#dabo spoils

[pristina-nomine]

The reread of books produces playlists

#I’m revising les disparus du clairdelune and as I feared having the finale spoiled by the BACK COVER really tainted my first read #yea I’m still not over it #anyway as I said I’m liking it a lot more this time #la passe miroir #the mirror visitor #l’attraversaspecchi #les fiancés de l’hiver #les disparus du clairdelune #musica #my playlists #christelle dabos #currently reading #messaggi in bottiglia

[fantasticalleigh]

LEIGH'S RIDICULOUSLY BIG TBR/TBW LISTS

like i mentioned before i am too busy/hesitant to actually consume a lot of new media (or at least be able to focus on it) so i'm critically behind on so much stuff. don't judge me pls :S lmao

anything in bold is something that i've begun but not finished :P tagging @snow-in-the-desert bc you expressed interest in seeing the lists!

TO READ:

The Love Hypothesis - Ali Hazelwood

The Hurricane Wars - Thea Guanzon

Winter's Promise - Christelle Dabos

The Stand - Stephen King

North and South - Elizabeth Gaskell

The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott

Work - Louisa May Alcott

Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes

Dr. Sleep - Stephen King

The Secret History - Donna Tartt

The Last Duel - Erik Jager

Portrait of a Lady - Henry James

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

The Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton

The Great Mortality - John Kelly

Dead by Sunset - Ann Rule

Dracula - Bram Stoker

It's Lonely at the Center of the Earth - Zoe Thorogood

The Great Influenza - John M. Barry

The Monster of Florence - Douglas Preston

The Lottery and other stories - Shirley Jackson

Helter Skelter - Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry

White Noise - Don DeLilo

Icebreaker - Hannah Grace

She Is a Haunting - Trang Thanh Tran

This Thing Between Us: A Novel - Gus Moreno

Parable of the Sower - Octavia E. Butler

^^ This is an incomplete list--I know there are others but these are the books I've bought over the past couple years and have not yet finished/ready. They are stacked on my desk and around my room, silently accusing me of neglect. I wither in shame. The rest of the list escapes me currently. This also doesn't include the tbrs currently on my e-reader since I can't remember where it is to see what's on there.

MOVIES/MEDIA TO WATCH:

Any Adam Driver movie that isn't on Netflix (House of Gucci, Annette, Paterson etc.) I have seen the Last Duel, Blackkklansman, This is where I leave you, Marriage Story, White Noise, Frances Ha and a few others). I know Ferarri is in theaters right now but I've kind of developed a phobia of theaters since 2020 :S

a ridiculous number of documentaries/video essays on youtube that I do not have the energy to go look for right now

Fall of the House of Usher (I love Mike Flanagan's work but I'm still hooked on Midnight Mass and Daddy Father Prewitt)

The Haunting of Bly Manor (I know everyone was obsessed with this and I meant to watch it but I was reading the Turn of the Screw when it came out and didn't want to get spoiled for it so I avoided it like the plague and finished the book but never got to watching the show)

Blue Eye Samurai

The Beguiled

Ugly Betty (I'm actually on season 2 and it's charming and funny but holy shit the amount of body shaming/slut shaming/ homophobia in this show. definitely a product of its time.)

Anne with an E

Fleabag (never finished it but thought it was amazing)

What we do in the shadows (have seen all but the most current season)

Reservation dogs

The Batman (2023)

Black Swan

The Crown

Band of Brothers

Demon Slayer

Whiplash

Wolf of Wall Street

Birds of Prey

Downton Abbey

Peaky Blinders

Nimona

Drag me to Hell

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Queen Charlotte (halfway through but haven't finished. i hate things that make me cry when i watch them so i have to be in a very specific mood to watch emotional heavy things)

Lady Bird

The Banshees of Inisherin

BARBIE (*ducks thrown rocks* I'll get to it, i SWEAR) (but i'm amazing at avoiding spoilers at this point i still know very little about the movie)

Men

Pearl

The Invisible Man

The Turning

Succession

Suspiria

Promising Young Woman

Shiva Baby

Luca

The Green Knight

Licorice Pizza

Bullet Train

The Menu

Women Talking

Knives Out + Glass Onion (*ducks more thrown rocks*)

Paddington 2!!!!

SHadow and Bone (honestly I lost almost all interest in reading/watching this once I heard the hot villain dies. BOOOO)

Carol

That one newish show with Adam Scott that looks super liminal and sci fi i can't remember the name

The Killing of a Sacred Deer

Oppenheimer

Killers of the Flower Moon

Guardians of the Galaxy 3

M3gan

Turning Red

Everything Everywhere All At once

Nope

Barbarian

Just like the book list, I'm sure there's many other titles I'm forgetting to put here. I actually have branched out and watched a fair amount of new movies this year so i'm going to keep it going! and here's one more list just because this is fun

Stuff I watched or read in 2023 that I loved/recommend (with the caveat that not all of this came out in 2023): (and i'm not including obvious stuff like Spider man across the spiderverse)

White Noise

Don't Look Up

Living in the Time of Dying (documentary on Youtube. It is HEAVY on existentialism and the science/data on the current state of climate change. This WILL ruin your day so I'm warning you now. Definitely don't watch it today. This really affected me and I cried for a long time after watching this but it is incredibly important to keep in mind.)

Blackkklansman (i had to watch this with the volume on the lowest setting bc of all the n words being dropped so frequently lmao but goddamn this was so good and funnier than i expected.)

DIMENSION 20: Burrow's End!!!!! As well as The Unsleeping City season 1. Neverafter and A Crown of Candy are probably at the lower end of the list but I still love them. (thank you to @rogueimperator for cluing me onto how amazing D20 and Dropout are. <3 this is a whole new world lol)

Midnight Sun :)

7. Christine and the Queens - Redcar les adorables étoiles Full show on Youtube. I was supposed to see him live in October but he got injured and had to cancel the rest of his tour :( but this album and the video are incredible! Slight warning for semi nudity.

8. Game Changer on Dropout. he's been here the whole time!

9. The 1975 live at Madison Square Garden. I was lucky enough to see them twice this tour with my twin sister and we had an absolutely amazing time. They always put on amazing shows and this particular tour/their latest album meant so much to us. Even our younger brother has come with us for some of these shows so it's something we all share. (Last time they came to Chicago in 2022 the venue was too small so they didn't have the House set with them so we didn't get to see it in action until this year) Sex and The Sound will always be the perfect closers for their shows and I get so emotional every time I hear them. Core memories for sure.

10. Puss in Boots: the last wish. this seems like another obvious answer that i probably could have left off but this gets an honorary mention because our family cat was diagnosed with advanced bone cancer in August, and we had to put him down very soon after that diagnosis. We spent an agonizing week tending to him and cherishing every last second we could get with him. I've been fortunate enough to never experience the death of a pet until this year, and i almost wish we didn't have any pets at all because I've never felt such excruciating grief. He was a fat, grumpy orange boy with beautiful yellow stripes and a little yellow mustache. I was trying to distract myself and found this movie on Netflix and watched it, then recommended it to my sister (who is actually Thomas's owner but we all shared him) though I warned her the movie did deal with themes on mortality. We all watched it together the night before his final vet visit and Tommy was there with us on a comfy pillow. I hope he approved of the movie, because now any time I think of Puss in Boots i think of him. <3

I could add more to this but my eyes are tired and I'm wired up from coffee. I know this is long as hell so sorry but I had fun making it! I'll probably keep coming back to this post in the future to cross out what I've watched.

#leigh speaks

[miupow]

chugged like 3 bottles of water and now there’s that sloshy (?) feeling in my belly and marshmallow was laying on me and i moved a bit and it scared the shit out of him and made him sprung out of the bed (cus he’s stupid and he’s a ginger cat) yk he came with like half of a brain cell that comes and goes and my 3 other cats were staring at him like “why are you like this??”

there was this one time where he was trying to catch maries shadow and he came to me whining cus he was upset that he couldn’t get it - 🥭

omg i feel that way any time i drink hot tea or boba... i like to pretend im not lactose intolerant lmao it usually doesn't work out for me

ORANGE CAT ORANGE CAT my mom has one hehe his name is dabo (it's a sports thing idk) and he's 8 this year and he's wonderful! honestly dabo is the smartest orange cat i've ever met.. he's so entitled tho cos my mom and stepdad spoil him and treat him like he's a king like you have to personally deliver him his breakfast and dinner or he wont eat it... insane

#lia.talks #lia.loveletters 💌 #📥: 🥭 anon!!

[lover-of-the-starkindler]

Bookish Fortnight 2022

Day 2:

Most surprising (in a good way) book of this year?

The Vision Splendid by D. K. Broster. I don't remember when it was written, but it wasn't recently because it's a romance with a steadfast hero, a heroine who doesn't appreciate him--and--they both grow, and they don't get what they wanted, and it was a very interesting subversion of expectations as well as a glimpse at a very unfamiliar bit of English church history.

Most disappointing book/Book you wish you enjoyed more than you did?

The Storm of Echoes by Christelle Dabos was a rough wrap to the series unless I'm very much mistaken and there's another book... Not to spoil anything for anyone who is interested in The Mirror Visitor, since it's an intriguing concept and execution right up to the Thing That Irritated Me In Particular... but... *grumbles*

[ciceroballtorture]

to get your mind off from bad fantasy titles can you recommend any good ones?

ooohh 👀👀 ty!!! so, a big premise is that im not really sure if all of this is stricly fantasy since most of these are a result of hybrid genres. plus, afaik these are all adult books, so no ya. with that said:

Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente (Fantasy Retelling of Russian Folklore): its a retelling based on russian folklore where the protagonist, Marya Morevna navigates Russia in the early 1900s and onwards (so the revolution and wwii) + her role as the intended wife for Koschei the Deathless. I love this book a lot: the relationship between Marya and Koschei is wonderfully toxic + i love the prose + and I do think it treats the folklore involved in a way thats surprisingly loving and careful

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Historical Fantasy set in Mexico, late 1920s); Casiopea Tun mistakenly restores to a semblance of life the Mayan Death God Hun-Kamé, thus binding her life to his, as they go on a quest to regain his missing body parts his brother had scattered through the earth. Its a very death and the maiden story + the setting of mexico during the jazz age is really fun + it deals a lot with Mayan mythology and theres a wonderfully complicated and antagonitic relationship between brothers who are also gods

Orfeia by Joanne M. Harris; a mother goes on a quest for her missing daughter to restore her to life after she was stolen away by the fae

Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeanette Ng (Dark Fantasy + Historical Fantasy set in the Victorian Era); Catherine Helstone travels to Arcadia in search of her brother Laon, a missionary who disappeared while trying to convert the fae to Christianity. this one had such an extensive worldbuilding and descriptive prose; im not spoiling anything but the way they connected chrstianity and the fae made me scream. i do wanna warn ppl that theres a lot of theological discussions involved, if that is a deal breaker

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Gothic Fantasy; set in Mexico); Noemí Taboada's cousin Catalina has written to her, begging Noemí's help, as she firmly believes that her English husband, Virgil Doyle, intends to murder her. Suspecting that Virgil may also be after Catalina's money, Noemí's father, Leocadio, sends her to the Doyle home, High Place, which is located in the mountains outside of a small town named El Triunfo

Gideon the Ninth and Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (Science Fantasy); Set in a galactic empire of nine planets, each ruled by a noble house that practices its own unique type of necromancy. The heirs of said houses are invited by the Emperor, worshipped as a God, to undergo a trial to become his Lyctors. so, full disclaimer, before picking them up i would suggest giving a try beforehand with the prose of Gideon the Ninth since it might not be your cup of tea; that said, i love Gideon as a narrator, and Muir does foreshadowing so well!!! So many good female characters!!! Harrow my beloved!!! and honestly the second book is so much better than the first, whom i liked a lot, bc of the worldbuilding, the character relationships, the plot twists

Vicious by V.E Schwab (Urban Fantasy); two college students learn how to create superhuman abilities and later become archnemesis. its an incredibly fun book since the relationship at its core between the protagonists is sorta fucked up, really codependent on each other to better define themselves, but lovely to read about. also Eli my beloved

A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos; Long ago, following a cataclysm called “The Rupture,” the world was shattered into many floating celestial islands called Arks, over one of which the protagonist, Ophelia, lives. She can read the past of objects simply by touching them but has to move to another Ark after her betrothal. A big caviat is that o have to yet read the ending of the series, and ive heard very conflicting opinions on it, so i would inform myself before diving headfirst into smth that may have a disappointing ending. That said: fun worldbuiling; I really like Ophelia as a protagonist; her relationship with the love interest is interesting; and i dig the mistery behind uncovering what happened and why "God" would rupture the world

#.rec #.ask #cafeleningrad #me reccing women and one nonbinary author? misandry in action fhdhshb

[child-of-hurin]

fan reaction to the ending of the series

I decided to transcribe and share this bit from Christelle Dabos’s recent interview [source]. It is not spoilery per se, but it discusses the fan reaction to the ending of the series when book 4 came out in 2019. Reading this was interesting to me because I honestly had no idea what exactly had happened, besides that she ended up cutting all forms of social media communication for a while because of it, so... some insight, at least. (Also the English translation they use in the video is a little strange, but I decided not to alter anything except a couple of very awkward translations that hindered comprehension).

