L.Y. Levand's Blog, page 25
April 29, 2013
The Weekly Health Challenge (Veggies and More Push ups)
Weekly Challenge (Level One):
Find a vegetable you love!
Most people I've met like certain vegetables, and not others. What I want you to do this week is find the ones you like and make a list. As you try new things, you can add to the list.
This list is a valuable resource for you when you go grocery shopping. It tells you the veggies you'll eat, so you know what to buy that won't go bad in your fridge.
Weekly Challenge (Level Two):
Do twenty pushups five days this week
We're holding steady on this number until next week, and then we'll begin to transition into another exercise. Maintain that good form, and don't forget to get plenty of rest. It's also important for you to remember to drink plenty of water. Stay hydrated and love life. :)
Extra Challenge: Combine Level One and Two!
Find a vegetable you love!
Most people I've met like certain vegetables, and not others. What I want you to do this week is find the ones you like and make a list. As you try new things, you can add to the list.
This list is a valuable resource for you when you go grocery shopping. It tells you the veggies you'll eat, so you know what to buy that won't go bad in your fridge.
Weekly Challenge (Level Two):
Do twenty pushups five days this week
We're holding steady on this number until next week, and then we'll begin to transition into another exercise. Maintain that good form, and don't forget to get plenty of rest. It's also important for you to remember to drink plenty of water. Stay hydrated and love life. :)
Extra Challenge: Combine Level One and Two!
April 28, 2013
The Dangers of Public School, Part Four: Dropping Education Standards
In addition to everything we've discussed this month, there's something else important that needs to be brought up.
And that's the academic standards of our public schools.
They've lowered throughout the years, and continue to lower now. When compared with other students from different countries, those students significantly outperform our own.
Why is that?
Well, that's because the test scores for the different determining tests have been watered down so our students from public schools can still achieve high scores.
Every teacher in a public school has dozens of children they have to teach. This makes it difficult, if not impossible for students who don't understand immediately to get the assistance they need to succeed.
I know this because I was one of those students.
My worst subject was math, like many others out there. I hated it. And I hated it because I didn't understand. And I didn't understand because the teachers couldn't help me. There were too many other children that needed their help.
I was frustrated all the time, because I didn't 'get' it, and I wanted to, but no one could explain it to me in a way that I understood. Because the teachers were busy. They were good teachers, they just didn't have time to help me. I was making a passing grade, so that was all that was necessary.
I hated math until I was fifteen or sixteen years old because of this. Hating math is counterproductive. And it's counterproductive because math is such an integral part of everyday life.
And, to make things even more interesting, US students are trailing behind foreign students in math and science. Why is this? I'm not sure. But there are ways to combat this, and we'll be going over at least one later in the series.
And that's the academic standards of our public schools.
They've lowered throughout the years, and continue to lower now. When compared with other students from different countries, those students significantly outperform our own.
Why is that?
Well, that's because the test scores for the different determining tests have been watered down so our students from public schools can still achieve high scores.
Every teacher in a public school has dozens of children they have to teach. This makes it difficult, if not impossible for students who don't understand immediately to get the assistance they need to succeed.
I know this because I was one of those students.
My worst subject was math, like many others out there. I hated it. And I hated it because I didn't understand. And I didn't understand because the teachers couldn't help me. There were too many other children that needed their help.
I was frustrated all the time, because I didn't 'get' it, and I wanted to, but no one could explain it to me in a way that I understood. Because the teachers were busy. They were good teachers, they just didn't have time to help me. I was making a passing grade, so that was all that was necessary.
I hated math until I was fifteen or sixteen years old because of this. Hating math is counterproductive. And it's counterproductive because math is such an integral part of everyday life.
And, to make things even more interesting, US students are trailing behind foreign students in math and science. Why is this? I'm not sure. But there are ways to combat this, and we'll be going over at least one later in the series.
April 27, 2013
Ella (Free Fantasy Short Story)
"Who's coming?" Beenie asked, afraid of the answer.
