Writing Essentials, or "How the F**k Do You Write All That?!?"

Greetings, blurkers, bloggers, readers and whomever else comes this way...earlier this week, I was issued an interesting challenge by my fellow writer, Christie Stratos.

Christie is my proofer, and has done excellent work for me on "Parasite Girls" and what MIGHT be my follow-up, "Drifters: Tales of the Southern Cross." More on that later.

So anyway, Christie challenged me to show/tell/explain to you how I write, and what in particular do I have around me when I do so?

Well...first let's see how Christie gets it done:

Okay! There are certainly no hard and fast rules as to how to write, but every writer does have their own little methods, ways, and so forth.

I pretty much write when I want, but when I'm on a writing/editing project, you can find me in certain places. There is no one place for me.

Now, since I don't own a video camera and I'm damned if I know how to use the one on my laptop, I'm going the old-fashioned way. I've taken lots and lots of pictures.

Work tends to make my hours different, so there is no set time you're going to find me at one of these places. I do not particularly like to write at home unless it's at night, and there's reasons for that. Several reasons for that...

First...I was challenged before Neil Young went off on a certain coffee franchise, and now everyone is in a, "WHICH MOTHERFUCKIN' SIDE YOU ON, BITCH?" mode. So you're gonna see pictures of a familiar place. 

As a former girlfriend likes to say: DEAL.

During the day, I'm at one of the places like this one:

This is my standard setup. Generally I will sit at one of the tall chairs, because the tables give me more space to spread my work out.

Note the necessities:

The laptop w/Zombie Snow White gets a lot of compliments and questions. Eye-catching but for that, and not usually what else I need.

My first book, "Parasite Girls" is out for all to see (shameless plug!), along with a flier, and I have business cards...always have business cards, people!

Other items: the ubiquitous jump drive, of which I have several. My entire literary career is on these things; one is stores in a fireproof safe, and I have Dropbox, and who knows how many other backups. Also good to kill off old drives and replace them.

To the right in the 2nd picture is my new external hard drive, a Seagate. Neat little thing, and a gadget I like a lot.

SCREENSAVER.

Pertinent to your work! People must see the SCREENSAVER. This is YOU that you are promoting.

Now, there are a few more things one needs; I generally work in public spots in order to have human contact. A necessity; people-watching is quite good, because character details, ideas, sketches, and especially fashions are useful future tools. It is not unusual for me to make mental snapshots of outfits that fit my characters.

COFFEE. LOTS OF COFFEE.

Since I don't drink anymore, this is my last drug of choice. Iced is how I usually drink it, but dark roast pourover is also good. Lots of cream, and cinnamon. Caffeine fuels the brain...remember that.

MUSIC. AN ABSOLUTE MUST.

I well remember the days of records (do you?), and typewriters (betcha don't). That album side had to get me through a few pages, and often I'd keep going and not get up to change it.

iTunes is good for something. My tastes run the gamut, and often I'll play the music that is working in tandem with my writing. Or it's whatever's on my computer. My desktop has all my rock, blues, Americana, etc., while the laptop has everything else, plus some duplicate stuff.

I have no set music to work to, whatever I feel like usually.

Now...that's away from the house. At home, I have two spots:

This is the Vibe Room. My office, studio, writer's room. The desk is a cluttered mess, from where I occasionally write, DJ, and do other things. You'll note two of my assistants at the left...more on them later.

Other side of the Vibe Room. Music, plus my altar.

Now since I'm weird about the keyboard that came with my desktop, and since Windows 8 has got a bunch of things that leave a lot to be desired, I don't write much with it. I use the laptop for almost all actual typing, writing and so on.

But...in the winter, it's damned cold in this house. So at night I opt for Plan B:

The bed is old but comfortable...you shall also note my assistants. Baldrick is in the foreground of this one, and he usually is close at hand to offer editorial advice. 

Namid also makes herself available to review my notes. Or sleep on them. Her brother Qi is in the background...when he is not offering advice he's usually either sleeping or doing something that causes the bed to feel like it's breaking 10 on the Richter Scale.

