#tsotbl

[blog-in-a-corner]

Lil' announcement

Hey guys! I know you were expecting a TSOTBL today, but I've made the decision to cancel it. I lost the passion to write it and wanted to focus on my own art and writing other things for the rest of this year. I'm real sorry I couldn't finish it! But art things aside my life is going to get a lot busier in more ways than one, and I want to focus on my own health first and foremost of all things. Thank you for sticking around!

[blog-in-a-corner]

TSOTBL - Sorrows of the Past PT:1

The snowfall had become increasingly worse this day, almost as if an omen, warning those the ill fate that approaches.

Almost everyone was inside the kitchen, Kim had prepared what was barely a lunch for everyone, they were just scraping on whatever was left of the food they had.

“Garte better come soon. We barely have enough food left for the next three days…” Kim worried, staring down at her plate of...some kind of horrid amalgam of whatever they had left. “We'll be fine Kim, even if we have to go a couple of days without eating we won't die.” Aaron assured her, hesitantly eating what was on his plate. “Still, it's kinda scary. What if Garte is late? Or what if he doesn't come at all?!” Kim panicked, assuming the worst was her specialty. “He won't be late, and he will come, try to stay in high spirits Kim. We're all going to be okay alright?” Aaron insisted. “I guess…” Kim muttered, picking at her food. “Besides Kim, I have my magic, if Garte is a no-show I can just teleport us all back home!” Lucinda reassured her friend. “Wait, if you can do that, why don't you just teleport us to the liquor store or something?” Kim questioned. “Because I didn't set a checkpoint there, only because I didn't think I needed to at the time…” Lucinda replied, regretting having not done so. “A checkpoint?” Aphmau asked, tilting her head in confusion. “When you use a teleportation spell you have to use checkpoints. You can set them just about anywhere in the world. If you don't have a checkpoint in your desired location, when you try to teleport to said location you could end up anywhere in the world, no matter how close the place is to you. You also can't bring non-enchanted or non-magic items with you when you teleport, if you try to they teleport somewhere else. Trust me if teleportation was as easy as saying “I wish I could be there.” then I would have just teleported all of us to BunnyHill instead of suffering that six hour long car ride.” Lucinda explained. “Wow, I didn't think teleportation was so complicated.” Aaron commented. “Do you have any checkpoints set Lucinda?” Aphmau asked. “The only checkpoints I have set are my house, my previous apartments, my mom's house, my dad's house, and my college dorm room and our old high school.” Lucinda elaborated. “Why do you have checkpoints set in your old college and Phoenix Drop high?” Zane asked, puzzled. “How do you think I always got to school on time?” Lucinda replied, eating some of her food and almost seeming to regret it. “Irene I'm tired of this liquor store crap.” “Well it's all we have. So hush.” Kim retorted, looking around the table. “Where the heck is Garroth? This is the fourth day he doesn't come to eat!” “I mean rationing wise, it's not exactly a bad thing.” Zane commented. “I don't care! I'm calling him down here right now to eat something!” Kim got out of her chair and left the kitchen, making her way to Garroth's room.

Kim came to the door, at first she gave it a few light knocks.

“Garroth, come down for lunch!” She shouted through the door. She pressed her ear to the door to better hear any response.

But there was no response.

“Dammit Garroth!” Kim shouted, knocking turned into banging on the door. “You’ve practically barricaded yourself in that room for the past four days! Come out now! I'm not going to ask you again!”

Although she was yet again met with no answer, she heard shuffling in the room. She stood at the door and waited a few moments until the door finally opened.

“You didn't have to freak out like that…” Garroth muttered, bumping into Kim on his way out of his room, book in hand. “I have every right to freak out! You haven’t come down to eat anything for the past four days, or come out at all! You look horrible, your hair is a mess, you've got bags under your eyes, and you've become almost as pale as I am! And unlike me, it isn't your natural complexion!” Kim lectured Garroth, following him down the stairs. “Gee, thanks.” Garroth replied sarcastically, heading towards the kitchen. “Do you have anything else you want to whine to me about before I go?” “I-excuse me?” Kim stuttered in shock. Garroth has never spoken like that to anyone before, at least as long as she's known him. “I’ll take that as a no.” Garroth said, walking into the kitchen. “Hey Garroth what's up!” Aphmau shouted to him from the table.

Garroth ignored Aphmau and scrapped whatever he could of...whatever the hell it was that Kim made onto a plate and exited the kitchen.

