Mysteries of Aurora - Thursday, September 5th - Lunch time

 

Alexia saw that Freya was a little different and it wasn’t just her pink hair and the energy she exuded. It was obvious that her focus wandered. She also saw that she squinted a bit when she turned the pages quickly. ‘I don’t want to ask,’ she thought. ‘She would be ready to say when she wants to say.’

 

 

Freya knew that Alexia was curious. ‘Let her be curious,’ she thought as she flipped through the pages.

 

 

Elsewhere in the library, Olivia was wandering the area of the Nordic section where the records of that era (and the copies) were kept. ‘Amazing that the paper is still viable,’ she thought. But then she knew that AAUA was one of the best places in the world for preservation of old records. She glanced at one of them. The dyslexia defeated her for a moment and then she realised that it was in Norse, rather than the Auroran of the period. ‘Of course,’ she groused to herself. ‘I’d be better off looking at the Roman records.’

Even so, she was more curious about the Nordic Era. ‘But I will get to the Roman Era eventually.’ She continued wandering. ‘There has to be some Auroran translations somewhere.’

 

 

Freya looked at the time. “12:20,” she said. “I have Introduction to Renaissance Art of Aurora in twenty minutes.”

 

“Oh,” Alexia said. “I’ll see you another time.”

 

“I will!”

 

 

Olivia found some records in Auroran. “Of course it’s still Old Auroran, but that’s fine.”

 

“How may I help you?” It was David, the library assistant who had helped two days earlier.

 

“Yes, I’m browsing this area.”

 

“The Late Old Auroran translations of the Norse records?”

 

“Yes. To get a taste of the period, as it were,” Olivia answered.

 

“A good idea. Let me show you something.”

 

Olivia nodded. She followed David to the end of a shelf.

 

“This is the index of the records,” David said as he pulled out a book.

 

“Thanks.”

 

 

Freya arrived at the lecture theater and saw that there were just as many people there as there were for the Music lecture. She went up to a few other students. “Hey, I’m Freya!”

 

One turned to her. “Hi, Freya. I’m Michaela. You certainly look the part.”

 

Freya shrugged. “I have always stood out.” She looked at Michaela, who had a small amount of blue highlights in her auburn hair, but otherwise looked conventional.

 

“I guess so,” Michaela said as the doors opened.

 

 

Olivia ran her text to speech pen over the page in the index. She quickly realised that she was without the context. ‘Maybe I need to start somewhere. But where? The Unification and working backward? Or forwards from the capture of Urbs Aeturna?’ She stood up. “943, the capture of Urbs Aeterna by Eric Leifsson and his forces,” she said from memory. ‘Maybe there are first-hand accounts, somewhere. Or maybe it’s too soon.’ She decided to find a general work on Urbs Aeterna during the Nordic Period and work from there.

 

 

Again, Freya found that the professor had had experience with teaching neurodivergent students before. “…Mostly those who are on the autism spectrum, but a few with ADHD,” he said.

 

“I see,” Freya said.

 

“And you’re not the first synesthete either.”

 

Freya nodded.

 

“You can go now.”

 

“Thanks for the reassurance,” Freya said as she got up.

 

“Any time.”

 

 

Freya found Daniela at the Main Cafeteria, which was on the opposite side of the Central Plaza from the western entrance of the Main Library.

 

“The oldest coffee house in Aurora,” Daniela said, as Freya came up.

 

“Is it?” Freya asked.

 

“That’s what they say.”

 

She looked around. It certainly looked to be from that era.

 

“How were the classes?” Daniela asked.

 

“Engaging, and the professors were understanding of my needs and questions. It helps that there have been others in the past.”

 

“I wonder if it’s gone under the radar in the past.”

 

“Quite likely, but it seems that AAUA has always moved with the times,” Freya said.

 

“But there also parts that seem reluctant to move forward.”

 

“That’s true of anywhere.”

 

“But especially of Aurora.”

 

 

They soon got their meals. “I have travelled,” Daniela said.

 

“Oh,” Freya said. “Overseas?”

 

“Mostly to Britain, Ireland, Munssland and America.”

 

“Munssland?”

 

“Yes. It’s still quite Auroran, even if they’re mostly Auroric speaking,” Daniela said. “Even there, it feels a lot younger than Aurora. America a lot more so.”

 

“I’m sure you have to go to the Middle East to find a city as old as Urbs Aeterna.”

 

“Damascus is older, I’m sure.”

 

“And others,” Freya said.

 

They continued talking, as Freya savoured the old-style coffee, with her eyes closed.

 

 

Olivia took a break, as she realised that she had researched well into the afternoon. “I need lunch,” she decided.

 

On her way out of the Library, she ran into Janara at the Grand Atrium. “Janara!”

 

“Olivia. How did the class go?”

 

“It went well. There are accommodations.”

 

“That’s good to hear,” Janara said.

 

“Now, somewhere for lunch.”

 

“I heard there is a good place on the roof of the Art Gallery.”

 

“That’s interesting,” Olivia considered. “I’d like to hear the story about that, along with everything else.”

