Tuesday, August 8, 2006

August 8, 2006

I'm probably not visiting everyone today, but I'll try. Forgive me! I'm very sorry, but I gotta vent-- This is a rant and you do not have to read it... in fact, skip to the paragraph after the next for other news.

MY EVIL COLLEGE PRESIDENT IS EVIL!!!!!!! ARRGGGGHH!!!!! I don't cuss much if ya haven't noticed, but I especially can't cuss because she's a nun... yeah, private school. Lovely. Anywho, she decides she wants the library open TWO WHOLE FLIPPING HOURS EARLIER on the last week before school starts... Do you have any idea how long I'm boxed up in library land at a time? NINE HOURS... she wants to bring it up to ELEVEN HOURS!!!! I can't believe her nerve. She's making me furious! I drive my mom to work in the morning, we own ONE car, and we're POOR!!! ARRRGGHHH!!! Evil evil lady! How dare she! HOW DARE SHE?! She expects me to drop everything and fight downtown traffic to make it to her pretty little campus with my happy shining face... she has some serious nerve.

Okay, that's out of my system. We're just under an hour away from closing, and here I am, writing a quick post because it's empty right now. Yup. Not a soul in here. We had computer problems and the wonder squad that is ISS had to come up and fix it... No computers means no visitors. So yeah, it's dead.

I want to thank all of you for all your kind words. Truly, I will probably thank you again and again. And I'm back to happy now. Actually, I was talking with Ra-chan last night, and Lex an Alex were chatting with me yesterday too. I even spoke with Faith and an ff.net friend named Latrell. Actually, that's the most talking I've done with anyone in ages...lol. You guys are all really wonderful, and it's good to know you care. ^^

Oh, another reason I'm feeling better today is that last night I finished watching Kino no Tabi (I started it, and probably didn't tell you guys... forgive me!!), and was sad that it ended, but it ended so much better than I thought it would! Ooh, and I also watched the first episode of Ouran Host Club... How I ignored it for so long? I do not know. All I know is that it's hiliarious, and everyone who reccomended it was totally right... it's awesome!

I've been falling behind on all my updating, haven't I? I owe DarkReno and Vestque buttons, and I'm supposed to be writing an ToS article about Regal Bryant... I will get on those soon. Believe it! Oh...lol... BB's got me watching a little too much Naruto... *sigh* Anyhow, hope everyone is having a good day. I'm probably going to go visit a few more people then shut down the library for the day. Later!

~Acorn~

---

Look at me! I can twirl a cane! WHEE!
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Monday, August 7, 2006

August 7, 2006

Wow, let's put this this way. I had a very very interesting weekend. I'm learning more and more about the dark years of my life. Actually, I'm not going to share too much, for fear of making y'all too depressed, because it's not like I'm in a rut or anything, I just had stuff brought up.

I'll start this off by telling you about my dad. His name is unimportant, just know that he was a disciplinarian and I loved him to death, because he was my dad. He had been in the army, and retired shortly before we moved to my current state of residence. He's the reason I love math, and study so hard like I do. Well, in August 1999, my father died. And to this day, I never like to think ill of the man who left my mom to raise all four of us. This month I may seem a little whacky, but please, understand that this is my unofficial month of reflection, where I look back and see what I've done to improve my life. That being said, and me actually starting to cry, because this really is a little bit hard, opening up this part of me to everyone. See, my serious side scares people, and I try not to, and I'm kinda afraid I guess of scaring y'all away. I'm still the happy person y'all know better. I just have some dark stuff to deal with. BB is too young to remember Daddy as well as I do. Actually, sometime this month I plan to go out and see his grave. Due to some rather unusual circumstances (please PM me if you want to know; I will not share these here), I was unable to attend his funeral or see his grave. So I want to go. It's a partial closure, a step in my own personal healing, because going means admitting that he really is gone forever. Yeah, that's hard.

I have been to therapy over this. I learned the best way to solving my problems is to talk it out, because locking away your emotions make you so much more depressed. I think a long time ago, I was on the edge, but my family and friends saved me. So now I treasure my friends like gold, even if I don't talk to them like I used to. Now I couldn't be further away. Okay, I think that's enough. I'm sorry if anyone didn't need to hear that, but unfortunately, I felt I'd hidden it from y'all for far too long. Well, I'm going to bed. I'll visit everyone in the morning. Later.

~Acorn~

PS- "Remember, rainbows always come after the storm."

And I will wait, even if I think it'll never come, because hoping for the light is better than living with the dark.

---

Look at me! I can twirl a cane! WHEE!
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   CHAPTER

Author’s Notes
ImperialGuardian: Just so you know, I don’t own Sailor Moon or Tales of Symphonia. Also, I’ve decided for the good of my clothing that today I will talk to Darien.

Darien: WHY?

ImperialGuardian: My next paycheck doesn’t come for two weeks. And don’t get me started on why Raye is sitting out, Darien. Besides, we need to make sure there’s enough of the Serena conflict going on today without me worrying about what I’m going wear tomorrow.

Darien: On that topic, how could you do this to MY Serena? You know I would never do that to her! And why is that Kratos guy being somewhat NICE to her? (fire in eyes)

ImperialGuardian: (backing away slowly) Maybe this wasn’t such a good choice…

Darien: (transforms) Get back here!

ImperialGuardian: (running away) I should have stuck with the fire! NOT THE SHIRT! NOT THE SHIRT!

Darien: (maniacal laughter) FEAR MY ROSES!

Yuan: (sighing) Yes, him and his sharp roses.

---

---

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
Chapter 9: A Little Side-Quest, Part II

Serena trembled with nervousness as she looked at the test before her. Then, it suddenly vanished, as she saw it was only three questions.

“What skill did Kratos teach Lloyd at the Triet Ruins? What was 9.8 referring to when the group was on the Ossa Trail? Who are Lloyd’s parents?” Serena thought. “What kind of questions are these? And they even have three options? Oh man, this IS hard! But why is any of this relevant to their history? Oh no! How do I answer this?”

“Serena, if you really don’t know the answers to anything, just guess,” Raine explained softly. Serena sighed. Well, at least it was three questions.

“Okay, so the skill that Kratos taught Lloyd,” Serena thought, looking at Kratos. An answer popped in her head. “Guardian!”

