Illustrations of an Overwrought Imagination

Dragons & Lotuses: Chapter 5

Mon, 05 May 2008 16:23:24 GMT

This chapter has actual plot, Azula, and Suki's real job!

Title: Dragons & Lotuses
Link: Chapter 5: Another Day
Genre: Modern AU
Pairings: Sokka/everybody, (eventual) Zuko/Katara
Description: Sokka is an undercover cop for the L.A.P.D., trying his best to infiltrate the notorious White Lotus Society yakuza. While his plans have always been to take the yakuza down, will he eventually take his artificial oaths of loyalty to heart?

She took another sip of her triple espresso as she watched a tanned young man in a black Lincoln Navigator pull up to the apartment complex across the street from her. Topaz-colored eyes peeked over a paper cup as he put the car in park and placed his cell phone at his ear. Her fingers lightly tapped the leather steering wheel of her rented car as her eyes observed him.

In moments, a familiar figure strode out of the building. “Ah, Zuko, so is this your new ‘brother’? He’s cute, in a tough, American kind of way.” Her lips pursed as she took note of his profile. As soon as Zuko got in the car, the vehicle pulled away from the curb.

“I wonder if it’s considered incest if Zuko’s his older brother?” Azula considered before laughing at the thought. She started up the car and began tailing the SUV. She had been curious as to what her brother had been up to since leaving home.

Living Someone Else's Life

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:19:00 GMT

Title: Living Someone Else's Life
Word Count: 330
Note: Written for all_unwritten prompt, "living someone else's life."

It happened slowly, unexpectedly. One day she was just helping her grandma run errands since her car was in the shop -- taking her to the doctor's office and then stopping by the grocery store afterwards.

Then, later that week, stopping by after work every day, ostensibly to simply "check in," making sure the sweet, old lady didn't need anything. Then, all Hell broke loose in her personal life -- she had to move, she was laid off, she broke up with her boyfriend... There was no other choice but to move in with the kindhearted old woman who had taken care of her as a child. Wasn't this her opportunity to return the favor?

But, as the weeks and, soon enough, months wore on, she realized she was living someone else's life. This was NOT the life of a young twenty-something -- she should have been living and loving, not nursing and nurturing.

While she had no real problem caring for her good-natured grandmother, she silently fumed at her parents. Really, it was their responsibility wasn't it? But, they had moved years ago, leaving her with a burden that was not her own; never thinking of the future and how their decision would affect the people around them. How the wrinkled woman would be stubborn and refuse to move to the cold climes of the north; how she would do everything in her power to stay as independent as possible, even though she begrudgingly admitted that she loved having her granddaughter there.

And when the young woman picked up the phone that day, dialing the number for her parents' house, she wondered how it had come to this. How was it that she was doing the thing she'd always imagined someone else doing?

The phone rang once, twice, then three times. Finally, someone picked up.

"Hello?" a woman's voice asked -- her mother never checked the caller ID.

"Mom...I've got some bad news. Grandma died..."

Of course, silence followed.

Overcast Skies

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:27:12 GMT

Title: Overcast Skies
Word Count: 163
Note: Written for the all_unwritten prompt, "overcast skies."

To most, overcast skies would portend of something darker and stormier on the horizon. They'd pull their cloaks tighter and furtively glance at the sky every so often, waiting for the inevitable -- and unwelcome -- downpour.

But for her, it was something wholly different. It felt like home when the skies were overcast, and reminded her of mornings when you slept in and snuggled in bed with too many blankets because you were snowed in. Days when her mother would make a big breakfast and watch them play in the snow. Those gray skies overhead brought her small pieces of happiness.

But it never lasted long. The rains were dismal sprinkles in comparison to her snow-filled memories. Short and heavy showers that only moved to clearer skies soon enough, in moments really. But, it was enough for the time being. Until she could leave this land without weather and revel in the true delights of the seasons, it would have to do.

The Street Was Quiet

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:27:16 GMT

Title: The Street Was Quiet
Word Count: 166
Note: Written for the all_unwritten prompt, "the street was quiet."

