Chapter Eight: Interludes
Kizna Towryk woke early. The cat-eared Repairer Candidate, a light sleeper, yawned and stretched, swinging her legs to the left edge of the bed.
She sprang up, as her feet touched the floor. Saki lay in her bed, sound asleep. Long red hair spilled onto the pillows and the bedspread.
How did your date with Clay turn out? I bet you two talked about technology all night, and then kissed each other on the cheek. Did you not see how he looked? Or how he was looking at you? Sweet Kannon, how could you be so unclear on the concept?
She threw a glance at Ikhny, whose cinnamon-brown hair covered her eyes. Damn, girl! You had to get the leader of the Bastard Brigade. How do you make it through the day without hurting him? If I were you, Hiead Gner would be in traction. I suppose it's better that you haven't given in to that urge. What did he do to make you take that measure? I don't just mean that day---and why did I not see how easily you could break down?
She walked over to Ikhny, running a hand through the sleeping girl's hair. Ikhny stirred, her eyes opening.
"Ohayo Kizna-chan," she whispered.
"Ohayo Ikhny-chan," Kizna replied, pressing a kiss to her roommate's forehead. "Want to join me for an early walk?"
"Yes," the smaller girl said. "I'd like that."
Kizna smiled and reached for Ikhny's hand, giving it a squeeze. "And don't worry about changing clothes. Just throw on a robe and some slippers."
"You sure?"
"Positive. And if anyone tries to give you grief, they'll answer to me."
Ikhny blushed, a tiny smile lighting her face. "Thank you Kizna."
"No problem," Kizna replied, grabbing a robe from the foot of her bed.
The smaller girl tossed off her bed covers, and sprinted to the closet, grabbing a robe.
Kizna held a hand out to Ikhny, who took it. Would you be my firecracker?
The two left their room, and walked into the corridor.
They returned an hour later, arm in arm.
Saki stirred, murmuring in her sleep.
Kizna walked to her bed, and began tickling Saki's elbow.
"Mmmmph---Clay---I'm going to scream," she said, half-mumbling.
Oh, really? Kizna flashed a wicked grin at Ikhny.
"Clay," she called out in a singsong voice, "what do you mean, you want us to be in your harem? I'm not that sort of girl!"
Ikhny stared, then giggled. She piped up, saying, "Clay-sama, please stop. You want to break poor Saki-chan's heart?"
At that instant, Saki Mimori sat, bolt upright, eyes flashing.
"I don't know what you're doing here, but I'll cripple you if you take one step---"
But she only saw her two roommates, holding each other, as they laughed.
"You," she sputtered, glaring at Kizna. "And you," she turned to Ikhny, "I can't believe you'd pull that kind of stunt."
Kizna widened her eyes and stuck out her lower lip, in a mock-innocent fashion. "I am simply appalled that you think I'd prank you." She looked at Ikhny, and started giggling again.
Saki picked up a pillow, and lobbed it at the girls. They glanced at each other, nodding.
"Mimori, prepare to meet your doom!" Kizna grabbed another pillow, and aimed at Saki.
Ikhny threw a third pillow, laughing.
Half an hour later, Saki and Kizna lay on Ikhny's bed, both girls cuddling the small Repairer between them.
Ikhny sneezed, sending wispy traces of down from her glasses and onto her hair.
Kizna and Saki leaned in, kissing their little captive on each cheek.
"Surrender?" Kizna smirked, waiting for a reply.
"Make me," Ikhny whispered back.
"We'll go you one better," Saki murmured, tousling Ikhny's hair. "When we've had our wicked way, sweetness, you will beg for mercy---and love it."
Ikhny's eyes widened, as Kizna kissed her nose. She gasped, as Saki and Kizna pressed in, tickling her sides.
"No, not there---nwhahaha! Stop! C-can't breathe!"
"What's the magic word, now, Ikhny-chan?"
"No!"
Kizna grinned. "Saki, darling, shall we let her up?"
Saki paused. "Let me think about that. No," she whispered, "that's not the word we're looking for."
"Cut it out, you guys!"
"We will. All you have to do is say the word."
"No, no, I won't---stop---please, please---"
"Do you surrender?" Kizna smiled.
"Yes! I surrender! Please, stop!"
"All right," Saki and Kizna replied, releasing Ikhny.
She narrowed her eyes, glaring at her roommates. The glare faded into a grin, as the three Repairers laughed.