She looked at the second question, and immediately recognized 9.8 from one of Amy’s many science lectures, so she prayed the answer was acceleration due to gravity. Then came the last question. She really hadn’t a clue who the first two options were, and one of the options was “I don’t know.”

“Oh well,” Serena thought with a sigh. “I guess I’ll just answer this one truthfully. I really don’t know who they are.”

As she turned in the test, she watched the others struggle with the test like it were truly difficult. As it all came to a close, Serena crossed her fingers. The others all waited as an old man graded the tests.

“All right,” he said. Genis and the boy beside him jumped up. Serena closed her eyes.

“First, Lloyd Irving, 29,” the old man said.

“Wow, that’s a new high score, right Lloyd?” Colette asked. Serena mentally sweatdropped. Even she scored higher than that in school.

“Uh, yeah,” Lloyd said with a laugh, embarassed.

“Colette Brunel, 296,” the old man continued.

“Wait, this test wasn’t worth 100?” Lloyd asked.

“It was out of 400,” Genis replied. “Weren’t you listening?”

“Uh, I guess not,” Lloyd said, as he sighed, embarassed.

“Raine Sage, 400,” the old man said.

“Nothing less than perfection from the professor,” Lloyd grumbled.

“Nice job Ms. Raine!” Serena added, trying to hide her worry with a smile.

“Kratos Aurion, 360.”

“He’s smart too,” Serena thought. “Well, that was obvious, but I guess this means he was good in school too.”

“Serena Tsukino, 400.”

Serena stopped, too shocked to speak. She had NEVER in her life ACED a test, not even a practice one. The highest score had been an 80, and that was after an extreme study session with Amy.

“Wow, good job Serena!” Colette applauded.

“And you said you were horrible with tests,” Lloyd moaned.

“I am,” Serena replied. “Why did I score so well?”

“It seems you have a better grasp on our history than you think,” Raine replied smugly.

“Those questions had nothing to do with history,” Serena thought. “Something about this place is wrong. But what is it? Other than me acing a test. Oh! Wouldn’t the girls—”

She stopped. The girls. It had been the first time they had crossed her mind since the incident. As the world moved around her, she had halted almost immediately. Her eyes were replaying the incident, the one that had led her to this world, this place. They had betrayed her, but why? They showed no signs of that nature even the day before. Why had them—and Darien—why had they been doing what they were? She felt the tears coming before they even rose in her eyes. Why had Darien betrayed her like he had? Why had her best friends done that to her?

“Serena?” a voice asked. It was Lloyd, as she realized what she was doing. She wiped away her tears quickly, and jumped to her feet.

“Genis won, right? Let’s go,” Serena said with a forced smile. “We got to go to that church and find out more about the seals!”

“You’re right,” Colette said quickly, covering for Serena, as the two started out the door. “Let’s go everyone!”

“How did she know Genis Sage won?” the old man asked, as the two blondes left the room. “I was just about to read the results.”

“Hooray!” Genis cheered. “I did it!”

“Why did she look like that?” Lloyd asked, curious.

“I wonder as well. However, they were right. We must move on,” Kratos said…

---

“Why?” Darien asked as he followed Zelos into the palace.

“If you get in good with the king, since you’re a prince, he’ll probably give you refuge in the castle,” Zelos said. “If you say you’ll marry the princess.”

“HOLD ON JUST A SECOND!” Darien roared, the guards jumping. “You know full well that I’m going to marry my princess. I can’t lie to him.”

Zelos laughed.

“I was just kidding. Man Darien, you need to lighten up. Actually, the king has been rather ill lately, but it would be rude not to introduce yourself, right?”

“Right,” Darien sighed, aggravated. This man would be the death of him. Nearby, he watched a girl dragging wood into the church. Her bubble-gum pink hair had almost immediately reminded him of Rini. “Rini? What’s she doing here?”

“Rini? That’s just some peasant girl who delivers the sacred wood,” Zelos replied, as Darien was drawn to the church where she had entered. “Hey Darien!”

Darien ignored Zelos, entering the church. Inside, the girl he had followed was actually leaving, as she looked up to him. This wasn’t Rini, since this girl had pale blue eyes. She stared at him strangely.

“Have we met?” she asked. Darien did a double take.

“Presea?” he whispered…

---

“It’s time I gave you the news,” Trista said with a sigh. “It would seem that the others have been whisked off to a neighboring dimension.”

“WHAT?” everyone cried.

“They want the Silver Imperium Crystal for their own purposes, correct?” Luna asked, as Trista nodded.

“But why the others?” Artemis demanded.

“I was wondering that too,” Raye said softly.

“And what did they do to Raye?” Rini demanded.

“Now, now,” Trista said. “We’ll get to that, but allow me to finish. See, they came here to kidnap Serena originally. But then they saw an opening when they met with Raye. It seems that they were trying to revive a woman from the dead, named Martel. Her soul is still trapped in their stronghold known as Welgaia. Since she was not a normal mortal, it would require a certain type of person to resurrect her. In fact, they have a long line of humans they deceive through the ploy of being angels in order to get them to—breed—the Mana Lineage, as the humans call it. They praise Martel as a goddess. In fact, it’s a very well thought-out organization. As I was saying, when they saw Raye, they realized that this Mana Lineage was also found in other dimensions. They wanted to ensure her resurrection regardless of who perishes.”

“What does this crystal do?” Michelle asked, looking hesitantly to the Time Guardian.

“It robs a body slowly of its soul, of its humanity. And if this process is reversed, the wearer will sufferer could die of Chronic Angelus Crystallus Inofficium, a rare disorder which crystallizes the body. In other words, that Cruxis Crystal on Raye’s chest is lethal.”

“So they came here for the Princess and they found more people for their stupid plot to resurrect that woman. Why didn’t they just use the Silver Imperium Crystal?” Amara demanded.

“They don’t know all of the crystal’s abilities,” Raye mused.

“They do not.”

“How do we save Raye Momma?” Hotaru asked.

“The only way to do that is to go to this neighboring dimension and look for a dwarf named Altessa. He’s the only one who can assist Raye,” Trista sighed. “Also, as to why they kidnapped the others, father was very unclear. He said they were useful to them somehow. Raye is here for safekeeping, so to speak. As long as they have her here she could lose her humanity without interruption or being informed.”

