Moments of Distraction – Parlor Amusements

Another find from Peterson’s Magazine…

This Parlor Amusement is so detailed they must have memorized it like a mini play. Title sounds like it might have been vaguely inspired by Poe.

Having a Steampunk gathering during the winter? This might be fun to try amongst the ladies… and gentlemen if they choose.

Let me know!
Raye –

PARLOR AMUSEMENTS
THE TELL-TALE LITTLE FINGER. – This game is intended for young ladies; if, however, a few young gentlemen are of the company, their presence may contribute to render it the more amusing.
All the company place themselves in a semicircle, within which is a seat more elevated than the rest, for the schoolmistress, whom they at once proceed to choose. The latter selects another of the company, who takes her place on a stool in front of her companions, and must be prepared to answer all the accusations which the Mistress may bring against her.
Mistress. – You ventured to go out yesterday without my permission; where did you go?
Accused. – To my aunt’s (here she points to one of her companions, who must at once answer, “Yes, mistress,” or pay a forfeit.)
Mistress. – That is not all; you have been somewhere else, my thumb tells me so. (At the word thumb, the Accused answers, “It knows nothing about it,” which she repeats until the Mistress names another finger.)*
Mistress. – And, what is worse, you did not go alone.
Accused. – It knows nothing about it.
Mistress. – Still it says that you were in a grove –
Accused. – It knows nothing about it.
Mistress. – And that a handsome young man was there at the same time.
Accused. – It knows nothing about it.
Mistress. – You have even dined in company with him. It is my middle finger tells me this.
Accused. – Do not believe it. (This is the phrase where the middle finger is spoken of.)
Mistress. – And in a private room.
Accused. – Do not believe it. My neighbor knows to the contrary. (She points to another young lady, who must answer. “Yes, Mistress.”
Mistress. – After the dinner, which lasted for a long time –
Accused. – Do not believe it.
Mistress. – The young man brought you back in a carriage.
Accused. – Do not believe it.
Mistress. – And the carriage was overturned in crossing a brook.
Accused. – Do not believe it.
Mistress. – And when you returned, your dress was wet and torn.
Accused. – Do not believe it. I can bring testimony of one, two, or three of my companions. (She points toward those who are inattentive to the game in preference to the others. They must answer, “Yes, Mistress,” or pay a forfeit.)
Mistress. – It is my little finger that has told me so.
Accused. – Pardon me, Mistress, it has told a falsehood. (All the young ladies say at the same time, “Ah! The wicked little finger!”
Mistress. – It insists upon it, however.
Accused. – It has told a falsehood. Ask all my companions.
All, without uttering a word, lift up their right-hand, as if to attest the falsehood of the accusation. The slightest hesitation is punished by a forfeit.
Mistress. – It says that all these young ladies tells a falsehood.
All rise. Those who keep their seats pay a forfeit. The Accused returns among her companions; a new Mistress is chosen, who designates a new culprit, and the game continues.
If, on the contrary, the first Mistress, content with the testimony which the young ladies have given without rising, announces that the little finger declares that it was mistaken, she can bring forward new charges, to which the culprit must answer in the same manner as before described.

*There was a punctuation error in this line. I didn’t want to post it without the correction.

Victorian Holiday Fun

Dickens Christmas on the Strand, held in Galveston Texas, is full of old  fashioned Holiday fun. So lasso up the kids and heard then down to the strand. Tossing knives while ridding a unicycle … fun fun fun. Of course I won’t be trying that anytime soonA highlight of Dickens On the Strand is the Victorian Bed Races. The beds have to be Victorian style with head and foot-boards.

 

 

The beds must be decorated in a Victorian Christmas theme.      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beds may only be pushed, from the back or the sides. No pulling allowed Teams begin at 21st and Mechanic Street and race westward to the intersection of 22nd and Mechanic. In the intersection, teams come to a complete stop and perform a “Chinese Fire Drill”, with every team member circling the bed once. Then one of the pushers dons a night cap and gown, without assistance, and changes places with the previous rider, who becomes a pusher.         Once the new rider is on the bed, the team races to the finish line. Awards are given for the fastest time and the best decorated.

I want to wish all the Steamed readers a Merry Steampunk Christmas and a lot of Victorian Holiday fun.

Maeve Alpin, who also writes as Cornelia Amiri, is the author of 24 published books. She creates stories with kilts, corsets, and happy endings. She lives in Houston Texas with her son, granddaughter, and her cat, Severus.

Victorian Christmas Traditions

The idea of Christmas in the Victorian era immediately evokes imagery of lushly decorated trees, lavish dinners and balls, and Santa. Many of our most beloved Christmas traditions were started or made popular by the Victorians.

At the beginning of the 19th century, it was barely considered a holiday by many. But my the end of the 19th century was the most popular. Some of this rise in popularity is attributed to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, since he brought many of his own traditions, including a Christmas tree, to Britain, which then became popular in America and other places. Christmas trees and lavish decorations soon became household mainstays.

 

The Christmas Card, Christmas Cracker, and caroling were also made popular as well. Many gave gifts at the new year, but as Christmas became more and more popular, giving moved as well. The first gifts were simple, then, they became more and more lavish, especially as businesses began to see the commercial side of Christmas.  The Christmas feast can be traced back to the Middle Ages but the Victorians shaped it into what it is today. This includes the Christmas turkey. Santa, as we know him, also took shape in the Victorian era.

