It's hard work, reviewing a bunch of things at once! ^_^
For more of what everyone's been wanting (hah!). Some quick notes about the next chapter of the Science Fiction Project:
1 - It's the last chapter for a while. The eleventh chapter is started but not complete. It's also not even typed up. Because of that, I'm going to try and get back into writing the story snippets between Ryan and Torie and their friends for everyone. I had fun writing those, and it should give everyone a better understanding of Ryan and Torie's relationship. It may also not appear until January. It'll depend on of nolan-ash will allow me to continue the story for his Tortured Artist Month next month. ;)
2 - There's some inspiration from another source in this particular chapter. For the first person to correctly guess where the inspiration is coming from, he or she will get a drabble from me.
So are you guys ready? Let's get reading!
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"Your friends are quite interesting," Hiroshi commented as the two of them walked towards the residence hall exit. He had met her at her door rather than heading directly for the coffee shop as they had agreed. He'd admitted to not knowing where the particular coffee shop was located. "Are they science fiction enthusiasts as well? Or is that a bit of an understatement?"
Jo couldn't help but laugh at Hiroshi's lighthearted inquiry about Mel, Madison, and Aimee. The three girls were dressed in their usual outfits in their favourite colours and depicting some of their favourite fictional characters and creatures. Their jewelry, their jackets, and their book bags coordinated with the depictions on their clothing. The question's answer was rather obvious and a way for a conversation to start.
"It's an understatement," she replied. "But I think I'd still feel a little lost around here if I hadn't met them. It's nice to know I'm not the only one out there who really likes science fiction and fantasy. I was feeling a bit lonely."
Hiroshi nodded his head at her words, obviously understanding exactly what she was saying. His eyes shone with sympathy, and a sad smile touched his lips. Jo wanted to erase the sadness. It didn't suit him.
"It is hard to be true to one's self," he murmured. "Especially when we are expected to conform to society's ways. Some people do not believe in being unique. The Japanese are slowly getting better about individualism, but it is still hard to be one way when others expect something different of you. I know it sounds strange coming from someone like me, but it is how I feel."
"Yeah. I know what you mean . . ."
They stepped out of the residence hall and into the cool, early evening air. A few clouds drifted over the sky, but the stars and full moon could still be seen against the inky blackness. Lamp posts were strategically placed along the sidewalks, illuminating the pavement for all to see and walk as safely as possible along. With the exception of the artificial lights, Jo thought it to be quite a beautiful sight, and she drew her cloak tighter around her shoulders.
"So where is this coffee shop you mentioned?" Hiroshi asked, his gaze gliding over the same sights she was taking in as well. Jo noted the sadness had left his smile, and she felt better for it. His features exuded a shiny happiness once more. "It sounds like it is a very good place to hang out and study."
"Most of the time it is. We need to head to the main university drive. It's close to the campus library," Jo explained, pointing in a slightly north-east direction. Hiroshi nodded again then set off in the direction she had indicated. Jo quickly fell into step with him.
"What do you mean by most of the time? Is it noisy or something?"
"Not all of the time. Every now and then, it gets overcrowded and noisy. Most of the students go there to study and hang out, their noses stuck in their books. It's only when the university is hosting a football game or a basketball game that it gets to be too much. The players like to go there and celebrate. If they win, that is. Otherwise, it's calm. Most of the time. It's your first year here, isn't it?"
"Yes," Hiroshi replied with an embarrassed laugh. "My father felt it would be a good idea for me to have a degree first before I came here so I attended a community college in Tokyo. It helped me to get my general education requirements out of the way."
"Your dad sounds like he's a bit strict," Jo commented in an offhand manner.
"He is," Hiroshi agreed, smiling a little. "But he's still cool. Despite his dislike of my science fiction collection, he's let me keep everything I've collected over the years. He's even contributed to what I own on occasion. He didn't have to, and I know it. I wouldn't trade him for any other father in the world."
"Wow. I guess he is cool. My mom has always encouraged my collection. She was the one who got me started. Has your dad let you attend any of the conventions out there or the Renaissance festivals?"
Conventions and Renaissance festivals had always been cause for family gatherings in the O'Connell clan, in addition to the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Fourth of July holidays. Her grandparents and her mother traveled to whatever convention they could when their schedules permitted the time for such excursions. Renaissance festivals were attended yearly no matter what. Torie O'Connell, in her spare time and to help keep her fingers from becoming too stiff, sew costumes for the entire family. Sometimes, she used a specific theme for the family, such as pirates or serfs or dragon riders. Other times she simply picked outfits for everyone at random, if they didn't have the time to create his or her own. Jo felt it would be extremely awesome if Hiroshi's dad had allowed his son to attend such events, even if he didn't approve of his son's hobby.
"He's taken me to one convention every year, ever since I first expressed an interest in the science fiction and fantasy genre," Hiroshi replied, a slightly smug expression on his face. "He even took me to a Renaissance festival in California one year. It was a lot of fun, too. He even enjoyed himself, though he'd deny it if you asked him."
"And he doesn't like science fiction?!" Jo felt her eyes bugging out of their sockets at Hiroshi's slightly boastful reply. The man he described certainly didn't sound like he disapproved of anything Hiroshi did!
"He likes science fiction but he doesn't like it at the same time," Hiroshi said. "He'll read the books and watch the movies out there that interest him, but he doesn't understand the obsession, the need to collect everything related to the subject. It drives him crazy."
"If it drives him crazy then why does he indulge you every now and then?" Jo inquired, her curiosity getting the better of her. His dad sounded like he had spoiled Hiroshi, though the young man next to her certainly did not act in a spoiled child manner. Hiroshi was polite and courteous, the exact opposite of a needy child.
At her question, Hiroshi's smile faltered a little.
"You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to," Jo said the istant she saw his smile fade some. Immediately she felt guilty, as if she'd offended him somehow. "I meant no . . ."
"It is okay," he murmured, shaking his head. The sadness returned to his smile, and it made Jo's heart ache. "I do not mind your question, and I will answer it. But I must know this first. What are your views on love?"
"Love is love," she replied without hesitation. "It is different between people. A person may love someone in one way, but another person in a completely different fashion."
"You speak of a love between a parent and a child, yes?"
"Yeah . . . I guess I didn't explain my thoughts very well . . ." She sighed. "I guess the best way I can explain my views is to tell you how I've seen it. My grandparents are the best example of two people in love that I can think of to talk about. They're absolutely crazy about each other, and it shows. I've seen my grandpa do things for my grandma that he wouldn't do for anyone else. Every time they're near each other, they simply light up with happiness and adoration for each other. It's hard to describe after that. My mom is the same way towards my other mom, too."
"You have two mothers?" Hiroshi's tone was curious and relieved at the same time. Jo nodded her head then tilted it as she looked at him.
"Yeah. I have two moms."
"No father?"
"No . . . my grandpa and my uncles kind of filled that void for me. Why? Is that a bad thing?"
"I guess that would depend on who you were asking, but no. It is not a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all." Hiroshi smiled. "In fact, it is a relief to hear you say you have two mothers. It tells me you have an open heart and an open mind when it comes to love between those of the same sex."
"Oh?"
