Doing it right...

[Sgt. Howard]

Buck sauntered up to Daisy and asked, "Mother, could you step out to the back pasture with me for just a moment? There's a matter I need to discuss with you,"
Her eyebrows went up, but she followed him out without question.
Once a decent distance from the house, he turned to his Mother and tried to figure how to broach the subject- she instigated by asking "What's up?"
"Well, " he started, "It seems to me that you've taken a fancy to Al,"
She looked quite stunned, then swelled up and challenged, "And if I have, is that some kind of problem?"
"Well, yes and no- Mother, hear me out... he doesn't have the first clue that you're interested in him. He's a human, they don't read tails because they don't have one. Right now, to him you are an intelligent talking horse- and he finds nothing wrong with your company, but I sincerly doubt he can find you romantically attractive... you have to approach him as a human before he will see you as desireable,"
"ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL YOUR DAM HOW TO HOIST HER TAIL?!?" she demanded.
"Mother, who here has a human spouse?"
She quieted down fairly quickly on that point.
"If I had approached Katherine only in my native form, she would never have considered me a possible mate. I hid nothing from her, I told her what I am from day one... but she had to see that I could BE human before she would consider me. Al is no different. The idea that you might find him desireable he will not believe only because he does not see it as realistic. AND UNDERSTAND THIS- a HUMAN spouse will prefer that you REMAIN human as much as possible... and yes, I know what an imposition that is... but long before I actually MET Katherine, I did everything possible for me to do it. THAT is why I eat meat. THAT is why I have a amulet. THAT is why I seldom eat in native form. THAT is why I seldom need to use a pasture. I chose this lifestyle so that I might have Katherine... and I have no argument with you wanting Al... he is a decent, honorable man, brave, intelligent... yes, I see what would attract you to him- BUT HE IS HUMAN- and you have to ask yourself, "can I make this work?"- you will have to change your diet, your living quarters, acquire a wardrobe AND USE IT, get used to the human concept of modesty, learn how to function within their society... if you want this man, you have to live in his world at least half the time, maybe more... Mother, I only wanted you to know what you are getting into... and if you need my help, I can show you what I know and a few tricks I have learned along the way,"
She regarded her son warmly- "I was about to make a fool of myself, wasn't I?"
"Yes Ma'rm"
They hugged... and she turned back to the house... "Seems I've got some thinking to do," she stated rather flatly as she ambled back.

[Julie]

He yelped, squealed and ran, holding his crotch...
"THAT knot will take some effort to untie," she muttered to herself...

*holds hand up to mouth and laughs*
Mwahahahahahahaaaaa!

Yeah...that was precisely my reaction.

[jwhouk]

Billens angrily clicked off the phone.

"His lawyer's put in another appeal of our last request to talk to him," he said. "Damn, I miss the old days."

"What is it, he has half the Minnesota Bar Association on his payroll?" I asked, closing up my iPad.

"Seems like it." Billens shook his head in disgust. "He's trying to delay us talking to him until after the wedding. Meanwhile, he's getting things out. We're trying to get him moved out of the facility, but Minnesota DOC isn't budging."

I took a sip of my cup of coffee that Suzie had brought from Tina's shop at the Library.

"What about his son?" I asked. "Maybe we can get through to him that way. I mean, he did try to spring him from LHS."

"What could he do for us?" he said dismissively. "He's focused on getting Epimethus and company."

"You forgot this." I handed him a copy of the "hit list" and the letter attached that he'd sent to his son.

"How the hell did you get a copy of these?"

"We have a copier in the cottage," I said with a smile. "Considering my life was on the line, I made copy."

Suzie looked at Billens, then at me. "You know, that's not admissable as evidence in a court of law, right?"

"Only if the DOC didn't destroy the original," I said.

Suzie pulled out her phone. "Lemme see if I can make a few calls..."

[Sgt. Howard]

He yelped, squealed and ran, holding his crotch...
"THAT knot will take some effort to untie," she muttered to herself...

*holds hand up to mouth and laughs*
Mwahahahahahahaaaaa!

Yeah...that was precisely my reaction.

I thought you ladies would enjoy that... fyi, he did a bowline knot

[Just Old Al]

Again at the desk, book open and Cross pen out, Al pondered his journal. His mind was awash in sights, sounds and experiences - what to document and what to lay by for further consideration?

