Tina was just packing up her bag when Reginald bolted into the restaurant. She sighed as she saw him.
“What’s the hurry, honey?” she said, lifting her bag onto her shoulder.
“There’s a big problem. I was approached by a normal at my conference today.”
“So?”
“I mean,” Reginald stammered. “No Ones can’t be approached!”
“Nonsense. People come up to me all the time.”
“Yes, in a business context! But this, this was…um…personal.”
“What are you talking about?” Tina said, sitting down.
“Well,” Reginald said, suddenly realizing who he was speaking to, “I was…propositioned by a woman.”
Tina burst out laughing.
“It’s not funny! Something is definitely going on. I…I’m afraid that I might be losing my powers,” Reginald trailed off into a whisper.
Tina finally caught her breath and reached out her hand to take Reginald’s. “Dear, you worry too much. Tell me, how did you get here?”
“I took the high road.”
“Uh huh, and how far away were you?”
“Maybe a mile and a half.”
“And it took you, what, five minutes?”
The point sank in, and Reginald slowed his breathing. “I…guess it was a stupid worry. It was just really unsettling. I haven’t had that happen to me in a while.”
“I know. You’re stuck in your little isolationist state, and you don’t really expect anyone to be paying attention to you. But don’t worry…I’m paying attention.”
Reginald smiled, and pulled her up to kiss her. “Thanks,” he murmured. “Let’s go somewhere fancy.”
“So,” Tina asked as they left. “Was she pretty?”
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Chapter 3 - 8
“So what if I am?” the woman answered, adjusting her pose to accentuate her features. Reginald was now able to get a good look at her. She was a bit older, but still very pretty, her dark hair cut into a bob and her fine silk dress suit revealing a small amount of cleavage. Her eyes sparkled with some intelligence and attraction, but other than that, Reginald noticed little else, not the familiar tinge of recognition he would expect. This was a normal woman, which worried him greatly.
“It’s just...um...I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting this today,” Reginald said, his eyes darting around the room.
“Oh, don’t be modest. Listen, I can see you’re a bit nervous, so I’ll leave you for now, but,” she said, sticking out her hand and handing him a keycard, “if you have some time this evening, you’ll know where to find me.” She winked at him, and then sauntered out of the room, casting a glance behind her as she left, giggling.
Reginald stood there dumbfounded, trying to come up with an adequate explanation for this. He didn’t doubt that he may have been attractive enough to draw the attention of a wanting woman, but it had been years since he had drawn glances from anyone but Tina. “I don’t get it. Normals do not notice us, it’s part of the rules. Either some new power is at work here or...I’m losing my touch.”
Archer sprinted out of the conference room.
“It’s just...um...I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting this today,” Reginald said, his eyes darting around the room.
“Oh, don’t be modest. Listen, I can see you’re a bit nervous, so I’ll leave you for now, but,” she said, sticking out her hand and handing him a keycard, “if you have some time this evening, you’ll know where to find me.” She winked at him, and then sauntered out of the room, casting a glance behind her as she left, giggling.
Reginald stood there dumbfounded, trying to come up with an adequate explanation for this. He didn’t doubt that he may have been attractive enough to draw the attention of a wanting woman, but it had been years since he had drawn glances from anyone but Tina. “I don’t get it. Normals do not notice us, it’s part of the rules. Either some new power is at work here or...I’m losing my touch.”
Archer sprinted out of the conference room.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Chapter 3 - 7
“I appreciate your time,” Archer said, as the 25-minute mark approached. “You can find my business cards and other materials available at the back table. Thank you.” Archer stepped down from the tiny stage and moved to the side of the room, expecting to slip out without being interrupted. He knew that Tina was at the Jamaican restaurant today, and wanted to get there before she left.
“Excuse me, Mr. Archer,” a woman said as she stepped in front of him.
Archer almost toppled onto her before he caught his balance. He took a step back and posed to regain his composure. “Sorry about that. Hello. Nice to meet you, Ms....Warner.”
“I just wanted to thank you for the talk. It’s been a long day and it was good to see someone who tried to spice things up.”
“Um...you’re welcome. Now, I would love to chat, but I actually have another talk in a different room,” Archer lied, a little confused by the woman’s words.
“Let me walk with you. I would like to hear more about your business philosophy.”
“Oh, it’s going to be mainly the same thing. I wouldn’t want you to have to sit through it all again,” Reginald said, looking for another exit.
“I wouldn’t mind,” the woman said. “I would give me another chance to watch your handsome self strut about.”
Reginald’s sense of irritation suddenly switched to one of danger. “Are you...flirting with me?”
“Excuse me, Mr. Archer,” a woman said as she stepped in front of him.
Archer almost toppled onto her before he caught his balance. He took a step back and posed to regain his composure. “Sorry about that. Hello. Nice to meet you, Ms....Warner.”
“I just wanted to thank you for the talk. It’s been a long day and it was good to see someone who tried to spice things up.”
“Um...you’re welcome. Now, I would love to chat, but I actually have another talk in a different room,” Archer lied, a little confused by the woman’s words.
“Let me walk with you. I would like to hear more about your business philosophy.”
“Oh, it’s going to be mainly the same thing. I wouldn’t want you to have to sit through it all again,” Reginald said, looking for another exit.
“I wouldn’t mind,” the woman said. “I would give me another chance to watch your handsome self strut about.”
Reginald’s sense of irritation suddenly switched to one of danger. “Are you...flirting with me?”
Monday, November 23, 2009
Chapter 3 - 6
“Thank you all for coming today,” Archer said, standing behind a podium in front of a small group of business executives, their suits damp with sweat as they entered their fifth hour of conferences, their attitudes dull from the constant assertions of business sense and blue-sky optimism. “My name is Reginald Archer, and today I’ll introduce you to the world of revolutionary ingenuity.”
Archer really didn’t know anything about business, or at least not at the executive level. Anything from his previous life that might have been relevant to his 25-minute presentation has long since been replaced with knowledge about tricks and tips into sneaking into conferences and getting paid to give a 25-minute presentation about, essentially, nothing.