"Yes. You see, I have two fathers but no mother. Another thing we have in common, it would seem."
"So it would," Jo murmured, surprised at how calm her voice sounded to her ears. She knew there were children out there who had same gender parents like she did, had even been friends with a few children like herself at some point, but Hiroshi's confession had shocked her somehow.
'No. It isn't his confession that's suprising. It's his hesitance. He's careful about who he talks about his two fathers to. Someone must have said something to him about it about to make him so cautious. That isn't right.'
"Please do not get me wrong on this," Hiroshi said, his tone slightly on the defensive side. "I am not ashamed of having two fathers."
"I wouldn't think so," Jo assured him, smling in the process. "But I'm sure you've received a hard time because of such a fact. Not everyone likes to think outside the box."
"No. They do not, and you are correct. I have received some flack about my parents, and recently, too. There are some who believe it is wrong and impossible for two men to love each other the my fathers did."
"Did? I take it they're not together anymore?"
"They are not," Hiroshi replied in a somber tone of voice, "but not for the reason most people like to think when they ask me. You see, my fathers adopted me when I was three years old, and they'd had to fight to keep me. I need not say how that particular battle ended."
Jo grinned, nodding her head in agreement. The outcome of the custody battle was rather obvious, especially since Hiroshi was speaking of having two fathers and not of having a father and a mother. She waited for Hiroshi to continue speaking, to let his story out.
"I soon learned how to differentiate between the two of them. One I called Father and the other I called Daddy. It was quite simple, and they knew who was being requested when I said either word. Anyway, for a while, we were a complete family," Hiroshi said, not missing a beat. "During the summer, we'd go to one of the local parks and have picnic lunches or dinners, and we'd take trips to places like Osaka or Kyoto when their schedules allowed for it. My fathers were both very busy men. They often had deadlines to meet for their jobs, and it took time out of their lives, but they somehow always made sure they spent time with me and with each other." He grinned. "It was quite interesting to see one of the world's most stoic men give into the whims of someone so loving and affectionate and energetic as my dad. It really is. It was like watching true love in action, and it was watching true love in action. There wasn't anything my father wouldn't have done for my dad, and they knew it. I'd have to say their interactions with each other were among the most beautiful sights I had ever had the blessing to witness. I have yet to see it again. It all ended when I was seven years old, though. My dad passed away that year, shortly after my birthday . . ."
Hiroshi paused, his expression filled with pain and sadness at the memories. Then he shook his head, the sad smile returning to his features. Jo had been listening rather closely to what he'd been saying, so much so that she hadn't noticed his smile had disappeared at some point.
"My dad was a very affectionate man, and he had always been passionate about life and everything it had to offer. I know that he had loved music. He often sang me to sleep, making up songs just for me, and he had a wonderful voice to listen to. I remember how he loved to collect all sorts of music paraphenalia. Books on music history and music theory, CDs, instruments, songwriting programs . . . anything to do with his favourite musicians, he owned."
"And his hobby drove your father crazy," Jo murmured, a gentle smile touching her features. But he let your dad indulge in his hobby and passion. Like he does for you. It's why he indulges you, isn't it?"
"Yes. My dad is the reason why my father indulges me with my science fiction obsession. It reminds him of happier times, of when my dad was still alive and driving him crazy. He also says collecting things is a healthy habit, one he doesn't mind letting me pursue."
Jo felt her heart going out to Hiroshi and his father for the tragedy they had suffered, and she laughed a little at his ending words. Everything Hiroshi had described, with the exception of the death of a close loved one, sounded very much like her family, especially her grandparents. Even the line about having a healthy habit was quite similar, and she felt even more connected to Hiroshi than she had before. There was just one more thing she wondered about.
"What did your dad die from, Hiroshi?"
She hated herself for asking such a personal and sad question, but she was also a curious person by nature. Jo wanted to know what had happened. It would help her to understand the young man before her, and it seemed as if talking about his dad's death helped Hiroshi to feel better for relating something that had been a very tragic and traumatic experience for his family.
"He died from an aneurism in his brain," Hiroshi replied. "From what I understand, no one even knew it was there until after he had died and an autopsy had been performed. I just remember we'd been outside, playing, and I had seen him slip and fall to the ground. But he never got up. My father went into a panic, especially when he found my dad wasn't breathing. It devastated my father, and he's never been the same. I think if it hadn't been for me, he'd have given up on life a long time ago."
"I'm sorry you two had to deal with such a loss," Jo said with a great deal of sincerity. The coffee shop was slowly coming into view. "I can't imagine what that must have been like."
"We managed somehow. My father found a strength within himself I don't think he ever knew existed," Hiroshi stated. "Of course, I think my dad's spirit has come back for a visit every now and then. I've caught my father talking to himself on more than one occasion, and it always feels like the room is much lighter when I have. It is hard for me to describe, really."
"I can believe it, and it doesn't sound all that unusual to me," Jo replied. "My grandma and grandpa are still alive, but I've heard them talking to each other when one has been gone. I think that's what happens when you're lonely and you miss someone, and they're not there for you to talk to."
"That makes sense," Hiroshi murmured, nodding his head in an approving manner. He stopped walking for a moment and gazed at the darkened sky. "My father has never found anyone else to share his life with or to spend his time with. I'm sure he gets lonely without my dad's companionship. My dad was the only one who he had a true, intimate connection with. They were soulmates."
Jo paused with him and turned her attention to the evening sky as well. The moon shone brightly, an attempt to bathe the world in its pale glow. It was a vain effort, thanks to the numerous street lights, but it was also a valliant effort. The sight of the moon on its lonely journey across the sky served as a reminder to Jo about all of the good and beautiful things and people that life had to offer, in spite of the melancholic conversation she and Hiroshi had just shared. She smiled, and, from the corner of her eye, saw Hiroshi smiling at the moon as well. Perhaps he was thinking the same thing. It was a beautiful night, and one that promised to end well. Or, at least, it promised to end on a very interesting note.
They stood there for a few moments, watching the celestial object and enjoying the silence. They were about to turn away, to head into the coffee shop for some much needed drinks and more quiet conversation, when a shadow passed over the moon, and it made them both stop and stare at the glowing sphere again. The shadow hadn't been just a shadow. It had been in the shape of a dragon!
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As I said, that's the last chapter for now. Story snippets and character profiles are coming until the next chapter is completed. Even then, I'm going to continue with them. Hope you've enjoyed the story so far!
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"So you keep saying. Yet you're still here. What are you? Some kind of a masochist?" -- Torie Cronkhite to Val O'Hurley
Yep. Definitely some interesting characters that like to come out and play. ^_^
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# of pets: 2
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"You're . . . disbanding Bad Luck?"
He hadn't meant for it to sound like an echo, but the words reverberated around in his head, his mind unable to truly grasp what Shuichi was saying. The singer was going to break apart the one thing that had meant everything to him, even after the final split. To hear Shuichi say he was going to end it was rather mind-numbing.
"Yeah . . . It needs to be done. We're at a breaking point. If it doesn't happen now, it will at some other point and things might be too far gone to ever be healed. I don't want that, Eiri. They're my friends and they deserve better than that from me!"