We have a Russian poetess, Marina Tsvetaeva, who illustrates this very point of view; she brings forward the idea of “reader - co-writer”, which could be translated as; while a point of view is given to us, the reader will always have their own interpretation in accordance with the already given opinion. 

I think that is very true. I have personally had such an experience, in fact, with… without spoilers, with the ending of “the Mirror Visitor”. A huge phenomenon occurred with my readers. It was something I had not prepared myself for. It was one of expectancy - and everything that happens in the waiting process, so cristallisation, idealisation, or impatience, etc… so the reader is already projecting in their mind what they want to read concerning the end of the story, and then after having to face reality, the reader discovers the offered version, so the ending offered by the author, which might conflict with the version the reader had conjured in their mind. From this emerges a relatively strong friction. I felt this very strongly with “the Mirror Visitor”; I’ve had many readers message me saying they had been disappointed and sad because the ending did not correspond to their point of view. And so as emotions kicked in, they immediately contacted me to let me know. And very often, as time passed, there was a second wind, where people gave themselves time to somehow digest it, then say “well, let’s take another look, let’s abandon our views for a moment and look at the book and put ourselves in the author’s place, see her perspective”. At this point, people were able to better understand what I wished to convey. And yet it was very interesting, in a way, to see this very explicit conflict between the point of view of the readers and of the author. 

I see, in any case, I absolutely loved the ending. It was truly the best ending possible.

Awww. It was an ending that stunned, it gave that last final emotion - something very lasting. And once again, I’m not going to spoil anything, but I had wished to make some sort of “exit door” - or rather, an “exit mirror” - to return the favor to the reader and say, “hey, look, reader, you are also participating in the story, and so I leave you the freedom to decide what comes next”. And many people did not take that well. To them, it was not their job as readers, it was up to the author to give them a concrete ending. They wanted to have all the answers brought to them in the clearest and most definitive manner. On the other hand, there were readers who greatly appreciated having such freedom. And again, it was very interesting to see what the readers were thinking, and to observe the correlation between different readers and the book. And this can go very far.

#la passe miroir #christelle dabos #la tempête des échos #tbh reading this just made me immediately think of asoiaf and of the shitstorms we're bound to see when/if the next book comes out #'the waiting process - cristallization idealization and impatience #the reader is already projecting the ending they want #and then face the reality of what the author has offered them and it's uhhhh not pretty #x_x #what art owes us

[incorrect-diviners]

Natalie’s Top 10 Favorite Books of 2019

Hello everyone, and welcome to my top ten book list for 2019! I read a lot of books this past year (102 to be exact, and to brag, just a little bit). I also read a lot of good books (probably roughly 75), a lot of really great books (probably 20-25), and a few truly phenomenal books. This list is about those ten books (well, actually thirteen because I cheated just a little bit.) 

While compiling this list I noticed a couple of interesting trends. First of all, the majority of the books I chose for this list were published in 2018. (All the sequel books I will mention were published in 2019, but that messes up my math a bit so we are going to ignore that.) I don’t think there is any particular reason for this, I just find it interesting so I decided to mention it. Second, the vast majority of my list features books written by women. Eight out of ten, or eleven out of thirteen if we are counting sequels (damn it, now I’m just confusing my own rules). The reason for that? Women authors are awesome, and were really on their A-game when it came to writing fantastic books that I read in 2019. Third, I read all of these books on my list in the second part of the year. May came, and with it something seemed to flip over in my reading choices from good to great. Then again, that might just be recency bias. 

Without further ado, here is my list of top ten books of 2019:

Ten: Truly Devious -YA, 2018 

(and the sequel, The Vanishing Stair -2019)

by: Maureen Johnson

Truly Devious is so fun. There is no other way for me to describe this book, and this book series. It is just so fun. Yes, I know people die in the book and all that, but, by god it is just so irrepressibly fun to me. I love mysteries. I love murder mysteries. And I love murder mysteries set in schools. The main character is charming and relatable, and the extended cast of characters are intriguing. This book manages to be a better modern day Sherlock Holmes adaptation than most books that are actively trying to be modern day Sherlock Holmes adaptations could ever dream of being. Now that all that has been said, Maureen, could I have the next book now please?

Nine: Out of the Easy -Historical Fiction, 2013

by: Ruta Sepetys

This book might be the most “normal” of all the fictional books on my list. It does not feature any spies or mystical powers. A story alternately uplifting and heartbreaking about a young girl who wants a better chance for her life and for herself, but who has to fight to get there. I finished this book in a single day, and I loved it so much.

Eight: Killing November -YA, 2019

by: Adriana Mather

I picked up this book randomly at the library one day, in the NEW BOOK section, half thinking it would be a fairly generic spy boarding school fluff piece of a book. (This isn’t an insult, I LOVE generic spy boarding school fluff!) What I got was so much more interesting. This book is a twisty compelling thriller, set at a school where the students occasionally kill each other (because reasons that I will not spoil you for). This book might not be for everyone, but boy howdy was it right for me. Personally, I am now counting down the days until the next one comes out.

Seven: Finale -YA, 2019

by: Stephanie Garber

This book is unique in this list in that it is the third and final (hence the title) book in a series I have spent the last few years hooked on. All the other books were new worlds to me this year, except this one. I loved this series about a magical game and the two sisters at the center of it all. Honestly, this book is not the best in the series, that honor still goes to the first book Caraval, but for me it offered a satisfying ending to the story. Not all book series get that distinction after all (looking at you Divergent series, still looking at you.) 

Six: A Winter’s Promise -YA, 2018

(and the sequel, The Missing of Clairdelune -2019)

by: Christelle Dabos

How do I begin to describe this book, and my feelings about it? I genuinely don’t think I can. I could attempt to explain the basic plot, but I fear I would do it a great disservice. It is far more interesting and compelling than I could ever adequately explain. It features a future that feels like the past, and magical powers that are so fundamentally different from anything I have encountered in books before. It features some sort of love story, except not at all. It feels like it is paying homage to Greek mythology, but doing so in such a unique way that even that doesn’t feel like an accurate description. Let me put it this way: this book made me want to learn how to read French. Why? Because these books are originally written in French and the idea of having to wait so much as a day longer than necessary to be able to read the next installment feels like an agonizing eternity. That’s how these books make me feel. Is that dramatic? Yes, but it is also accurate.

Five: The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle -Mystery, 2018

by: Stuart Turton

Remember before when I was talking about how much I love mysteries, and how much I love murder mysteries? Well, this book really delivered it to me. The unique plot structure of this book sucks you in as a reader, and keeps you firmly in its grip the entire time. The twists and turns are truly surprising, purely because it is impossible to tell where this book is going to take you next. As if all of that wasn’t enough, it offers a powerful lesson in crime, punishment, and forgiveness. Read it, read it now.

Four: Becoming -Autobiography, 2018

by: Michelle Obama

It’s a book about Michelle Obama by Michelle Obama. I really don’t think I need to offer any further explanation, do you? 

Three: Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland -True Crime, 2019

by: Patrick Radden Keefe

Before reading this book I knew relatively little about the Troubles in Northern Ireland. However, before reading this book I thought I knew a decent bit about the Troubles in Northern Ireland. This book proved me wildly wrong, and I have never been more engrossed in being told how wrong I was. This book breaks down the Troubles in a compelling way, and brilliantly entwines the personal story of one family irrevocably affected by the Troubles along with the stories of the IRA and it’s members. I read quite a few nonfiction history books this past year (former history major and all that, it comes with the territory) but this was far and away the best one. This book made me want to read more books about the Troubles, except I worry now that I have been ruined for reading more books about the Troubles. I just know none of them could be as good as this one was.

Two: The Poppy War -Adult Fantasy, 2018

(and the sequel, The Dragon Republic -2019)

by: R.F. Kuang

I did not know this book was missing in my life until I read it. A fantasy book about the Second Sino-Japanese War? This turns out to be a big yes for me and my reading habits. A masterpiece of a book written by a young Asian woman? That’s an even bigger yes for me. (It’s so good I have no choice but to forgive R.F. Kuang for being the same age as me but being so much more accomplished. I hate her, but I love her more.) This book, and the sequel, is spectacular. With that being said, this book is very firmly for adults. There is nothing YA about this, please be aware of that. This book features absolutely brutal violence, violence that becomes even more sickening when you realize it was more or less pulled directly from the books of history. I am a full grown adult woman, and it made me feel deeply ill and uncomfortable at times. Which is what the author was aiming for. These are books about war, real war, not the sort of bloodless fantasy war you find in YA books. These books are beautiful and terrible all at once.

One: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo -Fiction, 2017

by: Taylor Jenkins Reid

What is there that I can say about this book that has not already been said by others? This book is everything you could want and more. Reid’s writing is sublime, and it frequently made me forget that the people in the book were not real. I had to hold myself back from googling “Celia St. James,” had to remind myself that none of these events actually took place in Hollywood and New York. That’s the beautiful part about this book, it all felt so real, I wanted it to be a tell-all book about a real former movie star. But it wasn’t, it was instead an exquisitely crafted fictional book. You know how people talk about book hangovers? Where you read a book that is so good, it ruins you for reading anything else?. Man, let me tell you, this book gave me the worst book hangover of my entire life. I can think of no higher praise.

#not incorrect quotes #Natalie reads #2019 top ten #books #the seven husbands of evelyn hugo #taylor jenkins reid #the poppy war #the dragon republic #r f kuang #say nothing #patrick radden keefe #becoming #michelle obama #the seven deaths of evelyn hardcastle #stuart turton #a winter's promise #the missing of clairdelune #christelle dabos #finale #stephanie garber #killing november #adriana mather #out of the easy #ruta sepetys #truly devious #the vanishing stair #maureen johnson #you guys wanted it #so i delivered

[quibliography]

The Mirror Visitor (La Passe-Miroir) by Christelle Dabos

Synopsis:  This series is about Ophelia, a Reader and member of the Animists clan, who is promised in marriage to Thorn, who lives on an entirely different Ark, the floating capital on the distant Ark of the Pole. Forced to leave her family and home, she is caught up in the strange politics and illusions of the residents of Citaceleste. But behind the false sunlight and gossip, there is a darker secret that can’t be kept hidden. Especially when it starts targeting Ophelia.

My Quibs: Curse it all, this series is originally in French. Even if I started studying now, I’d probably still get the third volume in English faster than trying to read it in French. Although I saw here that Germany has the third book which means there are multiple options that I can not read. So my review is only a part-review.

I really liked the premise. There’s a cataclysmic event that shattered the world into multiple floating celestial islands. On each island is a clan led by an ancestral spirit and each clan/family has a genetic trait that bestows a magical ability. I mean, there’s so much to work with here. Dabos’ world-building is complex enough to create intricate internal stories, but still simple enough not to distract from the main story. So +1 on world-building. Her characters though are a little harder to swallow. So far, I keep giving her the benefit of the doubt because I’m reading a translation. What (hopefully) should be carefully crafted comes off a little blurry. For instance in Book 1, Ophelia resigns herself to the betrothal and shouldering so much abuse while internally being indignant and repulsed by their behavior confused me. I couldn’t find the balance between her actions and her motivations. Although by Book 2, she mostly takes back her own character, which I like much better. Her character developed. Which I can’t say for her fiance, Thorn. He remains a stoic and mysterious character throughout. With glimpses of emotion which I can’t understand in the slightest. If it turns out it was all heroic ‘leave me save yourself’ love, I will roll my eyes so hard. But again, I’m going to blame the second-hand translation. I’m sure there’s a nuance to his behavior that just isn’t getting across. And finally, the plot. I couldn’t figure out heads or tails of what or why from Book 1. It’s a bit the quintessential first chapter structure where it’s all setup and introduction. Generally I like this part of the story because everything’s new and interesting. But to me it felt like a dull museum tour - here’s the entrance hall built in the Rococo era blah blah, this is a portrait of our king from blah blah. The pacing was overly methodical and a bit tedious. Book 2 picks up because we can get past explanations and into some actual mystery. So far so good. But I’m only halfway through the series so only time will tell if I like it in the end.

