Jack Lewis Baillot's Blog, page 41
July 16, 2014
"My grandmother has more life in her rest her soul."
Wherein Jack is half way through
I am actually more then half way through editing right now. Just in case there was anyone DYING to know that. I had a really slow day today and only just now got done. So I am not anywhere close to being fully awake at the moment. Don't ask for coherent thoughts from me right now, I don't have any I can spare.
I meant to do something clever to go with the challenge today but I can barely keep my eyes opened and therefore I don't think I should try it. Don't worry though, a few more days and I will be back home and done with this massive editing project, so there will be something posted then. Don't ask me what that something will be, it will just be something.
Today the challenge is my favourite paring. I assume this means romantic parings. Thankfully, I kind of have romantic thoughts bouncing around in my head right now, so this might be easy.
TV Show:
Parker and Hardison from Leverage. They are just really cute, and both accept each other's extreme weirdness and try and make the best of their abnormalness to make their relationship work. And Hardison encourages Parker not to stab people...
Movie:
Penelope and Johnny from Penelope.
This is the one chick flick I can watch over and over. It is adorable.
Book:
I can't pick, so I am just going to rattle off names.
Serephina and Kiggs.
Peregrine and Annemarie
Tobias and the princess
Ransom and Annabeth
Brant and the girl he loves whos name I can't remember right now
I can't think of more right now. There is someone I am missing, so sorry to that pairing.
ALLONS-Y!
I am actually more then half way through editing right now. Just in case there was anyone DYING to know that. I had a really slow day today and only just now got done. So I am not anywhere close to being fully awake at the moment. Don't ask for coherent thoughts from me right now, I don't have any I can spare.
I meant to do something clever to go with the challenge today but I can barely keep my eyes opened and therefore I don't think I should try it. Don't worry though, a few more days and I will be back home and done with this massive editing project, so there will be something posted then. Don't ask me what that something will be, it will just be something.
Today the challenge is my favourite paring. I assume this means romantic parings. Thankfully, I kind of have romantic thoughts bouncing around in my head right now, so this might be easy.
TV Show:
Parker and Hardison from Leverage. They are just really cute, and both accept each other's extreme weirdness and try and make the best of their abnormalness to make their relationship work. And Hardison encourages Parker not to stab people...
Movie:
Penelope and Johnny from Penelope.
This is the one chick flick I can watch over and over. It is adorable.
Book:
I can't pick, so I am just going to rattle off names.
Serephina and Kiggs.
Peregrine and Annemarie
Tobias and the princess
Ransom and Annabeth
Brant and the girl he loves whos name I can't remember right now
I can't think of more right now. There is someone I am missing, so sorry to that pairing.
ALLONS-Y!
July 15, 2014
"We are going to win this war because we have the best men...and they are only going to get better."
Wherein Jack looks suspicious.
I need to sit down and explain what is going on with my writing lately, because it has been taking all kinds of weird turns and I am not able to keep up - well, not most of the time. I attempt it, and all of my running and stumbling gives my characters something to laugh at.
I have a week left till I am back home though, so I think I will just wait till then - when I am out of stick, wet air and can breathing and function properly again. I AM NOT USED TO THIS CONSTANT HUMIDITY! How do people survive down here? If any of you are Southerns you have my admiration.
I have just reached the half way mark in reading through Brothers-in-Arms and making some plot adjustments so I can send it out to some editors. Right now I will probably just send it to one editor and then some others when she is done with it. If that made no sense then don't try and figure it out. I'm still not in the making sense state of mind right now.
Brothers-in-Arms is taking much more of my time then I ever planned to give it, at least right now. I feel like those sayings...."I didn't sign up for this!"
Enough of that though. Back to the challenge. There are six days left, counting today, then I will try and explain what has been going on with my writing. I should be done reading by then and maybe can make some kind of sense in a post.
Today is the character who has the best arc.
TV Show: Nick from Grimm. I guess he doesn't have a huge one, compared to other characters, but it is there. At the beginning of the show he is kind of quieter, sticks to the rules, and tries to keep his Grimm works separate from his police work. In later episodes, he is a little harder, sterner, and struggling to keep his two lives apart.
Movie: I am going to do someone who has a backwards character arc, because I can. Bucky Barnes He starts out as cheerful, wanting to help his friend, and just make it through the war unchanged and alive. Then, some brain washing and torture later, he is almost a cold-blooded assassin who has no control over his own actions. (You know, for the most part.)
Book: This one is hard - as usual - because I have so many options. But, I have to go with Roden from The False Prince. In book one Roden is selfish and angry, by the end of the series....(I can't say. Spoilers. JUST READ THE BOOKS! That is all.) Oh....I could do Mr. Jelliby too from The Peculiar and The Whatnot. He has a big arc. So does Bartholomew - I loved his. His was cool and sad all at once. Tintin has a pretty big one too.
Okay, I'm going before I make my list too long.
Besides, I have to figure out how a scene I don't remember writing ended up in my book.
Captain America quote.
ALLONS-Y!
I need to sit down and explain what is going on with my writing lately, because it has been taking all kinds of weird turns and I am not able to keep up - well, not most of the time. I attempt it, and all of my running and stumbling gives my characters something to laugh at.
I have a week left till I am back home though, so I think I will just wait till then - when I am out of stick, wet air and can breathing and function properly again. I AM NOT USED TO THIS CONSTANT HUMIDITY! How do people survive down here? If any of you are Southerns you have my admiration.
I have just reached the half way mark in reading through Brothers-in-Arms and making some plot adjustments so I can send it out to some editors. Right now I will probably just send it to one editor and then some others when she is done with it. If that made no sense then don't try and figure it out. I'm still not in the making sense state of mind right now.
Brothers-in-Arms is taking much more of my time then I ever planned to give it, at least right now. I feel like those sayings...."I didn't sign up for this!"
Enough of that though. Back to the challenge. There are six days left, counting today, then I will try and explain what has been going on with my writing. I should be done reading by then and maybe can make some kind of sense in a post.
Today is the character who has the best arc.
TV Show: Nick from Grimm. I guess he doesn't have a huge one, compared to other characters, but it is there. At the beginning of the show he is kind of quieter, sticks to the rules, and tries to keep his Grimm works separate from his police work. In later episodes, he is a little harder, sterner, and struggling to keep his two lives apart.
Movie: I am going to do someone who has a backwards character arc, because I can. Bucky Barnes He starts out as cheerful, wanting to help his friend, and just make it through the war unchanged and alive. Then, some brain washing and torture later, he is almost a cold-blooded assassin who has no control over his own actions. (You know, for the most part.)
Book: This one is hard - as usual - because I have so many options. But, I have to go with Roden from The False Prince. In book one Roden is selfish and angry, by the end of the series....(I can't say. Spoilers. JUST READ THE BOOKS! That is all.) Oh....I could do Mr. Jelliby too from The Peculiar and The Whatnot. He has a big arc. So does Bartholomew - I loved his. His was cool and sad all at once. Tintin has a pretty big one too.
Okay, I'm going before I make my list too long.
Besides, I have to figure out how a scene I don't remember writing ended up in my book.
Captain America quote.
ALLONS-Y!
July 14, 2014
"This isn't pay back, is it?" "Now why would I do that?"
