#he's not sitting around fretting about how short his alloted life might be

[gofancyninjaworld]

Hi, not sure if this had been asked before, but I'm curious about your opinion. Assuming he won't die during a battle, how long do you think Genos will live? I think a lot of people view him as some (semi) immortal being, who will surely outlive Saitama. But somehow I always thought the opposite, like isn't living in a combat cyborg body puts a lot of strain/stress on your brain? There's probably a significant brain disease development risk. I'm not a doctor or anything, obviously, just my thoghts 😅

Also, another similiar question: how long do you think it took Genos to fully adapt to his cyborg body and be ready to use weaponry?

No, it's not been asked before. This is the sort of question that really is above my paygrade to answer seriously, but let me take half a stab at it. Remember that I am oversimplifying a very complex subject matter horribly.

When you take all of life's insults out of the equation, and even inherent matters like genetic defects out too, then what governs ultimate age is a race between how long the fabric of our body lasts and how long our key tissues can self-renew for. The fabric of our bodies, the extracellular matrix that comprises the scaffold of our tissues is generally laid down ONCE! and then it just gets repaired as best possible but never renewed. Our lungs are generally good for about 110 years to give one example and likewise, our other tissues have a limit to how long they last. The other side of the equation, self-renewal, is especially critical for blood cells. When super-aged people die (110+ years), typically all their blood cells are found to be clones of what was literally their last hematopoetic stem cell. The upper estimate of how long a human being can live runs somewhere between 120 -125 years, but no one's been attested to have made it to 125 years yet (see note 1).

That's under perfect conditions. There are many many things that shorten lifespan. Trauma and infections are obvious ones, as are non-infections diseases, environmental exposure to harmful materials, and cancers, but chronic stress is a huge, huge life shortener. Whether it comes from the mere fact of being socially disadvantaged, difficult to resolve emotional or psychological distress, a sense of isolation, a sense of irrelevance (huge killer of older adults), a part of illness or starvation, ongoing financial difficulty, whatever its source, all of it accelerates ageing, depending on how intense, how prolonged, and when it comes into one's life. The right kinds of stressors can steal lifespan before one is even born, but again, that's outside the remit of this ask.

So, let's get to Genos. If tomorrow, his problems were to be resolved satisfactorily and he's in a good place socially, financially, and emotionally, how long could he live? A big part of that depends on what body he has. If he has 'only' his brain, then his life expectancy is on the order of 1 - 2 months as there's no possibility of renewing the all-important blood cells. But if that were the case, leaving the lab for more than a few days at a time would have been impossible. If he's built on the same sort of terms as Erimin and Destro (with just under a tenth of their bodies left), then he may have enough body to self-maintain and self-renew and then he'll have the regular constraints of a human life, barring any accident due to being a cyborg.

But there's more. Stress-wise, Genos has been burning through his lifespan at a terrifying rate. It doesn't help either that he grew up poor -- childhood poverty is a big thief of lifespan. Hard to say, but if things get better for him soon, somewhere between 50 and 70 years should be achievable, if nothing goes wrong. Which is not bad for a guy who was supposed to have died at 15.

And say what one likes, no one can accuse Genos of taking tomorrow for granted.

Asides

A reasonably accessible review on the matter https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00070-1

The influence of childhood experiences last a lifetime https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/07/us/nuns-offer-clues-to-alzheimer-s-and-aging.html

Increasingly, you'll not just hear of lifespan, but healthy lifespan, the length of time one can expect to live before experiencing life-limiting chronic illness. There, environment and social standing make a huge difference. For example, in England, people living in the least deprived areas can expect nearly 20 years more healthy life than those in the most https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthinequalities/bulletins/healthstatelifeexpectanciesbyindexofmultipledeprivationimd/2018to2020

A more popular (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/10/chronic-stress) and more scientific (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3428505/) overview of the influence of stress on ageing.

Finding a reasonable article on the influence of the extracellular matrix (the scaffold that makes up our tissues) on ageing and organ function that's neither woo nor excessively scientific eludes me for now. In the meantime: WEAR SUNSCREEN! EVEN IF YOU'RE BLACK! Your skin will not recover from the extrinsic ageing of sun damage and your future self will thank you.

[aion-rsa]

Unforgotten: the Clues in the Titles and Why Every Detail Matters

https://ift.tt/3b8wdBf

Warning: contains spoilers for Unforgotten series 1-3

“You’d be surprised,” says Peter Anderson, creative director of the studio behind the title sequences for hit ITV crime drama Unforgotten. “You can show something really on-the-nose, and people won’t get it until they’ve been told. We fret and worry about giving too much away but the clue is only triggered when you know the context.”

Each 40-second title sequence for Unforgotten is a curated collection of purpose-filmed scenes designed to go where the drama can’t – namely, inside the characters’ heads. Every series starts with the discovery of a long-buried body, then introduces viewers to a guest cast of characters whose connections to each other, and to the historical murder, gradually unfold. It takes six episodes to solve the mystery, but right from the start, the abstracted and symbolic images created for the title sequence already hold all the answers. 

“Some of the images are big clues,” explains Anderson. “With the current series titles, there were some things that were taken out and then went back in, that are incredibly poignant, really incredibly amazing clues, I can only be ambiguous about it at this stage.”

Our new titles, full of little teasers and clues. Made by the brilliant @PAndersonStudio #OneDayMore #Unforgotten 4 https://t.co/rE5XAo5lx6

— Chris Lang (@ChrisLangWriter) February 21, 2021

How the series four title sequence relates to the new story, airing on Mondays at 9pm, is currently anybody’s guess. The meaning behind its images – a smashed car window, an allotment, a discarded fountain pen, to pick just three – will only become apparent after the finale. “You should have a relationship with the title sequence that grows as the drama grows,” says Anderson. Look back the title sequences for previous Unforgotten series and that’s exactly so – they’re transformed by hindsight.

