amusedMore fool he.
At three, I convinced a co-worker to drive me to the Cups and Cakes Bakery, which I am rapidly coming to believe is the best cupcake bakery (cupcakery?) in the universe. I had placed an order for three dozen cupcakes, which were waiting for me in their pretty pink boxes, ready to go off and be consumed. In total, there were a dozen grasshopper cupcakes (dark chocolate cake with peppermint frosting—think a cakey, delicious version of the Thin Mint), a dozen pretty pretty princess cupcakes (strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream frosting and edible silver pearls), and a variety pack containing two deep dark chocolate, two vanilla (which are possibly the Ur-Vanilla cupcakes, intended to be honored in song and in story), two red velvet, two cloud nine (angel food cake with seven-minute frosting), two root beer float, and two banana with salted caramel frosting. Because when I bring cupcakes to my own party, I don't screw around.
Getting into the BART system, during a major storm, while carrying three dozen cupcakes: not the easiest thing I have ever done. But funny. Especially as people tried to wheedle me into giving them cupcakes (and then inevitably said "No, no, I was just kidding" and looked alarmed when I shrugged and said "Yeah, sure"). My mother picked me up on the Walnut Creek side, where we placed the cupcakes reverently in her backseat and proceeded to the normal Wednesday errands, including the obligate stop at the comic book store. Flying Colors, how I adore you.
After a stop at the house to brush the cat, change my clothes, brush the cat, comb my hair, brush the cat, pack a bag for the evening, and brush the cat, we were off to dinner (at Applebee's) and then the bookstore. We arrived around seven, and walked in, toting cupcakes. They had my picture up in several places. Feeling thus boldly recognizable, I approached the woman at the counter.
"Where should I put these?"
She looked at me blankly. I began to worry that they had some other fluffy blonde urban fantasy author coming, and I was in the wrong place.
"I think I'm tonight's author?"
"Oh!" She beamed. "I didn't expect you to bring snacks!"
People never take me seriously.
Mom and I wandered around the bookstore looking at things while we waited for the event to begin. Eventually, people began to trickle in, including Joel, the owner of the store, and X., my housemate (who belongs to the book club). Only one other member of the actual book club showed up, thanks to the UNENDING RAIN: the rest of the audience consisted of my friend Shawn, his wife, Elsa (who braved the cold with a cold to attend), Andy from the comic book store, and my mother. Still, we sat and talked for two hours, mostly about Toby, and everybody ate cupcakes with great alacrity, so I'm calling it a win. Also, I still have cupcakes.
Yum.
January 21 2010, 16:38:31 UTC 7 years ago
I just finished re-reading Rosemary and Rue and I have a few questions, if you don't mind:
1. Is your Tybalt named for Shakespeare's Tybalt, or is Shakespeare's Tybalt named for your Tybalt? :-)
2. Toby said her title is "Knight of Lost Words." Is she going to elaborate on that later?
3. How much did touching the Hope Chest affect Toby? When she went to see Sylvester, her dress came out different (I'd say better, but my taste in gowns is different than hers) than she intended. I know she said her nightvision's better, but is her magic stronger overall?
4. You describe her magic as smelling like "cut grass and copper" sometimes, and other times just copper. Does the scent change depending on what she does?
Can't wait for the next book.
January 21 2010, 21:56:05 UTC 7 years ago
2) Probably eventually.
3) Not telling.
4) Yup. But the copper is stronger, hence it being much more likely to be the dominant scent.
January 22 2010, 13:45:43 UTC 7 years ago
That's what I thought. :-)
2) Probably eventually.
Oh, good. :-) I love the history of words and phrases (I'd make a good etymologist) and the idea of lost words having their own knight pleases me immensely.
4) Yup. But the copper is stronger, hence it being much more likely to be the dominant scent.
That makes me want to go through the book again and see what magic brings about which scent. :-)
Thank you.