Christmas Hope

In reading earlier years of "Chyna's Closet," I
came upon the post I wrote for Christmas 2009.
As I think about today, all my family & friends
scattered around the world, this post seemed
especially evocative of what I'm feeling ... and
what I'm wishing for all those I love.

Merry Christmas, everyone. 



We never saw Christmas in The Tribe. Actually we didn't see many old traditions carried into the post-Virus world.

In our Tribe-based rpg, that seems to hold true as well. The only major celebration we've had in all our game-years has been Winter Solstice. A few characters have quietly observed their own traditions. The two that come to mind quickly are Christmas & Hanukkah. Other than that ... nothing.

I think it's a bit sad. The one thing Christmas--and truthfully, most traditions--does for us is bind people together. In this holiday season, we see families come closer & count their blessings. We see neighbors helping each other more. Strangers on the street can be friendlier. Even for someone spending Christmas alone, there can be joyful moments. A card from a distant relative. A phone call from mom in Florida. An unexpected present from a friend. A neighbor shoveling your snow. A candle lit against the dark.

The Christmas season is about hope...something we can't have enough of.

To my Tribe-friends, I hope you're all well & spending Christmas with your loved ones. I don't think you can do any better than that.

Here's a virtual hug coming your way -- *hugs*

Merry Christmas, whatever world you live in.

-Chyna

[Original title: Merry Christmas, 2009"]

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Choosing Your Reality

 

In KTDARPG we deal with life, youth & the challenges of growing up while creating a way of life from scratch. Without the guidance of adults & the civilized institutions we've come to depend on, that's not an easy prospect. Most especially not easy in an rpg where the rules demand at least a semblance of reality from players who are struggling with unfamiliar territory.

Reality? Whose reality?

There's no real answer. It changes depending on who you are & what you're dealing with.

But... I found the following text on another blog. Frankly, it seemed to speak to the characters we're trying hard to establish in a game that none of us has ever had to play for real.

I think you'll see what I mean.

          After a while, you learn the difference between holding a hand & chaining a soul.

          You learn "love" doesn't mean "leaning," that "company" doesn't mean "security."

          You begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts, presents aren't promises.

          You begin to accept defeats with your head up, eyes open--with the grace of an

          adult, not the grief of a child.

          After a while, you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So you

          plant your own garden & decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone

          to bring you flowers.

          You learn that you really can endure. You really are strong. You really do have worth.

          And you learn, and you learn ... with every goodbye, you learn.

Here's to all of us who continue to learn.

-Chyna

Photo source: Webshots

Love in the Time of the Virus

Just like in The Tribe, love is a challenge. Sometimes it works... other times, not so much. We had high hopes for KTDA's Lily & Rook, both young, both working to prove themselves to their older siblings or family, both at the age where they need to define themselves. Yep... reminded us a lot of Ved & Cloe.

But after a brief acquaintance, it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe it's just that boys really don't understand girls. Maybe it's just the "time of the Virus" that gets to us now & then. Maybe Rook was just too logical & Lily was just too emotional. *sigh* Whatever it was, it happened fast. One minute they were together, the next Rook was walking away. Here follows a condensed version of what went down.  O_O 


Adventures
December 2010

Rook: Maggie said you were a member of a tribe. What's that like?

Lily: The Misfits. I was a street kid scrounging for food when Arianna found me. I don't think I'd be alive if it wasn't for her. The Misfits are my family.

Rook: *thoughtful* It's rare a tribe has a girl leader. We seen tribes all over, and mostly they weren't good things. They bullied people, got power by violence or controlling something valuable like water or food, you know? *shakes his head* From what I've seen, the world'd be better off without tribes.

Lily: That's your opinion. The tribes of Fort River came together and rid the city of a common enemy. The Misfits are respected for our generosity and compassion, not for power or strength.

Rook: Well yeah, it's my opinion. But it's based on things I've seen. Lily, aside from the Misfits, what are Fort River tribes like? Can you name...I dunno, three? Three tribes not known as much for fighting as for anything else?

Lily: *sadly* You must have seen a lot of bad things in your lifetime. Hmm...let's see, there's the River Rats, and Big Sis and her kids...no I can't.

Rook: We saw a lot, especially right after the Virus. Families are great things, but mostly tribes haven't been families. They've been private armies.

Lily: *anger beginning to show* Look, I'm sure you've seen terrible stuff. I'm sure bad things happened. But this is Fort River. Have you seen tribes fighting in the street? NO! Are kids stealing, starving, sleeping in the streets? NO!

*Rook shoved his hands deeper in his pockets. He didn't understand Lily's anger.*

Rook: Lots of people sleep in the streets, Lily. And maybe there's less fighting because of that fight club over in the factory district? I heard Baz and Logan say it's a real butcher shop.

Lily: If people are sleeping in the streets, it's their choice. People who go fight in the club make that choice too. Fort River tribes don't fight over power, food or anything else. *tears begin to fill her eyes and she shouts at him* IT'S MY HOME YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. If Fort River is such a bad place, why are you and your stupid friends still here?

Rook: Why are you getting upset? I didn't say it was your fault--jeez, it's nobody's fault, Lily. That's just the way the world is. *frowns* And my friends aren't dumb, especially my brother.

Lily: *wipes at her face* Upset? You basically just said my home is a rotten terrible place. And the cause is my family, my tribe and the other tribes.

Rook: I didn't say that! Even if your tribe wiped out a whole 'nother tribe--the Grimms? *shrugs and seems at a loss for more words* It must've needed doing, I guess?

*Lily's hand goes to her throat and the fading scar from the Dealer's knife.* No, Rook, that wasn't something that needed to happen. It just did.

*Lily begins to walk down the street. Rook followed after her.*

Rook: Why are you acting like this, Lily? I don't understand.

Lily: That's right, you don't understand. You never will, so just drop it.

*Rook slowed, letting the distance grow as Lily kept walking. He watched her stiff back and shook his head.* This is wrong. This is very wrong.

*But he didn't know what was wrong, so he didn't know how to make it right with Lily. He hardly knew her. Rook stopped and took a deep breath. Then he turned around and started walking back to Home.*


-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Did you really say "Trust Me"?

Ah, my friends, Chyna truly wishes she had a dollar for every time she's heard a player say: "Trust me."

It's such a warm, cozy feeling to know you have player-friends looking out for your best interests, who want to draw you into their interesting plots & strategies & game twists and turns.

Yeaaahhh ... how stupid do I look?

I know, I know, I've said it myself. "Trust me." Trust that I have a plan in mind that you're PERFECT to help me with! Trust that we'll either succeed or else have someone to cry with when it all goes to hell. Trust that I THINK I know what I'm doing.

One of the first lessons Mom taught me was Never trust a guy who says "Trust Me." Mom would be proud--I learned that lesson well. Sure, I slip up from time to time. Forget the cardinal rules for dealing with "bad boys" & actually think I know someone well enough that I won't get trapped. Silly me. But I get over it, move on, and probably will make the same mistake again somewhere else down the road.

Bottom line? This is just a game, not world domination. And if I went through life never trusting anybody because I've been burned a time or two? Seems like it would get kinda lonely. I think I'd rather be a trusting soul than a cold one.

Oh, and just so you know ... I am generally trustworthy. At least I try to be. I'm not malicious, not vindictive, not so devious that I'll give a green-eyed smile & hope you're bemused enough to follow along just so I can use you and toss you later.

Trust me. *big grin*

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"