Chapter Ten: More Sweet than Bitter, Bitter than Sweet
Kizna woke from a deep, dreamless nap to the sound of the telephone. After taking a glance at a clock radio, she picked up the receiver in her room. Zero must be worn out. Then again, he sleeps like nobody else I know.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Kizna, it's Rio. Could you tell Zero we're running a little late? We'll be there at one, at the latest. And ask him to cook a little extra. Erts is joining us."
"Okay," Kizna replied, "I'll pass the news along." Come on, girl, get the sleep out of your eyes. She walked to Zero's room, and found the door ajar.
She stepped inside, and made her way to the bed, where she saw Hiead and Zero, sound asleep, in each other's arms. My god, have they? No, I doubt it. But damn, they look so comfortable, lying there. Kizna studied the sleepers' faces: Hiead wore a secret, almost childlike smile, while Zero had a serene half-smile. Hiead nestled against Zero, whose mocha hair pillowed his neck and throat. Silver hair fanned across a deep blue pillow, like a liquid halo.
Zero moaned and stirred. Hiead cooed, drawing him closer.
Kizna watched, a sad smile on her face. So beautiful. Mother Kannon, I feel like I'm intruding. She crept toward the door, closing it behind her. She returned to her room, searching her closet for an outfit.
Ten minutes later, she headed downstairs, wearing a navy turtleneck, a pair of matching trousers, and dark grey trouser socks. A headband anchored her hair. I'll worry about the shoes later.
Kizna walked over to the workstation desk, turning on the computer. Let's just check the e-mail. Log on to RossoNet, password chibineko. Hey, here's one from Saki! How's she coming along? She clicked on a message from sfortran7@rossonet.com, and waited for the page to open.
"Hey Kitkat, what's new with you? I'm sorry I haven't touched base with you for a while. I've been taking childbirth classes, along with Clay. He's game, if a little skittish, about the prospect of helping me deliver the twins. We're still fighting over names. He wants to name the boy Clifford, and the girl, Emma. I'm still not giving in on naming them Nicholas and Arianna. Oh well, maybe when these two finally make their debut, we'll reach some sort of agreement. And, as promised, you and Zero are going to be godparents to them.
"By the way, how is Zero? Does he still like wearing pajama bottoms when he makes breakfast?
"Have you managed to convince him that he doesn't need to dance around in the kitchen, or does he still do that? I sometimes think that he's never made it past the age of 16. Then again, I think Clay acts a little too mature, you know? I think becoming a father has given him a new focus, though.
"I'm looking forward to the dinner party. What do you think Roose and Yamagi will do for the floor show? I hope they do ABBA again; their rendition of 'SOS' was great! And if they bring the karaoke, I'll personally get Clay to sing. Don't you just want to see him doing 'I'm Too Sexy'? Maybe you can convince Zero to join him, and they can duet. Considering that he brought the house down when he dolled up and performed 'I Know What Boys Like,' I think he'd jump at the chance to do it again.
"Anyhow, I have to dash. Will write more soon Love, Saki."
Kizna closed the message, and scrolled down. What's this? Here's a message from ccf01@rossonet.com, dated for today. He rarely writes. Well, let's settle in to read.
She opened the message.
"Dear Kizna: Saki and I want to convey our condolences to you, and to Zero, regarding the death of Ryker Kuerten. If you need anything, please do call. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in this hour. In deepest sympathy, Clay and Saki Fortran."
She hit the REPLY button, and typed: "Thank you both. I shall send your words along to Zero. Could I meet you later this week? I've got a lot on my mind, and I really do want a listening ear. Let me know. Kizna." She then sent it out, deleted any junk mail, and logged out. She heard a door creak, upstairs, and footsteps padding down. Hiead walked over to the chair where Kizna sat, yawning.
"So when are Rio and Garu coming over?" he asked.
"They're running late. Rio called, said they'd be here at one. And Erts is coming over as well. So it looks like lunch for six."
Hiead stiffened a bit. "Oh." This ought to be a telenovela: the fiancée, who used to be in love with my Repairer; the young man, who was---and is, I hope, again---my itooshi; two former pilots, now lovers; and the disc jockey, who was my itooshii's first crush, and who is the only other person Rei will ever admit into his thoughts. I don't believe it, and I'm the most improbable guest at the table: the long-lost lover, returning from the unknown. I think we're going to have an interesting time today.
"Hey, guys, what's the big skinny?" Kizna yelped in surprise, as Zero came down the stairs. "Did Rio call?"
"Yes, and they'll be here at one, with Erts."
"Erts is coming over?" Oh boy, lunch is going to be mighty interesting today. All we need now is a troupe of tap-dancing penguins, and that, so they say, is entertainment. "Hope everyone's up for linguine alla puttanesca."
Hiead cleared his throat. "I think I'd better get into some civvies. If you'll excuse me?" He walked away from the workstation, and up the stairs.
Once upstairs, he returned to the guest room, where he found fresh towels on the bed. I could do with a wash, I guess. He gathered the towels, and his clothes, and went to the bathroom. He looked in the caddy, attached to the side of a white, claw-footed tub: blackberry-scented bubble bath, three rubber ducks, and a bar of Kirk's soap shared space with a lavender eye pillow, a jar of hand cream, and a red back scrubbing towel.
I hope nobody takes offense if I wear these clothes again. They're still fresh, and I have a bag in the trunk, for later. Hiead shut the door, plugged the drain, and started the water. He gave a second look at the bubble bath, and then added a small amount. He removed the robe, then the nightshirt, and last of all, a pair of deep green boxer briefs.
He studied the scar over his left breast: three years earlier, he'd been working a bounty with Mickey, and wound up in a knife fight. The criminal had started foaming at the mouth, bloody foam, and after several minutes of convulsions, he stopped breathing. One of Mickey's old friends, a medical examiner, had found high levels of some new drug---Quark---in the dead man's system.
After Mickey died, the same medical examiner had smuggled the results of a forensic report to the Angel's Keep, as Hiead called his bungalow. The levels of Resilient Q in his bloodstream had been high---and the chemical structure too similar to Quark for it to be coincidence.
What was that examiner's name? Ryan Kadaoka? He came out to Luritja Cove one evening, and left before I could ask any questions. When I tried to contact him, he'd already left. Seems he skipped town, too: no forwarding address, no number, nothing!
Hiead turned off the taps, and tested the water. He eased his body into the bathtub, a soft grunt escaping his lips. He picked up a rubber duck, and set it in the foam, where it bobbed along. He sank back, submerging for a moment, before resurfacing. Beads of water clung to his face; froth laced his hair.
