Nebula Nights: Love Among The Stars

by Melisse Aires

  Akemashite omedetō - Happy New Year!

  Ame - rain

  Arigatōgozaimashita (or just Arigatō) - thank you. Combined with domo it means “thank you very much.”

  Baka na toko - stupid or silly boys

  Bunka no hi - Culture Day. Celebrated on November 2nd every year, it is a national holiday for Japan.

  Chapatsu - (slang) refers to the distinct brown color of Asian hair when it is bleached. Literally, “brown hair.”

  Chuhai - a Japanese alcoholic beverage of shochu (a liquor similar to vodka) mixed with sparkling water and juice

  Coming of Age Day (Seijin no hi) - celebrated on the second Monday in January to honor thosewho have turned twenty the previous year. Twenty is the age of adulthood in Japan and Nishikyō. Typical celebrations include trips to the local shrine and parties with family and friends. Typical dress is kimono.

  Daiginjo - a high grade of sake

  Daimyō - a territorial lord in pre-modern Japan. They ruled over their vast land holdings and reported directly to the Shogun.

  Daishō - Matched pair of long and short swords

  Dare ga imasu ka? - “Is anyone there?”

  Dokumiyaku - a food taster. Tastes food for poisons.

  Dōjō - a hall or place used for martial arts training

  Dōmo - thanks

  Dōzo - please, kindly, by all means. Usually used to indicate that someone should sit, proceed, or carry-on

  Edamame - boiled soybeans in the shells

  Eto - a stammer much like “Um” in English. It is often drawn out (i.e. Etooooooo…) when one is thinking.

  Futatsu - two

  Futsukayoi - hungover. Literally, “drunk for the second day.”

  Ganbatte - Good luck

  Gaijin - Literally means outsider but generally refers to people not of Japanese descent

  Geisha - female Japanese entertainers that are skilled in traditional singing, dancing, and, other Japanese-specific events such as tea ceremonies

  Genkan - entrance hall or vestibule

  Genki - well (as in “I am well.”)

  Geta - Japanese wooden footwear similar to western flip-flops

  Gome - rice

  Gomen nasai (Gomen) - “I beg your pardon” or “excuse me” or “sorry.”

  Hai - yes

  Hakama - wide legged pants for either a man or woman usually worn over a kimono

  Hana - flower

  Haori - a hip length, kimono type jacket

  Hatsumōde - first temple visit of the year

  Hayaku - quickly, swiftly, rapidly

  Hinamatsuri - Girls’ Day. Celebrated in Japan every March 3rd.

  Hiragana - Japanese syllabary, cursive, used primarily for native Japanese words and phrases

  Hontō ni - Really. Truly.

  Horigotatsu - a low, covered table placed over a hole in the floor of a Japanese-style room.=

  Iaido - art of drawing the Japanese sword

  Ii desu ne - That’s nice! (or “That’s good!”)

  Iie - no

  Ima - now

  Inarizushi - flavored boiled rice wrapped in thin, fried tofu

  Irasshaimase - “Welcome!” Used in shops, restaurants, businesses, etc.

  Itadakimasu - “I humbly receive.” Said at the beginning of meals, it is similar to saying “bon appetite” or saying grace

  Izakaya - a Japanese style bar where food and alcoholic beverages are served

  Jihi - lady-in-waiting. Personal assistant.

  Jya ne - later

  Jyunkyōsha - martyr

  Kabuki - Japanese classical drama

  Kamon - family crest

  Kanji - Chinese characters

  Kanchō(-kanchō) - Cabinet Head. Superintendent.

  Kanpai - a drinking toast

  Karate - a Japanese martial art that does not involve weapons. Hand-to-hand combat and self-defense.

  Kata - forms. In iaido and karate, this refers to forms or stances

  Katabami - oxalis or wood sorrel plant

  Katakana - Japanese syllabary, angular, used primarily for foreign words

  Katana - a Japanese sword usually around 60 centimeters long with a curved blade

  Kawaii - cute

  Kendo - swordsmanship. Japanese fencing.

