The Snap Sisters

Merry WinterVeil

Queue!

Imagine my surprise when I went down from the office to bring some freshly baked muffins to the orphans when I saw a huuuuge queue outside the Visitor's Center! I had totally forgotten about it, but the Argent Archives were having a snapshoot for getting every citizen's profile updated in the Archives of Ironforge. Sort of like a census, but.. different! They must have been happy to see so many people turning up, might be something to do with the fact that it was free Snaps though! I heard lots of people wondering what a Snaps was, isn't that amazing? The invention is there for years, and still people do not know about it! We must change that! Good thing, the Archivars from the library are now also seeing the merits of Snapographs. So much easier to recognize people that way. Surely there is some art in there. Daddy, if you read this, we still like your paintings too!

Loads of people were standing in that queue, I saw Mr Moon, Gnomish Rescue Squaddies and others. I was still standing with the muffins in my hands, and as I had not promised anything yet to the orphans (I will make some new ones tomorrow!), I decided to offer the muffins to the hungry-looking people in the queue. Got some nice chats there, although some people were overly loud, but that happens with big gatherings I guess. Even passersby were placing themselves in the queue, not knowing what it was about. Anyhow, here is a snap from the queue, isn't it amazing?

LEG gnommers? Slice, Thrice and Dice

The night of Scarecrow in Duskwood, Crazy gave me a ride back to Stormwind. Or a ride, she made such a nice shiny portal, I had to step through it! Really... magic is really.. magical!
Just when we got down the Mage Tower, a couple of dark and masked figures came to us and Duck got a lasso around him and was pulled away! I was too stunned to react at first. But Crazy! She was really self-composed and grabbed a device from her backpack telling me she had a locking device on Duck for fun. Now, normally I would say that is crazy, why would anyone do that, but.. after all, this was Crazy! After a bit of following the tracking device, Crazy and I ended up back at the office. We did not see anyone at first so we went upstairs. Suddenly we heard a couple of noises, we went downstairs. All of a sudden a strange ball was splattered against us and there was water inside! Three strange looking fellas in gnome-height were standing before us, waving around with balloons and then ran outside!

When we turned round the corner, we first saw nothing but a box. We heard some muffled voices so we thought the gnommers had clearly sought refugee inside the box! I mean, we are small enough to fit in there, really! They just make those boxes so big these days.

Anyhow Crazy knocked on the box and told them to release the hostage. We were certain Duckular was their hostage! The voices of the gnommers sounded strange though, almost as if they tried to make them sound different from normal. Crazy told them to come out or that if they were not in there that they would not mind if she burned down the box. Crazy is amazing! She put some fire in a whole while yelling: FIRE INTHEHOLE!. After a bit of knocking on the box we finally figured out they were not inside the box but outside, behind it! One of the gnommers immediately began to mutter that it was the fault of 'Dice', the other muttered it was the fault of 'Slice'! But none of them seemed to know who was who themselves. Clearly some fake gnommers, some wannabes. Must be.

Crazy started some mage magic and told them she would freeze one of them. One of the blue gnommers got frozen for a second! We tried talking them into revealing their identities now so we would not have to hurt them too bad. Or ehm Crazy of course. In turn they tried to sweet talk us and tell us how wonderful we were. Of course that would not work! So they tried coming up with some other strategies, discussing it amongst themselves. Crazy and I discussed if we should get a cup of tea meanwhile. We pretended to go away, but I got a hot cup of water and when they thought they were save, yelling victoriously how they were Slice, Thrice and Dice, I ran towards them and heroically threw the water over them. One of the gnommers was hit and went down. One of them got away, he fled! Crazy and I separated and tried to get the other two to talk, but somehow that did not work. But... after all the confusion, suddenly Duck returned to the office, slightly limping but safe! I was so relieved. The gnommers got away but not after telling us they were the League of Extraodinary Gnommers and we would hear more of them in the future.

Westbrook Charity Gala now showing on the BOR!

After weeks of preparing, running between Duskwood and Stormwind, we finally found the time to finish the report on the Westbrook Charity Gala! Sis and I had such a great evening! Of course we don't want to spill the beans here so just have a look inside and tell us what you think afterwards. Oh and don't forget to click on the bold and underlined characters in the report, who knows where it might take you!

If you find youself on a snapture and want your name there, just send us a letter with your name and what picture you're on and we will add you. We also have bigger and better versions of the snaptures you see, so don't hesitate to get in touch with us about it, we will be happy to provide you with those for a small fee!

Oi don't wait any longer! Have a look at our Beam-o-Rama and enjoy the report of the Westbrook Charity Gala! And please tell us what you think here or here or when you see us around in Stormwind so we know if we should continue with all of our work. We love feedback!

A wedding!

Sis!

