<![CDATA[The First Age - University District]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:52:40 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[Distracted Studying]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1775.html Fri, 28 Feb 2025 13:26:36 +0000 Rachel Shale]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1775.html
Lucio was always in her mind, and it made studying extremely difficult. She reread paragraphs because they didn’t stick in her mind. All the notecards in front of her were blank. She was getting nowhere. All she wanted to do was be with Lucio. All she could think about was Lucio. She needed to work on her thesis, but she needed him too. 

Rachel leaned over in the table, banging her head quietly on it before pulling a large book in front of her and attempting to read. She tried again, but soon had her wallet in her hands, and she fought with whether to text Lucio or not. She really needed to work on her thesis. She really shouldn’t text him. But she needed him.]]>
Lucio was always in her mind, and it made studying extremely difficult. She reread paragraphs because they didn’t stick in her mind. All the notecards in front of her were blank. She was getting nowhere. All she wanted to do was be with Lucio. All she could think about was Lucio. She needed to work on her thesis, but she needed him too. 

Rachel leaned over in the table, banging her head quietly on it before pulling a large book in front of her and attempting to read. She tried again, but soon had her wallet in her hands, and she fought with whether to text Lucio or not. She really needed to work on her thesis. She really shouldn’t text him. But she needed him.]]> <![CDATA[Convergence]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1187.html Fri, 24 Jan 2020 22:45:12 +0000 Sterling]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1187.html
The University Hospital was a large place she wasn't sure how she was going to find her cousin.  She didn't even know what he looked like.  This was probably a bad idea, but she walked into the front door and to the desk where people asked questions. "I'm looking for Nox Durante."  

The world around her felt clear and everything seemed more colorful as the woman in front of her blinked at her then smiled. "He was checked out just a little while ago.  I'm sorry, maybe you can catch him.  He was on the third floor."  Sterling was heading towards the elevators even as the woman said, "Though there are many ways out."

In her haste, she bumped into a couple holding hands...]]>
The University Hospital was a large place she wasn't sure how she was going to find her cousin.  She didn't even know what he looked like.  This was probably a bad idea, but she walked into the front door and to the desk where people asked questions. "I'm looking for Nox Durante."  

The world around her felt clear and everything seemed more colorful as the woman in front of her blinked at her then smiled. "He was checked out just a little while ago.  I'm sorry, maybe you can catch him.  He was on the third floor."  Sterling was heading towards the elevators even as the woman said, "Though there are many ways out."

In her haste, she bumped into a couple holding hands...]]> <![CDATA[What Wouldn't I Give]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1170.html Mon, 19 Aug 2019 17:14:51 +0000 Nox]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1170.html The Brutal Reality with @"Ivan Sarkozy" and @"Lih"

The tunnels had been suffocating and dark.  The pain had been overwhelming.  There was very little blood loss thanks to the searing pain, but that didn't mean it had been rainbows and flowers.  Nox didn't really remember much after getting bitten.  It was all a bunch of hazy memories.  But mostly the blinding panic of becoming one of those things.  A hell of a way to go.

And when Nox opened his eyes everything was blurry.  The sounds of machines beeping and the clean smell told him once again he was in the hospital.  Another stupid mistake landing him in a room where his identity was best kept a secret.  But Ivan and Lih probably hadn't thought about that.  Not that it mattered either way.  He was already an enemy of the Atharim.  He was surprised they hadn't tried again.

There was no one there.  Not that Nox expected anyone to be there when he woke up.  Everyone he know had lives and families and Nova wouldn't be allowed inside.  Even if he had survived.  Nox remembered the blur of fur and flesh saving him from one of the creatures just before the one that bit him latched on.

Everything hurt.  He was starving, in a way he hadn't ever felt before. Nox tried to move but found the loss of the left arm and he stared at the bandage wrapped around it.  Fuck!  At least his allegiance to the Atharim went with it.  But now hunting was going to be limited.  Fuck getting dressed was going to be limited.  Nox growled in frustration.

A nurse passing by looked in and Nox gave her a smile.  But she didn't stop, hurried on past.  She was cute.  He wondered if his nurse was cute.  The last one had been when he was in the hospital last.

Shortly after the first one walked by another one came in with a smile, "Mr. Durante, it's good to see you awake.  How are you feeling?"

"Ravenous."  She looked at him a little concerned.  "And it hurts all over."

"That was some damage done to your arm.  Do you know what happened?"

Nox nodded.  "I had my friend cut it off."  

She laughed like it was a joke, but it wasn't.  Her face fell flat.  "Why?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."  Nox squirmed to try to sit up and the nurse helped Nox readjust and Nox refrained from the urge to growl at her for her assistance. "I need to get word to the Ascendancy and whoever the fuck my boss is.  No one has touched my blood have they?"

"We drew some when you came in."

Nox growled loudly.  "You need to stop now.  It might not be safe.  I was bitten by a creature that from my assumption propagates the same way a chubacabra does, and I don't know if we cut off the bite before it spread to the rest of my body.  So from this point forward you need to treat this as a case of biological warfare.  Someone is making these things and I don't think I've stopped them."

She nodded and slowly headed for the door  "I'll go see about finding you a doctor."

Nox laughed.  "I told you, you wouldn't believe me.  Can I have my wallet?"

She sighed and went to the closet and rummaged through a black plastic bag.  She found my wallet and brought it to me.  And she left quickly.

Nox didn't really have any idea of how to really contact the Ascendancy.  He'd believe him.  The only thing Nox had was the number that had asked him to meet.  So he sent a text.

Quote:Need contact update. Got bit by a chupacabra like creature, so far with severed arm, symptoms are nil, but unknown time lapse occurred. Blood drawn - possible epidemic if not cleared of parasite.  Please assist. Likely going to psyche ward.

Nox had no idea of @"Ascendancy" or who might get it, but someone would and hopefully they'd pass it on to the right person @"Marcus Dubois"

With the important bits done Nox went to the personal bits.  He had no idea how long he had been out of it.  And no one knew where he was staying.  So Carmen and Raffe were probably wondering why he flaked after the performance had actually gone well.  Now it looked like dancing was out.

Another text was tapped out carefully with his wallet on the bed and his only working hand typing.

