Give us your money and we shall send you a game from our magical game warehouses!
Ok, sure, take my money you clever shits.
Now pick a game for us to send you!
Send me that game.
Oh.
Oh?
Sorry, we're all out of that game!
I thought these warehouses were magical.
Pick another game, we'll be sure to have it!
That one.
Any game but that one!
That one.
We have every game ever, other then the games you just picked!
...that one?
You're making this more difficult then it has to be.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
The World Is Ending (Part One)
This is the thingy I'm working on. I'm not sure whether I should call this the second or third draft. Either way comments would be nice. Second part should be coming within a week or two, depending on the amount of time I spend just looking at the keyboard with a blank mind. Hope you like it n' shit.
i have no life my existence is nothing i am merely a dream i dwell in your head and feast on your anxiety and when you feel joy i am enraged a wretch like you should never feel joy only pain lay down and die lay down and die
In his dream he stood between two mountains, staring into the wilderness beyond them. He could hear them calling out to him, calling out for his flesh. They only wanted to consume him. And yet he stepped into that darkness, and let the beasts have him. Resigned to his fate.
“Heaven. Heaven. Heaven!”
He was shaken from his sleep by her soft voice. Her eyes , blue as anything he had ever seen. He thought they were wonderful.
“Stephanie...” he murmured.
“Guess what?”
“Hmm?”
“You overslept.”
“...ah.”
“Aaand, do you remember who told you, several times, that if you took that medicine, you’d oversleep?”
“My dear Stephanie.”
“Right once again. Luckily for you, I am such a dutiful wife I rushed here, all the way from my own home, to wake you up. Who knows how long you would’ve been asleep?”
“I’m...I’m quite lucky, aren’t I?” He said as he sat up in bed.
She smiled as he did, placing two fingers on his forehead, pushing his head back slightly.
“If you don’t hurry, Madame Amisse will have your hide.”
“No..." He rose and stretched. “She’ll just stare at me for a few minutes. A punishment far more harsh.”
“I can imagine. Where are your robes?”
“In my meditation chamber.”
“I’ll get them for you.”
“I can ge-”
“Sit, Heaven. Eat the food I made for you.” She gestured to the box she placed on the bed as she left his bedroom. But he wasn’t hungry.
“Wait..” called Stephanie from the chamber. “Are you supposed to wear the grey one...or the black one?”
“The grey one.” said Heaven.
“Ok...” said Stephanie, interrupting his thoughts. “Let’s get this thing on you.”
They stared at each other for a moment.
“Take your pants off.” Stephanie instructed.
“Oh.”
“Heaven.”
“Yes?”
“Are you embarrassed?”
“Well. Not exactly.”
“We’re going to be joined as one within a year. Seeing each other naked will be a common occurance.”
“I know.”
“So take your pants off.”
“A-alright.”
Despite the awkwardness he felt, he still appreciated the moment. She had always treated him well, even when they were children. He was thankful for her.
“Mhm...it looks good on you. I think. Did I do it right?”
“You did fine. Thank you.”
She smiled.
“Did you eat?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Don’t be an idiot. Eat.”
“Yes dear.”
He rushed to the shrine and still found himself tardy. Seer Amisse would show no mercy. He stood in front of her chamber door, taking a moment to strengthen his resolve. But the door slid open, and inside the chamber sat Amisse, stirring her cup of tea.
“Surely your intent was not to make me wait even longer?” she asked him.
“No, Madame, not at all.”
“Then sit.”
He took a seat in front of her as the door closed behind him. He expected a lecture, but she merely sipped from her tea.
“Are you wondering why I have not reprimanded you yet?” she asked him.
“Uh...perhaps, Madame.”
“I find it difficult to be angry with you in the face of such a grand occasion.”
“I..beg your pardon?”
“Soon you will embark on your first pilgrimage.”
“Already?” he said, his voice a mix of shock and jubilation he could barely contain.
“I have spoken to the elder, and to my fellow seers, and we have all concluded that your progress has been great, even greater then what I initially thought it would be. There is no need to push this further out. In order for your growth to continue, you will need to become an underseer.”
“Thank you, Madame. I will not let you down.”
Her gaze was as serene as it always what. He found it almost impossible to know how she was truly feeling at any moment. But he could sense the smallest trace of approval in her.
“What is your purpose, Heaven?” She asked him abruptly.
