I suppose 2 weeks is my limit. I begin running away from writing and to be honest my life right now is not exactly stress free… Although a lot of that has to do with my own decision to *not* take a step forward. I should definitely be putting my efforts towards something more money making, though.

Congrats to everyone who made it 31 days!

It’s scary being in a new place where you know no one. People passed me without any concern, not bothering to glance at me, even when I tried to get their attention. “Bugger off,” one guy told me coldly. Most just shrugged me off without a word.

Finally I had enough. Taking a deep breath I screamed my highest piercing shriek. The people in my immediate vicinity stopped to stare. “There’s a man in that alleyway who needs an ambulance. Someone call 911,” I told them breathlessly.

“I’ll do it.” A guy said, stepping forward. Gradually the rest moved on. He walked with me back to the body.

“I got you help, Akki-chan. It’s going to be ok,” I told the man. He looked up at me, eyes befuddled with pain.

“Who’s Akki-chan?” He asked hoarsely, then coughed, wincing.

“You didn’t tell me your name so I bequeathed you one,” I told him.

“What kind of name is that?” he asked, but then began coughing again.

The one man who had stopped was speaking with the emergency operator. I could hear him murmuring things like ‘stabbed’ and ‘coughing’ along with the nearest streets. Finally he sighed and took the phone from his ear. “They’re on their way. How is he doing?”

“Not good, but he’s still alive,” I said. Akki-chan gave a little laugh at that then winced. “Thank you very much for stopping. I should have gone to a nearby store, but… I was too panicked and not thinking straight.”

“I understand,” the good samaritan said with a nod.

“Should I call you Sam or would you like to tell me your name?” The man, tall with an expensive hair cut and casual business suit, smiled at the question.

“My name is Nick. Why Sam?” he asked, leaning against a building.

“I was just thinking of the Good Samaritan. That’s all.”

“Oh. Well, I’m flattered. So how did you find him?”

“I’m Song. I was looking for an address and very lost when I heard him calling for help. Not sure what happened. All he’s said to me is, ‘help me,’ and what you heard.”

“He got lucky then,” Nick said. “Most people are too busy and would have ignored him.”

They stood in silence, waiting until the sirens approached, while Akki-chan breathed raggedly at their feet. Finally the ambulance appeared and Song waved her arms. They rolled a gurney down the alley and she watched as they checked the man over.

“Ok, well I need to get to work…” Nick said with a frown, yet he stood, watching alongside her.

“Can you help me with the address?” Song asked and he looked at it.

“Huh, weirdest address I’ve ever seen. If you can find the whole number then ask there.”

“I’ve already looked for it. The numbers skip and it doesn’t seem to exist,” Song said.

“Hmmm,” Nick said, fidding with his phone. “Ah, here’s a map,” he said a moment later. Studying it with him, she glanced up when an EMT approached them.

“Do either of you know the victim?” They shook their heads negatively. “The cops will be here soon. They will want a report,” he said and they looked at eachother.

“Your part shouldn’t take long,” Song said slowly and he nodded.

In the end the cops did not keep either of them very long, and then Nick was nice enough to help her find the address before rushing off. Standing in front of a practically unmarked building which did not impress her as anything other than a block of concrete, Song held her bags and frowned.

There was only one doorway to be found, and it was down the alleyway just a few blocks from where she had stood not long ago with a man bleeding from a gut knife wound. Squaring her shoulders, she walked up to it and knocked. Her future would begin now.

“Look at the beautiful molding!” Mr. Hephershrine said and his wife smiled but went straight to the kitchen.

“Spacious but compact,” she said with a nod and her husband came to join her.

“Oh, this is a step down from the kitchen you had at home. I’m sorry, honey,” Mr. Hephershrine said, taking his wife into his arms.

She let him kiss her, then pulled away. “Don’t be silly, Tony. It’s not like all I do is cook. This is more than adequate,” she said with a loving smile.

“Shall we proceed to the bedroom?” The real estate agent asked, making them blush at displaying such a scene in front of others. They nodded and the woman led the way, thinking that they were such a cute couple, acting more like newlyweds than a middle aged husband and wife.

I agreed. They were a very cute couple and their delight and satisfaction in my apartment made me happy with them.

“Oh my, does the kitchen look larger now?” Sally asked, coming back from the tour of bedroom and bathroom.

“It does. How can that be possible? Perhaps it’s the angle?” her husband suggested and they agreed.

The real estate agent just smiled, letting them think what they will, and was happy to close the lease with them. “You must really have liked them,” she told the building with a fond smile, patting a wall. The air conditioner rattled on, making the lady look up and she smiled.

Tilly Gertrude Everstein was not only the real estate agent, she lived in the building, and was very particular over who she showed it to. “Thank goodness you approved. I remember what happened to that last couple you did not like.” The air conditioner stopped suddenly. “The husband deserved it, I agree,” Tilly said hurriedly. “I know you have good judgement. It’s just that the wife cried. She loved him despite everything.” Shaking her head, Tilly patted the wall again. “I would just rather not have a repeat of that.” The air conditioner rattled on and she nodded before leaving and locking the door after her.

I agreed. The little wife beater and adulterer had deserved the continual accidents. When he seemed not to understand the message, though Tilly and the other residents tried to lead him towards moving out, I finally took more drastic measures. He was unpleasant, making his wife cry every day, and in the middle of the night he would go knock on the door to 3c.

A young woman would answer, and he would pin her against a wall and take her. She tried to refuse the first few times but he had made certain that she owed him. The woman had tried to ignore the knocking, but he had threatened her. She never thought to stay with someone else or go to the police. Instead she cried afterwards and prayed for it to stop.

So I had made that happen. He would never do that to another woman again. The wife had cried but her sister had taken her away, and I was certain that she was happier now wherever she lived. The woman in 3c had prayed in thanks, and after time to get over the trauma, I set it up for her to meet the man in 2d. They were deliriously happy together.

Most of my residents were happy and I aimed to keep it that way. (more…)

Story a Day May #14: Falling Rain

The sound of rain met Alice’s ears as she opened her eyes sleepily. Glancing at the clock she saw it was 2am. Why was she awake? A brief flash of lightning lit up her bedroom window followed by a loud crash of thunder. Smiling, she felt the old thrill, that electric tingle, that came from hearing nature display its destructive powers.

Rolling out of bed, she padded into the living room and opened the front door. Lightning flashed on a quiet residential street. Sheets of water poured down in waves, sluicing the concrete clean, and a sudden gust of wind blew a splash onto her legs. With a cry she stepped back but did not leave.

Whirling about in the midst of the sweet smelling wind that blew about, she smiled exultantly to herself. Then the smile faded and she stood still for a moment while the rain continued to fall. Retreating back inside, she shut out the wind and rain behind her. The lock clicked into place and she began walking very slowly back to bed. Sitting down on her mattress she gazed blankly at the window, which lit up once more before remaining dark for a long while, until the storm began dissipating.

Laying down she kept her face towards the window, lost in thought, and as she fell asleep a tear slipped out of her eye and snaked its way down her cheek. She had never thought that even the pleasure of rainstorms could be taken from her. (more…)

Story a Day May #13: Perchance to Dream

She awoke late as always and sighed. Turning, she closed her eyes to go back to sleep, then frowned. She wanted to dream longer but today was not the day. Getting up reluctantly she put on her costume then went out to find her customers. Dropping by a friendly restaurant she picked herself up something for breakfast.

