Welcome to Gaia! ::

Dear Totsu,

Ha, "dear" that's a laugh. You bad guy you. How's it feel that you now get to express your thoughts on all the goings on of our little world? But guess what? You are screwing everything up! Man would you just stop thinking with you're unmentionables for two seconds jeez. I can't write a solid page without you wanting to attack the protagonist in some aweful way. Give it a rest I gave you enough of a reputation as it is.

Sincerely Your Creator

Hello "Your Creator"

I am actually very happy to finally have my opinion heard in this little story of yours. I was getting sick and tired of listening to Shonasha whine on and on about how terrible I've made his life by killing his parents(which I didn't do myself) and by pinning my crimes on him and enslaveing him and what not. And what happens when I try to make it a little more pleasant? He blows me off just like that and runs away. Oh yea, it's really easy to keep my hands of him when you write him like he's some too-beautiful-to-be-real boy who happens to have to follow me around where ever I go. That gets just a little bit tempting.

Don't even write to me like I'm some terrible pervert who needs to crawl under a rock and die because I know you've thought of quite a few things for me to do that you didn't dare write down. Wuss. If you wanted me to lay everything that moved then fine, it would make Shonasha so much less of a Mary-Sue(since he might as well be a girl the way you right about him).

Insincerely Totsu Tsinigani

P.S. It would probably be easier for you to write correctly if you weren't thinking about all those cute love stories you read in the manga section of the book store, this is not some teenage love story this is a full blown tragic epic so you better start writing it like one!

P.S.S Hey I like that Lestat character from that movie you watched yesterday. Enslaving people by turning them into vampires so they remain with you for all eternity is a really neat idea. I think he's my ideal. Now if I could just get Flamoya to grant me eternal life on me and a certain someone than I could be happy forever.

Totsu

Ok, that was a really low blow. Do you know how hard I'm trying to prevent Sho-Sho from turning into a complete copy-cat character? It's really hard because he's been like that since I first created him. Who are you to say that anyway, you're part of the reason it happened anyway since you decided to show up in some random role play and claimed you had some mysteriously horrible past with Sho-Sho. Boom, he turns into complete emo kid and now I can't change it. Thanks a lot.

I want to write a love story darn you! Just you wait, I'll drop this story to sit for another year or so and work on a cute short story that won't be blown out of proportion by some perverted b*****d who wants to rule everybody and get the g[uy]irl.

From now on you'd better stop interfereing in my writing or you'll find your little excerpts cut from the book and I'll let your brother do it instead.

Your POed Creator

Miss "creator"

Bite. Me.

Totsu

(I feel a little better now. I needed to have that arguement)

*Breathes life into the thread*

Dear Medina,

How are you? Good, I'm glad you're well. Yes, I know I didn't give you time to answer, but that doesn't really matter does it dear? Listen, I'm writing this for a reason, and you must hear me out before you try to butt in- see? there you go again, can't you just listen? That's it. Like I said, I'm writing this for a reason.

I'm not annoyed at you Dee, but I would really appreciate it if you'd give Calina the time of day. I know you two are going to end up being rivals, and she'll one day be accusing you of both murder and kidnap, as well as being a Malevolent Old Witch, but that's beside the point! She deserves to have a novel just as much as you do, and like it or not, her novel is first. Yes, I know you'd like to be first, but wouldn't that ruin the illusion? Which would you prefer: you having your novel first, but people wanting to kill you by the end of it; or you having your novel second, and people liking you for it?

Don't bother answering, I have already made up my mind, so you, my dear, had better listen to it.

All my love,
The Author.

--

Dear Miss Author,

Thank you for your letter, it certainly made my day. As for my preference involving the order of your novels (and yes, I do realise that the question was rhetorical, but since when has the idea of rhetorics ever bothered me?) you know very well that I would rather people see the true view first. It is much harder to convince people as to your innocence after they have been brainwashed by some little blonde- Calina, into believe that I live only to satisfy my own means. You, as well as I, know that Ellette came with me on purpose, and you know that her death was something that I absolutely could not prevent: She chose to do it, not I.

On the subject of Calina, I would ask you kindly to refrain from discussing her in front of me in the nicest of terms, since you know what will happen. I dislike that girl immensely right now, especially as she thinks I killed her sister (no thanks to you, thank you very much), and if I find myself hearing her name again I may very well refuse to cooperate with you this summer. It's going to be bad enough pretending to be her friend just so you can retell my story.

I could talk to you all day, but I fear a stomach ulser if I carry on for any longer. However, one last thing, please- please refrain from calling me Dee. You know how much I hate it.

Yours sincerly,
Medina.

