text:
What is ExpressVPN? ExpressVPN (ExpressVPN VPN) is one of the best VPN brand that can make a network virtually dedicated to a user so that the user can use internet privately. Why use a ExpressVPN? With ExpressVPN private, a user can browsing, surfing, downloading from internet freely, Without any resctriction / blocking! With ExpressVPN internet is wide open! Using ExpressVPN youtube, dailymotion, even adult video website can be open flawlessly. Today VPN ExpressVPN product, Free ExpressVPN (ExpressVPN Gratis) or ExpressVPN pro (ExpressVPN Premium) available in the market!
ExpressVPN speed is very fast. VNP ExpressVPN available for PC (ExpressVPN for computer, ExpressVPN for PC, ExpressVPN for Windows, ExpressVPN fro mac) and also for Android (ExpressVPN android, ExpressVPN for Android). ExpressVPN download can be done by visit any ExpressVPN website (web ExpressVPN) and click the link to download. Some ExpressVPN product can be attach in browser so they also called ExpressVPN browser. ExpressVPN online in the network when the ExpressVPN software switched on. ExpressVPN proxy change the proxy of a PC to a special proxy address. Sometimes a work place use ExpressVPN blocker to avoid network use freely, but smart user use ExpressVPN unblocker to pass the blocking. In some router, aExpressVPN can attach in wifi ExpressVPN (ExpressVPN router). Check out both of ExpressVPN free online or pro ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN company provide ExpressVPN free / ExpressVPN trial for customer to try. Free ExpressVPN or Trial ExpressVPN only give limited ExpressVPN feature. To get Full ExpressVPN feature, user has to buy ExpressVPN Premium. User can go to ExpressVPN settings to adjust as need.
Setup ExpressVPN is very easy, just download ExpressVPN from ExpressVPN link in the ExpressVPN sites, install the ExpressVPN setup file, and switch the ExpressVPN application on, so the PC or smartphone use internet as a ExpressVPN client. Because of need of ExpressVPN, a lot of customer using google search ExpressVPN with keyword best free ExpressVPN, ExpressVPN unlimited, link ExpressVPN, vbn free, free ExpressVPN proxy, free ExpressVPN server, best ExpressVPN for windows, best ExpressVPN for android, ExpressVPN iphone, google ExpressVPN, ExpressVPN facebook, etc.
How to get ExpressVPN? Get ExpressVPN by visit the ExpressVPN website, create ExpressVPN account (by register ExpressVPN account), download ExpressVPN setup file, install ExpressVPN, and start the ExpressVPN from your Windows 10 / Windows 8 / Windows 7 start button. And you can upgrade ExpressVPN trial / free ExpressVPN to ExpressVPN premium account / ExpressVPN Pro account if necessary. And in a minutes, you can have private network in your device.
How to download from ExpressVPN? Download Anony Mox / down ExpressVPN can be done using with ExpressVPN free / ExpressVPN trial or also with ExpressVPN premium. Download ExpressVPN is very easy. And download using ExpressVPN will be much easier using Anony Mox Premium. After register to ExpressVPN sites you'll get ExpressVPN Account (ExpressVPN username and password) and once you activate ExpressVPN activation code / EXPRESSVPN premium access code / ExpressVPN premium code / ExpressVPN premium coupon code, you'll have ExpressVPN Premium Account!
Create ExpressVPN account is very easy. ExpressVPN free account can be obtained after user register ExpressVPN as a ExpressVPN new user. User input ExpressVPN username and ExpressVPN password as ExpressVPN login to ExpressVPN site / ExpressVPN web access. ExpressVPN free download with free account ExpressVPN has several restriction. To get download with full ExpressVPN feature from ExpressVPN website without limitation, user need to upgrade ExpressVPN to be ExpressVPN premium, with Express vpn premium user can get link premium ExpressVPN to download with full speed!! With ExpressVPN premium account, ExpressVPN user will have some benefit
How to buy ExpressVPN? How to get ExpressVPN premium? How to upgrade ExpressVPN? How to extend ExpressVPN premium? How to renew ExpressVPN? These questions are very top searching in Google and others search engine. A lot of customer face difficulties to upgrade ExpressVPN, they search in google about ExpressVPN payment, ExpressVPN paypal, ExpressVPN credit card, ExpressVPN rupiah, ExpressVPN webmoney, ExpressVPN wmz, ExpressVPN bitcoin, ExpressVPN bitcoins, ExpressVPN crypto, Express vpn prices, ExpressVPNpremium account password, etc, and unfortunately they don't have proper payment gateway.
Because of the big enjoyment using ExpressVPN, a lot of customer try to find for ExpressVPN hack, ExpressVPN crack, ExpressVPN free download, ExpressVPN password generator, ExpressVPN premium link generator, ExpressVPN premium cookie, ExpressVPN premium account free, ExpressVPN premium free, ExpressVPN link converter, ExpressVPN link generator, ExpressVPN links, ExpressVPN mirror, ExpressVPN pass, ExpressVPN bypass, ExpressVPN code, ExpressVPN coupon, ExpressVPN generator, ExpressVPN premium link, ExpressVPN premium link gen, ExpressVPN premium pass, ExpressVPN premium trial, ExpressVPN reseller code, ExpressVPN premium login, ExpressVPN premium pass, ExpressVPN hotlink, generator ExpressVPN, generator link premium ExpressVPN, download ExpressVPN premium free, ExpressVPN proxy, etc.
Why must use a hard way to get ExpressVPN?? Today, the difficulties to get ExpressVPN Premium will be gone! ViooMax, the best ExpressVPN reseller is here! Vioomax is the biggest ExpressVPN premium code reseller / ExpressVPN premium account reseller / ExpressVPN premium voucher reseller / ExpressVPN premium reseller. To get premium ExpressVPN is very easy ! Simply contact ViooMax Customer Service / ViooMax representative and put order ExpressVPN, and you will be serve with our representative instantly, real human! Not bot! ExpressVPN prices in ViooMax is very cheap! Want to get ExpressVPN cheapest price? Come to ViooMax! ViooMax sell ExpressVPN / sell ExpressVPN premium account / sell ExpressVPN premium key in cheapest price, another reseller sell ExpressVPN premium in high price, only ViooMax reseller who sell ExpressVPN at lowest price! Sell premium voucher code ExpressVPNis our specialty!
ViooMax known for more than 9 years as best filehoster reseller, best original software reseller, and best ExpressVPN reseller sell ExpressVPN pro / sell ExpressVPN premium in best price and without credit card! User can pay in easy way!
Today, you don't have to confuse looking for ExpressVPN discount, ExpressVPN discount code, or Express vpn prices, because the cheapest ExpressVPN reseller is here! Buy ExpressVPN from trusted reseller. Buy ExpressVPN premium only from authorized reseller. Buy ExpressVPN premium account just from licensed store. Buy ExpressVPN premium key only from the best reseller. ViooMax is the only the online ExpressVPN reseller, the best ExpressVPN reseller from list of ExpressVPN resellers.
You can buy ExpressVPN easily by contact our representative everyday! Because since 2009 we have been online every and NEVER get a holiday! What are you waiting for? Contact us right now.
ExpressVPN Premium
How to Order ExpressVPN
Here's how to order ExpressVPN
Seng message via WA / LINE / SMS / Skype / Email (pick one!) with this format:
Customer will receive account details to transfer, purse number for WMZ, QR for bitcoin, etc
Customer send payment to ViooMax account
Please confirm once customer sent payment, the confirmation can send via WA / LINE / SMS / Skype / Email (Please pick the same option as the order one).
|PAYMENT OPTION [space] AMOUNT OF PAYMENT [space] TRANSFER DATE
For account in voucher code: customer should activate the code to the VPN software / VPN account referring to instruction in our email. For premium account upgraded manually : customer should change the password.
- Sign "//" can be replace with SPACES
- Uncompatible format can cause unread by our system
- By placing an order, the Customer is deemed to have read and agreed to the ViooMax Terms and Conditions of service


text:
Want to create a profitable Facebook ad?
According to a Wall Street Journal report, Facebook's advertising rates plunged in the past few months as the COVID-19 pandemic led to a drop in demand for the social network's ad inventory. Plus, the cost per mille (CPM) fell 15% to 20% because not many businesses are using it right now.
That means now is the right time to use Facebook advertisement and reach out to more people with a minimal budget.
In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about Facebook ads and how they can instantly help you achieve your marketing goals.
So let's begin.
Why Use Facebook Ads?
With 1.52 billion daily active users, it's quite likely that your target audience is already on Facebook. All you have to do is to reach out to them with the right campaigns.
However, in an attempt to improve engagement and usability, Facebook has been constantly reducing the visibility of business pages on the users' news feed. In fact, you may have already noticed that only less than 0.5% of your Facebook fans will actually see your business page updates.
Then, how would you reach out to your audience on Facebook?
With Facebook ads.
A few benefits of Facebook ads are:
- It's the easiest way to increase your business visibility.
- Unlike AdWords, setting up Facebook ads is super easy.
- You can set your own budget and decide how much you want to spend on marketing your business.
