Writing Practice - Revision history

FBH: /* Day 15: Arcane Singularity */

2012-01-13T22:06:03Z

Day 15: Arcane Singularity

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:06, 13 January 2012
Line 322:		Line 322:

	Dresora let out her breath. They were being nice. She shouldn't snap. "I want to get this over with." The half elf's hand rose to her head again, then fell. "Let's just get moving."		Dresora let out her breath. They were being nice. She shouldn't snap. "I want to get this over with." The half elf's hand rose to her head again, then fell. "Let's just get moving."
			==Day 16: trying to fire the engine again==

			It's pretty complicated being a super heroine. For one thing, the hours are long. Squeezing in university classes, social life and fighting crime is a headache to say the least. It's difficult to date and go out with friends when at any moment you might have to fight an army of Doctor Wako's Ninja Robots at any moment.

			Also the pay is lousy. It's not unpaid anymore thank god. There's always someone willing to give you a grant for your activities. You can cash the checks at the Super Bank and they'll get you the money without compromising your identity. Don't expect a huge amount of fortune though. You can get fame, but unless you want to do icky stuff like appear in playboy, you're not going to get rich of it.

			Also don't expect too much fame unless you're willing to fight criminals while dressed like you're in playboy. Even with over sixty percent of the world's super beings being women, there's still a way to go in the cause of gender equality.

			Finally there's problems like this: take out five heavily armed meth heads who have got trapped in a bank by the cops before they kill the hostages. I could wait for SWAT to breach, let them do some of the work. The problem is that the local SWAT team is frankly incompetent, and even if they do succeed, they'll likely kill the hostage takers.

			If I can prevent it, I'd prefer nobody died. Not even criminals.

			There's one advantage major advantage I have: the bank robbers don't know I'm coming. I'm hovering above the bank, high enough up to avoid media attention in case the cops have the TV on. I can see their heart beats from up here with my radar sight, the hostages sitting, the criminals pacing, up and down, staying clear of the windows.

			Here's another advantage: Super powers.

			I rocket down, bursting through the one of the walls of the bank, picking an area with no hostages below so I don't drop any debris on anyone. The robbers are a shabby bunch in cheap clothes and improvised body armour. Crime is not a glamorous business unless you're a super villain. The hostages are normal looking, scared and cringing.

			Hostages and criminals both see a warrior angel in a white armoured body suit smash in through the wall. Then they see a series of dazzling flash as I unleash my powers. The one on the hostages looks up, gaping and I sock him in the jaw, then lift him and throw him into the next nearest one, sending them both down in a heap.

			The third robber bellows, trying to bring up the oversized pistol he's holding and I close in and crab it, locking one hand around the cylinder so he can't fire and then head butting him hard enough to knock him out. He then becomes a human missile to take the legs out from number four, sending him crashing down into the floor tiles with a yelp. I stomp on his shotgun to break it and give him a gentle kick in the face to knock him out.

			The last bank robber back peddles and manages to fire a wild burst from the Uzi he's carrying, mostly into the ceiling rather than into me. My costume acquires several holes as the rounds impact my flesh. More repair work. I end it with a kick to the head.

			And then a police sniper shoots me through the window. In the head too. Ouch. Where did the local cops get the money for a .50 cal and why are they shooting it at me? I turn to glare at the source and find the sniper looking sheepish. Obviously a mistaken shot.

			Robber number two crawls out from under number one and I turn to hit him but he puts up his hands. "Please lady! I surrender!"

			"Great. The cops will be here soon." The door opens and several SWAT officers crash into the room. That's my cue to leave and I do, rocketing out of the same hole I used to enter and leaving the shouts and orders behind.

			So now I have a headache, my costume has some holes in it and SWAT is still incompetent. Why do I stay as a super heroine?

			Guess I'm just a adrenalin junky trying to do the right thing.

			Then again. What else are you going to do with the power to bounce bullets off your skin?

