This weekend, my husband and I ran our sixth annual Beverly Hills Shorts Festival – a hectic weekend of parties, films, and more films. Needless to say, it was rather stressful, and once it was all said and done, I couldn't help but find ways to unwind. A cold beer, some meditative breathing, even a good night's sleep...So, authors and characters, I ask you:
What causes stress in your life? And how do you deal with it?
201 comments:
1 – 200 of 201 Newer› Newest»Work. Teaching is/was stressful (I'm on my year-long sabbatical) but never writing. Waiting to hear the results of my full submission is a good kind of stressful but the resulting shortening of the nails looks the same normal unpleasant stress :)
Having my stupid brother throw himself at the mercy of the enemy in a bullshit attempt at revenge, and then dreaming of him in cage fight death matches every night. Stressful enough for you?
His blood sugar is just low. Here Aidan, have a sandwich and we'll take a nice nap.
We're demons. We don't have blood sugar.
The only thing that will fix this is me going in there and killing Lorcan dead.
You and what army, mate?
It's no picnic for me either, bro, but I think I'm making headway. As for stress release, I don't like to tell tales out of school.
Did you hear someone say something, Marc?
Ah, the old silent treatment. Don't worry Kaelin, he never can keep it up for long.
My job makes me crazy. It is one of my biggest stress points. Toss on kids, husband, school, and a stubborn WIP, and it's a blessing that I still have hair.
The only thing that really solves my stress is writing.
When that is stressful I turn to the traditional Writer's Little Helper: alcohol.
Other than that, it's concerts and snowboarding and hanging with the kiddos.
Driving when I don't know where I'm going. And I usually don't have a clue lately, besides they're always rental cars so at the same time I'm finding places I'm trying to find windshield wipers etc.So trunks are popping, hoods flying up, window washers squirting. Got a guy in a convertible yesterday. He wasn't pleased...
After a day of this nothing else seems quite as stressful anymore.
Trying to get Marenya and Faldur to settle down nicely into their final draft by the 26th.
Aidan, you are definitely to blame for some of Marenya's odd behavior. All this flirting definitely has her stirred up. I think she's trying to make Faldur jealous, but he is refusing to notice.
As usual.
I most certainly do not flirt. And of course not with Aidan. He is betrothed.
Is that why you were stumbling after him during Mardi Gras, with your cute little speech about hurricanes?
See, I do notice. I just choose not to respond to such childishness. It is my job to be observant.
That's not what I'm talking about Faldur, and you know it.
Oh, wait a minute. Perhaps you don't.
Ahem.
Exactly what are you speaking of, Author?
Nothing of consequence. I don't even recall myself what it could be.
Just don't read Chapter Two.
The party scene? You must be joking. She flirted with *me* in Chapter Two.
Exactly! She must be confused. She had too much merlot tonight.
Yes. Yes, I did. Sorry.
But you could be a teensy bit more receptive, F. It would make things so much easier on me. I mean, on Marenya.
Where's my wine?
(Nice recovery, Marenya. Now if you go off the outline like that again, I'm going to have to cut back your Point-of-View status, do you understand?)
Absolutely. Have some more of this nice wine. Has anyone seen Aidan? He seems like he could use some soothing.
Ms Hardy,
I don't want to cause trouble. But Marenya... she's special, you know?
Hi Marenya.
I'm not betrothed. Everyone just says I am. But I'm not marrying that bi--
Um, sorry.
Faldur seems like a straight up guy to me, but you know, if you're not interested, I'm usually around. Just hanging out waiting for my brother to get himself killed.
Or rush in and save him. I haven't decided yet.
You? "Save" me?
Hm. I don't think so.
You want to know what stress is? A cousin who doesn't know how to shut up to save his life.
Especially when my life happens to be tied to his.
The only cure is Grandfather's whiskey. A barrel of it.
Marenya,
Soothing. Yeah, I could use some of that. What did you have in mind?
SEVEN HELLS, just shut it would you?
I've a bad feeling Aidan is going to get a close introduction to Faldur's blade before this discussion is though.
As for me and stress, I don't worry too much about Aidan's scraps. I've been Sworn to him since he was a swaddling babe in nappies, and so I'm rather used to it.
So long as he's happy, I am.
Oh isn't that just TOO noble of you, Jay.
The worst bit is how true it is.
I would love some of that whiskey, Marc, if you have enough to share.
