61
Music / Re: What Are You Listening to Right Now?
« on: August 05, 2013, 10:57:10 pm »
My new favourite angela song. Been listening to it all day.
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62
Anime / Re: Your favorite Anime Music Videos
« on: July 18, 2013, 03:34:20 pm »
Well, yeah, it's pretty as well... But what's with all the gloomy AMV's about such a light-hearted anime as Hyouka?! Stop spoiling my happy memories! >_<
63
Anime / Re: Your favorite Anime Music Videos
« on: July 18, 2013, 10:32:48 am »
I checked out Our Tapes (awesome editing indeed, and nice story), Demigods (entertaining) and Petal (pretty, but I have no idea what happened).
64
Anime / Re: The Season So Far...
« on: April 29, 2013, 01:27:20 pm »
So... 9 series I'm watching this season, plus 1 I'm waiting to complete before I marathon it. Overall kinda meh season, but some shows have potential.
- Railgun S2 is the one I'm waiting to complete. I expect it'll be very good, as the first season was.
- Red Data Girl I almost dropped after the first ep. The guy was an ass and the girl was pathetic. Well, someone convinced me to give it another chance, and after 3 eps I think it has potential. Still only just above dropping line, though. Nice art.
- Nyaruko S2 is as amusing as the first season. I'm not entirely sure why I enjoy the anime, but I find it quite entertaining.
- Hataraku was, despite the awesome first minutes, unimpressive at first. Again, I was convinced to give it more time, and after 3 eps it seems to have some potential. Barely above dropping line.
- Yahari seems pretty interesting. At first I was struck by the similarity to Haganai, but after 3 eps, I think Yahari has much more substance, it's not a simple romcom.
- Gargantia is probably my favourite so far. Balancedly good, it drew me in nicely and gets better by the episode. I'm just dreading when the Urobutcher effect is going to kick in...
- Karneval has been hanging just above the dropping line since the first ep. Decent action, some cool characters, potential for an interesting plotline, but so far it has left me pretty cold.
- Dansai Bunri is another one of my favourites. Great musics by Takanashi Yasuharu, interesting MC, nice mood.
- Date A Live seemed pretty entertaining at first, but for some reason I hated the second ep. Third ep was decent. Typical romcom, hanging barely above the dropping line.
- Hentai Ouji could also be desribed as "typical romcom", but Kantoku's character designs are moe as fuck, I find the comedy hilarious, and as the second and third ep demonstrated, these characters could end up having decent depth to them. My second-favourite ATM.
As for Shingeki, I'm staying away from it for now simply because it REEKS of despair. I'm leaving it for one of those rare times when I feel like watching something really dark and violent.
- Railgun S2 is the one I'm waiting to complete. I expect it'll be very good, as the first season was.
- Red Data Girl I almost dropped after the first ep. The guy was an ass and the girl was pathetic. Well, someone convinced me to give it another chance, and after 3 eps I think it has potential. Still only just above dropping line, though. Nice art.
- Nyaruko S2 is as amusing as the first season. I'm not entirely sure why I enjoy the anime, but I find it quite entertaining.
- Hataraku was, despite the awesome first minutes, unimpressive at first. Again, I was convinced to give it more time, and after 3 eps it seems to have some potential. Barely above dropping line.
- Yahari seems pretty interesting. At first I was struck by the similarity to Haganai, but after 3 eps, I think Yahari has much more substance, it's not a simple romcom.
- Gargantia is probably my favourite so far. Balancedly good, it drew me in nicely and gets better by the episode. I'm just dreading when the Urobutcher effect is going to kick in...
- Karneval has been hanging just above the dropping line since the first ep. Decent action, some cool characters, potential for an interesting plotline, but so far it has left me pretty cold.
- Dansai Bunri is another one of my favourites. Great musics by Takanashi Yasuharu, interesting MC, nice mood.
- Date A Live seemed pretty entertaining at first, but for some reason I hated the second ep. Third ep was decent. Typical romcom, hanging barely above the dropping line.
- Hentai Ouji could also be desribed as "typical romcom", but Kantoku's character designs are moe as fuck, I find the comedy hilarious, and as the second and third ep demonstrated, these characters could end up having decent depth to them. My second-favourite ATM.
As for Shingeki, I'm staying away from it for now simply because it REEKS of despair. I'm leaving it for one of those rare times when I feel like watching something really dark and violent.
65
Visual Novels / Re: VN: Anime Versions - The VN Was Better
« on: April 17, 2013, 12:45:01 pm »
Eh, while you've made me slightly more interested in the VN, I'm happy enough with the anime, so I don't think I'll be reading the original work. Akane-Iro is a different case, because there the heroine I was interested in didn't get much focus. I intend to read the Akane-Iro VN one of these days.
66
Visual Novels / Re: VN: Anime Versions - The VN Was Better
« on: April 14, 2013, 05:43:06 pm »
I liked Ui. I know many don't agree, but I was happy with Hoshizora, both overall and with the girl who won. It was clichéd as hell, sure, but instead of making me annoyed, it made me nostalgic about all the good romances I've seen/read. Never failed to make me smile. Anyway, she may not have been the main heroine in the VN, but I know for a fact that she has a route, and I don't blame the anime scriptwriter for choosing to follow one of the other routes instead of the main route. VN's are nice that way, they offer you options.
67
Music / Re: [FansubDB] Spring Anime 2013 preview song
« on: March 28, 2013, 03:42:26 pm »
Hmm... It sounds familiar, I'm pretty sure it's the instrumental version of some anime ED. Unfortunately I can't remember which, and it doesn't seem like the video mentions which songs are used in it.
68
Visual Novels / Re: Seinarukana Mission Guide
« on: January 02, 2013, 08:43:34 pm »
Interesting. Seeing as Eien no Aselia is easily my favourite VN so far, I'm looking forward to playing Seinarukana once it's fully translated. I might need this then.
69
General Discussions / Re: [Story] Mr. Darkness and Mrs. Moonlight
« on: December 28, 2012, 02:47:06 am »
Heh... Someone posted a "review" on this story on FictionPress and said they got hooked already. Apart from actual constructive criticism, that's pretty much the best praise a writer could get. 
Here's the last update before shit hits the fan on the second chapter and we reach the events of the prologue. Look forward to reading that scene from Emi's perspective.
The rest of the chapter will be posted at once, almost certainly before the holidays end.
--------------------------
“So, Emi, how did yesterday's meeting go?” Akemi asked on the lunch break. After meeting Satou at the gate – Emi still berated herself over losing her composure like so – the morning had been uneventful. Emi frequently found her attention slipping, as her thoughts were occupied by the party she'd be attending tonight. Houjou Ichirou, a successful businessman who'd made his fortune with electronics and later also stock market, had turned fifty and was holding a grand birthday party. Because the party was in Tokyo, she'd be leaving a little early from school and returning late in the night. She'd be returning alone, by the way, because her parents had taken the opportunity and arranged some meetings in Tokyo for the next day.
“It was boring”, she replied absently. “I really didn't like the man we were meeting, but of course I had to put out a cheerful front.” Just recalling that dirty old man gave her the creeps. She quickly and deliberately returned to thinking about tonight's dress options.
Akemi and Kanako were looking at each other questioningly. It was unusual for Emi to be this absent-minded.
“What are you thinking about so intently?” Kanako asked, peering at her downcast face.
“I have another party tonight. It's in Tokyo, and there will be many important people, so my parents want me to make the best if it.” That meant making connections, charming boys and milking them for information.
“Aww, I wish I could take part in a party like that,” Akemi said with dreamy eyes. “Wearing a beautiful dress, meeting rich and handsome boys, maybe even falling in love with one...” Keiko snorted, raising her eyes from her book (she always read while eating) just for a brief moment to cast a disapproving glance at the daydreaming Akemi.
Akemi quickly returned to reality. “I bet they'll all fawn over you, Emi.”
“No doubt,” Emi replied drily. “And that's exactly the problem. I'll have to dance with dozens of horny boys, most of them self-absorbed and spoiled rotten. It'll be worth it just for the few nice ones among them, but it does get tiring. Trust me, these parties lose a lot of their glamour when you're actually in them.” Thank god Masaki-kun would be there. They were planning to enter together, that alone would spare Emi from a few propositions of the kind that she invariably rejected.
“I think you're just too used to it to see what a dream life you live,” Akemi complained while chewing a piece of tamagoyaki.
Dream life, huh? I guess I've been fortunate compared to many, but... sometimes I just feel like everything I do is meaningless... Her contemplation was interrupted when Satou walked past right behind Akemi and Keiko, on his way out of the classroom. That glance he shot at Emi, it made shivers go down her spine again. Was it malice? No. Once again Emi had to conclude that she couldn't read Satou at all.
Akemi turned her head to see what it was that had – Emi just now realised – made Emi freeze in the middle of picking up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks. Quickly she resumed the movement, but it was too late, the damage was already done within that two seconds of immobility.
“Nee, Emi-chan,” Akemi began, using the suffix that she only ever used with Emi when she was about to say something mischievous, “do you, by any chance... like Satou-kun?”
Oh god, this misunderstanding is going to be a pain to correct. Having picked up the warning signs, Emi managed to keep her composure. Just. “Of course not. Whatever gave you such a silly notion?”
Kanako, and even Keiko, was now looking at Emi curiously. Akemi carried on, clearly enjoying the situation: “Well, I was just thinking, you always look at him in a different way than everyone else. I can just feel the tension between you two, though maybe there's some other reason...?”
Emi sighed and put down her chopsticks. She motioned everyone to come closer, then spoke in a low voice: “Don't you think he's sort of... frightening?”
“Frightening?” Akemi and Kanako shared a confused glance. “You think Satou-kun is scary? That... geek?”
“I've heard he hangs out with a delinquent from another school,” Kanako continued where Akemi left, “but to me he doesn't seem scary at all. Maybe a little creepy, but harmless.”
“His record is spotless, except a few missed attendances,” Keiko added. “No violence.”
Emi shook her head, frustrated. “I'm not talking about delinquent level scary. I'm talking about psychopathic killer level scary! Look, I have enemies, powerful enemies, but none of them make me tremble in fear like he does, with just a look in my way!”
Maybe she'd said too much. The three other girls looked really confused and worried now. Kanako put her hand over Emi's right hand on the table.
“Emi, you shouldn't judge others so far based on looks alone. Is this one of your hunches again? I know you trust those premonitions of danger, but...”
