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Sylum Blog: Information (Social Media Login)

Update on Social Media Shenanigans on Sylum!

For those who use Social Media to log into the blog, I’ve removed a few of them – specifically: Facebook and Google.  They coding was screwed up after we updated sylumclan.com to https.  Trying to fix it has been nothing but headache after the next, so we got rid of those, and added another.

To login to the Blog you can use the following Social Media Logins: Twitter, WordPress, Yahoo, Instagram & Tumblr

Yes, this does mean I kept my Tumblr – I’m not liking to really use it, but I will keep posts going to it for those who do follow Sylum that way.

For those who want a Facebook group, considering Facebooks Shenanigans and their security issues, I’m having doubts.  But I’m still thinking about it and wanted to know what would you like us to use it for?  Conversation? Posts via Facebook?  Comment below …

Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part Seventeen)

 

Part One

Part Sixteen


“Charles do not argue with me!”  Erik glared down at him. “You aren’t the General, Logan here knows, leave this to those of us who know what we’re doing.  And if we do this right you never have to think this way, and can be happy surrounded by kids reading them The Once and Future King.”

“God, I love you.”  Charles gave him a sappy look, filled with devotion.

“Geeze do they ever stop?” Logan looked at Hank, who shook his head smiling.  “So what’s your plan bub.”

“Irony, it’s the kids plan.”  Erik gave Hank the side eye. “We know Trask is going to showcase his Sentinels off at a Press Conference in DC, which there is no way Mystique is missing out on that opportunity.  Hell, I wouldn’t pass it up.”

“At this moment we know the Sentinels have metal running through them, thanks to Erik and Azazel’s trip to Texas.”  Hank added to the conversation. “This is a good thing, if Trask new what Erik’s Mutation actual was, they would’ve likely be plastic or some other material.”

“Can you control them?”  Logan asked impressed.

“Five will be rough, but I’m stubborn.”  Erik smirked at him. “You, Charles, and Hank are heading to DC via private jet.  Charles I need you to find Mystique as fast a possible … if you can take her out.”

“I will do what’s necessary, but I still hold onto hope that we can all walk away.”  Charles gave him a half smile.

“Logan – if he has a hair out of place.  I’ll hunt you down.” Erik gave him a glare that would send most people screaming for the hills. Logan shrugged, he had his mind swept by The Professor and right now he didn’t have a metal frame Erik could fuck with.

“Alex and Darwin, are with me.  We’ll be showing off your X-Men Charles.  I can’t believe I’m actually wearing this…”

“At least it’s not yellow this time.”  Alex pointed out, with a smile. The all black sleek look was much nicer, than the original concept.

“How are you getting there?”  Logan asked.

“Azazel Air.”  Erik nodded towards his friend, who gave a salute and waved his tail.  “Charles will let us know the exact moment we should show up. Here’s the thing.  We need to save the humans, make sure they understand who stood between them and the Sentinels.  We all know they are going to do exactly what Trask designed them to do, the problem is there are a lot of Mutants hiding in plain sight.  If these things start attacking children.”

“Trask looks like the bad guy.”  Hank glanced at Erik, the two had discussed options before everyone had gotten up.  

It had been a habit they started years previously, both being early risers.  One day Erik had found Hank wandering the halls, he grabbed him and forced him into a morning run, afterwards they sat with coffee to discuss building works, Cerebro, and other new techs.  Years later they still followed the same routine.

Hank and Erik’s adventure in Paris scared people, but if they became more scared of the government, the sentinels – they had a chance.  “We need to make him look like the bad guy, just not for ourselves, but for the world. It’s the only way the government isn’t going to take up his idea and run with it.  If it looks like they can’t handle the Sentinels, that they are seen attacking children … they’ll shut Trask down.”

“Sean is staying behind to make sure the two kids don’t do anything stupid.”  Azazel and Erik stared hard at Kurt and Peter. Then back to Sean … “I’ll hold you responsible.”

“Dude if they out smart me, which they will, it’s your genetics not mine.”  Sean held his hands up in defense. “We’re your back up plan, if it all goes to shit.”

Both kids gave everyone the most innocent looks.

“This is going to go shit.”  Erik sighed, pinching his nose trying to stop the headache.  His hand was pulled down. Without even having to open his eyes he knew it was Charles, he felt his calming influence. “For the continued existence of this world, don’t die on me Charles.”

