bukucontengan

Loyal Bureaucrat - A Hojo FST

2007-10-26T09:28:02Z

Most deal with Hojo's fanatical loyalty to Shishio. While I admit that Something Good may not seem like an obvious choice, I felt it was appropriate, because Hojo seems to me the person who would search long and hard for his ideals.

1. TRAX - End Of The World (3:50)
2. Lostprophets - To Hell We Ride (3:40)
3. Mark Mancina - Saya's Love (3:37)
4. Girugamesh - Mouja no Koushin (3:31)
5. Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Follow You Into the Dark (3:11)
6. Sarah Brightman - Deliver Me (4:02)
7. Ben Harper - Please Bleed (4:37)
8. Evanescence - Whisper (5:26)
9. Poe - Haunted (5:19)
10. Final Fantasy - Speechless Fight (2:32)
11. The Sound of Music - Something Good (3:54)
12. Ghost In The Shell - Stand Alone Complex - 2nd gig OST - Shanti Snyder, Steve Conte - Living Inside the Shell (6:24)
13. Human League - Don't You Want Me (3:57)
14. The Tea Party - Great Big Lie (3:50)

Army of One - A Shishio Makoto FST

2007-10-17T06:00:48Z

A Shishio Makoto FST. Damnit I'm either catching this from Lac or these people need more love. Easier to figure out songs for Shishio, though I need more metal songs, I think. Most should be explanatory, I think. Feedback?

1. Kajiura Yuki - break the sword of justice (2:04)
2. L'Arc~en~Ciel - LOST HEAVEN (4:36)
3. Jyukai - Anata ga Ita Mori -instrumental- (4:57)
4. Jyukai - Anata ga Ita Mori (4:59)
5. Masashi Hamauzu - Death and Rebirth (1:07)
6. My Chemical Romance - The Sharpest Lives (3:20)
7. Michael Buble - Save the Last Dance for Me (3:38)
8. Uematsu Nobuo - Sairin: Kata Tsubasa no Tenshi ~Advent:One-Winged Angel~ (6:06)
9. Hellsing - Bodhisattva Cathedral (4:51)
10. Linkin Park - Hands Held High (3:55)
11. Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (3:45)
12. Gensomaden Saiyuki - Still Time (3:16)
13. Meat Loaf - The Monster is Loose (7:07)
14. Lostprophets - We Still Kill The Old Way (4:20)
15. Gackt - White Eyes (3:45)

Might as well use this for something

2007-10-16T15:20:59Z

A Yumi Komagata FST (From Ruroni Kenshin, Kyoto Arc). Tracklisting as below. Posting here so I don't decide to back out. And yes, it's 22 songs. I need to trim this list. x_x

1. Bonnie Pink - It's gonna rain! (4:37)
2. Sakura Kiss for Piano (2:49)
3. Megumi Ogata (Warukyure, big) - Blue Moon (5:28)
4. Kajiura Yuki - we go further, everyday (2:25)
5. Yui Makino - Jasmin (4:10)
6. Tomiko Van - Flower (4:17)
7. ¼ÓÌÙ¥ß¥ê¥ä - Love is... (4:50)
8. Estranged - Itu Kamu (5:29)
9. Vanessa Carlton - Hands On Me (3:01)
10. Juwita Suwito - Why oh Why (4:34)
11. Kuraki Mai - Diamond Wave (4:57)
12. Day-Break - Cross My Heart (4:53)
13. Utada Hikaru - Another Chance (5:22)
14. Adibah Noor (4:06)
15. Queen Latifah - Big Blonde and Beautiful (2:35)
16. 浜崎あゆみ - Moments (5:35)
17. LENA PARK - Inori ~ You Raise Me Up (4:38)
18. Tainaka Sachi - disillusion (4:06)
19. BLOOD+ - Kataritsugu Koto (5:50)
20. Itou Eri - endlessly (3:31)
21. Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink & Lil Kim - Lady Marmalade (4:27)
22. Tomiko Van - Flower (instrumental) (4:16)