"You deserve better from them, too," Eiri replied, his tone laced with irritation. If there was anything he did not miss about Shuichi, it was the vocalist's ability to turn things on himself and put all of the blame for whatever situation onto his own shoulders. There were times it didn't even cross Shuichi's mind that he might not be the one who needed to feel guilty, and it pissed Eiri off to no end when his former lover was in a mood like this. "Believe it or not, you're not the only guilty of whatever's been going on, you baka. When are you going to get that through your head?"
"They've put up with a lot of shit from me, Eiri."
"So? What else is new?" Eiri snorted. "You'd think by now they'd have gotten used to your theatrics and that they'd know when a relationship is affecting you and when it isn't."
"They do know when a relationship is affecting me," Shuichi murmured, his tone barely audible. "That's why they've been blaming you for my off-days. I've been seeing someone else, Eiri."
~tbc~
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type of pets: cats
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More books! Hooray! Up next . . . The Diamond Throne by David Eddings (Book One of the Elenium trilogy)
Yep. I'm back to Eddings. What can I say? The man has some pretty damn good books! From the back of the book (because it'll be easier this way):
Sparhawk, Pandion Knight and Queen's Champion, returns from exile to find Elenia overrun with evil and his young Queen trapped in a block of crystal and gravely ill. Only the great sorcery of Sephrenia, ageless instructor of magic, has kept her alive so far, and only Sparhawk can defeat the evil plots against Elenia, and find the cure to save his queen.
This is the first book by David Eddings that I've read, again, back in high school. (Gotta love high school for all the exposure. lol) The book was very intriguing. There are no dragons in this series, but not all good fantasy books need dragons to make them good.
In many ways, to me, the book depicts a more fantasy-like take on Christianity and Judaism. Seriously! The Elenes are very devout in their faith (for the most part), and they have a Church set up very similar to Catholicism. They believe in only one God, and frown on the use of magic. Only the Knights are allowed to use magic (for combat purposes). The Styrics are also devout in their faith but they have many Gods and Goddesses in which they worship, but they do not eat pork products. (I think it makes them ill, quite literally.) It's very interesting and very fun to read.
So go read it! LOL
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names of the pets: Sammi (8, female) and Simon (6, male)
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This entry and the next two will contain the drabbles' requests for the 500th post party. I'm not going in order asked. I'm going in order of inspiration. ;)
Title: Some Fatherly Advice
Fandom: Gravitation
Rating: PG for some language and some WAFF moments
Pairing: implied Eiri/Shuichi, Shu's dad/Shu's mom
Written for: vialia
Requested: A scene between Eiri and Shuichi's father
Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation whatsoever. I'm just playing around and messing with the characters' heads a little.
Summary: He hated visiting family. His own family was dysfunctional, even at the best of times. It made sense his lover's family would be as well.
Eiri sat on the back porch of Shuichi's childhood home and stared out, a cigarette in hand. He really hadn't wanted to pay a visit to Shuichi's parents. Family gatherings always seemed to drive him to distraction, mostly because his own family irritated the hell out of him. They were dysfunctional even at the best of times. To be around Shuichi's family . . . well, to Eiri, they were beyond dysfunctional, if Shuichi were any indication of how he was raised. The singer was spastic, even on the best of days.
He caught movement from the corner of his eye, and Eiri glanced up to see Shuichi's father sit down next to him. The older man pulled out a cigarette pack and a lighter as he sat next to the novelist. Eiri raised an eyebrow at him. He didn't know Shuichi's father smoked.
When he saw Eiri glancing at him, the old man smiled.
"It's a bad habit, I know," he said with a wave of his hand and a slightly embarrassed grin, "but it helps at times. Especially when I'm stressed out."
Eiri nodded and went back to smoking his cigarette. He knew what it was like to feel stressed out and needing some kind of a release. Shuichi put him that kind of a state almost all the time.
No. That wasn't true. Shuichi didn't stress him out quite as much anymore, and Eiri knew it. He'd seen this family interact with each other many times before, and he knew his lover was nowhere near as emotional as the Shindou matriarch. The woman could go into theatrics over burnt cookies, Eiri felt, whereas Shuichi's melodramatics had more to do with the novelist and his behaviour more than anything else. How the old man managed his wife was beyond Eiri, and he gave the man credit. It couldn't have been easy for him, and Eiri found his curiosity getting the better of him.
"How do you manage?"
"Hrmm?" the old man glanced at him, large frames sliding down his nose.
"With your wife . . . how do you manage?"
"Her outbursts, you mean?"
Eiri nodded, keeping his expression neutral. He didn't want to offend the old man. He'd never get any rest from his lover if he did. The Shindou patriarch shrugged.
"I just remind myself that she cares," the old man replied. "And she cares deeply. That's all."
"Even if it's trivial?"
"Even if it's trivial," he replied with a nod. "To some people, the little details are important. If they can make one thing right, no matter how great or small, then they're happy. And you have to admit, it is the little things that tend to make us smile anyway."
Eiri took another drag from his cigarette as he pondered over the old man's words. They had some truth to them. Shuichi never asked for truly extravagant displays of affection nor did he insist that they always go out for a date. The singer was often content with a simple kiss on the cheek, and a snuggle (oh, how Eiri hated that word!) on the couch. Such moments were small, insignificant when compared to other things on the grandeur scale, but they kept Shuichi happy and satisfied. He couldn't ask for more than that.
They sat and smoked for a few minutes longer before the old man put his out and rose to his feet. He gave Eiri a friendly smile then stepped back inside. Suddenly, coming for a visit didn't seem so bad anymore.
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hobbies: walking, writing, reading, going to the movies, surfing the internet, going to concerts, driving, baking, cooking (when I get the chance)
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Song review time!
I think I've mentioned before how ecclectic I am when it comes to music, how I'll listen to just about anything. Well, so far, I've reviewed mostly rock songs. Now . . . for a country tune.
Ah, the joys of youth. With youth comes the ability to get wild and wily, the ability to stand up and defend your friends, and to pretty much hold your own better than anyone.
As Good As I Once Was is a slight lament on Toby Keith's part about how age can wear a person down. It's a good song, has a Honky Tonk feel to it, and sounds like it's part ballad, part upbeat. The sound is a perfect backdrop for the ironies of life.
"I still throw a few back, talk a little smack, when I'm feeling bullet proof. So don't double-dog dare me now, cause then I'd have to call your bluff. I ain't good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was."
How many people feel like that?
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previous types of pets (since 1996): cats (5), dogs (3), fish (too many to count)
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Continuing on with the Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest series. I've learned the games are done in trilogies. One through three are connected, but they don't have much to do with four through eight. Games Five and Six have never made it to the U.S., which is a bit disappointing. I'd love to play them. On with three.
This game . . . this game was fun. You have four characters you can have on the battlefield, and a BUS LOAD in reserve. You can decide who's a wizard, who heals, and who fights. I think at some point you can also switch professions for your characters, but I could also be thinking of Seven. It's been a really long time since I've played these games. I just know I had fun playing them.
I do remember this about Dragon Warrior III. It takes place in time before Dragon Warrior I. It's how Erdrick became Erdrick.