“I can say the same thing to you.”  He pulled him down for a kiss. <<By the way you look hot in that outfit.>>

<<After this is all over you can literally peel me out of it.  Hank made them a bit tight!>>

<<Your ass alone will be enough to convince humans to like us.>>

<<Are you pimping me out.>>

Charles chuckled and kissed him one more time, then stepped back.  “Okay let’s get this show on the road. No one get dead. Or shot.”  He hugged Alex and Darwin. “Please stay safe.”

“We’ll protect dad.”  Alex assured him, making Charles smile.

“If something comes up, I’ll go straight into your head to talk to you.  Don’t be alarmed by it.”

“We’re good with it.”  Darwin shrugged. “You can’t advocate for Mutant Rights if deny someone else the use of their mutation.  I never understood how we can fight for equality for blacks, but not latinos. Or fight for women’s rights, but not for the queer community.  It’s all or nothing.”

“Says a very wise man.”  He gave them a salute then made his way to the car.  

As Hank drove out of the school, Logan looked back studying it intently.  

“What are you hoping for?” Charles asked.

“I’m hoping to keep this in my mind, to remember it’s home.”  Logan looked at him through the rearview mirror. “My life won’t get better for a while, not until I find you.  I can’t wait to meet you back in the future.”

“We could save you,” Hank suggested.

“No.”  Charles turned in the seat looking at him with shock.  “You were right, back in Paris. The man who is sitting here … to be him I need to go through some shit.  The idea that I’ll be going home to a better future, makes what I’ll go through worth it.”

“Your a good man, Logan.”  Charles gave him a grin. “Despite the asshole we met the first time.”

“Well your boyfriend slammed me into a wall!” He pointed out, with a slight disgruntled smirk.

“We actually met once before, you told us to go Fuck ourselves.”  Charles gave him a wicked smirk. “It was good advice.”

Logan laughed loud and open. “I’m the cause of this lovey dovey bullshit?”

“Maybe.”  He turned back in his seat, enjoying Hank’s questioning looks and Logan’s unbelievable stare.  

What he won’t tell them, was that they had started their relationship soon after meeting Angel, Charles couldn’t get the idea out of his head of Erik in fishnet stockings, and he kept staring at his legs, which caught Erik’s attention.  The man had no shame, so next time he came out of the shower, he dropped the towel and let Charles have as much as he wanted. He was on his knees in front of him so fast, it was embarrassing, the man had a cock that was made for worshiping.

Sylum Archive: Information

Now that you’ve had some time to go explore!  And if you haven’t go to this Post – read the instructions and enjoy!

A few interesting facts:

At this moment: 8 Series.  33 Anthologies.  6 Writers. 177 Posts (Note: CSI: Anthology is 2 Posts but 45 Stories) … reminder this is only the ones that have been updated, there are still more to come!  (If someone wants to calculate the word count – go for it. Let me know what it is when you’re done!)

Each story has an individual Title Banner – so a big thank you to taibhrigh for their hard work!

I’ll be slowing going through the blog, and updating links on stories to the new archive.   This will take time, once done I’ll make an announcement, don’t ask me until then.

We’ve added a Sylum Archive slider on the top of the blog, for easier access.  The Archive link on the side, will still lead to the old Archive.

The old Archive will not be disappearing any time soon.  We’ve still have a few stories that need to be transferred.  (Fics that have been moved will be deleted from the old Archive).   Please note that  AU & Non Canon stories will not be transferred so if you wish to keep those – get them now.

Reminder:  All these stories have been updated.  So you should start to see the small changes and details thrown in that enhance the Sylum Universe storyline.  (For Ex: Carry On My Warward Son Series and Burn Notice Series)

All Throwback Thursday will now link to the new Archive.

This took us a year to accomplish.  Figuring out a new platform, setting up the security, new artwork/banners, then editing and uploading the stories.  A Big Thank You to taibhrigh and Gil for the help and hashing out ideas.  And to my other half Timothy Quinn for patience, tea, and dealing with my OMG What the Fuck is wrong with it NOW moments!

It’s not done – as we still have more stories to edit and upload – let alone new ones being written all the time.

We will not be adding the Sylum Twitter account to the Archive for privacy reasons.  So if you haven’t – subscribe to the archive to get updates!

Note: Despite having a username/password and labeled as a subscriber – you will not get an email when new stories are posted. This is a flaw with wordpress, hence you need a separate notification system.  You will need to actually ‘Subscribe to the Sylum Archive’ – this is very similar to subscribing to the blog.  This is the only way you’ll get an email when a new story has been posted. The Subscribe box is on the ‘Welcome to the Sylum Archive Page‘.

 

If you’re enjoying the new Archive and stories please consider donating to our Hosting Company to keep Sylum moving forward.  All money donated to the Hosting Company goes directly to paying for the server – which hosts: The Blog, The Wiki, and The Archive.

