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WhiteZeo	LoA II #4	#1	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 09/19/03 22:39:36	Thanks for the feedback, Tigger and Sugarplum! Okay, it seems like these scenes are hitting me in short spurts. o.O I dunno what's going on. *** With her long dark, somber green cloak draped heavily across her shoulders, Rai quietly stood in the outer corridor of the North Wing of the Sanctuary. She leaned against one of the many pillars that supported the eaves above her head, watching the fallen snow in the courtyard slowly melt away. It was never a good sign when seasons defied their definitions. Ephane died at the beginning of one of the longest summer seasons that the kingdom had ever seen, and now, Opaline had passed away at the onset of the early winter. Both had been warnings from the Eaglezord. If only She could have been more specific. If only they had paid closer attention. If only Rai shook her head, struggling with the tears that her filled her dark, pained eyes. Repeating "if only," and turning it into her mantra would not help her recover from her loss of the woman, whom in all respects she looked up to like her older and wiser sister. "How much did it hurt you?" a voice hoarsely questioned. Startled, as she had assumed she was alone, Rai turned around to see Vanault slowly approaching her, looking quite haggard. No, haggard was much too much of an understatement. "Vanault!" She ran to his side, reaching him just as his legs gave way and he collapsed to the ground. Falling with him, the priestess drew him close to her so that he might lean against her for some support. Looking at him, she wanted to ask him some many questions, but Rai simply could not bring herself to as her tears sprung anew for the pitiful sight of the High Priest. The easiest way to describe Vanault's appearance was to say that he appeared to have gone through a complete physical and mental breakdown. Hair disheveled, bloodshot eyes, gaunt face, ashen skin He was defeated. Completely. The woman to whom he had given his entire heart to - the woman he had intended to marry was gone. Rai didn't dare try to empathize; she knew she wouldn't be able. So instead, she sat with him in silence, weeping for his loss and not her own. "When she" he choked and coughed, not able to vocalize the truth yet, "it felt like I was dying too." "She took a part of us with her?" It was a statement, but with the slight lilt of Rai's hushed words it became a question. "I feel incomplete." Vanault squeezed his eyes shut, a grimace covering his face. "I don't remember what life was like without her; she taught me everything" "She taught you how to live." By then, she was cradling Vanault against her and was resting her chin upon the crown of his head. "She taught both of us." There was no sense of who was the older and who was the younger as Vanault broke into tears, sobs wracking his frail body, and he buried his face into Rai's warm cloak. "I don't want, to live, without her" She clung to him tightly, not wanting to let him go. She hadn't had a choice with Opaline; she had been ripped from them all. With Vanault however, she wasn't giving him up without a dirty fight. *** WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Blue, please. Please, wait here for us to return. If I think that you are waiting for me, I will be able to return. I'll definitely come back to meet you without giving up, 'cause I'll never leave you all alone." - Hige to Blue in "Faulty Memories" from Wolf's Rain
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Lucid Lady	Re: LoA II #4	#2	[url]	[-]
Posts: 137 09/20/03 05:37:01 Local user	Dang, I feel sorry for Vanault. Well, almost. I definatly feel sorry for Rai, though. Sarah, Lucid Lady ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman." -Margaret Thatcher
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Sugarplum7	Re: LoA II #4	#3	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 09/25/03 14:05:29	Hi, WhiteZeo! I really liked that last part. Maybe it was because Vanault was in it, and he wasnt a total jerk and actually reasonably likeable. Or it could just be because I am one of the few people that like Vanault. See, Rai likes Vanault too. So she is also very cool. But she doesnt know how psychotic the guy can get, and I do. And I like him anyways! Heehee! *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: Ephane died at the beginning of one of the longest summer seasons that the kingdom had ever seen, and now, Opaline had passed away at the onset of the early winter. Both had been warnings from the Eaglezord. If only She could have been more specific. If only they had paid closer attention. If only Hmmm . . . I wonder. What is it that Rai was getting at here? Was it that the length and onset of the seasons were warnings that something bad was going to happen? If that is the case, Rai has cant blame anyone. This is totally in hindsight! Of course things are more clear now that things have actually happened. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "When she" he choked and coughed, not able to vocalize the truth yet, "it felt like I was dying too." Awww . . . Poor Vanault. That kind of makes his blowing up at Merrick more reasonable. He had just felt the love of his life die. That must have been harsh to say the very least. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: Vanault broke into tears, sobs wracking his frail body, and he buried his face into Rai's warm cloak. "I don't want, to live, without her" Things like this always make me like Vanault more. He seems more human when he is not all angry at the world and plotting his revenge on everyone that wronged him and hating Merrick just because he is Ephanes son. When he is all broken and fragile it is easier to like him. It is easier to like someone who is not consumed with hatred and hostility. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: She hadn't had a choice with Opaline; she had been ripped from them all. With Vanault however, she wasn't giving him up without a dirty fight. I knew I liked Rai, even though we saw so little of her in the first legend. Vanault needs to know that he isnt alone even though he had just lost Opaline. He needs to know that he is still loved and wanted and needed. I think we need to open up that room and throw him, Rai, and the fawns in there for some quality time. Vanault needs some cheering up, and some time where he doesn't cross paths with Animus. He probably doesn't want to see Merrick either, so neither of them are allowed in that room. I just got a likeable Vanault back. I dont think I am ready to trade him in with the sinister, scheming, conniving Vanault. Nope. Not ready yet. ~Sugarplum "The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected . . . And I know I have spent every life before this one searching for you. For your soul and mine must always come together." ~ Noah Calhoun, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks ~ *May you find some comfort here* Outer Haven
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #5	#4	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 09/27/03 13:16:50	This was a mood-scene(s). I couldn't write it without the right mood, which struck me last night and I was able to continue that mood through PRNS, and afterwards, when I wrote. YaY! ^_^ * "You won't catch me!" Merrick teased lightheartedly, weaving his way through the trees of the forest. As he ran, he glanced behind himself to check if his pursuer was still there. "Oh, yes I will!" Opaline hollered back in a sing-song tone. Brunette curls flowing behind her, she chased after her son at a moderate pace with her green skirt hiked up around her knees. "Never!" Merrick playfully denied, pushing himself to run faster. He barely noticed as flurries of snow began to softly descend from above, lightly coating his dark hair. "Ephane!" His mother's voice suddenly giggling out the name of his dead father caused the young boy to stop in his tracks. Spinning around, he looked for his mother, who was supposedly on his trail. He couldn't see her anymore. Standing there, continuing to search the area with his confused and worried blue eyes, it quickly became harder to see as the snow quickly fell harder and harder, the ice pelting his tunic and soaking it through. Merrick started to run backwards in the direction he had last seen his mother, hurrying to find her before the bad weather progressed further. "Mother!" Though the thick snow layered the ground around him, Merrick found it easy-going to rush through the ice. "MOTHER!" A frantic state of mind came over the boy when he received no reply from Opaline. Where was** she? He had to find her before anything happened to her! "Merrick." The gentle call of his name reached his ears even in the midst of the heavy snowstorm and immobilized him from taking even one more step forward. In that moment of stillness, he examined his surroundings through the snow. He stood at the edge of a circular clearing in the middle of the forest. And, by all definitions, it was clear. Not a single snow flurry had fallen onto the lush green grass of the area that was tightly outlined by tall, protective trees. It was a pristine haven from the cold, miserable chaos that Eaglezord brought on the wings of Her flight. In the middle of this divine clearing stood his motherholding onto his father. Ephane appeared looked just as Merrick remembered from his toddler memories. He was tall and his stance was protective over his wife, holding her to his chest closely. Unfortunately, from where he stood, the son could see no more of his father. He sought to move closer, to step into the magical circle of warmth, but his mother's look prevented him from doing such a thing. Opaline's dark brown eyes seemed to pierce Merrick's soul even from far away as she stared at him, her head resting on Ephane's shoulder as she seemingly clung to her first love. No, the stare said, you can't come. We have to leave you. The snow seemed to be triggered by Merrick's mood, and it began to fall even harder as dark dread overwhelmed him. Ephane gently guided Opaline away from the clearing, and he was forced to watch, silent and still, as they left him completely alone. Tears trickled down the child's cheeks, warming them momentarily before the snow's wrath took over once more, bringing on more coldness. He tried to call to them as they disappeared into the darkness of the trees, but Merrick that he was unable to vocalize his protests. Papa Momma I don't want to be alone * "Wake up Come on, you're going to freeze to death if you don't wake up" The stranger was crouched over Merrick's body, shaking him gently, trying to get him up and out of the snow. It's beautiful black stallion stood nearby, watching as his rider tried valiantly to get the young boy to safety. Bundled in a heavy, worn gray cloak, the stranger continued to poke at Merrick's body for awhile before eventually giving up. They stood up, slightly frustrated, and glanced over at their horse. "What do you think, Shia? Should we leave him here or take him home?" Shia shook his head, his mane thrashing lightly. He glared at his rider as if he had been insulted by the question, neighed, and then huffed twice. The stranger chuckled at their horse's reply. "I knew you would think that; you're right, he would die if we didn't take him home." The horse's rider glanced down at Merrick's sprawled form into the snow for a long moment, before kneeling back down and carefully hefting the boy up. Struggling with the limp body, the stranger draped one of Merrick's arms over their shoulders and sort of dragged him over to the horse. More exertion ensued to get Merrick up and over Shia's back, but eventually the task was done with Merrick lying on his stomach. Quickly, the stranger mounted their horse and took off in a trot through melting snow. * WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Blue, please. Please, wait here for us to return. If I think that you are waiting for me, I will be able to return. I'll definitely come back to meet you without giving up, 'cause I'll never leave you all alone." - Hige to Blue in "Faulty Memories" from Wolf's Rain
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #6	#5	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 09/29/03 21:19:13	This part has been ready for a few days, but I waited before I added it here. *** "I should've listened to Vanault." Animus furrowed his eyebrows and actually thought about what had just spilled from his lips. "I can't believe I just said that." He shook his head at the unbelievable situation. Three days ago, he wouldn't have fathomed that he would mourning the death of his lover and his unborn child. Perhaps believing that he should have indeed followed Vanault's advice wasn't that far off. Sitting on the wet, melting snow next to Opaline's body, Animus stroked her dark brown tresses, a familiar and comforting action to him. Her face had already lost all its color, her skin an appropriate deathly shade of pale. The brown eyes that he had once loved getting lost in continued to stare up at the clear sky; he didn't dare even look into her lifeless gaze now, he didn't think he could face the accusations that lied there. Why weren't you with me? Why didn't you take me with you? Why didn't you leave me in Tribute? Why didn't you save me?! Why, why, why... The questions haunted him as he asked himself the same ones over and over. He had failed her, utterly and completely. He was supposed to protect her. Not only as her lover and betrothed, but also as her compliment in Animarian society. The High Priestess of Animaria and the General of the Animarian Army were always paired in everything, whether it came to their duties in the castle or their attendance at social gatherings, they worked or arrived always together. That would no longer be the case. "I'm so sorry," Animus whispered to the dead Opaline, fighting off tears that threatened to mar his cheeks. "I failed you, and our baby." He hastily tore his hazel eyes away from the arm lying upon her stomach, and the tears he had fought burst through his defenses and dribbled down his gaunt face. "I...I don't know what to do now..." A soft whinny broke the silence of the forest and the soldier turned around to see Fauna just a few steps behind him, snuffing at him. Confused, he glanced down at himself to see exactly what Fauna was trying to point out. His lavish uniform tunic and pants were completely soaked by the slushy snow. It seemed a foolish thing for the horse to indicate, but as soon as Animus took note of his own condition, his focus no longer on his mental anguish, he realized just how cold he was sitting there. He tried to move his legs and a painful sensation attacked them as they sought to reawaken themselves after being numb. It was then, in that moment as he massaged his legs into awareness, that he saw the footsteps in the snow; they were directed away from Opaline's body into the forest. Merrick. The force of remembering that his apprentice was still missing in the aftermath of the snowstorm hit Animus like a ton of bricks. Merrick was still out there, wandering, confused and alone, and believing that he was to blame for his mother's death as well as his father's. He had no food, no supplies of any sort... He was in dire danger. "Fauna," the young man called to his horse, motioning the animal closer. Once she was standing right next to him, he grabbed a hold of her reins and using her as a support, pulled himself into a standing position. "Thanks," he acknowledged, stroking her mane. It took him a little bit to adjust to standing before he mounted Fauna, but once he did mount her, Animus began to question his actions. He couldn't very well leave Opaline alone. The last time he left her alone, she died. As he looked down on her from above, Animus found that he couldn't avoid her stern, dead gaze. It was almost as if she was looking up at him one last time. Her features had hardened and while she may have appeared peaceful in the first moments of her death, she now seemed determined upon some point, almost insistent. "I need to go, don't I?" His tears had faded and only his deep, pervading sadness remained. Opaline answered him with her silence. Animus bit his lip slightly, struggling to let go of her corporeal form. There was so little he had of her, physically, and he felt that if he let her go he would lose her forever. But that wasn't really true; he had already lost her. He had to hang on to what he still had of her. He had to find Merrick. With a quick, light nudge of his heels into Fauna's sides, Animus pushed her forward, making a clean break away from the corpse of his beloved, in hopes that he would not have to mourn another Baliton's passing in Merrick. *** WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Blue, please. Please, wait here for us to return. If I think that you are waiting for me, I will be able to return. I'll definitely come back to meet you without giving up, 'cause I'll never leave you all alone." - Hige to Blue in "Faulty Memories" from Wolf's Rain
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tptigger	sniff	#6	[url]	[-]
Posts: 741 09/30/03 07:42:52	Good part! Um... OK, my brain's too foggy to add anything else. But I look forward to the next one.
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Sugarplum7	Re: LoA II #5 and #6	#7	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 10/05/03 17:46:30	Hi WhiteZeo! How have you been? Before I get started I want to apologize for falling behind on the feedback. I am falling behind just about everywhere, in my classes and in places I should be leaving feedback. I feel so bad about it. So I am trying to get caught up today. Hopefully I am successful! So . . . yeah . . . This is the feedback for both five and six. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: Opaline's dark brown eyes seemed to pierce Merrick's soul even from far away as she stared at him, her head resting on Ephane's shoulder as she seemingly clung to her first love. No, the stare said, you can't come. We have to leave you. Okay. I enjoyed that entire dream sequence. I dont know the reason why I am so into your dream sequences, but I really like them. This one was a nice window into Merricks frame of mind. Yeah, we did have some kind of an idea about how he is right now. I really liked this particular part of the dream. I think it was the way Merrick knew exactly what Opalines stare said. It was definitely a look that spoke volumes. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: Papa Momma I don't want to be alone. This was just getting quoted because it made Merrick look so vulnerable. I dont know about others, but I seemed to forget how old Merrick really is. I always forgot that he is only around eight years old. That is so young to have lost both of your parents. We need Merrick to see how many people still love him and care for him. He needs to see that he isnt truly alone. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "What do you think, Shia? Should we leave him here or take him home?" Shia shook his head, his mane thrashing lightly. He glared at his rider as if he had been insulted by the question, neighed, and then huffed twice. I think I like Shia. He is a good horse. I can tell that already. I think I am in a horse kind of a mood or something. Shia has a lot of personality, and I really like it. I think that Shia being insulted by the question our mysterious stranger asked him was cute. Or maybe it was that this stallion (Is Shia a stallion?) has been named Shias human companion is still unnamed. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "I should've listened to Vanault." Animus furrowed his eyebrows and actually thought about what had just spilled from his lips. "I can't believe I just said that." I liked this! I think it was the I cant believe I just said that part of the passage. At the same time I was also thinking, Hey! There is nothing wrong with listening to what Vanault says. At least there isnt anything wrong with it, if he isnt psychotic at the time. I could really see Animus saying that, and then shaking his head lightly in disbelief with a small smile on his face as he thought about how odd it all is. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: A soft whinny broke the silence of the forest and the soldier turned around to see Fauna just a few steps behind him, snuffing at him. Confused, he glanced down at himself to see exactly what Fauna was trying to point out. See! I told you I was in a horse mood. Hmm . . . Could it be because I am watching Spirit: Stallion of the Cimaron? I think so. It isnt really my fault though! Matt Damon is the narrator! Matt Damon! I could listen to him talk for hours on end. If only I had the money, I would buy the version of The Peoples History of the United States that he narrates. Matt Damon can talk me to sleep every night. Heehee! But yeah! Fauna! I love that mare! She is looking out for Animus. She is such sweetie! *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: With a quick, light nudge of his heels into Fauna's sides, Animus pushed her forward, making a clean break away from the corpse of his beloved, in hopes that he would not have to mourn another Baliton's passing in Merrick. Good going Animus! I am so glad that he is able to choose the better of two. He could sit and be depressed beside Opaline, or he could go off and save Opalines son, who is lost and alone in the cold snow. Now, I just wonder how he is going to find Merrick. Will he discover Shias tracks and track the horse when Merricks trail disappears? But again, those parts were great WhiteZeo! I wonder, how the townspeople are going to handle Opalines death. I got the impression that she was not only beloved by those of the ruling classes and soldiers but also the peasant class. It seems that all of Animaria will be in morning for her. I think there needs to be something that will make things a little less depressing. A nice ray of sunlight to kind of make things less depressing would be nice. So . . . Who is the focus of the next part? ~Sugarplum "The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected . . . And I know I have spent every life before this one searching for you. For your soul and mine must always come together." ~ Noah Calhoun, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks ~ *May you find some comfort here* Outer Haven
