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Publisher: Jan Cook
Bio Consultant | Good-Policy Advocate that Lift People Up | Follow Free MKT Thinkers who desire Policies that Support #Freedom | Momma to Augie 🐶| 🚫 Lists
- Kyle Bornheimer
- countries: USA
- Brief: A couple (Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani) experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery
- Year: 2020
- writer: Brendan Gall
The lovebirds movie. The lovebirds kumail. The love birds. Hahahahahaha... i'm not into romantic films but this looks pretty good, funny too. A lovebird is one of nine species of the genus Agapornis ( Greek: αγάπη agape 'love'; όρνις ornis 'bird'). They are a social and affectionate small parrot. Eight species are native to the African continent, and the grey-headed lovebird is native to Madagascar. Their name stems from the parrots' strong, monogamous pair bonding and the long periods which paired birds spend sitting together. Lovebirds live in small flocks and eat fruit, vegetables, grasses and seed. Black-winged lovebirds also eat insects and figs, and the black-collared lovebirds have a special dietary requirement for native figs, making them problematic to keep in captivity. Some species are kept as pets, and several color mutations were selectively bred in aviculture. Their average lifespan is 10 to 15 years. [1] Description Lovebirds are 13 to 17 centimeters in length and 40 to 60 grams in weight. They are among the smallest parrots, characterized by a stocky build, a short blunt tail, and a relatively large, sharp beak. Wildtype lovebirds are mostly green with a variety of colors on their upper body, depending on the species. The Fischer's lovebird, black-cheeked lovebird, and the masked lovebird have a prominent white ring around their eyes. Many color mutant varieties have been produced by selective breeding of the species that are popular in aviculture. Taxonomy File:Agapornis Phylogeny of the genus Agapornis based on molecular evidence. [2] The species with the red line is currently unplaced in the phylogeny, but does belong to this genus. The lovebird genus comprises nine species of which five are monotypic and four are divided into subspecies. [3] Eight of them are native in the mainland of Africa and the Madagascar lovebird is native to Madagascar. In the wild the different species are separated geographically. Traditionally, lovebirds are divided into three groups: the sexually dimorphic species: Madagascar, Abyssinian, and red-headed lovebird the intermediate species: peach-faced lovebird the white-eye-ringed species: masked, Fischer's, Lilian's, and black-cheeked lovebirds However, this division is not fully supported by phylogenetic studies, as the species of the dimorphic group are not grouped together in a single clade. Species and subspecies: [4] Rosy-faced lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis, (Vieillot, 1818) —or peach-faced lovebird Agapornis roseicollis catumbella, B. P. Hall, 1952 Agapornis roseicollis roseicollis, (Vieillot 1818) Yellow-collared lovebird, Agapornis personatus, Reichenow, 1887 —or masked lovebird Fischer's lovebird, Agapornis fischeri, Reichenow, 1887 Lilian's lovebird, Agapornis lilianae, Shelley, 1894 —or Nyasa lovebird Black-cheeked lovebird, Agapornis nigrigenis, W. L. Sclater, 1906 Grey-headed lovebird, Agapornis canus, (Gmelin, 1788) —or Madagascar lovebird Agapornis canus ablectaneus, Bangs, 1918 Agapornis canus canus, (Gmelin, 1788) Black-winged lovebird, Agapornis taranta, (Stanley, 1814) —or Abyssinian lovebird Red-headed lovebird, Agapornis pullarius, (Linnaeus, 1758) —or red-faced lovebird Agapornis pullarius pullarius, (Linnaeus, 1758) Agapornis pullarius ugandae, Neumann, 1908 Black-collared lovebird, Agapornis swindernianus, (Kuhl, 1820) —or Swindern's lovebird Agapornis swindernianus emini, Neumann, 1908 Agapornis swindernianus swindernianus, (Kuhl, 1820) Agapornis swindernianus zenkeri, Reichenow, 1895 Species Species (wild-types) Common and binomial names Photograph Description [3] Range Yellow-collared lovebird or masked lovebird ( Agapornis personatus) 500x120px 14 cm (5. 5 in) long. Yellow and green. Has blue tail feathers. Northeast Tanzania Fischer's lovebird ( Agapornis fischeri) 14 cm (5. Mostly green, orange upper body and head, blue lower back and rump, red beak, white eyerings South and southeast of Lake Victoria in northern Tanzania Lilian's lovebird or Nyasa lovebird ( Agapornis lilianae) 13 cm (5 in) long. Mostly green including green back and green rump, orange head, red beak, white eyerings Malawi Black-cheeked lovebird ( Agapornis nigrigenis) 14 cm (5. Mostly green, brownish-black cheeks and throat, reddish-brown forehead and forecrown, orange upper chest, red beak, white eyerings Zambia Peach-faced lovebird or rosy-faced lovebird ( Agapornis roseicollis) 15 cm (6 in) long. Mostly green, orange face, blue lower back and rump, horn-coloured beak Namibia, South Africa, Angola Black-winged lovebird or Abyssinian lovebird ( Agapornis taranta) 16. 5 cm (6. Mostly green, red beak, some black wing feathers. Sexual dimorphism: only the male has red on forehead and crown, females plumage is all green southern Eritrea to southwestern Ethiopia Red-headed lovebird or red-faced lovebird ( Agapornis pullarius) 15 cm (6 in) long. Mostly green with red on upper neck and face. Sexual dimorphism: the male has more extensive and a darker red on face and head, and the male has a darker red beak than the female Large part of central Africa Grey-headed lovebird or Madagascar lovebird ( Agapornis canus) 13 cm (5 in) long. Mostly green with darker green on back, pale grey beak. Sexual dimorphism: male has a grey upper body, neck and head. Madagascar Black-collared lovebird or Swindern's lovebird ( Agapornis swindernianus) 13. 