 

“I’m sure it’s here somewhere.”

 

 

After the previous day’s experiences, Daniela didn’t find it that odd that Freya was keeping her eyes closed as she ate lunch and drank the old style coffee as she talked. ‘It’s part of how she experiences the world she said.’

 

“…And so, I can trace my ancestry back to the Vikings in the early Nordic period,” Freya said.

 

“That’s good, most of my lines peter out either in the Renaissance, or in the late Nordic period, shortly before the Unification.”

 

“Apparently, the keeping of those records really only start in the Renaissance, in the rural areas.”

 

“It goes back a lot further in the cities, especially in Urbs Aeterna,” Daniela said.

 

 

It didn’t take Janara and Olivia long to find the place above the Art Gallery. Olivia was relived to find that it wasn’t crowded. ‘That’s good,’ she thought. “Multiple layers,” she commented.

 

“Huh?”

 

“The University, Urbs Aeterna, Aurora.”

 

“Definitely,” Janara said. “Even with the local internet. The Auroran and Auroric language internets have more older sites than most other languages, especially those in English.”

 

“I had heard something about that.”

 

“And so, Aurora proves to be unique yet again.”

 

“I’m sure there other nations that claim to be unique,” Olivia said.

 

“I’m sure there are, but I’m sure you’ll agree that Aurora has the best claim.”

 

“Yes.”

 

They then came to the counter.

Church notes - 24th November 2024

 24th

2 Peter 2

False Teachers and Their Fate

Information overload - too much information in this day and age.

Peter focuses his readers on the Truth.

Have we become too tolerant?

vs 1

There _will_ be false teachers!

vs 13

Amongst you

Look for the actions

vs 2

vs 14

Accursed breed

God takes this seriously!

He is in't slack in remembering His promises.

Balaam

Numbers 22

Don't be afraid that God won't deal with the false teachers and look after His people.

Their end state is worse than the first.

Condemnation is hanging over them.

vs 13

Slaves of depravity who were never born again.

Proclaim Jesus as Lord and be born again.

Not only in words, but in actions.

Know the Word.

John 1:1

Jesus and the Scriptures

Spider Quinn 13 Aftermath and Investigations Part 2

 

True to her word, Sandi pulled up into the Giant Strawberry’s parking lot with screeching rubber just over four minutes later. Daria stopped trembling and got out of the car. ‘How did she manage to drift around those corners?’ she wondered. Were teens in Lawndale secretly street racing? ‘If so, I hope Quinn isn’t involved.’ It was another thing for her to look into.

 

“What are you looking for?” Sandi asked as she locked the car.

 

“You’re staying?”

 

“I get the feeling you will want to go elsewhere shortly, just as you did at the Historia.”

 

“A wild goose chase across Lawndale,” Daria commented. “Probably.”

 

“Again…”

 

“The vigilantes.”

 

“Only one time, SpiderGirl was mentioned being here,” Sandi said.

 

“When was that?”

 

“Around the time the Fashion Club ended.”

 

“There may still be something,” Daria responded, “Come on.”

 

 

Daria and Sandi cooperated in their search of the Strawberry and then climbed to the top and looked out over Lawndale. “Where to next?” Sandi asked.

 

“Probably back to Jane’s,” Daria responded as she looked through a telescope at High Hills Park.

 

“Not that much of a wild goose chase if it’s only two places.”

 

“Good point,” Daria said as she moved the telescope southwards. “The Mall.”

 

“Which one?” Sandi asked.

 

“The Lawndale Mall, but that would take the rest of the afternoon and I’m sure my sister told you I hate shopping, even window shopping. The parking lot looks as full as ever. I guess the term ‘retail therapy’ is accurate.”

 

 

Sandi looked through another telescope. “These are powerful enough to see individual people halfway across town. Maybe we could sight SpiderGirl in the distance,” she suggested. ‘But how to change to the Enigma without Daria noticing?’ she shook her head. She wanted to see where the wild goose chase went.

 

“Just as likely to see that fourth vigilante and not recognise her,” Daria said as she looked at another spot.

 

‘How right you are, Daria,’ Sandi thought with an inward chuckle.

 

“We will go to High Hills Park. Then to Jane’s,” Daria decided.

 

“And if you find something there?”

 

“It’s getting late.”

 

 

It was another high speed run to High Hills Park. ‘I suppose I could get used to Sandi’s use of nitrous, if she did it on the Interstate. Maybe that is where the racing is happening.’ She shook her head, if it was happening, it was certainly happening on Lawndale’s streets.

 

 

Sandi watched as Daria walked around the park, looking on the ground and in the bushes. ‘She’s certainly after something,’ she thought.

 

 

‘This has been a wild goose chase,’ Daria thought as she came back to Mrs. Griffin’s car. ‘But how am I going to explain to Quinn that I spent part of the afternoon with Sandi? It’s best that she hears about it from me rather than on the grapevine!’

 

“So, Jane’s?” Sandi asked.

 

“Yes. I’m sure you know where it is.”

 

Sandi nodded. “Howard Drive.”

 

 

Sandi pulled up outside Casa Lane as the sun began to set. “This has been an interesting afternoon,” she said.