He thought for a moment.
“To serve and protect my people.”
Seer Amisse nodded as she sipped her tea.
“I have heard many say such a thing in my time, but rarely do they truly mean it. Your dedication to the covenant tells me you lie among esteemed company. How long have you been my apprentice?”
“Um...seven years.”
“Ah...the passage of time eludes me...I must be getting old. It seems just moments ago you were a mere child, wise beyond your ten years, but still naive, still ignorant. You have grown well.”
“Thank you, Madame."
His expression was solemn, though on the inside there was a burst of exhilaration that threatened to make him lightheaded.
She sipped her tea. “Today, you will meditate alone and prepare for your pilgrimage. Go with the blessings of the pure god.”
“Yes Madame.”
“You ruin. Everything.”
“It’s not as bad as it looks, seriously.”
“No, it’s worse then what it looks, because I have to clean it up.”
Kelethe shrugged.
“Well, just..eh...consider it...payback.”
“For?”
Kelethe shrugged again.
“Something that’ll happen in the future.”
Whenever he came to Heaven’s home to borrow something, everything was thrown out of wack, the balance and rightful order of his room. The process to restore his inner sanctum back to what it was was arduous.
“At least help me put these books back in place.”
“Sure, sure.”
“Alphabetical order.” said Heaven as Kelethe stuffed books in the shelf randomly.
“I mean, as long as they’re on the shel-”
“Alphabetical order.”
Kelethe shook his head, playfully exasperated.
There was silence as Heaven organized his things.
“Kelethe.”
“Hmm?”
“What was your first pilgrimage like?”
“Oh.”
“Oh?”
Kelethe scratched his head. The book he held in his hand was emblazoned with the title, “The Roaming Beast.”. He cracked it open and flipped through the pages.
“It wasn’t noteworthy in anyway..except for one moment, when we prayed at the temple.”. He stopped turning pages, his finger held under a line of text that caused his brow to furrow. “‘The beast knows no master, respects no law, and holds no mercy. If you find yourself in the presence of the beast, you would do well to pray, for the end is near.’ Do you remember Ylia?”
“Um...oh yes, she was in the same class as you. But she stayed with the Elissin seers, right?”
Kelethe‘s gaze went past Heaven as he reminisced.
“...yeah. We both took our pilgrimage together, along with Hisai. We flew to Un’eliss, took a hike through the mountains, which were just...beautiful. You’d like it, I’m sure. Hisai slipped and fell into a river. That was third time I’ve ever seen his face."
”Only three times?” Heaven asked.
”Yep. Strange man.”
”He really does keep that turban on all the time...”
“You’d think there’s something wrong with his face, but he looks totally normal..but anyway.
We reached the temple after three days, and it was sort of shabby, especially when you compare it ours or the scenery...but that’s besides the point. The Elissin seers were pretty nice, though, very inviting. I didn’t know they’re were strictly female...so yeah...that was...nice.”
He started to chuckle, then stifled his laughter. But through his smile Heaven could see something was troubling Kelethe.
“After a while we were taken into their inner sanctum. Honestly, it was the size of a small village, just a massive space. And in the center, a statue of the pure god. The second I stepped into the inner sanctum, I could feel the spirits all around me. But when I knelt in front of that statue...I felt like I was being crushed. It took everything in me just to keep consciousness. Even with all that, Ylia was still doing worse. I’ve never seen someone sit so still yet sweat so hard. Then she started shaking, screaming like she was on fire or something...I shouldn’t be telling you about this-”
“No, please continue.” said Heaven intently.
“This entire thing...the seer’s path...it’s a lot harder then what people take it for. We’re not just sitting around in candle lit rooms lighting incense and and chanting nonsense. There’s a constant battle going on, a battle of the mind, of the spirit..Ylia lost that battle. Something...took her and turned her into a servant of the gods. And she just went berserk..hell, if it wasn’t for Hisai, I’d be dead right now. The Elissin pacified her, but they lost so many seers in the process. Ylia’s soul was totally consumed...”
He placed the book on the shelf in it’s proper place. He sighed, smirking as he shook his head.
“What am I doing...casting a shadow on the first step you’ll take...”
“It’s fine.” Heaven assured him. “It’s just that...I understand the nature of the seer, but it’s almost strange that it happened to someone so..close.”
