B.O.S.S. Two Hunters — Part 12

Part 12 of Two Hunters.  13 and 14 will be the last two short stories of the month.   Look forward to 14.   It’ll be a special one!

-Enjoy

 

Two Hunters, Part 12

Outside of her facade of ‘Lady Tusche’, Jamgled Gotleg radiated ferocity.   She idly twirled a pair of longswords, her babies as she referred to them.  Jamgled wore a simple low-cut tunic dyed pale blue.  She donned gauntlets and heavy boots made of bronze, leaving her torso and upper legs conspicuously vulnerable.  The top of her chest was covered with deep scars to match the ones on her face, but her neck had been unharmed.   She had never fallen victim to a vampire’s kiss.

Nell took her turn to look over Okiir’s response, working against the distraction of Jamgled’s restlessness.

Their orders had been straightforward, track down and crush the vampire remnants in the city.   Sonnie had been a step ahead of Okiir, and had already set things in motion.

Nell glanced over at Culvir who nodded in response.   The orders burst into white-hot flame leaving less than ash behind.

“So, what’s the plan?   Head on assault?” Jamgled twirled her blades a final time, jabbing them into the black leather sheathes at her side.

“No.   We don’t have the manpower.” Culvir rubbed his chest.

“Bullshit.” Jam leaned forward, hands on her hips.  “You and me alone can–”

“I’m not going.” He flinched.   ”I want to, but I can’t.   It’ll be you, Nell… but I have a feeling we can get someone else.”

“The Kid?” Jamgled glanced back at Nikidas.

“Damn straight I’m going.” Nikidas stood, clapping a fist to his heart.

“No.  You’re not.   You’re staying back with me.” Culvir jabbed a finger at him.

He means Sonnie.  Nell shook her head.  “I don’t know if I can convince him.”

“Hey!   Don’t brush me off.” Nikidas frowned.  “I’m tough.   I can help out a little bit.”

“Oh yeah?   You land one hit on me, and you can go.” Jamgled donned a catty smile.

“Err.  I would but I don’t hit ladies…”

“You’re in luck then.  I ain’t no lady.” Jam sneered.

“It’s not your choice to make Jamgled.” Culvir jabbed a protesting finger.

“I agree.   Nikidas, it’s too dangerous.” Nell opened her palm, calling forth Wisp.   The flame danced between Jamgled and Nikidas and flared to the size of a melon.  Both of them stepped back.

“We simply need to get our foot in the door.” Nell straightened.  “It works that Jamgled is the one they sent.   We can go in as captives.”

“Wait… what?” Jamgled narrowed her eyes.

“Sonnie is planning to turn me over to the vampires.”

“We tried that once.   I don’t think they’ll fall for it again.” Culvir shook  his head.   “What we’ll do is–”

“No.   This will work.” Nell clenched her teeth.  “If Jamgled doesn’t like the arrangement, she can curl up and hide in here for all I care.  I don’t need her help.”

Jamgled let out a low whistle, Nikidas gaped and Cuvir narrowed his eyes.  The only sound in the room, the crackle of wisp’s flame.

“What makes you think I you’ll have any better luck in there than before.”

“Because I won’t have you holding me back.” Nell folded her arms.  “Sonnie has found a way to see to our success.   If all goes well, we can apply this to other nests of undead and bring this threat to heel once and for all.”

“…and if it goes poorly?”

“I die,” Nell said.

“You got stones.” Jamgled grinned.  ” I like that.”

“Are you drunk?” Culvir growled.  “There is no way I’m going to let you march into a vampire lair alone.   I don’t care how great you think your magic is.  You’ll die, or end up being their cattle.”

“Actually.   I’m quite sober.” A smile crept onto Nell’s face.  “Thanks to Sonnie, I haven’t felt more sure about anything in my life.  In fact, he may have found the key to stopping all of this once and for all.”

Culvir straightened, the threat fell off of his face.

“If Jamgled comes with me, we’ll just say Sonnie subverted her as well.   I’m sure they would love to kill her personally.” Nell turned her gaze to her.  “You have quite the reputation.”

“I’m down with it.   I just need to play the helpless damsel for a bit right? ” Jamgled considered.  “Might be fun.”

“Are you kidding me?   She looks as helpless as a Dreadbull in a blood field.” Nikidas scowled.

“She’s a good actress when she tries.” Culvir sighed.  “But I still don’t like it.   I’m not going to sit here and…”

“You can.   And you will.” Nell approached him, placing a hand on his head.

Culvir’s eyes grew wide.

“You have a choice.  Cooperate.   Or I see to it you remain blacked out for the next three days.” Nell leaned close, lowering her voice to a whisper.  “And if you even think about sneaking out again, I’ll be breaking much more than your heart.”

