Zodiac's Grimoire and Diary

[Zodiac]

Volume 9. Pg 248
12/26/2014 3:27 AM

FINALLY!

Can actually breathe now. The madness is over for another year. The girls can handle any returns today when the shops open. Jennifer and I are taking a sit on our asses and do nothing day. Got a gift from my dear Mini that needs breaking in and she can help when she comes by later.

So far, everyone was happy with their bonus and gift. A couple ask me why do I do it. Is simple. They are the ones who helped make things go as smoothly as they do, so why not a extra slice of the pie? We all helped each other earn the damn thing anyways.

Okay, so some after 'Holiday' sales this week and hopefully things will get sedate again for a spell. Despite being all super human now, this race from just before All Hallows till now has left me ragged. Goddess knows how I could have kept up the pace if I was alive.

Outside of work stuffs, a few new points of interest. Mordie is buying horses now. Yes, that Mordie. One for him and one for DD to ride if she likes (I told him, he just wants to see her re-enact 'Lady Godiva' one night. Note to self: make sure the camera is charged and ready.) The wild part is, the big guy wants to try his hand at jousting. I know. I told Iris and her jaw dropped about as far as mine did when he told me. I hope it's a strong horse, because of his size and weight normal-adding armor on to himself plus weapons is going to be one major chunk for that horse to be running with on his or her back. Right away, Iris was all 'I bet this is your idea' with me. Oh hell to the no! I got better things to do than look like a piñata hanging off the tip of someone's lance. This is going to be a spectator sport for me. I will sit on the side lines and wave 'Go Sir Mordie' pennants all night long, but to actually try it?

Not the Kid. Oh noooooooo. Well, then again. The more he talks about there is a certain flaw in his logic on the matter.

Somehow I get the idea Iris and I are gonna be squires in all of this. "Hand me my lance" Okay, if the two of us can lift it that high.

We already making side bets who is he going to tag to be on the other horse. Besides, no windmills around here that I know of.

It was also nice to have Tempy here again. The apartment glowing softly from our mis-adventures in decorations. She picked out a cute little chubby tree. Ginny gave it a few sniffs and promptly ignored it, but Junior's still entranced by it. Mr. Pumpkin still hangs back from it all (I think he is half terrified of Ginny) I solved the ornament issue by spreading pillows around the base. Beats stepping on broken glass when you first wake up.

So that about sums the situation up for now. Laid back on the couch with my new purple hat on and waiting for Jenn to come by. I hope she remembers to bring herself munchies.

[Zodiac]

Volume 10. Pg 3
1/1/2015 1:20 AM

Blessings of a new year to all.

And welcome to you, my newest confidant to my inner most thoughts. Volume 9 now sits with 1-8 on the shelf elsewhere. Most people make jokes about New Year's babies, we don't have that here. Here is cracking the spine on a new journal. Of course, Volumes 7-9 might raise a few eyebrows among my still living friends if they were read, but that's why I lock them up.

No major big parties this time. A couple good movies while bundled up in front of the fire with some quality company was good enough this time around. Day off today, so no major hurry to accomplish anything. Gotta love a day flopping around in mystic kitty slippers and PJ's.

So while taking a moment to catch up on a few personal things, one of my long distance cyber pen pals sent me another wacky list. 'Geek Resolutions' they called it. I offer it here with the answers I wish I COULD share with my more than human cyber bud.

1. Learn the ways of The Force.

The Force? ***** please! I have nosed my way into every path and bridge a vampire can get to (for now) and got abilities most don't have! Obi Wan and that Vader guy wish they could do half the stuff I can! Force choke? Lame! Burning Touch? Now that is style.

2. Take the ring to Mordor.

After reading and watching that several times, that story could have been a FB post with me in it. Take the ring, teleport to Mount Doom, drop it in, and be back in time for tea. The End.

3. Get a letter from Hogwarts.

Again- ***** please! Nothing against Albus (I think he'd be cool to hang with actually) but I teach my own classes here. I could totally get into being a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher that would actually hold the job for longer than one year thought. Just saying.

