The Lies That I Depend on Exist Only in My Mind

[lugh-thecelt.livejournal.com]

The Twilight Tribune
Afternoon, Thursday 6 August

I've laid low the past couple of days. Since visiting Lucifer, actually. I've had things to think about. To talk about. I spent a lot of that time with Eris. Lucifer's thinly veiled threat against Eris has me unsettled just enough, which I'm sure was his intention.

It's changed my plan for Lucien and Marbas a bit. I spent time in Shadow's realm discussing the dilemma with Father O'Hannlan, a former Druidic priest turned Catholic to avoid being burnt at the stake. It's a hard thing sometimes, especially as a god, to admit that one doesn't know it all. He's one of the few humans, now spirit, that I truly try to be honest with completely. I don't like having to be painfully honest with myself, let alone with another. But he sees through me more than any other I've ever met, Eris aside.

Needing time away from the ranch and my thoughts of the demon and the Devil and my lost worshipers...

Anyway, I'm here at the news office, having just talked to some stuck up loser that's running for Mayor. Reeds or Reefs or Reaves or something like that. He's too damn conservative but wants me to put together some kind of piece on him. He'll be disappointed when that article comes out.

Brushing my hands together, I walk back into the front and sit down in the chair at the desk. I lean back and kick my feet up onto the desk. Maybe I should write another issue. I heard talk of weddings lately...

[OPEN to Lilith]

[CLOSED]

The Lies That I Depend on Exist Only in My Mind

[lugh-thecelt.livejournal.com]

The Twilight Tribune
Afternoon, Thursday 6 August

I've laid low the past couple of days. Since visiting Lucifer, actually. I've had things to think about. To talk about. I spent a lot of that time with Eris. Lucifer's thinly veiled threat against Eris has me unsettled just enough, which I'm sure was his intention.

It's changed my plan for Lucien and Marbas a bit. I spent time in Shadow's realm discussing the dilemma with Father O'Hannlan, a former Druidic priest turned Catholic to avoid being burnt at the stake. It's a hard thing sometimes, especially as a god, to admit that one doesn't know it all. He's one of the few humans, now spirit, that I truly try to be honest with completely. I don't like having to be painfully honest with myself, let alone with another. But he sees through me more than any other I've ever met, Eris aside.

Needing time away from the ranch and my thoughts of the demon and the Devil and my lost worshipers...

Anyway, I'm here at the news office, having just talked to some stuck up loser that's running for Mayor. Reeds or Reefs or Reaves or something like that. He's too damn conservative but wants me to put together some kind of piece on him. He'll be disappointed when that article comes out.

Brushing my hands together, I walk back into the front and sit down in the chair at the desk. I lean back and kick my feet up onto the desk. Maybe I should write another issue. I heard talk of weddings lately...

[OPEN to Lilith]

[CLOSED]

I'm Pretty, But I'm Plain and I Prefer It That Way

[ella-kessler.livejournal.com]

Morning, Friday August 7, Day 66
The Miskatonic Cafe

It's been a while since I came ta town. Chris an' I don' come in often what with the orchard keepin' us busy near all the time. I been hopin' ta get down sooner'n now, but Daddy's health ain't been too good. He's strong as an ox but when he gets a cold it hits hard. Maybe I'll see Glass or Jenna for somethin' ta help him.

I told Chris to run by the bakery ta see if'n Edmund needed anythin' from us while I went by the butcher's to place an order for some meat. After that I still had some money left over, so I decide to buy Chris an' I somethin' to eat at the cafe. It's not often we get ta do that an' we like bein' able to eat away from the house every now an' then.

"'Mornin', Miss," I say when the waitress comes over ta the table I'm seatin' at by the window. "Real nice day, ain't it?" She jus' nods, waitin' on my order. "Two hot chocolates an' some pastries, please," I say. Chris is leavin' Edmund's and he looks over here longingly, so I wave him over.

I been hearin' 'bout strange stuff happenin' in town, but Main Street's quiet like usual an' nothin' looks too different.

[OPEN]

[CLOSED}

I'm Pretty, But I'm Plain and I Prefer It That Way

[ella-kessler.livejournal.com]

Morning, Friday August 7, Day 66
The Miskatonic Cafe

It's been a while since I came ta town. Chris an' I don' come in often what with the orchard keepin' us busy near all the time. I been hopin' ta get down sooner'n now, but Daddy's health ain't been too good. He's strong as an ox but when he gets a cold it hits hard. Maybe I'll see Glass or Jenna for somethin' ta help him.

