John took a bet to get a date with the girl of his dreams. He didn't know that when you enter the Wild Side all bets were off!
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. None of the characters, places, or anything else is meant to be represented by anything in reality. Duh! Fiction, get it? I the author reserve the rights, so please don't go posting this anyplace else without my permission. A very special thanks goes out to Cathy and all the others out there in BCTS land who have encouraged and inspired me to write and keep writing. Another round of thanks goes out to djkauf who is the fastest proofer I've ever encountered. Any remaining mistakes are all mine.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Glancing behind me, the officials at the custom desks were watching me. The Wild Side returning native, tourists and the curious had already transited though the gate on their way home leaving only me. Even the human business folks had gone on ahead intent on their jobs.
Hey, at least they had some clue as to what awaited them on the other side.
I was the newbie, a Gate virgin.
It wasn't that humans avoided the Gates. After all we'd created the damn things looking for a loophole we'd hoped Einstein had somehow missed. We'd gotten a clue when the Haydon Collider snooped out those particles that were speeding, breaking the old Master's speed limit.
Imagine everyone's surprise when the first Gate accidentally formed. Even more, think about how those first visitors to the Wild Side felt. No, they didn't end up on another planet like Edgar Rice Burrough's heroes, but instead a whole new universe.
This was a hell of a lot harder than I thought it would be. Being here all by my lonesome didn't help. Most tourists from Earth did the weekend thing going in groups. I suppose it was like Disney World. Go during the week and beat the crowds. In this case, it didn't help.
I knew Jason, Allison and Mary were watching me from the concourse observer deck. Judging from the snide sounding mutters from the custom desks they probably taking bets if I would go through with it or not.
Hell, it was a bet that got me in this mess to start with. All I'd done was ask Mary out on a date. I have to give it to her that she didn't just laugh in my face. Instead, in front of our friends no less, she'd made a bet. If I went through to the Wild Side, she would pay off with a date. You don't want to know what would happen if I chickened out. I shuddered just thinking about it.
Gathering my courage, I walked through the Gate.
It was really anti climatic. The Gate was just a metal framework and that was all. No shimmering effects, electrical arcs or any other Hollywood special effects need apply. To detect the energies involved, you needed a top notch physics lab and a room full of PhD's to decipher the results.
There were only garish warning signs that perhaps didn't say abandon all hope ye who enter here, but sure seemed like it.
One step on good old Mother Earth and the other was, well … somewhere else.
What stopped me in my track was that I was someone else too.
That was the thing about the Wild Side that the first accidental visitors learned the hard way. It was a completely different universe that had its own laws, and wasn't about to let a few illegal human immigrants get away with squat. You would fit in, end of line.
Everyone called it the 'adjusting.' That's where the Wild Side's Laws of Nature remade you to fit into her idea of what was right, and believe you me she had a hell of a sense of humor.
The Elves at the Wild Side's custom check-in, simply grinned at my discomfort. They had seen it all working here. After all they knew who was left to transit the Gate.
Going the other way, Wild Side, okay they didn't call it that, but very few humans could pronoun it right, the Elves, Goblins, Brownies and what all the other denizens of our neighboring universe always got changed into humans. Returning home they were transformed back into their old selves, mostly.
If Wild Side had taught any rule, it was that there was always an exception.
One of the photographers working the concourse snapped a pic of me standing there stunned. There was a fair number of tourists on both sides that passed through and went right back home thank you very much. They had their walk on the Wild Side and that was more than enough. However, it did allow photographers on both sides to make a very good living.
Alright, a part of my brains that wasn't frozen, that's cool. I needed that as proof I made it here anyways.
The tall elf carrying the old fashioned camera grinned, “Come on doll, show me some choppers.”
Dream-like I wandered to one of the mirrored walls. How did a poor starving male college student translate in to this?
The Adjusting could do a real number on humans. You name it. The Wild Side was home to just about any of the races Earth had long believed to be nothing but myths. Goblins, Brownies, Trolls, and the list went on and on.
In front of me was your standard elf. Tall, slim, and pointed ears, you know the drill. Not too unusual, but the problem was the two breasts that were clear clues I wasn't back home anymore. The very revealing dress dripping in jewels made that damn clear. The carefully piled high silver hair and long manicured painted talons said this was a woman who nurtured her beauty.
That's right. I was one hell of beautiful elf woman. Since when did the Adjusting include a sex change? I whispered to myself, “What did you call a female elf anyways.”
A soft voice next to my cheek answered, “That would be morwyn, oh fair one.”
Jumping back from the intrusion, I turned to face him. Yes, him because if I was beautiful, so was he. The second that thought hit me I started cursing Mary, bets and my own stupidity.
He was also an elf, but was so tall I had to tilt my head up to meet his sky blue eyes. Unlike me, he was dressed in Earth fashions that had survived the Wild Side's stern ideas of what was and what wasn't appropriate. His t-shirt and blue jeans was so tight and snug even paint-on couldn't do them justice.
“More-wind?” I mispronounced, trying to keep from staring at him. Not gay, I'm not gay, I told myself.
“Morwyn,” he corrected me, his silvery smooth voice sent tingles all over me.
“Let me introduce myself,” He said, “My use name is Owen and I'm a curious traveler like you.
“Errr, I'm John.” My face turned red as my tongue stumbled over itself. The curious were those like me who just wanted to experience the Adjusting. Then it was back home as fast as we could go, bragging like little kids who had dared to stop over that forbidden line.
“That's a male name, is it not?” Owen asked still smiling.
My face burned red. I didn't have to look into the mirror to know I was blushing madly.
“You've received a great gift.” He took my hand and brought to his lips.
Powerless, I let him having no strength to resist. “W, wh, why would you say that?” I stuttered, trying to remember to breathe.
“For The Lady has bestowed such beauty upon you, mine eyes are blinded by your brilliance.” The tingles turned into an electric-like shock that traveled up my arm as he kissed my fingers. The entire time his eyes never left mine.
“I, I, I, have to go.” I tried to recover my traitorous hand, but his gentle touch imprisoned me. “My friends are waiting.”
The Photographer stood patiently by with the pictures he'd taken. That restored enough of my willpower to make me reach for my wallet to pay him. However, lacking pockets, I was at a loss until I found the silk purse hanging from my belted waist.
Again his soft touch robbed me of my senses.
“Please, Sioned.” He said. “I insist.” Owen dropped a coin into the photographer's hand who bowed respectfully and then hurried away. “All that I ask is that I be allowed to keep one to remind me of this moment.”
All I could do was nod numbly.
“As for reuniting with your companions,” He pointed up at the line of clocks that more or less kept track of how fast or slow time passed between Earth and the Wild Side. “We're behind today, so a few hours here is only a few minutes back on your home.”
I had to stop and make my addled wits do the math.
“Please,” Owen asked as smooth as silk, “Let me show you my home.” He waved his hand meaning his world, I guessed.
His eyes looking into mine, he whispered, “Your friends stayed behind, but you bravely stepped forward, Sioned. Reap the reward.”
Hardly trusting my voice, I croaked, “Sioned?”
“This is a different world, one of magic and great mysteries.” Again he sent tingles though me from the tips of my still blushing elvish ears to the bottom of my toes. “Your true name has power, and Sioned has the same meaning making a suitable use name for you. Besides, such a beautiful morwyn deserves an equally beautiful name.”
I'm a man damn it! This can't be happening to me. I'd heard of the magic that is all part of the Wild Side, but there were rules and treaties protecting tourists and others like me. Surely he wouldn't be so bold as to enchant me right here in the concourse?
He must've seen my suspicions in my eyes. He'd certainly been looking within them long enough!
“You wound me, Fair one.” He said, but I saw he was still smiling. “I'm using no spell or binding upon you. If anything it is you who have bound me with only your presence.”
Damn it! I was blushing again. As much as I wanted to flee for my life for the safety of a saner universe, I couldn't deny I was enjoying this too.
Yeah, sure he was trying to seduce me, but never back home had anyone given me any mind at all. To have Owen here, regardless of how goofy his lines, give me all his attention, it felt good.
He must've seen my hesitation.
“So Sioned, will you take flight back to your friends who were afraid to take a chance or take a walk on the Wild Side with me.” He grinned.
I suddenly understood what a devilish glint meant now.
“So you've been setting me up for that line all along haven't you?” I laughed as he shrugged expressively.
Owen held out his hand for me.
I took it.
Ten hours later
I took a deep breath resisting the urge to pat myself down. There was no need. I was home. The fine case Owen had provided my pictures had translated into a leather portfolio. Not able to help myself I had to look back. Damn if part of me wanted to run back, but I knew that was for now impossible. He had his life and I had mine.
“What happens in the Wild Side stays in the Wild Side,” He whispered to me after our last kiss stealing the famous line from Vegas. That didn't make it any less true.
Passing back through customs was easy. Nice though they were, the pictures and case were well below the imports limits. It was those things that made through the 'Adjusting' intact that were near priceless.
Checking the clocks, only ten minutes had passed here, but apparently that was enough for my so-called friends to grow bored. I actually saw them walking to their car. If I ran I suppose I could've caught them, but why bother?
Mary and her pettiness had become far less interesting now.
Waiting for the bus, I watched others head into the Gateway terminal. Right then and there I made a promise to myself, smiling. Someday I too would again walk the Wild Side.
Sometimes a walk on the Wild Side can change your entire life. Introducing a new character, Amy.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. None of the characters, places, or anything else is meant to be represented by anything in reality. Duh! Fiction, get it? I the author reserve the rights, so please don't go posting this anyplace else without my permission. A very special thanks goes out to Cathy and all the others out there in BCTS land who have encouraged and inspired me to write and keep writing. Another round of thanks goes out to djkauf who is the fastest proofer I've ever encountered. Any remaining mistakes are all mine.
“Four on the Floor!” Her Dad exclaimed popping her chair up into a wheelie just like he used to do when she was a kid. However, she wasn't eight anymore and the old routine fell flat.
Besides, Amy was none too sure about any of this, but kept quiet. She'd made her peace some time ago. It was better to live each day to the max instead of chasing dreams that promised everything, but gave nothing.
The disease that wreaked her body was slowly killing her and had no cure.
Her Mom changed the towel that kept her from drooling on herself. Oh and let's not forget that along with killing her it ripped any shred of dignity from her while it was at it.
No, she hadn't fallen to self-pity, but things were what they were. Maybe in 15 or 20 years there would be a cure, but not today or even tomorrow. It went without saying it would be too late to help her.
Then came the Gates.
Really Amy hadn't paid the discovery any attention. Walking other worlds meant little when you couldn't even wipe yourself.
What followed was the thing she dreaded the most.
Hope
Not that it bothered her, but because of what it did to her parents. Amy loved them dearly, but they drove her crazy grasping for one long shot cure after another.
You had better believe the Wild Side came with plenty of those. The most obvious was immigration. She was completely uninterested in a world where all the necessities of life were unavailable. What, no I-pod, TV, or anything that ran on electrical power? It was the neat doodads that let her roam the internet and had given her a kind of freedom had kept her from going crazy trapped in her dying body. And they wanted her to give all of that up? Pleasssse!
The whole 'adjusting' into another species didn't do much for her either. She just wanted to be normal on the planet in which she was born. Was that too much to ask?
Besides, you had to have some way of supporting yourself 'over-there' and her parents were just as technology addicted as she was.
It wasn’t that they were geeks or nerds or anything like that, but the Magic Kingdom didn't have much need for mechanics or network administrators.
Carla the Gate attendant who was helping them, given Amy's special needs, cheerfully warned, “You're ready to roll? We'll be ready in just a minute, so let's move closer to the door.”
Because of those same needs they'd been allowed the use of the VIP lounge. Looking out of the windows, she could see these flatbed cart things that rolled on a small railroad track. A bunch of them would just appear out of nowhere rolling down the track and then a forklift would hook up and drag them outside.
She could see it was carefully timed so the Gate was always busy. While the cargo guys were doing all of that, the attendants shoved the people traffic though them. Keeping things running smoothly looked to be a serious job.
Then it was their turn. In a way, the Gate was a serious let down. It was only this large circular metal framework with all kinds of cables running to it. There were no arcs of electricity or any other kind of special effects at all. There was just a lot of warnings and danger signs that another world was only a step away.
She was in her old push chair today since nothing electric worked over there, but it still bugged her to be dependent on her Dad. Practically an invalid, every last bit of independence she had was jealously guarded. However, they been warned that her chair would 'adjust' to something else and it might not change back coming home to Earth.
That would not be good seeing how much it cost and the independence it gave her. Never very girly she'd always had a thing for going fast. Lacking the ability to walk or run made it even more exciting for her.
Besides, Dad had customized that chair making look more like a hot rod. Watching the races on the tube was one of their special things. Yes, she was a speed junkie. To go fast was good. To go faster was better!
Reaching that line that warned of no return, Carla chivvied, “Move along! You don't want to be here when the Ogres start throwing cars down the line!”
