Ramblings and Musings of the Insane, Philosophical Ladybug

1. Which is your favorite fic? Lead Me Through the Fire, for Yu-Gi-Oh! Life After the Tears, also for YGO, would be a close second. They're both very dark and somewhat departures for me, Lead Me Through the Fire in particular.

2. Which is your best-received fic? If that means the number of reviews, it would be Frantic in Frisco, one of my old YGO mysteries. Last I knew, it had close to 300 reviews.

If it means simply the one with the most praising of comments, I couldn't say.

3. Which is your worst-received fic? Any fic that is ignored? I dunno. Oh, maybe Nose Job for Diagnosis Murder. I had so many people tell me they didn't get the punchline, even though it was so obvious. **sigh.** Also, Lady in Red for the same fandom. It was meant as a "day in the life" snapshot kind of thing, but people hated on it because they said it was boring.

4. Which is your angsty-est fic? Probably Lead Me Through the Fire. Also, that Carmen Sandiego fic where Sean is in a coma, Alive Beneath the Snow. Unfortunately, that one burned me out so bad that I haven't felt comfortable writing angst for that fandom since. Scott falling off the roof in real life hasn't helped, either.

5. Which is your funniest fic? **shrugs.** I think Adventures in Thief-Sitting, for YGO, was pretty amusing. And What Can Go Wrong, Will Go Wrong, for Final Fantasy VII. I'm planning a hilariously cracky fic for Princess Tutu using the prompt New Jersey Vegetable Monster.

6. Saddest? Lead Me Through the Fire. Disastrous, intense mystery, with Duke forced to pretend he is dead and come back as a harsh, cold person, interacting with Yugi-tachi under that persona while they believe Duke is dead. Also, there was eventually a real character death.

Some of my FF7 fics that focus on Nibelheim and Sephiroth's madness would qualify too.

7. Fluffiest? Probably those Zack/Aerith squeefics. I don't often write out-and-out fluff, but they lend themselves to it so well. XD;

8. Have you ever made someone cry with your fic? Oh yes, on lots of fics.

9. Which fanfic frustrates you the most? Any fanfic I'm having trouble getting written. Think Back on Yesterday, for Princess Tutu, has been causing me grief. But I actually have chapter 7 almost done, so it is no longer the fic frustrating me the most.

Maybe The Diamond Rose Glass, for FF7. I'm so close to finishing it, but I can't quite grasp how I want the climax to go and I'm mad at myself for revealing something in chapter 12 that should have been saved for the next chapter.

10. Which fic was the most fun to write? Oh gosh. Hmm. I really couldn't pick just one. Close Your Eyes, Clear Your Heart, for YGO, is a lot of fun. There's a mystery going on that ties in heavily with Lead Me Through the Fire, one that I'm anxious to reveal. I think there'll be some surprises.

The Diamond Rose Glass, despite my frustrations with it, was a ton of fun. I remember enjoying the descriptions of the bookstore and of Vincent's undercover work especially.

I also really enjoy my Princess Tutu ventures, particularly anything involving Autor and Fakir or Autor and Ahiru friendship. I really enjoyed writing Love is Not a Victory March, for the latter friendship, and the Phantom Hitchhiker trilogy, which more closely followed Autor and Fakir's friendship.

11. Which of the OCs you created is your favorite? Alexander. He inspired an entire race and culture, and hopefully someday, that novel will actually happen. He's like a kid, both with their innocence and their insight, and then occasionally he'll prove he's not as mild as he seems. If he gets blasting you, you're in trouble.

12. Are you better at oneshot or multipart? I think I'm equally good at both.

13. Which character portrayal do you think is your best? I'm particularly fond of my Siegfried von Schroider. He is an obnoxious, snarky jackass, but he's not a villain. He's very conflicted when it comes to his parents, as I've happily explored in detail in the few fics I've written for him.

