Shake the folly away, my dear.
Shake it all away.
For it's just fun and games, I say.
It's just fun and games.
You're the riddle to my fiddle, sweet.
And play sweet songs you do.
Make me laugh, and smile-weep.
Swept right off my feet.
Why so tense, so serious dear?
Never shall you fear.
You and I, we will be dancing.
'Round and round we'll veer.
To the left, the right, yes all around!
You'll sway me to your sound.
The smiles, oh how they dance!
You've stolen mine by chance.
And for 'ere abound, I'll be around.
Like the sun, for now I'm found.

You're so faraway.
You never breathe or say a thing.

You're a monster.
Torn to shreds without a word.

I'm a ghost.
Lost when you needed me the most.

I don't care.
You've let me down.

You're the cruel one.
Goodbye to you and all you've done.

Contents:
-Introduction
-Qualities for a Good Host
-Qualities for a Good Judge
-Qualities for a Good Competitor
-General Tips for Running an OCT
-General Tips for Competing in an OCT

Introduction
Believe it or not, being a host isn't as great as you might think. Being a judge is no better. Often times people create an OCT without putting forethought into what they're committing to, which is why so many OCTs usually end up abandoned or never getting off the ground.


Qualities for a Good Host
+While anyone can make a group and start up an OCT, here are a number of things you should consider before doing so.
-Time: Being a host requires having lots, and lots of free time. You may think that the biggest aspect of time is spent on judging, but that's far from truth. Hosts are constantly answering questions, making sure things are submitted to correct folders, posting updates, organizing events, planning, and dealing with members. The audition phase is by far the most taxing part of their work, considering the steady flow of questions they get, having to constantly update, and having to review mass amounts of characters. Don't forget, OCTs generally last at least a year; that's a long time to be committed to something. Keep in mind that while you may have followed OCTs before, as a host you will be reading over every entry, by every competitor. Those numbers stack up quick.

-Patience: You may have all of your rules typed up perfectly and easy to find. But regardless, people will always ask you a question that you've already answered, or about something that's been clearly listed in the rules. You will answer this question a dozen times or more. And each time, you will be polite about it. You may have to work with someone on improving their character ref, and this may take several hours or days to accomplish. And then they may end up deciding they don't want to enter. And you will be polite about it. Patience is key.

-Professionalism: As mentioned above, you will deal with people who get on your nerves. It can be extremely difficult to deal with certain people, and chances are you'll even get a run in with a troll or someone out just to harass you. You need to know how to deal with these incidents, and to be professional about it. You may even slip up occasionally, but when you do you need to be able to regain composure. If you look unprofessional, your members will doubt you and you will scare people off. Remember, you are not representing yourself, you are representing your group.

Faith: Even when things are looking bad you have to have faith in the OCT and your members. Never blame your members for a failing OCT. If something doesn't turn out the way you want it to, you have to take responsibility. You cannot blame your members for being uncreative when chances are it was the hosts fault for not inspiring creativity or having too restrictive plots. You must have faith in your members; do not assume that they are: incompetent, lazy, incapable of fulfilling deadlines, unimaginative, and so on. They do not require you to hold their hands.

Decisive: There will be times when you have to say things that will hurt feelings or require a definitive answer. You may find that the judges you picked aren't reliable and will have to be let go, even if they're your friends. If you make a mistake, fix it, don't just ignore it because it already happened. If you see that the deadline for something is coming up but your members aren't done yet, don't announce an extension. Stick to your deadlines until the last minute, and then make your decision. Do not excuse laziness from your judges, your members, or yourself.

Flexible: Things will pop up that you weren't expecting and you will need to be able to deal with them accordingly. Even though you should expect your members to keep to deadlines, sometimes things will pop up in their lives they can't control (sudden illness, computer complications, family emergency, etc) Don't be afraid to grant some leniency when things happen that are out of one's control. Sometimes dates will need to be changed or rules adjusted if an issue occurs. As said above, if you make a mistake, be ready to fix it.

Devoted:  Considering that OCTs generally last over a year (and you will hear this stressed again), you really need to have some devotion for what you do. If you are not devoted, it will show through and your members won't be motivated. A devoted host will be thinking up activities and contests for members and even spectators to keep them interested as well as reflecting on themselves. You should welcome and seek out feedback from your members and spectators.

Honesty: You are not perfect and no one is. When something goes wrong, it's okay to admit it. Be honest with your members if something happens and if they have a question about why their character isn't accepted or why they didn't make it to the next round, explain it to them as best as you can while being sincere. Because this a contest judged subjectively, it's impossible for the results to be perfect. If you're honest with your members about this, they will respond less negatively to bad news.

Friendly: If you aren't good with dealing with others, especially with people who need constant assistance and ask repeated questions, you probably shouldn't be a host. At all times, you must be friendly and sincere. When you are dealing with an auditioner who, in your mind, you'd rather not have join, put yourself in the mindset of: This person is essential for the OCT, because without them we will not have enough people. Never turn away someone outright, because you never know how many auditioners you may get, and with each person you accept that person might recruit more. If your members know that you are approachable they won't be afraid to ask you questions or talk to you about concerns.

Experience: While this isn't entirely required, it's always good to have experience. Try to become a judge in another OCT before hosting your own, and in the least you should compete in one before considering hosting. Other sources of experience may be moderating or administrating a forum.


Qualities for a Good Judge
+A judge should have more or less all of the same qualities a host has, along with:
-Able to Speak Up: Some judges become rather timid when it comes time to say what needs to be said. They should be able to deal with members in an appropriate manner, make suggestions, and be able to confront their host if trouble arises. Staying silent and meek will do no one good.

-Ability to follow directions: Although a judge does need to speak up if they see something wrong, they also have to be capable of following directions they disagree with. Depending on the individual setup of an OCT, most staff set ups are run in a system of hierarchy where the host's decision is final. Judges should respect their host and maintain a relationship of mutual understanding. Communication is key.

