Elio, he sat by a small fire, eating. Ruddinger munched on a piece of bread besides him as he fingered through his moms journal. Her research was enticing and it felt as if he was getting to know her through it. She had a way of describing things that made it sound so exciting.

“so apparently the first totem is in a volcano! But Elio has a bunch of them….which one would it be...”

He pulled out his own journal, making his own notes and theories on the totems.

~

“Hes going to look for the library.” Hugo reported as soon as he got into the tent.

“Hm…that means he’ll be heading to Elio first. Follow him, and get the relic first.”

Hugo nodded. “Yes ma’am.”

~

Varian woke up early to get to the kingdoms gates as soon as possible. It was very hot here. He guessed that was because of the volcanoes decorating the mountain peaks.

The gates were lavish and gigantic, the middle decorated with the symbol of Elio. As he came upon it his eyes drifted to the blown glass and obvious blacksmithery in the gate and in the walls.

“woah…”

“State your business.” On of the guards said.

Varian smiled. “Just here to see the city!”

The guard looked at him, then nodded at the other guard. “You from Corona?”

“Yes sirs. How could you tell?”

“Your bag…can we take a look at your caravan? Have to make sure you’re not smuggling anything.”

Varian nodded, and the process ended fairly quickly. He was let into the city. It was beautiful. The ground was covered with red rocks, there were houses with sliding doors, most of them were open and he saw kids some running around with ribbons and playing with toys that looked like dragons, foxes, tigers, qs well as kites. He saw a person playing a Huluqin. He listened to the music and heard people yelling out from stalls about the fresh food that was there.

“First things first guys…find a place to stay…”

He hopped off Prometheus and led him to a stable, paying the keeper a few coins for the night. He grabbed his bag from the caravan and walked out into the street. He looked through his moms journal, trying to figure out where to start.

Then there was a yell, screaming, and something whizzed behind him. He yelled out in surprise, turning quickly to where he heard the crash.

Sitting in the wreckage of what used to be a cabbage stand, was a small boy, around the age of 14, with almond eyes, black hair, and he was a bit chubby. But the most important thing he noticed was the fact that part of the kids shirt was still on fire.

“Holy…” He ran and started patting out the fire. “kid, you okay?”

He gave a weak thumbs up, clearly dazed by the impact.

He looked to the side where he saw what looked like a dragon puppet. Only it had pyrotechnics and a seat inside.

“What were you doing?”

The kid shook his head and stood up. “I was trying to make a flying dragon!”

Varian blinked. “uh huh”

“But instead of blasting off, it just blasted me…off of it.”

Varian sighed softly, rubbing his forehead. “kid you could have killed yourself!”

“you sound like my mom!”

“Well maybe shes….right.” Varian was having serious Daja Vu from this. “Huh…”

The kid was already over the dragon again. “Hm what went wrong…”

Varian then saw that there was still a fire. And it was going to hit the kid straight in the face.

“Hey get away from there!” Varian opened a corked bottle from his belt and threw it just as the explosion was about to go off. He pulled the kid out of the way as a bubble quickly encased it. A small crowd gathered to see the commotion.

The kid looked at him with wonder. “Wow…that was cool.”

Varian chuckled.

“MY CABBAGES!”

The kid chuckled nervously.

After everything was sorted out, Varian and him walked along the street.

“So, that was Alchemy?” He asked.

“Uh yeah. Look kid-“

“that’s awesome. I can’t make stuff, I’m usually just the kid who blows everything up…litteraly.”

“I don’t-“

“where did you learn to do that?”

“I taught myself. Now ki-“

“Wow! You’re so good at it I also taught myself.”

Varian sighed, looking at him.

“I’m Yong.” He said cheerfully, holding out a hand.

“….Varian.” He shook the boys hand. “You can’t be so reckless. Somebody could get hurt.”

“But you were here!” Yong said. “So maybe you could teach me not to make things blow up?”

Varian looked at Yong, then sighed. “I don’t know how long I’ll be here. I just have to find what I’m looking for and get going.”

“Ooh! What are you looking for?”

“None of your business, kid.”

“But I can help! No one knows Elio better than me.”

Varian paused, then sighed. “Alright. On one condition.”

“anything.”

“No explosives.”

Yong looked at the pack of fireworks on his hip, and sighed sadly.

