NaraMoore ⛩️👻八尺様👻⛩️ at Fedi<p><strong><a href="https://sakurajima.moe/tags/TimeTravelingGhost" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>TimeTravelingGhost</span></a> 32 -1937 - S</strong></p><p><strong><a href="https://sakurajima.moe/tags/Wss366" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Wss366</span></a> <a href="https://sakurajima.moe/tags/MastoPrompt" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MastoPrompt</span></a> <a href="https://sakurajima.moe/tags/TimeTravelAuthors" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>TimeTravelAuthors</span></a> 19 Nicknames</strong></p><p>“Au passé, car nul autre gage n’est donné.” We clinked glasses, and I savored Miss Pang’s mystified look. I hoped it was in reaction to the toast’s mystique, not incomprehension. But to be sure, I translated, “To the past, for it is all we are assured of.”</p><p>“An odd toast for someone who claims to foretell the future,” Miss Pang said with enough curiosity that I felt I’d hooked her. By the door, Emily gave me a V sign.</p><p>“Indeed, and not a toast I normally use. You’ll remember the darkness I alluded to. I was brief to spare our companions distress. It would have been more accurate to say darkness and flames. For reasons I’ll get to, I can’t spare you that. But first, I’ll need to convince you I’m not a charlatan. Am I right? I don’t even need to read your mind to know that’s what you’re thinking.”</p><p>She laughed, raising her glass. “To skeptics and charlatans.”</p><p>I signaled the steward by holding up two fingers and pointed to myself and Miss Pang.</p><p>“And now convince me.” Her challenge made my transition to the next stage easy, so I related the story about her hamster.</p><p>“You have my interest.”</p><p>“I also see two secrets: an oak tree and a broken swan.”</p><p>Her eyes narrowed, suspicion sharp in her gaze. The question “spy” lurked there, so I took a chance, saying, “And I’m not who you’re afraid of.”</p><p>I didn’t elaborate. Instead, I let her draw her own conclusions. Denying I was a German spy would only confirm that I was. If I left it unsaid, she would wonder if that’s what I meant, but she wouldn’t dare bring it up herself.</p><p>“If you’re a charlatan, you’re well informed. <u>Tell me the nickname my first girlfriend gave me.</u>”</p><p>I twirled my glass, signaling Emily I needed her, then spoke. “It’s harder to read thoughts like that, but I’ll try.”</p><p>While I waited, I concentrated, then looked at her, wide-eyed as if embarrassed.</p><p>Emily’s voice came from behind me: “I’m here.”</p><p>“<u>Would the girlfriend who gave you the nickname be the one at St. Marks?</u>” I asked.</p><p>Miss Pang flushed while Emily said, “<u>Her name was Carolyn Luster, and she called me ‘Pancake’ or ‘Sweetcakes.’</u> We loved to talk late into the night <a href="https://sakurajima.moe/tags/fixing" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>fixing</span></a> the world’s problems. Her poodle was named ‘Blot’ because of the black spot on its rump. There were three moles above Carol’s right breast. She moved when her <a href="https://sakurajima.moe/tags/home" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>home</span></a> burned down. The priest said it was God’s judgment—l’imbécile.”</p><p>“If you mean Carolyn Luster, <u>she called you Pancake or Sweetcakes.</u> Do you want me to tell you about her moles or how you found out about them?”</p><p>“How do you know that?” she asked, peering at me.</p><p>“I told you how. Now we can play this game all day, or you can believe me. I’ve told you several things only you know.”</p><p>“One more: what happened after I found out about the moles?”</p><p>“Things that would be embarrassing to talk about, but also you tried to become a nun.”</p><p>“Okay, I believe you. What now?”</p><p><a href="https://sakurajima.moe/tags/TootFic" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>TootFic</span></a> <a href="https://sakurajima.moe/tags/MicroFiction" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MicroFiction</span></a> <a href="https://sakurajima.moe/tags/Serial" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Serial</span></a> <a href="https://sakurajima.moe/tags/TimeTravel" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>TimeTravel</span></a></p>