Aarikku
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Chapter 8 - Let the Games BeginChapter Eight
Let the Games Begin
A man stood to his office window, glancing out at the tall Shmod Co. across the street. He was in his mid or late-30’s and quite big both tallwise and weightwise. He had no hair on his head, facial or otherwise. Shmod... He thought. Popular now, but basing a whole company on one fad? Their artists will be great for character art for our games. The ones that can’t draw – the card writers – will have to be fired. And it will all be done soon. There was a knock at the door. “Enter.” The man’s deep voice boomed.
“You wanted to see me, Vladimir?” A gangly, spectacled man asked.
“Ah yes, come in, Horace.” Vladimir turned and faced the man. “I understand you have some experience with that Shmod game.” He jerked his thumb towards the window.
“Some.” Horace replied.
“Good. I have an assignment for you.” Vladimir reached into his pocket and retrieved a small coin with an H on it. He tossed it to Horace. “Get your deck and one of the spare S-R’s, take this and go to Shmod Co. There should be eight kids in a group. Figure out how good they are.”
“Why?”
“A test.” Vladimir replied. “To see if I have to resort to Plan B.” Horace turned to leave, but Vladimir said, “One more thing, Horace. Bring me back an ‘S’ coin and I’ll give you a day’s paid vacation for each one.”
“You sure know how to motivate a guy.” Horace saluted and left.
==
“Hey, Tyson!” Kyle waved, as they met him halfway between the Subway and Ace’s studio. “How’d it go?”
“Pretty well.” Tyson replied, glancing at his S-R.
“So Chains of Atlantis worked?” Martin inquired.
“Well, yes, but…” Tyson paused a moment. “It turns out I didn’t need it. So, where are we off to? Can we see who made Chimera of Fate?”
“He’s on vacation.” Martin noted. “Here, take this.” And he tossed Tyson the extra ‘S’ coin.
“Eh?”
“If you see anyone with an ‘H’ coin, play Shmod against them and take their coin.” Zywen explained quickly.
“…If I win, you mean.”
“Whatever.” Zywen shrugged. “So Martin… are we just supposed to wait here for people to challenge us?”
“I’m not sure, honestly.” Martin admitted. “We should probably continue the tour.” He cleared his throat. “Our next stop shall be… where were we before lunch? Leric? Ah, yes. Our next stop will be the abandoned studio of Jeff.”
“The chef?” Linlan asked.
“The very same.”
“Who’s Jeff?” Ferali wondered. Zywen shared her confusion.
“Shmod-playing owner of Itadakimasu – the ramen place beside Stuff N’ Things.” Kevin drew breath, ready to shoot into an explanation. Cassandra took this opportunity to explain further without Kevin’s details.
“Ramen deck. It’s neat – fuses food to make Ramen knights.” She said.
“And if he gets the five meals: Amon of Breakfast, Ba’al of Brunch, Mammon of Lunch, Gaap of Supper and Leviathan of Desert, he summons Lucior!” Tyson warned. There was a pause.
“Tyson…” Luke sighed, as Zywen burst out laughing – a first.
==
Vladimir returned to his window. There was another knock. “Horace? That was quick.”
“It’s not Horace.” Said an old female voice, entering the room without permission.
“Can I help you, lady?” Vladimir turned around, and saw a short, old woman with leathery skin and wild grey hair. She was dressed in a white robe, and held a cane. “Who are you?”
“I am Madam Mai.” She explained.
“Madam Mai the fortune-teller?” Vladimir raised an eyebrow. “How’d you get past security?”
“I have my ways.” Mai replied enigmatically. “I thought you’d be more interested in why I’m here, Vlad.” Vladimir nodded, not remembering when he had said his name. There was a pause. “If you nodded, I have no way of knowing.” She lifted her head up, and her blank eyes shone at Vlad. “I’m blind.”
“Sorry. Yes, I want to know why you’re here.”
“Very good. I came because you are going to need my help, and you will pay me.”
“What would I need your help for?” Vlad asked, sitting at the table. He gestured to Mai to take the opposite chair, remembered and said, “Have a seat.” Mai eventually found her chair and sat in it. “I repeat, why do I need your help?”
“Because you don’t want to share the merged company.” Said Mai.
“How did – ”
“The two eyes I share with the rest of the world failed me. But my third is much more precise than the average.”
“Okay, I’ll bite. How can you help? Do you play Shmod?”
“Oh, heavens no.” Mai chuckled. “But I can give you the greatest advantage. Fear.” The last word was said with icy emphasis. There was a pause.
“Name your price.”
