tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77252961720969775852011-11-27T15:46:47.769-08:00SF/Fantasy mixed serial about a young fugitive who travels between planets in the Milky Way to hide from the Watchers.The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comBlogger311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-51560763213822108892008-03-10T17:19:00.000-07:002008-03-10T17:50:40.647-07:00

Timbella woke Deeter up in a manner he was most unaccustomed to. But he couldn't complain much. Afterwards he asked if she always woke people up like that."Well, when we're sharing the same bed, why not." She stood up. "Shower," she said, and disappeared into the bathroom. Deeter sighed. He felt somehow wrong, and the only thing that he thought might help was more sex. So he followed her into the

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-19452945547823149092008-03-07T13:41:00.000-08:002008-03-07T14:42:38.491-08:00

"What did he mean, 'not your religion'?" Timbella asked."Well, as I told you, the priests can't read the minds of the nobles. So there's no need for them in our services.""What are the services?""Worship."She rolled her eyes. "I wasn't raised with a religion, so I don't really know what 'worship' consists of.""Oh, well, it's just honoring the ancestors, for us. The priests try to say they have

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-37597079802421232752008-03-05T00:13:00.000-08:002008-03-05T01:10:54.925-08:00

"And the next time you saw him?" she asked.Deeter sighed. The massage was over. "I really would like to just get to sleep, please.""How can you sleep? Well, I mean, I've got that dope, we can use that later.""What's dope?""A downer, I told you."He shrugged, using both arms to indicate ignorance, smiling. Timbella rolled her eyes. "Do they have painkillers where you're from?""Yes, of course.

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-22773801366278014842008-03-01T08:42:00.001-08:002008-03-01T09:40:53.655-08:00

The hotel was not nearly as nice as Timbella's flat, but it took cash and asked no questions. Deeter was beginning to calm down, so he flopped down onto the bed, belly first. Timbella joined him, and began rubbing his shoulders. He made a happy little noise."So you met that guy before?""Mmmm, can we not talk about this?"She stopped rubbing his shoulders. "Sure."He sighed. "I'll talk if you keep

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-23611836420720952862008-02-27T15:31:00.000-08:002008-02-27T16:02:37.072-08:00

Timbella was stroking Deeter's hair when there was a knock on the door. He pulled back and looked at her. She stared back, shrugged, then put her finger to her lips. She crept to the door and looked. Whoever it was chose that moment to knock again, knocking firmer. She walked backwards to Deeter, and whispered, very softly, "Ready that taser."He did so. Watcher? How would she know? At best,

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-60502632323534681472008-02-25T18:51:00.000-08:002008-02-25T19:14:45.496-08:00

The place that Hypose took Deeter Zor to was not what he expected. He expected a shop like the map shop, with various types of empty books rather than... nothing. Not even some sort of "electrical" device that you could write on. Instead there were devices, slightly bigger than the bloodstones, which apparently you could talk into. Voice recorders. The one Hypose picked out for him was so small

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-24592600172499615892008-02-22T10:09:00.001-08:002008-02-22T11:33:04.640-08:00

The city of Akinal was like nothing Deeter Zor had seen. He had seen all of the country his family ruled, but it couldn't have possibly prepared him for advanced civilization. Even something as simple as a map shop - something he'd seen before, in Shringston - overwhelmed him. He did his best to keep it hidden, and his years of diplomacy training helped.Hypose paid for him, and when they left,

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-46273145827318684072008-02-20T09:56:00.000-08:002008-02-20T11:46:55.966-08:00

Deeter Zor was still panicked. He was feeling as if he'd just managed to escape from the Watchers again. He was beginning to calm down, but Timbella had inadvertently pulled out some issues that he wasn't able to cope with. His life had been simple enough, a few months ago. He was the second son, and there was a place for him. He was little more than decoration, it seemed, and he was content with

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-41996338136991159412008-02-13T16:31:00.000-08:002008-02-13T16:49:55.960-08:00

"You sure have a strange life."Deeter Zor stared at Timbella. "Why, because I was raised as the second prince of Shringston, or because I travel the galaxy via portals created by gemstones?""Well, I was thinking of the former, actually. The traveling thing sounds super. I wish I could come with you."Deeter hesitated. "I'm supposed to say that couldn't happen, but honestly it would make things

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-37921136335809210142008-02-11T12:24:00.000-08:002008-02-11T12:41:20.789-08:00

"A fucking prince," Timbella said again.Deeter felt strange. He had never told anyone as much about himself before. He felt a sense of relief. But he was still shaking. "I was the second son. My path was to learn diplomacy. I didn't need much else.""Yeah, throne insurance. We still have monarchy here but only a few countries give them any power. They mainly just have the inherited money from land

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-14389272313684716622008-02-07T19:43:00.000-08:002008-02-07T20:05:47.935-08:00

Deeter Zor was trying to think. As usual, he did so aloud. "So perhaps my ancestor spilled blood by pure accident. Or perhaps she had to spill her blood in order to travel as I do.""Yeah, you said the Watcher had no idea you used gems to travel, so there's no way she did," agreed Timbella. "Although, wasn't that like a hundred years ago?""I believe the Watchers are far longer-lived than we are.""