Quote:I'm not dead.  Probably wished I was though.  Went hunting, got hurt, woke up in the hospital.  Will send you details soon as I get them.

The next time the nurse came by Nox would shoot that information off to @"Raffe".  Hopefully he hadn't fucked that up too much.  It was his only home at the moment and just the thought of seeing Raffe made Nox smile.

All the boring things that happen in hospitals Nox was waiting for the doctor and probably a psych eval.  Nox flipped through old text messages and found one from Sage with articles he thought he'd find interesting.  He'd shoved them away but now he could actually sit down and watch.  He had nothing better to do while he waited.]]> The Brutal Reality with @"Ivan Sarkozy" and @"Lih"

The tunnels had been suffocating and dark.  The pain had been overwhelming.  There was very little blood loss thanks to the searing pain, but that didn't mean it had been rainbows and flowers.  Nox didn't really remember much after getting bitten.  It was all a bunch of hazy memories.  But mostly the blinding panic of becoming one of those things.  A hell of a way to go.

And when Nox opened his eyes everything was blurry.  The sounds of machines beeping and the clean smell told him once again he was in the hospital.  Another stupid mistake landing him in a room where his identity was best kept a secret.  But Ivan and Lih probably hadn't thought about that.  Not that it mattered either way.  He was already an enemy of the Atharim.  He was surprised they hadn't tried again.

There was no one there.  Not that Nox expected anyone to be there when he woke up.  Everyone he know had lives and families and Nova wouldn't be allowed inside.  Even if he had survived.  Nox remembered the blur of fur and flesh saving him from one of the creatures just before the one that bit him latched on.

Everything hurt.  He was starving, in a way he hadn't ever felt before. Nox tried to move but found the loss of the left arm and he stared at the bandage wrapped around it.  Fuck!  At least his allegiance to the Atharim went with it.  But now hunting was going to be limited.  Fuck getting dressed was going to be limited.  Nox growled in frustration.

A nurse passing by looked in and Nox gave her a smile.  But she didn't stop, hurried on past.  She was cute.  He wondered if his nurse was cute.  The last one had been when he was in the hospital last.

Shortly after the first one walked by another one came in with a smile, "Mr. Durante, it's good to see you awake.  How are you feeling?"

"Ravenous."  She looked at him a little concerned.  "And it hurts all over."

"That was some damage done to your arm.  Do you know what happened?"

Nox nodded.  "I had my friend cut it off."  

She laughed like it was a joke, but it wasn't.  Her face fell flat.  "Why?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."  Nox squirmed to try to sit up and the nurse helped Nox readjust and Nox refrained from the urge to growl at her for her assistance. "I need to get word to the Ascendancy and whoever the fuck my boss is.  No one has touched my blood have they?"

"We drew some when you came in."

Nox growled loudly.  "You need to stop now.  It might not be safe.  I was bitten by a creature that from my assumption propagates the same way a chubacabra does, and I don't know if we cut off the bite before it spread to the rest of my body.  So from this point forward you need to treat this as a case of biological warfare.  Someone is making these things and I don't think I've stopped them."

She nodded and slowly headed for the door  "I'll go see about finding you a doctor."

Nox laughed.  "I told you, you wouldn't believe me.  Can I have my wallet?"

She sighed and went to the closet and rummaged through a black plastic bag.  She found my wallet and brought it to me.  And she left quickly.

Nox didn't really have any idea of how to really contact the Ascendancy.  He'd believe him.  The only thing Nox had was the number that had asked him to meet.  So he sent a text.

Quote:Need contact update. Got bit by a chupacabra like creature, so far with severed arm, symptoms are nil, but unknown time lapse occurred. Blood drawn - possible epidemic if not cleared of parasite.  Please assist. Likely going to psyche ward.

Nox had no idea of @"Ascendancy" or who might get it, but someone would and hopefully they'd pass it on to the right person @"Marcus Dubois"

With the important bits done Nox went to the personal bits.  He had no idea how long he had been out of it.  And no one knew where he was staying.  So Carmen and Raffe were probably wondering why he flaked after the performance had actually gone well.  Now it looked like dancing was out.

Another text was tapped out carefully with his wallet on the bed and his only working hand typing.

Quote:I'm not dead.  Probably wished I was though.  Went hunting, got hurt, woke up in the hospital.  Will send you details soon as I get them.

The next time the nurse came by Nox would shoot that information off to @"Raffe".  Hopefully he hadn't fucked that up too much.  It was his only home at the moment and just the thought of seeing Raffe made Nox smile.

All the boring things that happen in hospitals Nox was waiting for the doctor and probably a psych eval.  Nox flipped through old text messages and found one from Sage with articles he thought he'd find interesting.  He'd shoved them away but now he could actually sit down and watch.  He had nothing better to do while he waited.]]> <![CDATA[My So Called Life]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1121.html Thu, 21 Mar 2019 17:43:05 +0000 Sterling]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1121.html "Ster, baby, why we here?  So boring."

Sterling smiled at her best friend.  "You can go home.  But I'm staying."

Risha sighed and wrapped her friend's hands in her own and danced in circles before starting back down the path.  "Can we at least get ice-cream on the way home?"

Sterling laughed.  "Of course."  Sterling held up her wallet where her mother had given her money for just that.  "Mama gave me money."

Risha hugged her friend. "I love her better than my own."  Risha laughed.  "It's a good thing your mama and pa got you instead of some slugs like mine.  Always drinking and stealing."  Risha came from a bad neighborhood, but her brain gave her a full scholarship to Sterling's school.  Mama and Pa paid for it on their dime.  They were big wigs somewhere, but Sterling never really paid any mind.  She didn't care.

The University was huge.  They were on campus with all the cute boys playing frisbee on the lawns, or lounging in the grass or benches.  Risha and Sterling giggled as they passed a particularly cute pair of boys before bouncing up the steps of the library.  It was almost as massive as the campus was for all the rows and rows of books.

"How are we ever going to find anything in this place?" Risha whined.

"We ask of course." Sterling said matter-of-factly.  She waltzed up to the front desk and after being ignored she cleared her throat several times.  But no one bothered looking her direction.  Sterling shouted. "Excuse me." and then sheepishly looked at the people passing as they glared at her raised voice with a murmurred, "Sorry."]]> "Ster, baby, why we here?  So boring."

