Well thats basically it, but I have a more simplified version in mind. Different coloured lines can be used as seen in the example you showed, so a nice long list of legends for what each colour represents can be used. Also, the details can be kept to a minimum and the unnecessary comments and remarks (in your example) can be removed.
But still, now that I think about it, its really going to be quite a "web" we would have. For now, I'll see if I can take some of the more consistently active and "used" OCs and make a sample or something. *reminds self to start hunting for information*
But the random comments make it ever more interesting (well if you've watched Simoun)
I see you're determined to try and make the web. Good luck... you'll need it :heh
Give us a yell when you start and we'll help out
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dream_Traveller
Spoiler for Time Goes By- Segment:
The sole Number remained silent in the face of the man's question. The latter character bowed his head in what appeared to be sorrow, and laughed, dryly.
"You still choose to hound me, hang over me like a curse..." He paused, solemnly. "And I know that you would be elated to see me as nothing more than a rotting carcass at your feet. Yet...what good would it do you?"
Cinque's face bore a look of sheer disgust. "V...", she spat, her tone poisonous, speaking volumes to the saddened soul viewing her. "You didn't think that what you did would be easily forgotten, discarded as a mere afterthought...did you?"
V showed no element of shock or lack of understanding in his response. "Of course I didn't. No-one shelves a memory of seeing loved ones perish, after all..." The masked man heard her curse under her breath, audibly, at this statement. "But," he continued, "about my question...what fulfillment would revenge offer you?"
"It would do more than enough for me...and aren't those words ironic, coming from you?" The girl drew a set of knives from beneath her coat. "Saying that revenge is worthless, yet you sought nothing but that?"
"That was in the past", V retorted. "And back then I was blinded." Cinque scoffed, but V carried on nonetheless. "My lust for exacting retribution was what drove me, what empowered me."
He was attempting to reach out for the platinum-haired figure who faced him, trying to convince her. "I remember the moment after I made the Doctor pass from this mortal plane...and in that time afterwards I felt nothing. No reward, no satisfaction, no prize. Revenge is void, Cinque."
Shaking her head in refusal to his words, Cinque's rebuke was an outburst. "Void?" She glanced quickly at the marble graves by the man's feet on either side of him. "If they were here..." She glared at the once-killer, vehemently. "If they were here, they would've said otherwise!"
"So, even now...you still believe that your one purpose is to fight", V mused, disdainfully. "It's purpose that's bound you, isn't it? Your driving force towards finding me was purpose. You still think that you must fight on...eradicate all who dare stand in your way who were considered to be foes of your 'father' Powered by purpose...by vengeful thinking. Although..." He stopped momentarily. "Your phrase holds truth."
He turned away from the girl, to her anger, and stated, "Yes...maybe they would have agreed with you. If I had exacted harm on any of your other sisters, the decision to hunt me down would have been unanimous, and no doubt you would all be out to get me for the Doctor's death. But the following comes from a being who was fixated on spilling blood in the name of payback...there is no victory achieved by accomplishing a vendetta."
Cinque looked perplexed suddenly, her voice tinged with an air of confusion. "What do you mean?"
V sighed, in sorrowful resignation. "What I mean is...you gain nothing. I planned my scheme for five years. Five long, arduous, painful years, hoping to bring the most well-thought punishment to that scientist. When I killed him, and as I layed my eyes on his lifeless corpse, I felt...empty. As if I had achieved no objective whatsoever. I felt hollow...oh, heavens above, so hollow, and all because I thought vengeance had a reason."
He whirled round to face the cyborg again, and took a handful of paces forward. "I sought my goal in the name of those he took from me, just as you are seeking to kill me in the name of those I stole away from you. I was pushed to the brink of madness, my rational thought almost damaged beyond repair, and when at last, I had done it, nothing came back to me. My life didn't return to what it once was- I was still a killer, I still am a killer, and I am devoid of those who I loved dearly. Simply put..."
His tone was pleading now, yet unwavering.
"What you seek to accomplish will not bring them back."
He saw Cinque recoil at this, her voice reduced to a ghostly shaking whisper. "Urusai..."
"Killing does nothing- and only now do I regret my actions. I have lamented for taking their lives, but you must understand..."
Cinque's tone began to rise now, sounding harsher. "Urusai...!"
"However..." V resumed his speech, not taking heed of the eye-patched one's mutterings. "If you remain so devotedly loyal to your conviction, in spite of the futility of that which you yearn for..."
"URUSAI!"
V was silenced shortly by the bellow that Cinque produced. He then stepped backwards, and let his hands hang limp at his sides. "Then do it."
He was met with hesitation from the Number. "What is there to fear? I am but a broken man. What harm could I possibly do, hm?"
After another pause, the stillness seemingly blanketing the area, he was met with an unearthly hum as yellow IS circles formed around the hilts of the blades that she held.
"IS...hatsudou..." she uttered, her voice wracked with fury.
Yet still she didn't commence her movement. V tilted his head sideways, at odds. "What's this? Hesitance? Odd for a senior such as yourself."
Cinque grimaced and drew her hand back at this, preparing to hurl the projectiles she carried- but was halted by V once more.
"Good...but there is one problem." He lifted a hand, and pointed at Cinque, then back at himself. "You're not a murderer, like me. Therefore, you'll find it harder to bring yourself to terminate by existence." He raised his head. "Thusly," he exclaimed, "the question lingers, that being...
...can you prove to me...prove to me, as a senior, that you're experienced?"
Eh, pretty long segment...
I'm uncertain about the cohesion in some parts of this piece...but, it can be rectified if there are problems. Do tell me what you think, fellow readers.
Hmmm, it looks decent to me.... Although judging from canon she has killed before or at least been involved in the death of Zest and co. So you can't really say that she isn't a murderer. The only question in my mind is: 'Is she able to kill in cold-blood?' Death in combat is an entirely different thing (In my view) to what is about to happen. (if it indeed goes that way)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tk3997
TK3997: Excellent… all is going as I have foreseen it and the corruption spreads! Soon, very soon the quest to maintain canon will be but a distant memory… MUHAHAHAH!!! Flunky: My lord some of the rebels have gotten into the AU generator!!! TK3997: Oh shi---
Isamu Well that was easier then we thought..
Tuala Yeah, their security was pathetic
I'll stick with parallel canon events thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlameSparkZ
Well, I decided to end this chapter with this part, so here goes!
Spoiler for Courage - Part 5:
Unaware of Yui's plan, Quattro continued her 'bullying'
[Uhu~ Have you finished praying? Then, which part of your body would you like me to begin with?]
At that moment, a message appeared on her screen.
"What's this? A concentration of magic rapidly growing?" She opened a visual and saw Hayate getting ready for a big spell.
"It's that crazy girl from before, what is she up to?" She smirked, "Don't think I'll let you do as you please."
The Drones that were free were ordered to attack Hayate.
"Heh..." Hayate smirked. "Do you think I'd let such an opening?"
As the Drones approached her, they were caught in crossed fire, and quickly disposed of.
"Yagami-san, concentrate on the spell, we'll deal with the Drones!" A Clerk said signaling his comrades.
"Thanks." Hayate smiled and turned to the spell being casted.
"Stars, gather before me..." The sphere in front of her began growing, drawing magic from the air.
"...and become the light which pierces everything."
Sensing it, Yui smiled, "Good choice, Hayate-nee." and put herself in position, "I should start mine as well."
"Ruler of Asgard, leader of the Aesir, Odin..." A Belka circle appeared under her.
"Lend me the strength of your peerless spear, the Unwavering One..."
Back to Quattro, "She's up to something too...just what do they---" Then it hit her, "No Way!"
Just then, Hayate finished her spell, "Tear through everything in a blaze of light!"
"Starlight...BREAKER!!!" and with Schwertkreuz, launched the enourmous spell at the cluster of Drones.
At the moment of impact the Drones were crushed by the sheer force of the spell and the dome itself started cracking.
"NOW!" Yui shouted. "Come forth! Gungnir!"
As the spell was finished, Undine began glowing, [Power Boost Received]
Yui's wings spead widely, "Pierce through my enemy!" She pointed Undine at the Type-4. [Gungnir Strike!] Undine announced, and Yui charged at the Drone.
"Like I'll let you!!!" Quattro was about to command it to attack when Starlight Breaker pierced through the dome.
Even being showered by the massive attack, Yui didn't flinch, headed straight to her target, finally piercing through it and escaping SLB simultaneously.
As its outer shell exploded, the drone's main body tried to escape, "You're not getting away!!" She shouted as dashed at it.
Blocking with an AMF, the Type-4 tried to defend itself, but the spearhead pierced through the field and stabbed it.
"Tenshou...ZAN!!!" Yui finished it off with a rising slash.
The lifeless drone descendend before exploding, and Yui, covered in scratches, with great part of her armor gone, panted heavily as her sight began to blur.
"...We..did it...Undine..." Her wings began shrink to fade until she fainted.
"Yui!" Hayate grabbed her in time, held Yui close to her and checked her condition, "She'll be fine..." Hayate smiled.
Then she sighed "Really...You're just as crazy as Fate-chan and Nanoha-chan." Hayate playfully scolded Yui.
----------------------------
Meanwhile, inside the Cradle...
"Ksh!" Nanoha rubbed her nose, "Am I catching a cold?" She blinked.
Quattro watched Hayate as she carried Yui, "That girl is insane, pulling such a stunt."
"But for an appetiser...it was amusing." She commented.
Turning to another display, she watched as Nanoha used Strike Flame to deal with the blockade of Drones.
"The real fun is just about to begin..."
Diece appeared on the screen and reported the situation, "It's no good, Quattro, I can't handle her."
"That's as we thought." Quattro paused and looked at Vivio, sitting on the throne.
"She's going to die here, in the Throne Room."
She watched the other displays, showing the Subaru, Teana, Caro and Erio in their own battles, "They're all doing better than we thought..."
"...but it's just a matter of time." She smirked, "We just have to stand here and wait."
[The Cradle will reach orbit in: 1 hour and 44 minutes]
----------------------------
Sorry, no drawing this time...unless you wanted a drawing of Hayate carrying Yui
And Yui wins!
Now to explain the attacks she used...
Spoiler for Yui's attacks:
Gungnir Strike: Summons the legendayr spear, Gungnir, that always hit its mark.
The spell envelops the user in a field that increases endurance towards damage so that he/she can charge through nearly anything, even if the caster is knocked out, the weapon used will continue in its course to hit the designated target.
Tenshouzan: Not really a spell, but a technique *cough*'borrowed' from Rockman Zero 2 *cough*
It consists in a rising slash, the name itself means "Heaven Rising Slash" (rough translation )
Also, omg at Hayate...
Well, I assume that is possible, since she used Diabolic Emission in the first Numbers encounter
Well, that's it for Chapter 17, now to work on Chapter 18...I think I'll call it "Resolve"
*drops another vote for Hayate and Yui*
Although SLB?????:c onfused:
Since when could Hayate use that..... Considering we haven't seen her use any of Reinforce 1's other attacks...