Here’s a menu for a “Traditional Christmas Dinner” from the 1890 Godey’s Lady’s Book.

CHRISTMAS DINNER MENU

Raw Oysters

 Bouillon

 Fried smelts……………………………Sauce tartare

Potatoes a la Maitre d’ Hotel

 Sweetbread Pates……………………….Peas

 Roast Turkey………………Cranberry Sauce

Roman Punch

Quail with Truffles………….Rice Croquettes

Parisian Salad

Crackers and Cheese

Nesselrode Pudding………….Fancy Cakes

Fruit………………….Coffee

 If you’d like to learn how to make everything, directions are here. Make sure to scroll down the page to see them.

So much of what we think of as Christmas was popularized by the Victorian, yet at the same time, the idea of a Victorian Christmas still makes me think of a simpler time. Here are some ideas ranging from easy to difficult to create some of your own Victorian Christmas magic.

 

—

Suzanne Lazear writes steampunk tales for teens.  INNOCENT DARKNESS, book one of The Aether Chronicles, book two, CHARMED VENGEANCE, and book three, FRAGILE DESTINY, are now available from Flux. Visit her personal blog for more adventures.

Moments of Distraction – Christmas Games

More on activities for cold winter nights! There are two activities detailed in this section of Peterson’s Magazine 1883 – December edition.

The first may look familiar… In my childhood we called it Telephone… but when I think about it now, Telephone wasn’t a good name for the game… after all who whispers to another person on the telephone… strange but true. The Victorian name for the game seems to fit the activity better!

CHRISTMAS GAMES.

CONFIDENCES is a capital game in its way. One lady whispers a remark to her neighbor about someone present. She would say, perhaps: “Young Mr. jones was coming home from a party last night, and lost his way in the fog, and had to leave his carriage, and walk home with two boys carrying lanterns.” And this is whispered hurriedly from person to person round the circle, and the amusing part of it is to discover how the story has become altered by being passed on in this manner.

Many games are played entirely for the amusement of children, and only joined in by the elders with that object. It is not always easy at the moment to hit upon something to please children, other than romping-games, such as “Post,” Blind Man’s Buff,” “Puss in the Corner,” “Hide and Seek,” “Magic Music,” “Oranges and Lemons,” “Throwing the Handkerchief,” etc. But these games, although very well for the nursery or for the play-room on a wet day, or for the garden on a summer’s day, occasion a good deal of noise when played in a drawing-room. Children are apt to become rough and quarrelsome when these boisterous games are indulged in for any length of time, and parents generally prefer to see their children amused and interested in a quieter way. “Shadows is a good game where with to amuse children, but it is best to play it in the school-room or in the dining room. The plan is to fix a linen sheet across the room, and to place a lamp on the floor behind it; the actors dance and perform a sort of pantomime, with much gesticulation and many quaint antics, and the shadows thus formed on the sheet are a source of great delight to the young spectators.

What games would your characters play on a snowy evening when kept indoors? Could you play these games in the public rooms on an airship? Hmmm… what do you think?

The Steampunk 12 Days of Christmas

It’s that time of year again.

” Steampunk Santa” ©Jennifer Koopman on Etsy

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me…

12 Air Pirates

11 Painted Ladies

10 Clock Hands

9 Ray Guns

8 Pairs Brass Goggles

7 Aviator Caps

6 Cogs and Gears

5 Mad Scientists

4 Flying Cars

3 Top Hats

2 Pretty Corsets

And an Airship in a Pear Tree!

–

Suzanne Lazear writes steampunk tales for teens.  INNOCENT DARKNESS, book one of The Aether Chronicles, book two, CHARMED VENGEANCE, and book three, FRAGILE DESTINY, are now available from Flux. Visit her personal blog for more adventures.

Moments of Distraction – Parlor Games And Crafts

First, my apologies for my disappearing act. It was not my wish. Diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in both my hands, I have done my best to recover the full use of my hands, but still have bouts of pain and I can’t feel my fingertips. So, I owe you folks posts.. and I will make them… just horribly late. So very sorry for the wait. – Raye

Since this is the winter, hopefully of much content for all of you… I wanted to post about Victorian Era entertainments and crafts. Hoping that if you do end up with some ‘snow days’ you might have something to occupy your time in a Steampunk way!

Peterson’s Magazine – 1865

PARLOR GAMES.
FOX and GEESE. – There must be an even number of players in this game, and a circle is to be formed standing two by two, so that those who are on the outside have each one person in front of them; these are called the Geese, and there must be some space left between the couples, to allow the one who is chased to run in and out of the circle. Two must be left out, one a Goose, and the other the Fox.

The Fox is to catch the Goose not belonging to the circle, who can run around the circle and also within it, which the Fox cannot be allowed to do; but when the Goose, who is pursued, places himself before one of the couples composing the circle, there will necessarily be three in the row, and as this is against the rule, the outside one of that three immediately becomes liable to be caught instead of the other, and must endeavor to avoid the pursuit of the Fox by darting within the circle and placing himself before some one of the players.

