Literary Dinner Tag, cause I like these things

+JMJ+

Literary Dinner Tag:

I stole this tag from Catherine @ The Rebelling Muse (You can view her post Here). 

I guess there are no rules attached to this tag. YAY!

Here are my answers

1. One character who can cook/likes to cook.

Desperately tries to think of another character besides Sam Gamgee that likes to cook. I don't want to copy you Catherine. :D

Okay I thought of one, but then I went to look up book characters who like to cook, because I wasn't sure if she did like cooking. Sure enough I found her on a list.

Ma "Caroline" Ingalls from The Little House Books

Ma is always cooking tasty sounding food for her family in the Little House books. Although, if I am remembering correctly it was "Farmer Boy" that had the most food in it. That is the one book without Ma in it. :D But she could bring Mary and Laura to help her cook. Almanzo isn't invited. He eats to much. :D

2. One character who has money to fund the party.

My first thought was Smaug, but he is far too nasty and would probably burn all my guests to a crisp and eat them.

So I'm going with

Ebeneezer Scrooge from The Christmas Carol

It might take three or four ghosts to cough the price of the dinner out of him though. :D Who knows, he might bring Tiny Tim along. That would be nice.

3. One character who might cause a scene.

Eustace Clarence Scrub from The Chronicles of Narnia 

Be careful to lock the pantry and not invite Reepicheep. Those two took a long time to get along. But perhaps there is hope. Also, be sure to not threaten him with a knife. He might squeal like a girl.

(Yeah, I know the movie doesn't follow the book a bit)

I think it would be interesting to have a conversation with Eustace. I always got his character when taking the who am I in Narnia quiz. Plus I want to get another look at his journal.

4. One character who is funny/amusing.

Halt O'Carrick from The Ranger's Apprentice

He has a pretty sarcastic humor. I would totally eavesdrop on his conversation with Scrooge and laugh at him. I like his sarcasm. But then on the other hand he might be a bad influence on Eustace. :D

5. One character who is super social/popular. 

Emma Woodhouse from Emma

I do not believe she would get on well with Scrooge or Halt. She would be trying to match them up with some eligible widows. Halt will probably fail to mention Lady Pauline.

6. One villian.

Who invites a villain to a dinner party. They would all probably ruin my dinner. :(

I don't know any decent villains, so I'll go with one of mine.

General John Dalston from The Adventures of a Pirate.

(General Dalston is the one in the hat)

He has good manners with everyone except Pirates, then he is just maybe, a little bit too crazy. He won't get on with anyone else at the party though. All of them, except Ma and Emma are lacking in social manners. :D

7. One couple – doesn’t have to be romantic. 

Eowyn and Faramir from The Return of the King

My favorite LOTR couple. I know a lot of people really dislike Faramir in the movie because of reasons, but I liked him. I'm not a book purist most of the time. Besides he never came across as making it seem like he wanted the ring for himself. Rant done!

8. One hero/heroine.

Charlie West from The Homelanders

This out to make the meal interesting, especially if the Homelanders trace him too the dinner party. Halt would enjoy fighting them. Not to mention I think he might even be a good influence on Eustace. But Emma might try matchmaking again. She probably would like to hook him up with Harriet who is most certainly not invited it.

Besides I want to hear what he did after he got home, if his life ever became normal, or if he had to go on any more secret missions.

9. One underappreciated character.

Sam Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings.

I think everyone can totally understand this. Sam is really underappreciated. The Quest would have completely failed without him. Frodo was mean to him in the movies. Especially when he tried to send him home. Yet, no one tends to think much of him.

10. One character of your own choosing.

Hmmm... this is difficult. I have so many characters I could invite.

I think I'm going with my own character.

Johnathon Alvarez Smith Dulzer/Mr. Smith/The Mask

From Thunder in the Academy.

He would probably start a war with Halt. But it always pays to have a good butler on hand. But I better make sure Ma makes plenty of waffles. Johnathon does like his waffles.

