Chimame na Eden

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:28:51 GMT

Out of boredom I started making a font of my handwriting.

Not that it'll really look like my handwriting . . . cause I mix up cursive and print all the time randomly (and it'll all be standardized) but yeah, I'm going for the small caps thing I tend to do when I write all print. I think I might do a kana (hiragana/katakana) one as well for the hell of it.

And maybe if I'm still inspired I'll try one of my mixed up handwriting . . . but bleh, that would be tough.

. . . bleh, and I'm still not sleepy. I slept a bit earlier but then woke up.

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:25:38 GMT

One day I will finish a story before starting another one, I swear . . . .

As I've been losing interest a bit in the major story I've been working on off and on since High School I've been laying foundations for another one . . . fantasy this time rather than science fiction . . . which I prefer to write anyway.

Not that Satoru and Eden's story will never be finished. But I need to revive my enthusiasm for it a bit first. (I think part of this is because I've been reworking so many details that the story has changed considerably . . . so I need to get reoriented with it)

. . . yeah. Well, I'm going to work that sentient tarot deck idea of mine into this story. Cause I still want to do that.

Will this new story ever get written? Who knows. But I'm at least going to develop the characters. I like to create characters . . . that's probably half of why I end up with a million stories. Character creation is fun, but I suck at actually writing.

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:57:00 GMT

I ended up taking Satoru along to school today so I could work on a pair of doll pants during breaks (I had him along in case I needed to try things on). Since I was already gonna lug him around I decided to take my camera too.

Which means I got to play with the manual settings today. Since I actually was able to get enough light sources to be able to get some decent settings. The result is a small Satoru shoot. Uh . . . the posing could be better in most of the shots (most of them didn't even make the cut), but I think I may re-edit one of the last two at a higher resolution for Deviant Art (probably the second to last since my leg is accidentally in the last one, though oddly enough it works with the composition so I didn't even notice it till I was saving the photos). Dunno. This shoot was a lot of work because I had to underexpose the photos just a bit in order to get his face to really show up. Darn you, sunlight!

. . . not to mention I forgot to readjust the light balance from when I was fooling around with the settings inside the building (no doll pictures from that, though, and I deleted the photos of random objects that I took testing). That, I'm sure did not help at all.

But hey, I'm slowly learning the tricks to operate it.

Edit: Eh, the DA one isn't as good as the one in this series of photos. Bleh . . . . It'll take a bit more playing to find the best settings for getting good pictures out of this camera (well, good high res pictures anyway).

I'm pretty sure I can do it, though :3 Just need more practice lol

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:42:25 GMT

I've been feeling really tired lately, and I might be getting a tad sick. Ah well, at least hope it holds off till the weekend to crash.

Cause I have to go finish making prints from my woodblock on Friday. . . . bleh, also need to repaint Eden. Though I've been procrastinating for fear that he'll turn out bad. Huh, I'll have to see how well the brown and dark grey (yes, dark grey not black) watercolor I use for eyelashes/eyebrows mixes, because the brown is too red for Eden. Though it worked awesomely for that sch a head repaint. (which is *still* up for sale, btw)

Guess maybe I can try to paint him up this weekend or something. I want to drag him and Satoru to the campus one day (but not a printmaking class day, cause that class is too messy . . . *looks at black ink stains on hands*) to do some cute photos.

I'm considering taking Satoru along tomorrow anyway . . . but bleh. We'll see. Ah ha, who'd have thought, I'm out of the habit of carrying them along now XD;;; (Ah ha, thanks to a joke my freshman year of Uni I got into the habit of taking dolls along for classes . . . uh, it's not even really a funny joke to me now, but ah well)

Bleh, Satoru still needs green eyes. I think he'll really pull together then, cause he's *almost* there right now.

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:24:51 GMT

So my first class was cancelled . . . after I stayed up all night reading fanfic and procrastinating the assignment for it (which I finished . . . but yeah, it was an article I'd already done to death and it was hard to motivate myself to work on it).

But . . . instead of sleeping (which I probably should have done, the top floor of the building my classes are in has comfortable couches) I worked on my revised 100 themes. Revised themes . . . which just means I'm trashing the few I did do (good exercises though) and starting them over. Still Eden and Satoru's universe (they're actually in some of the ones I did today). I decided to start over for two reasons really, one being with all the changes I was making I wanted to start fresh . . . the other being that with all the changes two of the drabbles were actually impossible in the plotline.

So anyway, I got the first five done while being bored waiting for classes.

Of course . . . there is implied homosexuality in these, but it's actually not that heavy . . . mostly because I don't think Satoru and Eden are actually together in any of these (though one I really did want to write as fluff, instead it ended up a bit Eden-emo).

(one more warning, these are barely edited and have not been beta'ed and were also written as a quick exercise, genius is not at all guaranteed)

Anyway . . . .

01 Introduction (Damien, Arman)

       Damien squeezed through a small hole in the brick wall, sighing in relief as he collapsed on the other side. This time he was clear, until they finally figured out his escape route and made moves to cut it off. The boy figured he was safe for now, but he would need to move on soon. The problem was he was running out of small-time gangs to pick off of and the larger ones employed smarter guards.

       He forced himself to relax for the moment, climbing to his feet to search for the hole he'd spend the night in. For now it was enough that he was safe and had procured enough food to last for a day or two. He'd go hungry for the next few days, but he should be able to find another suitable gang to filch from soon. He ignored the voice telling him that was overly-optimistic thinking.

       After all, pessimism got you nowhere in the slums. If you thought you were defeated, you were as good as dead.

