Hi All,
Well, the following is something that sort of just came to mind as I was sitting around. It's what I like to call "Gaiden" stories, or side stories from characters that I like to have a little time in the limelight. This one is for Bella, and it may continue if piques any interest.
If you'd like fluff bits on any character, let me know and I'll uh... try to do my best.
Best,
-BT
P.S. C&C is VERY appreciated :)
-----------------
Bella's Night Out
-----------------------------
Chapter One: The Proposition
-----------------------------
Hekatrix Allonia moaned, turning over and opening a bleary eye. The morning after a Splintermind Orgy was always the hardest. She took a moment to make sure every limb functioned the way it should before sitting up. The Archon wasn't pleased that Farseer Thielbane had rebuffed his invitation, and had taken out his aggressions that night. She just wished that she wasn't the only Wych there. Still, she had to admit, things could be worse. Although wearing the bag over her head was something she could do without.
Slowly rising to her feet, Allonia shuffled down the hall, looking forward to a soothing, warm shower that would hopefully help recoup some of her broken self-esteem. However, upon entering the shower, she paused as her foot plopped into something foul smelling.
"Bella!"
Haemonculus X'Bella Le'gosi looked up. Her friend and roommate Allonia was calling her name again. Perhaps she was excited about something. Bella watched Allonia storm into the room, wearing tattered clothing. Her cheeks were red and her eyebrows were pushed together. Bella turned her head to the side. Such facial mannerisms usually meant anger. At least, she was fairly certain that given a...
"Bella, what did we say about washing your monsters in the shower?"
Bella paused for a moment, memories clicking to the surface.
"Yes, Friend Allonia. You had mentioned that you wished for the Grotesques to be bathed in the afternoon after your morning cleansing routine."
Allonia nodded, pointing to a glob of something on her foot, "Then why did you go and foul up the shower early then?"
Bella frowned, "Friend Allonia, it is the afternoon. Did you not engage in your normal routine?"
Allonia's eyes widened. It was the afternoon already? Oh, the Archon was going to be mad.
"Bella, I have to go. Can you just... take the monsters for a walk or something?"
Bella turned her head from side to side. The Grotesques often did walk. Bipedal locomotion was clearly one of the more common...
Allonia fumed, "I mean, just... can you go out for one night?"
Bella paused her head-turning and asked, "Query: What location..."
"I don't care, Bella, just go... somewhere. I have to go take care of things. Please, just one night?"
Before she could respond, Allonia whipped on her spare Wychsuit and ran out of the room.
Curious, thought Bella, a night outside? It was an interesting idea. The Archon had never mentioned such a possibility. Indeed, perhaps going out would be a useful activity. Friend Allonia was always looking out for her indeed.
---------------------
X'Bella Le'Gosi watched the drink closely in front of her. The Ssylth that poured it for her said that it had a strong kick, although Bella had yet to see it move. Perhaps another few hours and it would manifest some kind of motor activity.
"Ahem. Sorry to be a bother."
Bella looked up and saw a number of Wyches. They were not Allonia. The one in front was addressing her and had a number of adornments that indicated that she was of higher station. In addition, less clothing, which indicated either increased prowess or lack of funding. Bella was never entirely sure which one.
"You are drinking alone?"
Bella looked around. The Grotesques were standing around her and the Wracks were at the ready as they always were. None required orally ingested liquid sustenance. Neither technically did Bella, although according to her observations, sitting at a table with a drink was the proper etiquette.
"You're... a Haemonculus, aren't you? What's your name?"
Bella looked up. The Wyches were still there. Curious. Others who talked to her previously had left after a period of time. Perhaps there was a genuine need for conversation.
"Bella."
The Wych smiled and settled down to the table, "Ah, good. My name is Arkasha. Perhaps you've heard of me?"
Bella frowned, as memories and cognitive calculations collided. She had heard of many individuals with such a name, but the manner in which the Wych spoke indicated that she expected Bella to have knowledge of her existence prior to their meeting. Which indicated that some kind of increased reputation/renown had been gathered. Perhaps she was like Friend Allonia.
"You are a Hekatrix?"
The Wyches behind Arkasha covered their mouths and turned away, shaking slightly. Bella noted that indicated laughter. Perhaps they were amused by something. The Wych named Arkasha shook slightly and gritted her teeth for several moments. Perhaps she was stifling digestive difficulties. Bella had seen such problems before. It would take a few moments to produce a mixture that would relieve...
"Succubus, little one. I am the Succubus of the Flayed Heart."
Bella turned her head to the side. Succubus. Definition: the highest ranking Wych of a Cult. "Succubus. Higher in station than a Hekatrix."
"Indeed."
Arkasha paused for a few more moments and then spoke, "I... see you've come here with quite a few of your... creations. Are you interested in joining a raid? I happen to have a very interesting one planned."
Bella turned her head to the other side. Friend Allonia did not state where the night out was to occur, and Succubus Arkasha seemed much like Friend Allonia. Perhaps it would be a good means of increasing social connectivity.
"Yes, Succubus Arkasha. I would like to join your activity. May I ask for additional details?"
Arkasha smiled widely, a facial expression that always confused Bella. It usually meant positive agreement, but had connotations she was often unsure of.
"My dear little Haemonculus, I would be happy to tell you all about it..."
----------------------
Lieutenant Alice Stone checked the reports again before opening the tent flap. No doubt about it, more sentries were missing. More than could be accounted for by the local predators. Something fishy was going on and she had a duty to report it.
She sharply saluted to the men in the room, and said, "General. We have an issue that needs your immediate attention."
The other men surrounding the small table looked up, except the eyepatched general facing the door.
"In a minute, Lieutenant, I've got to win this hand, or the Commissar's going to be walking home with an extra pair of pants."
Alice fumed and stamped over, dropping the reports in the middle of the pile of colored chips in the center of the table, scattering them across the floor. The men muttered and backed away, throwing looks at her. Alice didn't care. Matters were more important than just some game.
The general kept looking at his cards, although Alice could see a throbbing vein in the side of his head.
"Game's over, gentlemen. We'll pick things back up tomorrow. Dismissed."
The other soldiers walked out, and the general waited for a few minutes before standing up.
"Lieutenant Stone, what the Throne are you thinking?! If you've forgotten, I am the one in charge here, and what I say goes."
Alice tried not to roll her eyes. "Daddy..."
General Stone jumped to his feet, "You do not call me that when we are in uniform, little girl. Now that you've ruined my evening, you had better have something important to tell me."
Alice nodded, "Yes, I do... General. We're losing sentries all over the place. Four times as many as expected from previous. Unless the men have decided to all take smoke breaks at the same time, we've got something to worry about."