A knock at the door made him sit up. "Hey, Hiead, you need anything?" Zero called.
"Where do you keep the shampoo?" And is it somewhere that doesn't require me getting out of the bath? Or you, coming in? Not that I'd object if you did. I just wonder if I'd let you out without at least a good soaking.
Zero walked in. "Let me get that for you," he said. He shut the door, and made his way to a hutch between the sink and the toilet. He reached inside, pulling out two bottles, a tube of styling gel, and a comb. He set the last two items on the rim of the sink, and handed the bottles to Hiead. Come to think of it, a bath sounds wonderful right now.
"Thanks." Hiead leaned up, giving Zero a kiss on the cheek. "Will you need a hand with lunch?" Good. A polite, neutral question. No need to get more hot and bothered than you already are, Gner. "I wonder what the viewing will be like."
"The viewing? That could be a disaster in the making. Like I said, when the Kuertens divorced, it was messy and extremely ugly. They may have been civil last night, but heaven knows if they can pull that off for the rest of the week." He crouched behind the tub, scooping a handful of water and pouring it over Hiead's head.
"What was that for, Zero?" Hiead sputtered. "You trying to drown me?"
"Damn. And here I thought I'd get away with it. Oh, well. Since I can't seem to drown you, may I wash your hair?"
Hiead sighed. "Tempting as the offer is, I think you have a lunch to fix." And if I let you touch me, I will not be accountable for what follows. He noted the tension and heat moving, like lava, below his navel, and groaned. If he doesn't leave now, I'll pin and mount him.
"Will you, at least, accept a kiss?" Zero said. And maybe a few lingering caresses, a long journey over skin, an afternoon of ecstasy? It's not that I don't want to wait---I feel like I've been waiting forever.
"One kiss, and then it's to the kitchen with you, Enna."
Zero pouted, then answered, "One kiss it is, then." He moved toward the side of the tub, bringing his lips to meet Hiead's. Just a kiss, just a kiss, I have lived, just for this---and the feel of your fingers in my hair, hands tracing over me like Braille, the moment when we become the never-ending story---soon, please, Mother Kannon.
Lips and tongues entwined, ardent and playful at once. Zero groaned and purred, blue eyes half-open and gazing into Hiead's.
The words from an old conversation resounded: He and Hiead, in their room at GIS---a more spacious one, with a sitting room and kitchenette---had come in from a day of sparring, and had collapsed onto Zero's bed. An adrenaline-fueled tickle war escalated into a full-tilt lovemaking session that lasted well into the night.
Hiead gazed at Zero, face alight, as they exchanged kisses. "Tell me," Zero asked, looking up at his koishii, "why do you kiss with your eyes open?"
Hiead paused a moment, then planted a kiss on the dark-haired youth's forehead. "I want to see you. See you in every way possible. I want to see your soul, and I think, sometimes, that I want you to see mine as well. And since you ask, let me ask you: why do you close your eyes when we kiss?"
"I trust you, Hiead," Zero replied. "And I do see your soul. Eye hath not seen, as the saying goes. My eyes confirm what I already know."
Hiead chuckled, breaking the kiss. {Rei, if you please?}
Zero gave him a smile, and a quick peck, before he left. {Okay, habibi, I'm gone. Don't get too comfy. Your presence is required in the kitchen. Ta now!}
He closed the door behind him, and headed downstairs.
Hiead sank back into the tub, nerves enflamed. I don't know if this is good torture or not. But torture it is. He grabbed the towel, soaped it up, and began working it over his back. Once finished, he took a cloth and began washing the rest of his body, pausing when he reached his groin. Imagine his hands there. Yes, that rhythm. Quiet now, don't want any attention. His hands, his hair, his lips and tongue, oh my god, yes, please, please, yes. Don't stop. Hard to breathe: am I dying? Am I rising? Everything's going blue, blue as the night, blue as those eyes; oh Rei, if you could see me, hear me. I feel it. I feel you. There! Now. Inhale. Exhale. Wait. A low cry escaped his lips, as he slumped back, trembling.
In the kitchen, Zero felt a shock along his spine. He had to pause and lean against the counter. Damn. And right about the time I had to start on the antipasti. Get a hold of yourself, Zero---no, not that way! You've got company. Think lunch. Think funeral. Think about Old Man Tiller in his long johns, hauling out the trash. That's better. Okay, so it bites. But the last thing you need is to think with your libido.
Kizna had turned off the computer, and was reclining on the couch. She thought of an afternoon, in the Relaxation Room, when she and Ikhny had slipped inside after a long day of lectures and training.
The smaller girl lay in her arms, eyes closed, glasses off. The sound of low murmurs and song reached Kizna's ears. "Ikhny-chan," she whispered, "hey, wake up." Ikhny looked at her, chocolate eyes hazed with sleep. "Hear that?" Ikhny paused, then nodded. "Who the hell sings that way?" She crept toward the sound. "I don't know who you are, but keep the noise down---" What she saw, when she reached the source, stopped her in her tracks.
Hiead Gner cradled Zero in his lap, singing: "And if you want love, we'll make it, swimming a deep sea of blankets, take all your big plans and break them, this is bound to take a while." He leaned over, kissing the dark- haired boy with a tenderness that matched Zero's fire.
Someone tell me I'm dreaming. Kizna backed away, and bumped into Ikhny. "Sorry about that."
"What did you just see there?" Ikhny wanted to know, as she put her glasses on.
"Let's go to the observatory deck. I'll tell you there." They made a quiet exit.
Once at the deck, the girls sat down. Kizna took a deep breath, and started. "Okay. I just saw your partner serenading mine."
"Hiead? Hiead was singing to Zero? Isn't that a sign of the Apocalypse or something?" Ikhny replied. "Sure that's what you saw?"
"That, and they were kissing each other." Kizna paused. "I know, I know, the two of them locking lips---talk about a freaky concept. But I think we've overlooked a lot."
"Explain."
"Well, since that skirmish with the VICTIM, there's been some sort of shift. Zero, for instance, hasn't been as boisterous as he was when I first met him. He's still a live one, just a little more subdued. He doesn't fight with Hiead as much as he used to, and even when they do fight, I don't sense any real hostility. And he told me, once, that he felt a connection to Hiead. I thought it was either some post-EX reaction, or Hiead setting him up for humiliation. And remember today, when we had study hall? He was compiling a disc, and I confronted him." Kizna looked down, then continued, "So he told me that Zero was part of his mind's landscape, or something along those lines. And now this."
