Replay: Love is a Battlefield

KTDARPG has had some great game-moments. And yeah, I'll confess, there are a few characters I'm partial to when I look back. Jade is a special one. The scene that follows, this is when she really started coming into her own as a singer, which was a lifelong dream that the Virus didn't steal.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shari took Jade to a concert hall. On a stage that looked like the inside of rotten fruit after it had been cut, a rock band tried to perform between ducking things being thrown at them and people coming up on the stage attacking them - all of this through the metal grating that protects the stage from bigger objects like chairs being thrown.

Shari: If you want to be Tom-F's singer-- You sure you want to? You can always work in other jobs for him. It is possible. I did it. You're sure?

Jade swallowed with a throat suddenly desert-dry: Yeah, sure. Umm...Shari, where's the restroom?

Shari pointed the way and then followed Jade, standing outside the door to the Ladies' while the other girl went inside. After a minute, Shari shook her head, leaning against the wall to wait as she heard the sounds of Jade losing her lunch.

Shari: (So much for the cool professional singer...)

When Jade finally walked out, she was back in control of herself. She took a deep breath, nodded to Shari and began walking the aisle toward the stage. Off to the side was an announcer with a microphone, sheltering behind some tall amplifiers to avoid being hit by flying objects. Jade leaned close and whispered in his ear. He nodded and handed her the microphone. Jade checked to make sure it was on. She closed her eyes to gather her courage, then stod at the top of the steps leading to the performance cage. She held the microphone to her lips.

Jade: WE ARE YOUNG!

Her voice and the amp-reverb thundered out over the hall, causing people to hold their ears and scream at the unexpected sound. The band on stage quickly ducked out the back. Suddenly all eyes, and a wicked yellow spotlight, are focused on Jade's slight figure on the stairs. The audience was silent (probably in shock) as Jade tossed the mic back to the announcer and walked slowly down the steps. The spotlight followed her. On the high notes, her rich voice carried loudly. When her voice went low and sexy, the acoustics carried her words to the farthest seats. If she was scared to death as she walked up the aisle singing to the faces around her...well, she put on a good front.

"WE ARE STRONG!
No one can tell us WE'RE WRONG!
Searching our hearts for so lo-o-o-ng,
both of us knowing
Love is a Battlefield.

Do I stand in your way? It would help me to know.
But if you get much closer I could lose control.
And if your heart surrenders, you'll need me to hold.

WE ARE YOUNG!
Heartache to heartache we stand!
Both of us knowing
Love is a Battlefield.

Shari: *watching from the back of the hall* (Oh, shit...)

The crowd got over the shock of her first vocal attack on them. Some of them began to take out thier vengence on the amplifiers for being so loud. Others tried to act out her words by grabbing the girls off others' laps. Some of the crowd turned on the gaurds to create a battlefield. In return the guards turn on water canons.

Through all of this Jade walked, singing over the chaos. When she finished, an amplified voice blared out above the noise.

"Enough! Stop!"

The crowd paused as they recognized Tom-F's voice. As a body they turned to the platform above the stage where Tom was standing.

Tom: "May I introduce our new house singer, Jade. She'll be performing every night at 23:00 at the Flying Pig Bar."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jade was just beginning. In her future was music and love and laughter and riches - all the way to the top ... and then crashing all the way back down. Those are other stories, some of the many our game is known for. Give us a try some time.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud 9 "The Tribe"
The song is from the very great Pat Benatar.

Replay: Cage Fight, Season-1

Our Tribe-inspired rpg "Keep the Dream Alive" has been filled with a lot of special moments, scenes, characters & plots. Here's one from season-1, when the Travelers' "Sid" met "Chyna" of the River Rats in a fight about honor & survival.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jamie: Today we have Chyna and Sid. They will enter the cage for ultimate respect from both tribes.

*She points to a table-like structure by the cage.* Pick up your swords before you enter. No other weapon can be used but the one provided to you. Once you enter the cage, there are no rules. If you say "I give up," the fight is over. Also once both participants enter the cage, the door will be padlocked shut. No one gets in. No one gets out. Will both participants pick up your swords?

Sid pushed through the crowd looking at every face then looked over at Jamie and Brena. His expression turned angry as he looked Brena straight in the eyes. Sid got to the table and turned. Nestor was right behind him. He handed Nestor his personal blade for safekeeping then picked up a sword from the table. He swung the cage door open and walked in. The crowd started to ambush the cage, to chant and scream all different things, but Sid didn't turn. His eyes stayed focused.