       He ducked into the first building which seemed suitably deserted. It was crumbling on the outside, but that was just a symptom of the decay that characterized the slums in general. His shelter did not have to be pretty, just somewhere he could stay protected for the night. Overexposure was an uncommonly kind death for those who tried to sleep on the streets and he had drug himself too far to die now.

       Not without a fight, at least. And not by being stupid.

       He ate his supper cold. Even if the building he was resting in might have had a stove or microwave he did not trust them to work reliably. Of all things he did not need the attention starting a fire would bring. Especially since he was not quite sure which gang's territory he was currently trespassing in. None of them ever took property damage lightly, though. Even if it was mostly just an excuse to exercise their power and instill more fear into those who lived in their territories. It worked like a charm, and that was all that really mattered. On the streets it was black and white, life and death, hunt or be hunted, kill or be killed. He had made a choice to survive.

       When sleep finally came upon him he slept lightly, jumping at the slightest noise. The first time he jerked awake it had started to rain. He had breathed deeply for a few moments to calm himself before letting the new rhythm lull him to sleep. The second time he awoke was to the click of a cigarette lighter. One of the old style ones, they were less efficient than modern ones but more showy. It clicked a few more times before there was a sufficient spark to start a flame.

       Damien opened one eye, knowing that it was already too late to run and hide. In front of him stood a relatively short man, even at thirteen Damien probably matched him in height easily. The man made up for his stature in bulk, though, tribal tattoos rippling as the muscles in his arms moved like clockwork. He studied Damien in silence, exhaling smoke and tapping his cigarette to dispel ash.

       "Well, what have we got here?" the man smiled ambiguously; Damien was uncomfortable because he could not read the expression.

       He chose to stay silent. That way there was less chance of offering the wrong answer.

       "You look like a fallen, kid," the man exhaled again. "Am I right? Even dirty and ragged those clothes are too good for the streets."

       "The-They're all I have," Damien managed to rise to his feet, knowing that it was better to show backbone than to cower. At least then the man might be amused enough to let him go. He brushed his ragged, brown hair back, prepared to draw his pocket knife if all else failed. It would not get him far, but a surprise jab from it had allowed him to escape confrontation once before. Maybe his luck would hold.

       The man just laughed at him, tapping his cigarette again with a lazy motion of his wrist. "So what's your story, kid?"

       "The usual," he replied cautiously, not lowering his guard. "What's yours?"

       "The usual," the man countered with a smirk. He crushed his cigarette under his foot, holding a hand out to the boy. "Come."

       "Why should I?" Damien stepped back defensively.

       "'Cause this is the only chance you'll likely get to join a gang, boy," the man eyed Damien's thin frame. "And something tells me you won't last much longer going solo."

       He hesitated, instincts and logic both telling him to run away. If it was a trick, he finally decided, he may as well face death sooner or later. It would probably be less painful than starving. And there was also the small chance that it was not. He understood that small chance was really the only chance he had. Damien took the man's hand, placing what little bit of trust he could in the stranger.

       Years later, he would think back on this moment and curse the day he ever met Arman Dusan. Multiple times even. But he never once regretted it.

02 Love (Toshiya)

       Love was a rich man's dream. No, he amended, it was a foolish man's. How often rich and foolish seemed to coincide was merely ironic.

       He stared at himself in the mirror, letting his hair down slowly. He watched as his makeup was washed away, leaving a plain man in its wake. His sisters said he was pretty, but he was not inclined to agree. His "targets" said he was pretty too, but they only saw the makeup mask and he knew he was not inclined to agree with them.

       The kimono fell away from his shoulders easily, he stepped foward, letting the silk slide to the floor. He would take proper care of it later. Toshiya slid into a pair of pants, cotton a refreshing sensation on his skin after silk and dirty fingertips. He made himself a cup of coffee and pondered how he had let things get this way. Water would never make him feel clean again.

       Oh, yes. It was hate, the bastard twin of the foolish dream of love. Hate was an excellent motivator and a dangerous weapon when tempered with patience. He was good at what he did because of it: seduction, assassination, espionage.

       Sometimes he wondered if his family would be ashamed of him, if they mourned his loss the way they did his older brother's--the brother he still kept tabs on. Or if they even noticed. He would not meet his older brother, both had too much shame they carried now and the reunion would not be pleasant. But he could help to pull the strings from the background. Maybe one day they might both find their shame purged. He doubted it.

       This was all his love could do.

03 Light (Satoru, Eden)

       Eden was mesmerized. It was one thing to understand the idea of a pyrokinetic, quite another to watch one in practice. It had taken weeks of pleading, and enlisting the help of the kids in the orphanage, but it was worth it. As much as he enjoyed watching Satoru play with fire, the Asian enjoyed it even more. Satoru almost looked at peace as he let the flames wash over his body, certainly his expression was one Eden had never seen before. Despite it all he could not help but be a little jealous.

       He pushed his feelings back as best as a nineteen year old boy could do, enjoying the light show as Satoru twisted his element into fantastic shapes. From fireflies to serpents, to obscure fluid shapes--Satoru made it all look effortless. It was obvious that he was at home with fire--loved it even--and that was what made Eden jealous.

       He sighed and slipped away. Even this simple joy was becoming tainted. What was he to do with himself?

(No, the random soldier name was NOT inspired by my current video game obsession AT ALL :P)

04 Dark (Gabriel, Random Etherica Soldiers)

       Grants was a jumpy man by nature, but the eerie silence and lack of light in the building had even his partner on edge. It was like the perfect setup for a horror movie. Proceeding slowly they drew their handguns, Grants clicked the safety off on his own. The last three buildings had been this way, and they had yet to come upon another living creature.

