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Question The Gates of the Garden
- mittfh
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Topic Author
So when the woman in question is the mother of the Mahren siblings, one of whom has been forcibly separated from her, the other she believes is dead; and she's apparently a mutant herself, she takes no prisoners upon reaching the gates of a certain prestigious boarding school...
Meanwhile, something's afoot in the sims, with suspicion one team's been throwing matches.
(Deliberately keeping things vague here, in case anyone saunters past who hasn't read the tale yet).
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
- Arcanist Lupus
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It's a good think that Mama Mahren got there a day early. I imagine that Carson doesn't have a drop of time on Parents' Day.
I'd highlight the parts of the story that I liked the most, but I'd basically be repeating the story again, so I won't bother.
"Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased — thus do we refute entropy." - Spider Robinson
- Dreamer
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Below is a stream of conscious commentary I type up as I read the story. There will details from the story included in it. If you have not read the story yet and don't wish to have details of it spoiled, read no further.
The Gates of the Garden comments
They took the Kimbas in the sims, something is definitely up with Nikki for the Outcasts to take the whole team of Kimbas on in the sims and win. Just what is up with the Kimbas, is part of laying low this year even doing worse in the sims on purpose or what. "Dark Generator", now that is a fun memory.

Awww, callback to the 'date' between Tennyo and Jericho, how he thinks he messed it up as he hammed it up too much. And Jericho has another girl on his mind,ooo, want to know who myself now. Love the banter between the Outcasts, always fun to read.
Oh boy, Mrs. Carson not thinking it is funny about how Delarose brings up Mrs. Mahren being at Whateley and locked up. Oh boy, Parent's Day tomorrow and this mess lands right in their laps. 4 Artificers and usually don't manifest at similar times, interesting.
So cute, Miranda running in and diving to hug her mommy. Finding out what happened to Erik is going to be a doozy. And learning what Whateley is all about and how it operates from an outsider's point of view is going to be interesting. What a way to learn about it, having all those students reveal their true nature or use their powers. Showing her where Erik worked and meeting Miranda's new friends, that should ease Natalie's mind about Whateley at least some.
So that is what revealed that Miranda is a mutant to her scumball father. Seeing the Outcasts, you have to be told what they are really like, easy to just pity them. Heckel is doing a good job on the ranges, nice to see him in action. Heckel getting Slapdash to do push-ups for using an unregistered weapon...again, the firing range needs a firm but fair hand to guide these kids. Ember training with Mrs. Cantrell's guidance, guess she has better control to not be on the more extreme range now.
Bwahaha, nice Spaceballs reference. Wonderful wizard of grump, nice nickname for Gunny."I feel a great disturbance in the Schwarz..." Monica intoned. "Quit wearing such tight pants then," Caitlin deadpanned back.
Now Princess Bride reference."Have fun storming the castle!" Sandra grinned.
Debra Carlyle having to deal with an excited and energetic Adam after a long plane trip, poor woman. Jericho's mom Edith and his brother Zack there as well.
Yikes, having to work that much more to raise money to deal with Jack's appetite over Christmas and Summer Break. Cute, Zack and Adam having a wrestling match and Zack tickling Adam."I'm not short, I'm awesome!"
Aegis messing with another GSD case, a girl who looks like a harpy this time, and getting beaten up for it before Carson and security deal with. Idiot still thinks GSD means villain in training, ugh. She doesn't scar, definitely a mutant. And Natalie doesn't like the medical profession either, no wonder Erik and Miranda have such problems with it. Yikes, finding out her son had a fiancee and saw her murdered right before his eyes. So out of it she doesn't realize she is going through test and has Diedricks disorder, that is scary to watch.
Grimes in that bad of shape because Caitlin gave the TLW those adamant wands, hehehe. Bwahahaha, smacking Caitlin with her damaged umbrella, too funny. Lit their wells after great difficulty and this happened, they need to know how to use the tools she gave them or lighting their teacher on fire will be the least of everyone's worries.
Yeah, I would be doing what Jericho is, couldn't hold it in for long."Yes she's insane," Deimos poked Sandra. "She makes the rest of us look positively stable and well-grounded in reality."
Caitlin crying like that suddenly, she spotted her mom, didn't she. Seeing Miranda and her friends with Natalie and Mrs. Carson, no wonder Caitlin just left.
"She never talks about family." Jericho said quietly. "Because she's hurting." Deimos finished.
A short, but wonderful story with a insight into the woman who is Erik/Caitlin and Miranda's mother. Plus seeing things around campus from her perspective was interesting to see. And loved the fallout of Caitlin's prank on Grimes, never seen Grimes get that upset before. I hope by the end of the Parent's Day story that Caitlin is able to be reunited with her mother as well, that last part really hits the heart and how much pain Caitlin is in.
Thank You for story comments appreciated and help me know me they are being read and liked.