I finally got struck for an idea for my book release party! Took me long enough, right? I have a headache tonight, so I am going to keep this short. I will be sending out emails though with detail. What I am looking for is bloggers who would like to interview some of the characters from the Loyalty books. I might email some people to see if they are interested, but if anyone here would like to please email me! Or comment.
At the bottom of this post I will leave a list of the characters so you can pick which one you would like to interview.
The party will run through the first week or two of July. I will put up a list of everyone who is taking part and what day I will be posting their interview.
Right now though, I plan to see if I can kill my headache. But first!
Today for the character challenge I get to talk about a character no one else notices.
TV Show: Mickey Smith from Doctor Who. He is more noticed at the end of the Rose era, but for the most part poor Mickey is stuck in the background, the blunt of jokes and forgotten. He was annoying in the first one, I won't deny that, but as time goes on he gets cooler and cooler.
Movie: American Fitz from The Winter Soldier.
Because he is cool, and he is American Fitz.
Book: Travis and Ross Hamilton from Never. That is one book which is sorely underrated. It is an amazing story and they are two of the coolest brothers ever and they need more attention.
Now, before I go, the list. Please let me know in the comment or emails which you would like to interview.
Stefan Magda Lachlan Ennion Golon Cordon Any of the three princes or all at once
That is all. I have a scene I need to go untangle.
Allons-y!
At the bottom of this post I will leave a list of the characters so you can pick which one you would like to interview.
The party will run through the first week or two of July. I will put up a list of everyone who is taking part and what day I will be posting their interview.
Right now though, I plan to see if I can kill my headache. But first!
Today for the character challenge I get to talk about a character no one else notices.
TV Show: Mickey Smith from Doctor Who. He is more noticed at the end of the Rose era, but for the most part poor Mickey is stuck in the background, the blunt of jokes and forgotten. He was annoying in the first one, I won't deny that, but as time goes on he gets cooler and cooler.
Movie: American Fitz from The Winter Soldier.
Because he is cool, and he is American Fitz.Book: Travis and Ross Hamilton from Never. That is one book which is sorely underrated. It is an amazing story and they are two of the coolest brothers ever and they need more attention.
Now, before I go, the list. Please let me know in the comment or emails which you would like to interview.
Stefan Magda Lachlan Ennion Golon Cordon Any of the three princes or all at once
That is all. I have a scene I need to go untangle.
Allons-y!
July 13, 2014
"Remember that time I made you ride the cyclone at Cony Island?" "Yeah, and I threw up?"
Wherein Jack is editing
Editing a lot. So like always, I am not completely functional. But you are likely used to that now. I will just continue the challenge and pretend....I don't know. I can't pretend I am normal because I don't even know how to pretend.
Not that it matters. Today is a character who drives me crazy
TV Show: Guias, from Merlin. I don't know what it is about him. I know he's the father figure to Merlin, but he is always just kind of annoyed me. I also find him a little creepy. I think it's his hair. And, because now I picture him as a Goblin, and face it - he played a Goblin a little TOO well. Makes you wonder...
Movie: Yoda. I really have no stellar reason for being annoyed by him. I just do. (Puppet Yoda, not CGI Yoda. See, Hardison? I'm on your side)
Book: The two main characters from a book I read called Peter's Angel. I haven't even wanted to review the book they annoyed me so much - and I didn't want to end up ranting in the review over them, so I opted not to write one.
And that is all you get. Short and Sweet...or Short and Annoying. Whatever. Just be glad I showed up.
Allons-y!
Editing a lot. So like always, I am not completely functional. But you are likely used to that now. I will just continue the challenge and pretend....I don't know. I can't pretend I am normal because I don't even know how to pretend.
Not that it matters. Today is a character who drives me crazy
TV Show: Guias, from Merlin. I don't know what it is about him. I know he's the father figure to Merlin, but he is always just kind of annoyed me. I also find him a little creepy. I think it's his hair. And, because now I picture him as a Goblin, and face it - he played a Goblin a little TOO well. Makes you wonder...
Movie: Yoda. I really have no stellar reason for being annoyed by him. I just do. (Puppet Yoda, not CGI Yoda. See, Hardison? I'm on your side)
Book: The two main characters from a book I read called Peter's Angel. I haven't even wanted to review the book they annoyed me so much - and I didn't want to end up ranting in the review over them, so I opted not to write one.
And that is all you get. Short and Sweet...or Short and Annoying. Whatever. Just be glad I showed up.
Allons-y!
July 12, 2014
"Hey, pick on someone your own size!"
Wherein Jack doesn't want to function.
I am doing a major edit on a brilliant book. It is one of my top favourites now. I love it. The characters are amazing, which is the reason I don't want to function today. Bad things happen to the characters, really bad things, and I found out what is going to happen to them later on. It is painful and I feel like I am in mourning over them.
If the book is ever published you will be sure and hear about it from me because I am going to be recommending it left and right.
Also, before I forget, I have come to the realization there is no way I can get A Test of Loyalty out on the 14th. Everything is ready to go, everything. But my new computer has Windows 8 and for some reason Lulu doesn't like the PDF files that come off of it. I've checked and everything says it is a real PDF except Lulu. When I realized it didn't like them I tried other files, but none of those upload right and half the book ends up missing.
Right now I've reached my limit and don't know what to do but wait till I get back home and borrow a Windows 7 computer which I can do the moment I am back. So this is an apology to everyone who has been waiting for this book. I am really sorry, but my limited computer knowledge has again become a hindrance.
I will be arriving back home on the 23rd and can likely get everything done on the 24th, which would make publication date only ten days late. I shall have some big announcement on the 24th to let all of you know when it is out.
Once again, I am very sorry for this and hopefully no one was waiting on pins and needles and counting down the days for it.
I will also be trying to set up a release party. Is anyone interested in joining in?
That said I have to do the challenge today even though I don't want to function - which is why I missed a day. So don't expect anything deep and stirring because I've actually been crying a lot over these characters and it is hard to write through tears.
Today is a character I want to be like.
TV Show: Merlin. From Merlin.
Merlin is a very patient character who puts up with a lot. In the earlier seasons he had days were he was clearly overworked, running around doing things for both Arthur and Giaus. He wore himself out but kept going and only snapped once, then felt bad for it. Also he put up with Arthur during the time he thought there was no chance of them ever becoming more than mortal enemies. (Things seem to be a little easier on him now in the later seasons, because now he and Arthur know they are best friends even though their friendship is far from normal. But knowing someone will always come for you and have your back is comforting.) That said, Merlin also has no problem with his sacrifices and work going unnoticed. He saves people all the time and rarely ever gets thanked for it. And he knows how to be sarcastic and get away with it - so that is an added bonus.
Movie:
Margret from North and South. That way I can marry Thornton. Oh wait...I need a better reason than that, right? Fine. Tintin. Because he gets to go on adventures and crash through a town and fly a plane. That is a better reason, right?
Book:
Jaron. Someone who is always thinking of other people more than myself, insanely brave, and witty. And being friends with Tobias and Roden would be a plus. And Mott. I'd love a friend like Mott.
Okay, there, that is all I have right now. I am trying to get three books edited. Again, sorry about moving back the publication date again. Hopefully everything will go smoother once I am back home.
Quote is from Captain America
Allons-y!