The festival had lasted long into the wee hours of the morning with fireworks, music and merriment. A new day had dawned -- the war was over, you see, and a new leader named -- and the people would revel in it.

Unfortunately, he always rose with the sun and today was no different. There was no mistaking its magnetic pull on his body, nor ignoring the way it peeked through the shades like a curious child. Pulling himself from his bed, he dressed and decided a morning walk was in order. He discreetly left the palace grounds and made his way towards the city's center.

Of course, the streets were unnaturally quiet; many folks were still sleeping. There were several signs of the celebration the night before -- paper lanterns hung askew, red confetti still littered the pavement, and revelers slept their hangovers away outdoors.

And while many may have grimaced at the scene, he smiled. This was his country to lead. And he was glad.

He Lied

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:57:52 GMT

Title: He Lied
Word Count: 121
Note: Written for the all_unwritten prompt, "he lied."

The young woman sat there next to his still body as it lay on the hospital bed. The uncharacteristic and unnerving silence dominated the small, fluorescent-lit room, casting pale gray shadows on the stark white walls. For weeks, she had sat at his side, listening to the constant beeping of machinery and hearing the ventilator breathe for him. But, now, the machines had gone silent.

She clung to his still warm hands and silently cried. Her curly, brown hair shook as she attempted to contain her sobs. While she knew this day might come, she had prayed that it would never arrive.

As she wiped her eyes one last time, she whispered hoarsely, "You lied. You said you'd never leave me."

Forever is an Awfully Long Time

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:52:25 GMT

Title: Forever is an Awfully Long Time
Word Count: 96
Note: Written for the all_unwritten prompt, "Forever is an awfully long time."

After watching the movie, one lone quote from the film stuck in Jeanne's mind:

"For-ev-er, for-ev-er, for-ev-er..."

It rang in her mind like a bad memory for the week thereafter, like a skipping CD or a stuck video. She'd find herself mouthing the words during especially powerful bouts of contemplation, like when she did her math homework, or when she was completing perfectly mindless tasks, like putting away the dishes. It was annoying really.

So, it was with much deliberation one day that she realized, out loud no less, that "Forever is an awfully long time."

Dragons & Lotuses, Chapter 3

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:23:15 GMT

Title: Dragons & Lotuses
Chapter Three: The Healer
Author: renagrrl/renagrrl7/renagrrl_writes
Rating: PG-13/T (May move to R/M in later chapters)
Pairings: Sokka/everybody, (eventual) Zuko/Katara
Description: Sokka is an undercover cop for the L.A.P.D., trying his best to infiltrate the notorious White Lotus Society yakuza. While his plans have always been to take the yakuza down, will he eventually take his artificial oaths of loyalty to heart?
Excerpt:
She appraised him under the streetlight. As he pulled another long drag from his cigarette, lips pursed, Zuko looked almost cool — like one of those gangsters in an old black-and-white movie. The shadows created by the streetlight momentarily hid his scar as he stood there staring off into the night. For a moment, Katara considered that he would have been devastatingly handsome had he not received the scar. But, in a way, it also suited him she thought. Shaking her head, she returned to her original train of thought.

Nightmare Scenario

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:45:14 GMT

Title: Nightmare Scenario
Word Count: 314
Note: Written for the all_unwritten prompt, "a pen with no ink." I just finished working with a local TV personality who repeatedly causes nightmares for me whenever I have to work with him...

"I need a pen. Who's got a pen, dammit?!?" His demand boomed through the small lab, frightening the nearby scientists.

A woman in a suit scurried to the nearest desk and pulled one out of the top drawer. "Here you go, sir," she said meekly, offering the pen up to be sacrificed.

The man began to write on the paper he held, scratching the pen furiously against the page. "This damn pen's got no ink, honey! Can't you even get me a damn pen that can write?" he chastised in disgust as he shook his head. He threw the pen on the floor and turned to a student in a lab coat. "Lemme borrow that," he said more than asked, pulling a pen out of the young man's pocket. He scratched the pen against the paper once again; this pen didn't work either!