Should you read it? The book design is fantastic - so few books forego the dust jacket nowadays. So read them or not, I’d just like to have them on my bookshelf.

Similar reads? Hard to say right now.

(Spoiler Alert!) It’s near impossible to spoil anything at the moment because I haven’t even finished Book 2 as I write this. Which means the mystery of the disappearance of the courtiers is yet unsolved. Maybe I’m just a mystery>drama kind of reader, but the disappearances are so much more interesting to me than Thorn’s shadowy behavior and Farouk’s cryptic book. But then again Archibald is also so much more interesting than either Thorn or Farouk.

What did you think of La Passe-Miroir?

#christelle dabos #la passe miroir #the mirror visitor #a winter's promise #the missing of clairdelune

[plaidetchocolatchaud]

J’ai regardé hier quelques avis sur le quatrième et dernier tome de la Passe-miroir de Christelle Dabos. Sur son blog, elle dit qu’elle a reçu beaucoup de vives critiques sur la fin qui déplait à certains lecteurs, et qu’elle prend donc une pause.

Comme si le but premier d’un.e romancier.ère était de satisfaire ses lecteurs, et de faire une fin qui plaise à le plus de monde possible.

Ah oui, et comme j’aime bien me faire enrager toute seule, je regarde les réactions sur sa page instagram. Je suis tombée sur un commentaire écrit en majuscule d’une abonnée “outrée” qui exige un cinquième tome, “en tant que consommatrice”....

Les mots me manquent pour vous exprimer à quel point je suis choquée....

En revanche, pour finir ce post sur une réaction positive, je vous conseille la vidéo qu’à réalisé LinksTheSun, sur sa chaîne Links Off après avoir lu les quatre tomes. C’est respectueux, il n’y a pas de spoil, c’est bien résumé, et ils font une bonne analyse.

Pour ma part, j’envisage de lire ce tome dans les prochains mois quand j’aurais le temps (et surtout car je veux relire toute la saga avant ^^). Et si jamais elle me déplaît, sachez que je resterai respectueuse. Car les premiers tomes sont magnifiques, juste pour ça.

#french side of tumblr

[the-head-in-the-clouds]

Last read: 'the memory of Babel' ('the mirror visitor' #3) by Christelle Dabos

What I wanted: an awesome third part to this awesome series

What I got: exactly that! The mood in this book was slightly different to the ones before (we are now on a different ark, with different morals and ethics) and Ophelia has to learn to adjust in this circumstances. Since I don't want to spoil anything I won't talk any further into it (but feel free to text me if you want to chat about this book). Let me tell you: I seriously can't wait till next spring to get my hands on the last part!

#the mirror visitor #The memory of babel #christelle dabos #Booklr #book photography #Last read #micro review #Christmas candles #Wow I don't know what to do for the rest of the evening #I can't start something else after that

[alixofagnia]

OpheThorn II: A Slightly Less Rambling Analysis

The Missing of Clairdelune is a superb second installment in The Mirror Visitor quartet. We get more of what we loved about the first book, more pieces to the larger existential puzzle, yet it smartly stops short of resolving too much so that we stay invested for the third episode. Christelle Dabos allows herself slightly more exposition. But the novel really succeeds by continuing to follow the less-is-more mantra and the showing vs. telling style.

As you may or may not recall, after I finished A Winter’s Promise, I spent an embarrassing amount of time copy/pasting excerpts from this book into Google Translate with the result that I really did spoil a lot of the OpheThorn parts for myself—which I don’t exactly regret. But, essentially, it left me with a bit less to say. I had a good response to my first OpheThorn analysis (it’s here and thank you for all the kind words), so I did think that I’d like to put something out about Clairdelune as well, I just wasn’t sure what. After some consideration (and a re-read), I do have some more thoughts about OpheThorn.

So, here we go.

[Spoilers included this time]

[All fanart images credited to @patricialyfoung]

Intro

Since Clairdelune begins right where Promise concluded, Ophelia is still pissed at Thorn, while Thorn is still pining for Ophelia albeit in his uniquely aloof way. The only real thing that’s made me scratch my head with them is the severity of Ophelia’s anger/resentment over Thorn having withheld his true ambitions from her and her finding out about them from someone else. I just think it’s a little bit of a weak conflict for them given how pragmatic they are. I get that it’s the culmination of a frustrating situation. But I still think it’s weak.

So, once again the two begin on shaky ground, a space they occupy for the bulk of the novel. They are, at least, together a bit more than before and there’s all sorts of lovely tension, mostly caused by Thorn’s inelegant method of wooing compounded by Ophelia’s stubborn refusal to give him an inch. Thorn’s growing feelings for Ophelia were subtly hinted at in Promise and they become more apparent here, particularly when juxtaposed against Ophelia’s stubborn denial of hers for him.

And I just adore the cover art! Don’t you?

Thorn and Autism Spectrum Disorder

This is what I want to discuss. I may be alone in this, but it seems like Thorn could be coded as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It occurred to me while I was reading Promise and this time around, I feel comfortable in taking that perspective on Thorn. I like the notion of applying an ASD reading to his character because it explains a few descriptive quirks and makes him more than a “weirdo” or “freak”, which is reductive labeling. When considering his interactions with other characters and their reactions to him, this reading lends an added layer to his actions and overall development.

But let me make something clear.

This book isn’t about ASD, so I’m not suggesting that Dabos intended to write Thorn as having ASD or is trying to make a statement in any way on the disorder, and I’m cautious about how I use this idea to understand the character. This is purely my own speculation/take on the character.

I also want to be clear that I don’t have any personal experience with the disorder. I’ve met people with autism and ASD and they were all very different from each other and had very different needs. So, I’m largely making connections with textbook examples of ASD and they’re maybe a little bit broad because as I said it isn’t explicitly made clear that Thorn has ASD. I may very likely err in my understanding of this disorder. If that’s the case, I apologize in advance and please do correct me or give me your own opinion on this idea.

Here’s an overview from the webpage of the national institute of mental health:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is said to be a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a guide created by the American Psychiatric Association used to diagnose mental disorders, people with ASD have:

Difficulty with communication and interaction with other people

Restricted interests and repetitive behaviors

Symptoms that hurt the person’s ability to function properly in school, work, and other areas of life

Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience. Although ASD can be a lifelong disorder, treatments and services can improve a person’s symptoms and ability to function.

It’s been shown repeatedly that it’s very difficult for Thorn to be an inviting and easy-going person, even with people he cares about. Thorn struggles with  communication, is emotionally suppressed, is both uncaring and at times completely unaware of how he presents himself socially, and obsessively consults his pocket watch, particularly when he’s at a loss for words or bored, or otherwise ready to get the hell out of any situation that causes him anxiety. He’s highly intelligent, fixated on order and organization, and has a history (as we know from Promise and learn more about in Clairdelune) of meeting intense emotion with impulsive violence.

Here’s a list (also from the NIMH website) of common symptoms:

Making little or inconsistent eye contact

Tending not to look at or listen to people

Rarely sharing enjoyment of objects or activities by pointing or showing things to others

Failing to, or being slow to, respond to someone calling their name or to other verbal attempts to gain attention

Having difficulties with the back and forth of conversation

Often talking at length about a favorite subject without noticing that others are not interested or without giving others a chance to respond

Having facial expressions, movements, and gestures that do not match what is being said

Having an unusual tone of voice that may sound sing-song or flat and robot-like

Having trouble understanding another person’s point of view or being unable to predict or understand other people’s actions

Repeating certain behaviors or having unusual behaviors. For example, repeating words or phrases, a behavior called echolalia

Having a lasting intense interest in certain topics, such as numbers, details, or facts

Having overly focused interests, such as with moving objects or parts of objects

Getting upset by slight changes in a routine

Being more or less sensitive than other people to sensory input, such as light, noise, clothing, or temperature

People with ASD may also experience sleep problems and irritability. Although people with ASD experience many challenges, they may also have many strengths including:

Being able to learn things in detail and remember information for long periods of time

Being strong visual and auditory learners

Excelling in math, science, music, or art

One can’t help but notice that we can check several of these points off for Thorn. Not all, certainly, but I’m sure you can call to mind some of your own examples of him exhibiting many of these behaviors repeatedly.

Where Does Ophelia Fit In?

Thorn has always treated his relationship with Ophelia in a very business-like manner, almost like a negotiation, which makes sense within the context of an arranged marriage. At the novel’s start, Thorn wishes to make amends, but Ophelia makes it very clear that she will not forgive him for his lies and neglect. His response to her is rather clinical.

“We simply can’t allow ourselves to be enemies,” cut in Thorn. “You’re making my life difficult with your resentment; it’s imperative that we become reconciled. […] Meet me at the Treasury, insult me, slap me, smash a plate over my head if you feel like it, and then let’s never speak of it again. Name your day. This Thursday would suit me.” [65]

I suppose this is a rather annoying response, especially if one is really just looking for a simple and genuine apology. But if we read Thorn as having ASD, then this feels a little different. He’s simplifying a conflict that he maybe doesn’t quite understand; he’s been given a different perspective on his actions and it’s perhaps beyond his capability to comprehend. To compensate, he turns this into a matter of business, which is something he can understand quite well, even going so far as to try and pencil Ophelia into his calendar. But he’s woefully unaware of the frustrating effect his language and tone have on her. Of course, what’s key here is what he isn’t saying: that she’s making his life difficult because he loves her; he wants to be on good terms, but doesn’t know how to fix this. Note that he again suggests violence as a means to deal with her emotion.

When they do meet up, Thorn says, 

“I have many enemies. I no longer want to count you among them, so tell me what I must do. That is why you came here, isn’t it? You have a deal to offer me, I’m listening to you.” [152]

He’s desperate. It’s also worth noting that he’s fairly vulnerable in this chapter; he exhibits jealousy and some hurt—Ophelia missed their original appointment because she was with Archibald and forgot about him. 

Modest as always, Ophelia asks only for a job, money to pay Fox, her new assistant, and to see the real outdoors again. She lastly requests that he always be honest with her, especially in matters that directly concern her. In exchange, she will teach him how to Read objects after the ceremony of the Gift and he will teach her how to use the claws that he’ll pass to her. She also reiterates, for good measure, that this will be their only conjugal duty. He grants the first three readily enough, but the fourth one trips him up. He does agree to it, but it’s obvious that it will cost him in more ways than one.

While I imagine that he’s receptive on some level to sexual intimacy with Ophelia, I think he’s more afraid of intimacy in general. Sharing things and being honest with a partner means opening oneself up to vulnerability, to weakness. The undertaking he’s set for himself—a mission he’s already devoted 15 years of his life to—doesn’t allow for that kind of intimacy; rather, it requires utmost resiliency, secrecy, and focus. Furthermore, if he were to be seen forming loving attachments (with Berenilde, Ophelia, or anyone else), then that could be turned against him over the course of fulfilling his risky endeavor. It’s that very fear, in fact, which has made him exclude his aunt (and attempt to exclude Ophelia) entirely from his investigation. His pursuit of a noble title and legitimacy is a front, an easy excuse he thought up to satisfy Berenilde’s and the court’s curiosity about why he suddenly wanted to get married and Read Farouk’s Book.

Like Thorn, it scares Ophelia to feel herself falling in love. Perhaps the womanly pride she carries with her makes it difficult for her to open up. After all, love and marriage were never apparently high on her list of things to accomplish either. Ophelia and Thorn are separately dealing with the same conundrum, which is that to love means to fear, and that’s messy. It could get in the way of a life that is humble (Ophelia) and a life that is ambitious (Thorn). Simply put, neither one had accounted for even the possibility of love in their marriage.

Perhaps because Ophelia is a Reader, I think that deep down she likes the enigma and challenge that is Thorn. Yes, he’s frustrating, but she never truly loses interest in him. Indeed, if anything, she becomes increasingly intrigued and is entirely won over when she at last learns all about what he’s doing. Ophelia is very likely the first person to make Thorn both confront and attempt to correct his inadequacy in areas of intimacy. As I touched on in my previous analysis, Ophelia calling Thorn out on his behavior and habits is surely a novelty for him.

“I believe neither in luck nor in destiny,” he declared. “I trust only the science of probabilities. I have studied mathematical statistics, combinatorial analysis, mass function, and random variables, and they have never held any surprises for me. You don’t seem fully to grasp the destabilizing effect that someone like you can have on someone like me.” [377]

Ohhhhkay. 

It turns out, she’s a bit of an enigma and definitely a challenge to him in kind. This is Thorn’s way of trying to tell Ophelia that he loves her. 

