Author's Note Vernal Equinox 2016

Here, on the cusp of the Vernal Equinox, I stand in the Little Wood behind the Greenery finding myself torn apart by more than the rift whipping around me throwing me back through the World's of Sanctuary to Faelan's shores. My heart remains tied to the battles and loves in Otherside. My thoughts and prayers are with the Voice in her war against the enemy within. Courage and wisdom and hope and peace are hers. Prayers, too, for the Angels of Mercy that surround her and comfort her and do with God's grace what they can with their healing hearts and minds and hands. And to those as well who lift up the healers with their prayers and gifts. The One knows each of u and calls you by name.

Snow White's Mirror

Rella!!
Rella! Rella!!
- Sleeping Beauty

What R u doing with Snow White's mirror??!
-SB

Beauty?
Hey. Hows u?
Wot? Me axe u mean?
- Cinderella

Yeah. Ur hatchet.
That's Girlfriend's looking glass ur wielding. Mirror mirror's her territory!
- SB

Ya, well. As u know there b more n one of these 'bout the place. Her Prince made me this un soes I could look into the dreaming.
- C

Prince? Eh?! No Prince for she, hey? Far as I can see.
- SB

Sure is. He just don't know it yet.
- C

Ha! Really? N she does?
- SB

Well, noooo...
But she ain't ready to hear that shit, so I never said.
U know how she is. All "I'm good on my own" n "a man only complicates shit" n "it's hard enough keeping me own ass safe on the run never mind babysitting a lug head"...
- C

Oh. Ouch.
Still smarting from the last one, huh?
Told her he was an ass. But as most of us do, she wouldn't hear sheite at the time. Too much, "he makes me soo happy" n drivel like that. No "dude's got serious issues n he's too old to change". Need more a that kinda a look see. People just don't.
- SB

K. Not fair. Ogre's daughter u. U know my guys got issues n ain't gonna change but we b working it out just fine.
- C

Heh heh heh. There be worse things in life than a man with a foot fettish, babe. Lol lol... I wouldn't mind a guy who knew how to f**k my feet. Them issues r a blessing not a curse.
- SB

:) I shouldn't a said shit to you. Smartass. See how it's coming back to bite me? Lol...
- C

Ha! Like I needed u to say. Like the whole glass slipper thing n gallivanting  all over Sanctuary trying it on e'ry female foot he came across didn't give it away!
Just saying. U wanna rent him out, I'd a take u up on that.
- SB

Wot?! Hell no! See, this is why they say 'don't advertise ur man!' Well trust me, there's good n bad in all things. My Prince included, but hey, he got a girl with a dark side, so we's well matched.
- C

Yeah, I b familiar with ur dark side. If I was a betting woman I'd b saying u do more throwing a that there time piece than u do looking into the dreaming with it. That said, u n I aren't meeting on this side by chance.
- SB

Right. N right again.
U need to know there b some strange things washing up on the shores of Caerdyf Bay. U know the power that seeps from the juncture of Cumbria's territorie. Tri Phwynt's a hot spot a gruesome jis now.
- C

Kaayyy...
Ummm. Strange, how?
- SB

Corpses. But they's not Faelan's n their not from Otherside.
They b coming thru the thinning at Tri-Point from some other of Sanctuary's worlds. Refugees b my guess. But whatever's hunting them there is coming thru with 'em here. Ain't seen 'em, the hunters that is. Fast n sneaky they be.
- C

N u know the hunters b in Faelan how?
- SB

Cuz them corpses weren't corpses when they got here. They started out very much alive. What's killed them ain't pretty in their doing of it. N they've moved on to the locals. Is y I b looking for u. Tell Arrow!
Peace out.
- C

Annnd just like that she's gone. Coulda used some more deets there girlie.
N like telling Arrow's gonna b easy to do, nvr mnd getting it 2 her b4 counsel's called. Where the hey did she say they were gathering?? Wish Rella woulda left me her looking axe. The clouds be thick in this dreaming. Coulda used its sharp edge to cleave thru, if not its shiny bits for the seeing...
Sheite!
- SB

Ur sh*ttin me, right?

What? No! How comes I b the only one to get a bag over me head?! - Rogue

Rogue, you are an Outlander. I can not in good conscious allow you to see our Paths. And you are not alone. Arrow shares your fate. - Ntouranae

But shes... - R

Hush! What I am or am not is of no account here. Just do what's required without hassle for once, hmmm? - Arrow

Hard ass woman. - R

No, she knows protocol. Fair is a child's complaint. - Berin

Oh. So now I'm a child, huh? Great. Buckle me in for the ride then. - R

Ow! - R

Baby. - B

Huh. Snug enough? I apologize, but it's imperative you see nothing. Just let Berin guide you. - N

Yup. Can't see a thing. - R

Good. Hold while I do Arrow's... - N

No. I think I'll just run off while I can. - R

Ass. - B

Hey! Wot's with u all n wacking people's heads? - R

Huh. Ur a people? - B

Careful. This is your only warning. The woods are alive with eyes and ears. - N

Arrow? How's that? - N

Ditto. Can't see a thing. - A

Good. Easy now. I'll guide you.