Take the series two montage, which opens with a shot of a pub table and three empty drinking glasses. Atmospherically, it’s a lonely image, but hardly ominous. In the finale, the scene is revealed to be a turning point in the investigation as the place where the murder suspects gather and the truth is finally told. It’s a terrible truth about three lives irreparably damaged by childhood sexual abuse, and provides the answer to another title sequence mystery. The dreadful significance of a previously unexplained shot of an empty yellow tent is made clear in a heart-rending monologue from Mark Bonnar, who plays lawyer Colin. The abuse Colin suffered as a child began aged nine, on a camping trip. Each week, viewers have been shown the tent from his memory – a formative moment that haunts the titles in the same way it haunts the character.

“That’s one of those occasions where the titles are showing you something awful and poignant, a game-changer,” says Anderson. “In a way, the tent is the scene that forms the whole story of the drama, but it’s in the titles. It’s not a flashback, it’s been allowed to be in this other place, this place that says to you, ‘Before you watch this drama every week, think about some of these things’.”

Copyright: Peter Anderson Studio

Not every image is necessarily a clue. “Some of them are setting the scene, some of them are memories that form the characters, some of them are about placing the different time zones that you’re in.” Unforgotten is a time-travelling series, says Anderson. “The titles are showing us that we will be in memory.”

All four series titles share the visual metaphor of unsettled dust motes floating from scene to scene. “It’s talking about how, the moment Cassie and Sunny (the show’s detective leads played by Nicola Walker and Sanjeev Bhaskar) come knocking on your door with news or an accusation, it unearths a whole series of events, whether you’re innocent or guilty. The dust, your past, is unsettled. That thread follows through all the title sequences, it’s about the everyday becoming disrupted and changed.” 

Clues and reminiscences are purposely blended in the Unforgotten titles. Some memories may be more important than others, but nothing is frivolous, says Anderson. In the series two sequence, even a glimpsed pan of peas boiling on a stove feeds into the working class roots of a now wealthy, knighted business tsar. “Even the peas have a job to do because they’re taking you back inside the head of a character.”

“One that pops to mind is a car crash scene from the series one titles. It’s the moment that one of our characters was in the crash that put him in his wheelchair. That’s not something shown in the drama, but that’s a moment that formed that character, a lot of his traits come out of this awful thing that happened.”

Read more

TV

Unforgotten series 3 writer: “we live in uncompassionate times”

By Louisa Mellor

Books

Why Unforgotten fans should read Reservoir 13

By Louisa Mellor

Title scenes are a different type of narrative that hark back to the silent movie era, Anderson explains. “It’s about subtly extending the storytelling, extending the characters through their memories, taking you to a place that formed them that the drama doesn’t have the time to show. It might be referred to in dialogue, but we can actually make it in the titles.”

They can make it, but not wanting to give the game away, they also have to obscure it. “Something that seems abstract often is laced with meaning,” he says, citing a tiny snippet in the series three credits where we see a close-up of a deer’s eye. The deer turns out to be a plot point, as the animal hit by an underage driver whose father suspects him of having killed the victim. In the same sequence, a poetic scene shows grass and flowing water. “To the viewer that will just be abstract and atmospheric, but actually, that’s the moment when the river broke its banks and carried away the body.”

The Unforgotten titles incorporate the settings used in the show, but – until this series because of last year’s Covid-19 restrictions on set visits – were always purpose-filmed by Anderson’s studio and not compiled from existing footage. They’d pop in to a set while the production was on lunch and get the coverage they needed, borrowing key props and costumes. That’s how a necktie worn by a character revealed to have a sadomasochistic fetish is glimpsed binding the hands of a young woman (a Peter Anderson Studios intern, being useful on her first day) in the series two sequence. A suitcase used to contain and dispose of a murder victim is spotted sitting innocently at the bottom of a wardrobe. “We have access to all the costumes, the props, the poignant clues from the drama itself. The detail that’s in there comes direct from the drama.” 

Copyright: Peter Anderson Studio

Each Unforgotten title sequence begins life as around 100 short scenes written by Anderson after reading all six of that series’ scripts. It’s unusual to be granted such breadth of access in TV drama, which is part of what makes the title work on Unforgotten so special. The entire Mainstreet Pictures team, from creator and writer Chris Lang to the producers and directors, collaborate on whittling down the list of scenes until they say everything they need to, without giving anything away. 

This kind of devotion from a production company to a TV title sequence is rare in the UK, says Anderson. He’s experienced it precious few times in his career: with Neil Gaiman creating the stunning 2D animated titles for Good Omens, with Steven Moffat and the producers of BBC One’s Sherlock and Doctor Who – for which his studio made the series seven titles starring Matt Smith – and here, on Unforgotten.

Lang tells Den of Geek that he’s never worked on a series with such a symbiosis between the titles and the drama. “We meet at late script stage, when the characters are fully formed, and then we decide together which echoes, teases and clues we want to put in to the opening sequence.” Lang describes the titles for each series as a mini drama of their own, easing the audience into the world of the show. In dramatic and storytelling terms, he says, the titles do a lot of heavy lifting.

“Chris will say ‘Can we add this scene? Because this is why that character was formed’, explains Anderson. “I can’t extend a character’s story in the way that the writer can. He knows implicitly how he’s formed his characters, he knows their past. He knows which memories are important”. It’s about understanding the detail of every bit of storytelling, “that even a half-second snippet really matters.”

Copyright: Mainstreet Pictures

One character-forming scene that’s only a half-second snippet in the series three titles shows a young child being hugged by a woman. The costume, backdrop and lighting suggest the 1960s, putting us in the realm of memory. In that half-second, Anderson confirms, we’re inside the mind of Dr Tim Finch, an extremely damaged man played by Alex Jennings.  “It’s just meant to be a flicker of time showing an overbearing mother that formed part of his character. If you look at the detail of that shot, what’s important is the fact that he’s being smothered and the smothering therefore has a psychological effect on him growing up.” 