The General nodded, pacing and flipping the pages of the report on the floor. Alice ignored them for the meantime. She'd have to pick them up later, but now wasn't the time.
"Looks bad, Lieutenant. Get together a scouting force. Get the vets and make aerial recon. Let's see what's out there."
Alice nodded, "Yes, General." She saluted, and was about to turn away, when the older man snorted.
"And remember. We're Catachans, not Cata-cant's."
Alice winced at that one as the General chuckled to himself. Her father had been using that saying since before she was born and even then it was stale. Sometimes she wished she had been born a boy, if only that maybe all of this adrenaline soaked nonsense would make sense. At least, that's what she sometimes thought. Still, she had to admit as she strode out of the tent, it could be a pocket of nasty beasts that intel had missed. It surely wouldn't be the first time. After all, what's the worst that could happen?
-------------------------
I'm enjoying this immensely and would like more! I think it's a great idea!
Thanks Rej!
I noticed a lot of the normal commentors haven't made it to this thread yet, so I'm glad to see that it still meets standards :)
If you're interested, I noticed that Allonia was getting some requests, so I might do her next...
Best,
-BT
This will not become some sort of porn gore or gore porn ain't it? :P
Oh, the joys of Bella...
I'm pretty sure she's my favorite Haemonculus character yet, 'Toof. It's that delightful combination of Franken Fran* and Sheldon Cooper in Dark Eldar form that does it!
This was a fun and well put-together read, like much of your stuff is, and I'm eager for more.
I find myself very curious... As peculiar and 'detached' as Bella is, do you think it'd be possible for her to find "Friends" amongst the other species? I'm imagining any number of sitcom scenes involving Bella and a hapless Guardsman-turned-Dark-Eldar-Captive who's escaped a typically ugly fate via an atypically ugly one. Namely, he's thrown himself on the relative mercy of her obliviousness, and become an aide or something... Maybe even her Igor! After all, every proper mad scientist ought to have one. :P
*
Spoiler
If anyone isn't familiar with Franken Fran, just ask and I'll be happy to tell you about it or give you a link to the comic, but I warn you that it is unintentionally excellent material for understanding the mind and art of a Dark Eldar haemonculus, and thus is very much not for everyone.
Aha, finally a BigToof story here in the fluff section, I clearly missed all the subtle hints in the last battle report and I only noticed this when I saw that it contained the latest forum post. I'll keep an eye on this section more often if you're going to do these.
I'm liking what I'm reading so far, Bella is a fun little character. And seeing other new characters emerge in this new format should be good too, plus it could let you write fluff for those units which sound good but don't work too well on the tabletop.
I can't wait to see the rest of this story and loads of other stories in the future.
Quote from: Isaac Baraqiel on January 04, 2013, 04:54:09 PM
I find myself very curious... As peculiar and 'detached' as Bella is, do you think it'd be possible for her to find "Friends" amongst the other species? I'm imagining any number of sitcom scenes involving Bella and a hapless Guardsman-turned-Dark-Eldar-Captive who's escaped a typically ugly fate via an atypically ugly one. Namely, he's thrown himself on the relative mercy of her obliviousness, and become an aide or something... Maybe even her Igor! After all, every proper mad scientist ought to have one. :P
Friendship if Magic as they would say.
Fuu, how did this one slip by me? I positively HAUNT this part of the forum. I am sorry BT!
It's great though, more more!
I have no idea who any of these characters are, but I adore them already. Bella's amazing, she reminds me quite fondly of my Mechanicum priest in her way of observing the world around her. And the ending piece with the Catachan just leaves me wanting to read more about everybody, and quite curious about the dynamic between the two Stones, as I have this ginormous softspot for Catachan.
Although... I think I've said it to nearly everyone now: moar scenery! :O
Hehe, I admit, I am quite a sucker for discriptive text. I want to know what people look like, where they are, what they wear, everything, anything. All the details that could be possibly had! If I'd be pushed to come up with anything to comment on this story for potential improvement, then it would be that: moar scenery. Other than that it's all sorts of pure awesome. ;D
Quote from: crisis_vyper on January 04, 2013, 04:16:04 PM
This will not become some sort of porn gore or gore porn ain't it? :P
Only if you want it, Crisis, only if you want it :)
.
..
...
Although for some reason, now I can't get the picture of Bella and the mastermind from the Saw movies comparing poetry in iambic pentameter out of my head...
Quote from: Isaac Baraqiel on January 04, 2013, 04:54:09 PM
Oh, the joys of Bella...
I'm pretty sure she's my favorite Haemonculus character yet, 'Toof. It's that delightful combination of Franken Fran* and Sheldon Cooper in Dark Eldar form that does it!
This was a fun and well put-together read, like much of your stuff is, and I'm eager for more.
I find myself very curious... As peculiar and 'detached' as Bella is, do you think it'd be possible for her to find "Friends" amongst the other species? I'm imagining any number of sitcom scenes involving Bella and a hapless Guardsman-turned-Dark-Eldar-Captive who's escaped a typically ugly fate via an atypically ugly one. Namely, he's thrown himself on the relative mercy of her obliviousness, and become an aide or something... Maybe even her Igor! After all, every proper mad scientist ought to have one. :P
*Spoiler
If anyone isn't familiar with Franken Fran, just ask and I'll be happy to tell you about it or give you a link to the comic, but I warn you that it is unintentionally excellent material for understanding the mind and art of a Dark Eldar haemonculus, and thus is very much not for everyone.
Hi Isaac!
Ooh, Franken Fran.
What's that?
(google-ing)
I... Uh...
(reads more)
Daw... Wait, they're sewn... together.... ew...
(reads more)
Where did Sunday go??
In other words, I liked the series, thanks for recommending it, and it was darkly humourous as well :)
I blame any such routes that Bella goes on this entirely on you, my good sir :)
As for Alice, I think she and Bella might sort of get along...
Quote from: Cammerz on January 04, 2013, 05:12:53 PM
Aha, finally a BigToof story here in the fluff section, I clearly missed all the subtle hints in the last battle report and I only noticed this when I saw that it contained the latest forum post. I'll keep an eye on this section more often if you're going to do these.
I'm liking what I'm reading so far, Bella is a fun little character. And seeing other new characters emerge in this new format should be good too, plus it could let you write fluff for those units which sound good but don't work too well on the tabletop.
I can't wait to see the rest of this story and loads of other stories in the future.
Hi Cammerz!
Thanks for the reply, really appreciate it.
I like writing fluff without Batreps from time to time, as I can sort of play with side stories without worrying too much. Don't worry though, I'll write them as well.
If you want a particular character, let me know!