And then Amy was stumbling forward disoriented by an unexpected gain in height and weird sensations in her legs. Hey, she was walking!
Trying to follow Carla, and get the hang of this walking thing, something felt all wrong. Glancing down, her mouth dropped open.
Holy Crap! She was a horse!
Okay, Amy reasoned. She still had arms and hands so maybe not a horse. A little freaked out, she looked for her parents, but only saw this couple who were staring right back at her. Sort of delicate looking, they were small, barely coming past Carla's waist. Their rich milk chocolate tan had to mean they were Brownies.
“Amy?” the tanned woman asked disbelievingly.
“Mom?” She answered, but the deep voice that came from her had her blinking in near shock.
A smiling Elvish Carla led them to a mirrored alcove in the passengers' concourse. Amy's mouth was still open gaping at herself.
From the waist down she was a horse. You know, four legs, hoofs, and a gleaming brownish red coat complete with a long flowing tail.
It was her top half that had her doing the fish imitation. Tanned, but not so much as her Brownie parents, she had brown curly hair. Her torso was nicely muscled with well defined six-pack abs. However it was the red beard that really shocked her.
She was a guy!
Touching the beard, it was a really weird sensation having her face covered by hair. On the other hand, it was nice to have full control of her, well, his body. Thinking that his beard was the same color as his horse's tail, he twisted around to check.
Yep, that was a boy horse alright!
“It's me.” Amy said half amazed. Wow, this was messed up, but she thought she rather liked it. When your choices are half-horse or invalid, the horse wins every time.
This also kinda sucked; too, since they were only taking a 'walk on the Wild Side' they really didn't have visas. It was a courtesy thing where you could get a taste of what the Wild Side might do to you, but you had to stay in the Gate terminal. They couldn't stay.
Carla must've seen the look on his face.
“Come with me, Amy.” The attendant beckoned. “I think I can find you a little more space.”
Leading them to an outside door, it opened out onto a cargo overflow area. In the distance she could see those huge guys, Ogres, shoving those truck sized loads around like they were shopping carts.
Whatever it was this was a place where he could run!
A little clumsily at first, Amy cantered but after gaining some confidence he ran for all he had. Slowing at the end of the field, he sprinted back, lost in the sense of strength and speed this body had.
He still wasn't too sure about this changing species thing. Okay, Amy had some serious problems with it, but he was willing to admit it had its advantages.
He was running!
However it wasn't long before that 'changing species' thing reared its head as he found out what 'peeing like a horse' really meant. The damn thing was like a water-hose!
Then all too soon, it was time to go back.
The whole time his parents sat there in the shade holding hands grinning happily at his antics, but now Amy could see their apprehension. This was the part of this whole thing that they'd been waiting for. They'd pinned all of their hopes on impossible odds.
Just every now and then an Earther doesn’t change back to the same person which had left. For those with disabilities and/or diseases that meant they came back cured. 'Cross-Adjusting' he remembered it was called. Researching it before they'd left, the chances were so long it was difficult to call them.
Taking a deep breath, he ran one last time. It didn't matter. Running on his own legs, all four of them, he held out his arms as if flying. Living one day at a time was the only way.
Standing before the Gate, he thought about the freedom the Wild Side offered. No crippling disease killing you and chaining you to a metal chair. However, while he didn't know much about horses, he did know they didn't live as long as humans. He would not go chasing after every chance for another few years.
Stepping forward as Carla waved them on, he had no regrets.
Amy half-expected to be rolling, but no he was still walking! Hey, it'd worked!
Touching his still bearded face, still a guy too. Only this time he had two legs which frankly was a relief. Being half-horse was interesting, but he wouldn't want to stay that way permanently.
His parents were back to normal and staring at him. Carla leading them back the concourse gave him time to glance into a mirror.
Wow, Amy looked just like his dad when he'd been younger. Despite how thick it felt it was just the usual scraggly teenage boy peach fuzz. Thinking about it, she was okay with that.
However, that wasn't the real question was it?
“Mom, Dad, are you okay with this?” He asked concerned.
“Honey, you're alive. You can walk!” Mom broke into tears hugging him.
“Better a live healthy son, than a dead daughter.” His Dad said a little too huskily trying not to cry.
“Well, I guess that means you'll be teaching me to drive a stick. Four on the floor, right? Amy grinned.
They all broke into laughter and tears.
Since she gotten her electric scooter
Sometimes you walk the Wild Side, but sometimes the Wild Side comes looking for you!
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. None of the characters, places, or anything else is meant to be represented by anything in reality. Duh! Fiction, get it? I the author reserve the rights, so please don't go posting this anyplace else without my permission. A very special thanks goes out to Cathy and all the others out there in BCTS land who have encouraged and inspired me to write and keep writing. Another round of thanks goes out to djkauf who is the fastest proofer I've ever encountered. Any remaining mistakes are all mine.
Along at last, I removed my photos from their hiding place. The first was that of a beautiful Elvish woman, a morwyn. Her piled high hair held in place with jeweled combs is so platinum blond it's like gleaming silver wire. She's dressed in a fall of green shimmering silk and more jewels that still managed to accent every curve despite her slender form. What perhaps is out of place is her expression of utter surprise and shock.
Smiling at the memory, I look at the next one. While the first one was taken in the Gate terminal, even Elves could only do so much to make such a place inviting, this one was taken in the Market Place. The same morwyn is here too, but she's lost her surprise and replaced it with wide-eye wonder.
She's also been joined by a tall Elven man, a dyn, who although he shared her same slim build, there was no doubt he was masculine with his Earth styled t-shirt and tight jeans showing off his runners' physique. In the picture, he, Owen was showing her a native fruit, a mefus, which although kinda like a strawberry was pure tart sweetness. It also cost an arm and leg on Earth being one of those things that could be imported without being 'adjusted' by traveling between universes.
I took a long slow deep breath knowing which one came next.
It was the same pair again, but this time they were in a kiss that couldn't be described other than passionate.
Like every time before, I tented my jeans requiring some 'rearranging' to make things comfortable again. And yet again, I was acutely embarrassed about my reaction. I was guy damn it!
I lowered my head, banging it softly on the table.
Earlier that day.
On the way, back to my dorm room, I got jumped by Angel and Kimmie. “Hey John,” The multicolored haired Angel giggled, “How did you do?”
She took one arm while her partner in crime took my other. Kimmie might be on the short side, but she had more energy than room full of hyperactive first graders. “Yeah, how did your Sadistics test go?”
Even though my brains were thoroughly fried I managed to smile. “Statistics,” I corrected her. “And yes, I think I did pretty well.” She should know since she tutored me passed the bad parts. Art students and math are things that does not go good together. The good news were that was my last mid-term. All that was left was to pack up the rest of my stuff for Spring Break.
Winning that bet with Mary and not collecting on it was about the best thing to ever happen to me, at least socially. After my trip through the Gate, I realized that she and the rest of those I mistakenly thought was my friends were indeed having fun, but at my expense. As a starving student on a scholarship, I didn't need that kind of crap. I'd even photo-shopped a picture of a rather homely goblin to make it look a little like me. I am an art major after all. They got their jollies and picked some other poor smuck to bedevil.
However, that also earned me some cred with some of the other women on campus. For the first time in my life women started coming to me. I can't say I didn't take advantage of the situation, but I also didn't go crazy. I went on some dates and I think all involved had a good time. If there were any complaints they never reached my ears.
That was how I met Angel and Kimmie. Curious about the 'nice' guy, they kinda checked me out. I think we were all surprised when we hit it off. In fairly short order we started hanging together. Oh yeah, despite the speculation about threesomes, nothing like that ever happened. They did tease me about it a lot, but that was all it was. Like I said, they were partners, a couple as well as being my friends.
Now if they made a serious move, I would have to re-think my position, but their friendship was far too valuable to me to do something bonehead stupid.
“So still no Spring Break plans?” Angel asked leading me back to the dorms.
I had time to only shake my head no before Kimmie hit me from the other side.
“You could always come with us. We're heading to Key West.” She was nearly bouncing up and down from excitement.
“You could share our room.” Angel huskily added suggestively double-teaming me.
I stopped and looked hard at them as they put on their best angelic innocent faces.
“You're teasing me again.” I accused the pair of minxes.
Laughing, Angle held up two fingers. “Well, a little. We talked about it.”
Kimmie picked up the rest. “We think we can trust you to behave, and it would be fun to have you there with us. It'll be great!”
I had to laugh along with them, however. “I thank you both for thinking about me, but three would be crowd. However, if you two ever really do seriously considered more, please remember I'm clueless and just might need to be clubbed over the head.”
“Oh, that could be fun!” Kimmie cooed as Angel lightly punched me in the arm.
A couple of real party-animals passed us heading for their rides in the parking lot. “Spring Break here we come!” was their battle cry. They were in such a hurry, they almost ran down another dude wandering around as if lost. Probably just an off-campus boyfriend I figured or perhaps a brother here to pick someone up. As for the assholes, I have no idea why they were in such a hurry. Being here in Tampa, they were already close to the beaches.
The girls gave me hugs as they left on their own adventure. I didn't miss the glances as they departed. I have to admit I wondered more than a little about the possibilities. Que Sera Sera, I decided.
My roommate, Alan, had already departed leaving last night. It'd been nice to have the place to myself despite the crunch of having a mid-term in the morning. On the other hand, I didn't have any plans unlike the majority of my fellows. My pizza delivery job pretty much dried up when the campus was empty.
That was when I dug out my pictures. Yes, my pictures, pictures of me.
Sioned was what Owen had named me. It meant the same thing as my Christian name, John, blessed by Gawd. I'd been kissed by a man, well, a dyn anyways, and loved every minute of it. Besides I wasn't fooling myself for a second. If I had the chance to go back, I would be gone in a heartbeat.
That is disregarding it was Spring Break that is. Tampa was lucky in having a Gate terminal. Finding congruent areas on both worlds that were good locations was not easy. Sure the gross terrain mostly matched up in both universes, but what was prime real estate in one might not be so in the other.
Hey, trust me! The hunt for good sites was still going on. With good ole planet Earth in an economic 'down turn' having an entire other world open up for new markets was a gift from heaven. Sure some things got 'adjusted' into not so nice products, read that was worthless, but when they made it though....
Let me put it this way. Millionaires were being made and broken every day it seemed. No one knew just what would be a hot selling commodity, and then there were the luxury items. Christie's Auction House was doing one hell of a lot of business. An Elf doesn't think anything of putting 25, 50 or even a 100 years into weaving a rug. Add in the exotic patterns and themes, and you my friend have a priceless work of art.
And don't think the Elves aren't getting anything out of it either. They tend to magic their problems instead of building things. Need a new house? Let’s just take this young tree and convince it grow into a three bedroom, two bath bungalow. Sure it might take 20 years, but for an Elf that's no time at all. Saying they take the long view is not even coming close. Being introduced to mass-produced machined goods were a real eye opener for them.
As good as that was, the real consumers on The Wild Side are the other natives. Goblins, Brownies, and those were the ones off the top of my head. The former are nuts about licorice, and the later are crazy about Earth sports. I don't think anyone has a real idea of how many Brownie baseball leagues have popped up; think kid sized sports gear and a whole lot of it.
If anyone ever works out just how the 'Adjusting' decides what will and what won't pass, they'll be a billionaire. Some ideas on the subject seem reasonable, but just don't pan out in the real world. You know, like if it could be made in that world, then if should get a pass. My leather portfolio is very nice, but when Owen purchased it to hold my pictures, it'd been a light silk covered wooden case that I suppose did the same function.
That had been a work of art, while what had arrived back home with me was merely functional no matter how nice. Not that I would be getting rid of it.
There were … Memories.
I shook my head trying to clear it.
No, I couldn't go back because this was a prime holiday and the tourist traffic would be thick and heavy. The Tampa Gate having both a port and a major airport nearby stayed very busy. Even though the TSA had bent over double not wanting to alienate the world's newest trading partner, the Wild Side was still another 'nation' and you needed passports and visas to make the trip.
I breathed out. Just after I'd returned from my first time into the Looking Glass, I'd tried for a visa for Spring Break, but it'd already been too late. A quick day trip in the middle of the week during non-peak times, yes. Spring Break, no; Summer Vacation, no; Thanksgiving, yes, but then my family would kill me for being a no show. And let's not forget that I was on a scholarship and have to work, which cut out visiting during the week. I'm only half-kidding about the starving art student thing. Me and ramen noodles are old friends.
Even if I had somehow managed to get a visa, I would've still been broke. Just because I'd 'Adjusted' the first time into a morwyn with jewels hanging all over me, there was no guarantee that it would happen again. Yes, the odds were in my favor, but a sure thing, no.
The whole instant sex change thing, like what happened to me, was unusual enough, although those people who had gender problems had a greater chance of it happening for some reason. Well, according to what little research I was able to find online that is. However, occasionally it struck out of the blue too. Unless my family was keeping secrets, I wasn't inter-sexed or had any obsessions with women clothing or underwear so that applied to me.
