Ani Was Writing

  I stare at my screen and finally heave a sigh of defeat. "I guess I'm doing a birthday stream at the end of the month, Amethyst."   Amethyst gives me a surprised look. I don't blame her. I don't usually commit to streaming, not to mention I don't commit to birthday plans. I keep my birthday stuff to myself, especially now that I'm past 21. "What's the plan with that then?"   I shrug. "I have no idea. Games, obviously. Probably building and chatting in Minecraft, then maybe some games with friends." I suddenly realize something. "I'm going to have to put OBS back on my computer, aren't I?"   Amethyst laughs. "I mean, that's the only think you know how to use that actually works well." She glances through my game list. "Maybe you can play some of that MMO you are playing. And maybe pick up a game or two you haven't in a while."   I nod. "Probably. When should I do it though? I ...

Mamma Mia: Chapter 9   “And now for more local news: Our beloved Mother Altamura has her hands full yet again as her own son -the young, handsome Arthur- sorry, as her son Arthur has caused havoc at the Cressidan School. Reports are coming in by the hour, ranging from harmless pranks to outright crimes. Security has been keeping an eye on him as he finishes his last local week at Cressidan. As the heir to Mother Altamura’s leadership, it is critical that Arthur maintains as clean of a record as possible. With that said, a few experiences add flavor to a personality that rarely exists in the role of a syndicate leader. If any newsworthy happens, we will keep you informed.   “In a related message from the MWS, the local annual apprenticeship selection deadline is coming soon. Students who are not chosen or do not attempt to obtain an apprenticeship will be subject to denigrated forced labor or assignment by Mother Altamura herself. So get those forms in and interviews ...

 Mamma Mia: Chapter 8 “And you feel this will be a proper appointment for both of them?” Mia asks. “What if you take my son under your apprenticeship, and I will take yours.” Mia suggests, “My son could learn how to gather relevant information and use it correctly. Your son -under me- could learn how to lead and gain some insight into what goes on in the higher workings of the syndicate. It will give Arthur all the information he needs to understand what is going on, and it will give Carlo a piece of the truth and how to properly conduct himself. Arthur as the informant, Carlo as the diplomat.” At first, Kent seems a bit apprehensive, but she also mentions how useful it would be to keep Carlo and Arthur close to each other and allow them to go on certain missions together. Then Kent appears more invested in the proposal. He offhandedly mentions his son’s loss of time to the conspiracies. Mia agrees with Kent while mentioning her own son’s disgust with the young Kent’s new obsession...

Mamma Mia: Chapter 7   The rise. The whip. The fall.   Arthur’s practiced tail whip lands just as well as the other ones. If he had a guess, he would say that he’s done this tail whip correctly at least one hundred times. It sounds like something Carlo would have been impressed by -if he wasn’t scrolling through chat rooms and informational rabbit holes on his communicator. “Why are you doing your ‘research’ out here again?” He asks Carlo after landing another tail whip.   Carlo stops fumbling with a list of information links. “Because my parents are going nosy about what I’m looking at. I don’t want them to know what I’m doing.”   Arthur comments to himself about his mother’s surveillance system as he retorts, “You know, the more you stay away from them while you’re doing that only increases the chances of them thinking your gaining stimulation from femoid pin posters from-”   “They already think that. I mean, not the femoid pin posters...

Mamma Mia: Chapter 6   Mia relaxes in her executive chair as the AMS press praises her choices. The Father himself sends her a communication personally thanking her -and Arthur- for bringing his son home safely and without drama. The rest of the press is all speculation: rumors and conspiracies the young Uccello dredged up, a lack of mind-saving medication, and a small inquiry about the legitimacy of the wild claims the young man made. Both the MWS and the AMS state that they do not tolerate babble of that nature.   She hears the library door open and sits up. She suspects it to be her son, but -to her relief- it is the doctor. “Dr. Khalil! This is a pleasant occurrence.”   “I am coming on unofficial business, Mia. May I sit?”   She nods eagerly and gestures to an open chair across from her. He sits and crosses one leg over the other. She relaxes into her chair again and slides a small dish of assorted sweets toward him. He holds his hand up gentl...