#SlenderWolf
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the-ballmer-peak.bsky.social
Slenderwolf
March 3, 2025 at 5:10 AM
elementnumber46.bsky.social
slenderwolf
September 20, 2026 at 12:09 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WIPsnips 5 Mar 'destroy'

More about Conning on the website

www.slenderwolf.com/novels/chara...

#scifi #SlenderWolf #writingCommunity #LoveStory #Lancaster
Conning – SlenderWolf
www.slenderwolf.com
March 5, 2026 at 10:08 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 27 Sep 'delay'

The picnic did not quite go to plan.

#AngryBard is sunburnt!

#Kayt is the one who’s angry!

His first love letter to her is a letter of apology!

#scifi #SlenderWolf #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #ClimateChange #bookSky #LoveStory
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 30 It’s not Shakespeare AngryBard tries to pass her the envelope innocuously before he takes seat next to DoveTail. He’s a discrete distance from Kayt, although they can both see each other clearly if they want to. “You’re bit sunburnt!” says DoveTail. “Ooh Andy!” says “RoughDi, “that’s a bit severe! How did you do that?” He doesn’t answer. He’s silently watching Kayt. After a minute’s careful delay, she slips the letter from its envelope and reads it in silence, her movements practised enough to escape notice. Only AngryBard understands how fragile the moment is. He watches from across the room, acutely aware of every flicker of her expression, while she absorbs his words without inviting the curiosity of their teammates. Her eyebrows lift, almost too subtly to register, before her gaze fixes on the page with a faint crease of confusion, something between doubt and consideration drawing itself across her brow. Kayt (Manx, pronounced Cat, meaning kitty) - A watercolour painting of an attractive 17 year old girl. She has gorgeous long dark golden blonde hair and her eyes are dark hazel brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a lurid lime green crop top dance outfit over a shapely body. AngryBard - A watercolour painting of a slim, attractive 14 year old boy - he has neat dark brown hair, trimmed nicely with a gentle wave on the crown. His eyes are a beautiful deep blue. His face has a thoughtful expression with a hint of a smile. He’s wearing a plain white T shirt. AngryBard is rarely angry unless you interfere with his book reading habit. You can find more information on the these characters on the web site: https://www.slenderwolf.com/novels/characters/ copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 27, 2026 at 5:36 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 26 Sep 'observe'

Just before #Kayt sails to Douglas #AngryBard has, last minute, orchestrated locks of hair.

Unable to find lockets they have butterfly brooches.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #Seneca #Douglas #romance #UKeduChat #writing #WritingCommunity #literacy #bookSky #LoveStory #IsleOfMan
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 40 Not Only Fork Handles It’s by an extraordinary coincidence that he should have been the last friend to see them together as they were en route to The Glen Mooar. Kayt toys with the brooch on her new necklace. Holding it. Stroking it with her fingertips. Turning it over and over between her agile fingers and thumb, before letting it gently fall so that the cord untangles itself with the ease that high grade silk always does. Conspicuously he takes hold of his, enclosing it securely in a lightly closed fist. “I have yours here,” he says, blinking away the tears. “You know, Seneca thought that distance was a poor measure of friendship.” She looks at him, “Seneca?” “He said that the mind doesn’t observe the same boundaries as the body. We can be absent from someone and still be with them. A part of me is staying with you!” “Wow! I used to think of you as my little brother”, she says, brushing tears from the corners of her eye, “and then you go and say something profound like that! Kayt (Manx, pronounced Cat, meaning kitty) - A watercolour painting of an attractive 17 year old girl. She has gorgeous long dark golden blonde hair and her eyes are dark hazel brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a lurid lime green crop top dance outfit over a shapely body. AngryBard - A watercolour painting of a slim, attractive 14 year old boy - he has neat dark brown hair, trimmed nicely with a gentle wave on the crown. His eyes are a beautiful deep blue. His face has a thoughtful expression with a hint of a smile. He’s wearing a plain white T shirt. AngryBard is rarely angry unless you interfere with his book reading habit. You can find more information on the these characters on the web site: https://www.slenderwolf.com/novels/characters/ copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 26, 2026 at 6:31 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 24 Sep 'meddle'

Subbing 'disrupt' for 'meddle'.

And it's right there in para 1 of chapter 1!

