Grapefruit Garden

Saturday Night Party (At the Door)

2008-07-13T23:07:00.003-05:00

(Co-written by myia, Archie and Emerald)

James looked a little silly in his white Mandarin collar and vertical split front tuxedo. But Myia had to admit that he was very handsome. The blue satin windsor tie and cornflower vest matched perfectly with the color of his eyes. Myia had chosen a simple yet elegant dark blue silk cheongsam with yellow flowers to go with James' suit. Her hair was wraped up in a soft bun. The young couple was met by a very formally dressed, rigid appearanced butler at the door. They were informed that Mr. Ramanujam had to fly to London for an unexpected emergency and would return the next morning. They were to tour the castle freely and make home of themsleves. The dinner was to be held in the dinning hall at ninteen hundred and their accomodations for the night was all prepared. Nodded politely, James and Myia stepped in. It looked like that some guests have already arrived. They strolled toward a couple of people who walked closer.

Colonel Archibald Gracie
Archie had been the first to arrive and was beginning to regret accepting his invitation. An invite to a castle with an absent host could not be a good sign and he did not buy into that nonsense of Mr. Ramanujam flying off for an emergency one bit. He had tried to pass the time conversing with the butler, who, judging by his accent, was an American. But there was something about this stiffly aloof man that reminded Archie of oil - slick and capable of contaminating his surroundings with little effort. He did not yet know why that visual came to his mind, but since the night he had survived the greatest shipwreck in history, Archie had learned to trust his intuition inexplicably. The guests began to arrive and what a shifty lot they were! Every one of them had secrets they would stop at nothing to keep hidden. At least, that was what his intuition told him and it seemed apparent that secrets would be brought to light tonight, one by one...

He noticed then, with mixed relief and then alarm for their welfare, a smartly clad couple arrive. There was something in the way they were properly dressed: the man in his tuxedo and the woman in her silk cheongsam that made Archie think of potential allies among the sleezy gumshoe lot. There was a candid air about them that alerted Archie's senses. They needed to be careful what they said around these people if they wanted to survive the night. Archie's heart pounded at that revelation; was he overreacting, or was this couple really in danger? "Never doubt your intuition, Archie," he reminded himself for the umpteenth time, his mind made up to approach this couple and warn them before anyone else got to them. He shook their hands and they introduced themselves as James and Myia. "I'm Colonel Archibald Gracie," he said. "But you may call me Archie." He was about to lead them away from the crowd when a woman who had been watching Archie intensely, sidled up next to him and introduced herself as his wife...but he had never met this woman before.

Emerald
As Emerald held her glass of wine she stood next to a piece of expensive artwork framed on the wall in the dining hall. "Beautiful..." she said. Emerald didn't really care much for pictures but she wanted to look like she did. The man to her right was very loud and distracting. He was talking to the butler about something of no interest to her so she continued to comb the crowd with her eyes. She looked completely bored. "I should have brought a date..." Emerald wore an exquisite evening gown in green silk chiffon. String straps with a dramatic, sweeping shoulder scarf attached at the left side. Her curly chestnut hair hung down and danced politely on her shoulders. As eye-catching as she felt, it was uncomfortable enough standing here in heels waiting for something to happen. Just then a very nice looking couple walked in smiling yet unsure of the state of affairs they were in. Emeralds decided to go and make polite conversation but she couldn't help noticing that the distracting man talking to the butler was looking around suspiciously. Finally he approached the couple. Eager for something interesting to happen she made her way slowly through the crowd and joined the three. She made sure she was holding her wine glass in the proper fashion of course.

"Good evening. I see you have already met my husband." Emerald smiled.

If there was any truth to the old cliche' "Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger", then Archie should have been an unstoppable force. He lost his father when he was only five, outlived all four of his daughters and survived the Titanic disaster. He certainly would not have his stride broken by this chestnut haired vixen, no matter how stunning she looked in her green chiffon gown, or...was she ever charming! Already, the couple seemed to be having a better rapport with her than they had with him. Every once and a while, the woman threw sideways glances at Archie, her eyes glinting with mischief. Well, he had no idea what she was up to, but it was time this little nymph got a good dose of her own medicine...

Myia liked the Colonel's wife on the first sight. There was something to the way she moved about, sleek and agile yet graceful. She called herself Emerald. Myia couldn't help noticing James' eyes looking at her green dress approvingly. The Colonel appeared to be a bit agitated by the presence of his wife. He frowned slightly when she talked. Emerald, on the other hand, seemed to be rather enjoying herself and couldn't wipe the smile off her face. A very interesting couple ... Myia thought to herself.

Saturday Night Party (Prologue)

2008-06-12T00:38:00.005-05:00

Prologue

Myia picked out a classy looking envelop that stood out from the scattered morning mails. Upon opening it, she found it to be an invitation.

Dear Esteemed Detective Myia,

Mr. and Ms. Montril Ramanujam
request the honor of your presence
at a prestigious detective gathering
Saturday, the fifth of May
One thousand nine hundred fifty seven
at eighteen o'clock.
Wellesley Estate
Sleuth town

Wellesley Estate! Myia's felt her heart beat quickened in excitement. Wellesley Estate was the most prestigious castle in town, located in isolation at the edge of North Christie. Ever since it was bought by its new owners last year, nobody had heard anything about it. The identity of its owners had remained a mystery. Myia was curious to meet the elusive Mr. and Ms. Ramanujam. Indian, wasn't it? From the sound of the name ...

Perhaps she could persuade James to go with her. Being new to the profession, she had been longing a chance to meet all the great detectives in town.

Myia started her detective career

2008-05-31T00:42:00.000-05:00

Looking down from the small airplane window, Myia smiled. The rivers and mountains that emerged out between the white clouds looked so refreshingly different, yet familiar and dear to her heart. She loved flying. Commercial flights were still rare. Few people knew what it feels like riding on an airplane, and Myia was one of them. It was a privilege that she earned by vigilantly digging through the darkest secrets of the most important people of the day. She smiled again.

James was already waiting when the airplane landed. They hugged, and walked together toward his Chevrolet while Myia talked excitedly about every details of her trip. “Myia”, interrupted James, his face filled with a gentle yet uneasy expression. “Don’t.” Myia stopped him. “Don’t say anything. I’m afraid that what you say would spoil the moment.” Shaking his head with a bitter smile, James sighed, “When can you stop being this sharp always? Haven’t I told you that it’s going to get you in trouble?” He paused before continuing, “Maria wants me to tell you that you can’t work for us any more. You know she’s shouldered a lot of pressure for you, but this time I’m afraid that she cannot protect you any more.”

They stepped into the car quietly. James started the engine and watched Myia’s long black hair floating back with the wind.

The Chevrolet eased into a stop right in front of the Democrat and Chronicle. James turned toward Myia in his seat. Looking straight ahead, she blinked, and a drop of tear appeared at the edge of her eyelid. James reached out and squeezed her hard. “I know you loved it. We’ll miss you.” Smiling more encouragingly, he added, “Haven’t you always talked about wanting to become a detective? Maybe this is your chance to make a better use of your sharp sense of intuition.”

“Yes, you are right.” Myia smiled, throwing her hair back, “I’ve been thinking about starting something new these last few months. I had a feeling that this day was near.” James jumped out of the car, ran to the back, and brought back a framed picture. “Here, the first piece of furniture of the Myia Investigations Inc.” Myia laughed out loudly. “You are such a thoughtful man.” She looked into his eyes lovingly, “If you ever get fired from D&C, you’re always welcome to join me.”

“Me? I’m no trouble maker like you.” James joked. “But if I get sagged, I’ll start a pilot business. And when you become a famous detective, I’ll fly you to every corner of the world to solve all those unsolvable crimes.”

Friday Night

2007-07-26T21:53:00.000-05:00

(Little pieces for fun written on Friday nights ...)

Friday Night (I)

I'm alone at my little apartment. It's Friday night and my roomate is on a plane flying to California for a week. And I hear keys turning in the door lock ...

Friday Night (II)

It was Friday night. Her roomate was off for the weekend and she was all alone in her little apartment. She looked at the clock. It was 31 minutes past 12. ... Strange that it has become quiet this early, she thought. She stood up from her laptop, and turned off all the lights in the living room. She carefully closed her bed room door. What was she going to do? She didn't feel sleepy. And the forum she goes to was all empty. Everybody must be at some wild party somewhere. The TV had nothing interesting going on. She wished that she had rented some movies ... She suddenly remembered that black CD case that she saw when she first came in ...The apartment was clean and neat when she moved in two weeks ago. When she was checking it out she found a black CD case laying on the bottom of a dresser drawer. It looked bulged with CDs but she hadn't touched it at the time. Perhaps there might be something interesting in there. She opened the drawer. Wonder who left it here ...

The CDs inside the case tuned out to be blank ones. Not giving up, she took one out. The glossy orange color on its surface seemed to be faintly shinning. She walked to the living room, inserted the disk into the CD player and waited. Nothing came out. Darn. She sighed and turned the CD player off.

Ten minutes later, right about when she was drifting into sleep, a slow, coare noise started to float through the crack of her bedroom door ... The voice was low, almost like a whisper. She listened. It seemed to be a strange song that she had never heard of. She couldn't hear clearly what it was saying. ... Who had turned on the player? She grumbled to herself while she got up and walked to the next room. Suddenly she stoped. A chilling wind started to blow, parting the curtains momentarily. Lightening flashed revealing a shadow of a man. His entire body was submerged with the darkness. Only his eyes was sparkling with esctacy. She opened her mouth to scream, only to find that she had lost her voice. Slowly, he walked toward her. Her eyes wide open, she stood still, under his spell. Her white silky neck shone under the moonlight, so smooth, so bare ... He lowered his head toward her. Suddenly she felt something cool touching her neck. Lightning shot through her body. She closed her eyes. A low and coarse humming surrounded the room once again. Slow and soft, mingled and esoteric... She felt her body floating up. She was flying ...

Friday night (III)
Lord Joncha sits in front of his PC. The air seems to be getting a little chilly. The AC needs some work, he thinks. Or perhaps I've simply sitten here for too long ... Something cold and small drops onto his neck. So chilly ... He suddenly gives a shudder.

Joncha stands up and walks to the window AC unit. He freezes when his eyes catch a glance of the darkness outside. It is snowing... snowflakes drifting, slapping into the windows. Joncha turns abruptly and dashes to the door. Hands firmly on the door dnob, he pulls the door open. A strong drift of snow swirls in around him.

Not far from him among the trees, a white shape of a girl moves silently. Her dark hair floats in the wind. Her eyes shimmering, piercing through the darkness. She turns her head slightly toward the feeble yellow light that escaped from the door behind Joncha. Eyes fixing on his, she comes toward him. Joncha steps back and slaps close the door. Back leaning on the door, he breathes heavily. Outside, the snow intensifies … A frail howl can be heard from afar: “H-e-e-l-p! I – am – tassi --- He-o-o-l-p…”

They are coming

2006-09-20T00:26:00.000-05:00

They are coming. The big, round, bright and yellow eyes flashed in the total darkness immediately behind him. They sent in indescribable pressure against his stiffened back. He adjusted his sitting position slightly, making sure his right foot staying unmoved on the gas pedal. Then he glanced at his rearview mirror again. There they were, these eyes of giant menacing monsters, boldly but steadily closing in on him. He sent his eyes back toward the direction in front of him. He didn’t dare to look at the mirror long enough to count how many of them there were. But he knew there were many of them. Yes, many bright yellow eyes. Staring after him without blinking. He wanted to flee.

It was total darkness in front of him. He held tightly on the steering wheel. He could see dark shadows of trees flying away from him. He imagined that he heard screams of the wind. But he listened, and heard nothing. It was very quiet. The shadows of the trees were very dark, and ominous. He could not see what was before him but the darkness that he kept dashing into. He stared to his front, fixing his eyes on the fast disappearing road. He wondered if there would be a sharp turn just seconds in front of him, and a cliff right to the left of the road, and he would be straightly dashing into it. He kept driving. His eyes were burning from staring. Sweats crawled out of his hands, and wetted the leather wrap of the steering wheel. Why weren’t there any cars coming toward him from the other direction? He wondered. Perhaps something happened to the world, and he was all alone. Alone with those bold and menacing monstrous eyes. Perhaps he was not driving on the right road. Perhaps, he was not driving on a road. Perhaps all of these were a trap that he would not be able to run away from. Perhaps he could have escaped but he missed his chance.

He looked at the eyes again. They were getting closer. They seemed to be fixed on his tail. But they were getting closer. His mind signaled his right foot to step harder on the gas pedal, in the same time trying hard to control it from doing so. “Don’t.” He told himself, “Keep steady.” His right foot pushed hard downward without making any movement. The red pointer in the speedometer trembled in the same place. He trudged forward. His neck hurt from not changing positions for too long. Every cell in his body was stiff. He thought for a minute that it may be a good idea if he turned on the radio, but he kept his posture. Again he glanced at the rearview mirror. In the back of his mind the unlikely scenario of certain unnatural noises coming from the radio was pondered vaguely.

A light yellow dot appeared far away, like a star flashing in the darkness. It came quickly, bigger while closer, until he could see that it was a car coming toward him. Happiness washed over him. He noticed that he was holding his breath all along. Right in this moment a car swung by him, passing from his left. The yellow headlights reflected on his rearview mirror stung his eyes. He looked at the mirror again. A few cars were closing in toward him, their colors dim and indescribable in the night, their headlights round and bright, shedding yellow lights on the road. He knew he was finally free.

The wilderness

2006-09-20T00:01:00.000-05:00

(Written June 2006)

She’s trained herself on goblins and black warriors. She hasn’t trained long. But she trained hard. She knew that she’s getting stronger and more skillful everyday. Still she shunned away from the wilderness. She’s heard stories that happened in the wilderness. About people turning into monstrous animals in the split of a second. Once when she came back from the black warrior’s castle, she was tired and lost her direction. She wandered into the wilderness. She saw some vicious looking spiders and killed them with ease. While she was fighting the spiders, she noticed a man dressed like a wizard. He strangely strolled around, not too far away from her. She said “Hi”, but he didn’t answer. She finished the spider and went on her way. All of a suddenly a fire strike hit her in her back. “Ouch!” She turned around, and saw that the fire wizard was firing toward her. She knew she was hurt rather badly. And her foods were all gone. Why are they this cruel? To hurt a girl who just said hello to him. But she knew this was the way they lived. They had a name too. They were called “pkers”.