I don't think my artistic bent counts. All the old great masters were men, and even today men dominate the art world although that is changing. On the other hand, just thinking about my family made me cringe. They would freak out. It was bad enough in their eyes that I was an artist which was why I was sending my own self to school.
It didn't even bear thinking about another of those very rare occurrences. Normally, you just changed back to you exactly as you had left. However, sometimes if a traveler had a sex change 'adjustment,' when they returned home they didn't change back! Oh sure they returned to human, but now they needed a certain marker changed on their ID if you know what I mean. As a matter of fact that was one of the very, very infrequent 'Cross-Adjustments' that hit travelers from Earth at all.
My family would freak!
Hell, according to sites I found online, there were even tours to the Wild Side hoping that happened. Mind you, it was still long odds, but when you're talking about stacking the deck with only those it was mostly likely to happen to anyways, the tours usually made at least one person's dreams come true.
Even with those odds, it seemed those tours were very popular. Many of the tourists 'adjusted' to the other gender anyways, they just didn't stay that way on the trip back. One quote had me scratching my head. “Better an ugly woman than a handsome man.” which was attributed to a Goblin woman who had immigrated to the Wild Side.
Taking a hard look at my photos, I sighed. The Wild Side was well named. Since my little walk I'd questioned much about myself that I had once taken for granted. Maybe I hadn't started checking out other guys, thank gawd for small mercies, but I had begun looking at how well women were dressed as much as at the girls themselves.
I'd researched the hell out this as best as I was able given all my previously mentioned obligations. With a Gate terminal right in Tampa, the university's library had a wealth of information about the subject. The problem was the Gate terminals weren't even a decade old yet which meant there was hell of a lot that no one knew.
Of course what I wanted to know was did my trip fundamentally changed who I was. People go back and forth though the Gates all the time and were physically changed by the 'adjusting.' Did that alter who they were on the inside?
It was almost a running joke that you never knew what the 'adjusting' would do to someone. One famous Hollywood leading man had 'adjusted' into about the ugliest Kobold anyone had ever seen, while a little known plus-sized model had become famous by writing a book, “I told you I was skinny on the inside,” after she'd became a slim Sylph.
It was tempting to say that your inner self was revealed, but other evidence appeared to contradict that. At any rate, after a visit to the Wild Side, everyone agreed that you were still you, and no personality alterations or mind control had taken place. About the only thing that I'd found that suggested differently still didn't help that much.
An artist that I greatly admired had 'adjusted' into a Troll. Rather than the embarrassment most people had after becoming the huge ungainly creature he'd laughed and called it wonderful. Returning home, his art had taken another direction with some of the most dazzling landscapes I'd ever seen. He'd explained it all by saying, yes, the 'adjusting' had changed him permanently by giving him insight into a part of himself he'd never knew existed before.
Had that happened to me? Was some part of me Sioned and always had been? Had that she been hidden within me all this time?
My navel picking at the meaning of life and my existence was interrupted by knocking at my door. Sliding my pictures out of sight, I yelled out, “Hold on. I'm coming!”
Opening the door, it was that guy the party animals had almost ran over. He was taller than me, and had the kind of face you expected to see on a actor or male model. The pricey name-brand t-shirt, jeans and cross-trainers gave lie to his casual look. They probably cost more than the one suit I owned.
Then I look up into his eyes.
Those very blue eyes that rivaled the sky itself.
“Hi, I'm...” He began.
“Owen,” we both said together.
He smiled obviously pleased that I'd recognized him.
I was less happy.
“You can't be here!” I exclaimed. My thoughts were racing at a million miles a minute. With everyone intent on their own Spring Break plans just maybe no one would connect him with me.
“Why not,” Owen asked, still smiling as I dragged him inside out of sight.
“How did you find me?” I demanded not even wanting to get into how flustered and confused my feelings were for him. Was it homophobia when it was your own attraction you were afraid of?
“Oh, it wasn't hard.” He said, taking my changing the subject in stride. “I asked for a copy of your visa from my side of the Gate. The difficulty was the journey from the terminal to here. Public-Transportation” He carefully enunciated the unfamiliar phase. “Is interesting, but I don't know how eager I am to repeat the experience.”
“So you just waltzed up and asked for confidential information, and they gave it to you?” Okay so I was a little upset.
“I did ask politely.” Owen defended himself.
My hard stare didn't encourage him to explain himself further.
“Okay,” I finally gave in. He wasn't going to say how he got his hands on my personal information. “Why are you here?”
“I come bearing a gift.” Owen's smile turned into a grin. “For Sioned.” He held out an envelope.
Taking it, I wasn't sure if I wanted to open it or not.
Finally under his hopeful expression, I sighed. Why the hell why not?
I had to blink a few times realizing just what I was holding. It was impossible!
“When I learned that you did not have a return visa despite having time available during Spring Break, I took the liberty of arranging one for you.” Owen crossed his arms pleased with himself.
Holding the visa in shock, I suppose he should. There was no way this was real unless someone with serious pull arranged it.
“Just who are you, Owen?” I demanded. “And don't tell me 'just a curious traveler' either! This took some serious clout.” I waved the stamped papers with their official seals.
“You don't like it?” He asked his smile fading a little. “I thought you would enjoy our time together more if we were on the Wild Side.”
“Yes, I do like it.” My rattled brains made it hard for me to think. “But that still doesn't explain why you're here much less why this gift!”
“Well, you see.” His smile kinda tilted on its side as it returned. “About a month ago I met this girl, and I can't get her out of my mind.”
I caught the accent he was trying fake as well as the movie line. That didn't help keep me from blushing. “In case you haven't noticed, 'Singin' in the Rain' doesn't work. It's sun-shining outside.”
Because most electronic gadgets didn't work on the Wild Side, older movies on real film did get past that universe’s high standards. At first they were the classic stuff, most of it not in very good condition, but the many races of the Wild Side ate it up. A lot of them had learned their English from those old films.
He just stood there.
Awww hell.
I grabbed the rest of my stuff that wasn't already packed up, stuffing it in my bags. There were things that I didn't dare leave in my room unattended for a week.
“Alright,” I announced, “I'm ready. I've just got to take this stuff to my car.”
Then I stopped, blushing again.
There was Owen flipping though the pictures of us, I mean Sioned, damn it. He did stop at the photo-shopped Goblin I'd passed off as my Wild Side alter-ego raising a brow in question.
I wanted to rip my pictures right out of his hands, but that would mean touching him. In no way shape or form was that going to happen. Okay, not on this side of the Gate at least. My feelings were so all over the damn place that I did not trust myself at all.
“That's the fake one I came up with to satisfy the bet and curiosity of those who weren't my friends after all.” Somehow I kept my voice steady.
Wordlessly, he tugged a locket out from underneath his t-shirt. With a flick, it opened revealing a morwyn I knew so very well, me.
Choking back a sob and tears, I really, really didn't trust myself now. I'm not gay. I'm not, damnit!
Owen's slight nod showed me he understood. Together, we lugged my baggage to my beat up old Taurus. It was the hand-me-down family car I got when my mom brought her new one, lucky me. The Ford still ran pretty good and had plenty of room for all my art supply boxes, easels, and all the other stuff an art student needs.
Not expecting a passenger, it took me a minute or two clean off the front seat. I kept dropping things and wondered if I was going to explode at any second. I was scared to death someone would see with me with Owen and put two and two together even though there was no reason why they should. At the same time the power of my feelings, which I didn't even want to give a name to, had me in near hysterics.
Then we were finally on the road. It took less than 20 minutes, and then it hit me. I had nothing prepared for a trip, and hadn't even let my parents know the change in my plans. I almost stomped on the brakes, the parking fees! If we were gone for anymore than few hours I wouldn't be able to get my car out of hock.
“What's wrong?” Owen asked after being quiet all this time. My alarm must be easy to see.
“I'm not prepared for any of this.” My hysterics were beginning to get the best of me. “I piled everything from my dorm room into here, for a trip back to my parents not for a Spring Break ...”
Owen's gentle touch almost made me jump right though the roof.
“It's alright. This is a vacation for me too. How do you say it? I have it covered. Just pull into valet parking,” He said soothingly.
“I want to carry my end of this trip.” Please Lord; don't let that come out as a whine.
“You forget.” He reminded me those eyes of his almost making me run off the road. “This is all a gift.”
Following the valet signs, I nearly slammed on the brakes again. “All of this is a gift?” I exclaimed. “I thought that was only the visa! I don't understand all of this!”
“Because this,” Owen touched his locket, “showed me that something happened when I met Sioned.” He took my hand. “Something that I think you felt as well. Because the Lady is having a jest at our expense, it is something best examined on the Wild Side rather than here.”
“Something, huh?” I couldn't deny that. “We don't know anything about each other, and I'm sure you know there is no guarantee you'll ever see her again. I could 'adjust' to a male Orc or Troll this time.”
“Then I'll have a wonderful vacation with my friend learning more about him and he about me.” Owen acknowledged, but I could tell that he didn't think that was going to happen.
Stopping for the valets, they gave my pie-bald old car doubtful looks, as I dug around in the trunk packing a small overnight bag. Grabbing my art satchel, I was ready. The last time I hadn't even taken a sketch pad with me, not this time.
Then my anxiety began again as I worried that someone would recognize me. It didn't matter how I lied to myself, I was almost painfully attracted to the dyn at my side. Just as an experiment, I looked, but none of the guys in the lobby packed with college age guys did anything for me at all. To my vast relief, the scantily clad women with them did.
Only Owen gave me reactions that defied what I believed about myself. Sigh, okay not completely, because I did look as much at their clothes as at the co-ed beauties.
He led me to the desk for returning Wild Siders. Flashing his passport at the woman at the desk he got instant attention. Damn the luck, but I was so distracted by my experimenting, I only got a glimpse at it. Weren't normal Wild Side passports green? Who in the world has gold ones?
Then we were escorted personally to the next cycle of Gate departures. The last time I'd been here the place had been empty with the exception of the always busy freight movers. Today, it was packed with those who wanted a Spring Break walk on the Wild Side. Monitors warned new visitors that the Wild Side wasn't Earth and things you had to watch out for.
Really, the Wild Side referred to the whole universe on the other side of the Gates. In general use, most used it for the world as well, but it really wasn't. With the Elvish name impossible for most human to pronoun most took the easy way out. However, since my last visit I'd learned calling it, or rather she Gaia wasn't a bad translation.
When our escort further guided us to a VIP lounge my curiosity got the best of me again.
“Owen,” I asked trying to be nice. “Just who the hell are you? And don't tell you're just a curious traveler again. We got bumped all the way to the front of the queue and now we're in a VIP lounge.” I found myself whispering since our escort was still around, passing out the usual accident disclaimer forms. You know the deal. Pregnant women shouldn't pass though a Gate, and you enter at your own risk or maybe I should say abandon hope all ye who enter here.
Of course Owen didn't need one, being a returning native, but I did, along with a stiff drink, a very stiff drink.
He hit me with that damn smile again. “But I am!” He protested, but then sneakily changed the subject. “Didn't you need to let your family know your change in plans?”
Sighing, I let our attentive escort show me to the phone. I even tried picking her brain, but there didn't seem to be much there to pick.
“Just another returning VIP,” was her bored reply.
Small blessings that no one was at home, so I just left a message some friends had invited me to go on Spring Break with them. That made me smile remembering Angel and Kimmie. My brains boggled at the very thought of them ever finding out about this. They would tease me to death! However if there was anyone on Earth at all I would trust with this it was those two.
Then it was time to go.
The efficient attendants had us and the other returning Wild Siders though the Gate ahead of the crowd as soon as the lights turned green. Since they in theory knew what to expect they wouldn't gawk at themselves like first timers would and hold up the line.
Owen guided me even as I stumbled a step or two dealing with suddenly being different. I didn't need to look, but I was dying to see anyways. His smile and eyes were sparkling so madly it was a sure thing, Sioned was back.
With only my two small bags, clearing customs was very fast, and before I knew it we were walking out the Wild Side Gate Terminal.
“Can we stop for a moment?” I asked, smiling.
Looking around to make sure we weren't blocking anyone, he said, “Certainly, Sioned.”
I think he took more than a little pleasure in saying that name, my name.
Putting my satchel down since he'd taken my overnight bag, I looked up at him comparing the human he'd been to the Elf he was now. Both were handsome and had that effect on me, but I knew which one I liked best.
“I've been dying to do this since you showed up at my door.” I hugged him as tightly as I could, enjoying without a shred of regret as his arms wrapped around me in return.
Burying his face in my hair, he whispered, “Me too, Sioned, me too.”
“So what now, Owen?” I softly asked.
“Well, the clocks show that we're running only a little faster than Earth now, about two to one.” He pointed out what I'd forgotten to check. “So we have about two weeks to learn about each other.”
“To find out what that something is all about?” I forced myself not to nuzzle him despite the temptation.
His blue eyes looking into mine, he answered, “Yes,” taking my hand into his.
