Okay. Ready for nerd-geek-fest time.
I WANTED TO BE AN ASTROPHYSICIST WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.
As in, study about the sun, the moon, the solar system, the milky way, the nebulas, the Orion, the edge of the Universe. And all the fancy-schmancy physics and spacetime.
And possibly hop onto a rocket and live in space. And meet with aliens and stuff.
After a while, as I grew older, I forgot about that dream. I sunk into normal teenage life.
Then, I watched Star Trek 2009.
It immediately brought back all my childhood obsessions and dreams of flying in darkness and taking pics of Mars and aliens.
I so wanted to be part of a crew of a fancy ship like the USS Enterprise and work for intellectual gain and all that...plus not to mention get to press a lot of cool buttons.
Ah, Spock, Spock, Spock. Zachary Quinto as Mr. Spock definitely rekindled my belief in meeting aliens. SPOCK FANS, UNITE! But so far I only know that Amanda and Julia and me are part of the Spock fanbase that I know.
...And I'm considered a Star Trek n00b anyway 'cos I've never seen any other Star Trek episodes or movies besides the latest one.
I'm wondering if Chris Pine as Captain Kirk has any fanbase. Frankly, I don't know if anyone I know has this weird enthusiasm for space and universe like me...
Star Trek has definitely also rekindled my interest in science fiction. I just went to the bookshop to buy Dune by Frank Herbert. It's quite lengthy, but the back cover says its a masterpiece of science fiction of the 20th century, so I'm hoping for a really good read.
And I just found out one or two more Star Trek sequels are gonnaa be release. In 2011. Yay!
I'm such a geek. But a happy geek at least.
Now to find some rocket fuel for the spaceship.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Interesting Discussion. Please comment as much as you like!
So. I aim to be a person of science.
However I've noticed this lately, and if you've been randomly surfing the net, you may have seen it too.
It's called the Law of Attraction.
This law says that: If you think about a certain thing hard enough and long enough, you'll be able to attract it to you. eg. If I think about a sucky day and actually feel bad about the day, my day WILL be sucky.
However it also says that if we maintain a positive outlook on life and think of positive events, we will be able to experience these positive events in life.
And apparently it uses the concept of visualisation, that is, forming a picture of what you want in your mind, and also feeling satisfied, content and happy when you think of it. If you keep this up, what you want will be attracted to you.
I'm trying to practice this right now, but keeping up this positive outlook seems to be a bit...exhausting. Maybe its my fault for starving myself of sleep lately (I was playing games all night for a while) but this Law of Attraction thing certainly takes quite some practice.
And sometimes (annoyingly) my brain crushes the idea of getting what I want by giving pictures of what I don't want.
However there is one thing that all of us have to realise, I think:
We are able to and certainly CAN change our life the way to the way we want it to be. By thinking appropriately, remaining positive and putting in some effort, we CAN achieve the life we want.
I'm realising this, however like I said it takes some practice to get used to.
There are some critics who dismiss this Law of Attraction and call it crap. Not to mention they are really sarcastic and cynical too. Ugh. Downright bitter sort of people. I think this is a wrong sort of mindset to dismiss something that you may not fully understand.
I may not be totally convinced by the Law of Attraction, but I am most certainly going to keep an open mind and practice it.
What about you guys, readers? Post your comments on this entry please. I'd like to see many responses.
However I've noticed this lately, and if you've been randomly surfing the net, you may have seen it too.
It's called the Law of Attraction.
This law says that: If you think about a certain thing hard enough and long enough, you'll be able to attract it to you. eg. If I think about a sucky day and actually feel bad about the day, my day WILL be sucky.
However it also says that if we maintain a positive outlook on life and think of positive events, we will be able to experience these positive events in life.
And apparently it uses the concept of visualisation, that is, forming a picture of what you want in your mind, and also feeling satisfied, content and happy when you think of it. If you keep this up, what you want will be attracted to you.
I'm trying to practice this right now, but keeping up this positive outlook seems to be a bit...exhausting. Maybe its my fault for starving myself of sleep lately (I was playing games all night for a while) but this Law of Attraction thing certainly takes quite some practice.