“We have no time for that right now. Here.” She ruffled through the sleeve of her robe and put a folded paper on his desk. “Follow these instructions. Hurry, time is of the essence.”
“Fine.” Vlad grabbed the paper, and read step one. “Go to Shmod Co.?”
“Yes.”
“These are… very specific.”
“The third eye, my good man. I will stay here until you return.”
==
“Have we had a bathroom break yet?” Martin wondered, now passing the bathroom hall.
“NO.” Kyle complained.
“Ah. Well, here they are. Men’s left, women’s right.” Martin sat on one of the many benches scattered around the company. Kyle and Zywen hustled through the doors and down their respective halls.
Big hall. Kyle noted. It was a few metres long, with a few doors on the left side. But it was the door at the end of the hall that Kyle sought, but Kyle noticed a man standing in front of it, waiting. He turned to face Kyle.
“Hello. I challenge you to Shmod.” He said bluntly.
“In a minute.” Kyle smiled, pointing to the door behind the man.
“It’s important.” The man held up an ‘H’ coin.
==
Why am I listening to that witch? Vladimir wondered, crossing the street between HoloMagic and Shmod. He looked at the paper. How did she write this if she’s blind? Jesus, if she’s lying about being blind, she’s lying about being psychic. Something on the page caught his attention. “Watch the red car?” He turned his head, as a car sped through a red light. The moment’s notice gave him the ability to avoid it, and he sprinted to the other side. The car continued along – and Vladimir noticed that it was red. I see. Vladimir nodded to himself.
==
“And so it begins.” Kyle sighed, and activated his S-R. A coin flip determined that Horace would start.
“I charge Serus, and tap it to play Snow Soldier – on guard. (1600)” Horace decided, and an armoured snowman appeared.
“A water deck?” Kyle whined. “Now?” He drew. Crap! No Fusion Technique. “Good thing Snow Soldier’s weak! I charge Living Lunch and tap it for Fire Element!” The blazing spirit appeared, and wasted no time. “Attack!” A small fireball evaporated the snowman; its stick arms burning.
“I charge Tsunami Dragon, and tap both Mana to play Dos Snowman – on offence!” Horace declared, as a two-snowball snowman with a scarf appeared and flexed its… arms. (2000) “I’ll attack!”
“If I get beaten by a Snowman deck…” Kyle muttered, as Fire Element froze solid and exploded. He drew Tetra Frog. “Sorry, buddy. Not today. I charge Tetra Frog, and tap two for Metal Element!” The chrome warrior leapt from its card, brandishing sword and shield.
“2000 will only tie my Snowman.” Horace noted.
“True, but Metal Element gains 300 STK for every Element in play, even itself.” Kyle pointed out. (2300) “I attack!” His warrior hurtled its sword, which decapitated the opposing snowman. Both snowballs rolled apart, and the former body sprouted a carrot and eyes. “E-wha?”
“When you destroy my Dos Snowman, I can play two Uno Snowmen from my deck.” Horace explained. “They’re both in offense mode.” (1000)
“You’re crazy.”
“Perhaps.” Horace drew. “I charge Snow Bear, and next… I tap two for The Frozen Cliffs!” Several translucent, icy peaks burst from the ground in front of him, and a blizzard began all around the two players. Kyle noticed a dark shape in the cliffs.
“What’s that?” Kyle demanded.
“It’s an Arena card. You see, an ancient dragon is sealed inside these cliffs. It takes ten attacks from either player to release the dragon.” Horace explained. “And now, I attack The Frozen Cliffs with both of my Uno Snowmen!” The sad excuses for snowmen flew from the ground at the cliff behind Horace, creating two tiny cracks. “Eight to go. I set a card.”
“As if I’ll attack that.” Kyle began his turn. “I’ll charge Living Lunch, and tap one for Tetra Magnet. This revives Fire Element!” The fireball reappeared; its eyes giving an expression of anger at Horace. “I attack Uno Snowman with Metal Element, who – I might add – has 2600 STK now.”
“Chain! I tap one for my facedown Blinding Blizzard!” Horace declared, and Metal Element’s thrown sword struck the icy peaks behind him. “It forces all of your offense-position monsters to attack The Frozen Cliffs.” Fire Element let loose a fireball that left a fourth crack along the edge. “Six left.”
Crap. It’s a stall deck. Kyle thought. “That’s all for now.”