Elaine, Candy, Laura, A.J., SSAS would you care to join us? It sounds like all of you ladies could use a little drink.
Hi Aidan. Let me teach you how to find your center. It helps a lot with stress. Just close your eyes and seek the calm, bright center of your being. I know you are a demon, but you must have something pure buried down in there that you can reach.
Now, let me put my hands on your shoulders. I can draw off some of the tension for you, draw off some of the heat that oppresses you.
Do you feel any better yet?
I'd LOVE to share in the fun, Faldur! I'm only sorry I wasn't able to stop by sooner. Spent most of the day cleaning out my storage space in California - ugh.
Now, pass me a shot of whiskey. I'd be much obliged.
I have some Hanorjan brandy, Laura. Just the thing for an aching body and tiredness. Don't drink too much, though. It might make you dizzy.
We've barrels of the stuff, so a great deal. We'll have a few rounds and relax.
Oh... what is Marenya doing to the poor lad? I think he might not recover.
As for stress, I certainly feel my share of it. Usually, it involves frustration over work (or, rather, the lack of time to tackle it all properly). When I feel like my head's about to blow, I normally take a brisk walk and concentrate on my breathing. But yoga, wine, sleep, reading, and spending quality time with my kitty and/or hubby certainly help!
Authors do seem to be an unusually high-strung lot. Why do you push yourselves so much? It's not like the fate of the world depends on you.
That helps, Marenya. A lot.
Can I get you a drink? Maybe we can have our own bottle over here by the fire and catch up.
I would like that very much. What would you like to catch up on?
Just tell me what's been happening with you. How is that giant cat you hang out with?
I felt you in pain, but I didn't want to bring it up. Sometimes people are funny about injuries.
I can bandage it for you. Jason taught me pretty well.
I might be able to take care of that bastard Synedd, too, if you want. Just a well-placed arrow or two.
But then, how important is he? Sometimes it's worse to kill the guy in charge, even when he's an asshole.
Language, Aidan. I'm sure Marenya is a lady and not accustomed to a warrior's coarse ways.
Oh shi... Sorry, Marenya, Uncle Julian.
I'll try to be better.
I have quite a few male cousins, and I'm a Ranger's daughter. I'm accustomed to it.
I don't believe we've met yet, Julian. It's nice to meet you. What is your connection to the boys?
You know, I wish I could come to your world and help you get through this. It'd take my mind off Kae, anyway.
I get the whole "not knowing what's going to happen next." People think I do because I'm Seer, but ken doesn't work like that. It's more like a million paths.
That counts as stressful, I guess, huh?
Did Aidan just call Marenya a Lady? That is precious. She might think herself one, but she is not. She has no more noble blood than I do.
They are getting quite cozy over there.
I'm Marcus and Jason's father and Aidan and Kaelin's uncle. Their father and I were also twins. Runs in the family, you see.
But I wouldn't like to intrude. I've work to attend.
Aidan, see you don't stay up too late. You're short of sleep.
My apologies, I didn't catch the Uncle part. It's a pleasure to meet you, Uncle Julian.
I can't imagine having to cope with so many other thoughts, Aidan. It's difficult enough to cope with my own. Particularly at this moment.
I think things are plenty cozy here without them, don't you agree?
No worries. I've got my eye on my cousin.
I say, that's an interesting blade you've got there, Faldur. Looks as if it's seen some action. Mind if I take a look?
I have a harder time not using my ken, which I'm trying really hard not to do right now so we can have, like, a normal conversation. I can't sense my cousins or Uncle, though. That helps.
If we talk really quiet, they can't hear us.
What's on your mind? Is it because Faldur keeps looking over here and pretending not to?
No. I'm not thinking of him at this particular moment.
Everyone assumes that I belong to him, but I don't. He's never spoken for me. I wish to Heaven he'd stop looking over my shoulder.
I was thinking how remarkable you are. I don't understand you at all. I thought demons were horrible creatures from the bottom of the earth. I saw one once. Did you know that?
You look nothing like it. You look... beautiful.
If I didn't mind embarrassing Aidan, I'd put a stop to this right now. She's just trying to get my goat. I feel sorry for the lad, I truly do.
You were asking about my sword, Jason. Of course you may look at it. The balance is perfect for me. It's a bit short for you, of course...
Is she kissing him?
No, but I was considering it.