FBH: /* Day 15: Arcane Singularity */

2012-01-09T21:17:44Z

Day 15: Arcane Singularity

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:17, 9 January 2012
Line 311:		Line 311:
	Next came Bargarn, demon lord of the ninety third pit, keeper of secrets. His micro-shrine was his impressively ugly demon form, hands outstretched to grasp the offering, a tiny metal scroll tube in which was contained a coiled paper with a secret printed on it. Dresora took care that the pair were separated by the quartz etched rune of blocking in the middle of the pin so they didn't interfere with one another.		Next came Bargarn, demon lord of the ninety third pit, keeper of secrets. His micro-shrine was his impressively ugly demon form, hands outstretched to grasp the offering, a tiny metal scroll tube in which was contained a coiled paper with a secret printed on it. Dresora took care that the pair were separated by the quartz etched rune of blocking in the middle of the pin so they didn't interfere with one another.

	She fitted eight more shrines into her hair, small statues and abstract space, then put on her crystal glasses. The standby glyphs lit and Dresora fired a charge of mana into them, powering the shrines up mostly for the first time. The medical choker on her throat sent a brief chill through her as it connected, potion of intelligence mixing into her bloodstream. Dresora felt the world open up, thinking becoming cleaner and brighter and easier. Information rushed into her brain as the various spirits and knowledge bases she was connected too came online, the world flooding in through her glasses. Dresora sighed in relief then checked her reflection one last time in the mirror.		She fitted eight more shrines into her hair, small statues and abstract space, then put on her crystal glasses. The standby glyphs lit and Dresora fired a charge of mana into them, powering the shrines up mostly for the first time. The medical choker on her throat sent a brief chill through her as it connected, potion of intelligence mixing into her bloodstream. Dresora felt the world open up, thinking becoming cleaner and brighter and easier. Information rushed into her brain as the various spirits and knowledge bases she was connected too came online, the world flooding in through her glasses. The crystal lenses were clear of course. Everything happening was simply projected into her mind. Dresora sighed in relief then checked her reflection one last time in the mirror.

	Tall and neat, wearing a silk shirt and jacket, and smart cotton trousers. Done in a rebellious black and white rather than the riotous yellows and reds that were currently fashionable. A blue silk cravat for colour and dark boots. "Looking pretty good for a dead girl" The half elf muttered, flicking a speck of imaginary dust from her suit. She couldn't put it off any longer. Turning she stepped to the door, pushing it open and stepped into the corridor outside, pausing to let the two police officers outside get up. "Alright chaps. I'm ready."		Tall and neat, wearing a silk shirt and jacket, and smart cotton trousers. Done in a rebellious black and white rather than the riotous yellows and reds that were currently fashionable. A blue silk cravat for colour and dark boots. "Looking pretty good for a dead girl" The half elf muttered, flicking a speck of imaginary dust from her suit. She couldn't put it off any longer. Turning she stepped to the door, pushing it open and stepped into the corridor outside, pausing to let the two police officers outside get up. "Alright chaps. I'm ready."

FBH: /* Day 15: Arcane Singularity */

2012-01-09T21:15:31Z

Day 15: Arcane Singularity

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:15, 9 January 2012
Line 307:		Line 307:
	==Day 15: Arcane Singularity==		==Day 15: Arcane Singularity==

	Dresora took a deep breath and checked her hair in front of the mirror, making sure the long dark braids were just so, then begin to fit each pin into it. Once the last pin was in place she looked at it critically, moving her head back and forth to see if perhaps it would look better tied some other way. After a moment she realized she was simply dragging her feet and lifted the first of her micro-shrines to eye level. The shrine was a representation of its patron deity, Thenopia, ancient goddess of knowledge. She pulled one of the small offerings out of the microshrine's box, and examined it for a moment. The shaped plug of artificial amber glittered slightly, the light catching its engraved supplication. Dresora pushed it into the slot in the shrine's arms.		Dresora took a deep breath and checked her hair in front of the mirror, making sure the long dark braids were just so, then begin to fit each pin into it. Once the last pin was in place she looked at it critically, moving her head back and forth to see if perhaps it would look better tied some other way. After a moment she realized she was simply dragging her feet and lifted the first of her micro-shrines to eye level. The shrine was a representation of its patron deity, Thenopia, ancient goddess of knowledge. She pulled one of the small offerings out of the microshrine's box, and examined it for a moment. The shaped plug of artificial amber glittered slightly, the light catching its engraved supplication. Dresora pushed it into the slot in the shrine's arms. With that done she let go, the small idol drifting backwards to click into place on one of the pins between her braids.