-Broad field of appreciation: Members will come from multiple backgrounds with a wide variety of characters, representing a broad spectrum of mediums and approaches. Judges need to be able to appreciate the various entries they will be judging, whether or not it's a personal favorite. You may not enjoy reading or may prefer a comic over literature, but if your OCT accepts both then you need to be able to handle both. Simply choosing one entry over the other just because it's easier to read or what you prefer is not fair to the members you are representing.

Qualities for a Competitor
+You've seen OCTs floating around and think they might be fun to join. However, they may just end up being a headache and a lot of disappointment if you're not the right person for it.
-Time and Time Management:  As mentioned above, depending on how long you stay involved with an OCT, you're looking at over a year of commitment. It's a lot of hard work and can be quite time consuming, regardless of your medium. The average length per round in an OCT is 2 months, which may sound like a lot, leading many people to put it off till the last few weeks. Which, as anyone will tell you, is a horrible idea. You need to be able to manage your time wisely, and consider if you have enough time in general.

-Dedication: Not only do you need to dedicate time to completing your entry, but you also have to be dedicated to your character, your work, and others. Part of the fun of OCTs is the community and interacting with them. While it may be impossible to follow every entry from every competitor, you will want to follow some so you can get a sense for what others are doing as well as establish interweaving plots with one another.

-(in)Sanity: It's a miracle if you'll have any left over by OCT's end. Try and savor as much of it as you can, keep it bottled if you have to.

-Positive Attitude : You may not make it very far. Does this mean you weren't very good? No, for all you know you could have been paired up with a very talented competitor early on; it's all luck of the draw. Win or lose, try to keep positive. It'll be upsetting to lose, but keep in mind the nature of the competition: in the end only one person will win. Just have fun with it while it lasts and try to stay involved even if you get knocked out.

-Creativity: If you don't have it, you won't make it far. Those who do well in OCTs are ones who take risks and stray outside of what one normally expects to see. If you have fun with what you're doing, you're more likely to be creative. So don't be afraid to try something new, even if it takes a few risks or creative liberties.

General Tips for Running an OCT
+If you have weighed your decision and are determined to host or judge an OCT, there are some things you want to keep in mind. Remember that many OCTs will either become abandoned, not reach their target goal, or fall apart mid-way through.
-Avoid Forced Plots : One of the biggest destroyers of OCTs out there. So you think you have this great idea for an OCT and you've mapped out an elaborate plot. Problem is, OCTs are for the competitors. They are the ones who make the plot, you are there only to guide them and give them the first step. Pick a simple but unique idea and let your competitors run with it. Do not come up with an elaborate backstory, do not make a novel-sized 'history of', do not plan an ending. This may sound extreme, but it is your members' job to come up with these. If you see things are going a bit slowly and your members are too timid, give them the occasional push before a new round starts. And if all else fails, rule of thumb: come up with a theme, not a plot. In fact, you should avoid 'plot' all together; go with a theme and a set-up. But the 'plot' comes in when your members invent it.

-Avoid Restricted Plots: This applies to when a host tries to steer their members into a certain direction and by doing so limits their creativity. When members focus too much on sticking to your pre-set plots, it feels more like they're being lead along and they get frustrated. Remember, this is their story, not yours. They do not want to feel like they're being told what to write. While it is good to give them guidance every now and then, such as setting up 'lead-ins' for each round, do not give them scripts. Put faith in your competitors.

-Don't Focus on NPCs: As was said, OCTs are for the competitors, not the judges. Limit how many NPCs you have, avoid making representative characters for the staff, do not put heavy importance on NPCs, and keep your NPCs simple. NPC stands for 'non-player character', meaning the character isn't yours. The NPCs should belong to the OCT; in a way they are devices to help push the story along. It is incredibly discouraging when a member is looking into an OCT and they go to check out the info, only to see that there are 7 NPC characters, one for each judge, all of which have extensive background information, and all of which are apparently important.

-Keep It Simple: A continuation from the above. Do not give NPCs extensive information. Their information should be limited to the basics, and backstories should be brief. This applies also to your theme/idea for the OCT as a whole. Keep it brief but interesting. Your members will expand on it as they go.

-Choose Judges Wisely : Every OCT is different in how its run and what it will require. For most OCTs, the ideal number of judges is three, and this includes the host. You may have more or less depending on your individual needs, just be aware of how effective your staff is. A lot of hosts choose their friends as judges and then end up in an awkward position when they realize their friends are not best for the job. You should find judges who you can trust, that you know are reliable, enjoy analyzing entries, have the time to commit, and are capable of judging all entries fairly. There are different setups to consider, but all of your judges should have at least a basic understanding and appreciation for all mediums. Think about what types of mediums you will allow, and search for judges capable of handling it. Many OCTs deny literature under the argument that none of their judges feel comfortable reviewing literature vs comics. This could be easily remedied by finding a judge comfortable with literature; there are plenty of them out there.

-Be Open to the Unexpected : The most rewarding part to being a host or judge for an OCT is watching it unfold into something you did not expect, and having not been the one to control it. At this point, the OCT has developed a life and identity of its own. Your OCT may not turn out like what you thought it would be, in fact it shouldn't. It should become something different than what you thought it would be. So when you start to see your OCT straying from the path you thought it would take, be open to the possibilities and see where it takes you. Do not try to guide it back as then it will become forced.

-Keep It Interesting: One of the leading reasons why OCTs fail midway through is because people lose interest. It is the host's job to keep their members interested in the OCT through whatever means they can find. Keep the ideas flowing, communicate with members, host social nights and contests, and always have an open mind.

-Know Your Crowd: Overtime you will get to know your competitors and spectators better and will know how to interact with them. A lot of hosts and judges make the mistake of looking unprofessional by posting sarcastic messages that come off as insulting. Rule of thumb is to be professional whenever you are representing your OCT and to take up a casual or humorous tone only once you know how your crowd will react (generally in later rounds; never in the auditions). When posting general blog messages for all followers to see, be professional and encouraging, while with members you can be a little more lax. What you don't want to do is come off looking silly and incompetent.