I also am quite fond of my Autor. Everyone envisions him a bit differently, but I and some others see him as an innocent boy who doesn't really understand the seriousness of what's going on around him. I've matured his character and had him realize what a burden power can really be. He's also quite snarky, but insecure deep down, and he can become excited and enthusiastic over subjects he loves. He's new to having real friendships, but is trying his best with Fakir and Ahiru. He and Fakir mostly snark and banter at each other, or be awkward, while he's more open with Ahiru. He is coming to open up around Fakir as well, though.

A minor character in canon, to be sure, but I adore writing for Duke's store manager. His few lines in canon are intriguing, particularly how he notes Duke may have gotten in over his head. Duke seems to have confided in him, which is an intriguing angle. I like fleshing him out, especially portraying him as just an average guy who really doesn't want to get anywhere near danger and is afraid when he encounters something like a knife to the throat, but he doesn't run and is determined to see things through.

I also really like my portrayal of Duke and how I use mainly the manga backstory and personality for him, while adding the best of his anime counterpart. Duke is hence serious, cynical, and laden with facades.

14. What character is the most difficult to portray? I dunno. I also have trouble with Barry from Carmen Sandiego. I was really worried about my Rue, but I think I've managed to write her well after all. Though she isn't someone I'll be writing a lot for.

A. List seven habits/quirks/facts about yourself.
B. Tag seven people to do the same.
C. Do not tag the person who tagged you or say that you tag "whoever wants to do it."

1. I cannot STAND Ramen noodles or anything similar (such as soups that seem to have such noodles in them), and I honestly wonder why people think they're so great. Every time except one when I've eaten them, I've gotten very sick (like, fluish symptoms, nausea, and I think sometimes I've ended up right down in bed). And the time that didn't happen, it felt like it would. I would honestly like to know what it is in them that I have such a bad reaction to. And out of curiosity, is there anyone on the friends list who doesn't like them, either? **doubts it; saying you don't like them seems to be akin to saying you don't like pizza!** (I love pizza, BTW.)

2. If Ramen has vinegar, that could be it, because I know it doesn't agree with me. I cannot eat anything with vinegar.

EDIT: I was really tired when I posted, but I realized something while replying to comments. Vinegar on pickles doesn't bother me one bit. But put it on/through a salad and ... ugh.

3. Reading the YGO manga, including seeing Yami Marik's antics there, has definitely made me more brave and bold; my two most recent multi-chapters both have a sub-category of Horror and include some very bizarre things (yet still, I think, capture the flavor of most of my fics with squeeable elements). Though the first of those was inspired less by the YGO manga and more by Get Smart. Go figure. And in the second, most of the horrifying things happened only in Yami Bakura's mind (saving Kul Elna, which of course really did happen, though not quite the way he's shown by Yami Marik in the fic).

4. I have extreme problems with rough and cracking skin on my left foot. However, I have just discovered that Vaseline may be the best cure for it. (And finding some padded shoes....) Even the very worst and deepest crack has been healing now.

5. I almost always prefer one-on-one RPing to group RPs, so for a group RP to capture my attention it has to be really unique from the norm. It would be almost impossible for me to describe what appeals to me in one, however, since some with similar elements won't always catch my fancy. (But being gen and not allowing random cracky stuff in the main RP certainly helps.)

6. I will most likely always be loyal to the Gateway brand, even if my next computer doesn't happen to be one. **hugs her faithful Gateway, which is 9-10 years old now.**

7. I thrill and squee whenever anyone does fanart or fanfics for one of my verses. And sometimes I fantasize about the possible fanbase that might spring up if/when I get my doppelganger novel done, and how I would react to it. XD; I imagine myself shaking my head in amusement and disbelief as I look through the fanart and fanfics and see the off-the-wall pairings they'll make.

(Actually, I've already had that experience somewhat. A couple of years ago, I was informed that someone had used the mad scientist Alice Portman in a private fic of hers, reformed her, and had her and Rishid hook up. .____. Um, no. But ... points for imagination?)

Since you have to tag ... hm.

rose_of_pollux, cskazaam, i_heart_rocka, northeastwind, amanechan, jour_reveur, and kimi_o_miteta.

http://www.side7.com/cgi-bin/S7SDB/Display.pl?act=image&iid=327852 Color version of the Zack/Aerith pic!

