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LadyStar is the story of a group of girls who each have a powerful weapon they wear disguised as a priceless jeweled treasure. With their magical weapons, Jessica Hoshi and her friends can transform into the Ajan Warriors, champion defenders of the enchanted realm of Aventar!

“Hi! I’m Jessica Hoshi! If you like stories about action and adventure and discovering magical treasures and fighting evil monsters, you’ll like our books a lot! Me and my friends have lots of fun adventures together! You can read LadyStar: The Palace in the Sky for free! The whole book! Right in your browser! So tell all your friends and come visit us as much as you want! There’s always something fun happening on our site!”

'Tis the season of giving. Why not give a critter a home - not just for the holidays, but for life?

There are many cats and dogs in local animal shelters who would love to be a part of your household. If you want to and are able to share your home with a pet, please save an animal who desperately needs a home. You'll have a friend for life.

When choosing a pet, please do not let age be a factor. Yes, baby kittens are adorable, but so are older pets. The adoption rate of adult cats and dogs is much lower than that of the newborns and toddlers, so to speak. Just because a shelter pet is older doesn't mean it has had a hard life; perhaps he had a great life until his owners discovered their child was allergic to dogs. Just because a shelter pet is older doesn't mean she is ill or bad-tempered; perhaps she is the very picture of health and manners, but hasn't found the right human yet.

Perhaps that human is you.

You'd be shocked by how many people think non-humans are disposable. They aren't. I value all forms of life. A cat isn't a dog and a little girl isn't a bunny, but they are all animals. People are animals too. Don't forget that.

If you have some spare change, consider donating it to a shelter - especially a no-kill shelter. You'd be surprised how little it takes to save a life.

If you cannot adopt pets or do not have the funds to make a monetary donation, you can give them attention and love by donating your time and being a volunteer. You will bring some light into their lives, and they will do the same for you. Call your local animal shelter and ask if there is a volunteer program or donation system in place.

I also encourage you to donate your blankets to shelters. Such a simple gesture, easy to make, yet not often considered. Think of how cold it gets at night. Be thankful if you have a home and a bed to sleep in, because you're luckier than many others. If you have a heater, a thick comforter, and warm clothing, you're luckier still. Just because an animal has fur doesn't mean he or she is warm. Many animal shelters do not have adequate heating. Many do not have enough beds to go around, let alone blankets. Kitties won't mind if there are cartoons on their sheets, and neither do hounds. Neither will people, for that matter. If you find you have an abundance of old bedclothes, donate some to an animal shelter and some to a shelter for displaced persons. (Please wash your old blankets before donating them.)

One last thing: If you have pets at home already (or after acting on the recommendations in this post), please do me a favor and pet them for me.

This post is in memory of my cats, Twinkie, Hollywood, and Spooky. I miss you, little girls.

“Ranko-chan?”

Ranko Yorozu sat in the corner of the band room, aimlessly tapping the wrong end of a drum stick on a practice pad. She stared blankly at the rest of the drum equipment that surrounded her. She and Jessica Hoshi were the only two people in the room.

Jessica walked around next to Ranko and sat down on the floor so she could see Ranko’s face.

“I want my treasure back,” Ranko said.

“Do you think we could have fought those Halloween monsters?” Jessica asked, implying that the surprise attack would have made their treasures useless.

“At least we could have done something,” Ranko said. “We left little bit all by herself like the whole time. She could have really gotten hurt, you know? We have to get those treasures back no matter what.”

“Cici-chan is a smart girl. She went to find help. That’s what I would have done too. I’m proud of her,” Jessica said, making a fist.

“I’m proud of her too,” Ranko said. “She’s pulled us out of tons of trouble now. Her and that little lantern and the ferocious guard cat,” Ranko grinned very slightly.

“She said her and Talitha fought together really good,” Jessica said. “I wish I could have been there.”

“We’ve got a lot of trouble coming, Goofy,” Ranko said. “We’ve got to get those treasures back. Some of the monsters we face might be too much for just little bit and the Professor.”

Jessica nodded. “We’ll find them. I’m sure of it.” Just then, Alanna and Shannon walked through the side door, with Cici, Talitha and Leila following. Jessica waved wildly.

“Konban wa minna-san!” she smiled. Shannon shook her head and smiled.

“Well, here we are once again, huh?” Shannon said. “We found Teko.” Shannon let Teko down off her hand. He hopped to the floor and began walking towards Jessica. About halfway there, something distracted him and he wandered off to look at the shiny base of a chair leg. Jessica giggled.

