Crime 101 is a series where I talk about the elements that go in to committing a certain crime. The idea here isn't to talk about the specific issues but rather the general points that you want to consider when putting one of these crimes into your story or game. Specifics can change by story, general points are fairly common. Today's Crime 101 is going to focus on the Frame Up.
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Please Stop Feeding....
Today's title should sound familiar to anyone who plays League of Legends, Dawn of the Ancients, or any of the games of that like. It is a common complaint heard in public games, and to put it in context for the non-initiated it is basically asking "please stop getting killed." Not directly related to table top gaming, sure, but it is an aspect of gamer culture that a lot of people don't seem to look at, and I wanted to take today to explore it a bit.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Three Nights 'Til The New Moon - A Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenge
Another week, another flash fiction challenge from Chuck Wendig. This week's prompt? Irregular Creatures. Probably has something to do with that book Mr. Wendig put out on the Amazons recently (you did buy a copy, right?)
Anyhow, here's my response. A bit over 1k words, and from a world where unicorns recruit virgin girls to eat their younger brothers. Enjoy!
Three Nights 'Til The New Moon (3/6/2011)
Anyhow, here's my response. A bit over 1k words, and from a world where unicorns recruit virgin girls to eat their younger brothers. Enjoy!
Three Nights 'Til The New Moon (3/6/2011)
It's cold.
I can't sleep.
Nights like this are always the hardest. The air gets cold, and, with the wind howling like banshees in the dark, the rickety old wagon can't do much to keep it out. I pull my blanket up tighter around my shoulders, but that exposes my feet to the cold and doesn't make it better.
"Anna...Anna!" The whisper is harsh and frightened. "Anna! Are you awake?" I have to check my anger, Tom is only four after all.
"I'm up, what is it?"
"I heard something...outside"
"It's just the wind, Tom. Go back to sleep." I turn over and try to heed my own advice. Tom's hand grabs my shoulder and shakes me back 'awake'.
"It's not the wind, Anna. Something is out there!"
"All right, all right. I'm up, Tom. I'll check it out." Tom scurries back to his own bed as soon as the words are out of my mouth. It takes me a another minute to work up the courage to remove my blanket and face the cold air. The fact that I don't want to go out in the cold doesn't help.
The leather of my boots is cold against my bare feet. Dad's old heavy cloak from the closet is a little too big for me, but it is warm. I also grab dad's old hunting knife. The belt that holds it is heavy, but if I'm going out at night I'd rather have the protection. I look around the wagon before pulling the bolt on the door. "Thomas, lock this behind me. You know the drill right?" He nods vigorously, and I get the sense that now that I'm about to go he really doesn't want me to. "It's three days until the new moon. You got that?" He takes a few moments before nodding again. Everyone in the caravan uses a different system. Dad's was...is based on days until the new moon. 'Simplicity is key' Dad would always say with a laugh. 'What good is a security knock if I can't remember it?' It hadn't failed us so far. Then again, it had never been really tested either.
With Tom set on the code for the day, I don't have anymore excuses to dilly dally. The second bolt slides open with a lurch and a clunk. The wind shoves the door open before I can even reach the handle and it's all I can do to keep it from banging into the wall. The cat comes in right away; trotting through the door and hiding from the wind. "Bosco, you know you're not supposed to be in here at night. The wagon master was clear." Bosco gives me the look, and I can't help but shake my head, "Alright. You can stay in here and watch Tom for me. I'm going out to check something." Bosco nods and briefly unfurls his wings before moving over to Tom.
I take one last look around and move out into the cold. As I take the creaky steps off the wagon I can hear Tom secure the two bolts behind me. The night is cold and dark. The only light comes from the lanterns on the other wagons. For a moment I consider waking someone up to come with me and check on Tom's noise, but immediately think better of it. No point waking someone up for an overactive imagination. All I need to do is stay outside, and out of sight, for a few minutes and I can go back in.
The wind howls again, and this time I can hear the cry for help under it. It isn't far off, just inside the trees off the road. I go back long enough to take the lantern from our wagon, and then step into the woods. "Hello? Is someone out here?" No one answers my call. Under dad's heavy cloak I nervously grip the handle of the knife. Having heard the noise myself I know I should run and hide, it could be one of them after all, but I can't bring myself to abandon someone who may need help.
The cry for help sounds again, a bit further into the woods, and I continue forward. There isn't much growth here, and even in the dark good footing isn't hard to find. I call out again, but there's still no answer. A horse whinnies makes me turn around. My heart starts to race immediately. I've come a lot farther into the trees than I'd ever intended. I start to go back, but the shadows begin to close around and reach for me. They stop when I pull the knife, but keep me surrounded.
"Put down the knife child, they won't hurt you." The voice comes from behind me, and I instinctively turn to look. It's not a horse, but a unicorn. He's the most magnificent thing I've ever seen, large and powerful with a pure white coat and mane. The horn, a graceful protrusion of about eight inches, seems to glow softly in the dark and make the shadows retreat further. The knife drops numbly from my hand as the compulsion to kneel and bow grips my body.
"That's a good child. Your purity is strong, I can feel it." The unicorn bows its head as well. I can feel the warmth from his horn just above my head. "Join us." The words are more than a command, and before I know what to do I can hear myself agree. The unicorn seems pleased. I look up just in time for the horn to touch me on the forehead. The heat is unbearable. I scream as everything goes white.
When I come to, I'm lying in the leaves with the moonlight streaming through the canopy over head. I hear the sound of metal scraping on stone as someone picks up dad's knife. I look up just in time to see myself, only with a hole in my head, and the urge to scream takes me again. With a mocking smile, fake-me puts a finger to her lips and makes a 'shhh' noise. That's when the shadows come for me, and pull me under the ground. As the ground takes me, I can see the hole in my doppelganger's head fill in. The last thing I hear is my own mocking voice, "Three days before the new moon. So simple..."
I'm so sorry Tom.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Letters from Mesutsume
This is the story of Matsu Mesutsume, born Ikoma Mesutsume, and daughter of Ikoma Tsuyokaze. This is the story of 'Razor Paw', a special, and now retirned, gunsen of the Lion Spear Elite, originally under the command of Taisa Akodo Heihachi. The story is told through the letters that Mesutsume regularly sent home to her father while serving with her unit, and serves as the only directly observed history of the five wars in which Razor Paw participated left to the Lion Clan.
Recently re-discovered in a storage room of Shiro Sano Ken Hayai by Ikoma Masshiro, the letters have been restored and copied over to a more lasting medium. The original letters were presented to the Akodo Daimyo as a Winter Court gift, upon his arrival to the castle, and copies are now being entered into the Ikoma, Isawa, and Imperial libraries. Famed Scorpion playwright, Bayushi Tenko, is said to be working on a theater adaptation of the story, with plans for the final act to be the largest and grandest ever seen.
The story of Razor Paw, as told through these letters, covers the 8 years from 575 to 583, and holds details of the Lion's wars against the Dragon, Crane, and the so-called Ogre Empire of the North West Territories (now restored to the Unicorn), as well as the Battle of the Last Kitsu, and a mock-war with the Crab.
Letters from Mesutsume - Age 14
Letters from Mesutsume - Ages 15-16
Letters from Mesutsume - Ages 17-18
Letters from Mesutsume - Ages 18-22 & Epilogue
OOC Information
The links above are to the in-character letters I wrote to the GM after every session of a Legend of Five Rings game that he ran. The letters are all from my character Matsu Mesutsume (originally Ikoma Mesutsume), and are primarily to her father Ikoma Tsuyokaze (originally Daidoji Tsuyokaze). I've put the letters up here partially because I wanted to, and partially at the request of the GM and players of the game who wanted to be able to see them all in one go. At present, they are all posted as they were sent. Quick writes that were sent to the GM without editing. Though, I have begun to start cleaning them up (starting with this page), and hopefully they'll look a bit more...professional (for lack of a better word) soon.
As said, the game ran covering 8 years in the lives of members of Razor Paw. The game was set in 575, but the GM took heavy liberties with the L5R setting. For one thing, the Lioness legion (which, in canon, isn't founded until 1030 or later) is well established in the game. Numerous other liberties were taken as well, but if you are familiar with L5R, you shouldn't have any problems following along. Even if you're not familiar with L5R, I think you shouldn't have any issues following along.
The game was a true war story, well, several war stories actually. There was a decent PC fatality rate, and even higher NPC rate. At the end of almost every campaign, Razor Paw had suffered nearly 75% (or more) fatalities, and near total casualties if you included injuries. The group had a knack for finding the worst place to be in, and then 'winning' and helping to turn the tide of the battle. Making the members, and the group, heroes of almost every battle they were apart of. It didn't come as much of a surprise that by the end of the game, the surviving Day 1 PCs were all near Glory 10, and in the last battle all would have reached it had it been calculated.
I'll happily answer any questions I can about the story. The letters are all IC accounts of what happened from Mesutsume's perspective, and they were written as a form of IC journal not necessarily to tell the story. Though, they do seem to tell it well, some things are just not said.
The Characters of note are numerous, so I will just go over the PCs I think.
Matsu Chengensai - born a matsu, Chengensai was a bit of a runt of the litter. His training was haphazard and scattered, moving through several dojos before making it to the Ikoma for Omoidasu training; where he promptly hit a growth spurt and went from being a runt to standing over 6' tall. His cluttered training played a hindering role in the beginning of the game for Chengensai, particularly when it was found he had never been taught to use a sword. His teachers having all assumed that he had either already learned the sword, or would be taught it in the next phase of his training - which never came due to him being moved about.
Ikoma Tsumaro - Tsumaro was an interesting man. His father, a yojimbo from the Phoenix clan that married into the lion, taught him the way of the sword, spear, and bushido, instilling in Tsumaro an idealized viewpoint of how Rokugan should work. From the very beginning Tsumaro set out to be a defender, and served as a yojimbo to Kitsune Kaori during her time with the group. However, beneath the quiet nature of a humble yojimbo, lay a true terror to the enemies of the Lion.
Matsu Shotaro - Shotaro has perhaps the simplest back story of all the starting PCs. He was raised Matsu, and had many sisters who were all stronger than him. From this he learned perseverance, how to take a hit and keep going. His desire to win, and to learn, led him down an unlikely path when the Akodo Scout Akodo Taka showed up to teach the group about terrain.
Matsu Yoko - The original leader of the group, Yoko was a large woman who at age 14 already had a strength of 4, and was moving quickly on to strength 5. A straight forward person who truly enjoyed exercising, Yoko also had a way with words that absolutely devastated Mesutsume in their numerous encounters. There was bad blood between Mesu and Yoko from the beginning of the game due to a meeting before the game began. Something that set Mesutsume up as needing to prove her strength to Yoko, and ultimately served as a major catalyst for the changes Mesutsume went through in life.
Ikoma Mesutsume - you'll learn alot about her on your own from reading the letters, as she is the author of them. Mesutsume is a one of a kind spear fighter, and the daughter of another one of a kind spear fighter. Great Potential Spears seems to just run in her family, along with a penchant for killing people on the battlefield. Mesutsume was heavily marked by her ancestors, the Lion and Crane blood in her not getting along. She was born with crane features and light blue eyes, her hair a natural 50/50 mix of Red and White streaks. Perhaps one of the 'loudest' characters I've ever played visuals wise, it also became something of a theme in the challenges Mesu faced, both internally and externally.
Kitsune Kaori - A shugenja from a minor clan called the Kitsune (or fox), Kaori ended up in the group as part of an Imperial edict ceasing hostilities between the Lion and the Fox. A spirit fox with the ability to change forms, Kaori's deepest desire was to become a true samurai, which Tsumaro convinced her through action, deed, and word, meant she wanted to be a true Lion. Kaori's trickster ways got her into trouble on more than one occasion, but she was also the key to many of Razor Paw's death defying victories.
Akodo Toki - A late addition to the group, Akodo Toki became the groups medic. In his background he had been engaged to marry into the Phoenix, though a Scorpion assassin put an end to those plans when he (the assassin) killed the bride-to-be and her father. Toki arrived to late to save either of them, but did manage to injure the assassin with a spear he had on hand. To his last day Toki held onto that spear, in the hopes of finishing the job some day.
Ikoma Zenko - A spymaster who was assigned to the group by a shady Lion tactician named Genji. Zenko seemed to struggle against his training during his time with Razor paw, especially in the face of the highly honorable Chengensai, Kaori, and Tsumaro. By the end he had taken steps towards becoming a true tactician and a full fledged Lion bushi instead of the spy he started off as.
Matsu Tomi - A Matsu woman who was trained by the Akodo due to her small size. Tomi was looking to become a Beast Master, and as such already had a companion, a war cat named Kiba. Tomi's ability to speak with animals, along with her happy go lucky nature gave her a bit of a rocky intro to the group, but by the end she was a vital element to the morale of the unit.
The beginning of the story can be found here.
Recently re-discovered in a storage room of Shiro Sano Ken Hayai by Ikoma Masshiro, the letters have been restored and copied over to a more lasting medium. The original letters were presented to the Akodo Daimyo as a Winter Court gift, upon his arrival to the castle, and copies are now being entered into the Ikoma, Isawa, and Imperial libraries. Famed Scorpion playwright, Bayushi Tenko, is said to be working on a theater adaptation of the story, with plans for the final act to be the largest and grandest ever seen.
The story of Razor Paw, as told through these letters, covers the 8 years from 575 to 583, and holds details of the Lion's wars against the Dragon, Crane, and the so-called Ogre Empire of the North West Territories (now restored to the Unicorn), as well as the Battle of the Last Kitsu, and a mock-war with the Crab.
Letters from Mesutsume - Age 14
Letters from Mesutsume - Ages 15-16
Letters from Mesutsume - Ages 17-18
Letters from Mesutsume - Ages 18-22 & Epilogue
OOC Information
The links above are to the in-character letters I wrote to the GM after every session of a Legend of Five Rings game that he ran. The letters are all from my character Matsu Mesutsume (originally Ikoma Mesutsume), and are primarily to her father Ikoma Tsuyokaze (originally Daidoji Tsuyokaze). I've put the letters up here partially because I wanted to, and partially at the request of the GM and players of the game who wanted to be able to see them all in one go. At present, they are all posted as they were sent. Quick writes that were sent to the GM without editing. Though, I have begun to start cleaning them up (starting with this page), and hopefully they'll look a bit more...professional (for lack of a better word) soon.
