A Woodcarver's Son

“There’s a magician sixty leagues from here that houses a brothel … he has been bewitching children into mules.”

Robin looked quizzically at Francis, and then nodded him to continue.

“After a time in service, the boys sprout ears and tails - it is disgusting to hear them whine for home, stamp their metal-shoed feet, in the barns wherein they are imprisoned.

“It begins with a frivolity that soon turns dark. The boys are runaways: a few escaped the military, some are so young they are truant from school; tempted with promises of mystery rides and candy, very soon they are neck-tied and being led to the paying men whose members seek out young flesh and unformed bodies.”

“Have you seen this for yourself?” Robin asked deeply disturbed at what he was hearing - he had not been aware of any bordellos housing halflings such as this.

“No, I have only heard reports. One, from a woodcarver who recently lost his son and came to us asking that we pray for him.”


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

A Bromance

Goober, Mr Fabaceae, was in love with Puck like no other - it was a bromance with a humble love - as plain as plain could be - simple, straight and self defining - where the admiration of one does not over shadow the other; a love with respect supported by the certainty that no matter how far one is adrift in the Cosmos, your friend will come and find you.

Mr Fabaceae loved Mr Black - and Puck loved Goober back - they had met so very long ago they had quite forgotten their first meeting.

Charley was immensely fond of her lanky uncle and had privately wondered if the two were intertwined.

“No,” said her father having read her thoughts on this question - "we go deeply, we do but not, in such communion.”


- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Vision of the Golden Age

The Fey, for the most part, were obedient to their cosmic obligations, and by nature, co-operative.

But the Humans had brought greed into the realm - awakening the preposterous deception, that one could want more than they need, and house it for the morrow. Yet nothing keeps, worth keeping, and with the desire to amass, came wizards and hobgoblins, bat-crazy furies, snake charmers, idol worshippers, whip cracking masters - masters of doom and masters of dark, masters of divine, fallen angels, demigods, and gods.

Some of the more notable opponents to Humanity’s graces, had crossed paths with Puck along the way - and, undeterred, he had promised himself to stay true to the earliest vision - that of the Golden Age - that period he had loved the best - that era when Men were his natural friends, and the borders between the two worlds did not exist.

“It will come again” he muttered to his invisible friend “it's only time”.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Tangled Mesh of Karma

Puck had no idea whatsoever what was to come next.

Even the Elvish are caught within the uncertainties of this world.

Long had he been committed to a life well lived - both in his Etheric residence and the play of Humankind. His affinity was born of compassion for the weaknesses of men, and the admiration for their strengths. One could almost say that he loved Mankind, yet he did not envy them.

This perhaps was the biggest myth of all when it came to the kingdom of Faerie … that Men bethought themselves worthy of envy. No, these fellows were the younger brothers and twice disgraced - falling out with paradise into the tangled mesh of Karma.


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Tin Man

The tin man he had made had attracted the fairies, for the metal itself was of the planet Juniper Berry - Jupiter - a frivolous partner to the juveniles of the wood, whose cosmic rays of jest and joviality lit the tin of the giant like a beacon to the face. They loved to gather at his feet and have their pictures taken - swinging from his shoulders and playing hide-a’-seek amongst his intricate armour.

Yes, the Fay too have a passion for selfies, and although they do not work a lens as we might, they can use the light to cast their impressions, making fast their images onto the fur of the rose petals, or on the gossamer of a snail’s trail, capturing a moment in perfect detail, inscribing these images onto the surface of any living thing as though it was the finest engraving - sealed with moonbeams coupled with the dust of dawn and a tweak of time, adjusting it back just a moment or so.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Thieving Fairies

Oscar was a metalsmith and he supplied the town and thereabouts. He hammered and joined metals for every need and occasion: he made a tin man that was twice the size of the largest knight, and stood him outside for all to see. Alberto would talk to the shiny giant when he visited from the shop beside, and place little rounds of bright red wax into his huge palms as pretend coins.