"So, ladies," Ikhny asked, "are we meeting for our lessons this afternoon?"
"Most definitely," Saki replied.
"As if I'd skip out," Kizna said, grabbing Ikhny by the waist. "You ready for breakfast?"
"Let me down!" The cat-eared girl let go, and plumped herself onto her bed.
Saki and Ikhny grabbed a change of clothes, heading to the showers.
"Kizna-chan," Ikhny asked, "aren't you coming in?"
"Oh, I just want to look over some notes. I'll be there in a few." Once the door to the bathroom closed, Kizna reached under her pillow, opening her digipad, and scrolling to the JOURNAL files. She opened the file, and reached for a stylus.
~Sunday, 25 October 4209~
~This morning I took a walk with Ikhny. She looked so sweet, sleepy eyes and a little color in her cheeks.
~Does she have any idea how pretty she really is?
~Oh, she doesn't have the poise and polish that Saki does. And I can't see her gliding past Hiead the way Tsukasa does around Yamagi---like the Snow Queen in the fairy tales, or Persephone in those ancient myths. She doesn't bat her lashes, pout, or use a singsong voice the way that Wrecka does. (Believe me, I thank the goddesses that she doesn't try to be a living dolly.)
~Ikhny Allecto is who she is: a brown-eyed girl with cinnamon hair, a gentle voice, and a heart big enough to pulverize an entire solar system.
~I could tell myself that I just want to make sure she's safe from harm, and that I never want to see her partner (a sociopath for the ages) abuse her in any way.
~She would, after all, do the same for me.
~But I wonder: would she press me into a wall and kiss me till I lost all sense of time?
~I have to ask, as I often have to fight down similar urges.
~I've wondered whom I could share this with. Roose would blush, and run away. Yamagi would also blush, and probably mutter something, before following Roose. Hiead would sneer. Clay would proceed to bore me with all the things he knows of lesbians throughout Earth's history, then make some terrible crack about being a lesbian trapped in a guy's body.
~I don't really talk all that much with Tsukasa, so I can't see myself confiding in her. Wrecka would broadcast any conversation all over GOA. And if I go by what she says concerning the relationship Zero has with Erts, then the words "immoral," "perverse," and "disgusting" will definitely pop up in any gossip she spreads about Zero's "lezzie" Repairer.
~While I think Saki would be simpatico, I'm not quite ready to say anything to her. I'm still trying to work out how to approach Ikhny.
~Can I approach Zero, and talk with him? I dunno. He seems to be in another world of late. Yes, he and I do talk---and he maintains eye contact all the while---but he spends a good deal of time on his own. I'm a little worried.
~Oh well, if I can't sit down with Zero, maybe I can unburden with Erts. Goddess knows, I need to know somebody's listening.
~I hear the water coming to a halt. Better wrap this up for now. Will try to write more, later. ~
Kizna tapped away, saving her entry and closing the digipad. Saki came out, pulling a GOA t-shirt over her head. A purple velvet scrunchie held her hair in a ponytail. Ikhny wore a grey top and flared, black pants. A jeweled oval barrette pulled bangs from her eyes.
"You coming for breakfast or not?" Saki asked.
"Sure thing, I'll just make a dash through the shower."
"We'll wait," Ikhny said, reaching for a pair of sneakers.
"Thanks."
**************************************************************************** **
Down another hallway, Clay woke to the sound of the shower, and the hiss of steam.
Hiead stood at the bathroom door, towels in hand.
"Morning Hiead." Please don't kill me, please, please, please.
"Hmm." He opened the door, walking into billowing clouds of steam.
A voice rose from the haze: Clay sat up, with a groan. One of these days, Hiead is going to rip Zero's vocal cords out. Enna, do you like walking that ragged edge?
He rubbed his temples with a thumb and forefinger. This is going to be a long day.
In the bathroom, Hiead stripped, turning on the water in a shower stall. He paused, listening to the voice in the stall next to his.
"Hand in glove, the sun shines out of our behinds. No, it's not like any other love; this one is different because it's us. Hand in glove, we can go wherever we please; and everything depends upon how near you stand to me. And if the people stare, then the people stare. Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care!"
"Some of us want to shower in peace, Enna," Hiead grumbled.