Another key memory scene – a child’s-eye perspective of a woman peeling potatoes at a sink, which relates to the moment a character told her mother she was being abused by her father – was coincidentally filmed in the same location: Anderson’s kitchen at home. “I have a 1950s house with a genuine 50s kitchen with a genuine 80s wall with a genuine 70s floor, so as a location, it’s utterly fantastic for time travel,” he laughs, angling his laptop camera down to show a tiled floor fans will recognise from several of the Unforgotten title sequences. 

In the US, Anderson explains, TV titles are highly paid for, but in Britain it remains a lo-fi business. When his studio created the fast-paced title sequence for high-profile Sky One drama Lucky Man, for instance, instead of closing the roads and wiring up a street with cables to film the fast-paced street scenes, they did it using an actor from Starlight Express roller skating through London wearing a GoPro.

Copyright: Peter Anderson Studios

Series two’s yellow tent scene was filmed using vintage camping equipment pitched in the park next to Anderson’s home. “That was me and a cinematographer on the side of a hill. We set it up meticulously with an oil lamp from the period. We wanted the light to be perfect, so for just that one scene we probably spent between three and four hours shooting.”

A television drama often won’t have the time to be so indulgent with its photography, he says. For the series three titles, his studio shot Bristol Bridge in the early hours of the morning, starting off in the dark and the snow, waiting until the light was just so. Production arranged the official permissions, the hotel, everything so that Anderson’s team could film just two scenes of no more than a few seconds each. It’s proof, he says, of how much everybody involved cares and how every detail matters – something well worth remembering the next time your finger hovers over that ‘Skip Intro’ button.

cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "106e33c0-3911-473c-b599-b1426db57530", }).render("0270c398a82f44f49c23c16122516796"); });

Unforgotten series 4 continues on Mondays at 9pm on ITV1.

The post Unforgotten: the Clues in the Titles and Why Every Detail Matters appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/303o3nf

[lalainajanes]

klaroliiinnnee + i kissed you goodbye by accident - old habits die hard okay?!?!

@goldcaught sent me this one too! Great minds, lol.

Keep It Around

Caroline’sgot her fists clenched around the steering wheel, tense and worried, becausetraffic has chosen to totally work against her. Not by being an impossiblegridlock, however. No, the drive from her apartment to Klaus’ house (formerly their house) has been a freaking dream.She doesn’t think she’d hit even a single red light.

She barelyhears Mojo Jojo and Professor Utonium yowling from their travel kennels, tunesout the sound of their little claws trying to rip through the plastic mesh.When she’s not staring at the road she’s glaring at the clock on the dash,willing it to jump forward twenty minutes.

She’searly, something that would usually be a point of pride. In this case? Early isbad. Early means spending more time with Klaus than she’s prepared to, fillingminutes with more than rehearsed instructions and plans. This is the fifth timeshe’s had to go out of town for work since they’d broken up and Caroline hadtimed each previous drop off to perfection. The last four times she’d allottedherself less than fifteen minutes between the time she’d arrive at Klaus’ andthe time the cab she’d ordered would pick her up. Just enough time to park inKlaus’ garage, wrestle the cats into the collars that would allow them throughthe pet door and into the backyard, and spend a few minutes giving Mars a bellyrub.

They’dworked out a decent joint pet custody agreement but the twice weekly runs whereshe gets to hang out with Mars were far too short. She misses the dog, a huskymutt who’s never quite accepted the fact that he’s too big for her lap. Hemight have been Klaus’ but he’d been barely out of puppyhood when she’d movedin, had spent more of his life with her in the house than without. He’d beenthe one to suggest she leave the cats, a pair of tuxedos she’d adopted yearsbefore she’d met Klaus, with him when she had to travel for work so Carolineassumes he’s in the same boat.

When sherolls into Klaus’ driveway she sees Mars in the window, perched on the back ofthe couch, his tail wagging furiously. She can’t help but smile, heranxiousness easing a little. Maybe, if she focused on the dog, not on the dog’s owner, she’d be fine.

Optimism istotally Caroline’s thing and she tells herself she can do this. Klaus had beenher roomie and friend long before he’d been her boyfriend. They’d had abajillion conversations before she’d realized she was in love with him. What’sone more now? She’s pretty sure she’s stillin love with him but she’s working on it. It’ll fade.

Eventually.

She thinks.

The cats,probably sensing their location, have gotten more restless, their cries growingin pitch and frequency. Mojo is smaller than his brother, is turning circlesand bumps his head against the kennel’s side when Caroline reaches for him.She’d bought them after the first time she’d had to transport the cats toKlaus’ had learned that juggling two hard kennels full of wriggling cats was adisaster. Professor Utonium had managed to spring himself, busting through themetal door, and streaking up a tree.

She’d hadto leave, had fretted her whole flight, until she’d landed and a text fromKlaus had come through saying he’d got the cat down and that Prof was safe andsound and gorging himself on dinner. He’d even sent pictures to prove it, ashot of his dog and her cats curled up on the living room rug.

Caroline’sgot dozens of similar pics stored in her phone. When she’d first moved in withKlaus her cats hadn’t been too sure what to make of the bouncy ball of fluffthat was forever pouncing on their tails. Within a month they’d all been fastfriends, their occasional scraps quickly forgotten whenever there was a sunnyspot open and a group nap beckoned.

The newcarrying cases resemble sports bags and she loops one over each shoulder,swaying for a moment until the cats settle down and she can find her balance,before pulling up the handle of her suitcase to roll it behind her. She’s notthe least bit surprised to find Klaus slipping out of the house when she looksup, or hear him ordering Mars to stay. The dog whines but obeys and Carolinepresses her lips together to fight a smile. Mars had been a puppy schoolsuperstar and she can’t help but be proud.