5 cm (5 in) long. Mostly green, brown collar which has a black upper margin at the back of the neck, dark grey/black beak Equatorial Africa Nesting Depending on the species of lovebird, the female will carry nesting material into the nest in various ways. The peach-faced lovebird tucks nesting material in the feathers of its rump, [5] while the masked lovebird carries nesting material back in its beak. Once the lovebirds start constructing their nest, mating will follow. During this time, the lovebirds will mate repeatedly. Eggs follow 3–5 days later. The female will spend hours inside her nesting box before eggs are laid. Once the first egg is laid, a new egg will follow every other day until the clutch is complete, typically at four to six eggs. Even without a nest or a male, lovebirds sometimes produce eggs. Feral populations Feral populations of Fischer's lovebirds and masked lovebirds live in cities of East Africa. Also present there are interspecific hybrids between these two species. The hybrid has reddish-brown on head and has orange on upper chest, but otherwise resemble the masked lovebird. [6] Feral lovebirds are also present in Phoenix, Arizona, US and several species are found as feral populations in San Diego, California, US. Aviculture With their inclination to bond, they can form long-term relationships with people in tandem with their intra-species companions. Aggression is easily aroused in lovebirds, however, and biting may occur unless a bond is established with gentle handling. Provided with adequate space, a stimulating environment, and appropriate nutrition, a lovebird can become a cherished companion parrot. They love to snuggle and often preen their favorite people. It is preferable to obtain birds bred in captivity, rather than birds caught from the wild. Wild birds may be harboring a disease, such as avian polyomavirus. [7] Captured wild lovebirds also may mourn the loss of association with a mate or a flock. Their age is likely to be unknown, and they may have an unsuitable personality for domestication. Currently, lovebirds are no longer imported from the wild. Lovebirds are not necessarily best kept in pairs, as their name suggests, although relationships with humans are then less likely to be as intense when paired. Birds socialised from a very early age, while being brought up by parents, make very good pets. The common practice of hand-feeding of psittacines, including lovebirds, without medical emergency is now outlawed in the Netherlands since 1 July 2014 [8] and lovebird chicks should stay with their parents until they can eat independently, with a minimum of 55 days after hatching. However, single birds require frequent attention to stay happy, and if the owner has limited time to spend daily with a single lovebird, it is preferable to give the lovebird a companion of the same species, or a companion of another parrot species known to get along well with lovebirds. It is important to use caging that is suitable for smaller birds as wider-speed bars can cause damage to these small hook bills. Lovebirds can become very interactive with humans, and when comfortable, will willingly perch on a finger or shoulders. Some lovebirds talk, but many will not: there is a chance they may learn to mimic human sounds if taught to do so at a young age. Lovebirds are noisy, with calls ranging from cheerily pleasant to highly irritating; in the wild, parrots must call to each other over long distances to keep flocks together, and it is through such signals that most of their communication is made. It is best to spend frequent, short periods of time with a lovebird, rather than having just one or two interactions every day. [9] Sexual characteristics and behavior Determining lovebird sex is difficult. At maturity of one year, it may show signs of whether it is male or female, such as ripping up paper and stuffing it into its feathers (female behavior) or regurgitating for its owners (male behavior: the male feeds the nesting female). This behavior is not a reliable indicator. The only sure method is DNA testing, however, some experts can sex them by feeling beneath the body. [10] Housing and environment Lovebirds require an appropriately sized cage or aviary. Minimum recommended space per bird is 1m×1m×1m. Lovebird's beaks are made of keratin, which grows continuously. Chewing and destroying wood toys and perches helps to keep beaks trim. Cuttlebones help provide beak-trimming and a source of calcium and other necessary minerals. Natural perches and special rough surfaced perches of varying diameters placed at different levels in the cage will allow greater climbing mobility and gives them a choice to select the most comfortable spot to roost. [11] They also require plenty of toys, such as willow branches, swings, tunnels, boxes and safe things to chew on and play with. Lack of toys, keeping the birdcage covered too many hours, and lack of companionship or social stimulation may lead to boredom, stress and psychological or behavioral problems (nervousness, aggression, feather-plucking, screaming, depression, immuno-suppression). Lovebirds are extremely social birds and will enjoy several hours of interaction a day. Without this interaction, daily exercise, a roomy cage/aviary, and many toys to play with, they may resort to feather-plucking, or screaming, and both behaviors can be difficult to cure. It is suggested that if the owner leaves the