Ikhny took Kizna's hand in hers. "So do you disapprove?"
"I don't know what to make of this, any more than I know what to make of--- well, how I feel right now."
Kizna cupped Ikhny's face in her hand, murmuring, "Forgive me for taking liberties"; before the smaller girl could speak, she kissed her on the lips. "Will you let me love you? I mean, I don't know what else to say."
"Kizna," Ikhny smiled, "Don't say anything. Just be here, now. And love me. 'Cos I love you, neko-chan."
"So there is a spark to you, eh? Little firecracker. Hanabi." The two kissed again, with a bit more ardor than before. "Let the boys have their fun. We're here. And I don't plan on leaving you; so long as you want me in your life, I'll stick with you."
Ikhny nestled her head against Kizna's throat. "That's better than I could want."
Kizna turned over, a sob caught in her throat. So do I tell you I'm thrilled, Zero, that your love is back? Or do I curse Jai Hanuman for the bastard he is, that you have a second chance at the happy ending, and I have to content myself with once-upon-a-times, with might-have-beens? Only Erts could be so forgiving at the thought of giving you up. But, truth be told, we never really did belong with each other. I just wanted to be anything but alone. Maybe Erts and I can start our own lonely-hearts club. Oh, god, we couldn't have been. And I ought to be glad, now the charade's ending. But I still want to cry.
"Kizna," Zero called, "come here a second." She got up, walking to the counter where Zero stood, putting the finishing touches on a platter of antipasti. "You've been here for me in so many ways. You've been my confidante, my friend, and my kin. You have been closer to me than anyone, these past seven years. And you've given me so much. I wish I could give you something more than the tears you're trying to hold back. It hurts me to see you so torn up. Believe me, I would beg Kali herself to accept my life, if she'd only reunite you with Ikhny. Then again, who knows what slips past the Fates?"
He put his arms around Kizna, and rocked her, as she wept. Tears fell down his face, as he cooed and murmured, "It's all right, kitten, it's all right. We'll come through. This isn't the end, just an unexpected beginning. Don't be scared."
Hiead came downstairs, fully dressed, smelling of blackberry and sage from hair to heels. He stopped when he saw Zero and Kizna, in tears, whispering to each other. Let them be. They have to grieve. Even if they were never in love, they were close. The wounds will bleed and sting. But they will heal, given time and proper care. He sat on the far end of the couch; Habibi leaped into his lap. "Hello, little love. Care to keep me company?" The cat purred, nuzzling his face. Hiead chucked the calico under the chin, watching Habibi roll and stretch, rumbling and wanton.
"Hiead?"
"Yes, Zero?"
"You ready to give me a hand?"
"One second." He nudged the cat, which jumped down. "Sorry, Habibi, your big love's calling me. Maybe later?" Hiead walked into the kitchen. Kizna sat at the table, eyes still puffy and damp. Zero stood, an arm around her shoulder.
"We came to a decision," Kizna said, looking up at Hiead. "The engagement, as of today, has ended. I'll move out within the next two weeks. I'm giving him the house. He insisted that I retain rights in case he moves out. We'll see how we can work on that."
"Are you ready to do this? I mean, I don't want either of you to do anything hasty."
"No," Zero said, "mind's made up."
"One thing," Kizna said. "You'd better damn well look out for him. Hurt Zero in any way, shape or form, I will kick your ass seven ways to Sunday. And I do not give a flying if you have EX or not. Are we clear on this, Gner?"
"Towryk," Hiead replied, his voice rueful and grave, "I told you once before, and I will say it again: if I hurt him, I will feel every last portion of it. And if anyone goes medieval, he'll probably be the first. But if it will ease your mind, then yes, I will look out for him. And I trust him to do the same."
Zero reached over, stroking Hiead's cheek with his free hand. "Thank you."
Hiead gave the two a sad smile. "Would you like me to slice the bread up? If you're making bruschetta, you'll need it all ready. And maybe you can enlist the guys when they get here with the linguine, the sauce, and the salad."
"Thought they weren't coming till one," Kizna interjected.
"He's right, they're coming now." Zero walked to the front door, opening it on a stunned Rioroute and Gareas. "Dudes, you've been drafted for kitchen duty. Get in here. Goes for you too, Cocteau," he called out to a tall, willowy blond with chin-length hair.
Rio and Garu took off their jackets, laying them across the couch. Both wore black, v-necked shirts, dark khakis, and black boots. Erts walked in, going over to Kizna.
"I'm sorry," he said, taking her hand. He gave a long look to Zero, and then fixed his gaze on Hiead. "Welcome back to the living, Hiead. I just wish the circumstance were a happier one."
"It really has been a long time, Erts," he replied. "And I could say the same."
"Okay, gentlemen, here's the drill: Rio, start on the salad. Erts, get the linguine on the boil. Hiead, slice the bread. Garu, chop enough tomatoes for the appetizer and the sauce. Get to it."
"And what are you doing, bossy boots?" Garu asked, diving into a strainer full of washed tomatoes.
"Getting the other ingredients together, Garu. And when I've got the sauce on, I'll set the table."
The men set to work at the tasks; Kizna, meanwhile, slipped into the living room, sinking into a cushion. Habibi meowed and crept onto her lap. She petted the cat, which nipped at her chin. "You're a wonder, little love," she said. Ever feel like the third rail? Right now, I do.
"Excuse me," Erts said, "be right back." He walked over to Kizna. "You want to talk?"
"Not right now, thanks. I'm still trying to sort everything out."
Erts moved closer. "They'll be all right. You know that."
"Yeah, I know," Kizna answered. "I just wonder, where do I go? Who walks into my life and sweeps me away?"
"Maybe," Erts said, as he took her hand, "they're already here, and you just haven't found the questions to the answer." Marine blue eyes gazed at the cat-eared woman's face. "You're an amazing woman, Kizna. Truly."
"Yeah, so amazing that I break my engagement with my fiancé after the man he loved way back when shows up."
"You know as well as I do that Zero never fell out of love with Hiead. Even if you had married, you'd be rivaling a memory that nobody could ever diminish. And could you say that he'd ever make you forget Ikhny?"
"No, not really."
"Look," Erts said, "if you need to talk, you can call me."
"I will. Thanks."
"Erts!" Garu shouted. "Get back here."
"Yes, sir," Erts replied, giving Kizna's hand a squeeze before he left.