“Now, as you all know, the economy is making business difficult, making people worrisome.” Archer was assuming this. He hadn’t actually checked a paper beforehand, but he was always under the impression that the economy was in terrible shape. The affirming and aspirated nods from the audience only verified it, but he wasn’t concerned. They would leave this room without any clue what had been said or why.
“That’s why you need to look around your company and discover what resources you have under your control. You need to utilize these resources with vigor. It’s up to you to get your company back in the right direction! Your employees are counting on you.”
Archer knew that all he was doing was throwing out random platitudes, but he didn’t care. He was just there to get paid, and frankly, it was fun to be the center of attention.
Archer really didn’t know anything about business, or at least not at the executive level. Anything from his previous life that might have been relevant to his 25-minute presentation has long since been replaced with knowledge about tricks and tips into sneaking into conferences and getting paid to give a 25-minute presentation about, essentially, nothing.
“Now, as you all know, the economy is making business difficult, making people worrisome.” Archer was assuming this. He hadn’t actually checked a paper beforehand, but he was always under the impression that the economy was in terrible shape. The affirming and aspirated nods from the audience only verified it, but he wasn’t concerned. They would leave this room without any clue what had been said or why.
“That’s why you need to look around your company and discover what resources you have under your control. You need to utilize these resources with vigor. It’s up to you to get your company back in the right direction! Your employees are counting on you.”
Archer knew that all he was doing was throwing out random platitudes, but he didn’t care. He was just there to get paid, and frankly, it was fun to be the center of attention.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Chapter 3 - 5
“There are rumors that some Items do remain when their owner decides to get out of dodge. Really important things, things that really change a No One’s status. Apparently Reggie’s keycard was a found Item, transferred down from No One to No One until nobody can remember just who exactly started with it. The Emperor’s Book and Vase also seem destined to stick around, if the old guy ever gets bored.
“But there’s also murmurs by the more ambitious that there are debt-free credit cards hidden somewhere, or keys to abandoned mansions, things that couldn’t be gotten away from their original owners because they were too powerful, but are now easy pickens for anyone who has the wherewithal to find it.”
“And you don’t believe a word of it,” Travis said.
“I’ve got my own goals, and while I do have all the time in the world, it’s a big city, and I don’t want to waste my time hunting down something that we’re not even sure exists. I’m keeping it practical.”
Travis nodded, thinking.
“Any other questions, champ?”
“No, I think I’m good for now. Something else to think about, anyway.”
“Yeah, if you go on a goose hunt, don’t bother inviting me, k?” Alan said.
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Did you want a cheeseburger? I could buy you a cheeseburger. There were some real morons in the pub last night.”
“No thanks. Have a good day, Alan.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” Alan said, waving a small goodbye before finishing his fries.
“But there’s also murmurs by the more ambitious that there are debt-free credit cards hidden somewhere, or keys to abandoned mansions, things that couldn’t be gotten away from their original owners because they were too powerful, but are now easy pickens for anyone who has the wherewithal to find it.”
“And you don’t believe a word of it,” Travis said.
“I’ve got my own goals, and while I do have all the time in the world, it’s a big city, and I don’t want to waste my time hunting down something that we’re not even sure exists. I’m keeping it practical.”
Travis nodded, thinking.
“Any other questions, champ?”
“No, I think I’m good for now. Something else to think about, anyway.”
“Yeah, if you go on a goose hunt, don’t bother inviting me, k?” Alan said.
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Did you want a cheeseburger? I could buy you a cheeseburger. There were some real morons in the pub last night.”
“No thanks. Have a good day, Alan.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” Alan said, waving a small goodbye before finishing his fries.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Chapter 3 - 4
“Ok,” Alan started explaining, “So when one becomes a No One, we assume that he/she comes into being with Items attached, such as your deck of playing cards.”
“Magic cards.”
“Whatever. So, we assume when a person stops being a No One, the Items on them also fade away as well.”
“That’s something else,” Travis interrupted. “What happens when someone stops being a No One, and how do you do it?”
“No one knows. I mean, we don’t know, we just know that we forget about them, the same way that normals tend to forget about us. But we don’t know if that means they are gone gone, or if they merely switched back to the world of the living, with all that mortality attached to it. Since there’s no real way to track it, and nobody comes back, well…it’s about as mysterious as death itself, with the unfortunate side effect that nobody remembers who you are.”
“Damn…how does it happen?”
“You wish for it hard enough. You say to yourself that you’re done, and – poof – you vanish.”
“So it doesn’t happen that often?”
Travis shook his head in disagreement. “The average lifespan of a No One, according to the Emperor, is only about five years. Apparently we all get bored of this eventually.”
“Huh. How long have you been a No One?”
“Only about a year and a half. I’m probably good for the next little while,” Alan said, beaming. “But back to the question at hand. Unattached Items.”
“Magic cards.”
“Whatever. So, we assume when a person stops being a No One, the Items on them also fade away as well.”
“That’s something else,” Travis interrupted. “What happens when someone stops being a No One, and how do you do it?”
“No one knows. I mean, we don’t know, we just know that we forget about them, the same way that normals tend to forget about us. But we don’t know if that means they are gone gone, or if they merely switched back to the world of the living, with all that mortality attached to it. Since there’s no real way to track it, and nobody comes back, well…it’s about as mysterious as death itself, with the unfortunate side effect that nobody remembers who you are.”
“Damn…how does it happen?”
“You wish for it hard enough. You say to yourself that you’re done, and – poof – you vanish.”
“So it doesn’t happen that often?”
Travis shook his head in disagreement. “The average lifespan of a No One, according to the Emperor, is only about five years. Apparently we all get bored of this eventually.”
“Huh. How long have you been a No One?”
“Only about a year and a half. I’m probably good for the next little while,” Alan said, beaming. “But back to the question at hand. Unattached Items.”