“Then we need to go save them!” Rini cried. “How do we get there Trista?”

“That’s the problem,” Trista sighed. “I could open a gate, but father forbid me from doing so. So the only way to do this is to wait for that man who confronted Raye to appear again, and to have him take us there.”

“That’s easier said than done,” Raye said.

“We’ll just ambush him the next time he shows up,” Amara replied.

“Easier said than done,” Raye sighed…

---

---

---

Look at me! I can twirl a cane! WHEE!
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Friday, August 4, 2006

August 4, 2006

Hey everyone, I got a new look. Like it? There's not enough Wufei out there...j/k. Oh, as for the banners, they're going to be an ongoing project... there's just so many of them! ^^

I have so many things to tell you, like yesterday when MyO was being weird, our electronic library catalog at work went down! And now all the web pages I have accounts at are now performing system matienance...lol... someone made a big mistake somewhere.

I got a haircut a couple days ago, and I keep forgetting to tell y'all. It was really long before, and I got it cut to shoulder-length... I feel like Kratos, with curlier hair...lol.

And now I've got myself on a break from ff.net. So yeah... hehe. If you're reading Looks Can Be Deceiving, I've got the chapter after the end of this post. If you fall behind, they'll be in my archives, and on ff.net under my name. Well, I'm off for now everyone. I have cleaning and some minor packing to do... a few more weeks until I move back into the dorms, so yeah...lol. Later!

~Acorn~

---

Look at me! I can twirl a cane! WHEE!
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   CHAPTER

Author’s Note

ImperialGuardian: Once again, I claim nothing but the skits, the Wonder Chef’s departing phrase (you shall see), and plotline (minus actual game events). By the way, we actually won’t hear from Amy, Mina, or Darien today, but don’t panic. They’ll be around later!

Raye: YOU MADE THEM WAIT FOUR CHAPTERS TO HEAR ABOUT THAT STUPID CRYSTAL!!!!

ImperialGuardian: I can’t help that I’m dramatic like that. Besides, we needed to get further along before I ruined the fun!

Raye: You call having a crystal ATTACHED to YOUR body FUN?!!

ImperialGuardian: Touchy, touchy. I’m just trying to do my job.

(Raye summons her fire)

ImperialGuardian: NOT THE BLOUSES! I JUST BOUGHT THOSE!

Raye: BURN! BURN!!!

---

---

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
Chapter 8: A Little Side-Quest, Part I

Serena and the others stood outside the church, gawking at the mere height of it.

“Amazing,” Serena whispered.

“What? Have you never seen a church before?” a voice shouted to Serena. The group turned to see a blond boy with a bowl cut and giant nerdy glasses. You know, the black ones that are thick and square?

“Yes, just never one like this.”

“Obviously you’re a country bumpkin,” the boy replied. Obviously, her school uniform didn’t ring a bell to the boy. Serena stuck her tongue at him.

“I have more sense than you ever will!” Serena replied, as the group sweat dropped.

“Hey! I recognize those clothes!” Genis cried, indicating the boy’s strange white attire.

“Aren’t those the standard uniform for the private academy that accepted Genis?” Raine asked. The boy looked to them.

“Wow Genis, really?” Lloyd asked, as the poor silver-haired boy blushed.

“HIM?” the nerd boy proclaimed. “There’s no way that HE got accepted into OUR school!”

“I bet Genis is way smarter than you!” Lloyd shouted.

“No way? That shrimp?” the boy demanded. “How about we duel?”

“Duel?” Serena exclaimed, her mind wandering to guns and a standoff similar to that American Western she had seen the other day. Genis fell in her mind, as she shivered.

“Yes. I’ll meet you upstairs in the last classroom when you’re ready!” the boy said, as he marched into the school.

“Lloyd!” Genis said. “What did you do THAT for?”

“Come on Genis. I wasn’t going to let him insult you!”

“All right,” Raine said, as the two stopped. “Settle down. It’s a good diversion. Since we’re going to do so, it would be wise if everyone took the exam.”

Serena sighed in relief, but then jumped up in fear.

“EXAM?” she cried.

“Yes. Now let’s go find a spare room to practice.”

“Oh man! I’m so going to flunk this!” Serena sobbed as they walked in. The group was giving her strange looks.

“You don’t do well in school?” Genis asked.

“Should we be surprised?” Raine asked. Serena pouted.

“Please Miss Raine. Don’t make me do this!” she whined, grabbing Raine’s shoulder. The older woman was shocked.

“It’ll do you some good to see some of our history.”

“Oh man! You’re so mean!” Serena replied.

“I’m a teacher you know.”

“You certainly don’t act your age,” Lloyd noted.

“You’re just saying that because you’re worried too,” Serena said, as Lloyd jumped back.

“How did you?” he demanded.

“I think Serena can see who will have just as much trouble as she does with school work!” Colette chirped. Serena laughed.

“Brilliant deduction my dear Colette!” Serena replied. Her attention, upon entering the school, however, was suddenly drawn to a strange object. “Hey, what’s this?”

She ran to it, and looked around it. It was like an upside-down birdcage with extremely large paintballs in it. A puff of smoke appeared. Serena jumped back, holding her broach defensively, as a person came out of the smoke, the object gone. He wore chef’s attire, as he danced a little and wielded a giant fork. (A/N: Yes, ladies and gentleman, a giant FORK.)

“Hello! I am the mysterious gourmet the Wonder Chef! Today I will teach you how to make the tantalizing dish known as an Omelet!”

“What? But I’m a terrible cook!” Serena said, shocked.

“Learned how to make an omelet.”

“That voice again,” Serena thought. “And why do I suddenly know how to make an omelet! CREEPY!”

“This dish requires two ingredients: a type of rice and eggs,” the chef who called himself the Wonder Chef proclaimed, as he tossed food into Serena’s hands.

“Received Rice and Eggs.”

“Fare Thee Well!” the Wonder Chef cried, as he raised his fork, the smoke rising again as he and the strange object that had drawn Serena to him were gone.

“What in the name of the Moon,” Serena whispered.

“Hooray! We got another recipe!” Lloyd cheered.

