battlejoy

A moment of silence

2009-09-14T00:48:52Z

Norman Borlaug, father of the Green Revolution and leader of the team that has saved billions of people, has passed at age 95.

He was responsible for averting the predicted Malthusian disaster of widespread famine and food wars by the development of high yield crop strains. Without their research, billions of lives would have been lost or prevented in the developing world.

A life well worth lived.

Okay no sex or drugs but I got the Rock n Roll!

2009-09-05T22:32:03Z

Just checking in. August rocked so hard! Not one but TWO rock festival attended.

First I went to Epicenter 09 in Pamona, CA. Hollywood Undead, Atreyu, Alice in Chains, Atmophere, Wolfmother, Linkin Park, and Tool. Yes Tool. *happy sigh* It was so worth the 4 hour drive. The 12 hours in the sun and humidity was a bit tiring, and $4 bottles of water should be legally labelled as highway robbery.

Atreyu, who I really wanted to go see since Prof Pop's class prevented my previous attempt, was slightly disappointing on the songs I didn't already know and like. They need a bit more polish. Hollywood Undead also messed up with the sing along. You are supposed to do a couple of verses before you ask the crowd to sing along, not begin the song. Their song is catchy but I had only heard it 2 times before on Vegas radio station so I could understand the crowd muttering through it.

I'm not the biggest Linkin Park fan since they only have one song that basically goes "I resent you because I do not fulfill you expectations" and I thought that sentiment was lame even in middle school. Still they are EXCELLENT in concert. Atmosphere is my favorite rap group and always wonderful in concert.

But other than that I got to see Tool. Maynard had a broken leg or something so he just skulked in the shadows but it was Tool! And they did do that song wishing California fall off the face of the map. It's those little touches!

I also got to see my cousins for Vanessa's babyshower and I finally got to see Monique's baby. So cute! But I did finally get the "You have your degree, and a job, and stability. YOU should be the one reproducing out of the cousins. Why aren't you married?" vibes. I have a feeling the next time I visit relatives it might get awkward. Telling them I have a dog and cat isn't enough. Maybe I should get a couple of fish...

Second music festival was a free Christian rock concert in the Thomas and Mack center. I remember Ashley telling me that one of the Korn bandmembers going insane and being miliantly born again. Well it was his first big arena concert with a new group. Frankly, I couldn't tell the difference between his new Christian band and old Korn.

Anyways, I was there for Flyleaf. Oh my I love them and was so excited to see them for FREE. If you get a chance to see them do it. That Laci girl is so tiny!

Yay! Computer time!

2009-05-24T21:16:20Z

I know I said I would review what I did at ACEN but I had issues in that my computer is now non-functioning.

So no entertainment online for me for awhile. I was looking forward to the latest episodes of my shows and I dare not try to see them at work, even during my lunch hour. I'm kinda allowed if its during my lunch hour but it would expose my shadow life as an unrepentant anime nerd. Oh the shame!

So without cartoons, my brain has even resorted to live-action Hetalia dreams and other nonsense. I haven't really read a lot of Hetalia fanfiction because WAY too much and the whole thing was pretty finished in my head with only one or two tweaks I could make this be a fic.

First off, it's weird dreaming a dream of another person that is actually a fictional character that you had cosplayed last week.

So it all started with me as America and then it eventually shifted to Alfred (America) being himself and distinctly male in not my body. I don't think it that weird since I'm often not in my own body in my dreams and can at time shift to different perspectives. So when I woke I could kinda remember and piece it together as a fanfic and not me.

It starts out that America has lost a recipe in his cookbook. I think it was plutonium 238. (I had read some articles on the Reliability Replacement Warhead program and also NASA's nuclear fuel shortage, thus the plutonium 238. The US hasn't made any warhead lately and there is some worry over institutional loss of knowledge. Certain types of manufacturing of components might have to be restarted from scratch since the scientists that made them have died or retired and the notes were unwritten or classified and lost. So we've forgotten how.)

So America decided to talk to Russia to see if he had the recipe. But when he got to Russia's depressingly dark warehouse (all great fights with the Russian happen in grey warehouses. I know this because I lived in the 80's) Russia told him that he'd love to help but his house has been taken over by the mafia.

So Russia and America team up to get Russia's little grey recipe card box in the office under the nose of the Russian mafia. There's a bunch of running about and at one point both of them end up topless and squeezed into a passageway

An aside: I thought that Alfred would be one hot piece of work but dang, my imagination did a number on Ivan. All pale round muscles and those round cheeks (Admittably, like this one boy I liked in high school. But his family weren't Russian but one of those eastern european countries. Dang. ) So there was a bunch of UST all around.

And just as suddenly as it started where they were staring into each other eyes after a minor arguement, they both hopped back, laughing and shaking each other's hand like old aquaintances.

America: (laughing goodnaturedly but slightly strained) Ha ha, I wouldn't touch you with a 10ft pole.

Russia: (Fake laughing as well) Ha ha, you silly Americans. You're obsession with size is so funny. Even mine isn't 10 ft. Ha ha!

America: Ha ha! Good one. *stops laughing and adjusts his glasses* Now we just have to take out that guard.

And THEN Prussia, wearing one of a drap uniform kinda like East Russian soldier/mall rent a cop was making his rounds. He actually was fairly calm, mostly because he was bored and wanting to go home and watch the Eurovison episode he recorded last week of a very busty Hungarian accordian player. (I actually do ship those two! Prussia/Hungary/Austria is the best Hetalia love triangle. Second only to Germany/Italy/Pasta)

And the whole ending scene Russia and America are running from the mafia through a city park but they find they can't blend in because there's a Ren Faire going on so they keep on running. But then they find themselves in either a Mad Max, Biker, or S&M/adult con (you can't tell the difference much) and then they ran into a kids soccer tournament.

Russia: Are all American parks this busy?

America: No, someone must have just overbooked this weekend. Quick! Hide behind the cotton candy maker!

So it all ends well, with Russia pulling out the recipe and giving America a copy before leaning in to whisper, " Of all the counties that didn't fall to me, you're the one I wanted most." Then he walked away.

So then I woke up to my alarm clock with Reba McEntire singing "Fancy" (They play it FAR too much on Vegas country stations.) thinking, "What the F? That almost made sense!"

I'm on a different comp that messes with LJcut. I'll put them there later.

2009-05-15T03:21:26Z

To tell the truth, I was apprehensive about going to ACEN this year thinking "Gee, I'm an old lady watching cartoons and I have the disposable income to burn to fund it." But I had a blast!

Thursday, I showed up in my cute work clothes (Business casual can be sassy as all get out) and all the hotel and wait staff was "Yes ma'am/No ma'am". This is funny because for the next 3 days I was just another freak. So I went and put on my Lolita costume for the evening.

Friday, I was the uber sexy America from Hetalia. The photoshoot was epic and wonderful and there were rice krispy treats! And funny thing of it all was the uniting power that is Hetalia. I hung out with people I hadn't associated in a long time: Jennie and Kelly (aka Jelly and their bud, Beth, aka Jam) (I made that name up. "The Mormon" doesn't quite fit for me and Jelly/Jam belong together and Peanut Butter will have odd connotations with ACEN now.) and Emmie (aka The other Kazuma and Lambo, Italian Cowboy.) (Note to Emmie if you are stalking this journal again: Is there a Spagetti Western AU fanfic with Lambo because he's an italian cowboy! If there isn't, the Reborn fandom is missing it!)

Sarah was darling as Italy and Chuck's expression when we explained his character's, Spain, relationship with his ward, Southern Italy, was priceless. And though America was very popular with cosplayers, I just felt like I was surrounded by the Awesome. I think I was also the most violently glomped this year by an excitable France and Seychelles. But it was so fun I didn't mind that I was in 10 pounds of heavy coat and layers of khaki suit. And I love that wig.

Next report: Saturday- Tyki and blushing Kyoko

End of Acen report 1.

battlejoy @ 2009-05-07T08:27:00

2009-05-07T15:29:30Z

My flight info: (Southwest is the airlines)

Thu May 07	1877	Depart LAS VEGAS NV (LAS) at 1:55 PM Arrive in CHICAGO MIDWAY (MDW) at 7:35 PM
Sun May 10	0574	Depart CHICAGO MIDWAY (MDW) at 9:15 PM Arrive in LAS VEGAS NV (LAS) at 11:05 PM

I'm planning Hetalia on Friday, D. Greyman Saturday, and SkipBeat! Sunday.

