In One's Own Way

Ceremony and lore tie everyone to their world. The stories we keep inside ourselves, and those our community tell to us. Whether it's a cave with a dark pool of mysteries or the whole ocean itself, the world waits to greet those ready to come into their own.
Chalu recites: "The way of youth is a route laid out by the pattern of my people's land.
My body carved--as from rock, as from sand." Kai may not be all that young anymore, but the question plagues them still: "Who am I really?" As a child of the Seventh Circle, today's naming ceremony should be exciting...but fear grips Mandala's heart! Amida prepares to sing the song of becoming, but what if the answers the song gives aren't the right ones? Radaa enters the dark God's Cave not for herself, but to save her best friend's life. Luminko, defeated, buries a friend. What good could come for Luminko now?
In this collection, young people with a variety of identities, all from different worlds, find themselves faced with the same question: Who will you be in the face of adversity? Will you stand up for who you know you are when the going gets tough? Crack open the pages of this collection to find out!

Rei Rosenquist first remembers life as seen out the high window of a hotel balcony. Down below is a courtyard, swarms of brightly dressed tourists, the beach. The memory is nothing but a blue-green washed image. Warmth and sunlight. Here, they are three years old, and this is the beginning of a nomadic story-teller’s life.
Over the years, they have traveled to many countries, engaged many peoples, picked up new habits, and learned new languages. But, some things never change. For them, these are stories, food service, and traveling. These three passions have bloomed from hobbies, studies, and jobs into a way of life.
These days, Rei can be found in between Tokyo, Kailua, and Bellingham, Washington pouring beautiful latte art, baking off a batch of famous savory scones, and cozying up with a laptop to obsessively write mountains of dark speculative fiction.
You can find Rei’s stories and blog at reirosenquist.com. You can also reach them via email at reirosenquist@gmail.com or connect via Facebook (Rei Rosenquist), Twitter (rylrosenquist) and Instagram (rylrosenquist).