Thorn and Ophelia seek control and wield it differently. Thorn can be arrogant and overconfident with it, and he wants to be its sole retainer. Ophelia also wants to retain it but as it pertains to her decisions for herself, and she rebels against it when she feels like that’s being taken away from her. It’s important to them that they are in control of their own actions and destinies. But what neither one of them understands is that those we end up loving is often (or maybe always) outside of our control. Love has no explanation, and doesn’t require one. You can’t predict it. You can’t dictate it. You can’t calculate it or quantify it.

Ophelia seriously turns Thorn’s life, and everything he thought he could predict or control about it, upside down. Initially unwittingly, then actively, she encourages him to develop.

ASD Made Sexy

As inelegant as he is, Thorn does have his own way of being shocking:

“You wanted me to be honest with you. You will thus learn that you are not just a pair of hands for me. And I don’t give a damn whether people find me suspect, as long as I am not so in your eyes. You will return this to me when I have kept all my promises,” he grumbled, holding his watch out to Ophelia without noticing her stunned expression. “And if you still doubt me in the future, just read it.” [156].

You guys, this is kind of romantic, right? He’s so direct and it really flusters Ophelia, who is steadfastly resisting the decidedly non-business-like turn their relationship has taken. Skip to novel’s end, however, and she has totally changed her tune about Thorn. Right before they believe they will be parted forever, Thorn finally gives a straightforward confirmation of his feelings.

“Don’t go falling down any more stairs, avoid sharp objects, and above all, above all, keep away from disreputable people, alright? […] Oh, and by the way, I love you.” [486]

Swoon. 

The fact of the matter is this: despite his unconventional looks and mannerisms, Thorn hits a certain level of sexy. Which begs the question: Can ASD be sexy? Sure, one could say that his sex appeal comes naturally with his role as the male lead, which is directly connected to his chemistry with the female lead. But I think there’s actually an important distinction to be made; it’s not whether ASD itself is sexy, it’s whether a character with ASD is sexy and I think that’s important because you don’t want ASD to be treated as a gimmick in fiction. It matters how that kind of character is presented. 

Thorn’s ASD traits make him eccentric at best and a “freak” at worst, by Ophelia’s own description. Some of Thorn’s less offensive eccentricities are portrayed in an endearing light: his brusqueness with silly persons (i.e. Archibald, Baron Melchior) and their silly behavior; wearing his heavy uniform in a tropical illusion when there’s no evident dress policy for officials; preoccupied with tending to the order of his office over the tending of his wounds; launching a dangerous existential investigation all because of an illegal and unjust disruption in odds and probabilities, an utter crime in Thorn’s eyes.

But it’s also important to look at how other characters view him. Those at the Pole may look down on him, but there is no doubt that he commands a considerable level of their respect. He’s at the center of Citaceleste’s political and economical arenas, and has some judicial power as well. In short, he’s the one that everyone seemingly runs to in a crisis. Ophelia begrudgingly admires his self-control, coolness under pressure, and appreciates that he is not corrupt, like the other officials and aristocrats. Naturally, Berenilde regards him the highest. She, more than any other, gives us a glimpse of the true Thorn, putting forward the image of a protector, provider, and all-around genius.

So, the answer is yes. Thorn is sexy.

Ophelia and Asexuality

OK, I realize I’m going off on a tangent here, but since asexuality is a common reading of Ophelia that I see in reviews, I wanted to address that as well. 

There are many instances of Ophelia fulfilling, for lack of a better way to put it, the butterfly trope:

Perhaps it was due to the nervousness Thorn brought out in her, or the lace veil obscuring her vision, or the scarf coiled around her foot, or her pathological clumsiness, but the fact is, Ophelia tripped on the final step of the stairs. [28]

Hearing Thorn reawakened such nervousness in Ophelia that she seriously considered hanging up on him. [63]

She did, however, have to admit that Berenilde had got it right: it was indeed out of cowardice, more even than anger, that she’d spent recent weeks avoiding him. [100]

Somewhat embarrassed, Ophelia wondered whether he felt as nervous in her company as she felt in his. [160]

Ophelia felt her blood throbbing against her eardrums, but couldn’t have said whether it was due to sudden relief or, on the contrary, heightened tension. [323]

Ophelia gets butterflies whenever her love interest is near. It’s important to note that she’s not afraid for her safety when she’s with him, although there is one incident, where she thinks he’s going to strike her, which is quickly dispelled by his sincere assurance that he’d never harm her. He gives her butterflies often by doing totally mundane things such as standing in front of her or looking at her, and that bothers her. But why? 

Like Thorn, she’s convinced herself that intimacy and love aren’t for her. Some reviewers have praised Ophelia for being a representation of asexuality and, while I think there’s a strong case for her being somewhere on the asexual spectrum, I stop short at positing that she’s totally uninterested in sex or doesn’t experience sexual attraction. She’s noted, on several occasions, both in Clairdelune and Promise, Archibald’s handsomeness. In this novel, she also notes Fox’s.

With his gold braiding and red mane, he was as dazzling as Thorn was dark. Ophelia sensed herself coloring just looking at him. [165]

So, she does experience sexual attraction and, furthermore, she physically reacts to Fox’s appearance (though never to Archibald’s), which suggests that she’s not wholly disinterested in sex. In Promise, she commented that “no man had ever quickened her pulse” and lamented about whether she’d ever feel that way about someone, and I think this is probably the point at which most readers took away that she might be asexual.

But, like...

Thorn is the only man who produces intense and consistent physical reactions in her.

Also, if you look at the [323] quote above, he did in fact get her pulse up. Just saying.

Rather than label her as purely asexual or even being on the spectrum, we could instead speculate that, as a Reader, she’s experienced to some degree love in all its forms through countless objects and perhaps she can’t help having this reaction to love and intimacy. I’m not trying to be cynical or pessimistic, but love can be treacherous and people are driven to do all kinds of terrible things for it or because of it. As wonderful as love is despite that, it seems likely that Ophelia has simply decided it’s not something she wants to navigate. Or she just hadn’t met someone yet who was worth all that trouble.

I’ll Close With This:

“You’re free,” whispered Ophelia. “Free to go, free to stay. I won’t make you leave one cage for another one, although, as you’ve seen, I really don’t live in great security. I decided your fate without taking time to think, or to speak to you. I was selfish…and I still am. […] I still am because, deep down, I would like you to choose to remain by my side. I know that apologizing can no longer change anything, but anyway: forgive me.” [135]

Ophelia says this to Fox after rescuing him from the dungeons of Clairdelune and taking him on as an assistant. Now, when I read this, I couldn’t help but think that it’s precisely the apology Ophelia wants to hear from Thorn. Yet, here she is, guilty of doing to someone the very thing she holds against him. Isn’t it funny how hypocrisy and love are such good friends? As we know, articulation and eloquence are not Thorn’s strengths and some of Ophelia’s aversion to him is based around her inability to accept this part of him. 

Eventually, Thorn does make, more or less, the same apology.

“I should never have involved you in my affairs. I knew it would be dangerous. I convinced myself that I had the situation under control, and that mistake almost cost you your life. […] There is one thing that I have tried to tell you several times. I’m no good at these formalities, so let’s get on with it and speak no more of it. […] Please forgive me.” [444-45]

Strangely, she barely acknowledges this; she’s too busy having an epiphany.

At that second, she finally knew with absolute certainty where her place was. It wasn’t in the Pole, it wasn’t on Anima. It was precisely where she was now. At Thorn’s side. [445]

Well, perhaps this isn’t so strange since the novel starts off posing the question to this answer.

Deep down, Ophelia wondered where exactly her first home might be. Since she’d arrived at the Pole, she’d already visited Berenilde’s manor, the Clairdelune embassy, and her fiancés Treasury, and she hadn’t felt at home in any of them. [24]

The theme of home and belonging permeates this novel in a more central way than its predecessor. Ophelia is repeatedly confronted by it, but it’s also echoed in Farouk’s obsession with the Reading of his Book and finding out where he comes from and what happened in his past. When her family arrives from Anima, she sees the Pole and Thorn through their eyes. She ends up defending both from their disapproving remarks and in doing so, she realizes that she has ceased thinking of Anima as her home.

Life in the Pole was like that: wherever one went, whatever one did, danger was part of daily life. And yet, Ophelia reflected, she didn’t hate it that much, that life. [280]

Thorn’s apology seals the deal: she understands now that she was mistaken. Home is not a place. People, those who love you and who you love in return, give a home meaning. Belonging, likewise, is only made possible by the people who accept you and give you a place among them. It’s been hard-won, but she’s found both in the Pole, in Thorn and Berenilde. Her lack of a direct response to Thorn’s words suggests that she’s already forgiven him, that it matters less to her that he struggles with communication, that she’s finally accepted him for who he is and, better still, found him lovable despite that.

If we read Thorn as having ASD, then this intense dynamic between them is a positive treatment of mental/social disorders in fiction, which is really the only point I had to make with this entire thing.

Where Does Ophelia End?

I asked this question in my last analysis. Based off of the fact that, when we left her in Promise, she was experiencing some serious discomfort in body and soul directly connected to Thorn, I predicted/semi-already-knew that she would evolve toward him.

At one point, Ophelia loses the ability to pass through mirrors. We understand that it’s because she’s been lying to herself; after all, her great-uncle made it very clear that mirror-traveling is impossible under such a circumstance. It’s ironic because, by her own admission, she’s a “bad actress” [161] and, according to her mother, “was never any good at lying” [157].

She’s just so stubborn, isn’t she? It’s gratifying then to read when Ophelia overcomes it. Thorn makes a public announcement, cancelling his marriage, refusing to Read Farouk’s Book, and handing in his resignation as Treasurer. He does this to protect Ophelia and her family from imminent danger but at risk to his own welfare and position. He’s basically committing suicide, which very nearly turns literal at novel’s end. Ophelia can only think to go to him by the quickest means possible.

She looked straight at her determined face, beyond its scratches and bruises, finally ready to face that truth that she hadn’t wanted to see. It wasn’t Thorn who needed her. It was she who needed Thorn. Ophelia plunged, body and soul, into the mirror. [416]

I don’t think I need to spell that out.

Thorn and His Watch

To go on a little bit of a tangent, I also wanted to touch on the watch.

I believe it was mentioned in Promise that the watch had been a gift from Berenilde, which is so precious. Berenilde is the only true parental figure Thorn has known. She used her status and wealth to protect and care for him, and seems to understand him as only a mother--one with a child the rest of the world refuses to accept--can. I thought her reaction to Thorn’s suicidal announcement was especially devastating.

She had begun to shake so hard that Agatha rushed to take the baby from her arms. Bent double in her chair, as though punched in the stomach, Berenilde looked imploringly at Ophelia. “I beg you. Don’t abandon my boy.” [412]

Keep in mind that Berenilde has outlived her three biological children, none of whom survived past childhood. Thorn is such a lonely figure that it’s easy to forget he comes from somewhere. But Berenilde’s reminder to us is clear: he’s not the child of his Dragon father nor of his Chronicler mother. Thorn is her child, and she’s terrified of losing him like the others.

While there can be no doubt of her sentiment toward Thorn, it’s entirely likely that Berenilde foisted much of her maternal grief, trauma, and longing onto him without his express permission; he never seems to regard her with any particular filial warmth. Then again, he once attacked Archibald in defense of Berenilde’s honor, after he seduced her away from Farouk, and Ophelia later notes that he “suspended an investigation and jumped into an airship” to be near to Berenilde when she went into labor with her daughter [373]. Thorn is clearly defined rather more by his actions than his words. But the point is Berenilde is the one who gave Thorn his sense of belonging, and I just adore that.

Metaphorically speaking, the watch represents Thorn’s heart, which was given to him by his mother figure and which he gives to Ophelia as a token of his love and trustworthiness. Indeed, it’s even called a “mechanical heart” [156]. Ophelia has Read one of Thorn’s possessions before (dice) and was overwhelmed by the fury and breadth of his emotions. If she were to Read his watch, she’d probably die. Every time he digs it out of his pocket to look at it, to hold it, to fiddle with it, he’s engraving some emotional signature or trace onto it. Ophelia ultimately decides not to Read it.

“Before you go, I would like to return this to you. You need it more than me, and, in any case, I won’t read it. I’ve chosen to trust you—you, not your watch.” [285]

Her words have a profound effect on Thorn, rendering him totally speechless and maybe more confused than ever. At any rate, he misreads the situation and catches Ophelia off guard with an awkward kiss. It’s kind of a heartbreaking scene, because Ophelia simply reacts (by slapping him) and is genuinely baffled that he took her words for encouragement. I don’t necessarily take this to be evidence of her asexuality. I don’t discredit it by any means, but it just feels more like she was taken by surprise.

