PROLOGUE:

The setting is modern-day America. To be more specific, it's a twenty-two story high rise called the Random House, which overlooks a body of water known as the Grand River. It might have existed since the beginning of time, no one really knows for sure. Many characters from different stories and folklore have been brought here, among them the characters from The Dark Crystal. It is a wonderful, magical place, and all invited to join it feel honored.

The residents each have their own rooms, along with a large communal room on each floor, where the guests can converse, mingle, watch television, throw parties, or do whatever else they please. With such a diverse group of denizens in this extraordinary place, many are the best of friends, but many more are the worst of enemies. Still, as it is considered an honor and privilege to reside here, those who are not on the best of terms have learned to tolerate each other. To do physical harm to another is strictly forbidden.

This place alone has many stories of its own to tell, not just the ones of the characters which it contains. The following is a tale of infinite hate along with true love, as well as regret and forgiveness. It is also only one of many that have been grown and nurtured in this strange and diverse place.

Chapter 1. The Best Intentions

The rain poured down outside. Kira sat alone in her room, contemplating her surroundings. It had been two years since she had first arrived at this place called the Random House. Although most of it was strange and alien to her, it was also a place of peace. It was a place eons far away from the pain and sadness she had known on Thra. She looked more human now, as everybody did who came from far off lands, even the gentle urRu and the cruel Skeksis, who also resided on the same floor. Once genderless, individuals from each race had identified themselves with male or female, as well as taking on a more human form. Still, she did not question this fact since it just seemed a natural thing in this world, which she was now a part of. In fact, she tried not to think of it much at all, since she figured the less she had to do with either race, particularly the cruel Skeksis, the better off she would be. Yes, there was the unspoken, unwritten rule that they could cause her no harm, but she did not entirely trust that. As deceptive and conniving a race they were, she was fairly certain they would come up with something to make her life miserable if she got too close.

Then there was Jen, the only other one like her in this large and seemingly alien world. They had found each other, back on their home planet known as Thra, the last of a race that had been all but exterminated. Although both now were technically human, it seemed still they were the only two alike. Still, there was a part missing there and she could not figure out why. When she looked at him, there was something that told her what she should be feeling. Yet it was not there. It was as if she knew she had a role to play, but didn't fit the part. Just as her thoughts were tangling around this quandary once again, her phone rang. It was her friend Eros, who resided on one of the higher levels of the building.

"Hey Kira! I was wondering what were you were doing tonight. The club is open late, and they have fifty cent drafts until midnight."

"You know Eros, that actually sounds fun," she said eagerly. "Meet me down here at 8:00 and we'll get ready."

Being the Greek god of love himself, Eros always wanted to know every minute detail of his friends' love lives if he didn't already. Kira had confided in him before, but tonight she was feeling particular confused about where she and Jen were heading, and it was certainly nice to have a person there to talk to who was an expert in such matters.

"I don't know Eros, we've been through so much together," Kira stated ever so sadly. "Being the last two of our kind, one would assume we would automatically fall for one another. It just seems that hasn't happened. He tells me he loves me, and that he wants to have a family, but myself, I'm not so sure. And that kills me." She looked so melancholy as she made this statement.

"That's certainly understandable," replied her friend. "But things often do not come wrapped up in a nice neat bouquet, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Have you tried talking to Jen about this? Perhaps that may help."

"I understand what you are trying to tell me, and part of me knows that you're right, but I really was hoping it wouldn't come to that. I was just hoping that my emotions would just bounce back up on their own."

"Well, you need to stop thinking about it, Kira. Go out and have fun tonight. Let your hair down. Things may seem better in the morning."

"You're right, Eros. Perhaps I am just way over-thinking this whole thing. The more I think about it, the more difficult it becomes. Perhaps if I just let go, it will work itself out."

"Now you're going somewhere," he agreed. "Remember, love is not something that can be forced. Yes, it does take work and commitment, but you will always run into problems if you try to force the issue, or be with someone just because that's the 'proper' thing to do. I've seen my fair share of heartache over that one."

"We'll just see. Tonight for once I'm not going to worry about it. Let's go and have a good time."