Chyna approached the table and picked up the second sword lying there. With a glance over her shoulder at Hawk and the River Rats, Chyna held the sword in her right hand, twisting her wrist and feeling the heft and balance of the blade. She grinned, moved to the door and stepped inside. She could feel Sid's eyes on her as she moved across the cage floor, swinging the blade and testing her muscles, testing her space. When she heard the metal door clang shut...when she heard the padlock click into place...her half-smile grew into a grin that mirrored the battle lust building in her own eyes. She faced Sid, saluted him with her blade, and openned her arms wide as though to embrace him.

Chyna: *with a laugh that chilled the River Rats who heard her* Well, we have the floor and the audience--let's dance!

Sid stood still for a moment, staring down at Chyna. Then he quickly started to jog around the perimeter of the cage. Chyna stepped into him, aiming high, and Sid met her blade. The sound of steel-on-steel crashed over the crowd. The Travelers roared their encouragement and pounded on the sides of the cage!

Sid came back at Chyna with a deep breath that he let out in a strong blow. The sound was loud, and Chyna staggered back as he slammed her into the cage wall behind her. She recovered quickly, dodging around him to get more room.

Chyna: (I can't take him in a slamming fight. He's too strong--have to be faster.)

Sid turned and she aimed off-center, catching his left arm with the tip of her sword, leaving a trail of blood. Sid didn't seem to notice the cut and kept moving. He swung at Chyna but hit the cage and quickly brought his blade back around, just missing her head. He raised the sword again for a powerful strike downward. Chyna's blade caught his stroke and held it--the muscles in her arms screaming with the effort--but she held.

Looking on, Hawk put her hand to her mouth to keep from shouting. Beside her, Shep bared his teeth and let out a low growl.

Chyna laughed as she strained against Sid's greater strength.

Chyna: Come on,Sid--your fans out there expect more of you! Jamie wants to show 'em what you got. Is that it?

She broke away from him and backed up, then came in swinging her blade at his side. He caught it and shoved her back. Chyna parried, dodging left, making him follow her. She moved quickly, circling him, catching Sid from behind and smashing her boot into the back of his knee taking him down to the ground. She swung her blade wide, her eyes fever-bright with the violence raging inside her.

Seeing the move, Jamie cried out desperately: No--Sid! Behind you!

Hawk also saw how the blow could land and frowned: No, Chyna. Not for you...that's not the way.

Chyna screamed out her fury at being used, manipulated, played with--brought her sword forward with both hands in a powerful strike--then pulled the blow as Sid jumped to his feet. Her blade scraped across his hip, and the momentum of the stroke carried Chyna with it until she twisted aside, facing Sid.

Sid cracked his neck and pulled his arm back, swinging hard. Chyna tried to brace for the blow but his sword didn't stop until it was close to her left upper arm. Sid smiled an evil grin, pushed the blade and pulled back quickly, opening up a gash on her arm. Chyna smiled coldly into his white eyes and stepped into him, pushing back on the crossed blades. She twisted left, pulling her sword down. Her blade scored his chest as she backed away, shouting with the effort.

Chyna: That's more like it! C'mon, Sid. Just a girl here. How tough can it be? (He's not even breathing hard!)

Sweat was pouring down her face as she danced out of his way and parried his move. She started to circle him but he swung, knocking her back. Before she could react, he rushed in and grabbed her by the neck. His grip was iron as his fingers dug into the flesh of her throat. He felt her blade come up on his leg but he kicked it to the ground. Chyna beat at his grip with both hands, trying to break his hold, then raked her sharp nails across his face. Sid brought up the handle of his blade. He looked deep into her eyes, smiled coldly, then pulled the sword handle back and brought it in hard, smashing her over the right eyebrow. When he let go, she staggered back from his blow, falling to her knees in the dirt. Sid backed up, grinning, motioning for her to pick up her sword.

Chyna crouched on the ground breathing hard. She shook the blood out of her eyes and laughed.

Chyna: You son of a bitch.

Her hand closed on the hilt of her blade and she moved fast, getting to the side, finding room to maneuver. Two-handed, she aimed a blow at his chest. Sid parried but his blade slid and Chyna twisted her strike, cutting into his side. Before she could back off, Sid swung wildly and ripped through the leather on her left leg, cutting into her thigh.

Chyna: Damn it!

