Ucho > Recent Status Updates

Two books in a row I’ve read, someone paints trees on a friend’s or a lover’s bedroom wall. Loving this.

„The moment I set foot on the land of that house and look upon that boy’s face, I will die.“

In that case you’re fine, sir, you’re a snake and don’t have feet.

And yet she couldn’t say the word the book had used to describe those kinds of girls: lesbian. The word felt dangerous, and also powerful, as if uttering it would summon someone or something—a policeman to arrest them for saying that word, or even worse, a real-life lesbian herself.

Not much of a story to speak of, just a very depressing slice of life. Might keep reading for the interesting werewolf lore but it’s just so bleak all the freaking time.

The narrator just yammers on and on about himself and why should I care? Low-key want to read on because I’ve been putting this book off for so long and managed to convince myself I was gonna like it, but alas.

What is this pseudomodern discourse about female emancipation? 👀 I appreciate the sentiment but can’t quite believe such something would fly back then.

“Minutes dragged by. I felt a surge of anger and lifted my chin. ‘Well, we shall just have to return to Versailles and tell the King no one was home. What a shame.’”

And just like that, I’m in love.

Resolved to power through this time around but it’s a daunting task. A very, very slow read after Holy Road’s excitement. Lots of telling rather than showing, too. Woe is me. :( On the upside I’m getting some sort of Arthurian vibes /might just be me/ which is fun to focus on!

The computer plotted the trajectory of the asteroid in greater detail. The asteroid passed just outside the moon’s orbit. At its current speed, 20,000 kilometers per second, it would impact in about 20 seconds. — what’s the point of the lookout then, when it only lets us know with a 20 second advance?? That’s worse than no warning at all

He dreamed of fame and notoriety. He wanted to be like Carl Sagan, Bill Nye, or Neil DeGrasse Tyson; a household name. — says a character named Chad Dickhaut :D

Noah and Jude meeting their love interests (?) for the first time are the most awkward thing ever. They’re mute like fish and just stand there and stare and the dudes still somehow decide not to leave. No wonder my social skills are the way they are when I grew up on these kinds of books lol

…people who care will always be at the mercy of people who don’t.

“Certainly,” Lady Jakabitus said, smiling. “I can imagine how unpleasant it would be to have armed guards drag Hennik out of there, kicking and screaming.”
“Indeed, Milady. So, I would—”
“Wait,” Lady Jakabitus said. “Give me a moment. I’m imagining it.”

(2/2)
“Look. You’re right. You can always improve. I do say that.”
“I am trying.”
“I know you are, son.”
“So you’re saying I should try harder?”
“Rayzo,” Lord Jakabitus said, “I’m not talking about sports.”
Rayzo looked perplexed. “Father, I’m sorry. Have I displeased you outside of sports as well?”

(1/2)
“Son,” Lord Jakabitus said, “I know this has been a difficult time for you.”
“Yes, Father. My performance has not been as good as you would like, but I know I can do better.”
“That’s not what I meant, son. I mean, of course, you could do better.”
“As you always say.”
“Yes,” Lord Jakabitus said.

“Master Hennik, Master Rayzo is right to be proud. He has worked very hard to achieve his current ranking.”
“But I just started to play sports, and I already outrank him,” Hennik said. “So what does that tell you?”
“You tricked me,” Rayzo said.
“Yes, easily,” Hennik agreed.

She nodded,said “Your Lordship,” then casually vaulted over the balcony railing.The New Palace wall tilted at a steep angle.At first Hartchar fell,then she slid,then her feet caught,and she ran several steps down the wall before redirecting her momentum and jogging to a stop on the ground.Lord Jakabitus hadn’t needed a reminder of why Hartchar had been hired to train Rayzo physically,but he was reminded nonetheless.

“That’s not a proper stealth suit,” Hennik said.
“Master Hennik, everything that comes into the palace is subject to scrutiny. I was forced to be creative, so I ordered things that would serve our purpose without arousing suspicion.”
“It’s white!” Hennik cried.

“We, your servants, present to you this Skolash. We prepare this food for the same reason most of you will eat it, because we must.“

“His Lordship says that raising a child is one of the most challenging tasks a person can undertake.”
“I agree,” Lady Jakabitus said.
“As such, his brilliance in tricking his sworn enemy into raising his son for him will become legendary.”

(2/2)
There was a long silence, then Barsparse said, “An interesting idea. I can think of at least one way to make Ebbler part of the kitchen staff.”
“Yeah,” Pitt said, agreeing with Barsparse without stopping to consider her words. “And I bet he’d make the Skolash. He’d probably thank you for the opportunity.”
There was another long silence. Barsparse took a sip of her drink, then said, “You know, I bet he would.“

(1/2)
“No way,” Pitt shouted. “There’s no way! I won’t do it!”
“You are the lowest ranking member of the kitchen staff, and you will do it.”
“No. No way. And besides, I’m not the lowest. What about Ebbler?”
“He’s not kitchen staff,” Barsparse said.
“But you could make him kitchen staff.”

“So, my lad, did you play sports back on the Hahn Home World?”
“Yes,” Hennik answered. He was too distracted by the spectacle of his adoptive younger brother defending his pants to concentrate on being nasty to His Lordship. “I played lots of sports.”

“You laughed. The Minister of Health, the Honorable Seibert Adler, was briefing Her Ladyship, and you laughed.“

“Milady, you are ending a war that has lasted generations. There’s no easy way to do that, or it would already have been done. (…) You can cease untold bloodshed and waste by enduring the presence of a petulant teenager in your home. Like anyone who has ever been forced to tolerate such a thing, there will be times when you’ll wonder if it is worth it. You have far more reason than most to decide that it is.”

Dear Umily,
I’m not dead.
My superiors tell me it’s very important that I make that clear straightaway. I promise, despite what you’ve been told, I am not dead.
They say they sent you a letter telling you I was killed in action. While I am alive, that letter was not wrong. My superiors believe it’s also very important for you to know that, so I will say it again: my superiors were not wrong.
I know. It sounds crazy.

…the feast’s main course will be Master Hennik’s favorite Hahn dish, which will be prepared manually for the Jakabitus family and replicated via bulkfab for the guests, in the name of expediency.”
“Wow,” Ebbler muttered. “That should be something.”
Barsparse mumbled, “Yeah, something,” then, louder, said, “Query?”
“Again, I recognize Barsparse.”
“Do we know what that dish is yet?”
“Sadly, no.“

Wollard said, “No. I’m sorry, but we don’t want to make Master Hennik uncomfortable on his first day.” This was a rare instance of Wollard telling an obvious lie, but nobody blamed him for it.

Hennik made no effort to bow. He looked Lady Jakabitus directly in the eye and said, “My father tells me that you’re silly and weak.”
If Lady Jakabitus was pushed off balance by this comment, she didn’t show it. “Hennik, your father and I have never met.”
“Which makes it all the more impressive that he has you figured out.“