You know, I was kind of disappointed with what happened to "The Super Suit Chronicles". The Toltec was a good writer and I enjoyed working with him. I think that the chapter he sent me before he left was the most fun I had working on. I share the intellectual ownership of the chapter, so I can't post it... and he never got a chance to post the draft I sent him.
I think that the last chapter was the best example of combining our styles. I was able to incorporate the Religious iconography and ideas into a more fluid and realistic writing style. His dialogue and story was getting a lot better by that point. It really sucked that things ended so suddenly after I started working with him. In some ways it reminded me of what happened with "Juliet of the Endless Blue".
Aesiroth lost his desire to write and eventually left the community... then I made friends with The Toltec a few years later and then he had to ship-out. It really does seem like I'm the only one updating here anymore. The fact that "Mother" remains unfinished is a big bummer too. It's difficult to find a story that I like and then find out that it's not finished. I've seen that a lot. Oh well, on with the chapter.
-Bojack727
.o.o.o.
BLUE SUB: "NEW LIFE"
Chapter 3: "The Parting of Ways"
Hayami sat alone on the roof of the building. He looked out into the night sky. He heard a faint sound off to his right and looked over to see Kino pull herself up and join him. "It seems like a lot of things have changed these days." He remarked as she situated herself next to him.
The short girl smiled modestly. "That's life- you know." She offered. "Things change, they always do."
Hayami smiled as her and leaned back. "But are things changing for the better or are they changing for the worse?" He asked.
"Change is a part of life, if we don't change with the rest of the world- then we just stagnate." Kino offered. "We have to know when to move with the tide, learn how it ebbs and flows." She continued. "If we don't except change, then we do nothing." She finished.
The taller man smiled at her and sat back up. "Then again, doing nothing might not be so bad- as long as it's the right kind of nothing." He reasoned.
Kino sighed and shook her head. "You're weird." She replied simply. She then looked back up at him. "You should know more than anyone that life is all about changes, it's an endless series of transitions- you've gone from being a loner mercenary to actually giving a damn about the world." She added.
Hayami nodded. "I guess you're right, but it's a lot to think about… to take in." He ran a hand through his hair. "Sometimes I wonder if I've made the right decisions in my life."
Kino shook her head. "Perhaps, time will tell- it always does."
Hayami looked over at her. "When did you get so smart?" He asked softly.
The girl blushed slightly. "When I stopped and listened to others."
.o.o.o.
"The problem is that she's been with us so long that she's become dependant on the care we give her." Dumont explained to the other scientist.
Warlock nodded. "Yes, but she's not adjusting to life here either." He replied. "I'm afraid that what we're facing now is an ethical dilemma." He added.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not comfortable with releasing her back into the wild, she's been in captivity too long for that." Dumont replied. "I feel that the only real possibility is for her to remain here."
"Indefinitely?" Warlock asked.
Dumont shook his head. "At least for the time being."
.o.o.o.
Kino went through the words in her mind and came to a decision. She stepped into the natatorium and spotted the small green hybrid swimming around. She wasn't sure if this was the best thing to do, but she had decided that she had to take some initiative for once.
She sat down next to the edge of the pool and looked down at Emma as she swam about silently. The hybrid suddenly stopped and looked up at her. The two females stared at one another for a moment.
Kino crossed her legs. "You… you must feel so lonely right now?" She remarked as she sat there. "But… but you don't have to be afraid anymore." She offered. "I think I should start by introducing myself," she paused. "You're Emma… and I'm Kino Megumi." She added.
Emma simply looked up at her. "Ki-no…?"
The other girl smiled. "Yeah, that's right."
.o.o.o.
Dr. Jinnah checked the recent information on Mutio. "Yes, I'd say that she's not long due for the pregnancy, it'll probably be in about four weeks." He explained to Hayami and the two scientists in the room.
"Just four weeks and… my 'child' will be born." Hayami thought out loud.
Jinnah smiled. "I'm surprised, as soon-to-be father, you should be excited." He offered to the other man. He ran a hand through his slicked black hair and took off his glasses.