Then we have Sofia. This is usually where you will find her, between me and the keyboard.

So I'm certainly not left alone while I work.

Christie had noted she keeps a thesaurus at hand, which is a good idea. 

I keep a severely condensed bookshelf. There were more that I lost some years ago, and I gave away about 250 on Bookcrossing. These are reference materials, inspirations, entertainments, resources and other things.

I also have on my computer a ton of tabs for notes, and also the reference stuff, and Grammarly.com -- well worth the cost, let me tell you.

Well, that's a little look into my essentials for writing. But the main thing is, WRITE.

An old painter friend aptly said: the only way to accomplish anything is to DO IT.

Now...I hope in the very near future to have some big news about the next step in my career. I shall know more soon...but in any case, enjoy your writing. This is not a job, this is what you do.

Enjoy, Peace, Out.

The Open Road...Rocky Horror Reconsidered, Living on Zoloft and other Strange Thoughts...

Well, that's a good beginning, isn't it?  Back in the Office on the 4th of July, and "Farewell to Arms" is playing by ELP.  A ballad for whatever this state of mind is I'm in.


I have a lot to tell you of, and also this is the cleansing of my twisted insides for what must be the millionth time.


I am actually in a good state of mind right now, and it feels good.  Of course, 30 minutes on the bike and another 10 or so in the sauna on a day that's pushing 95 in the shade will do that to you.


So, let's see...I was on the road early Saturday, once more to return to Boston and help say farewell to the Loew's Theatre in Harvard Square, Cambridge.  The theatre has been home to the Full Body Cast of the Rocky Horror Picture Show since 1984.  It's final turn is this Saturday.  


I am actually working on the 7th, so I did my turn on the 30th.  My first time in that theatre to perform was on April 5, 1990, as a "Rocky."  Yes!  I did not become Riff Raff until a couple months after that.


iTunes update:  "Hurtin' Me, Hurtin' You," by Steve Earle.  The music fuels my fingers, what can I say?


From my pretentious hotel (I have to have a little fun, dammit), where I can cause heads of the allegedly wealthy to turn when this maniac dressed like a biker with a guitar strides through the lobby; anyway it is a comfy place, and I do like a little of that when I can get it.  View of the Charles is lovely, and it's close to stuff.


Like I wrote last summer, Cambridge (where I was), Boston, the whole city...it's alive again.  I really miss the activity, and yet with that comes the concerns I have about being able to survive in a city with such high tension. With the activity comes the tension and the stress.


Six weeks plus off Zoloft is like detox; I am fighting off a drug addiction.  I didn't even realize it.  I am still having issues with it.  Tension rises, the E-string gets fucking wound, and then look the fuck out.


"Moby Dick," Led Zep.  Hmmm...


In a city of millions, you can still feel alone.  I have written lyrics for a new song, which will be called "Strangely Unfamiliar."  That's how I felt.  I knew the whole city like the back of my hand; been here for many years, and yet it is not the same.  The change is good, but how to comprehend it, and adjust to it.


I need change; lots of it.  I keep saying I need to leave PA; I have almost nothing to hold me here, but for the off-chance that I can prove to certain people that I have value.  It would provide the base for which I need to do every other thing.


Every other important thing in my life.


I popped into Magic Dragon Comics in Arlington, and I caught up with my old friend and Rocky Horror compadre Eric Carter.  Eric is the former lead singer of Rogue, and a brilliant artist.  He tipped me to some of the independent comic and manga work being done in the area, including that of George O'Connor, former Rocky and Rogue member.


George is author of a zombie type work that is getting some attention out there.  Fully independent, and no strings attached.  


I made my pilgrimage to Newbury Comics, and the Jewelry/Tattoo shop to get a new ankh.  My last one broke; very interesting omen there.


"Rock this Place," Fabulous Thunderbirds...now we're talking.


Getting ready for the show, I could feel a terrible depression come down on me.  Excited to be back, then crashing hard.  