"GET ME A GOD DAMNED PEN THAT'LL WORK NOW!" he screamed in frustration, his face reddening in anger.

The young woman panicked and grabbed every available pen she could find, yet nothing would write. It was a nightmare scenario for her and she could feel her heart racing as she ran across the lab and down the hall, desperately seeking a pen that the TV personality could use. Of course, nothing would write -- every pen she picked up had no ink. Then an alarm went off in the building and her panicked eyes went wide.

In moments, she woke up to the sound of her bedside clock alarm going off at 4 a.m. She wiped the sleep from her eyes as she reconsidered the nightmare she'd just woken from. She hated working early morning TV, especially when he came to campus. Regardless, it was her job and she was determined to do it well.

Of course, before she left the house, she made sure to grab a pen that worked...

Waiting

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:39:49 GMT

Title: Waiting
Word Count: 129
Note: Written for the all_unwritten prompt, "This time there was nothing to do but wait."

She was never good at waiting, then again, what young person was?

She harrumphed at the sound of her mother's voice, chiding her once again, "Patience comes to those who wait."

So, she did as she was told, and waited. She fidgeted, she tried reading through some dog-eared magazines, she even tried watching whatever little kid cartoon it was that was playing on the old TV. What seemed like hours was really only moments and, finally, they did call her name.

"Jeanette?" called an older woman in brightly colored scrubs. "The dentist will see you now."

At that, Jeanette got up from her seat and walked towards the door, dreading the torture that would follow. For a moment, she wished that she could've waited just a few minutes longer.

Not Enough Time

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:28:20 GMT

Title: Not Enough Time
Word Count: 179
Note: Written for a photo prompt at prompt_a_day.

She noticed it at the train station, once she got to school, and it stared down at her from her classroom wall. Clocks, all watching, all seeing, but for what she didn't know. Hours, days, weeks went by and, yet, those clocks followed her wherever she went.

Maybe it was a little paranoid to be thinking such thoughts, but each clock's face seemed to distort and merge into something unreal, like Alice's cheshire cat grinning evilly one moment and smiling the next. The little ticks and tocks of each passing second mocked her and her fear of losing time became real. There isn't enough time in the day...

When they finally found her alone in her apartment, the police would be shocked by the number of clocks surrounding the young woman's prone and lifeless body. They lined the apartment like wallpaper and smaller ones dotted the tops of tables and counters-- all functioning, ticking, and tocking. They even covered her body -- wristwatches lined her arms and surrounded her ankles as if she tried chaining herself to time itself...

Tomorrow

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:15:55 GMT

Title: Tomorrow
Word Count: 128
Note: Written for the all_unwritten prompt, "tomorrow."

While her companions slept peacefully, she found herself staring at the ceiling of their cramped room. Too many thoughts were flitting about in her mind and kept her awake and wondering what tomorrow would bring.

Supposedly, she would meet her father tomorrow. The man that had left her and her mother behind all those years ago, no reasons provided, no excuses given. She imagined what he would look like and what he would be like. Did she have his personality, his appetite, his looks?

Would he be everything she had hoped for, or would he only disappoint her once again?

As her mind reeled through all the possibilities, she found herself finally growing drowsy. As her lids fell, she mumbled, "Tomorrow," one last time before succumbing to slumber.

All in Love

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:39:43 GMT

Title: All in Love
Word Count: 149
Note: Written for the katara_zuko prompt, "We were all in love and we all got hurt." This was the first idea that came to mind when I eyed the prompt.

She stood there over his lifeless body, mangled and bloodied in death. His eyes unseeing, his words unspoken, his fire extinguished. Kneeling next to him, Katara grabbed his cold hand and held it to her cheek, using it to palm her jaw as he had done so many times before. Silently, she kissed each finger reverently, relishing the brush of each callous. With a bittersweet smile, she brushed his unkempt hair out of his face one last time. As her ministrations came to an end, she finally bent over and placed a chaste kiss upon his bluing lips.