“Did you dream for us?” the lady behind the counter asked and Revi shook her head. A sigh of relief and her requested breakfast came one after the other and she left.

Eating while walking, she wished the lady had not seemed so worried, but her customers always gave her different receptions. Finishing the meat pies she wiped her mouth with a handkerchief before attending to her first customer of the day.

“Good morning, did you sleep well?” she asked the gentleman and he jumped to see a Dreamer.

“I-I-I-I…” He did not know what to say. There were proscribed phrases but sometimes they were forgotten. Revi cared neither one way or the other.

“You need to get home right now. Your parents will soon be in trouble.” His eyes widened and he stared at her. “Right now,” she prompted.

“Um, yes,” he said, digging a few coins out and putting them in her hands. “Thank you,” he said before running off. He had remembered the payment at least, she thought as she tucked them into her pouch.

Her most pressing client of the day finished, she wandered aimlessly, stopping here and there to meet someone new. Her reception was never spectacularly warm but she was used to that. One little girl found her sitting on the side of the road, contemplating the sun, and asked her what she was doing. “Waiting for my next client,” she told her. She had delivered good tidings to a few others, and now only he remained.

“Client?” the little girl asked sitting down beside her.

“I’m a dreamer,” Revi explained. “Have your parents not explained what a dreamer is before?”

The little girl scrunched up her face. “You mean you have dreams when you sleep? I do, too,” the girl assured her seriously. It made Revi smile and she coughed to hide it.

“No, you see, my dreams come true.”

“Really?” The little girl asked, her eyes huge in wonder. “Is there a way I can dream like that?”

“No, I’m afraid not,” Revi said. “It’s a gift from the gods… or so they say.”

“Oh.” The little girl was disappointed now. “I’m Wesley Ann, but you can call me Wesa,” she informed her.

“I’m Revi,” she replied, putting out her hand to shake. “And now that I’ve met you if I have any dreams that warn me about you then I will come to see you again.”

“You can come without a dream,” Wesa said. “Do you have to know someone to dream about them?” Revi nodded. “Then I want you to meet my Papa.” The girl stood up and tugged at her hand. “Come on, let’s go,” she insisted.

“Not right now. I have to warn someone who will be driving up this road soon. Then I can come.” The little girl looked down the dirt road but there was no one in sight. “They won’t be here for a little bit but if I leave I will miss them,” Revi said in amusement as the girl continued trying to pull her away.

Pouting, Wesa sat back down. “Papa won’t believe me if I tell him on my own that I met someone who can dream real things,” she said.

“Oh, really? Are you not from here?” Revi asked, thinking that most likely her father knew and would tell his little girl to stay away from her.

“No, we’re from Marshala,” the girl informed her and went on to prattle about everything she had left behind from her friends to her pets. Revi listened in amusement.

“And how do you find Consule?” This brought on a stream of interesting discoveries and things that were done differently back home. After a while the girl wound down again. “Did you want to move?” Revi asked.

“We came here to live with my Mama’s family because Papa doesn’t have any. Mama’s been dead since I was really small so I don’t remember her, but Grandmama says that I look a lot like her.” After that the girl grew quiet.

“Do you like living with your Grandparents?” Revi asked in concern but just then the sound of the wagon getting closer made her sit up straight. Standing up, she went out to the middle of the road and waited for him to get closer.

“Dreamer,” the farmer said with a frown. She caught a flicker of a hand sign to ward off evil but ignored it. About half the people in the town thought her a bringer of bad luck. As if she created it.

“Farmer. Your wife will give birth tonight and there will be complications. You must take the midwife or the doctor back with you.”

“I’m obliged to you,” he said, digging out and flipping her a coin. For once it was silver and Revi was impressed. Moving out of his way, she watched as he cracked the whip, in a hurry now.

“His baby is going to die?” Wesa asked from the side of the road.

“No, it’s going to be fine because he will get help.”

Wesa thought this over and nodded with a smile. “Good,” she said. “And now you can come meet my Papa! I’m glad it’s not dark yet or I would be in trouble.”

“Oh, we better hurry then,” Revi said, allowing the girl to take her hand and pull her along. The sun had begun to set behind them as they headed back towards town but long before they got there the girl turned up a small road that led to only one house overlooking the town.

“Your Grandfather is Sir Waite?” Revi asked in surprise and the girl smiled back at her.

“Yes! I really like Grandpapa. He’s always kind and brings me gifts. He gave me these ribbons,” she said, reaching up to touch the bows on either side of her head.

“Very pretty,” Revi said and Wesa beamed. “Is your Grandmother very strict?” she asked, and the smile disappeared. She knew the lady by reputation. When she had presented herself at their house to make the older couple’s acquaintance she had been denied entry. The servants had been very apologetic but apparently Lady Waite held a dislike of dreamers. Revi had taken it as the lady’s loss and left. Wesa’s grandmother would not like the guest her grandaughter was bringing home.

“Yes, I thought she might be. She doesn’t like me at all. I’m not certain if I should accompany you home,” Revi told the girl.

“Oh, but you don’t have to meet Grandmama! We live in a small guest cottage. Come, I’ll take you!” The girl began dragging her along again and with a smile Revi allowed it.

The gate remained closed at their approach as the servant hesitated. “Miss, your Grandmama will not approve,” the gate keeper said worriedly.

“She’s not here to meet Grandmama. She’s here to meet Papa,” the girl said in a tone that Revi knew instinctively she had learned from Lady Waite.

“Yes, Miss,” the gate keeper said reluctantly and opened the portal. “Begging your pardon, dreamer,” he said with a small bow.

“Don’t worry, I know,” Revi said with a reassuring smile.

“May you dream true and sweet,” the gate keeper said, making her pause. It had been a long while since anyone had given the proscribed parting. Most had forgotten it she thought.

“And may it not be of you,” Revi said, turning back to nod at him. He smiled.

“That was interesting,” Wesa said, then began dragging her along a hedge that hid them from the main building, down a path that ended in a lovely cottage surrounded by a garden.

“Your home is beautiful, Wesa,” Revi said reverently and the girl beamed up at her.

“Papa says we can’t stay here for good, though I think Grandpapa and Grandmama wish that we would.”

“Well of course they want their grandchild to stay,” a male voice said and Revi looked up to see a slim man with dark hair and eyes, perhaps a bit older than her, with kind eyes and a gentle smile.

“You would be Wesa’s Papa,” she said, inclining her head.

“Papa, this is Revi and she dreams of real things!” Wesa said enthusiastically.

“Oh, really?” Wesa’s Papa said, sounding unconvinced.

“It’s true, sir,” Revi said gently and he looked to her curiously.

“Well, let’s speak inside,” he said with a glance towards the back of the main house. He led the way inside, nodding while Wesa chattered about meeting her on the road, and her message to the farmer.

Revi was charmed by the cottage’s decor as well. It had a woman’s touch, with floral pillows and curtains edged in lace. Wesa’s Papa led them to the sofa and chairs, taking a comfortable looking cushioned one for himself with signs of use, and nodding at her to sit.

“So Revi says the baby will be ok since she told his Papa to take a doctor,” Wesa said, fairly bouncing on the sofa in her excitement.

