This time I've got an actual word. This week's prompt is: gesture

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Well, TJ, that's a nice little bit...love to see more as to why Ryu is in such a rotten dive filled with what could be interesting characters....very interesting characters...

Nice snippet, TJ, with a very good use of the word "gesture", and with a way to show some awesome descriptive writing! I could almost really smell the bad odour emanated by the glass of beer and by the surroundings!! I agree with k2p2 that, even if it's only a small bit of a story, it really intrigues you to read more!

Interesting TJ. Can't wait to read the rest and find out why Ryu is so isolated from everyone in that moment. Scary thing is, though, I think I may have been in that dive before, or at least on like it.

The description of that dive bar reminded me of my brother's first apartment!

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Oh no, KT, is she pregnant again???? Poor Jun! As for my snippet, it's part of a full fic, and Ryu's on assignment (the only reason he'd voluntarily be in such a place). It will be published in the February Birdscramble and posted online sometime after that. And... um... if anyone absolutely HAS to see it first, there *are* open spots in Birdscramble right now...

Can't the poor swannie just be ill without this speculation?

Originally posted by KT1972 Can't the poor swannie just be ill without this speculation?

Knowing the plotlines you like to create? Um, no!

hee hee hee, I think they should let their firstborn grow up a little first.....

Originally posted by KT1972 hee hee hee, I think they should let their firstborn grow up a little first.....

But accidents happen. My younger two are just 18 months apart, and my dad and his younger sister were just barely over a year (by two weeks).

yeah there's just 15 months between my two oldest... Probably why there's such a big gap between them and my youngest..

Aww...that is so sweet of Jinpei to be thinking of his sister...we see it so little otherwise, in either Canon or Fandom....keep up the good work.... Hope Jun is okay, though

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So everyone made it safely? Ken and Ryu were ale to land the damaged plane? What happened to Marie? I can empathize with how Iona is feeling, being ignored after all of the effort and stress she just went through...

woah, was Jinpei showing just a little bit of respect for Iona's piloting skills there? Careful or you might find them becoming friends......

k2: Jinpei and Iona's relationship has obviously improved, as she doesn't seem surprised by his support. You've skipped a lot of events that it would have been nice to see, but prompt fics being what they are, sometimes it's unavoidable. KT: Poor Jun, as everyone sits around her going "is she pregnant? is she? is she?"

TJ: I was concerned at first that Ryu was in some sort of alternate universe and that the scary dive bar was Jun's joint! Glad to hear it's not. KT: Loved Jinpei taking care of his Onechan, but I picture him barging loudly into her room and slopping soup onto the dresser. Maybe Ken threatened him? K2: I'm going to have to read more in your AU - this was a bit hard for me to follow. But it's great to see the addition of strong female characters.

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TJ- you are working on the February issue already??? No wonder your stories are so complete and satisfying! KT- if she's NOT pregnant, should we be worried about her? At least Jinpei is there for her. K2 - I hope Iona gets her fair share of recognition from the media!

Jublke - I was jealous of Jason getting the back rub I often suffer from migraines, so bad that I feel I want to chop my head off, and the lucky bastard gets a massage to feel better! And what does he do? He insults Camille! Duh!

Daniella: I get migraines, too, and a good massage from my sweet husband works wonders. (Not that I ever put myself into my stories, oh, no, of course I don't! ) You know, I keep wanting to write a nice straightforward romantic scene betwee these two but i suspect that romance with Jason - or any Condor - would be rather volatile. I hear you about TJ - I'm impressed that she's so far ahead! I never know for sure what I'm submitting until the night I write up my trib.

Originally posted by jublke You know, I keep wanting to write a nice straightforward romantic scene betwee these two but i suspect that romance with Jason - or any Condor - would be rather volatile.

I don't know about volatile, but I don't picture any of them being nice and straightforward, particularly at the same time. If they didn't get tempermental, they'd be ooc.