And sometimes (annoyingly) my brain crushes the idea of getting what I want by giving pictures of what I don't want.
However there is one thing that all of us have to realise, I think:
We are able to and certainly CAN change our life the way to the way we want it to be. By thinking appropriately, remaining positive and putting in some effort, we CAN achieve the life we want.
I'm realising this, however like I said it takes some practice to get used to.
There are some critics who dismiss this Law of Attraction and call it crap. Not to mention they are really sarcastic and cynical too. Ugh. Downright bitter sort of people. I think this is a wrong sort of mindset to dismiss something that you may not fully understand.
I may not be totally convinced by the Law of Attraction, but I am most certainly going to keep an open mind and practice it.
What about you guys, readers? Post your comments on this entry please. I'd like to see many responses.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
what am i doing now? read on to find out. XD
O-levels are over, so I'm spending my mornings (and some part of my afternoons) wroking at my mum's office to replace her clerk who has gone on maternity leave. It's ok work , not hard, but goddamn boring. I swear I'd kill myself if this were my permanent job.
I'll be going to Japanese classes later on tonight, hopefully I'll be able to speak the language soon...instead of shouting out random phrases like "Kawaii!" "Sugoi!" and "Itada-kimas!"
Anyways, here's the grand finale of the PIRATE STORY:
Using his command, the Captain was released from the rat-ball. Even if the rest had weapons, the rats converged so tightly that they couldn’t’ move their hands. Somewhere in the midst of grey bodies, Iki heard one of the girls scream.
If only he could fight his way through...the ball had him squinting painfully out of one eye. Teeth dredged his clothes, and he could swear the rodents were laughing evilly in his ears. His body was his only weapon.
Armed with that revelation, Iki bit into one of the rats scurrying near his mouth. He nearly retched from the vile taste, but he set his teeth to work. Soon the rats had cleared around him, and he was able to use brute force to crush anything in his way. He yelled out, “Use your teeth! Bite and injure the rats!”
Miere and Arla couldn’t believe it...again, but they gritted their teeth and exercised their mouths. The rats tasted of sewer-mud and abandoned food, but it worked. It was all clear to them now: they would have to use their bodies and whatever they had on them to survive. So they severed rat necks with the sharp heels of their shoes, and squashed slimy bodies, propelled by the rage of repulsion. Tails were sliced off with a well-planted step. Brain matter of the rats spilled like last night’s jelly gone bad.
With the five of them exterminating, the danger was soon over. As Captain Seth watched his rodent empire crumble to bits, his lamp-eyes dimming, the girls exited the inn in elation, Iki, Mik and Darien sprinting in their wake.
The rats had left them looking like fresh corpses; their clothes nibbled full of holes, hair flying like broken open fans, and numerous mini dents on their limbs. Still they sprinted over battered wood, soft sand and azure waters, and finally reached the ship. Iki jerked the anchor up hurriedly, anxious to get away from the demented Captain.
Mire and Arla expressed their gratitude profusely. They scaled the prow of the shop and perched there, tasting some sweetness in the usually bland wind and riding over deep waters where their dreams and hopes lay reborn in chipped clam-shells.
They were going to open a restaurant. No—a chain, all over the world. They were going to leave their footprints wherever they stepped—no—stomped.
***
Captain Seth untied Henny, all the while noting the damage with a bloodshot roving eye. He felt nothing inside—his hear was still intact but someone had gutted him and burned him with his own gastric acid.
The inn was in shambles. The windowpanes had been broken, crying glass tears. The bomb-hole with planks splayed around it looked like a bad hernia. The ceiling was in danger of shattering altogether. The rat carcasses decorated the place like grotesque ornaments. The few that had lived had turned cannibalistic and were preying on their dead friends.
Henny’s voice broke the veil of destruction like a quick knife to the mind. “You really loved them, didn’t you? Like your own daughters?”
The Captain managed a crooked smile. “I didn’t want them in the kitchen. I knew they would try to get ideas and dash off somewhere to start a business,” he said.
“Whatever you resist persists.” It was true. He loved those girls to a fault. They provided him the chance to actually feel responsible for someone’s life. He didn’t want them to go. So he developed the random suspicious behaviour. This convinced them all the more that they had to go.