As with all games, the forces of Evil are on the move. It's up to the Hero and his party to ensure the Dark Lord/Dragon Lord (I can't recall) doesn't take over the world. It's another trial for patience as the player earns the necessary levels for each party member (and there will always be someone one level behind someone else) to fight the stronger enemies and to get done what needs to be done.
I did not note with Dragon Warrior II you get a boat. Having a boat becomes a permanent fixture in the Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest games. Until game eight, it's the only way you can fight sea-based monsters. As a general rule, the sea-faring creatures are a little stronger than some of the land-based monsters, until the player hits certain areas. And the boats are necessary to get to those places.
Anyway, in Dragon Warrior III, the Hero sets out to stop the major boss from joining the world of light/day to the world of night. In fact, the major boss is from the world of darkness. This is also the first game where the sun rises and sets, and there are enemies that only come out at night. Like with the sea monsters, they, too, are generally stronger than their day counterparts. It sounds very similar to Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King but the similarities end. The players end up in the world of Darkness after the game has been defeated. The portal to their world has closed and they are stuck there for the rest of their lives. They also bring daylight back to this particular realm, and the Hero is renamed to Erdrick by the king. The Hero doesn't marry the Princess, though. Who he does marry, I can't say. I'm thinking it's someone from the party, someone who has a crush on him.
Playability: I give this game an eight on the playability meter, despite its age. It's still challenging, it has some very nice twists, and the side quests give it an added depth. And there are plenty of side quests! ^_^ If you can find it to go with an old Nintendo system, I recommend RPG fans giving it a play. I had fun with it!
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names of the pets in the last ten years: Stinky (cat), Goofy (cat), Smokey duh Bandit (Siberian Husky), Sasparilla Sassafras (Sassy for short, Chow Chow), Zorro (Dalmation), Sammi (cat, still with us), Simon (cat, still with us), and Stinky Jr. (cat)
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I must say I've been interested in Ranma 1/2 for a number of years now, ever since I started to buy Pokemon on VHS, but I never got around to watching it until I went back to school. It was my second year back (Spring 2004) and a friend had pretty much all of the seasons of Ranma. I would have borrowed season one from him but someone else already had and never returned it. Nice, huh?
Back to the review . . . Ranma 1/2 is a Rumiko Takahashi series and one of her more popular ones. For those not in the know, she's also the creator of Inuyasha. Both series started out as manga before they were animated.
Ranma is a guy who has a very unique gift/curse. He turns into a girl when splashed/hit with cold water. In the first episode, we learn this (as we always do with the first episode of just about any series) and we find out he's going to become engaged to Akane Tendo. The first season is basically the two of them trying to irritate the hell out of the other and coming to terms with the fact that maybe, just maybe, they might like each other. It isn't easy, especially since there are people out there against the pre-arranged marriage, but it looks like it might just work. The season ends with a recap of events.
Now I'm a fan of Rumiko Takahashi (for the most part). When she starts out with a story, she has clever banter between two people who dislike each other right from the get-go and there's a certain kind of tension that pulls them together. Ranma's a jerk but he can be a real sweetie. And there are times he feels guilty for some of the things he says and does to Akane.
I also like the fact that David Kaye is in this series. Man, he's such a nice guy!
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Weren't expecting that comment, were ya?
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One place I'd really like to go and visit: Tokyo
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I really need to get caught up on reading my manga series. I've only read the first three volumes to Angel Sanctuary and I'd like to know how things are panning out. (If you've been reading the series, DON'T TELL ME! I'll buy Volume four soon!)
Now, this is a series I know is not for everyone. And there are no characters in this that reminded me of another character from another series when I first started reading it. If I look back, I could find someone, but I'm not going to do that. Here's the basic gist from what I've read:
The main character is the reincarnation of an Angel who once fought against God in Heaven. The angel was a She in that life but is a He in this current life. He is also in love with his sister, something he knows to be quite wrong. And there are people out there determined to do one of two things, one of which is make his life miserable. The other is to remind him of who once was.
And what is really neat is only one person realises what the soul of the Angel wants. The Angel does not want to remember her past life. She's happy with the way things are and remembering, unleashing her powers, is trivial. She wants to move on.
Unfortunately, she can't. Those interested in waking the Angel and continuing the fight succeed. At the end of the third volume of Angel Sanctuary, the sister is killed and Tokyo goes KA-BOOM.
That's where I left off and I really would like to see what happens afterwards. I just picked it up because I liked the cover art. ^_^ Shallow, I know, but it is a truth about the things we read. The cover and the summary on the back are what hook us into a story.
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Where I want to move to: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I don't like Michigan
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Oh, and a quick note about books and buying them . . . I'm terrible for it! I have so many books to read, manga included, it isn't funny but I keep buying more. Am I obsessed or what?
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I am a sucker for science fiction and fantasy movies. Every now and then I get into this mood where I want to see something that's on a rather grand scale. The grand epic, if you will. I don't always get what I want when I'm in that kind of a mood, but every now and then I get lucky. However, I wasn't in that kind of a mood when I purchased Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
For the record, I have a bad habit of buying movies I've never seen then watching them. Sometimes it's the only way I can get a copy of the movie (which is the case for most Asian horror films) but most of the time it works out for me. (I'm terrible at renting movies. I get them home then never seem to have enough time to watch them for the time allotted and the money spent.) Such is the case for Advent Children.
I know this film was highly anticipated by many gaming fans. I worked in a movie store and one of the floor managers was getting anxious about it. He wanted to see it and we had a lot of people asking us about it. Mike eventually borrowed a fan-subbed copy from another co-worker to watch it, and he liked it. He figured that I'd like it, too. That was roughly over a year ago.
Well, I can say this: Mike was right. The CGI work was AWESOME! And it had an awesome storyline, one that kept me riveted. Granted, it was probably done by the same people who made Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, but I'm not going to go there just yet.
For those not in the know: Advent Children takes place two years after the events in the video game, Final Fantasy VII. (I've not played that game but now I want to, thanks to this film.) It has dark, angsty moments, a brooding hero (Cloud Strife) and a chance for redeption. I'm not going to go into the message behind the movie. It's there and it needs to be discovered by the viewer, and not pointed out.
As soon as I'd watch the movie through for the first time, I started to watch it again. I don't always do that with movies. I love the characterizations, I love the battle sequences, and I love the interaction between characters. But mostly . . . I love Cloud, Vincent, and Sephiroth. I never thought I'd find another villain to love, not since Naraku and Sesshomaru from Inuyasha.
Yeah. I like this movie and I like it a lot. If you haven't seen it yet, please do. I very much recommend it.
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Wow . . . the end of another entry. How quickly this is going. (Not!)
Anyway, here's what's up for the next one!