She leavesher suitcase at the base of the steps, hands over her keys so he can move hercar if he needs to. She hadn’t seen his on the street, assumes it’s parked inthe garage. For all she knows he’s got a hot date tonight and she’s blockinghim in. She might have wanted labelsbut plenty of women didn’t. “Thanks again for taking them this weekend,” shesays, letting him take Professor Utonium’s kennel from her. “And I’m reallysorry it’s so last minute this time. I hope it won’t happen again but I’m stillfeeling out my new boss. It’s possible he’s evil but I’m hoping he’s justdisorganized. That I can work with.”

Klaus laughssoftly though the look he shoots her is speculative. Likely because Caroline’sbeen careful not to let their conversations stray into personal topics. She’dthought it best to keep things between them surface level but, considering howmuch time she has to fill before her cab arrives, it would be pretty awkward ifshe didn’t at least start a conversation.

“Yes, I’msure you could whip him into shape in no time and he wouldn’t even notice.”

“Damnright,” Caroline chirps.

“Congratulationson your promotion,” Klaus says. “You’ll be brilliant.”

She pauses,turning to look at him. “How did you…”

He turnshis attention to mounting the steps, very carefully not looking at her.“Instagram.”

Huh. Klausbarely uses Instagram, hadn’t posted anything in at least a month (yes, she checks and she’s not proud of it) andher promotion is barely two weeks old. Maybe she’s not the only one who’s gotsome feelings lingering.

Carolineknows she shouldn’t be happy about that realization but hey, the heart wantswhat it wants. It’s nice to know hers isn’t alone in its stubbornness.

He pushesthe door open, “Sit,” he says firmly, and she can hear Mars’ nails scrabblingon the tiles, glances up to see him quivering with excitement, mouth open andtongue lolling.

Carolinehurries into the house, bending to rub his ears, “Who’s a good boy?” she coos.“And so handsome.”

“He toredown the drapes the day before yesterday,” Klaus says dryly. “So definitely nota good boy.”

She doesn’tlet up, stands so she can run her hands over his fur. His tail is a blur,swishing rapidly back and forth. “Aw, I’m sure it was an accident. Mars-y, didyour little squirrel friends come back? They shouldn’t taunt you.”

Klaus sighsand she knows he’s holding in a comment about how she babies the dog – somethingthey’d bickered over often. Mars is an excellent guard dog, very intimidatingwhen he needs to be. So what if he’s privately a big ol’ cuddly softy?

They saiddogs resembled their owners, didn’t they? Klaus is definitely in the pricklyouter shell with hidden inner depths club.

Carolinerises, setting her kennel on the hall table. Klaus has left the cat collarsthere and she picks one up. She fiddles with it for a moment, loosening it.Apartment living has caused Mojo to gain a little weight (he’ll hog the food ifshe lets him) and she’s started him on a laser pointer regimen but hasn’t seenmuch of a difference. She hands the carrier off to Klaus, “I’ll hold, youcollar?”

He agreeswith a soft hum and Caroline unzips the flap, shooting her hand in before Mojocan poke his head out. She scoops him out, safely immobilized under her arm,and Klaus neatly clicks the collar shut around his neck.

Caroline’scareful to ignore how close he is, keeps her gaze focused on the cat. She setshim down and he immediately throws his body against Klaus’ legs, rubbingaffectionately. Caroline feels a small pang of guilt but shakes it off and Mojois quickly distracted by the Mars, who greets Mo with a very inappropriatelyplaced sniff.

“Hey,rude,” Caroline chides, nudging the dog when she bends to grab the otherkennel. He thinks it’s a game, crouching down into pounce position and yipping.Caroline just can’t say no to that face, reaches out to pat his headaffectionately. “No one likes a butt sniffer, Mars.”

Klaus openshis mouth but Caroline points at him warningly, “Do not even thing about channeling Kol right now.” His lips presstogether and a bright light of amusement remains and it’s so easy to smileback. “I’m sure we could google and find out I’m wrong but do we really want to?”

“Likelynot.”

“I love itwhen you agree with me,” Caroline jokes.

“You likeit more when I don’t,” Klaus shoots back.

She thinksabout arguing, decides it’s too dangerous. Today’s the most comfortable she’sfelt in Klaus’ presence since before things had gotten bad between them. Shefinds she doesn’t want to put the wall back up between them. If Klaus were toreference any of the many (many)times one of their arguments had ended up with the two of them naked or nearlyso against the most convenient flat-ish surface she’d have to.

No way canshe endure the next twenty to thirty minutes of his company if she’s thinkingabout how she can still only seem tocome if she thinks about him.

She liftsthe other kennel and they repeat the process and get Professor Utonium’s collarsituated. When he’s on the floor the animals are quick to pelt out of thehallway. Caroline holds her breath, half expecting a crash, but soon she hearsMars barking and she knows they’ve made their way outside. “It’s supposed to besunny this weekend. The boys will probably spend most of it rolling around onthe grass and out of your hair.”

Klausdoesn’t seem particularly concerned. “They’re no bother, love.”

Carolineknows he genuinely means it. She���d met Klaus while looking for a place to rent,had been having trouble finding something pet friendly that was availableimmediately. When she’d met her friend Enzo’s new boyfriend Kol he’d been quickto offer up a solution in the form of his brother (‘kind of a wanker but a softtouch for any fluffy beast who crosses his path’) who’d been between housematesat the time.

Carolinehad met Klaus the next day, had quickly fallen in love with the house and Marseven as she’d sternly told herself that she would not, under any circumstances,consider sleeping with Klaus even if he happened to be distractingly hot.