That day, she was fortunate to be very close to the city. She ran away. And she had never gone back to the wilderness again.

One day, she met a strange old man who talked about a dragon that was un-destroyable. He said that if she could prove she was a real warrior, then he would make her the best armor of the world. Her blood was boiled by the old man. Ever since she was a little girl, she heard about those heroes that slay dragons. She had dreamed one day she would also attempt such a feat. Best armor or not, she was going to prove to the old man that she was one of her own.

It was actually a rather tedious task. She had to train her other abilities just to gather the three pieces of a map. And now that she was finally able to secure a little boat for the dragon island, she learned that the boat needed to be fixed! She cursed herself for not asking the conditions of the boat before she paid the money. But even if she were willing to forfeit the money, there were no one else who was willing to sail with her. Yes, that was the dragon island that she was targeting after all. Not everybody was as crzay as her to risk the danger of facing a live dragon.

She began to search for the special planks that were needed to repair the boat. After many days of fruitless searching, she finally heard a rumor that some people have seen the planks at the graveyard in the wilderness.

So it was finally time for her to face her most feared nightmare. She reflected the countless nights when she dreamed about a fire wizard and the fire ball that was shooting toward her. And the mark ... The mark that was on the forehead of the wizard. She couldn't see the wizard's face well in her dream. But she could see vividly a bloody mark that sparkled out from his forehead. It was shaped like a skull...

She knew that the pkers were as vicious as before, if not more. But she was stronger too. She told herself that she was not afraid. She packed herself some good food, put on her best armors, and picked up her rune sword.

She stepped out the city boundary. Immediately she was surrounded in a sea of pkers. She was astounded to see that they all had a red skull mark carved on their forehead. So it was not her own imagination then ... Some of the skull marks were dark. Others were more brightly colored, as if fresh blood could drip from it any minute. The red skulls stung her eyes. She couldn't breathe. She was choked by the evilness that was projected out of them. She started to loose sight of the pkers' faces. She could see nothing but the skulls ... Skulls that moved like sea waves. She felt dazzled and struggled to keep her steps steady. As quickly as she could, she fled the area unnoticed and finally let out a breath. Perhaps she was too innocent for them to kill.

Now the wilderness was empty. It was quiet. She could almost hear her own footsteps. There was no road. All she could see was mounts of brown earth that spread away toward every direction. Hints of smells of blood drifted in the air. She trudged along, trying to remember the route that her friend drew for her. It was almost dark when she saw the graveyard. It wasn’t as scary as she had thought, actually. A bunch of zombies were roaming around. She could take care of them easy. She didn’t mind. There was also a man, who carried a water staff. A wizard. Her heart skipped a beat. She walked toward him, and said: “Hi.” The man was fighting a zombie, and did not turn his head. She noticed that he didn’t have a skull mark on his forehead. He seemed to be safe. So bravely she continued: “Do you know where I can get planks?” He answered, to her surprise, “I have two right here. You can take them.” Her heart warmed up. So not everybody was bad in the wilderness after all. They traded. She gave him a lobster. She knew he could have needed food if he had stayed in the wilderness for long. And she was thankful for the warmness he gave her.

It was too easy. She looked at her food bag, still untouched. Perhaps she really overestimated the wilderness. She decided that she would stay and wander a little bit before she returned.

It was near the Chaos Altar when she was collecting the body runes that scattered around that she met him. He said that he was called MagicMage. He followed her around, and proposed that they should be a “team”. She asked: “What is your plan?” “To kill a guy at the 65 wildness. He has full runes.” She considered. She was planning to hang around a little anyways. Perhaps it is safer to have a companion. He didn’t look very strong. He didn’t even have any armor on. Just a little sword in his hand. She thought that he may really need a companion. So she agreed, and followed him.

It all happened in one minute. The first second she saw some pkers coming toward them. When they crossed she saw some swords rising and falling. The swords sparkled in the dark. And she heard people yelling. The next second, the three pkers circled her, laughing loudly, and left. She blinked her eyes, and realized that she hadn’t even drawn out her weapon. It was then a thought suddenly hit her. She was all alone. Lost in the deep dark wilderness. The darkness closed in heavily upon her. She walked a few steps aimlessly. Where was MagicMage? She started to call, but her voice died in her throat. She didn't dare to draw any attentions. Slowly, she walked back, directed only by her own intuitions. She wondered about MagicMage. Was he dead? Did he run away? Teleported back? She wouldn’t blame him if he did. Anybody would have run away when his life was in danger. She was again amazed that the pkers didn’t lay a sword on her. Whatever reason it was, she was grateful.

She was a little surprised to hear from MagicMage again. He was killed, he said, and reborn in this mystical world. They set out to the wilderness again. She didn’t have to, for she had already got what she went there for. However she felt sorry for MagicMage. He didn’t get what he wanted. She thought she could help a little. They chatted on the way up. He asked if she’s brought food, and if she could teleport. He begged her for some lobsters. She used to sell those lobsters for good money, but she gave him some for free. He looked so poor. She didn’t know if he could last till he found his full rune armors. Then he begged for more. She grew a little suspicious. What kind of a man it was to beg for food when he was setting out to a great adventure? She refused, telling him that she didn’t have too many, although she really still had plenty.

They went straight to the deepest wildness.
“What is your max hit?” Asked MagicMage.
“11, I think,” She said.
“Are you sure?” He invited, “Try it on me. See if you can get a hit.”
The stories she heard before started to come back to her. So this is what this is all about then, she thought. She frowned. “Where were we?” She asked.
“Looking for a store.” He seemed to be slightly taken aback.
You said we were gonna kill a guy with full runes. “Why do we need to look for a store?”
“To make some pizzas.”
Please. This is too much. If you want to trick somebody, at least you should try to make it more believable. “Why do you want to make pizza here? I could have cooked you lots of pizzas at Varrock if you had asked.” She joked.
The man started pacing around. He’s getting impatient. She thought. “Hit me, please. Just once. I want to see.” He started begging again. Begging seemed to be his best play so far.
She resisted. “No. I don’t kill people. I don’t want a skull mark on my head.”
“Just one hit. I won’t fight back. I promise.” He pleaded.
She suddenly left him and ran to a hobgoblin that happened to come across in the right moment. “You want to see me fighting a monster? Here. Watch.” She hit the monster with great skills. “I don’t have much time. We need to hurry if we want to do anything else.” She urged. She knew she was playing with a volcano that was going to explode. She could feel him seething. But she wanted to see how he would end this.

Suddenly he changed. He just couldn't wait any more. A fire staff magically appeared in his hand. The poor helpless man disappeared. She was looking directly into the eyes of her worst nightmare. The fire wizard. He was mad too. His hands were trembling. He cast a fire strike. It missed her. “Why?” She asked. She was prepared, but she was still stunned by the rudeness. She watched with horror as a red skull appeared on his forehead. She couldn't see the rest of his face now, but the brightly colored skull mark. It looked like it was smiling ... A twisted, evil bloodthirsty smile ... For a moment she couldn’t move. Her heart started to pound her chest fast. This is it. She thought. Then he cast another fire strike. It hit her right on her legs. She lowered her body in pain. He had good hit. She realized with great horror that she might die if he hit her another good hit or two. She has got to leave. She stumbled to get hold of her own staff, and tried to teleport. But she failed. Another hit. She was dying. She quickly put a lobster in her mouth and started to run. Her leg pained. But she bit her lips and continued running. The wizard followed her tightly. He was not gonna let her go. He spent so much time and effort to lure her to the wilderness. He would not let her run away.

It would depend on who can run longer, she thought. And then she realized that her armor and foods are heavy, and he didn’t seem to have much on him. She would not be able to outrun him. That’s ok. She could fight him. She didn’t want to hurt people. But she was not afraid to fight. A thought flied through her mind that she should stop and fight him. Her strength was coming back to her as she kept running. And she had more food than she had told him. He may be set for a good surprise. But she didn’t stop. She still didn’t want to hurt him. Even if he betrayed her, and intended to betray her in the very beginning. She would wait until the moment came when she had to fight. But suddenly the wizard stopped. So I have outrun him after all. She didn't have time to think what that meant about how much stuff he was carrying. Within second she was twenty steps away. He shouted, “Stop!” She stopped. But she had no intention to go back to him and continue this game.

As she was teleporting back to the city, she sent him a long message. “I knew you wanted to trick me. But I’m not that easy to be killed am I? I gave you food. I would have helped you and fought with you if you needed. You could have had me as your friend. But you chose to betray me. You will never know what a valuable friend you have lost. I’m leaving now. Good luck playing a bad boy.”

Her heart still pounding fast in her chest, she knew that she had conquered her most fearful nightmare.

Vampire! (XIII)

2005-10-31T22:58:00.000-06:00

Looking at the burning castle, ecstasy flew through Tacticus' body. He looked toward Hercules. Peaceful happiness filled with Hercules' eyes for the first time in the past four days. They embraced.

Hercules' eyes widened, feeling the delicate prick on his neck. ... So this is how it is supposed to end ...

Darkness fell to the Paradise island. Up on the starless sky, a giant vampire bat spread its enormous wings. It circled the island a couple times, before it took off toward the mainland, leaving the orange wavering fire outlined beautiful castle behind.

Tonight was the Halloween night.

The Beginning

Vampire! (XII)

2005-10-31T22:50:00.000-06:00

"You pose well, father." said Tacticus. "I had trusted you. The crucifix that you wear had given me a false assurance, just as it gave all the others. Most of them are dead now." He swallowed, and then continued, "It is hard to understand, how come a respectful priest like you could become a blood sucking vampire. However, I remember reading somewhere, that the crucifix is only powerful when the person who wears it has absolute faith in god." He paused for a second before he added, "The clerical collar of yours is certainly also very helpful of deceiving."

It took Father Nikolai a couple minutes to understand the words of Tacticus. "You are accusing me." His face was distorted by the greatest disbelief. "Yes, he is." Chef Hercules interjected. A lighted candle was in his hands. "Now it is the time for you to pay for all the lives you've taken."

Father Nikolai suddenly turned and started running crazily toward the castle. He tripped over the threshold of the castle door. Hercules tossed the candle onto him, and the priest's black tunic suddenly burst into flame. Nikolai got up, and continued running into the castle. Chef Hercules and Mr. Tacticus stood outside of the castle in silence. They could hear Nikolai's screaming went up the stairs, all the way to the tower. Flames shot out from the windows, and spread everywhere.

It was almost twilight. The sunset kindled the skies. Chef Hercules and Mr. Tacticus stood statically. In front of them, yellow flames were gobbling up the giant old castle, sending long black shadows dancing on the ground.

Next Chapter

Vampire! (XI)

2005-10-31T22:45:00.000-06:00

It was almost mid-night. Chef Hercules finished the chores at the kitchen. At least my work load is getting considerably lighter. He simpered to himself. He looked out from the window toward the river. Mr. Gunner was not there any more. He had been kneeling in front of the river ever since they killed Smiley and Kassiopeia. Hercules wondered what he had been thinking. That was where Reyia waited for her vampire lover two hundred years ago wasn’t it … Hercules walked toward the direction of the guest rooms.

The hallway was dark and quiet. He could hear his own footsteps. … It was becoming kind of chilly … A little current of air coiled around his neck … Somebody was following him. Mr. Gunner turned around sharply, and met a pair of glimmering eyes. A scream was heard almost at the same moment as the cat sprinted away scared with a loud meow. “Whew! It was only Felix. I wonder why Hercules hasn’t been taken care of him … ” He comforted himself, trying to calm down his still rapidly racing heart while walking hurriedly to his room.

Hercules knocked on Mr. Tacticus’ door. Nobody answered. The hallway was unnaturally quiet. Hercules knocked again. Still no answer. Pondering, Hercules started to head back. Just as he was turning around, the door behind him cracked open with a squeal. Standing behind the door was Mr. Tacticus, looking at him warily. “Erm, I was thinking, perhaps you wouldn’t mind if we keep each other accompany for tonight?” Hercules said uncertainly. Mr. Tacticus looked at him for another long minute, as if debating whether he could be trusted. Then he suddenly moved back a step, letting Hercules into the room.

The next morning, Father Nikolai, Mr. Tacticus and Chef Hercules gathered around the breakfast table. They looked at each other. Without any words, they all turned and walked toward Mr. Gunner's room together. Mr. Tacticus pushed the door open. There, Mr. Gunner lay on his bed peacefully, his cold body drained of all blood.

Next Chapter

Vampire! (X)

2005-10-31T22:41:00.000-06:00

Father Nikolai examined Mr. Kassiopeia's body. Looking at the inquiring eyes of the others, he shook his head and sighed. He picked up the blood soaked leather scroll, and started to read.

