#tales from the district s2

[sparkiekong]

Reflections of Tynas 5/6

Tynas smiled at her, “Ah, good, the dour moody sister is here. This is more convenient for me… two fish with one spear as it were.”

Morrigan folded her arms in a defensive manner, “Moody is right, Agent, why do you scare my people? What is it that you want?”  

He chuckled, “You’re looking lovely, Morrigan. I’m sure one day we’ll see you as a centerfold… but that is not today.”

A look of confusion on her face briefly before she went angry again, “Stop playing games! Your kind never just show up for a vacation. They come for reasons. Why are you here?!”

Tynas glanced to Ozen, “My word, straight to the point.” He looks back at Morrigan, “Ok, so I want you and your fishy friends to keep well clear of the wreck in your oceans. That is a dangerous piece of equipment, and I wouldn’t want any harm to come from a stray young mer swimming where they shouldn’t be. Since your father has regretfully forbidden us to recover it… I am forced to trust your good graces that you will make this happen.

She watches him for a time choosing her words carefully, “I know how dangerous your kind can be and while I assure you that my father has that under control, your concern for the people of Sulani is admirable… I’m not entirely convinced that this is your motive for being here.”

He leans back in the chair, kicking his feet up on the table, cigar, and drink in hand, “Like I said, I’m on a little break… and I suppose I should inform you of a few things…” He lights the cigar and puffs a bit, “If you’re interested in what I know.”

Morrigan sighs, “There is the root cause! What is it that you feel we need to know? These mystery trips and vague words are more annoying than Lord Narquad’s incessant whining.”

Tynas seemed amused at her comparison, “Well, multiple things... Firstly, despite what you may believe or have read, Gargareans and Amazons are not extinct and a small number of them are alive and well. The reason that space station ended up in the sea is because one Gargarean tried to annihilate the District of San Myshuno, and another Gargarean fought him to the death and did the best he could under the situation and crashed it into the sea. So, when I say it’s dangerous I mean it is. That's the first thing. Enticing, no? Wait, that’s not all!”

Morrigan scowls, “Gargareans were annihilated in the last ice age. Do get to the point of your visit, Agent.”

Tynas chuckles, “I'm afraid that your information needs updating… those big motherfuckers are back and they're only going to get more of them, but anyway, yes, moving on. I know you,” he points at Morrigan, “have your eye on an alien in Henford.”

Morrigan hadn’t processed what he said, she was still thinking about the Gargareans and Amazons Tynas had just mentioned, “We had no problems with the Gargareans or Amazons before they were misled.” Just as soon as she finished thinking the rest of his words processed in her mind, she looked shocked, but the expression was gone as soon as it showed itself. Tynas smiled slightly as she growled, “What? I have no idea what or who you’re speaking about!”

Tynas puffs the cigar and chuckles. “Yes you do.”

Morrigan moves back to her natural defensive folded arms position, “Why would I give two flying fish about an alien in Henford and what he’s doing? That’s mainlander issues, not those of the sea.”

Tynas looks a bit impressed, he knows she’s lying, but he had to admire her poker face, it was convincing. “Ah, perhaps I am mistaken... Just as well... there's a different princess who is attracted to him at the moment and she'd no doubt love him to death.” He deliberately emphasized the word. “Maybe you should avoid him, your highness. I wouldn't want to upset another royal lineage now would we?”

Morrigan rolled her eyes, “Alright, what else are you here about? If that's it, I have errands to attend to, Oz will see to your comfort while you visit, Agent. I would suggest trying to dress more comfortably, the humidity and heat can exhaust humans who aren’t acclimated.” She spins around and goes quite quickly.

Tynas smirks at Ozen, “Something I said wasn’t it?”

[sparkiekong]

Coming soon...

We never let the grass grow here at KSU productions!

[shayera-the-magpie]

How I would Have Done the DC Storyline in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’...

Serena did float around wanting June transferred to another district, and in the events of 2x13 and 3x01, transferring June to another district would be an sure way to make sure she is out of reach from her daughter and as an result of her continual defiance under Aunt Lydia.

She’d be taken to DC where guidelines are slightly more rigid (I’d have just the veils, as that would have been enough to convey the message) and she’d be in DC’s Red Center until an Commander (other then High Commander Winslow, obviously) selects her. Where June would find herself thrust into the political going ons in DC, initially with her new Commander trying to see if she has any dirt on Waterford to give him via conversation (because, you shouldn’t put it past an DC Commander to want dirt in order to obtain blackmail material should said Commander fall out of line; showing that it wasn’t just Pryce trying to get dirt).