“I know, Kanako, I know.” Emi put her own left hand over Kanako's and squeezed gently, smiling as reassuringly as she could manage. “I know it has to be my imagination. I'm just so used to trusting my hunches that it takes some time to get over this. I'll try.”
Thankfully, their hushed discussion seemed to have passed without raising anyone's attention, and for the rest of the lunch break, they dropped the subject in favour of more light-hearted chatter.
* * *
For Noboru, the rest of the day went by uneventfully. Or so he would have liked. A certain group of delinquents, however, had other plans.
They were waiting for him on his way home, on a quiet section of the street. It was one of those residential areas where the streets were flanked by walls. Well, they probably weren't waiting for him specifically, Noboru was quite sure he'd never seen them before, but regardless, they were there and they were trouble. There were three of them, they were chilling on the walkway, each with a can of drink in their hands. They looked like your common punks, with bleached hairs and piercings and school uniforms worn loosely. Noboru recognised the uniform, it was the same as the one Aruta wore. His school was close by, so it was no surprise.
Better just go around, Noboru figured, turned right and crossed the road to the walkway on the other side. Too bad it wasn't far enough. As soon as they noticed him, the delinquents also crossed the road and positioned themselves on his way.
oboru was in a bad mood. He hadn't had any sleep in nearly 48 hours, there was an annoying demon in his city, and now these punks were wilfully getting in his way. He seriously considered using magic to deal with this, as inconvenient as if was to clean up afterwards. (No, not that kind of clean-up.)
“What do you want?” he asked, trying to remain patient. Maybe they just wanted to ask some questions?
Yeah, right. “Lend me some money, man,” the punk in the middle demanded. He was the tallest of the three, kind of scrawny, and he had two rings on his left ear and a blonde mohawk. “I'm broke, and my, uh, sister is sick, she needs medicine.”
Well, this was new. The guy actually bothered coming up with a half-decent excuse. Noboru rolled his eyes.
“Oh, sure,” he replied with a sarcastic smile. “Can't leave your sister without medical care, can we? How much do you need? Keep in mind, though, my interest rates are high. I'll make it ten percent, since it's for a humanitarian cause.”
The punk blinked a few times, then his face distorted in anger and he grabbed Noboru from his blazer's lapel. “You fucker, do you think you can get away with making fun of me?!”
“Get out of my way. I don't have the time to deal with small fries like you.” Noboru lowered his head and glared at the punk over his glasses with all the anger, arrogance and bloodlust he could muster. Demons had backed away from that glare. But then, they could feel his power. These poor fools could only see his admittedly unimpressive body.
Still, it seemed to work at first, the thug let go and took a wary step back, startled expression on his face. But then he seemed to gain courage from the presence of his two friends.
“Huh? You think you can just order us around? Who the fuck do you think you are?”
Several things happened during the next few seconds. The punk reached for Noboru's lapel again, Noboru stepped sideways... and someone ran over from behind the thugs, bellowing “ORRAAAA!!” very manly, and jump kicked the middle guy in the back, sending him flying on his face. Ouch.
“Ba- Banchou?!” the two remaining thugs cried in unison. Before they could make a move, the “Banchou” punched one of them in the face, sending him flying onto the middle of the street, roaring “YOU-”, and then turned around and sunk his leg into the stomach of the other, making him double up, and finishing with: “FOOLS!!”
Noboru surveyed the scene of carnage. “Swift work. Impressive.”
The Banchou ignored him. “Haven't I told you idiots not to bother ordinary people?! We'll talk about your punishment tomorrow, now get the fuck out of my sight!”
Only when the three unfortunate thugs had picked themselves up and limped away, did the Banchou turn to Noboru. “I'm sorry about that. They're freshmen, and numbskulls like them are slow to learn.”
“It's alright, it's not your fault,” Noboru appeased the steaming Arata. “Anyway, thanks. You saved me.”
They started walking side by side. “It's nothing. I saved them just as much as I saved you. You looked like you might... you know...”
“Use magic?” Noboru chuckled. “It's possible. I was feeling rather pissed off just a moment ago. But seeing that beating you gave them somehow cheered me up.”
“You know, you're much more bloodthirsty than you look.”
“Comes with the job, I suppose. Anyway, you saved me the indignity of having to run away. And more importantly, you saved me some precious naptime.”
Arata shook his head in amused disbelief. “I'm glad to hear you have your priorities straight. Anyway, we'd both best head home now.” He stopped as they reached an intersection.
Noboru turned and nodded. “Yeah. See you around.”
“Have a good nap!” Arata bid him with a grin.
Here's the last update before shit hits the fan on the second chapter and we reach the events of the prologue. Look forward to reading that scene from Emi's perspective.
The rest of the chapter will be posted at once, almost certainly before the holidays end.--------------------------
“So, Emi, how did yesterday's meeting go?” Akemi asked on the lunch break. After meeting Satou at the gate – Emi still berated herself over losing her composure like so – the morning had been uneventful. Emi frequently found her attention slipping, as her thoughts were occupied by the party she'd be attending tonight. Houjou Ichirou, a successful businessman who'd made his fortune with electronics and later also stock market, had turned fifty and was holding a grand birthday party. Because the party was in Tokyo, she'd be leaving a little early from school and returning late in the night. She'd be returning alone, by the way, because her parents had taken the opportunity and arranged some meetings in Tokyo for the next day.
“It was boring”, she replied absently. “I really didn't like the man we were meeting, but of course I had to put out a cheerful front.” Just recalling that dirty old man gave her the creeps. She quickly and deliberately returned to thinking about tonight's dress options.
Akemi and Kanako were looking at each other questioningly. It was unusual for Emi to be this absent-minded.
“What are you thinking about so intently?” Kanako asked, peering at her downcast face.
“I have another party tonight. It's in Tokyo, and there will be many important people, so my parents want me to make the best if it.” That meant making connections, charming boys and milking them for information.
“Aww, I wish I could take part in a party like that,” Akemi said with dreamy eyes. “Wearing a beautiful dress, meeting rich and handsome boys, maybe even falling in love with one...” Keiko snorted, raising her eyes from her book (she always read while eating) just for a brief moment to cast a disapproving glance at the daydreaming Akemi.
Akemi quickly returned to reality. “I bet they'll all fawn over you, Emi.”
“No doubt,” Emi replied drily. “And that's exactly the problem. I'll have to dance with dozens of horny boys, most of them self-absorbed and spoiled rotten. It'll be worth it just for the few nice ones among them, but it does get tiring. Trust me, these parties lose a lot of their glamour when you're actually in them.” Thank god Masaki-kun would be there. They were planning to enter together, that alone would spare Emi from a few propositions of the kind that she invariably rejected.
“I think you're just too used to it to see what a dream life you live,” Akemi complained while chewing a piece of tamagoyaki.
Dream life, huh? I guess I've been fortunate compared to many, but... sometimes I just feel like everything I do is meaningless... Her contemplation was interrupted when Satou walked past right behind Akemi and Keiko, on his way out of the classroom. That glance he shot at Emi, it made shivers go down her spine again. Was it malice? No. Once again Emi had to conclude that she couldn't read Satou at all.
Akemi turned her head to see what it was that had – Emi just now realised – made Emi freeze in the middle of picking up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks. Quickly she resumed the movement, but it was too late, the damage was already done within that two seconds of immobility.
“Nee, Emi-chan,” Akemi began, using the suffix that she only ever used with Emi when she was about to say something mischievous, “do you, by any chance... like Satou-kun?”
Oh god, this misunderstanding is going to be a pain to correct. Having picked up the warning signs, Emi managed to keep her composure. Just. “Of course not. Whatever gave you such a silly notion?”
Kanako, and even Keiko, was now looking at Emi curiously. Akemi carried on, clearly enjoying the situation: “Well, I was just thinking, you always look at him in a different way than everyone else. I can just feel the tension between you two, though maybe there's some other reason...?”
Emi sighed and put down her chopsticks. She motioned everyone to come closer, then spoke in a low voice: “Don't you think he's sort of... frightening?”
“Frightening?” Akemi and Kanako shared a confused glance. “You think Satou-kun is scary? That... geek?”
“I've heard he hangs out with a delinquent from another school,” Kanako continued where Akemi left, “but to me he doesn't seem scary at all. Maybe a little creepy, but harmless.”
“His record is spotless, except a few missed attendances,” Keiko added. “No violence.”
Emi shook her head, frustrated. “I'm not talking about delinquent level scary. I'm talking about psychopathic killer level scary! Look, I have enemies, powerful enemies, but none of them make me tremble in fear like he does, with just a look in my way!”
Maybe she'd said too much. The three other girls looked really confused and worried now. Kanako put her hand over Emi's right hand on the table.
“Emi, you shouldn't judge others so far based on looks alone. Is this one of your hunches again? I know you trust those premonitions of danger, but...”
“I know, Kanako, I know.” Emi put her own left hand over Kanako's and squeezed gently, smiling as reassuringly as she could manage. “I know it has to be my imagination. I'm just so used to trusting my hunches that it takes some time to get over this. I'll try.”
Thankfully, their hushed discussion seemed to have passed without raising anyone's attention, and for the rest of the lunch break, they dropped the subject in favour of more light-hearted chatter.
* * *
For Noboru, the rest of the day went by uneventfully. Or so he would have liked. A certain group of delinquents, however, had other plans.
They were waiting for him on his way home, on a quiet section of the street. It was one of those residential areas where the streets were flanked by walls. Well, they probably weren't waiting for him specifically, Noboru was quite sure he'd never seen them before, but regardless, they were there and they were trouble. There were three of them, they were chilling on the walkway, each with a can of drink in their hands. They looked like your common punks, with bleached hairs and piercings and school uniforms worn loosely. Noboru recognised the uniform, it was the same as the one Aruta wore. His school was close by, so it was no surprise.
Better just go around, Noboru figured, turned right and crossed the road to the walkway on the other side. Too bad it wasn't far enough. As soon as they noticed him, the delinquents also crossed the road and positioned themselves on his way.
oboru was in a bad mood. He hadn't had any sleep in nearly 48 hours, there was an annoying demon in his city, and now these punks were wilfully getting in his way. He seriously considered using magic to deal with this, as inconvenient as if was to clean up afterwards. (No, not that kind of clean-up.)
“What do you want?” he asked, trying to remain patient. Maybe they just wanted to ask some questions?
Yeah, right. “Lend me some money, man,” the punk in the middle demanded. He was the tallest of the three, kind of scrawny, and he had two rings on his left ear and a blonde mohawk. “I'm broke, and my, uh, sister is sick, she needs medicine.”