--

Dear Calina,

I'm just writing to inform you that I have spoken to Medina about her rather rude manner towards you: You really must excuse her, you know, it's not her fault she's so surly, she was just made that way. If you're going to blame anyone you should probably blame me, or the Idina Menzel music that appears to have made her so disagreeable. Also, I was writing to ask if you wouldn't mind my borrowing you for a little while in the next couple of days for some character development training. I fear that Medina is rather more developed that you are due to your being a later addition to the cast than she. Would it be possible if I could take a little time out of your notsobusy schedule?

Really, though, you must try not to provoke Medina. She's can't help it: If there's a reason to be pissy, then she'll abuse the chances you give her and take her attitude all the way across Exos and back. So please, dear, give her some room- stop pestering her. Remember, you're the one who's not supposed to like her not the other way around, otherwise this whole project is going to go up in smoke before it even gets chance to get started.

As for Ellette- back off. Medina doesn't need you harping on about her too. And I'm sure Ellette really doesn't appreciate you guys going on about her death while she's still around. Okay? Just keep it zipped. If we can get through this summer together then everything will be much better.

Love,
The Author.

--

Dear Author,

Okay, for starters, how come Medina's letter had All my love, while all I got was a Love? Yes- clever aren't I. No, before you ask, I wasn't snooping around, Medina showed me the letter.

Secondly, why did you talk to her about me? I was perfectly fine with her, and her ambitions to have her novel first. In fact I'd rellish it: Do you think I want to spend extra hours with you before I have to? This summer is going to be bad enough as it is without the extra hours beforehand.

However, darling, I suppose I'd better start getting into character. I'm nice, remember? Letty doesn't mind us talking about her, she's weak minded and definitely not fixed on her own death. She's too quiet to protest much, but if it bothered her enough then she'd say something.

But, here's a little piece of advice: Leave Medina alone for a couple of days. She just needs to cool off. She's a bit annoyed that you want to develop with me and not her, since she's obviously your favourite character.

Oh, and, I'm not provoking Medina, you know. You're doing that well enough without me. I just sit back here and watch. It's quite interesting you know.

I'd say Love, but you don't deserve that,
Calina.

@Flea: I love your characters. Julian's response made me laugh, because it was so damn evasive. It was... full of stuff but never.... Stuff. That makes little sense, but, hey.

I'm bored. Another letter is called for.

Dear Ellette,

I hope you are well, especially as I have not had too much time to focus on either you or Azaliah in the late couple of days. I suppose I've spent too much time with Medina and Calina- which in all fairness is called for. They've got quite a bit of work ahead of them before June. Medina needs to spend less time around you, simply because until the novel starts you two are supposed to be- well- unknown to one another. I don't want to be mean, but, you know how it is. I need you to be as authentic as possible?

Anyway, that wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about. I just wanted to check that you're not losing faith. I wrote down a couple of lines this morning, and it seemed as though you were becoming highly pessimistic. This could be a problem, Letty. By the end of the first novel you're supposed to be well known for your philosophical theories, and insight, as well as an optimistic belief in faith and the world around you. Yes, I know I still haven't given you a religion yet, and yes, I know I haven't even named the pagan Goddess yet- I'm getting there. Don't push me. I have a lot to deal with at the moment.

Also, you could talk a little more to Calina. She's your sister, and I'd really like you two to bond a little for the first novel. Calina has to at least be able to pretend that she loves to care for you.

I think that's all for now. Keep your chin up, sweetie. June's not far away now.

Sincerely (yes, I do love you, but Calina was protesting. Take it up with her),
The Author.

--

Dear Creator,

I thank you for your letter, really. I know you have a few problems with my attitudes, but as soon as June starts you'll not have to worry. You can count on me to get into character quicker than you can say "Geek with a Peter Pan complex". I'll be ready and raring to go as soon as the whistle blows. Speaking of which, you couldn't make sure the whistle is a bell instead, could you? The whistle interfers with my prayers.

I think I'd rather be less religious than you were originally planning though, as that could cause a few problems later on in the novels, couldn't it? I suppose Calina would portray me in a more chaste light than Medina would, but that's beside the point. I don't want to be a total nutjob, thank you. And, Paganism really isn't my cup of tea. I think we should go with the worship of a singular God, or something. Some form of religious Unionism, perhaps. An organised form of religion: The religion of the working people. I like the sound of that, based on something a little more believeable. I've heard Paganism in Exos isn't particularly reliable.

Thank you for writing to me with your concerns. I assure you, however, your worries have no ground.

Morally Yours,
Ellette Roe.