I guess I finally completed this tag.

~E

Character of the Week

I started this post last week, but forgot to post it. Oops!

This week's character is a one of my Justice Heroes.

Igor Shelmen also known as Snakeman and Sir Historias.

Drawn by Rosie

The Traitor

Name: Igor Shlemen

Hair Color: bald
Eye Color: Green

Age: He appears in several different books in which his age varies. He is always an adult.

Books so far: "Justice Begins," "Thunder in the Academy,"

Genre: Sci-fiction

Favorite Color: Orange
Skills: Science, experiments, cunning

Personality: ESTJ
Justice Hero Identity: Snakeman
Power: Ability to spit poison and stretch his arms like a snake
Status in story: Ally, Villain
Family: Fre'delthir (Wife) and Thelma (Daughter)

First book he was ever in: "Thunder in the Academy"

First time I ever wrote him: 

“Ssssorry I am late!” a new voice hissed and Snakeman slithered up the ridge. Star Queen shrieked in terror and Iron Fist froze his face registering surprise. Captain Justice jumped slightly. Moth buzzed off into the air for a brief minute. Only Mask did not seem surprised.

“Don't ever do that again, you worm!” Captain Justice yelled, his face flushed.

“Sssorry, Captain!” Snakeman hissed. Snakeman's uniform was a red robe and a huge snake type mask, complete with a snake hood.

~Thunder in the Academy

Earliest Appearance of Him:

Jerry stepped out of the side room in the prison cell to find Johnny leaning against the cell bars, talking with a tall bald man, in a white lab coat.

“No I don't usually pay much attention to other people.” Johnny was saying sweetly, “So I would not be able to tell the difference between my brother and a great creepy freak ether.” Jerry raised his eyebrows.

“I think you are insulting me.” the man growled.

“Who me?” Johnny gasped, “How could you suspect me of insulting you?” his lip trembled. Jerry sneaked towards him. Johnny started to turn around. Jerry banged his head into the bars.

“Lying to the rabble again, I see.” He growled.

“Ouch!” Johnny whined, “That hurt.”

~Justice Begins

Snakeman

Igor was not always an evil person. But he never bothers about rules. If he needs to break the law to complete what he is doing, he will do it. But when the real villains used flattery and jealousy to provoke him, he was quite willing to betray his dearest friends and family. Igor never liked his Justice Hero colleague, the Mask. Igor took it as an added bonus when the Mask thought he had been the one to destroy their friends and did Penance for seventeen years. But when Johnny finds out the truth Igor will never be safe again. One must pay for everything in the end.

~E

Prince Charming Diaries Volume Two, DHP part 1

Meet Zeno, eldest of the new Prince Charming brothers from the 3rd World.

The Diary of an Heroic Prince

Being the 2^nd day of the Frosterdays,

I Zeno being sound in mind and body, I do take it upon myself to write an honest account of what is about to take place this year of my life. This day being the 2^nd of the Frosterday. I being not a month past my twentieth year, and in spite of my youth, have taken it upon myself several times to care for my six younger brothers and seven younger sisters. The purpose of this diary is to show proof of future actions, which were done out of care for them. Namely sister Cassandra. She being but fostered into the family so as to maintain the boy, girl, boy, girl pattern. Sister Cassandra has been in her sixteenth year since the time of the colored leaves and has become quite a lovely young woman. Her red curls make her more noticed as that is a rare color near the Glittering cities. My father being King of the Islands and quite stern, would not think twice about punishing me if I was guilty of murder. This diary will provide the facts of why I might be guilty of so hideous a crime. My recent enemy, Lord Bluebeard, a captain and counselor of my father's court, has taken to looking with favor upon sister Cassandra. She is but a child yet and needs much counsel and care. Lord Bluebeard can give her neither. Of my recollection, and an acquaintance of him. he has been married twelve times. Before that I know not how many wives he had buried. The saying is that no bride of Bluebeard has lived beyond a month. It would seem that they are cursed mightily. I will not let that be the fate of dear sister Cassandra.  

