Torchwood Japan Library Archive - User contributions [en]

Ami X Mercurius: Promises

2022-04-22T02:30:35Z

Firefly 1824:

'''The Move-In'''

Mercurius blinked a bit, glancing around at the room. It was extremely large and well furnished. It was everything you would expect from one of the leading giants of technological industries and yet there was something about it which was rather domestic in nature. It was rather like the typical Japanese home if placed through the eyes of someone who happened to have an immense amount of money behind them. Ami walked over and placed her hand against a small pad in the wall and as she did so, the lights slowly changed, bathing the room in comforting shadows. Oh yes, Mercurius thought to himself, and with a ton of technology incorporated in it as well.

“I think you will find this location suitable for our habitation” Ami said, adjusting her glasses, the light shining off the lenses.

“Our habitation?” Mercurius stumbled over his words a bit. She gave the slightest frown at that question.

“I assumed by your proposal earlier that you were prepared for this,” she said, annoyed. Mercurius smiled a little and scratched at his cheek, a bit embarrassed.

“Well yes of course, I guess I’m just a little surprised, that’s all.” Mercurius blinked as he felt the little hand holding his suddenly loosen. “Emi???”

The little girl had run towards one of the other rooms. Mercurius quickly followed after her, Ami slowly walking after the two, her eyes still hidden by the lighted glasses. Peeking into the room, he saw Emi marveling at what appeared to be a bedroom, decked out for a little girl such as herself, but with little touches that seemed specifically catered to her. There was a small shelf with a number of books, many that Mercurius recognized as being her favorites, as well as a chess set set up on a table in the corner. Emi herself seemed had quickly made it to the bed, sitting there and testing its bounciness. Mercurius paused and looked back at Ami, who adjusted her glasses. He could have sworn he saw the barest hint of a smile on her face.

“I would have thought you’d know by now, Mercurius. I am always prepared.”

'''The Makeout'''

The lab was an utter ruins. Smoke poured forth from broken machinery. A robotic arm twitched. Amid the chaos, here were two figures. One, a man, lay prone on his back, bruised and scratched. The other, a woman, straddled his torso. She was staring down at him, her eyes wide, ignoring the call she had been waiting for all day. She was well aware of his extraterrestrial nature, but the same time scientifically speaking, the sheer amount of pressure... The amount of force...she looked back down to him. He was breathing hard.

"So," he said, smiling, "round two?"

She felt something wet in her eyes...an illogical response, but...she slowly began to grin a very wide grin.

Orlando Timberlake stared up at the ceiling from his bed. He glanced over to Mina, who was sound asleep, her arms draped around him. There was another loud THUD and a large crack splintered across the ceiling.

He really hated new neighbors.

'''The Make-Over'''

Mercurius stumbled back into a chair and immediately felt a pair of clamps wrap around his wrists. Before he could say anything else, he was plunged backwards, the top of his head drenched into a foul smelling liquid of some sort. He could just about see Ami looking down at him, her eyes narrowed and studying him.

“Is this really necessary!?” he tried to say, but the sound of whatever machinery was in the vat drowned him out. After what seemed to be an eternity, he was finally set right side up, the clamps suddenly removing themselves. He paused for a moment before getting to his feet and wandered over to a nearby mirror. He blinked, running his hands through his now green hair.

“Green? Really?” He glanced over, only to have a pair of glasses thrust onto his face.

“It’s necessary, Mercurius. You don’t simply want to be a copy, do you? Besides…” She looked at the man before her, his slightly scruffy green hair, his swirly square glasses. She grinned, trying not to get herself too excited. “It..completes you..”

“I don’t need glasses, though. I can see perfectly fine.” Ami walked over to Mercurius and reached over, tapping the side of the glasses. Instantly, he stumbled back a bit as a display appeared on the lenses in front of him.

“They are directly tied into the Mizunomic mainframe. Any information you wish to gain access to, is yours,” she said, rather proud of what she had accomplished.

“This is amazing!” Mercurius said as he watched information pass over his very eyes, “…What’s Project Legion?” Ami quickly reached over and tapped the glasses again, the data quickly vanishing.

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with. The glasses also have a built in psychic field controller. They will help keep your powers at a manageable level,” Ami said, Mercurius looking over at her with wide eyes, before smiling.

“I’d say this makes me a new man then?” he said, about to put his arms around her waist, but she simply stopped him before grabbing him by the collar and pulling him along.
“We’ll see how much of a new man you are, then.”

'''The Experiment'''

This was so irritating, Shinobu Tanahashi thought to herself. She had only been hired recently for Mizunomics Corporation out of university, one of the most prestigious companies ever in the field of technology. She had a major in computer development and was the top of her class in almost everything she had put her thoughts to. So why, she thought to herself, was she now acting like a glorified errand girl? She had spent all morning trying to gather the necessary paperwork for the CEO of the company, something about the positions of the numerous satellites which they had helped to develop. They apparently were going to be used in some special project, something related to GingaTV, but whenever she asked for further information, she had been told to keep her mouth shut. Things were getting weird around here, especially ever since that one man had shown up at the building. There were all sorts of rumors about him, that he had been a robot in disguise, that he was a childhood friend of the boss, but most agreed that he was rather…impressive, to say the least. There had apparently been some sort of commotion in the board room on the first day that he had appeared. Still, that’s not why she was here. She tried to remember where she had been told her boss had been, one of the lower laboratories. It was known that she had her own private workshops which were for her use only. Most of the time they were off limits from the rest of the staff, but this assignment seemed important enough that she had been giving permission to interrupt her. It didn’t take her too long to find the door. She took a deep breath and gave the door a knock.

“Miss Mizuno? I have the data you want.” There was no answer. She gave another knock and called out once more. Still no answer. This was getting irritating, she had so much more that she had to do that day. She reached down and tried the door knob and much to her surprise, she found it to be unlocked. Without a second thought, she opened it and began to enter the room.

“Is this all that necessary?” Mercurius said, straddled to a large contraption, a strange silver helmet placed onto of his skull and hooked up through several cords to nearby computers.

“It’s vital to my work,” Ami said, not even looking up from her tablet.

“Do I really need to be naked, though?” Mercurius said, shivering just a little. “It’s really cold in here.”

“I told you it was important,” Ami replied, wiping the blood from her nose. “Now, let’s begin with-”

Ami stopped as the sound of papers falling broke her concentration. She glanced in the direction of it, Mercurius looking as well. Shinobu Tanahashi stood there for a moment before slowly backing away and closing the door once more.

She decided that day it might have been a good idea to take a vacation.

'''The Encounter'''

Mercurius walked along the ______’s lobby. He hadn’t had much time to see it and since Ami was busy with that large scale project of hers, and Emi was currently taking a nap, he thought it might as well be as good a time as any to take a look around. It was really something impressive. Apparently this was not simply their home, but also the location of Minako Aino’s place of work. There was the temptation to see it for himself, but after everything that had happened, he was more than a little careful when it came to the media. He was about to turn and move on when he suddenly bumped into a man who was on his way in the other direction.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Mercurius said, and then stopped. Orlando Timberlake looked back at Mercurius, the other sharing his gaze. They stood there, staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

They nodded before turning away and walking off without another word.

'''The Plan Part 1'''

“Look, I’d be more then happy if you came along,” Mercurius said, trying to adjust his tie. “I mean, my mother would love to see you! I mean my mother currently who was his mother but is also mine?” Mercurius stopped for a moment, trying to think this over.

“It is irrelevant, Mercurius,” Ami said, adjusting her glasses so the light glinted off them. “Your family asked you there, I am not needed for it.” Mercurius tried to hide his hurt expression. “Besides,” she continued, “I have work to do tonight. You should enjoy the time with your family.”

“I suppose. You’ll call me if something goes wrong with Emi?” Mercurius asked, glancing in the directly of Emi’s room.

“Yes, yes of course. The robots can handle it,” Ami said calmly, if a tad coldly.

“Oh well then, I be off!” Mercurius went to give Ami a kiss, but she simply raised a finger to his lips. He understood. While they were…quite active, there was an understanding of strict emotional control between them outside of the bedroom. It made him a little sad, but if it made her happy...

She watched as he left the building and then it wasn’t long before more people seemed to exit, till it was almost a flood of employees. They had been given the evening off. A small loss of profits were acceptable for what was to come. Leaving her personal quarters, she entered a small elevator and descended towards her destiny.

'''The Plan Part 2'''

Ami looked over the multitude of screens in front of her, their glowing light illuminating the lenses of her glasses. She listened as the computer intoned the final countdown and grinned a wild grin to herself. It wouldn’t be long now. All the sweat and hard work over the many years, everything she toiled for was about to become a reality.
“Ten Minutes until Debut,” the robotic voice said. She almost felt sorry about using Minako like this. However, when you had the tools, it was best not to waste them. The only thing holding her back from a mad laugh at that point was her own force of will. Still, she could indulge herself a little. After all, the world was about to be hers. She let herself go at that point.

“What’s going on?”

She stopped mid cackle. That was impossible! She had had all Mizonomic personal removed from the building. She had been told he had had a meeting with his parents. She turned around and looked directly at the very confused features of Mercurius.

“I thought you were at your parents,” Ami said, trying her best to control herself once more.

“I left early. What’s happening here? Where are all the staff?” he said, looking at the vast array of monitors around him.

“They are no longer needed at the moment,” she said coldly. “Since you are here, though, you may witness my final triumph.”

“Five minutes until Debut,” the robotic voice once again said.

“What are you doing?” Mercurius said with a voice of concern.

“I am about to make the Earth mine!” She knew it was foolish to give away her plan, but she couldn’t help herself. She had to gloat just a little. “Since the creation of this company, I have strived to put my technology on the shelves all over this globe, and why? Within each is a chip that when a specific signal is played, will override the will power of every consumer on the planet. I will have total control over them! They won’t just be working for me, THEY WILL BE ME!” She once again gave a mad giggle. “It just needs to bounce off a specific signal, such as the broadcast from a popular streaming site.” Mercurius followed Ami’s gaze towards a small monitor, where Minako Aino was quickly adjusting a headset in front of her laptop.

“You don’t have to do this…” Mercurius said in a pleading voice. Ami turned around, her angry face covered in shadow.

“DON’T I!? For YEARS I’ve been ignored! The WEAKEST Senshi! The poor little smart girl, left behind in the shadows, never given a second thought while everyone else gets the spotlight! Forced to babysit IDIOTS and MORONIC CHILDREN! Well no. more. Now I’m the one who will be in control!” She picked up a small remote like device. “And with a simple press of a button at the end of this countdown I will be, because after all…” she looked back at Mercurius, a wide grin on her face, “Mizunomics knows what’s best for the world!”

“Three minutes until Debut.” Ami turned to face the monitor again, her hands gripping the control. She chuckled, her eyes madly wide behind her glasses. She could half hear Mercurius behind her begging her to stop, but it didn’t matter. Soon even he would understand, they all would!

“Two minutes until Debut.”

“Ami.”

The voice seemed to cut through the sounds around her like a knife. She felt two hands move over hers on the remote, as someone moved behind her.

“Ami…”

Ami slowly looked behind her and found herself gazing at Mercurius. He had removed his glasses, his soft blue green eyes looking back at hers, a soft sad smile on his face. Her hands shook, but he kept them steady.
“Ami…let it go…” Ami could feel herself breathing a bit harder and then she slowly gazed towards one of the darkened monitors. For a moment, she thought she saw what appeared to be a shadow of herself, bathed in blue and purple, a dark parody before it seemed to dissipate, leaving herself only gazing at her own reflection.

“It’s alright,” he said softly, holding onto her hands gently. The coldness that Ami sometimes seemed to carry with her seemed to fade, a warmness coming back to her skin, he thought, but he didn’t stop holding her hands.

“Ten seconds to debut…ten…nine..eight..seven…six..five…four..three…two..o-”

A hand slammed down on the abort mechanism. All at once the monitors went dead and silence filled the room. Ami Mizuno breathed hard, her fist clenched against the button, sweat dripping down her face. Slowly she sank to her knees on the floor, utterly silent. Mercurius slowly walked over and without another word, knelt down and pulled her into a tight hug, the woman resting her face against his chest. There were no tears, no cries but she gripped onto his shirt with every bit of strength she could muster.

“MOH! WHY IS STREAMLABS DOWN AGAIN!? ORLANDOOOO DO SOMETHING!!!!” Minako whined, pressing every button she could think to try and get her computer running again.

Mercurius walked over to where Ami was sitting, a mug of tea in her hands.

“Emi’s finally asleep” he said, sitting next to her. “Thankfully she didn’t even notice what was going on.”

“I accept your proposal,” Ami said quietly. Mercurius blinked for a moment and glanced over to the woman.

“Pardon?” he said, trying to clumsy adjust his glasses. She pushed up her own glasses calmly.

“On behalf of the board of Mizunomics Corporation, I accept your proposal.” She bent up and gave Mercurius a quick kiss on the lips, causing his glasses to slightly steam up. Mercurius coughed a little. He wanted to say something, say anything at this point, but his mind was completely and utterly blank. Quite the thing for a psychic, he thought to himself. He said nothing, but turned back to look out across the city.

As Ami leaned up against him and his put his arm around her, they both watched as the Mizunomics Brand Robot rocket punched a gigantic kaiju into a nearby empty building.

[[Category:Matt Bjorkman]]

Ami X Mercurius: Promises

2022-04-22T02:25:43Z

Firefly 1824:

'''The Move-In'''

Mercurius blinked a bit, glancing around at the room. It was extremely large and well furnished. It was everything you would expect from one of the leading giants of technological industries and yet there was something about it which was rather domestic in nature. It was rather like the typical Japanese home if placed through the eyes of someone who happened to have an immense amount of money behind them. Ami walked over and placed her hand against a small pad in the wall and as she did so, the lights slowly changed, bathing the room in comforting shadows. Oh yes, Mercurius thought to himself, and with a ton of technology incorporated in it as well.

“I think you will find this location suitable for our habitation” Ami said, adjusting her glasses, the light shining off the lenses.

“Our habitation?” Mercurius stumbled over his words a bit. She gave the slightest frown at that question.

“I assumed by your proposal earlier that you were prepared for this,” she said, annoyed. Mercurius smiled a little and scratched at his cheek, a bit embarrassed.

“Well yes of course, I guess I’m just a little surprised, that’s all.” Mercurius blinked as he felt the little hand holding his suddenly loosen. “Emi???”

The little girl had run towards one of the other rooms. Mercurius quickly followed after her, Ami slowly walking after the two, her eyes still hidden by the lighted glasses. Peeking into the room, he saw Emi marveling at what appeared to be a bedroom, decked out for a little girl such as herself, but with little touches that seemed specifically catered to her. There was a small shelf with a number of books, many that Mercurius recognized as being her favorites, as well as a chess set set up on a table in the corner. Emi herself seemed had quickly made it to the bed, sitting there and testing its bounciness. Mercurius paused and looked back at Ami, who adjusted her glasses. He could have sworn he saw the barest hint of a smile on her face.

“I would have thought you’d know by now, Mercurius. I am always prepared.”  

'''The Makeout'''

The lab was an utter ruins. Smoke poured forth from broken machinery. A robotic arm twitched. Amid the chaos, here were two figures. One, a man, lay prone on his back, bruised and scratched. The other, a woman, straddled his torso. She was staring down at him, her eyes wide, ignoring the call she had been waiting for all day. She was well aware of his extraterrestrial nature, but the same time scientifically speaking, the sheer amount of pressure... The amount of force...she looked back down to him. He was breathing hard.

"So," he said, smiling, "round two?"

She felt something wet in her eyes...an illogical response, but...she slowly began to grin a very wide grin.

Orlando Timberlake stared up at the ceiling from his bed. He glanced over to Mina, who was sound asleep, her arms draped around him. There was another loud THUD and a large crack splintered across the ceiling.

He really hated new neighbors.

'''The Make-Over'''

Mercurius stumbled back into a chair and immediately felt a pair of clamps wrap around his wrists. Before he could say anything else, he was plunged backwards, the top of his head drenched into a foul smelling liquid of some sort. He could just about see Ami looking down at him, her eyes narrowed and studying him.

“Is this really necessary!?” he tried to say, but the sound of whatever machinery was in the vat drowned him out. After what seemed to be an eternity, he was finally set right side up, the clamps suddenly removing themselves. He paused for a moment before getting to his feet and wandered over to a nearby mirror. He blinked, running his hands through his now green hair.

“Green? Really?” He glanced over, only to have a pair of glasses thrust onto his face.

“It’s necessary, Mercurius. You don’t simply want to be a copy, do you? Besides…” She looked at the man before her, his slightly scruffy green hair, his swirly square glasses. She grinned, trying not to get herself too excited. “It..completes you..”

“I don’t need glasses, though. I can see perfectly fine.” Ami walked over to Mercurius and reached over, tapping the side of the glasses. Instantly, he stumbled back a bit as a display appeared on the lenses in front of him.

“They are directly tied into the Mizunomic mainframe. Any information you wish to gain access to, is yours,” she said, rather proud of what she had accomplished.

“This is amazing!” Mercurius said as he watched information pass over his very eyes, “…What’s Project Legion?” Ami quickly reached over and tapped the glasses again, the data quickly vanishing.

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with. The glasses also have a built in psychic field controller. They will help keep your powers at a manageable level,” Ami said, Mercurius looking over at her with wide eyes, before smiling.

“I’d say this makes me a new man then?” he said, about to put his arms around her waist, but she simply stopped him before grabbing him by the collar and pulling him along.  
“We’ll see how much of a new man you are, then.”

'''The Experiment'''

This was so irritating, Shinobu Tanahashi thought to herself. She had only been hired recently for Mizunomics Corporation out of university, one of the most prestigious companies ever in the field of technology. She had a major in computer development and was the top of her class in almost everything she had put her thoughts to. So why, she thought to herself, was she now acting like a glorified errand girl? She had spent all morning trying to gather the necessary paperwork for the CEO of the company, something about the positions of the numerous satellites which they had helped to develop. They apparently were going to be used in some special project, something related to GingaTV, but whenever she asked for further information, she had been told to keep her mouth shut. Things were getting weird around here, especially ever since that one man had shown up at the building. There were all sorts of rumors about him, that he had been a robot in disguise, that he was a childhood friend of the boss, but most agreed that he was rather…impressive, to say the least. There had apparently been some sort of commotion in the board room on the first day that he had appeared. Still, that’s not why she was here. She tried to remember where she had been told her boss had been, one of the lower laboratories. It was known that she had her own private workshops which were for her use only. Most of the time they were off limits from the rest of the staff, but this assignment seemed important enough that she had been giving permission to interrupt her. It didn’t take her too long to find the door. She took a deep breath and gave the door a knock.

“Miss Mizuno? I have the data you want.” There was no answer. She gave another knock and called out once more. Still no answer. This was getting irritating, she had so much more that she had to do that day. She reached down and tried the door knob and much to her surprise, she found it to be unlocked. Without a second thought, she opened it and began to enter the room.

“Is this all that necessary?” Mercurius said, straddled to a large contraption, a strange silver helmet placed onto of his skull and hooked up through several cords to nearby computers.

“It’s vital to my work,” Ami said, not even looking up from her tablet.

“Do I really need to be naked, though?” Mercurius said, shivering just a little. “It’s really cold in here.”

“I told you it was important,” Ami replied, wiping the blood from her nose. “Now, let’s begin with-”

Ami stopped as the sound of papers falling broke her concentration. She glanced in the direction of it, Mercurius looking as well. Shinobu Tanahashi stood there for a moment before slowly backing away and closing the door once more.

She decided that day it might have been a good idea to take a vacation.

'''The Encounter'''

Mercurius walked along the ______’s lobby. He hadn’t had much time to see it and since Ami was busy with that large scale project of hers, and Emi was currently taking a nap, he thought it might as well be as good a time as any to take a look around. It was really something impressive. Apparently this was not simply their home, but also the location of Minako Aino’s place of work. There was the temptation to see it for himself, but after everything that had happened, he was more than a little careful when it came to the media. He was about to turn and move on when he suddenly bumped into a man who was on his way in the other direction.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Mercurius said, and then stopped. Orlando Timberlake looked back at Mercurius, the other sharing his gaze. They stood there, staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

They nodded before turning away and walking off without another word.

'''The Plan Part 1'''

“Look, I’d be more then happy if you came along,” Mercurius said, trying to adjust his tie. “I mean, my mother would love to see you! I mean my mother currently who was his mother but is also mine?” Mercurius stopped for a moment, trying to think this over.

“It is irrelevant, Mercurius,” Ami said, adjusting her glasses so the light glinted off them. “Your family asked you there, I am not needed for it.” Mercurius tried to hide his hurt expression. “Besides,” she continued, “I have work to do tonight. You should enjoy the time with your family.”

“I suppose. You’ll call me if something goes wrong with Emi?” Mercurius asked, glancing in the directly of Emi’s room.

“Yes, yes of course. The robots can handle it,” Ami said calmly, if a tad coldly.

“Oh well then, I be off!” Mercurius went to give Ami a kiss, but she simply raised a finger to his lips. He understood. While they were…quite active, there was an understanding of strict emotional control between them outside of the bedroom. It made him a little sad, but if it made her happy...

She watched as he left the building and then it wasn’t long before more people seemed to exit, till it was almost a flood of employees. They had been given the evening off. A small loss of profits were acceptable for what was to come. Leaving her personal quarters, she entered a small elevator and descended towards her destiny.

 '''The Plan Part 2'''

Ami looked over the multitude of screens in front of her, their glowing light illuminating the lenses of her glasses. She listened as the computer intoned the final countdown and grinned a wild grin to herself. It wouldn’t be long now. All the sweat and hard work over the many years, everything she toiled for was about to become a reality.   
“Ten Minutes until Debut,” the robotic voice said. She almost felt sorry about using Minako like this. However, when you had the tools, it was best not to waste them. The only thing holding her back from a mad laugh at that point was her own force of will. Still, she could indulge herself a little. After all, the world was about to be hers. She let herself go at that point.

“What’s going on?”

She stopped mid cackle. That was impossible! She had had all Mizonomic personal removed from the building. She had been told he had had a meeting with his parents. She turned around and looked directly at the very confused features of Mercurius.

“I thought you were at your parents,” Ami said, trying her best to control herself once more.

“I left early. What’s happening here? Where are all the staff?” he said, looking at the vast array of monitors around him.

“They are no longer needed at the moment,” she said coldly. “Since you are here, though, you may witness my final triumph.”

“Five minutes until Debut,” the robotic voice once again said.

“What are you doing?” Mercurius said with a voice of concern.

“I am about to make the Earth mine!” She knew it was foolish to give away her plan, but she couldn’t help herself. She had to gloat just a little. “Since the creation of this company, I have strived to put my technology on the shelves all over this globe, and why? Within each is a chip that when a specific signal is played, will override the will power of every consumer on the planet. I will have total control over them! They won’t just be working for me, THEY WILL BE ME!” She once again gave a mad giggle. “It just needs to bounce off a specific signal, such as the broadcast from a popular streaming site.” Mercurius followed Ami’s gaze towards a small monitor, where Minako Aino was quickly adjusting a headset in front of her laptop.

“You don’t have to do this…” Mercurius said in a pleading voice. Ami turned around, her angry face covered in shadow.

“DON’T I!? For YEARS I’ve been ignored! The WEAKEST Senshi! The poor little smart girl, left behind in the shadows, never given a second thought while everyone else gets the spotlight! Forced to babysit IDIOTS and MORONIC CHILDREN! Well no. more. Now I’m the one who will be in control!” She picked up a small remote like device. “And with a simple press of a button at the end of this countdown I will be, because after all…” she looked back at Mercurius, a wide grin on her face, “Mizunomics knows what’s best for the world!”

“Three minutes until Debut.” Ami turned to face the monitor again, her hands gripping the control. She chuckled, her eyes madly wide behind her glasses. She could half hear Mercurius behind her begging her to stop, but it didn’t matter. Soon even he would understand, they all would!

“Two minutes until Debut.”

“Ami.”

The voice seemed to cut through the sounds around her like a knife. She felt two hands move over hers on the remote, as someone moved behind her.

“Ami…”

Ami slowly looked behind her and found herself gazing at Mercurius. He had removed his glasses, his soft blue green eyes looking back at hers, a soft sad smile on his face. Her hands shook, but he kept them steady.
“Ami…let it go…” Ami could feel herself breathing a bit harder and then she slowly gazed towards one of the darkened monitors. For a moment, she thought she saw what appeared to be a shadow of herself, bathed in blue and purple, a dark parody before it seemed to dissipate, leaving herself only gazing at her own reflection.

“It’s alright,” he said softly, holding onto her hands gently. The coldness that Ami sometimes seemed to carry with her seemed to fade, a warmness coming back to her skin, he thought, but he didn’t stop holding her hands.

“Ten seconds to debut…ten…nine..eight..seven…six..five…four..three…two..o-”

A hand slammed down on the abort mechanism. All at once the monitors went dead and silence filled the room. Ami Mizuno breathed hard, her fist clenched against the button, sweat dripping down her face. Slowly she sank to her knees on the floor, utterly silent. Mercurius slowly walked over and without another word, knelt down and pulled her into a tight hug, the woman resting her face against his chest. There were no tears, no cries but she gripped onto his shirt with every bit of strength she could muster.

“MOH! WHY IS STREAMLABS DOWN AGAIN!? ORLANDOOOO DO SOMETHING!!!!” Minako whined, pressing every button she could think to try and get her computer running again.

Mercurius walked over to where Ami was sitting, a mug of tea in her hands.

“Emi’s finally asleep” he said, sitting next to her. “Thankfully she didn’t even notice what was going on.”

“I accept your proposal,” Ami said quietly. Mercurius blinked for a moment and glanced over to the woman.

“Pardon?” he said, trying to clumsy adjust his glasses. She pushed up her own glasses calmly.

“On behalf of the board of Mizunomics Corporation, I accept your proposal.” She bent up and gave Mercurius a quick kiss on the lips, causing his glasses to slightly steam up. Mercurius coughed a little. He wanted to say something, say anything at this point, but his mind was completely and utterly blank. Quite the thing for a psychic, he thought to himself. He said nothing, but turned back to look out across the city.

As Ami leaned up against him and his put his arm around her, they both watched as the Mizunomics Brand Robot rocket punched a gigantic kaiju into a nearby empty building.

[[Category:Matt Bjorkman]]

Ami X Mercurius: Promises

2022-04-22T02:22:15Z

Firefly 1824:

'''The Move-In'''

Mercurius blinked a bit, glancing around at the room. It was extremely large and well furnished. It was everything you would expect from one of the leading giants of technological industries and yet there was something about it which was rather domestic in nature. It was rather like the typical Japanese home if placed through the eyes of someone who happened to have an immense amount of money behind them. Ami walked over and placed her hand against a small pad in the wall and as she did so, the lights slowly changed, bathing the room in comforting shadows. Oh yes, Mercurius thought to himself, and with a ton of technology incorporated in it as well.

“I think you will find this location suitable for our habitation” Ami said, adjusting her glasses, the light shining off the lenses.

“Our habitation?” Mercurius stumbled over his words a bit. She gave the slightest frown at that question.

“I assumed by your proposal earlier that you were prepared for this,” she said, annoyed. Mercurius smiled a little and scratched at his cheek, a bit embarrassed.

“Well yes of course, I guess I’m just a little surprised, that’s all.” Mercurius blinked as he felt the little hand holding his suddenly loosen. “Emi???”

The little girl had run towards one of the other rooms. Mercurius quickly followed after her, Ami slowly walking after the two, her eyes still hidden by the lighted glasses. Peeking into the room, he saw Emi marveling at what appeared to be a bedroom, decked out for a little girl such as herself, but with little touches that seemed specifically catered to her. There was a small shelf with a number of books, many that Mercurius recognized as being her favorites, as well as a chess set set up on a table in the corner. Emi herself seemed had quickly made it to the bed, sitting there and testing its bounciness. Mercurius paused and looked back at Ami, who adjusted her glasses. He could have sworn he saw the barest hint of a smile on her face.

“I would have thought you’d know by now, Mercurius. I am always prepared.”  

'''The Makeout'''

The lab was an utter ruins. Smoke poured forth from broken machinery. A robotic arm twitched. Amid the chaos, here were two figures. One, a man, lay prone on his back, bruised and scratched. The other, a woman, straddled his torso. She was staring down at him, her eyes wide, ignoring the call she had been waiting for all day. She was well aware of his extraterrestrial nature, but the same time scientifically speaking, the sheer amount of pressure... The amount of force...she looked back down to him. He was breathing hard.

"So," he said, smiling, "round two?"

She felt something wet in her eyes...an illogical response, but...she slowly began to grin a very wide grin.

Orlando Timberlake stared up at the ceiling from his bed. He glanced over to Mina, who was sound asleep, her arms draped around him. There was another loud THUD and a large crack splintered across the ceiling.

He really hated new neighbors.

'''The Make-Over'''

Mercurius stumbled back into a chair and immediately felt a pair of clamps wrap around his wrists. Before he could say anything else, he was plunged backwards, the top of his head drenched into a foul smelling liquid of some sort. He could just about see Ami looking down at him, her eyes narrowed and studying him.

“Is this really necessary!?” he tried to say, but the sound of whatever machinery was in the vat drowned him out. After what seemed to be an eternity, he was finally set right side up, the clamps suddenly removing themselves. He paused for a moment before getting to his feet and wandered over to a nearby mirror. He blinked, running his hands through his now green hair.

“Green? Really?” He glanced over, only to have a pair of glasses thrust onto his face.

“It’s necessary, Mercurius. You don’t simply want to be a copy, do you? Besides…” She looked at the man before her, his slightly scruffy green hair, his swirly square glasses. She grinned, trying not to get herself too excited. “It..completes you..”

“I don’t need glasses, though. I can see perfectly fine.” Ami walked over to Mercurius and reached over, tapping the side of the glasses. Instantly, he stumbled back a bit as a display appeared on the lenses in front of him.

“They are directly tied into the Mizunomic mainframe. Any information you wish to gain access to, is yours,” she said, rather proud of what she had accomplished.

“This is amazing!” Mercurius said as he watched information pass over his very eyes, “…What’s Project Legion?” Ami quickly reached over and tapped the glasses again, the data quickly vanishing.

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with. The glasses also have a built in psychic field controller. They will help keep your powers at a manageable level,” Ami said, Mercurius looking over at her with wide eyes, before smiling.

“I’d say this makes me a new man then?” he said, about to put his arms around her waist, but she simply stopped him before grabbing him by the collar and pulling him along.  
“We’ll see how much of a new man you are, then.”

'''The Experiment'''

This was so irritating, Shinobu Tanahashi thought to herself. She had only been hired recently for Mizunomics Corporation out of university, one of the most prestigious companies ever in the field of technology. She had a major in computer development and was the top of her class in almost everything she had put her thoughts to. So why, she thought to herself, was she now acting like a glorified errand girl? She had spent all morning trying to gather the necessary paperwork for the CEO of the company, something about the positions of the numerous satellites which they had helped to develop. They apparently were going to be used in some special project, something related to GingaTV, but whenever she asked for further information, she had been told to keep her mouth shut. Things were getting weird around here, especially ever since that one man had shown up at the building. There were all sorts of rumors about him, that he had been a robot in disguise, that he was a childhood friend of the boss, but most agreed that he was rather…impressive, to say the least. There had apparently been some sort of commotion in the board room on the first day that he had appeared. Still, that’s not why she was here. She tried to remember where she had been told her boss had been, one of the lower laboratories. It was known that she had her own private workshops which were for her use only. Most of the time they were off limits from the rest of the staff, but this assignment seemed important enough that she had been giving permission to interrupt her. It didn’t take her too long to find the door. She took a deep breath and gave the door a knock.

