tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46071748834865822032024-02-07T13:12:18.622-08:00A Gift For The Golden God...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-87016843518152983562013-10-05T15:05:00.001-07:002013-10-05T15:05:19.267-07:00???<p>What's actually happening with this? </p>
Cassidy Clarimonde (Self-Appointed Grand Mage of the Scottish Sanctuary)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08086376210960594884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-89022596225168551972013-06-08T14:46:00.001-07:002013-06-08T14:46:40.034-07:00Uh, Hello.Mara here:)<div><br></div><div>I just wanted to show everyone my Skully top!</div><div><br></div><div><b>Front:</b></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYvjx-kqFzqEXXQZXc4zjQ-6KgI8wFUqK5nroF8Eum3i4QzXF5nr6cCvOE2TrNQ3RhI_Bc7OqwRSuS8VsadYj2AcKzA4LgVURHM6v2pxq_wI_H7CErBxGWG2GZ4A7aYJ3-X0uMCoB3lw/s640/blogger-image--643108076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYvjx-kqFzqEXXQZXc4zjQ-6KgI8wFUqK5nroF8Eum3i4QzXF5nr6cCvOE2TrNQ3RhI_Bc7OqwRSuS8VsadYj2AcKzA4LgVURHM6v2pxq_wI_H7CErBxGWG2GZ4A7aYJ3-X0uMCoB3lw/s640/blogger-image--643108076.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Back:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhiLT4rAeyHaEqEZVFhYwWm1joGgUBQMye_JSvcR90k2TAma3PzOr3YAC7tdawQKhf_3G1yQA-zsjDSqUYMu-yu5knF3L8jDRMkWX8v1llE6wJi0E34yUOwI9B0bsUHWfqidMEj-3Q-M/s640/blogger-image--510404804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhiLT4rAeyHaEqEZVFhYwWm1joGgUBQMye_JSvcR90k2TAma3PzOr3YAC7tdawQKhf_3G1yQA-zsjDSqUYMu-yu5knF3L8jDRMkWX8v1llE6wJi0E34yUOwI9B0bsUHWfqidMEj-3Q-M/s640/blogger-image--510404804.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">This is an old picture, and my top is at my mum's house, so if your name isn't on it in the picture, it's probably on the real thing :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; ">~ Maraa xx</div><br></div>Maralie Lily Charmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673983856723775561noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-56736322196353843242013-06-07T00:13:00.002-07:002013-06-07T00:13:39.325-07:00Erm...sorry Derek.<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My<em> last post</em> was a heartfelt message.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This one... not so much.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFNQcXwdPmE/UbGHQzUcKfI/AAAAAAAAAE8/ZYQPZTedWZY/s1600/Derek's+Dress.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FFNQcXwdPmE/UbGHQzUcKfI/AAAAAAAAAE8/ZYQPZTedWZY/s640/Derek's+Dress.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ir2OcJ0lvIM/UbGHQmmhYdI/AAAAAAAAAE0/n2FypaRqJQM/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ir2OcJ0lvIM/UbGHQmmhYdI/AAAAAAAAAE0/n2FypaRqJQM/s640/1.png" width="532" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sorry, Derek, but I must have my revenge. For Kenspeckle. And Bliss. And everything else. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>P.S. Luci, I don't know if you've already put this together, so if you have that's okay, hopefully Derek will log into his Twitter sometime :)</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>LOOOTTTTSS OF LOVE, </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Dau :)</strong></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-53417647110462670542013-06-01T05:18:00.002-07:002013-06-04T08:51:08.266-07:00El Dereko! - Dau<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello! It's Dau here! I spent around an hour coming up with what I wanted to say to Derek (which is more important, SP or exams? obviously SP!). Erm. So here is my...thing.</span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><em>My message to Derek:</em></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last six years of my life have been
completely awesome. Ever since I got the first SP book for my birthday, my life
has been changed. Your books are what gave me a passion to read. That passion
later developed into a passion for writing. Then I also got hooked on drawing.
It is because of you, o Golden God, that I am who I am today. Your books have
been with me through tough times – new schools, leaving friends, bombs (yes,
bombs), awkward teenage years, and just general loneliness. And don’t even get
me started on Blogland. You have created a haven for everybody and anybody who
needs to obsess over anything, and Blogland is one of my favourite places in
the world. My dream is that one day I will meet you; you will sign all of my
books, and give me permission to live in your house with your cats and dogs
(but especially your cats). But until then, I will continue to faithfully read
your books, write fan fiction, draw fan art, and stalk you like crazy on
Twitter until you reply to me (hinthint). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>*EDIT* - Yay, you already replied to me! :)</strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(My mother tried to convince me that
passion was different from obsession, but she can’t blame me, because she’s the
one who bought me the first book [thank you Mum!])</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Aaaand here's my drawings and stuff :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JH6sYAGJzOI/Uanln6DUpzI/AAAAAAAAADQ/BU6agYuJcpE/s1600/next_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JH6sYAGJzOI/Uanln6DUpzI/AAAAAAAAADQ/BU6agYuJcpE/s400/next_0001.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLYmpvjIXaw/UanlpuD7ZDI/AAAAAAAAADY/b2tF9bsp_60/s1600/el+skulduggo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLYmpvjIXaw/UanlpuD7ZDI/AAAAAAAAADY/b2tF9bsp_60/s400/el+skulduggo.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-AU">(Sorry about the shading on Skulduggery, I did the skull but then got bored with the suit and hat)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-AU">Also, please accept my offering of huggles and
virtual chocolate </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love, </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dau (daughterofmyworld)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-74700323893847795212013-05-04T00:49:00.002-07:002013-05-04T00:49:40.406-07:00June or September?So, most of you <em>should </em>know that in June I am going to the Leeds Skulduggery Pleasant event to meet Derek Landy (finally) and I may be going to the York signing the day after that, too! Because York is only an hour away from where I live.<br />
<br />I have to say, I squealed a few times after realising I could possibly go see Derek twice in two days. It made me <em>insanely </em>happy. It really did.<br />
<br />
So, I have to ask, are we going to finish Gift for the Golden God for June 14th/15th or are we going to finish it by September, in the hopes that there'll be a signing in September that I can go to?<br /><br />It's up to you all! It'd be nice to know in the next fortnight, though! Because I've got a week off coming up, which I could use to put everything together and stuff, so... Decide!<br />
<br />
Please!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieg-NKqtHmIHmyoxQGYyqrbawznexR38nEsmMrHOyfGzoFtYtdUH0Pa1KQYrI32W_-rTPGOjWYoAsSfQhygRXkWIdy3-bQMlzcb5VI-d_3hJ18lDHwDEQJgVzWCiUceFfkzF7m5fNCjac/s1600/BEyqJCjCYAAKj7P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieg-NKqtHmIHmyoxQGYyqrbawznexR38nEsmMrHOyfGzoFtYtdUH0Pa1KQYrI32W_-rTPGOjWYoAsSfQhygRXkWIdy3-bQMlzcb5VI-d_3hJ18lDHwDEQJgVzWCiUceFfkzF7m5fNCjac/s320/BEyqJCjCYAAKj7P.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now have a picture of the Golden God because he's so precious and I need to plan out what else I'm getting him for Leeds and (possibly) York! Man, I'm really excited!<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also, if any of you guys are going to Leeds or York please let me know! It'd be amazing to meet you all, it really would! Plus, I can buy you Skittles!<br />
<br />
Thank you all! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-36962966439055064502013-02-23T04:04:00.001-08:002013-02-23T04:04:30.011-08:00A Unicorn-Derek Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTvjw-3G6D0l9sAo4_ldhwZLfEczJFzPUQGA9Jx4gshOsY8dtCqQlQ-7bI1SM_c9XjSrZBzXjYcYjeGb4zGNH-nnS7HaS0mwREtKxaxf39ypGi4uHdK4YktO0_ssyalWiDZBo8iu7N3A/s1600/WHO+WANTS+TO+RIDE+A+UNICORN.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTvjw-3G6D0l9sAo4_ldhwZLfEczJFzPUQGA9Jx4gshOsY8dtCqQlQ-7bI1SM_c9XjSrZBzXjYcYjeGb4zGNH-nnS7HaS0mwREtKxaxf39ypGi4uHdK4YktO0_ssyalWiDZBo8iu7N3A/s320/WHO+WANTS+TO+RIDE+A+UNICORN.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
...What have I done?Zathract Misthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13949771210514269250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-39644102175152539802013-02-22T09:16:00.003-08:002013-02-22T09:16:49.189-08:00Uh, hey.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MFRgbtJhdo/USenRrHWNZI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/A8q98g_bq6A/s1600/j1srf0gvyvnp1hufkj1h2w9goohlkzn8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MFRgbtJhdo/USenRrHWNZI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/A8q98g_bq6A/s320/j1srf0gvyvnp1hufkj1h2w9goohlkzn8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Derek is one of the <b>funniest</b> people I know- take this picture, for example. Mum was about to take a lovely picture but<i> no</i>, Derek has to go and make me laugh so I look demented... xD</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll go now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wait, still here...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll leave you with one more picture. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EHBierki2dY/USen47T5pcI/AAAAAAAAAKE/SalAVZW30ek/s1600/q4b4l16j0ootjmqoikjpuo4nzj340htr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EHBierki2dY/USen47T5pcI/AAAAAAAAAKE/SalAVZW30ek/s320/q4b4l16j0ootjmqoikjpuo4nzj340htr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*hides*</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-54668259311634800892013-01-26T08:13:00.003-08:002013-01-26T08:13:43.469-08:00PEDESTRIAN! 25 POINTS TO GET THAT ONE DOWN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDIPynYIaIjCzYBv4Lv2Z5Wej4HKmDOlavxtWMMw-ec1zFRyd_fvOSOtHivyV7aqf3e33n4a9HDxk71M1nDTwE-T6336dbBU089MgEDPSsE_H4WNw7bsnaoQ_lvM913zk5ggr-pC8P50/s1600/Bentley,+Card,+&+lizards+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDIPynYIaIjCzYBv4Lv2Z5Wej4HKmDOlavxtWMMw-ec1zFRyd_fvOSOtHivyV7aqf3e33n4a9HDxk71M1nDTwE-T6336dbBU089MgEDPSsE_H4WNw7bsnaoQ_lvM913zk5ggr-pC8P50/s640/Bentley,+Card,+&+lizards+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