I am doing a major edit on a brilliant book. It is one of my top favourites now. I love it. The characters are amazing, which is the reason I don't want to function today. Bad things happen to the characters, really bad things, and I found out what is going to happen to them later on. It is painful and I feel like I am in mourning over them.
If the book is ever published you will be sure and hear about it from me because I am going to be recommending it left and right.
Also, before I forget, I have come to the realization there is no way I can get A Test of Loyalty out on the 14th. Everything is ready to go, everything. But my new computer has Windows 8 and for some reason Lulu doesn't like the PDF files that come off of it. I've checked and everything says it is a real PDF except Lulu. When I realized it didn't like them I tried other files, but none of those upload right and half the book ends up missing.
Right now I've reached my limit and don't know what to do but wait till I get back home and borrow a Windows 7 computer which I can do the moment I am back. So this is an apology to everyone who has been waiting for this book. I am really sorry, but my limited computer knowledge has again become a hindrance.
I will be arriving back home on the 23rd and can likely get everything done on the 24th, which would make publication date only ten days late. I shall have some big announcement on the 24th to let all of you know when it is out.
Once again, I am very sorry for this and hopefully no one was waiting on pins and needles and counting down the days for it.
I will also be trying to set up a release party. Is anyone interested in joining in?
That said I have to do the challenge today even though I don't want to function - which is why I missed a day. So don't expect anything deep and stirring because I've actually been crying a lot over these characters and it is hard to write through tears.
Today is a character I want to be like.
TV Show: Merlin. From Merlin.
Merlin is a very patient character who puts up with a lot. In the earlier seasons he had days were he was clearly overworked, running around doing things for both Arthur and Giaus. He wore himself out but kept going and only snapped once, then felt bad for it. Also he put up with Arthur during the time he thought there was no chance of them ever becoming more than mortal enemies. (Things seem to be a little easier on him now in the later seasons, because now he and Arthur know they are best friends even though their friendship is far from normal. But knowing someone will always come for you and have your back is comforting.) That said, Merlin also has no problem with his sacrifices and work going unnoticed. He saves people all the time and rarely ever gets thanked for it. And he knows how to be sarcastic and get away with it - so that is an added bonus.
Movie:
Margret from North and South. That way I can marry Thornton. Oh wait...I need a better reason than that, right? Fine. Tintin. Because he gets to go on adventures and crash through a town and fly a plane. That is a better reason, right?
Book:
Jaron. Someone who is always thinking of other people more than myself, insanely brave, and witty. And being friends with Tobias and Roden would be a plus. And Mott. I'd love a friend like Mott.
Okay, there, that is all I have right now. I am trying to get three books edited. Again, sorry about moving back the publication date again. Hopefully everything will go smoother once I am back home.
Quote is from Captain America
Allons-y!
July 10, 2014
"I meant throw something."
Just finished watching Sky Captain...again. That information is related to nothing but I thought I'd share it anyways.
The challenge for today is a character I would fall for.I assume it means one I would fall in love with. Or maybe someone I would trip in front of and fall flat on my face. Or maybe it is one I would trip. That would be easy, because I have planned out - in great details - the one I would trip.
TV Show: This is a tie I think between Rory from Doctor Who and Thornton from North and South. I liked Rory before he became a cool Roman armed with a sword. I liked him when he was the quiet nurse photographing patients with his phone, ones who were wandering the streets and shouldn't have been. He wasn't the typical dashing, sweep you off your feet hero, but he had a strong since of right and wrong and wasn't afraid to stand up to the Doctor when he felt like he needed to. I just have always liked him - and he fits into all three of my falling debate. I suppose I could fancy someone like him, and I would fall in front of someone like him - me I'd trip in front of anyone - and I would trip him. Just because I have days where I am bored and tripping random people helps. Mr. Thornton is kind of the opposite of Rory. He is colder, withdrawn, quiet, and the type who seems like he'd yell at you before befriending you. But like Rory, I have always liked him. Maybe he doesn't found though. I like the gloomier personalities in characters, but I think in real life I wouldn't be able to get along with someone like that. I need someone with a good sense of humor who won't get mad if I randomly shoot them with a Nerf gun or short sheet their bed but will get payback on me.
Movie: I will probably have to do Steve from Captain America. I ended up liking him when he was the skinny kind from Brooklyn. I loved how he never backed down from a fight, said stupid things at the wrong moment, didn't have a problem speaking his mind even though it seemed to come out wrong, was lost in a lot of social interaction, and wasn't afraid to admit his faults. "I got beat up in that alley, and that parking lot...and behind that diner." I've only become more fond of him in the later movies. In the Avengers he was never ashamed of how lost he was when it came to the 21st century and even laughed at himself a few times. He is kind of laid back, easy going, has a strange sense of humor, but cares what happens to other people and would protect them no matter what happens to himself. And even when he is getting beat up or stabbed he can joke. (The only time he can't joke is when he is getting shot by his best friend, but you know...) Also he never gave up on Bucky even when he had every excuse to do so.
Book: This one is hard! I have a list. There is Peter from Narnia, Tintin, Aragorn, Jaron, Tobias, Roden from The False Prince, Halt, Howl, Peter from The House of Many Ways, Kiggs from Seraphina, Ross and Travis from Never, Bartholomew from The Whatnot, Coal and Hail from Ember Flame, Jace from Resistance, Brant and Oreyan - I spelled his name wrong, sorry - from The Minstrel's Songs, and my list keeps growing. But if I had to pick one....even though it is a shifty list and you might get a different answer every time you ask, I will say Ransom from Annabeth's War. Ransom is mysterious and distant but concerned about those who need him. In other words, just read the book. He alone is worth it - though there are other reasons to read it.
Quote is from Sky Captain, when they are trying to get across an electrical walkway and Dex pulls the plug. Polly and Joe decide to test it out by stepping on it, and are then informed by Dex he was going to test it by throwing something on it.
ALLONS-Y
The challenge for today is a character I would fall for.I assume it means one I would fall in love with. Or maybe someone I would trip in front of and fall flat on my face. Or maybe it is one I would trip. That would be easy, because I have planned out - in great details - the one I would trip.
TV Show: This is a tie I think between Rory from Doctor Who and Thornton from North and South. I liked Rory before he became a cool Roman armed with a sword. I liked him when he was the quiet nurse photographing patients with his phone, ones who were wandering the streets and shouldn't have been. He wasn't the typical dashing, sweep you off your feet hero, but he had a strong since of right and wrong and wasn't afraid to stand up to the Doctor when he felt like he needed to. I just have always liked him - and he fits into all three of my falling debate. I suppose I could fancy someone like him, and I would fall in front of someone like him - me I'd trip in front of anyone - and I would trip him. Just because I have days where I am bored and tripping random people helps. Mr. Thornton is kind of the opposite of Rory. He is colder, withdrawn, quiet, and the type who seems like he'd yell at you before befriending you. But like Rory, I have always liked him. Maybe he doesn't found though. I like the gloomier personalities in characters, but I think in real life I wouldn't be able to get along with someone like that. I need someone with a good sense of humor who won't get mad if I randomly shoot them with a Nerf gun or short sheet their bed but will get payback on me.