“Just be on your guard.” said Kelethe. “That’s all the advice I can give you.” He glanced at the clock and stretched, yawning loudly.
“Midday and I’m already depressing myself. I’m gonna head out to the field, find a girl to flirt with or something. See you around.”
As soon as Kelethe closed the door behind him, Heaven gazed down at the books strewn about the floor.
“He skipped out on me. “
As he silently fumed, he noticed the small orb on his nightstand glow. Someone was contacting him.
“Ah, you came. Good.” said Dr.Wentein. Heaven glanced through the door into the classroom, at the students, most of which were his age, honing their psyche. “To be honest, I’d hate to bother you, what with you preparing for your pilgrimage and all, but we’re short an assistant today.”
“It’s no trouble, Dr.” said Heaven.
Dr. Wenstein smiled before gesturing to a student sitting in the back, casting an intense gaze onto the cube sitting in front of her.
“Dai has been having great difficulty with telekinesis. If you could be so kind as to give her some tips.”
Heaven approached her, and it only took a few seconds for him to realize that all her focus was on the cube. Everything around her was blocked out. He sat besides her, trying not to startle her. Despite her focus, he couldn’t feel any projection from her mind.
“Has it moved at all?” Heaven asked her. She didn’t respond. “I guess not. What methods are you using?” They sat in silence. “Miss? Are you...”
“Ssshhh.”
“Oh.”
“This is the moment.”
Her expression turned fiery as her eyes widened and her brow furrowed. And with a cry she unleashed all her power and focused it onto the cube.
“Maybe this really is it!” said Heaven, unable to avoid being caught up in the moment.
Nothing happened, the cube completely still as the entire class turned to look at them.
“Oh..sorry...false a-false alarm.” said Heaven with a forced chuckle. Dai merely hammered floor with her fist.
“These cubes are cursed!” she declared. “Cursed!”
“They can’t be cursed.” said Heaven. He glanced over at another student levitating his own cube. His pull was weak, but the cube floated, bobbing up and down as if it were floating in water. “If he can do it, surely you can.”
“Not true.” she said meekly. “So long as they give me these cursed cubes, I will never pass my courses.”
“I’m telling you, the cubes aren’t cursed. Look.”
Heaven held out a hand, and the cube flew onto his palm. He let it float, his control perfect as the cube remained still.
“Ah!” said Dai. ”You didn‘t even look at it!”
“These cubes are perfectly fine,” Heaven assured her. “The problem lies within you.”
“...how do you figure.”
“You’re not projecting properly.”
“What’s wrong with my projection technique?!”
“You don’t have to be so loud....what is your projection technique anyway?”
“Um...I force my will into the object and then....make it do what I want it to. In theory.”
“Ah. Perhaps it’s time for a new theory?”
Dai groaned in exasperation.
“Alright then, smart one, what’s your theory?”
Heaven closed his eyes.
“I...picture...an aura that surrounds my body. It’s much larger then my body, and much stronger. And whatever my mind tells it to touch, sense, affect...it can do it, without fail.”
“Does it have a name?”
“Hmm?”
“Does it have a name?”
“I’ve...never considered naming my aura.”
“Well, you should.” said Dai as she rubbed her nose. “To make it more important.”
“I’ll...I’ll keep that in mind.”
Dai rubbed her chin as if she were an old man.
“So. In order to make the cursed cube move, I must imagine an aura that’s larger then my body and does stuff?”
“Not necessarily. It can be whatever you want it to be, as long as it helps you project your mind properly.”
“Ah. Well, my method will be a rabbit.”
“I don’t follow.”
“A rabbit that helps me.” she groaned in the face of Heaven’s lack of understanding. “I’ll demonstrate for you.”
She refocused on the cube, with twice the conviction. Heaven could feel her mind wrapping around the cube. Her influence was there. She only needed to execute. And suddenly he was on edge. She could do it.
“Lord Eddington, get the cube!”
The cube budged slightly in her direction. The class room turned towards them one again.
“Yes...” said Heaven as he forced yet another chuckle, this time accompanied by tepid applause. “Good progress we’re making, good progress indeed....”.
“...your cultivating technique is unmatched.” said Stephanie in adulation.
“Yes.” said Heaven with a nod.
“There is not a single vivarium on this flying garden of Des'neme that can compare to yours. Your dominance...is absolute.”
They stood in silence for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“I...I can’t..” said Stephanie as her laughter slowed.