 Being the 7^th day of the Frosterdays

I have been watching sister Cassandra with great care these past five days. I have shared my concerns with none but my dearest sister Anne. She is wise in advice and counsel.

“Have a heart brother, Zeno.” she assured me cheerily, “Surely no man of such years as Lord Bluebeard would care to have a child like dear sister Cassandra.” but I could not take heart. When a man has married himself a bride more then twelve times in two years. Then he can hardly be too particular. Besides sister Cassandra holds a great exotic foreign beauty. She would be the only woman in all the nine Glittering cities with Red Hair. Curls are quite rare too. But I also posses them. Blond hair is only a little more common then red hair. My father is a conqueror, he seized lordship of Nile city the foremost of the glittering city. My Madra is a local princess. I hope to be a better king one day then my father on account of his flattering tongue. Sister Cassandra seems to share his favor. I fear the attention of the deceitful lord has flattered her far more then it should. Little brother Tarek does not understand such matters. He has only voiced complaints to Madra about eating in style every night to entertain him. little brother shows no pleasure in silly court procedures. He will be a wise man one day. Brother Xander, who is the closest to sister Cassandra in years suspects something. He shows great anger that sister Anne and I share no confidence in him. brother Yaron and sister Beatrice have no mind for such thoughts. Sister Deborah also seems fare jealous. She pulled sister Cassandra's hair and threw a vase at her. It shattered over the cushions. I am shamed of both sisters. The triplets are violent. But sister Cassandra's temper angers them. I fear there will be much more trouble.

Being the 17^th day of Frosterdays

Many things can take place in ten days. I fear that I have not watched sister Cassandra as close as I might have. My business elsewhere is pressing upon me. I must seek more recruits for my father, the King's army. Dearest sister Anne confides that sister Cassandra is far too reckless. I fear she is right. Madra has spoken, but sister Cassandra is far too impetuous. She heeds not the wise words of our Madra. Dear Madra wishes me to speak. She feels sister Cassandra has great respect for me. I think not. When sister Cassandra takes hold of a thought, she will let it go for nothing. My good friend Rupert said she could use a well placed spank. I fear he is right. I must approach sister Cassandra today. I leave for the boarder tomorrow.

“You wish to speak to me, brother Zero?” sister Cassandra asked as she danced to my side. I would not smile at her. This is quite hard as her smile is like a light in the dark.

“Sister Cassandra, why must you encourage Lord Bluebeard's attention?” I asked her sadly. Her smile soured like cold gravy.

“Brother Zeno, Madra told you to speak to me?” she accused angrily. I could feel the heat rush to my face. She was right.

“Sister Cassandra.” I choked, “Madra is wise. Listen to her. Lord Bluebeard has married twelve times in two years alone. Have a care sister, who knows what fate could be in store for you.”

“You would care if I continued seeking his attention?” she asked thoughtfully. I nodded.

“Yes, sister.” I said. Perhaps Madra was right and she did listen to my counsels. Her eyes flashed.

“I would understand now, brother. You are just jealous that I would be married before you, Anne, Yaron, Xander and Beatrice.” she spat and ran off sobbing. Such thoughts had never entered my mind. But I paused to think them over now. Was I jealous? I was the heir to a king. A lord of the Glittering cites. A captain in the army, since my sixteenth year. I was fair and generous to the people. Any number of the court ladies would vie for my attention. I truly could have my pick of any girl. I was just not interested in marriage at the moment. Sister Cassandra was wrong. I was not jealous of her. I was concerned. I cannot pretend to know the minds of Brothers Yaron and Xander and sisters Anne and Beatrice, but I can guess somewhat. Sister Beatrice is jealous to the point of sickness at Sister Cassandra's fortunes. Not of Bluebeard's attention, but that Cassandra might perhaps marry before her. Brothers Xander and Yaron mostly could not care less. Sister Anne is difficult. I cannot tell what is hidden deep in her heart. She keeps her own counsel.