Navigating Stormy Waters

#scifi #SlenderWolf #monsoon #GlobalWarming #amediting #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #ClimateChange #sustainability #bookSky #Irish #shipping
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 1 Navigating Stormy Waters The monsoon rains torment the Irish Sea during the summer months, and this year, they seem to have arrived ahead of schedule. Yet, for all their early arrival, they are unexceptional … lacking any real intensity. Compared to the tropics, the storms manifest as sharper, briefer afternoon showers or sudden thunderstorms. Although they cause temporary disruption, the total rainfall remains modest. Consequently, the monsoons seldom disturb the rhythm of life for long. The sense of crisis is largely an illusion, born only from the occasional frustration of delayed shipping. In Wolfland in 2451AD this has an impact on day to day life. It’s tedious rather than life threatening. Digital artwork - a three quarter rear view of a fully rigged man o war on a rainy night. The sails have been hoisted, the stern and the cabins and brightly lit, the remainder of the ship is dark, there are three gun decks, the lower two of which have the hatches open. The image is labelled An Colgán Cróga - that's Irish for The Gallant Swordfish. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 24, 2026 at 2:18 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 25 Sep 'nation'

The #RNLI was founded in #Douglas #IsleOfMan

#AngryBard is visiting #Kayt and #GrandpaSeb so it has to get a mention in the the novel.

The 2451AD #Manx version of it!

#scifi #SlenderWolf #romance #amediting #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #ships #bookSky #LoveStory
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 45 Examination Technique “The Seamen’s Mission? You’ve never actually told me what Grandpa’s job was.” “Originally he was a tram driver, you know, the horse drawn trams? And then he worked for the Manx National Lifeboat Institute. He was a medic. That means that he actually knows how ill he really is. But he won’t let it stop him enjoying life. Remember, I told you last year, they said that if he’s lucky he might live one more year. At this rate he might not last six months. He really does need me helping with shopping, cleaning and washing and stuff!” AngryBard looks at Kayt sympathetically, “you wouldn’t know it from looking at him … or talking with him! His brain works perfectly well.” “It’s gone midnight Bard,” says Kayt, “how long have we been talking? What time did Grandpa go to bed?” Kayt (Manx, pronounced Cat, meaning kitty) - A watercolour painting of an attractive 17 year old girl. She has gorgeous long dark golden blonde hair and her eyes are dark hazel brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a lurid lime green crop top dance outfit over a shapely body. AngryBard - A watercolour painting of a slim, attractive 14 year old boy - he has neat dark brown hair, trimmed nicely with a gentle wave on the crown. His eyes are a beautiful deep blue. His face has a thoughtful expression with a hint of a smile. He’s wearing a plain white T shirt. AngryBard is rarely angry unless you interfere with his book reading habit. You can find more information on the these characters on the web site: https://www.slenderwolf.com/novels/characters/ copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 25, 2026 at 8:01 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 28 Sep 'prime'

#MaxChaos and #MajorHastings are discussing weaponry with #DustyOldFossil.

“so you set fire to sails with exploding Brussel Sprouts?”

“in my day you just pointed a cannon, looked up a chart, set a trajectory, and bang!”

#scifi #SlenderWolf #WritingCommunity #bookSky
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 28 The Second Battle of Fflint “Nothing must touch this rod on the nose panel,” warns Major Hastings, “it’s primed. Even a light touch will set it off.” “It’s a tiny charge though,” says MaxChaos, “just enough to ignite the gravitors and release them.” “Gravitors?” asks Commander Rees. “They’re not actually gravitors, not in the true sense,” continues MaxChaos, “FlashBang worked on gravitors to harness energy from gravity. They’re tiny projectiles. These ones have the same name because they look similar, but these are incendiaries. On impact with the top sail the FoxBat showers red hot explosive pellets down all the sails. Well that’s the idea!” “You should call them flashbangs then?” suggests Commander Rees. “Just use one massive one, and send it straight into the hull.” “The warhead can’t be heavy,” explains Major Hastings. A watercolour painting of a pleasant looking 21 year old man with short, straight chestnut hair with hints of bronze. His cheekbones are well defined, almost sharp and defiant, leading towards a softer jawline which has an intriguing and yet unsettling, tiny dimple. His blue eyes have a childish quality, and if he wasn’t so rugged, he could be mistaken for a doctor. He's wearing a plain white T shirt and looks like a marine. By book 2 MaxChaos has a girlfriend, and was persuaded to get a haircut and get rid of the beard! Major Hastings - a watercolour painting of a stern man in his mid forties. His military style short brown hair shows traces of grey at the sides. His light hazel eyes and neutral smile indicate a purposeful temperament. He is wearing cricket whites. He is a fictitious officer in the Lancaster Garrison, and is the fictitious president of Lancaster Cricket Club. You can find more information on the these characters on the web site: https://www.slenderwolf.com/novels/characters/ copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 28, 2026 at 8:17 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 22 Sep 'meltdown'