Seasons of 7: Chapter Two

2007-08-10T04:31:26Z

1445 words. Don't ask. When they came down, four others were already waiting for them. A petite blond young woman with eyes the colour of the sea came forward as the girl and her godmother came down, but noting the sad turn of her sister’s lips and her niece’s determined face, she kept silent. Instead, she put her hand around the boy next to her. He was looking up towards girl with concern written all over his face. His dark hair fell in short waves around his face, lending him a very careless air. There was nothing careless about the way he looked at the girl and her godmother though. The twins standing on the other side of the woman next to him were also staring at the girl. They were identical, except that one was dressed as a girl and the other a boy. Both had turquoise eyes and shoulder-length black hair. They were pale compared to the boy and the girl.

"The contingency plan goes into action the moment we leave. Are you all sure you can handle this?" the woman had her arms around the shoulders of her goddaughter. The question was directed at all of them.

"If we cannot do this, Aunt Naoko, then everything is for naught. This was the reason we were made," the boy’s voice was grave and serious.

"You were not created for this, Haruka. None of you were. If you were, then Onee-chan and I were created with the sole purpose to destroy. There has to be another way," the woman who had her arms around the boy looked at him.

"Then let us know when you have found that way, Aunt Sukina. This is not a pleasant prospect for any of us either," one twin said, the boy.

"Speak for yourself, Mazu," his twin replied. There was a devilish smile on the girl’s face. "I'm looking forward to this."

"You’ll be under Juanita’s command, Mazi. Do not lose sight of your objectives," Naoko’s voice was stern and commanding.

"We understand," Mazu replied quickly, holding his sister’s hand for reassurance.

“We’ll be late if we don’t leave now,” Sukina turned her godson away. As they left the Inn, she held hands with her godson tightly, as though this might be the last time they would walk together.

~~~~~
Out in the streets, they made a striking group. The two adults wore simple but functional clothing; both wore long coats, sensible boots and scarves around their necks, much like their young charges. Both wore plain black coats, while the children wore coats lined with their House colours. Juanita wore green, while Haruka was gold, Mazi's light blue contrasting against her brother's yellow. The younger girls walked between Naoko and Sukina, hands entwined, while the boys walked on either side of the two adults. Their trip into Kings' Cross did not go unnoticed; there were quite a few stares as they made their way through Diagon Alley and then to the train station. In Kings' Cross, Naoko looked towards her sister, just as they reached the entrance to the station proper.

"Shall we?" the children stopped pushing their trolleys.

"Yes, onee-chan. I've had enough of them following us," Sukina turned to face the paparazzi who were supposedly following at a discreet distance.

"Go on ahead, darlings," Naoko spoke in a crisp British accent.

Around them other children and families were also heading towards the trains, most who were stealing glances at Naoko and Sukina. The two sisters stood as though they were waiting to be attacked. "Hey Johnny, you know better than to hide there," Naoko called out to one of the men, who stepped from behind the pillar sheepishly.

"Beggin' your pardon, ladies, but a man's got to eat," he said, holding a small digital camera in front of him.

"Yes, but not like this. Please leave us alone," Sukina's voice was melodic, but soft-spoken compared to her sister's. It was nearly lost in the sounds of the train station, but the look on her face carried its meaning across. Johnny shook his head.

"Ah well, looks like it's going to be the hard way," Naoko threw something in front of her and Sukina that obscured them both in smoke. The paparazzi were well-versed with this tactic of theirs though, and ran into the station following them. However, they were lost in the sea of people.

~~~~~~

The children walked quickly towards their intended destination. Other students, seemingly unhurried, walked through the barrier quickly, but they waited. A minute later, Naoko and Sukina walked calmly to them. Putting their hands around the girls, they nodded at the boys, who went through the barriers first, then the girls, and finally Naoko and Sukina. On the other side, they put their luggage away quickly, and then went inside the train. Naoko and Sukina followed the children outside till they found an empty compartment and opened the window. Haruka and Sukina pressed their foreheads against each other; a very close gesture for the two of them.