I told Chris to run by the bakery ta see if'n Edmund needed anythin' from us while I went by the butcher's to place an order for some meat. After that I still had some money left over, so I decide to buy Chris an' I somethin' to eat at the cafe. It's not often we get ta do that an' we like bein' able to eat away from the house every now an' then.

"'Mornin', Miss," I say when the waitress comes over ta the table I'm seatin' at by the window. "Real nice day, ain't it?" She jus' nods, waitin' on my order. "Two hot chocolates an' some pastries, please," I say. Chris is leavin' Edmund's and he looks over here longingly, so I wave him over.

I been hearin' 'bout strange stuff happenin' in town, but Main Street's quiet like usual an' nothin' looks too different.

[OPEN]

[CLOSED}

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Friday, day 68, around 5pm

I've had a great deal to think on, this last day or two. Glass stayed until quite late on Wednesday night. I drank not quite half a bottle of wine, but it went to my head well enough, since I'm not much of a drinker, and we talked on a few things and laughed on some others, and I slept dreamlessly for once, a blank and quiet sleep.

Since then, however, I've been thoughtful. People have stopped asking whether I'm marrying Laurence, thank goodness, and so things are back to normal there. Amanda has been doing a good job, and today I told her that she's passed her trial week. She shrieked and got teary-eyed and hugged me, which was a little perturbing, but I was also pleased it made her so happy. We've decided that she will be in to help me on Saturdays - an even busier day now we have the market - and that she will run the store entirely on Mondays, which means for the first time in years I will have two days off a week. Two days in a row, moreover! It's a luxury I'm looking forward to enjoying. At the moment I don't want to pay an assistant full time, and it suits Amanda because that means for the rest of the week she can be at home on the farm. She hasn't said it, but I know her mother wants her closer to home because of Edith. So all in all it's proved to be a good arrangement.

This decision has left me feeling happy about how my business is going, and that, coupled with the thoughtfulness left after my evening with Glass, has led me to feeling cautiously optimistic about the future, despite everything that has happened lately. For the first time in a very long time, I have a number of people in my life I can trust... It's a humbling and comforting feeling.

What was it Glass said? "Strength after adversity." It was a good toast, and one I hope I can live up to. But I think it also speaks for our friendship. I'll admit now that I was jealous when Glass took up Iago as her beau. Not because I didn't want to share her... No, I suppose I must be honest and say that was part of it. I had few friends, and it seemed a hard thing to lose Glass to a man, and to the friends that seemed to come with starting that relationship. I felt her moving away from me towards people who were maybe more exciting or glamorous. Since then, though, I've come to realise something... I had so little love in my life for so long that I guarded what little I had, but it has struck me lately that the more people I've let into my life, the more people I've been able to care for. My friendship with Glass has changed, and to people viewing it from the outside it may not seem exciting... But there's a sort of bone-deep comfort in it. I did something that Glass thought so very awful she thought it was worthy of terrible punishment, and Glass nearly killed me... And yet somehow what's more important than that is that she was the person I called for in agony, and I washed blood out of her hair. I think she will always be my friend, and so now I can finally and truly wish her and Iago joy.

Realising this has made me think about the other things in my life I've been holding back on. I've always been frugal, not just with money but with my heart. But I'm in a comfortable place now - I have a good business, a nice home, and I'm a part of the community. I'm home. And if I risk some part of myself, there'll be people who can help me recover. I've always thought if I jumped I couldn't rely on anyone to catch me, and this whole thing with Laurence made me afraid that if I tried something and things went wrong, I'd just be back to being alone and lonely. But it's not true. So maybe it's worth taking a risk. I'm not sure how great a risk I can take - I'm still not so very brave - but maybe something is worth trying now.

I shut up the store at usual at five. I've decided that I'm going to walk to the smithy and see if Laurence is there, and ask if he wants to go for a walk in the early evening sunlight. I don't give myself time to change my clothes and convince myself that I should leave it for another day. Instead I just run a hairbrush through my hair and put on a fresh coat of lipstick, and walk along the road. Maybe things won't work out. But today seems like a good day to test my courage.

