#gary woodland

[judi-daily]

Woodland Trust, 2012 Photographer: Gary Osborne

[nerds-yearbook]

On May 7, 1990, the series finale of Alien Nation (1989 - 1990) based on the film (1988) of the same name aired. The final episode found human detective Matthew Sikes (Gary Graham) struggling with his feelings over his alien partner George Francisco (Eric Pierpoint) being promoted over him as well as his feelings for the alien Cathy Frankel (Terri Treas). On top of this, the detectives also were looking into possible biological terrorism being used against the alien newcomers. The series only ran for one season of 21 episodes. ("Green Eyes", Alien Nation, TV Event)

[mitjalovse]

What are the mixtures of electronica we need to discuss right now? We struggle to maintain any semblance of continuity in these discussions here thanks to many factors present in our talks. No, I'm not shocked here, because electronic music remains a nebulous term for me at this point. Then again, I consider disco to be a part of electronica as well. Think about that – many European practicionaries of the genres were studio bound, which meant they used the latest technology for their music. Boney M, for example, show the way of this approach. Mr. Farian hired some singers, while he made the tunes in his production office. Of course, he did tap onto something as we can hear, since the European emulations of the famous American genres seem to stumble upon something intriguing.

[herpsandbirds]

Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii), male, family Petroicidae, order Passeriformes, Monarto Woodland, South Australia

photograph by Gary Wilson

[world-of-wales]

─ •✧ WILLIAM'S YEAR IN REVIEW : 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 ✧• ─

𝟑 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : William, Catherine and George were spotted at White Waltham Airfield for George's flight lessons. Later, they spent time at the West London Aero Club. Kensington Palace released a welcoming statement for the new Earthshot Ambassadors and Council Members on William's behalf.

𝟓 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : He visited the "Homelessness: Reframed" Exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery.

𝟔 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : William appeared in a video announcing Blue Peter's Earthshot Competition.

𝟗 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : William appeared in photographs and the video released by The Princess of Wales announcing the end of her cancer treatment and that she will be continuing her recovery.

𝟏𝟎 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : William was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed (Miss Sara Edwards) at Swiss Valley Primary Community School in Llanelli. In the afternoon, he visited Wales Air Ambulance at Llanelli Gate. Afterwards, he visited Parc Y Scarlets to facilitate players as part of WRU’s “Missing Caps” Campaign.

𝟏𝟐 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : He was the Reviewing Officer at the Commissioning Ceremony at Royal Air Force College Cranwell and was received by Deputy Lieutenant of Lincolnshire (Mr. James Foster). Following this, he attended the Reception given.

𝟏𝟑 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : William visited Airbus UK Headquarters in Oxford to celebrate Airbus Helicopters 50th Anniversary. It was announced that Catherine & him had made a private donation to Pecan charity in aid of their recovery efforts following the theft food supplies from Southwark Foodbank.

𝟏𝟕 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : The Prince of Wales visited 22 Special Air Service Regiment at Stirling Lines. He released a personal tweet offering condolences on the passing of Gary Shaw and wishing Aston Villa good luck ahead of their Champion's League game.

𝟏𝟖 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : The Prince of Wales wrote the foreword to 'Take Care' - Lindsey Burrow's memoir.

𝟏𝟗 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : The Duke of Rothesay visited Shelter Scotland in Aberdeen. Afterwards, he attended a Homewards Aberdeen 'Thank You' event at Union Kirk. Subsequently, a Homewards & Blue Light Card partnership was announced. Sqn Ldr Mike Reynolds was confirmed as William's new equerry.

𝟐𝟐 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : William and Catherine attended the Divine Service held in Crathie Parish Church. They spent a private Weekend in Balmoral.

𝟐𝟑 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : An Earthshot × British Airways Partnership was announced.

𝟐𝟒 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : William unveiled the 2024 Earthshot Prize Finalists during a video message at the 2024 Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit.

𝟐𝟓 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : William gave a video message at UN General Assembly's 'The Campaign for Nature'.

𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : William received Mr. David Fein (Vice Chairman, Earthshot Prize) at Windsor Castle. He wrote the Foreword of 'At Your Side' Guides by Suicide Bereavement UK. He also wrote a letter to Emma Webb congratulating her for the JustGiving Awards win.

𝟐𝟕 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : The Prince of Wales as filmed an Earthshot Special in the woodlands of Buckinghamshire.

