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duplicitywrites · 1 month

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Harry is wiping down the front counter when he notices the boy staring at him.

Full blown, wide-eyed staring—an amusing expression on a precocious boy no older than twelve or thirteen at most, with warm brown irises and a head of cute, lolling curls that must have taken his mother ages to style.

“Hello,” Harry says in a friendly way, giving the boy a little wave.

No response, though a flush of pink seems to be steadily spreading across the boy’s soft, round cheeks.

“Are your parents around?” Harry asks, now cautious, glancing around the mostly deserted parlour.

The boy coughs. Clears his throat with a tiny harrumph that sounds more cricket than croak. “No.” His chest puffs up, his chin tilting with pride. “My father lets me go around on my own.”

Not a reassuring answer, though the use of ‘father’ draws Harry’s attention to the boy’s clothes—definitely posh, from his fancy branded polo shirt to his little leather loafers.

“Wow,” Harry says, pretending to be impressed. “You know, I think I used to run around my neighbourhood at your age.” The Dursleys never batted an eye if he came home late, and probably wouldn’t miss him if he never came home at all. “How old are you?”

The flush is more prominent now, a pretty pink-red that creeps towards the shirt collar.

“Fifteen.”

That’s absolutely a lie. Harry nods like this makes perfect sense, never mind that this kid probably couldn’t even sit in a booth without his feet dangling over the floor.

“Did you want some ice cream?” Harry asks. If he keeps this boy here, at least he’ll be safe until the parents show up.

“My name is Tom,” says the boy. His keen eyes narrow in on Harry’s plastic name tag. “Nice to meet you, Harry.”

The way Tom says his name—Harry—is perfectly polite. Rich kid with manners.

#updates #tomarry #misc #tom is actually ten so 💀 for harry

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bogleech · 6 days

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More grab bags in stock and with a little tiny bit of extra stuff than usual, until further notice! Choose any two enamel pins in the listing options for $30 and get two random extra pins along with, currently, all the following:

Random "creepy freaks" monster figure, usually with its original sticker

BUGS & CRITTERS currently always including a trio of squishy transparent beasts (octopus, frog & crab), one plastic tardigrade, fake prank crickets, at least one cicada, adorable realistic mini bat and a handful of additional random invertebrates!

Tiny bootleg glow in the dark soot sprites!

Tiny zom-bee erasers

The bendy mermaid skeleton I always include!

A sticker assortment that may include rat fink, my singing monsters, dragon quest and/or some realistic insects!

TWO RANDOM Wayne Barlowe Trading Cards

TWO RANDOM Weird and Wild Creatures info cards!

One of my fungus zombie guys from the now defunct October Toys brand

A little jar of fake maggots in slime putty. Squishy and stretchy!

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halflingcaravan · 6 months

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Been getting up to some more photobashing.

The armour was the main element added to that picture. The spaceship advertisement is actually a bunch of work in Affinity Photo with a thing made in Blender (I'm not good at Blender but hey). The black-and-white one is another photobash which replaced another object with the cricket bat and so on. The last one is a recolouring and detail adjusting of another stock image; bits cloned to cover up stuff, editing in branding and 'user instructions' and other labels.

#ttrpg #ttrpg design #indie ttrpg #cyberpunk #scifi #photobash #digital art #layout #layout design #who the fuck needs techbro solutions to non-problems?

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isfjmel-phleg · 8 months

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Why I like it: Leave It to Psmith

I've analyzed this book to death. I don't even know what to say about it anymore.

It's probably the most familiar of the series. It has had the most adaptations--multiple theatrical versions and radio adaptations, a mysterious Hungarian film, an early 1930s film that removed Psmith and replaced him with one Sebastian Help, an Indian series in which Psmith is called...Rambo? (seeing a theme here--adapters seem to be afraid of Psmith himself). It crosses over with the Blandings series, which was then just getting started. It's easy to read without having read the earlier installments, for readers who are more reluctant to take on all the cricket etc. of those books.

