"The Portal" is pretty much done!  Some passages will require further refinement, but I've found a denouement I'm happy with and an ending that hopefully leaves no loose ends while providing openings for new stories.

Okay, I have promised to focus on a musical project once "The Portal" was done and I will.  A musical piece before I write another story ...  just a few rewrites on this one; I'll post it and I promise: a musical project before the next story!