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|2012-11-23, 23:25
|Link #1
Good OP Hunter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Argentina
Arturia's Writing Den
Welcome to Arturia's Writing Den!
I was notified that I had to put all my fanfiction work inside one thread and well, now I'm editing this.
For starters, let me introduce myself. I'm a 20 year old Argentine, studying Economics in an attempt to do my country (And world, in all honesty) as much good as possible. Someone has to do it. If you didn't notice from the world comment, I'm a romantic.
No, not in that way. I'm a romantic in the sense that I believe a better world IS definitely possible. You can always improve, in every way. The moment you decide you did enough is the moment you die. Never giving up is something that life (and anime) made me realize was never a possibility.
I love writing. It's my hidden passion. I find it a way to express myself and a way to be introduced to cultures I have not even heard of. I believe that ALL writing is worth something, even repercussions of evil.
Enough of me, onto my writing skills, I'll be blunt... I'm an amateur. And English isn't even my native language but that is not an excuse. I try to put as much work into what I like to call "pre-writing" which involves having everything already ticking in my head (at least partially), and since I'm writing fanfiction (for now) I try to stick as strongly as possible to the character's personalities, which I try to study before and while I'm writing.
I even got myself a gig writing for a software developer, you might hear from me in the gaming industry in a long time, who knows?
Anyways... Since I was forced to edit this, I'll make an index of my works as I post them here, but feel free to check out my fanfiction page: http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1351859/
As I have said, I'm an aspiring author. That means that my writing is probably... no scratch that. It IS flawed. I want you people to tear me down if I make a mistake somewhere. Print it out, put it on an envelope and send it with a bomb to my house, well not that far, but I want to see what I'm doing wrong. If I'm never told where I missed, I'll never get it right.
Of course, feel free to say that you liked the stories as well, I'm not a masochist. (Just throwing this out there, in case someone is getting ideas) Feel free to say hi as well.
To those that have read this far, I ask that if you're going to review one of my works here, please add a title saying which chapter/work you're talking about, or at least make it clear which one you're talking about... it'll make things easier. Or just go to ff.net.
Tari Tari
Past and Present: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3
As the Gentle Breeze Blows...
Little Busters!
Bird's Song: Chapter 1
Sword Art Online
Vanquishing of the Laughing Coffin: Prologue
And now that we've gotten that out of the way, enjoy Tari Tari: Past and Present, chapter 1!
Tari Tari: "Past and Present"
Chapter 1: Extended Epilogue
Author's notes: This short story is going to attempt to add a bit more the ending of Tari Tari, which I loved. I loved it, but I wish I had more, as there was limitless potential in there. It'll also try to link the dots of what happened between Sawa and Taichi, as well as having the rest of the group in it, as Tari Tari isn't a romance anime, but a slice of life.
Without further wording, I hope you enjoy the story!
Sawa enjoyed the light breeze that came in from the opened window as she finished singing with the rest of the group on video. It still only felt like yesterday when she got here to the United States on her trip to become a Horse Jockey. She undid her twintails and let her hair loose, letting it dance with the coming breeze.
"Sawa, just so you know, Tanaka is as red as-"
"Quiet you!" As the man in question came in and grabbed Konatsu's mouth before she could finish.
Sawa let out a small laugh. She really did miss being there with everyone...
"Maybe I really should have gone back..." She sighed. Her father had actually told her to come back several times on the phone, she found that endearing, but she wouldn't come back empty handed. Living in the States was very hard, even if she was doing what she really wanted.
The video went on as they all took turns to send Sawa a personal message. First up was Wakana
"Sawa! I hope you're really doing well in the United States! We're taking care of Sabure making sure it doesn't feel alone!" A smile drew itself on Sawa, as Wakana kept talking "... And I finished writing a new song!"
She made a mental note to ask her about it later.
Wien's turn came, or rather he took a step forward.
"Okita-san, I went to see Sabure the other day with Taichi and it kicked me" He proudly showed the camera his arm where it had been evident he'd gotten a pretty bad blow. "It's fine anyways, It was fun."
"Man I thought I had told them to stay away from Sabure's right leg..." Sawa looked out her window recalling the moment she-
"Sawa did tell us to not get near Sabure's right leg, didn't s-" Taichi suddenly turned around as though he had forgotten something.
"Wait, she did?" Konatsu chipped in "What, what? I never heard of this" She went around to face Taichi, who turned around yet again.
"Yeah, pay more attention... Airhead" He answered avoiding the petite's gaze
Sawa's mom was heard laughing. "Yeah, of course she'd laugh..." she thought
"Konatsu, anything to say to Sawa?"
"Yes! Sawa!" Konatsu came very close to the camera "I'm working together with your mom for the whole town to keep holding the Shirosai, despite... you know, what happened" Konatsu's eyes lost a bit of gleam, if only for a second "But you know, we're all going to university next year. So..." She looked around as if trying to remember what she had planned on saying. "Oh! We're taking care of Tanaka for you, don't worry!" Konatsu smiled mischievously and ran out of camera (or was forced out of camera by an infuriated Taichi, one or the other)
Sawa facepalmed. Was it that obvious?
"H-hey! Don't go assuming things!" Taichi was pushed in front of the camera by the two girls, as her mother laughed.
"So come on, what have you got to say to my daughter?" A slight menace in her voice. Of course, only Sawa knew what it meant.
Taichi scratched the back of his head as Sawa looked at the laptop screen with a tiny nervous smile, as Konatsu and Wakana kept laughing like small girls. Honestly, you'd think they are 10 years old.
"Hey... I just wanted to say... that we're really missing you here." His face trying to keep straight. "We'll wait for you to come back, so don't come back empty handed!"
"But, you know, Tanaka; Sawa might come back with an american boyfriend" Her mother quipped. Sawa turned scarlet
"No, no, no." Sawa waved her hands as though someone was watching her. "Definitely not happening"
Taichi simply looked flabbergasted for a second before quickly getting off camera as the rest of the group laughed. Sawa even laughed at Taichi's expression.
The camera then turned around to her dad.
"Sawa, you know... I may keep telling you to keep coming back, but it's only because" he looked away for a second "I really care about you. I only want the best for you"
An "Aww" was heard from Konatsu. She really was one to express herself.
The camera then turned to her mother, Seeing her actually made her feel a bit better. She was still very alone in a new land.
Sawa rummaged through the box that got to her home that morning. The first thing was of course the CD with the video they sent her but there were a lot more things. A stuffed horse doll which she found lovely with a letter pinned to the back.
"Sawa, I put this doll in your seat at the graduation. You were always with us. Konatsu "
She could already picture the scene of the doll sitting in the graduation as a small tear came down her cheek. She didn't have to imagine much, because Konatsu had also sent her a picture of that moment. Sawa pinned the picture on the wall together with a bunch of other pictures, those she had taken to remember them all by.
She found a small CD case with a piece of paper written in it.
"Sawa, this is my song. Hope you like it"
Of course, she knew who had written it. She played it on her laptop, so she could listen to it as she went through the other things. A soft piano tune started playing... soothing and you could say that a bit romantic.
Wien had sent her a small notebook filled with horse articles on newspapers and horse pictures. They had all been cut and pasted by hand... With a smile she thanked him mentally. He had also sent her a letter.
"Okita-san, I made this with articles I cut from the same newspapers I kept taking articles from to send to Jan back in Austria. I actually got a letter from him, and I think I might be able to see him again. Hope you like it"
Sawa remembered how Wien had been heartbroken by the fact that Jan had moved, and felt sincerely happy for them to be able to find each other.
Her mother had sent her a few things she had forgotten or couldn't fit during the first trip, including her photo album from school. It was actually filled with pictures of the whole group, and stuff from the Shirosai she couldn't see yet.
Wakana's song playing in the background made the whole moment seem a bit more melancholic than it was, but Sawa liked that.
At the very bottom of the box, a badminton racquet with a small letter.
"I thought you could have something to remember me by as well..."
She grabbed the racquet smiling fondly, a tint of red on her cheeks. She wondered if Taichi had actually used this as it was pristine. She swang it around a bit and then noticed something etched on the handle.
"To Sawa"
Her heart actually skipped a beat, before a smile plastered on her face.
After she was done with tidying the place up, she pinned pictures of the group on the wall by her desk so they could be in plain view. Her mother had actually sent her a picture with Taichi circled in a heart, she quickly stuffed it at the very back of the drawer, vowing to get back at her. The badminton racquet now found a place next to her bed.
She looked at the time and realized that she had only five minutes left before her morning routine started, so she closed her laptop, quickly got changed, and got went on with renewed strength.
By the time she got back home, the sun was on it's last legs. She dropped her bag and let herself fall onto the bed. The bed bounced back and a case fell on her head.
A CD case... she had no idea where it had come from. Maybe it had fallen out of the box and she hadn't seen her that morning. It could have been that.
"To Sawa"
She grabbed the CD inside and played it.
Taichi's face appeared, a little flustered. She found that very cute, how he could get so flustered when put in the center of attention.
"H-hey, It's me"
Sawa rolled her eyes.
"If you're seeing this then you probably have seen the racquet I sent you... It's from the national tournament when you guys cheered me on..." He sighed "I thought you could have it, as it is my favorite racquet"
He tried to force a smile even though he was probably cracking from the nerves
"Just... take good care of it. I would have said it in the other video but Konatsu wouldn't have me hear the end of it"
Sawa laughed as it was probably true.
"I actually went to see Sabure the other day again, he's also missing you. But he'll manage, he's a tough one"
The video actually cut and another scene replaced it. She knew that scene well, the stables where Sabure was kept.
"Hey there, Sabure" Taichi's voice came
The horse looked up and made a small grunt
"Not in a good mood huh?" A hint of dissapointment in his voice "Smile for the camera, this is for Sawa"
The camera then panned around a bit and the camera slowed down for a second on the wall before coming back to the horse.
"So hey Sabure, remember when Sawa and I came by?"
Sawa choked on saliva. She prayed that her mother had not seen this video... chances were slim though, knowing her.
The video then cut back to Taichi staring at the camera at his house.