As said, the game ran covering 8 years in the lives of members of Razor Paw. The game was set in 575, but the GM took heavy liberties with the L5R setting. For one thing, the Lioness legion (which, in canon, isn't founded until 1030 or later) is well established in the game. Numerous other liberties were taken as well, but if you are familiar with L5R, you shouldn't have any problems following along. Even if you're not familiar with L5R, I think you shouldn't have any issues following along.
The game was a true war story, well, several war stories actually. There was a decent PC fatality rate, and even higher NPC rate. At the end of almost every campaign, Razor Paw had suffered nearly 75% (or more) fatalities, and near total casualties if you included injuries. The group had a knack for finding the worst place to be in, and then 'winning' and helping to turn the tide of the battle. Making the members, and the group, heroes of almost every battle they were apart of. It didn't come as much of a surprise that by the end of the game, the surviving Day 1 PCs were all near Glory 10, and in the last battle all would have reached it had it been calculated.
I'll happily answer any questions I can about the story. The letters are all IC accounts of what happened from Mesutsume's perspective, and they were written as a form of IC journal not necessarily to tell the story. Though, they do seem to tell it well, some things are just not said.
The Characters of note are numerous, so I will just go over the PCs I think.
Matsu Chengensai - born a matsu, Chengensai was a bit of a runt of the litter. His training was haphazard and scattered, moving through several dojos before making it to the Ikoma for Omoidasu training; where he promptly hit a growth spurt and went from being a runt to standing over 6' tall. His cluttered training played a hindering role in the beginning of the game for Chengensai, particularly when it was found he had never been taught to use a sword. His teachers having all assumed that he had either already learned the sword, or would be taught it in the next phase of his training - which never came due to him being moved about.
Ikoma Tsumaro - Tsumaro was an interesting man. His father, a yojimbo from the Phoenix clan that married into the lion, taught him the way of the sword, spear, and bushido, instilling in Tsumaro an idealized viewpoint of how Rokugan should work. From the very beginning Tsumaro set out to be a defender, and served as a yojimbo to Kitsune Kaori during her time with the group. However, beneath the quiet nature of a humble yojimbo, lay a true terror to the enemies of the Lion.
Matsu Shotaro - Shotaro has perhaps the simplest back story of all the starting PCs. He was raised Matsu, and had many sisters who were all stronger than him. From this he learned perseverance, how to take a hit and keep going. His desire to win, and to learn, led him down an unlikely path when the Akodo Scout Akodo Taka showed up to teach the group about terrain.
Matsu Yoko - The original leader of the group, Yoko was a large woman who at age 14 already had a strength of 4, and was moving quickly on to strength 5. A straight forward person who truly enjoyed exercising, Yoko also had a way with words that absolutely devastated Mesutsume in their numerous encounters. There was bad blood between Mesu and Yoko from the beginning of the game due to a meeting before the game began. Something that set Mesutsume up as needing to prove her strength to Yoko, and ultimately served as a major catalyst for the changes Mesutsume went through in life.
Ikoma Mesutsume - you'll learn alot about her on your own from reading the letters, as she is the author of them. Mesutsume is a one of a kind spear fighter, and the daughter of another one of a kind spear fighter. Great Potential Spears seems to just run in her family, along with a penchant for killing people on the battlefield. Mesutsume was heavily marked by her ancestors, the Lion and Crane blood in her not getting along. She was born with crane features and light blue eyes, her hair a natural 50/50 mix of Red and White streaks. Perhaps one of the 'loudest' characters I've ever played visuals wise, it also became something of a theme in the challenges Mesu faced, both internally and externally.
Kitsune Kaori - A shugenja from a minor clan called the Kitsune (or fox), Kaori ended up in the group as part of an Imperial edict ceasing hostilities between the Lion and the Fox. A spirit fox with the ability to change forms, Kaori's deepest desire was to become a true samurai, which Tsumaro convinced her through action, deed, and word, meant she wanted to be a true Lion. Kaori's trickster ways got her into trouble on more than one occasion, but she was also the key to many of Razor Paw's death defying victories.
Akodo Toki - A late addition to the group, Akodo Toki became the groups medic. In his background he had been engaged to marry into the Phoenix, though a Scorpion assassin put an end to those plans when he (the assassin) killed the bride-to-be and her father. Toki arrived to late to save either of them, but did manage to injure the assassin with a spear he had on hand. To his last day Toki held onto that spear, in the hopes of finishing the job some day.
Ikoma Zenko - A spymaster who was assigned to the group by a shady Lion tactician named Genji. Zenko seemed to struggle against his training during his time with Razor paw, especially in the face of the highly honorable Chengensai, Kaori, and Tsumaro. By the end he had taken steps towards becoming a true tactician and a full fledged Lion bushi instead of the spy he started off as.
Matsu Tomi - A Matsu woman who was trained by the Akodo due to her small size. Tomi was looking to become a Beast Master, and as such already had a companion, a war cat named Kiba. Tomi's ability to speak with animals, along with her happy go lucky nature gave her a bit of a rocky intro to the group, but by the end she was a vital element to the morale of the unit.
The beginning of the story can be found here.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Dreamers - A Short Story
I'm honestly not sure where this came from. One second I was sitting down thinking about homework, the next I had banged out over 1000 words. The story ended not much longer. I'm honestly not quite sure what to do with this, it has no character, no plot, just a sequence of events. It seems almost a little politically charged and heavy handed. I don't know, what do you think? At least it is a quick read at 2,072 words.
Dreamers
Dreamers
Look, I know what you’re thinking: what’s a pretty boy like me doing up on this roof, looking like I’m about to jump? I’ll tell you, but it’s a long story, ok? Do you know what a Dreamer is? No? Well then, I guess I’m going to have to start at the beginning, or damn near it anyhow.
This started back in the late 1900s. No, not my particular part of the story, but you need to see where it started to get an idea of where it is now. Some time in the late 1900s, some say the eighties, some geniuses had the bright idea to make a network between two computers. Kids’ stuff, sure, but it was a big deal back then. Their idea grew, and in twenty years their so called internet - the progenitor for what we still just call ‘the net’ today - was taking the world by storm. It was so effective that by 2010, not only did many people consider access to the internet a right and not a privilege, but the big corporations were doing everything in their power to either keep up, slow it down, or find a way to hold onto their cash while people discovered the joys of instantaneous communication.
Still with me? Good, because at that point things started to stagnate. The internet got faster, the corporations got greedier, and a feeding frenzy ensued as those who had legal and financial power went after those that didn’t. I’m not going to say who was right or wrong, but you don’t have to be a genius to realize that the law was on the side of those with money and power, not youth and zeal. But like I said, things stagnated, and they didn’t really heat up again until Internet 4.0.
What was so special about 4.0? That’s easy, Hard Jacks. Yeah, those archaic pieces of shit, but, again, it was a big deal back then. People no longer needed a computer to access the internet. They just needed to plug something into their head and away they went. In what was becoming a quickly repeating trend, science fiction had once again become reality. Next came the Soft Jacks, pretty much the same thing as the Hard Jacks, just wireless. You no longer needed to plug in, you just found a place with some reception, pulled up a chair, and surfed away.
More people were accessing more information at quicker rates than ever before, and it still took years for someone to notice what had happened. For the first time in human history it was the entertainment industry, not the military, that was defining where the cutting edge was in technology. Not that the military was out of the picture, but they weren’t the top dog anymore. People just cared more about how they were going to catch the next episode of their favorite show than how a soldier was going to kill an enemy from umpteen trillion miles away. We probably should have worried that luxury was now a higher priority than survival and defense, but we were all too busy praying at our new corporate daises to care.
It wasn’t until the number of people that were Soft-Jacked crossed the fiftieth percentile that the Entertainment Industry started to change again to match the times. The problem was the same that it had been since the 2000s; people were busier than ever and had little time to get their media consumption on. Convenience and speed were the chief desires. They were desires that the entertainment industry had been fighting for years though, and they had a plan. In a strange move for the corporations, they decided to take the next step forward rather than try to fight the tides of change for as long as possible.
Do you know what the problem with a movie is? Yeah, that’s right, it takes too fucking long, and costs way too much. Who is going to sit there for two hours and watch some over paid hack get thrown around by CGI effects? Well, everyone would at one point in time, but that time has long since past. The answer the big execs somehow came up with came from the kid brothers of the industry, namely comics and video games. Comics had a long history of combining mediums to deliver an entire product and pull people into worlds others wouldn’t even dare to touch. Video games had the edge in pulling their audience into the experience and making them feel a part of it. The execs took both, slammed them together, and Dreamers were born.
See, the average dream lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, but in that time you can experience years of story. It was this that the execs wanted to capitalize on, and so they brought in some of the best creative minds they could find. The results were almost instantaneous; the people loved it. A fifteen minute break at work could now be used to feel like you’d been gone for far longer and had done something far more significant than just lounging around. The thirty minutes you spent waiting for your wife to get ready to go out could give you enough time to watch an entire Space Opera. The sky was the limit, and the only way to get a taste was to pay for the proprietary format.
It only took a few years for the other forms of entertainment to choke out and die. Sure, the odd movie still gets made, same with the odd book, but the industries behind them are half devoured skeletons of what they once were. They collapsed under their own weight as the mob switched to synthetic dreams practically over night. And why shouldn’t they have? Where else were you going to get the visuals of a movie, the interactivity of a video game, and the depth of story of a book in one neat, easily consumed little package?
My part? My part comes soon, I promise. Just a bit more patience ok? See, the idea of selling dreams didn’t take long to become a household desire. Sure, the format was proprietary, but it only took a few more years for someone to crack the code and figure out other ways to give the exact same experience. Suddenly, anyone who wanted to could sell their dreams on the net, or just give them away. Many people didn’t even take the time to fully craft the experience; they would just record their own dreams, watch it to make sure nothing too embarrassing or identifiable happened, and then slapped it online with a price tag. People paid top dollar to see them too. Raw dream footage set psychologists into a frenzy with excitement, and others just watched the spins for kicks.
However, these amateur dreams - Speed Spins they call them - are also where the problems came from. The subconscious is a funny thing, and it’s not unusual for it to take just about anything that is on your mind and plop it down somewhere in a dream. Historically, this wouldn’t have been a problem, but now people were making money selling their dreams. So, John Smith watches the new Spider-Man story, and then two nights later plugs his head in for some Speed Spinning. Well, what do you think is going to happen? Yeah, that’s right, Spider-Man makes an appearance in John’s dream, and suddenly he’s guilty of Intellectual Property Infringement, and you’re lying to yourself if you don’t think someone is going to notice that.
The lawsuits ripped through the headlines, and copyright law became the word on everyone’s lips once more. In the 2000s it had been a bit easier to define, after all no one was selling the material, just distributing it on peer to peer networks. Now though, there was money involved, but there were other problems as well. The stories were new and the characters different for one thing. Lawyers had a field day with that; were there enough changes to make it something similar but different, or did it still count as a derivative work? How could you stop it from happening when you were selling bottled dreams? No one has control of their subconscious, not to that degree.
In the end, the courts ruled that if the companies did nothing to protect their rights, then they had no grounds to prosecute over them. In short, you can’t sue people for dreaming if you yourself can take no steps to prevent it from happening. That’s where I came in.
Like I said, I’m a Dreamer, not one of those Speed Spinners either, but an actual Dreamer. I’ve always had lucid dreams, a bit more control than the normal person would have, and I’d use that control to finely hone and craft the experience of my dreams. I’d sometimes work months, or even years, on a single project, refining it with each pass. People like me were...are rare, but the control we have is invaluable.
I think there were twenty of us in total. We were all brought to a big corporate think tank, and paid egregious amounts of money to come up with a way to prevent what was effectively ‘Dream Copying’. We tried just about everything we could, but the simple truth remained: you can’t make someone un-see something without massive consequences.
Just when we were all about to be released and the project abandoned, one of us, one of the techs to be precise, had an idea. She was a beautiful woman, Shauna was her name. Her idea was simple, instead of trying to stop the person from re-producing the content they’d seen in the consumed dream, you just suggest and ask that they don’t copy it. The idea was sound, and with my help we were able to get it working; the brain, it turns out, is a lot more reasonable than most people. A fact that every double blind test confirmed.
The corporate big wigs couldn’t have been happier. They took the idea to the courts the next day, along with the results from their trials, and the idea was approved in record time. Everyone was so proud of themselves for doing the impossible; we were so busy clapping each other on the shoulder that no one saw the danger until it was too late.
The mind is an incredibly adaptable and resourceful piece of machinery. It can take ideas, twist them, shift them, and spit them out looking like something totally different. This is how story telling works. Did you know that there are less than 100 plots in the entire world of stories? It’s true, if you boil them down to their simplest element, you have less than a hundred unique obstacles for characters to face. Because of this, authors and creators have been claiming that everything is cliche for hundreds of years, and they’re right to do so. Everything is cliche, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put an interesting spin on it. The only problem is, that is exactly what we were stopping. We asked the brain not to reproduce the specifics of what it saw, and so the brain didn’t reproduce the dream. The brain still remembered what it saw, it even still enjoyed it, but it refused to reproduce or play with the experience, because we had asked it not to.
The effects weren’t seen for a while, but slowly the creators of the world’s stories began to dry up. Their brains simply wouldn’t process new ideas, because they had been asked not to by every story they themselves had consumed. Eventually, a lot of us stopped dreaming all together. With every new story that came out, every new dream that we had, more and more of our brains were locked down.
It’s fear you see. Fear that what we come up with might have already been done. Fear that we’ll do something wrong. That is why I am up here on this ledge, because I am afraid. I’m afraid that nothing I do will be original, but more than that, I am afraid to live in a world in which I can not dream for fear of not being original. They took my dreams away to protect their own creations. Don’t let them do it to you.
This started back in the late 1900s. No, not my particular part of the story, but you need to see where it started to get an idea of where it is now. Some time in the late 1900s, some say the eighties, some geniuses had the bright idea to make a network between two computers. Kids’ stuff, sure, but it was a big deal back then. Their idea grew, and in twenty years their so called internet - the progenitor for what we still just call ‘the net’ today - was taking the world by storm. It was so effective that by 2010, not only did many people consider access to the internet a right and not a privilege, but the big corporations were doing everything in their power to either keep up, slow it down, or find a way to hold onto their cash while people discovered the joys of instantaneous communication.
Still with me? Good, because at that point things started to stagnate. The internet got faster, the corporations got greedier, and a feeding frenzy ensued as those who had legal and financial power went after those that didn’t. I’m not going to say who was right or wrong, but you don’t have to be a genius to realize that the law was on the side of those with money and power, not youth and zeal. But like I said, things stagnated, and they didn’t really heat up again until Internet 4.0.