Cici stood behind Ranko and tugged Ranko’s shirt. Ranko swiveled around on the drumset stool she was sitting on and faced Cici.

“I found a new power that my lantern gots!” Cici announced. Ranko stifled a laugh as she saw the expression on Cici’s face. Then her eyes glistened just a little and she put her hand on Cici’s shoulder.

“I want you to know how proud we all are of you, little bit,” Ranko said. “You’re a real fighter. Never forget that.”

Cici closed her eyes, smiled and nodded, then opened her eyes again. “Me and Hikousen are ready for anything!” Cici said loudly. All of the girls laughed, even Leila. Just then, Irina and Tara ran through the front door, with a short, fierce looking woman following them. She was dressed in a parka, carrying a mobile phone and a set of car keys.

“Oh my, girls. What have they done to you? Are you hurt? Are you all okay?” the woman asked as she walked around to each of the girls in turn, putting her hands on either side of their faces and inspecting them for injuries. It took her less than 30 seconds to make sure every single one of the girls was okay. She was scarcely as tall as Jessica.

“Mom, we’re fine,” Ranko said as she fussed over the girls one at a time. “Really, we’re all okay.”

“Tara and Irina said you were all in trouble and to come quick. I got here as fast as I could.”

“You closed the diner?!” Ranko exclaimed. “What about dinner? What about all the regulars? That radio guy and the paint truck driver! They’ll end up over at that burger place and get food poisoning again!”

“Relax, I sent the deliveries early this afternoon. It’s Halloween! Everyone’s going to parties anyway. All I need is a big bowl of candies for the goblins.” the woman replied. “It’s all under control.”

“Ladies, if you haven’t met her yet, this is my mom, Darci Yorozu.”

“Hi Mrs. Yorozu! I’m Jessica Hoshi, but you can call me Jessie!”

“Well, I’ll be sure to call you Jessie, then!” Mrs. Yorozu replied with a wink. Jessica grinned. “Now, who’s up for a Halloween party with candy and cakes and caramel apples!”

“Me!” Cici shouted.

“Me!” Jessica shouted.

“Sounds like fun,” Shannon said. Alanna nodded.

“Let’s hit the diner, then,” Tara said. “Ranko’s mom makes the best pies you have ever eaten before. She has about ten recipes for real hot chocolate too.”

“Ooh, my mom can make great hot chocolate. Hey! She made candy this year! You wanna get some before we go to the diner?” Jessica asked.

“Are you kidding?” Mrs. Yorozu said. “Bring some along! Bring your mom too. We can compare recipes.”

“My mom has tons of recipes! Yay!” Jessica exclaimed.

All of the girls walked together out the front door of the band room. Jessica was so happy they were all together again.

“Happy Halloween, Jessie,” Shannon said.

“Happy Halloween, Shannon-sama.”

“It’s going to be a tough fight, Hikousen.”

“mwrowrzzzzzzz….”

“I can unlock it,” Alanna said, taking out her keys.

“Wow,” Cici said. “You’re just like a teacher, huh?”

Alanna smiled. “One of the perks of being in charge of the band is you get to unlock doors for them,” Alanna said as she turned the lock in the athletic building door. It was still dark inside, but they could see the hallway that led to the gymnastics training facility. Cici held up her lantern and the lobby area brightened slightly.

“Still glowing,” Talitha said, indicating Cici’s lantern. As Cici watched, it looked as if Talitha was talking in slow motion.

“What?” Cici asked as Talitha’s voice faded. Cici looked around frantically. Everyone was gone. Even Hikousen. She heard a voice whispering very close by.

“They don’t really like you,” the voice said. “Not really. They say you’re their friend, but you don’t deserve friends.”

“Who are you?” Cici shouted. “What did you do to Talitha and Alanna?!”

“They left you,” the voice said, as a shadowy shape began to emerge, moving towards Cici. She could see sharp horns on its shoulders and crooked hands. Cici held up her lantern defensively. “Didn’t they?” the voice asked. “You’re all alone, aren’t you?”

Cici hesitated.

“They left you because they don’t like you,” the voice whispered. “That’s why you have no friends.” The shape was close enough now for Cici to see what it was. Its head was the shape of a wolf’s, and it had very sharp high shoulders. Its entire essence was pitch black and a hazy indistinct grayish mist rose from its shoulders and head.