As to why I wouldn’t have placed June with the Winslows, s2 established what we’ve already known in the books about teens being wedded off (with Agnes almost married off to an fifty or sixty-some Commander Judd in The Testaments when she was just thirteen). So, I’d have her in an household where the Commander’s Wife is an girl in her late teens, as an dynamic between an teenage Commander’s Wife and an thirty-five year old Handmaid would have been interesting. Also showing that in DC, households where the Wives are fruitful can acquire Handmaids in order to get large families (i.e: Leah was able to conceive yet she gave Jacob her handmaid; the Red Center is called the Rachel and Leah Center after all). 

(Regarding the Nichole storyline, the Waterfords would go to DC to film their ‘plea’ before appearing in those range of propaganda shots, and instead of June coming with them, she’d already be conveniently there in order to show the entire household). 

But that’s how I would have explored the DC storyline, as I’m sure any one else has an better idea. 

[jondalars]

movies, tv shows, and books of 2019

((as before, * is a rewatch/reread; currently watching; can’t get through))

The Man in High Castle (s1)

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Derry Girls (s1, s2)

A Series of Unfortunate Events (s3)

Zone One by Colson Whitehead

The Good Place (s3, s4)

A Simple Favor (2018)

You (s1 & *, s2)

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

No County for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) *

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (s2)

Nox by Anne Carson

FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2019)

Picnic at Hanging Rock (s1)

Law & Order: SVU (s1, s6, s7, s19)

The Word by Irving Wallace

Abducted in Plain Sight (2017)

The Magicians (s4)

Roswell, New Mexico (s1)

Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart

Sharks in the Rivers by Ada Limon

Antigone by Sophokles trans. Anne Carson

Dangerous Beauty (1998)

Swiss Army Man (2016) *

Bright Dead Things by Ada Limon

Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris

Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)

The Lobster (2015) *

Damsel (2018)

Eros: The Bittersweet by Anne Carson

Surrogates (2009)

The Umbrella Academy (s1 & *)

Maine (2018)

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Misfits (s1*, s2*)

The Favourite (2018)

Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

We the Living by Ayn Rand

The Inbetweeners (s1*, s2*, s3*)

Persuasion (2007)

Persuasion (1995)

Plainwater: Essays and Poetry by Anne Carson

My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) *

Troubling a Star by Madeleine L’Engle

Queer Eye (s3, s4)

Inherent Vice (2014)

Schitt’s Creek (s1, s2, s3, s4, s5)

Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back) (2018)

Short Term 12 (2013) *

Saint Joan of Arc by Vita Sackville-West

Manchester by the Sea (2016) *

Isn’t It Romantic (2019)

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead *

Love & Friendship (2016) *

Mother! (2017)

Colette (2018)

Anthem by Ayn Rand

The OA (s1*, s2)

Frostbite by Richelle Mead *

Game of Thones (s8)

The Case Against Adnan Syed (s1)

The Odyssey by Homer trans. Emily Wilson

Sula / Song of Solomon / Tar Baby by Toni Morrison

The Kings of Summer (2013)

Cherrybomb (2009)

Zimna wojna (2018)

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead *

Roswell (s1*, s2*)

Homecoming (2019)

Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour (2018)

Gerald’s Game (2017)

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead *

Wine Country 2019

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)

mid90s (2018)

The Yellow Handkerchief (2008)

Beautiful Boy (2018)

Zombieland (2009) *

What If (2013) *

Death at a Funeral (2007)

The Society (s1)

The End of the F***ing World (s1*, s2)

Pride and Prejudice (1980)

The Crystal Castle by Mary Stewart

Fleabag (s1 & *, s2 & **)

Train to Busan (2016) *

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood *

John Wick (2014)

John Wick Chapter 2 (2017)

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead *

Chernobyl (s1)

What We Do in the Shadows (s1)

Game Over, Man (2018)

Young Adult (2011) *

Welcome to the Rileys (2010) *

Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre

Dead to Me (s1)

Always be my Maybe (2019)

When They See Us (s1)

The Perfection (2018)

Good Omens (s1)

Chasing Happiness (2019)

Black Mirror (s5)

What a Girl Wants (2003) *

Ali Wong: Baby Cobra (2016)

Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife (2018)

I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (s1 & *)

The Americans (s1, s2, s3, s4, s5, s6)

Murder Mystery (2019)

Somewhere in Time (1980)

Killing Eve (s2)

