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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Aug 16, 2009 19:05:23 GMT -5
You're welcome, JTB. P.S: I left a response in that thread.
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Post by JTB on Aug 16, 2009 21:46:05 GMT -5
Chapter Nine – Vignettes
It was the next morning before Lemony realized he needed to something quickly. He left the Gentlemen’s Hall of the Dormitories before breakfast time, and the cool fall air in the morning was crisp and rejuvenating. He was going on a quick walk to the cafeteria and back – much like he did every morning to stretch for gym class, which was his second class.
During his short exercise, Lemony furiously thought about his plan of action. He had a few priorities: 1. Set all things right with Beatrice. That was paramount. 2. Settle things down with Bertrand. 3. Talk to Kit. 4. Talk to Dewey. 5. Grab report from Monty’s room.
Lemony sighed when he reached the cafeteria doors. He spun around and looked at the large green lawn that lay between him and the Dormitories, a massive gray building housing the young men and women at the institution. To his left, between the cafeteria and the Dormitories, was the towering Administrative Building. Next to it and behind the cafeteria was the grand Auditorium, and on the other side of the Administrative Building and behind the Dormitories was the large Academic Hall, housing the classrooms.
To his right, opposite the Administrative Building, was the large arch that separated the city street from the institution lawn. It read “Memor vos es Victus” – “Remember you are living.”
I am living, thought Lemony. He smiled to himself. Make use of it.
***
Olaf sat in his room on the edge of his bed, hunched over. His face was in a permanent scowl, and his hands wringed a small kerchief with V.F.D.'s insignia on it.
Esme was in the room with him, silent and dour. She looked at him, and felt a disturbing mixture of pity, love, and hate fall over her.
"It just happened," Olaf said quietly, tears welling in his eyes. One escaped and slid down his sharp cheek bones.
Esme's face was taught with emotion. "Why did it happen, Gerard?" she asked, her voice inevitably breaking.
Olaf looked up at her. "Everything happens for a reason, Esme," he said, his eyes red. "I asked myself that question every second of last night. I don't know why it happened."
Esme moved silently to the bed and sat down next to him. The two embraced, and didn't let go for a long time.
***
"Are you feeling better?" asked the Vice Principal, sitting down in a small rickety chair in the Infirmary Office, located in the Administrative Building.
The young man in the bed next to him was quiet. "It hurts," he mumbled.
"It will for awhile, I'm afraid," said Vice Principal Denouement, pushing his glasses up onto his nose. "The students are pouring in sympathies."
"I only wish I could give them back my symphonies," said Nero. He sounded calm and even, but his face was turned from the Vice Principal. Nero was thankful that Denouement couldn't see him as a small tear slid out of the corner of his eye.
***
Josephine woke with a start, and it was an overwhelming feeling to wake up with so many emotions - excitement, love, curiousness, accomplishment, and utter fear. She was collapsed in her bed, her beautiful blonde hair was wild, the sheets and covers were everywhere. She gasped when she realized she was naked. Her heart throbbed, her pulse quickened, and she sat up quickly. She looked around - her clothes were scattered all over the floor.
It was then that her heart leapt with exhilaration when she realized it wasn't only her clothes scattered in the room. She saw a man's shirt, a bra, a pair of underwear, her beautiful blue dressed casually folded over the back of the room's chair.
She turned with both exciting panic and panicky excitement to see Ike Anwhistle naked in the bed beside her, sleeping soundly.
***
Lemony started back to the dormitories. The sun was barely creeping over the distant blur that was the Mortmain Mountains to the east. The city surrounding the institution was silent. Lemony felt as if he were the sole guardian of everyone while they slept soundly, that he was their protector against burglars and thieves in the night.
Lemony was just thinking these strange thoughts when he saw a figure scuttle towards the Dormitories on the far side of the green lawn. Lemony froze for an instant, feeling his pulse quicken dramatically. He was afraid, but he had no reason to be – what if the figure across the lawn was just as afraid of Lemony?
“Hello?” Lemony called out abruptly, without even realizing it. He didn’t know what his brain had done to make his mouth spit out the words.