“Hey hold it Garroth!” Kim shouted, catching up to him and grabbed him by the arm. “You're not leaving to your room again!” “Why? So what if I just want to be in my room?” Garroth questioned, pulling his arm away from Kim. “You've been in your room for four days straight, I'm sure staying out here for once won't kill you, if anything the breath of fresh air will actually be good for you!” Kim explained. “Ughhh fine, if it gets you to stop complaining.” Garroth rolled his eyes, walking to the waiting room and sitting on one of the couches. “As long as you're actually outside for once, and don't think for a second that you'll be able to slip away to your room! I'm watching you! Being called four eyes all the time has to count for something…and you better eat everything off your plate! As, unappetizing, as it is….” Kim commented, heading back to the kitchen. “Geez what was that all about?” Aphmau asked. “Garroth's just...being really stupid is all…” Kim muttered out of frustration. “Finally now you're understanding what we're all saying.” Zane commented snarkily. “Shut up. Let's all just get finished up.” Kim sighed, sitting back down to eat. As much as she really didn't want to.

Everyone finished their food (albeit hesitantly) and cleaned up, the lodge had to be clean from top to bottom when Garte came. They left the kitchen and went to the waiting room.

Garroth's plate of food was sitting on the table, untouched, as he was reading the book he's taken so long to finish. Kim had taken notice of this, and quite unhappily so.

“You-You didn't eat anything?! Dammit Garroth you have to eat something! It's been four days!” Kim angrily yelled at Garroth.

 Despite Kim's anger, Garroth ignored her, continuing to read his book.

“Kim calm down-” “Stop ignoring me you-you…!” Kim shouted, cutting off Lucinda. Kim attempted to tear the book out of Garroth's hands, but he jolted off the couch as soon as her hand was in reach of the book. “You “what”, huh?” Garroth replied, narrowing his eyes at Kim, keeping his book out of reach, almost defensively. “You...you moron! I've been worried sick about you for the past few days and all you've been doing is acting like an idiot! I don't even know why I decided to waste my time worrying if you're just gonna act like a total ass!” Kim snapped, her glasses unadjusted.

Garroth, for a moment, looked hurt at what Kim had said.

“I-I didn't mean to say that I just-” “Oh you didn't mean to, sure.” Garroth cut Kim off, glaring at her, taking a step forward. “Listen Garroth, I'm just sick and tired of you locking yourself in your room all day doing nothing but reading that damn book! What's so special about it anyway?!” Kim questioned, looking to the book. “What's it matter to you?” Garroth hissed, holding the book closer to himself. “Why you!-” “Actually Garroth, I'd like to take a look at that book too.” Lucinda interrupted Kim, stepping in front of her. “W-What?” Garroth said in surprise. “Lucinda what are you…” Kim trailed off. “Well it just looks so interesting, you know how us witches are.” Lucinda said casually, quickly grabbing the book and tugging it towards herself. “I-It’s really not…!” Garroth stuttered, seeming somewhat panicked, tugging the book back. “Then surely you won't mind me having a look!!” Lucinda insisted, tugging the book with more force.

“Luci hold up!” Aphmau shouted, as she and the others joined in the chase.

Garroth bolted through the library and ran right inside the cave, the others were barely keeping up with him.

“Dammit he got a big headstart on us!” Lucinda stated, running as fast as she could. “Lucinda wait!” Aaron yelled, grabbing Lucinda's arm, abruptly stopping her. They had stopped at the four way intersection they had encountered days prior. “Can you spare a minute to explain what the hell is going on? Garroth and Kim were just arguing and then the next thing we know we're booking it after him! Erm, no pun intended…” “That book he has! It's using him!” Lucinda panted, pulling her arm away from Aaron. “What?!” Everyone uttered in unison. “I'm sorry, but exactly how in the hell is that possible?” Zane asked in disbelief. “Long story short; a malevolent spirit possessed that book, somehow it was able to enchant the book in order to drain and use hosts.” Lucinda hurriedly explained. “But how does it even!-” “Listen I don't have the time to explain it all right now! I'll explain everything later the point is that we have to get Garroth before he gets away!” Lucinda yelled, cutting off Zane. “Lucinda's right! We have to find Garroth and we've gotta find him fast!” Aphmau added, running off to the second path of the four pathways. "Aphmau hold up!" Zane shouted, running after her. "Aph!" Aaron yelled after her. "Aphmau, Zane, no! Come back!" Lucinda yelled after them, but it was in vain, as they continued in their direction. "Ugggghhhhh! We'll have to go after them later, right now Garroth is our top priority." Lucinda claimed. "How are we going to do that? Garroth is probably long ahead of us by now." Kim asked. "The same way me and Aaron found you Kim! Or tried to anyway." Lucinda stated, summoning her wand. "Ichnotigo!"

As her words echoed off the cave's grey, bumpy walls, a set of red footprints appeared, leading to the fourth path of the four pathways.

"Now let's be quick! That spell only lasts so long!" Lucinda shouted, sprinting, following the footprints. "Come on Kim let's keep up!" Aaron said, running after Lucinda. "I'm right behind you!" Kim replied, following the both of them. "I hope your okay Garroth…" she muttered, holding her head up high.

[blog-in-a-corner]

TSOTBL - A Poor Choice

After the talk Lucinda and Kim had yesterday, Kim though she'd pay Aphmau a little visit as well.