What was so special about 4.0? That’s easy, Hard Jacks. Yeah, those archaic pieces of shit, but, again, it was a big deal back then. People no longer needed a computer to access the internet. They just needed to plug something into their head and away they went. In what was becoming a quickly repeating trend, science fiction had once again become reality. Next came the Soft Jacks, pretty much the same thing as the Hard Jacks, just wireless. You no longer needed to plug in, you just found a place with some reception, pulled up a chair, and surfed away.
More people were accessing more information at quicker rates than ever before, and it still took years for someone to notice what had happened. For the first time in human history it was the entertainment industry, not the military, that was defining where the cutting edge was in technology. Not that the military was out of the picture, but they weren’t the top dog anymore. People just cared more about how they were going to catch the next episode of their favorite show than how a soldier was going to kill an enemy from umpteen trillion miles away. We probably should have worried that luxury was now a higher priority than survival and defense, but we were all too busy praying at our new corporate daises to care.
It wasn’t until the number of people that were Soft-Jacked crossed the fiftieth percentile that the Entertainment Industry started to change again to match the times. The problem was the same that it had been since the 2000s; people were busier than ever and had little time to get their media consumption on. Convenience and speed were the chief desires. They were desires that the entertainment industry had been fighting for years though, and they had a plan. In a strange move for the corporations, they decided to take the next step forward rather than try to fight the tides of change for as long as possible.
Do you know what the problem with a movie is? Yeah, that’s right, it takes too fucking long, and costs way too much. Who is going to sit there for two hours and watch some over paid hack get thrown around by CGI effects? Well, everyone would at one point in time, but that time has long since past. The answer the big execs somehow came up with came from the kid brothers of the industry, namely comics and video games. Comics had a long history of combining mediums to deliver an entire product and pull people into worlds others wouldn’t even dare to touch. Video games had the edge in pulling their audience into the experience and making them feel a part of it. The execs took both, slammed them together, and Dreamers were born.
See, the average dream lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, but in that time you can experience years of story. It was this that the execs wanted to capitalize on, and so they brought in some of the best creative minds they could find. The results were almost instantaneous; the people loved it. A fifteen minute break at work could now be used to feel like you’d been gone for far longer and had done something far more significant than just lounging around. The thirty minutes you spent waiting for your wife to get ready to go out could give you enough time to watch an entire Space Opera. The sky was the limit, and the only way to get a taste was to pay for the proprietary format.
It only took a few years for the other forms of entertainment to choke out and die. Sure, the odd movie still gets made, same with the odd book, but the industries behind them are half devoured skeletons of what they once were. They collapsed under their own weight as the mob switched to synthetic dreams practically over night. And why shouldn’t they have? Where else were you going to get the visuals of a movie, the interactivity of a video game, and the depth of story of a book in one neat, easily consumed little package?
My part? My part comes soon, I promise. Just a bit more patience ok? See, the idea of selling dreams didn’t take long to become a household desire. Sure, the format was proprietary, but it only took a few more years for someone to crack the code and figure out other ways to give the exact same experience. Suddenly, anyone who wanted to could sell their dreams on the net, or just give them away. Many people didn’t even take the time to fully craft the experience; they would just record their own dreams, watch it to make sure nothing too embarrassing or identifiable happened, and then slapped it online with a price tag. People paid top dollar to see them too. Raw dream footage set psychologists into a frenzy with excitement, and others just watched the spins for kicks.
However, these amateur dreams - Speed Spins they call them - are also where the problems came from. The subconscious is a funny thing, and it’s not unusual for it to take just about anything that is on your mind and plop it down somewhere in a dream. Historically, this wouldn’t have been a problem, but now people were making money selling their dreams. So, John Smith watches the new Spider-Man story, and then two nights later plugs his head in for some Speed Spinning. Well, what do you think is going to happen? Yeah, that’s right, Spider-Man makes an appearance in John’s dream, and suddenly he’s guilty of Intellectual Property Infringement, and you’re lying to yourself if you don’t think someone is going to notice that.
The lawsuits ripped through the headlines, and copyright law became the word on everyone’s lips once more. In the 2000s it had been a bit easier to define, after all no one was selling the material, just distributing it on peer to peer networks. Now though, there was money involved, but there were other problems as well. The stories were new and the characters different for one thing. Lawyers had a field day with that; were there enough changes to make it something similar but different, or did it still count as a derivative work? How could you stop it from happening when you were selling bottled dreams? No one has control of their subconscious, not to that degree.
In the end, the courts ruled that if the companies did nothing to protect their rights, then they had no grounds to prosecute over them. In short, you can’t sue people for dreaming if you yourself can take no steps to prevent it from happening. That’s where I came in.
Like I said, I’m a Dreamer, not one of those Speed Spinners either, but an actual Dreamer. I’ve always had lucid dreams, a bit more control than the normal person would have, and I’d use that control to finely hone and craft the experience of my dreams. I’d sometimes work months, or even years, on a single project, refining it with each pass. People like me were...are rare, but the control we have is invaluable.
I think there were twenty of us in total. We were all brought to a big corporate think tank, and paid egregious amounts of money to come up with a way to prevent what was effectively ‘Dream Copying’. We tried just about everything we could, but the simple truth remained: you can’t make someone un-see something without massive consequences.
Just when we were all about to be released and the project abandoned, one of us, one of the techs to be precise, had an idea. She was a beautiful woman, Shauna was her name. Her idea was simple, instead of trying to stop the person from re-producing the content they’d seen in the consumed dream, you just suggest and ask that they don’t copy it. The idea was sound, and with my help we were able to get it working; the brain, it turns out, is a lot more reasonable than most people. A fact that every double blind test confirmed.
The corporate big wigs couldn’t have been happier. They took the idea to the courts the next day, along with the results from their trials, and the idea was approved in record time. Everyone was so proud of themselves for doing the impossible; we were so busy clapping each other on the shoulder that no one saw the danger until it was too late.
The mind is an incredibly adaptable and resourceful piece of machinery. It can take ideas, twist them, shift them, and spit them out looking like something totally different. This is how story telling works. Did you know that there are less than 100 plots in the entire world of stories? It’s true, if you boil them down to their simplest element, you have less than a hundred unique obstacles for characters to face. Because of this, authors and creators have been claiming that everything is cliche for hundreds of years, and they’re right to do so. Everything is cliche, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put an interesting spin on it. The only problem is, that is exactly what we were stopping. We asked the brain not to reproduce the specifics of what it saw, and so the brain didn’t reproduce the dream. The brain still remembered what it saw, it even still enjoyed it, but it refused to reproduce or play with the experience, because we had asked it not to.
The effects weren’t seen for a while, but slowly the creators of the world’s stories began to dry up. Their brains simply wouldn’t process new ideas, because they had been asked not to by every story they themselves had consumed. Eventually, a lot of us stopped dreaming all together. With every new story that came out, every new dream that we had, more and more of our brains were locked down.
It’s fear you see. Fear that what we come up with might have already been done. Fear that we’ll do something wrong. That is why I am up here on this ledge, because I am afraid. I’m afraid that nothing I do will be original, but more than that, I am afraid to live in a world in which I can not dream for fear of not being original. They took my dreams away to protect their own creations. Don’t let them do it to you.
The Invasion - A Terrible Mind's Fiction Challenge
Yep, it is Friday. That means another Terrible Minds fiction challenge. This week's challenge however is to tell a whole story in 3 sentences. Yep, just three little sentences. Thus...I present you, the Invasion.
The Invasion 4/22/2011
The alien invaders arrived at noon and conquered the planet by dinner time. Their craft were as sleek and beautiful as they were dangerous, a clear sign of the advanced technology that they possessed and the advanced way of thinking that went with it. We blew the planet at 9:03 sharp and killed them all in an instant; did they actually think we'd just let them win?
The Invasion 4/22/2011
The alien invaders arrived at noon and conquered the planet by dinner time. Their craft were as sleek and beautiful as they were dangerous, a clear sign of the advanced technology that they possessed and the advanced way of thinking that went with it. We blew the planet at 9:03 sharp and killed them all in an instant; did they actually think we'd just let them win?
The Portrait - A Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenge
Well, it's Friday, and that means another Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenge. This week? A portrait is the prompt. I also wanted to try something different so the majority of the story, a measly 242 words, is in dialogue.
Hopefully you enjoy.
The Portrait (3/25/2011)
Hopefully you enjoy.
The Portrait (3/25/2011)
“You! Hey, You! What the hell is this?”
“Your photograph, sir.”
“That isn’t me! What kind of scam is this? Twenty dollars for a genuine old-time photograph, and instead I get what looks like some barbed chimp in a suit? I want my money back!”
“All sales are final.”
“Look here you carnie scum. You think just because you’re gonna roll out of here in a few days that you can just rob people? I paid good money for an old time photograph, and I want my god damned old time photograph!”
“Which you already have. Look, the sign says old time photograph, and that is one. Nothing says the picture is of you, that you’ll like it, or anything else. However, since you seem to be genuinely angry, let me see the picture and I’ll see what went wrong with the camera.”
“Here...”
“I...this is the photograph I gave you?”
“Yes.”
“You’re sure of it?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. What, you got others ripping people off here too? Wait...you ok buddy? You look kind of pale.”
“Just...Sir..you need to get to a church immediately. The camera that I used...it’s evil. I’m so sorry..but you need to go, now, before it is too late!’
“What do you mea-”
“Just go! Now! Run!”
It was already too late. They found the man the next day lying under a tree. He looked just like his photograph.
Satan's Whiskers - A Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenge
Another Friday, another Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenge. This week, the challenge is to name your story after a cocktail, and to keep the whole thing under 500 words total without it being a vignette. Oh that Mr. Wendig, always with the inspiring challenges.
So, without further ado, and weighing in at 496 words, I present:
Satan's Whiskers - 4/8/2011
“Vodka martini, stirred.” My eyes fell to her chest as I spoke. Not that I wanted to be that guy, it was just the way her lines led the gaze. I wasn’t fooling myself, I knew a guy like me had no chance with a girl like her.
“Vodka martini? That’s so dull...how about something more fun?” Her voice brought my gaze back up to those lovely green eyes of hers.
“What’d you have in mind?”
“Satan’s Whiskers, with a kick.” The smirk turned into a devilish smile. I suddenly wished it was all she was wearing.
“You buyin’?” That’s right, play it cool Vincent. No need to let her know what you’re imagining her doing.
“Well, I will if you’re willing to make it interesting...” Her hand slid over the bar and gently settled over mine. It was soft and smooth. I wondered what it would feel like a bit lower.
“And how would we do that?”
“I pour the drink. If you can handle it, kick and all, without flinching then I’m yours for the rest of the night. Any way you want me...”
I cleared my throat as visions filled my head. “And if I lose?”
“How about...your soul?”
I laughed, “Don’t believe in them, Lady.”
“Well, if you don’t believe in them, than all you’re doing is wagering nothing against a night of whatever you want. So, how about it?” She wasn’t talking anymore. As close as she was, she didn’t need to talk for me to hear her. Her breath was warm against my lips. It smelled like peaches.
“Sure, I’ll bite. Let’s do this.”
She smiled and was suddenly all business. Several bottles appeared in her skilled hands and poured their contents into the shaker along with some ice. She shook the shaker twice, then poured the drink into a tall glass. I took a testing sniff; it smelled like oranges. “Drink up, unless you want to forfeit?” The twinkle in her eye sent a cold shiver down my spine, but a bet was a bet.
“Bottom’s up!” As I poured the contents of the glass down my throat, I felt her foot hit my leg under the bar. Instinct took over, and my body reacted, spitting some of the liquid up. She laughed with that honeyed voice and beckoned with a finger. Everything went cold.
Recipe
So, without further ado, and weighing in at 496 words, I present:
Satan's Whiskers - 4/8/2011
“What’re you having?” It was impossible to not look up at the sound of that sweet, honeyed voice. The dame behind the bar, as much a treat on the eyes as her voice was to the ears, had a soft smirk on her face, like she already knew the answer. She didn’t look like she should be tending the bar. No, she looked like she should be up on stage; all eyes on her, hoping to catch a glimpse of more than thigh as her leg slipped between the folds of the sequined red dress that fit her like a glove.
“Vodka martini, stirred.” My eyes fell to her chest as I spoke. Not that I wanted to be that guy, it was just the way her lines led the gaze. I wasn’t fooling myself, I knew a guy like me had no chance with a girl like her.
“Vodka martini? That’s so dull...how about something more fun?” Her voice brought my gaze back up to those lovely green eyes of hers.
“What’d you have in mind?”
“Satan’s Whiskers, with a kick.” The smirk turned into a devilish smile. I suddenly wished it was all she was wearing.
“You buyin’?” That’s right, play it cool Vincent. No need to let her know what you’re imagining her doing.
“Well, I will if you’re willing to make it interesting...” Her hand slid over the bar and gently settled over mine. It was soft and smooth. I wondered what it would feel like a bit lower.
“And how would we do that?”
“I pour the drink. If you can handle it, kick and all, without flinching then I’m yours for the rest of the night. Any way you want me...”
I cleared my throat as visions filled my head. “And if I lose?”
“How about...your soul?”
I laughed, “Don’t believe in them, Lady.”
“Well, if you don’t believe in them, than all you’re doing is wagering nothing against a night of whatever you want. So, how about it?” She wasn’t talking anymore. As close as she was, she didn’t need to talk for me to hear her. Her breath was warm against my lips. It smelled like peaches.
“Sure, I’ll bite. Let’s do this.”
She smiled and was suddenly all business. Several bottles appeared in her skilled hands and poured their contents into the shaker along with some ice. She shook the shaker twice, then poured the drink into a tall glass. I took a testing sniff; it smelled like oranges. “Drink up, unless you want to forfeit?” The twinkle in her eye sent a cold shiver down my spine, but a bet was a bet.
“Bottom’s up!” As I poured the contents of the glass down my throat, I felt her foot hit my leg under the bar. Instinct took over, and my body reacted, spitting some of the liquid up. She laughed with that honeyed voice and beckoned with a finger. Everything went cold.
Recipe
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz Grand Marnier
- 1 oz dry vermouth
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz orange juice
- 2 dashes orange bitters
The Perg Hotel - A Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenge
My entry into this weeks Flash Fiction Challenge from Chuck Wendig.
Disclaimer: This story deals with some adult content and vulgarity.
The Perg Hotel
“What if I blow you?”
“Excuse me?”
“If I fuck you, can I get a better room?”
M controlled his features. It wouldn't pay to let the starlet know that this was a common occurrence. He'd learned you had to sell it; otherwise they wouldn't pay. If it was common knowledge that every rich and attractive person could get a better room in exchange for carnal pleasure the source would quickly dry up. People – if you could even call them that still – did these things to feel special, not common.