“Miss Mizuno? I have the data you want.” There was no answer. She gave another knock and called out once more. Still no answer. This was getting irritating, she had so much more that she had to do that day. She reached down and tried the door knob and much to her surprise, she found it to be unlocked. Without a second thought, she opened it and began to enter the room.

“Is this all that necessary?” Mercurius said, straddled to a large contraption, a strange silver helmet placed onto of his skull and hooked up through several cords to nearby computers.

“It’s vital to my work,” Ami said, not even looking up from her tablet.

“Do I really need to be naked, though?” Mercurius said, shivering just a little. “It’s really cold in here.”

“I told you it was important,” Ami replied, wiping the blood from her nose. “Now, let’s begin with-”

Ami stopped as the sound of papers falling broke her concentration. She glanced in the direction of it, Mercurius looking as well. Shinobu Tanahashi stood there for a moment before slowly backing away and closing the door once more.

She decided that day it might have been a good idea to take a vacation.

'''The Encounter'''

Mercurius walked along the ______’s lobby. He hadn’t had much time to see it and since Ami was busy with that large scale project of hers, and Emi was currently taking a nap, he thought it might as well be as good a time as any to take a look around. It was really something impressive. Apparently this was not simply their home, but also the location of Minako Aino’s place of work. There was the temptation to see it for himself, but after everything that had happened, he was more than a little careful when it came to the media. He was about to turn and move on when he suddenly bumped into a man who was on his way in the other direction.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Mercurius said, and then stopped. Orlando Timberlake looked back at Mercurius, the other sharing his gaze. They stood there, staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

They nodded before turning away and walking off without another word.

'''The Plan Part 1'''

“Look, I’d be more then happy if you came along,” Mercurius said, trying to adjust his tie. “I mean, my mother would love to see you! I mean my mother currently who was his mother but is also mine?” Mercurius stopped for a moment, trying to think this over.

“It is irrelevant, Mercurius,” Ami said, adjusting her glasses so the light glinted off them. “Your family asked you there, I am not needed for it.” Mercurius tried to hide his hurt expression. “Besides,” she continued, “I have work to do tonight. You should enjoy the time with your family.”

“I suppose. You’ll call me if something goes wrong with Emi?” Mercurius asked, glancing in the directly of Emi’s room.

“Yes, yes of course. The robots can handle it,” Ami said calmly, if a tad coldly.

“Oh well then, I be off!” Mercurius went to give Ami a kiss, but she simply raised a finger to his lips. He understood. While they were…quite active, there was an understanding of strict emotional control between them outside of the bedroom. It made him a little sad, but if it made her happy...

She watched as he left the building and then it wasn’t long before more people seemed to exit, till it was almost a flood of employees. They had been given the evening off. A small loss of profits were acceptable for what was to come. Leaving her personal quarters, she entered a small elevator and descended towards her destiny.

 '''The Plan Part 2'''

Ami looked over the multitude of screens in front of her, their glowing light illuminating the lenses of her glasses. She listened as the computer intoned the final countdown and grinned a wild grin to herself. It wouldn’t be long now. All the sweat and hard work over the many years, everything she toiled for was about to become a reality.   
“Ten Minutes until Debut,” the robotic voice said. She almost felt sorry about using Minako like this. However, when you had the tools, it was best not to waste them. The only thing holding her back from a mad laugh at that point was her own force of will. Still, she could indulge herself a little. After all, the world was about to be hers. She let herself go at that point.

“What’s going on?”

She stopped mid cackle. That was impossible! She had had all Mizonomic personal removed from the building. She had been told he had had a meeting with his parents. She turned around and looked directly at the very confused features of Mercurius.

“I thought you were at your parents,” Ami said, trying her best to control herself once more.

“I left early. What’s happening here? Where are all the staff?” he said, looking at the vast array of monitors around him.

“They are no longer needed at the moment,” she said coldly. “Since you are here, though, you may witness my final triumph.”

“Five minutes until Debut,” the robotic voice once again said.

“What are you doing?” Mercurius said with a voice of concern.

“I am about to make the Earth mine!” She knew it was foolish to give away her plan, but she couldn’t help herself. She had to gloat just a little. “Since the creation of this company, I have strived to put my technology on the shelves all over this globe, and why? Within each is a chip that when a specific signal is played, will override the will power of every consumer on the planet. I will have total control over them! They won’t just be working for me, THEY WILL BE ME!” She once again gave a mad giggle. “It just needs to bounce off a specific signal, such as the broadcast from a popular streaming site.” Mercurius followed Ami’s gaze towards a small monitor, where Minako Aino was quickly adjusting a headset in front of her laptop.

“You don’t have to do this…” Mercurius said in a pleading voice. Ami turned around, her angry face covered in shadow.

“DON’T I!? For YEARS I’ve been ignored! The WEAKEST Senshi! The poor little smart girl, left behind in the shadows, never given a second thought while everyone else gets the spotlight! Forced to babysit IDIOTS and MORONIC CHILDREN! Well no. more. Now I’m the one who will be in control!” She picked up a small remote like device. “And with a simple press of a button at the end of this countdown I will be, because after all…” she looked back at Mercurius, a wide grin on her face, “Mizunomics knows what’s best for the world!”

“Three minutes until Debut.” Ami turned to face the monitor again, her hands gripping the control. She chuckled, her eyes madly wide behind her glasses. She could half hear Mercurius behind her begging her to stop, but it didn’t matter. Soon even he would understand, they all would!

“Two minutes until Debut.”

“Ami.”

The voice seemed to cut through the sounds around her like a knife. She felt two hands move over hers on the remote, as someone moved behind her.

“Ami…”

Ami slowly looked behind her and found herself gazing at Mercurius. He had removed his glasses, his soft blue green eyes looking back at hers, a soft sad smile on his face. Her hands shook, but he kept them steady.
“Ami…let it go…” Ami could feel herself breathing a bit harder and then she slowly gazed towards one of the darkened monitors. For a moment, she thought she saw what appeared to be a shadow of herself, bathed in blue and purple, a dark parody before it seemed to dissipate, leaving herself only gazing at her own reflection.

“It’s alright,” he said softly, holding onto her hands gently. The coldness that Ami sometimes seemed to carry with her seemed to fade, a warmness coming back to her skin, he thought, but he didn’t stop holding her hands.

“Ten seconds to debut…ten…nine..eight..seven…six..five…four..three…two..o-”

A hand slammed down on the abort mechanism. All at once the monitors went dead and silence filled the room. Ami Mizuno breathed hard, her fist clenched against the button, sweat dripping down her face. Slowly she sank to her knees on the floor, utterly silent. Mercurius slowly walked over and without another word, knelt down and pulled her into a tight hug, the woman resting her face against his chest. There were no tears, no cries but she gripped onto his shirt with every bit of strength she could muster.

“MOH! WHY IS STREAMLABS DOWN AGAIN!? ORLANDOOOO DO SOMETHING!!!!” Minako whined, pressing every button she could think to try and get her computer running again.

Mercurius walked over to where Ami was sitting, a mug of tea in her hands.

“Emi’s finally asleep” he said, sitting next to her. “Thankfully she didn’t even notice what was going on.”

“I accept your proposal,” Ami said quietly. Mercurius blinked for a moment and glanced over to the woman.

“Pardon?” he said, trying to clumsy adjust his glasses. She pushed up her own glasses calmly.

“On behalf of the board of Mizunomics Corporation, I accept your proposal.” She bent up and gave Mercurius a quick kiss on the lips, causing his glasses to slightly steam up. Mercurius coughed a little. He wanted to say something, say anything at this point, but his mind was completely and utterly blank. Quite the thing for a psychic, he thought to himself. He said nothing, but turned back to look out across the city.

As Ami leaned up against him and his put his arm around her, they both watched as the Mizunomics Brand Robot rocket punched a gigantic kaiju into a nearby empty building.

[[Catagory:UltraMatt]]

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T19:11:21Z

Firefly 1824: /* Examples */

This page contains a short--and hopefully enlightening guide--on when and how you should gain permission from Another Player when writing fanfic and other stories based on this or any other shared environment. If you're in doubt which category below applies, it is always best to talk to the player before writing or when realizing one of their characters is involved.

Also remember that if you've let us know you're writing it, we want to see the results!

=Mentions and Cameos=
Since these types of character uses often occur without much planning, it's a good idea to simply notify the player at the time of occurrence. While most players (at least at our site) may give blanket permissions for this type of thing, it's still always best to let them know. This appearance is a one-time deal, whether a short story or novel-length work.

==Template==
"Hey, I'm working on [this story] and your character [name] is mentioned/appears briefly. Are you comfortable with that?"

==Examples==
Mention: "Hey, did you get to ask Matsuo about that old bit of pottery you found at the dig?"

Brief Appearance: Matsuo shows up to examine the pottery. (1 paragraph through 1--2 pages.)

=Secondary Characters=
This is a character that appears throughout a story as a minor or supporting character. Do speak to the player, and give them an idea of what the story's about, and how their character fits in. See if they have any questions, concerns, or restrictions.

==Template==
"I'm writing [story] in which your character [name] appears a few times as a supporting character. The main plot is [plot], and your character fits in with [skill, friend group, etc.] Is this okay with you, and if so, do you have any questions about it?

==Examples==
Minor character: Matsuo is constantly spoken of or said to have been called/spoken to for information even if these scenes don't appear in the actual narrative. He may appear once or twice.

Support character: Matsuo examines the pottery, and in later scenes provides more information, participates in a short dig with the group, or is found to have gone off by himself after examining the pottery and now needs help or rescuing which will appear in the narrative.

=Major Characters in FanFic=
Your character and another player's character begin a romance, and you are writing the story, as well. Let the other player know you are doing this, and see if they have any concerns. If they're also into the project, they may have helpful ideas or even write some of it themselves.

This may also apply to group stories, where a particular group of characters embarks on a quest or adventure, and many players may become involved in the planning, writing, and giving of input.

Always discuss, up front, any changes to a player's character you may need for a specific story, or less visible parts of their personality will be explored.

==Best Practices==
With this type of writing, it is best to:

(a) Ask questions about what so-and-so will do when asked a specific question or in certain circumstances. This is especially helpful when you're not quite sure on IC/OOC yet. Large decisions especially should be made by both/all players for events happening out of play.

(b) Provide the other player(s) with the draft of each installment for their input before finalization. Do incorporate their ideas and directions, and any specific lines they give you for their character with minor editing if necessary.

=Works in a World You Created/Possible Publication=
Some of us have created our own worlds which we've brought into the box, and others have added characters to our worlds as they've joined the multiverse. In some cases, they may help shape sections of our canon and become part of it, enriching stories in a way we hadn't originally imagined. This can be a wonderful thing, but also requires great care if you want to make the leap from fanfic stories to canon.

Do not do this lightly, and be very careful that what you're doing is approved and any publication done legally.

==Steps to Take==
1. Once you've decided you want to include a character, and before writing a single word, have a conversation with that player. Make sure that they understand what your canon is, and what you intend to do with it. If there's even the remotest possibility of publication for ANY stories in the canon, you must say so. Be patient in answering any questions and providing information they may need to make the decision. Anything you may foresee in the character's nature which will change, also needs to be said now. Be clear about any changes that are dealbreakers for you or for the player--you don't want to get halfway through a story and then need to re-imagine your canon.

2. So, the player has given permission, and you've come to an understanding. You begin writing. Try to keep the player abreast of anything that you discover while writing: "Actually, I needed to make Guyver more dominant than you generally play him, because the story works much better. It shows up most in his relationship with Eiry as they get to know one another and what works for them as a couple. Here's an example." Stand up for what you're story needs, but also be sensitive to the player's direction.

3. Again, share things with the player or ask for help if needed. Provide sections for feedback, etc.

4. If it comes to publication, make sure you know what is legally required to publish using another's characters. Ensure that any needed permissions lines are given and include it in your acknowledgments. Give the player a chance to read the entire story before publication.

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T19:03:49Z

Firefly 1824: /* Steps to Take */

This page contains a short--and hopefully enlightening guide--on when and how you should gain permission from Another Player when writing fanfic and other stories based on this or any other shared environment. If you're in doubt which category below applies, it is always best to talk to the player before writing or when realizing one of their characters is involved.

Also remember that if you've let us know you're writing it, we want to see the results!

=Mentions and Cameos=
Since these types of character uses often occur without much planning, it's a good idea to simply notify the player at the time of occurrence. While most players (at least at our site) may give blanket permissions for this type of thing, it's still always best to let them know. This appearance is a one-time deal, whether a short story or novel-length work.

==Template==
"Hey, I'm working on [this story] and your character [name] is mentioned/appears briefly. Are you comfortable with that?"

==Examples==
Mention: "Hey, did you get to ask Matsuo about that old bit of pottery you found at the dig?"

Brief Appearance: Matsuo shows up to examine the pottery. (1 paragraph through 1--2 pages.)

=Secondary Characters=
This is a character that appears throughout a story as a minor or supporting character. Do speak to the player, and give them an idea of what the story's about, and how their character fits in. See if they have any questions, concerns, or restrictions.

==Template==
"I'm writing [story] in which your character [name] appears a few times as a supporting character. The main plot is [plot], and your character fits in with [skill, friend group, etc.] Is this okay with you, and if so, do you have any questions about it?

==Examples==
Minor support: Matsuo is constantly spoken of or said to have been called/spoken to for information even if these scenes don't appear in the actual narrative. He may appear once or twice.

Support: Matsuo examines the pottery, and in later scenes provides more information, participates in a short dig with the group, or is found to have gone off by himself after examining the pottery and now needs help or rescuing which will appear in the narrative.

=Major Characters in FanFic=
Your character and another player's character begin a romance, and you are writing the story, as well. Let the other player know you are doing this, and see if they have any concerns. If they're also into the project, they may have helpful ideas or even write some of it themselves.

This may also apply to group stories, where a particular group of characters embarks on a quest or adventure, and many players may become involved in the planning, writing, and giving of input.

Always discuss, up front, any changes to a player's character you may need for a specific story, or less visible parts of their personality will be explored.

==Best Practices==
With this type of writing, it is best to:

(a) Ask questions about what so-and-so will do when asked a specific question or in certain circumstances. This is especially helpful when you're not quite sure on IC/OOC yet. Large decisions especially should be made by both/all players for events happening out of play.

(b) Provide the other player(s) with the draft of each installment for their input before finalization. Do incorporate their ideas and directions, and any specific lines they give you for their character with minor editing if necessary.

=Works in a World You Created/Possible Publication=
Some of us have created our own worlds which we've brought into the box, and others have added characters to our worlds as they've joined the multiverse. In some cases, they may help shape sections of our canon and become part of it, enriching stories in a way we hadn't originally imagined. This can be a wonderful thing, but also requires great care if you want to make the leap from fanfic stories to canon.

Do not do this lightly, and be very careful that what you're doing is approved and any publication done legally.

==Steps to Take==
1. Once you've decided you want to include a character, and before writing a single word, have a conversation with that player. Make sure that they understand what your canon is, and what you intend to do with it. If there's even the remotest possibility of publication for ANY stories in the canon, you must say so. Be patient in answering any questions and providing information they may need to make the decision. Anything you may foresee in the character's nature which will change, also needs to be said now. Be clear about any changes that are dealbreakers for you or for the player--you don't want to get halfway through a story and then need to re-imagine your canon.

2. So, the player has given permission, and you've come to an understanding. You begin writing. Try to keep the player abreast of anything that you discover while writing: "Actually, I needed to make Guyver more dominant than you generally play him, because the story works much better. It shows up most in his relationship with Eiry as they get to know one another and what works for them as a couple. Here's an example." Stand up for what you're story needs, but also be sensitive to the player's direction.

3. Again, share things with the player or ask for help if needed. Provide sections for feedback, etc.

4. If it comes to publication, make sure you know what is legally required to publish using another's characters. Ensure that any needed permissions lines are given and include it in your acknowledgments. Give the player a chance to read the entire story before publication.

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T19:02:52Z

Firefly 1824: /* Steps to Take */

This page contains a short--and hopefully enlightening guide--on when and how you should gain permission from Another Player when writing fanfic and other stories based on this or any other shared environment. If you're in doubt which category below applies, it is always best to talk to the player before writing or when realizing one of their characters is involved.

Also remember that if you've let us know you're writing it, we want to see the results!

=Mentions and Cameos=
Since these types of character uses often occur without much planning, it's a good idea to simply notify the player at the time of occurrence. While most players (at least at our site) may give blanket permissions for this type of thing, it's still always best to let them know. This appearance is a one-time deal, whether a short story or novel-length work.

==Template==
"Hey, I'm working on [this story] and your character [name] is mentioned/appears briefly. Are you comfortable with that?"

==Examples==
Mention: "Hey, did you get to ask Matsuo about that old bit of pottery you found at the dig?"

Brief Appearance: Matsuo shows up to examine the pottery. (1 paragraph through 1--2 pages.)

=Secondary Characters=
This is a character that appears throughout a story as a minor or supporting character. Do speak to the player, and give them an idea of what the story's about, and how their character fits in. See if they have any questions, concerns, or restrictions.

==Template==
"I'm writing [story] in which your character [name] appears a few times as a supporting character. The main plot is [plot], and your character fits in with [skill, friend group, etc.] Is this okay with you, and if so, do you have any questions about it?

==Examples==
Minor support: Matsuo is constantly spoken of or said to have been called/spoken to for information even if these scenes don't appear in the actual narrative. He may appear once or twice.

Support: Matsuo examines the pottery, and in later scenes provides more information, participates in a short dig with the group, or is found to have gone off by himself after examining the pottery and now needs help or rescuing which will appear in the narrative.

=Major Characters in FanFic=
Your character and another player's character begin a romance, and you are writing the story, as well. Let the other player know you are doing this, and see if they have any concerns. If they're also into the project, they may have helpful ideas or even write some of it themselves.

This may also apply to group stories, where a particular group of characters embarks on a quest or adventure, and many players may become involved in the planning, writing, and giving of input.

Always discuss, up front, any changes to a player's character you may need for a specific story, or less visible parts of their personality will be explored.

==Best Practices==
With this type of writing, it is best to:

(a) Ask questions about what so-and-so will do when asked a specific question or in certain circumstances. This is especially helpful when you're not quite sure on IC/OOC yet. Large decisions especially should be made by both/all players for events happening out of play.

(b) Provide the other player(s) with the draft of each installment for their input before finalization. Do incorporate their ideas and directions, and any specific lines they give you for their character with minor editing if necessary.

=Works in a World You Created/Possible Publication=
Some of us have created our own worlds which we've brought into the box, and others have added characters to our worlds as they've joined the multiverse. In some cases, they may help shape sections of our canon and become part of it, enriching stories in a way we hadn't originally imagined. This can be a wonderful thing, but also requires great care if you want to make the leap from fanfic stories to canon.

Do not do this lightly, and be very careful that what you're doing is approved and any publication done legally.

==Steps to Take==
1. Once you've decided you want to include a character, and before writing a single word, have a conversation with that player. Make sure that they understand what your canon is, and what you intend to do with it. If there's even the remotest possibility of publication for ANY stories in the canon, you must say so. Be patient in answering any questions and providing information they may need to make the decision. Anything you may foresee in the character's nature which will change, also needs to be said now. Be clear about any changes that are dealbreakers for you or for the player--you don't want to get halfway through a story and then need to re-imagine your canon.

2. So, the player has given permission, and you've come to an understanding. You begin writing. Try to keep the player abreast of anything that you discover while writing: "Actually, I needed to make Guyver more dominant than you generally play him, because the story works much better. It shows up most in his relationship with Eiry as they get to know one another and what works for them as a couple. Here's an example." Stand up for what you're story needs, but also be sensitive to the player's direction.

3. Again, share things with the player or ask for help if needed. Provide sections for feedback, etc.

4. If it comes to publication, make sure you know what is legally required to publish using another's characters. Ensure that any needed permissions lines are given and include it in your acknowledgments.

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T18:54:02Z

Firefly 1824: /* Mentions and Cameos */

This page contains a short--and hopefully enlightening guide--on when and how you should gain permission from Another Player when writing fanfic and other stories based on this or any other shared environment. If you're in doubt which category below applies, it is always best to talk to the player before writing or when realizing one of their characters is involved.

Also remember that if you've let us know you're writing it, we want to see the results!

=Mentions and Cameos=
Since these types of character uses often occur without much planning, it's a good idea to simply notify the player at the time of occurrence. While most players (at least at our site) may give blanket permissions for this type of thing, it's still always best to let them know. This appearance is a one-time deal, whether a short story or novel-length work.

==Template==
"Hey, I'm working on [this story] and your character [name] is mentioned/appears briefly. Are you comfortable with that?"

==Examples==
Mention: "Hey, did you get to ask Matsuo about that old bit of pottery you found at the dig?"

Brief Appearance: Matsuo shows up to examine the pottery. (1 paragraph through 1--2 pages.)

=Secondary Characters=
This is a character that appears throughout a story as a minor or supporting character. Do speak to the player, and give them an idea of what the story's about, and how their character fits in. See if they have any questions, concerns, or restrictions.

==Template==
"I'm writing [story] in which your character [name] appears a few times as a supporting character. The main plot is [plot], and your character fits in with [skill, friend group, etc.] Is this okay with you, and if so, do you have any questions about it?

==Examples==
Minor support: Matsuo is constantly spoken of or said to have been called/spoken to for information even if these scenes don't appear in the actual narrative. He may appear once or twice.

Support: Matsuo examines the pottery, and in later scenes provides more information, participates in a short dig with the group, or is found to have gone off by himself after examining the pottery and now needs help or rescuing which will appear in the narrative.

=Major Characters in FanFic=
Your character and another player's character begin a romance, and you are writing the story, as well. Let the other player know you are doing this, and see if they have any concerns. If they're also into the project, they may have helpful ideas or even write some of it themselves.

This may also apply to group stories, where a particular group of characters embarks on a quest or adventure, and many players may become involved in the planning, writing, and giving of input.

Always discuss, up front, any changes to a player's character you may need for a specific story, or less visible parts of their personality will be explored.

==Best Practices==
With this type of writing, it is best to:

(a) Ask questions about what so-and-so will do when asked a specific question or in certain circumstances. This is especially helpful when you're not quite sure on IC/OOC yet. Large decisions especially should be made by both/all players for events happening out of play.

(b) Provide the other player(s) with the draft of each installment for their input before finalization. Do incorporate their ideas and directions, and any specific lines they give you for their character with minor editing if necessary.

=Works in a World You Created/Possible Publication=
Some of us have created our own worlds which we've brought into the box, and others have added characters to our worlds as they've joined the multiverse. In some cases, they may help shape sections of our canon and become part of it, enriching stories in a way we hadn't originally imagined. This can be a wonderful thing, but also requires great care if you want to make the leap from fanfic stories to canon.

Do not do this lightly, and be very careful that what you're doing is approved and any publication done legally.

==Steps to Take==
1. Once you've decided you want to include a character, and before writing a single word, have a conversation with that player. Make sure that they understand what your canon is, and what you intend to do with it. If there's even the remotest possibility of publication for ANY stories in the canon, you must say so. Be patient in answering any questions and providing information they may need to make the decision. Anything you may foresee in the character's nature which will change, also needs to be said now. Be clear about any changes that are dealbreakers for you or for the player--you don't want to get halfway through a story and then need to re-imagine your canon.

2. So, the player has given permission, and you've come to an understanding. You begin writing. Try to keep the player abreast of anything that you discover while writing: "Actually, I needed to make Guyver more dominant than you generally play him, because the story works much better. It shows up most in his intimate relationship with Eiry as they get to know one another and what works for them as a couple. Here's an example." Stand up for what you're story needs, but also be sensitive to the player's direction.

3. Again, share things with the player or ask for help if needed. Provide sections for feedback, etc.

4. If it comes to publication, make sure you know what is legally required to publish using another's characters. Ensure that any needed permissions lines are given and include it in your acknowledgments.

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T18:47:54Z

Firefly 1824:

This page contains a short--and hopefully enlightening guide--on when and how you should gain permission from Another Player when writing fanfic and other stories based on this or any other shared environment. If you're in doubt which category below applies, it is always best to talk to the player before writing or when realizing one of their characters is involved.

Also remember that if you've let us know you're writing it, we want to see the results!

=Mentions and Cameos=
Since these types of character uses often occur without much planning, it's a good idea to simply speak to the player at the time of occurrence. While most players (at least at our site) may give blanket permissions for this type of thing, it's still always best to let them know. This is a one-time deal, whether a short story or novel-length work.

==Template==
"Hey, I'm working on [this story] and your character [name] is mentioned/appears briefly. Are you comfortable with that?"

==Examples==
Mention: "Hey, did you get to ask Matsuo about that old bit of pottery you found at the dig?"

Brief Appearance: Matsuo shows up to examine the pottery. (1 paragraph through a few pages.)

=Secondary Characters=
This is a character that appears throughout a story as a minor or supporting character. Do speak to the player, and give them an idea of what the story's about, and how their character fits in. See if they have any questions, concerns, or restrictions.

==Template==
"I'm writing [story] in which your character [name] appears a few times as a supporting character. The main plot is [plot], and your character fits in with [skill, friend group, etc.] Is this okay with you, and if so, do you have any questions about it?

==Examples==
Minor support: Matsuo is constantly spoken of or said to have been called/spoken to for information even if these scenes don't appear in the actual narrative. He may appear once or twice.

Support: Matsuo examines the pottery, and in later scenes provides more information, participates in a short dig with the group, or is found to have gone off by himself after examining the pottery and now needs help or rescuing which will appear in the narrative.

=Major Characters in FanFic=
Your character and another player's character begin a romance, and you are writing the story, as well. Let the other player know you are doing this, and see if they have any concerns. If they're also into the project, they may have helpful ideas or even write some of it themselves.

This may also apply to group stories, where a particular group of characters embarks on a quest or adventure, and many players may become involved in the planning, writing, and giving of input.

Always discuss, up front, any changes to a player's character you may need for a specific story, or less visible parts of their personality will be explored.

==Best Practices==
With this type of writing, it is best to:

(a) Ask questions about what so-and-so will do when asked a specific question or in certain circumstances. This is especially helpful when you're not quite sure on IC/OOC yet. Large decisions especially should be made by both/all players for events happening out of play.

(b) Provide the other player(s) with the draft of each installment for their input before finalization. Do incorporate their ideas and directions, and any specific lines they give you for their character with minor editing if necessary.

=Works in a World You Created/Possible Publication=
Some of us have created our own worlds which we've brought into the box, and others have added characters to our worlds as they've joined the multiverse. In some cases, they may help shape sections of our canon and become part of it, enriching stories in a way we hadn't originally imagined. This can be a wonderful thing, but also requires great care if you want to make the leap from fanfic stories to canon.

Do not do this lightly, and be very careful that what you're doing is approved and any publication done legally.

==Steps to Take==
1. Once you've decided you want to include a character, and before writing a single word, have a conversation with that player. Make sure that they understand what your canon is, and what you intend to do with it. If there's even the remotest possibility of publication for ANY stories in the canon, you must say so. Be patient in answering any questions and providing information they may need to make the decision. Anything you may foresee in the character's nature which will change, also needs to be said now. Be clear about any changes that are dealbreakers for you or for the player--you don't want to get halfway through a story and then need to re-imagine your canon.

2. So, the player has given permission, and you've come to an understanding. You begin writing. Try to keep the player abreast of anything that you discover while writing: "Actually, I needed to make Guyver more dominant than you generally play him, because the story works much better. It shows up most in his intimate relationship with Eiry as they get to know one another and what works for them as a couple. Here's an example." Stand up for what you're story needs, but also be sensitive to the player's direction.

3. Again, share things with the player or ask for help if needed. Provide sections for feedback, etc.

4. If it comes to publication, make sure you know what is legally required to publish using another's characters. Ensure that any needed permissions lines are given and include it in your acknowledgments.

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T18:46:21Z

Firefly 1824: /* Works in a World You Created/Possible Publication */

This page contains a short--and hopefully enlightening guide--on when and how you should gain permission from Another Player when writing fanfic and other stories based on this or any other shared environment. If you're in doubt which category below applies, it is always best to talk to the player before writing or when realizing one of their characters is involved.

=Mentions and Cameos=
Since these types of character uses often occur without much planning, it's a good idea to simply speak to the player at the time of occurrence. While most players (at least at our site) may give blanket permissions for this type of thing, it's still always best to let them know. This is a one-time deal, whether a short story or novel-length work.

==Template==
"Hey, I'm working on [this story] and your character [name] is mentioned/appears briefly. Are you comfortable with that?"

==Examples==
Mention: "Hey, did you get to ask Matsuo about that old bit of pottery you found at the dig?"

Brief Appearance: Matsuo shows up to examine the pottery. (1 paragraph through a few pages.)

=Secondary Characters=
This is a character that appears throughout a story as a minor or supporting character. Do speak to the player, and give them an idea of what the story's about, and how their character fits in. See if they have any questions, concerns, or restrictions.

==Template==
"I'm writing [story] in which your character [name] appears a few times as a supporting character. The main plot is [plot], and your character fits in with [skill, friend group, etc.] Is this okay with you, and if so, do you have any questions about it?

==Examples==
Minor support: Matsuo is constantly spoken of or said to have been called/spoken to for information even if these scenes don't appear in the actual narrative. He may appear once or twice.

Support: Matsuo examines the pottery, and in later scenes provides more information, participates in a short dig with the group, or is found to have gone off by himself after examining the pottery and now needs help or rescuing which will appear in the narrative.

=Major Characters in FanFic=
Your character and another player's character begin a romance, and you are writing the story, as well. Let the other player know you are doing this, and see if they have any concerns. If they're also into the project, they may have helpful ideas or even write some of it themselves.

This may also apply to group stories, where a particular group of characters embarks on a quest or adventure, and many players may become involved in the planning, writing, and giving of input.

Always discuss, up front, any changes to a player's character you may need for a specific story, or less visible parts of their personality will be explored.

==Best Practices==
With this type of writing, it is best to:

(a) Ask questions about what so-and-so will do when asked a specific question or in certain circumstances. This is especially helpful when you're not quite sure on IC/OOC yet. Large decisions especially should be made by both/all players for events happening out of play.

(b) Provide the other player(s) with the draft of each installment for their input before finalization. Do incorporate their ideas and directions, and any specific lines they give you for their character with minor editing if necessary.

=Works in a World You Created/Possible Publication=
Some of us have created our own worlds which we've brought into the box, and others have added characters to our worlds as they've joined the multiverse. In some cases, they may help shape sections of our canon and become part of it, enriching stories in a way we hadn't originally imagined. This can be a wonderful thing, but also requires great care if you want to make the leap from fanfic stories to canon.

Do not do this lightly, and be very careful that what you're doing is approved and any publication done legally.

==Steps to Take==
1. Once you've decided you want to include a character, and before writing a single word, have a conversation with that player. Make sure that they understand what your canon is, and what you intend to do with it. If there's even the remotest possibility of publication for ANY stories in the canon, you must say so. Be patient in answering any questions and providing information they may need to make the decision. Anything you may foresee in the character's nature which will change, also needs to be said now. Be clear about any changes that are dealbreakers for you or for the player--you don't want to get halfway through a story and then need to re-imagine your canon.

2. So, the player has given permission, and you've come to an understanding. You begin writing. Try to keep the player abreast of anything that you discover while writing: "Actually, I needed to make Guyver more dominant than you generally play him, because the story works much better. It shows up most in his intimate relationship with Eiry as they get to know one another and what works for them as a couple. Here's an example." Stand up for what you're story needs, but also be sensitive to the player's direction.

