Australia Trip

So back from Australia. The trip was good, but every single thing that could go wrong went wrong. I've been back for two weeks and I've finally worked the courage up for writing this. :3

Going to Sydney the plane had problems(Apparently, there was a fuel leak and the fuel pumps weren't working right) so we were diverted to Brisbane. Meet these two awesome couples headed home to Sydney area so I got to hang out and relax with them. It ended up taking me 6 hours to finally get to Sydney from Brisbane. Me and my sister did a bit of sightseeing with what was left of the day, saw the Harbor Bridge (walked across it) and the Sydney Opera House and just odds and ends. Next day, we flew to Cairns and after that we walked around it was beautiful and rented a boat to look for crocodiles. My sister doesn't drive boats really well...and yeah no crocodiles in sight. Then walked around a bit more and found a Games Workshop store, got two of the limited edition novella's they had in stock.

Spent the night in a hostel, then next morning on a boat to the great barrier reef. Got horribly seasick in front of a lot of cute guys that where on the boat, but it was still beautiful but sadly couldn't see the reef well. Spent the evening recovering then the next day flew back to Sydney. Did more sight seeing, saw Hyde Park and relaxed more to recover from being ill.

Next day saw the House of Parliament, State Library and a art museum. The State Library had an amazing photograph display of pictures all of the world that told stories they where really touching and interesting.
Sunday, went to church. Then saw Darling Harbor and Chinatown which where beautiful. Walked around Hyde Park saw the old barracks and court house in Sydney. We where wondering why it was so dead as we walked around then we found out. It was some sort of Catholic holiday when like a 100 priests a cardinal and a couple thousand people started walking down the street. My sister literally said, "Is the pope here?" I almost facepalmed. Evening went to her church at St. Andrew's Cathedral.

Monday, went to see a whole bunch of old ships. The "free tour" which was looking at the outside and reading about them as it cost to much to tour them. Got to go inside a lighthouse also! Which I've wanted to do for years and here they always cost a ton of money to see. Then went to a wildlife preserve, saw Kola's, Kangaroos/Wallabies, a huge crocodile and a ton more animals that the names escape me. Walked more and just went to random places and went back to the hostel early.

Tuesday, took a train out to the Blue Mountains. Was a long but nice ride through the countryside, turned out the Blue Mountains was actually freezing cold so only stayed a little while mostly saw the "Three Sisters" which is this rock formation the aboriginals have a interesting story behind. The whole area is very sacred to the aboriginals so it was neat to see that bit of history. (Did I mention on the train to and from the Blue Mountains I re-listened to part of audiobook Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter? I keep for getting how much I enjoy that book. Went out to eat and relaxed and went to my sister's bible study.
Last full day, Wednesday bought some gifts to take home and took the bus to Watson Harbor and spent a few hours looking around it was really nice.
I honestly can't remember what day we went to Bondi Beach, but it was beautiful and clean. I really loved it.
Thursday got to the Airport early. Me and my sister were flying with different companies/flights but were leaving 30 minutes apart so my parents could pick us up at the same time. My flight was delayed 10 hours because of electrical problems(They had to fly a new plane in).
They put me up in a hotel for the day which I mostly just relaxed and watched TV and wrote in my traveling journal. Then showered and went back to the airport and flew home. Again I was blessed had this awesome couple who I sat by so it wasn't nearly as stressful a flight as I thought it would be.
US customs where horrible, but at least I was home. Basically, Australia felt like California except no Latino's and was cleaner and had weird electrical outlets.

A Noble Lady: Headcannon for Imperial Fists

Haven't updated in a while I know! But as today is my birthday, I splurged and let myself write one of my biggest pieces of fluff ever.

Alternate reality where Rogal Dorn dies on a world(which I haven't decided on yet) with Sigismund and Celien Dorn (who is Rogal Dorn's wife and mother to my OC Raina Dorn there daughter.) fighting an undead plague (brought to them by Nurgle).
Celien was from another clan and married Rogal Dorn to keep a war from breaking out between there clans. Before her marriage she had been a "Valkyire" the battle maidens who choose those in there clans able and worthy and trained them to defend the Olron clan.  After the coming of the Emperor they choose those to be sent into Imperial Guard service...here is my story for the Valkyrie's becoming the ones who chose the Imperial Guard initiates.

With one clean stroke Celien killed four of the undead creatures, but even more where now pouring into the vast chamber. She glanced back Rogal and the last squad of Imperial Fists where fairing no better. All but Sigismund where dead and buried under the hundreds of undead corpses. Celien killed her way to there position and though. There is no way to defeat them all.

"We have to fall back, we can't hold this position."  She called out loud as she spun left tearing her sword through more of the creatures.
"Up the stairs then." Rogal growled the order, all where covered in blood the other body fluids of the dead they had been killing for hours.

No one waited to be told twice, Rogal Dorn lead the retreat followed by Sigismund. Lastly came Celien trying to cover the exit as best as possible, the undead horde slowed as they could not all take the stairs at once. It took the four warriors only moments to reach the next and final floor.

"Close and bar the doors." Celien called as she slammed the one behind her shut and set it's locking sequence into place. The door on there end of the dark chamber was likewise sealed by Sigismund. The loud crunch of thousands of feet could be heard.

 "I was hoping they'd be to stupid to head for the other door." Celien sighed and rolled her shoulders to ease the soreness in them.

All was silent for a moment before Sigismund started to speak. "My lord, this is my faul..."

Rogal Dorn cut him off. "This is no ones fault, we where tricked into coming here. At least, the head of the corruption here has been removed. This sector will not have to be purged."

Celien unclasped her helm and tossed it aside. "I won't be needing that, to bad we can't just hold this position for another 12 hours. Reinforcements would be here by then for sure. But, a death in battle is the most I could have ever hoped for."

"You always seemed to have a lot of hope. But I do believe you deserve more then an honorable death in battle." Rogal stated the barest hint of a smile coming to his face.

Celien shook her head and smiled. "No, I don't. I had a wonderfully adopted family, I had a daughter and you...everything I could want." Her face fell as she recalled the news of her daughter's sudden disappearance and assumed death. "Until the world went crazy, I just hope death is a kinder to me then life has been. At the very least, it will be an honor to die aside two of the best men I've ever known."

"You are a most honorable Lady, and lethal with that sword." Sigismund spoke bluntly but Celien bowed knowing to take it as a compliment.
At last the banging of many bodies could be heard on both doors. Celien moved and stood by Rogal Dorn.

"I love you." The words could be barely heard over the banging that would soon bring the doors down.

"Well after almost a century of marriage...I never thought I'd hear that!" Celien laughed for a moment. "I love you too Rogal Dorn."

The doors finally gave way and the undead poured in from all sides, in only moments all three where covered with the undead. Death had found them quickly.
..........................................................................................
"She died with the Primarch and Chapter Master Sigismund. She should be honored." Lazerian said solemnly, "Celien Dorn's remains will be entombed alongside those of the Primarch and Chapter Master Sigismund. And from this day on, the Valkyrie's of the Olron clan will no longer choose those fit for the Imperial Guard service on Inwit. They will instead reap the initiates of the Imperial Fists."