Eulogy for Mom

I’d like to thank you all for being here today, it really meant a lot to my mother how much you all cared about her. I’m sure most of you know who I am, but in case you don’t I’m Katie. And while my brothers may have been teasing about offering this task to me, after having time to think about it, I think our mother Betty would be ok with me trying to express even a portion of what made her so special to all of us.

She was born in 1960, and while to some of us it seems a short time to be here, She did a lot in her time. She played music, she went on adventures, she laughed, she cried, she beat cancer, and she made the world a better place. And in honesty, I only know portions of what she got to do while she was here. Her life was so full it could have burst at the seams.

To sum up Betty’s life in a tidy bite size piece, is an impossible task. Any of you here understand that. She lived life to the fullest. She taught us to not only share what we have, but to use our talents to improve the world around us. But most importantly Betty taught us how to Love.

Mom made sure that Love wasn’t a word that meant only one thing. While we may not have understood the various types in their divided levels she gave us wonderful examples through the way she lived.

Philia. Betty made many friends in her life. Through the loyalty and camaraderie she displayed in them, she emphasised how important affection and love for our friends is. I don’t think I can remember a time when my Godmother Laura wasn’t in our lives. The two of them were always able to find something to laugh about, whether it was nonsense that the kids were getting up to, or just reminiscing about things. But you could always feel the love in the space when they were together. But this is only ONE of many examples Betty gave us for how friendships can look. No matter what they look like, all friendships are important and help build the community we exist in. Mom made sure everyone knew how important our friends are. Many of her friends were more than just friends, they became family.

Storge. We have so many family connections. Family we are born into, family we marry into, family we turn into.  The stories and adventures she’d tell us about our family made it easy to know how deep those bonds went for her. She also made sure we knew how important it is to know where you come from. Growing up we spent many holidays, birthdays, and just random days with our family members. We’d learn family history and jokes through those interactions. Giving us insight into how  important loving our family members can be. They’re often the rocks you can cling to when the world seems to collapse around you. They may not always understand what you’re going through, but she taught us that family is there. And never to forget the ones we’ve lost because they’ve helped to get us to where we are.

Ludus. The joy she gave when sharing her musical talents and other skills. She would tease people good naturedly, and it wasn’t to be mean. She taught us it wasn’t a bad thing to share things that you think may bring joy to others. Buckskin and Calico was a huge part of her life, in fact I’ve NEVER known a part of my life when it wasn’t part of hers. Last year they celebrated 50 years of her being at the Little Valley riders club with the band. For most of us it’s hard to imagine going anywhere that long. But the friends she made there became family over the years. And I KNOW they have plenty of stories to tell about things she did out there over the years. And she really loved being out there.

Pragma and Eros, Enduring Love, patient love, romantic Love. Mom and Dad are amazing examples of this. Even when things may have been difficult, they were always together. Even while she was in the hospital she was looking at guitars and picked one out for Joe’s birthday present. They delivered it to her right at the hospital. Betty showed us how important it can be to think of things that can bring someone you love joy for a long time, enduring well beyond the present. Their Love isn’t just fleeting, it endures.

Bringing me to the last type of love that I am going to mention, Agape. Unconditional love to her fellow man. Betty was always willing to help her fellow man if there was a way to. I remember going on some of the shut-in visits with her and Uncle Herbie. The two of them would engage in conversation and you could literally feel the happiness in the room. The shut-ins may not have all been people we knew well, but they enjoyed the company. It was a blessing to get to experience that with them.

All those different words, Philia, Storge, Ludus, Pragma, Eros, Agape, all mean love. Betty loved. If there’s anything she did while she was here it was that. She loved life. And made sure we all had a good example of love to learn from.

When we were kids, we would come to Windom for xmas eve service. We’d be here with so many of our family members and friends, and I remember there was a song we’d all sing after they’d turn off the lights. We’d pass a spark of light through the congregation while singing One Little Candle. Betty was a candle, sharing her love light with each of us. She’s left the world a brighter place than when she came. If we each continue to share these lights with even a few other people, we’ll be able to keep the memories of Love alive for everyone.

Personal Update

I know that I haven't been posting a lot like I had been. But I'm going to be working very hard on the blog today and tomorrow to get the next few weeks cleared up and patched up so that I feel a bit better about this.

I have some new things on the burners currently. I'm participating in the #siruisanimationswap as well as the #pumpkineverythingswap. I'm really excited about those. I will also be opening the #crittercraftswapC1.1 soon. I just haven't had the time to finish cleaning everything up for it.

I finished my package for the #subversivecraftswap, but my partner has flaked as far as anyone can tell. Very sad to hear that because I spent almost 40 hours on the one project. I only know this because I listened to Critical role for more than half of that amount of time while I was sewing by hand.

I do have some of my Christmas shopping completed and wrapped, so yay go me!

Health wise, I spent a good portion of Sunday night and Monday hallucinating. I had good intentions of having music Monday up for you all, but it didn't happen. I'm probably going to get the one for next Monday all cooked up for you today.

Anyways I'm ok. I'm just not ok.

From the Archive : Cat and Falcon, Part 6

The beat of the earth
Is the pulse of its people
Whether primitive or advanced
The same beat drives them all forward
There is nothing like the heart
The hearts blood of the earth
When it comes to existing.
And it’s those beats
Even and unmeasured
Ever changing yet always the same
They are what drives all forward.

Aurea burst onto the stage in a somersault, and wrapped a paw around the pole causing her form to swing around, getting right into the music. She blinked trying to see out into the audience, but was thankful that the lights were bright, so they prevented her from seeing them. But she could hear sounds of approval as she continued dancing, and she smiled. The announcer winked at her and she dived onto the catwalk hitting her knees and acting more like a cat than she had in years. Then mimicking some of the earlier sales she leaned back and started a string of back flips, careful of course to keep in time to the music. As she continued, she felt more at ease on the stage, and just decided to have fun. And yes, she was having fun.

In the third row Cedric, raised an eyebrow as Aurea stretched on the stage. He turned and looked at Mar, who nodded at him.

“Go ahead kid. Give it a shot; the worst that could happen is someone outbids you. But trust me… The card I gave you should be more than enough to beat anyone here.”