Hiead stacked dishes on the table, as Zero poured tomatoes into a base of garlic, chilies, capers, and anchovies. Erts passed him, and said, "I think she'll be all right."
"I know she will. I saw the two of you; I think you'll both be fine."
"Huh?"
"Don't sweat a thing. Just be there."
Erts added linguine from a tall canister to the water, a little mystified at the words of the silver-haired man.
Half an hour later, the six sat at the table, making their way through antipasti, bruschetta pomodoro, and linguine alla puttanesca. Garu and Rio fed each other, napkins tucked under their chins. Zero sat across from Hiead, exchanging glances. Erts sat next to Kizna; the two ate with care, napkins in laps, blushing a little.
"Heard you last night on Radio Flora," Hiead said. "How'd you get into radio?"
"I was an architecture major at Terranova," Erts replied. "And I minored in communications and psychology. I had a class on broadcasting, and I had to get field experience. So I started working as a disc jockey at Dial- Terra. First day there, I thought I was going to sick up, I was so nervous. But after an hour, I started feeling less shaky. After two, I relaxed, and began to get into the whole vibe. A year later, I hosted my own show. Called it the Kitchen Sink---basically, I threw just about anything I could into rotation." "He was a riot," Zero interjected. "I don't think I ever heard him play the same song twice. And he'd put callers on the air, and just have the greatest conversations."
"When I graduated," Erts continued, "I started working the mail room at Radio Flora. I made audition discs, sent them up, and finally, someone asked me to fill in for a midnight shift jock. I've only moved into the seven-to-one spot recently. Maybe it's not as lucrative as designing buildings, but hey, I like my work. And I promised myself that if this ever became a job, I'd head to the Outlands and build houses."
Hiead smirked. Go West, then, my son, and may the goddesses smile on you.
Kizna and Zero cleared the table and washed the dishes.
Zero put a cafetera on the stove, and prepared espresso. A tray of milhojas and alfajores sat next to a plate of Gorgonzola cheese, Fuji apples, and comice pears.
"I don't have to ask you," Zero said, looking at Rio, "if you want dessert. Tuck in. Everyone, please, begin."
So dessert began.
Kizna nibbled at a plate with an alfajor, cheese, and a pear, stealing glances at Erts. He turned to her, the shyest of smiles gracing his lips. Rio fed Garu several milhojas, leaving traces of chocolate, marzipan, and custard at the corners of his mouth. Garu then fed his love, leaving whipped cream all over his lips.
Hiead watched Zero devour two milhojas de fresa, then two chocolate-dipped alfajores, before he returned with a tray of demitasse cups.
"There was an ancient Earth proverb, I think, from Turkey," Zero said, passing cups around the table. "If I recall, it went something like this: 'Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death, and sweet as love.' May your days be sweetened by love."
He raised his cup, followed by the others.
Rio and Garu washed the dessert dishes, while Hiead and Kizna put away leftovers. Erts put the dishes away, while Zero squared away the pots and pans.
The six retreated to the living room, sated and a little drowsy. "Thanks for being here," Zero said to his dinner guests.
"Ditto," Garu replied.
"Anytime, dude," Rio said, as Garu wrapped him in a bear hug.
"An honor and a privilege," Erts said, as he kissed Hiead, then Zero, on the cheek.
Kizna reclined on a cushion, with Erts at her side. Garu fell asleep on the couch, Rio in his arms.
Hiead cradled Zero; the two drifted to sleep, with Habibi between them, in the living room.
The afternoon flared, then faded. The viewing would begin at five.
That would be a strange evening.
Author's notes
I realize this took a while, but here is the tenth chapter. Thank you all so, so much for your patience!
Lil_angelgirl: hey, glad to see you again! And that you enjoy the story--- warms my heart. Let me know what you think. D-chan: thank you, thank you, thank you bella. Hiead has a little groundwork for investigating the Quark trade, now he has to get down to business. And as for the struggle, well, I think they'll make it, though not without some troubles. Cayenne: welcome aboard! And thank you for the kudos. KLMeri: good to hear from you again, and thank you for your patience. Clay and Saki are on their way- --they may even show up as early as the viewing. UE: tovarishch, yes, I did indeed have "Your Body is a Wonderland" in mind when I added the tag line. And I think you'll be seeing a lil' more Erts soon. Do let me know what you think; you give me much to think about, and that is a very good thing. Sandy: hello again! Glad you like the story. Keep me posted. Cloa: greetings and salutations. I'm glad you liked the story, the space, and the recipe. I enjoy cooking, and especially when I have friends over.
I realize that I may have to raise the rating on this story, soon, to R. Especially after writing about Hiead's little interlude in the tub. As the great Tom Petty once wrote, "The waiting is the hardest part."
Music notes: Zero's first thought, when he kisses Hiead in the bathtub, comes from "Miss Chatelaine" by k.d. lang. The lyrics, which Hiead sings to Zero, in Kizna's flashback, are from "Your Body is a Wonderland" by John Mayer.
On Deities: all apologies for not noting this before. Kannon is a Buddhist deity, the goddess of mercy. Kali is the Hindu goddess of destruction and rebirth. Jai Hanuman is a trickster god in the Hindu pantheon.
Food notes: Bruschetta is an appetizer made with toasted bread, olive oil, and garlic. It can be plain or elaborate. Pomodoro, in Italian, means tomato, and refers to a chunky tomato sauce or topping for bruschetta. A puttanesca sauce is a spicy sauce, made with chilies, tomatoes, garlic, capers, and anchovies. A cafetera is a stovetop espresso pot.
Coming up: what not to do at a viewing! Here come Clay and Saki (at long, long last); Hiead has lots of questions. A post-viewing trip to the Punta de la Luna, where Yamagi and Roose serve dinner and some saucy repartee. The funeral, and its fallout. Where will the dinner party take place? How will Kizna adjust to life after the engagement? And what obstacles will Hiead and Zero have to overcome as they relearn the art of love? Stay tuned!
As always, your comments, critique, feedback, praise, and flames are more than welcome. I do want to know what you think; and if I bollix any details (especially with lore and recipes), do tell me! Thank you, everyone who has read thus far, and if you haven't written, do write!
Antoinette (poetisa) P.S. Do check out the EX Files (www.satinflame.resuko.net/megami/main.html)! Resuko has a super MK site, lots of anime-related stuff. Her Vision of Resuko site is also a great place for MK fanart, oekaki, and sketches. Visit. Enjoy. Leave her a note---or submit your own work. And pass the word on.