Aaron, Zane and Aphmau were all in the lobby playing UNO, as Zane had forgotten he had packed a deck of UNO cards with himself.

“The UNO company themselves said that you can't stack draw-4s!” Aphmau argued, mulling over all the cards she had in her hand. “Oh so now you're bringing that up, not when I was the one getting stacked on?” Zane commented. “Sorry Aphmau, we play by the street rules here.” Aaron claimed, although he wasn't smirking you could tell through his voice he practically was. “Hmph, it's not fair I tells ya!” Aphmau whined. “Hey Aphmau can I-oh, are you guys busy?” Kim accidentally interrupted. “We’re just busy watching Aph get her butt kicked in UNO.” Zane joked. “It's not funny!” Aphmau fumed. “Do you wanna join me, Zane and Aphmau for a game?” Aaron offered Kim. “Ah, no thank you. I actually came here because I was looking for Aphmau.” Kim explained. “What do ya need?” Aphmau asked. “I wanted to talk to you about... something.” Kim muttered. “Can't you tell me right now?” Aphmau said, putting down a card. “No, I need to talk to you in private.” Kim insisted. “Okay, okay, just let me finish this game and I'll meet you in your room, 'kay?” Aphmau suggested. “Sure.” Kim accepted, leaving the lobby and back to her room.

After quite a bit of time, Aphmau finally came up to Kim's room.

“That was a long game of UNO.” Kim commented. “I'm….very bad at the game.” Aphmau admitted sheepishly. “Yeah I can tell.” Kim added. “Anyways, what'd ya wanna talk to me about?” Aphmau asked. “I...erm..did you ever...” Kim mumbled nervously. “Huh? What was that?” Aphmau asked again, leaning closer to Kim. “C'mon Kim just get to the point.” Kim thought to herself. “Aphmau did….did you ever actually talk to Zane, or did you just lie to me?” Kim confronted Aphmau sharply.

Aphmau nervously avoided eye contact and fiddled with her hair, trying to mutter up something to say.

“I...I didn't lie to you Kim, I did talk to Zane.” Aphmau explained. “You did?” Kim implored. “Yes.” Aphmau confirmed. “So why the heck is he still bad mouthing Garroth?!” Kim raised her voice. “Listen it's not that simple, he...has a lot of family issues.” “What, did Garroth do something to him when they were younger or something?” Kim questioned. “No not at all! He just-it's just complicated okay! It's family stuff between them and I really don't think it's my place to tell you exactly what.” “So what! I have family issues, a lot of people have family issues. Big deal. Didn't give me the right to treat the people who didn't do anything wrong like crap.” “No it's-argh you wouldn't understand!” “I understand that apparently Garroth covered for him when you guys disbanded the jury! You know I always wondered why I never saw Garroth during his senior year.” “I-how do you know about that?!” Aphmau asked in shock. “Lucinda told me about it.” Kim answered, lowering her voice. “What else do you know about it…?” Aphmau questioned. “Not a lot, just that and then some.” Kim explained. “Hm I see….” “I'm sure that after doing something like that, now that Zane is all “nice” or whatever, that they should have a good relationship by now? Garroth sure as hell loves Zane so why does Zane still treat him like crap despite everything?” “L...Listen Kim I'm going to be real with you, but you better not let Zane get word of this!” Aphmau whisper-shouted. “You have my word.” Kim promised. “I know that Zane is full of it, Garroth definitely isn't blameless in the situation, the guy still has plenty of flaws, but Zane is taking things way out of proportion.” Aphmau elaborated. “So why don't you tell him that?” Kim asked in confusion. “Because he'll just think I'm siding with Garroth and make this whole fiasco out of it! I don't want to deal with that, especially trapped in some run down lodge with four of my friends and my ex and no connection to the outside world!” Aphmau claimed in frustration, sitting on the bed. “Besides...he's on the right track right now, he still needs a lot of work albeit, but he's a way better person than he was a year ago...and I don't want to mess that up...” “I understand what you're saying Aphmau, but sometimes the only way to improve is by taking criticism instead of what you want to hear.” Kim sighed. “Yeah…I guess you're right…” Aphmau admitted. “Listen, you can just deal with the Zane situation later, it's bad enough already with having to be trapped in a place with the ex you promised to stay away from for a while, the Zane thing can wait. Garroth's been dealing with him for years, what's a couple more days?” Kim suggested, sitting beside Aphmau. “I’m sorry for not being more understanding earlier, I was so irritated at Zane that I didn't take a moment to consider how you were doing with everything that's happened.” “It's all right Kim, I understand why you got upset. I promise I'll really face Zane about it, just...not right now okay?” Aphmau promised. “Thanks Aph.” Kim muttered. “It's not a problem Kim..” Aphmau said, giving Kim a light smile. “Anyways, I'll let you go now. You probably wanna play some more with Aaron and Zane right now.” Kim said, getting up and opening the door for Aphmau. “Wanna join us?” Aphmau offered. “Oh, erm, I don't know. You guys looked like you were having fun all together and I wouldn't want to disturb you guys.” Kim rejected the offer nervously. “Aw c'mon! You're always welcome to a game of UNO!” Aphmau insisted. “Well...okay, maybe just one game.” Kim gave in. “Great! C'mon let's ask Lucinda is she wants to play!” Aphmau dragged Kim out of the room. “Ah but she's asleep! She's been taking a lot of naps to make up for the lack of sleep. “Aw well that's too bad, oh well!” Aphmau sighed. “At least it’s one less person to watch you get your butt kicked at UNO.” Kim joked, trying not to giggle.

