It was the world of Martha Jane that made my other worlds seem so suffocating and schizoid. It was those "other worlds", those "other" people, so stri...t and pasteurized, so formulaic and depersonalizing, that made the world of Martha Jane so necessary, and yet so strangely colored.The more time I spent in the world away from Martha Jane, the more I understood her fanatic drive to succeed and move away. By the time I was thirteen, I was beginning to develop that same, desperate ambition. In. The sun was already up and it promised to be another sweltering day in Palm Springs. His feet raised desert dust as he ran and his face was covered in sweat and streaked with dirt as the temperature was already beginning to rise.He was quite obviously a fit young man. His shoulders were broad, muscled from the fact that he swam competitively. His balance and graceful motion spoke of his years of intensive training in martial arts. Apart from physical fitness there was something else about him. I only slowed my momentum slightly, pushed Judy into Zoe's arms, letting my shoulder lower and connect with the door. There was a loud crack as the door and part of the frame ripped away, splinters from it showering those inside.There were three guys. Two were naked with one guy still in boxers. Mertz was one of the naked ones, standing at the foot of the bed looking at my sister, who lay completely motionless and totally nude. As it had before, time slowed. I noticed torn clothing, clothing I. " You are just full of news this afternoon, aren't you?" I said."Theres more!" She said brightly. "Trunk has asked to escort me to the Captain's Ball, so I am staying a little longer myself." You had best head inside then. News that you will need a ball gown will thrill Pleasant." Oh yes my dear! Come inside, quickly!" Flutter said. "Can I offer you a glass of punch?"The two of them disappeared inside the house. I wondered at my womanizing friend's brass in asking a full-fledged wizardess to.