3. Again, share things with the player or ask for help if needed. Provide sections for feedback, etc.

4. If it comes to publication, make sure you know what is legally required to publish using another's characters. Ensure that any needed permissions lines are given and include it in your acknowledgments.

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T18:45:40Z

Firefly 1824: /* Steps to Take */

This page contains a short--and hopefully enlightening guide--on when and how you should gain permission from Another Player when writing fanfic and other stories based on this or any other shared environment. If you're in doubt which category below applies, it is always best to talk to the player before writing or when realizing one of their characters is involved.

=Mentions and Cameos=
Since these types of character uses often occur without much planning, it's a good idea to simply speak to the player at the time of occurrence. While most players (at least at our site) may give blanket permissions for this type of thing, it's still always best to let them know. This is a one-time deal, whether a short story or novel-length work.

==Template==
"Hey, I'm working on [this story] and your character [name] is mentioned/appears briefly. Are you comfortable with that?"

==Examples==
Mention: "Hey, did you get to ask Matsuo about that old bit of pottery you found at the dig?"

Brief Appearance: Matsuo shows up to examine the pottery. (1 paragraph through a few pages.)

=Secondary Characters=
This is a character that appears throughout a story as a minor or supporting character. Do speak to the player, and give them an idea of what the story's about, and how their character fits in. See if they have any questions, concerns, or restrictions.

==Template==
"I'm writing [story] in which your character [name] appears a few times as a supporting character. The main plot is [plot], and your character fits in with [skill, friend group, etc.] Is this okay with you, and if so, do you have any questions about it?

==Examples==
Minor support: Matsuo is constantly spoken of or said to have been called/spoken to for information even if these scenes don't appear in the actual narrative. He may appear once or twice.

Support: Matsuo examines the pottery, and in later scenes provides more information, participates in a short dig with the group, or is found to have gone off by himself after examining the pottery and now needs help or rescuing which will appear in the narrative.

=Major Characters in FanFic=
Your character and another player's character begin a romance, and you are writing the story, as well. Let the other player know you are doing this, and see if they have any concerns. If they're also into the project, they may have helpful ideas or even write some of it themselves.

This may also apply to group stories, where a particular group of characters embarks on a quest or adventure, and many players may become involved in the planning, writing, and giving of input.

Always discuss, up front, any changes to a player's character you may need for a specific story, or less visible parts of their personality will be explored.

==Best Practices==
With this type of writing, it is best to:

(a) Ask questions about what so-and-so will do when asked a specific question or in certain circumstances. This is especially helpful when you're not quite sure on IC/OOC yet. Large decisions especially should be made by both/all players for events happening out of play.

(b) Provide the other player(s) with the draft of each installment for their input before finalization. Do incorporate their ideas and directions, and any specific lines they give you for their character with minor editing if necessary.

=Works in a World You Created/Possible Publication=
Some of us have created our own worlds which we've brought into the box, and others have added characters to our worlds as they've joined the multiverse. In some cases, they may help shape sections of our canon and become part of it, enriching stories in a way we hadn't originally imagined. This can be a wonderful thing, but also requires great care if you want to make the leap from fanfic stories to canon.

==Steps to Take==
1. Once you've decided you want to include a character, and before writing a single word, have a conversation with that player. Make sure that they understand what your canon is, and what you intend to do with it. If there's even the remotest possibility of publication for ANY stories in the canon, you must say so. Be patient in answering any questions and providing information they may need to make the decision. Anything you may foresee in the character's nature which will change, also needs to be said now. Be clear about any changes that are dealbreakers for you or for the player--you don't want to get halfway through a story and then need to re-imagine your canon.

2. So, the player has given permission, and you've come to an understanding. You begin writing. Try to keep the player abreast of anything that you discover while writing: "Actually, I needed to make Guyver more dominant than you generally play him, because the story works much better. It shows up most in his intimate relationship with Eiry as they get to know one another and what works for them as a couple. Here's an example." Stand up for what you're story needs, but also be sensitive to the player's direction.

3. Again, share things with the player or ask for help if needed. Provide sections for feedback, etc.

4. If it comes to publication, make sure you know what is legally required to publish using another's characters. Ensure that any needed permissions lines are given and include it in your acknowledgments.

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T18:42:16Z

Firefly 1824: /* Works in a World You Created/Possible Publication */

This page contains a short--and hopefully enlightening guide--on when and how you should gain permission from Another Player when writing fanfic and other stories based on this or any other shared environment. If you're in doubt which category below applies, it is always best to talk to the player before writing or when realizing one of their characters is involved.

=Mentions and Cameos=
Since these types of character uses often occur without much planning, it's a good idea to simply speak to the player at the time of occurrence. While most players (at least at our site) may give blanket permissions for this type of thing, it's still always best to let them know. This is a one-time deal, whether a short story or novel-length work.

==Template==
"Hey, I'm working on [this story] and your character [name] is mentioned/appears briefly. Are you comfortable with that?"

==Examples==
Mention: "Hey, did you get to ask Matsuo about that old bit of pottery you found at the dig?"

Brief Appearance: Matsuo shows up to examine the pottery. (1 paragraph through a few pages.)

=Secondary Characters=
This is a character that appears throughout a story as a minor or supporting character. Do speak to the player, and give them an idea of what the story's about, and how their character fits in. See if they have any questions, concerns, or restrictions.

==Template==
"I'm writing [story] in which your character [name] appears a few times as a supporting character. The main plot is [plot], and your character fits in with [skill, friend group, etc.] Is this okay with you, and if so, do you have any questions about it?

==Examples==
Minor support: Matsuo is constantly spoken of or said to have been called/spoken to for information even if these scenes don't appear in the actual narrative. He may appear once or twice.

Support: Matsuo examines the pottery, and in later scenes provides more information, participates in a short dig with the group, or is found to have gone off by himself after examining the pottery and now needs help or rescuing which will appear in the narrative.

=Major Characters in FanFic=
Your character and another player's character begin a romance, and you are writing the story, as well. Let the other player know you are doing this, and see if they have any concerns. If they're also into the project, they may have helpful ideas or even write some of it themselves.

This may also apply to group stories, where a particular group of characters embarks on a quest or adventure, and many players may become involved in the planning, writing, and giving of input.

Always discuss, up front, any changes to a player's character you may need for a specific story, or less visible parts of their personality will be explored.

==Best Practices==
With this type of writing, it is best to:

(a) Ask questions about what so-and-so will do when asked a specific question or in certain circumstances. This is especially helpful when you're not quite sure on IC/OOC yet. Large decisions especially should be made by both/all players for events happening out of play.

(b) Provide the other player(s) with the draft of each installment for their input before finalization. Do incorporate their ideas and directions, and any specific lines they give you for their character with minor editing if necessary.

=Works in a World You Created/Possible Publication=
Some of us have created our own worlds which we've brought into the box, and others have added characters to our worlds as they've joined the multiverse. In some cases, they may help shape sections of our canon and become part of it, enriching stories in a way we hadn't originally imagined. This can be a wonderful thing, but also requires great care if you want to make the leap from fanfic stories to canon.

==Steps to Take==
1. Once you've decided you want to include a character, and before writing a single word, have a conversation with that player. Make sure that they understand what your canon is, and what you intend to do with it. If there's even the remotest possibility of publication for ANY stories in the canon, you must say so. Be patient in answering any questions and providing information they may need to make the decision. Anything you may foresee in the character's nature which will change, also needs to be said now. Be clear about any changes that are dealbreakers for you or for the player--you don't want to get halfway through a story and then need to re-imagine your canon.

2. So, the player has given permission, and you've come to an understanding. You begin writing. Try to keep the player abreast of anything that you discover while writing: "Actually, I needed to make Guyver more dominant than you play him, because the story works much better. It is not obvious, and shows up most in his intimate relationship with Eiry as they get to know one another and what works for them as a couple. Here's an example." Stand up for what you're story needs, but also be sensitive to the player's direction.

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T18:27:56Z

Firefly 1824: /* Major Characters in FanFic */

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T18:24:17Z

Firefly 1824: /* Major Characters in FanFic */

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T18:12:54Z

Firefly 1824: /* Examples */

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T18:11:01Z

Firefly 1824: /* Secondary Characters */

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T18:02:35Z

Firefly 1824: /* Mentions and Cameos */

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T18:01:39Z

Firefly 1824: /* Mentions and Cameos */

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T17:54:33Z

Firefly 1824:

Character Permissions Guide

2016-12-06T17:48:32Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "This page contains a short--and hopefully enlightening guide--on when and how you should gain permission from Another Player when writing fanfic and other stories based on thi..."

This page contains a short--and hopefully enlightening guide--on when and how you should gain permission from Another Player when writing fanfic and other stories based on this or any other shared environment.

=Mentions and Cameos=

=Secondary Characters=

=Major Characters in FanFic=

=Works in a World You Created/Possible Publication=

Category:Firefly 1824

2015-01-12T19:06:33Z

Firefly 1824:

Works by me! In SS continuity. Works in other continuities (with some of the same characters) are available on my booksie site, http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly

[[category:Authors]]

Category:Firefly 1824

2015-01-12T19:05:40Z

Firefly 1824:

Works by me! In SS continuity. Works in other continuities (with some of the same characters) are available on my booksie site, http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly

[[category:Author]]

Rise: The Hunter Killers

2015-01-03T03:44:33Z

Firefly 1824:

{{Storybox
|title= Rise: The Hunter Killers
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2007
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= September, 2007
|synopsis= HK discovers a large and dangerous movement in the Hunter community, and a group comes together to combat it. But will they all make it?
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= Inspired by the song "Rise" from Ghost in the Shell. 14 short chapters. Hosted at http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

The story begins [http://www.booksie.com/thrillers/novel/zairafirefly/rise:-the-hunter-killers/chapter/1 here].

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

Matsuro Katsu: The Beginning

2015-01-01T17:08:47Z

Firefly 1824:

{{Storybox
|title= Matsuro Katsu: The Beginning
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= September 2008
|synopsis= A girl wakes up for the first time in a laboratory, not knowing what's going on.
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= Written for Wolfwood then this character was debuted.
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Bright light slowly penetrated awareness until it was dazzling painfully, thousands of pinpoint knives stabbing at her eyes. She could barely see the dark blob that appeared, nor did she connect the series of sounds with anything at all other than noise. There was a high screeching sound, and then blackness again.

There was light again, not as bright as before. It was there for a while, and although it as painful at first, later it didn't hurt anymore.

It is light, she thought, and half of her wanted to run as far from the light as possible. But the desire to go toward it was just as strong.

There were noises around her, but this time she could make some sense of them. Beeps mostly, and something more...human.

Then “Can you hear me?”

A dark spot in the light was over her, and the voice seemed to come from there. She realized she aught to respond, but her mouth opened and nothing intelligable came out.

“She's trying to speak, Doctor!”

“Good, good. That's very good.”

She tried again, and heard only a strangled gurgle.

“It's alright, we haven't programmed your speach production yet.”

But hse much have elequent speach!

She had to communicate how wrong this all was!

She tried to move a hand, and realized she couldn't move. Able only to turn her head, she saw wires everywhere.

It was all so wrong!

She wanted to demand things!

She wanted to destroy it all, or at least hit something!

No, she wanted to go back to the dark, and...and what?There was a burst of something, and she was able to get her hand around where the voice came from. Then there was screaming and movement and chaos, and then more blackness.

This time, the light didn't hurt, and she was in a chair. She opened her eyes and looked around. It was a bare, hite room, with a table in front of her and a shiney surface down one side. It made her feel strange, and prickly. There was a clicking sound and a girl in a lab coat, glasses, and odd hair appeared. She looked at her aprehensively, took a deep breath, and alked to the chair and sat down.

“Hello, Matsuro. Do you understand me.”

“..Y...es. Yes.”

“That's good. My name is Hakase Satomi.”

“Matsuro...that's my name?”

“Yes. Katsu Matsuro.”

She was uncomfortable. She could move her arms, but not her legs or torso.

“I can't move.”

“That's correct. There were...accidents the other times we woke you up. This way you or I won't get hurt.”

“I don't understand.”

“It's alright, we're not going to hurt you.”

Satomi straightened her glasses, a movement to the right caught Matsuro's eye. She turned her head and stared at the other Satomi on the wall. But there was also another girl there, with matted black hair and wide, strange eyes. She was starpped to a chair too. Then it occured to her that the shiney surface was mirrors. Mirrors were surfaces that reflected whatever was in front of them. So the girl in the mirror were just reflections, of Satomi...and her. She stared at her reflection, feeling uneasy.

“Matsuro. Matsuro!”

She looked at the real Satomi again, and tried to listen as she talked about something called UNIT, projects, and missions. But she could feel the mirror ith her skin, and eventually just stared at it fiercely, since she couldn't do anything else.

“Matsuro, do you understand what I said?”

Matsuro nodded absently, and Satomi sighed. She as beginning to doubt the success of this project as she watched the girl unvoluntarily clenching her fists and trying to stare down a mirror. Unless they could make crazy girl uncrazy enough to control her, this was going to go down the tubes, and fast. And right no, she wasn't staying the the room with crazy girl any longer.

Matsuro stared at the mirror, not realizing Satomi as gone at first. Then something moved around her, and the restraints were gone. She immediately jumped out of the chair, before it could hold her again, and stared at it for a while before returning to the mirror's pricking gaze. The mirror as bad. Being around it was not good.

Eventually, she felt a sold wall against her back, then sidled away until she reached the corner, and it wasn't as bad there. She slid down to the floor, and it couldn't see her any more. But it was still there, and hafter a while she just couldn't take it any more.

She didn't know hat was happening, btu there was rage and screaming and other loud sounds. Shattering and red. Then a very tall blond man pointing something at her, and blackness.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]]

Matsuro Katsu: The Beginning

2015-01-01T17:07:30Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Matsuro Katsu: The Beginnin |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2008 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= September 2008 |synopsis= A girl wakes..."

{{Storybox
|title= Matsuro Katsu: The Beginnin
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= September 2008
|synopsis= A girl wakes up for the first time in a laboratory, not knowing what's going on.
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= Written for Wolfwood then this character was debuted.
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Bright light slowly penetrated awareness until it was dazzling painfully, thousands of pinpoint knives stabbing at her eyes. She could barely see the dark blob that appeared, nor did she connect the series of sounds with anything at all other than noise. There was a high screeching sound, and then blackness again.

There was light again, not as bright as before. It was there for a while, and although it as painful at first, later it didn't hurt anymore.

It is light, she thought, and half of her wanted to run as far from the light as possible. But the desire to go toward it was just as strong.

There were noises around her, but this time she could make some sense of them. Beeps mostly, and something more...human.

Then “Can you hear me?”

A dark spot in the light was over her, and the voice seemed to come from there. She realized she aught to respond, but her mouth opened and nothing intelligable came out.

“She's trying to speak, Doctor!”

“Good, good. That's very good.”

She tried again, and heard only a strangled gurgle.

“It's alright, we haven't programmed your speach production yet.”

But hse much have elequent speach!

She had to communicate how wrong this all was!

She tried to move a hand, and realized she couldn't move. Able only to turn her head, she saw wires everywhere.

It was all so wrong!

She wanted to demand things!

She wanted to destroy it all, or at least hit something!

No, she wanted to go back to the dark, and...and what?There was a burst of something, and she was able to get her hand around where the voice came from. Then there was screaming and movement and chaos, and then more blackness.

This time, the light didn't hurt, and she was in a chair. She opened her eyes and looked around. It was a bare, hite room, with a table in front of her and a shiney surface down one side. It made her feel strange, and prickly. There was a clicking sound and a girl in a lab coat, glasses, and odd hair appeared. She looked at her aprehensively, took a deep breath, and alked to the chair and sat down.

“Hello, Matsuro. Do you understand me.”

“..Y...es. Yes.”

“That's good. My name is Hakase Satomi.”

“Matsuro...that's my name?”

“Yes. Katsu Matsuro.”

She was uncomfortable. She could move her arms, but not her legs or torso.

“I can't move.”

“That's correct. There were...accidents the other times we woke you up. This way you or I won't get hurt.”

“I don't understand.”

“It's alright, we're not going to hurt you.”

Satomi straightened her glasses, a movement to the right caught Matsuro's eye. She turned her head and stared at the other Satomi on the wall. But there was also another girl there, with matted black hair and wide, strange eyes. She was starpped to a chair too. Then it occured to her that the shiney surface was mirrors. Mirrors were surfaces that reflected whatever was in front of them. So the girl in the mirror were just reflections, of Satomi...and her. She stared at her reflection, feeling uneasy.

“Matsuro. Matsuro!”

She looked at the real Satomi again, and tried to listen as she talked about something called UNIT, projects, and missions. But she could feel the mirror ith her skin, and eventually just stared at it fiercely, since she couldn't do anything else.

“Matsuro, do you understand what I said?”

Matsuro nodded absently, and Satomi sighed. She as beginning to doubt the success of this project as she watched the girl unvoluntarily clenching her fists and trying to stare down a mirror. Unless they could make crazy girl uncrazy enough to control her, this was going to go down the tubes, and fast. And right no, she wasn't staying the the room with crazy girl any longer.

Matsuro stared at the mirror, not realizing Satomi as gone at first. Then something moved around her, and the restraints were gone. She immediately jumped out of the chair, before it could hold her again, and stared at it for a while before returning to the mirror's pricking gaze. The mirror as bad. Being around it was not good.

Eventually, she felt a sold wall against her back, then sidled away until she reached the corner, and it wasn't as bad there. She slid down to the floor, and it couldn't see her any more. But it was still there, and hafter a while she just couldn't take it any more.

She didn't know hat was happening, btu there was rage and screaming and other loud sounds. Shattering and red. Then a very tall blond man pointing something at her, and blackness.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]]

Rise: The Hunter Killers

2015-01-01T16:13:08Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Rise: The Hunter Killers |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2007 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= September, 2007 |synopsis= HK discovers a..."

{{Storybox
|title= Rise: The Hunter Killers
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2007
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= September, 2007
|synopsis= HK discovers a large and dangerous movement in the Hunter community, and a group comes together to combat it. But will they all make it?
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= Inspired by the song "Rise" from Ghost in the Shell. Hosted at http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

The story begins [http://www.booksie.com/thrillers/novel/zairafirefly/rise:-the-hunter-killers/chapter/1 here].

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

Rachel and Eiry

2015-01-01T15:56:51Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Rachel and Eiry |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2007 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= June 22, 2007 |synopsis= Rachel checks up on Eiry..."

{{Storybox
|title= Rachel and Eiry
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2007
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= June 22, 2007
|synopsis= Rachel checks up on Eiry after a traumatic event.
|rating= PG
|additionalnotes=
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Eiry was in her room, or rather, her and Tally's room. He'd made her take the day off, and right now she was sure he'd been right. She'd tried reading, surfing the Internet, writing things down, even watching TV, and hadn't been able to concentrate on any of it. Tally had held her most of the night, but she hadn't slept much. There were too many thoughts running around in her head. His face—the scars. The poor souls who had made them. What had she done to him? What was she? Who was she? Immortal, but...how was that possible?

''I need you,'' she sent the feeling to Sali.

''You're alright?''

''Yeah. Just...''

''Me too. When this is over. Sleep now.''

She was lying on the bed, curled loosely, the sheet and cover at the foot of the bed. The shades were drawn, but the room had a hazy light. The minutes on the clock went by so slowly.

This time the contact was gentle as the large astral brushed hers. ''Can I come?'' It was inquisitive, soft, and completely different than last night.

''Yes.''

I used the time key to my usual spot, and entered the shop. A schoolgirl was behind the counter.

“How can I help you, Ma'am?”

“I'd like to speak to Tally, please.”

“I'm sorry, he's in the back working at the moment.”

“I know he is. I'm Rachel. He'll know who I am.”

The girl went back, and the short, thin, spry man was out in a hurry.

“You're Rachel?”

I nodded. “Was Raihosha here this morning?”

“Earlier than usual. But I made her take the day off.”

“And he left a nice long message?”

“Something like that.”

He pulled me aside for a minute. “Why would a Hunter rush into a room full of armed people like that?”

“Most Hunters aren’t aware of other off-worlders as such. They rely on fear; you know this.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“You’re smart, you figure it out.”

“Don’t use her!”

“Believe me, I know how far is too far. It’s hard to find fighting space in Tokyo. All I did was give him a push in the door. And I kept her safe.”

“Thank you for that. She means a lot to me.”

I gave him a look. “Believe me, I know. She’s expecting me.”

The door opened and closed softly, and Eiry sat up. The two women looked at each other for a while, not sure what to say. Rachel started.

“I was hoping we’d never really have to meet, and we keep being thrown together.”

“It complicates things for you, doesn’t it?”

She nodded. “There a lot of things about me or that I know that you can't know. That if you knew, you could
never tell anyone until a long time from now.”

“You are immortal.”

“Yes.”

“But you’re not…”

“No.”

“What happened last night, after you put me in there?”

“I took him out to the ravine, we fought, and I killed him.”

“How? What did you do to him?”

“He had the audacity to ask me if I was any good without a gun. It only took a few minutes to break him. He was changed.”

“What?”

“He hid it well, like you do. It’s probably also why he was able to get up so quickly after Raihosha jabbed him with that magic cane of his. I know of one other like that, and he’s quite dead, as well.”

“But how can that happen?”

“It’s only blood. If you bleed enough on open wounds…” she stopped. “But it seems like they were trying to use our own abilities to Hunt us.”

“I don’t imagine that went as planned.”

“No.”

“What happens then, on…”

“It’s about the will. You control your body, not the other way around. But even if you can do it, it hurts like hell.” She had a strange, delighted smile on her face with that, and Eiry looked away. Holding the change like that was a horrible thought.

“I said you could come because you were different than before. More…”

“Human?”

Eiry nodded.

“I’m not being Hunter Killer right now. Hunting does things to you. Sometimes I need to feel human again.”

“So do I.”

Rachel walked across the room to the bed now, and sat beside Eiry. “What are we going to do?”

“You’re asking me?”

She shrugged. “Why not?”

They were silent for a minute, and then Eiry saw his face again, and the wondering came back.

“Here,” Rachel handed her a thick little book. “His journal. Read it if you like. It may help you to understand. You did a good job, though. You didn't look nearly as scared as you actually were.”

“I trusted you when you said you were coming.”

“You can always trust me, no matter what. Even when others tell you otherwise.”

“I know that. I don’t know why.”

“I’m here to protect our people. Besides, it's always easier to trust one of us.”

“Thank you. I know no one knows about it. So I suppose I’m lucky.”

“It’s different than that, though. You feel...doubt, confusion. Why aren’t I dead? Who else is he killing?”
Eiry looked at her. “You were Hunted?” She nodded. “But you're immortal.”

“I wasn't always.”

Eiry stared at her, and there was silence again.

“Are you lonely here?” Rachel asked.

“Not usually. But I know I’m alone, in that sense. There are some others, in the country, but we don’t really know each other.”

“I know you don’t know me well, but I know you. Maybe that will change before I leave.”

“Leave?”

“I can’t be here forever. You’ll have to watch out for yourself, then.”

“That’s true.” She paused. “When will I be able to go home?”

“Not for a while. I took care of the other one, so your family is safe. But I have other things to finish before you can go. You’re very good at acting Terran, and the problem wasn't with you.”

“Sali’s not that good at it”

“Not really. Give her some more instruction when you’re home.”

“How much do you know about me?”

“Probably more than you want me to.”

“Well there’s no one else here, is there? Just us.”

“Yeah.”

“You must have people to miss, too.”

“Marti, especially. And because I’m here, Eva. Sometimes you remind me of her.”

“Who are they? Your family?”

“Tally is your Marti. Just not as deep.”

“Neither of us are Touched. But that I understand!” This broke the last tension between them, and they smiled at each other.

“Our idea of soul mates isn't always easy for non-Lupa.”

“I know. And Eva?”

“A long time ago, she was my blood sister. Your hair is very close to the color of a coat she had,” she said, fingering a lock of Eiry’s hair. Even between themselves, they didn't name it.

“I miss Sali. I miss running with her, and her smell, all of us sleeping in a big pile...” Eiry said, a sad feeling of longing coming over her.

“Come run with me next week,” Rachel said, startling even herself.

“And your mate?”

“Jax went Home for Gathering. He won’t be back until after that. For now, as one of us, we can be acceptance for each other.”

“That would be wonderful.”

Eiry put her arms around Rachel, hugging her, and after a few startled moments she returned it. Eiry relaxed into that comfort, and Rachel looked down at her. Eiry was crying.

“Didn’t you do that yet?” She shook her head, and so Rachel held her while she cried. I really have grown fond of her. But deep down, we’re both thinking of someone else. I wonder what will happen with us. And yet, it seems
to work.

Although she was comforting someone else, Rachel could feel herself beginning to soften, and the precarious balance starting so slip back in the right direction. After a while she even liked holding Eiry. Just as women, which was different than Marti. The way she and Eva used to hold each other when something went wrong. This wouldn't last, but it was making a difference to both of them now.

When she was done crying, Eiry found herself thinking of Rai. She needed a better name for him, rather than calling him “visitor” all the time. Ostensibly, the Lupa were just visitors here, too. She knew she hadn't been all there when he'd held her last night, but her memory of it was warm and she could faintly remember his smell and the beat of his heart. And she hadn't even thanked him!

“What's wrong?”

“Rai. I must have missed him this morning. And I'm afraid I wasn't myself last night.”

“He knows that. He also left you a message downstairs.”

“You're not going to tell me not to get involved with someone who's not one of us?”

“No. Is that what your family thinks?”

“Sali's the only one who really knows, and she just keeps telling me to be careful. It's not like I'm looking to rush into anything. And it may just be a passing fancy for him.”

“Just because one is long lived doesn't make your relationships any less meaningful.”

“And then what? Even if that's the case, and everything went perfectly, and I know it's a long shot from any
point of view....This is why we don't do this. There's so much to go wrong. We always end up thinking so far ahead and I don't want too.”

“Have you ever been in love?”

“Not seriously.”

“Then I'm going to say some things, in case you ever need them. They may not apply now, or ever. But it's what I know, and I may never have the chance to say them to you again.”

Eiry nodded.

“In the long run, all that peripheral stuff doesn't matter. But one thing I've learned; love saves. In any relationship, at some point you'll either realize that you love someone, or you don't and likely never will. If your heart wants to love him, then love him. If it doesn't, then you at least have a friend. You're still not far from the beginning of life, and this possible relationship. So whatever happens, whatever you do, follow
your heart, and the Law. And no matter what, protect our people. Raihosha's hardly the type to become a Hunter, he's seen too many worlds and too many different types of creatures. But no matter how close you may become with him, never take him Home without permission. That kind of information doesn't need to be known.”

“How much does Rai know about us?”

“Some, but not a ton. Enough to have a decent understanding about Hunters, anyway. To trust me, and you. Or you could just ask him.”

“If I could do it without inviting other questions? You knew my name, and Sali's. Do you know his?”

“No. When you don't have a name, it doesn't work that way.” Rachel got up and peeked outside, a wry little smile playing on her face. “I should go. Call if you need me.”

“With what?”

Rachel walked to the door and turned. “Sleep.” Eiry received the barest whisper of a name before the sleep impression went into effect.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

Category:Firefly 1824

2015-01-01T15:45:28Z

Firefly 1824:

Works by me! In SS continuity. Works in other continuities (with some of the same characters) are available on my booksie site, http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly

[[category:Authors]]

Uranept Wedding Fic

2015-01-01T15:43:04Z

Firefly 1824:

<HTML>

Haruka cursed as the phone rang yet again. Why, oh why, did it have to be raining? If only she could get away and *do* something. Like spar with Jed in the park down the street. But he was busy being a ‘lawyer,’ as he called it. She sighed.
<br />
“Moshimoshi, Tenou residence,” she droned, barely listening to the babbling voice on the other end of the line.
<br />
“Tenou-san, I can’t…blah blah blah...”
<br />
Haruka was thinking about the next night’s RAW and her bet with Mo.
<br />
“I quit!”
<br />

“Huh what? Shacho-san?”
<br />
“Are you listening, Tenou-san?”
<br />
“Uh...”
<br />
“I quit! I can’t do this any more! That woman! She’s insane! She hires me to plan her wedding and then goes and does it herself! She shows up everywhere I go, 100 phone calls a day! I haven’t slept in days!”
<br />
The man was raving, and Haruka began to think. Normally she wouldn’t care, but this was her and Michi’s wedding, and she wasn’t letting anything get in the way of the woman she loved. Michi...she’d had her dream wedding planned since childhood. And even after being so adamant against it, Haruka really did care.
<br />
“Listen, Shacho-san,” she said, taking a deep breath and praying everything would work out. “It’s only two more weeks, right? Just do everything exactly as she says. If nothing goes wrong at the wedding, you’ll get a huge bonus.

<br />
“I don’t care! I won’t stand for it,” he said. “She hates me, she hates everything I do. Nothing’s ever good enough.”
<br />
“Yeah, she’s like that. And you’re a man. Besides, don’t you have a partner?”
<br />
“Hai, hai, but...”
<br />
“But what?”
<br />
“She’s a bit...hen, da yo?”
<br />
"What way?” Haruka snapped in a quick pang of jealousy.

<br />
“Well, you see, her daughter disappeared a few years back. She never got to throw the big wedding she was planning, so now she does it for other people.”
<br />
“I see.” Haruka thought a minute. “Let her do it, then. She’ll be as picky as Michi, it might work.”
<br />
“Oh, thank you, Tenou-san, thank you! Oh, Kaiou-san, how nice to see you! Unfortunately, I have an emergency...” he went on before remembering to turn off the phone. That had been close. Now she just hoped it would all work out in the end.
<br />

<br />
No one heard of saw much of Michiru over the next few weeks, except for to give each person their orders for attending the affair. Hotaru would act as maid of honor and witness. Everyone else was resigned to the ‘lower’ guest section, at which they might attend the party, even if they wouldn’t be seeing much of bride and groom. Everyone was expect to dress in appropriate attire (meaning nothing less than the best) and at no instance draw attention to themselves. The spore was allowed to attend only because she was royalty, and under the condition she was attached to rei.bot the entire time. Sakura and Setsuna were also allowed to attend, assuming they chose to show up for the occasion. Haruka herself was given an exact time table of everything she was supposed to be doing, and told transportation would be provided. She couldn’t even drive to her own wedding and look damn cool getting out of her current snazzy, blue Ferrari. The only time she saw Michi for more than five minutes was when she was measured for whatever she was going to be wearing.
<br />
And so the day before came, and at promptly 4 o’clock a limo pulled up outside and the driver came to the door with suit and another garment in hand, and Haruka was told to be ready in precisely 17 minutes.

<br />
“So you’re going to drive me around to all this stuff?”
<br />
“Yes, sir,” he said, and she stalked off to do what she was told.
<br />

<br />
“Haruka-papa, what are you doing?” Hotaru squeaked out as her ‘papa’ began to strip in her room.
<br />
“Well, my room’s filthy, you know. Michi’d have a fit if I even went in there today.”
<br />
“But you could have at least warned us,” Artemis said, crawling back out from under the bed.

<br />
“What are you doing up here, anyway?”
<br />
“Working on the divorce,” Hotaru said, holding up a book entitled Defense against the Cheating Wife.
<br />
“Hm...Armani,” Haruka said, examining the label in her suit.
<br />
“For just the rehearsal?”
<br />
“No wonder she spent all our money. Eh, at least I get the benefits. Here’s yours.”
<br />
Haruka handed her a long purple dress, size small. Hotaru stared at the dress as if it would bite her. But in the end she gingerly picked up the dress and retreated to the bathroom to change in privacy.