       Not even a fly, or any other insect, was present in the stale air. That was almost as creepy as the rest of it in and of itself. Though Grants had always hated flies he would not mind if annoying buzzing were to break the silence now.

       Grants shifted uneasily, "I'm just waiting for something to jump out of the shadows . . . ."

       His partner was ever the voice of reason between the two. "Well, if you really think something's there you should be quieter, you'll give our location away."

       Grants swallowed thickly, face going pale. His partner whacked him upside the head, stepping forward as Grants rubbed his head.

       "Idiot! In this silence we'd hear footsteps long before anything got close."

       He went to take a breath and found he could not. It was as if they had slipped into a vacuum and there was simply no air to breathe. The last thing he saw before suffocating was Grant's blue face and a white figure hovering above the ground.

       That explained the lack of footsteps.

       "Tch," Gabriel frowned. "Is this your best? I wonder . . . just what are you up to, Dusan?"

       He did not bother with the bodies. After all, corpses were commonplace in Babylon.

       "I wonder," his footsteps echoed down the hallway as he muttered to himself.

05 Seeking Solace (Satoru, Eden, Gabriel)

       There was peace in the sword, or perhaps more aptly there was harmony. As the world blurred and shark about him until all that existed, all that mattered, was just himself and the blade. Gone was Etherica, gone was Babylon, gone were all of his problems and all of the stress. Swordplay was his mantra, indeed he often entered a trance state as he moved through basic kendo exercises. His movements became tighter and more precise, his body performing patterns that were progressively more and more complex as his speed increased.

       As he neared the end he was like a whirlwind to his spectators; Satoru merely saw himself as an extension of the blade. His movements slowed as he worked through the routine in reverse, complex moving back to simple, tightly controlled maneuvers becoming loose.

       Time was cyclic, the world moved in a pattern on far too grand a scale for human observation. History obeyed this rule too. Indeed, even bits of this principle were reflected in everyday routine.

       Satoru breathed deeply as he moved off the practice mat. The pipe he had appropriated to stand in for a practice sword was carefully placed to the side. Next he began the familiar routines of the martial arts he had learned from the age of thirteen, an old age for a novice, but he had worked hard to quickly match his peers.

       Gabriel watched all of this impassively, "That is something else."

       "Oh?" Eden took his gaze off of Satoru to eye his guardian curiously. He smirked, "Is that approval I hear?"

       "I merely said that he is something else," Gabriel's tone was neutral. "Whether it be insanity or stubbornness, he is a force to be reckoned with."

       "Aaaaaaand?" Eden drawled the single syllable out. "You approve of him?"

       "I acknowledge that he could be a threat."

       Eden pouted, "You need to work on your trust issues. Not to mention your compliments."

       "And you," Gabriel countered, "need to work on your naivety."

       Eden decided to ignore Gabriel's comment. Besides, Satoru had now removed his shirt. He went back to his spying happily.

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:03:01 GMT

Waaaaah, most AWESOME commission EVAR.

http://raila.deviantart.com/art/Skip-to-Mah-Loo-96409721

Hee hee, the characters are right on. Though if Eden keeps waving that flower around Satoru is probably going to growl at him to stop.

. . . then he'd probably just wave it more. And depending on if he's in a bad mood or not Satoru will either snap at him and walk off or roll his eyes and smile and pretend to ignore Eden until he gets hugged or kissed. >__> He really is a softie at heart.

And Damien looks like he's plotting. That's always bad. And means that Satoru will be yelling at him shortly.

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:25:54 GMT

This is really sort of silly, but I got the impulse to do this.

Sooo . . . Eden is going to attempt the Significant Other meme floating around the web. lol Let's see if he can answer all of these. Yes, another let's make a doll do a meme.

Ugh, it's harder than I thought because I have to think about the characters at a later point in the story than I am currently writing . . . X__x;;; Satoru changed a LOT too through the story, guess being stuck living for 500 years because of a stupid curse you used yourself as the focus for does that to a person.

Then again, in a lot of ways he changed not at all. (Seems like it didn't show much in this particular meme)

1. They are watching TV. What are they watching?

The news. He's boring like that. *rolls his eyes*

2. You're out to eat. What kind of dressing do they get on their salad?

You know, I don't think I've ever seen him order a salad . . . .

3. What's one food this person doesn't like? What's one food this person could not live without?

He hates pretty much anything "fast food" (though he'll eat it). He calls it "American" though, which is probably vaguely insulting.

. . . but he really likes and eats a lot of instant ramen. I'm not sure that's very much better, really.

4. You go out to the bar. He/she orders...

He's actually stopped drinking. I didn't know him when he did drink.

5. Where did he/she go to high school?

He was home schooled.

6. What size shoe do they wear?

10

7. If this person were to collect anything, it would be...

. . . he's probably going to kill me if he sees this. But . . . he collects lucky cats. I think they're cute ♥

He also collects antiques. He's a big history buff. But he doesn't collect furniture, or the things people normally collect. He collects really weird stuff. Like . . . those music playing discs, or outdated tools . . . weird stuff. It's all insanely organized in this one room. Most people who stash stuff just attract clutter . . . but Satoru . . . you'd think it was a museum exhibit.

Huh, maybe I should open the room up and charge admission . . .

8. What is their favorite type of sandwich?

Uh . . . something with fish, probably. But he'd be picky about the type of fish and the preparation.

9. This person could eat ______ everyday.

Instant ramen, it's almost scary. I don't really think it's healthy, either.

10. Favorite cereal?

He doesn't eat breakfast. Never mind the fact that he is up at insane hours.

11. This person wouldn't be caught dead wearing?

Colors -__-; My god, he has the most boring wardrobe ever.