-Never Insult Your Members or Spectators: This problem has become a little more common, wherein hosts and judges take their position a little too arrogantly and end up snubbing their members or watchers. If someone is causing your group problems, deal with them professionally and if need be (as there are always trolls) block them. Do not insult them, you will only give yourself and the OCT a bad name. Word travels fast and far and you never know how many followers you might lose by one rash conversation with one individual. If a member makes a mistake, politely correct and help them out. Do not single members out and do not post insulting messages.

-Keep People Informed: Don't keep your members in the dark. They will appreciate your updates, and they even enjoy when you post reminders about deadlines. Posting announcements about delays or reminding them that they have x amount of time remaining will keep them motivated. They can get agitated when they don't know what's going on or why something is taking so long; they may even lose interest. Respond to messages and questions as soon as possible and keep in touch with your community.

-Use Encouragement: It is hard work getting an entry done in two months and your members will need all of the support they can. Comment on their submissions as much as possible (be careful not to show bias; choose your words carefully). Reply to comments or questions and post reminders frequently.

-Be Aware of Bias: Simple things can show levels of bias to your members. For example, if you comment on one person's entry, but not their opponent, the opponent will become discouraged. Never add any work from the OCT into your favorites unless it is work that promotes the OCT as a whole (ex: group pictures). Do not give your friends special privileges or considerations and do not favor one medium over the other. Look beyond the appearance and focus on content; if you are judging two comics, do not pick one just because it has better art if the story is lacking and unoriginal.

-Let Them Know What You Want: Provide a simple rubric or list of criteria the members will be judged on. If you are running a tournament where the focus isn't on story, but instead on art quality, make sure they know ahead of time. I wouldn't suggest allotting points to each item (EX: 5 points for creativity) as this becomes very mechanical and can frighten off potential auditioners.

-Set Deadlines on Weekends: Your school-going competitors will appreciate this. Plan ahead and set your deadlines for Friday or Saturday nights, because there will always be people still finishing up on the final day who may work into the late hours of the night.


General Tips for Competing In an OCT
+
-Have Fun: First and foremost! As you will find out, OCTs really are about having fun and not about winning. In fact, most of the time you'll forget that if you win you'll receive a prize. Have fun with it while it lasts and if you're having fun you're more likely to be motivated about finishing your rounds.

-Take Risks: Ideally, your OCT is being hosted and judged by people who are looking for original ideas and creativity. Nothing wagered nothing gained; take risks with your ideas and don't be afraid to try different things.

-Be Involved: Get to know your fellow competitors and comment on one another's submissions; you'll make some interesting friends. One of the best aspects of OCTs is the community that sprouts from it, and if you miss out on it you won't be having nearly as much fun as you could. Stay up to date with announcements and comment on new submissions, you'll find that others will return the favor.

-Read Up On Your Opponent: You should know your opponent's character as best as you can when starting your round which means you will have to read their former matches as well as audition. If you have questions don't be afraid to ask, but at the same time don't be afraid to use your own interpretation. Your entry should not only portray your own character accurately, but also your opponent.

-Know the Rules and Rubrics: Be aware of what rules your OCT has in place as well as what your judges are looking for. Some OCTs have a stronger emphasis on art quality than they do on stories, and this is fine. As long as the judges state what they're looking for. If a rubric is not provided don't be afraid to ask, you shouldn't have to guess at what you're being 'graded' on. Remember to look for an OCT that suits what you're looking for and not to just 'settle' on one. If you're looking for an OCT heavy on story, be sure they're not grading you solely on art.

-Manage Your Time Wisely: This cannot be stressed enough. Two months may sound like a lot but if you do not pace yourself you will wear out every drop of sanity you have come deadline. Be aware of what you are capable of completing and know how to manage your time. If possible, try to plan to finish ahead of schedule so that if any sudden complications arise you will have margin for error.

-Speak Up: If something is bothering you, say so! The staff needs your feedback to know how they're doing and if you think something is unfair or something doesn't make sense, tell them. Ideally your staff will be reasonable and open to feedback. If they are unwilling to make changes which you think are pretty important, you may want to look elsewhere for an OCT.

-Choose an OCT Wisely: As mentioned, look around at different OCTS and don't 'settle' on one. Be sure that you are interested in the idea and that the OCT is open to what you had in mind as far as character and theme goes. Do not join an OCT if it looks like the staff are incompetent, if you feel uncomfortable with their behavior, if you think there are too many judges, or if it sounds too convoluted. OCTs are supposed to be fun and not a chore. Joining one is a commitment so make it an enjoyable one.

Black is the colour of my life, my mind  
Black is all colours
absorbing the full spectrum of lives and worlds  
thinking about them all  
drawing conclusions  
but never telling  
never giving back  
Selfish to the end.
I am Jack, the darkest of all shadows  
eternal Black