house that they leave a radio or TV set playing, to provide sound. [12] Lovebirds are intelligent, and if a relationship is to form they need a human who will dedicate lots of time with them. Lovebirds enjoy baths and like to sun themselves daily. Grooming As with pet parrots in general, the tips of lovebirds' toenails should wear down adequately by the parrot climbing over rough surfaced perches. If the parrot has an inactive lifestyle, however, occasionally the toe nails grow long and may need to be trimmed. [13] Only the very tips of the toe nails are trimmed. If too much of a toe nail is trimmed away, it will be painful and bleed from the blood vessels in the centre of the nail. [13] [14] This bleeding should be stopped as soon as possible with the use of styptic gel or powder. Sharp pointed toe nails that scratch the owner can be blunted by simply filing the point. [14] These procedures are usually done with the help of an assistant carefully holding the parrot wrapped in a towel. [13] [14] Diet in captivity A fresh mix (with or without dehydrated fruits and/or vegetables) of excellent quality combining various seeds, grains and nuts generally represent the typical basic diet. Ideally the basic mix will contain or will be supplemented with an about 30% portion of any bio/organic (naturally coloured and flavoured and without any conservative agent) and/or of any natural (naturally coloured, flavoured and preserved) pellets. Ideal basic dry mix: Home made: - 40% Yellow millet - 18% Canary seed - 10% White millet - 9% Peeled oats - 5% Japanese millet - 4% Safflower - 4% Buckwheat - 3% Paddy rice - 3% Oats - 2% Linseed - 2% Hempseed Or else a blend of commercial mixes: 1/2 typical basic dry mix for cockatiel parakeets and/or small parrot/parakeet species (i. e. Cyanoramphus/kakariki parakeets, monk parakeet, Australian grass parakeets, magnifiscent parakeets, Pyrrhura conures, small Afro-Asian ringnecked parakeets). 1/2 typical basic dry mix for budgerigar parakeets and other miniature parrot/parakeet species (i. parrotlets, lineolated parrot, Bourke's parakeet, grass parakeets). Cooked and fresh foods: These foods and goods must be offered as often as possible (particularly cereals, fruits, greens / weeds, legumes / pulses and vegetables), ideally on a daily basis or at least weekly. The pellet ratio should be increased to 1/2 of the basic dry mix when cooked and/or fresh foods are occasionally or rarely offered. Whole grains and cereals: Amaranth, barley, couscous, flax, oat, rice varieties such as basmati, brown rice, jasmine rice, quinoa, wheat, lightly toasted whole-grain Waffles, non-toasted whole grain breads (i. corn-bread, multi-cereal, 14 cereals, whole-wheat), al-dente cooked pastas. Edible blossoms and flowers: carnations, chamomille, chives, dandelion, day lilies, eucalyptus, fruit trees' blossoms, herbs' blossoms, hibiscus, honeysuckle, impatiens, lilac, nasturiums, pansies, passion flower ( passifloræ), rosees, sunflowers, tulips, violets. Fruits with all discarded pits and/or larger seeds: All are healthy and can be offered i. all apple varieties, banana, all berries varieties, all citrus varieties, grapes, kiwi, mango, melons, nectarine, papaya, peach, all pear varieties, plum, starfruit. Vegetables: All are healthy and can be offered including squashes and their freshly harvested and/or oven-roasted seeds. i. beet, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, all cabbage varieties, fresh beans, fresh peas, parsnip, all pepper varieties, all squash varieties, sweet potatoes, turnip, yams, zucchini. Because of their acidity, most veterinarians suggest not to offer fresh tomatoes to parrots, as they could potentially cause ulcers. Onions and garlic should also be avoided because the chemical compounds they contain may cause anemia. Celery is not bad in itself but the stringy part should be removed before feeding the vegetable to parrots. Mushrooms must all be avoided due to their very high oxalic acid contents. * Legumes or pulses: All are healthy and can be offered. almonds, beans, lentils, peas, nuts and tofu. Commercial greens and weeds: Mainly; Bok choy, broccoli and/or cauliflower leaves, cabbage leaves, chickory, collard greens, dandelion leaves, endives, escarole, kelp, mustard leaves, seaweeds, spirulina, water cress. Only occasionally and sporadically; Amaranth leaves, beet leaves, starfruit, chards, parsley, spinach & turnip leaves. All of these feature high oxalic acid contents that induces production of calcium oxalates (crystals/stones) by binding calcium & other trace minerals present in foods & goods with which they are ingested. Possibly leading to calcium deficiencies &/or hypocalcemia in minor cases. Liver and/or other internal organs' damage or failure in more severe cases. Wild harvested greens and weeds: Bromus, chick weeds, cock's foot or dactylis (orchard grasses), dandelions, erythronium (dogstooth), elymus, fescues, Ammophila (Poaceae) (marran grasses), milk thistles, oats and wild oats, plantain (the weed), poa Genus (i. blue, meadow's, spear, tussock grasses). Care must be taken to offer wild greens and weeds that are only harvested anywhere in the country side far from highly polluted areas (i. cities, metropolises, towns). Only avocados and rhubarb should never be offered because they are both highly intoxicating. * Complete vegetarian proteins: Produced by always combining 1 type of cereal with 1 type of legume/pulse and to offer during immatures' growth, during molting seasons and/or during breeding seasons (most particularly during the rearing of chicks) i. almonds + oat groat/meal, couscous + lentils, beans + pastas, quinoa + peas, rice + tofu. Soaked and/or sprouted cereals and grains: Aduki beans, alfalfa beans, buckwheat, lentils, millets & sprays, mung beans, pinto beans, red kidney beans, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds. Sprouts stimulate the reproductive system. So they should be offered occasionally but more frequently (bi-monthly or weekly) to breeder specimens in the breeding season. And on a daily or at least weekly basis to breeders in breeding-season rearing their chicks. While they should only be occasionally (once per month) offered to immatures and/or adult pet birds. Caution with only lima and navy beans which are toxic when sprouted but healthy when well cooked. Fresh water and a mineral block must be available at all times. Adding these foods provides additional nutrients and can prevent obesity and lipomas, as can substituting millet, which is relatively low in fat, for higher-fat seed mixes. Adult lovebirds often do not always adapt readily to dietary additions, so care must be taken to introduce healthy diets as young as possible (ideally weaned onto fresh foods before introducing chicks onto seeds). Lovebirds like any other parrots learn mainly by mimicry and thus most adult lovebirds will be easily encouraged to try new foods by observing another bird eating the food, or by placing the new food on a mirror. Parrot species (including cockatiels) are biologically vegetarian species. [ citation needed] Consequently, they should be fed vegetarian diets that are ideally supplemented with vegetable proteins provided by the combination of any type of wholegrain/cereal with any type of legume/pulse. Eggs (hard-boiled and/or scrambled) with crushed shells are the only appropriately healthy source of animal proteins. [ citation needed] Mostly for birds in either breeding, growing, moulting and/or recovering conditions. High levels of proteins (most particularly animal proteins) is unhealthy for lovebirds living under any alternate conditions (i. non-breeding, pets). [ citation needed] Aggression problems with other birds and animal species Because of their dominant and territorial nature, lovebirds should be supervised when socializing with other species and genera (whether it be cat, dog, small mammal or other bird species). Lovebirds can be aggressive to other birds, even to other lovebirds. Hand-raised lovebirds tend not to be scared and pose even more of a threat to themselves. Toe biting can occur when lovebirds are socializing/housed with small birds (i. parrotlets, budgies, and even docile cockatiels). They should not be housed with other bird genera as they can be injured or pose a threat to other birds. Pets and bird safety Lovebirds are very vocal birds, making loud, high-pitched noises. Some make noise all day, especially during dawn and dusk. This is a normal parrot behavior as flock animals, where they are calling to each other before the start of the day and just before they settle down for the night. Lovebirds are also very active and love to chew things. When they are flying within a household, it is wise to watch them carefully and protect any furniture, electrical wiring or anything else that they could possibly chew on. Try to place fresh willow or oak branches in a favorite spot (e. g. near a high/sunny platform) to satisfy this natural behavior. Other things to be aware of when keeping lovebirds (also applies to other pet birds) at home are the danger spots in the house, such as open toilet bowls for drowning, clear glass walls which might be rammed in full force by the bird, fumes from all teflon or anti-stick coating in the kitchen, microwave coatings, oven coatings and chemical fumes from regular household cleaning products. Interaction with other pets in the house must also be supervised, such as cats and dogs which may view the lovebird as a prey animal. Some people who keep birds as pets practice the clipping of the flight feathers for safety reasons as mentioned above. This also promotes tameness between the bird and the owner; the bird is unable to react to flee and must become dependent on its owner for lengthy travel. Lovebirds of different species can mate and produce both sterile and fertile hybrid offspring, for example Agapornis personatus mate with Agapornis fischeri will produce fertile hybrid offspring. These offspring have behaviors of both parents. It is recommended to only place birds of the same species together, or of the same sex for this reason. There are two lovebird societies in the US. Agapornis Breeders & Exhibitors African Love Bird Society In popular culture Songs about lovebirds include: "Reincarnation of a Lovebird No 2" by Charles Mingus from the album Reincarnation of a Lovebird In television and film: The animated television series 3rd & Bird features several characters described as lovebirds. 'We Found a Lovebird' is a popular band from Vancouver, Canada. The band takes its name from a handmade advertisement posted for a lost pet. Lovebirds play a symbolic role and figure prominently in Alfred Hitchcock 's 1963 horror film, The Birds. In episode 1 of Full Metal Panic Fumoffu, Sousuke Sagara makes a reference to love birds by saying they "die easily". Further reading All About Breeding Lovebirds (hardcover) by Mervin Roberts Lovebirds: Everything About Housing, Care, Nutrition, Breeding, and Diseases with a special chapter, "Understanding Lovebirds" (A Complete Pet Owner's Manual) by Matthew M. Vriends References Wikimedia Commons has media related to Agapornis. ↑ Alderton, David (2003). The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Caged and Aviary Birds. London, England: Hermes House. pp. 216–219. ISBN 1-84309-164-X. ↑ Eberhard, Jessica R. (1998): Evolution of nest-building behavior in Agapornis parrots. The Auk 115 (2):455-464. ↑ 3. 