I find it a little bit hard to write about this, a little bit like I might have a hard time talking about Disney’s Backstage Magic tour, or maybe Dining with an Imagineer. On the one hand, as a stubbornly persistent return visitor, I take a certain thrill in knowing the little, less-than-obvious preparations that go into bringing the Café together. On the other, I wonder if a curious newcomer might return next year, knowing that it doesn’t all suddenly crystallize, and for that find it somehow a little less magical.

I did bring along a new friend I met this year, the very pretty Miss Molly mentioned at the page footers for a while now, and she was sufficiently impressed that she says she’d like to visit, if the “leasing issues” get sorted out in time for next year. I’ll send her an invitation to post her thoughts below. Beyond that, though, I’ve thought about it a bit, and just to avoid spoiling things, I think I’m going to avoid telling too much. Let’s just say that I’m still enchanted by what an amazing, beautiful little bit of fan-craft the Café is. Sometimes the most wonderful things are the most fragile, and if the Café comes to an end, I’ll understand…

… but I can’t say I wouldn’t be deeply saddened.

On a happier note, even if we couldn’t actually see the ongoing story play out, it does continue.

1. “Bob” is still working, much to my delight. Unfortunately, he was walking around the con with a large piece of metal sticking out of his chest. I asked him about it, and he claims that he got stabbed in a recent fight with one of the dishwashers, but I am not entirely sure he did not get in Matta’s way once too often (I mean this with all due affection, of course – I like Matta!). At the actual Café Verführen panel, he showed no sign of injury. I suppose he must be a very fast healer, or simply too tough to let something like that slow him down. He’s a demon of a worker, and Café Verführen is lucky to have him.
2. Sebastian was released from quarantine and is back to his usual antics.
3. Jacob is his usual snarkily considerate self as well. I believe he is also still rooming with Nishi, and also still a little confused over how he got himself into that predicament… not that he minds. Much.
4. I’ve been outed! Ryusei and Jacob told everyone about these reviews and introduced me to the small crowd. The attention is a highly novel thing to me, and I admit to being surprised, but I must say it’s nice to be appreciated.
5. The Café never likes to send their guests home empty-handed, and I appear to be building a collection of not-moist-towelettes.

Aside from a hiatus in the late 90s, the series has been going on for a good twenty-odd years now, and a lot of very big science-fiction/fantasy names have taken part (George R. R. Martin edits, which should say something). Somehow I missed the release of the latest volume, Suicide Kings, back in December, but I got a chance to correct that this Monday. It was a good read, in that way that only a favorite, familiar series can be, though I have to admit that the older books felt more immersive. Unfortunately some of those (and even the reprints) have gotten disturbingly expensive, but the new trilogy (Inside Straight, Busted Flush, and Suicide Kings) is still in print. I’ll be happy to offer some good starting points if anyone is interested.

Also, while I’m pretty sure she isn’t playing Chrysalis, this cosplayer takes “anatomically pretty” to a whole new level. It must’ve taken hours to get ready.

It’s been a long and slightly painful week and I’ve drifting in and out of sleep for a couple hours now (hence the post-midnight update), but I have most of tomorrow (today?) set aside for writing. We’ll see how that goes.