“I guess I lack that power—that power to keep someone close to me,” the Captain mused. Maybe he had lost it to that blood-smell, a long time ago, when he sold his soul to a dark sea with an expectant future.
“I’ve only got the inn and you, Henny.”
The sun spread like radiant egg yolk in the sky.
I'll be going to Japanese classes later on tonight, hopefully I'll be able to speak the language soon...instead of shouting out random phrases like "Kawaii!" "Sugoi!" and "Itada-kimas!"
Anyways, here's the grand finale of the PIRATE STORY:
Using his command, the Captain was released from the rat-ball. Even if the rest had weapons, the rats converged so tightly that they couldn’t’ move their hands. Somewhere in the midst of grey bodies, Iki heard one of the girls scream.
If only he could fight his way through...the ball had him squinting painfully out of one eye. Teeth dredged his clothes, and he could swear the rodents were laughing evilly in his ears. His body was his only weapon.
Armed with that revelation, Iki bit into one of the rats scurrying near his mouth. He nearly retched from the vile taste, but he set his teeth to work. Soon the rats had cleared around him, and he was able to use brute force to crush anything in his way. He yelled out, “Use your teeth! Bite and injure the rats!”
Miere and Arla couldn’t believe it...again, but they gritted their teeth and exercised their mouths. The rats tasted of sewer-mud and abandoned food, but it worked. It was all clear to them now: they would have to use their bodies and whatever they had on them to survive. So they severed rat necks with the sharp heels of their shoes, and squashed slimy bodies, propelled by the rage of repulsion. Tails were sliced off with a well-planted step. Brain matter of the rats spilled like last night’s jelly gone bad.
With the five of them exterminating, the danger was soon over. As Captain Seth watched his rodent empire crumble to bits, his lamp-eyes dimming, the girls exited the inn in elation, Iki, Mik and Darien sprinting in their wake.
The rats had left them looking like fresh corpses; their clothes nibbled full of holes, hair flying like broken open fans, and numerous mini dents on their limbs. Still they sprinted over battered wood, soft sand and azure waters, and finally reached the ship. Iki jerked the anchor up hurriedly, anxious to get away from the demented Captain.
Mire and Arla expressed their gratitude profusely. They scaled the prow of the shop and perched there, tasting some sweetness in the usually bland wind and riding over deep waters where their dreams and hopes lay reborn in chipped clam-shells.
They were going to open a restaurant. No—a chain, all over the world. They were going to leave their footprints wherever they stepped—no—stomped.
***
Captain Seth untied Henny, all the while noting the damage with a bloodshot roving eye. He felt nothing inside—his hear was still intact but someone had gutted him and burned him with his own gastric acid.
The inn was in shambles. The windowpanes had been broken, crying glass tears. The bomb-hole with planks splayed around it looked like a bad hernia. The ceiling was in danger of shattering altogether. The rat carcasses decorated the place like grotesque ornaments. The few that had lived had turned cannibalistic and were preying on their dead friends.
Henny’s voice broke the veil of destruction like a quick knife to the mind. “You really loved them, didn’t you? Like your own daughters?”
The Captain managed a crooked smile. “I didn’t want them in the kitchen. I knew they would try to get ideas and dash off somewhere to start a business,” he said.
“Whatever you resist persists.” It was true. He loved those girls to a fault. They provided him the chance to actually feel responsible for someone’s life. He didn’t want them to go. So he developed the random suspicious behaviour. This convinced them all the more that they had to go.
“I guess I lack that power—that power to keep someone close to me,” the Captain mused. Maybe he had lost it to that blood-smell, a long time ago, when he sold his soul to a dark sea with an expectant future.
“I’ve only got the inn and you, Henny.”
The sun spread like radiant egg yolk in the sky.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
American Idol
So. I've just watched the finale of American Idol with family.
Had a blast listening to old songs.
Kris Allen won! I think maybe Adam Lambert was better for the position of No.1.
But it's ok anyway...he's got a lot of fans already.
Kris is really likeable, not surprised actually if he won. Go Kris!
