Introduction to Part VII: Hearthstone Entertainment

Time: A few years ago. Summer between freshman and sophomore years at IU.

Place: Monroe County, Indiana—or a reasonable facsimile thereof.

Description: Brian Frost, one-time runt geek of the neighborhood, has gathered nearly 50 others into the Clan of the Heart. He has become the protector and leader, or patrón, of the clan. Rose Davis has become matrón, but it is Rhonda Gordon as Executive Producer of Hearthstone Entertainment that is driving the clan's expansion of their television presence. Casa del Fuego, living in the renovated barn, comprises fourteen women and two men. They have the first week of July off before they start the six-week production camp. As Brian says, "I'm just glad we've got a week off before the shit hits the fan!" Right.

This is a work of fiction. If you think you recognize someone, please don't tell them. Any resemblance is strictly coincidental and probably highly insulting!

Codes: mt/ft, ft/ft, MA/FA, FA/FA, polyamory. There is no attempt to code every kind of act or event in this very long story. When you are dealing with 50 kids ranging in age from 16 to 24, they are likely to get into any combination possible. Part VII includes safe sex, multiple-partner sex (both MFM and FMF), color-blind sex, first times, pregnancy, violent and non-violent attacks on the casa or members thereof, nudity, horses, chemistry, cooking, martial arts, college life, television shows, humor, and lots of very cute girls doing all the things teenaged boys (and some other teenaged girls) wish for.

Definitions: Describing the relationships between characters is complicated, especially as they have moved into more permanent relationships. Therefore, they have developed the following terms to describe the group. Although most of the terms are Spanish in origin, the group uses their own rules and does not distinguish between singular and plural or between male and female. For example, compañera may refer to either a boyfriend or a girlfriend, or to all a boy's girlfriends. Casa may refer to a single house within the clan or to several of them. Since the terms are used commonly, they are not italicized like foreign words would be.

Tribe—the entire extended family, mostly referring to the parents and siblings of those in the agreement.

Clan—the group of all those who have signed the clan charter or extended agreement.

Cousin—any member of the clan.

Casa—household. The cast below is listed by casa.

Hearthmates—members of a given casa.

Cónyuge—spouse or mate; those hearthmates or cousins considered in a long-term, intimate relationship.

Novia—fiancé or fiancée (not distinguished by gender); those intending to enter into a long-term intimate relationship with each other but who aren't quite there yet or who want a handfasting ceremony first.

Compañera—a girlfriend or boyfriend (not gender specific); within the casa, often synonymous with hearthmate.

Amiga—man or woman of a different casa that is intimate with another.

Patrón—the leader of the clan or clan chief. It is not an elected position. The clan simply recognizes Brian's leadership.

Matrón—the female leader of the clan or clan queen. Like patrón, it is not an elected position. The clan recognizes Rose's leadership and she also functions as the clan shaman.

La Madrina—the godmother. There is only one woman in the clan who could be accorded this title when it evolves.