<br />
Artemis looked Haruka over when she was dressed. “Get Hotaru to fix your tie.”
<br />
Hotaru, meanwhile, was getting a crash course in high-end fashion. She’d been secretly hoping Michiru-mama would have forgotten her, but refusing to ‘cooperate’ would be even worse. The gown had semi cap/around the shoulder sleeves, a mostly straight neckline, and—were those padded cups? She blanched in horror, and there was a muffled snicker behind her. She dropped the dress and crossed her arms over her shift, but Haruka-papa walked right in anyway.
<br />
“You may as well get it over with,” she said, holding up the dress.
<br />
“If this is the rehearsal dress, what could she possible have found for tomorrow?”
<br />
Haruka just shook her head and turned to Hotaru slip out of her shift and into the dress. There were some sounds of struggle, and Haruka turned to see yards of fabric draped about the girl’s shoulders.
<br />
“Some help?”

<br />
The fabric bobbed up and down in answer, and Haruka pulled down the inner layer, almost laughing in the way the sown-in cups shaped Hotaru’s slight bosom.
<br />
“Don’t you dare,” Hotaru warned, and Haruka did her best not to as the rest of the gown slid into place. As for the rest of the gown, it had an empire waste and a border of dark silver embroidered flowers around the hem. (Imagine this in purple and flowers around the hem, and a little heavier fabric. Maybe eventually I’ll actually design it. <a href="http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/hotarurehersal.jpg" target="_blank" class="postlink">http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/hotarurehersal.jpg</a>).
<br />
“A regency dress,” Hotaru said, looking in the mirror. The only problem—not only was the fabric a bit light for her tastes, it was scandalously low. But under Haruka’s gaze, she mustered a smile and tried to project an air of confidence. Then she noticed something.
<br />
“Haruka-papa...what happened to your...uh...” words failed her, and she just pointed to Haruka’s chest.
<br />
“Oh, uh...it’s bound.” Haruka had turned a very dark shade of red.

<br />
“Michiru had to get a priest to agree to marry you, didn’t she?”
<br />
“Uh, yeah. Something like that.”
<br />
“So she’s playing you as a man.”
<br />
“Yes, but only because no one would marry us otherwise, and you know it is...” Haruka looked down, then picked up another small bag. Hotaru pulled out little kitten-heeled slippers that matched the dress.
<br />
“I suppose these are kind of cute.”
<br />
“Well, time to go, kiddo,” Haruka said, opening the door for Hotaru to pass.

<br />

<br />
Although no one had said a word, everyone had gathered to watch them leave. Everyone seemed to be staring at Hotaru, except Tomoe, who was beaming and giggling uncontrollably at his daughter’s busty appearance.
<br />
A finger poked the side of her breast, and she slapped it away, glaring at Minako.
<br />
“They’re fake,” she announced, matter of factly.
<br />
“Of course they’re fake, did you think they grew since lunch time?”
<br />
“Hay, ohw kum si gatts to og?” the spore popped up, irate.

<br />
“Because she is Haruka and Michiru’s adopted daughter,” Dr. X said, effortlessly restraining his wife from exploring Hotaru’s ‘breasts’ more thoroughly.
<br />
“It’s only proper,” Jedite sneared, stalking down to his sub-basement apartments. Haruka headed out to the car.
<br />

<br />
“Haruka-papa?” Hotaru asked once they were on their way, “Do you even know what church you’re getting married in?”
<br />
“Uh...” A huge sweat drop appeared on Haruka’s forehead.
<br />
“You don’t know much more than any of us, I suppose.”

<br />
“Nope. I’m as in the dark as the Prof. down there in his lab.”
<br />

<br />
Yet both of them were shocked when the car pulled up in front of St. Mary’s Cathedral. Haruka gulped several times, and Hotaru a deep breath before stepping out onto the pavement, and both of them knew there’d be a great white carpet up this walk tomorrow. People walking on the streets stopped to look at the two of them in their finery as they walked up the path toward the entrance. A short man in a sharp black suit with a decked out and simpering woman hanging on his arm were just going through the doors, paying them only a glance before disappearing inside.
<br />
“Who was that?” Hotaru asked.
<br />
“Michi’s father and mother.”
<br />
“But I thought they were estranged...”

<br />
“Keeping up appearances, ‘taru. Where’d you think she got it from?”
<br />
“Sh,” Hotaru cautioned as they entered the Cathedral.
<br />
Sure enough, mother and father were greeting their daughter most formally and politely in the annex. Michiru was wearing a simple, sleek dress, and Haruka just looked at her a minute before turning to see everyone else in the room (<a href="http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/michirurehersal.jpg" target="_blank" class="postlink">http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/michirurehersal.jpg</a>). Next to them was the priest, and in another corner an alter boy, an unknown man in a suit, and a woman with her back turned. The woman was in deep conversation with the unknown man, going over some kind of list.
<br />
“Tsukino-san?”
<br />
“Eh? Ah, Tenou-san, Tomoe-san. A moment.” She finished her conversation, then came over to them.

<br />
“Tsukino-san, what are you doing here?”
<br />
“You made me her wedding planner, what do you think I’m doing here?”
<br />
“You mean you were Shacho-san’s partner? I had no idea!”
<br />
“Well, I have to thank you, Tenou-san. This wedding’s going to make me famous, and then I’ll be able to ditch that impossible man!” she said, very happy.
<br />
“Haruka-kun,” Michiru crooned, drawing the two of them over toward her parents. Haruka quite distinctly felt both parents looking at her like a bug under a microscope, while Hotaru felt a deep pitying when they looked at her with their hard eyes. But Haruka made it extremely clear they were to be as polite as possible, and everyone was relieved when Tsukino-san called them all together.
<br />
“Now, we’re about to start. You stand exactly at this spot, Tenou-san,” she pointed at a little X on a map of the sanctuary. “And then the mother of the bride will be escorted down...” she said, going on about the proper way to walk and hold a bouquet. Before they knew it they were whisked away to their starting places to begin rehearsing, Haruka standing perfectly and handsomely on the spot marked out.

<br />
<span style="font-style: italic">Blasted perfection field</span>, Hotaru through as the rehearsal began.
<br />

<br />
The remainder of time was a blur, eating, drinking, little sleep, and more of Michiru’s relations, and her own distant relations, than Haruka cared to remember. And suddenly she was thrust back into the magnificent church with the shock of a flaming red Hotaru walking down the isle between pews and pews of people in what was literally a corset and full skirt. (This corset in purple with black embroidery and the same skirt <a href="http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/hotaruwedding2.jpg" target="_blank" class="postlink">http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/hotaruwedding2.jpg</a>). The swelling reverberations of the famous organ transformed into the wedding march, and Haruka’s heart stopped as Michiru appeared in all her elegant splendor.
<br />
At opposite sides of a large crystal ballroom, a large crowd of royals and nobles separated them, Michiru in her court dress for presentation to the great Serenity (<a href="http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/michiruwedding.jpg" target="_blank" class="postlink">http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/michiruwedding.jpg</a>). The one immediate glance had joined them for eternity. But they knew would never meet again in that life, communicating only in radio transmissions between lonely castles.
<br />

Haruka took Michiru’s hand, holding it tightly. This time they had a thousand lifetimes waiting for them.
<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />
And if you’ve read all the way through, here’s the table settings at the reception, as well. <a href="http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/img3_big.jpg." target="_blank">http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/img3_big.jpg.</a>
<br />

<br />
And in appreciation for Dr. X, who runs this stuff so we can have fun, some dresses for Minako-chan .
<br />
<a href="http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/venusforx2.jpg" target="_blank">http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/venusforx2.jpg</a>
<br />
<a href="http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/venusforx.jpg" target="_blank">http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/zairafirefly/venusforx.jpg</a>
<br />

<br />
Last but not least, for information on the St. Mary’s pipe organ, go here: <a href="http://www.mascioni-organs.com/nuovidemo/tokyocat.htm" target="_blank">http://www.mascioni-organs.com/nuovidemo/tokyocat.htm</a></span></td></tr>

</HTML>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]]

Den of the Fox Children

2015-01-01T15:36:10Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Den of the Fox Children |author= Solarchos, firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2008 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= Summer, 2008 |synopsis= The Lang..."

{{Storybox
|title= Den of the Fox Children
|author= Solarchos, firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= Summer, 2008
|synopsis= The Langister family stays at the Roma Inn, and Miara happens to pay a visit.
|rating= PG
|additionalnotes=
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

It wasn’t usual that Miara came to the inn; in fact, this was her first overnight visit. Eiry also didn’t think it was coincidence that it coincided with Solar and Inu-Kit reserving the whole place for a private weekend getaway with their family. Some of the pack had been astonished to find they weren’t alone as “foreigners” on Terra, but things had gone well.

One of the perks, of course, was that the workload of cooking for everyone had been significantly lightened, and she got to spend a lot more time with Sali, now several months pregnant and beginning to show. But while Solar and Inu-Kit had packed up a picnic and carted the kids off through the woods, several people who would normally be tending guests and rooms were out and about, enjoying some much-appreciated free time and creeping along after the newcomers, curious to get a better look at their family.

Eiry herself was out with Sali, Jake, Tiena, and Miara, collecting edibles that grew wild. It was early in the day, but there were some things that turned out to be worth the extra effort. One particular patch they intended to visit was a fair distance away: a good hour’s walk and back. Although they carried their buckets, no one was above playing, stalking or chasing each other as they proceeded along their not-so-direct route to their destination. Sensing something above her, Eiry reacted just in time to avoid a playful pounce from Miara. Eiry ran towards the stream with Miara in hot pursuit where she grabbed a low-hanging branch and bypassed the prickly thorn bushes on the bank. Miara narrowly missed them, going around by several meters and losing time. Jake came running back towards her, Tiena close on his heels. Sali was busy skipping down the boulder path to lower ground.

“This way,” she called to Jake, and the two of them sprang down the path after her. It wasn’t long before all three of them were sitting down, breathless and sharing a bottle of water from Miara's bag. Jake gave Sali a squeeze, his hand on her belly.

“How's the baby doing?” he asked.

“It's fine,” replied Sali. “I think she’s actually enjoying all of this running around.”

They set off again, this time more relaxed and traipsing about like children, pausing occasionally as they picked berries and dug up edible roots. By the time they reached their destination all of their buckets were halfway full. It didn’t take them long to fill up the rest of the space in their buckets.

“It's really pretty here, Eiry,” remarked Miara dreamily as she looked around into the forest that surrounded them all. “Not like home, and different, but just as good in its way.”

“I suppose it is.”

“Everyone's bucket full?” Jake asked. The foraging had been good so far, and his own pail was filled almost to the brim with berries and fruit.

“Yeah, but my mouth could use some,” Sali said. “It's been a while since lunch.”

“Yeah, she's right,” Miara seconded. Resting for a bit longer, they all snacked on some of the extra treats they’d managed to find, everyone getting in a few mouthfuls of berries before Sali made a bonus discovery.

“Look, mushrooms. Edible, too. Who's got room?” They crowded around the patch of mushrooms that Sali had spotted. It only took a few minutes to harvest the majority of them, and everyone was pleased to find that there was plenty of room in their buckets to accommodate them.

"It’s getting late,” said Jake eventually, noticing the change in the sunlight streaming through the trees that signified it was now afternoon. “We should start heading back now.”

“Gosh, this is nice,” Sali commented. “Sure beats the hot kitchen on a good afternoon like this.”

“It's a good break for all of us.”

It was a little later when Eiry became aware of a twitch in her back, and realized Sali was reaching to scratch the same place every few minutes.

''Are you on time, or what?''

''Tell me about it.'' “See if you can get that, will you?”

Eiry grew her claws just a bit and put her hand up the back of her sister's shirt, scratching lightly until the twinge in her own back disappeared.

“Better?”

“Much, thanks.”

Then they both worked on their shielding a bit. It was then that the air began to subtly change around them, and they looked to the west.

“Storm's coming,” Miara said. “How bad, do you think?”

“The weather was predicting mild storms, nothing drastic,” Tiena offered.

“It might do to let Solar and Inu-Kit know, though,” said Miara. “Someone mind carrying my bucket?”

“Sure, I'll take it,” Jake said, reaching out for Miara’s bucket. “See you back there later.”

“See ya~” and she went off, searching out the family in her map and heading off to find them. Little did she realized what she would encounter upon her arrival.

Miara tried not to giggle as she crept closer to the tent. Most of the day’s heat had dissipated once the storm had moved in, carrying with it thick overcast skies and cooler air. Up ahead of her, tucked in amidst some boulders and partially covered by a rubberized tarp, was a little tent.

Moving past the last of the trees surrounding the little clearing, Miara tried not to hurry too much, she didn’t want them to know she was coming. A short time ago, before the storm had started, the children of Solarchos and Inu-Kit had been happily playing amidst the trees of the woods, curiously exploring everything under the watchful eyes of their parents. Others had been watching as well; the playful antics of the four kitsunejin children had drawn the attention of quite a few of the local Lupa, all intrigued by these little bundles of energy and enthusiasm.

The children themselves were completely oblivious of their watchers, but Miara knew Solarchos and Inu-Kit well enough to figure that they at least suspected they were being observed. If they knew, however, they weren’t showing any overt signs. Solarchos had yet to show any of his trademark suspicion and paranoia, and Inu-Kit seemed equally at ease. Both of them seemed content to just let their children play to their hearts’ content.
Once the storm blew in, Inu-Kit and Solarchos had quickly set up a tent and immediately placed their children inside to escape from the rain. Miara couldn’t help herself any longer; she had to go over and peek in on the children. They were all quite interesting when they were awake. Asleep they would probably be simply irresistible.

Moving up, Miara heard only quiet breaths and the occasional shifting of bodies coming from inside the tent. The tent opening was closed, and the tarp cast a shadow over it. Crouching at the opening, Miara pushed it open with ease and poked her head inside.

The interior of the tent was dark. Some light was coming through the thin fabric, but most of it was being blocked by the tarp, filling the inside of the tent with a comfortable dimness. The sound of the storm had been equally muted, too. With her head inside, all Miara could hear was the gentle patter of the rain and the dull rumble of distant thunder. The air smelled of warming fur, cloth and the forest the kids bad been playing in all day.

AnTilZha, Alexianna, Catriona, and Sylvester were all curled up with each other in the center of the tent, happily dozing in a nest of soft, fragrant blankets and numerous plushies. Miara quickly recognized some of the plushies; Suu, Potamos, Scarlet...all of their friends from back at the house. The children themselves were in what Solarchos had once called their “normal” form, that of human children with fox-like ears and tails. Miara smiled in delight. The four of them were sleeping together, clutching each other and draping their tails over one another to share body heat.

''They’re like Lupa in winter,'' thought Miara, ''and adorable!'' Then she saw pinpoints of light being reflected back at her.

With a happy squeal, Alexianna and AnTilZha leaped towards the intruder, grabbing hold of Miara by hair, arm, and clothes, tugging insistently.

“Ah!” she said, laughing a little, “You’re awake!” Catriona and Sylvester quickly joined in, grabbing hold of her other wrist and tugging. Yipping and baby-babble filled the tent as all four of the children pulling. Alexianna’s beautiful gray eyes peered into Miara’s, gleaming with mischievous intelligence as she grabbed hold of Miara’s nose tugging, giggling all the while. “You want me in there, do you?” Then there were squeals of laughter and giggles as she dived into the pile of plushies and children, tickling and chasing them mercilessly until they all collapsed exhausted in a heap in the middle of the tent.

After a few minutes, the children pulled Miara into the center of the pile and surrounded her. AnTilZha hopped up onto Miara’s chest and gave out a long, tiny squeal that was meant to be a victory howl as he and his siblings laid claim to the “spoils” of their hunt.

“Surely that’s not the best you can do,” she said, demonstrating a proper announcement, which all four of them mimicked much more loudly. “That’s much better! Remember that. Also, your parents need to take you hunting soon, if you ask me.” They just yipped some more, watching her more curiously. Meanwhile, plushies and blankets surrounded her as Alexianna, Sylvester, and Catriona vigorously piled onto her and curled up with her.

Miara couldn’t help but laugh as the little ones snuggled up with her. Their tails felt silky and warm, and the blankets felt entirely too comfortable. She couldn’t help but grow her tail and wrap it around the pile of them. Alexianna stared at her a minute, then trilled happily as she twined her tails around Miara’s, while Sylvester laid his head down on her shoulder. Catriona and AnTilZha broke out into a brief scuffle, both of them wanting to claim the center of Miara’s chest as their snoozing spot.

“Oooo-mah!” objected little AnTil as he struggled against his younger sister.

“Mah!” cried Catriona, whipping her tiny fox-tails back and forth like whips, poking and thwapping her brother harmlessly with them, “Mah! Mah!”

“Like there isn’t enough padding with everything else in here,” she said. A moment later the fight ended as Catriona unexpectedly won, barreling into AnTil and sending him tipping over into a pile of plushies. As Catriona snuggled into Miara’s chest, AnTilZha popped out from the plushie-pile, beaming happily as he hugged his favorite plushie of all: Kirara from “InuYasha”. Trilling gleefully, AnTil snuggled into Miara’s and laid his head down on her stomach. Miara giggled as she felt multiple tails draping over her, as if the little fox-children were covering her in a blanket.

With the storm outside, the gentle hypnotic patter of the rain against the tent, and four feisty fox-children curled up around her using her as a pillow, Miara was only too happy to stay there for a long time, warm and relaxed.

“Nap time,” she murmured as she slowly felt herself falling asleep. As she nodded off, she giggled once more as she realized something.

She had fallen into an ingenious trap set by devious little minds. Few could resist the charms of mischievous children such as these, and fewer still would escape the clutches of their tiny little hands. And they were very much like Lupa children. But put them together…

But one thing was certain: no one would be safe from the Den of the fox children.

It was well into evening, and neither Miara nor the Langister family was back yet.

“I’m sure they’re fine,” Ian said. “Miara knows her way around, and this Solar guy doesn’t strike me as the type who can’t handle himself.”

“Miara might be anywhere; she gets an idea in her head and does it. She doesn’t stay in one place very long except when she’s at work. And Solar and Inu-Kit may have all kinds of stuff up their sleeves, but there’s nothing that quite counters being in strange land in the dark.” Eiry reminded him.

“I suppose we should send someone, just to be safe,” Luke said. “Eiry, you go.”

“Yes, sir.”

Eiry grabbed an electric lantern from the back entrance, just in cases, and Sali joined her in the garden as they made for where she thought Solar and his family had been headed.

“Hey, wait for me,” she said, a basket of food under one arm.

“They might be on their way back, you know.”

“Maybe. But my intuition says otherwise, and so does yours.”

“Heh, true. It’s a good night to stay out, now it’s a little cooler.”

“Hopefully people know when and where to stay in skin.”

“Yeah.”

It wasn’t that far to the spot she thought the pair would have picked, there were rocks at the foot of the mountains for the kids to explore, and decent amount of clear ground for them to be watched on.

“Ah, they brought tents,” she said, pointing up on toward higher ground, where two tents were standing a distance apart.

“Perhaps we shouldn’t bother them, then.”

“Hm...well, even if they’re secluded,” [laughter here], “we should at least check on the children.”

“Yeah…” Sali said, looking around at the large cooler, chairs, etc., that had been set up in the area. “I know they didn’t have all this when they left this morning.”

“Two words: dimensional pockets. They work wonders.”

“Dimensional storage locker is more like it,” she commented, compacting and loading the new food into the cooler. There was a yowling little squeal and barking in the trees behind them, something crashing through the undergrowth, and Erik, Andy and Ilara’s little boy, came rolling toward them like a bowling ball, followed quickly by their family’s dog, Toby. Erik jumped up, clinging to Eiry’s clothing by his claws, and Toby stood on his hind legs and licked her face as Erik made happy “Ha ha I got away” noises.

“I wonder if your mother knows you’re out here,” Sali said, snatching the child from Eiry’s shirt and tickling him. “Now get that skin on.”

“Mama said go play,” he said when he’d done so, his pull-ups fitting properly again. “An’ I good boy!”

She made a face at him, thinking of all the messes he made in her kitchen. “What did Mama say about out guests?”

“That they’re like us!”

“Not quite. Now keep that skin on, okay?”

“Yes Sali.”

Eiry kept an eye on Toby, who was going around smelling everything. He wasn't an overly curious dog, though, and
he soon turned his attention to other things. Sali finished up with the cooler, and Eiry had set the lantern on the table for them when one of the tents unzipped and Solar stepped out.

“It's so weird to see him in normal clothes,” she commented as he saw them and waved.

“You didn't have to come out,” he said, coming to meet them. “I'm sorry if we worried anyone.”

“I figured we'd check; plus, we brought food.”

“Well, that's always good. We were thinking about coming back in a bit, and Inu suggested I hunt something, but I didn't know if that was appropriate.”

“It's fine if you want to, we do it all the time.”

“Ah. And who's this?”

“Erik!!” he said, thrilled at the attention. “You like us, right?”

“Um...I don't know,” he said, looking between the twins, who just kind of shook their heads.

“Who are you talking to, sweety?” Inu-Kit called, head in the opening of the tent.

“Eiry and Sali. And Erik,” he added as the boy swatted him impertinently for leaving him out.”

“Oh! I'll be out in a minute.”

“It's going to be a nice night, there will probably be a lot of people about,” Eiry said. “I wouldn't be surprised if you met up with anyone.”

“That wouldn't be a problem. Is there any place around that we should see by night?”

“For star viewing, you could take them all the way up the ridge here,” Sali said. “Watch the kids closely and carry the younger two after about thirty minutes, there's some good sharp drops. The top's wide and flat, though.”

“Good to know.”

“Miara was coming to tell you about the rain, did she make it?”

“We haven't seen her.”

“Well, it is likely the rain made it before she did. In which case she may have done something else entirely.”

Sali had put Erik down with Toby again, and he had followed the dog up to the second tent, where Toby was sniffing around quite thoroughly. They all watched curiously as Erik crept up to the tent and very slowly unzipped a few inches of the opening and peered in. All was silent as he opened it enough to crawl in, and then there was a kind of questioning sound, a collective contented sigh, and then everything was quiet again. They waited a few minutes before anyone spoke.

“Well, that was rather...”

“Anticlimactic.”

“Yes, they're usually all over anyone new,” Inu-Kit said.

“Maybe they can tell he's a friend,” Sali suggested.

“Why don't we find out?” Inu-Kit said, and went quietly up to the tent and looked in. She immediately stifled a laugh and waved the others over. At first, Solar could only see darkness, while the twins immediately smiled and joined in Inu-Kit's laughter. Then his eyes adjusted and he saw the sleep-heap was centered on Miara, all the young ones nestled into her amidst blankets and plushies; each of them, including Miara, clutching a plushie, blanket, or pillow in a similar manner.

“No wonder,” Eiry said. “They're in her bubble thingy—not sure what it's called.”

“What do you mean?”

“Miara sleeps so well because her astral covers the area and wakes her up if something's wrong. You know your kids are at lest sensitive to each other, it might have extended to them in some way.”

“So that's what I'm feeling,” Inu-Kit said. “So it's not magic, then?”

“Nope, astral.”

Five small pairs of eyes looking back at them, and then Eiry realized another eye was looking at them, and the bubble diminished. Suddenly, the children surged forward, and hands grabbed at her, then Sali, and the found themselves clinging to each other in the tent before being pounced on. Solar and Inu-Kit stepped away before they could be claimed as well, lest the tent split open from too many occupants.

Inside the tent, there was Miara, and a tangle of twins and Erik. Then the mass suddenly stopped as Alexianna made a curious sound and pressed her ear to Sali's stomach. Soon all four of the Langister children had crowded around to listen to the double heartbeat, and Erik had curled up on Eiry's lap. Now nearly fully awake from the squealing and loudness, Miara stretched and crawled out of the tent while escape was possible.

“Look at that sky, all black purple and red,” she murmured to herself in Lupa.

“Evening,” Solar called, waving from the table. Inu-kit was laying out some of the food and drinks for a snack, knowing that if the children weren't hungry now, they sure would be soon.

She waved, and lay there on the grass a the base of the rocks a minute longer.

“You alright?”

“Mhm~”

“So you've been here the whole time?”

“Since the rain. Do they do that to you, too?”

“Not so often; we are with them quite a bit,” Inu-Kit said, “but they can sure sense when we're going to leave.”

“Hehe. I'll bet.” Miara rolled over onto to stomach, picking a flower and looking at it with concentration.

“Uh, Miara?”

“Hm?”

“Since when did you have a tail?”

“Since always,” she said, not really paying attention to the question. “Oh, I got it! This is flax! Annual, five overlapping blue petals on eight to twenty two inch stems with linear leaves. Blooms mid to late summer, makes oil and linen, used for irritation, cancers, general respiratory symptoms, fevers, laxative, poultice for burns inflammation, etc. Contains a compound similar to cyanide.”

She was obviously reciting, and Solar and Inu-Kit looked at each other. “Okay...”

“Wait, what?”

Solar pointed just as Erik sprang, latching onto the end of her tail with his teeth, which jerked from side to side, shaking him like a mop with all the fur in a very strange tug of war.

“Owwww, off, get off!” she yelled at him, finally succeeding in dragging him up to where she could pry his teeth apart and threw him back into the tent. There was an “oof!” and some alarmed squealing, at which Inu-Kit and Solar paid close attention, and then a curious silence. Then five furry forms—one distinctly larger than the rest—burst out the tent and chased each other around the clearing. Miara sat cross legged, nursing her tail, two bewildered parents looking at her.

“Is that...”

“Erik. He is Lupa.”

“So you're werewolves,” Inu-Kit said.

“Does that look like a wolf?”

“Not really.”

“Any resemblance is purely coincidental,” Eiry said, she and Sali having come out as well. “As Aescapulus could tell you, our DNA in fur is quite different than that of a wolf. Or anything else it's got on file, really.”

“He is kinda cute.” Erik struck a fierce pose at that remark.

“Only because he's young. We don't look like that, I assure you.”

“And this is why you've always...gah, it all makes sense now.”

“Yes, Solar has told me of several occasions where you understood or spoke to him about something.”

“Or the star-vampire thing. That's what Hunters think you are, isn't it? They make you into something you're not.”

“Sometimes, though...it can be just as easy to believe it,”

“As to believe we're human.”

“In the Terran sense of the word.”

“What do you mean?” Miara asked.

“It's different for you, you were born and have lived all your life at Home, in another place, another time.”

“We were born here. Our parents and theirs for generations were born here.”

“We live among Terrans, as Terrans, mostly. And we've had to choose to be Terran. And you will too, if you stay here long enough.”

“Elie āan, I hope not.”

“And then there's the furry jokes,” Inu-Kit said. “You'd never hear the end of it.”

The three of them shuddered at that.

“Ew.”

“What? I thought you'd be more understanding of furs.”

“We don't hate them. They're just not very...they bug me ~_~. But it's so much more convenient having separate
forms, you can do so much more!”

“I suppose so.”

The pack of children swarmed up around the table, sitting in skin and watching Inu-Kit and Solar expectantly.

“I suppose we'd better leave you to it,” Eiry said. “See you later, maybe.”

“Erik, let's go,” Sali called, and he rather disappointedly joined them.

“There's still food available, right?” Miara asked.

“Always.”

“Me too, then. See you guys later.”

Toby followed them out as well, saying with his charge.

“Well, that was interesting.”

“And informative. So that's their secret. No wonder they're so sensitive about it. They may not be werewolves,
but people hate them. Much more than vampires or other things. But I've seen actual werewolves, they're not the same. Hm...I wonder if Rai knows...”

“You've got to be kidding.”

“Heh, you're right.”

They got to the business of feeding hungry mouths, and soon it was truly dark and a good night for star viewing.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]] [[category:Solarchos]]

I Must Tell You the Truth

2014-12-31T22:37:08Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= I Must Tell You the Truth |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2008 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= 2008 |synopsis= Kai and her friend have..."

{{Storybox
|title= I Must Tell You the Truth
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= 2008
|synopsis= Kai and her friend have another conversation.
|rating= PG
|additionalnotes= This piece was a writing exercise, and is therefore a bit short. Please read [[She Said Yes]] first.
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Kai looked worriedly at Furuhata-san from under her wide-brimmed hat as she ate her kakigori. They were walking along a waterway near the park, where there it was a bit cooler than most of the area in the hot season. He seemed preoccupied, watching the heat rise from the concrete on the other side of the waterway. But then he gave her a smile, and they walked on a little way. She thought back to their last shift together, two days ago. He’d walked her home, and then...well, that wasn’t the point, was it?

She glanced at him again, and opened her mouth to say something, then shut it again. She wasn’t exaclty sure what she was going to say.

“Are you alright, Kai?”

“I don’t know. I wanted to tell you something, but I’m not sure...how to say it.”

“Actually, I have something to talk to you about, as well.”

“Oh. I suppose that’s why we’re so quiet, then.”

“Ah, you’re right, of course. Would you like me to go first?” He asked considerately.

“No, I suppose I should.” She was quiet a minute, and he let her think. “I know that you like me, or you wouldn’t have asked me out, and I don’t want to hurt you, but...since last time, I’ve been thinking...”

“That you just want to be friends?” he finished when she trailed off, not nearly as sad as she thought he’d be, and she looked at him.

“Well, yes.” She was astonished when he couldn’t help but laugh.

“That’s what I was going to talk to you about!” he said, relieved. “I’ve been thinking too, and I know I liked you at first, and I don’t know what changed, but I just keep feeling that we should be friends.”

“And just friends,” she said, beginning to laugh as well at the situation. “Oh, I was so nervious! You must have been, too!”

“Yeah, I didn’t want to disappoint you, either.”

“Well, I’m so glad we both feel the same way. It could have turned out rather badly.”

“Yeah. So, I’d still love to hang out with you and stuff, but without all the romantic stuff, cause I think we could be really great friends.Is that okay?”

“Aki, that's perfect!”

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

She Said Yes

2014-12-31T22:33:13Z

Firefly 1824:

{{Storybox
|title= She Said Yes
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= 2008
|synopsis= Kai and a co-worker walk home together.
|rating= PG
|additionalnotes= This was a writing exercise, and therefore quite short. Followed by [[I Must Tell You the Truth]].
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Kai walked down the street on her way home from work, not feeling particularly attractive or likeable. She was on her way home from the diner, where she worked as an overnight waitress, and her co-workers had been teasing her again about her clothes. She wasn’t exactly the most fashion-conscious person, but having to buy an entire black and white wardrobe had really stretched the budget, and she had gotten most of her things at second hand stores or as hand me downs from Eiry or Nana.

So today, when the wash needed done, she was in a rather old-looking skirt, and a shirt that had been altered, but still didn’t fit her quite right. At least her shoes were new, and she smiled a little, looking at them.

She hadn’t gone far when she saw Furuhata-san coming out of the bank, and she thought of ducking under an awning so he didn’t see her. Furuhata-san was one of the other waiters, and was alright. He usually didn’t tease her, but she didn’t like running into him right now when she felt solow spirited. But then he waved, and it was too late.

“Ohaiyo, Sano-san,” he called, walking toward her with a nice smile. He was always so nice to everyone, and he was easy to read, and that was nice, too.

“Ohaiyo,” she said.

“Are you on your way home?”

“Yes. I...didn’t exactly feel like doing something else.”

“Are you feeling alright? You look kind of down.”

She looked down, not really wanting to say so. After all, they mostly all got along, and teasing was just teasing. But sometimes it hurt more than it should, and she didn’t wan’t to admit that. She knew she was sensitive, and he’d think she was hung up on appearances or something. “It’s nothing, don’t worry about it,” she said, trying to smile as she looked up at him. “Where are you headed?”