“Hey!” Aphmau laughed, walking back to the lobby with Kim.

_____________________________________________

It was late at night. Kim, Aaron, Aphmau, and Zane had already gone to bed. Lucinda on the other hand, had just woken up.

“Urgh….what time is it?” Lucinda groaned, looking at her surroundings. It was pretty dark inside her room. “How long was I asleep?” Lucinda was still slightly disoriented from waking up. She picked up her phone and looked at the time. “Ten thirty? Damn, looks like I won't be falling asleep for a while” she sighed. She slipped on her purple fuzzy bunny slippers(the most iconic slippers) and stood up.”Guess I'll walk around for a bit as long as I'm up.”

Lucinda walked out of her room and stretched her arms, she was awake but her body still felt tired. She froze as she passed up the rooms. “That static feeling again! Eugh that feeling is stronger than ever right now…” Lucinda thought to herself. She continued to walk down the hall despite her discomfort. She made it downstairs and looked around. “Man I'm still feeling that damn static! I didn't feel it down here before but now I do…and even during the day…” She stood in the middle of the lobby, deep in thought. Was the static just a feeling? Or was it...a presence? Lucinda would have come to her conclusion but-

Lucinda heard shuffling through the bushes a thick snow, but not just any shuffling, it almost sounded as if someone was outside.

“What the hell?” Lucinda muttered, switching her attention to the outside window. “Hold on Lucinda, think logically, it's probably just a wolf outside or-” Lucinda then heard a grunt. “Dammit.” A voice outside uttered, shuffling not so quietly.

Lucinda instantly shifted into action, she summoned her wand in hand and bust open the door outside.

“Who's out there!” Lucinda shouted, keeping her wand close by.

There was no answer.

“I'm not going to ask twice, if you don't reveal yourself now, I'll blast this whole perimeter!” She yelled, prepping a spell with her wand.

Still, no answer.

“Alright, have it your way.” Lucinda then casted a blasting spell, it blasted a wave of magic around the entire lodge.

Although there was nothing to be heard from the mysterious voice.

“Hm, whoever it was must've run off before I could blast them. What a coward and a creep. Worst of both worlds.” Lucinda muttered to herself, walking back inside, locking the doors tightly. “But for extra precaution, let's play with magic shall we?” She then guarded the lodge with a small protection spell, it would last them the night to say the least. “Well, I've got the heebie-jeebies now, so I guess I'll head back to my room, don't want to get spooked by another asshat in the woods.” She walked back upstairs and into her room, where she sat on her bed quietly, trying her best to fall asleep again.

“That was close.” The cloaked figure said under his breath, running through the snow ridden woods. He stopped by a tree, trying to catch his breath. “Too close….I have to be more careful next time. Things are aligning with each other….if anything time is running out.” The man stopped panting and looked up to the ever so bright moon. “I have to keep going forward. I can't stop now. Not when I'm so close to achieving what I...have worked so hard for all these years….”

//Howdy y’all! The story is going to be on hold for while, PAGE 23 is going to have a LOT of artwork, unfortunately I’ve been having some tablet and computer issues so it’s going to take a while T-T. But hey better late than never! In the meantime I’m going to make a book of oneshots next monday! Mostly featuring my au’s, maybe a few shippy or platonic ones here and there, and even a few comdey ones. So stay tuned! ;3//

[blog-in-a-corner]

TSOTBL - Force Of Habit

It was a good evening, fresh snow piled everywhere, the wolves trotted through the thick forest and the wind whistled through the pine trees quite nicely.

Everyone had washed up and went downstairs for dinner, well, almost everyone anyway.

“Man I'm getting tired of eating eggs….” Aphmau grumbled, poking at her food with a fork. “Unfortunately it's all we have, we're starting to run low on food, so we have to make due with what we have.” Aaron explained. He was tired of the liquor store food as well. “Not to mention we didn't anticipate you and Zane staying here with us, so we're kinda under stocked.” Lucinda added. “True, true…” Aphmau nodded. Her eggs we're getting cold, that made them even less appetizing than they already were, and they weren't very appetizing to begin with. “As long as everybody is eating, right?” Aaron commented. “Not everyone,” Kim stated, looking around the table. “Where's Garroth? I called him down for dinner fifteen minutes ago.” “He probably wasn't hungry for eggs…” Aphmau mumbled, continuing to poke at her eggs, looking at them with a look of disgust. “He'll be fine Kim.” Aaron assured. ”I would take that if it weren't for the fact that he missed breakfast today and yesterday!” Kim argued. “So what? If he is missing meals that's his problem.” Zane replied snarkily, lowering his mask to eat. “Still, he's been acting a bit strange lately…” Kim said in concern. “When is he not acting weird? He's Garroth, only Irene knows what's going on in that brain of his. If he even has one anyway.”