[open to Laurence] [closed]

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Friday, day 68, around 5pm

I've had a great deal to think on, this last day or two. Glass stayed until quite late on Wednesday night. I drank not quite half a bottle of wine, but it went to my head well enough, since I'm not much of a drinker, and we talked on a few things and laughed on some others, and I slept dreamlessly for once, a blank and quiet sleep.

Since then, however, I've been thoughtful. People have stopped asking whether I'm marrying Laurence, thank goodness, and so things are back to normal there. Amanda has been doing a good job, and today I told her that she's passed her trial week. She shrieked and got teary-eyed and hugged me, which was a little perturbing, but I was also pleased it made her so happy. We've decided that she will be in to help me on Saturdays - an even busier day now we have the market - and that she will run the store entirely on Mondays, which means for the first time in years I will have two days off a week. Two days in a row, moreover! It's a luxury I'm looking forward to enjoying. At the moment I don't want to pay an assistant full time, and it suits Amanda because that means for the rest of the week she can be at home on the farm. She hasn't said it, but I know her mother wants her closer to home because of Edith. So all in all it's proved to be a good arrangement.

This decision has left me feeling happy about how my business is going, and that, coupled with the thoughtfulness left after my evening with Glass, has led me to feeling cautiously optimistic about the future, despite everything that has happened lately. For the first time in a very long time, I have a number of people in my life I can trust... It's a humbling and comforting feeling.

What was it Glass said? "Strength after adversity." It was a good toast, and one I hope I can live up to. But I think it also speaks for our friendship. I'll admit now that I was jealous when Glass took up Iago as her beau. Not because I didn't want to share her... No, I suppose I must be honest and say that was part of it. I had few friends, and it seemed a hard thing to lose Glass to a man, and to the friends that seemed to come with starting that relationship. I felt her moving away from me towards people who were maybe more exciting or glamorous. Since then, though, I've come to realise something... I had so little love in my life for so long that I guarded what little I had, but it has struck me lately that the more people I've let into my life, the more people I've been able to care for. My friendship with Glass has changed, and to people viewing it from the outside it may not seem exciting... But there's a sort of bone-deep comfort in it. I did something that Glass thought so very awful she thought it was worthy of terrible punishment, and Glass nearly killed me... And yet somehow what's more important than that is that she was the person I called for in agony, and I washed blood out of her hair. I think she will always be my friend, and so now I can finally and truly wish her and Iago joy.

Realising this has made me think about the other things in my life I've been holding back on. I've always been frugal, not just with money but with my heart. But I'm in a comfortable place now - I have a good business, a nice home, and I'm a part of the community. I'm home. And if I risk some part of myself, there'll be people who can help me recover. I've always thought if I jumped I couldn't rely on anyone to catch me, and this whole thing with Laurence made me afraid that if I tried something and things went wrong, I'd just be back to being alone and lonely. But it's not true. So maybe it's worth taking a risk. I'm not sure how great a risk I can take - I'm still not so very brave - but maybe something is worth trying now.

I shut up the store at usual at five. I've decided that I'm going to walk to the smithy and see if Laurence is there, and ask if he wants to go for a walk in the early evening sunlight. I don't give myself time to change my clothes and convince myself that I should leave it for another day. Instead I just run a hairbrush through my hair and put on a fresh coat of lipstick, and walk along the road. Maybe things won't work out. But today seems like a good day to test my courage.

[open to Laurence] [closed]

Are you there Freyja? It's me...Valda.

[valda-excolo.livejournal.com]

Day 68, Friday August 7th, Noon


It's been a while since I settled in Excolo.  Or actually, outside of Excolo.  I honestly don't think anyone knows I'm here.

I took the dogs out this morning for a run.  Pigby, the little runt, continued to remind me why I gave him that name when he found a vein of truffles this afternoon.  It's really too bad I don't care for cooking.  Other than stews and pasty, which I admit is stew in a pie crust, I never bothered to learn how it was daddy's cooks made all those delicious treats.  I wonder if anyone in town would want them?

Town...I really can't avoid it any longer.  My apothecary jars are packed to the brim, as are the canisters in my pathetic excuse for a kitchen.  The horses and dogs don't care about Mint, or Sakix Alba, or Valerian root in their food, so there's no one left around here to use it.  But selling it in town means that I must first go into town.  And meet people.  They'll know I don't fit in.