ACEN countdown!

2009-05-03T18:22:20Z

Already starting to pack for the trip. Of course I still plan on spazzing and procrastinating on key elements of packing somehow. Every Acen requires me to be driving around at 3 am looking for bobby pins.

The costumes this year are (and what I need to accomplish):

Tyki from D. Greyman. ( I have to make a new hat.)

Alfred F. "America" Jones (I have to make two new lapels, make the patches on his jacket, and be able to harness my inner AWESOME. Also I need extra rubbers. If anyone wants to bring them to ACEN, I will be accepting donations... except from Russia. Also it's still too early for 4th so the only flag stickers I've found are $3 a sheet. I will get a supply of cheeseburgers in Chicago.)

Manga Kyoko from Skip Beat (Yay! A girl!)

From what I heard no major Bleach-age is planned from this year and last year, I mentioned to Eloy that Kazuma will be wandering off into the post apacolyptic sunset. Does anyone know of the comms/panels/photo shoot planned this year so I can schedule myself into being in the proper costume in the proper time?

Also does anyone read Terry Prattchet? Because my sisters aren't and I've have several read and reread just laying about. Maybe we can do some book trading?

I need to go to bed but I really should update more often

2009-04-14T07:47:46Z

Most of my posts no one sees because I am a ranter. Oh the paragraphs I have deleted...

I now own a dog. So everyone will have to endure pictures on my cellphone of the puppy come ACEN. (His name is Boot-Boots and he's a 5 yr old red-gold 100+lbs Akita. Lyndsey wants to change his name to Thor to match the cat. His is actually the perfect apartment dog.)

I also need to find American flag/eagle boxers so my Alfred F "America" Jones may be completely swaddled with AWESOME.

I joined the company weight loss competition. If I lose 5 lbs by July, I get $50. So all this week I've been eating and watching cartoons to prep myself for the initial weigh in. Sadly I realized my house is only filled with wholesome food and I don't eat that much junk. I didn't even have any pasta in here. Even bacon wrapped turkey for Easter was no match! I lost 5 lbs since I signed up somehow and I still haven't had my initial weigh in!

My living room is actually clean

2009-03-23T19:50:34Z

This is just a driveby post on my lunch break.

I had a nice week with random comped tickets. I went to see Chris Angel's "Believe" Circus de Solis show. It wasn't bad. Very lovely, industrial feel to it but a tad pretentious. Plus every once in a while they'd give the microphone to Chris Angel and his lisp just completely brought me out of any suspension of disbelief I had.

Then I went to Dinner in the Sky, the only diner venue open to the public that involves being hoisted up 170ft in the air by a giant crane. Excellent chicken and very gentle dining atmosphere. Carrot Top was actually really good. Chuckles all around. Then we went clubbing at Hard Rock and hung out with some tourists from Detroit.

...And finished doing my taxes. Gloom gloom gloom. It is surreal to go from getting a hefty refund to nearly owing. And the only reason I don't owe is that the governement bled $5 Grand from me over the total of last year. Then again with my additional exemptions, the main problem is the self employment and NM state income tax. I had better pay since I havea feeling NM is going to be bringing out the dogs to squeeze every penny this year. Too bad for all those poor cleaning ladies and home day car owners. Those are the guys I always hear get hit real hard. Thank goodness I moved to a state without state income tax so I won't have to deal with this next year.

Still I'm planning on participating in the Tea Party Protest on April 15th. Everyone on my flist that was wincing when you were filling out your 1040 or want to just stick it to the man, be sure to look up your local anti-tax protest.

To mark a momentous occassion...

2009-01-21T07:54:54Z

Yup, I turned yet another year older!

Whoo hoo!

Today started off rough since my sisters got into a fight last night and it carried into this morning. But my Department bought me a cake and we had a little celebration in the conference room. Funny how every birthday celebrated causes them to talk about death. Kind of a tradition.

Mel got some comped tickets to Donnie and Marie. I don't even know what they originally sung but they did put on a good show. They chatted up the crowd like pros. Then I went to Joe's Blue Stone Crab. Luckily Mel also had a $100 gift card. I had the bacon wrapped scallops.

Now I'm off to go do some Midnight bowling. I'm taking tomorrow morning off of work.

I already did Early Voting since I work on Tuesday.

2008-11-04T06:51:31Z

I just got back from the McCain rally (okay, to be accurate, meatloaf at Brandon's house after the McCain rally). I spent the weekend canvassing and I kinda wish I didn't have work tomorrow to do more. There is just something about getting in there and doing some action.

Nevada's a battleground state and frankly, I don't know if the poll numbers in Obama's very slight favor are accurate. I only had a couple Obama 'already or plan to vote' people at the houses I visited but several "Yes I would like a McCain sign" people and several more that planned to or had already voted McCain. We were targetting independents in a neighboorhood affected by the housing crisis. You would almost expect more animosity to McCain but they were extremely positive. This is a libertarian state, I'd say, and needs the jobs. A couple of the people I visited declined bumperstickers yet asked with worry in their eyes "How are we doing out there?" almost like it was some underground resistance movement.

There was one lady my partner and I talked to for half an hour at her door. She was actually for Obama but was becoming hesistant. So we talked about health care, mortgages, energy, the dangers of protectionism and elevated taxes during a possible recession, and a host of other questions. I think we won her over.

But even outside canvassing, I haven't heard of anyone really saying that they were anything but hesistant about Obama and his inexperience and "everyone [they] knew was voting for McCain" and they couldn't believe the polls. I'm trying not to get my hopes to far up since I really only hang out with religious young people (church), settled salaried family-people (work), and hard partying casino workers (my sister's friends and coworkers). You can't quite call it a proper sampling even if the small talk with random locals also points out the same direction. It could be a "Clever Hans" phenomenon after all.

Oh well. I'm going to bed.

Okay, I usually choose between posting at all or spelling correctly/coherently.

2008-09-10T01:26:08Z

I am so tired right now. I talked to some of the ppl on my friends list 'til 11 and then I woke up at 4 am this morning in a Eureka!-type moment.

The piece of information that the heavens seemed to impart to me was that that stain was on the back seat of my car came from. I literally sat upright in my bed and said outloud "It's WAX! All I need to do is use a warm iron, paper towels, and a petroleum distilate!"

Long story short, we went to Zion National Park for labor day and had some of those Bonny-Bel wax wrapped cheeses and somehow a piece must have gotten on my seat and melted. (My epiphany this morning told me this as well.) So my previous theories about it being sunscreen or mayo (Mel borrowed my car and I found Tropical smoothie sandwhich wrap in the back) were just not panning out since there was no real smell. The cheese was a mild one and the hot Vegas sun baked it away.

Anyway, this was STILL not a very important revelation and could have waited until 6am instead of waking me up and not letting me back to sleep. Like anyone sells Mineral Spirits at 4 am. So sleepy now...

I'm an upstanding member of society

2008-08-26T02:32:52Z

Well, I'm now in an apartment and buying the bed part of my bed tonight. (As opposed to the mattress part.) My furniture are being loaded up and are making their trek across the harsh desert. Huzzah! Now I just need a new battery charger and internet!

So far so good. I've been on this raw, vegetarian diet with my sisters. Just because its the "trendy" thing to lose weight and they start crying when I have a burger in front of them. So I've decided to humor then and join them in their madness. Unfortunately we're really lazy and all the recipes have food dehydration and grinding stuff so we've been non-stop snacking on fruit and eating gazpacho.

It's odd that I'm adapting so well to it but then again I used to just eat grapes and tomatores and yuu-yuu dates and pomegrantes all summer long. I still go to Taco Tuesdays though.

Anyway, I've been pretty busy. Work is shaping up well. I've been going to comp'ed shows with my siblings. I got to see Craig Ferguson (YAY!), Wayne Newton (That man is a great showman. There is a reason he's been around as long as he has.) and had the unusual Las Vegas experience of having my underwear being a main feature of my outfit in actual public. (In my defense, it was a fabulous shiney green bra and I always feel also guilty that really fun undies can't be more appreciated.) Had tourists ask to pose with me like I was their favorite character at con. That's always nice. (I'm not even going to imagine what said tourists will say considering how sleazy some of them are... On second thought, not nice at all.)