Wodehouse intended it that way. Leave It to Psmith was written for a different audience than the other Psmith books. Instead of British schoolboys, his readership was now adult Americans who wouldn't have known Psmith at all since the earlier books hadn't been published in the US then. They didn't care about cricket; they were looking for the kind of plot that Wodehouse is more often associated with today. Hilarious, intricate shenanigans with some light romance. And the ever versatile Psmith fits into this new genre perfectly. Perhaps that's where he belonged all along.

Leave It to Psmith is one of the finest examples of Wodehouse's best style. There are different views on this, but I personally consider his work from approximately the early 1920s through the 1930s to be the height of his talent (he had finally fully found his voice, and the stories are still new enough to avoid the more overtly formulaic feel of his later books). And Leave It to Psmith is one of the books that kicked off that era of his writing. It's got everything. A witty and distinctive prose style that complements the theatrically-influenced story and characters. A memorable cast. A bizarre and silly but ultimately sweet central romance. A shocking newspaper ad. Flowerpot throwing. Jewel heists. Gun fights. An obnoxiously large chrysanthemum. Umbrella theft. A very elegant hat. Extremely strong opinions on hollyhocks. Mistaken identity. Imposters. The worst poetry ever. The motivating power of friendship. A dead bat that apparently was somebody's mother. It's not going to remembered as a Deep Philosophical Novel ever, but that's not what we need from it. It's just fun and joyful and a delight to read.

Even though this is the one book of the series that opens with Psmith in a genuinely difficult situation and relatively low frame of mind following his father's death and the loss of the family fortunes. Psmith has skated by on his father's money for the entire series up to this point, so taking away that kind of invincibility from him was a genius choice on Wodehouse's part. It forces Psmith to grow even further in a way that he never has before. We see him at his most vulnerable; the narrative gives us more of his POV than ever, and there's a marked contrast between what goes on in his head and how he presents himself. And it's at this point that he's finally in a position for something that's never been an option to him before: a romance.

Psmith and Eve's love story would probably not work in real life. But they're in Wodehouse-land, where realism isn't the point. The point is that they are two people who complement each other well and enrich each other's lives and need each other. They're both clever and dynamic and adventurous and alone in the world. She appreciates his eccentricities, which provide the excitement she craves. He appreciates her listening skills and sympathetic nature. She's warm-hearted and impulsive; he's a calculating thinker--and they balance each other out. Each has a brand of weird that works well with the other's. It takes them a little while to get matters resolved, but Eve doesn't put up with his nonsense, and he gradually develops the emotional maturity to trust rather than manipulate. When they do get together, it's not because he's done his usual fast-talking. It's a mutual choice.

We don't get to see much of Mike and Phyllis, but it's also clear that they're happy, and it's satisfying to see that Wodehouse gave Mike, the original protagonist of the series, the ending he deserves even if he is no longer in focus and the American audience wouldn't know or care about him from previous appearances. But Psmith cares about Mike a lot. That hasn't changed, and the lengths that Psmith is willing to go to for Mike's sake are endearing. The choice to give Eve a parallel role as best friend to Mike's wife reinforces the significance of this devotion. This entire plot happens because people care very much about Mike and Phyllis Jackson. That's pretty powerful.

This is the end of the series. We never see Psmith again. But it's an ending that leaves the reader satisfied. Psmith is not trapped in an endless loop of growthless status quo for our comedic benefit. We've watched him grow up from the worldweary teenager leaning on the mantelpiece at his detested new school to a joyfully singing young man running through Blandings Castle on his way to meet the woman whom he's about to have a future of adventures alongside. In many ways, he's still his old eccentric self, but his outlook has changed for the better. He's simply, genuinely happy. What more could we wish for him? What more could we hope for ourselves?