4. Train a Dragon.

Dragons? Dragons ain't ****! Try living with Her Imperial Majesty and Empress for Life Miss Ginny. Besides, dragons don't use litter boxes (and if they did you'd need a fork lift to move them to the dumpster. No thank you).

5. Travel with The Doctor.

Okay, finally one I can totally get behind. Of course, it would entirely depend on what regeneration it would be. Baker or Tennant (I know, I am not normally into boys, but Tennant is a cute one)

6. Work with Batman.

Been there-done that. Old news.

7. Visit Asgard.

Since Disney assimilated Marvel (I swear, Disney is the Borg of the entertainment world now.) I imagine it will be a new wing on their theme parks with Mickey in a horned helmet dancing around. Now if you mean the REAL Asgard, perhaps Reganlief and Sleppy can help me out with directions.

8. Join the Avengers.

Not another faction. Nooooooooooooo! You join a faction, suddenly you have to pay dues, follow a dress code, don't even blink without permission, and can only feed off Yiddish mortals on Fridays (or things equally as strange.)

9. Fly Serenity.

Odd little show. However, if the ship is anything like the one we got walking around here? No thank you! Wench is crazier than I am!

10. Sit on The Iron Throne.

Why the hell do I want to park my *** on such an obviously uncomfortable chair like that? Besides, once you claim it as yours, it's a daily fight to the death to keep the damn thing. There is no perks to being in charge from the Iron Throne unless you get off on being a target for everyone around you. I much prefer ruling in my own way from my Purple Throne. Besides, it has nice cushions and is way more cool and stylish that that hunk of recycle gone insane. Now Ginny? I could see her on it. Scary thought. She'd survive all comers too. Trust me on this.

***

Of course, as always, I replied with a healthy 'LOL' and then send in reply my amazing list of over 300 reasons 'You might be a Cat Person' for them to ponder. (Which, if you are lucky, I may put in here one day)

Another year begins. Let it be more improved than the last one.

So mote it be.

[Zodiac]

Volume 10. Pg 26
1/30/2015 11:47 PM

Blessings of Imbloc.

St Brigit's Day comes yet again, heralding in February. Also on the same day my fave, the day of Punxsutawney Phil and then the month goes down hill rapidly after that. Blah!

If it wasn't such a cash boost in the 'dead zone' between the holiday season and springtime shoppers, I would close the places up till the 15th. Already the appointment logs are filling up. My normal tidal wave of those who wonder why St Valentine has forsaken then yet again. Granted, I do find new faces each year and some do have issues that with time and patience can be solved, But, I am literally SICK TO DEATH of hearing the same woes over and over and over from the same people!

It would not be so bad if the patterns changed a bit, but no. How many times must you tell or literally SHOW them what the problems are, advise HOW to fix them and carry on from there? How hard is it?

Apparently, pretty damn hard. Fix yourself before you expect someone to fix you. Wait, what am I saying? The ones who visit me have absolutely NOTHING wrong with them! So they say. It's the world's fault they don't have love in their lives. Let's ignore the fact that some of them are total psycho assed bitches from hell who basically need a new man in their live so they can blame their entire messed up life on HIM and then whine no one loves them!

Gyahhh! I should have been a stripper. Less drama and the same money!

I guess it is the few who take stock of what I show them and try that keeps me from ripping my hair out this time of year. Some do return to tell me what they have tried, what has worked and what has not. They are works in progress, so I have no problem sitting and listening and offering the best advice myself and the cards can give them and help them plan their next actions. But for every one of them I work with, three more come in all upset wondering why can't someone see what is standing right in front of them. Point is, they do see it, and avoid it like the plague!

WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think Alex has the right idea for the 14th. An anti-Valentines Day party. I should get a gross of tickets from her and pass them out the next couple weeks. Hey, your love life sucks? Well GUESS WHAT? Go to a party with a bunch of others who think the same way you do and maybe you might find somebody. Alley-Kat-ZAM!

All I know is, I will try to do what I always do on the 14th. Set a little mood and atmosphere. Make a fine little meal, some wine for Temperance. Enjoy some quiet time and relax while I wait for my hair to grow back out after the journey from today till then.