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood *

Semiosis by Sue Burke

District 9 (2009) *

Oprah Winfrey Presents: When They See Us Now (2019)

The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert

The Box (2009)

Russian Doll (s1)

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Knowing (2009)

The Hate U Give (2018)

The Case of the General’s Thumb by Andrey Kurkov

The Power by Naomi Alderman

Minority Report (2002) *

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

Airplane! (1980) *

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Swiped (2018)

Scare Tactics (s4)

The Week Of (2018)

The New Romantic (2018)

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

The Kissing Booth (2018)

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Dark (s1*, s2)

Love, Rosie (2014) *

Suite Francaise (2014) *

P.S. I Love You (2007)

The Jane Austen Book Club (2007)

5 to 7 (2014)

Man Up (2015) *

The Clapper (2017)

Laggies (2014)

Penelope (2006) *

Little Italy (2018)

The Brothers Bloom (2008) *

Secret Obsession (2019)

What Happened to Monday (2017)

Full Fathom Five by Max Gladstone

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Battlestar Galactica (s1*, s2*, s3*)

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess *

Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger *

What the Living Do by Marie Howe *

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera *

Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh

Players by Don DeLillo

The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)

Crashing (s1 & *)

Booksmart (2019)

Us (2019)

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum  (2019)

High Life (2019)

Stalker (1979)

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater *

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Skins (s1*, s2*, s3*, s4*, s5*, s6, s7*)

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

Plus One (2019)

Compliance (2012)

Love Alarm (s1)

Suicide Room (2011)

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater *

A  Failed Performance: Short Plays & Scenes by Daniil Kharms trans. C Dylan Bassett and Emma Winsor Wood

The Boys (s1 & *)

Cassandra: A Novel and Four Essays by Christa Wolf

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy

Well-Intended Love (s1)

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater *

1983 (s1)

Abyss (s1)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer *

The Goldfinch (2019)

We Have Always Lived in the Castle (2019)

The I-Land (s1)

The Good Earth by Pearl S Buck

Hemlock Grove (s1*, s2*, s3)

Midsommar (2019)

Warm Bodies (2013) *

Submarine (2010) *

The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater *

Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy *

Black Light by Kimberly King Parsons

When Death Takes Something from You Give It Back: Carl's Book by Naja Marie Aidt

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa

We Cast a Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

After (2019)

Unbelievable (s1)

Sanditon (s1)

American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson

Some Freaks (2016)

The Last Czars (s1)

I Am Not an Easy Man (2018)

The Politician (s1)

Austenland (2013) *

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen *

Tall Girl (2019)

Superbad (2007) *

When We First Met (2018) *

Newness (2017)

Persuasion by Jane Austen *

Jenny Slate: Stage Fright (2019)

Charmed (s1*, s2*)

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer *

Will and Testament by Vigdis Hjorth

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez *

The King (2019)

The Crow (1994)

American History X (1998)

Brothers (2009) *

Let It Snow (2019)

Fire in Paradise (2019)

The Knight Before Christmas (2019)

The Great British Baking Show (s7)

Golden State by Ben H. Winters

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte *

Dangerous Liaisons (1988)

His Dark Materials (s1)

Les affames (2017)

The Cell (2000)

Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster by Svetlana Alexievich

Boy Erased (2018)

Die Velle (2008)

Harold and Maude (1971) *

Late Night (2019)

The Report (2019)

Annihilation (2018) *

A Bigger Splash (2015)

Like Crazy (2011) *

A Dangerous Method (2011)

Severance by Ling Ma

Parasite (2019)

Illness as Metaphor by Susan Sontag

Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes

American Psycho (2000) *

Marriage Story (2019)

The Moviegoer by Walker Percy

Bojack Horseman (s6)

Knives Out (2019)

Miss Stevens (2016) *

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi

Ночной Дозор (2004)

My Suicide (2009)

The Witcher (s1)

Life with Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

Strip Search (2004)

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)

Look Away (2019)

Sucker Punch (2011)

Galaxy Quest (1999) *

Mystery Men (1999) *

Russian Ark (2002)

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn *

The Dirt (2019)

Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin

Almost Famous (2000) *

Rocket Science (2007)

[xxsparksxx]

Do you think Ross's good deeds in series 3, feeding the poor, rescuing Dwight, setting up Drake in business etc. is in part to assuage his guilt over what he did with Liz, the terrible pain he caused Demelza and the resulting consequences for everyone involved?