Bleeding Love part 2


The next day I awoke to the sound of chatter amongst members of the Brotherhood. All of them, wondering who I was. I rose from the bed to be met by Ocheeva.
"You gave us quiet a scare. I thought you would not wake up."
"I am fine but thank you for your concern Ocheeva" I replied kindly.
"Ah you remember my name, that's good. Well I haven't had the chance to give you a proper greeting. You my friend are in the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary. You are now a member of this family. Here you will find comfort and shelter from the law above."
"Thank you"
"As a new member, I give you this armor. It is lighter than most common leather but is black as night."
"Thank you."
"You should go see Vicente about contracts. He will be in his quarters. He will assign you contracts to carry out to earn money."
"Very well. Be seeing you and may Sithis be with you."
"May the Night Mother wrap you in her cold loving embrace."
After putting on my new armor, I went to find Vicente. Ocheeva said he would be in his quarters. He must be special to have is own private quarters. I decided to return to the main hall in the Sanctuary and start my search from there. While I was looking, I met some of the other members of the Dark Brotherhood. I encountered Antoinetta Marie, a nice woman who was like me before we came to the Sanctuary. We were both beggars struggling to live in the world. She and I get along really well.
"Oh Antoinetta, where is Vicente?" I asked her.
"Vicente is down the hall to the left. Behind the big doors. It's down from Ocheeva's room." She replied.
"Thank you."
"Your welcome, dear sister."
I followed Antoinetta's instructions. Down the hall to the left. I reached his room, which was closed. I was not sure whether to leave him alone or to knock on the door. After 5 minutes of just standing and whether or not to enter, I opened the door. The room was spacious. In the middle was a table with 2 chairs around it. On the right side of the room was a slab, probably his bed and a desk with a chest next to it. But I saw him in the chair by the table, reading a book. He looked up from his book and stared at me.
"Welcome dear daughter of Sithis. I trust you have spoken to Ocheeva about me." He put the book down on the table and stood up from the chair.
"I am Vicente Valteri. I provide assignments for new family members."
I looked closely at his face. He was pale, much more than I. His eye's were red and I saw that he had fangs. I gasped a little. I did not want to offend him.
"Please don't let my appearance…unnerve you." He said in a smooth voice. He his voice was like music. I wanted him to keep talking so I could here the music.
"I may be a vampire but I do not spill the blood of the Brotherhood." He said to calm me. He approached me slowly. We were not to far from each other now. He closed his eyes and sniffed the air. He sighed a deep sigh.
"Even though, I would love to taste the blood." He took another breath of air in. Was he talking about my blood?
I was trying to get my head in the right place. I interrupted his smelling of me.
"Ocheeva said that I should see you about a contract?" I asked with a hint of fear in my voice.
"Ah yes. A contract. Contracts are a secret pack one makes. We carry out the contract and are paid for fulfilling them. Once you complete a contract, you will return to me to receive your pay. Some contracts may have a bonus to them as well. The bonus may require killing the target in a special way. But if you do not kill the victim in the circumstances then you forfeit the bonus."
"I understand." I replied.
"Good." He said smiling. "I have your first contract. In the Waterfront district of the Imperial City, there is a ship called the Marie Elena. The contract requires that you kill the captain, Gaston Tuso. He will be in his cabin."
"Thank you, Vicente."
"Go, and may the Night Mother watch you" He said. Vicente escorted me out of his room, taking the time to smell me. Once I left his room, he slowly shut the door. As it was closing, I looked at him, his smile still on his face. I gave a small smile back to him. Then the door was shut. I then made my way out of the Sanctuary towards The Imperial City. I then decided to change out of my new armor and into the dress I wore when I murdered Rufio. I didn't want to give away that I am now the newest member of the Brotherhood to the world. I left the abandoned house and then left Cheydinhal.
The road to the Imperial City was long and tiring. It was 2 days later before I reached the city. The whole city was in an uproar to find the person who killed the man. I saw a wanted poster, not with a picture of me, but saying if anyone had information that they report it to the guards. But when I read the poster I then realized whom I had murdered. He was the son of the Count of Leyawiin. No wonder they wanted me dead. I had murdered a nobleman. I quickly left the Talos Plaza district, avoiding the guards on duty. I made my way to the Waterfront District and looked for the Marie Elena. I then remembered where the captain was. I looked around to find away onto the ship. I thought I could sneak in through the back of the ship or hide in the boxes and be moved on board. I decided that the best option would be to enter via cargo. I quietly hid in an open box then closed from the inside, so I could be truly hidden. It worked. Soon enough, the box was placed below deck. Now all I had to do was work my way up to the captain's cabin. Sneaking up into the cabin wasn't too tricky. Most of the crew was outside or at the Bloated Float for a beer. After climbing the second ladder, I was outside the cabin. The door wasn't locked at all so I did not need to fiddle with my lock picks. As I opened the door, I could hear a loud snoring coming from the bed. The captain was sleeping soundly on the bed. He was not aware his death was coming. Creeping over to the bed I took out my dagger. Holding the dagger over his throat, I sighed. Then like before, I ran the dagger through his throat. I watched him bleed to death from the wound. I did not care I ended him. I truly felt alive. It was me taking revenge on the world. I then took the key from his corpse and opened his "Booty" chest. Inside was a vast amount a gold and some fancy clothes. I decided to take them and put them in my bag. One moment after I put the last piece of gold in, I heard the door bang.
"Captain Gaston?" A voice asked in a concerned tone.
I looked around. I knew I could not leave the way I came. I then saw the other door leading to the stern of the ship. I jammed the key into the lock and opened the door. In a flash, I dove into the water, and swam away. I was hoping that they would not see how I escaped. Then again most pirates aren't very clever. The deed was done. The captain was dead, and I had escaped. I decided to return to Cheydinhal to receive my reward.
Once I had returned to the Sanctuary, Antoinetta rushed to me congratulating me on my first contract. I thanked her and hugged her. She was truly like a sister to me. She then said I should go and see Vicente. I was still very tired, so I decided to sleep for a few hours. Once I was well rested I went to Vicente. I entered his room, he was still reading a book, but I saw on the table a wanted poster. The same poster that I saw in the Imperial City reguarding the Counts son.
"So you have eliminated Gaston? Excellent. Here is your gold."
He then gave me 200 gold pieces. His eyes were still fixed on me. I did not want to look away from them.
"I hope I'm not intrupting anything." I said.
"No, your not. Please, stay for a moment. You must be tired." He replied. He went to his chest and brought two silver goblits and two bottles of wine. He gave me some of Tameka's wine, while he had a wine I had never seen before. The wine was very red. I thought it was a special wine. He just watched me as I took dantey sips of my wine. He didn't pore himself a glass for some reason.
After about 5 minutes of silence, I asked him, "If I may ask, how did you…become a vampire?"
He looked at me with a smile on his face.
"I was venturing deep in the woods of Vardenfall when I was attacked by them. I was stricken with it nearly 300 years ago. I came into the sanctuary about 100 years ago. The sanctuary was run by someone else though."
"Oh." I replied, fasinated.
"And what about you?" he asked leaning on the table. "What happened to you before this?"
"Oh me…I was a beggar. I was cast out of my family when I was 4 because of who I am.
"A woman?" He asked.
"Yes. My father wanted a son. My mother had 3 miscarriages. He was hoping to be blessed with a son. When I was 4, my mom gave birth to a boy. Now that my father had the son he wanted, he wanted me gone. He wanted me to dissapear. He casted me out of the family, leaving me for dead. For 16 years I tried to keep myself alive. I spent 12 years at an orphanage and 4 on the street."
Vicente looked at me with his beautiful eyes.
"Oh my dear, I am sorry that happened."
"It is alright." I replied. "I'm here now and I am happy."
He then laughed. "You should be."
I then giggled. He continued to look at me with his beautiful eyes. Being with him was all I wanted. I then realized that Vicente didn't pore himself some wine yet.
"Aren't you thirsty?" I asked concerned.
Vicente looked in shock then away. "Yes. Very."
"Why don't you have some of your wine?"
"It isn't wine. It's blood."
I gasped.
"I do drink blood occasionally but the bottle doesn't have any blood in it. I thought I had some but I was wrong."
He looked in pain.
I looked at him, then the floor.
"Would you like…" I gulped in air. "…some of my blood?"
His eyes flashed to mine. He rose up from his chair and approached me slowly.
"You would give me your blood?" he asked.
I sat there trembling.
"Yes..."
I rose to my feet, Vicente still coming closer to me. I looked into his eyes. His eyes burnt with hunger. Soon his hands grabbed my wrists and he pressed my back against the wall. I was nervous but I did not mind him feeding off of my blood. He looked at my neck, as I looked away. He lowered his head to my neck, sniffing my body. Then a cold rush ran along my neck where his face was. His tongue touched my neck. It was chilling, but it felt...good. Soon I could feel his breath, his mouth open for him to bite my neck. Slowly I began to shut my eyes, ut then he turned away.