0 3. 1 Le Breton, Kenny. tting started. USA: T. F. H. Publications. pp. 84–98. ISBN 0-86622-411-4. ↑ "Zoological Nomenclature Resource: Psittaciformes (Version 9. 004)".. 2008-07-05. ↑ Mclachlan, G. R. ; Liversidge, R. (1978). "330 Rosy-faced Lovebird". Roberts Birds of South Africa. illustrated by Lighton, N. C. K. ; Newman, K. ; Adams, J. ; Gronvöld, H. (4th ed. ). The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. p. 236. ↑ Forshaw (2006). plate 45. ↑ Johne, R. Müller, H. "Avian polyomavirus in wild birds: genome analysis of isolates from Falconiformes and Psittaciformes Auteur(s") Archives of virology ISSN 0304-8608; 1998, vol. 143(8), pp. 1501–1512 ↑ ↑ ParrotParrot "What's that Noise? ↑ "Lovebirds-- Female versus Male" ↑ Johnson, Anne "Lovebirds" Birds and Ways, Pet Bird Magazine, Ezine January 1998 ↑ "Lovebird problems" ↑ 13. 0 13. 1 13. 2 De Saulles, Annette; Forbes, Neil (2003). Parrotlopaedia: a Complete Guide to Parrot Care. Ringpress Books. p. 73. ISBN 1-86054-285-9. ↑ 14. 0 14. 1 14. 2 Low, Rosemary (1999). The Loving Care of Pet Parrots. Hancock House. pp. 167–168. ISBN 978-0888394392. Cited texts Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World; an Identification Guide. Illustrated by Frank Knight. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-09251-6.
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[THIS OFFER IS NOW CLOSED! ] Hello there, dear lovebirds! I hope you're doing well today. 💕 It's that time of the year already! In honor of Valentine's Day approaching (and since my previous offer was highly demanded in regards to love and relationships), I would like to present another free (1) pendulum YES/NO question for as many people as my energy allows. If you're interested, please leave a comment below (as well as a name or initial, if necessary) and I will get back to you as soon as I can. I kindly ask you to keep in mind that, as usual, I will not modify nor sugarcoat the information that is channeled through our interaction. Given the chance that you'd want to inquire about a private, full or more detailed session, please contact me through PM's or my Etsy shop: Thank you! 💗.
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The lovebirds official trailer. The lovebirds paramount. The lovebirds release date. I'm playing this at my funeral. The lovebirds trailer 2020. The lovebirds vietsub. The lovebirds filming locations. Cover Book 2: Chapter 2 Book 2: Chapter 4 Are you new? You can start with the prologue of Book 1 here: Do you want to start at Book 2? Here's Book 2's Prologue! ***************** Nagoya, Japan Monday, June 5th, 2050 “Kiyo, ” I said groggily as I forced myself awake. She’d stayed the night, so I was prepared to wake up with her pressed against me. The beds in the boys’ dorm hadn’t exactly been designed for two, so it was a tight fit. It was a good thing she was so slim. “Mmph, ” she groaned as she cuddled closer. “Kiyo, it’s time to wake up. We need to meet up with Rose. ” “Nah. ” “Nah? ” “Too comfortable. I know I’m safe with you. ” “What does safe have to do with it? ” “I have some sleep to make up, after all those nightmares Saturday night. ” That was news to me. “You mentioned those. Did you have any last night? ” She shook her head. “No. I don’t have them when you’re there. I know if anything goes wrong, you’ll be there for me. ” I felt a very undevilish warmth spread through me. She was a fool for being so trusting, but it felt oddly nice to be so needed. She had to spoil it right after, though. “I also know you care too much about me to kick me out of bed. So, I’ll just stay here. ” I chuckled at her nonsense. “We keep having this argument. You can’t just sleep in all the time. How did you ever wake up on your own? ” “Mariko took care of that sometimes. Usually I’d set an alarm. Now I’ve got you to do that for me. ” “So, I’m your alarm clock, am I? ” “Yeah, basically. It’s just one of the great things about you. ” I gave her a nudge. “Then let me do my job. Get up before we’re late. You always take longer anyway. ” Kiyo faced me and pouted. “It’s better now, since I have some spare clothes stashed in your closet. Gives us more time. ” “Yes, well, I wish you wouldn’t. What if someone sees them? It’d raise some awkward questions about why I have a girls’ uniform and gym clothes in there. ” She waved an arm in the direction of her black jacket and red tartan skirts hidden in my closet. “Just tell ‘em you’re a transvestite. ” I felt my brow furrow. “Oh, so it’s as simple as that, is it? And when they notice that they’re for someone half my size? ” “Tell them you’re new to crossdressing and don’t get how women’s sizes work yet, ” she said matter-of-factly. “You’ve certainly thought this through. ” I couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of my voice. I studied my girlfriend incredulously. She was awfully dependent on me after just a few weeks of dating. It still struck me as so odd that she could entrust herself to someone like me. Then again, she didn’t know the real me at all. The Soren Marlowe she’d constructed in her mind was a much more decent chap than I was. There were times when I almost wished I was him, so I wouldn’t have to live in constant fear of discovery. There were some advantages to being a devil, though. It meant I had no compunctions about playing dirty. I freed my right arm from her embrace. It was hard to do spellcasting Position Fifteen