He laughed ruefully - no one would ever see this so why was he being so pompous about it? "Tin-plated Colonel Blimp" indeed - Greg was right. Just set to the task - it would soon be time for bed. Mayhaps he'd nip down to the kitchen for a glass of milk and one of the wonderful cookies that TIna still managed to get from Becky.

Shaking his head, he laughed, quietly and a bit ruefully. He was getting too used to this comfort.

With his usual precision, he began to write, the pen scritching slightly over the rag paper in the journal.

Siege - day 50:

The time here at the Alexander house has been surprisingly pleasant, but in the oddest ways. It seems pleasure snatched in the shadow of the sword or because of the sword is the sweetest.

As one who normally lives a solitary existence (mostly as a reaction to the crowding and lack of privacy of the military) it's been amazing how much I've enjoyed the company of others here. Every last being here is fascinating all the way from the apex predators (for whom I have very great respect) to the mortals like myself. Perhaps it's the interaction with little to do - but I've never enjoyed being in a company of folk the way I have here.

The mealtimes are a hubbub - everything from Dixie complaining to adults talking to laughter to the constant bickering with Greg (who's become a true blood brother through all of this). Even the smells of the various diets are wonderful - though the concept of pickled carrots still revolts me even after having tried them. I have eaten a lot of odd things over the years, but a pickled carrot makes me long for grubs and crickets.

The grounds here practically beg for long walks - and I thoroughly enjoy walking with one or another of our merry band even though we do it armed for obvious reasons. With my old Lee-Enfield over my shoulder and a pistol belt on my waist Neil and I have strolled together as he fills in my regrettable shortcomings in history. Stan, Tina and I have taken many long walks around the perimeter chattering about his Tiger (Tina finally understands the attraction, I see!). Even the Alexanders have walked with me at one time or another - a not-to-be-missed opportunity to learn what it's like to be a paranormal. Rowdy, bless his heart is solid energy and as merry as they come. Buck is a kind, gentle soul with a core of battle steel - he and Katherine are a perfect pair. Even the matriarch of the house has been out around the grounds with me - which amazes me considering all of the demands this madhouse makes upon her time.

Gods alone know, I love them all. Something I will take VERY great pains to never admit, I might add. When this interlude passes for good or ill I will go back to my life, illuminated with the knowledge of this life and poorer for having lost it. However, as always, I will survive. "Stiff upper lip and all that" as some stage Englishman might say.

One thing I will take back with me, however is the joy in the accomplishment Greg and I have managed in the past month or so - turning a bunch of green, frightened civilians into soldiers I am proud to stand next to. They're not spit and polish and not a one knows how to salute, but soldiers they are - and a more stalwart group I've never served with.

For the first time in many years I've been able to enjoy teaching again - and teaching the arts of war as opposed to mechanics or engineering. I am the last person who will glorify death and suffering - but passing along my hard-won skills to another generation - even in circumstances like this - has been most satisfying. I hope to all the gods that they're never needed - but the reaction to our teaching has been gratifying.

Consider, if you will, what we started with. A policeman, a Sphinx, a teacher, a (Gods help us) barista, a photographer, an artist, and (again Gods help us) head butler. With this we have our own (for want of a better term) cavalry - all of the Alexanders have learned to shoot and did extremely well even considering the weapons we had were not really suited to them in horse (politely called I am told feral) form. Other than the policeman there isn't a one I would have considered for this task except in the circumstances we find ourselves in - but each and every one of them learned the eccentricities of their weapon of choice along with the basics of tactics, movement and command structure.

Any one of them could give a fully-trained recruit of Her Majesty's forces a run for his money - and probably out-shoot him. All of them together would be a serious force to be reckoned with by any standards you care to name. I would put our small troop up against any set of random hoodlums and give very long odds that any carnage would be quite one-sided.

Note to me - I need to buy the weapons Greg provided to the troop from him - if we get out of this in one piece I want all of them to take these weapons home and keep them - not as a defense but as a reminder of a time when they came to a task and succeeded brilliantly.

Gods know, I love them all.

Enough of this now - I'm turning into a misty, sentimental old fool.

On the morrow, then.

Pen down, journal closed, Al rose from his chair, stretched and grimaced - the labours of the past month or so had been hard on his game leg. As he left the room after checking the weapons case he shut off the light and headed for the kitchen. A cookie, perhaps, or a cup of cocoa...

[FreeFlier]

He yelped, squealed and ran, holding his crotch...
"THAT knot will take some effort to untie," she muttered to herself...

