And one from August. I must be getting more of the old backlog terminated:

Earth and Sky -- Twilight

A 'Compass Points' Side-Story

   ----------------------------

   [Predawn]

Which we call 'night'. :)

   ***

   Legend speaks to us of Shen-Lung, the great dragon that supports the
palace of the gods in the heavens.

But as with all legends, the truth was distorted. The palace of the gods was
in fact supported by a rather obese sea slug named Mortimer.

   ***

   His eyes glowed. He was guessing about that.

   He couldn't see them himself, but people were shying away more than
normal.

Could be he hasn't bathed in a while either.

   ***

   Disbelief in the fey changed them... warped them... and slowly,
unmade them.

   ***

   She mused idly, toying with a sharp implement of many uses.

   For cutting flesh, of course.

Butter knives were like that.

   [Sunrise]

   Ryu glanced about him, ignoring the dragon-shadow that trailed him,
moving against the sun rather than with it.

Yes. That might be a wee bit disturbing.

Something that he would

learn to live with, he decided. Not something to worry about. Now, at
any rate.

Until the dragon-shadow attacks him or something.

   ***

   "And then what happened to the dragon, Daddy?"

Father: Died of a brain embollism and fell into magic spring. Vert tragic
tale, that.

   She cocked her head to one side, offering the same smile she always
did for her customer.

customers

   She raised an eyebrow at that. "I do," she admitted. "You're...
'Gifted'?"

Ryu: That's what all the ladies tell me. ^_^

   ***

   He frowned. "Gifted? What do you mean?"

   She waved dismissively. "It's mostly something they don't like to
talk about, but sometimes... people are starting to change. You know.
Develop powers and stuff." She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "I have a
friend who can see with his eyes closed. Things like that?"

That's what happens when you vacation in El-Hazard, though. ^_^

   He nodded slowly. "I suppose. I don't know what it is... just that...
I can hear things. Metal, earth... you know?" She shrugged, handing him
a plate, burdened with its fresh meal. "For example," he said, taking a
bite of the okonomiyaki, "I can tell that you no longer cook with the
same passion you once did."

So, he's equating Ukyou with a lump of clay, is that it? :)

   The girl -- woman, truly -- growled at him. "I don't need to listen
to this! I don't need to listen to _you_!"

   "No," he said, agreeably. "You don't. Do you want me to leave?"

It's no fun when they acquiese to demands. :)

   ***

   "They lived happily ever after?"

   "Um... not right away."

   "What happened, Daddy?"

Ryu: Hot sex and nine months later, you.

   [Noon]

   "So," he said plainly, eating another Okonomiyaki. "This one tastes
like... curiosity, and good will.

Ukyou: No, it tastes like tuna. It's a seafood okonomiyaki.

   Ukyo's smile widened, turning more sincere. "Fine, fine. Just talking
with Ryu-chan. Who's the kid?"

   Nabiki flushed, handing the sleeping girl to her husband. Tofu
accepted the child, taking a seat near Ryu. "Well," Nabiki explained,
twiddling her thumbs. "Um... after... after the..." Her flush and smile
faded. "Tofu and I... Ukyou, meet our daughter, Ranko."

Ukyou: Just plain evil, aren't you?

   Ryu dropped his guise of subtlety, watching the departing trio. Ukyou
sighed, shaking her head. "I want a family like that, someday."

Ryu: I think I'll wipe out their memories and steal them for my own.

   He blinked, surprised. "Decided what?"

   "To start a family."

   "Oh," he said, confused. "That's... good." After a moment, he
frowned. "With who?"

   Rolling her eyes, she looked out at the sky, already darkening from
the onset of the nuclear winter that the wars had promised. "You,

jackass."

Ryu: Where do we get the kid?

Ukyou: You don't know?

Ryu: I had very little in the way of formal education.

   The King of Cups, of Swords, of Coins, of Staves...

   ----------------------------
   Author's notes:

   Though it's not likely that anyone remembers, this was written at Mr.
Sommer's request/suggestion. :p

Wow! Even I don't remember and I'm the one that made the request. ^_^

   Probably a bit too surreal, but it helps explain some elements that
are helpful towards understanding act three and four of Compass Points.

Nah. It just helps fill in some gaps. It flowed well. Nice work.

D.B. Sommer




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