The thing is, for perhaps the first time ever in his life, he actively desired for someone to know his true heart and to trust in his sincerity, which is why he gave the watch to her in the first place. In his defense, this was quite a pretty and irresistible thing for Ophelia to tell him and I don’t think she’s as put off as she wants to be.

With ears burning and glasses crimson, Ophelia stared at the faded letters on the old wooden panel—“STAFF ONLY”—as if Thorn might, at any moment, retrace his steps, take back his kiss, and leave his fob watch with her, as she’d suggested in the first place. [286]

It’s funny. She wants to erase the uncomfortable physical side of the incident, but she also wants to retain his metaphorical heart. I mean, yes, it’s broken because of some careless action on her part and she asked for it back so her great-uncle could try to fix it. But still. It’s hard to ignore the metaphor there as well: if the heart watch has changed from beating to broken and she wants to hold onto the broken heart watch to try to mend it…

Well, good Lord, it’s just so obvious, isn’t it?

End

Well, that’s about it. As I said, I really only had the one main thought and then a bunch of smaller ones. 

I just learned—and am seriously devastated—that The Memory of Babel won’t be released in the U.S. until May 2020. I’m hoping this is a tentative date and that it will be available sooner.

In the meantime, if someone could upload a PDF that I could then spend days plugging in to Google Translate (again), that’d be super greeeeaaaat…

For part III, head here.

#ophethorn #La Passe-Miroir #les disparus de clairdelune #the mirror visitor #the missing of clairdelune #christelle dabos #long book report

[dorloteelasouris]

Challenge A Fanarts Promise - thème III (on Wattpad) https://my.w.tt/vGDbwNDd8Z Dans le cadre du Challenge lancé par La Clique pour patienter jusqu'à la sortie du tome 4 de La Passe Miroir, voici ma participation au 3ème thème : Les personnages changent de sexe. 

Bon je sais, l'idée est bateau et elle a déjà été de nombreuses fois utilisée en films, fictions et fanfictions mais cela me tentait trop de le faire avec les persos de LPM ! 

Les personnages et l'univers sont de la talentueuse Christelle Dabos. Spoils uniquement du tome 1.

#fanfiction #books #wattpad #passe miroir lapassemiroir christelledabos thorn ophelie

[darknessinthecorner]

For a very long time I thought about putting it up or not, as my first post about my hobby, but I still decided, because I have to start somewhere. I did this drawing a long time ago, maybe a month or two months ago, and maybe more. And the idea came to me to draw this strange anti-anatomical guy when I was reading the work "Through Mirrors: Engaged by the Cold" by Kristel Dabo. A lovely young man named Thorne, but extremely stubborn and cold. I've always liked some characters who are a little detached from good heroes. Their development fascinates me the most. And, of course, it's in my repertoire to leave drawings in the process of a line or even a sketch in fear of spoiling them.

[nowgoalbola]

Match Time:7/10/2020 01:30 Friday（GMT+8）

Italian Serie A -- Spal VS Udinese

Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips| Asian Handicap Odds|Line-ups& H2H Stats

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SPAL play host to Udinese on Thursday evening knowing that they need to end their four-match winless streak as soon as possible in order to retain hope of remaining in Serie A.  Meanwhile, Udinese head into the contest at Stadio Paolo Mazza having recorded four points from their last two matches, results which have helped the club move away from the relegation zone.  

Match preview  

With Udinese having gone nine matches without success either side of lockdown, manager Luca Gotti would have been fearing for his job at Stadio Friuli.   However, recording four points from games against Roma and Genoa has earned the Italian some breathing space with regards to his future.  Although conceding two late goals to draw with Genoa would have frustrated Gotti, a share of the spoils contributed to Udinese moving seven points clear of the bottom three.  ‎I Bianconeri face a tougher schedule over the coming weeks with Napoli, Lazio and Juventus being played in quick succession later in the month.  Nevertheless, registering all three points against their hosts on Thursday evening will effectively ensure that Udinese's fate remains in their own hands until after that testing triple-header.  From SPAL's perspective, they have reached a stage where they will have to go for broke in games such as the one this week, aware that the likes of Inter Milan and Roma are still to come in July.  Ideally, Luigi Di Biagio would be looking for his side to focus on improving their efforts in defence after shipping eight goals in their last three matches.  However, with eight points now the gap to Genoa, who also possess a better goal difference, they cannot afford for that deficit to move into double figures with few matches left on their schedule.   The biggest problem has been conceding during the closing 15 minutes, with three points having been dropped through late goals for Cagliari and AC Milan respectively.  

SPAL Serie A form: LWLLDL  

Udinese Serie A form: DDLLWD  

Team News  

Having been used as a substitute last time out, Andrea Petagna could return to the SPAL starting lineup.  However, the home side will be without Thiago Cionek, who begins a ban after picking up his 10th yellow card.  Udinese are also missing a player through suspension after Ken Sema was given his fifth yellow of the campaign at the weekend.  That should lead to Marvin Zeegelaar, also formerly of Watford, being handed a recall at left wing-back.  

SPAL possible starting lineup: Letica; Felipe, Vicari, Bonifazi, Reca; Castro, Valdifiori, Dabo; D'Alessandro, Petagna, Strefezza  

Udinese possible starting lineup: Musso; Maio, Nuytinck, Samir; Larsen, Paul, Jajalo, Fofana, Zeegelaar; Nestorovski, Lasanga

Spal VS Udinese

Prediction:Spal 1-2 Udinese

#italian serie a #spal #udinese #livescore #match prediction #tips #asian handicap odds #line-ups #h2h stats #win #lose #sports #football #soccer

[scottwinters714]

New Post has been published on https://startrek.everythingonlinenow.com/pilgrim-2-11/

