Starbucks
(niknik2) (Adalia) *is doodling nervously in a nearly empty starbucks, waiting for people to show up*
(Aus) [Grant] (being as how he's a nosy fellow, has decided to invite himself and see what turns up... and peers on in) Huh. Am I early?
(jasonbeast) [William]: *enters, wheeling his little oxygen cannister behind him ... stops at the counter to order coffee ... dressed very Western, complete with Stetson and cowboy boots*
(niknik2) (Adalia) No, you're just in time! My father is paying foreverything, so feel free to order whatever you like!
(Aus) [Grant] Well, that's mighty generous of him. (gets himself a latte, and finds himself a seat)
(niknik2) (Adalia) This is wonderful! I'm so excited people are showing up!
(jasonbeast) [William]: *settles at the table, removing his hat and carefully setting it on the table behind him* Evenin', Miss Adalia.
(niknik2) [Eva] *enters, a little out of breath, tries not to look at anyone as she takes a seat*
* L - Michael walks on into the coffeeshop, looking around a bit edgily
(Aus) ((stares at L's screen) Mime!)
(Aus) (L's Michael command is /mime. Hehe...)
(niknik2) (Adalia) Good Evening! I'm so glad everyone could make it!
(Aus) [Grant] I must confess I've never been to one of these before.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *smiles*
(niknik2) (Adalia) I've held several- but this is the first one that people have actually showed up to.
(niknik2) [Eva] *eyes the food, and chews on the end of her hair*
(niknik2) (Adalia) Oh, help yourself to whatever you want.
(niknik2) (Adalia) If you didn't know, my name is Adaila Krause. Lets all introduce ourselves!
(jasonbeast) [William]: William Andersson, but my students just call me Tex.
* L - Michael creeps close enough that it's obvious he's there for the meeting, though he's on the very edge of activity.
(niknik2) (Adalia) What an interesting nickname!
(jasonbeast) [William]: Especially since I'm from Minnesota. *grins*
(L) [Michael] *mutters to himself, despite the obviousness* Minnesota isn't in Texas.
(niknik2) (Adalia) What's it like in Minnesota? Is it very different than here?
(jasonbeast) [William]: Hmm ... a mite colder in the winter. Otherwise, not really. Flat, green, quiet.
(niknik2) (Adalia) We have perfect weather here.
(niknik2) [Eva] *grabs a pastry*
(niknik2) (Adalia) Whats your name? *to Grant*
(niknik2) (Adalia) ... I have nametags! *shuffles through some papers* Then, after introductions, we can share our writing.
(Aus) [Grant] Grant. (smiles)
* L - Michael considers edging back out the door.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *helps himself to a cherry danish*
(Aus) [Grant] Grant DuPrey. My writing needs some work, I must admit.
(niknik2) (Adalia) This is the right place to be, and it counts towards service, which is very important.
(niknik2) [Eva] *q* What do I have to do to get the credits? Just sit here?
(niknik2) (Adalia) Introduce yourself! You do n't have to share if you don't want to.
(niknik2) [Eva] Eva Neumann. *takes another pastry*
(L) [Michael] *after a bit of hesitation, quietly offers* I'm Michael...
(niknik2) (Adalia) I really am very glad to meet all of you. *smiles* This is wonderful.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *looks around* Pretty good little group.
(niknik2) (Adalia) *glances around* There are five. Five is a great number.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Well- I suppose that I will share something, since we all have been introduced?
(Aus) [Grant] Sounds good, then.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *settles back in his chair*
(niknik2) (Adalia) The title of this is 'In the circle'. *stands, smiles, and prepares to read from her notebook*
(niknik2) [Before she can read, the ground shakes, it lasts for about 15 seconds, and knocks a couple of tables over, and some books from the book shelves.]
(niknik2) [Eva] *falls out of her chair*
* L - Michael looks pretty freaked out by this, and ducks behind a table.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Jeezum crow, what the heck ... ? *picking himself up off the floor*
(L) [Michael] *mutters, mostly to himself* I didn't do it.