Culvir’s eyes fixed on her, focusing on her glare.

“Are we on the same page?”

“Yes.” Culvir turned his eyes downward.

Jamgled flicked her wrist, pantomiming a phantom whip.

“Nell…” Nikidas placed a hand on her shoulder.  “You didn’t mean that did you?”

“Yes, unfortunately.   It’s the only way he’ll listen.” Nell turned to him and smiled.

“But he’s just worried about you.” He blushed, lowering his eyes.

“He shouldn’t be.”  Nell raised a hand to Nikidas’ cheek.   “I’m going to live through this.   I’m too valuable to them alive.”

“And if they hurt you?” Nikidas raise his hand to hers.

“They couldn’t hurt me any worse than I already have been.   And when I get out of this, you’ll be there to make it better right?” Nell softened her smile.  “The world needs more men like you.”

She gave him a gentle pat on his palm and walked out of the room, Jamgled close behind.   Wisp fluttered to the lantern next to the bed and cast a shadow across Culvir’s face.   He sat motionless as the door to the room closed.

 

***

“You’re back.   And you brought a friend?” Sonnie wore his typical smile and took looked over both Nell and Jamgled.

“Not here for pleasure.   We doing this or what?” Jamgled stepped into the room, taking in her surroundings.

“Jamgled Gotleg.” Nell gestured to her.  “She’s going to participate in our little operation.”

“That should work nicely.” Sonnie offered a hand, beckoning to Jamgled.   She peered at him quizzically.

“That won’t be necessary.” Nell shook her head.  “She’s already in tune with her confidence.   We can get right to it.”

“That certainly makes things easier.” Sonnie waved over Jamgled a second time.  “I’m sorry for this deception, but it is for the good of humanity.  I hope you understand.”

“Yeah yeah…” She loosened her sword belt and tossed her weapons aside.  She raised her arms resting them on the back of her head.

Sonnie reared back, focused, then loosed a right cross against Jamgled’s cheek.

She spat, then turned back to face him with a smirk.

“You’re gonna have to do better than that princess.” Jamgled said, widening her grin.   That wasn’t even foreplay.”

Sonnie raised a hand and touched thumb, forefinger and little finger against her.   Jamgled’s smile faltered and she fell limp.  He stooped, picking her up with little effort.

“What about Culvir?   He’s staying out of it right?” Sonnie fixed a glare on Nell.

“He’ll cooperate.  I saw to it,” Nell said.

Musing: Introductions Through Perspective

I never really understood how difficult it is to introduce a character until I began a large scale writing project.  I compared a few different approaches from different authors but one thing remains uniform.  The impression of the new character runs parallel to the perspective character’s opinion of new character.

This seems really basic.   But saying it out loud helped me immensely.  One of the things that made me settle on a multiple third person format, is the means in which you can naturally introduce characters from several different angles.

One would assume that it would be harder to describe the active perspective character in a first person story, but it comes across as fairly natural for a person to talk about themselves when telling a story to another person.   It’s a form of interview, the character is telling you what they think.   How strange is it that they would tell you their height?   “How tall are you?”  “What’s your favorite food?” First person doesn’t require a mirror because the character is regarding you directly by letting you step into their shoes.

However, in a third person (limited) story, this gets complicated.   You have access to their thoughts and motivations, but very rarely does one mewl about how they look or what they’re wearing.  Stepping into the shoes of a character in third person grants insight as to who they are as a person.

In my youth, one of my closest friends at the time told me about the alignment system of Dungeons and Dragons, and I’ve used it ever since.   For those not familiar, it is broken into two parts.   Put simply, it is how your character sees the world, and how the world sees them.   Lawful, Neutral, and Chaotic make up the creed in which your character applies their ethics to the world.   The Good, Neutral, and Evil portion defines their morals.   In that light, it’s fairly easy for someone to know someone’s ethics (but not always).  However, it is difficult to tell where their motivations lie.

Pretty much.

Let’s take my favorite alignment as an example:   Lawful Evil.  The Lawful evil character holds order in high regard.   So high in fact, that he or she uses it as a baseline to make others fall in line with their tune.   They know the loopholes and the fine details of order so well, that they can shape it to their whim.   Introducing a Lawful Evil Character is fun because they can easily be mistaken as Good or Neutral in interesting ways.

Another interesting thing about introducing characters is your option to intentionally withhold information or mislead.   If you’re in the head of the deceiver, the reader is told volumes about them.   If they’re watching them through the eyes of another you can play with clues to the deception.   The choices are limitless.

The clues could be obvious to the reader, but the perspective character could remain blissfully unaware.