“Ok.” Cedric replied simply, turning back to watch intrigued at the way Aurea seemed to be so confident. Out of everyone that had been on the stage, she didn’t seem to really fit the ‘desperate for a date’ stereotype. This one didn’t belong up on the stage.

In the second row, on the other side of the room, Dillon sat mouth agape.

“My oh my D, that’s your best friend?” Jay said watching her reaction. “I didn’t know that you knew anyone that could move like that…”

“I didn’t know that she could…” Dillon replied shaking her head. “I think we’re going to have to bid to keep her out of the hands of someone who might expect the wrong thing out of her.”

“Sure we will. I think I’ll be bidding for that threesome that I had in mind. I wonder if she’d mind…” Jay braced himself and laughed as Dillon drove her fist into him. “It was only a thought.”

“Keep those thoughts to yourself and get ready to bid. The song is almost over.” Dillon replied as she shivered after Aurea did a cartwheel. The outfit that they’d gotten earlier seemed to cling to her like a second skin, and displayed clearly the fact that she knew what she was doing. Dillon hadn’t even realized that at the store, now she wasn’t sure if what she was feeling was jealousy or fear. Aurea looked good. And by the reactions around the room, everyone was taking note of that. Even Jay had.

The song came to an end and all the house lights went out, and a spotlight flickered on, focusing on the announcer as the crowd applauded uproariously. Aurea had disappeared backstage, where she took a bottle of water one of the stage hands offered her.

“You’ve done this before kid?” The woman asked, looking Aurea over.

“No. I had some good training earlier today though. Plus I paid close attention to the others while they were on stage. Why did I do horribly?” Aurea asked worried, as she took her tail in one paw and wrung it nervously.

The woman laughed and pointed back out on stage where the announcer was waiting for the crowd to quiet down before getting the first bid. “Not at all. I think you did quite the opposite. You may turn out to be the gem this year. The kid they saved for last, you heard about him sure, the one from last year, he didn’t meet expectations. But you my dear have surely exceeded them.”

“Ah.” Aurea grinned happily, and then turned to watch, leaning on the wall sipping the water. “Well, I had no idea how to go about this, so I made it up along the way, mostly.”

“Ah, now that you’ve all quieted down.” The Announcer said looking out over the crowd as the floor lights came back on, showing the audience clearly as he adjusted his tie. “I must say, I’m not sure I want to have you even try top bid on her. I might just take this one home with me.” The crowd erupted in laughter and exclamations. “But I won’t. So, what do we have as a starting bid? Can I get 200?”

“Easily!” A tall blonde said shaking her hair out as she raised her bid card. “I raise it to 500!” She looked around, adjusting her corset as if daring anyone to challenge her.

“500 so quickly!” His eyebrows shot up as he looked around. “Anyone want to challenge that?”

“Pfft. Pocket change.” A Coralitian in a green suit said raising his own card. “1500!”

“1510!” A voice shouted from the back.

“1550!” The blonde spat back without prompting.

“1560!” The same voice called from the back.

Mariel prodded Cedric and he raised his card. “1600!” He shouted. Mar nodded in approval and waited. Realizing now that if he even wanted a chance at winning, he was going to have to be prodded into it.

“1600?” The Announcer inquired. “Anyone going to beat that?”

Dillon stared at Jay, and he raised their card. “1800.”

“Jay!” She hissed. “That’s ALL we have for this! Plus that’s two times what they got for the Coralitian.”

“I know, but the jump is going to cut out any of the small jumpers.” Jay replied rolling his eyes. “And it’s not all we have. I called in reserves as you were watching her slack jaw.”

“Ah.” Dillon nodded, blushing as she settled back into her seat nervously.

“1860.” An Orange Tabby Astute said, raising his card sluggishly.

Aurea looked at the stage hand baffled. “Why are they bidding so high? It took them ages to get that high earlier!”

“Yeah, but no one else gave them as good a show as they did. Not only that, I think they’ve changed the date plan for you.” The stage hand laughed, and patted Aurea on the shoulder. “Remember, everything raised tonight goes to charity.”

“I know. Wait…” She turned. “They changed the date plan?”

Mariel frowned and prodded Cedric. “Take it up another 100 lad.”

Cedric nodded nervously and raised the card again. “1960!”

The announcer looked around shaking his head. “1900?” He waited, and in a few seconds the blonde jumped to her feet.

“2500!” She put her hands on her hips and waited as the room rumbled.

“2800.” Jay retorted getting to his feet. Dillon cringed, and sunk into her seat hoping that Aurea couldn’t see her.

Mar prodded Cedric who nervously got to his feet. “I want you to bid 3500. NOW.” Mar whispered to him.

“3500!” Cedric shouted raising his card yet again.

“3500!” The Announcer said nodding thoughtfully.

“4000!” The Astute said looking over at Cedric a smug expression on his face.

“4010!” The Coralitian interjected.

“4510!” Jay said with a laugh, turning to wink at Dillon.

“6000!” The blonde cut in angrily, her arms crossed under her breasts, as she tapped her foot angrily.
“Hrmm...6000! Is there anyone here that wants to challenge that?”

Mar laughed and nodded at Cedric. “I think we’ve about reached a point. Take 6500!”

Cedric shouted Mars suggestion as loud as he could over the murmuring crowd. “6500!”

The Astute turned and growled at him before raising his card again. “7800!”

“Yeah. They were going to be sending you and your ‘owner’ to a carnival. Now they’re sending you on a full day excursion: museums, bars, all sorts of things.” The stage hand pulled a few curtains back so that only the black one was left. A band was setting up and needed as much room as they could get back behind the announcer.

Aurea blinked and nodded woodenly. “I didn’t realize that those things were pre-determined.”

The woman laughed again. “Didn’t use to be, not originally, but it sure makes things easier that’s for sure.”

“Oh.” Aurea bit her lip and finished off her bottle of water and peered out nervously to see who it was that had bid 7800.

Jay winced and looked at Dillon. “Well love, it’s up to you. I can take it to 8900 now… but you realize if we win… it’s going to be tight as far as anything we want to do for a while.”