 

“Yes. Thanks for the ride, even if you went fast,” Daria said as she got out.

 

“Like, see you another time,” Sandi said before speeding off.

 

 

“What? Sandi?” Jane asked.

 

“It was either her, or Kevin.”

 

“I would have picked Kevin.”

 

“I’m sure Quinn will say the same thing,” Daria said. “It was, interesting, crossing Lawndale with her. But I probably won’t do it again.”

 

“Probably.”

 

“If I do a wild goose chase across town again, I’ll probably do it with you or Quinn.”

 

“Probably?” Jane asked.

 

“I think I’m going to investigate what is happening in Lawndale, including the person who attacked last night, and the vigilantes.”

 

“I’ll help you then.”

 

“But first, I need to get home,” Daria said.

 

 

As Daria walked off, Jane thought about what she said. ‘She won’t find out that I’m the Shadow easily,’ she thought.

 

 

In the kitchen, Quinn heard Daria explain what had happened that afternoon. She wasn’t disappointed, annoyed or angry that Daria had hung out with Sandi. Daria knew how to handle herself.

 

“… I didn’t want to betray your trust by not being honest,” Daria concluded.

 

“Daria, it’s fine,” Quinn responded. “I would have done the same in your place. But what were you worried about to begin with?”

 

“I saw that Jane had marked an appearance of the fourth vigilante at the Historia and I wanted to check it over. I guess last night’s events have me a little spooked.”

 

“They would spook anyone. I heard many people talk about that this morning.”

 

“Then I went up on the roof and looked at the roof and at the town, including the Giant Strawberry,” Daria added.

 

“And then you wanted to check it out.”

 

“Did you know Sandi is involved in street racing?”

 

“Yes,” Quinn answered.

 

“Right. But are you?”

 

“No, but Stacy is, as surprising as that may seem.”

 

“Stacy,” Daria considered. “Anyway. Sandi asked me if I wanted to get to the Strawberry in less than five minutes…”

 

 

“…and so I am going to investigate what’s happening in town.”

 

“It comes back to what you said in Freemont, doesn’t it?” Quinn asked.

 

“If you want to,” Daria said.

 

“Then yes, Daria, of course I’ll help solve crime with you. As well as with Jane. But probably not alongside Sandi.”

 

Daria could hear the stress in her sister’s tone. “I wouldn’t ask you to.”

 

 

Quinn went back up to her room. ‘Another thing, on top of everything else. Helping Daria investigate without her finding out I’m SpiderGirl or that Brittany is Ninja Talon.’ She looked out the window and down the street. ‘I can do it,’ she thought with determination. ‘But I will tell Brittany what is happening.’

 

 

After dinner, Sandi went up to her room, ready for another search. But first, she reflected on the time spent with Daria. ‘I’ll probably join her again on those wild goose chases, and if they’re not, it would probably be another way Lawndale can be helped.’ She opened the yearbook. “Kerrie-lea Bayliss,” she considered.

 

She downed one of the energy drinks she had bought at the Historia earlier. “Finddu mann sem heiter: Kerrie-lea Bayliss!”

 

She found Kerrie-lea Bayliss at the Historia, where more people were present in the café than when she was there with Daria.

 

“Six down.”

 

 

Quinn felt the tingle again. She took out the notebook. ‘Saturday night: Low tingle again. Whoever it is is keeping it up. Last night’s events haven’t changed it. Also, Daria wants to investigate crime.’ She then continued her designs for a resilient suit.

 

 

Shortly before bed, Daria emerged into the backyard. She went into the middle of the yard and looked back at the house as she shone her flashlight on the roof. ‘The vigilantes certainly can use it to watch the neighborhood while remaining unobserved from the street,’ she thought. ‘But I need sleep.’

 

 

The Enigma left home at the now usual time. She decided to head toward the Historia and then re-trace the journey she had with Daria across Lawndale. ‘Maybe I’ll find what we missed earlier.’

 

 

Linda was still awake. She had had nightmares the night before, and she knew that Sandi had used the nitrous that day. She also was not unaware of the street racing that Sandi had partaken in in the past. ‘Just as well she doesn’t have her own car yet.’

 

 

The Enigma climbed the Historia and then looked out over the town much as Daria had over nine hours earlier. She looked at the Giant Strawberry first. ‘It probably would be difficult to see if the Moon wasn’t up,’ she thought. She then looked around at the town. ‘Nothing unusual,’ she thought as she glanced towards Lawndale Flats. ‘I won’t go there yet.’ She looked towards High Hills Park, but saw it was hidden by a rise covered in houses and trees. ‘I’ll look at it from the Strawberry.’

She saw that the downtown was deserted. ‘The Shadow isn’t here. I can’t see SpiderGirl. So, to the Strawberry it is!’

 

 

As the Enigma headed across Lawndale from the Historia, an Oscorp satellite passed overhead and took images of the town…

 

 

Ninja Talon had kept to the shadows beneath the trees as she headed to Glen Oaks Lane from Crewe Neck. She approached the Morgendorffers from the laneway and saw that Daria’s light was out and that SpiderGirl was waiting for her on the roof.

