Fictionalize Yourself

[InLove]

No wonder you have trouble "sticking to the topic" sometimes, Pathless.

[flowperson]

Pathless...The Dead Sea Scrolls used a similar theme extensively and called it "the war between the sons of light and the sons of darkness". This would comport somewhat with the Bible's "sons of G-d" title denoting those who came from elsewhere and brought the war with them.

Ancient tribes believed that men were from the sky and women were from the Earth. and that they each drew their sacred energies from those locales. Of course the sons of G-d found the "daughters of men" to be desirable, and the rest...as is said...is history.

flow...

[flowperson]

continuing with chapter two...Knowing



The nurses were changing the babies, powdering their bottoms and using some mineral oil on their bodies as they came across any chaffed areas on their skin. The young doctor was using his stethoscope to listen to their chests as they were being changed, powdered, and oiled.
As the doctor paused between babies Berner asked, “do they seem to be in good shape ?”
The doctor answered, “aside from being hungry and wet, they all seem to be thriving, even if they are all on the small side for newborns. I’d be surprised if any of them are more than five and a half pounds.” He put out his hand to shake Berner’s and said, “ John Powell, just finished my residency at USC Medical last October. I thought this might be a good starting place for general practice, but I sure as hell didn’t expect anything like this.”
“ Dr. Powell... Doug Berner and I head up some of the research projects in the plant. I never thought that anything like this would happen here either, but now we’ve got to deal with it. I suggest that you and your staff see about using some of that milk, jury rig some feeding bottles, and see if we can get some nourishment into these hungry boys and girls.”
“We’ll get right on it.”
“Thanks doc. Oh, and you might consider contacting some of the local maternity units at nearby hospitals and get some ideas on how and what to feed these little ones over the long term.”
“I’ve already given a head’s up to nurse Calhoun on that, and as soon as we take care of the immediate needs, she’ll be attending to it. When Col Asbury gets here could you ask if he will give permission to move them to a more comfortable area if possible... would that be ok ?”
“It will probably depend upon how much on-scene investigation by the Feds is necessary, but I’ll ask right away.”


11.



Saul Feinstein enjoyed his work. Being a post-doc in engineering physics at Caltech was enlightening, but being able to work on a daily basis with someone like Doug Berner was a tremendous bonus of real-world experience. He was able to tinker in areas like avionics, radar and radio communications, materials science, and hydraulic systems everyday. Universities, even one as reputable as Caltech, just didn’t have the capabilities to offer integrated experiences like that.
The area “X” work was also special. It was about exploring the development of specialized materials characteristics in the presence of pulsed electromagnetic signaling systems. The Navy had been doing related work of this sort since WW I to develop novel anti-mine defense systems, but their work here at Douglas was the first land-based experimental facility as far as he knew. But only Berner, the military brass, and the Feds knew anything about the real direction of the work, and they weren’t telling him anything about that. Sometimes around the black room, Saul got the impression that he was only a highly educated gofer.
When Col. Asbury arrived about an hour later, he and Doug briefly looked at the children, and then went into the black room alone. They came out shortly afterward and came over to Saul.
Doug said, “ The colonel and I will need some help untangling this thing before the FBI shows up in another hour or so. We think that your security clearance is sufficient, so we want to get started immediately. If the Feds aren’t enamored about your involvement in this when they get here, we’re going to tell them that your skills are necessary in understanding what happened here. They may insist upon a higher clearance for your involvement in which case we would have to pull you out until you’re cleared at a higher level, is that ok ?”
Saul said yes and nodded his agreement.
Then the Colonel spoke. “ This is a bit overwhelming. It’s bad enough to get called out of bed at three in the morning, but it’s happened before and it will probably happen again. But this.... Anyway Doug and I have decided to move the babies to the lounge area up in corridor ‘G’. Would you organize the men at the guard station and the medical team to do that and then meet Dr. Berner and me in my office as soon as you can ? We’ll need to have accurate notes taken on this meeting for future reference purposes. Oh... and see if

12.