I think Adam will release a rock album, maybe.
I think I'm inspired to sing now. Kris sings well low; Adam screams, but nicely!
Had a blast listening to old songs.
Kris Allen won! I think maybe Adam Lambert was better for the position of No.1.
But it's ok anyway...he's got a lot of fans already.
Kris is really likeable, not surprised actually if he won. Go Kris!
I think Adam will release a rock album, maybe.
I think I'm inspired to sing now. Kris sings well low; Adam screams, but nicely!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Mah Pirate Storrraaaaayyy!
First of all let me say this: Jonathan Rhys Meyers is like the male version of Angelina Jolie.
Reason being: The lips, people, the really pouty lips!
And also: I saw this pic of Mr. Meyers in one of his earlier movies, donno what movie it was, but he was so pale and feminine, and I swear it looked like he had lipstick on. Like a vampire. Yeah, a better vampire than Mr.Robert Pattinson from the Twilight movie!
Take that, you Twilight fans! (Sorry sorry, don't start hitting me.)
I've got the next part of the PIRATE STORY up:
Suddenly she heard Arla’s cries of protest. Captain Seth had already tied her hands so hard with the rope that it had chafed them. She swung around and released the stone right into his eye. He howled in pain, hopping around agitatedly. Arla cut her rope bonds, but the Captain’s wild flailing with his dagger in hand had resulted in a number of gashes on her legs.
Suddenly a loud explosion resounded as a section of the wall blew apart, leaving a good-sized hole as an escape. Miere could detect Iki’s look of disbelief mixed with personal triumph. More importantly, she noticed the compact grenade bomb he had hurled at the wall. She breathed a silent prayer of thanks.
Captain Seth was alerted. He scrambled over to the broken wall and pulled open a trap door in the floor.
A colony of rats skittered out.
Arla’s mouth fell open in surprise. This escape was being delayed by the most uncanny of forces.
The rats started piling up near the hole, all struggling to rush out. Due to their large numbers, they soon stopper-ed the hole. Only Iki managed to squirm through. Mik and Darien were left standing outside, trying to figure out an effective way to get rid of the rats. They had already used up their one and only grenade.
Having come from a rather pampering family, the girls felt squeamish at the sight of the swarming furry bodies growing rapidly like a proliferating fungus. Nevertheless they decided to try plunging through. It was easier than trying to knock out a 90-kilo sack of fat.
However that was not easy. The rats stank of dank cellars, waste and rust. Not only that, they were positively giant, with pointed teeth that bit the girls’ shoulders and searched for every trace of flesh to sink into. No matter how hard they struggled, the sea of rats was dense, and seemed endless and impenetrable.
With some difficulty they extricated themselves, only to find Iki duelling with the Captain using a broomstick handle. His skills were quite good, and he was able to ward off most of the attacks.
Seeing the ringleader in trouble, the grunts thundered over and formed a tight circle around the girls unawares. Using brute force, they disarmed them. Miere and Arla were thus caught in a trap of sweaty, pulsating pink flesh.
“Not so fast, eh!” one of them said, and snickered.
Miere and Arla were defenceless, armed with only their wits. Panic started to erode their senses. How were they supposed to escape? Distantly, they could hear Iki’s spirited fronts as he pitted himself against Captain Seth.
The grunts closed in, attempting to constrict the girls with their bodies. The sweaty stench was suffocating. The girls’ only resources were their bodies, which were no match for the grunts’.
Wait! Suddenly Miere realised that she would have to use the strongest and sharpest part of her body. She swung her elbows backward with force, managing to partially knock the wind out of one of her captors.
Arla caught on quickly, and using her knees, struck at angles into the grunt’s hip repeatedly. He keeled over from the surprise and sudden pain. They kicked the third one up his legs. Instant shock.
While the girls carried on the fight inside, Darien and Mik noticed that the guard had left their post and burst in through the door. Mik instantly ran to make sure that the horizontally expanded ones were properly down. He aimed a few kicks and punches as a test. Darien, swift and silent, attempted to restrain the Captain.
All this extra pressure had Captain Seth going berserk. He yelled, no; tittered, letting out a strange series of squeaks that were unnaturally high for his voice. The rats’ ears started to perk up.
