Reach the unreachable stars

Backstory behind this one--the entire thing that kicks off "Project Silver" is that Eiji's older brother suddenly shows up in his life again and tells him that his father has been named Prime Minister of Japan. Because of this, Eiji feels he has to go back home--for the first time in about 10 years, mind you--and clear out his stuff so they can move. He learns about this while staying with Hina, however, and they end up fighting over this. For a couple of reasons, they don't talk to each other for a few weeks after.

This scene...well, this is really more of a chapter. It was intended to be chapter 2 or 3 of the fic, but I could never seem to get it to fit in without breaking up the flow of the story. Beyond that, I was never really happy with my characterization of Eiji's mother in it. If you've read Ghost Stories chapter 3 or Picture of Perfection, you know I generally picture her as a shrewd, somewhat manipulative woman from whom Eiji gets all of his worst habits. Because of that, he's never really sure how to behave around her, or how he really feels. This...doesn't quite get that across. I think I focused too much on the facade of the perfect Japanese woman. Eiji's father, on the other hand, feels about right.

Another reason I have to excise this is because I'd written it under the assumption that the Japanese election would be held in December 2017. Instead, a snap election was held in October, around the time of Eiji's birthday in this fic. So things have been moved up, giving a little longer a timeframe in which to occur.

But I still want to figure out how to fit in the teddy bear.

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Not yet ready to (re-)start this fic, but I've been putting more thought into it. Namely, I've had this thought for a while to put in some scenes that take place before the fic itself--background stuff, some extrapolations on backstory, aftermath from 800 years ago regarding the events of "Kings and Vagabonds," stuff like that. But I've never been able to figure out where it'll all fit.

Unless I put it as bonus content on this journal, which I might well do. I just have to figure out how to make the main fic itself make sense without this bonus content, so that you don't have to read it in order to understand the fic (which, if you've read my reviews, you know is a massive pet peeve of mine). It's just meant to be a bonus--explanations of "Oh, that's what happened to the other villagers." or "Wow, Eiji's family just does not know how to human, do they?" and things like that.

Despite giving myself a (minor) second-degree burn on my finger the other day from a hot glue gun (+ klutz = well, you can figure it out for yourself, can't you?), I managed to get through three chapters of "Project Silver"!

And on top of it, chapter 3 is only its first draft. I succeeded in not G'Kar-ing the fuck out of it.

Chapter 9: What Hearts Are Made Of
Summary: Hina, Ankh, Rei, and all the others make their final stand to save Shingo and Eiji and prove what's stronger than fear.


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This one took me a little longer to edit, since I had to keep up with Date's particular terms of address (namely, "Anko").

Chapter 8: Lost Blaze
Summary: Ankh is back, for now, and as everyone plans to stop the Leeches for good, Hina has to figure out if she's strong enough to take back what she loves.

AKA one of only two chapters that didn't need extensive rewriting.

Chapter 6: A Priestess of Mars
Summary: Sailor Coronis helps fend off the Leeches, but Eiji is fading fast. While they, Hina, and Rei regroup, Date and Ami try to figure out a new plan of attack against the Leeches, the Medals, and Shingo.

Chapter 4: Let the Shadows In
Summary: While Rei performs purification rites on Eiji, Ami faces a difficult battle against the Leeches, somehow stronger than ever. And despite everyone's best efforts, Hina may be drawn into the middle of everything.

Note: I promise you, Date's explanation of the Sailor Moon manga is technically accurate. Also, I will put up a bibliography including all the Shinto rites and terms used in here.

Chapter 2: Patterns of Light and Darkness
Summary: As Eiji recovers from the attack, Rei comes to grips with what he hasn't told her, Date and Ami try to put the past behind them, and Hina starts to face the things she can never tell him.

Still feeling bad today, but not quite as sick. Going to take it easy all day. Sucks, though, that almost every time I have a holiday, I wind up getting sick.

Chapter 8 is up on FFN.

In other news, a character from the new fic is now apparently voiced by Bester in my mind? Previously, he was voiced by John DeLancie. So I guess I know how this person should go.

Because I'll be out of town the weekend of next week, I'm not going to worry about editing or posting yet. It'll give me time to clear my mind and start organizing the next fic in the universe. Then I can go and read through everything for consistency and do some actual editing.