Kizna woke from a deep, dreamless nap to the sound of the telephone. After taking a glance at a clock radio, she picked up the receiver in her room. Zero must be worn out. Then again, he sleeps like nobody else I know.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Kizna, it's Rio. Could you tell Zero we're running a little late? We'll be there at one, at the latest. And ask him to cook a little extra. Erts is joining us."
"Okay," Kizna replied, "I'll pass the news along." Come on, girl, get the sleep out of your eyes. She walked to Zero's room, and found the door ajar.
She stepped inside, and made her way to the bed, where she saw Hiead and Zero, sound asleep, in each other's arms. My god, have they? No, I doubt it. But damn, they look so comfortable, lying there. Kizna studied the sleepers' faces: Hiead wore a secret, almost childlike smile, while Zero had a serene half-smile. Hiead nestled against Zero, whose mocha hair pillowed his neck and throat. Silver hair fanned across a deep blue pillow, like a liquid halo.
Zero moaned and stirred. Hiead cooed, drawing him closer.
Kizna watched, a sad smile on her face. So beautiful. Mother Kannon, I feel like I'm intruding. She crept toward the door, closing it behind her. She returned to her room, searching her closet for an outfit.
Ten minutes later, she headed downstairs, wearing a navy turtleneck, a pair of matching trousers, and dark grey trouser socks. A headband anchored her hair. I'll worry about the shoes later.
Kizna walked over to the workstation desk, turning on the computer. Let's just check the e-mail. Log on to RossoNet, password chibineko. Hey, here's one from Saki! How's she coming along? She clicked on a message from sfortran7@rossonet.com, and waited for the page to open.
"Hey Kitkat, what's new with you? I'm sorry I haven't touched base with you for a while. I've been taking childbirth classes, along with Clay. He's game, if a little skittish, about the prospect of helping me deliver the twins. We're still fighting over names. He wants to name the boy Clifford, and the girl, Emma. I'm still not giving in on naming them Nicholas and Arianna. Oh well, maybe when these two finally make their debut, we'll reach some sort of agreement. And, as promised, you and Zero are going to be godparents to them.
"By the way, how is Zero? Does he still like wearing pajama bottoms when he makes breakfast?
"Have you managed to convince him that he doesn't need to dance around in the kitchen, or does he still do that? I sometimes think that he's never made it past the age of 16. Then again, I think Clay acts a little too mature, you know? I think becoming a father has given him a new focus, though.
"I'm looking forward to the dinner party. What do you think Roose and Yamagi will do for the floor show? I hope they do ABBA again; their rendition of 'SOS' was great! And if they bring the karaoke, I'll personally get Clay to sing. Don't you just want to see him doing 'I'm Too Sexy'? Maybe you can convince Zero to join him, and they can duet. Considering that he brought the house down when he dolled up and performed 'I Know What Boys Like,' I think he'd jump at the chance to do it again.
"Anyhow, I have to dash. Will write more soon Love, Saki."
Kizna closed the message, and scrolled down. What's this? Here's a message from ccf01@rossonet.com, dated for today. He rarely writes. Well, let's settle in to read.
She opened the message.
"Dear Kizna: Saki and I want to convey our condolences to you, and to Zero, regarding the death of Ryker Kuerten. If you need anything, please do call. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in this hour. In deepest sympathy, Clay and Saki Fortran."
She hit the REPLY button, and typed: "Thank you both. I shall send your words along to Zero. Could I meet you later this week? I've got a lot on my mind, and I really do want a listening ear. Let me know. Kizna." She then sent it out, deleted any junk mail, and logged out. She heard a door creak, upstairs, and footsteps padding down. Hiead walked over to the chair where Kizna sat, yawning.
"So when are Rio and Garu coming over?" he asked.
"They're running late. Rio called, said they'd be here at one. And Erts is coming over as well. So it looks like lunch for six."
Hiead stiffened a bit. "Oh." This ought to be a telenovela: the fiancée, who used to be in love with my Repairer; the young man, who was---and is, I hope, again---my itooshi; two former pilots, now lovers; and the disc jockey, who was my itooshii's first crush, and who is the only other person Rei will ever admit into his thoughts. I don't believe it, and I'm the most improbable guest at the table: the long-lost lover, returning from the unknown. I think we're going to have an interesting time today.
"Hey, guys, what's the big skinny?" Kizna yelped in surprise, as Zero came down the stairs. "Did Rio call?"
"Yes, and they'll be here at one, with Erts."
"Erts is coming over?" Oh boy, lunch is going to be mighty interesting today. All we need now is a troupe of tap-dancing penguins, and that, so they say, is entertainment. "Hope everyone's up for linguine alla puttanesca."
Hiead cleared his throat. "I think I'd better get into some civvies. If you'll excuse me?" He walked away from the workstation, and up the stairs.
Once upstairs, he returned to the guest room, where he found fresh towels on the bed. I could do with a wash, I guess. He gathered the towels, and his clothes, and went to the bathroom. He looked in the caddy, attached to the side of a white, claw-footed tub: blackberry-scented bubble bath, three rubber ducks, and a bar of Kirk's soap shared space with a lavender eye pillow, a jar of hand cream, and a red back scrubbing towel.
I hope nobody takes offense if I wear these clothes again. They're still fresh, and I have a bag in the trunk, for later. Hiead shut the door, plugged the drain, and started the water. He gave a second look at the bubble bath, and then added a small amount. He removed the robe, then the nightshirt, and last of all, a pair of deep green boxer briefs.
He studied the scar over his left breast: three years earlier, he'd been working a bounty with Mickey, and wound up in a knife fight. The criminal had started foaming at the mouth, bloody foam, and after several minutes of convulsions, he stopped breathing. One of Mickey's old friends, a medical examiner, had found high levels of some new drug---Quark---in the dead man's system.
After Mickey died, the same medical examiner had smuggled the results of a forensic report to the Angel's Keep, as Hiead called his bungalow. The levels of Resilient Q in his bloodstream had been high---and the chemical structure too similar to Quark for it to be coincidence.
What was that examiner's name? Ryan Kadaoka? He came out to Luritja Cove one evening, and left before I could ask any questions. When I tried to contact him, he'd already left. Seems he skipped town, too: no forwarding address, no number, nothing!
Hiead turned off the taps, and tested the water. He eased his body into the bathtub, a soft grunt escaping his lips. He picked up a rubber duck, and set it in the foam, where it bobbed along. He sank back, submerging for a moment, before resurfacing. Beads of water clung to his face; froth laced his hair.
