The borders are finally open. And no major crises occurred, no huge disasters narrowly averted. Just the weird reactions of the landscape, houses popping up where there weren't any before, trees and rocks and bushes out of nowhere. It's a little worrying, but then, maybe this is how the Deck copes with a sudden population expansion. Maybe once ( Read more... )

It's nearly noon and Silas hasn't seen Narcissus since nine. He's concerned, to say the least, especially when he starts hearing hisses. So instead of eating his lunch, he's briskly walking after the sounds, only to stop short when he rounds a corner. It's suddenly silent, and there's a pile of rather content looking animals at his feet ( Read more... )

It was time yet again to undertake an onerous chore: deciding what to wear for the Feast of Fools. Claudia glowered at her closet, wondering how much trouble she'd get into if she "accidentally" tossed a lighted match inside...after dousing the contents with gasoline. Probably more than she'd care to handle, really. So she merely sighed, strode ( Read more... )

It's been a gloomy sort of week. He's blamed the holiday season for it. Holidays made a person think about home, after all--and for a large number of people, that wasn't a pleasant thing. Cadogan's hardly the only one who gets quiet when asked about family, about traditions, about 'would you be going back now if we could leave?' Home is such a ( Read more... )

It's Wednesday, and Wednesdays are usually days set aside specifically for family and his little sister. But today, Talia's got some birthday party or another to attend, and so Caleb has been rescheduled. He's not complaining overly much, though, as there's still a lot of work to be done in the clinic. Patients to check up on, appointments to ( Read more... )

To say she had never left the Deck before would be an utter lie. To say that she had never been away for longer periods of time may be a little closer to the truth, but it's still not enough to explain the feeling this particular return home brings ( Read more... )

Adrien Fitzgerald is usually seen dressed in only the latest styles. Whether it's jeans, slacks, dress shirts, shoes, he always looks good. Presentable. Not so much the case right now ( Read more... )

Six years ago today she arrived at Spade Castle only to be taunted by then Six Alek Kastrati. She is not understanding Deck rules and so challenges him then and there--not for stain on her honor. What cared she for opinion of worm like him? No, she challenges because she sees immediately that if she is wanting to establish self in Suit she must ( Read more... )

Caleb's never been much of one for birthdays. Whatever the family did was usually all he tolerated, preferring not to be the center of attention. This year is no different; in fact, there's maybe even less of a hurrah, as the only thing remotely close to celebration has been a quiet dinner with the family at Heart Castle Now, he's holding up a ( Read more... )

The Diamond kitchens were always a hub of activity, but never more than this time of year. While few Diamonds were originally Americans, the King was, now - so the ovens were full of pies and traditional side dishes and a roasting turkey. Avery was in the kitchen, too, having managed to slip past kitchen staff who were a little disturbed at the ( Read more... )