Picking up my mostly unaltered art stuff, we walked outside where he hailed a carriage. No longer did I feel self-conscious about being with or touching him. Being with him felt good and right.
As he helped me aboard, helping me deal with my unfamiliar dress, I was happier than I could ever recall being. As the Goblin photographer hustling for a buck took our pictures, I made a promise to myself to make sure I went home with a veritable book full of photos and memories.
I made a start on them by giving my dyn a kiss at the flash. Hmmm...memories.
Long distance relationships are tough, but what do you do when whole worlds separate you from the one you love?
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. None of the characters, places, or anything else is meant to be represented by anything in reality. Duh! Fiction, get it? I the author reserve the rights, so please don't go posting this anyplace else without my permission. A very special thanks goes out to Cathy and all the others out there in BCTS land who have encouraged and inspired me to write and keep writing. Another round of thanks goes out to djkauf who is the fastest proofer I've ever encountered. Any remaining mistakes are all mine.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Charles Dickens.
I was beginning to understand the true meaning of what old Charley had in mind. Since my return from Spring Break, my art work had taken off. My instructors were very pleased with my passion they saw within the graphite, charcoal, and paint I smeared on canvas and paper.
It was as if I had something inside that just had to be let and released. Unfortunately, I was pretty sure I knew exactly what it was. That lead to that 'worse' of times part. It was love. When Roy, Nazareth and all the others sang that it hurts, scars, wounds, and marks, they had it all too right.
It scared the hell out of me.
It'd only been a month that we'd been apart, but it felt like an eternity. Gawd, I feel so damn silly saying that, but it's true!
Absentmindedly, I began pushing the food around on my plate knowing I needed to eat, but not having any appetite. All of that didn't even count the other discovery I'd made during those days of Spring. Unfortunately, it wasn't Owen's real identity. I only knew there was lot more to him than just a 'curious traveler.'
I nearly fell out of my seat as my friends Angel and Kimmie ambushed me sitting down their own trays of food. While my temporary popularity, after I'd snubbed Mary and her conies, had subsided, the two of them proved they were more than of the fair weather variety, sticking by me.
“So who is she?” Angel asked, causing me to look at her in surprise.
“Who?” I asked clueless, re-seating myself.
Kimmie was staring at my plate inclining her head one way and then the other.
“Her,” said she looking at my plate too. “Is she the one you've been mooning over since Spring Break?”
“Huh?” What were they talking about, and didn't they have their own food?
Then I look down.
Right there, made out of meatloaf, and mash potatoes with gravy was Owen's face. I have to admit it made me blink too. The likeness was actually pretty well done considering the media. I guess his fine Elven features could be mistaken for feminine.
My face flashed hot, blushing.
“You know,” Kimmie said, “That actually kinda looks like a guy.” Her hands leaped to her lips as she realized just what she'd let slip.
Her and Angel exchanged one of those, oh-my-Gawd, expressions, as my blush instantly vanished into deathly pale shock.
Without looking at a soul, I took my tray and dumped it all into a waste basket on my way out not paying Angel's “Wait!” any mind.
I was lucky, that for once Alan, my roomie, was off somewhere else. He wasn't bad as far as roommates went, but we weren't close either. Right now I needed, had to have, some privacy.
Almost as soon as I flopped down on my bed, the Girls were banging on the door. They must have been on my heels the whole way back to the dorms. As tempting as it was to ignore the knocking, this was the middle of the week. Many students were studying or just cooling out for the evening and wouldn't appreciate this disturbance whatsoever. Their complaints would bring someone to investigate and just escalate this entire thing.
I knew better than to think Angel and Kimmie would simply give up.
Fighting the stinging in my eyes, I threw open the lock. “Come in.” I turned my face away so no one could see the tears.
“John?” I heard the concern in Angel's voice. “What's going on?”
Kimmie simply sat next to me unusually silent for her.
All I could do was cry. Once they figured that out, they were both hugging me.
I kept hearing my Dad in the back of my mind, 'crybaby!' That didn't help the pain and hurt that I felt.
“You know, it's not a crime or sin to be gay,” Angel whispered as she held me.
I started to deny that, but talking was just too much. There was so much I wanted to express, but it was all jammed up.
“It's complicated.” I sighed, easing myself free.
“I know,” Kimmie replied. “My parents still try to set me up with men 'from good families.' They just don't get it.”
Getting up, I felt their eyes on me as I unearthed my carefully hidden album.
Opening it up for them to see inside, I sat down. “No, I mean really complicated.”
I didn't need to see all those photographic 'memories' of Spring Break. They were all in black and white because the Wild Side didn't allow digital cameras' or most kinds of electronics. Good old fashioned chemical developing helped along with a bit of Goblin magic helped make up the slack of instant photos since Polaroid had gone bankrupt years before the Gates opened. If the company could've held on just a little longer they would've been raking in money hand over fist, but who knew if you know what I mean. Maybe someone will reopen an assembly line for the color stuff or a Goblin will work out how to do instant 'color' magic.
Oh Gawd Spring Break! Those two weeks were the most marvelous time of my life! Owen took great delight in showing the city that although it sat on more or less the same ground as Tampa it was totally different.
Owen just laughed at me and my fascination with, well, everything! “It's all just one big, how do you say it, tourist trap for Earthers.”
I didn't care and enjoyed it all anyways. Of course being on the bay, it still had the beaches and all the other outdoor stuff to do. Of course Florida didn't have real live sea monsters which made little things like shark attacks seem trivial, but it didn't have actual mermaids either, so it all balanced out.
Kimmie was oohing and ahhing, over all the pictures. “Hey, it's Mr. Meatloaf.” She said recognizing Owen from my culinary sculpture.
Angel however got it first. “You just aren’t' the type to moon over yourself, so it really is this Elf guy that you've got it for so bad.” She stared at Sioned's image. “Oh my Gawd, you're this Elf babe!”
“John is a hot Elf?” Kimmie disbelievingly blurted out looking back and forth from me to the picture.
“See, she's even got John's drawing bag, see?” Angel's finger stabbed out at the incriminating article. “You lied to us,” She accused me. “You said you 'adjusted' into a Goblin.”
“A really ugly one too,” Kimmie added, finding the photo-shopped fake I'd made.
“That was for Mary.” I explained. “If I'd showed her Sioned, I would never heard the end of it.”
They looked at me questioningly.
“Sioned,” I said, as the tears threatened again, “is the name Owen gave me that first time I walked the Wild Side.”
“Most of those are from Spring Break when he came right here to my room with a Wild Side visa with my name on it.” I said. “Just the three in front are from the first visit because of the bet.”
“You went to the Wild Side for Spring Break?” Kimmie was definitely jealous. “Alright, we had a really great time in Key West, but the Wild Side?” She said as Angel gave her a hard glance. “How did he manage that?”
“I don't know!” I felt like howling my frustration. “He covered the whole trip, and we even got the VIP treatment. But he won't tell me anything! I know he has a gold Wild Side diplomatic passport, but every time I ask him who he is, he just says 'he's only a curious traveler.' I know there has got to be more to it, but I can't find out any thing. Even looking though pictures of the Royal Family didn't help. I didn't recognize any of them, but that doesn't mean anything since there are so damn many.”
“You really do have it bad.” Angel shook her head. “So you don't know who this guy is? Are you sure he isn't using a spell or something to take advantage of you?” She asked worried about me.
“I as sure as anyone can be.” Sighing, I explained, “Magic doesn't work here on Earth. Even if he cast a spell on me, once I got back here it would've broken.” I woefully added, “He's on my mind as much here as when I was on the Wild Side. I can't explained it. We just clicked together. He seems to be just as ...” I helplessly searched for the right word.
“In love, smitten?” Kimmie interjected.
“Obsessed,” Angel coldly countered.
Sighing, I shrugged. “I'm not gay. Even when he was here, I couldn't make myself touch him in that way.” Okay, I wasn't sure how much I was lying to myself about that. “When I'm Sioned it just feels so right.”
“You two haven't slept together have you?” Kimmie asked not shy at all crossing lines and taboos, as Angel stared at her partner again.
“No,” I answered, “But it has been a very near thing. We did do heavy petting.” Blushing again, I specified, “Only as Sioned though.”
“Have you considered that you might be Trans?” Angel asked the hard question.
“I don't know.” Hanging my head low, I remembered the day I returned to Earth after Spring Break. “I might be. When I walked back though the Gate this last time, I think I was hoping to 'Cross-Adjust.' After I didn't, getting used to being 'John' again felt like putting on a suit made of lead. Being Sioned is just so different I don't half-know how to explain it.”
“John,” Angel said, taking my hand. “I know a couple of the T-girls from the LGBT group here on campus. Some of them went though some really tough times. It's not weakness to seek help about something like this.”
Kimmie was still looking though my album her face screwed up in concentration.
I froze not able to even think about telling someone else about all of this.
“You know, I've seen pictures of Mr. Meatloaf before, but I just can't remember where?” Kimmie remarked.
“Do you have any idea of who he is?” I begged her.
“Sorry, but I don't.” Kimmie apologized. “I know it'll come to me, and I'll tell you.”
“So what is going on now that has you so upset?” Angel cut though the chaff like always. “He hasn't broken up with you has he?”
I shook my head no. “He's been writing me twice a week since I got back to school. However, there's no return address because it's always by courier who takes any letters I have ready to back to him.” I added a little peeved. “The courier nor the company will tell me anything!”
Kimmie perked up hearing that.
It was my turn to stare at her. “No! I'm not going to let you read them!”
“Awww,” she pouted which made Angel giggle.
“So he's sending you love letters,” She turned serious again, “and its almost Summer so what is it?”
Damn this was hard!
“He's invited me back for the Summer.” I replied in a near whisper.
“Hey, that's great. You really like him, and it sounds like he's crazy about you.” Kimmie grinned, but it faded as she saw my face. “Isn't it?”
“That's not the problem.” I finally said. “Each time it gets harder and harder to leave him and come back here. Then there's the whole being Sioned thing. I've never been one of the popular guys. There was that brief time after I dropped Mary, but I think the girls were really just curious about what they heard about me. You two were the same way. Not really interested in a relationship; just wanted to know more about the guy who wised up about Mary.”
It hurt trying to find the words to express myself. Like lancing a boil to let the bad stuff out, more pain had to come before the relief.
“I enjoy being attractive. It's nice to be able to wear clothes that feel so sensuous and good.” My eyes closed recalling the sensations.
“You said coming back was like putting on clothes made of lead,” Angel repeated my earlier words.
I nodded. “I could express myself without worrying about the whole macho image thing. I could just be me.” I took a deep breath. “If I go back, I'm afraid I won't be able to make myself return. You know immigrate,” I said in a very small voice.
Kimmie stared at me in disbelief, but Angel snorted obviously unhappy with me.
“I thought about it a lot.” Not meeting their eyes I tried to explain my reasoning. “To immigrate. you have to prove you can support yourself. I have my art which I can do either on Earth or the Wild Side without a problem.”
“John!” Angel raised her voice, “You've got another year before you finish your degree. You can't just drop out.”
I hanged my head again, “I know and I don't even know if Owen is as serious as I am. It just hurts so much sometimes!”
Touching my arm, Kimmie asked, “I know I seem like a ditz sometimes, but is it John or Sioned?”
That stopped and made both me and Angel think.
“Well?” Angel inquired curious.
“I don't know.” Sighing, I shook my head. “I never thought about it. Sioned is just the girl me.”
The two jumped me again.
“Sioned or John we're here for you.” Kimmie hugged me.
Angel dug around in her purse. “Here is Andrea's card. She's a therapist who works with the LBGT group on campus. You can trust her. She's good people.”
I hesitated taking it.
“You're thinking about making a huge life decision.” Angel was being the practical one again. “You really need to talk to her about this.”
Then Kimmie got me below the belt with her big puppy eyes. “Please promise us you'll see Andrea?”
Taking a deep breath, I knew they had me. “I promise.”
Two days later, here I am skipping lunch to see the shrink. My Dad always said that a man took care of his own problems. That a real man didn’t need anyone to tell him what his hangups were, he just took care of it. Remembering that made me smile.
It was my realization that maybe I wasn't any sort of man at all that had bought me here.
“John Lane?”
Standing up, I saw an older woman smiling as she walked to me. “Hi, I'm Andrea.”
Okay, maybe she wasn't that old, but she did project a calm welcoming that reminded me of a wise grandmother.
“Hmmm..., I'm John,” I replied giving away my nervousness. “Thanks for seeing me so fast.”
Closing her office door behind us, she motioned to to sit, “That's why I'm here.” She kept smiling. “College life can be stressful and is a time of discovery. Sometimes, everyone needs a little help working though 'stuff.'” Her hands waved in the air, her infectious smile coaxing a small one from me.
“So what do you want to talk about?” Andrea asked.
“Hmmm...., this is kinda hard so please bear with me,” I stuttered self-consciously. I'm having doubts about myself and who I am.” Half-expecting her to say something I stopped, but she only waited for me to continue.
Blushing, I began, “It all started with me asking this girl, Mary, to date.”