Oh wait... never mind.. I just saw your comment at the end.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FieryAeon
Spoiler for spoiler for size:
Basic Details Name: Itsuki Gender: Male Birthday: 24 November Home World: Earth (Non-administrated world 97) Age: 21
Physical Attributes Height: 6 feet Weight: 70 kilos Eye colour: Black Hair colour: Black
Mage information Rank: Captain of the Special Covert Operations team for air force 1039 Affiliations: Time-space Administration Bureau Combat style: melee combat Position: Guard Wing Class: Belka type Official Mage Rank: Ranked at AAA+ (AA with limiter) Colour of spell sigils: Dark Blue Device: Ruby Impulse and Rune Edge (dual device) Specialization: Stealth and covert ops Usual garb/wear: TSAB officer’s uniform (worn loosely)
Description/Background/History: History: Born on Earth’s Japan, Itsuki was orphaned the moment he was born. His father supposedly left his mother, then pregnant with Itsuki, citing inability to finance and care for a family as the reason. His mother couldn’t afford to keep him either, so he was given to an orphanage to be raised. He grew up to be a rather brooding child, always staring off into thin air, and not making friends with many. However he loved to read and frequented the local library whenever he could.
It was on one such occasion when he stumbled unto an odd book that looked out of place in the library. An old dusty tome, it looked as if it’s seen its fair share of years, but was surprisingly very well maintained. The tome was quite thick, with words of a language that Itsuki couldn’t recognize. The tome was well organized, with what seemed like a table of contents in the first page, a section filled with pictures of symbols and mathematical formula, and what seemed like a journal section near the end of the tome.
Curiosity piqued, he decided to learn of the contents of the tome, with the mastery of the language vital. Discovering it to be German, he used the resources and Internet facilities in the library. The process was slow but it was enjoyable, and as time when on, astounding. Slowly becoming proficient in German, he discovered a world that could not belong to his own in the tome. The tome spoke of magic, of planets and worlds other than his own, which had always been but mere fantasy to him. It was a mystery how such a tome came to be at the library, and Itsuki wondered if it was some prank or merely a fictional book made to look like some kind of research tome, for that is what the tome seemed to be, a research into magic.
“Real or not, lets find out.” Was his thought at that time, and so at the age of 10 he stepped into a world deemed heretical by the religious fanatics on Earth. It was during that time that the Time Space Administration Bureau (TSAB) decided to scour the entire planet for individuals with magical potential, both to avoid any more incident like the Book of Darkness incident and to recruit new mages from a planet now acknowledge to “produce unusually powerful mages”. One year into the search, TSAB probation mage Signum of the Wolkenritter, decided to lead a search in Japan’s Kanto region.
It was to be a story of an encounter that will only come once in a life, as the search came to the remote neighbourhood where the orphanage Itsuki lived in is located. It was but a tiny tingle, but Signum felt the stirrings of magic, and found Itsuki trying out basic magic while hiding in a shed behind the orphanage. He was on the verge of casting his first spell after over a year of studying the tome, a simple barrier spell, when he was approach by the sword knight.
An offer was presented to him, one he couldn’t refuse. “Would you like to come with me, to a place where you can learn much more?” That day, sitting on a chair on that worn down shed, the boy looked up with eyes filled with wonder at the woman he will forever come to see as the one who saved him from a life of obscurity, the one who showed him the path to greater things, the one he will always regard as the sibling he never had. Smiling with a child’s innocent, the offer was received, with outstretched hands.
Habits/Hobbies: Staying up late at night, spending hours on the computer, reading, watching anime from his home planet, and procrastinating on things he finds tedious. He has a habit of staring into space sometimes, which indicates that he’s deep in thought. Sometimes when he reads, he gets so engrossed in the book that he has to be shouted at to get his attention.
Personality/Behaviour pattern: Sarcastic person who is occasionally a nice person, sometimes brooding and silent, and can be lazy at times. He’s protective of his friends and cares a lot about them. However he never likes to have people fuss over him and would usually try to solve his problems on his own. He doesn’t like Gwendolyn calling brother because he’s afraid that people would think he’s taking advantage of younger girls.
He insists that people call him “senior” or “sempai” when they are around him as he dislikes formalities, seeing as he’s not one to dispense with formalities himself. However, ironically calls Signum as “Signum nee-san” just like how Vice does despite the fact that she didn’t like it. But she soon gave up on trying to correct the both of them.
Professional background: After graduating at the age of 15 he was posted at the 1039th air squadron as a special agent, and he rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in 3 years time. However, his laid-back and slightly lazy attitude saw him remain there, even though he could have rose higher in rank. He participated mostly in anti-terrorism operations, hostage situations, and emergency rescue and relieve along with the air forces.
Fighting style:
Aside from his ability to be hidden and avoid detection and take out the enemy, he can also engage in melee combat using his two devices in tandem to great effect.
Ruby Impulse gives him the power to overpower his opponent’s shields and barriers, while Rune Edgeis used to deflect melee weapons and strike at openings when presented with his enhanced speed. Reloading for Ruby Impulse may seem difficult in the thick of battle, but it isn’t that big a problem for Itsuki as he can go stealth and hide his location while he reloads.
Along with his melee prowess, he utilizes spells that targets the enemy senses to give him advantage in battle. With his cannon and straight shot spells he can deal some damage from a moderate range and they serve to distract his opponent’s attention while he follows up close.
He can also use Rune Edge in long sword mode. This gives him better melee range and better protection against other melee fighters, as daggers can be disadvantageous in straight melee versus melee battles with opponents that have weapons with longer reach. However despite this he is still strictly a melee fighter and will be hard pressed against opponents who do not need to come close for combat.
Barrier Jacket:
Itsuki’s barrier jacket has 2 modes, a stealth mode and combat mode. The stealth is an all black ensemble of a sleeveless silk shirt and tight fitting leather pants. Ruby Impulse is usually deactivated in this mode to minimize sounds made from movement as Ruby Impulse would make clanking sounds on hard ground. Rune Edge can however be activated separately.
The combat mode is different from the stealth mode in that the sleeveless shirt is replaced by a leather vest, a red coat long enough to reach just above his ankles, and a black pants of standard bureau barrier jacket material. The coat is buttoned together on his upper body, leaving the lower part of the coat flowing out behind him.
Miscellaneous equipment:
Night vision goggles: Stealth missions are best done in the cover of night, regardless that a cloaking spell can hide the user from the naked eye. Humans, are not cats or bats, therefore the night vision goggles (kept within his shirt’s pocket) is a must have on such missions. The multipurpose goggles can also calculate distances and detect infrared sensors.
Device(s): Ruby Impulse and Rune Edge
Ruby Impulse is Itsuki’s actual intelligent device and Rune Edge is his intelligent device with a rather high-level AI programmed, it is in sync with Ruby Impulse and storage mode stores both devices. Ruby Impulse is a powerful melee type armed device that Itsuki uses for melee attacks. As for Rune Edge, it can used in tandem with Ruby Impulse and is also actually primarily used for stealth attacks and covert op missions to silently eliminate various targets as the situation demands. Rune Edge also has a mode where it transforms into long swords.
Storage mode (both): Both devices are stored together inside a small ruby set on plain platinum bracelet, which Itsuki wears on his left arm. Itsuki calls out “activate” to activate his devices. It is possible to activate one device without activating the other.
Ruby Impulse: (device mode)
The Ruby Impulse is a pair of metal boots made from solid steel. The design is simplistic and bears no ornaments with the exception of the hexagonal ruby on the boot, set and positioned over his legs. The greaves are rather thick, a whole 5 millimetre thick of that alloy mentioned which he thinks is titanium but he doesn’t really remember. “Does titanium exist anyway?” is his question when asked about his device’s materials. A cartridge system is installed at the side of the greaves, and the exhaust pipes for it is connected to the other side to counterbalance the weight. Overall the device is rather heavy for a footgear so its important that Itsuki has very strong leg muscles to use them effectively, sometimes he tries to ensure he does have.
Rune Edge: (dagger mode)
Rune Edge is a pair of twin daggers with an aquatic theme. The daggers are each 2 feet long, and are mainly light blue in colour, with a splatter of white on the hand guards, and a touch of gold for the hilt. The blade is slightly curved as is the hilt, and the hilt itself has a scaly appearance to it. The hand guard is short and is actually designed to offer protection to fingers rather than hands.
Rune Edge: (Long sword mode)
Rune Edge in its long sword mode transforms the twin-curved daggers into long swords of the same general design and colour. The blades are double-edged and straight; the hilt with the one-sided hand guard becomes double sided.
Offensive spells: Sunray: A spell that creates a blinding ray of light for a few seconds, effectively blinding all within range for a few minutes. Itsuki uses this when stealth fails or he is discovered during a mission. Usually used in conjunction with Cacophony. (Duration: 10 minutes)
Cacophony: A spell that generates a harsh discordance of high-pitched sounds at frequencies unbearable to human ears. The spell causes temporary deafness as well as disturbing the cochlea of the human ear enough to cause those within the range of the spell to lose their balance. (Duration: 10 minutes)
Tsunami Impact: Itsuki activates this spell when he does one of his drop kicks. The kick connects and a massive force is applied with enough force to instantly shatter a barrier. (Attack: AAA)
Cyclone Kick: Itsuki kicks out one leg with force and crosses the force from that kick with another from his other leg, creating a spinning force amplified by magic, thus forming a cyclone of sorts. The range is short, but is a powerful knock-back attack. (Attack: A, Speed: B, Range: C, Effect: Knock-back)
Crimson Dagger: Blood red dagger-shaped projectiles that can be shot at high speeds in the direction Itsuki chooses. Should it miss, the daggers can be willed to change directions accordingly. This is a high level spell that has become a bureau standard among officers. (Attack: A, Speed: A, Range: B)
Blast Cannon: Itsuki’s straight cannon shot magic. A blast of energy erupts from the magical symbol in a singular direction. (Attack: AA+, Range: A, Speed: A)
Defensive spells: Shield: A multi-layer shield that shields himself or any target from conventional spells and lower powered bombardment or long-range spells. Shaped as a dome, this spell protects said spells from any directions. (Strength: A, Shielding radius: 3 metres)
3-point shield: A triangular shield with smaller circles at the 3 points (much like a casting rune) that shields Itsuki from 1 direction. Itsuki holds on either of his palm up to cast this spell. The spell rune is half Itsuki’s height. (Strength: AA+)
Support/Boost/Mobility spells: Phantom Mirage: A combination of an illusion and mobility spell, Itsuki moves very fast when this spell is cast and leaves a mirror image of himself behind. The spell is limited however, in that Itsuki will not be able to keep up the spell long without severely draining his magic reserves. This spell can be described as a double-edged sword. Although giving significant boost to speed and agility, it is meaningless in prolonged battles as his magic reserves will not be able to keep up. As such it is only used sparingly (Speed boost to: S+, Duration: 8 minutes)
Flight: Allows flight. Yup, what else can it be?
