CD - just noticed that new addition to your sig. 
While we're waiting, here's some bits and pieces I have sitting in the compost bin.
This first one is a meeting between Tsunami and Tokimi... and Tokimi is somewhat taken aback.
Here is the one
I told you of, sister.
Is he now?
Remarkable that D3 never mentioned him.
Washu didn't
detect his arrival, either. She only noticed when his vehicle bumped
against the house.
Fascinating.
The skill it takes to transport someone without making a single
ripple... But that aside, I still don't understand why you feel I
must look at him.
His soul,
sister. Look at it carefully.
Oh? What is
so... oh... oh my... I've never...
You see now?
This is the proof we've been looking for! And someone threw it right
under our noses!
But he isn't a
Choushin! How does this prove anything.
Don't you
understand? He is an infant still!
You mean...
Yes. He is not
a choushin... yet. But he will be when he matures.
Does Washu know
yet?
No. His power
is so weak, it is barely even a spark.
And what of this
Tenchi of yours?
We're still
trying to determine what he is. But no matter how you look at it,
Tenchi far outshines him. It is no wonder Washu has not noticed.
How long until
he matures, though?
I do not know,
Sister. If what was taught by his faith is true, then it would be a
very long time, even by my children's standards.
Can we
accelerate his maturation?
I wouldn't try
it – it's too dangerous, and he is the only of his kind we have
ever come across. Besides... he has already been hurt so horribly.
Very well then.
We will do this your way. Strange, is it not? I have Z. Washu has
Tenchi. And now you have this poor, lost child.
In a way, Tenchi
is mine as well. But I see your point. Washu takes a more active
role with him anyhow. And while Sasami loves Tenchi... Garrick is
the one who is more fragile despite his fortitude. He was so
terrifyingly apt to describe himself as a candle flickering in the
breeze. So very brief. So very brilliant.
Do you have
feelings for this child?
As a mother,
yes. You did not see him the first days after he arrived. It would
have broken your heart, Sister. He honestly felt he had nothing
left... and the saddest part about that is that it was true...
I see... I must
go now. There are other aspects of this matter that must be
investigated. It would have had to have been someone very powerful
indeed to have brought this child to us... and I don't think they
have our best interests in mind.
Of course. And
Sister... keep Z away from him, please... Tenchi is one matter... but
Garrick... I have no idea what he will do... Even a candle can give
you a horrible burn if you are careless.
I'm actually considering whether or not I should include this bit somewhere in the story.
This next one is a bit from early on. Everyone is sitting down after dinner and, now that they have a genuine American in their midst, they are discussing what the American Mentality really is and what makes it tick. Of course, WWII comes up in the discussion... And Yosho speaks as though he was there when it happened...
“There are some
of us Americans that think that what we did to the cities of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki was unforgivable.”
“Huh?” said
Mihoshi. “What happened?”
“They were
destroyed,” said Yosho, “with the first nuclear weapons that had
been developed on this world.” The others went silent. “I
remember that time well. The Americans, embittered by the attacks on
their bases in the Pacific had been waging a long and bloody
campaign, pushing the Imperial Navy and Army all the way back to
Japan. When they finally took the island of Okinawa, it was as
though a switch had been flipped. The people... resorted to cowardly
methods to fight the Americans. They did unspeakable things. Things
I will not dirty your ears with.
“The Americans
knew that it would be the death of their spirits if they continued to
press on like this, so they took their newest and most terrible
weapon... and as we warned them before launching our first attacks,
they warned us before launching their final blows.
“The Generals and
Admirals all scoffed. They thought it was all a fiction. But then
Hiroshima was destroyed. To this day, you can still see the carbon
shadows of the people on the walls that were closest to the bomb when
it detonated. They were the lucky ones – they died before they
could feel any pain. Others took minutes to die of grisly deaths.
Others had even more horrific deaths from severe radiation burns.
All they could do was shamble like living corpses, looking in vain
for help that they were all beyond. And millions more died in the
following years from leukemia and cancer.
“The Generals and Admirals that had scoffed at the Americans'
capability did the foolish thing and dared them once more to attack.
They honestly thought the Americans had expended their supply of
nuclear bombs. The city of Nagasaki and all her people paid dearly
for their arrogance."