(niknik2) (Adalia) *stands up, because she was knocked down too* That never happens.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Is everyone ok?
(jasonbeast) [William]: ... not in Iowa.
(Aus) [Grant] ... (eyes his former latte as he regains his seating) And hopefully also never happens again.
* L - Michael peers cautiously around the table.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Not in this town.
(L) [Michael] Just did.
(L) [Michael] Happen, that is.
(Aus) [Grant] As long as the earth has no more constructive criticism to add...
(jasonbeast) [William]: No fault lines cuttin' through this part of the country.
(niknik2) [Eva] I got jam all over my shirt. *getting back in her seat*
(jasonbeast) [William]: *heads over and starts re-shelving books*
(niknik2) (Adalia) Oh, I can pay you for it!
(niknik2) [adolpho krause] - *walks in* Adalia? Are you alright?
(niknik2) (Adalia) Yes. Everyone is alright?
* L - Michael ducks back behind the table
(Aus) [Grant] Yeah, we're fine.
(niknik2) (Adalia) We were in the middle of our meeting. Everything is fine.
(niknik2) [Adolpho] - I will speak with you later. *leaves after taking one last look around the room*
(niknik2) (Adalia) Well- where were we?
(jasonbeast) [William]: *finishes shelving ... straightens the books a bit, then sits again*
* L - Michael emerges again once he leaves.
(Aus) [Grant] You were about to read.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *nods*
(niknik2) (Adalia) ..yes- I was. *picks up her notebook again*
(niknik2) (Adalia) In the circle. I stand, in the center. None dare enter. The time grows late. I know my fate. Then it is over.
(niknik2) (Adalia) That's my first poem.
(niknik2) [Eva] *tries not to snicker*
* L - Michael perks up a bit, to listen.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Father said that my writing is really good...
(Aus) [Grant] Hmm... sounds introspective, but carefully nondescript enough that it could be any scene.
(L) ((Eep, I was lagging a bit))
(niknik2) (Adalia) Wow. That's the most anyone has said about my writing! *writes that down*
(Aus) [Grant] I'm not sure whether I like the flow of it, to be honest - it gives a very peculiar feeling. Which, if that's what you're going for, is a good thing.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Well, I wanted it to rhyme, but not too much.
* L - Michael doesn't say anything about whether he liked it or not.
(niknik2) (Adalia) That went well! Who wants to go next?
(Aus) [Grant] (looks around a moment, fishing a small memo pad from his coat pocket)
(niknik2) [The two employees are picking things up,cleaning tables, and being really nosy. It's pretty much just the group in the place, and two teenage employees]
(Aus) [Grant] I'll go if nobody else wants to. (wry grin)
(jasonbeast) [William]: *is taking notes*
(niknik2) [Eva] *finishes her pastry before sitting back to listen*
(niknik2) (Adalia) *takes her seat* THat would be wonderful. Thank you.
(Aus) [Grant] (opens his notebook - checks a few pages...)
(Aus) [Grant] ~There was a man said that every cloud has a silver lining;
(Aus) [Grant] ~Apparently that man never flew a plane,
(Aus) [Grant] ~For if he had, he'd've touched the clouds,
(Aus) [Grant] ~And found them misty and insubstantial as dreams.
(Aus) [Grant] ~The last dream I ever held in my hand
(Aus) [Grant] ~Was five foot seven, with blue eyes
(Aus) [Grant] ~and long lashes that could catch a man's heart,
(Aus) [Grant] ~And let me tell you, those who dare to hold a dream
(Aus) [Grant] ~Find themselves looking down -
(Aus) [Grant] ~For it's a terrible distance to fall.
(Aus) [Grant] ... It's not really done yet, I'm afraid, but I'm working on more of the spoken-word poetry than the rhyming. (wry grin)
* L - Michael claps quietly, having liked that.
(niknik2) [Eva] That was nice.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Very nicely done. *claps quietly as well*
(niknik2) (Adalia) I enjoyed that, even without it rhyming. Have you considered writing for the newspaper? We're short a writer.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Gerta wrote for the paper- before she left.
