Doing it right...

[jwhouk]

We just put the last youth in when the back doorbell rang. Lily got up and answered it as I went to get my coat.

"Never mind, Joe; they came here," I heard her say - and immediately saw Suzie with two women.

I saw them as they navigated the kitchen, and immediately realized two things: one, MIB had set me up; and two, these were the two drow that I'd met at Thanksgiving dinner.

"Ladies," I greeted them outside the booth. "Welcome to Lincoln Hills. I hope your travels from the Twin Cities was uneventful?"

"They're here to measure you for your armor," Suzie explained. "Got somewhere they can set up?"

"Try the large classroom, over there," I pointed. Lily let Suzie and Emerauld - who looked a bit odd as a female with blonde hair - in to the room.

"Such a concentration of hate you have here," Safyr mentioned. "You choose to work here?"

"It has its issues, yes," was my comment. "If it bothers you...?"

"No, no, it's all right; it's rather... invigorating, to be honest." Safyr took a long breath in.

"Remind me not to have you do any shadowing this week..."

[DinkyInky]

In her defense, she was raised as a full blooded dark elf, and a ShadowKnight, and they are all disciples of hate. She can't help but get a rush.
She does, however, choose to channel all of that into a positive force, so she balances it out.

[Sgt. Howard]

$8x24 doublewide, circa 1969

main house.jpg (250.05 KiB) Viewed 6454 times

Built entirely from recycle

Smithy.jpg (175.02 KiB) Viewed 6454 times

Where the magic occurs

Main shop.jpg (224.15 KiB) Viewed 6454 times

Here is the quick nickel tour of what John encountered at my place-

[DinkyInky]

Oi, Sarge!

Send me some of that snow!

[jwhouk]

No comment about the snow - but I do see a 1980's Corvette hubcap there.

---

The four of us (Suzie, me, Safyr and Eme) went into the large classroom. I turned the lights on, and immediately heard two drow, cursing.

"Phraktos! (Gods!)"

"Ssussun ssussun! (Bright Light!)"

"Uh, okay," I looked back at Suzie and snapped off the light. There was enough ambient light to see - but it was still dark in the room.

"Is this better?" I asked.

"Yes," Emerauld said, recovering. "Those overhead light sources you have here are a bit... much."

"One reason why I keep them off at night," I said.

The pair went to work; both removing a satchel seemingly out of nowhere and pulled out various strings and strips.

"This should not take long," Safyr stated. "We do need you to disrobe, though."

I shot a glance at Suzie.

"I... won't look, promise." She turned around to look out the door into the dayroom.

"All this for a wedding..." I said to myself as I removed my utility belt and pulled off my shirt...

[jwhouk]

As a bonus:

Doing It Right - The Story So Far (in PDF format)

[jwhouk]

"Well, that was quick," Billens said as he put down the book he was reading.

"Yeah, the two half-elves had me drop them off on the corner of H and K," Suzie stated as she hung her coat over one of the kitchen chairs.

"Wait - you let two drow in the middle of nowhere?"

"They said they needed a walk through the woods to recover from the whole ordeal."

"I see you haven't quite recovered," Billens replied. "Either it's rather cold out there and you're not wearing a bra, or..."

"Shut it, Billens, or I'll check to see how well your mother REALLY did with your ankles!" She stormed off to the bedroom.

Billens stifled a laugh, and went back to reading. She's so cute when she's mad...

[DinkyInky]

Dinky's Dark elf/Half elf 101

Emerauld would be cute and say, "Ichl ssussun"(Too bright!) in a squeaky voice(because you KNOW she would have been exposed to them and their Bugs Bunny counterpart at some point...and could critique the fantasy from reality).

I'd hiss at the bright, unnatural lights too, and I'm human(as far as I know).

I've spent way too much money trying to find a lightbulb that doesn't try to fry my eyes and brain.

They don't have huge troubles with normal daylight, just unnatural light from the fake sunlight bulbs(Kenoth sssiks-fake sun).

Both are technically half elves, and have one parent that does well or even thrives in daylight.

They are also amused and pleased that Club Alexander consider both of them Drow, seeing as how back home, Emerauld is a kill on sight by nearly everyone for being an obvious half elf.

[Sgt. Howard]

Couldn't resist bragging here

[Just Old Al]

DAY-UMM! You do nice work. VERY nice work.

On goes the colour printer and up on my wall goes the drawing.

BRAVO!

[Sgt. Howard]

[quote="jwhouk"]No comment about the snow - but I do see a 1980's Corvette hubcap there.[quote]

If you look carefully, you will notice the blue oval...

[DinkyInky]

No comment about the snow - but I do see a 1980's Corvette hubcap there.

If you look carefully, you will notice the blue oval...

Without looking, I know what you mean...Fudged Over Rebuilt(I've also heard Rebranded) Dodge, right?

(My most reliable cars were of that brand, and I still find it amusing.)

It was my one and only experience with rebuilding an Engine and Transmission(the junkyard special was a better fit than the one my brother got with it, and it was still borked) on a pickup truck.

