STORIES
145 - Tingling
2008
Early morning in Zyfan and Karanthir's
temporary room ...
ORRIE:
Brum, beep beep ...
ZYFAN:
Orrie …?
ORRIE:
You woke up. Be right back. I get K’ranthir.
ZYFAN:
Orrie wait. You do not need to leave.
ORRIE:
Do too. Him say I stay with you so you not alone. Then I get him when you wake up.
ZYFAN:
But I am not alone. You are here with me.
ORRIE:
Oh yeah.
ORRIE:
… Zyfan, why you wear his nightshirt?
ZYFAN:
This is mine. I forgot to pack it when I went away.
ORRIE:
Naw that not right. He wore it to bed the whole time you
not there. Said it helped him sleep.
ZYFAN:
He told you that?
ORRIE:
Uh-huh. Was I not s’pose to tell? He gonna be mad at me?
ZYFAN:
He could never be mad at you. I think it is wonderful how you look
up to him. I suppose you want to be just like him when you grow up?
ORRIE:
Can’t. I gonna be an advisor to the One.
ZYFAN:
You want to be one of my advisors? But Orrie, you are much too young. I am sorry to tell you this, but you could never advise me.
ORRIE:
Not you. The One.
ZYFAN:
I am to be the next One.
ORRIE:
No you not. Pica’s the next One.
ZYFAN:
Pica - my little niece?
R I P !
ZYFAN:
… By the gods!
ORRIE:
Unbelievable!
Look Zyfan - she’s a lady! And she’s naked too.
- ? -
What a bumpy jump ...
ORRIE:
Oh wow - I gotta tell K’ranthir. He’s never gonna believe this!
ZYFAN:
Wait Orrie I want to talk to you more about ...
- ? -
Hello sir.
ZYFAN:
Uh greetings. I am Zyfan. Oh, please forgive me,
perhaps you could use this?
- ? -
Yes sir. Thank you very much,.
Meanwhile ...
KARANTHIR:
… Who would’ve thought - you and I, having breakfast together
- Zyfan will be so pleased. So where's your lovely wife?
VANNI:
She’s with Pica.
KARANTHIR:
Of course, the little princess. Charming child.
VANNI:
Glad you feel that way. Syrrah and I were thinking that you and Zyfan wouldn't mind babysitting her again ...
KARANTHIR:
No, I believe I’ll pass on that. Do you know neither the prince
nor I slept a wink that long, memorable evening.
ORRIE:
K’ranthir! K’ranthir - Guess what?
KARANTHIR:
You’re about to tell me the Prince awake at last.
ORRIE:
Yup. And he’s with a lady who just popped in
and she’s naked. It was unbelievable!
KARANTHIR:
A naked lady? In Zyfan’s room?
ORRIE:
Yup. And guess what? She isn’t wearing any clothes.
KARANTHIR:
Seriously, what would a naked lady be doing in Zyfan’s room?
ORRIE:
Don’t know, but she said she had a bumpy jump.
VANNI:
Jump?
ORRIE:
Yup.
VANNI:
That’s a term used by time travelers when they uh
... arrive, at least that's what my family calls it.
KARANTHIR:
You mean to tell me there really is a naked lady in Zyfan’s room?
ORRIE:
Told you so.
KARANTHIR:
Then what are we doing discussing the situation.
Let's go and see, I mean, meet her.
VANNI:
Orrie, could you tell Syrrah we have a guest.
ORRIE:
Do I hafta? I wanna see the naked lady some more.
KARANTHIR:
Orrie, you make me so proud. But you’ve already saw her
and now it's our turn. Do be a good boy and do as you're told.
ORRIE:
OK.
Then …
- ? -
I’ve been traveling through time trying to locate
my brother. He seems to keep moving about…
VANNI:
Chinatsu!
CHINATSU:
Vanni - at last!
VANNI:
I wasn't expecting you. This is Karanthir and I see you’ve
already met Zyfan, my brother-in-law.
CHINATSU:
Brother-in-law? You have married?
VANNI:
Yes, you must come meet my wife and daughter.
CHINATSU:
A daughter too? You have been doubly blessed.
VANNI:
You're going to love Syrrah, and I'm sure she'll have
something more suitable for you to wear ...
ZYFAN:
Good morning.
KARANTHIR:
I’m sure it was for you. I'm sorry I missed the entertainment. Tell me, what was it like having a naked woman appear before you?
ZYFAN:
I am not sure what you mean. Where is Orrie? He said
something so odd to me right before she arrived.
KARANTHIR:
Not so fast my prince, there's something I'd like to know.
When she arrived, was there any reaction at all?
ZYFAN:
There seemed to be a ripping sensation in the air.
KARANTHIR:
Not quite what I'm looking for ...
KARANTHIR:
... I’ll try again. Did ... the little prince stand up and take notice of her?
ZYFAN:
The little ... I have told you before that I do not appreciate you naming
parts of my person, and I’m appalled you would ask such a question!
KARANTHIR:
I’m only thinking ahead to your wedding night. As I recall, you were
very concerned about - how shall we say ... what might not happen.
ZYFAN:
Oh yes, that. Let me think. It all happened so fast. I do not believe there was any time for me to feel anything at all.
ZYFAN:
... Is that bad?
KARANTHIR:
I don't think it's good. You honestly felt
nothing? Not even a little tingling?
ZYFAN:
The only time I tingle is when you are near.
KARANTHIR:
I love you all the more for saying that. Perhaps all we
need do is find you a bride that resembles moi.
ZYFAN:
Do you think such a woman exists?
KARANTHIR:
She’d be a very beautiful woman, wouldn't she?
Now, what I need to know is - are you still tingling, my prince?
ZYFAN:
Definitely.
KARANTHIR:
I can't allow that to go on unattended, now can I?
ZYFAN:
I hope not.
