Mynx

Would you believe that I really just have that many facets to my personality?

Would love to, but work just piled up on me and as it was I had barely enough time to write for the last game. I have to sit this one out sorry

I was beginning to wonder if I was being kept alive for such a reason. Especially after every person who voted for me was quickly offed. *chuckles* Was fun game I'm outta practise tho...

I shoulda known...

Susan's eyes widened in hope. "Now?" she asked, clutching at the door frame. Cedric nodded. "If you wish to -" he began, but Susan had already disappeared from the door. She returned a few moments later, wrapping a fur lined cape that Cedric had given her around herself. "I told my parents you needed to take me to meet the priest..." she faltered slightly and looked at Cedric for confirmation. When he nodded, she closed the door behind her and took his offered arm. "John was attacked last night," Cedric meantioned to Susan as they passed through the streets. Susan bit back a cry of dismay and shook her head. She simply had no idea when any of this was going to end. Susan began to wonder how many of her townsfolk would live to see the summer, herself included. She was pulled out of her thoughts as they passed Joseph's shop, noticing that Cedric's grip on her arm tightened slightly as he waved to Joseph. Frowning slightly in confusion, Susan barely had time to think about it as her mind reminded her where she was heading, replacing her emotions with one of excitement mixed with nervous fear. OOC: JDRollins/Joseph Gunalo.

Susan, queazy enough that morning as it was, couldn't take the sight that awaited the villagers this morning. On her way to the market to run an errand for her mother, Susan had come across the gathered crowd and, unintentionally, found herself drawn to the front of the circle until she could see the mangled remains. This was too much for Susan's morning sick stomach to take, and barely a second after she had seen the body she was pushing her way back out of the throng to throw up in a side street. Leaning against the wall of a building as she waited for her legs to stop trembling, Susan couldn't help but notice how calmly Karen was able to deal with the mutilated bodies. Medical practitioner or not, it made Susan wonder... OOC: Karen

Susan sat at her window looking out at the scene of the crime. Her mother had all but put a padlock on the door since the news of the third murder had arrived their doorstep that morning. Susan was too caught up in her own thoughts to complain about the isolation. She still could not get her head around the way Cedric had dealt with the news of her pregnancy. Susan was beginning to understand just how much Cedric actually cared for her and she was touched that after all he had found out about her he still wanted to wed her. Maybe I will grow to love him, Susan thought to herself. At least I know he trusts me and wouldn't harm me. Not intentionally... She was distracted from her thoughts by yet another shriek from Annie - God knew what it was about this time. Susan watched the child storm off by her window. What a little beast, she thought, before reconsidering that concept in light of the village's gruesome situation. Before Susan could think much more she heard her mother knock on her door and open it enough to poke her head in. "Cedric's here to see you. Says he wants to talk to you about yesterdays arrangements?" Swallowing nervously before getting up from her chair and smoothing out her dress - one of the new ones Cedric had sent her home with. Apparently it was a 'day dress' but for Susan it was the most luxurious thing she had ever worn and the only reason it wasn't stored away in a safe place was because Susan now had nearly a dozen like it. Her mother left to do some work in the garden, leaving Susan to fix the tea herself and take it in to the living room to meet Cedric. Rising from his seat as she entered, Cedric met Susan halfway across the room and took the tray from her. "You didn't have to," he told her, before looking at the dress and adding with a smile, "it suits you." Susan flushed before taking a seat opposite Cedric and reaching for one of the cups of tea. They sat in silence for a few moments before Cedric cleared his throat. "I've sent word to a colleague of mine. I think they might be able to help you...abort the child." Susan coughed and choked on her tea before looking at Cedric with frank astonishment. "You can actually do that? I...don't have to have this baby?" Cedric smiled softly at the look of hope on his betrothed's face. "Technically, no. But the process is far from pleasant and I think you will need to have some time to decide once you know more on the matter," even as he said this, Cedric had a feeling the Susan had already made up her mind. She blushed deeply and looked down at the cup resting in her lap, before looking up at Cedric for perhaps the first time without any kind of fear or worry. "Thank you." He held her gaze and smiled, before his glance over Susan's shoulder told her that one of her parents had returned to the house. "So," Cedric quickly changed the subject. "I suppose you've heard of this morning's...news?" OOC: Annie