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Chapter 3 - 3
“So what questions do you have today?” Alan said, looking up from his hamburger as he noticed Travis walk in. It had been a full week since Travis had become a No One, and every day without fail, Travis would think about an issue and walk to the nearest fast food restaurant, and almost as it was predestined, Alan would be there, eating a meal and occasionally trying to get the attention of a college-aged girl. He would notice Travis, and ask him to sit, and Alan would answer the question. It was uncanny on the third day, but now it seemed to be a special relationship that they expected.
“Why do you always eat so much?” Travis asked, sitting down. “I haven’t had a bite in three days.”
Alan snapped his teeth, then answered, “I enjoy eating, is all. If I have the means to eat some delicious food, then I’m going to do it.”
“But you only eat fast food!”
“I like fast food. Please it’s not exactly I’m pulling in a lot of coin, so this is pretty much my only option unless I feel like not eating for a while. And frankly, I enjoy this enough to want to do it every day.”
“Huh,” Travis said, a little confused. “Anyway, that wasn’t what I was wondering. I’ve got an Items-related question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Okay, so I know that Items are traded by some mysterious force that the Emperor is control of. But are there any Items that aren’t attached to anyone?”
“Now there’s a $64,000 question.”
“Why do you always eat so much?” Travis asked, sitting down. “I haven’t had a bite in three days.”
Alan snapped his teeth, then answered, “I enjoy eating, is all. If I have the means to eat some delicious food, then I’m going to do it.”
“But you only eat fast food!”
“I like fast food. Please it’s not exactly I’m pulling in a lot of coin, so this is pretty much my only option unless I feel like not eating for a while. And frankly, I enjoy this enough to want to do it every day.”
“Huh,” Travis said, a little confused. “Anyway, that wasn’t what I was wondering. I’ve got an Items-related question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Okay, so I know that Items are traded by some mysterious force that the Emperor is control of. But are there any Items that aren’t attached to anyone?”
“Now there’s a $64,000 question.”
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Chapter 3 - 2
The man didn’t hesitate a second after asking the question, and swung the blade at Fierce’s chest. Fierce leapt back, knocking over a pile of crates before drawing his own broadsword. He nervously looked above him, noting that he couldn’t jump into open space within getting entangled in the cords and wires crisscrossing the alley. He raised his sword to block the next few attacks, trying to squeeze backwards against the blows.
The man’s attacks didn’t lessen, and it was only the breadth of Fierce’s weapon that prevents him from being cut. “Stop backing up, you big fake coward!” the man shouted. “Come on, jumbo, you can take a hit!”
Fierce lost focus, and decided it was best to just swing. He drew his sword high, taking a slash to the chest before bringing his sword down hard. The man clamped to the nearby wall to dodge the blow, then kicked the sword hard while jumping straight at Fierce’s head. Fierce leaned back trying to avoid the attack, but the man hit him full on, and Fierce tumbled backwards, the man pressing him down.
Fierce found himself on his back, the machete against his throat. “Sure you don’t need a shave, Firecrotch?” the man said, “Now get this. I found it, it’s mine, and I’m not sharing with anyone else. Tell your boss to back off or come himself. Now piss off.”
The man dismounted and walked away casually. Fierce stood clumsily and called out to the retreating figure. “You won’t be keeping it, Kip!” Kip held up a hand with an extended middle finger.
The man’s attacks didn’t lessen, and it was only the breadth of Fierce’s weapon that prevents him from being cut. “Stop backing up, you big fake coward!” the man shouted. “Come on, jumbo, you can take a hit!”
Fierce lost focus, and decided it was best to just swing. He drew his sword high, taking a slash to the chest before bringing his sword down hard. The man clamped to the nearby wall to dodge the blow, then kicked the sword hard while jumping straight at Fierce’s head. Fierce leaned back trying to avoid the attack, but the man hit him full on, and Fierce tumbled backwards, the man pressing him down.
Fierce found himself on his back, the machete against his throat. “Sure you don’t need a shave, Firecrotch?” the man said, “Now get this. I found it, it’s mine, and I’m not sharing with anyone else. Tell your boss to back off or come himself. Now piss off.”
The man dismounted and walked away casually. Fierce stood clumsily and called out to the retreating figure. “You won’t be keeping it, Kip!” Kip held up a hand with an extended middle finger.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Chapter 3 - 1
Fierce didn’t like this alley. He didn’t like the overhanging sheets on the clothesline, the smelling boxes of garbage, and the many nocks and crannies that any number of unsavory sort could be hidden in, potential cubbyholes for hobos and rapists. He would likely be able to frighten off anyone who felt the need to molest him, but that still didn’t dispel his uneasiness. He just didn’t like cramped spaces, especially being in one when he was certain he would have to fight.
He spotted the man he needed to talk to at the far end of the alley, talking to a woman wearing dirty clothing and who looks like she hadn’t washed in a while. The woman was looking around nervously and quickly handed the man a small number of bills. The man, a bit of a sneer on his face, counted the bills slowly, shook his head, and gave the woman a bag. She quickly grabbed it and ran off away from Fierce, casting a quick glance behind her as she went. The man notices this skittish behavior and noticed the hulk coming towards him.
“You’re scaring away my customers, Fat Bastard,” the man said to Fierce. “What the hell do you want?”
“I have it from a source that you have something I want.”
“Oh, looking to start a party, big boy? Man, I’ve got everything you need, just prove me with some sum.”
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
“Yeah, yeah,” the man said, casually unhooking a sheath on his belt and withdrawing a machete, “so, we doing this here?”
He spotted the man he needed to talk to at the far end of the alley, talking to a woman wearing dirty clothing and who looks like she hadn’t washed in a while. The woman was looking around nervously and quickly handed the man a small number of bills. The man, a bit of a sneer on his face, counted the bills slowly, shook his head, and gave the woman a bag. She quickly grabbed it and ran off away from Fierce, casting a quick glance behind her as she went. The man notices this skittish behavior and noticed the hulk coming towards him.
“You’re scaring away my customers, Fat Bastard,” the man said to Fierce. “What the hell do you want?”