I got chapter 5 of To Bring You Back done. ^^ I started it yesterday morning and it went pretty fast. I'm pretty satisfied with it, overall. I hope Iezon is IC....

Now, if I can finally get to chapter 9 of I Don't Feel Enough for You to Cry.... XD; I was going into a giggle fit earlier, thinking of a silly blurb involving spoiled food in the fridge (and no, it would not be a repeat of my Living in the Fridge fic). And while singing God Help the Outcasts, as I tend to do while taking care of the laundry, I started thinking again about that scene of Sybil in the church. I wanna write that. X3

I was also thinking of unofficially experimenting with 1Sentence again, and this time seeing if I could adapt the sentences to something non-romantic. Those little exercises really are good for plunnies. Like I need more, right? XD;

And oh yeah, can someone please explain to me what the Trigun One-Winged Angel song is? **heard it a while back and still has the song; was listening to it again.** I mean, was it actually played on the show Trigun, or what? XD;

http://community.livejournal.com/ac_icons/247606.html

I got bit by a Kingdom Hearts plunnie yesterday morning and watched all of the cutscenes from Hollow Bastion, to make sure my idea wasn't implausible/OOC. I decided I was okay on it. XD Though I think I've confused myself with it.... And it's bloody too! Got that idea after watching this person's Jedi Academy game with Cloud and Sephiroth skins. I was surprised by all the blood that spilled in that game. XD

Still working on the oneshot with Gin, Sherry, and Sherry's confessions about existing as Ai Haibara. I was thinking I'd post it and the KH blurb at the same time, but we'll see.

And I did a great RP with Aubrie where poor Eostre got controlled by the people who'd experimented on her and attacked Gin-tachi. It was nicely intense. X3 Now the poor things have fallen asleep behind the couch, too weary and hurt to get up from there, and Eostre is in the hospital with Baltasar watching over her.

I've discovered that the Vincent figure seems to be the hardest one to find. XD And finding one at a decent price is nearly impossible. I've found a good deal on the Sephiroth one, which I'm considering buying. And Lisa found out that there will definitely be a second line of figures! X3 Kadaj will be included, but we don't know who else yet.

I can't get the idea of these two conversing out of my head. XD It's so amusing and cute at the same time. They're like two sides of the same coin, in some ways. Alexander is more childlike (positive) and Kadaj is childish (negative). Hence, the following conversation insisted on coming out, which looks like it's the latter half. I need to figure out how they actually met in the first place.

This is mostly dialogue, as it's an experiment in writing for Kadaj. **nod.** And it takes place using random and vague possible ideas from the story I want to write which is how come Kadaj is on Earth to talk to Alexander in the first place.


( Two Sides of the Same Coin )

Randomly sketched Baltasar yesterday. XD


( Baltasar )


And I drew Gin and Vodka from that one-shot I've been writing (and just finished, actually! Oh I hope I got them in character.... I tried! Reviews are much appreciated. **bows.**), from the part where Gin staggers back into the room after being supposedly dead. XD http://www.side7.com/cgi-bin/S7SDB/Display.pl?act=image&iid=324412 Gin ended up coming out in my own style, but I think he's recognizable. ^^;

I think I really creeped DSM out on Saturday when I was trying to explain how the twisted Gin/Sherry pairing works. XD But that's okay. I like its twistedness, but it's not for everyone.

Scanned in some random stuff ... a half-finished pic of Branwyn Glyn, and two DC-related fanarts. Tried to draw Abracham last week, but it was awful, and I haven't had the heart to try again yet. XD;


( The Arts )


On Saturday night I took lots of pictures from YouTube of the classic Detective Conan mailroom scene. XD Deprived of sleep, I started getting giggly and coming up with crack icon ideas. This morning I have made them. There's a few serious ones in there, but most are earlier and not from this batch. http://community.livejournal.com/conan_icons/64217.html?#cutid1 The one I'm using for this entry is probably my fave out of the batch. Though I also really like the ones involving the cigarette scene (which I can just imagine yaoi fangirls taking out of context). XD

My Ghosts fic is getting lots of positive reviews! I'm so happy with it. I'm working on chapter four now.