Good point, Amethyst, and it brings up an Interesting question - one that you and Becky are currently exploring in your story "A Man Like Me." How far can you push a character before they are out of character? Or, put another way, how much of the Condor's temperment is inborn and how much is circumstantial?

Originally posted by jublke Good point, Amethyst, and it brings up an Interesting question - one that you and Becky are currently exploring in your story "A Man Like Me." How far can you push a character before they are out of character? Or, put another way, how much of the Condor's temperment is inborn and how much is circumstantial?

I think it may be easier to separate the two in Jason, as we are doing and trying to keep the essence of his personality in tact even though he is completely out of his environment. With Joe, that may be more difficult. So much of who Joe is, is because of circumstances that may be impossible to separate nature and nurture with him. Though that may be a fun AU to explore: what would Joe be like had his parents successfully defected; or what would Joe be like had his parents never betrayed Galactor?

jublke: Every character has a core that needs to be kept intact, even when doing an AU. The problem is defining that core, as what's in the core is in part the author's interpretation of that character. Unfortunately I find that it's more of "I know it when I see it" problem than one I could generally state in words. It really boils down to crossing a line where you might as well be creating an original character, because there's so little left of the source character. I'm not sure why y'all think the Condor is incapable of romance. However, I liked how that scene worked out, he totally put his foot in it. And if everything went really well there wouldn't be much of a story! As far as inborn vs circumstantial, I agree that it's harder to tell with Joe. He's so driven by his parents' murder and even atoning for being born among Galactor that it's hard to picture what he might have been like otherwise. Jason has no such background in canon (his family is never mentioned).

Been thinking about what you have been saying about Jason/Joe Both always struck me as being highly intelligent, by nature I think they are more internal thinkers and once a desision is made they act, neither feels the need to explain or justify - (it needs doing, so they do it) Analytical and tactical in their own way, with pin point determination. Joe stickes me as being very tactile and sensual, a creature who acts on his nature, sees something he likes and wants and uses what ever resources he has to obtain it. Both seem frustrated by the limitations placed upon them and they act out accordingly or break rules that seem "useless or pointless" - this seems more to do with circumstance. Joe is off course driven for vengence, fueled by his sicillian nature, and to me has turned himself into a weapon, though sometimes in the show he seems to have an inner sadness and weariness to him, Jason to me often seem reserved or with drawn, like he does not fit in As for romance, I think they are both capable of it, but due to what they do and have witnessed, I don't think they would have a health relationship with anyone who was a civilian, to many secrets and half truths anyway that's my though for the evening

Jublke, I feel so sorry for Jason! He was just joking and Camille got all sensitive and took it the wrong way! OTOH, I can understand *why* she'd be sensitive about her blindness. It makes me feel that she hasn't always been blind, and that this is a relatively recent development. Daniella, actually, Birdscramble slows down my posting/publication rate. I have to wait to post stories there first before I can put them online. The Ryu story is done, and I'm actually working on the May Birdscamble issue (a different story) right now.

Originally posted by ChrisW I'm not sure why y'all think the Condor is incapable of romance.

Not at all! I've written a number of instances where Joe/Jason is romantic! In fact I believe for the Valentine's Day Bradbury's Jar I wrote a long, romantic date for Jason and Princess in Got to Get This Out. I like to think of the Condor (Joe especially) as a 'closet romantic'. In other words, he has difficulty getting close to a girl, but one he does, his protective/romantic instinct come out.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun

Originally posted by ChrisW I'm not sure why y'all think the Condor is incapable of romance.

I like to think of the Condor (Joe especially) as a 'closet romantic'. In other words, he has difficulty getting close to a girl, but one he does, his protective/romantic instinct come out.

I agree; though how smooth they are might depend upon which Condor. I can see Joe being smoother than Jason. Jason I see being very much how Jublke wrote him in this scene. I don't see either of them being clueless or careless, but I don't see them being overly experienced either; however, I do see that there is a lot of room for authors to set up any of those scenarios.

Originally posted by amethyst

Originally posted by Transmute Jun

Originally posted by ChrisW I'm not sure why y'all think the Condor is incapable of romance.