“I have it from a source that you have something I want.”
“Oh, looking to start a party, big boy? Man, I’ve got everything you need, just prove me with some sum.”
“You know that’s not what I mean.”
“Yeah, yeah,” the man said, casually unhooking a sheath on his belt and withdrawing a machete, “so, we doing this here?”
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Chapter 2 - 15
Travis jumped up and looked at Reginald with concern. “What, why?”
Reginald just smiled. “There was no malice to it. I figured one of two things would happen; you would accept, I’d give you a little training and then when it came time to fight we’d spar a bit, and I’d eventually call for a tie, or you would decline, and get a first-hand account of what it’s like in the vase. Win-win.”
“Well, what did you ask for?”
“Nothing. I hadn’t planned it to be an actual betting fight.”
“Then why didn’t you just let me know that it was you who was challenging me?”
“Because if you had known it was me, you either a) wouldn’t take it seriously or b) never trust me again, because I would have been seen as a threat to you.”
Travis thought for a couple of seconds, then sat back down. “Well, thanks, I guess. I supposed I did learn something.”
“Good. So, how was the rest of your day?”
“It was fine. I’m still trying to get used to being awake all the time. But I found a store to let me play the deck I have. Although I think I quickly got a reputation as someone that’s hard to beat.”
“Oh, you won every one of your games?”
“I…I did actually. Huh, I guess this deck is magic. Do you think I can…?” Travis stood up, and with a bit of effort jumped off the roof.
“You off?”
“I need to go try a couple of things. Thanks for the help, Reginald.”
Archer smiled down at him. “Anytime.”
***END OF CHAPTER TWO***
Reginald just smiled. “There was no malice to it. I figured one of two things would happen; you would accept, I’d give you a little training and then when it came time to fight we’d spar a bit, and I’d eventually call for a tie, or you would decline, and get a first-hand account of what it’s like in the vase. Win-win.”
“Well, what did you ask for?”
“Nothing. I hadn’t planned it to be an actual betting fight.”
“Then why didn’t you just let me know that it was you who was challenging me?”
“Because if you had known it was me, you either a) wouldn’t take it seriously or b) never trust me again, because I would have been seen as a threat to you.”
Travis thought for a couple of seconds, then sat back down. “Well, thanks, I guess. I supposed I did learn something.”
“Good. So, how was the rest of your day?”
“It was fine. I’m still trying to get used to being awake all the time. But I found a store to let me play the deck I have. Although I think I quickly got a reputation as someone that’s hard to beat.”
“Oh, you won every one of your games?”
“I…I did actually. Huh, I guess this deck is magic. Do you think I can…?” Travis stood up, and with a bit of effort jumped off the roof.
“You off?”
“I need to go try a couple of things. Thanks for the help, Reginald.”
Archer smiled down at him. “Anytime.”
***END OF CHAPTER TWO***
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Chapter 2 - 14
“Hey Reginald,” Travis said, standing. “I was…um…practicing.”
“See, there’s your problem. The trick is to treat it as if it’s a completely natural thing you’re trying to do. You had it at the end until you started thinking about it. Of course, if you want to get on top of that building…” Archer braced himself and then jumped forward, 20 feet in the air, to land on the roof of the building Travis was trying to climb. “I would just jump up.”
“Oh! Let’s see here…” Travis said, beginning to squat slightly.
“Don’t think about it. Clear your mind of your expectations of what you can do. Just jump.”
Travis tried to clear his mind of any agitation, and jumped. He tried to mask his surprise at soaring much higher than he though he could and subsequently fumbled the landing, crashing into some loose boxes on the roof. Reginald helped him back up. “There you go, just…think about the landing a small bit.”
“Thanks.”
They sat down on the roof, watching the sun beginning to set. “I understand you were challenged,” Reginald said.
“Yeah, but I just didn’t think I could go through with it. Sure, it was weeks away, but I needed more information that I got. So I went with the vase.”
Reginald nodded. “At least you’re aware of what it’s like in there.”
Travis shuddered. “Yeah, it was terrible. Hopefully whoever challenged me doesn’t try again.”
“Oh, I’m sure he won’t, on account it was me.”
Chapter 2 - 13
Travis ran straight at the building, and quickly started trying to backpedal when he realized he had no idea how to do what he was trying to do. His hands planted against the brick, and he turned around, thinking that he maybe he needed to jump at the wall. He went into a full run again, and at the last moment jumped straight forward, only to smack into the wall and fall. It didn’t hurt, luckily, but it was embarrassing.
“What am I doing? I’m not Spiderman, or even Toby Maguire, for that matter,” he said as he walked back to his starting spot to try again. He tried and failed once more, got the idea to sent up a small ramp to lead up the wall, and as he ran the ramp broke underneath him, causing him to slam headfirst into the wall.
“Ack. Okay, one more try. Then I’m out of here.” He ran once more at the building, putting a little speed into his dash, and in a split second decided to treat the wall as if it were the ground and planted his next step on it, then adjusted the next one to also use the wall as the ground. He managed to run three steps before he realized he was doing it, at which point he immediately fell the five feet to the ground.
“Yes!” he whispered, lying on his back, a little sore. “This actually is kinda awesome.”
“Having fun?” a familiar voice called.
“What am I doing? I’m not Spiderman, or even Toby Maguire, for that matter,” he said as he walked back to his starting spot to try again. He tried and failed once more, got the idea to sent up a small ramp to lead up the wall, and as he ran the ramp broke underneath him, causing him to slam headfirst into the wall.
“Ack. Okay, one more try. Then I’m out of here.” He ran once more at the building, putting a little speed into his dash, and in a split second decided to treat the wall as if it were the ground and planted his next step on it, then adjusted the next one to also use the wall as the ground. He managed to run three steps before he realized he was doing it, at which point he immediately fell the five feet to the ground.
“Yes!” he whispered, lying on his back, a little sore. “This actually is kinda awesome.”