Please leave comments and likes on the stories.  There are over 200 stories on the archive, with many more to come – we do this out of love for Sylum and the enjoyment of writing.

Thank You.

Bj Jones.

Welcome: New Sylum Archive

This is it!  This is the day the new Sylum Archive opens!

Why are we moving to a new Archive?

A) The old one was no longer supported by the developers and was starting to fail.  Coding wasn’t working, skins were failing, and you might have noticed it didn’t like foreign languages – it would replace accents on foreign words with a ‘?’ – annoying when you’re trying to Demons & Angels.

B) The old Archive was extremely basic, clunky, and was not intuitive.  It was hard to navigate as a reader, let alone trying to upload a story.

C) It was a good way to update older stories, and clean out those that were not part of Sylum Canon.

A few more things before, you scroll down and hit the link!

Seriously!

Stop Scrolling.

Stop.

Read first – then click.

I get your excited …. but read the instructions first.

Read more“Welcome: New Sylum Archive”

Sylum Inspiration: Ching Shih

Shogun: Hunter

Madame Ching or Ching Shih also known as Cheng I Sao, was a prominent pirate in middle Qing China, who terrorized the China Sea in the early 19th century. She personally commanded over 300 junks manned by 20,000 to 40,000 pirates —men, women, and even children. She entered into conflict with the existing empires of the time, such as the British Empire, the Portuguese Empire, and the Qing dynasty. She was one of the few pirate captains to retire from piracy and is considered to be the most successful pirate in history.

She married Cheng I who belonged to a family of successful pirates who traced their criminal origins back to the mid-seventeenth century. Following his marriage to Ching Shih, “who participated fully in her husband’s piracy”, Cheng I used military assertion and his reputation to consolidate a coalition of competing Cantonese pirate fleets into an alliance. By 1804, this coalition was a formidable force, and one of the most powerful pirate fleets in all of China; by this time they were known as the Red Flag Fleet.

On 16 November 1807, Cheng I died in Vietnam. Ching Shih immediately began maneuvering her way into his leadership position. She started to cultivate personal relationships to get rivals to recognize her status and solidify her authority. In order to stop her rivals before open conflict erupted, she sought the support of the most powerful members of her husband’s family: his nephew Cheng Pao-yang and his cousin’s son Cheng Ch’i. Then she drew on the coalition formed by her husband by building upon some of the fleet captains’ existing loyalties to her husband and making herself essential to the remaining captains.

Since Ching Shih would have such a large force at her command, she knew she needed someone to assist her in managing the Red Flag Fleet’s day-to-day operations, but remain loyal to her and be accepted by the low-level pirates. She believed there was only one man for the job, Cheung Po Tsai.

Finally, in late 1809 and early 1810, her fleet suffered a series of defeats inflicted by the Portuguese Navy at the Battle of the Tiger’s Mouth, upon which she accepted an amnesty offered by the Chinese government to all pirates who agreed to surrender, ending her career that same year. She kept her loot and opened a gambling house.

For more information contact the Vampire Council Library

In 1810 she ended up meeting Lady Blossom, who told her about a new chance at life.  Like the pirate she was, she took it.

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I know there are those who have been touched by Breast Cancer on this blog.  Some who have fought and survived, others who had family or friends who fought and survived, and those who mourn the loss of a loved one.

Each year at Sylum Vault – we donate 10% of our proceeds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  It’s a little something we can do to give back.

To those who have fought and won – I salute you.

To those who have lost someone – I mourn for your loss.

To all of us – fight and stand strong.

Random Post: Astronomy Day

Astronomy Day!

Astronomy Day is a holiday which is celebrated not once during a calendar year but twice a year – once in spring and once in fall. The springtime celebration falls on the Saturday closest to the first quarter moon (which is around April or May). The fall time celebration of this holiday falls on the Saturday closest to the quarter moon (which is around September or October). The purpose of this holiday is not only to celebrate astronomy and all of its contributions to society but also to bring the general public together with astronomy professionals and groups.

More about Astronomy!

Astronomy Magazine!

 

Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part Sixteen)

Part One

Part Fifteen


Charles didn’t hesitate, he was up and out of Cerebro in seconds, leaving behind Logan who looked a bit shell shocked at what he had witnessed.  

By the time the elevator dinged, letting him out on the main floor of the house, he was anxious.  He needed to see Erik, needed to feel him. Make sure he was real, and still by his side. He recognized the feeling, he had the same anxieties after Erik had been shot, which intensified after he yanked the metal out of his chest.

“Liebling.”