Character Profile: Josie Kellerman
Story Snippet
Black and White -- Reading Between Blurred Lines, Part Seven
500th post drabble request: Fit to be Tied (Tohma x Shuichi)
gravi_fuh_q challenge for November: Secret Desire (Taki x Eiri)
Book Review: The Ruby Knight by David Eddings
Game Review: Dragon Warrior IV
Song Review: Shallow Sleep by hyde
Movie Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Manga Review: Gravitation
Anime Review: Trigun
_50gravi_ entry: Tsukiyo, Chapter 5
random blurbs
1 - It's the last chapter for a while. The eleventh chapter is started but not complete. It's also not even typed up. Because of that, I'm going to try and get back into writing the story snippets between Ryan and Torie and their friends for everyone. I had fun writing those, and it should give everyone a better understanding of Ryan and Torie's relationship. It may also not appear until January. It'll depend on of nolan-ash will allow me to continue the story for his Tortured Artist Month next month. ;)
2 - There's some inspiration from another source in this particular chapter. For the first person to correctly guess where the inspiration is coming from, he or she will get a drabble from me.
So are you guys ready? Let's get reading!
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"Your friends are quite interesting," Hiroshi commented as the two of them walked towards the residence hall exit. He had met her at her door rather than heading directly for the coffee shop as they had agreed. He'd admitted to not knowing where the particular coffee shop was located. "Are they science fiction enthusiasts as well? Or is that a bit of an understatement?"
Jo couldn't help but laugh at Hiroshi's lighthearted inquiry about Mel, Madison, and Aimee. The three girls were dressed in their usual outfits in their favourite colours and depicting some of their favourite fictional characters and creatures. Their jewelry, their jackets, and their book bags coordinated with the depictions on their clothing. The question's answer was rather obvious and a way for a conversation to start.
"It's an understatement," she replied. "But I think I'd still feel a little lost around here if I hadn't met them. It's nice to know I'm not the only one out there who really likes science fiction and fantasy. I was feeling a bit lonely."
Hiroshi nodded his head at her words, obviously understanding exactly what she was saying. His eyes shone with sympathy, and a sad smile touched his lips. Jo wanted to erase the sadness. It didn't suit him.
"It is hard to be true to one's self," he murmured. "Especially when we are expected to conform to society's ways. Some people do not believe in being unique. The Japanese are slowly getting better about individualism, but it is still hard to be one way when others expect something different of you. I know it sounds strange coming from someone like me, but it is how I feel."
"Yeah. I know what you mean . . ."
They stepped out of the residence hall and into the cool, early evening air. A few clouds drifted over the sky, but the stars and full moon could still be seen against the inky blackness. Lamp posts were strategically placed along the sidewalks, illuminating the pavement for all to see and walk as safely as possible along. With the exception of the artificial lights, Jo thought it to be quite a beautiful sight, and she drew her cloak tighter around her shoulders.
"So where is this coffee shop you mentioned?" Hiroshi asked, his gaze gliding over the same sights she was taking in as well. Jo noted the sadness had left his smile, and she felt better for it. His features exuded a shiny happiness once more. "It sounds like it is a very good place to hang out and study."
"Most of the time it is. We need to head to the main university drive. It's close to the campus library," Jo explained, pointing in a slightly north-east direction. Hiroshi nodded again then set off in the direction she had indicated. Jo quickly fell into step with him.
"What do you mean by most of the time? Is it noisy or something?"
"Not all of the time. Every now and then, it gets overcrowded and noisy. Most of the students go there to study and hang out, their noses stuck in their books. It's only when the university is hosting a football game or a basketball game that it gets to be too much. The players like to go there and celebrate. If they win, that is. Otherwise, it's calm. Most of the time. It's your first year here, isn't it?"
"Yes," Hiroshi replied with an embarrassed laugh. "My father felt it would be a good idea for me to have a degree first before I came here so I attended a community college in Tokyo. It helped me to get my general education requirements out of the way."
"Your dad sounds like he's a bit strict," Jo commented in an offhand manner.
"He is," Hiroshi agreed, smiling a little. "But he's still cool. Despite his dislike of my science fiction collection, he's let me keep everything I've collected over the years. He's even contributed to what I own on occasion. He didn't have to, and I know it. I wouldn't trade him for any other father in the world."
"Wow. I guess he is cool. My mom has always encouraged my collection. She was the one who got me started. Has your dad let you attend any of the conventions out there or the Renaissance festivals?"
Conventions and Renaissance festivals had always been cause for family gatherings in the O'Connell clan, in addition to the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Fourth of July holidays. Her grandparents and her mother traveled to whatever convention they could when their schedules permitted the time for such excursions. Renaissance festivals were attended yearly no matter what. Torie O'Connell, in her spare time and to help keep her fingers from becoming too stiff, sew costumes for the entire family. Sometimes, she used a specific theme for the family, such as pirates or serfs or dragon riders. Other times she simply picked outfits for everyone at random, if they didn't have the time to create his or her own. Jo felt it would be extremely awesome if Hiroshi's dad had allowed his son to attend such events, even if he didn't approve of his son's hobby.
"He's taken me to one convention every year, ever since I first expressed an interest in the science fiction and fantasy genre," Hiroshi replied, a slightly smug expression on his face. "He even took me to a Renaissance festival in California one year. It was a lot of fun, too. He even enjoyed himself, though he'd deny it if you asked him."
"And he doesn't like science fiction?!" Jo felt her eyes bugging out of their sockets at Hiroshi's slightly boastful reply. The man he described certainly didn't sound like he disapproved of anything Hiroshi did!
"He likes science fiction but he doesn't like it at the same time," Hiroshi said. "He'll read the books and watch the movies out there that interest him, but he doesn't understand the obsession, the need to collect everything related to the subject. It drives him crazy."
"If it drives him crazy then why does he indulge you every now and then?" Jo inquired, her curiosity getting the better of her. His dad sounded like he had spoiled Hiroshi, though the young man next to her certainly did not act in a spoiled child manner. Hiroshi was polite and courteous, the exact opposite of a needy child.
At her question, Hiroshi's smile faltered a little.
"You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to," Jo said the istant she saw his smile fade some. Immediately she felt guilty, as if she'd offended him somehow. "I meant no . . ."
"It is okay," he murmured, shaking his head. The sadness returned to his smile, and it made Jo's heart ache. "I do not mind your question, and I will answer it. But I must know this first. What are your views on love?"
"Love is love," she replied without hesitation. "It is different between people. A person may love someone in one way, but another person in a completely different fashion."
"You speak of a love between a parent and a child, yes?"
"Yeah . . . I guess I didn't explain my thoughts very well . . ." She sighed. "I guess the best way I can explain my views is to tell you how I've seen it. My grandparents are the best example of two people in love that I can think of to talk about. They're absolutely crazy about each other, and it shows. I've seen my grandpa do things for my grandma that he wouldn't do for anyone else. Every time they're near each other, they simply light up with happiness and adoration for each other. It's hard to describe after that. My mom is the same way towards my other mom, too."
"You have two mothers?" Hiroshi's tone was curious and relieved at the same time. Jo nodded her head then tilted it as she looked at him.
"Yeah. I have two moms."
"No father?"
"No . . . my grandpa and my uncles kind of filled that void for me. Why? Is that a bad thing?"
"I guess that would depend on who you were asking, but no. It is not a bad thing. Not a bad thing at all." Hiroshi smiled. "In fact, it is a relief to hear you say you have two mothers. It tells me you have an open heart and an open mind when it comes to love between those of the same sex."
"Oh?"
"Yes. You see, I have two fathers but no mother. Another thing we have in common, it would seem."