“You started it.” said Heaven.
“It was an imitation of you.” said Stephanie. “This garden really is beautiful, though. And these roses..”
She approached the bush, the the hardened petals gleaming in the sunlight.
“I haven’t seen crystal roses this perfect since my mother kept them in our old garden. It’s hard to imagine something like this just...exists naturally in the world.”
“They’re worth all the hassle it takes to raise them. Meditating here is quite wonderful.”
“So...” said Stephanie as she approached him slowly. “What’s your secret?”
“...hmm?”
“Your secret. Mother always said that every cultivator has his or her own method. What’s yours?”
Heaven looked into the sky and nodded, picking a few berries from a bush.
“There must be a connection between the cultivator and his vivarium. He must feel the connection....within his soul. Only then will his vivarium be lush, breath taking, a point of envy for all others”
Stephanie nodded.
“So...what’s your secret?”
“Mmmm.”
“...you aren’t going to tell me, are you?”
He ate berries and sighed.
“No.”
“So cold.”
Stephanie sat under the golden oak tree, her eyes closed.. Heaven’s gaze lingered on her form for a moment longer then he felt he should have. He looked away as she opened her eyes, but she still caught him. She laughed and he blushed.
“When do you leave?” she asked him.
“Next week. Des’feia will be pretty cold.”
“Hopefully they won’t make you walk through all that snow..that would suck.”
“No, it’s a part of the pilgrimage. These physical burdens...they’re insignificant in the face of the spiritual and mental burdens we must bear.”
Stephanie smiled, though she held a slight hint of fear.
“I just don’t want you hurt.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“You say that but...Des’feia is dangerous. Great wolves will be everywhere. And those yeti-”
“Stephanie, it’ll be fine.”
“Sorry. I’m just..” She chuckled. “I forget you’re tougher then you look.”
“How..how do I look?”
“Very...delicate.”
“I feel slightly insulted.”
“Don’t be. It’s really a compliment. I like you like that.”
“...I’ve always thought I was quite manly. I suppose I could do with a bit more muscle, though.”
She laughed again, her joy causing Heaven to laugh as well. She placed a hand on his cheek.
“Don’t change...” she whispered. He nodded. There was an exuberance he felt in her presence that was unique, even powerful. Her smile told him she felt the same, and that excited him.
in your sleep you can hear the spirits call out to you they simply cannot wait till you awaken so that they may run rampant across the earth and reduce everything to dust and ash. When the end comes we will have so much fun.
The grandeur of the ceremony was greater then Heaven remembered it being. Perhaps it was the perspective he took on, staring down into the crowd as apposed to staring up at the pilgrims. He felt a bit emotional.
“And on this day, we will see our children off, in hopes that they return enlightened, prepared to help our society grow and prosper, as the seers before them did.”
The Elder gave his speech, the same speech he always gave. It always dragged on too long. Heaven glanced at his fellow pilgrims, one on each side of him. The one to his left he was familiar with, Hiel, but the one on his left he had only seen once in person, Perisi. The apprentice seers rarely interacted.
“We must remember, as a people, to give, freely, to the shrine, so that we may...prosper, and grow as a society.”
He scanned the crowd. In the front row, the master seers stood, Amisse among them. The ones who ascended to the highest echelon. He was anxious to join their ranks.
“And in the end, when we are all dust as we originally were, our spirits will be able to look down up our gardens and say, what good work we did. Our society has grown, and our ancestors will prosper because of it.”
And in in the crowd behind stood the underseers, their beaming expressions sharply contrasting the cold demeanor of the master seers, though when one of the masters turned their head, the underseers quickly dropped their smiles. But the sight of Stephanie, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked on, smiling, struck him the hardest. He wondered what it would be like, spending so much time away from her.
“You look troubled, despite the occasion.” said the Elder as he approached Heaven, laying a hand on his shoulder.
“Not at all, sir.” said Heaven as he smiled slightly.
“Good, good.”
The Elder turned back to the crowd, and nodded to the masters, prompting the smallest in the group, whose beard nearly scrapped the floor, to step forward.
“There is no need for my message to be prolonged,” he said. “For the blessing of the pure god is with you. Steel your heart from evil. Stay true to your covenant. Be mindful of your hosts. And most importantly, be alert. The wilds of Des’feia are not to be triffled with.”