"The network," Peter replied, still sounding winded. "They bring their children. You will be led to safety, along with the others."
Beenie crossed her arms. She thought about asking to go home, but then how would she know what was going on? How would she know what had happened? She scowled at nothing, and dug her toes into the grass as she waited for the network to arrive. She didn't know how Peter could tell that anyone was coming, let alone who it was, but after a few moments, she could hear something.
Tree branches were shaking as creatures leaped from one to another, and dead leaves rustled as others traveled on the ground. She could hear the quiet murmur of voices as they drew nearer, and the higher-pitched voices of youngsters asking questions and sounding sleepy.
As the first arrivals entered the clearing, Peter lifted his head from the grass.
A number of the adult animals stepped forward to talk with him in low voices. After the hurried conversation, these said swift goodbyes to their children, and vanished into the darkness beyond the trees. Upon the departure of their parents, many of the children fastened their eyes on Troy and Beenie, and gathered around them.
The young animals appeared sleepy and disoriented, and some of them curled up on the grass and fell asleep.
The trickle of creatures into the clearing continued, and the circle around Beenie and Troy grew larger as parents ran off to perform whatever duties Peter had given them.
Beenie decided that the strange sound Peter had made must have been a call of some kind, and wondered how they could have heard it, as far away as some of them must have been.
It had been some time since any creatures had wandered into the clearing, and Beenie wondered if everyone had come already, and if so, who would take them to the catacombs Peter had mentioned.
She was sitting down by now, with her legs crossed and a baby hummingbird sitting in her lap. Peter, who had been watching the comings and goings, flipped his pointed ears toward the edge of the clearing, and turned to look.
Stepping warily into the clearing was a snow-white rabbit with long, floppy ears and black eyes as shiny as ripe blackberries.
"Ella," Peter said. "Take the younglings to the catacombs."
"It's time?" Ella said, her nose twitching.
"It is. Keep them safe below ground unless they're sent for."
"Yes, Peter," the white rabbit said, turning her gleaming eyes toward them. "Come along," she said cheerfully. "Wake the ones that are sleeping and come with me."
"The network," Peter replied, still sounding winded. "They bring their children. You will be led to safety, along with the others."
Beenie crossed her arms. She thought about asking to go home, but then how would she know what was going on? How would she know what had happened? She scowled at nothing, and dug her toes into the grass as she waited for the network to arrive. She didn't know how Peter could tell that anyone was coming, let alone who it was, but after a few moments, she could hear something.
Tree branches were shaking as creatures leaped from one to another, and dead leaves rustled as others traveled on the ground. She could hear the quiet murmur of voices as they drew nearer, and the higher-pitched voices of youngsters asking questions and sounding sleepy.
As the first arrivals entered the clearing, Peter lifted his head from the grass.
A number of the adult animals stepped forward to talk with him in low voices. After the hurried conversation, these said swift goodbyes to their children, and vanished into the darkness beyond the trees. Upon the departure of their parents, many of the children fastened their eyes on Troy and Beenie, and gathered around them.
The young animals appeared sleepy and disoriented, and some of them curled up on the grass and fell asleep.
The trickle of creatures into the clearing continued, and the circle around Beenie and Troy grew larger as parents ran off to perform whatever duties Peter had given them.
Beenie decided that the strange sound Peter had made must have been a call of some kind, and wondered how they could have heard it, as far away as some of them must have been.
It had been some time since any creatures had wandered into the clearing, and Beenie wondered if everyone had come already, and if so, who would take them to the catacombs Peter had mentioned.
She was sitting down by now, with her legs crossed and a baby hummingbird sitting in her lap. Peter, who had been watching the comings and goings, flipped his pointed ears toward the edge of the clearing, and turned to look.
Stepping warily into the clearing was a snow-white rabbit with long, floppy ears and black eyes as shiny as ripe blackberries.
"Ella," Peter said. "Take the younglings to the catacombs."