Shadow Cloak: Itsuki’s stealth cloak keeps him hidden from the naked eye, along with several equipment he carries with him and by suppressing his magic to a level where it is just enough to keep up the spell so he can bypass most security and search spell. The spell however leaves him vulnerable to attacks and he would have to drop the cloaking spell before he can erect a barrier or shield.
Empowerment: Charges Ruby Impulse with pure magic power. Every kick and strike with it discharges bursts of that power, giving Itsuki edge in melee combat. Drains magic constantly while in use, thus it isn’t a spell that can be kept up for long. (Power increase: AAA)
Struggle Bind: A spell known to many bureau officers. The reason for its popularity is its ability to cancel spells focused on the user’s self, such as transformation and boosts spells. (Strength: A, Effect: Cancels existing spells on target)
A tentative "version 1" of one of my char. I intend to edit whenever necessary, because I can seem to think of how he'll fit in..well that and for balance purposes. Anyway that was longer than I expected so...please don't bite! *worriedly clicks the submit reply button and hides*
Ooh nice.
I can't see anything to complain about so you're safe from rants about Haxx...
Looks like he'd get along well in terms of ability with most of my OC's (although he's a few ranks higher in magic..) Nice work
Quote:
Originally Posted by LoweGear
It'll take more than SLB to kill me!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by USB500
ORLY?
Imotou: Lowe-kun! Mitte! Mitte!
Imotou kills LoweGear with Starlight Breaker: Fairy Tale Shift EX PLUS: Overdrive Mode.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LoweGear
Hah. Weak.
*wipes blood from nose*
Quote:
Originally Posted by USB500
WHAT SORT OF HAXX IS THIS!!!!!!!!!
Looks like we'll have to use the super weapon....
Now where are the aces....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Satty
Edit:SearcherS preview here, having some writer's block and school barring me from finishing it at this time...anyway:
Spoiler for SearcherS 9-preview:
“I’m not sure on how Satoshi healed up that quick.” Derek replied, looking down on the floor. He raised his head up, and added, “Ignoring that for now, at least he’s back in action.”
“I see….what about the headaches and the fainting?”
“Must be fatigue; I don’t see anything wrong with him on that.”
Alright then. I’ll be going now. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
As he left, he still could remember Asteright’s words, clear and simple in his head. “You can’t hide him from finding out who he was before.” Those words echoed in his head. “Is he coming back?”
I wouldn't mind that as long as Caro maintains the cute look she has
and where the hell do you get your cute caro avatars from? You just want to kill me with Caro's overwhelming cuteness huh?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimmy C
You mean, it wasn't obvious from the name that it was a suped up Photon Lancer? And there's an easy way to limit the book's copycat powers. The wielder has to supply all for magic for casting. So casting spells above his power level will result in weaker versions of those spells. Then make the mage no better than A rank.
Oh yeah, the tomes need to scan the spell at least once before it can cast it cause it needs the magical pattern,particles, etc.
Well, he actually does supply the magic for casting O_O 100% of it and A rank... i might make him A+ or AA/+ not sure though
Any ideas for the defensive one?
The defensive tome can use healing, barrier and binding spells(or is binding spells offensive ) though healing is very hard to limit cause the mage's rank will be low (preferbly B rank) and since it's all defensive spells no offense
I plan to make the characters siblings cause the tomes are manufactured @ the same time so it would kinda make sense if the wielders are siblings instead of random strangers so one aniki and imouto.
Call me sexist but I have a thinking that males are better @ offensive spells females are better @ defensive/healing spells (Although in Nanoha it's the opposite of what I think )
[QUOTE=FieryAeon;1145533]
Spoiler for spoiler for size:
Basic Details Name: Itsuki Gender: Male Birthday: 24 November Home World: Earth (Non-administrated world 97) Age: 21
Physical Attributes Height: 6 feet Weight: 70 kilos Eye colour: Black Hair colour: Black
Mage information Rank: Captain of the Special Covert Operations team for air force 1039 Affiliations: Time-space Administration Bureau Combat style: melee combat Position: Guard Wing Class: Belka type Official Mage Rank: Ranked at AAA+ (AA with limiter) Colour of spell sigils: Dark Blue Device: Ruby Impulse and Rune Edge (dual device) Specialization: Stealth and covert ops Usual garb/wear: TSAB officer’s uniform (worn loosely)
Description/Background/History: History: Born on Earth’s Japan, Itsuki was orphaned the moment he was born. His father supposedly left his mother, then pregnant with Itsuki, citing inability to finance and care for a family as the reason. His mother couldn’t afford to keep him either, so he was given to an orphanage to be raised. He grew up to be a rather brooding child, always staring off into thin air, and not making friends with many. However he loved to read and frequented the local library whenever he could.
It was on one such occasion when he stumbled unto an odd book that looked out of place in the library. An old dusty tome, it looked as if it’s seen its fair share of years, but was surprisingly very well maintained. The tome was quite thick, with words of a language that Itsuki couldn’t recognize. The tome was well organized, with what seemed like a table of contents in the first page, a section filled with pictures of symbols and mathematical formula, and what seemed like a journal section near the end of the tome.
Curiosity piqued, he decided to learn of the contents of the tome, with the mastery of the language vital. Discovering it to be German, he used the resources and Internet facilities in the library. The process was slow but it was enjoyable, and as time when on, astounding. Slowly becoming proficient in German, he discovered a world that could not belong to his own in the tome. The tome spoke of magic, of planets and worlds other than his own, which had always been but mere fantasy to him. It was a mystery how such a tome came to be at the library, and Itsuki wondered if it was some prank or merely a fictional book made to look like some kind of research tome, for that is what the tome seemed to be, a research into magic.
“Real or not, lets find out.” Was his thought at that time, and so at the age of 10 he stepped into a world deemed heretical by the religious fanatics on Earth. It was during that time that the Time Space Administration Bureau (TSAB) decided to scour the entire planet for individuals with magical potential, both to avoid any more incident like the Book of Darkness incident and to recruit new mages from a planet now acknowledge to “produce unusually powerful mages”. One year into the search, TSAB probation mage Signum of the Wolkenritter, decided to lead a search in Japan’s Kanto region.
It was to be a story of an encounter that will only come once in a life, as the search came to the remote neighbourhood where the orphanage Itsuki lived in is located. It was but a tiny tingle, but Signum felt the stirrings of magic, and found Itsuki trying out basic magic while hiding in a shed behind the orphanage. He was on the verge of casting his first spell after over a year of studying the tome, a simple barrier spell, when he was approach by the sword knight.
An offer was presented to him, one he couldn’t refuse. “Would you like to come with me, to a place where you can learn much more?” That day, sitting on a chair on that worn down shed, the boy looked up with eyes filled with wonder at the woman he will forever come to see as the one who saved him from a life of obscurity, the one who showed him the path to greater things, the one he will always regard as the sibling he never had. Smiling with a child’s innocent, the offer was received, with outstretched hands.
Habits/Hobbies: Staying up late at night, spending hours on the computer, reading, watching anime from his home planet, and procrastinating on things he finds tedious. He has a habit of staring into space sometimes, which indicates that he’s deep in thought. Sometimes when he reads, he gets so engrossed in the book that he has to be shouted at to get his attention.
Personality/Behaviour pattern: Sarcastic person who is occasionally a nice person, sometimes brooding and silent, and can be lazy at times. He’s protective of his friends and cares a lot about them. However he never likes to have people fuss over him and would usually try to solve his problems on his own. He doesn’t like Gwendolyn calling brother because he’s afraid that people would think he’s taking advantage of younger girls.
He insists that people call him “senior” or “sempai” when they are around him as he dislikes formalities, seeing as he’s not one to dispense with formalities himself. However, ironically calls Signum as “Signum nee-san” just like how Vice does despite the fact that she didn’t like it. But she soon gave up on trying to correct the both of them.
Professional background: After graduating at the age of 15 he was posted at the 1039th air squadron as a special agent, and he rose to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in 3 years time. However, his laid-back and slightly lazy attitude saw him remain there, even though he could have rose higher in rank. He participated mostly in anti-terrorism operations, hostage situations, and emergency rescue and relieve along with the air forces.
Fighting style:
Aside from his ability to be hidden and avoid detection and take out the enemy, he can also engage in melee combat using his two devices in tandem to great effect.
Ruby Impulse gives him the power to overpower his opponent’s shields and barriers, while Rune Edgeis used to deflect melee weapons and strike at openings when presented with his enhanced speed. Reloading for Ruby Impulse may seem difficult in the thick of battle, but it isn’t that big a problem for Itsuki as he can go stealth and hide his location while he reloads.
Along with his melee prowess, he utilizes spells that targets the enemy senses to give him advantage in battle. With his cannon and straight shot spells he can deal some damage from a moderate range and they serve to distract his opponent’s attention while he follows up close.
He can also use Rune Edge in long sword mode. This gives him better melee range and better protection against other melee fighters, as daggers can be disadvantageous in straight melee versus melee battles with opponents that have weapons with longer reach. However despite this he is still strictly a melee fighter and will be hard pressed against opponents who do not need to come close for combat.
Barrier Jacket:
Itsuki’s barrier jacket has 2 modes, a stealth mode and combat mode. The stealth is an all black ensemble of a sleeveless silk shirt and tight fitting leather pants. Ruby Impulse is usually deactivated in this mode to minimize sounds made from movement as Ruby Impulse would make clanking sounds on hard ground. Rune Edge can however be activated separately.
The combat mode is different from the stealth mode in that the sleeveless shirt is replaced by a leather vest, a red coat long enough to reach just above his ankles, and a black pants of standard bureau barrier jacket material. The coat is buttoned together on his upper body, leaving the lower part of the coat flowing out behind him.
Miscellaneous equipment:
Night vision goggles: Stealth missions are best done in the cover of night, regardless that a cloaking spell can hide the user from the naked eye. Humans, are not cats or bats, therefore the night vision goggles (kept within his shirt’s pocket) is a must have on such missions. The multipurpose goggles can also calculate distances and detect infrared sensors.
Device(s): Ruby Impulse and Rune Edge
Ruby Impulse is Itsuki’s actual intelligent device and Rune Edge is his intelligent device with a rather high-level AI programmed, it is in sync with Ruby Impulse and storage mode stores both devices. Ruby Impulse is a powerful melee type armed device that Itsuki uses for melee attacks. As for Rune Edge, it can used in tandem with Ruby Impulse and is also actually primarily used for stealth attacks and covert op missions to silently eliminate various targets as the situation demands. Rune Edge also has a mode where it transforms into long swords.
Storage mode (both): Both devices are stored together inside a small ruby set on plain platinum bracelet, which Itsuki wears on his left arm. Itsuki calls out “activate” to activate his devices. It is possible to activate one device without activating the other.