Her vow hadlasted almost seven months and, if she were being honest, Caroline’s superimpressed with her will power that she’d held out that long. Klaus hadn’t beenshy about expressing his interest and had quickly developed some kind ofallergy to shirts.

They’dfallen into a kind of roommates with benefits situation. They’d worked well asroommates and the benefits had been goodand a year passed before Caroline even realized it. She’d been out withfriends, a long overdue girl’s night, and some creep had gotten belligerentwhen she’d turned down his offer to buy her a drink.

He’dinsisted she tell him if she had a boyfriend and, while she’d had no problemleaving him in her dust, his words had lingered as she’d made her way back toher friends.

Because, asfar as Caroline had known she didn’thave a boyfriend. She hadn’t been seeing anyone else and she’d known Klaushadn’t been either. Still, they’d never discussed commitment, hadn’t reallymade big future plans beyond the everyday ‘Mars needs shot in a month, the yardwill need to be graded in the spring’ type that came with living in the samehouse. They’d fallen into such an easy thing that the big discussions –marriage, kids, joint bank accounts – hadn’t come up.

Carolinehad figured that was a sign that Klaus wasn’t interested in any of thosethings. And it sucked realizing that shewanted them more than anything.

She’d drunkway too much vodka. Had started looking a new apartment the next day.

“When does your cab get here?” Klaus asks.

She fishesher phone out of her jacket, fights to keep from visibly cringing. “Uh, liketwenty minutes? Sorry, my timing is off today. I can wait outside it you want…”she rocks back a step, fully prepared to wait out on the porch with hersuitcase.

Annoyanceflashes across Klaus’ face, “So eager to leave my company?”

“You’re theone who asked me when I was leaving.”

His jawclenches, his eyes fluttering shut briefly and he’s back to casual pleasantnessin an instant. “Just making conversation. Why don’t you come in to the kitchen?I made coffee not too long ago.”

“Sure.” Sheslips off her flats – Klaus is weird about shoes in the house – and follows himthrough the house. There’s a wall of windows that face the backyard and she cansee Mars chasing one of the cats though they’re moving too quickly for her tonote which one.

“Just likeold times,” she says, then immediately wishes she hadn’t. Klaus’ back is toher, and he tenses as he reaches into the cupboard where he’s always kept themugs. He doesn’t say anything but she can tell it’s a struggle from the way hemoves, jerky, her usual mug clinking loudly when he sets it down.

Ooookay. Alighter topic is needed ASAP.

“How’s workgoing for you?” Caroline asks.

“My clientssend me a steady stream of requests.” Klaus’ main source of income isillustrations, mainly plants that appear in textbooks and field manuals.

She thinksabout dropping it, about sitting quietly and sipping her coffee but a silencethat long seems excruciating and Caroline just can’t do it. “And yourpaintings?”

Klaus isfar more passionate about his own work, had often holed up in his studio at theback of the house for so long Caroline had grown worried and taken it upon herselfto bully him out to eat and sleep. He’s shown at galleries in several majorcities and while she doesn’t know much about how much he makes off of them thesize and location of his house tells her he must do pretty well.

He glancesat her, too quickly for her to read, “Stalled,” he replies, clipped.

Whoops.Maybe not the best choice of topic. “Sorry,” she offers.

He sets thecoffee in front of her and it’s the exact perfect color. A sip tells her it’sjust as sweet as she prefers too. “I hear you’re going to be an uncle again.”

She changesthe subject whenever Enzo or Kol bring up Klaus. It’s bad enough that she can’tresist the urge to check up on him via social media. Bits and pieces about hisother family members still filter in and she’d seen the announcement that Sagewas pregnant again the last time she’d been at Enzo’s for dinner.

“Finn’spleased, of course. Insufferably so.”

“Perfectlyon brand, then.”

That teasesa smile from Klaus, “Indeed.”

“The firstkid’s really freaking cute, to be fair. You Mikaelsons were given more thanyour fair share of pretty.”

He laughs,most of his bad mood having melted away, “Such flattery. You’ll make me blush.”

“Like youblush.”

Klaus’inability to feel embarrassment was something Caroline had deeply envied. He’dtaken delight in turning her on in public, both via text or by whisperingsomething filthy that no one else could hear. Her pink cheeks had likely givenanyone observant enough a big clue about the subject they were discussing.

She’d triedto turn the tables a few times and, though Klaus had loved it, he’d also alwaysmanaged to one up her.

In the end,once they were alone and free to do more than talk, Caroline had never minded.Klaus always kept his promises.

But shecan’t let herself think about thatjust now.

She findshim watching her, knowing, a little bit heated and she wishes she’d taken offher jacket too. Caroline clears her throat, “You’ve still got their food andeverything, right?”

Best toturn to safer topics and be a responsible pet parent.

“Assumingthey still eat the same thing, yes. I noticed Mojo’s looking a bit… er… plump.”

Carolinecan’t help the rather unladylike snort-laugh that erupts at his delicatephrasing. Klaus is quick to laugh too, ather she’s sure, but she lets it slide. She slaps a hand over her mouth tosmother it, gets herself under control. “He prefers the term roly poly, thankyou.”

“Noted.”

“We’retrying exercise before a food change. You know how picky The Professor is andit’s a pain to have them on separate foods.”

“I think Istill have one of those feather sticks they like to chase tucked awaysomewhere. I’ll make sure he gets his cardio in.”

“Probablynot necessary. I think Mars will get him moving just fine.”

Klaustwists to look out the window, “You’re probably right.”

She looksover too, notes the fence has been painted, and an easy conversation aboutother home improvement projects springs up. She’s actually startled when herphone buzzes, the notification that her cab is arriving shortly.

Carolineslides off her stool, rounding the island. She’s got one hand on Klaus’shoulder, the other on his jaw, turning his head to her, and her lips pressedto his before she even thinks about it. She’s sat in this kitchen with him, shared coffee and smiles and talked about things big and small, so many times. Kissing him goodbye is muscle memory.