- If you already have an email list, you can target them precisely on Facebook
Who Is Facebook Ads Best For?
Anyone who has a FB page for their business and wants to promote it by expanding their reach can use FB ads.
FB ads work wonders if you have a powerful email list. It helps you target audience based on your list. This makes it possible to reach out to the exact target audience who might be interested in your business.
Benefits of Using Your Email List to Run a Facebook Ad
There are several benefits of running FB ads using an email list. Here are some of them.
- You already know your target audience.
- These users are already interested in your brand.
- Targeting them will encourage them to engage with your brand again.
Creating Facebook Ads Based on Your Email List
You can run your Facebook ads in several ways. You can either log in to Facebook and start setting up an ad or use an all-in-one marketing platform that lets you set it up automagically.
For your Facebook ads, since you're going to target audience based on your email list, it's highly recommended that you use an all-in-one marketing tool that offers both email marketing and Facebook ad setup.
Step 1: Set Up an Account With Sendinblue
Sendinblue is an all-in-one platform that lets you do both email marketing and Facebook ad setup.
Compared to another popular all-in-one marketing tool, Mailchimp, Sendinblue is cheaper and more efficient. Take a look at the best Mailchimp alternatives for more details.
Just go to the Sendinblue and then click on the Signup for free button.
You'll now be on a page where you can enter your company name, email address and password to get started. Once you add all the details click on the Get Started button.
You'll now receive a confirmation email, so go to your inbox and click on the link that you've received. Then complete your profile by adding more details.
Keep in mind that Sendinblue lets you start an email list for free with limited features. However, to set up an ad, you'll have to sign up for one of their premium plans.
Step 2: Have an Email List First
We're assuming that you already have an email list. If not, go ahead and start building your email list. Here are a few articles that will help you get started.
- Why and how to build an email list
- Create your first email marketing campaign
- A few ways to grow your email list faster.
Setp 3: Connect Your Facebook Account with Sendinblue
The next step is to connect your Facebook account with Sendinblue. For that, you need to click on the Facebook Ads tab on the left-hand side of your screen.
Now click on the Create a Facebook Ad button.
Now you can begin creating your ads. Start by clicking on the Connect to Facebook button.
This will redirect you to your Facebook account where you'll have to authorize Sendinblue to access your Facebook ads. Now you'll see 5 different tabs.
- Setup
- Content
- Audience
- Budget
- Confirmation
Step 4: Creating Your Facebook Ads
Under the setup tab, you can give a name to your ad. The ad name lets you distinguish between each other, so choose the right name for each ad. Once done, click on the Next Step tab on the top right corner of your screen.
You'll now be on the Content page where you can select a format and add your ad text.
Scroll down the page and add an image and a URL that you want to promote. You also have the option to add a CTA to your ad.
Once everything's added click on the Next Step button on the top right corner of your screen. Now you'll need to select who can see your ad.
You can either target only your email list, target people who are similar to your contacts, or target both your email list as well as lookalikes.
For the sake of this tutorial, let's select Lookalikes. This will expand new options where you can select a country. You also have the option to select a list. Upon doing so it will target all the contacts in your list apart from the once it will target based on the location your select.
If you only wanted to target a specific segment of your list with your Facebook ads, that's also possible.
Now move on to the next step by hitting the Next Step button. In the next step, you can set your budget.
You can also schedule your ad with a start and an end date. Besides, it also lets you set the amount you want to spend on your ad.
Step 5: Confirming and Publishing Your Facebook Ad
Before you publish your ad, doublecheck whether the information you have entered is correct. Once you're all set, hit the Submit and Pay button on the top right corner of your screen.
And that's it. Your campaign should now be live.
We hope you liked our article on setting up a profitable Facebook ad.
If you liked this article, you might also want to check out the best social media plugins for WordPress.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Know about a coupon for The Rug Seller? Help out other Couponit users by sharing it!
Shop Over 22,000 Rugs for Sale Online at The Rug Seller. Free UK Delivery & Up to 60% Off High St Prices on Our Latest Styles for Your Home.
Have a coupon code or deal for Therugseller.co.uk? Add it!


text:
We are passionate about providing our clients with a healthy safe alternative to traditional tanning methods. You will receive a beautiful golden brown tan that will sure to be envied by others.
Marissa Hicks founder of Beauty Bum has been in the beauty industry for years and knows the importance of taking care of yourself and not risking your health over beauty. Her goal is to help educate people on the healthier alternatives to looking good by using organic products and not relying on tanning beds to look good.
Why Beauty Bum Mobile Spray Tanning?
- Certified in Los Angeles as a Certified Spray Tan Specialist.
- Save time by not having to travel to appointments.
- Tan without the damaging effects of the sun.
- Organic products that are healthy for your skin.
- Flexible scheduling.
Book your appointment today! Or learn more about our unique process.


text:
Hi all,
In our business, we need to manage information about whether the ticket had attached attachment or not had attached? So I want a stored query to get this information quickly from Scoreboard. But I do not know how to define object lrel_attachments_requests in cm.maj, so could anyone help me this case?
Thanks in advance!
you can try to build query over BREL:
// have attachmentsattachments.id > 0// haventNOT (attachments.id > 0)
as workaround you can publish new flag in cr factory (ex: z_have_attmnt (int)) and update it on INSERT DELETE in lrel_attachments_requests factory.
Hello Yen,
Continuing this conversation here, as it is out of scope for Support as it involves design and customisation, but something that the Communities can advise on..
I very much like Timur's suggestion of adding a flag to the Call_Req table when an Attachment is present.
This brings it into the realm of a normal Scoreboard Query directly against an existing object, checking one indexed field only (without linking off) and therefore should be quick and simple in operation - provided that it really catches when Attachments are added/removed, of course.
Otherwise, even if you could build this as a Stored Query pointing to another table, I'm not sure that this is a good idea for performance reasons.
Some rules of thumb with Stored Queries:
I think some viable options are:
This document here contains the basic linking of the fields between tickets and their attachments:
How can one find out what attachments are linked to which tickets in the backend database tables?
This is the documentation on Stored Queries
Scoreboard Queries - CA Service Management - 17.1 - CA Technologies Documentation
Taken together, they show the chain between Call_Req.persid, usp_lrel_attachments.cr and the Attachments (attmnt) objects/sql tables.
Also, on a slightly different questions, but may be useful as a reference in this area:
Displaying count of active attachments in tab
Can we list attachment file in scoreboard?
Thanks, Kyle_R.


text:
Random Valduggery
Nightcat is a freelance writer who enjoys crafting short stories for her readers in the fantasy, mystery and horror genres.
Skulduggery Pleasant
OK so if you landed here, I'm assuming you know what Valduggery is. I no longer post fan fiction to DA or FF so, if you want your Valduggery fix, you'll have to get it here. That, and I'm addicted to cranking out new lenses.
For those who don't know what Valduggery is, go read all the Skulduggery Pleasant novels. Did that? OK then. What couple, platonic or otherwise would be the most fun to write about? Right! Valkyrie plus Skulduggery gives you Valduggery. There is also the term Skulkyrie, but you don't see it too often.
But here I'll post my own Valduggery, some links to other stories, and some lovely videos and art. Some may be fluff, you never know. All Valduggery used here is credited and linked back to the source, if you want anything removed, please let me know. Intro image my own scan of SP: The Faceless Ones.
Photo scan of my copy of EOTW
A/N: I don't own Skulduggery. If I did I'd need a shotgun to keep the legions of screaming Valduggery fans away from him. I don't own Valkyrie because nobody owns her. Ghastly is his own man.
Valkyrie sat on the couch at Skulduggery's house. Her friend and partner sat beside her, ramrod straight. She had been keeping secrets from him again, and he wasn't happy.
"I can't believe you won't tell me what you've been laughing about, Valkyrie. Visions aren't funny." She could hear the stern disapproval in his voice, and only laughed harder.
"But, but, this one is!" She wheezed. "It's the same one I had when I met you, I just, I just didn't black out this time!" Then she was lost to gales of laughter. She caught Skulduggery's serious glare, and struggled mightily to compose herself.
"Well, what is it then? What exactly is so amusing to you, Valkyrie?" He was still angry, she could tell that from his voice and the way he was staring hard at her. She sighed, composed herself.
"I had the same vision just now, I had then. I, well, I get married in the vision." She couldn't help the giggles that followed, or her shoulders shaking. She truly couldn't.
"Married? You're only twenty two! You're far too young to even think of such a thing. I absolutely forbid you to do anything of the sort." He was glaring at her now, she could tell.
"I don't want to get married Skulduggery. I mean, maybe I do, but, it's confusing, OK? I just, well, it's just funny that's all." She started to laugh again, but softer this time, more in control.
"And why, pray tell, is marriage funny? It isn't a joke or a game, Valkyrie. Marriage is a very serious proposition. Don't smile, I'm not joking. You're very foolish indeed if you find any of this funny." He folded his arms and looked away, clearly to him the conversation was over.