Well, this was new. The guy actually bothered coming up with a half-decent excuse. Noboru rolled his eyes.
“Oh, sure,” he replied with a sarcastic smile. “Can't leave your sister without medical care, can we? How much do you need? Keep in mind, though, my interest rates are high. I'll make it ten percent, since it's for a humanitarian cause.”
The punk blinked a few times, then his face distorted in anger and he grabbed Noboru from his blazer's lapel. “You fucker, do you think you can get away with making fun of me?!”
“Get out of my way. I don't have the time to deal with small fries like you.” Noboru lowered his head and glared at the punk over his glasses with all the anger, arrogance and bloodlust he could muster. Demons had backed away from that glare. But then, they could feel his power. These poor fools could only see his admittedly unimpressive body.
Still, it seemed to work at first, the thug let go and took a wary step back, startled expression on his face. But then he seemed to gain courage from the presence of his two friends.
“Huh? You think you can just order us around? Who the fuck do you think you are?”
Several things happened during the next few seconds. The punk reached for Noboru's lapel again, Noboru stepped sideways... and someone ran over from behind the thugs, bellowing “ORRAAAA!!” very manly, and jump kicked the middle guy in the back, sending him flying on his face. Ouch.
“Ba- Banchou?!” the two remaining thugs cried in unison. Before they could make a move, the “Banchou” punched one of them in the face, sending him flying onto the middle of the street, roaring “YOU-”, and then turned around and sunk his leg into the stomach of the other, making him double up, and finishing with: “FOOLS!!”
Noboru surveyed the scene of carnage. “Swift work. Impressive.”
The Banchou ignored him. “Haven't I told you idiots not to bother ordinary people?! We'll talk about your punishment tomorrow, now get the fuck out of my sight!”
Only when the three unfortunate thugs had picked themselves up and limped away, did the Banchou turn to Noboru. “I'm sorry about that. They're freshmen, and numbskulls like them are slow to learn.”
“It's alright, it's not your fault,” Noboru appeased the steaming Arata. “Anyway, thanks. You saved me.”
They started walking side by side. “It's nothing. I saved them just as much as I saved you. You looked like you might... you know...”
“Use magic?” Noboru chuckled. “It's possible. I was feeling rather pissed off just a moment ago. But seeing that beating you gave them somehow cheered me up.”
“You know, you're much more bloodthirsty than you look.”
“Comes with the job, I suppose. Anyway, you saved me the indignity of having to run away. And more importantly, you saved me some precious naptime.”
Arata shook his head in amused disbelief. “I'm glad to hear you have your priorities straight. Anyway, we'd both best head home now.” He stopped as they reached an intersection.
Noboru turned and nodded. “Yeah. See you around.”
“Have a good nap!” Arata bid him with a grin.
70
General Discussions / Re: [Story] Mr. Darkness and Mrs. Moonlight
« on: December 26, 2012, 10:02:38 pm »
I decided to cut the chapter here, after all. Felt like a good place to end a chapter.
--------------------------
Chapter 2: The Diversion
As if conjured by Noboru's whirlwind, there was an unusually chilly headwind next morning when he walked to school. In September, typhoons sometimes caused strong winds and rain even this far inland, but this wind was too dry and cold to be considered normal for the season. Luckily, today was just the day when the students in his school were supposed to stop using the summer uniform, so Noboru was now wearing his dark blue, almost black blazer, and the white shirt under it was now long-sleeved.
Just as he was crossing the street at an intersection, he heard a familiar voice call him from somewhere left and behind. “Yo, Noboru! Wait up!”
After crossing, he turned to wait. A moment later, someone ran across and stopped to take a breath beside Noboru. This someone was a high schooler like him, though from a different high school, and he still had a short-sleeved shirt and no blazer. It revealed well his athletic body. He was a tall and pleasantly muscular guy, though his face was too average to be a girl-magnet. His short hair was dyed blond.
“Morning, Arata. What's up?”
Arata recovered quickly from his sprint to catch up with Noboru. “Morning. I was just wondering, haven't seen you at the gym since last week's Monday. Any particular reason? You know it doesn't work if you don't do it often enough.” Inoue Arata was affiliated with a certain... group who were involved with a nearby gym, and he'd arranged Noboru a discount there for years already. Noboru didn't particularly enjoy working out, and he certainly wasn't trying to grow muscles to impress girls: for him, keeping his body in a good shape was a matter of necessity. While it didn't come as useful nowadays as it had when he still couldn't put too much faith in his magic, he still considered things like stamina and running speed essential in his 'job'. On his slim body, the results of the training didn't really show outside, like they did for Arata, but Noboru frequently had to hold back in PE in order to avoid drawing too much attention. A geek running almost as fast as the track team ace would certainly result in uncomfortable questions.
“I've been dealing with someone... difficult the past three nights. I really need my naps after nights like that.” Noboru flashed a pale, joyless smile, and Arata nodded. He understood. He knew. In fact, he was one of the two people in the world, besides Noboru himself, who knew of Noboru's nightly hunts.
“Alright then. As usual, give me a call the day before when you want to go.” Suddenly, the vicious wind reminded them of its presence. Arata tensed up and rubbed his bare arms, eyeing Noboru's blazer enviously. “Brrr... Feels like a bad omen, doesn't it?” Noboru fixed his fringe, which the mischievous wind had rudely played with, and nodded.
“I have to go now, Shou is waiting.” Arata gave a little nod towards another boy who was now waiting for him on the other side of the street. Tachibana Shou was slimmer and had a much more handsome face than Arata, and he definitely didn't look like a delinquent. However, the truth was that Tachibana was the leader and Arata the follower. They were close friends, as far as Noboru could judge, but the power relationship was absolute.
“Yeah. See you later.”
“See you!” Arata slapped him on the shoulder and ran across the street again – forcing a driver to pull the brake suddenly, and receiving an angry toot as a reward. Noboru walked on.
Barely half a minute later, Kazuya and Fumio appeared as if magically next to him on both sides.
“You were talking to that delinquent again,” Kazuya said in an accusing tone. Geeks and delinquents didn't get along, that was a universal truth, as far as Kazuya was concerned. “Decent people like us shouldn't associate with his kind of people, they are dangerous.”
So am I. “Kazuya, drop it. I don't like hearing my friends badmouth each other.” It was a good thing Kazuya had no idea whom Arata was really working for. He might get a heart attack.
“I know he wants to repay you for saving his life and all,” Fumio cut in, “but is it really wise to hang out with him? People might start avoiding you.” The official story was, Noboru had pulled Arata out of the road when he'd almost been run over by a car. A likely enough story, given Arata's recklessness in traffic... but the truth was, of course, more complicated.
“Fumio,” Noboru said and put his arms around both of his friends' shoulders familiarly, “if I was really that concerned over my public image... would I really be hanging out with you guys?”
“....”
“....”
* * *
Be it by chance or by fate, Noboru and his friends arrived at the school gate at the same time as the black limousine carrying miss Peak stopped before the gate. As she stepped out of the car and noticed him, she almost tripped on her own feet. A much stronger reaction than the usual split-second freeze or inconspicuous flinch. She must still be distraught over last night. There was no way she wouldn't have sensed Noboru and the demon's combined power within less than 500 metres from her. Noboru hoped she hadn't actually seen anything, that'd be bad.
“Good morning, Piiku-san!” Fumio piped up, his voice somewhat higher than usual, clearly too anxious to make the greeting natural. Come to think of it, in this situation it'd be strange not to greet each other. Oh well, too late, it'd be awkward now...
“Eh? Oh, good morning!” Peak was clearly caught off-guard, and while the smile she flashed at the three of them was beautiful, Noboru still thought it looked a little fake. However, when she walked in through the gate, there was no sign of haste or uncertainty in her walk. The three boys still stood outside the school grounds and watched on as practically everyone on the courtyard greeted her with respect, and she responded with much more grace than just a moment before.
“Don't you think something's wrong with Piiku-san?” Fumio asked, frowning thoughtfully.
“Yeah, that smile had to be fake. And since when has she ever stumbled like that?” Kazuya agreed.
Sometimes they surprise me with how sharp they can be, Noboru though somewhat rudely about his friends. “Who knows?” he said in a tone as indifferent as he could make it. “Let's go, the class is starting.”
--------------------------
I'll be releasing full chapters in FictionPress from now on, but here I'll continue as I have so far, a scene or two per update.
--------------------------
Chapter 2: The Diversion
As if conjured by Noboru's whirlwind, there was an unusually chilly headwind next morning when he walked to school. In September, typhoons sometimes caused strong winds and rain even this far inland, but this wind was too dry and cold to be considered normal for the season. Luckily, today was just the day when the students in his school were supposed to stop using the summer uniform, so Noboru was now wearing his dark blue, almost black blazer, and the white shirt under it was now long-sleeved.
Just as he was crossing the street at an intersection, he heard a familiar voice call him from somewhere left and behind. “Yo, Noboru! Wait up!”
After crossing, he turned to wait. A moment later, someone ran across and stopped to take a breath beside Noboru. This someone was a high schooler like him, though from a different high school, and he still had a short-sleeved shirt and no blazer. It revealed well his athletic body. He was a tall and pleasantly muscular guy, though his face was too average to be a girl-magnet. His short hair was dyed blond.
“Morning, Arata. What's up?”
Arata recovered quickly from his sprint to catch up with Noboru. “Morning. I was just wondering, haven't seen you at the gym since last week's Monday. Any particular reason? You know it doesn't work if you don't do it often enough.” Inoue Arata was affiliated with a certain... group who were involved with a nearby gym, and he'd arranged Noboru a discount there for years already. Noboru didn't particularly enjoy working out, and he certainly wasn't trying to grow muscles to impress girls: for him, keeping his body in a good shape was a matter of necessity. While it didn't come as useful nowadays as it had when he still couldn't put too much faith in his magic, he still considered things like stamina and running speed essential in his 'job'. On his slim body, the results of the training didn't really show outside, like they did for Arata, but Noboru frequently had to hold back in PE in order to avoid drawing too much attention. A geek running almost as fast as the track team ace would certainly result in uncomfortable questions.
“I've been dealing with someone... difficult the past three nights. I really need my naps after nights like that.” Noboru flashed a pale, joyless smile, and Arata nodded. He understood. He knew. In fact, he was one of the two people in the world, besides Noboru himself, who knew of Noboru's nightly hunts.