I need some air. Thank you for the drink, Jason. I'll be seeing you. Good night, ladies. Good night, everyone.
Marenya...
People don't tell me that stuff. I mean, they think it. I guess. But no one has ever just come out and said it.
So, uh. Thanks.
All right, that sounds shitty and not what I mean. I wish we could get out of here. I don't want them to get mad at you, though. And I know Jason won't let me out of his sight.
Look. I'm dangerous, okay? I mean, I can be nice. I am nice, I think. Uncle Julian makes me be courteous. He says it costs us nothing. But deep down, yeah... Not quite with Kaelin's anger management problems, but I'm a demon. Dangerous. You probably don't want to get too close to me.
Not that this...whatever this is...is that close... I mean...
I'm all stressed out again, I think. You mind doing that thing again that you did before?
Ha! Would you look at that? She's got him right speechless, stumbling all over himself...
What, Jase? Why are you looking at me like--
Er. Right. A fine blade, there Faldur. Sometimes I think of taking it up, but we don't have a lot of use for them any longer.
I don't know if I can. I'm too... I don't know what.
I think I offended Faldur. He will keep intruding, even when he's not here.
I know you're dangerous. That's what I like about you. Everyone is always trying to keep me so... so goddamn safe all the time.
I'm tired of being shut up in a box. I want to... to do something. To take a chance. To stop being a liability and be useful!
To stop being overlooked. Do you know what that's like? Like no one actually sees you? I mean, they see you but they don't see you. They just see your role.
Does that make any sense at all?
It makes a lot of sense to me. Most rangers just see me as Seer, and not even a very good one.
I'm still a kid to them. Like I KNOW this guy is trying to murder off the Council, but no one believes me because I've screwed up before.
You should just do what you want. I mean, what's the worst that will happen? All they usually do is yell at me. Like the Lord Prince just yelled at me for insulting a Senator, but then his daughter was all friendly to me because... well, it wasn't exactly decent, what she was thinking. Anyway, she stopped him being mad at me just by her being, well, friendly.
Okay, I'll say it. Looks don't hurt. Sometimes it's really easy to make them forget they're mad.
I think Faldur does love you. I'm not sure why because he's not really into it... settling down, I mean. I get that. I'm not either. But you're way beautiful, Marenya. You could try making him forget he's mad sometimes, too. You know?
Of course, I can fight and stuff and Jason still hawks over me. And he could give a shit what I look like. So yeah. I get it.
Marenya, it's ten-thirty. I have to go to work tomorrow. I think you need to go and rest a bit now. I think Aidan needs his rest, also.
Thank you all for a nice evening. This was a lot better than the rest of my Monday.
Good night! Time for Bedforshire for this young troublesome lad. My ladies, it was a pleasant evening...
Night, Marenya. See you later.
(kisses Aidan quickly on the lips)
Good night. Thank you for our talk.
Faldur might love me, but he loves Rangering more. He told me as much. So I try not to think about him.
I'd rather think about you sometimes. If you don't mind. But I promise to always be...decent, I think was the word.
I think you're decent, too. Don't let them get to you.
Yeah... sure. Of course. Night.
Oy, did you see that? Lad's got it bad now.
At least it'll keep his mind of Kaelin for a bit.
You think she has to be decent all the time, Marc? It'd be fun if she wasn't.
GO TO SLEEP, AIDAN.
blushing
Now I've really embarrassed him. Why can't I just leave well enough alone?
I don't think you embarrassed him too much.
I think you made his night.
She put him through his paces, all right.
This is like improv acting classes. Very good for character building.
Classes. Just classes. and roommate relationships.
As for my characters, their lives are far beyond stressful...
SSAS ~ Yes, it is kinda like that, isn't it? I had no idea what Faldur would do. And then I realized he didn't either.
Galadriel, I can't tell you how glad I am that my student days are over. Good luck!
Elaine... how long has your full been out? This is fantastic news.
AJ... I know what you mean about work, kids, etc. Why DO we do this to ourselves?
Laura, You not only do your job and run the film festival and this blog, you're constantly moving too. That's also got to be stressful.
Yeah, I guess at some point Faldur will have to step up, eh?
But that would require admitting that he has feelings he can't conquer. At this point, he's just hoping someone suitable will take care of her. But, as much as he likes Aidan, he doesn't exactly find him suitable.