All was going very well for Casper and Oscar until the fairies came and started carting away some of their wares in the night.

At the first Casper had noticed his wax pots were missing. There was an internal door that connected the other’s store - and Casper asked Oscar had he taken them.

To which Oscar replied “no”.

A few nights later Oscar was missing ten bright bars of silver - his prized pure silver - and he went to Casper and asked of him, had he taken them? - to which he replied “no, I did not”.

Nightly their stocks both diminished - and it did not take long for them to realise that it was the fairies who were thieving their wares.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Casper's Wax

Casper generated wax of every variety - supplying the town and roundabouts.

Waxes for sealing clay pots for food and for finery; waxes for documents, candles and death-masks; with colours and perfumes, raw and fine resin; wax to make luxurious seed hives; doll’s heads, wax for the carvers, the cloth dyers; the bronze-smith; and the cheesemaker. The only wax he would not sell was the blackened wax, used for effigies and unsavoury magic. He did not like the customers this brought in.

His wax was in high demand and his business was so strong that he worked night and day, and some.

His small son, Alberto, would watch him as he busily laboured; and when his papa had his back turned, he would hurl small objects into the melt pot and watch them sink, or put them on sticks and coat them like candied apples.

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Throw Some Salt

The party around them were perplexed at the elongated silence and the smiles coming from the two in silent discourse.

“Perhaps we best just leave be?” suggested Robin.

“Agreed,” said Francis.

“Nought to be done here,” said Robin.

“I supposeth not”, echoed Francis.

“Will you join us on the mountain for supper? I should very much like to catch up.”

“Excellent. … Oh, and I brought you some gold, I almost forgot”

Robin drew out a small satchel from his tunic and handed it to Francis who nodded with the slightest of bows.

“Got to go now”, said Francis to the circus-master who was glaring at him.

“Good luck trying to teach them to dance. You might want to throw some salt upon them from time to time.”

The two parties of monks gathered into one as they set off back to the tracks to the mountain.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Francis Quizzed

“These demons are an angry group”, agreed Francis to Robin telepathically.

They both knew that the men around them would be best kept from such talk, and were used to such consultation in private. And so although in a seeming silence, they chatted backward and forth.

“They come from an angry place”, nodded Robin - and then added: “not metaphorically, but in reality - the isles of the Liquorice moors.”

Francis squinted and gestured - “a joke?”

“No, no - an observation. The lands have been warring for two centuries and are often provoked all too easily. These are their offspring - these ghouls of antiquity. They must have been attached to the beasts in order to move their location.”

This was precisely what had troubled Francis from his first sighting them. He knew that they were not your ordinary garden variety goblin or demonic entity. They had a malice far stronger than most.

“They feed on salt water, brine and the weed of the sea - and when they are far from the waters and have nought to sustain them, they then anger tenfold.”

”“Have you then brought salt?”

“I have not”, the tall monk answered.

“Have you then brought anything that might help?” Francis quizzed (in his mind of course).

“I have not.”

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Demonic Creatures

“I would not eat that”, he said mockingly - as gave the charred beast a kick with his foot. The elephant expired an almighty fume of putrid odour.

“How keepest thou self? Have thee charms for this travesty?”

“I have not”, replied Robin.

He looked over at the demonic creatures - and alike to Francis, could see them most plainly as well.

As far as everyone else in that gathering could tell there was little being done or said. And the party was growing weary with the boredom of it.

“Have you any incantations that might work this lot?”

“I have not,” said Robin plainly, poking at the first goblin who was pelting him with invisible sods.


- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Robin Appears

“Francis, Francis, what are you thinking of?” Tobias tapped him a little sharply - concerned that he was going into one of his trances yet again.

The eleven elephants remaining had started to screech louder, with the circus-master appearing more agitated than ever. The demon that had been holding him close had disappeared from sight - which would have been a good thing were it not for the fact that it had actually entered his body and had imbedded itself there.

