I'm highly annoyed with my preview. It messed up my HTML and I can't get the spacing to work out.
To CuriousDreamWeaver: She is, isn't she. .
To Star Otaku: Explanations on how Paper Masters get their powers...hmm, well, I wasn't really planning to explain that, though I do have an explanation ready. If I don't explain it next chapter, then I'll footnote it for you.
I also have the complete first volume of Read or Die, scanslated by MangaProject. It's been uploaded to a server (not mine), although I do plan to host it on my own server soon. If you would like it, please send me an e-mail with a request for the URL (and, preferably, don't broadcast it all over the world - after all, it's not MY server.)
Chapter Six: Shift in the Wind
It was one of the most eventful summers Yomiko had ever spent. It had taken her almost a month to learn the basics of paper manipulation from the Paper - shaping it, forming shields, moving it around - but she had built up abilities fast. Donii had long expressed amusement over watching a clip of her build half of a model of Big Ben, one of her favourite places to sightsee, with only a wave of her hand.
From there, Yomiko had been taught more unconventional things that, as she learned from other Library workers, the past Paper Masters didn't bother to master. There were endless lessons on martial arts, different styles of swordplay, physics, chemistry, art, physical training, history...the topics boggled her mind. Yet whenever she protested and demanded a practical explanation on just why these were important to her becoming a Paper Master, Donii was quick to silence her with a brief demonstration of his own powers. Eventually Yomiko learned that everything was useful, and she held her peace. It wasn't as though she didn't enjoy all her lessons though - one memorable day had been spent learning origami, and that night they had watched paper butterflies in the air.
Yomiko didn't spend the entire summer at Donii's house either. Several times he was called away for a rare book examination or retrieval, and almost every time Yomiko had come along as his 'assistant'. There was even a run-in with STN-J, a particularly epic moment in June when the two Paper Masters had discovered that they had been set up. It hadn't taken long to dispatch their enemies with a few well-placed sheets of paper - Joker had kindly informed them that three were still in hospital because their paper cuts refused to stop bleeding. Yomiko hadn't been involved in many fights after that.
The routine at night was the same every time. After a long day of training and dinner (Yomiko now had a list of dishes that she could prepare quite competently, thank-you-very-much), the two bibliophiles settled down to an evening of reading in the library. At midnight Donii promptly sent her off to bed, without a book. Yomiko noticed that the light from Donii's bedroom stayed on for about half an hour after that and her senses could tell her that there was a book inside. Normally, Yomiko would be offended - Donii was very specific about his no-reading-when-not-in-the-library rule - but the book in his room puzzled her, as she couldn't hear what it was about.
Months passed, lessons and missions continued and suddenly it was late October - specifically, the Library's Hallowe'en party. The British Library didn't throw a childish party with the bobbing of apples and bedsheet ghosts, nor did they believe in the pagan roots the holiday had. In fact, the Hallowe'en party just seemed like an excuse to get the staff together for another one of its standard parties, only with elaborate costumes of historical and/or fictional figures.
"Ano, what are you dressing up as?" Yomiko asked Donii the day of the party. Using paper the girl had made a kimono and tied her hair into a delicate bun; perhaps the only part of her costume that didn't consist of paper was a kanzashi dangling from her hairstyle, a present from Donii when demonstrating how to make one out of paper.
"I don't dress as anything," the Paper answered. Once again, Donii was dressed in a trademark suit - white shirt, black jacket, black pants, black shoes, black tie.
"Do-nii," Yomiko complained, "this is supposed to be fun!"
"Yomiko," Donii answered, "this is probably your first time to one of the Library's parties, so I can tell you what to expect: a lot of tea drinking, parlour tricks from other Agents, a guest appearance by Mr. Gentleman and your paycheque."
"Oh." Well that took the wind out of Yomiko's sails pretty fast. Donii smiled and pinched her cheek.
"You look so cute."