Reyia, my beautiful Reyia, I’m about to turn crazy missing her. I can still vividly recall the first time I met her. Her lifeless body lying on the sand, her paper-white cheeks, her tight closed lips … I felt in love with her the first moment my eyes lay on her. She looked like one of my own … But no, she was not one of my own. So many times I felt the irresistible urge to bury my mouth in her neck … To taste the most delicious blood of hers … And she’d let me do it … Her deep eyes staring at me with so much in it … Her soft lips inviting … She’d kiss me, and then lay her head on my shoulder, bare her neck in front of me, and quietly, waiting … I’d feel her heartbeats, and the warmth of her body … Yes the warmth … Something that I will never have … I just couldn’t do it. All the blood-thirsty urges would be gone, replaced with something I have never experienced with. I hid her in this island, away from the other ones of my own kind. She brought seeds of some kind of a fruit. We planted them behind this castle that I built for her. They bear yellow pear-shaped fruits. She loved its bitter taste. I call it the "Citrus paradise". She never asked nor said anything when I went out every night … But I could see the pains in her eyes when I come back to her. She would always be waiting for me on that little bridge behind the citrus paradise trees … Reyia, my dearest Reyia. What good is living forever without you? You brought me a baby. My own baby. Oh I have never imagined that I would have a baby of my own. What would he be like when he grows up? Would he be like me? I rather hope he would be like his mother … Poor baby … I will never get to see how you would turn out to be. It may be just as well. Perhaps she’ll never tell you about me … But that’s the best. I’ve sent you and your mommy back to the mainland, where you could have a normal life like the other children. I wish she would be able to protect you … And now it is time for me to end my “everlasting youth” … Hahaha … ever lasting youth …

Next Chapter

Vampire! (IX)

2005-10-31T22:31:00.000-06:00

"He must be grabbed by one of his aarvadarks, Haha." Smiley's contrived laughter halted abruptly in the middle, seeing that nobody was laughing with his joke. His lowered his head again, pretending to be eating his porridge. Father Nikolai stood up, "I better check on him."

Nikolai came back down within five minutes. From the look on his face, they all knew what they were fearing had happened again.

"We shouldn't stay in this Island any longer." Mr. Kassiopeia was losing his composer for the first time. "Why hadn't Stena been back yet? I wonder if GeoModder had really done his duty." He suddenly stopped, realizing that the person he just mentioned was not with them any more, and that he was crucified, by he himself personally.

The atmosphere around the breakfast table was heavy and depressing. The talks were sporatic and broken. Nobody wanted to leave the table. As if by sitting together, they felt that they were safer. However, there was also a hidden untrustness and nervousness flowing around. Sometimes one would stare at another, as if trying to figure out if that person was actually something entirely different.

...
“I cannot in good conscious kill anybody any more,” commented Mr. Tacticus dishearteningly. The rest of the group, however, was determined to end the distress once and for all. They found Mr. Smiley at the little Gate House, sitting in front of a small desk, back facing the door. A silver dagger lay on the desk.

Hearing people entering, Mr. Smiley stood up and turned around, a leather scroll in his hand: “Gentlemen, I …” Before he had time to finish, Mr. Gunner leaped forward, snatched the silver digger, and stabbed it right into his left chest. Mr. Smiley’s eyes widened. He looked at them, his right hand clutched at the dagger, his mouth quivered. It was apparent that Mr. Smiley was making an effort to say something, but all he could make was a gurgling sound in his throat. All of a sudden, he gave out an odd smile, and crashed to the ground. The scroll fell out of his hand, and settled besides his body.

“Why are you in such a hurry? He was trying to tell us something.” Mr. Kassiopeia criticized. He dashed forward and knelt down beside Mr. Smiley. Flipping over Mr. Smiley’s body, Mr. Kassiopeia revealed a smooth and undamaged neck. “Hahahaha …” Mr. Kassiopeia let out a hysterical laugh. “What a nice job we are doing killing innocents.” He took out the silver dagger from Smiley’s body. “This is that kind of dagger that will kill a vampire isn’t it?” He couldn’t stop laughing. Looking up he suddenly found the other three closing in on him, their eyes bloody red. A thought suddenly hit him. What if they are all vampires … He shivered.

Mr. Kassiopeia drove the silver dagger right into his own heart.

Next Chapter

Vampire! (VIII)

2005-10-31T22:23:00.000-06:00

"Why don't I have a daddy like everyone else, mommy?" The little boy asked.
"You have a daddy, sweetie. But he's not with us."
"Does he not love us?"
"He loves us very much. Very very much ..."

He was hearing mommy's soft voice again. So much had happened today. His heart pained for all the blood shed. He locked his door, and closed all of the windows. He was determined that he would stay inside for the night. Snowflake's innocent naughty smiles flashed in his minds ... Arrr ... Mommy, help me ... He was getting thirsty again ... sooo thirsty ... He went up to the door, locked it again. He would not do it tonight. Her blood was so sweet. He never thought that blood could taste so delicious ... He stood up, and sat down. What was it that just flied past the window? He went to the windows, and opened them. Two giant black wings extended out from his shoulder. He flied out.

Mr d'Heresson was dreaming. He had found a burrow of black aardvarks. He approached the aardvark slowly. The aardvark licked his neck. It was very ticklish. He turned his head, and saw ... a pair of red eyes.

He suddenly opened his eyes. The red eyes winked in the dark. He screamed, but no sound was coming out of his throat.

A large black wing spread over him ...

...
He stood in front of Mr. d'Heresson's body. His face was grim and pale. ... d'Heresson was already dead ...

Next Chapter

Vampire! (VII)

2005-10-31T22:20:00.000-06:00

Mr. Smiley wondered around in the tower. A couple furniture seemed to be crammed in the small space, covered by white cloth. He carefully removed the cloth, trying hard not to stir up the dusts that had been cumulated. To his surprise, it was a very nice piano, and … a cradle.

Mr. Smilie stared at the cradle. In a moment he seemed to hear a soft female voice singing a lullaby … “What are you doing over here?” He was startled by Mr. Kassiopiea’s voice.

“Look here.” Mr. Smilie invited. “These are the least things I would expect to find.”

“I am not going to worry about what happened in the past.” Commented Mr. Kassiopiea. “We’ve got enough problems of ourselves.” He looked out of the painted window. Was that a black wing that flashed past? He shivered. “It’s late. We better get down.” He thought of inviting Mr. Smilie to stay in his room, but thought better of it. “I will check the kitchen first.”

The two gentlemen said goodbye and departed. Five minutes later, Mr. Hercules was standing in front of Mr. Kassiopiea’s room, knocking. Heard no answer, he pondered, and left.

Next Chapter

Vampire! (VI)

2005-10-31T22:12:00.000-06:00

(Some jumps in the context and miss of details are the result of other players postings (and votings).)

Dr. Spike sighed heavy heartedly. He couldn't believe how stupid his accompanies were. They must have been so scared that they did not know how to think any more. He cleared his throat, and tried to insert some reasoning to them. "We can't lose our heads people. You are going to need a doctor in these kind of situations. How could I be a vampire? Do I really look like a vampire to you?" Mr d'Heresson nodded his head anxiously. Dr. Spike was getting enraged with the ungratitude from the bioscientist.

"What do you have in your large suitcase?" Mr. Tacticus suddenly asked acutely. "And the black cat."

"He didn't appear shocked at all when we saw Ms. Snowflakes body." Accused Father Nikolai, whose claim was eagerly confirmed by Mr. Smilie. "He acted as if he knew to look for the teeth marks on her neck from the very beginning."

Dr. Spike sighed. "I'm an experienced physician. This is what I do." He tried to speak more for himself, but was interrupted by Mr. Kassiopiea. "You send everybody to search the castle and the island and you stayed behind yourself. Was it because you didn't expect us to find anything?"

"I stayed behind for Mr. d'Heresson, remember?" Somehow Dr. Spike felt his words not very convincing himself. "There are many more important things that we should be considering." He stressed.

He looked at the crowd around him, and said, "Earlier today Mr. Gunner and Mr. Tacticus were supposed to search the castle and Mr. Kassiopiea was supposed to be cleaning the castle. However, they never managed to meet each other. What happened? Who was lying?" He paused for a second, and hastily continued before anybody could react to what he just said. "Father Nikolai found the bloodstains. But why would he go back into the castle after we found Snowflake's body, while everybody else was going toward the opposite direction?" He looked trumpetedly at the stunned group of people, and then added, "Perhaps we should look at each other's neck. If there is one of us who was turned into a vampire because he was bitten by one himself, we'd be able to see the teeth marks on his neck."

Dr. Spike finally stopped his speech. To his surprise, he found that nobody was moving according to his suggestion, instead, they were staring at him, their eyes filled with hatred and scares. He stopped stroking his beards. "Please take care Felix." He said forlornly to Mr. Hercules, before he opened his large suitcase, revealing a box of syringes. He gave himself a shot on the arm, and then another, and then another ... He smiled ... He was feeling sleepy ... He fell to the ground ...

Mr. d'Heresson broke down at the sound of Spike's body hit the ground. "This is not right! Not right!" He screamed, and ran away.

"We need to do more to prevent he became alive again, if he is the vampire." Said Father Nikolai. After they took Dr. Spike's chair in the dinning room, broke two of its legs and made a cross from them, Mr. Kassiopiea stuck it right into the middle of the good doctor's chest.

...
Mr. GeoModder's face became dead pale. These people were insane. He had to let Mr. H know. He needed to ask him to send in a ship to get him. Away from them. Away from all these insanity. GeoModder tried to quietly back away. Suddenly he felt a gun stuck to his back. "Where do you think you are going, Mr. GeoModder?" Asked Mr. Tacticus.

GeoModder turned around, and plunged at him in a desperate attempt to grab the gun. With a loud gun shot, his body crashed to the ground. The rest of the group finished the same ritual with his own chair in the dinning hall.

Next Chapter

Vampire! (V)

2005-10-31T22:05:00.000-06:00

A blood chilling scream was heard when Mr. GeoModder was talking to the Chef. They rushed out of the castle. In the back of the castle, a small group had already gathered. There was Mr. Tacticus, excitedly talking something to Mr. Smilie and Mr. Gunner. The doctor knelt besides something ... GeoModder recognized that it was Ms. Snowflake.

"Is she alright?" GeoModder asked anxiously.

"I'm afraid she's dead." The doctor's face was very pale. He turned her head to the side, revealing two little red dots on her neck. They looked at each other, speechless.

...

Breakfast was passed quickly. Chef Hercules noticed that the grapefruit juice somehow was unwelcome, as if people were suddenly not very thirsty this morning. The sequence of events that happened in the early morning had proved to be too much for everybody. First the death of Ms. Snowflake, then the blood stains on the paintings, then the fainted bioscientist ...

Being the highest medical authority at this crucial time, the doctor had naturally assumed leadership. GeoModder was instructed to notify Mr. H of Snowflake's unfortunate death, and everybody was to spread out to search the castle and the island, in order to find if there was anybody, or anything, that was on the island beside themselves. Mr. Gunner and Mr. Tactics volunteered to examine the unexplored portion of the castle, the others went different directions to check the entire island out. Still shaken and confused, Mr. d'Heresson refused to participate in the search, and Dr. Spike offered to stay with him.

A couple hours later the party gathered again in the large dinning hall. Dr. Spike stood up and addressed the party. "It is clear that, except for the native frogs," he spoke slowly, "this island is free of any ... " he paused again for a second, choosing the right word, "natural or unnatural life forms. There are only the ten of us." He stopped abruptly. The room was dead silent, nobody spoke, or moved.

"But that means ..." Mr. d'Heresson suddenly cried. Everybody's eyes shot toward him. As suddenly as he started, he stopped abruptly, his words trailed off in his half opened mouth. As if something just struck him, he shivered, and buried his face into his hands. The room fell into dead silence once again. Father Nikolai hold his crucifix in his hands, his lips silently moving, as if reciting something. Dr. Spike again stroked his beard, pondering. ... It was so stuffy here ... Mr. Gunner stuck out his tongue around his dry lips, his right hand secretly touched the handgun that he hid in his pocket. Mr. GeoModder was writing something in a piece of paper. Mr. Smilie looked at his long, pale fingers, again lost in his own thought.

"Should I get some drinks for anybody?" Chef Hercules suggested. He sat down again hesitantly, seeing that nobody was listening or answering his inquiry.

"Where is Mr. Kassiopeia?" Mr. Tacticus suddenly asked. Startled, Mr. GeoModder's pencil trailed off, leaving a long stroke in the paper.

Next Chapter

Vampire! (IV)

2005-10-31T21:53:00.000-06:00

What a nice evening. He strolled casually to the back of the castle. The thunderstorm had quickly passed. The air was filled with the fresh smell of early autumn. Ever since he saw that news story in the Morning Times he had been feeling an irresistible attraction toward this place. Somehow he knew that there was something waiting for him here. He hoped that his behavior was normal enough at the dinner. Over the years he had learned how to hide the difference between himself and the others. However the minute his feet stepped on this island he had been feeling his blood boiling like there was something in the air that had excited him. His mouth felt dry. He was thirsty for something … He set his eyes on the grove of grapefruit trees around him, trying to negate something that was nagging him behind his mind. There must be about 1000 of them … He stopped in front of a tree and picked a green fruit with his hand. He had always loved grapefruit … It was one of mommy’s favorite too. He sat down, and started to peel it, smelling the fresh tartness of the fruit. … Mommy’s hand peeling a grapefruit … “Mommy, am I different from the others?” … “Woo-, woo-, woo-!” A sudden unnatural cooing that resembles an owl on his back startled him. He stood up and turned around sharply, and saw Ms. Snowflake coming out from behind a grapefruit tree.

“What lovely grapefruit trees!” She laughed.

“It’s not funny to do something like that!” He reproached.

“It's not like the vampires are still alive from two hundred years ago." She giggled, and then added, "I'm sorry! It must be the wines … Or the moon, and the air … It’s so wonderful. Peaceful, yet alive …” She said with a dreaming voice.

He felt something stuck his heart. She was beautiful under the moonlight, so young, full of life. He walked toward her, looking deeply into her eyes. She looked at him with a naughty smile on her face, obediently letting him picking her hands up. Slowly he lowered his head toward her …

“You are drunk.” He abruptly dropped her hands. He felt angry. “We really should get back.” He said, and started toward the castle. Not hearing footsteps following him, he stopped and turned back to Snowflake. Her eyes strangely stared at the ground where he was standing. He had just stepped out from the grapefruit trees. Beautiful moonlight splattered on the shadowless ground… His heart sank.

Next Chapter

Vampire! (III)

2005-10-31T21:44:00.000-06:00

Stena was actually a small motor boat. After two hours of sailing it finally churned its way round the rocks and entered into the narrow opening between the island and the rigorous stone reefs. One by one, people landed their feet on the uneven and rugged sandy soil. It was getting dark. Light fog was rising on the surface of the water. A flock of seagulls squealed sharply, circling Stena, who was swaying heavily with the waves. A vague noise could be heard in the distance, like a roaring of a wild beast. The Captain frowned, looking at the seagulls: “We better get back soon. Looks like a thunderstorm is coming. I wonder why they haven’t forecasted it.” He looked at Ms Snowflake with concerns: “You sure you don’t want to go back with us? If there is a big thunderstorm Stena will not be able to get back here tomorrow.”