	Next came Bargarn, demon lord of the ninety third pit, keeper of secrets. His micro-shrine was his impressively ugly demon form, hands outstretched to grasp the offering, a tiny metal scroll tube in which was contained a coiled paper with a secret printed on it. Dresora took care that the pair were separated by the quartz etched rune of blocking in the middle of the pin so they didn't interfere with one another.		Next came Bargarn, demon lord of the ninety third pit, keeper of secrets. His micro-shrine was his impressively ugly demon form, hands outstretched to grasp the offering, a tiny metal scroll tube in which was contained a coiled paper with a secret printed on it. Dresora took care that the pair were separated by the quartz etched rune of blocking in the middle of the pin so they didn't interfere with one another.

FBH: /* Day 15: Arcane Singularity */

2012-01-09T21:13:02Z

Day 15: Arcane Singularity

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:13, 9 January 2012
Line 307:		Line 307:
	==Day 15: Arcane Singularity==		==Day 15: Arcane Singularity==

	Dresora took a deep breath and checked her hair in front of the mirror, making sure the long dark braids were just so, then begin to fit each pin into it. Once the last pin was in place she looked at it critically, moving her head back and forth to see if perhaps it would look better tied some other way. After a moment she realized she was simply dragging her feet and lifted the first of her micro-shrines to eye level. The shrine was a representation of its patron deity, Thenopia, ancient goddess of knowledge. She pulled one of the small offerings, a shaped plug of artificial amber, ~~finely~~ engraved ~~with a chant of~~ supplication into ~~its~~ slot.		Dresora took a deep breath and checked her hair in front of the mirror, making sure the long dark braids were just so, then begin to fit each pin into it. Once the last pin was in place she looked at it critically, moving her head back and forth to see if perhaps it would look better tied some other way. After a moment she realized she was simply dragging her feet and lifted the first of her micro-shrines to eye level. The shrine was a representation of its patron deity, Thenopia, ancient goddess of knowledge. She pulled one of the small offerings out of the microshrine's box, and examined it for a moment. The shaped plug of artificial amber glittered slightly, the light catching its engraved supplication. Dresora pushed it into the slot in the shrine's arms.

	Next came Bargarn, demon lord of the ninety third pit, keeper of secrets. His micro-shrine was his impressively ugly demon form, hands outstretched to grasp the offering, a tiny metal scroll tube in which was contained a coiled paper with a secret printed on it. Dresora took care that the pair were separated by the quartz etched rune of blocking in the middle of the pin so they didn't interfere with one another.		Next came Bargarn, demon lord of the ninety third pit, keeper of secrets. His micro-shrine was his impressively ugly demon form, hands outstretched to grasp the offering, a tiny metal scroll tube in which was contained a coiled paper with a secret printed on it. Dresora took care that the pair were separated by the quartz etched rune of blocking in the middle of the pin so they didn't interfere with one another.

FBH: /* Day Fifteen: Arcane Singularity */

2012-01-09T20:36:13Z

Day Fifteen: Arcane Singularity

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:36, 9 January 2012
Line 305:		Line 305:

	"Good luck ma'am." He saluted as Kiwako stepped onto the lift into the kneeling machine's cockpit."And good hunting."		"Good luck ma'am." He saluted as Kiwako stepped onto the lift into the kneeling machine's cockpit."And good hunting."
	==Day ~~Fifteen~~: Arcane Singularity==		==Day 15: Arcane Singularity==

	Dresora took a deep breath and checked her hair in front of the mirror, making sure the long dark braids were just so, then begin to fit each pin into it. Once the last pin was in place she looked at it critically, moving her head back and forth to see if perhaps it would look better tied some other way. After a moment she realized she was simply dragging her feet and lifted the first of her micro-shrines to eye level. The shrine was a representation of its patron deity, Thenopia, ancient goddess of knowledge. She pulled one of the small offerings, a shaped plug of artificial amber, finely engraved with a chant of supplication into its slot.		Dresora took a deep breath and checked her hair in front of the mirror, making sure the long dark braids were just so, then begin to fit each pin into it. Once the last pin was in place she looked at it critically, moving her head back and forth to see if perhaps it would look better tied some other way. After a moment she realized she was simply dragging her feet and lifted the first of her micro-shrines to eye level. The shrine was a representation of its patron deity, Thenopia, ancient goddess of knowledge. She pulled one of the small offerings, a shaped plug of artificial amber, finely engraved with a chant of supplication into its slot.