"It's time?" Ella said, her nose twitching.
"It is. Keep them safe below ground unless they're sent for."
"Yes, Peter," the white rabbit said, turning her gleaming eyes toward them. "Come along," she said cheerfully. "Wake the ones that are sleeping and come with me."
April 26, 2013
The Big Debate (Book Excerpt and Giveaway)
The Big Debate (Literary Loom #1) A bizarre corpse . . . A strange girl . . . A creepy teacher . . . A cool invention . . . Combine these with an old school and a new student anxious to fit in—and the adventure begins. Fifteen-year-old Josh’s big mouth gets him in trouble at first. But after walking in the shoes of great men of history in the Literary Loom, he uses that mouth to bring down the bad guy and ultimately solve the mystery behind the murder—and the strange girl. Excerpt
Josh didn’t have a clue what to do if all the troops were not off the island by daybreak—neither did his character. Then he felt his head bow and his eyes close. A simple, but powerful plea parted from his lips. “Please, dear God, help us. Our cause is just, our hearts true. We have nowhere to turn but to Thee.”
Feelings surfaced that spoke of his character’s spiritual side. No specific religion had its claims on Washington’s devotion, but it was unmistakably clear that his belief in a divine creator was as solid as his commitment to this new nation’s cause. And for some unexplained, but undeniable reason, the two were connected.
Josh looked up into the early-morning sky. Darkness faded to shades of yellow-gray in the east. Dawn loomed near. He moved his gaze to the bustling makeshift docks that continued to load men like cattle onto barges. As far as his eye could discern in the murky light, soldier after soldier awaited their turn, wearing the faces of trapped animals. No way were they all going to make it.
The light in the eastern sky continued to increase. But as it grew, so did something else. It rolled in like a thick blanket from off the water, covering the exposed soldiers that were losing fast their cloak of darkness: fog . . . on a summer morning. Unheard of that time of year.
“General Washington,” the officer supervising the docks yelled. Josh rode over to where he believed the dock to be, dodging soldiers as they grappled through the fog.
“Yes, Captain,” Josh said when finally in view of the officer—six feet away.
“Do we continue the retreat, General?”
“Yes.”
“But this fog is worse than navigating in the night.”
“Precisely,” responded Josh with a lift in Washington’s spirits. “If we can’t see each other past six feet, neither can the enemy. Continue until all the men are safely off the island—or the fog lets up. Whichever comes first.”
Book Trailer
Author Carolyn Twede Frank Carolyn has always liked to create. There were always gardens full of beautiful plants in her life, plenty of frilly, homemade dresses for her daughters—and don’t leave out the puppets. Ever since third grade, Carolyn also liked to write. She is the author of Promises, a teen historical fiction novel, and the author/illustrator of two children’s picture books. Carolyn lives in Utah with her husband and teenage daughter, where she runs her puppet-related business in between family time and writing time. Website * Twitter Blog Tour Giveaway$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/9/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 25, 2013
Book Review of The Warhost of Vastmark by Janny Wurts
Warhost of Vastmark by Janny WurtsMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Just as with the previous book in this series (The Ships of Merior) Janny Wurts captivates with her believable and relatable characters.
In this novel, we continue to follow Arithon and Lysaer in their quest to kill each other. However, another element has been added to the plot. One of the Fellowship of Seven has returned from a journey to the place the Mistwraith originated from. He was summoned by his fellows, and by answering the call, has provided information to the other wraiths that would enable them to attack.
Faced with this dangerous threat, the Fellowship of Seven convinces Arithon to swear blood oath that he will do whatever it takes to stay alive. Without the half-brothers' powers of light and shadow, the world would be doomed were an attack to come.
But Arithon is still hunted by Lysaer, who remains convinced that Arithon is a danger to his people and must be killed at any cost. The warhost assembled in The Ships of Merior begins its journey to Vastmark, where Arithon is hiding.