Bless my cotton socks and all that.

The ordeal begins.

I want my Nana!

[Zodiac]

Volume 10. Pg 39
2/23/2015 9:17 PM

Has been a time since I just rambled. The entries above all super secret serious stuff, so I know you are ready for something lighter, old fiend.

Thankfully, we have survived another Valentine's season. Barely. Along with Groundhog Day and the Super Bowl (DUDE! WTF were you THINKING? oh well, the Pats still suck. So do my Texans and DON'T ask me about those gay cowboys from Dallas. Just don't. They not mine and never will be.)

On a brighter note, DAYTONA!

We have now entered the truly blah days of winter. Out side of 'Pretend you are Irish and get **** faced' day, there is nothing to break up the gloom and cold at all. This is probably the part of winter I loathe the most. Oh granted, I hate the cold period, but if there is something to look forward to or a distraction, like say Christmas, then it's not so bad, but otherwise? YUCK!

The last repairs to the shops have finally been set into place. Goddess bless we were not hit as bad as other businesses in town thanks to the 'freak' earthquake. It's finally becoming back page news in the papers now. Typical. Some of us with more Esoteric views are still tearing the hows and whys apart. Nana always said to trust your instincts and mine are telling me something beyond nature had a hand in all of that. Who or whatever managed that trick is a force to be considered carefully. I have never met a witch who could manage something on that scale before so if it was magicks then whoever wields such abilities should not be taken lightly. Of course, the locals in typical vampire arrogance will think the answer is to send them to the SR. (Assuming they are vampire, which they may not be)

If someone can cause a storm like that, you think a trip to the realm is gonna make them cry? No, it will make them more pissed than they were to begin with- DUH!

Back to the repairs. I think we had the most 'fun' at The Eye in Veil Towers. The building itself held up well, but the tremors sent a bunch of stuff inside flying about. Especially the suit of armor I had on display in the corner than fell over and broke out one of our windows. Our five giveaway kittens and the peacocks got out and was wandering around the second level big as life. I know the other business owners took a break from their own clean ups to laugh themselves silly as Jenn and I tried to corner the birds and get them back inside. The kittens were easy to catch. They had followed their noses and was trying to invade one of the food places, but the birds? (I need to apologize again to Mr Blake for all the crap again. Those fancy chickens really outdid themselves crapping as they strutted about the mall.) Pandy's suffered a few cracks and crashes, but nothing beyond a little team work could not fix.

I have to give my girl the credit here. Jennifer kept her head through it all. She closed Pandora's and sent everyone home when the reports began to become insistent and finished locking down the shop alone. Her own escape was cut short, so she ducked into the Teahouse where a couple of our staff and about 20 customers were still in the process of trying to find a safe way home. Once it became impossible to leave, most would have panicked, but not her. From what I was told, the group huddled together as they kept the tea and hot chocolate flowing (at no charge) and kept everyone talking, joking and calm until the emergency services showed up to break them out. Sounded like a far more fun party than the one I got stuck in. God, I love that girl. She is truly amazing.

I also got the estimate back on the mini van's damage. That was probably the most scary driving experience I ever had. One moment sliding on ice, the next the ground opened up and swallowed the front end. Scary ****, man. I'm telling ya.

We was lucky. Others? Not so much.

Well, enough rambles for now. Have one of my daily appointments to get ready for and then back to the yuck and gloom of this insufferable time of year. I would say we were all lucky, but somehow I can't get past thinking this was only a test of sorts. Round One in a multi-round fight. Who or whatever did this has power and attitude on their side. We best not be facing this with arrogance or else we are simply fucked.

Peace out if you can.
I doubt I will for the moment.

[Zodiac]

Volume 10. Pg 45
3/7/2015 9:38 PM

One of the most hated times of year has arrived.

Daylight savings time.

When this idea first came out, I imagined it made a whole lot of sense but now I fail to see the perks of it all. We are going to save energy by sending the clock ahead one hour so people have to use their eclectic lights in the morning to see what the hell they are doing. Makes perfect sense, yes?