Dear 'O'
I can't tell you how I miss you. It's as if a part of myself is missing. Gawd, that sounds so sappy when I read it, but that's how I feel. It's always good to get word from you and I'm starting to understand how it was in the old days when you couldn't instantly text or call anyone you wanted. I can't even email you! This really is snail mail!
I enjoyed hearing about your trip to Paris. Is it really true that the Wild Side there is building their own Eiffel Tower? Your description of that traffic snarl with the wrecked carriages with the Goblins and Ogres yelling at each other in French and Elvish had me LOL. (Laughing out Loud!)
As for me, my friends, Angel and Kimmie finally got the truth from me. I showed them the pictures we took during our trip. Not knowing you, they are concerned about me although I told them they have nothing to worry about.
Unfortunately, I will admit that I'm becoming more confused and uncertain about my future. Growing up, I had always knew I would become an artist. My pictures and paintings would hang in museums and galleries while I wore one of those funny little berets.
Perhaps that part hasn't changed, but all the rest has. I know I never saw any of this coming. It is very unsettling to discover that you're not who you thought you were. However, as much as it has caused me so many sleepless nights, I wouldn't alter a thing. It's like I've been wearing dark glasses my whole life, and now with out them, I can really see.
On my friends' advice, I've begun seeing a therapist here at school who is familiar with such feelings. She's helped me look at all of this with different eyes and think it has helped.
Just so that you know, the incident you told me to keep to myself has remained unspoken. If there are other matters that should also stay hidden then you need to inform me. As I told you O' Curious Traveler, I shall continue to search for your identity for I know that there is much more to you than you've told me.
Your Love
XXOO
'S'
When the one you love is from far away it's only natural to be curious. Join John as he investigates the Wild Side!
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. None of the characters, places, or anything else is meant to be represented by anything in reality. Duh! Fiction, get it? I the author reserve the rights, so please don't go posting this anyplace else without my permission. A very special thanks goes out to Cathy and all the others out there in BCTS land who have encouraged and inspired me to write and keep writing. Another round of thanks goes out to djkauf who is the fastest proofer I've ever encountered. Any remaining mistakes are all mine.
“Relax!” Angel poked me giving Kimmie a chance to steal another French fry. It was a mark of how uncomfortable I was with letting yet another person in on my secret. We were in public, but they both assured me that in the always noisy campus cafeteria no one would notice.
Andrea was exactly as the girls had described her. Not once did she judge me or try to talk me out of anything. She did point out a few things I'd perhaps had overlooked. One of those was ignorance. I really didn't know a whole lot about the world I was thinking of immigrating to. My experience so far was like someone who'd only been to Vegas suddenly declaring they loved America and had to move there!
Just firing up the computer and Googling had its limitations too. One of those was this was an entirely different world. Like my World History professor said, 'If you wanted to study modern America you had to start with the societies that had influenced its development. All you had to do was look at DC to see influences from Rome, Greece, and even Egypt, ie the Washington Monument, which really resembles an Egyptian obelisk. So now to know about America, we were studying Roman, Greek, and Egyptian history and that wasn't counting all the countries that immigrants had left to flock to the land of the free over the last 200 plus years.
Andrea suggested I talk to someone who wasn't happy about the Wild Side and a woman's role there. It happened that Angel and Kimmie knew the person she had in mind. He was also a trans-man. While I felt more comfortable as a morwyn, Chuck was just the opposite. Needless to say I was more than a little nervous about meeting him. I hadn't known there were any exchange students on campus from the Wild Side, much less transgendered ones, but I really hadn't thought about it.
Munching on my fries, in triumph, Kimmie admonished me, “Oh you! Chuck is nice. He doesn't bite.” Then she got a thoughtful expression. “Or maybe he does!” She closed her eyes in mock delight causing Angel to roll her eyes and smack her.
Laughing and rubbing her arm, Kimmie alerted us. “There he is.” Waving her arms, she shouted, “Hey Chuck! Over here!”
Waving back was the very example of the tall dark and handsome college age male. Just like with worrying a sore tooth I had to see if I felt any attraction, but once again for the umpteenth time, thankfully, no.
It was Owen who held my heart.
“What's up, Angel, Kimmie.” He greeted my friends with a deep baritone rumble. Sticking out his hand, he introduced himself. “I'm Chuck.”
Unlike some guys, he didn't try and break my hand, but there was no doubt he made sure I knew he could. It was just another thing that added more plus marks to the feminine side of the tally.
That was another one of Andrea's suggestions. I started keeping, a journal, alright I admit it, a dairy, of what I liked or disliked about masculine and feminine things. So far the feminine side was way ahead.
“So you're the one who wants to know about the truth about the Wild Side.” His dark eyes looked me over. “Say, aren't you're the one that dumped that shank Mary over that bet to skip though the Gate?” He asked recognizing me.
“Yes,” I nodded. “That's what started all of this.”
“I'm also guessing you faked that picture that was floating around of your 'avatar.'” Chuck said, thoughtfully.
“How did you know that?” I asked him.
He grinned showing his perfect white teeth. “Because, it was Andrea who asked me to speak to you. Everyone knows she does the counseling for the LBGT's on campus. If you were trying to hook up with Mary then you were straight, but must have gender-jumped going through the gate.”
“And believe me, I know Goblins,” Chuck said coldly. “That was picture was a gent's. Therefore, you faked it. I can't blame you either. That Mary is a real piece of work. She must've been big back on the block in high school, but here she's just another pretty face.”
“So how come you know so much about Goblins,” Kimmie asked. Trust her to be tactful, not!
“Because I was one,” Chuck answered with any hesitation. “Here, let me put it to you this way. Goblins were the foot-soldiers back on the Wild Side during the Wars. They are tough, vicious, and can live off of just about anything including each other. They have magic, but it's like knacks in having only one to three spells they do really well at any one time. Think of it like being magical idiot savants, but that gave the armies enormous flexibility letting them do things like march twice as far, or walk across unfordable rivers.”
“How does that work?” Angel asked curious. “Do they just forget how to do the old magic spells?”
Chuck smiled, as if he'd answered this question before. “It's not that hard really. Think of magic as having a head for advanced mathematics. The real mages never have a problem remembering formulas or coming up with new equations to solve previously unknown problems. Most people can work the formulas if they have it right in front of them. However if they don't use it, recalling just how it went isn't so easy. It's like some people can remember numbers, and some can't.
“Goblins,” Chuck grinned, “can remember pretty damn well. They just can't come up with the spells themselves. For that you need a real mage, and that means a Pointy Ear.” Those last few words weren't spoken kindly.
“Is there something wrong with Elves?” I asked curious about his reaction.
Chuck studied me a while before replying. “No, but being at the top is a hell of a lot different from being on the bottom.”
“On the Wild Side,” Kimmie surprised us by answering me. “The Elves are the aristocrats. They're the movers and shakers over there.” She smiled sweetly, “Business major, remember?”
“You got that right.” He agreed. “Because they live so long and have magic coming out of their asses, they're the ones in charge. Goblins, Brownies, Trolls, and all the rest are followers.”
“Is it so bad, on the Wild Side if you're not an Elf?” I was beginning to worry that all Elves were evil tyrants even though Owen had never showed me any attitude like that.
“Look at it this way,” Chuck explained. “A Goblin matures a hell of a lot faster than even a human. Puberty starts around eight and they're considered mature at 10. At best they will live to be 40 with 30 being the average. Gestation for a Goblin is only six months and they can give birth about once a year, but multiple births are the rule usually with 2 to 3 brats at a time. That means a female Goblin can bear as many as 60 would be soldiers during her life.” He glared at us.
“Would any of you want to go though that?” He folded his arms having made his point. “As a human, I'll live to a ripe old age to maybe 70 or more. Plus, being a man suits me. I never fit in where I was unlike most Goblins. If the truth be told, I'm sure everyone was glad to get rid of me. I asked too many questions.”
“If it's that terrible over there,” Kimmie asked, “Why aren’t there uprisings and revolutions?”
“Because they're made to obey,” He chuckled. “Haven't you ever wondered why there're so many humanoid races on the Wild Side?”
“That's a good question.” Angel inclined her head giving it thought.
“Because if you go back far enough each and every one started off as human.” Chuck grinned at our disbelief. “The story from the Wild Side is that at one time it and Earth were more or less exactly the same except for one small thing.”
“Magic.” Angel's eyes narrowed as she worked it out.
“You got it in one,” He congratulated her. “Or perhaps the better answer is a lot more magic because at one time both worlds has legends that can be best explained by travelers between them. There are such things as natural atomic reactors so maybe there were natural Gates too. Something changed which might have been Earth losing the rest of what little magic it had. In any case, it caused the 'Adjusting' or maybe it was a visa-versa situation. I don't think we'll ever know for sure.
“What we do know is that one Wild Side group became very powerful in magic and began calling themselves Gods. Still being human despite their power, they were flawed and warred among themselves. They conquered and altered all those they ran across. Elves were their generals and elite soldiers. Goblins were the expendable cannon fodder. Brownies were their craftsmen and support people. Dwarfs were their miners and metal workers, and the list goes on and on.”
“They used magic to genetically specialize humans for specific roles like insects?” I blurted out distastefully. Despite my own rather positive brush with the arcane, that I couldn't talk about, using people in that way smacked of Mengele evil to me.
Chuck nodded, “Yes they did and not just humans either. Killer Willows, Bullet Wasps, Silver Fins, and most of the other dangers on Wild Side are genetically altered plants, insects, and animals for war. Most seem to think it was really all a big game to the 'Gods' since they nearly never fought each other directly. It was just the rest of world doing the bleeding and dying.”
Kimmie's “Ewww” spoke for all of us.
“It was the Elves that rebelled wasn't it?” Angel surmised.
“Yes it was.” He answered. “You got it right again. They might have called one side the Dá¶kká¡lfar, the Dark and the other the Ljá³sá¡lfar, the Light, but they were still Elves on different sides or not.
“You see the turning point was that while their masters might not have gotten their hands dirty, the Pointy Ears did. Being at the sharp of the stick they did die and with their very long lifespans had the dubious pleasure of seeing sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and what have you die over the course of the ten thousand years of the War. And not all of the Gods were happy with the all the fighting either.” Chuck admitted unwillingly.
“The Lady was always their patron no matter what side they fought on.” He continued. “For the rest of the races, it was a case of Mom liking your big brother better kind of thing. She's never been hostile to any other of the other races, but the Elves were always her favorites.
“With her help, the other would-be Gods fell hard and fast. That's not to say there weren't wounded and casualties on both sides. I think the truth of the matter is most of them didn't care to have their own butts on the line. At any rate, the rebellion ended the Wars. Not that it made anything easy.” Chuck sighed.
“There were entire races that had never known anything but war and fighting. Plus while exceptional individuals in the other races proved to be leaders it was more like talented sergeants. All the Generals were Elves with more practical experience and skill than Sun Tzu could ever dream of. The pacification took a few hundred years and there's still bad blood about it. There was also the bitter fact that the Dark and Light Elves had been fighting each other for so long that all of them had lost loved ones to each other.” Chuck shook his head sadly.
“The Queen of Light and the King of the Dark split the world up between them. The Light lost the draw and got what is the Americas on Earth while the Dark kept the rest. Australia became the penal colony for all of those who for one reason or another refused to abide by the peace.”
“You have no idea of how humorous some of us find it that the English used it for the same purpose.” He shook his head. “No one goes down-under if they value their lives. Perhaps it’s more like that movie 'Escape from New York' except it's an entire continent.
“The real point is the Queen still remembers a son lost because of the Dark King who in turn lost his own blood kin to the Light.” Chuck grimaced. “That's the true cost of living so long. Everyone else is hostage to things only they recall.”
“So they're all tyrants?” I wanted to know really troubled about all of this.
“Not an easy question.” He said, “Just as the other races are programmed to obey, more or less, Elves are designed to be responsible.” Chuck got an unpleasant expression. “Good ranchers always take care of their breeding stock. Although to be fair it was a situation they got handed rather than created, but it is what it is.”
“So what's the deal with you?” I asked. “I'm not trying to be rude but you don't fit what you've told us.”
“Yes, he does,” Angel objected to my statement. “He told us already, exceptional individuals.”
“The lady gets it right again,” Chuck grinned at us. “Are you sure I can't change your mind about dating?”
Kimmie gave him a vicious glare. “You change your mind about wanting to be a eunuch?”
We laughed as he held up his hands in surrender, “Just kidding!”
“But she did get it right.” Chuck went on keeping an eye on Kimmie. “Sure most Goblins are more loyal than smart, and Trolls and Ogre's aren't the smartest chips in the woodshed.” He paused, “On average.”
“I suppose it's because of having human genes somewhere in their ancestry even though some of the races can no longer breed together anymore.” Chuck explained. “There are those born who are brilliant by anyone's standards, but the specialization that has been forced on us are worse than any caste system. What makes it worse is there are far more of the 'sub-races' than Elves,” He made ditto marks in the air. “No one knows just how much potential is being lost.”