I'm working on Allonia and the Baron at the moment :)
Quote from: crisis_vyper on January 04, 2013, 05:58:21 PM
Quote from: Isaac Baraqiel on January 04, 2013, 04:54:09 PM
I find myself very curious... As peculiar and 'detached' as Bella is, do you think it'd be possible for her to find "Friends" amongst the other species? I'm imagining any number of sitcom scenes involving Bella and a hapless Guardsman-turned-Dark-Eldar-Captive who's escaped a typically ugly fate via an atypically ugly one. Namely, he's thrown himself on the relative mercy of her obliviousness, and become an aide or something... Maybe even her Igor! After all, every proper mad scientist ought to have one. :P
Friendship if Magic as they would say.
See Bella.
See Bella watch MLP.
See Bella go to slave pen.
See Bella go to stables.
Nightmare fuel ENGAGE.
Quote from: Linn Scarlett on January 07, 2013, 02:12:46 PM
Fuu, how did this one slip by me? I positively HAUNT this part of the forum. I am sorry BT!
It's great though, more more!
I have no idea who any of these characters are, but I adore them already. Bella's amazing, she reminds me quite fondly of my Mechanicum priest in her way of observing the world around her. And the ending piece with the Catachan just leaves me wanting to read more about everybody, and quite curious about the dynamic between the two Stones, as I have this ginormous softspot for Catachan.
Although... I think I've said it to nearly everyone now: moar scenery! :O
Hehe, I admit, I am quite a sucker for discriptive text. I want to know what people look like, where they are, what they wear, everything, anything. All the details that could be possibly had! If I'd be pushed to come up with anything to comment on this story for potential improvement, then it would be that: moar scenery. Other than that it's all sorts of pure awesome. ;D
Hi Linn,
Thanks for the reply, although at first I thought you didn't like me anymore :)
I'll try to add more scenery, although in the next one, Alice is a bit... err... hampered in her mental acuity, so that might suffer.
All my characters are from fluff from my Batreps.
Bella, in short, is a Haemonculus, head of the Salon of Sorrow, a small Coven. She's very skilled, but a bit mentally off, as she has a very unreliable memory and some very odd habits. One of the more important ones, is that she likes to wear the flayed faces of young (usually deceased) Eldar, so is often mistaken for an assistant or even a youngling. The fact that she is basically totally socially untrained doesn't help matters much either. She has a crush on her Archon, Y'stral, and is "friends" with Hekatrix Allonia. I think of her as blissfully sociopathic, as she doesn't have a bad bone in her body, but doesn't see the harm in tearing out the beating hearts of Astartes if the experiment calls for it.
And now, here is the second chapter!
Hope you all enjoy it.
Best,
-BT
---------------------------
Chapter 2: A New Friend
---------------------------
Lieutenant Alice Stone felt a dream-like haze seem to build up inside her head. It took a few blinks to realize that she already had her eyes open. She tried to remember what had happened. Things seemed so disjointed. She was on a Valkyrie with her squad. Low-altitude recon. There was an explosion. She ran to the cockpit. More explosions. Pain.
The swirling masses in front of her eyes finally turned into shapes. It was trees. Large trees. She was on her back. A few more blinks, and she tried to move her hands. She looked down as she raised her right hand towards her face. It was hard to make out, but it was covered in redness. Was it blood? She couldn't feel her hand. Or anything else. Why was that? Alice tried to move her left hand up, but nothing happened. She tried again, but still nothing.
Another eternity seemed to pass until her neck finally came into play. She turned her head, and the mere motion caused the world to swim again. And then she saw it. Her arm. It wasn't there. Her left arm ended at just past the shoulder. And sitting so close to her was a hooded figure. With her missing arm. It had knives, slicing into her arm. The figure paused and turned towards her. Then there was more blackness.
Alice wasn't sure of how much time passed before she could see again, but this time, the world seemed to snap into focus much faster. The first thing she did was bring her left hand up to her face. It was there, still attached to the rest of her. She couldn't make it out too well as her eyes seemed to unfocus with each blink, but it was good enough for the moment. She then checked her shoulder, which was scarred, but intact. What was going on?
She looked around. She was in some kind of canopy, made of some strange leather-like material. Very clean, held together by purplish stitching. And above them were trees. Familiar fronds, probably still in the same jungle. A scratching brought her attention back to her left, and to her surprise, the hooded figure was still there.
Alice prayed silently to the Throne and let her right hand feel across her thigh. Her Fang, the Catachan knife that she had carried in one form or another since she was a child, was still there. Either the hooded one didn't notice, or didn't care. In either case, she wasn't going to push her luck.
With a quick motion, she rolled to her feet and whipped out the blade, drawing it within inches of the neck of her target. Alice raised an eyebrow when it didn't even look up. She looked over the stranger, and was a bit surprised. It was small, shorter than her by a few feet, wearing simple grey robes and writing furiously in a small leather-bound book. Maybe an odd Techpriest or Servitor. She coughed to draw attention to the potentially deadly situation, and the figure looked up.
Alice hissed a bit in surprise when she saw the Xenos face looking back at her. Eldar. A girl, or something like it. She hadn't run into Eldar before, but had heard much of the mind-wyches. Not to be trusted, powerful, and manipulative. She would have to be careful.
"Who are you?" Alice said slowly, partially due to the exhaustion that she was trying to ignore and also that she wasn't sure the Xenos could understand her.
The girl looked over at Alice's left arm, nodded, and said, "Minimal degradation. Motion and circulation within normal parameters."
As the strange Xenos was going to writing, Alice staggered to the side, looking around at the jungle. She could hear things, unnatural things that were out there. It could be that the Eldar was involved, or it might be that it was also a captive of whatever was out there, stalking the rest of her team. If any of them were alive, she had to find out, and quickly.
She walked over and poked her knife at the book, drawing the Eldar's attention back to her. "What. Is. Your. Name?"
The Eldar turned her head to the side, as if sampling the flavor of each word. Alice was about to give up hope of a response, when the Eldar responded, "Bella."
Alice nodded. Whoever this Bella was, she clearly was not the mastermind behind what was going on. But, if she was valuable enough for the enemy to capture, then taking her as a potential hostage could prove to be a worthwhile asset.
"Bella. I need to find the rest of my team."
Bella nodded, but simply stood still, not replying.
Alice frowned. Either the Eldar was playing some kind of game, or it was just... slow. She would have to break things down into smaller mental chunks.
"Show me the way out of here. I need a vehicle."
Bella turned her head to the side and nodded, gliding out of the canopy and into the forest.