#Psmith Pseptember #thanks for waiting for this one #it has been A Week

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grandmaster-anne · 1 year

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The King’s cousin David Linley on his new career

The Times article by Lisa Grainger | Published 25 January 2023

The Earl of Snowdon talks to Lisa Grainger about his book on English crafts, and mentoring future creators at his furniture-making college at Highgrove

There aren’t many people who’ll admit that crafts can reduce them to tears. The Earl of Snowdon is one of them. At one event, he recalls, musicians including Jeff Beck, Mike Rutherford and the Clash were invited to meet and interact with “incredible luthiers, who make violins and guitars and cellos”. It was “just magical”, he says. “It really did bring a tear to the eye . . .”

Since David Linley, King Charles III’s cousin, became the first royal to follow a vocation — producing handmade furniture — and set up an eponymous business, he has been one of Britain’s most vocal champions of crafts. Which is why he wrote a book, Craft Britain: Why Making Matters, co-authored by Helen Chislett, to bring attention to extraordinary craftspeople around the country.

The glossy tome, with an erudite introduction by the design writer Stephen Bayley, is not only a directory of all the key crafts organisations from Cornwall to the Hebrides but a compendium of some of our nation’s most remarkable makers. It takes in embroiderers based in Hampton Court Palace and chair craftsmen from Orkney, leather sculptors and cobblers, marquetry specialists and even a whip-maker.

Sadly, Chislett says, some crafts were left out of the book because the skills have died out. For instance, England no longer has a cricket ball manufacturer even though the game was invented here, “and we probably won’t make bats for much longer”. Hand-stitched kilt-making is on the Heritage Crafts Association Red List of Endangered Crafts, as is neon sign-making; even bell-making is on its way out, with churchgoing declining.

On the other hand, there are crafts that are growing. Ceramic-makers, for instance, have sprung up in the southwest of the country. In Newcastle metalworkers whose families previously might have made ships are constructing metal furniture. Chislett adds that crafts fairs are becoming increasingly popular, particularly with the younger generation. “They’re a lot more into sustainability . . . and you are less likely to throw something away if you know who made it.”

There’s a growing appreciation of bespoke objects at the very high end of the market, Linley says. At his furniture company (from which he resigned in November) clients loved coming in to commission bespoke pieces with little quirks: a secret drawer with a martini shaker in it, or an inkwell filled with a specific colour of ink. “You can fantasise about what you like and get someone to bring it to life,” he says.

His own London home — “a little flat, which I am very lucky to have” — is filled with handcrafted items that have meaning: a pair of candlesticks that belonged to his theatre-designer uncle Oliver Messel; cushions embroidered by British seamstresses; tables turned by fellow carpenters; a pair of bespoke British shoes made “in precisely the colour and style and shape I like”. Each of them feels special, because “there is something rather lovely about a piece that’s come from the hand of a human”, he says. “It resonates with the human spirit.”

The next part of Linley’s professional journey, he says, will be nurturing others who want to work with their hands. At Street Farm at Highgrove, the Gloucestershire home of the King, an old barn has been converted into the Snowdon School of Furniture, where Linley is going to help to mentor the next generation of furniture-makers. “I am 61 now,” he says, “and it’s time to step back and allow the young people at Linley do things how they want. I have worked all my life creating a brand. And I can now do things for the Prince’s Foundation that are enjoyable and freeing.”

Having made furniture for almost 40 years, Linley says he’s relishing the fact that crafts are becoming more mainstream. “Today you’ll hear Tracey Emin talk about craft, and even sportsmen. This morning on Radio 4 a commentator was talking about a footballer as a craftsman and comparing him to Picasso. That might have been a comparison too far — but there is now far more recognition of the skills needed to do something well. And that can only be a good thing.”

#david armstrong jones #earl of snowdon #2nd earl of snowdon #article #the times

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wilygryphon · 6 months

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Kingdom Hearts - Christmas Hearts

A Kingdom Hearts Christmas one-shot that I posted on FFN and AO3 two years ago. I figure 'tis the season to share it here.

