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Ravynlee · ~ ModMother / The Cougar ~ 290

The Park: Apocalypse

Ravynlee · ~ ModMother / The Cougar ~ 290

Double Post. Pfft, so what, right?

Anyhooz, I've posted an update that *omfg* WASN'T a 30 page saga - rather like 7 pages *gasp* (weird, isn't it?) but I had this idea in my head on the way to class yesterday (Post-Colonial female literature never looked so... abstract!) so I had to sit down and pen it out, even if that was at like 3am this morning (obsessed, you say? Never!)

It's something small and a little gruesome, now that I have the relative freedom for it, before we ultimately meet up again at the old place - if that's still the direction we're figuratively headed. Can't promise I'll have anything else up before weekend now as I really should be focussing on my 3 assignments due Monday (only started 1) BUT I did promise myself if I get little milestones done during my academic day then I'm allowed to sit down for a few hours at night and work more on this story (yes that's my treat for my efforts, crazy huh? But I'm 'into' it that much, as if you couldn't tell ;)).

SO chances are this is it for me til someone else (Jess most likely) posts probably over the weekend.

Again, at least we don't have to worry about one person holding the other up. It's also working in the opposite way, without driving each other on there's a possibility there to slip into complacency and let things slip... not on my watch, bub

Looking forward to what y'all get up with. (Now comes the hard part, physically and mentally dragging myself away from this thread long enough to actually study *groan* )

Good luck!

Jess · V.I.P 260

Well, your post might've been relatively short, but I with all the time in the world on my hands am making up for it. 15 pages so far and I'm not done yet

I notice we're taking different routes - I'm taking my people through the forest, as the crow flies I suppose, and I'm guessing Rae and David will follow the road - but just in case they decide to change their route, there's a landmark I've included that you should probably be aware of. I've got a small town, described as just a little bigger than the Park itself, on the coast of same river. So far the only thing that's been mentioned is the little mom-and-pop souvenir store where Trinity, Dean, and Jonathan are taking cover right now.

Important comment over. Now I want to slap Rae for letting David take control again *lol*

Anyways, for now I'm betting on my group reaching the Park first. Hopefully that jives with whatever tentative plans you might have - will post it all up on Friday!

Ravynlee · ~ ModMother / The Cougar ~ 290

Jess wrote:

Well, your post might've been relatively short, but I with all the time in the world on my hands am making up for it. 15 pages so far and I'm not done yet

I notice we're taking different routes - I'm taking my people through the forest, as the crow flies I suppose, and I'm guessing Rae and David will follow the road - but just in case they decide to change their route, there's a landmark I've included that you should probably be aware of. I've got a small town, described as just a little bigger than the Park itself, on the coast of same river. So far the only thing that's been mentioned is the little mom-and-pop souvenir store where Trinity, Dean, and Jonathan are taking cover right now.

Important comment over. Now I want to slap Rae for letting David take control again *lol*

Anyways, for now I'm betting on my group reaching the Park first. Hopefully that jives with whatever tentative plans you might have - will post it all up on Friday!

I know *lol* but I had to be somewhat "realistic" about it. I have painted her in a rather meek light, but deliberately so. She's not representative of me as a person (I too would have slugged David at least half dozen times before this - you see glimpses of "me" shining through in places when she thinks about shooting him XD) but she is a counterbalance to all the testosterone-driven warmongering viciousness that the others extol. She's meant to be the opposite of the others; Trinity and Dean with their extra-ordinary talents, Corey's scathing wit, Keith's strength and determination, and then David the villain himself. Of course I'm not deliberately tring to make her seem stupid, but she does have a few limitations. David (as her literal opposite) is the most obvious. If I wrote about 2 tough characters always butting heads that would get boring fast. In this way to him she's something lesser than him, something to protect (arguably) and to her he personifies everything she thinks she needs to get by. It's all very tongue-in-cheek really, as I said, David's masoginistic qualities notwithstanding, you can see either one or the other as victims in this little soire depending on the circumstance. That's the idea. Don't get me wrong, even as the writer I'd dearly love to let Rae take over and completely emasculate David sometimes for the things he says or does, but it's more interesting this way. And she will always compete with him in that regard, whether he likes it or not

It's how he as a character deals with it that pushes their relationship in whatever context along. Woot.