The two friends arrived at the nightclub known as Top of the Rock at approximately ten thirty that evening. Connected directly to the high rise in which they resided, it was only open to residents of the Random House, which that little fact alone made it the most exclusive nightclub in the world. On any given Saturday night, the place would be packed wall to wall people, some being Greek gods including Zeus himself, others coming from planets in far off galaxies such as Luke Skywalker of Tatooine and his sister Leia. And this night was the same as any other – a packed dance floor with people and races of all walks of life and backgrounds.

Kira went up to the bar to get a drink. Just as the bar tender was taking her order, three Skeksis walked past her and sneered. She shot an icy look back at them. As it stood now, for the very first time in her life, those vile things, vile even though now they looked as human as she did, were the least of her worries, and she was not about to let them spoil her evening.

"Good god, I can't believe they let those filthy things in here," the one known as SkekEkt chirped to her companions, after walking past Kira. Her tall frame was dressed from head to toe in layers of silks, polyester, embroideries and scarves. Long silver and gold earrings hung from her ears, which were pierced in multiple places, including her nose. A dozen different necklaces, bejeweled with ornaments of rubies, emeralds and crystals, hung around her neck. Although much younger looking and easier on the eyes than back on Thra, as were all the Skeksis including the wise and gentle urRu, in place of her heart was an ice cold rock.

SkekSil, their former chamberlain, nodded and whined in agreement.

"They ought to be drained and hung out to dry. Wretched things they are," replied SkekNa. "The only use I see for them is do wash our laundry in the morning. If not, be gone with them!"

The former slave master gave one harsh look back at the female gelfling before they rounded the corner.

In spite of the possible Skeksis encounters while here at the club, this was the one part of the week Kira always looked forward to. The music was pumping, and it seemed to take her soul along with it. Above all, it reminded her of the few happy days in between the torment and loss of her life on Thra. The days she had spent being raised by the podlings, where if they were not being attacked by the garthim, it was a day of song and dance. It brought back memories of the joy and merriment that seemed to fill the world whenever her clan decided it was time to throw a bash.

She also got to see many of her friends from other floors as well as her own, including Princess Allura of planet Arus, talk about her week, and join in the general party atmosphere, leaving all the cares of the week behind.

The following day, she awoke with a slight headache, from the two drinks she had had the night before. Not too bad, but definitely worth an aspirin. Her 5"1' 95 lb body was pretty vulnerable to the potions of alcohol. Today she was supposed to hang out with Jen, who had rang her cell phone while she was at the club. She had considered canceling, blaming it on her headache, but then thought better of it. No, she was going to try to make this work, despite her feelings. Eros also rang her that morning, to make sure she had gotten home okay. She told him she had, mentioning her plans with Jen, what they were doing, and where he was meeting her. Eros thought to himself, "This is my chance to do something good."

As good-natured and kind hearted as he was, Eros truly wanted to help his friend. Being the god of love, he actually did have the power to help her. Yes, someone as vibrant and as full of life as Kira should not be alone and unhappy. He had chewed on the idea through out last night, and as of this morning, he decided he would do what was within his capabilities. He just could not let on the feat he was about to perform, or it would not be as special to her if she knew some other force was behind it.

SkekNa awoke late morning in a fowl mood. Well, nothing that unusual, considering that was his general temperate anyhow, but damn he had had a lot to drink the night before. That stupid little fuck SkekSil would not shut up the entire night, and he assumed that must be part of the reason for waking with this general uneasiness. He got up, poured himself a lukewarm cup of coffee, with four shots of espresso and turned on the television. It was the typical crap about the Iraq war. "Why don't they just exterminate those people in the Middle East and get it over with?" he thought bitterly to himself. After all, the easiest way to get rid of a problem was to just get rid of it, wasn't it? Na, he couldn't be bothered with this nonsense right now. He finished his coffee, and jumped in the shower. This was one modern convenience that he wished they had thought of at the Crystal Castle.