Juanita leaned out the compartment like Haruka, her hands holding on to the edge of the open window. Naoko stood on her tiptoes and kissed her daughter's forehead, before stepping back with a grin. She clasped her hands together with a loud clap, and slowly spread her hands in a circle.
As she did, a golden bubble the size of a normal human head formed from her hands, and within it, smaller bubbles floated, each holding an item. Across the surface of the outer bubble, symbols danced across its surface. Juanita's eyes opened wide as she caught sight of a certain pendant floating in the bubble; her godmother had summoned the Keepsake of the Mitsutani Clan, Leviathan. It took her a bit more to recognise the symbols, as it did not stay in one place. When she did, her voice was filled with awe.

"Okaa-san..." she whispered, tearing her eyes from the floating ball to her godmother.

"Your mother stipulated in her will that I could release as many treasures as I wanted if there was a need. You need this more than me, dear one. Choose a memory," she held it up, smiling.

Juanita looked into the ball, her eyes searching among the treasures her godmother had cared for her so carefully. Though the ball belonged to the Mitsutani clan, the treasures belonged to the Aife branch of the clan, her mother's line. Her mother had been the only child left of the line, which now made her the heir to the name. As her godmother and executor of her estate, Naoko would have kept the treasures in trust for her goddaughter. She had not known her godmother had access to the treasures; she thought it had been entrusted to the Goddess instead.

"Choose, dear," her godmother's gentle voice brought her out of her reverie.

Juanita caught sight of a small arrow floating in the ball, and chose it over the pendant engraved with a jumping dolphin, her mother's personal crest. She reached out and took it from the Keepsake. The small arrow pendant came with a long golden chain. Naoko's eyebrow rose, but she said nothing, clapping her hands once more and closing the Keepsake. As Juanita made to put the chain around her neck, her godmother's hand stopped her. Wordlessly, though with a sad smile on her face, Naoko took her goddaughter's left arm and wound the chain around it, doing it in a way that the arrow lay on her finger. As Naoko's hands left the chain, the arrow became a full fingered ring on Juanita's finger.

"That's the arrow of Hecaerge, one of Artemis' attendants. You use it the same way Aunt Sukina fires an arrow," Juanita had seen it many times, so she simply nodded.

The train blew its whistle as it was about to move. Naoko kissed her goddaughter on the cheek quickly and stepped back, just as her sister did the same. They waved to their godchildren, giving an encouraging to the mischievious-looking twins, who were grinning. They waited till the train pulled out of the station before they turned to leave. It was then that they saw two Aurors waiting for them, a man with a lightning-shaped scar and another with a shock of red hair. Many other parents were also staring at them.

"Would you two come with us please?" the one with the scar said. The two sisters simply nodded and followed.

HP Fanfic: Seasons of Seven, Chapter 1

2007-07-24T15:41:21Z

Happy, Juanita? The young woman woke up to the sound of rain falling gently on the roof. It apparently rained most of the time in this country. She began getting dressed after washing up. The pleated skirt, sweater, and white, long-sleeved blouse lay on a nearby chair, waiting for her to put them on. She stared at them long and hard. Once she put them on, there would be no turning back. She would be committing the next three years of her life in England, and more importantly, to the abandonment of a duty she had upheld since she was born. Fingering the blouse, she let her mind drift. Three years ago, she had been on a similar trip here, but then, that had been a just-in-case scenario. No one imagined that three years later it would be carried out.

Least of all, her godmother.

Her godmother had fought when she was much younger against this contingency plan being made in the first place, invoking the rule of guardianship. She had been overruled by the Spirit of the Shrine. The young woman smiled. She remembered how at the threat of being blown away, her godmother had stood her ground. In the end though, her godmother had won a reprieve. Her goddaughter would not be sent away if they could find and contain the threat that had made the contingency plan so urgent in the first place.

