The Artful Dodger, Chapter Two

Indy arrived at the docks, with her rental truck full of supplies for the trip north. They were headed for a quick tour of New England and Canada then they were headed west, for Las Vegas and San Francisco.

Why the captain insisted on sending her to pick up the supplies when the task should have gone to the quartermaster and the cook alone. Instead she was sent with them, even though she was convinced they didn’t need any protection. New York City was not a third world country, ripe with impoverished peoples that would run the truck down and steal its contents and murder its occupants.

Several of the slaves emerged from the loading bay doors of the ship to help unload the truck. Ajay was close behind them, holding a small device with several buttons. The buttons, when pressed, sent a wave of intense pain through the slaves, via a small chip implanted in the back of the neck. This was supposed to keep them in line, and behaving. Indy, however, hated the idea of implanting chips into people, and much preferred direct contact to punish those behaving badly. That made the slaves more afraid of her, and it was very effective in getting them to accomplish the tasks at hand. And if it got the slaves working, the captain didn’t care.

Out of the corner of her eye, Indy spotted a small, young girl approaching the pier. She was dressed poorly, a heavy trench coat covering her from neck to toe. Indy rolled her eyes. They didn’t give handouts, she could get a job like everyone else with money.

The Adventures of the Artful Dodger, Chapter One

“Are you coming home for Passover, honey?”

“And send Ari a kick in the ass for me… Um, what?” Indy Smyth practically dropped the phone in her hand as she slipped a little on the dock. The ship, the Artful Dodger, was currently docked in New York City and taking on new crew members and goods. And of course, Indy was in charge of making sure everything went smoothly. Her job as head of security wasn’t an easy one, but she loved it all the same. Her mother was, however, very upset that her oldest child’s job took her far, far away from home. Indy didn’t usually like going home. As much as she did love her family, she couldn’t connect with them. But her mother insisted on having Indy come home for every holiday. And they celebrated both Christian holidays and Jewish holidays, which kept her mother very busy in the decorating department.

The Adventures of the Artful Dodger, Intro.

In a world where special abilities are the norm, those without are looked upon with disdain and extreme prejudice. Families go to extreme measures to cover up a child’s lack of abilities; some go off the grid completely and take shelter in secret colonies of those like them.

Many aren’t so lucky. The slave trade is alive and kicking. The massive airships that circle the globe looking for work are indeed illegal, but the governments turn a blind eye to their trade, taking bribes and making favors in exchange for the good the traders ply.

Some slavers are relatively kind and good, many more than that are wicked and cruel. Some are practical about the way they treat the goods they carry.

One ship was a little bit of everything. The Artful Dodger had the best of the best in regards to the captain and crew. Delilah Fury was the captain and she does her job well. She was a tall, powerful-looking woman. Her hair was as fiery as her temper, and she never took no for an answer, even when the clearest and sanest answer was no. The first mate, Manitoba Blake, was very much her opposite. And he preferred it that way. He was kinder gentler, and most of the crew went to him if there were issues.

The crew was an eclectic gathering of people. Some enjoyed the lot they had been dealt, others felt sympathy for the slaves on board the ship. But they had a job that paid them well, and that’s all they needed.

Untitled Koi/Indy. Present for teh Jill.

Her birthday had come and gone, and now she was nursing a hangover. Indy had spent the day at a spa, of all places in Alaska to go. She’d been scrubbed, massaged, moisturized, and waxed within an inch of her life. And what exactly was she doing this for anyway? What was the procedure here? It wasn’t like she was the one cashing in her v-card. He should have been the one getting ready. She stalked her way through Anchorage, shopping bag in hand. She’d ducked into the first lingerie shop she found and spent her last month’s pay on a pure silk kimono. She didn’t even bother try it on. It would have the desired effect.

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapter Fourteen

The bus stopped, just outside of Fresno, California. She stepped off the bus, just for a break. The air smelled much like the air at the Vegas bus station. There was a hint of something different though. The bus was parked at a gas station, and it wouldn’t have been too much to just grab her purse from her seat and run for the hills.
Which she, of course, did. She left her remaining tickets on the driver’s seat, and headed north for the city on foot.

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapter Thirteen

‘Dear Tucker, I’m sorry, but I can’t let you get involved in this…”
Senga could only imagine the look on his face when her note was found. The sun had yet to rise when she woke up to scribble out one last note to him on hotel stationary. She’d tucked it away, safe in his pants’ pocket. They had planned to go to the airport first thing in the morning.

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapter Twelve

A few more weeks had passed and life had never more blissful for Senga. She finally had someone sturdy, someone steady to hold on to. And Tucker didn’t seem to mind. She liked the pattern that was emerging: wake up, have breakfast, learn and help Tucker practice poker, lunch, work, dinner, work, then capping it all off with sexy fun times back in their suite. Hades hadn’t even bothered them. Hades didn’t even seem to be around at all, which was fine by them.
Life was good.
For a while.