It is the object of the Fox to catch the player who makes the third one of a row and it is the object of each Goose to avoid the third place. The Fox can only catch the Goose as he stands the third in a row, or before he succeeds in escaping to a place of safety. If the Goose is touched by the Fox while in the position of third one in a row, or if touched in passing from this third place to one of safety, he becomes the Fox instead, and the other becomes the Goose again. It will be observed that the amusement of this game will depend upon the spirit and animation with which it is conducted. Great rapidity of movement is necessary.

While I was reading/typing out the instructions, it struck me that the game was still around when I was in school. Back then (in the 80s) we called it Safety Tag and played it in the school yard during PE Class.

Would this game occupy children in the common room of an airship? In a village in a remote part of the world after a long voyage? Aboard a submarine to entertain the families of crew?

What kinds of games would children in your stories play on long winter days/nights?

Christmas Past

It wore a tunic of the purest white;- “I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.”

Thursday, the Houston Thanksgiving parade included Queen Victoria in her carriage, the Ghost of Christmas past and other splendid characters from Dickens On the Strand. It’s that time of year for the annual Victorian/Steampunk event in Galveston Texas. It’s this coming weekend, but here are some scenes from Christmas past.

And some ways to get ready for Chris tmas present to attend Christmas Steampunk or Victorian event in your area. First you may want to brush up (with make-up brushes that is) on Victorian make up with this tutorial. http://www.mookychick.co.uk/alternative-beauty/make-up-tips/victorian-fashion-ideas-makeup.php

Here is more help with a video on Victorian hairstyles.

And in addition to the hair and makeup tips, there are plenty of costume ideas in the photos above. As well as a workshop on Literary Consuming on how to turn a page from a book  into a costume.

~                            ~                            ~

Maeve Alpin, who also writes as Cornelia Amiri, is the author of 24 published books. She creates stories with kilts, corsets, and happy endings. She lives in Houston Texas with her son, granddaughter, and her cat, Severus. This Saturday December 6th you can find her at the Maud Marks Library Local Author event and Sunday December 7th she’ll  be enjoying herself at Dickens On The Strand.

Moments of Distraction – Paper Beads

I have some great friends.. old friends, but we won’t get into ‘how’ old… ’cause I’m NOT telling! Anywho, this old friend gave a beautiful necklace a long time ago made of paper beads.

Recently as I was talking to him about this series of posts he brought up the beads. His grandmother had made them as a child and had learned the craft from her mother, so he knew it was from the ‘right’ era. A little searching on the net brings up a love link for those who would like to make the beads for themselves.

Guide to Making Paper Beads

So here’s the crazy thought…

I’m one of those that sees crafts made of old books… and I wince. I love the idea of recycling, but I hate the idea that writing from another era might be lost forever when the book is consumed by the craft…

But, if you’re a writer (and most of us are) why not make these beads with your printed drafts?

Now, I know the concern may be someone opening up all the beads to read your work, but that’s a lot of unrolling… so don’t do it with your printed drafts if you’re worried, but I think it might be a nice way to recycle… or use those left over scrapbook papers!

STEAMPUNK FAQ

photo by Candice Wilmore

What to ask (or not to ask) your friendly neighborhood steampunk author. Here are some of the mostly commonly asked questions, how I usually answer, along with what I’d sometimes like to say.

What the heck is steampunk, anyway?

This is the big one—the one we hear ALL the time. My answers range from snarky (Jules Verne on crack) to oversimplified (science fiction set in Victorian times)For folks my age and over, I sometimes reference the old Wild, Wild West TV show. The long answer, which I never say, is that steampunk is a blend of historical feel and advanced technology. It’s not just a fiction genre, although it certainly is that, but it’s also a mood, a feel, and a thriving social phenomenon. It embodies futuristic technology, sometimes fantasy elements, and a rebellious attitude, along with a return to pride in manufacturing and craftsmanship. Most of all? It’s a whole hell of a lot of fun.

Why write steampunk? And why do you mix fantasy and/or romance elements into your steampunk stories?

Again, because it’s fun. I like writing books that I’d like to read. I love mixing history, SF, fantasy and romance. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s what I enjoy.

What’s the coolest gadget you’ve invented for your books?

Gee, I’ve had cybermen and networked computers in Victorian London. Typewriter, telephone, germ theory and dirigible are all there ahead of their real time. Rings that eject poison darts and clockwork powered artificial limbs. Beyond all of that, however, the coolest creation in the Gaslight Chronicles world is George, the mechanical dog. George is kind of like Mr. Data on Star Trek. He’s exceeded his components and programming to the point where he’s really more or less a living creature.

How much research do you do, or do you make it all up?

Short answer: Quite a bit. Long answer: I do a surprisingly heavy amount of research for my steampunk stories. I very carefully take the key incidents that changed my world from the one we live in, then I follow those changes and decide how they would have effected everything else in the world where the characters live. In my case, the tipping point is twofold: 1) Magic has always existed and been acknowledged, and werewolves, vampyres, etc. DO exist. Therefore the Order of the Round Table was never disbanded in England and still exists, Knights with extraordinary powers who protect England from supernatural threats. 2) The computer was invented in the 1840s, by a man called Babbage, and is called an analytical engine. (There’s history behind this. Babbage in fact, did design this machine, but it was never built in our world.) Since a woman wrote the code for this machine, women in the sciences were catapulted ahead of where they were in our world. I also do a lot of research on clothing, settings, historical events and figures. In Cards and Caravans, I had to tweak the Scottish legal system, since they weren’t really burning witches in the 1850s. But that means I had to know it before I could tweak it. And maybe, in a world where magic was a known reality, those laws might have been a little different.

