Saturday, November 12, 2005

   In The Shadows: Part II
This is the part of the story where Xalif is described in more detail... in other words it's the part I edited constantly for this short, or not so short story. Anywhozel, this is my favorite part because the leading lady is introduced! enjoy:



Xalif took the secret passage to the Queen’s chamber and managed to arrive before Lord Yuan’s messenger. He knocked on the Queen’s door. “Enter.” Her sweet voice called to him from beyond the oak door. His palms were clammy under his gloves, and his stomach either fluttered or tied itself in knots as he turned the handle. He stepped into a lavishly furnished chamber. Her guardian stood by the door with his arms crossed and his back against the wall. Xalif felt his gaze upon him immediately, even though his head was hung and his eyes cast down.
Xalif shook off the feeling of intimidation and walked toward his Queen. Her ladies in waiting were seated around her knitting or crocheting. The Queen herself held a cross stitch hoop in her hands and a work in progress on her lap. They sat on cushioned chairs, the Queen on her favorite lounge chair with a back support and a space to stretch her legs. The color, a pale yellow green, of the lounge chair complemented her auburn hair nicely and the silver circlet with dangling emeralds did the same. The dress she wore was fine cotton, dyed to match the Emeralds on the circlet. It was sleeveless and cut to flatter the bust and waistline. The skirt was three quarters length and showed her shapely calves and white sandals that tied at her ankles. Her eyes mirrored an incomprehensible intelligence, like pools that had frozen over from a winter’s chill and her lashes were long and dark. She was his vision of beauty, and the one woman in the whole kingdom he could not woo. He knelt, respectfully, before her.
“A messenger is here from Lord Yuan.” He informed her.
“You have my gratitude for the advanced notice.” She placed her cross stitch aside and stood. Her maidens did the same and followed her to a side door that led to her bedroom. The Queen stalled before she grasped the door handle. She turned and ordered, “Stay with Curucam, the message could be of important updates for the war and your special division might be needed. I have tried to keep us out of this war, but if the troops are losing your division will be the first to go.”
Xalif hung his head and answered, obediently, in unison with her guardian, “Yes, my Queen.” Xalif did not rise until he heard the click of the closing door. He rose and looked around the room. There were numerous paintings of horses and nature scenes. He walked around the room looking at them, conscious of the Guardians gaze as he moved around the room. The thought of the watchful eyes made him uncomfortable and he strayed to an empty corner to wait. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the wall.
“So you’re the General, huh?” A gruff voice asked. Xalif looked toward the Guardian, who was the only other soul in the room, and nodded. He was a powerful looking man. His build was solid and the depths of his physical strength were accented by the rippling muscle that showed through his clothing. He was older, the lining of his face and whitening of his cornflower hair were results of age. There was a long scar on his face that started from the left side of his for head and trailed diagonally across the bridge of his nose and across his right cheek. Xalif assumed it was an old battle scar, he was lucky he hadn’t lost an eye. “People say you’re the devil’s incarnate,” He went on. “And that you thirst for human flesh.” Xalif didn’t answer; he got similar remarks on a daily basis since he started working the day shift. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t need to explain himself to anyone.
“I thought bronze armor was out dated.” Curucam commented, obviously trying to make conversation. Xalif decided to humor him.
“It was my fathers.” Xalif answered. “He bestowed it upon me when I was inaugurated as General.” Xalif smiled at the memory, it was the greatest memory he possessed.
“How long does it take you to wrap yourself?” Curucam asked after a long silence. Under his armor he wore a long sleeved grey tunic and the same color pants. His shirt was loose and beneath it snaked white bandages that wrapped around his body in the areas that his clothes did not cover. The bandages created his gloves and Curucam could see where the many ends folded under to secure the fabric in place. His face was exposed but the bandages started at his chin and wrapped around his head. His bangs and the sides of his hair were exposed, its length running down just past his shoulders. The rest of his hair was directed by the bandages to rest behind him. A separate bandage started at his neck and disappeared under his shirt.
