Here's a bit of silliness that I've been working on since the beginning
of the year. It's a bit long for a "spamfic", I think. 

There's some bits that could be considered mild spoilers, but those
parts may be just confusing if you haven't seen the entirety of the
second story arc.

Laurie
milo@winternet.com
http://www.winternet.com/~milo
 

What Color Is Your Revolution?
by Laurie Gerholz
March 2003
      
      Miki Kaoru watched the snowflakes drift lazily down.  It had 
just begun to snow, and the ground was slowly whitening.  He glanced 
from the window to the wall clock across the atrium.  It indicated 
there were still ten minutes to meeting time.  A moment later 
treasurer Juri Arisugawa came in, shaking the snowflakes off of her 
long auburn curls.

      A frown marred her pretty face as she stamped the snow from her 
boots.  Her glare took in the whole atrium of Ohtori Academy's 
administrative building, empty save for herself and Miki.

      Startled at her angry demeanor, Miki asked hesitantly, "Are you 
feeling all right?"

      "Why should I be?" she snapped.  "New Year's break isn't even 
over and we're called back to campus for a Student Council meeting!  
What was Touga thinking?"

      "I figured that Ends Of The World had asked Touga to call it," 
said Miki.

      "Of course, when we still don't know who Ends Of The World is.  
So I can't give him ... her ... whoever ... the piece of my mind he 
deserves."

      Miki stared at her.  She smiled at him and patted his shoulder.  
"Don't think I'm taking this out on you, Miki.  But you sure are 
dealing with this imposition calmly."

      He shrugged.  "I came up to campus early to use the piano in the 
music room.  It's nicer than the one at our house."

      "You're so accommodating," she said teasingly.  Miki could feel 
himself blushing a bit under the older girl's fond regard.

      The outer door opened again and a tall young man stepped inside.  
The door, as it swung shut, blew off some of the snow that dusted 
his long wavy hair and wool coat.  Kyouichi Saionji removed his 
gloves and stuck them in his coat pockets, watching Miki and Juri 
with a stony regard.  

      Miki glanced between Juri and Saionji, could almost feel the 
tension between the two like the raw ice outside.  Not liking the 
chilly feeling it was giving him, Miki turned to the older boy and 
said brightly, "Happy New Year, Saionji, sir."

      Saionji visibly relaxed at that.  He nodded to them both, "To 
you too, Miki, Juri."  He walked across the atrium to join them, so 
they wouldn't have to shout to converse.

      "Did you just get back into town today, for this meeting?" asked 
Miki.

      Saionji shook his head.  "Actually, I've stayed on campus all 
break.  I just didn't feel up to seeing my family, and they 
certainly didn't make any fuss about me remaining here."

      "All alone?"  Miki was careful not to put too much sympathy in 
his voice, lest Saionji's quick temper take offense.  But there was 
no such reaction.

      "That doesn't bother me, and I spent a fair amount of time down 
at Touga's place.  They had me over for New Year's Day.  But I 
didn't expect to have to put this on again for a couple of days," he 
said, indicating the trousers he wore, visible beneath his winter 
coat.  Miki and Juri were likewise dressed.  Their three colors, 
each distinct from the standard Ohtori turquoise, showed that they 
had all worn their Student Council uniforms.  

      "I'm surprised you and Touga didn't come over here together," 
commented Juri.

      "I haven't seen him for a bit," explained Saionji.  "Had other 
things to do, and then the summons showed up in my mailbox."  He 
glanced up at the clock and scowled.  "Just watch, now he'll be late 
and make us wait on him."

      But Saionji was proved wrong as the door opened with another 
flurry of snowflakes and the sound of Touga Kiryuu's voice saying, 
"... just tell me what this is all about."

      There was a sharp feminine giggle as Touga's younger sister 
Nanami swept in before him.  As Touga followed, he stopped when he 
saw the three already present.  His blue eyes widened and he glanced 
repeatedly between his sister and his three fellow Student Council 
members.

