First Date
by Shyane Abbey
Walking into the town square there are the sounds of beautiful melodies, children laughing, and adults chattering. The aroma of various sweets and savory foods from the stalls fill the street. Flower petals were scattered around the square which peppered the cobblestone with splashes of pink. As the cherry blossoms swayed in the wind it caused some of the petals to float into the fountain and rest like a lily pad on a river. Due to this event Akari was wearing a nicer outfit than normal for the day. The slate colored button up shirt has sleeves that stop a little bit before the elbows, which perfectly matched with the shorts that have been rolled up a little above the knees. The sleeveless pale rose undershirt was neatly tucked and pinned at the collar.
Akari waited at one of the games set up for the day until Ozwin Bishop showed up. Their tail flicked back and forth quickly, and their ears perked up at the sound of nearby footsteps. When Akari saw Ozwin, a shy smile and blush the shade of the fallen petals appeared on their face. They fiddled with the lapis ring they got from an abandoned building. As Akari walked closer to Ozwin and inspected his outfit, messing with the ring became noticeable. The sand colored short sleeve shirt poofs at the end of the sleeves which is lined with harvest gold cuffs and the collar goes halfway up his neck. The shirt is accented with a round harvest gold clip that attaches a pale rose tie. The open mauve vest matches with the shorts that poof at the bottom of the legs and ends with harvest gold cuffs. Ozwin smiles and lightly pets Akari’s head.
“Hello friend, it has been quite some time since we last spoken like this. I can hardly believe that it has been a few years since you have moved in with your aunt.”
“Hi Professor Bishop, or should I call you Ozwin now. Would calling you by your first name be strange? What would you prefer for me to call you?”
Ozwin chuckled at Akari’s rambling, “I was thinking Darling.” Akari blushed more at Ozwin’s answer. He saw this and continued, “No I’m just kidding, Ozwin is fine. Though if you want a nickname there are many options.”
“Y-your letters are more formal than talking like this. I really miss the little things like this with you. Through your letters you were telling me about your days, your feelings for me, and even asking how my life is going, it made me feel less alone in the castle. What I am trying to say though is...” Ozwin grabs Akari’s hand, pulling them close before they say anything else and smiles. Akari’s face became red like a tomato and was at a loss for words. A new but slower song started to echo through the square and many gathered around the fountain joining hands with a partner.
“Would you like to join me for this dance?”
Before Akari could say anything Ozwin waltzed with Akari over to the fountain holding them close as they both moved to the beat of the song. They danced perfectly in sync with each step they take.
Image: Jacob Rathburn, “Illustration, First Date” 2020
Form/Function
by F. Majdosz
Is it not enough for it to shine or pool shadow at your side to feather beneath a fingertip silicone soft, supple smooth?
Could the merit be in beauty in the catching of a light
or in how it calls to mind a quiet submersion into stillness?
Or must we remain fixated, railing as kings in tattered weeds screaming into the face of deft optimization to reason not the need?
To submit original work for future issues, email LitGuild@indycc.edu.
Image: Nadab Joseph, “Vessels” 2020
Image: Nolan Williams, “MasterPiece” 2019
Puppis: the Deck
Recent & Upcoming Events
The ICC Theatre Department is proud to announce their upcoming production, Laura Gunderson’ s Silent Sky, will go up in the William Inge Theatre on Friday, February 28th at 7:00 pm, Saturday, February 29th at 7:00 pm, and Sunday, March 1st at 2:00 pm. Regarding the production, director Dr. Page Petrucka: “Henrietta Leavitt has recently become one of my heroes. I’m shocked, however, that I didn’t even know her name until about a year ago, when I discovered Silent Sky, an absolutely beautiful and inspiring play by Lauren Gunderson (2018 William Inge New Voices Award Winner). I knew I had to direct it so I could introduce so many others to her. Miss Leavitt paved the way for so many astronomers who came after her, including Edwin Hubble. This play is about her life and the impact she made in astronomy. It also reminds us of what society was like one hundred years ago and the fight women had to make to simply be heard. We have come a long way since then. We have more to go of course, but my oh my, how far we have come. ”
Congratulations to the ICC Jazz Band on a fantastic performance! Audience members were treated to a toe-tapping evening of music at Turbos Bar and Grill in Downtown Indy on February 19th , but if you didn’t make it out, don’t despair! You can catch our talented group out there again on April 8th. This delightful ensemble features ICC students, staff, and community members alike, so make sure to come out and support your most melodious pirates.
ICC Jazz Band performing at Turbos on February 19th, 2020. Featured saxophone: Clayton Romans
Upcoming Home Games:
Softball: Saturday, February 29 1:00; 3:00pm vs. State Fair Community College
Wednesday, March 4 2:00; 4:00pm vs. Dodge City Community College
Wednesday, March 11 2:00; 4:00pm vs. Pratt Community College
Thursday, March 12 1:00; 3:00pm vs. North Iowa Area Community College
Tuesday, March 24 TBA vs. Coffeyville Community College
Women’s Basketball: Wednesday, February 26 6:00pm vs. Colby Community College
Men’s Basketball: Wednesday, February 26 8:00pm vs. Seward Community College
Congratulations to both Women’s and Men’s Basketball Teams on their excellent seasons! The whole ICC Pirate Family wishes you great success in your postseason tournament play.
Tradition propels us forward. Members of the 1957 - 1958 Pirate basketball team, Bill White and Faye Bradley, joined the 2020 Pirates to discuss playoff hoops today, ahead of tomorrow's big game at the Independence Community College Foundation and Alumni Office for "Let's Talk Tuesday". Coach White and Dr. Bradley both shared how exciting this team is to watch. Come see it for yourself!
Fine Arts Events:
Enrolment for Summer and Fall 2020 Classes opens Monday, April 6th . Go see your Navigator to make some plans!
Current Lunar Phase: Waxing Crescent Moon
Silent Sky: February 28-29, March 1 7:00pm, 2:00pm William Inge Theatre, Fine Arts Building ICC Jazz Band Concert: Wed April 8 7:00pm Turbos Bar & Grill, Downtown Independence
Vela: the Sails
Photography & Digital Imagery
“Sterling, KS” Janae Dosh, 2019
“Bloom, Kew Gardens” Fraoch Majdosz, 2010
by Quan Morris