"Bite me, Gner," Zero replied, and resumed singing: "Hand in glove, the good people laugh. Yes, we may be hidden by rags, but we've something they'll never have! Hand in glove, the sun shines out of our behinds. Yes, we may be hidden by rags, but we've something they'll never have! And if the people stare, then the people stare. Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care. La, la la la, la la la; la, la la la! So, hand in glove, I'll stake my claim; I'll fight to the last breath. If they dare touch a hair on your head, I'll fight to the last breath! For the good life is out there somewhere; so stay on my arm, you little charmer. But I know my luck too well. Yes I know my luck too well; and I'll probably never see you again. And I'll probably never see you again. I'll probably never see you again!"
Zero turned off the water, humming. He toweled himself dry, grabbing a pair of khakis and a black pullover.
Once dressed, he returned to the room, bumping against Clay.
"Amazing. He's alive."
"No, Fortran, I'm a zombie, and I've just had Gner's brain for breakfast." Zero snorted, looking over his roommate, who sat at the edge of his bed. "Ready to review?"
"I haven't even brushed my teeth, Zero! Why now?"
"You're going to run into Saki at some time during the day. Don't you want to be ready?"
"Ready for what?"
"Whatever the day brings, love cat."
Clay sighed, pulling on his glasses. "So where do I start?"
"Tell me: what's your sexiest feature?"
"My brain."
Zero pulled on socks and a pair of low boots. "And what makes the brain so sexy?"
"I can think about what will make Saki weak in the knees, and work out how to make that happen."
"Exactly. And how do you do that?"
"In the way I walk, what I say, how I dress, and a host of other actions."
"What do you not want to do, as a Sex God?"
"Act like a slobbering jackass in Saki's presence."
"Show me what you don't ever want to do."
Clay got up, swaggering toward Zero, a leer on his face. "Hey there baby, you tired? You've been running through my mind all day."
Zero looked at him, and replied, "Dude, if I were her, I'd bolt. Now, show me what you want to do."
Clay backed up, then walked around the room; he put a little bounce and sway in each step. He maintained eye contact with Zero, moving closer to the blue-eyed boy.
"Hello, Saki," he said, a low purr in his throat. "May I join you for breakfast?"
"You may," Zero replied, smiling. "Very good. Just remember to breathe, and stay calm."
Clay smiled back. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." He grabbed a towel, and made a beeline for the bathroom. "Do you want to meet later on?"
"Not today. Let's just kick back." Clay opened the bathroom door, missing Hiead, who walked out in a robe, a towel around his neck.
Ruby-red eyes glanced at Zero, who flashed a wry smile.
"Meet me at the Library?"
"Yes," Hiead replied, zipping up a pair of black jeans.
"Ta then."
Hiead pulled a maroon shirt on. "Later."
Zero darted into the hallway.
Hiead finished dressing, and left for breakfast.
Don't run. Don't hurry. And whatever you do, don't act like the brat.
Silvery hair fluttered over his eyes; he paused outside the cafeteria, and drew in a breath.
Mother Kali, deaden my palate, at least till tomorrow night.
He exhaled, and walked up to the serving line.
Author's Notes
Well, hello everyone, and thank you for reading on! Hope that Hanukkah was good, and that the Christmas break gives rest, refreshment, and peace.
I realize it has been a while, and I do apologize for the wait. Classes have been draining, and there has been a good deal of excitement at home--- among other things, I spent time with a nasty case of flu. (I'm still a little tapped out.)
Omzack: welcome, bienvenidos, and wilkommen. Thank you for the feedback; the colony in question is a sort of "pleasure cell"; I may write a side story about the colony. See how things shake out. I hope to hear more feedback. AA-chan: hello again! I am glad you have been enjoying the arc! Let me know what you think of this new chapter! Anime Cat: yup, I know about Zero's mother tongue. And I will be hunting down a few more songs in Portuguese, for upcoming chapters. (And I encourage everyone---look for the music of Bebel Gilberto. She is a great singer!) Crystal: greetings and salutations! Thank you for the (angel) food for thought. Truly. UE: so good to hear from you, dear. As for it getting hotter than Clay-sama--- he is a sexy, sexy beast (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). And as for the interaction and introspections, there is definitely more to come. Lil_angelgirl: hello again. Here's the next chapter. I hope to make some more headway, now that the semester is done. Ichan: thank you, and I hope this chapter provides wonderful reading. Nozomi-san: the secret is out. Clay is a hottie. (I myself have a thing for guys in glasses---something about them that is so appealing.) KLMeri: hello angel, and thank you for the review of "Sleep of the Beloved." And for reading on. I think Clay makes a wonderful Sex God. He has the intellect, the imagination, and the wit; all he needs is a good nudge in the right direction. Luna Crescent: I read the fourth chapter of "Barbie in her Plastic Perfection." Savagely funny. (Are you sure you're not paying tribute to George Romero?) As for the OC/MS showdown idea---I'd like to have a bash. Do let me know what you think of this chapter. And look for more. And to tdjtoonami@aol.com: I have no intention of stopping. Look for more in the series. And write back!