Arithon is faced with an enormous army. And he has the people of Vastmark that sheltered him to protect.
Using a brief gift given by an unlikely person, Arithon is able to temporarily use his blinded mage-sight, and seek out a way that might prevent a massacre. The way he finds is a way he can barely tolerate with his magical gift of compassion - to kill thousands in cold blood, to convince Lysaer that his quest is not worth the bloodshed that will come if he persists.
But Arithon's plan is thrown awry.
By taking Lysaer's wife, Talith, captive for ransom, she has been presented with evidence that her husband's quest is unnecessary. Lysaer refuses to listen to her, and remains convinced that turning his wife away from the manhunt was Arithon's true purpose for the kidnapping.
Lysaer puts away Talith, grieved that she has changed her mind, and determined not to let that affect his judgment. Talith's brother becomes determined to regain his sister's honor, and restore the marriage, for the sake of them both. So when Arithon's Vastmark archers pick off thousands of men and send the few survivors to warn Lysaer, Talith's brother has them killed under the mistaken belief that it is a trick designed to turn them off course.
Arithon is then faced with the whole of his brother's army.
The story is absorbing, the world well-developed, and the plot complex. I am very pleased indeed that I was able to read these books, and look forward to reading more!
View all my reviews
April 24, 2013
Weekly Quote - On Resignation, Courage, and Regeneration
"Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring." ~ William Alexander
This quote has lots of different parts to it.
Forgetting yourself - learning to be unselfish. Many people have a big problem with this. For whatever reason, they find it hard to really think of others first.
Resignation - when leaves fall to the earth, do they rant and rave about their lot? No. They quietly spiral to the ground, where they will be absorbed into it as the cradle for new life in later times and seasons. But we have the tendency to protest the slightest changes in our own lives, even though we all know that change is inevitable.
Courage - like a tree that stands alone. A tree is strong, and lives for many years. But not all trees are surrounded by forest. And the ones that stand alone take the brunt of wind, rain, and storm alone. Can we say as much? Don't we usually seek comfort from the forest?
And regeneration, like seeds in spring. The seeds that fell to the earth in the wintertime grow in the spring, to be flowers, saplings, fruits, vegetables. But they slept all winter, just waiting for the warmth that would enable us to survive. When it gets cold in our lives, we sometimes think it's forever, when in reality it's just a season. Wouldn't it be better to wait for warmer days with the expectation of seeing them?
This quote has lots of different parts to it.
Forgetting yourself - learning to be unselfish. Many people have a big problem with this. For whatever reason, they find it hard to really think of others first.
Resignation - when leaves fall to the earth, do they rant and rave about their lot? No. They quietly spiral to the ground, where they will be absorbed into it as the cradle for new life in later times and seasons. But we have the tendency to protest the slightest changes in our own lives, even though we all know that change is inevitable.
Courage - like a tree that stands alone. A tree is strong, and lives for many years. But not all trees are surrounded by forest. And the ones that stand alone take the brunt of wind, rain, and storm alone. Can we say as much? Don't we usually seek comfort from the forest?
And regeneration, like seeds in spring. The seeds that fell to the earth in the wintertime grow in the spring, to be flowers, saplings, fruits, vegetables. But they slept all winter, just waiting for the warmth that would enable us to survive. When it gets cold in our lives, we sometimes think it's forever, when in reality it's just a season. Wouldn't it be better to wait for warmer days with the expectation of seeing them?
April 22, 2013
The Weekly Health Challenge (Stretching and Pushups)
Weekly Challenge (Level One):
Stretch your calf muscles three times this week
As a martial arts instructor, I see many people have problems with this stretch on an almost daily basis. It seems difficult for most people, and that's why I'm including it here.
Put one foot squarely on the floor, then put both hands on the floor. Then walk yourself forward on your hands, keeping your heel on the floor, until you can feel the stretch in your calves. Hold, then switch feet.