  Kiku - chrysanthemum

  Kimono - traditional Japanese robes worn by men, women, and children. Kimono are T-shaped, straight-hemmed, with wide sleeves that vary in length. They are usually made from silk and embroidered. They are secured around the waist using an obi (sash.)

  Kiotsukete - “take care” or “be safe.”

  Kirei kore - “this is pretty.”

  Kodama - a tree spirit

  Konbanwa - good evening

  Kudasai - please

  Maiko - an apprentice geisha

  Maneki neko - beckoning cat statue, usually white or gold with one paw raised. Commonly seen in front of businesses because they are believed to bring good luck and fortune to an establishment.

  Mata ne - later

  Mei - inscription or signature

  Minna nabe-nasai - everyone eats

  Minna-sama dōmo arigatō gozaimashita - Thank you everyone very much

  Mizu - water

  Mo - also or too

  Mochi - Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice, pounded into a paste, then molded into any one of a dozen shapes. Mochi is very sticky and chewy and can be easily choked on. A number of deaths happen every year in Japan due to choking on mochi.

  Mochiron - of course

  Montsuki - a black kimono usually adorned with a family crest

  Mōshiwake gozaimasen - a very polite apology. The masculine form is “Mōshiwake nai.”

  Nani - what?

  Natsukashii - nostalgia or nostalgic

  Na - sentence ending similar to ne (see below) but used by men

  Ne - used at the end of a sentence indicates emphasis, agreement, or request for confirmation

  Nihongo - the Japanese language

  Ninja - person who uses ninjutsu (skills in secrecy and stealth) for the purposes of espionage, assassination, etc.

  Nogiku - wild chrysanthemum

  Noh - a form of classical Japanese musical drama in which many of the characters (played by men) are masked

  Noren - a sign curtain hung at a shop or restaurant entrance

  Nori - seaweed, usually in sheets

  Obasan - aunt

  Obi - a wide piece of cloth wrapped around one’s midsection as a belt or sash

  Obijime - a long cord that is wrapped around and tied over an obi

  Ofuro - Japanese style deep bath used primarily for soaking, not for washing. Washing is done first separately.

  Ogenki desu ka? - How are you? Are you well?

  Ohayo gozaimasu (or Ohayo) - Good morning (or morning). Meant as a greeting.

  Ohisashiburi - “it’s been a long time.”

  Oi - hey!

  Oishii - delicious

  Okaasan - in reference to an okiya, this is the house mother who runs the geisha establishment. Also means mother.

  Okiya-Ochaya - This is a combination of two terms unique to the Nishikyōworld. An okiya is a Geisha house, a place where geisha live during the length of their contract. An ochaya is a tea house where the geisha entertain their clients. In Nishikyō, these places are combined with the ochaya being on the first two or three floors, and the rest of the building’s upper floors are the okiya where the geisha live. For the sake of brevity, most people call them just an okiya.

  Okobo - wooden platform shoes usually several inches high and worn by maiko

  Omedetōgozaimashita (or just Omedetō) - congratulations (or congrats)

  Omedetai koto desu na - “I wanted to give my congratulations.”

  Ometase itashimashita - “Sorry I kept you waiting.”

  Omiai - a Japanese matchmaker

  Omikuji - a small piece of paper given out at temples around the New Year. Each has either a blessing or a curse (of varying
degrees and kinds) written on it. If it’s a curse, one folds it up and ties it to a wire or tree set outside the temple. If it’s a blessing, one may keep the paper to keep the good luck close to them all year.

  Omiyage - gifts

  Onsen - a traditional Japanese bath house

  Onigiri - balls of rice, usually filled with a savory item like salmon, and wrapped in nori seaweed

  Osaki ni - to go ahead or in front of

  Otanjōbi omedetō - happy birthday

  Owari - “The end” or “all done.”

  Oyasumi-nasai (Oyasumi) - “Good night” or “night.”