“Come on, I know you know who I am. Most guys would cut off their dicks for what I'm offering. All I want is a better room.”
M did know who she was. It had been the reason for his surprise when the computer had assigned her to room 203. She had even taken the room assignment gracefully. At least until the next person in line – an elderly grandmother with three young children – had been assigned to room 205. She'd come right back then, and the longer M had stalled the more she had offered for a better room.
M made a show of typing on his computer, then looked up with a nervous smile – he still had to sell it. “Well, there is a vacancy on the sixth floor” Even through her large sunglasses he could feel the 'stop fucking around' glare. M's computer beeped. She had been reassigned. “And one of the penthouse suites just opened, but the only access is a private elevator.”
“I'll take it. Put it on my Amex, and bring up my bags for your 'thank you'.”
M smiled and handed over the room and elevator key to the starlet. He watched as she disappeared into the lift with a self-satisfied smile on her face. He finalized her room, and his the 'away' button on his terminal before grabbing the starlet's bags.
M whistled tunelessly as he waited for the elevator. He shot a wink to his co-worker who simply grinned back. There were definite perks to being a gate keeper, especially in The Perg Hotel.
It was two hours later when M finally reappeared in the lobby. He straightened his tie and tucked his shirt back into the waist band of his pants in plain view of the other employees. It was their custom, as much a badge of pride as a signal that everything had gone exactly as presented. An important qualification in their business. M smiled as he thought over the last two hours of depraved and filthy carnal pleasure with the starlet. Some days, most days in fact, he absolutely loved his job.
“M, A and D are here.”
M perked up at his coworker's words and looked to the door. A and D were the two sharpest dressed people in town, and they knew it. A wore a white suit, dark shades, and kept his blonde hair tied back in a small tail. D wore a black suit over his pale skin, no shades, and kept his dark hair close and neat.
“Hey, Mon. How's it going?” M sighed as A forced a bad Jamaican accent and mangled his name. It was almost ritual at this point, one of the very few bad parts of the job.
“Now now A, leave the poor kid alone. Can't you tell how hard he's been working?” D made a show of sniffing the air before giving M a lecherous grin. “Busy week, M?”
“It always is this time of year, D. Hadn't even realized it was Friday until you two showed up.”
“It's not. It's still Thursday, but blondie can't work tomorrow. So, we're doing it today. Got the paperwork all nice and tidy for you right here.” D set the sheaf of papers atop the counter as he spoke. That was one of the many great things about D, he always had his paperwork in order.
M looked through the paperwork anyhow, just to make sure, before nodding and typing the details into his computer. The computer beeped, whirred, and started to count down. “You have a five minute window. I'll clear my staff out to the back room, and meet you both in the parking lot when you're done.” M pressed a few more keys to signal the staff, and then moved out into the parking lot. A joined him a few seconds later. D had gone up to the fifth floor, the usual cut off point.
Fire erupted from every floor of the hotel with a flash, bang, and pop. Even outside, M could hear the screams of terror and cries of fright as people realized what was going on. It took a full minute before the first people started to stream out of the building, hacking and coughing as they went. It was nearly four minutes before the grandmother and kids got out – despite having been on only the second floor. M allowed himself a smile and a nod to the Grandmother. He'd known they'd have difficulty, it was always troublesome when a grandparent had the children, and had placed their room near an exit accordingly. At exactly five minutes the flames burst out hotter and wider than ever. The storm clouds over the Perg Hotel opened up, and those who had made it out of the hotel were taken up in a beam of light. Those who hadn't...well, the flames had burst out for a reason.
D walked out of the hotel a few moments later. The flames died down with every step he took, until the hotel looked exactly as it had before A and D had arrived. “Man, that starlet of yours. Absolutely smoking.” D chuckled at his own pun and held out his hand. M shook D's hand, and then A's.
“See you guys next Friday”
Disclaimer: This story deals with some adult content and vulgarity.
The Perg Hotel
“What if I blow you?”
“Excuse me?”
“If I fuck you, can I get a better room?”
M controlled his features. It wouldn't pay to let the starlet know that this was a common occurrence. He'd learned you had to sell it; otherwise they wouldn't pay. If it was common knowledge that every rich and attractive person could get a better room in exchange for carnal pleasure the source would quickly dry up. People – if you could even call them that still – did these things to feel special, not common.
“Come on, I know you know who I am. Most guys would cut off their dicks for what I'm offering. All I want is a better room.”
M did know who she was. It had been the reason for his surprise when the computer had assigned her to room 203. She had even taken the room assignment gracefully. At least until the next person in line – an elderly grandmother with three young children – had been assigned to room 205. She'd come right back then, and the longer M had stalled the more she had offered for a better room.
M made a show of typing on his computer, then looked up with a nervous smile – he still had to sell it. “Well, there is a vacancy on the sixth floor” Even through her large sunglasses he could feel the 'stop fucking around' glare. M's computer beeped. She had been reassigned. “And one of the penthouse suites just opened, but the only access is a private elevator.”
“I'll take it. Put it on my Amex, and bring up my bags for your 'thank you'.”
M smiled and handed over the room and elevator key to the starlet. He watched as she disappeared into the lift with a self-satisfied smile on her face. He finalized her room, and his the 'away' button on his terminal before grabbing the starlet's bags.
M whistled tunelessly as he waited for the elevator. He shot a wink to his co-worker who simply grinned back. There were definite perks to being a gate keeper, especially in The Perg Hotel.
#
It was two hours later when M finally reappeared in the lobby. He straightened his tie and tucked his shirt back into the waist band of his pants in plain view of the other employees. It was their custom, as much a badge of pride as a signal that everything had gone exactly as presented. An important qualification in their business. M smiled as he thought over the last two hours of depraved and filthy carnal pleasure with the starlet. Some days, most days in fact, he absolutely loved his job.
“M, A and D are here.”
M perked up at his coworker's words and looked to the door. A and D were the two sharpest dressed people in town, and they knew it. A wore a white suit, dark shades, and kept his blonde hair tied back in a small tail. D wore a black suit over his pale skin, no shades, and kept his dark hair close and neat.
“Hey, Mon. How's it going?” M sighed as A forced a bad Jamaican accent and mangled his name. It was almost ritual at this point, one of the very few bad parts of the job.
“Now now A, leave the poor kid alone. Can't you tell how hard he's been working?” D made a show of sniffing the air before giving M a lecherous grin. “Busy week, M?”
“It always is this time of year, D. Hadn't even realized it was Friday until you two showed up.”
“It's not. It's still Thursday, but blondie can't work tomorrow. So, we're doing it today. Got the paperwork all nice and tidy for you right here.” D set the sheaf of papers atop the counter as he spoke. That was one of the many great things about D, he always had his paperwork in order.
M looked through the paperwork anyhow, just to make sure, before nodding and typing the details into his computer. The computer beeped, whirred, and started to count down. “You have a five minute window. I'll clear my staff out to the back room, and meet you both in the parking lot when you're done.” M pressed a few more keys to signal the staff, and then moved out into the parking lot. A joined him a few seconds later. D had gone up to the fifth floor, the usual cut off point.
Fire erupted from every floor of the hotel with a flash, bang, and pop. Even outside, M could hear the screams of terror and cries of fright as people realized what was going on. It took a full minute before the first people started to stream out of the building, hacking and coughing as they went. It was nearly four minutes before the grandmother and kids got out – despite having been on only the second floor. M allowed himself a smile and a nod to the Grandmother. He'd known they'd have difficulty, it was always troublesome when a grandparent had the children, and had placed their room near an exit accordingly. At exactly five minutes the flames burst out hotter and wider than ever. The storm clouds over the Perg Hotel opened up, and those who had made it out of the hotel were taken up in a beam of light. Those who hadn't...well, the flames had burst out for a reason.
D walked out of the hotel a few moments later. The flames died down with every step he took, until the hotel looked exactly as it had before A and D had arrived. “Man, that starlet of yours. Absolutely smoking.” D chuckled at his own pun and held out his hand. M shook D's hand, and then A's.
“See you guys next Friday”
Down and Out - A Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenge
Another Friday, another Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenge from Emmy-Nominated Guru Guru Chuck Wendig. This weeks prompt? Five words. Five random words that need to appear in your story, or at least be referenced in some way. The words? Figure, Dusk, Mobile Phone, and Flirt. I think Flirt is the only word that doesn't directly appear in here, but trust me, there's some flirting...overt flirting at that. You'll get it.
As a warning, when I did the word check after writing the last line of this, I was at exactly 1000 words, so I figured it was a sign and let it be. I'll probably fix her up a bit later - for better or worse - but for now, it is considered divine providence.
Anyhow, enjoy. Oh, and you may understand one of the characters if you've read this story.
Down and Out (4/15/2011)
As a warning, when I did the word check after writing the last line of this, I was at exactly 1000 words, so I figured it was a sign and let it be. I'll probably fix her up a bit later - for better or worse - but for now, it is considered divine providence.
Anyhow, enjoy. Oh, and you may understand one of the characters if you've read this story.
Down and Out (4/15/2011)
The pistol felt heavy in his hand. The weight of the world was heavy on his shoulders. Simply put, Dustin couldn't take it anymore, and so he did what anyone would do when they felt that pressure; he sat down. Despite the sparking from the damaged chandelier above, the ballroom was still as bright as the snowy tundra at high noon. Even with his eyes closed he could still feel the light burning his retinas, and with his eyes open it was impossible to avoid seeing the signs of his handiwork. Thirteen bodies littered the dance floor. Their blood leaked from their wounds and pooled around them, glowing in the light like some cheap special effect.
Thirteen. I've killed thirteen people.... The thought looped around in his brain, bringing more guilt with each pass. By the seventh, Dustin had the still hot barrel of the gun pressed to the side of his head. Thirteen. I've killed - The gun clicked as the trigger was pulled on an empty chamber. The lights went out, plunging the room into near total darkness.
"Oh come now, Dustin. Is the melodrama really necessary?" The woman's voice was soft and smooth as liquid velvet. Dustin looked up, he could just see her through the dusk of the room. It was the dress that made it possible. Even in the gloom, the red sequins caught and played with the light, showing off the soft curves and easy grace of her figure. The heels of her shoes clicked against the floor as she confidently strode across the room to join him. Once there, armed with only a cocktail glass, she sat down and patted his knee. "No need to be so upset, they all deserved it. Besides, I just love watching a man get his gun off. It makes me feel...alive..." Her hand stayed on his knee. Not that Dustin noticed, he was too entranced by her eyes. The ice blue of her eyes complimented the pale white of her skin, and contrasted beautifully against the pitch black of her long hair. They seemed to glow in the dim light.
"Why did we do this again?" Dustin's words slurred as they left his mouth. The shock at his own actions was slowly receding, helped along by the feel of her hand as it slowly slid up the inside of this thigh.
"Because they were all bad men, because we deserve the money more than them, and because you wanted to help a damsel in distress." Her voice practically purred as she responded. Then, with a smile and a wink, she stopped her hand just inches from the growing bulge in his pants and stood up. "Come on, the code will be on the boss's cell phone. Then we can see what else we can get off...." She let her words hang in the air for a several moments before turning to walk back to the stage on their right. Dustin took a moment to center his thoughts - and himself - before standing to follow her. He already had the boss's phone in his coat pocket.
The offices behind the stage were nicer than Dustin had been expecting, and that was saying something when he considered the size and grandeur of the place. He didn't think his apartment was as big as the office that he followed her into. The room was painted white, just like everything else in this building. "The phone?" Her voice broke Dustin's train of thought and snapped him back on task.
"Oh, sorry" He mumbled and handed the small device over. He watched as she casually thumbed the device open, not caring for the still wet blood that marred the buttons, and looked for the information she needed.
"Ah, here we are. I need you to sit behind the desk."
"Why?"
"Because that's where I need you to sit so we can open the vault."
Dustin didn't get it, but he did as she asked. She had yet to lead him astray, and he had no reason to doubt her now. The chair was comfortable, the kind of leather that molded itself around your frame as you sunk into it. Dustin decided to buy a chair just like it once they had the money. He'd have to wait until they escaped to wherever they were going, but that wouldn't be too hard.
Dustin smiled as she joined him at the desk. She downed the last of her cocktail, Satan's something-or-other she'd called it, and set the glass down on the desk before hopping up to sit on it. As she crossed her legs at the upper thigh, the dress fell away at the split and fully exposed the length of one bare, smooth, and nicely toned leg. The line of her leg begged to be watched, and Dustin found himself mentally cursing as his view was robbed by the red dress a bare inch before the top. "Dustin, eyes up here..." She seemed amused, and even let out a chuckle as he blushed in response. "The key pad is on your right. Enter the digits carefully ok? 9...3...2...6...4...3...2...1"
Dustin tried to keep his eyes on the pad as he worked, but with her legs dangling right next to it, that was easier said than done. Still, he managed to enter the code, and his greed managed to over power his lust for long enough to pull the drawer open. He almost immediately frowned in disappointment as he reached into the drawer and pulled the hairy object out. "It's just a stupid wig."
As if on cue, a key fell down and out from inside the wig, and bounced off the wood of the desk. As Dustin saw the numbers etched into the side of the key it all clicked into place, and he suddenly realized where he knew the woman from. He looked up to plead his innocence, just in time for the bear-claw to neatly slash his throat.
The Chosen One
This was just a random Flash Fic that I wrote last night. If anything, I think it was inspired by this Youtube video. Anyhow, hopefully you'll enjoy it. Is just a small, silly thing.
The Chosen One(3/17/2011)
The Chosen One(3/17/2011)
"This might not be the best time to tell you, but...I'm not the chosen one." Dan said the words slowly. He kept his back pressed against the column between him and the Thepolian army while watching his mentor for a reaction.
"That's nonsense, all the signs..." Aaron didn't sound like he believed.
"Not about me. That's why we've had so much trouble. The oracle told me, and not in one of those 'show you the path' sort of ways...I've just been waiting for a good time to tell you"
"You son of a bitch! People are dead because of you! We are going to die because of you! You didn't think that was important enough to tell someone before we assaulted the palace?" Aaron's face was flushed with rage. His words bit off in large chunks. Dan couldn't think of a time he'd ever seen his former mentor this enraged in his life.
"And just how the hell was I supposed to do that? I didn't ask for any of this, remember? You came and grabbed me! You led them right to my house and got my parents killed! You remember that?"