Three years later, she undertook this journey against the wishes of her godmother. The need could no longer be denied, and her own powers were awakening much faster than anyone had expected. She began to dress, discarding her sleeping clothes for the ones on the chair. In the act of pulling the shirt on, she caught sight of an old marking on her right wrist. It glowed brightly, and she smiled. She quickly dressed, just having pulled on the robe over herself when someone knocked her door urgently.

"Come in," she turned towards the door.

A woman of medium height entered in a rush, looking for her. When she saw the girl she sought in the robe, she said nothing but hugged her tightly instead. The younger girl hugged her back, holding on to her. She inhaled her godmother's scent; fresh and crisp. This might be the last time she would be holding on to her godmother; she blinked the tears away before her godmother released her. There should have been no marks, but she saw it anyway.

"We can still beat this, little one. There's no reason for you to be here," her godmother knelt down to her knees to look her goddaughter in the eyes.

"No, okaa-san," she called her mother, "There is every need for me to be here. We need to protect the Gateways from being used, and what better protector than an Unregistered Lock?"

"Your records can still be found, dear one," her godmother was not being difficult, merely pointing things out.

"And I am unmarked. They cannot trace me, Okaa-san."

"That is a very slim thread to hang your duties on, daughter," it was a rare form of endearment.

"So says the woman who gambled the fate of the Makai Gateways on no one recognising her blood in front of the full Youkai Pantheon," she smiled.

"My powers had been unlocked then, dear one. Yours is still growing."

"Then there's no better place to refine them than in a school, is there, Okaa-san?"

"... There are other ways you know."

"Which would take too long. Okaa-san, trust my judgement. Please." She was pleading. Her godmother still had the power to overturn her decision.

"Is there any other reason than the one you've been telling me, dear one?"

"The temple has been too stifling." The look on her face was asking her godmother to defy that.

"Only that?" She took a long time to answer it. When she did, her voice was heavy.

"None that I can explain, Okaa-san."

Her godmother searched her face long and hard, looking for a mark she was sure was not there. That mark had been left sealed away. She would never again be tempted by it. Raising a hand, her godmother caressed her cheek. "Your seal here is much weaker than the place where it was sealed. This is Her land. She has marked you for Her own. Are you sure you can deny Her that which she seeks?" her godmother's voice was close to tears.

"I'll destroy Her if I have to. Medea and Medusa cannot be contained."

"Their bloods are tainted. They are Hunted."

"Not if I can change that."

"You are not of the Huntress Limits dear one. Not for a long time more."

"I've defied Karma once before, as you have, Okaa-san."

"Be wary of arrogance."

"Be vigilant against complacency. You taught me that," she smiled. Her godmother sighed.

"Are you sure this is what you really want?"

"Not really. But it's as good as any." Her godmother glared at her.

"You're not going to be as carefree with this as I think you're going to be," she warned.

"Like godmother, like goddaughter," she grinned mischievously.

Annwn, Lady of Water

2007-01-03T17:02:12Z

Because I feel like giving a talk instead of actually writing a story...

Annwn was a character that was born out of necessity two Nanowrimos ago. Basically I needed a Triune to balance out Naoko, Sukina and Kishan, and Annwn and her brother (who was nameless till last Nano) came about. What is Annwn, actually?

Well, she's a Water Elemental Queen, which puts her at the same rank as Kishan. They're both Elemental Kings, which means they can control Elemental Spirits. Any higher and they would be Emperor/Empress, which means they control Angels. After Empress/Emperor, they're considered as Divine Beings. Theorectically, as long as you reach the Queen level, you can become a God/Goddess of the Element, but as the problem with many theories, it is always the practical. After all, what Angel would demean themselves (in their eyes) to be controlled by a mortal?

But that's a topic I will leave for later. ^_^

As I was saying, Annwn's a character who has a very different physical build compared to the ones I normally use (aka Naoko and Sukina). For one, you can only describe her figure as luscious. She's generous where she should be, red wavy hair past her shoulders to the small of her back, always dressed in those fantasy sorceress-type gowns where you can see her cleavage, and it's very generous. The figure hugging doesn't stop there. It goes down to where she has a waist that is small, but it's not unrealistic. Basically, Annwn's physical template is based on the 1980s fantasy, something like this.