      Nanami clapped her hands and beamed at them.  "Excellent, you're 
all on time."  Then she examined the remainder of the atrium.  
Apparently not finding what she was looking for, Nanami shrugged and 
gazed up at her brother with the bright smile she usually saved for 
him, "Let's all go up to the Student Council chamber.  Then I'll 
explain my wonderful surprise to everyone."  She patted the leather-
bound business portfolio she carried and set off for the elevator.

      As they followed her, Miki saw Touga turn to Saionji.  "Did 
Nanami talk to you all?"

      "I got an invitation with *your* name on it," said Saionji.

      "But it wouldn't have been my handwriting."

      "She's been handling your social calendar for so long ... well, 
the aspects of it that need written invitations ... that I just 
assumed it was from you anyway."  

      As Miki slipped in to the side of the elevator car, he saw Touga 
glaring at Saionji, who was smiling smugly, no doubt pleased at 
having Touga perplexed for once. 

      But as the elevator doors opened and Miki attempted to follow 
Saionji out, he ended up running into the taller boy, who had 
stopped abruptly at the threshold.  Then Saionji charged out into 
the hall and Miki could see past him.

      There, near the door to the Student Council's room stood two 
girls that Miki would not have expected to see there, apparently 
waiting for them.  Not surprisingly for the term break, neither 
Utena Tenjou or Anthy Himemiya wore their school uniforms.  Utena 
sported a heavy flannel plaid shirt and jeans, while Miki thought 
Anthy looked very pretty in her long wool skirt and fuzzy sweater.  

      Miki was about to wish his two friends a "Happy New Year" but 
Saionji preempted this by stalking over to Utena.

      "And just what the hell do you think you're doing here?" he 
snarled at her.

      "We live here," snapped Utena, referring to the tower apartment 
in the administrative building which Anthy's older brother, an 
official at the Academy, had acquired for them.

      "But you don't live *here*, on the Student Council's doorstep," 
growled Saionji.

      "Which is why we waited for you out in the hall, duh!" Utena 
shot back, matching Saionji challenging stare for stare.

      Saionji whirled to face Touga in appeal.  "She's not Student 
Council," he cried, stabbing a finger towards Utena.  "She doesn't 
belong here.  I wouldn't mind Anthy sitting in but ... but since her 
Victor isn't on the Council, then it wouldn't be appropriate for the 
Rose Bride to be here either."  Saionji turned away from them all, 
fists clenched at his sides.  "Not now."

      Miki was certain that argument had been difficult for Saionji to 
get out.  He'd made no secret of his desire to win back the hand of 
Anthy, the Rose Bride, ever since Utena had beaten him in her first 
Duel and claimed the title of Victor.

      Juri also spoke to Touga, "He's right, you know.  If *we* have 
to obey all the rules, so should they."  Her glance to Utena was 
polite, to Anthy, it was simply cold.  "Nothing personal, you 
understand."  Utena nodded in acknowledgement, but still eyed Juri 
warily.

      Touga looked about him, mouth drawn into a thin line.  Given 
that he'd been trying with no success to get Utena to go out with 
him for months now, Miki suspected that he'd welcome another 
opportunity to spend some time with her.  Yet he glanced back and 
forth between Juri and a sullen Saionji and finally nodded as if 
coming to a decision.

      "Utena, I'm sorry.  But I can't really argue their position.  As 
President of the Student Council, I'm afraid that I must enforce--"

      Utena held up two note cards embossed with the school's rose 
crest and said flatly, "Then I wish you'd make up your mind, 
*Mister* President, before you send out your invitations."

      Touga groaned and turned to his sister.  "Nanami, you didn't..."

      "I did," she declared.  "My announcement concerns them, too, so 
they should be present to hear it."