“That's also why no one on the Wild Side refused to have a Gate on their territory.” Chuck pointed out. “I might not care for Elves that much, but most of the honchos in charge understand how much the specialization has hurt them as a whole.”
“Just look around us,” he directed. It's been a good two thousand years since the rebellion, but how has the Wild Side done during that time? They had the advantages of magic and long lives beyond anything anyone on Earth could dream of.”
“Besides dealing with a few environmental problems left over from the War, things have stayed almost the same.” Chuck answered his own question. “In the same time, Earth has gone from using animal drawn carts to putting men on the moon. I'm not even going to try and cover all the knowledge mankind has gathered. In fact, it's on the edge of power as great as that the Gods achieved the hard way without the clutch of magic.”
I grabbed at a straw. “But you say at least some of the Elves know of the problem and are trying to fix it?”
He shook his head. “Knowing and being able to do something about it are two different things. The only way to really do it is something no one would dare, more genetic tampering. Everyone has had more than enough of that. If that's not enough all the real leaders on both sides are still having PTSD over events that happen thousands of years ago.”
“That's not to say the Wild Side is hopeless or helpless.” He sighed again. “After pointing out magic doesn't work on Earth they arranged a demonstration that I think you can still find on YouTube. using old fashioned film they proved just how dangerous an Elven archer with a few hundred years of experience under his belt could be. It was their way of keeping Earth honest by showing that bow and arrows could kill just as good as any gun. That's not even adding in that the entire population could be mobilized as armies faster than anyone on either world really want to think about. It was just making sure their new neighbors knew the consequences and stayed honest.”
“I don't think that's an advantage at all,” Kimmie replied. “You haven't beaten your swords into plowshares at all. You only have swords that are not very good plows.”
Chuck gave her a searching look. “You know if I didn't know Angel would be as mad at me as you were, I would ask you out.” He held up his hands. “However I won't because the last thing I need is to have both of you gunning for me.”
“Oh no,” Angel shark grinned, “Then you would have to take us both out at the same time. Not only would you not get any, but we would be very expensive dates.”
“Very, very expensive,” Kimmie echoed promising.
“You know, “Chuck scratched his head. “I'm almost tempted anyway.” “That does not change that what you said was extremely profound. The Wild Side hasn't really changed from the armed camps that battled each other for ages. And while many understands this, they're not sure how to change or fix it. That's not counting the ones who likes things just as they are. If the Gates went away today, they wouldn't shed a tear. Worse, I suspect more than a few are actively working for that end.”
“Earth isn't a lot better.” Angel pointed out. “We might not have misused eugenic experiments running around.” She waited a moment and added, “Yet, but we have more than enough racial and cultural intolerance as well as good old fashioned discrimination to make up for it.”
“Yeah,” Kimmie piped up. “Don't forget global warming, deforestation of the rain forests, pollution, and that's just a few of the other big things.”
“Like nuclear weapons, terrorism, and mass extinctions,” I added. “Sure we might have greater life spans, but drive-by shooting by gangs over drugs can kill you just as dead as magic can.”
“So you might live to that ripe old age … maybe,” Angel summarized.
“You girls sure know how to deflate a guy's dream don't you?” Chuck sighed. “I guess the grass is always greener on the other side, but I'll take a chance for a better, longer life over a sure bet for short one.”
Even knowing that he kinda meant Angel and Kimmie, hearing me lumped together with the 'girls' sent tremor of good feelings though me.
“However, things are looking up,” I said, determined to look on the bright side. “The global economy is improving and those other problems are being addressed. With the trade from Earth, the Wild Side is getting an education on different ways of doing things and providing opportunities none of the Wild Siders had ever dreamed of.” I added, “Earth is providing an outlet for all of that lost talent you were talking about earlier.
“I'm sure some of other of the exchange students will go home even if you won't. That'll help spread what they learned. You have Earth immigrants to the Wild Side to consider too. Sure not many are going to want to stay if 'adjusted' to one of the shorter life span races, but the others who are changed into the longer lived ones will be there for a long time.”
“While I can understand why you wouldn't want to return, if the tables were turned and you were a woman here and you 'adjusted' to a male Goblin would you still feel the same?” I was thinking of that immigrant I'd read about who'd given up over a third of her life to be a female. Even the attractiveness issue wasn't that much of a biggie, at least to me. Sure they had a greenish tint, and the exaggerated ears like you saw in some computer games, but I'd seen some cute Goblin girls.
“I get your point.” Chuck admitted after a moment. “In a way we both came out ahead. Being me,” He tapped himself on the chest. “is more important than any of the side benefits. It does make it easy to come up with reasons to stay and a whole lot why not to go back.”
I found myself nodding with him. Wanting things to be better than perhaps they really were on the Wild Side, I was doing the grass was greener on the other side of the fence thing too.
Even Owen had carefully warned me, that the city of Choedtan wasn't representative of how things really were on the Wild Side. I guess that the heart loves who it loves and the mind follows.
“You've answered my question,” I replied. “The Wild Side isn't a fairytale kingdom. It has problems as real and as troublesome as any Earth has.”
“That does give your story about all the races of the Wild Side being human if you go back far enough, weight.” Angel said sadly.
“Yeah,” Kimmie sighed. “Only we humans could manage to muck up two worlds.”
“But we're good at it,” Chuck added. “We did it in two completely different ways. That has got to take talent.”
“So we have a stagnant society with loads of warlike baggage, but with less environmental damage on one world, and then Earth with all of its problems.” Angel summarized.
“It kinda sounds like the Wild Side comes out better, environmentally anyways.” Kimmie pointed out.
“Not so fast,” He held up a hand. “Don't forget Australia. That's an entire continent that's a write off. Part of the reason why it was made into a penal colony was because of fallout from the Wars. Don't think for a moment that magic is any less friendly to the environment, when used as a weapon.”
“Humans,” Angel sighed.
The rest of us could do nothing more than follow her example. Sigh...
Dear 'O'
Your last letter was a joy. The part about the Leviathans was cool. Did Gods really modify whales into living zeppelins? I almost hate to ask if you have air sharks too!
Oh, I had a good talk with a Wild Side exchange student this week. It's part of Andrea's (my therapist) efforts to help me become better educated about your world. He gave me the version I didn't see on the Discovery channel.
According to him, no one is really hiding any of this, but they're still not talking about it either. Both of our worlds are getting far too much out of the relationship to do anything to sour things.
Like you said, it's not all sweetness and nice on the Wild Side. For that matter the fairy tales we have say that. Many of them have less than happy endings. It does make me wonder again about early travelers between Earth and the Wild Side. Our stories suggests it did happen, but something changed which brought on the 'adjusting.'
I did well on my mid-terms and as for my summer vacation plans, things are looking good. I want to spend a week back home, and then I can meet you on the Wild Side. Just how I'm going to make myself leave afterward is my biggest concern. Yes, I miss you so much, I think about you all the time, but it is also just as hard to put aside the person I become on the Wild Side.
My friends have proposed an experiment to test if I had gender issues that walking the Wild Side has unearthed. They won't tell me what they have in mind, but Andrea agrees I need to explore this more.
Next letter I'll let you know how it went!
Till then, still missing you!
Love
'S'
XXOO
Sioned and Owen's story continues.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. None of the characters, places, or anything else is meant to be represented by anything in reality. Duh! Fiction, get it? I the author reserve the rights, so please don't go posting this anyplace else without my permission. A very special thanks goes out to Cathy and all the others out there in BCTS land who have encouraged and inspired me to write and keep writing. Another round of thanks goes out to djkauf who is the fastest proofer I've ever encountered. Any remaining mistakes are all mine.
I showed up at the girls’ place. “So what's up?”
This was Saturday and I had the morning and early evening off. However, I was still blurry eyed from working late Friday night, and tonight was going to be busy too. Pizza delivery at a college campus during the weekend? You bet! However the tips were good.
Kimmie ushered me in with her usual smile. “Oh, you'll see!”
I suppose I should be concerned, but I did trust them. Since they lived off-campus because of their relationship, I was a little less worried about being seen no matter what they did. Besides, they only had a couple of hours to do their stuff. I'd made it very clear I had to work tonight.
One of the reasons I had even this much time available to me is that I'd finished a commissioned piece I gotten though my Deviant Art account early. That was going to be gas for the next week. I might even be able to afford food that wasn't left over pizza from work or ramen noodles.
It was all part of the burden of school. My Dad claims it builds character, but I'd observed that both of my brothers got a free ride. The difference was they were on athletic scholarships while mine was in art. For that matter my scholarship covered more than theirs did, but that didn't cut any mustard with him.
Any career that didn't involve sports or busted knuckles were beneath a real man according to him. My own paint stained, clay roughened fingers wasn't enough. Trust me, real art was tough on the hands.
Although recently, I'd made much more of an effort to take care of them. Sigh, Owen.
“She's here,” Kimmie yelled out the soul of discretion.
Following her in, I wondered if I'd wandered into a beauty parlor. “She's here,” I asked repeating her words.
Bouncing on her toes in excitement, Kimmie grinned. “Yah! All of today you're a girl. We're going to give you the works!”
“You've never experienced what being an Earth girl is all about,” Angel said coming into the room. “If you're really a girl under the skin then you'll feel it no matter where you are.”
Okay, now I'm nervous!
“Changing your major again?” I inclined my head at all the beauty parlor stuff.
“That's my girlfriend,” Kimmie giggled. "The Beauty School dropout!”
That earned her a thrown towel from her lover.
“Here take this and follow the instructions.” Angel handed me a basket filled with bottles. “This is a hair remover, but watch out for the sensitive places. It is an acid, so be careful. Don't bother doing your hair, but do shave very, very close.”
At my I-can't-do-that expression, Angel gave a trying one in return as she rolled her eyes. “Oh please, it's just body hair. It'll grow back.”
Just under an hour later I was back shivering under the robe they left me. It surprised me how much being smooth reminded me of being Sioned. Weird that being without that body hair made that much of a difference.
They were waiting for me and I think my apprehension went through the roof. I wanted to run away, but I also wanted even more of this all at the same time. It didn't make any sense, but what about any of this did.
Sitting down, they got to work. I know they talked, I talked, but I can't remember a word of it. It did feel good as they did my hair. Normally, I wore it on the long side which was something that drove my Dad nuts. That was part of the reason why I did it, along with being too cheap to get haircuts. The ironic thing is that I'd seen pictures of him at my age and his hair was even longer than mine. Parents and double-standards, go figure.
“Don't worry,” Kimmie tried to calm me. “This stuff washes out and you can hide the style with your normal ponytail.”
Style? Gulp!
I guess my efforts at taking care of my hands must not had been very successful, because when Kimmie started work on them she just glared at me.
Personally, I was more concerned about whatever she put on my nails. Maybe, LBGT's weren't persecuted on campus, but that was a hell of a long ways from acceptance. On the other hand, I kind of liked my hands looking nice.
“Sorry,” I apologized. “Artists are tough on their hands. I've tried to take care of them, but I guess I didn't do such a good job.”
Intent on trimming cuticles, Kimmie just sniffed.
“Perhaps you could give me some tips?” I asked, trying to make nice.
Looking up, her face beamed in delight.
I learned more about nail and hand care than I ever knew existed. Moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize again were her advice.
While that was happening, Angel started on my eyebrows. “You know you should have two and not one, right?”
Finally they were done, and got me dressed. The outfit wasn't too very girly, but it did have a denim skirt, blouse, and sandals.
With the Gate, one step I was John and on the next I was Sioned. This was so different that by the time I was standing in front of the mirror, I was a nervous wreck. It was like looking into a shattered glass at all the distortions. Every imperfection glared out at me. My Addams apple, the overly strong jaw, and that brow of mine said male, but at the same time it felt so much more natural to be dressed this way. I felt pulled in two directions at once.
Kimmie was on one side while Angel was on the other. They were staring at the girl in the mirror too.
“Wow, you're pretty, Sioned.” Kimmie played with my new bangs.
Angel was more subdued. “That blouse isn't quite right for you.” Leaving she came back with another that had a higher lace collar. She had the old one half off me before I realized what she was doing revealing my stuffed bra.
What hit me was how embarrassed I was over that fact. Still trying to digest how much I felt I should have breasts, Kimmie helped keep the new blouse makeup free as Angel dressed me like an oversize doll.
Fluffing up the collar, she stepped back satisfied. “Now, that's better.”
Trying to make my wits work, I saw my Adams Apple no longer peeked out.
I still painfully saw all of those flaws, but I also saw someone else, a girl, me, Sioned.
The first tear fell before I knew I was even crying.
“See I told you, the waterproof mascara was worth it.” Kimmie triumphantly announced as she passed me a tissue.
“Happy tears?” Angel whispered as she held me.
I couldn't answer. There was too much trying to get out again. All I could do was feel.
Many tissues later, I finally found my voice. “So what do we do now?”
“I'm afraid in the long term that's up to you.” Angel replied. “However, for today we'd planned just to take it easy the rest of the afternoon and have some girl time.”
