Dreaming In Ink Contest #2 Turn a song into a story, the possibilities...

Possibility #1

Adèsso e Fortuna[1]

English Translation

Moonlight comes down through

The fluttering wings of the wind,

above the blue waters of the night,

with warm finger-tips,

composing memories

forever.

Io sono prigioniera [2]

Embrace me

tightly from behind.

The foreign words you whisper to me

are a bit

heart-rending and romantic.

I am your prisoner.

Io sono prigioniera

Tonight, you

held me tenderly.

Even after the morning light comes,

your dark eyes

are still shining before me.

[Instrumental]

Once more,

please bring me into the deep night

with those half-said words of amour.

Your dangerous

but attractive lips

melt me.

Io sono prigioniera

Tonight, you

held me tenderly.

Even after the morning light comes,

your dark eyes

are still shining before me.

[1] "Adèsso e Fortuna" means "Now and Fortune" in Italian.

[2] "Io sono prigioniera" means "I am a prisoner" in Italian.

Possibility #2:

Neko no Kimochi (Cat's Feelings)

English Translation

If by chance cats could talk,

I wonder what

would they say first?

Fish bones

are way too tough!

Please stop comparing the length of my tail

to other cats'

It hurts my feelings, you know.

For you,

we keep our bodies in shape

and our fur in place.

So, please stop

brushing us the wrong way.

Even more than gentle people,

we like people who are peaceful.

That's the kind of basically steady

personalities we have.

Just the two of us,

dozing together in the afternoon...

The winter light stretching out long...

If only we could stay

close like this

for the rest of our lives...

[Instrumental]

I've always wanted to ask you just once:

where do you catch

that "bonito?"[1]

For you, we

catch mice, (catch caterpillars)

catch dragonflies, (and frogs and such)

so, please stop throwing them out

as if they were disgusting.

Though roads are dark in the evening,

we can lead you anywhere.

That's the kind of basically caring

personalities we have.

I had a dream you became

a brave white boy-cat

coming out to meet me.

But, the magic

dissolved right away.

Just the two of us,

dozing together in the afternoon...

The winter light stretching out long...

If only we could stay

close like this (close to you)

for the rest of our lives.

Translator's Notes:

[1] "katsubushi" is a mispronunciation of "katsuobushi," which is "sliced, dried bonito." Bonito is a type of fish, and sliced, dried bonito is used in cooking. I imagine Merle saw someone cooking something with "katsuobushi" and wants to know where she can catch some of that tasty fish for herself. =^_^=

Possibility #3

Zankoku na Tenshi no Te-ze[1] (Cruel Angel's Thesis)

English Translation

Like a cruel angel,

young boy, become the legend! [2]

[Short Instrumental Intro]

A blue wind is now

knocking at the door to your heart,

and yet you are merely

gazing at me and smiling.

Something gently touching--

you're so intent on seeking it out,

that you can't even see your fate yet,

with such innocent eyes.

But someday I think you'll find out

that on your back

are wings that are for

heading for the distant future.

The cruel angel's thesis

will soon take flight through the window,

with surging, hot pathos, [3]

if you betray your memories.

Embracing this sky [universe] and shining, [4]

young boy, become the legend!

[Instrumental] [5]

Sleeping for a long time

in the cradle of my love

The morning is coming

When you alone will be called

by a messenger of dreams.

Moonlight reflects off

the nape of your slender neck.

Stopping time all throughout the world

I want to confine them, but...

So if two people being brought together by fate

has any meaning, [6]

I think that it is a "bible"

for learning freedom. [7]

The cruel angel's thesis.

The sorrow then begins.

You held tight to the form of life

when you woke up from that dream.

You shine brighter than anyone else.

Young boy, become the legend!

People create history

while weaving love.

Even knowing

I'll never be a goddess

Or anything like that,

I live on.

The cruel angel's thesis

will soon take flight through the window,

with surging, hot pathos,

if you betray your memories.

Embracing this sky and shining,

young boy, become the legend!

Translator's Notes:

--Takayama Miyuki

Possibility #4

Kagami no Naka no Akutoresu (Actress in the Mirror)

English Translation

Usually, I'd be in your side seat

as the car slips into the precious night.

When you called to cancel, I smelled a lie.

But I pretended I didn't notice and hung up.

The color of my manicure after drying

only decorates the night in vain.

*A-AH-AH

I'm the actress in the mirror.

Though I should speak frankly,

hesistation whispers in my ear

'Cause I love you.

I'm the actress in the mirror.

Every time I act, my true face [1]

leaves me.

You've broken my heart.

In a bedroom lit by only a lamp,

who is it I'm looking at?

As we got used to each other, what we lost

was our imagination toward each other.

You probably just wishing that I was

as "dry" as that.

~A-AH-AH

I'm the actress in the mirror.

Although I'd rather cry,

my bravado is changing my lines

'Cause I love you.

I'm the actress in the mirror.

Realizing how much I am to blame,

I can't go back.