“I know someone methinks will be most able to help us”, answered Francis …

“Hail Robin! I was in great hope that you would join us!” Francis called so loudly that he startled the company about him.

Three more monks had now reached the clearing, and the one to whom Francis addressed was the tallest of all of them - with a fine silver cross at the neck, and robes of mule brown, that although plain, were finely loomed; matching his embossed boots of soft leather. He strode towards Francis and gave him a huge embrace.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

La Famiglia

Later that day, when the stranger had departed, Pica asked her son if he had been frightened to meet him.

“No Moma, I am not frightened of him. He is famiglia.”

“But you have never met him before my son, why would you say that?”

"Because Moma, he has visited me ever since I was very small. He must live close to us I think because he is always coming here.”

And with that he returned to his play, neatly parcelling the little carvings back into the giant ark.

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

A Gift Ark

“Moma!” yelled the little child as he charged over to hug her legs tightly. This was all that she needed.

“May I prepare a meal for you?” she asked tentatively.

“Wot's in this sack?” Franco asked hopefully tugging at the ribbon trying to untie it.

“It is a gift I brought for you little man,” he replied helping him to untie the knot.

“I hope you will take care of it well - the wood I have hewn from a very special tree - one of the oldest in the netherworld … I crafted the pieces myself, for you to play with.”

Francis was suitably delighted - and he did what any little boy might do in the rush to see what was inside the big bag - he tipped it upside down and a hundred miniature animals spilled onto the floor. Stuck within the folds was yet another larger piece.

“Look Francis!” said his mother helping him get that one out too - "you have a boat to keep them all in!"

“Oh Uncle! they are lovely!” said the little boy contentedly setting to work to order them in pairs in one great line.


- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Beads of Black Sweat

When the stranger placed his slender hand onto Franco’s forehead the boy stirred in his bed, and beads of black sweat perspired from his pits.

Pica gasped to see this, but stood back, fixed on the spot - putting her faith with the one who had come.

He whispered into the boy’s ear, in a faraway language that mother Pica could not recognize; and he bathed the child’s arms with a tonic that filled the room with the fragrance of young trees.

Shortly after - in only minutes it did seem - little Francis opened his eyes and recognized the Elven visitor. He leapt out of the bed and twirled on the floor.

Pica put some water on to boil and continued as though nothing had happened.

She took care not to show her fear and busied herself - this being her way of steading the world around her.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

In the Dark

“But Dad”, interjected Charley (as she often would) “does that mean that there are people who are continually in the dark, just because they are only thinking about themselves?”

“Yes, it is exactly that. It can be impossible to reach someone who is always so self-involved without a care or concern for another - the darkness hovers around their head and their heart, blocking the light, as it were.”

“Can you teach me to see this?” Charley had asked hopefully.

“No”, said her father - “it is something that cannot be taught - but you my dear child will be able to feel it.”

He put his hand on her shoulder - finding that times like these were tough when their differences became underlined, yet again.

Charley never doubted her father - although they were literally worlds apart - she could sense the truth of his words, as the veiled ephemeral visions would flit before her consciousness - like ghosts beyond the veil - so many spirits would call to her whenever the world was quiet.

She looked up proudly at her Dad as he stood before the small gathering. A dark cloud hung over the room, infused with the brilliancy of a handful of souls.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Light Bulb Moments

Puck (Mr Black, as he was formally known by Calvin and the Company) was never offended by the thoughts of men as he could often see what they were thinking even before it entered their minds and formed their opinions. He was rarely surprised.

He once explained to Charley, “We don’t really have very much to work with when it comes to humans. There are but a few basic types of thinking in men: reactive, self-aware, empathetic and creative - added to these categories are the inflections of whether or not the thinker is basically selfish or kind. Selfishness draws thoughts back to referencing the past, whilst the kindly thinker held a projective capacity which could plan for the future, grasping the present with a comprehensive view that could see past themselves.