"What, you want a sorry now? I-" Whatever else Aaron had planned to say was cut off by an explosion. Dan cursed and peeked around his column, the army was getting closer. He checked the charge pack on his assault rifle: nearly a full charge, good.
"Look, we can kill each other over whose fault this ultimately is later. We've got a grand total of three minutes before they're across that bridge and we're both dead. This cause means so much to you? Sounds like we should live to see it." A fresh spray of pulse fire split the distance between the two men; dirt and stone kicked up with each impact.
"What do you suggest then?" It was getting harder to hear Aaron's voice over the approaching soldiers and tanks.
"I may not be the chosen one, but I still have power. I'll buy you time. You make a break for it, save the others, and find the real chosen one." Dan blind fired his K37 while he spoke. A lucky pulse round caught an approaching soldier in the face; the man's death scream slowed his fellows by a step or two.
"That's suicide!"
"The whole idea is suicide! Seems to me the world is ending either way. I want to see just how far I've come before I bite it. I'm going either way, Aaron. You can waste that and die with me, or go and try and do some good. Your choice." Dan pivoted around the column and fired an aimed burst. The gathered troops near the base of the bridge returned a volley of fire. The pulses of energy coalesced into a giant ball as Dan, alone, charged the army.
Dan used the energy ball as a shield. Sweat poured off him as he contained and controlled the energy with one hand. The other hand sent partially aimed bursts into the nearest soldiers; this close, aim wasn't even a requirement beyond general direction. He roared with the pain and effort as he neared the bridge and threw the giant sphere. The ball shot off like a cannon, vaporizing anyone who didn't get out of its way. As many as it killed, it was insignificant next to the size of the force aligned against him. Still, it did buy him time. Time that Dan put to good use.
Before the soldiers at the front of the bridge could get up, Dan emptied the last of his K37 into them and discarded the rifle. A twitch of two fingers brought two new guns to his hands. He put them to immediate use. Aaron had once called the technique sprinting, a desperate charge through a superior force. It counted on the enemy being too awed by the chutzpah required to even try it, and afraid of hitting their allies. Aaron had explained the technique as something to never try; it never worked and had only gotten people killed. However, when you didn't mind dying in exchange, it could be brutally effective.
Dan gave himself over to the moment and relied solely on his instincts to move him. He pulled on every ounce of Aaron's training that he could find buried in his skull. He ducked under rockets, flipped over spear men, pirouetted around sniper fire, and even destroyed a tank with its own main gun. The enemy's shots and strikes glanced off of him like grains of sand carried on a strong wind, annoying but ultimately irrelevant. Five minutes after Dan's suicide charge had begun, there was no one left for him to fight.
"You are the chosen one..." Aaron's voice was awe struck as he spoke. Dan turned to face his mentor; he really wished Aaron had taken the chance to flee.
"God, I hope not..." Dan responded as glibly as he could manage. He pulled his hand from his stomach and showed his mentor his bloody palm. Three seconds later, Dan fell over dead. The sky darkened as an air fortress flew by overhead to destroy what remained of the resistance.
The Lair of Dr. Babile - A Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenge
Another Friday, another Flash Fiction Challenge from Terrible Minds ring leader Chuck Wendig. This week's challenge? Baby Pulp. No, not pulping babies, but pulp stories that feature babies. Now, I've never written Pulp before, so please bear with me. Also, this is a micro-flash, at only about 481 words. It does, however, also feature Emmy Nominated Blog Wrangler Chuck Wendig. Enjoy!
The Lair of Dr. Babile (3/18/2011)
Charles narrowly dodged tree trunks as he ran down the forested hill. The shade from the trees protected him from the sweltering heat of the sun, but the humidity was high enough that he'd be soaked even if he wasn't working up the mother of all sweats. He leaped, narrowly avoided the tribal spears coming for him, and grabbed hold of a nearby vine. The vine jerked once in his hand, but held as Charles swung out from between the trees over the road and the eight legged giant spider bot scrambling down it.
The guards on the back of the giant spider saw Charles and opened fire. A lucky round struck the vine. Mere seconds before the vine snapped, Charles let go. The guards opened fire with the accuracy of a drunken man in a tilt-a-whirl; their rounds futilely sprayed the jungle, but came no where near the man in free fall overhead. Not a second later, the three men collapsed in a heap as Charles used them as a crash pad. He grabbed two of their guns, and headed into the abdomen of the giant mechanical spider.
At the bottom of the stairs, just inside the control room, he saw her. She was beautiful as always, and even evocative with her hands bound above her head. She was still wearing the red sequined dress from the Chinese Theater, the one with the slit from ankle to thigh. Charles salivated, and his trousers tightened, at the mere sight of her. But, he had other things to handle first.
The guard took Charles by surprise, lunging out of the shadows at a moment of weakness. The guns slipped from Charles's hands and clattered to the metal deck of the spider. A wild right hook showed the guard who was boss though, and Charles stalked into the control room. “It's over, Dr. Babile! Your reign of tyranny comes to an end! Release her, now!”
Dr. Babile giggled and cooed. His chair rotated so he could face Charles, revealing his too large head and adorable chubby arms and legs. Just a baby. Rather, just a baby with a gun aimed right at Charles's heart. “Nein, mein father. We are only, as you Americans say, just beginning!” The gun went off. Everything went dark. Dr. Babile cackled in victory.
“Chuck, Chuck, wake up!” Reality returned as Chuck's wife shook him awake. A baby's cry was coming through the window. “The baby's crying, see if you can calm him down. I went the last three times.” Chuck was out of bed, feet on the cold floor, before he even knew he was awake. He looked to his wife one last time as he scratched his magnificent beard, then left to placate his crying son. Dr. Babile had won, for now.
The Lair of Dr. Babile (3/18/2011)
Charles narrowly dodged tree trunks as he ran down the forested hill. The shade from the trees protected him from the sweltering heat of the sun, but the humidity was high enough that he'd be soaked even if he wasn't working up the mother of all sweats. He leaped, narrowly avoided the tribal spears coming for him, and grabbed hold of a nearby vine. The vine jerked once in his hand, but held as Charles swung out from between the trees over the road and the eight legged giant spider bot scrambling down it.
The guards on the back of the giant spider saw Charles and opened fire. A lucky round struck the vine. Mere seconds before the vine snapped, Charles let go. The guards opened fire with the accuracy of a drunken man in a tilt-a-whirl; their rounds futilely sprayed the jungle, but came no where near the man in free fall overhead. Not a second later, the three men collapsed in a heap as Charles used them as a crash pad. He grabbed two of their guns, and headed into the abdomen of the giant mechanical spider.
At the bottom of the stairs, just inside the control room, he saw her. She was beautiful as always, and even evocative with her hands bound above her head. She was still wearing the red sequined dress from the Chinese Theater, the one with the slit from ankle to thigh. Charles salivated, and his trousers tightened, at the mere sight of her. But, he had other things to handle first.
The guard took Charles by surprise, lunging out of the shadows at a moment of weakness. The guns slipped from Charles's hands and clattered to the metal deck of the spider. A wild right hook showed the guard who was boss though, and Charles stalked into the control room. “It's over, Dr. Babile! Your reign of tyranny comes to an end! Release her, now!”
Dr. Babile giggled and cooed. His chair rotated so he could face Charles, revealing his too large head and adorable chubby arms and legs. Just a baby. Rather, just a baby with a gun aimed right at Charles's heart. “Nein, mein father. We are only, as you Americans say, just beginning!” The gun went off. Everything went dark. Dr. Babile cackled in victory.
#
“Chuck, Chuck, wake up!” Reality returned as Chuck's wife shook him awake. A baby's cry was coming through the window. “The baby's crying, see if you can calm him down. I went the last three times.” Chuck was out of bed, feet on the cold floor, before he even knew he was awake. He looked to his wife one last time as he scratched his magnificent beard, then left to placate his crying son. Dr. Babile had won, for now.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Writing
Below you will find links to various bits of fluff and fiction I've written. Most of this will be unedited and simply done for fun. Some of it may be otherwise. Feel free to leave comments and constructive criticism. I'm always looking to improve.
Feature Length
Original works of fiction of a novel (or longer) length
Coming Eventually!
Short Stories & Novellas
Original works of fiction of a non-novel length.
Flash Fiction
Short stories of 1000 words or less.
Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenges
Table Top (and other) RPGs that I've written, helped write, or was otherwise involved in the creation process.
Original Work
Mods and Total Conversions
Fiction written for various RPGs that I am in. Universes used are not my property, and stories are done as fan content for free distribution as a learning tool for handling various restrictions in writing.
Legend of Five Rings
Fan Fiction
Stories set in the worlds of various fandoms. Universes used are not my property, and stories are made as fan content for free distribution as a learning tool for handling various restrictions in writing.
Halo Fan Fiction
Feature Length
Original works of fiction of a novel (or longer) length
Coming Eventually!
Short Stories & Novellas
Original works of fiction of a non-novel length.
Flash Fiction
Short stories of 1000 words or less.
Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenges
- Shackleton's Magical Whiskey
- Three Nights 'Till The New Moon
- The Perg Hotel
- The Lair of Dr. Babile
- The Portrait
- Satan's Whiskers
- Down and Out
- The Invasion
Table Top (and other) RPGs that I've written, helped write, or was otherwise involved in the creation process.
Original Work
Mods and Total Conversions
- Coming Soon!
Fiction written for various RPGs that I am in. Universes used are not my property, and stories are done as fan content for free distribution as a learning tool for handling various restrictions in writing.
Legend of Five Rings
Dresden Files
- The Docks at Midnight (new 9/6/2012)
Stories set in the worlds of various fandoms. Universes used are not my property, and stories are made as fan content for free distribution as a learning tool for handling various restrictions in writing.
Halo Fan Fiction
- Rapier Team: The Cole Protocol - Intro
- Rapier Team: The Cole Protocol - The Opening Salvo
- Rapier Team: The Cole Protocol - Battle Lines
- Rapier Team: The Cole Protocol - The Stand (end)
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Letters from Mesutsume - Age 18-22 + Epilogue
It is my fondest pleasure to at long last be able to present to you the fourth and final collection of Matsu Mesutsume's letters. In this collection, I have placed not only the letters detailing the return of the Unicorn and Mesutsume's historical involvement therein, but also several ultra rare letters detailing Mesutsume's life in the period of peace that lasted through the second half of her life.
It is my belief that this is the first time these letters have all been brought together in one place outside of Unicorn lands, and I would like to officially thank and acknowledge the descendants of Otaku Miriam for the aid in locating - and deciphering - some of the rarer pieces found in this work.
The significance of these pieces is unquestionable, especially to historical scholars throughout the Empire. So, here then, and without further ado, I invite you to read and enjoy this last collection of Matsu Mesutsume's letters.
It is my belief that this is the first time these letters have all been brought together in one place outside of Unicorn lands, and I would like to officially thank and acknowledge the descendants of Otaku Miriam for the aid in locating - and deciphering - some of the rarer pieces found in this work.
The significance of these pieces is unquestionable, especially to historical scholars throughout the Empire. So, here then, and without further ado, I invite you to read and enjoy this last collection of Matsu Mesutsume's letters.
Ikoma Masshiro
The Letters
Enclosed with this letter was a thin but long lock of well cared for red and white hair in a tight braid. Tied into the braid and the bottom is a small bell that chimed lightly when it was shaken. The hair has been returned to Matsu Mesutsume's descendants.
Father,
I killed you today. It does not matter that Kaori and Toki were able to save you in the moments before life totally left you, nor that I spoke to you just earlier but after the act itself and know you are fine. I know it is true, I saw it in your eyes, different and yet so similar to the look I have seen in the eyes of many as my spear has claimed their life. You were smiling though, happy for the experience. I do not know why but that didn't surprise me. I felt as though for the first time you were able to go all out against me, I have not seen that since your match against the sensei for the Akodo Elite Guard. The experience, I am not ashamed to admit, is far more terrifying and pressing when you are facing off against it then watching it from the side. At the same time, I must admit my pride and joy at finally being good enough for you to take me as seriously as you did.
I have no illusions about it. Today, I beat you. Today, I killed you. However, if we were to fight again, you would be the winner. Were we to fight two more times, it would be 1-2 in your favor. Three more times and it'd be 1-3 for you. Still, that my spear could find you, I am not sure I will ever perform as well as I did in that moment. Yet, knowing that I can do such things I have never been more motivated to do all I can to make that my standard, and not my exceptional performance. I look forward to a time when I can meet you as an equal in ability, and not as a challenge. Even if a challenge that you take completely seriously.
Father,
We have been sent on the march again, as I am sure you have heard. Our legion is reconstituted and seems to be trained up to an acceptable level. Heihachi-sama wishes for us to go out and gain field experience, and so we were sent down near where Lion and Scorpion lands meet. It seems though, that we will be getting more experience than initially planned. A new enemy has shown in the empire, riding through the shadow lands and breaking through the Crab lines like they were not even there. Reports claim they are not tainted, though these gaijin ride massive steeds that reports put at half again the size of Rokugani horses.
Half our legion has moved to the pass to slow their advance; the other half should arrive here in a few days. In the mean time, the Scorpion have sent a Legion and a Half to assist us. There is a feeling of tension about this, I get the sense that Zenko and Chengensai know their leader, and Toki seems to have some bad blood with another in their command. More than a few are nervous about this turn of events. Chengensai seems calm, provided we can stop this force from getting further in, I do not think he would mind much what happened right now. Only time will tell.
This force though blew through the Crab lines in five minutes from what we have heard. Already I can hear some of the troops talking about it taking a miracle to hold them here. I suppose that means Heihachi-sama sent the right group. I will write more later.
Father,
Things have become so much more complicated than they first appeared. That is the only way that I can hope to explain the situation in as few words as that. We have stopped the force that blew through the Crab's lines advance, though not through force of arms. Instead, we now sit with them to our north, guarding their rear from a possible attack from an approaching Scorpion army. The force I mentioned in my previous letter still at their north keeping them from further advance. We sit and await the arrival of more Lion forces, and the arrival of a Miya Herald that Chengensai has sent for, to test the claims of these people.
They claim to be the descendants of Shinjo, and speak in a broken form of High Rokugani that is hard to understand, but passable at least. They claim to be returning home, trying to go back to their lands - the ones that the Lion protect in their centuries long absence. They claim they have proof. We have no way of verifying any of their claims, but it seems to have at least partially given Chengensai hold to think. He feels this, while perhaps distasteful to some in our unit, is the best way to fulfill our orders. In battle, we would perhaps hold them for a few days - and that assuming they tried to wipe us out and not just ride past - but this way, we hold them for at least a week, perhaps more. Provided of course the Scorpion play along. Though Chengensai does not seem to think they will, and as such is preparing for that eventuality; his thoughts on the matter he keeps to himself. Whether he intends to hold us before the Scorpion, or turn us on those claiming to be descendants of Shinjo I do not know. I will simply have to wait and see.
