-Leans in slowly, looking nervous-
HEY GUYS.
-Vanishes around corner quickly, and then hesitantly leans out again after a moment-
Guess what! I owe you an update, and another, and another, and another, and then one more. So I went back and looked at what I'd already written. I like it, I really do, but then I looked at the plot and - well, there's something wrong.
So here's the deal.
I'm going to fix the plot, and I'm going to leave this up for all of you lovelies to read, but Jaded Angel is about to get a major revamp. And by major revamp, I mean MAJOR revamp. New story, new writing, new characters, even a new name. Keep your eyes open for 'Hope's Bloodied Feathers.'
Definitely a different update schedule, too. I can't follow an agenda, especially now that I have so much work to do. So. I'm going to update at my leisure, but hopefully I will be able to finish this.
Anyway! Here, have some quotes pertaining to 'Hope's Bloodied Feathers' and an excerpt from either the prologue or the first chapter. I haven't decided what it is, yet.
"Hope" is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—
And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
And sore must be the storm—
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm—
I've heard it in the chillest land—
And on the strangest Sea—
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb—of Me.
Emily Dickinson
"Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane." -Red, Shawshank Redemption
March 15, 7:34 am - Arlington, Virginia, USA
Fog hung low over the grounds, rising steadily now that the sun was just beginning to rise. For the most part, it was silent - in fact, it was solemn.
But the steady, muffled steps of the Tomb guard managed to pierce the air: twenty-one steps, click, turn, click, repeat.
Unusual, bright blue eyes tracked the man, their owner silent, unmoving, respectful, the only sign of life the mist that formed with each exhalation.
The steady cadence of the guard's twenty-one steps, click, turn, click, repeat was suddenly joined by another set of footfalls. Even softer steps, ones taken with great care, and a hand reaching out to rest on the shoulder of the guard's sole audience - these were the only disturbances in the relative tranquility of the scene.
The woman turned her head and her blue eyes met an identical stare.
The twin sisters exchanged a silent conversation with their matching eyes. Then, nodding as one, they retreated from the Tomb of the Unknown as quietly as they could.
And though the lone Marine standing watch, a secondary sentinel, had captured his attention, she would soon fade from his memory, just as the faces of the civilians that came to watch the Changing of the Guard did.
In sixteen minutes and thirty-one seconds, the sound of Taps would carry even across the vastness of the national cemetery, thanks to the cool crispness of the air and the lack of tourists so early in the morning. And he would silently give respect to the fallen Marine even as he carried on, twenty-one steps, click, turn, click, repeat.
In sixteen minutes and thirty-one seconds, the Marine that had watched him would listen to Taps as it was played for her fallen brother - both in arms, and in blood.
The performance of Taps would be the last connection the Tomb's guard and the Marine would have.
The Marine stayed behind as her family and her older brother's friends finally retreated from the fresh grave. Then, as a young, blond man with intense blue eyes stepped up beside her, she turned to look at him, puzzled.
He met her eyes after a moment, gave her such a deeply saddened, incredibly proud smile, and something inside her felt comforted.
Subconsciously, she realized that this young man represented exactly what her older brother had died for.
Twenty-one steps, click, turn, click.
And this young man was about to change her life forever.
Repeat.
Excited yet? I am. Because dang, Alfred.
But.
You'll just have to wait, loves!
Bye! ;3