Out of this World Contest

I decided it was time to do the next contest! This was the second placer on the poll to the contest order so I hope everyone is excited!!

Out of this World

ABOUT CONTEST

Asteroids, Aliens and far away planets, this contest is for all you scifi lovers out there! I want to see space people, and new far away planets, creatures and vegetation! Maybe earth receives a visit from an other-worlder and must be protected! Who knows!

All Entries will be posted on the Non-Canon’s Fanfiction Page: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/4619376/


Judges

TheDarkestFallingStar

CloeMarrie

Kittyinaz

BertieBott


CONTEST RULES

– All submissions must be ANONYMOUS. Please do not post or continue your story anywhere until after the winners have been announced.

– You may promote the contest and say that you entered, but if you in any way reveal which story is yours you will be immediately disqualified. Also please do not reply to the reviews of your story until winners are announced!

– All entries must not be from an already existing Fanfiction Story, you may continue after the contest is over.

– All entries must be based off or around something that is Out of this World… whether your characters are an alien species or traversing across the galaxies… maybe something Extra crashes to earth.

– Collaborations are welcome.

– Limit of two per person/collaboration. So either two stories or one story and Collab per person.

– Minimum of 2,000 words and Max of 12,000, not including Authors note.

– All POV’s welcome.

– All stories must be Beta’d for the entry, any story with critical amount of errors will be sent back.

– All pairings, fandoms and crossovers welcome.

– NON CANON PAIRINGS ONLY

– Please DO NOT submit entries with scenes of rape, incest, abuse, bestiality, or pedophilia. They will be rejected on sight!

– Lemons are allowed, but they are not required.

– All Entries must include the heading below.


Submission Heading:

Non-Canon Awards; Mythical Creatures
Title:

Pen Name:

Rating:

Genre:

Word Count:

Pairing:

Summary: (255 Character Limit)

Disclaimer:

Please submit all entries to thenoncanonawards@gmail.com


Important Dates

Entries will be accepted Sept 30th to Oct 9th

Public Voting will commence on Oct 10th to 19th

Winners will be announced on Oct 23rd or 24th


Prizes

1st Prize Public Vote

– An Interview on The Non-Canon Awards

– Banner made by TheDarkestFallingStar

– Contest Banner

2nd and 3rd Voters choice Award

– Contest Banner

– Honourable Mention on The Non-Canon Awards

Most Original Story Award

– Contest Banner

Best Out of the World Story

– Contest Banner

Best Lemon

– Contest Banner

Most Shocking Twist

– Contest Banner

Most Terrifying

– Contest Banner

Best Collaboration

– Contest Banner

Best Supporting Characters

– Contest Banner

Best Alien Creature use

– Contest Banner

Most Unusual Pairing

– Contest Banner

Interview for TexanLady

This has been an interview I have been wanting to read and do for a long time!!!!

Basic information.

Can you please tell the people reading this your name?

Texanlady.  I have had my fair share of hate mail over the years, and more than a few threats, so I don’t feel comfortable giving out my real name.

Where do you like to post, and can you give us the site of your preferred medium?

On my blogspot.  Nyc posts everytihing, so I’m not sure what medium she uses.  I’m not very good with technology.  I just write it.  

What do you prefer, Tea or Coffee?

Iced sweet tea.  Every Texan drinks it.

What is your favorite beverage of choice?  And if alcoholic and mixed, what are the ingredients?

I don’t drink alcohol anymore, and my all time favorite drink is a root beer float.

What is your funny story about trying something to drink and it rocked your boat and/or sucked?

I tried trashcan punch at a college party once.  Vomited all over my date.  Shame.  He was so hot.  Needless to say he didn’t ask for another date.

What foods do you love?

Anything with meat pretty much.

What is your go to food for comfort?

Buttered spaghetti.  My mom made it for me when I was little, and it is what I always want when I’m sick or upset.

What do you like to snack when writing?

No food when writing.  It messes with my flow.

Is there a scent that says home to you?

Horse manure.  When I smell it I remember all the good memories I’ve had with my family in the barn.  We spent far more time there than inside the house.

Is there a scent you wish you never smelled ever?

Burning hair. 

If you could visit a place, anywhere, where would it be?

Narnia.

If you could go at any point in time, which would it be?

When I was 13.

What music do you like?

Blues is my all time favorite.