Today i went to Northshire Abbey to look at some books I heard were supposed to be there. I needed some information on gnomish engineering and the processes of light emulsion. I am still working on that Snapsalbum and report from the Charity Gala, but I got sooo many pictures and the lighting on some of the snaptures are still not quite satisfactory. But... you know who I ran into today in the Abbey? Sir Hellgar Cadohan! Hm, maybe you don't know him? But he took care of Jelly when she was so terribly sick. He was in the abbey to... get married to a girl! Isn't that wonderful? They wanted to have a small ceremony with nobody there, but they asked me to be their witness. So sweet! Of course I had the pocketsnaps with me so I could actually take some snaptures and be their witness at the same time. I told them it was quite dark in the abbey so they decided to find a nicer spot. We went outside, the three ofus, near the lake and there they said their vows... or something that looked like it. They were really sweet, but the girl, she.. well she was a bit of a tomboy, she asked if she should put her helmet on for the ceremony. And they both had their weapons still at their backs! That must have been heavy.

Anyways Sir Cadohan said something like: "I, lord Hellgar Cadohan, swear to you, lady Alexandrina Courlier, to stay true and honour you for as long as we are both connected to each other." He looked really happy. Then miss Courlier also tried to say some words but she seemed a bit nervous and lost all of a sudden. But she managed to say some lovely words and ended it with:"And.. uh.. stay true to our love until the world.. clashes together." And then the ceremony was done, well not until after the kiss of course. The newly Mrs Cadohan seemed very eager to get that kiss, as she grabbed the blushing paladin of the Light by his waist with the words:"No goofy kiss now.." I discreetly took some steps back, but not without taking some snaps of course.  After a long kiss and Sir Cadohan getting his posture back again we went to the Abbey once more to get their marriage blessed by one of the priests there. After some mentioning about weddingnights and such I decided to congratulate them and leave the newly weds to enjoy their own company.

Sis we should get to the Northshire Abbey more often, maybe we run into such lovely weddings more! Oh.. I totally forgot about those books I needed. I guess it's off to Northshire again! When will you be available for finishing the Charity gala report together, sis?

Love,
Frecks

An invitation

"Sis! Sis!" Freckles ran towards her sister, waving something that looked like a letter in front of her nose. Out of breath, Freckles skidded to a halt just in time as not to run her sister over. "What's that Sis?" Speckles replied calmly, a mildly amused look on her face. "It's time Sis! It's time!", still waving the paper in front of her sister's face, Freckles had a hard time not to jump up and down, bouncing through the cheese-smelling room where Speckles was having her quarters."Oi Sis, could you calm down! You don't make any sense. Time for what?" Speckles watched her sister bouncing around the room, almost throwing over the vase she so carefully had put in that corner of the room, away from all the tinkerstuff, pictures and other belongings.

Freckles finally seemed to calm down a bit, taking a deep breath:"Westbrook Charity Gala!" She looked at her sister triumphantly. "You know! All those orphans from the orphanage can use some happiness and... toys! So there will be organised a charity gala, with a Play, a fighting tournament, you know like one they held at the Eastvale Tournament, and there is also time for comedy! And Raffles! Andddd, not forget! The best dressed single and couple! It's gonna be great sis!" Freckles smiled brightly with lights in her eyes from excitement. "And you know what?! The Snap Sisters are invited to make a snapreport! Isn't that great? We can use this as an opportunity to finally work together again sis! It's been such a loooooong time!"

Freckles pressed the letter into Speckles' hands, who rolled the letter out, and started reading, her eyes flying over the lines with excitement. Speckles looked up, her eyes mirrorring her sister's now. "This is lovely Sis, we should make preperations at once!" She toddled off towards the cabinet where she kept all her camera and lenses, motioning her sister to follow her. The sisters both sat down, their heads bent over the Snaps60, starting to discuss clothes, lenses and things only the twins could make sense of. Their laughs could be heard all over the Trade District.

Stormball!

A couple of weeks ago, Duck came up with this brilliant plan... bring sports into the city!

Not only children play on the streets of Stormwind but also every one else who likes to join in. Fill the streets with playful and friendly laughter, pick up that ball and play!

The first Stormball report now shows on the Beam-o-Rama! (You can read all about Stormball here.)

Dear Sis

Sis!

Have you walked around Stormy lately? I heard rumours you were walking the cobbled streets of Stormwind... why don't you drop by in the office? I miss you sis. And I really think the Stormwinders could use some fashionshoots. If only to get a sense of fashion back, because frankly.. it's as if Kobolds and Ogres alike are the fashion designers that dress the people around Stormwind these days! It really is that bad! I was hoping someone would organize a fashion show again, but I am afraid everyone left for that strange place where Duckie was sent to on some Argent Dawn missions. I miss the old days. Think we can get those back somehow?

love,
Frecks

Merry Winterveil!

Freckles looks at the tree in the middle of the room and mumbles "Yes, yes, this might be good Snap material". Specks gave it to her as a present, at first she thought, why of all places right in front of the Beam-O-Rama and it's so huuuuge, but now she figured it to be a lovely place for a Winterveil Snaps. She should thank her sister once she runs into her, after all she did take out a day to drag the whole giant thing over to their office and decorating it. Now if only sis would hurry and take it away after Winterveil, as she wasn't going to do it. And the place could use a cleanup too, all those needles from the tree on the floor. She shakes her head, muttering.

