The Portrait of Zool

White! Mild or Corn or Medium or Hot salsa?

Love it!

Routine is nice - unless you've had your fill of it. Love or Security?

Depends when you ask. Words: Abstract or concrete?

LOL! Cats - and dogs - can seem so... human! IMO, poetry is 'definitely' the way to talk to your pet - especially with such great Haiku as that!

"Grimmael knew the first thing he would need was a base of operation. As much as he was capable of living in the forest, he needed to put his time towards other things than just surviving. Being the faithful servant that he is, He didn't want me languishing in the pits of hell any longer than absolutely necessary. Fortunately he had had the foresight to grab a fistful of Geld before he left Terra Old.Unfortunately things were not to start smoothly. On trying to procure room and board, he produced his Geld coins to pay for it and was told they weren't any good. The proprietor said that he would have to exchange the Terra Old Geld for Terra New Geld, and that the exchange rate was 10 to 1!He declined, but on looking around he found that the fix was in - every shop in town stubbornly held to the same rule, even though the new Geld was almost exactly like the old Geld, being the same size and shape and made of Gold, but with a different design on it. Clearly, the businesses of Terra New were profiting from the fall of Terra Old, and in a big way. Though his new home was certainly more peaceful, This was his first indication that cunning and treachery were still alive and well.Grimmael accepts a very humble station in life for himself, preferring service above pride (just one of his many unfathomable quirks) but given the situation, the fact that I was counting on him, he did not take that lying down. Calculating that if he accepted the going exchange rate he wouldn't have enough left to last a week, he took his old Geld coins into the forest and reworked them into new Geld. Now while...""If I could ask a question..." interrupted Dreadful again, raising a finger.Zool sighed. I'm going to regret this, he murmured to himself, saying aloud, "What is it?""You said Grimmael had no magic, so just how did he change the old Geld into new Geld?"All eyes turned to Zool. "He re-struck them, of course," was the reply.All heads swiveled to Lord Dreadful. He put on his best 'confused' face, relishing the spotlight, and said slowly, dramatically, emphasizing every word, "Re-struck them how?""Well, he went into the forest... there were chips of stone lying about, he simply...""That's ridiculous," snapped Dreadful. "Such a feat is surely impossible. even for an able-bodied person.""Oh, but he did do exactly that!" said Zool vehemently. "Not only that, but when he went back into town the coins were accepted without question!""I find that difficult to believe," stated Dreadful, folding his arms. "The very notion, even were he a master metal smith, is absurd. What did he do next, make a portal to hell out of a bear skin and a mayonnaise jar?" There were several guffaws at that from the other diners, causing Dreadful to almost smile. Zool turned red, but seemed to take stock and decide on a new strategy, visibly taking hold of himself. "Lord Dreadful," he said at last, seeming to measure each word, "I realize that reworking a coin face to convincingly look like a different coin is a very difficult task, especially given the conditions under which he had to work. I submit that this is exactly what makes it worthy of being included in the story, and not just that, it is what actually happened. In all honesty, I admit I didn't stop to think of it as critically as you when it was first related to me, but then I have known Grimmael for a long time, and such a thing from him does not surprise me, because I know him, and I know him to be a very talented servant."Dreadful shook his head. "That too is just as inexplicable. If he is truly as capable as you say, why would he ever choose to be a servant?"Zool nodded. "Yes, on the face of it that also looks inexplicable, but you can be assured he has his reasons, or so he has assured me, and proven to me through his many years of faithful service."Dreadful opened his mouth to speak, but Zool was quicker, cutting him off. "Now IF you will allow me to finish my story - a story which you all demanded I tell - I think it will answer most, if not all, of your questions - IF you will let me tell it!"Several of the diners were now glaring at Lord Dreadful, causing him to acquiesce."Very well then," continued Zool. "As I said, while out in the forest..."

I popped in one of my favorite DVDs.

