 *knock*
Check my teeth, fine. Quick twist, 'Not bad Socrates old chap if I do say so myself.'
*knock*
Honestly don't these people know I am making sure I am perfect. Hai-Reuben and Erle are morning people. I am, but only because Nate forced it on me.
*Knock*
'OK, OK, OK, I'm coming.' I holler loudly and tweak my very short dark hair. Smoothing down my smart shirt and trousers, I cough and open the door. 'Hey Hai and Erle.' We embrace in a loving manner. These people are who I think of as my parents, 'Come in, come in.'
Hai pats me on the shoulder, 'Caught you at a bad time, son? You did say anytime?'
'Oh not at all, I am just so pleased to see you. Can I get you anything?' I take their cloaks that go with their uniforms and hang them up. Hai is wearing the long flowing abbot's robe, purple with a silver crow on the front. His bird form is a large white crow. Many years ago he met another white crow and they had his daughter Ivory who I must introduce you to sometimes. She is bonkers. Lives on Earth most of the time. Erle is wearing a short sleeved thigh-length flared dress this time in a soft lilac on her chest is a large hummingbird, in shimmering purple. Erle and Hai are married which is a unique combination in our world and gives the wind element a special balance. It is part of why the planet Litae is currently so temperate.
Hai nods, 'We'd love a honey beer and some cake. I know it is a little early for a tipple but we have been travelling all night. We were hoping you'd let us have the sofa bed?' A little early beer before 8am is positively decadent.
I nod and head for the under counter fridge and get it out. 'How was your flight?'
'Great.' Erle smiles taking the beer from me. 'The wind currents carried us.'
'Advantage of your element.' I wink at her and take a beer for myself. 'It's ginger and walnut cake, one of Mac's specials.' Mac would I guess be my father-in-law being Nate's foster father and all.
We sit in the sofa are and begin to talk. 'Queen Erle, what would you say is your favourite part of Orkland?'
'I probably shouldn't love it so much but the crystal shield we live under, the Lind is one of my favorites. It keeps us safe but the light it produces is magical. I guess I should see it as a sign of oppression but for it is about looking upwards.' She smiles and raises the bottle to her mouth.
'What about yourself Hai?'
He pats Erle on the knee, 'My family is probably the cheesy thing to say, but Erle swept me up. We are not each other's first relationship but it a bit like being in an exciting whirlwind. It is a beautiful country with it's hills and valleys, streams and lakes.'
'What strengths does the wind give you?' I balance the plate on my lap and take a mouthful of cake.
Erle looks nods at Hai, who then speaks. 'Speed. We have an increased ability to move fast as we can create a headwind or aftwind to aide in our movements. Also an ability to sweep calm or anger through ourselves and others, we can control emotions well.'
Erle gets out her flute, 'This is something I value the ability it gives us with the wind instruments and the brass ones. The strength in our lungs is greater than the other elementals.' I close my eyes and let her notes carry me. I am starting to yawn.
'As you two are staying the night how about we all take a nap and maybe we can continue this. I have a few more questions but you two are yawning more than I am?'
Erle nods, 'Sorry that was my fault should have kept the flute until the end.'
I stand up and help them pull out the sofa. Throw them some blankets and pillows before pulling curtains round the sleeping area for privacy and grabbing a book to read. The Vinda Folk Pax. Peace for the Wind Folk.
I lost the blog. I don't believe this spent hours working on it. I had my interviews with everyone. SIGH!! I will reinterview everyone on Monday in the meantime I will explain just a little about my favourite element.
The Wind is the most lyrical of the elements when I push it out my body it produces clear notes. All the elements do but the wind is the one I have the most control over. The Vinda Folk live in Orkland. They should live on a country called Ceylonica but it has been ripped from them by and evil dictator. Orkland is sheltered by the Lind a magic shiefl.
The Wind People look most like humans - they are tall with dark hair and blue eyes. They tend to be calm people but are very able to stand up for themselves and fight back. On Monday I will I promise interview the Abbot and the Queen.
Hey everyone I am back sort of. Anya is still not feeling so great and I am keeping my distance. I so cannot do snot – I have this major phobia and it makes me vomit. Not that she is snotty but it translate into a general feeling that I don't want to get sick. Once she is fully back on her feet I am going to interview her for you, you really don't get much of her on this site.
I had a good week took Nate camping. The weather has been gorgeous so both of us are looking tanned and have smiles on our face.
One Wednesday I will be exploring the Wind Element. It is the one I feel the greatest affinity with and I will be chatting to Queen Erle and Abbot Hai-Reubem from the Order of the Wind. I have a strong connection to both of them and Hai is like a father to me.