“Not long,” Xalif answered. “But I’ve had quite a bit of practice.”
“Why do you wear them?”
“Medical purposes.” They stood in silence after that, and Xalif assumed the man finally realized he didn’t like speaking about it. He closed his eyes once more and didn’t reopen them until he heard the soft click of the door. Xalif and Curucam looked to see the Queen had changed into a traditional dress that was less casual and more formal with long sleeves and a longer skirt with a train. The gown was made of rich green silk and was high collared. Even in the more modest clothing she held on to her beauty. The Queen walked over to Curucam and he offered her his arm. The Queen’s hand maiden’s resumed their work as the Queen and Curucam exited the room. He followed a few paces behind them, wondering what news the messenger brought as the three of them headed for her conference room.
Lord Yuan’s forces were in need of reinforcements and the Queen was the nearest ally. Called upon to send whatever she could whether it was troops, supplies, or both. In Xalif’s opinion the messenger was vague with details of what was happening on the battlefield. He stood in a corner listening and he assumed the Queen felt the same as she pried for any information the messenger could give her.
“Are you sure you can’t tell me any other details?” She inquired.
“I wasn’t informed in great detail myself Queen Alphedhel.” The messenger earnestly replied. “I know only that the enemy has produced an addition to his forces that overpowers ours.” He apologized.
The Queen sighed, and rubbed her temples with one of her slender hands thoughtfully. The moment stretched on, and Xalif felt pity for her. He couldn’t imagine the stress of being responsible for a kingdom, but he could see the out lines of worry as she pondered on her decision. “General.” She voiced with her head in her hand. By her tone Xalif knew she had come to an unsavory conclusion. “Bring me the captain.” She ordered erecting her head with false confidence. He bowed and quickly left the room.
He exited the building and crossed over from the shade into the winter sun, immediately encompassing his body with his cloak. His disease continued to be an on going misery for him. The rare blood disease forced him to fear the sun’s gentle warmth on his bare skin. Ever since he was a baby he was wrapped up like a mummy when he ventured into the sunlight. He learned it was easier to be a creature of the night, hanging onto shadows whenever he was out in the day. Fortunately, he had a relative with the disease. His Uncle had been his everything, before he died; his parents wanted nothing to do with an imperfect son. They thought of him as a disappointment. His brother thought him a lesser human. The people of the castle where terrified of him, because of his disease. Their fear seemed evermore apparent as he walked amongst them in the Queen’s court yard. It bothered Xalif to see mother’s clutch their babe’s possessively as he walked by, and merchant men hold their wives and turn away as if he was the reincarnation of a demon. They avoided his path, parting in the direction he faced, scrambling to get out of his way.
He reached the battlement and found Kayden. As soon as he convinced him into coming, he brought him to the Queen. “Captain,” She began. “You will accompany the Field Marshal and his troops aiding Lord Yuan. Your men will stay; the General will be in charge of the diurnal guard and his own nocturnal guard. You are to report to the Field Marshal on the morrow. Your first order Captain is to bring me the Field Marshal.”
“Yes my Queen.” Kayden answered. He bowed and left the room. Xalif waited for the Queen to give him specific orders. “General,” she began. “You will set up a perimeter around the castle. Also your men will occupy the villages and the beacon towers. I want a strong cluster in the forest and the mountain settlements. Warn them not to attempt stopping the Volb out side of a village or settlement. The exception is the forest and mountain teams, and then they can do whatever they must to stop them.” She paused and he was silent. “Yours won’t be the only team deployed. I am sending half the Field Marshal’s forces to patrol in the daytime. The mission is strictly a Nocturnal venture; it’s why I had you create such a team. I’m leaving it up to you to divide them. Remember that it only takes one man to watch a beacon tower.”
“Yes...”
“And General,” she went on. “Station yourself among the men patrolling the Castle’s perimeter. Since the captain is leaving I want the Officer of the Day Guard in charge. You will return to the schedule of the Night Guard.”
“Understood, Your Highness.” Xalif affirmed.
“Before you make the adjustment, I have some errands for you.”


