Many important moments in our lives pass unmarked by solemn ceremonies or other rights of passage, such as weddings, graduations, and funerals. Usually, they are far more fleeting, passing almost unnoticed. Even so, and how ever brief, they are often the very moments that define us as who and what we are; and just as importantly, who and what our friends are. This story is a collection of a few such moments, like steppingstones through time, in the life of a very special person named Emily.

They told me
I could be
Anything I wanted
Asked me what
I meant to be
When I grew up
When I told them
"I want to be a mommy!"
They changed their tune
"You can't be a mommy
You can only be a daddy!"
My life could be
A consolation prize
And then they wonder
Why I don't know me

LGBT existed a long time before the labels came into being. Bigotry and discrimination were there at the same time. This is a story how those attitudes can affect our descendants.

Chapter 6 - The Plot Thickens

by Monica Rose and Marina Kelly
Editor: Qmodo

Once she had finished breakfast, Mary headed back over to the library. As she pulled into the parking lot, she saw Patrick standing outside the building, arms folded and looking upset. Getting out of her car she rushed to his side, "Pat, why are you pacing around out here?"

Masks Sixteen: Part Seven

by

Rodford Edmiston

"This is more private?!" said Gadgetive, as they seated themselves around the weathered picnic table. "There's dozens of folks watching us!"

"You'll notice, though, that they're keeping their distance," said Energia. "That's an unspoken rule; if folks come out here that means they want privacy, and that means they get it. That includes folks keeping their distance, too. It's sort of a school tradition. So, what's going on?"

"You checked for bugs, right?" said Ike.

I, Vengeance, stood next to Justice as we waited for the warmonger Ishbal Kamizan to be brought before us.

We waited for some time before Honour entered the room, four guards surrounding the warmonger behind him. The guards placed the broken shell of a man in the seat in the middle of the room, then moved to take up positions around the room.

Justice faced him and spoke, "Ishbal Kamizan, you sit before us accused of genocide and mass murder, how do you plead?"

We are the Servants of Redemption. We are seven, five women, two men, united in her service, her Chosen in this world.

She calls herself Redemption in this age. She was here long, long ago, but the name she used then was lost as her people died.

Somehow, someone somewhere on this world found her, even though her name could not be remembered, and believed in her. Even she was mystified at the fact that she was reborn in a sense, she had been floating alone in a timeless void until that first person believed.

Jez makes friends, in virtual reality and actual reality.

.

.

Masks Sixteen: Part Five

by

Rodford Edmiston

"Why would someone say that?! I mean, yeah, Maldren and I are lovers, but so what?! We both fought to defend Earth!"

She was sitting in the office of President Sievers' assist Gompers, a few blocks from both the White House and the Capital. He had personally invited Energia to stop by later in the day as she was making ready to leave the awards ceremony.

Gompers paged through the folder on his desk until he found some loose cards. He selected one and handed it over the desk to the upset super.

Prologue: Of Masks and Men