Now as for taking a different path, again I think that's smart. Though I'm not too sure where the forrest is in relation to the story so far except nearer we get to The Park itself. I was drawing reference from our previous posts where they walked for hours from the service (gas) station to the clinic and saw nothing, I expanded on that theme. I enjoy this 'end of the world' vision where everything's technically dead. A forrest to me denotes the opposite, hence I steered clear of that. But yes I figure at any rate Trinity will probably get there first. She is faster after all and Jonathan has already proven in some way he can keep up wih her. I don't mind if you do, and wait, in essence 'ambush' us (seeing as how we don't know you're headed there) that will give us something to work with at that part (I imagine David and Trinity will be having a royal rumble when they lock horns again *lol*) as well as dealing with the elements and the straggling dead. Sounds fine to me. As for mine I actually wrote a previous post in flashback form where Rae, David and Rob were leaving some city and had to cross a highway choked with a traffic jam. I never included that as I'm never really into flashbacks per se but at least this way I got to play with that again, and indulge in my love of brutality and violence for seemingly no reason (while David may not be quite to this extent in real life, I do enjoy him as a character, with no regret, no fear and few apparent weaknesses, how often do we get to deal with characters like that?) That was fun to do *sigh*

Anyway I still have a few more posts intended before we even make it to The Park (none that I've written, not much time, I've taken time out of study to post this but you know where my true passion lay) but I'm going to wait til you post to see what I can do with it, if anything. I'm absolutely stoked you've got 15 pages so far, I wish I could return the favour but for now it has to wait. I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve here - just give me the goddamn presents already! *lol*
*deep breath*
Okay.

Well got to go now or I'll still be here posting by the time Friday comes around (shame it's only Thursday to me, meaning it's prolly Wed for you *cries*) but I've got no choice but to wait and mull over ideas I can't pen yet. I'll check back anyway as I normally do. I'm curious to see if Taijitsu follows or even The Doc in whatever state is lurking (seeing as how he's in some way like Trinity now) or if Dean is tracking Trinity tracking Rae or if Jonathan and Trinity will 'last' as "equals" this whole trip there. Time will tell, 'eh? I know I say it always but good luck! Will try and keep my mind focussed on my studies long enough to give you time to post it. Make no promises though

EDIT:
Oh and as for the town, I actually DID want them to pass through civilization (or at least remnants of it) but again will wait to see what you come up with. As it stands at the moment they're following the road because it offers some degree of shelter from the elements and maybe a source of lifesaving supplies but if they can find it a mode of transport that's not locked in by which to move faster, as Keith suggested they do. It all has a purpose, see?

Having said that IF Rae and Dave go through this town wouldn't it be AFTER Trinity and Jon do? I mean is Trinity trying to track her or merely thinks 'damn it, I'll go straight to The Park and wait for her there?' - does she not run the risk of waiting forever for nothing if something happens to Rae during the journey? Just wondering how you justify that was all... But at any rate they're moving at a slower pace and it will take them a few more days than your two. But we'll see. And I'll shut up again now (or try to)

(yay for the bold red - see what you made me do? XD)

-- Edited by Ravynlee on Thursday 20th of August 2009 10:56:32 AM

Jess · V.I.P 260

You should've seen me grin when hotmail told me I had an email from Quills. And I was reading an interview with Trent Reznor, too, so I was busy. Hahah. Weren't you saying something about a kid on Christmas Eve? Yeah that sums it up *lol*

About the town and tracking and whatnot -- between tiredness and being distraced by Jonathan and Dean, Trinity lost track of Rae, so she decided to just go to the Park and hope they'd meet there. I'm reckoning that they're stopping in the town two days after leaving the clinic (they left the same day Rae and Dave did, just several hours later). But of course there's always leeway, as no one in my group has anything to actually tell time - they have to guesstumate by the position of the sun. Also Trinity's spent some time unconscious, so since it's from her point of view we can pretty much warp that stretch of time any way we want.