“Having fun?” a familiar voice called.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Chapter 2 - 12
Travis jolted awake, out of the darkness, next to a huge shelf full of wargames. He recognized himself in the gaming store he was at earlier, and stood up, a bit groggy. He left the store, and looked towards the coffee shop he was at earlier, but the Emperor had left, vanished as easily as he appeared.
“Gah,” Travis said, his head swimming a little. “Okay, so that’s why you always accept the challenge.” He remembered his time in the darkness, and thought about the voice in the dark. He probably imagined it, as he couldn’t remember much of the conversation. “Hallucination, probably.”
He walked for a bit, trying not to remember the cold void. “I wonder if it’s like that when a No One bites it too,” he said. “Just an empty darkness. Ug. I’m going to try to stay alive as much as possible.” Travis realized how weird his little monologue was, and realized he probably shouldn’t be talking out loud.
He soon found himself underneath the highway that ran out of the city, and saw a few homeless men sleeping next to their carts full of garbage and dirt. He sighed, and realized his new fate. “We are no different, right guys?” he said under his breath. “Except I have superpowers. Wait a minute…I have superpowers.”
He ran easily down the dirt band under the highway to a space that was fairly abandoned, and looked towards a nearby two-story building, apparently empty. “Okay…here goes.”
“Gah,” Travis said, his head swimming a little. “Okay, so that’s why you always accept the challenge.” He remembered his time in the darkness, and thought about the voice in the dark. He probably imagined it, as he couldn’t remember much of the conversation. “Hallucination, probably.”
He walked for a bit, trying not to remember the cold void. “I wonder if it’s like that when a No One bites it too,” he said. “Just an empty darkness. Ug. I’m going to try to stay alive as much as possible.” Travis realized how weird his little monologue was, and realized he probably shouldn’t be talking out loud.
He soon found himself underneath the highway that ran out of the city, and saw a few homeless men sleeping next to their carts full of garbage and dirt. He sighed, and realized his new fate. “We are no different, right guys?” he said under his breath. “Except I have superpowers. Wait a minute…I have superpowers.”
He ran easily down the dirt band under the highway to a space that was fairly abandoned, and looked towards a nearby two-story building, apparently empty. “Okay…here goes.”
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Chapter 2 - 11
Fierce dropped his sword and looked at Maggie, sitting on a nearby bench. “How long have you been there?”
“Why, did you do something embarrassing?”
Fierce looked flustered, but didn’t say anything.
“I take it that you’re here because you had some fun last night?” Maggie said, walking over to Fierce with a sexy lilt to her step. “Did Archer say anything interesting before he unceremoniously put a bullet in your skull?”
“I…I don’t remember,” Fierce said.
“Of course you don’t. You know, you might remember a lot more if weren’t so stubborn. Anyone else would have been able to walk away from Archer, feeling a little ashamed but still able to enjoy breakfast, but you just had to run your mouth off, didn’t you?”
Fierce kept backing up as Maggie berated him, and eventually he was leaning against the water fountain, his kilt getting wet against the standing water in the lip.
“You sure you didn’t give away our cover, sweetheart?” Maggie said with a bite.
“Um, I…like I said, I don’t remember much.”
She scoffed, and walked away. Fierce loosened and sighed in relief, until Maggie spun around again to look at him, a cruel smile on her face.
“You know what the next step is after this phenomenal failure, right?”
Fierce thought, and realized he had no idea. He just shook his head, his teeth clenched in worried anticipation.
“Come along, we have some work to do. No more fapping about.” She turned and left, not waiting for Fierce. He rushed to catch up.
“Why, did you do something embarrassing?”
Fierce looked flustered, but didn’t say anything.
“I take it that you’re here because you had some fun last night?” Maggie said, walking over to Fierce with a sexy lilt to her step. “Did Archer say anything interesting before he unceremoniously put a bullet in your skull?”
“I…I don’t remember,” Fierce said.
“Of course you don’t. You know, you might remember a lot more if weren’t so stubborn. Anyone else would have been able to walk away from Archer, feeling a little ashamed but still able to enjoy breakfast, but you just had to run your mouth off, didn’t you?”
Fierce kept backing up as Maggie berated him, and eventually he was leaning against the water fountain, his kilt getting wet against the standing water in the lip.
“You sure you didn’t give away our cover, sweetheart?” Maggie said with a bite.
“Um, I…like I said, I don’t remember much.”
She scoffed, and walked away. Fierce loosened and sighed in relief, until Maggie spun around again to look at him, a cruel smile on her face.
“You know what the next step is after this phenomenal failure, right?”
Fierce thought, and realized he had no idea. He just shook his head, his teeth clenched in worried anticipation.
“Come along, we have some work to do. No more fapping about.” She turned and left, not waiting for Fierce. He rushed to catch up.
Chapter 2 - 10
He walked through the park, trying to make sense of last night’s events. He remembered being in high temper with Archer, swinging wide and hard, but it seemed that Archer was still too fast for him. He was able to get a few hits in at least, but he really needed to tighten up his style. He also needed to watch out for tricks, not to get confused when someone did something he found unusual. He didn’t seem to consider being less aggressive, but then again, Fierce didn’t get his name out of a hat.
He found his favorite spot, away from many peeping eyes but still close to a water fountain and near a tennis court, where he liked to occasionally watch the girls play. He looked behind the water fountain to find his sword, as ever nearby, and started to practice.
There was no point in practicing; a No One’s body cannot be improved upon. It is uncannily stronger and more flexible than a normal person, and it can perform any number of absurd actions, but a No One’s metabolism is stopped, and he cannot gain muscle or lose weight. His reflexes won’t get any better, and his strength won’t increase over time. A No One is practically stuck in time, only his mind experiencing each moment going forward. But that never stopped Fierce; for him, his body was his experience, one that wanted to feel everything, and so, out of habit and brash hope, he practiced.
“At it again, handsome?” a voice called as Fierce let out an angry roar after a downward swing.