Then they ran across the floor and engulfed everyone. Even the out-of-action grunts. They were all trapped in the hot sticky fur, barely able to move. This did not improve Captain Seth’s image. He had gone from psycho to psycho rat-master. Nevertheless it worked. He had captured Miere and Arla at last.
TO BE CONTINUED...DUM DUM DUM!
Reason being: The lips, people, the really pouty lips!
And also: I saw this pic of Mr. Meyers in one of his earlier movies, donno what movie it was, but he was so pale and feminine, and I swear it looked like he had lipstick on. Like a vampire. Yeah, a better vampire than Mr.Robert Pattinson from the Twilight movie!
Take that, you Twilight fans! (Sorry sorry, don't start hitting me.)
I've got the next part of the PIRATE STORY up:
Suddenly she heard Arla’s cries of protest. Captain Seth had already tied her hands so hard with the rope that it had chafed them. She swung around and released the stone right into his eye. He howled in pain, hopping around agitatedly. Arla cut her rope bonds, but the Captain’s wild flailing with his dagger in hand had resulted in a number of gashes on her legs.
Suddenly a loud explosion resounded as a section of the wall blew apart, leaving a good-sized hole as an escape. Miere could detect Iki’s look of disbelief mixed with personal triumph. More importantly, she noticed the compact grenade bomb he had hurled at the wall. She breathed a silent prayer of thanks.
Captain Seth was alerted. He scrambled over to the broken wall and pulled open a trap door in the floor.
A colony of rats skittered out.
Arla’s mouth fell open in surprise. This escape was being delayed by the most uncanny of forces.
The rats started piling up near the hole, all struggling to rush out. Due to their large numbers, they soon stopper-ed the hole. Only Iki managed to squirm through. Mik and Darien were left standing outside, trying to figure out an effective way to get rid of the rats. They had already used up their one and only grenade.
Having come from a rather pampering family, the girls felt squeamish at the sight of the swarming furry bodies growing rapidly like a proliferating fungus. Nevertheless they decided to try plunging through. It was easier than trying to knock out a 90-kilo sack of fat.
However that was not easy. The rats stank of dank cellars, waste and rust. Not only that, they were positively giant, with pointed teeth that bit the girls’ shoulders and searched for every trace of flesh to sink into. No matter how hard they struggled, the sea of rats was dense, and seemed endless and impenetrable.
With some difficulty they extricated themselves, only to find Iki duelling with the Captain using a broomstick handle. His skills were quite good, and he was able to ward off most of the attacks.
Seeing the ringleader in trouble, the grunts thundered over and formed a tight circle around the girls unawares. Using brute force, they disarmed them. Miere and Arla were thus caught in a trap of sweaty, pulsating pink flesh.
“Not so fast, eh!” one of them said, and snickered.
Miere and Arla were defenceless, armed with only their wits. Panic started to erode their senses. How were they supposed to escape? Distantly, they could hear Iki’s spirited fronts as he pitted himself against Captain Seth.
The grunts closed in, attempting to constrict the girls with their bodies. The sweaty stench was suffocating. The girls’ only resources were their bodies, which were no match for the grunts’.
Wait! Suddenly Miere realised that she would have to use the strongest and sharpest part of her body. She swung her elbows backward with force, managing to partially knock the wind out of one of her captors.
Arla caught on quickly, and using her knees, struck at angles into the grunt’s hip repeatedly. He keeled over from the surprise and sudden pain. They kicked the third one up his legs. Instant shock.
While the girls carried on the fight inside, Darien and Mik noticed that the guard had left their post and burst in through the door. Mik instantly ran to make sure that the horizontally expanded ones were properly down. He aimed a few kicks and punches as a test. Darien, swift and silent, attempted to restrain the Captain.
All this extra pressure had Captain Seth going berserk. He yelled, no; tittered, letting out a strange series of squeaks that were unnaturally high for his voice. The rats’ ears started to perk up.
Then they ran across the floor and engulfed everyone. Even the out-of-action grunts. They were all trapped in the hot sticky fur, barely able to move. This did not improve Captain Seth’s image. He had gone from psycho to psycho rat-master. Nevertheless it worked. He had captured Miere and Arla at last.