I don't k now what me and my sisters are doing for Labor Day. We might just go over to California which is really close.

I LIVE!

2008-08-21T03:41:20Z

Yeah, I'm still in Vegas.

I'm still sleeping on the floor.

But I have new carpet.

My life rocks!

d, Greyman/Black Sabbath OTP

2008-07-02T05:52:22Z

If you were at con, then you knew about my mild penchant to suddenly break into air guitar rifts associated with the musician, Ozzy Osborne, from his youth in the band Black Sabbath. As the video clip reveals, that there in fact a song dedicated to Aleister Crowley, the famous British occultist. Since it does predate the creation of the anarachnistic world of d. Greyman, it does not specifically refer to Alyster Krowley, emo vampire, but it did amuse me.

No doubt this revelation has been endlessly discussed with along with othe Black Sabbath/Black Order connections, like Randy Rhodes and Rhode Camelot. The author is a little more blantant than Rumiko Takahashi's love of Procol Harum as evidenced by bad puns in Maison Ikkoku. (Then again it could be that the translators of that series needed a series of bad rock puns but then why Procol Harum?)

battlejoy @ 2008-06-08T00:51:00

2008-06-08T08:00:58Z

Okay, long time no chat but I did a ficlet tonight for the lack of Lenalee/Allen humor fulfillment fics and needed to share.

It is somewhat convinient, cliche, and without even my normally lazy efforts at editting. But since I'm typing this under a blanket in a dark spare room, I'm sharing with my sister in my cousin's cramped 2 bedroom apartment and my laptop has produced so much heat, that it is like a sauna in here, I'd edit and post it on a proper comm later. Until then, enjoy.

UPDATE: Editted it more throughly. Somehow LJ cut pasted the words "Komui will kill him" for EVERY line. which makes me think that LJ has an opinion on how Komui will take it a bit more worse than Lenalee thinks.

Working Title: Eloped (AKA Komui will kill him)
Genre: Humor/Romance
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Waking up, Allen makes a couple of realizations, and yet some remain elusive.

He would have turned his whole body but it felt heavy and weighted. So Allen groaned and turned his head from invading sunlight and the whole flock of songbirds that seemed to find it unduly necessary to proclaim, from their nests on hotel's window's window eaves, that somehow another day had come. They could have picked someone else’s window and let him sleep a few more hours.

The new position didn't give as much comfort as he wished because something silky and ticklish was all over his chin and poking up his nose. Nuzzling around until his chin and cheek met with some warm and smooth surface, Allen sighed at them more comfortable position and tried to go back to sleep.

His plan was broken by the murmured one word of complaint from Lenalee, "Scratchy."

Reluctantly, Allen opened one blurry eye to see what was bothering her as she did the same. Her startled gasp as she shoved her way out of his arms. It wasn't really the first time since they occasionally woke up snuggled together when camping out or if the hotel had only one bed so Allen really paid it no mind.

He really didn't expect her scream to wake him. Frightened awake he fell off the edge of the bed and then scrambled onto his feet, his left arm outstretched in front of him, "Akuma! Where!"

Allen was surprised to find just an empty hotel room. He glanced back to find his partner still on the bed holding her left hand, looking horrified. She looked normal, though it was unusual that she was still dressed in the clothes from the previous night. Her chest expanded and contracted as it looked like she was about to hyperventilate.

"Lenalee what happened?" It was then that he noticed the gold band around her finger that matched the one on his cursed hand. He then remembered the previous night.

"Oh my God!" Lenalee gasped, "My brother! I ran out and got secretly married! Oh my-" Lenalee gasped. "But I told Komui I would never do that! How could I've done this to him? I promised!"

Allen was now fully awake. The one thought that truly hit him was that, while he had witnessed Lenalee laugh and weep and live, she was always so strong and composed. But seeing her panic and spazz over her brother, this was the only time he really was struck by the thought that Lenalee and Komui were blood related. "Ano?"

"I eloped. I eloped. I eloped. I can’t believe it. I eloped“. Lenalee was chanted to herself, trying to let the idea sink in before turning to him and pointing, “And you have stubble!"

Allen's hands flew up to the offending nubs of hair on his chin. He could still go a week before he really needed to shave the patchy, nearly invisible hairs on his face. But with the last week he hadn't had any time. The two of them had rushed off after rumors, camped out, and then they tracked a stray Akuma to the sleepy hamlet somewhere in the mountain.

After they saved the town, the next thing Allen knew they had been dragged to some hybridized wedding and harvest festival, as the guests of honor. Then, surrounded by a handful of joyful, newly wed couples and dozens of enthusiastic villagers that were diehard romantics, the fatigue and peer pressure swept them away to the point that saying 'I do," seemed a reasonable thing. They had a priest there and everything.

He couldn't even blame the alcohol since that mostly flowed afterward and that explained why they had still had all their clothes on. They'd passed out quickly after they had reached their room.

Allen didn't have much time to really dwell on the realizations that some kisses had occurred between the time they were declared man and wife and before they fell asleep. (And they were REAL kisses and involved HIM, at that!) He still had an upset partner who was taking this thing hard.

"Lenalee, calm down," Allen went around the bed to sit by her side. "The village didn't even have a records clerk to file the certificate. We still have it and we haven't-." Allen stopped because he couldn't even say the words 'consummated the marriage' just yet. His cheeks burned just thinking those words. "We can get it annulled the next city we visit."

"You don't understand," Lenalee covered her face with her hands, taking a steadying breath. "My brother worked so hard to come to the Order. I *promised* that he'd be there. I know he said he never wanted the day to come but he’d eventually consent. I feel like I betrayed him by not letting him give me away."

Allen grabbed her hands and looked down at them. She was calmer but what type of partner would he be if he didn't try to comfort her more.

"Well that day can still come. We'll just get an annulment and one day you'll have the biggest and grandest wedding the whole Order can give. Your brother will look so proud as he walks besides you. You'll look even more beautiful than you did last night," Allen insisted.

He then glanced ruefully at his cursed hand and the sparkle of the ring that had bound his finger. She was like the beloved Princess of the Order and he was still just good old, cursed Allen, after all. He could just picture her glowing in a white gown, even if was hard to picture her even more beautiful than the joyful, laughing face she had at the festival. He could only picture Komui, though, tearful and miserable, walking down the aisle by her side. "You'll find the best guy in the world. He’ll be the one that would be perfect for you."

"And where would you be?" Allen glanced up, wondering why Lenalee's voice was so instantly icy. His mind rushed to come up with some answer to appease that stern gaze trained onto him.

"In the front row; cheering you on?" Allen ventured.

Somehow, that line didn't seem to be the right thing to say. She, calmly and coldly, said, "Allen Walker. Sometimes, you are an idiot."

Then Lenalee Walker, his exorcist partner, his current wife, and, still secretly, the girl of his fantasies, stately strode to the restroom. All in all, it wasn't a really bang-up start to a marriage.

"I will never understand women," Allen muttered.

General Update

2008-05-30T06:31:32Z

It was great seeing everyone at ACEN this year again. I think it was one of the best ones I've had. Everything was so fun from the squeaky man-boobs to stripping Love... I just had a blast.

Currently in Las Vegas yet I still haven't found an apartment yet. I took Lyndsey here with me. It's not that there aren't openings, its just that I don't want to be stuck in a place I hate for a year because I'm broke and/or panicking about living on the street. I'm crashing at my cousins and there are still other ways through everything. Plus I am earning good money. It's just got to trickle through payroll and such.

I haven't gotten homesick because... well, I'm really used to the gypsy type living right now even if I'm getting increasingly anxious. I'll find a way and having a job is the most important thing. I'm sure I'll find the perfect apartment/condo/townhouse whatever soon. And I'm only planning on living in it a year or 2 anyway.

D. Grayman Circus AU

2008-04-22T04:57:05Z

As promised to the ppl in the chat tonight, here is the d. Greyman AU I wrote the other day. The muses only gave me bits and pieces of further plot though. Something about rival circuses trying to out compete each other in the Midwest.

And Allen has a tragic past of course.