My clothes will be different, they'll be suspicious if my hair isn't right.  What if the women are supposed to wear that paste on their faces?  I've never worn that!  They'll know I don't belong here...they'll shun me.  I won't know their customs, their etiquette...what if I offend someone?  What if it's someone of importance?  Are they still burning people at the stake?  I always preferred beheadings to burnings...there just seemed to be more dignity and honor.  It's more of a warrior's death than a public torturing.

At long last, I make my decision.  I must go to town.  But that doesn't mean I'm happy about it.

What am I going to wear?

[CLOSED]

Are you there Freyja? It's me...Valda.

[valda-excolo.livejournal.com]

Day 68, Friday August 7th, Noon


It's been a while since I settled in Excolo.  Or actually, outside of Excolo.  I honestly don't think anyone knows I'm here.

I took the dogs out this morning for a run.  Pigby, the little runt, continued to remind me why I gave him that name when he found a vein of truffles this afternoon.  It's really too bad I don't care for cooking.  Other than stews and pasty, which I admit is stew in a pie crust, I never bothered to learn how it was daddy's cooks made all those delicious treats.  I wonder if anyone in town would want them?

Town...I really can't avoid it any longer.  My apothecary jars are packed to the brim, as are the canisters in my pathetic excuse for a kitchen.  The horses and dogs don't care about Mint, or Sakix Alba, or Valerian root in their food, so there's no one left around here to use it.  But selling it in town means that I must first go into town.  And meet people.  They'll know I don't fit in.

My clothes will be different, they'll be suspicious if my hair isn't right.  What if the women are supposed to wear that paste on their faces?  I've never worn that!  They'll know I don't belong here...they'll shun me.  I won't know their customs, their etiquette...what if I offend someone?  What if it's someone of importance?  Are they still burning people at the stake?  I always preferred beheadings to burnings...there just seemed to be more dignity and honor.  It's more of a warrior's death than a public torturing.

At long last, I make my decision.  I must go to town.  But that doesn't mean I'm happy about it.

What am I going to wear?

[CLOSED]

Come on in We're open!

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Day 68, Friday August 7th, Noonish



Been up since oh I dunno 6or 7 in the morning. Didn't sleep well. So to fill in time I set everything up and danced around and changed my clothes about five times. Finally settled on a  short black tank with fishnet armwarmers that shows off my tats and  a short red-black kilt skirt with more fishnet and my steel toed knee hight lace up boots. Figured people better get used to me as I am cuz i ain't about ta change for anybody. Not sure if it was cuz I'm excited bout opening up today or if It's cuz i'm lonely an miss my family.  That apartment upstairs, is maybe too big, I rattled around in it last night  like a single pea in a pod. But it's all mine!

As is the Salon. Well, kinda. I rent it from the town. Took all my money for the deposit but I reckon I only have to have a few steady customers to do ok. I hope it works out! I look round me,checking everything's ready. Yup. Still is. Me n Will did the redecoratin' over the last two days, after I brought over my small sack of stuff.  Looks good. i kept most the same floorplan as the lady who had the place before me, I just changed one of the hairdresser stations inta a place fer me to do tats or piercings.  The one near the washroom so's I can more easily go an wash my hands before an after.

What we really changed was the decor. I put up a few a those big rock posters from the late twentieth century, guys in leather and long hair with big electric guitars. And girls too. Gotta couple of pics of girls with swords as well. Also put up a wall of flash. Line drawings of tatoos that customers can choose from.  Most are my own work but some I've collected from other tatoo artists. On one corner of the reception desk is a thick book  with similar drawings of all the piercings i can do.  But the biggest change is the ghettoblaster i've propped up just inside the kitchen.  Right now it's playing Gun's N ' Roses Paradise City

Take me down
To the paradise city
Where the grass is green
And the girls are pretty
Oh won't you please take me home
yeah yeah

I bob my head up and down in time to beat for a bit and then I look up again towards the doors. Where i've hung the sign announcing the store hours. Noon to 6pm on week days. Weekends by appointment only.

I lounge around leaning on the reception desk wondering if I should go have  a cig now or wati til I have a better idea if anybody but Will is gonna show up.

[Open]

Come on in We're open!

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Day 68, Friday August 7th, Noonish



Been up since oh I dunno 6or 7 in the morning. Didn't sleep well. So to fill in time I set everything up and danced around and changed my clothes about five times. Finally settled on a  short black tank with fishnet armwarmers that shows off my tats and  a short red-black kilt skirt with more fishnet and my steel toed knee hight lace up boots. Figured people better get used to me as I am cuz i ain't about ta change for anybody. Not sure if it was cuz I'm excited bout opening up today or if It's cuz i'm lonely an miss my family.  That apartment upstairs, is maybe too big, I rattled around in it last night  like a single pea in a pod. But it's all mine!