"Ano...!" Yomiko retrieved her cheek and rubbed it, pink with embarassment. "Thank you."
The party, sadly enough, was exactly what Donii had predicted. Yomiko decided that people who spent their lives preserving old books - a noble occupation that she had a lot of respect for - probably weren't the best people to throw parties. She recognized several costumed people from books: Huckleberry Finn, the Velveteen Rabbit, three ancient Greeks (presumably from The Iliad). Many people commented on her adorable costume; Yomiko blushed and said Memoirs of a Geisha whenever asked for the book.
"So, you are the Paper's student?" a man dressed as Abraham Lincoln asked - Yomiko didn't recognize him right away.
"Ano, yes," Yomiko said hesitantly.
"Ah, so you must be able to do something with your powers!" he beamed. "Show me something!"
Yomiko blushed furiously. "Ano...I..."
"Now, Peter," Donii said, inserting himself between the two, "leave the poor girl alone. An excellent costume you are wearing yourself, by the way."
"What about your costume, Donii? Dressing as a Paper Master again?"
"I aim for the record of having the most oft-worn costume to a Hallowe'en party," Donii responded dryly; the man took the hint and left, leaving Yomiko thanking Donii for the rescue.
"Don't mention it," Donii replied. He swirled his tea, looking down into the half-empty cup before looking back up at Yomiko. "You're going home tomorrow."
"Ano? Well, it is midnight - is your house that far away?"
"No, I mean home - to Japan," Donii said haltingly.
Yomiko stared, then realized what Donii had said.
"Oh."
There was a long, uncomfortable silence as the two attempted to find something to make the conversation go on and failed. Finally Yomiko came up with a word: "Why?"
"The...situation with STN-J and you has been cleared up, a little," Donii said. "Joker thinks that you are quite capable of living on your own now, and we need as many international contacts as possible." The Paper certainly didn't sound happy about this.
"...Do you want me to leave?"
"Of course not! But I can't overrule Joker!"
"Why don't you want me to leave?"
"Do you want to leave?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Ano...your books?" Yomiko tried a hopeful grin; she met Donii's scowl and knew that he could see through her. She tried again. "Ano...because...you're the only person who I can use my paper abilities around...who doesn't treat me like I'm weird...even the other Library people treat me differently..."
Abruptly Yomiko was pulled into a tight hug by Donii; she squeaked in protest, then relaxed. This is nice.
"I am going to miss you," Donii said into her hair.
Somewhere distant Yomiko heard someone yell, "Give her a kiss, Donii-san!" Donii chuckled as he let Yomiko go.
"Aren't you supposed to treasure your first kiss?" Donii called back. "I doubt that she would be impressed when it's given for the good of this party."
Yomiko was blushing furiously through this, and Donii decided that now would be a good time for their exit.
"So..."
A somewhat-familiar scene now surrounded the two Paper Masters. In London's Heathrow Airport Donii and Yomiko stood there, looking uncomfortably at each other. Yomiko's things were packed in a wheeled suitcase and a bag hanging on her shoulder, and over her clothes she wore a large tan overcoat; Donii was, once again, wearing a suit. Around them people bustled to various terminals, and off to the side a large window opened to a view of the runways.
"Ano...thank you for coming to see me off," Yomiko said.
"Er...you're welcome," Donii said.
"Will we be seeing each other again?" Yomiko asked.
"Of course. You're an official Agent of the British Library - I have no doubt that you'll be summoned again."
There was more silence, then as an announcement for a flight to Tokyo, Japan was played over the P.A. system Yomiko impulsively wrapped her arms around Donii's neck and kissed him. Donii, completely caught off-guard, went red with embarassment as Yomiko closed her eyes, enjoying the kiss. Slowly they broke apart, Yomiko's eyes shining, her arms still wrapped around his neck, and Donii looking mildly shocked.
"Um - " Donii's voice came out as a croak; he tried again. "I think they're calling for you, your flight."