Four days after her seventeenth birthday #Kayt is already having a mid life crisis!

#ClaireVoyant lends a sympathetic ear.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #MentalHealth #wellbeing #YoungAdults #romance #WritingCommunity #bookSky #LoveStory
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 29 It’s not Shakespeare As they walk together towards the Kipling Room, Kayt’s continuing to think hard. “I’m not a student, I’m not working, I have no friends. I’m struggling to explain my perplexing relationship with my best friend, and these days that’s Bard! I don’t see Conning or the rest of the InCrowd anywhere near as much as I used to. We always used to be together. They’re all in relationships. The only friends I have now are the Team Custodum crowd, people like Claire! Is adult life supposed to be this hard. It’s lonely, that’s for sure! Four days after my seventeenth birthday I’m already having a mid life crisis! And … I’ve just agreed to chat to a thirteen year old girl about my life with a thirteen year old boy. What am I going to tell her? The truth is I’m feeling lonely!” ClaireVoyant - A watercolour painting of a 14 year old orphan girl who vaguely resembles Princess Leia with dark brown hair parted in the middle, creating two pigtails and coiled into buns - Cinnamon Bun style. She has deep chestnut coloured eyes and a pleasant smile. Her tiny blue ceramic earrings and matching necklace are simple, and match her Royal blue V neck dress. Kayt (Manx, pronounced Cat, meaning kitty) - A watercolour painting of an attractive 17 year old girl. She has gorgeous long dark golden blonde hair and her eyes are dark hazel brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a lurid lime green crop top dance outfit over a shapely body. You can find more information on the these characters on the web site: https://www.slenderwolf.com/novels/characters/ copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 22, 2026 at 5:38 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 21 Sep 'stream'

#KristalClear and #NutJob are visiting the Lab of the power company in #Ulverston where #FlashBang is discussing her projects.

One of which is bringing electricity to a wider population on a more reliable basis.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #electricty #WritingCommunity #bookSky
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 21 ChatterBox “Oh, and Flash,” says KristalClear, “complete change of subject! Before we have to go what do you know about the new electricity substation planned for New Cross in Lancaster? “Oh, it’s definitely coming, is that where you live?” Remembering that they’re not really married and they don’t actually live together, KristalClear doesn’t want to back pedal on the story. She dodges the difficulty by saying, “we live just outside the City Centre.” “When it comes on stream the city centre will benefit almost immediately,” says FlashBang, “the new high capacity lines towards Skerton are complete I think. The substation and the final span across the River Lune should be ready by the end of this year.” “And when will it come on stream?” asks NutJob. “It should all be functional early next year. You’ll have have electricity 24/7 then, New Cross and Skerton fist, and then the City Centre. It won’t be long before it reaches across the whole of the city.” “Wow! That sounds fantastic!” replies KristalClear, “Oh, but you can’t tell anybody yet,” stresses FlashBang, “don’t put it in the paper please! You’re supposed to talk to PR about any big announcements.” KristalClear - A watercolour painting of an attractive young girl aged 17. She has beautiful long straight deep brown hair and her eyes are chestnut coloured. Her face has a gentle expression with a hint of a smile. She is wearing a plain white T shirt. She is demi-psychic, but struggles with reading the minds of humans. FlashBang - A watercolour painting of a 24 year old lady with shoulder-length red hair styled in a shaggy wolf cut with a messy fringe. She has a happy, friendly smile, and is wearing minimal makeup, and small gold stud earrings. Her white lab coat covers a simple blue blouse. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 21, 2026 at 8:32 AM
edpalomarez.bsky.social
Slenderwolf
August 21, 2026 at 2:29 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 18 Sep 'payment'