I drifted over to the Harvard Theatre early, and sat across from the place at the church steps.  This is/was the gathering point for the Rocky people for years, before we could be let inside the building.  I thought back to years of being here, being with these people, my people and how it's all going away. Bittersweet memories.


I felt ill.  I didn't want to do this; I didn't want to perform, and I actually thought about no-showing.  But I had to get one last turn on the stage for fun, and to remind myself why I did it all those years.  It was fun; and it was okay to seek that fun out.


There's a terrible guilt trip we lead on people; to enjoy life is somehow a bad thing.  We have to work, make money, find a spouse, fuck the spouse and spit out a bunch of kids, etc., etc., etc.  Modern living.


Most of us never did that.  Well, a lot of the Rocky people are now married, have kids, real jobs, but they didn't lose their sense of fun.  


I had attributed this line to my friend Lisa Risley, but it was not written by her.  In a play Riz directed me in, her character says, "The theatre is a home for lost children."


Think about that.


We are.


I was.


A Lorenna McKennitt song came on...I skip.  I hate to say it, but I find her music annoying.


Carlos del Junco, "Don't Worry Your Pretty Little Head," is next...blues guy, but this is a slow, jazz type of thing with harmonica.  Different.


It's funny what makes the fog lift.  Two ex-cast members suddenly popped up in front of me.  They were not there to perform, but they dropped in.  Then two more.


These photos by the way are on my Facebook; there are two folders, so check those out.


So we all got to talking, like we did, and I felt awake again.  Thanks.


The gang slowly came in...Wombat, the techie for life it seems, and others...the dark, the scantily clad (all ages, haha), and the rest started to show up.  There is a kinship that will never die with these folks.


Another reason to go back.


The show was an all-star mashup of performers, tagging off as the night went on.  I had the middle part, which I fortunately remembered.  I look old...damned old in those pictures that were taken.  But it was fun.


Preshow was an extended set of performances, and a free for all Time Warp.  How do you do that?  All Riffs (4), all Magentas (3), all Columbias (2 or 3), and I got one last leap off the riser.


Fun.


That was something else.  The good news is, the FBC has a new home, in Boston Common, which begins on August 4th.


"Killer Queen..." -- do I have to tell YOU?!?


Sunday...I hung out with an old friend, Gretchen and I later had my collaborators' meeting with Riz and Jen (the latter the hand behind the Sweet Dreams Series).  


Jen is as crazy busy as ever...she's become a workout junkie, and looks remarkably fit.  We found our way (thanks to Jen's GPS) into the Medford Suburbs...yes, "Meh-fuh" does have them!


Riz's new home with her new boyfriend and his daughter is a wonderfully cluttered little home with lots of intriguing curiosities.  Al is a laconic New Englander, but a good guy.  I liked him immediately.  The youngest daughter, last one at home is Lex.  


Hardcore Otaku.  I love her.  Riz and Lex have bonded over Invader Zim, and numerous other such things.  I have not seen the woman so happy, and she deserves it.


"When a Guitar Plays the Blues," Roy Buchanan--THE SONG THAT STARTED THE SWEET DREAMS SERIES.  ALL OF IT.


So anyway...a certain press is looking at the SDS, manga version.  The possibilities that they will pick up the book could happen.  It's now a wait.


Meanwhile, the cover concept must be set, so we can make a second submission to a publication for previews and promotional purposes.  We're back in the business, again.


Another long night...Monday...I took a walk along the Charles, and for once saw that side of the river along Memorial Drive in a way I never had.  I needed the exercise, and damned if I would get any in the hotel pool.


Hotel.  Pool.  Tourists.  Kids.  Enough said.


I got a good walk into Kendall Square, which has grown up a bit over the years.  Found an indie coffee shop to hang in, and had a scone which weighted about three pounds!  The upwardly mobile, the MIT crowd and the rest all getting on here, as in every place through this city.  Indeed.


I kept walking eventually, back toward the river, and passed a coffee shop I could later go back to.  Voltage. 


This is a minimal, coffee and art place.  Art works hang on its bare walls, and while the coffee is pricey, it's pretty good.  