Being the 18^th day of Frosterdays

Being a 2^nd captain in my father's army, I was required to go to the boarder and take command of my regiment. Brothers Yaron and Xander accompanied me. Brother Yaron is fair and wise. He is a good and steady soldier for being only eighteen years. Brother Xander is but sixteen still. But he has earned the right to call himself a warrior. Father appears to think he shall be a natural warrior in time. I fear that he may be right. But not in the way my father the King thinks. I have every reason to believe that brother Xander will get himself killed, doing the most foolish thing he can think of.

Being the 20^th day of Frosterdays

War camp is hard. We are on the boarder over looking the divide. Enemy ships blacken the water. Brother Xander has already expressed great interest in being the sole posse to take on the ships. He would fight this battle alone if I did not have the sense to let brother Yaron advise him. They have been speaking these two hours. Battle master El Tee is still listening patiently. Brother Xander dropped off to sleep after the first two minutes. As long as he remains asleep I can drill my men in proper procedure. Brother Yaron is wise, but to be honest no one ever listens to him. My younger siblings the triplets call him Captain Yawn. I can hardly blame them. I have taken to ignoring such trivial comments. It would never do to discourage truth.

Lent is coming

Having recent read Catherine Here and Emma's Here blog posts on Lent, I have decided I need to make one too. I still haven't finished my one on 2018 goals. :( I need to get to work on that.

Having thus far been rather lazy in Nineveh 90, I'm really going to step down hard in Lent. (Something I said in regard to Advent and Nineveh 90) 

I have several goals for Lent. Some are secular but hopefully most are Spiritual.

Spiritual Reading: I am just about done with The Glories of Mary and hope to finish it before Lent starts, then I start Lent on a fresh book. I haven't quite decided what yet. I'm kind tossing up between The Introduction to the Devout Life or Glories of the Martyrs or Purgatory. I want to get into the habit of doing more Spiritual reading. As it is, I'm mostly doing it on the Weekends or when I don't have work. I keep my Spiritual reading on my bed, and read it when I wake up. This doesn't work really well if I'm getting up early for work. Although maybe I should be less lazy and set my alarm for earlier. But whatever I plan on doing, I need to get into the habit of reading some every day.

Mass: One of the things suggested for Nineveh 90 was daily Mass. I told myself I would go every day. I usually go because that's my ride to work. Well, that didn't go as planned. I can't really control that part much, because I'm not driving. But I hope to go to Mass more often.

Spiritual Writing: I bet this doesn't come up all that often. :D But I love writing. That's my hobby. For a long time now I have been thinking of writing more “Catholic” stuff. I mostly write fantasy. I had this story idea for a long time for these Rosary stories. Called” “The Joyful Encounters,” “The Sorrowful Encounters,” and “The Glorious Encounters. Each story would have five short stories that are about the mystery, from a fictional character's point of view. (Annunciation and the Crowning of Mary might be a bit difficult, but I have ideas.) I actually wrote out some ideas. I might post those later. Maybe I'll do the Sorrowful ones for lent and post one each week. Another story idea I had was for one about the early Christians from a fictional martyr's point of view. I was also considering rewriting my “Life is Short” book. I originally had it take place in the future. (The easy way of not researching anything) but I think I will change it to 2016+ that way I can have Trump's election and the 2018 March for Life in it. I also need to do more research on some stuff, so I can actually make it more realistic. It's about social issues from a person who knows nothing about either side of the issues. He's supposed to have natural reactions to everything.

Sacrifices: Every year for Lent we give up sweets and movies. Well, I think I'm going to move it up a step this Lent. To me, sweets are (besides candy, cake and cookies) syrup, honey, jelly (peanut butter does not count) and anything that is supposed to unnecessary sweeten something. Well, I decided to get rid of condiments too. No ketch, mustard, pickle relish, mayo, miracle whip, salad dressing, and so on. I will allow peanut butter for sandwiches or I would just be eating two slices of bread, which I suppose wouldn't actually be so bad. I have often thought about doing no condiments, but I never did it. I'm a big condiment person. Although I will skip salad dressing from time to time.