No, anon, I don’t. Absolutely I don’t. His ‘charitable’ impulses are absolutely fundamental to his nature. Think about 1.01, when he tells his tenants at Mellin cottages that he’ll see to the repairs (despite being near-destitute himself). Or his determination to get leniency for Jim Carter on the poaching charge - and his subsequent jailbreak to get Jim out when he’s near-death. Or giving Blewett money to stave off bankruptcy, though he’s near bankrupt himself.

He has fewer opportunities for it in s2, because of his own desperate poverty, but even there it’s evident in his desire to provide employment, through his mines, for local men and women. Feeding the poor in s3 is really nothing more than he’s tried to do in the past to alleviate poverty in the district. He knows it’s not from lack of work ethic, not from flawed morals, that people are starving, and he does something about it. Just like Demelza handing out food in 1.08, and throughout s2. In a way, it’s actually part of his obligations as a gentleman land owner. The Poor Rate was pitiful and didn’t stretch far, if it was even granted by the local parish; the alternative was the Poor House, which separated families, disgraced those who went in there, and was incredibly hard to leave. Ross feels this obligation more keenly than most, but in the book, at least, it’s clear that many of his landed friends or acquaintances feel they’re doing their bit by looking after local cases of hardship, thus why they’re not keen on subscribing to buy a shipment of grain.

As for rescuing Dwight - it’s not really much more than he did for Jim Carter, who was much less a friend than Dwight. Ross has deep loyalties for his friends, and will go to great lengths for any of them - think of him helping Mark Daniel to escape a charge of murder, though Mark is guilty and Ross knows it. It’s a shame the show de-emphasised the French landing, because in the book he doesn’t go with the expressed intention of freeing Dwight, only to be there in case the opportunity should arise. The French force goes to France, and lands, and is there for some days before Ross decides he should use the opportunity of slipping away, with the men he brought, and attempting to break open the prison. It shows a slightly more reasoned approach to the whole thing - but it doesn’t in any way take away from Ross’s deep loyalty to Dwight.

With Drake, his feeling is definitely one of obligation - Drake saved his life in France - but also it’s a measure of how much he’s come to like Drake for himself, and to see Drake’s potential. Partly, of course, it’s because Drake is Demelza’s brother - he wouldn’t do such a thing for just anyone. But it’s not just about or for Demelza, though of course he must know it will please her, to have her brother set up in a business that will make him comfortable. It really is genuinely because he likes Drake. At first he didn’t; Drake was too like Demelza for Ross to be entirely comfortable with him, and he resented Drake (and Sam) for their familial tie to Demelza, their claim on her attention, and, as I said, Drake’s likeness to Demelza. But the trip to France gave Ross a chance to spend some time with Drake and actually get to know him, and Drake’s tale of loos and heartache reminds Ross acutely of his own pain, when he came back from America to find his childhood sweetheart promised to another. In the book he actually speaks about this several times to Drake, and says that hard, physical work is a cure, a way forward. So yes, while I suppose that there was some sense of.......not repayment, precisely, but some sense of ‘I should do this for Demelza’, on Ross’s part, but that was only one component of the whole, and not a large one.

[spectrum-sanctuary]

TOZX S2 OP locations

So call me bored and/or curious, but after seeing the new OP I felt like trying to figure out the locations in the images. I could be wrong though, so I’ll be glad for any opinions or input! Lots of images under the cut.

1)

Pendrago, Nobles District - The green-lined pathway in the middle of Mikleo’s pic has benches lined up. There are less in the game but it’s probably for software limitations.

2)

Great Belfry of Lastonbell - Can’t really think of any other location with a prominent bell.

3)

Westronbolt Gorge - The open rock bridge on the left can also be found on Biroclef Ridge but the tops of the mountains there are flat, rather than pointed, so I believe this is Westronbolt. I did consider Rayfalke, but it doesn’t have that kind of bridge.

4)

Volgran Forest - I guess this could just be a generic forest, but my best guess is Volgran, which is stated in-game to be home to gigantic trees, plus plot-wise this is where these two first crop up.

5) 

Random Town A mix of Ladylake and Lastonbell - Yeah, this is weird. There are many houses/roofs, so that rules out Lohgrin, Goddodin and Marlind. Since this is Alisha’s scene, the obvious conclusion is that it’s Ladylake, and that answer is supported by the fortress wall and the blue space on the right, indicating water/lake (none of the Rolance cities are near water). 

However, the majority of the rooftops in the picture are red.