I know everyone is expecting Socrates but I wasn't very well this week and had an argument with him. Think he has stormed off again. It is very rare I don't live with an author version of multiple personalities and have a collection of characters in my head of which Socrates is my character in chief. Don't worry he has legged it before he always comes back, I just need to bribe him usually with Nate.
Socrates came to me after I had finished my first awful draft of what is now Mayhem my first novel length story. He arrived whilst I was watching a John Barrowman video for What About Us – no idea how John Barrowman standing in front of a window with someone squirting a hose pipe at it inspired my character. He is however now just over six foot with short dark hair and blue eyes. He arrived fully dressed, fully formed and said hello my name is Socrates. Whatever he says I did not name him, he came with his label.
He was dressed as the Crown Prince of Covesea Island so I knew who he was, he was my main character's brother and he was supposed to be dead. I ended up resurrecting him with my next rewrite. With each successive rewrite his role has grown.
Since then I have written a National Novel Writing Month first-draft novel with him as the main character, a novella and another novel with to first draft with him as a major character. He has been a variety of ages from seven to one hundred and fifty. From a frightened little boy to one of the most powerful men in the universe. He and I fight but I wouldn't live without him. Which is why I know he will be back ready to do his blog next week.
This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.
'Kaz would you like a drink?' I hobble over to the counter of the kitchen area of my one roomed cottage.
'Sounds fabulous. It's a long walk out here and I am aging. How is the recuperation?'
'Foot still hurts like mad.' I put the kettle on, 'It was bloody stupid. Just guess you are going to want to reprimand me over it?'
Kaz nods his head, 'I cannot have my masters brawling in public. Especially when your opponent is the Monarch of the Order of the Sea. What the hell were you and Angus going at this time?'
I blush a little as I pour the hot water onto the ginger tea bags, 'Umm … I'm blaming Anya for this bloody mess. She was the one that brought up Baby Oren scribbling on my book. Well it happened and I tackled Angus.' He puts the kettle back down, 'Biscuits? Anyway turns out it was Matt's kid that did it when he borrowed my book. Angus was furious with me for thinking he would let it happen on his watch.'
'Not good enough, Soc. You've missed three weeks of work. I'll see you in my office once you can get there. Anyway that isn't why I am here. Understand Anya wants you to interview me about the Order of the Sea.'
'Yep.' We sit down on the navy blue glass table and I hand him the white mug with green sea-eagle outlined on it. My own has my gold swan. 'So Kaz tell me how the order was founded?'
'My mother was the Mother-Abbess Izanami the second being in all creation, she had several sons and daughters with my father, Fly and a few with other Litaerens. She gave us all special attributes and allied us to natural phenomena on the planet Litae. I was given care of the De'il Sea from whence we all came. I began the order so that the native indigenous people would have somewhere to retreat if they were persecuted by the humans that came to Litae from Earth.'
'Now you are famous for your revolting food?'
The Abbot rubs his belly, 'It isn't disgusting it is the food that fits our metabolism. The metabolism of a pre-mortal is slower than that of a mortal. Until we have a child we take longer to heal and have a tendency to be overweight.' He licks his lips, 'For me it is the ultimate in comfort food.'
'What is in the poo juice?'
'How mature of you.' The Abbot takes a sip from his tea, 'It is a variety of vegetables grown in the soil near the sea with seaweed as fertiliser. Scrummy.'
'We have been friends a long time. You mentored me as a teen, why do you think most people see you as scary?' I take a biscuit.
His eyebrows arch and he places his face in front of mine. His eyes are twinkling, 'Reckon you might be one of them on Monday when you are in my office.'
I bite down on my biscuit, 'Very funny, Kaz, have a biscuit.' I hand him the plate.
He takes one, 'I am eight-hundred-years-old, almost the oldest person on the planet. It makes me a little bizarre and I don't care. Added to that I have a position of power in our society. Being headmaster helps I get to terrify you all as seven-year olds. It sticks with most of the boys in Seatown throughout their adulthood.' He stands up, 'Anyway I need to get back. You look after yourself, Soc and I will see you when your foot is up to walking to school.' He closes his eyes and vanishes.
This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.  'Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day, oh what …. the hell? Hey what does Anya think she is playing at, right now I am having a shower … give me a minute will you. I don't mind nudity but there are kiddies wandering around this site. Honestly! OK at least I have a towel on. I'm not late, I so should not be live for at least another hour. Have you seen the new role my swan form has in Anya's new children's story - not bad, almost approve. To think I nearly talked her out of writing about other swans. I like that job - nothing nasty happens to me and I get to help people out. Not sure how I feel about Cobbley being reduced to just Cobb though.
