4674 replies to this topic

[Lizz]

I just read the new chapter and it was weird and creepy...I LOVED IT!!!

But if that room is supposed to be part of the emotion maze, is it supposed to be some kind of fear room? That's the one thing I didn't understand.

[John Richards]

So I got sick of waiting, and not knowing when I'll have the internet again...
I figured it'd be a good idea if I posted the next segment of TOSOT now. So I did! It's not the whole chapter, just the first 10 pages, but you know what? It's better than nothing.

Anyway, CHAPTER 36 IS OUT

I want to warn everyone - it's a bit trippy. (It's NOT, as I told Beks, the result of me smoking crack, but rather the result of reading too many psychology textbooks). If you have any questions or are confused, please ask, and I will try to re-write/clarify in time for the release of the rest of the chapter. Thank you, my (extremely patient) guinea pigs!


~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =
P.S. Google the chapter title, "Alter Ipse Amicus", if you don't know what it means

Smoking psychology textbooks?
That's what got me that one essay.

[Macey]

Next chapter is the big fight? Really? Wow Mara, I guess the rest of the chapter has a lot to it LOL.

[J/C AVA]

Dude, if you can't handle this, there's no WAY you'll be able to stomach DJ and Aurora's big fight next chapter. It's gonna be SERIOUS BUSINESS.

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

Count me out then. *walks out the TOSOT door, then trips and falls down the stairs* xO

I'm alright!

[John Richards]

Man, WereSheen is MEAN.
Also, Green Cindy is green because of... ENVY!

[JimmyxxCindy4EVER]

LOL! No DUH!!!!

[Pigquet3]

OH MY GOSH, MARA! PLEASE, DO NOT CUT THIS SECTION IN THE FINAL VERSION! Please! I love, love, loved it! It seems strangely neccessary, in a way I just can't pinpoint. At least as far as the characters development and growth through the adventure, since the kids don't get as much of that as the main, adult characters through the whole story. I know its only because of the room, but its enough to shake anyone up and make them think. If anything, possibly a little revision to make it easier to read (though it was written soooo beautifully), but don't get rid of it. I'm dying to know how they each get out of their illusions...or whatever they are. Maybe a deeper explanation from you, at your own leisure, would be nice. LOL.

But, first, on to the parts I particularly loved. Sheen was my favorite. Him meeting up with his Werewolf self was brilliant, and Sheen got some of the greatest, funniest lines ever! I felt like I was watching the show again. Sheen's both changed and stayed the same so much. It was epic! Some lines that made me LOL (which is exceptionally rare when I read, just so you know...)are:

SHEEN: (wriggling) You know, I would, except Ultralord has never written a self-help book on ‘how to defeat your freaky wolf-man self in some weird dream thing’. And you call yourself a fan? Pathetic.

ROFL, Sheen, I love you!!! I'm not even a Sheen fangirl, and I now love him! I'm sorry my lack of clever diction and vocabulary has made it so I don't know how else to explain how great that line made me feel, but just know it really did. LOL

WERE-SHEEN: I’m the skin beneath your skin, the meat beneath your meat. I’m your blue and purple insides, the slime and the phlegm and the blood and the bile.

**Sheen winces**

SHEEN: Eew, what the heck? That is nas-ty. Man, Libby was right. I am extra weird as a werewolf. Say, weird-me, you wouldn’t happen to have a map on you or something, would you?

LOL! Only Sheen, I swear! Either him, or a very messed up and distracted kindergarden boy, lol. An alternate, scarier version of himself just described him as his disturbing insides, like in a horror movie, and Sheen's first reaction is just like "Ewww, nasty!" LOL. I love that at least he realizes it. 'Cause that's how he sounds to everyone almost all the time.

Beks hit the nail right on the head and said exactly what I was going to. The part about Were-Sheen saying about Sheen being Mother-less was a great touch! That's the part that really made me jump, and actually go "Awww..." I loved it! It added so much to the already horrible things he had said before. The icing on the cake to making someone feel completely worthless. Gave me such chills.

Ohhh, no! He's going to join him! That's gotta be the most ironic twist out of all of them! I'm so excited to see where this is going!

Oh yeah, and one last line that made me LOL...

SHEEN: (backing away) Uh…not here… …Hey, listen…you’re really starting to creep me out, so…I’ll just be going now.

I just love how he says it so casually. Again, now he knows how it feels...

And, those are key points why Sheen's was my favorite. If I think of a better way to say it later, I'll post again. But, I can't bear if when this is done and I print it out and everything this isn't in it, so please keep it.