He found his favorite spot, away from many peeping eyes but still close to a water fountain and near a tennis court, where he liked to occasionally watch the girls play. He looked behind the water fountain to find his sword, as ever nearby, and started to practice.
There was no point in practicing; a No One’s body cannot be improved upon. It is uncannily stronger and more flexible than a normal person, and it can perform any number of absurd actions, but a No One’s metabolism is stopped, and he cannot gain muscle or lose weight. His reflexes won’t get any better, and his strength won’t increase over time. A No One is practically stuck in time, only his mind experiencing each moment going forward. But that never stopped Fierce; for him, his body was his experience, one that wanted to feel everything, and so, out of habit and brash hope, he practiced.
“At it again, handsome?” a voice called as Fierce let out an angry roar after a downward swing.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Chapter 2 - 9
Fierce Hampton’s eyes snapped open, and he found himself in a place he knew too well, an abandoned grove hidden away in the cusp at the local park, his back laying against the cold dirt. It appeared to be midmorning, and he sat up, groggy and aching. It only took a minute of sitting before his strength returned to him, and he jumped up, hoping he didn’t lose too much time this time around.
He strutted out of the cusp onto the field, and looked around at those predisposed to pass time idly on a weekday going about their business, walking their dogs, slowly riding their bikes across sidewalks, sitting at park benches with their toddlers in strollers napping nearby. Fierce walked over to a trashcan and rummaged around until he found a newspaper, and saw that it was still the same day, which he was thankful for. Some injuries had left him vanished for a week at a time, which made him feel that he was missing something vital.
It was not that Fierce sought out injury, it’s just that he was not very careful. He was a bit of a thrill-seeker, and was greatly interested in the limits that he could push himself when he was technically invincible. So, he occasionally do something foolhardy that caused him to tumble off a skyscraper, or get hit by a train, or any number of life-ending instances that he just…woke up from some time later. This fact alone led him to continue his near-suicidal behavior.
He strutted out of the cusp onto the field, and looked around at those predisposed to pass time idly on a weekday going about their business, walking their dogs, slowly riding their bikes across sidewalks, sitting at park benches with their toddlers in strollers napping nearby. Fierce walked over to a trashcan and rummaged around until he found a newspaper, and saw that it was still the same day, which he was thankful for. Some injuries had left him vanished for a week at a time, which made him feel that he was missing something vital.
It was not that Fierce sought out injury, it’s just that he was not very careful. He was a bit of a thrill-seeker, and was greatly interested in the limits that he could push himself when he was technically invincible. So, he occasionally do something foolhardy that caused him to tumble off a skyscraper, or get hit by a train, or any number of life-ending instances that he just…woke up from some time later. This fact alone led him to continue his near-suicidal behavior.
Chapter 2 - 8
“So,” the Emperor asked after Travis sat chewing on the question for a few minutes. “Do you accept the challenge?”
“I…I can’t. I’m sorry. I just don’t feel like I can win, especially when I don’t know who I am up against.”
The Emperor nodded. “He was afraid that you would say no. However, it is your decision, and you understand the consequences.”
“Well, not really. So when do I lose my time?”
“Right now, of course,” the Emperor said, and the old man pulled out the vase again and uncapped it. Travis tried to say something to object but soon found himself in an empty black void, his eyes seeing nothing, and his body feeling nothing, only quiet. His sight, attempting to make sense of the nothingness, started hallucinating circles and sticks, and Travis blinked multiple times to find no difference between when his eyes were open.
“Maybe this wasn’t the best idea,” he said out loud, or assumed he did, as no sound pierced his ears. “Fuck. I don’t know if I can handle this for twenty minutes. What the hell? Maybe I should start counting to myself, move time a little faster. Oh man, this is unbearable.”
Time passed, how much Travis was unable to tell, and his mind reeled trying to come up with an appropriate way to pass the time.
“This new club I’m a part of just gets weirder all the time. Punishing people like this for not playing. I wonder if anyone else is in here.”
Travis recoiled in shock when a voice he didn’t recognize as his own answered. “Yes.”
“I…I can’t. I’m sorry. I just don’t feel like I can win, especially when I don’t know who I am up against.”
The Emperor nodded. “He was afraid that you would say no. However, it is your decision, and you understand the consequences.”
“Well, not really. So when do I lose my time?”
“Right now, of course,” the Emperor said, and the old man pulled out the vase again and uncapped it. Travis tried to say something to object but soon found himself in an empty black void, his eyes seeing nothing, and his body feeling nothing, only quiet. His sight, attempting to make sense of the nothingness, started hallucinating circles and sticks, and Travis blinked multiple times to find no difference between when his eyes were open.
“Maybe this wasn’t the best idea,” he said out loud, or assumed he did, as no sound pierced his ears. “Fuck. I don’t know if I can handle this for twenty minutes. What the hell? Maybe I should start counting to myself, move time a little faster. Oh man, this is unbearable.”
Time passed, how much Travis was unable to tell, and his mind reeled trying to come up with an appropriate way to pass the time.
“This new club I’m a part of just gets weirder all the time. Punishing people like this for not playing. I wonder if anyone else is in here.”
Travis recoiled in shock when a voice he didn’t recognize as his own answered. “Yes.”
Chapter 2 - 7
“I would advice you to stop shouting,” the Emperor calmly stated, casting a glance at the other customers who suddenly were watching the scene, “we may be unremarkable, but we are still noticeable.”
Travis felt really guilty. “Sorry. I’m just…worried. I don’t have any experience fighting.”
“You will have plenty of time to get prepared. The challenge is set for three weeks from today.”
“What? Why? What do they want?”
“That too they have asked to be withheld.”
Travis scoffed again. “This is ridiculous. What happens if I say no?”
“You will be lost for twenty minutes.”
“Lost?”
The Emperor reached under the table and withdrew a small vase, capped with a porcelain lid, and placed it on the table. “According to the arbitration handed to me, I have authority and sound judgment to provide an adequate penalty for failure to participate in the game. If you refuse to accept the challenge, or fails to appear to a challenge you have accepted, your being will be transferred into this vase for the time I have stated. As you are very new, and the conditions of the challenge are stacked rather heavily against you, this is an extremely light penalty.”