(Aus) [Grant] Thanks... I hadn't, really. (wry smile) I might, though... perhaps I'll look into it.
(Aus) [Grant] So then... who's next?
* L - Michael looks around, hoping someone else will go.
(niknik2) (Adalia) I'll read another poem that I wrote, if anyone is interested!
(jasonbeast) [William]: I could read somethin'.
(Aus) [Grant] Well, we haven't heard from William yet, so perhaps he shoudl go first.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Alright. *smiles, and puts away her terrible poetry*
(jasonbeast) [William]: "Floating upward through a confusion of dreams and memory, curving like a trout through the rings of previous risings, I surface. My eyes open. I am awake.
(jasonbeast) [William]: "Cataract sufferers must see like this when the bandages are removed after the operation: every detail as sharp as if seen for the first time, yet familiar too, known from before the time of blindness, the remembered and the seen coalescing as in a stereoscope."
(jasonbeast) [William]: "It is obviously very early. The light is no more than dusk that leaks past the edges of the blinds. But I see, or remember, or both, the uncurtained windows, the bare rafters, the board walls with nothing on them except a calendar that I think was here the last time we were, eight years ago."
(jasonbeast) [William]: "What used to be aggressively spartan is shabby now. Nothing has been refreshed or added since Charity and Sid turned the compound over to the children. I should feel as if I were waking up in some Ma-and-Pa motel in hard-times country, but I don’t. I have spent too many good days and nights in this cottage to be depressed by it."
(jasonbeast) /wm "There is even, as my eyes make better use of the dusk and I lift my head off the pillow to look around, something marvelously reassuring about the room, a warmth even in the gloom. Associations, probably, but also color. The unfinished pine of the walls and ceilings has mellowed, over the years, to a rich honey color, as if stained by the warmth of the people who built it into a shelter for their friends. I take it as an omen; and though I remind myself why we are here, I can't shake the sense of loved familiarity into which I just awoke.
(jasonbeast) [William]: "The air is as familiar as the room. Standard summer-cottage taint of mice, plus a faint, not-unpleasant remembrance of skunks under the house, but around and through those a keenness as of seven thousand feet. Illusion, of course. What smells like altitude is latitude. Canada is only a dozen miles north, and the ice sheet that left its tracks all over this region has not gone for good, but only withdrawn. Something in the air, even in August, says it will be back.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *pauses* ... It's kind of a work in progress.
(Aus) [Grant] (nods) I like where it's going.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Thank you. *smiles*
(L) [Michael] *m* It's scary.
(niknik2) [Eva] *looks down at her hands and speaks quietly* It was nice.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Everyone is so talented tonight! I think this is a wonderful group so far.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *nods slowly, turns to a blank page again*
* L - Michael puts his hand into his jacket pocket, turns over the crumply piece of paper in there into his hand, considering whether he should take it out and share.
(niknik2) (Adalia) *looks at the other two people, Michael with his hand in his pocket, and Eva, who is chewing on her hair, and not looking at anybody* DOes anyone else want to read? If not, I have other poems!
(L) [Michael] I...um.. I have something.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Oh, alright! *smiles* Go ahead.
(L) [Michael] *takes out the crumbly piece of paper and unfolds it, his hair kind of falling over his eyes as he looks down to read, not looking at anyone, his voice very quiet* The calendar's pages fade and fall, like leaves on a seasonal tree.
(Aus) [Grant] (listens up)
(L) [Michael] Every day similar, every week another echo of the week before.
(L) [Michael] From memory, her voice calls - distant, indistinct, like wind through the leaves, stirring up the forgotten hopes
(L) [Michael] The movement, of its own accord is frightening - to take a step across the chasm of disbelief is to realise you've always been falling
(L) [Michael] To turn the page, before it falls.. is strenght you never possessed, to catch it on the way down is to acknowledge your own downward spiral, so you sit...
(L) [Michael] watching the days blend to weeks to years... straining ears, for the voice that never embodies...
(L) [Michael] ...for the return that never returns, for the time that never untimes, for nothing solid ever stays. *crumbles the paper back up*
(jasonbeast) [William]: Beautiful.