*holds hand up to mouth and laughs*
Mwahahahahahahaaaaa!

Yeah...that was precisely my reaction.

I thought you ladies would enjoy that... fyi, he did a bowline knot

)()()()()()()()()()()()( )()()()()()()()()()()()( )()()()()()()()()()()()( )()()()()()()()()()()()( "One approves!" )()()()()()()()()()()()( )()()()()()()()()()()()( )()()()()()()()()()()()( )()()()()()()()()()()()( <==tailwagging

Two winces . . . and approves.

. . .

Two suspects someone has done something similar . . .

/innocent/

. . .




--FreeFlier

[Sgt. Howard]

Daisy came back into the main parlor considerably subdued compared to earlier that day, followed by Buck. Greg noticed the change of attitude and wondered if there was bad news... yet this group did a poor job of hiding secretes from each other. Something family? Possible- Kathy looked a bit concerned as did Cindy and Rowdy... and HE seemed to be the only one in this circus that noticed. Well, it 'ain't right to pry and it do no good to worry' his Gramma used to say... but if they need anything. He wandered over to his favorite antagonist, sneaking a quick kiss on Miss Annie on the way.
"Getting a decent feed?" he asked the crusty old Brit.
"I daresay- 'tis a dangerous place here, a fellow's willpower is tested to the extreme. I'll be surprised if I don't have to purchase new clothes in short order,"
"Naw- it's not what you take in, it's what you do or don't put out... and I eat like a teenager,"
"YOUR metabolism is an abnormality... no man your age has any business consuming so much fuel without bloating to the size of the Hindenburg. Besides, my workout is the equivalent of your own,"
"except ONE exercise,"
"Oh? and which one is that?"
Greg sneaked a look in either direction to see who might be listening (Al's first clue that he does NOT want to hear what the man might say,)
"You are LACKING in the Marathoner Horizontal Bop,"
"You are such a hedonistic swine, you know that,"
"Yes, I cry about it between orgasms,"
"You are more an animal than ... hmf! I almost insulted our hostess! Does your wife know how much you boast about your alleged sex life?"
"Probably... but regardless... what do you think of our fearless warriors?"
"Hmph! 'Not ready for prime time' I believe is the phrase... they MIGHT be a fair match against a troop of Boy Scouts... "
"How about our worthy adversary?"
"Drug running bastards don't stand a chance..."

Phix had been there since early morning with Dixie in tow- the little one was sleeping in a snuggle pack that hung her right in front of her Mother. Daisy walked over to her...
Phix looked up at her- "Daisy? What's wrong? Is this motley crew getting you down?"
"No," she replied, "I need to ... I need to confer with Lily on something... do you know where I can find her?"
"Oh! Yes, she's on protection detail with the Houks in Wisconsin... we have a portal there, it goes directly into her apartment... but you'll have to clear yourself and go human... and probably keep it quick..."
"Erza showed me how to turn the bathrooms into a meadow- I can duck back into the library if I have to,"
"Who's in charge in your absence?"
"Buck- he's the house Alpha Male,"
"I'll help where needed- Neil is at school teaching right now, and there's little enough for me to do at the library... Nudge can handle it well enough... especially now that I get feedback on her,"
"... you have a monitor system?"
"No- a reliable snitch,"

Word on the street was that the man had a curse protecting him. Several had disappeared or died in horrible fashion, several were arrested, most ready to confess to sins dating from early childhood on.
Nobody could touch the man. A professional hit-man with a high-powered scoped rifle was found, several miles from the scene, impacted deep into fresh-tilled soil. The rifle had to be extracted from his body... forcibly. Brian Wahnee once found seven candles lit outside his shop at closing time- he had no idea what it was about. The cohort who witnessed his partner's disembowelment thought that might appease the man's juju. The price went higher... so did the body count. Of all the names and faces on the infernal list, Only one person could be found... to no avail. Everybody else just fell off the face of the earth.