It just didn't feel right to have that in the story, that and it was starting to smack of 'MURICA! F*** YEAH!
Lastly, here's a bit of discussion between Garrick and Ayeka when his ribs had been crushed by Mihoshi. It was meant to outline more clearly why Garrick was embittered about not being able to go back. Sasami's look is telling here.
“I must admit that I am a bit curious now, brother. You see, Yosho
has mentioned that your upbringing had strong emphasis on marriage
and family. I wish to know what your thoughts on the matter... used
to be.”
Well... A
marriage in my upbringing differs from others... others would have a
set contract time. That way if the couple felt they had differences
they couldn't work out, they could just finish out the term of the
contract and go their own ways – no harm, no foul. Most others
contract for 'til death do us part. However, that simply is not
enough for my people, who believed that families should live together
for eternity, even after death. To support that, our marriage
contracts extend beyond the grave and into paradise.
“Oh my...” said Ayeka as she hid her mouth with her hand. “I...
can't even imagine...”
I looked down to Sasami and found her staring back up at me. And
without words – using only those soulful fuchsia eyes of hers, she
told me that yes indeed she could imagine... both being with and
without.
It is a
wonderful thing, I typed out.
Being able to meet the ancestors that you've only been able
to read about. Being able to meet the descendents you weren't there
for when they entered the world.
Ayeka sighed. “We Juraians, once we are bonded to a tree, are so
long lived. Hundreds of years can pass and it would only be a small
fraction of our life span. But even we die of old age at some point
in time. I cannot even imagine... eternity!”
I
put a gentle hand on her shoulder and then typed, Just wait
until you've lived a few hundred years. By then, people that you
knew once before will be gone from your life... and you will wish
that you could see them again. That... was the reassurance that I
had from the covenants that have been stolen from me. Once I had
come to understand them, I knew that no matter how many of my family
passed on... I would see them again.
I didn't keep it because I felt that it was a bit too redundant. We all know how that can begin to feel like in a story. :p
Work is still progressing, if only because it's a coping mechanism for me. I'm still sitting on some stuff and I'll probably post it on Thursday or Friday.
While we're waiting, here's some bits and pieces I have sitting in the compost bin.
This first one is a meeting between Tsunami and Tokimi... and Tokimi is somewhat taken aback.
Here is the one
I told you of, sister.
Is he now?
Remarkable that D3 never mentioned him.
Washu didn't
detect his arrival, either. She only noticed when his vehicle bumped
against the house.
Fascinating.
The skill it takes to transport someone without making a single
ripple... But that aside, I still don't understand why you feel I
must look at him.
His soul,
sister. Look at it carefully.
Oh? What is
so... oh... oh my... I've never...
You see now?
This is the proof we've been looking for! And someone threw it right
under our noses!
But he isn't a
Choushin! How does this prove anything.
Don't you
understand? He is an infant still!
You mean...
Yes. He is not
a choushin... yet. But he will be when he matures.
Does Washu know
yet?
No. His power
is so weak, it is barely even a spark.
And what of this
Tenchi of yours?
We're still
trying to determine what he is. But no matter how you look at it,
Tenchi far outshines him. It is no wonder Washu has not noticed.
How long until
he matures, though?
I do not know,
Sister. If what was taught by his faith is true, then it would be a
very long time, even by my children's standards.
Can we
accelerate his maturation?
I wouldn't try
it – it's too dangerous, and he is the only of his kind we have
ever come across. Besides... he has already been hurt so horribly.
Very well then.
We will do this your way. Strange, is it not? I have Z. Washu has
Tenchi. And now you have this poor, lost child.
In a way, Tenchi
is mine as well. But I see your point. Washu takes a more active
role with him anyhow. And while Sasami loves Tenchi... Garrick is
the one who is more fragile despite his fortitude. He was so
terrifyingly apt to describe himself as a candle flickering in the
breeze. So very brief. So very brilliant.
Do you have
feelings for this child?
As a mother,
yes. You did not see him the first days after he arrived. It would
have broken your heart, Sister. He honestly felt he had nothing
left... and the saddest part about that is that it was true...