I don't think I'll be online until latenight today.... State holiday, commemorating when the pioneers first arrived here. I'm hoping to go to Borders and get some DC manga. X3 I also wish I could go see the local production of Beauty & the Beast (which I assume is the stage version of the Disney musical), but that probably won't happen. XD; It costs $8 per person to get in, and I'd be lucky to have money for a manga. **laughs.**

What makes a strong female character? Well, people obviously disagree, but I was extremely spooked one time when someone somewhere made the comment that Buena Girl from Mucha Lucha is one such character, and a good role model. I can't stand that show, it's so freakin' crude, but I did try it a few times, sometimes out of boredom while waiting for YGO. Anyway, I really don't find any of the main characters likable, and I don't think Buena Girl is a good role model at all. XD; She's so self-righteous all the time, looking down on anyone who doesn't feel as strongly about masked wrestling as she does. And if I remember right, she's one of those characters who physically attacks other people over small and stupid things when she's upset. I have never found that appealing in a character, male or female. It's why I have such a low opinion of Kaoru from Rurouni Kenshin, and of Amy Rose from Sonic X. Do people think that to be a strong character, a woman has to beat up male characters even when they don't deserve it? I think it's pathetic. It's one thing to be a good fighter, triumphing over people who obviously mean you harm, but it's quite another to go berserk when someone doesn't mean to do anything wrong.

Actually, that's not the only reason I dislike Amy, but it is a big one. XD; Another reason is because of her incessant swooning over Sonic. She's like a scary fangirl! And I'll never forget the time she tried to "rescue" him, but she wouldn't untie him and instead she dragged him up some stairs, causing him to hit his head on each one! .___. Pathetic, pathetic.... I know it was all played for laughs, it always is, but possessive idiots like Amy just scare and annoy me to no end. If I ever met someone like her in real life (and I have met some online), I'd want to get as far away from her as possible.

Anyway, back on topic. What makes a strong female character? They have to face their problems, they have to stand up for themselves, they have to stick to their beliefs, they have to recognize that they're not the greatest thing in the universe. . . . They can do all of that without resorting to losing their sanity just because someone innocently and inadventantly made a comment that they didn't like. For Heaven's sake, grow up! Reacting the way Kaoru and Amy tend to do is not only annoying and unnecessary, it's immature. And it makes me not have much (if any) respect for them. I honestly don't find it funny at all. XD; I keep thinking of the poor guys who aren't meaning to say anything wrong and then they're suddenly clobbered.

On another, less controversial subject, I'm bringing back one of my minor doppelganger characters: Aballach's secretary. Right now I'm trying to give her a Welsh name. I had selected Blodwyn (which means "white flower") and then I also wanted Glyn ("from the glen"), but in my head I keep calling her Bronwen, and I really don't want to name her that because it means "fair-breasted". .___.; Then there's Branwyn, which means "beautiful raven" (and that makes me think of Rue from Princess Tutu XD), but I don't want to name her that because I picture her with long and flowing white hair, like Kisara. Ravens, of course, are black. Of course, I guess her name could be Branwyn anyway, and Blodwyn is some sort of alias. XD

I've seen the first four episodes of Detective Conan, BTW, and I like it! I'm not too keen on the whole body-shrinking thing, but eh, since it only happened to him and a girl, and since it's science-related and has nothing to do with magic, I'll overlook it. XD (Well, not that I wouldn't overlook it if it was magic-related, but I'd probably frown on it even more, at any rate.) It's really nice to have an anime that doesn't have any magic, for a change. And the mysteries aren't kiddie stuff, either. Some of them are DARK! I mean, check out episode 3, with the music idol and the guy who was apparently murdered in her room. This is a very mature show, really. I think I'm going to be nuts about it. XD

I'd actually kinda prefer it if the Junior Detectives weren't around. ^^; Maybe they'll grow on me, but right now they seem like unnecessary baggage meant to lighten the show up. And I feel that Ran's father already lightens it up fine. XD More than that seems like overkill. Those kids don't really know what they're doing, and Conan ends up having to look out for all of them! It gets in the way of the mystery.