On more straightforward topics, how a character looks, there are several ways for the narrator to feed you information naturally.  Because you want the impression of the new character runs parallel to the perspective character’s opinion of new character… you don’t want to feed your reader too much information.   The information they get is what the perspective character cares about.   If the details focus on physical descriptions, the reader will associate that with the character.  They may stamp the character as shallow (which in some ways is a good thing).

 

B.O.S.S. — Two Hunters, Part 11 — Impostor

Part 11 of two hunters.  Enjoy!

 

The familiar and gaudy interior of the Gilded Peanut brought peace to Nell.  Though fresh memories of Culvir’s blatant disregard for her words of caution soured the reunion.  Sonnie’s response would have been terrifying but that mattered little.   He hadn’t noticed. Culvir’s disguise had been flawless.

The Lady Tusche that had taken his place stood before the door to Culvir’s room.  The resemblance between Culvir fully dressed and the woman had been uncanny, but that made sense.  He wasn’t particularly tall or muscular, so it wouldn’t be that hard to find a woman that could match his height and build.

“Here?   My, his tastes must have changed since I last saw him.” Lady Tusche pushed the door open, rounding the corner to Culvir’s room.

Culvir sat in bed, hands folded at his lap, and a small pile of peanut shells on his dresser.   His eyes shifted from Nell to Lady Tusche and wore a serious expression.

“Thanks for making it here so quickly.”  Culvir slipped off the bed.

“My pleasure, things were pretty slow for me anyway. ” Tusche took in her surroundings: the exotic looking plants, the throw rugs made from long haired beasts, and  the heart shaped bed.  “Didn’t realize you had such plans for me though.”

“I can see how you’d misunderstand… but no.   It’s just where the vampires had settled under.”  Culvir grimaced.

“Damned biters never had a sense of taste.” Her voice dropped its regal edge.

“If you don’t mind.” Nell crossed her arms.   “I’d like you to come clean with who you are.”

“Oh.   Right.” Tusche unbuckled her rapier and tossed it aside.  “Where’s my babies?”

“In the closet.” Culvir tapped his side.

“Jamgled Gotleg,” she said, resting a fist on one hip, “Pleasures all yours.”

“Gotleg.” Nell perked at the name, “I’ve heard of you, you’re in the Association.”

“Yep.”

“If you’re our back up, why would you come in disguise?”

“You don’t know about Lady Tusche huh?  No suprise there.   You can’t exactly fill out the dress.” Jam laughed.

Nell narrowed her eyes at that.

“She’s a real person.   I think.”  Jam paced around the room, fidgeting with the decor.  “But we use her to sneak in operatives and maintain the element of surprise.  Culvir told me you bagged yourself a lord.    That means more trouble is coming hot on the heels.”

“Jamgled is particularly talented at solving vampire problems directly,” Culvir said, fixing a glare on her. “But subtlety isn’t her strong point.   It’s a shame considering she can be convincing when she applies herself.”

“Buttering me up?  You know you can save yourself the trouble–”

“Long story short.  She’s the woman for the job.” Culvir cleared his throat.

“That aside.   You disobeyed me.” Nell jabbed a finger at Culvir.  “If you think Sonnie wouldn’t kill you for pushing him.   You’re wrong.”

“I know very well.   But I didn’t go anywhere.   In order to get Jamgled here, Lady Tusche had to make an appearance.   She’s notorious for travelling incospiciously and making a pest of herself.”

“Snooping.” Nell walked over to the discarded rapier , examining it.   The red jewel at the hilt had been the same.   Shaped by magic and capable of containing it.  Wisp would be drawn to such thing, it could even refuel him when she was unavailable.

“So you’re Nell huh?”  Jam said, wearing a coy smile.   “Culvir wrote your name seven times in his report.   You must have left a good impression on Captain Sourpuss.”

“Nell is currently ahead of me in terms of hunts.   She’s a talented mage.” Culvir rubbed his chest.

“I know that.   Okiir told me.”

“It was also on page thirty one of the report I sent you.” Culvir narrowed his eyes.

“Like I’m gonna read all that.   I got the abridged version from our fearless leader.”

“Thirty one?” Nell frowned.

“Out of seventy,”  Jam said with a flick of her hand.

“Sorry I took so long.   Batreese had a bunch of questions for me.”  Nikidas came into the room, carrying a tray of food.

“You have enough for me right?” Jam poited a thumb at herself.

“Yeah.   Of course.   I apprenticed at a restaurant so I’m good with portions.” Nikidas wore a proud smile.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Culvir clenched his teeth.

“No way.   I gave em to the venerable Lady Tusche.”

Culvir’s eyes turned to Jam.

“What? I’m not a pack mule.   I threw that crap away.  It’s bad for you.” Jam leaned close to him.  “Wanna punish me for it?”

“I’ll pass.” Culvir pushed her away, careful to place his hand on her shoulder.

“You two seem to have a history,” Nell said.