“Mmm. Wesa can you go tell Cook that we have a guest? It’s almost dinner, so you will stay, won’t you?”

“I… I suppose,” Revi said cautiously and he nodded. The girl ran out of the room and she looked to the father worriedly. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know your name,” she said.

“Oh, of course. I’m Paul Rittermore and you are Revi?”

“Revi Dreamer. I come from a long line of dreamers. It is a tradition here in Consule that every large town has at least one dreamer… Should I tell you about what I do, or…?” He might already know.

“Go ahead. I’ve heard something about the matter but only in passing. So your dreams come true?”

Revi relaxed at his curiousity. He did not seem ready to throw her out of the house or claim she had told his child lies. “Yes, but only about those I’ve met, so Wesa insisted that I must meet you.”

“I see,” Paul said with a smile.

“I… Most people consider me bad luck for I deliver bad news well over half of the time and you must not mention me to Lady Waite for she despises my profession.” Revi watched anxiously to see how he might take this.

“Really?” he asked, his mouth quirking into a lopsided smile.

“She refused to meet me, and that was the impression I received, however that just means I will be unable to warn her of bad news. Hardly a loss on my part.”

“Yes,” he said, trying to suppress the smile. Wesa came running back in with crumbs about her mouth and her father took out a handkerchief to wipe them off with good grace. “Wesa, can you go fetch your Grandpapa? Not Grandmama, however, or she would be displeased.”

“Yes, Papa,” the girl said happily and ran off again.

“So much energy,” Revi said, looking after the girl enviously.

“Yes. She’s hard to keep up with,” Paul agreed. “I take it you have yet to meet Sir Waite? That is why I sent for him.”

“You are correct. Thank you. I thought I might encounter him in town at some point but have yet to do so.”

“So tell me about your outfit… It is very unique,” Paul said, and Revi looked down at herself.

“Oh, this is a traditional costume worn by all Dreamers to identify themselves. By law only true dreamers may wear it and the penalty for pretending to be a true dreamer is quite steep.” Paul nodded as if in understanding so she did not explain.

“There are also traditional greetings and partings but they are very old. No one uses them anymore. Half the time I am greeted by…” She made the ward sign for evil and his eyes widened. Laughing she shrugged it off.

“After I deliver a warning or piece of news the client pays me. Sometimes just a token amount, others more if they feel the warning worthy of it. And that is all you need to know about dreamers.”

“That’s not true,” a deep rumbling voice said and Revi turned in surprise. Sir Waite entered the room with a smile. He was a large man with hair beginning to turn silver and blue sparkling eyes. A very good natured man, she saw, and was relieved. “Have you dreamt well, fair dreamer?” He asked with a bow.

Standing, Revi curtsied. “I have, Sir Waite. Thank you. My dreams have not been of thee, may the gods be praised.”

“Well, we had yet to meet, so it may be premature to do so,” he said with a grin and a twinkle in his eyes.

“True enough, Sir,” Revi agreed. “I am sorry I was not able to meet you sooner, but-”

“No, I know. The servants informed me. I meant to seek you out myself to apologize for such rude treatment but I regret that fell by the wayside.” He seated himself and placed Wesa in his lap. Revi and Paul sat as well.

“No apology is necessary. It is her loss, but I did not like her deciding for yourself as well. So it is good we have met.”

“Yes. You know, you look very much like your mother,” Sir Waite said. “I was in love with her when I was younger, but she would not have me.”

“Love is… toxic to a dreamer, Sir,” Revi said and he sat up straight.

“How so?” he demanded.

“When we fall in love half of our dreams are devoted to them for a long period of time. Some sleep longer to make up for it, but that lessens our time awake. Others prefer not to fall in love at all and when the first faint blush of such an attachment appears they break off all contact.”

“But you must have children,” Sir Waite protested.

“We do not have to love the men we sleep with,” Revi said with a shrug. “As you know we rarely marry as the children we have continue our traditions.”

“That sounds painful,” Paul said, and they both looked at him.

“No,” Revi said with a shrug. “You cannot be hurt by something you do not feel.”

“But for those that do,” Paul said, refusing to drop the subject.

“Yes, for those in love having to choose between a person and their calling… it is difficult, but we are Dreamers. There are very few of us, and our profession prevents unneedful deaths and sorrow. Can you measure your own happiness against that?”

At this Paul finally remained quiet. Wesa had fallen asleep in her Grandpapa’s lap, head lolling against his chest, body limp, and Revi smiled. “Thank you for telling me,” Sir Waite said quietly. “I wish she had explained it herself.”

“She always thought of you and dreamed of you more than she liked. I believe she was in love with you as well, Sir.” The gentlemen seemed stunned by this. Sir Waite looked down at his grandchild as if only then aware of her presence. Taking her in his arms he settled her down on the couch.

“Thank you,” Sir Waite said, but his voice had lost its rumbling brashness and his large face seemed withdrawn. “I will take my leave now. Dreamer, fare thee well, with dreams of sweetness and light.”

“May your path be untroubled and never cross mine again,” Revi said and he left. All was silent for a moment.

“I’m sorry, perhaps I should not have mentioned it,” Revi said, contrite.

“No, you only told him the truth. Your mothers actions are not in any way your fault and he will not blame you for it.”

“No, but he will be sad, thinking of the love he could have had,” Revi said, shaking her head.

A bell rang somewhere further inside the house and Paul smiled. “Good timing. Dinner is ready. Sweetling, wake up,” he said, nudging his daughter. After some prompting the girl awoke and they retired to an elegant dining room. Wesa entertained them both throughout the meal and Revi learned more about them both. Wesa had a tutor that taught her, Lady Waite insisting that no grandaughter of hers would go to a commoner’s school, but Paul did not like this attitude.

After the girl had been sent to bed, they lingered at the table over coffee speaking of different things, but mostly Wesa. “I want to move out of this house so that she may have more freedom. She is a lively girl and needs more friends her own age rather than servants although she is very willing to make friends with them as well.”

“This is a charming home, but I am sure you are correct. To raise her cut off from the people…” Revi shook her head in disbelief.

“Yes, but I have yet to find work here,” he said.

“What is your trade?” she asked.

“I am a woodworker,” he said and pointed out a few pieces of furniture here and there that he had made. “But a woodworker without tools, I’m afraid, for I could not transport it all here and the money was needed for the journey.”

“Have you asked at Woodly’s if he needs help?” They had only one woodworker in town and he was aging. Surely he would not mind an apprentice.

“He says that as I am fully trained he cannot afford to employ me. I offered to work on commission but he would have none of that, saying it would not do, so I think the offer insulted him.”

“Hmmm.” Revi knew Woodly to be a nice old man. She had encountered him rarely thanks to his good luck, but something seemed off to her about his response.

When she took her leave Paul asked what phrase he should use to bid her goodbye and Revi grinned. “Sweet Dreams will do,” she told him and he echoed her. “And the same to you,” she replied.

The road was dark and she wished for a lantern but made it safely back home. As she readied herself for sleep she could not help thinking about Wesa and her Papa and Grandpapa. She had to start the routine over, clearing her mind, and finally drifted off to Dream.