Sterling smiled at her best friend.  "You can go home.  But I'm staying."

Risha sighed and wrapped her friend's hands in her own and danced in circles before starting back down the path.  "Can we at least get ice-cream on the way home?"

Sterling laughed.  "Of course."  Sterling held up her wallet where her mother had given her money for just that.  "Mama gave me money."

Risha hugged her friend. "I love her better than my own."  Risha laughed.  "It's a good thing your mama and pa got you instead of some slugs like mine.  Always drinking and stealing."  Risha came from a bad neighborhood, but her brain gave her a full scholarship to Sterling's school.  Mama and Pa paid for it on their dime.  They were big wigs somewhere, but Sterling never really paid any mind.  She didn't care.

The University was huge.  They were on campus with all the cute boys playing frisbee on the lawns, or lounging in the grass or benches.  Risha and Sterling giggled as they passed a particularly cute pair of boys before bouncing up the steps of the library.  It was almost as massive as the campus was for all the rows and rows of books.

"How are we ever going to find anything in this place?" Risha whined.

"We ask of course." Sterling said matter-of-factly.  She waltzed up to the front desk and after being ignored she cleared her throat several times.  But no one bothered looking her direction.  Sterling shouted. "Excuse me." and then sheepishly looked at the people passing as they glared at her raised voice with a murmurred, "Sorry."]]> <![CDATA[Preparation Required]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1084.html Sun, 10 Feb 2019 18:01:28 +0000 Ilesha]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1084.html
But now this power she had.  She hadn't even known she'd had it.  But now it existed.  Everyone knew it existed.  Hiding it had been easy - she hadn't known to do it.  And now there were others like her.  But home felt so far away now that she was here again.  

The City was always going.  Her work never ending.  The bikes never stopped coming in.  It was her thing, but this world was so much bigger now.  The first day while she sat in the hospital with her father watching TV she started tapping away at something. 

That something turned into more.  And each day until the day her father came home it became a piece of art in her mind.  The words flowed and the ideas were bright.  Theories were something, practice was another, but she didn't know enough, there was a lot more things to do.  She had all these theories about how the power might be able to strengthen the metals.  But she had no real idea of how that might be possible.  Earth and fire could easily smelt.  And water could squelch, it was all in basic metal working class.  Infusing the elements into the metal.  But she didn't know anything about smelting or metal working beyond the theory. That's what school was for...


Ilesha started looking at schools, and her eyes kept drifting towards Moscow.  The University there was exceptional, the power floated around that place like it was nothing.  And it was prosperous.  She'd never be without work, and a great education.

So she applied to the school in graduate program in whatever mechanical oriented programs that would take her.  Her application essay was the piece of art she'd written while she was in the hospital watching over her father.  She was proud of it.  

Ilesha hit submit and off it went in all it's mechanical glory.  This power could save the world.

Several days after Ilesha sent the application in she received a letter from the CCD.  Her mother looked at her with grim worry but her father was looking at the official seal of the New Consult that had been created to handle the 'magical things.'  He smiled at her and nodded, "Whatever it is, we support your wishes.  If they are hunting you down for your power, we'll hide you.   You'll be the New York City Anne Frank.  If they want you to work for them.  I'm so proud of you."

"I doubt it's anything like that Dad."  She said.  But she tore the letter open and what she read had surprised her.  "They want me to come talk about my essay I wrote in my application."

And that was how Ilesha found herself sitting in the Moscow University Library flipping through chemistry and metallurgy books trying to bone up her expertise on the things she was speaking about before her meeting with the consulate the next day.  

It wasn't a difficult subject but thinking about it in the new perspective was fun.  What she thought was real was now putting a new spin on everything she now knew.]]>
But now this power she had.  She hadn't even known she'd had it.  But now it existed.  Everyone knew it existed.  Hiding it had been easy - she hadn't known to do it.  And now there were others like her.  But home felt so far away now that she was here again.  

The City was always going.  Her work never ending.  The bikes never stopped coming in.  It was her thing, but this world was so much bigger now.  The first day while she sat in the hospital with her father watching TV she started tapping away at something. 

That something turned into more.  And each day until the day her father came home it became a piece of art in her mind.  The words flowed and the ideas were bright.  Theories were something, practice was another, but she didn't know enough, there was a lot more things to do.  She had all these theories about how the power might be able to strengthen the metals.  But she had no real idea of how that might be possible.  Earth and fire could easily smelt.  And water could squelch, it was all in basic metal working class.  Infusing the elements into the metal.  But she didn't know anything about smelting or metal working beyond the theory. That's what school was for...


Ilesha started looking at schools, and her eyes kept drifting towards Moscow.  The University there was exceptional, the power floated around that place like it was nothing.  And it was prosperous.  She'd never be without work, and a great education.

So she applied to the school in graduate program in whatever mechanical oriented programs that would take her.  Her application essay was the piece of art she'd written while she was in the hospital watching over her father.  She was proud of it.  

Ilesha hit submit and off it went in all it's mechanical glory.  This power could save the world.

Several days after Ilesha sent the application in she received a letter from the CCD.  Her mother looked at her with grim worry but her father was looking at the official seal of the New Consult that had been created to handle the 'magical things.'  He smiled at her and nodded, "Whatever it is, we support your wishes.  If they are hunting you down for your power, we'll hide you.   You'll be the New York City Anne Frank.  If they want you to work for them.  I'm so proud of you."

"I doubt it's anything like that Dad."  She said.  But she tore the letter open and what she read had surprised her.  "They want me to come talk about my essay I wrote in my application."

And that was how Ilesha found herself sitting in the Moscow University Library flipping through chemistry and metallurgy books trying to bone up her expertise on the things she was speaking about before her meeting with the consulate the next day.  

It wasn't a difficult subject but thinking about it in the new perspective was fun.  What she thought was real was now putting a new spin on everything she now knew.]]> <![CDATA[The Aftermath]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1043.html Fri, 26 Oct 2018 18:11:32 +0000 Emily Shale-Vanders]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-1043.html
Emily had known from the instant she had met Jared that she had loved him.  She felt as if she had loved him even before they had met.  It was a strange feeling.  She had never read about that sort of thing in any of the fairy tales or stories.  She sat on the couch with Jared - well, really she sat on Jared who was sitting on the couch - and his arms were wrapped around her.  She felt safe there. Safer than she had ever felt.