𝟑𝟎 𝐒𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 : He chaired a Meeting of The Prince's Council at Windsor Castle.

[dndhistory]

523. Various Authors - Dragon #119 (March 1987)

An issue mainly dedicated to Druids, this would have been a pretty indispensable magazine for those playing that character class, in fact, this issue not only covers all things Druid, from new cantrips to rites of ascension within the druidic orders, but it also covers a lot of Druid adjacent themes, such as the Beastmaster NPC or woodland creatures such as the Korred, as well as introducing new ones, like the Uldra and the Anchu, giant Capybara, Leshy, Wendigo or the Wild Halflings. 

So this issue has a lot of interest for druids as well as extensive new bestiary entries. However, no single article in the magazine is more interesting to those charting the history of the game than an unassuming article, with no illustration or fanfare stuck in the middle pages, entitled The Game Wizards: My Dinner with Elminster.

This last article, by Jeff Grubb, details plans for the upcoming campaign setting, a little thing called the Forgotten Realms, and together with detailing plans for a box-set, new modules and novels, it also lets us know that it will be the default setting for Second Edition AD&D which is seemingly just around the corner, which will mean that Greyhawk is going to be left somewhat behind (which is kind of natural as the creator of that setting, Gary Gygax, had been out of TSR for over a year now).  It also lets us know that the Oriental Adventures are actually set in the FR as well, in the continent of Kara-Tur and that some of the modules already released (such as Bloodstone Pass and Desert of Desolation series) had been set in the FR all along. 

[ndconceptarchive]

Art from the Haunted Carousel Part I.

Image Sources & Info Below:

Lot 224 - A Free Ride to Holder of Brass Ring(sic) (davidlay.co.uk)

Despite a lot of googling, I could not find the original artist who painted this image, only some information on a UK auction website where this wooden plaque was sold for a total of 70 pounds.

2. The image of the Carousel Horse and Zebra came from a 1987 book entitled, The Carousel Animal, text by Tobin Fraley, and photography by Gary Sinick.

Carmel c. 1914

Charles Carmel's experience with Looff and Stein & Goldstein gave him the basics in the Coney Island style of carving. When Carmel started his own shop he borrowed many decorative elements from his former employers while developing a style all his own. The feathers, fish scale blanket, bedroll, and tassels can all be found on other carvers' animals, but Carmel has captured the essence of a carousel horse in the expression, proportions, and flow of the mane. Last Operated - Woodland Park, Seattle, Washington Collection of Jane Shuttleworth. Restored by Tobin Fraley Studios. 64'' long, 53'' high.

3. The image of the Zebra and Carousel Horse came from a 1987 book entitled, The Carousel Animal, text by Tobin Fraley, and photography by Gary Sinick.

Herschell-Spillman Zebra c. 1912.

"All of Herschell-Spillman's zebras were carved without trappings, making them the only animals created that way by any of the major manufacturers. Not only are the stripes much more striking without interruptions, but there is a sense of wildness about an animal with no man-made accessories. This zebra came from a class 1 carousel. Hershell-Spillman had 5 categories from which to choose, starting from class 5, a two-abreast carousel of simple horses, to class 1, an extra fancy machine with a full menagerie. Last operated - Newton Lake, Carbondale, Pennsylvania Collection of John and Cathy Daniel. Restored by Tobin Fraley Studios. 46'' long, 54'' high."

[dailyanarchistposts]

I.7.1 Do tribal cultures indicate that communalism defends individuality?

Yes. In many tribal cultures (or aboriginal cultures), we find a strong respect for individuality. As anthropologist Paul Radin pointed out, “respect for the individual, irrespective of age or sex” was one of “the outstanding features of aboriginal civilisation” as well as “the amazing degree of social and political integration achieved by them” and “a concept of personal security.” [quoted by Murray Bookchin, Remaking Society, p. 48] Murray Bookchin commented on Radin’s statement:

“respect for the individual, which Radin lists first as an aboriginal attribute, deserves to be emphasised, today, in an era that rejects the collective as destructive of individuality on the one hand, and yet, in an orgy of pure egotism, has actually destroyed all the ego boundaries of free-floating, isolated, and atomised individuals on the other. A strong collectivity may be even more supportive of the individual as close studies of certain aboriginal societies reveal, than a ‘free market’ society with its emphasis on an egoistic, but impoverished, self.” [Op. Cit., p. 48]