"Yeah, Sabure wasn't very happy to see me I guess. He's been a bit cranky lately, he even kicked Wien, but you know that already"
Sawa sighed. She knew why the horse would be a bit cranky, but nothing she could really do.
"I'm running out of time, so I'll say that I hope you're having fun in America... and that we're waiting for you back in Japan... All of us"
The video ended with Taichi giving her the first carefree smile he'd seen from him since she left. Sawa laid back on her chair and stared at the ceiling, sighing heavily. She tried to not think about Japan much, because she knew that if she started thinking she'd get sad at leaving them all behind... but she really couldn't go back now, nor did she want to.
"I'll go back some day anyways" She shook the uneasy feeling off, as she went back to the matter at hand.
Her mother had obviously seen the video, so that explained the picture with Taichi circled. "She's such a girl..."
Sawa planned on writing an e-mail to her mother telling her she got everything, but she'd beaten her to the punch.
"Sawa, I see that the package arrived today. Hope you had as much fun going through it as I did!"
She slammed her laptop shut. She was so going to kill her when she got her hands on her.
"She doesn't even try to hide it..." She laughed as she punched the air.
Opening her laptop again, Sawa wrote a quick response, asking how everyone was doing. Her mother answered immediately, she had not expected that.
"Everyone is doing fine, Konatsu keeps dropping by with Sakai. Your boyfriend came in a bunch of times already to check on Sabure. What the hell happened in there???"
Once again, she vowed she'd have revenge on her mother someday.
Author's Notes: Hope you guys enjoyed reading my first chapter! I really enjoyed writing this for a reason, and in fact, it's 3:30 AM, I've got college tomorrow and I'm not regretting writing this one bit.
Keep in mind that this is a short story, It'll be at most 3 chapters of about the same length.
To those of you from Animesuki, welcome! To those of you who come from other places, welcome as well!
Niker (AKA: Arturia Polaris)
Last edited by Arturia Polaris; 2013-03-06 at 09:40.
|2012-11-24, 03:50
|Link #3
Straight Chillin
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Somewhere nice and quiet.
I am not really big into fanfictions but I must say that this is a nice continuation from where Tari Tari had left off. It was easy to read and I could picture everything so clearly within my mind. Character personalities were spot on and the story has me wanting to read more.
For English not being your native tongue you did a nice job. I look forward to the next chapter, keep it up!
|2012-11-24, 11:29
|Link #4
Operation sneaky sneaks
IT Support
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Hic et ubique
Composition-wise, it comes across as carrying on the same spirit found in the original Tari Tari: in particular, the character personalities are well done, as previously mentioned. My curiosity particularly lies with Sawa and Taichi's interactions, and as such, I look forward to upcoming instalments as well.
|2012-11-26, 16:39
|Link #5
Good OP Hunter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Argentina
Just a quick heads up. Fanfiction.net actually read my request to add a Tari Tari subsection, and I just published it! :
You already read the first chapter, and 2nd chapter is on the way, but I found it interesting to share.
|2012-11-26, 17:48
|Link #6
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
I don't know anything about the characters or the series but I found this a good read.
I felt like I got a good handle on the character personalities fairly quickly without it being too cliche.
The only critique I'd offer so far is that single sentence paragraphs can be a bit hard on people used to western literature stylings.
|2012-11-28, 23:34
|Link #7
Good OP Hunter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Argentina
Chapter 2
Tari Tari: Past and Present
Chapter 2: Before you go...
Author's notes: We are now going back in time. A few days after Sawa announced that she was leaving Japan to try and become a horse jockey, a professional one.
Classes had been going on regardless of the huge construction already starting. 3rd years had to keep working hard if they intended to at least have a chance at university. Even Sawa, who wasn't going to enter university was hard at work. She had to try and learn English in record time and even though she wouldn't have to finish the curriculum nor go to school anymore, (she would be given enough points to graduate, despite leaving) she found herself going to school every day.
She just couldn't stop going, not these last few days. She had to make sure she would get as many memories as possible because in the coming future she wouldn't even be able to see them. All of them. Konatsu, Wakana, Wien, Taichi... the other classmates, the teachers... even her family. It was a lot to leave behind just for the sake of her dream. She doubted herself countless times, but she wasn't allowed to show that. Not when everyone else was so supportive.
The bell rang.
Hey Sawa-
At the call of her name, she turned around only to be poked in the cheek with a pen. With a small laugh Konatsu soon found her book being thrown at her.
How old are you anyways!? Sawa tried to erase the blue mark on her cheek but it wouldn't come off, no matter what she tried. God, you even did it with a pen... Sawa wailed. There was a reason she wanted to look absolutely perfect today of all days.
As students moved in and out of the class, Wien and Tanaka came over to where the three girls were talking. Sawa got nudged by Konatsu. She hissed back.
Yeah, Wien and I got a few disciplinary pointers Taichi scratched his head. Annoying tick of his... but kinda cute if you asked Sawa.
So did those disciplinary pointers include doing THIS?! Konatsu pointed at a notebook. Inside it were about 100 handwritten letters of apologies to be given out to the employees working in the new construction. And I don't even remember that we bothered them. This is just that chairman being a jerk She sighed as she closed her notebook.
Wakana opened up her notebook and showed about 50 posters (also hand-written). I had to make these and I'll have to go around town posting them apologizing for the inconviniences... And they said they'd check to see if the handwriting is the same She joined Konatsu in sighing.
Well... at least it was worth it. Wien chipped in. I have a lot of things that I'll remember from that day, I'll tell my family about it of course
My sister really enjoyed it, she even filmed it and I have it all in my computer now... sadly Taichi looked at Sawa for just a second longer than necessary.
My brother said that he wouldn't come and see it, but of course he came. He's so silly, not wanting to show his love to his older sister Konatsu went over dramatic on her voice as always, and her hands waving around also helped.
Oh my dearest sister, I'm sorry for being so shy! Sawa went along and played, just like she always did. As they hugged in an overly exagerated fashion.
Sawa then rocked her desk with her leg threw her notebook to the floor, opening on a small letter also handwritten.
Wakana was the only one who noticed the letter and started reading out loud.
Dear Taichi, I'm sorr-
Sawa shouted and immediately grabbed the notebook with a look screaming -I'll murder you- to Wakana who immediately went red and looked at Taichi who had not heard, and then back at the twintailed girl. Realization dawning on her.
Konatsu still had no idea what was going on. And that was probably for the better the little meddler would go around the world to have a hand in this. Sawa didn't want anyone to interfere.
Classes came to an end, and like every day the group of five walked out of school. Wakana had tried to talk to her privately but Sawa refused to give her any time. Her mind was set on how to do this, and-
Hey Sawa, let's all go to your house
What!? No I have stuff to do
Konatsu, you shouldn't invite yourself to others' house like that... Wakana always the voice of reason.
Every time we go to Sawa's house we end up doing something crazy anyways... Taichi let a comment slip, to which Sawa gave him a joking punch. Ouch
Remember the Gambarider thing?
I sure had fun... Wien lost himself in remembering.
So? Come on, Sawa... for old time's sake
You make it sound like we're old She retorted.
Everyone laughed at this. Sawa had initially refused but she thought that it'd be a good way to put her plan into motion. Maybe Konatsu could help her somehow.
We should buy cake this time Wien said remembering Sawa's mother bought cake last time.
That was only because she needed us for something
Before they knew it, the sky had turned orange and they had stopped walking, just talking about their time together.
Is it really all going to end like this? All of us going separate ways? Sawa was looking at the horizon while letting her hair loose.
It really does seem like a dream. And how we ended up being like this Taichi sat down on the guard-rail.
So? Are we going to my house? We could do an all nighter Sawa finally offered.
I'm not sure about an all nighter, but I could go over for a little bit Wien sadly commented.
Oooh, it's going to be Taichi alone with three girls then? Konatsu nudged Sawa, and Wakana joined in.
D-Don't be stupid, I'll leave if I have to
Oh he wouldn't even hurt a fly Wakana slyly commented. Very out of her usual self.
Not without his badminton racquet not.
The group set way for her house. She had told her parents, who didn't object. They wouldn't really object if it was the group that made her last year so memorable. Or at least part of the year.
Wien, as he had anticipated, had left pretty early. Taichi was about to leave but he was asked by Sawa's mother to stay a little longer.
The group had talked about everything there really was. A few emotional moments between the three girls in which Taichi wanted the earth to split up and eat him for being so out of place. He eventually got too uncomfortable and left for the stables. At least with Sabure he could share some silence.
Sawa and Konatsu. They had been friends for most of their time at school, and their relationship was that of life partners. Konatsu of course never really showed that she was a strong girl, but she actually was very composed. To see her literally on the verge of tears coming into Sawa's house for one of the last times was... touching.
Wakana of course also was on the cliff between crying and remaining composed, but seeing Sawa start crying before the other two got her.
The three were apologizing for everything they had done and not spending more time with each other before Sawa apologized for even wanting to leave and told the other two that she would try to come back as soon as possible, that she would work extremely hard so she could come back to Japan and spend more time with the rest of them.
It was a moment that Sawa wouldn't forget in a long time, as well as the other moments she lived with the group.
Eventually and after a while, Sawa bid her farewells to the two girls and watched the two go with a sad smile on her face. A single tear streamed down her face as she realized that these would be her last memories of the whole group...
Realization hit her like a truck. Taichi was probably still with Sabure.
She rushed back into the house and skidded to a halt to ask her mother if she'd seen Taichi leave.
Huh? Didn't he leave already?
Sawa couldn't believe that he'd leave without saying goodbye to her... well, it's not like he couldn't, they didn't have any kind of relationship, but-
God, stop thinking she slapped herself and walked to the stables which were very quiet at night. Sabure was probably sleeping already, so she only took a peek.
She had to peek again to take in the image of what was going on. Taichi was leaning on the wall scratching Sabure's nose and the horse looked like it had warmed up to Taichi. Granted, it was a docile horse, but for it to like a boy...
Hey, you're having fun there? She tried to come up with the most casual of greetings. It might have come as forced but there was nothing she could do after she said it.
Oh hey Sawa. I'm just talking to Sabure here. He's really nice today isn't he?
It's probably because it's in his house Sawa went and scratched the horse's head, their arms might have touched a bit.