They hadn't said much since they had returned to Emily's place, but she felt they hadn't needed to.  Emily sighed contentedly as she leaned her head into Jared's shoulder.  She saw his arm move, his hand taking her jaw and turning her head as he gave her a light kiss. It wasn't their first, and the passion in it didn't come for the pressure of the kiss or the length.  It was ethereal, but it was definitely there.

Emily smiled as they broke it off. "I love you," the words came unbidden and without fear from her lips.

Jared smiled, but didn't answer right away.  She knew the answer - she knew he loved her too, but why did he hesitate.  He surely wasn't worried about her reaction. "And I love you." he said, smiling and kissing her again.

Emily sank into it wondering about his hesitation.  "Is something wrong?" she asked, when their kiss had ended.

"No," Jared said, smiling. "It's really the opposite...It's..."]]>
Emily had known from the instant she had met Jared that she had loved him.  She felt as if she had loved him even before they had met.  It was a strange feeling.  She had never read about that sort of thing in any of the fairy tales or stories.  She sat on the couch with Jared - well, really she sat on Jared who was sitting on the couch - and his arms were wrapped around her.  She felt safe there. Safer than she had ever felt.

They hadn't said much since they had returned to Emily's place, but she felt they hadn't needed to.  Emily sighed contentedly as she leaned her head into Jared's shoulder.  She saw his arm move, his hand taking her jaw and turning her head as he gave her a light kiss. It wasn't their first, and the passion in it didn't come for the pressure of the kiss or the length.  It was ethereal, but it was definitely there.

Emily smiled as they broke it off. "I love you," the words came unbidden and without fear from her lips.

Jared smiled, but didn't answer right away.  She knew the answer - she knew he loved her too, but why did he hesitate.  He surely wasn't worried about her reaction. "And I love you." he said, smiling and kissing her again.

Emily sank into it wondering about his hesitation.  "Is something wrong?" she asked, when their kiss had ended.

"No," Jared said, smiling. "It's really the opposite...It's..."]]> <![CDATA[Last chance]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-672.html Sun, 28 Jan 2018 21:51:00 +0000 Elias Donovan]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-672.html
The charter to New Zealand was lost. No other ship captains would take Elias into cursed waters even if he could offer an endless bounty. None took an interest in his pleas. He was forced to seek alternate interests.

His meager contacts in the world of marine biology would not touch the subject of mythical sea monsters with a ten foot pole. Those kind of campaigns ruined careers, a wise investigator told him shortly before hanging up on him.

Tony and the crew were out of ideas. They patrolled the Moscow River for weeks and no more signs of the creature dwelling beneath the ice emerged. Elias himself walked the banks pouring his powers into the water like luring fish to bait, but his answer was silence and shivering cold.

He contemplated talking to Aria, such was his desperation. He had been told once before that monsters were real. Perhaps slaying an ancient aquatic creature would sway her people to taking him to the ocean, but given the Ascendancy's warning on the Atharim, it was best to not cross swords until safer allies could be identified.

Which was how he was led to the Antiquities and Museum of Natural History on the campus of MSU - grasping for last straws. The internet was rife with stories of monsters and discoveries of magical artifacts of late. One such far-fetched tale spun a fantastical web that most dismissed as pseudoscience and Fake News; but something about the portrait of the man involved caught Elias' eye. Something about the tale pricked his senses.

The world of antiquities he came to learn was a universe in and of itself. The shuffling of invaluable trinkets made and lost fortunes with as fierce and dangerous a trade as to rival drug routes over continents.

"Meet me in the Mythic Creatures exhibit. I won't be hard to miss,"
his message to the dealer detailed. This was his last chance. Hopefully the bait worked.

]]>
The charter to New Zealand was lost. No other ship captains would take Elias into cursed waters even if he could offer an endless bounty. None took an interest in his pleas. He was forced to seek alternate interests.

His meager contacts in the world of marine biology would not touch the subject of mythical sea monsters with a ten foot pole. Those kind of campaigns ruined careers, a wise investigator told him shortly before hanging up on him.

Tony and the crew were out of ideas. They patrolled the Moscow River for weeks and no more signs of the creature dwelling beneath the ice emerged. Elias himself walked the banks pouring his powers into the water like luring fish to bait, but his answer was silence and shivering cold.

He contemplated talking to Aria, such was his desperation. He had been told once before that monsters were real. Perhaps slaying an ancient aquatic creature would sway her people to taking him to the ocean, but given the Ascendancy's warning on the Atharim, it was best to not cross swords until safer allies could be identified.

Which was how he was led to the Antiquities and Museum of Natural History on the campus of MSU - grasping for last straws. The internet was rife with stories of monsters and discoveries of magical artifacts of late. One such far-fetched tale spun a fantastical web that most dismissed as pseudoscience and Fake News; but something about the portrait of the man involved caught Elias' eye. Something about the tale pricked his senses.

The world of antiquities he came to learn was a universe in and of itself. The shuffling of invaluable trinkets made and lost fortunes with as fierce and dangerous a trade as to rival drug routes over continents.

"Meet me in the Mythic Creatures exhibit. I won't be hard to miss,"
his message to the dealer detailed. This was his last chance. Hopefully the bait worked.

]]> <![CDATA[Resting Uncertainty]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-673.html Tue, 23 Jan 2018 10:26:00 +0000 Emily Shale-Vanders]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-673.html
Jared was quiet on the way back, and Emily didn't press him much. He was clearly exhausted from whatever ordeal he had gone through. She did, however, give him an encouraging smile as they left Natalie's, and Jared returned it.

"Want me to take you to base, or to my place?"
She asked.

"I'm still on leave for awhile and don't want to go back yet. I'd rather not be alone either."


Emily could hear the exhaustion in his voice as he spoke. She drove back to her house, and they entered together.

It was the first time Jared had seen the inside of the house, and his eyes widened. "So this is how the other side lives."


Emily smiled and took Jared's hand, leading him to the living room. "Can I get you anything?"


"This might sound weird, but I could really use a shower, and then more coffee."