A couple minutes later, the two sat on Yongs porch. Explosives carefully put away under the boys bed. Varian opened his moms book.

“So the place I’m looking for is in a volcano…but there’s three around here. Where to start?”

Yong looked at the book. “that’s the northern one. Id recognize it anywhere…it’s been dormant for years though.”

“Dormant?”

“All the lava is so far below the surface that no one’s concerned that it’s going to erupt any time soon. We learn about them in school. We even take field trips up to the top sometimes.”

Varian thought to himself. “hm. Can you take me there?”

“Yeah! I’ll pack some lunch!”

Varian chuckled. As Yong ran off, he couldn’t help but think of how much the kid reminded him of himself. For better or worse. He followed Yong inside.

He stood in the kitchen as Yong packed some food for them both.

“Hey where’s your parents?”

“Oh they’re at work! They wont be home until waaay after we get back.”

Varian nodded. “Okay…would they be okay with you being gone?”

“they won’t even know!”

“that doesn’t feel great.”

Yong shrugged and wrapped up the food, putting them into bags and putting them in his backpack. “Come on let’s go!”

Varian sighed, hoping he wouldn’t regret bringing Yong along.

It was 3 when they finally reached the volcano. They were loosing daylight faster that Varian would have liked.

“So, how do we get in?”

“Oh that’s easy! There’s a man made entrance!”

He followed Yong to the entrance where there was a person at a stand, fast asleep on their hand. There was a gate that he could easily leap over, but he figured the easiest way was paying the way in. Even with his few coin.

“Uh…excuse me?”

The person snored awake, nearly falling over. Then they looked at Varian, and sighed. “What?”

“Um…me and my friend would like to enter?”

The person nodded, pulling out two rather large paper tickets. “Two silver.”

Varian fished it out of his pockets and handed them over. They gave the tickets to the both of them and settled back down, seemingly ready to get back to their nap.

The two of them went through the gate and looked around at the main volcano. There was no body here. Which meant, they had no one that would disturb them. Varian turned to the journal as they walked deeper.

“So, the trial is towards the bottom of the volcano, but I can’t read this…it’s not in coronan.”

Yong gently pulled down Varians arm to see, then cocked his head to the side. “Oh! Elian!” He grinned. “give it here?”

“wait you can speak this?”

“Duh. Its my first language.”

“But everyone uses Coronan here?”

“Better to talk to tourists but all of us know Elian. It would be stupid if we didn’t.” He grinned as if he didn’t just say the thing that made Varian reexamine his biases.

Yong took the book and started reading. “So it says to find the first piece of the puzzle.”

“First piece?”

Yong shrugged. “Then it says, Down the swirling embers and jagged rocks, you’ll find your prize just awaiting a spark.”

“That doesn’t even rhyme!” Varian pouted. He loved a good rhyme. Yong chuckled.

“I’m not sure where that is…we don’t go that deep during the field trips.”

“Well, we’ve got time, I guess.”

“And lunch!”

Varian chuckled, and followed Yong deeper into the cave systems.

~

It took hours.

And Varian was very sure they were very lost.

He wasn’t even sure this was a path that people were allowed to take.

“Wanna take a break?” Yong asked.

Varian stopped walking, and sighed, sitting down. “Yeah…yeah that lunch sounds good right about now.”

Yong sat and pulled off his bag, grabbing out the two lunches, giving one to Varian. “I hope you don’t mind. It’s some leftovers from a big party my family had the other night.”

Varian opened the small box that the food was contained in. It was still steaming. Inside he saw food unlike the kind in corona.

Dumplings, chicken drenched in orange sauce, and some lo mein. He had heard about them of course, read about this food even. But he has never actually tasted it. All the Elian food in Corona burned his nostrils so bad he never actually had the want to try.

This didn’t seem spicy though.

Varian took a careful bite. His mouth exploded with flavor. He couldn’t help the happy noises that came out of his mouth, despite Yong giggling.

“This is delicious.”

Yong grinned. “my moms specialty. Im glad you like it!”

Varian ate his food with that same happy grin. He swore he’d be a little bit happier for the rest of his life.

“So, ive been meaning to ask you…” Yong started. Varian gave him his attention through a mouthful of noodles.

“Whats with the teal streak?”