Taichi pulled back a bit red faced, Sawa didn't care. This was just the proof she needed. The proof she wanted.
An awkward silence settled. Sawa might have wanted that piece of proof, but she had no idea what to do with it. And her emotions were all over the place a few minutes ago with the girls, so she wasn't exactly in the best of mental states to come up with flirty answers.
And then the unexpected variable came into play. Taichi.
Say, Sawa... His eyes sparkled with... something she couldn't quite say Don't you wish you could sometimes do things without regretting them?
W-What, you mean like going abroad to study?
Yeah, that's one way of putting it. But I wasn't really going that far.
Sawa took a second before realizing what he was going to and her legs might have failed her a bit, so to make it seem natural, she slided down the wall all the way to the floor. Sighing, she answered
Oh, plenty of times. Every day I go to school I regret not doing something, like not eating that piece of toast...
I'm not talking about that I'm-
Yes, I know what you're talking about
Sawa sighed. This was not going at all how she expected. Taichi had made her nervous and her whole plan had gone to hell. She stood up and looked at Taichi straight in the eye.
He closed the distance, and Sawa immediately tried to back away, but the wall stopped her.
She put out her arms to stop him while looking to the floor. She was acting irrationally. She knew that.
He tried to talk but she put her finger in his lips to stop him from saying that.
Don't make this any harder for me Sawa pleaded, finally looking at him. I'm having a hard time as it is trying to leave everyone behind... and this... would just make it harder.
Taichi's eyes dropped. She knew that it was going to hurt... and to be honest she didn't like it one bit. But even though she didn't like it, it would be painful to say goodbye if something happened.
So... I'll just take this as a way to remember you by
Sawa lunged at his lips.
It was over before they both knew it, as Sawa backed away instantly, and rushed out saying See you tomorrow!
Author's Notes: Thanks for reading through chapter 2. Hope you enjoyed it and as always, remember to say hi in a review/comment and tell me what you liked, didn't like.
Arturia Polaris (EX: Niker)
|2012-11-30, 14:13
|Link #8
Straight Chillin
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Somewhere nice and quiet.
Good work finishing the second chapter. Other then a few small errors this chapter was nicely done.
As I have said before, you do a good job on keeping character interactions and personalities similar to the original work. It really helps when reading the story because it makes your fanfiction seem more and more plausible as it continues. (And by plausible I mean from a continuation stand point).
Although whether or not I enjoyed this chapter as much as the first I cannot say. However, I can definitely say I am intrigued by the story and that I look forward to the next chapter. Keep up the good work!
|2012-11-30, 18:37
|Link #10
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
I'll just comment that you do an excellent job of explaining what is going on, who's talking to who, and so forth. You might spend a bit more time describing the environment surrounding them (things around them, weather, ambient light, etc.) to help the reader get a mental image of the scene.
I often find I'm short on one of the "what, who, where" triangle in any given chapter
Last edited by Vexx; 2012-11-30 at 21:35.
|2012-12-01, 02:08
|Link #12
Good OP Hunter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Argentina
Little Busters!: "Bird's Song"
Hello there yet once again dear AnimeSuki. I decided to venture on Little Busters! Fanfic which I consider a taboo because I'm simply not at Jun Maeda's level, but I thought it'd be interesting to see if I could pull it off. Hope you enjoy it! My latest work!
Little Busters!: Bird's song
Chapter 1: Freedom
Author's Notes: Hi there! This is a short story attempting to explain a bit behind the attitude Kurugaya Yuiko takes during the whole series. It takes place the year before Little Busters! Actually happens, so the rest of the cast won't be here.
Not going to bother you too much since it's a short story, so go ahead and enjoy it!
Yuiko grabbed her bag as soon as the bell rang. She didn't have time for this, or rather she didn't want to have time. She hated school. Well, she didn't hate school, it was more like she hated the people in it. Granted, she wasn't the most lovable of persons, but school managed to tick her off somehow. Schoolwork was really easy. So easy in fact that she had enough spare time to go through the grounds doing nothing. That right there was what annoyed her.
Feeling free, but constricted at the same time. She was given freedom inside a cage. Was that freedom?
The sun set as she pondered this on her bed, still in her school uniform. Her family was wealthy, but they never could look at her due to the nature of their job. Being diplomats, her parents had to be on the move, and decided to leave her here for her own good. Or so they said. She couldn't complain, but she would have gone around the world meeting new people rather than feeling life go past her and not being able to do a single thing about it.
She got up from bed and looked around her room... Something... Anything to entertain her. She grabbed her kendo sword and swung it around a bit before throwing it, angrier at it's uselessness. She never even bothered to go join the Kendo club despite a month having gone by. It never really interested her, but her mother insisted on her joining a club.
Yuiko could get along with others just fine. That was never a problem. The problem was that she wasn't interested in having many relationships because she wouldn't share many things with the other girls. They would just stare in awe at her being so damn perfect at school and then talk behind her back.
She sighed heavily, and sat down on her desk, grabbed a pencil and started flipping it around. Figuring she might as well write a novel she wrote a few words but immediately laid that idea to rest.
Is it me?
The roof wouldn't answer of course, and as the sky turned darker orange she decided to go out for a walk.
Walking down the aisle she felt a few stares, even from the older girls. Was she that eccentric? She didn't believe so, she was just a normal bored girl.
She put her hands behind her head and continued walking down. Someone would have to talk to her at some point about something. She'd take that as a cue to then begi-
Sorry, I didn't see you there! A yell full of life and colour reached her, purple colour.
Stop her! She's creating a commotion! Another purple haired girl called out. Was it purple hair day and no one told her or something?
Intrigued, she asked the second purple haired girl about what happened only to find out that the first girl was some kind of ruffian that had been causing problems ever since she came to school.
She offered her condolescenses, and left.
And with that, her eventful day came to an end. The next day would be the same gray colour she became used to.
Yuiko opened up her bag and grabbed the sandwich she had bought before chaos erupted in the cafeteria. Apparently a couple of bullheaded kids were going at each other. She had her lunch and that's what mattered to her anyways. No one would go out of his/her way to buy her lunch anyways.
Someone called out to her. It was actually a group of girls calling her over for something. Sighing, she got up and got over.
Hey, Hey, Kurugaya-san... Do you think the kendo boy is good looking?
She couldn't believe that she was called out for something as trivial as that. She also didn't want to get dragged into anything weird and avoided giving a direct answer.
I don't really look into the boys Nonchalantly, she turned back and sat on her bench as the rest of the girls were left stuttering.
A few Tch's were heard, but it was expected. It was also the truth. She never really looked at the boys. She was just not interested, the same way she was not interested in having friends.
At that moment a drooping figure entered the class. A purple haired girl came in and threw herself on a desk sighing heavily.
I can't believe I got punished by that! She said out loud, earning a few giggles from the other group of girls from which she ran from.
What did you do this time?
I just sent a prank letter to a teacher saying that class was suspended!
Yeah, you'll get suspended that way! A few laughs were heard.
Yuiko sighed as she tuned off.
Classes ended and she got up quickly again. She was about to leave but noticed that the purple haired girl was sleeping and drooling all over her desk. She poked her.
Hey, classes are over. Get up
The girl's face lit up.
Oh really!? Thank god! She stood up like a rocket. Thank you so much! My name is Saigusa Haruka, but you can call me Haruchin, Haruchun, Haru-
Yuiko was leaving.
Hey wait!
Oh? Are you that interested in talking to me, girl?
Hey, I bumped into you the other day didn't I?
She might as well humor her. She might have a bit of fun that way.
You did, yes.
I'm so sorry! The student council was onto me! I swear if they catch me one more time they said they'd kick me out from school. It's only been a month!
What did this girl think about her life? Nothing. At least Yuiko thought that. How could someone live while not thinking about consequences? Is that even possible? Before she knew it, the girl had followed her around talking to her all the way to her dorm.
Thinking it had been an interesting talk, Kurugaya Yuiko told her.
Let's talk again some time
Haruka's expression was that of glee, as she nodded and called her Anego
Back to the same image of every afternoon. Nothing to do. She kept replaying the conversation with this girl called Haruka. Living without thinking about consequences. That would be pretty interesting... No fears. And the girl looked quite happy, but then again most girls look happy doing what they like. If this Haruka liked to create chaos, then that'd be her game... but Yuiko was definitely not happy. Would trying another's philosophy make her a bit more happy?
Only one way to find out...
She went out of her room, kendo in hand. And walked decisively to the gym, once again under the stares of a few of her classmates and dormmates. She banged the doors of the gym open and shouted
I want a match!
The noise she created was so loud that it took a few seconds for the kendo club to compose itself. Kendo always took the afternoon period of the gym, and it was one of the most revered clubs in the school. The look of most of the students was of disbelief, as thought a madman had entered the room. It could be partially true as Yuiko was definately going to have fun, one way or another.
A petite girl sitting on the stands next to her told her that she was being rude to the kendo club, her answer? All part of the plan.
Is no one willing to take on a girl with a kendo? She asked abit more loud as the club was about to resume their practice.
Listen, princess, we're a club and we're training. If you want to look at the kendo practice then feel free to sit on the stands
I never knew this club which is so revered in school would back down from a challenge
Silence. Utter silence. Yuiko's plan worked, as the teacher in charge shouted something.
Kengo! Get over here
A boy that was in kendo clothes stopped and looked up.
You're going to fight against this kid, Kurugaya-san
It wasn't that surprising that the teacher knew who she was, more so when her grades were so high. It might be the only reason why she was being tolerated right now. Kurugaya was surprised when she realized that the so called Kengo was the boy that the other girls had been talking about earlier today, and recalled that they had said that he was in the club. Time to prove his worth then.
A few minutes of pointers and the match was almost ready to start. A small crowd had gathered on the stands now, but it was mostly the kendo members choosing to watch the fight.
It should be pretty even, as this kid should only have been playing with a kendo for a month. Not much more than me.
Kurugaya never expected that Kengo was the rising star of the team, so she had to go all out. And even then it wasn't enough. But the instant the match ended in Kengo's favor the head of the club rushed over to her and pleaded... begged that she join.