You've broken my heart.

* Repeat

~ Repeat

Translator's Notes:

--Translated by Takayama Miyuki

Possibility #5

Voices

English Translation

The first word was "dream"

From the middle of sleep

Which secretly accompanies

The darkness in my heart

The second word was "wind"

Directing my journey

From God's arms,

Fanning wings

As if counting

the melting sorrows,

Yet another golden

apple fell

Not even looking at the scenery,

There is the place you're going

With merely a single life,

You struggle to reach that place

An old magic book;

moondrops; the curtain of night--

Only a premonition of meeting someday

We can fly

We have wings

We can touch floating dreams

Call me from so far

Through the wind

In the light

The third word was "hum"...

Caught by straining ears

As I softly release

Your trembling arms

--Transliterated by Bishounen no Miko

--Translated by Kamui Shirou

Possibility #6

Kiseki no Umi (Sea of Miracles)

English Translation

(Yeah yeah yea~~h, Hey hey he~y hey he~~y) (Yeah yeah yea~~h, Hey hey he~y hey he~~y)

The dark night sky separates us

to lay bare our hearts as they call out to each other.

Cast off your useless trappings. Some things can only be seen

when you've lost everything. [1]

Oh wind, I will stand and face you!

I will go to the sea of anguish,

though bonds cut my chest,

and the crushing waves are endless.

(Yeah yeah yea~~h, Hey hey he~y hey he~~y) (Yeah yeah yea~~h, Hey hey he~y hey he~~y)

What does everyone seek by fighting?

Does spilled blood cause flowers to bloom?

Until the precious tomorrow is in my hands...

Until the day we meet...

Oh wind, I will stand and face you!

I will go and head for the brilliance.

Embracing prayer to my heart,

I wander the seemingly dark future.

[Instrumental/Chanting] [2]

Oh wind, I am not afraid!

Love is the miracle I have found!

It's my joy to believe in you.

The storm blows so that we might realize [our] love.

Translator's Notes:

--Contributed by Takayama Miyuki

Possibility #7

A Dream Worth Keeping

By: Sheena Easton

Anytime you want to be right here

Just imagine me and all this will appear

You can keep this moment all your life forever near.

A dream worth keeping.

When you're feeling lost I'll be your star

Just reach out and touch me no matter where you are

In a world where precious things are disappearing overnight

Just keep my star in sight.

I believe

We've found a dream that's worth keeping

For more than just today

And even though

The winds of change may come sweeping

It's still a dream worth keeping

So don't let it fade away.

Maybe you'll be in some distant land

Feeling all alone, but I'll be close at hand

And every time you see a rainbow paint the sky behind the rain

You'll be here again.

I believe

We've found a dream that's worth keeping

For more than just a day

And even though

The winds of change may come sweeping

It's still a dream worth keeping

So don't let it fade away.

Some day you might be thinking

That life has passed you by

Your spirits might be sinking

With hope in short supply

And that's the reason why

That's the reason why

I know this dream's worth keeping

As long as it will stay

And even when you see the darkness come creeping

A dream worth keeping

Will never fade away...

More possibilities could be on their way ^-^

--Sar gets captured when his platoon is attacked by a mysterious wizard and his minions.

--Thana meets Brendan.

--Thana and Brendan get engaged.

--The kingdom finds out about the attack and Sar's disappearance.

--Thana becomes pregnant by Brendan.

--Sar returns.

--King Diancecht dies, placing Sar on the throne.

--Sar begins his tyrannic rule.

--Sar sends Brendan off on an impossible quest to earn Thana.

--Brendan is killed in the quest.

--Thana is kept in a tower until the birth of her baby.

--Thana's child is exposed.

--Sar gives Thana to a rich King or merchant just as tyrannical for the sake of alliance.

--Thana is beat and heavily opressed by her new husband.

--Thana runs away.

--Thana travels the thick forest of her husband's land in despair.

--Thana stumbles upon a band of rebels some years later.

--Thana joins the rebels

--Thana meets a new love.

--Thana is named leader of the rebel armies.

--Thana discovers her son alive.

--Thana marries the man she met in the rebel armies.

--Thana confronts Sar and kills him and the evil wizard.

--Thana is named Queen of Tisloc.

Now according to instructions, I am supposed to write the story backwards, but the plot line was supposed to be simple, so instead of starting at the very end I am going to start near the middle and go backwards at the event "--Sar gives Thana to a rich King or merchant just as tyrannical for the sake of alliance." Sorry 'bout the mistake before domy, you must have thought I was trying to be a real smart alec lol. I wasn't, I'm just blonde ^-^

Thana's emerald eyes stared hard at King Quinlon, fierce, narrowed, and unblinking. Her defiance was clear in the rigid way she stood before him, as a gift from her brother to form the alliance. She didn't care what happened to her anymore. Her love was dead and her child as well, she hadn't even been allowed to know its sex, let alone see it, before Sylvanus, her brother, had sent it out to be exposed in the chill winter air.

