My new novella “COLD COMFORT” is available now on Amazon Kindle and all good e-book retailers.
- When a marriage goes ‘cold’, what does a wife do?
This suspense-filled thriller is a gold-medal winning short story on how to get away with murder!
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#coldcomfort #thomgoddard
#writing #newbook #writingcommunity
#cold #winter #murder #mystery
https://www.instagram.com/p/ChAv8cAsggZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The cruise liner MS Explorer sunk on this day in 2007 after hitting an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean. Miraculously, all 154 passengers survived, though the stricken iceberg took a long time to get over it. You might say its recovery was glacial.

“No, you are not.” The Grandmaster looked out over the rim of his cup, thick steam rolling in the arid chill of the dojo, for the morning was always welcomed with the taste of mint. His dark, old eyes met Ryu’s, cataloguing the details that made the nervous young man before him. Questions, which begged answers to deliver him peace in the wake of what has left him wanting. Sub-Zero held out the palm of his hand, both invitation and directive for Ryu to sit.

“And it is not strange…” The winds outside of the compound seemed to pick up at that, doors rattling against the element.

“The ghosts of the Lin Kuei… They were stolen from us” By none other than Quan Chi, who had taken generously to the partnership between the Lin Kuei and Netherrealm and stolen into the ancient, rundown part of their sacred temples and ate his fill of their departed. It had been something of a coming of age ritual for the Lin Kuei’s children to listen to the rumored whispers of spirits dwelling in their domain with their friends, trying to prove themselves cold in the face of fear. To crush it underfoot with the assertion that they were a people unafraid. Kuai Liang was no exception to this, taking Tomas one winter night to the place where the spirits lie. They had both been sufficiently humbled, sprinting out into the fresh snow stumbling biting back their frightened yells. 

“Our clan encountered a time that demanded change for our survival. Grandmasters traded honor for profit, tradition for trade. We lost much to the exchange, and much more under the noses of our leaders as Netherrealm’s denizens entered our domain and took their fill of us.” The cup in his hand crackled, ice crystals gathering about the tip and turning his tea undrinkable. The ware went to the table, and his eyes, now white, to the young man’s face. 

“Why do you ask? I see there is something on your mind, and offer my ear to your burden.”

“I have explained this before.” Sub-Zero did not like repeating himself, but the teacher within him would allow an explanation to flourish from his drawn lips.

“I will not speak to kryomancers outside of the Lin Kuei. Our bodies operate at a lower baseline temperature due to the magic that courses through our veins, call it an accommodation for a condition a weaker warrior could not handle. To imbibe beyond reason is to risk a further drop under that baseline, more risk than it is worth for empty calories. A drink for ritual purpose is acceptable, but I would not advise that one join Master Bo Rai Cho for a night of drinks.”

“The best, hm? I don’t know that I’d be so kind as to say that.” Steam rises from the ware in his palms, the gentle aroma of chamomile wafting from the cup. With the sweetness of it upon his tongue, a melody comes to him in the form of another man’s laughter, deep and low, and brings a warmth to his core that even the tea cannot. The cup makes a little ‘clink’ sound as he returns it to the table top. 

“I thank you nonetheless, stranger.” 

continued from |X| @sxvethelastdance

“Sub-Zero, thank you for giving me some of your time.” If the Lin Kuei had been as secretive as the Grandmaster suggested they had once been, this was a unique opportunity. Ryu jotted down ‘no known ex members’ before flushing under Kuai Liang’s curiousity.

“Yeah, uh, my mom’s old family were magic users of the uh, not exactly ethical variety. Lots of necromancy, references to something called a Netherrealm? As far as she knows, she was the first in several generations to also show an aptitude for ice.” Ryu held out a hand between them, pausing to start a flurry of snow, a staff forming out of the ice. “Mom’s better at like, forming ice on her arms and legs, I’m better at construct type…things. Mom uses her magic more like I’ve seen you guys use it.” Not that he’d seen much except the few spars he’d passed on the way to finding Kuai Liang. “But hey, maybe we’re like, really really distant cousins!”

This has been such a surreal experience for me and the book hasn’t even officially released yet. Thank you to everyone who have already pre-ordered, your books are on the way! In the meantime, if you’re in Tofino or Ucluelet head over to @mermaidtalesbookshop to pick up a signed copy and support your local book store. 📚 #ColdComfort (at Mermaid Tales Bookshop)
https://www.instagram.com/p/COjRDlstxRS/?igshid=8t0dn9l3o5gx

Thank you @skitzofreak for wonderful rebelcapitan stories. Rogue One made me fall for the fandom and I was so lucky I read this exact work after watching the movie.