Alright. Move out. - N

The Ogre on Ta-Tas

Don't know why they's got to cover up Boobs. We all know they's to nurture young. Somes too big n dragging down, n somes so shrunk up u can't tells em different from a man's. So they all cover em up soes to protect those uns like that. But if u let em all out it wouldn't b but a couple of days b4 nobody'd b looking. Except in the exceptional cases. - Ogre

Crap

*sniff*
*sniff*

Eh! U smell like crap! - Ogre

Mmm... I had a we bit of trouble shatting in the woods. - Wick

Really? Managed to bungle back n forth in ur own nasties looking for a leaf did ya?
Lol lol... Look at u! Lol...
Just cuz u's incompetent n can't wipe ur own ass without getting into shit is no reason to be trodding it in on ur boots, aye?!
Go find a mud puddle! Crimmie! No wonders me home suffers from neglect with the likes a u assun holes around!
Now git!!
Frickin dummy....
- O

AAAeeii! Don't SLAM the DOOR!! - O

-------------
Assun hole! Ha! He's the ass! If he wasn't training us so hard I wouldn't a been in such a rush! - W

Wick? Where u going?
Eeew....
How comes u smell like sheite? - Midge

Jis shut it! K?!! - W

Easy...
hey!?

Hmmm... Ogre's pushing hard. That boy's getting more n he bargained for with those weapons he was so anxious to get his hands on. - M

Faelan's Map

Hard Landing...

HOLD!! - Celeteren

Really, Kel. Going a bit overboard aren't ya?! - Arrow

That's not a name you have rights to, Mongrel!
No! Don't move!
Ah, ha! Berin Aladantin. You take offense on the Mutt's behalf? Two Face, you are then. I always thought that was the case! - C

Stad!, Aladan. Don't fash urself on account a his name calling. Been called worse by better, as its said.
So. Teren, y so bristle-y? - A

You, Dog!, need to address your betters properly! You have not been given leave to use my name thus! - C

You high faluting piece a... - Berin

Aladan! Hush! Truly. It does not signify. - A

Grrrrrrrr... - B

Ahem...

Ohhh Great Emin, Master of Arms, cock-a-the-walk. Wots got ur girdle in a twist? - A

Raaarrrrrrrrr!!! - C

Celeteren!! Cease! Do not even think of man-handling my invited guests. - Ntuoranae

Guests?? That alone at Samhain would be insane! That you let this Dog and her pack on the Grange at Revels is treasonous! Your position in the Stratus is questionable at best Ntuoran, and yet you do this?! - C

And your prejudice is interfering with the execution of your office, Kel. Insults will not further your cause. - N

Prejudice?!... - C

Stad!
Synod is called!
Under Barrows, Master of Arms, when you've finished what you set out to do. - N

What?! Synod? HERE? - C

Do NOT question! Your insubordination is noted by more than I.
Proceed!
We expect you presence shortly! - N

Ha. Moves quick for carrying such a weighty ego. - B

Huh. :) Sorry about that... - N

:) No worries. We took the fastest Lines n they dumped us in his path. Cosmic, that. Lol... - A

Cosmic, ha! Bets are Lord of Sanctuary is laughing. - B

Heh heh... Dude coulda spit wooden nickels by the look a him. Ooooo... A tad pissed, he was.
Arrrrr... Owww...
Lol.. He did not like seeing u show n spoil his fun. Ahhhhh... Lol... Oh, Lord of All... Don't make me laugh, K?! - Rogue

Rogue. What are you doing lying on the ground? - N

*snicker* Heh heh...
Seasick, he is, from riding the Lei Lines. - A

TRIP ME OUT

Ur late. - Arrow

Ha! I woke with an armful of soft n round sprawled out over my chest. Damn straight I'm late. - Rogue

Heh heh... Well come on then. Berin's over hedge doing recon.
Trust me, Eve was just protecting her investment. It was the only way to keep ur ass quiet. - A

Huh. N u know this how? - R

Cuz when I stopped to ensure u weren't giving Evie a hard time u were outta it, thrashin' about n hollarin' for someone named Jemma. It was all Eve n I could do to hold u down. Poor little BS was hanging on for dear life.
Wot?
Cat got ur tongue?
K. Nvr mnd. I can see this is a no talk zone for u. - A

That's the last time either one a ya lays hands on me.  H'ain't been so tripped out in years as in the last 72 hrs. - R

Try 96. We were in old hoary gnome's a mite longer than u think. The Bramble Wood's not the only place in Faelan that has weird time filters. - A