“It’s ok.” Snowflake smiled, “I’m sure they have plenty of food and rooms for one more person, we planned for a ten-person party after all.”

“Look, the Castle!” Mr. Gunner pointed to the huge dark shadow sitting atop of the steep cliff. A dim yellow light twinkled through the darkness.

“What a masterpiece!” Mr. Smilie sighed with admiration.

“I wonder where the chauffeur is,” grumbled Dr. Spike, dragging his large suitcase with him.

Ten minutes later the party arrived at the giant unlit building. The light they saw earlier was not visible now. Perhaps it was at the other side of the building. Father Nikolai pushed the broad oak door, but couldn’t open it. Mr. d'Heresson stepped up to help him. With a creaking sound, the door slowly opened, revealing a shadowy large empty hall. As if put under a spell, the group of people stopped the casual chatting that they had been carrying along the short way up and stepped into the hall quietly.

A light sound of click broke the spell and the golden light of crystal chandeliers shined the room, accompanied with Ms Snowflake’s uttering of a gasp. “Welcome to Paradise Island, gentlemen.” Mr. d'Heresson almost jumped on the tepid voice heard behind them. Mr. Kassiopeia came forward, bowing slightly. He was tall, lank and rather respectable looking. “You must be Ms. Snowflake.” He took over her small travel case before he turned toward the group again. “Guest rooms are at the second floor. Mr. GeoModder will show you the way. The dinning room is to your left. Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes.”

When Snowflake stepped into the great dinning hall, she found the entire group was already sitting beside a long table, wines in their hands, chatting heatily with each other. Perhaps it was the effect of good wines and hot food, everybody seemed to be in their best mood. Snowflake found that the secretary was a clever and attractive young man, and the Chef was a mellow and trustworthy person. “We certainly have a good service crew, at least more normal than the rest of the team …” She mused to herself.

Next Chapter

Vampire! (II)

2005-10-31T21:41:00.000-06:00

Sitting behind the steering wheel of her little red car, Ms. Snowflake looked at the small gathering in the harbor with great interest. “What a group of eccentric people we have here,” she said to herself, amused. There was the small, dapper, bearded Doctor Spike, who was carrying a rather large suitcase and pacing impatiently, a black cat sat docilely within his left arm. On the other corner the strangely dressed Mr. d'Heresson was squatting in front of a small rock, apparently looking at something on the ground with passion. Snowflake stared hard, but couldn’t figure out what it was that he was studying. The architect Mr. Smiley was sitting on a bench in front of the shoreline, his face pale and solemn, apparently lost in his own thought. The only noise other than the splattering of the waves was the high-pitched continuous speech from Mr. Tacticus, who was enthusiastically talking to his colleague Mr. Gunner. A rather good looking young man, Snowflake noted to herself, a bit shy, perhaps, or preoccupied? It was Tacticus who was doing all the talking … and this Mr. Gunner claimed that history was his true passion … Snowflake wondered how much truth was involved in the rumor of the missing archeological Iraqi artifacts …

A slim black figure walked toward the harbor hastily. Snowflake jumped out of her car and greeted the legendary priest. “Good afternoon dear Father Nikolai. I am Snowflake, Mr. H’s personal assistant. We are very much honored to have you join this expedition.” The priest nodded with a kind smile. Ms. Snowflake walked toward the others cheerfully. “Mr. H wishes to express his personal gratitude to each of you for devoting yourself on this effort. He looks forward to the uncovering of the mystery of the Parade Island.” She shook her hands with each person, “I will accompany you all to the island tonight to make sure everything is in order, and then I will return to the mainland tomorrow morning.” “Splendid,” murmured Mr. Gunner, holding Ms. Snowflake’s hand firmly. Such a cold hand … A thought flashed through Snowflake’s mind.

Next Chapter

Vampire! (I)

2005-10-31T21:32:00.000-06:00

(Written for the forum game vampire that ended on the Halloween night one year ago.)

Front page news in Morning Times:

Vampire Castle Acquired by American Millionaire

An unidentified American millionaire was reported to have bought the recently discovered Paradise Island. Featured with an aged gigantic but mysterious castle, the Island was said to be one of the assembly place for a family of vampires many centuries ago. There had not been any scientific evidences and/or official historic record for the existence of the vampires in that area, except for various folklores of adventurers who never came back from the island. The island had long been lost until a couple months ago a small hapless freight ship was brought to its border by the wild waves.

Undisclosed sources indicated that the new owner of the Paradise Island is a man who has zealous interests in the research of vampire legends. It was said that the millionaire plans to send a team of six experts of various backgrounds to investigate the lost legend of the Paradise Island. According to the speaker of the millionaire, although a historian and a doctor are expected to be included, the criteria of the research team selection would not be focused on applicants' profession or experiences, but their characteristics and adventuring spirits. Large amount of payments are believed to be involved in the adventure.

Advertisement in the Classified Section:

Qualified professionals needed working at the beautiful Paradise Island with a ten-people party. Handsome pay. The following positions are open: chef, butler, secretary, and attendant. Send resume and two letters of recommendation.

Putting the newspapers down on his breakfast table, he leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes. He could see a small child with a little white bunny in his hand ... It's so cute ... Mommy's worried eyes looking at him ... the lifeless little white body of a rabbit ... Mommy ... A tear rolled down his cheek. He sighed to himself, and straightened up to reach for a pen and a piece of paper. "Dear Mr. H..." He started to write his application.

Next Chapter

Just love me, one more time

2005-06-06T16:28:00.000-05:00

Farewell my dear friend
I’m going away

Breezes carry the snowflakes
Twirling around the starry night
I don’t want to leave
But I can’t help myself
The snow has ended
The night is old
The snow has ended
I’m going away

So cold, so vividly colored black and white
So deeply carved
Will memory fade
Like a water-colored picture
So pale, dim, and wet
All the painful moments have been forgotten
Only the faint laughter is left
If the time returns to its beginning
Would we do it again
If the time returns to its beginning
Should we do it again

Farewell my dear friend
I’m going away
The snow has ended
Please love me
Please
Just love me, one more time

The Fall

2005-05-16T21:54:00.000-05:00

He felt victorious. His hand grasped hers tightly. And her hand grasped his. She hung there, her entire weight dependent on this one hand of his. Under her feet was deep darkness. Her other hand clutched a short sword. Blood slowly dripped from the tip of the sword down to the bottomless shadow.

His mind searched the darkness. He could not detect any sign of liveliness. He wondered what tedious monster could have had such a strong spell on her that she almost lost her life over. His eyes looked into hers. They were clear and calm. No exhilaration or triumph; no pains or fear. He looked deeper and encountered the hidden turbulence. Electrified wave surged toward him, pounding his chest like a hammer. He let it flow, feeling the sensation of being connected. Her eyes seemed to become alive. Or was that his illusion? Did he see hope and trust? Anticipation and expectation? He tightened his grip, and moved to pull her over. The light in her eyes turned. The clearness switched to confusion. Was she afraid? What was she afraid of … Her head, once raised up toward him, now was about to turn away. Don’t look back! He screamed inside. But he didn’t move a bit. He looked at her. His look was suddenly cold, losing the electrified connection. The sword slipped from her hand, falling to the abyss of darkness without a sound. He could still reach over. And pull her up. But he waited. Waited for her to turn her head back around.

She was losing her grasp. It was her choice … He felt her hand slipping away.

Evil Woman

2005-04-06T16:31:00.000-05:00

Quietly she wandered through the secret garden. Her heart had been long drawn to it but she did not dare to come to this forbidden place in the day. The hours of darkness shielded her buoyant figure moving across the bouncing springs and through the small paths. Green leaves and pink flowers fluttered in the night wind, whispering their welcome to her accompany.

Excitement of adventure shone in her eyes. Music of enchantment flew in her heart. Presently she stopped. What had she seen? It was a green seed quietly lying under the moonlight. It had the color and shape that was unlike any other seed in the world, and all the sparkles and splendors of a precious stone. “Awww.” She bent down and picked it up. “What a lovely seed.” She put the seed in the center of her palm, drawing it close to her chest. Her heart quivered under its beauty. She suddenly felt an incurable urge to make it of her own. The moonlight faded as she was thinking about this. The darkness had turned darker. She did not notice this at all. All she could see was the gleam of her seed. She ran to a corner of the garden, and carefully planted it in the ground. She then fell to sleep beside where it was planted, with a smile hanging at her mouth.

What a dream did she have. She dreamt that there was a big, beautiful tree, with leaves unlike any others. She dreamt that it was raining, thunders and lightnings split the dark sky. She heard curses and laughter reverberated around her. She did not care, because she was looking at a young man stepping out from behind the tree. She extended her hands toward him, but was startled by the expression on his face. It was a mixture of anger, disappointment, and despite. She was a bit worried. She ran to him, but she could not get close. She cried to him, but he could not hear. He looked at her, his look was sharp and cold. She suddenly realized her hideousness. The laughter and curses became intolerably louder. She felt the rains dropping onto her, sharply cutting into her body with each drop. It was for a long time, or was it just a second? Suddenly a brilliant blaze of light flashed through the sky, falling to the tip of the big tree. She watched as the black flames swallowed the young man and disappeared into emptiness. She caught the last shot of his glance that was filled with grievousness.

She cried out loud, and woke up from her nightmare. Beside her, a little green plant had broken ground, with leaves unlike any others. A deafening thunder crashed with a flashing lightning. The shadows of the trees and flowers wavered violently in the wind. She suddenly realized where she was and what she had done. The image of the young man’s last glance flashed in her mind and her heart clutched. She knew that she was wrong to touch that little seed. She knew that she had broken the magic taboo. She knew that she was condemned. She was suddenly afraid. She had to kill it before it grew up. She poured some dirt onto the plant, until it was buried. And then she packed it with her feet. Splattering some tears at it, she turned to leave. Something made her turn back, however, and she saw that the little plant had grown out of the dirt again, with its leaves that were unlike any others, leaking soft and warm green glows. She sighed, and buried it again, and again, only to find that it reappeared before her eyes, each time a little taller. She cried, regretting of her carelessness in the beginning. She found a little hoe, and started digging. The rain started to fall. Rain drops mixed with her tears flowing down her face. Strange noises reverberated around her. The plant trembled when her hoe hit the roots of the plant. She seemed to hear its screams of pains. She raised her hoe again, and cut into the trunk of the plant. The screams stopped. A couple drops of translucent resin slowly leaked from the cut, round as drops of tears, but red as blood. The hoe fell from her hands, as she knelt down before the little plant. She wiped the resin off the tree, but new ones slowly formed again. She sobbed, taking out of her handkerchief, and tied it to the plant. She swept the dirt back to the plant, filling the irregular dips she had dug. She then sat beside the plant, wrap her wet body around it, and lay her head close to where the cut was. The thunderstorm was as heavy as before, but the thunders and lightnings seemed to be far away. She knew that the night was almost over.

Wait

2005-03-31T15:21:00.000-06:00

I have waited for you everyday

The snow had fallen
And melted

The birds had flied away
And come back

The grass had turned yellow
And green again

The clouds had floated
For many many rounds

I have waited for you
Every day

Lost

2005-03-31T11:04:00.000-06:00

Like the last star lost when the day breaks
Like a shadow lost in the darkness

Like a snowflake lost in an ocean
Like a candle light lost in the sunshine

Like a little untended sail lost in the violence of the waves
Like a kite without string lost in the swirling wind

I want to be lost in your arms
Like a musical note lost in a chapter of symphony
But I’m lost
In the open wildness

The Love Game (V)

2004-11-15T11:42:00.000-06:00

Lady, I’m your knight in shining armor and I love you
You have made me what I am and I am yours
My love, there’s so many ways I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more

You have gone and made me such a fool
I’m so lost in your love
And oh, we belong together
Won’t you believe in my song?

Lady, for so many years I thought I’d never find you
You have come into my life and made me whole
Forever let me wake to see you each and every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear

In my eyes I see no one else but you
There’s no other love like our love
And yes, oh yes, I’ll always want you near me
I’ve waited for you for so long

Lady, your love’s the only love I need
And beside me is where I want you to be
’cause, my love, there’s somethin’ I want you to know
You’re the love of my life, you’re my lady!

Blue moon.

The dark outlines of the forest and the hills were strangely tall and precipitous. The night was unnaturally silent, as if all noises were muffled by the darkness. Somebody was watching her. Myia turned her head around, and was startled by two shining green eyes. She sat up abruptly, grabbing the jade ring that was hanging in front of her chest subconsciously, and scooted back. A soft milk-white glow from the ring leaked through her fingers.

It looked like a man. She could not tell how old he was. Most of his face was hidden in the dark, except for the two glittering green eyes. His ears seemed a little pointy, indicating that he may not be entirely human. She opened her mouth to ask who he was, but her words were frozen before the man’s cold and silent stare.

He stood up, and disappeared into the darkness. Myia let out a breath, while surprised how tall he appeared to be. All the noises of the night suddenly came back. She could hear the cry of an owl not far from her. And the pains … She almost mourned to the sharp pain in her left leg when he came back with a bowl.

Seeing that she didn’t intend to take the bowl from him, the man sighed, and explained: “You fell from the cliff and broke your leg. You’ve been unconscious for two days.” Two days! Myia mentally examined herself quickly, shooting an untrusting glare toward the man. The green eyes were again glittering mystically. So strange … She started to feel hypnotized. She took the bowl, and drank the black thick watery stuff inside, and then lay back down and slept.