“Alright then. As usual, give me a call the day before when you want to go.” Suddenly, the vicious wind reminded them of its presence. Arata tensed up and rubbed his bare arms, eyeing Noboru's blazer enviously. “Brrr... Feels like a bad omen, doesn't it?” Noboru fixed his fringe, which the mischievous wind had rudely played with, and nodded.
“I have to go now, Shou is waiting.” Arata gave a little nod towards another boy who was now waiting for him on the other side of the street. Tachibana Shou was slimmer and had a much more handsome face than Arata, and he definitely didn't look like a delinquent. However, the truth was that Tachibana was the leader and Arata the follower. They were close friends, as far as Noboru could judge, but the power relationship was absolute.
“Yeah. See you later.”
“See you!” Arata slapped him on the shoulder and ran across the street again – forcing a driver to pull the brake suddenly, and receiving an angry toot as a reward. Noboru walked on.
Barely half a minute later, Kazuya and Fumio appeared as if magically next to him on both sides.
“You were talking to that delinquent again,” Kazuya said in an accusing tone. Geeks and delinquents didn't get along, that was a universal truth, as far as Kazuya was concerned. “Decent people like us shouldn't associate with his kind of people, they are dangerous.”
So am I. “Kazuya, drop it. I don't like hearing my friends badmouth each other.” It was a good thing Kazuya had no idea whom Arata was really working for. He might get a heart attack.
“I know he wants to repay you for saving his life and all,” Fumio cut in, “but is it really wise to hang out with him? People might start avoiding you.” The official story was, Noboru had pulled Arata out of the road when he'd almost been run over by a car. A likely enough story, given Arata's recklessness in traffic... but the truth was, of course, more complicated.
“Fumio,” Noboru said and put his arms around both of his friends' shoulders familiarly, “if I was really that concerned over my public image... would I really be hanging out with you guys?”
“....”
“....”
* * *
Be it by chance or by fate, Noboru and his friends arrived at the school gate at the same time as the black limousine carrying miss Peak stopped before the gate. As she stepped out of the car and noticed him, she almost tripped on her own feet. A much stronger reaction than the usual split-second freeze or inconspicuous flinch. She must still be distraught over last night. There was no way she wouldn't have sensed Noboru and the demon's combined power within less than 500 metres from her. Noboru hoped she hadn't actually seen anything, that'd be bad.
“Good morning, Piiku-san!” Fumio piped up, his voice somewhat higher than usual, clearly too anxious to make the greeting natural. Come to think of it, in this situation it'd be strange not to greet each other. Oh well, too late, it'd be awkward now...
“Eh? Oh, good morning!” Peak was clearly caught off-guard, and while the smile she flashed at the three of them was beautiful, Noboru still thought it looked a little fake. However, when she walked in through the gate, there was no sign of haste or uncertainty in her walk. The three boys still stood outside the school grounds and watched on as practically everyone on the courtyard greeted her with respect, and she responded with much more grace than just a moment before.
“Don't you think something's wrong with Piiku-san?” Fumio asked, frowning thoughtfully.
“Yeah, that smile had to be fake. And since when has she ever stumbled like that?” Kazuya agreed.
Sometimes they surprise me with how sharp they can be, Noboru though somewhat rudely about his friends. “Who knows?” he said in a tone as indifferent as he could make it. “Let's go, the class is starting.”
--------------------------
I'll be releasing full chapters in FictionPress from now on, but here I'll continue as I have so far, a scene or two per update.
71
General Discussions / Re: [Story] Mr. Darkness and Mrs. Moonlight
« on: December 24, 2012, 11:00:20 pm »
Here's my Christmas present for the people of Doki:
--------------------------
The sun's last rays still lit the western horizon, but for for all practical purposes, the night had begun. Noboru sat in the terrace of a café, eating a sandwich and drinking tea, alone. His posture was relaxed, cross-legged and leaning on the backrest, but behind his rectangular glasses and the fringe that almost covered his right eye, his eyes gazed at a nearby high-rise building sharply like a hawk following its prey.
“Okyaku-sama... excuse me, but we're closing.” While his eyes never left the building, he was aware of the waitress standing to his right and placing the bill on the table.
“Ah, yes. I'll be on my way, then.” He finished his already lukewarm tea, paid, and walked out with the remains of his sandwich.
Yawn. Damn it, he'd missed his chance to take a nap. Following Peak had been unexpectedly easy, Noboru was quite sure nobody had seen him. After all, people didn't usually randomly look up at the sky. However, afterwards he'd had to wait and keep watch for hours, while the demon moved around close by, occasionally announcing its location with a power spike. Chasing it would've been a fool's errand, so Noboru kept close to the steady flame of Peak's power.
The demon's power had stabilised and started rising some fifteen minutes ago. Since then, it'd stayed in one place, the rooftop of the building that he was watching now. Noboru had considered going over while it was still weak, but thirst and hunger caught him unawares, so he popped by in the café right before its closing. Thirst and hunger were bad, they sapped your strength and disrupted your concentration. Losing your focus in the middle of a battle was a sure way to get killed.
“Right, then. Time to go say hello.” He threw a quick glance at a building on the other side of the street, an office building where Peak had stayed since around half past six. She was still in there, at one of the highest floors. She would be aware of him and the demon's powers converging, unless she was keenly focusing on something else. But that had happened a few times before, it couldn't be helped. Demons were drawn to her power like moths to a flame.
Finding a quiet place to move 'upstairs' was no easy task within a busy town centre. After ten minutes of looking, he found himself in a small park with no lights except those following the single road through it. There were some pretty dark spots among the trees some distance away from the road.
“This will do,” he concluded, looking around one more time to ensure no one was looking. Then he closed his eyes for a brief moment, recalling the humbling feeling of powerful stormwind blowing against him. He clung to that feeling, anchored it in his mind.
“Divine wind, raging vortex, carry me to the sky and deliver me to my destination... Benayaizu!” At once, he felt the rush of magic flowing in his body. It burned like fire, and yet it felt so good you just wanted to drown in it. This ecstatic mixture of pain and pleasure was something every mage had to deal with. If you failed, your mind was lost. If you could hold your focus while enduring the constant assault, you could produce miracles.
All of a sudden, a whirlwind appeared where nothing but a gentle wind had sighed in the trees. It swirled around Noboru, focusing and wrapping around him. And then it raised him up to the air.
Leaving behind the safe and steady ground he ascended to the night sky, wrapped in a whirlwind. The cold wind outside and the burning magic inside, they warred over his body. Keep them balanced. Focus on the destination. He had to squint to protect his eyes from the wind, but he knew the direction and willed the wind to carry him there. Even with all these sensations warring over his body, he was still clearly aware of the two beacons of power ahead. He headed for the weaker one.
Mere moments later, he descended on the rooftop and dispersed the wind. There was no one in sight, just a big rooftop unit. It was on this cubic air handling machine that Noboru set his gaze on.
“I know you're there. Why don't you come out and play? Did you fall asleep waiting for me?”
At his words, the shadows moved. From behind the rooftop unit, a large creature stepped out of the shadows. It was well over two metres tall, dark-coloured and very muscular. It had rather handsome horns curving back from the side of its head, but it had no hair. Its eyes were black, so black they could be distinguished even with this little light and against the dark skin, and there were no whites. Its slightly arched middle body was protected by a blood-red scale armour and its crotch was covered with a loincloth made of grey fur. From its back four long tentacles emerged, wriggling around slowly, like snakes. Its heavy arms and five-fingered hands were rather human, except for the deadly eagle's claws on its somewhat pointed fingers. Its legs were robust, its feet large and taloned both in the front and behind, much like a bird's, designed for both walking and grabbing.
“Yeah, I almost fell asleep waiting. What took you so long?” The demon spoke good Japanese, if heavily accented. Noboru knew this already, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered talking. Most demons didn't speak Japanese. This one did, as Noboru had learned in the past two nights that he'd spent chasing this demon around the city.
“Popped in a café and took a bite. Now, show me what you have for me tonight, the reason why you risked running around in broad daylight. Let's get this over with, so I can go to bed.” Despite all his exhaustion, Noboru found himself curious about the trap that had been prepared for him. Demons were usually more straightforward and arrogant, being confronted by one as cunning as this one was a rare treat.
The demon smiled, revealing its uncomfortably sharp row of teeth, startlingly white against its dark face. “As you wish, boy. Enjoy your death.” It raised its hand towards Noboru and uttered some words that a human mouth would have great trouble repeating. A violet light started shining from below, and a wide, glowing magic circle appeared on Noboru's feet. Well, it didn't exactly appear: it was probably there already when he stepped in it, he just hadn't noticed it before it was activated.
Immediately Noboru regretted giving the demon the first move. The magical trap paralysed him completely, he couldn't move a muscle. Even breathing became difficult, as he could only expand his chest and stomach a few millimetres. It was almost as if the air around him had suddenly become solid. Shit, this is bad!
“I spent all day preparing these in various convenient locations, but it seems only one was needed,” the demon gloated. “I'd kill you quickly now and spare you the pain of suffocating, but I'd be frozen as well if I stepped inside the circle. If you're still alive when I return, I promise I'll finish you off myself. Now, excuse me as I go and grab my prize.” With heavy footsteps fitting for its hulking body, the demon walked past the circle and its prisoner towards the edge of the roof.
Noboru had exactly one chance of survival. Being so completely paralysed, unable to breathe, death imminent, a lesser mind would have been absolutely panicked by now. However, with incredible effort Noboru managed to retain his composure, block the rising panic away and ignore the discomfort, concentrating on the wind. He'd dispersed the wind earlier, but he hadn't ended the spell yet. Magic still rushed through his body and his mind still commanded the winds around him.
As the demon approached the edge, his stride was interrupted by a strong gust of wind that forced him to raise his arm and cover his face. “What the...?”
Winds fluttering his clothes, Noboru stood on the elevated edge of the roof, right in front of the demon. Hands in his pockets, showing no anxiety, he stared directly into the black eyes, now roughly on the same level as his.
“Leaving so soon? I thought the party was just getting started.”
* * *
“What's wrong, Emi?” mother asked, putting a gentle hand on Emi's shoulder. “You seem distracted.” They had finally finished the long meeting with Teshigawara-san, and were now leaving. Morishita was waiting in front of the building with the car.
Emi turned to look at her mother – and froze. Right where she felt an especially strong 'hunch', up on the rooftop of a nearby building, there was a bright violet glow. A blink later, it was gone. The night sky above the building was just as dark as everywhere else.