"I..I can't."

"I am an apprentice wizard, not a pack mule!!!" said Marcurio, angry, as his leader carelessly dropped just another embalming tool and two linen wraps in his bag – pretty much all that could be found in that desolated crypt, but why the hell did they need to take them all?!
Bron had heard it so many times that, practically immune to the sentence, he walked out with a satisfied smile and stretched in the sunlight, of course not even waiting for his follower to drag his sack full of garbage – pardon me, precious loot – out before mounting his horse, ready to head back to Riften.
"Why are we… nngh… taking all this… wait for me!" Marcurio was even more angry knowing that gems and gold were not too heavy for Bron, as he always stored them jealously on his own person.
Bron kept on riding, but not taking the straight route; he had accumulated an impressive amount of garb- loot, yet he still wasn't sure any of it would be of use in his next, very personal quest. Maybe raiding some hidden mines and bandit camps he would stumble across just the right item. Parting with anything would cause him physical pain, but this time, the reward, ah, the magnificent reward would be totally worth it.

Vex watched, bored, as the Christmas tree was dragged in and finally placed in the middle of the Ragged Flagon. There was nothing to be excited about. Everyone would find a token package containing a few gems, maybe with something more personal, and she would receive the usual lockpick. Pretty much the only one of the Guild to get something different, as no one would ever see her wearing fancy jewels. Sapphire, of course, loved them, even if she could guess without too much effort the more precious ones were from Vipir the Fleet. He could have already made a chain necklace from all the rings he got back...

"I'm sure I'll find something perfect in there…" Bron snuck silently along a wooden fence, hoping to get to any possible opening before being spotted.

"I feel that just the right thing is somewhere in that cave..."

"Now I know for sure this is going to be the right place..."

"Oh, it looks like a crypt, and my fine rogue sense tells me th-"
"ENOUGH!" Marcurio dropped his heavy bag on the ground "you've said that three days and six bandit camps, ten caves and fourteen ruins ago! And I still have to drag all this garbage around!"
"Oh, look! Flowers!" Bron knelt down to pick the nightshade "there, take it!"
The classic drop that made the cup run over. Marcurio's back made a cracking sound as he ended up buried under his bulging bag.
"Come now, that crypt..."
"That's IT!" Marcurio stood up, dusted his robes and refused to move "I QUIT!"
"FINE!" Bron finally reacted to what he said.
"Good luck taking this garbage back to Riften!"
"Hey, hey, wait! Just to the Bee and the Barb and then..."
"No way! I'm sure I can find someone who appreciates my arcane talents more in any place! Just watch and be jealous when you see me later!"
"But Christmas..."
"It's bad enough I have to watch your mug every day, I'm not going to spend my holidays with you as well!"
Marcurio walked off, head held high. He was sure he'd find someone more likeable than Bron in no time, even in the mountain forest.
Thus Bron was left with no companion to argue with, no pack mule, a huge load of heavy loot and still no idea for a Christmas present for Vex.

"Santa doesn't exist" Vex said flatly, while examining the latest pack of lockpicks a fence had brought in.
She didn't add any comments, but to the others this clearly meant she wasn't going to blame some non-existant fat guy for the unimaginative present under the tree stolen from spriggans guarding a cursed forest. Not that she was going to treasure it: she would simply use it and throw it away. For, mysterious even more than she was beautiful, no one could ever guess what she would want for Christmas. Thus she always ended up unfolding some package, without the least hint of excitement on her face, knowing that all she would find was just another lockpick, maybe more. Occasionally made "unique" with carvings or stained gold. She didn't care, as long as they worked. Except for the one with Vex scratched on it, which she immediately broke with her bare hands. In the unlikely case that she would break it while opening an excessively intricate lock, was she going to leave her signature right there or what?!