Because Drunk Skulduggery is the best.Valkyrie V. - Ivy http://www.blogger.com/profile/04879360263639068252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-26661651518592951562013-01-26T02:07:00.001-08:002013-01-26T02:07:10.752-08:00<p>I should be sending these to Luciana soon. Once I have more things :)</p>
<p>Maybe some FanFics. A letter to Derek etc. </p>
<p>:3</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbU4H9JZr2Mk6CwerCNNo40t_WhDGnq2xZW6GrGw77WYuAA2JZ8exqAUdJwnefgehtY4wQ69nw_trbuz-U86zTyyN5R8ooUudRCFhnFkABxCT-qoABiFLWsCJF0UMqly2v-gGjVSTxXU/s1600/2013-01-02%25252022.20.04.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbU4H9JZr2Mk6CwerCNNo40t_WhDGnq2xZW6GrGw77WYuAA2JZ8exqAUdJwnefgehtY4wQ69nw_trbuz-U86zTyyN5R8ooUudRCFhnFkABxCT-qoABiFLWsCJF0UMqly2v-gGjVSTxXU/s640/2013-01-02%25252022.20.04.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy7JQgTETXNnUL-_18Sq9u8MGHzBJ11VuhoRO2pwrAQfXj_OS9h1QovQlYeOi8627WR_P3nJYkvCPavMJGBxNKQE9jdxsqmrPRHiSjwtCZMEe1qCSCiDBQ-zzlZQW3tAVN9vejWOq8Tw/s1600/2013-01-03%25252019.55.47.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy7JQgTETXNnUL-_18Sq9u8MGHzBJ11VuhoRO2pwrAQfXj_OS9h1QovQlYeOi8627WR_P3nJYkvCPavMJGBxNKQE9jdxsqmrPRHiSjwtCZMEe1qCSCiDBQ-zzlZQW3tAVN9vejWOq8Tw/s640/2013-01-03%25252019.55.47.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZpbw7qTzpt6qZ3iHZLhR6iQhVpgVI3Cm-QmQrIHPfAeKVkPtXcKSRrNE_XYkFpGCix94nhL3WyEWnYm4_AQIH9kr-_7zD_YKqzbr-iPMtFe6yl_YM3hJuWBjm22q7zEKZhoYBjVeOwk/s1600/2013-01-07%25252022.21.03.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZpbw7qTzpt6qZ3iHZLhR6iQhVpgVI3Cm-QmQrIHPfAeKVkPtXcKSRrNE_XYkFpGCix94nhL3WyEWnYm4_AQIH9kr-_7zD_YKqzbr-iPMtFe6yl_YM3hJuWBjm22q7zEKZhoYBjVeOwk/s640/2013-01-07%25252022.21.03.jpg' /> </a> </div>Cassidy Clarimonde (Self-Appointed Grand Mage of the Scottish Sanctuary)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08086376210960594884noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-10352992567407542612012-12-15T22:03:00.000-08:002012-12-15T22:03:27.065-08:00Quotes from all the books!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It took me FOREVER (an afternoon) to gather all the GOOD quotes from the entire Skulduggery Pleasant series and put them in one place, but here they are, quotes from all 7 books. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">p.s. There were a lot from Death Bringer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">p.p.s No, no I don't expect you to read them all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">p.p.p.s Or any, for that matter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But they are HILARIOUS.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Doors are for people with no imagination.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What is it?' Stephanie whispered.<br />
'That, my dear Valkyrie, is what we call a monster.'<br />
She looked at Skulduggery. 'You don't know what it is, do you?'<br />
'I told you what it is, it's a horrible monster. Now shut up before it comes
over here and eats us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you kidding? I jumped off a building -- of
course I'm hurt.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I'm placing you under arrest for murder, conspiracy
to commit murder and, I don't know, possibly littering.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Found something? <br />
No, sorry. I thought I had but, no, it turned out to be, uh, more floor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What would killing the Elders result in?" <br />
"Panic? Fear? Three empty parking spaces in the Sanctuary?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The world is bigger than you know, and scarier than
you might imagine. The only currency worth anything is being true to yourself,
and the only goal worth seeking is finding out who you truly are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Are you
taking my hat hostage?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Valkyrie: You are such a moron<br />
Skulduggery: Don't be jealous of my genius.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“There</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s no such
thing as winning or losing. There is won and there is lost, there is victory
and defeat. There are absolutes. Everything in between is still left to fight
for. Serpine will have won only when there is no one left to stand against him.
Until then, there is only the struggle, because tides do what tides do</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">–</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">they turn.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You're not stealing anything, you're not breaking
anything, so I'd guess you're Stephanie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I woke up, a bag of bones. Literally. They had
gathered up my bones and put them in a bag and thrown the bag into a river.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I love you all, even those I don</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">t<br />
particularly like. That</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s you, Beryl.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Every solution to every problem is simple. It's the
distance between the two where the mystery lies.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wait, do they even know I'm coming with you?"<br />
"No. But they like surprises. Almost always.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">PLAYING WITH FIRE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Only a
heathen would bring a gun to a sword fight.'<br />
And only a moron would bring a sword to a gunfight.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We're not
retreating, we're advancing in reverse.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Vengeous
scowled. 'As you can see,' he said, 'you are vastly outnumbered.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I usually am.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Your situation has become quite
untenable.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It usually does.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You are within moments of being
swarmed by these filthy creatures of undeath and torn apart in a maelstrom of
pain and fury.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
Skulduggery paused. </span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Okay,
that's a new one on me.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">So that
plan worked out well.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Skulduggery, your entire plan
consisted of, and I quote, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">‘</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Let's get up close and then
see what happens.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">All the same,</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> he said, </span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I think the
whole thing worked out rather beautifully.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">That's
beautiful,' Valkyrie said, looking at it.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Isn't it? This necklace has cost
two very fine men their lives. At times, I wear it in tribute to their
sacrifice. Other times, I wear it because it goes with this skirt.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We didn't
die,</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> she said.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Of course not. I'm too clever to
die, and you're too pretty.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I am pretty,</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Valkryie said, managing a grin.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What is it
with you women?" he yelled, kicking at the air. "You come into our
lives, you take everythin'! Throughout the years you got little pieces of me,
of my very SOUL, and NOW? Now you got my damn straight razor! How am I supposed
to kill people? How am I supposed to even SHAVE?</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, to
put it delicately, she has the power to suck out people's brains.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Come and
have a go, if you think you're hard enough</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They might
be kittens," she said hopefully.<br />
"They're stalking us."<br />
"They might be shy."<br />
"I don't think it's kittens, Valkyrie."<br />
"Puppies, then?</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Guild
doesn't like me."<br />
"That's true."<br />
"He doesn't like you, ether."<br />
"That is mystifying.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I used to
be so good at that kind of thing," Skulduggery said quietly.<br />
"Well, my morale is certainly boosted," Valkyrie informed him.<br />
"Really?"<br />
"God no. That was terrible</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You've been
reading Gordan's book again, haven't you?"<br />
"It's a white-knuckle roller-coaster ride," she mumbled.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">THE FACLESS ONES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then I reckon we got ourselves a good old-fashioned
standoff."<br />
...<br />
Nobody moved, or said anything, for the next few moments.<br />
"Old-fashioned standoffs are mighty borin”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I'm sorry, I don't know what any of you want, or
why guns and knives are being waved around, or why the girl has just been taken
hostage, but everyone seems to be acting like having a TALKING SKELETON in the
room is perfectly normal. And you, where are your eyes? How can you see? How
come the only people with eyes in this room are me and her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That's a shame. I'm sure somebody, somewhere,
cares.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Clarabelle laughed like she'd just heard the
funniest thing ever. "Of course you HOPE you won't die, Valkyrie! Who
would HOPE to die? That's just SILLY! But you probably WILL die, that's what
I'm saying. Don't you think so?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s fairly standard. Also, I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">m fourteen.