“Oh, nothing.” Her eyes had been playing tricks, surely. The light had only been there for a second. “I'm just tired.” Tired enough to start seeing things?
“Yes, it has been a long day. You did well today, dear, I'm proud of you.” Mother stroked Emi's hair briefly before they entered the car. Despite taking this long, the meeting had gone well. Teshigawara-san had clearly been taken with Emi (like a dirty old man, which he probably is, Emi thought with disgust), so mother was in a good mood.
* * *
The time for leisurely talking was over. The demon revealed its teeth again, now in an expression of rage, and swung its arm horizontally. Stepping back, Noboru witnessed a quartet of eagle's claws slicing the air right in front of his unprotected throat. Feeling nothing under his backfoot, he fell off the roof. A moment later, the rough winds picked him up and threw him back up to the roof's level.
The magic circle faded out in an instant, as the demon cut it off from its power source, himself. There was no point holding up a spell that had failed its purpose, especially such a draining one. This demon, while relatively powerful, didn't have the luxury of wasting power. Not when facing someone of Noboru's calibre.
It was casting a spell again, in that strange language. A few words, and suddenly its tentacles started thrashing around wildly, as if in pain, stretching and changing form. They became something akin to the 'wings' of a flying squirrel, thin membranes connecting its arms and legs. This flesh-molding spell was one that Noboru had seen before. He knew that those wings were not meant for actual flying, but gliding.
But there was more to the demon's ability to always flee from Noboru. Its legs were strong, incredibly so. It could run faster than Noboru could fly. And even with such a large and heavy body, its legs pushed off the rooftop with such force and speed that Noboru barely managed to evade, the powerful whirlwind wrapped around him being his salvation. With the aid of its freshly shaped wing membranes, the demon sailed towards the next rooftop just as fast as Noboru could force the winds to carry himself.
And so began the third night of the hunt.
--------------------------
Roughly halfway done with the first chapter, I think.
--------------------------
The sun's last rays still lit the western horizon, but for for all practical purposes, the night had begun. Noboru sat in the terrace of a café, eating a sandwich and drinking tea, alone. His posture was relaxed, cross-legged and leaning on the backrest, but behind his rectangular glasses and the fringe that almost covered his right eye, his eyes gazed at a nearby high-rise building sharply like a hawk following its prey.
“Okyaku-sama... excuse me, but we're closing.” While his eyes never left the building, he was aware of the waitress standing to his right and placing the bill on the table.
“Ah, yes. I'll be on my way, then.” He finished his already lukewarm tea, paid, and walked out with the remains of his sandwich.
Yawn. Damn it, he'd missed his chance to take a nap. Following Peak had been unexpectedly easy, Noboru was quite sure nobody had seen him. After all, people didn't usually randomly look up at the sky. However, afterwards he'd had to wait and keep watch for hours, while the demon moved around close by, occasionally announcing its location with a power spike. Chasing it would've been a fool's errand, so Noboru kept close to the steady flame of Peak's power.
The demon's power had stabilised and started rising some fifteen minutes ago. Since then, it'd stayed in one place, the rooftop of the building that he was watching now. Noboru had considered going over while it was still weak, but thirst and hunger caught him unawares, so he popped by in the café right before its closing. Thirst and hunger were bad, they sapped your strength and disrupted your concentration. Losing your focus in the middle of a battle was a sure way to get killed.
“Right, then. Time to go say hello.” He threw a quick glance at a building on the other side of the street, an office building where Peak had stayed since around half past six. She was still in there, at one of the highest floors. She would be aware of him and the demon's powers converging, unless she was keenly focusing on something else. But that had happened a few times before, it couldn't be helped. Demons were drawn to her power like moths to a flame.
Finding a quiet place to move 'upstairs' was no easy task within a busy town centre. After ten minutes of looking, he found himself in a small park with no lights except those following the single road through it. There were some pretty dark spots among the trees some distance away from the road.
“This will do,” he concluded, looking around one more time to ensure no one was looking. Then he closed his eyes for a brief moment, recalling the humbling feeling of powerful stormwind blowing against him. He clung to that feeling, anchored it in his mind.
“Divine wind, raging vortex, carry me to the sky and deliver me to my destination... Benayaizu!” At once, he felt the rush of magic flowing in his body. It burned like fire, and yet it felt so good you just wanted to drown in it. This ecstatic mixture of pain and pleasure was something every mage had to deal with. If you failed, your mind was lost. If you could hold your focus while enduring the constant assault, you could produce miracles.
All of a sudden, a whirlwind appeared where nothing but a gentle wind had sighed in the trees. It swirled around Noboru, focusing and wrapping around him. And then it raised him up to the air.
Leaving behind the safe and steady ground he ascended to the night sky, wrapped in a whirlwind. The cold wind outside and the burning magic inside, they warred over his body. Keep them balanced. Focus on the destination. He had to squint to protect his eyes from the wind, but he knew the direction and willed the wind to carry him there. Even with all these sensations warring over his body, he was still clearly aware of the two beacons of power ahead. He headed for the weaker one.
Mere moments later, he descended on the rooftop and dispersed the wind. There was no one in sight, just a big rooftop unit. It was on this cubic air handling machine that Noboru set his gaze on.
“I know you're there. Why don't you come out and play? Did you fall asleep waiting for me?”
At his words, the shadows moved. From behind the rooftop unit, a large creature stepped out of the shadows. It was well over two metres tall, dark-coloured and very muscular. It had rather handsome horns curving back from the side of its head, but it had no hair. Its eyes were black, so black they could be distinguished even with this little light and against the dark skin, and there were no whites. Its slightly arched middle body was protected by a blood-red scale armour and its crotch was covered with a loincloth made of grey fur. From its back four long tentacles emerged, wriggling around slowly, like snakes. Its heavy arms and five-fingered hands were rather human, except for the deadly eagle's claws on its somewhat pointed fingers. Its legs were robust, its feet large and taloned both in the front and behind, much like a bird's, designed for both walking and grabbing.
“Yeah, I almost fell asleep waiting. What took you so long?” The demon spoke good Japanese, if heavily accented. Noboru knew this already, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered talking. Most demons didn't speak Japanese. This one did, as Noboru had learned in the past two nights that he'd spent chasing this demon around the city.
“Popped in a café and took a bite. Now, show me what you have for me tonight, the reason why you risked running around in broad daylight. Let's get this over with, so I can go to bed.” Despite all his exhaustion, Noboru found himself curious about the trap that had been prepared for him. Demons were usually more straightforward and arrogant, being confronted by one as cunning as this one was a rare treat.
The demon smiled, revealing its uncomfortably sharp row of teeth, startlingly white against its dark face. “As you wish, boy. Enjoy your death.” It raised its hand towards Noboru and uttered some words that a human mouth would have great trouble repeating. A violet light started shining from below, and a wide, glowing magic circle appeared on Noboru's feet. Well, it didn't exactly appear: it was probably there already when he stepped in it, he just hadn't noticed it before it was activated.
Immediately Noboru regretted giving the demon the first move. The magical trap paralysed him completely, he couldn't move a muscle. Even breathing became difficult, as he could only expand his chest and stomach a few millimetres. It was almost as if the air around him had suddenly become solid. Shit, this is bad!
“I spent all day preparing these in various convenient locations, but it seems only one was needed,” the demon gloated. “I'd kill you quickly now and spare you the pain of suffocating, but I'd be frozen as well if I stepped inside the circle. If you're still alive when I return, I promise I'll finish you off myself. Now, excuse me as I go and grab my prize.” With heavy footsteps fitting for its hulking body, the demon walked past the circle and its prisoner towards the edge of the roof.
Noboru had exactly one chance of survival. Being so completely paralysed, unable to breathe, death imminent, a lesser mind would have been absolutely panicked by now. However, with incredible effort Noboru managed to retain his composure, block the rising panic away and ignore the discomfort, concentrating on the wind. He'd dispersed the wind earlier, but he hadn't ended the spell yet. Magic still rushed through his body and his mind still commanded the winds around him.
As the demon approached the edge, his stride was interrupted by a strong gust of wind that forced him to raise his arm and cover his face. “What the...?”
Winds fluttering his clothes, Noboru stood on the elevated edge of the roof, right in front of the demon. Hands in his pockets, showing no anxiety, he stared directly into the black eyes, now roughly on the same level as his.
“Leaving so soon? I thought the party was just getting started.”
* * *
“What's wrong, Emi?” mother asked, putting a gentle hand on Emi's shoulder. “You seem distracted.” They had finally finished the long meeting with Teshigawara-san, and were now leaving. Morishita was waiting in front of the building with the car.
Emi turned to look at her mother – and froze. Right where she felt an especially strong 'hunch', up on the rooftop of a nearby building, there was a bright violet glow. A blink later, it was gone. The night sky above the building was just as dark as everywhere else.
“Oh, nothing.” Her eyes had been playing tricks, surely. The light had only been there for a second. “I'm just tired.” Tired enough to start seeing things?
“Yes, it has been a long day. You did well today, dear, I'm proud of you.” Mother stroked Emi's hair briefly before they entered the car. Despite taking this long, the meeting had gone well. Teshigawara-san had clearly been taken with Emi (like a dirty old man, which he probably is, Emi thought with disgust), so mother was in a good mood.
* * *
The time for leisurely talking was over. The demon revealed its teeth again, now in an expression of rage, and swung its arm horizontally. Stepping back, Noboru witnessed a quartet of eagle's claws slicing the air right in front of his unprotected throat. Feeling nothing under his backfoot, he fell off the roof. A moment later, the rough winds picked him up and threw him back up to the roof's level.
The magic circle faded out in an instant, as the demon cut it off from its power source, himself. There was no point holding up a spell that had failed its purpose, especially such a draining one. This demon, while relatively powerful, didn't have the luxury of wasting power. Not when facing someone of Noboru's calibre.
It was casting a spell again, in that strange language. A few words, and suddenly its tentacles started thrashing around wildly, as if in pain, stretching and changing form. They became something akin to the 'wings' of a flying squirrel, thin membranes connecting its arms and legs. This flesh-molding spell was one that Noboru had seen before. He knew that those wings were not meant for actual flying, but gliding.
But there was more to the demon's ability to always flee from Noboru. Its legs were strong, incredibly so. It could run faster than Noboru could fly. And even with such a large and heavy body, its legs pushed off the rooftop with such force and speed that Noboru barely managed to evade, the powerful whirlwind wrapped around him being his salvation. With the aid of its freshly shaped wing membranes, the demon sailed towards the next rooftop just as fast as Noboru could force the winds to carry himself.
