Nightengale13
2004-07-30
ch 2, signed

This is a rather old story, and yet it is still so pertinent. Perhaps it will always be pertinent.
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It doesn't seem like it's been two years since the dancers were exiled, or four since the real kingdom was attacked. Time moves rather fast when you're not marking its progress, and I'm ashamed to say that I probably could have done more than I did concerning all of those issues.
.
I found your profile through Ryuen's newest offering Me'taphoria, and I wish I'd found you sooner. You surely have noble ideals, and I am sorry that you've been targeted more than most of us for those ideals. As long as you hold yourself to a very high standard, this gives you the justification to hold the rest of us to it too.
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When all is said and done, you write a *damn* good allegory. Really, you do.
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Consider me an ally of the rebel cause, especially now as the script-fics ruling is put into effect.
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~Thirteenth Nightengale

Tenshi Kitsune ([email protected])
2002-10-30
ch 2, anonymous

glad to see that you were't really banned from ff.net forever i woulda been sad to see such a great author leave... anyways i liked this fic and it's message and hope you keep writing for a long long time. especially bridge and casting stones.
Tenshi K.

Sansele
2002-10-17
ch 2, anonymous

*Grins* Sounds most wonderfully damning as a protest against Fanfiction.net, and is really good too!

Shiho Hahnenfuss
2002-10-10
ch 2, signed

The revolution lives! *cheers* We won't let the Baron stifle our creativity! ^^ Nice to have you back, Roku; the leader of us rebels.

Buuuut...they've already implemented the rulings. Damn it! Does this mean our fight is over?

Email me!
-Sano

Kei-chan1
2002-10-10
ch 2, signed

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! ROKU MADE IT!!!! And with Taskui, too. Ehehehehe... that was fun. Damn girl, you're just too well-spoken for your own good. The lines that Roku had were absolutely amazing! She's da bomb!! ^__~ And.. ehehehehehehehheeehehehehehe.. Nakagooooooo, in a storyyyyyyyyyyy, written by yoooooooooouuuuuuuuuu... **squeals, jumps up and down** ICANTWAITICANTWAITICANTWAITICANTWAITICANTWAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Teeheeheeheehehee!!!!

Chichiri's Girl
2002-10-09
ch 2, anonymous

Well done, Roku-sama! I laughed, cried, and screamed my way through this story. I even put off going to the bathroom until my copier was finished printing out the story in its entirety.....so you know how important this was to me. LOOOOOVED the lip-lock with Tasuki and your imminent execution with the help of kris and Chi'isai. Great support group y'all got there! Nakago a good guy?! Did Miyu twist your writing arm or something? Didn't se it coming but can wait for the W.S.M sequel now.

JenesisDark
2002-10-09
ch 2, signed

You know, it's really... wonderful, knowing that there are others who see the same way you do. And, who bring up really good points (Not to mention really hot makeout scenes... O_O) about how the R-rating is next. Which, I think your right about. And the only thing I've heard from ff.net about the whole deal (petition, numerous E-mails) is that it's still going through. Not even a 'Thank you for your concern, but...'.
I hope the dancers will be able to return, I miss the really good ones...

aikido-chan
2002-10-09
ch 2, signed

Thanks for giving me so many zippy lines! I'm flattered.

I think you got your point out, and entertained us all along the way. I think that most everyone out there is on your side anyway. I was hoping for a few of the masquerading dancers to join the real resistance, but that will just have to play out in the sequel of our imaginations.


But one more thing...

Mary Sue alert! Cheese alert! Okay, I might be okay with you occaasionally smooching Chichiri, but getting it on with Tasuki strains credulity, and the bounds of good taste. Shameless hussy indeed!

Back to the butterfly room,

Aikido-chan

Kryssa
2002-10-08
ch 2, signed

You hamster woman!!!! You scared the *&%*(@#$ outta me! I thought for sure you were going let Roku get killed! I was going through the throes of grief and anguish for nothing!!!But I really am glad to see Roku's still alive. Kris would miss her a great deal if she disappeared... *takes deep breath, petting Kanae for comfort*

Thank Suzaku you managed to mess with Nakago and get him to "help" in the cause. I actually rather like that, having him in it for his own purposes. Makes for interesting sequel possibilities and mental pictures... *grins* And I have a feeling I know just a pinch of what's going to happen with Nakago and the others in the future.

I really like the whole dialogue between the rebels, the Baron, and Tenkou. The words rang so painfully clear that I can only marvel at how you were able to weave such truths into this story. This can apply to so many problems that our world is currently handling. I just wish more people were more open-minded and stronger in their beliefs. But... we can only preach, we cannot make people listen.

Last paragraph, I promise! I am rather intrigued by your setup for that motley group in space. I admit, it sounds like fun and I almost wish you would write it. However, I've been DYING for more Chichiri (like you would expect otherwise...) and really wanna know what's going to happen with him. I really did enjoy this "story" and very glad I could hitch a ride along the way. Catch ya later, Roku-chan! Luck and love!!!

