Replies

PART TWO

A CHRISTMAS EVE EVE TALE

*texokie is brandishing the scissors and staring down the unexpected guest with her best glare, who does not at all seem to be properly intimidated.*

Are you TEXOKIE?

*Now THIS really startles texokie. Does she admit it? Lie? Stay quiet? WHAT???? Why couldn’t USMC79to83 or KitJ, or xone, or Lone Palm, or ANY of our many wonderful Qanteen veterans or military guys be here now? She continues to brandish the scissors*

Oh this isn’t going like it was supposed to at all. Somehow there was a minor miscalculation. Oh for Pete’s Sake! You can put down those scissors, I’m not going to hurt you. Are you TEXOKIE?

*texokie seems strangely put at ease by something about this man who has appeared in the Qanteen Qommon Room so suddenly. She nods and puts the scissors down on the piano bench.*

Yes, I’m texokie…. Now WHO ARE YOU???

*The man considers that for a moment and asks another question*

Are any other Qanteeners here? You call them “FReeQS,“ don’t you?

*texokie, mouth open, dumbly shakes her head “no,” then nods. She clears her throat, seeing the confusion on the man’s face and that her head motions sent mixed messages*

No other Qanteeners are here…. Yes, we call ourselves “FReeQs”

Are Mother of Dragons (and Dragonlets) or Bagster here?

*texokie feels she can trust this guy for some unknown reason, and shakes her head “No.”*

Well, what about Swordmaker? What about blu and greeneyes? Cletus D. Yokel?

*She again shakes her had “No.”

And what about Swordmaker’s staff? CJWolf? KitJ? Storm Flag?

*texokie hesitates with this one.*

Well, I’m the only one here, and I’m on Swordy’s staff. Will I do? …Wait….HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME????

*The man regards her through very old and kind eyes which have seen much - even though, while mature, and he seems to be at his prime, but not old enough to have such deep and wise eyes.*

Well, truth to tell, no one was supposed to be here!

*Startled, texokie cries out:*

HOW DID YOU KNOW?! That’s true! I only changed my mind at the last minute because I have so much to doooooo! The whole Qanteen membership went to a special party with food and Qarol singing and dancing a couple of towns over. Even the Qanteen Qatz and Dawgs went. I finished my Meme Tree Decorations and only have 188 more carved walking sticks to wrap!

*The man looks at the mess under the Steinweigh, looks at the carved walking sticks, picks one up and examines it with care, puts it down, and smiles at her and says:*

We have it all. But it is true that sometimes as the Plan plays out, things on the ground change and have to be dealt with.

*texokie didn’t like the idea of “being dealt with.” She grabs up the scissors again*

And just HOW do you plan to “DEAL” with me???

*The man sighs and wonders how this one fierce little dragonlet in front of him could so sorely doubt his intentions, but he understands, and is patient. Little does this little creature know how he could disarm and break her into itty bitty pieces if he chose…. Or does she? She might. No matter. He means no harm to her. He would never intend that. He actually was acquainted with one or two of her relatives. But he can’t mention that. Orders.*

Please, put the scissors down. What I meant is that I had not expected you, but it will probably be for the best that you are here. Sometimes that is what happens as the Plan plays out. The unexpected happens, and yet it can all work out for the best.

I am certain you have heard of “Adapt and Overcome.” That’s when things are not as you expect, no matter how carefully you plan, so you adapt to the new unexpected circumstance, and then have the fierce Will and Faith and Certitude that you WILL overcome any obstacle.

*Knowing that this is true, and not at all deterred by being called an “unexpected obstacle to be adapted to and overcome,” texokie puts the scissors down again and decides that this man should be treated as guest and not an adversary. She had relatives in the Marines, and that was something she had heard a LOT. She had even OFTEN been the source of causing someone to “adapt and overcome.” She was GOOD at it! She motions for him to be seated on a nearby beanbag.*

*He is quite tall and lanky, and folds himself up like a safety pin getting into the bean bag. She smiles as she watches him. She has put her Qovfefe cup on the small covfefe table near her favorite bean bag. She gestures the question of would he like a cup? He nods. She brings in another cup and hands it to him. She also brings in the box of donuts and pastry. Texokie sinks into her own bean bag, and cups in hand, they peer at each other. The man has a wry smile on his face*

Well, sir, you do seem to have the advantage of me. You know my name, you know I’m alone in the Qanteen. You seem to know the names of some of our members. But anyone could know those if they keep up with our threads at all. You said “We have it all.” And you speak of the Plan. Please, who are you, and why are you here? And more than that, how did you get here????

*The man looks kindly at her. He runs his hands through his very short and evenly cut hair. He looks around the Qommon Room and takes it all in.*

It really IS quite lovely here. We are very pleased at what we have heard of this place.

*texokie takes in this little nugget and leans back into her bean bag and tries to assemble her racing thoughts behind her trifocals*

END PART TWO

Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q