*sob* ...I'll get over it I'm sure And I like the idea Tanny! Like it Big-Big

OOC: Written with Patrick Susan swallowed hard against the sob that threatened to choke her. She bowed her head and took a few deep breaths before resolving herself to the truth. Susan raised her tear stained face to Cedric and held his gaze for a moment before she flushed and dropped her head. "My Lord Breer," she almost whispered. Cedric blanched at the name as if he had been slapped. "James?" he spluttered. "My trading partner?" At Susan's ashamed nod Cedric staggered to a nearby chair and sat down heavily in it, his mind racing. After a moment he looked up at Susan's diminished form. "Him? You love him? But he...he's at least ten years my senior!" Susan blinked in shock. Love? "N-no my Lord. I don't love him! I barely even know him! He...he forced me!" Cedric sat up slowly in his chair and regarded the girl before him. "That is a pretty serious accusation against a very respectable man, Susan. Do you have any proof?" Cedric's face was grave, and if possible he was even more confused than before. Deep in his heart Cedric wanted to believe Susan. He wished that what she said was true and she had not done this out of love. For then the marriage would still be a possibility. But his mind hoped that what she said was false. The James he knew could never have done what she was suggesting. “Proof? My Lord, I carry his child! None of this happened by my own free will I swear it to you!” Susan met Cedric’s eyes and tried to convey her desperation in the matter. “I had every intention of holding my side of the contract for this wedding my Lord. I did not mean for this to happen!” Cedric winced inside at the mention of the contract. He wanted to marry Susan because he loved her. But she still seemed to see herself as something that had been sold. "When?" - Cedric asked. "About six weeks ago." - Susan replied. She thought back to that horrible event, then added. "Six weeks and two days ago to be exact. I remember it well." Cedric was starting to believe what Susan was telling him. This presented him with a dilemma however. He still loved Susan, and after what she had just told him, and had possibly been through did not want to leave her alone, and intended to go through with the marriage. The child was the problem. Cedric had heard of certain, brutal abortive procedures, but would not have wanted to submit Susan to them. "Susan. I have a confession to make. I chose you as my bride because I fell in love with you, not because of the simple social necessity of being married to someone looking good. I did not intend the money to be seen as me buying you. I gave it to your parents once the deal was concluded because I could see that they were in a difficult situation." He paused for a short time, and looked Susan deep in her eyes. "From your reaction I guess that your parents don't yet know?" Susan nodded, and Cedric continued. "It will certainly show before the marriage" Cedric murmured. He knew that something like this could not be disguised, and would soon become public knowledge. Cedric was aware of the social fallout that would hit him if it was revealed that the woman he was marrying was already close to 7 months pregnant at the time of the marriage. But he had never cared about his public image. "Susan...if you so wish, in order to protect you, I shall admit the child to be my own, and take care of James Breer. I'm not sure your parents will like knowing that you are pregnant, but with time they would certainly learn, and then it would be better for you to be able to say that I am the father." Susan suppressed a shudder. “I don’t want it. I don’t want his child…” she faltered, not sure how to continue. Cedric nodded to himself and got up from his chair, placing a hand gently on Susan’s shoulder. “I think we need to talk about this later, Susan.” He offered her a strained smile when she looked up at him and all of a sudden looked every day of his 52 years. “The dressmaids will be waiting for you now. I’ll see you at lunch.” With that, Cedric led Susan to the door where Timothy waited outside to escort her off, returning to his desk as soon as the door closed to try and decide what to do. Cedric sighed to himself. He did know someone who could help Susan get rid of the child, and Susan on her own would never have been able to pay the price asked. Cedric decided that if Susan really did not want the child, he would offer her this opportunity. Then he started thinking of what to do about James, whom he had considered a friend for years.