"You were right, Zuko," she whispered as one lone tear rolled down her tanned cheek. "We were 'all in love' and we all got hurt."

With that, she folded his arms across his chest and stood up. While the Avatar had defeated the Fire Lord, this was no victory worth celebrating.

Meaningless Excuses

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:27:43 GMT

Title: Meaningless Excuses
Word Count: 301
Note: Written for the katara_zuko prompt, "We were all in love and we all got hurt." This was actually the second idea that came to mind and is less dark than the original idea that came to mind.

It was just another one of their clandestine meetings in the darkness of the temple. Without a sound, without words, the blue-eyed waterbender and the fallen prince would meet each night, knowing the other would be there. Sometimes, they would simply hold hands in the moonlight; other times, there would be whispers of words on the evening breeze; other times still, they would kiss sweetly under the stars.

That is, until the one night when the Avatar discovered them. Meaningless excuses were made and quiet apologies given.

"I'm sorry, Aang," Zuko admitted. "It just happened one night. We couldn't help it..."

"You 'couldn't help it'!" He pointed accusingly at Zuko, "You're the oldest one here, you're supposed to be the most responsible one, and you're saying 'you couldn't help it'!"

He then turned to Katara, his eyes downcast-- he couldn't look at her without weeping-- and continued his diatribe, "And, you, I loved you, Katara! Why, why would you do this to me? Why, after all we've been through-- from fighting him to the kiss we shared before our attack on the Fire Nation-- why would you do this to me?" His eyes began to water as he looked up at her beseechingly. "I thought you loved me..."

Silence followed. There were no accusations left in the Avatar. He felt empty, hollow.

Eventually, Katara found her voice. It was hushed in respect for what the younger boy was going through. "I'm sorry, Aang. I love you, too, just not like that..." She looked at Zuko from the corner of her eyes as she grabbed for his hand, "We're in love, but it looks like we all got hurt. I'm...I'm sorry, Aang."

And, with that, the Avatar left in silence, the bitter memory of Katara holding Zuko's hand seared into his mind.

The Future was Written

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:55:24 GMT

Title: The Future was Written
Word Count: 80
Note: Written for the prompt_a_day prompt, "the future was written."

If the past was written on the temple's walls, where was its future written, the young monk wondered.

As he sifted through the rubble of the monastery, he wondered if anyone had ever foreseen the destruction that would eventually be visited upon the home of his peace-loving brothers. As he cleared away the crumbled walls, brick by painstaking brick, he vowed that his future would hold more than that of this destroyed building full of lost memories and unseen hopes.

Updates of the Fanfic Kind

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:59:11 GMT

I finally got back to Dragons & Lotuses, my latest multi-chapter fanfic. I've ignored it for far too long in my quest to survive the second semester of grad school. So, this weekend, I read through comments beyondthemoor made ages ago and re-wrote bits of the latest chapter. Hopefully, I'll be able to post it sometime this week.

I've also been writing drabbles for a lot of other manga/anime lately and experimenting with some original fic. All of them came about based upon prompts given via all_unwritten or prompt_a_day. Not sure if any of it is worth posting to other communities, but I'm glad I finally got out of the Avatar: The Last Airbender fandom and explored something else. Variety is the spice of life, right?

Through the daily drabble-writing experience, I feel like I've gotten better at writing little snippets of scenes. I've always had a hard time editing myself and the daily exercise has helped improve that skill immensely.

As far as other story ideas go, I've got too many to count. None of them fleshed out really, then again, that's how this latest story started out. D&L was just a rabid plot bunny until I dedicated some time to it. I'd really like to explore some other fandoms, like Samurai Champloo (yes, I realize I'm REALLY late to this party, but I recently watched through the boxed set and some ideas are percolating) and Bleach. Of course, all the ideas are AUs (because I'm just that creative).