"WHAT?! Oh no!" Yomiko let go of Donii, grabbed her things and disappeared in the cloud of dust, yelling, "See you again, Donii!"
Within half an hour Donii was at Mr. Gentleman's office, Joker standing to the side. After he had seen Yomiko off he had come straight to the British Library, summoned on an important mission - too delicate for Yomiko to even hear about. Joker handed the man a mission file as soon as he had entered, and he flipped through the documents as Joker described the scene.
"We discovered a man in downtown London who exhibited paper manipulation abilities - a street performer," Joker said, pointing at a projected map on the far wall. Donii nodded, recognizing the district in question. "Yet when we went to investigate this morning - "
The slide changed and Donii winced. A man was sprawled on the cobblestone road, blood pooling from his neck.
" - he had been assassinated," Joker continued without pause. "Paper needles, thrown at his throat. The police are investigating, but we removed the murder weapons before they could be taken by the wrong authorities."
"Are you trying to imply something, Joker-san?" Donii asked, voice cool.
"Of course," Joker replied casually. "These needles can only be made by a Paper Master. However," he quickly added, holding up a hand to halt Donii's inevitable protest, "we are well aware that you and your student were on your way to the airport at the time of this murder, so that leaves a Paper Master unaccounted for..."
Donii knew that Joker had the facts down right. Paper Manipulators that hadn't been trained couldn't form complex weapons like these - one had to learn this art from another Paper Master. It eventually dawned on the Paper who it was.
"Megami Kanzeyori-san," he hissed.
"The Seventeenth," Mr. Gentleman said, sipping his tea. "She has made a name for herself recently, causing plenty of trouble with the British Library."
"Megami Kanzeyori is a professional thief, specializing in rare book stealings," Joker said. Donii wondered why he called Megami-san's line of work theft, while theirs was 'retrieval'. "She has been working underground, and we suspect that she may have access to some of the British Library's data so she can get herself in and steal books. We have been upgrading security, but she seems to be able to get around even our most vigilant guards."
Automatically Donii knew that Joker was lying. Had they been all that concerned about upgrading security, the Paper would have been summoned to at least see the precautions. After all, they were trying to keep out the former Paper Master, and who better than to have the current up test it? He didn't say anything, but a frown appeared on his face as Joker said it.
"We've tracked her down to an abandoned house here - " the slide flipped to reveal a ramshackle building. "We have men watching it, but no one has entered to confront Megami. We want you to go in and bring Megami out, preferably alive."
"You must be joking," Donii said. "You remember the last time I tried to talk to her?"
"Grudges can be put aside," Joker said smoothly. "Besides, who else but another Paper Master can challenge her?"
Donii opened his mouth to protest, paused, then closed it.
"I'll be going now," he practically snarled, spinning on his heel to exit the room.
Zaa plot THICKENS! doo doo DOO!
kanzashi: hair ornament. It looks like a stubby wooden stick with a pretty thing dangling off of the end, and you stab it into a bun.
Originally, there wasn't a party scene. But I did consider it - and getting Yomiko drunk. However, her costume would've fallen apart in the middle of the party - not good. It amused me how it went in my mind.
What else to say...oh, I'm not good at writing romance. I consider myself a shy romantic at heart, but expressing it in writing? No. I'd also like to note that I've never had a boyfriend or other romantic interest, therefore have never been kissed and don't know what it's like.
...And if ANY of you suggest something that involves the words 'manga', 'Nenene' or 'her soft lips were moving, hot as boiling water', I'll review-brick you.
...Speaking of reviews, I'd HIGHLY appreciate it if people gave me some constructive criticism. I honestly don't start (re)writing the next chapter until I get a review - visible sign that someone's reading it! - and I'm always willing to change how a story goes depending on what people want to see. Well, so long as it doesn't change the storyline.
So.
REVIEW!
REVIEW!
