“Pet” Theories with Mrs. Bilcoe

Mrs. Bilcoe’s “I Have Thoughts” column originally ran in the weekly Heritageville Observer from Stratum XXIII-XXIV and was much beloved in the community. Selected columns are reprinted here for your edification.

Look at Mr. Frodley sitting at the window! Isn’t he the cutest?
  But why does this fetching feline make those chattering noises when he sees birds outside his windowsill perch?
  I have thoughts.
  These are sounds cats make to “disguise” themselves from potential prey of theirs. It is the closest that our furry friends can come to mimicking our avian amigos in order to secure optimal proximity to a kill.
  I have this on pretty good authority from my neighbour Egberto, who is an Animal Scientist. (He also mows my lawn.)
  Even though your cats may be spoilt with more than enough kibble servings, they will still make these sounds out of “instinct,” not hunger. I’m just glad there’s glass separating Frodley from his “birdie brunch”!
  ’Later!

Cinderella Setsunai

What-ifs, unactualised potentials, and poignant possibilities

Diligence Disdained, Dreams Dissolved

Sign of Spring ’23

Crocus variety

Le garçon s’assit sur le pierre de gué gris
buissons d’if debout dans une ligne
la bénédiction du soleil, chaud et silencieux
demande aux crocus d’ouvrir

Xarnaq IV Seeks Diplomatic Relations with Dementia V Power Broker

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Grand Praetor Zarg VI of Xarnaq IV confirms intentions to open diplomatic relations with Infinata of Dementia V, a situation that should not affect relations with other United Planets members.
  The potentate of the Xarnaq Praetorium said that in the current timeline, we cannot continue to think that expanding relations with one realm means being an enemy to another.
  “Xarnaq IV has been keen to establish diplomatic relations with Dementia V for some time,” the Praetorium Ministry of Communication told United Planets Media.
  Infinata claims domain over the Gorthian Library, a vast storehouse of knowledge cosmo-statically digitised for transdimensional access.
  Zarg VI believes that this overture is attractive to Xarnaq’s information economy, since Infinata has established himself as a power broker in the economic and commercial sphere of Dementia V.
  Reaction to the announcement by Jurgætium Prime Imperator Jurgætus LXII did not take long. The sovereign expressed Its opposition, stating that the risky decision may bring negative lysergic consequences for United Planets members.
  “These relations would be a first with this particular dimension. Prudence is warranted,” said Magister DeVault, Ambassador of Imperial Jurgætium.
  “We have plenty of experience with trans-dimensional interlopers,” retorted Sir Keir Marvik, Xarnaq Special Envoy and Ambassador. “We can manage.”
  Xarnaq’s Ministry of Communication has already begun a media blitz campaign touting the benfits of this trans-dimensional relationship and its potentially positive impact on Xarnaq IV.
  There is no current news on the United Planets’ state of relations with Dementia VII, though relations with Dementia IV have chilled somewhat since poor trans-dimensional communications caused a Quantum Venn Conflict, resulting in a fracturing of native D.IV liminal spaces.

...While It Lasts

Noctivagant 9: Garasu no Tōri