Music note: in the shower, Zero sings "Hand in Glove," written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr, and performed by their (late lamented) band, The Smiths. What Morrissey was thinking when he penned the lyrics---who can say?
I've been thinking of adding a Free Space column sometime down the line. There are a host of things on my mind, and I really would like your input.
Recommendations: for all you Potter slash lovers, I recommend "Life Left Behind," by Kiara, "Comfort and Joy" by onyxmoon (Snape/Lupin), and "Elementals of Magic: Prophecy of Lies" by mistykasumi. Look also for the latest chapter of Nozomi-san's "A Death at Hand." I also recommend Missfortune's site, For-Chan Cookies.
Next chapter: the Midnight Breakfast Society meets again. Let the games begin!
As always, I look forward to hearing from you. Comment, critique, praise, flames---please do write! If you haven't written, please do.
Thank you for reading.
Antoinette (poetisa)
P.S. Here is a recipe for Rich Chocolate Sauce! Enjoy!
Rich Chocolate Sauce
ΒΌ tsp. Almond extract 1 tsp. Vanilla extract 1 cup whipping cream 11-12 oz. Chocolate
In a small saucepan, scald the cream, until it is nearly at the boiling point. (Since cream has a higher butterfat content than milk, I advise that you keep a very close eye on it!) Once it is hot enough, remove it from the heat, and add the extracts. Pour the hot cream into a bowl with the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is melted, then whisk the mixture. Let it cool; serve with strawberries, ice cream, or spongecake. Store leftover sauce in the refrigerator.
Kizna Towryk woke early. The cat-eared Repairer Candidate, a light sleeper, yawned and stretched, swinging her legs to the left edge of the bed.
She sprang up, as her feet touched the floor. Saki lay in her bed, sound asleep. Long red hair spilled onto the pillows and the bedspread.
How did your date with Clay turn out? I bet you two talked about technology all night, and then kissed each other on the cheek. Did you not see how he looked? Or how he was looking at you? Sweet Kannon, how could you be so unclear on the concept?
She threw a glance at Ikhny, whose cinnamon-brown hair covered her eyes. Damn, girl! You had to get the leader of the Bastard Brigade. How do you make it through the day without hurting him? If I were you, Hiead Gner would be in traction. I suppose it's better that you haven't given in to that urge. What did he do to make you take that measure? I don't just mean that day---and why did I not see how easily you could break down?
She walked over to Ikhny, running a hand through the sleeping girl's hair. Ikhny stirred, her eyes opening.
"Ohayo Kizna-chan," she whispered.
"Ohayo Ikhny-chan," Kizna replied, pressing a kiss to her roommate's forehead. "Want to join me for an early walk?"
"Yes," the smaller girl said. "I'd like that."
Kizna smiled and reached for Ikhny's hand, giving it a squeeze. "And don't worry about changing clothes. Just throw on a robe and some slippers."
"You sure?"
"Positive. And if anyone tries to give you grief, they'll answer to me."
Ikhny blushed, a tiny smile lighting her face. "Thank you Kizna."
"No problem," Kizna replied, grabbing a robe from the foot of her bed.
The smaller girl tossed off her bed covers, and sprinted to the closet, grabbing a robe.
Kizna held a hand out to Ikhny, who took it. Would you be my firecracker?
The two left their room, and walked into the corridor.
They returned an hour later, arm in arm.
Saki stirred, murmuring in her sleep.
Kizna walked to her bed, and began tickling Saki's elbow.
"Mmmmph---Clay---I'm going to scream," she said, half-mumbling.
Oh, really? Kizna flashed a wicked grin at Ikhny.
"Clay," she called out in a singsong voice, "what do you mean, you want us to be in your harem? I'm not that sort of girl!"