"So it would," Jo murmured, surprised at how calm her voice sounded to her ears. She knew there were children out there who had same gender parents like she did, had even been friends with a few children like herself at some point, but Hiroshi's confession had shocked her somehow.
'No. It isn't his confession that's suprising. It's his hesitance. He's careful about who he talks about his two fathers to. Someone must have said something to him about it about to make him so cautious. That isn't right.'
"Please do not get me wrong on this," Hiroshi said, his tone slightly on the defensive side. "I am not ashamed of having two fathers."
"I wouldn't think so," Jo assured him, smling in the process. "But I'm sure you've received a hard time because of such a fact. Not everyone likes to think outside the box."
"No. They do not, and you are correct. I have received some flack about my parents, and recently, too. There are some who believe it is wrong and impossible for two men to love each other the my fathers did."
"Did? I take it they're not together anymore?"
"They are not," Hiroshi replied in a somber tone of voice, "but not for the reason most people like to think when they ask me. You see, my fathers adopted me when I was three years old, and they'd had to fight to keep me. I need not say how that particular battle ended."
Jo grinned, nodding her head in agreement. The outcome of the custody battle was rather obvious, especially since Hiroshi was speaking of having two fathers and not of having a father and a mother. She waited for Hiroshi to continue speaking, to let his story out.
"I soon learned how to differentiate between the two of them. One I called Father and the other I called Daddy. It was quite simple, and they knew who was being requested when I said either word. Anyway, for a while, we were a complete family," Hiroshi said, not missing a beat. "During the summer, we'd go to one of the local parks and have picnic lunches or dinners, and we'd take trips to places like Osaka or Kyoto when their schedules allowed for it. My fathers were both very busy men. They often had deadlines to meet for their jobs, and it took time out of their lives, but they somehow always made sure they spent time with me and with each other." He grinned. "It was quite interesting to see one of the world's most stoic men give into the whims of someone so loving and affectionate and energetic as my dad. It really is. It was like watching true love in action, and it was watching true love in action. There wasn't anything my father wouldn't have done for my dad, and they knew it. I'd have to say their interactions with each other were among the most beautiful sights I had ever had the blessing to witness. I have yet to see it again. It all ended when I was seven years old, though. My dad passed away that year, shortly after my birthday . . ."
Hiroshi paused, his expression filled with pain and sadness at the memories. Then he shook his head, the sad smile returning to his features. Jo had been listening rather closely to what he'd been saying, so much so that she hadn't noticed his smile had disappeared at some point.
"My dad was a very affectionate man, and he had always been passionate about life and everything it had to offer. I know that he had loved music. He often sang me to sleep, making up songs just for me, and he had a wonderful voice to listen to. I remember how he loved to collect all sorts of music paraphenalia. Books on music history and music theory, CDs, instruments, songwriting programs . . . anything to do with his favourite musicians, he owned."
"And his hobby drove your father crazy," Jo murmured, a gentle smile touching her features. But he let your dad indulge in his hobby and passion. Like he does for you. It's why he indulges you, isn't it?"
"Yes. My dad is the reason why my father indulges me with my science fiction obsession. It reminds him of happier times, of when my dad was still alive and driving him crazy. He also says collecting things is a healthy habit, one he doesn't mind letting me pursue."
Jo felt her heart going out to Hiroshi and his father for the tragedy they had suffered, and she laughed a little at his ending words. Everything Hiroshi had described, with the exception of the death of a close loved one, sounded very much like her family, especially her grandparents. Even the line about having a healthy habit was quite similar, and she felt even more connected to Hiroshi than she had before. There was just one more thing she wondered about.
"What did your dad die from, Hiroshi?"
She hated herself for asking such a personal and sad question, but she was also a curious person by nature. Jo wanted to know what had happened. It would help her to understand the young man before her, and it seemed as if talking about his dad's death helped Hiroshi to feel better for relating something that had been a very tragic and traumatic experience for his family.
"He died from an aneurism in his brain," Hiroshi replied. "From what I understand, no one even knew it was there until after he had died and an autopsy had been performed. I just remember we'd been outside, playing, and I had seen him slip and fall to the ground. But he never got up. My father went into a panic, especially when he found my dad wasn't breathing. It devastated my father, and he's never been the same. I think if it hadn't been for me, he'd have given up on life a long time ago."
"I'm sorry you two had to deal with such a loss," Jo said with a great deal of sincerity. The coffee shop was slowly coming into view. "I can't imagine what that must have been like."
"We managed somehow. My father found a strength within himself I don't think he ever knew existed," Hiroshi stated. "Of course, I think my dad's spirit has come back for a visit every now and then. I've caught my father talking to himself on more than one occasion, and it always feels like the room is much lighter when I have. It is hard for me to describe, really."
"I can believe it, and it doesn't sound all that unusual to me," Jo replied. "My grandma and grandpa are still alive, but I've heard them talking to each other when one has been gone. I think that's what happens when you're lonely and you miss someone, and they're not there for you to talk to."
"That makes sense," Hiroshi murmured, nodding his head in an approving manner. He stopped walking for a moment and gazed at the darkened sky. "My father has never found anyone else to share his life with or to spend his time with. I'm sure he gets lonely without my dad's companionship. My dad was the only one who he had a true, intimate connection with. They were soulmates."
Jo paused with him and turned her attention to the evening sky as well. The moon shone brightly, an attempt to bathe the world in its pale glow. It was a vain effort, thanks to the numerous street lights, but it was also a valliant effort. The sight of the moon on its lonely journey across the sky served as a reminder to Jo about all of the good and beautiful things and people that life had to offer, in spite of the melancholic conversation she and Hiroshi had just shared. She smiled, and, from the corner of her eye, saw Hiroshi smiling at the moon as well. Perhaps he was thinking the same thing. It was a beautiful night, and one that promised to end well. Or, at least, it promised to end on a very interesting note.
They stood there for a few moments, watching the celestial object and enjoying the silence. They were about to turn away, to head into the coffee shop for some much needed drinks and more quiet conversation, when a shadow passed over the moon, and it made them both stop and stare at the glowing sphere again. The shadow hadn't been just a shadow. It had been in the shape of a dragon!
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As I said, that's the last chapter for now. Story snippets and character profiles are coming until the next chapter is completed. Even then, I'm going to continue with them. Hope you've enjoyed the story so far!
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"So you keep saying. Yet you're still here. What are you? Some kind of a masochist?" -- Torie Cronkhite to Val O'Hurley
Yep. Definitely some interesting characters that like to come out and play. ^_^
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# of pets: 2
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"You're . . . disbanding Bad Luck?"
He hadn't meant for it to sound like an echo, but the words reverberated around in his head, his mind unable to truly grasp what Shuichi was saying. The singer was going to break apart the one thing that had meant everything to him, even after the final split. To hear Shuichi say he was going to end it was rather mind-numbing.
"Yeah . . . It needs to be done. We're at a breaking point. If it doesn't happen now, it will at some other point and things might be too far gone to ever be healed. I don't want that, Eiri. They're my friends and they deserve better than that from me!"
