otanjoubi omedetou!

[mood | determined]
[music | Number One - Hazel Fernandes (Bleach Original Soundtrack I)]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAKURA!

yes, it was her 19th birthday today, the 17th of January. she spent the nearly all the daylight hours here at our house, not asking for anything aside from my presence that she said was my birthday gift to her. not that i'd complain; actually, aside from me being broke these days, i really am not in the mood to go to someplace else and tire ourselves out. yes, even if i had the resources to do so. i'd rather be with her and spend some time alone together.

our meeting didn't really went well as planned, because the night before we had some... um, let's just say some kind of disagreement, which she carried over with a heavy heart to the morning. she actually cried a lot over it and spilled all her grief to me (making me cry in the process too), but today i swore to her again as i did over two months ago, that i will never leave her and love her forever. in the end this seemed to mollify her and ameliorate the thing last night, which i inadvertently started in the first place.

Tita also offered to cook up her specialty, the spaghetti, in celebration of her birthday, to which she heartily agreed. and yes, it was heaven, as expected of the treat. anyway, aside from that, nothing much happened today, unless you counted the fact that we discovered a new, shorter route from here to her aunt's place (which only involved one jeepney, one MRT and an FX ride, translating to a minimum of 31 pesos for each of us in contrast to our previous, longer route of 4 jeepney rides and 1 LRT ride, or roughly 44 pesos for each of us).

so that's about it. Sakura had a disturbing nightmare when i asked her to rest and sleep for a while here, but it's probably best not to tell it here. i just wanted her to know, if she's reading this, that i will always be here... forever.

~DD

i'm back.

[mood | relieved]
[music | Asterisk - Orange Range (Bleach 1st OP)]

*sigh*

i was able to spend a night at Bataan with Sakura and her entire clan, after being invited to attend the last day of her grandmother's funeral. i came home last night feeling drained and exhausted, not to mention a little dizzy, but since Sakura was there i think it more than compensates for all that.

i never knew i could spend a night so far away from the hustle and bustle of city life, but as i said before, i didn't mind at all as she was there with me (although she did sleep so early i wasn't able to talk to anyone about my misgivings that night). i asked her to sleep on the single bed and i on the sofa--which was made of wood, at that, and gave me a nasty case of backaches when i woke up (my sleeping position was a bit awkward, so yeah)--but i really wasn't able to sleep properly. it's like sleeping with one eye open... there was a time when people, including her mom, checked us out (i, Sakura and her sister Chi were sleeping in one house), but at that time i thought it was natural for them to worry with me having two girls under one roof. LOL.

but when we woke up we were told the real reason why. some kind of depraved person was prowling around the block, especially around that of her godmother, and apparently interested in stealing a peek at my lovely girlfriend. yeah. i dunno what happened next but the tanods (for those who are unfamiliar with the term, those are the town or community watch) chased him off. looking back, i finally realized why i couldn't sleep that night for no reason--it was because i was sensing that evil intent lurking around. that time, i felt nervous and scared like hell, but i thought it was just my imagination running rampant. well of course i never told her that. she'd just be scared too.

and the one who took the blame was the person trying to talk to Sakura. like, uh... that pathetic guy was texting me every now and then, thinking that Sakura gave him her number but in fact, it was mine. lol.

anyway come the morning we prepared for the burial of her grandmother, which happened at exactly 3pm in the afternoon after a long trek from their village (around a mile or so from the nearest town) and a mass at the nearest chapel. we were able to go home at finally 5pm in the afternoon, and i arrived home at past 9pm and they at 10pm.

i actually didn't expect a warm welcome there, especially as Sakura (or Angel, as they call her with her second name) seemed to be the darling of the community and of their clan, which seemed at first glance to be smaller than what i was accustomed to here. but then i remembered that it was only her mother's side... although my kin on my mother's side was considerably larger than hers.

so anyway, people treated me with as much civility as they could muster, even going so far as to somehow treat me a new member of the family--probably thinking that i and Sakura are going to be married, or are already married. lol! not that i'd complain--i actually like the idea--but hey, i won't marry her before i could fix my life. i especially like the kids there, who were so rambunctious and restless that i can't help but chuckle, and who were calling me like "tito" (uncle) and "kuya" (elder brother), and doing all sorts of things to entertain me.

Sakura cried a lot during the burial. while the mere fact that she was crying was enough to constrict my heart, i stayed the tears and held her through all that. if she was drawing strength from me even when i don't have any for myself, i want to give her that at least. i promised her that we could visit her grandmother's grave at least once every year, even if it was just the two of us. she seemed delighted with the idea.

aside from that the visit was uneventful.

in other news Tsubasa Reverse is plodding along, but i haven't been able to put much progress on Act 14, especially with me drained and having this damned headache for three days already. her godmother said it might be some kind of a sinus inflammation or what, so she suggested that i go to a doctor immediately and have it checked up. i will, but not now.