There are also some things in D&L I'm exploring, including character deaths (or threats thereof) and how to wrap up the story nicely at the end with a satisfying happy ending. Unfortunately, I don't there's a happy ending in this story. Someone's got to go to jail and there's the fallout that'll cause for several characters' relationships. I guess I'm just stumped on how to wrap this up nicely at the end...I want everyone to be a big happy family, without anyone dying or risking their careers for what they've done, but that's not how these types of stories play out.

There's too much inherent risk in what all the characters are doing for things to wrap up smoothly; it can't be ignored, really. I know what I want at the mid-point of this story. It's just the ending is too fuzzy right now, more of a vague idea than anything concrete. I guess I'll just keep writing towards my mid-point and hope that the fuzziness clears itself up soon enough.

Anyway, that's all I've got in the writing department right now...

Three Little Words

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:46:47 GMT

Title: Three Little Words
Word Count: 122
Note: Written for the all_unwritten prompt, "three little words."

"Wait for me!" she screamed uncharacteristically, intent on making sure she was heard by her companions a dozen or so feet away.

She silently wished that they had noticed her absence as she was distracted by the beautiful scenery. Was she really that easily forgotten, she wondered with a small frown. Of course, there was no reason to think that she was that memorable, either, she conceded.

As she did her best to catch up with them, her short legs pumped furiously. Just one more reason to curse her short stature, she surmised...

When she finally did catch up with them, her face red with exertion, someone absentmindedly commented, "We missed you."

Never had three little words made her smile so much.

Beast

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:49:30 GMT

Title: Beast
Word Count: 86
Note: Written for the prompt_a_day prompt: He who makes himself a beast takes away the pain of being a man.

Being half-human and half-demon had always left him on the fringes of both societies, never quite belonging anywhere. But, when his crazed demon half took over, he never had to think about not being accepted by anyone. He simply felt the thrill of the hunt and the simple joy of bloodsport-- that was it.

There was no thinking, no feeling, no talking, and no pain outside of that he visited upon his enemies. Quite honestly, there was freedom in that loss of humanity, if nothing else.

He'd Never Seen the Ocean

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:22:21 GMT

Title: He'd Never Seen the Ocean
Word Count: 118
Note: Written for the [Bad username: all_unwritten"] prompt, "he'd never seen the ocean."

To be honest, he'd never seen the ocean. What did people expect? He was from a land-locked prefecture and, even now, as a university student in Tokyo, he had never had the opportunity to see the ocean.

So, when they'd all decided to go to the beach that hot and sticky summer day, he simply said, "Sounds like fun."

Of course, inside, his mind was running in wild anticipation of what the sea would be like. What greeted him that day-- the feeling of sand between his toes, the salty tang to the air, the sound of the waves crashing along the shore-- assaulted his senses and made him internally berate himself for not making the trip sooner.

Signs

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:41:29 GMT

Title: Signs
Word Count: 128
Note: Written for the all_unwritten prompt, "signs."

How had she not noticed it sooner? In hindsight, the signs were all there-- the unexplained requests for her attention, the feeling that someone was watching her, nervous giggles followed by pink cheeks, and the lingering of his fingers whenever they made physical contact.

And, now, here she was, confused by his sudden kiss. She stood there, momentarily dazed, wondering what her reaction should be, if anything. But, before she could come to her senses, he had ran off as quiet as a spring breeze. She wished she could take the time to consider his actions and his attraction to her, but they were on the precipice of battle and there was no time to think of the future-- there was only now and the war to come.

A Bitter Cold

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:30:56 GMT

Title: A Bitter Cold
Word Count: 91
Note: Written for the prompt_a_day prompt, "a bitter cold."

A bitter cold enveloped her heart-- she wouldn't let herself be fooled by him again. She couldn't forgive him so easily; he had wronged her too many times, in too many ways, for it to be that simple.

Even now, as he had apologized and clearly changed his ways, she watched his every movement, considering what torture she could place upon him to repay the debt she believed he owed her. It was obvious that her need for vengeance would be satisfied in full; it was just a matter of how.

Wishful Thinking

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:39:47 GMT

Title: Wishful Thinking
Word Count: 141
Note: Written for the all_unwritten prompt, "wishful thinking." Based off of yesterday's freak winter storm -- snow fell at elevations below 2,000 feet!