“Yeah!” Kimmie exclaimed. “We'll watch some movies and just hang.”
“That sounds like pretty much what guys do.” I said, back finding my humor.
“Ah, grasshopper, that's because you haven't seen the movies she's picked out!” Angel smiled. “However, it's time to fix your makeup. Here, we'll show you how.”
“Yep! All part of being a girl.” Kimmie enthusiastically guided me back to the mirror.
Maybe because of my artist’s eye, it didn't take me long to get the idea. It was far from expert, but I didn't look like a clown either. When we got back to their living room and tidied up from my makeover, Angel just kept looking at me.
Smoothing my skirt before I sit, I finally asked, “Okay Angel what's up? Am I doing something wrong?”
“Wrong?” She laughed. “Oh no, you're doing it right! That's why I'm staring. Hell, I think you're doing it better than I ever did.”
Kimmie giggled flopping down next to me. “We're lipstick lesbians and enjoy looking feminine for each other. Besides I like being a little girly and silly. It helps me from going crazy dealing with economics professors, and business forecasts.”
She wrapped an arm around me. “Angel being who she is let's me express a side of me I might not be able to otherwise.”
“And her being silly and ditzy sometimes helps remind me not to be so serious,” Angel smiled at her partner. “However that doesn't mean I get into all that being a Lady crap my Mom used to push at me. I picked and chose which ones I could live with and the ones that went into the no thanks, no way basket.”
You could see the love and care they had for each other.
“But you do the whole graceful thing without even thinking about!” She almost sounded jealous. “And like just now when you smoothed your skirt before sitting down unlike my so elegant partner who just fell into the sofa like a sack of potatoes.”
“That's a really cute, sexy bag of potatoes!” Kimmie stuck out her tongue.
“Well, I did spend two weeks as Sioned with Owen during spring break.” I defended myself. “I arrived dressed really femmie, and honestly had no real desire to wear anything else.” Blushing very red I added, “He didn't complain.”
“I bet he didn't!” Angel smiled, I think as much at my blushing as at my statement.
Kimmie poked me in a ticklish spot. “What she's trying to say is that you pass very well.”
“Yes you do.” Angel said. I guess it was her turn to blush. “I've seen other gurls and many of them try too hard to get it right.”
“Forced,” Kimmie added her two cents.
“You're so natural with everything it's as if you grew up a girl.” Angel said still blushing. “If you were still available I would seriously considered that threesome we used to joke about.”
“But I'm not, but thanks for the compliment.” I felt my face grow even warmer if that was possible. While I might have been tempted before Spring Break, but not now. I'd confronted my feelings about Owen. For better or for worse, I was in love with him.
“What she said,” Kimmie gave me a wistful smile. “It's kind of a shock to find yourself attracted to someone you weren't the day before. However you'll always be our friend, but now it's even better than before!
“How's that?” I asked still feeling euphoric and yet angsty about all of this.
“You're our best guy friend we can talk to about clothes and stuff!” She excitedly bounced up and down on their sofa.
“And stuff?” I asked with a grin.
“And stuff.” Angel solidly confirmed.
Then after a moment of the three of us smiling silly at each other Kimmie, never one to be distracted for long exclaimed, “Movies!”
While I like action flicks, the so called chick-flicks aren't bad either. All that really matters is if they have a good story or not. Kimmie might act brainless, but I knew her grade point average said otherwise. Her viewing picks proved that. All in all I enjoyed her selections.
Of course, I kept looking at the clock. I knew that my temporary testosterone reprieve had an expiration date. It wasn't something I was forward to. The last time was when I'd kissed Owen goodbye and stepped though the Gate.
It had not been pretty. Finding I was back as John had been … difficult. Andrea helped me name it, depression. While she hadn't insisted I see a doctor, she was really hinting, if you know what I mean.
Wanting to be functional to work tonight, my reaction to what happens when Sioned goes back into the closet concerned me.
The girls had been checking the clock too, but I really just put it down to keeping track of 'Pumpkin' time.
Then the doorbell rang.
The girls jumped up which made me really suspicious that they were expecting someone. Now, that made me nervous. I might be comfortable dressed this way, but the fear of being revealed, outed, was very strong. You want to try terrifying?
“Oh, I wonder who that is?” Kimmie sing-songed making me certain I'd been set up.
Who could it be? Chuck or maybe Andrea, both of which would be okay if not cool since they knew my secret already.
“Why don’t you get it, Sioned?” Angel suggested. Now I knew I'd been set up.
Dreading and yet forever hopeful, I walked to the door. It couldn't be him, I argued. The three of them would have to planned this and I couldn't see how they could've managed it. I mean just because I have him on my mind all the time.
No, no, no it can't be him!
Opening the door, my breath stopped as reality failed to agree with my reasoning.
“Sioned,” Owen said with a small pottery of live flowers in his hands.
I vaguely recall the giggling of my so evil friends, but I had eyes only for the man in front of me. I didn't care what I was, I knew what I wanted. Wrapping myself around him, I saw his blue eyes just as full of passion as mine.
As he inclined his head to kiss me, my inner voice was silent. My lipstick covered lips seemed to burn as more words failed both of us. My only regret was not being a full woman on this side of the Gate because I wanted him so bad.
“Yr wyf i yn dy garu di” He whispered in my ear translating. “I love you.”
I had all I wanted.
Happily nuzzling my Dyn, I hugged him tight.
Notes: According to my research, "Yr wyf i yn dy garu di," is the very old fashioned and stilted Welsh translation of 'I love you.' That works very well for High Elvish in my opinion.
Sioned's and Owen's story continues in Part 4.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. None of the characters, places, or anything else is meant to be represented by anything in reality. Duh! Fiction, get it? I the author reserve the rights, so please don't go posting this anyplace else without my permission. A very special thanks goes out to Cathy and all the others out there in BCTS land who have encouraged and inspired me to write and keep writing. Another round of thanks goes out to djkauf who is the fastest proofer I've ever encountered. Any remaining mistakes are all mine.
My euphoric overloaded brain not so gently alerted me that not only was I cross-dressed in the open door where anyone could see me, but Owen and I had been giving anyone who wanted to see, a free show.
Pulling him inside, he grabbed a rather nice artist's portfolio that'd been sitting next to him. I started to ask him what was in it, but Angel and Kimmie were, hmmm... distracting.
“I take it you've gotten over your aversion to the gay thing.” Angel said in a way that somehow managed not to be hurtful.
“She's my morwyn, a woman.” Owen stated softly. “As such our love couldn't be described as such.” His voice became deeper as he spoke to me. “However even if it was I would still love you. If would not be to either of our preferences, but fate is what she is. The Lady can be quite fickle with her blessings when it strikes her.”
Poor Kimmie was staring at my lover as if Elf struck. It suddenly hit me that she had finally remembered who he was even as a human.
Angel had noticed Kimmie's wordless shock as well. How could anyone miss it really given if she awake she's talking.
“You have a point,” She said crossing her arms. “There's no doubt in my mind that my friend has a strong feminine side. However, because she is my friend I want the best for her. I know others who have similar problems and it isn't easy for them to step into either role, feminine or masculine. They are stuck as gray in a black and white world.”
“Hey, you two.” I spoke up. “I'm right here you know and can speak for myself. You're both right and wrong.”
Looking up in those sky blue eyes that had captured me from the very first time I saw them, I said, “I love you, Owen whoever you are. I can accept that now. It is more comfortable for me when I'm presenting as my therapist would say as a woman. I guess more of how I was raised has clung to me than I care for. However, my feelings for you are the same no matter if I am human or Elf.”
Then I turned to Angel and Kimmie. “You're my best friends, and I know you're worried about me. I'm worried about me! This gender stuff isn't for the weak hearted. Looking at the suicide and assault rates on gender variants are scary stuff. Half of it comes from their own families, and believe me I know my folks fall right into those narrow minded statistics.”
“But,” I pointed out to them. “I am seeing Andrea and doing stuff like this with you exploring just how much girl is in here.” I tapped my stuffed bra. “Maybe I wasn't bouncing around in a dress as a kid, but that is a good thing. My Dad would've murdered me for sure and I never would've met any of you. With that said, I can begin to see a trail of clues I've left behind me.
I bowed my head. “In spite of me defending my art as being a masculine career I'm seeing that perhaps I hid and expressed my femininity in my works. It hasn't been easy admitting that even to myself.”
I found a smile. “Besides if all of you were really that suspicious of each other you never would've been able to set me up like this! So no more fighting, please?”
Then with my hands on my hips I demanded, “So just how did you three arrange this?”
Kimmie who'd finally found her voice explained. “It was easy really. You told us Mr. Meatloaf here used a courier service. We simply kept watch until he showed up and asked him take our letter too. See nothing to it!”
“I must admit, it was surprising to find an extra letter.” Owen gave my friends a bow. “However a very pleasant gift as well. I know how stressful this has been for my morwyn and I'm pleased that she has such good friends standing by her. I thank you.”
“You're welcome.” Angel replied a touch dryly. “She was going through hard times. The two of us know all too well how finding out that you can't fulfill your family and/or other expectations can set you apart, alone. Sioned needed to know and see how she felt when she allowed herself to be feminine in this world.
“Yah!” Kimmie chimed in. “Because of our makeover and girl-time Sioned was able to let her inner hair down, and then when you showed up at the door, Pow! She wasn't thinking about how boys were supposed to do things. She let her heart do the kissing!”
Blushing red, I admitted they'd made their point. I guess I'd known it all along, but had denied it. The very thought of being Gay made me flinch. The less complimentary descriptions burned me as if they were napalm which even a touch caused the flames to stick by association. Perhaps other parts of our small blue planet were more enlightened, but, the area where my family lived and I grew up sure as hell wasn't.
That didn't change the feelings within me for my dyn. Knowing that under these clothes hidden with paint and powder, John was still very much present. At the same time I was, felt, more like I was Sioned. Each and every flaw in my fragile illusion glared out at me. My too large hands despite Kimmie's manicure to the something extra tucked away under the panties I wore, they all reminded me of the truth. However, even that truth was also a lie. I might look like my Father's son, but I'd always been my Mother's daughter instead no matter how I hid, denied, and buried it away.
With all of my heart I wanted to be Sioned, Owen's morwyn, a whole and complete female for her dyn. This illusion was so much closer to that ideal, but yet so far away.
“Sioned?” Owen asked, holding me. “Are you alright?”
My face was still red as looked up at him realizing I'd zoned out.
“This is a little much.” I stammered very self-consciously. “So what's in there?” I pointed at the portfolio trying to change the subject.
“Ah!” His eyes laughed as he smiled. “That's why I'm here. Your friends' invitation gave me the perfect excuse to see you while I take care of some other matters. Besides it includes some things you should be consulted about.”
“Err... those are the drawings I did while on Spring Break?” I asked, cautiously because those were the very things he told me not to talk about.
“Indeed!” Owen replied. “Do you mind if they see?”
“Sure, as long as you don't.” I wasn't sure what was going on.
Opening the portfolio, he revealed three of the drawings that really changed the way I'd always viewed art.
I couldn't help but remember making them. It'd been towards the end of our trip and we'd shared a bed if not slept together if you know what I mean. Being a little restless worrying about our parting so soon, I was up early.
Letting the cool gulf breeze ruffle my hair, I'd looked at Owen still asleep. It was one of those perfect moments where the rising sun created these wonderful shadows framing my dyn's face. Back on Earth I would be looking for my cell phone to take a picture, but I wasn't about to drag a Goblin photographer inside to ruin this moment.
I had better available.
Setting up my art stuff, I began to draw. Immediately, I picked the charcoals because those shadows cried out for that soft darkness. Breaking up the space on the page, I was soon absorbed in the moment.
At first I didn't realize what was happening so intent I was upon my task. Then I saw small motes of charcoals I humorously called 'art dust' floating in the air and landing with exacting precision upon the sketch pad just where they needed to be.
I suppose it was because I was so in the groove that I didn't even stop or pause. It wasn't until Owen was looking over my shoulder that I came out of my near trance. Really that wasn't unusual for me. Looking at what I'd just created, now that was.
Even though I'm thought to be rather talented, it's still frustrating at times to translate what I see with my inner eye to canvas and paper. Not this time. It was as if you could see the love I had for him right there for all to see. Each line spoke of my feelings as the darker shades feathered out so delicately you couldn't tell where they ended. It was magic.
I used magic.
At Owen’s prompting I did three more drawings trying to see if I could duplicate the, err, technique. Two were seascapes and the last was a self-portrait. The answer was yes, and it got easier with each one.
Flying high could almost describe how I felt then, but he bought me back to earth, or maybe I should say the ground since we were on the Wild Side.
“Sioned.” He told me then. “What you have is a very rare gift. Normally it takes much training and discipline to reach and use what we call magic here. That you can instinctively do what takes others years to master only confirms what I’ve always known. You're a precious treasure.”
“However, that comes with the bad as well as the good. There are those who would take advantage of you, and others who would do you harm out of jealousy and envy.”