Valkyrie got to her feet, taking his silent invitation to leave. But before she went, she figured she did owe her partner and best friend an answer. "It isn't marriage that's funny, Skulduggery, it's who I marry in the vision. I find it funny, because, well, he'd never marry me."
"And you know this because you're psychic now, is that it?" He answered, tartly.
"No, I know because I told him I loved him and he walked away from me. Well, goodnight Skulduggery. I'll, I'll be at Gordon's mansion if you need me for a case or anything." Mentally she kicked herself. Why has she said something so lame? But the Skeleton Detective sat in stony silence as she left, refusing to even watch her leave.
Next morning all seemed to be forgiven as her mobile rang. It was Skulduggery. Had he found a case for them already? Valkyrie groaned and tried not to wince from the early morning sun in her eyes.
"Yes, Skulduggery?"
"Good morning to you too, Valkyrie. I want you up and dressed in thirty minutes; we have a case." Valkyrie sighed and flipped off her phone after hearing the line go dead. He was still angry, she could tell.
But he'd never understand her finding the vision funny. Never know that she was really laughing at herself. At least, she thought, as she scrubbed her skin vigorously in the shower, he hadn't asked who it was.
He picked her up, the drive to the new Sanctuary was going to be a long one. So Valkyrie tried to think of something to distract him with, because she could feel the anger coiled inside him. Unfortunately, Skulduggery spoke first.
"Who is he then? Have I met him?" His voice was terse, his hands slowly squeezing the life out of the Bentley's steering wheel.
"Uh, yes, yes you have met him Skulduggery, and that's all I'm telling you." Valkyrie nervously picked non-existent fuzz from the jacket Ghastly had made her.
"Oh, and why is that? Do you think I'd disapprove of your knight in shining armour? I'd just like to punch him in the face, that's all." He growled.
Valkyrie couldn't answer, she was just too shocked. Skulduggery glanced over at her, seemed to take her silence for protection of her intended and continued.
"It's Fletcher, isn't it?"
"Fletcher? God, no!" she shivered a bit in disgust. "I do have good taste in men you know."
"Oh really? So vampires are men now, are they?"
"We don't talk about vampires! And I keep telling you I didn't love him. He kissed me, Skulduggery! Besides I know you, this is a trick to get me to blurt out the name. Nice try, but it won't work."
"So it is someone I know, but it isn't Fletcher? Erksine then? He's good looking enough, but far too old for you, you know that, right?"
"No, it isn't him. And don't tell me how old is too old, Skulduggery. Besides he isn't THAT good looking." Skulduggery snorted in response.
"I've seen the way you looked at him when you first met at the ball, and every time since then."
"I've seen the way you look at China! And don't you dare say you don't. I happen to like him as a friend and I'm happy to see him because I don't have too many of those. At least I didn't go dancing with him." Skulduggery broke so suddenly Valkyrie was thankful for the seatbelt rule. He looked at her, the anger almost visible now.
"I. Do. Not. Love. China. I never have, and I never will. Don't you dare suggest anything so hideous ever again. Unless that was a feint, if so then well done." There was suddenly light laughter in his voice. Valkyrie wondered, not for the first time, if her partner was still insane after his encounter with the Faceless Ones.
She chose to grin at him. "Well it worked, didn't it? Now drive Skulduggery or we'll never get there."
It turned out that after the long drive the case had gone to two newer detectives, and Ghastly just hadn't had the time to phone them. He made his apologies, then ducked his head back to his paperwork, clearly dismissing them. Skulduggery of course, had other plans.
"Do you know, Elder Bespoke, that Valkyrie is having visions?" Ghastly looked up, startled.
"Visions?" He asked warily, staring at Valkyrie.
"Yes," Skulduggery went on "Visions of her impending marriage." Ghastly burst out laughing the same time Valkyrie did, pounding his desk so hard it shook. He tried to speak, but his mirth held him helpless.
"Ghastly!" Skulduggery said, clearly appalled. "I don't know how either of you find this amusing. She won't even tell me who it is." At those words Ghastly let out a hoot of laughter and fell out of his chair.
Sniggering, he pulled himself up on the desk. He tried several times to speak, finally managing to gasp to Valkyrie: "He doesn't know, does he?" She shook her head in response, tears of laughter running down her own face.
Skulduggery snarled that he'd be in the car when she was ready, spun on his heel and left. Ghastly winked at Valkyrie as she struggled to follow, weaving as the laughter seized her yet again.
The entire drive home he was silent, stopping once so Valkyrie could get something to eat. Valkyrie's laughter had mostly subsided by the time they reached his house, though when Skulduggery asked if it was Ghastly, she had to cover her mouth.
"No, not Ghastly, and no I'm not telling you."
"At least tell me about him then. Is he good enough for you, Valkyrie?" Something in his voice sounded sad, and all the humor left her.
"Yes, yes he is, Skulduggery. He's the finest man in the world and I love him dearly. But well, he isn't in love with me. I'm laughing at myself really."
Skulduggery looked stricken. "You should never laugh at yourself, Valkyrie. If he walked away from you he's clearly insane. He doesn't deserve you." His head dipped lower over the steering wheel.
Valkyrie smiled at her partner. How many times had she wanted to hug him in the last few days? To tell him all about the visions? She realized with a start they were at his house, clearly he didn't trust her on her own right now.
"Skulduggery, I..." She simply had no words. She couldn't tell him the truth. But she could try for an excuse he'd believe. "I don't want you to disapprove. I asked you once if you were proud of me, and you never answered. I know that means no. So I don't want you to think even less of me now." Suddenly she found it rather hard to see, and blinked rapidly.
Skulduggery looked at her in surprise. His gloved hand gently cupped her jaw. "I have always been proud of you, Valkyrie, always! I have never, ever not been proud of you. You simply didn't need praise that might encourage you to further endanger yourself. You died, Valkyrie, I lost you! I was damned lucky to get you back. What would I--" He cut off abruptly, gestured at the house and got out.
"You thought you'd loose me, Skulduggery?" He couldn't answer, he just hung his head and his shoulders sagged. Valkyrie couldn't help it, she had to hug him now. Well, had to hold him, but if she was careful he wouldn't know the difference.
Skulduggery sighed, held her gently to him. He seemed to collect himself, and stood straighter, pushing her away after a moment. "I still don't think it is funny, but I suppose it is better to laugh than to cry. As long as you're happy, Valkyrie, that's all that matters. I'd still like to punch him in the face though."
Valkyrie smiled, happy to have her partner back. So long as he never dug any deeper, he would always remain by her side. As they walked towards him home she engaged him in conversation about the new detectives and how they would handle their first assignment.
Little did she know that inside his pocket Skulduggery was toying with a velvet box, the velvet long since rubbed off from his nervous fingers worrying the surface for the last several years.
Skulduggery and Valkyrie-- Love Story
This is the first Valduggery video I ever saw on You Tube and I was smitten. I know after all what Romeo and Juliet is, so even without having read a single book or fanfic I was captivated. Who was Skulduggery? Who was Valkyrie? Did her dad really want her away from Skulduggery, if so, why?
If you've read the novels it still makes sense, because you know Ghastly would knock Skulduggery across the room for looking at Valkyrie funny. Even though it is OK for him to love Tanith. I'm just saying...
Bespoke, Tailor
Photo my Mortal Coil Scan
A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Ghastly, or Tanith. Here Val is about 20. Ghastly has quit his elder job and is back to tailoring. Tanith is back and Remnant free, yay!
Skulduggery sat across from Ghastly's worktable looking at his old friend. He'd dropped by for no particular reason, which meant, Ghastly knew, that he had a reason. Skulduggery was never, he reflected, what anyone would call sociable.
"Well, what is it?" Ghastly asked, as he pulled out material for a new coat for Valkyrie. He was still annoyed at Skulduggery for letting her wear her old one into battle against a dragon. What was the man thinking? All his beautiful tailoring, wasted. Trust Skulduggery Pleasant to find a dragon, then manage to enrage it.
But Valkyrie had come back laughing over Skulduggery's solution to the magical beast. She wasn't upset at all that he'd whipped off her jacket and got it incinerated. Ghastly Bespoke was. He sat at his workbench with a sigh, smoothing the material flat. Skulduggery had been nothing but a bad influence on her since the day they had met.
The day Skulduggery saved her life. He corrected himself. Ghastly knew Skulduggery cared about Valkyrie, that his friend would never willingly put her into needless danger. He knew too that Valkyrie would never leave Skulduggery's side willingly. At times like this he regretted giving up his Elder status to return to tailoring. He supposed peacetime was making him soft.
Skulduggery still hadn't answered. Ghastly stared at him, trying to read his reasoning in the hollow eye sockets. Skulduggery looked away first and Ghastly frowned. "Why do I feel I'm not going to like this?" He asked. Skulduggery wouldn't answer him. Now this was new. Normally the man never stopped talking.
Ghastly tried a softer approach. "It's about Valkyrie, isn't it?" Skulduggery nodded in response, still not meeting his eyes. This could mean only one thing. Ghastly put his face in his hands and sighed.