Dillon nodded rigidly, looking at the bidders. “Go ahead. I don’t think I trust any of them.”

Jay nodded and turned to the stage. “8900!”

The room seemed to rumble as everyone started talking. That was the highest bid that had ever been brought up in the auction, at least at the space port it was. The Coralitian and the Astute both sat down in their seats. But the blonde, started checking over her notes, and looking at the ‘purchases’ she had made earlier that night.

“8900… is there anyone that wishes to go above 8900?” The announcer looked at the Coralitian and the Astute who both shook their heads.

“9000!” The Blonde shouted victoriously coming to a resolve.

Dillon gasped and grabbed Jays arm. “Oh no… I hope that someone…”

Jay petted Dillon soothingly. “It’s ok. I mean how bad could it be love?”

Dillon just shook her head and frowned at him. “You have no idea…”

Mar scowled and jabbed Cedric in the ribs. “Now finish her! 9500! Bid it.”

Cedric gulped. “9500.” He said quietly.

“Anyone, going to go higher than 9000?” The Announcer looked amazed as he waited as the Blonde started moving closer to the stage, checkbook in hand.

“Louder.” Mar told him jabbing him again. “He obviously didn’t hear you.”

“Anyone?” The room murmured as the Announcer started to count. “going once…”

Cedric looked at Mar, and shook his head.

“Going twice…”

Mar stamped on Cedric’s foot. He yelped and then shouted. “Oi! 9500!”

The Blonde spun around, her eyes as big as saucers. “9500?”

Mar nodded satisfied and grinned. “That’s my boy.”

“9500!” The announcer also blinked. “Anyone care to go above 9500?”

The Blonde turned crimson as she tramped back to her seat. And Cedric shivered as the announcer motioned him forward.

Mar caught his hand. “Sweetie, and just so you know, there’s still 20500 on that there card.”

Cedric blushed and went to hand it back to her. “Oh Mar!!!”

Mar stamped on his foot and refused to take it. “Get up on that stage, you can thank me later, plus I can explain it to you.” She laughed, and winked at him. “Plus I should have told you about that earlier. But this is the only bit of bidding you’ve done tonight that I’ve approved of so…” She laughed and squeezed her dates hand before stomping on Cedric’s foot again.

“9500 it is then!” The Announcer replied having gotten through the final bid procedure as they’d been talking. “Would the holder of bid card number 45 please come to the stage?”

Cedric yelped and hopped on one foot, and leaned over to kiss Mar’s cheek before going up onto the stage.

“What’s your name my boy?” The announcer queried, and laughed as Cedric turned red. “Oh come on. Its alright I don’t bite but after that performance I can’t promise that your date won’t.”

Cedric laughed, and tugged at his shirt collar with one hand. “I’m Cedric…” He paused and added hesitantly, “From the travel port.”

“Ah! That explains why I don’t know you as from around the port. You’re one of those that come and go so much it’s hard to say anything one way or the other, eh?” The audience laughed.

As Cedric stammered his replies to the other questions Dillon prodded Jay. “I don’t think that we have to worry about Aurea if that’s the winner.” She giggled as Jay grinned at her. “Though, I do wonder how they’ll get along seeing how he’s basically being prompted, and he’s still having trouble finding words to say.”

“True dear;” Jay rolled his eyes. “But we all can’t be public speakers or where would you be? Without a job that’s where. You and me both though actually.”

“Oh shush, let’s see what Aurea thinks of him.”

“9500!” Aurea blinked and started backing away, back towards the room they’d all been in before the auction had started.

“Where you going?” The stage hand asked puzzled. “You should feel special; you’ve created a new ‘landmark price’ something people are going to be talking about for a while.”

“Oh I’m just going to get my purse…”

“You don’t need it, now get back out there, they’re calling you out.” The woman laughed as she pushed Aurea gently back in the direction of the stage, gently of course. She couldn’t know what her actions may have helped to set in motion.

Personal Update

I know I've fallen off the bandwagon of late. But I have my own reasons for that. They may not all be good, but they're not all bad either.

My brothers are engaged, and there have been various to do's concerning that. When I say brothers, I mean 3 out of 5 of them are engaged. The other two are already married. So yay, at least they're all going to have someone. It's good to know that they won't be alone forever.

This past weekend was one of the bridal showers, as well as a family reunion that I had no clue was going on. I wish I had known that it was scheduled because I would have packed extra clothes instead of having to wear a dress all day. The bridal shower went well though, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves there. At the reunion I even played volleyball, which may not sound like it's important, but it's something that a bunch of us that were playing used to do when we were in youth group together a million years ago.

This is the label that I helped with for the shower. We also helped with cards ^_^

I have been working on a few craft swaps, but currently I am not running the second critter craft swap, because there are still people who haven't responded to the emails and I don't really want people to be disappointed if they get matched up to someone that ends up not following through. I'm hoping to open it in August.

My health is something that is important and I've been trying to get it straightened out for what feels like a year now. It's a long process, but we have found one thing wrong that they said should be easy enough to fix. The thing they've decided on for sure is that I have a vitamin D deficiency.

This may not seem like a big deal compared to some other things, but I don't actually know how long it has been an issue. What I did learn after reading about some of the symptoms related to a D deficiency is that it could be what was helping cause the hallucinations I have been having.

What I may not have told you about yet is the fact that I've been having issues with my depth of field. This is a vision problem, that I'm not entirely sure what they can do anything about. The color problems, well that's a whole different problem, which may or may not get sorted out if they can figure out the problem concerning depth of field. I have an appointment at the eye institute in September. That's the soonest they could get me in to be seen.

The good news though, is that knowing what they know currently, I still don't have any solid answers. BUT what they do know is that I'm not going to die anytime soon(hopefully?). At least that's what I'm going with right now.

So yeah, I guess that's a good enough update for now. I do have a little more I want to talk about but I think I will save that for another day.

From the Archive : Cat and Falcon, Part 5

Open minded people lose
Something within the night
When the shops all close
And spirits take flight

Aurea grumbled as she adjusted the outfit that Dillon had picked out. As much as they got along she really had to question what was really going on. She wasn’t pleased by the fact that Dillon was coming to the event with something that she called a security date. Aurea wanted to know why Dillon got a safety net and she didn’t, why did she all of a sudden have to take one for the team.