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #7	#8	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 10/10/03 12:20:54	Took awhile to finish this part because I decided to turn this week into lazy week. giggle Bad WZ! ;P Thanks for the feedback Tigger and Sugarplum! ^_^ * Meghana solemnly watched her roommate lie quietly on her bed, eyes closed, but obviously not asleep as she shifted and tossed every so often. At breakfast that morning, the death of the High Priestess had been announced to the Fawns by a Virginal Doe; neither Rai nor Vanault had dared to handle it, as they were struggling to cope with their personal loss at the same time. All the children had been devastated, which was most definitely an understatement. Almost immediately, they had looked to Shayla to see her reaction. Except for the fact that she wasn't there to be seen. Meghana had questioned why her friend hadn't wanted to come down to breakfast, and when she had insisted that her fellow Fawn come down to eat to feel better, Shayla snapped at her, refusing to give a straight answer. That had been Meghana's first and only indication that there was something seriously wrong: the Princess never snapped at anyone. After receiving the information that the High Priestess of Animaria, Shayla's mentor and surrogate mother, had passed away, Shayla's attitude suddenly made a world of sense to her roommate. And so, Meghana didn't push, but only worriedly watched over the girl from across the room, letting Shayla work her way through the grief. Unexpectedly, a knock resounded through the quietness of the afternoon and Meghana ignored it, hoping that the person would simply go away. She didn't want to move from her perch on the chair beside her bed. She felt tired and drained of all of her energy, but in no way did that surprise her. "Shayla?" a strained voice called through the door when the knocks went unanswered. "Shayla, it's me, Thane. Open up." "Come in," Meghana replied the call, loud enough to be heard through the door, but soft enough to not drain too much energy from her. The wooden door swung inwards on its hinges, allowing Prince Thane to enter the room. Meghana gave him a respectful nod of her head, taking notice that he was already dressed simply in his mourning white tunic and pants. Thane nodded silently back at the young girl, acknowledging her presence. He hadn't expected to find another soul in Shayla's bedroom for some reason, perhaps because he was hoping to speak to his little sister in privacy, but in a way, finding Meghana there was comforting. At least, in some form, Shayla wasn't alone. He walked over to Shayla's bed and sat behind her, as she faced the window. "Shayla?" he whispered softly, gently tucking some hair behind his sister's ear. "Shayla, do you want to talk to me?" Unnoticed in the background, Meghana decided it best to leave the siblings alone and slipped out. For quite a long time, the two remained in silence, drawing some semblance of comfort from the other's presence. The cold breeze blew through open windowpanes, playing with Thane's hair and only emphasizing its unruliness. His gaze remained steadily focused on his sister, and in turn, her large, haunted eyes focused on something outside the window, beyond her reach. "How is Merrick?" Thane was thrown by his sister's first words. He expected her to talk about Opaline, not her son. "I...don't know," he hesitated, confused and unsure of what exactly was** the appropriate answer to such a question. "We didn't find him yet." Quickly, she flipped over onto her left side to face her older brother. "Why haven't you found him yet?!" she demanded, almost petulantly. This time, Thane refrained entirely from answering her question. The answer would not be the clearest or make the most sense to her, and the last thing she needed were vague answers. Clarity would only make Opaline's death easier to cope with, not to say that it could be easy even with the clearest of answers. "When did you find out about Opaline?" "Last night," Shayla replied with a shuddering sigh, remembering the first moments of the great ache she had felt. It still was within her, but was ever so slowly dulling in pain as the magic within her repaired the gaping hole. Tears hastily fell from her pained eyes. "I felt her leave; it hurt so bad." Again, Thane was shocked. "You felt her?" Shayla nodded with a slight frown, struggling to rid her cheeks of the wetness with the back of her hand. "Sanctuary Priestess Rai said I have a connection with her." "I thought that only the priests and priestesses could have such a connection!" The brunette girl simply shrugged. "What did she look like when she died?" Yet again, Thane was thoroughly startled by his sister's line of questioning. "Why do you want to know, Shayla?" he queried, bewilderment hiding behind the sorrow his in dark eyes. "It seems important to know." "It's not." "Do you know what Momma looked like when she died?" The young prince was surprised by how hard her question hit him. High Priestess Opaline and Queen Lyrissa were two different people, but he still felt as if he was living his mother's death over again as the same pain continued to wash over him. Within him, he felt his heart squeeze tightly; he couldn't, and he wouldn't, answer. Shayla didn't understand what she had said when her older brother remained silent with his face turned away from her. Nonetheless, she could sense that the question had hurt him somehow, and she sought to remedy that quickly. "I'm sorry," she apologized softly, reaching out and hugging him tightly. Thane accepted her apology even though he hadn't really needed it, and enfolded the young girl into his arms. "It's alright," he whispered in return. "Do you want to come home?" "To the castle?" "Yes. Father is worried about you." The princess pulled away from the hug she had offered a moment before, and considered her brother. "The High Priestess is everywhere. If I stay here, I remember and it hurts. If I go home, I remember and it hurts," she explained in a simplistic manner with a maturity betraying her eight years. "It doesn't matter where I am, but I think I can help here more." Thane smiled softly at her. How was it that she was so young, and yet, so selfless? Overlooking her own sadness and emptiness, she still managed to think of others and not herself. She was truly a bright light in an otherwise bleak time. "If that is what you want" "It is what I want." *** WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "per se? When did we get into "per se" territory? Are words like "ergo" and "concurrently" looming up ahead?" - Sugarplum in AIM :)
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Sugarplum7	Re: LoA II #7	#9	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 10/14/03 18:40:58	Hi WhiteZeo! Its me! I am finally making my way over with feedback! Are you proud? I thought about it today, and since I like drove right past a part of your campus, I was like, Hey! Ill get started on her feedback! That was thought that flew through my head sometime in the span of time between passing your campus and the car ride over to UC to have lunch with my friend. ::grins:: Did I tell you that I liked it? I did! It wasnt full of happiness and cute fuzzy bunnies, but it was good! I thought it gave some little piece of information on how Shayla and Thane are dealing with things. Did I mention that I like the Thane-y-ness of things? I really do. ::nods:: Mmm hmmm. It is really making me happy that there is more of him in it. I would like to see a bit more of Merrick, preferably conscious. And if you are in a really good mood, a little Merrick/Shayla goodness would be much appreciated. ::grins:: What did I like the most about this . . . Hmmm . . . Let me see . . . Theres this . . . *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: For quite a long time, the two remained in silence, drawing some semblance of comfort from the other's presence. The cold breeze blew through open windowpanes, playing with Thane's hair and only emphasizing its unruliness. His gaze remained steadily focused on his sister, and in turn, her large, haunted eyes focused on something outside the window, beyond her reach. That was a nice little visual we got there. And I like Thanes unruly hair. Heehee! It is all cute with its messyness. Heehee! And I am not very articulate at the moment, but I dont really care. Making up words as you need them is part of the fun of being tired and unable to thing. You come up with things like Thane-y-ness and messyness and if you are really tired, you can make up words that should be something else like experimentational. Haha! I was really tired when I made that one up! Poor Shayla. She is so young and now she is suffering from a person withdrawal. I bet it is just horrible for her. The way Meghana described everything, Shayla isnt doing as well as some would hope. She is basically the way you would think. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "How is Merrick?" Thane was thrown by his sister's first words. He expected her to talk about Opaline, not her son. "I...don't know," he hesitated, confused and unsure of what exactly was the appropriate answer to such a question. "We didn't find him yet." Quickly, she flipped over onto her left side to face her older brother. "Why haven't you found him yet?!" she demanded, almost petulantly. Awww! Is it wrong of me to find that cute? I think it might be. But I cant help it. The first thing that she says is what she wants to know, and she wants to know if Merrick is all right. That is cute, even though the circumstances arent that wonderful. And then the whole thing where he is still missing, and she is even more upset about that . . . well, I just find that to be so cute! It is nice to know that even when she is completely and utterly depressed, she is still herself . . . sorta. Look at Shayla, with the caring and the worrying and all that stuff that is Shayla! *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: The young prince was surprised by how hard her question hit him. High Priestess Opaline and Queen Lyrissa were two different people, but he still felt as if he was living his mother's death over again as the same pain continued to wash over him. Within him, he felt his heart squeeze tightly; he couldn't, and he wouldn't, answer. And even though Thane is like what . . . how many years older than Shayla is he? Like eight or something? I dont know why, but I think he is at least twice her age. ::shrugs:: How old is Thane anyway? But back to the point . . . Even though Thane is so much older than Shayla, and he could actually remember some things about his mother, he still thinks of Opaline as his mother also. That deserves another awww, dont you think? It is just such a bad situation right now. After finding another mother she dies as well because of just really bad circumstances. Shayla might even be thinking (irrationally, yes) that she just brings bad luck with her because of what happened: the early snow storm while Merrick was out there on his hunt, her mother, and then Opaline, and now not being able to find Merrick. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: Thane smiled softly at her. How was it that she was so young, and yet, so selfless? Overlooking her own sadness and emptiness, she still managed to think of others and not herself. She was truly a bright light in an otherwise bleak time. "If that is what you want" "It is what I want." Now that is just undeniably Shayla. I think that is her at her best. And Thane did such a great job understanding it all. He is such an awesome big brother. Dont you think? And I think that when all this is over, when she somehow deals with this all and gets past it, that she is going to be an even brighter light in Animaria a beacon of sorts to the people. Oh, how the people will love her. She was the princess that they had longed for and been gifted with, and now she is going to be the shining example. She is going to be an epitome of strength, compassion, and consideration for everyone. I can tell. The only thing now is how is she going to get past it? How long will it take for this hole inside her to truly heal? So . . . What is due to happen in #8? Heehee! ~Sugarplum "The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected . . . And I know I have spent every life before this one searching for you. For your soul and mine must always come together." ~ Noah Calhoun, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks ~ *May you find some comfort here* Outer Haven
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #8	#10	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 10/31/03 12:34:08	Thanks for the feedback, Sugarplum! Also a big thanks to both Tigger and Sugarplum, who have been helping me sketch out this scene for the past few weeks. I was busying writing papers (and I still have one more to do!), but I took a break to write this. I needed to write this. However, I warn you that this is a little reflective of the recent paper I wrote about The Iliad by Homer; let's just say, I played a little with the idea of the Ancient Greek warrior. Ephane could be Hektor, Animus could be Achilles, and Mave could be our common soldier. giggle * On the other side of the city, Mave and his group of men prepared the burial wagon for the return of the High Priestess' body from the forest. The captain of the Animarian Army silently supervised his small group of men as they quickly lined the bottom of the wooden wagon with the softest and lightest hay. Back and forth they went, from the inside of the stables out into the courtyard, where the wagon had been pulled. Standing next to the wagon, Mave tugged his dark blue cape around himself, covering his newly-changed uniform of white. As soon as he had announced the passing of the High Priestess, one of the first things he did was changed his clothing. The dark, honorable blue was no longer appropriate; the stark and unemotional white reflected the sorrow that had come with Opaline's death. Beautifully pure, white blankets of wool were brought next by the soldiers and laid over the hay in the cart. Mave still hadn't totally grasped Opaline's death. Everything was just much too surreal for him. His best friend died and he couldn't save him, now his wife had died and he wasn't able to save her either. He was no best friend; he'd failed Ephane so completely. Ephane and Mave had been the best of friends. They certainly hadn't grown up together EEphane had ten more years than Mave Ebut they understood each other on a level that surpassed age. They had the strongest devotion to their lives as soldiers, to their kingdom, and to the Wildzords. Not to say that the other men didn't have any devotion, but theirs was on another level. There was never any questioning of what was to be expected of them; they always knew what needed to be done and did it with the greatest of pleasure. Their loyalty to one another, as well as to others, was absolute. Ten years ago, when Ephane originally ascended to General of the Animarian army, everyone had believed that Mave would take his rightful place as the captain of the army as Ephane's side. However, Animus was chosen instead to become captain and shock colored the entire population of the castle. No one believed Animus had been fit to be captain and thought that Ephane had made an ill decision; eventually, the latter belief was forgotten as Ephane was Ephane, loved by all, but the stigma of having stolen Mave's rightful place in the army haunted Animus and still continued. Mave never thought ill of the younger man or felt that anything had been stolen from him. Animus was the better soldier at the time, with his unparalleled strategic ability. Mave had never been concerned about receiving glory or feeling honored; being a soldier was his life, not something he did to achieve something greater. It was the only thing he did because he loved it and that was that. He failed Ephane though; his loyalty had weakened. He couldn't save the woman who had been his best friend's life. The woman for whom he had given his own life. He had been loyal to her to the end. What could Mave say of his own fidelity? Two older soldiers led two horses out of the stables and began attaching them to the wagon. Another soldier approached the Animarian captain, a folded green cloth in his hands. "Captain?" "Yes." Mave shifted his gaze from where he was watching the horses to the man before him. "We're ready to depart for the Wolf Forest to retrieve...the High Priestess," the soldier reported, hesitating for a moment. He held out the folded, dark green material to Mave. "Did you want to hold onto this?" "I did," Mave replied, taking off the soldier's hands. "Round up the men who went with us last night; a few may be trying to get some sleep. I will go get the Prince, and we'll be off." * WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "per se? When did we get into "per se" territory? Are words like "ergo" and "concurrently" looming up ahead?" - Sugarplum in AIM :)
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Lucid Lady	Re: LoA II #8	#11	[url]	[-]
Posts: 137 10/31/03 21:28:38 Local user	I've come to the conclusion that I've become lazy about reviewing. Liked the interaction between Thane and Shayla. Very sweet. It was nice to see how some of the minor characters are taking Opaline's death. Glad someone found Merrick too. It's not Animus, but at least it's someone. OK, I'll stop rambling now. Sarah, Lucid Lady ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman." -Margaret Thatcher
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Sugarplum7	Re: LoA II #8	#12	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 11/05/03 00:40:01	Hi WhiteZeo! I am being very productive today. No, really. I am. I love that feeling. That feeling that you have actually completed something. Heehee! Even though most of that feeling is from leaving people feedback, I still have it, and Im proud of it! Heehee! So . . . I totally thought this part was awesome. It was. Go you! Go, WhiteZeo. Its yo birthday. We gon party like its yo birthday. Sorry. I dont know why I have 50 Cent stuck in my head. I really dont. ::shakes head:: I need to get something else stuck in there. What is good at getting stuck? Hmm . . . But yeah! This totally rocked with . . . the sadness. LOL! I think I am too excited to be leaving something for this right now, but I am going to go ahead and do this because I want to. You were so right on with the Mave-ness. I wont say Go you! again because that would just result in the 50 Centness again. But you so totally rocked! It gave us even more insight into his character. The person he is, the person he was, the way he is feeling, it is all in there and completely Mave. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: Thanks for the feedback, Sugarplum! Also a big thanks to both Tigger and Sugarplum, who have been helping me sketch out this scene for the past few weeks. Aww. I take no credit. This was all you and your beautiful mind. I just . . . shoved in the right direction. ::grin:: I was more of a mirrored wall if you will. You kind of proposed and I reflected and bounced it back to you. I take no credit. It was all you! *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: The dark, honorable blue was no longer appropriate; the stark and unemotional white reflected the sorrow that had come with Opaline's death. Interesting. White instead of black. I like it. It does make sense. And would these white clothes that he is now wearing resemble what weve seen the ancient warriors wear in those flashbacks? If it is . . . I wonder what it was that they were mourning. On second thought, never mind. I think I will want to cross that bridge later on, but not right now. One tragedy is enough for me, thank you. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: His best friend died and he couldn't save him, now his wife had died and he wasn't able to save her either. He was no best friend; he'd failed Ephane so completely. Ohhh! Poor Mave. Someone needs a hug. Big time! ::hugs Mave:: Itll be okay. And it wasnt your fault. He didnt fail Ephane. I hate it when characters are plagued with guilt that is totally unfounded. But I bet that it makes them a little more fun for you to play with sometimes, doesnt it, WhiteZeo? Poor guy. Hopefully Merrick will be found soon. Id hate to see what happens to Mave if Merrick isnt okay. Ephane, Opaline, and then possibly something happening to Merrick on top of it all? This guy is going to be in pieces when you are done with him. Isnt he, WhiteZeo? *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: Mave never thought ill of the younger man or felt that anything had been stolen from him. Animus was the better soldier at the time, with his unparalleled strategic ability. Mave had never been concerned about receiving glory or feeling honored; being a soldier was his life, not something he did to achieve something greater. It was the only thing he did because he loved it and that was that. Maves such a nice guy. He really is. He is only in it because he likes the work. If only Vanault was a little more like Mave. Then maybe he wouldnt be as messed up as he is. Ah, who am I kidding? I like Vanault just the way he is. Does that make me one sick little Sugarplum? Or perhaps one sick little Stitch is better? *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: He failed Ephane though; his loyalty had weakened. He couldn't save the woman who had been his best friend's life. The woman for whom he had given his own life. He had been loyal to her to the end. What could Mave say of his own fidelity? Now that is a pretty good question posed. I wonder if we will find out? I personally think that his loyalty should pay off in the end. Perhaps something good comes from it. See, now that would be good. I think that Mave deserves a little happiness after all these harmful thoughts haunting him. Dont you think so? I think they could all use a little light. But who am I kidding? Haha! This whole thing just started. I bet they are nowhere near the light that is at the end of this tunnel. I loved it WhiteZeo! I really did. That was a great working of Mave-y-ness. I dont think you had anything to worry about. You worked your magic, like you always do, and made what you wrote fantastic. ::nods:: Youre awesome! I think I should have just quoted the entire thing and just wrote Fantastic under it with a nice pretty star right beside it! One star? I must not be paying attention. This deserved at least like ten stars. And just like that, I think I am all caught up on the feedbacking. I love this feeling of accomplishment. Lol! ~Stitch Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. ~ Lilo & Stitch ~
