-*-
- The Faith Machine -
Abandoning the "XXXXX Fates" pattern.
Why? Because this is, timeline-wise, the 'end' of all
vertigo/anime stories we're writing.
We've still at least two more tales to tell before the
events of this story takes place, the Urd/Tim Hunter tale
and the dashing adventures of the Junior Trenchcoat Brigade.
Later you mention a vagrant named Bill who it was said had "the talent"
for magic. Is this him?
Could be. Hadn't really thought of it. :)
I have a question: do you plan to explain just when _was_ the
Reconfiguration? It would be nice to know what led the Almighty to decide
that Skuld needed an overhaul.
The concept of reconfiguration belongs to DC/Vertigo, and probably
originates from Alan Moore, if not Neil Gaiman. Far be it
for us to place rules on it. All we know is that the process
revamps deities. It isn't said how often reconfiguration takes
place, though the reason why is usually a lack of worshipers or
a sweeping change of perception by mortals.
There was a tortured scream, a demon's roar, and suddenly
Bill exploded in a shower of ropy innards, torn flesh, and
so much red...
-*-
"Skuld, dinner's ready."
Says Bell. There's a hint of black humor in that statement's
juxtaposition to the end of the last section. Not enough to detract from the
seriousness of the scenes to follow. I like.
Heheheh.
"Oy! John! Whassa meaning a'this?!" snarled the barkeep, a
notably violent Arsenal fan.
And they clearly know whose fault it is.
But then John Constantine is something of a celebrity, right?
Somewhat. Not as big in the world as Zatanna, but in the circles
he runs he's certainly known for mischief.
And now he was a clean thing, stripped down to the bare
essentials of a human being, without limbs, without eyes,
without voice, without mind.
So, you get people to focus using sensory deprivation? More likely to
drive them mad, and thus useless. But I'm sure you have a good reason.
Yep.
Seriously, what is or was the fear machine?
I'll get into that in part 2.
The Fear Machine was built somewhat like the Faith Machine
is, with humans as the driving force. It appeared in
issues 14-23 of Hellblazer, and of course John had a
hand in stopping disaster there by having a group orgy
with two women.
No, really. :)
We see below that John seems to believe Eugene. But then why make a big
show of not seeming to?
It's not that he doesn't believe, it's just that he's heard
what he needed to hear.
Inside, a large gathering of friends was seated around the
table. Keiichi's friends from the auto club, from college,
Skuld's childhood friends Guor, Rotha, and Idun were also in
attendance, apparently granted leave from heaven for this
occasion.
What, no Riana? :) (A Tamiya or Otaki cameo'd be nice here, if they did
indeed show up, now I think of it. You know they'll be trouble. Even
Hasegawa would work.)
Seriously, didn't Idun show up in "Dire Fates?" More importantly, do
others in heaven remember the old Skuld?
Riana? Who? Wha? I'll nag dave to give me a hand in this scene.
And at the center of it all, smiling brightly, was Skuld.
o/~ Happy birthday to you o/~
o/~ Happy birthday to you o/~
o/~ Happy birthday dear Sku-uld o/~
o/~ Happy birthday to you o/~
'Make a wish, Skuld!' cheered Belldandy.
Shame on you, Paul. You read Mortal Fates.
Surely this scene should be familiar, yes?
You can't say we didn't warn you. ^_^
Urd sighed. 'Just... don't dwell on it too much. Learn
>from your mistakes, but don't get stuck in the past. Okay?'
This stuff just doesn't sound right from Urd, which may explain its
ineffectiveness on lifting Skuld's mood here. Or did you intend it to ring
hollow?
Er.... DAVID! HELP!
Very reminiscent of the merging of human and divine Verdandi in "Mortal
Fates." Was this intentional?
Coincidence :(
Who missed the confusion last weekend, thank God...will you be at Anime
Central, Rod?
Um... where's that at? I know I'm slated for AKon and one
other Dallas con (hopefully, if Krista Perry is reading this,
I'm still at 50/50), but other than that, nope.
-rod m