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Game Theory 2.37

Wed, 2007-03-14 12:26 — Rachel Greenham
I've been trying to get Ateis's hair clean. Shampoo made from whale oil and ash and a few perfumes that don't quite hide the smell is not among my favourite things about Jeodin. Apart from anything else it's too harsh and strips the hair of too much of its natural oils, so you have to use coconut oil on it afterwards; which is nice if you can get it, but I have to confess to a hankering for modern chemicals at times like this. The more I think about it the more I get angry that Asuti has gone off with Alison to get ready. I'd really been looking forward to helping her with that myself, and seeing her wear the nice evening dress I'd bought for her at the market. Well, I thought it was nice, but I don't suppose it would compare with the ones Alison has, being the granddaughter of one of the richest men in Jeoda. Part of me worries about what might happen if Alison Finds Out, in the midst of all this trying-on-of-dresses. Part of me almost wishes there would be a big freak out, to send Asuti running back to me, to me, so I can console her and support her and fight for her. "Ow!" Ateis protests. I must have been a bit rough. "Sorry. It's been a busy day." And now there's Hajarean's soirée or whatever it is at which I feel we're expected to be pretty and conversational. "Well, pay attention!" Ateis scolds me blindly, her eyes still squeezed shut against the stinging lather. "Are you going to be this bossy all night?" I ask. "Yes." I'm actually jealous over a ten year old, I realise. The strength of my feelings about this take me by surprise. I feel like I ought to be the one to look after her, to mentor her maybe, to lead her to these beautiful memories. But it's clear she doesn't need me, not for that. Not when there's a girl closer to her own age with a closet to explore full of lovely clothes and other such accoutrements of a Jeodine islander girlhood, about which I have little idea, I suppose. "Imprinting, my arse," I mutter, thankfully in English. The words leave a stray image in my mind that makes me giggle slightly. "What?" "Nothing. Time to rinse. Lean forward." I pour clean water from the large pitcher, teasing her hair straight enough as I do so to make the shampoo run off. Ateis users her hands to squeeze the water out from her eyes and opens them again. "Your turn!" That lightens my mood. It's worth putting up with whale oil and ash shampoo for the sheer entertainment value of having Ateis do the shampooing. I haven't been crawling through the shrubbery all afternoon, so I don't really need the job to be done thorougly anyway.

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Thu, 2007-03-15 05:35 — Anonymous

I like the touches like

I like the touches like these - about the shampoo and whatnot. How often do you see stuff like this mentioned in normal fantasy books? But it really adds a sense of realism. Oh, the last chapter did too - the scene with the ancient relics and whatnot made this 'world' seem much more visceral than it did before - gave it a sense of history. The fact that the one 'player' has also been living here for fifty-some years also added to the sense that this world is very real.

Thu, 2007-03-15 22:00 — Anonymous

Another Go at Change

I know it is just me, but one of the things that had attracted me to Game Theory was Taniel. I did get to see Paul become her, and slipped too easily into the role. Its because inside, Paul was a girl all along. I got to see that and it made sense. The new developments I saw that enticed me further along into this was how Taniel related to Lee becoming Sam. I sort of expected develop into close lovers. But alas, that is not to be.

The next item within Game Theory that attracted me was how Taniel began to relate to Asuti. Being a mother to her. That, I was really hoping would be, but now it seems that to has been taken away with this set of 3 chapters. I see Ateis is slipping in there too but will it last another chapter. I dont know.

Somewhere, within this story, I would hope Taniel is allowed a steady relationship of sort instead of being bounced like a ball. I mean a meaningful one - not superficial.

Again, that is me. I do care for character, she is the entire reason I read this. I would hope to find a pleasant change somewhere along the journey for her to make this all worthwhile. One can always hope.

Sephrena Lynn Miller

Sat, 2007-03-17 01:02 — Anonymous

relationships

I'm sure Rachel has a plan in place. As it is, there's a sufficient level of realism that the lack of deep relations between the characters right now is okay to me. Like I'd said earlier, I was hoping she and K would develop into something, but it wasn't meant to be.

As for Taniel and Sam... I never really saw that as working. Sam's not remotely comfortable with her femininity, obviously. I see that she's having casual physical relations with people right now, but it doesn't seem to be anything more than that. Besides, given some of Taniel's past reactions, I don't see her as a lesbian, or even particularly bisexual...but who knows.

I would like some sustained relations though... not necessarily a romantic one - just something that doesn't feel like it'll blow away with a passing wind like so many others have. She's lost the vast majority of people she knew thus far. Sam's the only one really left that she's got any relationship with and their friendship seems pretty casual at this point.

~ev