As you can see, in the game, Hyland cities have blue/green roofs while the Rolance cities/towns are red (color motifs/contrast I guess). So Alisha’s pic is a Rolance city if we’re looking for the game equivalent.

However, the anime does not strictly follow this, as proven during the Lunarre chase scene in the 1st season, where Ladylake’s rooftops were red. So, Alisha’s pic is really Ladylake... Or is it?

Do you see that square block of a tower/building on the far left in the first pic? On closer inspection the black figures on top of it appear to be trees, making it resemble a plateau with trees on top. Ladylake doesn’t have a place like that. You know what does, though?

Lastonbell.

I guess this is either an animation error, or it’s just meant to be a nameless random town, or ufotable is trolling, or I’m just overthinking this one. Oh well.

6)

Lastonbell - I thought it was Lohgrin at first glance, but I believe it’s Lastonbell. The belfry is behind the text on the lower right. The small church is the one on the left.

7)

In front of Pendrago Shrinechurch - Got the two statues at the sides above and the stone columns on the ground down pat. I admit, though, I originally thought it was the Knights Tower. I was distracted by Sergei’s awesomeness.

8)

Ladylake, Outside the Aqueduct - You can only see the roofs and it’s dark, but I think it’s Ladylake similar to Alisha’s case --- the blue space in the background where there are no roofs, indicate that it’s water, and it is quite wide. It’s the view of this area.

9) (POTENTIAL TALES OF BERSERIA SPOILERS AND MINOR ZESTIRIA SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T PLAYED SEEN/PLAYED THE FINAL LEG OF THE GAME)

These last two aren’t anywhere in the Zestiria game, apparently. From what I read on the Japanese fans’ twitter, there is a snowy area on Berseria (I haven’t watched a playthrough of it yet). With Velvet still on the OP, they think this is the Berseria tie-in and I’m inclined to agree. What’s interesting though, is that the way this is placed at the end and with Heldalf in it, I get the feeling it’s set up as like the “final battleground”. So I suspect that the final battle in TOZX will be on this snowy field/mountain instead of Artorius’ Throne and there’ll be a Berseria-related explanation or event that would change the location.

[sparkiekong]

Reflections of Tynas 4/6

It was only a few glasses of brandy before his true target came into view. Prince Ozen strolled in and said hello to a few people and the residents nodded with reverence and respect. Tynas watched as the man approached him. “Welcome to Sulani Agent, I have heard about you but have yet to have the pleasure of meeting you. Would you care to go somewhere a bit quieter to talk?”

Tynas tossed back the brandy left in the glass and followed the prince to a restricted area under the bar meant for his kind and their guests. As they’re walking down the stairs, Ozen asks, “So what brings you to Sulani. Business or pleasure?”

"Yes, Prince Ozen unbelievably even government employees require some time off. That's why I am here. Also, to make a bit of a... formal request, regarding the wreck of United Districts property at the bottom of your ocean." Tynas quipped.

“What of the wreckage? I meant no offense, Agent. It’s just that when mainlanders are on vacation they, uh, tend to look the part and that was a bit disturbing to some of the residents and visitors of the island. You look to be a man on a mission, and I am sorry to say, it caught the attention of others, but I suspect that was your intention. So, while I believe that you’re on vacation I also think you’ve a dual purpose for being here. Would you care to elaborate on the secondary mission? Perhaps we can be of assistance to you.”

Tynas enjoyed the battle of words, “Just a harmless game to pass the time while I waited for you, and my dear boy, appearances can be deceiving… I am most definitely here to take the air as it were.

Ozen nodded, “You’re free to visit Sulani, we welcome all who have peace in mind. It’s just your attire doesn’t speak to the vacationer’s spirit and some of my people were troubled by it.”

“I’m a long way from home, and I’m more than comfortable like this, it’s like a second skin for me.” Tynas replies.

Ozen fixes up two glasses of brandy for them as he pours, “Call it a bit presumptuous of them, but the suit indicates business and most business on the island isn’t done upstairs, that’s all. My people are careful about who is on the island.”

They both heard the splashing and rush of water as someone came up from below their current floor. The sounds of wet stomping can be heard before Morrigan appears. Ozen shook his head, “I tried to tell her I had this under control… I suppose she’s coming to say hello.”

[sparkiekong]

An Interview with a Vampire 7/?

Nickie asks, "Given your unique requirements and potential differences from humans, can you explain how you’ve been able to hide for so long?"

 Jure laughed, "Oh, I must admit, I'm not one to blend in seamlessly with the crowd… But my smug charm and unparalleled confidence will inspire and motivate humans to continually look away… and if that doesn’t work, the I am sure that Bliss will. They would marvel at my abilities while striving to match my effortless excellence."