She's a seductress in the old mold in the sense that people think she's a mage because of her beauty and seduction, but of course there's more to her than that. In case you were wondering, she and Ta'Lern were the two people I mentioned in my previous story. It was actually a RP piece that both me and the other person involved felt could be made longer, and I do have his permission to use the story as a longer piece (Don't I?).

In Past Memories, I know Annwn's being portrayed as a very simple-minded, almost animalistic child, but the truth of the matter is, she is (what, you expected different?). The Ancillary's Triune (as opposed to Sukina's Scion Triune, yes they both have the same meanings) were unlike the Scion, who were very carefully thought out by the Creator. For the Destroyer, the only person he gave much thought to was Anra/Raishan (Raishan is his true name, the name he will assume once he comes into his full powers, if he gets that far. That my Nano calls him Raishan is because among his siblings, they are allowed to use his real name).

This means that Annwn's and Ta'Lern's characters were not given much thought by the Destroyer. He only decided to add them in once he saw how powerful the bonds were between Naoko's, Sukina's, and Kishan's first incarnations. He more or less bulldozed Ta'Lern's and Annwn's previous incarnations into serving him, hence the darkness. I'm still deciding on the bait.

The Ancillary's Triune has the ability to tap into their memories from their previous incarnations. This is the reason why Annwn looks and feels so different from her incarnation in Past Memories. She's grown quite a bit, but what she retains are not the memories of the spells and the like, but rather the memories of her interactions with people. For her, sex is both a validation of what she is and her power over people. Yes, she suffers from a bit of an inferiority complex, but that's only because the one guy that she's to marry is also the one guy who will kill her than marry her. No, he doesn't hate her (the fight between the eldest of the Triunes have always been sexual), but it's a matter of who seduces who first.

I have not kept a running score of that yet as I've not gone that far, but Annwn did not win the last encounter. It crushed her enough that her incarnation this time around is very low on self-confidence, even as all signs point to him being the weaker one this time around. I suppose Kishan feels guilty. All I know was that it was a very bad fight. Neither are telling me anything.

And that is all for the night. Thank you for reading this ramble.

Things you need

2007-01-02T15:02:19Z

All you need is a bit of humour
Something to chase away the clouds
Change the face from something sour
Or just to get away from the crowds.

Having a bad day
Is not such a bad thing
Makes things into perspective
Of the things really worth living.

A rainy day is a blessing
If you can see it outside the office
At least it’s not too gloomy
Than being stuck behind curtains.

Random Japanese character poem

2007-01-02T14:55:50Z

私は窓を見、
世界は灰色風強いであるが、
家の空気は残る停滞している…
風の愛撫を知るためにそしてそう、
占有者は決してあくせく働かない。

I’m wondering if this will show up well on wordpress… especially since it’s a poem I wrote and then asked Google to translate into Japanese. And yes, the one below is from Babelfish. Iluna, Renren… are these Kanji, Hiragana? Cause they seem to be two different sets…

私は窓から見、
世界は風灰色強いであるが、
家の空気は残る停滞している…
そして風の愛撫を知るためにそう、
占有者は決してあくせく働かない。

And under the cut is the original poem. BEFORE YOU CLICK, PLEASE TRY THE TRANSLATIONS FIRST AND LAUGH!

I look out the window
And the world is grey
The wind is strong
But the air in the homes
Remain stagnant…
And so, the occupants slave
Never to know the wind’s caress.

Whee!!

2007-01-02T14:49:39Z

Random shorts and poetry.

First off, Lover's Yearning, written for a friend of mine.

Lover's Yearning

A sweet smile to light up the day
A gentle touch to start the morning
I wake from my sleep
All alone, a cold spot beside me.

It was just a dream
I know it was
But it felt so real
Especially when my angel kissed me on the lips.

I still feel the heat of her lips on mine
Awakening me with the soft touch
Her scent fills the room
Alone again… as it’s been for a long time now…

Tsumetai Yoru

2006-09-01T07:50:26Z

Sorry dear.

