The Star Ocean Universe

It's finally here!! Not on Friday, like I wanted, nor over the weekend but who cares! It's still in time for Noxie's birthday!! w00t w00t!!

Before I get to the segment itself, a couple of things.

1 - If anyone has any thoughts to share on any aspect of the game and you want them posted to the blog, please let me know! Seriously! I will share almost anything and everything Star Ocean related in this blog. And you will be credited!!! (dA users, feel free to submit essays to the group with a tagline saying whether or not I can repost elsewhere.)

2 - I'm going to do ONE more Ask the Star Ocean Character segment then I will be tentatively taking the summer off from the series. My little sister graduates high school this year, and I'm going to once again attempt relocating myself in a different city. This is subject to change based on time and whether or not I finally get my own computer. I'll still post as often as I can, be it in revisiting old conversation topics or fanfiction.

3 - TILL THE END OF TIME IS TEN YEARS OLD AND THE LAST HOPE IS FIVE!! LET'S CELEBRATE!!
Want to share your favorite Till the End of Time or The Last Hope moment? I'd love to hear from you!

And now for the Ask the Star Ocean Character announcement. Since I've rebooted the entire series, up next in the queue is Sophia Esteed for Friday, May 23, 2014. Remember to limit yourselves to three questions, keep it clean, and have all inquiries in to me (comment, PM, or email - luthersfayt@gmail.com or thestaroceanuniverse@gmail.com )by midnight of Wednesday, May 21, 2014!

Onwards with Albel! And happy birthday, Noxie!!

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Happy birthday, Noxie!

 

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“Hello everyone! Welcome to a special edition of Ask the Star Ocean Character! I’m your host, Dragonfly Moonlight.

 

“Now, everyone at home might be asking why is today’s edition of Ask the Star Ocean Character special? Don’t we do this often enough?

 

“The answer, my friends, is yes. What makes today’s edition special is not that we’re still coming to you. It’s who our guest for today is and that we’re coming to you live from Elicoor II, from the top of the Kirlsa Training Facility. Please give a warm welcome to . . . Albel Nox!”

 

The moment his name passes my lips, loud and joyous screaming echoes up from the audience surrounding the facility. Albel walks over, a swagger in his hips and a smirk on his lips.

 

“Welcome, Albel,” Dragonfly says, extending a hand. “We’re glad to have you with us today.”

 

“So I hear,” he says. The screams have not died down.

 

“Yeah. We couldn’t avoid the fangirl crowd.”

 

“It’s quite all right,” he replies. “It’s nice to know I’m more popular than that maggot Cliff.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Oh yes. That buffoon thinks because he’s strong like an ox – and he smells like one, too, by the way – that the girls love him more than they would me. This . . .” He grins wickedly. “Is vindication.”

 

“I see . . . Does this mean you and Cliff are competitive?”

 

“Only when it comes to women. Since our team has a good portion of females . . .” Albel shrugs. “It was inevitable.”

 

“So who gets the most attention from the girls?”

 

“Fayt.”

 

“Fayt? But if you and Cliff . . .”

 

“He and I are not competitive for the women who travel with us. Except perhaps that fool’s female counterpart. She’s a worthy adversary. So is that Aquarian slut. Otherwise, the rest of them are too busy competing with each other for Fayt’s affections. It’s most nauseating.” He makes a face.

 

“Do you say this out of jealousy?”

 

“What?” he snarls.

 

“Are you jealous?”

 

“Of whom? Fayt? Hardly?”

 

“What of the women, though? Are you jealous of Fayt’s attentions on them or not?”

 

“No. Why would you even ask that?”

 

“Well, because, in part, it’s a fandom thing. Many of the girls love to see you dominating Fayt.”

 

“Oh really?”

 

“Yes, which brings me to a fan question from Dark Signer Yusei – What do you think of the yaoi fan made stuff that’s out there?”

 

“As long as I’m not paired with that buffoon or that rodent child,” Albel shudders, “it isn’t so bad. Fayt isn’t exactly hideous to look at.”