"You deserve better from them, too," Eiri replied, his tone laced with irritation. If there was anything he did not miss about Shuichi, it was the vocalist's ability to turn things on himself and put all of the blame for whatever situation onto his own shoulders. There were times it didn't even cross Shuichi's mind that he might not be the one who needed to feel guilty, and it pissed Eiri off to no end when his former lover was in a mood like this. "Believe it or not, you're not the only guilty of whatever's been going on, you baka. When are you going to get that through your head?"
"They've put up with a lot of shit from me, Eiri."
"So? What else is new?" Eiri snorted. "You'd think by now they'd have gotten used to your theatrics and that they'd know when a relationship is affecting you and when it isn't."
"They do know when a relationship is affecting me," Shuichi murmured, his tone barely audible. "That's why they've been blaming you for my off-days. I've been seeing someone else, Eiri."
~tbc~
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type of pets: cats
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More books! Hooray! Up next . . . The Diamond Throne by David Eddings (Book One of the Elenium trilogy)
Yep. I'm back to Eddings. What can I say? The man has some pretty damn good books! From the back of the book (because it'll be easier this way):
Sparhawk, Pandion Knight and Queen's Champion, returns from exile to find Elenia overrun with evil and his young Queen trapped in a block of crystal and gravely ill. Only the great sorcery of Sephrenia, ageless instructor of magic, has kept her alive so far, and only Sparhawk can defeat the evil plots against Elenia, and find the cure to save his queen.
This is the first book by David Eddings that I've read, again, back in high school. (Gotta love high school for all the exposure. lol) The book was very intriguing. There are no dragons in this series, but not all good fantasy books need dragons to make them good.
In many ways, to me, the book depicts a more fantasy-like take on Christianity and Judaism. Seriously! The Elenes are very devout in their faith (for the most part), and they have a Church set up very similar to Catholicism. They believe in only one God, and frown on the use of magic. Only the Knights are allowed to use magic (for combat purposes). The Styrics are also devout in their faith but they have many Gods and Goddesses in which they worship, but they do not eat pork products. (I think it makes them ill, quite literally.) It's very interesting and very fun to read.
So go read it! LOL
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names of the pets: Sammi (8, female) and Simon (6, male)
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This entry and the next two will contain the drabbles' requests for the 500th post party. I'm not going in order asked. I'm going in order of inspiration. ;)
Title: Some Fatherly Advice
Fandom: Gravitation
Rating: PG for some language and some WAFF moments
Pairing: implied Eiri/Shuichi, Shu's dad/Shu's mom
Written for: vialia
Requested: A scene between Eiri and Shuichi's father
Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation whatsoever. I'm just playing around and messing with the characters' heads a little.
Summary: He hated visiting family. His own family was dysfunctional, even at the best of times. It made sense his lover's family would be as well.
Eiri sat on the back porch of Shuichi's childhood home and stared out, a cigarette in hand. He really hadn't wanted to pay a visit to Shuichi's parents. Family gatherings always seemed to drive him to distraction, mostly because his own family irritated the hell out of him. They were dysfunctional even at the best of times. To be around Shuichi's family . . . well, to Eiri, they were beyond dysfunctional, if Shuichi were any indication of how he was raised. The singer was spastic, even on the best of days.
He caught movement from the corner of his eye, and Eiri glanced up to see Shuichi's father sit down next to him. The older man pulled out a cigarette pack and a lighter as he sat next to the novelist. Eiri raised an eyebrow at him. He didn't know Shuichi's father smoked.
When he saw Eiri glancing at him, the old man smiled.
"It's a bad habit, I know," he said with a wave of his hand and a slightly embarrassed grin, "but it helps at times. Especially when I'm stressed out."
Eiri nodded and went back to smoking his cigarette. He knew what it was like to feel stressed out and needing some kind of a release. Shuichi put him that kind of a state almost all the time.
No. That wasn't true. Shuichi didn't stress him out quite as much anymore, and Eiri knew it. He'd seen this family interact with each other many times before, and he knew his lover was nowhere near as emotional as the Shindou matriarch. The woman could go into theatrics over burnt cookies, Eiri felt, whereas Shuichi's melodramatics had more to do with the novelist and his behaviour more than anything else. How the old man managed his wife was beyond Eiri, and he gave the man credit. It couldn't have been easy for him, and Eiri found his curiosity getting the better of him.
"How do you manage?"
"Hrmm?" the old man glanced at him, large frames sliding down his nose.
"With your wife . . . how do you manage?"
"Her outbursts, you mean?"
Eiri nodded, keeping his expression neutral. He didn't want to offend the old man. He'd never get any rest from his lover if he did. The Shindou patriarch shrugged.
"I just remind myself that she cares," the old man replied. "And she cares deeply. That's all."
"Even if it's trivial?"
"Even if it's trivial," he replied with a nod. "To some people, the little details are important. If they can make one thing right, no matter how great or small, then they're happy. And you have to admit, it is the little things that tend to make us smile anyway."
Eiri took another drag from his cigarette as he pondered over the old man's words. They had some truth to them. Shuichi never asked for truly extravagant displays of affection nor did he insist that they always go out for a date. The singer was often content with a simple kiss on the cheek, and a snuggle (oh, how Eiri hated that word!) on the couch. Such moments were small, insignificant when compared to other things on the grandeur scale, but they kept Shuichi happy and satisfied. He couldn't ask for more than that.
They sat and smoked for a few minutes longer before the old man put his out and rose to his feet. He gave Eiri a friendly smile then stepped back inside. Suddenly, coming for a visit didn't seem so bad anymore.
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hobbies: walking, writing, reading, going to the movies, surfing the internet, going to concerts, driving, baking, cooking (when I get the chance)
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Song review time!
I think I've mentioned before how ecclectic I am when it comes to music, how I'll listen to just about anything. Well, so far, I've reviewed mostly rock songs. Now . . . for a country tune.
Ah, the joys of youth. With youth comes the ability to get wild and wily, the ability to stand up and defend your friends, and to pretty much hold your own better than anyone.
As Good As I Once Was is a slight lament on Toby Keith's part about how age can wear a person down. It's a good song, has a Honky Tonk feel to it, and sounds like it's part ballad, part upbeat. The sound is a perfect backdrop for the ironies of life.
"I still throw a few back, talk a little smack, when I'm feeling bullet proof. So don't double-dog dare me now, cause then I'd have to call your bluff. I ain't good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was."
How many people feel like that?
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previous types of pets (since 1996): cats (5), dogs (3), fish (too many to count)
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Continuing on with the Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest series. I've learned the games are done in trilogies. One through three are connected, but they don't have much to do with four through eight. Games Five and Six have never made it to the U.S., which is a bit disappointing. I'd love to play them. On with three.
This game . . . this game was fun. You have four characters you can have on the battlefield, and a BUS LOAD in reserve. You can decide who's a wizard, who heals, and who fights. I think at some point you can also switch professions for your characters, but I could also be thinking of Seven. It's been a really long time since I've played these games. I just know I had fun playing them.
I do remember this about Dragon Warrior III. It takes place in time before Dragon Warrior I. It's how Erdrick became Erdrick.