Don't worry about going forward a great distance. The goal is to stretch, not go as far as you think you should. SO if it hurts, you need to ease up a bit. Just go until you can feel the stretch.
Weekly Challenge (Level Two):
Do twenty pushups five days this week
We've upped it by five again. By now, unless you already have well-developed arms, you can probably feel some muscle pain. Make sure you're sleeping and taking two days a week to rest. Your muscles will not get stronger if you're constantly breaking them down. Make sure you maintain that good form!
Extra Challenge:
Is that too easy? Try adding another five pushups!
Stretch your calf muscles three times this week
As a martial arts instructor, I see many people have problems with this stretch on an almost daily basis. It seems difficult for most people, and that's why I'm including it here.
Put one foot squarely on the floor, then put both hands on the floor. Then walk yourself forward on your hands, keeping your heel on the floor, until you can feel the stretch in your calves. Hold, then switch feet.
Don't worry about going forward a great distance. The goal is to stretch, not go as far as you think you should. SO if it hurts, you need to ease up a bit. Just go until you can feel the stretch.
Weekly Challenge (Level Two):
Do twenty pushups five days this week
We've upped it by five again. By now, unless you already have well-developed arms, you can probably feel some muscle pain. Make sure you're sleeping and taking two days a week to rest. Your muscles will not get stronger if you're constantly breaking them down. Make sure you maintain that good form!
Extra Challenge:
Is that too easy? Try adding another five pushups!
Innovera Yakov Blog Tour (Fantasy)
Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes Innovera Yakov – The Journey of A Thousand Eyes takes you into a world of excitement and danger where thoughts and feelings are overheard and minds can travel to other worlds. Be prepared to immerse yourself in a world where falling in love could cost you your life and nothing is as it seems. Innovera Yakov – The Journey of A Thousand Eyes is the first book in an action-packed fantasy drama series where characters with powers of healing and destruction live, love, compete and disappear without a trace while they are being prepared for the Journey. Audio Link
Innovera Yakov - Audio of Chapter 1
Read the First Chapter
Innovera Yakov - Chapter 1
Author Kia Garriques Kia Garriques studied writing and English literature at University and has been a published short story writer since 2009. Her first story “The Invisible Alien Watcher” was published by Micro Horror in 2009 and reprinted by Pill Hill Press in 2011. Innovera Yakov: The Journey of a Thousand Eyes – is her first novel in the ‘Worlds’ series. Twitter * Goodreads * Facebook Tumblr * Wattpad Pinterest * Website ExcerptBlu Tara stared her sister in the face. ‘Let me tell you what you don't know about love, Gamma. It is a curse. You will scoop out your core and abandon it just to have the Being that you love. You will steal another person's life force if it makes it easier to get it. You will abandon the world you have been cradled in, betray everything and everyone you care for. You’ll give up your name for it.’
Blu Tara's voice went soft and dreamy. ‘You will gladly close your eyes and embrace the world of darkness. You will kill or die for it. And you will hate yourself for the weakness that it brings on you. So don’t talk to me about love.’
Gamma shook her head. ‘You're not making sense,’ Blu Tara. ‘You talk as if... I’m the one who should be upset about all this.’
Blu Tara lifted her hand dismissively. She pointed a hot finger at Gamma. ‘Anyway don’t forget what we are.’
'And what are we?’ Gamma glared at her..
'Different. Strange. Something to be frightened of. Two Beings that can fuse and burn everything to ashes. That's the way they all see us down there. That's what the Stardog wants from you - the powers you possess.
‘I hate them all. With their suspicious, shiny faces and their empty games. I hate that Voice which drones on and on at us in the Learning Dome as soon as we've finished resting.
Innoverans! All those perfect, pretty Beings; they remember nothing — it’s the curse of this shallow, shining world. Tell me, Gamma - what do you remember of the world we come from before your Odors Apeno dumped us here?’
Gamma swung around to face her sister fully. ‘Blu Tara! What's got into you? Where’s all that coming from? I've never heard you speak like that before. This is about Krave and I- not you!’
