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 Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 6:28 am
 Quote quote quote.
(???)| [PRP] | Open | Not-so-handy-man. | link |MOOD: Content. MOOD: Eager. [size=11][color=#cc0000]Reflection on RP[/color][/size]
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Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 6:28 am
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
(William Shakespeare.)| [PRP] | Open | A kind of excellent dumb discourse. | link |MOOD: Content. MOOD: Expectant. [size=11][color=#cc0000]Reflection on RP[/color][/size]
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Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:31 am
“Sit.”
The imperative hung in the air, a dead command as the pug’s intelligent black eyes looked up at Vyn.
“Sit Thorn.” The rose repeated, this time clicking and pointing at the dog with one slender finger. This had no more effect than her previous attempts and she sighed, resting the accusing point on her ‘waist’ (or more accurately a portion of her ragged ribbon). Seeing this as a sign of defeat the black pug wagged his tail profusely and gave a very vocal yap of expectation. Vyn didn’t need to understand dog to know what he was saying: he wanted a treat or else he wouldn’t perform the task what she wanted him to do.
It had been a few weeks since attending evening classes to train Thorn (the advice given by Zeke’s leaflet had allowed them to book a course fairly swiftly and easily). But now that the teacher was on an extended holiday and Vyn was charged with recapping and attempting to enforce what the dog had learned little success was being made. What was even more frustrating was knowing that the canine was perfectly capable of sitting, following and staying on demand but only when he received a treat for it! The trainer had said that they should wean the dogs off rewards so that they could behave in normal situations outside of the ‘classroom’ but Thorn wasn’t having any of it. Unless there was a treat in Vyn’s hand he’d be as stubborn as a mule.
“Sit Thorn.” The shadow tried to be a little more forceful this time. Dipping down she ran a hand along the length of her pet, applying pressure to his back half and manoeuvring his bum to rest awkwardly on the floor. However, as soon as she removed her hand Thorn’s backside raised up again to standing position like a defiant spring, unable to be pinned down.
Frustrated the frei sat back on her bed, her head cradled in her hands. “You have to do what I say, even without treats.” She looked up from her position of aggravation. Rather than a sympathetic whine, or a look of guilt with his tail tucked away Thorn was still standing there... Perhaps even more enthusiastic looking considering the mention of the golden word: treat. “You’re already overweight – Zeke said so,” she huffed, justifying the reasons out loud why she shouldn’t cave into those puppy dog eyes and give him a scrap of ham for his work. “So do it for me... Sit?”
Unsurprisingly Thorn continued to wait expectantly for a treat to be presented and a long exasperated exhalation of breath left the shadow and she descended backwards so that she was lying across her bed, red hair splayed around her head and her amber eyes looking up at the ceiling.
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Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:32 am
Quote, quote, quote.
(???)
He was in a newer hotel room, splurging for the night for a nicer hotel in a better area of Gambino. The money from Yuurei's house would go a long way still, and the cash he grabbed from the druggies -- they obviously dealed and sampled -- supplemented it nicely. He glanced at the list. Vyn was on the top. Pulling the light purple Blackberry out of the bag of phones, Brian turned the phone on and looked through the contacts. Vyn <3. Smiling, he brought up a text message.
Lucia (: : Hey Vyn! ;)
Vyn didn't heard the phone, her ears were far to occupied with the beat of the heavy j-rock that she had recently downloaded. They were a new band on the scene and as she sampled their songs she sound them fairly pleasing. Not contending with her favourites.. But they had potential to be good. Luckily the vibrations that accompanied the text alert were picked up and she glanced at the greeting herfeline friend had sent her with a curve of a smile on her lips. Vyn <3: Hey Lucia. You ok?
Lucia (: : Me? Okay? Of course! =P I was just thinking I haven't seen you since New Years. That party was laaaaaaame!
Vyn <3: You think so? Well, I guess it was a bit quiet.. Our gifts were nice though!
Lucia (: : Meh. But I was thinking we should get together! ^^
Vyn <3: Sure! I've got the necklace. Shall I bring it?
Lucia (: : Definitely! We should just go somewhere. Are you free later? Or tomorrow?
Vyn <3: I'm free today. Where do you want to go?
Lucia (: : Let's meet at the subway station across from the music store and we'll just hop on the first car and go wherever it takes us!
Vyn <3: Ok. What time do you want to meet?