"How long have you known?" He asked. Skulduggery looked at him, shrugged slightly. "And you're here to get my permission to court her? Isn't this something you should ask her father?" Skulduggery's shoulders slumped. Ghastly shook his head. For a warrior Skulduggery could be a real coward when it came to showing his feelings.
He didn't even plan on telling Valkyrie, Ghastly knew. He was here asking Ghastly to approve but he wouldn't dare say a thing to Valkyrie. "You do know if I approve you have to say something to her. It isn't fair to make her wait this long."
Skulduggery's head whipped up in surprise. "What?" His normally deep voice coming out a rather high-pitched squeak. He coughed, recovered his dignity. "What do you mean, she's waiting for me to say something? What did she tell you?"
Ghastly smiled. "She didn't tell me anything, she told Tanith, who of course told me so I wouldn't kill you the day you got up the nerve to walk in here." Ghastly sensed Skulduggery's smile. He shook his head.
He would never in a million years have though of his two friends as a couple, but it did make sense. He could only hope Skulduggery would say something to Valkyrie soon. The door opened and Valkyrie strode into the shop with Tanith.
Skulduggery rose, went to greet his partner and Tanith came up to Ghastly. "They make a cute couple, don't they?" Ghastly said to Tanith. Skulduggery jumped, looked at Valkyrie. Ghastly could swear he was blushing.
Valkyrie engulfed Skulduggery in a massive hug, and luckily for him, he didn't have to say a word.
Misfortune by TheVooDooFish
This awesome art is by TheVooDooFish I just laugh every time I see it. Bad, Skulduggery, bad! The thing is, you know he'd HAPPILY do this too.
Valduggery - Until The End
The artwork used here is fantastic, most coming from Deviant Art. I'm assuming if the videos are still up the artists are OK with that. If you've read the novels you do have to wonder who started the idea of Valduggery. Landy? The fans? He's hugged her what, about five times in seven novels and x-amount of short stories.
Yeah, you can read Valduggery into the story, but you can read a whole lot of other things into it too. But I'm a shipper so I can't complain. Much. BTW, do you know he wrote a tad of Valduggery into book seven? What a song to sing to your partner.
Coming Home
Photo a scan of my copy of SP: DB
A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, Skulduggery, Tanith or Ghastly. The character description of Tanas Leap is based on an old OC I made years ago and never used. Enjoy! PS Yes, there's an extra vowel in his name, think about it...
I was so excited to be coming home at last. Four years of University behind me and I was going home to Ireland. I'd heard from my friends from time to time, but the one I missed most of all, Skulduggery Pleasant, had been silent for months now. I'd ask Ghastly or Tanith and be told he was working on a case, but this wasn't like him, I knew.
I caught a taxi home to Gordon's mansion and barely made it up to his old bedroom before sleep claimed me. The next morning I awoke to the insistent buzzing of my mobile. I flipped it open. Tanith.
"Hey college girl, good to be back in Ireland?"
"Hey, sis, and yes! I never want to leave again. Whoever thought of studying abroad should be horsewhipped."
Tanith laughed, God I'd missed that laugh, sure, I heard it just fine in America, but it wasn't the same as being home. "Well, hey. Ghastly and I want to take you to lunch. Can you be ready in twenty?"
"Yes! Civilian clothes or work clothes?"
"Mm, whatever you like best. But if you gained the freshman fifteen-" She teased.
I laughed and we rang off. The old clothes Ghastly had made me still looked as new as the day he'd tailored them and the fit was perfect. I was glad for that. I'd done my best to keep in shape, and there were places in America, even near the University to train, but nothing like Ireland.
I met them outside, Ghastly's old van rumbling up gently as I walked to the kerb. Tanith got out and enveloped me in a hug, Ghastly nodded as I got in.
"Valkyrie." He said.
"Elder Bespoke."
"Don't call me that, it's creepy. You're getting as bad as Skulduggery, who, before you ask, is out of Ireland on a case."
"But you still have us." Tanith put in cheerfully from the front seat.
We drove for a while, stopping at a small restaurant I didn't remember. Tanith confirmed it was new, well, two years old, which to us was new. What are two years when you have centuries to live?
Tanith stopped me in the dimly lit entryway. "Uh, look. We're also meeting a friend. He's been through a lot, and he won't say much, since he can't speak. This sounds odd, but do your best to pretend he's not there. New people are too much if they speak to him. But we thought getting him out might do him so good. He's been in seclusion for months now, not speaking to anyone."
"OK, does this friend have a name?"
"Tanas Leap."
We continued to the booth, in a darkened corner, I noted. Tanas, I assumed it was him, was seated in the deepest shadows. I could make out his black shirt and tie and grey suit trousers as we sat. But his face was hidden, giving only the impression of tightly curled hair that fell long and free to his shoulders.
Tanith got in first, and I studiously ignored Tanas, even though I could feel his eyes on me. He sat forward briefly to adjust his position and I caught black hair, a strong jawline and a sharp, long face. I think his eyes were brown but it was hard to tell when flicking my glance up from the menu at his movement.
Tanith and I ordered steaks, Ghastly and Tanas ordered the same. There was something about his name Tanas Leap. Sounded vaguely like it should be Irish, but there was something about it. Like it had one too many vowels in it. Now that was an odd thought. Tanith interrupted my musings.
"Thinking about something?"
"Not really." I lied.
Ghastly gave a polite snort of amusement. "Probably Skulduggery."
"Was not." I said, truthfully.
He waved his hand. "Actually Skulduggery wanted us to do some detective work for him while he's away from Ireland, and he hopes you are well. There were three things he wanted to know, and they are important to your partnership, all right?
I nodded and he continued. "Question one would be if you want to be partners with Skulduggery. Keep in mind at twenty four you could choose to work alone, or choose not to come back to the Sanctuary."
"Of course I want to come back. I want to be his partner. I don't recall it being my idea to go to University you know. Now I have a useless piece of paper I intend to burn or make a paper airplane out of, maybe both."
Ghastly sighed. "But four years abroad helped make you the person you are now."
"Yes, a person who wasted four years of her life I'll never get back when Uncle Gordon could have taught me to write faster and easier. But I'll forgive all of you for shipping me off, some day."
The steaks arrived and we ate. Even though I wasn't supposed to be looking at Tanas, the detective in me wanted to know more. I saw how precisely he moved as he did anything and felt a stab of longing to see Skulduggery again. His hands I noted, had the same graceful movements. But I flicked my eyes back to my steak a moment before I felt his eyes on me.
Ghastly looked over at me once or twice, but nobody spoke until the plates were cleared. I looked at Tanith because it had to be a world record for her. She talked almost as much as Skulduggery, but without his sudden lapses into silence.
I felt the mood at the table was tense, as Ghastly spoke again. "All right then, second question: if you do come back as a partner is there anyone Skulduggery should be aware about? He'd be taking you on cases for weeks at a time like before, and boyfriends tend to get prickly over that sort of thing. Skulduggery would rather you consider that now instead of later."
I shook my head. "I didn't even date or see anyone over there, ever. I had a writing scholarship, remember? That involves endless hours of fun, fun, fun research and living in libraries. The last thing I needed or wanted was a boyfriend. Besides I wanted to get back to-"
Ghastly smiled. "You wanted to get back to Skulduggery." He waved my protest away. "Fair enough, and he wanted you back. For four long years I've endured a basket case of a detective. He misses you, Valkyrie, more than you know. He'd taken to looking for you out of the Sanctuary windows before I made him stop."
Tanas shifted again. I did my best to ignore him. "I used to threaten he'd see me walk into the Sanctuary one day, years early. He'd fuss and tell me no, but all I wanted to do was come home to him. Fine, I said it, I missed him every day, twice on Sundays."
I heard a faint sound of amusement from Tanas and chose to ignore that too. The mood at the table seemed lighter, but I got the idea the third question was the most important. Though knowing Skulduggery it could be rude and insulting just as easily.
"Right then, final question. If something had happened to Skulduggery, if he looked different, would you still feel the same about him and want to be his partner?"
"Of course I would. No offense to Skulduggery but that's the most thickheaded question I've ever heard. He's my partner and best friend. I don't care how much the outside changes, he's still Skulduggery all the same."
Ghastly nodded then got up and I let Tanith out. "Fair enough. Get dessert if you like, it will be on the Sanctuary. Tanas will see you home. Oh you can talk to him now, by the bye." With that he left, Tanith looking back to wink at me.
I didn't even glance over when I spoke. "I hate them both so very much right now. I can get a cab, it's no problem."
Tanas shifted in his seat, slid over into the light where Tanith had been sitting. His brown eyes held mine, his thin mouth tilting up into a Chesire grin. He sipped his coffee, then looked back at me. He just wouldn't stop staring and it was getting creepy.
"No offense, Tanis, and I'm sure you're a wonderful guy, but I don't like being stared at. I'm aware you've been through a lot, but if you don't find somewhere else to look I'm going to be forced to hurt you."
He grinned, revealing slightly crooked teeth. Teeth that looked so familiar. Then he spoke, and everything clicked into place. "My, my, Valkyrie. Four years have done nothing to curb your violent tendencies." The easy amusement in that velvety voice, the way his head tilted now to study me.