Summary: The Guardians of Light celebrate Christmas at the Land of Departure. They open presents, take pictures, tell stories, have a magical airstepping snowball fight, and enjoy being together on the most magical day of the year.

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Sunlight shone through the stained glass windows into the castle on the Land of Departure, reflecting off of the ornaments and tinsel that decorated a magnificent pine tree that was erected in the audience chamber. Several gift-wrapped boxes sat under the tree, enough for a large group of people. Fourteen stockings were hooked onto the railing on one side of the chamber, each colored and embroidered to indicate whose it was. There were also two smaller stockings for Jiminy Cricket and Chirithy. A large stellated crystal of Orichalcum was mounted on top of the tree as the star.

The castle’s clock tower bell rang, echoing throughout the castle to announce the morning. Smaller bells chimed in tune with classic carols. Each of the castle’s occupants woke up, some with the aid of Chirithy, who bounced on top of the late sleepers until they were finally up. Ventus was the first one down to the chamber, still the physically-youngest and most evidently childish-at-heart. He was joined by: Sora and Kairi; Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, with Jiminy tagging along in Mickey’s pocket; Aqua and Terra; Roxas and Xion; Riku and Naminé; and Lea and Isa.

“Morning, guys,” Lea said, yawning. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas!” everyone replied.

“Jeez, Ven. You think your Chirithy could bounce any harder?” Lea complained. “It felt like he was this close to breaking my ribs.”

Chirithy appeared in Ventus’ arms in a puff of smoke. “If you’d rather skip opening presents, then I won’t bother waking you up next time,” he remarked. Ventus laughed while Isa chuckled.

“Well, since we’re all down here, why don’t we see what Santa put in our stockings?” Aqua suggested.

Everyone scrambled to their stockings and took out the gifts that were stuffed inside. They all had candy and (with the exception of Goofy and Jiminy) chocolate; there was a Santa hat and a jingle bell sash for everyone; the Keyblade wielders all got a new Keychain that would give their Keyblades a holiday-themed form; everyone had a chibi plush doll that looked like them; Jiminy’s stocking had a brand new umbrella, while Chirithy’s included a festive cape and Lux pouch. They looked up and said “Thanks, Santa,” sure that the jolly man in red could hear them.

Next, Aqua passed presents around to everyone. Sora’s gift from Riku was a digital watch that would sync up to the time zones of each world. Sora and Kairi traded gifts, Sora giving Kairi a Crystal Regalia + bracelet and Kairi giving Sora a Cosmic Belt. Sora gifted Donald a new hockey stick and Goofy a new tackle box. Mickey gave Riku a new jacket. Terra gifted Ventus a Nintendo Switch. Roxas gave each of his friends a Struggle Bat and accompanying gear. Naminé gave everyone a scrapbook filled with her drawings of each of them. Kairi gave Naminé a new set of colored pencils; Riku gave her a new satchel for her drawing tablet and utensils; Sora gave her a new expansion pack for her tabletop RPG (Tidus had introduced it to her at school, and she turned out to be a surprisingly good DM). Lea gave Isa a tea set. Isa gave Xion a fantasy romance novel. Mickey gave Jiminy a new journal while Sora gave him a new scrapbook. The Keyblade wielders as well as Donald received a book on magic spells and lore from Merlin. Every human-sized person received a GummiPad from Ienzo. Donald received a Junior Woodchucks craft from his nephews and a first aid kit from Webby Vanderquack, the latter of which made Sora and Goofy laugh out loud. Leon sent them all Christmas sweaters. Sora found a gift from Ariel that contained a music box.

They sorted their gifts and disposed of the wrapping paper, then put on their sweaters, sashes, and Santa hats (and Chirithy’s Christmas cape and pouch). Sora held his Gummiphone on a selfie stick and took a group photo in front of the Christmas tree, then they all took separate pictures.