12. Favorite sports team?

I don't know. He always talks about sports I don't know and I get confused e__e Like . . . kendo, I get lost when he tries to explain it to me too, so he's just given up.

13. Who will he/she vote for?

He has a general hatred for politicians . . . . He tends to just avoid the whole thing.

14. What is their sign?

Libra

15. What is something you do that he/she wishes you didn't?

. . . um, bounce around and be around him when I'm hyper? Though I don't think it annoys him as much as he lets on. Actually I think he just complains to cover of that he thinks it's cute.

16. How many ~~states~~ countries has this person lived in? [I changed this to countries because it's a closer equivalent in the universe they are in]

Two, I think.

17. What is his/her heritage?

Japanese. He won't talk about his father's heritage, though it's probably mixed . . . and Caucasian.

18. You bake them a cake for their birthday. What kind do you bake?

*I* don't try to bake anything, I'm banned from the kitchen. He'd probably make chocolate, but that's more for my benefit. He'd rather just skip the cake.

19. Did he/she play sports in high school?

Well, when he was that age he participated in kendo and martial arts.

20. This person could spend hours...

Meditating. . . . I'm not allowed in the same room when he does that :<

21. He/She wants a new...

Actually, right now I think he wants new tatami mats. His are getting a bit worn.

22. The CD I would probably find in their vehicle is... [although I think CDs are outdated in their time, so it'd be something else]

He's always listening to really old stuff. I mean . . . from centuries ago. Who the hell listens to music that old? And where does he dig it up from anyway?

[note: this does not necessarily mean classical, their story takes place in the late 2000s, actually, the story at the point I'm writing this from would be in the 3300s, so this could be even modern music XDDD]

23. What can you do that will guarantee a laugh from him/her?

Uh . . . he doesn't really laugh. . . . well . . . keep this a secret, but . . . he's actually very ticklish if you can pin him down. >D >D >D

24. Does he/she get along well with their family?

He doesn't not get along, but . . . they're all dead. But that's a long story. When they were alive I think he did not have much communication with them . . . it's something he regrets.

25. If money wasn't an option, I would buy him/her...

A sense of fashion. [as if Eden is one to talk]

Oh, you meant something real. Huh. I dunno. There are so many things that are cool *___*

[Eden, are you buying for yourself or Satoru? XD;;;;]

Maybe I'd just buy him those darn mats. At least I know he'd like those.

lol, I'm tempted to make Satoru do it too . . . maybe some other time when I'm bored.

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:50:37 GMT

Yaaay~ I am getting some chibis by murasaki_cho. ♥ (Actually this is my first time commissioning someone, I've just never had money to do so before X__x I've bot tons of prints before, just never commissioned . . . eeeeeee, it should be awesome to see my characters in another person's style. I'm always curious about other people's interpretations.)

Also, got your postcard today, onnawufei. Yay for upside down writing XD Also, your handwriting is most certainly legible. I've seen (and had to proofread) way worse. Ah ha . . . my mom was off today and apparently until I called and she told me about it she thought I was getting mail from a doll company for some reason XD;;;;;;

And in Uni news. I think I'm going to survive the first week. Now I just have to carve a woodblock for a proof print on next Wednesday. It's a three day weekend, so I'll manage I'm sure. I just have to make sure I don't over embellish it (it may . . . be too late for that) and end up with something I can't fix.

That's the problem with doing abstract dynamic lines and shit (which is somehow what I ended up with) . . . I tend to never want to stop when it comes to those. And really, you have to STOP somewhere or it just becomes crap. I don't want crap, I want controlled chaos.

The other classes are cake this week, and will likely continue to be so.

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:48:51 GMT

Religious meme time.

Which is the right religion for you? (new version)
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Satanism

You scored as Satanism. Your beliefs most closely resemble those of Satanism! Before you scream, do a bit of research on it. To be a Satanist, you don't actually have to believe in Satan. Satanism generally focuses upon the spiritual advancement of the self, rather than upon submission to a deity or a set of moral codes. Do some research if you immediately think of the satanic cult stereotype. Your beliefs may also resemble those of earth-based religions such as paganism.

Satanism

90%

Agnosticism

60%

Atheism

60%

Paganism

55%

Buddhism

50%

Hinduism

40%

Confucianism

40%

Haruhism

30%

Christianity

30%

Islam

30%

Judaism

I really might go look it up, out of curiosity. It's not a religion I've ever really seen much information about.

I don't actually catagorize myself under any religion, though. I don't like having any restraints that a label might impose.

And imagine that . . . the YWHW trio are at the bottom. YWHW being the unspoken name of god . . . as in the god that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have in common -___-;;;;

Edit: Quick google-fu seems to indicate that they're referring to LeVeyan Satanism.

And although I do draw influence from Crowley and Neitzsche it seems a little too flashy for my tastes just skimming about it.

Though it does actually propose most of the same principles I think of. Actually . . . it seems to embody what I've often said to people about my religious beliefs--what I feared they'd be twisted to if ever practiced mainstream. Nice to see I can still predict what humans will do.

What it seems to do is take it the step further into projecting humans as god, which I don't.

It seems like I could get along in debating theology with them to a certain extent, as I share most of the perspective. But there are still too many guidelines for my taste. Not to mention I don't buy into the human as god thing . . . or ego as god would probably be a better way of putting it, because I actually thing it's more metaphorically . . . .

Edit 2: Not to mention that I would never consent to the implication of Satan worship.

Even if it is totally metaphorical as human nature represented by Satan. I do not think that using this metaphor as a basis to describe the religion is a good choice.

Oh no, another new writing piece . . . .