Daisy re-appeared wearing a plaid flannel shirt, nicely fitting wrangler jeans and Olathe boots... and no hind legs. Heads turned as she walked towards the path to the portal- there was a stunned moment in every one's mind when they realized that this was their hostess- normally her bare torso and equine body, announced by 'clop clop' of dinner-plate sized hoofs took up enough space to be impossible to ignore... now, at 5' 9", the strawberry blond fair skinned with freckles hazel eyed well proportioned Matron caught attention by virtue of appeal rather than mass. Nobody was more startled by the transformation than Al, who sat slack-jawed, head swiveling as she went out the door.
"Did you...? was that...? Upon my word!- did YOU know she could be human?"
"Buck does it all the time... I assume most Centaurs have the ability... so, no, I didn't... KNOW... she could... but I am not surprised by it..."
"She... is rather a handsome woman, isn't she? I never knew... well, she is rather a good-looking CENTAUR, but I never equated it to... am I being daft?"
"Frequently- especially when it comes to women. She's been rather friendly with you here recently, and you never saw it as anything other than being friendly. I could be mistaken, but I think she LIKES you,"
"Oh...good...God...- are you certain? How can you possibly tell?"
Greg just sat there looking at him.
Al was now totally confused- "What?"
"Al- I have seen you face any number of horrors and death- I have seen you throw maggot after homicidal maggot to their maker like darts in a pub game- together we had a showndown with the dildo from hell... and right now you are falling apart like a high school junior trying to work up the courage to ask a girl to the prom!"
"Dash it Greg! It is NOT that simple! I've been a bachelor for a good score and five now, with nothing to worry about beyond my self, set in my ways and happy with it! She does not deserve to be inflicted with the likes of me, nor do I need to play with her affections only to shatter her hopes!"
"Then... why does it matter if she likes you? You can continue to ignore it,"
For the first time since Greg had known Al, he seemed very much a lost little boy.
"No, Greg... I don't think I can,"
"You've already suspected, haven't you?"
"Yes... and in truth, from the moment I laid eyes on here I said to myself, 'if only she were human,'... then she lavished attention on me, and of COURSE I ate it up, but never insinuated that it was anything more than friendship... besides, she quite outgoing with everybody else, how do you know I am so special?"
"Al... don't ever play poker,"
"And what the bloody hell is THAT supposed to mean?"
"You cannot hide your hand and you cannot read another player- All that tail swinging? She was looking at YOU, bub. Don't you know what that means?"
"And how did YOU come to be such an expert on these things?"
"The only time I see Buck swish his tail like that, he's looking at Kath- and when she' looking back and smiling, his tail starts a breeze! They are essentially super intelligent horses, so if you think in terms of equine society, it's not hard to figure out,"
"Well, how come I couldn't figure it out then?"
"Emotional investment,"
"Eh?"
"You are somewhat afraid of your emotions- you are likely to block out what's right in front of you,"
He looked stunned... "Whereas YOU... have no investment... and thus can see more clearly... egads... now what do I do?"
"Al... only you can answer that- but I'll tell you a little secret- my greatest regrets in life are from the things I DIDN'T do,"

[TazManiac]

Tina walked amongst the dappled sunlit forest path, looking here and there, although she didn't 'see' the sunlight as such.

It was all flowing and shifting and the 'colors' she perceived didn't really cover the same spectrum as a normal human, but it allowed her an intimacy with the things and people around her that she'd grown to take for granted, and that others would freak out if they actually understood just how laid bare reality was when she looked and she saw.

Stan had taken to these casual strolls though the more remote parts of the estate lately, it took him back, in a way, to his childhood- running free and barefoot, exploring, learning, being taught by the local elders to deal with anything that walked on four feet and going unnoticed by those with two.

Since growing up, and especially being back in 'Civilization', time had dampened his earlier education a great deal; it could still be a jungle of sorts but was built of steel and brick and concrete and asphalt. It smelled wrong, and sounded different and the cues were all cattywampus.

Getting back in the Green had done wonders for his peace of mind and outwardly he was very composed, most of the time. It made it easier to be around him.

So when he caught up with Tina after her barista shift was over, as if 'barista' really covered the service she provided, she looked forward to an aimless amble amongst the out-of-doors.

It came then, as a surprise when Stan took her hand, fairly pulling her along and mentioning something about "Where have you been? I have some really stout wood you need to deal with..." or something like that- he was calm, yes, but there was an inner determination she'd seen before. He was doing that 'Mission' thing again.

"So, do I understand you have some wood and you need my help with it?, is that right"

There was a little hitch in his stride as he understood her entendre, but he kept moving; "Yes, as a matter of fact I want to introduce you to Stick Lick'n, Bajan style..., Come along...".

Tina knew it wasn't what it sounded like, but she liked him when he gave off these 'colors' and she followed along, curious. Curious and delighted.

