Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
I've been absolutely unable to get here for the last couple of days, I just got time outs.
So big squishy hugs all round.
Kimmi I will spend even more time on my knees..fnar.. and ask for some good mojo in your life.
I hear the bar is getting a refurb , good. Now I can get that pentagram I laid in yhe floor properly and put mystic runes in the loos to self clean them. Darlings even the dryad complain about that job and they can't smell anything.
Well I'm off on a lovely break later today , will try to get some fab pics to bring back.
Oh and anyone knows the Swedish for : Don't do anything stupid
Do pass it on.
For now my loves.
May the Goddess be with you all, keep you ever in Her sight, drive back those with malice in their heart and remind you always that there is always a good reason to fight to see the next dawn. Her Will in all things. Most Blessed Be
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
Well I'd put it this way, if you consider 1 being so poor you'd never read it again, and a 5 being one you can't stop recommending to people you meet.
Only letting people say a story is great isn't really fair.
So they allow you the option of letting a writer know you didn't like a particular story.
Frankly if I got a one and I got actual proper feedback I'd be chuffed.
Forget the score, getting someone to actually say why they thought your story was rubbish is priceless.
Having the freedom to give someone an honest 2, because you felt their story was full of cliches, is fair critique.
Only being able to say it was good, very good or great removes that option.
It hurts to get a low score, but something even the best of us get from time to time.
It's not impossible to be inspired by a similar idea. There could be 2 authors both inspired by Kafka's story and write from the perspective of an animal.
It's also entirely possible for one of us to write a story that sends another writer down a different direction.
Though if I were to be inspired by another writer I'd send them a copy of what I wrote and ask if they wanted a co writer credit for giving me the inspiration in the first place.
I've seen a few stories where people put a writers note that "this story was inspired by X who wrote a wonder story and I used it as the basis for this one."
It seems totally fine with the powers that be. Now blatantly copying someone elses work and sticking a paragraph or two in it would get a finger wag at least.
I'd strongly recommend if you're feeling inspired reach out to your fellow writer. I love to support new writers, and if someone wanted to take one of my ideas to make their own story.
I'd love to work with them on it.
Hope that helps.
--update
If you did give someone a 3, if you put fair comments in the box I doubt they'd remove it. Just lumping a 3 and something vague is going to get it removed. If you don't like something enough to give it a 5 at least let the writer know what they could have done to get a higher score from you.
As a guide line if you want to use someone elses work either give them co writer credit or put them in the authors note so others can see where you got your idea.
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
Only if Grace or indeed Jane doesn't mind. I'd like to see what moves she has.
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
The soft click clack of heels heralds her arrival. Pushing her sunglasses onto the top of her head she looks around slowly and winces at the state of the place.
She stamps her foot calls out in a strange language, and gives a long high pitched whistle. Two small humanoid creatures with bark skin, sap brown eyes and ivy strands for hair seem to rise from the floor and hover before her.
She points around the room and makes a series of orders in a strange language. In seconds the strange creatures are racing around the room, gathering up rubbish and putting it into neat piles.
Striding through the activity like this is perfectly normal she walks behind the bar and checks everything is as it should be.
Fortunately Curvy had been looking after BB and the boiler didn't take long to get running again.
The thick pungent sludge was removed from the boiler and put to one side for the real caffeine addicts. A bag of Italian roasted beans is opened and poured into the huge hopper ready to make fresh coffee.
Making a complicated gesture in the air and chanting in a low melodic ritual , a small rain cloud forms above the boiler and starts to rain heavily into it. Tiny lightning bolts flash within it and the heavy downpour fills the tank in a few minutes.
While the tank is being filled she cleans the big kettle and sets it open and ready to boil.
Another short command and the cloud drifts over to the massive kettle and rains into that too.
When the kettle is full, the lid snaps closed as though by an invisible hand.
Smoke pours from the carved wooden sign on the bar. The sign from The Witch is OUT to IN.
A wave her hand makes a tray of buttermilk fruit scones appear, and a big plate of generous biscuit cake squares.
Looking around she puts her sunglasses on the bar and runs her fingers through her hair flicking it out.