Alright, I will say, even though I really enjoyed all of them, some of the others were a bit hard to figure out. Cindy's was really scary, and Libby's a bit too towards the end, but not as much. Pretty much all the questions Beks asked are running through my head, lol.

I like how you brought Libby to the Queen Howsaboutislapya's tomb. And, I adore her little briefing about her day to the queen.

LIBBY: It’s kind of a long story, and I don't really have the energy to explain it all right now. It's been a rough day. I almost died in a spaceship crash, had to swim through a gross metal pipe at the bottom of the ocean, laughed for no reason, got depressed, got real angry, got the hots for pretty much everyone, got slapped and called a man-eater by my best friend, and then passed out in a butt-ugly room…

That's exactly the way, Libby talks! Mara, you can write lines for her just as they'd be in the show like no one else I've ever met, lol! Not to mention that all said all together and quickly like that to a stranger must sound awful strange, lol. That was great!
And, I loved her punishment being thrown into the coffin as well. That may seem dark, but its extremely more originally than just being plain killed or tortured. And, with all the jewels and treasures around her adds an extra hint of eerieness. This is the stuff I love about TOSOT. Its strong and heavy for a JN fic, but neccessary. When you think about the reason they're all there with the adult characters, this isn't an ordinary adventure, where they'll just do their mission, save them, and go home without a care in the world like nothing's changed for them personally. This room sorta seems to emphasize that. In trying to escape the maze, they're learning a little about themselves. (Just like how a different person is stronger in each room to get the others out...)

And, also like Beks said (Dang, Writer Woman, we think quite alike in the world of TOSOT...except that I don't drool and chase after FC, but that's seperate...LOL ), I'm very curious to see what Jimmy's will be, and how he'll handle it. They're all in some pretty heavy, extreme sitiations, but I know they can do it!

I really should have thought of more to say, but I DEEPLY loved this chapter (or section of the chapter, I guess it is)! And, I can't WAIT to see how they get out of it, and how it all connects to the rest of the story finale.

Future Carl, you are one weak, sweaty, weak guy...*sighs...is shot by Beks* Sorry! Anyway, I love how he uses the Bliss room as a drug. And, it was clever that he was able to shut down all the rooms between him and the Bliss one. Too bad he couldn't have done that before the kids went through. Well, I can see it being a great way for him to escape from his problems for the time being, but he'll eventually have to face them. Be a man, like the way NAV was tell him. But, overall, I do feel some sorrow towards him. Nice cliffhanger on that note. Anxious to see what happens. Will something happen to him in there? Will he get caught? Will he find the kids or something? I'm so curious, I can't take it! Its just so thrrrrrrilling!

Oh, one last thing about the installment that I almost forgot to slide in here. I love you forever, Mara, for incorporating the word "Yesh" into TOSOT. This little scene where Libby says it:

LIBBY: (wincing) What God-awful interior decorator is responsible for this paint job?

JIMMY: That would be me, I believe.

LIBBY: (shuddering) Yeesh…

The way I found it was when I realized you had even updated! I feel horrible for not even realizing from the board and this topic that you had updated it! But, I was on the phone with Pedro and we were discussing TOSOT, and scrolling through it together. Then, since I barely get to just read it, I felt like re-reading NAV's death again ('Cause I think that's my new favorite scene...that is unless FL dies, that'll be my favorite. *shot*), and while I was scrolling I noticed Libby say "Yeesh" somewhere, and thought to myself "I don't ever remember that, I and I think I would have." And, after scrolling some more, I thought I didn't recognize ANY of this, and saw at the bottom you had just updated that day! So, later when Pedro and I were off, of course I rushed to read it. Anyway, that was terrific, Mara! Completely terrific; same for the entire installment! Thanks for giving it to us, and don't let it have been for nothing! Your skill in human psycology both impresses and ammuses me greatly!

Alright, big DJ vs. Aurora showdown!!! This is what we've all been waiting for! I'm sure I'll be desperately on the edge of my seat with a bowl of fresh strawberries! I'm PSYCED! And, not surprised at all that Katie's your official beta-reader for that part, lol. Lucky!

@Emily--Don't worry too much, girl. I really think you should read it anyway. It may be pretty strong and deep, but its essential to get the story moving and make the kids adventure a little more meaningful. You'll be able to get through it, I'm sure. But, if you don't want to, that's fine, too, its your decision. Mara already told us a long time ago that there wouldn't be any major bloody and horrific battles...at least not in her eyes, lol. I'm really looking forward to the hot, final battle between DJ and Aurora, and I'm sure you will as well in order for him to eventually be cured and get things overwith. The whole essense of the story boils down to this moment. But, its not as bad as you're probably imagining form our posts. At least this installment. And, there's some really funny lines that I'm sure you'll get a kick out of.