Movie: I will probably have to do Steve from Captain America. I ended up liking him when he was the skinny kind from Brooklyn. I loved how he never backed down from a fight, said stupid things at the wrong moment, didn't have a problem speaking his mind even though it seemed to come out wrong, was lost in a lot of social interaction, and wasn't afraid to admit his faults. "I got beat up in that alley, and that parking lot...and behind that diner." I've only become more fond of him in the later movies. In the Avengers he was never ashamed of how lost he was when it came to the 21st century and even laughed at himself a few times. He is kind of laid back, easy going, has a strange sense of humor, but cares what happens to other people and would protect them no matter what happens to himself. And even when he is getting beat up or stabbed he can joke. (The only time he can't joke is when he is getting shot by his best friend, but you know...) Also he never gave up on Bucky even when he had every excuse to do so.
Book: This one is hard! I have a list. There is Peter from Narnia, Tintin, Aragorn, Jaron, Tobias, Roden from The False Prince, Halt, Howl, Peter from The House of Many Ways, Kiggs from Seraphina, Ross and Travis from Never, Bartholomew from The Whatnot, Coal and Hail from Ember Flame, Jace from Resistance, Brant and Oreyan - I spelled his name wrong, sorry - from The Minstrel's Songs, and my list keeps growing. But if I had to pick one....even though it is a shifty list and you might get a different answer every time you ask, I will say Ransom from Annabeth's War. Ransom is mysterious and distant but concerned about those who need him. In other words, just read the book. He alone is worth it - though there are other reasons to read it.
Quote is from Sky Captain, when they are trying to get across an electrical walkway and Dex pulls the plug. Polly and Joe decide to test it out by stepping on it, and are then informed by Dex he was going to test it by throwing something on it.
ALLONS-Y
July 9, 2014
"Pardon me!"
The Challenge, Part Two
Today is to do a character I used to love but now hate.
TV Show I was having trouble with this till my friend reminded me there is someone who fits. Grant Ward from Agents of SHIELD. I know some of you haven't seen this yet so I don't want to give away spoilers....so just take my word for it. I liked him...but now....
Movie: Alexander Pierce from The Winter Soldier. I didn't really ever love him, but I trusted him to an extent. And he was kind to Rogers, then he went and betrayed my trust and everyone else in SHIELD and turned out to be Bucky's tormentor...and you can kind of see why this hindered my liking relationship with him.
Book: Konrad Richmann from His Watchful Eye. I loved him in the first book, While Mortal's Sleep. (I should say I loved him at the end of it, I was on the edge of my seat in the middle hoping he'd turn good.) By the end I loved him as much as the main character, Josef. When I found out Konrad was the main character in His Watchful Eye I had high hopes for the book and getting to spend more time with him. But he dropped. It's been years since I read the book, but he kind of returned to his old self and never got cool again, not even in the last book. I've still not got over it.
That is all. I am really tired tonight, have been all day. So I am not too creative at the moment.
Quote is from a Once Upon the Time episode. I don't watch the show, but I watched the ones with Jefferson because...he is Bucky so I didn't need another reason. And he makes funny expressions.
Allons-y!
Today is to do a character I used to love but now hate.
TV Show I was having trouble with this till my friend reminded me there is someone who fits. Grant Ward from Agents of SHIELD. I know some of you haven't seen this yet so I don't want to give away spoilers....so just take my word for it. I liked him...but now....
Movie: Alexander Pierce from The Winter Soldier. I didn't really ever love him, but I trusted him to an extent. And he was kind to Rogers, then he went and betrayed my trust and everyone else in SHIELD and turned out to be Bucky's tormentor...and you can kind of see why this hindered my liking relationship with him.
Book: Konrad Richmann from His Watchful Eye. I loved him in the first book, While Mortal's Sleep. (I should say I loved him at the end of it, I was on the edge of my seat in the middle hoping he'd turn good.) By the end I loved him as much as the main character, Josef. When I found out Konrad was the main character in His Watchful Eye I had high hopes for the book and getting to spend more time with him. But he dropped. It's been years since I read the book, but he kind of returned to his old self and never got cool again, not even in the last book. I've still not got over it.
That is all. I am really tired tonight, have been all day. So I am not too creative at the moment.
Quote is from a Once Upon the Time episode. I don't watch the show, but I watched the ones with Jefferson because...he is Bucky so I didn't need another reason. And he makes funny expressions.
Allons-y!
"Have you arms?" "Aye! And right brawny ones!"
I missed a day in the challenge. I meant to do it yesterday when I got back from the beach, but as you can see, that didn't happen. I will find a way to get caught up. I am creative like that.
Day Four is to talk about a character I love but everyone else hates.
TV Show: I will go with Arthur Pendragon from Merlin. I don't know if he is actually hated, but I know he is pretty low on the liking list by a lot of people I know. Mostly, I think, because he can be a bit of a brat sometimes - or a prat as Merlin likes to call him. I've heard claims that he isn't nice to Merlin in the way Merlin deserves, or...something like that. I don't feel like trying to quote word for word. It is too early for that. I think a lot of his character is overlooked though. For one thing, Merlin is lying to him most of the time - and while Arthur might not bring it up or now he just accepts it as normal, I think it plays a big part in their friendship. I don't think it bothers Arthur, because Merlin hasn't told him the truth since they met so it is pretty normal now, but I think it does make it where he is more of a brat toward him than anyone else. Also, by the time you get to season four, which is where I am, it is no longer him disliking Merlin. He is very fond of him at this point - as seen when he drinks the poison so Merlin won't - but now them picking on each other, insulting each other, and all of that is part of their friendship. They do it more for fun because that is just what they do. (I can speak from experience because I have a friend like that and all we do pretty much is insult each other, but we both know we aren't being serious.) Also, Arthur - while he has questions about what kind of ruler he is going to be, and who can blame him for that with his father telling him one thing and his conscious another - does care about Camelot and the people and often does, usually stupid, things to keep them safe. He might deny it, but he'd willingly give his life if it meant keeping someone else safe.
Movie: Luke Skywalker. I know for a fact Luke isn't at all well liked. For years, ever since I first watched the movies, I've come across people who hate him. Which I personally don't understand because I have always loved him. He is a classic hero. A farm boy thrust into a war and coming out a hero, having saved everyone. He had his doubts and moments were it seemed like he might not make it to the end, but he never faltered and kept going even when he had good reasons to give up and quit.
Book: I could do Roden from The False Prince but he was only hated at the end of that book and in The Runaway King and everyone loved him in the end. And I only loved him when everyone else I knew was hating him because I had read the last book before them, so I can't do him. The only one I can think of is Henri Baillot from Prisoners of the Sea. (Yes, I stole his last name for my pen name, that is how much I love him.) I don't know if I can do him because he really lived...but a lot of the books I have read no one else I know has and if they have they have the good sense to love all the brilliant characters I love. So I think I have to go with Baillot. Anyone who has not read this book...I would say should but I used to recommend it to EVERYONE and in the end they all ended up hating Baillot so I gave up and hid him 8-D. I'm not even sure how they can hate him, except for something in the end which made them scoff the whole book in general. Anyways, that said, I fell in love with Baillot the first page I met him on. He was kind of broody, said the wrong thing at the wrong time, and acted without thinking a lot of the time. But he was brave and so loyal he was willing to work with pirates to get back and save his friends. He did worry a lot though, almost drove himself insane worrying, but I think any man in his place would be at the risk for that. I plan to review this book, maybe once July is over and things are back to normal.
And that is the end of today. I might be back tonight with another post so I can get caught up.