Also, your<br />
beard</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s stupid.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Isn</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">t this fun?</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Skulduggery said brightly. </span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The three of us<br />
getting along so well.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“<em><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You</span></em>
don't treat me like a child."<br />
He smiled. "Of course I do, but you seem to have this ridiculous notion
that being treated like a child means to be treated with less respect than an
adult.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">DARK DAYS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well, for
future reference, this is my serious face.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Valkyrie,
I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your friend is most likely dead.” <br />
“Of course he</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s dead. He</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s a skeleton.</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Her father
sagged as relief spread through him. “I thought<br />
something awful was happening.”<br />
She frowned. “Something awful was happening. It could have<br />
got stuck in my hair.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He stepped
closer to her. "Thank you for saving me," he said softly, and wrapped
the bones of his arms around her. Valkyrie smiled and hugged him back.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">“Seeing you with a
face would be weird. Do you think you'd have hair?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">“Oh yes. Hair is a must.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">“Would you have a moustache?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">“Why would I have a moustache?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">“I'm not sure. What about ears?” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">“I'd have ears too.“<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">“I can't imagine you with ears.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">“Sometimes I wish
you could drive a less noticeable car.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">“I can. I just choose not to.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">DEATHBRINGER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Valkyrie patted Fletcher</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s arm. </span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Don</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">t worry,</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> she said. </span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If the bad
man comes, I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ll protect you.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If the bad man comes,</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Fletcher responded, </span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ll bravely
give out a high-pitched scream to distract him. I may even bravely faint, to
give him a false sense of security. That will be your signal to strike.”<br />
“We make a great team.”<br />
“Just don</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">t forget to stand in front of me the whole
time,</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> he said.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“The man had a smooth voice, like velvet. “I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">m Detective
Inspector Me. Unusual name, I know. My family were incredibly <br />
narcissistic. I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">m lucky I escaped with any degree
of humility at all, to be honest, but then I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ve always
managed to exceed expectations. You are Kenny Dunne, are you not?</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I am.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Just a few questions for you, Mr
Dunne. Or Kenny. Can I call you Kenny? I feel we</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ve become
friends these past few seconds. Can I call you Kenny?</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sure,</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Kenny
said, slightly baf</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">fl</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ed.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Twilight New Moon";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank you. Thank you very much. It</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s important
you feel comfortable around me, Kenny. It</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s important
we build up a level of trust. That way I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ll catch
you completely unprepared when I <br />
suddenly accuse you of murder.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We punch people, Valkyrie. That</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s who we
are. Embrace your inner lunatic. Fun times guaranteed.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You think Bernadette Maguire killed him?”<br />
“Uh</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> no. She</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s, like I
said, she</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s old.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Old people can kill people too.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I know, but</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">…</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She could be a ninja.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">She</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s not a
ninja, for God</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s sake. She</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s somebody</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s great
grandmother.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I want you to think carefully about
this, Kenny. Have you ever seen her with a sword?”<br />
“What?”<br />
“How about throwing stars?”<br />
“This is ridiculous.”<br />
“Have you ever seen her dressed up as a ninja? That would have been my </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">fi</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">rst clue.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Twilight New Moon";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
The girl sucked in her cheeks so she wouldn't laugh out loud.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Twilight New Moon";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We're not really intruding," he called down.
"This is all a big misunderstanding."<br />
"Stop right there!" shouted one of them.<br />
Skulduggery held his hand to an ear he didn't have.<br />
"What's that?"<br />
"Stop!"<br />
"Keep going?"<br />
"STOP!"<br />
"OK, we'll keep going.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The rain
battered the cottage. Valkyrie risked a look up at Skulduggery.<br />
“What is it?” she whispered.<br />
“It</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">s a box,</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"> he
whispered back.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">What kind of
box?</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">A wooden
one.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><br />
She gave him a look.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I kill a sofa for you and you go and sit in a
chair?” Skulduggery asked. “I don</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">t think you
appreciate the sacrifice that has been made for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I think zombies are kind of cute.”<br />
“Seriously?”<br />
“I may be thinking about bunnies. Which one has the fluffy little tail, zombies
or bunnies?”<br />
“Bunnies.”<br />
“Then it</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">s bunnies I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">m thinking
of.</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp";">”</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“By the way, all joking aside, do I call you Ghastly
or Elder Bespoke?' <br />
'You can call me whatever you like.'<br />
Vex nodded. 'Thank you, Gladys.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He crouched at the car window and looked in. 'What
a lovely family you have. What a charming family. They're all lovely. Except
for that one.' His finger jabbed the glass. 'That one's a bit ugly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You're bored, aren't you.'<br />
'I need constant distraction. Shall we go?'<br />
'Uh, aren't you supposed to delegate responsibility or something? If you're not
here, who's in charge?'<br />
Skulduggery looked around and pointed to a sorcerer at the far side of the
cemetery. 'He is.'<br />
'Who is he?'<br />
'Don't know. He looks like leadership material, though, doesn't he?'<br />
'Does he?'<br />
'He's wearing a hat.'<br />
'And that means he's a leader?'<br />
'Leaders wear hats. It's to keep the rain off while we make important
decisions. He'll do fine.'<br />
'Shouldn't you tell him that he's in charge?' <br />
'And spoil the surprise?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Valkyrie dialed Skulduggery's number and he picked
up. 'Hey,' she said, 'It's me.'<br />
Skulduggery paused. 'No it's not. If it were me, then I'd be talking to myself,
and I don't do that any more. I certainly don't RING myself. That's one of the
first signs of madness, and if it's not, it should be.'<br />
She sighed. 'Are you finished talking nonsense?'<br />
'I haven't talked nonsense all morning. I miss it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You want to see safe hands?' her dad asked. He went
to the fruit bowl on the side of the table, took two apples and proceeded to
juggle them. 'See? Safe as anything.' <br />
'Are you proposing you juggle our newborn child?'<br />
'Of course not,' he said. 'I'd only be able to juggle her if you'd had twins.
Otherwise it would just be throwing.'<br />
(...) 'From this moment on, I will be the best father the world has ever seen.