      A frown lay over Touga's handsome face.  "Sister, you aren't 
even officially a member of the Council.  When I was ill, it was 
good that you could fill in for me.  But now, you should *not* be 
acting in my name like this."

      "Oh please, big brother!  You'll like my surprise.  You all will.  
I did so much work organizing this, and I had so little time.  And 
soon it will be public anyway, but you all should hear it first."  
Nanami's lower lip trembled, and the beginning of tears glistened in 
her eyes.  Miki began mentally counting the seconds until Touga's 
resolve crumbled.

      Three seconds passed.  Touga sighed.  "Very well.  School isn't 
even in session, so I can't see how this will cause any harm, just 
this once."  He unlocked the door of the Student Council Chamber and 
ushered them all inside.

      Those who'd come from outdoors hung up their coats.  Miki and 
Juri brought more chairs to the heavy mahogany table for the benefit 
of their guests.  Miki watched in amusement as Saionji 
unsuccessfully jockeyed for a seat next to Anthy.  Instead, Utena 
deftly maneuvered the Rose Bride to be sitting between herself and 
Juri, after which Saionji angrily glared at Utena while she 
pointedly ignored him.

      Miki retrieved his secretary's notebook from the desk across the 
room and took a seat between Juri and Nanami.  He flipped it open to 
a new page, dated the page, and recorded the names of the people in 
attendance: himself, Juri, Anthy, Utena, Saionji, Touga and Nanami.  
He brought out his stopwatch, which he always used for more accurate 
minutes-taking, and waited for Touga to call the meeting to order.

      Touga stood and looked around the table before speaking.  "I 
think it's clear to everyone that this is not a standard Student 
Council meeting."

      "Yeah, no silly speeches in the elevator for once," drawled 
Saionji.  

      Touga managed to glare at him without losing an ounce of his 
famed composure.  "So to avoid further wasting anyone's valuable 
time, I'll ask Nanami to share her news with us."

      Nanami popped up out of her chair before Touga was even seated.  
"Thank you, big brother."  She unzipped her portfolio and laid it 
flat open before her.  Inside were a stack of small folders.  Miki 
could see the top folder was marked with Touga's name, neatly 
written alongside the school crest.  Nanami continued, "Each year, 
the Color Management Consortium produces their color forecast.  This 
list is used by designers throughout the world in their new 
creations."

      "Like, when we hear about colors being 'in' or 'out' for the 
season?" asked Miki.

      "Exactly," confirmed Nanami.  "The CMC is the source of those 
colors."  Miki dutifully noted this down in the minutes.

      Utena frowned.  "Do you mean, these people are telling everyone 
what colors to use?"

      "Yes."

      "Why?"

      "Why?" echoed Nanami, her cheery smile slipping slightly.  "So 
we don't have chaos in fashion, and in interior design and, and... 
so we'll all look correct!  I mean, who would want to appear in the 
wrong shade of blue, or that purple that simply *no one* wears any 
more?"

      "Who in the world pays that much attention to color?" asked 
Utena, astonished.

      "People in various areas of design," supplied Juri.  "In the 
course of my modeling work, I've seen designers who become extremely 
sensitive to the nuances of color."

      "Thank you, Miss Juri," said Nanami, brightening at the support 
from such an unexpected quarter.

      "Even if some of them get obsessively silly about it," finished 
Juri.  She just smiled coolly as Nanami's expression transformed to 
a frown of pique.

      "Anyway," continued Nanami, "I realized it would fall to me to 
make sure that we are all presentable for the new year."  She picked 
up the stack of folders from the portfolio.  "As soon as I had 
acquired the new forecast from the CMC, I set about determining the 
new colors for each of you."

      Touga blinked.  "New colors?  For *each* of us?  That's going a 
bit too far--"

      "Oh, you don't have to worry, big brother," Nanami hastened to 
add against the possibility of raising Touga's ire.  "These aren't 
any big departure from all your current colors.  I've just selected 
suitable shades of each for this year.  I think you'll like your new 
red."  She swiftly held out the folder with Touga's name to him.  
Still watching his sister carefully, Touga took the folder from her.