I really haven't thought of anything with the Doc in a while - I'm still kind of seeing him as a fixture back at the clinic and base - but we can say with little doubt that Taijitsu, once it realizes 'mommy' is on the move, will be headed after her. It's up to you to deal with that

Anyhow for now my three are at rest in their town. They might stay there a for a day or two, in fact, who knows - I have a loose idea about something but I'm not sure if I want to pursue it right now or not. It's actually kind of liberating to have our two groups seperate, not having to worry about stepping on any toes. Something different. Still looking forward to reaching the Park though - being apart for a while and then meeting up again should do some interesting things to the groups' dynamics.

Jess · V.I.P 260

w00t double post.

As explanation for what I'm about to post - It behooves me to separate my people's adventures pre-Park into three sections, which for some reason I'm calling episodes (probably because I keep thinking how awesome the Park would be as a serialized TV show *lol*). Ep. 1 I am just about to post; Ep. 2 needs a little editing still because I was typing it until 6 AM and it's probably riper with spelling and grammar mistakes than an unattended apple orchard, but hey, it'll be up some time tonight anyhow so who cares. 28 pages. Wheee. God I need sleep so badly right now.

EDITIFY: Ep. 2 wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be so it's up already. Cause for jubilation indeed. So just to make sure it's clear, this is my contribution for a while - I may or may not have Episode 3 (which'll end with them getting to the Park as I have it planned now, but you never knew when a part four might spring up, eh?) ready next weekend. It'll probably turn out to be kind of long, and I won't have quite as much time to work now that I have school and actually need sleep *gasp - what a novel concept* But obsession being what it is I'll probably "forget" some geometry or something so's I can type here

Well, I can think of nothing else to ramble on about, so I'll shut up and maybe go take a nap.

-- Edited by Jess on Saturday 22nd of August 2009 04:09:12 AM

Ravynlee · ~ ModMother / The Cougar ~ 290

Editify? *lol* Why do I suddenly think of lyrics when I read that? *shrugs* (Sleep deprivation coupled with suger low perhaps?) Hmm. No matters...

Well! So much to comment on! It's one of those posts I never want to end. So big! Way impressed! *lol* OMFG what are the odds Jonathan was a con too? Is it not amusing in some psychological sense that the only people better 'suited' to an end of the world scenario IS murderers, thieves, rapists and the like who by their very nature and circumstance have already adapted to life on the fringe of civility? I think it's fascinating personally (And I could rant on about that for hours, of course, but for your sake, I won't) ;)
I was stunned by this revelation (though he strikes me as the type to be like real life Davo in the straight jacket XD) and had to laugh at his confession about stealing nothing bigger than a pushbike (again *lol* hardened 'crim' that one) but the posts in part happening in a prison was eerie. That Paddy was a weird one. But I can imagine a world devoid of law-enforcement has to create it's own brutal regime (sp?) and a lot of people can't function without some kind of figurehead, no matter how insane (case in point; Hitler). It's better to belong than be alone. Maybe. Also that woman you've picked up, nice dynamic now pushing the group from 3-4. I wonder now will she get attached to Jonathan perhaps and add to this sexual tension that exists between the current 3? (Funny how it's so prevalent, it's unavoidable. No matter what show you watch, where you go, who it is, get a man and woman together and you will always get sexual tension, it's primitive at best, and works oh so well in an apocalyptic context) Is she "based" on anyone in particular? And I adored Trinity's reflection on what she might have in the future. That was a huge leap forward for her in terms of character development, she who has always been preoccupied with trying to find herself in the past. That was well done (mind you of the two options she had of potential fathers that evil spawn of Jonathan's sounded quite cute!)