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 03:27:43 GMT

995 words on a story that started nigging at me the other night. It also lacks a name as of now.

One day I will finish something before starting something else, promise. Names are still up in the air for some of the characters.

Oh, and it is utterly cliché so far, and so far as it has been plotted. I'm hoping to shake it up a bit as I go, though.

If not, it'll just stay cliché I guess . . . I don't see the harm in writing cliché if it's just for my enjoyment. Besides, it's only bad if it's boring.

Besides, I figure if I work all the cliché out it'll stop popping up so frequently.

Edit: Ooops. Fixed an awkward dialogue and put the italics in.

[First a handy pronunciation guide, at least how I'm saying the names:

Kaetha = Kay-tha [though I'm considering going back to the original spelling I had going: Katha]
Revenal = rev-ah-nahl [his name is still up in the air, I haven't found anything that really sticks]
Havik = like the word havoc
Lionn = lin/lynn [like Fionn only with an L] ]

Kaetha was wearing his very best mask of boredom, an act that he was very proud to have perfected, even if he did rarely have to fake the sentiment in court. He could feel his lover's eyes upon him from the far side of the room and knew the man was probably shaking his head. The Duke of Havenleigh had always been remarkably good at reading people, a talent which Kaetha often exploited when he needed a good spy, but because of these same talents the duke knew him too well. Kaetha might look bored to everyone else in the room, but the Duke Revenal knew that he was just being childish.

"Very well," he gave a sigh which he thought was appropriately melodramatic, "since you have already went through the trouble of securing a bodyguard--which I've absolutely no need for--my dear General, you may as well show him in. The least we can do, after all, is give the poor thing a meal."

He knew quite well that General Havik would not be so easily dismissed, truly he suspected this new bodyguard would be around for at least a week (and likely even longer) before he found some way around Havik's newest conviction. There had not been a war for nigh on three centuries now, and even now there was no hint of conflict in the political relations of all the nations around his kingdom. Kaetha doubted he was going to need the services of a bodyguard anytime in the near future, or really anytime ever.

It was no secret, however, that General Havik despised the relationship between him and his dear duke. The court itself was split roughly evenly on the matter, though no one dared to speak up against it where the young king or his lover might hear. Kaetha had suspected for some time that the General might try to interfere, and thought that might be the old General's true motive behind the bodyguard. As if one bodyguard could undo such a thing as love so easily. Kaetha might almost find the thought amusing, if he was not already acquainted with the General's stubbornness. Instead he found it tiring.

When the great doors of the throne room opened again the bodyguard came out trailing behind Havik, they walked leisurely down the ornate carpet lining the center of the room like a pathway. Kaetha tried to deny that he might be curious about the man. The bodyguard was slender, and certainly not what came to mind when Kaetha thought "bodyguard," in fact the king thought his new bodyguard looked more like an unpolished gemstone. There was a grace and beauty that was waiting to be tempered. Kaetha stared at him appraisingly from behind his bored mask, wondering if he might somehow make a musician or a dancer out of this guard instead. Certainly, he vowed, he must find some way to polish him.

But for now, he did his best to look bored. Starting with giving his new guard a casual once over before promptly dismissing him.

"This is my new bodyguard?" he turned his gaze to Havik instead. "He doesn't quite . . . seem the type."

Kaetha watched for the bodyguard's reaction from the corner of the eye, somewhat pleased when the man's face remained impassive. Very good, a man who did not wear his heart on his sleeve. That at least insured his survival at court.

"I assure you, your Majesty," the General responded, "he is more than qualified for the position."

"I suppose I'll just have to trust your word for now, my dear General," he faked another sigh, "Of course, I'd hardly think that one of my most loyal supporters would settle for less than the best. After all, what would you do if I were to die? I'm sure the shame and guilt would just eat at you forever and ever. Therefore you must have chosen well, after all, isn't it said that you can't judge by a book's cover?"

The king stopped a grin from crossing his face just in time, General Havik scowling at the veiled insult, before turning to the bodyguard. "So, what are you called, bodyguard? I should need a name to call you by, I think. It would be rather awkward for both of us to always go about addressing you as 'bodyguard.'"

". . . Lionn, your Majesty," the man's voice was quiet and calm.

It was an unobtrusive voice, the king noted, completely indistinct and easily forgotten. Kaetha had the feeling it was purposefully feigned, it was a voice that would allow one to fade into anonymity. He gave the man a few more points and made a note to reevaluate him, perhaps that beauty he was admiring was hidden for the same reason. After all, attracting admiration did little to help a body fade into the background.

"Lionn," he repeated, "such a graceful name. It's fitting for one who moves so fluidly." The king smiled, realizing once he met Lionn's eyes that although the bodyguard may not wear his heart upon his sleeve it was clearly reflected in his eyes. Lionn was surprised.

"Thank you, your Majesty."

"Well, I think it is high time for court to be adjourned," Kaetha announced. He had been in favor of adjourning it before it had started truthfully, but at times it payed to cater to the arrogance of the nobility. "Bodyguard Lionn, you shall join the Duke of Havenleigh and I for lunch."

He wondered briefly just what rumors had reached Lionn's ears about he and the Duke Revenal, surely all the juiciest ones had at the very least, if not some of the more truthful ones. He thought there might be some fun in exploiting them a little bit, even the ones that were purely fiction. That is, there would be until Revenal stopped his childish games. But the duke would probably let him have a little fun, or at least Kaetha hoped so.

__________________

. . . Kaetha is so immature

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:43:01 GMT

Oh wow, I already have tons to do tonight for the art class. Blah. Reminds me why I quit art as a major, art classes are rough.

Gonna take a nap first, though.