She spent about one month in this strange valley, taken care of by Mordic, the green-eyed rogue. He went out every morning. And every night, he would come back and make the same black stuff for her to drink. They did not talk much. Most of the time, she would sit there, with the jade ring in her hand, and look into the depth of the forest through her misty eyes. When he was around, he would sit a few steps from her, his glittering green eyes watching her. Sometimes wicked smiles would float up to the corners of his mouth. Her broken leg recovered fast and she started wandering around. The forest seemed a little odd sometimes. Some of the brightly colored flowers seemed unreal. Other times she could swear she heard whispers that did not exist.

Mordic stayed behind more and more in the last few days, following Myia and dragging her back from time to time. Many times he was amazed how she would unconsciously elude the traps he laid. It was as if she was part of the forest herself. He found himself more and more attracted to her natural temperament. At night, after she went to sleep, he would stare at her, and the jade ring hanging at her chest for a long long time. What he didn’t notice was that the time he spent looking at the ring was getting shorter, and the time he spent looking at her was getting longer. One day, when Myia thanked him and told him that she would like to leave the valley, he did not say a word, but packed his own stuff. He told himself that he was after that jade ring, but he knew that was only an excuse.

So they traveled together. She learned to trust him on dealing with traps and various creatures they met on the way. One day he asked where her destination was. She seemed baffled. And she told him the story of the jade ring. It was a magic item. Given to her to protect her from ill intended people. He remembered how he wasn’t able to touch it in the first night when he found her. “They both dressed in white. He had a white horse, and she had a red horse. I envy her so much.” He felt his heart was squeezed hard, seeing her dreamy eyes filled with happiness and admiration. “He saved me.” He had saved her too, but he was too late. And they only stayed with her for a day. He cared for her for months. It seemed so unfair. But he continued to protect her and taking care of her faithfully.

They heard about the Scroll of the Nine Suns in a small village. Each day the little inn they were staying was filled with warriors who drank loudly and mages who sat in solitude. Dead bodies were carried through like a river flowing past. Myia watched as the green-eyed rogue filled their bag with food and ration and followed him heading toward the mountain. She knew he also wanted the scroll, while she had a different wish. He might be there.

She had never seen this much blood before. It seemed every species in the world had come to this mountain. Human, elf, dwarf, orc … Some traveled in groups. Others traveled alone. Fights broke out every minute. Everybody knew that one less opponent meant one more chance for himself. Sometimes somebody would suddenly drop dead, becoming the victim of poisons or secretly cast spells. She and her jade ring had attracted many greedy glares, but the vicious dark look of her green-eyed friend had kept most of the troubles away. She had to fend off the others using her own short swords, with the help of the rogue’s dagger.

It was twilight when they reached the broken cliff near the top of the mountain. In front of a stiff crag beside the dark entrance of a cave, two paladins riding on their horses were surrounded by dozens of people. Fresh blood stained the paladins’ white armors. A slain black dragon lay on the floor, alongside heaps of unidentifiable bodies of humans and other creatures. Myia’s heart almost leaped out when she saw the face of the male paladin. The ecstasy was too much for her to bear. She was about to faint.

The female paladin rode a round circle, and went back to the side of her companion. He raised a leather scroll over his head, and spoke to the crowd. “We are Beverdere and Poppea of the Church of Melderon. We have been tracing this scroll for years. And today we have accomplished our mission. There have been too many deaths and too much destruction associated with this scroll. Its dark power is too great for anybody to handle. It must be destroyed so that no more blood will be shed because of it.” The crowd was roused with shouting and clanging of weapons. The female paladin pulled out her long sword in her hand and again rode her horse around, stifling the unrest while the other began striking his flint.

Suddenly a man swooped down from a giant dead tree, in the blink of the eye snatching the scroll out of the paladin’s hands, alighting atop the crag before flying away like a bird. Myia let out a half cry, shocked to see that it was her green-eyed rogue.

Hearing her voice among the commotion Beverdere glanced over in her direction while turning his horse around. The soft shimmering of the jade ring caught his eyes. He had no time for her but he had been wondering about her and wanted to know how things had gone. He swiftly grasped her onto his horse before starting after the red horse that was already darting away.

They caught up with them at the top of the mountain. Beverdere dropped Myia under a pine tree. “Wait for me here,” he said gently, and then proceeded to join his partner, whose sword pointed to the rogue. “We do not want to take your life. Drop the scroll and you are free to go. A paladin’s words can be trusted.”

Mordic laughed out loudly. “Why would I give up something that I acquired through my own effort? You have no need for the scroll. You only want to destroy it. You paladins always think you have the right to decide the fate of other people and other things.” A rage was rising inside him that he didn’t understand. “You have no more right than I do for anything.” He said defiantly.

“Don’t waste time on a low life like him.” Poppea drove her sword directly toward him. The rogue dodged, and blocked another attack from Beverdere with his dagger. The battle was one-sided and quick. Agile as he was, the rogue did not have a chance fighting two well-trained paladins. Within a minute he fell to the ground and the scroll rolled out of his hand. With a light laugh, Poppea extended her sword to reach for the scroll. As the sword about to reach the scroll it was suddenly swung off by a short sword. It was Myia, standing beside the rogue, who grabbed the scroll back in his hand.

“Myia!” The female paladin was surprised and a little annoyed. “Are you helping him?”

“Yes. He was right. You don’t have the right to destroy the scroll.”

“We do not have a choice.” Cold reply accompanied a swing of her sword toward the rogue. The fight broke again, but in a very different way. Myia and Mordic fought together against the female paladin. Receiving a baleful glare from Poppea, Beverdere hesitantly joined the battle. Those two would not be an equal opponent for Poppea, but they’d always fought together.

The power of two joint swords was too great for Myia. She uttered a cry when Poppea’s sword dived to her chest like a flash. “Clang!” The female paladin was astounded to see her sword blocked away by her partner. He was helping her. Blood gushed toward her head. Biting on her lip she continued swinging her sword at Myia, only to find each of her move blocked by Beverdere. Feeling the temporary release of the pressure the rogue took Myia’s hand and tried to sneak away, but was forced to back off again by a trembling tip of Beverdere’s sword.

The battle continued as Mordic and Myia backed away step by step toward the edge of the cliff, until there was no room for them to retreat any more. Sword pointing to the rogue, Beverdere demanded again: “Concede your defeat and hand over the scroll.”

The rogue laughed wildly, “I will never surrender to you, never.” Heated hatred squeezed out from the clutch of his teeth. He suddenly turned around and leaped into the bottomless ravine. “Mord--!” Myia cried out a shriek as she plunged after him without thinking. Almost at the same moment a rope wrapped around her waist and she was pulled back.

“You killed him!” She pushed Beverdere away from her and tried to run back toward the edge of the ravine.

Beverdere hold her hand firmly, stopping her. “It is stupid to waste your life for a mere scroll! Hasn’t it caused enough deaths already?!”

She suddenly stopped struggling. She looked at the paladin strangely, and said, “It was not for a scroll. It was for his pride and dignity. And love.” Her voice became low and painful. “I have loved you ever since I met you. But you have killed an innocent man. He was my only friend. And you killed him.” Beverdere stood in silence, stunned. It wasn’t really he who killed him, but he couldn’t argue. Myia pushed him away, and ran down the mountain.

She didn’t know how long it took her to get down to the bottom of the ravine. She had no doubt it was too long. She stumbled through damp scrubs and shattered rocks. It was dark. She couldn’t see anything. But she knew he’d be there. She could feel it. She didn’t dare to cry out, fearing there were others looking for him.

She almost tripped over on his body. His body … Blue moon shined on a torso laying in an unnatural position. All noises suddenly muffled in an eerie silence. She felt down on her knees beside him. “Mordic.” She whispered. Her hand touched his face. He was cold. Where were the glittering green eyes that she was so used to see? She lowered her face to his mouth to feel his breath. His lips were cold. She used her fingers to open his eyelids. The mystical shimmering was not there any more. Oh please. Don’t die. Please. She hugged him. His body was lifeless. She kissed him, wanting to insert some warmness into him. Don’t die, please. She started to sob. Her hands trembled, feeling his face, his lips, his neck, his cold body. Don’t die please… I’ll take care of you like you took care of me. I’ll stay with you, feed you and watch you. Please wake up. Don’t die. Please…

At dawn the paladins found Myia kneeling in front of a newly formed pile of earth and rocks, back toward them. “So you can’t let him off after all, even if he is dead.” Myia’s voice was grieving and resentful. She did not have to look. She knew it was them.

“I’m sorry, Myia. It shouldn’t have been like this.” Beverdere said tenderly. “What can we do for you?”

“Just leave us alone.”

“We need the scroll, Myia.” Poppea added quietly.

Myia stood up and turned around abruptly. “Is that what you want? You want the scroll don’t you? Nothing is more important than the scroll. Not even somebody’s life.” She suddenly laughed. “Why do you think I would give it to you? He didn’t give it to you. He exchanged it with his own life. Why do you think I’d give it to you?”

Beverdere sighed softly. “It’s not safe to keep it with you, Myia. You know many people wanted it. It won’t be long for them to find out you have it. They’ll try to get it anyway they can.”

“Just like you.” Myia added scornfully. “You’ll have to try it by force.” She backed half a step, and drew out her double swords.

Poppea’s hand was on the handle of her sword before Beverdere stopped her with a gesture. “We can’t fight her, Poppea.”

“Why?

“We can’t allow any more innocent blood being shed because of this scroll.”

It was a perfectly righteous statement. But Poppea couldn’t help feeling that he wouldn’t have said this if it was not her. “Have you forgotten about our mission, Beverdere?”

“No. But if we keep fighting and hurting people for it there is no difference between us and the others.”

She agreed. Being a paladin was hard, but worth it. “What do you propose?”

“We’ll take her with us. We’ll protect her, take care of her.”

Poppea raised an eyebrow. So that was what he wanted. Ever since that spring morning he gave her that jade ring, she had a feeling this day would come. “What about the scroll?”

“She can keep it.”

“What did we swear when we accepted our mission, Beverdere?” She raised her voice and asked sternly.

“We have to destroy the Scroll of the Nine Suns regardless any circumstances.”

“Then do it! Finish your mission, Paladin!” Poppea pulled out her sword. It was met by another great sword in the middle of the air, producing a loud clash and a bright sparkle. All color drained from the female Paladin’s face. “You are fighting me.” For her. “You have forgotten your mission. You have betrayed your church. You have betrayed me.” The sorrow in her words was so heavy it made Beverdere drop his sword.

She was waiting for this moment. He would not be able to block her attack. She rapidly charged toward Myia. “Don’t do it!” Beverdere sprung out from his horse, shielding Myia behind him. The sword struck deeply into Beverdere chest. He fell backward at the slashing force of the sword.

Oh no. Myia couldn't understand what was happening. Everything happened so fast. The short swords fell to the ground as she caught the paladin's falling body. The world was tilting. Swirling … Something inside her was broken. She could hear the cracking sound …"I didn't have the scroll, Beverdere … I have buried it with him." She mumbled. Nobody was listening to her. Poppea was kneeling beside him … She was laughing … crying … She was busy doing something … "Potion! Get me some potion!" Right. Potion. He could use some potion. Mordic had the potions. Where was he? Where were the potions …

A lightening suddenly flashes through her mind. No, this was all wrong! She could now see clearly. The two paladins in white armors … She shouted: "Wait for me, Beverdere. I'll save you. Wait for me!"

She flung open the cover and run toward the GM's desk. "I want to restart the game. How can I restart?" The GM looked at her pitifully. "There is no restart in this game, I'm sorry." He paused for a second, not wanting to disclose the truth. "You game is already over, Miss."

Looking toward her seat, she could see two white shadows embracing together. A couple blood tainted swords laid around. A blue moon was hanging in the sky … A dimly lighted phrase showed up in the middle of the scattered rocks and bushes: "Sorry, you lost."

The GP card fell from her hand. She stood there, like a statue. Somebody walked past behind her. The footsteps were slow, and heavy. She turned around. Something exploded in her head. It was him. His right hand pressing on his chest, he walked slowly, as if all strength was depleted from him.

The door sliced open and closed noiselessly. She suddenly woke up from the nightmare and dashed out of the door. The street was quiet and empty. Bright sunlight scattered onto her shoulder. Something sprinkled not far from her. She picked it up.

It was a jade ring. Soft milk-white light shimmered in her hand.

There was a boy...
A very strange enchanted boy.
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea,
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he.

And then one day,
A magic day, he passed my way.
And while we spoke of many things,
Fools and kings,
This he said to me,
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return."

Game Over.

The Love Game (IV)

2004-11-12T16:59:00.000-06:00

Red fungus shined brightly under the morning suns. Black and golden pieces of mindworms scattered around. A lifeless body of a girl lay in the center. A dimly lighted phrase showed up in the background of crimson fungus: “Sorry, you lost.”

She lifted the cover and stood up from her seat. She felt exhausted. Her head ached. Her legs were heavy as if she had walked for a hundred hours. She vaguely remembered how this game was supposedly to feel very real.

“Has anybody actually won this game?” She asked, handing her GP card once again to the GM. “Yes, there have been some lucky ones.” He replied sympathetically. “Don’t lose hope. You might win this time.” She nodded, giving him a forced smile. “You know, you are almost as beautiful as Claire, if you could only smile.” She looked up sharply, startled by the feeling that she had heard the exactly same words before, but the GM already turned around to work on his own things.

Pulling the cover back on, she wondered what the game would be like this time.

Next Chapter

The Love Game (III)

2004-11-12T16:54:00.000-06:00

Fly me to the moon
Let me sing among those stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby kiss me

Fill my heart with song
Let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore

In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you

It had been seven days now since she ran out of the Hive after him. She still remembered their brief conversation before he left.

“You finally did the most honorable thing.” She said quietly.

“You understand what I did and why, then?” He looked at her.

“Yes I do understand. You have tried to do all you can for what you believe to be the right thing to do.” She tried to remain as composed as she could. “You want me to go with you?”

“Its up to you. I couldn't possibly love you any more, but I'd catch you when you jumped, and hold your hand afterwards.” He paused, and then added, “There's not much else I can offer.”