“I thought as much.” Horace looked at his draw. “I charge Snowmonster, and I tap three for Tres Snowman – offense mode.” Snow from around his feet accumulated into a three-snowball snowman with a green scarf. (3000) “Let’s see… I’ll attack Metal Element with Tres Snowman!” The snowman scooped a snowball out of itself and tossed it with striking power at the silver ghost, who instantly rusted and exploded. “My lesser snowmen will attack the cliffs!” And the Uno Snowmen head butted the cliffs again. “Four attacks left, kid. I set one card.”
It can’t be Blinding Blizzard. Kyle noted. He doesn’t have any Charged Mana. It’s a dumb bluff. He drew. “Finally. I tap one for Fusion Technique, and combine the Fire Element you see before me with Light Element and Earth Element in my hand. Come on down, Comet Element!” The creature did so; striking the snow-covered ground with a huge explosion. The gold ghost hovered above its crater. “That’s 3 damage to you, by the way.” (Horace: 6) “I attack Tres Snowman!” Kyle pointed dramatically.
“I might not have gotten away from your effect, but it takes more than that to stop a snowman!” Horace poked a hologram, which flipped his facedown card. The snowman dissipated into loose snow, and reformed once Comet Element’s fireball had passed. “Dodge! It costs 0 Mana when both fighters are the same level. And negates the attack.”
“I hate stall decks. I set a card. Go.”
“I only stall until this happens. I charge Frozen Ice Coat, and tap all four Mana for Magical Thawing!” Horace cried, and the cliffs behind him melted completely. The dark shadow was revealed; a blue dragon with orange armour and a shiny ruby in its torso. It roared angrily with a long snout. “Behold! Grand Frozen Dragon!” (4500)
“Wha?” Kyle gasped. As if Tres Snowman wasn’t bad enough!
“I’ll point out that Grand Frozen Dragon is completely immune to Spells.” Horace explained.
“No Spells!” Kyle protested. How do I beat that thing?
“Grand Frozen Dragon! Attack Comet Element.” The dragon reared its head and released light blue flames. Before the flames reached the ghost, however, it struck a gold light. When the light faded, Fire Element, Earth Element and Light Element sat curled in guard mode. (1500 each)
“Elemental Fissure.” Kyle explained.
“Of course. I attack Fire Element and Earth Element with Frozen Dragon and Tres Snowman!” The attacks happened simultaneously; Light Element was the only survivor of the snow-and-fire barrage. “My Uno Snowmen don’t belong in offense position any more.” Horace decided, and they switched to guard mode.
“Here’s where it gets good. I tap two for Elemental Tactics, which also unfortunately costs me a life. (Kyle: 7) Next, I tap one for Tetra Magnet 2, letting me reclaim Fire Element and Earth Element to my hand.” He poked a third hologram. “Next, Element Summon! I pay two life… (Kyle: 5) and I get to add Air Element and Water Element from my deck to my hand. Finally…” Kyle pointed towards the raised card of Elemental Tactics. “I use Elemental Tactics to fuse the four Elements in my hand to create Tetra Element!” The genie-like apparition rose forth. Kyle smiled as his signature card took shape. “Tetra Element! Attack Tres Snowman!” Tetra Element raised its watery arms, and a bright light shone from them. Tres Snowman melted. (Horace: 5)
“Not bad, kid. But unfortunately…” Snow from the fallen snowman melded into a Snow Soldier and two Uno Snowmen. “You can’t beat Tres Snowman without three Level One Snowmen returning to the field.”
“I know. I’ll set a card. You’re up.”
“It’s a shame your trump card can’t stay around longer.” Horace taunted. “And it’s also a shame that it didn’t accomplish anything. I tap one – and now I can Tribute three of my Uno Snowmen to create Tres Snowman!” The three balls flew together, and the larger boss snowman rose once more. “You’ll never fully defeat Tres Snowman! But it’s not even what you have to watch out for. Grand Dragon! Strike!” Another blue fireball flew across the room; this one stopped by an invisible barrier.
“I tap two for Cancel Attack! Two can play at your stalling game.” Kyle declared.
“Only if you’re immune to Spells. I tap two for Weak Point!” Horace announced. His last remaining Uno Snowman leapt into the air and struck Tetra Element’s torso, destroying it. “And I set one card.”
“Well, luckily, when you destroy Tetra Element, I can play or Charge its components. I’ll charge ‘em.”
“That can only mean…”
“It does. My turn begins now! And I tap the four Elements to play Tetra Dragon – the Alchemic Beast, Guarding!” Kyle flung up his arm as the cyan-and-orange creature burst from the ground, swirling in the sky. “Fire! +1000 STK! Water! Immunity to Spells! Earth! +1000 GRD! Air! Immunity to Traps!” Kyle listed, as the dragon began to hover. “All four effects are active, so this is the perfect time to play Tetra Force!” The dragon released flames, a twister, a torrent of water and a sandstorm across the arctic.