Ruby Impulse: (device mode)
The Ruby Impulse is a pair of metal boots made from solid steel. The design is simplistic and bears no ornaments with the exception of the hexagonal ruby on the boot, set and positioned over his legs. The greaves are rather thick, a whole 5 millimetre thick of that alloy mentioned which he thinks is titanium but he doesn’t really remember. “Does titanium exist anyway?” is his question when asked about his device’s materials. A cartridge system is installed at the side of the greaves, and the exhaust pipes for it is connected to the other side to counterbalance the weight. Overall the device is rather heavy for a footgear so its important that Itsuki has very strong leg muscles to use them effectively, sometimes he tries to ensure he does have.
Rune Edge: (dagger mode)
Rune Edge is a pair of twin daggers with an aquatic theme. The daggers are each 2 feet long, and are mainly light blue in colour, with a splatter of white on the hand guards, and a touch of gold for the hilt. The blade is slightly curved as is the hilt, and the hilt itself has a scaly appearance to it. The hand guard is short and is actually designed to offer protection to fingers rather than hands.
Rune Edge: (Long sword mode)
Rune Edge in its long sword mode transforms the twin-curved daggers into long swords of the same general design and colour. The blades are double-edged and straight; the hilt with the one-sided hand guard becomes double sided.
Offensive spells: Sunray: A spell that creates a blinding ray of light for a few seconds, effectively blinding all within range for a few minutes. Itsuki uses this when stealth fails or he is discovered during a mission. Usually used in conjunction with Cacophony. (Duration: 10 minutes)
Cacophony: A spell that generates a harsh discordance of high-pitched sounds at frequencies unbearable to human ears. The spell causes temporary deafness as well as disturbing the cochlea of the human ear enough to cause those within the range of the spell to lose their balance. (Duration: 10 minutes)
Tsunami Impact: Itsuki activates this spell when he does one of his drop kicks. The kick connects and a massive force is applied with enough force to instantly shatter a barrier. (Attack: AAA)
Cyclone Kick: Itsuki kicks out one leg with force and crosses the force from that kick with another from his other leg, creating a spinning force amplified by magic, thus forming a cyclone of sorts. The range is short, but is a powerful knock-back attack. (Attack: A, Speed: B, Range: C, Effect: Knock-back)
Crimson Dagger: Blood red dagger-shaped projectiles that can be shot at high speeds in the direction Itsuki chooses. Should it miss, the daggers can be willed to change directions accordingly. This is a high level spell that has become a bureau standard among officers. (Attack: A, Speed: A, Range: B)
Blast Cannon: Itsuki’s straight cannon shot magic. A blast of energy erupts from the magical symbol in a singular direction. (Attack: AA+, Range: A, Speed: A)
Defensive spells: Shield: A multi-layer shield that shields himself or any target from conventional spells and lower powered bombardment or long-range spells. Shaped as a dome, this spell protects said spells from any directions. (Strength: A, Shielding radius: 3 metres)
3-point shield: A triangular shield with smaller circles at the 3 points (much like a casting rune) that shields Itsuki from 1 direction. Itsuki holds on either of his palm up to cast this spell. The spell rune is half Itsuki’s height. (Strength: AA+)
Support/Boost/Mobility spells: Phantom Mirage: A combination of an illusion and mobility spell, Itsuki moves very fast when this spell is cast and leaves a mirror image of himself behind. The spell is limited however, in that Itsuki will not be able to keep up the spell long without severely draining his magic reserves. This spell can be described as a double-edged sword. Although giving significant boost to speed and agility, it is meaningless in prolonged battles as his magic reserves will not be able to keep up. As such it is only used sparingly (Speed boost to: S+, Duration: 8 minutes)
Flight: Allows flight. Yup, what else can it be?
Shadow Cloak: Itsuki’s stealth cloak keeps him hidden from the naked eye, along with several equipment he carries with him and by suppressing his magic to a level where it is just enough to keep up the spell so he can bypass most security and search spell. The spell however leaves him vulnerable to attacks and he would have to drop the cloaking spell before he can erect a barrier or shield.
Empowerment: Charges Ruby Impulse with pure magic power. Every kick and strike with it discharges bursts of that power, giving Itsuki edge in melee combat. Drains magic constantly while in use, thus it isn’t a spell that can be kept up for long. (Power increase: AAA)
Struggle Bind: A spell known to many bureau officers. The reason for its popularity is its ability to cancel spells focused on the user’s self, such as transformation and boosts spells. (Strength: A, Effect: Cancels existing spells on target)
just (It's a good thing)
Naiisu for your first character
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Long Live Lelouch! Waiting for Tales of the World:RM2 USA release
Yes they are, in fact they're more hacked then Microsoft Windows.
The moment I see any kind of “fairly easily returned from the dead” powers in a universe with almost zero precedent for it I consider it Hax, never mind the grossly superior power and laundry list of super abilities they also have.
Frankly, I would advise against making a distinction between offensive and defensive spells. A creative mage can use offensive spells defensively and defensive spells offensively.
Think on the following:
An offensive spell that can shoot down incoming attacks can be considered defensive.
A high-powered shield spell plus a speed boost spell allows the caster to plow though obstacles like a bullldozer, an offensive maneuver.
If you want two books regardless, I suggest one for dealing with attacks, either offense or defense; and another for support spells that do not directly attack or defend against attacks.
But this reminds me of the time I talked to a WoW player who uses a Warrior...
"So... All Warrior like to get hurt, huh?"
"That's where we get our power from... The bigger the hurt, the better."
"And you guys... Are okay with this...?"
"We're not masochist if that's what your implying."
"Could have fooled me."
You never know if one or two of them might be, I have a friend who plays a paladin and he always go "come I'll soak the pain, yea you be mosquitoes" as if he enjoys being a tanker. That being said are paladins even suppose to be tankers? /me doesn't play WoW
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kha
Old man is OOOOLD.
At first when I saw the name "Itsuki" I went ACOUS?! But then it turned out otherwise. However the slacker attitude is similar. His skills look alright, and with an AAA+ rank looks like its ok.
*Kha and Kaempfer watches little Friediche chasing Lord Chaos trying to toast him.*
While I wouldn't say "Tiny Dragon" (Frd: ), it IS a Nanohaverse thing that what doesn't kill you, bonds you stronger.
Kha: Don't worry Erio, I used to wear that barrier jacket, and it has +100 to all Resists. Erio: But--- Kha: WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! Remember Erio, YOUR SPEAR IS THE SPEAR THAT WILL PIERCE THE HEAVENS INTO TOMORROW! Erio:
Isn't it Voltaire who was unleashed upon Erio and not Friedriech? lol...I'd think +100 to all resists isn't gonna help with a 3 story tall dragon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erio
Very balanced character, interesting background, interesting way of fighting... very nice character overall!
I just wonder about the "Gwendolyn" you mentioned...
Actually to be honest it was another character I had already have completed awhile ago before I even started in this forum, so I had no idea the name was taken. I could change it though its not a problem, just haven't thought of another name yet. (Is this the problem parents have when naming babies? )
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightengale
First OC, eh? Nice.
As for the flight thing... well, there are degrees of skill in flight as well. Whether or not flight only is capable, or are they good enough to do high-speed dog-fights... Hayate for one cannot play the aerial-game, though she can fly.
Hmm...you're right I didn't consider that. Seeing that he's in the air force he would have to be competent in aerial combat. But I don't think I would have the job of air superiority to him, there's plenty of OCs and CCs around for that already.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Liingo
But the random comments make it ever more interesting (well if you've watched Simoun)
I see you're determined to try and make the web. Good luck... you'll need it :heh
Give us a yell when you start and we'll help out
I agree that it's more interesting that way, hence minimizing it is an idea. I think I'll probably start out with the Aces as a base. Will start tentatively when I get a rough idea how they interact with one another.
Added: Changed the name to Jean (don't ask I just seem to like the name). No clashes now eh? ^^'
(I admit, they're not easy to kill, but that's the point )
Any form of pseudo-immortality is h4xx, no matter how you try to add a twist or 2.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen
How are you 'semi' h4xx ?
They're strong, but that's it. Aside from that, they're perfectly human. And there's a perfectly legit within-canon reason as to why they can be that powerful either, and even then, there would be no "one can take on 3 Aces together" bullshit, aside from the King and the Final Boss. I'm respecting the rule of solitary and low-key rivalry dynamics for Nanoha.
And the King's only because of his utmost mastery of barrier magic for both Mid-style and the Alhazred-style. And the Final Boss because Final Boss is HUEG and Son Gan Long h4xx.
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Night~and~Gale: ~ The Final Mythology of the Man who Defied Destiny.
The sleeping lion shall awaken beyond the depths of time, crossing ten billion lights, come to Terra.
Oh yes I remember now, my chars age is suppose to a year older than the Aces. How old are they in AU anyway?
Anyway about his name of "Itsuki", its parallel of a nickname friends used to call me when I was younger. Itsuki, in kanji is 樹. I'm not sure what that means in Jap but never mind that, the point is kanji is said to be very similar to the Chinese language. (yes I'm chinese) In chinese, the word 樹 means tree. For an asian I'm considered quite tall (6 feet 1) so friends used to call me "tree", "beanstalk", "高老" (which means tall guy in a rather teasing way) and some others which I've forgotten.
Question @Kha: Why did you think Acous the moment you read Itsuki? o.O
And the King's only because of his utmost mastery of barrier magic for both Mid-style and the Alhazred-style. And the Final Boss because Final Boss is HUEG and Son Gan Long h4xx.
You gotta be kidding... Son Gan Long?!?!?!?
*Tries to summon the Alpha Numbers*
Quote:
Originally Posted by FieryAeon
Question @Kha: Why did you think Acous the moment you read Itsuki? o.O
Have you seen Haruhi? Itsuki from that series, and Acous Verossa share the same VA
__________________
Against all the evil that hell can conjure, all wickedness that mankind can produce... We will send unto them, only you.
Any form of pseudo-immortality is h4xx, no matter how you try to add a twist or 2.
Then what exactly is immortality in your stance? Do you mean it as 'can't kill, period' , or 'can't stay down' ? Or both?
Cause I fall in the second Category.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightengale
They're strong, but that's it. Aside from that, they're perfectly human. And there's a perfectly legit within-canon reason as to why they can be that powerful either, and even then, there would be no "one can take on 3 Aces together" bullshit, aside from the King and the Final Boss. I'm respecting the rule of solitary and low-key rivalry dynamics for Nanoha.
And the King's only because of his utmost mastery of barrier magic for both Mid-style and the Alhazred-style. And the Final Boss because Final Boss is HUEG and Son Gan Long h4xx.
I hope I didn't give you the impression that they can take on 3 Aces at once, nor did I intend for them to have any overwhelming advantage on the Aces, because they don't. As I've mentioned to Arrow before, a large portion still falls on their individual skills.
I'm not disputing you decision of course, it is your story, but I just want to get any misunderstandings out of the way now, as well as any corrections you feel that I should make.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FieryAeon
Question @Kha: Why did you think Acous the moment you read Itsuki? o.O
Then what exactly is immortality in your stance? Do you mean it as 'can't kill, period' , or 'can't stay down' ? Or both?
Cause I fall in the second Category.
Anything even remotely close to Naruto's stance of immortality = immortality.