The Elder nodded in approval.
“Ah. Well, let us sing the song of hosts!”
Heaven groaned in unison with Hiel and Perisi.
i have no life my existence is nothing i am merely a dream i dwell in your head and feast on your anxiety and when you feel joy i am enraged a wretch like you should never feel joy only pain lay down and die lay down and die
In his dream he stood between two mountains, staring into the wilderness beyond them. He could hear them calling out to him, calling out for his flesh. They only wanted to consume him. And yet he stepped into that darkness, and let the beasts have him. Resigned to his fate.
“Heaven. Heaven. Heaven!”
He was shaken from his sleep by her soft voice. Her eyes , blue as anything he had ever seen. He thought they were wonderful.
“Stephanie...” he murmured.
“Guess what?”
“Hmm?”
“You overslept.”
“...ah.”
“Aaand, do you remember who told you, several times, that if you took that medicine, you’d oversleep?”
“My dear Stephanie.”
“Right once again. Luckily for you, I am such a dutiful wife I rushed here, all the way from my own home, to wake you up. Who knows how long you would’ve been asleep?”
“I’m...I’m quite lucky, aren’t I?” He said as he sat up in bed.
She smiled as he did, placing two fingers on his forehead, pushing his head back slightly.
“If you don’t hurry, Madame Amisse will have your hide.”
“No..." He rose and stretched. “She’ll just stare at me for a few minutes. A punishment far more harsh.”
“I can imagine. Where are your robes?”
“In my meditation chamber.”
“I’ll get them for you.”
“I can ge-”
“Sit, Heaven. Eat the food I made for you.” She gestured to the box she placed on the bed as she left his bedroom. But he wasn’t hungry.
“Wait..” called Stephanie from the chamber. “Are you supposed to wear the grey one...or the black one?”
“The grey one.” said Heaven.
“Ok...” said Stephanie, interrupting his thoughts. “Let’s get this thing on you.”
They stared at each other for a moment.
“Take your pants off.” Stephanie instructed.
“Oh.”
“Heaven.”
“Yes?”
“Are you embarrassed?”
“Well. Not exactly.”
“We’re going to be joined as one within a year. Seeing each other naked will be a common occurance.”
“I know.”
“So take your pants off.”
“A-alright.”
Despite the awkwardness he felt, he still appreciated the moment. She had always treated him well, even when they were children. He was thankful for her.
“Mhm...it looks good on you. I think. Did I do it right?”
“You did fine. Thank you.”
She smiled.
“Did you eat?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Don’t be an idiot. Eat.”
“Yes dear.”
He rushed to the shrine and still found himself tardy. Seer Amisse would show no mercy. He stood in front of her chamber door, taking a moment to strengthen his resolve. But the door slid open, and inside the chamber sat Amisse, stirring her cup of tea.
“Surely your intent was not to make me wait even longer?” she asked him.
“No, Madame, not at all.”
“Then sit.”
He took a seat in front of her as the door closed behind him. He expected a lecture, but she merely sipped from her tea.
“Are you wondering why I have not reprimanded you yet?” she asked him.
“Uh...perhaps, Madame.”
“I find it difficult to be angry with you in the face of such a grand occasion.”
“I..beg your pardon?”
“Soon you will embark on your first pilgrimage.”
“Already?” he said, his voice a mix of shock and jubilation he could barely contain.
“I have spoken to the elder, and to my fellow seers, and we have all concluded that your progress has been great, even greater then what I initially thought it would be. There is no need to push this further out. In order for your growth to continue, you will need to become an underseer.”
“Thank you, Madame. I will not let you down.”
Her gaze was as serene as it always what. He found it almost impossible to know how she was truly feeling at any moment. But he could sense the smallest trace of approval in her.
“What is your purpose, Heaven?” She asked him abruptly.
He thought for a moment.
“To serve and protect my people.”
Seer Amisse nodded as she sipped her tea.
“I have heard many say such a thing in my time, but rarely do they truly mean it. Your dedication to the covenant tells me you lie among esteemed company. How long have you been my apprentice?”
“Um...seven years.”
“Ah...the passage of time eludes me...I must be getting old. It seems just moments ago you were a mere child, wise beyond your ten years, but still naive, still ignorant. You have grown well.”
“Thank you, Madame."
His expression was solemn, though on the inside there was a burst of exhilaration that threatened to make him lightheaded.