REV -
catches the review brick and looks around suspiciously
May 8, 2003
To CuriousDreamWeaver: She is, isn't she. .
To Star Otaku: Explanations on how Paper Masters get their powers...hmm, well, I wasn't really planning to explain that, though I do have an explanation ready. If I don't explain it next chapter, then I'll footnote it for you.
I also have the complete first volume of Read or Die, scanslated by MangaProject. It's been uploaded to a server (not mine), although I do plan to host it on my own server soon. If you would like it, please send me an e-mail with a request for the URL (and, preferably, don't broadcast it all over the world - after all, it's not MY server.)
Chapter Six: Shift in the Wind
It was one of the most eventful summers Yomiko had ever spent. It had taken her almost a month to learn the basics of paper manipulation from the Paper - shaping it, forming shields, moving it around - but she had built up abilities fast. Donii had long expressed amusement over watching a clip of her build half of a model of Big Ben, one of her favourite places to sightsee, with only a wave of her hand.
From there, Yomiko had been taught more unconventional things that, as she learned from other Library workers, the past Paper Masters didn't bother to master. There were endless lessons on martial arts, different styles of swordplay, physics, chemistry, art, physical training, history...the topics boggled her mind. Yet whenever she protested and demanded a practical explanation on just why these were important to her becoming a Paper Master, Donii was quick to silence her with a brief demonstration of his own powers. Eventually Yomiko learned that everything was useful, and she held her peace. It wasn't as though she didn't enjoy all her lessons though - one memorable day had been spent learning origami, and that night they had watched paper butterflies in the air.
Yomiko didn't spend the entire summer at Donii's house either. Several times he was called away for a rare book examination or retrieval, and almost every time Yomiko had come along as his 'assistant'. There was even a run-in with STN-J, a particularly epic moment in June when the two Paper Masters had discovered that they had been set up. It hadn't taken long to dispatch their enemies with a few well-placed sheets of paper - Joker had kindly informed them that three were still in hospital because their paper cuts refused to stop bleeding. Yomiko hadn't been involved in many fights after that.
The routine at night was the same every time. After a long day of training and dinner (Yomiko now had a list of dishes that she could prepare quite competently, thank-you-very-much), the two bibliophiles settled down to an evening of reading in the library. At midnight Donii promptly sent her off to bed, without a book. Yomiko noticed that the light from Donii's bedroom stayed on for about half an hour after that and her senses could tell her that there was a book inside. Normally, Yomiko would be offended - Donii was very specific about his no-reading-when-not-in-the-library rule - but the book in his room puzzled her, as she couldn't hear what it was about.
Months passed, lessons and missions continued and suddenly it was late October - specifically, the Library's Hallowe'en party. The British Library didn't throw a childish party with the bobbing of apples and bedsheet ghosts, nor did they believe in the pagan roots the holiday had. In fact, the Hallowe'en party just seemed like an excuse to get the staff together for another one of its standard parties, only with elaborate costumes of historical and/or fictional figures.
"Ano, what are you dressing up as?" Yomiko asked Donii the day of the party. Using paper the girl had made a kimono and tied her hair into a delicate bun; perhaps the only part of her costume that didn't consist of paper was a kanzashi dangling from her hairstyle, a present from Donii when demonstrating how to make one out of paper.
"I don't dress as anything," the Paper answered. Once again, Donii was dressed in a trademark suit - white shirt, black jacket, black pants, black shoes, black tie.
"Do-nii," Yomiko complained, "this is supposed to be fun!"
"Yomiko," Donii answered, "this is probably your first time to one of the Library's parties, so I can tell you what to expect: a lot of tea drinking, parlour tricks from other Agents, a guest appearance by Mr. Gentleman and your paycheque."
"Oh." Well that took the wind out of Yomiko's sails pretty fast. Donii smiled and pinched her cheek.
"You look so cute."
"Ano...!" Yomiko retrieved her cheek and rubbed it, pink with embarassment. "Thank you."