Morning my fellow degenerates.
Lovely to see so many happy faces with us.
Elyse you seem to be especially Jane Fogged today, maybe curl up on Grace's lap. She'd love it.
Gracie lovely to see you back with us again. Don't over extend yourself, take it easy on yourself and never ever say no to a good cuppa.
It always makes the world seem a better place.
Angel I know it can feel terrible not being able to stand by your fathers grave. I know how that feels to an extent. I still haven't been able to see the grave of a dear friend of mine.
Perhaps next year on the anniversary we're going to get together and see it. What I had to relearn is that the place isn't important. Remember your dad where you stand, in that moment he's with you. The ones we love are beyond the Veil but they're also able to reach out to remind us that they still love us. Your father knows you miss him, you love him, and you're so damned proud of him. I like to think it's a ripple from the other side of the Veil too. That he loves you, is do proud of what his little girl grew up to be, the life you made for yourself.
When it's your time to cross the Veil, he will be there to see you again. Though that should be many years yet before you make that crossing.
Kis I may be a very silly blonde, but is that an invitation to put you across my knee and redden that ass of yours?
I'm not saying it's a deal breaker if it is, I do love a nice pink butt.
Sara I can certainly get you anything you'd like to drink, or there's a Witches Brew. It's just a fancy blend of herbal tea, but it does come with plenty of confession time with me.
You can bitch about life, the weather, your boss, your cat, whatever you like. I put all that unpleasantness into a sealed jar and bring it to store room 3. It's amazing how effective it is when added to a good Hex potion or painted on a doorway to drive back Malicious energy. So don't feel you have to sit in the corner if you really want to vent some. I'm here to listen, it's what every good bartender does best after all. So trade what ails you for a good cuppa and a hug. Let's see Krispy Kreme beat that kinda deal.
Adrian I'm half tempted to get you and Kis to host a poetry beat down. My pencil is terrified at getting in the cross fire so she's going to be hiding behind the coffee pot.
You two seem to have a talent for throwing verse like rapper spit rhymes.
Bill The most handsome man in the bar, why if I was even a tiny bit straight I'd be flirting with you big time. This girl is super grateful for you giving her a place to call home, a spot behind this legendary bar, and for being so encouraging when I so needed it. For all of that and so much more, may the Stars ever shine for you, may you have many years of superb health to enjoy your grand and great grand children. You're a precious man and I'm quite madly fond of you.
Carl If you keep posting pictures of adorable kittens wifey is going to make me get her a Maine Coon or something. She's mad to get a cat and every time we get round to getting one things change on us. She loves a big floof like Gunny. Course she always asks about No Name too, the most bitchy horse there ever was. Toss your blanket like a bitchy horse you are baby.
DD I thought you said you'd be keeping Gracie under lock and key so she didn't get try to dance on the bar. I have a feeling she would do, and drag Angel up there with her. Bad girls the pair of them. Still I can't blame them, get a good wax and show the world you're a bad ass bitch.
Grace if Elyse keeps falling off that lap of yours maybe I should tie her to ya with a buddy rope. Call me a silly romantic but I do get misty eyed seeing you two together.
Love is a beautiful thing and you two are super model beautiful. Keep being your gorgeous self my dear.
Though he might be lurking round here somewhere, I'm keeping a spot at the bar for Carlton St James.
A fabulously talented writer, who always inspires me to keep going, that if you work hard enough you can achieve anything.
He might be a big scary story mod now, but he will always be the shy guy, with the askew tie, devilish smile and an easy laugh.
I know it can't be easy walking into a room as a handsome stallion of a man, setting the female and possibly a few male hearts a flutter.
I wanna be Luna when I grow up, taking what I want, making the boys weep and being a 24 carrot bad ass bitch.
Werrk Luna!!
Kimmi Girl you do love to flaunt that peachy ass, you keep that up and I can't be responsible if I start staring at it.
Hope you're still feeling your power girl. Kicking ass, stomping the world and making the bitter bitches of this world grind their teeth. Nothing sweeter to the ear then to hear those who dislike you grinding their teeth as you keep doing what they kept saying you never would. Make 'em weep darling.