“What’s it like there?”
“There is nothing in the vase,” the Emperor said, opening the lid and tipping it forward to show Travis a black maw within. “You will be unable to experience anything while in the vase. It is a disappointing and terrifying experience.”
“That’s…kinda cruel.”
The Emperor put the vase back underneath the table. “I do not set the rules, only enforce them.”
Travis felt really guilty. “Sorry. I’m just…worried. I don’t have any experience fighting.”
“You will have plenty of time to get prepared. The challenge is set for three weeks from today.”
“What? Why? What do they want?”
“That too they have asked to be withheld.”
Travis scoffed again. “This is ridiculous. What happens if I say no?”
“You will be lost for twenty minutes.”
“Lost?”
The Emperor reached under the table and withdrew a small vase, capped with a porcelain lid, and placed it on the table. “According to the arbitration handed to me, I have authority and sound judgment to provide an adequate penalty for failure to participate in the game. If you refuse to accept the challenge, or fails to appear to a challenge you have accepted, your being will be transferred into this vase for the time I have stated. As you are very new, and the conditions of the challenge are stacked rather heavily against you, this is an extremely light penalty.”
“What’s it like there?”
“There is nothing in the vase,” the Emperor said, opening the lid and tipping it forward to show Travis a black maw within. “You will be unable to experience anything while in the vase. It is a disappointing and terrifying experience.”
“That’s…kinda cruel.”
The Emperor put the vase back underneath the table. “I do not set the rules, only enforce them.”
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Chapter 2 - 6
“Travis Garamond,” the Emperor said, looking up at him with a stern look on his face.
“Um...yes?” Travis answered, realizing by his uncanny recognition that this was another No One.
The Emperor’s face quickly turned to a friendly smile. “It is an honor to meet you. I am the Emperor.”
“Oh, oh hi,” Travis said, shaking the short man’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“May I ask if you have time to speak in a less crowded location?”
“Oh, of course, I was just leaving anyway. Let’s...um...”
Travis and the Emperor left the store and walked down the street to a Starbucks, where they sat down at a table. Travis thought about buying something to not draw attention to them, but realized he still had no money, and nobody seemed to notice them enter anyway, so he sat with the Emperor, who maintained his silence and refined demeanor.
“I am sorry to report,” the Emperor finally said after about 20 seconds of awkward silence, “that I am not here merely for an introductory visit.”
“Oh, no problem. Does this have to do with Reginald’s challenge last night?”
“No, that has been settled. This is about a new challenge. Against you.”
“What? But, but I was told yesterday that I wasn’t going to be challenged for a while!” Travis practically shouted.
“I’m apologize for the misinformation you received. There is no established grace period.”
“Well, who challenged me?”
“They have requested that information be withheld.”
“They can do that?!”
“Um...yes?” Travis answered, realizing by his uncanny recognition that this was another No One.
The Emperor’s face quickly turned to a friendly smile. “It is an honor to meet you. I am the Emperor.”
“Oh, oh hi,” Travis said, shaking the short man’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“May I ask if you have time to speak in a less crowded location?”
“Oh, of course, I was just leaving anyway. Let’s...um...”
Travis and the Emperor left the store and walked down the street to a Starbucks, where they sat down at a table. Travis thought about buying something to not draw attention to them, but realized he still had no money, and nobody seemed to notice them enter anyway, so he sat with the Emperor, who maintained his silence and refined demeanor.
“I am sorry to report,” the Emperor finally said after about 20 seconds of awkward silence, “that I am not here merely for an introductory visit.”
“Oh, no problem. Does this have to do with Reginald’s challenge last night?”
“No, that has been settled. This is about a new challenge. Against you.”
“What? But, but I was told yesterday that I wasn’t going to be challenged for a while!” Travis practically shouted.
“I’m apologize for the misinformation you received. There is no established grace period.”
“Well, who challenged me?”
“They have requested that information be withheld.”
“They can do that?!”
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Chapter 2 - 5
“Goddamnit,” Travis’s opponent said as Travis played another quickhitting and gamewinning card onto the field. He was currently up by 7 matches, moving quickly through the room and devastating all the other decks easily, seeming to have a decent response to all decks. The deck was uncannily resistant, able to counter most combos and stop a rush easily and usually was able to keep enough tempo to finish a game on top. His opponents were obviously frustrated, but also interested in this new hotness of a deck that managed to win in a way they weren’t used to seeing before.
“You have any other decks?” he was asked as his opponent cleaned up.
“Sorry,” Travis said, shrugging. He really couldn’t explain why he only had one highly competitive deck and no trade binder, and he was a little worried when he drew a card to find that it adequately matched the situation and may, in fact, not be a card that was in the deck previously. He couldn’t help but feel that he was subconsciously cheating.
His opponent just grumped and walked away. He was out of combatants, nobody else felt they had the cards necessary to answer to that powerhouse. Travis just sighed and stood up, stepping back into the front room to look around a bit. The man behind the counter was still uninterested in his comings and goings, and he walked among the crowded aisles to see if there was anything interesting.
There was, in the form of a short figure demanding his attention.
“You have any other decks?” he was asked as his opponent cleaned up.
“Sorry,” Travis said, shrugging. He really couldn’t explain why he only had one highly competitive deck and no trade binder, and he was a little worried when he drew a card to find that it adequately matched the situation and may, in fact, not be a card that was in the deck previously. He couldn’t help but feel that he was subconsciously cheating.
His opponent just grumped and walked away. He was out of combatants, nobody else felt they had the cards necessary to answer to that powerhouse. Travis just sighed and stood up, stepping back into the front room to look around a bit. The man behind the counter was still uninterested in his comings and goings, and he walked among the crowded aisles to see if there was anything interesting.