Kim shot Zane a look before looking to Aphmau, who she also gave a look.

“I'm sure he's fine, Kim.” Aphmau assured, looking away nervously. “Right.” Kim muttered, returning to her meal. “So for the next week we really don't have anything to do, do we?” Lucinda thought aloud. “Nope.” Aaron answered. “Nothing at all?” Lucinda implored, in a small sense of desperation. “No, we're going to be here bored out of our minds for the next few days.” Aaron sighed, getting up from the table and taking his plate to the sink. “Well, there's always the library!” Kim reminded optimistically. “Yeahhh…that..too...i guess....” Lucinda uttered. She hated that library, ever since they opened the entrance to the cave she hasn't had a moments peace. “I guess all of this should be a reminder that I should never let Aphmau convince me to go anywhere ever again.” Zane remarked. “Hey!” Aphmau glared at Zane. “By the way, are you ever going to eat those eggs?” Aaron asked. “Blehhh…..” Aphmau responded, looking back to her eggs. They were stone cold now. “You can't just waste the eggs Aph!” Aaron scolded her. “But they're so groooossss.” Aphmau whined, pushing her plate in front of her. “Aphmau!” “Man I wish I could just have beans. I eat beans for dinner, lunch and breakfast.” Aphmau muttered sadly.

Everyone stared at Aphmau silently.

“You...you eat beans for breakfast?” Kim asked quietly.

Aphmau sat quietly for a moment.

“.....You don't?” Aphmau quietly replied in confusion. “Oh boy here we go…” Aaron mumbled. “WHO EATS BEANS FOR BREAKFAST?!” Zane shouted in a mixture of anger and shock. “MEXICANS?” Aphmau retorted in confusion. “WHY?!” Lucinda yelled, she didn't find it as confusing as everyone else did but she found the distress it caused everyone that Aphmau could and would eat beans for breakfast hilarious. “UM BECAUSE THEY'RE GOOD? WRAP 'EM IN A TORTILLA AND IT'S THE BEST THING?” Aphmau argued. “WH-WHY?!” Kim laughed, taking off her glasses. “It's just how it be Kim.” Aphmau added, putting her last word in, and eating a forkful of eggs. “OH SHIT THAT WAS HORRIBLE WHY DID I JUST EAT THAT.” Aphmau yelled, spitting cold egg out everywhere. “Cover your mouth!” Kim scolded Aphmau, backing away from the spray of egg. “Sorry, sorry.” Aphmau could barely mutter, choking on bits of egg. “Anyways, I guess we should wrap up breakfast now.” Aaron announced. “Wrap it up in a tortilla and into the trash…” Aphmau mumbled.

Everyone cleaned up and went their separate ways. Lucinda had went into her room to relax, but she heard a knock at her door.

“The doors unlocked.” Lucinda said aloud, turning to the door. “Hey Lucinda, can I talk to you for a minute?” Kim asked, walking inside. “What's up?” Lucinda asked her casually. “I'm good, I'm good. How about you?” Kim replied. “I've been better, just haven't been getting any good sleep lately.” Lucinda explained. “Ah I see….well um, I wanted to ask you something…” Kim stated nervously. “Oh? What is it?” Lucinda questioned, plopping onto her bed. “Do you...know if anything has happened with Garroth recently?” Kim mumbled, fidgeting with her fingers. “Nothing that I know of, why do you ask?” Lucinda asked curiously. “It's just that...um, nevermind it's nothing. Sorry I bothered you.” Kim muttered, quickly turning heel to leave the room. “Kim wait!” Lucinda grabbed Kim's hand before she could leave the room. “What's wrong? Did you guys get into an argument or something?” “No, no, it's not that at all…” “Then what is it?” “It's just that...I don't know, Garroth was acting kinda strange this morning…” “Strange how..?” “Well he was just kinda...not like himself? He was...being kinda rude and standoffish.” “Is that so? It's nothing to worry about Kim. I'm pretty sure he was just a little grouchy because he was tired, everyone here is seeming to have sleeping problems. Besides it's Garroth, you don't have to worry at all.” Lucinda assured her freckled friend. “Why do you guys always say that?” Kim claimed in annoyance. “Huh?” Lucinda uttered in confusion. “Everytime I voice a concern about Garroth, you guys just shrug it off as him being him! Why?” Kim pressed. “Listen Kim, for as long as I've known the guy, nothing has ever made the guy upset. I've seen people do some pretty crappy things to him and he always shrugged it off.” Lucinda defended. “How do you know those things never made him upset? Did you ever ask him if he was upset?” Kim implored. “I-I mean, I never did ask him, but he never looked upset when those things happened.” Lucinda explained. “So that's it? Garroth can't get upset because you've never seen him get upset? Because none of you guys ever bothered to ask if he was okay?!” Kim raised her voice slightly in anger.