If and when he does step up, he'll do it privately. Nothing he hates more than a scene.
Hah, Aidan is the LAST person she should be with. And Faldur knowing it makes it all that much more fun. AND Aidan knows he knows, of course...
Brings to mind an interesting plot quandary though. What if Marenya did find someone completely unsuitable and fell in love (sort of teenaged, first crush love). That would make for great conflict! It would be fun to watch Faldur in that situation.
Oh, and well, if he hates a scene, he MUST be forced to step up in front of God and king and everybody... for we must give our characters what they like least.
She would love for Aidan to lose control with her a bit. He behaved admirably, however. I have to hand it to him.
Particularly for a demon.
As to the other thing you mentioned, it might have already happened. But, I really couldn't say for sure.
That would be telling.
They're talking about us like we're not here again.
But it's all good things, Aidan.
I thought you were sleeping.
Oh no, he's up, Christine. We had him out for a run and swim and sparring early.
Marenya has her ways of relieving his stress, and we have our ways. Not sure which works better but he seems calm enough for the moment.
I like Marenya's way better.
Your way sounds pretty good to me, Jason.
You should know, as well, that I don't think Marenya will be bothering Aidan any more.
Bothering? She's not BOTHERING me. What do you mean, Faldur?
Marenya? You around? What's he talking about?
I dunno, mate. Might be best left alone.
No. We do anything. We sat here right where everybody could see us. We just talked.
She... Well, hell. I just don't think we're done talking yet. And that's what it was, talking. You guys told me before about their rules about us not being alone and stuff, and so that's what we did.
So screw that, but no.
And that last little bit at the end? That was talking?
Great, Marc, get her in trouble. That was private. And it doesn't have anything to do with anyone else.
I don't want to interrupt, Aidan, and I don't mean to make things worse. I just saw that you seemed rather... uncomfortable last night. She was being a bit too... well... you know.
I appreciate your being kind to her. She's been through a bad time. But I don't want you to feel obligated, either. I just need to get her home safely, where she can be cared for until the effects of the past few months wear off.
She was being what? I don't get it. We talked. It was all good.
I like being with her, actually.
Maybe you should ask her if she wants to go, huh? If she wants to, fine, but...
Never mind. Just ask her.
I am sorry, Aidan. I don't quite know what came over me last night. I don't usually act so forward.
Thank you for being so... decent about it all.
You didn't mind? Really? I thought.. well, I don't know what I thought.
I thought you seemed more yourself than you've ever been before. I thought you were was awesome.
Wait. What happened today? Did someone give you a lecture or something?
I suppose you could say that.
Tell me what happened.
Hey, guys, can you back off here for a second? Give us some space, would you?
Here we go again. Whiskey, Jay?
Of course. It goes brilliantly with young... all right, princeling. We're going. No need to hit.
Marenya, please. I beg you. Leave the lad alone.
How many times do I have to say it? She's NOT bothering me.
Look, sorry, Faldur. I'm not trying to piss you off, but we're trying to have a conversation here.
And I beg you, leave us be. You have no claim, and I am of age. You aren't even my kin. So have a glass with the boys while I talk to Aidan.
Hello, Aidan. I don't really want to talk about today. But let me just say that I am too old to be lectured by anyone, no matter how well-intentioned. I will have a drink, though, if you like.
Who is this Lorcan you mentioned yesterday?
Pissed off? I'm not pissed off. I will warn you, though, she's not as harmless as she appears. The kitten has claws, and I do not exaggerate.
I believe it's time for me to go on patrol anyway. Good evening, everyone.
Yeah. Yeah, all right. Here, I'll pour.
Lorcan. He's a demon, pureblood, even more than me. Straight from hell. He took me captive. Tortured me. See the triangle on my hand? Go ahead and feel it. It doesn't hurt any more and everyone seems to want to touch the scar.
Anyway, now Kaelin...
Seriously? You want to hear this? I hate to give you nightmares.
ah hell, now I'm talking to you like they do, aren't I?
Sorry.
Don't worry, I could tell you about a few nightmares I've lived through, myself.
The skin on that scar just needs to be encouraged to heal. I could put my hand on it... see... like that. You just have to talk to it with your mind.
I know that my own scars are still not healed but... that was different.
Tell me about Kaelin.
I think I'll keep the scar. Reminds me... anyway. Thanks.