She freezes, her muscles locking as shetries to process just how she’d gotten to this point. Her eyes go wide only tofind that Klaus’ have closed and he wraps an arm around her waist before shecan pull away.

“I’m…” herapology fails, ending in a squeak when Klaus stands, the full length of hisbody pressed to hers.

“I’m not,”he says, against her mouth, low and a touch gravely, just before his hand sinksinto her hair and tips her head up for a firmer kiss.

She knowsshe should resist, turn her head awayand tell him they can’t. He feels too good for her to want to.

His hands arefirm, the slightest bit unsteady, like he’s afraid she’ll disappear. He kissesher deeply, fast and fierce, with an edge of desperation.  She moans into it, moulding her body to his,touching him tentatively at first, with more purpose when he shudders againsther palms. She can’t bring herself to pull back until her lungs are burning.When her head falls back with a gasp his wet mouth drags down her throat,shoving her sweater aside so he can pant against her shoulder.

Carolinelicks her lips, tries to gather her scrambled thoughts. “This is a bad idea.”

Klausshakes his head, an immediate denial. He bites gently at the curve of her neck,careful not to mark her, and then licks away the sting. Caroline shivers, herthighs clenching together from the sensation, fingertips digging into his backto hold him closer.

She triesagain, “I can’t do this again. Not…”

Hestraightens, takes a moment to blink away the haze of want. When his eyessharpen Caroline swallows harshly, the gulp audible. He looks frustrated, alittle angry. “I’ve been trying to talk to you for months, Caroline. I’ve beenpatient, waiting for a sign. Pestering my brother at every availableopportunity, crossing my fingers that you weren’t doing something senselesslike moving on.”

Caroline’smouth falls open, her temper sparking. “Something senseless?” she spits. “Senseless? You’re such…”

“Senseless,”Klaus interrupts, his expression daring her. “Ill-advised. Foolish. Pick yourterm, love. They all work.”

She shovesaway from him but can’t go far, crossing her arms as the island digs into her back.“Well excuse me for wanting more than just sex, Klaus. For deciding I wanted tobuild a life with someone.”

His fistsclench at his sides, his harsh inhale shaking his shoulders. “We had a life, Caroline. One that I thoughtwas pretty bloody fantastic. One that you walked away from without evenbothering to tell me why. My brotherhad to do what you were too cowardly to.”

“I am not acoward,” she hisses. “You never said…”

“Neither didyou!” Klaus shouts, his hands rising in frustration.

“Not evenonce!”

It’s a weakdefense and she knows it but Caroline’s never been one to go down without afight. Klaus had been the one to start flirting, Klaus had been the one to kissher. Had he wanted more, her future, the rest of their lives, wouldn’t he havesaid so?

“I didn’t…”God, she wishes she’d thought to prepare for this conversation. It’s been along time since she’d felt this tongue tied. “Well, I guess I just thought longterm wasn’t your thing. You seemed kind of… scornful or marriage as aninstitution.”

“Because I’veseen it be a nightmare.”

Fair.Caroline’s seen her share of bad ones too.

“I figuredit would hurt less if I got out early,” Caroline mutters. “When I thought aboutmy future, all I saw was you. I didn’t think you saw the same.” She’d been theone to ease back from Klaus, had calmly informed him that it was time for herto have her own place over dinner. He’d been shocked, angry, had stormed out ofthe house. “I should have asked, huh?”

She’d beenscared to. Hadn’t wanted to hear Klaus tell her she wasn’t enough. She’d goneto bed before he’d gotten back that night. Had been taping boxes together whenhe’d woken up the next morning. They hadn’t had too many conversationsafterwards.

One of hishands runs through his hair and the other hovers. She watches him considertouching her, sees how his eyes flick to her mouth again, and then think betterof it. When he speaks again it’s quieter, incredulous. “I cannot believe youdon’t know that I’m in love with you.”

It’sshocking and she takes a moment to absorb the full weight of the statement, togauge his seriousness but she sees nothing but sincerity, a weariness, in hiseyes.  She moves this time, collidingwith him, kissing him even as her eyes sting with tears that want to fall. Thisis slower, searching, and she wraps her arms around him and let’s herself enjoyhow warm he is, how good he feels. He pushes her jacket off her shoulders, hishands sliding under her sweater, a little rough and greedy for skin.

The knockat the door tears them apart. Caroline considers ignoring it when her eyesflutter open to find Klaus’ lips swollen and his eyes dark, his breathing justas uneven as hers. “That’s my ride,” she rasps. “I wish I could stay.”

Had shestill been at her old job she might have been able to swing it. Her pay raisehad come with new responsibilities and she’s supposed to be leading tomorrow’smeetings.

Klaus tipshis head forward to rest against hers, “What’s a few more days?”

Ugh,torture. It takes great effort to pull away. “I’m back Friday. Do you want tohave dinner together? We can talk and see if we can figure this out.”

Klaus nods,“I’ll pick you up. We’ll get takeout and we willfigure this out.” He retrieves her jacket, shakes it out, motions for her tospin around.

She letshim help her into it, “So confident,” she murmurs.

Klaus laughs,pulls her back into him. He presses his face into her hair, inhales with acontented noise. “I finally got the full story from Kol only because Enzorefused to let him do anything more drastic. Such as lock us in a small roomtogether with only food, water, and condoms until we’d come to an agreement.”

“Yourbrother watches too many Lifetime movies.” Not that Caroline can complain. Kol’sthe only one who’ll watch them with her.

There’sanother knock from the door and, reluctantly, Klaus nudges Caroline forward,snagging her hand and enclosing it in his. She squeezes, “Can I call youtonight?” The idea of waiting three days to speak to him, knowing what she doesnow, is super unappealing.