She sipped her tea. “Today, you will meditate alone and prepare for your pilgrimage. Go with the blessings of the pure god.”
“Yes Madame.”
“You ruin. Everything.”
“It’s not as bad as it looks, seriously.”
“No, it’s worse then what it looks, because I have to clean it up.”
Kelethe shrugged.
“Well, just..eh...consider it...payback.”
“For?”
Kelethe shrugged again.
“Something that’ll happen in the future.”
Whenever he came to Heaven’s home to borrow something, everything was thrown out of wack, the balance and rightful order of his room. The process to restore his inner sanctum back to what it was was arduous.
“At least help me put these books back in place.”
“Sure, sure.”
“Alphabetical order.” said Heaven as Kelethe stuffed books in the shelf randomly.
“I mean, as long as they’re on the shel-”
“Alphabetical order.”
Kelethe shook his head, playfully exasperated.
There was silence as Heaven organized his things.
“Kelethe.”
“Hmm?”
“What was your first pilgrimage like?”
“Oh.”
“Oh?”
Kelethe scratched his head. The book he held in his hand was emblazoned with the title, “The Roaming Beast.”. He cracked it open and flipped through the pages.
“It wasn’t noteworthy in anyway..except for one moment, when we prayed at the temple.”. He stopped turning pages, his finger held under a line of text that caused his brow to furrow. “‘The beast knows no master, respects no law, and holds no mercy. If you find yourself in the presence of the beast, you would do well to pray, for the end is near.’ Do you remember Ylia?”
“Um...oh yes, she was in the same class as you. But she stayed with the Elissin seers, right?”
Kelethe‘s gaze went past Heaven as he reminisced.
“...yeah. We both took our pilgrimage together, along with Hisai. We flew to Un’eliss, took a hike through the mountains, which were just...beautiful. You’d like it, I’m sure. Hisai slipped and fell into a river. That was third time I’ve ever seen his face."
”Only three times?” Heaven asked.
”Yep. Strange man.”
”He really does keep that turban on all the time...”
“You’d think there’s something wrong with his face, but he looks totally normal..but anyway.
We reached the temple after three days, and it was sort of shabby, especially when you compare it ours or the scenery...but that’s besides the point. The Elissin seers were pretty nice, though, very inviting. I didn’t know they’re were strictly female...so yeah...that was...nice.”
He started to chuckle, then stifled his laughter. But through his smile Heaven could see something was troubling Kelethe.
“After a while we were taken into their inner sanctum. Honestly, it was the size of a small village, just a massive space. And in the center, a statue of the pure god. The second I stepped into the inner sanctum, I could feel the spirits all around me. But when I knelt in front of that statue...I felt like I was being crushed. It took everything in me just to keep consciousness. Even with all that, Ylia was still doing worse. I’ve never seen someone sit so still yet sweat so hard. Then she started shaking, screaming like she was on fire or something...I shouldn’t be telling you about this-”
“No, please continue.” said Heaven intently.
“This entire thing...the seer’s path...it’s a lot harder then what people take it for. We’re not just sitting around in candle lit rooms lighting incense and and chanting nonsense. There’s a constant battle going on, a battle of the mind, of the spirit..Ylia lost that battle. Something...took her and turned her into a servant of the gods. And she just went berserk..hell, if it wasn’t for Hisai, I’d be dead right now. The Elissin pacified her, but they lost so many seers in the process. Ylia’s soul was totally consumed...”
He placed the book on the shelf in it’s proper place. He sighed, smirking as he shook his head.
“What am I doing...casting a shadow on the first step you’ll take...”
“It’s fine.” Heaven assured him. “It’s just that...I understand the nature of the seer, but it’s almost strange that it happened to someone so..close.”
“Just be on your guard.” said Kelethe. “That’s all the advice I can give you.” He glanced at the clock and stretched, yawning loudly.
“Midday and I’m already depressing myself. I’m gonna head out to the field, find a girl to flirt with or something. See you around.”
As soon as Kelethe closed the door behind him, Heaven gazed down at the books strewn about the floor.
“He skipped out on me. “
As he silently fumed, he noticed the small orb on his nightstand glow. Someone was contacting him.
“Ah, you came. Good.” said Dr.Wentein. Heaven glanced through the door into the classroom, at the students, most of which were his age, honing their psyche. “To be honest, I’d hate to bother you, what with you preparing for your pilgrimage and all, but we’re short an assistant today.”