After waking from her troubled sleep to find news of another death, Susan had retired to her bedroom after breakfast to try and sort out some of the turmoil racking her heart and mind. One thing she was nearly (but not quite) certain of was Cedric's innocence of the killings. If he had gone were, I'm sure he would have killed me last night after finding out that I'm not... Susan sighed unhappily. She still couldn't shake the feeling though that Leif had something to do with this. She just wasn't certain how or why. Susan's thoughts were interrupted by her mother banging heavily on her door. "Susan! Cedric has sent a message for you!" Cold fear gripped Susan's heart as she slowly opened the door to her mother. She could recognise her betrothed's manservant standing quietly in the background before her attention was turned back to her still speaking mother. "Those dresses he ordered for you have arrived," she continued, handing her daughter the note. "And he wants you to stay for lunch. Timothy here will escort you, I've got too much on today." She paused and looked at her suddenly mute daughter in exasperation. "Well come on then!" she cried, practically hurling Susan at the manservant who took her arm and began to lead her from the house. Susan spent the entire trip wrapped up in a ball of nervous fear, barely paying attention to where she was going until they arrived at Cedric's house. Timothy left her in the foyer while he went to announce her to Cedric, before returning a few moments later. "M'lord Cedric would see Miss Strongam in his office before the dressmaids arrive." Timothy bowed to Susan and led her to the door of Cedric's office, before knocking on the heavy door for her and disappearing. "Enter!" Swallowing her fear, Susan opened the door and walked in, curtseying to Cedric before standing there with her head bowed. "You would speak with me my lord?" OOC: Vote for Leif

Unbelieveably unintelligent university undergraduates undermine understanding

Mynx had let out a low growl of frustration when the trolls first appeared, but after that there was no time for thought. Discarding her robe and everything of excess on her body, Mynx pulled out a pair of sai, uncharacteristically sharpened until they were closer to short swords than the blunt defence weapons they're usually intended to be. With a feral battle cry, Mynx leapt into the midst of the fight, dogding between her friends and the spells they cast as she leapt onto the back of one troll and planted a sai at the base of its neck, severing its spinal cord. The thing let out a bellow as it began to topple, crashing into a few of its kind that weren't paying attention. Mynx hung on grimly to the planted sai, trying to remove it from the sinking flesh as the troll hit the ground with a crash, throwing both Mynx and her sai into a nearby wall. The feline managed to twist in time to land (mostly) on her feet, shaking her head to try and clear it before she retrieved her two sai from the ground and charged once more into the fight.

Not since I last looked outside....

I don't exactly announce 'I'm a writer' when I meet people, but usually if they share a like mind on something I say "Oh go to the Pen, it's this website where I write..."etc. More than anything I don't announce that I write because my first attempts were bad and made me nervous to share...

Susan sat once more in her chair and looked out the window to the milling crowd around Adam's lifeless body. She shivered; both at the cold at the nervous fear she felt. After hearing the argument that exploded over the drunk's death, Susan's mother had refused to let her out of the house except at her mother's side. The concept of going out at night was strictly forbidden. I feel like an old spinster sitting up here, Susan thought to herself with a soft sigh. She couldn't help but feel that if it weren't for her value as a bride to Cedric, her mother would have cared a lot less about her well being. Cedric...wasn't he meant to come to some sort of family dinner tonight? Susan couldn't remember the huge number of social occasions her mother had invented to chaperone their laughable courtship. Susan had gotten to know Cedric better, but her mother's constant presence took away from the fact that he was to be her husband, not a mere family friend. Is the dinner tonight? Susan wondered. Even if it was, is Mother going to hold it after all that happened? I wish Father wasn't out all the time. I don't even know what he thinks of this whole thing... With a soft sigh, Susan got up from her chair and went to select one of the few, well loved books she had by her bed before returning to the chair to read it by the window. Dinner or not, Susan wasn't included in the plans and decided to wait and see, wondering quietly to herself if the night would bring about any more surprises.