Today I thought we were doing the sea elementals. They come from Covesea Island where I was born. They are called Hai-ji and tend to wear long fighting robes. They have bright cherry-red hair that fades to baby pink as they age. Their eyes are sea-blue or green. Height wise for Litaerens they are short, only humans come shorter. They are around six-foot-two to six-foot-five. Their leader is the Abbot of the Order of the sea.
Covesea Island is beautiful – it is considered the very heart of the universe everything else revolves around it. It is surrounded by the De'il Sea which legend teach if from where all creatures in the universe were created. The fields are fertile and the island itself is almost totally self suffcient for food and fuel. It is the only place in the universe where the mysterious and precious jing-ore can be found. A small amount powers the country for a long time. On Monday I will be interviewing Abbot Alexander Kazuto and his son Prior Mark Kazuto Shun. Both have the brightest cherry-red hair you have ever seen. As Angus says you meet them and see red hair, green eyes then after they have finished dazzling you, you notice they have a face and body as well.
OK that is me dressed. Jeans and t-shirt today, got a day off from work. Mid-term as well, ok have a confession me and Angus had a set to. Not a big fight but he stood on my foot bugger is so big he broke my toes. Now I need to do an undignified hobble back to the sofa. Good news is Nate is still home, hoping for a cake, beer and an morning reading a book. It is only bloody 5.30am. You would think with me injured he would have let me lie in. No – Nate is half sparrow and he gets up
every morning he sings very loudly. He has a beautiful tenor singing voice, but when he starts turning cartwheels round the room it descends into something that hurts my ears. At least he didn't suggest a swim in the sea this morning, it is almost freezing here. Well OK cold for a temperate place, Nate reckons I am a wimp, but I don't care would rather have sand up me backside in a desert than have my bits drop off in the sea. OK see you lot Monday time for me to spend the day lounging on the sofa, kind of hoping the Abbot will give me the rest of the week off but he has suggested I could ride my horse, Jedra in tomorrow. In the meantime this wicked bod is being allowed to rest.
 Read about the adventures of THE GREAT WHITE SWAN OF THE EAST in Mauve the Mystical Mermaid
Welcome to my extra blog for the week. Today I will be interviewing my very good friends Fyren and Blayze Sawyl. Fyren is the Crown Prince of Scotia, a large country to the North of Covesea Island. When I was around ten they were exiled from their country and came to live on Covesea Island. We attended the same school, but they were younger than me.
Socrates: So Fyren and Blayze is the fire elemental reputation for being amazing lovers justified?
Fyren: Of course. (Fyren leans forward and lays his hand on Socrates knee), wanna try it big boy? You can feel the warmth from me spreading through your body can't you? (Fyren winks).
Socrates: (Purses his lips and grins), You prepared to take on Nate for my love? Always fancied having my affection fought over.
Fyren: (hold his hands up): OK, OK. I like my head attached to my body. (he pulls a face and holds onto his throat) Shame though, you are one handsome specimen. (he blows Socrates a kiss)
Blayze: Ahem! When you two are finished cavorting would you like a glass of Port Red?
Socrates: Just a little one, I'm a bit of a light weight when it comes to my liquor. (He gets out three crystal shot glasses).
(Blayze gets out a dark-blue glass bottle from his bag and pours the bright red liquid into the glasses. A strong smoky aroma fills the air).
Fyren: Shame Nate isn't here enough of that stuff and we could consider a threesome.
Socrates (comically rolls his eyes): Honestly. Anyway before I partake and spend the next five minutes coughing perhaps you can tell me more about your homeland? (he closes his eyes and knocks it back. He goes bright red as he fights to contain the cough),
Fyren: Well we used to live in the main city Glassburgh. Producing Port Red and other aphrodisiacs form part of the main industry. Our country is powered by the large volcano. All fire elemental people who practice the yang-qi meditation have a connection to it and can project heat. When we are angry we have to be careful not to touch each other as it can cause blistering and nasty burns. This makes for a fun peaceful society. When the royal family and elemental abbot were ousted it was done fairly peacefully with a vote. A fire elemental war is nasty and we have no desire to return to the time when Scotia was charred and in ruins. Our family opted to accept exile rather than cause problems. (he winks) But then Socrates my dear in one of Anya's stories you experienced a slap of an angry fire elemental.
Socrates: (touches his cheek) By all accounts I will be scarred permenantly.
