About

Far from Earth, in an another universe, lies the planet of Semal. These two planets are similar in structure, size, and atmosphere; the lifeforms, both creature and plant, inhabiting both planets are nearly identical. And yet the humanoids of each world know nothing of the other... or do they?

For as long as she can remember, CruelHeartedWench has been different from those she knows, those she loves most. As a young child she had vivid dreams of another world, a place so like her home with others so like herself, and yet not. There was a depth to these dreams unlike anything she has ever known, but she does not discuss those dreams now. Those dreams must stay hidden, kept secret. Her family laughed them off and shook their heads when she was very small, but as she neared the middle of her growing years, they became frightened and sent her away.

The "away" place is bad, a place where one might be starved, doused in alternating ice and boiling water baths, given strange concoctions that numb the mind, beaten, required to perform strange and painful rituals, told what to think and how. Words are used as weapons to inflict pain on the mind, as is isolation. One learns to be "normal," to conceal the behavior that caused them to be sent "away" in the first place. Wench knows she has not been "cured," for she stills has these dreams, though now they are hazy and unfocused, blurred by her mind's attempts to erradicate them.

The "Big Semalian" who "created all that is, all that ever was, and all that will ever be," has not revealed itself to her. Some days she wonders about it, but has learned better than to question the existence of "BS" out loud. That would land her in far more trouble than the dreams ever have, and so she keeps silent, and only pretends to "thoughtspeak" to the "ONE" who cannot be seen, or heard, or touched.

As she enters the end of her growing years, those in the "away" place tell her they believe she is no longer swayed by the "Bad Seed," and allow her to leave. And so she starts the journey towards home...