Lucinda had nothing to say, she just looked down. There was an awkward pause between the two of them.

“I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to raise my voice…” Kim apologized, looking down sheepishly. “It's okay...I..kinda deserved that. To be honest, just generally assuming Garroth was okay all the time kinda became a habit…” Lucinda admitted, looking back to Kim. “A habit…?” Kim raised an eyebrow. “Well, I became friends with Garroth through Aphmau way back during high school. At some point in high school….you remember The Jury, don't you?” Lucinda elaborated. “Ugh how could I not? That was the worst year of high school ever.” Kim groaned, the memory alone was enough to invoke a feeling of disgust in Kim. “Well, remember how it took Garroth, Laurance and Aphmau to put a stop to Zane's tyranny once and for all?” “Yeah, which was really weird because at the time Garroth was part of the Jury and Laurance had rejoined the Shadow Knight's, so seeing a shadow knight join forces with the alpha female of the werewolf class and Garroth betray his own gang was realllllyyy crazy.” “Well Garroth took the fall for what Zane did back then, we tried talking him out of it but he insisted it would be easier if he admitted to everything. Despite all the manipulation and lies...he still really loved his brother y'know? Garroth's always been a really family oriented guy…. anyway, it goes without saying that he got a lot of heat from his parents. He ended up having to spend his last semester of school at a military school.” “Sheesh, a military school? I know a lot of what Zane did was bad, but….that bad?” “Trust me, there was a crap ton worse shit Zane did behind the scenes.” “Damn…” “But that was back then, Zane is...better, to say the least, not great, but better. Anyways, even after all that happened he seemed to be not bothered at all! He seemed at ease with his decision. I asked Aphmau if she knew if he was okay or not, and she always said that he was fine, y'know it's Garroth, right? I never asked him myself because...well it wasn’t exactly a pleasant time to remember. So… y'know after a long time of that, it just kinda became habitual after a while I guess. But now that you point it out...it is kinda...not the right way to deal with those things…” “Yeahhh, it really isn't.” Kim replied. “Anyways erm, I guess we could always ask him if something's wrong then? Like, why aren't we doing that right now.” Lucinda commented, rubbing her neck. “I would, but he's been locked in his room a day, and has pretty clearly been pretty adamant about staying in there. If he doesn't want to be around people right now I don't imagine we could hold a long enough conversation with him about it.” Kim explained. “Ah true...well let's just wait until he's feeling a bit better and we'll see him together then!” Lucinda suggested. “Sure!” Kim agreed, beginning to leave the room. “By the way, Kim.” Lucinda said after her. “Yeah?” Kim turned back to respond. “That book of his...do you know what kind of book it is?” Lucinda asked. “Nope, he won't even let me touch it let alone peak at it! I understand loving books but come on! Though he was less possessive of it when he first got the book, so that's kinda weird.” Kim explained. “Yeah...anyways, I'm glad we had this talk!” Lucinda nodded. “So am I! See ya later!” Kim said to Lucinda as she left the room. “Hmm…” Lucinda laid down on her bed as she thought to herself. “I wonder….”

Aaron was lying down in his bed in his room, for there was nothing else to do.

“In less than a week all of us can finally leave this place.” Aaron sighed, staring at the ceiling. “All of this...all of this was just meant to be a get away, to get some time away from Aph and be left alone with my thoughts. Looks like I couldn't even have that. Just….a couple more days Aaron, you can pull through…” Just then, Aaron heard a knock at his door. “Come in!” Aaron shouted to the door.

Zane came in and closed the door behind him.

“Hey Aaron, I just wanted to come in and see how you're doing.” Zane explained, walking to Aaron. “I've been better I guess.” Aaron responded glumly. “I see... what are you gonna do when we leave this shitty lodge?” Zane asked, curious about Aaron's plans. “I don't know, I'm homesick but also not homesick. I kinda miss home but with everyone here it also feels like I never even left. I don't know if I wanna go somewhere else, I've already been here for half a month, but I haven't been able to gather my thoughts about my relationship with Aph this entire time and...and we share a house together, I can't just go back either. I just...I just don't know what to do….I don't know what I want…” “Sounds tough. I'd suggest going with your parents but knowing them and they're company and all….” Zane trailed off. “Yeah.” Aaron replied. “Could you possibly go with your sister, Melissa?” “No, she's too busy working for my families company.” “Damn... you're really stuck in a corner aren't you.” “Yeah... I'm sure I'll figure something out.” Aaron sighed, putting his hands over his face. “You always do.” Zane assured him, in a surprisingly positive tone. “Anyways, how have you been?” Aaron asked “Eh, nothing different from back home. I'm still constantly irritated and annoyed by everyone and I hang around with Aphmau most of the time.” Zane explained. “Ah, also do you know how Garroth’s doing right now? I haven’t seen him all day.” “Hm.” Zane grunted, looking away. “I see…” “I'll get going now, I just wanted to see if you were doing well.” Zane said, proceeding to leave the room. “See ya.” Aaron replied, seeing Zane out. “Just….a few more days, can't be too bad right?”