Varian swallowed his food. “oh that? I don’t know. Something I’ve had since I was born…Maybe it’s cause I was close to the moonstone when I was a baby? Before my dad brought me to Corona, I mean. It’s just a theory though…not that it really matters anymore.”

Yong shrugged. “It still looks cool.”

Varian smiled. No one had really mentioned his streak before, much less think it was cool.

The two finished their food and Yong packed it back up. The two got back on their feet.

“So swirling embers. What do you think it means?” Yong asked.

Varian thought for a second. “could be a tunnel of fire?”

“Howd we get through?”

Varian just shrugged.

They traveled for a bit before passing by a glowing tunnel. Bright with glowing jewels. Varian paused, then backtracked. That had to be what they were looking for.

Slowly the two went down the tunnel. It was getting hotter as they went, which was not the greatest sign.

“Yong you said this place was dormant right?”

“Yeah…”

Varian winced at the boys tone but they couldn’t stop now. They were so close. “…Stay close to me.”

Yong did as he was told and they made it to the bottom. It was sweltering. All around were veins. Looking to carry gold. Varian bent down to look at them. They seemed to be in a rod shape , though they varied in sizes.

“huh…Volcanoes don’t usually make this stuff…it’s almost like someone put them here…maybe this is the prize the book was talking about.”

“First piece of the puzzle…what does that mean? What’s with these symbols? Give me a hint mom…”

Varian started messing with the veins, and saw as the pages shifted, as if someone were turning it. The staff of clarity.

He sat and read, seeing that with the formulas his mom had written, the staff of clarity could be formed from the gold. He smiled and started working.

It took a couple minutes, but in the test tube Varian had brought along, he had created them very formula he needed. All that was left to do was put it on the vein.

He took a deep breath, hoped the calculations were right, and poured it on.

Part of the vein fell open, dropping pieces of a large staff. Varian started putting them together as Yong looked at Varian strangely.

“So we got a staff?”

“The staff of clarity. I think it’ll help us with finding the fire totem.”

He finished, grinning. “all…” He stood. No one was there. “Done? Yong?”

The world had suddenly turned red. It reminded him all too much of the red rocks. “Yong where-“

“Varian!” His dad’s voice was loud in his ears.

“Dad!?”

He turned and he saw his father, being in amber again, reaching for him. “Dad!” He didn’t think about how his father could be there, much less encased in amber. He ran and nearly got to him, only to be just too late. Quirin was once again encased in amber. “No…no not again! Not again no!” The tears in his eyes sprung and he felt like he was 14 again.

Then he turned around, and he saw something almost worse. All of his loved ones choked in amber. He stepped back. “no…no, no.”

“This Is all your fault.”

He turned, seeing no one but himself, hands behind his back, dressed like he was when he teamed up with the saporians. He had this red glint in his eye.

“I…how did…”

“If you had just been a little more careful.”

-

Yong was panicking. As soon as Varian put together that staff, he’d gone catatonic, staring at the wall with this scary red glow in his eyes, sobbing and mumbling incoherently. He’d tried everything. Shaking him, smacking him, even asking him nicely to come out of his trance. But Varian didn’t budge.

Then he saw the book. He picked it up and the wind whipped it to the next page. There was another piece. And then it said to review the fire trials.

Yong processed this information. “your prize just awaiting a spark…” He looked around and saw something glittering. Running over he saw it was the final piece. A golden orb encased in stone. Yong had an idea how to get it out. Varian would kill him if he knew he’d stowed away a stick of fireworks in his sock just in case of emergencies.

He pulled it out, then swiped it against the ground to create the spark. “Hope this works!”

He threw it at the orb.

-

“You were the one who joined up with dangerous criminals.”

“Stop it.” Varian was on his hands and knees now, begging for his red tinted self to stop talking.

“Oh and erased the royals memories. Who’s to say you’re not just as bad. As stupid. As dangerous as you were back then.”

“Shut up.” Varian looked up at himself. His head cleared a bit as he took a deep breath. The illusion wavered for just a moment, not that he really noticed.

“Don’t like hearing the truth?”

Varian looked to the side, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. For once, the other him stopped talking.

“I was a grieving kid.” Varians voice shook as he spoke. “I was hurting. I’m still hurting. I didn’t make good choices.”

“understatement.”

“I’m not done.” Varian glared, slowly coming to his feet. “But I will never stop trying. So hit me with all you got. Nothings going to stop me from getting to that library.”