He had ceased being Sar to her, the affectionate name she bestowed on him as a young girl. His betrayal festered in her gut and heart like a twisted blade she had to strive to ignore less she sink into despair yet again. Even now she stood before this King with his dark eyes that had her nervous for the glint of danger and malice she saw in them. He had been slighted and he knew it. He sat, still as a mountain in his throne, his massive body three times her size and all muscles knotted with angry tension. Outwardly, though, his hands were steady, as was his gaze. He droned through the formalities with a dagger's edge to his booming voice that only Thana seemed to notice, his accent thick, and stilted.

Despite his feeling of insult, he pledged alliance to Tisloc, and King Sylvanus Darius Xavier Diancecht, and announced to the court that his wedding to her would take place in two days. The four Tisloc Knights, serving as her guard, bowed and left the room to begin their journey to report to the King. Only one of them glanced back at her, his face slack, his brows furrowed with worry for the Princess.

Quinlon gave more orders, and she was taken away, out of the throne room and down a seemingly endless hall. Her footsteps echoed hollowly on the walkway, matching the feeling in each heart beat. The air shrieked with the metal clamping boots of her escorts. She didn't even bother looking at them, she stared down at the reflective black marble that danced red from the torchlight. Lost in her thoughts.

The birthing had been difficult, but relatively free of complications. She was allowed only one nursemaid to wait on her, and after the tearing pain of birth, reached out with eager arms to a baby who was whisked away by the single attendant in the room after the severing of her last link to the infant. She had only been gifted with a single, tear-filled glance of a head full of dark hair, matted with blood and a bit misshapen from squeezing through her lower opening. During the nine long months of her pregnancy, the baby growing inside her, the nursemaid, and the attendant were the only others allowed in the tower room Sylvanus kept her locked up in, claiming that she had fallen seriously ill and needed to be secluded lest it was catching. The people whispered that she had been struck by the same mysterious illness that had killed her father.

Sullenly, she had watched the door as though it were an ominous cloud of death to consume her in sorrow, just as it had consumed the baby she would never know. Some time later Sylvanus entered to tell her what she already knew. He had the attendant and nursemaid killed and the baby exposed. She had glanced out the window then, eyes wide at the heavy snow of deep winter. He had added the last as an after thought, and despite her suspicions the sureness of it struck every thought and feeling from her. She stayed isolated in the tower room for two months after that, watched heavily by one of Sylvanus' shifty-eyed guards, lest she go searching for death, whom she wished for every moment she layed curled up in the darkness, dancing on the edges of madness.

Thana brushed away the tears that still beaded at her eyes even now, attempting to will those memories away, counting each step that shook the air around her with concentrated fervor. But thoughts still haunted the edges of that concentration. The brother she long held above all else had turned his back on her and taken not only her child with him, but the father as well.

Brendan... More thoughts swirled dark clouds in her mind, and her heart felt as though it were gripped tight and twisted cruelly, weeping blood. Her brother was responsible for the death of her love, her fiancé, Brendan. The brother she so long ago admired, turned cold, power-hungry, obsessed, and haunted by the Tisloc throne.

No. Thana shook her head and muttered. Her father had fallen ill suddenly, and died rather violently, plagued by an unnatural fever that no one was capable of healing, or even identifying the sickness that caused it. Obtaining the throne had little to do with it, she thought. Sar had come back from his three years in the military like that, a wall of stone to her, set against Brendan from the beginning.

She had never even had a chance to tell Brendan that she carried his child. He would have been overjoyed. It was the first time she had ever layed with a man. The news of the ambush and her brother's disappearance caused such a shock to her soul, announced the same day as their engagement. She sought comfort in Brendan's strong but gentle embrace. The grief awakened a need in her. A need to be closer to Brendan, to be wanted in return.

He had been strong back then, so sure of himself. Back when she was selfish, spoiled. He was rather disconcerting at their first meeting, rigid and possibly more stubborn than she was. The hint of a sad smile brushed her lips. She had tried to push him around like everyone else, but he didn't bend anymore than a solid tree to the wind would have. They had words, coated in formality, but dripping with hidden threats. He won her heart that day, as much as she had hated to admit it. Then he approached her, requesting to make her his lady. It took her rather by surprise, she thought he hated her. A spoiled, selfish princess. She consented and the ceremony of naming the Lady he dedicated his sword and knighthood to followed fast.

Was Sar jealous? She didn't think that was it. As much as he had her to himself in times past, that would not be the sole cause to his extreme change. It must have been the disappearance, the ambush, or both together. He had been missing a year afterwards.

Something had happened to him then, someone powerful had set the attack during a time when Tisloc knew nothing but peace. The edges of the thought wavered in her mind among the swirl of so many others. Someone powerful had changed him, it was some kind of spell. It had to be...

*Can't help but wonder if her plotline is too formulaic, anybody wanna tell me what they think?*

Well, there domy~ I think I did it right this time ^_~