I did some shopping...yeah, guess what?  I do.


I do think some changes to my life will come; every now and then this snake (my totem animal) needs to shed skin, and I will do that again as time goes by.


Later, I had dinner with Riz, and we talked for three ours.  Another part of the world in Medford has changed:  Wellington Circle is gone.


I worked the Strawberries there from 1989-90.  It's all gone, replaced by a mini-city called Station Landing.  Weird.  It's kind of like Hunt Valley, for those who have never been there and live where I do now.


Riz is dealing with numerous issues, as always, but I feel a corner will turn with her.  About time.  I am hopeful to turn my corners as well.


"Victims of Comfort," Keb' Mo' -- now isn't this an indictment of not just the rich, but quite a few of us?  It is on his first album, great song.


Our modern world has taken us into a corner, all of our own making.  I wonder about what we've done, and what I have to do.


As it stands, I have no job.  I am on-call, for both WITF, Radio PA, and yes, Clear Channel.  There's no work; no unemployment, but I have lived quietly and alright.


I am not starving, and though I fear it, homelessness and being dead-ass broke is not going to happen.  I will not permit it.


"Come into My Life," Robert Plant.


Of course, you must think, "Well, he just took a trip to Boston to hang out with those weirdos from his past!  Blah, blah, blah."


Trying not to worry about it all.  But there is so much that we do think are like the necessities, when they're not really.


So anyway...zoomed outta Dodge early on Tuesday, avoided the holiday rush and bullshit and made it home before noon.  I have before me a lot of work to do, and a lot of changes to make.


These will take a long time.  I do not know if tomorrow I'll have a job, if I'll suddenly have to move, or if something even bigger occurs.


I have had people criticize me for having "no life."


What does that mean?


Look around, and at you:  what do I see?  I see a life that I can't shit on, because I am a part of it.


What do we do in this world?  We make money.


Money provides a lot of things; "breathing room," as my old roommate Kevin once said.  Yes, that's so.


Too much will kill you.  Why make tons of money in a job you don't like?  For what?


To buy a new car, when the one you own runs just fine?  The Silver Saturn is 237,000 miles old, and while I know it's going to cost me to get it inspected, it's still cheaper than buying a new one.  I don't want a new one.


My poor old house that I rent is 90+ years old; the landlady did say that it would be better to raze it eventually, and put another on it.  I was surprised by that, because Alice and I, among others have considered it.


I do love that piece of land, and I would like it, but...with ownership comes responsibility.


Taxes.  Codes Enforcement Officers.  Township Regulations.


Not worth it.


I would rather rent, and know that being a good renter means not just to pay the rent, but to not destroy the house.  I admit, I've not been great to the old spot, but at least I'm not knocking holes in the walls and stealing from the landlord's garage, like a previous tenant is alleged to have done.


David Jacobs-Strain, "Kokomo Blues."  Local guy, really good musician.


I don't go to bars, I don't drink anymore.  I no longer smoke...holy shit, $10 a pack in New York State!  If that doesn't make you quit, I dunno what will!


I do have a membership in a health club, and that has been a good influence.  That plus the people around me.  After one year, I can see benefits.  I am healthier than I have been in almost 20 years.  It's a good thing.


I suppose I am one of the consumer generation, and I do wish I was not so much.  Then again, at this point, I've needed to live quieter, and more simply.


It's not an easy life, but we have to live it.  One has to shed the need to do things, 24/7.  We have to go here, go there, do this, do that, keep up with the Joneses, etc.


Sometimes, it's hard to even just survive, and I know all about it.  You have nothing at times, and you feel the frustration, the anger, the hatred of all who have what you do not.


We're seeing that anger now in politics.  I see people vote against their better interests and judgement, because it makes them feel good for one moment to stick it to someone else.


But what if that hurts you?  Two years later, you'll be screaming bloody murder about THAT.  And you still think it's someone else's fault!


I don't blame anyone for the place I'm in.  It's not about blame.  I don't blame me, or anyone.  I made my calls, and I don't regret it.