“Yes well,” He said, speaking in a cautious tone,  “We’ve worked together–”

“Played together too.   Don’t let Culvir fool you.   His talent goes beyond carving up the undead.”

“Wait?   We’re talking about the same guy here right?” Nikidas butted in.

“I’ll leave out the juicy details to protect the innocence of children present.”

“For gods’ sake.   I’m not a kid.” Nikidas hissed.  “I’m twenty.  Grown as any of you.”

“Don’t mind her.   She has a pirate’s mouth to match her pirate map of a face.” Culvir straightened, trying to gauge Nell’s reaction to Jam’s outburst.

Not that it matters, the past is the past.  And due to circumstances he’s welcome to chase after whatever girl he likes.

“Culvir!   What’s wrong with you?  You don’t talk to a lady like that.”

“You’re right.   But Jamgled is no lady.” Culvir donned a smirk.  ” If she had a shred of common sense and decency to match her skill, she wouldn’t have a face that looks like tree bark.”

“But…” Nikidas looked back at Jam confused.

“One look at her ugly mug and you’ll probably run for the hills.” Culvir shook his head.

“Oh right.  Forgot I had this thing on.” Jam reached up, peeling away her false face and wig.  Scars decorated her face, come simple nicks, while others healed into a scale like texture.  Her nose laid flat against her face from being broken, possibly several times over.   Her square shaped face and narrow eyes made it clear she hadn’t been a glamorous woman in the first place.

Her natural hair was cut at shoulder length, impossible to discern if it had been a terrible barber or a sword.

Nell and Nikidas flinched in unison.

“See?” Culvir took his plate of food, picking at it.

“It’s not… that bad.   So she suffered an injury or twenty.  She’s still a lov…” Nikidas swallowed his words, “…fine looking woman.”

“Ha.   You’re cute kid.” Jam picked up her plate and sat on the corner of Culvir’s bed.

“How did you get all those wounds?” Nell approached the other woman her eyes settled on Nell’s neck.”

“Fighting.   Though I don’t need to ask how you got yours.   I know you’re ambrosia.” Jam stuffed a forkful of food in her mouth.  “Suhks ta bhe ooo.”

“Culvir’s report, I assume.”

“Page two.” Culvir nodded.   “Even if Okiir didn’t know.   He needed to, especially since it could mean fraternization with vampires.”

“You didn’t trust me?” Nell’s temper flared and she rounded on Culvir.   “After everything we did?”

“Easy now.   He’s just doing his job.” Nikidas stepped between them, offering her a plate.  His eyes settled on hers, staring.

Nell took the plate and sat in a corner of the room.

“This one I got from the day I joined the association.” Jam pointed at a particularly deep scar that went from her chin to her shoulder.   “I’m a mercenary by trade, a vampire took over my favorite haunt up north.   I had no idea what I was getting myself into.”

“Someone not like Culvir bailed me out.”  She pointed her fork at him.  “  I had never fought a vampire before, not too many of em’ up north.  I joined a year later.”

“Why’d you wait a year?” Nikidas raised a brow.

“Because.” Jam took another bite.  “Dhey’re phicky aas fuud.”

“The Associations has high standards.” Culvir pushed aside his plate, his food untouched.   ”I actually offered the recommendation that she be allowed in.  Just because she’s a hard headed, reckless buffoon, she has a natural knack for killing the undead.”

“Sounds like Culvir has an eye for talent.” Nell said with a sour expresion, trying mask it with another bite of food.

“…and a complete and utter disregard for treating women well.” Nikidas muttered, settling into eating his own plate.

“Ok, kid, why don’t you scurry away so the adults can talk business. ” Jame shooed him with a dismissive flick of her wrist.  “We don’t want to offend your delicate feelings.

“I’m not a kid!” Nikidas dropped a bitefull of food back onto his plate.  ” I want to join the association as well.   Just pretend I’m not here.”

“You alright with that, Culvir,  Nell?”

Both of them nodded.

“Fair enough.” Jam peeled her top over her head without a second thought, baring her breasts.  She tossed aside Lady Tusche’s blouse and any undergarments underneath.

Nell fell silent, eating her food.   Nikidas stirred his food with irritation ignorant of her state of undress.  Nell felt prudent to clear her throat as Jam began to unfasten her belt.

Nikidas turned to Nell, smiling at the texture of the roast, then turned his eyes back to Jam.   Bits of half chewed roast sprayed in front of him.

“What are you doing?!” Nikidas flushed deep  red, turning his eyes downward.

“Not like Culvir hasn’t seen it before, and Nell’s a chick.  No skin off my nose.” Jam said, “And you said, pretend I’m not here.”

“But that’s different!”

“Is it?   Aww… did da wittle boy never see boobies before?” Jam grinned.