Have you read… (insert your list of other people’s books that are or may be close to my genre)

Yes, no, maybe. Much steampunk is YA, and I don’t read a lot of that. I also don’t read a lot of hard SF, where it’s all about the technology and the world. I like my character-driven stories and my romance, so that’s most of what I read. I have read William Gibson’s The Difference Engine, which is one of the seminal works of SF. Also, since steampunk is so maker-driven, there is a lot of self-published and web-original work out there. I read some, but may not have had time to read all of it.

Who are your favorite steampunk authors?

LOL, besides myself? Snark. I love MelJean Brooks, Gail Carriger (except for the book where the main couple breaks up at the end—HATED that one) Kate Cross and Seleste Delaney. There are so many more I need to read, but haven’t yet.

Where can I buy your books? Are they at WalMart?

My steampunk series, so far, is only in e-book, with the exception of Steam & Sorcery, which is available in print, exclusively through Amazon. That’s kind of awkward in a community that wants everything to look like it’s 1885. So yes, you can get them at Amazon, or B&N, or the Carina Press website. You might catch me at a con with a few copies of S&S to give away. Most of them are also on Audible.com. No, you can’t get them at the grocery store. Sorry. I wish that wasn’t the case, believe me.

How many more books will there be? When is the next one coming out? Which characters are in it?

Truthfully? I don’t know. It depends on a lot. Mainly, sales. That’s the hard reality of the fiction business. The more they sell, the more there will be. A girl’s gotta eat, you know? There are two more on the table with my publisher. That’s all I know at the moment. The characters? Well, that’s up to the publisher, too. Let’s just say there’s a whole bunch of Hadrians who still need happy endings.

Where do you get all your cool steampunk clothes?

Thrift shops. (I’m short, so a lot of skirts are floor-length on me, so I cheat there.) Renaissance festivals. The vendors there tend to be awesome, but pricey, so build your wardrobe a few pieces at a time. Catalogs and online companies like Victorian Trading Co., Pyramid Company, Corset-Story and Holy Clothing. Finally, there’s the custom vendors. That’s where things get really pricey, but really, really, cool. I’m not very crafty, but honestly, if you can sew, you have it made.

Last question: How do you come up with the ideas for all this far-out stuff?

Usual answer: No idea. I just have a wild imagination. Snarky answer #1: I’m just twisted like that. Snarkier answer: The idea fairy leaves them in my shower and under my pillow, so I find them when it’s least convenient.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends in the US!

Steampunk Group Art Exhibition at East End

Last weekend I attended the Steampunk Group Art Exhibition at East End Studio Gallery in Houston.

It was a marvelous collection of paintings sculptures, even a moving sculpture, and other 3D art. There was an amazing sculpture of an octopus created by Nik Burns, titlted Copter Octopus. It features a patinated Copper body and Steel legs. The eyes were created from parts of a Brass water tap and Burr Oak was used for the top of the head. The combination of nature with machine is a common theme of Nik Burns’ one of a kind sculptures that he creates working from the beautiful Shropshire hills in England.

Hanging The Moon

Deborah Hill’s sculptures were extraordinary. This artist records the ‘story’ or metaphor with a subconscious interpretation rather than what is physically seen with the eye. She’s from the Appalachian foothills of Alabama, and has been in Texas since 1992. She works from her studio in Cypress, Texas.

Here is more amazing art work at the exhibition. The quill from the peacock feather hat and her bright copper hair sprang from the canvas into 3D work.This is by Blue 130.

Blue 130 is  Jennifer “Blue 130” Corletto.  Her art is heavily influenced by her Puerto Rican/Dominican roots, comic books, pin up art, graffiti, horror icons, storybooks, and music. Her work incorporates textile elements, and layered cutouts. She now lives in Houston. Her colorful work can usually be seen at the East End Studio Gallery and she’s shown at House of Blues, Artopia, Summer Street , Hardy & Nance, and Pushing the Limits.

Blue 130 – click on the art above for the link to The art of Blue 130’s Photos FB page

This is a stunning steampunk portrait. The mix of colors and the lady’s expression are so striking. The purple adds a bit of mystery to the black and the red a sense of daring. I want to know more about his woman (this piece is great inspiration for writing).

The clockwork owl painting is so enchanting. I love his cog eyes. I wonder…is that the key to time in his claws.

If you are in the Houston area, drop by East End Studio Gallery, the quality and variety of this Steampunk exhibit is thrilling. The exhibit will be open until Friday, Nov. 21, 2014.

 ~           ~            ~

Maeve Alpin, who also writes as Cornelia Amiri, is the author of 22 published books. She creates stories with kilts, corsets, and happy endings. She lives in Houston Texas with her son, granddaughter, and her cat, Severus.

Military in Steampunk

In honor of Veteran’s Day yesterday, I’m thinking a bit about the popularity of military and pseudo-military uniforms in the steampunk cosplay world and also about the prevalence of military themes in steampunk fiction.