“You met Santa?” Ventus asked, amazed, as the group sat around the dining room table eating their breakfast of omelettes, French Toast, and home fries.

“Yeah. We first went there when I was fifteen,” Sora recounted. “First we’d gone to Halloween Town, then saw Jack Skellington preparing for Christmas instead of Halloween. He then led us to Christmas Town to meet Santa.”

“Sora got scolded,” Donald teased.

“Really? I would have thought you would have a permanent spot on the Nice List,” Terra remarked.

Sora chuckled awkwardly. “Well, he brought up the one time I told everyone that I didn’t believe in Santa Claus,” he admitted sheepishly.

“WHAT?!” Ventus and Xion blurted. Aqua gasped, similarly shocked.

“It was Riku’s fault in the first place,” Sora grumbled. Riku and Kairi laughed.

“So there’s a Halloween Town and a Christmas Town? I think I would like to visit those places someday,” Aqua said.

“Maybe we’ll take you to visit next year,” Goofy suggested.

“Great idea,” Roxas said.

“I don’t suppose you had Christmas when you were in the Organization,” Riku remarked.

“Well, we got a day off once a year,” Isa explained. “That was on the twenty-fifth of December, aligned with Twilight Town’s calendar. I addressed this fact when I noticed it, and Xemnas permitted a single day with no mission. I suppose that his intention of giving us a break on Christmas Day was to remind us of what we lacked in order to give us further encouragement to complete Kingdom Hearts.”

Everyone fell silent as they processed that statement, reflecting on the true purpose of the Organization that Xemnas/Xehanort had intended. Donald crossed his arms and sank back into his chair. “Humbug,” he muttered.

“You could say that again,” Roxas agreed.

They found more cheerful topics to discuss for the rest of breakfast and for much of the morning, including: how Terra, Ventus and Aqua celebrated Christmas before the Mark of Mastery exam (the tactful way in which Riku described the turning point); how Christmas was celebrated on Destiny Islands, in Daybreak Town (for Ventus and Chirithy to answer), and (mostly for the benefit of Kairi and her still-hazy memories) in Radiant Garden; and what everyone’s favorite Christmas songs were.

“Hey, guys!” Lea called, getting everyone’s attention. He pointed out the window. “You see all this snow outside? I’d say it looks perfect for a snowball fight.”

Sora, Riku and Roxas grinned. “You’re on!” Sora said. They all put on coats, gloves, and boots and ran outside. There was four inches of snow on the ground, a shining white blanket that covered the mountain islands. Snow also covered the roof and window sills of the castle. As soon as he was outside, Sora did a backflip and pushed himself off of the wall, launching himself across the forecourt. He packed together a snowball on landing and spun around to throw it at Riku, who was making a snowball of his own to retaliate.

Everyone spread out, going all in on the attack. They each sometimes focused on one adversary in particular, and other times briefly grouped up to gang up on someone. They all ran around to dodge snowballs and attack from different angles. Sora, Riku, Roxas, Aqua, and Ventus leapt through the air and ran up and down the side of the castle to take the snowball fight to the skies, leaving the others to watch from the ground and laugh as their friends glided and airstepped all over the place and snowballs arced through the air (although Donald regretted this when a stray(?) snowball dropped down and hit him square in the face). Everyone on the ground got back into the action when Naminé, who up to that point had simply sat on the steps in front of the door and watched, threw a snowball at Terra from behind.

When they were all tired from the snowball fight, they stumbled back inside, laughing, and took off their outdoor clothing. As they passed through the foyer, Kairi caught Sora by the hand and stopped him, then pointed up to show him that they were standing under the mistletoe. They laughed and then kissed. “Merry Christmas,” they said to each other. After seeing this, the other couples decided to follow their example, and Riku and Naminé, Roxas and Xion, Aqua and Terra, and Lea and Isa shared their own kisses under the mistletoe.

The gang was truly glad to be together on the day that was all about sharing the light in their hearts. It truly was the most wonderful time of the year.

