Ladies and Gentlemen,
Screwball press, a subsidiary of Flybynight Industries,
Is proud to present what to our knowledge is the world's
first Tatoon Master Fanfic. . .
The working title is A visit from Mother. I may change it if I come up with a
better one.
Like it? Hate it? Want to send me money? Let me know!
--Komdo
"There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what
the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be
replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another
theory which states that this has already happened."
-Douglas Adams
*************
Twenty-First Century Tokyo isn't that much changed from Twentieth Century
Tokyo, which considering that the twentieth century was only about a year
ago, wasn't that long ago.
However, since this is a fic and not a essay on the changes the millennium
has wrought on Tokyo, let us focus our attentions on the trio of boys
crossing a bridge over a canal near the bisnuess district.
"So Eric, you and Bala get it on yet?" Asked one of the boys, a short lanky
youth named Danner. Eric's response was to stop short and ram his elbow into
Danner's gut.
"Not yet Danner," He said, grabbing Danner's shirt, "but the time's about
right for me to send you to your swimming lesson." His grin was sadistic as
he indicated the nearby canal.
"Uh, no thanks Eric." Danner said as Eric began to drag him over to the
canal. "I can't swim, you know that!"
"Everyone should to learn to swim." Eric said as he hoisted the other youth
over the low rail and held him there.
As Danner continued to plead for forgiveness, Eric suddenly felt a painful
pulsing in his forehead as the X shaped scar on his forehead suddenly began
to glow.
"Eric?" Asked the third boy, a crew cut youth named Brody. "Your forehead,
its glowing."
"Bala's in trouble!" Eric gasped out, letting go of Danner's shirt and
running back the way they came.
*************
Most boys would be pleased to have two attractive women fighting over them.
Eric had never had much use for women after his mother had walked out on him
and his father.
True, it was his father's fault, him having videotaped their lovemaking
sessions and then putting them up on the Web, but Eric still held his mother
responsible.
She was an anthropologist with a pit bull like zeal for her work. A character
trait which had led her deep into the mountains where a mysterious tribe of
mystics, known as the Tatoons, resided.
In return for the chance to study their powers, she had given Eric to Bala,
the high priestess, as her husband.
Eric only found out about this deal when Bala showed up to claim her husband.
Things went downhill from there.
Though it wasn't her fault, Bala had managed to get on the bad side of Lisa,
the school's archery champion, rumored psychopath, and resident feminist.
A nominal, if tenuous friendship had been slowly building between the three
of them.
Of course, there were plenty of setbacks.
"Lisa! There's no reason for us be fighting!" Bala cried. She was pretty,
well developed blond haired teen. She wore a school uniform and leather cuffs
encircled her wrists. Her dark brown eyes were focused on the brunette before
her. She didn't really pay attention to the small crowd that had gathered.
Lisa was also attractive. She had black hair and wore glasses. She would have
had plenty of suitors except for her unfortunate habit of taking aim at
anyone who gave her the slightest bit of offense with her bow and arrow.
She was also in love with Eric.
As it has been noted, there were setbacks.
"This is the last time Bala." Lisa said.
"But-" Bala started but was cut off by Lisa's growl.
"Last time!" She cried and let the arrow fly.
The arrow didn't reach its mark, instead it was knocked aside by the
schoolbag in Eric's hand as he leapt between them.
"This is getting old." Eric said as he stood up, pulling the arrow out.
"Did we miss it?" Asked Danner as he and Brody came running up. Danner was
still dripping wet.
"No, but if you ask nicely, I'm sure Lisa would be happy to shoot a few
arrows at you." Eric said as he broke the arrow that had nearly killed Bala
across his knee.
"What happened to you?" Asked Bala.
"Swimming lesson." Eric snapped as he handed the broken arrow back to its
owner.
"Oh Eric," Bala sighed. She had been hoping Eric was maturing out of his
tendency to solve his problems with his fists.
"Now what happened?" Eric said as he crossed his arms and looked back and
forth between them. He had discovered early on that it was best to play
peacemaker before Bala's tribal laws made her go do something stupid.
Bala and Lisa managed to look ashamed and suddenly become very interested in
the ground.
"Well?" Eric asked, tapping his foot. Part of him was convinced he should
just let them kill each other and settle the whole thing, but his conscience
wouldn't let him do that.
"Um. . ." Bala said, tapping her forefingers together. "Well. . ."
"Lisa?" Eric asked.
"Well. . ." Lisa said, looking away, her cheeks tinted a slight red.
Eric turned his gaze on Bala. She too looked away.
"Cripes." Eric groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Was it over
lunch?"
Both shook their heads no.
"Bala do something in the classroom?"
No.
"Me?"
Yes.
"I should look into therapy." Eric muttered. "I don't want to know the
details," he said in a louder tone, "and I'm not going to push. Now apologize
to each other and let's all get out of here."
*************
The streets were dark as Eric and Bala walked home. Neither one said that
much. After a moment, Bala almost hesitantly slipped her arm through Eric's.
He looked at her and she caught the faintest hint of a smile.
Even more importantly, he didn't pull away and she felt a tiny surge of
triumph.
Eric, Bala, and his father, a freelance programmer who preferred Tokyo to
L.A. for some reason, lived in a small apartment overlooking the canal.
It wasn't much, but it was home.
As they drew closer, they could hear loud voices.
"Now what?" Eric groaned as they broke into a run.
"When the burst in, the found his father being restrained by a large,
muscular man in a masculine version of Bala's native dress. His Father was
yelling and crying at a woman who was wearing a half shirt and skirt.
<What a way to end the day.> Eric muttered under his breath. "Hi mom." He
said in a louder voice.
"Eric!" She cried, running over to him and enfolding him in a bear hug. "And
Bala!" She cried, giving the younger woman similar treatment. "Oh don't you
two look cute together?" She said, stepping back and clasping her hands
together. "Don't they look cute Nebal?" She asked the large muscular man, her
eyes alight with maternal glee.
"Very cute." Nebal agreed though he gave Eric a look of sympathy when she
turned her back. Eric agreed. His mother could be exasperating at times.
"So what are you doing in Tokyo?" Eric asked, faintly aware that Bala had
taken his hand as was squeezing it supportively.
"Well, Elder Nima wanted-" She was cut off by Bala's squeal of delight.
"Mother?! Where?" She asked, her eyes darting around the room.
"In the back dear."
"Maureen!" Was his father's contribution to the conversation.
"Mother!" Bala cried and charged towards the back, dragging Eric with her.
The back room was dark. Seated by the window was a brown haired woman who
looked only slightly older then Bala. She radiated power though. It was
faint, but it was there.
"Mother." Bala stated simply as she bowed.
"Ma'am." Eric said, following her example.
"Sit down." Nima said. Her voice was soft and musical. "Greetings, daughter."
"Greetings, mother." Bala said, and the two traded a small smile.
"You would be Eric." She said, turning her gaze on Eric.
"Yes Ma'am." Eric said. Nima nodded and looked at Bala.
"Why aren't you pregnant yet?"