Alice followed, carefully watching the jungle as she crept along. Blood loss was starting to get to her head, but she was a Catachan. Operating when half-dead was normal operating procedure. She was about to relax her guard a bit, when the jungle shook in front of her, and four enormous monsters walked out, smashing through heavy trees like they were plywood.
The masses of meat had metallic masks and an unnatural number of enormous, muscular arms. They held equally enormous cleavers, and were looking directly at them. The monsters took a step towards her, but stopped when she moved behind the Eldar.
Alice's mind raced. The creatures could easy rend her limb from limb, but they wouldn't get near the Eldar. Either they were afraid, or she was some kind of valuable commodity to them. Which meant that Bella was her ticket out of here.
"Bella. I need to get to a vehicle. Now."
Bella nodded and continued to float in the same direction. Alice followed closely, keeping her Fang towards the monsters following them. They walked for some time before Alice smelled the familiar smell of fuel. Twisted and broken trees laid in front of them, and she recognized her Valkyrie. Or at least, what was left of it. Somehow, it had landed more or less intact. Wings and engines looked still in one piece, and there were only smallish holes in the body. She half-wondered if the pilot and crew were still there. Scrambling forward, she looked around, but something was odd. There were no bodies, but there were signs of a contracted battle. Lasgun packs lay strewn around, blood spatters covered the floor. Something had gotten her men. No doubt about that. But without any comms, there was no hope of meeting up with them.
She frowned as she drew closer to the cockpit, and then let out a relieved sigh when she saw the panels. The ship was still flyable. Alice wasn't the greatest pilot, but even she could fly a Valk. The Mechanicum made the things practically idiot-proof. Although flying by herself while injured with a captured Xenos on-board was pushing it.
"Strap yourself in, Bella, we're getting out of here."
Bella nodded, and sat in the chair next to her new Friend Alice. She was a bit strange for a Mon-Keigh, but at least she seemed to be enjoying her new arm. It was a pity that Bella couldn't save the old one, but at least Alice didn't seem to mind the replacement. She was acting a bit odd, but Bella had seen that effect before on Mon-Keigh from standard narcotics. Bella looked outside and waved at Bobo and the other Grotesques who were watching with barely-contained whimpers from the outside. She wanted to bring them with her, but apparently Alice didn't think they would be appropriate. Bella wondered where they were going. There were many possibilities. Indeed, it might be a rather interesting night after all.
Quote from: BigToof on January 07, 2013, 06:55:34 PM
Thanks for the reply, although at first I thought you didn't like me anymore :)
Don't be silly, of course I still like you! *big reassuring hug* :)
Ohhh, and that new piece, that was glorious BT! Simply glorious!
The feel and flow of this story is lovely, easy to get in and very relaxing to read (and I mean that as a compliment, of course!)
The scenery was better here I think, regardless of Alice her conditions, there was more to go on and form a movie with in my head now. As for Bella, I can see what you said, she really seems a completely harmless (albeit morally highly ambiguous) sociopath, and she's quite adorable in that way, odd as it sounds. I genuinely like the character, and am quite curious to read more of her wonderously wonky life. That, and good Emperor, those whimpering Grotesques just made me want to hug them and tell them t'is all going to be ok! Poor things... :'(
Quote from: BigToof on January 07, 2013, 06:55:34 PM
Quote from: crisis_vyper on January 04, 2013, 04:16:04 PM
This will not become some sort of porn gore or gore porn ain't it? :P
Only if you want it, Crisis, only if you want it :)
.
..
...
Although for some reason, now I can't get the picture of Bella and the mastermind from the Saw movies comparing poetry in iambic pentameter out of my head...
Quote from: Isaac Baraqiel on January 04, 2013, 04:54:09 PM
Oh, the joys of Bella...
I'm pretty sure she's my favorite Haemonculus character yet, 'Toof. It's that delightful combination of Franken Fran* and Sheldon Cooper in Dark Eldar form that does it!
This was a fun and well put-together read, like much of your stuff is, and I'm eager for more.
I find myself very curious... As peculiar and 'detached' as Bella is, do you think it'd be possible for her to find "Friends" amongst the other species? I'm imagining any number of sitcom scenes involving Bella and a hapless Guardsman-turned-Dark-Eldar-Captive who's escaped a typically ugly fate via an atypically ugly one. Namely, he's thrown himself on the relative mercy of her obliviousness, and become an aide or something... Maybe even her Igor! After all, every proper mad scientist ought to have one. :P
*Spoiler
If anyone isn't familiar with Franken Fran, just ask and I'll be happy to tell you about it or give you a link to the comic, but I warn you that it is unintentionally excellent material for understanding the mind and art of a Dark Eldar haemonculus, and thus is very much not for everyone.
Hi Isaac!
Ooh, Franken Fran.
What's that?
(google-ing)
I... Uh...
(reads more)
Daw... Wait, they're sewn... together.... ew...
(reads more)
Where did Sunday go??
In other words, I liked the series, thanks for recommending it, and it was darkly humourous as well :)
I blame any such routes that Bella goes on this entirely on you, my good sir :)
As for Alice, I think she and Bella might sort of get along...
Yeah, Franken Fran is brilliant and unfortunately it helped me broaden my perception and thoughts about 'Squick' and ' Now I Must Scream' thoughts. In fact.......for many years now my RP groups really hated my torture sessions, and were actually quite distressed by the things I did to those unfortunate to suffer the torturer's wrath. Also, being a Psychology major actually helps in mindf**king my players and/or my GM. :P
Haha, oh I am loving this. Bella is such an unbelievable character, only she could develop Stockholm syndrome that quickly and without even realising what was going on. Just the simple use of the words "her new Friend Alice" made me laugh.
Quote from: BigToof on January 07, 2013, 06:55:34 PM
Quote from: Cammerz on January 04, 2013, 05:12:53 PM
Aha, finally a BigToof story here in the fluff section, I clearly missed all the subtle hints in the last battle report and I only noticed this when I saw that it contained the latest forum post. I'll keep an eye on this section more often if you're going to do these.
I'm liking what I'm reading so far, Bella is a fun little character. And seeing other new characters emerge in this new format should be good too, plus it could let you write fluff for those units which sound good but don't work too well on the tabletop.
I can't wait to see the rest of this story and loads of other stories in the future.
Hi Cammerz!
Thanks for the reply, really appreciate it.
I like writing fluff without Batreps from time to time, as I can sort of play with side stories without worrying too much. Don't worry though, I'll write them as well.
If you want a particular character, let me know!
I'm working on Allonia and the Baron at the moment :)
I'm not worrying about the battle reports, if anything I probably prefer this, just pure fluff which isn't limited to a game which you played out and was controlled by rules and dice gods.