Sid reversed his swing and pushed her back, his blade biting deep into her left side. Chyna barely caught his next swing and pushed him off, backing away from the side of the cage to the center of the field. For a heartbeat, they stood motionless, Chyna panting for breath as her blood flowed to stain the ground beneath her. Sid stood cold, ruthless, blood-stained, gauging his opponent's weakness to plan his next strike. Suddenly he went into motion, moving fast to close the distance between them. He swung but Chyna ducked and hit him brutally in the ribs with her fist. He staggered but managed to bring his elbow down on the top of her head. She dropped like a stone, face-down in the dirt. Sid kicked her hard in the side, flipping her over on her back. Before she could move, Sid put his foot on her throat, his mouth twisted in a evil leer. His cold eyes looked over the crowd surrounding the cage. The Travelers were shouting and chanting loudly, calling his name. He smiled at them, put his thumb to his throat and slowly pulled it across, waiting for their approval.

Nestor shouted, willing Chyna to hear him: Say it, Chyna! Give it up. SAYTHE WORDS! Don't make him kill you...

Hawk's voice was stoney above the chaos: Make it a clean kill, Lion. She's earned that right. Chyna's name will be remembered with honor as long as these here remain.

As the shouts of the crowd grew wild, Sid took his boot off Chyna's throat. He stepped over her, one leg on each side of her body, pinning her in place. With both hands, he pulled his blade all the way to his back. With every bit of power he had, Sid swung straight at Chyna's face. She shouted wordlessly and pulled her blade forward with both hands,trying desperately to block his deadly stroke.

The two blades met with a thundering force and SHATTERED!

The concussion rocked Sid back as shards of metal cut into his arms and chest. Chyna's wrist screamed agony from the power of the blow. Broken metal bits rained down all over her body. After a second, Sid tossed the handle of his ruined weapon away and took a new stance, ready to fight on with his fists.

Jamie: STOP THE FIGHT! IT'S OVER!

She ran to the cage and ordered the guards to open the doors. She stepped quickly inside.

Jamie: IT'S OVER SID--STOP!

Sid turned to her, his voice ice: Did you get what you wanted, Jamie? Did I perform well for you?

He wiped blood from his side and grabbed arm, wiping the blood on her hand.

Sid: Our blood--mine and Chyna's--is on your hands now, Jamie. Make things right...I know you can.

Jamie watched as Sid turned and walked out of the cage, down the hill. Her eyes dropped to her blood-stained hand. She looked at Chyna, still on the ground, and almost started to cry. Jamie put her hand out to Chyna.

Still stunned by what happened, Chyna grabbed Jamie's hand and let the woman help her up from the ground. When she was on her feet, Jamie pulled her in close, hugging her tenderly.

Jamie: I'm so sorry, Chyna.You are by far exactly what I thought you were and more--a fighter, a leader and a good person. Can you please forgive me for what I did? For all of this? Please?

=================
Lots more where that came from. Stop by & check out KTDARPG some time!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

KTDA Game Highlights - Nov. 2, 2008

HIGHLIGHTS from the past week in our game.

Currently it's morning in Fort River -- hot, dry and very windy.

=== HOME ===

JENNA woke up in ICARUS's arms. She's confused by the feelings he makes her feel, but she isn't afraid of him. She just needs to find her balance. They're heading for breakfast. And another new couple wakes up together - All MAGGIE really knows is JOHNNY makes her feel warm and happy, something she's never felt. It'll be interesting to see how this develops...I'm not sure our game has had this "normal" a couple in a long time. Downstairs, SABER told AMY about the threat to Valentine. VAL & VINCENT wake up to the sound of BOB hammering on their door and shouting for them to let him in. Meanwhile, out on the front porch, it's sun-up. KANE and his friend BALTHAZAR head into the city to the Indoor Market where Kane rented space.

=== MISFITS WAREHOUSE ===

EVE is getting a front-row seat, watching PRINCE and his tribe The Misfits interact. ARIANNA's serving a great breakfast. LILY's heading out with her ice business. PANDORA's giving off attitude by the handfuls. IZZY's helping out with Baby SAPHIRE.

=== MERCHANT HOTEL ===

It's been a long night and apparently TRISTAN has some definite plans for JET & CECILY today...once he can get Jet to stop playing with the bottle that has the last of Cecily's tonic.

=== MID ===

BLOOD finds himself in a cage about to be sold. In other words, the guy's in deep sh*t.

Last Seen======================
Home -- ANASTASIA, JADE, ZERO

Power Shack -- RIO

StormRiver -- HAWK, CREED

Tree Fort -- MARIONETTE, VILLA

Mirage -- OLIVER

Tango Lake -- MARTIN, BLASKO

Peachtree Mall -- CUBIA, BLACKROSE

River Rats Condos -- KRYSTAL, TELLER, FOX, SAUL

... and our story goes on!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "the Tribe"