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapter Eleven

Senga rolled over, groaning. Her bed was entirely too hot and something kept kicking the back of her legs. For a brief moment, a cold pit formed in her stomach. This wasn’t her bed. And that was…a man? Tucker. She let herself breathe, and settled back against him. His arms just curled around her tighter.
This was different. And she liked it. Opening her eyes to wipe the sleep out, she thought she saw Hades glaring at her. And flames coming from his hands. She blinked, startled, and the image was gone. Tucker stretched behind her, his hands creeping up her stomach to her breasts. They paused momentarily, and he let out a loud yawn.
“Mmm, what have I found here?” he whispered into her ear. She giggled and rolled over to face him and kiss him.
“Just a strange, naked girl in your bed.” She said when she pulled away from kissing him.

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapter Ten

Tucker picked her up at the apartment an hour later. Senga was giggling like a school girl when he buzzed up to the apartment.
“I got the Jaguar, I mean your chariot awaits, my lady.” Senga grinned to herself, and adjusted the neckline of her barely appropriate dress to make her boobs look bigger.
Down the elevator she went, hopping from foot to foot in her heels. And there Tucker was, looking as handsome as ever. With more roses. Senga grinned so wide, her face would have broken. Tucker offered his arm to her, which she took gladly. He smiled down at her, and led her out to the car, the flashing neon lights of the Strip reflected in the windows and glossy paint job of the sports car. Senga reached a finger out to touch the car. Tucker laughed and playfully slapped her hand away.
“It’s a rental, Shhhh.”
“We’d better stay out of the backseat then.”

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapter Nine

The night was a success. All 20 people who came and listened were upset that the regular girl wasn’t there, but Senga soon won them over. Why wouldn’t she? She had a sad beauty, and the crowd seemed to love it. One person in the crowd commented she had a voice like an angel. Senga just smiled and went on with the lounge tunes. Maybe if more people came, she’d sing her own stuff.

At the end of the week, the manager gave her the pay for a week’s worth of singing. And what did she do with it? She went to the casino. She hadn’t had the chance to try out any of the slots.

She happened to glance over at the private poker rooms, out of curiosity, and saw the man being frog-marched by two rather rough looking men from the room. Not good. She tossed down the last of her drink and followed them, pausing at the slot machines every so often, just in case she was being watched. The guards led the man out to a loading bay, a rather dark and barren area to go in the middle of the night. Senga couldn’t head back there, so she went around the building. Which took forever. There was no time to sight see, not yet. When she finally reached the back of the building, the guards had gone, and the man was on the ground, groaning. His two black eyes were beginning to swell, as was his bottom lip.

“Hey…” She said softly, when she crouched beside him. “Need a hand?”

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapter Eight

The flight landed in Vegas, first thing in the morning. Senga was excited. As soon as she got off the plane, she could feel the change. It happened in every city she went to. There was a pulse, a thumping that couldn’t be denied. And she loved it.

“Ready for some action?” Hades asked, grinning over at her.

Senga laughed, “Maybe, I’m exhausted though. Kinda wanna just go and unpack and sleep for a very long time.”

“You’re no fun! We should go to a casino. Or a bar. Or both!” he bounced a little, tugging on her arm.

“Maybe tomorrow, let’s just get to your place for now. I really need to sleep.” She said, yawning to illustrate her point. Maybe she was exaggerating, but she wanted to get used to the city slowly. She had a feeling Andy wouldn’t find her here.

Hades nodded. “Ooooookay.” He even pouted a little. “Baggage check is this way.” He said, tugging on her hand to lead her in the right direction.

She just smiled and was lead. Glancing around and getting her bearings. The terminals had slot machines. And it was awesome.

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapters Six and Seven

Senga went back to her car, alone. She needed to get out of there. Trying to party and be happy with her friends just wasn’t in the cards tonight. She’d done the rounds, congratulated her friends, and hitched up her skirts and beat a path out of there. Couldn’t stand watching them celebrate.
Her powers were nothing to laugh at. They’d manifested a little early, but no Sirens were needed. The Fates had let that slide. As a Siren, she could control men with the power of her voice. The Siren language was a force to be reckoned with, and no mortal man could resist it. She’d made that mistake with Andy, figuring it would put an end to the abuse she’d suffered at his hands. But it hadn’t.
She got into the car, laying her head on the wheel, and sobbed. She had no one now. Her friends were gone, and replaced with the gods of old. She put the key in the ignition and put the car into reverse. She needed to get back to the apartment and sleep. Ohhh, glorious sleep.
As soon as she reached the building, she knew something was wrong. The door handle to the tenement was broken. And when she went inside, the other tenants stared at her, wide-eyed and scared. Senga climbed the stairs to her floor, and rounded the corner to her room. The door had been flung wide open, and her possessions strew like garbage throughout the hallway.