“Home. I think your place is kind of on the way, actually.”

“Oh, I suppose it is. Let’s walk together, then.”

They were familiar with each other, but didn’t know each other very well. So as they walked, they talked about light things like music and family and she learned he was a biology major with at the University of Tokyo.

“What do you plan to do after you graduate?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’d like to work at a zoo, or on an animal habitat or something like that, or maybe even become a veterinarian. What about you?”

“I’m just working, and helping Eiry with the shop.”

“That’s right, it’s a flower shop, isn’t it?”

“Yes, and she’s really good at it. She knows flower language too, it’s really interesting. I like flowers, though, so I guess it’s more interesting to me.”

He laughed a little, smiling. “I like flowers, too. But don’t tell the others I said that. I have an reputation to maintain, you know,” he said, which finally brought out a real smile from her, as they both knew it was a joke. “So, is Eiry your sister, or aunt or something?”

“No. My brother met her when he came to Tokyo, and…she’s kind of our landlady, but also a friend...it’s kind of complicated...”

“I live with my parents still, I guess it’s kind of mundane compared to that...”

The time seemed to pass quickly now, and soon they were in front of the shop.

“This is it,” she said. “That was quick, wasn’t it?”

“I guess it was. It looks nice from here, but it is kind of dark.”

“You should come by when it’s open if you want to look around. Are you working tomorrow?”

“Yeah, you are too?”

She nodded. “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

“See you tomorrow.”

She turned to go in the side door, searching for her keys in her purse.

“Sano-san—wait.”

“Hm?” She turned to look at him.

“Would you, uh...want to go for tea or coffee or something sometime?”

“Furuhata-san...” Everything she had told her self about not dating normal people suddenly didn’t matter, and she thought only that he was nice, and she liked him. And apparently, he liked her back. “Sure, I’d love too,” she said, smiling.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

She Said Yes

2014-12-31T22:31:31Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= She Said Yes |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2008 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= 2008 |synopsis= Kai and a co-worker walk home togethe..."

{{Storybox
|title= She Said Yes
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= 2008
|synopsis= Kai and a co-worker walk home together.
|rating= PG
|additionalnotes= This was a writing exercise, and therefore quite short.
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Kai walked down the street on her way home from work, not feeling particularly attractive or likeable. She was on her way home from the diner, where she worked as an overnight waitress, and her co-workers had been teasing her again about her clothes. She wasn’t exactly the most fashion-conscious person, but having to buy an entire black and white wardrobe had really stretched the budget, and she had gotten most of her things at second hand stores or as hand me downs from Eiry or Nana.

So today, when the wash needed done, she was in a rather old-looking skirt, and a shirt that had been altered, but still didn’t fit her quite right. At least her shoes were new, and she smiled a little, looking at them.

She hadn’t gone far when she saw Furuhata-san coming out of the bank, and she thought of ducking under an awning so he didn’t see her. Furuhata-san was one of the other waiters, and was alright. He usually didn’t tease her, but she didn’t like running into him right now when she felt solow spirited. But then he waved, and it was too late.

“Ohaiyo, Sano-san,” he called, walking toward her with a nice smile. He was always so nice to everyone, and he was easy to read, and that was nice, too.

“Ohaiyo,” she said.

“Are you on your way home?”

“Yes. I...didn’t exactly feel like doing something else.”

“Are you feeling alright? You look kind of down.”

She looked down, not really wanting to say so. After all, they mostly all got along, and teasing was just teasing. But sometimes it hurt more than it should, and she didn’t wan’t to admit that. She knew she was sensitive, and he’d think she was hung up on appearances or something. “It’s nothing, don’t worry about it,” she said, trying to smile as she looked up at him. “Where are you headed?”

“Home. I think your place is kind of on the way, actually.”

“Oh, I suppose it is. Let’s walk together, then.”

They were familiar with each other, but didn’t know each other very well. So as they walked, they talked about light things like music and family and she learned he was a biology major with at the University of Tokyo.

“What do you plan to do after you graduate?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’d like to work at a zoo, or on an animal habitat or something like that, or maybe even become a veterinarian. What about you?”

“I’m just working, and helping Eiry with the shop.”

“That’s right, it’s a flower shop, isn’t it?”

“Yes, and she’s really good at it. She knows flower language too, it’s really interesting. I like flowers, though, so I guess it’s more interesting to me.”

He laughed a little, smiling. “I like flowers, too. But don’t tell the others I said that. I have an reputation to maintain, you know,” he said, which finally brought out a real smile from her, as they both knew it was a joke. “So, is Eiry your sister, or aunt or something?”

“No. My brother met her when he came to Tokyo, and…she’s kind of our landlady, but also a friend...it’s kind of complicated...”

“I live with my parents still, I guess it’s kind of mundane compared to that...”

The time seemed to pass quickly now, and soon they were in front of the shop.

“This is it,” she said. “That was quick, wasn’t it?”

“I guess it was. It looks nice from here, but it is kind of dark.”

“You should come by when it’s open if you want to look around. Are you working tomorrow?”

“Yeah, you are too?”

She nodded. “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

“See you tomorrow.”

She turned to go in the side door, searching for her keys in her purse.

“Sano-san—wait.”

“Hm?” She turned to look at him.

“Would you, uh...want to go for tea or coffee or something sometime?”

“Furuhata-san...” Everything she had told her self about not dating normal people suddenly didn’t matter, and she thought only that he was nice, and she liked him. And apparently, he liked her back. “Sure, I’d love too,” she said, smiling.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

Miara and Kai

2014-12-31T22:23:57Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Miara and Kai |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2008 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= August 19, 2008 |synopsis= After making some life d..."

{{Storybox
|title= Miara and Kai
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= August 19, 2008
|synopsis= After making some life decisions, Miara sets out to meet Kai and settle some things about the Tokyo Lupa.
|rating= PG
|additionalnotes=
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Miara grinned, watching the diner across the street as she did up her shields nice and tight, so that no one would feel her astral—at least, not without some serious digging. Her scent was also hidden now, and she was suddenly glad Mom had taught her so well. She'd thought about doing this the other night, but Taki had been tired and it wouldn't have been kind to him. They had had a nice time at a little place closer to Taki's apartment, and then she'd delivered him safely home.

When she was ready, she crossed the street and went into the diner. It was clean and a few tables had customers—she'd chosen a quiet time for this.

“Irasshaimasu,” the hostess greeted her, and seeing she was gaijin, spoke in rather accented English. “Do you have a seating preference?”

“By the window, please,” she said, pointing.

“Will there be someone joining you?”

“Not that I know of.”

The woman picked up a menu and led her to a booth along the window. “Please excuse humble menu,” she said.

“It's alright, I'll manage,” she assured her, and the woman bowed and vanished to the back somewhere. Miara flipped the menu open, which of course was entirely in Japanese, and glanced at some of the pictures. Then she closed it and put it on the table and watched the street until a girl came with water.

“Good morning,” she said, bowing. “Sano Kai desu. How may I serve you?”

“Do you prefer Sano, or Kai?”

“Excuse me?” she asked, clearly not expecting this.

“What do you like to be called?”

“Kai, ma'am.”

“Kai, then. I'm Miara!”

“It's nice to meet you, Miara-san. Is there anything I can get you?”

“I would like an orange, whole and unpeeled, and a dessert. Surprise me.”

“A-ano...honto?”

“Honto. Orange first, though. And relax. It's not a test or anything, just a fun way to try things.”

“Oh. I understand, ma'am.”

Miara watched her discretely as she walked away, trying to make sense of it. She had a nice walk, and Miara liked her astral. She also didn't sense anything too unusual, since her astral and scent were shielded. She looked out the window a few minutes more, then pulled out her notebook, which was bright blue and decorated with fun stickers. Selecting a green marker, she began writing things down.

Kai brought her a fine looking orange, plate, knife, and also plenty of napkins.

“Aren't you afraid you'll get juice on your paper?”

“It happens. But it's not going to hurt it much.”

“Plus then, I suppose it will always smell like orange.”

“True! Added bonus!”

They shared a smile, and then Kai went again, doing her job. Miara peeled the orange with a few deft strokes, and separated the sections of flesh similarly. They looked like a flower spread open on the plate, and she popped one in her mouth.

When she finished up her page, and had finished with the orange, Kai brought out something else. It was a gooey, chunky brownie topped with layers of fresh fruit, whipped cream, and a touch of chocolate sauce. Of course, she couldn't help but drool over that, and she immediately dug in her spoon and sampled it.

Kai was very much relieved with her obvious pleasure with her choice, and quietly retreated back to the kitchen.

“Wow, it looks like you did pretty well,” Aki-kun said. “You're really good at this.”

“Oh no, it was just a good guess.”

“You have a lot of good guesses.”

She looked at the floor, hoping he'd let it drop. She hated lying to him, but she couldn't tell him the truth. He left to take care of his own tables, and she quietly watched the girl. Miara...Where had she heard that name before? There was something about her, certainly different, but anything other than that alluded her. It seemed almost as if the older girl knew her in some way. And yet, it was impossible. She'd never seen her before, she knew that. And yet...

“It's not polite to stare, you know,” Hongo-san teased, startling her out of her concentration.

“Don't do that,” she said, covering with a little laugh. “I was just thinking.”

“Well, there's still table sets to do for the morning if you need something to do.”

“Ah, of course.”

She went to the counter where Hong-san was wrapping silverware, and began doing the same thing.

“How long have you been working here now, Sano-san?”

“Um...about three months now, I guess. It doesn't seem like that long, does it?”

“I'm sure Tokyo is much busier than your home town.”

“Immensely. But I'm starting to like it.”

“Good. Was it very different, serving at an inn?”

“The food was very different, and the atmosphere. All you really have to do is get the food to the room and make sure you're watching if they need anything during the meal.”

“That's why you're always watching your tables like a hawk, isn't it?”

She nodded, and took a peek out the door again.

Miara was nearly done when Kai came to refill her water. She wasn't going to finish, she knew, but it was good.

“Is this one of the regular deserts?” she asked.

“No, ma'am.”

“It should be. You make it yourself?”

She nodded.

“I didn't peg you as much of a chef. Hidden talents, ne?”

“What do you mean?”

“I just didn't. Nothing you need to worry about. Now I need to get out of here soon, how much?”

“I'll bring the bill right away.”

Kai waited while Miara counted out her money; there were coins and bills from several countries around the world—what did she have all that for? Surely she couldn't have been in all those countries recently?

“Here you go. Keep the change,” she said, and began gathering up her things. She was debating whether to say anything or not, because she wanted to surprise her, but it might not be too nice a thing to do while she was at work, she realized now. So she left, and made her way around to the park, where she found Alex and played with him a while.

“Ne, tomorrow I'll take you up and we can hunt, okay?” He gave a little bark to that, but followed her when she left.

They made their way down to the shopping district to the shop, where she sat with Alex in her lap, writing a note to Eiry. Then she looked for tape or something to stick it to the door with. She finally found some adhesive, and stuck the thing on the door. Then she went home, Alex alternately listening to her and making a little conversation of his own until they reached the residential district of Meguro-ku. As usual late at night, she put Alex in her bag and climbed the fire escape up to her apartment, where they both got a shower and read a book before going to bed.

Edar was the first one downstairs in the morning—Eiry had finally been up to Aescapulus for more than just sleep—and found the note on the door. But it wasn't for him, so he didn't try to read it. He didn't really work on Sundays, but he usually hung around a while in the morning if Eiry wasn't there. Yumiko was in a bit later, and then Gitaro. It was rather quiet, save for the orders, and Yumiko frustrated herself for a while before Eiry arrived and gave her some perspective.

Kai came down with lunch about closing time, and looked at the arrangements. “They're beautiful, as always. What's this flower?”

“White camellia, for unblemished loveliness.”

“I like it.”

“Yumiko, you want to go with Gitaro and deliver these? I can do the other set.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, it's about time you started going to more events.”

“I don't have suit or anything.”

“Well you won't need one today, but we can get you one.”

“Really?”

“Sure. A nice green or blue, maybe?”

“Pastels,” Kai said.

“Why don't the two of you go shopping sometime this week?” Eiry suggested.

“Oh, yes, that would be great,” Kai said.

“Oh, Eiry, this was for you,” Edar said, handing her the note. “It was on the door this morning.”

She read it over quickly, glancing at Edar and Kai, then handed it to Edar.

“Seems more for all of us.”

“What does it say?” Kai asked as Edar read.

“We're having a meeting later, around four, with a friend. Make sure you're up there, okay?”

“Um...okay? That's it?”

“For you. Nothing bad, I promise.”

“Edar?”

“Nope, wait and see, imooto.”

“Looks like you're going to be surprised,” Yumiko said. “And Gitaro's back, I'd better get going. See you.”

She and Eiry went to load the car, and the others dispersed to their afternoon activities.

Kai and Edar were sitting at the table playing a game, waiting for the meeting, Kai wondering who this other “friend” was. She was fairly sure it was one of the other Lupa who was “around,” but nothing else.

Eiry was arranging some new merchandise on a shelf when Miara came in, Alex at her heels.

“Hi Eiry!”

“Hey. That's Alex?”

“Yep.”

“Come here and let me see you,” she said, squatting down to pet Alex and pick him up, which he loved. “You're a cutie aren't you?” She petted him, and got a few exited licks on the face in return.

“You don't mind? He's been sticking around since last night.”

“Not at all, come on up.”

They left their shoes in the landing, and made their way lightly up the stairs. Alex jumped down the minute Eiry
opened to door, and went to greet the siblings, who gave him the proper attention.

Kai had no idea where the puppy came from, but he was cute~. It wasn't until she looked up that she saw who'd actually followed Eiry in—Miara??? But—but—

“But you're not—!!—You knew—the whole time—who I was!!”

“Yup. I was going to tell you, but then I thought it would be mean while you were at work.”

“But...are you?” She could barely believe what her nose was telling her now.

“Of course! I've been trained in how to hide it.”

It didn't escape her that her brother wasn't meeting her for the first time, either. “You know her, too?”

“I met her when I first came and went to the house,” he said, looking a little guilty.

“But...neither of you've ever said their names, how was I to know?”

“Then why did you recognize my name?”

“And that's right! No astral yesterday, either! Oh! OH! Elie āan, you're astraglia! You could have at least warned me! Oh, I remember! It was Raihosha-san. He was asking me if I had a mentor and he mentioned you. I'd forgotten.”

“There's a reason you don't know about me, and Edar doesn't know much, either. But things have changed, so I decided it was time we all got together.”

There was silence for a moment, and then Eiry suggested moving to the other room. Miara and Eiry took opposite positions in the window seat, Kai the one (and comfy) chair, and Edar made himself comfortable on the blanket pile.

“There are things about me that I can't tell you, and Kai, you must promise me not to go looking for them. I'm going to block them, and I would have to hurt you if you tried to get past my shields, understand?”

She nodded.

“But most of it goes like this. Eiry was part of a group organized last September to combat a large group of Hunters. I was part of it too; that's how we met and it was the first time I was in the Ten'ou house. I was injured in that, broke some ribs, but when I was better I came back to see how Eiry was doing. I made visits there every once in a while and eventually I liked it enough to consider staying, and here I am.”

“So...where are you from?” Kai asked.

“Home, in a different time.”

“And you moved here?”

“This is an interesting place, with people from many places and experiences.”

“And her boyfriend lives here,” Eiry said.

“That's hardly the only reason,” Miara said crossly.

“But you said time; can you time travel, then?”

“I could. Not anymore.”

“That's it, you gave it back,” Eiry said. “That means you're stuck here, doesn't it?

“Pretty much. She has one, but only for important stuff.”

“But are you from the past, or the future?”

“The future. Neither of my parents have been born yet. But now, I have an apartment in Meguro-ku, and I work at a salon there. And Alex here, he just kind of happened.”

“How many people know about us now?” Eiry asked.

“Taki knows. Solar's family. Rai and his family.”

“Aescapulus.”

“How about Nana?”

“Well, both she and Yumiko spend too much time around us to think we're normal, but I haven't actually told her.”

“Don't wait too long,” Miara said.

“I've...been thinking about it.”

“So, are we a pack?” Kai asked. “I know we're only four, but we're here.”

“What do you think, Eiry?”

“The three of us already operate like one.”

“I'd be no good for your business, and I'm happy where I am.”

“I know.”

“We should run together Friday.”

They all nodded.

“Aescapulus knows everyone?”

“Yes, I had them added,” Eiry said. “Who's going to be Leader?”

“You should.”

“What?”

“But you are,” Edar said. “It's your place, your business.”

“But I don't want to be. I didn't ask to be.”

“You can't help what naturally happens,” Miara said. “Besides, I do my own stuff most of the time, and I don't live close enough to be Leader.”

“What if...we don't really need a Leader. Not like that?”

“Not have a Leader?” Kai said, not sure what to think of that. “Can we do that?”

“It's our pack, we can do what we want. If we turn into like fifteen or something, that's different. But like you said, we're only four.”

“We could not have a day to day Leader,” Edar said. “Only if something were to happen.”

“I know,” Miara said. “Eiry runs the business. Our personal lives are our own, and none of us will control another that way. We all want to be part of this world, and your decisions are yours. If something big happens, the one present with the most experience is Leader.”

“That makes sense to me,” Eiry said. “Agreed?”

“Agreed,” they all said.

“So long as we trust each other, we won't need more than that,” Miara said.

“No bowing here,” Eiry added. “No pressing people like your Leader pushed you, Kai.”

Kai shuddered, and Edar went over and put an arm around her. Then he looked at Eiry. “I have a date with Nana tonight. I suppose I should tell her before too much longer. How did you tell Raihosha?”

“After Tally died. I realized a lot of things about myself and I really just wanted to be myself around him,
without thinking about it. So I just told him what we are.”

“How did he take it?”

“He couldn't believe he didn't figure it out earlier. But he was fine. He's seen too many things to care, I
think.”

“How do you think Nana will be?”

“There's only one way to find out,” Kai said.

“You think I should?”

“Yes, definitely.”

He nodded.

They all heard the back door open downstairs, and shortly Nana's step ascended.

“Hello?” she called, knocking on the door.

“In here,” Edar called, and she came in.

“I know we were supposed to meet later, but I was in the area...am I interrupting something?” she asked when she saw everyone.

“Not really,” Edar said. Eiry sneaked a wondering glance at Miara, who shrugged. “But we—I—have something to
tell you.”

“Maybe you should...do it in private?” Kai suggested.

“No, this is fine. You're all in on it, anyway,” Nana said, surprising them.

“You're sure?”

“Yeah.”

Edar brought in a kitchen chair for her to sit on, and then gently took her hand in both of his. She wasn't at all apprehensive, and in fact, Miara and Kai noticed, a hint amused, although serious.

“Nana, you know that none of us are quite normal”-she nodded- “We're not, technically, Human, but very similar in appearance.”

She let him talk, listening.

“We're called Lupa. We have...more than one form, or physical shape.”

“I know.”

“Eh?”

The simple statement brought startled reactions from everyone, and Nana finally cracked a smile.

“I've known for some time now. You see, I knew a Lupa in the states, from before I moved here. His name is Mark.”

“And you just happened to get a job here, before you knew?” Eiry said. “Talk about ironic.”

“I couldn't believe it when I heard you two talking the one day, I almost cracked up laughing.”

“Why didn't you say anything?” Edar asked.

“Because I wanted you to tell me.”

“Was that okay?”

“It was sweet.” He squeezed her hand, and Nana looked around. “So there are four of you. Isn't that a bit small?”

“Perhaps, but we'll figure it out,” Miara said. “I suppose this really is our first pack meeting.”

“Should I put us on the list?” Edar asked.

“What do you mean?” Miara asked.

“The pack list. Didn't you know I'm working to set up an Office here?”

“Wow, really? That's cool!”

“Should we vote on it?”

“But aren't packs listed by Leader?”

“Location.”

They took a vote, and all watched as Edar got the laptop and entered their basic information—Tokyo, Japan. Members: 4.

“Do we want to list singles for the pairing list?”

“Kai? It's up to you.”

“Uh...sure. Aren't I a little young?”

“There are no other Lupa here, and people don't want to be. If you're dead set on having children, you're better
off just doing it now rather than waiting until then.”

“You're right. Put me on, then.”

“What about you, Miara?”

“What!? I'm not single!”

“Oh...I didn't realize. Sorry.”

She stuck her tongue out at him, and put Alex down on the floor, who rushed to greet Nana now that he was free.

At Nana's apartment after dinner, Edar was washing up the dishes while she folded her laundry. It turned out she knew a lot, but certainly not everything. She didn't seem to mind what her boyfriend was at all. He didn't really sense much of a difference—at least, not from her. He could feel himself sensing and watching her, and in a way wondering if this was real.

“Are you alright?” she asked him, pausing with a pair of jeans in her hands.

“Yeah, just thinking.”

“I suppose I gave you a bit of a shock today.”

“Just a bit.”

She came over and gave him a hug, resting her cheek on the back of his shoulder. He turned to put an arm around her, but she put a hand up to his face and looked at him a while.

“You're a good man, Edar. They're not so easy to find these days.”

“I...uh...was just raised that way, I guess.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. But I appreciate it.”

He gave her a smile and attempted to hug her without getting dishwater on her, mostly succeeding. They finished their chores, and then spent a quiet night on the couch with a movie—exactly what Edar needed after revealing himself and finding unexpected acceptance.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:lupa]]

The Paris Hunt

2014-12-31T22:10:18Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= The Paris Hunt |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= November 2008 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= November 2008 |synopsis= Miara finds a Hun..."

{{Storybox
|title= The Paris Hunt
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= November 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= November 2008
|synopsis= Miara finds a Hunter, and enlists Eiry's help in confronting him.
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= Written with specific tracks from Doctor Who OSTs. Tracks are given in []. This takes place before Eiry and Rai's relationship was retconned.
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

[a noble girl about town]

“Eiryyyy!” Miara yelled, skidding to a stop behind her in the shop.

“Miara? What are you doing here??” she exclaimed, alarmed. Women in their mating season were not supposed to come back before it was over. She glanced over to where Taki stood, talking to Edar. Of course, they were both now staring at Miara, and she gave them a very small wave, no doubt trying to pay as little attention to them as possible. Edar stayed long enough to wave back, then walked out and went upstairs, where he couldn’t smell her. Kai and Nana were at the counter, and listened.

“Eiry, I found a Hunter!”

“What? Where?”

“Paris!”

“Paris?”

“Yeah, I know. I thought you might want to come?”

“I thought you were supposed to be in the desert??”

“Oh, I was. Training, though.”

“And you found one just like that?”

“Who knew?” She said with a shrug.

“And why didn't you just ask me from there?”

“Because closing yourself off works both ways. I'd have to spill some stuff out and in to talk to you that way—
without touching you, of course.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Do you want some help?” Taki asked.

That made Miara look over there, and Eiry saw the half panicked look in her eyes. “What? No, you can't!” she said, trying to tear her gaze back to Eiry.

“But, I can help,” Taki said, starting to come forward.

“No. Just. Gah! Stay over there! Far, far over there!” She was smelling him waaaay to much for comfort, and Eiry took control of the situation.

"Sorry, no boys this time,” she said, grabbing her sword.

Then she took Miara's arm and pulled her out of the shop, pulling her along until the stare she'd been giving Taki disappeared.

“How on earth are you going to handle a city full of people?” she asked as they ran, making their way across the city to the gate.

“Because the Hunter will keep me focused. It's actually the perfect thing to keep me occupied. Ironic, isn't it? Besides, Taki won't be there.”

“True. So, tell me everything you know.”

“It's a man, in an apartment. A short-term rental one. I don't know what he's in Paris for, probably to get together his next Hunt. But he's definitely a Hunter, and not of the very dumb or smart type.”

“So we can take him.”

“Yeah. But two are always better than one, unless you're a HK. Just...you've been training, right?”

“Yep. Not like you, but...”

“Well, really, it's the fear. I'll do my best to protect you.”

“Don't go out of your way.” She got out her button for Aescapulus and pressed it.

“Yes, Miss Eiry?”

“Miara and I are going to Paris. Can you monitor our vital signs?”

“I shall do my best.”

“If either of us is in serious trouble, transport them right to the med center.”

“Yes, Miss Eiry. Miss Miara is to be in close proximity to you at all times?”

“We'll try. Pull the closest doctor if you have to transport either of us, I don't care who it is. Unless I'm going to die, it’d better be Rai then.”

“Noted, Miss Eiry.”

She pinned the button on her shirt, and they took the gate to France, which put them close to Reims, about two hours from Paris by bus. They were lucky enough to catch one soon after their arrival, although they had to part with Eiry's earrings and Miara's bracelets for the bus fare, and hide their swords down their backs.

“But it's worth it not to walk, you gotta be quick most of the time with Hunters,” Miara said.

[silence in the library]

When they got into the city, Miara led them right to the building, where she could feel the Hunter was still inside.

“I can't talk to people, but I can still feel anything you can normally do from inside your own head, for the most part,” she said in answer to Eiry's question about what she could and couldn't do. “But other people will have a lot of trouble feeling me, and I'm not as aware as I usually am.”

“I wonder if Taki notices.”

“I don't know, he just doesn't use his telepathic abilities that much. Anyway, let's get around to the alley and make a plan. We can't really fight him here without a loud commotion, and it will be hard to get away.”

“Hm...”

They slipped down into the narrow, dirty alleyway, and around to the back of the building.

“How do we get him out into the country?” Eiry asked quietly, speaking in Lupa.

“I don't know. I suppose we can try leaving him a note, and see what happens,” Miara suggested.

“What if we called him?”

“I don't know, we'd have to find out what language he speaks.”

“What? Oh, great. Hm...we can get something translated into French, we could do that online pretty easily...I think.”

“Or ask the office.”

“They can't know every language.”

“But they deal with people all over the world. They'd know who to contact, at least. And who would be discrete.”

“True.”

“Let me listen a bit, and see what I can hear,” Miara decided, and they were both silent a while as she closed her eyes and tried to concentrate. She focused on the presence in the apartment, then had another idea. “I love living by the fire escape, don't you?” She gave Eiry a grin, and climbed up as silently as she could. Like when Rima was at Taki's apartment, she crept up to his window and peeked in from the side.

Eiry crouched patiently in the alley below until Miara dropped down beside her. “He's got a pile of reading material, both English and French. More English, though. He had the French news on. I think he's bilingual. Even better, he's getting ready to go out.”

“We could run into him. Always a good way to deliver a note.”

“You've got experience with that?” Miara said, a little surprised.

“Yeah, Sali and I used to do that in high school. They didn't like note passing, in class or the halls. It was a real pain.”

“I'm sure. And it sounds like a fun idea. There's a bench out front, wasn't there?”

“They went and sat there, Miara composing a note on a sheet of paper.

“We know what you are. Stop, or we will protect our people. Meet us at the outskirts of Chateau d'Esclimont, near the road. 2AM. I'm sure you'll be able to find us. Miara ♥ & Eiry @~”

“Hearts and flowers? He's never going to take that seriously.”

“He will, trust me.” She leaned over and whispered something, and she nodded.

"You know, we really are probably about actually kill someone,” she said seriously.

“I know. And we'll be serious when we need to be. But as they say, the thrill is in the hunt.”

“Chase. The thrill is in the chase.”

[the unicorn and the wasp]

“Eh, same thing. Oh, talk about something else,” she said, suddenly turning from the apartment building's door, so that Eiry, in talking to her, had a good view.

They talked quietly and made up work drama and imaginary boyfriends as a dark, stocky man exited the building, and walked down the street toward center city. When he was a few blocks ahead, they got up and began their hunt.

The two girls were quite happy to stalk the Hunter down the busy streets, until there were people everywhere. It was a game they were good at, instead of trees and brush there were people and buildings. He didn't seem uncomfortable, or aware of their presence, but once or twice looked around, brow furrowed. But once they were in the heart of Paris, the tower quite visible, it was easy, and they came together behind him, talking giddily like slightly drunk working girls. Miara grabbed her hand and pulled forward, then tripped right into the Hunter, making him drop his bag.

“Oh, excusé,” she said, several times, in a French accent, and handed him back his bag. Then, still apologizing she pressed the note into his hand.

“What the...”

“You drop,” she said, and the two girls swept around him. He just stared as Eiry smiled, showing her teeth and waving a clawed hand, and Miara, for just an instant, waved her tail at him. Then they put those things away, joined hands again, and disappeared into the crowd.

They ducked into an alley, and waited to see if he'd followed, but he didn't go by.

"He's backtracking,” Miara said. “Hopefully that means he's going to get his things. His mind's certainly working fast.”

“Let's hope so. Now, how are we going to get there?”

“We're going to run, I imagine.”

“We need a bag, then.”

“I've still got a barrette.”

“And I have my watch. It's not very expensive, though, will it be enough? We can't trade our weapons if we're about to face a Hunter.”

“Well you've got that right. Well, let's try anyway and see what we get.”

Miara took both into a likely shop, and after quite a few long minutes she came out with a draw string bag with rope straps, just large enough for their clothes and knives.

“How did you get them to agree?”

“He's a man,” she said with a grin.

“Ah. Well, do you know how to get to wherever it is you told him?”

“Yes, but we have to be quick or he might get there first. And we can't let that happen. We don't want him sniping us.”

“Heh, yeah.”

“So, across the busy city we go.”

[UNIT Rocks]

Following Miara's lead, the two of them ran, pausing only when they couldn't cross a street. But it was a race against the clock now, to outsmart and outrun the Hunter. Every so often, Miara would check his location.

“He's getting on the subway,” she said fairly early on. “But it stops a lot. Then he'll probably take a bus out of the city.”

They raced down another crowded street, dodging people and sidewalk cafes as they went, and finally Miara cut down a network of alleyways that dumped them out into the suburbs, and finally a field.

“Wait,” Eiry said, “we need a break.” They both leaned over, panting a few minutes.

“I hear water.”

They followed it, and found a little stream.

“Clean enough,” Eiry confirmed, and they both had a drink. “I'm aching to change, how about you?”

“Completely. We should be alright from here, but we gotta be fast.”

“Alright.”

Miara stripped and folded her clothes tightly, and Eiry did the same, and putting the knives at the top of the bag. Miara changed, and Eiry adjusted the bag on her back before changing herself. They took off again, ever faster as Miara continued to track the Hunter's progress.

''Hurry, hurry, hurry!''

At last they screed down a loose stone bank, ignored the scratches from a thorn hedge they couldn't quite clear, and Miara stood panting on the edge of the field. But there was no time for that, and they changed and scrambled into their clothes, freeing the swords from their backs.

[midnight]

Miara positioned them a field's length from the road, where they should be able to see him coming, and waited.

“Have you done this, since last year?” Eiry asked.

“A few times, usually with HK. But not in a while. Are you sure you can do this again?”

“Are you?”

Miara squeezed her hand, and they put aside all the fun they'd had in the play, stalking, and all fear of Hunters and what this might make them. They surely might lose everything meaningful in battle, but they couldn't think of it now.

“What is this place?”

“The Chateau d'Esclimont. There's a castle over that way. Versailles isn't far, either.”

“Ah.”

“He's coming."

The Hunter's shape was coming down the road, black on black that a Human eye wouldn't see. He stopped when he got to the field, his hand holding something that glinted faintly in the last quarter's moonlight. He put it up to his eyes, and looked around, narrowed in on their position.

“Come out where I can see you,” he called, coming into the field. “What makes you think you're any match for me?”

“Because we can smell your sweat from here~” Miara answered him in kind. “Now put your contraptions away and talk to us.”

“You know I don't really want to do that.”