Ikhny stared, then giggled. She piped up, saying, "Clay-sama, please stop. You want to break poor Saki-chan's heart?"
At that instant, Saki Mimori sat, bolt upright, eyes flashing.
"I don't know what you're doing here, but I'll cripple you if you take one step---"
But she only saw her two roommates, holding each other, as they laughed.
"You," she sputtered, glaring at Kizna. "And you," she turned to Ikhny, "I can't believe you'd pull that kind of stunt."
Kizna widened her eyes and stuck out her lower lip, in a mock-innocent fashion. "I am simply appalled that you think I'd prank you." She looked at Ikhny, and started giggling again.
Saki picked up a pillow, and lobbed it at the girls. They glanced at each other, nodding.
"Mimori, prepare to meet your doom!" Kizna grabbed another pillow, and aimed at Saki.
Ikhny threw a third pillow, laughing.
Half an hour later, Saki and Kizna lay on Ikhny's bed, both girls cuddling the small Repairer between them.
Ikhny sneezed, sending wispy traces of down from her glasses and onto her hair.
Kizna and Saki leaned in, kissing their little captive on each cheek.
"Surrender?" Kizna smirked, waiting for a reply.
"Make me," Ikhny whispered back.
"We'll go you one better," Saki murmured, tousling Ikhny's hair. "When we've had our wicked way, sweetness, you will beg for mercy---and love it."
Ikhny's eyes widened, as Kizna kissed her nose. She gasped, as Saki and Kizna pressed in, tickling her sides.
"No, not there---nwhahaha! Stop! C-can't breathe!"
"What's the magic word, now, Ikhny-chan?"
"No!"
Kizna grinned. "Saki, darling, shall we let her up?"
Saki paused. "Let me think about that. No," she whispered, "that's not the word we're looking for."
"Cut it out, you guys!"
"We will. All you have to do is say the word."
"No, no, I won't---stop---please, please---"
"Do you surrender?" Kizna smiled.
"Yes! I surrender! Please, stop!"
"All right," Saki and Kizna replied, releasing Ikhny.
She narrowed her eyes, glaring at her roommates. The glare faded into a grin, as the three Repairers laughed.
"So, ladies," Ikhny asked, "are we meeting for our lessons this afternoon?"
"Most definitely," Saki replied.
"As if I'd skip out," Kizna said, grabbing Ikhny by the waist. "You ready for breakfast?"
"Let me down!" The cat-eared girl let go, and plumped herself onto her bed.
Saki and Ikhny grabbed a change of clothes, heading to the showers.
"Kizna-chan," Ikhny asked, "aren't you coming in?"
"Oh, I just want to look over some notes. I'll be there in a few." Once the door to the bathroom closed, Kizna reached under her pillow, opening her digipad, and scrolling to the JOURNAL files. She opened the file, and reached for a stylus.
~Sunday, 25 October 4209~
~This morning I took a walk with Ikhny. She looked so sweet, sleepy eyes and a little color in her cheeks.
~Does she have any idea how pretty she really is?
~Oh, she doesn't have the poise and polish that Saki does. And I can't see her gliding past Hiead the way Tsukasa does around Yamagi---like the Snow Queen in the fairy tales, or Persephone in those ancient myths. She doesn't bat her lashes, pout, or use a singsong voice the way that Wrecka does. (Believe me, I thank the goddesses that she doesn't try to be a living dolly.)
~Ikhny Allecto is who she is: a brown-eyed girl with cinnamon hair, a gentle voice, and a heart big enough to pulverize an entire solar system.
~I could tell myself that I just want to make sure she's safe from harm, and that I never want to see her partner (a sociopath for the ages) abuse her in any way.
~She would, after all, do the same for me.
~But I wonder: would she press me into a wall and kiss me till I lost all sense of time?
~I have to ask, as I often have to fight down similar urges.
~I've wondered whom I could share this with. Roose would blush, and run away. Yamagi would also blush, and probably mutter something, before following Roose. Hiead would sneer. Clay would proceed to bore me with all the things he knows of lesbians throughout Earth's history, then make some terrible crack about being a lesbian trapped in a guy's body.
~I don't really talk all that much with Tsukasa, so I can't see myself confiding in her. Wrecka would broadcast any conversation all over GOA. And if I go by what she says concerning the relationship Zero has with Erts, then the words "immoral," "perverse," and "disgusting" will definitely pop up in any gossip she spreads about Zero's "lezzie" Repairer.