Krave and you - don't make me laugh. And, oh! Here’s a big difference — between you and I this time, Twin Sister. It’s the answer to your question that you brought me up here to ask.’ Blu Tara mimicked Gamma's soft and musical voice, Why do you want to kill Krave?
Here's the answer, Gamma. I will do whatever I have to do to save myself. I'm the half of you that's not like you. I don't have a weeping heart. Now I'm out of here. I need my Rest.
Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/5/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 21, 2013
The Dangers of Public School, Part Three: The Pressure of Fitting In
Last week I talked about corrupt teachers. This week, I'd like to talk about some other factors. One you've probably heard lots about.
Peer pressure.
It's an insidious thing, and I know from experience that a kid as young as nine or ten can feel it, even before others really start pushing.
Your kids go to school every day in an environment that I think of as toxic. Kids want to be liked, and they want to fit in. Some of them will do whatever it takes for that acceptance.
Girls want to be attractive to boys, and boys want to be attractive to girls. Both genders want to be liked by others. They want to fit in. They don't want to stand out. And they don't want to stand out because those who stand out get made fun of or bullied. Or, in some cases, completely ignored.
And that fear of rejection, or fear of being alone, can lead kids and teens to do things they might otherwise have never considered.
Lots of teens start drinking, smoking, and using drugs in high school. Lots of teens start having sex in high school. And it's not all the school's fault, since how you raise your kids and their personalities all have to do with it, but school makes it easier.
Boys want girls for their bodies, and girls want to be loved by the boys. The peer pressure is astounding. If they refuse, they can be ridiculed.
But that's not all. Fashion is something that girls especially get pressured into. They want to look like the popular girls, have the same things, do the same things, be the same way. When wearing that short skirt, tight jeans, low-cut shirt, just objectifies them. Buying that expensive jewelry just to look the same, when maybe what they really wanted was something else.
And then there's the drinking and the drugs. Teen usage of drugs, especially marijuana, is up, despite government programs and lectures from teachers. Why? Because if you do it, you'll be like everyone else. Because if you're the only one that doesn't, you're weird, or puritanical. Because if you don't, you're afraid. (I'm sure there are other factors, and possibly bigger ones, but this is the one we're discussing today.)
It's all very silly, but many kids and teens don't see it that way. For them, it's very important. And so it should be important to you, too. They need to know that not only is 'no' the right answer, they need the courage and self-confidence to follow through and not give in, too. They need to believe it's important to say no, and then they have to have the strength to act on that, even if it's going to be uncomfortable for a while.
Peer pressure.
It's an insidious thing, and I know from experience that a kid as young as nine or ten can feel it, even before others really start pushing.
Your kids go to school every day in an environment that I think of as toxic. Kids want to be liked, and they want to fit in. Some of them will do whatever it takes for that acceptance.
Girls want to be attractive to boys, and boys want to be attractive to girls. Both genders want to be liked by others. They want to fit in. They don't want to stand out. And they don't want to stand out because those who stand out get made fun of or bullied. Or, in some cases, completely ignored.
And that fear of rejection, or fear of being alone, can lead kids and teens to do things they might otherwise have never considered.
Lots of teens start drinking, smoking, and using drugs in high school. Lots of teens start having sex in high school. And it's not all the school's fault, since how you raise your kids and their personalities all have to do with it, but school makes it easier.
Boys want girls for their bodies, and girls want to be loved by the boys. The peer pressure is astounding. If they refuse, they can be ridiculed.
But that's not all. Fashion is something that girls especially get pressured into. They want to look like the popular girls, have the same things, do the same things, be the same way. When wearing that short skirt, tight jeans, low-cut shirt, just objectifies them. Buying that expensive jewelry just to look the same, when maybe what they really wanted was something else.