She stares out the window, hoping that the chilling rain will end soon, or at least long enough for her to make it to the train station, then to home safely. Wishful thinking, really, especially considering no one saw the fierce winter storm coming-- this is Southern California. Isn't winter supposed to be just a threat of 50-degree weather?

What is this hail, sleet, and, for God's sake, snow that's falling from the sky throughout the county?

So, now that it's time to leave the office for the day, she wishes one last time for a short break in precipitation. Unfortunately, all that positivity is for naught and she fights her way through the blisteringly cold wind and freezing rain, hoping she won't be stuck outside too long and that, for once, the heater on the train is running full blast.

Writer's Block: Love Is...

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:41:28 GMT

Who or what do you really love?

View other answers

Title: Love Is
Word Count: 41

Love is laughing together without reason and without embarrassment, sharing silences that are no longer awkward, crying without remorse, knowing that someone's there no matter what, and hoping to grow old together. Or, at least, that's why I love my husband...

The crowd was dead

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:35:44 GMT

Title: The Crowd Was Dead
Word Count: 143
Note: Written for the prompt_a_day prompt, "the crowd was dead."

She stood there, stock-still under the glare of the stage lights. She willed herself to move, but the crowd-- with its dead stare in her direction, expecting something, anything-- had frozen her. Her brain ran in all directions, desperately trying to remember her lines-- she had memorized the script backwards and forwards in an attempt to avoid just such a moment, to no avail.

However, she thanked the heavens when her fellow actor had taken it upon himself to save her and coughed up a few words in order to bridge her back to their next lines. Tearing her eyes from the crowd, she inwardly smiled as she recalled the script and turned her attention to the task at hand.

Thankfully, they didn't skip a beat and the crowd soon forgot that awkward moment of despair on stage as the show went on.

Candy Hearts

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:23:51 GMT

Title: Candy Hearts
Word Count: 157
Note: Written for the all_unwritten prompt, "candy hearts." I think a little of my own cynicism about the heavily commercialized holiday snuck into my response to this prompt. Here's to eating "the good stuff"!

Jeanette rolled her eyes at the stack of flimsy paper cards collecting on her desk. As a pre-teen, maybe she was too young for such innate cynicism, but she really did despise the forced friendship, smiles, and, supposedly, romance of Valentine's Day.

She also held no love for those chalky candy hearts with their cutesy colloquialisms and the foil-wrapped, cheap sweets that were more milk than chocolate. But, every year, she would try each one more time, just to see if she had been wrong all those years, to no avail. They still tasted like candied grit and sugarcoated wax.

So, as the other children giggled and ate their proffered treats, Jeanette quietly poured the candies into a paper bag before dropping it surreptitiously into the trash can in the corner of the classroom. Once seated, she finally smiled genuinely, knowing that she would be able to eat "the good stuff" once she got home from school.

Big Moments

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:12:27 GMT

Title: Big Moments
Word Count: 141
Note: Written for an unusual prompt at all_unwritten: Bottom line is, even if you seem them coming, you're not ready for the big moments. No one asks for their life to change, not really. But it does. So what are we, helpless? Puppets? Nah. The big moments are gonna come, you can't help that. It's what you do afterwards that counts. That's when you find out who you are.

~Whistler, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

This isn't written so much as a fanfic, but a depiction of a particular scene in my head.

He stood there staring at the madman holding his friend hostage. For her part, the 14-year-old girl stood there stock-still and silent. The thug-cum-savior eyed the madman's two companions, his eyes darting to and fro between the three.

He knew that the girl was only taken hostage as bait; the three crazed men only wanted him and had taken the girl and done God-knows-what to her in the time it had taken for him to track them down.

In another time, he may have simply walked away or never sought out the girl and her captors in the first place. But now, now was a time for more than that-- it was time to stand up for someone else, to be a hero to someone who so desperately needed it.

So, he drew his sword and waited for blood to spill...