“When any individual is being selfish the cloud of thinking becomes quite dark, and when the mind is turned outward towards another person or need, then a certain light is attracted energetically to them. Oddly enough ‘enlightened thinking’ really has such a literal meaning - and pertains almost always to unselfish thought. The ‘light bulb moments’ are true - and such realisations that come with the greatest of revelation and insight, are those that are the greatest distance from one’s own self. Far reaching ideas need such distance!”

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

The New CEO

There was an extremely uncomfortable silence. The echoing auditorium with its stellar acoustics resounded nothing - not even a cough.

“Any questions?”

“What of our projects currently in play?” asked one of the senior researchers who also had a position on the board itself.

“There may be some” Calvin conceded - "I cannot say for sure, as this will no longer be my provence or responsibility.” Calvin felt pure relief as he said these words - finally he thought to himself.

He also privately knew that Mr Black had objections to some, if not all, of the products that were currently in development. What he did not realise was that the fastest way Puck had thought to close the operation was to simply buy it and shut it down. If he owned the patents he could stall most of the frankensteinian works for half a decade or more. He would of course go on to develop his etheric salve for healing.

It had been assumed up until now that this ‘crackpot’ was merely a guest venting his weirdo mix of metaphysical pseudo-science, and not one of the team had any reason to believe that he would have the controlling interest, or funds to make this to happen.

“And now I am going to hand you back over to Mr Black - please give our new CEO a hearty welcome.”


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Stepping Down

It appeared that not one of the white-coats in the audience had been paying attention - their faces were blandly staring at their watches and phones, clearly willing for the session to pass. There were no questions forthcoming.

Calvin joined Mr Black and his colleague, Fabaceae, to front the tired crowd.

“I have something of a major announcement to make today, he began dryly - and that is … that is to say that it has been wonderful working with you all over the years. I know that my father was very fond of everyone here and most of you have watched me grow since my childhood …”

He stopped for a moment and saw a familiar face in the second row looking horrified.

“Good” he thought to himself, "they are finally listening.”

“Well as you all probably realized of late, with the passing of my father, the Company has not been the same.”

The shareholders all knew this.

“Try as I might, I am simply not big enough to fill his shoes, or invest my life in this business, as he has done. He gave his life for this Company and I personally am still mourning this loss.”

He steadily continued: “Mr Black has made me an offer I cannot refuse, and I would like you to welcome him now as both the CEO and major shareholder of this great Company moving forward. We wanted to give you the heads up before the papers get a hold of it later today. The contracts have only now been completed and I will be saying my farewells as the leader of this very fine team before me.”

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

The Room Filled with Hope

“Will he live?”

“Yes dear Mother, he will … because he must. Francis has a destiny.”

The young Elven man had a fire come into his eyes as he said this, and Pica felt deep down that he knew things that she herself could never understand.

The truth was that for all of Francis’s short life, she had waited in dread for the day to come when the Fairies could come and collect their boy.

When they had left him to her was it perhaps a mistake? A temporary stay? Her heart was heavy every time these wonderings crossed the threshold of her daily life.

As though Puck could hear her thoughts he said graciously, “No dear woman, I will not be taking your son away from you, his loving mother. I have only come to tend to him with the tonics he requires.”

She brightened at this and her room filled with hope.


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

A Bell Rung Loudly

In her lowest of moments Pica cried at the small boy’s bedside, and when she had exhausted herself, lying beside her little one, a moment of clarity came before her. She thought back to something she had forgotten - chosen to forget … and that was of Franco’s heritage … that this was no ordinary boy, and his healing might be possible … but then, it occurred to her - he needs one of his own kind to know what was needed - a physician of the Fey.

And, coincidently, or not, the very moment that she had this thought, there was a bell ringing loudly outside her front door.

He was only a young lad - exceedingly tall - who had to bow his head down just to enter through to the main room. His leather tunic was well oiled and Pica noticed that his long curly hair was tied back, fixed with a silver ivy vine that wound around it. He had an aura of great calm and light, and she knew all at once this Fay had come in answer to her heathen prayer.