The other folk that were backstage looked almost as uncomfortable as Aurea felt. One Coralitian was chewing her tentacles nervously while an earthling boy was wringing the stitches out of his shirt sleeve. Aurea flopped with a sigh onto a futon and gasped as her outfit seemed to constrict and push the air out of her. A small Orlyian hopped up next to her, feathers ruffled as he checked his clip board.

“You’re the representative from the space ports public relations and trade department, correct?” His tone was that of someone with the attitude of I-am-better-than-you.

“Yes I am.” Aurea replied simply as she shifted trying to get comfortable.

“Ah, well you’re number 23 in the line-up. You’re last.”

“Oh.” Aurea just stared at him, mulling over this new fact. She was going last. Dillon had warned her about being last. It was the most stressful position in the date auction. Dillon had told Aurea all about how the guy who had gone last the year before had been in tears backstage when he’d found out about the music they’d chosen for him.

Luckily, Aurea has already chosen her song. It had been part of the agreement with the boss. See, Caroline had already chosen an old earth tune. Aurea didn’t mind it though. It was easy to dance to and with the quick training Dillon had given her as to how to act in the auction, Aurea felt as though she was ready for anything. Although, she had to admit she wasn’t sure that her outfit would hold up once she got started. But that was something she wasn’t ready to think about just yet.

The waiting is the hardest part
In anything you do
The broken hearts are hidden
Only letting the mask come through

Cedric shifted in his seat looking around what was now a semi crowded room. There were so many people there, and everyone had out bid him so far. Most anyone that had come to ‘bid’ had already gotten a date. There were some girls that had teamed up cooing and teasing their ‘prize’ over in the corner, but Cedric sat alone still. Hunching down in his seat he began resigning himself to the idea of leaving when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“So did you bid yet?” He heard Mar ask laughing brightly as she draped around his shoulders hugging him quickly before backing off again.

“I did but I didn’t gain anything by it other than a hoarse voice.”

“Ah. Can we join you?”

“Sure.” Cedric said turning to look at Mar and the being that he took to be her date as they sat down.

Mar was wearing a pretty cream colored gown, and her hair had been curled in a classic style. She had her hand wrapped around her dates. He was wearing a smoke grey suit, and seemed to be from the same place that she had come from. Except his skin was dark, dark green. Like her though, his hair had some grey streaked through it.

“Cedric I would like you to meet Martin, my fiancé.”

“Oh!” Cedric said, his voice displaying that he was surprised as he offered his hand politely. “Pleasure to meet you, Martin. Mar, why didn’t you tell me before?”

Mar laughed and winked. “Because I don’t really talk about my personal life at work if you haven’t noticed sweetie.”

“Ah.” Cedric nodded and was about to ask another question when his train of thought was interrupted by the announcer.

“Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. Tonight’s date auction has been both the best, as far as turnout, as well as in the amount that is going to be donated to charity. I’d like you all to give a round of applause for our 22 lovely guys and dolls that have been already auctioned off. And I would like you all to sit back and have a few drinks. We have one more lovely lady to auction off tonight, but we’re going top give everyone that’s done a chance to leave if they would like, as well as for those that have yet to ‘win’, we’d like you all to feel comfortable moving closer.” The announcer paused and tipped his sequined top hat to the crowd and everyone laughed as a rainbow shot out into the audience. “We’ll have her come out to perform in about 15 minutes, then we’ll start the bidding.”

Best friends are the ones that stick around
The ones that don’t care if you laugh or cry
But regardless which you do they will sit back
And when you’ve had you’re fill then they’ll ask why

Dillon shifted in her seat, looking at her watch. The auction was going on 3 and a half hours. She almost regretted having pawned the task off on Aurea, note that it was ALMOST. She looked to the seat next to her and smiled. Her date had his face down in his arms, and she could hear him snoring. She gave him a swift kick in the shin and he gave a start, rubbing his eyes with his paws and blinking at her.

“Stay awake now Jay. Aurea is next and if no one else bids we’re going to.” Dillon said in a matter of fact, scolding tone.

Jay blinked and saluted her comically. “Yes Ma’am. And while we’re at it can we have a threesome afterwards?”

Dillon swatted him laughing. “Most certainly not pup. Besides if we did that she’d know that I was behind it, and I hate to have her find out that I sent my boyfriend out on a date with my best friend because no one else wanted to.”

“Hey hun, I have yet to meet her. And for all I know, I might decide that I like her better than you.” Jay spoke evenly, and looked serious.

Dillon swatted him again, probably about the hundredth time that night. “You wouldn’t know what was good for you unless it kicked your ass love.”

“Ah, but I knew you were good for me, and all you had to do was knock me out cold.”

“That was an accident!!”

“Just the same.” Jay leaned over and licked her cheek. “I knew that you were perfect for me when I woke up and you were sitting there wringing your dainty little paws nervously. You seemed to think that you’d killed me!”

“Don’t you know it. I wasn’t lucky enough to have killed you.” Dillon smirked as he guffawed and couldn’t think of a smart ass remark to make. “Anyway, you know how this is going to work. I don’t want her to feel as though anything is wrong. And come on, between the two of us, we can at least bid more than they got for the Coralitian.”

“Aye love. But remember anything we spend tonight, you’re going to be making it up to me later.” Jay grinned and pulled Dillon over and kissed her before she could protest, she pushed him back laughing.

“And you know that you never even had to tell me that since I’d already told you that I’d make it up to you.” Their attention was diverted back to the stage though as the announcer came back out, and the music started to play.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present our last lovely Lady for the evening; Aurea.”

From the Archive : Cat and Falcon, Part 4

My heart beat rapidly, painfully
As the memories of what had been
Crossed my mind like a flock of butterflies
And I felt so ashamed
From the very start I knew
As you well knew, I knew
That no matter what happened
In my heart there was a place for you
But it hurts darling, oh so much
Knowing I shall never be
The one to receive your gentle touch
In the end though, in reality
It’s far better for you and for me
Knowing in truth that friends is all
That we will ever be
You’re the kind that must be free.

