From the WIP, Silver Rayne

[elfs]

Some of the writers I follow, like Charlie or Jay, occasionally post bits and pieces of their story that they're especially proud of. I'm not sure if the short scene included her is really necessary for the story: it kinda shows the quiet desperation of the passengers on the starship ''Last Thing Considered'', but it might just be blather. But it was fun blather to write.

He had seen one woman sitting at a table in the common mess, just sitting, smiling at people. He had tried chatting with her. "You don't seem to be spending all day in VR."

She smiled at him. "Xanaducaine," she said.

It had taken Keif a moment to remember that xanaducaine was an archaic but still available psychoactive drug. It had once been popular for travels such as this, but he'd never before met someone who used it. "What's it like?"

Her face darkened slightly, as if he'd interrupted her fantasy. "Did you know that I could, if I wanted to, reach out and crush this entire ship with my bare hand? Whole worlds shiver at the mention of my name. With a word I could raise an army that would lay waste worlds, starsystems, multisystem governments! I am the master of this universe and all I survey! I am its queen, it's empress. I could be like unto a god!" She pointed one finger vaguely in the air as if trying to emphasize the point. "I could," she said, settling back into her chair. "I just don't feel like it right now."

"Thanks," Keif said. "Enjoy it."

"Oh, I will," she said with complete conviction as the placid smile returned. "I will."