Title: Bring in the Clowns

Author: Battlejoy

Rating: PG

Genre/Setting: AU setup; set nebulously in the late 1920-30’s Midwest U.S. (Actually, I just know I picture Lenalee’s hat as one of those bell shaped ones from the era.)

So he’s here,” Allen looked up at the dark-haired man entering the trailer. He was resplendent in a suit of white sequins, but against all tradition, the man wore a beret instead a ring-leader’s proper top-hat. “Hello, my name is Komui Lee. ”

“Boss, you can’t really think that you can hire another person when we have trouble keeping afloat as it is,” Reever blew a stream of smoke with an exasperated sigh.

“Oh I didn’t hire him. I won him in a poker game,” Komui waved Reever’s objections off with a wave. Allen really wished he hadn’t let his teacher slip out of his sight on the riverboat. Next thing he knew he had woken this morning with a note pinned to his shirt and the captain informing him that Cross had exited at the previous stop and he was about to be tossed overboard since it turns out that Mr. Cross never had a ticket for either of them.

Still it seemed that his former teacher had sold him to the right people. “Welcome. I’m sure Reeve has filed you in on your benefits as slave labor in the Lee Family Circus: travel to exotic locations, exercise in the outdoors, all the stale popcorn you can eat…”

Allen perked up a little bit. That stale popcorn sounded pretty good right now.

“’Exotic locations’, my foot.” Reever grumbled, “Our next stop’s St. Louis.”

There was slight warning rap on the trailer door before the door opened. Allen turned to see the new person while Reever implored, “Lenalee, speak reason to your brother.”

Puzzled, the girl tilted her head a bit to look at them since the brim of her hat which had slumped forward, obscured her vision.

“Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever been able to do that.” She smiled as she tried to make her way in the trailer. But she was having a hard time opening the door while keeping the parcel under one arm, since the other one held a crutch.

“Here, let me help you with that, miss,” Allen got up to chivalrously take the box from the young lady and open the door. “My name’s Allen, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Lenalee,” The Ring-leader rushed over becoming more agitated by the second, “What did the doctor say? It’s broken? Isn’t? Isn’t! I knew it! We didn’t treat it in time and it got infected and the fever has gone straight to your brain! You’ll be succumbing to shock any second!!” Allen felt a little bombarded by the hysterical man who continued to babble. ”Don’t go into the light

The girl was rolled her eyes, “He said that it’s only a sprain and healing fine. I’ll be back to normal by the end of the week.” Lenalee looked past her brother to Allen. “Lenalee; the pleasure’s mine. But if you wouldn’t mind, could you help me to my trailer?” Of course, Allen quickly agreed.

“Lenalee,” Dramatically, Komui reached to his sister as the two teens left. “Big Brother will be happy to help.”

One second, Boss.,” Reever lay a hand on Komui’s shoulders. “I have a few invoices for you to see.”

____

On the way to Lenalee’s trailer, Allen took a second to regard the young girl and slightly adjust his first impression of her. He had thought she was a couple of years younger than he because of the set of pigtail braids framing her face. But she now appeared to be about his age. And pretty.

She was watching the small bunches of milling visitors, frowning slightly. “They must have just gotten through with the midday show. We usually have much more business,” A moment of worry passed over her face before she quickly shifted back to Allen, “So Allen, what kind of talents did my brother hire you for?”

“I do have some experience as a clown. Pretty decent juggler, too,” Allen blushed since he really wasn’t one to brag. It had been years since he had been in a circus.

Maybe it was best he was back with a circus. He hadn’t really taken to his apprenticeship as a traveling salesman. He never even got a sale but it might be because he spent a majority of his time running from angry husbands and creditors that were after the man supposed to be training him. “But I don’t think your brother is expecting to actually pay me.”

“Times are a bit rough everywhere,” Lenalee conceded, “But I’m sure everything will pick up soon. If you are patient I’ll make sure you are paid well.”

“I don’t really have anywhere to go so,” Allen trailed off. Considering that his teacher hadn’t even left him enough for a cup of coffee at the five and dime, he didn’t know he had a real choice and they did seem to be nice people.

“This is my trailer.” Lenalee indicated a well-worn wooden trailer, with the familiar garish advertisements of the ‘astoundments’ present at the circus.

Allen went up the stairs and opened the door. He was instantly flashed a vision of lily-white skin and long dark hair. “AH! I’M SORRY MA’AM! I DIDN’T SEE ANYTHING!” He yelped flinging his hand over his eyes.

He tried to back up but found himself stepping back into Lenalee, who had hobbled up the stairs as best she could. “Allen, what’s wrong?”

Allen felt two hands grip his collar and then slam him against the nearest wall.

“Who the hell do you mean by ‘Ma’am’?!” Allen’s eyes flew open at the voice snarling at him.

It took a couple of blinks as Allen tried to piece together in his head the masculine voice with the finely featured face painted thickly with stage makeup and the dark streaming hair in twin pigtails. A glance down confirmed that he hadn’t walked in on a young woman dressing. The young man in front of him was in fact a man and not naked; he was wearing a set of white tights and undershirt. And to think people called Allen pasty.

“Kanda, what are you doing here?” Lenalee asked.

Kanda let go of Allen and turned back toward the vanity in the room. He yanked up a bunch of blue fabric studded with rhinestones and sequins and shook the offending garment in Lenalee’s face before fling it on the ground. “That is it, Lenalee. The last insult! We should have fired that accursed woman the first week she showed up! You tell your brother, I quit!”

“But Kanda, you have a contract and-“ Lenalee was cut off as Kanda stomped past her to storm down the path.

Allen and Lenalee noticed that another young man was making his way towards them. Kanda made a point to shove the redheaded newcomer as he went past, which caused the small white terrier at the boy’s side to bark and growl. Kanda snarled and made an attempt to kick the small dog, which yelped and ran to hide behind the panther slowly making its way up the path. The panther and Kanda both shared a jaundiced glance of bitter enmity before they both continued in their respective directions; ignoring each other’s existence.

For his part, the newcomer jovially yelled after Kanda, “Hey Yu, did you forget proper pants?”

The young man skipped up the step, flanked by the two animals. “Heya, Lenalee. Don’t worry about Yu. He’ll calm down soon enough. He’d rather die than break a promise.” The young man turned his one visible eye toward Allen. “Hey, you must be the new guy. Lavi Bookman.” Lavi reached out to shake Allen’s hand.

“Allen might be our new clown.” Lenalee elaborated.

“Allen Wa-“ Allen was interrupted by the rough sensation of a very large, jungle cat rubbing against his leg. The small terrier was more wary and kept a safe distance behind Lavi.

“Don’t mind, Lulabell. She really does think she’s a house-cat. Lulabell, get off of that!” Lavi scolded his panther, who had made its way to lie down on Lenalee’s bed and curled up in a patch of sunshine. Lenalee giggled.

Lulabell looked over at Lavi as if to say that she knew that she was also the biggest house-cat in the world and did he really think he could interrupt her when she wanted a nap? The small dog, tail wagging, followed the panther and curled up on the rug in front of Lenalee’s bed.

“So how’s the foot?” Lavi indicated the ankle that Lenalee was keeping all weight off.

“I’ll be back in about a week,” Lenalee going to go sit on the spare chair. “It’s really not worth that much fuss.”

“Good because your temporary replacement just about lost it when some guy in the front row tossed a bouquet at him. During Yu’s curtsy, no less.” Lavi laughed pointing at his left shin. “Plus if you didn’t notice, he ran his stockings. That would mess any macho guy up.”

“Wait a second, that guy was impersonating you?” Allen set down the box over on the vanity. Lenalee nodded, then she took off her straw bonnet.

“Well, you are looking at ‘the Lovely Miss Lenalee Lee, the world renowned trapeze artist!” Allen didn’t quite recognize the name but considering her age, she’d be just reaching her prime. And it was just the way of the business that they inflated titles. Allen had seen a large poster in the manager’s office with a young woman trapeze artist featured prominently. “We wouldn’t get any ticket sales if Lenalee wasn’t luring in all those scores of boys, desperate for their hearts to be broken. Like siren’s song, her lithe body beckons to the lost as she glides through the air like a dove.”