For now I leave you with a quote from Prisoners of the Sea. It is a scene with Baillot and his sailor friend Winters when they are going to investigate a noise and Baillot is arming himself with a sword and a pistol, if I remember correctly.
ALLONS-Y!
Day Four is to talk about a character I love but everyone else hates.
TV Show: I will go with Arthur Pendragon from Merlin. I don't know if he is actually hated, but I know he is pretty low on the liking list by a lot of people I know. Mostly, I think, because he can be a bit of a brat sometimes - or a prat as Merlin likes to call him. I've heard claims that he isn't nice to Merlin in the way Merlin deserves, or...something like that. I don't feel like trying to quote word for word. It is too early for that. I think a lot of his character is overlooked though. For one thing, Merlin is lying to him most of the time - and while Arthur might not bring it up or now he just accepts it as normal, I think it plays a big part in their friendship. I don't think it bothers Arthur, because Merlin hasn't told him the truth since they met so it is pretty normal now, but I think it does make it where he is more of a brat toward him than anyone else. Also, by the time you get to season four, which is where I am, it is no longer him disliking Merlin. He is very fond of him at this point - as seen when he drinks the poison so Merlin won't - but now them picking on each other, insulting each other, and all of that is part of their friendship. They do it more for fun because that is just what they do. (I can speak from experience because I have a friend like that and all we do pretty much is insult each other, but we both know we aren't being serious.) Also, Arthur - while he has questions about what kind of ruler he is going to be, and who can blame him for that with his father telling him one thing and his conscious another - does care about Camelot and the people and often does, usually stupid, things to keep them safe. He might deny it, but he'd willingly give his life if it meant keeping someone else safe.
Movie: Luke Skywalker. I know for a fact Luke isn't at all well liked. For years, ever since I first watched the movies, I've come across people who hate him. Which I personally don't understand because I have always loved him. He is a classic hero. A farm boy thrust into a war and coming out a hero, having saved everyone. He had his doubts and moments were it seemed like he might not make it to the end, but he never faltered and kept going even when he had good reasons to give up and quit.
Book: I could do Roden from The False Prince but he was only hated at the end of that book and in The Runaway King and everyone loved him in the end. And I only loved him when everyone else I knew was hating him because I had read the last book before them, so I can't do him. The only one I can think of is Henri Baillot from Prisoners of the Sea. (Yes, I stole his last name for my pen name, that is how much I love him.) I don't know if I can do him because he really lived...but a lot of the books I have read no one else I know has and if they have they have the good sense to love all the brilliant characters I love. So I think I have to go with Baillot. Anyone who has not read this book...I would say should but I used to recommend it to EVERYONE and in the end they all ended up hating Baillot so I gave up and hid him 8-D. I'm not even sure how they can hate him, except for something in the end which made them scoff the whole book in general. Anyways, that said, I fell in love with Baillot the first page I met him on. He was kind of broody, said the wrong thing at the wrong time, and acted without thinking a lot of the time. But he was brave and so loyal he was willing to work with pirates to get back and save his friends. He did worry a lot though, almost drove himself insane worrying, but I think any man in his place would be at the risk for that. I plan to review this book, maybe once July is over and things are back to normal.
And that is the end of today. I might be back tonight with another post so I can get caught up.
For now I leave you with a quote from Prisoners of the Sea. It is a scene with Baillot and his sailor friend Winters when they are going to investigate a noise and Baillot is arming himself with a sword and a pistol, if I remember correctly.
ALLONS-Y!
July 7, 2014
"I love the beach!" "You said you wanted a holiday!"
Wherein the Evil Overlord has been given an order
Yes, you heard that right. I was given a direct order. It is a little shocking and I am not sure how to take it. But it came from my companion - I'm still working out rating. I have a General, a Second-in-Command but there was one position open, I just didn't know the title for it so we settled on Companion because it sounds Doctor Who ish. Anyways, since finishing Brothers-in-Arms in less time than I was planning on, I have been ordered to rest for a while. I am therefore attempting it, since I have finished the biggest edits of A Test of Loyalty and am now just getting everything set to publish and trying to think up a fun release party idea. My lack of creativity is always more evident during these times.
To kind of ensure I relax, my Companion had me join in a blogging challenge. I know, that doesn't sound relaxing, having to post every day, but it is one of those things were you just have to answer a question, which means I don't have to rack my brain to think up something out of thin air.
Because I've had the snippets up all weekend, I started the first two days on the blog I am sharing with said Companion. (We set it up because I wanted to use Till The End Of The Line as a blog title. That and we thought it would be fun to share a blog. Because we are like that. But you can read the first two HERE!!!!!! as well as two posts that were done before hand.)
That is all to say, I am now moving the challenge over here. And I am doing today's early because last I heard, I get to go to the beach today. Which I am REALLY hoping works out because, "I love the beach!" "You said you wanted a holiday!"
Okay, now...to get this done so I can be ready in case we do go.
Day Three is A character everyone loves but I don't.
TV show: I have to go with Cas. I don't want to go into details because it tends to lead to arguments, and everyone of my friends who does love him and knows I don't...well, we just don't talk about it. It happens to everyone I think. You find out you disagree on something with your closest friend and you have to just accept it and move on and never bring it up when you are together.
Movie: Loki. Ooooo, I can feel the glares. I don't DISLIKE Loki, I just don't LOVE him. I like certain things about him. That he is a broken character and he has a lot of complexities and he is fun to study. I like that there is always a hint of a chance he will turn good, and that in spite of everything that has happened he still thinks of Thor as his brother, way deep down. (Thor 2, hm? Right? Keeps calling him brother all the time? See, point made.) But, I still can't love him. I've heard he has an excuse for the things he has done, because of what Odin did to him. But there is never a good excuse to go to another planet and start a war and get people killed. And maybe Odin wasn't the world's greatest dad, but he loved Loki as his own son and he kept his past hidden from him - not to use him as Loki thought - but because he didn't want Loki to feel like he didn't belong. Maybe when Odin first saved him his intentions weren't good, but he changed as Loki grew up. But this could go on for a while so I will just leave you with that brief summary.
Book: Not sure about this one. I don't really read a lot of the same books as a ton of other people. Maybe, though, Annabeth would fit, from the Percy Jackson series. She is getting more tolerable in this newer series but she still isn't a favourite of mine. Probably because I love Percy so much so I am picky about who the characters I love end up with. I know, great reasoning, right?
Okay, that is all. I should go now and finish packing and getting ready.
I had to reuse the quote because I really want to go to the beach.
Allons-y!!
Yes, you heard that right. I was given a direct order. It is a little shocking and I am not sure how to take it. But it came from my companion - I'm still working out rating. I have a General, a Second-in-Command but there was one position open, I just didn't know the title for it so we settled on Companion because it sounds Doctor Who ish. Anyways, since finishing Brothers-in-Arms in less time than I was planning on, I have been ordered to rest for a while. I am therefore attempting it, since I have finished the biggest edits of A Test of Loyalty and am now just getting everything set to publish and trying to think up a fun release party idea. My lack of creativity is always more evident during these times.
To kind of ensure I relax, my Companion had me join in a blogging challenge. I know, that doesn't sound relaxing, having to post every day, but it is one of those things were you just have to answer a question, which means I don't have to rack my brain to think up something out of thin air.