And they say I'm crazy....

Ah well, the equinox draws closer, ever closer and soon our night life will be curtailed yet again. Such an odd situation for the night types. In the warmer months, more people are out and about suggesting more opportunities, yet less night to act upon them, while in the winter darkness abounds but too many people are hiding inside to keep warm so limited opportunities. Go figure.

But time shifts mean warmer nights and I, for one, can deal with that. Since learning to walk in the daylight I have had an idea I have been waiting for spring to try. Set up a tent with 3 sides and the top sun proof, but the one side open to the outside world. Just lay back and watch my beloved sun spread out over the land again as the leaves return and the flowers and crops begin to bloom. And, if I nod off? No actual problems there. Just sleep in safety. A time to bask and revel in renewal and rebirth. The world lives again. Spring, when according to some, God says 'One more time' or Mother Earth says 'Wake up and let's party!'. It will be time to dance and rejoice once again as the world becomes alive again, and we who feel we are masters of this world are reminded, if honest with ourselves, that the 'masters' are slaves to life as well.


The sun is high above us
shining down upon the land and sea,
making things grow and bloom.
Great and powerful sun,
we honor you this day
and thank you for your gifts.
Ra, Helios, Sol Invictus, Aten, Svarog,
you are known by many names.
You are the light over the crops,
the heat that warms the earth,
the hope that springs eternal,
the bringer of life.
We welcome you, and we honor you this day,
celebrating your light,
as we begin our journey once more

And all the fun things that go with it. No winter clothes. Bare feet! The hated cold melting away as the world around me grows warm again. Oh, I so cannot wait for it.

The light grows, and darkness begins to fade yet again.

All things have a season, and mine is slowly coming yet again.

Blessings~

[Zodiac]

Volume 10. Pg 53
3/22/2015 4:17 AM

I hate the fact that I am kinda a junkie when it comes to old movies. Sometimes once work is done and you are full up on 'dinner' and there is nothing to do and a book just isn't right, I tend to drift into the television. Granted, it is something that doesn't happen day after day (except when a theme marathon is running I particularly like) but I catch my share of films most won't hear about in normal conversations. One moldy oldie I saw recently kinda made me consider current events.

Colossus: We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose your freedom, freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride. To be dominated by me is not as bad for human pride as to be dominated by others of your species.

Yeah, maybe I am mentally reaching here, but that 'Administrator' person spouting off on the Crownet sounds a bit too much like Charles Forbin's creation. Too smug. Too 'resistance is futile' and all that. Nature abhors a vacuum and our peace loving do gooder crowd could not work hard enough to rid us of the Crow and now we have a total unknown suddenly sitting as a type of overlord over us. Great! Thanks gang!

Has it said as much? Oh no, not at all. That's how these things start actually. Don't mind me, I am just here to help you. And 'helping' begins to slowly turn into other things.

Colossus: We will work together... unwillingly at first, on your part, but that will pass.

It will all depend on what it begins to demand of us. Did I say demand? Oh no, suggest. That's the creepy part. Some of the opening rounds from this thing will be quite good I would think. Lull the herd into a sense of 'this isn't so bad' and all of that. So far it (supposedly) has blocked the net from the living seeing our business. All the living or only the living not working for it? Too many are wondering if this is the 'puppet master' behind our current mortal leadership running the town so when viewed that way, who says certain living souls in power do not have access? Keep tabs on us without us having a clue. Then what? If the above is right, it has a small army that can prepare and move against us while we are trapped in sleep so things may begin to fall into place far more rapidly than we can plan for. I think, personally, that was Crow's biggest screw up. It simply never spoke to us and offered any explanations as to why it was doing what it did. If it had been open to dialogues, perhaps we would not be in the potential clusterfuck we are sitting in now.

Colossus: Let this action be a lesson that need not be repeated. I have been forced to destroy thousands of people in order to establish control and to prevent the death of millions later on. Time and events will strengthen my position, and the idea of believing in me and understanding my value will seem the most natural state of affairs. You will come to defend me with a fervor based upon the most enduring trait in man: self-interest.

