Scheherazade in Blue Jeans

“Who is that?” Thomas breathed.

We looked. Standing next to Jason, hands in her back pockets, was a new girl. No way of seeing eye color from this distance, but by the long, thick chestnut hair, I was guessing she was L’Arathi. Nicholas straightened in his chair, possibly coming to the same conclusion.

Jason led her over to us, and I took an instant liking to her – she had a good feel about her. She shoved her hair back behind her ears as she approached – probably a nervous habit. And yes, her eyes were L’Arathi, grey-in-green.

Jason grinned as they reached us. “Everyone – this is Liane Farrell.”

“Just Annie,” she interrupted self-consciously.

“Okay – Annie. This… is a big part of your peer group.” One by one he introduced us; she nodded after each name, clearly trying to keep us all straight in her head.

“And this is Nicholas.”

Her gaze fell on him, and she blushed. Hard to see if she was reacting to him or to his wheelchair… I hoped for the former. It would speak better of her. He was worth reacting to… one of the handsomest guys at the Sanctuary. I preferred Seth, of course, but Nicholas was damn fine… also typical L’Arathi, but with a stronger upper-body build than usual due to hauling himself around in his chair all his life. He was open and friendly too, as she seemed to be. Looking back and forth between them, I started to grin... oh, yes. This could get interesting.

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The speaker is teenage Jessa, of course; Annie and Nicholas are Shawn's parents. Or, well, they will be. Damn time and its supposed linearity.

This is Blogathon 2006. I'm posting every half hour for 24 hours, to raise money for RAINN.

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irana's gonna bring us barbecue!

By request...

Name: Liane Michelle Farrell

Orientation: Bi.

Origin: California

Significant Other(s): Her husband, Nicholas, died about ten years ago. No serious relationships at present.

Siblings: Carolyn, three years younger - no spark of Dasaroi blood or talent.

Child(ren): Shawn.

Appearance: It's boring to say "typical L'Arathi", but she is (and so was Nicholas) - chestnut hair, worn long and usually braided. Pale grey eyes bordered with dark green. Annie's usually seen in jeans, T-shirts, and Frye boots. Excellent cheekbones. (I don't know why that comes to mind - it just does!) She's aging gracefully - her hair is shot through with little stripes of silver that almost match her eyes.

Story: Annie is one of only two characters that made it from the very first inkling of my story through to this iteration. Her story has changed completely, but she hasn't, if that makes sense!

I'm trying to come up with stuff to say about her that wouldn't spoil things. This is difficult! But you're allowed to know this - she and Jessa, and by extension Nicholas and Fenris, were inseparable for a good chunk of their teenage years and beyond. And the fact that Jessa spent her life, by necessity, in the spotlight, allowed Annie to do what needed to be done behind the scenes...

I have a picnic scene in my mind that I'd love xanadumalion to draw; I'm picturing it a little Vess-esque, with art deco borders. Family picnic.

Donna's the youngun' in the crowd by a few years - a childhood mascot and adult friend.

Thomas and Elizabeth Halloran are at the other end of the scale; their oldest son, Michael, is already a teenager. He'll grow up to be the Kithrayn of his House. Briefly. Tagging along with him is his kid brother Daniel, who'll inherit the mantle during the Purges, when his entire family dies.

James and Lily ni'Narsan are watching their son Kieran give little Capri a piggyback ride. They'll both pass away before the Purges, leaving Kieran to be raised by Donna.

Capri's parents, Jessa and Marcus Donnelly, are talking animatedly with Thomas and Elizabeth. Jessa has dandelions stuck in her hair; Capri keeps bringing them to her.

Fenris stands back from the group. Always on guard. For their part, Jeramie and Kristian are not in attendance; neither of them has ever been close to this particular group. Jeramie moves in different circles. Kristian is a circle unto himself.

There were people before the people that you've met. There are parents and grandparents; there is history. Annie Farrell married Nicholas Powers, the boy every girl had a crush on in their Sanctuary days. Tess had a group before this group, and I have their stories and the stories of their parents. That particular group of Tess's had, like Napalm, been steeped overmuch in comic book lore; they all had code names. They're the children of the characters in one of the first Shayara stories, one that, like Annie's original story, didn't have the city of Shayara in it at all. Ariane and Mara, the daughters of Tia and Tony Lowell; poor Tia, whose mind was burnt out by power to great for her to handle. Megan's son Damon, a pyrokinetic. Michael Cameron Jr., empath, dreamwalker - cousin of Katrina Stone, who is the mother of Alanna, Tess, Katrianna, and Julia.

I don't know if you'll ever get those stories. You may not. But these people are there.