She had to politely decline, because she was never interested in joining. She just wanted to pass time, and she did that alright. Going back home with a smile on her face for the first time since she got into school, a real smile, made her a bit happy inside. Maybe Haruka wasn't so wrong after all.
Yuiko was reading a small novel on her break, without leaving her classroom. Mathematics were not a problem to her, and not to be a bother to the other classmates who were actually studying she just chose to read. Kengo approached her.
Kurugaya-san, if you don't mind me asking
The class grew quiet. She knew what Kengo would want to know, it was obvious. But not to the rest of the class, who didn't even hear about her escapade yesterday.
Sure, kendo boy. Ask away.
Where did you learn to use a kendo like that?
Kurugaya smiled.
I have a knack for learning things fast. I watched my father do a bit and I learned it
Kengo's face was unreadable. He might have been exeriencing many things at once like awe, fear and envy, but nothing showed. He bowed.
I'm very thankful for the match yesterday. It was enlightening
I thank you for the fun match
Kurugaya went back to her novel.
Author's notes: This fic will be split into two chapters. It's not a romance fic. It's a fic trying to explain Anego's behaviour. It'll be way more clear to the VN players, and the people who stumble across this after Little Busters! Ended.
I hope you enjoyed it, chapter 2 will come soon!
Arturia Polaris (EX: Niker)
|2012-12-01, 22:36
|Link #13
Operation sneaky sneaks
IT Support
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Hic et ubique
The characterisation is definitely the strongest point about your work: their interactions flows naturally together as it did in the anime and gives me an impression of watching them in my minds' eye.
Building upon Vexx's comments, ambience does wonders in accentuating the mood in a moment, especially with regards to lighting and weather. The lighting is also affected by the time of day, which in turn lends itself to strengthening a moment. With this in mind, descriptions of the environment do not have to permeate the entire work: the occasional mention in an establishing paragraph will do wonders.
I most certainly enjoyed reading this chapter and look forward to the next chapter
|2012-12-04, 01:05
|Link #14
Good OP Hunter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Argentina
Tari Tari: "Past and Present" Chapter 3
Tari Tari: Past and Present
Chapter 3: Let's smile, and cry, and try to sing, and...
Author's;Notes: I don't really have that much to say about this chapter other than I hope you'll like it. I'm getting lots of wonderful reviews about this work and I honestly didn't expect it to be so well recieved, what with Tari Tari not being the most popular show around... but I'm glad you like it.
Anyways, enjoy your chapter 3!
Sawa threw her phone in her bag. The last thing she needed was her mother constantly reminding her of what needed to be done. It rang again.
Mom, I told you I know I hav- Yeah... Yeah. Ok, bye
Sheesh, she really ticked her off sometimes. She felt a hand on her shoulder, offering what little help she needed. Konatsu was really there for her, even in the toughest of times. The night they all shared on Sawa's house was still fresh in their memories, even though it was two weeks ago and it was almost time for Sawa to leave... for good.
Excuse me Sawa opened the sliding door and was greeted by the afternoon atmosphere of the teacher's room, the orange tinted whiteboard bearing the several appointments for teachers... and a small note said Okita Sawa, picking up everything. A sad smile was on the face of the principal as he realized that Sawa was the first of the last graduates from this school to leave. Sawa bowed politely as she was handed two folders.
She exited the room bowing once again, and then exhaled like she'd never done before. Wakana, Wien and... Taichi were all waiting for both of them outside the room, all wearing sad faces. Wien, manly as ever was on the verge of tears as well.
This was the last day that Sawa was going to come to school. The rest had 1 month left on their semesters, but Sawa... Sawa was leaving. Both folders in her hands were proof of that. She would graduate with the rest of the group, the marks didn't really matter. Not to her anyways, and not to her parents and much less to her friends.
The group got out of school under utter silence, just their steps being heard. Was this sadness? Pity? Anger? Apathy? She turned around and looked at her school. She knew it by heart. She knew exactly how it would look at this time of day, she knew everything about it. It was her home.
A few tears came out. But not hers. The petite blonde sniffed and tried to conceal it, but everyone else felt the same way. No one would think less of Konatsu, not today. Sawa embraced the little girl, and everyone else did the same. A big group hug.
Taichi was across from Sawa, but both avoided each other's gaze. It was for the best really.
Sawa looked down. Konatsu... I told you not to cry unable to hold herself any longer. I told you not to cry...
Konatsu couldn't even make a coherent sound.
Sawa, do you need these shorts?
Mom, for the last time. She dropped her bundle of shirts on the bed I know what I'm doing! She started stuffing things into her bag rather irritably. She remembered that she had left a pair of boots somewhere around here, but she couldn't for the love of Sabure find them. And they were her favorite boots as well.
Mom! Have you seen my boots? She eventually yelled down the hall
I'm washing them! You might as well fly with them!
Thanks! She called back. Her bags were done three days ago, but she kept taking things in and then putting them back in. She wanted to make sure that she had everything she needed when she made her way to the unknown... It wasn't really the unknown that scared her, but being alone. She'd always had someone to rely on, be it her mother, her father... even Sabure. Sabure had been a good friend to her. Say what you will, she loved that horse.
Sawa made her way outside and into the stables where Sabure was kept. It was quietly sleeping, a sight she was more than used to. She leaned on the wall and looked at the sleeping horse from afar, letting it sleep peacefully. Truth was that she was scared out of herself, and the only thing that could bring her back to some sort of peace was this.
Sabure... I'm going to be riding other horses for a while... She at the horse sleeping quietly If you can hear me, tomorrow I will only be able to say a quick goodbye to you... I just wanted to say that you're the best horse a girl could ask for. She sighed and made her way over to Sabure's fence. I won't be seeing you for a while... I know that you are not good with the others, but please try to be good
Sabure grunted, which made Sawa laugh.
If you were listening you might as well have said it... She looked to the side when something caught her eye. That was where Taichi was leaning. Soon her face went all red and her hands started shaking a bit as she recalled that day. A smile got on her face. Who would have thought it'd end this way... everything
Just a year ago she was entering school normally, thinking about getting better with Sabure, going to school, talking to Konatsu... maybe a do a few things here and there... Get a boyfriend... enroll in university. How off could she had been?
Well it's not that off... Remembering Taichi made her go all red, but since no one was really seeing her... Say... I never really got to give him that letter... Knowing herself, she wouldn't give him the letter personally. A letter is not meant to be given personally anyways, she told herself. She went back into her house thinking of how she could give-
She rushed back to her room and threw her bag aside once she grabbed the letter and a pencil. Running back to the stable, she had a great idea. She threw the letter under some hay and wrote Taichi on the wall, a small arrow pointing downward. Her mother wouldn't come in here often, and if her father came in he would honestly miss it unless he was looking for it specifically. Now... the problem was getting this letter to him. Or having him get it.
That would have to wait... she had enough time to ponder it in her sleep.
Which of course, she wouldn't be able to get. Her mind took it a priority to give Sawa a movie of her life, as it started replaying her life here in this town. She remembered how she met Konatsu, the little girl. She let out a small laugh. Honestly...
It was at night on the beach, Sawa was just 11 as she was going around in a bicicle coming back from a friend's house when she spotted a petite figure staring out into the sea. Konatsu was still wearing her school uniform and she was singing to the sea. Sawa laughed as she stopped and honestly rubbed her eyes. Getting down to the beach and approaching the girl, she realized that she also knew the song. Why not, she told herself, and started singing as well.
The girl was startled but kept singing. It was the start of her friendship.
Wakana... she'd only met her this year together with the rest, and Sawa knew that she wasn't a bad person at all. Just a little introverted... okay, maybe a bit too much. But she got along fine after a few weeks. I'll always remember the day Konatsu and I had to sing in front of an auditorium and Wakana helped us with the piano.
Wien, was a very good friend. Too bad she couldn't get to know him better. She was sure that he was a very good person as well, not only a good friend. She'd try to stay in contact with him.
Taichi. If Sawa didn't see something coming was a relationship like that this year. Granted, he is somewhat of a dork, but a lovable dork. She wasn't really expecting anything, to happen but it did. It was all in a rush and she didn't want it to be that way, but circumstances happened. She wouldn't regret it though, at least she hoped so.
Sabure... Would always be in her heart. Of course, it's not a final goodbye. She was doing this so she could be with Sabure forever. The little thing was so adorable when it was little and now if Sawa wasn't around he'd be a bit... cranky. Sabure developed some sort of crush on Sawa, as it grew to like her more than the rest of the family. Her friends had to be careful around Sabure because without Sawa he'd be a bit cranky on them. I have to remember to warn them...
Sawa got off the cab after her mother. She saw two other cabs pull up behind them dropping the rest of the group. Surprisingly no one wore a sad face. All the sadness was already gone. Only smiles. It was kind of an anti-climax that everyone was smiling... but perhaps it was for the best.
Sawa wouldn't have been able to do it had everyone been sad. But everyone was happy. This was actually for her. They were just sad because they wouldn't see her for a while, but they were extremely happy because she was doing something that was calling for her. She had to do this for her future, and for them it was just the path she had chosen and they had to be with her at this time.
She had already done the check in and after they all had a small tea/coffee... it was finally time to say goodbye. Sawa was walking towards passport control when she halted... the moment had come.
She turned around. She hadn't halted because she wanted to. Konatsu had grabbed her clothing looking at the floor. She knew her well enough to know that her eyes were full of tears already...
Sawaaa! She cried and threw herself on Sawa who smiled apologetically as she stroked her hair. She looked up and saw Wakana wearing a smile but tears threatening to leave her as well. However she kept her distance. This moment was for the two of them alone.
Take care, Sawa. As strong a voice as a teary girl can do... but those words dripped honey. She really meant it. Sawa nodded and told her to take care as well. Wien was also on the verge of tears and looked to the duo of girls with a smile.
Taichi on the other hand was looking to the side, hands on his pockets, trying not to show weakness. Wakana walked over to Konatsu and told her it was time, as she placed a hand on her arm... saying that it was really time to let go.
The little girl was really a kid, but she loved her. She looked at Wakana and thanked her mentally before waving a few last words at her parents. She turned around and started walking a sad expression hidden from the rest of the group.