Cold Night

Illuminated by the cold night’s moonlight,
I hid in the shadows projected by the town
Dalam cahaya bulan yang sejuk
Aku bersembunyi dalam bayangan bandar

Thinking there was not a single thing
left to believe in,
Among the crowds coming and going
in the monochrome world,
I bowed my head
Fikirku tiada apa lagi yang dapat dipercayai
Antara orang ramai bergerak dalam dunia hitam putih ini
Aku menundukkan kepala

I realized, from your words
The single flower nestled against my feet
Aku sedar dari kata-katamu
Dari bunga sekuntum tertinggal di kakiku

As if to insist
that I’m not afraid
even if I lose,
I walked forward…
Seperti menegaskanku bahawa aku tidak takut
Walaupun kehilangan
Untuk bergerak ke hadapan..

With only silence
filling my heart,
I have lived until now
never knowing desire
Dengan hanya kesenyapan
Mengisi hatiku
Hidupku sampai sekarang
Tidak mengenali keinginan

Not even understanding
the meaning of doubt anymore,
Feeling righteousness
in the distorting town,
I was simply swept along, but
Tidak lagi memahami
Maksud ragu-ragu
Berasa diriku betul
Dalam bandar gila itu
Aku cuma mengikut aliran, tetapi...

*I realized
from your words,
The single flower
nestled against my feet
Aku sedar dari kata-katamu
Dari bunga sekuntum tertinggal di kakiku

Even if I insist
that I’m not afraid
of losing,
Time will go on…
Walaupun aku bekeras
Aku tidak takut kehilangannya
Masa tetap berjalan...

* repeat

Note: The “lose” in the fourth and final verses indicates losing someone/something important, not losing at a game or competition.

Gwagh why does translating Kyoya's song have to be so hard?

Itsumo Gawa Ni

2006-09-01T07:31:26Z

Sorry Luc, I couldn't resist it.

Some words have been omitted to preserve the spirit of the song.

Without a word, I will always be by your side
Tell me your sad thoughts quietly, I’m always listening
Tanpa kata, akanku sentiasa di sisimu
Luahkanlah hatimu, ku sentiasa mendengar

If you struggle to express yourself, and it troubles you
close your eyes and entrust it upon me, I will embrace you
Kalau susah meluahkan dirimu, dan it menyusahkanmu
Tutuplah matamu dan berikannya kepadaku, akanku sambut.

In the passing seasons, there’s only one thing for certain in my chest
Dalam laluan masa, cuma sesuatu yang pasti...

If it is to protect you, then there is nothing to regret
I will take your place in any pain
I will always be near you
Kalau ianya untuk melindungimu, tiada apa ku sesal
Akanku sentiasa mengambil tempatmu dalam kesusahan
Ku akan sentiasa dekat sisimu

If I understand that I haven’t realized your feelings
I want to do everything within my power for you
Kalau hajatmu tidak dipenuhi
Akanku menggunakan apa-apa dalam kuasaku untukmu

I’ll always fall into step with you
Because I’ll continue to have these unchanging thoughts
Ku akan terus berada di sisimu
Kerana hatiku tidak akan berubah.

I’ll hold you so that this warmth won’t ever disappear
I’ll wipe away the tears that fall
I’ll always be near you
Akanku pelukmu supaya kehangatan ini tidak kehilangan
Airmatamu akanku mengesat
Ku akan sentiasa di sisimu

If it is to protect you, then there is nothing to regret
I will take your place in any pain
I will always be near you
Kalau ianya untuk melindungimu, tiada apa ku sesal
Akanku sentiasa mengambil tempatmu dalam kesusahan
Ku akan sentiasa dekat sisimu

I’ll hold you so that this warmth won’t ever disappear
I’ll wipe away the tears that fall
I’ll always be near you
Akanku pelukmu supaya kehangatan ini tidak kehilangan
Airmatamu akanku mengesat
Ku akan sentiasa di sisimu