[Sgt. Howard]

Appearing at the portal directly in front of the door, Daisy knocked.
"Who is it?" challenged Lily.
"Daisy," she responded.
"And how do I now that?"
"Dammit you filthy parasite! Your DAUGHTER stole MY SON away from me! We got YANKED out of a HOSPITAL and RIGHT TO THE LIBRARY because we got into a PUBLIC SNIT! Afterwards, I CRAPPED ALL OVER A TOILET!!!"
The door burst open and the two women hugged. "C'mon in, Seabiscut- I haven't seen you in too long!"
Once inside, Lily poured coffee and put out some oatmeal cookies- "Soooo what brings you here?"
Daisy took a deep sigh- "Well... there's this human male, and he's a very intelligent, brave, capable fellow... but he's HUMAN you see, and that means I have to get used to spending more time as a human..."
"WAIT A MINUTE!!! you are asking ME, the most CYNICAL BITCH in the UNIVERSE a question about a POSSIBLE ROMANTIC SITUATION? ARE YOU SERIOUSE?"
Daisy nodded.
"... girl you MUST be desperate... OK, who is this Galahad?"
"He's Greg Howard's friend Al, the English mechanic type... except he's also a veteran soldier,"
"Big Al? the guy who disassembles Lanthian technology? Oh, he's an odd one... but damn fine looking for his years. So, what's the issue?"
"Oh come on- I'm not really going to the big dance with the school jock! I'm a little..."
"Long of tooth? I doubt he will look you in your mouth..."
Daisy laughed at the thought, "nooo... well, yes, I am not any Spring chicken,"
"And neither is he!"
"Lily, he's HUMAN! I'll have to change diet, lifestyle, learn to wear clothes all the time, finally master a toilet (both ladies giggled) EAT MEAT- ugh... THAT's not easy for us! And do I need to embarrass my children, or intrude upon him, or..."
"Oh, stuff it!!! ANY relationship is a risk, get over yourself. You're not getting any younger, neither is he. If you have to change things, then change things... if he turns out to be an asshole, you change it back and get over that. Nobody is asking you to amputate your hind legs!!! Humans won't sleep with a horse... well there are those that do, but trust me, don't go there. Give it a shot- all you've wasted is time. If you get hurt, pick yourself up and dust yourself off. You'll be fine,"
"So how come I don't see YOU with a main squeeze?"
"I'm immortal... I got time to waste aplenty. Besides, I JUST got my family after umpteen billion years of being everybody's scapegoat and that's entertainment enough right now. That, and I haven't seen anybody that has my attention- and I'm not worried about it right now,"
"So you think I should?"
"Go for it- doing nothing for fear of making a mistake? sounds pretty silly to me,"

[Sgt. Howard]

"The field of battle is less demanding... and considerable safer," Al thought to himself as he considered his options- she is considerably rich, so squandering money won't impress her. She is remarkably well- kept... whereas Al LOOKS like the rough mileage he has seen over the years... 'putting on airs' won't work, he had been nothing but himself the whole time he had been around her and she would call his fraud...
A memory came to the surface... he had just discovered girls, and had no clue what to do about it. Her name was Ellen Middleton, and it was back in the late sixties, and he had asked him Mum how to impress her- Mum said,

"Just be yourself, Allan... just be yourself,"

But little Allan didn't really like himself, any more than any early adolescent child does, so he tried to be something 'better'- and made a holy muck of it...
It didn't work then... it wouldn't work now... if she really has any interest, it is in the man she has seen these past few weeks...
but now he wasn't sure how to be that man! It was like asking a centipede how it managed so many legs, and then the wretched thing thought about it and couldn't do it anymore.
Make a clean breast of it- accept the fact that you have no more capacity of being a classic Don Juan than you can grow your own equine body. That matters of intimacy still baffle and frighten you... oh, lovely! Might as well show up in school colors and knee britches! She can play the schoolmarm with a yardstick... rubbish... how does Greg do it? He never passes Annie without a touch or a kiss, he always seems to know what to say to her, she looks at him as if her were solid gold... and he is old enough to be her Father!

