Sunday

Mom and dad were merciful, they didn't disturb us until we were ready to get up. It's a good thing we had gotten used to sharing a bathroom, because it takes a while to get beautiful. We didn't go all out like the day before, Aida gave us a much simpler look for a casual day. I resolved to start learning how to do makeup magic if I had any intention of letting Lori out more often when this week was over.

The company have reached Faralan. They are welcomed with open arms and a desire for the country to join the Federation. However, the recent war has made those waiting for the visitors cautious, resulting in some unexpected questions - and the visitors to raise a few of their own.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

64 - An Unexpected Welcome

Introducing characters and locations first revealed in Tales of Upper Fanir by Julia Phillips.

Authors Note:
This is a story that I started intending it to be my entry for the BCTS Christmas 2021 Contest. In the end, I decided that it was not ‘Christmassy’ enough so I didn’t submit it.

Friday

That was one of the longest weeks in my life. I strove mightily to get things in shape so I could take the next week off. With Aida pulling evening shift so she could get the weekend off to meet my parents our only direct contact was last night's comedy. It helps when you're the boss, playing with the schedule is a bit easier that way. Also, her people were excited that she would be meeting her fiancée's parents. They were in on the scam with her parents, but not with the scam with me.

Absurdly, ironically, I wanted someone else to validate my choice;
to tell me whether my desires and feelings were enough,
when it came to making a decision for myself.

Stalking The Sparkle

I was out the door at quitting time, something that was not all that common. After all, what else do I have to do? Watch the tube, eat dinner, read a book, wash my clothes? Big deal. I liked my job and staying until I found a good place to stop didn't bother me at all.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a canon author.

Chapter 11

Eventually August rolled around and as it drew to a close the three of them packed up their new clothes for the trip to Whateley.

"Any last minute advice Sally?" Fred said as they headed towards the airport in the limo.

"Unless it's an emergency don't show any powers until you get to Whateley," Sally said. "And even then only on Green flag days."

"Try not to drool on any of the hot exemplar babes," Brita said. "Unless it's me of course."

Part 9

When we got back to the table and sat down we were quizzed by Annette on how we knew Mrs. Butcher, and I said that it had been in a professional capacity in an earlier life.

Annette wanted to know what my profession was and I just said, “Drunkard, but I’m over that now.”

We found out that Mr. Butcher was the Chairman of the Industry Board and the Head of the Building Approvals on the local council. He and his wife were the main organisers of this event and we were told that if we were going to help out everyone was happy with that.

The Realization

"Oh Lauren, I'm so sorry," cried Aida. "I was just so damn mad at that bitch with her 'bring your fiancé crap. She knew damn well that I don't have a fiancé."

"No, you've got a fiancée."

Jane bares her soul and finds her situation to be better accepted than she expected. She has a surprising and exciting new experience.

The following story was told to me by my friend Lana Tiffany Edwards, Lana Edward's grandfather, Elijah Edwards was Benton's undertaker for decades before he passed away from old age. He was also an avid collector of ghost stories. And one of those stories he loved to tell all those who would listen was about a farmer who was expecting his first child, when his child was born he was overjoyed to find out that his exhausted wife had given birth two twin boys. But his joy quickly turned to horror and shame as he noticed that the twins were conjoined.

A Slight Diversion

At this point I have to admit to a certain ambivalence. I had fantasized about making love to Aida more than once, but I chickened out long before she could say 'yes.' At that point the memories of my first - and only - experience with sexual intimacy messed things up. Now she had unmistakably said 'yes.'