Pilgrim 2/11

Pilgrim 2/11

[9:04] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: ** The temporary STAR TREK: PILGRIM theme plays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQzk09j2lZ8 ** [9:04] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: ** The episode opens on a the image of a little rocket ship. As the camera pans out, one can see it is a holographic projection spinning lazily over the empty crib in Zorin Adrian’s nursery. As… [9:05] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: it continues to pull back it moves into the hallway, showing a notably more listless crew than the Pilgrim’s walkways were used to. It continues to pass through walls, showing Koros berating his… [9:05] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: kitchen staff for letting their non-replicated fruit spoil, then Brak with a dabo wheel and a handful of holodeck time rations while Ensign Darling pleaded with him, then a passed-out Argyros… [9:06] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: crammed inside of a locker in the Delta barracks with male humanoid genitalia drawn on his forehead with marker. Finally, it settles on Valkriss in the command chair on the bridge as her log… [9:06] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: begins… ** [9:08] [DOIC] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Captain’s Log, Stardate 96971.94. First Officer recording. It has been six long weeks since the Pilgrim was launched deep to the far edge of the Large Magellanic Cloud. With the captain falling [9:09] [DOIC] Valkriss@Isis.: ill the initially strong moral is beginning to slip as spirits have been oon the decline has the news and feeling of just how long this crew will be away from their friends and families as well as the [9:10] [DOIC] Valkriss@Isis.: the fact of how deply we may have been left in the space held by races of the Dark’s followers…her Apostate Fleet…coontrolled space. For days now the Pilgrim has been taking a longer route back [9:11] [DOIC] Valkriss@Isis.: home to avoid the Tanasan region of space and their fleet patrols in an effort to protect Doctor Erwelle Bessley and his daughter Aija…the pair this crew risked uch to resue from exile on a deserted [9:12] [DOIC] Valkriss@Isis.: and forgotten world…Doctor Bessley who has been most accomodating about this region of space has indicated a system up ahead is under the control of a faction of resistence , a revloutionary group [9:13] [DOIC] Valkriss@Isis.: where he and his daughter may be safely dropped off…as of yet we have encoutnered no difficulties..Valkriss out. [9:14] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -rubs the bridge of her nose as she hands of the log PADD to the Yeoman waiting for it- [9:14] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: *Li is at the main engineering console.* [9:14] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Helm ETA to destination? [9:14] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Travers] “Thank you, ma’am. Should I deliver that cupcake to Captain T’Pang now?” [9:14] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he marks a few things on a chart* [9:14] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Yes…but if she is sleeping let her rest [9:14] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Travers] “Yes, ma’am.” *he hurried off the bridge.* [9:15] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vera? [9:15] [DOIC1] [email protected]: One hour and thirty minuets Mam [9:15] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods to Eldax- Good..steady as she goes then Mister Eldax [9:15] [DOIC5] Istrin@the5of435: *Istrin yawned, rubbing off the number 2 and replacing it with 3 for day 43 on the accident board* [9:15] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Gayle] “Ma’am?” [9:16] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *All the engineering goons were there, save for an absent Zohle.* [9:16] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Huh… the deflector is reading increased particle bombardment… let me look into that.” [9:16] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -to Vera- Have the computer post in the mess a sign up list for Movie suggestions…we are going to begin a weekly movie night every tuesday after watch [9:16] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *rolls his shoulder* [9:16] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *T’Ghor, apart from his usual scanny scans, goes to try and figure out what particles are hitting them, and a possible source.* [9:16] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods to T’Ghor- rate and particle typ? [9:17] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: type* [9:17] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: *Li frowns, looking down at his console.* [9:17] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Figuring out as we speak.” [9:17] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Gayle] “…Are you sure that would be wise to open it to the general public?” *She eyed Jagoda.* [9:17] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Jagoda] “Why are you looking at ME!” [9:17] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: I suggest we start with the oddyssey. Though perhaps that might stand to topical. [9:17] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -smirks- Yes…-chuckles a little- We will have final approval [9:17] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Add it to the list then Marcus [9:18] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Do i have to keep it steady how about some rolls or fishtails oh oh i know a tri axsis spin? [9:18] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he checked the long range tactical scans* [9:18] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: *Impassively redoes her ponytail as a strain of hair escaped, tightly manahandeling her hair to the efficient style it usually it beofre placing her hand on her console and emptily stares ahead.* [9:18] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Steady as she goes is fairly clear enough Eldax -chckles- [9:18] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: *Li furrows his brow.* [9:18] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Marcus stand by on shelds to off set the impacting particles if the rate gets too high [9:19] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *rolls his eyes * [9:19] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Unable to currently determine the origin and makeup, Commander, but it’s getting heavier the closer we get to our destination.” [9:19] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Very well..Marcus raise shields [9:19] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Could be some form of masking system. [9:19] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Very possible..shields please [9:19] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Raising shields. [9:20] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods to him- [9:20] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he pushes the button* [9:20] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: Mister Sulok? [9:20] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: T’ghor we showing any diliterious effects from these particles of yours? [9:20] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Sulok] “Sir?” [9:20] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “No real effects visible at the moment, will monitor.” [9:21] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nds- Yes please do so…do we have a source located yet? [9:21] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: Run a diagnostic on our deflector sensors. [9:21] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *looks at his readings from the helm controll [9:21] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Captain [9:21] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “No… but it is safe to assume it’s from within our destination.” [9:21] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Yes Helm? [9:21] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Sulok] “Yes, Lieutenant.” *He headed to deflector control.* [9:21] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *looks back* Were slowing.,, [9:22] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Interesting. [9:22] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vera contact Doctor Bessley and inquire if this is to be expected [9:22] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Gayle] “Yes ma’am.” *She tapped on her console.* [9:22] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Helm attempt to evasion on the particle wave front… [9:23] [DOIC1] [email protected]: We were running at warp six point five now were down to Six point three. [9:23] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Marcus increase shield modulation power [9:23] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Aye. [9:23] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he sets the shields to modulate and a higher frequency.* [9:23] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: If this is the rebels he may need to contact them [9:23] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Getting a whole lot thicker…” [9:23] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Inquiery, why were we cruising above warpfactor six?” [9:24] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Commander i suggest we full stop until the source of this can be determined. [9:25] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: And if the affects are compounding. [9:25] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “For now, it is still not a danger, and less distance would help the scanners.” [9:25] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Gayle] “It’s only .2 warp factors… little early to freak out.” [9:25] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Noted Mister Aquila [9:25] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *nods* [9:25] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Lets give Eldax a chance to ‘surf the wave’ [9:26] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *Starts to plot to Surf the partical wave as Ordered * [9:27] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *Quietly keeps up with his scanny scans.* [9:27] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *The ship rocked gently as it pushed its way through the denser part of space.* [9:27] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Has engineering reported any drop in engine output or is relative thrust simply reduced at the same reaction level? [9:27] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -thinks- Well did you hear them call the bridge Mister? [9:28] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “There is increased activity on engineering consoles.” [9:28] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -snarls softly- =^= Bridge to engineering [9:29] [DOIC1] [email protected]: We droped to six point two Captain.. [9:29] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *The warp core made some spooky noises, causing Kol and Brandt to look up anxiously.* [9:29] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Understood…keep surfing helm for now [9:29] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *checked the shield modulation* [9:29] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Valkriss to Li [9:29] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: =^= Engineering here. [9:30] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Glances at the warp feild stability readings,, [9:30] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= There we go..report..whqt is going on down there? We are showing warp resistance [9:31] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: =^= Stress levels on the warp core have escalated, ma’am. [9:31] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *says nothing* [9:31] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Stress levels escalating..i see…to what level? and are we in danger Li? [9:32] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *the ships shakes a bit as he trys to conpenstate * Thius dosent fel like a Wave,,, It feels like were trying to plaow though a mud feild, ,, we jsut droped to warp six [9:33] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Li? [9:33] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: =^= We are not currently in danger, but were it to escalate further we would be. [9:33] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Mud field…” *Reconfigures his scanners a bit and starts scanning again.* [9:33] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Very well Mister..try and compensate..and /alert/ me the moment we reach near such a level [9:34] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Lieutenant T’Ghor, Is this effect coherent with what USS Pilgrim encoutnered in LMC 2018?” [9:34] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Stay on course Helm..Vera any response from the good doctor?? [9:34] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Val ,, I dont like how shes feeling,,, [9:34] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Gayle] “Doctor Bessley told me to reassert that he doesn’t know if the rebels are even there, it was based upon his calculations and data… and that’s pure memory at this point since his files… [9:34] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: are gone.” [9:34] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -instantly – Helm all stop [9:34] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *;;;;;hits the breaks * [9:34] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: =^= Aye aye. [9:35] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *glances at the scopes agian* [9:35] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Valkriss to Doctor Bessley [9:35] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: Kol, let’s try to get us back to normal. [9:35] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *The Pilgrim shuddered lightly, but not enough to throw anyone off their feet as they were brought to a halt.* [9:35] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: T’ghor get with your labs to get a sample of the particles and commence a full analysis on the particles [9:36] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *watches for spacial drift after comming to a stop, [9:36] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Similar, Commander Vaylith, but not powerful to that extent, it seems, that took effect a lot faster.” [9:36] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vay…elaborate on the corealtion to the effect at 2018? [9:37] [DOIC5] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Bessley] =/= “Commander?” [9:37] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: =^= “T’Ghor to science lab 1… I am going to capture a sample of the particles we are being bombarded with through the deflector, pelase stand by to help me with studying them.” [9:37] [DOIC4] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Otsuka] =/= “Sure thing, Lieutenant.” [9:37] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Effects we failed to propperly identify, Summary effect, Traveling at warp 4.6 draiend hte core as if traveling at warp 9.98, Ma’am.” [9:38] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Doctor…we have encoutnered a particle effect that is like flying through mud as it has been related to me..is such a particle field something that is within your peoples tech capabilities to [9:38] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: generate [9:38] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods to Vay- Thank You commander [9:38] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *Starts the proccess of taking the particles in through the deflector, and sending them down to the labs.* [9:39] [DOIC5] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Bessley] =/= “In very small fields… nothing large enough to envelop a starship of your size.” [9:39] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *scans for any signs fo azreyane presence* [9:39] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Marcus keep on eye ont he particle count..compensate as best you can with the shields [9:39] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Aye. [9:40] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= I see..thank you doctor….if this system does hold the rebels….do you have a wy of conacting them? Or any known procedure to not draw attention to ourselves uncessarily? [9:40] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Kol] “I have a bad feeling about this,” *he said, eyeing the core.* [9:40] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: T’Ghor are we still in the field effects even out of warp? [9:41] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: Are we escalating? [9:41] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *Checks that while going through the initial learnings from the captured particles.* [9:41] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Kol] “The core’s about the same now that we’ve stopped.” [9:42] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: What’s the feeling? [9:42] [DOIC5] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Bessley] =/= “I have literally no affiliation with them, Commander. I’ve only heard of them.” [9:42] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Understood one more thing ..this may sound an odd question..but are their any rumors or legends about this area of space knwn to your people? [9:42] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Attempting to compensate for rising levels of saturation. Which seems to be equally rising around the ship. [9:42] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Still being bombarded, Commander, but no further effects since we are out of warp.” [9:43] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Helm plot us a course back to where T’ghor first discovered we were hit by the particales [9:43] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Kol] “I believe humans would refer to it as the ‘heebie jeebies.'” [9:43] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods- Thank you T’Ghor [9:43] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: *Li scratches his head.* [9:43] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Its like were being snared in a net? [9:43] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Yet only if we press to the area around the system [9:43] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Perhaps its simply a reaction to our displacement. [9:43] [DOIC1] [email protected]: understood, [9:44] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Possible natural [9:44] [DOIC1] [email protected]: lays in a course, “speed Captain? “ [9:44] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: I suggest we move slowly. The faster you move in quicksand the sooner you sink. [9:44] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: or perhaps not…if the rebels are out there..their mmay be a path through it..like riding the rpids [9:44] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Kol] “…General unease, LT.” [9:44] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Hold for now Helm and stand by [9:44] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Lets first find out what we are facing [9:44] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *nods* [9:44] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Oooh… that does make sense, COmmander… I’ll check for that.” [9:44] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: Right. [9:45] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Launch a probe if need be Mister T’Ghor [9:45] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vera take us to yellow alert [9:45] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Gayle] =/= “All hands, yellow alert.” [9:45] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: Well, you may be correct. [9:45] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Marcus deploy security teams and increase coverag to all high security aras of the ship [9:46] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Rebels or not…if this isnt natural this might be someone new [9:46] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Sulok] *He popped his head down from the jefferies tube.* “Sir, the deflector is having increased difficulty keeping up with the density of this particle field, even with the shield.” [9:46] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vera give me all hands please [9:46] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Gayle] “You’re on.” [9:47] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: Divert auxiliary power. [9:47] [DOIC6] Aquila@Captain_Riens: [CTAC]>[ACSEC] Deploy teams to all high secruity areas full tac deployment and loadout, prep for potential CQB. [9:47] [DOIC] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= All hands this is Valkriss, we have encoutneered an unsual particle phenomen that has effected our warp capability as we draw closer to the system. We ar ein no critical danger and we stopped long [9:47] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Commander… before you start… this thing is gettign even thicker now. Like a slow mudslide.” [9:48] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *While he studies the initial readings from the captured particles, he starts making a scan for a “Hole” in the wall.* [9:48] [DOIC] Valkriss@Isis.: before such could occur…the effect is currretly under investigation, yelllow alert is rotuine give the ara of space we are in. Standy by for further updates..Valkriss out [9:49] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: All right..the hell with this…Eldax..takes us back around…lock in tha tcourse and set speed at warp 5 [9:49] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Sulok] “Yes, Lieutenant.” [9:49] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Perhaps there is a speed limit [9:49] [DOIC5] Aquila@Captain_Riens: [CTAC]>[CSCI} Lieutenant T’ghor speculation of effect of gravity well on particle density? [9:49] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “That’d be one way to deal with joyriders…” [9:49] [DOIC6] Aquila@Captain_Riens: [CTAC]>[CSCI} Lieutenant T’ghor speculation of effect of gravity well on particle density? [9:50] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Indeed…however we stil need to loate the source and just what these little buggers are [9:50] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he checks shield saturation level* [9:51] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Engage when ready Mister Eldax [9:51] [DOIC6] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: Csci>CTac: Too many variables for it to be a viable idea. [9:52] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Umm to be clear since I allready turned us but dint go to warp last time you want me going back or forward? [9:52] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Take us back to the point we first encoutnered the partiles..get us free of th emudslide [9:52] [DOIC5] Istrin@the5of435: *Istrin hummed to himself, making way around the block to his assigned area* [9:52] [DOIC1] [email protected]: ok ,, then here we go [9:52] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Warp 5 [9:52] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Shields becoming increasingly more saturated growing saturated. [9:53] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: ((fail strike growing saturated)) [9:53] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *course set bring us to warp * [9:53] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Compensate as best you can Marcus [9:53] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “I am looking for that hole you were mentioning, Commander… if not, once we pull back, I’ll get a probe outfitted for exploration and science and send it out.” [9:53] [DOIC5] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *Istrin was assigned to… engineering!” [9:53] [DOIC5] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: * [9:53] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: I will continue to endeavor to perform the task. [9:53] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods- Vry good T’Ghor [9:54] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Commander. [9:55] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Shields are struggling to maintain. [9:55] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: At this rate we will have to shut them down in 10 minutes, [9:55] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *The Pilgrim attempted to go to warp… but moved at an absolute snail’s crawl instead.* [9:55] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -smirks- Increas epower to shields [9:55] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: That’s do to power draw if i increase it we will lose them quicker. [9:55] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *The warp core began to rumble louder now as they attempted to go to warp.* [9:56] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: *Li checks the levels.* [9:56] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Keep pushing her Eldax…even if we ar ejust spinning our wheels [9:56] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Val [9:56] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: I know… [9:56] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: We might catch street [9:56] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Stop, Imediately.” [9:56] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Helm stop [9:56] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “I think I’m gonna get that probe out… try and see if I can’t infuse the shields with some other particles meanwhile.” [9:56] [DOIC1] [email protected]: SHUTS down [9:56] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vay report [9:57] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -look to her- [9:57] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: =^= “Engineering, get me a probe outfitted for exploration, science scanners.” [9:57] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: =^= Bridge…we’re at our limit, ma’am! [9:57] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Marcus divert excess war power to shields [9:57] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Weve shut down Li’ [9:57] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: *Nods to Valk once engineering reports.* [9:57] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *The Pilgrim came to a halt once more.* [9:57] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he diverts whatever power they have to shields as commanded* [9:58] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods- All right people..we’re stuck good…lets work the problem while marcus keeps the umbrella over our heads [9:58] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Let em see how she reacts to thusters ? [9:58] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *Brings up the wall of info on the particles the other science nerds have gotten up so far, to see if he cannot boost shields with an infusion of other particles and buy time.* [9:58] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -npds- do so helm….try impluse first [9:58] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: Brandt! Get me a science probe ready to launch. [9:58] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: See if we can move at sublight at least [9:59] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “If it share similarities with LMC 2018, the higher speed atempted the more severe the effect.” [9:59] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Brandt] “You ever notice this crew goes through probes like Kol goes through boyfriends?” [9:59] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *set to one quarter impluse * [9:59] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he maintains the umbrella.* [9:59] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Kol] “Shut up, Brandt.” *he worked on his console.* [9:59] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods to Vay- What were the countermeasures at 2018? [10:00] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: We moved slowly. [10:00] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *The Pilgrim went to impulse. It may as well have been staying in the same location.