you can find the on-duty photographer to take some shots of the
corridor outside of the black room before you move the children. Color if possible. See if he can develop some blowups of the shots as soon as he can this morning because the Feds will want to see them...ok ?”
Saul said yes again.
When Saul reached Col. Asbury’s office about twenty minutes later, he found Doug, the Colonel and the young doctor from the medical team seated around the large mission oak library table that served as the conference area in the office. About three feet off the table top, a ceiling lamp with a green cased glass shade cast a pool of light onto the top of the table, and onto the faces of the people seated in three of the library chairs around it. It was the only light in the room. In the middle of the table a white handkerchief was unfolded and in the middle of it was an object that Saul had not seen the likes of before.
“Let’s get started,” Asbury said. “we’ve probably only got an hour or so until the snoops show up and make our lives more difficult.”
Saul sat down at the empty chair which already had a clean marble-top lab notebook on the table in front of it. Doug introduced him to Dr. Powell.
He took out his Waterman pen and headed the first page. “Douglas Aircraft Facility. Santa Monica, California “, and on the next line, “Initial conference, 3:45 a.m. Col Asbury’s office. 2-25-42...Baby episode”. Under this he jotted, “In attendance Douglas Berner, chief research consultant; Col. William Asbury, Chief military officer; Dr. Jonathan Powell, on duty physician; and Saul Feinstein, Research Consultant.” Saul looked up and nodded in the direction of Doug and Asbury on the other side of the table. They exchanged glances, and Asbury nodded towards Doug who pulled the three by five notepad out of his jacket and flipped to the appropriate pages.
“About 2:30 a.m. this morning, Harold Uggins, a plant custodian, arrived at the the access corridor to area ‘x’ to carry-out his regular and daily cleaning activities of the corridor environment. He stated that the usual guard on duty at that shift time, Michael Leary, was not at his station upon his entering the area....”
Doug droned on with the details of the incident as he had recorded them up to the present meeting, and when finished looked over to the Colonel, who cleared his throat and quietly spoke.
“Gentlemen, it seems that we have been involved in a very strange

13.


occurrence that appears to be none of our doing, and by that I mean
that certain aspects of this incident involve things that might only be described as otherworldly. Dr. Berner and I have agreed that Messers. Uggins and Leary likely have no direct involvement in this incident other than that already described by Dr. Berner. We have some decisions to make before a formal investigation is begun and the situation is taken out of our hands. I have taken it upon myself to alert the office of the Secretary of War, Mr. Stimson about the situation in cursory terms. What we discuss here may or may not go beyond this office, and that will only be decided upon unanimous agreement. Do I have your concurrence ?”
The three other men around the table nodded their approval and said yes at about the same time.
Asbury reached out to the silvery stick object in the middle of the table, and picked it up while still keeping it within the handkerchief.
“Dr. Berner removed this from the floor between the red box and blue box babies. He, in my opinion, did the correct thing, We may or may not tell the FBI about it because it appears to be the key to understanding the odd nature of the appearance of the babies. It is clear to the both of us that the whole incident was carefully planned and is replete with symbolic information. Whether or not this whole thing has anything to do with the lights in the sky that appeared over the bay at about the same time, is open to conjecture ; but, I for one, find the entire series of episodes just too conicidental.”
“The stick appears to be some sort of device to convey sound information. Before we all listen to its contents together, I will point out some features of it that Dr, Berner and I have noticed. It is virtually seamless. The only exceptions to its silvery appearance are the approximately one inch diameter red button at the top-front that appears to be some sort of control feature, and the small black areas at either end of the object. The black area on top is shiny, smooth, and highly polished; and, the black area at the bottom is dull in appearance and seems to have very tiny perforations. I suggest, Dr. Feinstein, that you make a sketch of the object in your notes showing the features and descriptions that Dr. Berner and I have noted in our examination.”
“Yes sir Colonel.”
Asbury looked at the three others for some time without speaking and then asked,”Does anyone have any questions about what has been said, or

14.

the path that we are embarking upon...? NO ? Well... then let’s get to it, time is short.”

[flowperson]

Continuing with Knowing,
chapter 2... my happy little computer went down for a couple of days right after I posted a rant on the Saddam is Dead thread. Gee...I wonder how that happened anyhow? All better now...
flow....


14.


He reached out with a pencil and touched the red button at the place labeled “play.” A few seconds later a baritone voice began speaking. It had no noticeable accent, and could have been that of a man or a woman. One could have said that it was a perfectly neutral medium to convey information. The sound of the voice was perfectly modulated and seemed to come to their ears from everywhere at once. All of their eyes widened upon this miraculous revelation.

“ Hello. This message will come to you in twentieth century English. However, should it be necessary, it may be listened to in French, Spanish, German, Swahili, Arabic, Mandarin, Farsi, Hindi-Urdu, Japanese, or Russian. The presentation language may be changed by speaking the name of the desired language into the black area on the bottom of the stick at any time.”