Tell me what you think; I rather enjoy the feedback ^^
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Friday, November 11, 2005

bg
I found this and I had to put it here because thanksgiving is comming up and its food... but don't worry it's only temporary. My fanart is comming along nicely.
If you miss the old bg go to my bros site, hes cosplayfreak in my friends list.
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My writings....
UH... i have nothing to post... so I'm posting the first chapter of my short story called In the Shadows.

Injoy:

The steady clomp, clomp of horse hooves signaled the arrival of a stranger to the outer gate of Castle Vale. Guardsmen on the battlement peered down the solitary road that leads to the gated entrance. The ever green trees from the surrounding forest obstructed their view as they waited to see whether the stranger was friend or foe. When the rider materialized from the forest there was no clear inclination of what clan he represented. The captain stood above the gate in shining armor, his helmet in his arms. His long blond hair blew in the piercing winter wind as his cold icy stare scrutinized the newcomer riding along the road. He looked to his right at the nearest underling soldier. “You there!” He barked thrusting an accusing finger in the underling’s direction. “Notify the General!”
“No need.” The general’s commanding voice sounded as he climbed the stairs to the battlement. “I have already been informed.” The general stepped onto the battlement, cloaked and hooded though his armor glistened in the sun like the fire of his eyes. His white hair protruded from under his hood, he wore a scarf over his mouth and nose, and gloves over his hands. Not an inch of his skin was exposed to the elements.
“Sir!” The captain saluted, all of the battlement soldiers stiffened at there posts and banged the end of the spears they carried on the stone once in salute to the general.
“At ease men,” He voiced, and the soldiers relaxed, however the captain kept his demeanor at a militant discipline. The general turned his eyes to the captain and laughed. “You should learn to relax, captain. It’s only one rider.”
“With all due respect, sir. I’ll rest when the war is over.” The captain expressed. The General shrugged. “Have it your way.” He replied.
The rider reached the gate and reined the horse to a stop. The rider looked up at them. “Please,” he pleaded, his voice floating on the wind. “Open the gate!”
“State your business!” the captain demanded, normally it was the General’s job, but since he wore the scarf over his face, his voice was muffled and he could not project as well.
“I have an important message from Lord Yuan.” The rider yelled back. “Open the gate!” he insisted. The captain didn’t say anything.
“Well? Are you going to give the order?” The General inquired, his happy demeanor transformed into seriousness. The captain clenched his teeth with a low growl. “You heard the man!” He shouted at the gate keeper. “OPEN THE GATE!!”
The gate keeper obliged and hurriedly opened the gate for the rider. The captain and general watched as the rider rode toward the castle, neither of the two happy with the other. “You didn’t even see if he was from Yuan.” The captain gripped. “What if he is lying?” The General shot him a look that would have melted steel. A gaze fierce and piercing, it sent chills down the captain’s spine.
“Then the Queen’s guardian will take care of him.” He retorted in a voice deep that was possessed by his anger. “You need to learn when to take orders, captain.”
The captain’s anger reached its boiling point. “THE QUEEN MUST BE DAFT FOR APPOINTING YOU…”
SMACK! The sound of the General’s back hand echoed off the stone of the battlement. The force knocked the Captain off balance and he knelt on the stone, facing away from the General. “One day, Kayden…” his chilling voice muttered in the captain’s ear. “One day you will learn to respect the Queen’s decisions. Until then, learn not to push me too far.”
Kayden clenched his fists, turned around and swung at air. He looked around and found that his brother had vanished; he growled in frustration. That bastard was tainting his family’s lineage. He wanted to erase him from the family tree. “I’ll get you, Xalif.” Kayden swore. “And then, my brother, your precious Queen will rely on me.”

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Wednesday, November 9, 2005

   bg
Say goodby to the current bg, cause I'm working on a fanart that will DEFINATLY replace it. But don't worry, I'm too big of a hellsing fan to replace Alucard with anything but a rendered portrait of his grandure. Once i work out the kinks with photoshop, (and actually color the stupid thing) it will be up and in style.
PEACE!!!!!!!!!!
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   Monday...
Awe, my grandma died on monday.... and now my step brother's here from Georgia. I'm really happy he's here, cause i rarely get to see him. I just wish it was on another occasion that I got to see him.... he's going to be here for a week, so maybe we'll have some fun before the open castket on sunday and funeral next monday.... in all truth, I wish I didn't feel obliged to go... open castkets make me sad...

chao... i guess...
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Monday, November 7, 2005

   Trailer
Today we got a small trailer that's supposed to sleep six... but one of the beds is only for small child use, and two of the beds are clearly for one person. But this trailer will see much usage w/camping & etc. Maybe mom'll let me take it to Anihiem next year... (i stayed in the best western a block from the convention center and it cost $500 for a room with two beds, a tiny fridge, and a microwave for four nights. still it was better than the hilton...). C y'all later!!!
Chao!
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Sunday, November 6, 2005

   I HEART photobucket...
As you can see I gots horribly embarassing <---(there's a pun here somewhere) pictures of the shinanagins that befalled AX 2005 on July 4th. We celebrated our independence in this fashion... (well, we took breaks for food, pocky, AMV's, and closing ceremonies)... it was better than fireworks.