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wizsports4au · 3 months

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Premium Adult Cricket Bats Online - DSC, MRF, SG & More | Wiz Sports Australia Upgrade your game with our range collection of adult cricket bats from top brands like MRF, CA, BAS, and more. Find your perfect bat for maximum performance!

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coopercricket · 1 year

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Cooper Cricket is a one stop best cricket bat company to buy Cricket equipment like; cricket bats, cricket gloves, cricket pads, etc. We make custom & ready made cricket bats in our Brisbane workshop. Shop Now!

#cricket bats australia #cricket bat manufacturers #buy cricket bat online #cricket bats for sale #buy cricket bats online #popular cricket bat brands #local cricket bat makers #bat factory in australia #independent cricket bat makers australia

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wolfer01 · 1 year

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WOLFER the Best Custom Cricket Bat Maker in India

Cricket is a sport that has captured the imagination of millions of people around the world. It is played in many countries, but its heart and soul remain in India, where cricket is more than just a game; it is a way of life. In India, cricket is played at every level, from the streets and village greens to international stadiums. One of the most important pieces of equipment for any cricketer is their bat, and in India, there are many skilled craftsmen who specialize in making custom cricket bats.

The process of making a Custom Cricket Bat Maker in Indiais a complex one that requires skill, patience, and attention to detail. The first step in making a cricket bat is to select the right piece of wood. The most commonly used wood for cricket bats is willow, which is a lightweight and flexible wood that provides good shock absorption. The wood must be of high quality, and it is usually imported from countries like England, Australia, and New Zealand.

Once the wood has been selected, the craftsman begins the process of shaping the bat. This involves using a lathe to turn the wood into the correct shape and size. The craftsman must be careful to ensure that the bat is symmetrical and well balanced, as this will affect its performance on the field.

After the bat has been shaped, it is time to add the handle. The handle is usually made from a combination of cane and rubber, and it must be firmly attached to the bat using a special adhesive. The craftsman must ensure that the handle is straight and that it is aligned with the centre of the bat.

Once the handle has been attached, the craftsman can begin the process of sanding and finishing the bat. This involves using a series of sandpaper grits to smooth the surface of the bat and give it a polished finish. The craftsman may also apply a coat of varnish or oil to protect the wood and enhance its appearance.

Custom cricket bat makers in India take great pride in their work, and they are passionate about producing bats that are not only functional but also beautiful. They often use traditional techniques and tools that have been passed down from generation to generation, and they may also incorporate modern technology to improve the performance of their bats.

One of the advantages of ordering a custom cricket bat from a maker in India is that you can specify exactly what you want. You can choose the type of wood, the shape and size of the bat, the weight, and the balance. You can also request any special features, such as a particular grip or a personalized inscription.

In addition to producing custom cricket bats, many makers in India also offer repair and maintenance services. They can fix cracks, replace handles, and recondition old bats to extend their lifespan.

In conclusion, Custom Cricket Bat Maker in Indiaare skilled craftsmen who take great pride in their work. They use traditional techniques and modern technology to produce bats that are not only functional but also beautiful. If you are a cricket enthusiast, ordering a custom bat from a maker in India is a great way to enhance your game and own a unique piece of sporting equipment.

#Custom Cricket Bat Maker in India #Cricket Bat Factory in India #Handcrafted Cricket Bats #Cricket Brands in India #Bat Factory in India

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thequibblah · 3 months

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idk if you're following wpl this yr but I do know you follow cricket SO HARMANPREET KAUR'S BATTING TODAY OMG ADKHSFSKJAAJK soooo gooooooodddddd ill cry!!!! i just had to tell someone who'd get it lmaoo

time difference does not permit me to rly follow and also is my brand so weak that u don’t know im an rcb fan… nevertheless as it was not against my team im cool w it congrats to her 🫶

#ask me #anon #glad that im someone who gets it

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two-reflections · 6 months

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[Stuck this in my queue a few months ago, shortly after I made this blog. I keep putting off posting this because it's just a bunch of random enthusiastic screaming, but whatever, if I haven't stuck it in drafts, it might as well live on my blog instead.]