One reason I can think of for the cosplay aspect is that a number of steampunkers come out of a background of military reenactment. Pop on your uniform, add some goggles and gears and it’s an instant costume. Or for the more serious reenactor, the challenge of finding and finishing a more esoteric uniform can be quite a coup. It also provides an excuse for cool props like ray guns and laser swords, like the deck gun I’m modeling with here. Finally, I think, a lot of it is from the airship concept. Here’s the crew of the Airship Defiance, with the spouse, Retired Fleet Admiral Pape and me, Lt. Commander Pape, Ship’s Naturalist, in the back behind the gun.

In stories, I think it’s mostly because the military aspect provides adventure. And it gives us heroes we can root for and be proud of. Happy Veteran’s Day (a day belated) to one and all, and a warm thank you to all those who’ve served in other ways than on an imaginary Airship.

From History To Alternate History

I began writing historical romances, Celtic ones, set in the Bronze ages,  Iron ages, and Dark ages. I moved from history to alternate history with Steampunk. The move into Steampunk was a natural one for me. In To Love The London Ghost I even combined Victorian history with ancient Celtic history as my heroine is a ghost who died on the banks of the Thames fighting Julius Ceasar.

I always loved the Victorian era, I think because of all those western shows I use to watch growing up: The Riffle Man, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Bonanza, The Virginian, and Wagon Train. When I was eight, I discovered the Little House On The Prairie books, those page turners were the first series I ever read and historical fiction has been one of my favorite genres ever since.

Around the age of six on up to about eight, I use to daydream what I called TV in my head and except for one series of mine – fan fiction based on Flash Gordon – all the others were westerns. In one daydream series my hero road a buffalo – I was six or seven and it made perfect sense at the time.  The heroine of those daydreams, the buffalo rider’s wife, always wore a blue and white print frontier style dress. I should find some fabric like that and have a prairie dress made for myself. I can tell people I’m cosplaying a character form my daydreams when I was seven. Why not?

I was eight or nine when The Wild Wild West show began on TV and I was crazy about it. With that in mind, click on the Wild Wild West video for some background music for the post.

I know now that The Wild Wild West was Steampunk.

Though I haven’t written any western themed Steampunk yet, I live in an area where western Steampunk costumes and personas are popular. I live in Texas. Here are some Western themed photos from members of Houston’s local Steampunk community.

Now that I’ve shared my childhood inspiration with all of you, feel free to comment below on what inspired you to write Steampunk. I’d love to hear about it.

 

 ~           ~            ~

Maeve Alpin, who also writes as Cornelia Amiri, is the author of 22 published books. She creates stories with kilts, corsets, and happy endings. She lives in Houston Texas with her son, granddaughter, and her cat, Severus.

 

An All Hallows Wager

Yes, I know Halloween was a few days ago. I wrote this as part of the Halloween Book Trail and now that it’s over, wanted to share this with all of you. Enjoy.  

An All Hallows Wager

An Aether Chronicles Story

© Suzanne Lazear 2014

 

Noli pulled her cape a little closer to her against the cold Los Angeles night as she and V walked down the street. Many houses were decorated with lanterns carved from gourds and pumpkins, walkways lined with candles, and other such things as costumes adults and children went to and fro attending parties and gatherings. Often more than one.

 

“Why do we have to do this?” Noli whined, waving around the paper list in her hand. She hated society parties. At least this one had games.

 

A flying car, a dragon model by the wings, swooped past. Noli waved out of habit. They honked in reply.

 

“I thought you wanted to play the game? At least we were paired up.” Steven Darrow, or V, as she called him, looked dashing as usual. He was dressed as a prince, complete with a sword. The green and brown velvet, heavy with gold embroidery brought out his green eyes. A thin, golden circlet rested on his messy, golden hair.

 

The funny thing was that V was actually a prince. Well, an exiled prince. An exiled prince of the earth court from the realm of faerie, or the Otherworld, as they called it.

 

“True.” There were worse things than being alone with V in the dark on a scavenger hunt. “Still, it’s cold. And I’m hungry.” In the light of the gas streetlamps she peered at the ten items on the list.

 

“We have five already,” a voice sneered. “How many do you have?”

 

Noli sighed and looked over at the taunting form approaching them. Missy Sassafras’ costume was blinding, covered in spangles and sparkles. She practically leaked feathers and beads. What was she supposed to be? Certainly, it wasn’t flattering. Missy was mousy and a bit round. Also, that shade of orange suited very few completions. Hers wasn’t one of them.

 

“Five? Good for you, Missy.” Noli pasted a fake smile on her face. She didn’t like Missy much. Certainly she wasn’t going to admit that they had none. First team to return won. What, she wasn’t sure.

 

How had Missy gotten so many so quickly? The game just started.

 

A spindly form skulked behind. One in a Gladiator costume, carrying a small sack. Will was Missy’s partner for the game.

 

“V,” he nodded, ignoring Noli.

 

“Will,” V nodded back. Ever the gentleman, V gave Missy a little bow. “Miss Sassafras.”

 

Missy gave a little giggle that sounded a bit like a pig being tortured. She waved her fan in front of her face.

 

“Mr. Darrow, your costume is exquisite.” She moved a little as if trying to show off her own costume, probably hoping for V to compliment her in turn. “But Noli I really have no idea what you’re supposed to be.” Her thin lips curved into a sneer.

 

“A princess, right?” Will said softly. “He’s the prince and you’re the princess. Clever.”