“Way to go Serena!” Colette said. Serena was thoroughly confused.

“What was that?” Serena demanded. “And why do I suddenly know how to cook omelets?”

“That was the Wonder Chef and he teaches us recipes so that we can eat well, and regain strength on our journey,” Raine explained.

“Although even with the Wonder Chef around Raine is a terrible cook,” Genis whispered. Raine proceeded to smack him on the head. “OW!”

“Don’t worry Raine. I’m not that great a cook either.”

“You aren’t that good at anything, are you?” Genis asked, as he was smacked again. “OW! What was that for?”

“Apologize immediately.”

“No, it’s all right,” Serena replied. “Actually, my past self was much different than I am now. I guess it’s strange to be reborn with only a few skills from my past life.”

“Even so, you seem to have a good grip on reality Serena. That’s a very positive trait for someone who can lack grace and intelligence at times,” Kratos said, as the whole group stopped.

“Did we just hear that?” Lloyd asked. “He’s never said anything that close nice to anyone but me!”

“Come, we must find a spare room,” Kratos said quickly, as Serena watched the older man climb the stairs.

“He’s a man of many secrets, isn’t he?” Serena mused. “I wonder who you really are Kratos…”

---

Lita wasn’t sure when she had started walking around Welgaia again. Yet this time, she felt drawn somewhere, like when the others were in danger. It was a vibe that Raye was best with, yet she herself had it from time to time. It was like a tug at her chest. As she drew closer, the tug grew stronger. It didn’t hurt, but it was like someone had grabbed the front of her dress and was pulling her along.

She found herself walking along more purposefully to a door. She was just about to open it when Yuan, the evil blue-haired man, stopped her.

“Sorry, but this area is off limits to you.”

“What’s in there?” Lita demanded. He looked surprised. This had been her first encounter with him since she had first realized she was there.

“Forgive me, but even I don’t know what’s in there. Yet I am not permitted to let you enter this room.”

Lita scowled, as Yuan sighed. The two stood there for quite some time, as Yuan guarded the door and Lita felt the tug wanting to drag her in. She wanted to push him out of the way and force her way through, but she had been, for the most part, on the good side of Lord Yggdrasill. She didn’t want to get on his nerves, and since he ran the place, it was probably his decision to keep her out of there. But why? What was in there that made her feel needed? She knew her friends were at home. There was no way the Sailor Scouts were here—or were they? Ending the standoff, she turned abruptly, and walked away. Yuan watched her leave, and took a deep sigh. He had avoided another major situation, one he was sure Yggdrasill wanted to put off as long as possible…

---

Raye stood quietly as Rini and Hotaru stared at the crystal. She sighed.

“It’s no use hiding it now,” Raye sighed. “Did Trista ever come back?”

“I’m right here Raye,” a voice said from behind her. They turned to see the guardian of time behind them. She looked upset.

“Trista!” Rini cried, running to hug her. Granted, she was only tall enough to hug Trista’s leg, but nonetheless Trista smiled and patted her head.

“We have much to talk about,” Trista said. “Starting with that crystal, Raye.”

“It won’t come off,” Raye admitted silently. “I tried to do so at first.”

“I know you tried. That’s why you were unconscious the whole time, correct?” Trista asked, as Raye nodded. “Well, gather the others. This is important, and I intend to fill you all in. And Raye?”

“Yes?”

“We’ll get you back to normal,” Trista said.

“Normal? What do you mean Momma?” Hotaru asked.

“I’ll explain everything shortly. Just get the others.”

“Right!” Rini said, running off.

“She’s a bundle of energy,” Raye thought sadly…

---

Look at me! I can twirl a cane! WHEE!
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Wednesday, August 2, 2006

August 2, 2006

Heya everyone!! Forgive this poor soul as she's been dragged away... by a video game. Yes, a video game! We're renting Tales of Legendia, BB and I, and we have until Saturday to beat it! I've been answering PMs as soon as I get to them, and I am currently updating at 1:30 AM. I love the game, and I see the humor in Will, a character in the game, who coincidently sounds like Kratos... same voice actor maybe?

Oh, and people were asking how I won the tickets. Well, to tell the truth, I played a game called Battle of the Sexes... hehe... it was fun. They underestimated the power of my youth! (Note to self: never say that again...) *ahem* Anywho, it was really fun and after I won me and my mom started cheering, since we were on the way to her biopsy and stuff, and it was like, six am. No lie.

If you hadn't noticed I worked out some coding difficulties with the page. Not all of them, mind you, but I'm getting there... I'm still working on banners here... they're easy, just gotta do em. For newcomers, I'm making a friend's banner for everyone on my list. I just need your top three favorite anime/game characters of all time and I'll put it on my to do list. Some people wanted to be surprised, and hopefully surprise them I will...hehe...

Well, it's getting late and I'm tired. Later everyone!

~Acorn~

---

Look at me! I can twirl a cane! WHEE!
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   CHAPTER

Author’s Note

ImperialGuardian: All right! Enough with the suspense! And no more ruined blouses! Raye, you can tell everyone about your problem! Just leave me and my clothes out of it!

Raye: (smirk) Glad you could finally see things my way. So everyone, I must tell you that I—

ImperialGuardian: Now you must know that I don’t own Sailor Moon or Tales of Symphonia. Let the chapter do the talking Raye! Enjoy!

---

---

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
Chapter 7: Exposed

Shopping was much stranger than she thought it would be. Serena watched the shop owner pull out a list, as Lloyd ran down it.

“Palma Potion 1000x1. Are you sure? … Bought Palma Potion.”

She looked around trying to figure out where the voice came from, but the group was quickly leaving, so she was forced to chase after them.

“Can I see it?” Serena asked, as Raine sighed and handed her the bottle.

“You’ve never seen Palma Potion before?” Raine asked, amused, as Serena nodded.

“So we finally got Palma Potion,” Serena said, holding the bottle as she looked at its lilac contents. “You know, it looks kinda like grape juice.”

“Huh?” Lloyd asked, as Serena smiled, handing it to him.

“Have no clue why they’d sell it at a winery though!” Serena said brightly. “Anyhow, where is that group of—oh, they haven’t moved?”