"The Terra he found himself in was vastly different from the Terra he had escaped," said Zool. "For one thing, his surroundings were now the result of geography and climate, rather than the whim of whoever ruled the Magedom he happened to be in. This told him something right away. Instead of the various Keeps of the Lords, he needed to scout the taverns and back woods for what he needed, which was sorcery - and a lot of it.Funny thing about Grimmael and magic: He has a very pragmatic approach, treating it like any ordinary force, like the operation of some sort of clockwork or even outright chicanery. I mean, he depends on it, the same as any other, but it can be remarkable his unflappability in the face of the most awesome displays of magical force. When I found him and took him in I at first thought he might have been impressed with some of my own displays of the Eradication arts, but in our time together I never saw him impressed at all - not in the least."Lord Dreadful gave one short bark of laughter, then managed to get control of himself by clapping one hand over his mouth and the other over his eyes, planting his elbows solidly on the table. He quickly recovered, looking up at Zool and apologizing. "Sorry. My tourette's acts up every once in a while. Please, continue."Even the Swami had to smile at that.Zool glared at Dreadful for a full five seconds before again continuing. "Despite this inexplicable attitude towards my magic..." Again Zool glared, but Dreadful maintained perfect control. "...and magic in general, Grimmael knew that in order to save his Master that is what he needed. Not having any himself, he set out to find what he needed."If I could ask a question...?" said Yasmina, feeling it was once again time to redirect the discussion, and head off the rising tensions."Of course, Lady Yasmina," said Zool with a feeling of exaggerated largesse and a quick glance of disdain towards Dreadful. "I'm always open to a question.""Didn't you ever try to teach Grimmael any magic?""Of course! But he just shrugged it off.""Why would he do that? Where did he come from anyway?"Zool look thoughful. "Ya know, he never told me where he was from, insisting that he had left his past and wanted nothing to do with it. As to the magic, he wouldn't explain that either, though he did say once he had had all the power a man could ever want, and it didn't do anything for him... or something like that. I don't think he quite used those words..." Zool faded into a far away gaze for a moment, then snapped back to the present. "But if I may say so, my dear, this story is about me, so I should probably speak of something I know.""Oh," said Yasmina, somewhat taken aback, "Of course. My apologies.""Quite all right dear," replied Zool congenially.Yasmina looked around the table helplessly. Dreadful's mouth quivered, his expression teetering on the edge of control. The Swami grinned. Zool blithely forged ahead."Now, where was I? Oh yes..."

It seemed like wherever they were heading was a ways off, as they walked for some time. Lady Brighid herself felt pained at the labor just walking was for Grimmael. Though the caves were cold and damp sweat plastered the thin dark hair to his forehead, his breath coming in ragged gasps. It was apparent he was really pushing himself, though they were hardly moving at the pace of a swift walk. Twice she nearly rushed up to support him when it seemed he might fall over. Finally she just had to say something. "Are you okay? I am a healer of some skill... perhaps there is something I could do for you?"Grimmael rounded another bend without stopping or looking around. "This way," he said. After a pause he volunteered, "It's not much further," otherwise completely ignoring her words.That he had met Brighid could be a very good thing. For one thing it meant that they were nearing the end of the ordeal. Grimmael knew the caves held two challenges, one that faced a group individually, and the other one together. So complete was the fogs power of illusion, that it was possible for two people to walk right by each other and never see each other, so it was apparent they were at the completion of the first trial. Knowing this, he knew Brighid and him being together could be used to their advantage by him choosing where the rest of them would meet up. They just had to hurry, in hopes they were the first to come together, otherwise no matter where he thought he was going they would wind up finding themselves with the larger group. He dared not say any of this out loud to Brighid, however. The walls had ears, and their advantages were very slim.The cave they had entered began to widen, and then they found themselves inside a much larger cave. It was warmer too, and brighter. Grimmael hobbled over to the side of a raised pool that steamed gently - a natural hot spring! "We will wait here," he said, heaving his body onto a bench-like rock."Wait for what?" asked Brighid."To see what happens next," he answered in an odd tone, raising his head to look into her eyes with his good eye.Brighid decided Grimmael was definitely a bit rough around the edges, but gave it no more thought as she turned her attention to the hot spring. She warmed her hands over the steaming water for a moment before opening her bag and pulling out a cup made out of thin sheets of carefully hammered tin, each about an inch tall and one inside the other, so that it could be 'telescoped' into a full standing cup, or collapsed into a flat little shape that fit handily into her bag. Telescoping it into it's full cup shape she carefully dipped it into the water and raised it to her lips. It tasted sweet and clean, with a slight mineral tang and nothing sulfurous at all. "Delicious!" she proclaimed, which Grimmael echoed by nodding his head.Reaching into her bag she produced another folding cup, which she also filled with the hot water, then she pulled out some herbs which she added to each cup. She didn't like these caves one bit, and wasn't sure what was going to happen next, but saw no reason not to take advantage of the sudden respite. She offered one of the cups to Grimmael. "Tea?"He took the proffered cup in his good hand and sipped, enjoying the warmth and the flavor. He recognized the restorative she had snuck into the mix, and he was grateful, saying simply, "Thank you." This was exactly what he had been hoping for. Now all they had to do was wait for the others ordeals to finish, and in turn be led to the cave of the Hot Springs.