In addition to the above I'm going to try to get into the habit of making one sacrifice at every meal. I used to do that. My mom used to say us kids should do that. Well, this Lent I'm going to get into the habit.

My extra sacrifice for lent is going to be no internet. This should be easy for the first weak or so, since we are low on internet again. I will allow myself to check email once a day. I still need to read my Nineveh 90 emails. But I don't need to do blogging or check more then once.

Secular

Reading: I need to read more. Surprise! What with my writing and using the computer for my writing stuff, blogging, email and doulingo I don't really read as much as I used too. I'm going to get back into that habit. I have a couple of titles that I want to get around too. The Two Towers, The Return of the King, The Deliverance of Sister Cecelia, Sense and Sensibility, Emma and David Copperfield. To me that looks like a short list. But none of them are actually short.

Writing: First and foremost. I want to finish off any books I owe people. Edit Stranded on Horror Island. Finish Night Shadows, The Prisoner, and The Pirate's Chest. I need to stop piling up my work. :D Then I want to actually finish some of the original books I started writing. The King's Assassin, The Golden Birds III The Sword, The Silver Dragon, The Return of the Dragon-Killers, The Tower Prisoners or any number of those really old stories. Some of them seem awful boring. But I never liked having unfinished stories around. I want to get my count of finished books up to 100 this lent. But before finishing all these, I need to finish editing the Prince Charming Diaries so I can publish them. I'm planning on self publishing them in one volume along with some illustrations, which need some work yet. I hope to finish all that before the end of Lent.

Drawing: I want to get into the habit of drawing more. Practice makes almost perfect. I really need to work on my drawings. I want to make them more realistic looking. It takes a lot work, patience and practice. I want to get all my illustrations for the Prince Charming Diaries done during the first couple weeks of Lent. Hopefully the first week. I have all the princes' portraits done. I just need to do Kane and Elise. I'm not sure if I'm going to do anything else besides the portraits.

Study: At the moment I'm not studying anything. I need to change that. I hope to find a course on creative writing. Hopefully I can do that. Also, I am going to try and work on my doulingo every day. At the moment I'm doing Greek, Polish and Italian.

Cleaning: I plan on attempting to keep my room clean/get it clean/make it stay that way all through Lent. I like my room clean, but I'm bad about keeping it that way. One of my roommates is messy. :D Actually we all are. I want to change that.

Spending more time with the family: I'm always home, but I'm always off doing my own thing. Last Sunday I went outside with a bunch of my siblings and played Orc hunting. We had such fun. I got out my cloak and Sting. It was just like old times. (I used to do that quite regularly when I was younger) I think I need to contribute more to the family to make it a happier home.

I ragazze scrivono. Don't ask me what it means. I wrote it down but forgot what it meant. Something about a girl writing I think. It's in Italian.

I'm still working on a daily schedule.

~E

Character of the week

This week's character is one that I think everyone is familiar with by now.

Jadan

Jadan is the oldest of the Prince Charming brothers.

Name: Jadan

Hair Color: Strawberry blonde
Eye Color: Dark blue

Age in the first book: 20

Age in the Last Book: 24

Books: "The Frog Prince's Diary," "The Diary of a NOT so Charming Prince," "Prince Charming's Diary," "The Diary of an Uncharming Prince," "The Logbook of a Prince," "The Diary of a Princess Bride."

Genre: Fairy Tale retelling

Favorite Color: Green
Skills: Sword fighting and planning

Personality: ESTJ
Status in story: Hero and brother of the hero
Siblings: Justin, James, Joseph, John, Jerome and Elise
Parents: King and Queen of a small kingdom on King's Retreat

First book he was ever in: "A Prince Charming Diary."