Nickie circled back to his favorite topic, "Bliss, you’ve mentioned it as your magnum opus. What is it?"

He beams with pride, “That is my precious creation, one that should be hitting the streets soon and then it will be quite easy to find a snack. Perhaps as easy as stepping outside and picking one up, like one would pick up a treat at a vending machine.”

Last question, "In your phone call, you mentioned a warning. What was your warning?"

Jure nods, "Oh, yes... you must have thought it was about Bliss...no my dear. I came to warn you. She’s coming and with her will come many things… none of them are friendly, my sweet chocolate tart.” He smiles, “If you want to survive this madness, you will need to be at your best. You must continue your work. Keep humans aware…”

" Why would you want that? You seem to want us to be cattle?", she replies clearly confused.

Jure looked at her as if she were a naive thing, “For two reasons… Humans have a greater capacity for being amazing now than you did even a hundred years ago. I find that marvelously intriguing. The second is that if none of you survive, there will be no food left for me. So perhaps it’s a bit selfish, but you cannot deny that I deserve to eat."

Nickie frowned, “I don’t know if you deserve to eat humans… speaking from a human perspective. I quite like living and you feed on human blood exclusively do you not?”

Jure smirked, “Sadly I do require human blood, but it does not make me a monster. I have never killed anyone that did not deserve the killing. I take from willing participants, and I never take too much.”

She frowned, “But you can’t say the same for your kin?”

He smiled an eerie toothy grin; she could see his fangs. “Exactly, you understand. Are we concluding then?”

Nickie looked over at Nick and shrugged, “I think for now yes, you’ve given me a lot to think about Mr. Vulpe. Perhaps I can have you back again sometime to ask more questions?”

Jure looked delighted, “Do you think I did better than Brad Pitt?”

Nickie shrugged, “I’m not sure. I never watched that movie.”

[sparkiekong]

Reflections of Tynas 6/6

Ozen shrugs, “No clue, she is acting weird lately and the seas are rather calm.”

Tynas retorts, “Well, I digress. Prince Ozen seems like you are a bit of an unwilling homewrecker.”

Ozen shakes his head, "I have not been with anyone who was married. I pride myself on that fact, not that it's any of your business."

Tynas gives him a wry smile, “Ah but you have skirted that boundary haven't you? That fantastically muscle bound woman with red hair and her attractive partner. Well, they are divorcing, and I just expected you to be interested in that information.”

Ozen put up a less convincing poker face, “Catherine came to the island upset, I honored her wishes. If she said otherwise, it would be a lie, and I don't think she'd be a liar. I escorted her wife onto the nearest boat back to the mainland and I haven't seen her since that event.”

Tynas downs the last of his brandy, “Haven't you? Well, that's fine, but so you know that I'm not joking... I know you spent the night at her accommodations, and I know you had a boner in the morning, which you hid with a pillow. Believe me... I am well informed on a variety of matters… too informed if I’m honest.”

Ozen stammers over his words before settling on a princely tone, "Low uncalled for, man. I did nothing wrong with Ms. Brand. I helped her get to see Mama Kevari and escorted her around the island for her article and fell asleep on the couch after having too much to drink.”

Tynas ignores his discomfort, “So as I was saying... She is due to get divorced and I thought this information might be of some small use to you.”

Ozen reaffirms himself by repeating his words, “I was not romantically involved with Ms. Brand and sue me for having a fairly common experience for any man with eyes.”

Tynas gets up, “Just call me, "Agent Cupid."

Ozen poured another drink, “I'm not doing that. How long are you staying?”

Tynas starts to leave, “Not too long, I can feel my welcome overstaying by the second virtually.”

Ozen returned to his stately prince mannerisms, “Is there anything I can get you while I'm here. I'm a liaison and Prince, it wouldn't do for me to ignore a guest of your standing.”

Tynas shakes his head and stubs the cigar, “No that's quite alright your highness. I am happy with what I have. He picks up his personal effects and heads off. Oh, one last thing.... Have you always wanted a brother?”

Ozen furrowed his brow, the question was unusual, but he replied, “I have always wanted little siblings.”

Tynas nods and smirks, “Excellent. Good to know. I'll bid you a good day your highness”

Ozen adds before he leaves up the stairs, “Of course, feel free to leave a tab and we’ll pay for your stay. I will send over a box of sulanian cigars and our latest vintage rum as gifts.”