Just sitting here and going through some of these reviews, i find myself very entertained at my own twisted thoughts and opinions on movies. Everyone is entitled to their own view so I thought I'd give my own take on some of the more recent ones reviewed here and a couple of my own... Batman Begins - To be honest, I was hideously disappointed by this film. Being someone who usually tries to remain neutral about a film until it is actually seen so as not to over excite or disappoint, I actually broke my rules for this. I wanted to like BB - I just couldn't. I can respect their exceedingly valiant attempt to revive the Batman franchise and Bale is a good actor but to be honest I spent most of the movie crying to the screen "But that's not what happens!" (key example there being the killer of Wayne's parents and thus the motivation for his undertaking...and others). Plus, while Scarecrow was a brilliant concept for a villian, he fell exceedingly short when his height of 'evil-ness' involved galloping around on a horse until Missy Whatserface (Holmes) tasered him. I hope it keeps the bat alive, but after all I heard this one let me down. Sin City - I've noticed a range of views around on this one. In my opinion, I liked it. It was new, different and had a nice style that I found hugely entertaining. I haven't actually read any of the comics, but after seeing this I have set out to track them down. I've found a couple so far and the lengths that were taken to make the film so faithful to the books only raised my opinions of it. Lots of fun. War of the Worlds - Heh. I liked this one. And I normally don't like Spielberg. The effects blew me away and the fact that this film showed human nature at its most real and darkest made the film all the more real and enjoyable for me. Yeah I agree that the end was rather sudden and 'Spielberg-happy-ending', but after reading H.G Wells' book, it's understandable; the end in book and film is nearly identicle, all that was really changed was the era in which this took place. I enjoyed it, but I can see why others wouldn't. (Just out of curiosity to anyone out there who is a fan of Justice League - Do the tripods look familier?) Family Guy - I have to back Wyvern up on this and say that this show is hilarious. I picked up the first 3 seasons when I was in the UK and the 4th is currently playing over here. Maybe it's just me, but the show gets funnier when you have people to compare it to. The first person to introduce me to Family Guy was the spitting image of Quagmire. Then I started working with Stewie... The memory of Peter's trip to Narnia still rings in my ears. Narnia - I've met people who've loved this and hated this. Being a fan of the books, I was hugely impressed with the faithful reproduction of Lion/Witch/Wardrobe to the screen. I thouroughly enjoyed it but can only wonder which one they will tackle next... I could go into some of the DVDs I picked up while I was in the UK, but admittedly they are horror and probably better discussed in the Scarlett Pen. But yeah. Those are my thoughts...

Susan felt sick to her stomach at the grisly sight come across this morning. She had gotten a glimpse of the body before her mother had dragged her to the outskirts of the gathered crowd; wanting to protect her daughter from such an unladylike sight to bestow, while at the same time wanting to hear the discussion. When she overheard Joseph suggest that the killer could be Cedric, she felt overcome with a range of emotions. The suggestion sounded vaguely plausable, but Susan found that her mind was bringing up the meeting they had held the day before. Cedric had treated her with nothing but kindness and respect in those few short hours they had been together - so much so that Susan was beginning to wonder if she could perhaps be happy with this man. His kindness to her even made her wonder if he would hear what had happened to her only one moon before and not cast her out for it... No, Susan thought to herself. I don't think it's Cedric...but then who? Her eyes drifted over the crowd, before settling on Leif. Could it be? It's possible...he runs the tavern so would have no problem getting to that drunk...and he seems to know what actually did this...I wonder... Before she could think further, Susan was jolted out of her thoughts as her mother, affronted by the idea that her daughter's suitor was a killer, dragged Susan away from the crowd and back to their home. OOC: Leif the Bunny

Susan accepted the roses with a small curtsey as her mother had instructed her, touched despite her fear that Cedric had gone to such trouble for this meeting. Of course, how nice he truly was to her would depend on how things came out in the next few months. After surveying the two of them standing rather sheepishly in the hallway, Susan's mother invited Cedric in and led them both to the parlor, leaving almost immediately to make some tea and find a vase for the roses while they got settled. Susan flushed pink as she watched Cedric survey the small and drab room with (what she assumed was feigned) interest. He had not been invited to this room until today. "Your family keep a good home Susan," Cedric attempted a conversation, mentally wondering if he came out as idiotic as he sounded to himself. Susan kept her head bowed as she tried to decide if the sickness was going to be a problem today. It didn't appear so, and perhaps the tea would help. Hopefully. With a small swallow to try and settle her stomach, Susan raised her head to meet Cedric's eyes for a brief moment before she flushed again and focussed instead on his shoes. "We try, my lord. I can cook, clean and mend to a serviceable level if that is what you're wanting to know?"