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:48:42 GMT

School starts tomorrow. Bleh. Probably going to take Satoru along in a doll bag to get some better photos of him, but I may not . . . cause I sorta wanna wait and repaint Eden and then take them both for photos. We'll see how I feel in the morning when it comes to that . . . cause dolls are a pain to lug around, not to mention my new camera isn't exactly small.

If I don't take him I'll probably wait till Friday, which would give me all week to get Eden painted. I only have my early class on Friday, so then I'd have some time to just mess around with photos.

Got one anthro class (the one I'm having to retake due to a bad semester) and an art studio. There's a chance they may both let out early. We'll see :3 The studio probably will, since I'll need to get supplies before we can do much. May be making a stop through Cincinnati tomorrow to go to the art store I sometimes stop by on the corner of 13th and Vine.

I need to start work on a pair of dress slacks too . . . . They'll mostly be used by Yasuo, except for the one time Satoru is going to wear them to the next doll meet I'm going to. Hmm, I bought fabric awhile ago with slacks in mind . . . I'll have to go dig it out.

Then if those turn out I'll see if the denim I have is enough to make Satoru jeans . . . I suspect it may be *just* too short to do the legs.

Also have been making slow progress in TotA, ha ha . . . I can't marathon games unless I have a good reason to (like the first run through of TotA was for commission data) . . . so I only get like two or three hours in the game before I have to stop. And since I'm doing a lot of leveling/farming right now I don't make much progress XD;;;;

However, I'm now four boss battles down (and one sword dancer battle) and still playing everything in hard mode this go around, so yeah. I think that I could probably manage very hard too . . . if I spent a lot of time leveling. I uh . . . don't think that at my current level of mastery of the battle system I could take the hardest difficulty (unknown mode) though . . . .

Maybe by the time I get through a few more play-throughs . . . .

. . . wow, I really have no life. -__-

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:18:59 GMT

Note to self: When deciding to go to bed early (approx. 9:30) and try to sleep the night through, it's good that you remember to take the meds dose you normally take at 11. However, next time you might try turning off the cell phone alarm you have set to remind you to take that does. Especially because the damn thing goes off every five minutes till you get up and turn it off.

Even worse when you've buried your cell phone.

. . . hmmm, there went sleeping through the night. May try going back to bed ._.

Satoru and Eden again.

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:24:48 GMT

Not the best photo quality, my room sucks for light. But when I put them down on my couch I couldn't help but take photos >___>;;;

And then a little story just popped out. Those two are good for that. Now if they'd only be more inspiring in terms of writing their story out.

Meh, these are so desaturated :< Eden looks much better in his bright colors.

Satoru: . . . ZzZzZzzzz . . . .

Satoru: . . . what are you doing?

Eden: . . . nothing :3 ♪~

Satoru: . . . uh huh.

Eden: Go back to sleep. :<

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:03:59 GMT

Actually, after having played around with photographing it I'm totally all over this mold for Satoru. FINALLY, he's escaped the pretty boy thing a little bit. I mean, he's still closer to pretty boy than masculine, but he doesn't look like he could pass for a girl anymore.

And he looks older. Yay.

And the rough part of his personality comes out. YUS.

His faceup isn't the prettiest. But it shouldn't be. Because he's not supposed to be eyecandy material (though he sorta is anyway? Blame his damn Asian genes).

Edit: As you can see, I ended up putting the 14mm black in him in the end. The 16mm is just horrid. Got to get me some 14mm green eyes now >__>;;;;;;

Although I still suspect that just about any mold (within reason) could channel Satoru because of his distinct features, this one really really does a good job of it.

And now, some detail shots of the faceup, if you were interested. The eyelashes are better than the Sch A this time, but certainly still have room for improvement.

La la la

And now, I'm going to take new!Satoru and Eden and have bonding time over TotA . . . or rather they're going to sit there while I play and grow even more used to Satoru being a different mold now.

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:48:22 GMT

. . . definitely gonna need 14mm green eyes. 16mm are too big in this head . . . I'm debating if I want to put the 16mm green I have in anyway or just use Mikoto's black defaults.

Either way, Satoru pictures will be coming later. Man, this head will take some getting used to. . . . way different than his last head. But I'm sure I'll love it once I'm accustomed to it.

*waits for matte medium on scars to dry before dressing up his body (which hasn't had its scars redone yet, maybe I'll leave it be for now, who knows) and taking photos*

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:36:05 GMT

School A is finally painted! I'm probably gonna go slap a thread up for it on DoA since I do like the Yeon-ho head for Satoru (it arrived today!).

Then I get to paint up Satoru . . . I did the school head for practice since I had no real goal in mind for it and it's been forever since I did a faceup bleh.

All my studying faceup eyebrows appears to have paid off a little. Now I just need to get used to using watercolor on resin. Note to self: Definitely have a base of pastel first.

The faceup isn't really stellar or omg!awesome, but I think it's probably good enough to sell it with. Now I really really need to work on eyelashes. From a distance they're okay looking . . . but up close they're more of a mess.

I will be selling it with these wig and eyes (the eyes were originally Satoru's, but I'm gonna need 14mm for him now, and these are 18mm so it's not even close).

Detail shots:

Huh, this faceup version just doesn't do it for me like Satoru. Maybe I grew away from the mold a little . . . that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

Edit: And now he has a marketplace listing on DoA.

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:52:38 GMT

lol, weirdness meme. Taken from pooklaroux

So, bloodied_eden, your LiveJournal reveals...

You are... 1% unique and 12% herdlike (partly because you, like everyone else, enjoy writing). When it comes to friends you are normal. In terms of the way you relate to people, you are wary of trusting strangers. Your writing style (based on a recent public entry) is conventional.