Tynas nods, “Most generous of you, sir, you have sincerest thanks.” He bows and leaves the lower bar and pauses just before the path splits to go into the private sector of the island. He thinks briefly about visiting the old woman but changes his mind. She would know too much and remind Tynas of too many things that he needed to keep out of his mind to accomplish his goals. “Nope, that won’t do me any favors…” he walked towards his accommodations thinking only of his next task.

[sparkiekong]

Reflections of Tynas 1/6

Elita narrates, “Tynas was not what you would call a “sociable” man by any stretch of the imagination. He lived alone, he had no pets, and his apartment was more like an empty cupboard than an actual home. One thing we cannot fault him for is his grooming standards, he liked to be clean shaven, and his hair neat and those lovely teeth of his brushed. It was just as he was about to perform his brushing when his mirror began to behave most peculiar…”

Tynas watched, “Ah, it’s you.”

Elita replies, “Whatever was being said, was telepathically communicated between the two of them, I don’t speak telepathy, but hindsight is great!” 

Tynas replied aloud, "Right. What does that mean for me? Do I have to rub oil on him or something? This is a bit new to me."

He was waiting for a response and chuckled. "I know just the place. He'll be nice and cozy there and don't worry the old bastard that runs it… He doesn't like to know anything, he's like the government he values plausible deniability."

Elita smirked, “Tynas with a sense of humor? Who’d have thought! He was listening to the mirror again.”

Tynas cursed, "Oh damn... it was never meant to be this gods damned complicated, you're right I got questions.... How can there be two? You know what happened when she arrived, right?"

“He seemed upset and worried, but he listened well to the telepathy coming from the mirror. Or maybe Tynas was just going crazy?” Elita replies.

[sparkiekong]

Fidda's Done 1/6

Dream focuses on a person no one had thought about in a while, “While Jack spoke with Francine and his hired muscle... Fidda had spent weeks diving in the harbor waters, searching the wreckage of the space station. She had to be careful not to attract the attention of the military divers who were also looking through the wreckage and thankful to find Apex before them. Disappointed, she found only his burnt corpse at the bottom of the harbor. Fidda pulled his body to the surface with her. Wrapping him gently, she took his body with her when she left the city. Flying off in the direction of an ancient place, one that she had not been to in a long while. Those military fucks wouldn’t get the pleasure of dissecting "Adam" she thought as she laid him in the tomb. She would never use or utter the name Apex again...”

“She closed the coffin sliding the large stone covering the coffin. Fidda crouched down and tried to push back tears. Tears of all things! Poor thing had no understanding of why she was upset. She cracked a grin realizing that "Adam" was the first body to actually be in there. Looking at the names on the tomb. Fidda wondered why she had even made this place for them. They were never mortal…”

[sparkiekong]

Siblings in Henford 5/15

Elita narrates, “I chased and wrestled with the fox thing for quite a bit. (See the screens!) I mean, I had no idea how fast I could run. But it was fast enough, I caught him and drove him to the ground, after I did a few flips and shit, he took a couple of swings at me, which I dodged, the fight ended when I delivered a straight roundhouse kick which caught him square in his head and sent him reeling. I stalked over ready to continue the fight, fist about to strike. When suddenly…”

“No! Please… please don’t, don’t hit me again! I’m sorry.” The fox begged. 

Elita asks, “Your name, what is it?”

The therianthrope says, “It's you!” he exclaimed as some kind of recognition played across his face. He followed up with some nervous answers, “My name is Rai and… Oh Gods, don’t hurt me. I was hungry and I didn’t think he’d miss one. His statue was knocked over, so I figured he didn’t care about me taking some food.”

Elita confused, “What statue?”

[sparkiekong]

Ozen - Mainland Daze / Red Blooded Nights 6/14

Melanie was waiting outside the door, “Are we in business?”

“Of course, Melanie. We’re always in business. Your commission check will be grand my dear. Thank you for putting me in contact with Ms. Mann. Please excuse me while I continue my tasks.”

He left the gallery without thinking much about either woman, he’d been so consumed with his duties that he’d barely noticed the women who seemed to want to throw themselves at him. He hoped that everyone had made it home ok as it was night before his duties were completed. As he went to head home, the thumping bass tune of Red-Blooded Passions caught his attention, and he was drawn into the siren song of strippers.

[sparkiekong]

Reflections of Tynas 2/6

Tynas nodded again at the mirror, "Ok fine, that's fine.... You know, this is a big deal for me, I came here to make things right.... to make sure things pan out for all our sakes. I'm putting a lot of trust in you, and in your man."