(( @PMS: Glad you like him. He can be a lot of fun but also irritating. Since he's sort of the main originator of the plot, if I don't know what he's up to, I don't know how to tie pieces together. I suppose he's right, though. A lot of things have to be kept vague, or it will lose its already shallow sense of political conspiracy. XD

What is it with philosophical characters turning pessimistic? I've had that happen too often. XP

I think I use these letters differently than other people. I'm all like, "Please, cast, I'm helpless. Tell me where you all are, what you're doing, where you came from, and everything else, because I don't have the slightest." I should just do several letters instead of outlining. ninja

So here's somewhat boring correspondence with Yaozu (I love him, anyway. heart ) and a letter with Roxy, who practically speaks her own language. @_@ ))

~~~

Dear Yaozu,

Sorry I recently decided to disclude all those chapters about how you and Daniel team up. I know it's a long, slow process between you two, and I had several cute scenes which will be lost to history now, but there's even more that I never started to explore. It would be helpful if you could give me a quick rundown of things which are likely to not be covered, such as how a pacifist ends up working for the government, often as an assassin. O_O Or you could explain how you came to work with Daniel, what your relationship is at the start of the book. Any info from your point of view would be greatly appreciated.

Yours truly,
Da Flea

~~~


Author,

How I came to work for the government is not a tale I am proud of, but for the sake of your chronicle, I will share the important points...

When I reached nineteen, my temple was the center of financial difficulties and political persecution. I was arrested, with many others, for anti-government activities (the details are long and complex, but I would like to say that to this day, I believe I did nothing inappropriate) A small group of us escaped. Our pictures were circulated. We could not go home. Out of options, we found passage aboard ships destined for foreign shores.

During my first week in America, when I had yet to find a steady home or source of food, I saw a young woman escaping what I believed to be criminals. I helped her only to be seized by agents and accused of high crimes against the country. I was a dissident in my homeland, now a 'terrorist' to America. It seemed as if my bad fortune was something I could not escape.

The agents questioned me for many days, then offered me a chance to 'lessen' my punishment by assisting them, becoming an 'informant', as they called it. A tracking chip was implanted in my arm, and my life was no longer my own. After discovering my abilities with martial arts and archery, among other things, they used me for even more - the deadly, the specific, the absurd.

Please believe my ideals were not given up easily or entirely, but wrong action is something which comes one step at a time, and I... have walked so long my rut is a canyon. It is no excuse, but you asked only for explanation...

And then Daniel.

Daniel is... fond of me. He had the tracking chip removed, my record cleared - in both countries. As a result, my devotion is no longer to the government of any nation but to him. He seems to like that very much.

Though he's... peculiar, I admit I'm growing attached to our partnership. It's well known that attachment leads to suffering. ...

Forgive me. I don't know what else to say on the subject, at the moment. Anyway, it's Friday, and if I don't go soon, I'll be late for "movie night". I believe the film is called Taboo. Daniel laughed and said it would give me nightmares. We have watched horror films before. I don't know why this one would be worse.

May this information be of some use,
Zhang Yaozu

~~~

Dear Lover of the Night Life,

What's shakin'? XD If you could gimme the 411 on what you're up to in that cybernetic fantasy land of yours, that'd be awesome. Sometimes I get the feeling you'd rather just dance and party all the time, but you ARE supposed to be a fairly important player, you know. You and Cody, bringing down The Man and all that.

Love,
Da Flea, Author Semi-Extraordinairre
~~~

Mi Pulgita!

Dogs don't know it's not bacon, eh? Gotta keep the outflow on the down low, been feelin heat. Out of the frying pan, am I right? Black Betty's been in the oven, and I don't mean she's stuffed. <_< ... >_> ...

Hear wires got crossed in a bad way down in Deep 13. After the sky fell, ain't nothing been the same. The little Bone's connected to the big Bone. Do not licketh the God Bone. You know what I'm talking about. ;-D

Code's been leading in downloads, but those ain't your momma's stale easter eggs, get it, get it? XD Buy Steal this record, your life will be better. Sent you up da bomb. Compliments of the chef. B-) Ghost ain't no kind of slacker. She's a code-cracker, hard-hacker, mutha-fracka- Shut your mouth! I'm just talking 'bout Ghost. D=

Can you dig it?

Rosia's got a siberian cat with dirt in its nails. Groomer has it someone's bought a scratching post. The Price is always Right. Mark It, Check It. Do It Y. FYI. Aye, aye. You ever see a bush baby?

They've got freaky eyes.