“You stay back!” Cici said. “I’ll zap you if you don’t stay away!”

“I am unarmed,” the voice said as the creature began to float slowly in a wide circle around Cici. “You know it wouldn’t be right to attack someone who hasn’t hurt you, don’t you?” it said. Cici hesitated again, watching the creature float past. Is it okay to fight? Cici thought.

“Maybe if you learned to get along with other people, you’d have friends,” the creature said. Cici’s expression slowly began to change as she listened. “Those older girls don’t really like you. They just tolerate you because they don’t want to hear you complain.” Cici sniffled.

“You’re not telling the truth. They do like me. They said so,” Cici challenged the creature.

“I’m not telling the truth? They are the ones who are lying. They all blame you for getting them trapped. They blame you because you hurt them,” the voice replied. “It’s your fault, isn’t it? Isn’t it your fault they got trapped? You could have saved them. You have an Ajan Treasure. Why did you fail?” Cici felt tears in her eyes. Maybe it is my fault.

“And now they’re going to leave you alone just like they’ve always wanted to,” the voice said as it slowly completed its circular path around where Cici was standing. “Look around. There’s nobody here. They’ve all left you. They’re going off to have their Halloween party. Even Acey. None of them like you. They don’t want you around. Nobody wants you around.”

“You be quiet!!” Cici shouted. “You don’t know! Those are my frien–” Cici’s voice broke. “They are!!” she screamed through her tears.

“No. You’ve never had friends. You know that. They are all trapped forever, and it’s your fault. Just admit it,” the voice whispered. “Admit it.” By now Cici was crying. She looked down at the lantern she was holding. Her hands were shaking and she felt an awful cold emptiness in her heart. There was nothing she feared more than being alone. And now she was alone with nothing but an evil voice for company. Even Hikousen was gone.

She could just see her own reflection in the lantern’s golden top. The Lantern. She felt its weight in her hands. It was the only source of light. It was then that she heard another voice. In her mind she heard faint words through the pain of being alone and abandoned. She could just hear the words through her fear of having no friends.

Are we the Ajan Warriors?

She stopped. The evil whispers faded away. Everything faded away. Her entire attention was on those words.

Are we the Ajan Warriors?

Something happened. What was a cold, fearful pain changed suddenly. A fire had started in Cici’s mind. Ajan Warriors. She thought of Ranko, and how many times she had encouraged Cici to do her best. She thought of Jessie and Shannon. She thought of the time they let her do an update all by herself. She remembered how they all cheered for her. She thought of Talitha, and how they had fought together. She thought of how proud Talitha was of how Cici had helped defeat the Halloween Monster.

Her mind burned. We are the Ajan Warriors, she thought. I’m an Ajan Warrior! She looked up suddenly, her eyes glaring with a warrior’s rage.

“They are my friends!” she screamed. “Because we’re all the Ajan Warriors!” Cici lifted the Chronicler’s Lantern, and it’s light glowed around her, pushing the darkness away. The creature’s eyes widened, and it snarled with white fangs.

“By the power of the Crystal Terrane! Ruby Lens of Fire!”

All eight lenses of the Chronicler’s Lantern shifted to a brillant, sparkling reddish color, and a fiery glow bathed the front of the athletic building in the seething light of a volcano’s blood. In that same instant, a cloud of yellowish-orange flames in the shape of a serpent’s head exploded from the lenses of the lantern and blasted through the dark shape as it turned to avoid the attack. A horrifying shriek echoed in all directions as the flaming remains of the shadowy fiend faded from sight.

Cici stood wide-eyed, holding her breath.

“Three cheers for the Ajan Wimps,” another voice said. Cici snapped to her right, ready to fight again. Floating in the air only a few feet away was the grinning face of a jack-o-lantern. Cici’s breathing was frantic and her heart was beating rapidly as she backed away, expecting another attack. Just then, Cici heard the doors of the athletic building slam open, and Ranko’s voice.

“There they are!”

Cici turned around with an expression of surprise and saw Ranko running towards her. Alanna was running faster, though. Just as Ranko reached the spot where Cici was standing, Alanna caught up and grabbed Ranko, who was clearly very upset.

“No, no, no..” Alanna said, pushing against Ranko and trying to hold her back. Shannon arrived to help, but Ranko was having none of it.