“No!” Revi awoke in horrorified disbelief. (more…)

Story a Day May #12: The Lovelorn

The sky was a bright windswept blue with cloud streamers flying as if in celebration of the summer months. The wind gusted past her, whipping her hair and skirt, before departing for its next destination. In the sudden quiet the boy she had been following stopped. They were behind the school gymnasium where no one could see them. He remained still for a long moment and Mira considered whether she should just save him the agony.

“I like you, Mira!” The outburst made her look up in surprise. He had not even turned around.

“I admire your courage in confessing but can you not face me?” After a long moment he pivoted, his eyes on the ground, and his face bright red.

“I already know what you’re going to say. I heard about it from another senior,” he said sadly.

“Really?” Mira asked in surprise.

“Yes, you’re going to explain that you don’t believe in love.” The boy’s words made Mira pause and reconsider.

“Technically I do believe in it, but not as some all encompassing miracle of mutual feelings and people who cannot do without one another. Love is mostly chemical and physical. Beauty and body chemistry. Oh, and maybe some psychological as well. A formed attachment: Dependency upon another person…”

The boy cleared his throat. “Then… are you willing to try forming an attachment with me?” He asked nervously.

She considered him. “I do not know if you meet my criteria or not, but I should make certain before discarding you outright.”

“Then you will go out with me?” He asked, his eyes widening in disbelief.

“Rather you can hang around me, and go wherever my friends and I go. We can get to know eachother a bit better that way.”

The boy agreed easily and Mira went to inform Riko that a new victim had come. “He sounds very understanding. Are you certain, Mira?” Riko was refreshing her lipstick in the bathroom mirror while they talked.

“No one has passed your test yet. If he manages I will go out with him.”

“And if I sleep with the cute little junior?” Riko asked teasingly.

“Then he’s yours if you want him,” Mira said with a shrug.

“Aww, you’re always so cold, Mira,” Riko complained, but Mira shrugged it off.

“Why should I be warm and cuddly if he will simply break my heart?” Riko stared at her in disbelief then closed her mouth with a click and shrugged.

“Ok, if that’s the way you want it,” she said sadly, smoothing a lock of hair back. “But I thought Mira didn’t have a heart.”

“No, it still exists,” Mira said sadly. “It’s just in so many shattered pieces that I can no longer feel it. Not even the strongest super glue in the world could reconstruct it.”

“You are a romantic, Mira, aren’t you?” Riko asked, putting away her lipstick and zipping up her makeup case. “Fine, I’ll do it,” she said before Mira could respond. “But… let’s make this a bit more interesting. If he is successfully seduced by me, then you have to go out with a boy of my choice for at least three months, agreed?”

Mira sighed and nodded. Riko had always been difficult since the first day they met. Despite their completely opposite interests and personalities she seemed to have taken a liking to the ‘ice queen’ as the others called her. With Riko had come her cousin, a pale boy who quietly did whatever Princess Riko bid, and an ever changing flow of friends and boyfriends.

“And you won’t complain or try to get out of it,” Riko said warningly and Mira nodded obediently. “I want words,” her friend said with a pout.

“I agree to the terms of the wager if only because for three months you will stop bugging me about boys and romance.”

“You never know, the boy might genuinely like you,” Riko said but Mira could only shrug.

The young man began spending time with them during lunch and after school. Mira ignored him while Riko acted friendly. He seemed glad to have an ally and soon the two were thickly united. Mira had seen the play before and nodded to herself. Riko always liked to play with her food by taking the slow seduction route. She would not force herself on him or in any way manipulate the outcome. She preferred a true win.

Mira watched as the boy began turning his eyes towards this beautiful, friendly woman, and as she had predicted Riko won. “He’s mine,” her friend said triumphantly one morning roughly a month since the boy’s confession.

“Congratulations,” Mira said. “Has he realized that he loves you yet?”

“Yep, or else he would not have slept with me I do believe,” Riko said with a grin. “That one… It seems he must have feelings for someone before moving onwards. A very pure boy. He amuses me so I may keep him for a while. Are you ok with that?”

“I’m fine. I knew the outcome and did not allow myself to become concerned with him on any level.” The only feeling Mira had towards the boy was pity. Just like every boyfriend Riko had ever gained he would soon be found wanting.

“So, you are to show up at my house on Saturday at… four. Just bring yourself.” Riko was smiling smugly.

“What?” Mira asked in confusion.

“Have you already forgotten?” Riko asked, a light in her eyes that made Mira worry. “You will be going out with the guy of my choice for three months beginning this Saturday.”

“Oh,” Mira said, suddenly recalling the caveat her friend had added. “Fine. Four? I’ll be there.”

Riko would give no hint of who she had chosen and her cousin merely stared at her in confusion when she tried to ask him. He never spoke except in whispers and to no one except Riko. He was the only one that Riko might have entrusted such a secret with. “I don’t know,” he said in a whisper once she had explained.

“Oh,” Mira said sadly. It was a surprise to hear him speaking to her, but he had no knowledge to impart. “Well, has she been meeting with any new guys? Or someone surprising?” The cousin shook his head. Mira waited to see if he might say something else and after a few minutes he looked up at her, meeting her eyes. Mira was surprised. Not only at the clear gray that seemed vaguely unearthly but at their intensity. Catching her breath in a gasp, she returned his gaze in wonder, and he blinked slowly.

“You are not afraid?” he asked a moment later in a whisper a bit louder than normal.

“Why should I be?” she asked, unconsciously mimicking him by whispering.

He smiled. It took her breath away to see such a sweet smile. “Good,” he said before leaving.

Still stunned, Mira had to remind herself that such things were inconsequential, but she could not help watching him curiously. Why should she be afraid of him? Why did he hide his eyes? She felt as if a known quantity had suddenly revealed itself as completely unknown. It unsettled her, but he continued on as if nothing had occurred. Gradually she decided to accept that Princess Riko’s servant might be just as special as his cousin. There was nothing to be surprised at, she told herself, and by Saturday had completely forgotten him.

“Mira! You’re on time. Good, good,” Riko said, inviting her inside. “My parents are gone so no need for formalities. Come in, let’s get up to my room and I’ll begin your transformation.”

“What?” Mira asked, a feeling of dread enveloping her. What followed seemed like a very slow version of torture to her as Riko made her try on a succession of clothes that she disliked. “I’m not wearing this,” Mira objected after Riko made a happy noise for the fourth or fifth time.

“I know, sweet, I’m simply playing with you,” Riko said with a gentle smile that made Mira relax before throwing more unacceptable clothing at her. In desperation Mira looked over the closet herself and pulled something out. It seemed to cover more than the rest.

“I’ll wear this,” she said then grew frightened at Riko’s carnivorous grin. “If I like the way it looks,” she clarified then tried it on. A cry of dismay made her friend look up.

“It’s perfect!” Riko crowed.

“No, it’s embarrassing!” Mira objected. The material clung to her and was as good at hiding her underwear as if she were wearing a heavy veil.

“Wait,” Riko said, and pulled out a black slip. What had been a slinky silvery gray looked merely black but at least her underwear was hidden. “No, here try these,” her friend said. They were closer to skin color, Mira saw, and with them the dress regained its color.

“There. Now just makeup and hair,” Riko said with satisfaction. What followed for Mira seemed like a slightly more bearable form of torture. At least until Riko said to open her eyes.