The other him looked to the side, seeing something Varian didn’t. Then, it turned blue and smiled. His genuine smile. “Good job kid.” The visage of himself disappeared.

Varian took a deep breath, blinking. He was back in reality, and Yong had just finished putting a piece of the staff in. He looked at Yong, taking a shaky breath.

“how did you…?”

“there was a final piece!” Yong said. “the clarity jade. It needed a spark to get out of the stone and lucky for us, I brought an extra firework.”

Varian paused, then grinned. “Yong you’re a genius!” he ruffled the kids hair. “Ill never tell you to leave your fireworks at home again!”

Yong laughed.

Varian looked down to the staff. “Was it…testing me?”

“Maybe that was the trial!” Yong said, then the two looked over at the sound of rocks moving, scratching against each other. The totem, the relic, was revealed. The two looked at each other.

Varian moved forward to grab it. He walked under the glowing stones and reached for it.

Another hand settled on his as he wrapped his hand around it.

In front of him was a boy with green eyes, an undercut and big round glasses. The two stared at each other.

“let go!” The boy started, tugging.

Varian didn’t, of course. “No you let go!”

The tug of war went back and forth and Yong watched confused.

“Finders keepers!” The blonde said sticking out his tongue before finally using his other hand to push Varian off. He moved quickly.

“Hey! We did the trial! Its ours!” Varian said as the boy was already making his exit up another tunnel.

He just laughed. “Thanks for doing the dirty work!”

He threw a smoke bomb, and both the boy and the relic were gone.

~

It must have been midnight when the two finally found their way out of the dormant volcano. Varian had thought about searching for the boy but Yong had a point about getting lost. They’d have to hunt that guy down for the relic after a good night’s rest.

“I’m sorry about the relic, Varian.” Yong said.

Varian sighed. “Its okay…we’ll find him again. I’m exhausted though, and I need to find a place to sleep tonight.”

“you can stay at my house!”

Varian raised an eyebrow. “wouldn’t your parents be concerned about a strange boy in your house?”

“Nah. I have a lot of siblings. They wouldn’t notice another kid!”

With boundless energy, Yong led Varian back to town.

~

Hugo grinned at his success as he walked back into camp. “Dooooonnnnnnniiieee!” he crowed.

Donella herself was sitting by a campfire next to her right hand Cyrus, eating dinner. She grinned. “You actually did it.”

Hugo thought about tossing it, but decided its a bad idea, moving and handing it off instead. “yeah. Thanks to that varian guy.”

“What?”

Hugo nodded. “Yeah, he was already there. But not quick enough to get the relic before me.”

Donella frowned, thinking. “so he is searching.”

A long pause and Donella had a plan cooked up. She handed the relic back to him. “Taje this back, join his party. Help him find the relics.”

“…okay? Why?”

She sighed, all but rolling her eyes. “Makes the work easier on us, plus, easier to keep track of what he does and doesn’t know. You’ll report to me anything you find out. Understood?”

Hugo paused, looking at the totem, then nodded. “Yeah. I won’t let you down.”

~

Yong wasn’t lying when he said his parents wouldn’t notice another kid. There were at least 7 younger kids running around Yongs small house when they got back, both the parents trying to put them to sleep.

“Who’s this?” his mother asked after she and his father fretted over him for being gone so long with no warning or anything. “he looks like a panda with those eye bags.”

“This is my new friend Varian! We went to the volcano together today!”

She looked Varian up and down, examining him. It made varian feel self conscious.

“You hungry?” she finally asked.

Varian nodded shyly. She smiled and pulled him into the kitchen as her husband finally succeeded on putting yongs younger siblings to sleep.

Yong himself, fell asleep at the table while his mother was cooking. Varian smiled as he took the small boy to bed, being reminded of his own dad carrying him when he was little.

“Now I want you to eat and go to bed young man. You look like you smudged your makeup.”

Varian chuckled. “yes ma’am.”

It wasn’t long until Varian had happy taste buds and a full stomach. He was led to the only available sleeping area which was a couch. It was better then a floor.

He was asleep within minutes.

<

Find this on A03!