Klausagrees, easily and instantly, presses her up against the door for one lastbrain melting kiss. It’s only the knowledge that there’s probably a veryimpatient cab driver on the other side that prevents Caroline from wrapping herlegs around his waist.

“Be safe,”he murmurs, just before he pulls away.

Caroline’sslightly dazed as she leaves the house. The cab driver confirms her name, grabsher bag and walks ahead to stow it. She’s lucky she’s walked down the porchstairs and the front walkway hundreds of times because she does it onautopilot. It’s not until she’s in the cab, turning to wave one last time atKlaus that she realizes she’s forgotten something.

If she werein a Lifetime movie she’s have made the driver stop, would have sprinted back tothe house. Caroline really likes her job, has very specific plans for hertrajectory. Thankfully, there’s always the wonders of modern technology. Shepulls out her phone, taps the screen to connect a call to Klaus and waits forhim to pick up.

“Caroline?”he asks, sounding puzzled. “You can’t have forgotten anything.”

“Just onething.”

“Oh?”

“I love youtoo. Just so you know.”

Klaus’reply is slow to come and Caroline holds her breath. “I had an inkling. But it’sgood to hear.”

She laughs,tipping her head back against the seat. “Hence the reason why I mauled you.”

His voicedrops, the tone familiar and promising seduction. “You can, of course, feelfree to maul me anytime.”

“I had aninkling,” she jokes.

Theycontinue talking until Caroline gets to the airport and has to focus onchecking in. In the evening, the next few nights, after she’s done with workfor the day. When it’s dark and she should be sleeping they get to the hardstuff. Her insecurities, the reason she’d decided to run without fighting. Howhard it is for him to say certain things. He promises to try, she vows never tobe afraid to talk to him about the hard stuff.

She leavesthe call connected, listens to him breathing to fall asleep.

In themorning, despite her lack of rest, Caroline feels fantastic. Better than shehas in months and, on the flight home, she gets an email from her boss sayinghe’s been hearing impressive things about her performance at the conference.

She and Klaus make a tiny little scene at theairport, get a little too handsy and heated considering their audience.

They forgothe takeout and, once again, the traffic gods smile on Caroline. Last time she’dthought it a curse. This time? Not so much. They manage to avoid any and alltraffic snags and make it to Klaus’ in record time.

The animalsare very excited to see them. At first. They quickly grow indignant when they’relocked out of Klaus’ bedroom without even getting a moment’s of attentionlavished upon them. The drapes come down again, half the books on the livingroom shelves end up on the floor. Along with a bowl of fruit that had beensitting on the kitchen island.

NeitherCaroline nor Klaus hear the commotion. They’re too busy making up for losttime.

[shanannigansthebibliophile]

The big day has finally arrived!!! I am so thrilled to present these fabulous authors and their books, as they help me officially launch R&R Book Tours! 

Six amazing books, six amazing authors, and six amazing giveaways!!!

eBooks, signed copies, and Amazon gift cards! Awesome right?

Quincey Wolfe’s Glass Vault (Release Date: May 16, 2017)

Some see it… Some don’t…

People in the town of Deer Park, Texas are vanishing. There is a strange museum, known as Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault, that appears overnight. Perrie Madeline’s best friend and ex-boyfriend are among the missing. Perrie, along with her friend August, go on a pursuit to search for them in the mysterious museum. Could the elusive Quinsey Wolfe’s Glass Vault have anything to do with their disappearances?

A book that intertwines horror elements and retellings, with humor and darkness

Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Her name is Candace Robinson, obviously. She’s just your average hemiplegic migraine sufferer. Her days are spent writing, book reviewing and traveling through books. She lives just outside of Houston, Texas with her husband and daughter, where it feels like the hottest place on Earth with the crazy weather. No, seriously, one day it’s 30 degrees and the next it’s 70 degrees! She is also the author of Hearts Are Like Balloons.

Candace Robinson | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

GIVEAWAY

Seven Hours: Challenge Accepted (Release Date: July 31, 2017)

One pill every 7 hours. That could be all it takes to give Chanel the chance to finally see the world around her. Chanel is an independent 19-year-old, despite what her overprotective mother and senator father may think. Being the daughter of a Senator comes with its own problems, one simple afternoon out with friends becomes overwhelming when they’re swarmed by reporters. Keeping the secret of the experimental treatment close to her chest, she is able to fool everyone but her hawk-eyed bodyguard, Leon, that has now been assigned to protect her. Chanel doesn’t want a bodyguard, but will she get more than she bargained for?

Goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the Author

I wish I could sit down with you and have a nice warm cup of tea or a steaming mug of coffee, but since that’s not possible, how about a cyber-hug? I love hugs and coffee, a lot of coffee.

So, as an introduction, let’s start with, “I love to read and write”. I have so many stories inside my head that sometimes it’s impossible to know what’s real anymore. That doesn’t stop me from enjoying a great novel, though. Reading and writing is not all that I love, though it comes a close second. I love dancing, needlework, spending time with my family and friends, and most of all, the holidays. That’s when my family is all smiles. Smiles are the best, don’t you think?

I started writing stories for teen girls because I started writing in high school and I understood teen girls… or at least I thought so at the time. Throw in a hot guy, romance, and drama to get the perfect hypnosis formula for girls and some boys. Later, as I grew up, my characters grew up with me. I write a variety of books for all ages, mostly fantasy and chick-lit. An odd combination? You be the judge.

Currently, I divide my time between my family, work, writing, and a lot of cats. I’m also a new mother and you get to read about my journey on my blog once a month!