“Please, you must promise me you will speak to no one about this.” His blue eyes looked intently into mine.
And I had. Those four pictures of mine had stayed behind although I really wanted to take at least his portrait with me. I also had to admit that while I missed him, and dearly wanted to be Sioned again, I itched for the chance to put paint to canvas wondering what I could do with different mediums with the magic.
Both Angel and Kimmie drew in sudden breaths. Hell, I did too! The frames were gorgeous obviously being of Elvish work. Instead of solid wood the entire thing was a delicately carved filigree. The frames themselves were works of art. And he'd placed my charcoal drawings in them?
Aright! I admit they were pretty outstanding, but you really had to see those frames. On the other hand they really did accent the drawings. They further pointed out that the seascapes weren't from around here even though the buildings and trees were, well, other worldly.
But of course the third picture was the one of him that I very much wanted to keep. I had the feeling that was the business he was speaking of, and it'd been taken out of my hands. I did however promise myself there would be other drawings as well as paintings. Which didn't answer why there was such secrecy over his identity or why the reversal on keeping those pictures under wraps. In the end a picture is still just a picture.
While my friends were staring at my work, Owen asked, “Is there somewhere the two us can have some privacy?”
“Sure,” Kimmie answered,” The back-porch swing.”
“I know where it is,” I said as I took him by the hand.
As we sat, I asked, “Are you going to come clean about who you really are O'Curious Traveler?”
“But I am,” He protested. I swear I almost got a sigh out of him that time!
“Really?” I did sigh. “Just an Elf with wandering feet who just happens to own a gold Wild Side passport, and who's treated like a VIP?” I raised a finger as I recalled, “And strangely, no one seems to remember your name, but that wouldn't mean they were covering for you.
“Of course I checked the Elvish peerage to see if there were any matches.” I caressed his face. “But I didn't find you although tons of them resembled you.”
That got a smile out of him. “Don't you know all of us Elves are related to each other?” He took my hand, gently kissing my palm.
Ignoring the pleasant shudder that passed though me I replied. “So I learned. It appears half the Wild Side can claim to be a prince or princess.” I wasn't as 'sensitive' as a human, but I would be lying if I said I didn't like it. What I did resent was that portion of my anatomy that, tucked away or not, was making himself uncomfortably known.
“I don't suppose you're going to explain how a mere Curious Traveler came up with a Wild Side visa when none were available or how you were able to pay for both of us on a Spring Break fling and never for one instant worried about the cost?”
That actually got a laugh from him. “Just because I'm a mere Curious Traveler doesn't mean I'm destitute. For the rest, can I help it if I'm a naturally likable fellow?
Damn, but wasn't his smile hard to resist!
“I take it that as a no.” I stated trying to stay strong. He and the Wild Side had turned my whole life upside, backwards, sideways, and I don't know how many more ways I didn't even know about yet. Were a few hard facts too much to ask for?
“I don't suppose you're going to explain about my drawings either or this abrupt change of face. From the frames, I'm guessing you're taking them to be sold. I wanted to keep the one of you.” I think I was pouting!
“Sioned,” This time he did sigh. “Yes, I have been keeping secrets, but that was to avoid telling you any untruths. I am a Curious Traveler, but Elves live long and my past is complex.” He pulled the small locket from around his neck that I knew held my picture.
“When I first saw you, I will admit to only wanting to have some fun and enjoy the day with someone whom all of the Wild Side was new and exciting.” He softly tilted my face upwards. “The cost of a long life is that everything can seem dull since you've seen it all before. Seeing your delight in even the simple things all took for granted was a precious gift you gave freely to all with your laughter and smiles.”
“When you departed you took a part of my enaid, my soul, with you.” His words were almost whispered, but they had the force of the heavens behind them sending electric tingles though me.
“You remained in my thoughts despite the passing weeks. Finally, I cried surrender and sought out whatever I could find about you.” The passion in his blue eyes devoured my will.
“Yes, I used what influence I had to find and locate where you lived. Yes, again I used my status to arrange for your Spring Break on the Wild Side.” The tension between us was a silent edginess that foretold bolts from above.
“No, I've never regretted any of this for one instance. I had to know what it was I felt for you and more importantly if you returned it. You know my answer to that question as I know yours. You hold my heart in your hands, as I have the honor of holding yours. I cannot say I will not cause you hurt or anger for you can't have love without passion, and that can be a turbulent storm full of wild emotion and terrible beauty as well as an oasis of happiness.
“However my love I have a question for you.” Owen asked.
I gestured for him to go on, not trusting my voice.
“Even if I came here to live here with you on Earth could you stay away from the Wild Side?” He added seeing my face, “And after everything that could be done here to help you become more comfortable with yourself?”
“Not ever walk the Wild side again and become Sioned the Elf again?” My whisper heralded tears.
“Never ever,” His own eyes were glistening.
I knew from talking with Andrea just what Earth medical doctors could and couldn't do. My body was still relatively young and I'd always been on the thin side. There was much they could do to give me a feminine shape. From what I'd researched I might even appear pretty.
However, that was the problem, appear. It didn't matter how much my brains and emotions were that of a woman, my body was still male. I would be the shape and form, but not the substance of what made a woman. The ability to bear children and truly be female just wasn't possible with current medical science. Those flaws I'd seen earlier in the mirror would still be there, only hidden better with surgery rather than makeup.
The Wild Side could and did more. Besides the fact I'd fallen in love with not only Owen, but the place too. Chuck had torn away some of my ignorance, but I couldn't forget the wonderful times I'd there. That's not counting how exhilarating it was to work real magic even if my wand was only a charcoal pencil.
To stay away from all of that forever?
I shook my head, no, tears falling.
“Please don't cry,” He kissed my tears. “I had to tell you what was at stake. Your talent for using magic so effortlessly makes you an even greater treasure then the miracle that brought you to me. To my knowledge not a single other walker or curious traveler has ever been so gifted. It is so rare only a handful on all of Gaia shares it.”
“However, in order to prepare those who would be most surprised and alarmed we're planning on easing them into it by introducing you gradually. Taking your art to auction is a part of that.” He chuckled, tweaking my nose. “We can chase down and buy that drawing back if you like after all this is settled, but linking you with me will help we think. For that we need that picture of me, but we're not ready yet to reveal you to both worlds yet, so your self-portrait will remain hidden for now.”
“We?” I asked. “Why do I think that 'we' doesn't include me?” My question was plain to see. “Just who is included in that 'we?'”
“That's why I've been so busy as you can tell from my letters from all over the Wild Side.” Smiling, he made sure I couldn't stay mad at him. “I had to consult with others who are more learned than I as well as my family.”
Owen didn't mistake what my stare meant when he mentioned his family.
“I am a curious traveler, Sioned.” He sighed. “That role has served me and my family very well for many years. It allowed me to escape traditional obligations that neither suited my temperament nor lifelong goals. I think I can safely say neither my family nor I regret that decision.” A far off look as if remembering another time passed over his face like a cloud obscuring the sun.
“However,” Owen said sadly. “What I cannot do is speak of it even to you. I pray to the Lady that the time for all to be revealed to you comes soon, but it is not now. She picks her own time and place to bless us with her answers.”
“So it is a politics thing made even worse somehow by my being able to make pictures with, you know?” I used a finger to twitch my nose like Samantha out of 'Bewitched.'
At his puzzled expression, I whispered, “Magic.”
For the Ellyll, Elves, family and politics are all the same.” He replied nodding about my pictures.
I placed a finger on his lips to keep him from saying more. “Then I trust that once you are able to tell me, I will get the full story. You have my full permission to broker my drawings as needed to resolve this situation.”
Despite my peeve about his secrecy, I found myself snuggling next to him as the swing squeaked as it went forward and then backwards. There was this weird absence of discomfort not quite pain feeling as I was able to put just where I was out of my mind and just be me. That wasn't easy since the things that made me John, nudged and well, poked, reminding me that Sioned was really a world away.
Shut up I told them. I'm a morwyn enjoying the time with my dyn after a long absence.
Owen stared down at me. “You really are my treasure, you know that?”
Continuing to ignore those little clues that told me otherwise, I let myself fall into his eyes. “You had better believe it.”
For a long timeless moment we simply swung there on my friends’ back-porch. Words didn't seem to be needed so we both enjoyed being with each other.
It wasn't till Kimmie and Angel came out to remind me of the time that we said anything at all. The rest of the time he was there, I couldn't stand to let him see me revealed for the fraud I felt I was. A kiss and a hug, then he was gone.
Despite my own warnings to myself, removing all signs of Sioned leaving only John behind was traumatic. I felt like part of my very identity was ripped away. Missing Owen already didn't help at all.
Leaving and going to work, I was a zombie, but pizzas were waiting and tips sucked when they were delivered cold. Burying myself in my job I tried not to think, just do.
Dear 'O'
You just left and I'm already feeling lonesome without you. Please forgive the food stains, but I had to take a moment at work to put down my feelings. I guess I really am transgendered, and it wasn't the Gate or the Wild Side that caused me to fall for you.
I told you that I thought that I'd been hiding those feelings in my art and I'm more sure of it than ever. Maybe that's why I could do that thing I'm not supposed to talk about. It's such an intimate, passionate portion of me, that it simply can't be denied. It's there for all to see, if you bother to look.
Kimmie and Angel said they would do their best to give me more time to relax and be myself. According to them, I'm like a bottle under-pressure and how I feel will get better with time. It is something to talk to Andrea about.
XXOO
'S'
PS: I think Kimmie finally remembered where she knows you from, but as per our agreement I've resisted asking her so far. Please, please, don't take too long. I need to know!
Have you ever been hit by news so startling and big your world is never the same again? It's a little like people remembering where and what they were doing when 911 went down or JFK was shot. Unlike those events, this was nothing really bad since death and destruction wasn't involved. Maybe more like when the Gates were first announced and we were introduced to our first aliens, well sorta kinda. However, I won't deny traumatic because it turned my world on end … again.
Like most people in those 'events' I was just doing the everyday things that are a part of life. That day I was at breakfast with my friends. It was a Friday morning which found only the hardcore students out and about since most arranged their classes to avoid that as much as they could, mornings and Friday.
Chuck had joined us which had become more of a common occurrence as the weeks passed since our first meeting. He really was an alright guy, but sometimes he got a little too much into that 'guy' thing. It wasn't exactly like he was forcing it, but more like the dude was simply enjoying it too damn much. Kimmie laughingly called it his testosterone high.
Even still he wasn't an ass or jerk about it which made it bearable. Really his presence, like that Angel and Kimmie's, helped me get over my mini-melt down and depression. Instead of macho he was more like the wise-cracking tough guys from the old movies. No surprise I guess since Humphrey Bogart and crew is so popular on the Wild Side. Not the worst role-model I guess.
Everything was really pretty normal Friday morning. I had an early Art class which was always a challenge trying to be creative when you're still half asleep. Chuck was watching the morning news on one of the large TV's set in the corner while half-listening to Angel and Kimmie chat. Me, I was inhaling coffee after a late night of pizza delivery frenzy.
“Wow,” Chuck exclaimed. “Look at that.”
Still faithfully worshiping my brew, I selfishly decided that whatever it was could wait, I was wrong.
My eyes popped open as I heard Angel's sudden inhaling hiss of surprise and Kimmie's “Uh oh!”
Speaking of which, I did confront Kimmie about Owen, but she managed to weasel out of telling me if she knew anything. Once again I was reminded she really wasn't an airhead.
“Hey, John.” Angel innocently asked. “Isn't that one of your pictures Owen said he was taking to auction for you?”
Looking up at the screen there was in living color was my charcoal sketch of my dyn. Still in its ornate frame it sat on an easel being bid on.
In a kind of shock I only half noticed it was one of the big auction houses like Sotheby's or Christie's. You have to excuse me since my brains really wasn't tracking that well.
It was the final bid that had me spitting coffee all over Chuck.
Forty-nine and some change million pounds!
Choking, Kimmie and Angel were trying to help me breathe.
Chuck simply sat there soaking in coffee, speechless.
Eyes watering, I finally started breathing again. Afraid we'd caused a scene, I futility looked about us, but this early in the morning the few that had noticed, moved away probably thinking I'd thrown up from a hang-over instead of surprise.
Noticing our poor friend I'd spewed caffeine all over. “I'm sorry Chuck!”
Kimmie and Angel observing another emergency passed him a handful of napkins.
He however simply calmly turned to me. “You drew that?” he asked in a too normal voice. “That is a very rare picture of the Lost Prince.”
“Yes, but please keep it to yourself. I'm not supposed to tell.” I whispered to him since the cat was out of the bag. In a classic double take, it hit me. “Prince, Lost?” I asked numbly.
“You're the aristocrat Femme Fatale Pointy-Ear that's out to corrupt him?” He blinked from the emotional overload.
“Femme, lost, fatale, prince, what?” I asked very, very confused.
He began to laugh.
To be continued in 'The Wild Side: Summer Vacation.'