TO BE CONTINUED...DUM DUM DUM!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
I Should Have Been Born in the 16th Century
In between yearbook, practicing maths and burying my nose in the other subject books, I've been entertaining my newest unhealthy obsessions: Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Scarlett Johansson (Did I spell it right?)
The thing I like about Scarlett Johansson is her...eyebrows!
Seriously, I like them. They look really...scuplted! Plus I thought she was really hot as Mary Boleyn in "The Other Boleyn Girl" movie. And I just found out she has a twin brother. I'm quite outdated actually...
Plus I did watch "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", another movie of hers. It was...refreshing. Good movie.
Oh, oh, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers! I like his look; its really interesting. Just watched episode 1 of "The Tudors", the new series about King Henry the VIII and his six wives. Besides the six wives there were a lotta mistresses on the side as well. Jonathan Meyers was acting as King Henry, and I found it weird cos my impression of King Henry is this fat guy who shouts randomly. And Jonathan Meyers sure ain't fat.
And, six wives just isn't enough for one guy is it?
Oh well, I like sixteenth-century movies...wouldn't be surprised if I was some English person in the 16th century in my past life.
PS: I just discovered this movie, "Match Point" starring both Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Scarlett Johannson. It's a bit old (released in 2005), but given my new unhealthy obsessions, I have to watch it now.
Now that I've taken up some cyberspace ranting about this, I can go back to yearbook, practicing maths and burying my nose in the other subject books.
The thing I like about Scarlett Johansson is her...eyebrows!
Seriously, I like them. They look really...scuplted! Plus I thought she was really hot as Mary Boleyn in "The Other Boleyn Girl" movie. And I just found out she has a twin brother. I'm quite outdated actually...
Plus I did watch "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", another movie of hers. It was...refreshing. Good movie.
Oh, oh, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers! I like his look; its really interesting. Just watched episode 1 of "The Tudors", the new series about King Henry the VIII and his six wives. Besides the six wives there were a lotta mistresses on the side as well. Jonathan Meyers was acting as King Henry, and I found it weird cos my impression of King Henry is this fat guy who shouts randomly. And Jonathan Meyers sure ain't fat.
And, six wives just isn't enough for one guy is it?
Oh well, I like sixteenth-century movies...wouldn't be surprised if I was some English person in the 16th century in my past life.
PS: I just discovered this movie, "Match Point" starring both Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Scarlett Johannson. It's a bit old (released in 2005), but given my new unhealthy obsessions, I have to watch it now.
Now that I've taken up some cyberspace ranting about this, I can go back to yearbook, practicing maths and burying my nose in the other subject books.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A pirate story continued and love for sulky japanese boys.
After being reminded of Kafka on the Shore, the book by Haruki Murakami, I find myself looking back at it with much interest. I would like to buy the book and read it over again. (The first time I read it I borrowed it) It's the type of book people can't understand in one go; they have to read and reread. Yes. I shall go out and buy the book.
I particularly liked Kafka's sulkiness, rebellious-ness and helplessness all bundled in one. He is one sulky Japanese dude. Oshima in that story was also wonderful. ^_^
Anyways, on to the pirate story:
They couldn’t stay here anymore.
Miere and Arla had decided that. They had also decided that they were going to join Iki and gang and explore the vast expanses of land and sea.
It was late one night, when the darkness dipped to its dimmest point that they decided to quietly leave the inn.
They came into the inn with nothing, and would take nothing with them.
“Going somewhere?” a voice issued from the darkness, sending the girls jumping like a pair of flopping fish dying of dehydration.
The only thought that crossed their minds was, “How did he know?”
The reply came, as if Seth possessed telekinetic powers. “I don’t have my office above the servants’ quarters for nothing, you know.”
There was a moment of stunned silence, as if time had collapsed.
“RUN!” Miere screamed. Arla flew behind her.
In response, Captain Seth yelled, “Out, men!” At that moment three corpulent roughnecks stepped out, previously hidden by the darkness. Before the sisters could make their getaway, they sealed the tree exits: the front door, back door and the windows. The one blocking the windows was so huge that he covered the entire area with his bulk.