“Cedric, wait a minute won’t you? I’ve something for you!” Mariel called to Cedric , and he turned around. He noted sadly how much older she looked in the sunlight. Her reddish skin took on a slightly grayish tint. Mars hair which was normally tied up and tucked under her chefs cap, was down and loose, and you could see that salt and peppered through her coppery red hair was gray patches.

“Sorry. I didn’t know you wanted to talk.” Cedric replied apologetically, dropping his small duffel bag to the ground and hugged her.

Mariel paused, hugging him, and caught her breath. On the ship, the lower gravity was kinder to her. She appeared to be younger there. But every time they got back off the ship, Cedric felt as though his heart would break. Because he was always afraid that she might not make it to the next flight.

“I wanted to give you a ticket to the date auction tonight. You deserve to have some fun. And just so you know, I also am spotting for you to get a date, so I suggest you bid on some.”

Cedric felt his ears flushing as he took the ticket he was being offered, and then he slipped it into his pocket. “Why…Thank you Mar. What brought this up?”

“Paul and I got to talking last night after you left, so I sent ahead and had the ticket ready, but you didn’t stay put long enough for them to simply give it to you, therefore… I had to catch you and present it to you myself.”

Cedric cautiously accepted the ticket and hugged Mariela again. “Thank you. Although I really must say that it’s strange to think that you’re willing to pay to send me out on a date.”

Mar laughed and swatted him playfully. “Only because you deserve it. You take a lot of crap from the corporation. If I was in your shoes I’d never stand for it.”

“Ah.” Cedric smiled, then picked his bag back up. “Well I think that it will be fun. Maybe there’ll be someone interesting there.”

“There’s always someone interesting there…” Mariela replied, and then she watched him head off, and wondered who would be there that was new.

Cedric on the other hand…was trying to figure out how in the world they expected him to feel comfortable spending someone else’s money…

From the Archives : Cat and Falcon, Part 3

Opening my eyes to the possibilities
Meant I had to be open minded
And at least give things a chance
Even though I’d only been hurt by romance
But what I heard and what I saw
Made me wonder if I was done after all
My friends keep telling me
That I’ll find someone new
But I don’t know just yet
If that’s really what I want to do

Aurea ran through the spinning doors of the space port and weaved her way cautiously through the throngs of travelers, guests, and their friends and family. Occasionally protests were expressed as she darted between people. She slammed through the swinging door of the trade office and dropped her purse on her desk. Then she went over leaning her elbows on the higher desk top of Dillon’s desk, and looked her best friend straight in the eye.

“And today I’m on time!” She said victoriously as the clock began to chime the hour.

“Just barely.” Dillon said rubbing her temples and brushing some brilliant silver hair out of her ice blue eyes. “Not that I’ve ever tattled about you being late. That’d be the computer not me.”

“I do not rat anyone out!” Protested Amire as he started opening windows and put on the music.

“Computers… no sense of loyalty to their fellow workers.” Dillon said spitefully, knowing Amire found it frustrating that she talked like that. He was still an early model, so his system wasn’t as elaborate as the other systems that were available. But he did his job and did it well, even if he didn’t act quite “human.”

“Dillon, don’t pick on him today, please. We have bigger fish to fry.”

Dillon growled back playfully. “Must it always be fish; can’t we sometimes have a rabbit or two to fry?”

Aurea reached over the desk and scratched her best friend behind the ear. “We can have whatever it is you want. I really need to know…”

“Good morning Girls, I hope you’re ready for today’s assignment.” Their boss Caroline interrupted, standing like a giant looming over them. It was just an illusion of course… she simply wore extremely high heels.

Dillon and Aurea both straightened up and nodded. “Of course we are M’am.” Aurea said with a grin.
“Good. Discuss between the two of you which one of you is going to represent our office in the space ports Annual Date Auction. As soon as you’ve decided, please come to my office and fill me in, so that we can fill in the paperwork. Thank you.” Caroline smiled brightly and swept off. She smiled to herself; she knew that at least SHE couldn’t be in the auction. And that’s only because she got married the summer before.

Dillon looked at Aurea, and growled. “This is not good, you do realize that?”

“Why do you say that? I’ve never been to one of these things before.” Aurea replied in a curious tone. “How does it work?”

“They dress you up and auction you off to the highest bidder for a date.” Dillon said anger in her voice. “They auction off both girls and guys. The problem is you can end up having to spend a day with a real ass and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“I take it you’ve dealt with it before?”

Dillon nodded. “I got roped into it last year. I didn’t like the experience. Therefore, I nominate you for the task.”

“Hey you can’t do that!”

“Actually she can.” Amire interrupted. “Office seniority compared to you. All in all.”

“But that doesn’t mean anything!” Aurea protested. “It’s not my fault she actually arrived here a year before I did! It’s not like I could do anything about it.”

“You could have come here with me when I asked you to in the first place.” Dillon said with a laugh. “But it doesn’t matter. I think that it might be just the thing for you to do. After all, I don’t think you’ve gotten out of your apartment to do anything except for what work you do for us.”

“Briggiet is very good company…”

“Yes but like me Aurea, Briggiet is a machine.” Amire inserted his two cents. “Therefore…the excuse is not usable.”

“And you can’t go on hiding from the real world Aurea.” Dillon added. “Just because Andre turned out to be a complete jerk off doesn’t mean that all guys are. Therefore, I think you should go be in the date auction. If it turns out to be a bad experience, you can write it off as having been sport. If it turns out to be something good…well… then we know what that means.” She finished the sentence with flourished tones, her eyes shining as she watched Aurea look at her with a helpless expression.

“After you just said it’s a horrible thing?” Aurea could feel that her body was starting to show her frustration, and she took her tail in her hands and began to wring it woefully. “Why would I want to do it if you already told me that it’s something that I wouldn’t want to do?”

“Because you’re a Sriytian, like me. You’ve got to stop hiding from this world, and learn to be more courageous. Besides one bad experience with a male don’t mean anything. As our mothers said, males might make money, but it’s the females that stretch it out.”

“And that has nothing to do with what we’re discussing!”

“So? You get your butt down the hall and in that office and fill in that paperwork, or am going to chew your tail off.” Dillon said barring her teeth so her sharp canines showed in a wolf like grin.