Lucia (: : Umm....Let's go for the night life! Can you meet at 10? =P You're older than me, you should be able to get out that late if I can.
Vyn <3: Ethan might not like that.. But I'll get out for you Lucia.
Lucia (: : Awesome! : ) I'll see you then!
Vyn <3: Ok. Bye. (:
Without replying, Brian turned off the phone. There would be no broken dates, he thought, a sob-like giggle escaping Lucia's lips as he thought about what fun he'd have with the freis later tonight.
A little anxious yet at the same time excited Vyn looked at the phone. Ethan certainly wouldn't be happy about her wandering the subway... But he wouldn't have to know where she went. She often took night time strolls to eat. Tonight should be good fun having Lucia for company! 
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Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:33 am
Quote, quote, quote.
(???.)| [PRP] | Closed | The pull of the chain. | link |MOOD: Eager. [size=11][color=#cc0000]Reflection on RP[/color][/size]
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Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:59 pm
 To Alex..
Hello Alex, it’s Vyn writing this letter. I’m currently sitting in the foyer of the Rihga Royal Hotel in Japan. Ethan suggested that I do this, send a letter every day of our trip to a different person back home in Gaia so that I can share what I’ve been doing with others. I’m not sure if I can write well enough to interest everyone, but it will give me something to do whilst I adjust to the time differences. I did not know that different places around the world had different times – when the plane landed and it was still midday I was confused. Ethan explained it to me and now I understand. It must be the middle of the night for you now. Over here it is only just dinner time. Strange...
The past few days have been very busy and exciting preparing for the trip. Ethan has been telling me to pack but it’s very difficult to know what I needed to take. In the end I took a few different pieces of clothing, my camera (I’m going to take as many pictures as possible), sun cream, my mp3 and my Japanese text books – though hopefully I won’t need them, I have been practicing every night. The day before we were due to leave we had to drop Thorn off at the kennels. It was really sad, when I passed him over to the man he whined and I knew he would miss me. Ethan said that he had phoned Zeke’s workplace to find out the best place though... So I know he’s safe. I miss him already though.
This morning was perhaps the busiest we’ve been for a long time. Ethan got me up and with all of our bags packed in advance we were able to leave the penthouse smoothly. We got a taxi to the airport and Ethan led us straight past all the queues to a separate area. At first I was a little confused because at all the other check in areas there were lots of families and normal looking people, but at the area Ethan and I went to there wasn’t anyone outside of formal dress. Then I registered that we would be in first class and most people couldn’t afford it.. After handing over our luggage – I was confused why we were giving it away at first – we headed through to a big atrium full of shops and food places. We didn’t linger there long and Ethan headed straight for another more exclusive part of the airport. It was a lounge where we could just wait in comfort for the plane to arrive. For me it was boring and I spent the most part of the hour or so listening to music and watching the planes rumbling up and down the runway.
Eventually Ethan signalled that we were about to board and I switched off my music and followed his lead yet again. The woman at the barrier checked over the forms and passports before letting us onto the plane. She gave me a smile but behind it I knew she was wondering about me... The way she repeated my name as I moved through to the walkway connecting to the plane. I presume not many raevans have been through airports before.
I was nervous on the plane... Normally human technology is fine with me – If it can be used with humans safely then there’s not normally a reason to be afraid of it. Yet with the plane, something about being in a huge metal box that could fly unnerved me. We were in yet another different section to the plane; first class with more leg room for Ethan and a team of smiling attendants who explained the rules and what was to be done in an emergency. Ethan was very relaxed and was flicking through a newspaper... But... Alex, I was scared. I didn’t let Ethan know though because we were going to Japan and there was no other way. Soon enough we were hurtling down the runway and ascending to the skys. My ears hurt a lot as we went up. Is that normal or just a raevan thing? None of the attendants had warned us.
Nothing much happened on the flight... There were films to watch but I didn’t really feel like paying any attention to them. Most of them were action, chick flicks or children’s stuff... I listened to my music again and I think I must’ve fallen asleep because somewhere along the line we arrived at Tokyo airport. Now I was excited. That feeling, like a tingling around my rune, was flaring up and as we exited the plane I was the one in the lead. All the signs had both an English and Japanese translation but Ethan was still looking to me to lead. It was a little bit amusing Alex, me being the parent and Ethan the child trailing behind. We picked up our baggage – now I understood it had been put on the plane whilst we waited in that lounge – and headed to the exit. All the people around us were talking in mixed Japanese and English but I understood both to a degree; Hearing things in true Japanese setting made things slightly harder, dialects are hard.