 

“This is true . . .” Dragonfly’s expression goes dreamy for one moment. Then she blinks. “Still, it has to be tiresome to see yourself paired with guys an awful lot. I’m sure you do prefer women.”

 

“I prefer someone strong and intelligent, which most of the women I deal with are not. The only two who even come close to my criteria are Fayt and that Mirage woman.”

 

“I do like Mirage. She’s awesome. She looks like she could take you in a sparring match.”

 

“If she and I were to spar, she would prove a challenge, I’m sure. She’s even a decent field cook.”

 

“Really? Who is the best cook overall out of the group?”

 

Albel growls a little.

 

“As much as I loathe to admit as much, the Aquarian scum and the Esteed wench are the best cooks. Fayt isn’t bad, either. Do not let Cliff anywhere near a stove. Everything he tries to cook comes out as blackened wood.”

 

“That doesn’t sound promising.”

 

“It isn’t. When it comes to inventing, he’s better suited for blacksmithing and what you offworlders call engineering. He can’t even compound medicines properly.”

 

“Speaking of inventing, what’s your favorite invention overall?”

 

“The ducky bomb,” he replies with a wickeder grin than before.

 

“And what’s your favorite moment from your travels with Fayt and the rest of the group?”

 

“I honestly can’t decide between kicking Luther’s ass or Crosell’s,” he replies with a casual shrug. “Both were such great challenges.”

 

“And your least favorite?”

 

“Again, I cannot decide between meeting that Traydor wench or the Esteed one.”

 

“Why meeting them?”

 

“The first wench, while I don’t exactly oppose a woman in command – Aquaria proved their women are more than capable of leading – assumed herself to be a group leader when I first joined them. The buffoon listened only half the time, and only if it didn’t contradict what Fayt said to do.”

 

“But Fayt doesn’t have as much leadership experience as either you, Nel, Cliff, or Maria. Why him as the leader?”

 

“I don’t know.” Albel shrugs. “He’s certainly likeable, easy to approach with concerns. He has all the qualities of a leader.”

 

“So you’re just deferring to him so he can gain experience.”

 

“Something like that, I suppose.”

 

“So why was meeting Sophia one of your least favorite moments?”

 

Albel growls low in his throat.

 

“For someone who grew up with him and defended him against the Traydor wench’s words, she insisted it was not like him to be so gloomy. How else is one supposed to act when his father dies?”

 

“I think I can understand why that is.” Dragonfly gives him a moment to compose himself. “We’re almost out of time so we’ll get to the rest of the fan questions. Dark Signer Yusei also asks what do you dream about when you have nightmares?”

 

“I don’t remember.”

 

“And the last question from Yusei, what does the Ascension of the Flame ceremony entail?”

 

Albel chuckles.

 

“Lots of drinking then wrestling a dragon.”

 

“No grand words?”

 

“Mine was too chaotic for me to truly remember. I’ve avoided other ceremonies since.”

 

“That makes sense. Finally, we come to Mrs. Nox, who is celebrating her birthday to her.”

 

“Happy birthday, wenchlet.”

 

“You’re so sweet, Albel. Her first question is about your hair. How is it two-toned? Do you dye it that way?”

 

“If she’d really like to know, she’s more than welcome to come and visit me. I’d be,” he grins as he speaks, “glad to show her.”

 

“That’s very . . . salacious of you. Second question. Do you prefer the use of your claw or your katana?”

 

“Both.”

 

“You’re sadistic.”

 

“Of course.”

 

“And finally, who is the best training partner in the group?”

 

“Oh, that’s easy,” he says. “Fayt. He’s one of the only other swordsmen in our happy little group. He’s young, he’s spirited, and he proves to be the best challenge. The worm Adray isn’t bad, either, but I prefer to train with Fayt.”

 

“And there we have it! Thank you so much for joining us today. I have one final thing to say to you, Albel.”

 

“And what’s that?”

 

“Run. The fangirls are scaling the walls.”