FBH: /* Day 14: Mecha */

2012-01-09T20:35:52Z

Day 14: Mecha

@@ Line 300: / Line 300: @@
 Smith opened her mouth, then closed it for a moment before saluting. "I'll do as you suggest flight officer. Carry on."
-Both returned the salute and then headed for their machines. There was no words between the two. There didn't need to be. Her crew chief handed Kiwako a small pad "here's the unlock codes for the networks." He nodded.
+Both returned the salute and then headed for their machines. There was no words between the them. There didn't need to be. Her crew chief handed Kiwako a small pad. "Here's the unlock codes for the networks Sir. She's armed and fuelled, all components checked and anything that looks dicey replaced from stock."
-"Thanks chief." It was easy now. She just looked at the code and the ''Kirin'' opened to Kiwako's mind.
+"Thanks chief." It was easy now. She just looked at the code and the ''Kirin'' opened to Kiwako's mind. Quickly she walked around the machine, checking it's outside visually. Despite the chiefs words when she got into the frame, she'd be responsible for it. You made sure.
-"Good luck ma'am" He  as Kiwako stepped onto the lift into the kneeling machine's cockpit "and good hunting."
+"Good luck ma'am." He saluted as Kiwako stepped onto the lift into the kneeling machine's cockpit."And good hunting."

FBH: /* Day 13: Non-Speculative Fiction */

2012-01-08T21:10:37Z

Day 13: Non-Speculative Fiction

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:10, 8 January 2012
Line 280:		Line 280:

	What must it have been like before mobile phones?		What must it have been like before mobile phones?
			==Day 14: Mecha==

			Kiwako stepped out of the van, picking her helmet up and putting it under her arm as she stepped free. The air was night cool on her face, the sun starting to brighten the eastern sky. Beside her, she felt Katsuko approach, the gynoids electronics meshing with hers like a hand clasp. Kiwako smiled slightly. The gynoid returning the look shyly.

			Amid the spotlights at the end of the field two machines squatted. Kiwako felt the network buzzing around them, still encrypted and unreadable. The machines were giant human shapes cut from something almost but not quite silver. Even kneeling, Kiwako could judge it taller than the ''halberd'' class she'd trained on, their forms slightly thinner. The ''Kirin'' looked slightly unreal, like something pulled directly from the imagination, not made by human hands.

			Major Smith was there, her long coat billowing around her, watching launch preparations, her uniform's cap settled firmly against the spring chill as she stepped over. "Morning" she nodded briskly, inspecting their gear, "all geared up and your equipment checked?" There was no saluting with the base on alert.

			Both pilots nodded. "Yes. Ready to fly." Katsuko volunteered.

			The older woman looked sheepish for a moment. "This isn't at all how I wanted your first sortie to be, but we don't have a lot of choice. As soon as you're away, we're packing up and getting the hell out of here ourselves." She shook her head "I would have liked to have put you in the cockpit before well... this."

			Kiwako realized that the American was scared out of her wits and doing her best to hide it. "Major," She looked seriously at the other woman, "don't worry. We can handle this. We really can."

			Smith took a deep breath and then exhaled "I hope to hell you're right kiddo." She muttered. "Both Kirins are fully fuelled and armed. Once you're loaded and up, head directly south. Don't get any ideas about heroically leading them away. Everyone and everything important is already evacuated." She

			"Major." Katsuko said, "Please get out of this alive."

			Smith opened her mouth, then closed it for a moment before saluting. "I'll do as you suggest flight officer. Carry on."

			Both returned the salute and then headed for their machines. There was no words between the two. There didn't need to be. Her crew chief handed Kiwako a small pad "here's the unlock codes for the networks." He nodded.

			"Thanks chief." It was easy now. She just looked at the code and the ''Kirin'' opened to Kiwako's mind.