So this demon Lorcan took me. Now he's got this crime ring in Denver. That's not even the way to describe it. Our enemy, they eat people. Just to put it in perspective.
And Kaelin, well, for a lot of reasons, but mostly because he wants revenge, is pretending to be rogue. He went undercover in the cell. He wants to kill Lorcan for what he did to me.
The stuff they're making him do to prove himself? It's bad. He has to fight every night in this cage. To the death, you get me? So far he's winning. I mean, he's going to win. Kae's the best. But he's going to lose, too, you know? Himself, I mean.
I can already feel it.
I'm not explaining this right. It's just not good for us to be around the enemy like that.
You think we should be letting him talk to her like this?
Yeah, Jay. I think it might help. Just let them be.
Not like we can control him. He is Lord Seer. And he's getting the nasty habit of pulling rank.
Oh, Aidan! I'm so sorry. What can we do? We have to do something!
They don't know me, right? Do you want me to go there and see if I can help Kaelin somehow?
You can't Marenya. They'll only kill you.
I don't know that we can do anything. I've been wracking my brain and I can't figure out what to do.
And I know Kae. He doesn't want me to come. He thinks he's proving something, somehow.
But it's not good for us to be by the enemy. It's not good for him, especially. You know how he's always so in control? It's because he has a temper. A bad one. Like, monster bad. If it takes hold of him it might be for good. I don't think he can come back from this the same.
Another drink, I guess. Why the hell not? Maybe it'll help me sleep. Jason would be glad. My nightmares wake him up every night.
Have faith, Aiden. Things will turn out well. Believe in your Author, if you have no other Being to trust. Authors seem cruel, but everything they allow is ultimately for the benefit of our respective Worlds. It all works out in the end somehow.
I believe this is also due to The Reader. I don't know what it is, but I think it is a force for balance in the Worlds. I know I have heard my Author say that she can't do certain things because it might 'Upset the Reader.'
Do you know what your name means in my language? It means "Hold" or "Keep." You are the keeper of your world's future. Kaelin knows that. Trust him. Marc and Jason seem to.
Do you know what my name means? It means "held." So just put your arm around me... like that... and close your eyes. I am very weary, and so are you. Maybe if we just fall asleep right here, neither of us will have any bad dreams.
Well that gives a new boring connotation to the term "sleeping together."
I doubt Faldur will think it's boring.
Shh. Let them rest. He's actually sleeping without moving for once.
Yeah, it's rather sweet, actually.
Okay, that was about the longest nap I've had without dreaming. You might be onto something Marenya.
Don't tell Jason, but you're more fun to sleep with than he is. More, um...cuddly.
Mmmmm. You're not exactly cuddly, but you're a lot warmer than a stone floor.
Thanks, I think. :)
I run kind of hot, ever since I learned how to start fires with my mind.
What a night. I could use a drink. Has anyone seen--
CURSE IT!!!
Whoa, jeez, Faldur--
Jason, Marc, how can you just sit there? Can't you do something? Heaven knows I like Aidan, but they'll only both end up hurt.
You'll want to stop talking, Aidan. Trust me. It's for the best.
Yeah, so, Faldur, remember that whole reading minds thing? Yeah. It works on you too.
What's going to hurt us? I mean, if someone steps on us or something...
Okay, I'm kidding. But seriously, dude. Don't be so type A. We're just hanging out here.
You may think you're just hanging out, Aidan, but it's not that simple. No offense, "dude", but I really think it's time Marenya went back to camp.
And if you really could read minds, you would know my reasons.
That's unfair!
I'd better go with him, to keep the peace. Good night, Aidan.
Now, no need to get sarcastic, Faldur. We're all friendly here, even with our hands on our blades, eh?
I do know your reasons. I just happen to think they're crap. No, Jay. Let me finish.
Anyway, it's up to Marenya. She should make her own decisions. She can go or stay, that's up to her.
Look, Marenya, come over here for a second. It's not going to hurt me if you go. We're friends and we'll still be friends. I just want you to think about what you want for once, not what everyone else thinks is right for you. Isn't that what we talked about, right?
Yes, of course. I'm sorry. I- I'm not myself just now.
There's something you have to understand about Marenya and me. Her father was my Captain when I was a recruit. He was killed saving someone else's child, and left Marenya and her mother with nothing but a memory and a Ranger's pension. They didn't even own their cottage; they had to move out for the new Captain's family.