(niknik2) [Eva] That was good.
(Aus) [Grant] (nods) Sounds very sad, but that -is- the point, I think.
* L - Michael blushes, but smiles a little.
(niknik2) (Adalia) It was wonderful.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Eva.. you haven't read yet.. are you going to share today? It's ok if you don't want to
(niknik2) [Eva] ..just here for the credit. *looks down*
(Aus) [Grant] (amused grin)
(jasonbeast) [William]: *shakes his head*
(niknik2) (Adalia) Oh. Well, next time I can have something here that you like doing, if you don't like writing.
(niknik2) (Adalia) I know this is a writing group - But I don't want to leave anyone out.
(Aus) [Grant] You could bring your homework.
(niknik2) [Eva] Yeah.. I could...
(niknik2) (Adalia) Oh, that would be good! You couold do your homework, while everyone else shares.
(L) [Michael] *q* Sharing is hard
(Aus) [Grant] (nods) Always is.
(niknik2) [Eva] *looks up a little* I'm a little shy.. I don't really share that much.
(L) [Michael] Me too... plus, y'know... high school isn't the best place for sharing things.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *w* That's okay ... maybe when you're a little more comfortable with the group.
* L - Michael looks back down.
(niknik2) [Eva] They used to all laugh at me. *chews on the end of her hair a bit, looking away*
(Aus) [Grant] . o O ( Maybe your poetry sucks? )
(jasonbeast) [William]: Well ... I'm a little long in the tooth to go to high school with you ... We're not them. *encouraging smile*
(niknik2) [Eva] ... *shakes her head*
(niknik2) [Eva] It's better to be here than to go to that party tonight.
(niknik2) (Adalia) ... Don't go to the parties. I'll make sure none of you get invited.
(L) [Michael] *w* I don't like parties. Too many people.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Yes, too many people, the food is terrible, and they are a bore.
(Aus) [Grant] (amused) Thanks... I think?
(jasonbeast) [William]: Sounds like a faculty party.
(jasonbeast) [William]: I avoid 'em, myself.
(niknik2) (Adalia) It's good to avoid those... good to avoid all the parties.
(L) [Michael] 'Cause people are scary?
(niknik2) (Adalia) The parties are scary.. full of scary people.
(Aus) [Grant] Hm, pity... it sounds interesting.
(niknik2) (Adalia) You can still go if you would like. I don't want to stop you.
(niknik2) (Adalia) I don't recommend it, however.
(Aus) [Grant] (amused) We'll see, I guess.
(niknik2) (Adalia) If you go, take this for good luck. *reaches in her pocket, and pulls out a keychain shaped like a flat silver coin. It's smooth on both sides*
(Aus) [Grant] Hmm. (takes it, takes a look at it for a moment) Thanks. (absently attaches it to his keys)
(niknik2) [smooth, silver and most likely some kind of talisman, but it makes a neat keychain!]
(niknik2) (Adalia) If anyone else wants to go.. just let me know, and I can arrange for things to go smoothly.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *nods slowly*
(L) [Michael] Pretty... *eyes the talisman*
(L) [Michael] I don't want to go... but... can I have one of those too, please? *shy smile*
(Aus) [Grant] (thinks it makes a neat keychain indeed. Come to the writing club and you get great gifts.)
(niknik2) (Adalia) Yes. I have- *reaches in her pocket and glances at what she pulls out of it* four others. *hands one over to Michael* Would anyone else like one?
(jasonbeast) [William]: Much obliged. *holds out hand*
(niknik2) (Adalia) *hands one over to William*
(jasonbeast) [William]: *looks at it, both sides, then slips it into his pocket*
(niknik2) [Eva] Can I have one?
(niknik2) (Adalia) Yes. *smiles, and hands it over to her. They are smooth on both sides, and appear to be blank.]