What can I say, I’m a sucker for a cute little rainbow. 🌈
#ColdComfort (at Somewhere in Canada)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKZSExNDLyw/?igshid=iu4ew2zr8i33

Black and white moments from this time last year.
#coldcomfort

www.MarcusPaladino.com
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKDS4zJj5U4/?igshid=fpsxe4cuj8zb

Cold comfort stand
An investment offer
#zimstands #realestate #realestateinvestment #coldcomfort #stands #zimbabwe

https://wa.me/263784850706
https://wa.me/263775470891 (at Chronicles Properties)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CI5HcKwFmNP/?igshid=1vtzhp381sb4b

The Grandmaster sat in deep contemplation, eyes closed against the light and wind. Arctika at sunrise was a landscape for meditation and reflection. Sub-Zero did not open his eyes to address the inquiry, nor did he react in any particular manner that telegraphed his readiness to go to arms for the honor of his lover, should the conversation take that course. However, he had enough security to reason that things wouldn’t go that far.

“He is intense. I like that.” Present tense. Because for all the changes the years have brought, Hanzo Hasashi remained the same spitfire of a man that he’d been in the days of their prime, passionate and determined. A constant which enchanted Kuai Liang.

“Now go, before I find something for you to do.” The ice orchids are always in need of a good tending.

I’ll probably never get rid of my satanic past!
#noexitfromoutside #nine #coldcomfort #comica #cantgetridof #satanic #past #invertedcross #door (hier: Friedrichshain)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEPLdTtHLqQ/?igshid=arm5v2xzp4zr

Sub-Zero: Kuai Liang proposed first. It was the night Hanzo clawed himself up from the Netherrealm, bleeding fire and steam. After your standard post-battle-care fare, he decided to spring what had been on his mind for years since Hanzo’s death, more than that.  Eyes forward and convictions strong, he made his proposal in the arctic cold, made even by the presence of his fire. 

Hanzo said yes, and they welcomed the dawn after many hours of ‘reconciliation’. 

Otacon: Technically he and Snake proposed at the same time. It was an agreement. A vow that didn’t need to be legally binding to keep the two of them promising to hang on until the very end.  

Jack is pleasantly surprised at how well his hand fits in his friend’s hand. Then again, one expects when keeping the company of Johnny Bravo that there are bound to be a number of surprises. 

Sub-Zero does not take dares, but he never forgoes the opportunity to kiss Scorpion.

Liu Kang, for all of his Shaolin composure and supposed chastity, finds himself holding Johnny Cage’s hand. He may or may not be blushing about it. 

Otacon isn’t all that into dares himself. Still, he finds giddy excitement in the way that Snake’s stubble brushes against his cheeks when they kiss. Marriage hasn’t changed that.

Velma has shorted out so many times over the prospect of holding Daphne’s hand that when it happens, she has nothing left but quiet awe in how soft her hands are. She’s held them numerous times when they were pulling each other out of danger, but this bit of context is filed away in the parts of her brain that coincide with the fluttery beat of her heart. 

#coldcomfort #goingberserk #pastmidnight #perfectstrangers #dvd #thriller #psychologicalthriller #comedy #eroticthriller #johncandy #joeflaherty #eugenelevy #rutgerhauer #natasharichardson #paulgiamatti #larrycohen (at Horror Pain Gore Death Productions HQ)
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A breeze in struggle

#coldcomfort
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November 23

The cruise liner MS Explorer sunk on this day in 2007 after hitting an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean. Miraculously, all 154 passengers survived, though the stricken iceberg took a long time to recover. You might say its recovery was glacial.

Peanut Butter + Ice Cream = ❤👅👍 #takeoffph #takeoffphilippines #reeses #icecream #cornetto #rcbc #makati #coldcomfort #philippines #cheers #dessert (at RCBC Plaza)

Cold comfort gelato! 🍦Scoop of Heaven! 😋😇 #TakeOffPhinLasVegas #gelato #coldcomfort #takeoffph #takeoffphilippines #studiobbuffet #buffet #dessert #sweettreat #mresort #lasvegas (at Studio B Show Kitchen Buffet @ the M Resort)