Now I'm the Captain. That cottage is empty. I gave it to one of my men to use. I swear, Jason, I will never do that to a wife or children. I will never leave anyone behind. Especially not Marenya. She's already been through it once. I can't do that to her again. Do you understand?
I think you forgot the most important part, Faldur.
But yeah, sure, it makes sense I guess.
Except you forgot one little thing in your decision.
Of course we can be friends, Aidan. Heavens, you are so beautiful, it hurts to look at you! I don't know what to think.. I just...
If I don't leave this moment, I don't know what might happen, Aidan. That's the truth.
I believe the man was talking to me. It's really past time you shut it, Aidan.
It's no use, Aidan. Don't waste your breath.
And what might that be, exactly? My obligation to her mother? My duty to her uncle, who trusted her to me on this journey? Or my duty as a Ranger? That of all things you should understand.
He said he wouldn't commit to you because he didn't want to leave you alone. But if you don't do as he says, he'll leave you? Is that it? Am I the only one who sees how screwed up that is?
But yeah, go, if you think it's best. I've been in trouble a lot. I know what it's like. And I tend to rub off on people like that, obviously. And you like me anyway. You don't want me to be a certain way.
That's part of why I like you. You don't expect anything out of me.
And then there's that other part, but it's probably best if we don't get into that here.
Yeah, I get duty. I get the whole concept just fine. It's duty that made my cousins Swear to die with me, even though I probably won't live past 25. It's duty that keeps me from going after that bastard Warrick Oman. I get it, but it doesn't make it right, though.
No, he won't leave me if I don't do as he says. You don't understand. He's escorting me, and I got taken hostage, and he blames himself. We have to get back to the capital and there isn't much time, and I'm injured and he's just... "losing it." He just wants to protect me from all the ugliness that he lives with every day, and he can't, and it's making him insane.
I'm glad you made him crack a little. It's good to know that he's got a heart in there, under all that discipline. And... I'd better go. Or I might kiss you again and that would probably not...
Aidan. It's done. There's no use going over the Covenant again--
No, Jay. He asked what he's forgetting. It's the same thing you did, when you Swore your life to me when I was a baby.
You guys, with all your sense of fucking duty, forgot to ask us, Marenya and me, what we want.
And Marenya, you can kiss me any time you want. Any. Time.
It's not like either of us are spoken for, right?
Please don't tempt me. I don't think I can stand it.
Besides, it really isn't proper for me to do the kissing, if you know what I mean.
Marenya, please. We have to go. The sun will be rising in a few hours.
I'll wait outside for you.
Then I guess it's up to me.
...
Don't forget what we talked about. Just. Yeah. Don't forget. And thanks
Oy, now you've gone and done it. Seven hells, it's like you WANT some bloke to come stab you in the kidney with a sharp blade.
Faldur had just better get in line, then.
Whoa.
I... I won't forget. I won't forget you.
I have a duty, too, so it's not just what I want, but whether I could live with myself if I didn't see it through. ... Bye.
Perhaps that got it out of her system, then.
Dammed if I can stand this much longer.
yeah, I get that well enough. I have enough of my own.
Not bye. Later. All right?
That ended just about as well as could be expected. Which is to say, no one stuck anyone else.
I don't know. It all depends what happens. But, we just have to have faith, right?
For an exercise in stress relief, this was pretty stressful.
How could I ever compare with that young hotblood anyway?
Hey Faldur. Guess what? I can telepath too.
Just thought you might want to know, I like my kittens with claws.
OW! Get off me! What the fu--
Faldur's a FRIEND. He's a good guy and an even better ranger.
Don't (smack!) Fucking (smack!)Taunt (smack!) Him. (smack!)
Aw, princeling. You look all stressed out.
Nothing a cold shower won't solve, I imagine. C'mon Marc. Let's get him home.
Telepath this, hotblood: You have NO IDEA what she is capable of. I don't even know for sure.
Goodnight, "dude."
Perhaps I should have said, "No f*cking idea?" Because the important part is "No f*cking." Got it?
and, just for the record, I kissed her first
You know, Jay, I don't think Faldur's nearly as nice as everyone thinks.
Compared to you? He's a prince among men.
I bet it wasn't for as long...
I am laughing my butt off.
That was great!!!
I heard that.
Knock it off, Aidan, before I stick you myself. I might just be worth dying for the peace and quiet.