~While I think Saki would be simpatico, I'm not quite ready to say anything to her. I'm still trying to work out how to approach Ikhny.
~Can I approach Zero, and talk with him? I dunno. He seems to be in another world of late. Yes, he and I do talk---and he maintains eye contact all the while---but he spends a good deal of time on his own. I'm a little worried.
~Oh well, if I can't sit down with Zero, maybe I can unburden with Erts. Goddess knows, I need to know somebody's listening.
~I hear the water coming to a halt. Better wrap this up for now. Will try to write more, later. ~
Kizna tapped away, saving her entry and closing the digipad. Saki came out, pulling a GOA t-shirt over her head. A purple velvet scrunchie held her hair in a ponytail. Ikhny wore a grey top and flared, black pants. A jeweled oval barrette pulled bangs from her eyes.
"You coming for breakfast or not?" Saki asked.
"Sure thing, I'll just make a dash through the shower."
"We'll wait," Ikhny said, reaching for a pair of sneakers.
"Thanks."
**************************************************************************** **
Down another hallway, Clay woke to the sound of the shower, and the hiss of steam.
Hiead stood at the bathroom door, towels in hand.
"Morning Hiead." Please don't kill me, please, please, please.
"Hmm." He opened the door, walking into billowing clouds of steam.
A voice rose from the haze: Clay sat up, with a groan. One of these days, Hiead is going to rip Zero's vocal cords out. Enna, do you like walking that ragged edge?
He rubbed his temples with a thumb and forefinger. This is going to be a long day.
In the bathroom, Hiead stripped, turning on the water in a shower stall. He paused, listening to the voice in the stall next to his.
"Hand in glove, the sun shines out of our behinds. No, it's not like any other love; this one is different because it's us. Hand in glove, we can go wherever we please; and everything depends upon how near you stand to me. And if the people stare, then the people stare. Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care!"
"Some of us want to shower in peace, Enna," Hiead grumbled.
"Bite me, Gner," Zero replied, and resumed singing: "Hand in glove, the good people laugh. Yes, we may be hidden by rags, but we've something they'll never have! Hand in glove, the sun shines out of our behinds. Yes, we may be hidden by rags, but we've something they'll never have! And if the people stare, then the people stare. Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care. La, la la la, la la la; la, la la la! So, hand in glove, I'll stake my claim; I'll fight to the last breath. If they dare touch a hair on your head, I'll fight to the last breath! For the good life is out there somewhere; so stay on my arm, you little charmer. But I know my luck too well. Yes I know my luck too well; and I'll probably never see you again. And I'll probably never see you again. I'll probably never see you again!"
Zero turned off the water, humming. He toweled himself dry, grabbing a pair of khakis and a black pullover.
Once dressed, he returned to the room, bumping against Clay.
"Amazing. He's alive."
"No, Fortran, I'm a zombie, and I've just had Gner's brain for breakfast." Zero snorted, looking over his roommate, who sat at the edge of his bed. "Ready to review?"
"I haven't even brushed my teeth, Zero! Why now?"
"You're going to run into Saki at some time during the day. Don't you want to be ready?"
"Ready for what?"
"Whatever the day brings, love cat."
Clay sighed, pulling on his glasses. "So where do I start?"
"Tell me: what's your sexiest feature?"
"My brain."
Zero pulled on socks and a pair of low boots. "And what makes the brain so sexy?"
"I can think about what will make Saki weak in the knees, and work out how to make that happen."
"Exactly. And how do you do that?"
"In the way I walk, what I say, how I dress, and a host of other actions."
"What do you not want to do, as a Sex God?"
"Act like a slobbering jackass in Saki's presence."
"Show me what you don't ever want to do."
Clay got up, swaggering toward Zero, a leer on his face. "Hey there baby, you tired? You've been running through my mind all day."
Zero looked at him, and replied, "Dude, if I were her, I'd bolt. Now, show me what you want to do."
Clay backed up, then walked around the room; he put a little bounce and sway in each step. He maintained eye contact with Zero, moving closer to the blue-eyed boy.
"Hello, Saki," he said, a low purr in his throat. "May I join you for breakfast?"
"You may," Zero replied, smiling. "Very good. Just remember to breathe, and stay calm."