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #9	#13	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 11/07/03 14:54:47	Thanks for feedback, Lucid Lady and Sugarplum! [Edited on 11/8/03 as I realized that the scene was missing something and I wrote it up. Different ending than the original first post.] * Rai leaned against the side of her bedroom window, blankly staring out into the icy courtyard. She huddled beneath her green cloak as a breeze swept into the room; the sun was out, but the biting cold still remained. Even though the sun was slowly doing its work and melting the snow away, there was still a thin sheen of it coating the ground. As another tear fell down her cheek, marring her face, Rai frustratingly brushed it aside her with her fingers. "Too much to do," she reminded herself; she tried conjuring up strength into her voice, but found that she couldn't. "I don't have time for this." Yet, as the words left her lips, she continued to stand steadfastly beside the window. Things had to be prepared. Vanault's ascension, as well as her own, had to be hurried along and done quickly; the full moon was fast approaching in three days. Everything had to be in order by then. And all of it was left up to her, because there was no way that Vanault was capable of doing anything in his grievous state. A sudden, timid rapping arrived at her door, jarring her from her thoughts. The solemn redhead turned her gaze to the closed door, secretly hoping that it would open on its own, as she didn't want to move. The knocking persisted and she still watched on. It continued for a few moments before it stopped just as suddenly as it had started. Rai looked back to the window, but found herself compelled - half by curiosity and half by guilt - to learn who exactly had been on the other side. So, quickly rushing to the door, she pulled it open and stepped out into the dimmed hall. Her caller had been walking away, back turned to her, and had almost reached the stairs to descend from the second level. The sound of the soles of her bare feet smacking against the cold stone floor of the hallway caused him to stop in his steps. He turned around slowly, the movement of his white clothing catching in the low light, and looked back at Rai. "Sanctuary Priestess Rai." She could sense his slight amusement in his mauve aura. Confused, Rai glanced at herself and recognized by what he was entertained. There she was bundled up in a huge green cloak, even her hood on, but still bare foot. She shook her head. "Prince Thane," she returned with a lilt of playfulness in voice, a quick smile gracing her lips. The two of them continued to stand at opposite ends of the corridor in an awkward silence, until Rai spoke up once more. "You aren't supposed to be here in this wing." "I know. I was able to sneak in though." He shrugged. "You need better security." "It's forbidden, that's as much security as we've ever needed." "Well, I'm the exception to rule then." Inwardly, Thane's words gave the young priestess a thrill. The words rang so true. He was the exception. An exception she'd gladly allow. "Since you're here, you might as well come in," she gently conceded, motioning to him with a soft gesture of her arm. He nodded as the small levity that had permeated their conversation seemed to dissolve and disappear. "I did come to speak with you actually." Rai waited expectantly just outside the doorway of her room, allowing Thane to pass through first before following him inside. Once the door had shut behind her, she resumed the conversation. "About what, exactly?" "Concerning my sister and High Priestess Opaline's..." He trailed off, like so many others, not wishing to articulate what had happened. Of course, it wasn't necessarily either, as she knew. "The Princess shared a connection with Opaline." "But her...suffering?" Thane hadn't meant the phrase to become a question, but the tone in his voice had rose naturally, not sure what to call what Shayla was dealing with. "Will it last long?" By then, Rai had found her way back to her devoted spot beside the window. She regarded him for a moment, considering his question. "I cannot say. I have never experienced this...suffering myself. When High Priest Kiran died, I wasn't a priestess; I have only shared a connection with Opaline. But she will-" "She shouldn't have to endure this!" the soldier insisted, cutting off the woman's speech. Rai was startled by his outburst, but despite that, she proceeded to speak. "She has no choice. High Priest Vanault must endure it, I must endure it, the Does must endure it; we all loved Opaline dearly." "As did I," he murmured, pulling out the chair from underneath Rai's desk and sitting down. "I loved her." "There isn't a soul who didn't." "I want to bear her pain." The Sanctuary Priestess nodded softly, her gaze once more directed out the window as she listened to Thane. "She's only a child; she shouldn't know this pain. She's innocent!" he persisted, believing that he could reason away his younger sister's pain. "A child's innocence can never last forever, though I certainly wish it did." She broke her saddened features with a grin. "Life could be bliss, perhaps." A contemplative silence descended and the two of them, on their opposite sides of the room, were quiet. Rai looked over at Thane, considering his in-depth posture. He sat in her wooden chair, hunched over in thought, elbows on his knees and head in his gloved, black hands. His armor sagged downward as well, imitating his body's movement. She couldn't fathom what he might be thinking, because just as handsome as he was, Thane also was quite an enigma. He hid himself behind so many faces, Rai wasn't always sure exactly to whom she was attracted. "I just want to save Shayla." Rai narrowed her sharp green eyes on the man across from her. He had lifted his head up to stare straight at her, dark brown eyes determined, and yet broken at the same time. "Save her from what?" she questioned, a natural follow-up. Thane blinked cautiously, obviously weighing whether to reveal his information to her. He opened his mouth a few times, getting ready to speak, but stopping himself. Finally, on the fourth try, he mumbled something that she could barely hear, but as soon as she had heard it, everything made sense. "Save her from the hurt no one saved me from." There was a long pause in where Rai simply stood still, not sure as to what to say or do. However, just as she had decided to approach him, the sight of an armored horse entering the courtyard stopped her. There was no doubt in her mind as to what, actually whom, they had come for. She met Thane's gaze that had been so focused on her. "You have to go," she told him reluctantly. Instantly, a wounded look appeared upon his face and he withdrew slightly. "I have to go?" he queried; confusion, anger, and hurt all mixed into the tone his voice took. Understanding the meaning he had garnered from her previous statement, Rai quickly sought to explain herself. "I mean, someone has come for you," she returned, motioning toward the window. "A soldier is down in the courtyard." Thane walked over to her side to see out the window in order to view what she had. "That's Mave," he stated, after a moment of examination. "Thanks." "You would've seen him for yourself if-" "No." Thane's voice was short and soft. He shook his head. Thanks." Rai stared after him as strode out her door, tucking her chair back under her desk before he left. "Oh." * WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "per se? When did we get into "per se" territory? Are words like "ergo" and "concurrently" looming up ahead?" - Sugarplum in AIM :)
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #10	#14	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 11/14/03 11:59:35	Dedicated to Sugarplum, who really needed the boost last night. Originally, it was just a really short scene; Vanault wasn't being talkative. But then he told me where he would be talkative, and things just fell into place. * The door creaked open slightly before it was pushed all the way in, allowing Vanault to enter the room. Occupied by the darkness of the evening, the room was quite solemn. The air was heavy and dank; the room hadn't been entered for the past two days. Things were still left in disarray from their hurried exit before: clothes tossed aside, the bed rumpled, notes and knickknacks spread across the dresser. He crossed the room and approached the torch in the corner. With a simple thought, a fire leapt up from where there once was none. The light and the clarity that it brought to the room broke Vanault instantly, and the tears of grief spilled from his dull blue eyes again. Everything that was Opaline stared back at him; he was in her** bedroom. He was here, two nights ago, lamenting over the loss of Opaline's love. Of her betrothal to the child man. Now, he was there, grieving the loss of Opaline completely. Not only was her love lost to him, but so was her presence, her soul. No longer would comfort be found in her smile, her voice, her touch. It was all gone. The Wildzords had forsaken him once more. The one woman who had completed his entire being was no more. There was no replacing her. Nor did he want to try. She was far too dear to his heart. Vanault wandered over to the standing mirror opposite the bed that had been Opaline's. He peered carefully at the reflective surface through his blurred vision; perhaps if he looked hard enough, he could see her there, examining herself before she faced the outside world All he could see was himself. Disheveled hair, drawn and haggard blue eyes, sagging figure, soiled clothes from the day before. He was the opposite of what Opaline had left him with. She had been beauty epitomized. He was the disgusting man who had killed her. You killed her. Vanault narrowed his gaze at his reflection, his tears having stopped awhile ago. "I didn't kill her. Merrick killed her." You killed her. "I didn't kill her," he reiterated to his image in the mirror, his somber faade slipping away to be replaced by a face of anger. You killed her. The high priest jerked forward, grabbing the mirror's wooden frame. His face was shoved up so close to the glass that his nose was barely touching it. Madness seized him, his eyes no longer somber, but a raging, storm blue; he challenged his reflection. "I DIDN'T KILL HER!" With great force, Vanault threw the mirror aside, causing it to fall to the stone floor and shatter into several pieces. He stared at the splintered wood and shards of glass littering the floor for a moment, before suddenly falling to his knees and struggling to pick all the pieces up. "I'm sorry," he mumbled over and over to himself, vainly trying to put the mirror back together again. "I didn't mean to, Opaline" The commotion did not go unheard by others, and soon enough, Leona came rushing into the room, quite shocked to see the High Priest of the Wildzord Clan on his knees before the broken mirror. "High Priest, are you alright?" she softly questioned, watching him in horror as he continued to mumble to himself and pick up the pieces of his mess. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to, Opaline. I really didn't. I promise I'll fix it" Leona edged closer and noticed how while one of his hands eagerly picked at the pieces of destroyed mirror, the other hand was wrapped tightly in a fist. A fist with blood slowly dribbling out of it. "High Priest!" She carefully fell to her knees, avoiding the jagged edges of glass, beside Vanault. She tried to reach for his bleeding hand, but he pulled it closer to himself in a protective manner. "No!" he shouted, stopping momentarily to stare at her. "This is my pain! You cannot have it!" Leona became somber at his declaration as Vanault resumed his work. He refused to let anyone else bare his pain. "High Priest, you must-" "No!" he yapped again, not stopping this time. "Merrick killed her! Why did he kill her? Why did he kill his mother? He caused so much pain! It's my pain!" "Merrick?" she whispered, unbelievingly. The High Priest was simply in pain and lashing out- "Yes, Merrick." He stared at her with the utmost clarity, breaking out of his mutterings for that instant. His voice was strong and insistent. He knew what he was saying; he was consciously aware. "It was Merrick." "Are you sure that-" "It was Merrick." *** WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "per se? When did we get into "per se" territory? Are words like "ergo" and "concurrently" looming up ahead?" - Sugarplum in AIM :)
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tptigger	Re: LoA II #10	#15	[url]	[-]
Posts: 741 11/14/03 13:12:37	I have words that I'd like to use to describe Vanault. They are crude, anatomical names I choose not to use in polite society (especially on a board for a kid's fandom), but I'm sure you know what I mean. (And let's face it, even if I wanted to use them, ezboard would mask them. ) Anyway, great part, WZ. I can't wait to see what comes next! (And btw, poor Merrick! No wonder he's so closed off. )
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Sugarplum7	Re: LoA II #9 and #10	#16	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 11/18/03 21:47:58	Hi WhiteZeo! I feel so bad! I fell behind in the feedback! Bad Sugarplum! But I am here now! Wheee! I have two parts to feedback! How fun is that? So fun! So totally with the funness! If you havent guessed, I am in a really silly mood, and making up words and sounding really silly comes with the territory. I do hope that you dont mind . . . a lot. Aaaahhhh! You posted the conversation on your post office?! I was warned. But I didnt think the conversation itself was going to make it on the page! Haha! You have no idea how hard it was not to laugh in the library when I was reading through the conversation again. I think I am too silly and too crazy for my own good! Haha! Well, now that that off topic thing is done, I think I can get to the actual reason for this post. Just a warning . . . This is long, and I am silly from sleepiness and also a really silly day. I apologize for any nonsensicalness and . . . Uh, lets just leave it at that. I apologize. ::sheepish grin:: *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: As another tear fell down her cheek, marring her face, Rai frustratingly brushed it aside her with her fingers. "Too much to do," she reminded herself; she tried conjuring up strength into her voice, but found that she couldn't. "I don't have time for this." Yet, as the words left her lips, she continued to stand steadfastly beside the window. Poor Rai! She has to be the strong one in this all. Everyone else is falling to pieces and she needs to be the one that is there keeping things on track, the one with the level head. She is such a great friend to Vanault! I knew I liked her for reasons other than the way she interacts with Thane! I like how she knows that she doesnt have time to basically do nothing, but that doesnt get her moving. I think it makes her more real, more believable as a person. I mean . . . how often do we really go and do something right after we tell ourselves that you have to do this . . . now? Like very rarely. Very nice touch! *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: He turned around slowly, the movement of his white clothing catching in the low light, and looked back at Rai. It looks like Thane had the same thoughts as Mave with the changing of the uniform. I wonder what Rai thought when she saw him in the different uniform, the more somber uniform. That probably didnt help her mood. Although I am sure he looked just adorable in it! Heehee! Who am I kidding? He would look adorable in just about anything. Heehee! *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "Sanctuary Priestess Rai." She could sense his slight amusement in his mauve aura. Oh! Mauve aura! Pretty! I want to see! I want to see! ::giggles:: Truthfully, I want to know what color my aura is. Whenever you mention them in here, that thought always pops into my head. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "Prince Thane," she returned with a lilt of playfulness in voice, a quick smile gracing her lips. Okay! Rai and Thane! Too cute for words! Like really! So very cute with the subtle non-flirting flirting. Haha! I really like the next part that I quoted. I thought that was like the cutest part in the part . . . well . . . other than the way it ended. Rai is so cute around Thane! She really is. He brings out a side of her that I think she tends to hide. Maybe she doesnt think it is befitting of someone in her position? I am glad that her mood improved after Thanes little visit though. She deserved a little lift in her mood. I think everyone in Animaria does. But then I like it when everyone is happy. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "You aren't supposed to be here in this wing." "I know. I was able to sneak in though." He shrugged. "You need better security." "It's forbidden, that's as much security as we've ever needed." Haha! I just liked that. I like her response to his security comment. ::giggles:: *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "She's only a child; she shouldn't know this pain. She's innocent!" he persisted, believing that he could reason away his younger sister's pain. "A child's innocence can never last forever, though I certainly wish it did." She broke her saddened features with a grin. "Life could be bliss, perhaps." Thane is so sweet when he is concerned about Shayla. He really is such a great older brother. Makes me want an older brother. And Rai . . . I just like her comment about childhood and bliss and . . . yeah. Well, that wasnt too articulate wasnt it? I try to confuse the author when I leave feedback. It keeps them on their toes. Haha! I do like how she grinned before she said Life could be bliss, perhaps. I could see that. Maybe not a Cheshire cat grin, but a small one, very subtle. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "I just want to save Shayla." "Save her from the hurt no one saved me from." Again with being the awesome older brother! Thane so rocks! And at the same time you feel so sorry for the guy. ::hugs Thane:: What? He looked like he needed one! Dont you think he needed one? Fine. Rai! Go hug Thane! He needs one badly! *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "You have to go," she told him reluctantly. Instantly, a wounded look appeared upon his face and he withdrew slightly. "I have to go?" he queried; confusion, anger, and hurt all mixed into the tone his voice took. Awww! He didnt want to go! So sweet! Thane and Rai! Heehee! I can see his sad face with those light brown eyes looking all hurt and stuff as he asked, I have to go? ::giggles:: Thane is so cute with his actions and reactions and just being the guy he is. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "Oh." Okay. I liked that. I liked that a lot! It was very understated. It allowed a lot for interpretation, but I could so see her standing there and sudden realization hit her and she quietly says, oh. Not an exclamation or a shout or a cheer, just oh . . . like a light bulb just went off in her head and she suddenly sees what he meant. Cute! *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: Dedicated to Sugarplum, who really needed the boost last night. Aww! You so didnt have to do that. But thank you so much for it! That really just made me feel all better. It was a very nice little present to come onto Ranger Comm to find. You are too sweet for words. Thanks so much! You know me too well. Hmm . . . I think I am too obvious. Heehee! I must be one of the very few people that gets all excited and happy for a Vanault part! Haha! And the funny thing is that I know how opposite I am after looking at what Tigger wrote. Haha! I wanted to give him a hug after this part. ::giggles:: Like I told you in AIM once, I think I reached my psycho quota with Vanault. I cant like any more psychotic characters because he just maxes out my . . . psycho character credit card? Haha! I told you I was in a silly mood! *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: The one woman who had completed his entire being was no more. There was no replacing her. Nor did he want to try. She was far too dear to his heart. See! This is the Vanault I like. The one that is more . . . human, I suppose is what I was looking for. He is more mortal, more vulnerable. He is just . . . Vanault. The true Vanault. It is just really bad that he had to fall in love with Opaline instead of . . . someone else. But you cant blame him for it. Opaline was so nice and sweet, and just an attractive personality. She was always there for him. She was his best friend. You cant really blame him for loving her like that. Although, you can blame him for jumping on the deep end like he does . . . a lot. But for some reason I still like him. ::shakes head:: I must be a glutton for punishment when it comes to Vanault. I just see the good in him. I dont want to give up on that. I bet there have been too many people that have done that to him. ::sighs:: *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: He was the disgusting man who had killed her. You killed her. Vanault narrowed his gaze at his reflection, his tears having stopped awhile ago. "I didn't kill her. Merrick killed her." You killed her. I knew it! I knew that somewhere inside him he didnt believe that it was Merricks fault! I knew it! I knew that he was blaming Merrick to wash himself of blame. How would he be able to live with the guilt that he was the one to blame for Opalines death? He was just as much at fault for it. And he cant have that or else he would really lose it. The use of the mirror was nice. I liked it! It reminded me of 25th Hour! That was a good movie. The scene in that movie with the mirror! That was one of my favorite scenes. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "I'm sorry," he mumbled over and over to himself, vainly trying to put the mirror back together again. "I didn't mean to, Opaline" See! How can you hate Vanault when he is like that? You cant! It is almost impossible to hate him when he is so . . . vulnerable. That is Vanault! That is the reason I like him. I can see that, whenever I read Vanault. I see that and I cant hate him. Sure Ill dislike his actions. Of course I do. But I still like him. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: She tried to reach for his bleeding hand, but he pulled it closer to himself in a protective manner. "No!" he shouted, stopping momentarily to stare at her. "This is my pain! You cannot have it!" Again! He is just . . . I cant hate that! I cant dislike that! He is like a little boy! I cant hate or dislike a little boy! I am a sucker for the little boy type of characters. The innocence in their tone, their innocent expressions . . . I cant hate that! And I like how he needed his pain to keep Opaline around him. It was just so . . . sad! It was very believable. ::nods:: He was so childlike right there. *Quote:* WhiteZeo originally wrote: "Yes, Merrick." He stared at her with the utmost clarity, breaking out of his mutterings for that instant. His voice was strong and insistent. He knew what he was saying; he was consciously aware. "It was Merrick." So this should have made me want to kick him in the shins. But it didnt. I didnt want to. I mean, sure I dont like that he is still blaming an eight year-old (Merricks eight right?) for the accident. And I know that it said he was aware of what he was saying, but I also know that deep down inside he doesnt believe it. I know that he is doing his best to convince himself. And okay! It made be angry that he did that, but I cant hate him. ::shakes head:: I really am pathetic when it comes to Vanault. I think I am pathetic when it comes to all the characters. I think I can say with a good amount of certainty that I am not representative of the population. Haha! I think most people had a reaction like Tiggers. See, I read that and I was thinking, Aww. Vanault. I know you dont mean that. But I understand why you feel that way. I just wish that you could see that it was an accident and neither you nor Merrick was at fault. You know what he needs? I think he needs to be locked in that room with Rai and the fawns now. He needs hugs! Well, hugs and a nice whap upside his head to knock some sense into him, but we all have priorities. And you know what mine are? Hugs! Spread the hugs! Hugs for all! I like hugs. Heehee! And now we are back to silliness. I think I am going to go before this gets really really really really long! Heehee! ~Stitch PS. Sure it took a while, but you got Sugarplummed! How can I not Sugarplum you? Huh? Thats like . . . an impossibility or something. Me . . . not Sugarplum WhiteZeo? Dont speak of such silliness! Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. ~ Lilo & Stitch ~
