I'm a Durham (U.S.) physicist, and my wife is a grad student working for a Ph.D. in linguistics. Small world.

Haha, you got me. Well, it's a FFIV and Fullmetal Alchemist fusion.

And wow, I'm 7,000? I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't pointed it out (I'm still getting familiar with the workings of this site). I am honored! XP

I noticed that "short story" too, VO. I considered editing, but figured I'd leave it as it was for other Wordies to enjoy. ;->

Heh, you are making sense, but it's neither of those things. Alizz is from Alice, which was a character of a 'novel' I wrote years ago, and Lain is just because I like it, and because it starts with the same letter as my real name. :)

I loved those Cannon Fodder videos. You rock.