There's an unexpected opportunity for #AngryBard and #Kayt (and more of the teenagers) to earn some money.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #PartTime #jobs #romance #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #bookSky #LoveStory
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 7 Professional Fudge LoopHole asks, “Which Andy? It weren’t me! I’m Andy Williamson! Sharon’s baby brother.” “You’re both called Andy?” asks Tigger. Pointing at AngryBard, Kayt says, “call him Bard, that’s what we all call him nowadays.” “Yes,” responds Tigger, in a less than convincing tone. Unaccustomed to the modern, juvenile way of life, he nervously says “it was Bard’s idea,” as if appending a question mark to the moniker. “Bard suggested that we could get a group of you together. He said that’s what Lady Amanda would have done when she was a teenager, Wolfland ethos and all that, give back more to society than you take. But we don’t expect you to do it for nothing. You’ll be paid proper Find Thyme Café rates.” After a round of introductions Tigger explains a bit more about running a café, “it’s a job … it’s not a holiday camp.” Kayt (Manx, pronounced Cat, meaning kitty) - A watercolour painting of an attractive 17 year old girl. She has gorgeous long dark golden blonde hair and her eyes are dark hazel brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a lurid lime green crop top dance outfit over a shapely body. AngryBard - A watercolour painting of a slim, attractive 14 year old boy - he has neat dark brown hair, trimmed nicely with a gentle wave on the crown. His eyes are a beautiful deep blue. His face has a thoughtful expression with a hint of a smile. He’s wearing a plain white T shirt. AngryBard is rarely angry unless you interfere with his book reading habit. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 18, 2026 at 7:46 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 17 Aug 'dark'

A lot about Kayt and AngryBard this month!

I will soon be deeply invested in other characters, so expect a different avalanche of new stuff with a new bias.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #art #romance #amediting #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #bookSky #LoveStory #Lancaster
August 17, 2026 at 7:44 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 14 Aug 'horizon'

AngryBard and Kayt are intrigued by OddSox, the old bloke who has paintings on display at the venue called WetPaint.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #art #romance #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #bookSky #LoveStory #Lancaster
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 2 WetPaint “You paint here?” “Sometimes.” He motions towards the door to the riverside. They all step outside. The River Lune is slowly moving past the distant trees, scarcely making any sound. What’s left of Morecambe Road is now little more than a green corridor stretching quietly into the distance. Standing in his favourite spot, OddSox sets up his weathered wooden easel and unclasps his artists’ box with a practiced, theatrical flourish. Borrowing a classic refrain from his Punch and Judy routine he says, “that’s the way to do it!” His display is born not of a desire to flaunt his creative mastery, but from the hard won knowledge that people will always return to WetPaint once sweet-talked by a charismatic pitch, especially when it’s embedded in such a deliberate, polished choreography. His eyes scan the horizon, taking in the light. Briefly rehearsing his composition in the air, his fingers trace imaginary adjustments to the paper and the angle of his brushes. Finally, he lifts both hands, framing a weeping willow between his fingers and thumbs, scaling the landscape into his mind’s eye while wordlessly claiming it as his own. AngryBard - A watercolour painting of a slim, attractive 14 year old boy - he has neat dark brown hair, trimmed nicely with a gentle wave on the crown. His eyes are a beautiful deep blue. His face has a thoughtful expression with a hint of a smile. He’s wearing a plain white T shirt. AngryBard is rarely angry unless you interfere with his book reading habit. OddSox - a watercolour painting of an elderly man with short white hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and round, thin-rimmed glasses. He is wearing a brown wool flat cap, a light tan button-up shirt, and a dark brown waistcoat. OddSox is an ironmonger by day, and he his favourite pastime is painting landscapes. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
August 14, 2026 at 5:33 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 15 Sep 'exterior'

Vibes:

Outside #AngryBard is as unaccustomed to being on the receiving end of suggestive chat as #ClaireVoyant is to initiating it.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #romance #writing #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #bookSky #LoveStory #Lancaster
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 6 It’s Obvious “Andy! I need to ask you something!” says ClaireVoyant, “I saw most of that.” “Did you hear it too?” asks AngryBard nervously, “we can’t talk here, we need somewhere more private.” “The Kipling Room is nice.” “No. Outside. Somewhere away from everybody. Not the Ornamental Garden either. There’ll be people there.” ClaireVoyant is surprised that this is working out a lot easier than she thought; getting him alone with her. Although she hadn’t anticipated they’d be by themselves, sitting on the swings in the children’s playground just in front of the Churchill Room. Rising briefly to her feet she unfurls her cinnamon bun hairstyle, and gives her head a flirtatious shake. AngryBard is oblivious to the preening, even as she adjusts her dress is promote her developing bust, then sits on the swing next to him. With no forethought she asks bluntly “why Kayt, what makes her so special, why not me?” AngryBard is as unaccustomed to being on the receiving end of suggestive chat as ClaireVoyant is to initiating it. She has no finesse, and he has no interest. Hence the conversation rapidly turns into a factual and perfectly civil discussion. The truth of the matter is that about two years ago AngryBard had been at the first ever Space Girls event, when they had worn their kitty and bunny costumes, and he was besotted with Kayt from the outset. Black leotard, cat ears and lifelike tail. He stresses that the costume was the spark, but the passion for the performing arts was more compelling. ClaireVoyant - A watercolour painting of a 14 year old orphan girl who vaguely resembles Princess Leia with two pigtails coiled into buns - Cinnamon Bun style. AngryBard - A watercolour painting of a slim, attractive 14 year old boy copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 15, 2026 at 7:34 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 20 Sep 'signal'

Aboard a Byddin (Welsh Forces) ship #MajorHastings (Wolfland) is feeling side-lined. #CandiCrush is paying attention to everything, especially her boyfriend #MaxChaos.

There are mixed signals, and a risk of action with pirates

#SlenderWolf #pirates #WritingCommunity #ICS
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter N It’s just not cricket Commander Rees is the first to speak, “it’s RedCircle! Looks like the RedChallenger to me. He’s taking her back to Wally!” “She’s taking her back to Wally,” says CandiCrush, “that looks like RedFox on the bridge, not RedHawk! Steve, read those flags! That says VEX!” [A set of three International-Code-Of-Signals flags, reading V and E and X] [They are shown in greyscale using the correct shading and hatching as per the the Petra Sancta method] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Petra-Sancta-system What this means is that RedFox is warning other shipping that she is fleeing the VexCircle. There are obviously more pirates around that usual. Commander Rees has already ordered the gun crews to load the cannons. In very clear terms, CandiCrush says, “Owen, please let her go. There are reasons. Just watch out for the RenatusVex! Steve, Max, quickly study those flags, before she’s out of sight. Steve, teach him what they mean. Obviously she’s saying VEX, but make sure that Max understands both ways to read those flags. Dusty, now’s your chance to see action again … there might be a VexCircle ship nearby! Owen, where do you want Dusty?” “Why can’t we engage the RedChallenger?” asks Major Hastings, “we won’t get a chance like this again. Why am I suddenly teaching signals to a civilian?” “Steve, you are going to have to set aside any personal animosities and learn to get on with Max. Tell him the rules of engagement, go through the flags with him, start with VEX. Later I’ll explain why we’re letting RedFox go. Run up a Bravo Zulu.” CandiCrush - A watercolour painting of a smart, attractive, youthful 34 year old female military officer with chestnut coloured eyes, and long ash brown hair flowing down her. A watercolour painting of a pleasant looking 21 year old man with short, straight chestnut hair with hints of bronze. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 20, 2026 at 10:03 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 14 Sep 'month'

Unbeknown to the InCrowd something has been brewing between #Conning and #HayWire.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #romance #writing #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #bookSky #LoveStory #Lancaster #autism
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 5 Better the Devil You Know “But he’s injured!” Conning blurts out, her voice tight with an urgency that make her cheeks flush. It isn’t just pity; her eyes turn to look in the direction of the Noble Coliseum. HayWire is the intelligent, good looking young man who Conning would easily dismiss whenever Kayt was around. It hardly mattered that he would openly admire her curves, everybody admired her curves. “And he’s left home! I don’t understand what’s going on! He’s still a human being you know!” Everybody stares at Conning, their tea cups hovering in mid-air. The silence at the table quite sudden and absolute. Conning rarely shows this kind of raw emotion for anyone, let alone the geeky boy she has spent months ignoring. After one day in her new job she seems to be an entirely different person; regarding HayWire as if he were the only bachelor in town. Conning - A watercolour painting of an attractive young girl aged 17. She has gorgeous long medium ash brown hair and her eyes are dark chestnut brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a powerful yellow crop top dance outfit over a curvaceous body. (Manx, pronounced KonYing, meaning bunny). HayWire - A watercolour painting of an 19 year old young man - he has fly away golden blonde hair and blue eyes - in this relaxed pose he has a thoughtful and neutral expression - he is wearing a white T shirt. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 14, 2026 at 5:12 AM
rosehlacroix.bsky.social
The slenderwolf
whoathatswild.bsky.social whoathatswild.bsky.social @whoathatswild.bsky.social · Aug 14
🔥Maned Wolf looks absolutely terrifying
August 15, 2026 at 10:49 PM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 11 Aug 'test'