Is there a genre or song you hate?

Pretty much any of the crap coming out nowadays.  I don’t think music should be made by computers.  Give me a singer with a mic with a pianist and I’m happy.

Tell us something about yourself that you think your fans would love to know about:

I’m obsessed with Etsy.

Thanks. That gives us some basic information. Now, about the writing –   I know you’re excited…

Why did you start writing?

Elementary school.  I wrote my first short story in 5th grade.

What do you enjoy the most about it?

That I can make anything happen.  

What do you like least about it?

Writer’s block.  She be a heartless bitch.

That first time hitting publish, how did you feel?

Proud.  Good or bad, I’d put myself out there.  It takes courage.

Where do you get your inspiration?

My dreams.

What is your writing area like do you use computer or paper, or both?  Or another medium?

I write my ideas down in a little journal, but when it comes to putting chapters together I take out my laptop and have at.

Do you use an outline, rough draft or just write?

I pretty much just write.  I take the ideas from my pocket journal and run with them.

What do you do while you’re writing (listen to music, TV in the background, etc.)?

I listen to music.

What annoys you the most when you are trying to write?

Interruptions.

If you have finished a fic, what was your feeling on it?

Satisfied.  

What are your favorite fandoms to write?

Pretty much True Blood.  I would like to work in other fandoms, but since I’m trying to get my original novel finished I don’t have time to branch out.

Who are your favorite characters to write?

Eric. 

Why?

Because he’s a drop dead sexy Nordic god.

Who are your least favorite characters to write?

Bill. 

Why?

He’s such a rat.

What is your favorite scene or story you have written and why?

My favorite story I wrote was my Sookie Tortures a Viking series.  Most of it was hot and sultry, but the last installment meant a great deal to me.

What is the most difficult story or scene you have written, and why?

The scene in TA where Eric tries to force Sookie into wanting him and triggers her memories of being molested.  It took me to a dark place.

Do you see any characteristics in the characters you write?

A great deal.  

Which ones and whom?

It’s more in my original characters.  In my True Blood stories I’m trying to keep them as true to their characters as possible, but in my own work I base many of my characters off of family and friends.

What do you like most about your preferred fandom?

Did I mention how sexy Alexander Skarsgard is?

How would you describe your fics?

Sex and angst.

What story would you recommend of your own for a new fan to start first?

The Arrangement. 

Now the HARD questions:

If you could offer a suggestion to someone who is thinking of publishing their first story, what would it be?

Make sure you are writing for the right reasons.  If you’re writing for reviews or money you won’t last.  The nasty things people say will have you hightailing it with your tail tucked between your legs.  So write what YOU want, and share it with others.  As long as you’re enjoying the story you’re telling that is all that matters.

If you could go back in time, and give yourself one word of advice, what would you say?  (No Lottery numbers or anything like that!!!)

It gets better.

What 5 stories would you recommend someone read?  Please list fandom, sites and name with pairing.

All the stories I would recommend were taken down.  I haven’t had the chance to read much fanfiction in the past year.

Is there something you wished I asked, and if so, what as well as the answer.

Why do I write, and I write because it not only makes me happier, but it makes my world better.

Character Questionnaire:

untitled

Name of Character:  Lafayette

Story he is in: The Arrangement

Is (s)he an original Character or a series known?   Known

Are they in character or Out of Character? In character

Nickname(s): Lala

Date of Birth: Unknown

Occupation: Whatever I need to do!

Stats (Aka Height, hair color, eye color, and so on): Sexy ass mother fucker!

Significant other(s): As many as I can get!

Best Friend(s): Sookie

Enemies(s): Anyone who says I have poor fashion sense

Any noticeable Scars, Tattoos, or other markings:   Earrings. 

If they could have a Theme Song, which would it be?   It’s Raiining Men.

What is their favorite Movie?  To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar!

What is something that the fans don’t know about your character?  He’s afraid of dolls.


To say I was thrilled to get this as well as answers to my emails, I fangirled.  What can I say, anytime I talk with any of the awesome ladies of our wonderful fandom, I am thrilled.  To say this is one of the most welcoming fandoms out there is just a tip of the iceberg!

Thanks for reading!

Kittyinaz Signature

Review for All of Me by bellapaige88

 

So I spent this past week not feeling well.  And ended up watching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  And got hooked into SkyeWard….