Rebirth lives rent-free in my head. I just need. Like. ONE friend who has read it who I can enthuse with about it IRL. The Tome of Fire was a bit of a slog at first, but I swear that the series which Rebirth was meant to start had legs. LEGS!!

Tried to keep these notes spoiler-medium in case anyone wants to read the book, but be warned. There are spoilers below.

Black Legion VS Salamanders and Sisters of Battle, except that both sides also have their fair share of drama and betrayal? Also, there's a manhunt through a decrepid underhive for a fugitive? Come on, that's some good shit.

Tsu'gan's presence in the plot is at a distance and Da'kir's seems to be over. Zartath and Agatone are the characters who benefit the most from context from previous books, but I think most of their backstory is made pretty clear.

I liked how Val'in built respect with Sister Seraphina without any romantic tension. The Sisters somehow manage to come off as even more nonsexual yet homoromantic than Astartes, and I am here for that.

I also appreciate how the Sisters' extreme zealotry makes them come off as more inhuman than the Salamanders, even as they condemn the Salamanders for being... Uh, bad at seeming like good Imperial zealots. Are some of the Sisters written as too unreasonable? No, I think how unreasonable they seem is a reflection of Canonness Angerer's issues rather than the Sisters as a whole. Plus, Seraphina is not like that! I wish she had been more present in the finale, but oh well.

There are some great human characters in this book. Makato and Issak are so cool. They are excellent examples of how versatile standard humans are and how they can stand out in a story that focuses on Astartes.

Chaplain Elysius is always great, but I really love him in this one. He probably has the best lines in the book. I appreciate his sense of duty, his pragmatism and the fortitude his faith gives him. I also found it interesting how he seems to respect Drakgaard more the more he sees his flaws.

Comparing Elysius and Drakgaard, and Agatone and Drakgaard is interesting. Drakgaard tends to comes off worse in both cases, but his massive flaws make him interesting to me. The parallels between Drakgaard and Angerer are interesting too. I enjoy the idea of these two old warriors being so blinded by their desire to make up for the failings of their pasts that they completely and unequivocally fuck up.

Continuing on Drakgaard, I love how he's described by many as being stubborn, unfeeling and uncultured, but then he's constantly swayed by emotion and makes it very clear that he's not actually averse to artistic pursuits, he just doesn't prioritise them. Part of why those around him see him in such a harsh light is that he can't move his face much and doesn't move with elegance. (For example, his sword is described as a beautiful piece of artistry... Which he swings around like a goddamn cricket bat.) Idk, he seems like a guy with secret depths.

Agatone really grew on me in this one. He's so good to his guys. I think that he gets to shine because the focus of his sections is on a very small group? Anyway, if anyone questions why this guy has a dedicated mini, they should read Rebirth.

I love that guy Agatone picks up. Issak is a 10/10 bro, top tier little guy, and I'm sad we may never get to know the rest of his story.

I don't usually care for techmarines, but Exor is a poor little meow meow whom I want good things for. HE'S JUST DOING HIS BEST, HE'S BRAND NEW, PLEASE BE NICE TO EXOR PLEASE -

He's a mess, but I can't fault Zartath for struggling. Dude needs a therapist, and he tries so hard to make up for his fuckups. Because he started as a Black Dragon, he's stuck between a rock and a hard place - expected to both conform to the new Chapter whom he looks nothing like and to lean into his beastly nature to perform the way his Chapter requires him to. It's a hard line to walk, and I like how that went for him in the end. Also, despite his massive PTSD and mutations, he has genuine respect for Agatone and the Salamanders, and it's great to see that respect rewarded.