Emily smiled and led him to the shower, so he could clean up. While he was away, she put on a fresh pot of coffee. She could have asked Matt to do it, but she was content to do so herself.]]>
Jared was quiet on the way back, and Emily didn't press him much. He was clearly exhausted from whatever ordeal he had gone through. She did, however, give him an encouraging smile as they left Natalie's, and Jared returned it.

"Want me to take you to base, or to my place?"
She asked.

"I'm still on leave for awhile and don't want to go back yet. I'd rather not be alone either."


Emily could hear the exhaustion in his voice as he spoke. She drove back to her house, and they entered together.

It was the first time Jared had seen the inside of the house, and his eyes widened. "So this is how the other side lives."


Emily smiled and took Jared's hand, leading him to the living room. "Can I get you anything?"


"This might sound weird, but I could really use a shower, and then more coffee."


Emily smiled and led him to the shower, so he could clean up. While he was away, she put on a fresh pot of coffee. She could have asked Matt to do it, but she was content to do so herself.]]> <![CDATA[Lost Time]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-675.html Thu, 18 Jan 2018 18:12:00 +0000 Nox]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-675.html
They came even with the pain. His head felt better, but whatever they had jabbed him with made it all go away and he passed out into the darkness. But then the nightmares took hold. All his failures come to bear. Everyone from his mother and now even a new one - failing his father. Failing to be the son that he had wanted. It had always been there. Nox failing his father, but the images of Jaden and then Jay and Sage and shit the countless guys he'd seen and wondered then forgot because of his father.

Failure after failure played over and over again and as the pain came back the dreams died and sounds came to the forefront. Beeping and voices. Soft and close.

A rattled chain against metal. The sound rang as Nox tried to move. Opening his eyes hurt. Moving hurt, but he had to move. Sit up. "Water."
But little sound came out of his mouth.

Nox opened his eyes and found a glass of water held in front of him my a small hand. Nothing familiar. He looked up, blinked away the tears from the bright light behind the man, woman, who?

"Do you know where you are Mr. Durante?"

"Moscow I hope."


Things were coming into perspective and Nox pressed back into the bed and sighed when he felt the cold metal against his skin. "How long?"


"About 6 hours. We are treating the burns and your head CT came back clean despite the blood dried in your ears."

Nox rattled the cuffs again. "Where are the officers?"


"You have a guard outside your door, and Detective Vega went to the station to try to help your friend. His words."

And then the whole situation came crashing in. Jay had confessed to the murder of the stygza. Dumb ass! "Am I under arrest?"


"Not yet, Mr. Durante. This is a percaution we are told, you are dangerous." She said with a genuine smile.

Nox laughed. "Cuffs aren't going to stop me if I really was dangers, Duckling. Can they come off?"


She shrugged. "I'll ask, and I'll get the doctor. You hold tight."

Nox smirked, "Not going anywhere Duckling."
]]>
They came even with the pain. His head felt better, but whatever they had jabbed him with made it all go away and he passed out into the darkness. But then the nightmares took hold. All his failures come to bear. Everyone from his mother and now even a new one - failing his father. Failing to be the son that he had wanted. It had always been there. Nox failing his father, but the images of Jaden and then Jay and Sage and shit the countless guys he'd seen and wondered then forgot because of his father.

Failure after failure played over and over again and as the pain came back the dreams died and sounds came to the forefront. Beeping and voices. Soft and close.

A rattled chain against metal. The sound rang as Nox tried to move. Opening his eyes hurt. Moving hurt, but he had to move. Sit up. "Water."
But little sound came out of his mouth.

Nox opened his eyes and found a glass of water held in front of him my a small hand. Nothing familiar. He looked up, blinked away the tears from the bright light behind the man, woman, who?

"Do you know where you are Mr. Durante?"

"Moscow I hope."


Things were coming into perspective and Nox pressed back into the bed and sighed when he felt the cold metal against his skin. "How long?"


"About 6 hours. We are treating the burns and your head CT came back clean despite the blood dried in your ears."

Nox rattled the cuffs again. "Where are the officers?"


"You have a guard outside your door, and Detective Vega went to the station to try to help your friend. His words."

And then the whole situation came crashing in. Jay had confessed to the murder of the stygza. Dumb ass! "Am I under arrest?"


"Not yet, Mr. Durante. This is a percaution we are told, you are dangerous." She said with a genuine smile.

Nox laughed. "Cuffs aren't going to stop me if I really was dangers, Duckling. Can they come off?"


She shrugged. "I'll ask, and I'll get the doctor. You hold tight."

Nox smirked, "Not going anywhere Duckling."
]]> <![CDATA[Deflating the Ruse]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-674.html Tue, 09 Jan 2018 14:29:00 +0000 Sage]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-674.html
He'd reached for the processor several times but stopped as soon as he felt the whirr of the processor kicking into gear. He sighed. "A lot harder than it should be."


"What is?" Christian asked.

"Not doing what comes naturally."


The other man smiled and stood up with his bag and pulled out Sage's laptop. "I figured you'd want this." He started to hand it to Sage but Christian pulled it away quickly. "Only if you promise you won't connect to it. Only typing."

Sage sighed. "How are you going to know?"


Christian looked over at the monitors that were above his bed. "Up there, when you use it your brain activity goes off the chart."

Sage sighed. "Dr. Kinnaird will know when I do and then I can't go home."


Christian nodded. "Promise, Sage. I won't leave it here with you otherwise. I need to get back."

"I promise."


Christian smiled then came over to him and patted his shoulder. "All of you boys are like family. Don't do anything stupid Sage. None of us will forgive you. And then you'll have to explain to Ana, why you did what you did."

Sage knew he had paled a little at that thought. He'd never had a mother who had cared. But Ana was taking the cake and eating it too. Cruz was lucky to have Ana and Christian in his life. He guessed he was too now.

Christian set the laptop on the table in front of him and waved his farewell. Sage was left alone with the one thing he wanted more than anything - information.]]>
He'd reached for the processor several times but stopped as soon as he felt the whirr of the processor kicking into gear. He sighed. "A lot harder than it should be."


"What is?" Christian asked.

"Not doing what comes naturally."


The other man smiled and stood up with his bag and pulled out Sage's laptop. "I figured you'd want this." He started to hand it to Sage but Christian pulled it away quickly. "Only if you promise you won't connect to it. Only typing."