Asbury reached out and touched “stop” with the pencil. He looked wonderingly at the physicists and asked, ”I don’t suppose that either of you have any ideas about how this device operates do you ?” As if on cue Berner and Feinstein just shrugged and smiled. The Colonel then touched “play” again and tried to concentrate upon what the device was telling him.

“ The great gift that has been given to you and the rest of the world has a potential for great goodness, or great destruction. Follow the instructions given here, and goodness will be the end outcome. Abuse the intent or content of the gift and the result will be eventual destruction.
Your world is about to come into possession of weapons of destructive power that have no equal in the past or present. When these weapons proliferate, as they inevitably will, they will have the potential to end all life on the planet through their indiscriminate use.
The children that have been given to you may be identified by lifting the foot ends of the waterproof pads in their boxes and examining the information in the envelopes that you will find there. Their full names, addresses, names of their parents, their family’s religious affiliation, names of the physicians/midwifes attending their births, and places and times of birth are all included in the information.
They have yet to be born in actuality. The births are all scheduled to

15.



take place over approximately the next seventy two hours in North America. We suggest that these children be placed into their birth situations as appropriate. In some of the birthings, stillborns will be presented, and substitution should be simple. In other non-hospital situations twin births are possible options. In single-birth hospital-supervised situations, more creative approaches will be necessary.
You should be assured that they are normal children in every way, and that they are reflective of the genetic composition of their parents and ancestors. If raised in a loving and caring environment, they will become productive and outstanding citizens of your societies, and will make earth-changing contributions to the common good at differing times in their lives.
We understand the nature and difficulty of the problems that we are giving to you to manage, but the positive outcomes of this project should be worth the efforts tenfold. We strongly suggest that you involve representatives of the clergy in your decision-making procedure from the beginning. It should speed the processes of evolution of this project.
In the names of: Yahweh, the creative presence who comes into existence from nothingness through acts of will; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and, Allah, the merciful and compassionate presence...we wish you well and good fortune on your respective life journeys.
The past and present are in the future. The past is the future”

The device fell silent and Asbury touched the “stop” button.

[flowperson]

Hmmm...a funny and strange thing happened to this thread the last time I posted part of this story on 4/25. The post registered the date correctly, but it did not show up in the chrono index of posts correctly.

It was buried under the 4/11 date for the previous post. Hmmmm....almost like someone doesn't want this story to be noticed and read, but then I'm just a paranoid and fearful, bi-polar, old fart that doesn't know his limits..huh?

Knowing, chapter Two continues,

flow....



Nothing was said by anyone while Saul scratched out the notes as best he could remember. When he caught up and looked up, Berner said,” I wish to state for the record that this is way over our heads to decide and that we should seek direction from Washington.”
“Doug, I’m inclined to agree,” said the Colonel, “but the facts are that we are here and Washington is twenty five hundred miles away. It is our responsibility to come up with the initial recommendations and move on from there if acceptable to the secretary.”
“As a starting point I believe that we should make sure that the information provided for each child is compiled and organized,” said Powell.


16.


“If it’s ok with everyone here I’ll call down to the Lounge area and have one
of my people start that at once.” Powell looked at the others and they all nodded their assent. He went over to the phone and called instructions to his nurses.
“What about their direction to bring in clergy? Do we believe that to be necessary?” Saul had stopped writing and had asked the question. Everyone at the table grimaced as if he wished the question had not been asked.
“I’d be inclined to delay that consideration until we come to a decision about how much information we make available to the FBI,” said Asbury. “The reality is that all the FBI will know is that the babies appeared in the hallway. They will not be able to determine the related circumstances unless we make the device and its message available to them. The Feds have enough on their plates with their pursuit of foreign agents and security breaches. While this incident is certainly important, I’m not so sure that we can trust all of our futures to them. This matter seems to have aspects to it that they are entirely incapable of understanding, let alone solving.”
“So you’re suggesting that we could choose to consciously withold and limit information that the FBI might normally expect to receive. You realize, of course, that by doing so you could involve the four of us in criminal conspiracy and possibly espionage.” Berner shook his head in disbelief and looked downward at his fingers that were folded together on the tabletop.
“I’m mostly concerned with the welfare and futures of fourteen children, and how we can possibly make sure that they end-up in the families that the strangers intended them for. I don’t know about the rest of you but I believe that it appears we’ve somehow been chosen to carry-out this mission for those who entrusted them to our care. These are human beings, and if what we heard is true, then they are destined to change the world for the better in the future according to the message of the strangers .”
Colonel William Benedict Asbury, a graduate of West Point with a major in civil engineering and a minor in philosophy, and the son of a graduate of West Point, considered for a moment and then excused himself from the table to use the telephone. He murmured instructions to the switchboard operator, hung up the receiver and returned to the table. He withdrew an elegant gold-filled cigarette case from his pocket and offered Lucky Strikes to the three others. Berner and Feinstein accepted. While they lit up and