Unexpectedly AngryBard's first love letter to Kayt is an apology.

Not the sort of love letter he had initially had in mind.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #Shakespeare #romance #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #bookSky #LoveStory #Lancaster
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 29 It’s not Shakespeare She looks up. Her face is carefully composed, unreadable, her eyes settling on his with a neutrality that offers neither comfort nor condemnation. He cannot tell whether his apology has landed as intended, or whether it has missed the mark entirely. The tension gathers in his eyes, tight and glassy, and she seems to notice. A fraction later, her eyebrows rise once more and she allows herself a fleeting, tentative smile. Small, uncertain, but unmistakably acknowledging the efforts he has gone to to make amends. AngryBard exhales, a great breath released and immediately restrained, his relief contained with the discipline of someone afraid to be overheard. He returns her look with a smile of his own, equally fragile, as though it might vanish if held for too long. The worst of the moment appears to pass, but he knows this is only a reprieve. In an hour’s time, when words can no longer be hidden behind paper, his composure, and his heart, will be tested to their limits. Kayt (Manx, pronounced Cat, meaning kitty) - A watercolour painting of an attractive 17 year old girl. She has gorgeous long dark golden blonde hair and her eyes are dark hazel brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a lurid lime green crop top dance outfit over a shapely body. AngryBard - A watercolour painting of a slim, attractive 14 year old boy - he has neat dark brown hair, trimmed nicely with a gentle wave on the crown. His eyes are a beautiful deep blue. His face has a thoughtful expression with a hint of a smile. He’s wearing a plain white T shirt. AngryBard is rarely angry unless you interfere with his book reading habit. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
August 11, 2026 at 9:56 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 21 Sep 'stream'

More about KristalClear on the website

www.slenderwolf.com/novels/chara...

#scifi #SlenderWolf #electricty #WritingCommunity #bookSky #ClimateChange #sustainability
KristalClear
A sixteen year old who is leaving school this year. She’s fond of animals and has a unique affinity with them. Almost a sixth sense, knowing what they think and how they feel. Animals of all types see...
www.slenderwolf.com
September 21, 2026 at 8:32 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 13 Sep 'distract'

The Find Thyme Café & Magnum Opus are both on Lancaster’s Market Sq

Whilst #Kayt has found the courage to speak to the InCrowd for one minute, #AngryBard has no intention of being sociable right now

#scifi #SlenderWolf #amediting #WritingCommunity #bookSky #LoveStory
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 14 Duty Calls “I don’t know what we’re going to do now!” AngryBard’s voice dissolves again. He bends his head lower, hoping that if he can make himself sufficiently small he might somehow disappear from the restaurant altogether. Then another noisy sniff. He closes his eyes. Julia desperately wants to help soothe his pain, and would rather not have these distracting theatrics troubling any customers. But she cannot summon the right diplomacy, let alone the courage to ask him to move. In any case, Magnum Opus is so small that there is no truly quiet spot where he can hide. So she just stands there beside him and gently strokes him on the shoulder. He shows neither gratitude nor annoyance. Preoccupied with his own misery he’s perfectly content to let Julia do whatever she wants. AngryBard - A watercolour painting of a slim, attractive 14 year old boy - he has neat dark brown hair, trimmed nicely with a gentle wave on the crown. His eyes are a beautiful deep blue. His face has a thoughtful expression with a hint of a smile. He’s wearing a plain white T shirt. AngryBard is rarely angry unless you interfere with his book reading habit. A water colour painting of a waitress aged 23 years old, looking happy and cheerful. She has long dark chocolate brown hair, and deep chestnut brown eyes. A gorgeous smile and perfect white teeth. She is wearing a smart, clean white blouse, and she has no jewellery. The image is labelled Julia . copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 13, 2026 at 7:03 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 19 Aug 'anymore'