Sage sighed. "How are you going to know?"


Christian looked over at the monitors that were above his bed. "Up there, when you use it your brain activity goes off the chart."

Sage sighed. "Dr. Kinnaird will know when I do and then I can't go home."


Christian nodded. "Promise, Sage. I won't leave it here with you otherwise. I need to get back."

"I promise."


Christian smiled then came over to him and patted his shoulder. "All of you boys are like family. Don't do anything stupid Sage. None of us will forgive you. And then you'll have to explain to Ana, why you did what you did."

Sage knew he had paled a little at that thought. He'd never had a mother who had cared. But Ana was taking the cake and eating it too. Cruz was lucky to have Ana and Christian in his life. He guessed he was too now.

Christian set the laptop on the table in front of him and waved his farewell. Sage was left alone with the one thing he wanted more than anything - information.]]> <![CDATA[Defining love]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-676.html Sun, 19 Nov 2017 12:13:00 +0000 Dane Gregory]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-676.html
He shared tea with two young ladies recently and he'd come to an epiphany. Nobody was going to replace Aria. She was his elixir, his drug. Their hands entwined, working together, wet and warmth meeting the chill of lifelessness. He'd never felt more alive in his life than he had in Aria's arms. Maybe it was love, he couldn't be sure. Thus why he had open on a screen in front of him a book of classic sonnets. Love poems written by great authors. He studied the penmanship, the cadence of the words, and the flow of the style.

Dane attended boarding school across the English Channel in the south of France, amid warmth and ugly flatlands. There, he was forced to study the classics in literature, but he did not enjoy it. Poetry was worse. Oh he memorized the lines of Keats, Shelley and Poe, but only because it was expected. In the library here at MSU, he read their lines again, searching for meaning against what he knew of Aria. Nothing came close. It was all a giant disappointment.

He was about to close up the screen when someone joined him at the table. The badge of a student hung around her neck, granting her access to buildings and levels off-limits to Dane or any public visitor. Many of the individuals in the library were not students, but many were. Dane paid little attention to either group. Until this young woman of perhaps twenty-three joined him. She had brown hair that fell in curls to her shoulders, round eyebrows and a smile on her face. Dane straightened in his seat and greeted her with a quiet, "Hello,"
and let his accent clearly define his origin.

She was looking him in the eye, smiling in a polite, yet confident sort of way in which a woman accustomed to asking men out on a date would lead. Her response back was thickened by her own sort of accent, Eastern European, but not Russian. "Hello, I couldn't help but notice that you seem frustrated. I'm Annalise."


"A pleasure to meet you Annalise. My name is Dane Gregory."
She hadn't offered a surname, and he inwardly chastised himself for doing differently. He'd stopped introducing himself as a Lord for some time, refining his technique by bringing it up later in conversation. He could allow his posture, clothing and accent to speak for themselves, should someone recognize any of it. Annalise seemed to. "So what are you working on?"


Dane's eyes shifted toward the screen he was about to close. "I'm reading poetry. Suppose one could say I am searching for a definition."


Annalise tilted her head in a way that let her hair fall in front of her shoulder and graze her chin. Dane blinked, surprised to find her suddenly attractive. "Really? I'm doing my MFA on Poetic studies. Perhaps I could be of help. What are you seeking to define?"


Dane's answer was dispassionate. "Love."


And with that, she was hooked.

They spent the next thirty minutes discussing the merits of sonnets, love poems and pieces. She opened his eyes to words that once seemed cloyingly sweet and made them palatable. Perhaps most surprising was the revelation by Andrew Marvell, whose perspective on love was seduction in verse-form. When Dane read a passage to Annalise in his own dulcet, tenor voice, her mesmerization was complete.

"....then worms shall try
That long preserved virginity.
And your quaint honour turn to dust,
And into ashes all my lust;
The grave's a fine and private place,
But none, I think, do there embrace."


Before he parted, he asked if he could take her to dinner that night. Perhaps she could enlighten him more on the topic of love.

They agreed to meet at ten o'clock.]]>
He shared tea with two young ladies recently and he'd come to an epiphany. Nobody was going to replace Aria. She was his elixir, his drug. Their hands entwined, working together, wet and warmth meeting the chill of lifelessness. He'd never felt more alive in his life than he had in Aria's arms. Maybe it was love, he couldn't be sure. Thus why he had open on a screen in front of him a book of classic sonnets. Love poems written by great authors. He studied the penmanship, the cadence of the words, and the flow of the style.

Dane attended boarding school across the English Channel in the south of France, amid warmth and ugly flatlands. There, he was forced to study the classics in literature, but he did not enjoy it. Poetry was worse. Oh he memorized the lines of Keats, Shelley and Poe, but only because it was expected. In the library here at MSU, he read their lines again, searching for meaning against what he knew of Aria. Nothing came close. It was all a giant disappointment.

He was about to close up the screen when someone joined him at the table. The badge of a student hung around her neck, granting her access to buildings and levels off-limits to Dane or any public visitor. Many of the individuals in the library were not students, but many were. Dane paid little attention to either group. Until this young woman of perhaps twenty-three joined him. She had brown hair that fell in curls to her shoulders, round eyebrows and a smile on her face. Dane straightened in his seat and greeted her with a quiet, "Hello,"
and let his accent clearly define his origin.

She was looking him in the eye, smiling in a polite, yet confident sort of way in which a woman accustomed to asking men out on a date would lead. Her response back was thickened by her own sort of accent, Eastern European, but not Russian. "Hello, I couldn't help but notice that you seem frustrated. I'm Annalise."


"A pleasure to meet you Annalise. My name is Dane Gregory."
She hadn't offered a surname, and he inwardly chastised himself for doing differently. He'd stopped introducing himself as a Lord for some time, refining his technique by bringing it up later in conversation. He could allow his posture, clothing and accent to speak for themselves, should someone recognize any of it. Annalise seemed to. "So what are you working on?"


Dane's eyes shifted toward the screen he was about to close. "I'm reading poetry. Suppose one could say I am searching for a definition."


Annalise tilted her head in a way that let her hair fall in front of her shoulder and graze her chin. Dane blinked, surprised to find her suddenly attractive. "Really? I'm doing my MFA on Poetic studies. Perhaps I could be of help. What are you seeking to define?"