So, besides Allonia and the Baron who do I want? My first thought was Lorilune, she's always been a favourite of mine so anything set around her will be great. Besides her, possibly those new lieutenants which the Baron has found himself with, it'd be nice to see their thought processes as the battle reports tend to focus on the Baron (and for good reason).
Also, one of your problems is that you can't find anyone to replace Lady D as a recurring antagonist, but this board might be the perfect place to invent one as this isn't restricted to your games and they can be as powerful as you want even if their model wouldn't be on the tabletop. Just a few things to think about.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing where this story goes, its great so far.
Quote from: Linn Scarlett on January 07, 2013, 10:53:38 PM
Quote from: BigToof on January 07, 2013, 06:55:34 PM
Thanks for the reply, although at first I thought you didn't like me anymore :)
Don't be silly, of course I still like you! *big reassuring hug* :)
Ohhh, and that new piece, that was glorious BT! Simply glorious!
The feel and flow of this story is lovely, easy to get in and very relaxing to read (and I mean that as a compliment, of course!)
The scenery was better here I think, regardless of Alice her conditions, there was more to go on and form a movie with in my head now. As for Bella, I can see what you said, she really seems a completely harmless (albeit morally highly ambiguous) sociopath, and she's quite adorable in that way, odd as it sounds. I genuinely like the character, and am quite curious to read more of her wonderously wonky life. That, and good Emperor, those whimpering Grotesques just made me want to hug them and tell them t'is all going to be ok! Poor things... :'(
Thanks for the kind words Linn.
I'm glad you're liking Bella. She does have a way of growing on people that is often times hard to describe (kind of like lichen).
And Bobo and the Grotesques get a pat! Haha, well, they'll probably be back later as well...
Quote from: crisis_vyper on January 07, 2013, 11:26:56 PM
Quote from: BigToof on January 07, 2013, 06:55:34 PM
Quote from: crisis_vyper on January 04, 2013, 04:16:04 PM
This will not become some sort of porn gore or gore porn ain't it? :P
Only if you want it, Crisis, only if you want it :)
.
..
...
Although for some reason, now I can't get the picture of Bella and the mastermind from the Saw movies comparing poetry in iambic pentameter out of my head...
Quote from: Isaac Baraqiel on January 04, 2013, 04:54:09 PM
Oh, the joys of Bella...
I'm pretty sure she's my favorite Haemonculus character yet, 'Toof. It's that delightful combination of Franken Fran* and Sheldon Cooper in Dark Eldar form that does it!
This was a fun and well put-together read, like much of your stuff is, and I'm eager for more.
I find myself very curious... As peculiar and 'detached' as Bella is, do you think it'd be possible for her to find "Friends" amongst the other species? I'm imagining any number of sitcom scenes involving Bella and a hapless Guardsman-turned-Dark-Eldar-Captive who's escaped a typically ugly fate via an atypically ugly one. Namely, he's thrown himself on the relative mercy of her obliviousness, and become an aide or something... Maybe even her Igor! After all, every proper mad scientist ought to have one. :P
*Spoiler
If anyone isn't familiar with Franken Fran, just ask and I'll be happy to tell you about it or give you a link to the comic, but I warn you that it is unintentionally excellent material for understanding the mind and art of a Dark Eldar haemonculus, and thus is very much not for everyone.
Hi Isaac!
Ooh, Franken Fran.
What's that?
(google-ing)
I... Uh...
(reads more)
Daw... Wait, they're sewn... together.... ew...
(reads more)
Where did Sunday go??
In other words, I liked the series, thanks for recommending it, and it was darkly humourous as well :)
I blame any such routes that Bella goes on this entirely on you, my good sir :)
As for Alice, I think she and Bella might sort of get along...
Yeah, Franken Fran is brilliant and unfortunately it helped me broaden my perception and thoughts about 'Squick' and ' Now I Must Scream' thoughts. In fact.......for many years now my RP groups really hated my torture sessions, and were actually quite distressed by the things I did to those unfortunate to suffer the torturer's wrath. Also, being a Psychology major actually helps in mindf**king my players and/or my GM. :P
Hi Crisis,
You're a psych major? Interesting.
Hopefully you use your powers of the mind for good and not naughtiness :)
Quote from: Cammerz on January 08, 2013, 12:14:28 AM
Haha, oh I am loving this. Bella is such an unbelievable character, only she could develop Stockholm syndrome that quickly and without even realising what was going on. Just the simple use of the words "her new Friend Alice" made me laugh.
Quote from: BigToof on January 07, 2013, 06:55:34 PM
Quote from: Cammerz on January 04, 2013, 05:12:53 PM
Aha, finally a BigToof story here in the fluff section, I clearly missed all the subtle hints in the last battle report and I only noticed this when I saw that it contained the latest forum post. I'll keep an eye on this section more often if you're going to do these.
I'm liking what I'm reading so far, Bella is a fun little character. And seeing other new characters emerge in this new format should be good too, plus it could let you write fluff for those units which sound good but don't work too well on the tabletop.
I can't wait to see the rest of this story and loads of other stories in the future.
Hi Cammerz!
Thanks for the reply, really appreciate it.
I like writing fluff without Batreps from time to time, as I can sort of play with side stories without worrying too much. Don't worry though, I'll write them as well.
If you want a particular character, let me know!
I'm working on Allonia and the Baron at the moment :)
I'm not worrying about the battle reports, if anything I probably prefer this, just pure fluff which isn't limited to a game which you played out and was controlled by rules and dice gods.
So, besides Allonia and the Baron who do I want? My first thought was Lorilune, she's always been a favourite of mine so anything set around her will be great. Besides her, possibly those new lieutenants which the Baron has found himself with, it'd be nice to see their thought processes as the battle reports tend to focus on the Baron (and for good reason).
Also, one of your problems is that you can't find anyone to replace Lady D as a recurring antagonist, but this board might be the perfect place to invent one as this isn't restricted to your games and they can be as powerful as you want even if their model wouldn't be on the tabletop. Just a few things to think about.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing where this story goes, its great so far.
Hi Cammerz,
Thanks for your support. I'm glad you're liking this outlet, and I hope you'll be along for the rest of Bella's adventures.
I'm really considering trying to find a way to bring in another antagonist, but it's often hard, as Lady D is almost impossible to top. But, I'm working on it :)
Maybe the Baron's fluff will help.
Also, you want more of the brothers? I can do that :)
Best,
-BT
Quote from: BigToof on January 08, 2013, 02:44:47 PM
Hi Crisis,
You're a psych major? Interesting.