[radiant-flutterbun]

Because @actualmanedrasa requested it - Here’s a brief overview of Corkscrew’s lore:

He used to work in the Flamecaller’s forges and hated it. He then got hurt and nearly died, and it was believed he WAS dead until a ridgeback by the name of Fireworks discovered signs of life in him. She got him help and he healed, but was paralyzed from the neck down, and had bad memory problems.

Fireworks met another spiral named Alaria who claimed she could rebuild Corkscrew’s spine. And she did, so he’s no longer paralyzed, but his mechanic spine does require a lot of maintenance and frequently malfunctions.

He later befriends a mirror within the clan named Clytius and together Clytius, Fireworks and Corkscrew form a little found family. Sadly for Corkscrew, Fireworks left to study the Hewn City and he lost contact with her for over a year. And Clytius was killed during a conflict within the clan. So he was left alone.

Thankfully Cork met another mirror named Firespitter. Firespitter is an oracle and cannot control when he sees his prophecies. He’s also a professional chef and makes a killer soup. The two fell in love. Fireworks also returned from the Hewn City, and Cork’s life has been relatively peaceful since.

Currently he’s pissed off at the young teenage coatl, Muerto because Muerto lets his cats roam the clan freely and Cork has had to save his pet rat from said cats more than once. Cork is also constantly annoyed by the Stormseeker left in his care by actualmanedrasa’s dragon Weatherby.

And here’s a brief overview of my main clan’s lore:

The clan was originally called Seeking Clan and was founded by a mirror named Nightbane and a tundra named Icetip. Nightbane was rewarded the land by the Lightweaver, for her excellent academics. Nightbane accepted any dragon into her clan, no questions asked.

Unfortunately she allowed a particularly violent skydancer within her clan named Sapphiremoon. This dragon planned to kill and overthrow Nightbane. Another dragon, a mirror named Shiningscourage had plans to attack the clan because she knew of a treasure hidden within the clan. Both Sapphire and Shining convinced dragons within the clan to join them, and a three way fight broke out.

Sapphire attempted to kill Nightbane, but Shining interfered and killed Sapphire. Nightbane and Shining were at a stand still, when a mirror named Nike saved Nightbane and beat up Shining.

A fire accidentally started by a fae named Flare is what ended the fight. Several dragons died (such as Clytius who was a brother to Corkscrew), including Nightbane’s daughter, Nightlight. Nightbane and the dragons loyal to her fled, while most of those who were loyal to Sapphire and Shining stayed to the ruined clan.

The group of dragons that followed Nightbane found a new home near the Beacon of the Radiant Eye. They now lived in an old library by the sea. Nightbane decided to retire and made Nike leader, and the clan was renamed to Clan Ton Theon.

The dragons that stayed with Shining became Clan Lampsi, and they rebuilt from the ruins.

Both clans had skirmishes with each other, Clan Ton Theon accidentally upset a flock of harpies, and Clan Lampsi had been attacked by an Emperor. So things haven't exactly been peaceful, but these dragons are trying to live their best lives.

[finnlongman]

Hallo! Current third year PhD student at Cambridge here, with a hopefully reassuring message, it really is very different to undergrad. I've been renting privately the whole time, have barely been inside college in the last couple of years, and don't even own a gown any more. I have as much of a social network outside the uni bubble as inside it now. I feel like as a PhD student you have a chance to renegotiate your relationship with the university and the city a lot, and I have appreciated that. I hope it works out the same for you!

Yeah, I have seen a lot of friends go through PhD there in recent years, and a lot of them seem to have avoided the Cambridge Experience™ elements (others haven't, but haven't been trying).

I do think renting privately makes a massive difference: living in college means you're far more beholden to college rules and paternalism, and it's just so much harder to feel like an independent adult. Having returned to academia after having jobs makes a huge difference as well, rather than going straight through from undergrad. I took two years out before my MA, and two years between MA and PhD, so I've had a lot more time to... I guess consolidate myself as a person, figure out my priorities, etc.

I've also been working for the university for the past year, as a library assistant, which is interesting because it gives you a pretty different experience of university bureaucracy. As staff, there is some relief in being able to go, "Right, well, that's outside my work hours and therefore Not My Problem," and it's a lot harder to do that as a student -- I've already become frustrated with college scheduling compulsory events for weekends, since that disrupts my life significantly. But I think as term gets underway and stuff, it'll be useful to be able to go, "Okay, I know that's important because when I was staff we had to deal with X, but this other thing can wait," in a way that someone who hasn't got that experience might not be able to.