Dane's answer was dispassionate. "Love."


And with that, she was hooked.

They spent the next thirty minutes discussing the merits of sonnets, love poems and pieces. She opened his eyes to words that once seemed cloyingly sweet and made them palatable. Perhaps most surprising was the revelation by Andrew Marvell, whose perspective on love was seduction in verse-form. When Dane read a passage to Annalise in his own dulcet, tenor voice, her mesmerization was complete.

"....then worms shall try
That long preserved virginity.
And your quaint honour turn to dust,
And into ashes all my lust;
The grave's a fine and private place,
But none, I think, do there embrace."


Before he parted, he asked if he could take her to dinner that night. Perhaps she could enlighten him more on the topic of love.

They agreed to meet at ten o'clock.]]> <![CDATA[Exploring the Damage]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-677.html Thu, 04 May 2017 16:46:00 +0000 Sage]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-677.html
But now Sage had to man up and go back to the University and meet with the real doctor, the one who was going to open up his head and look around. While he was fucking awake. Sage wished Nox was there, but he'd have to do this alone. He was used it, but having a friend had been good, but Nox was busy. Sage didn't know where he was, he hadn't seem in since that morning. Which made him regret not kissing the other man.

Sage was admitted and was waiting for his lovely doctors to join him. He was wearing one of those stupid gowns that revealed everything and his thoughts would betray his arousal so he thought about other things... though nothing compared at the moment since he couldn't see any information. Sage sighed and leaned back and stared at the ceiling trying to remember the feeling of information flowing through his mind. He so wanted to jack back in... but Nox had the hardware, though he could wire in... It was a thought. Inconvenient, but a thought...]]>
But now Sage had to man up and go back to the University and meet with the real doctor, the one who was going to open up his head and look around. While he was fucking awake. Sage wished Nox was there, but he'd have to do this alone. He was used it, but having a friend had been good, but Nox was busy. Sage didn't know where he was, he hadn't seem in since that morning. Which made him regret not kissing the other man.

Sage was admitted and was waiting for his lovely doctors to join him. He was wearing one of those stupid gowns that revealed everything and his thoughts would betray his arousal so he thought about other things... though nothing compared at the moment since he couldn't see any information. Sage sighed and leaned back and stared at the ceiling trying to remember the feeling of information flowing through his mind. He so wanted to jack back in... but Nox had the hardware, though he could wire in... It was a thought. Inconvenient, but a thought...]]> <![CDATA[Another Emergency]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-678.html Fri, 07 Oct 2016 09:27:00 +0000 Sage]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-678.html
Nurse Yvette had found the young man lying in a catatonic state on the floor. Now he was resting comfortably in the emergency room waiting his turn. He was out of the woods for now, though he had yet to regain consciousness. Or was very good at pretending to be asleep. There were several files on his wallet labeled medical records but Yvette hadn't opened them - rather she was unable to open them they were encrypted with some pass phrase she hoped Dr. Marcil would know. But Dr. Marcil was unavailable for the next few days as he was away on business. When she'd called him, he said, "The boy will be fine. Keep his medication the same. Just monitor him. I will be back tomorrow."

Yvette waited for the doctor who would eventually admit the boy. His wallet continued to beep with incoming messages. She thought about answering them, but she didn't feel right, she'd already invaded his privacy once. But sound was adding to her headache - she needed a breathe of fresh air real quick. She out the sliding doors to find some - he was perfectly safe where he was now and not really her problem,

****

The beeping of the monitors woke Sage. His hold body hurt like he'd been dropped from upon high. He knew he was in a hospital, he could tell just from the smell. But the place was busier than his last room. He sighed when his wallet buzzed. He squinted his eyes open to find the offending equipment, it was across the room on a chair with the rest of his things. He sighed - hospital gowns sucked.

Sage opened his eyes fully and tried to get a good look around. Short of the fact that there were signs hanging in Russian as well as English, it didn't look that different from the last hospital he was in.

His wallet buzzed again and Sage tried to move to get out of the bed without yanking the IV from his arm, or completely showing off his backside...]]>
Nurse Yvette had found the young man lying in a catatonic state on the floor. Now he was resting comfortably in the emergency room waiting his turn. He was out of the woods for now, though he had yet to regain consciousness. Or was very good at pretending to be asleep. There were several files on his wallet labeled medical records but Yvette hadn't opened them - rather she was unable to open them they were encrypted with some pass phrase she hoped Dr. Marcil would know. But Dr. Marcil was unavailable for the next few days as he was away on business. When she'd called him, he said, "The boy will be fine. Keep his medication the same. Just monitor him. I will be back tomorrow."

Yvette waited for the doctor who would eventually admit the boy. His wallet continued to beep with incoming messages. She thought about answering them, but she didn't feel right, she'd already invaded his privacy once. But sound was adding to her headache - she needed a breathe of fresh air real quick. She out the sliding doors to find some - he was perfectly safe where he was now and not really her problem,

****

The beeping of the monitors woke Sage. His hold body hurt like he'd been dropped from upon high. He knew he was in a hospital, he could tell just from the smell. But the place was busier than his last room. He sighed when his wallet buzzed. He squinted his eyes open to find the offending equipment, it was across the room on a chair with the rest of his things. He sighed - hospital gowns sucked.

Sage opened his eyes fully and tried to get a good look around. Short of the fact that there were signs hanging in Russian as well as English, it didn't look that different from the last hospital he was in.

His wallet buzzed again and Sage tried to move to get out of the bed without yanking the IV from his arm, or completely showing off his backside...]]> <![CDATA[Preparations]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-679.html Tue, 13 Sep 2016 09:52:00 +0000 Anton]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-679.html
"Good morning, Professor,"
she said politely.

Anton nodded and let her enter. She set her music binder on the music stand next to the piano as Anton sat down. Her nervousness was almost overwhelming and since he had no one to focus on, he had to mute her emotions in another way.

Anton led her through some vocal warm-ups, critiquing technique when it was needed. She was a senior and was learning quite well. It wouldn't surprise him if in a few years she was performing with him on stage.

"You're nervous, what's wrong?"
he asked. He of course knew what was causing it, but if she talked about it, it would help.