The figure creeping next to the Dormitory building’s walls froze, too. Lemony could see that the figure was looking right back at him.
“Who are you?” Lemony called, not waiting for an answer. The figure stood straight, looked around, and began to walk towards Lemony.
In a few moments, Lemony realized it was none other than Dewey Denouement.
“Dewey?” Lemony said in a mixture of a question and an exclamation.
“Lemony,” said Dewey Denouement, approaching. “What are you doing, early bird?”
“I was taking a stroll to the cafeteria to exercise,” said Lemony. “What are you doing?”
Dewey shrugged. “I felt like taking a walk. Early morning walks really let you think, don’t they?”
“They sure do,” said Lemony. He sighed, breathing in the cool air.
There was an awkward moment of silence before Dewey finally broke it: “So, what exactly happened last night?”
Lemony looked down. “It just happened,” he said, almost sounding as if he were trying to convince himself. “I didn’t know it was going to happen – I just felt the moment upon me. I couldn’t escape it or ignore it – it hurt too much to ignore it.”
“Like a fire,” said Dewey quietly with a small smile. “Is that all we talk about in V.F.D.? Fires?”
Lemony looked at Dewey strangely for breaking the conversation so quickly.
“I suppose,” Lemony murmured. “We’re supposed to fight fires as much as we fight illiteracy. “
“The sugar bowls of the world are shrinking in number,” said Dewey, gazing at the rising sun. “I heard Principal Ishmael discussing things with Mrs. Verhoogen.”
“Who?” Lemony interrupted.
“You know,” said Dewey impatiently, “the math teacher who’s obsessed with the Kelvin system of temperature measurement? She really is annoying. Converting Fahrenheit degrees to Kelvin degrees all day whilst enduring freezing to melting room temperatures is not very fun.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Lemony sympathetically.
“Anyways,” continued Dewey, “Principal Ishmael was discussing the amount of sugar bowls with her one day after class. I didn’t mean to be rude, but I was greatly interested, so I dropped by commonplace book from Mr. Morrow’s class outside her classroom door, so if they found me eavesdropping, I had a good explanation as to why I was there.”
“Of course,” said Lemony. “Veiled Fraud Distraction.”
“Correct,” said Dewey. “They were discussing that the number of sugar bowls left in this world are down to less than a hundred. Can you believe that, Lemony? Pretty soon we’ll be down to one – one sugar bowl to protect the world from fire.”
“And bitter tea,” said Lemony with a small smile.
“Don’t you like it bitter?” said Dewey, frowning amusedly.
“It depends on how you look at it,” said Lemony. Dewey smiled.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Aug 16, 2009 22:50:05 GMT -5
That was fantastic! *laughs* Lemony is quite naughty, isn't he? Getting Monty to do his report for him. ;D I was a bit surprised by the fact that Olaf cried, but it was nice because it really shows his human side. I liked Esme's mixed emotions as well, and the part at the end where they expressed affection for each other. How could I have missed these lines the first time?? They're so poetic! I loved Josephine's half shock/half delight when she turned and realized that she and Ike had slept together. Awww. This was a very lovely comparison here. It was just... WOW. Wonderful chapter, and I'm looking forward to the next one!