17.


exhaled the first relaxing puffs, Asbury told them what he was
about to do. “ In a few minutes the telephone will ring and I’ll be talking with Mr. Knox. I’m going to tell him the straight story, and ask for his support of our recommendations, and if necessary to advise Mr. Stimson and
the President of the matter. I happen to believe that this is that important.”
“ Now I would appreciate it if each of you would tell me of your religious affiliations, if you have any, and what kind of relationship you have with your priest or minister. If we are to get the clergy involved, it is my impression that personal relationships should guide our actions. I’ll begin by telling you all that my family has long been affilliated with the Roman Catholic Church. My family attends mass weekly, and I’m well-acquainted with our parish priest. I’ve had meaningul and productive interactions with staff at the Los Angeles Archdiocese concerning the welfare of certain employees here at the plant. I believe that I could meaningfully discuss the implications of this matter with my priest. I’m sure he would treat it with the needed urgency and deference that the situation obviously requires.”
Berner looked intently at Asbury and began, ”This all puts me in an uncomfortable position as a scientist and researcher. While I cannot deny the factual content of what we have found and experienced, I am not willing to automatically judge this matter to be sacred or religious in nature. But I’ll admit that it certainly appears to be. “
“My wife and I are probably what you would call lapsed Episcopalians. In the years since we married, we ‘ve moved around so much that we’ve decided not to start a family just yet, or to join a church community. But we do attend services at the Episcopal church north of downtown Santa Monica, and I’m acquainted with our minister. I could probaby talk with him about this, but I would have to feel him out on it a little first to form my own opinions about his trustworthiness and sense of responsibility. I could agree to bring him into the matter after I talk with him first.”
“ Is that the church near St. Monica? That’s where we attend. Ask your minister if he knows Father Alvarez. If he does I can help out with your end of the situation.” Berner nodded. “Good,” said Asbury, “Now lets hear from the one who knows the most about the children at this point.”
Dr. Jonathan Powell cleared his throat and nervously fidgeted with the stethoscope hanging around his neck. “ I guess I’m what you’d call a


18.


liberal Christian. My Mom and Dad and I attend a Congregational church in West Los Angeles. We’ve been members there for as long our family has lived there, way before I was born. I’m a sort of a youth leader, teach Sunday school once in a while, and I’m very good friends with the minister. It would not be a problem for me to bring him into the matter.”
“Saul, what about you ?”
“Well, any relationships that I had with Temple were back in Brooklyn, but I did attend Yeshiva school there and gained the friendship of the Rebbe, even though I wasn’t a very good student for him. I could calll him and see if he has any friends in synagogues in Los Angeles. That’s the best I could do.”
“ That’s good enough I expect. Actually better than I had hoped for. Thank you everyone.” The phone rang and interrupted the discussion. Asbury rose and answered it.
“Tell them we’re in a meeting ...no, tell them I’m still rounding-up people involved in what they’re coming here for and that they can come right to my office in an hour or so . Yeah... that’s right. Thanks. Goodbye”
Asbury turned and said, “Gentlemen the FBI will arrive soon. I want to limit their questioning to only Berner and me to start with. Dr. Powell, please look after our children and see that the compilation of their information is completed. Let’s see...Why don’t you have the pool make four copies of the list. One for the Feds, one for me, one for you, and one for the members of the clergy when they come into this. Oh. and please be sure to meet your clergy in person to discuss this. Nothing should be discussed over the phone. “Saul, just tell your Rabbi in New York that you are having some problems in deciding some issues that concern religion and science, and that you need a wise friend of his to talk with about it here in Los Angeles. Please finish up your notes of this as best as you can remember. Then take the device and the notebook and put them in a safe place that only you know about. Saul, we’ll just make you the official keeper of the real secrets for now...is that allright ?”
“I guess so sir”, Saul replied somewhat sheepishly. Then he gathered the device, wrapping it again in Berner’s handkerchief and picked up the marbletop. With that Powell and Feinstein rose and left the room leaving Berner and Asbury alone for awhile.