As with all games, the forces of Evil are on the move. It's up to the Hero and his party to ensure the Dark Lord/Dragon Lord (I can't recall) doesn't take over the world. It's another trial for patience as the player earns the necessary levels for each party member (and there will always be someone one level behind someone else) to fight the stronger enemies and to get done what needs to be done.
I did not note with Dragon Warrior II you get a boat. Having a boat becomes a permanent fixture in the Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest games. Until game eight, it's the only way you can fight sea-based monsters. As a general rule, the sea-faring creatures are a little stronger than some of the land-based monsters, until the player hits certain areas. And the boats are necessary to get to those places.
Anyway, in Dragon Warrior III, the Hero sets out to stop the major boss from joining the world of light/day to the world of night. In fact, the major boss is from the world of darkness. This is also the first game where the sun rises and sets, and there are enemies that only come out at night. Like with the sea monsters, they, too, are generally stronger than their day counterparts. It sounds very similar to Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King but the similarities end. The players end up in the world of Darkness after the game has been defeated. The portal to their world has closed and they are stuck there for the rest of their lives. They also bring daylight back to this particular realm, and the Hero is renamed to Erdrick by the king. The Hero doesn't marry the Princess, though. Who he does marry, I can't say. I'm thinking it's someone from the party, someone who has a crush on him.
Playability: I give this game an eight on the playability meter, despite its age. It's still challenging, it has some very nice twists, and the side quests give it an added depth. And there are plenty of side quests! ^_^ If you can find it to go with an old Nintendo system, I recommend RPG fans giving it a play. I had fun with it!
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names of the pets in the last ten years: Stinky (cat), Goofy (cat), Smokey duh Bandit (Siberian Husky), Sasparilla Sassafras (Sassy for short, Chow Chow), Zorro (Dalmation), Sammi (cat, still with us), Simon (cat, still with us), and Stinky Jr. (cat)
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I must say I've been interested in Ranma 1/2 for a number of years now, ever since I started to buy Pokemon on VHS, but I never got around to watching it until I went back to school. It was my second year back (Spring 2004) and a friend had pretty much all of the seasons of Ranma. I would have borrowed season one from him but someone else already had and never returned it. Nice, huh?
Back to the review . . . Ranma 1/2 is a Rumiko Takahashi series and one of her more popular ones. For those not in the know, she's also the creator of Inuyasha. Both series started out as manga before they were animated.
Ranma is a guy who has a very unique gift/curse. He turns into a girl when splashed/hit with cold water. In the first episode, we learn this (as we always do with the first episode of just about any series) and we find out he's going to become engaged to Akane Tendo. The first season is basically the two of them trying to irritate the hell out of the other and coming to terms with the fact that maybe, just maybe, they might like each other. It isn't easy, especially since there are people out there against the pre-arranged marriage, but it looks like it might just work. The season ends with a recap of events.
Now I'm a fan of Rumiko Takahashi (for the most part). When she starts out with a story, she has clever banter between two people who dislike each other right from the get-go and there's a certain kind of tension that pulls them together. Ranma's a jerk but he can be a real sweetie. And there are times he feels guilty for some of the things he says and does to Akane.
I also like the fact that David Kaye is in this series. Man, he's such a nice guy!
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Weren't expecting that comment, were ya?
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One place I'd really like to go and visit: Tokyo
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I really need to get caught up on reading my manga series. I've only read the first three volumes to Angel Sanctuary and I'd like to know how things are panning out. (If you've been reading the series, DON'T TELL ME! I'll buy Volume four soon!)
Now, this is a series I know is not for everyone. And there are no characters in this that reminded me of another character from another series when I first started reading it. If I look back, I could find someone, but I'm not going to do that. Here's the basic gist from what I've read:
The main character is the reincarnation of an Angel who once fought against God in Heaven. The angel was a She in that life but is a He in this current life. He is also in love with his sister, something he knows to be quite wrong. And there are people out there determined to do one of two things, one of which is make his life miserable. The other is to remind him of who once was.
And what is really neat is only one person realises what the soul of the Angel wants. The Angel does not want to remember her past life. She's happy with the way things are and remembering, unleashing her powers, is trivial. She wants to move on.
Unfortunately, she can't. Those interested in waking the Angel and continuing the fight succeed. At the end of the third volume of Angel Sanctuary, the sister is killed and Tokyo goes KA-BOOM.
That's where I left off and I really would like to see what happens afterwards. I just picked it up because I liked the cover art. ^_^ Shallow, I know, but it is a truth about the things we read. The cover and the summary on the back are what hook us into a story.
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Where I want to move to: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I don't like Michigan
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Oh, and a quick note about books and buying them . . . I'm terrible for it! I have so many books to read, manga included, it isn't funny but I keep buying more. Am I obsessed or what?
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I am a sucker for science fiction and fantasy movies. Every now and then I get into this mood where I want to see something that's on a rather grand scale. The grand epic, if you will. I don't always get what I want when I'm in that kind of a mood, but every now and then I get lucky. However, I wasn't in that kind of a mood when I purchased Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.
For the record, I have a bad habit of buying movies I've never seen then watching them. Sometimes it's the only way I can get a copy of the movie (which is the case for most Asian horror films) but most of the time it works out for me. (I'm terrible at renting movies. I get them home then never seem to have enough time to watch them for the time allotted and the money spent.) Such is the case for Advent Children.
I know this film was highly anticipated by many gaming fans. I worked in a movie store and one of the floor managers was getting anxious about it. He wanted to see it and we had a lot of people asking us about it. Mike eventually borrowed a fan-subbed copy from another co-worker to watch it, and he liked it. He figured that I'd like it, too. That was roughly over a year ago.
Well, I can say this: Mike was right. The CGI work was AWESOME! And it had an awesome storyline, one that kept me riveted. Granted, it was probably done by the same people who made Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, but I'm not going to go there just yet.
For those not in the know: Advent Children takes place two years after the events in the video game, Final Fantasy VII. (I've not played that game but now I want to, thanks to this film.) It has dark, angsty moments, a brooding hero (Cloud Strife) and a chance for redeption. I'm not going to go into the message behind the movie. It's there and it needs to be discovered by the viewer, and not pointed out.
As soon as I'd watch the movie through for the first time, I started to watch it again. I don't always do that with movies. I love the characterizations, I love the battle sequences, and I love the interaction between characters. But mostly . . . I love Cloud, Vincent, and Sephiroth. I never thought I'd find another villain to love, not since Naraku and Sesshomaru from Inuyasha.
Yeah. I like this movie and I like it a lot. If you haven't seen it yet, please do. I very much recommend it.
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Wow . . . the end of another entry. How quickly this is going. (Not!)
Anyway, here's what's up for the next one!
Character Profile: Josie Kellerman
Story Snippet
Black and White -- Reading Between Blurred Lines, Part Seven
500th post drabble request: Fit to be Tied (Tohma x Shuichi)
gravi_fuh_q challenge for November: Secret Desire (Taki x Eiri)
Book Review: The Ruby Knight by David Eddings
Game Review: Dragon Warrior IV
Song Review: Shallow Sleep by hyde
Movie Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Manga Review: Gravitation
Anime Review: Trigun
_50gravi_ entry: Tsukiyo, Chapter 5
random blurbs