Wifey, may I please hold my child?' <br />
Valkyrie's mum looked at him suspiciously. 'When you hold a baby, what's the
most important thing to remember?'<br />
'Not to drop it,' he said proudly.<br />
'Well, yes, well done dear, but I was thinking more about how you hold the
baby.'<br />
'Ah,' he said, 'Of course. The secret to holding a baby is to pick it up by the
scruff of its neck.'<br />
'You're thinking of kittens.'<br />
'Pick it up by the ears, then.'<br />
'You're thinking of nothing.' <br />
'Can I please just hold her?'<br />
'I don't think that's wise.' <br />
'A lot of things aren't wise, Melissa. Is crossing the road with your eyes
closed wise? No, but I do it anyway.'<br />
His wife nodded. 'Stephanie, you are in charge of teaching Alice how to cross
the road.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I'm sorry,' said the shopkeeper. 'I can't
understand your ridiculous accent.'<br />
'My accent?'<br />
'It is quite silly.'<br />
'So you can't understand me?'<br />
'Not a word.'<br />
'Then how did you understand that?'<br />
'I didn't.' <br />
''You didn't understand what I just said?'<br />
'That's right.'<br />
'You understood that, though.'<br />
'Not at all.'<br />
The American glowered.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I have sought you out to cure me.'<br />
'To cure you of what?'<br />
'Of this cursed affliction.'<br />
'I cannot cure stupidity.'<br />
Scapegrace frowned.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Caelen glared. 'Stop insulting me.'<br />
'Why? If you cry will your mascara run?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You're late,' he said.<br />
'I'm beautiful.'<br />
'You're always beautiful.'<br />
'I'm always late too.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You're in a bad mood,' Skulduggery said. 'I
understand. I do. You're saying things that you don't really mean. It's OK.'<br />
'I'll kill you both.'<br />
'Hurtful things said in the heat of the moment. We're not going to hold it
against you, Bison. We're all friends here.'<br />
Valkyrie nodded. 'We love you Bison.' <br />
'We do,' Skulduggery agreed. 'You're our favourite Necromancer. You're the
cuddly one.'<br />
'Shut up,' Dragonclaw said. 'Both of you just shut up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I swear, talking to you is like talking to a really
good-looking and mildly stupid brick wall.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">'Take our daughter,' Valkryie's dad said, waving a
hand airily. 'We have another one now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You should have called us. Desmond would have picked you up.'<br />
- 'No I wouldn't,' Valkyrie's dad said, stepping into earshot. 'Sorry,
Fletcher, but I had important fatherly duties to take care of, which included
eating breakfast, showering, and finding my trousers. Of those three, I only
managed two. Without looking down, can you guess which one I missed?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Every human being who has ever lived has the same
potential in them for good and evil. Mortal or sorcerer, it doesn't matter.
Power has a way of bringing out the worst in people. Mevolent. Serpine. Hitler.
Lord Vile. Darquesse. We're all the same."<br />
"You just put me on a list with Hitler."<br />
"You're going to start sulking again, aren't you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“But if you can confront your inner demons</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">—</span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"<br />
"I did confront my inner demon. I punched him in the face and he
exploded."<br />
Valkyrie had to laugh. "But now he's back."<br />
"Of course he's back. He's resourceful. He is <em><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">my</span></em>
inner demon, after all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I cross the place where my heart used to be and
hope to be even deader than I am now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Here she is,” her mum said, cooing at the baby, “my
special girl.”<br />
“Oh, cheers,” Valkyrie said, rolling her eyes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Life isn't fair,' Skulduggery said. 'In my
experience, death isn't so different.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Skulduggery stood among the ruins of what had once
been a sofa. Valkyrie raised an eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">'I was trying to make up the sofa bed so you could
get some rest,' he explained, and pointed to the second sofa across the room.
'Unfortunately, it would appear that <em><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">that</span></em>
is the sofa bed, and this, apparently, is just a sofa.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“So what does that actually mean?'<br />
'To be honest, Ghastly, I haven't a bull's notion.'<br />
'Elder Bespoke should be addressed by his full title,' Tipstaff said.<br />
'Of course,' Skulduggery said. 'To be honest, Your Highness, I haven't a bull's
notion.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“And then the Necromancers pulled out their
sub-atomic machine guns.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Just because an apple falls one hundred times out
of a hundred does not mean it will fall on the hundred and first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“We may need to focus here.' <br />
'Right. Yes. OK. Turn around.' <br />
'Are you going to throw something at me?'<br />
'What? No, I'm getting out of bed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“That was a good day for me," Skulduggery said.
"I didn't have to hit anyone. I didn't have to shoot anyone. I just sat
around and talked to my good friend and partner, Valkyrie Cain.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do you think it would be quite so easy to kill them
now that your weapon has been destroyed?' he sneered. 'No,' she said, frowning
at him, 'Obviously not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“They faced each other. 'I'm going to enjoy
this,'Melancholia said. <br />
'I daresay I'm not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You are a cynical man, Mr. Pleasant."<br />
"We live in cynical times, Miss Cain.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">KINGDOM OF THE WICKED<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He could be a butterfly dreaming he's a man."<br />
"Well, he's not. He's a big fat man dreaming he's a big fat butterfly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I had an uneventful few days," it told her.
"The most exciting thing was an hour-long lecture from the headmaster on
taking our studies seriously. He said next year's exam will arrive sooner than
we think."<br />
"No, they won't," Valkyrie said, frowning. "They'll arrive next
year, exactly when we expect them."<br />
"That's what I told him," the reflection nodded. "I don't think
he's comfortable with logic, because he didn't look happy. He sent me to the
Career Guidance counsellor, who asked me what I wanted to do after
college."<br />
Valkyrie stowed her black clothes. "What did you say?"<br />
"I told her I wanted to be a Career Guidance counsellor. She started
crying, then accused me of mocking her. I told her if she wasn't happy in her
job then she should look at other options, then pointed out that I was already
doing her job better than she was. She gave me detention.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Emergency Valve Regulators," she repeated.
"So you do know what your doing?<br />
"Not really," he said yanking another wire. 'I made up that term to
keep you happy. I'm just pulling all the red wires because they're the pretty
ones.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“It's a very small object to be capable of doing
many wonderful things, don't you think?"<br />
"It does much more that that," Valkyrie said, opening up a game and
showing it to him.<br />
His eyes widened. "What wonder is this?"<br />
"It's called Angry Birds. Now do you believe me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“What?" she asked again.<br />
He pointed ahead of them. "See that?"<br />
"What, the snow?"<br />
"Beyond that."<br />
"More snow?"<br />
"Stop looking at the snow.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can I ask you a question? You know with vampires
and werewolves and goblins and things, is there any mythological creature that
doesn't actually exist?"<br />
"Of course," he replied. "The unicorn and the leprechaun would
be would be the two main ones. The Loch Ness Monster isn't real, either, that's
just someone called Bert.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You look angry," he said.<br />
"You put me on hold."<br />
"For a very good reason."<br />
"You put me," she said very, very slowly, "on hold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Skulduggery."<br />
"Fletcher."<br />
Fletcher stuck out his hand. Skulduggery observed it for a moment.<br />
"I'm sorry, what are we doing now?"<br />
"Shaking hands," Fletcher said. "Like adults. I just want you to
know that this past year has changed me. I've grown, as a person. I'm not the
same Fletcher you used to know.<br />
"You look a lot like him."<br />
"Well, yeah, but-"<br />
"And you have the same ridiculous hair."<br />
"Can we just shake hands?"<br />
"Of course we can," Skulduggery said, and they shook. "Now
what?"<br />
"I, uh...I don't really know. What do adults usually do after they shake
hands?"<br />
"Generally, the first thing they do is let go."<br />
"Oh, right," Fletcher said, and Skulduggery took his hand back.
"So, Skulduggery, how have you been? You're looking well. That's a really
nice tie.<br />
"It's blue."<br />
"And such a nice shade."<br />
Skulduggery looked at Valkyrie. "You promised me he wouldn't be annoying.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“You have no idea about presents or what they mean.
The last<br />
present you gave me was a stick.”<br />
“You wanted a weapon.”<br />
“It was a stick.”<br />
“It had a bow on it.”<br />
“It was a stick.”<br />
“I thought you liked the stick. You laughed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“He said a bad word. Do you want to know what it
was? It started with F. It's not the one you're thinking of, though. To the
other one. The one that ends with P. do you want to know what it was? It was froop."