 

Fanfic Writing Tip #9 - Leaving Reviews and Letting Your Work Stand on Its Own

At some point, fanfiction writers read fanfiction. In fact, reading fanfiction inspires other fanfiction writers to actually write instead of dream/daydream the scenarios in our heads. I know that's how I finally got my start as a fanfiction author.

Now, there are many things I see when browsing sites like fanfiction.net, things I don't necessarily like or think an author should be doing when writing summaries and author's notes. Things in summaries like "plz read and review" are not appealing to me, and they don't draw me in to read the story. Reading in an author's note "I'll update after I receive X number of reviews for this chapter" or "What's your excuse for not reviewing?! Review, gosh darn it!" are the kinds of things that inspire me to either not pick the story up again or leave a very harsh criticism of the work and the writer's attitude. (What one may think of as being cute and funny doesn't necessarily come across that way in black and white.)

Yes. I will admit right here, right now that reviews are gravy. They're awesome, and they go a long way in boosting a writer's confidence and inspiration. Those seeking professional publication will ask established author's for a quote to garner more sales. Book reviews either boost sales or decimate them. However, in the online world of fanfiction publishing, writers aren't paid, except in reviews, and the only things reviews are good for are pointing out where we've made mistakes and ego-boosting. To me, it's in bad form to require a reader to review your work and to require reviews in order to update. That says, in my mind, "I'm a review whore. That's the only thing I care about so that's why I'm writing this story", when that may not even be true. (These are also the kinds of writers who annoy me because I will leave a review and it isn't what they want in a review. They're also the ones that tell me "it's just for fun. Don't like it, don't read it." To that, I say, "Don't want people leaving you their honest thoughts, don't ask for reviews". Yes. I have a slight mean streak.) Readers are in no way obligated to read a person's works. They're in no way obligated to leave a review.

Let your work stand on its own. Write the story. Let your skills at summarizing and writing a compelling tale lure the reader in. Pack it with emotion. Give the reader a reason to write that review to you based on the emotions you've drawn out of that person, not because you need your ego-stoked.

Addendum to last week's writing tip.

Last week I wrote about writing in a logical order and using logic to write your story. That is something that will only go so far, and I was reminded of that when I read last week's Daily Kick by David Farland. There are times when logic will need to be thrown out the window, and it's often based on the kinds of situations the protagonists and antagonists find themselves facing . . . Unexpected reactions to conflict are good. Writing a single parent leaving his two-year-old child sleeping at home alone is still bad, though, because then the reader is expecting something bad to happen while he's gone and then nothing happens and there's a feeling of being cheated out of something really good.

Also, please note, I'm coming across as harsh, and my intentions are to actually help people with their fanfiction writing. I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds the behavior I've encountered in the last decade of fanfiction writing and reading to be annoying . . . I just happen to be quite outspoken on a lot of issues. So while I may sound harsh (it's the disadvantages of text-based forums and formats), it isn't my intention. Writing fanfiction may be for fun . . . but the reasons for reading don't ever change.

Next week's writing tip . . . Writing Songfic

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Halloween In the Four-Dimensional Realm

Given that the world of Star Ocean is nothing more than a fabrication, a multi-player game, the brilliant child of the brain trust at Sphere 211, it isn't too far of a stretch to think that Halloween exists in the four-dimensional realm. It isn't too hard to believe that the creators of the game implemented many holidays and traditions into the game they themselves celebrate. To do so gives the game a sense of familiarity for the players.

How do I see Halloween in the four-dimensional realm? Well, I don't see the likeliness of a real pumpkin being carved into a jack-o-lantern. Maybe there would be what we see in stores like Wal-Mart and KMart . . . ceramic, glass, plastic, plastic covered in glitter . . . If it's a "real" pumpkin, chances are it was fabricated from a replicator.

Ghosts would probably be no different than what we see . . . white sheets or ephemeral wisps depicted in paint . . . something fleeting.