[Just Old Al]

Without looking, I know what you mean...Fudged Over Rebuilt(I've also heard Rebranded) Dodge, right?

Sure isn't First On Race Day...despite the truly insane Mustang my son in law built.

Alan

[Hansontoons]

Without looking, I know what you mean...Fudged Over Rebuilt(I've also heard Rebranded) Dodge, right?

Sure isn't First On Race Day...despite the truly insane Mustang my son in law built.

Alan

Fix or repair daily, found on road dead...

Though the '69 LTD Station Wagon (with simulated wood grain siding, very attractive when it started peeling off) with a 429 under the hood (with broken engine mounts) that got me through school was reasonably reliable. I called it The WOG Machine, all it needed was water, oil, and gas and we were good to go!

[Just Old Al]

Though the '69 LTD Station Wagon (with simulated wood grain siding, very attractive when it started peeling off) with a 429 under the hood (with broken engine mounts) that got me through school was reasonably reliable. I called it The WOG Machine, all it needed was water, oil, and gas and we were good to go!

The one thing that can be said for American iron is it just keeps running. It may not have a functional switch, bulb or accessory in it but it will just keep running. Brit iron may fail but it almost always gets you home.

[DinkyInky]

Though the '69 LTD Station Wagon (with simulated wood grain siding, very attractive when it started peeling off) with a 429 under the hood (with broken engine mounts) that got me through school was reasonably reliable. I called it The WOG Machine, all it needed was water, oil, and gas and we were good to go!

The one thing that can be said for American iron is it just keeps running. It may not have a functional switch, bulb or accessory in it but it will just keep running. Brit iron may fail but it almost always gets you home.

Except for the 2008 BMW M5. That one's sex on wheels. I drove my little brothers, and I hit 98 mph before he told me I was speeding. It's like actually flying when you feel like you're only walking, yanno? It's my only British love, and I test drove Bentley's and Aston's before, but nothing made me feel so extremely comfortable, like sitting in a plush chair yet totally freaked out from the exciting adrenaline rush of speeed all rolled in one. I really want one.

Looks like this only darker grey...gunmetal I think.

Otherwise, I'm mostly a classic Ford fangirl...Cobra, 'stang, T-bird, Crown Vic...

I've owned Granada, Fairlane, LTD Crown Vic wagon(well, it was Mothers, but after paying her back after the wreck, it may as well be mine)...

[Just Old Al]

]Except for the 2008 BMW M5. That one's sex on wheels. I drove my little brothers, and I hit 98 mph before he told me I was speeding.

Otherwise, I'm mostly a classic Ford fangirl...Cobra, 'stang, T-bird, Crown Vic...

I've owned Granada, Fairlane, LTD Crown Vic wagon(well, it was Mothers, but after paying her back after the wreck, it may as well be mine)...

Yep - sex with tyres - I felt that way about my old Healey. Only problem is the BMW is German...

Still a lovely design and very British in feel.

[GlytchMeister]

Glytch decided to step out into the cold air. Standing on the back porch, he looked up and breathed deep, staring at the stars for several minutes to give Buck and Kath enough time to get home and settled before he arrived.
Once he felt a crick developing in his neck, Glytch stripped his coat and jacket and began to walk toward the Alexander-Gilchrist home, steam curling off his shoulders from the heat of all the dancing and Al's workout. Halfway there, he had completely cooled down and put both back on.

He knocked, and the door was answered by Buck. "Yes?"
"Hi... Uh, well, since Atsali had to take Castela away before things got a little too mature for her, and seeing as Atsali was the one who asked about my outfit in the first place... Uh..." Glytch noticed Buck's expression was becoming very... conflicted... and decided to change his line of reasoning on the fly. "...Basically, she's the only girl around who is anywhere near my age, so I wanted to see what she thought of it."
Glytch could almost see Buck's gears turning as he weighed his decision. "Fine. Come on in. Just... Keep quiet. Pickle's asleep, and Kath and I will be going to bed soon ourselves."
"Thanks, will do." Glytch nodded respectfully and slid past Buck and upstairs.