- Arcanist Lupus
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Dreamer wrote:
Now Monty Python reference."Have fun storming the castle!" Sandra grinned.
Excuse me? That line belongs to Miracle Max, from the Princess Bride!
"Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased — thus do we refute entropy." - Spider Robinson
- Dreamer
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*facepalms* Can't believe I got those two mixed up, my bad. Teach me to drink more water before reading, stupid heat has me mildly dehydrated.Arcanist Lupus wrote:
Dreamer wrote:
Now Monty Python reference."Have fun storming the castle!" Sandra grinned.
Excuse me? That line belongs to Miracle Max, from the Princess Bride!

Thank You for story comments appreciated and help me know me they are being read and liked.

- Domoviye
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Dreamer wrote:
*facepalms* Can't believe I got those two mixed up, my bad.Arcanist Lupus wrote:
Dreamer wrote:
Now Monty Python reference."Have fun storming the castle!" Sandra grinned.
Excuse me? That line belongs to Miracle Max, from the Princess Bride!
We need a kick in the pants button for situations like this.
- mhalpern
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Any Bad Ideas I have and microscene OC character stories are freely adoptable.
- Katssun
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I think we're starting to see how Miranda ends up being a valued officer in the military years later. She's maturing rapidly just from Fubar's tutelage, and pulling emotions off other adults and older teens. Her wardrobe has also increased dramatically in one day!
Makes me wonder how much she's rubbing off on the other junior high girls (and one generally-boy). Maybe Team Awesome! won't be as much of a handful of bumbling that the TLW are, for better or far worse.
Jericho's lady love came up! So much misdirection and verbal interplay JG. How thou toys with us so! Worthy of Austen and Bronte.
- Rose Bunny
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Katssun wrote: Is JG's favorite word: "harridan" perhaps? Because it is a really good word.
only as much as the writers love to have people "goggle".
High-Priestess of the Order of Spirit-Chan
- JG
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Harridan is number two.
I LOVE evocative words with clear, distinct, almost poetic meaning.
- Arcanist Lupus
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"Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased — thus do we refute entropy." - Spider Robinson
- JG
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Arcanist Lupus wrote: So... aposiopesis is not in your top ten, then?
Go to time out with the rest of the misbehaving children.
- DanZilla
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What about Defenestration - the word that starts wars... at least in PragueJG wrote: My favorite word is eviscerate.
Harridan is number two.
I LOVE evocative words with clear, distinct, almost poetic meaning.
- JG
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DanZilla wrote:
What about Defenestration - the word that starts wars... at least in PragueJG wrote: My favorite word is eviscerate.
Harridan is number two.
I LOVE evocative words with clear, distinct, almost poetic meaning.
You gotta love it when a form of attack becomes common enough that they have to create a word to encompass the majesty of the act.
- mhalpern
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Any Bad Ideas I have and microscene OC character stories are freely adoptable.
- Rose Bunny
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Maybe they are taking the Chou route, and trying to make freshman year look like a fluke. I doubt that though. The majority of the conversation was around how Fey hesitated. It might be due to her uncertainty in herself. She put a curse on Hank, one that could have killed him. She was drifting towards becoming the Queen to Come, and an almost certain war between the fae and humanity.mhalpern wrote: Something that I almost completely glossed over Team Kimba are throwing sim matches, the question is why
She needs to get her head back in the right place.
High-Priestess of the Order of Spirit-Chan
- Valentine
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mhalpern wrote: Something that I almost completely glossed over Team Kimba are throwing sim matches, the question is why
Part of them attempting a lower profile, although I doubt they are fooling Gunny, Sam, or any of the staff that was there in the Spring. Probably aren't fooling the Grunts either.
Hey look, another of Eldritch's family shows up, and no one tells her before she finds out for herself.
Looks like the Turners and Carlyles are getting along great. I wonder if Mama Turner will be introduced to "Cousin" Toni.
I bet Darwin would contribute to a feed Razorback fund.
Don't Drick and Drive.
- Anne
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Two! Two wonderful stories. You all are the best!
Adopt my story: here
Nowhereville discussion
- JG
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Valentine wrote:
Hey look, another of Eldritch's family shows up, and no one tells her before she finds out for herself.
There really is no "good way" for anyone to break this to Caitlin. Period.
Esecially since the staff had ZERO lead time to the problem, and because mama is a handful, getting her up to speed and understanding WHY her daughter is there before she does anything MORE rash occupies the priority list.
People make mistakes. They fuck up. Carson is no more a perfect person than natalie mahren. Delarose doesn't have the time to pander to Caitlin's social insecurities
And most impotantly, they trust Caitlin not to go nuclear because a parent might not have given up as much as they thought she had.
Consider that no one was expecting natalie mahren to come to her daughter's defense. No one expected her to come to whateley, because once a child is surrendered to CPS, it is assumed that they have no interest or cannot feasibly see to the health and well-being of the child.
To get a court-order as fast as she did would have required Natalie to file for divorce on the grounds of child abandonment in an extremely rapid fashion. Which she did.
Natalie's will and methods are about as subtle and flexible as Caitlin's when it comes right down to it.
This kind of thing ALWAYS creates problems.
- Schol-R-LEA
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JG wrote:
DanZilla wrote:
What about Defenestration - the word that starts wars... at least in PragueJG wrote: My favorite word is eviscerate.
Harridan is number two.
I LOVE evocative words with clear, distinct, almost poetic meaning.
You gotta love it when a form of attack becomes common enough that they have to create a word to encompass the majesty of the act.
That, and it is not nearly so queasily creepy a word as, say, immurement.
Out, damnéd Spot! Bad Doggy!
- Schol-R-LEA
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JG wrote: There really is no "good way" for anyone to break this to Caitlin. Period.
This definitely is something that would elicit a few 'can't see any way this could end badly, nope!' comments. Because that sort of imminent carnage really calls for deadpan.
It's almost a shame that neither Murphy nor Nacht were on hand and aware of the fuse which just got lit in their midst.
Out, damnéd Spot! Bad Doggy!
- Arcanist Lupus
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And it's not something they can delegate. The number of people who know that Caitlin is Erik Mahren is extremely small, for secrecy's sake. All of them are senior staff and thus up to their eyeballs with work.JG wrote: There really is no "good way" for anyone to break this to Caitlin. Period.
Esecially since the staff had ZERO lead time to the problem, and because mama is a handful, getting her up to speed and understanding WHY her daughter is there before she does anything MORE rash occupies the priority list.
People make mistakes. They fuck up. Carson is no more a perfect person than natalie mahren. Delarose doesn't have the time to pander to Caitlin's social insecurities
Carson did avoid an earlier meeting. It's just that there's only so much maneuvering she can do without it seeming suspicious.
"Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased — thus do we refute entropy." - Spider Robinson
- annachie
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And possibly how Prison Bitch recognized the punch style.