The mismatched couple are suddenly the centre of attention.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #secrets #romance #writing #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #bookSky #LoveStory #Lancaster
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 14 Duty Calls Kayt is crying too, and yet neither Kayt nor AngryBard are showing any signs of discord with one another, they are simply consumed with some kind of devastating burden which has brought them both to tears.” The uniformity is puzzling. “Is it public knowledge now?” asks Marcus, “Bard is your boyfriend?” “Yes!” “No!” “Yes!” “Oh, I don’t know anymore,” says an emotional and exasperated Kayt, mopping the tears from her face, “Marcus! Just look after him … and be kind … I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Julia prods Marcus sharply in the chest, and quietly chastises him “how can you be so insensitive? Why did you go and say that? That word is banned, you’re not allowed to say boyfriend!” Julia sits down in the chair opposite AngryBard, “Bard! I’m here, if there’s anything you need just tell me. I’ll take care of you.” He nods solemnly though he doesn’t look up. His elbows planted firmly on the table, his face buried in both hands, with one increasingly damp handkerchief trapped between his fingers. Kayt (Manx, pronounced Cat, meaning kitty) - A watercolour painting of an attractive 17 year old girl. She has gorgeous long dark golden blonde hair and her eyes are dark hazel brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a lurid lime green crop top dance outfit over a shapely body. AngryBard - A watercolour painting of a slim, attractive 14 year old boy - he has neat dark brown hair, trimmed nicely with a gentle wave on the crown. His eyes are a beautiful deep blue. His face has a thoughtful expression with a hint of a smile. He’s wearing a plain white T shirt. AngryBard is rarely angry unless you interfere with his book reading habit. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
August 19, 2026 at 6:13 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 11 Sep 'exhaust'

Openly played out in Lancaster's Market Square the InCrowd has been watching the #Kayt and #AngryBard drama unfold.

Now they've become an integral part of it.

#SlenderWolf #romance #WritingCommunity #bookSky #LoveStory #Lancaster
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 14 Duty Calls “If the café is closing now,” whispers HayWire, “we should all move over to Magnum Opus, they don’t close until 22:00.” “Sorry Poppet,” says Conning quietly, “I don’t think that’s a good idea. It might look rude. Even if you didn’t mean to be rude, it might still look rude to Kayt and Bard. When people get emotional they sometimes need time and space to themselves.” “Sorry darling. Yes, me too. Sometimes I like having a quiet space to myself.” In frustration, Kayt noisily drags a chair over to the table, scraping it carelessly over the stone floor. A rattle of tea cups follows the sharp smack of her fist striking the table. The gesture holding no malice only the raw, unsettled echo of her utter exhaustion. The goldfinch departs in haste. Kayt decides that she doesn’t actually want the chair after all. She can do this standing up. It will take no more than ten seconds. Conning is already on her feet beside Kayt. Everybody else rises too. Betty is hastily ushering the few remaining staff back inside the café. The goldfinch has returned and perched on the fence again. Dabbing her face with her hankie, Kayt takes a deep breath and regains some composure. Just long enough to deliver the calamitous news. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026 heading: SlenderWolf The InCrowd six headshots of the six main characters - the in crowd KristalClear - A watercolour painting of an attractive young girl aged 17. She has beautiful long straight deep brown hair and her eyes are chestnut coloured. Her face has a gentle expression with a hint of a smile. She is wearing a plain white T shirt. She is demi-psychic, but struggles with reading the minds of humans. NutJob - A watercolour picture of a charming young man aged 17. He has neat well groomed brown hair, his eyes are bright blue, and his face has an a simple, polite smile although it looks as if he's concentrating. He's wearing a plain white T shirt. Conning - A watercolour painting of an attractive young girl aged 17. She has gorgeous long medium ash brown hair and her eyes are dark chestnut brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a powerful yellow crop top dance outfit over a curvaceous body. (Manx, pronounced KonYing, meaning bunny). HayWire - A watercolour painting of an 19 year old young man - he has fly away golden blonde hair and blue eyes - in this relaxed pose he has a thoughtful and neutral expression - he is wearing a white T shirt. Kayt (Manx, pronounced Cat, meaning kitty) - A watercolour painting of an attractive 17 year old girl. She has gorgeous long dark golden blonde hair and her eyes are dark hazel brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a lurid lime green crop top dance outfit over a shapely body. AngryBard - A watercolour painting of a slim, attractive 14 year old boy - he has neat dark brown hair, trimmed nicely with a gentle wave on the crown. His eyes are a beautiful deep blue. His face has a thoughtful expression with a hint of a smile. He’s wearing a plain white T shirt. AngryBard is rarely angry unless you interfere with his book reading habit. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
September 11, 2026 at 9:48 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 12 Aug 'heartbreak'