Her heart still pained at the coldness in his words. But she hated herself more. For she had hesitated, wondering among duty, honor, and the most important thing in her life. There was no trace of him when she finally left a note and went after him from the underground. She had tried hard to remember what he had said before and tried to imagine which direction he would be heading. She was thrilled when she found his abandoned rover parked beside a huge fungus field at a cliff side. But all trails had gone cold from there.

She had found her black butterfly in his rover. She knew he never intended to use it when she gave it to him. But it still made her heart sink seeing it left behind. He did not leave anything for her, not a clue, or a note. She knew him too well to expect otherwise. Still she spent the entire night inside his rover, wishing to find the last warmth of his presence.

She had left her own rover there and started walking on foot. That was five days ago, or so she believed. She was not really sure about days and times any more. Her foods were all gone, and she was no longer bothered by the sourness of her legs and feet. The worst part was the quietness, the fear. Having lived long in the underground tunnels of the Hive, she was not used to staying above ground for so long. The world around her seemed so big and strange, and she felt so small and lonely. Lily had kept her company, and kept her safe from the mindworms. But he didn’t have a mindworm of his own, how would the nights be for him?

She stopped in front of another patch of fungus while Lily happily dived into it. The unattended fungus grew wildly. They were about the same height as she. This kind of large fungus field could be very dangerous, especially when it was so close to dark. Numb as her nerves were she still had the basic instinct of self-preservation. He couldn’t have been here. But where could he be? She sighed to herself and started to clear up an area where she could start a fire.

The night was getting chillier. She sat in front of the fire, arms wrapped around her knees. It was such a strange feeling. She had nothing to lean upon, nothing to hold on to. The sky was so high, as if it was going to fall. The fire was flickering, as if it was unreal. She closed her eyes, rocking herself back and forth slowly without conscious. … I'd catch you when you jumped, and hold your hand afterwards … She heard his voice again, warm and comforting beside her ears. She kept her eyes closed, wishing sleep would soon fall upon her.

… A finger, gently lifted a curl of hair from her temple. She trembled inside, but she kept her eyes closed tight. She could smell him, and feel the warmness of his body. It was him … His hand continued caressing her hair. She stayed still, afraid that it would go away. His hands slowly traced the edge of her face, slid to her neck, and down to her shoulders. A little gasp escaped her lips when they were touched by his lips. The world started to fade away … He embraced her tight, kissing, caressing … His hand moved down from her shoulder … Her blood felt hot … Every cell of her body hungrily breathed him in. She moaned … He deepened his kiss. She was lost in a sea … floating … She could not breathe … His hand caressing her … Long fingers wrapped around her neck, tightening …Half consciously, she tried moving her head back away from him, but she couldn’t. Her mouth covered by his … She struggled to push him away but she couldn’t. He was caressing … tightening … Whispers surrounded her, seducing, luring … “Hongieee …” Please … She couldn’t breathe … His hand caressing … tightening … Couldn’t breathe … please … A sharp pain shot through her head and she was suddenly free. She opened her eyes wide and gasped in fresh air. Lily rotated around her, while a large boil of mindworms slowly receded toward the crimson colored fungus.

“You saved me.” She looked at Lily appreciatively. As if reading her mind, Lily stopped rotating and descended in front of her. Pressing on her aching temple, she knew she was too tired. She would not have fallen under the psych assault of the worms this easily, if she were her normal self. Centauri A was rising from the horizon. It was time to head back, she decided, pushing away all thoughts of him. … His hand touching her body … She shook her head, and looked toward the direction the mindworm went, hoping to redirect her thought to the imminent danger.

Her blood froze at what she saw. Far inside the red fungus, a colony of golden mindworms wiggled, their antennae thrusting into the air. A man stood in the middle of the mindworms, fighting to keep them away from him. It’s him! Blood gushed toward her head. She jumped up and dashed toward him, screaming inside. … Don’t! … It was an illusion … Lily was on her way, trying to block her. Yes it must be an illusion. It has to be an illusion … She pushed Lily away, and continued running toward him. Hold on … I’m coming … She must save him. There was no way for her to make sure if it was another mindworm’s trick. It couldn’t be him. But she couldn’t take the risk. She ran into the fungus. She had psych power. She could save him. She wouldn’t be able to fend off the army of mindworms. But she had to try. She had to save him … She ran. The worms started coming to her. But they couldn’t get close. Those that got close were flipped away, their antennae toasted like they were on fire. He was waving his arms. His face looked worried. Don’t come … my love … don’t … More and more mindworms flew toward her, over the toasted body of their companions, like golden waves in a red sea. She ran toward him, like a moth drawn to fire. … I'd catch you when you jumped, and hold your hand afterwards …

Next Chapter

The Love Game (II)

2004-11-12T16:52:00.000-06:00

A gust of wind swirled around with scattered snow-white flower petals. A dimly lighted phrase showed up in the middle of the snowflake background: “Sorry, you lost.”

Flinging open the cover, the girl stood up from her seat drearily and walked toward the game master desk. She handed her game piece card to the GM and said simply, “I’d like to play another game please.” The GM inserted her GP card into the GP reader, and then handed it back to her. Another one hooked up hopelessly, he sighed to himself.

Next Chapter

The Love Game (I)

2004-11-12T16:43:00.000-06:00

When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me

Other dancers may be on the floor
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have the magic technique
When we sway I go weak

I can hear the sounds of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now

Light breeze drifted through a little patch of trees. Morning sunshine splattered through the evergreen leaves and branches, falling onto a cluster of viburnum that was growing under the tree. A little bell shaped flower dangled in the winds, nodding from the tip of a hollow scape that stands just about the threadlike leaves. It had six snow-white petals, each with a small emerald green spot near its tip.

A young man walked into the forest, enjoying the early morning freshness of the air. His eyes lighted up when he spotted the little flower. “Awww, a little snowflake. Haven’t you opened a little early this year? See your friends are still not here yet.” He sat down beside the snowflake, took out a flute and started to play.

Every morning, he came to play his flute beside the little snowflake. Every morning, the little snowflake danced with the soft and fluent music that flew around the forest. One day, while he was playing the flute, he heard a light laugh. He turned around, and saw her, white dress, black hair, with an emerald green ribbon on her hair. “Who are you?”

“I live in this forest. I like your flute so much. Can you play it for me one more time?” He played, and she danced with the music. And then she ran away, laughing. The forest became quiet again, like nothing had happened. He rubbed his eyes, and tried to search the depths of the forest, but he couldn’t find any trace of her.

The next morning, he came and played his flute. And she came again, laughing and dancing. The snowflake flowers had now bloomed, like little white stars in a green sky, stopping every pair of eyes of people who happened to pass by. Many fresh mornings passed, she danced to his music and laughed with him. But every time when he tried to catch her hands, she fled and disappeared into the forest.

One day, he didn’t come. Then the next day, he didn’t come. The early summer was hot and dry. There hadn’t been a rainfall for many many days. White snowflake petals shed to the ground, and became brown.

“What happened? What can I do?” She asked. “I want to become a human like him.”

“Human life is very short, snowflake. The flower spirits don’t die.” A voice answered.

“I don’t care. I want to be like him. I want to be with him.”

“Sigh. If he loves you, when he kisses you, you’ll be turned into a real woman. But you’ll never be able to turn back to your original shape, and you’ll never be able to come back to us, you understand?”

“Yes! I understand.” A big smile blossomed at the corners of her dry lips.

He finally came. A little water can was in his hand. “This summer must be hard for you, little snowflake.” He murmured when he poured water to the root of the plant. Snowflake’s heart was so full, and so sweet. “Play your flute for me, please.” She whispered into the wind.

“Wow, such beautiful flowers!” A soft girl’s voice sounded behind the young man. He turned to her and smiled. “Yes, they are pretty, aren’t they? I used to come here and play my flute everyday. There is a girl live in this forest too. I used to think she is a fairy.” He said dreamingly.

“Come on, let’s go. We are almost late for the flight.”

“Wait a second. I want to play my flute one last time. And I’ll introduce you to her if she comes. I want to say goodbye to her.”

He raised the flute to his mouth. Soft music flew around the trees. But she didn’t come. He finished his music, sighed. He knelt down beside the snowflake, gently touched the snow-white petal. “Good bye little snowflake.” A drop of water rolled out off the snowflake petal, into his hand. He suddenly felt dizzy. He saw the girl again, white dress, black hair, with a green ribbon on her hair. She slowly rose up from the snowflake flower, wrapped her arms around him, and pressed her lips on his. He felt like a static shock on his lips, and through his body. And he suddenly woke up. He stood up and looked around. No, she was not there. The forest was quiet as before except for the light breeze blew through the trees. He opened his hand. A snowflake petal lay inside. It was as white as snow, with a small emerald green spot near its tip. Like a teardrop.

picture of snowflakes

Next Chapter

For Myia

2004-11-09T16:21:00.000-06:00

Like a swallow, you slid through my sky. Then you flew into the distance, leaving nothing behind. I search every cloud for the trace of your gracefulness, but the sky is clear and silent, as if you were never here.

Like a breeze, you blew through my forest. Then you faded into the air, leaving nothing behind. I search every leaf for the trace of your gentleness, but the forest is deep and silent, as if you’ve never come.

Only I know that it is not the same forest, only I know that it is a different sky. Time has stopped since you left, but why is the world so strange when I look around? I drift around the world looking for your shadow, I fight my way out trying to catch my dream. It is an adventure of impossible I do realize, but I did not have a choice would you understand?

I pray to the god of wind everyday. Tell me, where would you be?

(written in Aug 2003)

Snowflake

2004-11-09T16:20:00.000-06:00

Come fly with me, lets fly, lets fly

Do you still remember the serenity of the little quiet lake; do you still remember the turbulence of the deep blue sea? What has caused you to lose everything you have; what has caused you to disappear? Where has the wind carry you; to whose ears have you told your whispers? Have you been dancing around the stars; have you been wandering among the clouds? Was it cold up there high in the sky; was it lonely away from whom your love? When you turned into a little snow crystal, did anybody know the pains that went through your heart?

Life is so short and beauty is so fragile, why don’t you forget everything and come fly with me?

Spider

2004-11-09T16:19:00.000-06:00

I weave a huge web
Breathing silks deep in my heart
You've nowhere to hide

(written July 2004)

Heart Of Fire

2004-11-08T16:38:00.000-06:00

(This is a piece of the roleplay story for the pbem game. )

It was dark, very dark. She was vaguely aware of her surroundings: the medical shelf, the wooden desk … A human shaped shadow approached her. An imminent sense of danger seized her heart. So heavy … She couldn’t breathe. He came closer. … She couldn’t scream out. He extended his hand toward her …

HongHu suddenly awoke and sat up. Her body slightly trembled from the shock. A man’s hand was on her shoulder. “Kody! How did you get in here?” HongHu scolded.

“Shhh.” Kody’s voice was unreadable in the darkness. “Come with me.”

They went outside of HongHu’s tent. Kody handed her a small quicklink. “Santiago got back from the north last night. I found out something disturbing about what she’s been doing the last few months.” HongHu silently finished reading the content from the LCD screen. She now realized that Kody’s face was even more solemn than ever.

“She plans to betray the Peacekeepers.” HongHu’s heart sank as she started to take in its grave implication. “I’ve got to go talk to her.”

“No. You can’t go. I just wanted you to see this before I destroy it.”

“What do you mean? You propose we don’t do anything even if we know about this?” HongHu asked unbelievingly.

“The peacekeepers can take care of themselves.”

“You don’t intend to tell them.” HongHu finally came to her shocking realization. “It’s your loyalty to her isn’t it? She is the one who put you up for your current positions after all.” She hated it when Kody sounded like that. So cold, as if he didn’t care about the others. And she hated when he talked about things like it was already decided.

Somehow Kody didn’t want to explain himself. She should have known him better. But what could he do if she didn’t. Confronting Santiago too early would mean the end of the fragile relationship between the Spartans and the Peacekeepers as well as the Gaians. Everything he had been working hard for would be lost. Santiago would realize that it is better to cooperate with others rather than to be hostile against them when others had increased their powers and would give up her plans all by herself.

"She is the leader of the Spartans", he finally said.

HongHu found herself swelling with rage. “So you are willing to let the others risk the danger of being destroyed, just for your stupid loyalty to Santiago? What if the others are not strong enough to take care of themselves? Were you going to keep your loyalty to her if she puts her plan to act tomorrow morning? She has never given you the power to control the Spartan’s military. Will it be too late when you find out that she’s already acted?”

Lady Hong jumped in her Rover and drove away before Kody had time to reply to her. Kody stared at the dust cloud left in HongHu's wake feeling events were slipping away. An endgame was approaching and he would not be able to stop it. He hurried to his own rover to follow HongHu.

At Santiago’s quarter

Kody pushed the door open and stepped into Santiago’s quarters. Santiago was sitting in a hard backed wooden chair behind a large desk. Lady Hong was already there, standing two steps away from him, her chest rising and falling from heavy breathing.

“How did you crack the security codes for the files Kody?” Santiago’s voice was cold like a metal.

“I didn’t. I bypassed them.” It was no use now. The secret was out. So be it.

“So you’ve thrown your lot in with the Gaians, now following that woman like a little puppy”, Santiago looked at Kody disgustedly. “You always were weak.”

A mixture of shame and angry passed over Kody’s face.

“Major,” Santiago waved her hand tiredly. A Spartan soldier appeared and went away with his instructions. “We’ve just captured our first mindworm. Thanks to you, Lady HongHu.” Santiago smiled maliciously. “Too bad you will be the first test subject for the Spartan’s native life studies.”

A scream was heard outside of the room. A soldier ran in to the room hastily, “It's escaped! It … it's multiplied … grown …It’s big …” His face was filled with horror. Santiago stood up sharply. “Finish them.” She gestured toward Kody and HongHu while preparing to leave the room.

“Hold it!” HongHu drew out a compact pistol and pointed it to Santiago. The soldier stopped hesitantly. “Don’t move or I’ll shoot her!” HongHu moved closer to Kody while trying to hold her gun steady.

Outside shouting mixed with the screams as soldiers started to organize. “Mindworms!” “Mindworm attacks!” “Get your flamethrower!” “Over there!”