Your overall weirdness is: 30

(The average level of weirdness is: 27.
You are weirder than 69% of other LJers.)

Find out what your weirdness level is!

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:22:27 GMT

Man. I fail at getting anything done lately. But next week I start school, so I'll indulge my laziness without too much disgust (not that I ever get around to the disgust part anyway or really past the laziness).

The Cory's for sale thread is updated on DoA now listing him for outright sale. Hoping he doesn't stay up for too long and that I can get the price I want . . . need to cover the new Mikoto, a new wig for him, and this cute school boy uniform I want (for the doll) >__>;;;;; Today a lot of time was devoted to trying to peel layers of faceup off . . . since there were a few early faceups that left bits on him. I ended up left with a few tiny stains *sigh* Most of it is off, though.

Satoru's head should come tomorrow. I've asked them to hold it at the post office since we notoriously miss packages in this house even when we are awake. And my sister and I are really never awake when the mail comes anyway (and the dogs only bark half the time). So it's easier if they hold it and I go get it when I wake up. So tomorrow should be lots of painting. I'm gonna *attempt* to do Satoru, the Sch A head AND redo the scarring on Satoru's body (with a recent story change this part is actually going to be much easier, he's losing quite a bit of the scarring, that's something he's pretty happy about).

Then assuming all goes well the Sch A head will be popped up on DoA as well. I'm hoping that sale will go fast as well, though I'm not counting on it. As I'm going to be using it to get Satoru eyes and some really basic stuff at Dollmore (like . . . ties . . . . Maybe a pair of pants if there's anything decent there).

And the only other thing I did was play TotA very briefly, enough to get about three levels, but I was half asleep cause I'd only gotten about 1.5 hours of sleep today before getting up to try to see if the doll head was delivered today and then going to pick up my new glasses that came in. I'm still getting used to that, my prescription got cut by about 40%, so they strain my eyes a little, but I should be okay once I get adjusted.

Walmart eye-checks are bad. Go to real optometrists and they cut your prescription in half. Or realize you only have an astigmatism in one eye but your lenses are correcting for both and giving you migraines (that was my sister's problem).

My sister drove since she knows where the place is and I don't, because I zone as a rider and never know where I am.

But we stopped at the post office first so I could inquire into the doll-head package. And while the guy was checking where it was she looks at me and in hushed voices we proceeded to have a conversation that went something like this:

Her: . . . you know, a post office would be a good place to have a murder. You could just put the body in one of those bags *points to the mail bags*
Me: . . . the're awful small for body bags. It'd have to be children. . . . or you could cut them up into pieces.
Her: Yeah . . . I was just saying it'd be a good setup.

. . . my new glasses are sorta like Yasuo's. But not quite.

But yeah, after the video game I replied to a PM on DoA and took a nap for a few more hours. Then I got up to take my meds, reply to another PM, listen to Pachelbel's Canon a few times . . . and uh, pretty much write this entry.

My day has been boring for the most part. I may go play TotA again, I only need one more level before I'm going to attempt the boss fight that pwned me the first time I attempted a second playthrough on hard . . . . I'm higher leveled this time . . . and equipped with mystic artes (though the auto characters never seem to use them much -___-;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;)

Edit: Just beat both Arietta and the first Sword Dancer fight on hard mode. Gah. Nearly two hours to do that >__<;;;; And cheap tactics on the latter fight.

Saaaaaaaaaaaad.

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:48:30 GMT

Oh god, this is sad.

I've listened to both versions of Karma so much I can tell the difference right off. (Because the vocal version is actually in a higher key . . . so the tone sounds slightly different)

Saaaaaad.

[I'm also slowly trying to learn to sing it, but it's fast and I'm not very good with Japanese so it's awkward for me. I've got the first line almost? :D And can sorta do the first version of the chorus]

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:45:06 GMT

lol lol, I found a good walkthrough now to find the titles that have been eluding me (ha ha >_>) so I restarted my second run through of the game. Also "bought" a different configuration of extras. So this time around I don't have the extra 200k gald from the end of the game . . . but . . . I do have Radiant Howl right at the beginning of the game.

. . . but, this means I'm back to Luke with horrible hair. D: *sigh* Compromises.

This time I really do intend to beat the bosses on hard mode >___< (Unless I try to take down the optional boss Nebilum on a harder mode for the special stuff, but uh . . . I may save that for a third playthrough and concentrate on learning the battle system better this time.) The first boss was insanely easy this time around, but I was two levels higher than I normally am, tried a different battle strategy on Tear (manually using her artes instead of auto), and also used Radiant Howl on it twice >_>; (I figure the overlimit might really help me where I was stuck on that second boss battle of the game the first time I tried a second playthrough).

Still, I better make sure I level before Choral Castle. Besides, I'm gonna have to have sick levels to take on the first Sword Dancer battle after Arietta anyway (or I could just wait and come back after a little more of the game . . . ). I'll see how I'm doing on levels at that point. There's a lot of tough battles at that point in the game and free healing before (and after too technically--I love green memory circles ♥) you actually have to take on Arietta, so it shouldn't be too hard to get leveled)

Edit: lalala, and at the rate my obsession with this game is NOT fading I should still be at a pretty good hype when the anime comes out in October . . . assuming the release date doesn't get pushed back (right now it's just 10/2008.

I'm pretty sure some fansubber will pick it up, and probably quickly, so that's something to look forward to :3

Eh, I've read a little bit of misgivings on it. But personally I think it looks promising. I actually really like the few subtle changes to the art style and I don't think any of them are really large enough to detract from it. And 26 episodes is totally enough time to cover the plot, and probably a little more. So I'm actually really enthused to see just what makes it in.