"Skulduggery?" I breathed.
"The same, well not quite, but yes it's me. I look different, don't I?"
"That's an understatement."
He finished his coffee. "Shall we walk to the Bentley? I'll drive you home if you like."
I nodded, dumbfounded. He rose, collecting a neatly folded suit jacket I had missed, and a grey fedora. He shrugged into the jacket elegantly, then tilted the hat at a rakish angle on his head. He adjusted his tie, the whole time staring down at me in amusement.
"Ready?" He didn't bother to hide the teasing note in his voice.
I nodded again, not trusting my voice. I was fairly sure I would have squeaked.
We walked out to the Bentley. Skulduggery leaned against it and looked at me before speaking. "Disappointed?"
"What? No, never, Skulduggery. You just look so different."
"Better or worse?"
"Not better or worse, just different. Is this some sort of illusion?"
He caught hold of my hand gently in his long fingers and placed it lightly over his ribcage in a silent answer. I could feel from the beating of his heart he was excited, waiting for a final answer. a confirmation we were partners.
"Wow, indeed."
"Well, what say you, are we partners still, Valkyrie Cain?" He titled his head again, then held out his arms in invitation. I think if he hadn't had the Bentley behind him I would have knocked us both the the ground.
"Of course we are, Skulduggery Pleasant. We always will be."
Note to the Reader: I intensely dislike Skulduggery-turns-human as a plot device because I think it cheapens the relationship, is cheating as a writer, and discredits him as as skeleton. But if Val loves him she will stand by him no matter what.
Photo my own scan of Dark Days
A/N: I don't own Skulduggery or Valkyrie. Nor do I own Valduggery- Grenade. The Baron however is quite happy to be owned by me.
I was at an absolute standstill on my latest Valduggery fanfic. Not that the ideas wouldn't flow, far from it. But there were distractions. Rather vocal, nasal, annoying, but handsome, loyal, and highly intelligent distractions. I sighed and looked over at Baron Samedi.
He was seated in his favorite chair, legs stretched out in front of him. Only came for a visit, he said. (Never mind he lives here.) But he clearly liked the idea he just happened to visit on a Saturday. This meant he could ask for anything he wanted, within reason. (As if he wasn't fed daily.) Valduggery- Grenade was looping on the net, and I was trying to type, but of course he wanted to see the video instead.
"You see?" He said, jabbing a bony finger at the video. "That's quality entertainment. We should watch more of this. He's handsome, you know. But of course he is, because it is obvious he's me." He nodded to himself, chirruping happily as the art appeared on the screen.
"Don't you think, you know, if he was you, he'd wear a top hat?" I asked, not expecting a response as he repeatedly batted at the replay button.
The Baron looked at me, snorting in response. "He's a modern lwa."
"Skulduggery was alive, Baron. He had a wife and child he--" He held up a skeletal hand for silence, then pointed out the lyrics about ripping out his brakes.
"You see, woman? They wrote this song for you. You neglect me all the time, look at me. I'm starving!" He grumbled.
"Baron! I... I... You have candles, coffee and a food offering on your altar right now. And I do not neglect you. You own all the novels for criminey's sake."
"Only because they belong to me. It is clear this is me, woman. You're the one writing all the Valduggery, not me. You're hopelessly in love with me."
True, but I sighed in exasperation. "Because you like it! I swear, Baron, if we weren't married... Oh my merciful God in heaven." I covered my face. He'd changed from his usual tuxedo and top hat the the all too familiar suit and fedora. I felt the heat rushing to my cheeks. How could he make me blush so easily after all these years?
Just because he was right, just because every Valduggery story I ever wrote was about him. He knew it too, and preened with pleasure. Being the Baron he then managed to be behind me in my own chair, purring happily as he buried his face in my neck. I squealed in surprise, didn't even bother to fight the skeletal arms that looped around me from behind.
He'd pressed his face into my shoulder blade, murmuring something I couldn't quite hear, but sounded disturbingly like 'I love you Valkyrie Cain.' The writing session was clearly over. He was laughing, his skeletal hands gripping my own ribs lightly, clearly pleased with his ability to be the center of my universe.
"Are you going to be my little Valkyrie? Hmmm?"
"Baron! That's just wrong on so many levels."
"But you know," He said, his voice deepening and starting to sound vaguely Irish "I will always be your Skulduggery."
So we watched the video endlessly for the next hour or so. My best friend, lover, husband and lifelong companion holding me in his arms.
Say It Isn't So
Photo manipulated scan of my copy of EOTW
A/N: I don't own Valkyrie or Skulduggery. I do however own a copy of the art described herein. Val is about 24 here, simply because I've never done a story with her being 24. Black Roses Red is an excellent song used in a Valduggery video, and Say It Isn't So is a song by Hall and Oates you need to hear.
Valkyrie sighed, replacing the black fabric over the wall sculpture. Covered like that, you'd never suspect what it was. And hidden in the shadows behind her desk nobody noticed it. Not, she thought glumly, that she got any visitors.
She and Skulduggery were still partners, but they worked together less and less. So now, to fill the lonely hours, she'd started writing drabbles online. She liked them and was quite good at it. It helped her not think about the new partner Skulduggery must have. Or him surely needing to see China.
Even after all China had done to him, he'd still used her as a source and Valkyrie was no child anymore. She recognized the looks he gave her. Stop it. She scolded herself. No good ever came from thinking like that.
She also knew if Skulduggery ever saw the 'art' behind her, he'd put two and two together as well. But she never had told him. Clearly China was closer to him in age, even if she did help murder his family. Plus China had implied at their first meeting she had a past with Skulduggery.
Did he cheat on his wife? Valkyrie shook her head. The story was going nowhere tonight, she shut off the computer and leaned back to rub her eyes. She heard a rustle of fabric behind her, and whirled around, leaping out of the chair to land deftly in a fighting position.
But it had only been the covering on the art falling down. The skeleton swain grinned down at her, mocking her. His lover wrapped around him from behind. It was supposed to be memorial art. Memorial art her right eye. It was Death and the Maiden, redone.
She just couldn't face it anymore, seeing what she couldn't ever have. She'd bought the stupid thing years ago when she first realized how she felt, had kept it hidden away all these years. Now she had to hide it in darkness. It was better off gone, blotted from existence.
She flicked her You Tube account back on, went to a song, Black Roses Red. As it played she simply stared at the art. There was a soft sigh, and it blew apart into dust. The dust swirling on the air she manipulated and into the fireplace.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. She though, bitterly. Now he would never know, and it would be OK that he didn't call her anymore, or so much as visit. She dug in her desk, found the one photo she had of them together.
She clicked her fingers, drew flame. She tossed the photo on the neatly stacked wood of the fireplace and watched it burn. The song had ended and she saw a suggested video on the screen.
Say It Isn't So.
Skulduggery's POV, I think. Can any of you imagine him being good for any amount of time after he lost Valkyrie? You know he'd hunt down whoever did it and kill them. Well maybe tie them to a chair and get his revenge for a month, and then kill them.
How many times has he nearly killed people in front of her just for saying something he doesn't like about her? I find it sweet, though I'm sure it frightens the bejeepers out of some readers.
Skulduggery Pleasant- Evil Angel
The song fits Skulduggery perfectly, but since you know he'd hate it you can feel all anghsty now. How would Val please him? Sinatra makes her cringe, so does everything else he listens to, and he'd crash the Bentley if she played this for him.
Evil Angel
Photo my manipulated scan of Faceless Ones
A/N: I don't own Valkyrie or Skulduggery. The song is Evil Angel used in a Valduggery fan video. Val is about 22 or 24. Skulduggery has been downcast for a week and she's trying to cheer him up. Scene takes place in Gordon's mansion. And no, I don't know why a full grown man spends so much time hanging out with her in her bedroom.
Skulduggery Pleasant grabbed the sides of his skull and staggered in pain. He hissed, head whipping towards Valkyrie. She seemed amused at his reaction, but thumbed the remote and the stereo turned off. She leaned back in the bed, arms folded behind her head, enjoying his response.
"Blessed silence!" He breathed, still not fully upright. "You do know I have delicate ears and as a detective need to keep them in working order? Why on Earth would you subject me to that noise?" He frowned at her, then went to sit by the wall, head cocked expectantly.
"One it isn't noise, it's music. Two, I thought you'd appreciate the lyrics."
"What lyrics? All I heard was something that sounded like a tank battalion firing on me. I'll be having vivid flashbacks from the war for a week, at least. You do like me right? This isn't a subtle hint the partnership is over?" He was still massaging his skull, and his grumbling made Valkyrie smile.
She loved the sound of his deep velvety voice, even when he was complaining. Lately he'd been grumbling about everything. "I thought some good music might take your mind off your problems." She said, smiling at him.
"I happen to like my problems just fine. And that isn't music, it's something that should be banned under the Geneva Convention." Valkyrie laughed, and he looked up at her, smiling. She wondered idly how she could always tell when he was smiling. She supposed it was one of his talents.