On a more recent note:
I went to Cal Polly and hung out in the band room with my cousin who is a senior there. I stayed for her performance all weekend. She plays the french horn in the marching band and wind ensemble. Previously, we were appart for six or seven years (my father died and her dad's my uncle. I was dealing with greif... i have no idea if she was or not but it's what i would assume because there were those uncomfortable i-dont-know-what-to-say-still moments... yeah). Let's just say that we had to be reaquainted. Catch you later!
Chao!^^
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Wednesday, November 2, 2005

   shinanagins...
Well I said id write, so here it is: Halloween night.... I went to Sushi Ai for dinner with my non otaku friend Dani. She and I then went over to my friend/cousin(very long story) Chris' house and trick or treated him first. We walked around for an hour and then I had to locate my brother (cosplayfreak is his O user) in another neighborhood, while he was trick or treating to give him fast food.... if that's not aggravating than I don't know what is. I spent two hours trying to find him, and he didn't even eat the food I bought (with my money!!!!!), I tell you he is a pain in my avatar's backside. Then my friend had to go home because of curfew (WTF she's 18, but lives @ home w/ annal parents). So I took my bro home and then went to Albersons to wait for reploidzero to get off work... but it was 11:50 when he got off and I was tired from getting up at 6:30. So I took him home and went home myself.

hehe... i trick or treated in lepperd print slippers because the huge platform "nazi" boots (<---- inside joke) were uncomfy after wearing them all day. But it's ok, the slippers matched my pimp hat's band (the one that's usually white on alucard's hat). So just picture alucard with a pimp hat and in lepperd print slippers standing at the door begging for candy....
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Monday, October 31, 2005

   trasmition from a strange location....
Ok, so i went to school at eight am this morning dressed as Alucard. (I know shocking isn't it). and I didn't get as many stares as I thought I would... but my mom is sick and I have to stay here until it is time to trick or treat.... yeah, im going to trick or treat this year. Providing they don't arrest me because they think and eighteen year old trick or treating is creepy.... Anyway, I'm stuck at school... a PUBLIC COLLAGE, dressed like a pimp version of Alucard. I have gotten so many stares, but at least im not alone. There is a Vash here and a Chioji (reploidzero and I go to the same college). And that's it for the riegning otaku that have yet to show themselves. I know there is at least 20 more, according to the animation class I took fall of last year. But they have yet to show themselves. I feel really stupid in the open computerlab that I am writting this post in. (Im in the front and I can just feel the tension in the air... and the eyes borring into my back from everyone starring when I came in. its surprisingly quiet though... maybe I'm just parinoid.) I'll post tomorrow of the shinanagans that befall me tonight on the prowl for the mega jackpot of candy. Until, then.... Fly my pretties, FLY!!!!!!!!!
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Sunday, October 30, 2005

   All Hallows Eve Approaches...
My vampiric radar (which I have obtained recently, through shadey techniques and highly skilled imagination rituals) says all sensors point to Halloween. I'm looking forward to turning a few heads this year, seeing as I am eighteen and going trick or treating, (does that mean I have no life? or do i actually have one and that's why i can go?) come what may, i've already had a good season. Last night me and reploidzero went to a halloween party, (he was chioji(sp?) from Naruto and I was a pimped version of Alucard. [my costume was so cool it won first prise in the contest ^-^]. not that im gloating or anything... ok, maybe a little ;P ) anyways, it was a blast, especially because i got to play with the streamers!! They were so fun. Afterwards, me, chioji, and our mutual friend (lets call her Alucard-dressed-as-Integra-dressed-as-a-renesance-chick[this is hallarious, trust me] or Integra for short) went out to dinner at Sushi Ai. Let me tell you, this resteraunt didn't know what hit them. It was extra funny because there were a few otaku in the resteraunt at the time. You could tell because they didn't stare as we walked past them. Anyways, the resteraunt has cheep sushi (i know, amazing isn't it?) and we didn't go broke. Whahoo! Then "Integra" had to leave, but it was only 10:30 and me and chioji went next door to Barns and Noble (OMG now ppl know where I live o.O;;; ) and I finally found Hellsing Manga #7!!!!!!!! I was so excited I exclaimed something in jibberish and nearly attacked the shelf. (What do you exspect? I've been waiting since the pannel at AX. They said it was out in August... *points in two different directions like the scarcrow in the Wizard of Oz and thinks "October?"*.....) Lets just say it is awesome, and that I will never be able to repeat the same sound... ever. Anywhozel, with perchase in hand we went to Albertsons for Jones soda (Green Apple Rocks My Socks!!!) and found more otaku in the parkinglot. They had cards, but we didn't play because I was too busy getting glomped by some Hellsing fan. (What was really ackward was it was another girl and she just attacked me as I rounded a corner.
Her while glompage is in action: *OMG I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!*
Me: *uh... thank you?*
Everything was cool after she stopped jumpping up and down and released me from her glomp-caused-by-great-costume. Infact, we had a good time hanging in the parking lot. It was kinda sad when we disbanded, because it was only 12. My town has no night life and the nearest con is 3 hours away, but apparently the town is chock full of otaku. Go figure... Chao!
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