I'd love to see it dubbed because I do like the English voices a lot (and I'm so used to them at this point . . . lol), but eh, not crossing my fingers for that. But it would be awesome.

I'm actually guessing it'll probably go a lot how the manga has (well, what I've read of it, which places me approximately in the Zao Ruins [for the first time]) for what things are cut/shortened and so forth. And that pacing was pretty good.

Hey, it could be a Four-part OVA. I'm still saddened Tales of Phantasia wasn't longer :< I want more Chester (not that you know, I didn't want more of him in the game too . . . not that I actually FINISHED the game, or really even got halfway through . . . just far enough to see that him enter again after the beginning).

I need to finish ToP sometime. And I think I might like to look at the other Tales series games too.

I think Satoru's head will be arriving tomorrow. So we'll see how that works out for him. And we'll see what size eyes I end up wanting for him, 14 or 16mm. Meh, if Tarot's eyes end up being too freakishly bright I may pop Mikoto's in him temporarily. Ha ha . . . I could almost see him wearing black contacts to hide more of his European blood. It's definitely something he might have done between thirteen and eighteen. Would have solved his problem of needing glasses for some things too . . . .

Heck, he probably *does* wear contacts. The only time I've ever caught the character in glasses after his childhood years was when he was reading. Granted, he can see well enough without them for most things . . . .

Though I'm still suspicious that he's almost blind in his right eye. He won't tell me.

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:38:15 GMT

Okay. Mikoto is not going to be a Yo-SD after all.

Because he's going to be this instead.

However, I should easily be able to cover it by selling the Cory. And still have money to get a wig and this cute school boy outfit/shoes I've found <3

I'm still gonna sell the Sch A head though. But now I'm going to wait and make sure that the new head works well first. Which I'm sure it will, but yeah. Well, I guess if for some reason it doesn't I'd be selling it instead of the Sch A.

_____________________

I didn't think to offer it here before because I was looking for a trade, but I'll be putting Mikoto up with an outfit, a 14mm pair of brown acrylics, his default wig, and the shoes he came with along with a faceup that will be painted as either "male" or "female" depending on which the buyer wants.

I'm probably gonna ask $500, since you know . . . Cutie Delf Cory isn't sold anymore. Though I'd probably be willing to take a little less.

I think I have someone that'll probably take that up on DoA, so if for some reason someone on the friends list wants this, you probably should speak up before I list it as a non-feeler.

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:08:23 GMT

Satoru's head has shipped ♥

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:49:20 GMT

KSLJ:GSODILGHSLKJF:OAISETHAE:KLGHJSDG

SO.

I TOTALLY WALKED INTO THE SECOND SWORD DANCER (optional boss) FIGHT UNPREPARED. (Thank god I'd already set the config back onto normal level instead of having it on hard)

(I accidently went into it thinking it was a normal search point -__-;;; whoops)

I didn't even have my usual party I'm used to working with together X___x;;;

lol, I thought I was going to die. Actually, Jade was dead at the end of it >__>;; And I used a few life bottles.

BUT. I WON :D Thanks to firing off Radiant Howl twice, once with an Ion kicker (thanks ruffwriter for the tip on doing that). The second time would have had Ion too except that it died before it even got halfway through the arte.

So, jaolwetj;oasewitghj;lskgh;solier;j;olasedjrfla;skgjsdlkgf.

And now I get to go evacuate St. Binah.

Edit: I just thought I might take this opportunity to point out that while I rarely really get obsessed with a fandom it is really obvious when I do.

Case in point: TotA.

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:02:44 GMT

Just something I was musing on, related to Tales of the Abyss.

It's spoiler-y if you haven't played through a good bit of the game, though, so I'm cutting it. Though most people who plan to play the game have probably already played it, instead of waiting this long after it came out like me XD;;;;;

The original Ion is quite a piece of work. Though I can understand how he got that way, with all the responsibility put on him at a young age, and knowing he wouldn't live past the age of what . . . 12? I have to wonder if he was even really given a chance to enjoy his life.

But really, I find him creepy.

I was wondering, though, whether he influenced Van, or Van influenced him, or maybe they just found a kindred spirit in each other. Did he push Van to take steps to act against the score, did Van fuel Ion's bitterness?

That is, in that they both wanted to destroy the influence of the Score. Though Van's intentions were decidedly better than the original Ion's . . . . Considering Ion wanted people to suffer. They make an interesting contrast to each other.

Van really wants to save the world, I do believe this. And the original Ion just wanted people to feel the pain he felt chained to the score.

These thoughts were pulled mainly from the Ion bonus story from Namco's manga version of Tales of the Abyss.

(You can download scanlations of it here . . . since I don't think there is an English version of it.)

I also wonder how Arietta never discovered that Sync was an Ion replica. Guess her obsession made her blind to a lot of things.

Then again, I never noticed the voices were the same -___-;;; (I immediately locked on to Luke and Asch having the same voice . . . . Then again, Luke and Asch have similar tones, whereas Sync and Replica!Ion no. 7 do not at all.)

Got past my least favorite part of the game, though. Which lands me in Ketterburg.

(My least favorite part of the game is rescuing Natalia and Ion from Oracle HQ. Anise is right, Ion is a princess.)

I took a TotA character quiz earlier and got Ion. But I think that's just because of all the physically strong or physically weak questions -__-; And I am no fighter. Bleh.

Second best was tied between Luke and Florian, I had to think before I remembered who Florian was.

Out of those three Luke is probably the best personality match (not that Florian is really there enough to display much personality -_-). I'm not sure if that's a good thing.