Across his shoulder he carried a canvas sack, tied at the top with red ribbon. He placed the sack on to the floor and addressed her thus:

“Your son has important work in this World ahead of him.” His voice was gentle, yet firm, and her trust ever grew.

“Who are you, dear Sir? Do you know my boy well?”

“I am his Uncle.” he answered casually - now with his attention towards Francis he looked past her and was distracted by what he saw.

“I heard your call when I was in the neighbouring forest … it lies beside your world and mine …" here his voice trailed off, once again.


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Once Bitten

At the age of five, young Francis was taken on an excursion into the crowded city accompanying his father on a wool sampling expedition. He was very excited to see the crowds and smell the foods, and be with the papa that he cherished so well.

During this outing little Francesco had been bitten by a mongrel dog, and although the nip was slight, and the wound quick healed, he cried all the way home, nursing his afflicted arm.

Over the days to follow the wound suppurated and the little child drew a fever. He took to bed ailing with the tepid inoculation of canine madness.

There was nought to be done. The town’s physician maintained that the boy could not be saved from this situation, and, with taking his fee for this expert consultation, he went on his way, leaving the boy to die a hapless death.

His little arm had blackened and Franco had now become unconscious. He could not take any food, nor feel the fatigue of his sickness. He had slumped into that place between worlds - half in, half out - betwixt earth and Heaven.

Pietro had said that he must go away, but in truth it was not his business that drew him away from his little boy - rather, his fear of what was to come led him swiftly out the door and back into his world - leaving the forlorn Pica alone with her dying son.

She did not mind this as one might think. Pica sought solitude in such times of extreme sadness. She could now have every moment left with little Francis to herself.

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Red Eyes Fixed Upon Them

Francis bent down, patted the blackened head of the dead elephant, untied his cross from its crown and slipped it back on.

Meanwhile the imp had slid down the back of his new mount and was dry humping the man from behind.

This would never do thought Francis to himself. I cannot vacate now - but this situation is far beyond my expertise.

I do not perform such magic, he thought further, for it never ends well. There is simply no safe place to send twelve demons to, for us to be cleared of them. They are scoundrels and troublesome wherever they be.

Their red eyes fixed upon them. Two were standing on their rides and mimicking the gestures of Toby as he spoke.


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

A Troubled Tobias

A troubled Tobias bethought humour might lift the moment. He pointed to his own stout frame and then idled up beside one of the bulbous creatures that was rocking side to side on the spot, agitated.

“Step back”, quietly spoke Francis, who pushed him aside - and taking his cross from his own neck planted it onto the crown of the elephant central to the tusks. The animal screamed, turned black as pit, and dropped to the ground.

Happleganger gasped, “What have you done! You have cost us irreplaceably!” He scowled a hellish scowl.

Francis noted that the imp was now upon the man’s shoulder making faces at him. Its wiry hands were plucking at the grey greasy hairs, provoking Happleganger, unconsciously, all the more.

Murmur and Tobias could see that this was not going well.


- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Unholy Demons

Francesco looked upon the twelve wrinkled pygmies [elephants], seeing something that the others could not see - twelve dark characters were astride them - unholy demons, black and with spindle limbs and thin bodies, long fingers, ears and jaws - nakedly exposing themselves - their characters aggressive and lewd.

It was clear to him that they had dominance over the creatures and were the cause of their natures turning so murderously violent. It was not unusual for any animal to be partnered with a maleficent entity or nature spirit, usually benign - however these beings were astoundingly conscious of their evil and promoting idiocy with their wants and way.

He had not experienced an actual encounter with this variety before - in passing Francis had kept his distance, when one or two were to be found in mischief attracted to taverns, fights and the like.

Although he was not frightened, their ungodliness terrored him throughout. His party looked on wondering why Francis was taking so long, seemingly just standing there.