“My god, take this off of me,” Mira said in dismay. Riko laughed uproariously while she wiped at it, smearing the stuff, and making her friend double over until she gasped for breath.

“Oh, that was hilarious,” Riko said, now calmly removing the makeup herself. Mira sat silently and when she opened her eyes next was relieved to see something that approached normal.

“Can I not go without makeup?” she asked, feeling slightly fake and hypocritical. She had spoken against makeup before but now she was wearing it?

“No. You are going to keep that on and I won’t let you remove it until the night is over,” Princess Riko commanded and Mira sighed. After the makeup fiasco she was unsurprised that her hairdo took a similar turn, but gradually it made its way into an elegant topknot with tendrils.

“I guess that will have to do,” Riko said, seeming unhappy. “I frittered away our time or I would attempt something more elaborate.”

“This is fine. Anything more and I would be tempted to undo it myself.”

Riko made a noise of unhappiness but seemed resigned. “I know you, Mira. Don’t worry, you will have fun on your date tonight.”

“If you say so,” Mira said. (more…)

Story a Day May #11: A Mournful Melody

Maya listened as the piano keys sounded in the deep silence of the room, their measured, mournful melody making her swallow. In the silence of that large dim auditorium where she alone sat, the music filled the room and yet she felt even further away from the boy at the keys. Sitting in a shadowed corner at the very back of the room, Maya saw the boy’s shoulders shake, but did not believe it until she heard a sob. Still playing despite the tears, he continued on, and every minor key caught at her heart. With a shock, she realized that there were tears on her face, and wiped them away.

Staying silent, Maya watched him until the end, and then he truly broke down crying. Standing, she could not decide whether to leave or do as her instincts said and comfort him. She was a stranger. Her presence would not soothe him. Still, she found herself walking forward, unable to leave him alone. Slowly climbing the stage stairs, she was panicking on the inside, telling herself to leave now.

A guttural sob wrenched at her and she embraced him. It did not startle him. He seemed to cry all the harder, clutching at her, and she sat down beside him. Laying his head on her breast, she stroked his hair, not saying a word. He was taller than she had thought. Distance had made her think him smaller and younger but if he stood their heights would not be very different.

He seemed so very thin, shuddering in her arms, and she wanted to pull him tight but stopped herself. This was enough. When he finally wound down he pulled away, staring out into the dark theater, and Maya took this as her cue to leave. Standing silently, she left stage right, heading out the back way quietly. Ducking into the prop room, she closed the door and let out a sigh.

She had felt the need to be alone, but had not bargained on that happening. Her own problems and worries seemed pale, wraith-like beings now. The boy had helped her by sharing his grief. She understood somehow that the song had been linked to a person, and the most likely candidate would be his mother. The depth of his sadness… It could only be grief.

Shaking her head, she pushed thoughts of him away, and made a bed out of pillows. She did not feel like going back to class. The emotional release had made her tired, and as she laid down, she thought she heard a sound far away but when she listened all was quiet. Closing her eyes, she relaxed and found sleep.

“Wake up or I’m going to ravage you.” The whisper made her open her eyes and sit up with a cry of distress at the boy sitting on his haunches before her. “Just kidding!” he said with a bright smile and a laugh. Pulling over a pillow he made himself comfortable while Maya watched him suspiciously. “You finally woke up,” he said conversationally.

“Who are you? What do you want?” Maya demanded.

“My, you’ve forgotten me already?” He asked with an intent look and arched brow. “Perhaps if you embraced me you would recall?” He held his arms open as if ready, but there was a mocking look in his eyes.

The memory came back to her. “The boy in the auditorium. The piano that made me cry. Who were you grieving for? Your mother?”

He sat up straight and stared at her. “How did you-”

“I know grief when I see it,” she said simply. “I’m sorry if I intruded on you-”

“No, I tracked you down to thank you. For a moment after you disappeared I wondered if it wasn’t my mother herself who had comforted me, you know, but then I heard a door close backstage and realized.”

“They need to oil that door,” Maya said. “Anyway, you’re welcome. I’m glad that it was a comfort,” she said, settling back down and turning away from him.

“Really, after all that you feel safe enough to go back to sleep?” His disbelief made her smile.

“After what happened earlier you will not try anything,” she said with full confidence. “You owe me. So leave or pull up a pillow. I’m going back to sleep.”

A long moment of silence kept her from relaxing completely and then he shifted. “Fine,” he said. She thought he would leave, but instead heard him settle down a few feet away.

“Did she just die?” She asked quietly after a moment.

“Recently. Her funeral was yesterday.” He gave a little mocking laugh. “It wasn’t sudden or sad… But… I broke down like that…”

“You lost your mother. It’s to be expected,” Maya said. The silence stretched out and Maya felt herself relaxing.

“Will you come next time? To comfort me?”

His words had begun to sound far away. “Sure, just call me,” she said softly before sleep claimed her.

Story a Day May #10: Storm Flash

The darkened sky erupted into a flash of jagged light and roaring thunder. Yelena felt the wind hit her body with force, streaming her skirt behind her and plastering it to her legs. “Such odd weather,” she said to herself. She could smell the moisture in the air as it whipped around her and then a flash of lightning lit up the street as brightly as noon and in that instant she saw someone. The light was gone immediately, leaving her effectively blind, and the howling wind now joined by pattering rain meant she could not hear his approach.

Closing her eyes, she tried to focus, listening for the sound that would be out of place. She had been trained for this, long ago when her parents decided on a whim to continue the family tradition, but could she still use this skill? No, focus, she told herself, trying to ignore the cold rain that was drenching her.

When she opened her eyes they were adjusted but the enemy was not in front of her. Diving forward, she rolled and came back up, hearing the sound of the man’s fall behind her. Facing him, she kept her eyes pointed downward, and slitted. Then with a smile she closed one. Immediately after a lightning flash she exchanged one eye for the other and nodded to herself when he began moving.

This time she met his attack head on with a block and kick. Her foot slammed into his stomach and he grunted, his eyes going wide. He had left himself wide open, assuming that she would be unable to see, but now he backed off. She allowed it, knowing that even now her parents were howling at her to attack, and her brother was swearing at her sense of fair gameplay.

Still, it hardly mattered, since she could sense that the man had need of the distraction he brought. A one-on-one fight in daylight would have been his downfall. He tried to attack with the lightning again, but it failed now that she knew the trick. He was pretty fast she thought to herself as he tried to move around and hit her from a blindside. She was attuned to his presence now. Her block was immediate and her fist hit his chin.

The enemy stumbled back, but this time she pressed forward with a flurry of kicks and hits. He fell to the ground and she waited for him to rise. A glint of metal in a storm was all that warned her. Raising her arm, she felt something pierce it, and looked down at the small knife. He attacked at that moment and she only blocked out of habit. Driving him back, she took out the knife and threw it instantly. Crying out, he stared at her in surprise, his own weapon embedded between his eyes.

“Rain Ninja is dead,” the system announced. “WhydoIhavetodothis? wins.” Yelena sighed and watched as the rain faded away to be replaced by a clear blue sky.

“Good job, Sis!” Her brother said as she removed her helmet.

“Yeah, well, I don’t understand why you’re already out of the tournament. You were so certain that one of us could win it.”

Her brother laughed and shrugged. “You were always better at fighting than I was, Yelena.”