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #11	#17	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 12/10/03 01:06:59	Thanks for the feedback, Sugarplum and Tigger! The boy is tainted, to say the least... Sugarplum, you and your messed up characters! No wonder you passed up on Nathan and gave him to me! laughs So, it's been sometime since I last updated. I had papers. I have finals. This is actually the productivity that happens when it's raining like crazy and you are putting off writing your Cicero paper at midnight! Geez, it had to be the rain, huh? These were SUCH the mood scenes! * Merrick stood at the edge of the unfamiliar river, watching the rough current flow past him. His eyes never left the waters, staring downward, trying to find something. What he was trying to find, he himself was unsure. Long moments passed. Silence reigned. He couldn't hear anything. No animals. No wind. Not even the rushing water. He continued to stare, dismissing the gradual strain on his eyes. Suddenly, he saw something. A general shimmer in the water. Something besides the waves and foam. He didn't know what it was, but it was enough. He felt his body propelled forward, his bare feet leaving the comfort and coolness of the grass on the bank to step into the river. The round pebbles of the riverbed were hard against the soles of his feet, but he still walked forward. The water was shallow at first, barely grazing his ankles. However, as his feet took his further into the river, the water began to gradually rise. Two more steps in and the water breeched his knees. Another two steps, he was waist-deep in the river. Four more steps brought the water level to right beneath his chin. "Merrick, come to me..." His mother's voice soothingly called to him. His mother... How he ached for her embrace. His body obeyed her call, and he took two more steps forward, completely falling beneath the rough waters. It was only after being swallowed by the river, did Merrick realize what he had done. Struggling to breathe, Merrick flailed his arms and frantically popped his head above the surface of the river. He gasped for air, and tried to swim back to the shore from which he had started. "Merrick, come to me..." Opaline's whispered words called to him once more, a deadly siren. He tried to escape their pull, but he couldn't. No matter how much he moved his arms and kicked his legs, he couldn't escape the undertow of the river and was swallowed by the water, his hollow screams of terrors falling on deaf ears. * The first thing Merrick was aware of was the sensation of a water droplet hitting his forehead as his senses slowly awoke from their dormant state. He groaned deep and low, struggling to open his eyes as he pulled himself out of his nightmare. Slowly, he contorted his body, stretching all of his unused muscles thoroughly. "You awake?" Merrick turned his head and blinked his bleary eyes in the direction of the voice. "Mmmmmuhhh?" "I'll take that as a yes." The voice chuckled quietly. "There some bread and milk on the stand next to the bed. If you need anything, just ask." He heard footsteps as his caretaker left the room. Caretaker. Someone was taking care of him. He had been saved. He had been spared. He wasn't yet sure whether he was grateful yet. Now, he would have to live. Alone. His vision eventually cleared and once he spotted the bread, he grabbed it out of the tin it was sitting in. Biting into it hungrily and squelching the large growl from his famished stomach, Merrick sat up in the bed he had been laying in and examined his surroundings. The room was small and the ceiling was low. The floor was made of worn, faded wooden boards, the walls made of cold, crumbling stone. Merrick pulled the one woolen blanket that he had around his body tightly as the room was fairly cold; a fire pit was carved into one of the corners in the room on the floor, but it was evident that the fire that had burned there had gone out quite awhile ago. There was no mirror to be found, but he did note that there was a small wooden chest at the foot of the bed. To the left of the bed was the small, rickety table with his bread and milk. To the right was a slightly larger cabinet with a shelf on top of it, halfway filled with books. He sat there quietly for some time, nursing his bread and milk, simply staring at his surroundings in awe. He had never seen anything like it. It was nothing like the castle, with its large halls, grand staircases, and luxurious furnishings. After he had finished with his food, Merrick carefully stepped out of his bed onto the floor. As soon as his bare feet adjusted to the uncomforting cold, Merrick slowly walked around the room once before exiting it to wander into the next room. This room was twice the size of the bedroom he had been in before, but still was smaller than his own bedroom in the castle. Half of the room was obviously the kitchen as small baskets filled with different types of foods were lined against the wall. Another wall was devoted to the stove, which has a healthy and strong fire burning within it although nothing was being cooked over it at that time. A small, round dining table, he guessed, filled the second half of the room, four chairs surrounding it. There was a door near where the table was set up, and beside the door was a medium-sized window. Just as Merrick tried to peek out the window, the voice snuck up on him. "There's nothing out there but dirt." Merrick spun around, appearing as his he had been caught stealing something. "I" he trailed off, not knowing exactly what to say. Dressed in a heavy brown cloak, the dark-haired, doe-eyed girl smiled softly and stared back at the speechless boy before her. "My name is Ava." *** WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "per se? When did we get into "per se" territory? Are words like "ergo" and "concurrently" looming up ahead?" - Sugarplum in AIM :)
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Lucid Lady	Re: LoA II #11	#18	[url]	[-]
Posts: 137 12/20/03 11:35:06 Local user	Shame on me for not having read this sooner. So many questions answered and so many left to be answered. Will definatly still be reading next time. Sarah, Lucid Lady ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall. Some run from brakes of ice and answer none, And some condemned for a fault alone." (William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure)
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #12	#19	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 12/29/03 21:09:54	[Edited 1/13/03] This is the NEW part! I deleted the Priya/Animus scene, as I really did not like how it caused the rest of the story to fall around it. So this is the new scene to replace it! * Side by side, the red-headed priestess and the brunette princess walked through the quiet halls of the Castle of Tribute. The only other souls that dared to mill around the castle in the wake of the High Priestess' death were the obligated servants. However, as the servants courteously greeted the pair with a bow of their heads while walking by, it was to be noticed that even they carried tears of sadness in their eyes. "Thank you for coming with me, Princess Shayla," Rai awkwardly thanked. She kindly smiled down at the girl whose small, gloved hand was held in her own. "You needed me," Shayla simply returned. "It is my home." "That it is," Rai agreed as they gradually approached the foot of the grand staircase. Inwardly, she questioned whether they should ascend, but even before she could think to stop, the princess was already taking the lead and pulling her gently up the stairs. "The only time I visit the castle is during the Feast of the Wolfzord; and even then, I always stay on the bottom floor in the Great Hall. I've never seen anything else." Together, they stepped off the last stair and stood at the head of a hallway of doors. Shayla peered up into the older woman's face. "Where is High Priest Vanault staying?" "The soldier told me only to go to the castle; he did not tell me where," Rai relayed, her green eyes clouded with worry. She peered down the hall timidly, completely unfamiliar with her surroundings. "That is why I needed your help, Shayla." Late last night, a young soldier had come to the Wildzord Sanctuary gate asking for the Sanctuary Priestess. One of the Virginal Does went to fetch her from her room, and when she met with the soldier, he told her of what had happened to Vanault. Apparently, he had returned to the castle - specifically to Opaline's room - and was found violently grieving for Opaline by a handmaiden. Rai asked what the soldier meant by "violently grieving," but not even he had an explanation as to what that had meant. He had told her to go to the castle the next morning to tend to Vanault, and then left her alone to worry about the High Priest. "He was found in her room?" Her passing was still fresh; Shayla hesitated to speak even Opaline's title in deference to Rai. It took the priestess a moment to find her voice. "Yes." In a switching of roles, the young Fawn held onto her teacher's hand and walked her down the hall, guiding her to the room that once belonged to the Opaline. Tears threatened to roll down Rai's pronounced cheeks as she watched the girl take charge when Rai simply couldn't bring herself to do so. She didn't dare vocalize how she felt - how grateful she was - for fear of breaking down right then and there in the middle of the hall. Down the hall they traveled until they stopped in front of an ordinary-looking door, save for the Deerzord engraving within the wood that set it apart from all the others. Shayla placed her hand against the silver knob and turned it, opening the door and allowing them access into the room. The rush of cold air nearly overwhelmed Rai when she first entered the room, following in Shayla's footsteps. Side by side, they stood in the threshold of the room staring at the window across from them. Vanault languidly leaned against the windowsill, his back to them, appearing to be completely composed. After a long moment in where the three of them remained completely still in their places, he finally spoke up. "Princess Shayla, please leave." He requested her with a slight lifting of his hand, back still turned to them. Barely noticing Shayla's departure as the girl shut the door behind her, Rai was overwhelmed by the force of Vanault's aura. It was no longer a pulsing, raging storm of bleak green, but was a calm and serene pond of dark green. His controlled, settled emotions served to steady her own instantly. "I'm sorry you had to come." "It's alright." Rai shed herself of her heavy cloak in the stuffy room and folded it over her arms. "Is everything fine now?" Vanault turned to face her, the smallest of smirks upon his lips and an earnest look in his clear blue eyes. "As fine as it can be." He paused, narrowing his eyebrows as if contemplating the true meaning of being fine. "She's gone, and things are far from fine." "I know," she agreed monotonously. As the young woman stared down at her shifting feet, her red tresses tumbled into her face, hiding her features from view. Rai heard his boots against the stone floor, and soon enough, they entered her vision. Vanault's hand slipped beneath her chin and drew her head up so that she was looking up at him. "You've spent the past two days being strong, for the Clan, and for me." His hands moved to cup her cheeks, and slowly, the trembling tears slipped from her eyes. "You don't have to be strong; I'll take care of you." The petite Sanctuary Priestess broke down completely upon his words, and began to sob uncontrollably, burying her face into his chest. Vanault soothingly held her close, and rubbed her back softly. They needed each other more than ever now, and for that moment, he would set aside his revenge simply to comfort his Clan sister so that they might move forward together, stronger. * WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "per se? When did we get into "per se" territory? Are words like "ergo" and "concurrently" looming up ahead?" - Sugarplum in AIM :)
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Sugarplum7	Re: LoA II #11 and #12	#20	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 12/30/03 00:23:35	Zee-girl! I was just reading through our conversation! You said something like now that Im keeping it all. Youre keeping the feedback? Really? Well, isnt that neat! I must apologize for all the millions of type-os that must be in them. Im sorry! You are going to make me all self-conscious now! Im also sorry that I didnt Sugarplum #11 until now. I really did want to and mean to. I just read it so far after it was posted that I thought to just do one of my (if Teej can have a patented smile, can I have a patented catch up double Sugarplumming post?) catch-up double Sugarplumming posts. ::grins:: Well, #11 totally kicked some ficcy butt! I thought it was great! And you know what? New character! Ava! I so knew where that name came from! And you know what? I think her namesake was a pretty cool character! I liked her hair because I could never pull it off. ::giggles:: So cornball. ::giggles:: I really liked that dream that Merrick had, Zee! It was so sad! I think it was a nice way to show that inner struggle. He wants to be with his mother, but he isnt ready to . . . leave yet. That must be so rough on him. I thought that showing it through the whole swimming thing was really, really neat. And I think I just really like dreams. Probably because I can never remember mine. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: His mother's voice soothingly called to him. His mother... How he ached for her embrace. His body obeyed her call, and he took two more steps forward, completely falling beneath the rough waters. It was only after being swallowed by the river, did Merrick realize what he had done. Struggling to breathe, Merrick flailed his arms and frantically popped his head above the surface of the river. He gasped for air, and tried to swim back to the shore from which he had started See! Thats it! He wants to be with Opaline. He even followed her that far. But then something clicks in his mind and he realizes that as much as he loves her, as much as he wants to be with her, he isnt ready to leave this life to do it. Good for you Merrick! Other people want you to live, you know. Other people like the wonderful Shayla who is still quite worried that you are still missing, ya know! And Animus must be just about worried sick looking for you! And Ava certainly sounds nice. I am just glad that Merrick somewhere nice and warm and safe. Out of the cold snowyness that is the outdoors at the moment. If Ava was the one that did it, she has another gold star next to her name in my book. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "I'll take that as a yes." The voice chuckled quietly. "There some bread and milk on the stand next to the bed. If you need anything, just ask." ::giggles:: Ava seems so funny! And she is taking care of Merrick so well. How could I not like her so far? And then, me not like one of Zees characters? That is like really farfetched at the moment. ::giggles:: That is one of the reasons why I find that question on your guestbook so hard to answer! Its like, how can we choose?! They are all so wonderful in their own way! Even Vanault! :: braces herself for other readers to throw tomatoes and other vegetables at her:: And Merricks examination of the room . . . I dont really know what his thoughts of it are. I know that he thinks it is smaller than his room in the palace, but I dont know if he likes it or not. I dont think that he will be staying at the palace since Opaline will no longer be there. But then I could be wrong. But if he isnt, then a smaller room will be something that he should get used to. I cant wait for you to post the beginning part of this Legend on your page, Zee! See, I want to read all the special feature stuff! Like . . . How did you choose the name Ava? Was it intentional? Oh! And I want to see whos playing Ava, too! ::giggles:: And since I already read #12, how did you come across the name Priya? And who is playing the wonderful Priya? OH! Since this hunt kind of got messed up a little due to undue weather, does that mean that the boys have to do it all over again? Or does the fact that they survived all the unplanned snow give them bonus points? If they had to do the hunt all over again, would that mean they have to wait until next year? I guess Ill find out later. Hmm . . . Will this Ava be some sort of competition for Merricks affection? For some reason I thought/think that she will. I mean, Vanault was, kind of sort of (but not really (in Vanaults mind it was competitiony)) competition for Opalines affection. And now that that little triangle is over, will Ava make this a little triangle among her, Merrick, and Shayla? Lots and lots of questions came from this part. And most of them are just my thoughts running away from me. But I really liked it! I liked it so much! I think part of the reason is that Merrick isnt in the cold snow anymore. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Just as Merrick tried to peek out the window, the voice snuck up on him. "There's nothing out there but dirt." ::giggles:: I thought that was so cute for some reason. It stuck with me so I thought Id quote it. See! Impulse control. I really need to work on that. And now onto #12! This part totally rocked, girl! Dont ask me why I thought that merited a girl at the end. For some reason my mind said, It sounds better like that, so use it! I really like the introduction of the stranger analyzing Animus. Now we can see that his behavior isnt noticeable to just us, but even to strangers. Granted she can see his aura, but still. She noticed even without that. Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color! ::laughs:: I so noticed what I said, but it is too funny to edit out! (Like people dont already see in color! ::giggles:: ) But I hope you know what Im trying to say. It would be like seeing in supercolor! Dude! I so want to know what color my aura is! Dont you? *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: A silence followed her short prayer and it was broken by the sound of boots entering her hearing. The priestess stood up and turned around to see a worn-looking man clothed in the dark blue and silver of the Animarian Army. She recognized him instantly. Hmm . . . See I am trying to see how she recognized him. Was it more for his clothes, his uniform being easily distinguishable in his generals position, or did she know what Animus looked like? :: ponders:: *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "He was the pride and joy of the High Priestess' existence; it was hard not to know of him." Aww! I thought that was really cute. Its like Merricks a celebrity! ::giggles:: Sorry, I just got a really funny visual. Its like Merricks this big celebrity. So I like pictured him with paparazzi following him around and totally taking tons of pictures of everything he did (even though they probably dont have cameras, that didnt stop my imagination). I totally saw girls fainting at the sight of him, tears streaming down their faces as he walked past. ::giggles:: See! Funny visual! *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Priya's pain ran deep for the loss of the High Priestess. She had been an integral part of village priestess - bonded to every clansmember through magic. Yet, the grief and agony that was so visible in Animus' aura surpassed anything that she felt. Perhaps it was because he hadn't worshipped her like the rest of the kingdom; he knew her as a person, and not as a divine religious figure. She could only speculate as to why his sorrow was greater than her own. However, she did not envy him for it; not only did his pain echo through his aura, but through every action and every move he made. A mere glimpse of his sorrow embodied within his aura threatened to spill tears down her cold cheeks. I just thought that was really nice. I liked how she was able to distinguish the difference between his pain and her own, even though their pain is rooted in the same tragic accident. They are both feeling a sadness, but Animus pain is different somehow. It is . . . a nice clarification that Animus is suffering more, even though he lacked that bond that Opaline had with those of her clan. His bond with Opaline was different. It was even deeper than magic. I liked that. And okay. Maybe seeing auras wouldnt be so pretty if everyone was depressed and sorrowful, but I still think it would still be so totally cool! *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Priya quietly watched as the general's sorrow grew deeper and darker, and yet he never said a word or expressed his frustration. He remained ever formal and polite to her and to the people he spoke with; she imagined that he had no other choice. "I'm sorry I could not help you," she gently apologized as they approached her own small home near the center of the village. Animus shook his head and gave her a small, tired smile. "It isn't your fault, Village Priestess," he assured. "I'll just have to continue to search; I know he's still out there somewhere. I just have to find him." Well, that was just sweet. Is it wrong that I like how Animus is feeling about Merricks disappearance? It isnt that I like him to be hurting. I like that hes hurting because it is like reaffirming that Merrick is still loved by many people even though Opaline is no longer with them. I dont want Animus to be sad, but I would rather he be sad than extremely chipper that Merrick is missing. I guess, it is fitting. Animus is like Merricks father figure, and because of that, I think that the way hes feeling is very characteristic. Merrick may have lost a mother, but he still has a father who cares for him. I just have to find him comment made me smile. It was very nice to hear that spoken by Animus. Ooooh! How Long! I love this Lifehouse song! ::sways:: ::dances:: I think this might be my favorite song from Stanley Climbfall! Im so glad that this track was included! Yay for bonus tracks! Sorry about that. I should have stopped listening to music when I started this, but I forgot to turn it off. I am so distracted by music! ::grins:: *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "If I find him, hear anything of him, I will send a messenger to the capital," she promised, reassuring him that his decision to leave was the right one. Animus smiled graciously, aware of what she was trying to do for him and grateful for it. "Thank you." He paused, and then added as an afterthought, "He means a lot to Animaria." "I know," she acknowledged quietly, as the general began to walk away with his soldier at his side. Now that, that I liked! You are so good with ending things, Zee! It always closes things up just nice enough that the reader is satisfied, but then there is always this part still left open-ended. Like, Merrick is still missing and it Animus doesnt know that Merrick is safe, but it ended well. ::giggles:: That last little exchange was really sweet. Oh! And this . . . *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "He also means a lot to you, General." Im glad that someone said it! Finally! I would like it if Animus was the one that said it, but I think Ill settle for Priya acknowledging that Merrick means a lot to Animus. But Animus better say it soon. Preferably to Merrick because that kid sorely needs to know that little bit of information. ::nods:: Not just know it . . . but maybe to hear it spoken to him as well. Zee! I am so not a goddess! Silly girl! I just asked the right questions to jumpstart your imagination. You found your way out of your corner on your own. I was more of a helpful flashlight to help you get out of your stuckness. See, you solved it. I just kind of . . . lighted up some things that werent as written in stone as you thought they were. You made up your own escape path. But if you still dont agree, Ill accept it. There are worse things, I suppose. ::giggles:: If I am a goddess, Zee, then you are one right beside me. I hope you know that. ::grins:: Wonderful stuff, as usual, Zee. I am very, very pleased. That and totally loving this fic even more than I thought possible! You are so the goddess! ::sways:: Its Tina Arena now. Not Lifehouse I havent popped this album into my CD player in a while. ::sighs:: Very pretty. ::nods:: I think the last time I heard this song was when I was doing the dance for it. ::laughs:: that might be why I havent listened to it in a while! I heard it so many times that I just got sick of it. (That happened a lot with me and songs. ::giggles:: ) ::sways:: Show Me Heaven is so pretty! ~Sugarplum Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. ~ Lilo & Stitch ~
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Lucid Lady	re: LoA II #12	#21	[url]	[-]
Posts: 137 12/30/03 03:16:14 Local user	"I know," she acknowledged quietly, as the general began to walk away with his soldier at his side. "He also means a lot to you, General." For some reason this line just tugs my heart strings. To me it shows exactly how close Animus is to Merrick. Almost as if Animus sees himself as Merricks adopted father. It's kind of touching.