This individualisation associated with tribal cultures was also noted by historian Howard Zinn. He quotes fellow historian Gary Nash describing Iroquois culture (which appears typical of most Native American tribes):

“No laws and ordinances, sheriffs and constables, judges and juries, or courts or jails — the apparatus of authority in European societies — were to be found in the north-east woodlands prior to European arrival. Yet boundaries of acceptable behaviour were firmly set. Though priding themselves on the autonomous individual, the Iroquois maintained a strict sense of right and wrong.” [quoted by Zinn, A People’s History of the United States, p. 21]

This respect for individuality existed in a society based on communistic principles. As Zinn notes, in the Iroquois “land was owned in common and worked in common. Hunting was done together, and the catch was divided among the members of the village. Houses were considered common property and were shared by several families. The concept of private ownership of land and homes was foreign to the Iroquois.” In this communal society women “were important and respected” and families were matrilineal. Power was shared between the sexes (unlike the European idea of male domination). Similarly, children “while taught the cultural heritage of their people and solidarity with the tribe, were also taught to be independent, not to submit to overbearing authority. They were taught equality of status and the sharing of possessions.” As Zinn stresses, Native American tribes “paid careful attention to the development of personality, intensity of will, independence and flexibility, passion and potency, to their partnership with one another and with nature.” [Op. Cit., p. 20 and pp. 21–2]

Thus tribal societies indicate that community defends individuality, with communal living actually encouraging a strong sense of individuality. This is to be expected, as equality is the only condition in which individuals can be free and so in a position to develop their personality to its full. Furthermore, this communal living took place within an anarchist environment:

“The foundation principle of Indian government had always been the rejection of government. The freedom of the individual was regarded by practically all Indians north of Mexico as a canon infinitely more precious than the individual’s duty to his [or her] community or nation. This anarchistic attitude ruled all behaviour, beginning with the smallest social unity, the family. The Indian parent was constitutionally reluctant to discipline his [or her] children. Their every exhibition of self-will was accepted as a favourable indication of the development of maturing character…” [Van Every, quoted by Zinn, Op. Cit., p. 136]

In addition, Native American tribes also indicate that communal living and high standards of living can and do go together. For example, during the 1870s in the Cherokee Nation “land was held collectively and life was contented and prosperous” with the US Department of the Interior recognising that it was “a miracle of progress, with successful production by people living in considerable comfort, a level of education ‘equal to that furnished by an ordinary college in the States,’ flourishing industry and commerce, an effective constitutional government, a high level of literacy, and a state of ‘civilisation and enlightenment’ comparable to anything known: ‘What required five hundred years for the Britons to accomplish in this direction they have accomplished in one hundred years,’ the Department declared in wonder.” [Noam Chomsky, Year 501, p. 231]

Senator Henry Dawes of Massachusetts visited in 1883 and described what he found in glowing terms: “There was not a pauper in that nation, and the nation did not owe a dollar. It built its own capitol … and it built its schools and its hospitals.” No family lacked a home. In spite of this (or, perhaps, more correctly, because of this), Dawes recommended that the society must be destroyed: “They have got as far as they can go, because they own their land in common … there is no enterprise to make your home any better than that of your neighbours. There is no selfishness, which is the bottom of civilisation. Till this people will consent to give up their lands, and divide them among their citizens so that each can own the land he cultivates, they will not make much more progress.” [quoted by Chomsky, Op. Cit., p. 231–2] The introduction of capitalism — as usual by state action — resulted in poverty and destitution, again showing the link between capitalism and high living standards is not clear cut, regardless of claims otherwise.

Undoubtedly, having access to the means of life ensured that members of such cultures did not have to place themselves in situations which could produce a servile character structure. As they did not have to follow the orders of a boss they did not have to learn to obey others and so could develop their own abilities to govern themselves. This self-government allowed the development of a custom in such tribes called “the principle of non-interference” in anthropology. This is the principle of defending someone’s right to express the opposing view and it is a pervasive principle in the tribal world, and it is so much so as to be safely called a universal.