 Name of Story: All of Me

Fandom: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. + Captain America Crossover

Author: bellapaige88

Site: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10075481/1/All-Of-Me

Rating (If Applicable): M

Pairing: G. Ward/Skye P. Coulson/M. May

Status: Complete

Description (Authors): 

This story is about Skye discovering who she really is and where she came from. What her 0-8-4 status really means. The whole team will be a part of this fic with their own little moments. Skyeward, FitzSimmons, Philinda and Clintasha moments. … enjoy 🙂 Later chapters involve CapHill and Pepperony’ And other Avengers.


Review: 

So if you watch AoS, you may know why I went looking for SkyeWard fics.  And if you haven’t watched past season 1, you may want to skip this one…

For this is SPOILERS for the show!

Continue reading Review for All of Me by bellapaige88

Avengers Story Review: Sivaas by SlateWalker

Name of Story: Sivaas

Fandom: Avengers

Author: SlateWalker

Site:  https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8474618/1/Sivaas

Rating (If Applicable): M/NC-17

Pairing: Iron Man/Tony S

Description (Authors):  Tony Stark has borne many titles in his life. The Merchant of Death. Billionaire. Playboy. Genius. Hero. Many believe that his title of Iron Man will be the one he takes to the grave. But Tony knows better. For Tony bore another name, one that struck terror into all that heard it. Sah Sunvaar. Phantom Hunter. The Fox. An Assassin of the highest caliber.

Review: 

If you want something different, something thrilling and amazing, this is the story. Assassin!Tony is something hell of a lot different and wow. It’s well written and thought out, the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat and just… wow. Go read, give them love and find out for yourself!

Story Preview:

Raan Do Sivaas.

The Order of the Beasts.

It is a name whispered both fearfully and reverently around the world. An order of highly trained assassins, funded and protected in secret by the highest authority in all of the world, established and integrated into society over centuries. Known for their stealth, creativity and willingness to do anything or go anywhere, these beast-masked assassins inspire terror in all those who know of them.

Intelligent and physically able children are hand-picked by observers within the government and the Order begins the delicate process of turning children into hunters in barely over thirteen years. On May the first, of the year 1983, Howard and Maria Stark brought a bouncing baby boy into the world. On that day, neither parent knew that one day that boy would be a genius, a billionaire, a hero, an assassin. The story of Tony Stark is one that is long and colored.

This is that story.

Avengers Story Review: Arc Tremors by MountainRose

Name of Story: Arc Tremors

Fandom: Avengers

Author: MountainRose

Site:  http://archiveofourown.org/works/570308/chapters/1021452

Rating (If Applicable): M/NC-17

Pairing: Pepper Potts & Tony StarkTony Stark & Avengers Team

Description (Authors):  Tony’s light had flickered out in the aftermath of the fight with the Chitauri, but his team was there and, hey, he’d just been to space, give a guy some slack. The next morning they accepted, but when he collapses weeks later, they’re not going to let him brush it off again, and neither is JARVIS.

Review: 

Holy crap guys, so I got back into reading Avengers stories again and came across this one. It’s fluffy and awesome with the right amount of Tony!Whump and it made me like this Cap. Seriously, its Avengers Family and awesome, well thought out and written. It will keep you interested and hooked till the very end!

Seriously recommend a read!

Story Preview:

The Leviathan stank, up close, of ozone and rot. Even Iron Man’s air filters weren’t up to the job of keeping that stench away and he twisted his lip in disgust in the privacy of his helmet.

“Well, we got its attention… what the hell was step two?” He snarked, turning tail as the leviathan’s enraged roar rattled his suit. Blasting back towards Stark Tower and away from the fleeing New Yorkers, he switched back to the team radio in time to respond to Thor’s analysis of the Tesseract’s defences. As they plotted, he let the leviathan gain on him, quietly smug and triumphant as Bruce made his appearance.

“Banner?”

“Just like you said.”

“Well, tell him to suit up, I’m bringing the party to you.”

He swung wider around the corner of 51st and 3rd, the beastie following obligingly but still clipping the sky-scraper with a great graunching of metal and glass.

“I don’t see how that’s a party.”

XXXXXXXXXXX

“-wipe out midtown.”

“JARVIS, put everything we got into the thrusters.”