Thanks for a GREAT installment, Mara! They haven't been this spine-chilling and epic in a long time! What a great Christmas present! Thank you! *hugs Mara tight in joy and desperation for it to stay*



Sorry if I didn't say enough on this one, but I did deeply enjoy this, and will be reading it over and over until I understand it the best of my ability. I want to study this fic with my whole mind! LOL. Okay, now I'm exaggerating maybe a teensy weensy bit...


Thank you, for taking a chunk of time out of your freedom from school, and time with family to do this for us! Worth the wait! Update whenever you can (though sooner rather than later would be nice...*brick'd* J/K)



See you later!
Your Friend

Pigquet

[JimmyxxCindy4EVER]

Wow, Athena! You really hit the nail on the head when you told me what to expect in this installment. I think I might read it sometime either today or tomorrow. If it really is as great as everyone says it is... *shot* Ow, sorry! I'm just glad it'll be something I'll be able to tolerate. I don't know why I act this way each time an installment comes around, which I estimate is around every several months, at least.. I'd be happy for someone to shake some sense into me, cuz I adore TOSOT and can't wait for DJ's curing in the next installment after this one. I swear, when I finally read about that occurrence, I'll be all, "YAAAAAAAAAAA-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! THE MOMENT I'VE BEEN EARNESTLY WAITING FOR HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!!!!!!!! YYYYEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yep, that's how excited I'll be when it finally happens!

[J/C AVA]

@Pigquet's post: Mara may call me the king of monolouges, but I call you the queen of magpiesm.

[Beks]

It just isn't a good TOSOT installment until Pigquet has had her say...and then some.

Love ya, Piggy!

[Mara=^.^=]

@Lizz: I had originally planned to make it a "worst fears come to life" type room, but then I realized that that would necessitate me picking a random worst fear for each character, and that wouldn't really lead to any sort of introspection, since fears are often arbitrary or illogical, and may have nothing to do with a person's flaws or shortcomings. So I made it a WHOLE lot trippier - but I'm not sure if I'm achieving the desired effect.

@Pig: Thanks for the encouragement, dearie!

I was really beating myself up over the chapter - I hated it for being confusing, muddled, and possibly extraneous. I'll admit I still have a long way to go before it really flows and feels natural - but it's just been holding me up for so long that it really wasn't worth beating my head against anymore.

Anyway, I dunno. It could still be a lot clearer (the clarity issue probably has something to do with the fact that I don't know what point I'M trying to make), though maybe it'll get better when I write Jimmy's section.

In the meantime, I still hate it, but hey, such is life.

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[John Richards]

See, that's the difference between you and me. If I wrote a weird, extraneous, utterly confusing chapter full of random BS, I'd pat myself on the back for being unusual. You apparently beat yourself up under the logic that somehow, absurdity is unnatural and bad... NOT TRUE!

[sunnstar]

LOL, Mara, that WAS pretty trippy. But man oh man, I cannot wait until the big showdown!!!



PS. LOL Emily when you said "fowl language" I immediately imagined Ms. Fowl finding her way into the next installment. XDD But seriously, if this chapter was too much to handle, then you should not ever turn on a TV in the year 2010, lol.


Woohoo, go Mara!!!

[Mara=^.^=]

Not an update, but...here are TOSOT Avatars of the gang! Feel free to use them.











Sorry, but...I call Future Sheen.

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[RocksmySocks]

Have I not commented yet?

Well. This new section was crazy awesome. I loved all the insights into each character, and REALLY cannot wait to see what Jimmy's will be like.

My brain is very dead right now from freaking swine flu, but yes. Awesome job, Mara. I didn't think it was too confusing, because any confusion aided in the feeling of weirdness the characters were going through. Libby's was my favorite, I have to say. I wish my head worked more to write more right now. You will get plenty of replies once I'm tapped to see more of the climax and beta that stuff. Rock.

Also, in response to the above post, I have snatched DJ. For obvious reasons.

[Mara=^.^=]

Also, in response to the above post, I have snatched DJ. For obvious reasons.

I figured you would. In fact, I almost put a "reserved for Katie" sign next to it.

Similarly, I bet I can predict who will got for Future Carl...

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

[JimmyxxCindy4EVER]

I was gonna get DJ, but, seeing as Katie got it first, I call Aurora!!!

[Beks]

Similarly, I bet I can predict who will got for Future Carl...

~*Mara*~ = ^.^ =

Need I say it?

[Zoey <3]

Aw! I wanted DJ... lol

[J/C AVA]

HOLY!!!

Who has FL?!?!?