      Touga opened the folder and brought out a card, colored a bright 
red.  He held the card next to the red trim of his sleeve.  "It's 
different?"

      "It's a bit more orange than what you wear now," said Nanami.

      "I suppose it is", said Touga, examining the card more closely.  

      "It will go smashingly with your hair and eyes," Nanami assured 
him, "I was very careful about that."

      Touga visibly relaxed and favored his sister with a smile.  "I'm 
sure you were.  Very well, it's a nice shade of red.  Let's see what 
else you have."

      "Read the description," prompted Nanami.  "It's on the back."

      Touga's eyebrows raised in surprise and he turned the red card 
over.  He scanned the back, his smile widening.  "An excellent 
choice indeed," he said, and read out loud, "'Passion--This Red 
glows with the brilliant heat of desire.'"  Touga replaced the card 
in its folder and sat back, smiling in a way that now seemed more 
preening than anything else.

      "They *named* the colors?" asked Utena.

      "How else could we keep straight which ones we were talking 
about?" demanded Nanami.

      "Oh, of course," said Utena.  "What was I thinking?"  Miki 
thought Utena wasn't doing a very good a job of swallowing her smile.

      "Don't you think my color is fitting, Utena?" asked Touga.

      "You really don't want me answering that, Mr. President," said 
Utena.  Her irritated frown for Touga didn't alter his complacent 
expression, and she finally turned back to Nanami.  "Could we get on 
with this?"

      Nanami was already sorting through the folders, and picked out 
one with her own name on it.  "Here is my yellow for the year," she 
announced, plucking a card from the folder and holding it out for 
all to see.  It seemed to Miki to be a lighter and softer color than 
the bright gold that Nanami was wearing.  Nanami read from the back 
of the card as she held it up, "'Butter--A creamy shade of Yellow 
that evokes the warm scents of early morning cookery.'  Well, 
Western cookery, I suppose.  The CMC is based in America, after 
all."

      As Miki noted down Nanami's new color, he heard Juri mutter, 
"Hers would just *have* to involve dairy products."  He wrote that 
down too.

      "Oh, before I forget," said Nanami as she handed Miki's folder 
to him.  "I've already arranged with the tailor to have your new 
uniforms made up."

      Miki spotted Juri rolling her eyes at that, but if Nanami caught 
the gesture, she gave no sign.  Miki made a mental note to himself 
to make an appointment at the tailor's shop for a new fitting.  He 
was in another growth spurt and the measurements on file for him 
probably were already obsolete.

      Seeing the expectant looks from the others, save for Saionji who 
had stretched out in his chair and appeared to be asleep, Miki drew 
out his card.  He stood up so he could compare the new blue to his 
trousers.  It seemed to be a bit darker and more purple, which 
characteristics he quickly wrote down in the minutes.  Then holding 
up the card so the others could see it as he spoke, Miki read, 
"'Iris--The vibrant colors of spring emerge in this amethyst-touched 
Blue.'"

      "How ... pretty," Touga commented.  There was that rich, 
seductive undertone in his voice that Touga usually reserved for 
whichever girl had caught his attention for the day.  Miki felt the 
heat flush in his cheeks as he sat down, and *knew* he didn't dare 
look Touga's way, or say anything to the Student Council President.  

      Thankfully, he didn't need to as Juri broke in, "I really think 
you should stick to that red that Nanami gave you, Touga.  For 
example, right now I'm envisioning that white uniform of yours 
decorated with wide swaths of blood-red.  It's quite unappealing.  
But as long as you keep your smarmy comments to yourself, I'd think 
you won't have to worry about it."  Touga's smile didn't disappear, 
but he didn't respond, and he deigned to drop the close regard that 
was making Miki so uncomfortable.