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

I have "a few guests" over (just when I finally get rid of several others...) My apartment seems like Grand Central Station. Excuse me for a moment...

Sado, I'm out of tomatoes. The store's open for another couple of hours if you'd do me a huge favor. Here's a list of items the kitties and I need. Would you mind taking Ryogo, Edgar, Nova, Sabin, Kazuki, Uryuu and a couple of others? The kitties will still be here. Thank you. Kenpachi, you're going, too? Please leave your sword behind. Security gets a bit nervous. Nova, same with your hood. The rest of your outfit is okay. Trust me. I know the people who work there and they'll call me if there's trouble.

Okay, I'm back. I go through more groceries feeding "the masses" than almost everybody I know (except for the people who work at the dorms, but they have way too many people to feed if just one person was working. ) Excuse me again...

Orihime, Rangiku, please leave the new mothers alone. They'll let you see their kittens when they're all ready to be shown. You don't want the new kittens to be rejected by their own mothers, do you? Okay. Emma and Terra need your help with something. They won't tell me what but it seems important...

I'm back, again. *sigh* Did I mention this apartment is like Grand Central Station? I did? I hope I can get rooms for my "out of town guests" Forty people or more just don't fit in such a small place. I was lucky in the fact that I could kinda hide the mechas and that I have enough room in my storage space to hide all of the weapons, but one just can't hide that many people in a space of roughly 200 square feet. It's easier on campus. Which reminds me...

Guys, here're your schedules for tomorrow. We'll meet for lunch in the gaming club's office. You remember where that is, correct? If not, ask the people at the information booth. Tomorrow's demos are the martial arts classes. No, Ikkaku, you may not take your sword with you. Police, you understand?

Would some of you guys like to ease a bit of my burden? I'll reimburse.

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

[Prober]

Memory? 21

The view of the city from the top of the glass and steel scraper is incredible...the Gold Coast and Lake Michigan far below, just as I've been told. I've never seen anything like this before. This was a successful trip but I wish my wife could have made the journey.

I approach the elevator to return to street level and the boy rings for me. I stand back, waiting for the car. Time, for me, slows to a crawl as the doors open. I stand aside for a small knot of people who walk past me to the observation deck. Their eyes look through me as if I'm not there.


I board the elevator alone and the gray steel doors closed behind me. Long rectangular lights pass upward with increasing speed as personal time speeds up again. I can't feel the floor. The car is getting smaller. I feel weightless. The lights mercifully fade into darkness...

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

Well, we're back (none the worse for wear.) The martial arts demonstrations were, um, educational to say the least, especially the capoeira demo. I wish the two berserkers would've "chilled" (it's a good thing I told them to leave their swords behind or things would've been really interesting.) Excuse me for a moment...

Sado, would you be so kind as to slice the mozzarella? Nova, you do the tomatoes and Uryuu, you shred the basil, please. Orihime, please take out the cheesecakes. Ryogo, please start the tea. Thanks guys.

Where was I? Oh, yes. Most of my "guests" have "fan clubs" now among the student population as well as the general community (that's what I get for living very close to an all-girl high school [poor Nova].) I believe Nova wished he could've left his "real body" here and gone as the turtle stuffed animal instead (I can only glare so much before my face freezes.) Excuse me again...

Orihime, neither hot sauce nor soy sauce go well with mint chocolate chip cheesecakes. If you want some on your slice, fine, but not everybody has such, um, "refined" taste as you do. Would you check the cattery, please? Two of the litters might be ready for presentation by the queens. Thank you. Byakuya, would you mind escorting her? Thank you. You want to go, too, Yoruichi? Okay. Just stay away from the Kitty Krunchies, please. It wasn't you with tuna-flavored crumbs around your muzzle? Okay, I'll have to interrogate the usual suspects again...

Okay, I'm back again. We spent some time in the student-run coffeehouse. Sado impressed the bass guitarist with his knowledge, but he also kind of ticked off their lead singer (I don't blame Sado, though. The lead didn't have either a lick of talent or a lick of sense.) When we got back, I turned on the radio and we started singing to whatever's on (except the commercials. ) Forty-odd voices singing Poison is a rather interesting experience, as is forty-odd voices singing The Good Ship Venus (the second song is by Leslie Fish, the first, as most of you probably know, is by Alice Cooper.)