And so began the third night of the hunt.
--------------------------
Roughly halfway done with the first chapter, I think.
72
General Discussions / Re: [Story] Mr. Darkness and Mrs. Moonlight
« on: December 22, 2012, 10:26:14 pm »
The inspiration is holding up for now, and I've finished the next two scenes.
--------------------------
Going to be another sleepless night, I guess, Noboru though, staring out of the classroom window apathetically. Somewhere not very far, he could feel a faint surge of power, just for a second. It was still nearby, sleeping out the daylight. No doubt set its sights on her. Noboru glanced at the shining beauty sitting in the middle of the classroom. If only she knew what I'm doing for her... then again, I'm also doing it for myself and many others. Can't have a demon running around in the city unchecked.
The bell rang. The school day was over. Many students would go to their club rooms, but some, like Noboru, would head home now. Yawning and stretching he stood up, then packed his book into his bag and turned to leave. Another surge.
Huh? Noboru turned and looked out of the window with a frown. Is it my imagination or...? Had that surge just now come from a slightly different location from the last one? If so, it could only mean one thing.
He hurried out of the classroom, forgetting even to say goodbyes to Kazuya and Fumio. Distraught by the revelation, he barely registered the curious looks he got from people as he nearly ran through the corridors. He was already outside, at the school gate, when he finally stopped to think seriously. Tracking the demon was difficult enough during the night, it would be nearly impossible during the day. So rushing after it wasn't a good idea after all. Perhaps he should focus on its target instead? Of course, staying near miss Peak during the day wasn't easy either: he had no excuse to accompany her, someone he'd barely ever exchanged a few words with. He couldn't very well just go to her and say, “hey, there's dangerous demon after you, can I stay by you so I can protect you?” He did have means of following her, even with the car, but it was risky without the concealing darkness of the night. Unfortunately, there was no invisibility spell in his grandfather's old spellbook.
He sensed her approaching well before she reached the gate. He must've looked strange just standing there absorbed in his thoughts. They both threw a sideways glance at each other as Peak walked past him into the black limousine. She quickly turned her gaze away when she noticed him looking. Again that inconspicuous flinch. Her driver, a man in his fifties who carried himself with the dignity of a servant who took pride in his job, held the back door open for her and closed it behind her. Noboru had to make his decision quickly.
* * *
A shiver ran through her body as Emi entered the car. That boy, Satou Noboru, he always had this effect on her. Anyone else she could handle, but not him. It wasn't those looks he threw at her, sharp though they were. Emi was used to being looked at, be they adoring or hateful eyes, such things no longer bothered her. No, the reason she couldn't handle Satou was because of this unexplainable feeling of danger he gave her. Although he'd never given her any cause, she feared him like nothing else in her life.
Ever since she was eleven or so, Emi had had these strange... hunches. Occasionally she'd get the feeling that there was something dangerous nearby, and she always instinctively did her best to avoid going towards that feeling of danger. She still wasn't sure if these hunches of hers were something to be trusted, but... once, she'd convinced her mother that they shouldn't go into a certain jewellery store. Later, she found out that there'd been a murder in that very store that day.
Satou Noboru gave her by far the strongest “hunch” she'd ever felt.
“I assume my mother has informed you about where to take me?” she asked the driver, Morishita, as they got under way. Finally getting away from Satou, Emi sighed in relief. Day after day, it was always like this. Even though they'd been in the same class already for more than a trimester – Emi had transferred to this school at the start of the school year in April, and it was now late September, a month after the summer holiday – she still couldn't get used to him. Although nothing in his behaviour suggested he was anything but an ordinary student, she still couldn't get rid of the idea that he was someone incredibly dangerous, deadly even.
“Yes, miss. I am to take you to the office first. At 18:00 I am to drive you and madam to the meeting with Teshigawara-san.”
“I see,” Emi replied and took out her makeup kit. Even a natural beauty like her had to do some minor touching up, but in this case, rather than making herself look prettier, she had to make herself look older. Mother wanted her to look adult when she acted as her secretary. It wouldn't do to have people doubting her ability because she wasn't eighteen yet. Emi had been able to do this since she was fourteen, and by her fifteenth birthday she'd been able to apply the right makeup by herself. Now, getting close to seventeen, it was easy.
By the time she was done, they were approaching the city centre. There was a bit of congestion, but nothing unusual. In distance, they were more than two thirds of the way to the office, but in travel time, they weren't even halfway there yet. This was all within her mother's calculations, of course. They'd be ready to leave the office by 18 o'clock.
But then, she had a hunch. It was just for a second, but it was clear. And it was right between them and the office. The hunches were like that, sometimes they only lasted for a moment. Now that she was keenly aware, trying to sense it again, she also noticed another unpleasant feeling. It was further away, but it was strong, and the lasting kind. It was behind them.
It's him. She knew it. Just knowing that he was there, near the school, gave her a bad feeling. Just knowing that he was in the same city sometimes gave her that bad feeling, as if he was watching her somewhere nearby. Emi shuddered at the thought that it might not just be her imagination, that it might be something else than stress playing tricks on her mind.
But that was something unavoidable. The other hunch, on the other hand...
“Morishita.”
“Yes?”
“Drive through the 3rd district, please. I need to pop by Tadachiya.” Tadachiya was a cosmetics store Emi and her mother sometimes used. Going through the 3rd district, they'd circle around the place that had given her the hunch and probably still make it to the office before six.
“Eh? But, miss-”
“Just do it. I'll take full responsibility. This is important, so please.”
“I... yes, miss.” The driver resigned and started to look for a suitable place to turn.
As soon as the matter was settles, Emi took out her phone and called her mother. “Hello, mother. It's me. I'm sorry, something came up, it looks like I'll be a little late. No, I'll be there by the time we need to leave for the meeting. I should have time to change, too, but if you have any instructions for the evening, you'd better tell me now...”
--------------------------
Should be getting a bit of action in the next scene, unless I change my mind about something...
--------------------------
Going to be another sleepless night, I guess, Noboru though, staring out of the classroom window apathetically. Somewhere not very far, he could feel a faint surge of power, just for a second. It was still nearby, sleeping out the daylight. No doubt set its sights on her. Noboru glanced at the shining beauty sitting in the middle of the classroom. If only she knew what I'm doing for her... then again, I'm also doing it for myself and many others. Can't have a demon running around in the city unchecked.
The bell rang. The school day was over. Many students would go to their club rooms, but some, like Noboru, would head home now. Yawning and stretching he stood up, then packed his book into his bag and turned to leave. Another surge.
Huh? Noboru turned and looked out of the window with a frown. Is it my imagination or...? Had that surge just now come from a slightly different location from the last one? If so, it could only mean one thing.
He hurried out of the classroom, forgetting even to say goodbyes to Kazuya and Fumio. Distraught by the revelation, he barely registered the curious looks he got from people as he nearly ran through the corridors. He was already outside, at the school gate, when he finally stopped to think seriously. Tracking the demon was difficult enough during the night, it would be nearly impossible during the day. So rushing after it wasn't a good idea after all. Perhaps he should focus on its target instead? Of course, staying near miss Peak during the day wasn't easy either: he had no excuse to accompany her, someone he'd barely ever exchanged a few words with. He couldn't very well just go to her and say, “hey, there's dangerous demon after you, can I stay by you so I can protect you?” He did have means of following her, even with the car, but it was risky without the concealing darkness of the night. Unfortunately, there was no invisibility spell in his grandfather's old spellbook.
He sensed her approaching well before she reached the gate. He must've looked strange just standing there absorbed in his thoughts. They both threw a sideways glance at each other as Peak walked past him into the black limousine. She quickly turned her gaze away when she noticed him looking. Again that inconspicuous flinch. Her driver, a man in his fifties who carried himself with the dignity of a servant who took pride in his job, held the back door open for her and closed it behind her. Noboru had to make his decision quickly.
* * *
A shiver ran through her body as Emi entered the car. That boy, Satou Noboru, he always had this effect on her. Anyone else she could handle, but not him. It wasn't those looks he threw at her, sharp though they were. Emi was used to being looked at, be they adoring or hateful eyes, such things no longer bothered her. No, the reason she couldn't handle Satou was because of this unexplainable feeling of danger he gave her. Although he'd never given her any cause, she feared him like nothing else in her life.
Ever since she was eleven or so, Emi had had these strange... hunches. Occasionally she'd get the feeling that there was something dangerous nearby, and she always instinctively did her best to avoid going towards that feeling of danger. She still wasn't sure if these hunches of hers were something to be trusted, but... once, she'd convinced her mother that they shouldn't go into a certain jewellery store. Later, she found out that there'd been a murder in that very store that day.
Satou Noboru gave her by far the strongest “hunch” she'd ever felt.
“I assume my mother has informed you about where to take me?” she asked the driver, Morishita, as they got under way. Finally getting away from Satou, Emi sighed in relief. Day after day, it was always like this. Even though they'd been in the same class already for more than a trimester – Emi had transferred to this school at the start of the school year in April, and it was now late September, a month after the summer holiday – she still couldn't get used to him. Although nothing in his behaviour suggested he was anything but an ordinary student, she still couldn't get rid of the idea that he was someone incredibly dangerous, deadly even.
“Yes, miss. I am to take you to the office first. At 18:00 I am to drive you and madam to the meeting with Teshigawara-san.”
“I see,” Emi replied and took out her makeup kit. Even a natural beauty like her had to do some minor touching up, but in this case, rather than making herself look prettier, she had to make herself look older. Mother wanted her to look adult when she acted as her secretary. It wouldn't do to have people doubting her ability because she wasn't eighteen yet. Emi had been able to do this since she was fourteen, and by her fifteenth birthday she'd been able to apply the right makeup by herself. Now, getting close to seventeen, it was easy.
By the time she was done, they were approaching the city centre. There was a bit of congestion, but nothing unusual. In distance, they were more than two thirds of the way to the office, but in travel time, they weren't even halfway there yet. This was all within her mother's calculations, of course. They'd be ready to leave the office by 18 o'clock.
But then, she had a hunch. It was just for a second, but it was clear. And it was right between them and the office. The hunches were like that, sometimes they only lasted for a moment. Now that she was keenly aware, trying to sense it again, she also noticed another unpleasant feeling. It was further away, but it was strong, and the lasting kind. It was behind them.