Bron sat by Balimund's forge, wondering whether a golden lockpick with her name carved in it would please Vex. Or maybe something more sophisticated?
"Can I use your forge?" he asked Balimund.
"Sure."
Bron immediately set to work on the intricate, thin lockpick made of solid gold, with intertwining silver lines and Vex written in beautiful, gothic letters on its handle.
How would she know it's from me, that is wasn't Santa?

"Santa doesn't exist" to Vex, this simply meant she cared nothing for all the fuss surrounding Christmas.
There were jobs to do, and gathering around a tree exchanging gifts meant setbacks. She did not ever want anything in particular for Christmas.

Bron took out a scrap of paper (luckily he had collected a lot of them in various ruins), and began to write.
With love, Bron Martes.
"No way" he immediately threw it in the fire of the forge.
With love, M.
"Too vague" another piece of paper ended up in the fire.
To Vex.
"Stupid" the fire lit up again.
Merry Christmas.
"Oh, for the love of...!"
"That's enough! My fire is already too high, and I got a job to do!"
"Fine, fine, I'm sorry!"
Walking away, Bron counted the money in what used to be Balimund's purse, and smiled satisfied, sure it would be enough for some nice wrapping paper.
Still, no wrapping paper would solve the problem of Vex maybe not knowing it was he, Bron, who made the lovely locpick with his own hands. At least, not without falling into incredibly lame clichés written on the card attached. And, of course, he couldn't just walk up to Vex and give it to her – that would spoil the lovely Christmas spirit!

Vex finished counting the lockpicks, closed the bag and sighed. What was there to be so excited about? Christmas spirit?! If Rune started singing Christmas carols again, this time she really was going to stab him with a lockpick. Maybe even one of the uselessly adorned ones she was surely going to receive.

Bron counted the coins in the by then, four purses he had collected. Maybe he would find something that would help him...
Unless...
Unless...
His eyes lit up. It was complete, utter craziness – yet that very moment, as snow began to fall over Riften, he just had to do exactly that.
After all, he was the master of sneaking. He would be silent as the night. No one would ever suspect.

"Is this going to be over any time soon?" Vex muttered, leaning over her tankard.
Most of the other members of the Guild were busy hanging decorations on the Christmas tree.
"Hey Vex, this year I got you a..."
"No."
Delvin Mallory quickly scooted away, feeling chilly.
Vex couldn't wait for the moment to finally open her package, put away the usual lockpicks and get back to business.
Why did Christmas even exist? Or, if it really had to, then why were all these supposedly grown-up men and women blushing and laughing, maybe even writing letters to a non-existant guy?

"Oh, Bron! You are amazing! Let's have some Black-Briar mead at sunset by the docks, and, now that it's so chilly, we will warm each other up..."
Bron smiled, hugging Vex tightly.

Too bad all this only happened in his imagination, as he waited in the darkness for Brynjolf saying that everyone should open their presents, hoping no one would inquire about where he was. Probably off hunting dragons – and maybe coming back only for the afterparty.

"All right, lads and lasses, Santa's been here!"
"Thank goodness" sighed Vex, still waiting by the bar, ready to head for this year's lockpicks as soon as the excited crowd letting out small cries of delight cleared from around the tree.

Bron listened to the voices, then they died down. Where was Vex? Was she around?
Then he finally heard her voice.
"I think that one's mine" she said flatly, approaching the small, thin package, not caring of the huge crate casually lying by the tree.

"SURPRIIISE!"
"Hee-yah!"
(Lesson no. 24.: never, I say NEVER try to do something that might startle Vex...)
The lovely golden lockpick flew across the room and ended in the water, seemingly never to be recovered again. Bron, knocked out, fell back in the crate.
"All right, whose idiotic idea was this?!" Vex, sparks in her eyes, looked around the room.
Nobody dared to move.
"Typical. Must have been yours" Vex looked at Bron in contempt.

At least for one part, Bron got what he wanted. When he came to, the first thing he saw was Vex's face, a slight smile playing on her lips.
"But maybe... maybe this isn't such a bad idea..."

"Something strong, please, Keerava" Bron asked at the Bee and the Barb.
Bad enough that his lovely lockpick was lost forever, but Vex wasn't happy because it was him in the crate. She didn't even give him a thank you kiss or at least a pat on the shoulder – however that punch was quite sweet. She just said it could be a good idea, but he could have simply told her instead of acting like a sugar-high schoolboy trying to play a prank on his teacher. Thieves hidden inside crates and disguised as presents.
"Santa doesn't exist" said Vex "but some idiots believe he does. Not such a bad idea, but can be played only at Christmas."
No guard will ever think there is something wrong with a shipped crate.
This wasn't, though, what Bron was aiming for. Not Vex making plans for next Christmas – he wanted Vex to smile at him happily! And now he didn't even have Marcurio to argue with to let out some of the steam!
"I heard that wizard has teamed up with a female blacksmith" Keerava came back with his drink.
"Uh-huh."
So carrying ore ingots, hammers and coal was more pleasing than carrying his very precious loot?!
"Oh, that-"
"BRON!"
"Speak of the devil!"
Bron stared in disbelief at Marcurio running in, heading towards him with a radiant smile.
"I thought I'd never find you! Can we go off, and can I carry some of your loot?"
Bron blinked a couple of times, then took out his bow, his stare dark.
"All right, where's the wizard that used Soul Trap on you?!"
Marcurio just shook his head.
"And just why do you think I want to travel with you again?!" Bron waved.

That's why, of course, five minutes later Bron and Marcurio were on the road again – or rather, Bron riding his horse and Marcurio lagging behind, dragging a huge bag of loot. He never looked so happy since many months.

"So she didn't have you carry her loot?"
"No... uh, she... can't we talk about something else?" Marcurio looked embarrassed "I swear I'll never complain again!"

Bron threw some ruined books, a few flowers and a candlestick in the sack. Maybe hidden under all those things, maybe in the next cave or ruin, he would stumble across just the right thing...
"I am an apprentice wizard, not a pack mule!!!"