“It looks like they were going to ambush us if we attempted to leave without repaying them,” Kratos noted.

“It’s not like we were going to. What reason do they have to be so suspicious?” Raine asked.

“Someone once told me that a guilty conscience suspects everything,” Serena recited, as the group stared at her. “What?”

“That was oddly intelligent, considering your most recent behavior,” Kratos said.

“Yes, I agree,” Raine noted.

“Why are you two ganging up on me?” Serena whined. “I can be smart when I wanna!”

“That was over fast,” Genis said.

The group walked up to the group of four, as Lloyd handed them the Palma Potion.

“Gave them Palma Potion.”

“That voice again,” Serena thought.

“Thanks for wasting our time,” the man with the swords proclaimed, as the Creepy Four, as I will dub them, went on their way.

“You’re welcome!” Colette called after them. The group looked back at her.

“Colette, he was being rude,” Raine explained.

“I’m sorry!” Colette said. “I’ll try to listen more carefully next time.”

“You don’t have to apologize for that,” Lloyd said to her.

“I know. I’m sorry,” Colette replied, as Serena couldn’t help but smile.

“It’s all right Colette. So now that we’ve paid back the creeps, what’s next?”

“We were here to get a book from the Church of Martel that will show us the location of the next seal,” Genis explained.

“I’m guessing the church is that building over there with the steeple on it,” Serena said, pointing.

“Must be! Let’s go!” Lloyd said, as the group started to move back across the bridge and back towards a town square (that looked way more like a circle) up ahead.

“So Serena, did you have churches in your world?” Colette asked. Serena smiled.

“Yeah, we had plenty of them in some places, and in other places there are temples, and even in other places they don’t have anything at all!”

“Wow,” Colette said.

“Some churches were so big that they could cover the size of two ships!” Serena explained.

“Are you sure you’re not exaggerating?” Kratos asked.

“I might be, but not by much!” Serena replied…

---

It could only be described as enormous, this city known as Meltokio. There was everything that Darien could imagine there to be. It was amazing. Ahead of him Zelos was walking up a grand stairwell that seemed to lead further into the city. Not too interested in being left behind, Darien began to follow. But as he followed, he noticed that even though there were people, all of them seemed—unrealistic. They didn’t talk to one another, and they all seemed to move around in circles.

“Where am I?” Darien wondered.

“Meltokio my man!” Zelos replied with a smirk. Darien noted that Zelos was the ONLY one who seemed to move and act normally. What was going on? “Hello my sweet hunnies!”

But instead of rushing to Zelos, they ran to the man who was still ascending the stairs.

“Hey there!” one said.

“Are you new here?”

“He’s pretty hot too.”

“What’s your name?”

“My hunnies,” Zelos whimpered. Darien sighed.

“Darien, but,” Darien started.

“OOHH!” they squealed. “He’s got a cute name too!”

“Hi handsome, my name’s Lulu!” one girl proclaimed, as they started to smother him.

“I’m Maria!”

“Leanne!”

“Ladies!” Darien cried. “I’m engaged!”

“Aww,” they whined. “Can’t you call it off?”

“No,” Darien said, moving away from them. He stepped to Zelos. “You can have them.”

“Harsh,” Zelos said quietly. “If this girl is worth the wait, she must be one voluptuous—”

Zelos didn’t get a chance to finish as Darien pulled him close.

“Don’t you DARE mock Serena.”

“Touchy,” Zelos said, moving back. “Apparently, she IS worth the wait. Don’t worry man, I’ll leave her be. Who couldn’t with so many gorgeous hunnies around?”

“Oh Master Zelos!” the girls swooned.

“I’m in hell,” Darien whispered. “Who IS this guy…?”

---

Two transformed Sailor Scouts were in their cell, plotting mani—I mean, attempting an escape.

“All right,” Sailor Mercury said, looking at cell bars with her visor and mini-computer. “There must be a weak point somewhere in this barrier.”

“Let me try shooting first,” Sailor Venus said brightly.

“VENUS LOVE AND BEAUTY SHOCK!”

The attack struck the edge of the cell, as the number 100 suddenly appeared on Sailor Mercury’s visor.

“What the?” she wondered. The cell did nothing in response. “Do it again Venus.”

“All right,” Sailor Venus said, as another Love and Beauty Shock crashed into the cell wall. The same number showed up on Sailor Mercury’s visor. Suddenly, her computer beeped, as two numbers showed up on it.

“199800/200000?” Sailor Mercury wondered. “Do it one more time.”

“This is the last one,” Sailor Venus announced.

“VENUS LOVE AND BEAUTY SHOCK!”

There was a 100 on her visor, and the first number on her computer changed.

“199,700 of 200,000!” Sailor Mercury exclaimed, understanding. “It’s like a video game, when you hit something and it loses life points!”

“Hold on, you mean like we’re INSIDE of a video game?” Sailor Venus asked.

“Yes,” Sailor Mercury replied. Then it hit her, what she was saying. Horror crossed her face.

“You wondered why you couldn’t hack into the computer system. Maybe there is nothing to hack,” Sailor Venus replied, sitting down. “And the reason you can’t get a signal is because we are bound inside of a game cartridge or something, and the signal can’t travel beyond the game.”

“That can’t be right. How did someone digitize us without us knowing?” Sailor Mercury said, slumping to the floor.

“I don’t know,” Sailor Venus replied, as they once again looked out at the world beyond the cell…

---

Raye wore a scarf as she stepped outside into the sunny weather.

“Raye!” a voice called. She turned to see Rini and Hotaru coming her way.

“Raye!” Hotaru shouted and waved. Raye waved back, but then felt the presence. Her body went stiff, her eyes went fierce, and she looked like she wanted to kill. Rini and Hotaru halted as a blue-haired man emerged from the shadows before Raye.

“Yu—” Raye started, but was cut off by the man pulling her dangerously close.

“How did you like my present Ms. Hino? I’m sure you’ve noticed it by now.”

“Bastard, what did you do to me?” Raye scowled, as Rini and Hotaru pulled closer, trying to listen in.

“It’ll become more present with time. I’d rather not spoil the fun. However, if I had a say in your fate, I would have avoided this.”

“What do you mean if you had a say?” Raye whispered, enraged that he so easily held her hands down.

