Dariah

Night in New Lancaster

by Nicholas Dowbiggin

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Chapter I

Arrival

Panel 01 · Central Transit She knew it was going to be a long night when he asked her to take out the map.

Panel 02 · Xerah HQ Xerah HQ. Her workplace. Even during off hours she couldn't seem to avoid it completely. Sigh.

Panel 03 · The View Not the first time they'd seen this view but it never got old.

Panel 04 · Goodnight Sometimes, the world just seems to disappear.

Chapter II

The City

Panel 05 · The Ramen Bar Ramen on a cold night would hit the spot.

Panel 06 · The Arcade Arthur never could keep pace with Dariah on the gaming front. Never challenge a programmer to an arcade duel.

Panel 07 · The Park Everything always seemed more magical when it snowed.

Panel 08 · The Subway A quick subway always beats a forty minute walk, especially in the winter.

Panel 09 · The Unmarked Door The bar was behind an unmarked door behind a noodle stand behind a bicycle repair. Luckily it was worth it.

Panel 10 · The Diner This must have been the hundredth time he had seen her like this, but it still felt like the very first.

Panel 11 · The Plaza She never could put her work away entirely. Then again, neither could he.

Panel 12 · The Rink Was there anything cuter than Dariah on skates? Arthur didn't think so.

Chapter III

Deep City

Panel 13 · Across the City She ignored Xerah's HQ as best she could as she pointed towards the park in the distance.

Panel 14 · The Park, Again Exactly as expected, a welcome break from the city.

Panel 15 · The Lantern Market Late night snacks. And Dariah. What else could one ask for?

Panel 16 · The Lounge Drinks and a view, Arthur's favorite combo.

Panel 17 · Alone Hmm...no one around. Maybe one quick kiss?

Panel 18 · The Blush Was the blush from the cold? Or the one quick kiss that had turned into a dozen?

Panel 19 · The Sidewalk Only Dariah could make a game out of a sidewalk.

Panel 20 · Caught Looking Did she notice him looking at her or was she really not paying attention? He knew better.

Chapter IV

The Interior

Panel 21 · Graffiti Graffiti came in flavors much worse than this. Hard to avoid these days.

Panel 22 · The Harbour The water was much nicer in the summer but they loved it either way.

Panel 23 · The Elite's Office The Elite's downtown office. Cute salute. For someone who received them multiple times a day, this one was his favorite.

Panel 24 · Their Spot Now THIS was a spot. They would be coming back here often.

Chapter V

The Door

Panel 25 · One More Stop One more stop before the night ends.

Panel 26 · The Speakeasy Nothing like a speakeasy to cap off the night.

Panel 27 · One Last Look One last look of the city before some well deserved rest.

Panel 28 · Her Place Her place. One day their place?

"One day their place?"

Where it all began

An Enduring Spark

Hope you found this little novelette fun. The real novel is over one hundred and fifty thousand words of character-driven sci-fi but wanted to provide fans with a little taste. Come meet Arthur and Dariah (and all the others) in their full glory. Book One of The Roar of Winchester, available soon.

Read Book One Explore the World