* [10:00] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Helm? [10:01] [DOIC1] [email protected]: nope nothing were not moving [10:01] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “It was artificially created, we were unable to counter it, Ma’am.” [10:01] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Try thrusters [10:01] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *shuts down inpulse an d tries thrusters [10:01] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Thank You Vay….starting to see a pattern here [10:02] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Commander. [10:02] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Why do i have flash back of Tholian web simulations at the academy [10:02] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Marcus? [10:02] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *The Pilgrim was unmoving… until suddenly a shockwave came over the ship, knocking them around. Agility rolls please. * [10:02] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -makes a face rememebring those with him- [10:04] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *loses his footing and attempts to use the recently repaired shoulder to arest his fallinto the side of the console his chest hits and he exhales.* [10:04] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he pulls himself back up* [10:04] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Uusally the gods ask you to present ass before ramming it. [10:05] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he sighs* [10:05] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -is launched forward to fly across the deck to slam her head into the stairs between the command center and helm= [10:05] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he checks his ribcage for signs of breakage* [10:06] [DOIC3] Istrin@the5of435: *Istrin stumbled down to a knee, holding onto the bulkhead just before he looked around for any other injuries* [10:06] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: *Li rolls with, grabbing his console for dear life.* What’s going on?! [10:06] [DOIC1] [email protected]: ** is bounced off the helm as he falls into the chair Dizzy and bleeding from a gash below his eye, [10:06] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *Sulok, Brandt, Kol and the extras held on to their consoles.* [10:07] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *Gets launched over his console onto the floor, his shoulder painfully digging onto it.* “Fuck!” [10:07] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *Holds onto his shoulder as he gets up, seeing the mess Valkriss is in.* “Valkriss. Sound off.” [10:07] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -rises to her knees, bleeding profusely from a gash on her forehead- ..report =growls darkly- [10:08] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Jagoda] *He stayed perfectly put in his chair, watching T’Ghor soar.* [10:08] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he checks for signs of a weapon* [10:08] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: …still in the fight T’Ghor…damage report…casualties? [10:08] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “I’m alright… shoulder is killing me, but when is it not.” *He sat down and went to trying to figure out what the shockwave was.* [10:08] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Checking for signs of hostile action. [10:08] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -wipes away the blood from her eyes as she rises slowly- [10:08] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: *Thrown forward Vay ends up with an rather elegant one hand stand on her console, agility that drones should not have. dispassionately landing on the other side and looking down at Valkriss as the > [10:08] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: > klingon raises.* “Commander?” [10:08] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he coughed a little.* [10:08] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Nothing overt. [10:09] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: someone -spits out some blood- get me damage report and tell me just what th ehell hit us [10:09] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -staggers back to her chair- [10:09] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Working on it. *he checks the damage readout* [10:09] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: *Atempts to somewhat assist Valkriss back and in to the chair.* [10:10] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -accepts her asssitance as she keeps her balance- [10:10] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Shields are down. [10:10] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Bridge…engineer room..damage report [10:10] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “The density increased exponentially for a moment, passed over us, and continued downrange…” [10:10] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *activates the restraighnts on hsi chair * [10:10] [DOIC3] Istrin@the5of435: Oh dear..*istrin stood back up,doing his best to avoid being in the way of the engineers rushing around now* [10:10] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Particale wave? [10:11] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Sulok] “I’m detecting increased stress on the deflector, sir. And our shields have fallen.” [10:11] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Perhaps… I am trying to see if I cannot trace the wave back.” [10:11] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -wipes away some more blood from her wound- [10:11] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he attempts to reraise shields* No other radiation sensors. Shields are not responding to recycle. [10:11] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Marcus get those shields back up [10:11] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *T’Ghor tries to see if the wave was launched from the center of something.* [10:11] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: *Disinterested returns to her console, placing her hand on it once more and looks forward.* [10:11] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he pushes the button harder* Perhaps console is damaged. Vaylith please attempt. [10:12] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Helms showing no responce even to thrusters, i cant turn us into a wave if we detect another one, , [10:12] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -looks back t Vay and nods a gratful nod to her- [10:12] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “I will comply.” [10:12] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: A beached ship in the surf.. [10:12] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: damn it…we are sitting ducks [10:12] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Perhaps I should not have meantioned Odyseus. [10:12] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: *Tries to raise the shield.* [10:12] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -smirks- Noted Marcus..noted [10:13] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: =^= Minor hull damage…but there’s something up with the warp nacelles [10:13] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Li report…i need a damage report [10:13] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: [ignore] [10:13] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: ] [10:13] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Somehing is a bit vague Li [10:13] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Shall i prepare sacrifice for Neptune. If only we had a horse… [10:13] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: … [10:13] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: =^= Those particles I think…they’re…clogging them. [10:14] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= any chance of flushing out our bussard collectors? [10:14] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he coughs* [10:14] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: =^= Aye aye. [10:14] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -frowns at a thought- [10:14] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: T’Ghor? [10:14] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: *Li tries to flush out the particles.* [10:14] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *Upon hearing Li, he starts messing with the sensor settings, as if he would scan a solid object, not a small particle.* “Commander?” [10:15] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *He starts his scanny scans* [10:15] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Our shields are damaged, Ma’am.” [10:15] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Clarification, The deflector generators for the shield are damaged, Overloaded by the particle wave.” [10:15] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Thus far..the particle ar reactionary yes…stands to reason the wave may have ben locally generatd in response to our escape attempt? [10:16] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Perhaps it also has to do with our size. [10:16] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vay get a DCT on the shields ..top prioroty [10:16] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: It may very well be just that Marcus [10:16] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Understood.” [10:16] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: T’Ghor….scan the particles as a whole…for life signs or a bio-signature [10:16] [DOIC4] [email protected]: Mreshi, Maggie, you both alright?? *Dr Delancey says coming out of the lab into medical* [10:16] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Perhaps we should still launch a probe then if only to see the affects on the particals on its movement. [10:17] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: No..no probe yet [10:17] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Yes, Commander… I cannot even classify them so far.” [10:17] [DOIC6] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: >Eng> “DCT To deflector, Restore shield prioritized by XO.” [10:17] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Understood. [10:17] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Did you scan them for life signs or bio-signatures? [10:18] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “…Commander, how’d you… whatever. They are small, incredibly so, cosmozoans…” [10:18] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: We are in their bloodstream [10:18] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *Just as T’Ghor said this, Li was able to get the warp nacelles to start burning off the ‘particles.’* [10:18] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -smirks- Something DAli once said..it sounded similar [10:18] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: I seem to remember reading about a similiar encounter of the Enterprise D. [10:19] [DOIC1] [email protected]: just our luck we flew into one of thoes giant space amoeba. [10:19] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: We forced outselves right nto their systems [10:19] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Valkris to lI…hold on the bussard flush [10:19] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: If this is a blood stream the pulse a heart beat? [10:20] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: The pusle were the white blood cells [10:20] [DOIC4] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Mreshi] “No, doctor, we’re fine.” [10:20] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Pulse [10:20] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Trying to purge the infection.” [10:20] [DOIC4] [email protected]: *Dali confirms no major injuries, then turns on the bridge monitor.* [10:20] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Seems liek this is now a medical issue/ [10:20] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Yes….we keep at this the way we are going..they are gonna cure us [10:20] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Bridge to CMO [10:20] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: *Li frowns and shuts it down.* [10:20] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: =^= It was working perfectly ma’am…shutting it down. [10:21] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Li..these particles are tiny cosmozoans..life forms [10:21] [DOIC4] [email protected]: =/= CMO Responding, I just joined the channel, what is going on? [10:21] [DOIC3] Istrin@the5of435: *Istrin looked around engineering for someone holding onto a booboo* Is anyone in pain? [10:21] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “We could all cough into a bag and throw it out there…” [10:22] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Kol] “I don’t think so… but I can definitely sense it, too.” [10:22] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Looks like we just flew right into trillions of tiny cosmozoans doctor…and any attempt at our retreat is seen as an infection and they respond quite violently [10:22] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Like a bullet loged in a body [10:22] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -wipes away some more blood froom her wound- [10:22] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Exactly Eldax [10:22] [DOIC4] [email protected]: =^= Any injuries among the crew? [10:23] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Yes we have several on the bridge…m sure there are those all over the ship as well [10:23] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Witch means thier in pain [10:23] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods- given their reaction i would guess so [10:23] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: I’m fine. [10:23] [DOIC3] Istrin@the5of435: *he frowned, taking a deep breath* ok then.. then where’s it coming from? [10:23] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: we need to stay dormant for now…til we find a way out of them [10:24] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: *Li furrows his brow.* [10:24] [DOIC4] [email protected]: =^= I’m calling Vant in to cover medical, I’ll come to the bridge to see to wounded.. I’ll look at what you have when I get up there and maybe I can offer an insight.” [10:24] [DOIC4] [email protected]: =^= Delancey To Dr Vant. [10:24] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Thank You doctor..im going ot need you to work wth Mister T’Gor and engineering to find us a easier path out of here [10:25] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Very good doctor..we wil see you then… [10:25] [DOIC6] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Vant] =/= “Uhg, I can already anticipate what you’re going to say, just go and I’ll be up there.” [10:25] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: We may also need to consider cutting our own way out as a backup plan. [10:25] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Do we mave much in the way of Records, on thier things or any other like it , [10:25] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “I was already thinking of that, Aquila, but I’d prefer not to kill the creature if possible.” [10:25] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: T’Ghor…get with Doctor Bessley see if his people have encoutnered these beings before [10:26] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: =^= “T’Ghor to Dr. Bessley?” [10:26] [DOIC4] [email protected]: =^= Thank you Dr Vant, but i was going to ask if you were injured before asking you to report. [10:26] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: I dont think burning our way out is going to work [10:26] [DOIC4] [email protected]: *Gathering med kits* “Maggie, get some medkits ready in case you need to go to injured, otherwise, prepare for minor injuries. [10:26] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Oh really cool I ddnt read those [10:26] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *After a short deliberation, he shook his head at Valkriss.* “The doctor said they had not.” [10:26] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *coughs* [10:27] [DOIC4] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Rigby] “Okay.” [10:27] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods- Understood…call up the data on the cosmozoans encoutnered by both starships Enterprise and have it ready for review by the doctor s well [10:27] [DOIC4] [email protected]: *in turbolift* “Bridge” [10:27] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vay? [10:27] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Will do.” *He goes to fish out the data.* [10:27] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Ma’am.” [10:28] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *Stepping out onto the bridge, she does a quick scan to see if everyone is conscious and if anyone is visibly bleeding.* [10:28] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: See if you can find a way to match the energy signautr eof our little friends out there ..work with Marcus and see if we can attune our shield harmonics to them [10:28] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -bleeding profusely from a gash on her forehead- [10:29] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Maybe we can appear as one of them [10:29] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *coming around to the first officer, she steps carefully to avoid getting in the way.* [10:29] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *elda has a gash under one eye but its stoped bleading by now [10:29] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *The ship began to rock again.* [10:29] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Noted. Tying engineering and science together.” [10:29] [DOIC1] [email protected]: “Please sit Valkriss, this will go faster that way.” [10:29] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Mister eldax is leeding from a fac ewound…tghor hurt his shoulder and Marcus is coughing doctor [10:29] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Al hands brace [10:29] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -says this as she sits for the doctor- [10:30] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Venus’s tit *he braced* [10:30] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: *Li grabs his console.* Hold onto something! [10:30] [DOIC3] Istrin@the5of435: Oh I hope whatever it is doesn’t get too angry wi–*he held onto the bulkhead* [10:30] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -holds onto the doctor as thy brace- [10:30] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Kol] “Not again…” [10:30] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vera warn all decks! [10:30] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: *Sends the brace alert.* [10:30] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Gayle] =/= “All hands, brace for impact!” [10:30] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *T’Ghor braced against his console.* [10:31] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: *Firmly grabs a hold of the metal rail infront of her.* [10:31] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Tghor time til impact? [10:31] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Computer activate all restraighnts [10:31] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: ( All roll please. ) [10:34] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *is bounmced hard in his belt still getting the wind slamed out of him but he dosent go flying ,, [10:35] [DOIC1] [email protected]: ** bounced hard * [10:37] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -is flung out of her chair and thrown to the deck, rolling to a stop snarling in pain- [10:37] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Doc gets launched off her feet and hits the railing then goes down.* [10:37] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *T’Ghor’s console goes boom, the klingon rolling out just in time, his face and arms burned, as he roars in pain.* [10:38] [DOIC] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: * As Engineering held their own, the bridge was having a hard time as consoles began exploding, people flying about as the ship was tossed around.* [10:38] [DOIC1] [email protected]: *glances back * Damm, Computer Activate EMH !! [10:38] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he left his console to head to anne’s side* [10:39] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he looked for her medkit.* [10:39] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Jagoda] “NOT AGAIN!” *He cried as he was thrown from his exploding console.* [10:39] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Gayle] *She smashed her head into the console behind her, going down fast.* [10:39] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: *Holds firm to the railing, seeing Valkriss about to fly she hastily grabs a hold of the Klingons honoursash. With valkriss flying the borg is left holding a broken honoursash in her hand, throwing > [10:39] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: What in the Fire Caves is going on out there?!? [10:39] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: > it to the side in haste and touching her console again.* [10:40] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Vaylith your in command now. *he after glancing and seeing a dissapearing vera* [10:40] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *Warning sirens began blaring as Kol, Brandt and Sulok ran to a few consoles that exploded.* [10:40] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -sits up with a snarl and rolls to one knee painfully- I think not…damage report [10:41] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Sorry commander. Couldn’t be sure if you were concious. [10:41] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he checked anne with a medical tricorder* [10:41] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Understandable -sees the doctor- …Marcus…is she allright?? everyon sound of..Eldax?? [10:41] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: TGhor? Jagoato..Vera? [10:41] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Computer] “Emergency medical hologram is unavailable. Please contact engineering to repair the holoemitters.” [10:41] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Burned, but alive… I say we bomb this fucker.” [10:41] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vay?? -looks for the borg- [10:42] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Multiple equipment and system failures, shield further damaged, high stress on the hull. Holding.” [10:42] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: We have 10 gravitic mines. [10:42] [DOIC1] [email protected]: Yes im fine, Bloody , Weres the mobil emitters when you need them [10:42] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: T’ghor give me a dispersal pattern. *he has anger in his voice. [10:42] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Kirk used antimatter.” [10:42] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -growls- No [10:42] [DOIC3] Istrin@the5of435: *Istrin ran to an empty console and flicked on the bridge feed* Nothing good obviously..*he paused* Sir. [10:42] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Thirty ‘Yellow’ injuries. No red.” [10:42] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -rises and limps to her seat and painfully drops into it= [10:43] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: That last wave had to be in reponse to the bussard flush [10:43] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: I will not initiate a ful on slaughter unless we have no other choice [10:43] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *Gayle, Jagoda, and other bridge extras were laying unconscious on the floor.* [10:43] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Jupiters fucking… Commander the doctor has a skull fracture. admistering stablelization. [10:43] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods- Stablize her and get her to sickbay [10:43] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: Damage report? [10:43] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *Had replicated ice water and was pouring it over his face and hands.* [10:44] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: But I need to take her to Sickbay. Vaylith are intertnal transporters still functionong. [10:44] [DOIC3] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Kol] “Equipment damage… hull stress… power drain… we can’t take many more of those waves, LT!” [10:45] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Transporter room two inoperational, remaining are fine.” [10:45] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Relay us through one site to site to sickbay. Please. [10:46] [DOIC1] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he supported her neck and staid kneeling* [10:46] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: Get everyone up, all engineering hands on deck. [10:46] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -rises and limps over to Vera to check on her0 Tghor check on Jagota [10:46] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Relaying information, Deploying damage control teams. Stand by for transport.” [10:46] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “We need to get it to expel us from its stream on its own if you don’t want to kill it.” *He goes to check on Jagoda.* [10:46] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -slowly leans down to check for a pulse- [10:46] [DOIC1] [email protected]: then wewres thier steam that moving att? [10:46] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: I understand that…bt we need more data to see what would make them repluse us [10:47] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vay…send Ver down to sickbay as well [10:47] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Eldax….what if we tried moving with the strem along with them? [10:47] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Jagoda’s beaten up, but he’ll live.” [10:47] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Understood, Stand by.” [10:47] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -softly- Hang in there Vera [10:48] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *Pours some of the water he used on his burns on Jagoda’s face.* “Wakey wakey…” [10:48] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: =^= Engineering to bridge…we can’t take more of that! [10:48] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Yea, no shit, Li.” [10:48] [DOIC1] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *Dali, Marcus, and Gayle all dematerialised from the bridge.* [10:48] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Understood Li..get your DCTs on shields and manuvering for the moment [10:49] [DOIC4] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *And reappeared in sickbay, with Dali and Gayle on biobeds.* [10:49] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: Vay what about th possibilites of matching their energy harmoncs with our defelctor? [10:49] [DOIC4] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *stands up* Vant. [10:49] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “Commander Valkriss, Current estimate is one more wave and our chances to return home has diminished significantly. Two more we will lose significant systems or life. Three or four… Will be > [10:49] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “You want to disguise us as a part of the stream?” [10:49] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: > negative to the vessels coherent existance.” [10:49] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -leans on VGayes consile- [10:49] [DOIC4] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Vant] “TAKE A NUMBER!” *He snapped as he worked on a bleeding young Bolian woman.* [10:50] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: -nods to Tghor- Yes..let them carry us for now until we can effect repairs [10:50] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: *Li starts directing DCTs.* [10:50] [DOIC4] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Yeah Doctor takes priority as you get backup once she’s better. [10:50] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: If we arent a threat…no need to strike [10:50] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “I can try that, if you can find me a working console.” [10:50] [DOIC1] Zalithya Vaylith@Illuice: “It is possible, Ma’am. It requires a fuctional deflector…” [10:50] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: “Did we lose that too?” [10:50] [DOIC4] Aquila@Captain_Riens: *he looked around sickbay.* [10:50] [DOIC4] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: [Vant] “How about you let me do my fucking job, I can’t stop working on a patient!” [10:50] [DOIC1] Valkriss@Isis.: =^= Li prioritze our deflector..we may have a way to stop the waves [10:51] [DOIC3] Zorin Li@ClingingMars: =^= Understood! [10:51] [DOIC4] DGM Apocalypse@liorexus: *More and more people were filing in. Mreshi and Maggie were running around trying to triage.* [10:51] [DOIC4] [email protected]: “Ow” *hand coming to her head* “what the hell…” *she says softly, not moving other than her hand..* [10:51] [DOIC1] T’Ghor@bulgariandragon1: *Goes t oget set up on a less boomed console.* [10:51] [DOIC4] Aquila@Captain_Riens: Then make haste or see others to instru