THE END

Name: B'jaaku AKA "Figment"

Race: Khajiit

Gender: Male

Height/Weight: 5'9''/ 170 lb.

Age: Early 20's for a Khajiit

Eyes/Hair: Yellow/Short brown hair with those big sideburns

Fur: Tan and brown

Alignment: CN

Major Skills: Illusion, Destruction (Lightning), Sneak, Pickpocket

Apparel: Apprentice-style robes and hood, shrouded boots, thief's gloves, golden earrings

Attitude towards Strangers: Playful, but dismissive

Attitude towards Friends: Playful and kind

Goals: Just to relax and have fun while mastering illusion magic. He'd like to develop a spell that kills people with their own nightmares.

Religion/Beliefs: None, but he finds Sheogorath amusing.

Fighting Styles: Depending on his mood/contract, B'jaaku will either hide in the shadows or go invisible while disintegrating his foes with lightning bolts; or he will manipulate his enemies by forcing them to fight each other or run away in fear. If he gets bored, he'll repeatedly send his foes into a rage and then calm them down.

Favored Spells: Frenzy, Thunderbolt, Invisibility

Dominant Hand: Ambidextrous, but prefers his right paw.

Primary Organization: The Dark Brotherhood, formerly the College of Winterhold

Living Family: Probably, maybe. He hasn't seen them in awhile.

Profession: Assassin/Thief

Friends: Huzei, maybe? XD

Enemies: Arnbjorn. Khajiit and werewolves don't mix.

Hometown: Falkreath

Current Status: Completing contracts for the Dark Brotherhood while moonlighting as a thief for the Thieves Guild.

Background:

Being Dragonborn may be the least interesting thing about B'jaaku. B'jaaku was born to a trade caravan Khajiit couple that took residence in Falkreath Hold. At a young age, it became clear that he was gifted in the ways of magic. When he was 3 years old, he miraculously turned himself invisible, much to his parents' chagrin who were unable to locate the toddler for a good portion of the day. However, this feat, while impressive, was not something he would be able to replicate until many years later.

As he grew older, his parents taught him the ways of stealth, something that comes naturally to most Khajiit. He was able to utilize rudimentary illusion spells he had taught himself over the years to assist in sneaking around camps. During one of these practice runs, he was spotted by a couple of bandits who assumed that he had stolen some of their loot. B'jaaku froze. Being only a novice of destruction magic and childish in melee combat, he was afraid that this would be his end. With no way to escape, he decided to try the Fury spell that he had been working on over the past few weeks. He had yet to cast it correctly, but he was out of options. As the bandits rushed toward him, B'jaaku concentrated and sent two spells directly at his foes. For a moment, he thought he had failed yet again as their charge was unhindered, but after several more steps, the two bandits turn to one another and started swinging. Shouting loudly, the bandits cut each other to ribbons. A few moments later, only one remained, bloodied and broken. Seeing the bandit weakened, B'jaaku tried another new spell: a lightning bolt to the face. Success. The bandit collapsed, shuttering with electricity. B'jaaku felt back onto the ground, letting out a sigh of relief. As he lay there, he began to laugh. He wasn't sure why exactly, but he suddenly found the whole situation hilarious. After he calmed down a bit, he returned to the caravan camp and explained what happened to his parents. While they were both proud and impressed of his talents, they were at the same time concerned for his safety. So, they sent him to the College of Winterhold to learn to control his powers.

Upon arriving in Winterhold, he was accepted to the College immediately, as they were desperate for new students. Over the course of 3 years, he mastered several new illusion spells and expanded his knowledge of the destruction school. He took a particular shine to the shock element. If asked why he chose that particular element, he would respond by saying, "The way the lightning tickles my fingers makes me laugh." It was also during his time at the College that he became friends with Huzei.

However, after 3 years he eventually became bored with the College. He was sick of reading dusty old tomes and attending lectures with wizards that had no sense of humor. He decided that it would be best to leave and go adventuring on his own. Through his journeys, he could experiment with new spells and practically apply them in the field. So, after saying goodbye to Huzei, he set off into Skyrim.

During his travels, he came across a company of solders fighting off what appeared to be a dragon. He assisted in killing it, which lead to the discovering of his Dragonborn blood. He was excited to learn more about this strange new power, but he swore that he would not let it define him as a Khajiit. When the solders finally stopped gawking, B'jaaku went on his way.

B'jaaku would eventually be recruited by the Dark Brotherhood for his silent casting skills and natural stealth abilities. Here, he found his true calling, a place where he could put all of his talents to good use. In this dysfunctional family, he also met Arnbjorn. He and Arnbjorn immediately took a disliking to one another. Not only were their assassination methods polar options, but werewolves and Khajiit don't tend to comingle well. Despite the tension, B'jaaku was welcomed into the organization.

During a trip to Riften for a Brotherhood contract, B'jaaku came in contact with Brynjolf of the Thieves Guild. After mentioning something about the amount of coin he was carrying, he invited B'jaaku to join the guild. B'jaaku said that he already had prior responsibilities to another organization, but he'd be happy to do the occasional job for the Guild.

Ansatsuken: 暗殺拳 Murderous/Assassin's Fist

This deadly fighting style is used by many, but mastered by few. As one can deduce from the name, its primary use is for assassination, as nearly every move, special or otherwise, is designed to be a crippling or killing blow to the target.

The style is based not off of a certain style per se, but a loose concept, the origin of which is unknown. Some link it to Japan's Feudal Eras, others trace it to other countries. The elderly Chinese fighter known as Gen practices this concept with two interchangeable styles of Kung Fu, the Mourning Mantis and Hateful Crane. This analysis, however, will focus on the version created by Goutetsu.