“You want to trap me in a cage?!” Ranko screamed. “Huh?!! Try trapping me again and we’ll see what’s left! Come on!” Ranko was jumping and pointing. Alanna and Shannon were doing everything they can to keep Ranko from rushing at the monster. Cici turned back to the grinning face.

“You’re the cause of all of this!” Cici shouted. “You leave us alone, ’cause now I know how to zap monsters!”

“We’ll meet again,” the jack-o-lantern said coldly. “You can’t defeat us. We’ll find you in Aventar. And next time we’ll have even more powerful sorcery.”

“Do I hear a bell?” Ranko snapped. “Because when I hear a bell, something’s about to get knocked out!” Ranko pointed over Alanna and Shannon’s arms. “You won’t have to look for us, rotface! Next time you find us you better bring something besides talk, and you mess with little bit again and I’ll kick you through those doors myself! You GOT THAT!?!” Ranko lunged again and again as Alanna and Shannon held her back.

“You Ajan Wimps make a brave noise,” the jack-o-lantern said calmly. “You have no idea what you face. When next we do battle, you will know the pain of defeat,” With that, the jack-o-lantern disappeared.

“Yeah!?” Ranko shouted. Then she clenched her mouth and teeth. There was nobody there. She slowly relaxed and Alanna and Shannon very slowly released her. Cici noticed Jessica, Talitha and Leila were standing a number of steps behind where Ranko had been held back. They still looked startled. Alanna turned to survey the situtation.

“Looks like they gave up,” Alanna said, trying to change the subject to help everyone recover from Ranko’s outburst. Ranko stormed past her.

“They better give up,” Ranko said angrily. “Because I’m just getting started.” Ranko walked through the side door to the Fine Arts building and slammed it behind her.

The other girls remained standing on the cement path outside the athletic building. Nobody spoke.

Here are Twenty Spooky Stories that you are allowed to read and share because they are on the Internet available for reading and sharing. How nice. [thanks defective yeti!]

“Hooray! We found Alanna, Hikousen!”

“zzzzzzz….”

“Here’s what happened.”

“So Ranko and Alanna went to the athletic building?” Talitha asked as she and Cici walked out the side door of the band room.

“Uh huh,” Cici replied. “Alanna said Ranko went there to find you. Did you see Ranko?”

“No,” Talitha said, looking down. “From inside that cage I couldn’t see anything and I couldn’t speak, but for some reason I could hear and I wanted so badly to try and warn you that it was dangerous to come near those cages, but I couldn’t.”

“Me and Hikousen are ready for anything. Right Hikousen?” Cici looked down at the enormous cat she was carrying in her right arm. Hikousen continued purring, completely oblivious to everything going on around him. “He’s my best friend. He goes with me on all our adventures.”

“I like how Ranko always calls him our ‘ferocious guard cat.’” Talitha said, then smiled. Cici giggled.

“He’s always being big and fat because he’s a sleepy cat,” Cici said as she hefted Hikousen with her arm. Talitha stopped and looked around the entrance of the athletic building.

“It’s getting dark earlier now,” Talitha said, straightening her glasses. Lit lamps sat along side either side of the cement walkway on tall poles, and their yellowish light illuminated the sidewalk in front of the glass doors.

“I wonder if anyone’s here?” Cici asked. She glanced down at the stone timepiece on her wrist. “I don’t think there’s anything enchanted around here.”

“I don’t know if that’s good news or not,” Talitha said. “I’m almost sure those cages use some kind of powerful sorcery to keep people immobilized like that.” Very slowly, Talitha walked closer to the double glass doors. Inside, the half-lighted shadowy lobby looked eerie and indistinct. Talitha pulled the handle of one of the doors, which rattled. “It’s locked.”

Cici looked back and forth. “There’s nobody around at all.” Cici placed Hikousen on the grass alongside the walkway and walked over to the doors. She put her hands up to the sides of her face and peered inside. “Maybe we should knock on the window, ’cause there might be someone that can hear us.”

Talitha looked back towards the fine arts building. “This is very odd. Even on weekends there’s usually someone here.”

Cici backed up from the window and saw movement reflected in the glass. She whirled around and shouted. “Talitha! Look out!”

Talitha looked around quickly. To her left she saw a skelegor warrior only two paces away and charging at her with a bent and rusty sword! Talitha backed away and ducked to her left as the monster swung the wicked blade over and down towards her head. Talitha’s eye flashed and an explosion of golden light illuminated the entire area around the athletic building entrance. A resounding thump echoed off the brick walls of the athletic building as the fiend’s attack was neatly parried by the Goldenwood Shield.