The voice was soft and comforting.

But he didn’t want that.

Charles pulled him down into a heated kiss, tongued demanding entrance as he pushed his body into his embrace.  <<Need you.>>

<<I got you.>>

Read more“Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part Sixteen)”

Sylum Advent 2018: Check In

So how’s it going?  Ready to run screaming into the night?  I’m so not ready!!!

Dates to Remember:

November 5th – I should be seeing at least a rough draft.

November 15th – You should have a Title and image ideas sent to  taibhrigh.  If a banner idea isn’t turned in by this date, a generic banner will be used for Advent and a specific story banner will be made for the Archive after Advent.

November 25th – I should final draft and banner in my inbox.

 

Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part 15)

Part One

Part Fourteen


“NO.”  Erik and Azazel yelled at the same time.  

The two looked at each other, then fist pumped.  

“Dude when did we become parents?”  Azazel smirked at his friend.

“I think that would be when you fucked Raven.”  Erik shook his head. Peter coughed, only to get glared at by his father.  “Hush, you’re already in trouble.”

“We want to help Vatar.” Kurt looked at the two of them.  “I can teleport all the way to the city to St. Patricks.”

“Why are you teleporting there?”  Azazel bent down to look at his son.  He was so beautiful, and made him so proud.  He really wished he could spend more time with him.  Maybe after all this, he would take more time. The idea that he never saw his boy grow up, upset him more than he cared to admit, let alone the idea his son wouldn’t survive.

“I like their St. Michael statue.”  He said with a smile. “Father Gregory is also nice, but I prefer Mass here with Father Angel.”

Azazel stood and looked over at his friend, eyes narrowing. “My son is going to Mass?”

“What do you expect when an Anglican and Jew raise a teleporting mutant, of course he becomes Catholic.”  Erik rolled his eyes. “He loved the stories of Angels as a toddler, specifically St. Michael and the Archangels.  He didn’t like normal picture books, just the big ones with the angel images. When he was threeish he popped into the local Catholic church, by accident.  Father Angel gave him some food, let him play with his St. Michael statue, and then called us. He’s a priest Azazel and he didn’t blink at your son.”

“I would like to meet this man.  Well if he is to follow Christian Symbolism, at least he went for the badass of them all.”  Azazel patted Kurt’s shoulder. “You’re still not helping, you are small and not quite at Archangel status.”

“But I can move people.”

“And I can get around people.”

Erik looked at the two of them, knowing they would go into this war without hesitation.  He hated the humans for starting this. He hated Mystique for being who he would’ve been.  “You are too young.”

“Sean and Alex were not that young when you guys went against Shaw.”  Peter argued back.

“Let me put this in terms you will understand.”  Erik looked at the two of them. “If something happened to you.  I would kill Trask, and anyone around him without hesitation. I already want to, I already want to fight, but your safety is keeping me tempered.”

Kurt poofed, then landed in his Vatar’s arms, something he hadn’t done in years.  “No Vatar, you wouldn’t. You are a good man, I see it.” He patted Erik’s cheeks.  “We stay.”

Erik held him close, then set him back down to the ground.  “Peter?”

“I get it man.”  In a rare show for the teenager, he hugged his father.  He stepped back and looked around the room, at the rest of the X-Men.  “But I want to be trained at some point.”

“You’ve already ordered your uniform, it’s on backorder until your twenty-five, and graduated college.”  Alex snarked at the kid, making Erik snort. “Same with you kid.”

Kurt and Peter smirked.

Azazel caught Erik when he stumbled suddenly.  “You okay?”

“It’s Charles.”  He shook his head, trying to absorb the mental anguish that was suddenly coursing through him.

“He went to talk to himself.”  Hank frowned. “Wanted to find out what happened.”

“Fucking idiot.”  Erik stalked off towards Cerebro.  “Get some rest, we’re leaving in the morning.”

“It would be wise if we stay away from those two.”  Alex suggested, a smirk on his face. “How about some food?”

“I could teleport us to another country?”  Azazel suggested as Kurt took his hand to lead him to the kitchen area, it wasn’t often Papa stayed long enough for a meal.

“We might take you up on that offer.”  Hank smirked as they moved away from the main sections of the school.

Sylum Vault: Octoberfest – 50 Items at 50% Off

For the Month of October we’re showcasing 50 items at 50% Off.

All of our Halloween pieces.

Selected Fandom pieces.

A few bookmarks and keychains.

So stop by and see what’s for sale … this deal is not one to miss.

Sylum Vault

***

PS: We’re close to hitting 100 Favorites on the shop – if you have an Etsy Account and haven’t favorite the shop – please do!!