As is the Salon. Well, kinda. I rent it from the town. Took all my money for the deposit but I reckon I only have to have a few steady customers to do ok. I hope it works out! I look round me,checking everything's ready. Yup. Still is. Me n Will did the redecoratin' over the last two days, after I brought over my small sack of stuff.  Looks good. i kept most the same floorplan as the lady who had the place before me, I just changed one of the hairdresser stations inta a place fer me to do tats or piercings.  The one near the washroom so's I can more easily go an wash my hands before an after.

What we really changed was the decor. I put up a few a those big rock posters from the late twentieth century, guys in leather and long hair with big electric guitars. And girls too. Gotta couple of pics of girls with swords as well. Also put up a wall of flash. Line drawings of tatoos that customers can choose from.  Most are my own work but some I've collected from other tatoo artists. On one corner of the reception desk is a thick book  with similar drawings of all the piercings i can do.  But the biggest change is the ghettoblaster i've propped up just inside the kitchen.  Right now it's playing Gun's N ' Roses Paradise City

Take me down
To the paradise city
Where the grass is green
And the girls are pretty
Oh won't you please take me home
yeah yeah

I bob my head up and down in time to beat for a bit and then I look up again towards the doors. Where i've hung the sign announcing the store hours. Noon to 6pm on week days. Weekends by appointment only.

I lounge around leaning on the reception desk wondering if I should go have  a cig now or wati til I have a better idea if anybody but Will is gonna show up.

[Open]

"A politician thinks of the next election-- a statesman of the next generation..."

[edmund-white.livejournal.com]

Friday August 7th- Afternoon

I've done a bit more thinking since I saw Kate last week.
I took my lunch break early today and headed down to Toby's office to formally put in my intention to run for office. He was glad to hear it, and I'm glad. Toby is a friend, and I know he wishes for more progressive support on the Council sometimes. He also let me know I'd have competition in the race. Cassandra O'Leary. Always thought she was nice enough, but a sort of hard woman. Honestly I'm surprised. She seems so dedicated to her daughter that I wouldn't have figured her as someone who'd want to take any time away.
It's okay though, the voters should have a choice. That's what Democracy is all about. And besides, I know that I can make a difference in this town. That has to count for something.

When I got back to the Bakery I made sure Miao's cake was boxed up right for travel. Robert's been doing better lately. A direct effect of his cousin improving I think. We still need another helper though. Once I'm done checking his work, and the bread starters are put away for the day I send him off on his break. He'll come back later to help me carry the cake to the 'Boy, but for now he can have the rest of the afternoon off. One he leaves I head out to the front of the shop with my ledgers and the new notebook for August. I've been slacking off on my accounts lately and I've got plenty of time before the party to straighten them out. Should probably make a sign or something too.

(OPEN)
CLOSED

"A politician thinks of the next election-- a statesman of the next generation..."

[edmund-white.livejournal.com]

Friday August 7th- Afternoon

I've done a bit more thinking since I saw Kate last week.
I took my lunch break early today and headed down to Toby's office to formally put in my intention to run for office. He was glad to hear it, and I'm glad. Toby is a friend, and I know he wishes for more progressive support on the Council sometimes. He also let me know I'd have competition in the race. Cassandra O'Leary. Always thought she was nice enough, but a sort of hard woman. Honestly I'm surprised. She seems so dedicated to her daughter that I wouldn't have figured her as someone who'd want to take any time away.
It's okay though, the voters should have a choice. That's what Democracy is all about. And besides, I know that I can make a difference in this town. That has to count for something.

When I got back to the Bakery I made sure Miao's cake was boxed up right for travel. Robert's been doing better lately. A direct effect of his cousin improving I think. We still need another helper though. Once I'm done checking his work, and the bread starters are put away for the day I send him off on his break. He'll come back later to help me carry the cake to the 'Boy, but for now he can have the rest of the afternoon off. One he leaves I head out to the front of the shop with my ledgers and the new notebook for August. I've been slacking off on my accounts lately and I've got plenty of time before the party to straighten them out. Should probably make a sign or something too.

(OPEN)
CLOSED