“I’m… not… done yet!” Horace yelled over the roar of the four attacks striking him. (Horace: 1)
“True, but you’re close enough. I set one card. Go.”
“Your dragon is no match for mine. I switch my Uno Snowman to offense mode, but I’ll leave Snow Soldier. Grand Frozen Dragon! Attack!” The two titanic dragons flew at each other; the enormous blue fire of Grand Frozen Dragon overpowered the four attacks from Tetra Dragon.
“It’s over! I tap two for Monster Bash!” Kyle flipped his new card. “So now, I can send Grand Frozen Dragon and Tres Snowman back to your hand.”
“Ha! How simple!” The dragons continued to fight. “I tap two for Cancel Trap!” Horace flipped his own facedown. Finally, Tetra Dragon fell. “You were wise to put it in Guard mode, however.”
“No… Tetra Dragon…” Kyle said, depressed.
“Worry about yourself! Tres Snowman attacks Light Element!” A whirlwind of snow raced across the field, vanquishing the shiny ghost. “And my Uno Snowman attacks you directly.” A charging snowball caught Kyle in the head. (Kyle: 4) “Now normally, with one life, I’d worry about such a weak offensive monster. But Snow Soldier redirects attacks at Snowmen to itself, and it’s on guard mode.”
Kyle drew silently. I might’ve been able to win now with a monster… But he drew a spell. He sighed, but then looked at the spell. Yes! “I tap two for Re-Fusion!”
“Oops.” Horace noted.
“I combine Metal Element with Tetra Dragon – the Alchemic Beast! Rise! Tetra Armoured Dragon!” The dragon reappeared, covered in steel from head to tail. “At 4500, let’s give it another go at your dragon! CHARGE!” The two dragons clashed again. Claws, the four elements and icy-blue fire raged as both dragons exploded. “But you only had one life.” Kyle crossed his arms confidently. (Horace: 0, Kyle: 3)
“Impressive.” Horace decided, and tossed Kyle the coin. “You’ve earned it.”
==
“What the hell took you so long?” Tyson asked, once Kyle finally returned from the bathroom.
“This.” Kyle said, showing them the ‘H’ coin.
Card of the Chapter is Tetra Armoured Dragon
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Naardaas
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Fun chapter. Tetra Armoured Dragon vs. Grand Frozen Dragon: kinda epic. Two questions though: a) Are you going to make more Gand Frozen support for the game, and b) when did you write the chapter? At one point you called The Frozen Cliffs "The Frozen Peaks" as a card name. (Not a big issue though)
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Aarikku
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Huh. That's true. I'd guess it was after a round of Gauntlet Legends. The first or second level is "Dagger Peak".
I will likely make Blinding Blizzard, which is the only new Grand Frozen Dragon support.
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Naardaas
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Cool. The only question is what will it be? It's not actually played, just charged.
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Aarikku
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Untrue. Horace plays it. In fact, he never charges it.
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Naardaas
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Sorry. Confused it with Blizzard Curtain.
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Aarikku
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...What the hell is blizzard curtain?
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Naardaas
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...I don't know. I thought I read that name in the text here, but I just checked again and it's not there.
Might make a good card though. I'll probably make it.
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Aarikku
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...So everything's good about Blinding Blizzard? You understand the effect and stuff?
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Naardaas
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(Level One) Blining Blizzard
Trap
{Activate only when your opponent attacks/during their Battle Phase.} All Offense Position monsters your opponent controls must attack [The Frozen Cliffs] this turn.
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Aarikku
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Pretty much. I dunno exactly how I'd word it, but that'd do.
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Naardaas
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So, is it if they attack or if it's their Battle Phase?
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Aarikku
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Attacks, though I hadn't really thought about it at the time.
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Naardaas
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Sounds good.
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Aarikku
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I'm glad you think so.
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Naardaas
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Battle Phase would've just been too easy.
Oh, damn. I thought I'd said "Sounds cool." I lost my pun.
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Aarikku
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What little there was to be lost 
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Naardaas
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You expect me to say "touche" or something? I know it wasn't that big, and it doesn't matter anyway.
Anyway, just looking back at this chapter I've realized that the very chapter you show-cased Tetra Armoured, it didn't get ANY effects it could use.
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Aarikku
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...And?
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Naardaas
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Just found it interesting. When you showcased Tetra Force, it got off all its effects. And Tetra Dragon itself. You broke the pattern. But I suppose this one wasn't about the effects.