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Post by JTB on Aug 18, 2009 21:21:03 GMT -5
Chapter Ten Interests"How is everyone?" said Monty happily as he sat in a seat in the busy morning cafeteria. Lemony, Gregor, Ike, Jerome, and Ernest all sat in a small group at one of the large trays. "Eh," grunted Gregor, shoving a fork-full of pankcakes and sausages into his mouth. "Eh?" asked Monty with a smile. "Is that good?" Gregor gave an annoyed nod. "So," said Lemony, turning to Ike with a sly grin. "Wherever did you and Miss Josephine go?" "Did you just want to find a room...or a closet...or a van?" said Ernest dryly. He smiled, giving Ike a small teasing pat on the shoulder. Ike's face went strong scarlet as he swallowed an egg. "We were tired," he mumbled. He smiled in spite of himself - he was trying to lie, but he honestly couldn't. He started to chuckly as he took a sip of orange juice. "I knew it!" cried Monty. "You and Josephine -" "Yes," said Ike, still smiling. "We did." They all laughed. "Way to go, Ike!" cried Lemony, clapping him on the back. Gregor's mouth hung open, as a disbelieving smile started to form. "You're glad that Mom and Dad don't know," he said with smugly. "You'd be dead." "Which is why they never need to know," said Ike, setting down his glass. "So," asked Jerome interestedly, as the entire table leaned in for the big question: "How was she?" The table went silent in anxious amusement. Ike looked around guiltily. "Incredible," he said quietly. They all howled again. ***"So, how was he?" asked Beatrice in a giggly whisper, leaning in across the table at which Josephine, Persephone, Kit and her sat at. Josephine rolled her eyes as the other girls laughed. "We're all mature here," added Kit. It was sort of true - Kit and Beatrice were both eighteen, Josephine was seventeen, but Persephone was only fifteen. However, she had extensive knowledge of the goings-on of the upperclasses, and even had a reputation of hippokleptomania - a phrase coined by Dewey Denouement that meant, quite literally, "obsession with stealing horses." She fiercely denied it every time, but always managed to let out a subtle wink. "It's really nothing to talk about," said Josephine, taking a sip of root beer. A hint of a smile appeared over the edge of the glass. "How can you say that?" asked Persephone. "It's huge! The whole Lady's Hall of the Dormitories was buzzing this morning about the news!" Josephine looked up, and a smile appeared on her lips. "Really?" she asked in hushed excitement. "Yes!" said Beatrice. "Everyone from Caroline Spats to Rhea Victoria, that new girl, was talking about it." "Who's Rhea Victoria?" asked Kit. "She's from Winnipeg," said Beatrice. "But nevermind that - Josephine, you simply must tell! You're the first one out of us to...to lose it." "I'd thought you and Bertrand had done it," said Kit quizzically. "Not at all!" said Beatrice, alarmed. "Not at all. If you hear anyone say that, please correct them." "I heard Hubert Remora talking about it in Anagram Symbolism class. He said Bertrand and you had done it quite a lot," added Josephine. Beatrice looked shocked, her face white. "I can't believe this," she said. "I'm like a sl-ut. Everyone thinks that, I know they do." "Ladies, please!" said Persephone in a loud whisper. "Let's talk about Josephine and Ike!" They all fell silent and looked at the blushing, but smiling, Josephine. "It was amazing," she said timidly. The girls cooed. ***Georgina Orwell sat in Rhetoric 101, her hand supporting her head on the desk lazily while the other lazily scribbled down inconsistent notes in a dark maroon commonplace book. She was exhausted; her and Ernest had taken a long walk around the Institution the night before. He seemed sullen after the argument he'd had with his father the previous afternoon. As Georgina was scrawling on her notebook, the classroom door opened. Ironically, Vice Principal Denouement entered with a smile. At his side walked a tall and skinny girl with flowing blonde hair and dark brown eyes. She wore the white and black uniform, but instead she wore a pinstripe black and white tie* loosely knotted halfway down her chest. Her hair was casually braided, enhanced by the enriching makeup she wore. All the guys in Professor Reed's Rhetoric class dropped their pens, commonplace books, and rhetoric cards in pure shock at the gorgeousness of this new girl. "Class," said Professor Reed cheerfully, "we seem to have a new student." "Indeed you do, Professor Reed," said Vice Principal Denouement grandly. "This, class, is your new classmate Geraldine Julienne. Please welcome her with a grand V.F.D. welcome!" Instantly, a unanimous, unopposed "The world is quiet here" erupted from the entire class, even from Professor Reed and the Vice Principal. It resounded with uniformity and precision. "Thank you all," Geraldine said, her voice less than light and clearly seductive. She smiled at them all, however, with genuine friendliness and compassion. Every guy in the class was instantly attracted. Georgina was, as well. *this is kind of how I see GJ (minus the hat and setting) in this universe. (c) V for Vendetta; I don't own the image or the character.
Also, Emma, I was thinking of your black and white pinstripe notebooks when writing her attire.