 

 

SpiderGirl saw Ninja Talon arrive. “How was this afternoon?” the latter asked.

 

“It was fine. The usual, but something else has come up.”

 

“What?”

 

“Daria is going to investigate the situation. And by situation, I mean everything, including us and the other heroes,” SpiderGirl answered.

 

“Because of last night?”

 

“Yes. I think she was going to anyway, but it was like an accelerant.”

 

“Oh,” Ninja Talon commented.

 

“And she had a wild goose chase across town with Sandi. It seems she was on the top of the Historia not long after we were.”

 

“So, we need to be more careful there.”

 

“Yes,” SpiderGirl added, before explaining what Daria had done with Sandi.

 

 

“So, we make sure she doesn’t find out,” Ninja Talon said when SpiderGirl had concluded. “Shouldn’t be too hard.”

 

“I agree, but we will have to be even more careful.”

 

Ninja Talon nodded. “And I haven’t heard anything about the attacker. It’s like he just vanished.”

 

“Or biding his time, while he repairs that glider.”

 

“Good point.”

 

 

The Enigma arrived at the Giant Strawberry and looked around much as she did earlier. ‘Nothing that I didn’t notice earlier,’ she thought as she climbed up again. She looked through the telescopes, hoping to find SpiderGirl as she had suggested to Daria earlier. ‘She would stick out like a sore thumb, much more than I would.’

 

 

After talking to Ninja Talon, SpiderGirl had patrolled between the Morgendorffers’ neighborhood and the downtown, rescuing one person in Dega Street from a mugger. She was out of sight from the vantage point of the Giant Strawberry.

 

 

The Enigma spent fifteen minutes looking through the telescope before deciding to head towards High Hills Park.

 

 

At High Hills Park, she found nothing other than a few Wiccans performing a ritual. She watched them from the distance before wandering the rest of the park, before heading towards Howard Drive.

 

 

She looked at the Lanes’ place. ‘What exactly, is Jane up to? What is Daria refusing to see?’ She was sure that the Lanes were up to something. ‘Is Jane one of the other vigilantes?’ she asked herself once again. ‘I could keep an eye on the house, but that would be boring.’ She decided to head home.

 

 

Lawndale Sun-Herald

Sunday February 4, 2001

What does the Groundhog Day Attack Mean For Lawndale?

 

Lawndale collectively was still in a state of shock following the Groundhog Day Attack. As such, it wouldn’t be a surprise that it was a common topic at the various church communities in the town.

 

 

After breakfast Daria was ready to start her investigation. ‘But Quinn is sleeping in,’ she thought as she finished her tea and put the cup in the dishwasher. ‘I guess I’ll start without her.’

 

 

She went to the ruins of the Lawndale Center first. Armed with a notebook, she spent about an hour taking observations.

 

 

“Daria?”

 

“Brittany?”

 

“I see you’re looking into the attack too?” Brittany asked while twirling her hair.

 

“Yes. What has been happening in Lawndale. It’s unusual, what with the vigilantes and all.”

 

“Especially SpiderGirl?”

 

“Including SpiderGirl,” Daria said. “That was the start of the unusual events. When she appeared.”

 

“I see,” Brittany said. ‘It is going to be difficult to protect Quinn’s secret, but not impossible,’ she thought. “What about the others?”

 

“Of course,” Daria said. “There is a connection with Ninja Talon. The Shadow, not so much. The fourth, even less so.”

 

‘At least she’s unaware of the name,’ Brittany thought. “So, you’re starting with the attack?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“By yourself?”

 

“Probably not. With Quinn, sometimes. Also using Jane’s art project,” Daria answered. “In which she’s been inspired by Lawndale’s streetscape.”

 

“Oooh!”

 

“And I spent part of yesterday racing across town with Sandi. Did you know…”

 

“Street racing,” Brittany interrupted. “I know she is into it.”

 

“Right. Is there anyone who doesn’t know?”

 

“Kevin doesn’t.”

 

“I stepped into that one,” Daria admitted. “Besides Kevin.”

 

“I’m not sure.”

 

“So, what do you know of the vigilantes?”

 

“Nothing,” Brittany lied.

 

“You do know something.”

 

“I have met SpiderGirl, the Shadow and the fourth.”

 

“When were these?”

 

“Last year, just after DeMartino was arrested, for SpiderGirl. Two weeks ago for the Shadow. A few days ago for the fourth.”

 

 

Daria considered Brittany’s answer. ‘Doesn’t seem like she’s lying,’ she thought. “Would you like to help me as well as the others?”

 

“Sure!” Brittany said enthusiastically. “But what have you found this morning?”

 

“Not much,” Daria admitted. “I have just written down what I found here. I haven’t analysed it yet.”

 

“You could make a copy,” Brittany suggested.

 

“Sure. Maybe you’ll have an insight I wouldn’t.”

 

 

Daria took out a spare sheet of paper and a clipboard, and copied what she had written down, before giving it to Brittany. “Maybe we can talk about it at school tomorrow.”