Me too!
Aidan already has a love triangle and I can totally see how it can play out now...
Thx everybody, for letting us hijack the thread!
Yeah, that really helped me, too. With both of them. They're so busy getting out of scrapes, they don't have much time to develop their feelings.
Yes! I was thinking about that earlier. Please feel free to jump in at ANY time!!!
We used to have more regular posters, who would all play off each other.
I almost had Ginger pop in and interrupt.
Oh, I just got the most delicious plot idea! Hotblood...yeah. I'm going to steal that, Faldur.
Boy, I go away for a couple of days, and all hell breaks loose!
Trapped in a van, headed from L.A. to New Orleans, I don't have the fastest Internet access, hence my silence as of late.
But I've enjoyed reading the crazy conversation while on the road, so thank you!
It got a little out of hand. Fun things usually do.
Oh, I think it was awesome, Betsy. I can't tell you how tickled I was to witness such interaction at CIC. Thanks!
Part of me's sorry that I didn't participate in the conversation, and part of me's glad that I didn't jump into the fray.
Love triangles make for interesting stories, but I'm glad that Indy and I only have eyes for each other. Least I think we do... which helps to ease my own stress about finding my mother and avoiding my father.
Course, we only have eyes for each other. Loving you makes life less stressful for me, too.
Oh, and for the record... congrats, Elaine, on getting to the full submission stage of your ms. Good luck! I can't wait to hear what happens. :-)
Hey Nutmeg, I dunno. You should probably be glad you weren't here.
It got kinda tense.
In a lot of ways.
You were mostly a gentleman, Aidan. I don't think even Dad would find much fault.
What? You told Uncle Julian? Oh crap.
Heh. No. I didn't share with Dad.
Aight. Back to sparring, yeah? I should probably show you some defensive moves against a sword...
Ha ha. Very funny.
Boy, you demi-demon boys are a hoot to watch, but I wouldn't want to get between you and Faldur, Aidan. So, I'm with Jason. While I hope it doesn't come to fisticuffs, given last night's, uh, activities, it might not be a bad idea to practice fighting with a sword.
The only reason I would fight Faldur is if he doesn't treat Marenya right. So we'll have to see.
But today I'm too tired to fight. Jason's had me sparring for three hours--and yeah, with swords. Getting smacked around by one isn't very fun. It wasn't even LIGHT when I woke up.
Good thing I had that "nap" with Marenya last night. Not that I slept that much, but you know, but as long as Faldur thinks that's what we were doing--
OUCH! Seven Hells, Jay, I was KIDDING!
Gotta go. I have a cousin to beat up.
Hey Faldur, me again. I'm pretty sure whoever kisses Marenya LAST wins. You might want to get on that.
This really isn't a good time, Aidan. Get out of my head.
Marenya, wake up. Please!
You have to come back. Now.
Nnnnnhhhh. Too cold. Hurts. Stay here.
She's too deep. I can't bring her out of it.
She's lost too much blood.
Marenya, you have to WAKE UP! You need to eat. You have to get warm.
Aidan was warm.
Marenya. I'm here. Come back to us now. I'll keep you warm, I swear. But you have to come back to us.
Aidan again, I'm on my phone. Truce Faldur? Let's get her safe, yeah?
Why do I hear Aidan? You're not here....Yes, you are. I can feel your arms around me.
So tired. It's cold.
Let me sleep.
Aidan, can you hear me? Help me. I'll call a truce, or call it anything you want, if you just help me. Talk to her for me.
Please, I'm begging you.
AIDAN???
Why is he yelling at Aidan? Why won't he leave me alone?
Stop yelling at...Oh, I feel like... Needles. Needles everywhere.
Shhh. Lie still. It will pass.
It's you.
Yes, it's just me. Are you all right?
I... I think so.
Faldur?
Yes?
Thank you.
Thank you, too, Aidan.
I know you did something to help. Thanks, "Hotblood." I owe you.
Man, this is exciting stuff! I sure hope Marenya is okay.
Great. Now, I'm all stressed out.
Funny - since that was the original topic of this "conversation."
Let's go for a nighttime swim. That'll relax you.
You're on, Indy! First one in's a rotten tomato!
Sorry I was out of contact. I was on a plane. I hope, think, Marenya's okay. She seems better. You don't owe me anything, Faldur.
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