“Stop what you've been doing,” she said, stepping out toward him. “No more killing. Live in peace.”

“You're unnatural!”

“Not where we come from. You would be unnatural there. Besides, we're not the only aliens on your world.”

“You are not part of that. And the Homeworld crap! You can't even say where it is, hellspawn!”

“Do you want to see it?”

Eiry stared at her. “No, you can't! That would be a disaster!” she said in Lupa.

“English, bitch!” he yelled, suddenly pulling a gun. But Miara looked calm, so Eiry didn't worry.

“He deserves that chance,” Miara said. “Do you want to see it? To understand?” she offered again, eyes glowing blue.

“None of that astral brainwashing crap! Try it and you die!”

“If you're going to do it anyway, why wait?”

[a pressing need to save the world]

His mouth pressed closed, and he shot. The air flared blue with power, and the bullet dropped to the ground a mere cm from her chest. He stared at her open mouthed, and she closed the distance, taking the gun. Eiry darted forward for the pack, and a fierce fight ensued.

Eiry managed to grab the pack while Miara engaged him, and she threw it far out into the field. Then she joined the fight. He was good, better than her, though not Miara, she was sure. But he was cruel and brutal, with a fury they couldn't match until they let go of sense and reason. He managed to fight them off each time, and hit them hard enough they'd probably have bruises for at least a week. Miara darted back, threw her knife at him. It stuck out of this chest, but he didn't seem to feel it. Instead, he took it and came at Eiry, and she got a few slashes in with her sword before he buried it in her shoulder. But her own knife flew at him as he turned for Miara, and it landed in his back. He faltered, and Miara thrust him to the ground, sword at his neck.

[midnight]

“Stop Hunting. You're wrong and you don't have to live like this.”

Eiry came and pulled out her knife to a grunt. “A new life without any of this. Wouldn't that be worth it? Stop killing and start living?”

While they talked, Miara had grabbed Eiry's hand again, and although he couldn't see it, he must have known something was up, for he surged up with a shout, going for Miara. Miara's eyes were half lustful, and half disgusted, and Eiry acted fast, her sword running him through from behind. But his yell put fire in Miara’s eyes, and she ran her sword through his heart, Eiry stepping aside.

They pulled their swords out together, and moved away, letting him flop on the ground and bleed to death if he wasn't dead already. The two girls held onto each other a moment, but neither Miara's heart rate or breathing slowed. Something was not right.

“Did you hear something?”

“Maybe? He was loud.”

But they definitely heard other steps then, and they saw Taki rushing out to them.

“Are you alright?”

“Taki, what are you doing here??” Miara said, then clamped her mouth shut before anything embarrassing came out.
Eiry put Miara behind her, and grabbed her hands where Taki couldn't see them.

“I had an intuition. They're often right...I was worried.”

“Taki, you can't be here!” Eiry said strongly.

“But...” he looked at Miara, whose nails were digging into Eiry's hands behind her back, though he had no idea. “Miara, what's wrong?”

Her pheromone level jumped high, and he came close. Eiry tried to back up, but Miara wouldn't move with her, and he touched her.

“Taki, don't!”

Eiry, don't let me! Whatever it takes!

But it was too late; in an instant Miara had him on the ground with a crushingly deep kiss and there was ripping as she pulled at his clothes. There was a muffled yell and flailing, and Eiry tried desperately to drag Miara off him. But Taki's struggling soon stopped as he took in her pheromones, despite that she was obviously being far from gentle with him.

Taking a deep breath, Eiry dug her claws into Miara, which produced a strangled yowling growl, and she turned to fight her. She heaved Miara off of him, slapped him hard, and got her arms around Miara with all her strength. Taki looked at her, stunned. There were scratches down his chest and torso, and his pants were dangerously low, the button ripped off.

“Go! Now! Quick!”

Miara was desperately trying to get back to him, dragging herself and kicking at Eiry, and the look in her eyes suddenly scared him, and he finally believed he was really in danger between the attack and now what he saw in her eyes and face. He transformed quickly and flew away fast, and was soon lost in the darkness. Eiry let Miara go, and then dealt with her outraged attack as best she could. In a few minutes, she had gone back to a more normal version of herself, and crawled away and lay there for a while. Eiry breathed a sigh of relief, and went to retrieve the bag she'd thrown out into the field earlier. She gathered all their things and his, and got them in the two bags.

[the rueful fate of donna noble]

“Miara.”

“...”

“We can't leave him here.”

“The rites, then...” she went over to the body, muttering them in a small voice, until the body converted into power and was absorbed into the land. Eiry got their things, and stood by Miara to contact Aescapulus.

“I have been monitoring you, Miss Eiry, and have asked Esperanza to attend you. Are you ready for transport?”

Miara nodded.

“Yes, we're ready.”

They were in one of the medical facilities shortly, and both Esperanza and Jennifer helped them to tables and started cleaning them up. Esperanza took one look at Miara’s bioscan and then stared at her. But she didn’t say anything, and neither asked about the obvious claw marks. Their larger, stab and slash wounds were cared for first, and each was given a dose of nanites, which would repair the cells and work their magic in the next day or so. But then Jennifer took a look at Eiry’s hands, deep claw scratches around the right wrist, and then in the left palm. There was a lot of dried blood on her hands from that, where it had run off and got smudged when she touched things.

“What on earth happened to you two?” Jennifer exclaimed.

“It’s alright,” Eiry said firmly. “It doesn’t hurt much.”

Jennifer stuck her hands in a little sonic shower, and took a better look at the marks when they were clean. Miara asked for salve, which Eiry had learned to make from the kolle in the xcheamo deck, and began rubbing it in anywhere there was broken skin, and then a little on the bruises as well, and Eiry did the same. It may be just a simple salve, but with all the injuries Miara seemed to get on a regular basis, she was more than convinced it was how she had no scars. Luckily, the majority of their injuries would be hidden under their clothes.

“You’re really not going to tell us?” Jennifer asked.

“It’s not something you need to know.”

“It’s fine, Jenn,” Esperanza said.

Once everything was taken care of, the girls were given clean clothes, and Esperanza pulled Miara aside for a minute.

“Is there anything else I can do for you? A hormone shot wouldn’t fix the problem, but it would be better.”

“No, thank you. It’s not much longer, anyway.”

“If you change your mind, just let me know.”

She nodded, and went to go through the Hunter’s things with Eiry. Most of it went in the trash, but they thought some things might be useful on future Hunts, like the night vision device.

“Xcheamo?” Eiry said when they were done.

“Yeah.”

They took the transmat down to that deck, and left their things at the entrance. They walked quietly and thoughtfully to a field. When they sat down, the grasses were high enough no one could ever see them. Miara looked drained and tired, and miserable, and Eiry put an arm around her.

“I hate killing. So much. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it,” she said, about to cry.

“I know. I do too. And if you cry, I will, too.”

“It doesn’t matter, I always do. I really hate having to do that.”

Eiry nodded.

“Why didn’t I let HK do it? None of this would have happened. She’d have taken care of it on her own time, and Taki would never have been able to see me and…and how could I have done that to him? What if he hates me now?” And then she couldn’t say any more, because she was crying too much, and Eiry held her, crying too.

Eiry finished first, and sat holding Miara, rubbing her back.

“What if Taki hates me?” she sobbed. “How am I ever going to face him again?”

“It’s not your fault. He knew what not to do. We both told him, and he didn’t listen.”

“But I never really told him…what was going on. All this never should have happened. He probably only came because he was so worried. He does get feelings about things, you know. Maybe they’re not all right, but he does.”

“Well, it happened already. There’s nothing you can do about it. You have to find some way to go on.”

“But I must have hurt him. I did hurt him, didn’t I?”

“Not too badly.”

“And—and—elie āan, I touched him—there—and I may not have been too nice about it…”

“Hush. Just talk to him about it, I’m sure you’ll work it out.”

“I don’t know if he can understand.”

“Just try.”

She made an unhappy noise, but seemed to settle down then, and Eiry took a deep breath.

[life among the distant stars]

“Miss Eiry?”

“Yes, Aescapulus?”

“Master Raihosha has asked if you’re alright here, and if you need anything.”

“We’re alright. But…I’d like to see him for a while, before he goes to work.”

“I will relay the message.”

“Eiry?” Miara said.

“Yeah?”

“You don’t need to stay for me. I’m done crying, I think.”

“Are you sure you want to be alone, though?”

“No. But you need to be with him. Besides, the people I want can’t be here.”

“I am sorry, Miara. Just tell Aescapulus if you need anything,” Eiry said, squeezing her hand before leaving her. She got her things at the entrance, and took the transmat back to their quarters.

“Aescapulus, please deny entrance to xcheamo to all males and non Lupa until Miara leaves. In exception of an emergency, of course.”

“Understood, Miss Eiry.”

[the song of song]

When she finally got back to the rooms, Eiry found Rai up and waiting with a mug of chamomile tea and a huge fuzzy warm robe—after a warm and very caring hug, of course.

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yes, I’ll be fine. How did you find out, anyway?”

“Jennifer was, let’s say, concerned, with some of what she saw tonight.”

“What did she say?”

“Not so much, actually. Esperanza cut her off,” he said with a chuckle. “Now let’s take a look.”

He helped her undress, and took at look at most of it, even though it seemed the nanites were already hard at work. He helped her into the robe, and then took her hands, and was silent for a long minute.

“What happened between you two?”

“Did you look at Miara’s biodata?”

“Yes, Esperanza sent it over, but…surely not a Hunter??”

“No, Taki.”

“Oh. Oh, I see. Is he alright?”

“I hope so.”

He put his arm around her, and took her to the kitchen table. “Are you hungry?”

“Not really. Should I be?”

“You should eat something. It’ll help you sleep, if nothing else.”

“Oatmeal? I would love some oatmeal.”

“I don’t think I know how to make it that well myself.”

“I do.”

“Your shields are still up.”

“Oh, I forgot.” She put them down, and he slipped in with a supportive wave and started getting things out to
look.

“Tell me what happened.”

So she told him, and he listened patiently.

“I’m just glad you’re alright. Maybe someday you’ll take me along on one of these ventures?”

“I didn’t think you were that into the fighting and killing.”

“Neither are you.”

“No, but...these kinds of things aren’t really planned. Usually.”

“True. How’s Miara?”

“I don’t know. She wasn’t crying anymore, but she’s not happy. She hates the killing part. And I’m no substitute
for her family. I think she hates herself right now.”

“For that?”

“No, about Taki.”

“What did she..No, don’t answer that.”

“I think she’s finally done something to really scare him. Seeing what it’s like when there’s only intense, driving instinct.”

“You weren’t like that.”

“I’m also quite practiced in burying that stuff. Besides, she’s not bonded (it really does help), and her personality type is different. Some women are like that. But the way Miara’s acting now…she also hates being alone. And…”

“And?”

“I don’t know, it’s almost more the type of thing I’d expect from Rachel.”

“What do you mean?”

“...I don’t know.”

“Well, she has a lot going on right now. She and Taki will work it out.”

“I hope so.”

“Why are you dwelling on it so much?”

“Like I said, I’m good at structuring the intense things in my head, and she touched me a lot tonight. If she’s using that, some of her stuff is getting through to me. Besides, she’s my friend.”

“I think, Eiry, that you are a very good friend to the people who need it.”

He put a bowl of finished oatmeal in front of her, with raisins, brown sugar, and milk, and sat with her while she ate what she could.

“Are you going to be alright today?” she asked. “I’m taking up half of your sleeping time.”

“You know me, I’ll be alright. What about you?”

“I think I might call it a half day.”

“Eiry.”

“What?”

“Would you expect any of your employees to work a half day after spending their night like you just did?”

“I’m the boss. What time is it, anyway?”

“About five.”

“Ugh...I'm beat. And I can't eat any more,” she said, pushing the bowl away still half full.

“I'll just put it away for later, then.”

He did that, and she put more hot water in the mug to steep the tea bag again. She started back to the bedroom, going slowly so he would catch up easily. He helped her put on PJs, and put her to bed, and sat with her until she fell asleep. He quietly got dressed and ready for work, and kissed her lightly on the forehead before heading out.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:lupa]]

Taki and Miara: New Year Special

2014-12-31T18:56:48Z

Firefly 1824:

{{Storybox
|title= Taki and Miara: New Year Special
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= January 2009
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= December 31, 2008-January 1, 2009
|synopsis= Taki and Miara celebrate the New Year.
|rating= PG
|additionalnotes=
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

While they hadn’t been there for the actual ball dropping event, New York was still a wild party when Taki and Miara got there. Of course, that was after Beijing, Moscow, Paris, London, and Toronto. Taki was again amazed at how many people she seemed to know, and her ease in finding them even among hundreds of thousands of people.

There were still great knots of people crowding Times Square, and there were streamers and confetti everywhere, some of it still coming down from the tall skyscrapers.

“Now there’s someone I know!” she said, giving Taki her drink from Toronto and slinging her arm around a rather androgynous person surrounded by a group of people. “Happy new year, Robbie!” she said.

“Miara! What are you doing here? Aren’t you in Japan anymore?”

“Yeah, but visiting’s allowed, right? But how are you? Having a good time?”

“Always! Hey guys, this is Miara.”

“And Taki,” she pulled him closer.

“And Taki! Hey, you’re Japanese!”

“Yeah…”

“We love anime!”

“Ah. I watch some tokusatsu shows.”

“Well, then we’ll have lots to talk about.”

They were absorbed into the group, and ended up in the basement of some apartment building in a huge party. Taki found himself rather enjoying it more than he’d thought, and even managed to dance without feeling like an idiot. Then Miara dragged him out.

“You should talk to them,” she said, pointing to a group of girls who were looking at him and giggling as they snapped pictures on a cell phone.

“Um…”

“Oh, don’t be such a coward!” she pushed him over to them, and he was instantly enveloped by a group of “tell us about Japan!” He tried to answer their questions as best he could, and did actually get into a conversation with a few of them. And then it wasn’t bad at all.

“Well, the point is meeting new people,” Miara said when she came back again. “Did you tell them about KAT?”

“Kat? What’s that?”

“Kaiju Attack Team. We fight large space creatures and other things when they come to Earth. There’s a team right here in New York.”

“Wow, really?”

“I’ve never heard of it,” another girl said. “I don’t believe in such things, anyway. I think they’re all hoaxes to scare people into thinking they need the government.”

Taki and Miara just looked at each other and started laughing.

“You’re laughing at me!” she said. “To my face!”

“Well, not exactly,” Miara said. “It’s an inside joke.”

“Oh,” she said, though she looked like she didn’t believe them.

“We should get going anyway,” Miara said, pulling him out. “Bye Robbie!” she called, and he waved from the bar.

“We’ve been to most of the major cities in the northern hemisphere,” he said, teasing her. “What else is left?”

“Mexico City, LA, San Francisco, Hawaii…”

“LA, then?”

“Yeeeesu. Besides, flying’s fun~”

“That’s why you yell so much?”

She walked backward and frowned at him “Only when no one can hear.”

He saw an alley and swept her around the corner, giving her a good spontaneous kiss before becoming Mu and
hurtling straight up to a delighted squeal that managed to escape.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]] [[category:Ultraman]]

Taki and Miara: New Year Special

2014-12-31T18:54:26Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Taki and Miara: New Year Special |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= January 2009 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= December 31, 2008-Januar..."

{{Storybox
|title= Taki and Miara: New Year Special
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= January 2009
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= December 31, 2008-January 1, 2009
|synopsis= Taki and Miara celebrate the New Year.
|rating= PG
|additionalnotes=
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

While they hadn’t been there for the actual ball dropping event, New York was still a wild party when Taki and Miara got there. Of course, that was after Beijing, Moscow, Paris, London, and Toronto. Taki was again amazed at how many people she seemed to know, and her ease in finding them even among hundreds of thousands of people.

There were still great knots of people crowding Times Square, and there were streamers and confetti everywhere, some of it still coming down from the tall skyscrapers.

“Now there’s someone I know!” she said, giving Taki her drink from Toronto and slinging her arm around a rather androgynous person surrounded by a group of people. “Happy new year, Robbie!” she said.

“Miara! What are you doing here? Aren’t you in Japan anymore?”

“Yeah, but visiting’s allowed, right? But how are you? Having a good time?”

“Always! Hey guys, this is Miara.”

“And Taki,” she pulled him closer.

“And Taki! Hey, you’re Japanese!”

“Yeah…”

“We love anime!”

“Ah. I watch some tokusatsu shows.”

“Well, then we’ll have lots to talk about.”

They were absorbed into the group, and ended up in the basement of some apartment building in a huge party. Taki found himself rather enjoying it more than he’d thought, and even managed to dance without feeling like an idiot. Then Miara dragged him out.

“You should talk to them,” she said, pointing to a group of girls who were looking at him and giggling as they snapped pictures on a cell phone.

“Um…”

“Oh, don’t be such a coward!” she pushed him over to them, and he was instantly enveloped by a group of “tell us about Japan!” He tried to answer their questions as best he could, and did actually get into a conversation with a few of them. And then it wasn’t bad at all.

“Well, the point is meeting new people,” Miara said when she came back again. “Did you tell them about KAT?”

“Kat? What’s that?”

“Kaiju Attack Team. We fight large space creatures and other things when they come to Earth. There’s a team right here in New York.”

“Wow, really?”

“I’ve never heard of it,” another girl said. “I don’t believe in such things, anyway. I think they’re all hoaxes to scare people into thinking they need the government.”

Taki and Miara just looked at each other and started laughing.

“You’re laughing at me!” she said. “To my face!”

“Well, not exactly,” Miara said. “It’s an inside joke.”

“Oh,” she said, though she looked like she didn’t believe them.

“We should get going anyway,” Miara said, pulling him out. “Bye Robbie!” she called, and he waved from the bar.

“We’ve been to most of the major cities in the northern hemisphere,” he said, teasing her. “What else is left?”

“Mexico City, LA, San Francisco, Hawaii…”

“LA, then?”

“Yeeeesu. Besides, flying’s fun~”

“That’s why you yell so much?”

She walked backward and frowned at him “Only when no one can hear.”

He saw an alley and swept her around the corner, giving her a good spontaneous kiss before becoming Mu and
hurtling straight up to a delighted squeal that managed to escape.

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]] [[category:Ultraman]]

Category:Firefly 1824

2014-12-31T18:49:09Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "Works by me! In SS continuity. Works in other continuities (with some of the same characters) are available on my booksie site, http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly"

Works by me! In SS continuity. Works in other continuities (with some of the same characters) are available on my booksie site, http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly

Wings

2014-12-31T18:47:52Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Wings |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2007 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= November 21, 2007 |synopsis= Sylvie's boyfriend, Brad Londo..."

{{Storybox
|title= Wings
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2007
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= November 21, 2007
|synopsis= Sylvie's boyfriend, Brad London, now has wings! This requires exploration.
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= Not sure when this actually took place. Track list for writing was: Far Cry – Tenku no Escaflowne; Suspension – Mae; LABYRINTH/tasking/taskinst – Ayumi Hamasaki.
|}}

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She stared at Brad a minute, letting the long, elegant wings register. Sure, they may be half sheathed in ice, but that only added to the sparkle.

“I wondered if that was you,” she said softly, thinking of the feather, and Angel, and the things Isis had said. But regardless of what may be coming, he was getting more and more interesting by the day. And the wings!

She'd been planning to talk to him, but all those thoughts went out of her head when he wrapped his wings around her, the sudden chill sending a shiver up her spine. She twirled slowly, letting her hands run gently over the pristine, half-frozen feathers. Their sweeping motion against her body was a new and different sensation.

“Wow,” she said breathlessly.

“You like them?”

She ran a hand down a row of feathers. “Very much.”

He made a little amused smile, then leaned in to her ear. “How do you feel about heights?”

“They've never been a problem before. It's a good thing I got out my winter clothes today, then~.”

“Oh really? You'll have to show me more of your...outfit, later. Or less...”

“And what did you have in mind?”

He whispered in her ear, and she giggled.

“So, you're sure you're not afraid of heights?”

“Yep.”

“Come on,” he said, smiling and taking her hand to pull her outside. “You'll love it, I promise.”

She made another excited giggle, then turned serious for just a moment. “You drop me, and I will shoot you on the way down.”

“Babe, that would be the least of my worries. Now no more seriousness. This is for fun.”

“Haihai~.”

“Ready?”

“Are you?”

He wrapped his arms around her waist, spread his wings, and almost too quickly they were past the rooftops and the trees were below them in a rush of air and feathers. She clung to his arms, and he came to a hover.

“You alright?”

She looked around, and down for a minute. “Yes, I'm fine now.”

He squeezed again at her waist. “No corset today?”

“Not with the coat.”

“Hm?”

“Too hot.”

“Oh.”

“Corsets hold a lot of heat. Don't worry, all my underwear is worth looking at~.”

“I'm glad to hear that.”

He flew on, straight for a while, letting her get used to it and enjoy the view. Then he climbed up through the
clouds, mist still clinging to them when they broke through to the clearness above. She ran a hand along the top of the cloud underneath them, the vapor coming up and trailing along after them. She scooped up a handful, and looked at it curiously a minute before it dissolved into nothingness. A new thought came to her.

“Ne, turn me around?”

“Hmm?”

“I want to see the stars.” Opportunities were not to be wasted, when given the chance to do something few people ever got to do.

He took her arm and pulled her part way around; it was a little rough until she was able to turn herself the rest of the way. She put her arms around him, staring at his wings as they stroked up and down in a powerful rhythm.

“Hello,” he smiled down at her.

“Hi,” she gave him a little amused smile and coy look and they looked at each other a moment before she looked up past him.

The stars were bright and unobscured, twinkling silently in their positions. They were so much more beautiful from here than down on the ground. And that brought up an old memory, and she couldn't help but smile.

“What is it?”

“Hm? Oh, nothing. It's silly.”

“I want to hear it.”

“When I was little, someone told me a story about a girl who made a necklace out of stars.”

“Yeah? How'd she do it?”

“She took their reflections from a river. When I was a kid I tried it over and over, but it never worked,” she said, laughing a little.

“So you were a romantic girly kid who beat up the school bully?”

“Real girls are tough, kiddo!”

“Kiddo?”

“What? You use it often enough.”

“Yeah, yeah. So have you seen enough stars now?”

“Yes. Take me flying!”

He laughed, turned her again, and dove halfway back down along to her little delighted squeal. Now he flew fast on a path like a roller coaster, pulling off all the tricks he thought he could manage. When he finally pulled up, they were both breathless and flushed.

“You like flying with me?”

“That was amazing! You learned how to do all that in just a few days?”

“It kind of just comes to me. But you're good inspiration,” he said, nuzzling her neck.

“Are you flattering me?”

“Isn't it working?”

“I'm not sure. It's not the same as flirting, you know.”

“Then what?”

“I don't care what you say, so long as you mean it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Then how about what we talked about earlier? You barely even blushed.”

She turned around, looking at him with a raised eyebrow and amused smile. “I'm sorry, did you want me to?”

“You're cute when you blush. See, like that.”

“You like blushing girls?”

“I like you, babe. Make no mistakes about that.”

“I don't think anyone would mistake that,” she said, putting her arms around his neck and kissing him intensely. They dropped a few feet in the air at that, but they were practically over his place. He set them down carefully on the deck, holding her tightly.

“What was that all about?”

“You haven't kissed me like that before.”

“You haven't taken me flying before.” Of course there were other reasons, but she wasn't about to ruin the night, either.

“So is it me or my wings you like so much?”

“It's just kind of all one big package. Besides, it was your idea,” she said, adding a little pout.

“True.”

“I guess you can’t keep those wings inside...”

“No, not really. Sorry.”

here was a gust of wind, and the feathers of his wings detached themselves, flying off until there was nothing left. He put his arm around her, hand in a pocket, and escorted her to the door, which he unlocked and held open for her. She flicked on the lights, rescued her purse from a large coat pocket, and hung her coat on a peg by the door. He hung his, watching a waist he knew quite well by feel only in the last half our.
“You want anything? Drink, food?”

No thanks,” she called back, heading for the bathroom. It was strange to hear the tapping of a woman’s heels in his place. He wouldn’t mind that more often, he thought. He contemplated this as he went to the kitchen for a drink and leaned against the counter, waiting. What took women so long? After a few more minutes, he went over.
“You don’t have to look perfect, Sylv, you’re fine as—” he opened the door, hair all down past her shoulders. “What? I couldn’t hear.”

“Nothing, forget about it.”

“It takes a while to get this much hair up and down, you know.”

“I thought you didn’t hear.”

“You wouldn’t have come checked up on me if you didn’t think I was taking too long.”

“Heh. Have you always had that much hair up there?”

“No, I’m growing it. Do you like it?” she asked, half turning to show it off.

“Must grow fast. It’s really sexy, come here.”

He pulled her to him and kissed her, hands slipping into the back pockets of her jeans. She was suddenly much softer and pliable than while they'd been in the air, standing on tip toe and wrapping her arms around his neck as she pressed against him. He pulled her up further, their height difference evident now that they were standing up. One of his hands went up under her shirt, feeling the smooth, soft skin along her side. She teased him with a little tongue, then took his hand and pulled away.

“Maybe we should find someplace else, if you want to see more...”

“Or less,” he said ruefully, following her.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]]

Eiry and Rai: Halloween Special

2014-12-31T18:34:51Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with " {{Storybox |title= Eiry and Rai: Halloween Special |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2008 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= October 31, 2008 |synopsis= Rai..."

{{Storybox
|title= Eiry and Rai: Halloween Special
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= October 31, 2008
|synopsis= Rai decides it's time to move into a more mature relationship with Eiry.
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= This took place before Eiry and Rai's relationship was retconned.
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Rai put his arm around Eiry and gave her a very sweet kiss when they appeared on the transmat platform.

“You look ravishing,” he said. “That style works very well for you.”

“I suppose it does.”

“Since we're already in costume, perhaps we should pay a visit to the Tokyo deck?”

“Yes! I'm sure they'll all stare at us; you'll enjoy being the center of attention :P” she teased him.

“Only to show you off, dear,” he returned, pulling her out of the room, and they half-dashed down the hall hand in hand.

It may have been evening, but there were still many of the Tokyo “inhabitants” on the streets, and they could hear music coming from the large park area. A few venders were set up near the walkway, and they got tea and a snack, and mingled in the crowd, weaving through to where they could see the band, which was really just a holographic projection. Several of Rai's children were also there, and soon Carlos and Alejandro found them, and they talked a while. The band started a song Rai liked, and he pulled her out to dance, which he always did quite well. He swept her around, making the dress swirl around her feet.

“So how's work been going?”

“Going. You know how it is. But I think it's slacking off a little right now.”

“So I get you back for a while?”

“Let's hope so.”

“You surprised me tonight, I really enjoyed that,” she said.

“I was hoping you would,” he smiled. “And I was pleasantly surprised as well. How long have you had such a nice dress?”

“This one? A few years. I did wear it last year, but you were busy.”

“Ah.”

“I just don't really have the chance to wear them much.”

“Them?”

“I do have a few dresses, you know.”

“You? No.”

“Stop it,” she said, giving him a swat.

He picked her up and threw her in the air, which got a little squeal out of her before he caught her and swept her around again.

“I did used to wear a skirt once in a while when we were dating, you know.”

“Not the same.”

Alejandro went by, dancing with Juanita, also in period dress, and soon there were many of the Gregory clan in the square. Carlos was still over by a potted plant, running his fingers over a leaf or two.

“Carlos, come join us,” Eiry said, dragging him out onto the square to dance.

“I'm not very good at this, you know,” he said.

“So what? Just enjoy yourself.” She led, and they talked about silly things until Juanita traded Alejandro for Carlos.

“Hey there pretty lady.”

“Hey yourself.”

“How are you lately? We've all been so busy here with work, saving the world and all.”

“Yeah, I know. I was so surprised when he showed up tonight.”

“I'll bet.”

“Well, things have been much slower lately now that we've come out of wedding season, it was very very busy, like you guys usually are. But things have been nice and much better paced. I've had time for other things, like Mongoosetiger and Sali and reading a book. I haven't read a book in so long...”

“Don't let Rachael here you say that, you'll get the eye. But I know exactly what you mean. Does Dad still come by for his flower every morning?”

“Boutonnière. And sometimes. When he can. I really should start making them before I leave in the evening and bringing them home so he has it when he gets dressed in the morning.”

“That's a good idea, I'm sure he'd appreciate that.”

“Don't tell him, it'll be a surprise.”

“I wouldn't dream of it.”

Eiry buried that little conversation a little deeper than usual, just in case, and let Alejandro guide her around, talking of other things. Rai apparently felt the need to dance with all of his daughters, of whom there were more present than the boys, and she danced with some of them, as well as Juanita and Yumiko, before wandering over to the fountain and sitting with MGT, who had come to watch. She had tried to teach him to dance a few times, but he was so much larger than most of them that it became incredibly awkward when one wasn’t completely prepared to be lighthearted and a little silly.

“Enjoying the night?” she asked him. “They dance well, don’t they?”

“Veeri pretti. Yuu, too.”

“Thanks. Sali made me a few dresses like this. Rai likes them, I think.”

“Vater always like yuu.”

“I suppose he does,” she said with a laugh. “How was your day?”

“It okay. Learn about Hall’een.”

“Sounds spooky. We used to dress up and go trick or treating. Sometimes with tail and teeth and claws—when the adults weren’t looking, of course. Everyone thought it was just a costume.”

“Think I coold go?”

“I don’t know. Normal people would never be able to afford to look like you just for Halloween. But maybe we could find someplace for next year.”

“Woold be nice.”

She squeezed his arm, leaning her head against him. “Someday, we’ll find a way. I promise.”

“Miss Erry nice.”

Rai made the last dance with Junko, after which the band said goodnight and disappeared, and the cybernetic citizenry of his retro Tokyo began going back to their homes for the night. The Gregorys bade each other goodnight, breaking up into smaller groups to return to their regular duties or off time, and Junko hid her smile behind her hand.

“Father, look,” she said, indicating the fountain.

MGT and Eiry were sitting here, fast asleep, Eiry’s head pillowed on his arm. She looked incredibly small next to him, but it filled him with warmth to see his wife and his son as friends and companions. He seemed to get along very well with all the Lupa who came up here, and he was glad for MGT for it. He checked the time.

“It must be nearly two in the morning,” Junko said.

“Yes, rather late for her. She’s usually first to bed.”

''Wake up, darling, unless you’d like me to carry you.''

''Mmm…'' he could feel her half thinking about it, not quite conscious, and she sat up before opening her eyes with a bit of a stretch. That roused MGT, as well, and he ambled along in front of them toward the door.

Eiry put his arm around her, and partly leaned against him.

“Do you have to go to work early?”

“I don’t have to. Would you like me for a while?”

“That would be nice. But not if you have something important.”

“It’s not important. Did you have something in mind?”

“No, not really.”

MGT’s room came up, and they said goodnight to him before continuing on to their own quarters. Now that Eiry was awake, she wasn’t sure she wanted to go back to sleep right away, and contemplated a pajama top for a while.

“Go for a quick run?” he suggested. “That ought to tire you out.”

“Sounds like a good idea. See you later,” she said, kissing his cheek and going out to the suite garden.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

Eiry and Rai

2014-12-31T18:29:18Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with " {{Storybox |title= Eiry and Rai |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2008 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= December 15, 2007 |synopsis= Rai decides it's time..."

{{Storybox
|title= Eiry and Rai
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= December 15, 2007
|synopsis= Rai decides it's time to move into a more mature relationship with Eiry.
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= This took place before Eiry and Rai's relationship was retconned. Hosted at http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

The story begins [http://www.booksie.com/romance/novel/zairafirefly/eiry-&-rai/chapter/1 here].