But somehow she could read all the emotions on his skeletal features, always could. She was pondering this, when he spoke.
"Penny for your thoughts."
"Skulduggery, well, this is an odd question, but, how many people can read your face? Is it just me or is it something everyone does? You asked me once how I could tell how you felt and I thought you were joking, but I've always wondered."
She looked over at him, he had tilted his hat down low over his face. He sat silently for a while, then his head cocked. "I didn't know you cared when I asked, but as far as I know, just you. Other people try to and come close, but you seem to read me better than anyone else. I don't have a face you know, being a skeleton."
Valkyrie slid off he bed and went over to sit beside him. "Of course you do, everyone does, or I couldn't read it, could I? Lately, well you've looked like you're in pain, and I've been worried about you. We don't have to talk about it though if you don't want to."
He shook his head. "And here I thought nobody could discover my secrets. You, Valkyrie Cain, are an incredibly annoying young woman."
Valkyrie smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
He snorted. "It wasn't meant as one."
"I know, but your rarely give compliments, so I'm taking it." She was smiling, her voice playful. But she could feel he did want to talk, so she sobered quickly.
"Well? Do you want to talk about it?" She asked, head cocked in an unconscious imitation of him. He nodded, looking at her, seeming to notice the mannerism for the first time.
"When you told me you just could in response I thought you were making excuses. Still, I've always been careful around you, as I am around other people. Most of the time I don't show my emotions. I don't see any need to. But yes, I have been sad. And that music only made me sadder."
She laughed, and could sense his smile. He continued, seemingly reluctant to speak. "I've well, I've been with you a long time, Valkyrie, since you were twelve. Your an adult woman now, ready to face the world on her own. Simply put, you don't need me anymore, and I'm wondering when you're going to walk out of my life and never come back."
She gasped, stunned. She gripped his shoulder, firmly. His head dipped away from her, so she more or less addressed his hat. "How could you even think of me leaving, Skulduggery Pleasant? You are my best friend, the one man I can count on in this world to listen to and respect me. You're always there for me. I'm sure you have better things to do than be sitting here right now. "
"I've always looked up to you, you've always been my hero." She saw him cringe and her voice softened. " Yes, even after learning about Lord Vile. The past doesn't matter to me, you're my best friend and me--" She paused on the word, felt his smirk. "Mentor." She finished quietly, burying her head in her arms. She heard his soft chuckle, buried her face deeper.
She felt him start to rub her back soothingly. "It's all right, you know. You're supposed to look up to me. I am your mentor. I always will be if you'll have me. But I was hoping you'd think of me as more than that. Just merely a best friend and mentor? Only a hero? I'm shocked, absolutely shocked that I'm not the center of your universe, Valkyrie Cain." She heard the amusement in his voice. Just great.
"I never said you weren't." She mumbled, still not looking up.
"Oh ho. Now that is interesting. So what am I to you then?" Valkyrie groaned in response and heard him chuckle. He lifted her chin, looking amused. "Tell me if I take you out to dinner, Detective Cain?" He was smiling, really smiling for the first time in weeks. So of course she nodded happily, she too smiling at last.
She didn't even notice as she got ready that Skulduggery had drifted over to the stereo and picked up the CD case. Had she, she would have seen one skeletal brow cock in surprise as he read the lyrics to Evil Angel, even though the rest of the world would have seen an impassive skull.
She didn't catch the glance he threw at her either, or the gentle smile that settled on his features. It was going to be an interesting dinner indeed.
Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkerie Cain Hell on the Heart
OK, there is a piece of art asking why Valduggery fans have no morals, and yeah to them, Valduggery is creepy. But they weren't in love from the first second they met, geesh. Even as she gets older there is only a hint here or there, and who knows what they feel? But once she's of age, I say go for it, girl!
The Skeleton Detective
Photo my scan of Mortal Coil
A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Valkyrie, or Gordon. The scene takes place in Gordon's study. Val is about 22, Skulduggery is seated in a leather chair Gordon had for guests.
Skulduggery sighed. There were so many things he wanted to say to her, to tell her at last. But she seemed oblivious to him attentions. True, he was being subtle, but Valkyrie Cain was no fool. She had to know how he felt about her. True also, that he never put it into words, but surely, he didn't have to. He sighed again, flinching slightly when he heard her enter the room.
Valkyrie tilted her head slightly, smiling as she always did when she say him in a way that melted his heart. But he couldn't speak, perhaps if she thought he was meditating she'd go away and let him collect himself.
"Skulduggery?" She asked. He didn't dare move. Just hold perfectly still, she'd go away. He had been feeling tired lately come to think of it, perhaps if he did meditate now it would be for the best.
"Skulduggery?" Her face was centimeters from his, her hand was on his shoulder. Still, he didn't dare move. He watched her back away, but she still spoke, back turned to him.
"Did I do something wrong? Is that why you're not speaking to me?" It broke his heart, but he met her with silence. She could never do anything wrong in his eyes, except to not return his love. He had to stay still, not let her know he was awake.
She turning, frowned at him slightly. What was she angry about now? But then she fetched a blanket and covered him. He almost jumped at the gesture. Never, in a million years had she done something like this. The warmth of the blanket was soothing. Odd he'd never thought of using one before, but then, he reminded himself, he didn't deserve such comforts. Still, it was nice of her.
She was looking at him now, hands thrust into her pockets. When had she picked up that bad habit from him? Her mobile rang and she answered.
"Hi, Tanith. No, everything's fine. No, he's meditating right now. Yeah. " She tilted her head, frowned thoughtfully.
"Well, I can't tell him that, you know that. Well, because he isn't interested, that's why. Uh-huh, yeah. Talk to you later, sister. Bye." Wasn't interested in what? Skulduggery felt his non-existent heart leap. Surely she wasn't interested in him?
Valkyrie had gotten down a slim book of her uncle's he'd never seen before. She glanced over at him, smiled softly, and began to read. Something in the book made her smile. A few pages later and she was grinning broadly now, her finger tracing something in the book. Echo Gordon chose that time to make an appearance.
"Ah, my masterwork. My magnum opus. Do you like the illustrations? I did them myself."
Valkyrie smiled at him. "I love them. But you took a risk writing this for me, if he ever found it I'd have all sorts of interesting questions to answer."
Gordon smiled. "Tell him my muse had struck and I simply had to write. Besides you deserve to have the man you love in print, if not in reality. I'm afraid you take after me in that regards, but c'est la vie."
She was in love. But with whom? Skulduggery congratulated himself on this bit of detective work, neither one of them suspected a thing. He realized both of them had stopped speaking. He flicked his gaze over.
Gordon was leaning the best he could against a bookcase and Valkyrie was nearing the end of the little volume. How he wanted to know what was in it! He'd simply have to pay attention to where she put it. He smiled smugly to himself.
Gordon, spoke, almost laughing. "So what's your favorite part, anything you'd care to read out loud? Don't be shy, my ego could use the praise."
Valkyrie blushed, flipped back in the book, pointed out a passage. Gordon nodded, pleased with himself. Skulduggery fought the urge to just go grab the book. He lost all self control when he was around her. God only knows which of the simpering boys she had dated was in the book.
Gordon drew himself up to his full height, gestured with one hand out. "Truly my favorite passage as well. There is something so humbling to the male ego when she has to trap him into a confession of his love. I especially like the bit about seeing his expression change. How she can read his moods, even though he is, shall we say, a skeleton."
Skulduggery felt his heart drop, Did they know he was awake? Were the mocking him? His gaze flicked to Valkyrie, but she was looking at Gordon. "Yeah, but she was in love with him too, don't forget, so your device of using a room like this one so SHE could confess to him first, well that was brilliant."
Gordon smiled, happily, agreed, and retreated to the Echo Stone. Valkyrie stood and stretched, replacing the slim volume in a drawer even Skulduggery didn't know about in Gordon's desk. The little sneak.
She gave him one last smile, then left the room. When he heard her go downstairs and heard the TV clicked on he rose from the chair and fetched the book. She could have at least locked the drawer to make it a challenge.
Still, the slim red volume bore the title The Skeleton Detective on the front. That at least was interesting, he skimmed the text, noticing both how first rate the sketches were and how they looked exactly like himself and Valkyrie.
He became absorbed in how each small story was from her point of view. Though clearly the part about falling in love with him she had neglected to mention to him. He read on, finding the scene she spoke of. Set in Gordon's study.
With him asleep in the chair, with the same exact words spoken. With the Skeleton Detective being awake and listening to every word they said. It went on about Gordon retreating and Valkyrie going downstairs to put the TV on. All he had to do to finish the scene was to go tell her how he felt.
Smiling to himself, the Skeleton Detective pocketed the book and headed for the stairs.
Read the Books!
Valduggery Love 4 ever
This is just plain awesome. You don't always get to see too many tribute videos in another language. Romantic to boot! I like the heart effect at one point, lovely. Yes being in German makes it more romantical. Because I said so, that's why.
A Valduggery love story
All the fans know that even if the pair got their own book and were marooned on an island somewhere with no bad guys to fight, and nothing else to do, they would never get around to admitting the truth to themselves. Which is why Goddess and the fans invented Valduggery, methinks.