Gotta go, the horde is hungry and I have to get everything all together before things get ugly. Tuna salad just doesn't cut it sometimes.

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

We are currently singing Let It Grow by Eric Clapton () while we're waiting for a pizza delivery (fook cooking! Everybody's hungry and I'm out of groceries again!) I hope my pesky neighbors are driven out by "the racket". Excuse me for a moment...

Ryogo, the song can be about something, um, interesting. Yes, that.

New song on and they haven't missed a beat. Thunder Island by Jay Ferguson. Oops, I think Nova kinda "gets the gist" of the song. He's just zipped his hood closed. If he was in his stuffed turtle toy body, I think he'd be zipped in his shell. Poor kid. I think he should get extra pizza for his trouble. Oops, they're here. Excuse me...

I'm back. $80 plus tax down the drain, but pizza's doing the trick. I think I'll have them help feed the local feral population. Some of them seem to draw the :kitty:s better and the :kitty:s seem to relax them, too (might even help with the TNR program here.) Tonight we're spinning poi, and not the food. I hope Nova's "ability" doesn't come into play here (or either Hanataro's, Isane's or Retsu's.) Excuse me again...

Um, you need to change, guys. The spinners won't let you try if you're wearing manmade materials. Safety reasons. I've seen people's clothes catch fire firsthand. We have lots of time before the demo.

*le sigh* Gotta go help some of them choose appropriate wear. I'll give an update later after we get back.

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

Poi update: alas, the abilities came into play (stupidity, thy name is... ) Nova' s quite agile (he even "jumped rope" with fire.) Orihime lent a hand with the healers, too (I gave her a huge slice of cheesecake when we got home as a "thank you".)

The berserkers were detained a bit (stupid "hoodlum wannabes" picking fights with people who know exactly how to "KA" [one of them is recuperating nicely in the hospital's prisoners' section after going after Kenpachi. He's lucky Kenpachi got bored with the fight.])

The cattery keeps getting larger from births, fosterings and from adoptions (the pregnant :kitty:s were pregnant before I got them and they're going to be spayed as soon as I can get them done [the local vet has a standing account for me due to all of the fluffybutt clients I bring.]) I've gotten a "contract" to foster several prospective adoptees for the Humane Society, too (having a thriving cattery helps, I guess.) My guests are quite thrilled to be involved in this, too.

Some of my guests have set up accounts with an MMORPG and are happily playing their characters, too. Now, I have to convince them to take some time off from levelling (a decent swim today would be delightful since it's going to rather hot.)

I'm going to have to go now. The "fighters" want to go to the dojo to practice with their swords and they want me to act as liason again. Perhaps a sandwich buffet later...

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

A few more guests arrived (I DON'T HAVE THE BLOODY ROOOOOOOOOOOM) and are lending a hand or two (better than a foot, I guess.) Alas, none of the other guests will leave. Excuse me for a moment...

Guys, please leave Rune alone for now, okay? He was up all night and he's tired. No, the recent fosterlings are okay with him. Retsu, would you...? Thank you.

Anyhow, it could be worse (seven of the most recent visitors have willingly relocated to my friends' apartment [thank the PtBs.]) They don't have that much room, either, but several of the surrounding apartments are vacant (graduation/summer) so the newbies who've opted for the other apartments are using them. I wonder if it's because of the five restaurants within a four block radius (one right across the street that's open 24/7) that influenced the decision. *shrug* Excuse me again...

Clare, please put away your sword. He's not a demon, just very annoying. Killing him is frowned upon here. I'll call my friends and see if there's another vacant apartment for you, okay? You'll have quiet and I won't have a visit from the police. Okay.

Gotta go and make arrangements. Sorry. Chat later.

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

A couple of my guests worked recently (sent six souls along [a plane crash nearby] along with an elderly woman who perished after her house blew up [last I heard, it was because of a gas leak that ignited, destroying the house, killing the occupant, and damaging several houses around it.])

We're having a HUGE block party (instead of going to the local festival going on right now.) Sado struck up a tentative friendship with most of the group we saw last time, so they're all providing the music (along with a couple of DJs.) I'm busy "catering" the party (anybody want to help? And not just help eat the food?)