- Arcanist Lupus
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On other notes, I loved Delarose's trolling of Carson on the introduction to the problem. Also, Miranda was absolutely magnificent at showing the exact right balance of love for her mother and comfort at Whateley to help her mother accept the necessity of the school.
"Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased — thus do we refute entropy." - Spider Robinson
- Valentine
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Arcanist Lupus wrote:
And it's not something they can delegate. The number of people who know that Caitlin is Erik Mahren is extremely small, for secrecy's sake. All of them are senior staff and thus up to their eyeballs with work.JG wrote: There really is no "good way" for anyone to break this to Caitlin. Period.
Esecially since the staff had ZERO lead time to the problem, and because mama is a handful, getting her up to speed and understanding WHY her daughter is there before she does anything MORE rash occupies the priority list.
People make mistakes. They fuck up. Carson is no more a perfect person than natalie mahren. Delarose doesn't have the time to pander to Caitlin's social insecurities
Carson did avoid an earlier meeting. It's just that there's only so much maneuvering she can do without it seeming suspicious.
Actually the number is much higher than you think, since it was revealed that some of the telepaths and empaths know, because there was no to hide the "broadcast personality." The Magic and Psychic teachers, some of the range instructors, and to be honest if some of third platoon hasn't figured it out, they are dumber than Prison Bitch acts.
To be realistic though, Fubar would have been best. He spent the time to talk to Miranda. Oddly Grimes can admit that she didn't know this time.
Don't Drick and Drive.
- Domoviye
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Great story.
Natalie has consistently come off as a high strung, violent woman, who would kill to protect her family. Not a good combination, but the love she showed to her youngest makes up for a lot of her flaws.
And Prison Bitch is rapidly rising in my opinion. He was never a bad guy to me, I try to judge people on their actions, and he came across as a slimy person who would do the right thing when necessary. Jumping in to take down lamp lighter and not actively creeping out the Holigans was more than enough to make up for the stories told about him. Seeing him in action at Whateley, I wouldn't want to be his friend, but I wouldnt look down on him either and could respect him for his work. Even if I never took my hand away from my wallet while anywhere within a hundred meters of him.
Two solid, flawed characters
- konzill
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- reno
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makes it seem like she has a normal class day.Miranda nodded unenthusiastically, and with greatly exaggerated unwillingness and slowness made a huge show of not wanting to leave then ran like hell to her first class in the blind hope that running would make the day go faster.
I know a lot of people have saturday classes, but i'm surprised a 10 year old grade school kid would have them too
- Domoviye
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reno wrote: I love the story, but i have a minor thing to nitpick. The dateline on the story is saturday october 26 but
makes it seem like she has a normal class day.Miranda nodded unenthusiastically, and with greatly exaggerated unwillingness and slowness made a huge show of not wanting to leave then ran like hell to her first class in the blind hope that running would make the day go faster.
I know a lot of people have saturday classes, but i'm surprised a 10 year old grade school kid would have them too
Probably psychic and powers classes. We saw Ember at the range practicing her pyrotechnics, it's reasonable to think Miranda would have something similar.
- mittfh
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Topic Author
Well, it puts a hard limit on the time they have available to try and capture a certain diminiutive flyer to procure some of her non-existent essence...konzill wrote: So the three little witches have had their wells lit? I'm so hoping they get another story to cause mayham in.

