The South Tower
I was reluctant to break the spell that Lightwing had woven, as it appeared to affect us both so deeply. It felt good to let the dream wrap around me, to give myself the chance to feel it, to see it through her eyes, to believe in it. That was easier...
Touching the Past, Part 2
The campsite was modest, tucked just inside a structure that held a great many metal transport vehicles; the _mashina_ or _avtomobil'_ was well-documented as being vital to the beings of this world. The ground, indeed the entire structure, was made of...
Chapter 5: Night Delivery
Quote: Have you ever felt uncomfortable in your own skin? Maybe there's a reason... Let me explain something about surveillance for you: It's dull. I was going to use an obscene gerund in that description, but even that overused "F-bomb" doesn't...
Story Segment -- Impossible Things
In a smooth place in clean grass, I visualized what I needed. I took off my clothes and set them neatly to one side. The breeze around me was chill; it helped me to cool my emotions. From one pouch, I poured corn meal into a secure circle around...
The North Tower
I listened to my own words, having to fight the mad desire to laugh at how stupid it sounded. Detective Luton, in the study, with the Sword of Justice. To my own credit, I didn't say that out loud; to their credit, they didn't laugh at the stupid words...
Refills
I had not been to the coffeehouse in six years. It was somehow both familiar and unknown to me, which is not a feeling all that uncommon to anyone who's been away from a place for a while. The décor was much the same as I remembered. The business had...
Bear Before Blini
So it was that I found myself ensconced in the guest bedroom, seated in a comfortable chair, since sitting on the bed was just way too strange for me to handle. I had given a brief thought to being on the bed when Dmitri came in, patting the space...
Character Vignette -- Rainy Day Fund
What follows is one of my writing warm-up exercises, to write about a rainy day. To describe it, I put myself into a character and decided to find out just who he is. I think he's interesting enough to show up in another somewhere. I'm just not quite...
Character Vignette -- Once, With Another Woman...
What follows is one of my writing warm-up exercises, sparked the line in the title. The lady in question discovered something important about classical music... and other interpretive aspects of life... * * * My mother always said that I was a silly...
Companionship
“You’re still considering that offer.” Abram’s voice held neither question nor accusation, no judgment or suggestion; instead, it held the immense warmth and sensitivity that I have relied upon since we met. We sat on the couch in his living room,...
A Single Candle, Part 1
When the flickering light beneath the door had faded at last, he knew it was over. It had taken longer this time. The red panda, cautious but prepared, waited another pawful of seconds, just to make sure that no more flickers could be seen. Padding to...
Reunion, Part 2
I've said that I don't like hospitals, for more reasons than I really care to count. One thing that this particular hospital had that was far and away better than any other was a full-service café — not some thrown-together joint with stale doughnuts...