She frowned. "Wait that's not a word.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mostly we've had to found ways to amuse
ourselves."<br />
"Really?" Valkyrie asked. "Like what?"<br />
Plight's smile faded. "Like human sacrifice."<br />
He grabbed one arm and Lenka grabbed the other and Valkyrie cried out.<br />
Then they both let go, laughing.<br />
"Naw," Plight said, we just play board games."<br />
..."she fell for it!" gasped Lenka. "She fell for the human
sacrifice bit!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 21pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Alpha crisp"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Alpha crisp";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Alpha crisp"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“People!" she screamed. "There are people
here! New people!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Twilight New Moon"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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</span>Calidae Darkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17077292749567702554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-13398868629767569832012-12-06T13:53:00.003-08:002012-12-06T13:53:44.660-08:00For Derek<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37zO2aYnUmE99sdJgJHqNvf7rv3810F-z4mVYhpTrmZl0YATJdnbEjTp-XzRkS-DZpPM5H9Jo-unHlreOXtrvVfGqRmeYjW06vDVVJrtjcFZMC07tiTqpwk2ueGBPJ0IH1xr97mK0RQ0/s1600/OMGDEREK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37zO2aYnUmE99sdJgJHqNvf7rv3810F-z4mVYhpTrmZl0YATJdnbEjTp-XzRkS-DZpPM5H9Jo-unHlreOXtrvVfGqRmeYjW06vDVVJrtjcFZMC07tiTqpwk2ueGBPJ0IH1xr97mK0RQ0/s320/OMGDEREK.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluewater 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The time I met Derek. EEEEEEEEP! Look at all my books all the hard cover ones. Those people got all their paperbacks and there's me with all my hardback ones.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzCFnlTxVYrWQhHdZnj3t-CdtUmsZjKwk-nu_MB5PjBowIk1_OSkmGry3tcJMOLhJbMrMvobGgH3OInfTPWkXZU8iWrAI0jwhsErEONziYhT5kS-_viYSx6Iwu1SqJy-x21Kv6UtaUEQ/s1600/100_1408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzCFnlTxVYrWQhHdZnj3t-CdtUmsZjKwk-nu_MB5PjBowIk1_OSkmGry3tcJMOLhJbMrMvobGgH3OInfTPWkXZU8iWrAI0jwhsErEONziYhT5kS-_viYSx6Iwu1SqJy-x21Kv6UtaUEQ/s320/100_1408.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The signed KOTW</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He signed it! <i>Looooooook</i> at it. It's beautiful. I swear I spent 20 minutes just staring at it and dying quietly. I didn't put it down for the entire day. Mwah!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SLvg5pNndYw41eAxvOEDk61C3OYjy35jQrHl9PAxCYu_8ILtaa3jM_8fAOYnksrTUKAEIXDBsfZdRXWxTM79yj8pWgS_vD_SkJG6iSbVJ94jGauedZGVVeK5Ojdugw2xrr9vl2gMsJU/s1600/100_1402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SLvg5pNndYw41eAxvOEDk61C3OYjy35jQrHl9PAxCYu_8ILtaa3jM_8fAOYnksrTUKAEIXDBsfZdRXWxTM79yj8pWgS_vD_SkJG6iSbVJ94jGauedZGVVeK5Ojdugw2xrr9vl2gMsJU/s320/100_1402.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All my books.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All my books! Wish I could get the first two in hardback but *shrugs* I really love them anyway. My first one is one of those that looks like it's been through the mill because it's been read that many times! I got my first SP book in September 2008. I joined the blog in November 2011 even though I followed it long before but y'know!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK_f_XTRmDCErOkE3RsitJiHn5IqU5npU8sK4ktJTc1ye2waxbLSTDjNUtcGck4hyphenhyphenO1K9FbZ0DmDs_2IgG8cW72ahnTy3tUMgBqHGvPsTtq0QcW4R6VPskhtULDNz-EWB7BOU-nsh8OI/s1600/fiyaaedit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK_f_XTRmDCErOkE3RsitJiHn5IqU5npU8sK4ktJTc1ye2waxbLSTDjNUtcGck4hyphenhyphenO1K9FbZ0DmDs_2IgG8cW72ahnTy3tUMgBqHGvPsTtq0QcW4R6VPskhtULDNz-EWB7BOU-nsh8OI/s320/fiyaaedit.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Me trying out my Elemental powers. This is real, by the way, not Photoshop or anything. It was awesome, I got to hold fire! How many people can do that?! It was so good! And I went first because no one else would. Silly people.<br />
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My favourite quote is : <span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Doors are for people with no imagination.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> I'm hopefully getting a tee shirt with it on for Christmas! Oh and I have a Val drawing somewhere ... Pictures will come!</span><br />
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<br />Robin Snowscarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11416569430616503103noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-2972835262417368192012-12-06T13:12:00.001-08:002012-12-06T13:12:18.357-08:00Ellikins Fanfic'dThe sun rose bright, and the light streamed through the cracks in Valkyrie's curtains. She blinked and pulled the duvet up over her head, curling up into a ball. She didn't want the day to come, because if the day came, she would have to wake up. Waking up meant remembering. Remembering Melencholia, remembering Skulduggery's bones fall from their joints, his soul gone. She remembered the hurt and the pain and the loss, she remembered getting Melencholia to think about Skulduggery and making her touch him. She remembered the hope that had filled her, only to be doused when nothing happened. Skulduggery remained dead, and Melencholia laughed, the sharp sound ringing through the empty space and cutting into Valkyrie like knives. The White Cleaver had appeared and grabbed Melencholia, and she had been dragged off. But Valkyrie didn't care. She didn't care what happened to Melencholia, or to anyone. She fell to her knees beside the bones of her best friend, tears starting to well up in her eyes.<br /> "Skulduggery?" Her voice cracked, "Skulduggery come on, stop messing it's not funny anymore. Skulduggery? Please don't- don't be dead. You can't be. Please." The tears dripped down her cheeks and she hung her head, picking up his jacket and holding it tightly like a security blanket. His skull stared up at her from where it lay, and she noticed there was nothing there. For the first time, Valkyrie saw a skeleton. He had always been so much more, even though he had no eyes to show emotion, she could always tell he was there, she could see /him/, not the skeleton. But that's all he was now, a skeleton. She shivered and pulled Skulduggery's jacket on. It felt like being hugged and she wrapped her arms around herself tightly, fresh tears coming to the surface. He was gone. Skulduggery was gone. She thought back to the time they had first met, the jokes they shared, the adventures, the petulance, the childish behaviour... And she smiled despite herself. <br /> It had been a month since Skulduggery had died, and the wound was still fresh. Lying in bed was all she seemed to do nowadays, but she got up and shuffled to her CD player. Skulduggery's will had been read out a week after his death. He'd left her a CD, with one single song on it. She didn't know the song at first, but listened to it intently until she learnt the words by heart. She pressed play, got back into bed, and fell asleep again listening to "Me and Mrs Jones."<br />-----------------------------------------------------------<br />
Skulduggery picked up Gordon's echo stone and it pulsed, a hologram of Gordon shimmering up from it. Gordon blinked a few times and squinted up at the figure of Skulduggery looming over him in the shadowy room.<br /> "Skulduggery?" He whispered, shocked, "but you're... You're... You're dead!"<br />Skulduggery hushed him and Gordon pressed his lips together, trying not to talk.<br /> "I am, already dead, but I'm guessing the dead you mean is... Different."<br />Gordon sank back into his armchair and stared at Skulduggery as he stood, completely alive. Well, as alive as a skeleton could be. Something dawned on Gordon as he looked at Skulduggery.<br /> "Valkyrie..." He murmured, "Valkyrie! What about Valkyrie? Have you told her, Skulduggery?"<br /> "No." Skulduggery answered, sounding ashamed.<br /> "What!" Gordon exploded, "Skulduggery! Tell her! You have to tell her! She's distraught without you! You know, she's been here every day, and she talks to me and she /cries/ Skulduggery. Because she misses you! You have to tell her now!"<br /> "I can't tell her!" Skulduggery shouted, and Gordon just looked at him. Skulduggery sagged against a bookcase and covered his face with gloved hands, frustrated. "I can't tell her." He repeated, "I want to, believe me, I want to, but I can't. Not now. Not after she's been this upset and after me hurting her like this. If I went back, if I told her, who knows what she'd do?"<br /> "But how..."<br /> "The White Cleaver got Melencholia to release all the souls she had and... Well..." He gestured to himself.<br /> "But WHY didn't you tell Valkyrie?" Gordon persisted, "surely she should know you're alive?"<br />Skulduggery sighed sadly, "It's for her own good."