The four were disembarking from the ship on the desert island, ready for their first assignment. Baralai walked close to Nooj, seeming to watch him for signs of waning seasickness. Paine was struggling to find the best way to carry her recorder’s pack, and Gippal was looking around at their surroundings. He had a suspicious expression on his face ( Read more... )

Gippal and Paine were trading stories about themselves: where they came from, where they’d been, what caused them to try out for the Crimson Squad. Paine -- who had seemed so withdrawn before -- seemed more open now, as if Gippal’s presence lightened the mood. Finally, she asked him the question that no one else seemed to want to ask.

“Gippal,” ( Read more... )

Nooj picked up the small thick book and weighed it thoughtfully in his hand. Its very existence had quite slipped his mind until it had turned up during his packing for the move to Youth League headquarters. Just holding it brought back vivid memories of the days when life had been so much simpler and he had had the leisure to occupy his thoughts ( Read more... )

vi·chys·soise   n.   A thick creamy potato soup flavored with leeks and onions, usually served cold.

Definitely Not Vichyssoise

Gippal woke up in a haze. His vision was blurry, but he thought he could make out a concrete floor.

It seemed he was still face-down. What had hit him? Had something fallen and knocked him out? He was ( Read more... )

When Baralai found out that Gippal was sixteen years old, he panicked.

“Are you certain?” he asked Nooj in a hushed voice while Gippal was away hunting for their dinner in the Bikanel sands.

“Yes,” Nooj said. “He’s been lying to us this whole time.”

“What is he doing in the Crimson Squad then? He shouldn’t even be here.”

“ ( Read more... )

The final chapter and the epilogue of Blue are posted at
( Read more... )

The Confessional has a new home. You can now read the whole collaboratively written story of the Crimson Squad trials from four different viewpoints here. Thanks to owlmoose for the hosting space.

Baralai watched Yuna approach. He knew that he was about to go give his speech, and he had to be ready - but he’d heard that Yuna wanted to speak with him, and how could he refuse her?

She approached, hips swaying and hands clasped before her, and Baralai felt something stir in his chest. She was so beautiful; he remembered the way her body ( Read more... )

It's been quite a hellish few weeks, but in the process, there's been a new chapter of Blue written and posted.