 

“I’ll see you then.”

 

“I’m going to Jane’s now.”

 

“To contribute to the project?”

 

“Maybe.”

 

“Those clips look good by the way.”

 

 

Brittany watched Daria leave, remembering the discussion with Quinn the previous night. Once she had gone some distance, she went to the amenities block and changed to Ninja Talon.

 

 

Jane yawned as she answered the door. “Daria, it’s still early.”

 

“I have spent most of the morning at the ruins and talking to Brittany afterwards,” Daria said as she entered.

 

“What did Brittany want?” Jane asked.

 

 

“So, she’s helping you to?” Jane asked as she poured the coffee in the kitchen.

 

“Yes,” Daria answered.

 

“Let me get this straight. You’re looking over my project, racing on wild goose chases with Sandi, investigating with Quinn and now getting help from Brittany. That is a lot, Daria.”

 

“I know, but I will be able to manage it.”

 

“Just not all in one day,” Jane said.

 

“Obviously, not with all four on school days. Today might be an exception, if I run into Sandi again.”

 

“It might be unlikely.”

 

“I will go to the Historia for lunch. I’ll see if she’s there or not.”

 

“Still unlikely.”

 

 

Over the next couple of hours, Daria analysed what she had found at the ruins, while also looking at Jane’s sketch. At the same time, Jane made more sketches from her existing ones and marked more spots on the maps of Lawndale.

 

 

Ninja Talon watched the house in Howard Drive for a short while, before heading back downtown.

 

 

SpiderGirl came along a short while later. ‘But is Daria there now?’ she asked herself. She wasn’t sure. She decided to retrace Daria and Sandi’s wild goose chase in reverse, so she headed towards High Hills Park.

 

 

SpiderGirl looked around the park and saw that it was mostly deserted. ‘People are probably afraid to be out after the attack. I will find that attacker. Or at least take out that glider craft somehow.’ She already had some ideas about that, mostly involving alleys. ‘But how, without causing more destruction.’

 

She then headed to the Giant Strawberry.

Church notes - August 2024

 4th August 2024: https://fardell34.wordpress.com/2024/08/04/church-notes-4th-august-2024/

11th August 2024: https://fardell34.wordpress.com/2024/08/11/church-notes-11th-august-2024/

18th August 2024: https://x.com/fardell24/status/1825060000261349678

25th August 2024: https://write.as/fardell24c/church-notes-25th-august-2024

22nd November 2024 Writings

 

22^nd

 

Excerpt from: Genie Universe Continuity Reboot

‘Why has this turned into a wild goose chase?’ she asked herself.

 

“I wished it to South Dubbo,” Mel said in a regretful tone.

 

“He’s lying! He hid it somewhere in this house. I’m going to search the attic for it,” Dennis said. He still didn’t believe what Mel was saying. ‘She is trying to trick me away from here,’ he thought.

 

 

“Nicola and Mel, I suggest you lock Dennis in the shed,” Daniel said. He thought that having Dennis running around Dubbo was a bad idea, given the current situation.

 

“That seems rather extreme!” Anna Marie said.

 

Words: 98

 

 

Excerpt from: Difficulty of Shortcuts

Escape Pod 14

“A shuttle has left the wormhole,” Katelyn reported.

 

“I’m reading a Vulcan lifesign,” Daniel said.

 

“I can explain why we were doing what we're doing, even if he would anticipate my answer.”

 

“True, but he will help us retake Kathiannah. Maintain pursuit course.”

 

 

Voyager

Voyager exited the wormhole, and just in time.

 

“The wormhole is changing position,” Kim reported.

 

“Mr. Paris, resume course for the Ixaroan Homeworld.”

 

“Aye, Captain.”

 

“I'll be in the ready room.”

 

 

Escape Pod 14

Daniel and Katelyn were approaching Kathiannah.  “Tuvok is hailing again,” Katelyn reported.

 

“We may as well answer him,” Daniel said.

 

“Sure. This is Ensign Hawkins.”

 

“You disobeyed Captain Janeway's orders,” Tuvok stated. “And there is the fact that you modified an escape pod without permission.

 

“Yes, we admit that,” Katelyn said.

 

“But now we must plan how to re-take Kathiannah from the terrorists. As I am the ranking officer, I am in command.”

 

“No doubt about that,” Daniel said.

 

Tuvok raised an eyebrow, but didn't respond to his sarcasm. “I know you added phasers to the pod as well as the warp drive. We shall force the aft shields down. I can land in the shuttle bay while you dock.”

 

“We were planning on that,” Katelyn said.

 

“Two vessels would be better than one.”

 

 

Kathiannah

“The two small vessels are almost in weapons range.”

 

Words: 225

 

 

Excerpt from: Spider Quinn

“Ready?” Jane asked.

 

“Of course,” SpiderGirl said. “I’ll take you first.”

 

“No, take Kalina first,” Jane said. “Then we can proceed in order of abduction.”

 

“Why?” Ninja Talon asked.

 

Jane shrugged her shoulders.

 

“OK, Kalina!” SpiderGirl said. “Before Beck knows what we’re doing.”