He gently tapped on her door, and it slowly swung open to reveal Atsali propped up against a pile of pillows, reading The Return of the King.
"Good choice," Glytch said with a smile.
"Oh! Hiiiuhh... Woah..." She placed her bookmark and set the novel aside without another glance, focusing instead on Glytch. "That... Well, I don't know why I didn't expect the hood..." She took a deep breath, seeming to steady herself. "It's definitely a good look for you. You clean up very nicely."
"I'm glad you think so." Glytch shrugged off his coat and hung it on the top of the door before leaning back against the wall. "So, did you start reading that series after I read The Hobbit to Pickle?" He noticed Atsali was blushing.
Atsali chuckled and smiled. "Actually, yeah... You gave me the idea. You're a good storyteller."
"Thanks."
"What are you doing standing there? You can sit, you know." Atsali curled her legs to make room for Glytch.
My legs are tired... She kinda sounded like she was... singing...
"Heh... That's uh, probably not wise. Buck is still wary. Not hostile, just careful."
"I guess so..." She spun and slid off the side of her bed to walk toward Glytch.
Huh... Her hips are swinging a little more than usual...
"What's with your shirt? It's two different colors..."
Again with the weird voice... "It's uh, embroidery. It's modeled off of a close look at the Mandelbrot set... The left side is where the big black thing usually is... Just zoomed in enough that it's almost straight."
"Neat... Mandelbrot... That's the one fractal thing, right? Those can really look pretty. I like your ring, too," she reached down and took hold of Glytch's hand, pulling it up to get a better look at his ring.
Woah... Her skin is warm...
Glytch looked down at the ring and back up - Atsali had drawn very close to him.
Wow. Ok... She smells really nice... Smell... Pheromones... Hormones. Oh, shit. suddenly, Glytch felt the fog lift from his mind.
"Atsali." Glytch spoke firmly.
"Glytch..."
She didn't seem to notice... Glytch narrowed his eyes and reached up to poke Atsali with a finger, firmly pressing her backward. "Atsali. Your hormones."
"Hey! What...? Oh... Omygosh! I'm so sorry! I didn't ev-"
"Woah, calm down... It's ok, alright? I managed to resist the song. I'm not sure how... But I did."
"I was singing?!?"
"Hey!" Glytch gently grabbed Atsali's shoulders, holding her at arm's length. "Take a deep breath."
She did so, and Glytch felt her shoulders relax a bit. "Yes. You were singing a little. It's ok. You're learning how to control it by yourself. I'd say you did well by not walloping me with the full strength song."
"But-"
"Stoppit." Glytch let go of Atsali as she stepped back, a strange look on her face. "You are still getting the hang of it. This might take you a while, and that's fine. You just have to be self-aware. Now you know you might get set off at the wedding, what with all of the people dressed up fancy and wearing perfume and whatnot. See? You learned something valuable."
Atsali nodded. "You resisted... That means-"
"Ah ah ah. Pickle can resist too, remember? There's more than one kind of love. You're more of sister or a cousin... And a friend... Than anything else to me."
Atsali sat heavily on her bed. "I'm still not in control..."
"Overcoming one's inborn nature requires a titanic effort... I'm having difficulty not running away from all of this, and that's not even a genetic trait. I told you it would be hard... Do you want to go back to doing things the easy way?"
Atsali shook her head, staring mutely at her feet.
"Good. So just keep working at doing things the right way." Glytch approached and put a hand on Atsali's shoulder. "Hey."
She looked up to see Glytch grab his hoods and pull them back. "W-what?"
"You ok?"
"Yeah... Thanks."

...

Buck nodded silently to himself and walked back down the hall, now fully satisfied Glytch was honorable. He had heard Atsali's voice and gone to investigate, listening just off to the side of her door.
Kath gave him a questioning look when he returned to their bedroom. "Everything alright, honey?"
"Yes... More than alright. I guess Al knows what he's talking about."

[DinkyInky]

]Except for the 2008 BMW M5. That one's sex on wheels. I drove my little brothers, and I hit 98 mph before he told me I was speeding.

Otherwise, I'm mostly a classic Ford fangirl...Cobra, 'stang, T-bird, Crown Vic...

I've owned Granada, Fairlane, LTD Crown Vic wagon(well, it was Mothers, but after paying her back after the wreck, it may as well be mine)...

Yep - sex with tyres - I felt that way about my old Healey. Only problem is the BMW is German...

Still a lovely design and very British in feel.

Still feel it is British(as I've never seen Germans discuss it with such love--see irrational blowhard Jeremy Clarkson), and stand corrected. Need to either wake up, or nap until the fog clears, because I'm so not alert in the grey matter this morning.

Aston's and Bentley's are crack, but I didn't get as giddy driving them.

The Bentley was an Arnage I believe. The person that owned it got all of his Brooks Brothers tailored by Mother. Only once did I catch him in a suit, and...wow.
He said after six days a week of "monkey wear", he just wanted simple comfortable sensibility. Dark jeans/chinos, loose button ups or polos. Still gorgeous. Anyway, after she told him I'm a bit of a car freak, he let me drive it because "Everyone needs to drive a Bentley at least once". Smooth as silk, it's a showstopper. Good speed and handling too. Handles soooo elegant. I felt like it needed to be transporting royalty, not my common dupa and groceries.

Same guy has a sterling DB5. My son had "accidentally" watched some James Bond while I made dinner(serves me right not putting my vhs away before he got home), and was obsessing over that car. So he brought it over and let us take it out for a spin. My son was so excited. He gave my son a secret agent spy moment. The gent came all dressed up sharp and we went on a "mission". I guess that made me the Bond girl. *giggles*
That car was just beautiful, but because it was a classic, I was terrified to drive it proper, and just casually drove it to the coffee shoppe(where it drew a HUGE crowd), then he took pity on me and drove it back, taking the long, scenic route. My kid had a blast. Wonder if he still remembers it.

Mom laughed when we came back with a French Vanilla Cappuccino.

Feel free to come up with cute coffee /spy themes. My son did.

[jwhouk]

(And here I thought the Sarge would make with a smartass comment of some sort...)