 

“You’re right, Will.” Noli smoothed the fabric. It was an Otherworld dress of dark green velvet, heavy with gold embroidery, smooth and flowing without the bustles and crinolines so popular in Los Angeles. Her crown was made of roses from her garden and green and gold ribbons. V’s little sister Elise had helped her with it.

 

“A princess?” Missy laughed so hard she held her sides. “Noli a princess, sure. The dress isn’t even fluffy. I’m not even sure why she gets invited to parties. It’s like inviting the help.”

 

Noli bit her tongue to keep herself from saying what she really thought. Missy was naught but a social climbing dollymop. However, new money or not, Missy, and her parents, weren’t people to aggravate, especially when Noli’s own social position was so precarious.

 

Still, ire rose within her and her hands fisted, the list crumpling.

 

V frowned. “Miss Sassafras, that doesn’t seem like a very nice thing to say.”

 

It wasn’t a very nice thing to say, but Missy didn’t have very nice manners.

 

“It’s true.” Missy waved it off with her hand, then sniffed. “I don’t know why you even bother associating with her.”

 

She said what?

 

“What do you know, Missy Sassafras?” Noli retorted, cheeks blazing as she took a step forward. “I’ll let you know that we’re going to win that scavenger hunt.”

 

“Care to wager?” Missy sneered.

 

“Sure,” Noli replied, even though she had no money to wager.

 

“Fine. If I win the game, Mr. Darrow escorts me to the next ball.” Missy shot her a triumphant look.

 

“Fine, and if you lose then you give me ten dollars,” Noli retorted. It was the first thing that popped into her head. There was quite a bit she could buy with that sort of money.

 

“Deal.” Missy held out her hand.

 

“Deal.” Noli shook it.

 

“Wait a moment.” V tried to separate them with his body. “Don’t I have a say in this?”

“No.” Missy shook her head. “See you soon. By the way, Mr. Darrow, I like posies.” She waggled her fingers and flounced off, leaving a trail of spangles.

 

“Girls are barking mad, I tell you.” Will sighed and gave V a sympathetic look, then trotted off.

 

“Noli, what did you do?” V’s green eyes went wide. “I don’t want to go any ball, let alone one with her.”

 

“I know. Me and my big mouth.” Noli sighed. “What did I just do? But ten dollars! And she just makes me so mad.”

 

“I know.” V looked at the list. “I have some of these, and so do you, but the problem is time, especially if they actually have five.”

 

“I don’t think they do.” Noli started to walk toward V’s house.

 

“We can’t risk that.” A resigned look crossed his face. “Come, now, we haven’t much time.” V’s arm linked hers and they ran down the street. They passed more people playing other games or simply out enjoying the evening. They waved as another neighbor drove passed in their steam-powered auto.

 

They stopped in front of an old oak tree in a nearby park. A ring of mushrooms encircled it and flowers grew around it. The twisted trunk thrummed with energy and magic.

 

But it was. Not only was this a “fairy tree”, but little wood faeries actually occupied it. As if summoned, tiny balls of light appeared. A yellow one landed on Noli’s shoulder. The light was actually a glowing tiny person with yellow wings.

 

“Hi there,” Noli greeted. She couldn’t understand them, but they could understand her.

 

“We need your help,” V told them. “We need all these things and we only have a few moments.”

 

Noli watched as V made assignments. He could talk to them just fine.

 

V grabbed her hand. “They’re meeting us at my house, let’s go.”

 

“We’re asking the faeries for help, isn’t that cheating?” Noli laughed as they ran. She didn’t care about cheating, as long as Missy didn’t win. However, V was usually a fussy old bodger about things like this.

 

He grimaced. “It is, and I don’t like it. But I’m not about to be her escort. Only you, Noli.”

 

Those three words held so many meanings, but he was right.

 

At least he wasn’t angry. She’d be angry if she’d been in his shoes. “I’m sorry, V. I shouldn’t have done that. Missy brings out the worst in me.”

 

He squeezed her hand. “It’s all right. I forgive you. She is a bit…much.”

 

They ran up the steps to his house, which was always so neat and orderly, even though there was no mother. Compared to her own house, which no matter how much work she and V did always looked worn and ramshackle compared to the others on their block.

 

“You get the items from the kitchen, I’ll get the book and what’s upstairs,” V told her as they went inside.

 

The house was empty, since his little sister Elise was at a children’s party. Noli wasn’t sure where James was. However, he liked parties even less than Noli. Also, Mr. Darrow didn’t approve of them courting. After all, one day V would take back his family’s court and restore his family’s good name.

 

No matter what, Noli was just the girl next door.

 

They gathered the items and ran out to the backyard. The fairies there, items in tow.

 

Noli put them in the sack as V checked everything off the list. A biscuit. A novel by dickens. A handbill for a moving picture. A clockwork bird. A stocking. She laughed as she put the very fancy stocking in the bag.

 

“Do I even want to know where you got this?” she teased the faeries.

 

A blue fairy said something to V and his cheeks pinked. “No, you don’t,” he replied, eyes on the floor.

 

She could imagine quite well. The rest of the items went into the bag. “All set.”

 

V gave the faeries a little bow. “I appreciate your help. I’ll leave your reward by the tree.”

 

Noli watched as they flew off. “What did we promise them?”

 

“Treats.”

 

“That’s easy enough.” Noli slung the sack over her shoulder. “How are we on time, should we hoverboard back?”