The Noah/Homunculus/Majin Buu argument works as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chaos2Frozen
I hope I didn't give you the impression that they can take on 3 Aces at once, nor did I intend for them to have any overwhelming advantage on the Aces, because they don't. As I've mentioned to Arrow before, a large portion still falls on their individual skills.
I'm not disputing you decision of course, it is your story, but I just want to get any misunderstandings out of the way now, as well as any corrections you feel that I should make.
I am aware that they are not THAT strong, as reflected by the numbers, ranks, and all that, but for all that matters, they are a bunch who's in possession of both skills and powers that are extremely powerful and alongside that, are in possession of excuses for their bodies to be chopped up badly, but still ease around with it.
That alone is h4xx enough to be on the playing field. Don't worry, you're not the only one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LoweGear
You gotta be kidding... Son Gan Long?!?!?!?
*Tries to summon the Alpha Numbers*
I haven't finalized it yet, but my still-pending idea of the Final Boss is something that requires at least 20 Arc-en-Ciels from the TSAB fleet, 1 Neo-Cradle's Phase Cannon (( undecided )), plus one final h4xx by the King using the memories of the planet (( Alhazred )) to destroy it.
And of course, all the major characters working together to buy time for the synchronized attack.
__________________
Night~and~Gale: ~ The Final Mythology of the Man who Defied Destiny.
The sleeping lion shall awaken beyond the depths of time, crossing ten billion lights, come to Terra.
ANYWAY, I suppose it’s time I acutally contributed some content again. The Inspection arc is ongoing, but I’m making progress and with classes done for the week I should get a good chunk (or maybe the whole thing) done by the end of the week. Anyway here’s a teaser for the fight scene, it’s just a bit after the initial clash after Felix has gone to ground and is starting up his strategy in earnest.
Spoiler for Fight Snippet:
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Vita was flying orbits over the area trying to find her target, after the initial clash he’d disappeared in the smoke and not reappeared since. Attempts to scan for his magic signature had proved futile; he was apparently quite good at hiding it. I figured a gutless hired gun like him would be.
Just as she was wondering if the coward might have just run off though she caught sight of several flashes out of the corner of her eye. She weaved past several of the magic missiles that had raced up at her from a nearby building and smacked another aside with Graf Eisen, and she’d seen where that attack came from!
“Schwalbe Fliegen!” The four projectiles raced out and pulverized the roof of the building obscuring it nearly entirely. Not being a total dunce she didn’t simply race in after the attack, but instead hung back expecting to see her target fleeing the building in some direction, but after almost half a minute she’d seen nothing and the smoke was nearly gone. Could that have acutally KOed him or something? She’d ideally hoped he wasn’t that big of a chump as this could have been the most disappointing fight she’d ever been in. She slowly hovered down onto to the roof carefully setting down on it and searching through the debris. She wasn’t seeing anything though not a single sign of him anywhere she paused to scan the area around her again.
================= Closer… Felix muttered as the signature above him slowly moved over the roof, probably searching for him. He’d fired the missiles up top remotely from inside hoping to do just this, lure her down onto the roof for an ambush… The signature above suddenly stopped completely. “Load Cartridge, Flak shot.” He estimated its position above him and fired the blast tore through three floors of the building exploding on target just as it was about to breech the roof. The moment after he fired he quickly began summoning up a swarm of SRMM and positioned them near the windows.
================= Damn it where is he…!!! She felt the spike just in time to get a few feet up before the ground exploded under her feet sending her careering away through the air. She slammed into a building across the street managing to do so feet first thus stabilizing her just in time to see a dozen or so magic missiles racing right at her.
“Panzer Hindernis!” The hastily erected barrier absorbed the impacts as Vita quickly got back into the air and scanned the area expecting more attacks, none seemed forthcoming though and throughout that entire skirmish she hadn’t even seen him nor did she have a clue where the hell he was now. She was starting to get really pissed.
================= She reacts fast, that barrier was pretty tough too I’ll need to hit it with something big to do much. Felix mused to himself as he bounded down the buildings stairwell leaping entire flights of stairs and flaring a small amount of flight magic just before impact to keep from breaking his legs. He was heading for the ground floor. She’d likely expect him to burst out of a window or something and take flight. It was likely she’d wait at least a few seconds for that before she pondered he might still be inside. She’d then most likely begin searching near where the magic missiles had come from. Once she did then he’d slip outside and move into a new piece of cover.
It was tempting to try and ambush her again at the site he’d fired the missiles from, but he didn’t have anyway to be sure she’d start there and getting caught inside the building with her would be bad. Better safe then sorry so he’d slip away and open the range to wait for another chance.
He arrived at the lobby and quickly moved toward the glass doors at a crouched run splaying himself against the wall just to the right of them. He thanked his luck this was a ruined cityscape as the glass on the door was pretty much busted out. He stuck Murru out around the edge pointed upwards; and surveyed his device beamed back his launch site should be nearly directly above him… Bingo He’d spotted her and sure enough she was tentatively moving inside near where he’d attacked from. Once he saw she was fully inside he threw open the buildings door and sprinted to a shop across the street jumping through the broken front window, over the counter, and exiting out the back door.
========================
Vita hovered over the building for nearly 45 seconds waiting for him to either attack again or come out. She considered just leveling it, but disregarded that quickly that would be unlikely to do much besides give him a huge cloud of debris and smoke to slip away under. If he wasn’t going to come out she’d have to go in… She moved in close to the side of the building slowly hovering along it’s façade to the area she thought the attack had come from. Pressing against the building face and leaning her head out she surveyed the room. It looked like a pretty boring rundown office turned over desks, scattered paper, and grime covered walls. Not seeing any threat she moved inside Graf Eisen held ready before her as she moved deep inside.
This fight was getting annoying fast this bastard wasn’t playing by the rules… He wouldn’t fight her head on, in fact she’d barely even SEEN him since the fight began. She wondered if perhaps he had some kind of invisibility spell. It was possible, but she had no way to prove it as nothing he’d done so far would have required that kind of skill. She had to admit though this might not be that bad a thing… Fighting all those brainless drones and other CC specialists recently might have caused her to neglect some aspects of her game… This guy was still a gutless coward of coruse, but at least chasing him down and beating him to a pulp might provide some useful training.
Comments and such are of course more then welcome.
Toning down on Sweetcheesium on this one... since it has been taken over by rabid BlueCheesium . In fact, I think this is my longest single scenario for all of my OC's
Spoiler for Waiting:
“Thank You, and enjoy your meal!”
“I will thanks!”
The young girl cheerfully replied to the male clerk behind the counter as she took the take-out paper bag and the large black and white Styrofoam cup in front of her, placing them on the basket mounted in front of the touring bike she was riding on. With a kick of her legs by the pedals she rode out of the fast food joint’s drive-through lane, and into the adjacent three-lane street heading northward.
She pedaled past the primarily unoccupied streets, with most of the traffic held at bay by the all-important lunch hour. She was in high spirits today, this young vibrant woman of seventeen cruising along 66th Street, despite the high noon sun heating the dry tropical air to a sweltering 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Faster she pedaled, impatient as she was to get to her destination. For the day was good, with the bright deep blue cloudless sky above, and the dry gentle breeze that kept her cool as it blew past. And just for this day she dressed to look her best, wearing a simple, yet elegant white, single piece sleeveless frilly dress that gently swayed in the wind; and a white frilled Easter bonnet with a red ribbon on its crown she wore on her head.
For the rest of the citizens of Pinellas Park, and the counties, and states, countries and the world beyond it, it was a day like any other, another in the planet’s cycle of light and dark. A day that many would rather spend waiting for tomorrow.
It might have been the same for her too, a day filled with humdrum and the drudgery of chores. She recalled how the phone rang in her room, in the still dark wee hours of the morning only hours before. The previous day had been a stressful one for her, for reasons only she can disclose, and she had gone to bed wishing to just dream her way to the morning. Already she felt grumpy, angry even, when she sourly awakened from her dream which she clearly enjoyed, and the persistent metallic ringing was an evil nuisance. Only the need to shut up the vile device forced her to attend to whatever message it begged to deliver.
She was majorly pissed, and whoever fool had called her this early was going to taste a piece of her mind. “Matsuri Miyama here, thanks for calling so early, now bug off ass-”
“Gomen gomen! Guess I’ll call la-.”
Cancel that.
“SHINJI!!!! GOOD MORNING!!!!”
With the sound of her beloved’s voice, she leapt out of bed, her disposition turning a drastic 180, acutely cheerful and energetic, her sleepiness and grumpiness vanishing like they never existed.
“I’m sorry for that! I didn’t know it was you!” Her simple apology went, nervous embarrassment filling her voice.
On his side, he accepted her apology with a chuckle, much like his chipper self. “I should apologize as well, didn’t know it was still so early at your place. Guess I woke you up huh?”
She shook her head.
“I don’t mind now! Why are you calling so early?”
“Right, about that…”
It was his words that morning that compelled the smile she wore today, the radiant smile that drew the eyes of those on the sidewalks she happened to pass by. And she returned their attentions with a warm smile and a welcome greeting, and they responded with their own curious, yet grateful cheers. She was undeniably happy, she knew it, and she wanted to spread it around.
Turning right now upon 94th Avenue, and nearly half a mile onward to the left, was her final destination, the entrance to the Helen Howarth Community Park.
The memories came back to her as she came upon the avenue, the still vivid memories of a fateful day. Passing by the shoulder at the right of the road, she glanced at the space, in between the trees, where she reflected, and questioned the very meaning of the emotions she carried. Where despair and darkness had consumed her very being, driving her to madness. And when all seemed lost within her bottomless well of agony and pain, she found the light that brought her back from the darkness. For the first time in her life, where she felt true hope in the embrace of another, one who never gave up on her, on THEM.
Six months had passed now since then. Six long months since that bittersweet day. Since she last saw him in person. Since she last felt the embrace that saved her. His embrace, that saved her from the unbearable pain. A pain she had brought upon herself, by her stubborn and ignorant words.
Even now, the sting of her own words pained her deeply. Pain that cut deeper as she thought of the person who received them, the very person who gave his trust, hope, and love to her.
It was a contradiction she still could not explain to this day. But long ago, she had vowed never to let her logic interfere with her caring heart. To never hurt him again. He had trusted her once again through all their pain, and it was only right that she returned the favor with her heart.
Through these six longs months they had talked only thirty times, most via instant messaging and sometimes only for a few minutes, separated by their own necessary personal agendas and schedules. But she cherished them all, those thirty times spent with him, remembered every word he said to her, his words that never fail to catch her heart.
And now, with the words he gave to her this day, all she can do now was wait.
Left now she turned upon the park trail, weaving through its gently winding contours lined by the thick forest canopies. Until at last the reached her destination at the end of the trail: a very small low-lying wooden cottage, no larger than one of the nearby public park restrooms, hidden behind the trees.
She disembarked from her touring bike, securing it by chain to one of the cottage’s outer posts. Take-out bags and the large Styrofoam cup in hand, she pushed the inward swinging door open and went inside.