Hopefully you use your powers of the mind for good and not naughtiness :)
You expected some other major Bigtoof? :P
Why not use for both good and naughtiness? :pie:
There is a story? How did I miss a story?! Loving it so far, most engaging.
Quote from: crisis_vyper on January 09, 2013, 01:05:09 AM
Quote from: BigToof on January 08, 2013, 02:44:47 PM
Hi Crisis,
You're a psych major? Interesting.
Hopefully you use your powers of the mind for good and not naughtiness :)
You expected some other major Bigtoof? :P
Why not use for both good and naughtiness? :pie:
Hi Crisis,
Not to say anything bad about psych, but just that most of my mates who play are engineers or math-people (which goes to show how much I know about the latter). I know that you will use the powers of your mind for good, because evil is...
Wait... which was which again?
Quote from: The Man They Call Jayne on January 09, 2013, 07:41:06 AM
There is a story? How did I miss a story?! Loving it so far, most engaging.
Hi Jayne!
Yes, there is a story. I think you missed it, as it's my first on-going one here.
Glad you like it and here's another chapter! Let me know what you think :)
----------------
----------------------------------------
Chapter Three: Through the Looking Glass
----------------------------------------
"This is Stone, flying in hot. I repeat, hot. Passcode: Alice-4-1-1-Omega. I swear Gunney, if you shoot me down, I will cripple you."
Lieutenant Alice Stone swore as she twisted the controls of her rapidly falling apart Valkyrie. Everything had seemed so smooth when they took off, but, like always, something had to go wrong. The something in question being the left engine. She took a quick look to see that the engine was still only mostly on fire, and somehow spinning, keeping them aloft if only so that it could explode later in a shower of death.
"Bella, hang on to something. This is going to be rough."
When there was no response, Alice swiveled slightly to see the strange Eldar behind her, standing up and hanging dutifully from a loose cord that had fallen from the ceiling.
"Bella! Sit down! We're..."
"El-Tee, this is Base. You've got a place to land. Try to keep it in one piece."
Alice swiveled back and swore when she saw the rapidly approaching airstrip. If she got out of this alive, she was going to have a long talk with the Mechanicus and their policy on back-up engines.
------------------
"Dare I ask what in the name of the Throne was going through your head, bringing a Xeno into my camp?"
Alice winced a bit, looking up at her father, General Stone, who was pushing through the last of the stitches in her head. She had taken a few cuts landing her barely functioning craft, but they always said any landing you can walk away from was a good one. Of course, they didn't say much about landings that needed you to be covered with fire-foam like an Elysian pastry and then cut out of the wreckage. She took a moment to glance over at Bella, who was doing her odd head-turning thing, looking around at the Officers' Tent.
"I... agh... I was trying to bring back a civilian who might have intel, General. Bella..."
"You mean, the Xeno?"
"Yes, she... Agh... She might have useful intel on our missing men."
The General cut the last of the stitches off with his serrated Catachan knife. Alice noticed that he gave Bella a long look before putting his blade away.
"Lieutenant, I don't recall anywhere or anytime that anyone has ever said that Eldar are to be trusted."
Alice nodded, trying to ignore the twinges of pain running through her head. "Yes, General, but she's not like those in the fething Primer. She's a civvie. A... medic or something, I think. Probably taken just like I was. Believe me, whatever monsters that are roaming out there aren't anything like her."
General Stone scratched the side of his head. He picked up the sketch that Alice had made of the enormous creatures that she had seen. She blushed a bit when the General turned it upside down a few times. Art wasn't something that was overly taught amongst the Jungle Fighters, and Alice's efforts weren't going to win any contests anytime soon.
"Mutants then?"
Alice shrugged, "It's possible. I don't know, they didn't look like anything I've seen before. Could be some kind of messed-up Ogryn, but I'd be hard pressed to say anything meaningful."
The General nodded, "Then get something useful out of your prisoner. You do know how to interrogate still?"
Alice frowned, then slowly nodded in return.
"I take it, Lieutenant, that you disagree with my decision?"
Alice sighed, "It's just... She's not that well put together, General. We start to lean on her, and she could fall apart and give us nothing. I'm not sure if it's trauma or if she's just... slow, but we use the old knife-and-fists routine, we could get nowhere."
The General folded his arms. "Then what are you suggesting? We order out for some Cadian tea and biscuits? You girls going to do each others' hair?"
Alice glowered at the old man. He knew how to push her buttons. "All I'm saying is, is that we keep her under watch, and talk to her. She'll give us what we want to know, I'm sure of it."
"Good, that's why you and Jonas are going to be doing just that."
Alice opened and closed her mouth a few times as shock, exhaustion and raw fury were mixing together. It must have been clear on her face, as the General raised himself to his full height and snarled back.
"That is an order, Lieutenant. The Gunnery Sergeant will be meeting you outside. You both are assigned to prisoner detail. There are no questions regarding this assignment. Dismissed."
Alice turned, grabbed Bella by the arm and stormed out of the tent. Jonas? Really? Of all the people. Her father knew how much she hated the man. Why would he dare put her on the same...
"Hey, El-Tee, you don't gotta run, I'm right here."
Alice looked up to see the grinning face of Gunnery Sergeant Jonas Black. She hated every inch of the man, from his cropped hair and shaggy excuse for a beard down to his filthy boots. If the Warp were to open up suddenly underneath him and drag him away, the universe as a whole would be better off.
"Gunnery Sergeant. I take it you know what's going on?"
Jonas nodded, "Yeah, I heard you got me a fresh piece of Xeno meat."
Alice was about to respond, when he brushed by her and put his face a few inches from Bella's.
"Ah, and she's pretty too. You want me to strip search her here?"
Alice fumed, "No, Sergeant. I do not want you to lay a finger on her without my consent."
Jonas smirked, "Well, I wasn't thinking about laying a finger. More like probing. Which is shorthand for my p..."
"Yes, I know," snarled Alice, pushing past him.
"Don't go too far, El-Tee. I gotta keep track of where you two ladies go. And if you both happen to get nekkid together, I..."
Alice turned on her heel to glare at Jonas, "Gunnery Sergeant, you are pushing your luck."
Jonas shrugged, "Gotta, El-Tee. Life's too short. Now I..."
A warning siren went off, shutting down the conversation much to Alice's relief. Comms barked to life as a speaker-amplified voice filled the air.
"Perimeter Breach! Multiple contacts, headed this way. Sector 2 compromised, all forces to the front!"
Alice nodded at Jonas, whose face was suddenly all business. She may not like the man, but in a way, he was a constant throughout most of her life. They were trained together, and Jonas had started trying to worm his way into her pants when she first hit puberty. He hadn't gotten anywhere, but it didn't stop him from trying. Alice would have done more to rebuff him, but she had to admit he was a competent Gunnery Sergeant and had helped in more than a fair share of tight scrapes. Maybe in a few years if he got his act together, she might think of him as more than an annoyance, but for now, there were other things more important.