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapter Five

“And she's watching him with those eyes
And she's lovin' him with that body I just know it
And he's holding her in his arms late late at night
YOU KNOW I WISH I HAD JESSIE’S GIRL
I WISH THAT I HAD JESSIE’S GIRL
WHERE CAN I FIND A WOMAN LIKE THAT!?”

Henry was singing along at the top of his lungs in the passenger seat. Paul had his fingers in his ears, and Senga had to drive. And was thinking dark, dark things. Like justifiable homicide. Henry rolled the window down and shouted the lyrics of the song out at random passers by, while Paul leaned forward and tugged at his seat belt to get him back in his seat. 

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapter Four

Life went on in Chicago, Senga waited tables, and sang at open mic nights to make rent. Paul was preparing for his ceremony, boning up on his history and reading the ancient texts, studying the language and words he’d be expected to be proficient in. Senga would come home from work, and find him curled up in the little floor space they had around the scrolls, and she’d do her best not to step on the age worn parchment. He was nervous. He’d been waiting for this his entire life, since it was declared at his birth he’d be Poseidon. Senga remembered her mother telling her about the child rites, how Senga cried and cried as she was held by Clotho, and was anointed with olive oil and water from the River Styx by Atropos, and her position was announced by Lacheisis. Her mother cried when it was announced Senga would be a Siren.

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapters Two and Three

A much older Senga cradled her Jack and coke in her hands, as she sat in a smoky bar in Chicago. She smiled, remembering her younger years. Now she was 22, and much wiser. Though she hadn’t grown into her hair. It was still as wild and curly as it had been when she was a child.
“Hey, Kitt. Back to Earth!” Her friend Paul snapped his fingers in front of her nose, bringing her out of her thoughts. “You’re on in a few minutes, you know.”
She sighed and downed the rest of her drink. “Yeah, man, I know.” She coughed on the alcohol as it burned its way down her throat. “I’m not nervous, or anything.”
“I never said you were nervous. Just keep it together. We don’t need 100 men following you home tonight.” He said, snorting into his pint glass.
Senga just stared at him with that black look that she was famous for. That look could strip paint off walls, make men’s balls shrivel and fall off. And Paul knew that, as he looked down at his glass. “Wow, I never knew beer could be so interesting…” he said; he knew he’d hit a nerve.
“And now, let’s give it up for a newcomer to our humble bar, Senga Kitt!” The emcee made an overly dramatic flourish on stage, waiting for Senga to get up there.
“We’ll finish this later.” She made a pointed glance at Paul, and picked up her guitar and headed up to the stage.

Siren's Song, NaNo 2008, Chapter One

"Mama, sing me a song." Senga curled up underneath her blankets, ready for bed. Her mother smiled, and tucked the Little Mermaid sheets in around the small 5 year old girl. "How about a story instead, little one?" she asked, switching to her native language, the language of the Sirens. She motioned for Senga to respond, in the same tongue. Senga nodded, "Yes, mother!" Her mother smiled, and sat beside her daughter on her bed, giving her her favorite ragdoll, and beginning the story.

As yet untitled Senga/Tucker project

“That one’s been eyeing you all night.”

“I think she’s looking at you.”  Agent Tucker Smyth took a sip from his Jack and Coke, and glanced around the loud, brightly colored nightclub.  Even though he was supposed to be working, he couldn’t help but notice the women around him, all as bright and colorful as the club itself.  Their significant lack of modest clothing helped as well.

His superior, Agent John Radner, rolled his eyes, and drank his water. He was not enjoying himself, however, and looked like he would be more at home amongst desks, pencils, and paperwork.  

It wasn’t long before one song ended, and another began. A loud whoop echoed through the club, and both agents turned to find the source. There was a gorgeous young woman climbing up onto a table to dance.  Agent Radner rolled his eyes, and took a sip from his glass muttering something about young people these days.

Explanations.

This post is going to take me a while to write, as there's a little bit of explanation to be done to prevent confusion.

I have several stories and novels in the works about the trials and tribulations of Senga and Tucker. They exist in many different universes, and in different forms in each of them. But one thing is the same, those two characters need each other. They're almost like the proverbial two halves make a whole.

One day, they'll settle down in a universe where they find the most comfort, but for now, just enjoy the jumping around. If you see anywhere that you like, let me know.

My other projects include a couple of co-writes with my awesome and talented friend J. F. Jenkins, and I might post those here. They'll also be posted in her blog as well.

I think that's it? I don't know. My brain kind of hurts.

Let's break this bad boy in!

This blogging thing is addicting. Here, in this very blog, I am going to post my assorted other works. Steal and I beat you to death with my old iPod. And that thing is a brick, trust me.