"It was a dark and stormy night. The place was Terra Old. The time was... Armageddon!Rain and wind howled over the expansive black plain. As far as the eye could see the ground moved in slow writhing motion as millions of Zombies and Skeletons guarded their territory. To the rear was a thick band of Lich, and the sky was thick with Vampires and the stench and groans of the Zoms.The time was right...Arcing over the hills came the oil flasks. The Nether units didn't even know they were being attacked until the flasks shattered against them and the ground, saturating everything in extremely flammable oils. Then the Red Dragons roared over the hills, hundreds of them, mighty wings spread wide. The enemy didn't even have time to turn before the sky split in a searing blast. Inferno, the ultimate offensive Eradication Magic battle spell had been released. The ground trembled, then shook, then broke apart, opening below their feet. White hot Lava fountained from the depths of Terra, incinerating to ash a million oil drenched Zoms and Skels in a single instant. Through the inferno roared the Dragons, incinerating another million in their first pass.The dark land was now a molten hell, the mountains leveled, the air crackling and sulpherous.A very beautiful victory, indeed..."Zool took a breath, interrupting his narration to let out a tremendous sigh. "But it couldn't last." he said, quickly resuming his introduction. "The final fall of Terra Old was the fall of Zool. The Nether mage survived my assault, and in his counterstrike I was decimated, annihilated, eradicated - killed to death." He sighed again, all observing a short moment of silence for Zool's passing. "Even worse, unlike the majority of mages, I wasn't the best at long term planning. While others had made preparations for the escape of Terra Old, I was so absorbed in the gratuitous passions of magery that I had not, and so when the diaspora came I was left trapped in the nine hells, unable to reincarnate, as there was no longer anything to incarnate to. Of course it is timeless in hell, every moment an eternity, so I can't say just how long I was actually there. I had no hope - or so I thought. It eventually turned out I did have one hope, the same hope that had saved me countless times on Terra - and that was Grimmael. It turned out he had survived the obliteration of Terra Old, escaping to Terra New.""If the destruction was as complete as you say, how did he ever escape?" interrupted Lord Dreadful, with a slight smirk and one eyebrow raised. "I mean, I don't intend to throw doubts on your story, but Grimmael has no magic or for that matter any discernible skills whatsoever, so it does seem rather unlikely he could escape the destruction of an entire world, don't you think?""I don't know, as he has never related the details to me" replied Zool, "He merely indicated that the less I know about that the better, but if you will let me finish the story you will soon find that he isn't as helpless or talentless as you seem to think - far from it! And besides, I find my story every bit as likely as following a flashing fish through a forest at night during a storm."Dreadful had nothing to say to that retort, allowing Zool to continue...

That is really good! I also love the first two songs on side two, Lino and Turquoise. Now listening to some good 'ol classic American Rock 'n Roll!!

I got my Vespero LP today! The package was a bit beat up, but it all came out fine, and am listening to it now. I read when I ordered it that only 300 copies were made. Thanks for turning me on to it!

"And that's my story," said Lord Dreadful, sitting down at the same time as a fresh plate was placed in front of him and wine was being poured into his new glass, then he looked around. "Where did Cricket go?" he asked. "Cricket is currently indisposed," replied Zool to the collected company. "Is she all right?" asked the Swami with evident and well deserved concern after recent events. "Oh yes, quite all right. I'm sure she will be rejoining us presently, She just had a few things to attend to." said Zool before continuing by changing the subject. "That was quite a story Dreadful. Perhaps Swami you could tell us how you came to be at the Pen?" he enquired, turning to the enigmatic Noguru. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd stop by." The other revelers looked at him, a tinge suspiciously, he thought.. "No, really. I have a gig in the village and thought I'd stop by to see how my old pal Zool was doing, who I heard had taken up residence" said the Swami, somewhat apologetically. "And I'm glad I did. I'd heard you had changed, but had no idea...." The Swami was unable to finish the sentence, but decided to press on. "Please tell us... How did you come to the Pen - and how is it you were turned into a portrait?" The table nodded in unison, everyone's curiosity coming to the fore. Zool sighed. That question never seemed to go away. Looking around at all the expectant faces he felt somewhat cornered, but after brief reflection resigned himself to the situation. "Well," he began, "The thing is a certain manservant had a lot to do with it, and I kinda promised him I'd keep it on the down-low, being as if certain people caught wind of it there might be some, err, consequences." "You mean Grimmael cheated someone, so you've been afraid to tell anybody," said Lord Dreadful. Zool blanched. "Now, I didn't say that, um, exactly... Oh, cheese and crackers! Grimmael seems to be uncharacteristically not around right now, so I'll just tell you the story - but remember I never mentioned his name!" "Fair enough," said the Swami with a straight face, and everyone settled back for the curious tale of How Zool became a painting, and then came to be at the Pen is Mightier than the Sword!