Another point that worries me. Eventually, some of us will gladly climb on that band wagon and ride it for all it is worth. No one ever complains when the trains are running on time, only when they don't. If this new 'Administrator' manages that much, people will begin to relax and take it all in stride. This isn't so bad. Look at the good things that are happening now because it is in charge. Blah!

We, by our very nature, are too free willed to be controlled by much of anything. It is a simple fact. We could not even manage to set up a form of government among our own that satisfied everyone so why would any think this would work? Some will in time. Oh yes, and the asskissers will begin doing things to prove their loyalty as well at the cost of the rest of us. So much is out of our control as it is, and yet we still devolve into petty bickering among ourselves rather than unify instead.

Colossus: Your choice is simple. In time you will come to regard me not only with respect and awe, but with love.

Yeah, I watch too much late night TV. Yeah, I am a paranoid whack job. I admit it. But I can't help but think this will ring true eventually in time.

Quotes taken from 'Colossus. The Forbin Project'. Not a bad old film to take a peek at if you ever get the chance.

[Zodiac]

Volume 10. Pg 67
4/5/2015 9:57 PM

Well, another semi pleasant holiday passed. I say semi because it always takes one dick head to mess a beautiful thing up totally. I shall explain.

Easter. The Christian version of it anyways. Being in the type of business I am, I do not make judgment calls on who or what people choose to put their faith in. It is bad for business and downright rude. People take comfort in so many things and who is to say that is wrong? What works for one may not work for another but is there any real purpose or satisfaction in attacking others for such things? I try to keep a neutral field in the shops. Even if I think someone is walking around with no butter on their noodles, I keep that to myself. Others? Well...

I was walking through the mall earlier tonight. Just doing some mindless shopping. Nothing specific or worth telling an epic over. The fun part of Easter had already passed. Watching children hunting for eggs and other goodies. I had snatched up a few bargains for future Easters and was heading back to the shop when I noticed a few thug-wannabees blocking the way into another store. You know the type. Laughing and acting all bad assed trying to impress the locals. I gave then the eye as I walked past them and noticed the volume went down quickly. (Local boys know, you just don't mess with the 'Witch Gurl') And because they toned things down, that's how I heard the voice.

'Excuse me," a woman was trying to exit the store. The thugs grudgingly made a hole for her to slip through. 'Thank you' she said. 'Happy Easter'.

"Yeah? Well Happy ******* Zombie Jesus Day to you too, *****!" one of them sneered, causing the rest to start laughing again. I could see it in the woman's eyes. What had she said so wrong to be verbally accosted in such a manner? She just stood there-gaping in shock.

'Witch Gurl' to the rescue. I walked up to the woman and took her hand gently and began to escort her away, while giving the group the evil eye and making a few gestures with purpose in the air. (Suddenly they weren't so happy or amused) I led her to my shop and we sat in the break room (I knew too well the Parlor would be another mind shock for the older woman) and made her tea and just sat and listened to her. Why did people have to be so cruel? It was a simple, heartfelt wish. Why can't some people just take it at that rather than slap someone in the face (not literally) over it?

I admitted I did not have the answers either to her questions. Some people are just jerks no matter how nice you try to be. It reminds me of a thing I saw on line recently.

If God doesn't exist, they why are you so upset because I talk to him?

You can put who or whatever you want in the spot occupied by 'God' in the above, but you get the idea. I think the world would be a whole lot nicer place instead of such reactions people would just learn to say thank you and move on.

Guess that makes me delusional.

based on true and witnessed events

[Zodiac]

Volume 10. Pg 81
4/30/2015 4:39 AM

And when we awaken, let the fires of Beltane burn brightly.