Bleach has also started a new arc, this time going back to its manga roots with the appearance of Hirako Shinji, the Vaizard (or Visored) who will be instrumental to teaching Ichigo how to control his Hollow powers. episode 110 has just aired, with a new ending theme, "Sakura Hiyori" (sakura weather) by Mai Hoshimura. i'm very excited with this new arc, but i think the anime will catch up to the manga soon at the rate it's going so we're probably going to see some fillers again soon, or at least the anime will prolong each episode to fit with one or two chapters by introducing filler scenes inside each episode.

anyway this post is too long already. i was just wondering it's kinda hard to have a really cute girlfriend... Sakura attracts too much attention wherever she goes, that i'm keeping track of the number of guys looking at her (you know what i mean, not just "look" but "ogle"). yesterday, that count was 11 different guys, and that was just the ones i counted. there were several groups of guys.

*sigh* oh well. it's just is, though. it's nice to know that i'm not alone who thinks she's pretty.

next time guys!

~DD

the last excuse

[mood | touched... very, very touched]
[music | Saigo no Iiwake - Tokunaga Hideaki (Self Cover Best, 1988)]

OMGOMGOMGOMG. this song is like... omgomgomg...

*catches breath*

okay enough. "Saigo no Iiwake" (the last excuse) was the original Japanese version of countless revivals of this song, of which the most recent one was the Filipino version, Ted Ito's "Ikaw Pa Rin" (you're still the one). i practically grew up with this song... and i admit, it was the first song that really stayed with me. it was the ONLY song that i haven't forgotten since the late 80's, the only song in that period that i actually loved.

when i found this song in LimeWire, i cried. really. Sakura was over here earlier, and when i saw her i just hugged her tight... not only because we had a big row the night before, but because of the song.

it was like finding my childhood, like my childhood is finally complete. it was like this song is my link to the past, and that when i don't have anything to hold on to, this song will always be here to comfort me... and to tell me that once, i was innocent, so pure, and carefree. it is a way to remind me that at that time, was where it all began... why i am here now.

so i cried. not only because the song really was that beautiful... but the nostalgia was so overwhelming i wasn't able to do anything but to stare at the PC and cry. then Sakura came, and i cried while hugging her. i cried, and cried.

it's funny... that i never thought that when i heard this song 17 or 18 years ago, i would it hear again while being held by the arms of the person that i care about the most. that when i would finally be able to listen to it in its full glory was when i just want to break down and cry on the chest of someone i hold dearest.

now, as January 5th has just passed, and our 3rd month together has begun, i dedicate this song to her, Sakura Usui... this song which has shaped my childhood, my dreams, my love.

~DD

tsubasa reverse updated: "lament of blood"

[mood | ecstatic]
[music | The Mann - Paul Linford and Chris Vrenna (Need for Speed Most Wanted OST)]

before all, i want to greet every visitor a very happy new year! i hope this year's better for all of us. XD

so there, anyway, i just finished this year's last update for Tsubasa Reverse, "Act 13: Lament of Blood". sounds like some sort of Castlevania game huh? lol. anyways, special thanks to Sakura who motivated me to finally finish this update before the year passes through to oblivion. as for the chapter guides, i'll probably post it here later.

the chapter can be found HERE.

Lament of Blood contains some gore, so be forewarned. i haven't really exceeded its T rating, though.

and yeah, FP's acting up again. i found that there were some reviews that i haven't received an alert about, and it's getting kinda irritating. special mention goes to The Breakdancing Ninja, the newest reader to the saga of Tsubasa Reverse and who gave me a very welcome review. i'll probably spend the first week of January returning reviews as i have no excuse now to slack off; i'll do my best to update regularly this time.

so that's it. again, happy new year! and if you're here to read TR, then go ahead and click the link above (or find it on your own at the navi bar on the left).

~DD

merry christmas!

[mood | cheerful]
[music | Last Christmas - BoA (Winter Love single)]

merry Christmas everyone!!!

well i know it's late, but what the heck, it's just the 26th today.

so belated greetings for the holidays and here's to hoping your Christmas was better than mine, and a good new year to all!

~DD

i am the dark lord's heir.

[mood | excited]
[music | NightmaRe - SNoW (Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori OP)]

why does SNoW like irregular letter cases? just wondering.

anyway, i was able to play the first expansion pack for the Electronic Arts' Battle for Middle-earth series, The Lord of the Rings The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king (i know, it's one of the damnably-long game titles in recent history). it chronicles the rise of the leader of the Nazgûl, the Witch-king, in the northern territory of Angmar with which he destroyed the divided kingdoms of Arnor. the story is set 1,300 or so years after the Last Alliance (or about 1,700 years before the events of the Lord of the Rings), and the game puts you as the Witch-king and the conquest of Arnor.

EA has tweaked a lot in this game, and even includes Angmar as a new playable faction, which makes a total of seven. there are massive changes in the War of the Ring, Create-A-Hero, and Skirmish types, plus there are all-new units for existing factions. the centerpiece of these new units are the mini-heroes, or those units who are between a hero and an elite horde in power. mini-heroes are distinguished by a limit on how many can exist at a battlefield at any given time.

the list below describes the all-new units for The Rise of the Witch-king.