I don't. I have The Yes Album, Fragile, Union, Topographic Oceans, and 90125 - and will definitely check out that one!

I do have that on vinyl - most definitely!

I am SO buying this DVD!

Going from your link, I found this: Those guys are so awesome!

I need to get more Yes albums. What are your favorites?

Funny how things get lost in the shuffle of RL. In reply to the above - what is Mahjong? Pastels or primary colors?

Mayhem had quickly ensued when the carp got free. Desperate for escape, it released it's full energy on the room. The patrons wisely ducked for cover. Rydia ducked out of sheer necessity, with the uncontrolled energy of fish and all manner of random objects flying about. Presently, however, it began to dissipate. There are no windows in the Boaz Room, with one wall actually the outer wall of the Pen, and the others stoutly built. Carp found itself quite literally between a rock and a hard place. It had found freedom, but no escape. At last it hesitated, not having found any exit, and not sure what to do next. Rydia took immediate advantage. She 'spoke' to Carp in a mixture of intuitive ear-speak and sparkle. All fish are very sensitive to sparkles - it's how they locate food, along with smell - and the ear speak was more wish than communication, but Rydia used what worked. Carp caught sight of her, and immediately went to her. She was finally able to soothe and calm the great fish. Gradually the dinner-goers began to come out. Once again, the clean-up brigade spilled out of the back room and straightened and cleaned with their usual efficiency. It was just a matter of minutes before the room was once again fit to eat in - and just as soon as that the new plates began arriving from the kitchen.

Currently listening to:

Grimmael's dimly glowing lamp did little to abate the damp clinging fog of the caves. He had seen the trap doors open and the others fall through, but was unable to do anything about it. He knew where they must have fallen, had visited the caves once before long ago, so knew where they were, and that they were to be avoided. Though they were not dangerous in themselves, they caused a peculiar experience with a perspective that could be unsettling to the unaware - which he was, the first time he'd found them. Though the issue revealed was still painful - as always, consuming his life - he'd come to terms with the conditions of the cave. He was pretty sure...As he approached the end of the cave he was in that then teed off in either direction a huge rectangular shape on the rock wall resolved out of the fog. "Hoist me up Grimmael. I tire of this cave, and desire another wall to grace," said the full size figure as it looked down condescendingly from within the enormous painting.Grimmael eyed the illusion for but a moment, then turned left and followed the new cave. He gave a small guffaw as he passed. Surely the caves could do better than that."Where are you going!" called the portrait. "You OWE me! You would be nothing without me! You must bear me FOREVER!!" The shouting faded as he walked deeper into the caves. Something like that, but then that's the breaks, thought Grimmael wryly. He thought no more about it, for then a new figure came out of the fog, one Grimmael had not seen in a very long time, one from out of his past which he had run so far for so long from. Now you're getting to it, he thought grimly. Let's see if you have anything I haven't thought about every day for years on end."What?" said Grimmael out loud to the impossible visage in front of him.The figure looked hurt. "Now is that any way to greet your brother, whom you haven't seen for so very long?"Grimmael knew better than to waste time in epistemological debate, which telling him he wasn't actually his brother would inevitably lead to. It was remarkable, though, the long curve of his nose set perfectly in his finely boned face, the pale, almost sallow skin, the dark hair trimmed very short, and piercing brown eyes... We were so young then, he reflected. Less than a century. Willfully, he maintained his focus. "What do you want?""What are you going to wish for?" said the pseudo-brother excitedly."What should I wish for?" replied Grimmael cannily."Aegla.""I don't believe in magic," stated Grimmael, turning to go."You've got to be kidding me!" said the pseudo-brother, grabbing his arm to stop him."She's dead, Plumbus!" shouted Grimmael, locking eyes with the phantom. A tense moment passed as Grimmael glared into the phantom's eyes, his shout echoing back to them over and over, then he shook the hand off his arm and turned to go again, saying, "She's dead, and I killed her, and nothing can change that. Ever." He walked on, again evading the traps that lay like sharks just under the surface, though they nipped at his heels and the ripples washed over his toes."You can do this Aurous! You know where the stone is - you could be the one! You could bring her back - you could finally HEAL!!"Like the previous illusion, the shouting faded as he made his way down the passage. He had a good idea of where everyone would end up, and he intended to be on hand for the danger he knew awaited the others.

My son loves Joy Division too.

An album my son turned me on to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3oRUd7meeA

Awesome! Ya know, I have red albums, green albums, white albums, clear albums, even orange albums - but I ain't got no blue albums. I may have to get one!