The party, sadly enough, was exactly what Donii had predicted. Yomiko decided that people who spent their lives preserving old books - a noble occupation that she had a lot of respect for - probably weren't the best people to throw parties. She recognized several costumed people from books: Huckleberry Finn, the Velveteen Rabbit, three ancient Greeks (presumably from The Iliad). Many people commented on her adorable costume; Yomiko blushed and said Memoirs of a Geisha whenever asked for the book.
"So, you are the Paper's student?" a man dressed as Abraham Lincoln asked - Yomiko didn't recognize him right away.
"Ano, yes," Yomiko said hesitantly.
"Ah, so you must be able to do something with your powers!" he beamed. "Show me something!"
Yomiko blushed furiously. "Ano...I..."
"Now, Peter," Donii said, inserting himself between the two, "leave the poor girl alone. An excellent costume you are wearing yourself, by the way."
"What about your costume, Donii? Dressing as a Paper Master again?"
"I aim for the record of having the most oft-worn costume to a Hallowe'en party," Donii responded dryly; the man took the hint and left, leaving Yomiko thanking Donii for the rescue.
"Don't mention it," Donii replied. He swirled his tea, looking down into the half-empty cup before looking back up at Yomiko. "You're going home tomorrow."
"Ano? Well, it is midnight - is your house that far away?"
"No, I mean home - to Japan," Donii said haltingly.
Yomiko stared, then realized what Donii had said.
"Oh."
There was a long, uncomfortable silence as the two attempted to find something to make the conversation go on and failed. Finally Yomiko came up with a word: "Why?"
"The...situation with STN-J and you has been cleared up, a little," Donii said. "Joker thinks that you are quite capable of living on your own now, and we need as many international contacts as possible." The Paper certainly didn't sound happy about this.
"...Do you want me to leave?"
"Of course not! But I can't overrule Joker!"
"Why don't you want me to leave?"
"Do you want to leave?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Ano...your books?" Yomiko tried a hopeful grin; she met Donii's scowl and knew that he could see through her. She tried again. "Ano...because...you're the only person who I can use my paper abilities around...who doesn't treat me like I'm weird...even the other Library people treat me differently..."
Abruptly Yomiko was pulled into a tight hug by Donii; she squeaked in protest, then relaxed. This is nice.
"I am going to miss you," Donii said into her hair.
Somewhere distant Yomiko heard someone yell, "Give her a kiss, Donii-san!" Donii chuckled as he let Yomiko go.
"Aren't you supposed to treasure your first kiss?" Donii called back. "I doubt that she would be impressed when it's given for the good of this party."
Yomiko was blushing furiously through this, and Donii decided that now would be a good time for their exit.
"So..."
A somewhat-familiar scene now surrounded the two Paper Masters. In London's Heathrow Airport Donii and Yomiko stood there, looking uncomfortably at each other. Yomiko's things were packed in a wheeled suitcase and a bag hanging on her shoulder, and over her clothes she wore a large tan overcoat; Donii was, once again, wearing a suit. Around them people bustled to various terminals, and off to the side a large window opened to a view of the runways.
"Ano...thank you for coming to see me off," Yomiko said.
"Er...you're welcome," Donii said.
"Will we be seeing each other again?" Yomiko asked.
"Of course. You're an official Agent of the British Library - I have no doubt that you'll be summoned again."
There was more silence, then as an announcement for a flight to Tokyo, Japan was played over the P.A. system Yomiko impulsively wrapped her arms around Donii's neck and kissed him. Donii, completely caught off-guard, went red with embarassment as Yomiko closed her eyes, enjoying the kiss. Slowly they broke apart, Yomiko's eyes shining, her arms still wrapped around his neck, and Donii looking mildly shocked.
"Um - " Donii's voice came out as a croak; he tried again. "I think they're calling for you, your flight."