Away from the city, the sky was clear, and there wasn’t any dust to obscure the sun. It was quiet, apart from the roar of his own propulsion, until Natasha’s voice came over the comms, wavering with hope. Tony’s plan settled, and he called the stop, letting his teammates know just how high the stakes had just risen.

He pulled up under the nuke’s path, ready to catch it and pray that it wouldn’t go off under the heat of his repulsors. “-and I know just where to put it.”

The comms were silent, and Pepper didn’t pick up the phone when he called… The speed and sharp turn as he pulled up, skimming Stark tower, crushed him against the chest plate, but the nuke flew true and they broke through the portal into sudden and absolute silence.

JARVIS’ connection stuttered and failed, his thrusters cut out, and his air vanished, leaving him staring into the vastness of space, glittering and heaving with alien ships. Soon, the smoke and glare of the nuke cleared and it vanished into the hulking mass of the central ship, it’s glow obscured for two long seconds before the ship’s skin bulged out in an expansive fireball.

Triumph, hypoxia and relief battled over dominance in Tony’s head, as gravity began to reassert itself through the portal and he started to fall. Too late, he thought, closing his eyes against the glare, lungs burning and head clouded. There was a jerk of acceleration as he breached the portal and Earth’s gravity came back full force but he wasn’t awake to feel it.

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!

Fanfiction by Bertie Bott

Daily Bugle for contest

Well, better late than never! I’ve gotten terribly behind schedule but I’m happy to announce that Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Superhero Fest 2016 is now open for business! Please visit the contest page for rules/updates and don’t forget to share with your friends – the more people in the know, the more awesome stories we have to read! Click the banner below to get the details:

BB Superhero Fest 2016

I’m so excited for this years contest as there’s been a huge influx of new movies/comics to choose from… the stories are ripe for the picking and I can’t wait to see what you create! For those who enter, please use the banner below to announce to your friends/readers you’ve entered and good luck!

BB Superhero Fest Entry 2016

I’m trying to be more like my punny self but I’m sick and have a fever so I got nothing… I’ll just leave you with happy writing, lol!

View original post

Review for The Arrangement by TexanLady & nyc snowbird

 

This is one of the most controversial stories I have ever read.  It is NOT completed, but holy cow, no matter how long they make you wait, you jump to read the updates.

TA clean Red Header flair

 Name of Story: The Arrangement

Fandom: TB

Author: TexanLady & NYC Snowbird

Site: http://thearrangementtb.blogspot.com/search/label/Chapter%20001

Rating (If Applicable): M

Pairing: Eric/Sookie

Status: WIP

Description (Authors): 

Bill has been taken to Mississippi. Sookie has no choice but to turn to Eric for help. Seeing the chance to make Sookie his, Eric offers her an arrangement. Sookie learns that not only is nothing ever as simple as it seems, but she finds that there is nothing Eric won’t do to claim her. And apparently he’s not alone in the belief she is his. The Gods of old believe it just as much!


Review: 

Have you ever read a story that made you cry, not once but a couple of times for a character?  Made you completely pissed at the other character, but find redeeming features where you keep reading?

That even after a second reading, you find yourself still crying at the same parts?  And only after reading it 4 times, do you realize that though you want to prepare for what is coming, you end up putting down the story, take a breath, then read on.

This is that story.

It starts literally when Sookie walks out of the bathroom in the restaurant and Bill is gone.  This Eric is not the amnesiac Eric in any form or fashion.  This is an Eric who we met at the bar and wanted Sookie for himself no matter what.

Continue reading Review for The Arrangement by TexanLady & nyc snowbird

Review for Family by Celticgal1041

Name of Story: Family

Fandom: Musketeers BBC

Author: Celticgal1041

Site:  http://archiveofourown.org/works/4538130/chapters/10328442

Rating (If Applicable): General

Pairing: No precise pairing, just brotherhood.

Description (Authors):  The Gascon lifted his head again, the movement placing an unbearable strain on his overtaxed shoulder muscles but he was determined to meet the man’s gaze. This was a question that he remembered the answer to and he grinned mirthlessly as he answered, “Family.”

Review: 

Holy crap, so besides DebbieF it’s Celticgal1041 that writes the most amazing angsty whumpage that I have seen. Truly. But out of all her stories its Family I love the most, it’s dark and keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what happens next.