A knock at the door made him sit up. "Hey, Hiead, you need anything?" Zero called.
"Where do you keep the shampoo?" And is it somewhere that doesn't require me getting out of the bath? Or you, coming in? Not that I'd object if you did. I just wonder if I'd let you out without at least a good soaking.
Zero walked in. "Let me get that for you," he said. He shut the door, and made his way to a hutch between the sink and the toilet. He reached inside, pulling out two bottles, a tube of styling gel, and a comb. He set the last two items on the rim of the sink, and handed the bottles to Hiead. Come to think of it, a bath sounds wonderful right now.
"Thanks." Hiead leaned up, giving Zero a kiss on the cheek. "Will you need a hand with lunch?" Good. A polite, neutral question. No need to get more hot and bothered than you already are, Gner. "I wonder what the viewing will be like."
"The viewing? That could be a disaster in the making. Like I said, when the Kuertens divorced, it was messy and extremely ugly. They may have been civil last night, but heaven knows if they can pull that off for the rest of the week." He crouched behind the tub, scooping a handful of water and pouring it over Hiead's head.
"What was that for, Zero?" Hiead sputtered. "You trying to drown me?"
"Damn. And here I thought I'd get away with it. Oh, well. Since I can't seem to drown you, may I wash your hair?"
Hiead sighed. "Tempting as the offer is, I think you have a lunch to fix." And if I let you touch me, I will not be accountable for what follows. He noted the tension and heat moving, like lava, below his navel, and groaned. If he doesn't leave now, I'll pin and mount him.
"Will you, at least, accept a kiss?" Zero said. And maybe a few lingering caresses, a long journey over skin, an afternoon of ecstasy? It's not that I don't want to wait---I feel like I've been waiting forever.
"One kiss, and then it's to the kitchen with you, Enna."
Zero pouted, then answered, "One kiss it is, then." He moved toward the side of the tub, bringing his lips to meet Hiead's. Just a kiss, just a kiss, I have lived, just for this---and the feel of your fingers in my hair, hands tracing over me like Braille, the moment when we become the never-ending story---soon, please, Mother Kannon.
Lips and tongues entwined, ardent and playful at once. Zero groaned and purred, blue eyes half-open and gazing into Hiead's.
The words from an old conversation resounded: He and Hiead, in their room at GIS---a more spacious one, with a sitting room and kitchenette---had come in from a day of sparring, and had collapsed onto Zero's bed. An adrenaline-fueled tickle war escalated into a full-tilt lovemaking session that lasted well into the night.
Hiead gazed at Zero, face alight, as they exchanged kisses. "Tell me," Zero asked, looking up at his koishii, "why do you kiss with your eyes open?"
Hiead paused a moment, then planted a kiss on the dark-haired youth's forehead. "I want to see you. See you in every way possible. I want to see your soul, and I think, sometimes, that I want you to see mine as well. And since you ask, let me ask you: why do you close your eyes when we kiss?"
"I trust you, Hiead," Zero replied. "And I do see your soul. Eye hath not seen, as the saying goes. My eyes confirm what I already know."
Hiead chuckled, breaking the kiss. {Rei, if you please?}
Zero gave him a smile, and a quick peck, before he left. {Okay, habibi, I'm gone. Don't get too comfy. Your presence is required in the kitchen. Ta now!}
He closed the door behind him, and headed downstairs.
Hiead sank back into the tub, nerves enflamed. I don't know if this is good torture or not. But torture it is. He grabbed the towel, soaped it up, and began working it over his back. Once finished, he took a cloth and began washing the rest of his body, pausing when he reached his groin. Imagine his hands there. Yes, that rhythm. Quiet now, don't want any attention. His hands, his hair, his lips and tongue, oh my god, yes, please, please, yes. Don't stop. Hard to breathe: am I dying? Am I rising? Everything's going blue, blue as the night, blue as those eyes; oh Rei, if you could see me, hear me. I feel it. I feel you. There! Now. Inhale. Exhale. Wait. A low cry escaped his lips, as he slumped back, trembling.
In the kitchen, Zero felt a shock along his spine. He had to pause and lean against the counter. Damn. And right about the time I had to start on the antipasti. Get a hold of yourself, Zero---no, not that way! You've got company. Think lunch. Think funeral. Think about Old Man Tiller in his long johns, hauling out the trash. That's better. Okay, so it bites. But the last thing you need is to think with your libido.
Kizna had turned off the computer, and was reclining on the couch. She thought of an afternoon, in the Relaxation Room, when she and Ikhny had slipped inside after a long day of lectures and training.
The smaller girl lay in her arms, eyes closed, glasses off. The sound of low murmurs and song reached Kizna's ears. "Ikhny-chan," she whispered, "hey, wake up." Ikhny looked at her, chocolate eyes hazed with sleep. "Hear that?" Ikhny paused, then nodded. "Who the hell sings that way?" She crept toward the sound. "I don't know who you are, but keep the noise down---" What she saw, when she reached the source, stopped her in her tracks.
Hiead Gner cradled Zero in his lap, singing: "And if you want love, we'll make it, swimming a deep sea of blankets, take all your big plans and break them, this is bound to take a while." He leaned over, kissing the dark- haired boy with a tenderness that matched Zero's fire.
Someone tell me I'm dreaming. Kizna backed away, and bumped into Ikhny. "Sorry about that."
"What did you just see there?" Ikhny wanted to know, as she put her glasses on.
"Let's go to the observatory deck. I'll tell you there." They made a quiet exit.
Once at the deck, the girls sat down. Kizna took a deep breath, and started. "Okay. I just saw your partner serenading mine."
"Hiead? Hiead was singing to Zero? Isn't that a sign of the Apocalypse or something?" Ikhny replied. "Sure that's what you saw?"
"That, and they were kissing each other." Kizna paused. "I know, I know, the two of them locking lips---talk about a freaky concept. But I think we've overlooked a lot."
"Explain."
"Well, since that skirmish with the VICTIM, there's been some sort of shift. Zero, for instance, hasn't been as boisterous as he was when I first met him. He's still a live one, just a little more subdued. He doesn't fight with Hiead as much as he used to, and even when they do fight, I don't sense any real hostility. And he told me, once, that he felt a connection to Hiead. I thought it was either some post-EX reaction, or Hiead setting him up for humiliation. And remember today, when we had study hall? He was compiling a disc, and I confronted him." Kizna looked down, then continued, "So he told me that Zero was part of his mind's landscape, or something along those lines. And now this."