      "It's a good color for you, Miki," volunteered Utena, also 
glowering at Touga.  Anthy nodded in agreement next to her.

      "Er, yes," Miki finally got out.  "I think I can work with it."

      "Excellent," said Nanami, passing a folder to Juri.

      Juri opened the folder and regarded her card for a moment before 
bringing it out to show the others.  It was a cheerful, golden 
orange.  "It will do, Nanami," she confirmed.

      "It has a description," prompted Nanami.

      "It will do," repeated Juri, turning a fierce smile on Nanami.  
Miki felt thankful that Juri had never bestowed that smile on him.

      Nanami countered with a weak smile of her own, and her hand 
trembled a bit as she pulled the next folder from her portfolio.  
But instead of passing it to the next person around the table, Anthy, 
she handed it across to Utena.  Miki glanced at Anthy and back at 
Utena, who also was looking questioningly at her roommate.  But 
Anthy just gave a small shrug with her customary mild smile and 
asked, "What color did you receive, Miss Utena?"

      Perhaps the omission wasn't too strange, thought Miki as he 
waited for Utena's announcement.  Anthy wasn't a Duelist, after all.  
Rather, as the Rose Bride, she was the living symbol of what they 
each fought for in the Arena, and the keeper of the roses that were 
their Dueling tokens.

      Utena opened her folder, and grinned, saying, "I must be 
special."  She pulled out two cards and held them up to show; one 
was white and the other was black.

      Nanami sniffed disdainfully.  "Since you *insist* on wearing 
that ... outfit, and it was seen fit to allow you into the Arena 
anyway, for completeness' sake I had to take it into account too.  
The black is for your jacket of course.  The white is for your  
epaulettes and that, that ruffle thing you stick under the hem of 
your jacket when you fight."

      Utena stiffened.  "Hey, *I* didn't pick those fussy Dueling 
clothes, they were assigned to me.  My regular uniform would've been 
just fine..."  She stopped as Anthy gently touched her sleeve.

      "Please don't worry about it, Miss Utena, I'm sure I can work 
with the new colors," she said.  "Why don't you read your cards?"

      Utena glanced over the back of the black card.  "Oh, for..." she 
burst out, "this is called 'Asphalt'.  What the heck kind of color 
is 'Asphalt'?"

      "Your black jacket right now is just too blue for this year," 
claimed Nanami, apparently in perfect seriousness.

      "I'm sure," said Utena dryly.

      Anthy had taken the white card from Utena and was studying it.  
"It's called 'Glisten', Miss Utena.  And look, it's sparkly."

      Utena peered closely at the card, adjusted its angle in Anthy's 
hand.  "So it is.  You know, Nanami, I really don't need sparkly 
Dueling clothes."  She turned to Anthy, asking, "Are you sure it's 
not just a huge bother?"  Miki guessed that Anthy, rather than the 
school's tailor, would probably be modifying Utena's uniform, since 
Utena was not an actual member of the Student Council.

      "Oh, it will be fun, really," said Anthy.

      Utena sighed.  "All right, all right."  She gave the black card 
and the folder to Anthy, who put them neatly back together with the 
white card.

      All eyes turned to Saionji, the only remaining Duelist present.  
He still seemed to be asleep.  Nanami held the final folder out to 
him, watching the older boy.  "Saionji," she called sharply.  
Saionji started in his chair, then sank back into supposed slumber.  

      Nanami sniffed loudly and slid the folder across the polished 
tabletop towards him.  Just as the folder would have sailed off, 
Saionji's hand whipped out, slapping down on it.  He cracked one eye 
open and said, "If I play your game, can I go home then?"

      "It's not a game," Nanami said through gritted teeth.

      "Yeah, sure," said Saionji, sitting up from his sprawl.  He 
stood up lazily, made a show of straightening his jacket and held up 
the folder with a flourish.  He flipped his folder open, moved to 
remove the card, and froze, staring at it.