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-73785269725475648602008-02-04T20:43:00.000-08:002008-02-04T21:20:17.360-08:00

Timbella hadn't said a word for several minutes. She used the toilet, and brought back a glass of water, but kept quiet. Deeter supposed she didn't want to believe the evidence of her eyes. The telephone rang. She got up, almost automatically, and answered it. "Hello? Oh... Yeah. You, uh, you don't want to know. I know... I know... It was not my idea. We're both very sorry... ok, if you don't

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-17115008646438076002008-02-01T10:03:00.001-08:002008-02-04T21:06:40.167-08:00

Lunch was strange. First, she spoke into a "telephone" to order it. A kitchen on the other telephone prepared the meal, then a delivery person brought it to her house in exchange for money. He supposed in a place with high speed tranport, this made sense. Then there was the food. A small grain, in great quantities. Small strips of meat and vegetables. That wasn't so strange, exactly, but the

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-15524624876445627022008-01-29T13:27:00.000-08:002008-01-29T13:28:46.137-08:00

"What do you know of the Watchers?""What watchers?""Intergalactic."She stared at him. "Intergalactic?""Yes, people who make sure criminals don't leave other planets and get away with it.""Hold on, excuse me. I'm kinda stuck on this whole thing. Intergalactic? You mean like, space aliens?""Correct.""Are you still high?""No." He realized this wasn't going to be as simple as he thought. He reached

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-51352158348343555132008-01-25T12:12:00.001-08:002008-01-25T12:39:26.462-08:00

So, thought Deeter, that was what the fuss was about. The drug had worn off by now. He felt light-headed and tired and somewhat foolish. He had had sex before, but not with a girl close to his own age. For once he was thankful for the strange teachings he had absorbed from his "physical education" mistress. It was part of life, even for the peasants where he grew up, to have an older man or woman

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-61378019764325739212008-01-25T12:11:00.000-08:002008-01-25T12:12:00.843-08:00

Traveling, sorry for the missing post this week.

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-4658022832522711582008-01-22T22:11:00.000-08:002008-01-22T22:12:24.000-08:00

Deeter swallowed the substance, and listened to the music quietly. It was odd to him, intricate and overly rhythmic. He couldn't recognize a single instrument. He considered asking what it was, but he figured he wouldn't understand the answer. And then, the drug took hold.It was not at all like being drunk on wine.At first he didn't notice anything different. Then he felt cold. Extremely cold. He

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-75463088212427406672008-01-19T22:11:00.000-08:002008-01-19T22:52:48.718-08:00

Deeter inspected Timbella's studio flat with great interest. Apart from the Professor's minimalist space, he hadn't been in someone's home at all in his new life. It was completely different from any inn or tavern room, of course, but it was surprisingly similar to where he'd grown up. Aside from the screen to hide half. The furniture style was different, of course, but it was all old and matched

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-28808112031536826412008-01-17T14:01:00.000-08:002008-01-17T14:05:31.197-08:00

The Professor came back in. He looked up and down at Deeter and Timbella, and said, “I guess it’s a good thing you aren’t in a hurry.”Deeter became alert. “Is there a problem?”“Depends on your definition. No one is moving till the weekend, though.”“Oh. The weekend. Which is…”He tried very hard to hide a grin. “The day after tomorrow, is when they mean.”“I see. Should we try to meet them first?”