There was a man waiting for us at the exit, he held a sign with Ethan’s name on it. I greeted him, in Japanese, and he seemed pleasantly surprised. Ethan stood there none the wiser as I conversed with the man – telling him the rough details of our flight. When he gestured to us to follow him to our taxi I was really happy, the man had complimented me on my Japanese and there seemed to be minimal misunderstandings between us. During the taxi journey our driver was less talkative but that didn’t matter – I was watching everything on the outside... The buildings here are so tall! Like our penthouse except that there’s hundreds of them, all reaching up to the sky.
Our hotel wasn’t too far away from the airport and when we were dropped off our bags were taken by a uniformed attendant... Between now and then we’ve been settling in for the most part. The hotel is so expensive looking. I was slightly disheartened that it wasn’t done in a traditional Japanese style, but I will hopefully be seeing more of the culture of Japan over the next few days... There’s not much else to write... Ethan will be finished with his dinner soon. I hope you and Zul are both well. I will write again soon,
Vyn.
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Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 1:42 pm
Dear Meli.
It’s been a long time since we have spoken, how are you? How is Thorn’s brother – I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten his name..? We were going to meet up but then... Things got very dramatic. We should meet up when I get back from my holiday. That’s the reason I’m writing. Ethan has taken me to Japan for my birthday and I’m writing home to a different friend each day to tell them what I have been doing. Today I saw something really beautiful and it reminded me of you.
It’s only my second day in Japan so most of the morning was spent at the hotel settling in still and exploring the huge complex. There’s a swimming pool, a gym... Both looked nice and clean and there were a few people using them. Ethan went on the treadmill before lunch and I turned my attention to the spa and health treatments that were available. There were lots of things I couldn’t do... Most of the massages involved a full body or at least a complete torso, but they did other treatments like facemasks and pedicures. I had one of the latter and now my nails are lovely. My usual black but with delicate rose patterning. I think Ethan bought me a spa treatment at Christmas but I never used it because I never looked into what it involved. When I get back would you like to use it with me? It’s quite nice being... How did they put it.. Pampered?
After lunch, Ethan says the food here is top quality, we went shopping. The buildings here are all so huge and so modern. Great glass things, bigger than anything I’ve ever seen in Gaia. We went to several of the big department stores, Ethan got me a personal shopping assistant but rather than looking at the clothes that were on offer I got more enjoyment out of talking with them in Japanese. I asked the girl to tell me honestly to correct me if I am wrong and although she seemed reluctant at first (I think it was part of her job to be polite) but she evetunally started telling me when my grammar slipped or when I made little slip ups. She was very helpful – I learnt a lot!
To be honest I did not buy much from the shops... Most of the clothes, although really nice, were exactly the same as what I could get back home so there wasn’t much point in getting them. It wasn’t until later when we went into a specialist kimono shop that I really felt like I wanted to buy anything. I got measured up and they selected a few kimonos that they had in stock for me to try on. Meli, they were beautiful! All made out of silk with wonderful prints. They would’ve suited you... There was this wonderful spring themed one. If you were here to try it on I would buy it, just for you. A gift. Like how you paid for Thorn. Maybe I could get one sent over for you. Would you like that?
After going there we headed back to the hotel – the kimono shop are going to make me a customise kimono and it should be ready to pick up before we go back to Gaia. I’ll show it to you when we meet up.
I’ll speak to you soon.
Vyn.
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Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:04 pm
To Rivener.
You probably already know I am in Japan and that I’m writing home letters to people – Alex is living with you now, so she probably told you. It’s actually day four today but I had wanted to write to you yesterday, but by the time we go home to the hotel Ethan said it was far too late to stay up and write because we needed a lot f rest for our big day today, so I am writing this now the morning after whilst Ethan has his breakfast.
Yesterday was my chance to explore Tokyo, for the most part, on my own. Ethan asked if I minded if he did some business work for the day, he said ‘the opportunity to meet some associates is too hard for me to easily resist’ and because he had already treated me enough by taking me here I let him do it (and I was excited to be truly independent and put my Japanese to the test). So in the morning I got a taxi – all by myself – and told the driver that I wanted to go to the area of Tokyo where all the street fashion happens. I had read about it in a tour guide and on the internet and thought it would be quite good to visit whilst I was there. The man thought for a little while before setting off, there were several places where that took place but he figured out the best place for me to go to.
