TPA 15

I read somewhere that Franz Kafka, the genius behind "The Metamorphosis" and other stories burned ninety five percent of all his work because he thought he was a failure. I can't blame him, I have the same kind of thinking. No one really reads this stuff which is good because it lets me get out the bad words in my head. But you wonder what could have been if he had saved those works. I first heard about Kafka from Calvin and Hobbes of all things. Calvin insists that his mother gives his stuffed tiger a kiss good night, at Hobbes own insistance. Hobbes claims that if you don't get a kiss you get "Kafka-esque dreams." I asked my folks what that meant and I think it took them a while to realize the author was referencing Franz Kafka. Hm, I had another thought about what I wanted to write but I forgot it. Oh, well.

Yesterday was fine while at work. I think we'll lose another resident soon. It's strange because the ones that always seem to die (I'm not going to be polite and say "pass," since it's stupid) are the ones who are functional. The first one I heard that died was a guy named Bob who could talk and walk on his own without a cane or walker. And then I get into work one day and find out that he died. It was such a downer and I was distraught for a week. It's strange how you become used to death at a retirement home. You always expect the "weak" ones to pass like the elderly that don't talk or can't walk on their own. Usually, they're the more stubborn ones so maybe that's how they cling to life. Life can be a disease. No one should be live and not have their mind with them. I'm not just talking about people who crap their pants, I'm talking about people who don't know where they are and are very afraid. It's like being lost in your own home. What a nightmare, might make a good story. 

Gleipnit Chapter 12: Risk

We start in medias res with Shiuchi transformed with Claire inside of him. He seems upset and she seems excited. We close in up on a face similar to Shuichi's transformed form except it's a skull. It still has that strange plus-shaped eye like Shuichi has. We pull back to see that a transformed Shuichi is facing down a devil creature in this type of armor with scythes for hands. And this is one of the things I think the author missed with this series. Shuichi has mystery behind him. I get it that he's the main character and that he should have the biggest draw, but what pulls the reader along is Shuichi finding out why he transformed but the enemy in this chapter quickly reveals why he is the way he is. He gives away his why he transformed with the power of the coins where as with the girl (the one they shot in the earlier chapters) has a bit of mystery to her. This guy is just there for the most basic of reasons: to prove that he's strong. Is that a motivation or am I being too picky? Shuichi narrates that there's just too much that he doesnt' know. We pull back to the pair staring each other down. We cut back to before where Shuichi and Claire are exploring an abandoned building. Wild grass and vines grow next to it. Shuichi affirms to Claire that he can't smell anyone with his powers which means it's safe to look for coins. Shuichi says that this isn't a popular area to visit, no one picks vegetables or does mountain climbing around here. I like the reasoning here. It adds to the realism. Shuichi asks what they should do if they find a monster. Claire says it depends on how they act but they could attack them before they get the drop on them. Shuichi refuses since they don't know if they are good or bad yet. "Figured you' say that." Claire says. Claire says they won't last long anyway if they fight everyone but what they need right now is information. They need to know where to find coins and how many "collectors" are out there. We cut to an image of ghoulish monsters as Claire narrates. I think this shows how they could be in dangers and reflects how people transform into monsters. Claire says they need to protect their identities and if they come across someone he needs to transform immediately. "Our 'normal' lives will be in danger." Claire says. I like how the writer adds logic to this. If anyone finds out that they are monsters, their families and friends could get dragged into this. "But don't you think that makes it kinda fun?" Shuichi looks distraught as Claire notes how it's just like two monsters coming across each other. We flash forward to Shuichi and the monster from earlier staring down at each other. "Anything could happen," Shuichi freezes and tells Claire that there's someone down the path she was about to take. We see a black path cut through the trees. It's likely a representation of the blood or evil that Shuichi can smell. Claire strips and tells Shuichi that they are going to get the jump on whoever is up there. Claire explains that they could stay out of danger and sneak around to collect coins but if they do that someone else could gather more coins and use them to get more power. I'm not sure that I understand all of this. Maybe I'm missing something or maybe it's how she's saying it. Claire says that right choice is to take risk and jump in. The pair stand before the devil/monster figure from earlier. Shuich notes that he is twice Shuichi's size. Shuichi is afraid of being decapitated again. A callback, maybe he's traumatized, of course he is. The creature speaks. "This is the first time, an enemy has shown themselves to me." "An enemy?" Shuichi thinks. The mosnter continues to say that most ran away when they saw him. Claire says that she doesn't want to fight. The monster is surprised that it's a girl's voice but he says he can't be picky. Claire tries to negotiate but the monster says he's not here for coins. We flash back to a human figure at the vending machine. The monster narrates that he wanted to be stronger but when he used his strength he couldn't use it on humans, they were too weak. We cut to a scene of the same figure standing over defeated students on the floor. "I want to know just how strong I really am. So I asked the alien...and he told me I'd find collectors like me if I came here...Sorry, but you're getting a fight." It just seems weird to me that his whole motivation is to test himself with strength. Claire thinks that they may have approached the wrong guy. Shuichi lunges forward without Claire's control and punches the guy who blocks it. "Shuichi! You idiot!" The monster blocks the blow and says that it feels nice. I don't know if this is a good way to introduce the characters. I know there needs to be action, but I was more into the mystery rather than the violence. I feel like I got set up and the writer didn't know exactly what he was doing so he threw in an action beat. 

Chapter 13: Dangerous Enemy

The monstere and Shuichi struggle against one another. The monster says "If I were a normal human, then that attack would have killed me right away...But...I endured it. I had an answer for that." The mosnter pushes back threatening to crush the pair. Claire takes control and makes them throw the monster off them. It seems that they have more power when they work together. An interesting development. The monster swings his arm again nearly cutting the pair in half. Claire dodges and punches the monster in the gut. They back off hoping that they've done some damage to him. The monster turns and launches them back with the back swing of his hand. Their punch didn't do anything. Claire wonders if the whole mountain is filled with monsters like this one. She can't afford to die here until she finds her sister again. Claire tries to negotiate again. She says that it would be dangerous if bad people got ahold of these coins. The monster asks if she can prove she herself isn't dangerous. The monster claims that everyone here is seeking power. "That's just the kind of place this is." I don't get this black and white thinking of seeking power. I can't really identify or relate to this need for strength. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong. Claire and Shuichi pull out the gun and fire. The monster blocks the bullet to the pair's surprise. The monster transforms into a human. He says he's Tadanori Sanbe and that it's polite for him to introduce himself since they are fighting to the death. Is this a Japanese courtesy thing or something? He transforms back into the monster and explains he loves power. He's studied all kinds of martial arts. But this new form of his isn't suited for those kind of techniques, so he had to make up his own. Now this I like. It shows how powerful he is. The monster reaches back and swings his arms creating a shockwave. The pair disappear and the monster hunts them down. Shuichi suddenly appears and grabs the monster by the torso. "Do you really thing you're strong enough to do anything to me?" Just as he's about to hit Shuichi, Claire appears behind him holding the gun. She's ready to shoot if he tries anything.