I previously worked in one of the colleges, too, before my MA, so I've got two years of working for the university of the five years since graduating from undergrad. So I've had a chance to experience Cambridge as a non-undergrad (I have not yet spent any time living in Cambridge with zero university connection, though; my other years were spent in London and Cork). But I think that's also why I'm a bit like, "Oh, god, really, you're gonna make me go back to doing this again?" 😅 I'm sure once the induction stuff is out of the way it'll be a different kettle of fish.

(The vibes right now very much seem geared towards people living on site -- lotta last-minute events and timetable changes, lotta induction talks that are 90% irrelevant to me -- and since I live four miles away, this is a bit of a pain, as I don't really want to make an eight-mile round trip if I don't absolutely need to, especially at short notice. But I imagine that will pass after the first week or so.)

[bluenightfyre]

Rosethorn Launch Party - 26th August 2023 @ Bishopstown Library, Cork City, Ireland

It’s here – almost! Rosethorn, my debut novel and first in the Raining Thorns Series, is due for release on the 26th August, and to celebrate I’ll be throwing a book launch in the Bishopstown Library from 2.30-5pm. There will be free swag, free copies of Rosethorn, free refreshments and hopefully a few laughs. Rosethorn Front Cover (copyright Donna Shannon 2023) A fantasy comedy… most of the…

[hybrid-vigour]

The Queen

Character design created for Cork City Libraries' 2021 Summer Reading Challenge for kids.

This righteous royal appeared as a side character in a story about the adventures of Children's Library mascot Red in a magical land called Toy Towne. At story's end, the Queen knighted our plucky hero as Sir Redginald before he made his way home to @corkcitylibraries.

[corkcitylibraries]

Echoes of our Past | January 27th 1923

Librarian Richard Forrest takes a look at news highlights published in The Echo 100 years ago this week.

Postmaster Found Dead

Yesterday morning the postman from Clonakilty entered the sub-post office at Darrara, about four miles from the town, and found the postmaster, Jerome O’Reilly dead. His body bore several bullet marks. The police were speedily informed, and the military authorities were quickly on the scene. Deceased was a young man much respected in the district. His mother, an aged woman, was the only other occupant of the house.

Massive Bridge Explosion

An attempt was made at about 3 o’clock this morning to blow up Willison’s Bridge between Blarney and Tower. Beyond some damage to the walls on either side, the bridge is intact and still usable by vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The explosion was so enormous that it was plainly heard in the city.

Firing at Stations

Before midnight last night the military guards stationed at Upton and Innishannon on the Cork and Bandon railway line were attacked. Heavy firing continued for more than an hour, but no significant damage was caused and there were no casualties.

New Police Headquarters

Cork’s two policing bodies, the Civic Guard and the Cork Civic Patrol, are busy moving from the School of Music on Union Quay to their new quarters across the river on Morrison’s Island. All departments have been transferred to Moore’s Hotel. The School of Music had been commandeered and is now being returned to the school’s representatives.

Youghal Mystery Ship

The mystery ship Duchess anchored at Youghal last night with an armed guard on board. To-day additional troops boarded and after weighing anchor she steamed up the Blackwater with a cargo destined for Cappoquin.

Flour Millers Strike

The strike by flour milling operatives continues. There is, so far, no prospect of negotiations being opened up. In relation to the dockers strike, the employers met this morning at their rooms on the South Mall. The dockers weren’t represented. Both sides report that no progress has been made towards a settlement. 

Corporation Last Night

At the Cork Corporation meeting last night D. Barry said the country was going through terrible times and starvation was facing some people. Referring to the dockers strike, he said the merchants were trying to hound down the working class and the longer the strike went on the wider the breach between them was growing. He moved that the Corporation appoint a deputation to help foster a settlement. Simon Daly seconded this. J. Kelleher said Sir John Scott had shown a good example by calling his men in. If the other merchants followed, there would be contentment in Cork. The reduction in wages which the employers were trying to force would not benefit the consumer but the merchants themselves. The only way was to ask the merchants to follow Sir John’s lead (applause from the gallery). Sir John said notice should always be given so that sides have the opportunity to discuss and prevent strike and the suffering it causes. Mr. Egan said Sir John had made a hero of himself in connection with the matter. Sir John, “spare my blushes”. Robert Day said the reduction in labour costs on a 500-ton cargo of coal would be £1 1s 8d, about a halfpenny in the ton. That benefit would not go to the people. The dockers were out on a matter of principle and were going to fight it. The following deputation was appointed: Deputy Lord Mayor, Sean Nolan, M. Egan, D. Barry and M.J. O’Riordan.