"I hate to admit it," he thought to himself, "but it seems I will need that hillbilly's advice in this matter,"

Back in the kitchen, Daisy slipped in through the back door. Phix was there chatting with Rosalita in Spanish over a cup of coffee spliced with Abuleta chocolate.
"Daisy! Hey, you need to try this, huh?"
"SHhhhh!" Daisy hissed, "Not so loud... I need to get some advice on this, girl- and the fellow in question is in the next room,"
"Al?" Phix asked.
"Oh... you know?"
"The only one who has been unaware is that silly Englishman himself. I've just been catching up on the particulars here, " she motioned to the house cook, " when you showed up- apparently, when you came from your chambers to the portal, his head swiveled like a gun turret- he's never seen you in human before, right?"
"Oh my... " she glanced at her reflection in the window, "OH! and I have no make-up on! And... OH! OH! I really don't know how to PUT make-up on! OH! He's SEEN ME WITHOUT MAKE-UP! OH! OH! WHAT DO I DO?"
"Forget about makeup, you silly goose- he was sufficiently impressed with what he saw... you don't want to run the man over, do you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Girl, just be you... if that doesn't catch his attention, nothing else will matter. Daisy, you need makeup like I need a face-lift! Go out there and say 'hi' to him! Don't worry about particulars, just do it. NEIL!" Phix's eyes got big as her husband walked through the door.
"My beloved," he responded and swooped her up in a kiss, "I got off early today, figured I would find you here- MY WORD- Daisy, I've not seen you in human before, you're looking quite good. What's the occasion?"
"Funny you should ask- Neil, I'm thinking we could use a little help here- Daisy, do you own a stereo system of any sort?"
"Uh, yea- there is a full-media system right there in the great Parlor- it will play anything,"
"Neil Honey, let me give you some background..."

[jwhouk]

Mikael Tempelhoffer was sitting in his cell, quietly reading a book, when he heard the buzz over the cell intercom.

“Tempelhoffer, you have a visit.” It was the CO on duty in Reception block C – Widemann, it sounded like.

He’d only been down here at RYOC – the Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility – for a week now, and he really hadn’t gotten any sort of visiting list together. Who this person was, then, was a mystery.

He wasn’t gonna complain, of course. More time out of his cell and all that. And this place was starting to show its dreariness.

He waited until he heard the “click” of the door release, then tugged on the door handle. He stepped out, looking down and over the balcony.

The reception block was a separate part of the larger facility. About 12 cells, six on the bottom floor and six on top floor, were set off from the rest of the North Building of RYOC’s small campus in the middle of Racine’s north side. He’d already heard the stories that they’d built a prison right on the grounds of an old warehouse.

He knew nothing about the city, though – other than there was this weird circular pastry thing that they passed off as breakfast on the weekends. Some weird local delicacy.

He slowly walked to the stairwell, keeping an eye on the dayroom below. He didn’t see anyone he recognized. Once he was at the base of the stairwell, he turned and reported to the control station.

“Your agent wants to talk to you,” Widemann told him as he pointed to one of the conference rooms, next to the shower room off the dayroom. Mikael couldn’t help but roll his eyes. The lady, some large older lady who looked like she’d been doing this for years, was waiting in the small office.

Mikael reported to the door, and the agent – Carla Bridgeman – motioned him in. That was when he saw that there was another person in the room with her. He was dressed in a black suit, and – for some reason, he looked familiar.

“Mikael, this is Agent Jeremiah Billens,” she said as he had a seat. “He’d like to ask you a few questions about your family.” This earned another eye roll from him.

“I told you I ain’t heard from my dad at all since that crap up at Irma,” he said.

“No letters?” Billens asked. “No ‘you might like to see this’ notes?”

Mikael sneered. “He’s locked up at that max prison over in Minnesota. I ain’t gotten crap from him since then.”

“You did send him a letter, though?”

“Well, yeah – I let him know I was at Irma, but that was a month ago – and before that incident WHICH I KNEW NOTHIN’ ABOUT,” his voice rose.

“But you told him about the staff at LHS,” Carla said.

“Well, yeah. That one guy – they used to call him ‘Boo-boo,’ but now he’s got that street name of ‘Fearless’.” He shrugged. “Never did find out why.”

Both Carla and Billens looked at each other.

“You never knew his name, did you?” Carla asked.

“Naw,” he replied. “He worked third shift, an’ I was in security most of the time I was up there. I only heard bits an’ pieces from other kids up there. Only night I remember anything goin’ down was that one night when the whole breakout attempt happened. I din’ know anything about it.”

“It was something your dad had done before, though,” Another voice came from the doorway. “That’s what you told me that morning.”

There, standing in a pantsuit with a visitors pass hanging around her neck, looking like she was discussing where she was going to have lunch that afternoon, stood Acacia Budur.

