Max M. wrote:
C&C is most welcome.
Good. This is very late, but I wanted to put out a few thoughts about this
in appreciation. Just to let you know how much I enjoy seeing things like
this posted.
Thanks. And I deeply appreciate the commentary.
"How has it come to this?"
That's really the thing of it, right there. You could almost have this
sentence and the very last one put one after another and make a complete
story. That question never ceases to reopen the floodgates just after you
finish forgiving yourself for what you are about to do.
Yup, and it's also a good, if stereotypical, opening line. :)
Princess Rune Venus's quiet words resonated in the vast
chamber beneath the palace in Floristica. Londs, her loyal
and faithful chamberlain, approached her slowly. In his
arms were a stack of papers; undoubtedly the latest reports
on the current situation. She did not want to read them.
"Highness, the problem worsens." Londs' voice was harsh
with tension. "Fully six of ten Roshtarians have been lost
in this madness. Neighbouring kingdoms report similar
figures. They have threatened an invasion, if we cannot
resolve the issue. We must end this."
End it? How could she?
Well, she's the one in charge, if anyone were to be allowed to end it it
would have to be her. Of course things like ideals and honor often have more
authority than the highest human authoritarian, yet they are not capable of
solving informed problems. So is it ultimately a sordid and dishonorable
thing to take the decision away from the forces that deserve it rightfully
merely because they wont stop you? Basically, I mean is it your world or
theirs? (Regardless of who's decision the plug-pulling belongs to.)
I meant it as Princess Rune not wanting to stop it, rather than there beinga
lack of authority on her part. This ties in to her experimentation with the
Rapture effect.
Rune stared at the central column
dominating the entire chamber. Transparent glass walls
allowed a clear view into the pillar. Within floated the
still figures of Makoto and Ifurita, naked and unconscious.
She could see Makoto's expression: a soft smile in a face
free of concern. His eyes were closed, and he seemed
asleep. Next to him, clasped in a loving embrace, floated
Ifurita. Long strands of white hair veiled her face.
Maynard James Keenan would say: "You look so precious, you look so
precious..."
Also note that Ifurita's face isn't, in fact, visible here, and her thoughtson
the matter are not known, unlike Makoto's. A nuance which was
probably lost on readers (possibly being too unclear or unemphasized).
Held
tightly between them was the device that had started the
entire situation - the Power Key Staff.
"You know what Dr. Strellbaugh said, Londs." Rune shook
her head, partly out of dismay and partly out of
exasperation. "Stopping the machine might extinguish their
memories or, worse, kill them."
The doctor knows just as little as everyone else. IMHO, these questions deal
more with the attitude of the inhabitants with respect to El-Hazard than
they do with physical properties, no?
Yup, Strellbaugh is being (overly) dramatic/cautious in his comments.
Still,better safe than sorry...
"Highness, he was enslaved by the Rapture eight days ago,
while attempting to contact Makoto. We cannot rely on pure
speculation. All Roshtaria might perish if it continues."
Londs fell silent as a flicker of anguish creased his
normally stony visage. He had liked Makoto. "Let your love
for the kingdom govern your decision. After all, that was
what allowed your return."
^_^
Rune shuddered. All her scientists had failed to counter
the increasing numbers of Rapture nodules appearing in El-
Hazard. Or to stop the thousands of willing victims from
making use of them. In desperation, she had used one of the
palace nodules herself to gauge the attractive addiction
and to free the minds of Makoto and Ifurita, locked within
a fantasy world of their own making. She almost had not
come back.
If El-Hazard was magnificence incarnate, then the world of
Rapture was perfection. All your dreams and desires became
real. And Gallus had truly loved her, within...
MJK again: "This bridge is closer than crying, and cancer and dying..."
MJK?
The comment is true enough. Most people prefer being happy, even if
it's a false happiness, rather than unhappy.
In the end, it was her love for flawed Roshtaria that had
overcome her desire to stay forever. Even now, five days
after the experience, the memories were a glittering web
waiting to entrance her. Rune fought to banish them, and
they fled, causing a stab of pain, to lurk once more in the
back of her mind.
Rune shook her head once more. Londs was right. Across the
River, the Bugrom were slowly recovering after their
virtual annihilation in the last war. Roshtaria could not
afford weakness now. Makoto... Ifurita... I'm sorry, but I
can't let you dream your life; not when it could destroy us
all. You'll find a means to overcome your problems in the
real world. I hope you'll thank me for this... if you survive.
She turned to Londs. "Unplug them."
---
The End?
Never the end. Like Tom Cruise opening up his eyes at the very end of the
movie, I dont think El Hazard can ever go away or be truly destoyed because
it isnt theres to destroy. (In answer to my earlier question.) Is that
anything like what you had in mind? Maybe its just me.
El-Hazard lives on in dreams... Of course, animation studios have
creatednumerious 'sequels' to the original: the TV series, the second OVAs, the
new continuation.
Very nicely done.
Thanks.
If El-Hazard was magnificence incarnate, then the world of
Rapture was perfection. All your dreams and desires became
real. And Gallus had truly loved her, within...
Sounds like an advanced VR system.
It is. :)
Heh. (Instead of advanced, I might say 'straight and to the point.')
Yup.
Thanks for the commentary again. Off to watch the Aussie Open now. :)
Phil.
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