During the journey we spoke a bit. He had a daughter who was studying English at university and he joked about how I should swap places with her so that she could live in Gaia and learn more English and I should learn more Japanese. I laughed and said that I had too many friends in Gaia, but I said I would write letters to her if she wanted. Before I got dropped off I gave him my email. I might have a new pen friend.
The next few hours of my time were spent wandering around and looking at everything. Even just reading street signs and notices really interested me. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of ‘anime’, but the region that the man had dropped me in was where all the fans of it go to. I’ve heard of it whilst looking up Japanese. It’s the Japanese name for their cartoons, I never got interested in it because cartoons are for little children... Apparently over here lots of people – teenagers and adults – watch it though and it’s normal. All the shops were brightly coloured with shelves of anime books, toys, even costumes. I thought it was really weird that people would want to dress up like cartoon characters but the more I looked around the more I realised that lots of the people in the crowds were copies of the pictures on the shelves and in the shop windows.
Apparently some girls thought I was dressed up like them – they were all wearing gothic ‘lolita’ fashion – and they stopped to take a photo with me and talk to me. At first they didn’t know that I wasn’t human. Dressing up with different ears, wings, even fully animal suits was part of what they did. After explaining what I was they got really excited and wanted to know about all the other raevans. It was hard to explain some things to them because the vocabulary to talk about us isn’t the common thing to learn. They were really interested in you Rivener. I had a picture of you on my phone and they said we looked like brother and sister; it made me laugh.
I spent the rest of the afternoon with them – they took me to all their favourite ‘lolitia’ shops and I bought lots of accessories. It was really fun; I hope I get a chance to meet up with them again sometime.
When it started to get later in the afternoon Ethan phoned me. He had a dinner arranged with his business people and I could meet him if I wanted. I had heard lots of things about Japanese food and since I hadn’t had the chance to look at much whilst out and about so far I took to opportunity and agreed to meet him at the sushi restaurant. When I told the girls where I was going, they were impressed; apparently it’s one of the best places for sushi in the whole of Tokyo.
Meeting up with Ethan and his business partners (Japanese men in suits – none of them were that memorable) was fairly dull. They all spoke English for Ethan’s benefit so I didn’t even pick up any language experience. The food however was very interesting. Sushi is raw fish served with rice... I thought that it was really strange, but some of the pieces that the men ate were really artistically presented. Has Aphismet ever made sushi? I think he’d find it really interesting.
The meal dragged on till quite late, Ethan and his company were drinking sake (a Japanese alcohol) and they seemed to forget I was there. I didn’t mind though... I was looking at all the different sushi and got talking to one of the waitresses... So the evening wasn’t that bad.
Anyway, I have to go now. Got lot’s planned for today.
Vyn.
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Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2010 3:07 pm
Dear Eiry.
Hello Eiry-kun! How are you? Good I hope. You have probably read Alex’s or Rivener’s letter already and so know of my trip to Japan. It is amazing here – the culture is so different and they are a very beautiful nation. I think you would like it here. Today was a very busy day so there is lots to write about.
Our goal for the day was to travel from Tokyo to Mount Fuji. Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan and you can see it from Tokyo. The last few days I have been watching it from my room. It is odd that across the city this huge mountain is there, it’s like it is watching over the city. We have nothing like that in Gaia... According to Ethan it is an active volcano and one of three ‘holy’ mountains. I am not surprised that the Japanese think it is holy, looking at it made me think that it was very peaceful...
Getting to the mountain would take some time, travelling by car takes a minimum of three hours and with the traffic it could’ve taken longer. Because of that we thought it best to set off straight after Ethan ate his breakfast (I wrote my letter to Rivener in that time) so that we would have as long as possible to be on the mountain. As per usual Ethan had arranged for a personal driver to taxi us there. The car was nice and roomy but I couldn’t help but get a little restless throughout the long journey. I tried to sit still and watch the scenery but there’s only so long that you can amuse yourself with looking at the car next door. Eventually I phoned my friends that I made the day before and spoke to them so that I was at least practicing my Japanese during the time spent in the car.