“He’s teasing,” She commented. “We have several terrific acts but sadly, we couldn’t afford to reprint the posters after-“Lenalee’s explanation was cut short by the sound of a weeping woman rushing in.

“Lenalee, is it true that you’re going to be crippled and the doctors want to amputate your foot?” The thin woman’s mascara was running, causing her already stressed face to grow more haggard. “I’m so sorry! If only I hadn’t tripped and hit that support for the safety net, you wouldn’t be hurt!”

“Miranda, you do know that no one ever believes my brother, right?” Lenalee tried to reassure the other woman.

“And that is Miss Miranda Lotto, the magician’s assistant.” Lavi whispered to Allen. “Don’t worry. You’ll get used to this.”

It was then that a frighteningly loud rumbling sounded. Even the serene Lulabell was startled from her nap. Then they noticed that the eerie sound was coming from Allen’s stomach.

“Um Lenalee, your brother did say something about stale popcorn being available?” Allen asked a bit hopefully.

Please excuse the Caplocks.

2008-04-17T00:08:20Z

First off: Yes, I got back home safely from the frost-biten villiage of mud brown buildings known as Santa Fe. (I'm sorry. Whitewash and technicolor adobe is pretty and historic preservation be darned!)

Yes, I will be attending Elf-con and ACEN. I'm ordering my Tyki top-hat even as we speak. Ooo... sexy Lincoln Stove-pipe tophat.

But most importantly,

I PASSED MY ORAL EXAMS! WOO HOO HUZZAH! I HAVE MY MASTER'S OF ARTS DEGREE IN ECONOMICS WITH AN OPTION IN REGULATORY ECONOMICS!

And even more happily,

I JUST GOT MY EMPLOYMENT OFFER! I'M GAINFULLY EMPLOYED WITH A CAREER! I'M GOING BACK TO LAS VEGAS! (And no, it's not involving detachable items of sequins. And NOT to Las Vegas, NM.) PENSION, 401K, MEDICAL, DENTAL, VACATION, AND ABOUT $5K MORE THAN I WAS EXPECTING!

Needless to say, Eowyn-con will have to happen next year in Vegas.

Now I'm off to plan my ~~Triumph~~ Sunday Brunch with menudo and/or waffles. (It's the only way to lure my relatives to a celebration away from other grad parties: Pigs-feet, hominy, tripe, and chile. I like waffles.)

[fic] Proverbial Wisdom-Chapter Three: The Spear in the Front or the Arrow from Behind

2008-02-23T02:54:03Z

Hopefully I can get back into the swing of writing. Not going to start any new fics with out working for old ones and original fic.

I've got internet access now so I will have to update more this LJ.

Proverbial Wisdom-A Saiunkoku AC
Chapter Three: The Spear in the Front or the Arrow from Behind

Author’s Notes: Sorry for the long wait. I was all over the West since I left my home to seek my fortune. The other chapters should be together faster.
Extensive notes will be at the bottom.

"Oh my,” was Shuurei’s only gasping reaction. It was her first state dinner and she had never seen such expense. Silken banners, silver tableware, and a selection in the most lavish gastronomic delights. She didn’t know whether to be awed at the sight or disgusted at the waste. People were starving in the land! (Something about Shuurei bitching that children are starving in China is funny to me. So finish your Brussels’ sprouts! )

Still, Shuurei knew her observation wasn’t welcome and closed her mouth. She probably looked like that giant stuffed fish on the serving platter on the end. She was the consort of the emperor, fake or not. She needed to act like it.

“Lady Kou, have you tried this dish before?” The prince was seated on the Emperor’s right and leaned over to get in her line of vision. Ryuuki was chatty as always, in stark contrast to his brother. “It comes from Sa province. Have you ever been there? They have the most beautiful gorge south of the province.”

“No, I’ve only stayed near the capital.” Turning to her right, she regarded her temporary husband. He was just silently ate his food. He wouldn’t even look at her. “Have you ever been in Sa province?”

“Lady Kou, my mother's family is from there,” Seien continued to eat his food only interrupting his focus to switch to a side dish. He disliked the way the eels were prepared, since they were too salty. But it was that or one of the other too goopy, too rich, or too strong dishes. He’d probably make the serving girl cry again if he told her he wanted a plain bowl of rice. “I fought one of my older brothers outside Kinka. I hold no affection for the place.”

“Oh.” Crestfallen, Shuurei turned her attention to her plate, poking at the dish with her chopstick. Seien didn’t sound like he wanted to talk.

After a short while, Seien turned to Ryuuki since it had been a while since he had the chance to talk to his brother. He was taken aback to see his brother give a neutral frown. To any outside observer, Ryuuki quickly turned back to his bright and sunny demeanor when a visiting dignitary approached the table but Seien knew he was upset.

Seien knew the reason why but he knew his brother would have to deal with it. Seien just didn't have his brother's patience for this useless pageantry but he knew the grumbling the old men would have if he skipped out on yet another banquet. He didn’t even care what they were celebrating. Seien would have just been happy with a quiet, private dinner. In privacy, he could catch up with his brother and try to relax.

Instead, he had to have a large fancy dinner after a long and tiring day. The morning court was going through the year’s budget along with discussions of dealing with the banditry problem. The usual fights and arguments about unresolved issues that even predated the succession war had made sure that they got nothing accomplished. The afternoon meeting with the old men had lasted hours There had been the usual comments and insinuations of why he hadn't given out any flowers. The pressure was almost as bad as the pressure to fill his harem. The court couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t relent on either position.

Seien looked around the banquet hall and thought to himself, “And now we just sit here like we are all old friends and stuff our bellies while the whole country rots?”

He just couldn't trust any of them. A good example would be the Sa brothers. It was a request from Counselor Sa to elevate his clan. Seien couldn't refuse his distant cousins’ appointments in the Agriculture Ministry. He didn't trust or even like Sa Sakujun, who, from all accounts, was a smug and arrogant bastard. He had the faint feeling that even Conselor Sa didn't trust his own nephew. But a watched snake was better than a hidden one.

The younger brother, Sa Kokujun, seemed alright but it would be a wasted gesture since the boy had the backbone of a limp noodle and the emperor's favor was a blessing and a curse. He didn't think the boy could handle the jealousies and back-stabbings. Luckily the clan needed their older brother and he didn’t pass the exam or he’d have to suffer that brute.

Scanning the room, it mostly held remnants of the old guard. The officials that were strong and powerful already had the stench of corruption about them. How one could not only trust but raise one of them over another? It was unthinkable. Many had been either profited from the country’s unrest or had snuck away to some hole during the civil war. Only a few ministers had done their best in their time of turmoil but there would be no benefits to their appointment for one reason or another.

There were a couple of men that would have been ideal candidates. The leader of the capital guard, Lan Shuuei, had an analytical mind and Ryuuki insisted was a good man deep down. But the political alienation that would result from choosing him knocked up off the list. Many considered the fall of the Ran family as a sad morality tale. The noble family who never involved themselves in politics turned their backs on their principles. Of course, it was fitting that the heavens would punish them.

The Vice-Minister Li Kouyuu would be a perfect choice, since Kou Reishin would owe him. Support from the Kou clan-leader was hard to by and respected second only to Counselor Shou's approval. But that wasn't an adequate reason and all three of them knew it. A flower meant he trusted the man, not the clan. He just didn't know the odd young man. Kouyuu always seemed to be found screaming in a broom closets or storming back and forth in the hallways, ranting about conspiracies. His brother really had odd companions.

The truth remained that, of all the court, he only trusted his brother. Of the two flowers he had given out, the first had been to his brother. Bitterly, the politics of the court prevent his two chosen to even openly accept them.

"Emperor Seien," Shuurei broke into his thoughts. Seien caught himself before he made an unintelligible 'huh' noise. Evidently, she had been trying to hold a conversation with him. He must have been falling into that ‘silent dark world of his’, as Ryuuki called it. "You used to like that book series."

"Oh, I remembered that one," Ryuuki's eyes lit up. Literature was his passion. "I loved it. I think the Minister was a perfect foil for the young solider."

"Almost too perfect. It made the ending too forced." Shuurei harrumphed, holding out the one trump card she felt she had against all the people in the room: the work experience of the lower-classes. "In the real world, the reality sets in and nothings that convenient. To think the authorities would just stumble into the thieves’ lair. And in the end, there really wasn't any dynamism to the characters. People change."