“It’s no trouble, Dr.” said Heaven.
Dr. Wenstein smiled before gesturing to a student sitting in the back, casting an intense gaze onto the cube sitting in front of her.
“Dai has been having great difficulty with telekinesis. If you could be so kind as to give her some tips.”
Heaven approached her, and it only took a few seconds for him to realize that all her focus was on the cube. Everything around her was blocked out. He sat besides her, trying not to startle her. Despite her focus, he couldn’t feel any projection from her mind.
“Has it moved at all?” Heaven asked her. She didn’t respond. “I guess not. What methods are you using?” They sat in silence. “Miss? Are you...”
“Ssshhh.”
“Oh.”
“This is the moment.”
Her expression turned fiery as her eyes widened and her brow furrowed. And with a cry she unleashed all her power and focused it onto the cube.
“Maybe this really is it!” said Heaven, unable to avoid being caught up in the moment.
Nothing happened, the cube completely still as the entire class turned to look at them.
“Oh..sorry...false a-false alarm.” said Heaven with a forced chuckle. Dai merely hammered floor with her fist.
“These cubes are cursed!” she declared. “Cursed!”
“They can’t be cursed.” said Heaven. He glanced over at another student levitating his own cube. His pull was weak, but the cube floated, bobbing up and down as if it were floating in water. “If he can do it, surely you can.”
“Not true.” she said meekly. “So long as they give me these cursed cubes, I will never pass my courses.”
“I’m telling you, the cubes aren’t cursed. Look.”
Heaven held out a hand, and the cube flew onto his palm. He let it float, his control perfect as the cube remained still.
“Ah!” said Dai. ”You didn‘t even look at it!”
“These cubes are perfectly fine,” Heaven assured her. “The problem lies within you.”
“...how do you figure.”
“You’re not projecting properly.”
“What’s wrong with my projection technique?!”
“You don’t have to be so loud....what is your projection technique anyway?”
“Um...I force my will into the object and then....make it do what I want it to. In theory.”
“Ah. Perhaps it’s time for a new theory?”
Dai groaned in exasperation.
“Alright then, smart one, what’s your theory?”
Heaven closed his eyes.
“I...picture...an aura that surrounds my body. It’s much larger then my body, and much stronger. And whatever my mind tells it to touch, sense, affect...it can do it, without fail.”
“Does it have a name?”
“Hmm?”
“Does it have a name?”
“I’ve...never considered naming my aura.”
“Well, you should.” said Dai as she rubbed her nose. “To make it more important.”
“I’ll...I’ll keep that in mind.”
Dai rubbed her chin as if she were an old man.
“So. In order to make the cursed cube move, I must imagine an aura that’s larger then my body and does stuff?”
“Not necessarily. It can be whatever you want it to be, as long as it helps you project your mind properly.”
“Ah. Well, my method will be a rabbit.”
“I don’t follow.”
“A rabbit that helps me.” she groaned in the face of Heaven’s lack of understanding. “I’ll demonstrate for you.”
She refocused on the cube, with twice the conviction. Heaven could feel her mind wrapping around the cube. Her influence was there. She only needed to execute. And suddenly he was on edge. She could do it.
“Lord Eddington, get the cube!”
The cube budged slightly in her direction. The class room turned towards them one again.
“Yes...” said Heaven as he forced yet another chuckle, this time accompanied by tepid applause. “Good progress we’re making, good progress indeed....”.
“...your cultivating technique is unmatched.” said Stephanie in adulation.
“Yes.” said Heaven with a nod.
“There is not a single vivarium on this flying garden of Des'neme that can compare to yours. Your dominance...is absolute.”
They stood in silence for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“I...I can’t..” said Stephanie as her laughter slowed.
“You started it.” said Heaven.
“It was an imitation of you.” said Stephanie. “This garden really is beautiful, though. And these roses..”
She approached the bush, the the hardened petals gleaming in the sunlight.
“I haven’t seen crystal roses this perfect since my mother kept them in our old garden. It’s hard to imagine something like this just...exists naturally in the world.”
“They’re worth all the hassle it takes to raise them. Meditating here is quite wonderful.”
“So...” said Stephanie as she approached him slowly. “What’s your secret?”
“...hmm?”