Ikhny took Kizna's hand in hers. "So do you disapprove?"
"I don't know what to make of this, any more than I know what to make of--- well, how I feel right now."
Kizna cupped Ikhny's face in her hand, murmuring, "Forgive me for taking liberties"; before the smaller girl could speak, she kissed her on the lips. "Will you let me love you? I mean, I don't know what else to say."
"Kizna," Ikhny smiled, "Don't say anything. Just be here, now. And love me. 'Cos I love you, neko-chan."
"So there is a spark to you, eh? Little firecracker. Hanabi." The two kissed again, with a bit more ardor than before. "Let the boys have their fun. We're here. And I don't plan on leaving you; so long as you want me in your life, I'll stick with you."
Ikhny nestled her head against Kizna's throat. "That's better than I could want."
Kizna turned over, a sob caught in her throat. So do I tell you I'm thrilled, Zero, that your love is back? Or do I curse Jai Hanuman for the bastard he is, that you have a second chance at the happy ending, and I have to content myself with once-upon-a-times, with might-have-beens? Only Erts could be so forgiving at the thought of giving you up. But, truth be told, we never really did belong with each other. I just wanted to be anything but alone. Maybe Erts and I can start our own lonely-hearts club. Oh, god, we couldn't have been. And I ought to be glad, now the charade's ending. But I still want to cry.
"Kizna," Zero called, "come here a second." She got up, walking to the counter where Zero stood, putting the finishing touches on a platter of antipasti. "You've been here for me in so many ways. You've been my confidante, my friend, and my kin. You have been closer to me than anyone, these past seven years. And you've given me so much. I wish I could give you something more than the tears you're trying to hold back. It hurts me to see you so torn up. Believe me, I would beg Kali herself to accept my life, if she'd only reunite you with Ikhny. Then again, who knows what slips past the Fates?"
He put his arms around Kizna, and rocked her, as she wept. Tears fell down his face, as he cooed and murmured, "It's all right, kitten, it's all right. We'll come through. This isn't the end, just an unexpected beginning. Don't be scared."
Hiead came downstairs, fully dressed, smelling of blackberry and sage from hair to heels. He stopped when he saw Zero and Kizna, in tears, whispering to each other. Let them be. They have to grieve. Even if they were never in love, they were close. The wounds will bleed and sting. But they will heal, given time and proper care. He sat on the far end of the couch; Habibi leaped into his lap. "Hello, little love. Care to keep me company?" The cat purred, nuzzling his face. Hiead chucked the calico under the chin, watching Habibi roll and stretch, rumbling and wanton.
"Hiead?"
"Yes, Zero?"
"You ready to give me a hand?"
"One second." He nudged the cat, which jumped down. "Sorry, Habibi, your big love's calling me. Maybe later?" Hiead walked into the kitchen. Kizna sat at the table, eyes still puffy and damp. Zero stood, an arm around her shoulder.
"We came to a decision," Kizna said, looking up at Hiead. "The engagement, as of today, has ended. I'll move out within the next two weeks. I'm giving him the house. He insisted that I retain rights in case he moves out. We'll see how we can work on that."
"Are you ready to do this? I mean, I don't want either of you to do anything hasty."
"No," Zero said, "mind's made up."
"One thing," Kizna said. "You'd better damn well look out for him. Hurt Zero in any way, shape or form, I will kick your ass seven ways to Sunday. And I do not give a flying if you have EX or not. Are we clear on this, Gner?"
"Towryk," Hiead replied, his voice rueful and grave, "I told you once before, and I will say it again: if I hurt him, I will feel every last portion of it. And if anyone goes medieval, he'll probably be the first. But if it will ease your mind, then yes, I will look out for him. And I trust him to do the same."
Zero reached over, stroking Hiead's cheek with his free hand. "Thank you."
Hiead gave the two a sad smile. "Would you like me to slice the bread up? If you're making bruschetta, you'll need it all ready. And maybe you can enlist the guys when they get here with the linguine, the sauce, and the salad."
"Thought they weren't coming till one," Kizna interjected.
"He's right, they're coming now." Zero walked to the front door, opening it on a stunned Rioroute and Gareas. "Dudes, you've been drafted for kitchen duty. Get in here. Goes for you too, Cocteau," he called out to a tall, willowy blond with chin-length hair.
Rio and Garu took off their jackets, laying them across the couch. Both wore black, v-necked shirts, dark khakis, and black boots. Erts walked in, going over to Kizna.
"I'm sorry," he said, taking her hand. He gave a long look to Zero, and then fixed his gaze on Hiead. "Welcome back to the living, Hiead. I just wish the circumstance were a happier one."
"It really has been a long time, Erts," he replied. "And I could say the same."
"Okay, gentlemen, here's the drill: Rio, start on the salad. Erts, get the linguine on the boil. Hiead, slice the bread. Garu, chop enough tomatoes for the appetizer and the sauce. Get to it."
"And what are you doing, bossy boots?" Garu asked, diving into a strainer full of washed tomatoes.
"Getting the other ingredients together, Garu. And when I've got the sauce on, I'll set the table."
The men set to work at the tasks; Kizna, meanwhile, slipped into the living room, sinking into a cushion. Habibi meowed and crept onto her lap. She petted the cat, which nipped at her chin. "You're a wonder, little love," she said. Ever feel like the third rail? Right now, I do.
"Excuse me," Erts said, "be right back." He walked over to Kizna. "You want to talk?"
"Not right now, thanks. I'm still trying to sort everything out."
Erts moved closer. "They'll be all right. You know that."
"Yeah, I know," Kizna answered. "I just wonder, where do I go? Who walks into my life and sweeps me away?"
"Maybe," Erts said, as he took her hand, "they're already here, and you just haven't found the questions to the answer." Marine blue eyes gazed at the cat-eared woman's face. "You're an amazing woman, Kizna. Truly."
"Yeah, so amazing that I break my engagement with my fiancé after the man he loved way back when shows up."
"You know as well as I do that Zero never fell out of love with Hiead. Even if you had married, you'd be rivaling a memory that nobody could ever diminish. And could you say that he'd ever make you forget Ikhny?"
"No, not really."
"Look," Erts said, "if you need to talk, you can call me."
"I will. Thanks."
"Erts!" Garu shouted. "Get back here."
"Yes, sir," Erts replied, giving Kizna's hand a squeeze before he left.