I liked his relationship with Exor. Two semi-outsiders in a hard but privileged position alongside their Captain, so different yet so similar... I enjoyed how their respect for each other fluctuated from grudging, to complete distrust, to something two steps from friendship. And it all felt deserved.

I do have some issues with the book, of course.

Some say it feels a bit unfocused. I think that might be because some of the different threads tie up very quickly, to the point where a reader could actually miss how a particular story line tied in with the others. I wish it was about 30 pages longer so the endings could have had a little more space to breathe.

My main issue is that it doesn't seem like this book will ever get a sequel, so we'll never know what happened to some of the characters. This particularly bothers me with Exor, Zartath, Issak and Drakgaard. I have so many questions about them.

For example, Drakgaard is not Captain of the 6th in the current era... What happened? Did he die? Did he take the Burning Walk after losing his men's respect at Heletine? Was he so hurt that he was interred into a Dreadnought, perhaps to replace one lost on Heletine? (That would be so tragic... The other Salamanders would assume being interred would suit him, but it might turn out to be his worst nightmare.) I may never know, and it breaks my heart because I think it would have been interesting.

Will Exor and Zartath actually become friends? Probably not, but my god, I want that for them. I have this picture in my mind where Zartath ends up leaving to refound the Black Dragons and Exor goes too, becoming the one Salamander in the Black Dragons like how Zartath was the one Black Dragon in the Salamanders... Kinda falls down as I think he's not a Magos Biologis, but shhh.

Agatone took Issak back with him. What's going to happen to Issak now he's with the Salamanders? It seemed like he was set up to be present in subsequent books... And he was so likeable.

The weird, not specifically related to Rebirth:

What went down with the real Pyriel and Argos who inspired the characters? Seems there was some major beef between them. It all went down on various forums, possibly had something to do with Pyriel having a 3d printing business? Idk, I did a bit of googling about it a while ago but I can't remember what I found right now. The actual drama isn't very important to me, I just find it interesting that those characters are based on real people who seriously did not get along.

#warhammer 40k #salamanders 40k #black library #Meta

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cricketdirectuk · 1 year

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Finding the perfect Christmas gifts at Cricket Direct

Christmas means trees, fairy lights, puddings and talking about cricket. So, this season surprise your cricket-fan friends with some cricket cheer. You cannot go wrong with professional equipment, especially the ones you’ll find at Cricket Direct. Whether you want to surprise a die-hard fan this Christmas or to coax a novice to try out the game, this store will have something that catches your eye, and their interest. Here you can browse through the best. Cricket balls, bats, gloves, pads, footwear, helmets, stumps… You name it, they’ll have it! If you are looking for a good bargain, they also have some great items on sale. There are massive discounts on cricket bats, batting pads, footwear, and shirts. All the items in the store are of true British quality and of the best brands like Gray-Nicolls, Gunn & Moore, Kookaburra, Adidas, Puma, Slazenger, Hunts County, Newberry and many others.

Here are a few gift suggestions for you. Gunn & Moore Aiden Markram Players Edition Cricket Bat is a brand-new product. It also comes with a discount of 15%. This bat is made to match the one used by Aiden Markram himself, complete with his signature laser engraved on the bat. This bat comes with a protective case and with extra-press, linseed oil & anti-scuff sheet applied by the bat makers. Cricket Direct’s size guide for bats allows you to find the perfect fit for you or your friends. You can choose to add a bat care kit and make your present last longer.

You can help your friends keep count of their wins and lessons by gifting them a scorebook. There is a Gray-Nicolls 60 Inns Scorebook available on Cricket Direct with a beautiful black and red cover and an attractive 21% discount.

For the bookworms plus cricket fans Cricket Direct has the perfect collection. You can browse through the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanac from several years, and other great books including Foinavon, Sit Down and Cheer, 101 Youth Cricket Drills, etc.

Cricket Direct has 25 years’ experience online and a passion for the game. They will help you make Christmas perfect for a cricket fan!

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