The people themselves are interesting, though from looking at them I would never claim they had any Rokugani descent. That is, aside from the ones calling themselves Otaku. The Otaku, a family of warrior women very similar to the Matsu in many ways it seems, have retained their purity. There is very little sign of the gaijin blood in them, if any is even there, and the higher in their family's rank you get the more pure Rokugani they seem. A number of them have come to test themselves against me. I have bested them all with only sword work, not yet needing to show the spear technique you taught me. Their leader herself is among the number I have bested, though in our fight she was also holding back to a similar degree. If nothing else, they have shown they are enemies worthy of respect.
In other news, Matsu Toki is dead. Slain by an assassin that he spotted and stopped at the cost of his own life. He was smiling as he died, like he had fulfilled some duty long held in wait. I do not know how his wife will take it. I am not sure how much she cared for him, but they were both young and it was hard to dislike Toki even when one tried. I'll have to keep an eye on her for the next few days. I will tell you more of Toki's death when I see you next. I have not the skill to convey the tale in writing.
For now though I must go, my time to supervise the watch is fast approaching and I am unsure when supplies of less important things such as candles will come in for us. I will write more later.
Father,
The battle is over and we stand victorious. Chengensai is dead. Sachi is dead. Zenko is dead. Tomi is dead. Kiba is dead. All in our legion save for myself, Tsumaro, Kaori, and Hijo lay dead on the battlefield. Shokan survived as well, but was injured in a way so grievous that when given the choice to be saved by Kaori, he requested he be allow to die with his wife as a Lion soldier in a battle that will surely be remembered for all time. Of the Scorpion, they sent 45,000 against us, 25,000 still survive though our hostilities are at an end. There were 2,000 of us against their 45,000, and in the end they were the ones to pull back and concede the day as ours. Though perhaps for that I should start at the beginning.
I already told you our situation, holding those claiming to be descendants of Shinjo, Unicorn they call themselves, by way of tact instead of spears. Over the previous few days we waited, the rest of our Legion showed up and filtered through their ranks and bolstered our strength to a full one thousand. The next day, the Scorpion army showed up near the evening, Chengensai went out to speak with them alone. It was not something Tsumaro or I were happy with, but he was insistent. Not thirty minutes after he had gone to meet the Scorpion, a runner came to us looking for our second in command. The scorpion were coming through, we could join them, move out of the way, or die. We had ten minutes to decide, though I already knew our answer. Tsumaro has said the words countless times before, I do not know why he did not say them then. "Neither of those is going to happen".
The word spread through our line like wild fire, we would stand and defend these Unicorn. We would stand and defend Chengensai's word that should it come to battle, he would defend them to the death. The Unicorn talked quickly, and were ready to move even faster. Their main force intended to break out the front of the pass and continue on, the leader of their women warriors - Otaku Miriam - stayed to defend the back with us along with 200 of her mounted female warriors and 800 of their male infantry. Communication was an issue, though thankfully there was little to communicate. Against a force that was over twenty times our size, what do you do aside from grip your spear and move until you no longer can? Our lines were set before the Scorpion began their advance, so much activity in ten minutes I do not think I have ever seen save in the heart of a battle.
The Scorpion began their advance, and Kaori pleaded with the kami. Osano Wo himself heard her call, and smote the front Scorpion lines. Carving out a large circle in their center that they had to move around. As they began to reform, Osano Wo began again and again, striking lightning deep into their center. Their command staff went down under the second barrage; their banners went up in smoke. Their shugenja must have been caught off guard and wiped out, for throughout the battle the kami never once raised hand against us. Though they did multiple times against the scorpion. I do not know what Kaori did, all I can say on it is that it was the most powerful display of magic I have ever read about, let alone seen. She seemed to glow with an ethereal light, and at parts of the battle you could see years of life washing off of her like the tides as she continued to direct and call upon the kami to aid us in the battle. I have often heard Kaori comment on wishing to be a true samurai, I think that if there had ever been doubt of her being one that it was fully laid to rest on this day.
Our line met with the Scorpion lines and there was death all around. The Unicorn use an interesting spear, almost half again as long as a yari. Its effect in stopping a charge is impressive to say the least. As is its ability to stab over two ranks of soldiers. We used it in a fighting retreat, backing further and further into the narrow part of the pass. Osano Wo smiting Scorpion all around us and funneling them into our kill zones as we fell back in ranks. They lost nearly 10,000 in this opening part, we lost around 700. The kami favored us, Bishamon and Hachimon surely smiled down upon us, what chance did the Scorpion have? It was then that Miriam and her 200 mounted warriors began to harry their back. Sweeping in with their strange conical spears on the first pass, killing at least three each before dropping the weapon and turning to the sword. In and out of the back of the Scorpion they swept, losing people with each pass but killing far more than they lost. The scorpion advance stopped, they turned to face this harrying force from their back full on. In response Miriam and her women prepared to plunge deep into the center. Before the battle I had spoken with Miriam, when discussing her tactics I had claimed we would meet in the middle. The time for that meeting quickly approached.
Unhappy with our retreating fight, and not about to let the Scorpion deal with one group of us and not the other, we called the charge. I am sure for any looking down on the battle it would look strange, the maybe 600 of us left on one side and the 150 on the other charging into a force of over 30,000 warriors. We are Lion though, and the confusion and fear amongst the Scorpion was strong. Our two units sliced through and met in the center. Even further reduced yes, but we made it to the center. A circle was formed there, Kaori in the center so she could continue to direct the kami in our fight. The Scorpion pressed in, and we continued to kill them as they came.
I do not know what possessed him, but Zenko called out to the remaining Scorpion commanders then. Calling one in particular a coward and an eta for holding back. The Scorpion came to find him, and while I could only barely see it through the fighting I know they had a duel. The Scorpion looked skilled, a truly competent duelist, perhaps even better than most of the good Kakita. Zenko was never a duelist, holding only a passing knowledge. He knows the form, he can draw his blade without embarrassing himself, but he is no duelist. He is Lion though, and when the time came for the blades to be drawn, he was the slower. Speed, however, is not enough on the battlefield. The blow that hit him was not strong enough to sever his concentration and Zenko struck back with the fury and power of a Matsu. A second later both men fell over dead, and for the second time in my life, the second time that week, I watched as Righteousness enabled the worse duelist to win when it mattered. People have said many things about Zenko. I know that none of us trusted him when he first showed up. His tactics at time were suspect, as was his skill set. He was one who was easy to speak against at times, too quiet, too shady in many ways. In death, at the moment he died, Zenko pulled back the covers and showed us all what truly lay underneath. Zenko was, is, Lion; he died a true and full part of Razor Paw. He has earned his place in Yomi.
Tomi and Kiba fell shortly after Zenko. Our circle had broken into two smaller groups due to the sheer weight of the enemy numbers. Tomi worked the middle between the groups, keeping a flank as light as possible for both groups. To see her and Kiba working through the field, you would think they were one creature and not two. The loss of Tomi's legs to the Ogres did not make her weaker, instead it awakened something that was truly a sight to behold on the battlefield. Cat and rider took turns, in one instant Tomi would strike out all about them as Kiba dashed through or past the opponents, keeping them safe while Tomi rained death all around. The next, Tomi would turn her spears defensively, knocking weapons and opponents out of the way so they could not harm Kiba while the great cat tore into their sides and flanks. To watch the two in action, you would swear Emma-O himself had come down to the battle with a desperate need to fill a not insignificant quota. In the end, the Scorpion managed to pull Tomi off of Kiba's back, a mistake for the one in question as he was immediately killed by Kiba while Tomi held him unable to defend himself. His nearby friends however were still free to act, and without her legs Tomi was simply unable to defend herself. Kiba's last act was to save Tomi, and Tomi's was to die avenging Kiba. I do not think either of them would have ever wanted it to end otherwise. Even with her now dead, I still find myself in awe of her perseverance. Many claim the loss of a leg is the death of a bushi, and Tomi instead took that loss and made it into strength. Were we to all be as dedicated to bushido, so perseverant in pursuit of our causes, the Empire would be a much different and better place I feel.
Sachi was the next to fall. I told her before the battle that today was the day she had been waiting years for. I did not believe my own words. I believe she had already made up any harm to Razor Paw long ago with her dedicated service, her constant quest to better herself. She needed to hear it though. She would never accept that what she did was something so minor that it could be made up for in any other way but a battle like this. I put her in front of a unit, named her among our best five warriors, put her on equal footing with Tomi, Tsumaro, Shokan, and myself. Though she did not show it, I think it both surprised and pleased her that she was given such trust. She did not disappoint. Lady Matsu herself would have been impressed with Sachi's performance today. She was a tornado of death on the battlefield, killing endlessly as they came at her with no thought for her own safety. I heard her crying out during the battle, that the Scorpion had taken Toki from her. She fought like someone with nothing left to lose, and in doing so I feel she gained everything she had ever wanted. Or, at least, realized that she already had it. I watched her fall seven times over the course of the battle, each time to wounds that should have removed her from the fight. I watched her stand back up eight times, with help from the kami and Kaori. Each time, she went back into it with abandon. At one point of the battle she boasted to have killed more today than I did in my first three wars combined. She shone as brightly as any I have ever seen on her last day, and looking back on it now I can say honestly that that was what I always wanted from her. Not for her death, but for her to shine that brightly. I think, in many ways that she looked to me in much the same way I looked to, and in ways still do look to, Yoko. I was something to be surpassed, something to be proven to. I seem to be destined to forever lose this kind of meeting, no matter which side I am on, for in her death she has surpassed me and joined Yoko in a way I do not think I will ever be able to match. I am left now needing to live my life to prove to the both of them that it was worth it, that I am worthy of them.
With Zenko, Sachi, Tomi, and Kiba down the standards were left in danger. Shokan and Hijo were still defending them, but two people to defend both the Otaku and Razor Paw standards against so many enemies was dangerous. Kaori, once again, proved the savior and asked the Earth kami for help. They responded by raising the earth under the two standards a hundred feet into the air, Shokan and Hijo with them. The act left only Miriam, Kaori, Tsumaro, and myself within reach of the scorpion. So soaked with their blood, their younger troops were shying from meeting us and even the more seasoned hesitant to send more men to die at our hands. The lines pulled back, and we instantly realized what was coming. We broke for the area near the standard, Kaori called to the water kami to protect us from the arrows. This battle was not done yet, it would not end so ingloriously as being shot by arrows while an army stood back and watched. The water kami heard her, and enveloped us in a protective bubble. For minutes we could see nothing, so thick was the layer of arrows falling around us, the protection afforded us several long minutes of much needed rest.
The four of us conversed quickly about our choices. Kaori claimed she could raise the earth and bring us up to the standards, we could wait there for the Lion army. None of us, even Kaori herself liked the idea but it was an option. We could all keep fighting as well, we would die eventually, but so would many more of them. I thought of the prospect of a duel. We had already killed so many of them, and were we to fight we would likely kill many, many more before we fell to them. The Empire however may have need of those we killed, the reason we were fighting had long since been gone. Tsumaro agreed it was a good idea, and for a moment I could see how strongly he wished to be the one to go out and do it. Success, however, was more important to him than personal glory, it always has been, and so he allowed me to do it.
Miriam came with me as I left the protective bubble. The Scorpion archers all aimed at me. I requested to speak with their leader, an aged Scorpion who still had the grace of a warrior. I suggested a duel. If we win, they withdraw, we allow them to collect their dead, we can collect our dead, and the battle simply ends. If they win, they had won. No more resistance from us. Either way, no more Scorpion save perhaps one would die. Their leader agreed, and we settled into stance. He was good, but with the focus I've achieved since our fight those months ago, I was just slightly better, and as I said, we are Lion and today the kami and fortunes favored us. My strike killed him cleanly, though his spirit was strong enough that he left a deeper mark on me than any I have received before from any opponent. The Scorpion honored the deal, though some did not like it. We have pulled back as well, and await the approaching Lion army as we continue to hold the pass.
I should end this letter now, I am running out of paper if nothing else. Before I do though, I realize I have not spoken about Tsumaro in the battle, and that is a disservice to him. Throughout the battle he shone brightly. He responded swiftly and courageously. There was never any hesitation from him, and he stepped up to fill Chengensai's absence with courage and honor. The technique he has learned from Heihachi, he has completely mastered. Combined with the teachings of the Elite Guard he becomes a killing machine from whom there is no escape save to turn tail and run. He set a pace even I could not keep up with, limited only by the fact the Scorpion could not get to him in fast enough numbers for him to truly ever leave me completely behind. Today was an important day for Tsumaro, today he showed how much he has grown from that young samurai he was when we first met, unsure of himself and looking to Chengensai as a guide for how to act honorably and properly. Today I watched as Tsumaro became the truest representation of the Lion that I have ever seen.
I will write more to you later, when there is time and paper to do so.
Due to an unfortunate incident involving heavy rain, almost all of Mesutsume's remaining letters were destroyed before any could be read. We do, however, still have these two letters, written about ten to fifteen years after the battle with the Scorpion, commonly referred to as Razor Paw's Last Stand. The second of these letters was still held with honor in Ikoma Tsuyokaze's memorial shrine, and was read for my transcription by the honored Sodan Senzo Kitsu Moritaka.
Father,
I am writing you now from Unicorn lands, and I am here on more business for the Lion. Otaku Miriam has offered to let me stay with her for the several months I will be up here, and then she may come with me back to Swift Sword on some Unicorn business herself. I trust you are well, and that my husband is helping out sufficiently where you need him to. Is my daughter well? I know she is training in the dojo and contact is scarce at best, but I was unable to receive word the last time I was home. I am sure she is making us, and our line, proud as she learns, but confirmation of that would be nice.
It is beautiful up here, Father. The Unicorn have done much since coming home. I think it will still be another few years before they are ready to fully take over their lands, but the progress is astounding. There are still gaps in understanding between them and the Lion stationed here. The job is trying at times, but also rewarding. Lion have never been ones to hide behind words, and the openness of the Unicorn helps with that as well, but there has been more than one duel over a simple misunderstanding of proper etiquette. Particularly over the Unicorn's custom to shake hands, and the too casual way that they will sometimes clap you on the back to show friendship.