“HEY! I could scratch you to ribbons, even if you are my best friend!” Aurea replied in protest.

“Yes dear.” Dillon replied with a bark like laugh. “But I know you won’t. So get going. I appoint you for this adventure.”

“Fine.” Aurea said her voice quiet, defeated. “But you better at least be at the event…I don’t know how this works or nothing!”

“Go talk to Caroline. She’ll be more than happy to explain the mechanics of the event, as well as inform you of all the details.” Dillon replied smiling, victory was hers.

Aurea mumbled something, and headed to Caroline’s office…feeling a slight…foreboding deep inside her. This was not going to be fun.

From the Archives : Cat and Falcon, Part 2

The fear that floats through empty space
Can cause some to lose their sight
And cause some disgrace
And send their spirits to flight
But fear itself is conquered
By patience kind and pure
And nothing can disturb this
And make things how they were

The flight had been hectic. Three greens had gotten space sickness, and had to be escorted to the infirmary. 5 patrons were very upset about this, and were having no trouble voicing this anger. Cedric sat down in the break room frustrated. Greens knew better. They should know better than to take stewarding jobs on their first flight. Burying his face in his hands he groaned, knowing that he was the last steward left on this flight. Rather the last one in “working” order. If only they’d make greens stay in the kitchen for starters things would be so much easier.

“Cedric, the passengers in first class are getting anxious, how much longer until their meals are ready?” The ships computer, Paul, asked him in a concerned tone. “We can’t risk them getting all uppity.”

“It’s too late for that and you well know it. They’re already uppity. Not to mention some of them aren’t even capable of understanding a word of what I say. And I have no idea what they’re asking for.”

“I told you, if you would like I can start some translating programs…”

“NO! It would only make things worse because then I would have to figure out how to go about fulfilling all these travelers’ demands and I really don’t want to. I’ve had it. Unless they up my pay for the next flight, I might go looking for a new job.”

“Hodge podge and fiddle faddle. You say that every time you get stuck working with greens Cedric. Thus I have come to expect that disgruntled attitude when you work with them. I highly doubt though that you’ll find a better job than this one in the present economy.”

“You talk too much Paul. How much longer will it be until we arrive at New Buffalo Space Port?” Cedric stretched and got to his feet. He checked his uniform and sighed noting how disheveled he appeared. Not only that but he had large black circles around his eyes due to the lack of sleep he’d been dealing with during the flight.

“About half an hour.”

“In that case, I’m going to the mess hall for a drink, as well as for something to eat. You know full well that I’ve been working my ass off. So back off.” Cedric could feel his body tensing up as he spoke, and he knew the computer system was noting the changes in his physical state.

“Cedric, yes. I agree go get something to eat, go have a stiff drink, then get back to first class, where some passengers are asking why they’re not getting the same channels as they were in the last galaxy.”

“Heh. Can’t you explain that to them? I mean they do know that I keep having to check in on the greens and am sure that they know I’ve hardly eaten anything.”

“No. you have to do it; Captains orders.” Paul said simply, although his programmed voice was starting to sound tense as though the system was becoming frustrated with the present interaction.

“Can’t she do it?” Cedric shot back angrily. Sometimes he really felt as though they thought he was the only one on the ship with the ability to talk to people.

“You know very well she can’t.” Paul replied shortly.

“Well I don’t want to.” Cedric protested, heading down the hallways talking to the ships computer system. It seemed so normal to him, even though some first time travelers found it….slightly disturbing. Sometimes he wondered… if maybe…the galaxies were becoming too dependent upon machines. But… he often dismissed the thoughts.

Cedric punched in the code to the main kitchen, and was greeted by the sound of someone singing loudly, and banging dishes. He smiled and laughed. It was always refreshing to come down here. Even though they had machines on the ship that could make the food, they still had a cook on board. More as a precaution, since Paul’s programming for some exotic dishes wasn’t always the greatest. Cedric had first met her… oh…when he was 18 and just a Green himself. She’d been very kind to him, and he was proud to say that he hadn’t succumbed to the normal space sickness most first time travelers had gotten. But part of that was because Mariel had given him many tips.

Mariel, had been traveling on spaceships her whole life. And…she was Cedrics best friend at this point. So when he came into the mess he shouted to her. “Mariel! Are you down here?” As was their time created custom.

“Cedric!” She sang back her voice high and melodious; she’d trained in singing so her voice could bring tears to a listener's eye if they let it. “Oh Cedric my Darling where have you been so long? I’ve been waiting since morning, since right before dawn…”

“Mariel my sweetheart, you know me so well, I’ve been fighting with demons on the edge of hell. But now I’m home with you my love, so I know that all is well.”

Mariel stopped singing and laughed, coming out from behind a pile of pots and pans, wiping her hands on her pale green apron. “Not bad today. You’ve gotten better with the improvisation of song lately. I almost think that you’ve been practicing when they give us that rare and almost extinct thing they call time off.”

Cedric looked into her brilliant mauve eyes and winked at her. “Now Mariel is that you accusing me of cheating? Or are you suggesting that I need to study?” Cedric looked around the kitchen, and found the cookie jar, pulling it out of its hiding place with a laugh.

Mariel put her hands on her hips, her reddish skin contrasting against the pale green apron, like blood on ivy. “Never would I accuse you of that. But I must ask why you think you can come in here and accost my poor cookie jar without asking.” Her tone was scolding, but she was only playing.

Cedric went to theatrics mode, and looked apologetic, and pouted. “Mariel may I please have a cookie? It would make the last bit of this flight ever so much more enjoyable…”

“You’re a real rake you know that?” Mariel said not missing a beat. “Go on take a cookie and get out of here whelp; unless you want to deal with the dishes?”

“Oh no; A cookie is all I want.” Cedric replied with a laugh. “Thanks Mar. You’ve got a way to make things seem better.”

“Yeah I know… This flight has had a horrible case of the Greens. But once we land, we have a week off. Isn’t that something to look forward to?”

“You have no idea.” Cedric said with a laugh as he left the kitchen and headed towards first class. “You have no idea.”