If there will be a big step, I will consider it, and take it if I feel it's right.


This is very hard to deal with, when you are considering the drug matter. Zoloft.


Katherine Sharp is the author of a book I'm reading, "Coming of Age on Zoloft."  It's her story, plus that of others.


Worth reading.  It is not an indictment on the drug industry, but it points a finger at it.


Since the 50's we've been drugging ourselves, or letting others do it.  We are a drugged-out generation of feel-good people, and yet we still feel like shit a lot of the time.


Zoloft is like many of these drugs; therapeutically they are satisfactory in the short term.  They help.  But they are NOT meant for life.


I have been on the Big Z 12 years.  I was led to believe it was okay; I was led to believe I'd need it all my life.


WRONG.


I don't fucking need it.  I am amazed that the most creative and productive period of my life occurred during this time.


I realize how hard it is in withdrawal.  My stress, anxiety, and fury return without warning.


I trashed the Vibe Room a couple weeks ago in a fit of rage.  Childish, stupid, immature...yes, but it made me feel better.


I nearly turned into a Road Rage incident in Boston Monday night when I could not find my way from Cambridge to Medford.  W/O the drugs, I get scattered, and I get lost sometimes.  Not good.


I have to learn to step back on my own.  It is very hard.  But I have to do it.


"Fire Woman," the Cult.  Nice.


I'm doing my best, folks.  Hard as hell sometimes, but sometimes it works.


Today, I feel fine.  Tomorrow, who the fuck knows?


My life is one long strange trip, but so isn't yours.


I'm gonna figure out the next step.  If I have to leave PA, which I admittedly want to apart from one chance at a brass ring, so I do.  


Where I go, will be where I'm meant to go.  Back home?  A new land?


Either way, it's gonna be fun, because you have to have fun.  I'm having it right now, telling you all this crazy shit that's going on.


Enjoy your fourth.  The park on a diagonal line from my back lawn is gonna host fireworks tonight.  I just have to go outside.  That will be fun.


Peace.

Take Another Road, Chapter 21--"The Taking Down"

I dare say it is time for something else...Chapter 21 of "Take Another Road" is here...enjoy!

###

Chapter 21--The Taking Down

            Mei stepped out of the changing room in the Matsunaga dojo.  She was back in her customary black street gear, that very opposite look from her martial arts uniform, which was now in the equipment bag over her shoulder.  The midday class was over, which she had taught under the watchful eye of Sensei Matsunaga.  It had gone well; Mei instructed the lower ranks, and watched over them during form practice.

            Standing in the foyer, Mei looked out through the windows that advertised the business.  Midori had not arrived yet, and there was a meet-up planned today.  Leaving her bag on the bench near the door, Mei returned to the dojo’s practice room, “bowing in” before walking onto the bare wood floor.

            The room was rectangular, with a rank of mirrors on one of the long sides, and railings at hip level on the other three.  Seated in meditation, centered but closer to the mirrors than the wall was a short, stocky man.  Sensei Matsunaga was in his early sixties, hairless but for the graying goatee on his face.  His gi was white like those of his students, but the collar was bordered in black all the way down, denoting his rank and position.

            Mei sat before the man, and took up the lotus position.  After a few moments, Matsunaga’s clear blue eyes opened and he smiled.  “Awaiting your friend, Mei?”

            The sensei’s tone was quiet and gentle, very much the opposite of the command voice he used in the dojo. 

            Mei’s eyes opened, and she returned the smile.  “Yes, Sensei,” she replied, “but I also wonder if I might ask you of what is coming?”

            Matsunaga smiled wider.  “Yes,” he replied, “the testing.  You are concerned, are you not?”

            Mei sighed.  “Only a little, Sensei,” she admitted.  “I know what is expected of me, and I am as ready as I ever will be.  I will not disappoint you.”

            “You could not, even if you attempted to,” Matsunaga responded with a slight smile.  “But that day will be a difficult one; I recall the day I tested for my black belt:  no more frightful a day for me was that one!  You and Ishikawa will both face it well, of that I am certain.” 