“No!   I mean.   I have!   But I…” Nikidas grimaced.

“What?   Do they look funny or something?” Jam looked down, palming her ‘goods’.

“No they’re fine.  I mean… It’s not like I looked.   I just mean… I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.” Nikidas raised a hand.   “Just get dressed already.”

“Please.” Nell said taking another, deliberate bite.  “Some men don’t prefer such excessive displays.”

Though Nell noticed Culvir didn’t exactly blush or avert his eyes.   Perhaps that shows his preferences.

“Fine, fine… geez.   Spoilsports.” Jam walked to the room.  Only then did Culvir turn his gaze to Nikidas.

“Nothing Culvir hasn’t seen, eh?” Nell frowned.

“It’s complicated.”Culvir waved off the concern.

“You haven’t touched your food,” Nell said.

“I’m not hungry.  And it hurts to–”

“Stop being a baby, and eat.   Now.” Nell pointed a fork at him.

“Fine.” Culvir picked up his plate, scowling.

Nikidas’ blush softened.   He ate slow and deliberate.   It’s too bad Culvir couldn’t be more like Nikidas, a perfect gentleman.  

Musing: Hunting Monsters.

So have you ever had something you like, but could never quite get into because of its imperfections?   At a glance it looks amazing, but once you take a few steps closer and bust out the magnifying glass you see all those imperfections?  That’s my relationship with Monster Hunter.

Capcom has been releasing these bad boys for some time now.  Most of the titles have been nestled on the PSP, a handheld I have a love hate relationship with.   It’s no secret that I love my 3DS.   There’s something to love about being able to get a gaming fix without needing to boot up a console, or having to sit through giant load times.   Even if I’m not in a portable setting, I find myself drawn to the duo screened wonder.   Thanks to it I can play a game for seconds if need be.   Which some titles, like Fire Emblem Awakening, I only need seconds.  Take that Angry Birds!

Sorry! Wrong house!

I  picked up Monster Hunter on the Wii U not too long ago.  And let me tell you, it evolved my relationship with Monster Hunter.   Don’t expect me to sing praises of the Wii U’s tablet controller or anything like that… the system still has a great deal to prove to me.    What I can say, is that  Monster Hunter Ultimate fixed several problems I have with the series without turning into something else.   If anything, it makes the flaws of the game seem intentional and natural (in the same vein the original Resident Evil limits mobility).

First off (for the sake of my cred) I have never gotten very far in a Monster Hunter game.   The biggest rival I face is the poop flinging pink monkey, stand triumphant and realize the flaws are not worth enduring.    I assumed at first:  Oh!   It’s because it’s on my TV now!   It’s all shiny, pretty, and easy to see!   While the game looks good.   It’s not next gen to any extent.    The textures are dated and you can see the chunky graphics in glorious HD now!  Still it’s a pretty game.

Wii U Version

3DS Version

Yes.   Visibility is improved and the screen on your U-Pad  (see what I did there?) is nifty, but it isn’t even close to the primary improvement.   It wasn’t until I played the 3ds version that I realized it’s true strengths.   The game shows you the fun of hunting monsters without beating around the bush.   Previous installments never gave  the idea that you were being patronized by the game.   It never told you how anything worked.   the process of crafting armor is intimidating in Monster Hunter.   But Ultimate walks you through everything without the condescending head pats other games do.

Other games do: “Push forward on the left analogue stick to walk!”  ”Press a to jump!”   Um… game.   I know this.   Please.   I can figure that out by mashing buttons.   In fact you get rewarded for it in MH3U.   Nothing quite beats the rush of discovering a trick that nets you a big ass dragon trying to eat your face.

Instead, MH3U lets you discover the neat tricks about your weapon of choice.   (Oh, and for the record.   The game gives you one of each to let you play around without needing to blow hard to earn zenny early on!)

My huntress “Naida” (I know you’re all shocked about that one) sports dual blade, crafted from the spines of a giant Wyverns she killed by stabbing it.   How metal is that?

I started to play the 3ds version because the game sports couch multi-player with the Wii U version.   Cross platform play.  Also I can transfer my Wii U character to 3ds back and forth.   That is when I realized that MH3U isn’t that different from the games of the past.  The control layout is the same on the 3ds, but I’m told the Circle Pad Pro brings it up to the Wii-U’s play-ability.

Other than that, little changes such as the game automatically selecting your lowest quality mining pick near nodes activated by pressing A, makes the game much less tedious.

Setting up shop is actually relaxing and intuitive after being chased by two story tall dragons.

Let me tell you up front.   This game is more fun with friends.   However, it has online options.   You don’t need to fight with people over items as everything is phased.  When the beastie dies, everyone gets their three carves from its dead body for random loot and extra items handed out based on how well you all did.   You get rewarded for cutting off tails, mutilating horns, trimming wings, breaking teeth, and other extremities.