I like to think of the Condor (Joe especially) as a 'closet romantic'. In other words, he has difficulty getting close to a girl, but one he does, his protective/romantic instinct come out.

I agree; though how smooth they are might depend upon which Condor. I can see Joe being smoother than Jason. Jason I see being very much how Jublke wrote him in this scene. I don't see either of them being clueless or careless, but I don't see them being overly experienced either; however, I do see that there is a lot of room for authors to set up any of those scenarios.

Even though I can only speak for Joe, with my limited BotP background! Albeit his hard appearance, both in character and facial features (when much is linked with his troubled past and his sense of vengeance), when watching Gatchaman I found Joe showing his caring aspect many a time! I'm sure that if he ever could have had the chance of having a serious relationship he would have surely shown this aspect of his to his other half!

KT ... poor Jun! At least, she has Jinpei who's taking care of her! Maybe, since some years seem to have definitely passed by, by the look of it, Jinpei might have matured into a more caring person, especially towards his sister! I don't know whether the name Kenju (the name of Ken and Jun's firstborn) might have been mentioned earlier in some other fic, which I might not have had the pleasure to read, yet, but I just wanted you to know that I so like the way you combined both of their names together into one! And, btw, I can join in the club of those who have two kids having almost the same age, since there are only sixteen months between the two! Let's say that we didn't take precautions for the second one intentionally! k2p2 ... I'm glad to see that the relationship between Jinpei and Iona is emiliorating! I also feel for Iona, since she really seems to be going through such a hard time! I'm now really wondering where Iona has disappeared to, and how! Plus, I too am so curious to know what happened to Marie ... hey, we also share the same name! jublike ... it's in Jason's nature to spoil such a romantic atmosphere, which the two had shared previous to the meeting with Camille's Dad, even though unintentionally! I don't give him all the blame, though! Camille is such an independent and strong person, albeit her blindness, that he sees her like a normal person, sometimes maybe forgetting about her disability! On the other hand, I can also understand Camille's reaction when Jason hit the wrong note on such a delicate subject, which she's surely so conscious about! It seems as if they still have to know each other a bit better, even though they seem to have reached quite a good level of understanding between them!

Originally posted by gatchamarie KT ... poor Jun! At least, she has Jinpei who's taking care of her! Maybe, since some years seem to have definitely passed by, by the look of it, Jinpei might have matured into a more caring person, especially towards his sister! I don't know whether the name Kenju (the name of Ken and Jun's firstborn) might have been mentioned earlier in some other fic, which I might not have had the pleasure to read, yet, but I just wanted you to know that I so like the way you combined both of their names together into one! And, btw, I can join in the club of those who have two kids having almost the same age, since there are only sixteen months between the two! Let's say that we didn't take precautions for the second one intentionally!

Marie, I began a thread to choose the baby's name after I posted the piece where he had been born, for the Mother's day prompt. The game ran for a few weeks with me finally choosing the winner in time for Fathers day. Kenju was actually the first name suggested, by Jublke IIRC, and like you, I liked the combination of both his parents names.

Many thanks for the recapitulation of events, KT! I still need to go back in time, when possible! Jublike made an excellent suggestion!

TJ -- you mean next year's May issue?

Originally posted by Daniella T TJ -- you mean next year's May issue?

Yep.

Jublke--very nice addition to the Romance..you have a wonderful way with setting, I really felt like I was there, listening to the rain and smelling the rich earth and foliage. Very well done. Am looking forward to the progression of the tale.