Miriam has been a big help with some of these customs. She is a fast learner, and seems eager for her family to fully re-integrate with the Empire, though she has steadfastly swore that her people will not forsake the traditions that they picked up in their journey simply because they may be 'scoffed' at here. A claim that turned the Etiquette Sensei the Doji sent up here to help white with shock. I am not sure if I will ever see that Doji again now that I think about it.
I need to end this here, I have a busy day ahead of me. The meetings alone would make a full day, but I am also honing my skills with the spear further. There are tricks they have learned on their journey that are simply fascinating. I can not wait to show you before our next match when I am home. Be well father.
Father,
This is the last letter I will ever write you. You have moved on from this world to the next, your life one of the few to be taken by my hand since that fight with the Scorpion oh so many years ago. It feels strange to be writing to you like this when you are dead, and yet it also feels right. To say goodbye in any other way I feel would be a betrayal of our relationship, of this tradition that we have maintained for over twenty years, ever since my gempukku and my first assignment to Razor Paw.
The Unicorn are doing well, and have completely re-taken their lands now. Their military is strong enough to hold them, even against us were we to try, and what could be a more true statement of ability than that? The annual war games near Shiro Ikoma seem to be favored amongst both the Lion and Unicorn that are there. A way to preserve friendships, while still engaging in the martial competition that is so much a way of our lives. The displays of skill that are shown there can be truly spectacular. It is a regret of mine that I was never able to show it to you.
My first daughter's gempukku happened just the other day. She wore white throughout the ceremony in mourning for your passing, though when I look in her eyes I know she understands why what happened happened. She is not like us; she is not a killer with a beast inside yearning to get out at all times and needing to be kept under tight control. She is a warrior, a samurai, pure in her devotion and purpose. It is interesting to say those two things at the same time. She understands us, the people like you and I, but she is not like us. Has ever a person ever existed before? She has told me that she will live up to my story, some how, some way, but that the way will be hers. She will walk a path similar to mine, but not mine. I am not sure I have ever been prouder of her. She chose the name 'Sachi' for herself at Gempukku. I am sure that the Sachi from Razor Paw will watch over her. Especially with such a goal set for her life.
Speaking of Razor Paw, while I am sure you know already, Ikoma Kaori passed away upon finishing her tribute to the Water Kami. The deal paid back to the kami for their aid in that battle oh so long ago. I have sent a letter to Tsumaro with my condolences, and speaking of how proud I am to have ever known her. The Kitsu will be adding her name to the Razor Paw roster at the Hall of Ancestors soon, and I am thinking I will go to see it and pay my last respects to the woman who was so instrumental in so many of our battles.
I will wish you rest now father. You have walked a long path, and set a fine example for all to follow. Perhaps I will see you in my future, either in Yomi or another life. Thank you for all you taught me, I hope you know how important it was to me.
This last letter is the last one Mesutsume ever wrote. At least, that has been recovered and found so far. Ikoma Omoidasu have argued for years as to whether this letter is a goodbye, or if Mesutsume ever gave one to her family. Either way, it holds the last words Mesutsume expressed to her daughter Sachi in writing.
Sachi,
I received your letter recently, and I wished to extend my congratulations to you on becoming accepted into the Lion's Pride. It is somewhere I never went, something I was never apart of, and to hear that you are adding that legacy, that honor, to our family line is something that fills me with pride.
Your letter also brought a smile to my lips. Reading it, I could not help but remember all the countless letters that I wrote to your grand father while I was on duty. It did not matter that we were both stationed in the same castle for years at a time, I still wrote to him regularly. Using the letters to sum up my thoughts and disclose everything I could to him. I am happy to see that you are doing much the same with me.
Your husband is doing well. As well as he ever does, anyway. He seems quieter, calmer of late. He is, as always, constantly off in his other world. Speaking to his brothers and sisters is what Tsumaro told me it was.
I have begun to teach your daughter the spear. I know that you have dedicated your life more to the sword than the spear since joining the Lioness legion, but in this I can not help myself. She will learn both, and be as fine a warrior as her Mother and Grand Mother could ever hope because of it. Speaking of, I hope you are still keeping sharp with a spear, even dedicated to the sword as you may be, it is still a weapon you should remember, a legacy of our family.
I am proud of you daughter. They are words I never heard from my father, though I knew he felt them. They are words I do not think I have ever told to you, though I know you know I feel them. You have done the impossible, continuing our family's legacy of martial excellence while ending the matched legacy of endless killing and bloodshed. It is the highest of tragedies that there are no wars worthy of you, able to show the world just how good you are, but I can see it in you. You have accomplished the goal that you set out to achieve at your gempukku. You have blazed your own trail while still matching me. I am proud to call you my daughter, and proud to be counted among the teachers of such a fine warrior.
I will end this by passing on a message, Otaku Miriam's daughter has written asking if you will be heading out to Unicorn lands. I think she wishes to keep strong the connection between our families, and while she is fond of me there is too much respect owed to me from the friendship I had with her mother and the battles we fought together. If you are interested, I will see if I can arrange it. Though I must warn you, even if not interested it may happen due to matters out of my control.
Walk with honor Sachi, I am looking forward to our next match.
In the sixth month of the 49th year of her life Matsu Mesutsume vanished. Her daughter awoke one morning to find her mother's spears added to her own in the weapons rack, and her mother simply gone. When asked, Otaku Miriam's daughter nodded knowingly, and explained their tradition of doing just that when they come to a certain age. This tradition is now followed in the line of Matsu Mesutsume. A final walk to find an opponent worthy of ending your life.
Enclosed with this letter was a thin but long lock of well cared for red and white hair in a tight braid. Tied into the braid and the bottom is a small bell that chimed lightly when it was shaken. The hair has been returned to Matsu Mesutsume's descendants.
~Ikoma Masshiro
Father,
I killed you today. It does not matter that Kaori and Toki were able to save you in the moments before life totally left you, nor that I spoke to you just earlier but after the act itself and know you are fine. I know it is true, I saw it in your eyes, different and yet so similar to the look I have seen in the eyes of many as my spear has claimed their life. You were smiling though, happy for the experience. I do not know why but that didn't surprise me. I felt as though for the first time you were able to go all out against me, I have not seen that since your match against the sensei for the Akodo Elite Guard. The experience, I am not ashamed to admit, is far more terrifying and pressing when you are facing off against it then watching it from the side. At the same time, I must admit my pride and joy at finally being good enough for you to take me as seriously as you did.
I have no illusions about it. Today, I beat you. Today, I killed you. However, if we were to fight again, you would be the winner. Were we to fight two more times, it would be 1-2 in your favor. Three more times and it'd be 1-3 for you. Still, that my spear could find you, I am not sure I will ever perform as well as I did in that moment. Yet, knowing that I can do such things I have never been more motivated to do all I can to make that my standard, and not my exceptional performance. I look forward to a time when I can meet you as an equal in ability, and not as a challenge. Even if a challenge that you take completely seriously.
Your loving daughter,
Matsu Mesutsume
Father,
We have been sent on the march again, as I am sure you have heard. Our legion is reconstituted and seems to be trained up to an acceptable level. Heihachi-sama wishes for us to go out and gain field experience, and so we were sent down near where Lion and Scorpion lands meet. It seems though, that we will be getting more experience than initially planned. A new enemy has shown in the empire, riding through the shadow lands and breaking through the Crab lines like they were not even there. Reports claim they are not tainted, though these gaijin ride massive steeds that reports put at half again the size of Rokugani horses.
Half our legion has moved to the pass to slow their advance; the other half should arrive here in a few days. In the mean time, the Scorpion have sent a Legion and a Half to assist us. There is a feeling of tension about this, I get the sense that Zenko and Chengensai know their leader, and Toki seems to have some bad blood with another in their command. More than a few are nervous about this turn of events. Chengensai seems calm, provided we can stop this force from getting further in, I do not think he would mind much what happened right now. Only time will tell.
This force though blew through the Crab lines in five minutes from what we have heard. Already I can hear some of the troops talking about it taking a miracle to hold them here. I suppose that means Heihachi-sama sent the right group. I will write more later.
Your loving daughter,
Matsu Mesutsume
Father,
Things have become so much more complicated than they first appeared. That is the only way that I can hope to explain the situation in as few words as that. We have stopped the force that blew through the Crab's lines advance, though not through force of arms. Instead, we now sit with them to our north, guarding their rear from a possible attack from an approaching Scorpion army. The force I mentioned in my previous letter still at their north keeping them from further advance. We sit and await the arrival of more Lion forces, and the arrival of a Miya Herald that Chengensai has sent for, to test the claims of these people.
They claim to be the descendants of Shinjo, and speak in a broken form of High Rokugani that is hard to understand, but passable at least. They claim to be returning home, trying to go back to their lands - the ones that the Lion protect in their centuries long absence. They claim they have proof. We have no way of verifying any of their claims, but it seems to have at least partially given Chengensai hold to think. He feels this, while perhaps distasteful to some in our unit, is the best way to fulfill our orders. In battle, we would perhaps hold them for a few days - and that assuming they tried to wipe us out and not just ride past - but this way, we hold them for at least a week, perhaps more. Provided of course the Scorpion play along. Though Chengensai does not seem to think they will, and as such is preparing for that eventuality; his thoughts on the matter he keeps to himself. Whether he intends to hold us before the Scorpion, or turn us on those claiming to be descendants of Shinjo I do not know. I will simply have to wait and see.
The people themselves are interesting, though from looking at them I would never claim they had any Rokugani descent. That is, aside from the ones calling themselves Otaku. The Otaku, a family of warrior women very similar to the Matsu in many ways it seems, have retained their purity. There is very little sign of the gaijin blood in them, if any is even there, and the higher in their family's rank you get the more pure Rokugani they seem. A number of them have come to test themselves against me. I have bested them all with only sword work, not yet needing to show the spear technique you taught me. Their leader herself is among the number I have bested, though in our fight she was also holding back to a similar degree. If nothing else, they have shown they are enemies worthy of respect.
In other news, Matsu Toki is dead. Slain by an assassin that he spotted and stopped at the cost of his own life. He was smiling as he died, like he had fulfilled some duty long held in wait. I do not know how his wife will take it. I am not sure how much she cared for him, but they were both young and it was hard to dislike Toki even when one tried. I'll have to keep an eye on her for the next few days. I will tell you more of Toki's death when I see you next. I have not the skill to convey the tale in writing.
For now though I must go, my time to supervise the watch is fast approaching and I am unsure when supplies of less important things such as candles will come in for us. I will write more later.
Your loving daughter,
Matsu Mesutsume
Father,
The battle is over and we stand victorious. Chengensai is dead. Sachi is dead. Zenko is dead. Tomi is dead. Kiba is dead. All in our legion save for myself, Tsumaro, Kaori, and Hijo lay dead on the battlefield. Shokan survived as well, but was injured in a way so grievous that when given the choice to be saved by Kaori, he requested he be allow to die with his wife as a Lion soldier in a battle that will surely be remembered for all time. Of the Scorpion, they sent 45,000 against us, 25,000 still survive though our hostilities are at an end. There were 2,000 of us against their 45,000, and in the end they were the ones to pull back and concede the day as ours. Though perhaps for that I should start at the beginning.
I already told you our situation, holding those claiming to be descendants of Shinjo, Unicorn they call themselves, by way of tact instead of spears. Over the previous few days we waited, the rest of our Legion showed up and filtered through their ranks and bolstered our strength to a full one thousand. The next day, the Scorpion army showed up near the evening, Chengensai went out to speak with them alone. It was not something Tsumaro or I were happy with, but he was insistent. Not thirty minutes after he had gone to meet the Scorpion, a runner came to us looking for our second in command. The scorpion were coming through, we could join them, move out of the way, or die. We had ten minutes to decide, though I already knew our answer. Tsumaro has said the words countless times before, I do not know why he did not say them then. "Neither of those is going to happen".
The word spread through our line like wild fire, we would stand and defend these Unicorn. We would stand and defend Chengensai's word that should it come to battle, he would defend them to the death. The Unicorn talked quickly, and were ready to move even faster. Their main force intended to break out the front of the pass and continue on, the leader of their women warriors - Otaku Miriam - stayed to defend the back with us along with 200 of her mounted female warriors and 800 of their male infantry. Communication was an issue, though thankfully there was little to communicate. Against a force that was over twenty times our size, what do you do aside from grip your spear and move until you no longer can? Our lines were set before the Scorpion began their advance, so much activity in ten minutes I do not think I have ever seen save in the heart of a battle.
The Scorpion began their advance, and Kaori pleaded with the kami. Osano Wo himself heard her call, and smote the front Scorpion lines. Carving out a large circle in their center that they had to move around. As they began to reform, Osano Wo began again and again, striking lightning deep into their center. Their command staff went down under the second barrage; their banners went up in smoke. Their shugenja must have been caught off guard and wiped out, for throughout the battle the kami never once raised hand against us. Though they did multiple times against the scorpion. I do not know what Kaori did, all I can say on it is that it was the most powerful display of magic I have ever read about, let alone seen. She seemed to glow with an ethereal light, and at parts of the battle you could see years of life washing off of her like the tides as she continued to direct and call upon the kami to aid us in the battle. I have often heard Kaori comment on wishing to be a true samurai, I think that if there had ever been doubt of her being one that it was fully laid to rest on this day.
Our line met with the Scorpion lines and there was death all around. The Unicorn use an interesting spear, almost half again as long as a yari. Its effect in stopping a charge is impressive to say the least. As is its ability to stab over two ranks of soldiers. We used it in a fighting retreat, backing further and further into the narrow part of the pass. Osano Wo smiting Scorpion all around us and funneling them into our kill zones as we fell back in ranks. They lost nearly 10,000 in this opening part, we lost around 700. The kami favored us, Bishamon and Hachimon surely smiled down upon us, what chance did the Scorpion have? It was then that Miriam and her 200 mounted warriors began to harry their back. Sweeping in with their strange conical spears on the first pass, killing at least three each before dropping the weapon and turning to the sword. In and out of the back of the Scorpion they swept, losing people with each pass but killing far more than they lost. The scorpion advance stopped, they turned to face this harrying force from their back full on. In response Miriam and her women prepared to plunge deep into the center. Before the battle I had spoken with Miriam, when discussing her tactics I had claimed we would meet in the middle. The time for that meeting quickly approached.
Unhappy with our retreating fight, and not about to let the Scorpion deal with one group of us and not the other, we called the charge. I am sure for any looking down on the battle it would look strange, the maybe 600 of us left on one side and the 150 on the other charging into a force of over 30,000 warriors. We are Lion though, and the confusion and fear amongst the Scorpion was strong. Our two units sliced through and met in the center. Even further reduced yes, but we made it to the center. A circle was formed there, Kaori in the center so she could continue to direct the kami in our fight. The Scorpion pressed in, and we continued to kill them as they came.