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Post by melon head. on Aug 19, 2009 2:22:20 GMT -5
Hey, that was awesome! I loved Lemony and Dewey bonding in the early hours of the morning, and poor Nero! Olaf's little moment was sad too And oh my God, I got the biggest sensation of deja vu when Ike and Josephine are talking to their friends. Except when I had that talk with my friends, it was more like when Ike told Lemony and everyone than when Josephine told Kit and everyone.
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Post by JTB on Aug 19, 2009 6:33:21 GMT -5
This was a very lovely comparison here. It was just... WOW. Thanks, Emma! Notice, also, that Olaf uses (nearly) the exact same line in Chapter Seven. Thanks also, Maisy! Glad you enjoyed it.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Aug 19, 2009 9:28:34 GMT -5
AMAZING. I loved the discussions between the girls and the guys! I don't think I ever mentioned this before, but you write females very well. It's sweet how you made Persephone the youngest in her group of friends, and I enjoyed the horse thief reference. I was surprised at the end when the pretty blonde turned out to be Geraldine Julienne, since my interpretation is quite different from yours. I like it, though. It makes me wonder if any of the other girls will find themselves in competition, and how Georgina will handle her newfound feelings.
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Post by Jenny on Aug 19, 2009 9:40:08 GMT -5
I was also surprised at Geraldine Julienne, but thought that was an excellent scene nevertheless. I had to laugh at the guys talking at the beginning!
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Post by melon head. on Aug 21, 2009 17:00:58 GMT -5
I know! Pretty is not something you associate with Geraldine.
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Post by JTB on Aug 23, 2009 13:59:00 GMT -5
Chapter Eleven Comparisons
Lunch had arrived, and it was about by this time that the student body was asking an all-too-familiar question - where was Olaf?
Bertrand sat by Jerome and Ike Anwhistle, who had abandoned his usual posse to escape the constant teasings about Josephine. Bertrand was absently twirling his salmon around the plate, his elbows on the table.
Jacques then came to their table, holding his tray in one hand and a faint amber-colored drink in the other.
"Hey, Jacques," said Jerome and Ike.
"Hey Mr. Beast," replied Jacques with a wink to the smoldering Ike. "You guys really should try this new drink they're serving."
"What is it?" asked Jerome, taking a huge bite of salmon, making Ike give him a very estranged look.
"It's something coconut," said Jacques as he took a sip. "It sounds like accordion."
"Cordial?" asked Bertrand. "Coconut cordial?"
"That's it," said Jacques. "It really makes me dizzy."
The other three took a sip. Jerome nodded thoughtfully, Bertrand shook his head in disdain, and Ike opened and closed his mouth, as if he were trying to re-taste it after he'd taken his sip.
"It's alright," he said. Jacques shrugged. "I like it."
"My God," said Bertrand, his eyes wide open.
"Geez, sorry," mumbled Jacques.
"Not you, idiot," said Bertrand absently. He was staring at the far end of the cafeteria, along with Jerome and Ike. Jacques noticed that the cafeteria had gone silent, and he quickly spun around. He gasped quite loudly.
Olaf was standing at the far end, deep, dark circles under his eyes, his left hand covered in blood.
"What the hell?" asked Jacques. Bertrand stood up.
"Mr. Olaf," came a stern voice from a corner, and out strode Principal Ishmael, his eyes concerned. "You're late for lunch, young sir - is everything alright?"
"Does it look like it?" asked Olaf lowly.
"Why are your hands covered in blood?" asked the principal. At this time, Mr. Morrow, Ms. Verhoogen, and Vice Principal Denouement had come to his side. They all began to walk towards Olaf.
"Everyone's hands are covered in blood," said Olaf. "Everyone has done something to spill blood - it just so happens you can see mine."
"Whatever are you talking about?" asked Denouement in a shrill voice.
"This, dear Vice Principal," said Olaf, and with a roar he climbed up onto the nearest cafeteria table, at which Caroline Spats was sitting with Charles Edwards and Larry Quagmire. They all quickly got up and scuttled away.
"Get down, young man!" snapped Mr. Morrow. The teachers, however, had stopped their approach to Olaf out of a curiously disgusting interest.