“Yeah, well if I lose no one can blame me. I-”

“You told us, yeah, we know,” her mother finished, coming into the room with a tray of drinks and appetizers. “Seriously Yelena have more confidence and fighting spirit! You can win. How far along are you already?”

“I don’t keep track,” Yelena said, grabbing a drink and gulping it down. Her family gaped at her. “What? There’s no use. This tournament goes on for two weeks or more. I’m doing my part. I show up and fight. Any fight could knock me out of the running if my opponent is good enough. So far no one has been. That’s all.” Shrugging, she turned to hang up the helmet and wipe down the low slung couch.

Despite the fact that none of the fighting happened in reality she still had a tendency to sweat during the matches. Yawning, she put a hand up to her mouth. She also emerged ready for sleep, but her mother was shaking her head. “No you don’t young lady. You have to eat something first.” She had fallen asleep at the dinner table before, but this time her mother handed her a sandwhich and chips.

“What?” Yelena asked in surprise.

“Finish it quick and go to bed. You still have school tomorrow.” Yelena nodded and ate obediently before walking to her room. Shucking off her clothes she shimmied into a nightgown and climbed into bed. All thoughts ceased the moment her head hit the pillow.

Her alarm jolted her awake and she stared wide eyed at the clock. Why had it gone off earlier than usual? With a sigh she got up and dressed anyway. She still had a homework assignment that needed finishing. “Oh, are you up?” her mother asked. “Good, so the early alarm worked.”

“Why did you?” Yelena demanded, feeling betrayed.

“Well you never seem to have enough time lately for everything and you go to sleep much earlier, so I thought waking up earlier might help,” her mother said cheerfully.

Yelena sighed and shook her head. “Thanks I guess,” she said finally, plunking her math book on the dining room table. She was interrupted by breakfast and then it was time to go. The bus ride to school was full of people chattering about television programs and even the tournament. The girls seemed more interested in a concert that had aired last night and Yelena was disappointed she had missed it.

“You missed it? What have you been doing, Lena?” Her best friend asked.

“I told you already… but don’t say it too loud,” she said.

“Oh, the tournament?” Kelly asked quietly. “Is that still going on?”

“I really thought the rain ninja was going to win!” A boy behind them protested. “I mean, if you can’t see or hear… How did that girl win?” Yelena turned her head to listen and Kelly followed her lead.

“WhydoIhavetodothis?” Someone else asked.

“Such a weird name. You would think she would want something cute.”

“It’s like she entered under protest!” Yelena nodded and Kelly stared at her.

“You’re still in the running? They’re talking about you?” Her best friend demanded.

“Well yeah. Why? I thought you weren’t interested.”

“I wasn’t… but only because I thought you were going to flake out and lose deliberately to the first guy you thought possible.”

“Oh. Well, that was kind of the plan, but… The first guys were kind of weak and you know they underestimated me. The guy last night used tricks instead of fighting…” Kelly was shaking her head with a grin. “What?”

“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” Kelly asked. “You don’t really want to lose.”

“Well… Let’s just say that I want to see how far I can go. I don’t expect to win.”

“Mmhm. Well, we’ll see,” Kelly said with a knowing smile and Yelena ignored her.

Story a Day May #9: Aesthetics of Love

Prompt: a drag queen who works at dairy queen, a walmarts parking lot, an ancient book with an ancient curse on it
from awesomewritingprompts.tumblr.com

William waited impatiently underneath the humming spotlight of a parking lot light pole. He had been about to go out clubbing in his favorite party dress when the call had come. They had been quite insistent that it must be tonight and in this place. Row 8 by the light pole they said but he was standing quite alone and it was ten minutes past.

The night breeze rustled his skirt and blew his hair into his face. Scraping it back, he wondered if there was an elastic band in his cup holder, but just then a car turned into the parking lot. It was going slowly and William watched it curiously. Everyone else had brusquely entered the parking lot and found a spot, but this dark fellow was acting as if he had to search for an empty place. When the car finally pulled into a slot, William sighed in disappointment, and watched a little old lady climb out with agonizing slowness. It made him shake his head sadly.

“William?” His name drew him around and he stared at the creature that had appeared behind him. The voice could have been male or female and the clothes were baggy with a hood drawn up to hide the face. Still, William instinctively knew that this had to be a female, simply in the way she stood.

“You may call me Willa if it bothers you,” he said, not bothering to use a falsetto to disguise his gender.

“No. I just could not believe that a beautiful girl could be William,” the woman said.

“Oh, now you’re making me blush,” William said, smiling. “And your name is?” he asked.

“You may call me whatever pleases you during the short duration of this transaction,” the woman said briskly. “Do you have the money?”

William held up the plastic sack he had tied it up in. “It’s all here, Miss,” he said. “And the book?”

She unzipped the hoodie and extracted a very old book. He could see the wear on the leather from where he stood, but that only attested to the sheath’s age, not the contents. “May I approach?” William asked and she nodded.

Closing the distance he stopped a few feet away and opened a hole in the bag so that she could see he did indeed carry money. In response she opened the book gingerly, displaying the title page, and then the next few pages. She let him peruse a page for a moment before moving on to the next. Finally she shut the book.

“Let us exchange, but neither should leave until the other has given their agreement that what they received is valid,” she suggested and he nodded. Handing her the money he received the book and began eagerly inspecting it while the plastic bag rustled.

Within a minute he knew the book to be what he had sought for the past few years. The woman was counting quickly to herself and she nodded in acknowledgement of the received amount. “Very good. Then our business is done?”

“Miss, may I see your face?” He could not help but ask. There was something so familiar about her, and the mystery surrounding her had made him curious.

“No. Our transaction is concluded, correct?” She asked impatiently.

“I won’t agree until I see your face. You seem like a mystery woman and yet… I think I know you.” The woman shifted uneasily. “And now I know that I do.” He took a step towards her and she shrunk from him.

“Please don’t. I’m not beautiful. Not like you. Please believe me,” she said in a panicked voice and he stopped.

“Don’t sell yourself short. This that you see is the result of a lot of work, you know,” he said, straining to see her or place the voice.

“It wouldn’t matter. Not on me,” she said sadly. “Please let me leave now.”

It went against every instinct that said he should pursue her, but that would merely scare the girl. Instead he watched her walk away. She melted into the darkness and disappeared. With a frown he moved away from the light, trying to find her, but she was gone. Looking down at the book, he considered it, while walking to his car. He did not feel like partying now.

On the drive home he searched the shadows, but saw no trace of her. Once home he changed out of the dress and cleaned his face off before poring over the book. Now he wore cotton gloves, handling the item as if it were made of glass, but after hours of translating the ancient text he had decoded very little. With a sigh William thought of the woman and wondered if she had managed to read the book herself.

Sending her an email, he was surprised by the immediate response, but the words chilled him. “I did not get far and neither will you. It is cursed you know. One such as yourself will not be able to withstand it for half as long as I did.”

“What do you mean?” William asked, but she did not reply again.

The next day his appearance looked haggard, but he did his best to amend it before showing up at the Dairy Queen. “Willa! Are you ok? You look tired,” Hannah said in concern.

“I’m fine,” he assured her with a smile. The day was busy and he worked the register without his normal ease. He had to concentrate on his task for once and force himself to smile. Normally this all came easily, but when lunch time came he only wished for a nap.

