The Portrait of Zool

The discssion was suddenly interrupted by the bubbly shouting and singing of a merry crowd, making it's way down the street. At the center of the crowd of laughing partiers, bobbing, weaving, and sinuously staggering all over the place, was a very inebriated octopus. Racouol's eyes grew wide. "Those are my pants!" Xeros looked over. "Where?" "On the octopus! I'd know them anywhere." "Well," said Xeros confidently, "Let's go geth them..." "Not so fast," cautioned Racouol. "Those are my magical pants of deep pockets - there is no end to the mischief he could pull out with all those arms. This is going to take finesse." They continued to watch the inebriated octopus stagger down the street, stopping at every bar and tavern where the octopus would pay to have everyone's mug refilled. "That's my fortune he's spending! GRRR!!!" "Not so fast," said Xeros, now restraining Racoouol. If what you say is true, we're gonna have to use strategy. First off, I say let's.... join the party! Here, put this rag over your face so you won't be recognised." With Racouol's identity properly muzzled, they started across the street toward the revelers...

Very well conceived and executed Z. Science continues to explain away one thing after another - but never really explains it. It's fine to understand how to organize data streams in wafers of silicon crystal, but quite another to convey the human spirit, touching true mystery.

Happy B-day.

This story roxor!

Hope you had the happiest B-day - and many more!

Somewhere, in a forgotten fold of a forgotten dimension, sleeps a forgotten spirit. A ripple in the ether disturbs the sleeping mind. It dimly becomes aware of something familiar, something from long ago... He smiles, and can only think welcoming thoughts before slowly drifting back into the deeper dream... (We must do an adventure together!)

Parmenion, you rhetorically ask; "Does it not strike people as interesting how something written against the grain evokes more general interest than simply another love poem? Why is that?" Let me give my view on that which is that everyone is familiar with pain, are still coming to terms with security and control over their own lives, thus it resonates with everyone. At the center of life is a very deep pain, the pain of existance, the pain of loneliness, the weight of responsibility for self. It is only after we have come to know that pain, and come to terms with it, that we can let it go and freely explore the liberating power of love and joy - but that takes a lot of work and hard-won experience. No offense, but everyone here tends to be younger and are still looking for that freedom and security, thus more of us are usually more experienced with the rougher side of perception. That, IMO, is why you will find more general interest in the more negative themes.

Of course there've been more than a few controversial literary works here at the Pen, though this is a subject that probably hits a larger proportion of members than most. Very well concieved and articulated Parmenion, though I think all members need to show consideration for their fellow members sensitivites, without sacrificing creativity, of course. I recomend to anyone who posts something that could be viewed as offensive by others, to post a warning BEFORE the work. Many already do this, which is good, but we must always hold respecting others, equal to ourselves, as prime importance.

Welcome, Dev.

Reg: "All right ... all right ... but apart from better sanitation and medicine and education and irrigation and public health and roads and a freshwater system and baths and public order ... what HAVE the Romans ever done for US?" X: "Brought peace!"

Oh yes, she earned them that time!

A story very well told. I can't wait to see what happens next!

What a lovely poem, which speaks of the joy and oneness of life and the love the earth shines on it's creatures everywhere, beyond the moment and experience of rain.

"hugtackle"... I LIKE that!

For once someone else stands in the shadows applauding, as the Mistress of the Shadows succumbs to stage light. Congratulations Yui. Congratulations to all.

Welcome back Foe! You are always welcome at the Pen, wherever it may be...

Zool rushes in late as usual. Sorry, my dog ate my brain. I mean, my homework ate my dog. I mean...! Happy belated. :S

Thunder cracked and lightning flashed. The wind howled as the sky darkened, darker, darker, darker. Then it came, rattling off the Keep's shale roof and pinging like a million falling marbles in the open courtyards. Everyone, and everything, ran for cover. "Someone ordered hail?" said Zool proudly as he entered the room. He stopped in his tracks to utter silence as the decorations and tall cake caught his attention. "Oops..." The moment hung like a fifty pound gouda, strobed by flashes of lightning and waves of icy marbles from the sky. Zool finally thought to shut it off, but not before a volkswagon sized chunk of ice landed outside with a wacking CRUNCH. "Heh, sorry Ozy... Hey! You da Pharaoh!"

ROFL!

Looks like "aim" and a confused carriage return Gwai. Yeah Salinye, but that would be too easy.

What a wonderful epiphany as a moment of realisation, or connection, for plot movement in a drama between characters. From that fork in the road one could go in any direction. By itself it is simply a sad statement of the awareness (or lack of) of one individual.

1, 3, 8

Good to see you Cheyenne. A very sad, yet warm, well written poem you have there.

Happy B-day!

Boaz! Been a long, long time. I can only guess how you came to be here, but I sincerely hope you make yourself home at the Pen. *Collapses on Boaz's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably* I'm not worthy!! ;p