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[auburnfamilynews]

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Gave it some time, here are some thoughts.

Isn’t it funny? Two weeks ago, we were all gloom and doom, sky is falling, chicken littles.

Gus Malzahn wasn’t going to be the guy, but there was nobody prepared to fork over the cash for the buyout. Everyone that figured Yella Fella would pony up a solid $25M to send Gus off to Arkansas or somewhere found out that rich businessmen get rich by not paying that kind of money on a gamble.

Then, there we were. Gus is still on the sideline, coaching against Alabama in a game that he absolutely could win, especially without Tua under center for the Tide.

So what happened?

Gus not only tricked the greatest coach of all time into blowing a gasket, but he tricked all of the Auburn fans that wanted him gone as well.

Auburn beat Alabama 48-45 in the 84th Iron Bowl, which turned out to be the most insane edition of the storied rivalry. At a high level, here are some of the things that stood out:

The win puts Auburn at 9-3 for the regular season, which turned out to be one of the toughest in school history. The Tigers’ only losses came by 11 at Florida, 3 at LSU, and 7 vs Georgia. Before the year began, if we’d said that Auburn would go 2-1 against Oregon, A&M, and Florida, and 1-2 against LSU, Georgia, and Alabama, you’d probably take that. We did it. Successful year. Auburn now has a chance to reach ten wins in a bowl game, which will likely take place on New Year’s Day in a sunny Florida location.

Alabama’s season is ruined. Imagine being so spoiled as to think that your season is ruined at 10-2, with both losses coming by fewer than ten total points. There will be no Playoff appearance for the Tide in 2019, which means they miss the Playoff for the first time since its inception. MUST BE TOUGH. Cry me a river. While they’ve had incredible longevity over the last decade, this is a bit of a different feel. The last three good teams that Alabama played put up 44, 46, and 48 points on Nick Saban’s vaunted defense. In 2020, they stand to lose the vast majority of their skill players, offensive line, and a ton of their defensive stalwarts as well...

You know, these kinds of defensive stalwarts...

...who knows what kind of coaching turnover happens in the meantime for them as well. The point is, the #decline seems a little more founded in reality than hope.

Gus Malzahn once again showed that he’s THE guy that can get Saban’s gourd. Nobody else has that ability. Sure, Dabo’s beaten him a couple times, but those were straight up one-on-one slugfests where Clemson was just better. Auburn was better in 2013 with the Kick Six, and they were better last night too, but when you roll out something new (pop pass/punter substitution trick) and it causes Saban to bitch about the rules, you know you’re doing something right. You’re putting mileage on that engine, and that’s a good thing.

As for the game itself, what a wild ride. We had 48 combined points in the second quarter, two pick sixes (including one that went for 100 yards), and so many elements that harkened back to the Kick Six and must’ve given Saban a feeling like he was Buckner walking back into Shea.

Let’s dive in.

Same energy. pic.twitter.com/937LkobgoJ

— SB Nation (@SBNation) December 1, 2019

I saw so many people (Auburn fans even) talking about how rushing the field was dumb. If it annoys Alabama then it can’t possibly be a bad idea.

Also, doing anything to entertain of the MVP of the 2017 Iron Bowl is fine by me.

Bama just put this this L in a little rice it’ll be okay in a couple days

— Kerryon Johnson (@AyeyoKEJO) December 1, 2019

Auburn University! Where LEGENDS are made!!! WAR EAGLE!!! pic.twitter.com/4fCEL3fvyi

— Coach T-Will (@T_WILL4REAL) December 1, 2019

One point of contention earlier in the year was the fan support at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn didn’t get to play any big games at home until Georgia, and while the crowd was unreal for that affair, we had to endure the “It was cold” excuses from the students after Ole Miss. Last night paid any sort of fan support debt in full.

Jordan Hare Stadium was ROCKIN tonight! BEST GAME EVER! #WarEagle #ironbowl pic.twitter.com/u7NvI8Qhn8

— Dana Spurlin (@dspurlin_tift) December 1, 2019

If you're wondering why Jordan-Hare Stadium was screaming "It's great to be an Auburn Tiger," it's because the Alabama section started a "Roll Tide" chant while Daniel Thomas was still down on the field injured.

— Nathan King (@byNathanKing) November 30, 2019

In the past, the Iron Bowl has always been a rivalry game that seems pretty clean on the field. Most of these guys grew up together, played against or with each other when they were younger, and so the bad blood on the field is kept to a minimum. It’s usually the idiots in the stands that can’t handle the tension and do things like “destroy historic landmarks”.

Yesterday, though, we got to see some real chippy play from both sides. Seth Williams got tagged with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty (he is from Tuscaloosa, after all), and Boobee Whitlow was on the receiving end of a penalty after a helmet slap too.

All that an emotional ballgame means is that when it’s all said and done, you end up with a heck of a celebration... even if it is super goofy.

#WarEagle x #RidefortheBrand pic.twitter.com/JaVkHJEFnw

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) December 1, 2019

Gus has reason to be excited. His offensive line — much-maligned throughout the season — did something incredible when you put it up against what we’d seen earlier this year —

Auburn's O-Line did not allow a single sack today and only allowed 4 tackles for a loss. AUsome job, young men.

— Auburn Elvis (@AuburnElvis) December 1, 2019

We got a superhuman effort from Derrick Brown with 3.5 TFLs, we got 114 yards from Boobee Whitlow, a turnover free game from Bo Nix, and we got the effort you’d expect from our opposing kicking game voodoo.

if you told me Auburn mic'd the uprights for this game and hooked them up to the stadium speakers I would 100% believe you https://t.co/gAigjBOdCW

— BUM CHILLUPS (@edsbs) December 1, 2019

Alabama’s missed field goal at the end of the Iron Bowl pic.twitter.com/YF6QE3UN6u

— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) December 1, 2019

I took a video of Alabama’s missed field goal WAR DAMN EAGLE EVERYBODY!!!!! pic.twitter.com/YUiS5igudU

— Graham Brooks (@The_GBrooks) December 1, 2019

For real, though... Auburn somehow escaped that game with injuries galore. Anthony Schwartz played exactly one snap before going out with an ankle injury, and we saw tons of dudes laid out on the carpet at various times throughout the game. Honestly, with the receivers that Alabama put on the field (Waddle was their FOURTH OPTION), there’s no reason that the Tide should ever lose with Tua, Namath, Mac Jones, you, or me at quarterback. Auburn somehow also forced Alabama to only use Najee Harris in a semi-meaningless way. He got 146 yards on 27 carries, and scored, but in the grand scheme of the game, did his performance really matter? It didn’t.

For the first time all year, against a good opponent, I had confidence that the offense was going to do something. Driving late to take the lead for good, I didn’t really feel nervous in thinking that we’d need some other miracle to take place for us to win. We went right down the field and got a Classic Gus Wildcat call for the game-winning touchdown. It just so happened to clown a Bama defender and make a meme out of Xavier McKinney.

And how about the final play? Being at the game, it was wild to watch. Jaylen Waddle was out there about 40 yards deep the whole time, and he had no idea he needed to run off until the final moment, but he didn’t get off the field before the flag was there to greet him at the sideline. Bama’s hero all game long was the guy that got flagged in the end. It’s poetic. What’s also poetic is Gus’ ability to needle at Saban by doing something completely legal. Saban’s literally just mad that he couldn’t use it first. The way he described the entire ordeal as “unfair” makes it seem as though Auburn put some sort of a cloak on Arryn Sipposs and smuggled him into the formation. Instead, they trotted him out with the rest of the offense, stuck him at receiver, and five-star corner Patrick Surtain decided to cover him.

Maybe Saban should’ve known that Auburn wasn’t going to go for it when a failure has the Tide already in field goal range. Maybe his years of football knowledge should’ve taken over. They didn’t. He panicked. His staff panicked. His players panicked. The process failed, and the best collection of talent in the country folded when it mattered most.

Gus Malzahn bamboozled Nick Saban. He ‘boozled him hard, and that’s going to be the most satisfying thing to come out of this Iron Bowl. Auburn scored 48 points, but the number of Nick’s gray hairs that’ll resist Just For Men’s latest formula are far more numerous.

War Eagle, everyone. #WeBeatBama.

from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2019/12/1/20991010/about-last-night-15-auburn-48-5-alabama-45

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