He pondered: If I loose them from the elephants, the elephants will surely die. Yet if I leave them be, the elephants will continue on as before.

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Faerie Element

“I want you to teach them to dance”, he said most optimistically.

“Teach who?" asked Francis, who was still windswept by an inexplicable intuition.

“Are you bewildered my boy? I heard that you had talents with the animals and that is precisely why I enlisted you, entrusted you as I have done.”

“This I cannot do Sir - regardless of your generosity. I had been told you were wanting some peace to your train. Yay to this, but nay to dance.”

The proprietor had something of the gypsy about him. He had also a great faith in the powers of Francis and had all the while suspected the Faerie element to be within his nature.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Minatures

“I like to show animals of the smallest proportion” - explained Happleganger proudly.

He pointed to a box that was hooded with fabric, and with a theatrical flourish, lifted the tiny curtain flap to expose a cage with rabbits the size of mice within. Fully furred, the tiny creatures blinked as the light woke them. Tobias leaned forward with delight. Francis felt a shiver … it was as though another convergence had occurred - a dejavu in reserve just swept over his soul. Happleganger replaced the curtain and eyed them suspiciously.

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Twelve Creatures

The twelve creatures were impressively adorned with embellished dressings and ornate crowns strung over their foreheads. Faux sapphires and emeralds glittered their girth with one single ruby encased within the beaten metal, forged to appear as flowers from the exotics, such as were not seen in the common forests of Italy. Amongst some orchids bridled were golden bells which musically chattered with their sway.

“These are a miniature breed,” hissed a voice from behind.

It was the owner of the show - entrepreneur and master of the improv - Henri Happleganger.

“A speciality from the East” he continued, softening his voice from the strained sarcasm he had greeted them with formerly.

The Brothers bowed cordially. They were used to meeting with stressed men of commerce with their impolite sufferances. There were scales, often observed - with the calmness of faith at one, and the rages of commerce at the other - and a man’s demeanour would speak well of which ruled his want, and world.


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

The Sideshow

Coming down the mountain the Brothers could see the chequered tents in the distance with their crimson flags flapping. The sounds of a dozen elephants could be heard - screeching and bellowing like hellhounds in pain.

Their natures were misshapen - challenged by the welts they wore from countless beatings. They each bore golden adornments, with jewels that glittered and sparked in the sun.

Murmur, Tobias and Francis had none seen the size of an elephant, yet and were not impressed by the stout hair balls before them.

“They barely exceed a pony!” Tobias laughed - “Oh look at the little charmers!”


-Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

Elephant Trainer

“The elephants are in the town and need a new trainer.”

“What happened to the trainer that brought them here?”

“He died.”

“Oh Heavens be - what a sorrow for the animals. What malady took the fellow?”

“The mother elephant felled him, and then trod on his head.”

Francis thought more of this.

“I am no man of the circus nor qualified for this. I do not fear the larger of earth’s creatures, yet I do not seek out their company, or temperament, such as you describe.”

“But”, interjected Tobias, “they pay good gold for this service - and, ever since you refunded the coffers of Mother Church we have gone without.”

Francis looked sheepish. He knew of the hardship caused by his actions - and was yet conflicted about the righteousness involved.

“Very well” he sighed. “I must, if needs must.” He muttered - “Have Murmur accompany us … I may require his revival. When are we expected?”


- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances

MAN, YE ARE GODS!

“We are just waiting on the Powerpoint for the conclusion … my associate is due to bring it in any any moment. Ah, here he is” - the doors swung open and a very tall character hurried to the front.

“Dr Fabaceae - thank you for joining us this morning!” Puck exclaimed rather flamboyantly.

Dr Fabaceae nodded at the group and set about fumbling with the laptop to the side of the podium. A minute later the first frame was up on the huge illumined screen before them, with just words, white on black, that read:

MAN, YE ARE GODS!

- Gabriel Brunsdon, AZLANDER: NEVER ENDINGS: Second Chances