First time he is mentioned: 

 Actually, it is my fault! I admit that I was rude to the fairy and she punished me accordingly. I probably am not a very pleasant person either. My brothers would all have been much better at fixing this mess. Actually, I doubt they would have gotten into it in the first place. Well maybe Joseph would have. Jerome too. Jadan might depending on the situation. Wait- what on Royaume am I writing about? 

~The Beast's Diary

First Time he actually appears

Well, I went walking in the garden to enjoy the cool afternoon air, when I saw Elise's fairy godmother. Now everyone knows that if you catch a fairy, you will be granted three wishes. So I sneaked up on her and grabbed her by the wings.

“Unhand me prince Jaden!” she scolded. She must have took me for a fool.

“First grant me three wishes!” I ordered.

“You greedy, selfish, bossy young man!” she snarled,

~The Frog Prince's Diary

Jadan is a bit selfish, but unlike James he learns by watching his future wife. He is not impressed with her selfish manners and decides that he could be a better person too.

Can anyone even tell that I drew these two drawings from the same reference picture?

~E

Introducing the New Princes (Prince Charming Short)

I wrote a short story where there is some competition between the first group of Prince Charmings and the second group. There is a pattern in their names, and they are introduced in order. I wonder if any of you can figure out the pattern. :D

Prompt: “Do you trust me?” “No.” “Smart man.”

Royaume VS Third World

“Thirty seconds!” Master Won shouted through the loudspeaker, “Thirty seconds to pick positions.” The seven Royaume Princes started to scatter, while the Third World Princes huddled together.

“We need a plan.” Jadan said.

“I got one.” Justin said, “I take the back-”

“I am going to charge right through!” James said, as he eyed the ball in the halfway mark.

“Me too.” Joseph agreed, “I plan to keep going whether anything is blocking me or not.”

“I think we need to work together and each-” no one was listening to John. None of them wanted good advice. He was to much of a do gooder.

“I am going to kick a goal.” Jerome said as he pounded his fists together, “I will make this game ours!”

“It's not like we have to try to hard.” Joseph laughed.

“Yeah, this is the first time those sillies ever played.” James said cheerfully. He gestured at the other team.

“We are going to crush them!” Kane agreed, “But you don't have to be rude about it.”

“Hey babies!” Jerome yelled, “You don't know how to play.” the other team continued to huddle together.

“They're scared, we already wupped them!” Joseph cheered.

“I wouldn't count on it!” Justin muttered.

Master Won blew the whistle, and the two teams scattered. Justin noticed that the shortest player on the other team, a mare child stationed himself right next to the Third World goal. The tallest one stationed himself next to the Royaume goal. They have a plan. He thought grimly. The dice were tossed. Royaume won first kick.

“Who is going to kick?” Jadan asked.

“Go team?” the Royaume backers cheered. Instead of answering James tore across the field and kicked the ball.

“Don't hog the ball!” his wife Belle screamed from the stand, “Don't be selfish!” But the ball was already sailing towards the other team. Joseph and Jerome went taring after it. None of the third worlders moved. Justin began to sweat. His whole team was rushing forward. He decided to keep in the back. He did not trust the small boy leaning against the goal.

(Introducing the new princes)

Zeno (Pronounced Zen-o) leaned against the against the enemy goal his half closed eyes not only on the ball, but alertly watching every team member on the enemy side, and his own team. If they didn't stick to the plan they would be completely crushed. One of the enemy stupidly rushed forward and kicked the ball without waiting for his teammates. Zeno was determined to make use of this mistake. He would never trust the enemy, but he would take advantage of their mistakes.

Yaron (Pronounced Yar-on) swayed slightly his eyes on his brother, not on the ball. Zeno nodded and the young man vaulted forward. He caught the ball as it was about to hit the ground, he twisted so he slid on his shoulder and kept rolling onto his back. Jerome, who was every bit as tall as Yaron, reached for him. Yaron snapped the ball into the air. As long as the ball never touched the ground they would not have to do the first kick again. He would rather die then let the enemy win. Although he would prefer it if someone else did the dying.