A manly voice called out to her. She tried to compose herself as much as possible before turning around slowly to face Taichi. He looked decisive... the same as that day.
Sawa... I just wanted to say... That it was really fun knowing you... and that I'll wait for you to get back. A hint of red showing up on his cheeks as she started saying this, he couldn't even look at her in the eye.
Sawa was sad. She knew that this was exactly why she didn't want anything to happen between them... as a bit of red came to her as she remembered the little memory she would treasure from him. But now wasn't the time to be sad. Not in this last moment they'd see each other for a while.
It was really fun to know you... I'll just focus on my studies to be a jockey, so don't worry She said with a smile.
Taichi's face just reflected his shock to hear this. She just hoped it was enough as she turned around and raised an arm, without looking, and started waving it, telling the group goodbye without looking at them. She honestly didn't want to look at them any more. Not with those sad faces. It'd be much easier to turn around and hug them all... but she was doing this for herself, and everyone was helping her achieve this.
Instead, she started humming the song that they had all created. She had really liked the song, and the rest of the group would be with her as long as she didn't forget them.
Author's;Notes: And this concludes my work! I hope that you enjoyed this little trip I took through Tari Tari. I really loved this anime, it was heartwarming... and in this age of cold hearts we can always use a bit more heartwarming moments.
I just want to say thanks to everyone who read this far, and I hope you'll stick with me through my other works!
Also, for extra impact, go and listen to the Tari Tari ending right now. It'll put a smile on your face.
Arturia Polaris
|2012-12-04, 01:20
|Link #15
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 61
I think you write really well - it'd be interesting to see what you could do with original fiction. Small warning: be sure and invent a story you really care about so you're just as interested as the reader in seeing what happens.
|2012-12-04, 22:04
|Link #16
Operation sneaky sneaks
IT Support
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Hic et ubique
Arturia Polaris, keep on writing!
|2012-12-07, 00:52
|Link #17
Good OP Hunter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Argentina
Tari Tari: "As the Gentle Breeze Blows..."
Tari Tari: As the Gentle Breeze Blows...
Author's;Notes: Once again I'm working on Tari Tari. I just find it has a lot of potential. This however, will be another short story. The story in a few words? Miyamoto Konatsu after. You can also read this after reading my other Tari Tari work, but that's just a suggestion. It can be read on it's own.
She had to run otherwise she'd be lat- well she was late anyways. Why was she always late to this!? She could hear her ragged breath as she was slowly getting exhausted. Why was the clubroom on the other side of the place everytime she realized she had to-
Out of the way!
Of course the girl walking through the hall had no time to even blink before the mini bulldozer crashed into her.
Before she knew it Konatsu somehow ended up with her legs propped up the wall and her back to the floor. Somehow she always ended up in this L shape.
They should call me the acrobatic shrimp or something... She muttered as she got up nursing her head and trying to get herself re-acquainted with the physical world, as she somehow went 4 dimentional on her crashes... and they were a lot of crashes
Konatsu... The ponytail bearer was also infected with the 4D capabilities of the petite blonde and was sprawled over the floor. ... really, warn me next time
Wakana!? She got in a pose ready to defend against any incoming punches... as if Wakana would get revenge. However the girl simply got up.
Let's head to the club, we're already late.
The girl came back to reality and started running, forgetting even about Wakana who just stared dumbstruck at the rushing figure. She was pretty certain she heard her crash on the next floor against something as well. She sighed as she slowly made her way through the school. It's not like they'd be doing much other than wasting time...
In a few minutes she arrived to the door of the club she now shared with 3 others, for one of the last times she slid open the door.
Yes! Tanaka just like that! It's perfect!
Shut up citrus head! Why do I have to do this anyways!?
Hey! Who's a citru- Whaaa Konatsu noticed the door opening and moved her feet instinctively.
Shrimp, stay still!
Miyamoto, stay still or you'll- Wien was also dragged into this apparently, but it was to no avail as Konatsu collapsed and hit the bookshelf after the other two lost their footing, and thus went Konatsu's footing. The bookshelf was angry apparently and bounced back at the three who were sprawled all over the floor.
Tanaka it's going to fall! DO SOMETHING!
Why did you have to do- his retort was cut short by a huge thundering noise, and a matching cloud of dust exploded out of the room, hitting Wakana face on.
Honestly, even in these last days you have to give me problems... The vice principal sighed as the group told her about the little problem they had. The bookshelf had collapsed on top of the three but no real harm was done, other than an explosion like a bomb going off during some exams at school and startling everyone. It always is you... She looked at Konatsu with a sad smile.
Of course, Konatsu had been behind the huge debacle last year, the one with the choir which got her out of it in the first place. Who was she to blame though? She got nervous... That's all. She had gone through a lot of special training and she now knew how to control her nerves. This year was just proof of that.
Go, just stay out of trouble... and clean that place. I don't want to have the school demolished in anything other than prime condition...
Wien and Wakana bowed, even though it wasn't their fault. Well at least not Wakana's. Taichi was about to bow, but he had a hint that...
But we were jus-
Bow, you shrimp. Taichi uttered as he got a hand on her head and forced her to bow, also doing it in the process.
But- I- Konatsu tried to resist the forced bowing, almost like a little girl.
... She struggled all the way.
Once they were back in the club room, they had gone about their usual stuff, which at this point was resting because they were all knee deep on their futures. Wakana was studying music, Taichi had to cram for univeristy exams, Wien was... being Wien...
And what about her? Konatsu really didn't know what she'd do with her life. She had done this whole choir-badminton club thing so she could somehow escape the whole idea of her leaving this school and going to university. She didn't even know what she would study... and that made her a bit mad.
What is it now, citrus head
Who's the citrus head!? She grabbed her hair, sure it was a bit orange but...
I'm trying to study here, so if you please...
... She sulked and sat on her chair, saying nothing and grabbing her knees. After a while, she noticed that no one was going to ask her what was wrong.
Why isn't anyone asking me what's wrong!?
Why would we?
Shut up, or I'll call Sawa And with that, Taichi shut up.
What's wrong Miyamoto? Wien asked, he was drawing something on a piece of paper... a musical note.
She's annoyed because she hasn't chosen a university yet Taichi chipped in.
That's it, I'm calling Saw-
Taichi got up and tried to stop her from grabbing her phone.
Miyamoto, don't worry about that... I don't even think I'll go on with university.
The whole room quieted down, Taichi looked at Wien in utter surprise.
You're really not going to university Wien? Wakana was also in surprise. She remembered how Wien had no real plans a while back... it apparently had not changed. She had found plans however... Then what are you going to do?
Wien relaxed his pose and laid back on the chair, putting his arms on his head. I don't know... my family wants me to go back to Austria for a while, think of things
The room quieted down for a few seconds.
But you'll find Jan surely! Konatsu ever the optimist Surely!
I hope so! Wien immediately got up
Let's both do our best, Wien! For the sake of the choir and sometimes badminton club!
Yes! Let's! Wien and Konatsu made an overly exagerated pose and got a banner out of who knows where... Just another day... for one of the last times.
Konatsu found herself on the floor of her room, this time, her legs rested on the bed in a voluntary L shape. She rested her head on her huge fish doll as she always did when she had to think.
Onee-chan Her brother came in as always without knocking. Not that he had to knock, unlike herself. He threw a magazine at her and left.
Hey! She got up At least say hi when you come in my room! She had grabbed the arm of her little sibling who looked dumbstruck
You heard me! When you come in you say hi at least! Or I'll tell mom what's on your compu-
OK OK! He desperately bowed I'll say hi from now on!
Konatsu crossed her arms and started tapping her foot thinking the situation. When she thought it was enough pretend, she said that he'd better do it and left back to her room. Going back to her old position, she grabbed the magazine.
Bored, she looked at the designer clothes for this comi-
She threw her magazine and rushed out of the room and tackled her brother.
What's your problem!?
You're a genius!
She got off her brother and rushed off to her mother to tell her the news.
First day of college and she was all alone. She had no idea of what to expect, but that was for the best. After all, her style was not meditating things. She was thankful enough that she was not running late to the first class of all.
In fact, she had gotten there an hour early just in case. She was sitting on a bench drinking a small bottle of tea as a way to pass time. In fact she was extremely tired as she hadn't gotten any sleep last night, thinking of what she could wear, what she had to take there. Her brother had even come three times to her room to tell her to calm down as she was freaking out over what to wear, so to calm herself she put her headphones on and started singing... at 3:00 AM. Yeah, her brother wasn't really happy.
She double checked everything sitting on the bench, as though she could do anything about it if she had forgotten something, just to pass time. She was starting to miss Sawa, Wakana, Wien and even that stupid Tanaka. She had a lot of fun tho-
Huh...? Konatsu was fairly sure that someo- Uwah! She had heard someone. A brunette stood next to her looking very excited. H-How can I help you?
Y-You probably don't know me, Miyamoto-san, but I went to school with you. The girl looked like she was trying to force herself to speak. I really liked what you did with the Shirosai
The girl didn't really ring a bell, but Konatsu was more than happy to talk to someone. Oh you were there? Tell me, tell me! What did you like about it?
Before she knew it, they had gone over the entire opera she had played with her friends. This girl had really liked it and was really glad to talk to her in person, and as it turns out, they were both studying the same thing. The girl left after a while saying that she had to find a friend who was also enrolling with her into design school, and also for a cup of coffee as she was also a non-sleeper.
It was almost time for the first class so Konatsu found her way to the classroom, which was huge. She had space to sit down all alone and comfortable, and also get a great view of the class. She also spotted the other girl sitting on one of the front rows, looking at her and waving a small 'hi' at her.
She yawned. The class was interesting alright, but she was pretty tired. Thank god it had ended but she would have to get a cu-
Miyamoto-san! It was the girl from earlier, with her friend. Have you picked a club yet?
Eh? She had to fire up her brain once again No, not yet...
The girl was holding a piece of paper which she put in front of her. How about this? Join us!
Konatsu grabbed the paper... it read: 'Drama and Choir club'
She smiled as her time at school flashed back in a second, and a whole new start for her came into view.
Author's;Notes: And this is a small extra for Konatsu! Hope you enjoyed my view on what could have been a bit more content from her in the anime. Hope you enjoyed it! And if you did, drop by in the comments/reviews and say so!