Infant’s Body Found

Coroner Horgan held an inquest at Douglas this morning on the body of an infant found in the churchyard the day before yesterday. Daniel Kiely, cemetery caretaker, said he noticed a spot of freshly dug earth from which part of a box protruded. He took it up and found it contained the body of a baby wrapped in flannel. Dr. James Lynch deposed that the child was stillborn and had not reached maturity. He said there was no sign of violence of any kind. The jury reached a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.

John McCormack in Dublin

It is in excess of a dozen years since John McCormack sang in Dublin or Cork! No wonder Dublin’s Theatre Royal was so crowded over the past week. It turned out a swell affair. Though one not easily within the pockets of those outside the moneyed and leisurely classes. Long lanes of Daimler and Rolls-Royce lined the approaches to the theatre. McCormack once again captivated all with the magic of his voice. Experts profess to hearing improved phrasing and marvellous breath control. The Maestro’s surpassing art to-day springs from the same tap roots as when he won his first Feis Ceoil Medal – a singularly pellucid voice, perfect articulation and superb talent in interpreting the spirit of a song. Those expecting increased voice volume and long sustained thrilling top notes á la Caruso went away disappointed. McCormack sang “The Snowy Breasted Pearl” (Pearla an brollagh bhan) with all his old brilliancy. Of all his songs, this, his first masterpiece, goes most directly and deeply into the souls of his audience.

A School for Mediums

In the London Chancery Division, Justice Russell decided that a bequest of £3,000 left by Gustav Adolf Hummeltenburg to the London Spiritualistic Alliance to form an establishment for training mediums was invalid. His Lordship found prima facie the gift bad as creating a perpetuity. It was necessary to see whether the gift was for the public benefit and whether the Court could, if necessary, undertake its control. The Alliance had wholly failed to satisfy him, he said, on these points. It was necessary therefore to decide whether the training of mediums involved illegality.

[queen-mabs-revenge]

socialist councillor brian mccarthy re-elected in cork city council eliminating far right candidate ross lahive — a person who has physically threatened library workers over queer books available in libraries.

as socialist td mick barry is chanting in the vid — this is why we organise! we can't let these violent bigots get close to power.

capitalism is in crisis. as it pushes more working class people to the margins, the space will open up for fascist opportunists to seize on the despair left in its wake.

the only way we win is if we aren't lead into that despair, but if we get ready, radicalise and organise.

[ladyjmontilyet]

Great turnout for Cork Trans Pride (Instagram). The "Mammies for Trans Rights" came down from Limerick to support everyone - a reminder that while middle-aged women are pushing the TERF ideology, there are still good women out there who look out for their childrens' safety and mental health. (note for Americans: "mammy" just means "mother" in Ireland and doesn't carry the same racial connotations here).

This is the second Trans Pride in Cork - last year was a demonstration. This year we marched down our city's main street.

At the end of last year it was discovered that the Republic of Ireland has the worst access to trans healthcare in the entire country (source). They had to add a special extra colour on the chart to show just how bad access is here - even worse than in notoriously homophobic and transphobic countries like Hungary and Poland.

The march started and ended outside Cork City Library where staff are threatening to take industrial action if the City Council and Gardaí don't work harder to prevent them from being subject to homophobic abuse. Over the past few months staff have been abused by right-wing activists who object to young adults and teenagers having access to books with gay or trans themes, or sexual education (source).

Luckily we weren't harassed by any right-wing fools today :)

It was a lovely event marching through the city and ending with speeches and songs from Cork's trans and ally (mostly queer) community.

[nerdykeith]

More insanity from the homophobic right. This time a little closer to home. Man was arrested in Cork after being involved in an intimidating protest aimed at library staff due to the stoking of LGBTQ related books. The protesters also destroyed books on the property and directed slurs towards the staff. 

Despite the intimidation the library staff stood their ground and stated that the books shall remain on the shelves.