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

A Piece of Home

2014-12-31T18:26:31Z

Firefly 1824:

{{Storybox
|title= A Piece of Home
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2011
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= May 2011
|synopsis= Rai sets out to give Eiry a spectacular birthday present.
|rating= PG
|additionalnotes= This took place before Eiry and Rai's relationship was retconned.
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Miara was finishing up at work when she felt an unfamiliar mind touch. It was sharp and defined, but searching. The astral signature it tied to was familiar, however.

''Rai?'' she queried with a picture.

''Hello, Miara. Do you have time? I would like to speak to you about something.''

She sent a picture of an elapsing clock. ''Can it wait a bit longer?''

''Certainly. I shall wait outside.''

She gave him a mental acknowledgment and continued trimming her customer's hair.

Raihosha was quite surprised at the clarity and precise ease of the girl's mind. She was a rather random person, but that one brief contact was all he needed to sense the great power that might be hidden behind it. But then, the only thing he had to compare it to was Rachel, and who knew what her power was truly capable of.

He made his way to the shop, a placed called Splurge, which sign looked like splattered blobs of paint. A covert mental look inside, and he found an eclectic group of people, many of whom had similar personality traits to Miara—creative, spontaneous, and spilling personality, whatever that personality might be. Given the collective consciousness here, it was easy to see where the name came from.

It wasn't a long wait once he got there, and Miara strode up to him when she came out.

“Hi Rai!”

“Miara. You like it here, I gather.”

“Yup! We have fun!”

“I'm glad you like it.”

“So what's this idea thingy?”

“I didn't say anything about an idea...”

“You didn't have too. It was pretty close to the surface. Though what it has to do with, you'll have to tell me.”

They began walking, Rai with his hands clasped behind his back as he composed his thoughts, easily keeping up with her swinging pace.

“Are you aware that Eiry's birthday is coming up?”

“I think so. So's mine, in Homeworld time. I don't think it exists here. It might be the last day of the year, I suppose.”

“This timing thing is interesting. But I was hoping to do something special for her.”

“And what do you need me for?” she asked shrewdly.

“Well, I'm not sure. I understand Rachel is more knowledgeable with plants. But I was hoping to create a little piece of the Homeworld on Aescapulus for her.”

Her brow furrowed.

“You know I have an old growth forest?”

“Yes. And you're wanting to do something similar?”

“Yes, exactly. I want to create an ecosystem with plants, animals, etc., from your home planet.”

She was giving him a very odd look.

“Do you have any idea what you’re asking?”

“In some ways, yes. And in some ways, probably not.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Shouldn't I be the one asking that question?

“Let me in, and we'll see,” she said, nudging his outer shields. It was a bit hesitant, but in a moment she was racing lightly through him, gathering information and taking a good look at his intentions, his integrity, and the likelihood of using his knowledge inappropriately.

Raihosha was a bit unprepared for the depths of her probing, but not altogether surprised, either. At last she sighed and pulled out. “You know that is a ginormous project? How do you expect to accomplish an entire ecosystem in a few days, even if you are permitted?”

“You, of all people, should be familiar with the concept of time travel by now,” he said expectantly.

“Oh, I see! How far back will you have to go?”

“A few thousand years should do the trick,” he said. “I take it you approve?”

“I think it's an awesome idea! A ton of work, but we can time it back just as well as you can. Though, are you sure you don't want to save it for something more special? You might never be able to top this one.”

“But I want her to have it as long as possible.”

She looked at him again, then smiled. “I suppose we'd better do this in spring, during the day, of course. You'll forgive me if we use a remote place?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well you need soil and atmosphere samples and things, right? None of us can just tell you about that. Get whatever you need beamed down.”

It took a few moments for Aescapulus to locate and transport a sample kit, and they ducked into an alleyway.

“Gate space is a sinking, floaty place, but only for a moment.”

“Gotcha.”

“And whatever you do, keep yourself closed up!”

He ran some extra strength into his shields, and followed her down the alley. She had a little key in one hand and grabbed his with the other, pulling him into a dimensionless space. It did indeed feel like sinking and floating at the same time, and then there was sunlight and blues and greens all around him. The air pressed against him, spilling into his lungs. After a few moments he looked around.

They were in a woodland area, on the edge between forest and meadow, if you could call it that. The forest made even his look a bit tame, and if the field grass was any higher, you might get lost in it. There were dots and splashes of color, some very intense, in all directions, and occasionally some creature or insect caught his attention.

“I think I'm beginning to see how your people are so tough and wild looking. How much of this is dangerous?”

She pointed to several things. “Mostly poisonous. That bird there can bite through the back of your neck, but that rarely happens. Oh, and ēlid.” She bent over a bush and carefully picked up a spidery creature.

An ēlid appeared to be a creature with a ball-like body with a number of legs he couldn't count because the moment she picked it up they all started waving around. She made a soft little noise he could barely hear, and in a moment it had calmed down.

“See, five legs, then fifteen. Sometimes there are more. If you see one with a lumpy body, go the other way. Run, don't walk.”

She put the ēlid back in its bush, and there were a few quick clicking sounds before it settled down again. He felt an expanding presence beside him, and found Rachel standing there, apparently out of nowhere.

“Raihosha.” The look she gave him was nearly reproachful. There was a weight in her presence, which he knew quite well she was very capable of not having. Not only was she not concealing her presence as in his local time, but she was surely not here to simply greet her daughter.

“Greetings, Rachel,” he said, making a respectful bow. She nodded.

“Ana!” Miara greeted her, accompanied by a generous hug. During this, she whispered something in Rachel's ear, which was responded to with a somewhat worried look and minute shake of the head.

“You will give us a moment,” Rachel said, pulling Miara a distance away, where they spoke in Lupa. Although he'd been slowly learning when he had a chance, he was only able to distinguish a few words.

“You know very well he's not supposed to be here.”

“Yes, but wait 'til you hear this...” She explained Rai's idea, and what she'd been able to discern.

“You're sure? Just because he's alright now doesn't mean he will be in a thousand years.”

“He's an incredibly stable person, and even if Eiry's not always with him, he'll always love her. Besides, how easy to do you think it would be for an enemy to get stuff out of him?”

“We could probably do it without too much trouble.”

“Well it's not like he really knows how to get here or where we are, anyway. And how many people out there are as strong at the immortals?”

After a bit of talking, there was concentration between the two. He felt Rachel reach for something, and in an instant she had exponentially expanded and was walking toward him.

“Will you speak for yourself?”

“Certainly. May I ask who exactly I am addressing?”

“I have shared mind with Moon and Altairtax. He will relate to Jaxmin.”

He wasn't sure if this boded well or not, but bowed as low indeed as his dignity would allow.

“To be honest, I had not even hoped to come here myself. But I will respect your wishes for privacy and anonymity. In truth, I couldn't find my way back; and I cannot sense the gates on my own. I want to do this for Eiry; she and whoever she chooses to share it with. But she is far from her sister and family, and her apartment is no longer hers. Aescapulus is her home how, but there is nothing familiar for her, nothing Lupa, on my ship, except for her. If we ever leave Earth, she will need it, and perhaps others can learn about and understand you better.”

“Anything else?”

“She's my mate. I love her. I know what it's like when you can't go home. I don't want her Home song to be so sad. It's just..something I want to do for her.”

He sensed a withdraw, and realized he'd opened to a particular mind touch as he'd been talking. It was kindness and warmth and trust, and he knew, somehow, that it must have been Moon.

“You realize you could never have a complete environment,” Rachel said.

“I know, and Eiry will know. But whatever you approve will be enough. I'm sure Eiry can get into enough trouble on her own without super poisons and unmanageable prey.” He was watching a small group of large animals making their way across the field. Not only were they the size of a rhinoceros, they had huge teeth, tough wiry fur, and were marked with scars.

“Drongi,” Miara said.

“Most of these animals don't have any fear of us.”

“We're not in fur. They know we're not hunting.”

“Ah, I see.”

Rachel suddenly picked up, and began walking a ways out into the field. “We're on the runner path.” He followed, and soon Miara was lying among the grasses as if drinking in her home.

“What's taking so long?” she asked.

“The relay. And I do believe he's going to be difficult. Anyway, you have the majority, so get what you need, and Miara will take you back. However, we haven't time to help you with such a project.”

“It's alright, ana, I'll do it. It'll be fun! Plus, I'll get to have time travel adventures!”

“Like you don't already?” A very cross look came over her face, and a very clear, snapped, ''Well send him here, then!'' cut across the mental air.

Miara raised an eyebrow at her mother, whose eyes had become glowing sparks. She went back to where the gate was, and Miara chuckled.

“I suppose you should go ahead and get your samples. What can I do?”

He showed her how to fill the little sample collectors, and she took a few to gather where there was water. These she put in a small pack before going off a little ways to undress, strap it on her back, and change to run for wherever the nearest water source was. He took samples of soil and air from the field and forest. While doing this, he happened to observe several changed Lupa with large packs on their backs running swiftly by. Judging from their speed, Rachel would have had to know they were coming while still a fair distance away.

Jax wasn't long in appearing, and I glared at him. He just looked at me a minute.

“Are you sure you won't regret this later?”

“What does that have to do with it? If he does manage to pull it off, it will hardly be the deciding factor when she has to choose.”

“But it will help. Are you sure you're going to be willing to give her up?”

“When the time comes, it comes. I said it then and I've held to it since. I did not go through all that to have her just to tell her how to live her life.”

“Are you sure enough to fight for it? I know you'll let her do as she needs, but this is family, not your duty. She's your daughter, and she deserves to know how you feel.”

“So you're not questioning the decision.”

“No. Just whether you're going to regret it later.”

“You should know me better.”

“I know you better than you do.”

I glared at him, which he ignored, and began walking out into the field. That just pissed me off, and it didn't take long to tackle him and get a good fight going.

Raihosha had finished with his samples and was busy recording observations when he heard sounds of fighting nearby. He was about to go check on it, then decided against it when he realized it was in the field and he'd likely end up in it before anything else. However, he caught sight of a fluffy bright lime green lichen a little deeper in, living around the bottoms of tree trunks. Some actually had gnarled roots curling above the surface before diving down into the dirt. The further in he went, the more surface roots there were.

He knelt down to look at some of the fluff. It didn't seem dangerous, and in a moment he got a knife and scraped a good sized sample into a container. The fluff was surprisingly juicy, green liquid flowing from where he'd cut the sample and dripping from the knife.

“If you touch that, your hands will be yellow for a month,” Miara said, coming up beside him.

“Dye?”

“Yep. Let's go back.”

On the way, she pointed things out and explained them, pausing just long enough for him to ask questions. As they neared the field, they could tell the fight was still going on, and he looked at her quizzically.

“It's just Mom and Dad.”

“It's been going on for a while.”

“I know.”

“Is that normal?”

“Yeah. Don't worry, they're not serious anymore.”

If that wasn't serious, he didn't want to know what was, with the growling and snapping and such that was going on. They reached the gate, and Miara took out the little key again.

“Is it just me, or is that one of Setsuna's time keys?”

“You're right, they're both from her. And they're fused with gates, so when you have one you can go anywhere, anytime, so long as you know when and where you're going.”

“And that's how you've all been getting around like that.”

“Yep. So, here we go.”

It had taken a lot of work, and a lot of time, especially on Miara's part, to collect all the necessary things—hundreds of plants, animals, insects, birds, reptiles—and create the ecosystem on Aescapulus. Miara had gone through another birthday and then some, her hair grown down her back in a thick mass. They checked the ecosystem every few years, then left it to grow, and when they returned to local time, it truly was a magnificent sight for her. “Eiry's going to love it,” she told Rai and Carlos, who was with them. “How's your kolle plant?”

“Not far from dying.”

“Then you'd better get it in here before it does. If it's not tall enough, just keep it in the pot and build a little structure. You can always take it down later, unless Eiry wants a home here or something.”

“You know, I hadn't even thought of that,” Rai said. “I'll mention it to her later.”

“After the shock wears off?”

“Something like that,” he chuckled, anticipating his mate's surprise. “You put a lot of work into it, too, do you want to be here when I bring her up?”

“Ohhhhh...It's so tempting. I'd love to see her reaction...But it's your gift, and...she might be exceptionally...grateful,” she teased him.

“One can only hope,” he grinned back.

Eiry and Sali were relaxing behind the inn with their agemates (Jake, Leila, Andrew and Ilara, Tiena) and Ian, lounging around talking after dinner. Most of the guests were out occupying themselves, and besides them, the inn was kind of quiet. She had given Sali a carefully selected recipe collection from Aescapulus' vast library, and Sali had made her the loveliest gown yet.

“Well I figured after this I might not have the chance for that one again.”

“But Sali, whatever am I going to wear it to?”

“You'll find something. Besides, you look like a dream in it and Rai will love it.”

Eiry watched the phlox woven into Sali's short braid, and imagined it long and her stomach large and round. Then she felt Rai's bond fill out, and knew he was planetside. He'd been completely gone for a few days, and she'd been wondering what crisis he'd been dealing with this time. But after a while, Nanette came walking to the path, escorted by none other than Rai himself. She and Sali shared a look—all that shielding!

''Either something's very wrong, or...''

''He doesn't look like it. Besides, he wouldn't be here. And for once, he's in something casual.''

Both of them stayed to chat for a while, and then she could feel his anticipation kick in.

“What’s with you? Is all that really necessary?”

“Of course, my dear. And I'm afraid we must be going. Have a pleasant evening, everyone.”

He helped her up, and she said her goodbyes before he whisked her away to a more private part of the garden for transport to Aescapulus. They came out on one of the lower decks, and Eiry looked at him. He just gave her one of those knowing “I'm not telling” smiles, and led her down a corridor, and soon they were at a door.

“Now promise you won't yell at me, alright?”

“What?? Why?”

“Just promise. You'll understand when you see. Now, close your eyes.”

She gave him a look, then did so, hearing the door open and letting him guide her forward into a place where the air slowly poured deep into her lungs and smelled familiar in an unknown way. She could hear animals and birds, felt moving air. This was unlike anywhere she'd been, but she knew she knew it.

“Can I see now?”

“Not yet.”

She had instinctively slipped her shoes off by the door, and easily followed as he led her by the hand. He stopped, and positioned her, kissing each of her eyelids before moving behind her.

“Now.”

She saw tall blue-green grasses, kolle trees, tinne and rivet, a group of massive rabbits, and gelt further off. The field was dotted with color—flowers, and āankai. Rai's shields had dropped during this time and a flood of things came to her, on their own.

''Home.''

Her knees went weak, and she would have sat hard if he hadn't put an arm out and swept her up into his arms. Quite overwhelmed, she simply hung against him for a minute as her mind wrapped itself around it. Looking at him again, her eyes were rather wet, and when she kissed him he could almost feel the few tears running down his own face.

''Eiry...''

''Elie āan, Rai.'' “How? How did you do it?”

“With a lot of help.”

“Surely not from Rachel and Jax?”

“No, Miara.”

“Oh, no wonder.” But she didn't elaborate on that statement, instead standing again and turning in different directions as if she didn't know what to do first.

“Some direction?”

“Yes, please,” she breathed.

He turned her in the direction of the kolle trees, and she held his hand tightly as they walked over.

“Did Carlos put ours in here?”

“Yes. I believe it's that one,” he pointed to the oldest, near the middle of the grove. She went up to it and ran a hand down its trunk.

“You made a weather cycle?”

“As much as I could from Miara's descriptions. I couldn't make a real moon, but I think we can do that in time.

“Mhm.”

She had moved away from him, staring up at a small flock of glossy black and blue birds.

“There's a small database we started you can read up on, and add to as you like.”

“Later. I'll look at it later.” She wandered out into the field, and after eating a kolle, Rai sat and watched the field, where she lay hidden in the field grasses.

''How big?''

''Most of the deck.''

Then there was an indignant cry and some surprised squeals, and he got the impression of hopping feet and patches of fur. In a few moments, she appeared and came over to him.

“Does it say anywhere that the rabbits will run you over?”

He chuckled. “Well, the creatures here have no people among them, they're not used to it.”

“Oh, they will be soon enough.”

“Are you going to bring Sali up?”

She looked at him. “Am I allowed to?”

“Eiry. You have always had that privilege. You did send Edar up.”

“Only because he needed it.”

“Ah. Well, you don't have to keep asking every time you want to do something.”

“But that's what you're supposed to do when...I have too many packs >_>”

“What do you mean?”

“Well there's the inn, we haven't ever said I'm not officially part of that pack. It's how I'd identify myself to other Lupa. But I don't live there, and I no longer contribute to it as member. And your family is a pack, and then there's the three of us in Tokyo and the employees, and the House, sort of.”

“So you can't just say 'My loyalties are here,' can you?”

“No. Kai still needs me, even if Edar doesn't. Besides, he's got Nana to help him.”

“Nana, and Edar? Really?”

“Yeah, for a while now. They are rather discrete.”

“Obviously.”

She was silent a minute, just looking at him. Then she gave him a huge hug and another, very happy, kiss.

“Thankyouthankyouthankyou!”

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

Leader Problems

2014-12-31T18:23:01Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Leader Problems |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2008 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= May 2008 |synopsis= The Sano pack comes to a cris..."

{{Storybox
|title= Leader Problems
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= May 2008
|synopsis= The Sano pack comes to a crisis regarding its' Leader, but how will the problem be fixed?
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes=
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Kai and Edar had left for Morioka early in the morning, intending to meet their parents in town—the first time they’d all seen each other since the two had left the pack. With the situation as it was, none of them felt comfortable meeting on pack territory, and no one had told the Leader, Kato, about the meeting. They felt it was a family matter. Eiry and Miara were both surprised to be contacted by Kai around lunch time, who was obviously upset.

''Things are bad here. Kato-san was there. He says we’re not allowed to see our parents. Everyone’s fighting. We don’t know what to do!''

''This is the Leader who forced your astral and forbid you from coming on pack land when you left?'' Miara stated.

''Yes.''

''Don’t you two go anywhere!'' Miara ordered. ''This has gone on long enough. I’m coming out there.''

''But..are you sure you want to get involved?''

''Your pack is obviously in disagreement over his leadership if they’re fighting over this order. It’s mean and cruel what he’s done to you, and on Xcheamo he’d have been out the moment he violated your shields. Tell your parents to sit tight.''

''Yes, Miara.''

''Are you taking Zan?'' Eiry asked.

''That’s not a good idea. Taki and Kenshiro are home right now, but...''

''Tell them to give me or Nana a call if they need us.''

''Will do. Someone loaned me a pump last week, so there’s a day or two of feedings in the fridge. I’ll do another now and should be back before you run out.''

''Alright.''

''Don’t worry, Kai. It’ll turn out okay.''

''I hope so.''

''Hang in there, Kai,'' Eiry said. ''Do you want me to call Nana?''

''Sure. He’s telling her, but I’m sure she’d like it.''

''I will, then.''

The contact dropped, and Eiry wrung out the shirt she was washing, hung it on the rack, and got rid of the wash water. She may as well go and see Nana, and see if she could be any help.

Miara had never thought highly of the Sano Ryokan pack’s Leader, and was livid at his treatment of the pack. Leading them into such a fight! It was the very thing he was supposed to prevent! It didn’t take long to put another meal in the fridge for Zan, who she rocked off to sleep while Kenshiro looked up the Shinkansen schedule and helped her pack a bag. Then she changed into entirely Lupa clothing, buckled all three ranking knives onto her belt, and put Zan to bed.

“If you have any trouble, call Eiry first, then Nana, alright?”

“Okay. Did you tell Taki?”

“Yes. He should be home in about an hour. Hopefully I’ll be home tomorrow. Let me know if anything comes up. If it’s with him, I’ll know with the bond, and I’ll try and keep him happy for you.”

“Don’t worry about it. I hope everything turns out alright.”

“Yeah, me too. See you later.”

“Goodbye, Miara.”

“Who is coming, exactly?” Kato asked, dubious.

“Miara.” Kai said. “She organized the entire Lupa relief effort?”

“Oh,” he snorted derisively. “Her.”

“Yes.”

“And she expects to do what?”

“Whatever it is, you’d better listen to her. You don’t want her going off on you,” Edar said matter of factly.

“Oh please. She’s a little girl who dabbles in things she can’t comprehend.”

“And why do you think she’s alive and well? You’re not going to be able to stop her.”

“Maybe you should listen to them,” the Speaker, Naya, suggested. “I spoke to her, and did not have that impression of her. Plus, they know her.”

“And what’s she going to do? I’m Leader, and she’s not.”

“I counseled you against doing these things, and you didn’t listen. I can’t see this ending well.”

“Get out!”

Not only did she leave, but Kai and Edar did, as well, leaving him alone in the room.

The rest of the pack was gathered in the reception hall, the inn temporarily closed. Everyone was talking, and there was a hush as the three joined them.

“What do you think, Speaker?”

“Yes, what’s happening?”

“Everybody please be calm and sit. We have a grave situation on our hands. The astralgia from Tokyo is coming,
nd has ordered that both Edar and Kai stay until she gets here. Naturally, Kato-san is not happy about this. However, he is our Leader, and we must decide if he will remain so. Hopefully before she gets here.”

“He’s our Leader! We must follow his decisions! Otherwise what’s the point?”

“And look where he’s lead us! Would you never see your children again just because they wanted to live somewhere else?”

“It isn’t another pack! It’s a huge city where anyone can find them and get to us!”

“Really? Cause last I heard they were doing well. And were able to help with the disaster, like all the other Lupa in the world.”

“That is a separate issue!”

“SILENCE!” Kato bellowed from the back of the room, dominance so high that those in front of the room flinched. “Don’t you dare forget who keeps you safe! All of you go to your homes. Now!”

“Or what, you’ll kick us out too?”

“And good riddance, if you don’t care about our safety! He’s Leader! That’s why he acts!”

“Do you want to challenge me?” Kato asked icily. “Do any of you dare?”

That was met with silence, no one meeting his gaze. He sauntered up to the front of the room, with a glance of toleration for Naya.

“There will be no more talk of that. Now, I will explain to you—again—why this is necessary. Anyone who doesn’t agree after that can leave, and you’ll be on your own.” There were a few gasps at this, and the realization that ‘no’ wasn’t an option. Which was exactly where he wanted them.

The trip from Tokyo had been several hours, but it had given Miara time to think through what she was going to do. The first thing was to establish her own dominance—otherwise she needn’t bother. Then she could see about analyzing the problem.

''Kai, I need directions from the station.''

''Here.'' She gave her the map, and a rundown of what was going on. ''Please hurry. I don’t think anyone else can calm so many people.''

''I’m coming, it should only take half an hour from here, right?''

''By bicycle. We’ll pay you back.''

''Don’t worry about it. I’ll be there soon.''

“Who are you talking to!” Kato was suddenly in Kai’s face, and she cowered, frantically scrambling back from him with an alarmed squeal.

“Get away from my sister!” Edar growled, their father not far behind him.

“You’ve already mentally scared my daughter,” he snarled, “or do you intend to rape her, too, to get what you want?”

This brought hushed whispers from all corners, and Kato stepped back. “How dare you!” he hissed. “Accusing me! If it weren’t for your brats, we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

Several of the nearest elders got up to separate the three of them, and Tian, Kato’s mother, signaled to speak.

“Go ahead, Tian,” Naya said.

“Is this true, Kato? Did you violate her?”

“I gave my testimony when they tried to accuse me.”

“The only reason you weren’t convicted is because she wasn’t here. Why is that? The girl has obviously been hurt. Look at her! Did you do it?”

“No, mother,” he said trying to dominate her. “It’s insulting that you ask.”

“You insult me with your conduct! How can I sit here and let you do this? How is this for anyone’s good?”

“Please,” one of the elders interjected. “We must try to stay calm. Naya, can you confirm what he says?”

Everyone watched the Speaker now, as she looked at Kai from across the room with tears in her eyes. “I believe in protecting the pack. We all do. But if I had known how far it would go, I would never have let it happen. It is my great regret that I wasn’t there to protect her. He did what they say.”

Pandemonium broke loose in the room, including several fights, and it was quite some time before the din began to settle. It was then that a new presence entered the room, firm, shining, with a still, yet fierce dominance, and they all turned to watch Miara walk to the front of the room. Even Kato stared a moment before advancing, and Miara motioned the others from holding him back.

“What do you think you’re doing here? What gives you the right to interfere with my pack?”

“Isn’t it your job, ''Leader'', preserve the peace among the pack members? Please, tell me why I’ve found it necessary to come do your job?”

“You little—” he growled.

“Don’t make me humiliate you!” she snapped, cold, staring him down. The others could only watch, speechless, as her dominance unleashed bit by bit until he was forced to step back. “Don’t move from that spot,” she ordered, and although he was staring daggers at her and clearly fuming, he held when she turned to the others. “Elders, please tell me what’s happened so far.”

They elected Nokoru, an elderly man in a dark red kimono, to speak, and as he did so Miara dampened her dominance to everyone but Kato, and picked up shared mind with both Kai and Naya for a few moments, taking on a better understanding of what had occurred. When Nokoru stopped speaking, it was quiet, and she thought a moment.

“Some of you knew what happened to Kai. Why was Kato not removed then?”

“Please,” Naya said. “It is my fault. I knew he was only trying to protect the pack, and did not push...I would not participate, so I was not there. I thought...”

“That that was it.”

“Yes. But as you can see, I was wrong.”

Miara nodded thoughtfully, still looking at Kato. “You would not be accepted as a Leader on Xcheamo.”

“This isn’t Xcheamo! The world out there is dangerous!”

“I know you believe it. But I live out there. The only reason Hunters are so powerful is because you fear them. Two of your members went to Tokyo, and what has happened to them? They have not been contacted by Hunters, and they have not been Hunted.”

“What happens here is not for you to decide. Mediators should be neutral.”

“Mediate? I’m astralgia, I’m not interested in neutrality. I’m interested in what’s right.”

“Miss,” Tian said, “what exactly are you here to do?”

Miara smiled. “Whatever it is you require of me. Is he your Leader or not?”

“I…we don’t know.”

“Then we’ll start there. And to make things formal: I'm Miara, daughter of Zaira and Jaxmin. I was born on Xcheamo and currently live in Tokyo. I 'm astralgia, have won my age group and placed in the all around at the last Gathering, and am a member of the Masters’ Seminar.” There were gasps at this, as well as widespread disbelief, even as she displayed the knives on her belt. “I have received Leadership training, and am qualified to assist you in this matter. This is not in question. Now, everyone stand. Kai and Edar, come up here please. Kato and Naya also will not participate.”

Everyone stood up, unsure of what was about to happen.

“Leaders lead. They create stability. They do not own you. They cannot keep you from going places or living where or as you choose. They do not mind rape members of their pack for trivial information or otherwise. Now. If you want Kato to remain Leader, stand on that side of the room. If not, stand on the other side.”

The group quickly divided, with only a few people on Kato’s side.

“What is this?” Edar whispered.

“It’s how we vote. In the open, with mass. You can’t argue with that.”

He nodded, and Miara watched Kato. He was livid, working himself up into a rage. The only thing holding him back was her dominance.

“Well, that’s pretty clear. I guess you’ll have to pick a new Leader. You’ll have to work it out and agree. Does anyone need a fight first?”

After some looking around, several hands went up, and she excused them to the courtyard for a few minutes.

“When they get back, you all can start on picking a new leader. Naya should be able to handle it.”

“You’re not going to do it?”

“I’m not going to be here for the rest of your lives to make sure you take care of this kind of stuff. You have to do it yourselves. Get started, and I’ll be back later.”

“Um..what do you want us to do?” Kai asked.

“Just stay here with your parents,” she said with a smile. “We’ll figure the rest out later.”

“And Kato?” Naya asked.

“I’ll take care of him.”

“Oh. I..I see.”

“Kato, follow me. Now,” she said, stepping out into the courtyard and walking around to a clear area with every assurance that he was following her. And indeed he was, bound by her dominance, and everyone else just watched them go, some of them agape at the sight.

“Is she…always like that?” someone asked.

“No,” Kai said. “Never. You can tell, but...never like that.”

“No wonder you feel safe in Tokyo.”

“We’d still be there, even if she wasn’t,” Edar said. “But it wouldn’t be the same; she’s helped a lot of people and made a lot of things happen. Like the disaster relief.”

“It was all her and Eiry,” Kai added. “Anyway, I suppose we’d better get on with it.”

“Yes,” Naya said, and called everyone to order.

When they stood facing each other in a clear, empty area, Miara dropped her dominance to its normal level. Kato visibly wavered as he was released. Then his astral tried to pierce hers as he flung himself at her in a powerful charge. She wasn’t back to her full abilities since having Zan, but she knew what she was doing, and as she met his charge and they exchanged the first few passes, she realized that even that was still leagues better than most Leaders, especially someone in a full rage. He needed a get his rage out, so she gave him a good fight, waiting until the blinding rage had reduced to boiling anger to shut down his attacks with expert defenses only. She waited until he realized he was no match for her to go for the advanced combo and flatten him out, pinning him on his stomach while he was winded.

“Your pack will choose a new Leader, and you will come with me to Tokyo. Still under xcha if necessary.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” he hissed.

“I came in here and removed you like that,” she said, snapping her fingers. “Of course I can.” He cursed at her
in two languages, and she continued to hold him down until it stopped. She dominated him again, and got up. “Come along, Kato.”

Although she made him obey her, he ground his teeth, shielding off from her as completely as he could. They went back to the reception hall, and Miara asked for her bag.

“Here it is!” Kai said, bringing it right out.

“Have you chosen someone yet?”

“Not yet, but it’s between Ryo-san and Ichiro-san.”

“Neither of them—”

“Shut it!” Miara cut him off. “I don’t care what you have to say about it, and neither do any of them, now.”

“Bitch.”

“Kai, ask for permission for me to stay until morning when it’s settled.”

She nodded, and went back inside. “Show me your rooms,” she said to Kato.

“No.”

“I’ll just force you again.”

“Then you’ll have to.”

“Very well.”

She did, and soon he was stumbling before her, fighting every step as she pushed him along in front of her.

He wasn’t fighting so much by the time they arrived at a small structure of just a few rooms, clearly the size of a family house. She made him sit in the main room, and looked around a bit. There were momentos about the place, some carefully cared for, others moved around. Most of them were the things of a young woman.

“So it’s a broken bond, isn’t it?”

“You don’t know anything!”

“Actually, that was the only missing part of the puzzle, I think.”

She sat in front of him, pulling a long chain out of her bag. “I will bind you overnight if I can’t trust you by then. You can avoid that by letting me in. We can start fixing things now, instead of waiting until you’re in a padded cell.”

“I’d like to see you try getting in here. You may be astralgia, but my own Speaker can’t read me. You’ll never get in!”

“You wanna bet on that? I can keep immortals out.”

He just sneered at her. “You lying bitch. There aren’t any immortals!”

“You can think that all you want, but it won’t make it true. As it is, I see a lot of Urvenis in you.”

“You—you!!” that was all he seemed to be able to say before lapsing back into silence, too angry to speak. He glared at her as she picked up a portrait of the woman in question, young and beautiful in a wedding kimono.

“She was lovely. And kind, I think. How did it happen?”

“What do you care?”

“Because she’s important, isn’t she? Broken bonds can lead people to very dark places. Places they never expected to go. Stay there.”

Putting the picture down, she went through all the rooms, the small kitchen, the bedroom, the bath. Just like the main room, it looked like two people lived there. There were floral dishes, her clothes in the closets and chests, feminine toiletries in the bath. He had never taken care of moving on.

“Oh, Kato...” she said, sighing as she sat again, watching him. “What are we going to do with you?”

He just glowered at her, and she thought for some time.