From the Archives : Cat and Falcon , Part 1

Somewhere among the stars
There’s someone with empty arms
Somewhere beyond one galaxies rings
A lonely heart is broken
But even now the distance
Between the two is closing
And soon the time will come
That their minds will be supposing

The sun rose slowly tinting the sky a light shade of melon pink, and the streets were empty below it. The world was silent; at least it appeared this way through the thick pane of glass separating the apartment from the world. Curled up underneath a bunch of quilts in a basket like bed, someone snored softly, tossing and turning occasionally. Suddenly a loud buzzer went off and the apartment came to life in a blur of action. In the kitchen the coffee maker began to percolate, and the water in the bathroom began to run, so that it would be warm when the sleeper finally got out of bed.

The buzzer continued to go off, and eventual became a voice. “Aurea, if you’re late to work again today they’re going to fire you.”

A short sigh came from under the blankets and a paw-like hand came out from under the blankets, pushing back the covers. “They can’t fire me, I barely get paid and most the time I’m doing volunteer work.”

“Well that’s not their fault. Besides it’s good for you seeing how your family is doing so well in the trade here.”

“Will you turn the buzzer off now Briggiet?”

“As soon as you are entirely out of that bed miss I will not hesitate to fulfill that request.”

“Remind me again, who is the mistress of this house?”

“You are, but at your request I do these tasks. Thus, it is yourself who asks you to arise and head out.”

“Mmph…” Aurea flopped out of the basket onto the floor with a loud thump. “Happy now?”

“Not entirely, but I do suppose that that is a start. I suggest you go take your shower, and then come to the kitchen.” The buzzer stopped. “Before the eggs get crunchy.”

Aurea grudgingly got up and headed towards the bathroom, shedding her pajamas as she went stretching and shifting enjoying the feeling of the warm damp air before she got in the shower. She grabbed the pretty lilac colored and scented shampoo from the shelf and started scrubbing herself down as she hummed a few bars of a song from her home world of Sriyt.

Aurea had a little, well not just a little, a lot of trouble dealing with the transition from Sriyt to Earth. Earth was still new to intergalactic trade, and therefore she was met often by unease. Back on Sriyt that wasn’t a problem but here it was. She didn’t mind really, but one thing she’d come to having to deal with frequently was being called a cat.

As she scrubbed herself down this morning that’s what preoccupied her minds thoughts. She’d only dealt with a small number of true earthlings and had come to find it slightly insulting that most of them compared her to a domesticated beast companion. On top of that it was one that couldn’t even speak!

“Aurea, the water is going to be turned off in thirty seconds. Finish up in there.”

“Briggiet!” Aurea protested in one word, her tone frustrated. “At least two more minutes!”

“I can not allow that. You know full well, the water starts when the buzzer goes off. If you had really wanted a longer shower, you shouldn’t have stayed in bed so long.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You don’t have to sleep.”

“And you don’t have to stay up to all hours either.”

Aurea groaned as the water stopped. Luckily she had rinsed all the soap off. She exited the shower grabbing a large plush violet towel. She dried off quickly then dashed back into her room where the closet proceeded to fling itself open so she could choose an outfit.

Aurea grabbed one of her work uniforms and then went to her dresser for the rest of her cloathing, and to make sure that she looked presentable. She ran her hands over the ancient oak piece, enjoying how the wood was cool to the touch. She didn’t dwell long on that though. She got dressed, and brushed her hair, looking at her reflection as she put on her new necklace. Her family had sent it to her recently, their family crest done in platinum on a beautiful chain. She looked at her reflection, smiling at it, and noting how today’s uniform made her eyes look even more green.

“Your eggs are going to be inedible.” Briggiet said, startling Aurea out of her self appreciation. “And yes, the necklace does look lovely.”

“Thank you. I’ll be right there.” Aurea grabbed her purse and swept through the other three rooms of the apartment to the kitchen. Most the times she’d stop and appreciate the décor, but she knew Briggiet was right, she didn’t want to get fired just yet. Briggiet greeted her there with shining blue eyes and a bright smile, as always. Briggiet was always cheerful in the morning.

“Took you long enough.” Briggiet said laying a plat upon the table. “I do not think that they’ll be all that bad today.”

“You never think they’ll be that bad.” Was the reply she got as Aurea flopped herself into the seat before the plate. “Sometimes I wish you could actually taste some of what you cook.”

“I’m a machine, I’m not designed for that.”

“I know.” Aurea was quiet as she ate, looking at her watch, feeling slight pangs of dread. “Ok. Well you know what to do. Don’t forget that tonight is fresh fish night!” She got up from the table, smoothed some wrinkles out and grinned, “See ya later!”

“Very good. Your English has improved greatly lately. Now get to work, and I’ll see you at the end of the day.”

“K.K. Catch ya later Briggiet” Aurea rushed out the door, headed for work thoughts tangled up somewhere between frustration and satisfaction.

From The Archives : Lenore Part 2

This was the second part for the piece I was working on called Lenore. If you recently read the first part I thought maybe you'd be interested in seeing how it continued. Have a great week, the weekend will be here sooner than you think.

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My home itself is nothing spectacular from the outside, and as we drove up on it on that rainy night it was hidden in the darkness. I hit my garage door opener and backed into the driveway, and the pale yellow outdoor light popped on and struggles to reveal what few facts of my home it could. But I doubt she noticed, because as I put the car in park and opened my door and stepped out, moving towards the wall to flip the lights on in the small area, she barely moved.

I will say that I am very proud of my small home and the way that it keeps me. It blends into the countryside fairly well, an old farm style house that's surrounded by trees that grew when the house was no longer a farm. Further down were my few neighbors, it was a lovely place for a Death Mignonette to live. With an old barn in the back, a small garage attached to the house that used to be a woodshed long ago, and approximately 8 rooms looming above the basement. I'd refinished all of them when i moved in.

As the fluorescent lights began to buzz and flicker to life, the stainless steel that filled the garage gleamed cheerfully. It was one thing to have to work in a garage at all. But I made sure i got to work their in a clean and medical type area. I noted that she looked slightly shocked as she stepped out of the car and took in my meticulously clean workshop.