 

“Right!” Kalina said. She walked over, grabbed onto the superheroine and closed her eyes. “Now!”

 

“Not so tight!” SpiderGirl said. “Here we go.”

 

 

SpiderGirl swung, and Kalina’s scream, along with the thunder, almost overwhelmed her.

 

She set her down on the roof. “Ow! My hearing is enhanced, you know!”

 

Kalina huddled on the roof, shivering in the rain, her eyes remaining closed. “Sorry, I didn’t know.”

 

“I’ll get Oliver.”

 

 

Ninja Talon looked out the window as she waited for SpiderGirl to come back. A flash of lightning and she saw Dafoanairi approaching. ‘That’s going to make things interesting,’ she thought. She still didn’t think she was Daria. She glanced at where Jane was guarding the door.

 

 

Dafoanairi saw SpiderGirl swing back into the room. She looked up at where the critic was huddling on the roof. ‘I have to get there,’ she decided. She looked at where the Enigma was still battling the traps. ‘Just as well these Doc Martins are waterproof,’ she thought, as she was wearing her usual boots, which were easy to hide with the cloak. She then realised that the rope had run out. ‘Just as well I have a spare.’

 

 

“Ok, Oliver,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“I’m coming, I won’t scream.”

 

He then held on and they swung up.

 

 

Kalina was afraid and soaked. She winced as another peal of thunder crashed in around her. She was afraid to open her eyes, to see the height she was at. She then heard SpiderGirl land with Oliver. “OK, I’ll get the other critic and Talon will come with Jane.”

 

“Be quick!” Kalina said. “I want out of this rain.”

 

“I’ll be as quick as I can,” SpiderGirl quipped, before she swung back down.

 

Oliver than tried to take one of her hands, but she swatted it away. “Leave me alone!”

 

 

The Enigma came up to the door and pushed it in telekinetically. “Quentin Beck! You, like, have made me mad!”

 

Words: 365

 

 

Total: 689

Church notes September 2024

 1st September '24: https://fardell34.blogspot.com/2024/08/church-notes-1st-september-2024.html

8th September '24: https://fardell34.blogspot.com/2024/09/church-notes-8th-september-2024.html

15th September '24: https://fardell34.blogspot.com/2024/09/church-notes-15th-september-2024.html

22nd September '24: https://www.deviantart.com/brenorenz/journal/Church-notes-22nd-September-2024-1101475812

29th September '24: http://fardell30.deadjournal.com/280945.html

20th, 21st November 2024 Writings

 

20^th

 

Excerpt from: Genie Universe Continuity

“OK, let’s get started,” Aliadine Sultanalie said eagerly.

 

“You are very eager,” Annie said.

 

“That’s because I want to get rid of that opal!” Aliadine said.

 

“Apparently, she was an Arabian princess,” Katherine explained.

 

‘That’s true,” Aliadine said.

 

Words: 74

 

 

Excerpt from: Sixteenth Doctor Adventures

“What’s happened here?”

 

“I came over in response to a scream and saw that the person is dead,” the Doctor explained.

 

“I see.”

 

“I can help find who’s responsible.”

 

“Are you some kind of investigator?” the officer said.

 

“One of the best,” the Doctor answered. “Along with my partner.”

 

Xander waved.

 

Words: 51

 

 

Mysteries of Neverwinter

An interesting evening began at the Moonstone Mask.

 

Illiana began playing her lute and singing.

 

“I set out from Candlekeep,

Following the challenge I set myself…”

 

 

Sylvia listened to the bard’s songs, telling of her journey with her eyes closed. ‘A challenge?’ she asked herself.

 

Words: 45

 

 

Excerpt from: Mysteries of Aurora

They continued talking, as Freya savoured the old-style coffee, with her eyes closed.

 

 

Olivia took a break, as she realised that she had researched well into the afternoon. “I need lunch,” she decided.

 

On her way out of the Library, she ran into Janara at the Grand Atrium. “Janara!”

 

“Olivia. How did the class go?”

 

“It went well. There are accommodations.”

 

“That’s good to hear,” Janara said.

 

“Now, somewhere for lunch.”

 

“I heard there is a good place on the roof of the Art Gallery.”

 

“That’s interesting,” Olivia considered. “I’d like to hear the story about that, along with everything else.”

 

“I’m sure it’s here somewhere.”

 

 

After the previous day’s experiences, Daniela didn’t find it that odd that Freya was keeping her eyes closed as she ate lunch and drank the old style coffee as she talked. ‘It’s part of how she experiences the world she said.’

 

“…And so, I can trace my ancestry back to the Vikings in the early Nordic period,” Freya said.

 

“That’s good, most of my lines peter out either in the Renaissance, or in the late Nordic period, shortly before the Unification.”

 

“Apparently, the keeping of those records really only start in the Renaissance, in the rural areas.”

 

“It goes back a lot further in the cities, especially in Urbs Aeterna,” Daniela said.

 

 

It didn’t take Janara and Olivia long to find the place above the Art Gallery. Olivia was relived to find that it wasn’t crowded. ‘That’s good,’ she thought. “Multiple layers,” she commented.