“Are you ok?” the girl asked who always came in at the same time everyday. It was a signal to him to take lunch. She wore her hair long and looked down a lot to hide her face. Once he had caught sight of the scars and stopped trying to look.

Today the voice made him stand up straighter. “I’m… fine,” he said, noticing that she was not looking down for once. He meant to avert his eyes, but the absence of a scar made him pause. “You’re… her, aren’t you?” he asked, and the girl looked at him in shock.

“How did you…” She seemed as if she might run away.

“It’s ok. I remembered your voice. The book gave you the scars, is that what you meant? Yet isn’t that impossible?”

“You should get rid of the book immediately,” the girl said, shaking her head. “You’re so beautiful…” She seemed sad.

“Did you want your usual today?” he asked and she nodded after a moment. He took his own lunch break and went to sit with her.

“How did you get the book?” he asked, watching as she toyed with a fry.

“Same as you,” she said with a shrug. “I’m lucky that my job doesn’t require my interaction with people, though. How are you going to work when it’s done the same to you?”

“You had those scars but you kept on,” he objected.

“I had never been pretty in the first place, so a few scars hardly mattered, except that people began to stare at me whenever I left the house.”

“And now they are gone overnight,” he said lowly. She nodded. “Actually I think you are selling yourself short. A little makeup and a pretty dress would do wonders for you.”

She bit her lip but could not stop herself from laughing. William watched as it built in a crescendo, and then she was laughing loudly, unable to suppress it. She quieted down soon, but her shoulders still shook with occasional giggles. “Why is that so funny?” William demanded.

With a smile she shook her head. “You wouldn’t understand.” She left without eating but in a happier mood. After that she stopped showing up. For two weeks she did not come at the usual time and no reply came from her email.

The book was slowly eating away at his looks, but William was determined to read more of it. Then one day he arrived home to find it gone. He searched the house over. There had been no sign of a break-in yet the ancient book was missing.

He found the answer in his email later that night. “I cannot abide watching your beauty fade. I will give it back in two weeks.”

He was happy to know the book was safe, and to hear from her, but rather disquieted that she had taken it so easily. Still, two weeks later the book reappeared, along with notes on pages he had not yet deciphered.

“Thank you for keeping your promise,” he wrote to her. “I want to see you.” The next day she came in at his workplace, as if no time had passed, but she seemed shy.

“You are not mad?” she asked hesitantly.

“You returned it, and how can I be mad at someone who cherishes my beauty more than I do?” At that she blushed and he laughed to himself. “Besides, you found the perfect counter to the curse,” he said and she looked up in surprise.

“Oh, you mean to trade it back and forth?” she asked and he nodded.

“Yes, but next time I hope you won’t sneak in.” She blushed at that and he smiled. He already knew that he wanted to date her, but felt that it would be quite a while before she could accept such an idea. Still, the book was not even a quarter done, and he planned to plant himself firmly in her life during this time.

“I won’t. But… I can’t allow you to hold on to it for very long, William. Your beautiful face,” she said sadly, shaking her head.

“Very well, but every time you decide it’s time to trade you must spend the evening with me,” he said, smiling. She protested, of course, but eventually agreed. William went back to work with a spring in his step.

“She finally came back,” Hannah remarked, “and you’re so happy.” He suddenly realized that the entire kitchen staff had turned to watch him.

“Congratulations!” they yelled out, and it was his turn to flush and look down.

Story a Day May #8: Living Without Light

Time is a factor in everything we do. The sun daily travels it’s route, marking time, and for those that prefer to live inside there are numerical displays that glare through the gloom of a dark room. Xeisha knew all of this, yet she had never seen the sun. The tv in the entertainment room blared day and night, or unstopping rather, and her family, friends and coworkers would gather around it to watch programs. It was from these that Xeisha understood the world.

The weather channel was of particular interest to her. She liked watching rain, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. They fascinated her. If allowed she would sit in front of the tv for an entire day, but there was always work to be done.

“Xeisha, they’re ready for you,” her mom called and she would stand up and go into the work room. Even while working her mind was filled with pictures of sunsets, beaches, animals, and whatever else had been on tv that day. Sometimes she would make remarks about it, but no one paid attention.

“I would really like to see a sunset with my own two eyes,” Xeisha said dreamily one day and all work stopped.

“Xeisha, honey,” her aunt said, but she was already chattering on.

“The colors can be so beautiful. The reds, oranges, pinks, darkening into blues and purples. The night sky would be lovely as well. I wonder if there is light pollution there?”

“Xeisha,” the supervisor barked and she looked up. “Get back to work.”

That was the first time anyone had paid attention to her remarks. “Aunt, what was wrong with what I said?” Xeisha asked later.

“Just… do not mention the sun,” her aunt said reluctantly.

“But I have before,” Xeisha protested.

“I’m sorry, Xeisha, but just do as I say.” After that her aunt left for her own room and she was alone. Mother worked the night shift lately, though without a sun the naming seemed habit.

With a frown, Xeisha decided to go see Whistle, navigating the corridors in the dim light. Knocking on his door, she waited, then knocked again. After the third time it finally opened. “Xee,” he said with a sigh.

“I mentioned the sun today at work and everyone froze. Do you know why?” Xeisha asked.

“No one can see it anymore, so it makes them sad and homesick,” Whistle said with a yawn.

“Why are you the only one who tells me things?” she wondered, then ducked under his arm to enter.

“Hey, get out,” he said, but mildly. “Fine, you can stay, but I’m going back to sleep.” Whistle headed into his room and Xeisha followed. He climbed into the rumpled covers and she sat on the floor.

“I understand that it makes them sad, but when are we going to have a sun of our own?” she asked.

“Probably never,” Whistle said with a sigh. “That’s why it upsets them to think about it.”

“Oh,” Xeisha said, suddenly feeling sad herself. “Scoot over, Whistle,” she said, pushing at his arm.

“No, just go home,” he said. Climbing into the small slice of space he had left she managed to slowly make room for herself. Whistle kept complaining, of course, but was too tired. After he fell asleep she smiled down at him and kissed his forehead.

“Don’t,” he muttered. She watched him while he slept until she fell asleep as well.

“Why are you here?” Whistle demanded and she blinked open her eyes with a yawn.

“You don’t remember?” Xeisha asked, and was surprised when he pulled the covers off them both.

“We’re dressed. Good,” he said with a sigh.

“You were too tired last night to have sex,” Xeisha said mischieviously. “Want to try now?” He pushed her from the bed and she landed hard on the floor. “Ow, it was a joke!”

“It wasn’t funny,” he said, getting up and stepping over her. “Besides, won’t your mom be wondering where you’ve gone?”

“No, now that we’re awake during different hours, she’s told me that I must be responsible for myself.”

“That doesn’t mean she won’t worry,” Whistle said.

“Fine, I’ll call her,” Xeisha said, making her way to his communications panel. Her mom answered blearily, looking half awake. “Hey mom, Whistle told me to tell you that I’m with him.”

“Stop bugging him and come home,” her mom said before disconnecting.

“Am I bugging you?” she asked Whistle when he came back into the room.

“Yes. Go away,” he said immediately.

“Oh,” Xeisha said. He had been responding like that for a few years now, but they had always been good friends. Then again, maybe it was only her wish to continue the friendship? With a head full of thoughts like these she left. She had to go to work soon anyway.