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #13	#22	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 12/31/03 00:03:39	Feedback always much appreciated, Sarah and Sugarplum! So I'm putting this up because it's tomorrow, and I'm giddy to put up another part. Zee can write! cheers [Edited 12/31/03 because Tigger pointed out a coding mistake, and I changed a paragraph because I had forgotten something essential to the scene See if you can find it. grin] * "You...you brought me here?" "I did." Merrick took in the sight of the girl before him. She was, at most, a hand-width taller than him. A long braid of dark brown - nearly black - hair lay casually against her shoulder. Eyes of amber shined warmly at him, allowing the examination to occur. She was nervous however, as he easily noticed her slight, tan fingers fiddling with the worn edges of her cloak. And yet, she didn't betray her emotions anymore than that, as her face remained open and welcoming. "You brought me here?" He was still trying to grasp the thought. This girl was sweet and kind, but in no way she appear strong enough to have carried him from the forest to wherever they were. A small laugh broke free of her lips and Ava nodded her head. "Yes, I brought you here." She paused simply to watch his eyes grow wide. "On my horse." "Oh." The two stared at one another for a long moment before breaking out into peals of laughter at the basic misunderstanding. Their joint amusement seemed to dissolve the awkwardness, and soon enough once both had calmed down sufficiently, Merrick pressed forward with another question. "Where is here?" "Here is my village," Ava answered easily. "I found you at the edges of the Wolf Forest while returning home from Tribute." "Tribute?" Home. No, it couldn't be home anymore. There was no one at home waiting- "Why were you there?" His eyes followed her as she padded her bare feet over to the fire burning within the stove. With her back to him, she leaned close to the fire, warming her cold hands. "Doing what everyone does at this time of year; I made pilgrimage to the Deerzord Sanctuary." She spoke of it in a matter of fact tone. "Why did you** go? Didn't the head of your family make-" Ava spun around suddenly, her cheeks evidently flushed by the heat of the fire. "Why do you get to ask so many questions?" she insisted playfully. Had he looked carefully, he would've seen a glimmer of coldness in her eyes. "I don't even know your name!" He ducked his head shamefully. What could he say? Could he tell her the truth? She didn't know who he was by looking at him, so could he count on her not knowing that the boy called Merrick was also the former High Priestess' son? He didn't want to go back. He couldn't go back. Would she make him go back? "Merrick." She studied him, her back turned to the stove's heat. It seemed as if for the first time, she really looked at him. Did she recognize his name? Did she know who he was? After some time passed, she dropped her gaze and faced the fire once more. "What happened to you, Merrick?" she asked. She didn't know! Merrick was about to send a prayer of thanks to the Wildzords, before he stopped himself. They may have protected him, but his prayers were no longer good enough for Them; his tainted words could not hold any meaning for Them. "I got lost in the Wolf Forest." "Do you have anywhere to go back to?" "No." It was the first thing he had said since waking up that he felt absolutely confident saying. "I have nothing." The resolve in his tone startled Ava and she faced him once more from across the room. "Nothing?" "Nothing." "I'm sorry." A bitterness of which even Merrick hadn't been aware rose within him. "There's nothing to be sorry for," he replied tightly. "What's gone is gone." Again, she was surprised by his words. She would've expected someone older to say what he said, not someone only a few years younger than herself. She was about to tell him just that when she felt an internal tugging within herself and the words were forced to die on her tongue. Hastily, Ava placed her open palm over the fire and snapped it shut, causing the fire to extinguish. She then ran over to the window that Merrick has been looking out and pulled on her socks and her faded black boots that were set beneath it. "Where are you going?" Merrick watched her, utterly confused as to why she was in such a rush. "I will be back with your dinner later tonight," she answered him indirectly, tossing her braid over her shoulder to keep in out of her way. She finished lacing her left boot and began to frantically work at the right one. "You must stay here for now. No one should come here and bother you. Don't go outside and draw attention to yourself either." She finished with her other boot, and was about to rip the door open, but took a moment to look back at the boy that she had rescued. He hadn't moved one step from where she had originally caught him staring out the window. "I'll see you soon, Merrick." She flashed him a quick smile and with that, she was out the door, leaving Merrick alone in the small house to ponder what exactly had just happened. *** WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color!" - Sugarplum while Sugarplumming LoA :)
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tptigger	Re: LoA II #13	#23	[url]	[-]
Posts: 741 12/31/03 15:33:18	*Quote:* She studied him, her back turned to the stove's heat. It seemed as if for the first time, she really <I>looked</I> at him. I think you wanted square, ezcode brackets, not angular html ones sweetie? And without having seen the movie, why am I suddenly reminded of... grr, that Stephen King movie where the guy wakes up tied to the bed? I can't think of the name or the actors right now. Anyway, I think Ms. Ana's up to something! (Leave him alone, you, he's Shayla's ) And poor Merrick, so upset. Great part. (I'd say "do you sleep" but it occurs to me it was 11 PM when you posted this where you were)
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Sugarplum7	Banner!	#24	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 01/01/04 03:45:48	Banner! Banner! Banner! Pretty, pretty banner for "Warmth, Shine on Us", Zee! You're sneaky! You posted on the "update page" but forgot to update the "update page" link. Sneaky girl! Pretty! And it's making me nervous! Nervous I tell you! I see Merrick did some growing. He's like grown up and stuff. ::giggles:: Oh! Whee! ::dances:: Yes, dances! Thane (Jason Behr) so warrants a dance! ::giggles:: And I always did like that picture of him. Heehee! Oh! If the banner's up, I wonder what will be next . . . Some new character profiles, perhaps? Come on, girl! You so need to start dishing about Ava! ::giggles:: Banner! Banner! Banner! Banner! ::dances:: ::twirls:: ~Stitch Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. ~ Lilo & Stitch ~
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #14	#25	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 01/13/04 21:59:25	Before you read this new part, there is a new part under "LoA II #12" and you've got to read that first. Turns out the scene that had been posted there before was not suited to what I wanted to do with the story, so it had to be replaced. There is a new scene in that post now. And here is the newest part of LoA, as promised. * "Ephane, you can't go in there!" The arm that Animus had placed on his general's arm was thrown off with a violent motion. "My wife and child are in there, Animus!" Droplets of water beaded down Ephane's hardened face, making him appear angrier than he was. The rain had only started moments before, and yet the both of them already were drenched completely. The heat from the blazing field of fire stung Animus' cheeks while at the same time, the cold rain caused him to shiver involuntarily. "The rain will put down the fire, and then you can go in!" Animus tried to reason with his mentor, but could see he was getting nowhere as Ephane's fists clenched at his sides. "It's too dangerous now!" Ephane turned away from the tall flames that had jumped the fence from the grassy fields into his family's orchard. He looked at Animus long and hard, a mix of disdain and pity within his eyes, and shook his head. "You don't understand, Animus, and I don't have time to teach you the lesson," he stated honestly, for that lone moment the epitome of calm. "Hopefully, I'll be back to teach you all that you still have to learn." Pulling the collar of his tunic up and over his mouth and nose for protection, Ephane found an opening in the dying flames and ran straight into the burning orchard. Animus simply stood there dumbfounded, staring at the fire as it consumed everything in its path. He heard the soldiers and horses ride up behind him as he stood at the edge of the area that was engulfed by fire. The horses whinnied frantically, their fear of the flames and smoke far more acute than his own. "Captain!" the men cried out after him, and suddenly he felt them pulling him away from the diminishing fire. "Captain, where is General Ephane?" He couldn't answer, as Animus still had his mind wrapped around the words Ephane had spoken to him before running off into the smoke. What had he meant? What didn't he understand? "Captain? Captain! Cap-" "MAVE!" Animus' head jerked in the direction of the coughing yell of his mentor. Struggling and stumbling out of the burnt brush came Ephane, clutching a small, soot-covered child in his arms. He quickly handed the child - his son - over to Mave, and without a single word, headed straight back into the danger from which he had just escaped. Moments later, Opaline crawled out from another part of the orchard where the fire had been extinguished recently by the rains - her clothing and hair fire-scorched and sopping wet. It was only then, as the majestic High Priestess stumbled about, screaming her husband's name in vain, that Animus knew that Ephane would never return to teach him the lesson. "Don't be such a loner." Shaking off the vivid memory, Animus glanced behind the tree he was leaning against to see Mave approaching him. The orange flames of the campfire not too far off in the distance caught his eye, and he was almost drawn back into his memories. "What brings you out here?" the general asked his soldier, hoping to distract himself. "With humor nonetheless." The captain shook his head, the barest of grins on his face. "Why is it that everyone thinks I have no humor?" Mave pondered, handing Animus a tin mug and joining him. "Because when we were younger, you and Ephane used to reprimand Thane and me in front of the regiment all the time," Animus retorted honestly, feigning a insulted tone. He peered into his mug, but found it difficult to discern the contents as the darkness of the evening had already set in. "What is this?" "A broth of rotting bugs is what Prince Thane is claiming," Mave replied, taking a gulp from his own mug and swallowing hard. He chuckled a little when he saw Animus sniff the cup and wince. "The men tried looking for something edible, but everything is still half-frozen out here, so we ended up resorting to the rations the castle kitchen makes for us..." "...and we all know how bad that stuff is," Animus finished, staring at his cup unpleasantly. After a moment, he simply took the leap and took a swig of the terrible concoction that was to be their dinner for the night. "It wasn't because we didn't have any humor that we'd scold you." "Huh?" Animus had been about to gulp down more of his dinner, but instead lowered his mug and faced Mave next to him. "We didn't scold you because we didn't appreciate your humor," the older captain reiterated. "Most of the time, Ephane found your jokes funny, and so did I." He chuckled softly, recalling fond memories of when he was younger. Of when his best friend was still alive. "It's just that humor has a place and a time, and during training or drills wasn't the time." Animus nodded in agreement. "Now, I understand that; I think Thane's getting the hang of it too. After all, the last time he tried to pull something it was while you were sleeping, and not during training." He smirked to himself, remembering how he had caught Thane with the blue pencil early that one morning... The last night he had spent with Opaline. Animus' face immediately fell and even in the evening darkness, Mave noticed right away. "You know, you were doing good there for awhile, and then..." "And then what?" Shamefully, realizing that the other man had been trying to lighten his mood, Animus turned away. Mave was silent. He knew he didn't need to vocalize the answer for the general. "You carry your burden as if it is all your own." "It is my own." "You didn't kill her! You didn't lose him! You didn't make these things happen, Animus!" Animus scoffed softly. It always took highly emotional situations to get Mave to drop formalities. "I could've saved her. I could've found him. I could've-" "-protected her better. Looked for him harder. Watched over them just a little more carefully." Mave glanced over at Animus to see the younger man looking back at him, a little bit startled. "I've been having the same thoughts. "Ephane was my best friend. When he died, it was difficult for me to cope, so I swore I would watch over his family for him; I refused let his sacrifice be in vain. I watched from afar, and now Opaline's dead and Merrick's missing. "I've had so much time to think on the rides back and forth from Tribute to the Wolf Forest, plenty of time to come up with everything that I should've done to protect them from harm." Mave turned his head toward the night sky and narrowed his eyes, clearly disappointed in himself. "I feel like Ephane's watching me and I let him down." "I feel the same way," Animus returned softly. "You know, every once in awhile, I talk to him. At night, I ride out into the empty countryside outside the city walls, and I just talk to him. Tell him about my fears and my hopes. Sometimes, I ask for help." The blond blinked angrily, warding off the tears that he knew were trying to flood his eyes. "I don't think he ever listens though. When things like this happen, I don't think anyone listens; not even the Wildzords that we love." "That's the one thing we have, Animus," Mave insisted, clutching his mug with both hands. "We have our faith. The Wildzords watch over us, even if Ephane may not. Although sometimes, not even They can save us from our destinies." "So it was destiny that led her to her death and Merrick to be lost and alone?" Bitterness and frustration flooded Animus' voice. "Yes," the captain replied in full belief of his words. "Ephane may be somewhere disappointed in me because I couldn't protect his family, but I am only a man. I cannot stop what fate already has decided, nor can the Wildzords. I have been as loyal to my best friend as I can humanly be." Animus considered the older man's words carefully. Mave sounded as if he had thought it out for quite some time himself; the conviction in his voice was telling. "So," he glanced back at his companion, "how many men did you send out to replace me?" It only took Mave a few moments to realize what Animus was asking about, effectively changing the subject. "Four. I sent one in each direction from the starting point of where Merrick was seen last at the campsite." After arriving in the forest that afternoon, the group of soldiers had split off into two groups; one left behind at the campsite to care for the High Priestess' body and the other group to search for Animus. By the time the second group had found Animus and returned to the encampment, the sun had already begun to set and the High Priestess had been placed within the wagon, hidden beneath the dark green cloth. Animus preferred it that way; he didn't think he could look at her with her staring straight back. "When are they to report back to Tribute?" "Four days time." "They'll miss the Feast of the Wolfzord." Animus frowned to himself, taking another swallow from his mug. The implication was that they would miss the High Priestess' funeral. "They are aware of that," Mave replied quietly, biting back a yawn of exhaustion. "And they are willing to sacrifice that in order to find Merrick." "Good. I'm glad they realize Merrick's importance to Animaria now that his mother is-" "They are doing it for you, General." "What?" Animus questioned, confused. "They don't need to do it-" "Merrick is your apprentice, but it is clear to us all that he is more than that to you," Mave explained to Animus what he had never verbally acknowledged before. "You care for him like a father does a son, and right now, I imagine that he needs you as much as you need him." * WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color!" - Sugarplum while Sugarplumming LoA :)
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Sugarplum7	Re: LoA II #12 and #13 and #14	#26	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 01/23/04 13:17:27	Goodness me! I fell behind! Like more than I usually let myself fall behind! And I was like stealthy about it. ::laughs:: I talked about the new banner instead of the new part, and you automatically thought it was a Sugarplum when you thought back all those days later. See, now that is like stealthy power or something. ::giggles:: So I am just going to smoosh them all together. I think it is a good idea because I just went through and highlighted the passages that I wanted to talk about. But in some cases the talking might be minimal and there will be more happy sighs and girlish giggles. But what else can you expect? This is me we are talking about. Look at that! Two winks already! I am going wink crazy! ::giggles:: So yeah. Feedback. I will still have them separated by part, but they are all going to be in one post. A very long post, at that. I am citing like 20 passages or something. There is a definite Whoa factor, Ill give you that. I tried to keep it down to just a couple things from each part, but then the sweet Vanault (I know how to pronounce his name now ::giggles:: ) just blew that out of the water. So here we are. All ready to begin. #12, here I come! *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: In a switching of roles, the young Fawn held onto her teacher's hand and walked her down the hall, guiding her to the room that once belonged to the Opaline. Tears threatened to roll down Rai's pronounced cheeks as she watched the girl take charge when Rai simply couldn't bring herself to do so. She didn't dare vocalize how she felt - how grateful she was - for fear of breaking down right then and there in the middle of the hall. I liked this. It was a nice way to introduce that Rai was not as strong as she was being for others. A very nice intro to the fact that the situation, that the reality of everything, was having its toll on her. She was being there for everyone, being the shoulder to cry on. Its about time that she needed the shoulder to lean on. And the image of Shayla gently tugging on Rais had as they walk through the halls is just too precious. Sooo cute. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Vanault languidly leaned against the windowsill, his back to them, appearing to be completely composed. After a long moment in where the three of them remained completely still in their places, he finally spoke up. "Princess Shayla, please leave." He requested her with a slight lifting of his hand, back still turned to them. Well, I must say that I wasnt expecting him to be that . . . composed. He was composed and not a huge mass of nerves. He was almost . . . apathetic looking in that image compared to how broken he was in earlier scenes. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Rai heard his boots against the stone floor, and soon enough, they entered her vision. Vanault's hand slipped beneath her chin and drew her head up so that she was looking up at him. "You've spent the past two days being strong, for the Clan, and for me." His hands moved to cup her cheeks, and slowly, the trembling tears slipped from her eyes. "You don't have to be strong; I'll take care of you." Aww! I dont think I cant awww at that! He was really sweet! How often are we given a sweet Vanault? Like hardly ever! Sweet Vanault is good. Accusatory Vanault is not as good. ::shakes head:: He just makes me all disappointed in him when he gets all accusatory because he is better than that. But I cant blame him right now. I understand that he needs to place blame on someone else or he is just as much at fault for things. And if he has to face that . . . I dont know what will happen. Maybe he will just totally have a massive psychotic break or something. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: The petite Sanctuary Priestess broke down completely upon his words, and began to sob uncontrollably, burying her face into his chest. Vanault soothingly held her close, and rubbed her back softly. They needed each other more than ever now, and for that moment, he would set aside his revenge simply to comfort his Clan sister so that they might move forward together, stronger. Now that just got quoted because I like how he is all sweet and caring. Let me revel in it because it is not all that often that I get to see a sweet and caring Vanault. ::sighs:: Why cant he be so nice and caring and wonderful more often? Oh, yeah, I forgot, he has many issues. ::giggles:: ::frolics off to #13:: *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "You brought me here?" He was still trying to grasp the thought. This girl was sweet and kind, but in no way she appear strong enough to have carried him from the forest to wherever they were. A small laugh broke free of her lips and Ava nodded her head. "Yes, I brought you here." She paused simply to watch his eyes grow wide. "On my horse." "Oh." Now that misconception is just so very funny! I like the You brought me here? repetition. ::giggles:: It totally reminds me of that scene in Ever After when she basically throws the guy over her shoulders and starts to walk off with him because the gypsies gave her their word that she could leave with whatever she could carry. ::giggles:: I bet Merrick had a similar visual: little Ava trudging through the fresh snow with him passed out and draped over her shoulders. ::giggles:: I really can see him just blinking as he tried to comprehend her bringing him here. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: The two stared at one another for a long moment before breaking out into peals of laughter at the basic misunderstanding. Their joint amusement seemed to dissolve the awkwardness, and soon enough once both had calmed down sufficiently, Merrick pressed forward with another question. That was cute. It was a nice reminder of how young they are. The silence of his finally understanding how she carried him and then having that flow into his comprehension of his misconception and then realizing how funny it was. That was great. I could just see the wheels in their heads turning as they try to figure everything out. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Ava spun around suddenly, her cheeks evidently flushed by the heat of the fire. "Why do you get to ask so many questions?" she insisted playfully. Had he looked carefully, he would've seen a glimmer of coldness in her eyes. "I don't even know your name!" Okay. Two things: oooh and darn! Oooh because she has some secrets that she is hiding . . . intriguing. And the darn because I want to know the secrets that she is not telling. I also think that it is very interesting that she was able to turn things around and change the subject in such a way that she kept the mood light (contradictory to how she really felt about his prying, too). *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "Do you have anywhere to go back to?" "No." It was the first thing he had said since waking up that he felt absolutely confident saying. "I have nothing." Merrick! Zee, I think some of the male characters in here need a light thwap upside the head to knock some sense into them. Nothing? Nothing! Nothing?! Merrick, boy, you have so much to go back to that you have no idea! That boy has so much waiting for him back home and he doesnt even know it! He has Shayla and Animus and his friends and I am sure Thane and King Parn want him back home as well. Someone needs to teach this boy what family means, that it isnt just about relation by blood. Nothing? ::shakes head:: I need to seriously get this boy to realize how much he really has, among other things (like knocking some sense into Vanault and . . . I am sure there is something I want to get Animus to realize, but I cant think of it right now). *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: She was about to tell him just that when she felt an internal tugging within herself and the words were forced to die on her tongue. Geez! More intrigue! It never stops! Ava is like this mystery that I want to totally discover and just know about. Another one falls to the Baliton charm! ::giggles:: I guess there is just something about him that makes you comfortable and ready to say things that you normally wouldnt. He must ooze like a friend vibe or something that makes you want to open up to him. And I bet that Ava like the idea that he is older than you would think. But do I like the idea that Ava is getting so close to him? *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "I will be back with your dinner later tonight," she answered him indirectly, tossing her braid over her shoulder to keep in out of her way. She finished lacing her left boot and began to frantically work at the right one. I wonder what that was all about! I am telling you, Ava is this big question that I want to find the answer to. What is she up to now? And can I say poor Merrick? Poor Merrick! He must just be dumbfounded! Talking to her and she suddenly bolts for some unknown reason. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: She flashed him a quick smile and with that, she was out the door, leaving Merrick alone in the small house to ponder what exactly had just happened. ::giggles:: That is just a funny image right there. Merrick calmly sitting alone in a room totally confused in a quiet, empty room, blinking away confusion! I think that is such a funny image! ::traipses over to #14:: Ooooh! Daydream! More Ephane goodness! I am just loving the flashbacks to Ephane. I really like finding out more about the guy. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "Don't be such a loner." ::laughs:: I just liked that line. And to be totally random, Dude! Some mystery guy wearing black gloves just shocked Britney! Sorry. Im watching Y&R right now. Gotta love soaps. ::giggles:: *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: The captain shook his head, the barest of grins on his face. "Why is it that everyone thinks I have no humor?" Mave pondered, handing Animus a tin mug and joining him. ::giggles:: Mave saying that was even funny! This guy is great for some comic relief! Go Mave! *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "What is this?" "A broth of rotting bugs is what Prince Thane is claiming," Mave replied, taking a gulp from his own mug and swallowing hard. He chuckled a little when he saw Animus sniff the cup and wince. ::giggles:: Thane! This guy is great. I like how they have like a bet going on for what the broth is. ::laughs:: That is basically the reason I quoted that. ::grins:: *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "We didn't scold you because we didn't appreciate your humor," the older captain reiterated. "Most of the time, Ephane found your jokes funny, and so did I." He chuckled softly, recalling fond memories of when he was younger. Of when his best friend was still alive. "It's just that humor has a place and a time, and during training or drills wasn't the time." This is very interesting. ::nods:: I like how it reveals even more about Mave. He was always somewhere on the periphery doing his thing, and how he is stepping up and taking on a bigger role in all the drama. And more revealing things about Ephane! You know I am all for that. ::grins:: *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Mave was silent. He knew he didn't need to vocalize the answer for the general. "You carry your burden as if it is all your own." "It is my own." "You didn't kill her! You didn't lose him! You didn't make these things happen, Animus!" Again! Go, Mave! This guy is really awesome! He is basically telling Animus what I wanted to tell him. ::grins:: Mave, the sane voice in this all! *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "That's the one thing we have, Animus," Mave insisted, clutching his mug with both hands. "We have our faith. The Wildzords watch over us, even if Ephane may not. Although sometimes, not even They can save us from our destinies." ::giggles:: Oooh! Look! Mave found another purpose for it! If you cant stomach to eat it, you can use it as a nifty little handwarmer! ::giggles:: Sorry for the silly mood. But now that I am reading through what I highlighted, I have no clue why I highlighted it other than I like what Mave is saying or it references Ephane. ::laughs:: I told you I am very easy to please. ::grins:: But back to the topic, I like how he brings up destiny. It might help Animus if he feels like he could do nothing to stop those events from happening because they were meant to. But then the whole thing could backfire and he could just lose hope with the whole why even try mentality. If it is all some huge plan, then why do I even try any more. I hope that doesnt happen. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "They'll miss the Feast of the Wolfzord." Animus frowned to himself, taking another swallow from his mug. The implication was that they would miss the High Priestess' funeral. Okay, this was just for a question. What would normally happen after the Feast of the Wolfzord? You know, if Opaline didnt die, what would have normally happen after the Feast? *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "Merrick is your apprentice, but it is clear to us all that he is more than that to you," Mave explained to Animus what he had never verbally acknowledged before. "You care for him like a father does a son, and right now, I imagine that he needs you as much as you need him." ::cheers:: Yes! This is even better! Now he heard it! Now Animus knows that other people know how much Merrick means to him! Yes! If I could do cartwheels I would. I never leaned how to do that. Now if only Merrick knew this! That would just make things so much better. Someone needs to tell that boy how much he means to so many people. Whoohoo! I am all caught up! Wow. It is getting late. I better get going. ::scampers away happy that she is all caught up on Sugarplumming LoA:: ~Sugarplum Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. ~ Lilo & Stitch ~