I do not know what possessed him, but Zenko called out to the remaining Scorpion commanders then. Calling one in particular a coward and an eta for holding back. The Scorpion came to find him, and while I could only barely see it through the fighting I know they had a duel. The Scorpion looked skilled, a truly competent duelist, perhaps even better than most of the good Kakita. Zenko was never a duelist, holding only a passing knowledge. He knows the form, he can draw his blade without embarrassing himself, but he is no duelist. He is Lion though, and when the time came for the blades to be drawn, he was the slower. Speed, however, is not enough on the battlefield. The blow that hit him was not strong enough to sever his concentration and Zenko struck back with the fury and power of a Matsu. A second later both men fell over dead, and for the second time in my life, the second time that week, I watched as Righteousness enabled the worse duelist to win when it mattered. People have said many things about Zenko. I know that none of us trusted him when he first showed up. His tactics at time were suspect, as was his skill set. He was one who was easy to speak against at times, too quiet, too shady in many ways. In death, at the moment he died, Zenko pulled back the covers and showed us all what truly lay underneath. Zenko was, is, Lion; he died a true and full part of Razor Paw. He has earned his place in Yomi.
Tomi and Kiba fell shortly after Zenko. Our circle had broken into two smaller groups due to the sheer weight of the enemy numbers. Tomi worked the middle between the groups, keeping a flank as light as possible for both groups. To see her and Kiba working through the field, you would think they were one creature and not two. The loss of Tomi's legs to the Ogres did not make her weaker, instead it awakened something that was truly a sight to behold on the battlefield. Cat and rider took turns, in one instant Tomi would strike out all about them as Kiba dashed through or past the opponents, keeping them safe while Tomi rained death all around. The next, Tomi would turn her spears defensively, knocking weapons and opponents out of the way so they could not harm Kiba while the great cat tore into their sides and flanks. To watch the two in action, you would swear Emma-O himself had come down to the battle with a desperate need to fill a not insignificant quota. In the end, the Scorpion managed to pull Tomi off of Kiba's back, a mistake for the one in question as he was immediately killed by Kiba while Tomi held him unable to defend himself. His nearby friends however were still free to act, and without her legs Tomi was simply unable to defend herself. Kiba's last act was to save Tomi, and Tomi's was to die avenging Kiba. I do not think either of them would have ever wanted it to end otherwise. Even with her now dead, I still find myself in awe of her perseverance. Many claim the loss of a leg is the death of a bushi, and Tomi instead took that loss and made it into strength. Were we to all be as dedicated to bushido, so perseverant in pursuit of our causes, the Empire would be a much different and better place I feel.
Sachi was the next to fall. I told her before the battle that today was the day she had been waiting years for. I did not believe my own words. I believe she had already made up any harm to Razor Paw long ago with her dedicated service, her constant quest to better herself. She needed to hear it though. She would never accept that what she did was something so minor that it could be made up for in any other way but a battle like this. I put her in front of a unit, named her among our best five warriors, put her on equal footing with Tomi, Tsumaro, Shokan, and myself. Though she did not show it, I think it both surprised and pleased her that she was given such trust. She did not disappoint. Lady Matsu herself would have been impressed with Sachi's performance today. She was a tornado of death on the battlefield, killing endlessly as they came at her with no thought for her own safety. I heard her crying out during the battle, that the Scorpion had taken Toki from her. She fought like someone with nothing left to lose, and in doing so I feel she gained everything she had ever wanted. Or, at least, realized that she already had it. I watched her fall seven times over the course of the battle, each time to wounds that should have removed her from the fight. I watched her stand back up eight times, with help from the kami and Kaori. Each time, she went back into it with abandon. At one point of the battle she boasted to have killed more today than I did in my first three wars combined. She shone as brightly as any I have ever seen on her last day, and looking back on it now I can say honestly that that was what I always wanted from her. Not for her death, but for her to shine that brightly. I think, in many ways that she looked to me in much the same way I looked to, and in ways still do look to, Yoko. I was something to be surpassed, something to be proven to. I seem to be destined to forever lose this kind of meeting, no matter which side I am on, for in her death she has surpassed me and joined Yoko in a way I do not think I will ever be able to match. I am left now needing to live my life to prove to the both of them that it was worth it, that I am worthy of them.
With Zenko, Sachi, Tomi, and Kiba down the standards were left in danger. Shokan and Hijo were still defending them, but two people to defend both the Otaku and Razor Paw standards against so many enemies was dangerous. Kaori, once again, proved the savior and asked the Earth kami for help. They responded by raising the earth under the two standards a hundred feet into the air, Shokan and Hijo with them. The act left only Miriam, Kaori, Tsumaro, and myself within reach of the scorpion. So soaked with their blood, their younger troops were shying from meeting us and even the more seasoned hesitant to send more men to die at our hands. The lines pulled back, and we instantly realized what was coming. We broke for the area near the standard, Kaori called to the water kami to protect us from the arrows. This battle was not done yet, it would not end so ingloriously as being shot by arrows while an army stood back and watched. The water kami heard her, and enveloped us in a protective bubble. For minutes we could see nothing, so thick was the layer of arrows falling around us, the protection afforded us several long minutes of much needed rest.
The four of us conversed quickly about our choices. Kaori claimed she could raise the earth and bring us up to the standards, we could wait there for the Lion army. None of us, even Kaori herself liked the idea but it was an option. We could all keep fighting as well, we would die eventually, but so would many more of them. I thought of the prospect of a duel. We had already killed so many of them, and were we to fight we would likely kill many, many more before we fell to them. The Empire however may have need of those we killed, the reason we were fighting had long since been gone. Tsumaro agreed it was a good idea, and for a moment I could see how strongly he wished to be the one to go out and do it. Success, however, was more important to him than personal glory, it always has been, and so he allowed me to do it.
Miriam came with me as I left the protective bubble. The Scorpion archers all aimed at me. I requested to speak with their leader, an aged Scorpion who still had the grace of a warrior. I suggested a duel. If we win, they withdraw, we allow them to collect their dead, we can collect our dead, and the battle simply ends. If they win, they had won. No more resistance from us. Either way, no more Scorpion save perhaps one would die. Their leader agreed, and we settled into stance. He was good, but with the focus I've achieved since our fight those months ago, I was just slightly better, and as I said, we are Lion and today the kami and fortunes favored us. My strike killed him cleanly, though his spirit was strong enough that he left a deeper mark on me than any I have received before from any opponent. The Scorpion honored the deal, though some did not like it. We have pulled back as well, and await the approaching Lion army as we continue to hold the pass.
I should end this letter now, I am running out of paper if nothing else. Before I do though, I realize I have not spoken about Tsumaro in the battle, and that is a disservice to him. Throughout the battle he shone brightly. He responded swiftly and courageously. There was never any hesitation from him, and he stepped up to fill Chengensai's absence with courage and honor. The technique he has learned from Heihachi, he has completely mastered. Combined with the teachings of the Elite Guard he becomes a killing machine from whom there is no escape save to turn tail and run. He set a pace even I could not keep up with, limited only by the fact the Scorpion could not get to him in fast enough numbers for him to truly ever leave me completely behind. Today was an important day for Tsumaro, today he showed how much he has grown from that young samurai he was when we first met, unsure of himself and looking to Chengensai as a guide for how to act honorably and properly. Today I watched as Tsumaro became the truest representation of the Lion that I have ever seen.
I will write more to you later, when there is time and paper to do so.
Your loving daughter,
Matsu Mesutsume.
Due to an unfortunate incident involving heavy rain, almost all of Mesutsume's remaining letters were destroyed before any could be read. We do, however, still have these two letters, written about ten to fifteen years after the battle with the Scorpion, commonly referred to as Razor Paw's Last Stand. The second of these letters was still held with honor in Ikoma Tsuyokaze's memorial shrine, and was read for my transcription by the honored Sodan Senzo Kitsu Moritaka.
~Ikoma Masshiro
Father,
I am writing you now from Unicorn lands, and I am here on more business for the Lion. Otaku Miriam has offered to let me stay with her for the several months I will be up here, and then she may come with me back to Swift Sword on some Unicorn business herself. I trust you are well, and that my husband is helping out sufficiently where you need him to. Is my daughter well? I know she is training in the dojo and contact is scarce at best, but I was unable to receive word the last time I was home. I am sure she is making us, and our line, proud as she learns, but confirmation of that would be nice.
It is beautiful up here, Father. The Unicorn have done much since coming home. I think it will still be another few years before they are ready to fully take over their lands, but the progress is astounding. There are still gaps in understanding between them and the Lion stationed here. The job is trying at times, but also rewarding. Lion have never been ones to hide behind words, and the openness of the Unicorn helps with that as well, but there has been more than one duel over a simple misunderstanding of proper etiquette. Particularly over the Unicorn's custom to shake hands, and the too casual way that they will sometimes clap you on the back to show friendship.
Miriam has been a big help with some of these customs. She is a fast learner, and seems eager for her family to fully re-integrate with the Empire, though she has steadfastly swore that her people will not forsake the traditions that they picked up in their journey simply because they may be 'scoffed' at here. A claim that turned the Etiquette Sensei the Doji sent up here to help white with shock. I am not sure if I will ever see that Doji again now that I think about it.
I need to end this here, I have a busy day ahead of me. The meetings alone would make a full day, but I am also honing my skills with the spear further. There are tricks they have learned on their journey that are simply fascinating. I can not wait to show you before our next match when I am home. Be well father.
Your loving daughter,
Matsu Mesutsume
Father,
This is the last letter I will ever write you. You have moved on from this world to the next, your life one of the few to be taken by my hand since that fight with the Scorpion oh so many years ago. It feels strange to be writing to you like this when you are dead, and yet it also feels right. To say goodbye in any other way I feel would be a betrayal of our relationship, of this tradition that we have maintained for over twenty years, ever since my gempukku and my first assignment to Razor Paw.
The Unicorn are doing well, and have completely re-taken their lands now. Their military is strong enough to hold them, even against us were we to try, and what could be a more true statement of ability than that? The annual war games near Shiro Ikoma seem to be favored amongst both the Lion and Unicorn that are there. A way to preserve friendships, while still engaging in the martial competition that is so much a way of our lives. The displays of skill that are shown there can be truly spectacular. It is a regret of mine that I was never able to show it to you.
My first daughter's gempukku happened just the other day. She wore white throughout the ceremony in mourning for your passing, though when I look in her eyes I know she understands why what happened happened. She is not like us; she is not a killer with a beast inside yearning to get out at all times and needing to be kept under tight control. She is a warrior, a samurai, pure in her devotion and purpose. It is interesting to say those two things at the same time. She understands us, the people like you and I, but she is not like us. Has ever a person ever existed before? She has told me that she will live up to my story, some how, some way, but that the way will be hers. She will walk a path similar to mine, but not mine. I am not sure I have ever been prouder of her. She chose the name 'Sachi' for herself at Gempukku. I am sure that the Sachi from Razor Paw will watch over her. Especially with such a goal set for her life.
Speaking of Razor Paw, while I am sure you know already, Ikoma Kaori passed away upon finishing her tribute to the Water Kami. The deal paid back to the kami for their aid in that battle oh so long ago. I have sent a letter to Tsumaro with my condolences, and speaking of how proud I am to have ever known her. The Kitsu will be adding her name to the Razor Paw roster at the Hall of Ancestors soon, and I am thinking I will go to see it and pay my last respects to the woman who was so instrumental in so many of our battles.
I will wish you rest now father. You have walked a long path, and set a fine example for all to follow. Perhaps I will see you in my future, either in Yomi or another life. Thank you for all you taught me, I hope you know how important it was to me.
For the last time, your loving daughter,
Matsu Mesutsume
This last letter is the last one Mesutsume ever wrote. At least, that has been recovered and found so far. Ikoma Omoidasu have argued for years as to whether this letter is a goodbye, or if Mesutsume ever gave one to her family. Either way, it holds the last words Mesutsume expressed to her daughter Sachi in writing.
~Ikoma Masshiro
Sachi,
I received your letter recently, and I wished to extend my congratulations to you on becoming accepted into the Lion's Pride. It is somewhere I never went, something I was never apart of, and to hear that you are adding that legacy, that honor, to our family line is something that fills me with pride.
Your letter also brought a smile to my lips. Reading it, I could not help but remember all the countless letters that I wrote to your grand father while I was on duty. It did not matter that we were both stationed in the same castle for years at a time, I still wrote to him regularly. Using the letters to sum up my thoughts and disclose everything I could to him. I am happy to see that you are doing much the same with me.
Your husband is doing well. As well as he ever does, anyway. He seems quieter, calmer of late. He is, as always, constantly off in his other world. Speaking to his brothers and sisters is what Tsumaro told me it was.
I have begun to teach your daughter the spear. I know that you have dedicated your life more to the sword than the spear since joining the Lioness legion, but in this I can not help myself. She will learn both, and be as fine a warrior as her Mother and Grand Mother could ever hope because of it. Speaking of, I hope you are still keeping sharp with a spear, even dedicated to the sword as you may be, it is still a weapon you should remember, a legacy of our family.
I am proud of you daughter. They are words I never heard from my father, though I knew he felt them. They are words I do not think I have ever told to you, though I know you know I feel them. You have done the impossible, continuing our family's legacy of martial excellence while ending the matched legacy of endless killing and bloodshed. It is the highest of tragedies that there are no wars worthy of you, able to show the world just how good you are, but I can see it in you. You have accomplished the goal that you set out to achieve at your gempukku. You have blazed your own trail while still matching me. I am proud to call you my daughter, and proud to be counted among the teachers of such a fine warrior.
I will end this by passing on a message, Otaku Miriam's daughter has written asking if you will be heading out to Unicorn lands. I think she wishes to keep strong the connection between our families, and while she is fond of me there is too much respect owed to me from the friendship I had with her mother and the battles we fought together. If you are interested, I will see if I can arrange it. Though I must warn you, even if not interested it may happen due to matters out of my control.
Walk with honor Sachi, I am looking forward to our next match.
Your loving mother,
Matsu Mesutsume
In the sixth month of the 49th year of her life Matsu Mesutsume vanished. Her daughter awoke one morning to find her mother's spears added to her own in the weapons rack, and her mother simply gone. When asked, Otaku Miriam's daughter nodded knowingly, and explained their tradition of doing just that when they come to a certain age. This tradition is now followed in the line of Matsu Mesutsume. A final walk to find an opponent worthy of ending your life.
~Ikoma Masshiro
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