      After some seconds passed, Touga spoke, "Saionji, is there 
something wrong?"

      Instead of taking the card out of the folder by hand, Saionji 
shook the folder over the table so the card fell out, colored side 
up.  Everyone else, except Nanami, shifted to see it better.

      "Oh dear," exclaimed Anthy.

      "I'm sorry, old friend," said Touga, "but that is *the* most 
disgusting--"

      "--horrid--" added Utena.

      "--poisonous--" put in Juri.

      "--putrid--" supplied Miki.

      "--color of green I have ever laid eyes on," finished Touga.

      Miki wrote everyone's comments in the minutes, and observed that 
the card seemed to emanate faintly with an unhealthy, fungal glow.

      "What could it possibly be called?" Anthy mused, staring at the 
card apprehensively as if she suspected it might start skittering 
about under its own power.

      "How about 'nuked puke'?" suggested Juri.

      "No!  Never!" cried Saionji, slamming the table with his fists 
in fury.  "I'll duel naked before I'll wear that!" 

      "Ooh, I'd like to see that," chimed in Touga, eyes bright. 

      Saionji glared at him, growling, "Don't go there, Touga."  

      Touga held up his hands in appeasement and sat back in his chair.  
He turned to his sister.  "Saionji is clearly upset about this, and 
I can't say that I blame him."

      Nanami glared at Saionji.  "Why are you being so stubborn?"

      Saionji glared right back.  "Are you blind?  Why don't *you* 
wear it then?"

      "Because *my* color is yellow.  You know that."

      "That can't be the only green offered for the year," reasoned 
Touga.  "Do you have the full set with you?"

      "Yes," Nanami, her hands settling protectively over her 
portfolio.

      "Let him see it," said Touga, softly but firmly.

      "But ..."

      "Please don't whine, Nanami.  Give him the colors."

      With a pout, Nanami handed the portfolio to her brother, who 
passed it to Saionji.

      Saionji grabbed the portfolio angrily and immediately set about 
digging through it.  Cards slipped out and fluttered to the floor 
before he finally located what he wanted.  He held up three cards in 
his hand, tilting them about as if searching for the best light to 
judge them by.  At last he selected one and purposefully strode 
around the table to place the card directly into Miki's hand.  
"Here," said Saionji.  "Mark me down for this one.  It's a little 
bright for my tastes, but it's the best of the bunch."

      Miki laid out the card for everyone else to see.  It reminded 
him of the intense bluish green the summer leaves could take on 
under rain-shrouded skies.  

      "What's it called?" asked Utena.

      "Who cares?" grumbled Saionji.

      Miki flipped the card over and read, "'Fern'".

      Juri muttered, too quietly for anyone but Miki to hear, "Fend 
off, foes of Fern!"  Miki wrote her comment in along with the green 
color's description.

      Saionji waited for Miki to finish writing, then turned to Nanami.  
"I assume we're done, then?" he asked coldly.

      "No," she said sulkily.

      "Good grief, what else could you *possibly* want to do to us?" 
cried Saionji, "Dye our hair?"  Miki thought he heard a giggle from 
Anthy's direction, but when he looked at her, her face only held a 
placid smile. 

      Nanami gave Saionji a withering look that spoke volumes of her 
current opinion of his intelligence level.  "Of course not."  She 
spoke to the others still seated around the table.  "Please, 
everyone, give your cards to Anthy."

      "Why?" asked Juri.

      "So she can prepare our coordinating Duel roses.  As mistress of 
the rose garden, that is obviously her job."

      Utena turned to her roommate, "So have you ever dyed flowers 
before?"

      Before Anthy could respond, Nanami snapped, "She's not going to 
dye them!"

      "Then what?" asked Utena, appearing as perplexed as Miki was 
feeling.

      "She'll grow them," Nanami said patiently.

      "Oh, get real!  How can anyone be expected to grow designer-
colored roses?"