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #15	#27	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 02/06/04 10:05:44	It's a miracle! Zee updates LoA! laughs Front page news! I've had this scene unfinished for awhile, and then suddenly, the last few paragraphs to end it came to me this morning as I am doing laundry. Gotta love how those things work. * "Don't you think it's a little late to be grooming Shia?" Ava stopped her brush in mid-stroke, craning her head to glimpse her teacher entering the small wooden stall. "Shia's earned it," she replied, returning to her previous actions and dragging the soft brush along the horse's back. "He got me home safely through all that snow." "How was it?" "How was what?" the girl repeated, but not because she was unsure as to what was being asked of her; she was trying to avoid having to answer the question, and then have the conversation that would follow it. The older woman approached Shia and affectionately ran her hand down the side of his long neck. "How was the pilgrimage?" she continued to press. "This was the first time you'd done it." "I know, Priya." Priya noted the harsh tone of Ava's voice and the way the girl's posture seemed to stiffen at the topic. Yet, even after recognizing all this, she still pursued the conversation. "Did you get lost? It's a long ride to Tribute-" "I went, I prayed for my father and mother, and I returned!" The light of the small torch hanging against the wall flickered within Ava's angry irises. "Can we just leave it at that, Priestess?!" The village priestess winced slightly at the emphasis on her title. Ava had been under her care since the past spring when her father had passed away, and they had always shared an easy rapport. Priya hated it when Ava called her, "Priestess." It was her title and her role in their small village, but they were more than student and teacher - more than religious figure and villager - to one another. They were family; the only family either of them had left. "I just wanted to see if you were alright," she whispered meekly, obviously hurt by the young girl's rebuff. "You were quiet at dinner and I thought perhaps something had happened during your pilgrimage." Shia could sense the tension between the two and when Ava persisted in her grooming of the horse, he huffed at her. Living up to her age of twelve years, Ava stopped brushing Shia, but stubbornly did not face Priya. "Nothing happened," she finally mumbled, staring down at Shia's hooves. "I just wish that things were different." "Like what?" "I wish everything wasn't so hard." Ava lifted her vulnerable face so that she was looking up into the calm blue-gray eyes of her guardian. "It doesn't hurt as much anymore, but I still feel it. The only time I don't feel it is when I use the magic; the magic always feels warm, and safe." Four days ago, Priya wouldn't have been able to say that she understood the pain that Ava felt over the loss of both of her parents, but that was no longer the case. She could feel the hurt too, and it was clearly tangible. Almost as if it would eat her alive if she allowed it. She imagined her own aura mimicking the dark and faded shades of Ava's gray aura that had surrounded her after her father's death. "High Priestess Opaline recently passed away," she told the girl before her. Ava's green eyes went wide. "The High Priestess?!" she gasped, not wanting to believe. "I could feel her passing, like you still feel the loss of your parents." The girl gnawed awkwardly on her lower lip for a moment, before sheepishly looking toward her mentor and friend. "I'm sorry," she murmured, obviously not just apologizing for her poor behavior. "It's okay." Priya smiled slightly, trying to give the appearance that she was well, but she did a mediocre job of it. She paused for a moment, appearing to want to say something else, but then dropped it. "I'll leave you to your grooming then." Ava watched as the woman somberly pulled her hood over her tightly-coiled bun of dark flame-red hair and left. Guilt swirled at the pit of the child's stomach for bringing up a pain in her friend that she had not wanted to share; Ava could remember that feeling. The need to internalize how she felt before she could dare share it with others. "Perhaps, now would not be a good time to hide things from her." * WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color!" - Sugarplum while Sugarplumming LoA :)
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Sugarplum7	I haven't read it yet!	#28	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 02/06/04 11:53:38	But I just have to say this! Zee, rocks! Wheeee! Update! We got an update! Update! We got an update! ::dances:: What was that? I should be reading things for classes and doing homework? Not frolicking and traipsing around on Ranger Comm? Really? Pfft! ::laughs:: ~Sugarplum Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. ~ Lilo & Stitch ~
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #16	#29	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 02/22/04 02:33:28	Sugarplum, we should get together more often. It seems like whenever we get together, I can write scenes! laughs The goddess herself helped facilitate this scene today (yesterday!) and it was popped at 1 AM to the delight of Zee. grin * Restless, Merrick tossed and turned on the small cot and hay-stuffed mattress that served as his bed. His mind was buzzing. Humming. Endlessly working, turning thoughts over and over and pondering them. Merrick sought sleep to quell never-ending contemplation, but his discomfort in the cramped bed did nothing to aide its arrival. He wasn't used to this. He was used to his room within the Castle of Tribute. Every night, he would crawl into his large, plush bed with its warm, welcoming sheets. Laying his cheek against the soft pillow, he would turn his eyes toward the window where he would gaze at the stars in the dark sky until his- Nothing was the same anymore. Could anything be the same again? A drop fell from the mud and wicker-thatched ceiling and spattered violently on the bridge of Merrick's nose; evidently, the roof was leaking slightly due to the melting snow. He didn't flinch at the sensation, nor did he make any move to wipe it from his face. The drop slid down the left side of his nose to gather at the corner of his left eye, joining the rest of the tears that were building up there. "I wanna go home," he whispered quietly in the darkness of the tiny room. "I just wanna go home." He had told Ava that he had nothing to go back to, no home. And what he had told her was no lie. Merrick, indeed, had nowhere to go back to. He killed his own mother, the High Priestess of Animaria. How could anyone forgive him for that? How could anyone even accept him after such a treacherous act? Against his mother, no less! Everyone had forgiven him for his father's death as he was only a baby - one who could barely remember his father, let alone that he killed him. However, this time Merrick didn't believe anyone would just as easily forgive him for his mother's blood staining his hands. The boy flipped onto his side, causing the pool of tears that had formed at the corners of his eyes to streak across his face. He pulled at the two blankets covering him, not warm enough to be comfortable, but warm enough to tolerate the cold. The second fire that Ava had started when she had returned with his dinner earlier that night had long extinguished itself, and so he was basically surviving off his body heat and the two blankets. It wasn't enough. But it had to be enough. This life had to be enough for him, because there was no turning back for the young Baliton boy. He was the only surviving member of his family. And while he knew the argument could be made he imagined Shayla making it to him that he had many people in Tribute to return to, Merrick refused to go back. He honestly believed that everything he loved would suffer from him being a part of their lives; after all, the deaths of both of his parents were proof of just that. Merrick could feel the bitterness rising up within him once again. It had the distinct taste of warm, nauseating bile. Immediately, he forced it back down, refusing to taste it once more upon his tongue. He would become used to it. Merrick would learn to find solace in this little village where he had been brought after Ava rescued him. Far away from the people he cared for the most, he would not cause them trouble or pain. They would be safe. And while he might suffer a young boy of eight years forcefully separated from all that is familiar to him he would survive because he would know that the people for whom he cared were happy and well. And maybe, those thoughts alone would sustain him through the overwhelming guilt and loss he continued to drown in because he couldn't imagine being able to find happiness here, in the middle of nowhere. Especially if he wouldn't let himself. * WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color!" - Sugarplum while Sugarplumming LoA :)
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tptigger	Re: LoA II #16	#30	[url]	[-]
Posts: 741 02/22/04 09:22:26	Whoa. And now we see the Merrick we've come to know and love in PRWF starting to take shape. This, of course, still leaves the burning question of why he gave Shayla (what I presume was) an engagement necklace. Zee, you totally rock, keep it coming.
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Sugarplum7	I haven't read this either!	#31	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 02/22/04 13:21:31	But I just have to post this! ::giggles:: So I am now a goddess. You've said it multiple times and Tigger joined you in calling me a goddess last night. ::giggles:: So I am a goddess. The goddess of what exactly? Now that is the question! ~Sugarplum ::giggles and rushes out:: (The more fic I Sugarplum now, the sooner I can get to this! ::giggles:: ) Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. ~ Lilo & Stitch ~
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #17	#32	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 02/23/04 01:02:34	I'm starting to think that doing my homework on time, listening to Chantal Kreviazuk, and writing around midnight is the key to turning out decent parts of LoA. grin I'm on a roll! (which will probably not resume until Thursday now giggle) * "LET ME SEE HIM!" "High Priestess, you can't-" "He's my husband!" She glared at him. He thought she might even spit on him in fiery rage. Fiery wasn't the best description for him to be using- "What right do you have to keep me from him?!" She struggled in his arms as he kept her restrained. They both watched as the horse-drawn cart carrying her husband's remains passed by them on the main road into the city and toward the castle. "You have to let me go!" "I don't have to do anything, High Priestess!" He returned persistently, tightening his grip on her wrists and holding her close so she couldn't run. "This is all for your good-" She stopped trying to run away for a moment to stare him down with her dark, tear-ridden eyes. "For my own good?!" Her eyes narrowed. "I don't need you to protect me! I didn't ask you to protect me!" "You didn't have to ask." The memory faded from his mind's eye and he stood at the head of the army procession that had just arrived at the main gates into Tribute. This one time, their entrance into the city walls had to be announced. The last time it had to be so had been with Ephane. Soon enough, the soldiers emerged from within the city walls and opened the gates, allowing the convoy entrance into the city. Fauna slowly stepped forward, already knowing what was expected of her before Animus could signal her with a gentle nudge. Without turning around, the Animarian general knew that the rest of the men and the cart that held Opaline slowly followed behind. Head up high, Animus rode down the thoroughfare of Tribute. His hazel eyes were assailed with the brightness of the white clothing that all the people donned. He had had some idea as to how many people would be lining the street to pay their respects to the dead High Priestess, but what he had imagined could not compare to the actual vision. Everyone was there, despite the cold morning. Nobles rubbed elbows with peasants, and for once, class didn't matter all that greatly; they were simply looking to give proper respect to the woman who had spent her entire life in the servitude of the Wildzords and Animaria. And the white. Oh, the white was so overwhelming. Seeing everyone else around him dressed for mourning made everything solidify for him. He himself was still wearing his uniform blue; he imagined having worn it for the past three days, he probably smelled awful too, but that was beside the point. When his men had returned for him, they were all wearing white. That was the first sign. But seeing the entire population of the capital swathed in white had more of an affect on him. That woman, in the cart behind him? His love? Yes. Yes, she was dead. He continued to lead the procession until they reached the front of Castle of Tribute, where King Parn waited expectantly before the gates for them. "General," the king acknowledged and tried to approach Animus, but the younger man waved him off. He, instead gestured behind himself, in the general direction of the cart. Animus watched his king intently with his drawn eyes. Pensively, King Parn walked past Fauna and Animus and approached the wooden cart. Mave, who had been driving the horses that were pulling the cart, stepped off his perch and moved to the back. The king was soon by his side, and after receiving a cautionary nod from the older man, Mave gently pulled back the green drape from the prone body. King Parn's lips drew into a grim line, and that was all the general needed. If Animus hadn't believed Opaline was dead before then, the grimace of emotional pain that passed over his king's face would've been enough to convince him. More affirmation. The surreal was becoming more and more real every instant. "May you find sanctuary with Those you so dearly loved." Animus could not hear the king's words, but was able to read the words that left his lips. King Parn made soft motion with his hand, and the green drape fell over Opaline's face once more. As Mave returned to his seat on the cart, King Parn finally raised his eyes to meet Animus', who continued to stare. They held gaze for what Animus felt was an eternal moment before the king turned his head aside slightly, breaking eye contact. Quietly, Animus pushed Fauna forward, guiding the group around to the back of the castle. * WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color!" - Sugarplum while Sugarplumming LoA :)
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Sugarplum7	Re: LoA II #17	#33	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 02/23/04 01:34:43	You put out another part! I have to Sugarplum three in one! ::sighs:: "If you kill Thane, I'm gonna shoot you with a water gun." And along those same joke-y lines, you having me Sugarplum three parts in one Sugarplum . . . You are trying to kill me with your plastic hammer, aren't you? Three in one! Dude! And you have me so wanting to catch up! ~Sugarplum Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. ~ Lilo & Stitch ~
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #18	#34	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 03/05/04 17:19:02	It is my mission to put Sugarplum in Sugarplumming debt. giggles * "You're a magic user, aren't you?" Ava snapped her head to her right, looking at the disheveled Merrick who stood in the entrance into the kitchen from the short hall. "What makes you think that?" She gingerly pulled her hand away from where it had been held up before the flames of the newly-started fire. Though he had spent the entire night tossing and turning, barely managing to get any sleep at all, Merrick was very aware and knew his eyes were not playing tricks on him. He had just spied Ava placing her hand in front of the hearth and fire sparked mere moments following; Shayla could do that and his- "You can't lie to me," he pressed firmly, moving to join her near the fire and indulge in the warmth she created. "I've spent my entire life with magic users." "That's not a very long time." Ava tried to devalue his statement, but found it a little difficult, being unnerved by his awareness. Merrick shrugged slightly, not at all perturbed by her callousness; if anything, he was grateful for it as it would make it much easier for him to not care about her or the new life he was forcing himself to begin. "It's long enough." "It's sunny outside. Warm for the first time since the first snow came on the wings of the Eaglezord." The younger boy took note of the girl's change in subject and followed her train of thought appropriately. "Is that why you insisted I didn't go out yesterday? Too cold?" She shook her head, and her tail of tightly-braided hair swung back and forth. Sharp, stinging words were at the tip of her tongue. However, they locked glances and almost instantly, the words died before they could dare be uttered. Those eyes - closed, jaded, shattered blue eyes. They were a near replica of the same eyes she saw in her small dirty mirror every morning as she readied herself for the day, except the eyes in the mirror were a dark amber - a reflection of her own. "No. I just didn't want to you to be seen by anyone else." Ava stood up, her long brown skirt falling to her ankles, and walked away from him, her steps ever so deliberate. Merrick watched her move away and narrowed his eyebrows in confusion. She was weird. Leave it to him to get rescued by a weird, hostile girl. "Thanks for the food last night," he awkwardly told her, still baffled her actions and words. "Don't worry about it." Her back continued to face him. "How long can I stay here?" "As long as you want. As long as you can hide." She craned her neck around so that she could barely see him out of the corner of her eye. "Because that is what you are doing here, right? Hiding?" Realization washed over the boy. It wasn't sudden nor was it overwhelming, but it just happened; her actions became clear. "I'm not hiding," he answered, standing up and joining her at the window. She hadn't lied about the weather. Looking over her shoulder, he could see the sun shining pounding its rays onto the upturned dirt field. "I'm just trying to protect people." Hearing his voice closer than before, Ava turned around and ended up staring into his chest. How appropriate; she was the older of the two of them and she was shorter. Her small stature never ceased to amaze her; or maybe he was just unnaturally tall? She could hope. "I thought you said you had no one to go back home to." The village girl stepped back in order to look at Merrick properly. Ava caught a vague glimpse of a dark blue aura surrounding him before it faded out. Dark blue? She had never seen dark blue before. She tried to focus herself, hoping to see the dark blue hue again. As she watched him, he watched her and almost instantly picked up on what she was doing. "Stop looking at my aura," he grumbled, and stomped away back toward him room in the small dingy house. She simply blinked at his retreating figure, shocked. * WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color!" - Sugarplum while Sugarplumming LoA :)
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Lucid Lady	Re: LoA II #18	#35	[url]	[-]
Posts: 137 03/06/04 11:29:44 Local user	Only in a PRWF fic would you see a line like "Stop looking at my aura." I think Ava is just the right kind of person that Merrick needs in his life right now. She's just as cranky as he is. Sarah, Lucid Lady ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall. Some run from brakes of ice and answer none, And some condemned for a fault alone." (William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure)