Zombies, ghouls, and demons wouldn't change from what the players see in their gaming experiences. Witches would have gone from ugly old crone to cute and sexy little caster.

All of this would translate into what the worlds and cultures in the Eternal Sphere would see for their Halloween traditions.

Now, if you ask me who would celebrate Halloween out of the four-dimensional beings we encounter in Till the End of Time, I'll address that in the Halloween costumes sections.

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Halloween Costumes, Part Four, Segment One

By now, we're seven hundred plus years into the future of the Star Ocean series. Customs have been traded and upgraded, new holidays added into schedules, and more than one culture celebrates All Hallow's Eve. For this part of the Halloween Costumes segment, I'll be focusing on the following characters: Maria Traydor, Peppita Rosetti, Sophia Esteed, Lieber, and Marietta. I'm also going to toss in Belzeber and Flad, from the 4-D realm.

First up is Maria.

Of this particular group for today, I actually find her the hardest to determine the kinds of costumes she'd wear to go trick-or-treating. Her personality is far different when we first encounter her than what it was as a child. Was she the princess/ballerina type? Personally, I think her parents might have raised to be a little of both the girly type and the boyish type. Her mother is a scientist, her father a soldier . . . heck, she could have dressed up as a soldier-scientist hybrid as an homage to her parents. I do think princess and ballerina, too . . . maybe even a Featherfolk or Lesser Fellpool, too. This would, of course, continue until the destruction of her home and the deaths of her parents. I do feel that Cliff and Mirage would try their best to get Maria to go trick-or-treating once she's in their care, because it would offer up a sense of normalcy after everything she's endured. I'm just not sure Maria would go for it because of everything she's endure. Losing your parents at a young age and in a violent manner like that tends to force a child to mature emotionally in many ways than it would others who haven't lived through such trauma.

Peppita is a little easier for me to decipher. She wants to be famous, and she's learned to dance. Princess or ballerina or even dressing up as a famous dancer/singer/actress would be her style.

Sophia is also very easy for me, and I can see her insisting upon themed costumes with Fayt, much in the same way Reimi would with Edge and Crowe. Fayt would have an easier time drawing the line on what he wouldn't want to hear for costumes with Sophia. It would simply depend on what she'd want to dress up as for Halloween, and I can see her wanting to be a princess. Almost every single year. It is a fascination with her, princesses. (This is based on the kinds of responses Fayt can give her when she's joined the party and in places like Aquios and Airyglyph.) And the dress would be pink or maybe pale blue or lavender . . . but mostly pink. I'm pretty sure that's her favorite color. (She wears a lot of it.)

Lieber . . . Oh, Lieber . . . yes . . . I believe Klausians, after years of dealing with Earthlings, would celebrate Halloween. Lieber, before meeting Cliff and Mirage and falling in love with Maria, would want to be something . . . dynamic . . . heroic . . . noteworthy. He's very  much a romantic at heart. Knights, poets . . . elves . . . those would be what he'd want to dress up as for Halloween.

Marietta is another one I'm finding a little difficulty in determining. In truth, interactions with her (and Lieber) are on the limited side. Still, I think Marietta is tough, despite some of her cringing in a crisis (but then who doesn't?) . . . a pixie or a fairy from Klausian folklore would be cool. She has the features for something so delicate (at least in modern day Disney portrayals) . . . I could also see her (or even Sophia) wanting to dress up as Raggedy Ann, if that somehow is revived after World War III . . . and I think a fighter pilot. She becomes a member of Quark and is the communications officer on The Diplo. A fighter pilot isn't too far-fetched.

Flad is still a kid so I'm sure he'd head out trick-or-treating to his neighbors' homes. He'd be dressed as either his character persona from the Eternal Sphere or some other kind of character, i.e. elf, menodix, etc . . .

Finally, the second add-in for this, Belzeber.