Goutetsu: The founder of Ansatsuken Karate. He combined moves from Karate, Judo and Kenpo, and, with the application of ki, made his own style. The end result was a style that is, as a whole, lethal. He was aware of how violent his art was, but apparently did not think much on it. He knew about the Satsui no Hado and its dangers, even as he taught his students, Gouken and Akuma. If he had been more wary, it's likely that Akuma would not have been able to kill him.

These are its current living practitioners, by order of strength. While only one's fighting mannerisms are deadly enough to be considered murderous, all of these warriors practice a similar style and will be loosely referred to as practitioners of Ansatsuken for the sake of this analysis.

Dan Hibiki: This showoff was kicked out of Gouken's dojo for wanting to use the style for revenge. Nowadays, he uses a variation of the style's basics mixed with his father's, and calls it Saikyo-ryu. This, along with the relentless taunting, makes Dan the weakest Ansatsuken warrior (if you can call him that) out there. However, he doesn't lose EVERY fight. In fact, he has the potential to beat most fighters out there, given the right circumstances. It's just a shame that he's blinded by his own ego and self-satisfaction to go any further.

Sean Matsuda: He's still a novice, but takes fighting more seriously than Dan does, and, therefore, is stronger than him. Sean adds his own flair to the style and has considerable power, but still has a long way to go before he can play with the big boys.

Sakura Kasugano: The first female to use Ansatsuken is a force to be reckoned with. The high school girl has a lot of power and USES it. Her moves are somewhat unpolished since they are self-taught, but they certainly get the job done. She is currently trying her best to juggle training and schoolwork, though her number one desire is to learn from her idol/crush, Ryu. It will be interesting to see how far she is able to take her training. Do not underestimate her, at any rate.

Ken Masters: His last name should be your first clue. Ken is a very powerful fighter with an ego to match. In fact, his student, Sean, reminds Ken of himself when he was younger. Masters focuses mainly on the Shōryū (Rising Dragon) principle of Ansatsuken, and has taken it a long way. He's not the strongest, but he is certainly one of the best. Just ask him.

Ryu: The strongest of Gouken's Ansatsuken school, Ryu has dedicated his life to mastering and perfecting this style, walking the path of the true warrior. He focuses on the Hadō (Surge) principle. If you think he's perfect, you might be on to something, but tell Ryu that, and he'll deny it flatout. No matter how many fighters he's beaten (TONS), he's always looking for the one fight that will bring his search to an end. Whether or not he'll find it remains to be seen.

It's a proven fact that Ryu, like all who practice this style, possesses the ability to awaken the Satsui no Hadō power that enslaved Akuma. Keeping this Pandora's Box closed is an eternal struggle for the lonely warrior, sealed or not. Should he succumb to the urge, he will become a crazed warrior, destroying anything and anyone in his way. One can only hope that he will be able to attain the power of nothingness and bring this torture to an end.

Akuma (Gouki): One of the strongest Ansatsuken warriors ever to walk the earth...and, unfortunately, the most dangerous. He is not interested in fighting/killing at random, however, and will not bother going all out if his opponent cannot (IF he chooses to fight someone weaker at all). When Gen's leukemia disease was brought into the light, for example, Akuma left him be with honor. Anyone who challenges him and proves themselves worthy of his best, however, will run the risk of facing a cold, merciless death. Akuma doesn't let anything get in the way of victory. Not mercy, not morality...or even family. That was made clear the day he nearly killed Gouken, his own brother, in a rematch duel. Akuma, however, believed he hadn't committed murder. As far as he's concerned, it was just another battle, the strong besting the weak in a fight to the death. That's what the Satsui no Hadō does to you when fully embraced.

Gouken: Older brother of Akuma and master of Ryu and Ken. Gouken's personal fighting methods are more based on self-defense rather than outright aggressive tactics. He didn't believe that Ansatsuken should be used for killing, so he didn't incorporate the lethal moves (such as the Shun Goku Satsu) into his school. For years it had been assumed that he met his end at the blood-soaked hands of Akuma, but it appears that he has managed to attain the power of nothingness, taking his power to a level high enough to survive even the Shun Goku Satsu (though the ordeal did leave him in a coma, hence the long absence from the world of the living). Once he awoke, he wandered, testing all the new fighters that have emerged, imparting guidance to each. After this, he tested his beloved pupils and sealed the Satsui no Hado within Ryu. Shortly after that, he found himself facing down Akuma for Round 3. While the outcome is unknown, both brothers seem to have survived.

After all this time, though, he seems to be just as jovially stern with Ryu and Ken as he was during training, though he insists that he no longer has the need to guide them. At any rate, it is good to see him alive and well.

Kuruoshiki Oni: Make no mistake, this creature is no longer Akuma. This is the result of the cursed warrior allowing the Satsui no Hadō to overwhelm him. Whatever he is, he is not human, nor is he bound by the loose sense of honor Akuma once had. He exists only to destroy all life, no matter how small and insignificant. Those who face Oni may be digging an early grave...

As you can see, Ansatsuken is not a style to be taken lightly. Those who practice it are in as much danger as those who fight against it. One thing is for sure, though: it kicks much butt.

Additional analysis will be submitted at a later date.

(If you must debate me on this and other analyses, please contact me elsewhere. Thank you.)

The rusted iron gate opened with a groan, as if it were the voice of the tired land it guarded. I stepped just inside taking a deep breath as I examined the garden of stone in front of me. The night air was cool but comfortably so, just as the night had been my love had left. I walked my usual path of cobblestone overgrown with roots and weeds. As always, I passed a great deal of impressive markers, some however showed their great age. The crooked path eventually led me to my goal. On top of a small hill lay a lone tomb stone under an old oak, the inscription long worn away.

The already overcast and moonless sky began to grow even darker and rain soon started to fall. I sat down beside the headstone and watched the water drop from the leaves of the tree. After several silent hours had passed, the rain had subsided and the clouds broke giving way to a rising sun. I gazed out at the dim horizon and waited for the dawn, signaling my time to leave. Next year I will appear again, and will continue to do so as I have for two hundred years prior. I will wait for your return, my love. Always.