PSS: If you have a facebook account please follow Sylum Vault Facebook Page.  You’ll get notifications when we post new items on the shop.


Octoberfest

Sylum Inspiration: Bass Reeves

Tallikut: Hunter

Bass Reeves was born into slavery in Crawford County, Arkansas, in 1838. He was named after his grandfather, Basse Washington. Reeves and his family were slaves of Arkansas state legislator William Steele Reeves. When Bass was eight (about 1846), William Reeves moved to Grayson County, Texas, near Sherman in the Peters Colony. Bass Reeves may have served William Steele Reeves’ son, Colonel George R. Reeves, who was a sheriff and legislator in Texas, and a one-time Speaker of the Texas House of Representativesuntil his death from rabies in 1882.

During the American Civil War, Bass parted company with George Reeves, perhaps “because Bass beat up George after a dispute in a card game.” Bass fled north into the Indian Territory. There he lived with the Cherokee, Seminole, and Creek Indians, learning their languages, until he was freed by the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery, in 1865.

As a freedman, Reeves moved to Arkansas and farmed near Van Buren. He married Nellie Jennie from Texas, with whom he had 11 children.

Reeves and his family farmed until 1875, when Isaac Parker was appointed federal judge for the Indian Territory. Parker appointed James F. Fagan as U.S. marshal, directing him to hire 200 deputy U.S. marshals. Fagan had heard about Reeves, who knew the Indian Territory and could speak several Indian languages. He recruited him as a deputy; Reeves was the first black deputy to serve west of the Mississippi River. Reeves was initially assigned as a deputy U.S. marshal for the Western District of Arkansas, which had responsibility also for the Indian Territory. He served there until 1893. That year he transferred to the Eastern District of Texas in Paris, Texas, for a short while. In 1897, he was transferred again, serving at the Muskogee Federal Court in the Indian Territory.

Reeves worked for 32 years as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, and became one of Judge Parker’s most valued deputies. Reeves brought in some of the most dangerous criminals of the time, but was never wounded, despite having his hat and belt shot off on separate occasions.

In addition to being a marksman with a rifle and pistol, Reeves developed superior detective skills during his long career. When he retired in 1907, Reeves claimed to have arrested over 3,000 felons. He is said to have shot and killed 14 outlaws to defend his own life.

One of his sons, Bennie Reeves, was charged with the murder of his wife. Deputy Marshal Reeves was disturbed and shaken by the incident, but allegedly demanded the responsibility of bringing Bennie to justice. Bennie was eventually tracked and captured, tried, and convicted. He served his time in Fort Leavenworth in Kansas before being released, and reportedly lived the rest of his life as a responsible and model citizen.

Reeves was himself once charged with murdering a posse cook. At his trial before Judge Parker, Reeves was represented by former United States Attorney W.H.H. Clayton, who was a colleague and friend. Reeves was acquitted.

For More Information Contact the Vampire Council Library

Over the years as a lawman Bass had met and worked with Noah Dixon and Jimmy Hickok.  He and Noah talked over the years, he had always wondered about the two lawmen’s relationship.   After a long night of talking, he finally asked.

Noah told him about Vampires and Mates, and that he was willing to offer Bass the opportunity.  Especially as he had done a great many good things.

He took time to think about and the next time he saw Noah, he agreed.

The Return of Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part 14)


Yes, I do realize it’s not afternoon, but figured this was a good day to post the next segment of the Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World.  As to get it back onto it’s normalish schedule.

PS: *hands tissues* *runs away*

Part One

Part Thirteen


Logan had never been in Cerebro.  

The Professor had refused to allow anyone in, but Hank.  

Even Mystique didn’t get inside the room.

He stood watching as the lights filled the room, first all the specs were white, and then they slowly turning to red.  “Are these Mutants?”

“Yes.”  Charles answered with awe in his voice.  “Each year there are more, some born, some manifesting.  All beautiful. I’ve reached out to those seeking something, to get them to come to the school.  But times are rough. No one trusts anyone, especially after many disappeared. It was warming to discover how many parents, friends – humans who were concerned for their unique family members.  It was also terrifying to find out how many sold them.”

Logan looked at the vast amount, wanting to reach out and touch.

He had watched as his people had been wiped out.  First by mobs, then the camps, and lastly hunted to eradication by the Sentinels.

“Can you focus on one?” He asked distracted by everything.

“Yes.”  

Charles focused on Raven, knowing exactly what her mind felt like.  He found her sitting in the airport.

Read more“The Return of Afternoon Fic: Save the Mutant Save the World (Part 14)”