There was, in the form of a short figure demanding his attention.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Chapter 2 - 4
It was a small dark game shop, the shelves overcrowded with sun-bleached games with torn lids and sloppily-placed price tags. Through the narrow aisles a large, bearded man could be seen reading a paperback fantasy novel, and he didn’t look up when Travis walked in. There was an open doorway near the back of the shop, out of which shouts about damage-taking and snorting laughs could be heard. Travis squeezed through the aisles to look in the backroom.
The room wasn’t tiny, but felt that way, as it was crammed with six tables, huge shelves stuffed with boardgames and gaming books, and about a dozen sweaty college students who were crowded around one table watching a match. Travis walked over to see they were playing Magic, and watched the combat. One player was trouncing the other, who was only able to stay alive with a life-gaining combo that was about to fall apart. The winner was awfully smug as he used a Terror to kill off the key creature, after which his opponent conceded.
They shuffled and began playing again, and Travis noticed that nobody else was really doing anything, even though they obviously played. He knew, merely from their disposition of being gamers, that they wouldn’t invite him to play, so he took some initiative, found a player nearby who was shuffling a deck lazily, and asked if he wanted to play. He had a deck, after all. Might as well give it a try.
“Yeah, sure, why not?”
The room wasn’t tiny, but felt that way, as it was crammed with six tables, huge shelves stuffed with boardgames and gaming books, and about a dozen sweaty college students who were crowded around one table watching a match. Travis walked over to see they were playing Magic, and watched the combat. One player was trouncing the other, who was only able to stay alive with a life-gaining combo that was about to fall apart. The winner was awfully smug as he used a Terror to kill off the key creature, after which his opponent conceded.
They shuffled and began playing again, and Travis noticed that nobody else was really doing anything, even though they obviously played. He knew, merely from their disposition of being gamers, that they wouldn’t invite him to play, so he took some initiative, found a player nearby who was shuffling a deck lazily, and asked if he wanted to play. He had a deck, after all. Might as well give it a try.
“Yeah, sure, why not?”
Monday, November 2, 2009
Chapter 2 - 3
Travis was finding himself a little delirious. Based on the position of the sun, it had been about 24 hours since he had woken up, but he was still walking around, not tired, not hungry, and thinking fairly clearly, which caused him to worry that maybe he shouldn’t be taking this in stride. He was wandering the streets of the city out of agitation, after leaving Alan at Burger King, citing a need to gather his thoughts. He noticed that absolutely no one was paying attention to him as he walked, even the homeless beggars, and started to think about what he could possibly do to get anyone to notice him. He began to walk in wide, goofy steps, then after that didn’t get a response, began to babble incoherently, until he noticed what he was doing and recalled that he would definitely not react if he saw somebody doing the same thing, so he stopped.
“Gah, this is nuts,” he stated while at the same time thinking how not nuts this is. His mind was reeling, and he wished that he had some spare change to just stop and buy a Coke, something of normalcy, something to make this weird waking life a bit more obvious to him.
He ran full-on into a sign without noticing, and yelped in agitation. “Ow,” he said, rubbing his head and realizing that the pain had already subsided. He looked at the sign, to find that it was for a hobby shop specializing in board, card, and roleplaying games. “Ok, this might work.”
“Gah, this is nuts,” he stated while at the same time thinking how not nuts this is. His mind was reeling, and he wished that he had some spare change to just stop and buy a Coke, something of normalcy, something to make this weird waking life a bit more obvious to him.
He ran full-on into a sign without noticing, and yelped in agitation. “Ow,” he said, rubbing his head and realizing that the pain had already subsided. He looked at the sign, to find that it was for a hobby shop specializing in board, card, and roleplaying games. “Ok, this might work.”
Chapter 2 - 2
“Aren’t you worried about him?” Tina asked as they lounged on an old mattress placed in the center of an abandoned office on the 14th floor of a downtown highrise. It was around noon, and outside the shadowed room office workers busied themselves as they thought impatiently about lunch. Reginald Archer decided that he was taking the day off to chew over his apparent victory, and he and Tina had spent most of the day enjoying each other’s company.
“There have been dozens of No Ones who have gotten by with no assistance at all,” Archer said, a little peeved the topic turned away from romantic nothings. “Besides, we left him with Alan.”
“Who likely abandoned him as soon as he found some girl willing to talk to him.”
“The newbie is not my responsibility,” Reginald said, “I’ve taught him everything he needs to know, and judging by what he’s carrying around, he should be safe for a while. He’ll have to find his own way, like the rest of us.”
She got out of bed and moved to the dull office chair near the stacks of boxes where her clothes were draped. If it were even possible for any of the office workers to notice this little abandoned office, they would have gotten quite a view when they walked in.
“What are you doing?” Reginald said.
“I’ve got some things to do,” Tina said, dressing. “We can catch up tomorrow if you want.”
“Hey,” Reginald said, sitting up. “Don’t leave mad.”
She turned to him, an eerily-serene smile on her face. “Why, when am I ever mad? Go ahead and rest, don’t let bother you,” she said as she left.
Reginald flopped back down on the mattress and sighed.
“There have been dozens of No Ones who have gotten by with no assistance at all,” Archer said, a little peeved the topic turned away from romantic nothings. “Besides, we left him with Alan.”
“Who likely abandoned him as soon as he found some girl willing to talk to him.”
“The newbie is not my responsibility,” Reginald said, “I’ve taught him everything he needs to know, and judging by what he’s carrying around, he should be safe for a while. He’ll have to find his own way, like the rest of us.”
She got out of bed and moved to the dull office chair near the stacks of boxes where her clothes were draped. If it were even possible for any of the office workers to notice this little abandoned office, they would have gotten quite a view when they walked in.
“What are you doing?” Reginald said.
“I’ve got some things to do,” Tina said, dressing. “We can catch up tomorrow if you want.”
“Hey,” Reginald said, sitting up. “Don’t leave mad.”
She turned to him, an eerily-serene smile on her face. “Why, when am I ever mad? Go ahead and rest, don’t let bother you,” she said as she left.
Reginald flopped back down on the mattress and sighed.
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