<br /> "Her own-"<br /> "Gordon!" Skulduggery shouted, " stop judging me before you've heard the whole story!"<br />Gordon looked ashamed and remained quiet.<br /> "Right..." Skulduggery said, "It's for her own good, Gordon, she almost got killed down in those caves! I know she's almost been killed a lot, but this went too far. Because of me and my stupid arrogance, your niece could be dead right now, so in answer to your question, I'm not going to tell her. It's better to let her grieve in whatever way she chooses, rather than to tell her and have her come back into her old life. I won't watch her get hurt again Gordon, I won't." And with that, Skulduggery turned and disappeared into the shadows. Gordon's hologram flickered and just before it retracted into the echo stone, he heard a strange noise come from the corner of the room. He heard a sob.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-414915299919005492012-12-06T12:32:00.001-08:002012-12-10T05:06:50.286-08:00Err..FanArt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1O0K9P3YYvNvXF_dMHIln4DI3QrIKIgfyt3k-F60CQZFq_rJqI4M3aByIGM1X0RjaRtOQkQnlxis7OL-pDt8Mi3hq4hXEPspK4DCNBZv8nrRCm7TECEdnJyB6imWOCsBj9Sdpd0VwWWdv/s1600/101_1935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1O0K9P3YYvNvXF_dMHIln4DI3QrIKIgfyt3k-F60CQZFq_rJqI4M3aByIGM1X0RjaRtOQkQnlxis7OL-pDt8Mi3hq4hXEPspK4DCNBZv8nrRCm7TECEdnJyB6imWOCsBj9Sdpd0VwWWdv/s320/101_1935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">this is skully,I drew him it's not the greatest picture but it's something..I'm still learning myself how to draw..</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiW5Hkz6o3nYunaBDSqGa521VEBMzc1wIQWtb8uE9yV8qWu1G6UPzCnmYGw1mT01758LqXmNcbW1_juX9LLsSX6A4hUapnv-t83upPjAmUhW6X5OoPSoAOWUmzSE88pamxQ7AkgrDtSfBb/s1600/101_1936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiW5Hkz6o3nYunaBDSqGa521VEBMzc1wIQWtb8uE9yV8qWu1G6UPzCnmYGw1mT01758LqXmNcbW1_juX9LLsSX6A4hUapnv-t83upPjAmUhW6X5OoPSoAOWUmzSE88pamxQ7AkgrDtSfBb/s320/101_1936.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Our dear valkyrie</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqNOaU1AuDeT04V5D9n93LKUVF2ykoTJYVWgUsSab5lbNUlyXWYCt9Xm03k3d45qpqi3fzMEmUU8_TcidCnIqTUonpHLThGBXZJ_0hsog3RVyJBSnxU9-YPTPbhaTNbqIf1Ia8smNYYr6/s1600/101_1904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqNOaU1AuDeT04V5D9n93LKUVF2ykoTJYVWgUsSab5lbNUlyXWYCt9Xm03k3d45qpqi3fzMEmUU8_TcidCnIqTUonpHLThGBXZJ_0hsog3RVyJBSnxU9-YPTPbhaTNbqIf1Ia8smNYYr6/s320/101_1904.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQnDnkn8PjZnHsqxefSSgnJnpzcw14FRq-0r9HXYAtnRPHW7itLOIXvAtk_tuoVwquwCdtum3IZ-BCmmbmMXiJPTTNOlM8ITjVC9pJeCCXI9BMHBnE6x-gcuVrWRSIOnXj8YzFa2_8Q7T/s1600/101_1896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQnDnkn8PjZnHsqxefSSgnJnpzcw14FRq-0r9HXYAtnRPHW7itLOIXvAtk_tuoVwquwCdtum3IZ-BCmmbmMXiJPTTNOlM8ITjVC9pJeCCXI9BMHBnE6x-gcuVrWRSIOnXj8YzFa2_8Q7T/s320/101_1896.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAKNvxt5aj0W5twB7XLXYOK0x81UOfeiJxBYTWfNQXIvvaJRl8wciP0cQjEI1HK_Y3wdoR4GFO05FRAv-vsvSELEuDmQMJDBeL_s35A_RfYs0zY6p8d-RvyZ-oA40hJGPvu7KJfJATvP8/s1600/101_1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAKNvxt5aj0W5twB7XLXYOK0x81UOfeiJxBYTWfNQXIvvaJRl8wciP0cQjEI1HK_Y3wdoR4GFO05FRAv-vsvSELEuDmQMJDBeL_s35A_RfYs0zY6p8d-RvyZ-oA40hJGPvu7KJfJATvP8/s320/101_1903.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> this a very good friend,faithful minion , and <strong>lunitic </strong>(she begged me to put this on)as skully</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWil-DFsFYxgAgxgvy0ttF4HNxyVgg1dCuoBt0nv5qhf0h-icm-_jfusmsqVhcHZBvXkx80OOYEtrg-f9LN2S7_uYPgXSpJA2qJywdERmg3fsShogmCAmBce_M7zGW_bGPkijhX_fjEYg/s1600/101_1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWil-DFsFYxgAgxgvy0ttF4HNxyVgg1dCuoBt0nv5qhf0h-icm-_jfusmsqVhcHZBvXkx80OOYEtrg-f9LN2S7_uYPgXSpJA2qJywdERmg3fsShogmCAmBce_M7zGW_bGPkijhX_fjEYg/s320/101_1908.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And last but not least a skeliton teddie for a certain skeliton detective :P</div>
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well that's all I have for now..</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16739700525663337261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-52601102925346728312012-12-06T10:31:00.000-08:002012-12-06T10:31:04.044-08:00E-mail I sent round..."So, 2013 is quickly approaching and GGG is <em>still </em>no-where! And I think that I <em>might</em> be able to go to a signing next year...! There's a much higher chance than there ever has been before, so GGG really needs to be done by the time I get back from America next Summer. And, in order for it to be complete, we need to make sure we start <em>now. </em>Since we've hardly anything, we need to get as much done as we can now. <br />
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I know I'm asking of a lot, y'know with exams and stuff. But, maybe if we can get at least one thing up on the blog a fortnight? </div>
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We've already got a cover, which is amazing! Thank you, Zath! You're brilliant!</div>
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I might not be able to print it all out, so I was thinking should I just, like, put it on a memory stick? 'Cause then it's all here and backed up and stuff...But if you're against that idea I can print things out. Just not all at one time. And if anyone makes anything that they want putting into it, or have anything handwritten or anything like that, e-mail me and let me know and I will give you my address - no matter what country you're in! So we can get tons done, for this.</div>
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If you've got any pictures with Derek, any edits, fan-fiction, Head Canons, Letters to Derek, pictures <em>for </em>Derek, video clips, songs...<em>Anything. </em>It'll all go in! <em><strong>All</strong> </em>of it!</div>
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Here's the link to the blog:</div>
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<a href="http://youllneedtofindyourselfanewhero.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr>youllneedtofindyourselfanewher<wbr></wbr>o.blogspot.co.uk/</a></div>
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If you're not a member but want to be please reply to this e-mail! And pass this message onto other Skuttlebugs, please! I'll be posting on my pages, messaging people on Facebook, talking to people on the chats etc. We're going all out on this one!<br /><br />You can all contribute to the GGG, even if it's only a message to Derek or just your favourite quote. Anything and everything is good! Thank you, all.</div>
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I apologize for any spamming of your inbox and I take all the blame for it. Thank you."</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-37344003102334148572012-12-06T10:15:00.002-08:002012-12-06T10:15:16.970-08:00Rim's Picture~<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvq_0J4DjZWWET5Ci9Y2FsIthLj3X4LyaTOm7wGL2tRT-zuKrMfj-HOdTp7Z2O5bS__cxkln-id52yJeTN_BifVTEFwh-f-DuJ4iyYDqKrl1zzDQYoU2NgQ1a9EuC9K9NjSN-4djBGC1A/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvq_0J4DjZWWET5Ci9Y2FsIthLj3X4LyaTOm7wGL2tRT-zuKrMfj-HOdTp7Z2O5bS__cxkln-id52yJeTN_BifVTEFwh-f-DuJ4iyYDqKrl1zzDQYoU2NgQ1a9EuC9K9NjSN-4djBGC1A/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-6543956769863490932012-09-17T01:39:00.002-07:002012-09-17T01:39:36.747-07:00MORE Fan Art?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufZ-NkP4edn2QgdrvizwjdiJMZI2dpfUYRWwYc9-j3HOwR66vMlfK9nHWRe2Uxj_Wm9VUalVH4Zm-AhLKCfpHytFfNRYQvIhn5GFBsBCqq_77U8DVRbduYUg9YWcIHWq5jFJMPBsc_ow/s1600/SkulduggeryPleasantImage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufZ-NkP4edn2QgdrvizwjdiJMZI2dpfUYRWwYc9-j3HOwR66vMlfK9nHWRe2Uxj_Wm9VUalVH4Zm-AhLKCfpHytFfNRYQvIhn5GFBsBCqq_77U8DVRbduYUg9YWcIHWq5jFJMPBsc_ow/s320/SkulduggeryPleasantImage.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>That</i> is my failed attempt at an actual Skulduggery <b>drawing</b> digitally. Yup, that was <i>drawn</i>. Well, Skulduggery was, anyway, but I digitally made the fire and background.<br />
Terrible as it is, I think it turned out pretty well considering I started from scratch.<br />
Still pretty terrible though, I know.Zathract Misthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13949771210514269250noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-16971404620662937112012-08-05T01:45:00.001-07:002012-08-05T01:48:23.530-07:00CoverBecause L wanted a cover for the folder, here it is!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIogrtrUllYM40JcKqqxrety-sI6FaU2QvSLeiyQalgSEFStFX_HWpT4iRV05q6v7EYxE-0lrZuX68v-_fMn2hC3JcBaEjOgVgE1Gx8xg_oeRAD5i4bEHIUjWzji3iAvD_ZkUFn-hZUw/s1600/Gift+For+The+Golden+God+Cover~.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIogrtrUllYM40JcKqqxrety-sI6FaU2QvSLeiyQalgSEFStFX_HWpT4iRV05q6v7EYxE-0lrZuX68v-_fMn2hC3JcBaEjOgVgE1Gx8xg_oeRAD5i4bEHIUjWzji3iAvD_ZkUFn-hZUw/s320/Gift+For+The+Golden+God+Cover~.png" width="211" /></a></div>
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I figured I may as well post it because this place has been dead for a while.<br />