Clay smiled back. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." He grabbed a towel, and made a beeline for the bathroom. "Do you want to meet later on?"
"Not today. Let's just kick back." Clay opened the bathroom door, missing Hiead, who walked out in a robe, a towel around his neck.
Ruby-red eyes glanced at Zero, who flashed a wry smile.
"Meet me at the Library?"
"Yes," Hiead replied, zipping up a pair of black jeans.
"Ta then."
Hiead pulled a maroon shirt on. "Later."
Zero darted into the hallway.
Hiead finished dressing, and left for breakfast.
Don't run. Don't hurry. And whatever you do, don't act like the brat.
Silvery hair fluttered over his eyes; he paused outside the cafeteria, and drew in a breath.
Mother Kali, deaden my palate, at least till tomorrow night.
He exhaled, and walked up to the serving line.
Author's Notes
Well, hello everyone, and thank you for reading on! Hope that Hanukkah was good, and that the Christmas break gives rest, refreshment, and peace.
I realize it has been a while, and I do apologize for the wait. Classes have been draining, and there has been a good deal of excitement at home--- among other things, I spent time with a nasty case of flu. (I'm still a little tapped out.)
Omzack: welcome, bienvenidos, and wilkommen. Thank you for the feedback; the colony in question is a sort of "pleasure cell"; I may write a side story about the colony. See how things shake out. I hope to hear more feedback. AA-chan: hello again! I am glad you have been enjoying the arc! Let me know what you think of this new chapter! Anime Cat: yup, I know about Zero's mother tongue. And I will be hunting down a few more songs in Portuguese, for upcoming chapters. (And I encourage everyone---look for the music of Bebel Gilberto. She is a great singer!) Crystal: greetings and salutations! Thank you for the (angel) food for thought. Truly. UE: so good to hear from you, dear. As for it getting hotter than Clay-sama--- he is a sexy, sexy beast (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). And as for the interaction and introspections, there is definitely more to come. Lil_angelgirl: hello again. Here's the next chapter. I hope to make some more headway, now that the semester is done. Ichan: thank you, and I hope this chapter provides wonderful reading. Nozomi-san: the secret is out. Clay is a hottie. (I myself have a thing for guys in glasses---something about them that is so appealing.) KLMeri: hello angel, and thank you for the review of "Sleep of the Beloved." And for reading on. I think Clay makes a wonderful Sex God. He has the intellect, the imagination, and the wit; all he needs is a good nudge in the right direction. Luna Crescent: I read the fourth chapter of "Barbie in her Plastic Perfection." Savagely funny. (Are you sure you're not paying tribute to George Romero?) As for the OC/MS showdown idea---I'd like to have a bash. Do let me know what you think of this chapter. And look for more. And to tdjtoonami@aol.com: I have no intention of stopping. Look for more in the series. And write back!
Music note: in the shower, Zero sings "Hand in Glove," written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr, and performed by their (late lamented) band, The Smiths. What Morrissey was thinking when he penned the lyrics---who can say?
I've been thinking of adding a Free Space column sometime down the line. There are a host of things on my mind, and I really would like your input.
Recommendations: for all you Potter slash lovers, I recommend "Life Left Behind," by Kiara, "Comfort and Joy" by onyxmoon (Snape/Lupin), and "Elementals of Magic: Prophecy of Lies" by mistykasumi. Look also for the latest chapter of Nozomi-san's "A Death at Hand." I also recommend Missfortune's site, For-Chan Cookies.
Next chapter: the Midnight Breakfast Society meets again. Let the games begin!
As always, I look forward to hearing from you. Comment, critique, praise, flames---please do write! If you haven't written, please do.
Thank you for reading.
Antoinette (poetisa)
P.S. Here is a recipe for Rich Chocolate Sauce! Enjoy!
Rich Chocolate Sauce
ΒΌ tsp. Almond extract 1 tsp. Vanilla extract 1 cup whipping cream 11-12 oz. Chocolate
In a small saucepan, scald the cream, until it is nearly at the boiling point. (Since cream has a higher butterfat content than milk, I advise that you keep a very close eye on it!) Once it is hot enough, remove it from the heat, and add the extracts. Pour the hot cream into a bowl with the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is melted, then whisk the mixture. Let it cool; serve with strawberries, ice cream, or spongecake. Store leftover sauce in the refrigerator.