 

“Do you think we could?” He looked torn. “They never said we couldn’t….”

 

That was good enough for her. “Let’s go.”

 

They grabbed his small, brown wooden hoverboard from the back porch. She held on to him tight, as she adjusted her position, trying to account for the weight of the sack. As they rose into the air, her loose hair whipped around her face and she wished she had goggles—and a cap.

 

They took off down the street and she craned her neck, hoping to spot Missy–and make sure they got there first.

 

Technically, hoverboards were one person conveyances. Also, the law forbid girls from hoverboarding. Once, Noli wouldn’t let it stop her, but now she was trying to stay on the right side of the law. So, she’d simply practiced until she could figure out how to properly balance so they could both fly on his hoverboard.

They landed in the backyard of the Vincent’s, who were hosting the party. Missy wasn’t in sight—and Hope Vincent, dressed as a Grecian goddess, still waited in the gazebo for the first team to come back.

“I didn’t know you could do that,” someone remarked.

“That’s not fair,” Missy’s voice screeched from across the yard.

Leaving the hoverboard on the grass, V and Noli took off for Hope, bag in hand. Must. Finish. First.

“Winner!”  Hope called just as V and Noli raced up the gazebo stairs.

Winner? Noli’s heart fell to the floor. She never should have opened her mouth. Do not engage. How many times had her mother told her that.

“Noooo.” Missy came up behind them, face flushed and crestfallen.

Wait. If Missy was behind them, who won?

James Darrow stood there triumphantly, in nothing but a bed sheet. He was the younger brother, though not by much, and looked older. A girl named Violet was at his side, dressed like a fairy, complete with fabric and wire wings. Noli used to take dance classes with her. Once. Back when she had the time and money for such things.

“James and Violent are the winners,” Hope declared. “V and Noli are second and Will and Missy are third, pending you all have the correct items.” She held out her hands for everyone’s sacks.

“Where did you come from?” Noli blurted. “I didn’t even know you were coming.”

James grinned, raking a large hand through his dark blonde girls. “I’m full of surprises.”

“Oh my,” Missy hissed. “Mr. Darrow the younger certainly has filled out.”

Hope looked though each sack. “The winners stand as stated. Here you go.”

She handed out the prizes. A cake shaped like a pumpkin for the winning team and candied apples for everyone else.

“You cheated.” Missy turned to Noli. “I’m not giving you ten dollars.”

“You don’t have to. I didn’t come in first. It was if I won, not if I beat you.” Noli shrugged, though part of her wanted to rub the candy apple in Missy’s hair. How did James win? She could really have used that ten dollars.

“Actually,” Will interjected, “you actually do owe her. The wording was that if you lost then you had to give her ten dollars.”

V nodded. “Actually, Will’s right.”

Missy’s face screwed up as if she’d eaten something bitter. She reached into her décolletage and pulled out a ten-dollar bill. “Here.”

Noli just stared at it. Ten dollars was a lot of money for someone their age to have on hand. Also, that was an odd place to keep money. Should she even touch it?

James yanked the money out of her hand, as if he didn’t care where it came from, which, he probably didn’t. “That was quite gracious of you. Here you are, Noli.”

Ten dollars. All hers.

She shook her head. “You…you can have it back, Missy.”

An eager look crossed her face.

“Missy, a wager is a wager, you should play fair,” Will scolded.

“Fine. You’re something, Noli Braddock.” Missy turned around in a huff and marched down the stairs of the gazebo.

Will just stood there. He shook his head. “Girls.”

James put a hand on Vs shoulder. “On to the next? I hear that Ginny’s party has a fortune teller.”

“I suppose. Though I need to grab a few sweets,” V told them.

“They can have my apple. I prefer caramel apples to candy,” Noli replied.

V nodded. “Very well then.”

“Here, take this.” James handed her the money.

Not sure what to do with it, she tucked it into her stocking. “That was unexpected.”

“That is what,” James agreed.

Violet rushed after them. “You’re not staying, James? Don’t you want half the cake?”

“Keep it.” James didn’t even turn around.

The three of them thanked Hope and walked down the street toward the park with the oak tree.

“How did you do it?” Noli asked. “I didn’t even think you came to the party.”

James grinned. “Cheaters never win, though I have to say, I was very tempted to help Missy just to see V take her to a ball.”

V’s face flushed. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“I can’t believe you would cheat. It’s so unlike you. She cheated too, you know. I got bored so I decided to join you and I saw her and Will cheat, then I heard you to, so I grabbed Violet and…” James shrugged. “We won. Clever, Noli, to word it like that so you got the money regardless. Not that I ever meant to begrudge you of that. I know you can use it.”

They entered the park.

“Then why bother then?” Noli frowned. Though the Darrow boys, not being human did have an odd sense of fun. “Also, I never meant to cheat her out of it.”

“I know.”

“I feel bad though. You’re right, cheaters don’t win. Even if they’re cheating a dollymop like Missy. But how did you win? It makes about as much sense as you trying to beat us, even though you gave the cake to Violet and I still won the money.” Noli placed her apple in front of the tree.

V put his down as well. “That’s what I’d like to know.”

James grinned and pulled a piece of fruit and a handful of nuts out of his bed sheet and placed them at the base of the tree. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”

Noli looked to him and shook her head. She just didn’t get it. Boys. “Now, can we please go to a party with food? I’m hungry.”