Because I've had the snippets up all weekend, I started the first two days on the blog I am sharing with said Companion. (We set it up because I wanted to use Till The End Of The Line as a blog title. That and we thought it would be fun to share a blog. Because we are like that. But you can read the first two HERE!!!!!! as well as two posts that were done before hand.)
That is all to say, I am now moving the challenge over here. And I am doing today's early because last I heard, I get to go to the beach today. Which I am REALLY hoping works out because, "I love the beach!" "You said you wanted a holiday!"
Okay, now...to get this done so I can be ready in case we do go.
Day Three is A character everyone loves but I don't.
TV show: I have to go with Cas. I don't want to go into details because it tends to lead to arguments, and everyone of my friends who does love him and knows I don't...well, we just don't talk about it. It happens to everyone I think. You find out you disagree on something with your closest friend and you have to just accept it and move on and never bring it up when you are together.
Movie: Loki. Ooooo, I can feel the glares. I don't DISLIKE Loki, I just don't LOVE him. I like certain things about him. That he is a broken character and he has a lot of complexities and he is fun to study. I like that there is always a hint of a chance he will turn good, and that in spite of everything that has happened he still thinks of Thor as his brother, way deep down. (Thor 2, hm? Right? Keeps calling him brother all the time? See, point made.) But, I still can't love him. I've heard he has an excuse for the things he has done, because of what Odin did to him. But there is never a good excuse to go to another planet and start a war and get people killed. And maybe Odin wasn't the world's greatest dad, but he loved Loki as his own son and he kept his past hidden from him - not to use him as Loki thought - but because he didn't want Loki to feel like he didn't belong. Maybe when Odin first saved him his intentions weren't good, but he changed as Loki grew up. But this could go on for a while so I will just leave you with that brief summary.
Book: Not sure about this one. I don't really read a lot of the same books as a ton of other people. Maybe, though, Annabeth would fit, from the Percy Jackson series. She is getting more tolerable in this newer series but she still isn't a favourite of mine. Probably because I love Percy so much so I am picky about who the characters I love end up with. I know, great reasoning, right?
Okay, that is all. I should go now and finish packing and getting ready.
I had to reuse the quote because I really want to go to the beach.
Allons-y!!
July 3, 2014
"Bucky! Grab my hand!"
Wherein Jack thinks bad things are happening, and shares some snippets
I have a working plan for the next Loyalty book now, but I don't want to talk about it today. Right now I need to get through the third Haphazard book, then see if everything else is going to work out in any way or form. I am trying not to kill my brain by over thinking, a huge possibility for me.
Also, I have been commenting on all of your blogs, but I am not sure the comments are working. Something weird is going on, and therefore, my comments may be showing up or they may not. I'm not sure. So if I am there, HI! If not....someone in the internet world is probably reading your comment.
Lastly, I have this horrible fear the edits I've been making to A Test of Loyalty are being eaten, because I am sure I am doing edits I have already done. It has given me mini heart attacks and I must see if I can see what is going on, or if I just dreamed of making the edits.
All that said, today is the 4th! Happy 4th to all of you! I have no inspiring 4th post, but I have had a lot of requests for more information on the Historical Fiction book which took up all of my June. And since it is a war story, I figured sharing snippets would solve my need to give more information on it and serve as something as a 4th post.
And...you know...all of the other things I might put here before revealing snippets. "Blah, blah, blah...."
Brothers-in-Arms
“Did you take it?” he asked.There was something in that grin. Some kind of comradely Japhet had never seen before. Unwilling, he had returned the grin.“Yes.”The evil grin widened.“I did that to one of my sisters last week.”
“Summer will be over in a week and I haven't really done anything to make my sisters' lives miserable. Nothing they will remember for the rest of their lives. And they have done plenty to me. Kirsten keeps bringing her boyfriend over-”
“They might get lonely, all alone in my big house. You know how it creaks, especially at night.”“You told me there was a ghost living in the attic the first time I slept over. I didn't sleep the whole night.”
Franz would always be at his side, always have his back.Franz would never leave him.
“Franz. I should have known.”“Was Japhet with him?” Now Hadi was at the window, shoving up next to Bea so she could fit her head out as well. “Of course he was,” Bea snapped. “They are over at your house, alone, together. They were both in on this! When I get my hands on them I am going to wring their necks!”
“But he's a Jew!” This was from a boy named Amell.“Duh,” Franz muttered. “Everyone knows he's a Jew. Everyone has always known he's a Jew.”
“I've never liked Amell. That is why I put those ants in his desk last semester.”
He prayed it was death. He would never be able to forgive himself if he broke and the men he had fought with were found out and killed because of him.
Japhet ignored him even then so Franz retaliated and snatched his pillow. Japhet's head hit the floor, and as he came up fighting, Franz smacked him with the pillow, momentarily stunning him. There was something satisfying about knocking his best friend slightly senseless on his tenth birthday.
“Just Franz?” Franz retorted, catching the last part as the window jerked free of the ice which held it to the window sill. “Since when did I become 'just Franz'? I'm pretty much another member of your family!”Japhet leaned on the frame, not caring when cold snow seeped into his sleeves. “That is when you became 'Just Franz',” he replied, smiling. “Like Ruth is 'Just Ruth'.”
“It's my battle scar,” Franz had proudly declared, and Japhet had smiled in spite of the pain. He half wished he had a battle scar.
Japhet didn't wear his star. Instead he wore a baggy suit, a crooked tie, and a hat. He looked like a gangster out of a book on American history he had once been reading. Franz would have laughed, except he recognized the suit. It was the same one Japhet had worn on Hadi and Ross' wedding day and it should have been too small for him by this time. It shouldn't have hung off his body like it belonged to his father.
It was fun and exciting until the creepy flying monkeys came onto the screen. Franz and Japhet hid at the same time, ducking behind the chairs in front of them, and Franz knew neither would be able to pick on the other since they ducked at the same time.As they left the theatre though, shocked over the movie's ending, they stopped outside the door and looked at each other for a minute without speaking, then they made a pact. “Let's keep the monkeys to ourselves,” Japhet said.
“I'm a grandfather!”“What did she have?” Mr. Buchanan demanded as if it were his own daughter who had just had a baby. “Didn't you hear me?” Mr. Kappel was practically jumping up and down. “I said I am a grandfather! She had a boy!”
Most days after he got into fights he ended up at the Buchanans'. It wasn't that he didn't want his mom to see him with cut lips and skinned knees, he just always wanted to see Japhet after school. So he would limp into the house, sit on a chair, and hold cold, wrapped meat to his eye while Japhet poured him milk and hunted around for some of Ruth's fresh baked cookies. One time Mrs. Buchanan had come in and caught him holding a package of chicken to his eye. She had clicked her tongue, snatched it from his hand, and handed him a steak instead. “We are having chicken tomorrow, and steak tonight,” she had said before walking out to hang up laundry.
“Do you really think they care about that, Japhet?” Franz demanded, his words stern but not sharp. “You're family. You're my brother!
“Why not? How good can you ride a bike?”“Not good enough to ride across the ocean,” Japhet admitted. A smile pulled at his lips, the first he had felt in a long time. Too long of a time. “Really?” Franz pretended to look surprised. “I thought you had more talent than that.”