Miere hurled herself at the one blocking the door, but his expanded belly was like a giant rubber ball. She bounced back, skidding along the floor. The enormous man let out a grating laugh.
Captain Seth’s grey-green eyes slid along their faces which were now frozen in shock.
Now the question seemed to be: “Where’d you find these guys?”
“I’ve got surprises,” Captain Seth said, grinning. How did he know their questions?
Now the Captain held a length of tough rope between his hands, the prosthetic steel digits standing out in the light of the yellow bulb that had just been switched on. “Light-footed girls like you...” he began.
“...should be tied up!” He pursued them with uncharacteristic speed, his metal leg hitting the floor repeatedly, and sounding like the beating of a war-drum. Startled, Miere and Arla dashed into the only opening available—the kitchen doors. It proved to be not a very smart thing to do—the kitchen was a cul-de-sac, with an entrance but no exit.
The Captain burst in, usual cool demeanour overtaken by a blast of fury. The muscles in this face were pulled into wrinkles, and the candles in his eyes flashed brighter than before. The rope between his hands was stretched taut.
Miere and Arla backed away slowly, inching nearer to the wall. They could smell the lingering odours of the day’s remnants, especially the way smell of burnt lard. It was funny how insignificant details stuck to your mind when you didn’t need them.
Arla’s elbow hit something. Instinctively she groped for the light switch. Another dim bulb flickered on. She saw what she’d knocked over—a set of knives, blades shiny-sharp from rubbing against the grinding stone. She snatched up one with a serrated edge, and brandished it in front of the Captain’s face. Miere followed suit.
Captain Seth allowed a small chuckle to break his livid mask. “Kitchen knives!” he exclaimed. “I’ve got better!” after saying this, he produced a slim, small dagger that dangled from his hand like a lethal extension. The story of his pirate days came flooding back to Arla. Of course he had been good with knives.
Miere swung her knife, meaning to graze the Captain’s shoulder, but of course she was no match. A swift parry quelled her attempt. She didn’t want to hurt the Captain; just hit him so that it would create a diversion. Obviously this was going to be harder than she thought.
Henny came running out at present. Her face turned white. She thrust herself at the Captain.
“No, Captain!” she cried.
“Stay out of this!” Captain Seth blared. Henny retreated, and was almost immediately seized and tied up by the fat grunt by the window.
Miere tried again, twirling the knife and sending it whistling through the air. Captain Seth expertly blocked every one of her slashes. The most she achieved was a scratch on his right hand. She was beginning to become frustrated, and sweat beaded on his brow.
Then Arla swing a heavy pan at his midriff. The Captain doubled over, breath drawn out sharply by the impact. Still gripping the knives, Miere and Arla dashed out to confront the grunts still by the exits.
However these grunts were also armed—with giant slingshots. Stones ranging from small pebbles to larger ones roughly the size of fists were used. The girls knew better than to laugh—cruising at high velocity, those stones could hack someone’s head off.
The grunts launched a volley of flying stones, and the inn looked like a sky peppered with heavy stars. Not nimble enough to dodge every single one, Miere and Arla sustained various bruises and cuts. Soon the hailing became unbearable, and Arla flung the knife at one of the slingshots, it hit home, fortunately, and fell out of the grunt’s hand. Miere darted to pick it up.
One down, two to go. Arla readied her knife, while Miere picked up stray stones and loaded them back into the newly acquired slingshot. She knew that she had to use clever strategy, so she decided to aim for the eyes, even though her targeting was not very accurate.
I particularly liked Kafka's sulkiness, rebellious-ness and helplessness all bundled in one. He is one sulky Japanese dude. Oshima in that story was also wonderful. ^_^
Anyways, on to the pirate story:
They couldn’t stay here anymore.
Miere and Arla had decided that. They had also decided that they were going to join Iki and gang and explore the vast expanses of land and sea.
It was late one night, when the darkness dipped to its dimmest point that they decided to quietly leave the inn.
They came into the inn with nothing, and would take nothing with them.