~White Out~


~~~

(( And there we go. I dunno how interesting this is to anyone else, but it's fun for me. (Why is it I can write letters alright but I'm having a horrible time writing contest entries? gonk ) Anyway, my mega-posts shall now invade this thread. It shall be mine! domokun ))

@PMS: Yes, it's always those philosophical ones. Why, when EDS-F first showed up, he was the sweetest, most innocent guy around. Slowly he's become very cynical. XD

You never did get that Azaliah letter up. domokun

Roxy is great. She can speak normally, if she wants, but she just doesn't want. XD And most of why=at she says is actually very informative, if you can manage to piece it together. I always have to leave myself translations of what she meant so that when I go back later, I'll know. XD

I tried to write a letter with Daniel. It was meant to be at answered in the same timeframe as Yaozu's. (How sad am I? I actually build mini-stories into my LETTERS. rolleyes Anyway, it turned out wrong somehow. I think... I don't have a good grasp of Daniel's personality. gonk I know he's rather straightforward compared to some of the others. He can be charming or threatening, but not in letters with me, so he seems boring compared to everyone else. He's too major of a character for me to find him boring. X___X

*must fix now*
Time for a heart to heart... (Note: this letter probably isn't interesting to anyone but me. sweatdrop Maybe I'll write some more fun characters later this week.)

---

Daniel,

I don't know how it happened that I became so unable to know you. Is it my fault? You were inspired by a villain with perhaps a tiny speck of not-so-badness, but desperately, I clung to that speck. You're your own character now, as much as anyone derived from something else can be, and you're a far cry from the villain days. Maybe that's the problem. That cool, ruthless exterior I created for the plot doesn't fit with the heart I developed in your personal storylines.

I'm sorry for the confusion, both for you and myself, but I promise to stick with you. Maybe you aren't quite the stereotypical cool guy I originally envisioned, but maybe there's something better beyond all that. As much as I admire the virtues marketability of shallow action, I - and by extension most of what I make - just can't keep to the surface.

Here's hoping you've got something good to say in return.

Love,
Flea

---

(Note: Daniel's response came, as they usually do, on a videocassette. This is a simple transcription.)

The screen flickers on to reveal Daniel's kitchen filmed from atop a table. At first, only his torso is visible. Then he pulls a chair around and sits down to face the camera. He's wearing a white tank top and a shark's tooth suspended on a black cord necklace. There's a white bandage wrapped around his upper left arm.

He foregoes greetings this time and gets right to the point.

Daniel: "Alright, let's be honest here. I'M not sure who I am, either. You know the story. You know what happens. Working for The Man, being used as a guinea pig and haunted by my past, committing statutory rape, falling in love with a Buddhist and fighting to end or save the world - I'm still not sure which... It's not exactly what I expected in life, y'know?"

He leaves the frame for a moment, returns with a bottle of bourbon and pours himself a glass.

Daniel: "A few years ago - before that book of yours even starts - I thought Fitz and I were destined to be rebels without a cause forever. Thought he'd come around, and we'd be the most memorable thing since Bonnie & Clyde. ******** society, ******** the government, ******** anyone who got in our way."

He downs his drink in one shot.

Daniel: "Turns out I was just a kid, drunk on power and lust and money. Oh, I learned a thing or two about how to play the game. Learned my skills and how to use them, but in the end, maybe I didn't really know what I wanted. Maybe I still don't."

He pauses to pour another drink, then leans in towards the camera and grins.

Daniel: "But don't worry. You and I share something. The sharks, the music, the city lights - I know you get it. Deep down, there's that common thread, and if you're good, you can sew an entire picture from one thread. As for the other stuff..."

He lifts the camera and leans back.

Daniel: "Action movies are made of actors who work out forty hours a week to get washboard abs but couldn't actually aim a gun to save their lives. All those explosions, the sparks and squealing metal, the bruises and blood spatters - it's all special effects. They're faking it."

He leans his head back and opens his mouth in shallow laugh, finding amusement at the thought.

Daniel: "I'm a faker. So are you. So's everyone. Because that kind of thing... it's never about what you are. It's how you look while doing it. Confidence - get some of it. Like that little black cat song you like so much. 'Makeru ka? Ore wa Horii Naito.'"

He points a finger at the camera.

Daniel: "Kimi mo. And you know it. Someday you'll deliver that letter. Just gotta keep running."

He tilts his head away from the camera.

Daniel: "Yeah, I look through your files when you aren't around. What can I say? It's a matter of survival - knowing things."

After a few moments of quiet, he stares at the camera with seriouness.

Daniel: "******** the surface. When a shark breaches, people stare, but we both now where that impressive speed comes from, now, don't we? Floating on the surface gets prolonged exposure, but the REAL good s**t starts a lot deeper down, and when it DOES surface..."

He nodded and grinned.

Daniel: "Just gotta keep running. Fake it 'till you make it, baby."

He sets the camera down and rests his hand atop it.

Daniel: "Now I want you to go out there and start faking the hell out of it, nnkay?"

The camera clicks off.

~~~

Attached to the video was a small label with this signature -

'Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...
<3 Shark '



... Sometimes I get the feeling stuff like this becomes less about my story and more about my desperate need for a personal support group. XD

Therapists are evil. They make you feel like you're five and they're humouring your stupidity. gonk

Da Flea had a therapist for a short while... The following year she lost all her friends and dropped out of college. Beware the Therapists! gonk

Anyway, there will eventually be a letter from Bridget here. Although first I really should stop playing internet games, work on a contest entry and finish that profile thing. ninja ...