while she was laying on my off hand, but I managed it. I willed the magic within me to coalesce around my freed hand, and it sparked to life in swirl of layered discs full of runic symbols. “Ice Spear, ” I whispered to myself. The carrot-sized icicle came out a bit misshapen. Instead of the normal, conical projectile, it was wavy and lopsided, since my fingers hadn’t been quite in the right arrangement. However, it would suffice for my purposes. “You have until the count of three to get up before I take drastic measures. ” Normally, I found her insolence adorable. However, I was accustomed to being obeyed. So, I cheated. “Three! ” In one smooth motion, the icicle vanished down the back of her flannel pajamas. I can still hear that shriek now. A decent man wouldn’t have laughed quite so hard when she scowled at me. Frankly, I deserved that slap. She didn’t say another word to me until we were riding down the elevator towards the school’s main gymnasium. “You’re a jerk, Magpie. ” “Well, I am your alarm clock. I was just doing my job. ” She looked up at me passively. “Does your cheek still hurt? ” “A bit, ” I lied. After feeling the lash from skilled practitioners of the arts of torture, a hundred-pound girl’s slap wasn’t going to do much to me. “Good. ” “My, aren’t we feeling vengeful this morning? ” “You don’t get how cold that was. ” She eyed me thoughtfully. “Hm. Your cheek is still red. Lean over. ” I played along and she kissed my earlobe. “There, now we’re even. ” “That still isn’t my fetish, ” I said. There had been a few miscommunications early on and she’d gotten the idea into her head, and she still “indulged” me occasionally. “Well yeah, but now it’s our inside joke, which is better than a fetish. ” The elevator dinged and we stepped out into the school’s oversized exercise room. Most of the facilities in the school would have sufficed for a student body for thousands, instead of the hundreds we had. It all seemed like a boondoggle to me, but it meant I had a good deal of privacy, which made my life easier. We weren’t alone, though. I saw Hiro and a shorter figure off in the corner, doing Our Father Below knew what. I was much more interested in the blonde figure jogging away on one of the treadmills. I’ll admit that my eyes may have lingered a bit too long down below, but frankly, the inveterate runner had worked hard on those legs. It would be a shame not to admire them occasionally. I pulled my eyes up and hopped onto the machine next to her. Kiyo joined me on the other side, though with much less enthusiasm. “Morning, Rose. ” Her freckled face was already flush from her exertions, but she turned a shade deeper from the surprise. “Oh, good morning, Magpie, Kiyo. ” “You sound way too happy for this time of the morning, ” Kiyo groused as she tapped a few buttons on the treadmill and went to work. Rose giggled. “You’ve only been doing it a few weeks. It’ll get easier over time. ” “That’s what they always say about running, ” she panted. “I assure you, it does get better. ” I’d spent years on campaign as a Captain of the Grim Horde, so I had adjusted to morning torture with Rose fairly quickly. “So, Rose, anything interesting to report? ” Rose was an inveterate chatterbox, so it was usually a bad idea to ask her open ended questions like that. However, it was a ploy to slow her down and let me feel like I was at least able to approach her pace during these morning workouts. She’d been running for so long that she could keep up a pretty steady patter while I struggled to keep up. She was never short on material, either. The British wizard had a large family, and she loved to tell where her brother Albert was stationed or how her parents were doing in the refugee housing in North Ireland. If I’d had a mind to, I could have probably learned interesting things about the Anti-Demonic League’s defenses for my eventual report to the Grim Horde. However, that would have required paying close attention to the other details that weren’t terribly interesting. I’d never met her family, so they were abstract names and nothing more. There was still a part of me that took a wicked delight in just how free and open she was with one of the devils who had destroyed her home. However, she was a useful friend, even if I’d blown any chance at romancing her, since she’d demanded a loyalty I couldn’t give her. Ah well. Kiyo was enough to keep me entertained. Rose finally interrupted her blather. “But listen to me go on. What have you been up to? Are you two lovebirds still getting on? ” “I wouldn’t… go running… for anyone but Magpie…” Kiyo hadn’t been at it long, but she already looked fit to faint. Rose had taken the news of Kiyo’s spying better than most would have, and had insisted that they were going to be great friends, since Kiyo had learned things she’d only let a friend know. However, at a level, these morning exercises were still a punishment for the couch potato, and I could see that Rose enjoyed Kiyo’s misery a touch too much. “You should be grateful that I blackmailed you into this! You’re doing much better than when we started. All of those video games aren’t healthy. This is going to add years to your life. ” “Yeah, but I have to... wake up every morning, ” she wheezed. “That isn’t… living. Quality over quantity. ” From the look on Rose’s face, you’d think that Kiyo had insulted her mother. “We’ll fix you sooner or later. Now get moving! If you have air to talk, you have air to run. ” “Save me, Magpie, ” she said plaintively. “Sorry, out of my hands. Rose outranks me on these runs. ” “Darn right, ” Rose said with a smirk. We went back to running