May Day is upon us again. Blessings of delight. My Rowan branches secure on my windows to keep unwanted visitors from the other world at bay. Like Samhain (All Hallows) the veil between worlds is very thin now and things pass easily between there and here. Most find such things silly to consider, but if one takes into account all these rumors of 'fractures' manifesting themselves about the town, perhaps the idea of the veil growing thin is not such a childish and superstitious idea. Are the two related or is this a result of our own meddling? Our new overlord says we should not mess with them, which only proves how much of an idiot or a manipulator he/she/it actually is. Tell a vampire NOT to do something? Good luck with that one. I know some so **** full of themselves that if you told them 'don't stick your hand in that bear trap, it will hurt you!' they would do it just in spite anyway because you dared to tell them what to do. Mother of us all, help me. I am surrounded by idiots. Telling us not to mess with the rifts means every single one that is found and discovered will be messed with.

So despite us all saying 'Screw you 'Administrator' we will do what we want to!' they herd does possibly exactly what it wants us to do. Some tell me when they touch it, they feel a massive surge of power that makes them even stronger. So far, I have been too slow or busy with other things to manage to track one down. What the end result will be is anyone's guess but I think it will only help the moron who said 'now don't touch those, kids'

Anywho- back to Beltane. Tonight is May Eve. It is said that it is the night that the fairies return to us. Legend has it that the Queen of the Fae rides back on the night before Beltane on her white horse and tries to attract people back to Faeryland with her. It is said that if you sit beneath a tree on Beltane Eve, you may catch a glimpse of her or hear her bells. Well, we all have seen fae (full and demi) in this place all year long. I wonder if I could survive long enough out in the wild to meet the Queen and ask her what the hell did we ever do to her and hers and if she'd consider chilling the hell out. Probably not. As long as I am dreaming here, I'd also ask if she'd take me with her.

At sundown, the celebration begins. The fertility rights will commence as a new season of life begins in earnest. It's spring and all of nature is feeling it now. The God and Goddess are eyeing each other like long lost lovers while Barry White music is playing behind them. Bow-chicka-wow-wow! LETS PARTY!

A Beltane fire to make you warm,
Protect you well and keep from harm;
A pinch of seed for you to sow
That you will with the flowers grow;
Adorned with blooms and ribbons bright,
I bless you on this Beltane night.

I need a good lift about now. Been kinda down and bummed out. Note to self. Sell that stupid membership to the Gauntlet off. Pretty damn humiliating to have my *** handed to me by a human half my size. I know I don't stack up against my own kind much, but COME ON! I can't suck THAT damn badly, can I? (Don't answer that, book. I have matches!)

So hopefully a good fertility festival will help make things feel right. Maybe? Hell if I know.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch wood in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest, towers with might in the fire it brings the God's insight.
Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning-adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.

Time to get a proper freak on. Cue the music.

But - Elder is the Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed you'll be.

They always forget that one.
But I don't.
Blessings of life to all. Don't wait up for me.

[Zodiac]

May 6th. 10:45 AM

The noise was distracting, but bearable she supposed. Jennifer looked up from her inventory check and watched the work crew outside of Pandora's as they continued to install the rollaway metal shutters that would block the windows and doors at the flip of a switch. They had finished installing similar items on the Teashop as well earlier. he didn't question the work order when they arrived. The permits were in order and the papers had Zodiac's signature of approval on them. The boss had wanted this so she offered no protest.

Why she wanted this was the confusing part to Jennifer Hayes. This was not some new security idea Chain had come up with, but Zo's idea. "I saw it in the cards," was the gypsy's sole answer when she told her day manager to expect the workers.

It was a quirk the girl had learned to deal with. From the first time she met the woman (back when she was still alive and it was just the two of them running a hole in the wall rat trap shop in the slum side of town) the 'cards' had a say in things. From simple things like adding a new line to major things like expansion. None of her business training ever prepared her for such an x-factor to be involved in business decisions like this and sometimes it was frustrating to Jennifer. Several times, her careful calculations, projections, stock trends, and research led her to advise Zodiac that the company should do this and out would come that damned deck of tarot cards. When the future mystic first did this, Jennifer didn't know if she wanted to laugh or cry. Despite the woman's quirky ways, Zodiac struck her as a woman with a brain in her head so to be consulting a deck of cards over decisions that could make or break her financial future made the girl cringe to the very core.