Out of the enemies I've encountered in Till the End of Time, Belzeber has to be one of two of the power-hungriest characters (the other being Duke Vox). I don't lump Luther, Azazer, or Berial in that category for other reasons, which will be discussed at a later date. As the child of a powerful information technology magnate, Belzeber would be the child of entitlement, and his costumes for Halloween would reflect that - corporate businessman every year. He might switch it up every now and then, depending on who his friends are (which I do see him having Blair, Luther, Azazer, and Berial for a group of friends . . . for a while) . . . he might dress up as the hero to Luther's villain . . . but I don't see him deviating away too much from what he truly wants to be in his life - a powerful businessman controlling the 4-D realm.

And thus concludes today's segment of Halloween Costumes, Part 4. Tomorrow will see Cliff, Mirage, Robert Leingod, Ryoko Leingod, Blair, Azazer, Nel Zelpher, Roger S. Huxley, Adray Lasbard, and Clair Lasbard.

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Halloween Fanfic Entries

This was written as a surprise giftfic for missnox!

Title: Halloween Culture Shock
Characters: Albel Nox, Fayt Leingod, Maria Traydor, Sophia Esteed
Pairing: Albel Nox x Fayt Leingod
World: Till the End of Time
Rating: PG13
Warnings: male/male relationship, language, violent urges (It has Albel in it!)
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Ocean - Till the End of Time. The game and the characters from the game belong to tri-Ace and Square Enix respectively. I don't profit financially from writing this.
Summary: Albel receives a culture shock when Fayt invites him to celebrate Halloween on Earth.

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This was written as a surprise giftfic for Rachel Snowden on deviantart.

Title: A Trick For a Treat
World: Till the End of Time
Characters: Albel Nox, Fayt Leingod, Sophia Esteed, Maria Traydor, Lieber, Luther Lansfeld
Pairing: Albel Nox x Fayt Leingod, Maria Traydor x Lieber
Rating: PG13
Warnings: Language, male/male relationship, violent tendencies
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Ocean - Till the End of Time. The game and the characters from the game belong to tri-Ace and Square Enix respectively. I don't profit financially from writing this.
Summary:  Albel decides what he wants the most for the Hallowed Night’s festivities.
Author’s Note: The Hallowed Night is what I’m calling Elicoor II’s Halloween-type holiday.

 

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This was written as a surprise giftfic for Charryblossom over at deviantart.com

Title: Lonely Hallow’s Night
World: Till the End of Time
Characters: Albel Nox, Nel Zelpher, Clair Lasbard, Adray Lasbard, Tynave, Farleen, Fayt Leingod
Pairing: Albel Nox x Nel Zelpher
Warnings: mild language, implied sexual situations
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: I don’t own Till the End of Time or the characters of Fayt Leingod, Tynave, Farleen, Nel Zelpher, Clair Lasbard, Adray Lasbard, or Albel Nox. They belong to tri-Ace and Square Enix. I don’t profit financially from writing this story. I do profit from surprising people with these stories. XD
Author’s Note: Canon pairing. Not much else to say about it except I could have used Charry’s character, Charry, but I never asked her for permission to do so . . . plus I know from her cosplay photos, she’s an Albel x Nel fan.
Summary:  Nel and Albel stare at the moon on the Hallowed Night.

 

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This was written as a surprise giftfic for Kojika on deviantart.

 

Title: Carving the Pumpkin (Part Two)
World: The Last Hope
Characters: Edge Maverick, Faize Sheifa Beleth
Pairing: Edge Maverick x Faize Sheifa Beleth
Warnings: Male/male relationship, implied sexual situations
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters of Edge Maverick and Faize Sheifa Beleth or Star Ocean: The Last Hope. They belong to tri-Ace and Square Enix respectively. I don’t profit financially from writing this story.
Summary: Faize and Edge share some time alone on The Calnus and discuss the ways to carve a pumpkin.
Author’s Notes: Yes, I know I have a story up called Carving the Pumpkin, featuring Luther Lansfeld and Fayt Leingod from Till the End of Time. The idea of carving a pumpkin with Faize was just as appealing to me, and I’m not above rehashing story titles where appropriate.

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(more fanfic in another entry)