Cici shivered as the monster’s voice slithered through the cool evening air.

“Your friendsssss are helplesssssss….” the skelegor hissed. Talitha frowned as she peered over the golden edge of her shield.

“You can’t defeat two Ajan Warriors, minion,” Talitha said as she slowly began to back away, holding her shield ready. The skelegor crouched, taking an agressive stance and brandishing its rusty sword. It slowly advanced towards Talitha, not noticing the evergreen trees planted along the side of the building. Talitha retreated between two of the trees as the skelegor readied its next attack. Then suddenly she shouted.

“Graceful evergreens, come to my defense!”

The skelegor screamed as the heavy trees slammed together and trapped it. The monster twisted and thrashed around, dropping its bent sword on the grass. Cici ran forward and grabbed the sword, then backed quickly away.

“I got its sword Talitha!” Cici said. Talitha ran out from behind the row of evergreen trees and over to where Cici was. The skelegor’s enraged scream startled Talitha again as she examined the sword quickly.

“What do we do?” Cici asked. “What if it gets loose?”

Talitha straightened her glasses. “Transmute your lantern, Cici. I’ve got an idea.”

Cici dropped the sword on the ground and held up her timepiece. “Chronicler’s Lantern, transform!” she shouted. A swirling cascade of multicolored light emerged from the timepiece and the lantern of gold appeared spinning in the air, bathing the ground in a rainbow spectrum of light. Cici caught the handle with both hands. Talitha began to back away once again after picking up the sword.

“When I say ‘go,’ use your shield,” Talitha said, bringing the Goldenwood Shield around to protect herself. “Ready?”

Cici frowned as she readied her lantern. “Ready!”

Talitha closed her eyes and listened carefully for the voices of the evergreen trees. In her mind, she heard pleasant whispers. All of the plants around the athletic building began speaking at once. They were all very happy to hear Talitha’s voice. My friends, she thought. Please believe in us. Please believe that we will protect you as we protect all life.

The evergreens answered, and their words were encouraging. They questioned Talitha’s plan, however. She could sense their concern even as they released the skelegor. The moment it was free, the enraged monster recklessly charged at Talitha. Cici realized the skelegor was running right at her!

“Go Cici!” Talitha shouted.

“Spectrum Deflect!” The Chronicler’s Lantern’s light became very intense and a spherical wall of energy emerged from it, surrounding Cici.

The monster ran headlong into the edge of Cici’s shield. Instantly a violent blast of magical energy from the Spectrum Deflect threw the monster backwards! A reflexive swirling colorful sphere appeared around Cici for a moment, then faded.

“Got him!” Cici shouted triumphantly. “You better leave us alone! ‘Cause we gots magical powers too!”

The monster climbed back to its feet and scowled at Cici, then charged again. Cici held up her lantern and another flash of brilliant light appeared as the skelegor slammed into the Spectrum Deflect. This time, the power of Cici’s shield seemed to increase in intensity, and the monster shuddered as colorful discharges of electrical energy coiled around it. All at once, the skelegor disintegrated, and Cici’s Spectrum Deflect faded.

Talitha exhaled and closed her eyes in relief. Cici turned around with a bright expression.

“We did it, Talitha! We beat a Halloween monster all by ourselves!” Just then, Cici was distracted by her Lantern. “Look! My Lantern says something around here is enchanted now.”

Talitha walked over, still carrying the rusty sword. “That’s peculiar. It didn’t detect anything before. Is it this sword?”

“I don’t think so, ’cause it would have said so when the monster first appeared, wouldn’t it?”

“Let’s go back over to the front door. Maybe now we can get in somehow,” Talitha said, walking back over to where Hikousen was sleeping by the glass entrance to the athletic building.

“There’s another cage!” Cici shouted, pointing at a spectral cylindrical shape next to one of the lights near the athletic building entrance.

Talitha straightened her glasses, looking up at the sickly grayish-blue magical cage. Inside she could just see the outline of a person.

“It’s Alanna,” Talitha whispered. “What do we do? How do I get her out of there?”

“Just put your hand on the outside and it goes away,” Cici said. Talitha placed the palm of her hand up against the shimmering wall of energy. A series of simple reddish-colored glyphs flashed brightly, then faded. A moment later the cage vanished suddenly. Alanna Kawa slumped to the ground.