“You shall find out in time. I would advise that you take a long trip, and I don’t mean with your friends,” the blue-haired man said, pulling himself away, taking her scarf with him. “Until the next time Ms. Hino.”

Raye was dumbstruck as the blue-haired man vanished, and Rini and Hotaru ran to her side.

“Raye, who was th—” Rini started.

“Raye! What’s that around your neck?” Hotaru cried, pointing to the giant red crystal adorned at the line where chest and neck meet...

---

Look at me! I can twirl a cane! WHEE!
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Sunday, July 30, 2006

July 30, 2006

Hiya everyone! I know I said I probably wouldn't post, but I got bored this weekend after I realized I'd forgotten to go to a concert I'd won tickets to (did I tell ya about that? Oh man, umm, I won a radio contest and won these tickets), and started my own club. The rules for joining? Very simple:

1. Be a fan of Tales of Symphonia.


2. PM me.

See? Easy. Okay, umm, I'm not putting up a chapter today, just because I wanted to share the new club with y'all.

Oh, and if ya hadn't noticed, I finished Frescofairy's and Mrs. Elric's banners... the next ones are Dark Reno and Vestque. Ooh, and I finally got 50 guestbooks signatures! I'm SOOO happy about that too... well, I'm off. Later!

~Acorn~

---

Look at me! I can twirl a cane! WHEE!
Comments (15) | Permalink

Friday, July 28, 2006

July 28, 2006

Okay, I'm gonna start off with an apology... I'm sorry Vestque, but as my coding is currently set, this is a hard request, but I'll do my best for you to set it so that it'll work in the long run. I have an idea, but I have yet to figure out how to go about it! I really don't mind if you can't get to the story yet, or if ya never get to it at all. It's a little side thing for the most part. Although thanks everyone who has read so far. I'm just going to try and catch you all up.

I'm probably not going to get on this weekend, and maybe Monday. It's supposed to be messy this weekend, and I have chapters to write. After the next two updates on ff.net, I will take a break. Probably only a month, but I think I need it. Seriously. Oh, um, let's see, it's like, a few minutes after twelve, so yeah, I don't know exactly what's going down today, but I think it's going to be fun.

Speaking of fun, I've yet to make more banners, and I feel like an idiot for taking so long. I'm sorry everyone, I will get on those again soon. I'm truly not forgetting, I just get sidetracked... oh wait, that's the same thing, isn't it??? Oops. Anyhow, have a good day everyone! Later!

~Acorn~

---

---

Author’s Note

If you think I own Sailor Moon or Tales of Symphonia—never mind. I won’t even start this today. There’s a spoiler warning and all that jazz. The only thing I own is the skit and the plotline (minus game events)

ImperialGuardian: In light of recent chapters it seems that I put an unfair light on poor Raye Hino. It would seem that not only is she being interrupted mid-thought by random events, but she has yet to announce what has been bothering her since chapter three. So today, I will let Raye speak for herself. Go ahead.

Raye: Oh, so you’re finally going to listen to me? Was this before or after I scorched your favorite blouse?

ImperialGuardain: (#) I decided to be nice. Please don’t test me.

Raye: Right, so I can say exactly what’s bothering me?

ImperialGuardian: (-_-#) Yup.

Raye: No interruptions?

ImperialGuardian: That WAS the plan…

Raye: So you see, Yuan actually—

Rini: (enters) HI RAYE! (runs off)

Raye: I thought you SAID YOU WERE GOING to LET ME SPEAK TODAY?

ImperialGuardian: As I said, that WAS the plan, but you reminded me about why I’m mad at you. So now, Raye will not be appearing this chapter.

Raye: WHAT? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

ImperialGuardian: I can’t help that you pissed me off. That blouse was a gift you know!

Raye: (preparing more fireballs) Wait until they find out that you—

…

Chapter 6: Palma Potion

Raye: I hate you.

---

---

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
Chapter 6: Palma Potion

“So you’re out of Palma Potion too?” Serena asked warmly, as the woman behind the counter smiled.

“We’ve been out ever since that festival in honor of Dorr last week. It’s hard to keep up with the general population when they want to party!” she replied.

“Okay, thank you,” Colette finished for Serena, as the group left the winery, and sighed.

“That was a bust,” Lloyd sighed.

“There’s always next door,” Genis suggested.

“Sounds good to me,” Serena cheered. Kratos and Raine came to them.

“I assume the winery was out of Palma Potion,” Raine said, looking at Serena with caution. Serena nodded.

“Genis suggested looking next door,” Colette announced.

“Then let us look next door,” Kratos grumbled, moving ahead of the group and going for the door.

“That’s the spirit Kratos!” Serena cheered, catching up with him. As she strode in next to him, he sensed it. That aura that had been captured by the magic lens only a short while before. She was powerful, and she, like himself, did a good job of hiding it. He smiled, as Serena returned his smile with one of her own.

“Did I just see Kratos smiling?” Lloyd asked.

“Yeah, and there’s some long-haired perverted redhead of a man who’s really the Chosen of Mana,” Genis said sarcastically. Raine struck him upside the head. “Ow!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Colette is clearly the Chosen of Mana!” Raine said angrily.

“I don’t think he was serious professor,” Colette said warmly.

“No Colette, but it’s rude to say things like that,” Raine said softly.

“Oh, okay!” Colette said, as she spun around.

“That was weird,” Lloyd thought. “Oh no! Don’t leave me!”

Kratos and Serena had entered the store first, and behind them came the others, leaving Lloyd alone outside. He ran into the shop shortly after that.

“No one in their right mind would sell anything to you at a price that low!” a girl cried upon their entry. Serena watched the men in a soldier’s uniform all gather their cold stares. Serena didn’t like that look.

“You either sell us the goods or face death at the hands of Lord Magnius,” one soldier said calmly. Serena was about to protest, but Kratos took a firm grip on her hand, as she silenced herself. This was not the time, apparently, to play the hero. She noted that Lloyd, Genis, and Colette all quickly turned their heads away from the men, who were still having a stare down with the girl at the counter.

“I’m not afraid of you! General Dorr will protect us!” the girl replied.

“Dorr? Dorr can’t protect you against Lord Magnius, death quota or not!” the soldier laughed. “Depending on his mood when we tell him of this, you can either live until next month or die tomorrow.”