Conning is having issues with HayWire. She finds a moment to confide in KristalClear.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #romance #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #bookSky #LoveStory #stem #autism #Ulverston
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 24 Rabbit Milk Cautiously she says, “I don’t know what to say, I’ve never heard of rabbit milk.” “No, nor had I! When he said it, it was like my brain split in two,” says Conning talking with her hands, as if she can shape out the feelings in the air. “One part of me was saying, ‘this is ludicrous, you can easily set the record straight for him’ and the other part was just screaming at me, ‘he’s neurodivergent . . . you’re right here at the front line now … you have to be extremely tender and help him!’” She laughs weakly, then drops her gaze. “I can’t abandon him. I love him! I need to help him, not walk away. I don’t want to break his heart! I don’t want to break my heart!” In absolute silence they both sit there for a moment. “So, anyway, I got the back story,” says Conning, “but I couldn’t tell him it’s all lies.” The look of simple sadness on Conning’s face evaporates, replaced by undisguised horror, “and he’s spending all his money on it!” “He’s buying rabbit milk? I’ve never heard of anything so preposterous!” Conning - A watercolour painting of an attractive young girl aged 17. She has gorgeous long medium ash brown hair and her eyes are dark chestnut brown. Her face has a picture perfect smile revealing lovely white teeth. She is wearing a powerful yellow crop top dance outfit over a curvaceous body. (Manx, pronounced KonYing, meaning bunny). HayWire - A watercolour painting of an 19 year old young man - he has fly away golden blonde hair and blue eyes - in this relaxed pose he has a thoughtful and neutral expression - he is wearing a white T shirt. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
August 12, 2026 at 5:23 AM
scottrochester.bsky.social
#WipSnips 13 Aug 'sniff'

NutJob has been chatting about childhood and getting free gifts from #ComicBooks.

He had a free SupaFlyer out of the boys comic Spitfire.

#scifi #SlenderWolf #romance #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #bookSky #LoveStory #Lancaster
WIP extract book 2 of 6 SlenderWolf In With the In Crowd Chapter 5 Fact Versus Fiction “LipStick was Kayt and Conning’s favourite,” she says, “but I preferred AllStars. We used to swap comics, so I know all the stories. I think PonyTail was the heroine in LipStick, always trying to look nice for her boyfriend. We all bought scrunchies just like hers. They weren’t free though! You had to buy the comic, save up four tokens over four weeks and send them in with a postal order for ten pennies or something. I thought it was a swiz, you had to pay the Post Office a ha’penny to even get a postal order, and then you had to buy a stamp before posting the order form. The scrunchies were cheap awful things. It was exciting for an eight year old though, we all thought we looked just like PonyTail!” “Spitfire and LipStick are PrintWorks products, if there was free stuff for boys wasn’t there ever free stuff for girls?” “I can’t remember if it was in Lipstick or in AllStars, but I once had a free scratch and sniff card. Allegedly it was the perfume that PonyTail wore. It was awful, it was supposed to be a lavender scent but it smelt like dead grass! And we never chucked anything out of treehouses! We’d pull the petals off buttercups chanting ‘he loves me, he loves me not’. Kayt started that I think, I never even thought about having a boyfriend.” Nutjob looks at her, curious to learn more. “Not until I met you, obviously!” KristalClear - A watercolour painting of an attractive young girl aged 17. She has beautiful long straight deep brown hair and her eyes are chestnut coloured. Her face has a gentle expression with a hint of a smile. She is wearing a plain white T shirt. NutJob - A watercolour picture of a charming young man aged 17. He has neat well groomed brown hair, his eyes are bright blue, and his face has an a simple, polite smile although it looks as if he's concentrating. He's wearing a plain white T shirt. copyright © Scott Rochester 2026
August 13, 2026 at 5:16 AM