 

“Huh?”

 

“The University, Urbs Aeterna, Aurora.”

 

Words: 256

 

 

Excerpt from: Spider Quinn

They swung from tree to tree over the traps and reached the roof.

 

“I can hear talking inside,” SpiderGirl said. “Jane and Kalina.”

 

“What are they talking about.”

 

“Daria. It seems they are rehashing an argument.”

 

 

In the cabin, Jane was growing tired of waiting for rescue. She paused in her umpteenth defense of Daria and looked at the approaching storm.

 

“Storm, so what?” Kalina said.

 

“It’s just the sort of thing SpiderGirl or the fourth vigilante could use as cover in a rescue attempt,” Jane answered.

 

“Are you sure?” Kalina asked.

 

“Yes, I have met SpiderGirl,” Jane said.

 

Oliver spoke up. “This is a lot different to stopping muggers, stopping that Green Goblin and rescuing kittens from trees.”

 

“That’s true,” Jane said. “But I don’t doubt that she could do it, despite Quentin’s illusions.”

 

 

“They’re now talking about possible rescue,” SpiderGirl said as rain started to fall.

 

“I’d say that’s as good as invitation as any,” Ninja Talon said.

 

“Another minute.”

 

 

The Enigma and Dafoanairi felt the rain as it began to fall. “We’re almost there,” The Enigma said.

 

“We might get soaked, but it will be worth it,” Dafoanairi said.

 

Lightning streaked across the sky and the thunder soon followed.

 

 

As the thunder sounded, SpiderGirl flipped open a hatch on the roof of the cabin. She went first. Ninja Talon followed closely.

 

They came down through the roof space down to a hallway. But then SpiderGirl’s Spider Sense tingled. “He knows we’re here.”

 

Ninja Talon took out a bo staff. “I’m ready.”

 

A door opened and a figure with a fishbowl helmet stepped through it. “SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon. I knew you would show up at some point.”

 

“And you are Quentin Beck,” SpiderGirl said. “Why are you doing this? Why abduct the critics and Jane Lane? Why target Tempest?”

 

“You would love to have the answers to that, wouldn’t you?” the figure asked.

 

“And how did you get the layout of the stormwater system?” Ninja Talon asked.

 

“Same answer,” the figure said, before pressing a button on one of his gauntlets. The walls around them started to shift. “Now, how can you find them if you don’t know what’s real?” He then laughed and left.

 

“By not using our eyes,” SpiderGirl said as she closed hers and listened.

 

“Inuition?” Ninja Talon said.

 

“And we can feel where the walls are.”

 

“That too.”

 

“And we can call out to them, orient ourselves that way,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“Of course. Jane!”

 

“Oliver! Kalina!”

 

 

Jane heard SpiderGirl and Ninja Talon. “In here!” she called out.

 

“You need to be louder than that,” Oliver said.

 

“Then cover your ears,” Jane said. “JANE LANE IS HERE.”

 

 

“There!” SpiderGirl said.

 

“I hear her,” Ninja Talon said. She reached out and took SpiderGirl’s hand.

 

SpiderGirl then found the wall, and lead her friend along it.

 

 

At the same time, the Enigma and Dafoanairi reached the edge of where the traps were. The storm was still picking up. “Are we going to wait, or?” Dafoanairi asked.

 

“No,” the Enigma decided, as lightning struck nearby. “I’ll set some of them off, and try to disrupt them. Then you can go in. I’ll follow behind.”

 

“Got it.”

 

The Enigma then fired a projection, setting off a mist between them and the cabin. However, it was clear to her and Dafoanairi that the rain was having an effect on it. "This time I don’t have to hold back telekinetically.”

 

“I still don’t want you accidentally hurting Jane.”

 

“I won’t aim in the direction of the cabin.”

 

“Good,” Dafoanairi said.

 

The Enigma then started pushing outwards telekinetically.

 

Words: 597

 

 

Total: 1023

 

 

21^st

 

Excerpt from: Voyager and the Convergence

“Attention crew. This is your Captain speaking. As of now, all crew members will take random shifts at the conn so that we can effectively avoid overlapping with alternate Voyagers.”

 

 

The Captain entered Astrometrics where Seven was still working.

 

“The algorithm is almost complete, Captain.”

 

“As soon as we can initiate it, the more confident I’ll be that we’ll be able to pull this off with a minimum of issues.”

 

“It should be another two minutes,” Seven said.

 

“Send it to the Bridge when you’re done.”

 

“Of course, Captain.”

 

 

Janeway returned to the bridge.

 

“I have received the algorithm, Captain,” Tom reported.

 

“Then initiate it,” the Captain ordered.

 

 

Tom pressed the initiate command.

 

“Helm Randomisation Algorithm initiated. Ensign Katelyn Hawkins, please report to the Bridge for One Hour, Sixteen minutes, Thirty Eight Seconds.”

 

Words: 133

 

 

Excerpt from: Secrets of Lawndale

“When we’re finished here, I’ll show you around.”

 

“Really? Like, everywhere?”