Still so much happening in her life, Duckular resigning as boss of the LBC, her sister that comes and goes as she likes, never to get a hold of, her parents don't seem to be around much either and of course Jelinda who is still ill. And Siobhan... well that's a whole different story. But it's Winterveil now, this should be a time of joy and without worry. Lately she can't keep her mouth shut, sis told her she has changed, has become more like her, bitter words keep tumbling from her mouth. She would like to change that, but she doesn't know how. She shudders. Even her and Kalistra had words. That Siobhan girl is not good for her temper. It seems like she is disassociating herself from everyone. But when she looked under that giant tree yesterday, she got presents from Kalistra and Duckular! She couldn't believe her eyes.

Freckles strokes with her fingers over the wrapped presents. She has no idea what's in those, but she would like to open them with someone. With her loved ones, Sis, Duck, Kal, Jelilnda and all the others. But no one is here. She walks to the closet, opens a drawer and picks up her camera. She should send everyone a Winterveil card. That's what she should do. She stands in front of the tree and places the camera on the floor, pushes the delayed action shutter button, runs to the tree and takes some poses. When she hears several clicks she smiles. After an afternoons work she looks at the card she made, a satisfied smile on her lips. This should work. She uploads it to the Beam-o-Rama, hoping many of those she loves will see it. Next time... next time everyone should be in this picture.

OOC: Speckles and Freckles wish you all a Merry Christmas!

A struggle back to Stormwind

Freckles sat on a bed at an Inn somewhere in Ashenvale. She looked around, it really was a nice place, if she would actually see any of it.  So much had happened since the moment she could walk again.

Freckles stared at the letter in her hand. Did she come all the way here.. just to be dragged to Stormwind again? She shook her head while picking up yet another note. "I'm really sick of all these things happening to those close to me"  She pondered: Stormy... it seems a place full with laughter and joy, but it also has a darker side, a side she seems to be pulled in constantly as of late. What happened to all the joyous moments with her and sis strolling around taking pictures for Stormy Fashion and lovable events such as different balls and tournaments? Only death, sickness and violence seem to rule the cities now.

She went to travel around after her own illness or comatose state Jelinda managed to pull her out off. She wouldn't admit to herself she really had fled the city. And Duckular... she didn't know what to think of all of it anymore. She left him.... she couldn't bare watching him suffer and get hurt anymore. Of course she could have stood by him, but a coldness seemed to have crept around her heart and she could only watch all her loved ones with a certain emptiness. Sis had left her... She couldn't reach her parents either. She left Stormwind in a hurry after Duck got hurt for the zillionth time and Jelinda needed to heal him again. Winterspring was her first destination. Some fond memories of the first wedding pictures she took. She blushed slightly, she should still make that album for Kinly and Sam.

Winterspring. She loved the cold, it seemed to suit her mood. Duckular found her there eventually, together with Woad. It was nice to see Woad again, but it was just bad timing. A depression had sunk in and no present or warm food Duckular brought her could warm her up. She temporarily snapped out of it when she received news of Fingel's death. She couldn't believe he was actually dead, she shed warm tears at his funeral. Sis wasn't even there. She couldn't understand. And Duck... where was he? After the funeral she wanted to return to Winterspring but she got held up in Ashenvale and decided to stay there for a while.

After a week, this dwarf and elf visited her there, right here at the inn. They'd tracked her down they said. It wasn't all too difficult to find a pink haired (No! Red haired! -sis would say) gnome in elvenland.  They said they were from the Stormwind City Watch. They asked her questions about Duckular. She couldn't believe he was really kidnapped, and then again, did it matter? He always seemed to get in trouble. Was it worth it? Was she selfish for not wanting to have all these bad and worried times with him? Those dark times seemed to overshadow all the wonderful times they had together. Deep down in her heart she knew she still cared. She just didn't allow herself to feel it.. And then they tell her SHE's in danger too! Of all things... How could those who supposedly wanted to hurt her find her? She would just travel someplace else. No way that she was returning to Stormwind again. Gnoko had told her there were troubles within the LBC and some gangs. What did those gangs have to do with the LBC? Her thoughts wandered off for a second. Somewhere in the darkest corner of her thoughts she knew the LBC wasn't as legitimate as Duckular told her it was. Mekkong even admitted it to her a couple of months ago. She shrugged it off.

She stared at the letter again. She resisted with every fibre in her to go back to Stormwind, but this letter.... "...Jelinda...poisened bolt... slow and painful...unfocused trauma" She just couldn't believe it. Jelinda.. shot? Dying? She read the letter carefully again. She needed to find that book the letter spoke about. The vile criminals who took it from the Cathedral... She didn't have any words for it. Could she save her? Her mouth twisted in a determined curl, her jaw set. She should do something.

She packed her bags and walked up to the gryphon master. "Stormwind, the fastest gryphon you have. No! I don't care what it costs, just get me that gryphon!"

On her flight to Stormwind she was going over the things she should do. First to the Cathedral, then find someone from the LBC, to see if they knew anything about the robbery and that book she needed. Maybe the Stormwind City Watch too. She had to save Jelinda! Like Jelly had done for her so many times...