Another soldier dashed in and reported, “Mindworms sighted at the north entrance of the base!” Nobody moved.

“It has called its companions.” HongHu reached for Kody’s hand unconsciously, but found only empty air.

Santiago could feel the adrenaline coursing through her system. It had been a long time since she had not fought from a superior position. Fighting the mindworms was exciting, but they lacked the cunning and unpredictability of humans. There were disadvantages with absolute powers, she sighed to herself.

“If you would sign a submissive pact with the Spartans I will let you go Lady HongHu.”

“No. I want you to make a promise not to betray us, as well as the Peacekeepers. I know you have the wisdom to see the right choice and the willpower to keep a promise, if you want.” HongHu put both of her hands to hold her gun, tightening her grip.

“HaHaHaHa…” Santiago laughed out loudly, “You are such a sweet soul.” She spoke with scorn. “Have you ever fired a shot at another person, my dear lady of love?”

“I have.” The near deafening crack of gunfire followed Kody’s cold and steady words. Santiago's eyes widened with surprise. A streak of black blood slowly flowed out from her right temple as she fell back into the chair behind her.

You can’t miss at point blank. Kody thought to himself while trying to suppress nervous laughter. The two soldiers ran to their leader, stunned and unable to comprehend what was happening. She was like a goddess to them. One soldier opened his mouth attempting to call for backups, and was silenced by Kody’s threatening and commanding glare.

Kody turned toward the door, grabbing HongHu’s hand with his own. “Let’s go.”

“Why did you kill her?” Lady HongHu was still astounded.

“It’s either her or us, can’t you see that?” Kody argued. This was not the time to talk about this. Santiago would never forgive them. She would loathe every single concession that she was forced to make. Her revenge would be unthinkable when she regained control. Killing her was the best option there was.

“He was a murderer before he even landed on this planet.” HongHu’s body froze, shocked to hear this coarse voice. She turned around toward the dying Santiago. “He’s betrayed Captain Garland. He’s betrayed me. One day he will betray you.” Satisfied with the effect of her statement, Santiago slouched, her body devoid of life.

A dark pall enveloped HongHu as scenes of the past flashed through her mind. Captain Garland … The endless nights she spent sitting alone in the dark missing his presence with an aching heart … She remembered when, as a child back in the earth, somebody told her that every man she loved would die. She had never believed it.

Slowly HongHu turned to Kody. “You killed him.” She whispered.

“Yes.”

She raised her pistol toward Kody. “Why?”

“I don’t know.”

“No,” HongHu pressed, “It couldn’t be you. Tell me, why?”

Kody sighed. “It was a long story. Do you want to hear it?”

Tears welled up to her eyes. HongHu slowly shook her head. “No.”

“Kill me if you want. I already have more debts than I can repay.”

Tears ran down the curves of her cheeks. Her hand trembled. She could not pull the trigger.

A sudden gunshot rang out reverberating through her bones as HongHu lowered her gun. She watched as an expression of confusion crossed Kody's face and he began to crumple. HongHu's pistol fell to the ground with a clatter as she tried to catch Kody's collapsing body. Looking up Honghu saw one of the soldiers unsteadily lowered his gun.

“Kody!” HongHu knelt down beside Kody. She tore of a piece of cloth from her green gown, trying to plug the bloody hole in Kody’s chest. “Medics! Somebody!” The green cloth turned red as HongHu pressed on Kody’s chest. “Oh god, please, don’t die, Kody, please,” She cried, “I didn’t mean it when I said no. I want you to live and tell me your story. Please, please…”

Darkness swirled over Kody’s vision. The wild screams seemed far away as if it was in another world. It was difficult to breathe. She was crying … Her hands pressing on his chest … “It’s not important, HongHu.” The pain was fading … It felt like too much effort to breathe. “The mindworms are out of control. You can still save yourself. You have the psych power.” HongHu tore another piece of cloth from her gown and wrapped it around Kody’s chest. She tried to pull him up. Why hadn’t anybody come to help her? “This won’t do,” Kody murmured, “You need to go.”

The shouting and screams were sporadic now. HongHu stopped her futile effort and gently laid Kody back on the floor. She knelt down again beside him, and wiped away a streak of blood that had smeared Kody’s face.

“Sorry for being such an emotional and unreasonable girl sometimes.” She said quietly to Kody.

The room was filled with orange colored wiggling tentacles. The two soldiers were nowhere to be found.

Kody looked at HongHu, his eyes focusing at a point beyond her face. “The Gaians need you. You are their heart.”

“They are not important. They can take care of themselves.” HongHu replied absentmindedly as she took a long last look at Kody. She gently pressed a kiss on his cheek, and turned away from him, crossed her legs, positioned her hands in front of her chest like an orchid, and closed her eyes.

The mindworms started to move around HongHu and Kody, slowly, and gradually increasing their speed. Kody watched as HongHu stood up, and slowly started dancing. A whisper echoed in his mind, “Goodbye … Please forgive me …” Kody felt a sharp pain in his heart, and the darkness took over … Beside Kody, a mindworm dropped on HongHu’s body.

(Written July 2003)

At The Drones

2004-11-08T15:34:00.000-06:00

(This is a piece of the IC stories I wrote for the SMAC game. Maybe I'll get them all collected together one of these days.)

"Instead of alienating the Planet, we assimilate it," Deputy Chairman Jamski spoke with great enthusiasm, "Instead of alienating the two factions, we combine them. Together, we will create the greatest period of economic expansion in Chiron history!”

Marshal Rokossovky stood with Buster, Moongoose, Jamski and Vev on a temporary stage in front of thousands of cheering Free Drone workers. He listened to Jamski's speech half mindedly, while his keen eyes habitually searched the crowd below him. The Free Drones and the Human Hives have finally officially closed the pact after a long day's negotiation. The document had been sent to Chairman Voltaire for his signature. Meanwhile Rokossovky planned to stay in the Drone’s territory for a couple more days. He got more things to do here.

Rokossovky’s eyes set at a far corner in the crowd. Something caught his attention. Was that a black butterfly? He didn’t get a clear look before it was buried in the thousands of heads again. But it looked kind of familiar … Rather rare for a Drones girl to have any decoration on her hair … Rokossovky hurried down the stage. He did not want to waste time to let the guards know where he was going. He had to be quick. Stay there, don’t go. He prayed as he made his way though the crowds.

What is he doing? Jade suddenly realized that the marshal was walking toward this direction. She turned around hastily and tried to flee when she suddenly bumped into somebody. “Sorry John!” She mumbled while continued trying to get away. But an alarm flashed in her mind forcing her to turn back. John? He should be with Jamski. That man was not John. She realized why she had mistaken that man as John just now. He was dressed up in a black robe, just as a Hive probe team agent. And he had something in his hand … Jade did not have time to take in the situation but her instinct made her to turn and follow the man. He moved quickly in the crowd, like an eel in the water. Jade was only two steps from him, but it was so hard to push away all those big Drones boys.

Damn it! He had gotten the perfect position. And damn it that bustard had to decide to step down from the stage. Now he had to get closer to him to get a clear shot. But he’d have him after all. The man took out his laser gun and aimed it to Marshal Rokossovky.

“Noooo!” Jade lunged forward with all her strength. With a big thump, like a stone thrown into a lake, the crowd receded with surprised clutters for a short moment, and then flew back to form a circle. Only one second later, a tall figure jumped up from the ground, violently broke the circle and dashed away. Twenty steps away, two men in black robes followed, racing right after him.

Rokossovky pushed his way into the circle. In the middle of a swamp of blood, there lied a girl, face down and motionless. Rokossovky turned her over and held her into his arms. She was still conscious. Rokossovky pressed his hands onto the small wound in her chest, trying to staunch the gushing blood. He looked at her face. Her eyes swam with pain, but she saw him. She smiled.

“Marshal.”

The lighting in the sky was beautiful, soft and subdued. The expanse of Chiron slipped into twilight as Centauri A and B touched the horizon together.

It was Double down.

Friend

2004-11-08T15:27:00.000-06:00

I’d come to you whenever you call me; I’d kneel before you to heal your wound. I’d hold you in my arms; I’d wipe the tears from your eyes. When the sky is falling for you, I’d be beside you holding your hand. For I’m your friend.

I can’t give you all you need, but I’d share your pain when you are sad. Is life a dream or is it a game? Is there a restart? Does one get another chance? When you are shivering in the early spring wind, I’d be beside you holding your hand. For I’m your friend.

The sun will be up and the roses will blossom again. You’ll not be alone. Don’t be sad. I’d open an umbrella for you, to stop the rain, and the world from falling apart. For I’m your friend.

(written May 2004)

Falling From A Dream

2004-11-08T15:25:00.001-06:00

Is it possible to chase the cloud; is it possible to catch the wind? Is it possible, to stop a heart falling from a dream? In a world filled with violence and betrayal, is it too naïve to believe in anything? Perhaps the sword of trust is meant to be without companion; perhaps the grapefruit of love would never turn sweet. No matter how hard my heart bleeds, I will never stop trying to believe.

(written April 2004)

Flood of Nile - For Kody

2004-11-08T15:25:00.000-06:00

You came with great force, flooding every corner and every inch. Your overflowing intelligence, your unyielding honor, your wave of passion… You turned resistance into acceptance, you turned fighting into embracement. You reshaped the banks and reformed the land. You then receded, leaving everything you love so much behind. My heart is fuller for you had enriched it, my mind is wiser for you have cultivated it. I will spend every day and night waiting for your return, for the next season of flood of Nile.

(written Jan 2004)

The Icebergs

2004-11-08T15:23:00.000-06:00

Standing on my iceberg, I watch you drifting apart. I tried in futile to pull you over, but the sky is too pretty for you on your side. I could of course cross over, but there are so many baby seals that need my care. Slowly I watched you, drifting apart. Away from me, from my cold heart. The wind blows, the eyes are blurred. My heart is colder than the wind, heavier than the iceberg below. Slowly I watch you drifting apart. Will there be a day, the two icebergs float close again, each following their own paths?

(written Dec 2003)

For A Friend's Friend

2004-11-08T15:21:00.000-06:00

“Have I been mean to you lately?” You asked. “Yes you have,” I answered. “You have been mean to me like a little devil.” You steal my heart when you smile, then you tear it apart when you cry. You squeeze my heart when you frown, and you leave it alone when you are away. “Have I been mean to you lately?” You asked. “Yes you have,” I said. You are my little mean mean devil, but I love you still, more than my life.

(written Dec 2003)

To Celebrate A Long Gone But Never Forgotten Love

2004-11-08T15:17:00.000-06:00

Mindlessly scribbles down his name in her note pad
Her thought drifts to him on its own when she tries to forget
Slowly simmering her heart is this mild but lasting longing
She’s stopped asking when all the cherries will ripe

What wouldn’t she give for a kiss from her love
What wouldn’t she pay just for a look into his eyes
His words carved such deep marks in her heart
Love’s curse she can never escape

Searching for his trace deep in her mind
Every smile, every pain
Lust is that delicious yet poisonous wine
She drinks everyday till her death

(written in Nov, 2003)

The Years Before Chiron (III)

2004-11-08T09:28:00.000-06:00

(Yes the story has a big leap that I still need to fill. If one day I have the motivation I may just finish it. ;) But for now, let's jump to the end.)

Yang Tzi and HongHu hurried through the tunnel. Outside the windows HongHu could see several landing pods, breaking apart from the unity, and thrusters firing one by one. The ground shook violently, indicating the pod trying to break away. But somehow it was still connected.

“We are out of time.” Commented Yang Tzi while he frantically opened the hatch of the door that connected pod seven with the connecting bridge and the main bay entrance.

There! On the unity side, a series of explosive bolts that should have fired were still in place and still holding the landing pods. All the lives of the crews in landing pod seven were held together by those bolts.

“Yang Tzi, come here!” HongHu shouted in the other end of the bridge. She opened a small armors chest that must be discarded by somebody during the fight. There were several grenades left in there. Yang Tzi leaped back and picked one up. “Good idea Hongie!” He smiled to HongHu before she swung the box cover on his head with her full strength.

Sorry, my dear Yang Tzi. HongHu watched Yang Tzi collaping onto the ground with tears in her eyes. She turned around and raced toward the connection bridge. This is good bye now. She knew that after the bolts were lit she wouldn’t have time to come back. I love you. Don’t forget me …

All of a sudden HongHu felt a finger on her waist and her body suddenly lost all the strength. Yang Tzi held her tightly in his arms, gazed into her eyes, and said in husky and low voice: “How could you leave me like this, my dear Hongie, without even a kiss?” A stream of blood slowly flowed along Yang Tzi’s temple as his face was lowered to her face …

HongHu wanted to raise her hand to wipe the blood for Yang Tzi but she couldn’t move. Seeing the pain in her eyes Yang Tzi assured her, “The immobilization will wear out in one minute. I didn’t use my full strength when I did that.” He gently put her down against the wall.

Tears ran down HongHu’s face, “Let me go with you, please.” She pleaded.

“No. I want you to live, my dear Hongie.”

“How can I live if you are not with me?”

Yang Tzi gave her a quick final kiss before he ran toward the bridge, “I want you to look at the planet for me.”

Yang Tzi activated the grenade and watched the countdown. At one second to go he squeezed the grenade in his hand and slammed it into the nearest explosive bolt. Wasting no time, he leaped to the main bay and pressed the button to close both doors that separate the landing pod from the main bay.

HongHu sprung from the floor and lunged to the closing door. It was closed. Yang Tzi, the love of her life, was a mere ten feet away, separated from her by two closely shut doors.

Through the transparent windows on the doors, Yang Tzi and HongHu gazed into each other.

Explosion blasted through the series of bolts like a chain of fire. Landing Pod Seven rocked violently, finally splitting away from the Unity, flying toward the forever dark space.

