It was the umbrellas that drew her attention. Big, beautiful, colourful umbrellas artfully arranged in the corner window. From across the street, it looked as though someone had frozen a rainbow and set it on display. Even through the scaffolding it was brilliant, drawing her closer. As Leah walked along the window, she marvelled at … Continue reading Window Shopping
Stacey glanced nervously down at the bulge in her satchel as she hustled down the footpath to Scott’s apartment. Would anyone else notice? If they did, would they know it was a paddle? She jumped as a few leaves skittered across the darkened path. She was being silly, she knew. After all, she hadn’t really … Continue reading A Curious Crime
With thanks to Paolo of Wholebean and I Sarah and Mark's Story began here “Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After Enlightenment chop wood, carry water.” Slowly, her awareness returned to the room. The television was still prattling on, now discussing the first expedition to the summit of Mount Everest. Fitting again, Sarah thought. How had … Continue reading Much to Learn: Brave New World
With thanks to Paolo of Wholebean and I Sarah and Mark's Story began here Six weeks. She was supposed to have six weeks to prepare herself for this encounter. Although Sarah had initially been disappointed that between Mark’s schedule and hers there was no earlier date available for the two of them to get together, she … Continue reading Much to Learn: Best Laid Plans
With thanks to Paolo of Wholebean and I Sarah and Mark's Story began here It had been a long day at work, though that was hardly unusual. She had only just started in her new position, and they were still testing her. Today had been a trial by fire, and by the time she headed home … Continue reading Much to Learn: Tried as an Adult
Kyria's story began here Kyria flounced down on her bed with a dry sob. She bade the tears to come, to bring some relief, but they stubbornly remained hidden. Probably for the best, she thought to herself, this stuff won’t pack itself. She gazed around the tiny room that had been home for the better … Continue reading The Apprentice: The Academy, Part 3
With thanks to Paolo of Wholebean and I As Sarah approached the pub, she marvelled at her complete lack of panic. This was her third try, her third attempt to meet someone who might. . . . Although she wasn’t panicked, she still wasn’t able to complete that particular thought. Besides, she wasn’t even sure if … Continue reading Much to Learn: The Taste of Him
Kyria's story began here Kyria drew herself taller as she returned Master Cyrus’s stare across the council chamber. She shivered just as she had the last time she had faced him down, and she hoped that her heavy robes would conceal that sign of fear. Was that a smirk she saw? The shadows made it … Continue reading The Apprentice: The Academy, Part 2
She looked down at her drink, her eyes following a bead of condensation as it joined the ring forming at the base, adding yet another circle to the pattern she was painstaking laying across the tabletop in a vain attempt to distract herself from what she was about to do. Circles spiralled out from where … Continue reading Losing It
Kyria’s knees quaked as she into the centre of the council chamber. She tried to project an air of confidence, though she could find nothing inside from which to draw this feeling. She drew a deep breath. With her whole future at stake, she could hardly afford to let her emotions take over now. Her … Continue reading The Apprentice: The Academy, Part 1
Acknowledging Imperfection 