And then there's the drinking and the drugs. Teen usage of drugs, especially marijuana, is up, despite government programs and lectures from teachers. Why? Because if you do it, you'll be like everyone else. Because if you're the only one that doesn't, you're weird, or puritanical. Because if you don't, you're afraid. (I'm sure there are other factors, and possibly bigger ones, but this is the one we're discussing today.)
It's all very silly, but many kids and teens don't see it that way. For them, it's very important. And so it should be important to you, too. They need to know that not only is 'no' the right answer, they need the courage and self-confidence to follow through and not give in, too. They need to believe it's important to say no, and then they have to have the strength to act on that, even if it's going to be uncomfortable for a while.
April 20, 2013
Harbinger, Tracts XIV and XV, By Angelica Whaley (Free Sci Fi Short Story)
Tract XIV: Truth Part Two
"Emerthia's insane, there's no hope for her.
Come with me."
DOE sought for Em, but she was away.
On an impulse she took a quiet step,
Then the world disappeared in a show of static.
Mother's voice played lightly garbled in her head.
"If you leave, DOE, I will deactivate you."
A shock of dread stilled her and she shook her head.
It buzzed as it moved. "No, mother," said she.
"I will not leave you."
"But, tell me what I am."
Em's voice played back, scoffing and angry.
"You are MY creation! And MY creations shall not talk back!"
DOE struggled against the waves, they tightened.
Strips of code like bugs crawled through her,
Seeking the vital programming.
And she knew she had acted badly.
As Theo watched he grew enraged.
But at the same time he felt pity,
And there he struck out his hand.
"I will give you what you want, if but through trade!"
Tract XV: The Trade
A long and silent pause.
DOE's understanding began to vanish.
Then they snapped back, or were put on hold.
The young woman's voice charged through the forest,
From loudspeaks set on high.
"A trade?" she queried. "What type of trade, man?
Your blood for my beasts?"
At that moment the lab doors zipped wide.
Out of the light, clinking and whirring,
A wolf-life structure with a crimson eye emerged.
And after it were three others, identical.
A low, tremulous, and robotic growl sounded.
Their plated bodies moved with greased ease.
Theo backed away, he knew they would be too much.
"Yes!" he answered. "But also, your companionship!"
A heavy stillness overtook the area,
and in it Theo thought he spotted his death.
"...Companionship?" And the loudspeakers clicked off.
Presently, Mother's slender figure frolicked out the doors.
She moved easily between the hounds.
"Emerthia's insane, there's no hope for her.
Come with me."
DOE sought for Em, but she was away.
On an impulse she took a quiet step,
Then the world disappeared in a show of static.
Mother's voice played lightly garbled in her head.
"If you leave, DOE, I will deactivate you."
A shock of dread stilled her and she shook her head.
It buzzed as it moved. "No, mother," said she.
"I will not leave you."
"But, tell me what I am."
Em's voice played back, scoffing and angry.
"You are MY creation! And MY creations shall not talk back!"
DOE struggled against the waves, they tightened.
Strips of code like bugs crawled through her,
Seeking the vital programming.
And she knew she had acted badly.
As Theo watched he grew enraged.
But at the same time he felt pity,
And there he struck out his hand.
"I will give you what you want, if but through trade!"
Tract XV: The Trade
A long and silent pause.
DOE's understanding began to vanish.
Then they snapped back, or were put on hold.
The young woman's voice charged through the forest,
From loudspeaks set on high.
"A trade?" she queried. "What type of trade, man?
Your blood for my beasts?"
At that moment the lab doors zipped wide.
Out of the light, clinking and whirring,
A wolf-life structure with a crimson eye emerged.
And after it were three others, identical.
A low, tremulous, and robotic growl sounded.
Their plated bodies moved with greased ease.
Theo backed away, he knew they would be too much.
"Yes!" he answered. "But also, your companionship!"
A heavy stillness overtook the area,
and in it Theo thought he spotted his death.
"...Companionship?" And the loudspeakers clicked off.
Presently, Mother's slender figure frolicked out the doors.
She moved easily between the hounds.