Hayami looked up. "Well, yes, I am," He replied. "It's just that this whole thing seems so overwhelming at times… almost unreal."
Dianna entered the room. "You know, Hayami, you've become very empathic recently." She observed. "Being around all these females must be making you more sensitive." She reasoned.
Hayami smiled at the last remark as the human-turned-hybrid went on. "Not that that's a bad thing- women love sensitive guys."
Jinnah looked over at her. "Tell me, Dr. Ainsley," He began. "Is that your personal or professional opinion?" He asked her with a smile.
Dianna smiled at the question and leaned forward a bit. "Both."
Hayami stood up. "I'd better go check on Mutio while I'm thinking about It." He explained and left the room.
Dianna regarded the others. "I came to tell you all that I'll be leaving soon."
Warlock looked up at her. "Really, where to?" He asked.
She shook her head. "I don't yet, but I do know that I'll have a good time getting there." She replied. She then looked over at Jinnah. "I hope that things go well with the child- take care of it."
The scientist nodded. "Of course, it's my job now to see this through."
Dianna smiled. "I believe you, and I think that things will go wonderfully." She explained. "Thank you, all of you." She said, shaking hands with Dr. Dumont and then turning to Warlock.
"Dianna." He spoke warmly.
She hugged him. "Thank you, John- It's thanks to you that I found myself again."
He pulled back gently. "Really now, you don't give yourself enough credit- it was your strength that allowed you to chose you own fate."
"Yes, and I'll be needing all the strength I can get soon." She paused. "Who knows what will await me out there- excitement? Adventure?"
.o.o.o.
Hayami looked over his shoulder as Dianna entered the room. Her hands here tucked into her trouser pockets. He glanced down at the very pregnant Mutio in the water. "I hear that you're heading out." He remarked.
She nodded. "Yes, I want to see more of the world." She replied. "I feel confident that I'm ready for this."
He smiled. "It's weird- I've never really felt like I belonged anywhere or with anyone." He began. "Years back, Katsumo was by best friend- and then I lost him in the war." He paused.
He dipped his hand in the water, watching the ripples. He noted Dianna's reflection next to his. "I guess I just became another 'ronin' in this country- no master or home of my own."
Dianna sat down beside him. "That's a very Japanese thing to say."
He went on. "Then people started coming into my life- first Kino and then the pilots." He added. "And it seemed- whether I wanted it or not- I was becoming part of something."
"We all long to become part of something- it's human… or rather humanoid nature." Dianna added with a smile. "And now you're part of a family, in more ways than one."
Mutio looked over at Dianna and smiled at her. The other woman returned the expression. "You're part of your family and part of 'ours'."
"I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's ironic that as soon as I get settled, you take off." He offered.
"I won't be gone for good." She reasoned. "I just want to do a little exploring." She then looked at the two of them. "So, have you though about what you're going to name the child?"
"I was thinking of… Mizuko."
"Child of the Water." Dianna mused. "It has a nice ring to it."
He looked over at her. "You understand Japanese?"
"Enough," she replied. "I know enough to get around." She paused. "I'll miss you two, both of you." She added and rested a hand against Mutio's cheek.
"Goodbye for now." She told her.
Mutio blushed at the contact. "Good…bye, Di-anna." The female hybrid struggled to say in response.
Dianna looked over at Hayami. "See, we're all changing in one way or another. And it seems- for the better."
(- End of Chapter 3 -)
.o.o.o.
Well, I think this chapter went pretty well. The pacing is a little frenetic, but I like the dialogue. I think that I got a lot accomplished in this chapter. As some of you may have noticed, Dianna's story is starting to tie into "Gaiden". You'll need to read that to understand all of the things that happen later in this story.
I hope you all enjoyed this and let me know what you thought about it. I always enjoy finding out what you think about my work. Please drop me some reviews and let me know what you think about all this, and make suggestions if you like as well.
Later,
-Bojack727