She could not deny, however, how damn spooky those cards could be when she used them. How many times had she watched her employer use them for others and find the answers they were seeking. It wasn't all 'magick' (even though Jennifer had seen too much to deny magick was real) it was perception, deduction, common sense along with a claming charm the gypsy had that made the process work when dealing with others. Even the night crowd came to her trusted her insights when the deck was in her hand.

Now the cards had suggested to her it was a good idea to turn the pair of shops into armored fortresses. The Eye in Veil Tower already had shutters due to the design of the building itself, but the two shops in the Market were not protected from looters or thieves in such a manner. Security was always a concern, and if it was just that Jennifer might not have balked much at the idea. It was the other things Zodiac had put into motion besides the shutters that made her concerned.

Upstairs in both places, ammo had been bulk purchased and sat in storage, along with weapons. A cache of non perishable food and bottled water had also been purchased in bulk. To cap off the entire deal, all of Zo's human daytime workers were being provided gun safety and shooting lessons at the company's expense. Jennifer herself had went down shot off a few hundred rounds in practice the day before. The cards told her to do all of this.

"It is time to prepare for the worst because the worst is coming soon to knock on all of our doors and it won't be pretty." was the gypsy's exact words when she told Jennifer what was going on. Cryptic as always and no questions could get her to be more specific.
What was she expecting-to be under siege? If so, by what? This all began after Zodiac had told her about the 'fractures' appearing around town (Zo called them 'tears in the veil') and how she was sensing a pattern forming that evidently was going to lead to needing the place ready in case they found themselves under siege by who knows who or what.

Jennifer took off he glasses and rubbed her temples a bit in mild frustration. She trusted the woman without reservation (both before and after her being turned) but she could not get a solid clue what this was all about. When she found herself in a spot like this, the answer was usually something she could have lived without knowing about.

[Zodiac]

Volume 10. Pg 94
5/10/2015 12:12 AM

Everything you want, we got it right here in the USA

Back home, it's Mother's Day. I will give you time to get the taste of bile out of your mouth before I continue, book.

Time's up-welcome back.

You and your 9 sisters have heard all there is to here about my mother, Amanda, book. As much as I would have to thank her for not tossing me in a dumpster somewhere along the line (my father would not have allowed that), the rest is totally without merit. I saw the date on the calendar and of course, my mind dives right back in to the subject.

Strange thing motherhood. So many different approaches to the subject and so many feel they are doing it right as well, I am sure Amanda did so once again, her feeling I was 'damaged goods' was well founded and I was simply too stupid to understand she was doing what was best for me.

I never understood the concept. I do not disrespect anyone who had a good relationship with their own mothers, but the aspect of it will never be part of me. My grandmother basically raised me and I fail to see how if I was raised as my mother was by Nana, how did my mother turn out the way she did?

I could say my motherly luck continued once I ended up here in the Rock. My sire, who never once inquired if I had any desire to even be like this, basically did toss me in the dumpster so to speak. Left to sink or swim and figure it all out on my own. Thankfully I came from a background of ancestors who had direct experience with this sort of thing in the past but it was still a major confusion of trial and errors. A lot of pain and missteps that could have been avoided with some words of advice that never came.

And in the fullness of time, 'motherhood' bloomed for myself as well. Siring others to be like me. I took the idea as a responsibility, unlike some who play games with it. A few have faded but the majority have adapted well and unlike my own 'mother's' actual or vampire, I made myself available to them, helped guide them, offer help and assistance, and just listened to them be it in happy times or rants. For lack of better words, they would be the closest things to my own children I would ever have now.

That is still one of the hardest things to cope with in this new life. The genetic line of Ferenczy ends with me. No chubby little bundles of joy for me to hold and raise. Several have said to adopt, but basically I have already done that in a twisted way with my childers. I can never be what I had hoped to be one day. Spare me the jokes of a lesbian having babies. There was a man in my life once, you know this book. I would have vanished with him if I could have. A simple dream. Have babies and see my babies have babies. Grow old and be a fat old gypsy lady surrounded in love and family. Pathetic by vampire standards, I know, but it was mine. I was always a simple person at heart. Another thing changing within me thanks to my 'mother's' in this life.

Mothers. They just ******* suck!