Olaf ignored him. He glared at Bertrand's table, and with a slow sigh, he lifted up his left pantsleg. It, too, was soaked with dark red blood. The entire cafeteria gasped, and Ms. Verhoogen clutched at her heart.
Prufrock Preparatory Institution required that its students, from their admittance at age 12 all the way to their graduation at age 18, know three paramount things about V.F.D. - The V.F.D. Motto, the V.F.D. Codes, and the proper V.F.D. Insignia.
Olaf displayed with clarity he knew the latter. He lifted up his pantsleg to reveal the Insignia glaring back at the students and teachers - he had carved it deep into his skin.
***
"What in the world are you thinking?!" cried out Principal Ishmael. The Institution nurse was quickly bandaging Olaf's ankle as he sat sulking in the small infirmary bed.
"You are going against everything our organization stands for - nobility, righteousness, honesty - this, Gerard Olaf, is madness! Carving the Insignia into your own ankle. It's blasphemy! Absolute and total mockery of our customs. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Olaf looked up at the principal. "It looked good, didn't it?"
Ishamel shook his head. "I am so tired of having to go over this with you again," growled the principal dangerously, making even Olaf lean back in his bed. "You think you are the most clever little boy in this Institution. I hate to break it to you, but you're not, damn it."
Olaf's eyes snapped open at the use of profanity.
Ishmael stormed out of the Infirmary, leaving Olaf alone. Well, that's what he thought.
"Christ help us all," said Olaf bitterly, drying his eyes quickly.
There was a moment of silence before Olaf heard a noise from the other side of the room. It was someone rolling over in their bed.
"There is no Christ," came a voice. It made Olaf's blood turn cold to realize it was Claude Nero who was speaking.
"Just because you can't play your fiddle or your obo or whatever it is doesn't mean there is not a Christ," said Olaf angrily.
"Christ is a mythical creation," said Nero, his voice weak and strained. "Before the idea of Christ came along, you know the Roman Empire was in harmonical peace? They worshipped their pagan gods feverishly, never missing a ritual or an important date for any one of them."
"What the hell is your point?" asked Olaf. He was rolled over, looking at the door. He only heard Nero - he didn't see him.
"My point is is that Christ ruined the Roman Empire," said Nero. "The idea of Christianity came along, and bloodshed was rampant throughout the Empire. If only his pathetic apostles had kept silent."
"The Romans slaughtered the Christians," said Olaf, and smiled when he realized an interesting fact. "Emperor Nero burned Rome to the ground, you know. He was a drunken brute who - who couldn't play the violin."
There was a deep moment of silence.
"Emperor Nero did not burn Rome," said Nero bitterly. "The Christians did - that's my point. No, it's not, actually - my point is that religion is a waste of time. More wars and deaths have been caused over it than anything else. Why do you worship a 'Christ' when the very mention of his name used to destroy his followers?"
"I never said I worshiped Christ," said Olaf quietly. He now felt Nero's eyes on him from across the room, and he was disgusted with himself when he realized he was afraid to meet them.
"So why do you think he can help you?" asked Nero, and Olaf detected a tear was breaking loose as Nero's voice cracked.
"I don't," said Olaf, and he quickly got out of his bed. "You're cracked, Nero - you can't play the violin, so you blame everything else - even Christ."
Olaf stormed out of the room in a flash, and closed the door behind him. He leaned up against it, and sighed.
"Just like the Emperor," he whispered with an awful smile.
I didn't really like this chapter, and I'm sorry if it seemed rushed - I can't focus today. Hope you liked it.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Aug 23, 2009 14:52:32 GMT -5
You may not like this chapter, but I thought it was extremely brilliant. I know what you mean about not being able to focus, though - the same thing has happened to me countless times. The fact that Olaf actually carved the insignia into his own ankle really took me by surprise. And it rings very true to his character, seeing as he's already quite twisted to begin with. Olaf and Nero arguing over religion was very interesting. I liked the contrast between Emperor Nero's inability to play the violin, and Snicket's/your Nero who can/could.
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Post by Jenny on Aug 23, 2009 15:28:06 GMT -5
That's crazy that Olaf carved the eye, like Emma said. I too thought this chapter was very good, and loved the interaction between Olaf and Nero (also Mr Beast as the beginning was awesome!) Looking forward to further updates!