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Sugarplum7	Sugarplumming LoA II #15, #16, #17, #18	#36	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 03/06/04 14:11:12	Hey! Look! Its me! Its me and I actually read the parts! Can I get more cookies? ::giggles:: No, cookies are not needed. ::giggles:: I am just playing with our great little inside joke thing. ^_^ I am paying my debt in full! There isnt any sort of interest that I have to pay that I dont know about? I sure hope not! LoA II #15 *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Ava stopped her brush in mid-stroke, craning her head to glimpse her teacher entering the small wooden stall. "Shia's earned it," she replied, returning to her previous actions and dragging the soft brush along the horse's back. "He got me home safely through all that snow." Shia! ::claps:: I guess that Ava is okay if she is taking care of Shia. Because we both know how much I totally love the horses. And Shia totally rocks because he is the one that insisted they take Merrick, when Ava was like, should we? Okay! So she was joking, but it wasnt a very good joke, I think. And can I hug Shia? I want to hug Shia. Hes so awesome. Oh! What color is Shia? Did you say? I dont remember. Oooh! Do horses have auras? Do they? If they do, what color is Shias? *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: The older woman approached Shia and affectionately ran her hand down the side of his long neck. "How was the pilgrimage?" she continued to press. "This was the first time you'd done it." Love for Shia! Hes getting pet! I like Shia. I said that already. But I am going to say that as often as I want because I need to cling to the light, fun stuff while I can see it. Dont worry Fauna. I still love you. (Besides, between us girls, I like mares better.) ::giggles:: And Priya is so nice, being all concerned for Ava. See, that is nice. ::nods:: Very sweet of her. She knew that it was going to be rough, and she thought that there would maybe be something that Ava wanted to talk about. You know, just in case there was something bothering her. But no! Ava totally was all rude. ::sighs:: She isnt helping me like her very much at this point. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Priya noted the harsh tone of Ava's voice and the way the girl's posture seemed to stiffen at the topic. Yet, even after recognizing all this, she still pursued the conversation. "Did you get lost? It's a long ride to Tribute-" "I went, I prayed for my father and mother, and I returned!" The light of the small torch hanging against the wall flickered within Ava's angry irises. "Can we just leave it at that, Priestess?!" See! Shes being totally harsh and Priya was just concerned. And she hurt Priyas feelings! That was not nice. Hurting her feelings. But I think I can forgive her for being such a meanie. I mean, she was all hurt and stuff because of her parents, but she didnt even consider how Priya was feeling or anything. That was good. Selfishness (to a certain extent) is very good. I mean, Ava wouldnt be selfless or anything. She is a kid after all. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: They were family; the only family either of them had left. "I just wanted to see if you were alright," she whispered meekly, obviously hurt by the young girl's rebuff. "You were quiet at dinner and I thought perhaps something had happened during your pilgrimage." Awww! Priyas awesome! Shes so sweet with her caring even though she was totally hurt by Avas harsh words. Avas kinda harsh isnt he. A little abrasive an stuff. But she is hurt, like I said before. So yeah . . . I suppose she has reason to be all mean and harsh and stuff, but I would like her a lot more if she was nicer and not the only one who knows where Merrick is! But the thing between the two of them, Merrick and Ava, is probably going to make them close, which I dont particularly like, but I do like that Merrick has someone to relate to. I mean, he lost his parents and she lost hers. That should help each of them get over all their hurt together. Unless it helps them like spiral down and just get worse! I so hope that doesnt happen. That and I hope that Merrick gets some sense knocked into him soon so he gets back home! *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Shia could sense the tension between the two and when Ava persisted in her grooming of the horse, he huffed at her. Shias awesome! He is! Part of the reason is that he huffed at Ava. Just because I can understand her, doesnt mean that I particularly like how she is the only human contact that Merrick has. I soooo want Merrick to go back home and like let Shayla know that he is okay and not like lying frozen in the forest! She deserves more than that. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: The girl gnawed awkwardly on her lower lip for a moment, before sheepishly looking toward her mentor and friend. "I'm sorry," she murmured, obviously not just apologizing for her poor behavior. Much better! You should be sorry about how badly you were acting. And at least she knows how close Opaline was with Priya. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "Perhaps, now would not be a good time to hide things from her." Well, duh! Secrets usually are not the way to go! But at least she knows this now. I mean, it would be really bad if she totally thought that hiding things was a good thing to do. But I totally love that she confides in Shia. I want a horse! I want a horse to confide in. Oh! Can I have a pink horse? With wings! ::giggles:: Only in my imagination is there a pink horse with wings. LoA II #16 *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Sugarplum, we should get together more often. It seems like whenever we get together, I can write scenes! laughs The goddess herself helped facilitate this scene today (yesterday!) and it was popped at 1 AM to the delight of Zee. grin Oooh! I am all for that! Because the more you write the more time passes in LoA-verse. And when that happens, things will hopefully get lighter and happier! I am all for some happiness. Not to mention the mourning period for Opaline is going to be rather long. It would be so much easier if they celebrated her life instead of mourning her death. You know, throw a party for all the good things that she did! So that doesnt totally work, but it is a nice pretty theory, no? It is all sparkly with its well meaning. ::giggles:: ::giggles:: Goddess. ::giggles:: That still just makes me laugh. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: He wasn't used to this. He was used to his room within the Castle of Tribute. Every night, he would crawl into his large, plush bed with its warm, welcoming sheets. Laying his cheek against the soft pillow, he would turn his eyes toward the window where he would gaze at the stars in the dark sky until his- Of course it isnt something youre used to, Merrick! You are so far away from home and the people that love you, you might as well be on another planet! ::sighs:: I wish he had different thought processes, but he doesnt. And I totally know what he is thinking. Partially because I remember talking about how to get him all good and dark and mopey over yummy Jamba and a rice krispy treat. ::giggles:: *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Nothing was the same anymore. Could anything be the same again? Well, they could be closer to the same if you were home! Sorry, I just have to say that because I so want him to go home. Go home, Merrick! Go home. I can shout that as much as I want, but I dont think that will be happening until he starts to talk to Ava or Priya, if Ava ever decides to tell Priya about him! But yes, he is probably going to be the depressed, moody mystery man that wont talk. I miss the fun Merrick of the first legend. You know the Merrick before the graceful death by Opaline. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "I wanna go home," he whispered quietly in the darkness of the tiny room. "I just wanna go home." Go home, Merrick! You want home. Home wants you. Shayla and Animus are sick with worry about you. Go home! Go home to the people that love you! *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: This life had to be enough for him, because there was no turning back for the young Baliton boy. He was the only surviving member of his family. And while he knew the argument could be made he imagined Shayla making it to him that he had many people in Tribute to return to, Merrick refused to go back. He honestly believed that everything he loved would suffer from him being a part of their lives; after all, the deaths of both of his parents were proof of just that. Bah! Thats just crazy talk! I am totally amused by this crazy talk because I was the one that either suggested that or said that it totally fit. And it does. Totally fit. But just because it totally fits doesnt mean that it isnt crazy. ::giggles:: And the craziness doesnt mean that I dont love him any less. He is becoming the Merrick I know from the show. And I just sigh and giggle over that Merrick. Ill just have to accept that the little boy Merrick is gone. : outs:: I could just kill Opaline for making things like they are. But that kinda of just puts us where we are, and I would be the cause for it. So I think Ill just settle with bonking her with your plastic hammer and shooting her with my watergun. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Merrick would learn to find solace in this little village where he had been brought after Ava rescued him. Far away from the people he cared for the most, he would not cause them trouble or pain. They would be safe. And while he might suffer a young boy of eight years forcefully separated from all that is familiar to him he would survive because he would know that the people for whom he cared were happy and well. Awwww! That is about all I can say to that. That and it is hard to Sugarplum something that we totally talked and plotted about! Its like, Oh! I remember that from the conversation! Who was the one that suggesting that? ::giggles:: LoA II #17 *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: She struggled in his arms as he kept her restrained. They both watched as the horse-drawn cart carrying her husband's remains passed by them on the main road into the city and toward the castle. "You have to let me go!" Awww! Theres another Ephane scene. But hes all dead and stuff. And that isnt really that fun, is it? Nope! Not fun at all. But it is neat to see her hysteria over Ephanes death. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "I don't need you to protect me! I didn't ask you to protect me!" "You didn't have to ask." Okay! That was great. Did Ephane make Animus promise to protect his family or something? Because I could totally see that happening. ::giggles:: And the you didnt have to ask line was totally great. I could totally like hear it. ::giggles:: *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: This one time, their entrance into the city walls had to be announced. The last time it had to be so had been with Ephane. Ooooohhh! Okay! So thats why he was having that particular flashback! That is totally a weird thing that the two biggest tragedies that Animaria had seen recently were from the same family. Dude! Talk about harsh! *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: He had had some idea as to how many people would be lining the street to pay their respects to the dead High Priestess, but what he had imagined could not compare to the actual vision. Awww! The vision of the entire kingdom coming out to mourn Opaline . . . Animus must have totally been blown away by it. I think it is a good thing that he didnt need to speak. Because if he did, I think that he would have just broke into tears. And I wouldnt have liked that because it would have made the entire part that much more sad. ::sighs:: You are now entering Animaria. The land of mystery, enchantment, and really, really sad people. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Nobles rubbed elbows with peasants, and for once, class didn't matter all that greatly; they were simply looking to give proper respect to the woman who had spent her entire life in the servitude of the Wildzords and Animaria. And the white. Oh, the white was so overwhelming. As sad as things are, it is nice to see that the classes are mingling, you know? I wonder how much it must have hurt for all the people to break out their mourning white. Because if the last big mourning thing in the kingdom was Ephane, hopefully a lot of people had not had to wear their whites since then. They were probably recalling things from . . . six years ago? *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "May you find sanctuary with Those you so dearly loved." Animus could not hear the king's words, but was able to read the words that left his lips. King Parn made soft motion with his hand, and the green drape fell over Opaline's face once more. She did, Parn. No worries there. Shes hanging with the Zords she loved and a husband that totally loves her. Shes good. You and everyone else that is still alive, they are a total mess. I think there needs to be some major grief counseling or something for all of you. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Quietly, Animus pushed Fauna forward, guiding the group around to the back of the castle. And Animus appears a pillar of strength, The Animarian General calmly guiding the procession, when he is probably one of the most distraught people around. ::sighs:: Animus. He needs a hug. A hug and a whole bunch of happy. LoA II #18 *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: It is my mission to put Sugarplum in Sugarplumming debt. giggles Hahaha! I sooo dont like debt. I am paying my debt right now! Three down, one to go! Whoohoo! Go me! I think Daddy would be so proud of me. ^_~ *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: He had just spied Ava placing her hand in front of the hearth and fire sparked mere moments following; Shayla could do that and his- ::giggles:: Avas using magic. I am totally curious on how she is able to do this. I am thinking that Priya taught her some things. Is that allowed? I have no idea. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: She shook her head, and her tail of tightly-braided hair swung back and forth. Sharp, stinging words were at the tip of her tongue. However, they locked glances and almost instantly, the words died before they could dare be uttered. Those eyes - closed, jaded, shattered blue eyes. They were a near replica of the same eyes she saw in her small dirty mirror every morning as she readied herself for the day, except the eyes in the mirror were a dark amber - a reflection of her own. ::giggles:: That looks familiar. ::giggles:: But Merricks eyes. They are different. Hes different. I have to keep reminding myself of this. I do still want him to go home. I dont think that is going to change. ::giggles:: *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Merrick watched her move away and narrowed his eyebrows in confusion. She was weird. Leave it to him to get rescued by a weird, hostile girl. Hahahaha! I like that! Heehee! Shes a weird, hostile girl. ::giggles:: See, even he thinks that she isnt the nicest person in the world. *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: "How long can I stay here?" "As long as you want. As long as you can hide." She craned her neck around so that she could barely see him out of the corner of her eye. "Because that is what you are doing here, right? Hiding?" ::giggles:: At least she knows what he is doing. I guess I like her a little more now. But I still dont like how she is the only one that knows where he is. She better hurry up and figure out who he is and where he should be, because he totally needs to go home! He needs to get back to Tribute and stuff. I mean, he is going to be Shaylas protector! He needs to get back to her! *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: How appropriate; she was the older of the two of them and she was shorter. Her small stature never ceased to amaze her; or maybe he was just unnaturally tall? She could hope. Whoa! How tall is Merrick! Either he is one really, really early maturing boy, or she really is short. Because dude, hes eight! How short is Ava? *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: Ava caught a vague glimpse of a dark blue aura surrounding him before it faded out. Dark blue? She had never seen dark blue before. She tried to focus herself, hoping to see the dark blue hue again. Oooh! ::claps:: Auras! ::giggles:: And since Ava had to really try to see his aura, I guess that means she is fairly new to the magic thing, right? I mean, if she has to really try to see his aura, then she has to be like fairly new to this or like really early in her learning? I dont know. I am just grasping at things. But she saw Merricks aura! She soooo needs to go to Priya and ask about the dark blue aura and what it means and who would have it and stuff. And then! Then maybe theyll realize who he is and where he should be! *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: As she watched him, he watched her and almost instantly picked up on what she was doing. "Stop looking at my aura," he grumbled, and stomped away back toward him room in the small dingy house. ::giggles:: That was just cute. I totally started giggling when he was all, Stop it, and stuff. That is just way cute. It sounds so childish. Like he was going to pick up his toys and go home or something. ::giggles:: Aww, I love Merrick. Hes so fun. Even when he is all pouty. Merrick and Shayla are such the pair. She flounces and he pouts. Soooo cute! *Quote:* Zee originally wrote: She simply blinked at his retreating figure, shocked. Haha! Its Avas turn to be left in the room completely confused at what just happened. Very nice! Totally a great touch. And look! I am done! And dude is this a lot! Hello! This is the top of the eight page in word that I am writing on. I dont think I want to fall behind like that again. Its fun, but boy is that some work! And just like that, my debt is repaid. ::giggles:: And isnt it great that I didnt need you to like forgive it and stuff. That totally rocks, I think. ::giggles:: Whee! I am all done with the Sugarplumming! I think Daddy would be so proud of me. ~Sugarplum ^_^ Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. ~ Lilo & Stitch ~
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #19	#37	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 03/20/04 20:21:37	Thanks for the feedback, ladies! Let's see... There are two scenes here; the first one turned out to be shorter than I had expected, so I wanted to post it with another scene so that it didn't look scrawny. giggle Enjoy the fruits of my Spring Break! * "General, High Priest Vanault would like for the ascension to take place tomorrow night." "Of course, he would," Animus muttered under his breath. Mave caught up with him and together, they walked through the stables into the armory. "When did he tell you that?" "He didn't tell me," Mave pointed out, as they quickly skipped up the stairs that led to the castle entrance. "I just received this letter from one of the men; apparently, he sent it yesterday evening." Animus stopped in front of the door and took the piece of paper that his captain offered to him. He skimmed the words. Clear, concise, perfect. They said exactly what Mave had relayed. Vanault wanted to ascend to High Priest of Animaria tomorrow night. "The High Priestess' flames have yet to reach the Wildzords and he wants to ascend." The blond man's voice was tight and cold as he shook his head. "What a joke." "We are all on limited time, General," Mave insisted, somewhat defending the High Priest's motivations. "The Feast of the Wolfzord is in two days; everything must be in order by then. It's not like he trying to usurp the High Priestess' power." "Of course he's not," he bit out unbelievingly, finally pulling open the door and entering the long hallway. Perhaps he had been right; the new shiny title of High Priest of Animaria would console Vanault. Mave shot Animus a puzzled glance at the man's hostility toward the High Priest. "Is there something wrong between you and the High-" "No." Animus curtly replied, and then gently amended himself when he realized his rude tone. "No, there's nothing wrong. It's just the hurry of everything is frustrating; ideally, I would like the High Priestess to be honored properly." Mave placed his hand upon Animus' shoulder, causing the both of them to momentarily stop in the middle of the hallway. "That's what we all want," he genuinely assured, his voice soft. "That is why her body is being sent to the Wildzord Sanctuary right now; the Virginal Does will be able to care for her. King Parn would like her funeral rites to proceed tomorrow as well; before the ascension rites." Animus was grateful for Mave's simple words. They were calming in a time when everything seemed to be anything but calm. His world had been turned on its head within a matter of days and returning to a changed Tribute, where there was so much to do and no Opaline to help him cope was not helping him adjust at all. "Thanks," Animus acknowledged, as the two of them resumed their walking down the long corridor and into the long day ahead. * He hadn't been present at the reception of Opaline's body into Tribute. He hadn't seen it as necessary. He had already been disgustingly overwrought with emotions following her death. There was no need to surround himself with the entire population of the city, feeling the exact same thing he had two days before. No. He didn't want nor need that. The soon-to-be High Priest of Animaria grazed his fingers along the cloth of green wrapped around the palm of his hand. Alone, he stood in front of the gates of the Sanctuary, awaiting the arrival of Opaline's body. The Fawns had been requested to stay within their rooms for the day, as if any one of them would be running about anyway. The Virginal Does were preparing for the Opaline's cleansing rites; as soon as Vanault received her, she would be taken to their careful hands. And Rai did not have to be there. When he had been mourning, she had been the strong one, so now it was her turn to truly mourn. So he stood alone in the morning sunlight. He was used to it. And now, he had forever to perfect it. Shielding his eyes from the sun allowed Vanault to see the two horses drawing the cart down the street. He couldn't tell who was driving the cart just yet as the bright light striking him from behind shadowed the soldier's face. However, as the horses drew closer, he unexpectedly recognized the red hue of the driver's aura and found himself a bit confused. "Prince Thane," Vanault greeted, the slightest lilt of questioning in his voice. The older man didn't forget to slightly bow his head. "High Priest Vanault," Thane returned solemnly, looking down on Vanault from his perch on the riding bench. "May I drive her up to the Deerzord Sanctuary?" Vanault curtly nodded his head, stepping aside to allow the cart to pass through the open gates. "Of course." Why had the Prince come, of all the soldiers to come? The High Priest had been waiting for a random soldier, not Prince Thane. What was Animus thinking? The royal family, above everyone else, should be allowed time to mourn - especially the children of Queen Lyrissa, whom Opaline nurtured as her own children. Leave it to a child to disregard respect for the royal family. Having stopped the cart before the Deerzord Sanctuary within the courtyard, Thane jumped down from his seat and joined Vanault at the back of the cart. The two of them simply stood there for quite a long moment, staring at the green cloth that hid the High Priestess' from view. Vanault could feel Thane's aura pulse with anxiety as well as quiver with deep-rooted fear that he imagined the young man himself did not yet recognize. "You don't have to help me carry her," the High Priest notified, his voice even and slightly sympathetic. The pulsing of Thane's aura died down a great deal wit his words. "I would prefer to carry her myself." Thane nodded his head lightly, seemingly understanding Vanault's motivations; she had been like his sister, and so, of course, he wanted time to be alone with her. "Would you mind if I went to see my sister, High Priest?" he queried soft-spokenly, quite unlike his normal manner. "No. Please do." And with that, Thane left Vanault alone the body, walking toward the North wing. As soon as the strength of Thane's aura became muffled he entered the building Vanault lifted the shroud draped over Opaline's corpse. "You look the same." He stared directly into her eyes, a dead and ugly brown. He reached out with his fingers and gently traced a line along her cheekbone. His thumb brushed against her blue lips. His gaze gradually traveled down her body. Her neck. Her breasts. Her stomach. For a moment, anger washed over him and a sneer parted his lips. "You brought this on yourself." Viciously, he seized her chin, forcing her to look at him as she had just moments before her death. "Everything is on you, Opaline. On Merrick. On Animus. But none of this is my fault." He tossed her chin aside, and her body barely moved as it had already stiffened a great deal over the past four days. He resisted the urge to spit on the woman's body. "But I loved you." Vanault stepped back momentarily, startled by the tenderness that his last statement possessed. His venom was nothing in comparison to his love for her; deep within, he would always love her, no matter how much he would've liked to hate her. Not prepared to mull on that thought quite yet, Vanault took to action and hefted the woman's body into his arms, carrying her into the Deerzord Sanctuary where the Virginal Does stood vigil and awaited her. "I'm just reaping the rewards" **** WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color!" - Sugarplum while Sugarplumming LoA :)
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #20	#38	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 03/28/04 11:21:10	So, this scene is like in complete dedication to Sugarplum and her fascination with auras. laughs *** "What are blue auras?" "What?" Priya stopped rubbing the bar of soap against the wet dress laid against the floor and blinked at her surrogate daughter. "What are you talking about, Ava?" Ava shrugged casually, continuing to rinse a pair of white socks in the tub of clean water sitting in front of her. Once she was sure that the soap was completely washed from them, the girl began to ring the water from the pieces of clothing. "I mean, what if you see a person with a blue aura? What does it mean?" "Did you see someone with a blue aura?" "No." The dark-haired child looked back at the priestess, who still stared at her with a puzzled expression. "I was just wondering if such a thing existed." Her voice was simply curious, but Ava could feel her heart pounding her throat. She hadn't realized that a simple question would cause so much suspicion in Priya. Hopefully, Priya wouldn't try to check Ava's aura to see if she was lying. Luckily for her, Priya seemed satisfied with her answer and didn't question it. "The status of a person depends on what kind of blue their aura is, but yes, there are such things as blue auras," the red head answered while she finished rubbing the dress with the soap. "So, there are more colors than just gray and green?" Ava pursued her questioning, half out of genuine curiosity and half out of the need to cover her own tracks. Taking the dress handed to her, she dunked it into the tub of water and began to rinse it. "Most definitely," Priya replied, pulling another dress out of the basket full of wet clothing beside her. "There are aura colors for each families and then differing aura colors for different parts of Animarian society; sometimes the colors overlap between a family and a part of Animarian society, but that is only because they are both represented by the same Wildzord." Ava continued to dunk and ring the dress she worked on, trying to wash the soap from thoroughly. "When do the colors overlap?" Priya pondered for a moment, searching for an appropriate example. "Well, take blue, for example, since you brought it up." She stopped rubbing the dress down with soap and let the bar slip between her hands as she passed it back and forth. "There are two prominent shades of blue. There's a dark blue, similar to the dark blue of the early evening sky, and there is also a light blue, lighter than the shade of a blueberry but still darker than the color of the clear sky. "A light blue aura belongs to those of the Icye family, as they are represented by the Sharkzord. On the other hand, the dark blue belongs both to the Animarian Army and the-" A knock at their door cut Priya's explanation short and she set aside her bar of soap and stood up. Quickly, she steeped her hands in the tub of water to wash the soap from them and ran out of the room to answer the front door. Ava finished rinsing the first green dress she had been handed by Priya and set it aside, picking up the next dress that has been soaped down. As she submerged it into the water, she thoughts returned to the boy she was hiding away in her family's old home. Merrick. She was pretty sure that the glimpse she had gotten of his aura had been a dark blue, not a light blue; at least the way Priya had described it, his aura was more of a dark blue. So, that either meant he was a soldier or something else. He probably wasn't a soldier. He didn't look like a soldier. Besides, he was just a child! He may have been taller than her, but she was sure that he was younger than her in years. The girl pulled the dress that she had been soaking in the water out and rung it tightly in her hands. However, it fell unceremoniously from her hands when she heard Priya's cry carry from the front door. "Merrick? What happened to Merrick?!" Ava speedily stood up from her spot comfortably seated before the tub of water and stood in the doorway of the kitchen, carefully watching Priya at the front door. The priestess' back was to the girl, but Ava could see the man standing in the doorway, almost towering over Priya. He was dressed in robes of white. Elegant robes of white over which he wore silver armor. The girl of twelve years had never seen someone like him before, even in Tribute. He was quite a sight to behold. The man spoke in hushed words to Priya, lines of worry creased across his forehead. Ava tried to take a peek at his aura, but she couldn't seem to concentrate, as her paranoia over Merrick being found overwhelmed her ability to focus. Especially after hearing Priya's disturbed reaction at the mention of Merrick's name. Soon enough, the conversation ended between the red-headed priestess and the nicely-clothed man and Ava tried to hurry back to her spot so that it didnt appear that she had been eavesdropping, but it was too late. "Ava, should I ask you again where you saw this blue aura?" *** WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color!" - Sugarplum while Sugarplumming LoA :)
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tptigger	Re: LoA II #20	#39	[url]	[-]
Posts: 741 03/28/04 11:25:05	Hehehe. Busted! I like.