I was concerned initially about the trio spotting the trees upon leaving the clinic - until I realised when my 2 left it was night so we wouldn't have seen it - otherwise I was worried how I was going to justify that on my end, but interesting interpretation of a completely opposing landscape. Jonathan in the tree taunting the dead - says a lot about his character than 3 pages of dialog ever could. And I'm also surprised at how Dean seems so 'aloof' now. It's like he's different yet again, he almost doesn't seem to care if he loses Trinity and acts like he does, regardless what he says. His absence will be interesting to explain considering he almost always disappears when she's in grave danger (notice that?). And Trinity's descent into 'humanity' is a great concept. Makes her far more interesting as a character than the unfalable soldier she'd otherwise be. Just my 2 cents is all.

SO after that I'm wondering what ep 3 entails? Had to laugh, episodes huh? If this were a TV series it'd be censored to the crapper, at least my contributions anyway. But it does read like this now, we've come a long way from the first few tentative pages. If ever we end this I wholeheartedly believe we should collaborate again on another project. I think we work well together. Just have to make it through this one (make it out alive) first! XD

One thing - you made mention of the fact that it wouldn't take long for you to get to The Park when I did mention Keith's reckoning was at least a week on foot. With Jonathan slowing you down and Trinity's injury that should have slowed you down more. Granted the vehicle now makes you faster it doesn't detract from the fact it took Keith's van 2-3 days to get to the clinic from The Park and that was pretty-much non-stop wasn't it? Just being anal about the details, it's irelevant now you're carred up, but was still wondering about that. And I'm still in 2 minds about taking my 2 there (to that weird town yours just left). I did actually have something far more ominous and bigger in mind (I'm cruel to them, I know XD) but again will have to see what happens. I am tending to think that mine won't go that way. Putting David in that environment would ensue in bloodshed I fear but I've pretty much indicated we're in the middle of nowhere. That's a far cry from a small town in the bush. Maybe it's because I've recently moved out into a flat dry dusty place I've been subliminally influenced, lord knows, but I do tend to think after the confinement of the clinic, the base, and The Park, that facing a place so dead opposite (pun intended) brings with it its own unique challenges and horrors. And that's something new and interesting for me to get out of my system before I make it to where we're headed - just got to get there first.

Anyway I'll shutup now. Just wanted to let you know I read it and of course I was impressed. Keen to see where you take it with ep 3(?) - I doubt I'll have anything ready this weekend but I'll never say never. Looking forward to more of course. Kudos

-- Edited by Ravynlee on Saturday 22nd of August 2009 04:09:34 PM

Jess · V.I.P 260

'Editify' and you think of 'Stupify' *shakes head* You would, crazy woman; you would

Funny thing about Jonathan. Originally he was just going to be cannon fodder for Dean - he was going to have like half a dozen lines, no name, look at Trinity wrong, and Dean was going to pop out and bust his head open. The somehow in those half-dozen lines I decided "I like this guy" so I gave him a name (and since his scene was inspired by a Korn song, 'Jonathan' seemed appropriate) and didn't let Dean kill him. Hahah. Now look at 'im. ... Jeez I sound like a proud mother, don't I? Yike.

Tera is kind of sort of partially a little bit based on the idea of someone, and it's so obscure as to be meaningless. Believe me.

Collaborate on another project? Sounds awesome

But I'm too infatuated with this one to even think about letting it rest easy - though I admit I have wondered if there even any way we could give it a 'happy ending' if we wanted to. Apart from ... killing everyone. Yeah, that's happy in my book; it's been established that I'm terrible, let's move on *lol*

As for Ep3 - I'm thinking there's going to be a lot more unconscious time for Trinity, so the actual days will be blurred together. Which is good, because to be quite honest I've already confused myself about the days and I was writing the darn thing.