A warning, the fights can take a long time.   A ‘hunt’ gives you 50 minutes to bag and tag the target.   At first that seems like not enough time, but as you go on.   You will find yourself mining as you watch the target flee between zones.   This is a plus for the 3DS version.   Single player is pause-able.   So on your lunch break you can start a hunt and consider through the second half of the day how you’re going to trap the target alive rather than kill it.

I recommend Monster Hunter to the D&D crowd as hunts often feel like campaigns.   And the preparation and team-work that comes from it can bring people together.

There is a great deal of inspiration to be drawn from adventures from friends as well.

Good Hunting.   …and see you on Friday!

B.O.S.S. — Two Hunters Part 10, Preview Part 2.

Part 10 in it’s entirety will be placed in my public folder, but for now here’s another part.   About 1,300 words worth to be exact.  Again let me know in the comments if you guys prefer the smaller sections over a few days rather than the usual 1,500 to 2,500 word BOSS stories.

-Enjoy!

Part 10, (2) — Lady Tusche

Running errands for Culvir hadn’t exactly been high on his list of things to do.   Especially when the city was in a tizzy about the Vampires.   Nikidas passed by a few of his fellow ‘prisoners’ as he walked.  They had made the adjustment back into civilized life well.

Personally, Nikidas had found being vampire cattle more tiring than anything.   Blood had been taken from him three times a day, but life had been comfortable otherwise.   He had eaten better as a captive than he had his whole life.  Being freed meant going back to being penniless.

But things were turning around.   Now a man grown, he could join the military, the city guard or even joining the Association.   That would mean being close to Nell.

He clenched a fist and pressed on to the city center.   He still had work to do.   Finishing Culvir’s little errand might be the foot in the door to joining their ranks… and sorting out Nell’s ‘debt’ to Sonnie would end up helping him in the long run.

I can completely relate to that.  Nikidas had worked his fingers to the bone helping settle a debt to a practitioner of the light.   His mother had fallen ill and with his father passed away, it fell on him to see her well.   Then, mere weeks after her recovery she remarried.   Thus Nikidas stepped aside for her happiness and got himself caught by vampires to be used as food.

His mother didn’t even know he had been caught, it was tempting to keep it that way.

“Peanuts!   Fresh and hot!” A barker broke his concentration.   Oh right… at least I’m working.

Nikidas sagged his shoulders and offered a coin for a bag.   While he waited his eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar woman.

The regal standing of Lady Tusche had not been one easy forgotten.   Her colorful uniform, her sterling sabre at her side, there could be no doubt.   It was her.   Or him rather.

The merchant held out the bag of roasted nuts, but Nikidas’ attention stayed fixed on the woman across the way.   The merchant gave he bag a second shake until he claimed it.

Tusche held a pair of glasses, trying them on.

“You don’t have anything darker do you?   This is a gift.   For a friend,” she said.

“Darker?” The glassblower rubbed his chin.  “I don’t know what good tinted lenses would do him.”

“It’s a matter of preference.” Tusche said, handing the glasses back.

“Hey!” Nikidas hurried over to Lady Tusche.    ”What the hell are you doing here?   You sent me out to investigate–”

“I’m sorry.   Who are you?” The noblewoman narrowed her eyes at him.

“Don’t mess with me.   You know very well who I am.   I’m Nikidas.   You just–”

“Oh.   Nikidaaas.” She smiled coyly.  “Culvir mentioned you.   He told me to expect you.   But I wasn’t expecting a dashing young man such as yourself.   He described you as some ‘annoying kid’ as his exact words said.”

Nikidas’ stomach churned.   Being called dashing by a guy in drag hadn’t mean the highlight of his week.  “Yeah.   Whatever.   If ‘Culvir’ wasn’t going to send me out here… I don’t know why ‘you’ bothered showing up here.  Seeing as ‘he’s’ wounded.

“Wounded.” Lady Tusche’s face fell to a frown.  “How dreadful.  His letter only mentioned a few scrapes.   How typical of him.”

“Here’s your damn peanuts by the way.   I’m not carrying them around since you’re right here.” Nikidas shoved them towards her.

“Oh heavens no.   Those things are terribly bad for you.   Fattening you know.” Lady Tusche politely pushed them away.

Oh you want to play games do you…?

“Look.   I don’t have time for this.   You– er… Culvir… sent me to find out the source of–” Nikida’s eyes drifted and settled on Sonnie Daie’s towering form.  Nell stood next to him, her hand draped calmly on his arm.  They chatted quietly with the people surrounding them.

“You stay here.  I’m going to ask Nell something.   She’d know about that loud noise.” Nikidas shuffled away, leaving Lady Tusche no time to protest.