            Matsunaga had mentioned the other young man who would test for black. The testing would be held here at the dojo, and was specifically for these students only.  As a member of the national association, Matsunaga as well as three other sensei would judge the students.  Testing would start in the morning with the younger and lower ranks, and would culminate with Mei and Ishikawa’s test.

            “How is Reiko, by the way?”  Matsunaga had known Mei’s mother for years.

            “She has good and bad days,” Mei replied, “a few more good of late.  Sensei,” she went on, “I am of an uncertain mind about things, and I hope I might learn something from speaking with you.”

            Matsunaga smiled.  “Tell me your thoughts.”

            Mei sighed.  “I wish,” she replied, “to look after Mom.  I will do all I can for her, but once school is finished I cannot see myself going to university.  This is all I have:  my mother, Dad when he’s around, my friends, and this.”  She indicated the dojo with her finger, and added, “I have a purpose here, and I hope to fulfill it, and at least have something with which to support Mom.”

            Matsunaga bowed in her direction.  “You think strongly of Reiko, and that is good,” he told her.  “Your selfless behavior in terms of her is to be admired.  I am glad you have been able to teach, and you are ready.  You are ready to take on any challenge that comes in your life, Mei--you have proven that to me.  You represent the art, as well as the people of the world in an exemplary fashion.  Has no one told you that?”

            Mei took a deep breath, and tried not to show her relief at Matsunaga’s words.  “Not quite like that, Sensei,” she replied, “but thank you.  There are those in my life who remind me each day; not just Mom, or you.”

            “Yes,” Matsunaga replied, as he looked toward the doors.  “I believe one of them is here for you now,” he added.  Midori had just passed through the doors, and she smiled and waved. 

            The pair stood, and Mei bowed to Matsunaga, who returned it.  “Thank you, Sensei,” she replied, “I won’t let you down.”

            “You won’t,” he replied as they walked to the entranceway, and bowed out.  Mei and Midori then embraced and kissed, and Matsunaga exchanged pleasantries with Midori before the two left.  Matsunaga watched them leave, then smiled and went into his office.  Another class would soon be coming in.

            “This might be a little long on you,” Asuka said, “but I think it should fit well enough.”  She and Aimi were standing before the full-length mirror beside her dresser, as the latter tried on a black dress.  It did, Aimi thought, and on her the hem of the silky material stopped well above her knees. 

            “It’s very nice, thank you,” she replied.

            “Well, it will do until we can get your other clothes cleaned,” Asuka replied.  She picked up a similar cut of dress, this one in blue and much shorter in length.  “I think I’ll go with this,” she added, “and we can match!”

            The girls laughed and Aimi sat down to put on her shoes.  “I can’t thank you enough,” Aimi told her, “I feel a little like royalty, the way I’ve been looked after here.”

            “This is normal for me,” Asuka said, “at least here.  With your looking after me, it is the least I can do.”

            Aimi had found staying the night at Asuka’s house very peculiar, but in a good way.  She awoke to find the kitchen staff wheeling breakfast in for the two, like in a luxury hotel.  Her and Asuka’s clothes were also taken away for laundering, though they would not be ready until later. 

            After getting dressed, Aimi sat Asuka down on the remade bed.  “Asuka,” she said, “I have a favor to ask of you.”

            “Ask away,” she replied.

            “Well,” Aimi explained, “I’m all for meeting up with the club, but today is a day I must make a visit.  I didn’t mention it, because of all the excitement from yesterday, but today I’m going to visit Kira.  Would you like to come with me?”

            Asuka watched Aimi’s face as she listened.  Aimi seemed nervous as she made the request; her eyes flitted to the left and right, but Aimi was able to face Asuka directly as she made the invite.

            “Absolutely,” Asuka replied, “I’d be honored.  I’d love to meet Kira, she’s obviously very dear to you.”

            Aimi smiled and nodded.  “Thank you.  We can meet up with the rest later,” she promised, “it should not take too long.  I’ll just have to make one stop on the way, okay?”