Sheite. True?? K. U all r done with my ass for sure. Hands off ladies. No question. No touchy. Not u. N certainly not Evora. Next time. Just let the Ghoul sheite do its thing. iiiiight? - R

Hows the leg this morning?
Wot?
Nothing to say? - A

*sigh* Fine! Oozing is gone. Little clean hole with a bit of proud flesh 'round it. Nice white bandage on top. Don't know wot she dipped that little begger in b4 sticking him to me, but the only hang over is the echo a that crazy dreaming. All bits r in working order - givin' the stand I was sprouting over the armful I woke up too this morn. That do it for ya? Got what u wanted to hear? - R

Lol lol... TMI no balls, TMI. - A

Hey! Trust me. I got 'em. Slightly blue. But all intact n raring to go. Sad, when all I had time for was a change a clothes n a re-stock a me pack. N u's not an option, as I've said, caint b trusted...
 - R

Ha! I nvr was nor evr will b n option n not fer ur reasoning either! - A

I think u protest too much, eh?
Shush now. No sputtering...
Soo... Where's council gatherin'?
Hey Berin, 'sup? - R

Nada. No Grave Walkers, no Ghouls, no Weres. NOT liking this. There should be a whiff of something. - B

Wot kinda look is that? Wot u 2 hiding?
No. Don't shake ur head. Tell me. - R

Synod's at Lios Na Grainsi. - A

K. Not wot youse is hiding, but we'll go with that. Y they meeting at the Faery Circle? Y not Linnhe Dhubh? - R

Ha! Think they'd bring the likes a u into their precious Elbana? Not. Lol... Lios Grange at least gives the appearance that they don't care n its business as usual. - B

That's cuz it is business as usual. They don't care. N everyone's at Lios prepping for Samhain. We're going to them hat in hand, even if this council is at their demand.
So, we ready to go? - A

*nod* - B

K. Boots on tight Rogue? Grab me belt loop would ya? Don't want u gettin' lost in transit. - A

Oh sheite! I hate this.
K. Set.
Beam me up Scotty... - R

Sleeping Arrangements

K. Didn't know the Briarwood had a medic...
Coo u all curvy n curly.
Not looking much like any Physic that I b knowin'. - Rogue

Ah.
So sorry to disappoint...

;)   Not.
- Evora

Hmmm... Bypassed formal training, did u?
Arrow said to check for u.
Must say...
Not much likin' this. - R

Well. This otta b good. Given that look see u jis handed out I b wondering what parts u find objectionable?
Lol... No. Hush! N nvr mnd.
I was told to expect u. That ur here shows that more n ur eyeballs r still working even if other parts r in fast decline. - Evora

Ha. Ha...
iiiiight.
So. How we do this? - R

Well, u need to shuck ur pants n climb up on yon bed.
I need to see ur bits. - E

Eh?! Wot u think I'm here for??
U don't need to interview my bits. I can tell u for 'em all about wots going on. Without a look see.
Truly.
Arrow fixed me up right n tight. Don't need to be subjected to yet another woman's ridicule n disdain, thanks. - R

Heh heh heh... Love that girl. - E

No doubt. Anyone woman who can muck about in a man's blood n gore is becoming a bit suspect in my books. - R

Ha! No matter, Warrior. Strip, n up on the bed with u. - E

Hard ass women. - R

Nekked, please. Topside, too...
Ah...
Nice... :) - E

Can't believe I b wantin' to get nekked for a woman n when I gets the chance it's a Traiteuse! - R

Well. U could do worse than a Healer, bud. No doubt.
At least u didn't call me Witch Doctor  or Voodoo Queen. Guess that's something. Shows a modicum of respect. N ur right. I have no interest in ur bits accept in a professional capacity. - E

Good.
Cuz my bits aren't available. - R

Hmmmm... Don't know y u feel the need to tell me that. But... Ookaay.
Over on ur tummy.

K. No sign a the rot on those. The Fae sure know their sheite.
Right.
Back over n lemme get a closer look at the leg... - E

Oww!! Y u ladies like to poke so hard? - R

Ha. Arrow was right. Not enough of the Faery Dust to finish the job. Looks like ur spending the night with me, Warrior. - E

No. Way. Got sheite to do b4 morning. - R

U wanna die? - E

Serious?? - R

That bit of Fae magick did good but wasn't enough to go the distance.
Nvr mnd the visuals. Men like u don't say sheite if ye can help it. That u howl when I touch says it all. My Lady gave u only what u needed to get to me. Nothing more.
Let me do my job. Aiiight? - E

Grrrr... 2 grains a that crazy Fae magick was enough to rock my ass. Shoulda done me in along with any rot.
Sheite. Wots that? - R