in earnest, but honestly, it was damn boring. Even Rose had exhausted her topics. My eyes wandered, and I paid attention to what Hiro was doing. When the most interesting thing going on was Takehara, I knew I was hard up for entertainment. I finally recognized the man with him as the portly Headmaster Tachibana. He had taken young Mr. Takehara under his wing for special training, but it was the first time I’d seen them in action. Apparently training for Hiro’s out of control affinity involved heavy weights and squats. It seemed foolhardy to me. He was already monstrously strong for his size, as I’d learned in an ill-fated training duel. More power wasn’t going to help his control. I felt a pang of jealousy at the sheer weight he was lifting. It made me understand how Kiyo felt about her running speed. After a few minutes, he dropped the barbells and listened to the Headmaster. I couldn’t make any of it out. Hiro gave the Headmaster a thumbs up and focused. Hiro’s Immortal Form went to work, and the air around him began to shimmer like the pavement on a hot day. Then, it stopped, only to start again. He was flexing it off and on. I supposed he was trying to work it like a muscle. I wondered how long he could maintain it. In my experience, he could only use it in short bursts without losing control or passing out. I got my answer soon enough when he wavered in place and pitched backwards. My body was already acting before I was aware of it. My whims could be oddly heroic when they wanted to be. “Svalinn’s Mercy, ” I shouted, magical runes springing to life around my hands. The energy barrier, normally designed to block attacks, snapped into place directly behind his shoulder blades, stopping him in place. I’d stumbled back myself as the treadmill’s momentum carried me off. Kiyo had apparently forgotten her exhaustion and hopped down to steady me. “Are you alright? ” I took a moment to recover my breath. I gave her a confident smirk. “You should worry about Takehara. I could cast that spell all day. ” We wordlessly agreed to go check on the fallen student. Not that I cared for him, but my quick thinking was bound to have earned me some brownie points with the everyone involved. It’s more fun to play the hero than to be one. Headmaster Tachibana had already lowered Hiro to the floor, and was fanning his bright red face with his bowler hat. Tachibana normally wore fine suits, and I couldn’t help but smirk at the sight of him in the threadbare, undersized sweatshirt with his normal hat. He spared me a glance. “That was some very quick casting, Mr. Marlowe. ” I scratched the back of my head, feeling oddly joyful about the praise. It was one of those moments when I really did feel like the human Soren Marlowe. “Just glad I could help my friend out, sir. ” That was a dirty lie, but I had a role to play. “He’s not out of the woods yet. Ms. Jones, go get a nurse. ” “Right, Headmaster, ” said Kiyo. I’m sure she was glad for the excuse to get away. She was never great at dealing with harsh situations. Hiro’s eyes fluttered open and he let out a groan. “Nurse? No, I don’t need a nurse, Headmaster. ” “Nonsense. You passed out again. ” Hiro tried to wave it off, but he slumped back down when he failed to lever himself up. “I just need a drink. ” “You told me you were feeling better after you fainted yesterday, ” said Tachibana. Hiro looked down shamefacedly. “I understand that you’re frustrated with your progress, but hurting yourself isn’t going to do anybody any good. ” “Can’t be frustrated with progress when there’s no progress to be frustrated about, ” he snapped. Tachibana raised an eyebrow. “Pardon me? ” Hiro’s eyes widened. “Headmaster, I didn’t mean it like that. ” “So, he’s human after all, ” I muttered to myself. Rose knelt down next to him and took his hand. “Hiro, I know exactly how you feel. I struggled for so long to get my Stormbringer affinity under control. I still slip up sometimes. I’m sure you’ll get it. ” Hiro fixed the blonde with a glare that made her flinch. His face softened once he realized what he had done. “Sorry. I just keep hearing the same words over and over again from people. ” He took a deep breath, and as though by magic, his normally cheerful countenance snapped back into place. “Don’t worry about me, though. You’re right, I’ll get it, sooner or later. ” I know a lie when I see it. My people are masters of the craft, after all. However, I didn’t see any benefit in pointing that out. Not when Headmaster Tachibana was willing to do it for me. “You’re more than welcome to feel frustrated, Hiro. Nobody’s going to fault you for being a little down. However, you may have had a point when you were being honest before. I think it’s time to admit that our progress has stagnated. ” Hiro’s face fell, though he managed to keep up the mask that time. “I need them, though. I couldn’t even activate Immortal Form at all without passing out when I first got here. ” The heavyset teacher shook his head. “True enough. However, I think that raw strength training isn’t doing the trick anymore. ” “You’re giving up on me? ” “You can’t do that to him, ” interjected Rose before Tachibana could even reply. “If I can get over my block, then anyone can! ” Tachibana chuckled. “It’s wonderful that you’re all so quick to defend each other, but how about letting me speak before you jump down my throat? ” Rose looked away shamefacedly and backed away from Hiro. The teacher put out a hand, which Hiro took shakily. “I’m not turning you away. I’m just going to find you a more useful method. ” “Which is? ” “You’ll find out right after I do, Mr. Takehara, ” he