As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
- null0trooper
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reno wrote: I love the story, but i have a minor thing to nitpick. The dateline on the story is saturday october 26 but
The Oct. 26, 2007 date is correct, but the story is happening Friday morning, so Miranda would have had classes.
“Is this Whateley Academy?” The woman, dressed in black jeans and a wifebeater fixed “Prison Bitch” with a glare that was strangely familiar.
“Yes ma’am but parent’s day isn’t until…”
The next day, Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007.
Forum-posted ideas are freely adoptable.
WhatIF Stories: Buy the Book
Discussion Thread
- konzill
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- Sir Lee
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- Arcanist Lupus
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"Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased — thus do we refute entropy." - Spider Robinson
- JG
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Arcanist Lupus wrote: Also, the Outcasts don't really want the recognition.
When someone isn't in it for the glory, usually they don't feel like they deserve a special reward.
Especially not kids who couldn't save everyone
- Phoenix Spiritus
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Sir Lee wrote: It's one of those things. If they nominate the Outcasts, they would pretty much have to nominate Dr. Diabolik too. Politically untenable.
Umm .... Australia!
As long as he gave himself up and took the gaol time, he's good to go!
You know how many criminals are already in Companions of the Order of Australia? Like, that they knew before offing it to them? (As opposed to politicians, where it's assumed, but we looked the other way).
- Iwasforger03
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I am a Sexy Shoeless God of War - So suck it CP!
Dice/Hollow#1
Dice/HollowDiscuss
- Domoviye
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- Sir Lee
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- Wrayth
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Wrayth
- annachie
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Partly to rub something into the face of the MCO, and partly for shits and giggles. And the survivors of the hero group. Or mayby lower orders for them.
And honorary members to the rest of the outcast and Dr. Dad.
Actually, thinking about it, I could see a quiet offer being made to the Outcasts to award them membership, and I could see Jerico asking for a knighthood for Razorback instead.
Picture Razor turning up to martial arts class with a lance

- Rose Bunny
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And then Koala dricks out. "Why do I get a lower order? We went toe-to-toe with him too! And call me Spider, dammit!"annachie wrote: I could definately see a push to have Razorback made a knight of the order of Australia.
Partly to rub something into the face of the MCO, and partly for shits and giggles. And the survivors of the hero group. Or mayby lower orders for them.
And honorary members to the rest of the outcast and Dr. Dad.
High-Priestess of the Order of Spirit-Chan
- mhalpern
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All I can picture is Razor spooking all the horses at a jousting match, and perhaps Jericho throwing all the riders' focusannachie wrote: I could definately see a push to have Razorback made a knight of the order of Australia.
Partly to rub something into the face of the MCO, and partly for shits and giggles. And the survivors of the hero group. Or mayby lower orders for them.
And honorary members to the rest of the outcast and Dr. Dad.
Actually, thinking about it, I could see a quiet offer being made to the Outcasts to award them membership, and I could see Jerico asking for a knighthood for Razorback instead.
Picture Razor turning up to martial arts class with a lance
Any Bad Ideas I have and microscene OC character stories are freely adoptable.
- Arcanist Lupus
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"Shared pain is lessened; shared joy, increased — thus do we refute entropy." - Spider Robinson
- mhalpern
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That was part of my imagining, but its hard to really call it a joust, both opposing horse and rider would be thrown off their game from the mere sight of them.Arcanist Lupus wrote: What about Jericho riding Razorback into a joust?
Any Bad Ideas I have and microscene OC character stories are freely adoptable.