“Nell!” Nikidas pushed through the people gathered around them.

“Nikidas.” Nell narrowed her eyes at him.

“Look I had to ask you a question.   When Culvir and I–  Uh… I mean… When I brought back Culvir lunch this loud noise went off in the city.   Do you know anything about it.”

“Yes.” Nell slipped her arm away from Sonnie.   “I was the one who made that disturbance.”

“It was quite grand wouldn’t you say?” Sonnie chuckled.  “Why Culvir’s room is on the otherside of town.   That’s impressive.”

“Sonnie.   Do you mind if I talk to Nikidas a moment?  Alone.” Nell glanced back at Sonnie.

“Of course not.   Meet me back at my room in a few hours.  We’ll sort out our plans then.  I have a few appointments anyway.” Sonnie gave her a casual wave, slipping into the crowds.”

“Where is he?” Nell placed a calm hand on Nikidas’ wrist.  “Where is Culvir?”

“He’s… at his room.”  Nikidas squirmed.  Nell’s gentle touch had been more unnerving than any threat.

“You can tell me the truth.   I saw Wisp on ‘Lady Tusche’s’ rapier.  ” Nell glanced around.  “He’s close isn’t he.”

“Y…yeah.” Nikidas’ expression softened.  I didn’t want to lie for that asshole anyway.   Not to my Nell.

“There.” Nell moved away from Nikidas, pushing into a focused stride.

The lingering effect of Nell’s touch delayed him, as well as people closing around her as she moved.  by the time he made his way closer, Nell had settled in front of Lady Tusche.  She had gone back to trying on glasses.

“What are you doing?” Nell tightened her hands into fists.

“Oh.  You must be Nell.” Tusche said setting down her current pair of glasses.

“Yes.   And I believe we’ve met before.” Nell frowned.

“Met in person?   No.   But I’ve heard a few things about you,” Tusche said, eyeing Nell appraisingly.  “I work with the Association on occasion, and when I do I am told the most amusing stories.   Some of them have included you.   Regardless, that is a moot point.   Your competence as a hunter is the important part.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to level with me Lady Tusche.”  Nell raised her arms, preparing a spell.  “I have means of dispelling your lies.”

Tusche folded her arms, watching with an amused expression.  “Go on then.   I’ve been at least mostly truthful.”

“W…wait!   You can’t do that here.” Nikidas stepped between them.  No matter how much I dislike Culvir, I can’t watch as another guy gets embarrassed like this.

“Do what now?” Tusche reached to her throat.  “It’s so stuffy in the city.   I was hoping she would conjure an icy wind or something.  If you’ll excuse me a moment.”

Tusche unraveled her ascot and loosened her collar.  The moment her neck was exposed, Nikidas had seen something amiss.   He had heard from friends the fool proof method in exposing a cross-dresser.  Though without the ascot, Nikidas could only see a smooth sensual neck.  His eyes focused there, he failed to immediately notice Lady Tusche had removed the top button of her uniform blouse.  Nikidas’ eyes drifted downward out of instinct and saw the top of her breasts.

Nell’s arms lowed slow and deliberate, a single brow raised.

“Much better.”  Tusche fanned herself casually.

Nikidas tuned his eyes away quickly, blood rising to his cheeks.   He’s a woman.   No.   It’s not Culvir…?   Then who?

“I’m not at liberty to reveal my real identity, not here anyway,” Lady Tusche said.  “But why don’t we talk about this over a cup of tea.  I know a great little inn that serves a mean cup.  The Gilded Peanut was it?”

Nell gave a curt nod.

 

-To be concluded tomorrow!-

B.O.S.S. Preview — Two Hunters Chapter 10.

If you haven’t been keeping count.    Tommorrow marks the 50th blogging original short story (BOSS).  So as a acknowledgement of his benchmark.   Part ten of Two Hunters will be hitting the digital shelf.   This one will be longer than most of the chapters, so I figured I’d release it in little tastes:

I know people are busy and sitting down to read over 2,000 words can be an undertaking, so I’m considering releasing  500 word bursts on the blog more often.    Let me know if this format is preferred.   As always the stories in their complete form can be seen here: http://tinyurl.com/dimanagul  

 

Two Hunters, Part 10, Preview.

“Did you hear that?” Nikidas perked his head from his lunch.

“I felt that.” Culvir cracked open the shell of another peanut.

“Hey… I know you’re upset and all, but you’re hitting those pretty hard.   Shouldn’t you eat some real food?   You’ve eaten like… a million of those things.” Nikidas took another bite of his leg of mutton.

“Fifteen,” Culvir said, “…and I’m not eating anything substantial because of my injuries.”