“Alanna!” Cici ran up. “Is she hurt? Is she sick?”

Talitha knelt down and placed her hand on Alanna’s shoulder and nudged her gently. “Are you okay, Alanna?” A few moments later, Alanna’s eyes opened slowly.

“Hayashi?” Alanna’s voice sounded tired. “What happened?”

Talitha smiled. “You’re safe now.”

LadyStar™ Cici n’ Hikousen’s Haunted Halloween Hunt is Copyright © 2007 Heavy Cat Multimedia Ltd. All Rights Reserved

“Sigh… it’s a shame too. They only found one Ajan wimp, and it’s been over a week.”

“Six days to go until we cancel the party for them. I can’t wait to see all the disappointment.”

“Come on, we’ve got more of those sad face buttons to sell.”

“I’m depressed.”

“You’re always depressed.”

“Yeah but today I have bonus depression.”

“Oh, have a nice day.”

“That’s not very funny.”

“Ssssend usssss more fiend mail. . . humansssss are such foolsssssss…”

“Acey! It’s me Cici! Can you hear me?”

“Priority com signal detected. Activating secure channel.“

“There’s so many buttons on this thing. I should ask Talitha how it works.”

“Acknowledging priority communications. Stand by landing party.”

“Z-bot is that you?”

“Affirmative.”

“Yay! Is Acey home?”

“Negative. Commander Acey is currently piloting the Hana in a low orbit bearing 210 mark 76 at a range of 181 nautical miles.”

“Umm.. okay. Can I talk to her?”

“Affirmative. Stand by landing party.”

“Okay Z-bot! Over and out!”

“Z-bot to Hana.”

“Hana, Acey here.”

“Landing party is standing by on secure com channel, Commander. Patching.”

“Cici! Is everything okay?”

“Yeah! Teko left us a clue and now we’re looking for more pink flowers!”

“That’s good, Cici. Those flowers could be anywhere on the site. Teko moves very fast and he’s very smart.”

“Okay Acey! Can Talitha use my radio thingy too?”

“Sure. I’ll tell Z-bot to relay all signals from your com unit.”

“Yay! Thanks Acey! You’re the best!”

“Go get ‘em landing party. Hana out.”

“I found Teko and he gots clues for everybody so you can help us find all my friends! If you look around our site starting tomorrow you might find some of Teko’s clues and if you do it will help us find everyone faster! Come on Hikousen! Let’s keep looking.”

zzzzzz

“I’m glad you came to help us, Acey!”

“Hey, we’re all on the same team! Let’s put together a good plan and we’ll find your friends. You can count on that.”

“Yay! Now we’re gonna beat those mean Halloween monsters, Hikousen!”

“zzzzzz”

“Communications link with LadyStar web site established, Commander.”

“Outstanding. We’ll handle the updates from here, Cici. You and Hikousen take this commlink and go find your friends. If you need us, just say ‘Cici to Hana’ and you’ll be patched in to Z-bot’s communications network.”

“Okay! Let’s go Hikousen!”

“mmmmzzzzrrrwwzzzzz”

“No time for analysis, Z-bot. Until we know what’s going on we’re on maximum battle status.”

“Affirmative, Commander. Weapons systems armed.”

“Look sharp.”

“I can’t find anyone. Alanna, Shannon, anybody. Do you have any idea?”

“Only that white bird, and it’s still in the tree outside. I can’t get near it but it’s been watching us all day.”

“FREEZE!“

gasp!

“Is that some kind of space gun or something?”

“How many more?”

“None, Commander. Nearest humanoid life form bearing 252 mark six range 18 meters.”

“Threat analysis.”

“Negative weapons. Negative heavy alloys. Negative elecromagnetic emissions. Negative radiation. Nearest radio communications signal source range is 21 kilometers.”

“Who are you?!”

“Where is Talitha Hayashi?”

“We don’t know! That’s what we were just saying!”

“Acey!”

“Well, you look like an awfully tired cat, but I have to use my desk if you don’t mind.”

zzzzzz

“Oof! You’re a heavy one aren’t you? Arrrgh! You’re too heavy for me! Well I was headed for class anyway so I guess you can stay here until you find another place to sleep.”

“Okay, here’s that computer that Talitha was using with the green letters. She did a ‘ping’ something and that made it so Acey could hear us. Let me try it.”