[blog-in-a-corner]

Howdy y'all! Anyways you don't have to worry about page 23 OR page 26 being delayed because guess what??? After working fine for two whole days! My tablet decided it doesn't want to fucking work!! And better yet, I won't be able to get another tablet for a fucking while! So there will be no art for any pages until I can get a new tablet, or this one working again (which I highly fucking doubt) sorry about that!

[blog-in-a-corner]

Finished doing the boarding sketches for page 26,,,,I have 99 panels,,,,,which means it'll have 16-19 pages of art,,,,which also means I'm going to have to split page 26 into two parts,,,oh m a n

[blog-in-a-corner]

Me: oh no I haven't gotten my tablet to work but hey it's not so bad i only need art done for page 23

Page 25: needs one piece of art

Me: oh okay that's not so bad-

Page 26: needs several pages of art

Me:

[blog-in-a-corner]

TSOTBL - Celebration

The gang had finished their work cleaning the lodge in under two weeks. An impressive feet.

“Wow, we finished cleaning the lodge with about seven days to spare!” Kim stated in cheer. “A good job to everyone, it's been very difficult these past weeks with no internet, no data, and a limited food supply, but we made it.” Aaron congratulated the others. “Hell yeah we did.” Lucinda added. “I know me and Zane weren't part of the original crew, but how about we have a tiny celebration party?! I think we've all earned it!” Aphmau recommended, trying to hype up everyone else. “It wouldn't be much but hey a party is a party.” “I'd totally be down for that!” Lucinda agreed in excitement. “Heck yeah!” Kim shouted in delight. “Sounds like a good idea.” Garroth replied. “”Sounds like a good idea” C'mon Garroth you gotta be givin’ me more hype than that! You're the ultimate party man don't fizzle out on me now!” Aphmau begged, in a light hearted manner. “Haha sorry! I guess I'm just a bit tired from the everything...” “Well, normally I would decline, buuuut this whole lodge has been a pain to deal with so sure, why not?” Aaron accepted, and nodded in agreement. “Yay!” Aphmau cheered. “I'm gonna get started on seeing what we can make!” She said as she rushed down the stairs. “Be careful Aph! You don't want to fall down the stairs!” Zane shouted, running after her. “I better go make sure neither of them fall down the stairs…” Aaron half-joked, following the two. “Now I have to make sure Aaron doesn't fall down the stairs. All of them together are like a pack of dominos.” Lucinda joked, following Aaron. “Well I guess I'll be on stand by in case anyone gets hurt, what're you gonna do Garroth?” Kim asked, looking to Garroth. “I dunno, I'm kinda tired today…” Garroth mumbled, looking to the floor. “Maybe you can rest for a bit in the lobby, y'know so we all can be together! Besides you being up in your room all day probably isn't good for you. I would know, I'm a doctor.” Dr.Kim insisted. “Why? We've been stuck here together for nearly two weeks, so what if I want some alone time?!” Garroth snapped at Kim. “O-Oh, s-sorry I didn't mean to make you upset…” Kim stuttered, caught off guard by Garroth's reaction. “N-No you didn't…you didn't offend me I'm just... getting kinda cranky I guess, I'm sorry for snapping at you like that.” Garroth said sheepishly, running his hand through his hair. “Ah it's fine, this lodge has been...an experience, to say the least.” Kim assured Garroth. ”Yeaaaah...” Garroth sighed in agreement. “I'll be down with you guys in a sec, okay?” “Okay!” Kim said, as she spoke a loud thump was heard followed by a crowd of screams. “Aaand there they go…” Kim muttered, as she ran out of the room. “Lucinda not you too!” She could be heard shouting.

Time had passed and Aphmau and Aaron we're almost done with the party snacks. Meanwhile Kim, Garroth, Lucinda, and Zane hung out in the waiting room, talking about the most important questions in life.