The principle of non-interference is a powerful principle that extends from the personal to the political, and into every facet of daily life (significantly, tribal groups “respect the personality of their children, much as they do that of the adults in their communities.” [Bookchin, The Ecology of Freedom, p. 115]). Most people today, used as they are to hierarchy everywhere, are aghast when they realise the extent to which it is practised, but it has proven itself to be an integral part of living anarchy. It means that people simply do not limit the activities of others, period (unless that behaviour is threatening the survival of the tribe). This in effect makes absolute tolerance a custom (the difference between law and custom is important to point out: Law is dead, and Custom lives — see section I.7.3). This is not to idealise such communities as they are must be considered imperfect anarchist societies in many ways (mostly obviously in that many eventually evolved into hierarchical systems so suggesting that informal hierarchies, undoubtedly a product of religion and other factors, existed).

As people accustomed to authority we have so much baggage that relates to “interfering” with the lives of others that merely visualising the situation that would eliminate this daily pastime for many is impossible. But think about it. First of all, in a society where people do not interfere with each other’s behaviour, people tend to feel trusted and empowered by this simple social fact. Their self-esteem is already higher because they are trusted with the responsibility for making learned and aware choices. This is not fiction; individual responsibility is a key aspect of social responsibility.

Therefore, given the strength of individuality documented in tribes with no private property, no state and little or no other hierarchical structures within them, can we not conclude that anarchism will defend individuality and even develop it in ways blocked by capitalism? At the very least we can say “possibly”, and that is enough to allow us to question that dogma that capitalism is the only system based on respect for the individual.

[fuschiaarrowpublications]

THE OUROBOROS OF DAVE: Life is Hell Pt. 5

Chapter 5: Bearly Standing

“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”

– Zen Shin

Dave woke up and fumbled out of bed, groaning as he wiped a noticeable sheen of sweat from his brow. His shirt clung to his back as if the humidity had reached into his dreams and refused to let go. His morning felt strangely heavier than usual—almost as though some unseen force weighed on him, squeezing his chest. He brushed the sensation aside. Today was too important to get bogged down by weird feelings.

The art show was his moment.

For the past six months, chainsaw art had consumed his life. What started as a random weekend hobby to “unwind” after work had quickly spiraled into a genuine passion. He was good at it, too—a natural, people said. Carving towering animals out of blocks of timber gave him a strange sense of control and accomplishment.

But then Gary happened.

Gary, with his obnoxiously perfect teeth and even more obnoxiously perfect sculptures. They had first crossed paths at a small competition a few months back. Gary’s smugness had grated on Dave from the start, but it was the flawless execution of his pieces—deer so lifelike you could practically hear them rustling through the forest—that really made Dave’s blood boil. It didn’t help that Gary had taken first place at that show, leaving Dave sulking in second.

Today was supposed to be different.

Dave loaded his 8-foot-tall wooden bear sculpture onto the truck with care. The piece was easily his best work yet—a towering grizzly standing on its hind legs, one paw raised as if ready to swipe at an unseen foe. The detail in the fur, the curve of the claws—everything about it screamed “winner.”

Arriving at the competition, Dave immediately spotted Gary. He was leaning against a shiny red truck, his arms crossed as he chatted with one of the judges. His confident grin made Dave’s stomach churn.

Gary’s voice carried across the lot. “Ah, Dave! Still carving woodland creatures, I see. Let me guess—another bear?”

Dave forced a smile, though his grip on his coffee cup tightened. “At least I stick to themes that people like. What did you carve this time, Gary? A giraffe? Or maybe a flamingo?”

Gary laughed, but it wasn’t friendly. “Oh, you’ll see. I think you’ll find it… inspiring.”

The unveiling was just an hour away, and Dave’s nerves were already fraying. He set up his bear on its stand, making sure everything was secure. The piece looked fantastic, but he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that Gary had something up his sleeve.

When the time came, Gary’s unveiling hit like a gut punch.

It was a dragon. Not just any dragon—a massive, coiled beast with intricately carved scales and wings that stretched dramatically outwards. Its head jutted forward, mouth open in a silent roar. The sheer detail was overwhelming.

Dave felt a knot form in his chest. His bear, while impressive, suddenly seemed… ordinary.

As the crowd murmured their awe, Dave’s palms began to sweat. He caught snatches of conversation:

“Look at the texture on those scales!”

“It’s so lifelike, like it’s about to take off!”

“The guy’s a genius.”

Dave couldn’t take it.

He grabbed his chainsaw, muttering to himself, “I can fix this. I just need to add… something.”

Working frantically, he began carving furrows into the bear’s base to add extra texture. The saw buzzed angrily in his hands as he hacked away, sweat dripping from his forehead. The crowd started to notice.