"It was following a common literary convention. And the outcome still didn’t affect the central motif of the story," Ryuuki countered.

"I know that. I just contend it didn't make that book have any redeeming quality," Shuurei daintily ate a bite of her meal before continuing; "No one stumbles onto a rebellion. They have to suspect it, investigate and root it out.”

“But it would have interfered with the dramatic irony if the main characters knew about the conspiracy,” Ryuuki shrugged, “Granted the deus ex machine at the end was a bit blunt.”

“Blunt? They completely left it open how the magistrate suddenly decided to team up with his brother just in time to show up to help them.”

Ryuuki pressed,“But still needed for the resolution.”

“What resolution?” Shuurei huffed, completely unimpressed, “It would have needed another sequel if the author hadn’t passed away.”

The two went back and forth. Seien couldn't help but smile as he calmly sat there and they carried their conversation around his presence.

Strangely, it didn't matter that he was sitting in between them or that they all were on display in front of the entire court. Ryuuki's pouting protests were met with Shuurei's stern rebuttal before Ryuuki would pop up with an insightful reference that would lead to Shuurei's next argument. Seien only vaguely remembered that book series. Shuurei’s mother had bought a set for him. Sadly, he hadn’t sat and got through even the first one. He had trouble even remembering why he never finished them.

Now he wished he had, since they both enjoyed discussing it so thoroughly. Through he felt a spectator still, in his own kingdom, he realized for a brief while, he no longer felt like brooding.
Even the food started to taste better.

"Did you get a good look at the royal family?" The young man continued to lean against the railing but glanced at the other gentleman that seemed to be serendipitously walking down the same empty walkway in the garden. They had to appear to be two government employees just walking the same direction. "It seems that the princess of the Kou is adapting."

The other gentleman's robes were more heavily adorned. His sleeves rustled as he folded his arms. The young man knew his contact wouldn’t be pleased with that statement. Even so, the second gentleman's voice was still schooled in a polite, neutral pitch,”"Is that so?"

Both men kept a careful lookout to see if their rendezvous was being observed, but doubted it. Even if it was, they were both members of the court so they could be conceivably be civilly strolling through the palace gardens. In fact, as far as the court was concerned, there could only be enmity between the two so any collusion between the two for non-court matters was out of the question. That is if, the second gentleman could look down from his position to the other. "Then again, you already know my opinion. The girl shouldn't be at court."

"The rumor still persist that it’s the Kou that are behind her being the consort," The young man wondered what an outside party would guess their conversation would be about. He guessed the weather or sniping at each other’s family. "The wagging tongues of the court say it is an ideal situation."

“Do you think I care about what others are saying?” The older gentleman's voice couldn't contain his smirk. "And to think I thought I was the only one hanging out with the Old Man too much," His eyes hardened. "It doesn't matter, Shuuei. The girl is to be taken out of the way. She's not meant for the prince. Understand?"

"Who would she be meant for? It would be easier if-," Shuuei stopped midsentence. His co-conspirator also momentarily stilled, recognizing the familiar, agitated noise coming towards them from around the corner. Li Kouyuu was the one person neither of them wanted to walk in on anything. They curtly nodded to each other and Shuuei mouthed the word ‘Tuesday’ before turning and rounded the corner. He knew from experience that if he had turned around again, the older minister would already be gone, without a crinkle of paper, a scuff of his heel, or the rustle of heavy fabric; having melting in the night.

Since Kouyuu happened to be looking in the opposite direction and was in his typical, frustrated state, Shuuei surmised that he hadn't even noticed him or his sponsor.

It wouldn’t matter much that Kouyuu had suspected him. Kouyuu had already held that opinion for some time. But without real facts, all of Kouyuu’s accusations only discredited Kouyuu. Still, it wouldn’t do for Kouyuu to know anything more considering who his adopted father was.

“If it isn't the intrepid explorer, Li Kouyuu." Kouyuu jumped since he really hadn’t noticed anyone’s approach.

"Lan Shuuei! What are you doing out here?" Shuuei noticed that Kouyuu had the fairly common, anxious look Kouyuu got after afternoon tea. He must have lost the way to the restrooms and had been preoccupied about considering if it was beneath his dignity to go off the garden path and use the bushes.

"Just leaving from the dinner. What are you out looking around for? Are you out looking for the donkey on its very back, again?" Shuuei just smirked at his peer who was already seething. Taking a fine measure of pity for the dupe, Shuuei pointed, “The restroom right over there.”
Kouyuu didn’t thank Shuuei but did stomp off in that direction. “I don’t have time or energy to deal with you.”

Shuuei knew he should have steered clear of teasing Kouyuu but it was such a small item to the list of thing Shuuei knew he shouldn’t do. “Well, if you find any energy, I'm about to go to the pleasure district. It seems like a fine end to a fine evening." Shuuei smiled as he watched Kouyuu growl another tirade against perverse, lowlifes that should be tossed out on their ear, "Would you like to join me or would you prefer to stalk me from afar?"

Shuuei laughed out loud as Kouyuu sputter and try not to dignify Shuuei with a reply.

"Where are her maids?" Seien grumbled carrying Shuurei down the dimly lit hallway. He looked down at the flushed girl in his arms. What had come over Shuurei to drink at the dinner? "They should be here. I've spent time as a retainer. You're supposed to be there by your master's side." Servants always seemed underfoot whenever he didn't need them. Ryuuki went past him to open the door. Shuurei just woozily groaned.

"Lady Kou let them go for the evening," Ryuuki did his best to bustle about, doing all the little preparation he remembered the servants doing like folding back the coverlet. Seien set Shuurei down on it. Ryuuki shot an apologetic and nervous glance at his brother and slowly sat down besides her. Since his brother didn't seem to object he turned to his sister-in-law and offered, "Lady Kou, the jewelry is going to be uncomfortable. Allow me to help you."

"You'd better call the doctor and the... the guard to arrest," She batted away Ryuuki's hands after he remove on ornate hairpins and did her best to sit up but didn't seem to have an easy time doing it. Her mind felt jumbled and it took a bit to think past it and get her mouth to say the words she wanted it to say. "That guy. If they admi- give me the antidote in an hour I'll live. Seiran?"

"What are you talking about?" Seien walked over to the nearby table to wet a washcloth.

"That evil official from Green Province. The one with the squinty eyes." Her face scrunched up comically as if she was trying to give an impression. "It was poisoned after... all."

"You mean the one with the Fen jiu?” Ryuuki frowned. He hadn't noticed how the official from Green Province looked. He was too busy assuring the minister on behalf of his brother and doing the polite niceties while Seien critically looked at the color of the alcohol in the goblet. It was a system the two had fallen into whenever the emperor attended banquet.

The silver cup looked safe and he was about to drink it when Shuurei had strangely butted in and said she loved the drink. She had shocked all the court immediately surrounding them by choking it down. By morning, the rumor of the emperor's consort being a lush would probably be half-way around the country.

"He shouldn't even have presented it at the dinner," Seien commented. It had been a minor social mishap but the young country official seemed so proud and eager to serve the emperor. It was pitifully endearing. No doubt the poor man would be ridiculed by his colleagues. “That was alcohol, Lady Kou. Not poison.”

“But there’s this plant. Its over in Green Province and, and…” Shuurei protested. “It’s all red with a spongy root and-… wasit called?”

"Green Province,” Ryuuki thought about it, “Oh, I remember. She's talking about that poison that Big Sister An-mei tried to used to kill First Brother’s mother.” He turned to his brother. It was odd how the scandal of their step sister trying to clear the way for her younger brother seemed like a minor mishap in the fight for the throne. “It doesn't work."

"What does you mean?" Shuurei fisted her hands in Ryuuki's robe collar trying to bring him down to her level while trying to sit up. Her eyes tried to search his for any lying but she was having problems focusing on the blurry Prince as her alcohol clouded mind tried to absorb this. Surely princes were noble and wouldn't resort to underhanded tricks like poison. It was just another piece of evidence that the rumors were true. He was a traitor.