Arturia Polaris
|2013-01-22, 12:40
|Link #18
Good OP Hunter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Argentina
I just wanted to let everyone know that I've begun work on one light novel of my own creation! I even got a friend of mine to draw illustrations for the characters.
Expect a 30K work, and expect a slice of life
|2013-03-06, 09:33
|Link #20
Good OP Hunter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Argentina
Sword Art Online: Vanquishing of the Laughing Coffin
Sword Art Online: Vanquishing of the Laughing Coffin
May 2024
35th Floor Miche
Meeting at dusk in a lost street of a town on one of the middle floors that is completely forgotten was never his style, but he had no choice. The Laughing Coffin put the terms of the meeting and you had to accept them or decline them, no negotiations. He was not regretting the choice he had made for getting revenge when he saw three players in black robes, faces covered by a shadow. These guys were serious. It had taken forever to track down the Laughing Coffin just for a small work like this, being a nobody in Aincrad.
He had to save up for a couple of months just to meet the fees the Coffin put forth when he contacted them. However it would all soon be worth it. He was finally going to get the revenge he wanted.
Target. A rusty voice broke the dark silence of midnight.
Target. The voice repeated itself. It's existence was something wrong in so many levels it made him twitch. The voice was croaky as though it was thirsting for blood.
Right... target. Target is 'Laira'. She's on flo-
A thud bounced off the walls... actually his body also bounced off the walls. When he realized that he was face up on the floor, a longsword piercing his heart, his HP bar ran out.
It will be done The voice ruptured the air waves one last time.
May 2024
55th Floor Grandum
Asuna held her head against the back of the seat. Although she had volunteered for the job, she found it extremely tiring. So much sadness was not what she needed to clear her head from the horrors of the frontlines. Heathcliff suggested that she take care of the bounties department in her off-time as a way to clear her head. Normally bounties would only be handled by the new players in the guild and all she did was listen to the serious issues.
This was serious, just last night there had been a murder on the 35th floor, and a killing of 5 people on floor 21, and there's reports of players spotting hooded figures walking to the teleport out of the area. Hoods would obviously point to an orange guild. Maybe a message to someone? But why would they kill someone if they want to send him a message? Maybe the message is to someone else?
Vice Commander, what should we do?
For now, try to get the newspaper to comment on the events. We need to raise awareness about killings escalating. Also... tell them we're looking to find the ones responsable
The guild member bowed and walked briskly out of the office.
She held her fingers together and brought up her friends list, just to check out where Kirito was walking right now. Apparently he was not walking, but sleeping. Of course, it was still early, but that slack sometimes annoyed her to no end. She remembered the events earlier that year when they had to solve the problem behind the murders on safe areas which ended with Kirito confront-
Before she knew it she was walking up and down the office.
Cloaks, hooded figures, moving in groups of 3... Everything points to the Laughing Coffin. She frowned. It was no hard evidence, it was all circumstancial, but she just had a hunch it might be spot on. Only they would just go around killing 4 players like that for fun.
She walked up to Heathcliff's office, he had to be informed of this event. He was always extremely worried about every player in the world. It was almost as though he was the father of them all. Asuna thought it was an excellent trait of leadership, being so paternal to everyone even those who he didn't meet or had no connection to. He treated every member of the guild with extreme trust and was a mentor to everyone. Maybe he would be able to bring some light to this problem.
Oh, Vice Commander, what brings you here? Heathcliff took his usual serious face after quickly turning off his menu display.
Chief... we have a bit of a situation developing, it's not nice
After explaining to him her thoughts on the matter, he sat with a frown on his face, as if deep in thought.
Thank you for concerning yourself Vice Commander, I trust you on this matter. He said, and with that he concluded the subject.
Asuna bowed and walked out, however he had one last message.
Keep me posted on this matter, please And with that, he opened his guild leader interface and went on with his work. Asuna bowed again and closed the door.
Asuna met up with two guildmates and gave them two specific commands. One was to follow a lead on one player they knew was from the Laughing Coffin and try to follow them. The other was to find out if anyone would have wanted those 4 poor players dead.
Results came in pretty soon as it was found out that those 4 players were just walking around and they were just preyed on for fun, and the one who died alone could have been a suicide for all she knew. Nothing there... She was totally stumped, and decided to drop the matter until results came from her other informant.
Except they didn't arrive. Not even the informant. Something was odd about this, no messages were answered either.
The next day came with grim news, as it was found out that there was 3 more deaths. A couple of players who were in love... and her informer was also gone.
Author's;Notes: This is the prologue to my new fanfiction. It's just a small tease of what's to come. Keep in mind it'll be a short story of at most 3 chapters (excluding the prologue) all about the crusade that was formed against the Laughing Coffin, the player killing guild of Aincrad. It is stated that the guild is destroyed in a massive battle with big casualties on both sides. My objective is to depict what the event was, according to my head.
The story is already planned out and it'll only be a matter of writing it out, which shouldn't take too long.
Arturia Polaris
|anime, fanfic, fanfiction, little busters!, romance, slice of life, tari tari, visual novel
|Thread Tools


text:
Renault and Ferrari out-spent by Mercedes
Recently departed Renault F1 boss Jean-Michel Jalinier says the struggling French marque was out-spent as the sport entered its new V6 era.
Dominant with Red Bull at the tail-end of the long normally-aspirated 'engine' era, Renault has struggled against the new might of Mercedes as the German company mastered its first 'power unit' for 2014.
Frenchman Jalinier, former president and managing director, retired for "personal reasons" last month, but his departure was also interpreted amid Renault's restructuring as it looks to return to top form in 2015 and beyond.
But Jalinier said the pecking order in 2014 is more about Renault and Ferrari's conventional approach to the new regulations versus a dramatic turn for Mercedes.
"When Ferrari and Renault are getting similar results, and Mercedes has a significant advantage, the first thing is to look at the level of investment," he told the French magazine Auto Hebdo.
"At Renault the same level of investment was maintained, while Mercedes raised the bar very high, investing a lot of money, resources and technology," said Jalinier.
"As a result, they were much better prepared than us and the Italians who have operated at the known and practiced levels of investment.
"In the paddock," he continued, "you did hear about these enormous and - in our view - disproportionate investments by Mercedes, but do you believe these rumours or not?
"In the end it was true. In terms of resources used for this project, it is clear that Ferrari and us invested far less," said Jalinier.
"We are 320 people at Viry, but together with the chassis and the engine there were up to 1,250 at Mercedes. With those resources, it is obvious that you are not confined to one solution but can go with two or even three in parallel during the development phase," he said.
"This is a powerful force to achieve the right solution."
Renault has been heavily criticised by its formerly title-dominant premier team partner Red Bull amid the 2014 'crisis', but Jalinier insists that "with the means available, we completed the project entirely correctly".
However, he does admit that Renault should have adopted the Mercedes-like approach of optimising a single 'power unit' package, rather than offering customised solutions to teams like Red Bull and Lotus.
"The advantage of Mercedes was to have an optimised version of the chassis and engine specifically for Mercedes GP, their own team, that was used as is by the client teams or adapted to their own needs at their own risk," said Jalinier.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Group Discussions
What is your fav movie house?Subscribe
Okay, I'll start. Every Xmas I rewatch Sleepless in Seattle, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that houseboat. All that natural wood trim and comfy furniture in neutrals. I would love a house like that!Flag as inappropriate Posted by Diane on 20th December 2007
Well I love Sleepless in Seattle too but I also like the family home in While you Were Sleeping. And what about the house in Lake House? Mmmmm now let me think...ha! ha!Flag as inappropriate Posted by Mary Jane on 21st December 2007
I kinda like that hut in Blue Lagoon...not to mention the weather that came with it.....Flag as inappropriate Posted by tkd_mama on 21st December 2007
My favorite is The Family Man with Nicolas Cage. He is so cute to me. I love it becaue it shows a glimse of this wallstreet business man turning into a husband and father and I love Te'a Leona I think I misspelled her name .Flag as inappropriate Posted by Shelly on 20th March 2008
HELLO Dear
Nice to meet you ( [email protected] ) My Name is Laurita,I came across your profile,. and I will love you to contact me on my e-mail address ( [email protected] ) so that I will tell you more about myself.Please, write me on my e-mail address or you sent me your e-mail address, so that I can send you my pictures as soon as you respond .
yours Laurita Kiss,,Flag as inappropriate Posted by babylove on 5th August 2011


text:
Microwave Interstitial Tumor Ablation: New Modality for Treatment of Liver CancerS. Maini[1] , A. Marwaha[1] , and S. Marwaha[1]
[1] Department of Electrical & Instrumentation Engineering, SLIET , Longowal (Deemed University), Punjab
Hyperthermia is newly back in the interest of both, clinical and research oncologists, because of its properties to directly produce permanent damages of the treated tumors and to elicit important immunological responses against cancer cells by changing their immunogenicity. Microwave ablation is used in the treatment of primary and secondary tumors of the liver. Microwave antennas suitable for hyperthermia needs to be properly designed in order to deliver electromagnetic energy into the tumor tissue with minimal irradiation of healthy tissue Interstitial antennas are used to elevate the temperature of cancer tissues located deep inside of patient's body. A microwave generator produces microwaves, typically around 2.45 GHz, with 60 W power. Under anesthesia, thin needle electrodes are inserted into the body, usually under ultrasound guidance. A typical treatment cycle takes 60 s, where full power is applied. This produces a lesion of about 2 cm diameter. Treatment is repeated typically three times a week, until the entire tumor is ablated. To obtain the solution for equations of EM deposition inside biological systems, it is required to choose a calculation method. Because human body models have complex geometry, with region of different characteristics, and for this a numerical method has to be employed.


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I have set up a DVB-T recorder and player based on Debian GNU/Linux, VDR and the plugins vdr-softdevice and vdr-subtitles. The most important modifications I have made will be available here until they have been included in the official releases.
VDR 1.5.1 includes rewritten shutdown logic by Udo Richter. He has also prepared a patch against VDR 1.4. I have adapted VDR some plugins to take advantage of his patch, to suspend the output when the system is running unattended.