The soldiers all laughed, leaving promptly with Serena’s eyes following them out. She did not like those men. She didn’t like them one bit.

“Sorry that you all had to see that,” the girl apologized. A woman came down from upstairs, a furious look on her face.

“What have you done Chocolat?”

“But Mom, they were trying to rip us off!” Chocolat, the girl, proclaimed.

“You mustn’t pick a fight with the Desians. If you do, they will kill you,” the woman, her mother, scolded.

“Grandma would have picked a fight with them! She would have told them off!” Chocolat cried.

“Don’t you bring your grandmother into this.”

“Why can’t we stand up for ourselves? Dorr will protect us!” Chocolat screamed now, running up the stairs of the shop.

“Chocolat!” the woman cried after her, and sighed. She looked back to the dumbstruck group, a sorrowful and apologetic look on her face. “I’m so sorry you had to see that, but Chocolat has a short temper sometimes. I’m Cocoa, and I’m the current owner of my mother’s shop.”

“It’s a beautiful shop,” Raine commented. “We were wondering if you had any Palma Potion.”

“We’re the only shop that carries an annual supply!” the woman, Cocoa, said proudly…

---

“This is beautiful!” Lita exclaimed, looking at herself in the mirror. Before her was an elegant white gown with green and red trims, fit with slits in the back, although she wasn’t too sure why. The dress itself was nothing fancy, but the green collar was like a diamond shape, with two smaller diamond shapes cut out of the front and back (A/N: I guess it’s more like a W shape). She spun once in the outfit, content to the point of giggles. The choker and crystal she had yet to be removed, seemed to be fit for the dress (A/N: or the dress better fit for them).

“Thank you,” the angel who had tailored the outfit droned. “Lord Yggdrasill was hoping you would approve.”

Lita smiled.

“I couldn’t approve more…”

---

“I can’t believe this,” Darien said, looking down from the top of the mountain. “I crashed up on top of there.”

“At least you don’t have an image to uphold,” Zelos sighed. “You best not ruin my rep with my sweet, gorgeous hunnies.”

“Someone kill me,” Darien muttered, as the message pulled through to him. He spoke to Zelos now. “Wait a minute! I have an image to uphold as well. It’s already bad enough that I GOT kidnapped! My princess will be worried sick about me if I don’t find a way back to Earth.”

“Oh, really?” Zelos asked slyly. “And what are you? The knight that can’t have the engaged princess?”

“For starters, I’m not a knight, I’m a prince,” Darien said, as Zelos stopped in his tracks. “Two, you are right, she is engaged. Three, she’s my fiancé!”

“Oh, so you’re not single then?” Zelos asked. “All the better for me!”

“Were you even listening?” Darien asked.

“Oh yes. You’re a prince who got separated from his princess, and now you’re here with me because you can’t fly a rheaird to save your life.”

“That’s not why I’m here! Didn’t you get the message?”

“It would appear that YOU don’t know why you’re here Darien,” Zelos said, as they started walking away from the summit. “Seriously, you were just rescued by the Renegades, and knowing how they operate, you probably don’t even know where you are. So let me ask you a question: why do you think they sent you to me?”

“You work with them?” Darien asked.

“In the flourishing world, everyone works with the Renegades. So yes, you’re not as stupid as you look. Anyhow, that’s not the answer to the question.”

“Then what is?” Darien demanded.

“Touchy, touchy. That’s the kind of emotion that gets you into trouble,” Zelos replied. “Over here you’re nobody without identification papers. You could be killed for even raising your voice to me.”

“Who are you?” Darien asked.

“I’m going to be who keeps you alive until we find a way to send you home. No one questions me. Not even the King. You’re in safe hands as long as you do what I say.”

“Somehow, this is beginning to look worse than being in that cell,” Darien thought. “Serena, wherever you are, please stay safe…”

---

---

Author’s Note

See? I hold true to my word, but don’t you worry, we’ll see her again next chapter. Later!

---

Look at me! I can twirl a cane! WHEE!
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Thursday, July 27, 2006

July 27, 2006

Hey everyone! How's are y'all doing? I am doing better today than I was yesterday; Spaz Queen was back...hehe. I had an uneventful day for the most part, but for the life of me I could hardly write anything, and I've still got a chapter left. I'm going to take a break soon from writing on ff.net. I don't want to let people down, even though I've literally been keeping up fairly well since I started last August/September(month?). I can't even remember when I started. I'll have to go back and look. But I know it's been almost a year. And you see, Raining Silver was my first reviewer ever, and remained my only reviewer for quite some time. I'm still not going to get rid of my first story there, even though it's some unwritten rule that people delete it. I didn't think it was bad. And my readers thought the same. So it stays. ^^

I was trying to remember what I was going to tell you on Tuesday, but I've managed to forget, again. Hehe... Told ya, SQ is in town. Anyways, I did remember, however, that I didn't get to thank everyone for their reviews so far for Looks Can Be Deceiving. So thank you all!!! Seriously, I love feedback! It makes me happy. And yes, Mrs. Elric, I am back... sorta. I just have to get on top of posting. And if anyone falls behind and wants to catch up, you can see everything in my archives by clicking here. Any link you click opens in a new window. :D Well, I'm off to work. I'll check with y'all this evening! Later!

~Acorn~

---

---

Author’s Note
I own nothing here (this includes Tales of Symphonia and Sailor Moon) except the plotline. (this does not include the real game plotline events, which by the way, my accuracy on what they say is not perfect, so please forgive me) Also, I’m going to just say there is a spoiler warning, and that’s that, because if you’re still here, it means you don’t really care…right?

Raye: This is so stupid. Every time we try to let the audience know that—
Rini: HI RAYE! (Runs off)
Raye: See? See? What do you have against me ImperialGuardian09? What?
ImperialGuardian: Let’s ask an unbiased party what they think so far? (Lita arrives)
Lita: You are a GODDESS for this amazing story! (Walks away in a daze)
Raye: But she’s deluded by the hot guy! That’s not fair!
ImperialGuardian: Get over it. Your time will come. (Raye is preparing fireballs) Oh no! Not the fires again! Protect me someone! AAHHH!