It's him. She knew it. Just knowing that he was there, near the school, gave her a bad feeling. Just knowing that he was in the same city sometimes gave her that bad feeling, as if he was watching her somewhere nearby. Emi shuddered at the thought that it might not just be her imagination, that it might be something else than stress playing tricks on her mind.
But that was something unavoidable. The other hunch, on the other hand...
“Morishita.”
“Yes?”
“Drive through the 3rd district, please. I need to pop by Tadachiya.” Tadachiya was a cosmetics store Emi and her mother sometimes used. Going through the 3rd district, they'd circle around the place that had given her the hunch and probably still make it to the office before six.
“Eh? But, miss-”
“Just do it. I'll take full responsibility. This is important, so please.”
“I... yes, miss.” The driver resigned and started to look for a suitable place to turn.
As soon as the matter was settles, Emi took out her phone and called her mother. “Hello, mother. It's me. I'm sorry, something came up, it looks like I'll be a little late. No, I'll be there by the time we need to leave for the meeting. I should have time to change, too, but if you have any instructions for the evening, you'd better tell me now...”
--------------------------
Should be getting a bit of action in the next scene, unless I change my mind about something...
73
General Discussions / Re: [Story] Mr. Darkness and Mrs. Moonlight
« on: December 21, 2012, 11:20:29 pm »
Long time no update. Tonight I felt like continuing this story, so here is the next scene:
--------------------------
Emi leaned on the wall outside the classroom, staring blankly at the smartphone in her hand. Yet another long-awaited day ruined by her duties. It was at times like this that she hated being the heiress of the Izumi family and their fashion business. Her mother was training Emi to become her successor, and she rarely took no for an answer. In principle Emi had nothing against the idea of succeeding the business and working hard to earn her mother's approval, but today she'd had plans for the day with her friends, and that phone call just now forced her to give up those plans. Or at least move them to another day.
Sighing almost inaudibly she lowered the phone and refocused. One blink, and suddenly her smile was back. Always control your demeanour. Not just your expression, but your whole body. Never let people think that something troubles you. One moment of weakness, and your image will be broken forever. Her father's teachings. People who stood out were fragile, they had countless enemies, few true friends, and many weaknesses. They must always be on guard and show no weakness. Sometimes it was hard, but the rewards of success were sweet.
As usual, many eyes turned on her immediately when she returned to the classroom. Emi ignored them, she walked straight back to her seat in the four-desk-table she'd made with her closest friends in the class. They, as well, looked at her with questions in their eyes.
“I'm sorry, girls, but today is off,” she said, her expression apologetic and showing a calculated amount of her disappointment. “My mother's assistant called in sick, and because there's a very important meeting today, I have to go in her stead. I'm really sorry, I was looking forward to going shopping with you today.” Her friends exchanged quick glances while Emi slipped her phone back to the little, flower patterned holding pouch attached to her bag and sat down.
“Well... if your mother needs you, it can't be helped.” Morita Kanako, who sat next to Emi and was arguably her closest friend in the class, looked the most disappointed. Kanako was a sweet and pretty girl, she could have stood out on her own if not for Emi casting her shadow over every other girl in the class, but she didn't mind at all. In fact, she was probably happy about it, because she was somewhat shy and didn't handle boys well. Emi was quite good at detecting envy around her, but Kanako never gave her that unpleasant feeling. Emi truly appreciated it.
“Next time, then. Today would have been good, since I don't have club activities, but I'm sure there'll be another chance soon.” Sitting opposite to Emi was Katou Akemi, the star of the volleyball club, for whom skipping club activities was almost out of the question. As an athletic, tall and energetic girl with a bright smile she stood out in her own way. She hated to talk about serious things, and preferred to make a joke of them whenever possible. That was also her way of dealing with the envy in her: she talked openly about how Emi left everyone else in her shadow, but always jokingly. Emi knew there was genuine envy in her, but she was a good enough person to not let it come between their friendship.
The fourth girl in the table didn't even raise her gaze from the book she was reading. Matsui Keiko was a neighbour of Akemi's, and Akemi was the one who'd pulled her into the group. Emi didn't actually know Keiko very well, she kept to herself whenever Akemi wasn't dragging her around, and she never talked much, or showed much emotion. Emi was pretty sure that she wasn't just controlling her demeanour, she simply didn't care about most things. She clearly cared about her books, but not much else. Or maybe she was bottling her emotions for some reason. Keiko was somewhat of a mystery, and Emi was admittedly curious about her.
“How about Saturday, then?” Kanako asked, facing Emi. Emi was the one who usually didn't have time on the weekends. Her parents filled them with lessons on things they considered important for her future but that weren't taught in school, and meetings with important people to forge beneficial relationships. But this Saturday she didn't have anything important booked, just a kenjutsu lesson, and that could be cancelled without much fuss. Masaki-kun, a childhood friend of hers and the heir to the powerful Okuno family, who was taught by the same kenjutsu teacher, would be disappointed to hear that she was skipping practise once again, but this was more important.
“Yes, I think I'll have Saturday free, unless something important comes up.” That was by no means an unlikely event, but if she told her parents today, she was sure they'd try to keep Saturday free. They were understanding enough to let her have some time to hang out with her friends occasionally. “How about Akemi and Keiko?”
The two other girls said that they were fine with Saturday, and so the matter was settled. They finished their lunches while chatting about meaningless things, and Emi allowed her mind to wander, to plan the evening's 'performance'. The trick to getting along with many different people, even rich and influential people, who might be wilful or even downright eccentric, was to adapt your behaviour to meet – or in some cases not to meet – their expectations. Sometimes it involved the proverbial boot-licking, but if you were good enough, you could usually get people to like you without compromising your dignity. And the Peak family, all four of them, were very good.
--------------------------
I must apologise for only serving such a boring scene after all that waiting. Got to get the introductions out of the way. The next scene should be slightly more interesting... but of course, I have no idea how long it'll be until I get it written. <.<
Edit: Changed kendo to kenjutsu, which is a much broader term and leaves me more freedom to decide just what kind of swordsmanship it is that they study.
--------------------------
Emi leaned on the wall outside the classroom, staring blankly at the smartphone in her hand. Yet another long-awaited day ruined by her duties. It was at times like this that she hated being the heiress of the Izumi family and their fashion business. Her mother was training Emi to become her successor, and she rarely took no for an answer. In principle Emi had nothing against the idea of succeeding the business and working hard to earn her mother's approval, but today she'd had plans for the day with her friends, and that phone call just now forced her to give up those plans. Or at least move them to another day.
Sighing almost inaudibly she lowered the phone and refocused. One blink, and suddenly her smile was back. Always control your demeanour. Not just your expression, but your whole body. Never let people think that something troubles you. One moment of weakness, and your image will be broken forever. Her father's teachings. People who stood out were fragile, they had countless enemies, few true friends, and many weaknesses. They must always be on guard and show no weakness. Sometimes it was hard, but the rewards of success were sweet.
As usual, many eyes turned on her immediately when she returned to the classroom. Emi ignored them, she walked straight back to her seat in the four-desk-table she'd made with her closest friends in the class. They, as well, looked at her with questions in their eyes.
“I'm sorry, girls, but today is off,” she said, her expression apologetic and showing a calculated amount of her disappointment. “My mother's assistant called in sick, and because there's a very important meeting today, I have to go in her stead. I'm really sorry, I was looking forward to going shopping with you today.” Her friends exchanged quick glances while Emi slipped her phone back to the little, flower patterned holding pouch attached to her bag and sat down.
“Well... if your mother needs you, it can't be helped.” Morita Kanako, who sat next to Emi and was arguably her closest friend in the class, looked the most disappointed. Kanako was a sweet and pretty girl, she could have stood out on her own if not for Emi casting her shadow over every other girl in the class, but she didn't mind at all. In fact, she was probably happy about it, because she was somewhat shy and didn't handle boys well. Emi was quite good at detecting envy around her, but Kanako never gave her that unpleasant feeling. Emi truly appreciated it.
“Next time, then. Today would have been good, since I don't have club activities, but I'm sure there'll be another chance soon.” Sitting opposite to Emi was Katou Akemi, the star of the volleyball club, for whom skipping club activities was almost out of the question. As an athletic, tall and energetic girl with a bright smile she stood out in her own way. She hated to talk about serious things, and preferred to make a joke of them whenever possible. That was also her way of dealing with the envy in her: she talked openly about how Emi left everyone else in her shadow, but always jokingly. Emi knew there was genuine envy in her, but she was a good enough person to not let it come between their friendship.
The fourth girl in the table didn't even raise her gaze from the book she was reading. Matsui Keiko was a neighbour of Akemi's, and Akemi was the one who'd pulled her into the group. Emi didn't actually know Keiko very well, she kept to herself whenever Akemi wasn't dragging her around, and she never talked much, or showed much emotion. Emi was pretty sure that she wasn't just controlling her demeanour, she simply didn't care about most things. She clearly cared about her books, but not much else. Or maybe she was bottling her emotions for some reason. Keiko was somewhat of a mystery, and Emi was admittedly curious about her.
“How about Saturday, then?” Kanako asked, facing Emi. Emi was the one who usually didn't have time on the weekends. Her parents filled them with lessons on things they considered important for her future but that weren't taught in school, and meetings with important people to forge beneficial relationships. But this Saturday she didn't have anything important booked, just a kenjutsu lesson, and that could be cancelled without much fuss. Masaki-kun, a childhood friend of hers and the heir to the powerful Okuno family, who was taught by the same kenjutsu teacher, would be disappointed to hear that she was skipping practise once again, but this was more important.
“Yes, I think I'll have Saturday free, unless something important comes up.” That was by no means an unlikely event, but if she told her parents today, she was sure they'd try to keep Saturday free. They were understanding enough to let her have some time to hang out with her friends occasionally. “How about Akemi and Keiko?”
The two other girls said that they were fine with Saturday, and so the matter was settled. They finished their lunches while chatting about meaningless things, and Emi allowed her mind to wander, to plan the evening's 'performance'. The trick to getting along with many different people, even rich and influential people, who might be wilful or even downright eccentric, was to adapt your behaviour to meet – or in some cases not to meet – their expectations. Sometimes it involved the proverbial boot-licking, but if you were good enough, you could usually get people to like you without compromising your dignity. And the Peak family, all four of them, were very good.
--------------------------
I must apologise for only serving such a boring scene after all that waiting. Got to get the introductions out of the way. The next scene should be slightly more interesting... but of course, I have no idea how long it'll be until I get it written. <.<
Edit: Changed kendo to kenjutsu, which is a much broader term and leaves me more freedom to decide just what kind of swordsmanship it is that they study.