So...Yeah.<br />
You can enlarge it if you click on the image and <i>yes</i>, I know the explosion has a twelve o'clock line through it.Zathract Misthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13949771210514269250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-8423924350350161862012-06-26T20:35:00.001-07:002012-06-26T20:35:24.966-07:00For the Golden GodHi! This is my first post here and since I didn't enter the awesomeness comp, I'm putting my entry here for Derek and the rest of you to read. Some of you have read a little of it, but I changed it slightly. Still 500 words though and I'm okay with how it turned out. Hope you all like it too!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Valkyrie groaned, and sat up. "I told you it was a trap," she said.<br />"No, you said it looked like it was a trap," Skulduggery corrected. "That's completely different."<br />He helped her up as a door opened behind them and Sadistica Tortura walked through, an unsettling smile on her lips.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">So nice of you to drop by, detectives.” she said, flicking back her long, wavy, bright red hair. “Oh, and that wasn't really a trap. It was an entrance. You like it?” She was all red. Red dress, red high heels, red lipstick, red hair. Her eyes though, were very green.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">I would have liked it better if you added a chute. In case you didn't know, I can't fly like Skulduggery over here.” grumbled Valkyrie.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, yes. I'm terribly sorry about that.” Sadistica didn't sound sorry at all. “I'm Sadistica Tortura by the way. You two are quiet the popular troublemakers.” she smiled slyly.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">So what are we here for? Why do you want us?” asked Skulduggery.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Cutting to the chase then, are we?”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">We've got other things to do.”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Nothing much,” she answered. “Just something of mine was stolen and I called you here to ask if you could help me get it back.”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">No, sorry.” said Skulduggery “We're not going on a wild duck hunt-”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Goose chase.” Valkyrie corrected.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Skulduggery didn't seem to hear her. “We are not going on a duck hunt for something that is not real.”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Skulduggery, it's goose chase. Not duck hunt.” Valkyrie insisted.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">I heard you the first time, my dear Valkyrie, and actually, it is duck hunt. It's always been duck hunt.”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Since when?”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Since just now, because I said so”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sadistica cleared her throat to get their attention. “While this is a nice conversation,” she said, “Can we go back to why you're thinking that I am making this up?”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In a blink of an eye, Skulduggery had his gun out and pointed at her. “Sadistica Tortura, you are under arrest for stealing private property and murdering Krane Powers and Loretta Gape.”</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Damn. You knew this all along, didn't you?” She was backing up, getting closer to the door.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, now I suggest you come quietly. Or else we will be forced to have to subdue you.” Skulduggery said. Sadistica turned around and tried to run but Valkyrie punched her hard in the face and she hit the ground, knocked out cold. “Why didn't you say 'the sparrow flies south for winter' before you punched?” asked Skulduggery, sounding slightly offended. He knelt down to shackle Sadistica's wrists.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“</span><span style="font-size: small;">You said it yourself. If she tried to run, we would have to 'subdue' her. That should be warning enough.” Valkyrie answered. “So what do we do now? She can't walk to the car in this state.”</span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Skulduggery suggested, “Let's leave her here for the cleavers.”</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hope you liked it!</span> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-76080274712945842762012-06-22T21:05:00.002-07:002012-06-22T21:05:49.712-07:00WhoopsYou know, I changed my mind<br />
I'm going to finish my thingNixion Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940998577242832277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-27125875355945586002012-06-21T23:09:00.002-07:002012-06-21T23:09:45.427-07:00WerewolvesYou've all probably read the first chapter of Kingdom of the Wicked by now. If you haven't, go read it. It's on the Skulduggery Pleasant website. Strangely, I couldn't find it, and only read it because someone gave me a direct link to the pdf. Anyway, read it first before reading this post<br />
Derek's got werewolves. Yes, I'm over the moon (ha ha ha...). But I'm also pretty disappointed.<br />
My story has lost all meaning. Derek has a lot of similarities with mine, but the differences are just to great for mine to continue. I had such plans for it, but knowing this, I just can't continue.<br />
After weeks of thinking, planning, writing and re-writing, that was all I had. I doubt I'll be able to think up another SP fan-fic... I'm hugely disappointed. I guess that's it then. I'm going to delete my posts on this blog, but they'll still be on my other blog, Read This Mortals. However, I'm not going to continue it<br />
*sighs*Nixion Strangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940998577242832277noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-63706611350984680482012-06-12T02:03:00.000-07:002012-06-12T02:03:28.989-07:00My First Post + Fanart (Is that right?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">So, first post and all. Not much to say really. I did this drawing a few months ago- my first good, proper drawing. I like it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvfnT4hrY6IPxHxGbXE9Yzo58JAfRw_vX-i8QnJq4sDGlAg5XaF-_oRlHz62rucVrzhN5P4umOXusmU8yvsGdrTs4mUnRjipnMI8eztYK34OnPzLnn1MOUUML3kB4oAr8gIZ7E9369Ydh/s1600/IMG_4088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvfnT4hrY6IPxHxGbXE9Yzo58JAfRw_vX-i8QnJq4sDGlAg5XaF-_oRlHz62rucVrzhN5P4umOXusmU8yvsGdrTs4mUnRjipnMI8eztYK34OnPzLnn1MOUUML3kB4oAr8gIZ7E9369Ydh/s320/IMG_4088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Full view <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJbgesPnOsUIcEhlEKy_O_BSikHYLnM-mp6U1eEDjAnC0y3aPfnSH3-ImeSNd_qD0L6HGred8Mjd6SGqLZEr3lpml4jCE2_jFTsULXYqITpGHMQUoODOAjUouMQSmiGxHRoHJAJQRJcrJ/s1600/IMG_4090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJbgesPnOsUIcEhlEKy_O_BSikHYLnM-mp6U1eEDjAnC0y3aPfnSH3-ImeSNd_qD0L6HGred8Mjd6SGqLZEr3lpml4jCE2_jFTsULXYqITpGHMQUoODOAjUouMQSmiGxHRoHJAJQRJcrJ/s320/IMG_4090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Close up<br />
<br />
Good? Bad? Ugly?Johanna Remmus (The Mad One)http://www.blogger.com/profile/00973004469116554782noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-69014633872077767092012-06-10T16:50:00.003-07:002012-06-10T16:50:46.937-07:00A Short Little Fan Fic That I Never Got To Enter In The Competition !!! :D<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_4fd52f0816d2f9877424019">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey there, since it wouldn't let me contribute my entry to the short story competition on the Skulduggery Pleasant page i decided to write one and post it here instead. Here goes - </span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Valkyrie groaned, and sat up. "I told you it was a trap," she said.<br />"No, you said it looked like it was a trap," Skulduggery corrected. "That's completely different."<br />He helped her up as a door opened behind them and <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span></span></span><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Sadistica Tortura walked through, an unsettling smile on her lips. </span>"Oh, what a lovely little surpise," she said in a feline tone."The famous Skeleton Detective and his assistant Valkyrie Cain. At my merciless hands," she purred. She circled them, staring ay them intently. The door opened again, but this time Drake Shadows walked through. He smiled at Skulduggery and Valkyrie then his lips met Sadistica's. As he pulled away he gave her two pairs of bounded handcuffs. <br />"It was great meeting you but we really must be on our way," Valkyrie said politely, steping closer to the door. Drake walked over, blocking the exit.