*door chimes* Manager: Hello there how may I help you? Customer: Yes I'd like to book this place for a function in March, I'm wondering if you could give me an idea on pricing and availability... Manager (looking through diary): Certainly madam. What date are you looking at? Customer: March 25. Manager: That shouldn't be a problem at all. Now how many people are you looking at? Customer (looks at list in hand): Hopefully less than 60. Manager: Not a problem! We have a lovely hall for hire at $200 per day that can hold up to 70 people. Customer: Wonderful! We only need it for one day. Now about food... Manager (presenting three pages of paper): We have here a choice of 3 set menus at $40 per person. Customer (takes paper and looks them over): This is perfect! Can I make the booking now? Manager: But of course madam! If I could just get the name of your company...? Customer: Well actually, it's a...family function. Manager: Ah! A reunion! Would you like any banners printed? Customer (coughs): No, actually...it's a wedding reception. Manager (raises eyebrow): I see. Well congratulations madam. If you could just give me one moment? *Manager disappears into back room before customer can reply, returning a moment later with another piece of paper* Manager: I'm terribly sorry madam, I completely forgot that we have a different pricing system for wedding receptions. Hall hire is now $800 and the meals are $100 each. Customer: But, what's the difference? Manager: We just like to be sure we have enough staff on for these events. Customer: I...see... Manager: So can I take your name for the booking? Customer: No...I think I'd better discuss this with my fiancee' Manager: Of course madam. Take c- *Customer walks out* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *door chimes 200 metres down road* Receptionist: Can I help you? Customer: I need to make a booking for March 25 Receptionist: Of course. Is it for business, or a special event? Customer: Do you charge extra for wedding receptions? Receptionist: Well, yes but it's because - Customer: Never mind! It's a family reunion! OOC: My sister's getting married in a couple of months. I don't know what it's like in other countries but over here I swear everything multiplies at least 4 times in price as soon as you meantion the word wedding! After two weeks already of this, one is starting to see the logic of eloping to Vegas... Yeesh. 2 months to go...

*lurklurklurklurklurk* *grins* Good to see you both. Been missing you and wondering how you are! *forehead licks for all!*

Susan sat up in her room in an old wooden rocking chair, possibly one of the nicest pieces of furniature that her family owned. She forced herself to sit still, although her hands continued to figit in her lap with nervousness. She knew she was meeting Cedric today - the first time since she was told by her parents that he was to be her husband come the summer feast. Susan knew this marriage was important to her parents, and Cedric's general kindness and good nature was no secret to the village. Even she had to admit that she could have been given away to a worse man. Oh yes, much worse Susan thought bitterly, before a movement outside her small window caused the thought to disappear. With growing nervousness, Susan watched her betrothed head down the street towards her house before closing her eyes in an attempt to compose herself. As she heard the familier sound of a fist against the front door, Susan rose from her chair and straightened her dress. Her stomach gave a sudden lurch, driving a small cry from Susan's lips. Oh please God, not now Susan prayed silently as she doubled over, struggling to compose herself as she heard her mother's brisk footsteps rising the stairs to summon her from her room to meet the man who would be her husband.

Ok I'm in but I have to warn you now that for a week from tomorrow I'm going to be away with limited net connection - I'll be able to participate but I don't know to what extent so I apologise now if a cyclone wipes out our net connection or anything of the sort... My character's name is Susan. She's 16 and has been promised as a wife to one of the richer (and older) bachelors in the village to save her family from being cast out by poverty. They are to marry at the start of Summer but Susan is worried as she is meant to be going into this wedding a virgin, but is currently in the early stages of pregnancy. No one to her knowledge knows of this. Feel free to throw in any character who could be a part of this fun little knot for her

*chuckles* Am I rubbing off on you Gryph? You're fitting the formula fine... *eyes up clown suit and possibilites of how to spend last day at work...*

I am having a...personal war...with a certain brand of technology... Namely, my less-than-a-year-old laptop. So I'm somewhat cut off from the land of the internet and consequently the Pen until it gets fixed... IF it gets fixed before I leave for England for Christmas that is... Just thought I'd let you know that if you're trying to reach me I'm not going to be around much but I'll do my best to stay in touch if it's urgent... Miss you guys

*hunches over bandaged paw and avoids the talismans* Happy Birthday!