Visibly, there was nothing inside the cottage, just an empty space between four wooden walls, laterally arranged floor planks and ceiling. The very first time she was led here, this unusual absence of substance within had been a source of inexplicable confusion. This time, she knew better, tapping her feet twice successively on the floor planks, and then tapping once more after two seconds, then looked to her right.
Several of the interlocking floor planks in front of her seemed to sink an inch into the ground, then silently retracted outwards under the stationary planks. After seconds of shifting, the floor now revealed a large three by three meter hole, dominated by a large metal staircase leading underground.
Though she had seen the sight before, to see such a complex mechanical system in operation still left quite the impression, and also bemusement at the reason behind its sophistication. She shrugged off her thoughts on the matter as she quickly descended on the staircase, in what seem to be a bottomless descent. An imposing steel door finally met her at the bottom of the steps.
“Uncle Turing, open up! It’s me!”
The door slid open upon her request.
A spacious white windowless room lay before her, its immaculately clean matte walls and floor seemingly made from an unknown plastic polymer. The entire ceiling, several meters up, seemed to be made out of white light, providing illumination and accentuating the cleanliness of the room. For an underground facility, the air itself was refreshingly air-conditioned, maintaining a cool that nonetheless didn’t chill one’s self. After the heat that was the outside, it was certainly a welcome feeling.
At the far end of the room was a stepped platform, and by the wall was circular design engraved in its center, a smaller ring inside a much larger circle. Between them, four smaller circles lay equidistant from each other along the length of the ring in a diamond formation, each one bearing a different Greek symbol, representing Pi, Delta, Omega and Nu. In the circular space inside the array were interlocking squares, forming an octagram in the shape of the Star of Lakshmi, and another set of smaller rings lay at the middle of the array. The insides of both sets of rings were adorned with a seemingly haphazard yet elegant written script, which further added to the mystique of the array. Supposedly called a ‘Midchilda style array’, it was the core of this entire room.
And to her left, over by a far corner of the room, surrounded by a semicircular desk filled with all sorts of desktop computers, monitors, and other electronic equipment, hidden from sight yet with an unmistakable presence of someone busily working to the cacophony of keyboard strokes, was the person she was looking for. A dark skinned man around his forties, with a thin grey stubble and accompanying beard, flat top grey hair and looking at her with expectant eyes.
“Oh, Miyama, finally! You have no idea how long I’ve waited for your graces! Got what I ordered?” he spoke in a soft, yet gruff voice, of someone who had waited impatiently while still restraining his zeal.
“I got you your Big Buford, chips, - “
“And my large Banana Vanilla milkshake?“
“AND your large Banana Vanilla milkshake. Here.” She gently placed all the items on an empty spot on the desk, and watched in amusement as her uncle took out his meal, wrapped in silver foil, and made short work of his bulky double-patty hamburger, and let out a long, loud burp of satisfaction. Not that he ate like a pig – he ate quite cleanly in fact - but his extremely fast eating habit was still something she couldn’t quite stomach yet.
“Nothing like Checkers after a good day of progress!” he declared loudly, then burping one more time, much to her annoyance.
“Manners please uncle?”
“Manners? What are these, ‘manners’ you speak of Miyama?”
She sighed in hopeless frustration at her uncle. Nothing she could do about it though, she thought. Her Uncle Allen Turing had long been one to not care about most anything except his work, and his food. And speaking of his work, there was a question she wanted to ask him.
“How is it Uncle?”
For his credit, Turing knew what she was asking for. “Oh, their Matrix Projections? They’ll be up in time, don’t you sweat. I’m just debugging the software again. Even for one like myself who can’t make mistakes, you can’t be too certain!” He whimsically replied in reassurance, before returning his attention to the monitor in front of him.
The Solid Matrix Projections. Despite her mind that can easily digest and process complex scientific facts, she still had difficulty understanding the mechanics of this unusual technology. Ever since she learned the existence of this so-called 'Techno-magic' six months ago, her curious mind had tried to grasp the concepts and science of the subject, her wish to expand her horizons beyond the academics to which she had been taught.
She pondered these thoughts as she looked at the engraved array inside the room. Magic. An energy formed from transdimensional sources beyond the extent of the 11 theoretical dimensions that made up this reality. This was not the magic that she knew from fairy tales, incredibly simple, naïve and unexplainable, and from conmen, tricksters and artists that relied on slight-of-hand, and the methods of deception and misdirection to inspire awe to the unknowledgeable. This was a tangible force, an energy she could class in the same manner as light, electrical, thermal, kinetic, nuclear, and other energies known to science. Yet this was no simple manifestation of a simple force; An energy with strong links to one’s mental faculties and abilities, it was energy with near unlimited potential, seemingly able to break the various laws of thermodynamics, entropy, and even logic.
Long ago she never would have believed in the existence of such an anomaly, in fact she outright denounced the possibility of its existence. She took great comfort and pride in the absoluteness of her knowledge, in their infallibility. That she would be able to explain everything that ever happened, is happening, and will happen. Uncertainty would be a distant nightmare, and no more would she fear that which others dared not question. In the comfort of her theories, she would no longer be alone.
It was that same pride that nearly destroyed the person she loved and cherished. And she nearly lost the one more important to her than herself. For she could not understand the world in which he had inhabited, a world that was beyond the closed borders of her scientific mind.
The truth of his existence brought uncertainty in her orderly world, and she thought it was an unbelievable lie, an absurdity. She could not handle the presence of such an inconsistency, and strove to drive it out with her logical mind. And she succeeded.
But all she got for her victory was a hollow void. A chasm in her heart that tore at her soul. It brought her only great misery and suffering.
She had forsaken the warm, and tender love of someone who had cared for her, for the cold hard assurance of fact. For her own selfishness that had been her only friend, until he came along, and became her light in the darkness.
Between her cage of assurance, in the certainty of logic and the bars of limit; and the embrace of fragile emotion, she had to make a choice.
Back then, swallowed by the evening darkness, she chose the latter. And on that day, she found something greater than the bounds of her logical mind. She had discovered the unbound and unlimited tenderness, forgiveness and compassion of the loving heart. And even if he wasn’t there physically, her loneliness would never return, for he was there where it mattered. Her fragile, yet caring heart.
For this reason, she took it upon herself to learn the idiosyncrasies and methodologies of his world. But she did so not out of the need to further her own knowledge. Her need was no longer of quenching her own thirst for minor trivial figures, calculations and formulations. Her need was that of the one value she thought she had.
Understanding.
“Would you like to see him?”
Her reverie was interrupted by her uncle’s words, which confused her greatly.
“Him?”
“Shinji. At least the body I’ve prepared for him. We have lots of undeserving time to kill.”
“Oh.” Was all she could utter. It wouldn’t for her curiosity to see it though. Even if Shinji’s self was not around, his physical body was currently in her Uncle’s possession, as the one contracted to develop and build them in the first place. “I'd like to very much."
Her reply brought a sly smile to the old man’s face. “I knew you’d want to. Stand back a moment now, this could get ugly.”
A key was pressed, and suddenly the room was filled with a bright yellow flash emanating from a bright pillar of light. In less than a second, the pillar faded, to reveal an unconscious young adolescent male of around 5’2”, fair-skinned, medium-build with short black clean cut hair. He was floating an inch above the ground with his arms tucked to his side.
And naked.
Several seconds passed in silence.
“Like what you see Miyama?”
It suddenly felt very, very hot.
“Uncle!!!!! Please put some clothes on him!!!” She finally cried out as she turned her head away, her face flushed red like a tomato. Another flash of light, and slowly she turned to look. The body was now clothed a white polo shirt, denim pants and running shoes. She sighed in relief… though what was this tinge of disappointment she felt? The thought was quelled mercilessly before it could contaminate her any further.
“And here I thought you liked it.”
“UNCLE!!!”
“I give. What do you think of it then?”
For her, it was a simple question with an equally simple and honest answer.
“He’s perfect!”
The old man tried chuckling in his gruff voice, but came out more like a cough.
“Perfect? Of course he is. I am God.”
Face met palm at his words.
“But I imagined you had wanted to change a few things here and there…”
Somehow, for reasons she could not fathom in that moment, his words unnerved her deeply, more than the meaning they implied.
“Uncle what are you saying?” She asked, her question laced with great confusion.
“With a few program commands I can shape him to be your ideal man. Yes, the man of your dreams. I could design him to be as tall as you want, or shorter. Bulging muscles, or fat as a pig.”
It was incredulous. She could not believe a word of what she was hearing. What were these demented ideas her uncle was suggesting? What were these despicable suggestions he was spouting? How could he say these insidious thoughts with his nonchalance?
“We could make him more Caucasian, or even African American, like yours truly, and just as handsome wouldn’t you say? You could style his hair anyway you like. If you like, we can even manipulate his whole persona-“
WHAM!
“SHUT UP!!!!!”
The hands she had slammed on the desk shook uncontrollably, her furious cry muting all other sounds in the room.
“I won’t change a thing about him Uncle!!! None!!!”
Her fury threatened to erupt from the depths of her soul, fuming with unbridled disgust and burning anger. As she trembled her shaky voice reeked with indomitable outrage.
“I can’t believe this Uncle! Asking me to toy around with Shinji as if he was someone without his own will and his own heart! His body may have been your creation, but it will be HIS decision, and HIS will, to whether he wants to change!!
He may have his share of flaws, and he may not be the most handsome person in the entire Earth, or universe, or Ordered Space or whatever else may be out there!! But I would rather have the Shinji with his flaws than someone I molded! It would no longer be him if I changed him, it would just be a fantasy!!!
Who do you think he is?! Shinji is Shinji! He is himself, and that’s all I want from him!!”
Lightheadedness. Exhaustion. She felt herself out of breath after her fervent outburst, deflated even. Venting out the last of her anger, she inhaled deeply, the fresh air cooling her passionate soul if for only a moment. And then she looked at the recipient of her resentment.
What met her was a smug man amused, like someone who had just watched a much-loved circus.
“You done yet Miyama?” he asked coolly, an act that totally bewildered the infuriated young girl. He then stood up, revealing his rather tall stature, and walked over to her.
“I was just messing with you, no worry. Your little outburst was certainly more than I had expected. But you know, there are lots of females – and especially married ones - who would kill to have the means to change their significant others like I can with Shinji.”
The girl’s anger now drowned in the flood of confusion that took over, finding her head filled with the most ridiculous questions about this uncle of hers. Even her mind could not comprehend the workings of this brain. And she was too drained to even bother on the subject.
Then she heard his question.
“Miyama. Do you mean to tell me that no matter his nature, that you have accepted Shinji for what he is?”
Acceptance. It was the second value she had pursued alongside her quest of understanding. It was not enough that one claimed to have understood a concept. To truly acknowledge and encompass the meaning behind it, one must accept, no matter how outlandish, no matter how foreign or alien. But the acceptance she strove for was one far simpler than that. It was her acceptance of his being, no matter what. No, no matter who he may be. Acceptance, borne from her love for him. For her Shinji.