It looked like whatever had taken her and Bella was coming back for round two. And she aimed to make sure that they remembered it.
---------------------
Quote from: BigToof on January 09, 2013, 04:26:04 PM
Quote from: crisis_vyper on January 09, 2013, 01:05:09 AM
Quote from: BigToof on January 08, 2013, 02:44:47 PM
Hi Crisis,
You're a psych major? Interesting.
Hopefully you use your powers of the mind for good and not naughtiness :)
You expected some other major Bigtoof? :P
Why not use for both good and naughtiness? :pie:
Hi Crisis,
Not to say anything bad about psych, but just that most of my mates who play are engineers or math-people (which goes to show how much I know about the latter). I know that you will use the powers of your mind for good, because evil is...
Wait... which was which again?
Beats me. :P
And now, the Conclusion!
Thank you all for reading and please leave comments!
Best,
-BT
--------------------------------
Chapter Four: Home Sweet Home
---------------------------------
"Heavy Bolters! Get the Heavy Bolters up there!"
Lieutenant Alice Stone yelled at the Jungle Fighters around her. The camp had come alive as the alert had come blaring down on them. Something was walking through their outer perimeter as if it was on a holiday stroll, which meant that they would be knee deep in... whatever it was sooner than later.
She just wished she could see in the dark better. Kneeling down, she took out her auspex, but, as usual, it was having one of it's off days. Saying the quick version of the Techmarine's prayer, she slapped the side of the machine. The spirit seemed to wake up a bit, and the screen came back into focus. But what it showed wasn't good.
"Multiple targets!" bellowed Alice, "Coming this way!"
"Thanks, El-Tee," snorted Gunnery Sergeant Black, "We didn't figure that out already!"
"Quit the back-talk, Sergeant," boomed General Stone, taking a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow. "Any sign of flankers?"
Alice shook her head, "No, sir, but they're coming in fast and..."
And that was when the Heavy Bolter next to her started to fire. Alice turned to chastise the man, when she looked over and saw the trees he was shooting at seem to come to life. Huge, mishapen monsters threw themselves through the jungle, knocking aside trees like paper. Alice swore. There were a lot of them. Many more than what she had seen before.
"Fire! Fire!" she ordered, but scarcely needed to, as the men around her began firing at the creatures. Alice bit her lip as the first few coming out seemed to slow down at the Heavy Bolter barrage, but the concentrated lasgun fire wasn't doing anything more than giving it a lightshow. And there were more behind it. A lot more.
"Launchers!" she yelled, "Get the Missiles out!"
Heavy Weapon teams in the back rushed forwards, one man loading while the other took careful aim. The krak missiles flew through the air, some hitting the monsters, slowing them down, but Alice knew it wasn't enough.
"Special teams! Demo packs, now!"
A small group of Guardsmen broke free from the front lines, running almost suicidally at the huge things while whirling satchels packed to the brim with explosives. The men stopped close to the creatures and threw with all their might. Some hit close, but the primitive weapons didn't need very much in the way of accuracy. The throwers braced for the explosion as the packs ignited, the shockwave knocking monster and man alike into the air.
Alice ducked her head as rock and shrapnel flew over the assembled lines. She chanced a look up and saw the creatures pulling back. Apparently that was enough to stall them. A few howls and cheers went up through the men, but Alice felt something different. A kind of familiar dread. Then she heard screams.
"El-Tee! They're comin' in from the sky!"
Alice whipped her head up and saw sleek, inhuman ships dive-bombing right on top of them. Was it some kind of suicide tactic? The Catachans started to run, getting out of the way of the incoming craft, some firing inaccurate shots as they went. Alice stood her ground, and noticed something. They were slowing down.
"Incoming hostiles! Close Quarters!"
The men within earshot whipped out their Catachan knives as the air suddenly seemed to come alive with falling Xenos. One landed near Alice and whipped a blade on a long chain at her. Alice had only a moment to pull away as it flew through the air where her head had once been. She was about to charge forwards when she took a look at her opponent. It wasn't a monster. It was an Eldar. A strangely dressed one, not like the Primer pictures at all. Almost like...
"Bella..."
The Eldar took advantage of her hesitation and leapt forward, deadly weapons at the ready. Before Alice could even think of protecting herself, a half-dozen Catachans ran screaming in front of her. Alice watched one of them get skewered by the alien weapon, but the others pushed the Xenos back.
"Lieutenant!"
Alice looked back and saw her father, General Stone. He was pulling his knife out of one of the Xenos, throwing the lithe body onto the ground with a distasteful look.
"Where is your prisoner?!"
Alice looked around. Bella was gone. What had happened?
"Doesn't matter, Lieutenant. We're getting overrun! Get to the comms!"
Alice nodded a bit woodenly, and then ran back towards the Officers' Tent. She ran in and skidded to a halt when she realized that it wasn't empty.
"Bella," she snarled, twisting her blade out of it's sheath. The Xenos was there, looking at their comms. Alice swore at herself. She was a fool. The Eldar were the threat here. They had gotten one of their spies in and now all of it was torn asunder. No matter.
Bella looked up with an infuriatingly empty stare, and Alice stormed over. She grabbed the Eldar by the scruff of her neck and stabbed her knife into the traitor's chest up to the hilt. She then threw her to the ground and took a look at the comms. The security was still in place. She had time.
"This is Lieutenant Alice Stone. Open secure frequency."
She glared at the incorporated Servo-skull as it's lights blinked. A mechanical voice replied, "Hand-print identification."
Alice snarled and put her hands on the sides of the skull. There was a whirring and then a red light glowed in the skull.
"Hand-print not identified."
Alice snarled and threw hands against the skull again, but again, the same message was intoned by the damnable thing. She swore, and then felt an odd sensation across her left hand. She looked down in irritation and saw nothing on her left hand. She was about to look up when something tugged in the back of her mind.
Her first knife-fight. She was a juve, nothing more than a newcomer to her unit, and she had foolishly taken up one of the older Fighter's challenge. He beat her within three strokes and then carved his initials into her left hand as a reminder not to be cocky. It was something she still remembered to this day. But the scars weren't there. In fact, her hand felt off. As if it wasn't her hand at...
"Apologies. There may be some degradation affecting tactile sensation."
Alice almost jumped out of her pants as she looked over and saw Bella. Floating and still alive, standing only a few feet from her.
"I... I stabbed you."