said with warm grin. “Ah good, Ms. Jones is back. ” Kiyo was dragging along a slim nurse in her early middle age. “Right over here, Ms. Serizawa! ” The nurse let out a long, ragged sigh. “Mr. Takehara! How did I know it was going to be you? ” “Because I told you, ” said Kiyo matter-of-factly. The nurse gave Kiyo a confused looking before sighing and running a hand through her greying hair. “I mean, I knew it was him as soon as you came in the door. ” Ms. Serizawa ignored Kiyo’s embarrassed blush, handed Hiro a bottle of water and started casting some sort of diagnostic spell. My Mimic affinity immediately copied the spell, though damned if I knew what it did. The Headmaster made a shooing motion at the rest of us. “Thank you all for your help, but we have it from here. You need to go get ready for class. ” Rose hesitated. She had still been squatted down next to Hiro. “Hiro, just remember that you aren’t alone. Alright? ” Hiro nodded. “Thanks, Rose. You too, Soren. ” Once we were walking back to the elevator, I said, “He’s not alone, is he? Couldn’t be with me, so you’re settling for Takehara? ” Most people would have been offended. Rose, though, was my friend for a reason. “Rats, you got me. I’ve been in love with him since the first moment I spotted him. I didn’t turn you down because you were disloyal, but because I was. ” I chuckled. “Knowing him, that wouldn’t be shocking. He’s just barely good enough for you, though Mariko’s going to poison the next crumpet she makes you if he takes you up on it. ” Rose smirked at that. “I’ll keep that in mind. Though, I think that’s the nicest I’ve ever seen you be to him all in a row. You’re usually harsher on him. ” “That’s ‘cause he was jealous that I used to like Hiro. He can relax now that we’re together. ” Kiyo goosed my hand to emphasize the point. “I think that’s reason enough. Plus, he’s usually just so damn… I mean, darn cheerful. ” It was hard not to slip up occasionally. References to damnation and Hell were severely frowned upon in a world where the Grim Horde ruled. It was a taboo that wasn’t worth violating, even in friendly company. The look on Rose’s face at the near miss was scandalized. “When he’s being miserable like this, he isn’t quite so cloying. ” Rose nodded. “Well, keep it up. He doesn’t need more problems. Having your magic run out of control is miserable. The poor boy doesn’t have someone like you helping him out like I did. ” She raised an eyebrow at me. “Wait, why doesn’t he have someone like you helping him out? You are his friend, after all. ” My stomach knotted up. I’d been willing to help Rose out for a shot at some romance with her, which I have never wanted with Hiro. “Well, for one, he never asked. I wouldn’t want to insult his pride as a man by forcing my help on him. ” Rose rolled her eyes. “Boys. I swear, you can be so stubborn. ” “It would be easier if he could use his powers better, ” said Kiyo. “Could you try? He is my oldest friend. ” Damn those sad, brown eyes. “I don’t know if what I told Rose will help. I told her to let loose. He lets loose and he passed out. ” “That’s a dodge, ” said Rose. “Is that a yes or no? Please say yes. I’m just as tired of seeing him miserable as you are. It’s depressing to see him work so hard while we’re running. It just makes me depressed. ” “I mean, I’m already depressed when we’re running, ” said Kiyo. “You’ll love it as much as I do soon. ” Rose gave her hair a playful tousle, which I knew Kiyo hated intensely. She stayed sullenly quiet, though. “You get those endorphins going through your vein and you’ll never want to stop. ” Kiyo looked at Rose incredulously. “Wait, you like running? I thought you just did it to stay in shape. ” “Is it so hard to believe? ” “Yes, ” Kiyo said flatly. “Between you and Magpie, I’m starting to think that British people are crazy. ” Rose gave me a wink. “Well, she’s half right. ” Back home, that would have been an invitation to a duel. At the school, it required a different sort of jousting. “Admitting it is the first step to solving the problem, Ms. Cooper. ” Rose giggled. “And it’s so refreshing that you’re being so open about it, Mr. Marlowe! ” “Yes, open to the sad reality right in front of me. It would be a women’s size 4 straightjacket for you, right? ” We kept that back and forth going as we rode up the elevator, up until we arrived at the floor for the women’s dorms. “Yup. British people are crazy. ” Kiyo nodded sagely, as though she’d just uncovered a great secret of the universe. It was her way to latch onto odd ideas, and I decided not to object, since it wasn’t really my national honor at stake. Then again, considering who I was about to encounter, I wonder if she didn’t have a point. *********** Thanks as always for reading! If you would like to get early updates, please consider checking out my Patreon at.
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Signing a contract, Jack Torrance, a normal writer and former teacher agrees to take care of a hotel which has a long, violent past that puts everyone in the hotel in a nervous situation. While Jack slowly gets more violent and angry of his life, his son, Danny, tries to use a special talent, the "Shining", to inform the people outside about whatever that is going on in the hotel liked It - 843488 Votes year - 1980. It's so creepy. The contrast between the pleasant ballroom atmosphere and the underlying theme of insanity and murder. Are the guests just ghosts? Is this all going on in Nicholson's head? Or was he transported back to 1921? Nicholson is amazing. Here he is at the peak of his career. No other actor could pull this off.