The End

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Suzanne Lazear is the author of the Aether Chronicles series, where Noli, V, James and company have lots of adventures. Some of them include flying cars and faeries. Books 1-3 are out now.

Dracula and Bram Stoker

Florence Balcombe Stoker

If you don’t have access to ShowTime and you’ve been wondering what Penny Dreadful is all about, let me clue you in. I enjoy the show and recommend it. Ethan Chandler a Wild Bill Cody type is hired by Sir Malcolm Murray and Vanessa Ives to find and rescue his daughter, Mina Hunter, kidnapped by Dracula. Dr. Frankenstein teams up with them as well. And Dorian Gray is added to the mix.

This is my third post for Halloween month, October, so it’s Bram Stoker and Dracula’s turn. It is not a proven fact but it has been reported by many Stoker biographers that he died of syphilis. It was a disease that plagued many in the Victorian and Edwardian periods. When dracula attacks someone he infects them with vampirism and it’s easy to see the possible connection with a disease like syphilis. It’s not hard to discern his guilt and concern over possibly infecting his wife and also in being unfaithful to a woman he loved. Bram Stoker married actress Florence Balcombe in 1878. She’d previously been engaged to Oscar Wilde. From all accounts they had a strong marriage and shared a deep love for each other. We can see those intense emotions in Jonathan’s feelings for Mina.

Bram Stoker

Some interesting tidbits on Bram Stoker s he was  Irish, while Dracula is Eastern European For that reason, you may not have noticed the author’s Celtic roots showing in the story but I assure you they are there. It is said he actually wrote his first draft of Dracula while he was a guest at Slains. The Slain castle in Aberdeenshire Scotland is often considered an inspiration for Dracula’s castle in the book.

On his mother’s side Bram Stoker happened to be a direct descendent of ’Manus O’Donnell (Manus ‘the Magnificent. He was an Irish clan leader who led a rebellion against Henry VIII in the 16th century. Bram Stoker drew on his lineage to write of a man with a great past as a warrior and ruler now displaced by the passage of history, living in the shadows, in other words it is also the story of Bram Stoker’s ancestry.

It has been said that as a little boy in Ireland Bram Stoker’s mother often told him stories including horror stories. They must have included Irish folk lore.There are many tales of dark vampiric fey in Celtic mythology. These dark fey are often extremely beautiful and seductive. The vampiric fey, the baobhan sith,  always roamed together as sisters. In Dracula, Bram Stoker’s description of the three sisters in the vampire’s castle seems similar to dark Celtic fey.

Two were dark, and had high aquiline noses, like the Count, and great dark, piercing eyes that seemed to be almost red when contrasted with the pale yellow moon. The other was fair, as fair as can be, with great wavy masses of golden hair and eyes like pale sapphires. I seemed somehow to know her face, and to know it in connection with some dreamy fear, but I could not recollect at the moment how or where. All three had brilliant white teeth that shone like pearls against the ruby of their voluptuous lips. There was something about them that made me uneasy, some longing and at the same time some deadly fear. I felt in my heart a wicked, burning desire that they would kiss me with those red lips. It is not good to note this down, lest some day it should meet Mina’s eyes and cause her pain; but it is the truth. They whispered together, and then they all three laughed—such a silvery, musical laugh, but as hard as though the sound never could have come through the softness of human lips. It was like the intolerable, tingling sweetness of water-glasses when played on by a cunning hand. The fair girl shook her head coquettishly, and the other two urged her on. One said:—

“Go on! You are first, and we shall follow; yours is the right to begin.” The other added:—

“He is young and strong; there are kisses for us all.”

Because authors Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, and Oscar Wilde pulled deep from within and wrote emotion and human pain into their stories we can connect with the horrors they created. We feel what the monsters feel. We can see bits of ourselves in these monsters …and that is what makes them scariest of all.

~           ~            ~

Maeve Alpin, who also writes as Cornelia Amiri, is the author of 22 published books. She creates stories with kilts, corsets, and happy endings. She lives in Houston Texas with her son, granddaughter, and her cat, Severus.

Victorian Halloween Customs

The traditions behind Halloween go back for thousands of years, however, the Victorians, with their love of décor and costumes, helped shape Halloween into what we know and love today.

In the Victorian era, Halloween was full of fun and silliness. There was no trick-or-treating, but there were elaborate parties, especially for young people. Sometimes the parties did involve costumes and theme parties became popular toward the end of the era. Magazines would feature articles on how to throw the best party and instructions on how to make various decorations. Neighbors would try to outdo each other’s parties.

Popular decorations included corn, jack-o-lanterns, gourds, streamers, and characters like ghosts and witches cut from paper. Typical Halloween party food included popcorn balls, doughnuts, apples, nuts, ice cream, and cakes.

Games were played, and given the Victorian penchant for the occult, it’s no surprise that fortune-telling and other such parlor games were popular. So were scavenger hunts and telling ghost stories.  Most of the fortune telling games were about love.

While trick-or-treating didn’t become popular until the 1920’s, many of these traditions are still used today in some way shape and form.

What is your favorite Halloween custom, past or present?

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Suzanne Lazear is the author of the Aether Chronicles series which is a YA steampunk series about flying cars, faeries, wishes gone awry, and kissing. Books 1-3 are out now.