And so she answered in her soft voice filled with unwavering confidence, through her gentle smile.
“I do. I do accept him. I accept him for all that he is, and all that he is not. Even if I cannot always explain or understand his being, all I know is that I love him, no matter what.”
Turing simply smiled at her reply, his smile of a man content.
“And Shinji, do you accept Matsuri Miyama as your lawfully wedded wife?”
“UNCLE TURING!!!!!”
The old man laughed boisterously at his fidgeting niece’s flushed face, then patted her shoulder a couple of times before laying his hand on her.
“A year ago, or even half year ago, I never would have imagined you answering like you did now. It is a change I cannot explain, and I probably wouldn’t attempt to do so, but I do know this. Shinji is a good man, and I am secure in the knowledge that my little niece is in good hands. And with your unquestioning acceptance of him, I finally know that he will be cared for by your hands.
I’m very proud of you Miyama, I really am.”
She could only nod back, mouthing her thanks as she looked on at Shinji’s floating body. She touched its right hand with both their own. It was warm. But it was an artificial warmth, it felt lifeless and cold. For he was still not here, the soul of the one who would inhabit this body soon. The soul she cherished above all else.
A high-pitched beep from the desktop computers demanded their immediate attention, and Turing returned to his desk to heed. It was the sound he had been waiting for. And for the young girl, it was the sound she had been patiently and eagerly awaited, her anticipation growing as she watched the array by the platform glow in a bright orange hue.
“Transfer is almost complete. Here we go.”
Within the pillar of orange light on the platform, a dark silhouette began to appear. Slowly, its shape morphed into a recognizably slender female form. And emerging from the pillar, a pony-tailed woman dressed in her sand brown unbuttoned long sleeved denim shirt, wearing white crop-top undershirt underneath, and a matching denim miniskirt. With her confident eyes staring at the young Matsuri through clear orange visors, raising a finger to the sky in one swift motion, she proudly declared:
“Bushin Souko no Musume!! KENZAN!!”
Only to be struck down cold by a supersonic flying chalk to the forehead, courtesy of the good old doctor behind the desk.
“Behave yourself. Nobody can proclaim themselves so highly in the domain of your God, young one.”
Matsuri could only sigh and look on in resignation at the absolute randomness that was her uncle. Beside the fallen woman three adolescents materialized out of thin air, leaning at their friend on the floor with their translucent bodies. Two women, a long haired redhead, scratching her head at what just transpired; and another with short blue hair, who was trying her best to wake the woman up without success.
And the third... was the reason for this young girl’s patience today. The reason she had waited so long. Why her welcoming eyes were slowly filling with tears. The young holographic boy in front of her, with his jet black hair. Though he was yet composed of holographic streams of light, as he slowly grabbed her hands she could feel his gentle warmth spread through her. The warmth that dispelled the dark bitter cold long ago, and now filled her heart with much joy. She could not help but smile at the one she loved.
And he smiled in return.
“You’re looking nice Matsuri.”
Her wait was over.
“Thank you Shinji. Welcome back!”
Late Edit:
Couldn't describe it well in the chapter, but here's an image of what Matsuri was wearing
Spoiler for Dress:
__________________
Against all the evil that hell can conjure, all wickedness that mankind can produce... We will send unto them, only you.
Toning down on Sweetcheesium on this one... since it has been taken over by rabid BlueCheesium . In fact, I think this is my longest single scenario for all of my OC's
Spoiler for Waiting:
“Thank You, and enjoy your meal!”
“I will thanks!”
The young girl cheerfully replied to the male clerk behind the counter as she took the take-out paper bag and the large black and white Styrofoam cup in front of her, placing them on the basket mounted in front of the touring bike she was riding on. With a kick of her legs by the pedals she rode out of the fast food joint’s drive-through lane, and into the adjacent three-lane street heading northward.
She pedaled past the primarily unoccupied streets, with most of the traffic held at bay by the all-important lunch hour. She was in high spirits today, this young vibrant woman of seventeen cruising along 66th Street, despite the high noon sun heating the dry tropical air to a sweltering 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Faster she pedaled, impatient as she was to get to her destination. For the day was good, with the bright deep blue cloudless sky above, and the dry gentle breeze that kept her cool as it blew past. And just for this day she dressed to look her best, wearing a simple, yet elegant white, single piece sleeveless frilly dress that gently swayed in the wind; and a white frilled Easter bonnet with a red ribbon on its crown she wore on her head.
For the rest of the citizens of Pinellas Park, and the counties, and states, countries and the world beyond it, it was a day like any other, another in the planet’s cycle of light and dark. A day that many would rather spend waiting for tomorrow.
It might have been the same for her too, a day filled with humdrum and the drudgery of chores. She recalled how the phone rang in her room, in the still dark wee hours of the morning only hours before. The previous day had been a stressful one for her, for reasons only she can disclose, and she had gone to bed wishing to just dream her way to the morning. Already she felt grumpy, angry even, when she sourly awakened from her dream which she clearly enjoyed, and the persistent metallic ringing was an evil nuisance. Only the need to shut up the vile device forced her to attend to whatever message it begged to deliver.
She was majorly pissed, and whoever fool had called her this early was going to taste a piece of her mind. “Matsuri Miyama here, thanks for calling so early, now bug off ass-”
“Gomen gomen! Guess I’ll call la-.”
Cancel that.
“SHINJI!!!! GOOD MORNING!!!!”
With the sound of her beloved’s voice, she leapt out of bed, her disposition turning a drastic 180, acutely cheerful and energetic, her sleepiness and grumpiness vanishing like they never existed.
“I’m sorry for that! I didn’t know it was you!” Her simple apology went, nervous embarrassment filling her voice.
On his side, he accepted her apology with a chuckle, much like his chipper self. “I should apologize as well, didn’t know it was still so early at your place. Guess I woke you up huh?”
She shook her head.
“I don’t mind now! Why are you calling so early?”
“Right, about that…”
It was his words that morning that compelled the smile she wore today, the radiant smile that drew the eyes of those on the sidewalks she happened to pass by. And she returned their attentions with a warm smile and a welcome greeting, and they responded with their own curious, yet grateful cheers. She was undeniably happy, she knew it, and she wanted to spread it around.
Turning right now upon 94th Avenue, and nearly half a mile onward to the left, was her final destination, the entrance to the Helen Howarth Community Park.
The memories came back to her as she came upon the avenue, the still vivid memories of a fateful day. Passing by the shoulder at the right of the road, she glanced at the space, in between the trees, where she reflected, and questioned the very meaning of the emotions she carried. Where despair and darkness had consumed her very being, driving her to madness. And when all seemed lost within her bottomless well of agony and pain, she found the light that brought her back from the darkness. For the first time in her life, where she felt true hope in the embrace of another, one who never gave up on her, on THEM.
Six months had passed now since then. Six long months since that bittersweet day. Since she last saw him in person. Since she last felt the embrace that saved her. His embrace, that saved her from the unbearable pain. A pain she had brought upon herself, by her stubborn and ignorant words.
Even now, the sting of her own words pained her deeply. Pain that cut deeper as she thought of the person who received them, the very person who gave his trust, hope, and love to her.
It was a contradiction she still could not explain to this day. But long ago, she had vowed never to let her logic interfere with her caring heart. To never hurt him again. He had trusted her once again through all their pain, and it was only right that she returned the favor with her heart.
Through these six longs months they had talked only thirty times, most via instant messaging and sometimes only for a few minutes, separated by their own necessary personal agendas and schedules. But she cherished them all, those thirty times spent with him, remembered every word he said to her, his words that never fail to catch her heart.
And now, with the words he gave to her this day, all she can do now was wait.
Left now she turned upon the park trail, weaving through its gently winding contours lined by the thick forest canopies. Until at last the reached her destination at the end of the trail: a very small low-lying wooden cottage, no larger than one of the nearby public park restrooms, hidden behind the trees.
She disembarked from her touring bike, securing it by chain to one of the cottage’s outer posts. Take-out bags and the large Styrofoam cup in hand, she pushed the inward swinging door open and went inside.
Visibly, there was nothing inside the cottage, just an empty space between four wooden walls, laterally arranged floor planks and ceiling. The very first time she was led here, this unusual absence of substance within had been a source of inexplicable confusion. This time, she knew better, tapping her feet twice successively on the floor planks, and then tapping once more after two seconds, then looked to her right.
Several of the interlocking floor planks in front of her seemed to sink an inch into the ground, then silently retracted outwards under the stationary planks. After seconds of shifting, the floor now revealed a large three by three meter hole, dominated by a large metal staircase leading underground.
Though she had seen the sight before, to see such a complex mechanical system in operation still left quite the impression, and also bemusement at the reason behind its sophistication. She shrugged off her thoughts on the matter as she quickly descended on the staircase, in what seem to be a bottomless descent. An imposing steel door finally met her at the bottom of the steps.
“Uncle Turing, open up! It’s me!”
The door slid open upon her request.
A spacious white windowless room lay before her, its immaculately clean matte walls and floor seemingly made from an unknown plastic polymer. The entire ceiling, several meters up, seemed to be made out of white light, providing illumination and accentuating the cleanliness of the room. For an underground facility, the air itself was refreshingly air-conditioned, maintaining a cool that nonetheless didn’t chill one’s self. After the heat that was the outside, it was certainly a welcome feeling.
At the far end of the room was a stepped platform, and by the wall was circular design engraved in its center, a smaller ring inside a much larger circle. Between them, four smaller circles lay equidistant from each other along the length of the ring in a diamond formation, each one bearing a different Greek symbol, representing Pi, Delta, Omega and Nu. In the circular space inside the array were interlocking squares, forming an octagram in the shape of the Star of Lakshmi, and another set of smaller rings lay at the middle of the array. The insides of both sets of rings were adorned with a seemingly haphazard yet elegant written script, which further added to the mystique of the array. Supposedly called a ‘Midchilda style array’, it was the core of this entire room.
And to her left, over by a far corner of the room, surrounded by a semicircular desk filled with all sorts of desktop computers, monitors, and other electronic equipment, hidden from sight yet with an unmistakable presence of someone busily working to the cacophony of keyboard strokes, was the person she was looking for. A dark skinned man around his forties, with a thin grey stubble and accompanying beard, flat top grey hair and looking at her with expectant eyes.
“Oh, Miyama, finally! You have no idea how long I’ve waited for your graces! Got what I ordered?” he spoke in a soft, yet gruff voice, of someone who had waited impatiently while still restraining his zeal.
“I got you your Big Buford, chips, - “
“And my large Banana Vanilla milkshake?“
“AND your large Banana Vanilla milkshake. Here.” She gently placed all the items on an empty spot on the desk, and watched in amusement as her uncle took out his meal, wrapped in silver foil, and made short work of his bulky double-patty hamburger, and let out a long, loud burp of satisfaction. Not that he ate like a pig – he ate quite cleanly in fact - but his extremely fast eating habit was still something she couldn’t quite stomach yet.
“Nothing like Checkers after a good day of progress!” he declared loudly, then burping one more time, much to her annoyance.
