When I Press The Keys - It All Gets Reversed

I think I just heard thunder. That's the first time in ages that I've heard it. Doesn't usually happen, even in the fall. Of course, with the way the rain's coming down, I shouldn't be surprised.


( Private to Andrew Kirke )

I don't know what I did, but I think I did something... good... with the walls around mini-York. The question now, of course, is whether or not I can duplicate it. And, of course, whether I can figure out what it is that's keeping the minor charms I'm tossing at the city from actually reaching it. To be completely honest, I'm not sure I can. I've taken detailed notes, but what I've done - it shouldn't have made this happen.

On a semi-related note, I woke up this morning and found the Chapter House of the Minster in mini-York burnt. Andrew swears he didn't do it, so now I'm hesitant to touch the thing. Either the world's quietest burglar/arsonist broke in specifically to torch the miniature Chapter House and didn't wake either of us up or... there's something very strange going on. I think I'm voting for moving mini-York into Cam's room and leaving it there. Except that we'll need to get to the bathroom and that'd involve walking past it.

Maybe the neighbours or the landlord thought it'd be funny to mess with it.

You know what I want to know? I want to know why it is I always end up with the really gross injuries when Andrew goes and signs up for fights and gets his ribs cracked. Somehow, mine always end up oozing. And burns, let me tell you. If you've got them, I'm pretty sure you can understand at least. They're a bitch. And I don't think I've ever missed television so much as I have the last two days. There is absolutely bloody nothing to do except for play solitaire and remind myself that leaning back against anything's a terrible idea.

( Private )

I did something to our miniature version of York... I don't know what I did, though. I can't exactly figure out how to undo it... but it sort of zaps anything that goes near its walls. Which is inconvenient, since I would need to dislodge at least one of them to break the runes so I could actually... try to redo it. Cam is going to kill me if I can't figure it out. She's sort of attached to those blasted trebuchets.

Bugger it.


( Private )

So I was reminded today, as Stewart attempted to hook up one of those little water things that were supposed to be soothing and shite back before the apocalypse so our miniature version of York could have actual running water, of a particular incident which occurred in early July of 2006 while I was in Romania. It was a hot day, but the hotel's pool was empty for repairs or something and someone - I'm not naming names, but I can tell you he's tall, blond, tattooed, and married to me - turned up poolside with several interesting accessories.

1. Water wings (note: they didn't fit over his forearms and he was wearing a matching pair on his ankles)
2. Doughnut floating device around his middle
3. Flippers
4. A snorkel
5. Goggles
6. A noodle floating device

Apparently incredibly distressed by the fact that his plans for swimming that day had been thwarted by some inconsiderate hotel employee's maintenance schedule, he had found himself a bottle of bubble solution and dipped the end of his snorkel into it so he could blow bubbles. While on land. He was most impressed with himself. I mocked him, of course, which resulted in an unfortunate fight with the noodle. Which I won.

Sometimes, I truly miss Romania.

My sister turned up a couple of days ago, essentially covered in bruises. She's fine, she says, and I'm inclined to believe her, since Andrew's been teaching her the basics of knife fighting and I'm doing a bit of martial arts work with her. But still. Bruised. I'm not really happy about it.

Still haven't found any blasted chairs for the table or a bloody wireless. Fucking hell. It's not too much to ask for, I don't think. One that works. One that'll get music, even if it is awful stuff. It'd be something, at least.

Not a lot of success on picking apart the spells and magicks holding the walls together. Don't want to pick them apart at all, really, just duplicate them. Sounds so much easier when you think of it that way. But it's not as though the stone's sitting there just offering us its secrets.

This week could probably stand to get a bit better by Friday. Let's hope.

I think that people forget what it's like to interact with others. Not even necessarily when they're not around them. But someone made me think about basic human decency and I haven't really stopped. Maybe it's that people don't want to remember during times like this because it's easier to ignore someone calling for help when you can make yourself believe they wouldn't help you if your positions were reversed.

You know, I was going to write something about tea, but I realised that would make me sound like an absolute twat. I must say, though, I do miss the good tea, the kind that came in proper bags and was just as good as black coffee.

Hannah, we're absconding with your son tomorrow, just so you know. He's on our side. And Matt wants to teach him something about carburetors. Of course, Cam will apparently be learning as well, so I suppose Matt's acting more like a teacher than anything else. You're not allowed to take part in the class, though. I've strict instructions where that's concerned. And a bit of a present to make sure you make good use of the weekend.

That's all, really. I'm out of one minute mysteries for the time being, so the lady with the lovely handwriting who always managed to solve them without actually asking any real questions will just have to be disappointed. Or at least patient. I haven't found anything that I think will adequately stump her. Apologies.

I've been hearing all this blather about the mad bloke who runs the Wireless these days. Anybody know where we could get a radio?

( Warded Private, anyone who tries to break the ward will wind up with their mouth sealed shut )

It's been raining for days. I never thought I'd enjoy summer rain this much, but I know what's coming in the next couple of months and it seems like enjoying this while it's here would be wise.

Have another one minute mystery - remember, ask me yes or no questions.

Three men die. On the pavement are pieces of ice and broken glass. What happened?

Here, have a one minute mystery. My dad used to love these.

Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice all live in the same house. Bob and Carol go out to a movie, and when they return, Alice is lying dead on the floor in a puddle of water and glass. It is obvious that Ted killed her but Ted is not prosecuted or severely punished.

The object, just in case you're unfamiliar with them, is to figure out why by asking yes/no questions.

( Warded to Ashley Folliot-Brown )



( Warded to Hannah Abbott )



( Private, anyone who attempts to break the ward will lose their tongue, fingers, and eyebrows )