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nerdygal123
Reptile Researcher
I take ASOUE too seriously. Really.
Posts: 31
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Post by nerdygal123 on Aug 23, 2009 18:24:20 GMT -5
Wow! This, so far, is totally brilliant! I'm almost finished re-reading ASOUE so I have decided to read most of the fan-fics and am I glad I did! I love the way you show what they think, and all the relationships and everything! TOTALLY AWESOME! Please, keep them coming!
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Post by JTB on Aug 27, 2009 19:54:30 GMT -5
Chapter Twelve [/u]
While most of the student body was shocked and a little frightened by Olaf's garish and almost sacrilegious display, Bertrand and his friends weren't phased.
"Idiot did that to regain his image as the Public Enemy," murmured Jacques as he, Bertrand, Jerome, and Ike exited the cafeteria. Once outside, they were dismayed to say the gray sky was sprinkling small, gray raindrops onto the gray campus.
"It sure is dour out here," said a voice to their left. Monty and Gregor began to walk towards them.
"Hello, Monty," said Bertrand. "Gregor - nice to see you."
"And you, Bertrand," said Gregor.
The six began to walk towards the Dormitories Building for after-lunch break.
Monty was idling chatting about the weather with the others when a peculiar event happened - a girl ran up to Jerome and embraced him. Jacques was mildly shocked, quietly realizing the hug wasn't meant for him.
The girl was Esme Salinger. The guys were shocked, but smiled and waved at her calmly.
"Esme," said Jerome, quite startled. "What's the matter?"
Esme looked as if she had been crying. "Olaf," she said bitterly. "He's gone crazy - I can't stand him. All he does is curse V.F.D. and whisper things that I can't repeat here."
Jerome took a deep breath when she hugged him again.
"Thanks for last night," she said. "I know I was being rude; all you were doing was trying to help. I should've accepted it."
"It was nothing," said Jerome with a smile. "Anything for yo - for a friend."
Esme beamed, knowing he meant to say "for you". With a quiet audaciousness, she reached up and placed a small kiss on the corner of his mouth.
"Likewise," she whispered.
***
"Kit, we're going to be late for Anagram Symbolism," muttered Beatrice as she buttoned her small white purse. "Hurry!"
"Fine, fine," said Kit, opening the door to the Ladies Common Room. "Let's go."
The two walked out into the hallway and turned left to exit the Dormitories Building.
They were quietly walking when Kit cleared her throat.
"I've been wanting to talk to you," she said, "about my brother. I don't think he meant anything by it - hormones, I suspect. Anyways, I really do apologize for the trouble he's caused, especially between you and Bertrand."
"Oh," said Beatrice confusedly. "You've no reason to apologize - he didn't do anything bad. It was hormones, like you said. I remember when I was in the sixteen age class and I tried to ask out Bruce Spats. My, I was so foolish!"
Kit didn't look convinced.
"Look, Kit. We all do foolish things when we're younger like that, and we can't help it. It's just how life goes a lot of the time. When he kissed me, it was strangely pleasant, and I knew he didn't mean to get all the drama started. He just wanted to kiss the girl he showed - shows - a lot of love for. That's all. No harm, no foul."
"But there has been some harm," interrupted Kit. "He caused all this mess -"
"Messes can be cleaned up," said Beatrice with a small smile. "And we'll hear no more about it."
Kit shrugged in defeat as the two girls exited the Building.
***to be continued shortly***
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Aug 27, 2009 21:44:05 GMT -5
That was absolutely fantastic, as is everything you write. I loved how Esme showed affection towards Jerome, and I got the impression that it's genuine. *hopes her belief rings true* Even if it's not, that certainly won't change my opinion of how awesome this story is. Beatrice having asked out Bruce Spats struck me as very funny, seeing as I've never once pictured the two of them together. I also loved these clever little lines of dialogue involved in Beatrice and Kit's conversation: No harm, no foul."
"But there has been some harm," interrupted Kit. "He caused all this mess -"
"Messes can be cleaned up," said Beatrice with a small smile. "And we'll hear no more about it."AWESOME.
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