<br />"You musn't leave now, the fun's just about to begin," Sadistica insisted. She walked up to Valkyrie, smelling her. Valkyrie flinched, she hated people getting to close to her. Sadistica started fiddling with Valkyries hair then yanked it suddenly. Valkyrie screamed in pain. Skulduggery went to help her but he hit a wall of shadows Drake was controlling. He sent tendrils of shadows at Skulduggery's hand, just as he was reaching for his pistol. Meanwhile, Sadistica was on top of Valkyrie, scratching at her face and neck. Valkyrie was trying to push her off before she penetrated her skin. They struggled for a bit, Valkyrie growing tired and moaning ever so often. Valkyrie finally punched Sadistica on the side of the jaw and kicked her off, sending her sprawling across the room into Drake, who was struggling with Skulduggery, making him stumble. Skulduggery used the distraction to punch him several more times, ending with a hard uppercut to the chin, knocking Drake out. He landed on top of Sadistica, who hissed and tried to claw her way out from under him. Eventually she gave up and jsut lay there. Skulduggery walked over to where his pistol lay and picked it up. He dusted it off and put it back in it's holster.<br />"Are you okay?" Skulduggery asked Valkyrie.<br />"I'm fine," she said. "Just a little sore" Valkyrie walked over to the pairs of handcuffs that Sadistica had dropped during their struggle. She tossed a pair to Skulduggery, who walked over and cuffed Drake. Valkyrie went over to Sadistica, rolled Drake to the side with Skulduggery's help and pulled her arms behind her back cuffing her. Skulduggery pulled out his phone and called the Grand Mage.<br />"Yes, we've got them. No, they're fine. Yes, okay we will. Just Cleavers. Thanks. Bye," Skulduggery said and hung up." The Cleavers will be here shorly, Ravel says good work." Valkyrie just groaned and slid down the wall. The Cleavers wouldn't be there for another ten minutes. She took that time to relax and think about going home. The Cleavers arrived with two other Sanctuary agents Valkyrie had met once or twice before and she got up and went to sit in the Bently to wait for Skulduggery. He told gave the agents what to do with the couple and got in the Bently. Skulduggery drove Valkyrie back to her house instead of the docks as it was so late at night that nobody would be up. <br />"Thanks Skulduggery, see you tomorrow," she yawned. <br />"Take the week off, i have some business i need to deal with and you could really use some rest," he said to her. She nodded and walked away, greatfull to have some time to herself. She walked directly below her bedroom window and made a cushion of air below her to carry her up. Whe she was at the top she open the window and let herself in. The reflection was lying in her bed, staring at her as she came in. Valkyrie said nothing as she changed into her old running shorst and an old t-shirt. The reflection walked over to the mirror and stepped inside, waiting there. Valkyrie touched the mirror and felt the memories flood through her as she got into bed and pulled the covers up to her neck. She lay there engulfed in the warmth of the covers and drifted off thinking about Fletcher. <br /><br />That's all I've got so far, let me know what you think :3 </span></span></div>Cassidy Clarimonde (Self-Appointed Grand Mage of the Scottish Sanctuary)http://www.blogger.com/profile/08086376210960594884noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-18761587264105058672012-06-10T07:06:00.000-07:002012-06-10T07:06:51.217-07:00D:After this week I will have finished most of my exams and will only have three, or so, left. This means that I will be able to be more active here and I encourage all of you to be as active as you can! Even if it's only a message to Derek! Well, just to let you all know that I'd like to try and get somewhere with this in the next six weeks - because I am going on holiday in six weeks. I'll make sure to take a sketch book and pen with me when I go, so I will still be able to contribute, but won't be able to post straight away <i>there won't be WiFi... ¬_¬ Anyway, </i>I just thought I should remind you guys, I guess.<br />
If you've got any ideas for a fanfiction or anything but don't want to write it I am sure one of these guys would gladly help you out, there.<br />
If anyone has done a crossover, that'd be awesome to be in the folder, too!<br />
<br />
I may end up making a list of what we've got and what we could get, so if I do I will put that up, too. :')<br />
<br />
So, I guess, GOOD LUCK AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU'VE GOT FOR THE FOLDER.<br />
Even if it's a random picture or vlogs or a parody or a drawing or a HC. Oooh...HC's....Also, any random quotes from the books you like please let me know and I will split things up with a piece of paper with quote(s) on. x3 Thank you, all. <3 XUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-22884648644557411012012-06-07T04:21:00.003-07:002012-06-07T04:21:46.518-07:00Skulduggery SevenfoldAnyone who actually knows the band Avenged Sevenfold should see what I've done here.<br />
Isn't the best thing in the world and doesn't relate directly to SP as such, but I wanted to do <i>something</i>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff372/NeoZathier/SkulduggerySevenfold.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff372/NeoZathier/SkulduggerySevenfold.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Aaaaaand, I promise to do something better tomorrow...Zathract Misthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13949771210514269250noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4607174883486582203.post-9554725106412125562012-06-04T17:28:00.001-07:002012-06-04T17:28:29.226-07:00Yes? No? Maybe? No, I know. It's terrible...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">Valkyrie
groaned, and sat up. “I told you it was a trap,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">“No,
you said it <i>looked </i>like it was a
trap,” Skulduggery corrected. “That’s completely different.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">He
helped her up as a door opened behind them and Sadistica Tortura walked
through, an unsettling smile on her lips.</span> She cradled a baguette in her
arms. “Now,” she spoke. Tortura’s voice was delicate, despite her harsh
Glaswegian accent. “You two have been trying to steal some of my collectables,
from what I hear…” she rolled up her sleeves and breathed heavily. Tortura
looked down and allowed the blonde curls to fall into her face, framing her
pale face. Her eyes were prickled with tear drops, but she shook her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sadistica pressed her index finger to her stomach, and then
to her left forearm. Her body glowed orange as she crossed her arms across her
body. Skulduggery reached for his gun,
so she flung open her arms sending surge of orange energy into them both,
leaving the baguette to fall to the ground. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Skulduggery leaped forward, whereas Valkyrie dived to the
left. The energy dissipated and Skulduggery retrieved the baguette and grabbed
Valkyrie’s hand. Sadistica was momentarily blinded by the glowing energy and
depended on her pressure sensors in her body, but this time they let her down.
She felt the baguette smash into her head, she recoiled and Valkyrie took this
opportunity to hurtle a ball of fire at Sadistica, torching her blonde hair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sadistica’s world came into focus, once again. She saw the
baguette heading straight for her face, but hadn’t enough time to move and it
crashed into her face, hard. She heard a crunch as the stick of bread broke in
half. Valkyrie mumbled something about sparrows and winter, and then her fist
met Sadistica. But Tortura came back at her with a high kick, meeting
Valkyrie’s chin. Skulduggery was too busy mourning over his latest weapon.
Valkyrie stumbled and almost fell, but got into a rhythm and sent shadows
flying into Sadistica, pushing her away. Valkyrie reinforced this barrier with
a wall of air, she pushed at it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sadistica’s hair was torched and her nose dripping with
blood. She glared at Valkyrie and reached out her arm, as though she was about
to throw her and fell to the floor. A single bullet wound through her chest,
Skulduggery replaced his gun in his pocket and embraced the baguette one last
time. “Rest in pieces, baguette – you were…” Skulduggery ran out of the room –
cutting himself off - closely followed by Valkyrie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Plan?” Valkyrie shouted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Doors are for people with no imagination, my dear Valkyrie.
There’s a window…Coat?” She tore off her coat and threw it to him. Skulduggery’s foot made contact with the cold,
hard floor once more before he propelled upwards and smashed through the
stained-glass and landed elegantly on the wet grass, Valkyrie followed and
tumbled in a heap. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was pure lunacy!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, sanity <i>is </i>the
ability to deny anything fun…”<o:p></o:p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6