Visit her website at www.kernerangelina.com and her blog at www.kernerangelina.live

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

Aggravated Momentum (Release Date: September 12, 2016)

Not everything is as it seems in what appears to be an average family. When danger lurks so close to home, skeletons emerge, and the darkest of secrets surface, causing twisted desires to become reality. Aggravated Momentum offers the perspective of some very diverse and unique characters, including fun, witty personalities to fall in love with, along with an intellectual killer to die for. You may be surprised as to whom exactly you can relate. Is it the cold, calculated murderer, whose name is yet to be revealed? Markie or Kam, the independent sisters, guilty of nothing more than getting tangled with the wrong people at the most inopportune times? Or, the cowardly snake curled in a hidden corner? Who are you, exactly? And, more importantly, who are they? The deeper you dig into the psyche of another, the more breath-taking are the secrets you will find.

Goodreads

Amazon

About the Author

Didi Oviatt is a small town gal who married a small town guy. Within a few years of experiencing a new families bliss, she discovered that she had a thirst to write. Now, after digging down deep and getting in touch with her literary self, she’s writing mystery/thrillers like Search For Maylee(coming soon), Aggravated Momentum, The Stix, and New Age Lamians.  Along with a six piece short story collection called the Time Wasters.

And don’t fret: there are two more Lamian novels in the works.

Didi Oviatt | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter

GIVEAWAY

The Old Man at the End of the World (Release Date: February 16, 2017)

THE GOOD LIFE meets DOUGLAS ADAMS meets SHAUN OF THE DEAD! – Dave F, Amazon

Gerald Stockwell-Poulter couldn’t help but feel it was extraordinary just how quickly his life had changed. One moment he was earthing up leeks in the West Sussex sunshine and the next he was rooted to the spot as Rodney Timmins from the end allotment ambled towards him, arms outstretched, blood pouring from a hole in his neck and a look in his eye which suggested that he was less after help and more after a helping of Gerald.

Now, as Gerald’s life takes a quick turn for the worse, he must do things he has never done before. After 87 largely well-behaved years as a model citizen, less than four hours into the ‘zompocalypse’ and he has already killed a neighbour, rescued a moody millennial drug dealer and forged an unlikely allegiance with a giant ginger Scotsman. And it isn’t even tea time.

Join Gerald as he and his newfound allies navigate the post-apocalyptic English countryside in their hilarious bid to stay off the menu.

Goodreads 

Amazon

About the Author

AK Silversmith is the author of The Old Man at the End of the World; a series of zombie apocalypse Bites centering on the world of 87-year-old Gerald Stockwell-Poulter.

Bite 2 is coming soon…

She was born in Tasmania in 1983 and now lives in western Ireland where the weather is similar but the zombies are still absent.

I have also put an author interview on my site if anyone is interested in more info.

AK Silversmith

Deaman’s Tome: Monsters Exist (Release Date: July 1, 2017)

From the time we are young, we fear the monster under the bed or in the closet, making it impossible to sleep without a nightlight. Then, we hear stories of Bigfoot, and maybe even the Mothman around campfires. When we are adults, we wonder if there might actually be supernatural creatures lurking in the shadows. Are these tall tales and urban legends only metaphors for what horrific things humanity is capable of—or do monsters exist?Go to some terrifying places with this cast of authors.

You will be dragged into mystifying realities where demonic fairies hide, where devil monkeys lure carnival-goers to their demise, where Goatmen seek to destroy their prey, and where the goddess of death puts out a hit on victims of her choice. These shocking tales will have you biting your nails and locating that childhood nightlight. Because, in the end, we all know monsters do exist.

*Theresa Braun put’s on her editor’s cap for this creepy anthology, in addition to writing her own story as well!

Goodreads

Edited by Mr. Deadman and Theresa Braun

Theresa Braun | Twitter | Facebook

Author Info:

Wallace Boothill: https://twitter.com/WBoothill

Theresa Braun: http://www.theresabraun.com

S.J. Budd: http://www.sjbudd.co.uk/

Gary Buller: https://twitter.com/garybuller

S.E. Casey: https://secaseyauthor.wordpress.com/

Mr. Deadman: https://deadmanstome.net/

Calvin Demmer: https://calvindemmer.com/

Philip Kleaver: https://twitter.com/pwkleaver

Sylvia Mann: https://twitter.com/SylvieM1971

W.C. Marchese: http://www.wcmarchese.com/

John Palisano: https://johnpalisano.wordpress.com/

Christopher Powers: https://twitter.com/Powers1902

Leo X. Robertson: https://leoxrobertson.wordpress.com/

M.R. Tapia: http://hinderedsoulspress.com/

GIVEAWAY

Roadside (Release Date: May 6, 2017)

Roadside blurb:  Zayne finds Serena’s lifeless body off the side of the road one morning. She has been beaten and left for dead. As she recovers, they become the best of friends. It doesn’t take long for Zayne’s feelings to grow stronger. Will the fear of ruining their friendship keep them from taking a chance on love?

Goodreads

Amazon

About the Author

Angie Dokos was born a reader and grew to be a writer. Okay, so the reading took a few years, but in the meantime, she was having someone else read to her. She enjoys hiking and loves to travel. She currently lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area with her husband and children.

Angie Dokos | Twitter | Instagram

Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Blog 

GIVEAWAY

Of course, R&R Book Tours wants to celebrate these fabulous authors, but I also want to thank the amazing bloggers who took the time to put together these monumental posts! You guys rock!!! Make sure you enter my giveaway too!

GIVEAWAY

Make sure you check out these amazing bloggers before you go!

Didi Oviatt

Where Dragons Reside

Rambling Lisa’s Book Reviews

Literary Dust

Ignited Moth

Brizzle Lass Blog

Kristen’s Novel Cafe

Ronnie Turner

Speedy Reader

Darling Bear Reviews

Nesie’s Place

D.E. Haggarty

Portable Magic

Thanks for coming to our blog party!

R&R Book Tours

                Launch Party Mega #Blitz: Celebrating #Indie Authors #BlogParty #Giveaways The big day has finally arrived!!! I am so thrilled to present these fabulous authors and their books, as they help me officially launch…