Xander (pronounced Zan-dar) was waiting in the center field. He caught the ball as it left Yaron's arms. Not waiting to see if Yaron could handle Jerome and Joseph who had collided with him, he dashed past the first kicker, who was gaping at him.

“Go Xander!” his sisters screeched from there side of the stand. Then two enemies were closing in on him.

“Get them, Jadan and John!” a young woman yelled from the side.

“Hush, Elise.” he husband hissed. But Elise was too excited to listen. Xander was trapped.

“Go Xander!” Zeno yelled from the enemy goal. Xander spun around and tossed the ball back in the direction of Zeno.

“What an idiot!” Elise giggled.

“I wouldn't be too sure.” her husband said.

Varek (pronounced Vare-ick) did a flip over the top of James and sent the ball spinning up into the air in a high kick. They seldom did more then send the ball straight up, then straight down again. But that gave Xander a chance to tackle Jadan and John and keep them from getting the ball.

Uli (Pronounced Oo-lee) caught the ball as it came down and dashed in a free stretch towards the goal. He would have made it too, except Justin was still straggling in the back.

“Look out!” Zeno yelled, but it was too late. Justin flipped Uli onto his back and took off with the ball. Justin could run if he wanted too.

“The enemy has the ball!” Yaron said calmly, “We must do something.”

“Haha!” Joseph laughed at him as he wiped mud off his suit, “Don't you get mad?”

“Of course!” Yaron said and flipped Joseph onto his back.

The boys in the middle were too tangled up too stop Justin as he raced towards the Royaume goal. Zeno sprang forward and blocked Justin's path.

“Do you trust me?” he asked in a low voice.

“No.” Justin said automatically.

“Smart man.” Zeno said. He plucked the ball out of Justin's arms and hurled it into the air.

“Power shot!” Uli bellowed. There was no one guarding the Third World goal. All the Royaume players rushed towards it.

Tarek (pronounced Tare-ick) stepped forward and caught the ball. Then with a sigh he stepped over the line and into the goal. There was a dead silence.

“This game is boring.” Tarek said, as if had not just made a winning goal. The crowd went wild, and began to cheer for the Third Worlders.

“Sorry about that.” Zeno said to Justin, “But if you had trusted me I would have felt guilty about stealing the ball.”

“Er- the point of the game is to steal the ball.” Justin explained in confusion.

“I can't believe we just lost to a bunch of little kids!” James howled and flung his hat down.

“We used our heads.” Zeno said with a serious face, “We can beat anyone that way.”

“What do they need diaries for?” Jerome whispered to John sulkily, “They already are perfect and well mannered.” The Third Worlders had lined up to shake the hands of the losers. Even Yaron did, and James had bloodied his nose.

The Line in the Sand drawings

It has been awhile since I posted any character drawings from my books.

Well, I finished "The Line in the Sand."

Taara smoothed back a loose strand of dark hair. She was both excited and annoyed. Today she would be taking her first survival game. It was exciting. Survival day was always exciting. But it was annoying because she could only sit with the others in her group instead of having fun. There were four survivalists for the strength test, two for the beauty contest and one for the intelligence contest. All first year contestants were sixteen. Second years were seventeen and third years were eighteen.
~Expert from the "Line in the Sand."  

Name: Taara Deen

Age: sixteen

Status: Hero

 Name: Dock Horf

Age: sixteen

Status: Ally

 Name: Jasmine

Age: sixteen

Status: ally

 Name: Ramses (Ram)

Age: sixteen

Status: Ally

 Name: Din Kee Badee

Status: Villain

 Name: Hatyaara

Status: Villain

 Name: Naifu

Status: Mentor

 Name: Sa Deen

Status: Hero's father

 Name: Tuunel

Status: Hero's mother

 Name: Aladdin

Age: Eighteen

Status: Hero's brother

 Name: Alan

Status: Hero's uncle

 Name: Jade Horf

Age: Seventeen

Status: Ally's brother

Name: Beryl Jafir

Age: seventeen

Status: none

~E