I realized that Gianna has been almost ENTIRELY left out of the story for months now- and this is a serious problem, because she's really important in this tale. To ameliorate the situation, I'm writing just what the title says- 'What Gianna Did'. As what I'm posting is merely a very raw first draft, all the plot holes and such that you've no doubt noticed so far are going to be smoothed over and fixed.

But for now, this is my solution for the Lack-of-Gianna problem. Put yourself just before the first ball (in Midwinter) so that this part makes sense.

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The dancing went well into the night. There were many different dances; waltzing, jigs, bouncing lines and slow, dignified ones that were almost like taking a refined walk. Millie didn't know all of them- but her partners (and there were surprisingly many) were always willing to guide her through them. It was towards the small hours of the morning when Millie noticed that the Doctor was not amongst their number. Though she was enjoying herself immensely, such an observation cast a dim cloud over her fun.

Hello all, and a blessed season of Advent to everyone! I am so sorry for neglecting to post here... the Taverner Chronicles is almost finished, but I've been posting the chapters on my blog, www.charlieandmewrite.blogspot.com
You can finish it there if you can't wait to get to (almost) the end, or you can watch it slowly trickle here. :)

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I would love to hear your thoughts/advice! Comments make my day (:!
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The Glorious Abyss

The glorious abyss, the lonesome dark
Imprinting on all its fearsome mark
The unknown that terrifies
Stealing the light from your eyes
Robbing the travelers of their spark

It woos and entices with the obscure
Making the firm suddenly unsure
The travelers, the“brave”, they fear
They look upon the cautious with a jeer
They are infected and know no cure

o.o.c: I'm posting this first chapter to see if I get a good response. If you want more, comment.

"Good morning Daniel," a digital-sounding voice said.
"Good morning Eden." Daniel yawned.
"What can I do for you, sir?"
"Send Jars in, will you?"
"Right away, sir."
"Thank you."

Daniel Norris was eighteen years old. Both his parents had died leaving him an orphan. His parents' will left him the family fortune including the family mansion. The mansion was run by two of Daniel's inventions; Eden and Jars.

He sat there. The ground was hard, rocky. The bench was full at the bus stop where he slept.
A little girl, maybe three or four, glanced at him. He twisted, his joints aching like someone had put lead in his bones, and looked her full in the face. She quickly looked away, giggling. Her mother, who held a baby boy on her hip, clutched her daughter’s hand and glared at him. When he ignored her and smiled at the girl, she stood up sharply.

Jovlin was beginning to think that they were lost when something finally moved across the sky. The sun was beginning to set, and she was relieved to see a possible destination drawing near. Her eye ached in the dim red light of the setting sun, and she could barely make out the creature in front of her. Or perhaps it was not a creature at all, but a floating castle. This seemed impossible, but there were doors in the side of it and a few windows scattered across whatever it was. Still, she had seen many strange things happen over the past day, and she was not going to rule anything out.

It was not the feeling of flying through the air or the thought of falling that terrified Kamber so much. It was not what lay ahead either, but what was far behind. Kamber was frozen in fear at the thought of confronting his family and his past, as he knew he would have to if he continued on his current course. Even more than that, he was frozen in place by the thought of telling everyone who his father really was.

The following is adapted from a series of discussions and thought experiments between myself and LKR.

Thought Experiment 1
Locate:
What if an alien took everyone from earth except you and one other person? You don't know who they are or where, but you are charged with finding them. If you succeed, everyone will be restored.
How would you go about survival and eventually locating and reaching the other person?

Thought Experiment 2
Friends:
What if everyone disappeared except you and your friends? Who would be left?

Previous Chapter

Pete paced around the island for the forty-second time.
"We're stuck here," he said, dejectedly swinging his wrench.
"No we're not. Look down there," J-Boy pointed over the side of the island.
Pete ran to look.