It also shows the true bond between the quartet, the unbreakable bond between brothers. There is honestly not much I can say besdides a bunch of sounds to express my words to describe how good this story is. For those of you who don’t watch the TV series, I suggest you do and for those who do watch and have yet to read fanfiction for it, I suggest you start here with ANY of Celtic’s fics.

Give it a chance, read the first chapter below! Go give her some love!

Story Preview:

“Tell me!” the man snarled, his demand accompanied by a vicious backhand blow that had the Musketeer’s vision swimming as his head snapped to the right. d’Artagnan allowed it to loll there for several seconds, gathering his strength and his breath at the brutality of the beating he’d taken which had left him barely capable of coherent thought beyond the myriad of aches that screamed for his attention.

He could no longer recall what information his captor was seeking, nor could he remember the details of the mission or the events that had brought him to be in this man’s hands. The only thing that he was certain of was that they would come for him. No matter what the man did to his body, his mind had retreated deeply inwards where a warm flame burned brightly and reminded him that he was not alone. A few months ago, he would not have been as certain, possibly failing under his attacker’s forceful hits, but in recent weeks, things had changed for him significantly, not the least of which was the attainment of his commission in the King’s Musketeers, bringing with it the leather pauldron that he’d worn with such pride until it had been ripped from his shoulder by the bandits.

d’Artagnan forced his head upwards, spitting a glob of blood from his mouth as he nearly gagged on the copper taste of the liquid. Where it came from, he knew not, his lips and the inside of his mouth shredded from repeated strikes to the face, which had his teeth gnashing against the tender skin. His focus still swam alarmingly making his stomach protest in sympathy but he swallowed determinedly as he slurred up at his captor, “No.” Regardless of the fact that he had no idea what the man wanted, the Gascon was steadfast in his determination that the bandit would receive no satisfaction, his only goal now to draw things out long enough so that his friends could rescue him.

The bandit screwed up his features at the beaten soldier who hung in front of him from his arms. They’d been deliberately cruel in their treatment of the man, certain that, as the youngest, he’d be the easiest one to break. Instead, the boy had fought like a demon, keeping his men busy long enough that the others had escaped, saving their own necks rather than coming to the young man’s aid. He’d tried to use that fact against the Musketeer, goading him with ugly words as he described the cowardice of the other soldiers as they’d fled, leaving him alone to face capture, but the words had provoked a surprising reaction from the young man, lips turning up in a hideous smile that pulled at split lips and caused them to begin bleeding again, the teeth underneath stained with red. “Good,” he’d said and then his expression had turned flat, as though he was drawing on some inner strength and preparing himself for what was to come. Rather than disheartening the boy, the words had someone buoyed him and the bandit had allowed fury to guide his fists as he’d pummeled the boy’s face and torso mercilessly.

Now, it was only the ropes that pulled the Musketeer’s arms up over his head that held him upright, kneeling on the cold ground beneath him, the ropes high enough that he couldn’t even sit back on his heels to alleviate some of the discomfort. He grasped the boy’s face cruelly, pressing filthy fingers into the Musketeer’s cheeks as he forced the young man to meet his flinty gaze, “You’ll die here if you don’t tell us what we want to know.” He held the Musketeer’s face for several long seconds as he waited for his words to sink in, searching the boy’s eyes for any sign that he’d accepted the statement.

d’Artagnan’s gaze showed no indications of defeat, his eyes turning darker and somewhat more dangerous as he spat back at the man as soon as his head was released, “You’ll die first.”

The man snorted in derision, staring down at the mangled body that had withstood so much abuse. “How can you possibly say something like that? Touched in the head, you are,” the man chuckled at his own words. “Who do you think is gonna save you?”

The Gascon lifted his head again, the movement placing an unbearable strain on his overtaxed shoulder muscles but he was determined to meet the man’s gaze. This was a question that he remembered the answer to and he grinned mirthlessly as he answered, “Family.”

Review for Marriage of Inconvenience by Queen of Area 5

I know I did her before, but I went back and ended up rereading this story.  And since I checked this site, there was no mention of this story anywhere.

So here it is!

