"Watch it, samurai, I've already disarmed one and I haven't even warmed up yet. You wouldn't want to get beaten by a mere geisha, would you?"
"This isn't a competition!"
"Oh, isn't it? So the two swords are just for show ..."
"Shut up and fight seriously!"
"You try fighting in these sleeves! I'd have a better chance strangling him with the fabric!" ---
Alternative titles included 'Pirates Versus Ninjas' and 'Memoirs of a Gay-Sha' ... ---
I apologize for the massive filesize, but after spending days on the nightmarish details, I didn't have the heart to shrink this one down too much. 'Tis my entry for 's Genre-Bending competition: take your OCs and put them into a place or scenario they'd never usually wind up in. The more creative the better. Originally I jumped on the opportunity to throw the HAT crew into a science fiction world or maybe the American prohibition era (James Hunter as a hard-boiled P.I. stamping down on 'The Frog's smuggling ring for liquor was just too juicy), but on my way to lunch one day a friend and I passed a music shop playing Chinese opera, and bam, this happened.
Wire-fu Japanese shogun movies meets Honour Amongst Thieves: In a war-torn Japan, the warlord Santiago plots to overthrow the neighboring lord, intent to claim his lands and properties as his own. Louis, who's family and lands have already been razed to the ground by Santiago, overhears him plotting with his generals, and with designs of his own he disguises himself as a geisha to gain access to James's palace. Once there he alerts him to the enemies bearing down on his borders, but it may already be too late ...
Yeah, got the blurb for it, too. I don't know much about Japanese culture and history, though, so despite having lived there for five years it's probably full of holes. Nevertheless, it was a fun and interesting challenge.
Yes, this got a DD! Congratulations! I share the sentiments of other deviants in saying that it's well-deserved!
I'm also very, very honored that I could've inspired such a wonderful work of art. I'm truly floored, to use your word. And I'm positive the members of the Consortium also share my joy in having you participate in our contests and be an active member of the group. It means a lot to us to have you along for the ride, and on behalf of all the members in the group I want to thank you for that. You're really an inspiration to all of us. Congratulations once again!
Aw, thanks dear! I'm of two minds to join the new competition, though. I don't want to tip the scales with something like this again, I felt a little like I was cheating in a way. At the same time, though, I have an idea for something that would suit. Agh.
I'm always trying to figure out different ways to challenge everyone on a more or less equal level--though the last contest revealed a discrepancy: Artists with more worldly experience, such as yourself, have access to better ideas and ultimately come up with a better piece in the end. And as you've pointed out, this tips the scales greatly and can create problems.
Of course, I'm trying to come up with a solution for this. I have an idea where I can host separate contests that challenge skill and are geared toward improvement and getting people out of their comfort-zones. They would be designed to let aspiring artists find new methods to improve their work and to keep experienced artists on their toes. How does that sound?
Oh yes, that's another thing I'm grateful for: You artistic expertise challenges me to have better and more diverse contest ideas.
If you want to make something for the next contest, go for it! I just won't judge it with the rest.
I'll think up ideas, just you wait. You won't feel like you're cheating in the future.
Pink suits him.
I'm also very, very honored that I could've inspired such a wonderful work of art. I'm truly floored, to use your word. And I'm positive the members of the Consortium also share my joy in having you participate in our contests and be an active member of the group. It means a lot to us to have you along for the ride, and on behalf of all the members in the group I want to thank you for that. You're really an inspiration to all of us. Congratulations once again!
Of course, I'm trying to come up with a solution for this. I have an idea where I can host separate contests that challenge skill and are geared toward improvement and getting people out of their comfort-zones. They would be designed to let aspiring artists find new methods to improve their work and to keep experienced artists on their toes. How does that sound?
Oh yes, that's another thing I'm grateful for: You artistic expertise challenges me to have better and more diverse contest ideas.
If you want to make something for the next contest, go for it! I just won't judge it with the rest.
I'll think up ideas, just you wait. You won't feel like you're cheating in the future.
Ideas all over the place with no time to get them down...