Fyren: (touches Socrates cheek lightly) Ouch sorry didn't realise she was going to do that to you. How on earth did we get lumbered with her as an author. Oh did you hear Blayze and me are getting a bigger role in a story she has planned?
Socrates: (grits his teeth) I know every time she plots a story she marginalises me again. You know Nate has weedled his way into a bigger part.
Blayze (laughs): Bet that made your home life fun.
Socrates: Anyway gentlemen I am sure we will meet again soon but that is our time over. If anyone reading would like to ask Blayze and Fyren more questions please leave a comment and I will get them to answer them for you.
I am in trouble. Anya says I should not have nagged her for solo blog space if I was going to moan about it, but I had a sleepless night last night. I am dog tired. My partner is home for the first time in weeks and Anya is annoyed with me.
Anya has been up the wall this week says she doesn't feel very well. Something about Volcanic ash making her Fibromyalga worse. I am feeling neglected she has been working on her other characters and not given me a second thought. Gus and Iris do seem really fun though. Looking forward to meeting Iris. I think maybe she can write a blog for me on the days I have better things to do with my life. .
As the volcano is erupting it feels topical to talk about the fire elementals. They come from the country of Scotia. Their main city Glassburgh is dominated by a large volcano that provides them with balance. When the planet Litae is feeling out of whack the volcano becomes more or less active. The fire elemental people are usually tall and lithe. They have flame-blue skin that flickers, amber eyes and fiery-red hair. As they age their hair fades to orange. They tend to be stunningly beautiful but have funny flame shaped ears. Their skin is warm to the touch, it can become intolerable when they are angry. I once made the mistake of making one jealous, had a hand shaped burn on my cheek for weeks. It never did heal completely. I mean all I did was eye up a falcon. I've never really been into any kind of birds either of the feathered or female variety.
Litae has five elements and over the next few weeks I will introduce you to them. On Monday next week I will interview my good friends Fyren and Blayze Sawyl who are fire elementals. In the meantime I think Nate was making me a ginger tea, it is time to go back to our tiny one roomed cottage and greet him. He has been away for over three weeks with one of his Secret Service missions, and I have missed him. It is so like blooming Anya to bring him back and make me work on the same day.
Anya has given me full control of the blog. She says she is fed up of my jealous behaviour and if I really need the limelight that badly I can have it. Only now I have it not sure I have much to say for myself. She is rechecking Mayhem for errors and things at present so I have been relegated to the big brother role again. Not that I mind, I like spending time with Angus. She is also working on his next story.
For those new to my blog I will do my best to explain who I am. My author was watching a music video one day and I appeared in her head. Fully dressed and with my name. She says I chose it, but I think Anya must have because I hate it. Think it's awful not to mention the stupid nickname, Soc. However of the trials she puts me through it's fairly low down on my list of gripes. When I first appeared she had killed me off in the first chapter of her first ever story. She rewrote the story to give me a fairly major role and bring me back to life. Since then she has written a novella about my childhood, and a few other stories at various stages of my life. I get jet-lag trying to keep up with the stories.
I met my best friend Nathaniel Smith at seven and we became lovers at seventeen. Life with him is good, although I do find it insulting that she says writing me without Nate is like writing half a character. Apparently we are welded together. I guess if I had to be welded to anyone Nate is who I would choose, so it's not a bad thing. I want to ensure you I am a fully functioning well-rounded male. I mean which half am I ? Bottom half or top ? Either I guess implies I am brainless.
In the new book, she has me as a schoolmaster and has given me the worst class in the school to teach. My brother Angus and Jack are always fighting. Why does she do this to me? I am not even the main character in this story, I don't get why I can't have a part which doesn't involve any kind of physical or emotional pain for me. Things only get worse when I am in the main character role. Right now she is trying an experiment with Nate, Angus and myself in main character position, each telling our story. She wants to start it with a fight between Angus and I, so far we haven't let her do it. I am sick fed up of fighting. She needs to find a new start for this book – I won't fight Angus he is my baby brother. Anyway last time we fought it took twelve Soaring Warriors (soldiers) to drag us apart, it could get nasty and I have no desire to spend the book with broken bones and bruises. We are just plain not doing it, she maybe able to bribe my brother with cake and a night with his wife, but that is not working with me. Not even a night with Nate in a cabin in the woods is going to work this time. Like with all I get put through a petty argument with him over my nephew scribbling in a book would happen. No way she needs a new plan.
Next week I will introduce you to the Island I live on. In the later stories I become guardian of Universal Balance and become ensconced in the Sanctuary Temple of the fifth element.
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