"I have my audition for the opera soon,"


Anton nodded. He knew auditions for the University's performance of Don Giovanni were coming up and he knew Natasha planned to audition. Auditions were always nerve wracking.

"What are you singing,"


"The Queen of the Night Aria,"
she said.

Anton smiled. It was a good choice for her voice part, and she had the talent to make it happen. "Good choice,"
Anton stood and pulled a book from his shelf. He opened it to a specific page, and started the introduction. "Sing it."


Anton listened as she sang though the aria. Natasha had a beautiful soprano voice. She would do well in her auditions as long as she didn't let her nerves get the better of her. Even now though, the nerves were dissipating.

She finished the aria and Anton held back telling her how he felt at first. "Critique yourself,"
he said and waited.

"The notes are there, but it lacks something I think,"
she waited as if expecting her teacher to comment. She continued when he did not. "I feel like I'm singing the notes, but it feels like it's missing some life."


Anton nodded. "What is this aria about."


"The Queen of the Night is wanting Pamina to kill Sarastro. It's a song about revenge and hate."


Anton nodded. "Hard emotions for you to channel I'm sure,"
he said. Natasha was a very kind hearted student. "But you need to put that emotion into your sound. That is what the directors want to see. You can sing the notes, but they want to hear you make music. Try it again."[color]

Natasha seemed to understand. The life the aria had missed before came into being. This lesson made him think of his own performance that was coming up the next night. He would have a gamut of emotions to portray. Of course, he had an advantage that his student didn't have.]]>
"Good morning, Professor,"
she said politely.

Anton nodded and let her enter. She set her music binder on the music stand next to the piano as Anton sat down. Her nervousness was almost overwhelming and since he had no one to focus on, he had to mute her emotions in another way.

Anton led her through some vocal warm-ups, critiquing technique when it was needed. She was a senior and was learning quite well. It wouldn't surprise him if in a few years she was performing with him on stage.

"You're nervous, what's wrong?"
he asked. He of course knew what was causing it, but if she talked about it, it would help.

"I have my audition for the opera soon,"


Anton nodded. He knew auditions for the University's performance of Don Giovanni were coming up and he knew Natasha planned to audition. Auditions were always nerve wracking.

"What are you singing,"


"The Queen of the Night Aria,"
she said.

Anton smiled. It was a good choice for her voice part, and she had the talent to make it happen. "Good choice,"
Anton stood and pulled a book from his shelf. He opened it to a specific page, and started the introduction. "Sing it."


Anton listened as she sang though the aria. Natasha had a beautiful soprano voice. She would do well in her auditions as long as she didn't let her nerves get the better of her. Even now though, the nerves were dissipating.

She finished the aria and Anton held back telling her how he felt at first. "Critique yourself,"
he said and waited.

"The notes are there, but it lacks something I think,"
she waited as if expecting her teacher to comment. She continued when he did not. "I feel like I'm singing the notes, but it feels like it's missing some life."


Anton nodded. "What is this aria about."


"The Queen of the Night is wanting Pamina to kill Sarastro. It's a song about revenge and hate."


Anton nodded. "Hard emotions for you to channel I'm sure,"
he said. Natasha was a very kind hearted student. "But you need to put that emotion into your sound. That is what the directors want to see. You can sing the notes, but they want to hear you make music. Try it again."[color]

Natasha seemed to understand. The life the aria had missed before came into being. This lesson made him think of his own performance that was coming up the next night. He would have a gamut of emotions to portray. Of course, he had an advantage that his student didn't have.]]> <![CDATA[Family Crisis]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-680.html Fri, 06 Nov 2015 08:58:00 +0000 Dorian]]> https://thefirstage.org/forums/thread-680.html
Dorian doubted anyone would look into it further since he was a known mobster and had attacked a fellow cop. Case closed.

There was very little cover up work needed and for that Dorian was grateful, Martin had at least been conscientious of the fact. Though he heard rumblings from those lower than Martin that he wasn't happy about something. Martin was never happy unless he actually got the kill. He grumbled a lot when someone else took out his mark. Those who worked with him knew better than to try. Dorian was sure his knew team would either learn it too, or they would soon be walking their own paths.

A small chirp from his wallet alerted Dorian to an incoming call. He fished his wallet from the rear pants pocket of his slacks and saw it was from Cruz. He answered quickly, "I'm on my way home, what's up?"


A voice chattered over the electronic line. At first he couldn't understand but he heard Cruz barely audible on the other side. "Dad. I need you to come get me."

"Cruz, where are you?"
Dorian could hear the distress in his own voice. Something was wrong with his son, and that was never a good thing.

Cruz barely got out, "University."

Dorian sighed and pulled out the tracking software he had placed on his son's phone when he was a teenager. He hadn't used it in forever, Cruz was a grown man. But he'd find him. "I'm coming. I'll be there soon.


[[ Feel free to jump in. I do have a plan but I won't post till next week so if you might jump in PM me and let me know so I don't move on. ]]]]>
Dorian doubted anyone would look into it further since he was a known mobster and had attacked a fellow cop. Case closed.

There was very little cover up work needed and for that Dorian was grateful, Martin had at least been conscientious of the fact. Though he heard rumblings from those lower than Martin that he wasn't happy about something. Martin was never happy unless he actually got the kill. He grumbled a lot when someone else took out his mark. Those who worked with him knew better than to try. Dorian was sure his knew team would either learn it too, or they would soon be walking their own paths.

A small chirp from his wallet alerted Dorian to an incoming call. He fished his wallet from the rear pants pocket of his slacks and saw it was from Cruz. He answered quickly, "I'm on my way home, what's up?"


A voice chattered over the electronic line. At first he couldn't understand but he heard Cruz barely audible on the other side. "Dad. I need you to come get me."

"Cruz, where are you?"
Dorian could hear the distress in his own voice. Something was wrong with his son, and that was never a good thing.

Cruz barely got out, "University."

Dorian sighed and pulled out the tracking software he had placed on his son's phone when he was a teenager. He hadn't used it in forever, Cruz was a grown man. But he'd find him. "I'm coming. I'll be there soon.


[[ Feel free to jump in. I do have a plan but I won't post till next week so if you might jump in PM me and let me know so I don't move on. ]]]]>