(In these short stories no context will be provided in part because they were inspired by a storytelling system far too complex to summarize and in part to provide a thought challenge to readers and motivation to writers. I encourage you to read these stories with a sense of curiosity and let your daydreams fill in the missing pieces and make the story come to life in a new way. You are most welcome to use these stories as prompts and craft continuations or longer versions to practice your own writing as long as you link back to the original and state clearly that the chars and framework are being borrowed.)

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Light from the screen of Dane's television cast out a soft-edged pool, traveling just far enough to make his black leather couch glimmer; edges and curves transformed to silver. Silver on black. An oft repeated theme in Dane's place. Tonight there were fewer things for the light to reflect off of. Everything save the items he was using currently had been packed away and the movers would come tomorrow, cleaning out this small apartment and taking it all over to the loft he'd signed rental papers on today.

The move and getting things set up in the new place would keep him busy for a few days so Dane was taking this night to relax alone. Soft mechanical beeps and tones kept him company instead of boisterous chatter and setting a calming backdrop for his thoughts. The highlights on the couch flickered as the blocks moved down the screen, causing the light to shift in their wake.

Dane liked Tetris. All the different shapes, falling in a constant stream. Able to be manipulated into place, set up into patterns. Never quite the same game twice. He was pretty good at it. It was nice to keep his mind active; maintaining the narrow focus on one thing allowed his introspective thoughts to flow more naturally and softened his usual tendency of analyzing over feeling.

As the game increased to the first noticeable change in speed, memories came of the other night; the events that had happened after the car show. And the choices he had for once made on instinct, when detachment would have served him better. He twitched his thumbs a few times and a line slid into place, rewarding him with the flashes of a tetris.

Memory flashed again, back to a different night, and Matt's voice saying "Why don't we play, 'I Never'.".

He had opened his turn at the game with a statement that sprung from the days events. Of something he'd seen. "I've never been beat up and left for dead in an alley".

The other night, he'd come far, far too close to putting that on his list of things he'd be able to drink to. It hadn't been his plan. He'd just wanted to find out what was up with Aidri... why that mural said what it had...

He should have known better then to go chasing after Craig. And in that neighborhood no less. Of course, he hadn't known it was Craig, not till the end. And by that time...

Dane let his thoughts tumble around while he focused more on the shapes that were falling fast enough now that he didn't need to send them down early. This was the part he liked, when it just came automatic, and you had to get it right the first time, cuz there wasn't time to fix a slip.

He did have time though, right? Time to come up with another approach. In the end, it had been a stupid move, and he had slipped, but he hadn't fallen.

Towards the last few levels now, most of his concentration was needed on the game, so the thought that came to him next was more a feeling, a prodding from his subconscious. (or maybe, from a part of him that wanted what he hoped for to be true. that part didn't have a very strong voice yet)

'What was Craig keeping in the background for? He hadn't run with backup before, hadn't minded the whole city knowing his name. But the other night, it took me forever to find out it was him....could be lots of reasons though...yeah...could be that even'

The idle thoughts flicked through his mind and were allowed to fade away. Unlike the blocks that filled his screen now. They were being stubborn, and where was a line? He needed a line, was waiting for one... it kept not coming, just lots of stupid zig-zags... come on... one line...

Dane slumped back on the couch and gave his thumbs a rest while the game over screen flashed at him. Would he like to play again? Of course he would.

All he needed was a little more practice.