Category: children

Civil Wars 2, 10

The thing about tampered genes is you never know when they might show up. A majority of Faustina’s descendents are human. A majority of Gary & Henge’s are Demis; the difference is that Fussy’s two husbands were human, and there was no way to create a breeding program without first cousins marrying. Very bad form. In G & H’s case, not only is Gary a Demi, his wife is a former Machine with a manifested physical body. That makes for some very interesting genetic permutations over the generations.

Saying all that, Pai sits their hosts down and tells them about their son’s gift. She graciously mentions her old self, version 1 (and I bet Suza and Tér will go nuts to see her again; the twins had not been born when Pai went to version 2.) as a temporary bridge until the rest of the Hartmann clan is informed and some kind of tutor system set up; given the wars – which will be back on in the next segment – this temporary bridge might be at least a year.

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Civil Wars 2, 9

Fairly significant reveal about the infant son of their Hartmann hosts. Wonder where it will go? Once we get all this settled, it’s back to the fighting and politics.

Apologies for the no Wednesday post. Sick again; wife and I had food poisoning. I’ve not really slept in three days or eaten in one-and-a-half. A couple of people at DayJob echoed similar problems for them of their kids. Food quality, not to say safety, is dropping fast.

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Civil Wars 2, 7

Moving on and briefly back with his family, Graf has a bit of a “road to Damascus” moment. Not sure it will take, but we’ll see. Pai could instantly tell something was different. She is likely reaching out to her uncle, Balthazar, who is Russian Orthodox, for more information. I cannot imagine her hostile to a possible emergence of her husband’s faith; still, this is a complex subject and I will proceed carefully.

Next, we will meet this branch of the Hartmann family. I bet at dinner; I love dinners.

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New Pai, 9

With the announcement of the anthology yesterday, I didn’t want to throw more material at my blog. So, here is the conclusion of the “quiet time” at Graf’s family farm and the introduction of Pai’s new form. It sounds as if things are already getting a little dicey, here and there.

Graf’s father, perhaps recalling his wife’s accidental death, makes the salient point that “nowhere is really safe.” Pai rejoins with, essentially, “we must try.” Both are legitimate arguements, one from fatalism and one from hope. You’d have thought a human and Machine would have taken the other’s side, but with his son married, his daughter about to, and two grandkids in the yard, Mister Winstead is perhaps mentally on life’s back 40. Pai, essentially immortal, sees worlds without end before her; if not always with Graf, then she can certainly be Auntie for generations to come.

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New Pai, 5

Much bigger mid-week addition, but I want the reveal to happen on Friday, to give everyone something to think about over the weekend. I wanted to continue with the simple, bucolic world Graf finds himself in right now, after his and Pai’s recent travels. I am, also, getting an idea for what will either be the second half or part three of this novel; it’s been too long since something blew up.

There really is a steampunk-themed B&B in Spring Green, WI. How has it stayed open for the last 150 years into my future history? No idea. Maybe no one thought it was worth looting? And, I can definitely see Suza making a small difference engine once she gets back home to Wilmington.

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New Pai, 4

Back in the river for more fish. Suza says something a bit startling to her dad, who runs it back past Alix. Later, at breakfast, Pai gets sneaky again about later that day. Then she shocks Mindy awake with her news of her unilateral action.

If I can just get everyone to this afternoon, the next segment, I can return to the plot of “religious war?” and start making trouble for everyone.

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New Pai, 2

Wife woke up at 0011 complaining of aches and pains. She also had – and has – a fever. One of our weekend pharmacists says influenza is endemic in central Ohio right now. Boomers panic and go to the hospitals, so now there are no beds. It’s the fookin’ flu. Yes, it sucks, but maybe it’s your time, Mr. and Mrs. “We’re spending our childrens’ inheritance.”

So, I’ll post what I have as I’m not sure when I’ll be back to the keyboard. With this RealLife illness, I also mention how Graf was sick early in their mission.

With Mindy’s Intended there, I now have a fresh set of eyes to look at what is going on. He’s obviously not comfortable with the Graf/Pai/Alix situation, but is quickly distracted in hearing of Fusions. And, Graf and Min’s father experiences a little healing, thinking what future might be for his grandchildren.

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New Pai, 1

New section, so new section title. It shall start in a calm, bucolic setting, but I hope the world catches fire in a few ten-thousand words. I do recall that Graf and Pai were married on this land, and that Alix was there, too. That was just before their, ah, agreement. Has she been back, since? I’ll find out and let y’all know.

My love of writing discussions over meals is nigh-well legendary, and this shall lead to another one. Pai will act like a maid to try to not call attention to herself, as it seems Minny’s beau, introduced below, is not sure what to think about all this, and her sitting in front of an empty plate might put him off.

In the background, we have a team of speculatores, one of many, making sure there will be no problems for Aurie’s annexation plans. I seriously doubt there will be any dialog, there. Also, there’s that secret “in two days” Pai mentioned. She knows, of course, so I do, too. Even Alix does. Poor Graf has no idea…

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PGA, 8

After pushing the kids just a little too far, Pai apologizes. Once that is behind them, the questions start, which allows her to tell a true story with some propaganda for seasoning. She comes from a dangerous and devious family, after all.

You can make the arguement that invading her husband’s dream is unethical, but this is a different time and she is not at all like us. As we will see, next week. Oh, I was gifted the word jinky before Mass last Sunday. Church is the best place to let stories come.

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