Beside the transparent windows, a young man and a young woman, gazed into each other, through the enlarging distance, through the dark space, through the eternity …

Have I told you that I love you? …

Have I told you that I’d give my life for you? …

The Years Before Chiron (II)

2004-11-08T09:24:00.000-06:00

“To attempt the unthinkable even if it is doomed to fail, this is to be a man. To succeed and not known by anybody, this is to be a real hero.” YangTzi smiled calmly, looking into the wide, enthusiastic, and admiring eyes of the dozen girls that circled him. It was the graduation day at the Connell University. The air was filled with excitement and buoyancy. YangTzi loved to visit this campus. During the ten years when he was a member of Team Alpha, he had come here often between missions. He loved the interactions with these young and naïve college girls. He had chosen Team Alpha for he needed the challenges to his physical and mental capabilities. And now he decided to take part in the Unity project, again because it was something that nobody had done before. The infinite possibilities … But he loved to come here to wash off the dust of battles. Led by Lady Skye, Connell was about the last corner in earth where the trees were green, the air was fresh, and the souls were unpolluted.

All of a sudden YangTzi was having the strange feeling of being watched again. He turned around abruptly. Nothing suspicious. YangTzi shot another look at the girl with long black hair ten feet away, who was lowering her head toward a plant in her hands. A slyly smile appeared in the corner of his mouth. A trace of alarm stayed in his mind. A gaze so concentrated, almost like with solid materials. Either came from intensive emotions, or many years’ training… YangTzi had never met an opponent with such skills. Perhaps this one will not be as easy as the others …

He is watching … HongHu felt her face warmed up slowly. She bit her lip and raised her head. He caught her with his bold, unmerciful gaze. HongHu’s face blushed. For a second she wanted to move her eyes away but she couldn’t. He didn’t let her go. He walked toward her slowly, with his eyes fixed on her, talking to her with his gaze. Don’t run away … Come to me … Come …

The world was turning … Noises faded away … She was lost. Such deep sea … So much inside it … HongHu stood still, her eyes filled with wonder. YangTzi circled one arm around her waist, covered her mouth with his own, closed her wide-open eyes using his other hand, and then caught the flower pod that was falling from her unknowing hands.

… Like a thousand years …

YangTzi looked down at HongHu’s slowly opening misty eyes. At least her lips are sweet and soft. YangTzi was a little disappointed. He’d hoped that she was different. But she wasn’t able to resist him after all. Like all the others.

“What’s your name?” YangTzi asked. Maybe he could spend a little time with her if she liked before he reported to the base. She is a nice girl. He would hate to hurt her feelings.

YangTzi watched with amazement the girl’s eyes becoming clear slowly. “Why are you so cruel?” She said.

YangTzi was taken aback. Before he could say anything, HongHu continued, “Why do you pretend you are interested when you really are not?” She lowered her eyes away from him, took the flower pot, and turned away. YangTzi wanted to say something but stopped himself. Somehow he wished she would look back if only once.

She didn’t.

She IS different from the others …

The Years Before Chiron (I)

2004-11-08T09:20:00.000-06:00

(This is a fan fiction for the game SMAC. The story happened before the spaceship Unity arrives Alpha Centuari.)

It was the fall of year 2056. Inside the deep mountains in southeast of China.

"The girl picks lotuses by the autumn bank, as she pulls on her narrow sleeves, two gold bracelets are revealed…"

The fog has lightened by the morning winds. A young man of the age of 15 or 16, stood besides a giant pine tree. Singing carelessly, the young man examined pleasingly the just finished calligraphy written on the big stone in front of him. A long brush in his right hand was still wet with inks. The calligraphy was of Lan Ting Prologue in the cursive script style. The carefree movement of the strokes suggested a dancing rather than a racing speed.

"On the surface is a picture of beauty, but underneath her heart is like a string struggling to be untangled."

The carelessly singing continued. The young man paced a half step to his side while looking at his work. His right hand rose casually as if he wanted to add something to it. Before the brush touched the smooth surface of the stone, the young man’s wrist made a sudden but slight move, and a large drop of ink flied swiftly like a bullet shooting toward the direction of his back.

The drop of ink mysteriously stopped in front of a man who stood twenty steps away. He was about 60 or so, the robe he was wearing has been washed to a blueish-gray. His left hand was positioned in front of his lower chest with the palm facing up, and his right hand was positioned above the left hand with the palm facing to it. The drop of ink circled speedily between his palms, but it did not drop, nor spilled away. The old man lifted his right hand, and the drop of ink started to slowly fly toward the ink jar under the pine tree. It dropped into the ink jar like it was dripped from the tip of a brush that had just left the jar.

"Grandpa!" The young man turned around.

"Yang Tzi, your awareness radius has increased again." Shengji Yang smiled approvingly.

"But I still can’t get close to you no matter how hard I try."

Shengji did not answer the young man’s complain. In stead he walked up to the big stone and slowly read out Yang Tzi’s calligraphy.

"… While experiencing the ups and downs in our lives, we may be wakened by thoughts while meditating in a small chamber. Or, we may let go of ourselves in the open Nature. Choices are plenty, tranquility or activity as one prefers. I am contented with whatever happiness is brought forth, however short the moment is. I am satisfied, not knowing that I am aging nor where I am heading…

"Things do change, only our feelings linger. What we used to be fond of will become the past instantaneously. We can't help but to cheer ourselves by recollection. Life, long or short, always comes to an end…"

"Do not overlook our ancestors’ great wisdom. Much have been lost in today’s busy modern life. Not many people know that one should look inside oneself to find the source of life and look back in history to find the meaning of existence. Find yourself, then you would be able to extend your awareness outward, beyond the self of body, to embrace the self of group and the self of humanity." Shengji Yang turned to Yang Tzi and asked, "Do you know why I ask you to study calligraphy?"

"Calligraphy is a mental exercise that coordinates the mind and the body to choose the best styling in expressing the content of the passage. It is a most relaxing yet highly disciplined exercise for one's physical and spiritual well being."

Shengji Yang nodded. "Unlike other visual art techniques, all calligraphy strokes are permanent and incorrigible, demanding careful planning and confident execution. When one is able to express himself freely and creatively while conforming to the defined structure of words, he would reach the stage of harmony between man and the nature."

Shengji Yang continued to examine the calligraphy. "Your skills have improved a lot over the years. You have great talent, Yang Tzi. And the simple life inside the deep mountains has provided the best environment for you to form your Qi and learn you skills. You will be able to surpass me long before you are at my age." Shengji looked at Yang Tzi adoringly. "However, I worry that things have been too easy for you. Your handwriting shows rhythm and beauty, dynamic and creativity, but lacks persistency and seriousness." Shengji Yang pondered, "I have said that we will not go out to the world again until you are able to across the mountains by yourself. I wonder now that you have mastered the lightness skill, maybe it’s time for you to go out and see the world."

(written in Oct 2003)

Morphing

2004-11-08T01:22:00.000-06:00

I will first turn into a little bird, then I could fly over the ocean. I will turn into a ship when I'm tired and turn back into a bird again just because I enjoy flying. When I have accrossed the ocean, I will fly to my love's house. I will turn into a little breeze, blow into his window. Or in fact, I will turn into a little snowflake, drift into his window, and I'll kiss his face, and melt into a little drop of water in his hand. And then I'll fade away into the air, wrap him with my invisible arms, and wisper into his ears. I will turn into a little flower that he loves, then he'll pick me up, put me into a little pod beside his bed, and he'll water me, smile to me, and talk to me before he goes to sleep. When the night comes, I'll turn into a little star, silently watch over him. When the morning comes, I'll turn into the first drop of sunlight on his eyes, and wake him up. Then I will turn into the fresh morning air, let him breath me in. I will go look at his heart, seeing that the girl in his heart is not me, and I will leave a tear there. And I will lose my morphing abilities, and die because of a broken heart. And he will pick me up in his arms, and says: "Do you know that I love you, for the tear you left in my heart."

(written Nov, 2003)

A Couple Haikus

2004-11-08T01:20:00.000-06:00

(I)
So cold is the night
without love's accompany
the heart is lonely

(II)
What a sweet torture
seeing your words, without your lips
gently caressing my ears

(Written for a friend)

Girl Under The Tree (II)

2004-11-08T01:01:00.000-06:00

It had only been about a month since he last saw her. But he felt like it was a century ago. He now had the habit to sit on the bench under the giant tree to read his class notes. The weather was getting nicer. And the tests are close. He knew that there were other reasons that he liked here but he chose not to think about it.

One day, as he was sitting at the bench reading his classnotes, a pair of hands covered his eyes from behind. It was such familiar softness. He felt his heart beat increased a bit.

“Why are you not talking to me?” She turned around and stood in front of him. She seemed to be quite happy.

Because I can't. He thought. “Why are you here?” His voice was husky.

She winked to him: “I came to thank you of course, what else did you think?”

The shine in his eyes fainted. “You don’t need to thank me. I haven’t done anything for you.”

The girl sighed softly. “Can’t you see that I’m joking?” She sat down beside him, just like how they were before. Her words now became slower, as if she was thinking while talking. “That day when he came back, I was so happy. I had loved him so much. But somehow it didn’t feel right. When I went out with him, I would remember you, and the days we sat together and talked. I tried hard but I could never forget that moment, when you turned me to his direction.” Her eyes looked deeply into his eyes. “I have never met somebody with such a generous heart like yours.” She continued, “He and I parted two weeks ago. I have been thinking alone in my room about all these and I decided that I would come and see you. And so here I am.”

For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. He admitted to himself that the deep hole her softness has carved in his heart could only be filled by her. But he tried to be calm and cool, “May be we could try start again. We’ll see where this leads us.” She smiled and stood up. “Let’s start from I walking with you to your evening class.” He didn’t notice that it was time for his class. And he was happy that she remembered this. He stood up, and took her hand. He knew that one day, he would have his own bird flying in the sky.

Girl Under The Tree (I)

2004-11-07T23:46:00.000-06:00

There was a giant tree beside the dorm where he lived. A wooden bench was set under the tree. Every day when he came home after class, he saw the same boy and girl sitting on the bench. He was tall and handsome. She was small and soft. When he passed by, they’d nod to him. And he’d smile back.

One day, only the girl came. She didn’t notice him when he passed by. She sat for some time, and left.

The next day, only the girl came. She sat for a long time before she left.

She still came everyday, sat quietly with her head lowered to her chest.

One day, he went to sit beside her. She raised her head to him. He saw that her cheeks were wet.

Since then he would sit by her every day. She started to tell him about the boy. He’d sit and listen quietly.

One day, as they were sitting on the bench, he saw the boy walking toward them in the distance. He put his hands on the girl’s shoulder, gently turned her to the boy’s direction. She ran toward him, like a bird flying to the sky. The boy put his hands on her waist, lifted her up. They turned and laughed.

And they left. Without looking back.

He sat on the bench, feeling her softness on the tip of his fingers. He felt a dumb ache in his chest. He knew his heart was bleeding. He realized for the first time, that he had cared for her, a little too much.

Little White Sail

2004-11-05T15:35:00.000-06:00

A little white sail wandered through ponds, lakes, and rivers. She loved them for their different temperaments and they loved her for her lightheartedness and liveliness. She was happy and content, but secretly she longed for the sea. She dreamed for the day but was also afraid of the day when they meet. One day she met the sea. She sailed into his arms without stopping for fear. She was buried in his waves. She lost her elegancy and dexterity. But she was still happy. For she finally met her love, and she knew one day she would ride the waves with ease.

(written on Aug 4, 2003)

The Beginning

2004-11-04T13:19:00.000-06:00

I have always loved reading books. When I was seven years old I read "The Journey to the West". I didn't have a lot of books to read at the time. It was during the great culture revolution in China. Many books were deemed to be prohibited. I sneaked into my parents room and found books from their hidden boxes. I'd read from day till twilight, without noticing that I should have turned on the light. I'd read in bed. And when mom came in she'd flip open the corner of my blanket and check under my pillow, but I'd hidden my book in the other end under my feet. Then I'd read over night, until the morning sun came up. I knew all kinds of tricks. I'd wait until nobody's there and step on a chair to reach the books that were hidden on top of the bookshelf. I'd check the bookshelf to find the ones that had been inserted backward. I'd cry and dream, living in an entirely different world.

When I was twelve years old, we moved back from Nanning to Beijing. The jouney took us a month because we stopped at many places. When I was on the train looking at the trees fled past from out of the window, and when we passed an intersection when I saw people standing there waiting for the train to pass, I wondered what kind of worlds were out there. I'd never know those people, never know their love and hate, their happiness and troubles. In that one second, I felt the interaction of the two worlds, and my thought flied to places that were far far away. At those times, I had lots of time to look at the world, and to think and imagine. Everything was so fresh, so beautiful. The lakes, the mountains, the people, even the stinky hotel room that had a pig farm behind its back window ... I often thought, even at that age, that I wanted to write all these out. But I never did. I felt my language was so lacking, and the beauty that was implanted in my heart was so hard to describe.

Daddy is a typical South China intellectual (Jiang Nan Cai Zi). He'd tell us beautiful stories about his childhood, how they wiped some kind of a herb onto their hands when they skipped school to play outside and expected the teacher to spank their hands, and how they fled the classroom when the Japanese bombed their city. He would recite antient Chinese poems for us, and explain them to us, sketching colorful pictures before our young minds using his words. Mom would sit beside me and help me with my homeworks. When I was a little older, she told me many of her own stories. The life of my childhood was hard. We lacked material abundance. I didn't have a toy of my own. The only toy for the three of us, was an small naked plastic doll, whose tummy had a black cigarette burn that was made by my grandma. But all I could remember was the love, and the beauty.

I grew up, and had my own life. I moved to the US. One day, I stumbled upon an internet forum. There I found a whole new world. I fell in love again in that place. It was a fabricated world. But with real people. People who would have never met if not for the internet. We interacted with each other, loved, and fought each other. I started to write down my feelings and little stories. I call these writings "grapefruits".

I have always loved grapefruits. The special sweet bitterness resembles something that are very beautiful. I never really craved total sweetness. Too much sweet would be too dull. I want to taste all tastes in the world. I want to experience all experiences in ones life. Love and friendship is beautiful. No matter how it turns out, the experience itself is treasurable. I will forever cherish them.