---

---

LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING
Chapter 5: Traveling Around Town

“I have never seen such a quaint little city!” Serena said, looking around in awe.

“Little?” Genis asked.

“This is one of the largest cities in Sylvarant,” Raine explained, as the group walked back from the shopping district.

“That was also the coolest shopping district I’ve ever seen,” Serena said.

“This is not a field trip. Are you sure you want to come along?” Kratos asked.

“I definitely want to come!” Serena said. “I’m just new here! It takes time to adjust you know!”

“You have to admit, as old as you are I would have never guessed it with the way you act,” Lloyd said, as Raine struck him upside his head. “Ouch! Professor, what was that for?”

“For being rude.”

“It’s all right,” Serena said. “I guess it is a little shocking.”

“So are you really from the Moon?” Genis asked. Serena smiled.

“Yes.”

“That is SO cool!” Genis cried.

“Yeah, it must be really pretty up there,” Colette added, walking backwards.

“It was,” Serena replied again. Then, she saw the person coming. “Colette!”

“Oops!”

CRASH!

“Oh brother.”

“Colette, maybe you shouldn’t walk backwards anymore,” Raine said thoughtfully.

“Hey you! You just ruined that Palma Potion we got as a gift!” one man shouted. He was with a group of four: two men and two women. The man who had shouted was burly, and carried a large sword. Next to Colette was a woman with raven hair and a goofy apologetic grin on her face. There was a woman in a pale blue dress and a witch’s hat, and another man with a dazed expression.

“Why you? It was an accident!” Genis exclaimed. Serena sighed. This one apparently had a short temper, fitting for his height.

“You better make up for this blondie before I get angry,” the man with the sword shouted again.

“Hey, don’t you dare talk to Colette like that,” Lloyd said angrily.

“Oh dear,” Kratos whispered under his breath. Serena looked at him now, as he watched on in stony silence to the developing scene. However, his eyes seemed to be on Lloyd, watching his every move.

“Creepy,” Serena thought. She looked to the ever silent Raine, who seemed to look at the quartet they had run into with some suspicion. “Even creepier.”

“Don’t worry about it Lloyd,” Colette said with her goofy apologetic grin. “I’ll go get another Palma Potion. I did run into her after all.”

“Well then what are you waiting for, hurry up and get it!” the angry man shouted.

“Don’t be so harsh,” Serena said finally. “We’ll just go get some and you can be on your way.”

“Serena!” Raine said, shocked. The group looked to the other blonde, as she too, had a goofy smile on her face.

“So what are we waiting for? Let’s go find some Palma Potion!” Serena said, smug.

“Okay,” Genis said, questioning the change in demeanor. “But weren’t the shops on the harbor all OUT of Palma Potion?”

“Then we’ll just have to find another store,” Serena said cheerfully.

“You mean like that one that winery over there?” Lloyd asked.

“Great eyes Lloyd!” Serena said, as Kratos leaned towards Raine.

“Are you sure we should let her travel with us?” he asked.

“The test will be in a fight. I’m sure if anything, she’s just acting,” Raine replied softly.

“To have such faith in a girl we hardly know,” Kratos said distantly.

“Remember, she is older than all of us.”

“Of course,” Kratos replied, watching as Lloyd, Colette, and Serena ran into the winery together to search for Palma potion.

“Wait for me!” Genis cried.

“I wonder what stories she has to share,” Kratos thought, his eyes focused on Serena’s shining form…

---

“Wow, this place is so awesome!” Lita thought, walking around Welgaia with a smile on her face. She had yet to run into Yuan, and that made the city all the more amazing. Left and right there were angels flying in their daily bustle. She got used to no responses. They were all too busy to care about a new face. In fact, it was because they were so busy that she could freely walk in and out of everywhere. When she caught sight of a passage over a hole, however, she stopped traveling. She stared at it, curious to where it led. At the next step, came a glowing light that told her it was a trap, but nonetheless she admired the cleverness of the man or woman who had devised this path. She sat on the ledge, admiring its beauty, until someone tapped her shoulder.

“Miss Jupiter,” an angel said. “Lord Yggdrasill would like for you to get a change of attire at the shop. Please follow me.”

“Okay,” Lita said, getting up and following the angel away…

---

“Where did you learn to fly?” the red-haired man demanded of Darien. Darien was atop a mountain, and clearly dirty and covered in ash. Somehow, he had managed to nearly kill himself with the rheaird, the flames still coming from the decimated machine.

“From some dude five minutes before takeoff!” Darien replied stubbornly. “Did he really expect me to be perfect with it?”

“Wait, you’re Darien?” the red-haired man asked. “Dude! You’re lucky I saw the flames from the wreckage!”

“You must be Zelos then,” Darien replied. The red-haired man laughed.

“I should have known Botta was being serious when he said he found an other-wordly man that I needed to keep an eye one. Well then Darien, let’s get you back to Meltokio. I doubt that my hunnies would like my disappearance for long.”

“Where am I?” Darien thought…

---

“Raye!” Rini exclaimed. “You haven’t eaten your soup. Why?”

“It’s a little hot. I’m just letting it cool down,” Raye lied.

“You said that two hours ago. It’s cold Raye!” Amara pointed out.

“Oh really? Well, I guess I’ll go heat it up!” Raye said quickly, jumping up and running out of the room.

“Something is really wrong with Raye,” Michelle noted.

“Seems something else happened with that Yuan guy,” Rini thought quietly.

Raye was upset. She couldn’t eat. Her will to eat was long gone. In fact, she was so full that even thinking of eating that soup made her sick. She didn’t want the others to worry! She had to find a way to make them think she ate the soup even though she’ll probably never touch it. Then the idea came. She sat down for ten minutes. Then she heated the soup up, and then tipped half of it into the sink. As she returned to the room, she took one bite, and set the bowl down before them. She knew at least Michelle wasn’t buying, but anything to get them to think she had attempted to eat. Michelle smiled at her.

“You just aren’t all that hungry, are you?” she asked. “It’s all right. I’ll take care of the bowl for you.”

And with that she left the room with the remaining soup to dump it into the sink. Raye sighed. How she wished to tell them…to tell…

---

---

---

Look at me! I can twirl a cane! WHEE!
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