			"Good luck ma'am" He as Kiwako stepped onto the lift into the kneeling machine's cockpit "and good hunting."

FBH: /* Day 13: Non-Speculative Fiction */

2012-01-07T23:18:09Z

Day 13: Non-Speculative Fiction

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:18, 7 January 2012
Line 275:		Line 275:
	Or maybe you just care more.		Or maybe you just care more.

	Your course friends who are also doing the exam are either somewhere else at the main exam or they haven't finished yet. Or both. Nobody knows what you just went through. There is no catharsis on those steps. Nobody to talk through the bad questions and the good, too laugh with about this or that lecturers influence on the paper, too be hopeful or disappointed with. After they're done		Your course friends who are also doing the exam are either somewhere else at the main exam or they haven't finished yet. Or both. Nobody knows what you just went through. There is no catharsis on those steps. Nobody to talk through the bad questions and the good, too laugh with about this or that lecturers influence on the paper, too be hopeful or disappointed with. After they're done they'll go somewhere together. Because they all finish at the same time.

	So you leave, and if you're lucky, you go to the pub to wait for the rest to finish so you can finally obtain closure on this. If you're not you walk home. You call your parents maybe so at least you've got someone to talk to about it.		So you leave, and if you're lucky, you go to the pub to wait for the rest to finish so you can finally obtain closure on this. If you're not you walk home. You call your parents maybe so at least you've got someone to talk to about it.

	What must it have been like before mobile phones?		What must it have been like before mobile phones?

FBH: /* Day 13: Non-Speculative Fiction */

2012-01-07T23:14:23Z

Day 13: Non-Speculative Fiction

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:14, 7 January 2012
Line 279:		Line 279:
	So you leave, and if you're lucky, you go to the pub to wait for the rest to finish so you can finally obtain closure on this. If you're not you walk home. You call your parents maybe so at least you've got someone to talk to about it.		So you leave, and if you're lucky, you go to the pub to wait for the rest to finish so you can finally obtain closure on this. If you're not you walk home. You call your parents maybe so at least you've got someone to talk to about it.

	What must it have been like before mobile phones?		What must it have been like before mobile phones?

	~~This is the Anti-Climax. This is the feeling after every exam.~~

FBH at 23:05, 7 January 2012

2012-01-07T23:05:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:05, 7 January 2012
Line 256:		Line 256:

	This is my armour and this is me.		This is my armour and this is me.

			==Day 13: Non-Speculative Fiction==

			''Anti-climax''

			You say some combination of "Thank you" and "good bye" to the typing assistant and walk out of the exam room. You've waited for five minutes and probably followed him or her around as they screw around with tying your exam paper in whatever red tape has been ordered for today. Because this is an ''enterprise university'' (unless that guy can sue successfully).

			You finished early. Because you always finish early. Because despite the fact that you're dyslexic and you dictate too fast at times, the thought of trying to redo your answers is worse. You've taught yourself to look it over a bit and make sure that there's not too many obvious errors, that took years. After you've finished both your questions the amount of reward in a somewhat better grade a few months down the line is simply nowhere near worth the amount of pain it would cost to sit in that room a moment longer.

			So you don't use your extra time. You don't use all of your normal time either. You watch the printer spool out your exam paper (possibly after some of the usual comedy of errors of university printing) and then once the paper is enveloped and taken. You leave.

			What are you feeling what precisely? Drained perhaps. From days or weeks of irregular sleep. From several hours of awful intellectual rigour. More than that.

			You are alone.

			On those crowded steps, outside the cheap automatic doors. Above the inevitable smokers. You are more alone than at any other time.

			Or maybe you just care more.

			Your course friends who are also doing the exam are either somewhere else at the main exam or they haven't finished yet. Or both. Nobody knows what you just went through. There is no catharsis on those steps. Nobody to talk through the bad questions and the good, too laugh with about this or that lecturers influence on the paper, too be hopeful or disappointed with. After they're done

			So you leave, and if you're lucky, you go to the pub to wait for the rest to finish so you can finally obtain closure on this. If you're not you walk home. You call your parents maybe so at least you've got someone to talk to about it.

			What must it have been like before mobile phones?

			This is the Anti-Climax. This is the feeling after every exam.