I'm anxious to see the new Superman movie. XD I read a couple of articles on it when I was at Borders and it seems like it'll be cool! I prefer Batman over Superman, really, since Batman has to catch crooks using his technology and his brains, as opposed to superpowers, but eh. XD I liked the first Superman movie, from the seventies, and wow, I think the new guy really looks a lot like Christopher Reeve's version!

I don't know why it is, but lately, for some reason, I've been even more opposed to magic powers than usual. It just doesn't impress me a whole lot, and I'm afraid it's probably starting to come out in the RPs I do. XD; (Baby Face, for instance, is getting highly frustrated at the thought of having to rely on people with magic powers to stop the doppelganger Mafia. Though, I do honestly think that's how he'd feel about it.) Lots of people go out of their way giving characters the most amazing and impossible powers there could be, but I'm more impressed if someone can solve a problem without needing to rely on magic. I liked this one episode of Winx Club that's on the tape Aubrie made for me, where they're in a realm without magic and they have to figure out how to get out of a life-or-death situation by using their smarts and skills alone. And I know I do have characters that use magic (Runihura, for instance), but on the other hand, while the doppelgangers have knowledge of magic, they don't use it too much. XD Well, some don't, anyway. **thinks of Apollo and his spells.** I've found that when I have a character who does use magic, if their name isn't Runihura, the extent of magic they will probably be able to do is simply to blast people.

... Maybe one reason why I don't care for magic too much is that sometimes it seems like if a character can use it, that's all they'll ever use to solve a problem and they'll never develop any other skills they might have. XD I'm glad that Yaminah has other fighting skills, such as using a sword.

Speaking of the tape Aubrie made for me, I found the episode that got cut off before the end because of the tape running out, and it looks like it's a Sonic X Valentine's episode where Amy is going nuts again trying to get Sonic to be hers, so I don't think I'll mind that it got cut off. LOL.

I also don't know why it is that I'm feeling so opinionated today. XD But eh.

I finally drew a picture of my OC Sybil. XD; I hope I didn't give her long hair in an RP I did a while back, but if I did, it'll have to change, because I can only picture her with short hair now.



And here's that thing I've been writing on Duke, at least this is it until I decide what else to put. XD

Name: Stanislaus "Duke" Coveleskie

Age: Unknown; perhaps in his mid to late twenties

Memorable Quotes: "I'd like to bawl you out, but I haven't got the time!" --- Hot Shots

"You get those carpets cleaned or I'll cut your ears off! And that's no bull!" --- Hold That Hypnotist (Yeah, I was surprised to hear him say that in a movie from the fifties. XD; Another time I'm almost positive he said "Oh my God!" after accidentally punching Sach....)

"The next time I wanna listen to an idiot, I'll listen to myself!" --- Hold That Hypnotist

"Just remember, this man is here for a rest cure. If you don't cut it out, I'll be here for a rest cure!" --- Spook Chasers

"... ROCKHEAD!" --- Looking for Danger

"I know I promised to share everything with you, but I draw the line at the chopping block!" --- Looking for Danger

( Bio )

Lizzie showed me a little character analysis that she's been working on for her novel. She said it's mostly for her, and it gave me the idea of making similar things for my doppelgangers. I've already done that essay for Alexander, so right now my analysises are on some of the others.


( Apollo, Daniel, Veleda )


I've also decided that doppelgangers are actually quite old, even though they look young. Veleda, for instance, was acquainted with Sigurd of Scandinavian legend. He promised to help her people if the Council ever got the upper hand, and now that they have, she is hoping that he will make good on his promise. And, since Veleda and Apollo are siblings, I've also decided that doppelgangers can have biological families. Originally I was thinking that they would be born from the hearts of their charges, but now I've been changing some things around. Now doppelgangers watch over ancestors and descendants of their charges as well, provided that they resemble the charge.