I see... I must
go now. There are other aspects of this matter that must be
investigated. It would have had to have been someone very powerful
indeed to have brought this child to us... and I don't think they
have our best interests in mind.
Of course. And
Sister... keep Z away from him, please... Tenchi is one matter... but
Garrick... I have no idea what he will do... Even a candle can give
you a horrible burn if you are careless.
I'm actually considering whether or not I should include this bit somewhere in the story.
This next one is a bit from early on. Everyone is sitting down after dinner and, now that they have a genuine American in their midst, they are discussing what the American Mentality really is and what makes it tick. Of course, WWII comes up in the discussion... And Yosho speaks as though he was there when it happened...
“There are some
of us Americans that think that what we did to the cities of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki was unforgivable.”
“Huh?” said
Mihoshi. “What happened?”
“They were
destroyed,” said Yosho, “with the first nuclear weapons that had
been developed on this world.” The others went silent. “I
remember that time well. The Americans, embittered by the attacks on
their bases in the Pacific had been waging a long and bloody
campaign, pushing the Imperial Navy and Army all the way back to
Japan. When they finally took the island of Okinawa, it was as
though a switch had been flipped. The people... resorted to cowardly
methods to fight the Americans. They did unspeakable things. Things
I will not dirty your ears with.
“The Americans
knew that it would be the death of their spirits if they continued to
press on like this, so they took their newest and most terrible
weapon... and as we warned them before launching our first attacks,
they warned us before launching their final blows.
“The Generals and
Admirals all scoffed. They thought it was all a fiction. But then
Hiroshima was destroyed. To this day, you can still see the carbon
shadows of the people on the walls that were closest to the bomb when
it detonated. They were the lucky ones – they died before they
could feel any pain. Others took minutes to die of grisly deaths.
Others had even more horrific deaths from severe radiation burns.
All they could do was shamble like living corpses, looking in vain
for help that they were all beyond. And millions more died in the
following years from leukemia and cancer.
“The Generals and Admirals that had scoffed at the Americans'
capability did the foolish thing and dared them once more to attack.
They honestly thought the Americans had expended their supply of
nuclear bombs. The city of Nagasaki and all her people paid dearly
for their arrogance."
It just didn't feel right to have that in the story, that and it was starting to smack of 'MURICA! F*** YEAH!
Lastly, here's a bit of discussion between Garrick and Ayeka when his ribs had been crushed by Mihoshi. It was meant to outline more clearly why Garrick was embittered about not being able to go back. Sasami's look is telling here.
“I must admit that I am a bit curious now, brother. You see, Yosho
has mentioned that your upbringing had strong emphasis on marriage
and family. I wish to know what your thoughts on the matter... used
to be.”
Well... A
marriage in my upbringing differs from others... others would have a
set contract time. That way if the couple felt they had differences
they couldn't work out, they could just finish out the term of the
contract and go their own ways – no harm, no foul. Most others
contract for 'til death do us part. However, that simply is not
enough for my people, who believed that families should live together
for eternity, even after death. To support that, our marriage
contracts extend beyond the grave and into paradise.
“Oh my...” said Ayeka as she hid her mouth with her hand. “I...
can't even imagine...”
I looked down to Sasami and found her staring back up at me. And
without words – using only those soulful fuchsia eyes of hers, she
told me that yes indeed she could imagine... both being with and
without.
It is a
wonderful thing, I typed out.
Being able to meet the ancestors that you've only been able
to read about. Being able to meet the descendents you weren't there
for when they entered the world.
Ayeka sighed. “We Juraians, once we are bonded to a tree, are so
long lived. Hundreds of years can pass and it would only be a small
fraction of our life span. But even we die of old age at some point
in time. I cannot even imagine... eternity!”
I
put a gentle hand on her shoulder and then typed, Just wait
until you've lived a few hundred years. By then, people that you
knew once before will be gone from your life... and you will wish
that you could see them again. That... was the reassurance that I
had from the covenants that have been stolen from me. Once I had
come to understand them, I knew that no matter how many of my family
passed on... I would see them again.
I didn't keep it because I felt that it was a bit too redundant. We all know how that can begin to feel like in a story. :p
Work is still progressing, if only because it's a coping mechanism for me. I'm still sitting on some stuff and I'll probably post it on Thursday or Friday.