“Your secret. Mother always said that every cultivator has his or her own method. What’s yours?”
Heaven looked into the sky and nodded, picking a few berries from a bush.
“There must be a connection between the cultivator and his vivarium. He must feel the connection....within his soul. Only then will his vivarium be lush, breath taking, a point of envy for all others”
Stephanie nodded.
“So...what’s your secret?”
“Mmmm.”
“...you aren’t going to tell me, are you?”
He ate berries and sighed.
“No.”
“So cold.”
Stephanie sat under the golden oak tree, her eyes closed.. Heaven’s gaze lingered on her form for a moment longer then he felt he should have. He looked away as she opened her eyes, but she still caught him. She laughed and he blushed.
“When do you leave?” she asked him.
“Next week. Des’feia will be pretty cold.”
“Hopefully they won’t make you walk through all that snow..that would suck.”
“No, it’s a part of the pilgrimage. These physical burdens...they’re insignificant in the face of the spiritual and mental burdens we must bear.”
Stephanie smiled, though she held a slight hint of fear.
“I just don’t want you hurt.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“You say that but...Des’feia is dangerous. Great wolves will be everywhere. And those yeti-”
“Stephanie, it’ll be fine.”
“Sorry. I’m just..” She chuckled. “I forget you’re tougher then you look.”
“How..how do I look?”
“Very...delicate.”
“I feel slightly insulted.”
“Don’t be. It’s really a compliment. I like you like that.”
“...I’ve always thought I was quite manly. I suppose I could do with a bit more muscle, though.”
She laughed again, her joy causing Heaven to laugh as well. She placed a hand on his cheek.
“Don’t change...” she whispered. He nodded. There was an exuberance he felt in her presence that was unique, even powerful. Her smile told him she felt the same, and that excited him.
in your sleep you can hear the spirits call out to you they simply cannot wait till you awaken so that they may run rampant across the earth and reduce everything to dust and ash. When the end comes we will have so much fun.
The grandeur of the ceremony was greater then Heaven remembered it being. Perhaps it was the perspective he took on, staring down into the crowd as apposed to staring up at the pilgrims. He felt a bit emotional.
“And on this day, we will see our children off, in hopes that they return enlightened, prepared to help our society grow and prosper, as the seers before them did.”
The Elder gave his speech, the same speech he always gave. It always dragged on too long. Heaven glanced at his fellow pilgrims, one on each side of him. The one to his left he was familiar with, Hiel, but the one on his left he had only seen once in person, Perisi. The apprentice seers rarely interacted.
“We must remember, as a people, to give, freely, to the shrine, so that we may...prosper, and grow as a society.”
He scanned the crowd. In the front row, the master seers stood, Amisse among them. The ones who ascended to the highest echelon. He was anxious to join their ranks.
“And in the end, when we are all dust as we originally were, our spirits will be able to look down up our gardens and say, what good work we did. Our society has grown, and our ancestors will prosper because of it.”
And in in the crowd behind stood the underseers, their beaming expressions sharply contrasting the cold demeanor of the master seers, though when one of the masters turned their head, the underseers quickly dropped their smiles. But the sight of Stephanie, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked on, smiling, struck him the hardest. He wondered what it would be like, spending so much time away from her.
“You look troubled, despite the occasion.” said the Elder as he approached Heaven, laying a hand on his shoulder.
“Not at all, sir.” said Heaven as he smiled slightly.
“Good, good.”
The Elder turned back to the crowd, and nodded to the masters, prompting the smallest in the group, whose beard nearly scrapped the floor, to step forward.
“There is no need for my message to be prolonged,” he said. “For the blessing of the pure god is with you. Steel your heart from evil. Stay true to your covenant. Be mindful of your hosts. And most importantly, be alert. The wilds of Des’feia are not to be triffled with.”
The Elder nodded in approval.
“Ah. Well, let us sing the song of hosts!”
Heaven groaned in unison with Hiel and Perisi.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
I'm assuming right now that the sensation of creating something is much more pleasurable then having created something, in that creating implies that you're in the moment, mind whirring endlessly as you put the figurative(or literal in some cases)puzzle together, a puzzle that is most entertaining as the pieces are ones that you create yourself. The rush of being in the moment is greater then the rush of postcreation. I assume because I've never finished something, but being on the precipice of being done(or at the least a quarter of the way done), I thought this was worth musing on. Whatever.
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