My Favorite Valduggery by other Authors
- Valduggery Oneshots Chapter 49: Run part 1, a skulduggery pleasant series fanfic | FanFiction
Skulduggery and Valkyrie looked at each other as they heard the shouts of Sanctuary officials, and ran on. Valkyries legs seemed to be moving on their own accord, and her lungs screamed for air.
- Valduggery Oneshots Chapter 50: Run part 2, a skulduggery pleasant series fanfic | FanFiction
The pain didn't heal. Valkyries heart became cold and empty without her skeleton by her side. She stared down at the invitation to his funeral with glazed, soulless eyes.
Liked the Story?
Privacy on July 10, 2017:
Ok... I've read MUCH better though. Thats the only problem for now,I guess...
Nightcat (author) on August 24, 2015:
If anything comes to me, I shall. Thanks for commenting, Tes-_The_-Beast!
Tes-_The_-Beast on August 24, 2015:
That's awesome make some more plz
Nightcat (author) on May 28, 2014:
@moskafleur: Thank you so much, moskafleur! I'm glad you liked it. :)
moskafleur on May 27, 2014:
Oh my gooooddd it's so cute!!! The end is so fucking cuteeee!!!!! *^*
Nightcat (author) on October 28, 2013:
@anonymous: You got really excited, thanks so much for the enthusiastic reviews! :)
Nightcat (author) on October 28, 2013:
@anonymous: Awww, thanks, NarahSelson! :)
Nightcat (author) on October 28, 2013:
@anonymous: Awww, thanks so very much, NarahSelson! :)
anonymous on October 28, 2013:
I loved it! Absolutely gorgeous! The kind that makes you sigh in contempt. :):):):):)
anonymous on October 28, 2013:
Soooooooooooo good! Whenever I read a good Valduggery, I get all warm and fuzzy inside and guess what? I DEFINITELY got that feeling!! So awesome!!
anonymous on October 28, 2013:
I loved that sooooooooooooooooooo much!! So adorable! It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside when I read a good Valduggery story - I had that feeling! Well done! Love your work!
Nightcat (author) on March 07, 2013:
@anonymous: Awww, thanks Uma! He is well pleased with himself. Perhaps if I didn't treat him like he is the living end... But thanks for the kind words, hugs! :)
anonymous on March 06, 2013:
Yes I enjoyed it very much and I'm going to read the other offerings. Thank you that was fresh.


text:
This is an experimental fight shoot. Though I have made short films with action sequences I have never filmed a fight scene between two people. So when actor Kiel O'Shea asked me if I would film one of his fight sequences I thought it would be a great opportunity.
The fight was originally choreographed for stage by our Fight Director Lewis Penfold so we had to slightly modify it so it could be shot on film. This ended up being a six hour shoot with rehearsal time so it was quite tight. It was also filmed with very limited space. As a first attempt I'm pretty happy with the results. I learned a HUGE amount for the next!
Music was supplied by my long time collaborator and brilliant musician composer Elliott Daniels.
Guy in Leather Coat - Andrew Kinsler
Guy in Suit - Kiel O'Shea
Fight Choreography & Director - Lewis Penfold
Music by - Elliott Daniels
Production Assistant - Gordon Warnecke
Runner - Joshua O'Shea
Film By - Martin Doyle


text:
10 Amazing Things You Didn't Know Sharks Could Do
It's no wonder we're fascinated with sharks. The ominous ocean predators have a reputation for mystery, danger, and power that's so irresistibly appealing that Discovery Channel's Shark Week, now in its 25th year, is one of cable TV's most-watched events with more than 20 million viewers every year.
The seven days of shark-themed programming begins this Sunday, so to prepare, read up on some of the amazing things these sea creatures are capable of.
1. Great white sharks eat an estimated 11 tons of food in the form of sea lions, seals, small toothed whales, sea turtles, and other fish, each year. By contrast, humans consume half of one ton of food in a year.
2. One bite from a great white shark can reach 1.8 tons of force, which is 20 times stronger than a human's bite.
3. Its sense of smell is one of the Great White's biggest strengths. They can detect one drop of blood in 25 gallons of water, and can sense traces of blood in the water up to three miles away.
4. Built for speed, Great Whites are shaped like torpedos equipped with powerful tails. They can propel themselves through the water at 15 miles per hour. Compare that to the top speed humans can reach while running on land, 23 miles per hour.
5. Sharks have an extra sense that humans don't: the ability to detect electrical fields. They have organs in their snouts that can pick up on the tiny electrical pulses emitted from the muscle movements or beating hearts of potential prey.
6. Great Whites have surprising longevity, living up to 60-plus years.
7. Great White sharks come into this world instantly prepared to be deadly predators. Born at 4 to 5 feet long (they'll reach up to 20 feet in length by adulthood), each shark pup has a full set of teeth at birth.
8. Female sharks can reproduce without help from males with a phenomenon called parthenogenesis, where the egg essentially fertilizes itself.
9. Sharks have even more teeth than they appear to at first glance. Underneath the 300 teeth they already have in their mouths, several rows of new incisors wait to replace old ones as they fall out. Over one lifetime, a shark can churn through 30,000 to 50,000 teeth.
10. Sharks will go to great lengths to secure a meal. Unlike humans, who have fixed jaws, sharks can dislocate their upper jaws to grab and hang onto prey.
Watch a preview of the Discovery Channel's Shark Week:


text:
On PM Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu & Kashmir, he inaugurated the building bricks for 245 km long Leh-Kargil-Srinagar power transmission line, at Leh which will be costing around Rs 1788 crore. He also committed to the country the Nimmo Bazgo hydroelectric power project with a capacity of 45 MW on the River Indus. This entire project will connect Ladakh and other states of Jammu & Kashmir with other states via energy that will help dark and remote areas where there is no electricity.
Courtesy – www.narendramodi.in
On the same occasion the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Shri N.N. Vohra, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Omar Abdullah, the MoS(i/c) for Power, Shri Piyush Goyal, were also present along with the people gathering in large number that was seen after long time.
Narendra Modi addressed the people of Ladakh, sharing his love and their strength with the ladakh. He said that Ladakh is rich source of 3P's that is Prakash means energy, Paryavaran means environement and paryatan means tourism that entire country benefits from. This would help Ladakh to help in national development.
PM Modi said, as ladakh is helping other states of country from long time, now being as PM he will care for Ladakh. Having visited Ladakh very soon which no other PM had done, he said it is your love which draws me here to the gathering.
Keeping in welfare of the state, he said special schemes would be planned up and launched for producers and craftsmen of Pashmina to appreciate and boost up their skill as Pashmina is the honor of the state J&K. Also, he said new units for cultivation of saffron will be developed in Spices Development Board to boost up saffron growth.
He announced the waiver should be made for 60 crore solar project issues between the Center and State government so that solar energy park could be developed. For the Himalayan states, he said that these states have large number of natural resources which can be helpful in development of entire nation and would help people and farmers of the areas.
Talking about the nation, PM Narendra Modi shared that he wants to connect all parts of countries via roadways, railways, energy resources, power, telephone to bring about change in the lives of citizens of country, develop skills of the youth. He also said till now lot of funds is been lost in corruption, but now no more. The government will take all the measure actions to fight against corruption.


text:
Meet Carol Flammer and have her sign your book!
Social media marketing isn't a mystery. My partner, Carol Flammer has written the book on the topic. This book will walk you step-by-step through how to build an effective program. It is 'Hot off the press!' We don't even have a copy of it yet, but "Social Media for Home Builders: It's Easier Than You Think" will be available at BuilderBooks at the International Builders Show and Carol will be at the BuilderBooks Store during "Ask The Experts" on Wednesday January 20th from 1 – 2 p.m. to meet me and ask your social media questions. The BuilderBooks Store is located on the Grand Concourse in the Central Hall. Open Daily. #IBS2010


text:
LONDON — For a break from this week's unseasonably warm temperatures (for Britain, anyway), some Londoners cooled off in a new swimming pool that sits more than 10 stories above the ground, bridging two high-end residential buildings.
Made of transparent polymer, the 82-foot-long pool opened last month after being engineered and constructed in Grand Junction, Colo. The 61-ton structure was then shipped to London, a journey that took three weeks. It was the culmination of four years of construction, including six months of design planning.
"It was an idea that really stood out and that we thought was quite special," said Sean Mulryan, the chief executive of Ballymore Group, the company that helped develop the residential complex, Embassy Gardens, that is home to the pool. "It's only because of advances in technology that we're able to do this. Swimming in it will make you feel like you're floating in air."
Embassy Gardens, developed by EcoWorld Ballymore, is in a neighborhood in southwest London that is undergoing redevelopment. From the so-called Sky Pool, swimmers have views of the neighboring U.S. Embassy, the Thames River and London's skyline. If they look straight down, they would see the street 115 feet below them.