Please note that the global variable
was renamed to
when Udo Richter's patch version 0.4 was applied to VDR
1.5.1. The following patches require VDR 1.5.1 or Udo Richter's patch version 1.0 or later
This is the preferred way of suspending the output, and it is
incompatible with my
Suspend patch, which is available for
historical reasons.
This section is available for historical reasons. The preferred solution is Udo Richter's shutdown rewrite.
The vdr-softdevice plugin can be
configured to suspend and resume video and audio playback at run time.
This is useful if the system is running unattended, because it saves
processing power (possibly reducing the need for cooling) and avoids
crashes due to bugs in the decoder, possibly triggered by bad input
signal. Because of technical limitations of the plugin interface, I
wrote a patch to introduce a
suspend flag in VDR itself.
After you have applied the patch, recompile vdr and plugins.
The patch introduces three
Miscellanous menu items.
The Booleans
Power button suspends playback and
Playback suspended should be self-explanatory. The
Suspend to shutdown timeout (s), is 0 by default,
meaning that no shutdown will be initiated when playback is suspended
by pressing the
Power button. If you would like to use the
Power button as a smart power-off button that works in any
context, set this timeout to a suitable value, e.g., five seconds.
Should you only want to suspend playback and not power the system off,
you can press
Power followed by
OK. The latter
button-press will confirm the
Press any key to cancel shutdown
prompt if one is presented. (If any timed recordings are in progress,
the prompt will be presented after they have finished, unless the
shutdown was cancelled by pressing any button.)
Be sure to use vdr 1.3.32 or later, because otherwise a long press
of the button will confirm any
Press any key to cancel shutdown
prompt. If you are using the DirectFB output of the vdr-softdevice plugin, be
sure to use recent versions of both (DirectFB 0.9.23 or later
and vdr-softdevice 0.1.3 or later), or key-repeat events will be
misreported as key-press events.
You may also want to map the ACPI power-button event to the command
HITK Power.
#define VDR_SUSPEND to
config.h, so that plugins can check the presence
cStatus::SetSuspend(bool) with
#ifdef SUSPEND_PATCH tests have been removed
in order to remove binary incompatibility with plugins
depending on
cStatus or
cStatus::SetSuspend(bool)that can be monitored by plugins. Thus, relay control can be efficiently implemented in a plugin.
Powerbutton to the suspend function, and it makes the
suspendflag accessible in VDR setup. The
--suspend and
--relay options have been
suspendflag can be toggled by pressing a
Suspendbutton introduced by this patch. The command line option
--suspend can be used to
specify the initial value of the flag (default 0, i.e., not
suspended). Optionally, there will be a
option for specifying a serial interface connected to a solid-state relay
(default none, i.e., no relay control).
cDevice::Action() will read live stream from the tuner
and supply it only to
cRecording threads. It would be
better to turn off the tuner completely if no recordings are in
full featuredtuner cards with built-in video decoder may do so too.
kPower event when the output is suspended by the user,
it could perhaps replace this patch.
By connecting a solid-state relay to the VDR system, it is possible to power on the monitor and speakers only when playback is not suspended.
As there are too many ways to connect a relay to the computer, it
is not appropriate to implement relay interfaces in VDR itself. The
vdr-relay plugin connects the
suspend flag to the serial
interface driving a solid-state relay.
runvdr script for the plugin.
Initially, playback is suspended unless the system was
powered on by remote control.
vdr-shutdown script for programming the nvram-wakeup
timer for scheduled recordings.
cx88: do not misreport key-repeat events
as key-press: linux-2.6.13-cx88-repeat.patch, linux-2.6.14-cx88-repeat.patch
When testing the range of the remote control unit bundled with my Hauppauge Nova-T PCI 90002, I noticed that the input event interface will report multiple key-press events when a key is being pressed and the connection to the infrared receiver module is interrupted for longer than 120 milliseconds. This may be the right solution for keys for which key-repeat is natural, such as volume level adjustment controls, but most keys in VDR should not repeat.
This patch will ignore repeat codes that arrive after the key-release event has been delivered. The drawback is that when the infrared connection is interrupted while a repeat key is being pressed, no event will be delivered for the key until it is released and pressed again, to flip the RC5 toggle bit.
The ultimate solution would be to rewrite
so that it would translate infrared code frames to key-press or
key-repeat events like
av7110_ir.c does, instead of
relying on the repeat timer magic in
input.c. Currently,
if a key is pressed in rapid succession, the driver will incorrectly
deliver key-repeat events instead of key-press events, asynchronously
to the actual real-world key-press events. Key-release events would
still be delivered after a timeout.
cx88: map RC5 frames to key-press or
key-repeat events: linux-18.104.22.168-cx88_input.patch, linux-188.8.131.52-cx88_input2.patch
These are experimental patches to
cx88-input.c and
ir-common.c that map RC5 infrared code frames to
key-press or key-repeat events. These patches, based on ideas taken from
av7110_ir.c, are likely to break things for other users of
ir-common.c. The remote control decoder logic should be
refactored, and more of the logic should be moved to
ir-common.c. For instance,
duplicates much of the code in
With the first patch, there is no delay between the key-press and the first key-repeat event. The second patch discards the first repeated frame, so that key-repeat events are less likely to be generated accidentally.


text:
Choosing a home inspector can be a nervous undertaking especially if you have no one to ask so as to get a referral to one. When choosing a home inspector try to find a home inspector that has system to what he or she does.
Most people have heard the horror stories of home inspectors that arrive late, are dressed like they just woke up or recently crawled out from underneath a car, and spend only 45 minutes or so at a house and claim that they are done. Often these inspectors use a sloppy hand written report and still leaves questions. I have read home inspection reports that provide little useful information.
When Habitation Investigation arrives for a home inspection, they arrive a few minutes early and wearing a pair of clean khaki pants, and a clean blue shirt. A tool pouch and computer are carried in to the home and set up in the kitchen where the notes on the home inspection will be entered into the computer and the reporting software. The home is then inspected in a sequence that aids in locating issues such as water leaks.
Habitation Investigation has a system and a sequence to the inspection process. The use of the computer and the report writing software allows for consistency and detail in the comments regarding the inspection findings. The report system also has the areas and systems of the house tabbed to ensure that each area is completed.
My typical home inspection takes 2.5 to 3 hours at the home to complete. After this time I will return to my office to place the digital images taken during the inspection in to the report. This makes the inspection report one of the most detailed around and the easiest to understand.
When searching for a home inspector be sure to select a person or company that has a system to help ensure consistent and high quality inspections. Finding a inspector that uses a computer and takes pictures as part of the inspection report also helps ensure that there is a system to the inspection process. There are several report writing programs available to home inspectors and are all decent. The biggest factor in if your home inspection experience will be positive or negative depends on the home inspector. It takes effort to do a thorough inspection, doing inspections is not a career for the lazy. Look for an inspector that has a good reputation, positive comments and a system to conduct the inspections.


text:
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Lawrence Capener was shaking hands with his fellow churchgoers at Sunday Mass, exchanging the traditional peace offerings when people next to him noticed something strange - his hands were quite sweaty and clammy. Then, as the choir began singing a hymn to wrap up Mass, the man bolted from his pew, ran to the choir area and started stabbing the choir leader and others, witnesses said.
Parishioners screamed and ran for cover and others, including the church flutist, tried to subdue him. Police said the assailant thought the choir members were members of a secret society.
The episode caused panic among church members such as 12-year-old Jordan Schalow and his mother, Valerie, who had just heard the pastor at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church read a Gospel message about the importance of loving everyone and had the recent bombing in Boston on their mind.
Jordan had told his mom earlier, "Thank God. I'm in church and nothing bad is going to happen here."
Valerie Schalow said her husband, Gerald, sat next to Capener during services and had noticed him acting nervously. When he shook Capener's hand, she said her husband found them to be very sweaty. "My husband even had to go wash his hands after that," Schalow said.
The random and violent attack by the knife-wielding Capener, 24, sparked confusion and fear in the Albuquerque Westside church as the choir started singing "Take My Hand, Precious Lord."
According to a criminal complaint released Monday, Capener vaulted over pews and lashed out at choir director Adam Alvarez, who had his back toward him.
"I saw what was happening and I yelled at my husband," said Schalow, who ran out of the church with her three children. "The guy had been acting strange during Mass."
The complaint said church flutist Gerald Madrid saw Alvarez being attacked and attempted to "bear hug" Capener to try and stop him. Madrid was then stabbed five times in his back by Capener, authorities said.
"I instinctively just dropped my flute and I rushed the guy," Madrid said. "I never saw a knife, but I just rushed him."
At least two others were injured in the attack, police said.
Capener later told police that he was "99 percent sure Alvarez was a mason" and that he thought Alvarez was involved in a conspiracy.
He told the investigator that Masons are a group involved "in a conspiracy that is far more reaching than I could or would believe."
Capener, whose mother is active in the church, said he stabbed the others who tried to subdue him because he thought they might be Masons, too.
Among those to subdue Capener was off-duty Albuquerque Fire Department Lt. Greg Aragon, who then helped treat patients after the attack, authorities said. He was also stabbed in the attack and was later treated at a hospital and released.
The affidavit said Capener apologized for stabbing the others after he was read his rights and agreed to speak to police.
Masons are a fraternal group involved in charity and other community activities, but many of their rituals and symbols are secret.
Capener was charged on three counts of aggravated battery and ordered held on $250,000 bail.
St. Jude Thaddeus' pastor, the Rev. John Daniel, said Capener's mother was "very active" in the parish and serves as a Eucharistic minister there.
"He was here occasionally but not very often," Daniel said.
Daniel said that Capener had just graduated from a community college and appeared to be doing well after getting a job. "I think he's been struggling for a while, maybe with some (mental) health issues," Daniel said.
Both Alvarez and Madrid remained hospitalized Monday and their families said the men were recovering from wounds that were described as not life-threatening.
Services at the 3,000-member church resumed Monday. Parishioners stopped to leave flowers, notes and candles outside the church and at the church's shrine dedicated to St. Jude, the church's namesake and the Catholic Patron Saint of "lost causes."