Ryuuki look a bit flustered under such scrutiny. "Counselor Shou replaced all the poison books in the library so First Brother wouldn't kill any of us. The worse that any of them can do is upset the stomach." Shuurei looked from Ryuuki to Seien. Seien nodded in agreement with his brother's assessment, remembering that only Doctor Tou was allowed to teach detection and negation of poisons to the young princes. "And there wasn't any poison in that wine, anyway."

The slow and unsure movement of Shuurei’s brain was still able to churn out suspicions. "How would you know?" She was slightly proud to think she heard her own words come back to her grammatically correct. She had never been drunk before but she always imagined that she'd stay in control and not be messy.

"He's right. There wasn't, Shuurei," Seien sighed, untangling his consort hands from his brother, who stood and backed away awkwardly. Seien sat down glumly and reached to pull the rest of the ornaments from her hair. The damned thing seemed tangled in her hair. Shuurei froze, this being the first time he actually said her name.

"But Seeeeiran," Shuurei sat up, flung her arms around him and surprised both brothers by beginning to cry. Seien looked over at his brother but Ryuuki looked completely at a loss. Seien sighed, giving in to the temptation to comfort her. He pat the girl on her back while finally tugging the last two tangled pins out of her hair. Her maids would have handle the knots in her hair and her makeup which was probably running all over her face and now his robes. "I couldn't dream of losing you too and I was thinking about the fig-monster today and-."

"Yeah, yeah, calm down, Shuurei," Seien handed the pins over to his brother and did his best to lay her down, stroking the hair from her eyes.

“Seiran, you remember that the Fig-monster was poisoned by the- the- who was it agin'?" Shuurei asked her old friend. Noticing that Ryuuki didn't know the story, Shuurei decided to fill him in, "It was the one with the wizzard... or the evil vizzer," Frustrated, she waved at the prince, "Tell him, Seiran!"

Seien smiled and said softly, “I will. I will. But you go to sleep and I tell you both tomorrow. Okay?”

"Fig Monster?" Ryuuki blinked and glanced at his brother. Seien looked completely embarrassed. ”I’ve never read a story about a fig-monster?”

"During the great drought about a decade ago, the growing season was poor. Most of the trees didn't make it. Only the large fig tree bore shriveled fruit that only the birds and insects were able to get. It was dark and overgrown under it. There were spiders. She was scared and I, well I kinda made a story about the tree." Seien knew he was blushing. "The stories kind of grew from there."

“That the tree was a monster?” Ryuuki didn’t quite follow how making a monster story would help a small child.

“It wasn’t really a monster,” Seien coughed. He must be bright red by now, “The scary tree that was really an enchanted prince with a heart of gold.”

Ryuuki smiled that true wide smile that his brother had come to treasure. It really felt like it could light up the world. "My Big Brother has always had a gentle heart."

Seien turned to look at his younger brother. The past two years had been spent dealing with the sordid backroom treaties and deals to try and mend the war-torn country. At times, it made him wish for the bloody, broken battlefields, where the thundering adrenaline had postponed the nauseous feeling in his gut. Seien sometimes forgot about times, long ago, when he had been at peace; Where he spent time making sure a frail yet rambunctious two-year old didn't eat an under-ripe peach or when he was teaching a little brother how to catch dragonflies.

The memories were dim but there was a time when he wasn't emperor and was happy.

---
Notes:
Fen jui- is a sorghum white wine and is also called ‘Zhu Ye Qing jiu ‘. It is 63-65% alcohol and Shuurei is guaranteed to be a light-weight.

Dendraphobia is an actual fear of trees. No. I'm not making it up. No. It isn't stupid. It's a debilitating mental illness taking a heavy toll on the poor souls that have it. Now don't you feel ashamed by thinking its silly. Plus it’s not like that LAME phobia of lightning like every other heroine has.

Yes. Shuuei is a villian. Only the ugly minister with the chubby daughter can't be the only one guilty of evil.

But WHY is Shuuei a villian?

Kouyuu made a crappy revolutionary. He couldn't even find the location of one meeting of the "Super-Secret-Emperor Seien Must Go" club. That's why. So he wasn't invited.

The title proverb is: “Which is better? A spear in the front or an arrow in the back?”- An unseen danger is more dangerous than a seen one.

I was going to use “A watched snake is better than a hidden one” but I couldn’t find a reference to it being Chinese.

Extra proverb of the chapter: "Looking for an ass on the ass's back"- to look for something obvious.

Audience, we do have plotline now. And that makes this the worst time for a certain writer to get writer’s block from lack of reviews.
Oh gasp! I’m getting a cramp in my typing hand. Ah! Ah! Quick! Fetch me my smelling salts! I do believe I’m getting the non-posting vapors!

Happy New Years minus a few hours!

2007-12-31T23:27:50Z

I decided to do a post but since I'm going to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off (and boy, do they run!) for the next day or so.

Unless I've had some brief contact the last few days, you haven't heard but I got a new job. It's a temp job for the NM legislative session.

Pros to new job:
-Making more per week than I've ever made
-Uses my degrees
-Work experience in a different environment (Policy analysis instead of Utilities analysis)
-I like working in politics

Cons:
-Living in Santa Fe (If you've ever heard some one else in the state, you'll understand the comment.)
-I haven't even seen my new place to live
-Cold/Snow

Since everyone will share their resolutions I might as well share my 3. Personally, I always limit my resolutions to only 3.:

-If you start a project, you finish the project.
-Prep for career and oral exams this spring.
-Keep contact and reestablish contact to people in your life. Be one of those wonderfully considerate people with birthday cards, phone calls, and letters.

Nipplelopochtli!

2007-10-22T17:52:07Z

*giggles* Still the greatest word ever.

Well long time no post yet again. I keep on building up and saving experiences and then think about adding picture to fill you. So then I put it off and then off and finally the moment has past so long, there's not much of a point.

Changes in my life:

New Car

New Teeth (Yeah. I've been braces-free for 3 weeks. So many candy apples.)

If you haven't heard, I bought a Silver '07 Chevy Cobalt. SOOO nice! Drives like butter! It was actually cheaper to buy that the cheapest Chevy model, the Aveo, with incentives plus I played 2-3 dealerships against each other an extra $500 off the lowest they originally offered.

I test drove like 10-15 cars (and will now crack up every time I hear of La Llorna. It was such a hilarious conversation. So Twisted) and all the ones in my price range were drove like dinky lil clown cars. Or were better yet older cars. Was going to get a Saturn Ion but all the ones in the local dealerships had sunroofs and other ammendities that I don't need or want. But the Cobalt has a bit of power, excellent gas milage, and all the comfort but without pointless frills. I can LIVE in this car.

Now to name it. My last car was 'Cherry', a Nissan. Then there was Guido, the Lincoln. And then there was... I think it was ZaaZoo, the... whatever that car was. And then there was the infamous, Pete the Dragon (AKA The Suburan Legend!)

So what to name the new car? It's a guy car, BTW. For a second, I was even thinking of name it Seiran (my name was drawing a blank) but then my sis, Lyndsey, said no because she was pissed at Seiran due to the last are of the 1st season. ('Doesn't he know bros before hos!')

But Natey had the best arguement. "No anime names. It's a domestic. If it was a Toyota or Nissan, THEN the Japanese names work but for an American car?" How can you argue with that logic! My car is so a cowboy!

I'm going to have to watch some Western now. High Ho, Silver, Away!

[For Elfy] "A Little Bit of Happiness"

2007-09-12T18:19:14Z

battlejoy2: ping

battlejoy2: I have too many Tutu plotbunnies

VaidahVai: PONG

VaidahVai: ahahhahhahaha

VaidahVai: awesome

battlejoy2: Starts at Fakir returning to his lakeside house, with some groceries.

battlejoy2: (Knights need to eat after all.)

VaidahVai: hahahaha

VaidahVai: knights also need to feed their duck lovers

battlejoy2: He would... if Ahiru was still there. Still he does buy her favorite bread.

VaidahVai: of course she would still be there!!

VaidahVai: He's her hero!

battlejoy2: Not in this story.

VaidahVai: ;_;

VaidahVai: don't break up my ship!

battlejoy2: There's a commotion and he finds a small group of nosey townspeople and soldiers milling outside his house, which is open.

battlejoy2: (Not going to break your ship. Just rock it!)

battlejoy2:
The Queen Rue has come over for a visit.