1.) Men of the West

• Knights of Dol Amroth - the famed knights from the princedom of Dol Amroth, a province of Gondor. during the War of the Ring, they fought under the banner of Prince Imrahil and were known as "Swan Knights". in ROTWK, they're built for a limit of only 3 battalions at any one time, costs 1500 gold and 95 Command Points. a battalion consists of 5 knights and have a level-4 passive ability that gives mounted units near them bonuses in damage and armor.
• Rohan Spearmen - because in BFME2 Men lost the invaluable spearmen from Rohan, now they're back as a cheap and easy way to fend Angmar's Thrall-Wolf Rider rush. these spearmen can be built even from a level 1 Barracks.

2.) Elves

• Noldor Warriors - the Noldor are the second clan of Elves who saw the light of the Blessed Realm. Feanor, who wrought the Silmaril Jewels, was the most well-known of their race, and they were one of the largest clan of Elves in Middle-earth after their exile from the land of the West. Noldor Warriors number only 5 per battalion, with a limit of 3 at any one time, and are fully upgraded with Forged Blades when using swords, and Silverthorn arrows when using bows. They have a level-7 active ability that gives them boosts in damage.
• Lindon Horse Archers - these were the kinsmen of Gil-galad, the High Elven King who, with the aid of Elendil, the High King of Men, defeated Sauron during the Last Alliance. Lindon Horse Archers are mounted archers, just like the Rohirrim, but they can only use bows.

3.) Dwarves

• Prince Brand, the Prince of Dale (hero) - historically Dale was the leading ally of Dwarves, and Brand perished with King Dain during the War of the Ring. Prince Brand is the only Dwarven, non-Dwarf hero and can toggle weapons from sword to bow and vice versa.
  
• Dwarven Zealot - the mini-hero of the Dwarves in this expansion. basically a souped-up Guardian, Zealots have berserker rage at level 7 which pumps up their offensive capabilities.

4.) Mordor

• Gothmog, Lieutenant of Minas Morgul (hero) - best known for his barf-like skin color and heavily disfigured face, including his valor during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Gothmog is a cavalry hero and even afoot he is very quick and agile.
• Black Riders - the mini-hero of Mordor. they're the Nazgûl mounted on their deathly horses, famous for their first appearances during the first movie of the film trilogy. you can only have 1 Black Rider battalion at any given time.
• Black Orc Warriors - like the Dwarven Zealots, Black Orcs are improved versions of the Orc Warriors with more durability and offensive power.
  
• Haradrim Lancers - EA's answer to Mordor's total lack of quick-moving infantry. Haradrim Lancers came from Harad, one of the kingdoms of Men sworn in allegiance to Sauron, and are mounted on horses bearing lances.

5.) Isengard

• Uruk Deathbringers - these highly-trained Uruk swordsmen wield their dual swords to devastating effect, much like massively-empowered Uruk Berserkers. they are the mini-heroes of Isengard, and each battalion only consists of 3 Deathbringers.
• Warg Packs - replaced the Warg Riders with more terrifying, and improved versions, with Uruks riding Wargs and wielding lances.
• Wild Men Axethrowers - just like those of Angmar's Axe Throwers, but without their vulnerability (Thrall Master).
  

6.) Goblins

• Azog of Moria (hero) - the new hero of the Goblin faction, Azog is the leader of the Goblins residing at Moria and a very formidable opponent. he's an all-around support-offensive hero.
• Fire Drake Brood - the mini-heroes of the Goblins. because of their sheer power only 2 are allowed at any one time.
• Half-Troll Swordsmen - EA wasn't content with the Half-Troll Marauders, who are basically the strongest pikemen in the game. now they give the Goblins arguably the best infantry to date, in the form of the Half-Troll Swordsmen.

anyway that's about it. more info on my life will be posted later, because i'm so busy playing this game. XD laterz~!

~DD

tsubasa revolution is now up!

[mood | happy]
[music | May It Be - Enya (The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring Theme]

i just uploaded Tsubasa Revolution, the Tsubasa Christmas Special on my page at Fictionpress. check it out HERE. you can also find it on the navigation bar to the left.

to those who don't know, Tsubasa Revolution tells the story of a young man, Shino, who has spent his entire life searching for a love that he knew he'd die upon finding. his fate and that of his love is intertwined with a tragic fictional romance called the Sakura no Monogatari, or the Tale of the Sakura Tree. the story also comes with a supplementary glossary to explain the several terms used in the course of the narrative, as most of these terms are Japanese (the setting was patterned after feudal Japan btw).

aside from this accomplishment i've done nothing today but to drool over Battle for Middle-earth II's expansion pack, The Rise of the Witch-king, which was released last November 28th. omg cool, there's an all-new faction, Angmar, which in LOTR lore was the Witch-king's dominion when he destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Arnor, a counterpart of Gondor.

anyway here's to hoping you'd read Revolution and review. thanks in advance!

~DD