"WHAT?! Oh no!" Yomiko let go of Donii, grabbed her things and disappeared in the cloud of dust, yelling, "See you again, Donii!"
Within half an hour Donii was at Mr. Gentleman's office, Joker standing to the side. After he had seen Yomiko off he had come straight to the British Library, summoned on an important mission - too delicate for Yomiko to even hear about. Joker handed the man a mission file as soon as he had entered, and he flipped through the documents as Joker described the scene.
"We discovered a man in downtown London who exhibited paper manipulation abilities - a street performer," Joker said, pointing at a projected map on the far wall. Donii nodded, recognizing the district in question. "Yet when we went to investigate this morning - "
The slide changed and Donii winced. A man was sprawled on the cobblestone road, blood pooling from his neck.
" - he had been assassinated," Joker continued without pause. "Paper needles, thrown at his throat. The police are investigating, but we removed the murder weapons before they could be taken by the wrong authorities."
"Are you trying to imply something, Joker-san?" Donii asked, voice cool.
"Of course," Joker replied casually. "These needles can only be made by a Paper Master. However," he quickly added, holding up a hand to halt Donii's inevitable protest, "we are well aware that you and your student were on your way to the airport at the time of this murder, so that leaves a Paper Master unaccounted for..."
Donii knew that Joker had the facts down right. Paper Manipulators that hadn't been trained couldn't form complex weapons like these - one had to learn this art from another Paper Master. It eventually dawned on the Paper who it was.
"Megami Kanzeyori-san," he hissed.
"The Seventeenth," Mr. Gentleman said, sipping his tea. "She has made a name for herself recently, causing plenty of trouble with the British Library."
"Megami Kanzeyori is a professional thief, specializing in rare book stealings," Joker said. Donii wondered why he called Megami-san's line of work theft, while theirs was 'retrieval'. "She has been working underground, and we suspect that she may have access to some of the British Library's data so she can get herself in and steal books. We have been upgrading security, but she seems to be able to get around even our most vigilant guards."
Automatically Donii knew that Joker was lying. Had they been all that concerned about upgrading security, the Paper would have been summoned to at least see the precautions. After all, they were trying to keep out the former Paper Master, and who better than to have the current up test it? He didn't say anything, but a frown appeared on his face as Joker said it.
"We've tracked her down to an abandoned house here - " the slide flipped to reveal a ramshackle building. "We have men watching it, but no one has entered to confront Megami. We want you to go in and bring Megami out, preferably alive."
"You must be joking," Donii said. "You remember the last time I tried to talk to her?"
"Grudges can be put aside," Joker said smoothly. "Besides, who else but another Paper Master can challenge her?"
Donii opened his mouth to protest, paused, then closed it.
"I'll be going now," he practically snarled, spinning on his heel to exit the room.
Zaa plot THICKENS! doo doo DOO!
kanzashi: hair ornament. It looks like a stubby wooden stick with a pretty thing dangling off of the end, and you stab it into a bun.
Originally, there wasn't a party scene. But I did consider it - and getting Yomiko drunk. However, her costume would've fallen apart in the middle of the party - not good. It amused me how it went in my mind.
What else to say...oh, I'm not good at writing romance. I consider myself a shy romantic at heart, but expressing it in writing? No. I'd also like to note that I've never had a boyfriend or other romantic interest, therefore have never been kissed and don't know what it's like.
...And if ANY of you suggest something that involves the words 'manga', 'Nenene' or 'her soft lips were moving, hot as boiling water', I'll review-brick you.
...Speaking of reviews, I'd HIGHLY appreciate it if people gave me some constructive criticism. I honestly don't start (re)writing the next chapter until I get a review - visible sign that someone's reading it! - and I'm always willing to change how a story goes depending on what people want to see. Well, so long as it doesn't change the storyline.
So.
REVIEW!
REVIEW!
REV -
catches the review brick and looks around suspiciously
May 8, 2003