Hiead stacked dishes on the table, as Zero poured tomatoes into a base of garlic, chilies, capers, and anchovies. Erts passed him, and said, "I think she'll be all right."
"I know she will. I saw the two of you; I think you'll both be fine."
"Huh?"
"Don't sweat a thing. Just be there."
Erts added linguine from a tall canister to the water, a little mystified at the words of the silver-haired man.
Half an hour later, the six sat at the table, making their way through antipasti, bruschetta pomodoro, and linguine alla puttanesca. Garu and Rio fed each other, napkins tucked under their chins. Zero sat across from Hiead, exchanging glances. Erts sat next to Kizna; the two ate with care, napkins in laps, blushing a little.
"Heard you last night on Radio Flora," Hiead said. "How'd you get into radio?"
"I was an architecture major at Terranova," Erts replied. "And I minored in communications and psychology. I had a class on broadcasting, and I had to get field experience. So I started working as a disc jockey at Dial- Terra. First day there, I thought I was going to sick up, I was so nervous. But after an hour, I started feeling less shaky. After two, I relaxed, and began to get into the whole vibe. A year later, I hosted my own show. Called it the Kitchen Sink---basically, I threw just about anything I could into rotation." "He was a riot," Zero interjected. "I don't think I ever heard him play the same song twice. And he'd put callers on the air, and just have the greatest conversations."
"When I graduated," Erts continued, "I started working the mail room at Radio Flora. I made audition discs, sent them up, and finally, someone asked me to fill in for a midnight shift jock. I've only moved into the seven-to-one spot recently. Maybe it's not as lucrative as designing buildings, but hey, I like my work. And I promised myself that if this ever became a job, I'd head to the Outlands and build houses."
Hiead smirked. Go West, then, my son, and may the goddesses smile on you.
Kizna and Zero cleared the table and washed the dishes.
Zero put a cafetera on the stove, and prepared espresso. A tray of milhojas and alfajores sat next to a plate of Gorgonzola cheese, Fuji apples, and comice pears.
"I don't have to ask you," Zero said, looking at Rio, "if you want dessert. Tuck in. Everyone, please, begin."
So dessert began.
Kizna nibbled at a plate with an alfajor, cheese, and a pear, stealing glances at Erts. He turned to her, the shyest of smiles gracing his lips. Rio fed Garu several milhojas, leaving traces of chocolate, marzipan, and custard at the corners of his mouth. Garu then fed his love, leaving whipped cream all over his lips.
Hiead watched Zero devour two milhojas de fresa, then two chocolate-dipped alfajores, before he returned with a tray of demitasse cups.
"There was an ancient Earth proverb, I think, from Turkey," Zero said, passing cups around the table. "If I recall, it went something like this: 'Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death, and sweet as love.' May your days be sweetened by love."
He raised his cup, followed by the others.
Rio and Garu washed the dessert dishes, while Hiead and Kizna put away leftovers. Erts put the dishes away, while Zero squared away the pots and pans.
The six retreated to the living room, sated and a little drowsy. "Thanks for being here," Zero said to his dinner guests.
"Ditto," Garu replied.
"Anytime, dude," Rio said, as Garu wrapped him in a bear hug.
"An honor and a privilege," Erts said, as he kissed Hiead, then Zero, on the cheek.
Kizna reclined on a cushion, with Erts at her side. Garu fell asleep on the couch, Rio in his arms.
Hiead cradled Zero; the two drifted to sleep, with Habibi between them, in the living room.
The afternoon flared, then faded. The viewing would begin at five.
That would be a strange evening.
Author's notes
I realize this took a while, but here is the tenth chapter. Thank you all so, so much for your patience!
Lil_angelgirl: hey, glad to see you again! And that you enjoy the story--- warms my heart. Let me know what you think. D-chan: thank you, thank you, thank you bella. Hiead has a little groundwork for investigating the Quark trade, now he has to get down to business. And as for the struggle, well, I think they'll make it, though not without some troubles. Cayenne: welcome aboard! And thank you for the kudos. KLMeri: good to hear from you again, and thank you for your patience. Clay and Saki are on their way- --they may even show up as early as the viewing. UE: tovarishch, yes, I did indeed have "Your Body is a Wonderland" in mind when I added the tag line. And I think you'll be seeing a lil' more Erts soon. Do let me know what you think; you give me much to think about, and that is a very good thing. Sandy: hello again! Glad you like the story. Keep me posted. Cloa: greetings and salutations. I'm glad you liked the story, the space, and the recipe. I enjoy cooking, and especially when I have friends over.
I realize that I may have to raise the rating on this story, soon, to R. Especially after writing about Hiead's little interlude in the tub. As the great Tom Petty once wrote, "The waiting is the hardest part."
Music notes: Zero's first thought, when he kisses Hiead in the bathtub, comes from "Miss Chatelaine" by k.d. lang. The lyrics, which Hiead sings to Zero, in Kizna's flashback, are from "Your Body is a Wonderland" by John Mayer.
On Deities: all apologies for not noting this before. Kannon is a Buddhist deity, the goddess of mercy. Kali is the Hindu goddess of destruction and rebirth. Jai Hanuman is a trickster god in the Hindu pantheon.
Food notes: Bruschetta is an appetizer made with toasted bread, olive oil, and garlic. It can be plain or elaborate. Pomodoro, in Italian, means tomato, and refers to a chunky tomato sauce or topping for bruschetta. A puttanesca sauce is a spicy sauce, made with chilies, tomatoes, garlic, capers, and anchovies. A cafetera is a stovetop espresso pot.
Coming up: what not to do at a viewing! Here come Clay and Saki (at long, long last); Hiead has lots of questions. A post-viewing trip to the Punta de la Luna, where Yamagi and Roose serve dinner and some saucy repartee. The funeral, and its fallout. Where will the dinner party take place? How will Kizna adjust to life after the engagement? And what obstacles will Hiead and Zero have to overcome as they relearn the art of love? Stay tuned!
As always, your comments, critique, feedback, praise, and flames are more than welcome. I do want to know what you think; and if I bollix any details (especially with lore and recipes), do tell me! Thank you, everyone who has read thus far, and if you haven't written, do write!
Antoinette (poetisa) P.S. Do check out the EX Files (www.satinflame.resuko.net/megami/main.html)! Resuko has a super MK site, lots of anime-related stuff. Her Vision of Resuko site is also a great place for MK fanart, oekaki, and sketches. Visit. Enjoy. Leave her a note---or submit your own work. And pass the word on.