Rupert Hoffmann. Franz was certain Karl had something to do with his new name. He'd gotten Japhet renamed as Stephen. Stephen was a good name. Rupert sounded like someone sneezing. And Hoffmann sounded like someone hacking.
It took an hour for Franz to calm his friend down. His parents, he knew, had been awakened by the sobbing but hadn't come into the room. They had all learned, after Japhet's third nightmare, that it was better to leave him alone with Franz. Franz was the only one, it seemed, who could really comfort him.
Franz wasn't sure. He was having trouble focusing, but he pushed himself to his knees.“Let's go,” he whispered. He shoved himself to his feet, took a step, and fell over into blackness.
“I am Japhet Buchanan.”The hand came out of nowhere. It connected with his cheek, snapping his head back, and Japhet saw stars. “You idiot!” the old man shouted. “What if I was a Nazi? Do you want to end up with a bullet in your dumb head? You are no longer Japhet Buchanan! You have to get that through your thick head, do you understand? It doesn't matter what is going on around you, who is dying, who is talking to you. You have to become Stephen Achen! You have to be so convinced you are him no one will ever have need to doubt you!”
“Japhet! It's me, it's Franz! Come on, Japhet! Wake up! It's going to be all right, but you have to wake up!”It was a feeble promise, because the nightmares weren't just in dreams, not this time. The nightmare was all around them, closing in on them, ready to kill them given the chance. But Franz didn't care about that right then. All he cared about was his friend who refused to wake.
Japhet saw his chance, a chance he knew would likely not come again – or if it did it would be years from this moment. It was not something he could pass up and dashed up behind his friend, shoving him as hard as he could.
“Who did it?” Franz demanded, his tone sharpening.He was going to go out and strangle them, Japhet could see it in his eyes. He could only imagine what the resistance fighters would do if they were confronted by a German who wasn't a Jew. They'd unjustly assume he was a Nazi, and use the pistol on him, only with real bullets.
“Glad he was still here, Hoffmann. If he hadn't been I would have been under the impression you had warned him and helped him escape.” His smile deepened. “Silly of me, wasn't it?”
His name was Jimmy Rodgers. He was a pilot, American. A farm boy from New York State who had moved to the city with his best friend when they were old enough. Everyone said Jimmy had more rash courage then brains, which is likely why he had enlisted the first day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
“Fight, Japhet Buchanan? Fight? When have you actually fought? We get into scuffles with the Nazis and you hide in the alleyways. All you ever help with is smuggling supplies from them. You're no help when it comes to real fighting.” Jacob glared, his eyes glinting in the candle light.
“You should. I am starting to think you are helping out that Nazi friend of yours.”Seeing red, Japhet stood up and curled his hands into fists. He didn't care that Franz wasn't there to help him when he got into another fight over his friend's honor. He'd teach Jacob to call Franz Kappel a Nazi. However, before he had a chance of rearranging Jacob's nose, the basement door opened and their last member arrive, with two men at his side.
“Farm?” Japhet was interested even though he didn't want to admit it. “Like, Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz?”“How do you know about The Wizard of Oz?” Jimmy asked, his eyes widening in surprise.
“What are you talking about?” Franz asked. He came around the couch but stopped when Japhet moved back. His forehead wrinkled in concern. “Come on, Japhet, tell me what's wrong!”“I saw you,” Japhet whispered, lowering his eyes and staring at the floor.“Saw me?” There was a hint of fear in Franz's voice and Japhet sagged against the wall. It was true. Franz wouldn't sound like that unless it was. “You're a Nazi.” The words tasted bitter and a shiver went up his spine when he said them.
“I don't make it a point to get shot,” Japhet muttered.“Really? Because you sure do get shot a lot for someone who is supposed to be avoiding it.” Jimmy propped himself up on one elbow and Japhet could see his outline even in the dark. “If I didn't know any better I'd almost say you were trying to get yourself killed.”
“You were following me?” Japhet demanded instead of answering him.“Of course I was following you!” Jacob nearly shouted.“And who gave you the right to follow me?” Japhet ignored the fact Jacob thought he had a right to be mad and tried to turn the tables on him. He might have just been nineteen, but he was now over Jacob as far as resistance leadership went and he tried to pull rank. “I was assigned to watch you,” Jacob muttered bitterly. “Everyone is worried you're going to do something stupid since you've been so upset lately that I've been assigned to watch you while you are in Berlin and Odis keeps an eye on you when you go out on missions.”
They were supposed to get out together. They had been planning on it when they came to Berlin. Now Japhet would be going alone and Franz would have no idea that he'd even left. It felt like betrayal. The deepest form of it he could inflict. And it also felt like he was breaking off the tie he had held so tightly to for so long.
“Not that it matters. We can settle this once and for all. Franz Kappel, who are you really? Make your choice – either you shot your childhood friend – or you join him.”
That is all.
I have to get back to work.
Quote is from Captain America
ALLONS-Y!
I have a working plan for the next Loyalty book now, but I don't want to talk about it today. Right now I need to get through the third Haphazard book, then see if everything else is going to work out in any way or form. I am trying not to kill my brain by over thinking, a huge possibility for me.
Also, I have been commenting on all of your blogs, but I am not sure the comments are working. Something weird is going on, and therefore, my comments may be showing up or they may not. I'm not sure. So if I am there, HI! If not....someone in the internet world is probably reading your comment.
Lastly, I have this horrible fear the edits I've been making to A Test of Loyalty are being eaten, because I am sure I am doing edits I have already done. It has given me mini heart attacks and I must see if I can see what is going on, or if I just dreamed of making the edits.
All that said, today is the 4th! Happy 4th to all of you! I have no inspiring 4th post, but I have had a lot of requests for more information on the Historical Fiction book which took up all of my June. And since it is a war story, I figured sharing snippets would solve my need to give more information on it and serve as something as a 4th post.
And...you know...all of the other things I might put here before revealing snippets. "Blah, blah, blah...."
Brothers-in-Arms
“Did you take it?” he asked.There was something in that grin. Some kind of comradely Japhet had never seen before. Unwilling, he had returned the grin.“Yes.”The evil grin widened.“I did that to one of my sisters last week.”
“Summer will be over in a week and I haven't really done anything to make my sisters' lives miserable. Nothing they will remember for the rest of their lives. And they have done plenty to me. Kirsten keeps bringing her boyfriend over-”
“They might get lonely, all alone in my big house. You know how it creaks, especially at night.”“You told me there was a ghost living in the attic the first time I slept over. I didn't sleep the whole night.”
Franz would always be at his side, always have his back.Franz would never leave him.
“Franz. I should have known.”“Was Japhet with him?” Now Hadi was at the window, shoving up next to Bea so she could fit her head out as well. “Of course he was,” Bea snapped. “They are over at your house, alone, together. They were both in on this! When I get my hands on them I am going to wring their necks!”
“But he's a Jew!” This was from a boy named Amell.“Duh,” Franz muttered. “Everyone knows he's a Jew. Everyone has always known he's a Jew.”
“I've never liked Amell. That is why I put those ants in his desk last semester.”
He prayed it was death. He would never be able to forgive himself if he broke and the men he had fought with were found out and killed because of him.
Japhet ignored him even then so Franz retaliated and snatched his pillow. Japhet's head hit the floor, and as he came up fighting, Franz smacked him with the pillow, momentarily stunning him. There was something satisfying about knocking his best friend slightly senseless on his tenth birthday.