Use of the pool, which its developers have described as the world's first floating pool, is exclusively for residents and their guests — but not all residents, which has led to some criticism. Many new residential developments in London are required to allocate a percentage of their units to lower-income residents. At Embassy Gardens, those tenants occupy 260 of the 1,500 total apartments, which start at 635,000 pounds (about $900,000). The
Continue reading – Article source
Posts from the same category:
- None Found


text:
At the IMBA, the International Montreal Butler Academy, Rolls-Royce is a constant source of inspiration.
Recently, the Robb Report voted it 2017 Car of the Year saying about the Dawn ride:
"Smooth and quiet, like you're floating on air"
In 2001, the owner of the IMBA school, Richard Sagala, got his Bentley/Rolls-Royce certification in Crewe and has implemented everyday since the Henri Royce philosophy:
"Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it."
Going back to the comment on the R-R Dawn ride:
"Smooth and quiet, like you're floating on air"
One may add: only if it is properly chauffeured…
Would you like to acquire those skills?
Rolls-Royce Dawn model


text:
i've always loved working with wire
i can sit all day and bend, twist and shape
which i did this weekend and managed to make
a ton of tree ornaments
my favorite are the little angels
they will make great gifts
see more on inspire me thursday
I was wondering where you were! Great work as usual. Love the angels too.
These are beautiful! What a great gift idea!
Lovely wire work...as usual, your stuff rocks!
i just received your surprise package with a bundle of these terrifically "twisted"-in a gooood way- angels and the very clever tree card!
you made my day,truly it was not a good one until your sweet box of angels arrived...to let me know that all is really well!
YOU are an inspiration!


text:
This is the Privacy Policy for https://hibu.com/. It describes how we collect, use and disclose the personal data ("Personal Data") our users provide to Hibu Inc. ("we"/"us" or our "Company") via this website (our "Site") or via other means. Please review it carefully.
By using our Site or our services, you consent to our collection, use and disclosure practices and other activities as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree and consent, please discontinue use of our services and our Site. This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time.
This Policy describes:
Personal Data is any information which identifies you personally whether directly (for example, your name) or indirectly (for example, information about your use of our products and services).
We and our third-party providers may collect the following Personal Data from you:
We and our third-party service providers collect Personal Data as follows:
We may use your Personal Data for the following purposes:
To provide the products and services you purchase and/or request. This includes providing you with customer service and communicating with you regarding your orders or our Services. This also includes answering your questions, sending you information you have requested, promoting compliance with the terms and conditions that govern the product or service you purchased, billing and payment purposes or posting content you have submitted for publication, such as ratings and reviews.
To advertise or promote your business on third party search engines, social media sites and other relevant business websites on your behalf. If you have purchased such services, we may share the identity, address and contact details of your business with third party search engines (such as Google), social media sites (such as Facebook) and other relevant business websites so that we can help promote your business to your target audience and drive potential customers to your own website.
To register a domain name on your behalf. If you have registered for this service, we may need to share your contact details with the registrar responsible for maintaining the relevant register of domain names in order to complete the registration of a domain name on your behalf.
For our internal purposes (such as accounting, auditing, data analysis, and research to improve and develop our products, services, content, advertising, and communications). For example, this includes the analysis of statistical information on the use of our Site by visitors as well as any feedback on our business or testimonials that you may provide.
To serve advertising tailored to your interests. We (or other third parties) may send you direct marketing communications, which may or may not be personalized to your interests by direct mail, phone call, email or other permissible electronic means. You can unsubscribe from our email marketing at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link in any of our emails. Our third-party partners may also use your Personal Data to inform you of similar products, services and promotional offers. You can unsubscribe from those third-parties' email marketing at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link in any of their emails or managing your preferences via their website.
To track your usage of our Site, communications, video advertisements, products and services. We use cookies and similar technologies to track your activity on our Site or your interaction and viewing of videos, advertisements or other media made available to you by us so that we can provide important features and functionality, monitor usage and interaction and provide you with a more personalized experience. We use tracking technology to capture information such as the time and date you open our emails or our videos and the type of device on which you received and viewed the email or video. We use this information to understand the effectiveness of our email communications and video advertisements so that we can improve them in the future and provide a more personalized overall service to you.
We may combine your Personal Data with other data and aggregate it with information collected from other users or sources to attempt to provide you with a better experience, to improve the quality and value of our products and services and to analyze and understand how our products and services are used. We may also use the combined information without aggregating it to serve you specifically.
Personal Data we collect may be shared with third parties as follows
We take the security of your Personal Data very seriously. We have put in place security, technology and policies designed to prevent unauthorized or unlawful processing of Personal Data and accidental access, disclosure, alteration, loss or destruction of Personal Data. We work to protect the security of your Personal Data during transmission on our Site by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), which ensures that your sensitive information is transmitted securely.
To request deletion of your Personal Data, please contact us at email@example.com.
Your browser may have a "Do Not Track" setting which automatically notifies websites that you visit not to track you for purposes of providing you with targeted advertising.
We do not currently respond to or take any action with respect to web browser "do not track" signals. Some of our third-party service providers who utilize cookies on our Site may enable you to opt-out of targeted advertising practices. To find out more about "Do Not Track," visit www.allaboutdnt.com. In addition, as noted above, you can opt-out of certain third-party advertising networks by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance's opt-out website or the Network Advertising Initiative's opt-out website.
If you are a California resident, you have certain additional rights under California law. Please click here for our California Privacy Rights Notice.
Neither our Site nor our products and services are directed to children under 13 and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian of such a child and become aware that your child has provided personal information to us, please contact us at email@example.com and we will take reasonable steps immediately to remove any such information.
We are committed to resolving any privacy concerns that you may have. If you have any concerns or complaints about the way we've handled your Personal Data, please contact us at privacy.officerUS @hibu.com and we will try to resolve such concern or complaint with you.
Last updated May 2022


text:
From the moment Swissvale councilwoman Julie Grose saw the row of three dilapidated homes on Columbia Ave., she knew she had to buy them. "It was like a vision," she says. "I was living in Peters township at the time and had never even considered buying a home in Swissvale." Her friend Michelle began renovating a home in the neighborhood and she agreed to help.
"I remember looking out one of her windows at the homes across the street and thinking to myself, 'I'm going to live there, I'm going to own that.'" Whether by coincidence or fate, the longtime owner of one of the houses had just passed away and his son asked Michelle if her friend whom he had seen helping her build a fence might like it. Within a month Grose had completed the sale and began envisioning the renovations.
Squaring her vision with reality was another journey altogether. The previous owner had been in his nineties when he passed away and had not maintained the house. In fact, the house looked as if it hadn't been renovated for at least 40 years. Ultimately, it took nine months before she could move in.
On the bright side, starting from scratch allowed Grose and her architect to make bold interior renovations. "Originally," she points out, "the house ended at the window above the sink. You walked in and walked right back out." During the renovation, interior walls were demolished, ceilings were raised and what was once a cramped warren of tiny rooms became a contemporary open floor plan. The original two small bedrooms on the second floor became a master suite with a full-length walk in closet and spa bathroom. The unusable attic space was transformed by lifting the roof and adding skylights and voila – a second master suite.
Is anything original? She pauses and reflects for a second before responding, "Well, the hardwood floors, but even those had to be refinished."
After the first house became habitable, she turned her attention to the other two homes in the row. The one immediately next to hers had been abandoned for years and was unsalvageable, so she paid for it to be demolished. An investor owned the third, but this too was in sorry shape, and after a year of trying to do something with it, he threw in the towel and sold out. This house came down as well and Grose chose to combine the two lots and transform the space into a garden.
Reached from the street by a Japanese Torii style gate, the garden is meant to be a place for rest, relaxation, and meditation. In one corner, a linen awning provides shade for a hammock and a koi pond. From here, a path leads to a deck with a grill and lounge area overlooking a large green lawn, perfect for her puppies Otis and Mia to run around in and, hopefully, burn off some steam. The garden is full of art.
Small statues are interspersed among the plantings and on one stretch of fence Grose has painted a mural of a Buddha resting in meditative contemplation. One special corner is set aside for a memorial to her recently deceased dogs, Lewis and Mia.
For Grose the house and gardens reflect the work she has done in the community, first as a participating resident on Swissvale's business development committee and then as a Swissvale council member. Since winning her seat on Swissvale's municipal council in 2013, her focus has been on initiatives designed to bring the community together, foster sustainability and resilience, and build connections with the borough's neighbors. Some of the many programs and projects she has championed include: bringing single stream recycling to the community, shepherding a streetscape improvement program, and helping to found the highly successful Swissvale farmers market.
What fuels her ambition and passion for the community? "Easy," says Grose, "it's Swissvale. Swissvale reminds me of the neighborhood I grew up in. It's a place where everyone looks out for each other and neighbors still ask each other for a cup of sugar."
What's next for Grose? In addition to another four-year term on council beginning in 2018, Grose has been deeply involved with the Enterprise Zone Corp. of Braddock (EZCB) and its EastShore initiative. "We've been working on a plan to raise this area's visibility since 2015," she explains, "and what started with just a few people has expanded to include stakeholders throughout the area. It's amazing to see everyone pulling together to make these communities better places to live!"