“New Satcom signal detected. Low-power ATS IP network data source at terminal location E29A64. Core communications database identifies sender as ‘Talitha Hayashi’ ninth-grade student. Location: Tree Shores High School. Priority transmission source identified. Message recorded for relay to Hana. Activating primary com channel. Stand by location E29A64.”

“Help us Acey! Oh wait, I have to type it. H-E-L-P U-S A-C-E-Y“

“Distress signal detected. Upgrading alert status. Switching transmission network to secure frequency. Activating secondary com channel.”

“Z-bot to Hana.”

“Hana, Acey here.”

“Reporting auto-upgrade of alert status. Receiving distress signal from priority transmission source at station E29A64, bearing 304 mark 18, range 82,000 kilometers. Sender has been identified as ‘Talitha Hayashi’ Location: Tree Shores High School. Standing by for instructions.”

“Yellow Alert. Activate autocombat systems.”

“Affirmative. Autocombat systems engaged.”

“Patch me in to primary secure com channel.”

“Affirmative. You’re on Commander.”

“This is Commander Acey aboard the Hana. Please describe your emergency.”

“Receiving response, Commander. Relaying… T-H-E H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N M-O-N-S-T-E-R-S“

“Halloween monsters? Analysis, Z-bot?”

“Negative. Station E29A64 is no longer transmitting.”

“We’ve got to get down there and find out what’s going on. Rendezvous with the Hana at the Tree Shores High School Band Room and remain on station, Z-bot. Acey out.”

“Affirmative, Commander. ETA six minutes.”

“This is where Talitha was using the computer, Hikousen, but we gotta be real quiet ’cause it’s like a library.”

“mmmmmwwwrzzzzzz”

“That’s the teacher’s desk I think. It’s the one with all the papers. Maybe I should transform and then I can use my powers to make them go away.”

zzzzzz

“Or I can use big fat purring kitty power.”

*oof* “zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….”

“You’re gonna sleep there Hikousen. Don’t move until I get back. I’m gonna go use Talitha’s computer so I can call Acey to help us.”

“mmrwowrzzzzzz”

“What in the name of…”

The Haunted Halloween Hunt now has its own page so you can follow Cici n’ Hikousen’s spooky adventure!

“Missssssserable humansssssss. . . thisssss page will not sssssssave your Ajan Warriorsssssssss. . .”

“Greetings humans! heh heh heh… seems we’ve got us a web site now that everyone else is gone. We brought some of our friends along too.”

“Pathetic humanssssss. . . . Your Ajan Warriorssssssss are finissssssssshed. . . . You thought we were defeated at the Lithic Pavilion, but you cannot defeat ussssss ssssso eassssily. . .”

“So as you can see, we’re in charge around here now.”

“This is all so pointless. Why is everything so pointless?”

“Oh, I’m afraid we’ll find the last of the Ajan Warriors soon enough. . . heh heh heh get it? ‘I’m afraid?’”

“I’m so depressed.”

“Go ahead you simpering humans. See if you can find them! We dare you.”

“They get candy and parties and what do I get? A candle burning the top of my head for two weeks. Go away and leave us alone.”

Happy Halloween!

Jessica, Shannon, Talitha, Ranko, Leila and Alanna were all together at school. But one by one, they have vanished. Only Cici and Hikousen are left, and they’ve set out to rescue their friends.

But they need YOUR help. The nefarious Haunted Halloween minions have trapped Jessica and her friends in ensorcelled cages hidden somewhere around the LadyStar web site. Each time you discover one of the ensorcelled cages, you will be able to read another chapter of the story of Cici n’ Hikousen’s Haunted Halloween Hunt. If you can find them, you will be helping Cici and Hikousen solve the Halloween mystery.

Starting Monday, October 15th!

Starting Monday night, October 15th, you have until Halloween night, October 31st, to help rescue all six of Cici’s friends. Then, on Halloween night, the seventh and final chapter of the Haunted Halloween Hunt will be published exclusively right here on the Magical and Mysterious World of LadyStar. Can you defeat the Halloween minions and rescue Cici’s friends?

The Haunted Halloween Hunt Rules

• The ensorcelled cages and story chapters are on the Ladystar.net site only. It is not necessary to click any off-site links or links provided by any site other than LadyStar.net
• You may find clues hidden around the site as well.
• Be observant and read the Halloween story chapters carefully. There might be clues hidden there.

Are you up for the challenge? Prepare yourself. The minions are waiting, and they know what scares you . . .

