March MOTM

[Machina]

I know this contest is for the March MOTM, but it shall be running through 'til February 28th; so I think that a romance theme is in order!

This months contest goal is to write the best 5-10 paragraph romance fanfic about your two favourite Nippon Ichi characters. I know that may seem a lot to some of you; but who can really write a decent story in less than 5 paragraphs?

Also, they may be same sex couples, but keep it clean; there are minors on the board. And because this is a writing competition and it's a rather long assignment, we will accept no more than two entries per person; good luck!

[boogieknight]

Well, here's my crack at it. Given the length restrictions, it's neccesary to skip the conventions. This really isn't a conventional romance fic, whether that's for good or ill I'll let you decide:

The ground floor of the house bustles with life as the many phantoms residing on the island work together with cleaning the house. One Putty picks up a cleaned plate and tosses it to a Prinny standing in the cabinet who in turn stacks the dry plates. A Dungeon Monk whistles as he sweeps the floors. A pair of zombies take out the trash. An Archer stands in the middle of the room with a set of chopsticks, bumping off the bugs flying around looking for an easy meal. Marona sways from side to side as she attempts to balance the laundry piled far higher than the basket. She nudges the front door open and calls out, “Hey, Ash, could you give me a hand?”

She wobbles along to the washboard leaned up by the clothesline. Marona frowns when Ash fails to appear. She sets down the basket and seeks him out. Marona stops dead in her tracks when she hears a young woman giggling behind the house. She creeps closer and also hears Ash laughing as well. Marona scratches her head, she’s heard Ash laugh before, but the tone seemed uncharacteristic. She turns the corner and sees Ash sitting on a barrel with Carol sitting in his lap.

Carol was a Valkyrie that was summoned early on in the adventures that led to the battle with Sulfur. Marona often confined her and Ash at the same time because they often worked together so well in combat. Carol also contributed to the positive feeling at home, often going for a swim with the rest of the gang. In short, she pulled her weight. Marona gawked as Ash and Carol held hands and exchanged looks from their eyes to their hands joined together. The unreality of the situation hits home and Marona cries out, “Whoa!”

Ash and Carol turn to see Marona’s stunned face and Ash almost shoots out of his seat. Carol hops off Ash’s lap and tugs down on her skirt, her face redder than a tomato. Ash gets to his feet and takes a step to Marona, the need to explain evident though the words remain elusive. Marona lingers for a moment longer before ducking out, embarrassed about walking in on the scene more than anything. Often, children think of their elders as asexual. Even if the older role models have strong masculine or feminine qualities, the idea of them physically involved with anyone never occurs to them or is kept far from the consciousness.

Ash follows Marona, and Carol tails closely behind. Marona stays silent as Ash speaks, “To be a phantom, is to be disconnected… from everything; disconnected from the cycle of life, death, and reincarnation; disconnected from all the simple pleasures that came with having a body; disconnected from being able to connect with another completely. This is the fate of those who are neither living nor dead. Even when a phantom is as lucky as having someone like you, we are condemned to perpetual loneliness.”

Carol adds, “It’s an intellectual relationship more than anything else. We’re numb to all sensation but for those brief moments we are confined. To find another who bears a similar burden is a comfort. Even though it limits us to imitating the affections we could enjoy in life, to find love in another phantom takes away the shame of being so utterly different,” Carol kneels down and whispers into Marona’s ear, “And it doesn’t hurt that in addition to being a nice guy he’s very handsome.”

Marona smiles broadly before saying, “You think I was freaked out over that? I think it’s nice that you two are getting along so well. It was walking in on you that spooked me so much.” Ash holds his head, feeling very silly over the little incident. Carol adds, “As bad as that is, how do you think I feel? I finally find a man good enough to meet my mom and she can’t even see us.”

[Machina]

That's actually very good, thank you for your entry. ;D

[Magnus]

I might be able to put mine up here if Shadou doesn't beat me to it.

[Machina]

Haha. Go for it. We need more entries.

[Shadou]

What does member of the month entitle? just wondering like a prize or just the pic on the front page?

[Ryuzaki]

The prize is what it's always been

15,000 hel, 10 Karma, Your Username and Avatar on the main page

[boogieknight]

You heard the man, so hop to it! Seriously, it ain't winning if you're the only participant.

[Magnus]

I will think of one, I mean you will win mostly likely with that piece but I will try my best.

[Machina]

;] Yeah, uh what he said!