The sun was going down, and the house was finally ready for guests. I stood in front of the mirror in Joscelin's and my bedchamber, surveying myself one last time before returning to the main room where already, Karolina, Bill and Mohinder were helping the preparations. My dress was one I'd loved for quite some time, a long low-backed gown of black ( Read more... )

Yesterday had been a difficult day, spent in large part packing up our things from the Pirates' Treehouse (though in truth, none but I ever referred to it as such anymore, and even I did so mostly to myself) and readying them to be transported to our new home. Though I could not be thankful for anyone's disappearance from the island, I had to own, ( Read more... )

I find that I spend a great deal of time simply engaging in projects to keep me busy, to keep my mind occupied so I simply do not have time to think on all that still troubles me. I should not be so troubled, so long after the fact. I have lived through all kinds of hell and have been able to go back about my life properly. This, somehow, is ( Read more... )

The island had never done anything quite like it, though the island always did seem to come up with new and interesting challenges for them every time something it deemed a special occasion arrived. Every inhabited place - and, indeed, a few that weren't - seemed to be decked out in spooky decorations - or decorations that some would consider ( Read more... )

The end of the school term brought to an end the team-taught advanced French course and the lingering awkwardness between Mohinder and Daniel that Alcuin had had to navigate. He sincerely doubted that they would want the same arrangement when school started again, but then, both other men were well-versed enough in a variety of other subjects to ( Read more... )

I had not done washing in nearly two weeks, and was sorely in need of clean clothing. It was amusing to note that in Terre d'Ange I had enough of a wardrobe to last over a month without repeating a gown; here, I was not nearly so lucky, or so fashionable. "What I would not give for Favrielle to appear," I muttered under my breath as I pushed open ( Read more... )

Backdated to July 28 : Phedre wakes in the Temple of Elua to find Hyacinthe has disappeared from the island. Unable to cope, she goes to the compound to find some busy work, and there is met and, in some cases, comforted by friends and acquaintances.

The shift began uneventfully enough. All was quiet in the clinic, and even the Compound appeared more subdued than usual. The party taking place just outside accounted for that, Simon was sure. Simon himself prepared for a silent and undisturbed evening, filled with light paperwork and tea ( Read more... )

It had come down to this.  The finality of it was acute and clear.  Carla Jean had been made to live and she would, but her husband would not. That had been decided from the start.

Standing in the doorway of their home, Chigurh had lifted the gun and aimed, his left arm throbbing sharply as it held the weight.  He'd gotten off one shot and watched as ( Read more... )

I find that I watch this place from afar more often than not, and this suits me just fine. It is not -- has never been -- my place to be the centre of attention. No, that job has always been left to Phedre, who weaves her way through crowds with an effortless grace, learning all there is to know in just a single glance. My place is simply at her ( Read more... )