If you do decide to take Rae and David to the town, keep in mind that it's highly likely they would get captured or at least meet up with some of Paddy's people. (I've got the idea that Tera's flight and Kenny's death might make some of the peons a little less willing to bend to their dictator's will, so capture isn't certain, I'd say). And if they did, it's almost for sure they'd hear about Trinity and Jonathan. Just a thought. I'm looking forward to anything you describe as 'ominous and bigger' no matter where it's set.

Awesome. I'm done. My bloodshot eyes and I are going to bed for real this time.

Ravynlee · ~ ModMother / The Cougar ~ 290

*lol*
Tera is kind of sort of partially a little bit based on the idea of someone, and it's so obscure as to be meaningless. Believe me.
Okay, I'll take your word for it. Though the ranting has obviously rubbed off on you. A simple 'no' may have sufficed... but it wouldn't have been very entertaining that way to respond then would it? XD You crack me up, madam. Kudos.

Well I am almost free of assignments (2 done in 2 days, not bad going if I say so myself) so hopefully soon I'll have something ready to post for you. I use this story as my rewards system, if I get things done I allow myself the privelage to write more and in essence treat myself - it sounds lame but it's worthwhile at least for a fellow obsessor like me. So I DO at present have a few pages done and will continue with them today/tonight. Thinking I might go reread some past sections OR watch '28 Days Later' (I frackin' LOVE that movie, quite possibly my fav flick of 'zombie' genre, say what you will) to get inspired. As for the 'ominous and bigger' part, I'll indulge you this much with a small hint. Rae and Dave are breaking a cardinal rule of the survivors - I believe I even made mention of this way back when we first went into The Park. Put simply we're heading into the (a) city. Oh yes, let the carnage begin I say!

*insert malicious laughter here - Dr Evil style*

I'm such a b*tch, I know

More soon-ish / as soon as I can manage it.

Jess · V.I.P 260

Finished Episode 3. It kinda feels like nothing happened, but I guess I get bored when there's not much carnage. There's also a little add-on at the end -- which my silly brain instantly dubbed DVD bonus content. Interpret it how you will, but I'm unashamed to admit I've just been itching to write a bit from Jonathan's point of view, so there it is

Probably obvious from the ending there is gonna be a Ep.4 now.

Any update on how far along Rae and David are? *jumps up and down impatiently - yes I do that in real life, too* No pressure of course *keeps jumping*

Ravynlee · ~ ModMother / The Cougar ~ 290

Hey Jess, that's alright, jump away I say, just don't burn yourself out in the process I say (I'm not hyperactive so I don't quite understand the dynamics of excitability but I can try I suppose) - As for Rae and Dave to be honest I kind of lost interest this week, wrote my 2 pages or so and left it there. I have time today (and coincidentally have it open now for the first time all week on my other computer) so I'll try and get something up by tonight for ya so it doesn't feel like your carrying all the weight. Can't make any promises though ;)

Haven't read your update yet but I'm about to. Hoping it will reinspire me or something. If not just good old fashioned entertainment will do just fine. Look forward to the weekend just to read your updates. Sad isn't it? But I'll shut up now and go read and hopefully be back by tonight with something from my end. And *lol* @ the quotes in your sig. I have to wonder sometimes what you make of half the stuff I write...

Ravynlee · ~ ModMother / The Cougar ~ 290

DP.

So apologies the update is short, reason is explained before post. I tried to write several times but the 'passion' was gone for the most part. I pushed out a few pages as I often do when I have little time left (work well under pressure, apparently). I didn't like much of what I did force and subsequently got rid of it. Shortened the post but it's a better direction this way, at least from my perspective, sort of.

As we're not 'together' at the mo it's hard not to relate and keep the groups united in some way/some common cause. I have to keep reminding myself that Rae doesn't know Trinity's following because I as the writer read it and almost transfer that knowledge on when I shouldn't. Though it's subtle I tried to impress a kind of grief here, Rae's pretty much accepted the fact (finally) she screwed up and is pretty much convinced she'll never see Trinity again. I'm supposing thats something to keep in mind in the coming week or so when we get to reunite again at last.