“Going somewhere?” a voice issued from the darkness, sending the girls jumping like a pair of flopping fish dying of dehydration.
The only thought that crossed their minds was, “How did he know?”
The reply came, as if Seth possessed telekinetic powers. “I don’t have my office above the servants’ quarters for nothing, you know.”
There was a moment of stunned silence, as if time had collapsed.
“RUN!” Miere screamed. Arla flew behind her.
In response, Captain Seth yelled, “Out, men!” At that moment three corpulent roughnecks stepped out, previously hidden by the darkness. Before the sisters could make their getaway, they sealed the tree exits: the front door, back door and the windows. The one blocking the windows was so huge that he covered the entire area with his bulk.
Miere hurled herself at the one blocking the door, but his expanded belly was like a giant rubber ball. She bounced back, skidding along the floor. The enormous man let out a grating laugh.
Captain Seth’s grey-green eyes slid along their faces which were now frozen in shock.
Now the question seemed to be: “Where’d you find these guys?”
“I’ve got surprises,” Captain Seth said, grinning. How did he know their questions?
Now the Captain held a length of tough rope between his hands, the prosthetic steel digits standing out in the light of the yellow bulb that had just been switched on. “Light-footed girls like you...” he began.
“...should be tied up!” He pursued them with uncharacteristic speed, his metal leg hitting the floor repeatedly, and sounding like the beating of a war-drum. Startled, Miere and Arla dashed into the only opening available—the kitchen doors. It proved to be not a very smart thing to do—the kitchen was a cul-de-sac, with an entrance but no exit.
The Captain burst in, usual cool demeanour overtaken by a blast of fury. The muscles in this face were pulled into wrinkles, and the candles in his eyes flashed brighter than before. The rope between his hands was stretched taut.
Miere and Arla backed away slowly, inching nearer to the wall. They could smell the lingering odours of the day’s remnants, especially the way smell of burnt lard. It was funny how insignificant details stuck to your mind when you didn’t need them.
Arla’s elbow hit something. Instinctively she groped for the light switch. Another dim bulb flickered on. She saw what she’d knocked over—a set of knives, blades shiny-sharp from rubbing against the grinding stone. She snatched up one with a serrated edge, and brandished it in front of the Captain’s face. Miere followed suit.
Captain Seth allowed a small chuckle to break his livid mask. “Kitchen knives!” he exclaimed. “I’ve got better!” after saying this, he produced a slim, small dagger that dangled from his hand like a lethal extension. The story of his pirate days came flooding back to Arla. Of course he had been good with knives.
Miere swung her knife, meaning to graze the Captain’s shoulder, but of course she was no match. A swift parry quelled her attempt. She didn’t want to hurt the Captain; just hit him so that it would create a diversion. Obviously this was going to be harder than she thought.
Henny came running out at present. Her face turned white. She thrust herself at the Captain.
“No, Captain!” she cried.
“Stay out of this!” Captain Seth blared. Henny retreated, and was almost immediately seized and tied up by the fat grunt by the window.
Miere tried again, twirling the knife and sending it whistling through the air. Captain Seth expertly blocked every one of her slashes. The most she achieved was a scratch on his right hand. She was beginning to become frustrated, and sweat beaded on his brow.
Then Arla swing a heavy pan at his midriff. The Captain doubled over, breath drawn out sharply by the impact. Still gripping the knives, Miere and Arla dashed out to confront the grunts still by the exits.
However these grunts were also armed—with giant slingshots. Stones ranging from small pebbles to larger ones roughly the size of fists were used. The girls knew better than to laugh—cruising at high velocity, those stones could hack someone’s head off.
The grunts launched a volley of flying stones, and the inn looked like a sky peppered with heavy stars. Not nimble enough to dodge every single one, Miere and Arla sustained various bruises and cuts. Soon the hailing became unbearable, and Arla flung the knife at one of the slingshots, it hit home, fortunately, and fell out of the grunt’s hand. Miere darted to pick it up.
One down, two to go. Arla readied her knife, while Miere picked up stray stones and loaded them back into the newly acquired slingshot. She knew that she had to use clever strategy, so she decided to aim for the eyes, even though her targeting was not very accurate.
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