After he was finished, he dressed himself in several layers of dark clothing, including a dark pair of jeans, a black T shirt, a black sweater, a black cardigan, and a dark red snake skin jacket over that. Old habits do die hard, especially when it came to layering on his garments. He then applied a touch of black eyeliner. A single crystal pendulum hung around his neck. He ran a comb through his shiny black hair, which was shaved to the skin, except for the top of his head which had grown in thick about 4 inches long, hanging partially in front of his eyes. Yes, he definitely liked his younger, more human appearance since arriving here. The Skeksis as a whole were a vain bunch, even more so in this world, and SkekNa was no different.

Remembering he had left his notebook with his list of chores back in the communal room the previous day's morning, he put on his studded leather boots thrown gingerly in his closet. Things were a little different here now that he no longer had slaves at his command to do his bidding, and resented that fact. Never the less, there was work to be done around his little apartment, and that list would help him make it complete. He left his personal dwellings and headed out.

Jen had made plans with Kira the previous night to meet him in the communal room where they would drive together out to dinner. He knew she had been distant lately, but last night on the phone she seemed down right perky, and eager to see him. He dressed himself, taking extra care with his hair and grooming. He wanted to look good for her. He walked in, and the room was empty. He was thinking he was alone, but that wasn't quite true.

Eros was a clever one, and remained well hidden above the ceiling tile, crouched on the wooden deck, with only a tiny hole exposing out to the room below. The space was small, and he was hunkered in almost a fetal position, with his tiny bow and arrow drawn and ready. These were arrows made from the fabric pure love itself, and whoever's skin those arrows pierced would fall madly and fiercely head over heels with the first person they would look upon next. The unwitting victim would be completely unaware of what was happening, all they would feel is a tiny prick, like a mosquito bite, and there would be no trace of any thing else. He or she would only know an insatiable desire to be solely with the one they had cast their eyes upon.

Just as Jen was wondering where Kira was, or how late she was going to be, she entered to communal room. "Hey Jen, sorry I'm late. As I told you last night, Eros invited me out dancing, and I awoke this morning with a bit of a headache. Probably all the dancing I did last night. I saw Allura at the club, and she talked me into a few drinks and you know the rest…"

"Yes Kira, I know how much you love dancing," Jen laughed. It was good to see her smiling this morning.

"How is urSol?" She asked, trying to make conversion. "Have he shown you any more of his songs that he has written?"

"A few here and there. They're pretty good. Listen, Kira I was wondering if you wanted to go to that little restaurant on the bay called Tambourines. I hear the crab legs are excellent…"

"That sounds nice, Jen…"

As this conversion was taking place, Eros aimed his bow and arrow straight right upon Kira. The two gelflings were the only ones in the room, making the scenario absolutely flawless. There was no way this could go wrong. Just a couple of more seconds passed, as he perfected his angle, directly positioning his arrow's aim against Kira's upper body. Eros then let go of the string. It was a direct hit.

Kira smacked her neck abruptly. Wow, must have been some sort of bug, she thought to herself. This world could be full of all sorts of crazy things. With her eyes pointed towards the floor, in her heart she felt a slight flutter, almost a feeling of pleasured euphoria. Just as she was pondering this strange and alien feeling, the door swung open. SkekNa entered the room, looking for his notebook. The female gelfling turned her head, and looked straight at him.

Eros's heart sank. How could he have failed his friend like this? It was quite possible this was the worst thing that could happen. Not only did she not look at Jen when the moment came, instead it was her worst enemy. There was no going back, no reversals. The only thing else left to decide was what to do next. Should he leave Kira alone in her misery, or make the misery mutual? Whatever the case, he had to think quickly. He may not be able to get SkekNa and Kira in the same room again, considering their cirumstances.

Thinking on his feet, Eros decided whatever the decision, it couldn't get any worse than this. If this were the route he was about to take, he had to act now, and at least Kira would not be alone in her agony. He drew his bow and arrow once more. He positioned his aim on SkekNa, still looking for his notebook. He was conveniently facing towards Kira, who was trying to make sense of what just happened.

"So you may not be alone in your torment," the god of love whispered silently to himself.

He let go of the cord on his bow. It was a direct hit. SkekNa stumbled forward, wondering what had bit him. Experiencing the same bewildered feeling of elation, he raised his eyes to meet Kira's dazed stare.

Eros hung his head low, his eyes close to tears, which were full of shame and regret. It was not even a small comfort he gotten the second part right.