My friend. BS. - E

Dang. She weren't shittin' when she said leeches... - R

Lay back. Here's a blanky for the big, strong warrior. Cover urself n leave ur leg exposed.
That's good. Now bring ur training into focus cuz u can't move. U turn n ur sleep n squash my friend here n u'll be leaving with less bits than u came in with. - E

Aieee! That tickles! How's a man supposed to stay still with a leech gnawing on 'is bones. BS for sure, if u asks me! - R

Hey. Don't b insulting my friend. He's gonna save ur ass! - E

Really. Okaay... So wots BS stand for if not the usual? - R

Blood Sucker. - E

Figures... - R

Spies, Magick n Advice on Males

Wot she doing?? - Wicken

Some kinda magick I think. There's a blue circle a light flashing on the ceiling! - Midge

Wot?! - W

Shhhhhh! - M

Sorries... Lemme see! - W

Oh woah! Her fingers r flying in some kinda mystical pattern n there's a weird glow on her face comin from the mirror she b looking into! - M

Midge! - W

Oh. Alright, Wick. Keep ur pants on. - M

Wot? My pants ain't comin off, least ways not fer u! - W

Oh. Gee. Wot rock did u crawl out from under?! Here. Take ur turn. - M

...iiiieeeee! I's seen that b4! It's the magick she uses to see into Otherside!
Hmmm... Wonder wots up?! She told me straight up, wars comin n shes gonna need me to protect youse! - W

U?! Ha! Mores like u'll crawl back under ur rock. - M

Not!!! U take that back! - W

Hmmmm... If u young'uns wanna b nosy ur gonna have to learn to b a tad less noisy. Seen? I can't get me work done fer all the racket goin' on out here! - Arrow

Shows us ur Magick! Arrow, please?! I knows is how u peep on Otherside. Let us see how u work ur spell?! - W

Oh ho! Spies a bit do u Wick? Well, no. I won't b showin' u just now, gots too much to do b4 mornin'. But I'll tell u this. U sees the Blinkies travelin' fast thru the Worlds when u look up into Sanctuary's vastness a night time? Pay attention to them. Is them I talk to n they carries me message to Otherside n back. Never forget, when u look into Faelan's firmament that where u r, n all that u can see and not see of Sanctuary up there, is all connected in some way. N wot u do counts. There's not one move, or thought or voice u make that doesn't have a ripple touching something else, so mind, young Wick. N u Midge. U have more power than u think to effect good or evil. It ain't war that changes things. It's wot u decide at any given moment. Seen? - A

Yes'um. - W & M

Wick. We's gone at day's light, Berin n Rogue n I. U help keep watch, u n Midge. U knows old Toffee? Tell him any n all u sees wots not normal around the Hedge. Briarwood is ur haunt so keep ur eyes peeled. Seen? N when we's back u report to Berin. The two a u. Lets see if u cain't learn to spy proper. Now go on with u Wick, I have some girlie stuff to say to Midge. - A

Sees Midge. Told ya! - W

Pffffffhhhtttt!!! - M

Hey! Off now! N Midge, go sit by the fire. - A
-------------------

K missy. I want u to understand something that will get u further down the road quicker. I knows u find the males irritating, n Wick in particular. - A

Yes'um. - M

K. Well, understand, the good ones r wired to protect, and every man needs to tell his story. Is how he lets u know his worth, n wot he wants is ur respect. When he feels he's got that then he knows u got his back n he's free to do wot all he does best.
They're straight shooters, males r. They work on different levels but they separate things. Males likes to go away on their own a lot, even jist into their own heads. It gives 'em space to make the connections between the levels without distractions. N they don't care fer u to see the process, jist the results.
Now us ladies, we work on levels but we don't separate so much. We slide between levels n can hang on a few at a time. N we sort it all out by talkin'. Can drive the guys crazy. There b times theys not sure wot we're saying cuz we throw levels in together n then they have to sort out the threads. N wot we do out loud, they do quiet. So, off they go again. A smart lady lets 'em go, n welcomes them back when they're ready.
Hmmm... Guess wot I'm saying is have some mercy on young Wick. He's getting his feet under him n doing a pretty darn good job fer a young male with mostly only the Ogre as an influence. Seen? Don't call him on his stumblings too much. It'll make his feet trip even more, aye? He wants to protect but he needs to see that u respect his desire n his efforts in order to the best job he can. - A

Huh. So wot ur saying is I have to mollycoddle his ass while he can take pot shots at mine... - M

Lol lol... No, not exactly. Heh heh, tho there r times thars truth in that. Lol... Jist, men n women have different strengths, aiiiight? R heads can run circles quicker sometimes, but when they got the right sheite sorted in they're heads, their good, n they beat us on strength every time. N u want their right thinking n they're strength at ur back in order to be free to do yer best. Same way they need ur caring n respect to do theirs. Seen? - A