“Uh, is he supposed to be doing that right now?” someone whispered.

But Dave was in too deep. His envy burned brighter than his common sense. “Just a few more touches,” he thought. “It needs to stand out!”

The chainsaw cut deeper than he intended, and a loud CRACK echoed through the lot.

Time slowed as Dave looked up. His bear wobbled, the weakened base struggling to hold its weight.

“Oh, no.”

With a groaning creak, the sculpture tipped forward. Dave barely had time to react before 8 feet of wooden grizzly slammed down, pinning him beneath its bulk.

The crowd gasped. Gary, standing off to the side, couldn’t help but smirk.

“Well,” he said, “looks like Dave’s piece really… made an impression.”

[mybeingthere]

Daphne Hatcher has been a full-time studio potter for over forty years. A third-generation native Texan, Daphne established Pine Mills Pottery with her husband Gary in the woodlands of northeast Texas in 1979. The studio was begun after three years of apprenticeship training in England, France and Greece, including eighteen months with David Leach and twelve months with Michael Leach.

"Control, surrender, the integration of surface and form: these are considerations I have focused on for the past thirty+ years as a potter. I have fired pots with glazed surfaces in various kilns, often with complex layers and patterns, but wood firing provides the balance between control and surrender I seek. I pay careful attention to the skin of the pot and use judicial application of glaze to enhance whatever the flame grants me.

The platters I am creating now represent my interest in a painterly approach to glaze application, using the platter’s flat surface as a canvas and allowing the flame to gently alter the glaze. In this series of platters I have chosen two metaphors: that of the Portal, drawing one in, and that of the Eye, that observes, looking out. The Portal is an entry into that which cannot yet be seen or experienced, a mystery to be explored. The Eye takes in the present, which surrounds, the information rippling into infinity, as on the surface of a pond when one drop of rain penetrates the surface.

Be still, be quiet, pay attention, take it in and continue to explore."

https://www.pinemills.com/daphnehatcher.html

[dopescissorscashwagon]

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎆 🎆 🎆

It's day eight of Gary's 12 favourite photos of 2024, and for my next photo we're visiting a secret Dartmoor woodland and his new favourite waterfall!

📸 by @garyholpinphoto

[judi-daily]

Woodland Trust, 2012 Photographer: Gary Osborne

[nerds-yearbook]

Based on the movie (October 7, 1988) and following the pilot TV movie (September 18, 1989), the first regular episode of the Alien Nation tv show aired on September 25, 1989. The episode took place during September 1995. The series followed the lives of aliens and humans trying to co-exist, featuring human cop Matthew Sikes ( Gary Graham) and his new alien partner, George Francisco (Eric Pierpoint). ("Fountain of Youth", Alien Nation, TV Event)

[salmonandsoup]

Saw the Faith Swap au and I have been not okay since seeing but

I read in a post that Michael is swapped with the twins- So are there two freaky spider kids chasing Gary n Amy now?

Less freaky spider kids, more freaky deer kids. There’s much more woodland animal iconography with John’s cult. But yes, Michael is the one Amy is trying to find, and it’s his existence that is put into question.

[colorsoutofearth]

Woodland floor with purple fungi Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystina), and Sweet Chestnut (Castanea savita)

Photo by Gary K Smith

[necromaniackat]

Cruel Summer

Chapter 3: Blood Sport.

Word count: 2.1k.

Image above is Evelyn’s dad Haydn

Dearest Evelyn,

Oh Evie, how wonderful it was to love you. Loving you was like loving an old God for the first time in millennia. It brought me so much faith and filled me with so much joy, if I had to write it out it’d be a full length novel. But it’s time this story comes to an end. Not because I don’t love you, but because you’ve outgrown me. Since Sixth Year, I’ve loved you and you showed me beauties beyond comprehension. I’ve watched you flourish into this Goddess of compassion and faith. I feel like a mouse compared to you. Recently I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m hindering your growth; you’re always coming back for me when I fall. You can’t move forward if you’re always moving backward to help me. I prey you find someone who is as Godlike and passionate and bursting with life as you. Unfortunately that’s not me at this time. You deserve someone who matches your energy.

Xoxo Charlie

It’s been less than a month since you got that text from Charlie. He’s currently away in Ibiza for holiday with his friends. It boggled your mind that someone could send that text and then go on a boy’s holiday two weeks later. You were wrecked when you received that text at three in the morning. You didn’t bother calling your mum, you just showed up at her door at four in the morning a sobbing mess. Adam answered the door initially, holding a baseball bat by his side; probably seeing if there was danger. When he saw it was you, he was more confused. But when your mum saw you, she immediately knew something was wrong and brought you inside for a cuppa.