Bella frowned and looked sideways, then down, "Yes." The Eldar had a contemplative look. "Am I supposed to stab you now?"
Alice snarled. Was this some kind of game? She then stopped as she noticed something. The camp had gone quiet. Eerily quiet. Not a good sign at all. The door to the tent rustled, and Alice leapt back, grabbing Bella and putting her knife to the Eldar's throat.
A few of the mostly-naked Xenos walked in, then bowed in deference before opening the tent flap. And in walked a beautiful, tall Eldar, drenched with sweat and blood, carrying a long, whip-like weapon that she kept curled around her waist. She was dragging something inside and then dropped it. Alice felt her blood freeze when she saw what was on the ground. Her father, cut to shreds. She stifled the scream in her throat and glared at the Xenos.
The tall Eldar clucked her tongue at Alice and walked around her. Alice barely managed to keep Bella in between them, but she knew things were not going to end well. The Xenos was clearly faster, and even though Alice could probably cut Bella's throat, she wasn't even sure that would do anything meaningful.
"You know you're trying to threaten me with killing a Haemonculus?"
Alice frowned, "I don't care what she is. You touch me, and she dies."
The Eldar raised an eyebrow and then laughed a high-pitched mocking cackle, which was then echoed by the Xenos at the door. Alice only glowered in return.
"Oh, my dear, deluded little Mon-Keigh, you have no idea as to what you're doing. Now, I'm only keeping you alive, as you're obviously one of the little officers, and I have need to know what your security codes are. I could just torture them out of you, but what's the fun in that? Besides, I'm on a schedule."
There was a louder sound at the tent flap, and Alice heard the guards squeal. The tall Eldar frowned and looked over. Alice backed up a bit when she saw the large head of one of those masked monsters. It was looking in at them and staring at her and Bella. The tall Eldar wrinkled her nose.
"Oh, by Khaine does that thing smell. Almost as badly as your little men. At least the dead ones. The ones unfortunate enough to be alive are going to be my pets and slaves. Now, if you be a good dear and tell me what I need to know, I'll make sure that I put you with my pleasure slaves. You'll lead a happy little drug-addled life instead of being gutted in the dark. What do you say?"
Alice looked at the tall Eldar and then at the monster. She didn't know much about them, but she could tell when something was on the edge of breaking. All she needed to do was give it a push.
"What do I say? I say... For the Emperor."
Alice drew her knife along Bella's throat, and that was when the huge thing roared. It swatted the two guards aside like they were toys and came running at her. Alice threw Bella on top of her as she saw the tall Eldar swing at the monster.
And then everything went black.
--------------------
Alice was first cognizant of a rolling sense of nausea that slowly crept it's way into something resembling consciousness. She blinked a few times as her vision came back. She looked up and tried to throw up her hands to strangle Bella, who was inches from her face. But nothing moved. Alice looked around, but only her eyes were moving. She couldn't even talk.
Bella nodded, "I am sorry, Friend Alice, but Bobo was very excited when you stabbed me again. He is very nice when you get to know him."
Alice looked over at the huge creature, which dutifully lurked next to Bella. Bella scratched the thing on it's head and it made an almost purring sound, shaking one if it's huge legs violently.
Bella continued, "Luckily, your injuries were not severe. I only had to replace some of your organs and skeletal structure. You fared much better than Succubus Arkasha, although I am certain that her remains are sufficient for regenerative purposes. Your mobility will return as the drugs' effects diminish. I wish I could stay longer, but I must return. Thank you for the pleasant evening."
The little Eldar bowed and walked away. Thankfully, exhaustion took over Alice and she felt herself pass out.
----------------------
Allonia sighed as she watched Bella walk back into their room. Bella raised an eyebrow and turned her head. Allonia was not her usual self. Perhaps she was ill.
"Oh, Bella, I'm glad your back. I had an absolutely horrible night. I forgot how irritating Ray'keth is. That Wych can talk about herself for days. It's... good to see you. How was your night?"
Bella turned her head the other way and nodded, "It was very pleasant. I made a friend."
Allonia nodded, just like Bella to have a better night than her. She was slightly interested in finding out what Haemonculi did in their spare time. But she wouldn't ask. No doubt it was dreadfully boring. After all, what could possibly have gone on in a single night?
Great work BT, this was a fun little read and I look forward to seeing more fluff/battle reports/whatever soon.
I notice that I almost always end up feeling sorry for at least one of your characters in everything you write, Alice had it pretty bad there, maybe not quite as extreme as the pity I felt for Vasily at his peak but we'd had more time to get to know him.
I do hope that we'll be hearing more about Alice in the future, even if its just the odd line in a battle report.
Job's a good un!
That was great, I enjoyed it immensely! Pretty cunning of Alice to find a way out of that one... kind of haha.
Ogh, if you have to go, go with a bang, right? That was an absolutely great read, BT! Hadn't seen you had updated twice, so it was even better when I saw the thread pop up among my 'to read' list! Poor Alice, that's a lot to chew down in one go. Although it will be nice to hear more about her, some time. See how she's getting along these days - if at all. ;)
Thank you all for the very kind words!
Quote from: Cammerz on January 11, 2013, 06:33:36 PM
Great work BT, this was a fun little read and I look forward to seeing more fluff/battle reports/whatever soon.
I notice that I almost always end up feeling sorry for at least one of your characters in everything you write, Alice had it pretty bad there, maybe not quite as extreme as the pity I felt for Vasily at his peak but we'd had more time to get to know him.
I do hope that we'll be hearing more about Alice in the future, even if its just the odd line in a battle report.
Job's a good un!
Ah, I see you're liking Alice :)
Well, I'll have to see if I can bring her back. I left her backstory open, so who knows indeed...
Quote from: Rej on January 12, 2013, 07:24:29 AM
That was great, I enjoyed it immensely! Pretty cunning of Alice to find a way out of that one... kind of haha.
Hi Rej,
Yes, Alice did find... a way out. Maybe not the best way, but considering the circumstances... And I take it, also an Alice fan?
Quote from: Linn Scarlett on January 12, 2013, 11:31:23 AM
Ogh, if you have to go, go with a bang, right? That was an absolutely great read, BT! Hadn't seen you had updated twice, so it was even better when I saw the thread pop up among my 'to read' list! Poor Alice, that's a lot to chew down in one go. Although it will be nice to hear more about her, some time. See how she's getting along these days - if at all. ;)
Hi Linn,
Glad to see you like the story!
And I see that Alice has left a favorable impression on you as well...
Well, certainly it looks like Alice is coming back :)
I may take a break from writing pure fluff as there is now a new Codex drop, but I'll have to see if I can somehow get characters and fluff running back and forth between them.
Best,
-BT