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-29870049670218694952008-01-15T12:44:00.000-08:002008-01-15T12:45:17.937-08:00

Deeter sat by himself on an orange sofa in a penthouse in Kwee City. He was feeling oddly alive. As much as he liked meeting people, he'd only been able to do so on rather shallow terms the past few months. He was enjoying this Professor and Timbella. Unfortunately he would have to leave them. He didn't think she was so attracted to him that she would follow him wherever he had to go, after

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-12151630811036891782008-01-12T12:50:00.000-08:002008-01-12T15:08:25.861-08:00

Deeter Zor was a bit disappointed when Timbella announced, "We're here," in front of an old building in poor condition."Does that sign say CONDEMNED?" he asked her."Oh come on, that's totally a ruse. He pays off people every month to keep that sign there." She pushed a button near the door. A distorted voice said, "Yes?""It's me," she replied. A buzzer sounded and she pulled open the door. "See,

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-72272675084080318002008-01-08T22:32:00.000-08:002008-01-19T22:55:13.718-08:00

Deeter Zor followed Timbella to a park. They sat on benches and shared their lunch, simple sandwiches heated in ovens. As the last meal he'd had was that tavern stew, he found it utterly delightful. As was being with a lovely curly-haired woman.He couldn't believe his luck. This planet - or this city, at least - seemed to have more equal gender roles, so the woman had no fear asking him to spend

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-90560273933348556462008-01-08T12:23:00.000-08:002008-01-10T11:50:11.531-08:00

Timbella Vissel walked into the pawn shop. Her dad had given her and her mom more jewelry, and while it placated her mother, Timby just wanted cash. She stopped short when she entered, staring at the young man checking out at the register. Tall, dark, and handsome. Dark-haired, at least. Brown, probably. Whatever, he was hot.She walked up to him. "Hey Mole," she said to the guy behind the counter

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-87422131539333727792008-01-04T14:14:00.000-08:002008-01-08T22:31:50.035-08:00

Deeter Zor looked around again. Still no one in sight. He continued recording his diary. "I escaped him relatively blindly. I think I wanted a place I could travel not on foot. I've never tried that before. I've never been in a, a small ship? A shuttle? I think that's what they're called. Well, first I plan to fix my hair, then get moving about somehow."He strode uneasily into the street. The

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-70941394953117071082008-01-03T10:29:00.000-08:002008-02-04T21:21:07.044-08:00

Deeter Zor looked at the man - no, he wasn't a man, was he, but one of Them - across from him. Prosstig had claimed he wanted to help, but he'd helped enough. He showed him how They could track him. It had not taken a genius to find the only tavern near his arrival spot, but it did take something special to find the room he'd lodged in. "Infrared."Prosstig was past that explanation, however. "

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-23073578877508378292007-12-29T09:51:00.000-08:002008-02-04T21:20:34.062-08:00

After receiving payment, Triv showed Deeter Zor to his room. Small, only one candle, but clean, and an actual bed stuffed with cotton, or some local fluffy material. He tried to get comfortable, but he wasn't very tired yet. He was getting better at sleeping on command, though, so after recording a new diary entry, he fell asleep.A bright light awoke him. It was not the sun, but a portable light

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-89608562592083125212007-12-27T13:22:00.000-08:002007-12-27T13:23:16.972-08:00

Schedule is a bit off due to Xmas and all that. Apologies to the three of you.

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-89952802540486373112007-12-26T08:54:00.001-08:002008-01-08T22:47:48.899-08:00

Deeter Zor tried not to stare at the large man shouting at him. He looked him straight in the eyes, then lowered his head slightly. "Really quite sorry, I had no idea. No one had bothered to let me know I shouldn't be sitting here." He picked up his bowl and cup and moved to another table.The man scowled. He had dark dreadlocks past his shoulders, eyes darker than his skin, two-days' beard growth

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-2359845957335070232007-12-21T18:22:00.001-08:002008-01-08T22:23:29.616-08:00

Deeter Zor was bored. His third day on this empty planet. Nothing to do, little to eat. He'd wanted to stay longer, but he couldn't. He felt like he was losing his mind. Mostly he walked and talked to himself. He wasn't even using the diary, just talking out loud for no reason. Thinking out loud. Mostly about Anect. He definitely didn't want to record those thoughts.It was time to move on, he

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-41544733427856437162007-12-20T12:47:00.000-08:002008-01-08T22:13:51.204-08:00

Deeter Zor looked around. The sun was low in the horizon, and the nearest trees were not that near. He pulled a blanket out of his pack and made as comfortable a bed as he could. The lush grassland was soft enough, at least. It beat sleeping on cobblestones. He pulled out a small fruit and ate it slowly, trying to savor it. When he finished, he began speaking."I will call this place Prairia in

The Gem Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06930408249750501543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7725296172096977585.post-90446445590399774072007-12-18T13:52:00.000-08:002008-01-08T22:11:16.705-08:00

Deeter Zor smiled grimly. "Shine all the lights you like on me, I'll never confess." They'd searched him utterly unthoroughly, so he still had the gems hidden near his armpits. Unfortunately he was tied to a chair at the moment, but he knew what to do. "Is it possible at all to use a facility, or may I urinate right here?"He could barely make out the silhouettes conversing together. Finally, one

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