            “Okay,” Asuka replied, and she embraced Aimi.  “Thank you again for being with me last night.  After what Father, uh, I mean Dad said (the two chuckled over the correction), I think we’re all making steps to get back on the same road.  As for Minoru, he is my brother, and I’ll proudly say it.  This is going to take some time to figure out, but I believe we will do it.  I’m just glad to have you around, and the others.”

            “You’ll always have us,” Aimi said as she returned the hug, and added, “no matter where we are.”

            The activity at Kona Blends was typical for a weekday.  The glass-enclosed shop was about three-quarters full, with teenagers and students the bulk of the customers.  A few suited businessmen were there as well, along with women on break from work or shopping.  Standing out in front of the red and black painted structure were Mei and Midori, and they greeted Kaz and Minoru as the two stepped off the bus.  Kaldera joined the group a moment later, as he’d found a good parking spot for the Vanagon.

            Inside, the group joined the queue of three other customers.  “Has anyone heard from Aimi or Asuka?”  Kaz asked.  “We tried calling them, but we didn’t get a response.”

            No one had, but Mei slowly moved her head in Kaz’s direction, and he got the message.  He then added, “Oh well, they’ll catch up to us.” 

            The exchange had been detected by those not in the know.  Midori looked to Kaldera; he seemed as clueless as she for once, but neither spoke up about it.

            Kaldera called the round and picked up the tab despite polite objections; each ordered cups of the Hawaiian coffee that the chain was renowned for, or drinks of their choice.

            Those with the most easily made drinks secured a choice, round table near the windows.  These included Mei, who got her customary black coffee, plus Kaldera and Kaz. 

            “We are being watched,” Kaldera casually said as they sat down.

            “Watched?”  Mei asked.

            “Is that your intuition talking, or are we really?”  Kaz followed.

            Kaldera imperceptibly turned his head in the negative.  “Don’t look now,” he said, “but that group of girls to the right?  They’re watching us, or rather they are eyeing Minoru.  This should be interesting.”

            Out of the corners of their eyes, Kaz and Mei saw them:  there were four girls seated at a nearby table.  All four were in the colors of Katsuhashi Academy, and they indeed were looking right at Minoru.  He had gotten his drink, and was escorting Midori over to the table, when one of the girls got up. 

            Midori and Minoru seated themselves among the others as this girl followed, though cautiously.  “Come over, Homoka,” Minoru then said with a welcoming manner and gesture, “my friends won’t bite.” 

            He stood again, as did Kaldera and Kaz to be polite, and Minoru introduced her around.  “Homoka is a friend of ours; she plays field hockey with Asuka.”

            There was some real tension, just the same.  Homoka was an attractive girl, everyone silently agreed; she was short, but like Asuka but thin and athletically built.  The girl in fact looked an awful lot like Asuka, right down to the way she wore her hair, her short dress and school jacket. 

            “Very nice to meet you all,” Homoka replied with a bow.  “Minoru, I am sorry to take you away from your friends, but might I speak to you for a moment?”

            “Certainly.”  Minoru turned to the others.  “A moment,” he promised, “and I shall return.”  Then he winked, which was noticed by all but Homoka.

            “This will be fun,” Kaldera replied in an undertone to the others, as Minoru followed Homoka to the other table.  “Watch this.  I have a feeling a certain bubble is about to be burst.”

            “Did you know about Minoru’s parentage, Kaldera?”  Midori asked.

            “I did,” he replied, “and I assured Minoru that I would keep it a secret.  Yesterday’s events changed many things, and I knew from what I felt, that it would come out.  Here,” he motioned to the gathering on the other side of the room, “will be a sidelight, perhaps even some comic relief.”

            Minoru put on his most gentlemanly smile as he approached the table, and said hello to Homoka’s companions.  Masami, the bespectacled (and smarter one, in Minoru’s mind) was there, along with those same two teammates that had been with them in the marketplace the other day.  “We are luckily met,” he exclaimed as he borrowed more lines from Poe, “and how remarkably well you are all looking today!”