You and Charlie have been together since you were eleven. You devoted seven years to him and this is how he breaks up with you? You two were each others’ first for pretty much all milestones teens achieve. The worst part is you saw him earlier that day and everything seemed fine, so that text at three in the morning was a complete blindside.

Luckily you had your family to help get you through the worst of it. Unfortunately, even though your family was understanding, you job wasn’t. You still had to show up for your early morning shifts. Your mum doesn’t know this but a few days ago you quit your job. You were so tired of being overworked and underpaid and undervalued that you just quit mid shift. Your work mum was proud of you for standing up for yourself. You work bestie was on the till so she didn’t get to see you throw your apron at your manager and walk out of there like a boss.

You grinned to yourself as the residual feeling coursed through you. You followed behind Felix as he drove down the back roads just outside town, realizing the turn you missed initially was on the opposite side of the road and that’s why you missed it.

The last time you were at Heelshire mansion you were eight but when you saw the mansion for the first time in a decade, your memory didn’t do it service. The vast building sat in a clearing, surrounded by woodland. The mansion itself looked well taken care of, windows were clean, the garden was taken care of and the place, despite it’s gloomy presentation, looked inviting. It looked like home to you. It felt weird to you; ever since your dad died nowhere has felt quite like home. Although, for some reason, you felt like you just got home after a day of school.

You frowned to yourself, not understanding the emotions you’re feeling. Felix parked in front of the house, you parked behind him. By now the sun was shining and the almost unbearable summer heat made you roll down your windows as you drove.

You turned off the car and grabbed your bag off the passenger side floor and got out of the warm car. Felix had already wandered up to the steps leading into the mansion.As you went to meet him you were digging through your keys to find the house key Gary had given you. But something made you stop just before the steps. You paused for a moment, trying to figure out what this new feeling was. You felt it before, it felt very familiar. Like you were being watched from a distance. Maybe it’s just the uneasy feeling of this new adventure. The moment you step foot in the house, your life will change forever.

“Evelyn?” Felix’s voice brought you back to reality. You blinked a few times before settling your attention on him.You deeply inhaled before going up to the large front door, unlocking it was a loud ‘clunk.The door creaked open, revealing the dark insides of the mansion. You remember as a little girl being afraid of this place. You 100% believed in was haunted and after a very eventful but long overnight visit here, you swore to never have a sleepover at your grandparents’ again. The eeriness of the mansion hasn’t changed, but it’s about to.

You took a brave deep breath then broke the threshold between worlds. The inside of the mansion was cooler than the outside, not by much but it was noticeable when you walked in. Warily, you looked around. The place hasn’t a bit since you were a little girl. Same wallpaper, same furniture, same rugs, same everything. It was like you stepped back in time.

“Has it changed at all?” Felix asked from somewhere behind you, you heard the front door shut and latch. You pursed your lips together and turns to look at him. A cheeky smirk crossed your lips when your brain came up with a comeback.

“Oh yeah, there’s a lovely layer of dust on everything that wasn’t there before,” you twanged back at him. Felix couldn’t help but smile and chuckle, shaking his head at your observation.

“I’m going to take that as a no then,” he commented. You sniggered to yourself as you wandered the main floor, taking in the few memories you have of this place.

“So what are you going to do with the place?” Felix inquired from the other room. I longingly stared at the paintings and the antiques classily littering the walls. A lot of this stuff has been in my family for generations. And now it was yours to do with as you pleased.

“My dad’s dream was to turn this place into a bed and breakfast, so I guess I’m doing that,” you replied honestly. The main floor was made up of five main rooms; the foyer, the study, the dinning room, the kitchen and the living room. Those rooms all lead into each other to form a circle around the house, or you can take the shortcut from the foyer straight into the kitchen. Or you can be a weirdo and just do laps around the house, like what you’re doing.

“An entrepreneur, I like it,” he chirped as he wandered behind you. You visibly cringed at his attempt at flirting, and hoped he didn’t see any of that.

“Yeah, sure,” you groaned as you stopped in the kitchen, opening cupboards to see what food your grandparents left you. Which was a whole lot of nothing.