Last week, after hearing about a stage production of The Great Gatsby, I stated that I'd be posting more often about plays and stage adaptations of books, and hinted that I had some exciting news. Thank you for the curious and supportive comments and emails. Between those notes and the gentle nudges of my fellow cast members, I've summoned up the courage to post something personal now.

Those of you who read this blog but do not know me in real life may only associate me with books and reading. You may know that I'm a bookseller and a journalist. You may not know that I'm an actress, a singer, a dancer, and a writer. All of these things relate to storytelling and communicating. Ever since I can remember - and my earliest memory takes place when I was two years old - I have loved telling stories. Not lying, but imagining, creating, sharing, directing, writing, reading books, and, most of all, performing.

I'm lucky because I've known since childhood what I wanted to do with my life. Rumor has it I came out of the womb talking, singing, and dancing, and I haven't stopped since. I've always loved performing. I've always loved writing stories, plays, scripts, and songs. I write something new every day - though typically it's just in my head, and I really ought to make a habit of putting it all on paper or typing it up - and I'd much rather sing and dance through the streets than walk along in silence, even if I'm by myself. I'm constantly thinking, constantly creating or re-envisioning something.

I promised my cats that they would be in every movie or a TV show I wrote, and that they could watch themselves on screen. I knew they couldn't be in my plays because Twinkie would see the audience as a threat to her human, Holly would wander offstage to get petted by a kind stranger or lick something shiny, and Spooky would hide. I wish like crazy that I had had a camcorder, because now I don't have any moving pictures featuring my cats. Not one. Only flat photographs and memories both painful and joyful.

I've always pursued my performance interests, though not always to the degree I should due to different factors such as time and money. As a kid, I couldn't exactly jump on a plane and go to Los Angeles or New York to audition for something. I was busy with school and then I was busy with work. I was so intent on being good, safe, and stable. I still am.

This past year, I took care of Holly, and I don't regret one minute of it. It was hard enough leaving her alone all day while I was at work, so I did not want to be gone all night at rehearsals or filming, to put my dreams ahead of her needs. There was no way I was going to do that.

It was, at times, hurtful when people said, "Why are you staying home instead of going on auditions?" Didn't they understand that she needed medical attention on a daily basis? This was especially true this past spring. Wouldn't they do the same for their loved ones? If people pooh-poohed my efforts and dismissed her as "just a cat," I would ask them how they would feel if it was their child or their friend. If they said, "That's different," then I knew they didn't get it and they never would.

After I lost Holly in April, I had to tell myself (and listen to others who told me) that it was okay to get back out there, to go to auditions and rehearsals and shows rather than stay home every night. I thought of everyone who would be watching me in the audience, even if they were no longer with me, even if they were four-legged.

In late June, I re-subscribed to casting notices and updated my resume. A week later, I had an audition and got a part in a play. The day before that play opened, I was offered another role in another play. Perhaps things do sometimes happen when and as they should.

Despite my being so invested in these shows, I was reluctant to post about them at this blog. I rarely post about my personal life here. Bildungsroman is for books, for other people, not for me. I reveal very little about myself on the internet because I value my privacy, but if you know me in real life, you'll see the heart I wear on my sleeve.

The first play I mentioned is closing this weekend. Shortly after the cast was finalized, we began rehearsing almost every weeknight in July. We opened the first weekend in August. Three days before we opened, I became the stage manager as well. We've had a good run this past month, and I've had a lot of fun. I hope that tonight's show goes extremely well, and that tomorrow's matinée ends things on a high note. I thank those of you who have come to see the show. If you care to attend the final performances this weekend, tell me now so we can get you tickets!

The second play has been rehearsing for a month now, yet I still can't believe I was cast in it. Talking myself into auditioning for this show was a very challenging, very personal experience for me, and that's a story I won't be sharing here - not just yet, anyway. For now, I'll simply say that I saw it as a test for myself. I dipped my toe in the water, and someone invited me to swim. Even if I hadn't gotten this role, I think that all that I went through beforehand was worth it. However, now that I have it, that's being further proved. New tests have been presenting themselves at every single rehearsal, and I couldn't be happier about that. I love a good challenge. I'm nothing if not determined.

So what am I doing?

The first play is The Hollow, the play based on the Agatha Christie novel.

The second is Spring Awakening, the play that inspired the Tony Award-winning musical.

Yes, you read that correctly. Now you know why I'm on top of the world right now.

I really enjoy the view from here.