“I guess I’ll have to take you to Z-KAT for now, since they can keep you under guard. I’ll have to find the right Speaker for you later.”

“Z-KAT?! Have you betrayed us all so easily??” he spat.

“Considering my mate runs the program? I don’t think so. Why don’t you try meditation; that will help you calm down.”

“I’m not about to do anything you say.”

“Fine. Don’t move from that spot until I say you can,” she said, again using xcha on him.

Their night was tense and rather sleepless, and in the morning, they started their walk into town to the shinkansen station before dawn. She had to forbid him to speak to anyone, or act in any way other than Human, and not look like he was under duress. “I will take you in as a criminal if I have too, so let’s avoid that,” she said. In all, it was an unpleasant trip, and once they got to Z-KAT, she had to take him to a separate room and order him to stay there and obey whoever was in charge of him.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Taki asked, outside the room.

“What else is there to do with him? I can’t have him out there messing with packs and attracting Hunters with his
stupidity. I’ll find someone for him tomorrow. Just make sure no one sees him tonight, okay? That’s your job.”

“Are you going to Vermont with the group, then?”

“Yeah, Zan needs me.”

“Alright. Have a great time,” he said.

“Thanks, we’ll try,” she said, giving him a quick kiss or two before running out again to get Zan from the shop.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

The Holmes Hunters

2014-12-31T18:02:26Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= The Holmes Hunters |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= October 2011 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= October 8-17, 2011 |synopsis= Kai disc..."

{{Storybox
|title= The Holmes Hunters
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= October 2011
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= October 8-17, 2011
|synopsis= Kai discovers a family of Hunters while on holiday in Germany. Can the Tokyo Group confront them? Can the teenager in the family be saved?
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= Hosted at http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

The story begins [http://www.booksie.com/fan_fiction/novel/zairafirefly/the-holmes-hunters/chapter/1 here].

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[Lupa]]

Caroline and Rai

2014-12-31T17:57:28Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Caroline and Rai |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2012-2014 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= 2012-2014 |synopsis= Stories about Caroline..."

{{Storybox
|title= Caroline and Rai
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2012-2014
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= 2012-2014
|synopsis= Stories about Caroline, mostly involving Rai and his family.
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= Harry Potter fanfic! Hosted at http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

The story begins [http://www.booksie.com/fan_fiction/novel/zairafirefly/caroline-&-rai/chapter/1 here].

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]]

A Piece of Home

2014-12-31T00:11:48Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= A Piece of Home |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2008 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= May 2008 |synopsis= Rai sets out to give Eiry a s..."

{{Storybox
|title= A Piece of Home
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2008
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= May 2008
|synopsis= Rai sets out to give Eiry a spectacular birthday present.
|rating= PG
|additionalnotes= This took place before Eiry and Rai's relationship was retconned.
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Miara was finishing up at work when she felt an unfamiliar mind touch. It was sharp and defined, but searching. The astral signature it tied to was familiar, however.

''Rai?'' she queried with a picture.

''Hello, Miara. Do you have time? I would like to speak to you about something.''

She sent a picture of an elapsing clock. ''Can it wait a bit longer?

Certainly. I shall wait outside.''

She gave him a mental acknowledgment and continued trimming her customer's hair.

Raihosha was quite surprised at the clarity and precise ease of the girl's mind. She was a rather random person, but that one brief contact was all he needed to sense the great power that might be hidden behind it. But then, the only thing he had to compare it to was Rachel, and who knew what her power was truly capable of.

He made his way to the shop, a placed called Splurge, which sign looked like splattered blobs of paint. A covert mental look inside, and he found an eclectic group of people, many of whom had similar personality traits to Miara—creative, spontaneous, and spilling personality, whatever that personality might be. Given the collective consciousness here, it was easy to see where the name came from.

It wasn't a long wait once he got there, and Miara strode up to him when she came out.

“Hi Rai!”

“Miara. You like it here, I gather.”

“Yup! We have fun!”

“I'm glad you like it.”

“So what's this idea thingy?”

“I didn't say anything about an idea...”

“You didn't have too. It was pretty close to the surface. Though what it has to do with, you'll have to tell me.”

They began walking, Rai with his hands clasped behind his back as he composed his thoughts, easily keeping up with her swinging pace.

“Are you aware that Eiry's birthday is coming up?”

“I think so. So's mine, in Homeworld time. I don't think it exists here. It might be the last day of the year, I suppose.”

“This timing thing is interesting. But I was hoping to do something special for her.”

“And what do you need me for?” she asked shrewdly.

“Well, I'm not sure. I understand Rachel is more knowledgeable with plants. But I was hoping to create a little piece of the Homeworld on Aescapulus for her.”

Her brow furrowed.

“You know I have an old growth forest?”

“Yes. And you're wanting to do something similar?”

“Yes, exactly. I want to create an ecosystem with plants, animals, etc., from your home planet.”

She was giving him a very odd look.

“Do you have any idea what you’re asking?”

“In some ways, yes. And in some ways, probably not.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Shouldn't I be the one asking that question?

“Let me in, and we'll see,” she said, nudging his outer shields. It was a bit hesitant, but in a moment she was racing lightly through him, gathering information and taking a good look at his intentions, his integrity, and the likelihood of using his knowledge inappropriately.

Raihosha was a bit unprepared for the depths of her probing, but not altogether surprised, either. At last she sighed and pulled out. “You know that is a ginormous project? How do you expect to accomplish an entire ecosystem in a few days, even if you are permitted?”

“You, of all people, should be familiar with the concept of time travel by now,” he said expectantly.

“Oh, I see! How far back will you have to go?”

“A few thousand years should do the trick,” he said. “I take it you approve?”

“I think it's an awesome idea! A ton of work, but we can time it back just as well as you can. Though, are you sure you don't want to save it for something more special? You might never be able to top this one.”

“But I want her to have it as long as possible.”

She looked at him again, then smiled. “I suppose we'd better do this in spring, during the day, of course. You'll forgive me if we use a remote place?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well you need soil and atmosphere samples and things, right? None of us can just tell you about that. Get whatever you need beamed down.”

It took a few moments for Aescapulus to locate and transport a sample kit, and they ducked into an alleyway.

“Gate space is a sinking, floaty place, but only for a moment.”

“Gotcha.”

“And whatever you do, keep yourself closed up!”

He ran some extra strength into his shields, and followed her down the alley. She had a little key in one hand and grabbed his with the other, pulling him into a dimensionless space. It did indeed feel like sinking and floating at the same time, and then there was sunlight and blues and greens all around him. The air pressed against him, spilling into his lungs. After a few moments he looked around.

They were in a woodland area, on the edge between forest and meadow, if you could call it that. The forest made even his look a bit tame, and if the field grass was any higher, you might get lost in it. There were dots and splashes of color, some very intense, in all directions, and occasionally some creature or insect caught his attention.

“I think I'm beginning to see how your people are so tough and wild looking. How much of this is dangerous?”

She pointed to several things. “Mostly poisonous. That bird there can bite through the back of your neck, but that rarely happens. Oh, and ēlid.” She bent over a bush and carefully picked up a spidery creature.

An ēlid appeared to be a creature with a ball-like body with a number of legs he couldn't count because the moment she picked it up they all started waving around. She made a soft little noise he could barely hear, and in a moment it had calmed down.

“See, five legs, then fifteen. Sometimes there are more. If you see one with a lumpy body, go the other way. Run, don't walk.”

She put the ēlid back in its bush, and there were a few quick clicking sounds before it settled down again. He felt an expanding presence beside him, and found Rachel standing there, apparently out of nowhere.

“Raihosha.” The look she gave him was nearly reproachful. There was a weight in her presence, which he knew quite well she was very capable of not having. Not only was she not concealing her presence as in his local time, but she was surely not here to simply greet her daughter.

“Greetings, Rachel,” he said, making a respectful bow. She nodded.

“Ana!” Miara greeted her, accompanied by a generous hug. During this, she whispered something in Rachel's ear, which was responded to with a somewhat worried look and minute shake of the head.

“You will give us a moment,” Rachel said, pulling Miara a distance away, where they spoke in Lupa. Although he'd been slowly learning when he had a chance, he was only able to distinguish a few words.

“You know very well he's not supposed to be here.”

“Yes, but wait 'til you hear this...” She explained Rai's idea, and what she'd been able to discern.

“You're sure? Just because he's alright now doesn't mean he will be in a thousand years.”

“He's an incredibly stable person, and even if Eiry's not always with him, he'll always love her. Besides, how easy to do you think it would be for an enemy to get stuff out of him?”

“We could probably do it without too much trouble.”

“Well it's not like he really knows how to get here or where we are, anyway. And how many people out there are as strong at the immortals?”

After a bit of talking, there was concentration between the two. He felt Rachel reach for something, and in an instant she had exponentially expanded and was walking toward him.

“Will you speak for yourself?”

“Certainly. May I ask who exactly I am addressing?”

“I have shared mind with Moon and Altairtax. He will relate to Jaxmin.”

He wasn't sure if this boded well or not, but bowed as low indeed as his dignity would allow.

“To be honest, I had not even hoped to come here myself. But I will respect your wishes for privacy and anonymity. In truth, I couldn't find my way back; and I cannot sense the gates on my own. I want to do this for Eiry; she and whoever she chooses to share it with. But she is far from her sister and family, and her apartment is no longer hers. Aescapulus is her home how, but there is nothing familiar for her, nothing Lupa, on my ship, except for her. If we ever leave Earth, she will need it, and perhaps others can learn about and understand you better.”

“Anything else?”

“She's my mate. I love her. I know what it's like when you can't go home. I don't want her Home song to be so sad. It's just..something I want to do for her.”

He sensed a withdraw, and realized he'd opened to a particular mind touch as he'd been talking. It was kindness and warmth and trust, and he knew, somehow, that it must have been Moon.

“You realize you could never have a complete environment,” Rachel said.

“I know, and Eiry will know. But whatever you approve will be enough. I'm sure Eiry can get into enough trouble on her own without super poisons and unmanageable prey.” He was watching a small group of large animals making their way across the field. Not only were they the size of a rhinoceros, they had huge teeth, tough wiry fur, and were marked with scars.

“Drongi,” Miara said.

“Most of these animals don't have any fear of us.”

“We're not in fur. They know we're not hunting.”

“Ah, I see.”

Rachel suddenly picked up, and began walking a ways out into the field. “We're on the runner path.” He followed, and soon Miara was lying among the grasses as if drinking in her home.

“What's taking so long?” she asked.

“The relay. And I do believe he's going to be difficult. Anyway, you have the majority, so get what you need, and Miara will take you back. However, we haven't time to help you with such a project.”

“It's alright, ana, I'll do it. It'll be fun! Plus, I'll get to have time travel adventures!”

“Like you don't already?” A very cross look came over her face, and a very clear, snapped, ''Well send him here, then!'' cut across the mental air.

Miara raised an eyebrow at her mother, whose eyes had become glowing sparks. She went back to where the gate was, and Miara chuckled.

“I suppose you should go ahead and get your samples. What can I do?”

He showed her how to fill the little sample collectors, and she took a few to gather where there was water. These she put in a small pack before going off a little ways to undress, strap it on her back, and change to run for wherever the nearest water source was. He took samples of soil and air from the field and forest. While doing this, he happened to observe several changed Lupa with large packs on their backs running swiftly by. Judging from their speed, Rachel would have had to know they were coming while still a fair distance away.

Jax wasn't long in appearing, and I glared at him. He just looked at me a minute.

“Are you sure you won't regret this later?”

“What does that have to do with it? If he does manage to pull it off, it will hardly be the deciding factor when she has to choose.”

“But it will help. Are you sure you're going to be willing to give her up?”

“When the time comes, it comes. I said it then and I've held to it since. I did not go through all that to have her just to tell her how to live her life.”

“Are you sure enough to fight for it? I know you'll let her do as she needs, but this is family, not your duty. She's your daughter, and she deserves to know how you feel.”

“So you're not questioning the decision.”

“No. Just whether you're going to regret it later.”

“You should know me better.”

“I know you better than you do.”

I glared at him, which he ignored, and began walking out into the field. That just pissed me off, and it didn't take long to tackle him and get a good fight going.

Raihosha had finished with his samples and was busy recording observations when he heard sounds of fighting nearby. He was about to go check on it, then decided against it when he realized it was in the field and he'd likely end up in it before anything else. However, he caught sight of a fluffy bright lime green lichen a little deeper in, living around the bottoms of tree trunks. Some actually had gnarled roots curling above the surface before diving down into the dirt. The further in he went, the more surface roots there were.

He knelt down to look at some of the fluff. It didn't seem dangerous, and in a moment he got a knife and scraped a good sized sample into a container. The fluff was surprisingly juicy, green liquid flowing from where he'd cut the sample and dripping from the knife.

“If you touch that, your hands will be yellow for a month,” Miara said, coming up beside him.

“Dye?”

“Yep. Let's go back.”

On the way, she pointed things out and explained them, pausing just long enough for him to ask questions. As they neared the field, they could tell the fight was still going on, and he looked at her quizzically.

“It's just Mom and Dad.”

“It's been going on for a while.”

“I know.”

“Is that normal?”

“Yeah. Don't worry, they're not serious anymore.”

If that wasn't serious, he didn't want to know what was, with the growling and snapping and such that was going on. They reached the gate, and Miara took out the little key again.

“Is it just me, or is that one of Setsuna's time keys?”

“You're right, they're both from her. And they're fused with gates, so when you have one you can go anywhere, anytime, so long as you know when and where you're going.”

“And that's how you've all been getting around like that.”

“Yep. So, here we go.”

It had taken a lot of work, and a lot of time, especially on Miara's part, to collect all the necessary things—hundreds of plants, animals, insects, birds, reptiles—and create the ecosystem on Aescapulus. Miara had gone through another birthday and then some, her hair grown down her back in a thick mass. They checked the ecosystem every few years, then left it to grow, and when they returned to local time, it truly was a magnificent sight for her. “Eiry's going to love it,” she told Rai and Carlos, who was with them. “How's your kolle plant?”

“Not far from dying.”

“Then you'd better get it in here before it does. If it's not tall enough, just keep it in the pot and build a little structure. You can always take it down later, unless Eiry wants a home here or something.”

“You know, I hadn't even thought of that,” Rai said. “I'll mention it to her later.”

“After the shock wears off?”

“Something like that,” he chuckled, anticipating his mate's surprise. “You put a lot of work into it, too, do you want to be here when I bring her up?”

“Ohhhhh...It's so tempting. I'd love to see her reaction...But it's your gift, and...she might be exceptionally...grateful,” she teased him.

“One can only hope,” he grinned back.

Eiry and Sali were relaxing behind the inn with their agemates (Jake, Leila, Andrew and Ilara, Tiena) and Ian, lounging around talking after dinner. Most of the guests were out occupying themselves, and besides them, the inn was kind of quiet. She had given Sali a carefully selected recipe collection from Aescapulus' vast library, and Sali had made her the loveliest gown yet.

“Well I figured after this I might not have the chance for that one again.”

“But Sali, whatever am I going to wear it to?”

“You'll find something. Besides, you look like a dream in it and Rai will love it.”

Eiry watched the phlox woven into Sali's short braid, and imagined it long and her stomach large and round. Then she felt Rai's bond fill out, and knew he was planetside. He'd been completely gone for a few days, and she'd been wondering what crisis he'd been dealing with this time. But after a while, Nanette came walking to the path, escorted by none other than Rai himself. She and Sali shared a look—all that shielding!

''Either something's very wrong, or...

He doesn't look like it. Besides, he wouldn't be here. And for once, he's in something casual.''

Both of them stayed to chat for a while, and then she could feel his anticipation kick in.

“What’s with you? Is all that really necessary?”

“Of course, my dear. And I'm afraid we must be going. Have a pleasant evening, everyone.”

He helped her up, and she said her goodbyes before he whisked her away to a more private part of the garden for transport to Aescapulus. They came out on one of the lower decks, and Eiry looked at him. He just gave her one of those knowing “I'm not telling” smiles, and led her down a corridor, and soon they were at a door.

“Now promise you won't yell at me, alright?”

“What?? Why?”

“Just promise. You'll understand when you see. Now, close your eyes.”

She gave him a look, then did so, hearing the door open and letting him guide her forward into a place where the air slowly poured deep into her lungs and smelled familiar in an unknown way. She could hear animals and birds, felt moving air. This was unlike anywhere she'd been, but she knew she knew it.

“Can I see now?”

“Not yet.”

She had instinctively slipped her shoes off by the door, and easily followed as he led her by the hand. He stopped, and positioned her, kissing each of her eyelids before moving behind her.

“Now.”

She saw tall blue-green grasses, kolle trees, tinne and rivet, a group of massive rabbits, and gelt further off. The field was dotted with color—flowers, and āankai. Rai's shields had dropped during this time and a flood of things came to her, on their own.

''Home.''

Her knees went weak, and she would have sat hard if he hadn't put an arm out and swept her up into his arms. Quite overwhelmed, she simply hung against him for a minute as her mind wrapped itself around it. Looking at him again, her eyes were rather wet, and when she kissed him he could almost feel the few tears running down his own face.

''Eiry...

Elie āan, Rai.'' “How? How did you do it?”

“With a lot of help.”

“Surely not from Rachel and Jax?”

“No, Miara.”

“Oh, no wonder.” But she didn't elaborate on that statement, instead standing again and turning in different directions as if she didn't know what to do first.

“Some direction?”

“Yes, please,” she breathed.

He turned her in the direction of the kolle trees, and she held his hand tightly as they walked over.

“Did Carlos put ours in here?”

“Yes. I believe it's that one,” he pointed to the oldest, near the middle of the grove. She went up to it and ran a hand down its trunk.

“You made a weather cycle?”

“As much as I could from Miara's descriptions. I couldn't make a real moon, but I think we can do that in time.

“Mhm.”

She had moved away from him, staring up at a small flock of glossy black and blue birds.

“There's a small database we started you can read up on, and add to as you like.”

“Later. I'll look at it later.” She wandered out into the field, and after eating a kolle, Rai sat and watched the field, where she lay hidden in the field grasses.

''How big?

Most of the deck.''

Then there was an indignant cry and some surprised squeals, and he got the impression of hopping feet and patches of fur. In a few moments, she appeared and came over to him.

“Does it say anywhere that the rabbits will run you over?”

He chuckled. “Well, the creatures here have no people among them, they're not used to it.”

“Oh, they will be soon enough.”

“Are you going to bring Sali up?”

She looked at him. “Am I allowed to?”

“Eiry. You have always had that privilege. You did send Edar up.”

“Only because he needed it.”

“Ah. Well, you don't have to keep asking every time you want to do something.”

“But that's what you're supposed to do when...I have too many packs >_>”

“What do you mean?”

“Well there's the inn, we haven't ever said I'm not officially part of that pack. It's how I'd identify myself to other Lupa. But I don't live there, and I no longer contribute to it as member. And your family is a pack, and then there's the three of us in Tokyo and the employees, and the House, sort of.”

“So you can't just say 'My loyalties are here,' can you?”

“No. Kai still needs me, even if Edar doesn't. Besides, he's got Nana to help him.”

“Nana, and Edar? Really?”

“Yeah, for a while now. They are rather discrete.”

“Obviously.”

She was silent a minute, just looking at him. Then she gave him a huge hug and another, very happy, kiss.

“Thankyouthankyouthankyou!”

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

Eiry and Edar

2014-12-30T23:50:46Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Eiry and Edar |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= November 2007 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= November 2007 |synopsis= Edar needs to do..."

{{Storybox
|title= Eiry and Edar
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= November 2007
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= November 2007
|synopsis= Edar needs to do something important for his pack, and seeks Eiry's help.
|rating= PG
|additionalnotes= This took place before Eiry and Rai's relationship was retconned. Hosted at http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

The story begins [http://www.booksie.com/travel/novel/zairafirefly/eiry-&-edar/chapter/1 here].

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

Broken Things

2014-12-30T23:27:44Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Broken Things |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= February 2010 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= February 2010 |synopsis= Miara is suddenly..."

{{Storybox
|title= Broken Things
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= February 2010
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= February 2010
|synopsis= Miara is suddenly summoned home to find her best friend is in grave danger.
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes=
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

Miara was on her lunch break on her first day back at work when Trax contacted her without even an alert or greeting.
‘’Get somewhere no one can see you.

You’re bringing me home? What’s wrong?

Monna. You’re going with Oria,’’ he said, and she made it to the alley. A gate opened, and she rushed through it, heart tight and breath shallow for a moment. Something was dreadfully wrong if Trax was doing it and sending Oria. She—she must…

It was dark when she came out beside Oria. They were just outside the forest near Monna and Trint’s pack. There were two clusters of people, one around a young girl, and one with Trint and Mona. Oria rushed off to the girl, and Miara ran for her best friends, quickly taking in the situation.

Taki was doing routine paperwork when a sudden peak of anxiety in Miara made him stop. But by the time he’d reached for her, she was gone. Not Aescapulus gone. She must be Home. She could only get there if they sent for her or HK sent her, and only for something important. Hastily excusing himself, he went out to the parking garage for some fresh air, waiting anxiously for a message of some kind.

Leaning against the wall, he pinched the bridge of his nose where it had started to ache. What could have happened? He ran through all kinds of possibilities, but how could he speculate? No message came, and he finally went back inside.

“Are you alright, Kensei?” the Captain asked, putting his hand on the younger man's shoulder.

“Yes, I just needed some fresh air.”

“Alright. However, if this becomes too serious, I want you to go off duty for the rest of the night.”

"Yes, sir."

It was hard not to worry, or try to reach for the silent spot in his head where she usually was. When had it become so constant, so comfortable? He didn’t feel quite himself, but did manage to get some work done before going home. What was taking so long? Why didn’t anyone contact him? Didn’t they think it was important? But then, if they didn’t send for him, there might not be any reason to, or anything he could do. Or maybe it just wasn’t actually big deal, although Miara may have thought so at first.

It was taking too long with the child. They all knew time was short, and each minute that elapsed was less change for Monna. Trint and Miara each held one of her hands.

“I guess—this is it,” Monna said when a full three or four minutes had elapsed.

“Oria will come,” Trint said, afraid of anything else.

“I don’t—think she’ll—make it.”

“You must hold on,” Miara said, “just a little longer.” ‘’We’re loosing her! She sent to Oria.

I’m going as fast as I can! The child is…’’

“Miara, I’m so glad—you could—make it,” Monna was saying, trying not to cry. “It’d be so much harder...”

“Oria’s coming,” she said loudly, and others cleared a path as the Healer came running. Miara have her her spot, and joined Trint on the other side.

“Power,” Oria said, and Miara put up as large an orb as she could.

“I—I can’t—move!” Monna said brokenly. “It’s too far—I can’t—I—”

“Hush,” Oria said, flooding Monna’s body with her power, as much as she could. But it was too late. “I’m sorry,” she whispered after two failed attempts to flush the poison form Monna’s body. “I’m so sorry. The little girl took too long.”

“Did she…”

“She’ll make it.” Then Oria retreated to where other pack members were waiting, and Trint leaned over to hold her in his arms and send his last desperate thoughts for her. He grabbed Miara’s hand, and Monna pressed in her collected feelings for each of them, the memories and emotions of their deep friendship.

‘’I love you!

Like sisters! Please, please, take care of him,’’ she said, in her untrained way, and then Oria dragged Miara back, away from the couple and the bond that was about to be ripped apart. Not that anything could keep her from feeling it in her astral, and the great chasm that sprang up from him and the anguish in his soul. It happened quickly, and Miara caught her breath as the spark of life and astral signature simply stopped. Her best friend was dead and the bond broken, and the nearly full awareness she had of both left her horrified as Trint let out a long, howling scream of pain and aloneness. What had she done to Taki???

There was nothing but overwhelming grief for a while, and then Oria prodded her.

“The rites, Miara.”

She wiped her face, although she couldn’t make the tears really stop. Soon they joined Trint over Monna’s body, which didn’t feel at all like her any more. It was just an empty shell. Trint huddled against Miara, temporarily exhausted, and she could feel his half of the bond reaching and reaching for the other. Miara took a deep breath, steeling herself not to feel it so much.

“Who do you want to do it?” she asked him.

“Can—can you? I can’t—”

She nodded, swallowed back her tears, and began. But it wasn't long until her voice strained and she faltered. Oria picked up and continued, speaking the last few lines softly, and soon Monna's body pooled into power, fading away until there was just rumpled grass.

There was no movement until Oria gathered her things, and began making her way toward the nearest gate. That was when everything burst into action, Trint launching himself at her. Miara, unchanged, jumped between them, ready to meet him head on.

‘’Go home, Oria.’’

Then she turned her attention entirely to Trint and the pain.

It was hours later, near dawn, when Miara dragged herself into Oria's patient room, changed, and sprawled over the table. The Healer gasped when she saw the blood dripping off her back to the grooved edges of the table, grabbing a towel and calling to Tor for water. Then she got started.

“Elie āan, Miara! This time you've gone too far. I can't keep fixing you up, I just can't!”

“You don't need to,” she ground out, “Just clean it up, please??”

“Miara...”

Tor wisely stayed out of the conversation, assisting Oria quietly and efficiently, not forgetting to give Miara a bone to bite on as Oria poured soapy water over her back and into the open flash.

“You're back's going to look like a scratching post.”

“I know. That wouldn't be so bad, would it?”

“It's an awfully large one to carry.” Please come talk some sense into her, she said, to the immortals in general.

“Turn left.” Miara rolled to her left side, and the excess water ran off. “Down.”

Next, Oria shook on mindāl powder, and Miara was grateful when the pain started to dull a bit.

“What...oh, Miara,” Moon said, coming in with a breath of warmer outside air. Pulling a stool to the head of the table, she sat and took Miara's hands. “You are a brave and loyal friend, Miara.”

‘’But?’’

“But Oria is right. You should not have allowed him to mark you so recklessly.”

‘’You mean I shouldn't be so abandoned?’’

She nodded, taking the bone from Miara's mouth.

“You could easily have kept him from lacerating you. We know you feel things deeply, and so does he, but sometimes you need to protect yourself.”

“You can't decide for me.”

“I know. But sometimes you scare me...us. You have no fear of things, but that's not always good.”

“And you can't keep putting your body through this kind of stuff,” Oria said crossly. “We've been through this. When are you going to stop?”

Miara just looked at her, holding her tongue because she knew they did not always agree. Then she looked back at Moon, knowing that when she really needed a Speaker, she's be an entire lifetime and galaxy away. “It's going to be horrible when I go back.”

“I'm afraid so. But you will get through it.”

“I...does Taki know?”

“I don't think so...Do you want us to tell him?”

“No, please don't. He'll be all over me when I get home and...”

“Sit up,” Oria interrupted, and she slowly did so, with many grimaces as her movement pulled skin and wounds. There were bruises and claw marks in many other areas, a large bruise spreading across one thigh already deeply colored.

Oria took some salve, watered it down, and poured it into a spray bottle. This she sprayed on every inch of Miara's back, after which she bound her torso and applied patch bandages across her shoulders until everything was covered. Then she set a small jar of herbs in front of her.

“I know you'll take it anyway.”

“Oria...”

“Be more careful with your body,” she said, and went back into the residential rooms.

Moon sighed. “Come, let's go see your parents.”

“Thank you!” Miara called in, despite Oria's mood. Then Moon guided her out, putting Miara's arm through hers, and they made their way over to the immortals' apartments. Her father was waiting for her, and took her from Moon over to one of the couches, which had been cleared of clutter. Moon went next door, with the admonition to see her before leaving.

“How are you feeling?”

“Crappy.”

He moved to give her room, but she grabbed his hand, and he leaned over to kiss her forehead, then sat on the low table between couches to hold her hand. “The death of a friend is always difficult,” he said. And they would know, having already lost all the friends of their mortal lives.

She nodded. “I know that when it's done, it'll be okay, but...it was the bond, dia.”

“You feel so much,” he said, warming her hand with his. “It is indeed hard to bear. But you must remember that it is the nature of such things, and that both of them entered in full knowledge. And while it may not calm the soul, it eases the mind, and can be realized in the heart.”

She stared at him a minute, and he knew he had said something profound—at least to her.

“Do you think I'm foolish?” she asked, changing the subject.

“How you handle helping a friend in trouble is your decision. He trusts you, and your trust in him has not been misplaced, I think.”

“That's not what Moon or Oria said.”

“You know we'll all find a different piece to say. And as I'm sure your mother will say, it's mostly just flesh wounds, right?”

“Yeah...where is she?”

“Went off a bit ago, she didn't say where.”

“It was just the kitchens,” Zaira said, coming in with a bowl of freshly cut fruit tossed with skref and citrus dressing.

It was comforting to sit with her parents and take a light meal, even if they didn't talk much. Trax came in later, and Miara got up and hugged him.

“Thank you.”

“It was important,” he said, and when she stepped back he took her right hand and looked at it. “Tell me again what she did?”

“Locked us in the raptor pit. It's fine now, though.”

“I'm glad. Tell her she is not to do it again. None of us could survive that on our own, that compound is a fortress. She knows what will happen if she disobeys me.”

“Yes, Leader.”

“And it's probably about time you should be getting back.”

“I guess so.”

He took out the key, opening the gate for her, and she thought of a place where she could isolate herself to go though each thing one at a time, and yet not be alone. Grief first, then the memory packet, and finally, the bond. One breath and she stepped through, finding it was night again when she came out in the house.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

Matsuo Shin and the Temple of the Serpent

2014-12-30T23:08:33Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{{Storybox |title= Matsuo Shin and the Temple of the Serpent |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= 2010 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= 2010 |synopsis= Matsuo a..."

{{Storybox
|title= Matsuo Shin and the Temple of the Serpent
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= 2010
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= 2010
|synopsis= Matsuo and Eiry travel to Mexico to see some of the meso-american ruins, and end up meeting another party. When they're captured by an unknown people, will all of them survive?
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= Hosted at http://www.booksie.com/zairafirefly.
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

The story begins [http://www.booksie.com/fan_fiction/novel/zairafirefly/matsuo-shin-and-the-temple-of-the-serpent/chapter/1 here].

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

Eiry

2014-12-30T22:58:45Z

Firefly 1824:

{{Storybox
|title= Eiry: Disaster and Romance
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= March 2011-2014
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= March 2011-2013
|synopsis= Eiry's novel, starting from March 11, 2011.
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= Hosted at booksie.com/zairafirefly
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

The story begins [http://www.booksie.com/fan_fiction/novel/zairafirefly/eiry-disaster-and-romance/chapter/1 here].

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:firefly_1824]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[category:Lupa]]

Eiry

2014-12-30T21:07:07Z

Firefly 1824: Created page with "{Storybox |title= Eiry: Disaster and Romance |author= firefly_1824 |creationdate= March 2011-2014 |continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A |timeplacement= March 2011-2013 |synopsis= Ei..."

{Storybox
|title= Eiry: Disaster and Romance
|author= firefly_1824
|creationdate= March 2011-2014
|continuity= SSEU Earth 1337-A
|timeplacement= March 2011-2013
|synopsis= Eiry's novel, starting from March 11, 2011.
|rating= PG-13
|additionalnotes= Hosted at booksie.com/zairafirefly
|}}

<TABLE WIDTH="650" HEIGHT="30%" BORDER="0"><TR><TD style="font: 100% georgia, times new roman, times, serif; line-height:150%">

The story begins [http://www.booksie.com/fan_fiction/novel/zairafirefly/eiry-disaster-and-romance/chapter/1 here].

</TD></TR></TABLE>

[[Category:YourAuthorName]] [[Category:SSEU Stories]] [[Category:The Suburban Senshi]] [[Lupa]]