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A vision of surpassing loveliness was descending as from the skies. Lady Serena wore an elegant gown of brocaded cream silk with raised orange patterns that were complemented by an orange ribbon that was wound through her elaborate hairdo. (3/4)

He watched the comings and goings of the wealthy patrons of the hotel. The night's ball was on everyone's lips, each wondering who might attend and with whom.
At half-past the hour, Curtains heard a sudden murmur pass through the lobby. He looked to the central staircase. (2/4)

At 6 bells, Curtains returned to the Grand Hotel. It was only a short walk from there to the Palace where the ball was to be held, but he felt it was prudent not to be tardy. After checking with the concierge to confirm that Lady Serena had not yet appeared, he waited in the luxurious lobby. (1/4)

The trail became a walkway paved with stone, worn smooth by countless feet. The walkway ended at a sheer rock face, with immense pillars at the entrance of a cave. At the opening, a quiet, ceaseless #drone of chanting voices was audible.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside. (4/4) #wss366

After lunch, I set out again. The trail was steeper now. I sweated in the afternoon heat. I drank liberally from my water flask.
I heard the bell first. It tolled three times as the trail turned to the right and leveled off. I entered a grove of immense baobob trees. I looked up in wonder. (3/4)

At midday, I reached a small, gushing mountain stream with stepping stones to cross. Once across, I found a convenient boulder in the sun where I gratefully rested my sore knee. I pulled the lunch I'd packed from my satchel and ate, listening to the music of the water. (2/4)

Throwing my satchel over my shoulder, trusty walking staff in my hand, I left the remote village in the early morning. The rocky path wound gradually upwards, smoothed by the feet of countless pilgrims over the centuries. Bird calls in the spruce trees the only accompaniment to my footsteps. (1/4)

Enjoying a sunny spring day on the patio while I can: it's supposed to rain starting tonight, all weekend, straight through Tuesday morning. And it's not even April!

us pol

A lot of people look at Trump and ask, "How can people vote for that?" But then insist on purity tests for any candidate they'd be willing to vote for and wonder why they keep losing.

Weirdest live-action Kemono Friends ever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPh0dqgsnpI

#WordWeavers What small precious memento does a character keep on their person? What makes it precious?

After Grip left, Revin sat on his bed and pulled out Momo's lace handkerchief, which he kept tucked away near his bedside. He unfolded it and felt Momo's embroidered initials. He closed his eyes and held the handkerchief up to his nose and inhaled, imagining he could still detect a note of perfume. (from Storm Clouds Gather, Part 3 of Revin's Heart)

A few of the other CuddleTums came over to offer to hold the #baby, but it clung to Bebe, squealing determinedly, and refused to let go.
"You are safe, Civilian," she assured it, rocking it gently. "Bebe will permit no harm to come to you." (3/3) #wss366

Bebe sat on the deck and took tiny bites of the Fun Meal which she fed to it with her mouth. The #baby was overjoyed and treated the process as a game, giggling the whole time with delight. (2/3) #wss366

Bebe had been unable to find the parents of the #baby CuddleTum and it still clung to her desperately. When it tried to eat the Fun Meal, however, its mouth was too small get a good bite.
"Let Bebe help you, Civilian," she said. (1/3) #wss366

"Behold the Needles of Knitting!" she said. "These accursed needles, once grasped cannot be put down until you either finish a sweater or murder someone."
"Murder someone?" gasped a young man.
"That's right, dearie," the docent said, smiling sweetly, eyes crinkling. "Wanna try 'em?" (2/2) #wss366

The grandmotherly guide led the party into the next room of the museum. A glass case stood in the middle.
"Gather round! Gather round!" the docent said. "This is one of the most interesting items in our whole collection."
In the display was a ball of yarn and two knitting needles. (1/2) #wss366

#ScribesAndMakers Ask the expert: if you're a specialist in something, would you answer questions for writers/artists regarding your specialty?

As an educator at a public university, I devote myself to helping people learn. I have some expertise in science education, science writing, biology, ecology, botany, zoology, geology, technologies (unix, programming, web, maker), languages (English, Esperanto, Spanish, Japanese), Japanese poetry (tanka, haiku, senryu, renga, haibun), manga, anime, etc.

I'm going to be selling books at the Amherst Global Village Festival! I'll be taking my fiction and my books of Esperanto haiku. I ordered a few extra copies to have plenty… https://www.amherstma.gov/3847/Global-Village-Festival #WesternMass

They were Vulpex Lights branded with a picture of a sexy fox.
"Low #tar," he growled. "But better than nothing. Thanks."
He lit one up. Forrest watched him expectantly. Alarm bells began to go off in his mind when the cigarette exploded.
Forrest took off, screeching with laughter. (2/2) #wss366

After a long day, the bear was headed back to his cave for the night when Forrest swooped in and set a half-empty pack of smokes in front of him.
"Someone dropped these," the owl said. "I was gonna trash 'em, but then I thought you might want 'em."
The bear picked up the pack and inspected it. (1/2)