74
General Discussions / Re: Video Games!
« on: December 09, 2012, 09:18:58 pm »
Just played through Jade Empire. A good game. Fun battles, interesting settings based on the ancient China and a good, epic story.
Not half-bad characters either, they're all interesting, not just those that you can romance (three of them, one for male characters, one for females, and one romanceable to both genders). You can romance both at once, BTW, if you go the indecisive route and pass a couple of easy skill checks. The triangle mysteriously disappears in the ending texts, though: you marry one and the relationship isn't mentioned at all in the other character's ending text. Anyway, too bad you can only take one character with you to the battle, it'd be more interesting with a group of 4, for example.
The story is epic, it concerns gods and emperors (you end up killing most of them, one way or another). The plot's not terribly unpredictable, but it's twisty enough to give you a pleasant ride. A satisfying story with a satisfying conclusion. Of course, I played the good guy, and I don't think I'll be re-playing any time soon, so I don't know how much changes if you play a Closed Fist character.
The world is based on our own: though names are different and there are a lot of fantasy elements, the culture and history of the Jade Empire are obviously based on China, and there is even a character who comes from a place clearly based on Europe. A very interesting world.
The character development system is okay: there are only three stats to upgrade, but at least there's a good selection of different fighting styles to upgrade as well. The battle system, however, is very good IMO. It's a lot of fun, fairly pleasing to the eye, and you can have a lot of variety by using different styles. Fists, weapons, magic, transformation, multiple styles in each. It'd be more fun with a group, probably, but at least there's one companion, and it's a lot of fun this way, too.
I kind of wish it was longer, or there was a sequel. The replay value isn't that great, at least I don't really feel like playing it again even though I enjoyed it so much. It's not exactly short, but I feel like it should have been longer. I kind of want to try a different character personality, romance only one character, stuff like that, but the thought of going over the story again so soon makes me give up the idea. There are not enough things to do differently, at least not without going Closed Fist (which is almost the same as evil).
Anyway, a good game, I enjoyed it a lot.
Not half-bad characters either, they're all interesting, not just those that you can romance (three of them, one for male characters, one for females, and one romanceable to both genders). You can romance both at once, BTW, if you go the indecisive route and pass a couple of easy skill checks. The triangle mysteriously disappears in the ending texts, though: you marry one and the relationship isn't mentioned at all in the other character's ending text. Anyway, too bad you can only take one character with you to the battle, it'd be more interesting with a group of 4, for example.
The story is epic, it concerns gods and emperors (you end up killing most of them, one way or another). The plot's not terribly unpredictable, but it's twisty enough to give you a pleasant ride. A satisfying story with a satisfying conclusion. Of course, I played the good guy, and I don't think I'll be re-playing any time soon, so I don't know how much changes if you play a Closed Fist character.
The world is based on our own: though names are different and there are a lot of fantasy elements, the culture and history of the Jade Empire are obviously based on China, and there is even a character who comes from a place clearly based on Europe. A very interesting world.
The character development system is okay: there are only three stats to upgrade, but at least there's a good selection of different fighting styles to upgrade as well. The battle system, however, is very good IMO. It's a lot of fun, fairly pleasing to the eye, and you can have a lot of variety by using different styles. Fists, weapons, magic, transformation, multiple styles in each. It'd be more fun with a group, probably, but at least there's one companion, and it's a lot of fun this way, too.
I kind of wish it was longer, or there was a sequel. The replay value isn't that great, at least I don't really feel like playing it again even though I enjoyed it so much. It's not exactly short, but I feel like it should have been longer. I kind of want to try a different character personality, romance only one character, stuff like that, but the thought of going over the story again so soon makes me give up the idea. There are not enough things to do differently, at least not without going Closed Fist (which is almost the same as evil).
Anyway, a good game, I enjoyed it a lot.
75
Manga / Re: Krozam's Manga Diary
« on: November 27, 2012, 02:24:44 am »
Thanks, Hax, I was getting lonely all alone here.
Angel Densetsu by Yagi Norihiro
Angel Densetsu is one of my early manga experiences, I think it's been 5-6 years since I read it for the first time. No wonder I'd forgotten just how good it is. I don't know what the fuck I was thinking, rating it merely 3.5 stars when I put it on my (far from complete) manga list. So, yeah, a supremely nostalgic manga for me, a classic and must read of its genre, and a real pleasure to re-read especially after so long, having forgotten so much.
I'd compare AD to Yankee-kun to Megane-chan and Mx0. Like YK&MC, it's a school manga with comedy, delinquent stuff and romance. The difference is, AD has a bit more action and much better comedy, while YK&MC has more variation in its elements, like the student council stuff and, well, actual studying (what's up with all these school manga where the students are barely ever shown studying?). Like Mx0, the basic concept of AD is that a student comes to a school, stuff happens, and suddenly everyone thinks he's some kind of a monster. The difference is, in Mx0 the protagonist keeps up the illusion on purpose, while in AD it's entirely unintentional, held up by his devilish appearance, inability to express himself when agitated, and a bunch of coincidences. God I love that concept, it makes for such hilarious comedy.
You might be turned off by the art at first, but it's the guy's first long manga, and he develops his art a lot during the story. It never gets amazing, but IMO it's pretty good by the end. Everything else in the manga is great from the start to the end, there's no real rise or drop in the quality of the manga.
The characters are generally likeable, and although I can't say they're particularly deep, I still grew very attached to them and I'd love to read more about their life. In a way, AD reads like a good slice of life: it's an episodic story which never really feels complete, because it's a story about the ordinary life of these characters. Like the author says at least twice, he just created the characters and let them live their lives, without confining them into a pre-determined plotline. In this case, it works extremely well.
There's no particular depth or intelligence to the plot, but it's fairly interesting anyway. It's a good mix of hilarious comedy, (extra)ordinary school life, cute romance and nice fights. It's a heartwarming story about how a boy with the face of a devil and the heart of an angel overcomes prejudice, gets himself a handful of good friends and a cute girlfriend. The theme of overcoming prejudice is very strong throughout the story, the main character isn't the only one whose looks don't match his personality. But it's usually handled in either comedic or heartwarming manner which doesn't feel preachy at all.
So, where did I raise my rating from the initial 3.5/5? To 4.5. I was contemplating 4, because the ending is a bit unsatisfactory: although there's a very romantic scene and a badass battle in the last two chapters, there's something I didn't like in both of them: Also, there's the matter of the art at the beginning, and the lack of any particular depth in the story or the characters... But in the end, nostalgia and sheer reading pleasure won, I decided on the higher rating. Angel Densetsu is, in the end, one of the most enjoyable and re-readable manga for me, it deserves my second-highest recommendations.
Music: I tried a lot of different songs with this, too many to list them all. Most of the time I listened to Poets of the Fall - Shallow, it has a nice tone that fits especailly the heartwarming scenes. For some of the more actionful or comedic scenes I used Save Me, also by PotF. I also listened to Powerman 5000 - Super Villain a lot, because I thought the subject of the song's lyrics is kinda fitting - in a perverse way - to the multitude of scenes where the protagonist is portrayed through the eyes of the people who see him as a devil... and it fits the fights well. In the last fight I listened to Recless Youth by Pillar, a pretty badass song for youth gang fights. For the few kinda sad scenes, Someone Who Cares by Three Days Grace is great. A lot of others, but those are the best fits.
Angel Densetsu by Yagi Norihiro
Angel Densetsu is one of my early manga experiences, I think it's been 5-6 years since I read it for the first time. No wonder I'd forgotten just how good it is. I don't know what the fuck I was thinking, rating it merely 3.5 stars when I put it on my (far from complete) manga list. So, yeah, a supremely nostalgic manga for me, a classic and must read of its genre, and a real pleasure to re-read especially after so long, having forgotten so much.
I'd compare AD to Yankee-kun to Megane-chan and Mx0. Like YK&MC, it's a school manga with comedy, delinquent stuff and romance. The difference is, AD has a bit more action and much better comedy, while YK&MC has more variation in its elements, like the student council stuff and, well, actual studying (what's up with all these school manga where the students are barely ever shown studying?). Like Mx0, the basic concept of AD is that a student comes to a school, stuff happens, and suddenly everyone thinks he's some kind of a monster. The difference is, in Mx0 the protagonist keeps up the illusion on purpose, while in AD it's entirely unintentional, held up by his devilish appearance, inability to express himself when agitated, and a bunch of coincidences. God I love that concept, it makes for such hilarious comedy.
You might be turned off by the art at first, but it's the guy's first long manga, and he develops his art a lot during the story. It never gets amazing, but IMO it's pretty good by the end. Everything else in the manga is great from the start to the end, there's no real rise or drop in the quality of the manga.
The characters are generally likeable, and although I can't say they're particularly deep, I still grew very attached to them and I'd love to read more about their life. In a way, AD reads like a good slice of life: it's an episodic story which never really feels complete, because it's a story about the ordinary life of these characters. Like the author says at least twice, he just created the characters and let them live their lives, without confining them into a pre-determined plotline. In this case, it works extremely well.
There's no particular depth or intelligence to the plot, but it's fairly interesting anyway. It's a good mix of hilarious comedy, (extra)ordinary school life, cute romance and nice fights. It's a heartwarming story about how a boy with the face of a devil and the heart of an angel overcomes prejudice, gets himself a handful of good friends and a cute girlfriend. The theme of overcoming prejudice is very strong throughout the story, the main character isn't the only one whose looks don't match his personality. But it's usually handled in either comedic or heartwarming manner which doesn't feel preachy at all.
So, where did I raise my rating from the initial 3.5/5? To 4.5. I was contemplating 4, because the ending is a bit unsatisfactory: although there's a very romantic scene and a badass battle in the last two chapters, there's something I didn't like in both of them:
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Music: I tried a lot of different songs with this, too many to list them all. Most of the time I listened to Poets of the Fall - Shallow, it has a nice tone that fits especailly the heartwarming scenes. For some of the more actionful or comedic scenes I used Save Me, also by PotF. I also listened to Powerman 5000 - Super Villain a lot, because I thought the subject of the song's lyrics is kinda fitting - in a perverse way - to the multitude of scenes where the protagonist is portrayed through the eyes of the people who see him as a devil... and it fits the fights well. In the last fight I listened to Recless Youth by Pillar, a pretty badass song for youth gang fights. For the few kinda sad scenes, Someone Who Cares by Three Days Grace is great. A lot of others, but those are the best fits.