 

 Name of Story: A Marriage of Inconvenience

Fandom: SVM

Author: Queen of Area 5 (Click to read her interview)

Site: https://queenofareafive.wordpress.com/a-marriage-of-inconvenience-index/

Rating (If Applicable): M

Pairing: Eric/Sookie

Status: Complete

Description (Authors): 

William T. Compton thought it would be an easy mission: procure the telepath using any means necessary without permanently tying her to him. However her husband, the Sheriff of Area 5, will make sure his task is not easily accomplished.


Review: 

I went back and reread this to keep in the momentem of rereading some of the old stories.  And once I started, I remembered why I love this woman.

She weaves a story that grabs you and drags you whether you like it or not to read, and peppers it with some beautiful imagery (and a sexy Sheriff Viking pillaging his Wife).

Continue reading Review for Marriage of Inconvenience by Queen of Area 5

Review for The Littlest Musketeer by DebbieF

Name of Story: The Littlest Musketeer

Fandom: The Musketeers BBC

Author: DebbieF

Site:  http://archiveofourown.org/works/2339717/chapters/5157584

Rating (If Applicable): General

Pairing: No precise pairings just brotherhood.

Description (Authors):  For those of you that don’t know I usually write in the sci fi genre of Stargate SG-1. The main writing group I’m in is called Little Danny where we downsize Daniel Jackson’s character (as well as other members). Usually his caretaker is Colonel Jack O’Neill. I also will at times mix it up with characters from SGA. Jackson portrays an archaeologist/linguist/diplomat on the show and I’ve done a story in the past called the Littlest Archaeologist. Hence where I got my idea for this story.

I do hope you enjoy it and see my note at the end.

Review: 

So, as some of you may know that I have suddenly become obsessed with a few new fandoms, H50 to be one and now the Musketeers. DebbieF writes some amazing stories and each one are thrilling, cringeworthy and tissue box needing pretty much. There is fluff and gooey goodness in there relating to the bond between the four inseperables.

In this case it is the brotherhood between Porthos/Aramis/d’Art and the paternal between Athos and d’Art.

Seriously, this story is funny and it grips your attention, a little d’Artagnan running around causing mischief and mayhem without the restraint of his usual adult self. It kept me enthralled from the first line to the last and I highly recommend it and all the work that she does!

 So go and read, give her some love!

Story Preview:

Off in the woods far, far away from Paris stood a lone little cottage where an older but still lovely, wise woman lived. Some of the villagers called her healer, others said she was crazy, while still more whispered to each other one word… witch.

On this day, the anniversary of Alexandre d’Artagnan’s death, his young son d’Artagnan stopped to rest on his way back to Paris. He had just come from a short visit with friends he had left behind in Gascony where he went to visit his mother and father’s grave sites. It was a year ago that he lost and avenged his father’s murder. After his father had passed away in his arms d’Artagnan had made arrangements with the innkeeper to have his father’s body transported back to Lupiac to be buried. With everything that had happened this past year d’Artagnan hadn’t had time to visit and pay his respects.

Sitting underneath the shade of a large tree, d’Artagnan let Zad roam around freely in the field. Closing his eyes he remembered life growing up on the farm. Yes, it could be grueling, back breaking work at times, but with both his parents around life had been good.

A tear slipped down his cheek as d’Artagnan, lulled by the birds soft twittering and the warm, gentle breeze, drifted off to sleep. Being in the land of nod he had no idea that he acquired company along the way.

The woman from the tiny cottage felt his distress from clear over in her safe haven where she lived. Feeling it so keenly she had to go in search of the youngster. Martinique was surprised to say the least when she discovered it was a Musketeer as she studied the boy’s pauldron. “So young,” she murmured to herself. “What dragons did you slay to earn your prize and yet still be only a child?” But soldier or not, the young man’s pain was real as Martinique listened to the stranger call out for his father.

“Pe’re, I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. It should have been me,” d’Artagnan mumbled. “I miss you terribly.”

Martinique understood loss all to well, she was as alone as the boy. But her light touch on the youngster’s brow jolted her. In her mind’s eye she saw him with cherished friends. Martinique could make out features of a handsome, devil maycare older man. Then a huge dark skinned one that always seemed to be laughing. Finally the last impression that stayed with her the longest was of a somber face that held great love in his heart for this child who slept in her forest.

“So you miss your father and this other gentleman looks upon you as a son,” she whispered softly as she brushed the hair out of the boy’s eyes while he slept on. “Perhaps I can do something for you both,” Martinique smiled. “If only for a short while.”