      "The same way she's been growing the green and blue roses we've 
all seen already.  Isn't that correct, Anthy?"

      Utena opened her mouth to retort, then closed it.  She turned a 
puzzled frown on Anthy, who seemed to be pondering the request.  
"There's only one problem, Miss Nanami," Anthy said finally.

      "Which would be?"

      "It's going to take at least three weeks to have mature blooms 
in all of the new colors."

      Nanami waved a hand dismissively.  "Then there simply won't be 
any Duels until we have the new roses."

      Touga looked up, alarmed.  "Nanami, the Ends Of The World is not 
going to like that one bit.  He--"

      "Don't worry, big brother.  You'll help me draft a letter 
explaining it all to him.  He'll certainly see that we can't 
*possibly* continue in last year's colors."  Miki wondered why Touga 
suddenly looked so pale.  He hoped that the Student Council 
President wasn't getting sick in the winter weather.

      For his own part, Miki felt relieved that he'd be able to 
concentrate for a while on his studies as he preferred to, before 
he'd have to take time out again for Dueling.

      *****

      On the north edge of the Ohtori Academy campus, in a dimly-lit 
basement lab of Nemuro Memorial Hall, final-year student Souji 
Mikage strolled between the hydroponics vats.  He examined the 
contents of each, assuring himself that the ebony flowers continued 
to develop properly.  The door to the hall clicked open behind him 
and he turned to observe the boy who entered.

      "Mamiya, I'm surprised to see you," said Mikage.  "I didn't 
think you'd be back until classes resumed."

      "I learned something, sir," said Mamiya.  "It could cause a 
delay in our project and I knew you'd want to know right away."

      Mikage sighed.  "It's always something, isn't it?  Very well, 
what's happened now?"

      "We can't use this batch of roses," said Mamiya, indicating all 
of the dark blooms with a sweep of his arm.

      "Why not?  I've just been checking them and they all look 
perfectly healthy."

      "They're the wrong shade of black for the new year," explained 
Mamiya.

      Mikage blinked and shook his head.  "I think I need another cup 
of coffee," he said with a chuckle.  "I thought I just heard you say 
that they're the wrong shade of black."

      "I did."

      Mikage sighed.  "Mamiya, black doesn't have shades.  It's 
simply ... black."

      "No, really," said Mamiya.  "We're going to have to dump these 
and start over with this year's black."  He pulled a dark card from 
a jacket pocket.  Before handing it to Mikage, he flipped it over 
and back to show the writing on the other side.

      "You are making absolutely no sense," said Mikage, but he took 
the proffered card.  The dim violet illumination from the grow lamps 
wasn't enough to read the lettering, let alone determine anything 
interesting about the dark side of the card, so Mikage took it to 
the desk and turned on the brighter lamp there.

      The one side of the card still appeared simply ... black, to 
Mikage.  He read the other side of the card.  He frowned at Mamiya.  
"What the heck kind of color is 'Asphalt'?"
      


Author's Notes
      
      Yes, I know I've played fast and loose with the "Utena" timeline.

      This story was inspired by a news item about the Color Marketing 
Group, a real organization which produces color forecasts each year 
for designers and manufacturers.  From the Color Marketing Group 
website (http://www.colormarketing.org/) we find some interesting 
coincidences.  I had drawn up my color notes for this story before I 
saw the actual color forecast for 2003 from the CMG.  In their list, 
you will find such intriguing items as:

      Red Satin:  Future vehicles sport a revved-up Red.  Old World 
opulence enhances this conservative communicator.  (Anyone thinking 
of our favorite school administrator?)

      Frond:  Natural chroma takes a commercial turn in this tropical 
Green.  (Honest--I figured out Saionji's choice before I saw this 
forecast!)
      
      May you have a colorful year in 2003.
      

Laurie Gerholz
milo@winternet.com
http://www.winternet.com/~milo


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