Love's Epitaph
By N.R. Gasan

[Author's preface: I've said many times it is my hope that Eli and Oskar stay together always. However, the writer in me asks the question, "What if?" To that end, I've written a short piece regarding a scenario different from what I would like. I guess we'll all find out definitively when JAL publishes " Let The Old Dreams Die." Until then, it's anyone's game. :)]

In an alley, under a street lamp that Eli had taken out with a rock, Esteban was keeping guard and he heard footsteps; a man rapidly walked straight towards them. Esteban tugged at Eli's sleeve, motioning him to leave. Eli seemed momentarily dazed, but dashed into the shadows above them. There's nowhere to hide, and I can't climb away. Esteban turned towards the girl.

'Look at you! You're always getting drunk and embarassing me, and now I'm going to have to carry you home!'

Always a Full Moon
by covenant6452

I did a drawing last night, while was working on a huge, highly detailed one when I decided I needed a break. I looked at the Wall of LTROI in my platz for a while and noticed something so I did a new drawing. It's near the bottom.
I was in the middle of posting the drawing in the fan-art section, when the idea for this little story came to me so I wrote it quickly while here. :) I haven't edited it or anything, just a quick one-off off the top off my head. One too many offs.
Hope you enjoy both anyway.

My life is the penance for the sins of another.

What are weeks, months and years? I have forgotten.

Time has no sympathy for me.

Tomorrow holds no hopeful expectations, yesterday no reminder of better times.

What is the day but my adversary and a rainbow but a myth?

In the darkness of night I dwell as a shadow of emptiness and yearning.

My feelings are sealed away by survival's demand, will anyone ever find them?

I am forced to flee because of what I am, no one cares who I am.

My laments are heard only by the walls that surround me, their comfort is stale.

Eli and Oskar sat quietly at the desk as Professor Dawson went through some papers. “Is everything all right? Do you need anything?” he asked.

“No, nothing, thanks.” Oskar said.

“Are you going to get into trouble by getting blood for me,” Eli asked.

Dawson looked up at her and smiled, “I think you have enough to worry about, without worrying about me too. I’ll be just fine.”

I let you in, I've only myself to blame.
I let you in, I'll never be the same.

Expecting the same old lore,
I was captivated by much more.

Foreign speech did enter my ear,
but the tale told was to my heart clear.

Thoughts and ideas began to swirl,
involved I became with this boy and girl.

Something within was certainly evoked,
for emotions and feelings they poked.

With their plight I did relate,
don't we all burn for a soulmate?

Oskar's days were full of dread,
bullies tormented and entered his head.

Upon Eli's face longing did reside,

Eli crouched low on the branch in the darkness, her claws digging into the bark. She watched, detached, as the last few people got off the bus and it pulled away from the curb. Two of them were talking and waving their arms at each other, clearly arguing about something. Their breath rose in a small cloud above them and dissipated slowly. The other one, a bit smaller, watched for a minute, then turned and walked down the darker path towards Eli. Her muscles tensed. She calculated how long it would take him to reach her, as the other two, still talking loudly, went off on the main path.

For me there is no religious solace,
there is only religious thought.
Augusto Roa Bastos, Yo, El Supremo

'Checkmate!'

Esteban and Oskar high-fived. Eli stuck out his tongue.

'We did say the loser does the dishes, you know,' said Oskar.

Eli punched him lightly on the arm.

'You cheat, it was two against one.'

'You agreed to it.'

Oskar punched back. Esteban winced a little. What, am I going to tell him one doesn't hit girls? And in any case Eli is a lot stronger, even if Oskar looks older already.