After getting off work she sat in front of the television for a long while until someone shook her arm and told her to go to bed. In this way a month passed without her visiting Whistle. She had decided that if she truly annoyed him then it was better not to see him. Still, she would catch herself thinking that she wanted to ask him something, or automatically heading for his room when she had nothing to do.

Gradually the impulse stopped and she nodded to herself. One night in front of the television she saw Whisper, Whistle’s sister, glancing around the room. “Xeisha,” she called. With a frown, Xeisha got up, and the sister grabbed her arm before marching down the corridor.

“What’s wrong, Whisper?” she asked.

“What did Whistle do wrong?” the sister snapped.

“Huh?” Xeisha asked. “Nothing. It was me who did wrong.”

Whisper stopped and turned on her. “What do you mean, Xee?”

“I was bugging him. He had been saying it for so long, and my mom said it, too… I finally decided that maybe he was being truthful.”

“And he hasn’t come looking for you?” Whisper asked after a moment.

“No. He knows I love television, so he could probably find me if he wanted, but I haven’t seen him lately.” Xeisha shrugged.

“That fool brother of mine,” Whisper said with a sigh, then looked at her. “Do you not miss him?”

“I did, but I finally got over my automatic conditioning.” Whisper stared at her. “The impulse to visit him whenever I have a question,” Xeisha explained, then shrugged. “Actually it’s just as easy to ask someone else as long as it’s not my mom or aunt. They never explain anything to me.”

Whisper finally let go of her arm. “Ha. I understand. Ok, go back to your television, Xee.”

“Is Whistle ok?” Xeisha asked instead.

“Yeah, he’s an idiot, but he’s fine. Don’t worry about it. I’m certain you can make other friends.”

“I already have,” Xeisha said with a smile and Whisper patted her on the head before leaving.

After that nothing happened, except that her new friends became more precious to her, and she began staying with them on nights she felt lonely. One day she emerged from their room only to be called back. “Remember you’re having supper with me,” Lloyd reminded her. “I don’t want you eating on your own. It’s not good for you.”

Smiling at him, she nodded, and turned to go. Seeing Whistle made her freeze in surprise. Then, remembering that she was not to annoy him, she smiled and walked past him. “Wait a minute,” he said, and she turned around.

“Who was that?” he asked, pointing back at the now closed doorway.

“A friend,” she said simply.

“And you’re staying in his room? How stupid are you?” Xeisha tried to tell him it wasn’t stupid at all but he would not listen. He walked off angry for some unidentifiable reason and Xeisha shrugged.

She had not been trying to annoy him. She had made the new friends so as not to bug him, but now her staying with them made him mad? Maybe he thought she was annoying them? Well, they had not said so, and he had no business interfering since he no longer wanted to be her friend.

That evening she talked to Lloyd about it. He listened with interest and even laughed. “Oh, Xeisha,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re so smart about warp engines but when it comes to feelings and people…” He laughed again and shook his head.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“If you saw another girl coming out of his room in the morning, what would you think?”

“That he had finally found a friend he liked spending time with,” Xeisha said immediately.

“But how would you feel? To be replaced?”

“Oh. So he feels sad?” Xeisha asked with a frown. “But he was angry.”

“He was jealous, honey.” It took a bit of prompting from Lloyd but she finally understood.

That night she went to see Whistle, but when he answered he scowled at her and told her that he wasn’t alone. “Oh, so you replaced me, then. I thought you would, but Lloyd told me I had to come and tell you that he’s married.” Xeisha shrugged and left without looking back.

After that she began staying at Krisha’s and avoided home. The television might interest her for a while, but she unusually got bored quickly now. Sleep took up most of her time and Krisha kept asking her to go out with her. “Come on, I know you’re depressed, but come out dancing with me. It will be good to spend time with other people.”

Xeisha resisted her invitations until one day she just shrugged and agreed. Krisha dressed her up and dragged her along. The room was filled with people, loud music, and lights. She was fine in this alien environment, except that people kept chatting with her and asking her to go home with them. “I’m staying with Krisha,” she would say and they would leave unhappily.

Finding a dark corner, she watched the people intermingle, and ran through everything. Oh. The implications of what she had been asked were obvious, but she was glad that her answers had driven them away. She had never really thought of having sex with anyone and certainly not a stranger. For a moment she saw Whistle and blinked before realizing that he was in the club.

He was talking to his sister, who was pointing to different women, and seemingly trying to encourage him to speak with them. Whisper knew her brother pretty well, so maybe he needed sex? Curious, Xeisha watched him talk to a girl, but though she seemed more than friendly he shook his head at her and went back to his sister.

“Why are you in the corner?” Kisha asked, startling her.

“I don’t plan on having sex with a stranger,” Xeisha told her unhesitatingly and Kisha laughed.

“Ok, but at least dance,” she said, pushing her towards the crowd of jumping, writhing bodies.

“Whistle is here,” she said, stubbornly keeping to her dark corner.

“Oh. Which one?” Kisha asked, and Xeisha pointed him out. “No wonder you’re not over him,” she said in amazement.

“Over him?” Xeisha asked.

“Yeah, you love him, don’t you? Why else would you be so depressed about him replacing you?”

“I’m just sad I lost a friend. I thought he would come find me eventually and tell me that I wasn’t really that annoying… but he never did.” Xeisha shrugged.

“I’m going to tell him you’re here,” Krisha said with a grin and skipped off before Xeisha could object. The neon streaks in her hair were distinctive as she made her way across the floor and spoke with Whistle. They spoke for a while, Krisha all but yelling at him. He looked around the room and Xeisha saw that he was annoyed.

Making her way to the door she slipped out into the corridor and breathed a sigh of relief. He did not want to see her. She knew that now. Most likely Lloyd had been wrong. He had been angry because the sight of her annoyed him.

She knew her reasoning might be wrong, but was at least part right. Still, leaving without Krisha seemed rude, and she hesitated. The door opened and she turned hopefully only to freeze. Whistle stared at her. “I’m sorry. I know I annoy you. I’ll go now,” she said, turning her back on him.

“Hey, who said you annoy me?” he asked, walking after her.

“You did,” she said.

“Well, you woke me up out of a sound sleep that night, forced yourself into my bed, and woke me with your tossing and turning.”

“Exactly. I’m annoying to you.”

“Will you just stop? You’re acting as if you don’t understand anything-”

Whirling around the words, “I don’t!” burst from her in a yell that shocked him. “I don’t understand how you could tell me every day for three years that I annoyed you. Even though I ignored it, the more you said it, the more I wondered if it was true.”

Taking a deep breath, Xeisha plowed on through the worries that she had been trying to ignore. “And you knew how I felt about you. But all you ever did was push me away. So one day I leave. So what? You obviously didn’t care enough to come find me.”

Turning her back on him she tried to hold back her tears. “But then, though I annoy you and you don’t care, you get angry because I’m staying with a friend. He’s married and thoroughly in love with his partner, but even after I explain that you don’t look for me. So what am I supposed to think, Whistle? That you love me? I don’t think so.”

“You probably want me to pretend that I don’t love you. To stay friends. Well guess what? That’s annoying.” With that, Xeisha walked away, and this time Whistle did not follow.