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
Skips into the bar, punching the air and dancing across the floor. Boots knocking bottles and debris out of the way, Skirt twirling in the air as she crosses the floor.
Bouncing behind the bar, swift fingers checking everything is properly in its place, moving things around on autopilot until it's all in order. Slides across to Big Bertha, pops the lid open to check the state of the coffee machine.
Twists the filter out and empties Big Bertha, keeping the sludge for Carl and the caffeine junkies. Refills with some Italian Medium roast beans, and lots of mountain fresh water.
Places a soft kiss on BB, and polishes her nozzle for being a good girl.
Cleans out the big kettle and refills it, setting it to boil.
Switches the sign from The Witch is OUT to IN.
Puts two fingers in her mouth and gives a long high pitched whistle. A dozen squirrels run into the room, through the front door, the back door, down the chimney. Where did they all come from.
A single snap of her fingers sends them racing all round the room. Bottles are rolled out the back door,neatly put in rows. Trash is picked up and carried out the back door. Slowly the floor becomes visible and a few snoring bar flies are sprawled on the floor.
A second short whistle results in the tinkling sound of a cascade of bottles being thrown into a recycle bin.
The waste bin is being filled with a torrent of trash.
In a few moments everything is cleaned up, the bins slam shut and the squirrels return to the bar.
Excitedly chirping and looking at the bartender, who reaches into her smock and scatters handfuls of nuts to the squeaking squirrels. Who gather up every crumb and retreat to the top of the bins to soak up the sun and nibble on their feast.
Good morning my darlings, I hope you all are starting your days nicely.
Elyse you look good curled up in Grace's arms. I think you two deserve a big glass of fruit juice, a pastry and lots of cuddle time.
We all need a cuddle darling, and Grace is always happy to love you up.
Lilly you always bring a hint of summers warmth with you. Keep making all our days a brighter place, it's always appreciated even if we don't always say anything.
SBB you keep talking like that and the Church of Dylan will have you excommunicated. Some of those folks are sooo serious about it all.
Art is art to me, and a good song needs the right performer.
Sinead O'Connors Nothing Compares 2 U is far better than the Prince original.
JEff Buckley did a better version of Hallelujah than Leonard Coven ever did.
IF the original material is good enough it should survive being covered, especially being covered badly.
I'm not going to mention a certain attempt to get to Yule Number 1 by a supposed talent show with a truly hateful cover.
Now my darlings, I'm off to put some of the molasses coffee sludge in my veins before going to do some work.
If I forgot ya, blame the blonde brain.
Every one who is here, for their first time or as a regular visitor. I love to see each and every one of you here, to listen to you let off steam and talk about the day.
Whatever our differences in Casa Rump, we're all just worn out writers and the people who love them. In the end, what can be better than being where everybody knows your name, and there's always a place at the bar, and your choice of beverage at your elbow.
Keep writing, keep chatting, keeping being you. I may know how to cast spells and invoke the spirits but without you wonderful people Rumps would lose it's magic.
So keep turning up, it's the secret to success in a lot of cases.
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
I'm a quiet girl too. I moan and groan a little, whisper encouragement too. When the big crescendo approaches I get really quiet, a tiny little squeak.
I'm not much of a vocalist but I make up for it by being expressive with the face.
When you see the eyes rolling, the drool dripping, the teeth pulled back, and the silent scream at the ceiling. You know you made the world stop turning for a moment.
Gawd I sound like a proper dirty bitch.
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
Lilly, you're a woman in a million. I know it can be a struggle at times when you're wrestling with anxiety but you're a special part of the Lush family.
A friend of mine sends me a hug emoji when she feels anxious. The more icons the worse she's feeling.
So I know how bad she's feeling and how much she needs me to be a sympathetic ear.
Maybe that can help you. Just never ever give the dark a fair fight, get some backup and give it a kicking.
Then have a cuppa and a good Goss with your gal pals.
You're great and you always brighten my day.
Xoxo
Chatterbox Blonde- Rumps Mystical Bartender
Pathfinder King Maker. I loved it. Had to restart to get the secret ending.