“I can go into town and pick up some shopping for you,” Felix suggested. You pursed your lips and shook your head.

“I can do my own shopping thank you very much,” you shot back.

“It’s just, your grandparents always have their shopping done every Thursday and Malcom’s delivers it but he’s gone and they’re gone…” he trailed off once he realized what he had just said to you. “–I’m sorry.” Were the next words out of his mouth. You shook your head and waved your hand at him.

“I wasn’t really close to them anyways,” you twanged back at him. Felix stared at you in disbelief, unsure of how to navigate this conversation. “–Besides, I’m not my grandparents,” you reminded casually. Felix’s eyebrows fell together and he tilted his head with a smirk of disbelief.

“You’re not really close to your grandparents, yet they leave you everything. Can we swap grandparents?” Felix joked. You had to admit, his proposal made you grin. You cocked an eyebrow and crossed your arms over your chest.

“You wanna be the owner of a creepy doll your grandparents got to replace their dead son, and then made up strict rules to live by including never leaving the house for anything?” You proposed honestly. Felix’s face dropped as he stared at you.

“You have Brahms?” He asked sheepishly. Your stomach began to twist and turn into tight knots. His reaction wasn’t what you expected, it was far from it.

“Yeah I do,” you replied in a soft, hesitant voice.

“Cool,” he said with a slight smile. You chuckled at his statement, brushing your hair behind your ear. You found his deep dark chocolatey brown eyes, in a single second they mesmerized you. Felix and you stared at each other for the longest moment you’ve ever experienced. There was tension building; that was undeniable. His dark gaze wasn’t focused on your eyes, they were aimed slightly lower. You felt a light blush warm your cheeks and a weak smile curled the corners of your mouth.

The moment was absolutely ruined when Felix’s mobile phone started ringing. You were snapped out of the trance like state. You blinked a few times and gave your head a slight shake. Felix fished his mobile phone out of his pocket and answered it.

You gave him some privacy by leaving the kitchen and going back into the foyer. Your eyebrows furrowed when you saw the front door wide open. You stopped in your tracks and looked around, knowing Felix closed that door when you guys went inside.

‘Maybe it didn’t latch properly,’ you thought of an easy explanation that was probably the correct answer before walking over to the door, shutting it and putting your weight into it so it’ll latch this time. You sighed, resting your body against the door. You gaze fell to the ground only to be caught by muddy footprints. Bare footprints. These prints didn’t belong to either you or Felix, seeing as you both were wearing shoes and these are bare footprints. They were leading from the front door. Your gaze followed the large prints into the study. You damn near jumped out of your own skin when your eye got caught by the well dressed doll sitting on the leather love seat in the study; knowing you left that doll in your car. You stared at the doll as your mind raced through all the possibilities.

“Nope,” you said when the idea of the doll being haunted popped up in your mind. You grabbed the doll from the love seat and went to take it to the attic where you knew there was a closet with a lock on it.

“Hey, I gotta go. I left my mobile number on the counter. Y’know, in case you need a delivery boy,” Felix told you as he came marching back through the house in a hurry. He didn’t even look over at you as he hurried out of the house.

“Okay…” Was all you could say. A moment ago he appeared to not want to leave and now all of a sudden he’s hightailing it out of here like a bat out of Hell. You could only stand in the doorway with Brahms in tow and watch as he fled the mansion grounds. You looked down at the doll and pursed your lips.

“Oh so now that you’re back home you wanna act a fool, is that it?” You asked the doll, only half convinced the doll was actually haunted. The entire time it was at your flat nothing spooky happened but now that the doll is back in its enclosure it wants to not act right.

“Don’t make me bring a priest here, ‘cause I’ll do it,” you warned as you took the doll upstairs. You felt absolutely silly for talking to a doll at this age, but the doll may be haunted so you wanna commune with the ghosts. It’s only polite. Your mind raced as you thought of all the possibilities; having a haunted doll as an attraction to bring business to this small town was the greatest idea you’ve ever had. Bring in ghost hunters, let them make their little videos and watch the money roll in.

You made your way up to the cluttered attic and shimmied through the stacks of boxes to the back corner where there was a closet that had a deadbolt on it. You set the doll down on the floor of the closet and closed the door, locking it.

“Stay,” you scorned the doll through the door. You tiptoed back to the entrance and down the steps. You had a lot to do today, so there was no time to be pussyfooting around.

Tagged: @hao-ming-8