In Mass homilies throughout the day, Daniel said he compared St. Catherine of Siena, who worked for peace in 14th century Italy, with the power of forgiveness.
Robynn Madrid, whose husband Gerald Madrid was recovering from the attack, said despite the pain Capener caused, she's already forgiven him. "We're praying for his family," she said.
Spanish choir member Richard Aragon said he, too, is trying to show compassion and forgiveness, even though he had trouble sleeping the night after the stabbing. Aragon was preparing for the upcoming Spanish services when the attack began.
"There's nothing you can do. There's obviously something...he's touched or something," Aragon said. "It already happened. It's too late."


text: 5 innovative twists on Spring CleaningBy Kerry Abner, Special to CNNUpdated 9:32 AM ET, Fri March 29, 2013 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: 5 innovative twists on spring cleaningUsing Facebook photos to empty your closet – We all want to re-organize our closets and get rid of clothes, but none of us feel good about dragging a bag of clothes to the trash,right? By employing social media, the Stockholm City Mission in Sweden is hoping to save discarded treasures from the trash. Here's how it works: a Facebook app lets users tag photos with "you'll never wear that again," generating a collage of undesirable clothing that they can share on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to encourage others. The app also shows where people can drop off their goods. Hide Caption 1 of 5 Photos: 5 innovative twists on spring cleaningVertical farming helps feed urban dwellers – Here's something you don't see every day: An office building with fruits and vegetables growing from its windows. It's called vertical farming and proponents say it has the potential to bring more fresh food into urban areas. The Tokyo headquarters of Japanese staffing agency Pasona uses the concept to save energy and grow food for their employees in what design blog Inhabit has called the first "farm-to-desk" initiative of its kind. Innovating urban food production is directly rooted in the trend of sustainability, but what would it take for your company to go green like this?Hide Caption 2 of 5 Photos: 5 innovative twists on spring cleaningA public urinal that fertilizes urban greenery – Apparently, properly filtered urine can make a great plant fertilizer. I must've missed that part of science class. But Ohio-based industrial designer Eddie Gandelman says he has found a way to make peeing in public less embarrassing and more eco-friendly with his aptly named "When Nature Calls" urinal pod, which filters urine before delivering it to plants. Gandelman, an industrial designer for Priority Designs, created the concept while at the University of Cincinnati. The circular shape of the pods creates more privacy for users to "water the plants" than your average public bathroom urinal. They're also attached to planters so the filtered urine can water plants. For now, it's just a concept that has not been implemented anywhere, but which guy wouldn't love this?Hide Caption 3 of 5 Photos: 5 innovative twists on spring cleaningEco-friendly laudromat or nightclub? – What do you get when you cross being fresh with even fresher? A laundromat that looks like a club! Splash, a chain of self-service laundromats in Spain, are a far cry from your average dingy neighborhood washhouse. According to designer Frederic Perers, the eco-friendly cleaning center features steel surfaces that reflect orange tones on the opposite wall, serving as a "warm counterelement to the coldness of the metal." But will a club-like atmosphere really attract a younger clientele?Hide Caption 4 of 5 Photos: 5 innovative twists on spring cleaningSolar panels power playground add-ons – Say what you will about technology but it's certainly allowing children to grow up in a very interesting time. Who would have ever thought of swing-sets, slides and solar panels all in one space? A playground at the Charter School for Science and Technology in Louisiana powers solar add-ons like fans, water dispensers and illuminated inspirational phrases via 400 solar panels installed on the canopy. Energy company NRG Solar says the renewable energy provided by this setup reduces the school's energy usage by one-third. If that proves to be true, we'll probably be seeing more outdoor installations like this in the near future. Hide Caption 5 of 5Story highlightsCheck out some trends advancing the way we think of sustainable livingShare your thoughts in the comments belowPowered by Livefyre


text:
Subscribe To American Horror Story: Coven Premiere Watch: Top 5 Craziest Aspects Of 'Bitchcraft' Updates
I've already subscribed
When it's on the air, American Horror Story is probably my favorite show on TV, going above and beyond what cable television was previously capable of to exploit dozens upon dozens of historical atrocities all wrapped up in the rapidly woven web of horror tropes. Also, it's nice to see this revolving door cast of extremely talented actors and actresses pop in and out in new and diabolical ways. And so we descend below sea level to New Orleans, where American Horror Story: Coven is mostly set. Seeing as how this is all taking place in my neck of the woods, I couldn't be more pleased, even if nothing is done to show Louisiana in a positive light. At least we have all that racism and voodoo, right?
The storyline here is pretty simplistic on face value. Zoe Benson (Taissa Farmiga) is sent off to a witching boarding school called Mrs. Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies, run by Cordelia Foxx (Sarah Paulson), daughter of Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange), who is the all-powerful supreme witch. (Though supremeness doesn't come with humility or pride apparently.) Zoe is teamed with the sassy and vapid actress Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts), the clairvoyant Nan (Jamie Brewer) and human voodoo doll Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe).
Also, back in the day, Madame Delphine LaLaurie (Kathy Bates) kept and tortured slaves in order to make a concoction out of their pancreases that supposedly kept her looking young. Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett) is the vengeful lover to one of LaLaurie's latest victims, and she buries the woman alive.
It's no small feat for co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk to play these storylines off of each other, leveling it all out to make for an enjoyable hour of television. But they pulled it off with flying colors, with much help from the visual splendor of director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, responsible for some of the most memorable episodes of the series. All this, combined with an enchanting though sometimes disconcerting soundtrack, made for one pretty fantastic hour-and-twelve-minutes of television. So let's talk about the best parts, shall we?
My Top Five Favorite Bits
1. Kathy Bates turns a black man into a Minotaur. I mean, this has to be one of the ballsiest and most disturbing cold opens in TV history. Bates' exaggerated performance is reined in just enough to be delightfully hateful, and her choice to side with her slightly rapey daughter over the honest member of the help is all you need to know about her. But then she straps a bull's head to the man's body while overseeing his torture, and we know way more about this woman than seems possible in just a few minutes' time. That attic was frightening enough even before they tied the man up.
2. Zoe fucks people to death. It doesn't take much to remind me that last season's Asylum featured aliens, Nazis, demonic possession and crucifixion. Yet I still never thought Murphy and Falchuk would write a character that literally has sex with people until their brains explode and their faces bleed from every orifice. If anyone in TV is going to make "coma-rape" a buzz word, it's these guys. In as much as the whole "school for young adults with powers" aspect of this show is reminiscent of the X-Men, Zoe is most compatible to the untouchable Rogue, but with a vagina that attacks like Wolverine. We got to see it in use twice tonight, so I wonder how often it will come up. (Huh huh, come up.) Also, why weren't any hospital workers around during that coma-rape?
3. Fiona gets trashed to "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida." Jessica Lange was as superb as always throughout this episode, cigarette always in hand, but this one scene pretty much filled us in on her lack of self-confidence and her sizable fear of aging. Not that her asking to use a non-approved youth serum didn't already do that. And I love that this manic scene is followed by her sucking the life out of her doctor, which was extremely unsettling and goofy all at once.
4. Madison gets gang raped. Let me be clear here: this scene's subject matter wasn't cool, and I wouldn't use the word "favorite" to describe it. But I really like the way the scene played, showing a confused Zoe walking around the loud, populated house party and juxtaposing it with the mostly silent sexual abomination. While mildly sickening to watch these shitbags take videos of each other molesting a drugged up girl, it was a powerful and arguably non-gratuitous way to portray it. Also, all of them got what was coming to them when Madison flipped the bus. If only they hadn't all just gotten off before dying.
5. Fiona digs up Madame LaLaurie. I was rather bothered by the quick deaths of so many characters, even if most will be reappearing in one way or another. So I was especially happy when Nan was able to hear LaLaurie calling from her grave. All I wanted before seeing this episode was for Bates and Lange to chew some scenery together, and it looks like that's exactly what we'll be getting. Plus, LaLaurie has no idea of the modern world, and that's sure to play into the weird sense of humor that this show exudes.
Now let's all get in a circle, hold hands, and thank whatever snake-headed demon that American Horror Story is back in our lives. It's going to be quite a wild ride, broomsticks or not.
Thoughts Stirring in the Cauldron
Frances Conroy (and whoever set up her wardrobe) deserve to win multiple awards for that half-minute she was in the show.
"Just look at this wattle." It's possible Kathy Bates is more menacing in this role than she was as Annie Wilkes in Misery. Pretty sure everything she does here is just as bad as using a mallet to break a man's foot. Maybe it's just me.
"Like my cousin Amanda; she's just bulimic."
It's a damned shame that Denis O'Hare's character apparently lacks a tongue, but he looks so goddamned creepy that it makes up for it. I hope he plays at least as sizable a part as Moira the servant in season one, though that probably won't happen.
In case anyone wondered, "outside of Lafayette," where Lily Rabe's character was burned at the stake, is more than 50 miles from New Orleans. You'd think someone could have fact checked that. I guess True Blood allowed for Louisiana's geography to adhere to any formation possible. Also, is Lily Rabe dead? That can't be real, right? Surely she regenerates herself.
Did anyone else feel like the part of the doctor with the youth serum was originally written for Dylan McDermott? He had the same haircut, but thankfully not the same acting face.
"I get it, bitch. You're clairvoyant." I pretty much hate Madison, but in a good way. Not in a "Boy, I'm glad she was drugged and raped by a series of frat boys" way.
What a lame news report about Lily Rabe being "rumored" to have been burned at the stake. When has that ever been just a rumor?
"Don't make me drop a house on you." I love all the witch humor.


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Event Date:Fri, 10/18/2013 - 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location:Falcon Center Pool
Fee:$4.00 per person (ages 4+)
Fee:Children 3 years and under are free
Event Links:
Join us for an evening of fun in the water!
Community families are invited to participate in Family Swim program throughout the year.
Life vests and floatation devices will be available for families to use and lifeguards will be on duty.
Dates & Times
Attend for a chance to win a Free Pool Party
- Each week, those who come to family swim will be entered in a drawing for a Free Pool Party
- The more weeks you attend, the more chances you have at winning the party
Cost is for swimmers & non swimmers.
Children three years old and under - FREE.
(May be asked for proof of age).