  Pachinko - a Japanese gaming device similar to pinball but vertical instead of horizontal

  Renai - romantic relationship

  Ronin - wandering samurai without a master

  Sake - a Japanese alcoholic beverage brewed from rice

  Samurai - warrior, especially military retainers of daimyos in the Edo period

  Saya - a scabbard, or covering, for a Japanese katana sword

  Seiza - a way of sitting where one kneels on the floor and brings one’s buttocks down upon the heels of one’s feet. The feet are then relaxed so that the outer soles rest on the floor and the feet form a V-shape.

  Sensei - teacher

  Shamisen - a three-stringed Japanese instrument similar to a guitar or banjo

  Shitsurei itashimasu - a polite form of saying “my apologies.”

  Shochu - a liquor similar to vodka distilled from rice

  Shodō - Asian calligraphy based on Chinese characters

  Shōgun (Shōgunate) - a ruling military general. During pre-modern Japan, the shogun ruled Japan divvying out responsibilities to his subordinates (the daimyōs).

  Sōdesu ne or Sōdesu yo or Sōdeshō- an interjection that means “That is right”, “It looks to me…”, or “That is so.”

  Sōdanyaku - advisor or consigliere

  Subarashii desu yo - “It’s magnificent!”

  Sukoshi - a little bit, a small amount

  Sugoi - terrible or dreadful

  Sumimasen - “Excuse me” or “sorry.”

  Suware na (Suwaru) - from the verb “to sit” but said here in a casual manner

  Tabi - white socks with a separation between the big and next toe. Commonly wore with sandals.

  Taiko - drum. Outside of Japan, taiko refers to Japanese style drums

  Tempura - deep fried vegetables or fish in a light batter

  Tenchō - bar manager. Barkeep.

  Tenkyo - moving, changing residence

  Tokonoma - an alcove where art and/or flowers are displayed

  Tonde mo nai - unthinkable, outrageous

  Torinozoku - to remove, take away, or set apart

  Totemo - very

  Tsuba - handgrip on a katana sword

  Udon - a thick, wheat-based noodle, usually served in a hot, salty broth

  Udonya - a place that sells udon (the -ya suffix means “store, restaurant, or place of business.”)

  Usagi - rabbit

  Utuskushii - beautiful

  Wakarimasu ka? - Understand?

  Wakarimasu - Understand (or “I understand.”)

  Wakizashi - short sword

  Yakuza - Japanese mafia or crime syndicate

  Yama - mountain

  Yasai - vegetable

  Yasai gyoza - vegetable dumplings

  Yukata - a light summer kimono made of cotton

  …desu ne! - Sentence ending that conveys imperative

  =JRAB

  Acknowledgements

  A self-published novel does not come straight from the author’s head to the reader’s hands. Many people are involved along the way, people that helped this novel and series grow to be what it is today.

  One of my biggest thanks goes out to Jennifer Andrews who helped me shape the Japanese language. My Japanese is passable but hers is stellar. She endured hundreds of text messages about which words were better suited to my tasks or scenes and read countless drafts. Without her, I’d have been lost.

  Thanks to the person who told me just go out there and write and keep with it, Cari Luna. She has her debut novel, The Revolution of Every Day, out October, 2013. Please check it out.

  And my cheerleader from behind the scenes, Skylar Rudich. She has listened to every idea, loved every plot point, read every draft, and claimed a character for herself. You can’t ask for better support.

  As a writer, I wouldn’t have made it to publication without my other earliest readers: Lauren Weinhold, Carli Bandeira, Carrie Coker Bishop, Cathy Rumfelt, Kelly Brock, Aimee Osbourne-Gille, Jessica Fomin, Nicole Kinnunen, Sarah Heath, Amanda Baxter, Mary McKenzie Kelly, Connie Chang Chinchio, Laura Chau, Rebecca Burgess, Laura Taylor, Stephanie Fletcher, Annika Barranti Klein, Cori Wilbur, Pia Bloom Henderson, Karen Clark, Lisa Kelly, Angela Tong, Leah Bear, Katie Benedict, Cathy Bechler, Marie Carney, Michelle Gibbs, Jessie Spressart, Christopher Bechler, Jennifer Wingate Sobolewski, Rangsiwan Fasudhani, Susan Case, Linel Soto, Stephanie Martin, Kristine Monstad, Rachel McElwain, Bertha Crowley, Elizabeth Long, Ingrid D’eon, Elizabeth Lesso, Maya Elson, Yahaira Ferreira, Tien Johnson, and Whitney Gegg-Harrison. These people gave me invaluable feedback and helped craft the end result you just read. I love them all.