Finally we arrived at our destination. Initially I was really quite disappointed – I had expected to go right up to the mountain itself. Instead we were at a resort of sorts. There were several buildings set up and although we got a much closer view of Fuji we were still a fair distance away. I asked Ethan why we had stopped here and he explained. We were at a famous set of hot springs; here we could relax in the naturally heated water and admire the mountain. I was not convinced but rather than complain I decided to give it a go.
I do not know about you Eiry-kun... But I have never been swimming before. It was a little bit awkward going into the steaming hot water fully dressed when the other woman there were in swimsuits or, strangely, nude. The feeling of the hot water on the rune was also really peculiar, though rather than embarrassing like the clothing issue it was unquestionably nice. After about five minutes I was changed from being unimpressed at the hot springs to being absolutely relaxed. It felt like I was melting into the water and with the peaceful mountain in front of me I couldn’t have been happier.
Vyn.
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Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 2:59 pm
Lucia.
I do not know what to say to you... It would be lying to say that I understand what you did. I was hurt and very confused by what happened. Do you hate me? I hope not, I don’t know why you would because I thought we were friends. Our necklace – it was meant to show how close we were... Did you choose to hurt me with that on purpose? It is broken now... So I assume that means we are no longer friends.
I am sorry for whatever I have done... I am in Japan at the moment, so I cannot see you. I hope this letter reaches you ok.
If you want to talk to me, write back... I don’t know if we should see each other face to face for a while.
Vyn.
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Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 3:10 pm
To Xiu.
Today I went somewhere that reminded me strongly of you Xiu. I am in Japan and for the past few days Ethan and I have been visiting different shrines in and around Tokyo. We have been to several now and whenever I see any of the carved stone statues I think of you and your wings. The calmness of the shrines also reminds me of you. The one that we went to today was called the Meiji Shrine. It was built in honour of a Japanese emperor and his wife. They died many years ago yet people still visit the shrine to pay their respects to them because apparently when it was built their souls were enshrined there.
I do not know about whether I saw or felt their souls... But there was definitely something tranquil about the place. You would’ve liked it I think. You like the peace and quiet and both Ethan and I agreed that we could imagine you sitting in an alcove their all day long reading a book and just soaking up the atmosphere. Have you ever been to a shrine? Maybe when I get back we could go to one together. The Meiji shrine was surrounded by woods and all the buildings were made from beautiful timber. There was a giant gateway when we entered and inside the shrine – in a courtyard was what looked at first to be a tree surrounded by weird decorations.
When I looked closer the tree was surrounded by thousands of notes left behind by visitors. I read one of them – my reading skills have improved lots over the course of my visit – and it seemed like people were writing down their wishes and putting them there. I looked for more information and found a little desk with paper and pens available. Apparently it is traditional to write a prayer whilst you are visiting and put it with everyone else’s in hope that it comes true. I wrote one for Ethan (because he can’t write Japanese) and one for myself and put them both on the tree.
My prayer actually involved you Xiu. I was thinking so much about you and how you would fit in that I wrote that I hoped that one day I would be as clever as you. I told Ethan and he said that if I told people that it wouldn’t come true... Or at least, that’s what happens with wishes in western culture. Now that I’ve already told Ethan I suppose it doesn’t matter if I tell you anyway...
I hope to see you soon when I come back.
Vyn.
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Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:20 pm
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 5:06 am
Quote quote quote.
(???)| [PRP] | Closed | Someone to talk to. | link |MOOD: Curious, helpful.
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 12:28 pm
Quote, quote, quote.
(???)
Dearest Vyn,
I’m so very sorry for what happened. I need to tell you that it wasn’t me who attacked you. I never ever would hurt you in a million years, so just understand that it wasn’t me. Please understand that it wasn’t me. I’m sorry. I can’t explain it right now – maybe I can tell you a bit next time we meet. Just know that if I had a choice I never would have hurt you and it will NEVER happen again.
I’m sorry our necklace broke – but I was able to keep a few links. And I made this bracelet for you out of what I had. I understand if you don’t want to wear it, if you hate me, but if you don’t please wear it. In the box I also included another necklace I bought for you. This one is all yours.
If you do forgive me, or if you want to try, give me a call. I would like to see you. I miss you.
Love,
Lucia
P.S.: I'm sorry to you too Ethan. Please know it wasn't my fault.
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 12:30 pm
Quote quote quote.
(???)| [PRP] | Open | Summertime shopping. | link |MOOD: Hot and bothered.
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