#lightninglit

“ What does bitch mean and why am I not allowed to say it? “

“ E-excuse me... Do you know if there any place to stay around here? For a few weeks? I... “ Astin stumbled over his words, feeling out of place already and it only growing worse by the second, “ I can pay. “

Did it hurt you? she’d asked, a hand pressing warmth and the ghost of old affections into Cash’s thigh. Granted, it had been unclear what she’d meant; the recalled losses of his foot and of his brother both still hung in the heavy, unstirring air of the clearing. She’d asked, and been met with disappointment at the inevitable answer. He always says he’s fine, always says it doesn’t bother him. But that’s a lie, isn’t it? How do you endure such loss and not feel something at it. She’s speaking again almost as soon as the denial passes his lips. “these are the scars you never show. Act like nothing hurts, but I know you,” she protests, squeezing her hand just a little in a show of comfort. Her eyes turn from her gesture up to Cash’s face through the fall of loose curls, gleaming, still those of a curious girl he’d once known. “I know you feel more than that. TALK TO ME.”

          Apparently, that warm feeling in his stomach had been annoyance.

Well, it was time for one of Laertes’ infamous lessons about how Ophelia wasn’t careful enough with her emotions and her trust. She was listening, or at least put on the face of false listening.

          Jacob’s heart sank, that’s what it felt like anyway, but he knew he should have expected this. Scrooge was many things, but stubborn was the highest up on that list. A frown creased his already weariness worn face as he looked at the other ghost sadly while he tried to muster up some hope. “Please...Spirit...surely there must be more that can be done? I know...I know he isn’t an easy man, but I know there’s goodness in him somewhere. I saw it in life, and...and I just can’t believe that it’s completely gone as arrogant and as challenging a bastard as he is.” He shifted uneasily, his chains weighing him down even more than they had a moment ago, and he swore he could feel every, last, link searing into his skin.

          Most of his respectable business partners were long since in bed with their dull wives or slightly more interesting mistresses, but well, Fagin didn’t exactly fall into that particular category for a number of reasons. “I’m not some little street urchin child, so you can’t just go bossing me around. Besides, I could ask you the same thing. It’s much easier to swindle people when you’re alert and well rested.”

I find this one weird-looking... looked it up and I shot this #afterdark with my iPhone - it’s a #weirdlooking #lightninglit #cloudscape from 11:10PM, #July 6th, near Marsden #Saskatchewan #Canada #LandOfLivingSkies (at Marsden, Saskatchewan) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1JuxDHJEw_/?igshid=1gnk3q28rq3it