His eyes widened as she walked into the room – and closed the door.

“Mikael,” she said very quietly, “Your dad has put a bounty out on about twenty of my friends. AND me.” She took one last swig of the cup of coffee she had in her hand. “And, you are going to tell us everything you know about why, or…”

She promptly crushed the cup in her hand, and – with a glowing flash – it disintegrated. She released the contents of her hand onto the desk – a lump of raw diamond.

“…You will find out first hand how I made that happen.”

Carla’s eyes raised slightly as she looked at the cooling lump on the desktop. Billens only rolled his eyes from seeing it happen before.

[FreeFlier]

Bud being intimidating . . .

--FreeFlier

[Julie]

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Bud?

[Sgt. Howard]

You go, girl..

[Just Old Al]

You owe the correctional system $1.47 for that coffee mug, young lady...

[DinkyInky]

You owe the correctional system $1.47 for that coffee mug, young lady...

She'll tell 'em to take it outta that lump, and to put the rest into an account labelled, "Acacia Budur's Justifiable destruction of corrections property".

[Sgt. Howard]

"There is the issue of his leg, "Daisy cautioned, " he was wounded in the service and walks with a limp,"
Neil took a deep breath- "Then I hope he forgives me," he stated as he pulled a phial out of his shirt pocket- the fluid was a light amber in color.
"How does he like his coffee?"

Out in the Parlor, Al continued to delve his own mind regarding 'Miss Daisy' as he had taken to calling her. Greg was allowing him his silence, knowing the turmoil he must be facing. Just about then, Cindy clopped on over from the kitchen with a steaming mug-
"Al, I'm told you suffer from chronic caffine defficiancy- here, spliced with Mexican Chocolate,"
"Oh... thank you, my dear- yes, that's an excellent suggestion right about now," he watched her clip-clop back to the kitchen.
"I would have family... even if it falls apart, for however long it lasts, I would have family... THAT is worthy of consideration in itself,"
"You dweeb- you HAVE family, they just don't share blood. Look around you- will you not be there for Castela's wedding if you still draw breath? Or Dixie's? Will you not mourn the passing of anybody here? THAT is family!"
Al looked at those surrounding him as he sipped his coffee- then stopped and looked at the mug-
"Greg, you should have them do you up a shot of this! It is WONDERFUL!!! A bit rich on a routine basis perhaps, but quite.... hmmm... yes, of course you're right... these lunatics... who I am blaming YOU for introducing me, mind you... this three ring circus, this IS MY FAMILY! ... and a DAMN FINE ONE, I might add... seriously, go have that little senorita knock you out one of these, they are heavenly,"
Greg ambled over to the kitchen and was about to make a request... when he spotted Neil. Forgetting his coffee, he walked directly over to the youngish looking centurion and asked,
"Did you get somebody pregnant in November of 1953? Not that I am passing judgement, but I am curious if you are my Father,"
"Fearless... and blunt... you would HAVE to be my son. Yes... and I never knew she was pregnant... but I remember her. Irish Catholic schoolgirl, barely legal age, we met at a drunken frat party at Stanford University. Sang like a meadowlark. I had to go elsewere and never kept track of her... Mary O'Connell... don't know anything beyond that. What made you ask?"
"This," he said as he produced an old, color photograph of a very young man in uniform. He held it up to Neil's face- the two were near identicle. Phix gasped at the resemblance, looking between the photo and Neil... then at Greg.
"When we bugged out, I came across this in my photos box- that's me at Ft. Benning, March of 1977. I couldn't get over how much it looked like you. Here I am, 61 years old- and here you are, barely needing to shave... and you are my Father... well, I've known I was adopted long before I knew what that meant... this in itself is no shock. I also knew that whoever gave me up probably was in no condition to keep me... I bear no grudge... I just want to know where come from,"
"I'll be happy to tell you... but right now, we have a mission,"
Daisy stepped out from the lesser pantry with a shy smile.
Greg returned the smile- "I see- what do you want me to do?"
"Select some music and dance with your wife," Neil said.

[Warrl]

Tina is a most exceptional barista indeed, if she can splice coffee.

[Just Old Al]

Tina is a most exceptional barista indeed, if she can splice coffee.

Only if you spill it on your designer genes...

{deposits a microtome and a thesis paper from Watson and Crick in the pun vault...}

[TazManiac]

so... non-consequential age-suppression restoration then?