I'm just loving Ringan - who resents the entire thing so much, and is always so scared for Penny's sake - being the vulnerable one

This. Now I want to know how Penny responds.

Want Cruel Sister. Want it now.

Actually, Amazon is still telling me Famous Flower "hasn't been released" yet. Stoopid Amazon.

Lee, love the World Crossing intro to Buffistas. I'm not getting the second drabble, though. It could be I'm dense and coffee-deficient, though.

And Amy, did I say I love your fairy tale drabbles? You catch that moody, otherworldly atmosphere very well.

Thanks Beverly, On the second one, I think it's the last line, which may be one of those things that make sense only to me. I'm goiing to think about it and mayb change it when I get to work.

eta: made one quick change, and will think more after coffee has kicked in.

Deb, that sounds delicious. I love the Tudors. Imagine if they were alive today -- the gossip sheets would be full of nothing else. And Ringan as the "medium" in this one is a wonderful twist.

Bev, I think I forgot to tell you that I can't quite believe you don't have stories to tell -- I love to read anything you write. {{Bev}}

Lee, I read the end of the second drabble as "someone she would spend three years of her life with". Is that close to what you meant? And now I see from your edit that you already changed something, but I have to go back and look because it's on the previous page. Wheee! I was right.

Susan, I liked your drabble. The last sentence was the kicker.

Also forgot to tell P-C that I did read the story -- and thank you for reminding me it was buried in my email -- and I would love to make some suggestions, if you can give me a few days. My deadline is hanging so far over my head now, I can barely see to type, and I shouldn't, actually, be here at all... For what it's worth at the moment, I think it's really powerful, and I think there's lots (most of it, really) to save there. Maybe just stringing it together differently?

For what it's worth at the moment, I think it's really powerful, and I think there's lots (most of it, really) to save there.

Oh, thanks. I pretty much wrote it cause the professor liked that kind of thing, and then I had the idea, so I had to give it a try. It was fun, but I don't know if it's anything beyond that. I think the characters were supposed to be more believably neurotic and thus make some sort of statement about modern day relationships, but I think I just turned them into jokes instead.

Maybe just stringing it together differently?

How so? I know the princess' thoughts really aren't up to par with the prince's. Also, if I do decide to work on this, what the hell magazine would publish it?

Amy, I too am really enjoying the fairy tale drabbles. I love the way you're bringing humanity and intimacy of characterization to them.

Oh, and a topic idea for Teppy--maybe at some point we could do Fateful Farewells, or Departures or Goodbyes or somesuch.

Thank you, ma'am -- I bookmarked it.

Fate drabble

My answering machine is blinking, red, red, red. I hit the button as I walk by, collapse onto the chair to listen. I expect Ronnie or El. Maybe Amy.

The voice is deep and male and familiar, though I haven't heard it in five years. Holy shit. Dave. Last time I spoke to him he was in Australia...or wait, maybe Arizona. How did he get this number?

He works in tv now; he's going to be in New York next week. Do I want to get together?

I write down his pager and feel wary, weary. He better not still have that adolescent crush.

I've sworn off men.