(L) [Michael] Thank you... *folds it carefully into the palm of his hand to see what it feels like, never mind that it's all blank*
* L is now known as L[snackomfg]
(niknik2) [They feel safe.. they protect and cloak the holder from the demons that rule the city. Its a pretty powerful talisman*
* L[snackomfg] is now known as L
* L - Michael takes his and attaches it to the silver necklace that he wears around his neck, though not letting anyone see what else might be hanging from it in the process.
(niknik2) [Eva] Thank you.. I'll try not to lose it. *reaches down and puts it in her sock*
(L) [Michael] I like it.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Thank you.
(Aus) [Grant] Again, thank you... so, who's next?
(L) [Michael] *sheepish* I only brought one.
(niknik2) (Adalia) I have another one, if anyone wants to hear it!
(Aus) [Grant] Alright, let's hear it.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Of course.
(niknik2) (Adalia) I've titled this one 'The Path'
(niknik2) (Adalia) I walk through a door, on an unguided tour- I follow the trail, destined to fail, but once you get in, what awaits is the end.
(niknik2) (Adalia) The last two lines don't really rhyme. I need to woek on it a little more.
(Aus) [Grant] Well, the question is, are you intending it to rhyme? It does work as a slant rhyme.
(L) [Michael] ...do poems have to rhyme?
(Aus) [Grant] No. Actually, some of the best ones don't. But having rules to follow helps you get into a particular style of poetry.
(niknik2) (Adalia) It doesn't have to rhyme, but everything else I write doesn't sound like poetry.
(Aus) [Grant] Not all writing is.
(L) [Michael] Okay.. I was worried, 'cause mine don't ever rhyme, 'cept when I'm writing songs..
(niknik2) [Eva] *q* You write songs?
(Aus) [Grant] Really. (eyes Michael)
* L - Michael nods, looking a little shy.
(L) [Michael] Um..they're not so good. But I try.
(L) [Michael] I play them on my guitar.
(niknik2) [Eva] *is in awe of Michael*
(Aus) [Grant] Nice.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Very nice.
(niknik2) (Adalia) I love music. If you wouldn't mind, I'm sure everyone would like to hear it sometime in the future?
(Aus) [Grant] (nods) I haven't heard much music around here.
(niknik2) (Adalia) There aren't many music fans in this town.
(L) [Michael] I..um.. sure.
(niknik2) (Adalia) How long have you been in town? *to grant*
(L) [Michael] *kinda plays with his hair and looks at the floor*
(niknik2) [Eva] *probably has hairballs, becuase she is almost always chewing on her hair*
(Aus) [Grant] Oh, not too long, in local terms... if I understand properly, those who've been here for ten years are still newcomers.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Some consider you a newcomer if you're not one of the original six families.
(L) [Michael] *q* My dad moved us here two years ago, after my mom left us...
(Aus) [Grant] Precisely.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *q* Where was home before that?
(niknik2) (Adalia) I'd like to travel someday.
(L) [Michael] New York... but my dad grew up here, so...
(L) [Michael] Back to Iowa.
(jasonbeast) [William]: *nods*
(niknik2) (Adalia) New York? I'd love to go there someday.
(niknik2) (Adalia) They have snow there. It only snows here on christmas day.
(Aus) [Grant] Well, at least then it's a white Christmas.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Yes. Everyone loves a white christmas, and perfect weather
(jasonbeast) [William]: Well ... *gathers up his notebook* It's been a pleasure, Miss Adalia. Same time, next week?
(jasonbeast) [William]: I have an early class tomorrow.
(niknik2) (Adalia) Yes! I'll be looking forward to it, and I'll work on my writing.
(L) [Michael] Thanks.. *shy smile* I'll..um.. come back next week. Maybe bring my guitar.
(Aus) [Grant] (nods) Sounds good.
(jasonbeast) [William]: Some words are better sung. Looking forward to it. *puts on his hat and heads out*
(niknik2) (Adalia) I've enjoyed meeting all of you. And I'll try not to have an earthquake at next weeks meeting
(niknik2) [Eva] ...bye *grabs a pastry and leaves quietly*
* L - Michael slinks towards the door.
(Aus) [Grant] (amused grin) If we have another earthquake, I'd say it was a pattern.