“So that's why we have anime now.” Kim stated, adjusting her glasses. “Interesting.” Lucinda mumbled in surprise. “Yeah it's a pretty weird history, goes to show the butterfly effect theory in motion though.” Kim replied. “Why exactly do you know this crap anyways?” Zane asked. “I watch a lot of anime and got curious.” Kim explained. “I suppose that explains the gudetama phone charm you have.” Lucinda stated. “Oh actually no, I've been playing with tamagotchis for a long time and the gudetama one is recent! So far I really like him.” Kim elaborated. “Cool! I had a tamagotchi once, it died after four days and I never played it again.” Lucinda laughed. “Oh boy you must've been sad.” “Yeah kinda…” Lucinda smiled, she looked to Garroth, who was laying on one of the couches, reading his book. “Hey Garroth did you ever have a tamagotchi?” Lucinda asked him. “Mhm.” Garroth uttered, not paying attention to the question. “Hey I'm talking to you!” “Mhm.” “Hmm….hey Garroth, have you ever killed somebody?” “Mhm.” “YOU KILLED SOMEONE?!” Lucinda shouted, in fake surprise. “Wait-what?!” Garroth responded shocked, Lucinda having finally gotten his attention. “Ha! That's what you get for reading that book all day when you could be talking with us!” Lucinda giggled. “Oh sorry!” Garroth apologized, embarrassed. “Geez Garroth I know I always have my nose in the books, but you've been reading that book almost nonstop, take a break!” Kim commented. “But I want to read, this book is very um, very interesting...” Garroth insisted nervously. “Heh, “Read”, just because there's a bunch of pictures in a book doesn't count as reading Garroth.” Zane rolled his eyes. “Right. I forget that. Perhaps I should coin a new term for people who read only pictures because words don’t exist in every day life.” Garroth muttered, keeping his attention to his book. “Um...anyway! C'mon Garroth just put the book away so we can all chat some more!” Kim insisted, tugging on the book slightly. “No! I mean-no, I'll put it down in a second.” Garroth explained, pulling the book away. “Where did you get that book anyway? It looks...kinda strange.” Lucinda asked, curious at the books strange design. “I found it when me and Kim were cleaning the library.” Garroth stated blatantly. “What kind of book is it?” Lucinda asked. “Um it's just...it’s an old one.” Garroth mumbled, somewhat nervous. “Garroth you know what I meant.” Lucinda questioned. “I'm not really familiar with genre terms for literature.” Garroth explained. “Hm. I see.” Lucinda eyed the book suspiciously. It looked strange, and something about it didn't sit well with Lucinda, but she couldn't figure out why. “Come to think of it, that's the same book I saw you with a while ago.” Lucinda thought to herself. “So anyways I'm just gonna put this away now so you guys stop bothering me!” Garroth announced, closing the book and getting up from the couch. “I'll be right back.” “Yay! Now we can all really get to talking with each other.” Kim cheered. “Yeah,” Lucinda nodded, as Garroth went up the stairs. “Sure.” “Guys the party snacks are ready!” Aphmau cheerfully announced. “It's about time!” Zane commented. “Garroth better hurry up for this or else he's gonna miss all the good stuff.” Kim remarked.

The gang has circled together in the kitchen, where the chatted and laughed for hours, discussing important matters of course.

“So that's what would happen if you shot a potato into lava.” Aaron explained. “Wow, amazing!” Aphmau commented in awe. “Okay but why exactly do you know that?” Zane asked, somewhat confused. “None of your business.” Aaron replied. “What-” “Man, I can't believe in just seven more days we'll get to leave this place.” Kim reminded. “Yup, and we'll all finally be back in the comfort of our homes…” Lucinda added. “I, for one, won't miss this place.” Zane remarked. “Me neither, this place looks nice but geez the whole experience has been awful. I rate it one star.” Lucinda agreed. “I don't think I'll miss this place, though something about it makes me wanna stay.” Garroth muttered. “Why's that?” Kim asked. “I dunno.” Garroth shrugged. “It's just how I feel I guess.” “It's going to be weird seeing my dad again.” Zane commented. “I usually only ever see him during Christmas.” “How come? I always visit my mom.” Aphmau asked. “He's always busy. Besides I don't care too much for traveling, if you hadn't noticed.” Zane explained. “I can relate to that.” Aaron said. “What's Garte like anyway?” Lucinda asked, curious. “I forget your the only one here who hasn't met him, even Kim met him.” Aphmau remarked. “To be fair Kim only met him because she was with us when we accepted this lodge job.” Garroth reminded. “Ah, right.” Aphmau nodded. “Garte is alright. The times I've met him he doesn't seem half bad, though he's usually very busy even in his free time.” Aaron elaborated. “Yeah my dad is great! I don't know how he made time for me and my brothers.” Garroth added. “Tt. Yeah.” Zane uttered, sinking into his chair. “I hate to be the one to say it, but it's getting late. We should all be getting to bed.” Kim suggested. “Ah yeah probably, not that I've been able to get any sleep these past few nights.” Lucinda mumbled. “Maybe today will be the day you get some rest then!” Aphmau added. “I hope so...” Lucinda grumbled. “Alright then. Goodnight guys!” Garroth announced, slightly rushing out of the kitchen and to his room. “Goodnight everybody.” Aaron stated, walking out of the kitchen. “C'mon guys, let's get going.” Lucinda said, as she, Aphmau, Kim, and Zane walked out of the kitchen and into their rooms.

____________________________________________

“The time is drawing near.” A figure we can all recognize, muttered to himself.