Shunu No Miko1
2002-10-08
ch 2, signed

Lol wow I love this!! Pretty funny.
Hope to see more and hope you get that sequel out soon! Lol.
~Shinka~

Shiroi Chi
2002-10-08
ch 1, signed

You're so very right. You want something, you go and get it. Always my philosophy in life, as long as it doesn't mean stepping on nice people's toes or anything. Yes, we gotta fight for our right to free our souls and keep our imagination unleashed ^_^

Must admit this got me skratching my head in confusion at first... sneaky, very sneaky... *grins* And the upcoming sequel to White Stones caught my interest - veiled and turbaned men? How could it not have? Can you say Ardeth Bey? ^_^ - 'cause WS is such a tremendous story. *sigh* How come it's always the best stories I never review? Rhetorical question. I will, someday. In the meantime, be strong! ^_^

Spak-chan
2002-09-29
ch 1, signed

I'm a little bit lost, but I'm gonna hang onto this if it's leading to a White Stones sequel...

Mmm...sequel...

It's cold in my house. The furnace guy hasn;t come to fix it yet and we have no heat. And we're in Canada...*shivers*...

Chichiri's Girl ([email protected])
2002-09-27
ch 1, anonymous

Ah, Roku.....back to your old rebellious antics again, just like in the old days. I'm glad for it since your idealism and righteousness have helped shape me as well. Actually, I LOVED the melodrama in the beginning (I'll be dreaming of a turbaned Chichiri tonight) and didn't think that you overplayed it at all. Happy to see the Doctor and Co. along, too. What the hell is Nakago doing here? Are ya goin' ta have Miyu fix his arse? Ahem! You had better keep your mitts off of Kris and Chiisan's guy, ya know! Found your argument with the dancers/musicians very intriguing since it also ties into a lot of this world's events that are currently happening. Git done with yer damned conference in my old town and git back to the computer! I am (how unusual!) impatiently awaiting the new chapters to "Bridge" and "Casting Stones" and The Sequel. So enough of the work stuff and get back to writing!

Shunyata Ryuen
2002-09-26
ch 1, signed

Ah, the Baron really isn't too bright, is he? Locking Roku away, stripping her of her freedoms and her voice, was no doubt intended as a deterrant of her message, and as a quick and easy way to silence her. And yet, by locking her away, they've given more validity to her claims, as well as proving to those citizens who thought their lives would go untouched by these oppressions that it can--and will--happen to them!

I must say, I really admire Roku's bravery and strength and courage--and, of course, her passion for a cause that many people are more than willing overlook and ignore. She knows what she believes in and is willing to fight for it, even if it means risking herself in the process.

Hopefully, those hypocritical dancers and all others who hear her message will pass it along and spread the word. After all, there must be SOMETHING that can be done to convince the Baron to ease up on his oppressions. If speaking out against his policies does nothing more than condemn the speaker to prison-time, then perhaps a more revolutionary approach will be necessary. Who knows? If Roku or one of her compatriots could, for example, convince a significant portion of the Baron's citizens to, say, stop paying their taxes, perhaps he would see the situation more clearly. They are, after all, paying him for their freedoms and rights to live. If money is the only thing he understands, then perhaps that message would ring a little more clearly in his ears.

...of course, the problem with that lies in organizing the villagers, as it would no doubt be difficult to convince that many of them to give up so much, particularly if the oppressions haven't affected them personally yet. Unfortunately, it probably won't be until it HAS touched them that they'll be willing to do anything against it.

Anyway, though, this is an excellent, thought-provoking story you've got here, and I'll be waiting patiently for the next installment. Well, maybe not so patiently. But I'll still be waiting. ^_~. ~Ryuen

Kryssa
2002-09-26
ch 1, signed

At this moment, I am listening to the song "Standing Outside the Fire" by Garth Brooks and am getting such an energy swell from the mix of this story and the song it's not even funny. If you have not heard the song, let me enlighten you to some of the lyrics and perhaps you'll see why the two are working so well together (and why I've made it my private theme song for this jaunt in fanfiction).

"...We call them fools, who have to dance within the flames
Who chance the sorrow and the shame
That always comes with getting burned
But you've got to be tough when consumed by desire
'Cause it's not enough just to stand outside the fire...
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire
There's this love that is burning deep in my soul
Constantly yearning to get out of control
Wanting to fly higher and higher
I can't abide standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire"

For some reason... the mix of words and melody just hit my like a blow and I was just singing this with all the passion of youth and righteousness. What can I say- a bit dramatic, but it's true!

*grins excitedly* Roku is a very lucky person, to have all these people helping her in this time of exile. And the idea of the rebels... boy, I just can't shake this grin from my face. I think I recognize most of the girls come to rescue Roku (one seems to strike a very familiar chord :) ) though the appearance of Nakago did throw me off. What the hell is that arse up to??? This is such a random review...

Finally, the issue on the dancers. I think that it's an incredibly good issue that Roku and the seishi duo touched on. Just hiding and pretending won't make things any better; lies don't prove you're a better person and sometimes you have to fight for your freedom. But you already know what I think, dont'cha? Aaaaaanyway, since this is a really long review, I'll just say that I'm quite intrigued with what's going to happen to Roku and the others. Cute teaser, especially the part about the sequel to WS. I wait with baited breath for more. Luck and love~!!!

Yifiig
2002-09-26
ch 1, signed

Its here! Its here! *dances* I'm not one of your regular reviewers, but I'm actually a big fan of "white stones in the moonlight", and "bridge over the abyss". This time around, seishi get cool electronic toys? Fun. :P And yes, turbaned and veiled men ARE sexy. I'd glomp all them Arabs, but they're too oppressive when it comes to women XD (and what was the whole point of this review?)