 

“Well, not everywhere, but most of it.”

 

 

Quinn thought about it as they ate and drank. She wondered what Jane was going to show her, and what seemed to be off limits. She had seen the buildings and a few parks on the way from the Howard Drive Tunnel. ‘I would like to see the clothes stores, of course, but maybe see where the other routes back up to the Normal Lawndale, or I suppose, Lawndale Above, are.’

 

Words: 89

 

 

Excerpt from: A Variant Lawndale

“Class, I thought today we'd take a break from the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet to discuss the real life tragedy that happened last night here in Lawndale. Let's share our feelings of violation following the loss of our beloved cybercafé, alt.lawndale.com. Who would like to start?” He looked at the seating chart. “Charles?”

 

“I’m not Upchuck,” Kevin Thompson said.

 

“Um, sorry, I thought you were someone else. What do you have to say about last night’s horrible event?”

 

Words: 79

 

 

Excerpt from: Genie Universe Continuity Reboot

Not many people were awake, therefore the city was almost entirely quiet.

 

It being the equinox, the Sun came up at 6:00.

 

In the Swanson’s loungeroom, Daniel Stanton awoke first and turned on the stereo. But he hadn’t checked the volume, so loud rock music blared. He hastily turned it down, but he saw he had awoken Kerrie, who had slept on the other side of the room.

 

 

Words: 68

 

 

Excerpt from: Mysteries of Aurora

“Definitely,” Janara said. “Even with the local internet. The Auroran and Auroric language internets have more older sites than most other languages, especially those in English.”

 

“I had heard something about that.”

 

“And so, Aurora proves to be unique yet again.”

 

“I’m sure there other nations that claim to be unique,” Olivia said.

 

“I’m sure there are, but I’m sure you’ll agree that Aurora has the best claim.”

 

“Yes.”

 

They then came to the counter.

 

 

Freya opened her eyes as she stepped out of the Coffee House cafeteria and looked across the Plaza at the Library. She saw that the varied architectural styles of the various sections that she could see didn’t clash. ‘That’s something I can talk to Alexia about,’ she decided. “Interesting,” she said.

 

“What is?” Daniela asked.

 

“The way the varied styles of the Library don’t clash.”

 

“They must have considered that.”

 

“It is certainly, yet another thing to look into,” Freya considered.

 

“There are certainly a lot of things to find out here.”

 

Words: 167

 

 

Excerpt from: Spider Quinn

SpiderGirl felt a door handle. She then opened it. “Jane?”

 

“SpiderGirl!” Jane said as the two heroines entered the room.

 

SpiderGirl opened her eyes and saw that Jane was none the worse for wear. “Good, you’re safe!” she said as she pulled Ninja Talon into the room.

 

 

Ninja Talon looked around the room. She saw Jane, Kalina and the two male critics. “Now to get you out of here.”

 

“I guess you haven’t planned for that,” Jane stated.

 

“Let me think,” Ninja Talon said.

 

“If we can get the window open, we can then swing up onto the roof,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“I tried that,” Jane said. “It’s shatterproof and is locked.”

 

“I’ll try anyway,” SpiderGirl said.

 

 

SpiderGirl went closer to the window and then shot a few webs at it. She then pulled. It budged and then fell in. The storm then started entering the room.

 

“Are you sure about this?” Kalina asked. “Going out into the storm?”

 

“Yes,” SpiderGirl said. “Trust me.”

 

“It won’t be that difficult,” Jane said as she went over near the hole in the wall.

 

“Um, I’m afraid of heights,” Kalina confessed.

 

“That does make it a little difficult,” Jane said.

 

“Enough, Lane!” Kalina said.

 

“There’s something else,” SpiderGirl said as she looked out the window.

 

“What?” Ninja Talon asked.

 

“The fourth vigilante is here, triggering the outside traps with her powers,” SpiderGirl said.

 

“So?” One of the male critics asked.

 

“She wants to be my rival,” SpiderGirl answered. “But we can still do this.”

 

 

Dafoanairi saw that a window had been pulled inside. ‘It’s likely to be SpiderGirl,’ she thought. She saw that the Enigma was busy clearing traps.

 

The Enigma was growing annoyed. How many of those traps did Beck deploy? ‘He’s definitely getting help from Oscorp!’ she groused to herself as she angrily ripped up soil and threw it aside.’ Where there weren’t illusions, the ground was becoming a muddy quagmire.

 

 

Dafoanairi looked. “I guess I have to risk it, to help SpiderGirl,” she thought. She took out a coil of rope and tied it to a tree trunk nearby. “I hope this is long enough.” She then held on to the other end as she plunged into the fray.

 

 

Peterson and some other officers parked near the cabins. “We will wait until the FBI gives the go ahead,” she said.

 

“Understood.”

 

 

SpiderGirl leaned out the window and saw that the Enigma was preoccupied dealing with the illusions in her vicinity. ‘It should be safe,’ she decided. She shot a webline up to the roof. ‘But then I’m not sure I have swung in a storm like this before.’ She shot a couple of additional ones.

 

Words: 444

 

 

Total: 980