“Just Franz?” Franz retorted, catching the last part as the window jerked free of the ice which held it to the window sill. “Since when did I become 'just Franz'? I'm pretty much another member of your family!”Japhet leaned on the frame, not caring when cold snow seeped into his sleeves. “That is when you became 'Just Franz',” he replied, smiling. “Like Ruth is 'Just Ruth'.”
“It's my battle scar,” Franz had proudly declared, and Japhet had smiled in spite of the pain. He half wished he had a battle scar.
Japhet didn't wear his star. Instead he wore a baggy suit, a crooked tie, and a hat. He looked like a gangster out of a book on American history he had once been reading. Franz would have laughed, except he recognized the suit. It was the same one Japhet had worn on Hadi and Ross' wedding day and it should have been too small for him by this time. It shouldn't have hung off his body like it belonged to his father.
It was fun and exciting until the creepy flying monkeys came onto the screen. Franz and Japhet hid at the same time, ducking behind the chairs in front of them, and Franz knew neither would be able to pick on the other since they ducked at the same time.As they left the theatre though, shocked over the movie's ending, they stopped outside the door and looked at each other for a minute without speaking, then they made a pact. “Let's keep the monkeys to ourselves,” Japhet said.
“I'm a grandfather!”“What did she have?” Mr. Buchanan demanded as if it were his own daughter who had just had a baby. “Didn't you hear me?” Mr. Kappel was practically jumping up and down. “I said I am a grandfather! She had a boy!”
Most days after he got into fights he ended up at the Buchanans'. It wasn't that he didn't want his mom to see him with cut lips and skinned knees, he just always wanted to see Japhet after school. So he would limp into the house, sit on a chair, and hold cold, wrapped meat to his eye while Japhet poured him milk and hunted around for some of Ruth's fresh baked cookies. One time Mrs. Buchanan had come in and caught him holding a package of chicken to his eye. She had clicked her tongue, snatched it from his hand, and handed him a steak instead. “We are having chicken tomorrow, and steak tonight,” she had said before walking out to hang up laundry.
“Do you really think they care about that, Japhet?” Franz demanded, his words stern but not sharp. “You're family. You're my brother!
“Why not? How good can you ride a bike?”“Not good enough to ride across the ocean,” Japhet admitted. A smile pulled at his lips, the first he had felt in a long time. Too long of a time. “Really?” Franz pretended to look surprised. “I thought you had more talent than that.”
Rupert Hoffmann. Franz was certain Karl had something to do with his new name. He'd gotten Japhet renamed as Stephen. Stephen was a good name. Rupert sounded like someone sneezing. And Hoffmann sounded like someone hacking.
It took an hour for Franz to calm his friend down. His parents, he knew, had been awakened by the sobbing but hadn't come into the room. They had all learned, after Japhet's third nightmare, that it was better to leave him alone with Franz. Franz was the only one, it seemed, who could really comfort him.
Franz wasn't sure. He was having trouble focusing, but he pushed himself to his knees.“Let's go,” he whispered. He shoved himself to his feet, took a step, and fell over into blackness.
“I am Japhet Buchanan.”The hand came out of nowhere. It connected with his cheek, snapping his head back, and Japhet saw stars. “You idiot!” the old man shouted. “What if I was a Nazi? Do you want to end up with a bullet in your dumb head? You are no longer Japhet Buchanan! You have to get that through your thick head, do you understand? It doesn't matter what is going on around you, who is dying, who is talking to you. You have to become Stephen Achen! You have to be so convinced you are him no one will ever have need to doubt you!”
“Japhet! It's me, it's Franz! Come on, Japhet! Wake up! It's going to be all right, but you have to wake up!”It was a feeble promise, because the nightmares weren't just in dreams, not this time. The nightmare was all around them, closing in on them, ready to kill them given the chance. But Franz didn't care about that right then. All he cared about was his friend who refused to wake.
Japhet saw his chance, a chance he knew would likely not come again – or if it did it would be years from this moment. It was not something he could pass up and dashed up behind his friend, shoving him as hard as he could.
“Who did it?” Franz demanded, his tone sharpening.He was going to go out and strangle them, Japhet could see it in his eyes. He could only imagine what the resistance fighters would do if they were confronted by a German who wasn't a Jew. They'd unjustly assume he was a Nazi, and use the pistol on him, only with real bullets.
“Glad he was still here, Hoffmann. If he hadn't been I would have been under the impression you had warned him and helped him escape.” His smile deepened. “Silly of me, wasn't it?”
His name was Jimmy Rodgers. He was a pilot, American. A farm boy from New York State who had moved to the city with his best friend when they were old enough. Everyone said Jimmy had more rash courage then brains, which is likely why he had enlisted the first day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
“Fight, Japhet Buchanan? Fight? When have you actually fought? We get into scuffles with the Nazis and you hide in the alleyways. All you ever help with is smuggling supplies from them. You're no help when it comes to real fighting.” Jacob glared, his eyes glinting in the candle light.
“You should. I am starting to think you are helping out that Nazi friend of yours.”Seeing red, Japhet stood up and curled his hands into fists. He didn't care that Franz wasn't there to help him when he got into another fight over his friend's honor. He'd teach Jacob to call Franz Kappel a Nazi. However, before he had a chance of rearranging Jacob's nose, the basement door opened and their last member arrive, with two men at his side.
“Farm?” Japhet was interested even though he didn't want to admit it. “Like, Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz?”“How do you know about The Wizard of Oz?” Jimmy asked, his eyes widening in surprise.
“What are you talking about?” Franz asked. He came around the couch but stopped when Japhet moved back. His forehead wrinkled in concern. “Come on, Japhet, tell me what's wrong!”“I saw you,” Japhet whispered, lowering his eyes and staring at the floor.“Saw me?” There was a hint of fear in Franz's voice and Japhet sagged against the wall. It was true. Franz wouldn't sound like that unless it was. “You're a Nazi.” The words tasted bitter and a shiver went up his spine when he said them.
“I don't make it a point to get shot,” Japhet muttered.“Really? Because you sure do get shot a lot for someone who is supposed to be avoiding it.” Jimmy propped himself up on one elbow and Japhet could see his outline even in the dark. “If I didn't know any better I'd almost say you were trying to get yourself killed.”
“You were following me?” Japhet demanded instead of answering him.“Of course I was following you!” Jacob nearly shouted.“And who gave you the right to follow me?” Japhet ignored the fact Jacob thought he had a right to be mad and tried to turn the tables on him. He might have just been nineteen, but he was now over Jacob as far as resistance leadership went and he tried to pull rank. “I was assigned to watch you,” Jacob muttered bitterly. “Everyone is worried you're going to do something stupid since you've been so upset lately that I've been assigned to watch you while you are in Berlin and Odis keeps an eye on you when you go out on missions.”
They were supposed to get out together. They had been planning on it when they came to Berlin. Now Japhet would be going alone and Franz would have no idea that he'd even left. It felt like betrayal. The deepest form of it he could inflict. And it also felt like he was breaking off the tie he had held so tightly to for so long.
“Not that it matters. We can settle this once and for all. Franz Kappel, who are you really? Make your choice – either you shot your childhood friend – or you join him.”
That is all.
I have to get back to work.
Quote is from Captain America
ALLONS-Y!