The :kitty: brigade has been busy, too, running messages and helping the healers (one of the :kitty:s has adopted Rune, sneaking into the observatory at school when the young man goes stargazing [you know :kitty:s...])

Excuse me for a minute...

What is it, Uryuu? *sigh* Okay, the store's open another hour and a half. You know the routine. Thanks.

I have to go, guys. *shakes head*

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

Unohana returned last night. Said something about Antares. She looked more upset than usual and she slept in the cattery instead of where she usually does. I'll leave her alone there.

Originally Posted by Prober

I'm a stranger to this planet having originated in the Antares region. I don't remember much of home. We live as a collective there. My only memory of home is the sense of being surrounded by a viscous (for I know no other adequately descriptive word) golden light in the presence of other consciousnesses. And I have an urge within me to complete my mission and go home.

I came to this rock approximately 32645 years ago VOLUNTARILY, believe it or not! And first experience a culture similar to what you call "Atlantis". I've asked many times and although I hear the name in my head, I'm unable consciously to repeat it.

I was a shepherd boy with white skin, living on a small rocky island dotted with scrub brush. The ships came unexpectedly one day and I was removed for my own good (the top of my head prickles as I write this) to a dusty place that smelled funny.

As I remember, it seems as though the light was a darker, almost dingy yellow, but it may be the tinge of absent years. The landscape was punctuated by pyramid structures and I was given the task of helping the workers place and shape blocks. The labor was apparently difficult for them as they tugged the rough blocks from the riverbanks to the rising monolith ahead. As the heavy blocks were brought to the site several of us, positioned at various intervals, shaped and placed them using knowledge of which I may not speak.

My companions and I completed our task and the ships arrived again for the long-awaited return. For some reason, lost to this self, one had to remain behind to secure the "opening" and I volunteered. A decision which I would have many, many years to regret...

(more later)

[pseudonymous]

Crap...40 years to remember what I am this time around. I'm sure my pals on the other side of the veil are getting a good chuckle over it. Then again, maybe 40 years is a short time in this endeavor, and maybe I have a prize awaiting me when I finally shed this skin. That would teach them to doubt my discernment abilities. I must of drawn the short straw to be incarnated again - I can't quite remember how all this works...something about being the catalyst for the next phase of evolution, or some such thing.

Ran out of fuel in Oklahoma, and wondering how a revolution of consciousness could possibly be initiated here - dull inhabitants, miserable humidity, and an undertow of dissolving personal will seeming to be taking over the whole planet...is this the end, or an altogether appropriate beginning...I'll have to get back to you with an answer to that. Perhaps I should request a writing column on this website "Comparative Religion" to further document my calling...who is this Brian chap anyways, and why do we always find ourselves gravitating to his little oasis in the vast internet void?

Aquaero (a.k.a. Pseudonymous)

[Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine]

Another guest came with his "friend" (luckily they're rather personable and entertaining {sans swords.}) Tachibana Sakon and his "friend" Ukon performed last night and today, plus they regaled us with tales of their exploits (often tinged with a murder or two. ) Unfortunately, none of my other guests have left (*bigcry*) Excuse me for a moment...

Tachibana-san, would you like something to eat or drink? My sincerest apologies for the meager offerings. Tea? I have green, white, chamomile, jasmine, lavender, rose hip, or I can mix up something special for you. It's no problem. You're getting a huge following here, especially after Ukon's last performance. Most of the people around here haven't ever seen traditional Japanese puppetry. *sigh* Yes, Ukon. Peasants.

I'm back. Life as a "caretaker" for all of my "guests" can be quite rewarding as well as quite stressful. All of the interactions, all of the breaking up of fights, all of the talking with the police to keep them from spending the night/weekend in jail, all of the friendships created, etc., etc., etc. Excuse me again...

Would you like some dorayaki after your vegetable curry? Please don't apologize. That's my job. Besides, it's no trouble at all. Several people were charmed by you performance, so you've definitely earned your meal. What was that, Ukon? Ah, the black cat in the audience was probably Ninja's Shadow. She reminds you of someone? Ah, the poor cat that was used as a murder weapon. Yes, I heard about that one. Ririsu, if I recall the poor unfortunate's name. Mmmm. Perhaps. Ah, go on and eat, Sakon-san. You'll be too busy to do anything but concentrate on Ukon's performance later, I think.

I'd better go, too. "The natives" are getting restless.

Phyllis Sidhe_Uaine