cathschaffstump (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cathschaffstump) wrote2007-12-28 09:32 am
cathschaffstump) wrote2007-12-28 09:32 am
Snippet from Seven
Well, the gall bladder won the skirmish yesterday, and after a painful day returning from the hotel and waiting for the cardiologist (no heart trouble as predicted--we are blessed), there was only heating pad and sleeping. I did get my surgery consultation moved up two weeks, so I did win a minor battle. As soon as we get this bad organ out, the more predictable my health will be.
Meanwhile, something new from chapter seven. It's here to redefine Andrew's character, build tension, and move things along in a more definite direction. It's an argument scene, but it is new to some of my readers from the past.
Stephan was working in his room when Sam and Andrew entered, Sam all posture and belligerence. Stephan closed the book he was studying and stood to face them, hands clenching at his sides. Sam pushed him back into the wooden chair, which teetered on two back legs, and then settled on the floor with a thump. “You’re not going anywhere, Gale!”
“Don’t you dare push me!” Stephan shouted.
“Stop it, Sam!” said Andrew. “We’re here to apologize, remember. Gale, we’re sorry about what happened. We were out of line.”
“I’m not sorry!” said Sam, crossing his arms stubbornly.
“Sorry? That doesn’t begin to cover it!” Stephan threw his hands into the air. “There are some things more important than your stupid pranks, have you ever thought of that?”
“You don’t get it, do you Gale?” Sam leaned over Stephan. “If you tattle on other students, you pay for it.”
Stephan glared at Sam. “I have things to do.” Scooting the chair away from Sam, he stood, drawing himself up, clutching the notebook to his chest. “You two are getting in my way. I won’t stand for it!”
Sam grabbed his arm. “I’m not through with you!”
Stephan’s eyes narrowed. “Let me go, or you’ll be sorry!”
“Just try something. Go ahead. You think your magic scares me?”
“It should,” Stephan growled.
Andrew put his hand on Sam’s shoulder. “That’s enough! You!” Andrew flung his hand at Sam. “You have no idea what you’re getting into! Without any preparation, he could squash you flat!”
“Not if I hit him first!” said Sam, lunging forward.
Stephan braced himself. Instead, Andrew slapped Sam, a sobering slap. Sam, eyes wide, watched Andrew turn to Stephan.
Andrew’s eyes narrowed. “And you!” You’re an idiot who can’t take an apology when it’s offered!” Andrew took a deep breath to steady himself. “I don’t care what you two fools do to each other in November! But until then, Sam, Gale is off limits! Perhaps by that time, you’ll have figured out how to get along.”
It was Stephan’s turn to be shocked. “How—?”
“I’ve got eyes, haven’t I? Don’t you suppose I know what your cousins are up to?
“What?” said Sam. “What?”
“None of your business!” said Andrew sharply. “I mean it! No fighting! In November you can fend for yourselves. Right now, grow up!” Andrew stalked out.
Stephan sneered at Sam. “Hiding behind your magical friends? I would have thought you braver than that, Cornwall.”
Stephan dodged a book as it soared at his head, pages fluttering loudly. Sam shoved Stephan against the wall. “I would have listened to him if you’d kept your big gob shut!” said Sam. He pushed and released him. “You’d better watch your back.”
Stephan rubbed his neck. “You watch yours.”
Sam stormed out of the room, slamming the door.
We're being graced with another heavy snow storm here in Iowa. AT LEAST this one isn't happening Saturday, the day of two postponed family Christmas gatherings. We'll see what this does to website plans for the day, as I intended to go into the city...
Stay warm, all of you!
Catherine
Meanwhile, something new from chapter seven. It's here to redefine Andrew's character, build tension, and move things along in a more definite direction. It's an argument scene, but it is new to some of my readers from the past.
Stephan was working in his room when Sam and Andrew entered, Sam all posture and belligerence. Stephan closed the book he was studying and stood to face them, hands clenching at his sides. Sam pushed him back into the wooden chair, which teetered on two back legs, and then settled on the floor with a thump. “You’re not going anywhere, Gale!”
“Don’t you dare push me!” Stephan shouted.
“Stop it, Sam!” said Andrew. “We’re here to apologize, remember. Gale, we’re sorry about what happened. We were out of line.”
“I’m not sorry!” said Sam, crossing his arms stubbornly.
“Sorry? That doesn’t begin to cover it!” Stephan threw his hands into the air. “There are some things more important than your stupid pranks, have you ever thought of that?”
“You don’t get it, do you Gale?” Sam leaned over Stephan. “If you tattle on other students, you pay for it.”
Stephan glared at Sam. “I have things to do.” Scooting the chair away from Sam, he stood, drawing himself up, clutching the notebook to his chest. “You two are getting in my way. I won’t stand for it!”
Sam grabbed his arm. “I’m not through with you!”
Stephan’s eyes narrowed. “Let me go, or you’ll be sorry!”
“Just try something. Go ahead. You think your magic scares me?”
“It should,” Stephan growled.
Andrew put his hand on Sam’s shoulder. “That’s enough! You!” Andrew flung his hand at Sam. “You have no idea what you’re getting into! Without any preparation, he could squash you flat!”
“Not if I hit him first!” said Sam, lunging forward.
Stephan braced himself. Instead, Andrew slapped Sam, a sobering slap. Sam, eyes wide, watched Andrew turn to Stephan.
Andrew’s eyes narrowed. “And you!” You’re an idiot who can’t take an apology when it’s offered!” Andrew took a deep breath to steady himself. “I don’t care what you two fools do to each other in November! But until then, Sam, Gale is off limits! Perhaps by that time, you’ll have figured out how to get along.”
It was Stephan’s turn to be shocked. “How—?”
“I’ve got eyes, haven’t I? Don’t you suppose I know what your cousins are up to?
“What?” said Sam. “What?”
“None of your business!” said Andrew sharply. “I mean it! No fighting! In November you can fend for yourselves. Right now, grow up!” Andrew stalked out.
Stephan sneered at Sam. “Hiding behind your magical friends? I would have thought you braver than that, Cornwall.”
Stephan dodged a book as it soared at his head, pages fluttering loudly. Sam shoved Stephan against the wall. “I would have listened to him if you’d kept your big gob shut!” said Sam. He pushed and released him. “You’d better watch your back.”
Stephan rubbed his neck. “You watch yours.”
Sam stormed out of the room, slamming the door.
We're being graced with another heavy snow storm here in Iowa. AT LEAST this one isn't happening Saturday, the day of two postponed family Christmas gatherings. We'll see what this does to website plans for the day, as I intended to go into the city...
Stay warm, all of you!
Catherine
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