I do as it stands have 2 more posts I want to write and get up before we arrive at The Park. What you do between times is of course up to you. Given my two are way behind yours, they're ill, dehydrated, exhausted, and bordering on delusional/insane by now there gonna crash soon for at least a day/two days before pushing on. There's a lot of potential in entering such forbidden and vast territory, almost too much, I kind of intimidated myself out of writing at all, but I'm contemplating a solution with the weather you introduced that will come and go and give me something to work with. Hopefully this time next week I at least *fingers crossed* should be about ready to walk back inside The Park's gates again.

Well I'll shut up now and get ready for bed, as I have class tomorrow and another assignment due on the weekend. *sigh* Hopefully if you get a chance to write more please do. I feel bad I'm not contributing big posts like I was before and like you now are but the heart's just not there. When I read yours I get inspired. I know once I get back to The Park the pressure will be back on and I won't have a choice but to post. Just... feeling a bit... flat? at the moment is all. We'll see what I can come up with before next weekend. Anyways best of luck and yeah, catch up again soon!

Jess · V.I.P 260

What! What kind of a place to stop is that! *whines* Maaaa ...

Hmph. Well. Anyways, I have the last of the episodes finished and I'm about to post`em up. I'm in the Park now, intact if barely, and just a-waitin' on you to join me so we can push each other along when need-be

I might do a bit more in the Park before your guys come, but probably not. Depends on your posts leading up to arrival.

Ravynlee · ~ ModMother / The Cougar ~ 290

Aww daught... *chuckles*

Awesome, will try and catch up to you (at The Park) soon. I just have one detail to sort out and we'll be on our merry way - as it stood I had to make up for the time lapse compared to yours, hence this drawn out thing (told you I was far more into character development than the rest, horror notwithstanding ;)). As for the way I left it I was, as of writing, in 2 minds as to who to have there - now I have decided I can proceed ;)

Will read yours now and probably pen one more update before we reach The Park.

You have the freedom of one more update if you so choose before we get there. Your call.

-- Edited by Ravynlee on Friday 4th of September 2009 03:13:26 PM

Jess · V.I.P 260

Awesome timing, since I was just about to get offline and go find a life someplace *lol*

Awesomer post. Main reason? I'd thought about somehow making Taijitsu more human, but in the end I decided that it was your playground. It's scary that we both thought of something so off the wall

But you did it much better than I would have - I'd've been too obsessed with the horror aspects, and you had me literally awww-ing out loud. Especially Tai starting to talk - adorable. (Not to mention snickering over Rae's "Well looks like you’ve got something in common then." *lol* Oh and on a similar note to that - ack he ate Dan Donegan! Now who'll play guitar in my dream band? Curses!)

Hopin' you'll have more for me when I get up tomorrow. I'm greedy

-- Edited by Jess on Saturday 5th of September 2009 05:47:10 PM

Ravynlee · ~ ModMother / The Cougar ~ 290

Double Post. Pfft. Big deal.

So I know how that last one (update) sounded and I probably should have thrown some kind of warning in there but damn it it was just easier on my part not to *lol* I'm hoping of course as you read that you didn't roll your eyes and think 'oh my god here we go again' - if you did pay attention. That's all I'm gonna say in regards to that.

Now as for Taijitsu what I did was bring him into a more 'real' (?) persona - and tried to tie it all in of course with the Doc's experiments on kids and this notion that there's some kind of purpose to it (namely the creation of the super soldier in some context - the Doc worked in a military base, he experimented on humans and the undead alike and kids, I was spitballing here) but what Tai's limitations are or aren't of course remains to be seen. I needed a way to get him out of being that abstract terrifying creature into something I could work with... Don't know if it works or not but it just kind of happened - and now we'll have 3 monsters running around soon enough, 'eh? XD

I'll probably have the last parts up tonight. I'm working on it anyway. Thinking about bringing in another character but as it stands right now I'm seriously trying to decide which way Rae's going to go - she's showing signs of independance, the hard task is whether to ditch David now and let her wander in alone or vise versa - god knows at this point. When I know you'll know, out it that way.