  Extra thanks goes to Kelly Brock who proofread at the last minute. She’s a peach.

  This work was agented before it was self-published by Margaret O’Connor. She championed the work for quite some time, and I’m forever grateful for her insight.

  My SCBWI buddies were instrumental in keeping me focused on my goal, to tell my story and get it to my readers. Many thanks go to Kim Sabatini, Jodi Moore, Carli Bandeira, Megan Gilpin, and Katie Carroll.

  My mother, Claire Bush, has been my eagle-eyed proofreader and loves this story to death. My father, Ray Bush, has listened to all my plans patiently. My brother, Brendan Bush, has understood my love of sci-fi and deemed my work good (which is high praise, indeed). My extended in-laws, Vic, Karen, and all the rest of the Pajonases always asked me how the books were coming along. And my wonderful grandmother, Jean Gennaro, has prayed for my books to be published since she found out I was writing. Thanks, Grandma!

  But really, I’m most grateful for my loving family. My husband, Keith, said OK to every crazy idea I had. He was cool with the babysitters I hired to gain extra writing time and the weekend afternoons I’d take to fly the coop and work on another draft. He just wanted me to have fun and be happy, and I did! My children, C and D, understood finally what it meant for mommy to work on something she loved. I have been showing them how to follow their dreams, and I’ll never regret that.

  About the Author

  S. J. Pajonas loves all things Asian and has especially been in love with Japan for as long as she can remember. Writing about Asia and Japan came naturally after studying the culture and language for over 15 years. She studied film and screenwriting first and eventually segued into fiction once she was no longer working a full-time job.

  Removed is S. J. Pajonas’s debut work, book one of four in the Nogiku Series. She also writes contemporary romance. Face Time, a contemporary romance about two people who connect across the world, was published in April 2014.

  Stephanie lives with her husband and two children just outside of New York City. She loves reading, writing, film, J- and K-dramas, knitting, and astrology. Her favorite author is Haruki Murakami and favorite book is The Wind-up Bird Chronicle.

  Visit her on her website at http://www.spajonas.com/

  Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc.

  By

  PK Hrezo

  Butterman (Time) Travel, Inc. © 2013 by PK Hrezo. Published in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in review. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not
participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Certain episodes are imaginative re-creation, and those episodes are not intended to portray actual events. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  COVER ART BY JAYCEE DELORENZO

  For Layne

  my rock hero

  Chapter 1

  Port Butterman

  October 15, 2069

  10:23:36 AST

  I’m on top of the world. Literally.

  Isolated in the frozen wilderness of northern Alaska’s Arctic region. Not exactly every eighteen-year-old’s dream location—I mean, six months of total darkness and sub-zero temperatures could bring down a monk on anti-depressants. But that’d be what they call an occupational hazard, and every job has them.

  The holo-screen at my desk flashes with a call and I gesture the answer key with a flick of two fingers. Been waiting for this one. VIP customer. More VIP than usual, which would make him VVIP. In other words, he’s made of money and our company wants some of it.

  “Butterman Travel, Incorporated. Hello, Mr. Van Nuys. What can I do for you?”

  A silver-haired man fills the video screen. Distinguished appearance, but regret taints the twinkle in his eye. I know the type. We get a lot of them. Old farts with more money than life could ever let them spend, hoping to attend some meaningful moment from their past they never should’ve missed. And when they’re this close to heaven’s door, the time for making peace with their regrets is almost up.

  Which is where we come in.

  Just as I assure Mr. Van Nuys his itinerary is confirmed for next week, my holo-screen indicates a visitor has arrived outside, and I expand it.

  My best friend, Kayla, presses her eye so close to the camera the screen becomes an enormous brown iris. “Bianca Butterman, I’m here to hack you into small pieces and feed you to the polar bears.”