Culvir felt truly helpless.  It hadn’t been his first time being wounded, but it had been the first time he came to the conclusion that doing nothing would be the best course of action.   Even his brief outing as Lady Tusche had strained him.

Worse, he had completed every last report he could possibly make.  Now all he could do was wait.

“So you want me to check it out?” Nikidas said, pausing before a bite.

“No,” Culvir said, popping the peanut into his mouth.

“Are you pouting?” Nikidas donned a smile.  “You’re pouting aren’t you?”

Culvir turned away, deepening his scowl.   He’s right.   I am pouting.   Pathetic.

“So you’re just going to sit around and do nothing, since you’re girlfriend dumped you?” Nikidas set down his food, pushing it away.

“She’s not my girlfriend.” Culvir snapped at him.   “…she’s my partner.”

“Yeah now,” Nikidas widened his smirk, “…or do you mean ever?  She never was your lady?”

“No.” Culvir turned to the window, holding up a small metal rod.

“Really?   She seemed so…” Nikidas paused.  “Wait.   Of course she was worried.   That’s just the sort of wonderful person she would be huh?”

Culvir ignored him.   The rod reacted with a mild hum.   Residual energy from magic.  Culvir counted quietly under his breath.

“You think she’s into younger guys?” Nikidas slumped onto the bed.   “I don’t think I’ve met such a wonderful woman before.   I mean, I’m not much of a fighter but I don’t mind keeping house if it’s for her.”

Nine.   Ten.   Eleven.    Eleven Seconds.   That must have been some blast.

“She isn’t married right?”  Nikidas reached towards the ceiling.   “I just figured being her–”

“Nikidas.   Shut up.” Culvir waved the rod at him.   “I need you to check something out for me.”

“But… you said…” Nikidas twisted up his face.   “Wait.  I get it you’re worried about Nell.”

“No.   I’m not.” Culvir slipped the device back into the thieves closet.   “She can take care of herself.   She doesn’t need a wounded colleague or an annoying kid to get things done.”

“Sure you aren’t.  Hey.   Annoying kid?  I’m only a few years younger than you!”

“All the difference in the world.” Culvir smiled.  “Besides.  There’s no shouting or panic.   It’s likely just a performer.”

An  extremely powerful performer.

“Oh.   And you just want me to make sure the city isn’t being controlled by a vampire’s regime.” Nikidas’ eyes lit up.

“Um.   Right.” Culvir tapped his cheek.   “Hey while you’re out there, you think you could get me some more peanuts.   I’m almost out.”

Nikidas let out an annoyed sigh.   “I’ll see what I can do.”

Musing: Grand Theft Protaginist

After playing and hearing about Bio Shock Infinite a great deal on the internet, I came to realize something that happens frequently in fiction.   The media doesn’t really matter, it happens in Books, T.V., and Movies.   A story will present a character to you and insist they are the main character.   ‘This is the person you should be rooting for.’   ‘This person represents what the story is about.’

Then why does it hardly ever works out that way?   I know when I read stories I end up liking secondary, tertiary and even less more than the ‘protaginist’.   I think it’s because the harder we try to make the reader like a character, the larger the risk that they will HATE them.

But all is not lost.   It doesn’t mean that they are a bad character.   It just means they might need a different form of presentation.   I bring this up from some personal experiences I’ve had.       On a whim, I tried showing people unfamiliar with my concept a different approach.    Namely, pulling back the ‘camera’ from certain characters and placing the camera in the laps of others that were very minor.

Perception is an amazing thing.   When I presented the characters as characters.   Instead of: This is my Main Character.   This is the female Lead.   This is the man who sold the main character a potato…  You start to realize their potential as people.  This is when people realize their plights and empathize with them.  They shift from someone they’re reading about in a book to someone they know.

Benching your ‘star player’ isn’t tragic.   It’s merely better planning.  Think of a meal.   Not food, a meal.   Something you enjoy with your family at a nice restaurant.   Appetizers are not only little tastes to whet your appetite, they also show off the ability of the cook.   If you find yourself impressed by the breadsticks… the  steak is going to knock your socks off.

One does not simply plop delicious food down and… ok… never mind. But It would be even MORE delicious if it’s paced.

Bioshock Infinite actually does a good job of making Booker Dewitt a black slate and slowly filling you in as the game progresses… but he was over shadowed by Elizabeth..    My suggestion with the game is to play it through beat the last boss and have a convenient power outage.   It not only makes you wish Elizabeth was the MC, but it makes you wish you hadn’t played the whole game at all.   No spoilers on this.   Just trust me.   It’s aggravating.

I’m not telling people to give up on their projects… I’m merely suggesting trying a Grand Theft Auto Approach.   Take the character, stuff him/her in a trunk and watch how the character develops when they’re absent.  At the very least, you can be amused by their muffled protests.