 Elita regarded him with some admiration, “Honesty is the best policy, and Tynas was about to say something, most of you will probably agree with!

"Do I really have to go into specifics about trusting myself? I'm a two-faced backstabber! At least, that's what I have had to be. And I doubt he'll be similar. You know what we’ve all sacrificed. I don’t have to tell you, do I?” Tynas sighs, “I will do what I can. You know it."

Elita relayed more, “He must have been annoyed at what was said because Tynas frowned.”

"Evidently not. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here needing my help would you?” Tynas grunts and clenches his fist. “Sorry... I'm just homesick that is all. I promise I will make it alright, and make it work, even if it has to gods damned kills me. Don't call me that. I can't be that person here…I’m just Tynas." A look of pain crossed his face, as if he were missing someone terribly.

Tynas nods in agreement, "I need to make arrangements... I will do everything in my power to make this all work."

He kept looking at the mirror and chuckled, "Was? She still is. Always will be. Sometimes, I can't believe that she chose me."

Tynas shakes his head in response, “No. Just... leave it to me. I know what to do." The mirror flickers and Tynas sees his own reflection reflecting his actions again. Straightening his tie, "Right... on to my next job..."

Tynas packed a few things into a meager suitcase to leave. He was on his way to the next task. Scoffing as he thought of the word, that’s all this was about wasn’t it? The next task… pulling into the parking lot in his traditional black sedan to the port of Sulani. He opened the trunk and pulled out the suitcase and waited for the ferry.

[sparkiekong]

Fidda's Done 6/6

Ever the professional, Tynas showed no signs of discomfort. He shrugged, "and on that cheerful note, I will leave you to it. I have other things to attend to. Oh, and Fidda, you might be done with the world, but... the world is not done with you just yet, someday down the line, you're going to have to start helping others. Believe me, helping is such a rewarding quality to have. You should give it a try."

She scoffs again, “I doubt that. I had that kind of hopeful optimism three hundred millennia ago… it has long since died. Humanity has no redeeming qualities. Don’t worry Tynas, I will keep my end of the bargain. Or should I call you Ti-”

He stopped her from completing the sentence, “NO! You can’t say that!” 

Fidda grinned, feeling a bit of satisfaction she was able to ruffle his feathers, “Of course, It must be quite difficult, seeing everyone like this, knowing what you know. Of all men’s miseries this is the greatest, to know so much…” 

“But to control so little,” He finished the saying. Turning to walk away, “One day Fidda, you may change your mind about being a part of the world and helping humanity.” He whispered. “And yourself.” 

She sat back down, tossing the gun to the ground, it didn’t matter. Humanity was someone else’s problem now in Fidda’s eyes.

Dream watched on with a melancholy face, “Dear Fidda, your dreams whisper many unvoiced hopes and secrets… and try as you may… you cannot stick your head in the sands.” 

[sparkiekong]

An Interview with a Vampire 9/9

He'd been thinking hard about everything on their walk home and now she wanted to buy a house with him, it was enough. He had to ask. "Are you sure you want a grumpy old man in your house? I smoke like a chimney, drink like a fish. Angel, you could do better than me, you know that right?"

Nick had been wanting to talk to her about this. She had in a matter of a few months, brought color to his world. He had never had hope for the world, but here she was... loving him and he felt he didn't deserve it and he feared that one day she'd realize that she was too beautiful for him, and the colors would fade again. Life would be gray and lifeless like it was before this shining angel lit up his world. "I love you Nickie... I guess I just don't understand why you love an old grumpy man like me."

She looked at him and smiled happily to hear her name on his lips. "Nicky, I love you. So, what if you're a little older than me? So, what if you're a little grumpy but it's never aimed at me. Drinking isn't a crime and smoking isn't." She leaned into his embrace, looking up at him with love in her eyes, "See... There's this problem. I'm in love with you and you can't stop me from doing that. I fell into this world of weird shit and here you are standing beside me every step of the way. Anyone else would run tail between their legs and stop asking questions... but you're with me asking questions... even if you're afraid of the answer. So, let me answer this and say it simple. I love you. If you love me, then let's be together. I don't care what anyone says. Long as we're together... nothing else matters to me."

He was quietly relieved and felt such joy from her response. He shook his head, "I don't get it, but I guess I don't have to. I feel the same Angel. I've never met anyone quite like you and if you're dead set on loving me, then I guess I'll just have to accept that. I love you too Angel, more than you know."