So just so you're aware 2 more posts from me and I'll be at The Park (we're out of the suburbs and in the city right now as I type this so shouldn't be much longer now). Again feel free to post or wait as you see fit. Now I'll shut up ranting and get back to it.

Jess · V.I.P 260

Um ... wow. Just wow. That came out of nowhere. David's gone now - well, out of the picture at least? That was probably on the bottom of my Things I'm Expecting List.

And my jead's spinning with possibilities now. Awesome

I'll happily write you back in - I've got at least three ideas - so long as you've got no problems waiting 'til next weekend for anything to happen.

Ravynlee · ~ ModMother / The Cougar ~ 290

Triple post - OMG I'm a naughty lil hobbit *lol* But no matters...

Warning - over-analytical ranting ahead!

So if you're reading this I'm going to assume you've read the recent update and probably have questions - and if you haven't I'd strongly suggest you stop reading this post now and go there so I don't spoil anything for you.

*waits*

Okay assuming now you have read it I'll sqaure a few things here and hope I make sense enough and haven't thrown any proverbial spanners in your works to ruin anything you might have been intending. So yes now sadly David has gone. My reasons for that were quite simple. He needed to go. As he was he was too stereotypical at least in my mind, as fun as it was to write him in, I needed a way to sort of balance all the sh!t he'd done (and had to just to survive) with something equally as extreme. While I won't say he's definately dead, for all intents and purposes at least for now I intend to leave him where he is and bring him back again later if I feel that way inclined. Though he and Rae had become in essence the Yin to each other's Yang I thought eliminating one would open up new opportunities for the one left behind - and seeing as how Rae is my centralised character David and all his surly observations had to leave. A big sacrifice for sure - and don't think for a second it was easy *lol* - but as I said with everything we've all kind of been through I knew it was the last thing anyone would have been expecting. Trinity and co never really looked at David as a good guy before and his arrival would have been as terse as all the other previous interractions, so we would have just perpetuated that same vicious cycle. Now when Rae shows up minus David there's going to be a drastic shift in a whole new unexpected direction, and that's exactly what I think we needed.
What you draw from David's disappearance (whether you think he really was acting selflessly or just to save his own ass) I'm leaving completely up to you to explore should you feel the need.

Now, Sam.
Well this was an impulse really (and ashamedly I have to admit I am easily influenced by TV/movies etc) so this of course is the other half to the Supernatural boys that I somehow based your Dean on (there's the influence of the 'quick wit' I inscribe your Dean with ;)) - BUT I was very wary right off the bat that this not turn into another OMG I love SPN/Padackles slashie fanfic or whatnot *rolls eyes* Seeing as how we've borrowed singers and actors I wanted someone to tie in to one of your characters and was almost very nearly going to make Sam and Trinity related until I thought that might have really thrown you off guard in terms of what you had planned for her back story. As you've already written a sense of doubt over Dean's character I thought I'd play on that a bit and bringing someone in who 'knows' Dean (at least before the war/serum/infection) might put a real human face on what is fast becoming another kind of hybrid. Dean was ashamedly an easy target. I took the liberty of validating Dean's gifts with fighting/weaponry/defence with Sam's confession about their father being a soldier. That I hope gave him more 'grounding' without relying too heavily on the serum that made him into what we now know him as.

Again what you do with this is entirely up to you. I never mentioned their relationship (but read between the lines of Sam's confession and draw your own conclusions) so I wasnt sure how Dean especially would react seeing his brother after obviously cutting familial ties. AND as if I hadn't already over-thought all of it, the idea was really very simple. After writing about David and having unstable characters like Jonathan and in their own ways Corey and Dean, I wanted to write about someone who was primarily their opposite. We needed a clean soul without many blemishes at all just to prove if nothing else sane people could exist in a post-apocalyptic world without turning into something crazy, heartless, or savage. So yeah, he's basically a clean slate wandering in for us to manipulate and create as we see fit ;) At this point, though it's very early days, I want to make it clear that no Sam is not a substitute for David. There is no relationship here in the making, at least not consciously. For a while Rae is going to mourn most likely and use this loss to toughen her up so she can start being more independant as I'd been hinting to and less of a needy emotional doormat for the bastards that walk amongst us *lol*