            The girls smiled, seemingly warmed by the presence of Minoru, and his actually taking the time to speak to them.  “Well,” Homoka replied, as she stood beside him, “I wonder if we might ask you about certain things.”

            Minoru turned and gazed at Homoka.  “You may,” he said, “though what I may tell you might not be what you wish to hear.”  He could tell Masami had picked up on the subtle, calculated change in his tone of voice.  She seemed ready to stop Homoka, but did not.

            “We are wondering,” Homoka went on, “about Asuka, and what has been going on lately.  We haven’t seen much of either of you, and we have wondered about some of these people we see you with.”

            Minoru looked over at his friends.  All were watching; Mei looked ready to jump to his aid, while Kaldera had a look of great anticipation on his face. 

            “Well,” Minoru replied as he turned back, “there really isn’t much to tell.  Suffice to say, that Asuka and I have fallen in with some most interesting and wonderful people.  They are people I think you would all like very much, if you gave them the chance.  But please, hold your responses until I am through.”

            Minoru had held up his hand, and all remained quiet as he spoke:  “Speaking only for myself, I have been less than amused by the standard you have forced Asuka and I to set for you.  I know all about the Golden Pair, and of the importance you attach to that.  You see us as some kind of perfect couple, when in fact each of you could be moving on in your own lives, and finding something of value in yourselves.  It to be plain, makes me sick.”

            His voice quiet and level, Minoru went on, “I have no personal dislike of any of you, and I mean no disrespect.  I’m sorry if I come across in that way, but it would do if all of you could see Asuka and myself as human beings and friends, and treat us in the way you wish you would be treated.  Again, I speak for myself, and not for my sister.”

            The shoe had dropped.  The collective gasp of breath that followed one second later sounded like the four girls who made it would suck up all the air in the coffee shop.  Minoru smiled as he looked at the wide-eyed, open-mouthed expressions of the girls. 

            “Oh, you didn’t know that, did you?”  He asked playfully and with all politeness and deference.  “Yes, Asuka is my half-sister; we share the same father.  This was not revealed until yesterday, and I have yet to speak in detail with Asuka about it, but I hope to soon.  Now, as that little matter is dealt with, I beg you will excuse me.  My latte is getting cold, and my friends require my attention.  Good day to you, and I hope you all get a life.”

            He bowed, then turned and walked back across the shop to his table.  Everyone was grinning now, as they watched Homoka sink into her chair, she and her companions in utter shock.  “I probably should not have done that,” Minoru said as he sat down, “but I could not resist.  I have had enough of their following us around like sheep, and I feared they might make trouble for Aimi; but, I think that will put them in their place.”

            Everyone chuckled, and they watched the four girls pick up their drinks, bags and other items and slink out of the building.  “I would love to have been a fly on the wall over there, Minoru,” Mei said, “we couldn’t hear with all the noise, but I’ll bet that was something!”

            “It wasn’t much,” Minoru replied, “but they now know.  I am sure the rumor mill is going to run in overdrive for a while, but I care not.  I never liked being put on a pedestal; despite all things, I have only wanted to be accepted for who I am, and not what others think I should be.”

            “That comes in time,” Kaldera replied.  “I think your reconciliation with Keru and Asuka should not be hard.  When the time comes, I believe all will work itself out.”

            Kaz’s cell phone had gone off, and he had turned to answer.  They could tell it was Aimi who was calling, and the conversation was brief.  Once over, Kaz turned back to face the others.  “That,” he said, “was strange.”

            “What?”  Mei asked.

            “Aimi called to say she and Asuka will meet up with us later,” Kaz replied.  “They’re going to see Kira today.”

            All noticed the blank reaction from Kaz, as well as the one from Mei.  “Her name has come up,” Kaldera remarked.

            “Yes,” Minoru added.  “I heard Aimi call that name during the vision quest.  Who is Kira?”

            Kaz and Mei knew that all eyes were on them.  Mei looked at Kaz, and he nodded.  “It’s time.”

            Mei then addressed the others.  “There’s something you should know."

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There it is!  Let me know what you think!