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Aarikku
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I suppose I could've had Kyle use Graveflinger to send Tetra Dragon back to his deck, draw it again, play it again with all of its effects and then fuse it. But this way is less stupid.
You're also using faulty logic for the showcasing of the effects. Kyle's Tetra Dragon will likely ALWAYS get all of its effects, since he never charges Elements except by Tetra Element's effect. Likewise, the only times he could have used Tetra Force was with a fully-charged Tetra Dragon. Thus, he couldn't have not gotten all of its effects.
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Naardaas
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I've noticed that, and I agree with that. All I'm saying is that Armoured Dragon is, thus far, the only Tetra Dragon card not to use it's effects.
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Aarikku
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I know. But it's for a bunch of reasons, each making more sense than the previous. It's like asking what happened to Anubis in Ferali's Chapter last series. It just didn't happen.
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Naardaas
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I suppose it's not a big deal. Especially since knowing you, it will be played again with the effects.
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Aarikku
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Perhaps. There's only like four chapters left, and I gotta give some screentime to the other characters.
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Naardaas
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There may alway be Season Three. A new guy with the Dragon, or Kyle returning, whatever.
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Aarikku
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I highly doubt it'll make an appearance. I'm already beginning to plan Season 3, and it has very little to do with the previous two Sagas.
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Naardaas
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Then shouldn't it have it's own name?
And if that's the case, then I may have it cameo'd in Apocalypse when I post the rest.
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Aarikku
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You haven't posted any Apocalypse in like six months. Can't I scrap the forum?
As for Shmod 3, I'm still working on a name. These things take time when it's not just Shmod 1, Shmod 2, etc.
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Naardaas
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Yeah, go ahead and scrap it. I may try again at my own series, but I'm writing other stuff now.
And for Shmod 3, how about: Legacy of the Cards? Has a nice ring to it.
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Aarikku
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I didn't say I was asking for a name, I said I'm working on it.
I've deleted the Apocalypse section, and moved the Chapters to a 'Fan Stories' forum. I'm assuming you've already saved them, but in case you haven't, be sure you do before I delete them. The Cards from Apocalypse has been moved to Create-a-Card, and the other threads have been deleted.
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Naardaas
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I saw. Interesting idea.
And I noticed you didn't ask for one. I just suggested it 'cause I thought it sounded cool. Don't you agree?
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Aarikku
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Meh, not really.
Oh, and I assume you're okay with me deleting the threads? I just kept them in case you hadn't saved them all yet.
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Naardaas
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Oh yeah. I save them before I post them.
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Aarikku
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Figured. Poof.
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Naardaas
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And everone's post count rolls back 60 posts or so. Keep this up and we'll be back below 2000 total by Friday.
Anyway, decided on whether it's 12 or 13 chapters for this season?
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Aarikku
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No, I haven't been working on it too much lately. Probably 12, though.
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Naardaas
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Alright then. I guess you've got 4 Chapters to finish this little story arc. Guess that means every chapter will be chock-a-block full of action. No pressure though.
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Aarikku
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You'll see.
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Naardaas
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(Multiple Voices) Will we now?
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Aarikku
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Yes.
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Naardaas
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(Multiple Voices) Will we like what we see?
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Aarikku
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I'm not a mind-reader.
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Naardaas
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That's rather obvious. But You understand my tastes well enough to answer with at least moderate accuracy.
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Aarikku
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Okay. You probably will.
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Naardaas
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That's wwhat I thought you'd say.
On another note, perhaps we should move this discussion to the Status for the Next Chapters thread. Seems kinda out of place here.
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Aarikku
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Or we could not bother, considering I've already said there'll be 4 more chapters, and that I don't know if you'll like them and that's all there is to say on the matter.
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Naardaas
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True, but most of the posts here are irrelevant to the topic. But hey, it's your website.
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Aarikku
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I'm only responding to your posts.
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Naardaas
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I know. But by now you should notice I have difficulty actually maintaining a topic before we go off the rails on the crazy train.
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Aarikku
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Then you could stop posting in threads when their original discussion has finished.
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Naardaas
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That's a good idea, but at least I'm trying to keep some sort of conversation going. If I stopped posting responses, then you wouldn't post much either. That I know for fact.
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Aarikku
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No, I wouldn't. You can't force conversation, and we have at least two others on the go.
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Naardaas
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Just as well I guess.
Speaking of conversation, spoke to Rachael much lately?
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Aarikku
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No.
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Naardaas
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Really? That's surprising; you guys are like best friends or something.
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Aarikku
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I thought so too. Now are we done on this thread? We've got two others' worth of conversation.
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