SO after all that yes a few things have happened - and I'm still not 100 percent sure about Tai and his new transformation beyond what I've already told you. I'm thinking perhaps only Trinity and Dean (maybe) will recognise Tai for what he really is but to everyone else he's just a kid that needs protecting, and is, symbolically, what they're all really fighting so hard to stay alive for (the future). From my writing perspective Tai, in my mind, is like an alien learning to adapt in his new body. I've eluded to this parrallel between him and the rest of the kids in the Doc's care (at least Lucas - because Lucas and Selene and Amelia and Trinity seemed to be the only ones who could communicate with 'it' in monsterous form and that to me meant they all somehow had to be 'alike' to whatever degree) - so now Rae's bringing him in as one of them and acting the mother role we've inscribed in her from the very beginning. In typical over-analytical form as the oldest (I assume) she's now accepted a matriarchal status or mother role (or will when she arrives) at The Park. That's deliberate. The Park we are claiming back from DL/Jason/Leon etc, so one of us had to take the lead. Rae being the embodiment of 'homebody' is moving in and stepping up as a sad mother symbol for the youngins. I'm thinking in this way, now with the loss of David and the new responsibility of 'raising' Tai Rae's relationship with Trinity will change drastically too (and in some part it's influenced by this virtual thing we've got going on 'aw maaa!' *lol* That's where my head's at, see?)

ANYWAY so after all that I finally got us on the road to The Park. Where we are at the moment is relative to what you pen next and if I see a gap I'll write myself in that way or you can just take control and write me and the tall new guy and the skinny lil bald kid (bald not because of David, no, but because Taijitsu the creature didn't have hair either, and severe malnutrician can result in drastic hair loss = easily 'explainable'), all 3 of us in. Again, just so we're clear on this point I will NOT write anything more now until I wait and see what you do next. Just wanted to clarify that point so you didn't maybe waste time needlessly waiting.

So now hopefully I've given you enough to work off or at least mention or think about as we come together in the one place again. As much as I could have gone mongrel in the separate posts I do miss our interraction - and I'm glad things have changed enough now that we're coming back to new things, not going back and repeating ourselves to a point we'd be too eaily bored. Now, at last, we're ready to get back on track again, minus a few 'key' characters. Hoping all of that above didn't confuse you (oh I'm too lazy to reread it, I'm just gonna trust I make sense and leave it at that) and look forward to seeing now how you interpret it!

GOOD LUCK!

EDIT: Damnit you posted while I was ranting! *huffs* Well, at least most of that above can be salvaged... *giggles* And yes I can wait. I spent the last 3 days writing this instead of working on my assignment which was due on Friday. I'm probably going to fail history because of this story but be damned, I enjoy it too much to ignore it. But I should probably now just go back and do what I should have been doing all this time... Again good luck. Oh so excited to see what you come up with! *is excited like you wouldn't imagine*

-- Edited by Ravynlee on Sunday 6th of September 2009 12:18:27 PM

Ravynlee · ~ ModMother / The Cougar ~ 290

DP -

Useless info # 1001

We're at 573 MS Word pages now, how sick is that?!

Jess · V.I.P 260

Yay super-early post! Happy early\late birthday or Christmas or Hannukah or something! Or Labor Day; it's responsible for me having internet access today anyway. The post isn't very long - wouldn't be, being early - but I've got more coming. I just thought I'd give you a surprise

Oh yeah, and my record says 425 pages, but then I think I'm using a smaller font. I also haven't included Brendan's or Pete's posts. I was psyched when we hit 300, but past that I haven't really paid much attention to it *lol* One more thing I shamefully forgot about:

NINTH PAGE!