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Sugarplum7	Auras! ::claps::	#40	[url]	[-]
Posts: 482 03/28/04 11:38:21	This isn't all I'm gonna do. I'll Sugarplum later. But I had to post something! ::giggles:: A conversation about auras! ::claps:: Snaps for Zee! ::snaps:: I said this before, but I'll say it again. I heart Priya! ::claps:: ~Sugarplum Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. ~ Lilo & Stitch ~
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #21	#41	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 04/04/04 10:15:23	Thank you ladies for the feedback. Somehow, I knew Sugarplum would be happy about the aura AND that Ava wasn't going to get away with hiding Merrick. laughs As I was writing this scene, I realized that it actually goes before the scene in "LoA II #20". However, I'm not going to switch the parts around because there is nothing really conflicting in the two scenes except for the fact that this scene takes place around noon time, and the other scene is like in the mid-afternoon. Please let me know what you think of this scene in particular. If the ending seems trite or weird, I would like to know. * Thane hadn't totally lied to High Priest Vanault. He did go and see his sister. Instead, he found Meghana watching over her as she slept. Being the good older brother that he was, he didn't want to disturb her. So, instead, he now lurked the halls of the East Wing, hoping that he wouldn't be caught and thrown out. In all likelihood though, he just would probably be scolded lightly and escorted out of the wing; he didn't think any of the Virginal Does had it in them to yell at him and toss his out like they probably should. He tried to save them half the trouble by being stealthy and avoiding them altogether. Flattening himself against the wall, Thane peered around the corner to see if anyone was walking down the hall. When he saw there was no one, he quickly darted out from around the corner Stepping softly, so as to make sure his boots didn't make too much noise against the stone floors, he cautiously walked down the corridor. He knew exactly where he was going, even though he had only been there one other time. Even the first time, Thane had no idea as to how he knew where her room was. He was simply drawn to her. He felt like he could even sense her, which was probably just his imagination because he was in no way magically-inclined. The young soldier didn't even bother knocking. He took hold of the knob in his gloved hand and turned it, pushing open the door. "Sanctuary Priestess?" he called out softly. Thane's ears suddenly heard footsteps approaching from down the hall, and he hastily threw himself into the room, shutting the door behind him. He collapsed against it once safely inside and stared at the empty room before him. "Stupid idea, Thane," he chided himself. "Stupid, stupid idea. You should've just returned home instead of coming here. He shook his head at his own seemingly silly actions. "Now, you are hiding in the Sanctuary Priestess' room." For a moment, he contemplated bursting out of the room and running away at full speed so that he wouldn't be caught. He however nullified that idea, as it certainly wouldn't be appropriate for the Prince of Animaria to do such a thing. Instead, he made his way across the room, pulled out the chair tucked under Rai's desk and sat down. "Comfortable?" Thane jumped up from the seat he had just taken moments before. Looking back toward the door, he spotted the petite redhead he had been searching for closing it behind her. He was a little mortified to be caught in the act, but decided to play it all off smoothly. "Actually, I was," he replied, his voice calm and unruffled. "Really?" Rai could see his aura. It quivered softly and was a brighter red than normal. Almost like an internal blush that he tried to hide from her. It was funny and it was cute. "So, you weren't the one in the hall who I saw scramble into here just a moment ago?" "No." He gave a simple single shake of his head, his long bangs falling into his face. "I've been settled here for quite some time." Rai laughed. A full, open, and honest laugh. Her vivid green eyes went wide at her own sudden outburst and the laughter instantaneously died on her lips. She uncertainly pressed her free hand to her chest, unsure as to where the laugh had come from. It had hurt, like a burning sensation buried deep within her. Awkwardly, she walked across the room and placed the books that had been under her other arm down on the desk. Her inappropriate laughter had caused a silence to descend upon the both of them. Rai turned to leave her room and the uncomfortable feeling that was nearly suffocating her, but before she could, Thane grabbed her hand. The soon-to-be High Priestess slowly raised her eyes to meet his eyes hidden behind his long locks of hair and found sympathy in them. "I'm sorry; I know how much it hurts to laugh at a time like this," he apologized softly. "I should have been honest with you." "It's not your fault," she replied meekly. The awkwardness was still quite tangible in the room, and she felt all her strength and audacity disappear in the presence of it. "I'm just not-" "-used to this?" He completed her sentence for her, seeing how she was struggling to express herself. It was amazing how one moment they could be joking around, and the next moment, weighed down by the circumstances in which they were living. "No one ever gets used to this; every time it feels fresh, painful, and new. "I don't remember much from when Mama died. All I have are memories of fire and the mournful howls of the Virginal Does. But those memories are more than enough to make her death feel recent and brand new." Thane still held onto Rai's hand, but where before it had been a method of preventing her from running away, he now held onto it like a lifeline that was keeping him grounded in the present so that he didn't drown in the all-consuming, destroying fire that was his mother's death. "She loved the Wildzord Clan with her entire being, did you know that?" He glanced up her, his dark brown eyes stormy and filled with unshed tears. He knew that she knew all this, but everything was just tumbling out of him and he couldn't stop. "She was Fawn and almost became a Virginal Doe, but my father swept her off her feet and left the Clan to marry him. Every day, she would sing the Clan's song to me; she always told me wonderful stories of the Wildzords and of the time she spent living at the Sanctuary. She always had dreamed of one day bringing me here, so that she could show me the life she had held so dear before becoming Queen. "When she died, all the dreams she had for me died with her. The Sanctuary was her beloved place, but for me, it only reminded me of pain. I swore to myself that I would never come here, for fear of remembering her and then the pain that followed her death." By that time, the tears were gracefully sliding down his face and he was struggling to speak, swallowing down the sobs that threatened to erupt from his throat. "When I first met you and you took me around the Sanctuary, that was my first time here ever. And it was beautiful and painful all at the same time. To be in the place of her memories, her childhood. All the stories she had told me when I was younger came to life, and it was like she was still alive and right there with me, but I knew the truth; that was the hardest thing of all. "But I kept coming back. For you." Thane didn't dare look at her as he uttered his next words. "There's something about you. Something about you that I'm drawn to. It's like I have to keep coming back to see you. To talk to you. Of everyone in my life, I feel like I can honestly confide in you. It's strange, I know, because we've only known each other for such a short time, but I feel like I've known you forever; perhaps, if I had followed through with my mother's wishes early, then maybe we would have" His words trailed off as he allowed the silence to return once more. After a moment, he felt Rai's smooth fingertips graze his forehead and push his long bangs out of his eyes. Her fingers then ran down his cheeks, wiping his tears away before coming to stop beneath his chin. "Prince Thane?" she whispered quietly, nudging his chin upwards. "Hmm?" He craned his neck to look up into the older woman's face and found her cheeks also marred with tears. Leaning down, Rai pressed her lips against Thane's and kissed him tenderly. "Thank you." * WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color!" - Sugarplum while Sugarplumming LoA :)
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Lucid Lady	Re: LoA II #21	#42	[url]	[-]
Posts: 137 04/04/04 13:17:39 Local user	AWW... how sweet!!! Ok now I'm tempted to sing "Thane and Rei sitting in a tree......" but I'll refrain. I enjoyed the last one as well. I must agree that Ava is busted. Can't wait to see what happens with that thread of the story. Then again I can't wait to see what happens with Thane and Rei either. Sarah, Lucid Lady ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall. Some run from brakes of ice and answer none, And some condemned for a fault alone." (William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure)
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #22	#43	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 04/07/04 21:31:40	Thanks for the feedback, Sarah! So, if any of you read my LJ, you might remember me LJing about a month back about a depressing Animus scene that I wrote ahead of schedule because of divine inspiration a la "My Immortal" by Evanescence. This is that scene. (It's a bit abstract in nature, so let me know if it confuses.) * The door opened, and a warm light poured into the darkness. Animus stood against the doorjam, allowing the light to filter past him into his bedroom that he hadn't occupied for the past four days. The day was over, and the night had come. He couldn't hide anymore. There was nothing more to hide behind. The castle was nearly silent, save for the small pops and crackles that could be heard from the many torches that lit the dark night. After a day of exhaustion and continuous hustle and bustle, it was quiet. The nobles took to their rooms, exhausted by the mere act of mourning. The servants retired to their quarters to begin their own private grieving for the dead priestess. The trainees had gone to bed earlier that evening, barely a peep out of them all; death was always a great deal to absorb for the young ones. Young ones. Like Merrick. It took everything in Animus to shove himself forward into the room and into the darkness. He nearly fell, stumbling over his clumsy, worn feet, but caught himself against the dresser with one hand. Then, he reached back and seizing the doorknob, Animus forcefully pushed it backwards. The slam of the wooden door against stone did not cause a great amount of noise, but Animus did hear a loud, muffled crack. He speculated that the door probably was broken. He found comfort in that. Though a few of his men had commented on Animus' disarray earlier that day - including his musty, dank smell - the soldier hadn't really been bothered by it until that very moment. When he was finally alone, no distractions, and had to face himself. Alone. Animus. He chuckled to himself bitterly at the base commonality between the two words. Perhaps, it was his destiny to be alone, just like it had been Opaline's destiny to die just when everything in her life was brightening. Just when she was beginning to truly brighten his life with her light. He brought his other hand up and braced himself tightly against the dressed next to him. He longed to return to the Wolf Forest. To search for Merrick. Or for the day to return and abolish the moon that brought the repose and calm of night. He longed to do anything. Anything better than standing alone, in the dark of his own room, with his loss caving in on his from all sides. The weight was growing heavier and the dresser could no longer hold up Animus as his knees collapsed beneath him and he dropped to the unfeeling stone floor. His hot cheek cooled as it was pressed against the stone. He brought his hand before his face, marveling at it closely in the dark shadows of the room. He firmly planted it against the floor, like his cheek, but made no move to push himself up and off the ground. "The things she'll never feel again..." He continued to stare at his arm, awkwardly wedged in a position perpendicular to the ground. "The things I'll never feel again..." * WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color!" - Sugarplum while Sugarplumming LoA :)
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WhiteZeo	LoA II #23	#44	[url]	[-]
Posts: 474 04/19/04 08:54:15	So, this scene like plagued me. Couldn't figure out how to start it; LJ gives the gory details. giggles But now, I think it's good. :) Good scene. pats scene Sugarplum is gonna hate me for this. chuckle Off to Philosophy! :) *** Merrick tossed and turned angrily in his sleep. The blankets were wound around his torso. Off the side of the cot, his legs dangled. His arms were thrown over his eyes. A frown permanently spread over his lips in his unruly slumber. It was like he was trying to run away, but he couldn't get far enough. Priya watched him from a distance, standing in the doorway to the small room and looking on. She struggled to confine her sobs within her, pressing her cloak to her mouth to hopefully muffle the sounds. She hadn't woken yet. She hadn't been there long. The prior afternoon, after her encounter with the Animarian soldier, Priya had been able to get Ava to divulge her secret. Actually, it hadn't taken any effort on her part, as the girl quickly let the story of how she found the young unconscious boy on the way home from Tribute tumble from her lips. At first, Ava had kept him hidden out of pure instinct. However, she explained to Priya, that once the boy had awoken, he insisted on remaining hidden, and it was a request that Ava found she could not deny; she had no idea what the boy was hiding from. However, Priya had a very good idea. The soldier had told her what happened. The blizzard. The boys lost on their Hunt. Opaline's fall. The fact that High Priest Vanault was blaming Merrick for the High Priestess' death. She knew why he didn't want to return to Tribute. But what he wanted wasn't in his best interest, and she imagined that the boy of eight years barely understood that. Merrick tossed violently once more in his sleep, flopping onto his stomach, his face buried into his small pillow. Priya couldn't fathom that Opaline's own son would've been the cause of her death. How could he kill her? The High Priest had to be mistaken- "Who are you?" She raised her eyes to look back at Merrick to find him staring at her with wide open eyes. His dark blue aura was tight and taut, as was his posture, giving away his apprehensiveness at her presence. Priya didn't blame him; she was a person who knew of his secret when he was trying to hide and it was a purely natural reaction. "My name is Priya." "You're the village priestess?" He bit out the question as his broken blue eyes examined her dress of green. "I am." "You know who I am?" "I do." Merrick instantly shot out of the bed and rushed past Priya, out the room and back into the small kitchen where his boots resided next to the door. "What are you doing, Merrick?" Priya called after him, bewildered as she followed him into the kitchen where he now swiftly pulled on his boots and laced him. "I have to leave," he answered curtly, refusing to lift his head from his work and glance back at her. "Why?" The fiery red-head questioned back, most definitely not following the young boy's train of thought. "I can't stay here." He snapped, finally tying off the last lace on his boot. He headed toward the corner of the room, where his pack has resided for the past two days, and began to strap it onto his back. "You're going make me go back! Back to Tribute!" "You need to go back, Merrick! Your mother just died! You must mourn her with people who care about you!" "I can't go back there! I CANNOT go back there!" He insisted vehemently, locking his gaze with the village priestess'. "It's impossible! I'll run to the edge of the world before I return to Tribute again!" Priya was almost silenced by the glassy, defeated look his eyes caused by unshed tears. He looked exhausted, haunted. "I know what happened, Merrick," she gently eased once her voice came back to her. She took a few tentative steps toward the son of the dead High Priestess. "There are soldiers looking for you. They just want what is best for you - to return you to Tribute, where you belong. You don't belong out here. Your home-" The words seemed to have an adverse affect on Merrick, causing him to stubbornly lash out. "I don't HAVE a home! I killed my mother! I killed my father! Everyone that I have loved it dead because of ME!" His breath was ragged, and the powerful thrumming of his aura echoed the pain so evident in his cries of anguish. "Village Priestess, how can I face those who loved my mother and tell them that I killed her? That I caused the death of High Priestess Opaline?" His voice quieted, but the intensity still remained. "They already hurt so much; if I can spare them this pain, then I will." "But what of you, Merrick? What of losing you? What would do to them to have lost you and your mother in one fell swoop?" "I don't mean anything in comparison to my mother." He blinked slowly and deliberately, causing the tears to overflow and slip down his cheeks. "She was divine beauty, both inside and out. She was my mama, and she loved me no matter what; even when I hated her, she loved me. She loved the Wildzords and they loved her; she went away with them. Her heart was always open and she gave herself to everyone that needed her; it was always everyone else before her." He bent his head, hiding his face as his quickly scrubbed the tears from his face. His last words were mumbled. "She never got anything she wanted... "So, you can try to make me go back, but I won't go. I'll run away from here and find somewhere else to be, to survive." Merrick lifted his head again, and stared at Priya with his red-rimmed eyes, quietly pleading. "But please, don't make me go. I'm so tired; I just want to rest and try to stop hurting so much." She took a few more steps toward him, struggling not to breakdown in front of him. He needed her strength, not her weakness, right now. "It will never stop hurting," she honestly declared, still maintaining eye contact with him. Merrick shrugged his heavy shoulders, and nodded his head softly. "I know. But I don't want to keep running. I just want to stop for a little bit; it can keep on hurting if I can just rest." At that moment, Priya dropped to her knees and took the little lost boy into her arms, crushing him to her. "You can rest here," she whispered, pressing her cheek against the crown of his head as tear slipped past her defenses and down the bridge of her nose. "I promise. You can rest here." She felt Merrick's trembling arms slowly draw around her, accepting her comfort as well as her offer of rest. Holding the fragile child in her arms, Priya sent a prayer up to the Wildzords, asking for their protection and their guidance. "I'm sorry, High Priestess," she mouthed silently, casting a lone glance up to the bare wooden ceiling. "I'm sorry" *** WhiteZeo An Oliverette To The End --- "Oh! And can I say how cool it would be to like see auras! I think it would be so cool to be able to see auras! It would be soooo pretty! Think of all the pretty colors that would like surround people! Its like seeing in color!" - Sugarplum while Sugarplumming LoA :)
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Lucid Lady	Re: LoA II #23	#45	[url]	[-]
Posts: 137 04/19/04 15:55:23 Local user	That was so so sad. Sarah, Lucid Lady ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall. Some run from brakes of ice and answer none, And some condemned for a fault alone." (William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure)
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LoA II #1	08/24/03 02:15:45	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #1	08/24/03 09:43:03	Mandolin the Fanfic Addict
LoA II #2	09/06/03 19:25:01	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #2	09/06/03 20:00:49	jamaisrien
Re: LoA II #2	09/13/03 14:03:23	Lucid Lady
Re: LoA II #1 and #2	09/15/03 14:33:55	Sugarplum7
LoA II #3	09/15/03 22:35:22	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #3	09/16/03 07:52:20	tptigger
Re: LoA II #3	09/17/03 22:30:24	Sugarplum7
LoA II #4	09/19/03 22:39:36	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #4	09/20/03 05:37:01	Lucid Lady
Re: LoA II #4	09/25/03 14:05:29	Sugarplum7
LoA II #5	09/27/03 13:16:50	WhiteZeo
LoA II #6	09/29/03 21:19:13	WhiteZeo
sniff	09/30/03 07:42:52	tptigger
Re: LoA II #5 and #6	10/05/03 17:46:30	Sugarplum7
LoA II #7	10/10/03 12:20:54	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #7	10/14/03 18:40:58	Sugarplum7
LoA II #8	10/31/03 12:34:08	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #8	10/31/03 21:28:38	Lucid Lady
Re: LoA II #8	11/05/03 00:40:01	Sugarplum7
LoA II #9	11/07/03 14:54:47	WhiteZeo
LoA II #10	11/14/03 11:59:35	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #10	11/14/03 13:12:37	tptigger
Re: LoA II #9 and #10	11/18/03 21:47:58	Sugarplum7
LoA II #11	12/10/03 01:06:59	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #11	12/20/03 11:35:06	Lucid Lady
LoA II #12	12/29/03 21:09:54	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #11 and #12	12/30/03 00:23:35	Sugarplum7
re: LoA II #12	12/30/03 03:16:14	Lucid Lady
LoA II #13	12/31/03 00:03:39	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #13	12/31/03 15:33:18	tptigger
Banner!	01/01/04 03:45:48	Sugarplum7
LoA II #14	01/13/04 21:59:25	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #12 and #13 and #14	01/23/04 13:17:27	Sugarplum7
LoA II #15	02/06/04 10:05:44	WhiteZeo
I haven't read it yet!	02/06/04 11:53:38	Sugarplum7
LoA II #16	02/22/04 02:33:28	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #16	02/22/04 09:22:26	tptigger
I haven't read this either!	02/22/04 13:21:31	Sugarplum7
LoA II #17	02/23/04 01:02:34	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #17	02/23/04 01:34:43	Sugarplum7
LoA II #18	03/05/04 17:19:02	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #18	03/06/04 11:29:44	Lucid Lady
Sugarplumming LoA II #15, #16, #17, #18	03/06/04 14:11:12	Sugarplum7
LoA II #19	03/20/04 20:21:37	WhiteZeo
LoA II #20	03/28/04 11:21:10	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #20	03/28/04 11:25:05	tptigger
Auras! ::claps::	03/28/04 11:38:21	Sugarplum7
LoA II #21	04/04/04 10:15:23	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #21	04/04/04 13:17:39	Lucid Lady
LoA II #22	04/07/04 21:31:40	WhiteZeo
LoA II #23	04/19/04 08:54:15	WhiteZeo
Re: LoA II #23	04/19/04 15:55:23	Lucid Lady