“Manners please uncle?”
“Manners? What are these, ‘manners’ you speak of Miyama?”
She sighed in hopeless frustration at her uncle. Nothing she could do about it though, she thought. Her Uncle Allen Turing had long been one to not care about most anything except his work, and his food. And speaking of his work, there was a question she wanted to ask him.
“How is it Uncle?”
For his credit, Turing knew what she was asking for. “Oh, their Matrix Projections? They’ll be up in time, don’t you sweat. I’m just debugging the software again. Even for one like myself who can’t make mistakes, you can’t be too certain!” He whimsically replied in reassurance, before returning his attention to the monitor in front of him.
The Solid Matrix Projections. Despite her mind that can easily digest and process complex scientific facts, she still had difficulty understanding the mechanics of this unusual technology. Ever since she learned the existence of this so-called 'Techno-magic' six months ago, her curious mind had tried to grasp the concepts and science of the subject, her wish to expand her horizons beyond the academics to which she had been taught.
She pondered these thoughts as she looked at the engraved array inside the room. Magic. An energy formed from transdimensional sources beyond the extent of the 11 theoretical dimensions that made up this reality. This was not the magic that she knew from fairy tales, incredibly simple, naïve and unexplainable, and from conmen, tricksters and artists that relied on slight-of-hand, and the methods of deception and misdirection to inspire awe to the unknowledgeable. This was a tangible force, an energy she could class in the same manner as light, electrical, thermal, kinetic, nuclear, and other energies known to science. Yet this was no simple manifestation of a simple force; An energy with strong links to one’s mental faculties and abilities, it was energy with near unlimited potential, seemingly able to break the various laws of thermodynamics, entropy, and even logic.
Long ago she never would have believed in the existence of such an anomaly, in fact she outright denounced the possibility of its existence. She took great comfort and pride in the absoluteness of her knowledge, in their infallibility. That she would be able to explain everything that ever happened, is happening, and will happen. Uncertainty would be a distant nightmare, and no more would she fear that which others dared not question. In the comfort of her theories, she would no longer be alone.
It was that same pride that nearly destroyed the person she loved and cherished. And she nearly lost the one more important to her than herself. For she could not understand the world in which he had inhabited, a world that was beyond the closed borders of her scientific mind.
The truth of his existence brought uncertainty in her orderly world, and she thought it was an unbelievable lie, an absurdity. She could not handle the presence of such an inconsistency, and strove to drive it out with her logical mind. And she succeeded.
But all she got for her victory was a hollow void. A chasm in her heart that tore at her soul. It brought her only great misery and suffering.
She had forsaken the warm, and tender love of someone who had cared for her, for the cold hard assurance of fact. For her own selfishness that had been her only friend, until he came along, and became her light in the darkness.
Between her cage of assurance, in the certainty of logic and the bars of limit; and the embrace of fragile emotion, she had to make a choice.
Back then, swallowed by the evening darkness, she chose the latter. And on that day, she found something greater than the bounds of her logical mind. She had discovered the unbound and unlimited tenderness, forgiveness and compassion of the loving heart. And even if he wasn’t there physically, her loneliness would never return, for he was there where it mattered. Her fragile, yet caring heart.
For this reason, she took it upon herself to learn the idiosyncrasies and methodologies of his world. But she did so not out of the need to further her own knowledge. Her need was no longer of quenching her own thirst for minor trivial figures, calculations and formulations. Her need was that of the one value she thought she had.
Understanding.
“Would you like to see him?”
Her reverie was interrupted by her uncle’s words, which confused her greatly.
“Him?”
“Shinji. At least the body I’ve prepared for him. We have lots of undeserving time to kill.”
“Oh.” Was all she could utter. It wouldn’t for her curiosity to see it though. Even if Shinji’s self was not around, his physical body was currently in her Uncle’s possession, as the one contracted to develop and build them in the first place. “I'd like to very much."
Her reply brought a sly smile to the old man’s face. “I knew you’d want to. Stand back a moment now, this could get ugly.”
A key was pressed, and suddenly the room was filled with a bright yellow flash emanating from a bright pillar of light. In less than a second, the pillar faded, to reveal an unconscious young adolescent male of around 5’2”, fair-skinned, medium-build with short black clean cut hair. He was floating an inch above the ground with his arms tucked to his side.
And naked.
Several seconds passed in silence.
“Like what you see Miyama?”
It suddenly felt very, very hot.
“Uncle!!!!! Please put some clothes on him!!!” She finally cried out as she turned her head away, her face flushed red like a tomato. Another flash of light, and slowly she turned to look. The body was now clothed a white polo shirt, denim pants and running shoes. She sighed in relief… though what was this tinge of disappointment she felt? The thought was quelled mercilessly before it could contaminate her any further.
“And here I thought you liked it.”
“UNCLE!!!”
“I give. What do you think of it then?”
For her, it was a simple question with an equally simple and honest answer.
“He’s perfect!”
The old man tried chuckling in his gruff voice, but came out more like a cough.
“Perfect? Of course he is. I am God.”
Face met palm at his words.
“But I imagined you had wanted to change a few things here and there…”
Somehow, for reasons she could not fathom in that moment, his words unnerved her deeply, more than the meaning they implied.
“Uncle what are you saying?” She asked, her question laced with great confusion.
“With a few program commands I can shape him to be your ideal man. Yes, the man of your dreams. I could design him to be as tall as you want, or shorter. Bulging muscles, or fat as a pig.”
It was incredulous. She could not believe a word of what she was hearing. What were these demented ideas her uncle was suggesting? What were these despicable suggestions he was spouting? How could he say these insidious thoughts with his nonchalance?
“We could make him more Caucasian, or even African American, like yours truly, and just as handsome wouldn’t you say? You could style his hair anyway you like. If you like, we can even manipulate his whole persona-“
WHAM!
“SHUT UP!!!!!”
The hands she had slammed on the desk shook uncontrollably, her furious cry muting all other sounds in the room.
“I won’t change a thing about him Uncle!!! None!!!”
Her fury threatened to erupt from the depths of her soul, fuming with unbridled disgust and burning anger. As she trembled her shaky voice reeked with indomitable outrage.
“I can’t believe this Uncle! Asking me to toy around with Shinji as if he was someone without his own will and his own heart! His body may have been your creation, but it will be HIS decision, and HIS will, to whether he wants to change!!
He may have his share of flaws, and he may not be the most handsome person in the entire Earth, or universe, or Ordered Space or whatever else may be out there!! But I would rather have the Shinji with his flaws than someone I molded! It would no longer be him if I changed him, it would just be a fantasy!!!
Who do you think he is?! Shinji is Shinji! He is himself, and that’s all I want from him!!”
Lightheadedness. Exhaustion. She felt herself out of breath after her fervent outburst, deflated even. Venting out the last of her anger, she inhaled deeply, the fresh air cooling her passionate soul if for only a moment. And then she looked at the recipient of her resentment.
What met her was a smug man amused, like someone who had just watched a much-loved circus. Who watched her with
“You done yet Miyama?” he asked coolly, an act that totally bewildered the infuriated young girl. He then stood up, revealing his rather tall stature, and walked over to her.
“I was just messing with you, no worry. Your little outburst was certainly more than I had expected. But you know, there are lots of females – and especially married ones - who would kill to have the means to change their significant others like I can with Shinji.”
The girl’s anger now drowned in the flood of confusion that took over, finding her head filled with the most ridiculous questions about this uncle of hers. Even her mind could not comprehend the workings of this brain. And she was too drained to even bother on the subject.
Then she heard his question.
“Miyama. Do you mean to tell me that no matter his nature, that you have accepted Shinji for what he is?”
Acceptance. It was the second value she had pursued alongside her quest of understanding. It was not enough that one claimed to have understood a concept. To truly acknowledge and encompass the meaning behind it, one must accept, no matter how outlandish, no matter how foreign or alien. But the acceptance she strove for was one far simpler than that. It was her acceptance of his being, no matter what. No, no matter who he may be. Acceptance, borne from her love for him. For her Shinji.
And so she answered in her soft voice filled with unwavering confidence, through her gentle smile.
“I do. I do accept him. I accept him for all that he is, and all that he is not. Even if I cannot always explain or understand his being, all I know is that I love him, no matter what.”
Turing simply smiled at her reply, his smile of a man content.
“And Shinji, do you accept Matsuri Miyama as your lawfully wedded wife?”
“UNCLE TURING!!!!!”
The old man laughed boisterously at his fidgeting niece’s flushed face, then patted her shoulder a couple of times before laying his hand on her.
“A year ago, or even half year ago, I never would have imagined you answering like you did now. It is a change I cannot explain, and I probably wouldn’t attempt to do so, but I do know this. Shinji is a good man, and I am secure in the knowledge that my little niece is in good hands. And with your unquestioning acceptance of him, I finally know that he will be cared for by your hands.
I’m very proud of you Miyama, I really am.”
She could only nod back, mouthing her thanks as she looked on at Shinji’s floating body. She touched its right hand with both their own. It was warm. But it was an artificial warmth, it felt lifeless and cold. For he was still not here, the soul of the one who would inhabit this body soon. The soul she cherished above all else.
A high-pitched beep from the desktop computers demanded their immediate attention, and Turing returned to his desk to heed. It was the sound he had been waiting for. And for the young girl, it was the sound she had been patiently and eagerly awaited, her anticipation growing as she watched the array by the platform glow in a bright orange hue.
“Transfer is almost complete. Here we go.”
Within the pillar of orange light on the platform, a dark silhouette began to appear. Slowly, its shape morphed into a recognizably slender female form. And emerging from the pillar, a pony-tailed woman dressed in her sand brown unbuttoned long sleeved denim shirt, wearing white crop-top undershirt underneath, and a matching denim miniskirt. With her confident eyes staring at the young Matsuri through clear orange visors, raising a finger to the sky in one swift motion, she proudly declared:
“Bushin Souko no Musume!! KENZAN!!”
Only to be struck down cold by a supersonic flying chalk to the forehead, courtesy of the good old doctor behind the desk.
“Behave yourself. Nobody can proclaim themselves so highly in the domain of your God, young one.”
Matsuri could only sigh and look on in resignation at the absolute randomness that was her uncle. Beside the fallen woman three adolescents materialized out of thin air, leaning at their friend on the floor with their translucent bodies. Two women, a long haired redhead, scratching her head at what just transpired; and another with short blue hair, who was trying her best to wake the woman up without success.
And the third... was the reason for this young girl’s patience today. The reason she had waited so long. Why her welcoming eyes were slowly filling with tears. The young holographic boy in front of her, with his jet black hair. Though he was yet composed of holographic streams of light, as he slowly grabbed her hands she could feel his gentle warmth spread through her. The warmth that dispelled the dark bitter cold long ago, and now filled her heart with much joy. She could not help but smile at the one she loved.
And he smiled in return.
“You’re looking nice Matsuri.”
Her wait was over.
“Thank you Shinji. Welcome back!”
Epic post at its best.
So I can say that it's a happy-ending chapter, huh?