VaidahVai: blah

VaidahVai: queen rue can shove it

battlejoy2:
Once the orders everyone out, she has a moment alone with Fakir. See she didn't come over to visit him. She came to see Ahiru.

battlejoy2:
Aww! Rue is great.

VaidahVai: poor Fakia

VaidahVai: only Ahiru loves him

VaidahVai: oh, and me

battlejoy2:
Me too

battlejoy2:
Rue is still... well Rue, even if she's pregnant. Haughty, aloof, and still a bit in need of a friend, especially since she's still adjusting to loving the current Mytho from the Mytho of her childhood.

battlejoy2:
Getting your childhood dreams can be confusing.

VaidahVai: what..

battlejoy2:
(Yeah. some character development. Rue still loves Mytho but the final Mytho is a radically different from Doll Mytho. Pregnant women are also just plain hormonal and nervous. Thus why she need Ahiru. Just to talk to her.)

battlejoy2:

Fakir has to admit that he hasn't seen Ahiru since the previous late autumn.

VaidahVai: is Ahiru still a duck?

VaidahVai: or did Fakia solve that?

battlejoy2:

Yup. Duck Ahiru is a duck. She flew south for the winter. It's midsummer. She hasn't returned. Fakir is still waiting for her.

battlejoy2:

This story isn't a oneshot. It's a long one.

VaidahVai: awesome

VaidahVai: brb

battlejoy2:

Rue and Fakir also had a odd relationship. They detested each other (because of their possessive natures) but still understood each other. Fakir never tells that he's waiting for Ahiru. He just tells her Ahiru left in fall and hasn't been back. Rue figures the rest of it.

battlejoy2:

Which of course, why Rue, on the spot, offers him the chance to return with her to the palace. (If you know that someone, though technically not a friend but an old rival, was holed up depressed in a cabin off a swamp, you'd still offer them some help.) Fakir turns her down.

battlejoy2:

She can't truely ask him to move on and forget Ahiru (because she's the last person to talk about impossible loves.) however she does ask him to get out more.

VaidahVai: back

battlejoy2:

A few weeks later, he hears about a new dance troupe coming to town. He's finally able to justify it to himself. Just a show. Nothing big like abandoning his promise.

battlejoy2:

wb

battlejoy2:

Unfortunately, it's Femio's Modern Dance troupe. Fakir changes his mind.

VaidahVai: HAHAHAH

battlejoy2:

On second thought (slight correction) Fakir goes to the show only to find out that the impressive foreign name and critic's review was hiding the fact that it was still Femio's troupe. Avant Guard... Crap.

battlejoy2:

That is until he recognizes one of the stage hands, (hint hint AHIRU) who doesn't recognizes him.

VaidahVai: oo

battlejoy2:

Femio> Oh yes. My little Chickadee was found wandering by her lonesome self in an open field by a kind woodcutter. * in increasing theatric* Lost and alone, she was under the dark oppressing force of amnesia. That was until I illuminated her life and gave her an identity. My dear little Consuelo!

VaidahVai: HAHAHAHAHAHAH

battlejoy2:

Ahiru> *blushing a bit.* Master Femio,you make it sound. <Fakir> *eye twitches at the Master Femio bit*

VaidahVai: wait

battlejoy2:

(cut off "You make it sound so fantastic.

VaidahVai: ducks can't talk

battlejoy2:

Ducks can't be stage hands either. Animal people are still gone from the world.

battlejoy2:

(Which might be why the muses want Fakir to be an assistant dance instructor. No Mr Cat.)

VaidahVai: XD

battlejoy2:

Girl Ahiru was found naked and without a idea in her head UNTIL MASTER FEMIO SAVED HER! OLAY!

VaidahVai: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

VaidahVai: omg

VaidahVai: I cannot wait to read this fic

battlejoy2:

Femio> *tearful and biting a hanky* Is it wrong that I let her be my girlfriend? I know I'can't truely be faithful because my heart belongs to all the women of the world? <Fakir> Girlfriend? <Butler> It's okay, Master Femio. Everyone deserves a little bit of happiness. <Femio> Yes I know. I should allow her her delightful little illusions.

VaidahVai: /me dies laughing

battlejoy2:

I think that'll be the name too "A Little Bit of Happiness"

VaidahVai: poor Consuela

VaidahVai: argh, I need to head over to school to pick up my quizzes so I can study for tomorrow's exam

battlejoy2:

Nods.* Needless to say, Fakir ends up going the troupe (and playing a tree) to try to seduce Consuela away.

battlejoy2:

*joining not going

battlejoy2:

Fakir> I'm not playing a Tree. <Femio> You're right. You have to work UP to a tree. Maybe a rock or haystack will be more appropriate as an opening role.

VaidahVai: XD

battlejoy2:

<Fakir> *takes a look at himself in the tree suit and is not pleased. <Ahiru/Consuela> You're so lucky. Sometime I wish I could be in the production. But I'm not a dancer.

VaidahVai: awn, poor Consuela

VaidahVai: are you gonna be around? I have to go run to campus

battlejoy2:

Maybe late this evening. Got to go home and study and stuff.

VaidahVai: okies

VaidahVai: I wanna hear more about Femio's torture of Fakia

battlejoy2:

Because Femio has *a vision*

VaidahVai: haha

VaidahVai: ja mata!

VaidahVai: eowyn ga daisuki da yo

battlejoy2:

See ya later.

VaidahVai went away at 12:05:01 PM.

Still recovering from a cold.

2007-09-08T03:48:55Z

By the way, I'm back from Vegas and back to the sleepy lil ~~villiage~~ ~~town~~ ~~Group of Displaced Californian Subdivisions, Farms, and a few frat houses~~ city of Las Cruces, NM.

I have a dog. Or rather, I live with a dog. I'm not a dog person. Cat is so pissed at me now but I keep on telling him I'm not a dog person. I just throw the stick/ball/squeeky toy to keep the thing from licking me. It means nothing!

Doing 12 hours of Econometrics, Water and Gas Regulation, Microeconomics, ... and Professor Popp just staring at me with the crazy glint in his eyes like he know I know that I better know what's he's about to say because he says the SAME lecture at the beginning of Public Policy as in Taxation so it must mean something and MIGHT be on my orals that are next spring... No pressure or anything. And as of this evening's party, everyone know knows I should be shoved into the cold cruel world of gainful employment and I shouldn't let 3 measily credits (which can be independent study) and my actual Master's sheepskin hold me back.

Oh, and I'm taking Social Latin dance and Ballet. Tutu did me in.

Haven't caught up in any fandom to anything. Haven't written anything but I came up with another Benibara/Tamaki (I don't know. They have such a trainwreck appeal somehow) idea the other week. I think I scared Amaya. Have a few original ideas and I just need to fill in the gaps and then I've been thinking of dusting off some of my old orig work and... who knows.

battlejoy @ 2007-06-25T21:40:00

2007-06-26T04:54:49Z

Hello all,

Long time no chat. It's been a month ot here in Vegas. Frankly, the only gambling and risks I've been taking is the morning drive on the belt way. (WAY to many California license plates. I don't want to sterotype but since they are always the people cutting me off, one does get testy.)

For the first 2 weeks it was real fun and spontaneous. Since I'm sans steady internet and 2 jobs I been trying to branch out. Meet new people. Now my nights are spent obessively working out at my new gym. On the bright side, my waist is now 28 in, I'll probably be a size 6 by the end of summer, and my private life will still have the pulse of a corpse.

BTW, my boss reminds me of Jane's cousin, Kat. She's not the same height but some of the same facial features and voice. Kat, do you have a relative that ran away from home to be a senior anaylsis/supervisr in a Revenue Requirements department?

I need to start writting again.

battlejoy @ 2007-05-08T09:16:00

2007-05-08T15:56:44Z

It's finals week and the slight tension of unfullfilled resolutions is in the air.

This list is mostly just things I need to do:
-Finish and post grading
~~-Pack for trip~~ Mostly done on this count
~~-Japanese Compostion~~
-Burn Disks off my office computer (Don't know who will be at my desk, touching my stuff)
-AMT Paper finishing (Yeah, still not done.)
-Cosplay (I'm doing a costume that only appears for 10 seconds. Yay me!)
-ECONOMETRICS