"Yeah... I like to build things... I'm sure you've seen some of my work in town." I smiled lightly and leaned on the wall slumping my shoulders slightly. "But of late i haven't really had a muse." I wasn't lying. I'd been too busy trying to complete assignments to be able to start any new woodcrafting projects.

"Oh. I bet the metal makes it easier to clean up the shavings and keep it up." she responded curiosity in her tone as she moved towards the table where one of my barely started projects lay, scolding me for neglecting my creative  works. She absentmindedly ran her fingers over the cut in the wood and seemed to wonder what it was going to become.

"Yes... one might say that." i gave myself a shove and left my post at the wall and grinned at her. "Do you want to watch me work for a bit?"

"Could i?" she looked up from the table saw, her eyes sparkling a bit excited at the idea of watching me work on something artful, and she bashfully removed her hands from the wood.

"Certainly." I moved over and took my seat before the piece of wood that she'd been looking at. i unzipped my coat and shook it off revealing my black turtleneck that seemed to meld into my comfortable black lounge pants. I pride myself in always being prepared for anything. And this look nt only hide blood, but always looked professional. Let's just say i own a LOT of black turtlenecks and pants.

"Won't the sawdust cling to your clothes?" she asked blinking a bit as she looked me over.

"Doesn't matter. it brushes off easy enough." i picked my workshop glasses up off the table and put them on as i flipped the switch for the saw turning it on. I moved the wood slowly through the saw following the barely visible line i'd sketched... oh... how long had it been now... 4 days? before she'd entered the garage. The saw swept easily through the wood, and knowing my very own prey was watching me work, sent me to work with a frenzy, and a while later i turned the saw off and stood the small wooden piece up on the table.

"Wow... a unicorn!: she looked amazed and reached to pick it up.

"It's not finished yet..." I started to comment, and as she wrapped her fingers around it she let out a surprised yelp and dropped it back onto the table.

"oh...i'm sorry..." she stood it back up getting small blood speckles on the pale wood, and i shook my head.

"It's ok.. just don't get any more blood on it." I gently took her hand and looked it over and found where the splinters had snuck their way into her fingers. "Want me to take these out?"

"if you don't mind..." she looked a bit ashamed for having injured herself on the wood, but i'd known she would try to pick it up, that's why i had paused in my work on it. The few pieces that i keep for my own collection.. all have special meaning. And this piece, was undoubtedly fated to remain unsold and becoming part of my own inside collection.

"Certainly not. Come on inside." I picked my jacket up and paused at the car to snag my purse and get my house keys. Then i moved to the door and unlocked it and opened it and motioned her to go ahead on inside before me into the unlit house. "After you." I laughed softly when she hesitated but she didn't pause any further and stepped into the door and i followed behind her, relocking the door and sliding the bolt into place before hitting a few switched that sent the lights of the house to life, flickering softly and revealing the magical world that I lived in to her eyes.

"Oh....wow...." she stammered and blinked about taking it all in.... "You're Duela..."

From The Archives : Lenore Part 1

Sometimes it can be fun to pull something out of the archives, just to see what people think of it. Sometimes this can have positive results, or it can have negative results. But either way, this is something I was working on for one of my livejournal accounts eons ago. I hope some of you enjoy it, and who knows, maybe in the future there will be more of it to read.
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There's always a minute in which I wonder whether or not what I do is wrong. But tonight it doesn't really matter that much. But i could feel the nagging little voice starting in on me as I dipped my hands under the faucet to meet the warm rushing rivulet that was being pumped through the pipes. I rubbed my hands together enjoying the sight, as the soap bubbled and helped rid my skin of the damning red stain of her blood.

It's never easy when i set to, taking a life. But everytime... I hear that small voice escaping them as they plead for mercy that they have rarely shown themselves it thrills me to the very center of my black soul.

But even that at times... rarely, but at times has been enough to stop me.

But tonight I couldn't help myself.

She had been standing in the rain as I drove along in the rain. It wasn't even a light rain... it was heavy icy rain that hit my windshield with a thud, mocking me with the idea that it could turn into sleet or hail at any moment. I barely even noticed her on the corner as the light changed to red and I was forced to stop. That was when my death instincts hit me.

Looking through the water splattered glass I saw her standing in the rain, positively soaked through. her hair was plastered to her head, and her clothing hung from her like loose sails on a sunken ship in the ocean, flapping in the icy rain as the wind drove it against her body and my car.

I didn't recognize her right away... but as my "training" kicked in i realized that she was listed to be...dealt with. So i rolled the window down a bit and peered out, turning on the overhead light so she could see inside.

"Hey... you want a ride?" I inquired softly through the barely cracked window as I reached over to unlock the passenger side door.

"Well... i'm waiting for the bus...." She sounded uncertain as she shifted in the rain and wrapped her arms around herself in a futile attempt to get warm. she most likely didn't see me as a threat.

"Yeah...well the next one isn't for another hour." I stated it flatly, because i knew the bus route around here well. Call it one of the curses of my job. I have to know how to find people.

"You don't mind? I'm awfully wet..." She looked inside my car and looked a bit uncertain.

"Aww they're just pleather seats." I laughed realizing she was worried about the seats inside my car.

"Oh.. ok." She smiled brightly at my laughter and reached over and opened the passenger side door and slid in, dropping her purse with a plopping sound, almost like adding a water balloon to a pail of its fellows, at her feet.

"Buckle your seat belt... Where ya headed..." I gave a command and a question as I pulled away from the curb as the light changed for the second time. In a way I suppose i was lucky that there wasn't anyone else out in that awful weather.

"the bus station..." her words, few as they were were heavy and acted as a weighted question. She was hoping for some direction, someone to tell her what to do now.

"you don't sound certain." I knew why... she was running. She was running and didn't want to be caught.

"I don't have anywhere else to go..." She said it with a little waver, and I wondered if she even suspected that I already knew everything she had ever done... both good and bad.

"You can come home with me then." I shrugged and smiled at her as I flipped the overhead light back off.

"Thank you." she sounded small and a little defeated as she said it, like she was relieved to have someplace to go besides the bus hub. I couldn't blame her. I reached down and turned the radio on to some old music and we rode in silence until we reached my home.