TJ- Yes everyone made it safely home from the damaged flight, and yes there's gonna be some 'splaining to do from the security heads that ordered them to shoot the jet down. Despite what Jinpei thinks, I am sure the debrief isn't going to be as quick and painless as he thinks it is going to be. Not sure what Iona feels about being ignored, she just might be glad to be left alone. KT-yeah, I think when the chips are down, Jinpei likes her more than even he is able to let onto himself. Chris--yeah, I've skipped some around, the hazards of the prompts and all that. Gonna be a real trick to get them all in order again. Jublke-I'd be thrilled if you read more. I am such a sucker for reviews, especially with your expertise in setting and emotion, two of my weakest links I'm afeared. Daniella-I wouldn't hold my breath for any recognition for Iona. She's just another tool in the ISO's arsenal that they really don't want Galactor looking at too closely. Gatchamarie-Thanks. Iona treads a fine line, she is part of the team, but really no more than the Godphoenix itself is. She hadn't disappeared anywhere...she stays on the ship while the team is still 'on,' so to speak. Marie is going to be okay, she is one tough old bird that did her utmost to protect her passengers and crew, but she is also woman, a grandmother in fact, that is now exiled from her home country that has sufferd a violent Galactor backed uprising...

Originally posted by k2p2 Jublke-I'd be thrilled if you read more. I am such a sucker for reviews, especially with your expertise in setting and emotion, two of my weakest links I'm afeared.

K2, I had to laugh when I read your comment. I usually need to take the emotion *out* of my stories, or they devolve into hang-wringing levels of angst. Setting is something I used to have a lot of trouble with, but I've really worked on it and I think I'm getting better. One of the things that really helped me was participating in a challenge on the BotP Yahoo group to write a story where "a dark and stormy night " was the setting. I had never paid much attention to weather before and it was an interesting challenge. Plot is still a huge weakness of mine. I'm always happy when I manage to get a plot going.

I only have a few minutes, so here it goes. Becky stared at her computer, wishing the ending of the book she had been working on all year would just write itself. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned, nearly jumping out of her chair. Jason smirked, settling back against the side of the desk to face her. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten me," he said, crossing his arms over his chest. Becky shook her head vigorously. "Never. That's part of the problem." "Come again?" he asked in confusion. "Every time I run into a snag with the book, I start thinking about you and all the unfinished fanfics I have and can't get my mind back on the book." "Maybe you just need a break," he suggested with a smirk. Becky gave him a glare worthy of his alter-ego. "If I do that, the little break turns into a book of its own and I'll never get back to the one I need to finish!" Jason stared at her for a moment, then grinned. "You wrote a short fic for me a while back that really helped me out. Guess it's time I return the favor." Jason moved behind her. Becky turned warily to keep him in her sights. "Turn around and close your eyes," he ordered. "Don't you trust me?" "Yes," she said and closed her eyes. The next thing she knew, his strong hands were working on her shoulders. The feeling was overwhelming. "It's time for you to be Calm," he said. "Once you finish the book, I'll be waiting." Becky smiled as her tension melted away with the touch of his hands. Yes, he would be waiting.

Oooh, nice, Becky! If only....

I think that is just about everybody's fantasy on here.....

Ahhh, yes!! Jason does give such nice back rubs. In fact I could use his help right now to help the muscles in my shoulders relax. I suspect I need to go in for a good massage next week.

It's lovely to see you here, once again, Becky! This piece is so neat ... it echoes your feelings whilst staying in the subject! May we join in helping Jason with the shoulder rubs ... even though I'm sure you'd prefer to stay alone with him! Good luck with your book!

Nice, Becky!! Why can't Jason come help me when I'm working on my book?????

Thanks everyone. He can. All you have to do is write him in.

Very nice, Becky! And glad to see that you are back. Sometimes writing fic helps with the writing of ficition I've found. Gotten me out of a couple of ruts.

Becky, I've definitely used fanfic to help me out of a rut with my original stuff. However, I totally understand the fear that the fanfic will take over, so I try to keep the fanfic as a last resort when I'm totally stuck (or in the case of the prompts, the tinsel one just happened to spring into life and was short, so I figured what the heck).

Since I didn't comment before on the other pieces, here it is. TJ - Nice beginning. I haven't had a chance to read your Bird Scramble entry yet, but I plan to this weekend. KT - Another little Gatchaman on the way! K2- Jinpei being nice to Iona. Interesting. Julie - Jason really put his foot into that one, didn't he?