Samurii woman

She stands perched atop the clifface, gazing over the valley below, she can see a number of troops massing at the mouth of the valley, they appear from this distance to be well prepared for their planned assult on her city. The sun is setting behind them, over the ocean, where their vessels lay waiting for their triumphant return, her bright green eyes harden, creasing at the edges, she will do everything in her power to thwart that plan of theirs. The light from the sun is now directly behind the troops, throwing them into silhuette, lighting up her jet black hair, loosely tied up into a bun atop her head, in this light her skin shines with an orange hue, unnatural for her people, who were mostly brown, or in the case of the 'ladies' white. She pulls her twin swords from their sheaths at her back, sits and begins to sharpen her steel, they would need to be as sharp as light to do what she was going to have to do next. As she methodically sharpens her blades she continues to observe the coming troops, They were going to have a hard time getting through the valley, where her and her brother had the higher ground, her brtoher would be able to pick off their best fighters with his crossbow and arrows. But, that wouldn't stop them all she new, and the fight would still come. These troops were not human, they were malevolence, things that would normally stop a man in his tracks, would be brushd off as mere insect bites for many of them. What concerned her the most was that even if they beat them all, she would still be there, her abiltiy to purge out new troops at the drop of a thimble was grotesque. She doubted that she or her brother or their allies would be able to do much to stop her, and that, ultimately, was what they needed to do. that would mean the fall of the last sanctuary, for what they protected and what they held dear was at the end of this valley, where a giant forest lay, and below that was eadne. It broke herr heart to conceive that these creatures were this close. The only saving grace she had was that the valley below was not what it appeared to be, many lost their way through the labyrinth that served to confuse a blind traveller, many of the alleys becomming dead ends; bottlenecks for a man with a good eye and arrows. And after the labyrinth, there was the forest, whose trees were not rooted to the ground, misleading and trapping many. She figured it would take them close to two months for these invaders to pierce through the illusions and mazes, then. It would be up to them to save the final breath, the knowledge, the worlds heartbeat. Gaia.

The dream harvester/ my physical theatre script

(Cast moves into position ,begin by lining up on either side of the stage, heads leaning to the side, randomly reaching to the opposite side of the stage, gasping audibly with each reaching movement , this is done to Tassels by Aphex Twin. This is all done in very low light, a scientist walks to the front of the stage and is fixed with a single spot/ black out on rest of stage, she is shadowed at all times by an assistant[very much like Igor])
Scientist: (Clears throat, this speech should be very grandiose and showy) Ladies and Gentlemen, the experiment that you are about to witness will delve deep into the subconscious. What we will see may remind many of us, of things that we would usually wish to forget, our dreams, or, to be more specific, our nightmares. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to finally share with you our newest technological advance, a little gadget we would like to call the “Dream Harvester.” Now, we here at development inc. Are pleased to announce that you can have control over the once uncontrollable, have control, over your dreams. I am sure that all of you have dreams that you would like to eliminate from your nightly dreaming repertoire. Great for children who cannot sleep through the night, trauma victims and we are pleased to also share that the ‘Dream Harvester’ has been of much success with our officers of war. It can even remove those nasty, obsessive or recurring dreams. Let me bore you no longer with my chatter and you can see for yourself.
(Igor gets in the Scientists way, constantly fawning over her.)
Scientist: Out of my way! You useless creature
Igor: Yes master, (Shuffles to the side of the stage, following The Scientist)
(Fade up lights, Scientist moves back and takes a seat separated from the three case study chairs by a screen, the dreamers are unable to see what happens to each other and sit as though in a waiting room when they are not participating in the experiment)
(Out walks the Dreamers, they sit on a row of chairs set to the side of the stage)
(as Dreamer one starts, the sleepers roll to the edge of the stage)
Dreamer number One: (Stands up and walks to the front of the stage ,has the dream harvester put on her, lowers to the floor and shuts her eyes) My dream begins fairly ordinarily, I wake up as if from a long sleep and find that I am alone, in a grass field. As far as I can see, there is grass, in all directions. The grass smells so good, like it is wet and has just been cut, I roll over, it’s soft like feathers. Delightedly I begin to jump and run through it, giggling uncontrollably. Grass! Millions of square miles of it... a hundred rippling oceans, each ripple a gleam of scarlet or amber, emerald or turquoise... the colours shivering over the prairies... Sapphire seas of grass with dark islands of grass bearing great plumy trees which are grass again. Eventually I realise that I’m alone, or appear to be alone. How could a place be void of life? (The dreamers snap foreward gasping on 'void of life') I call out......Hello.......Hello, is there somebody there? Anybody? (Each time she calls out her voice gets more and more frantic, after a while her voice lowers, becomes enquiring and mouselike) Hello? Hello? Hello?
(The sleepers sigh collectively, they begin to echo/ repeat what case study one has to say)
Dreamer number one: Hello? Is there anybody there..... I’d like to go home now.

(Dreamers are arranged around the stage looking away,
Dreamer Number one: (Shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath, when she opens her eyes, the Sleepers are silent, studying her enquiringly, poking her and prodding her.) Who are you? What do you want from me? Please leave me alone, stop touching me. (Dreamer tries to shy away from the sleepers, but find that she is frozen to the spot and cannot move)
Dreamer Number One: I’m stuck..... I can’t move, It feels as though there are invisible ropes holding me still, they get tighter and tighter, until I can barely breathe. I can see that the creatures are getting closer to my face, they smell sweet, like carrion.
(Dreamer ones face registers their shock and fear, the sleepers notice also and begin to laugh raucously, callously, getting more and more boisterous with her.) (Their face turns into a silent scream, the group mimic them and turn to face the audience, moving slowly towards them. Most turn and pick up dreamer one carrying her to the back of the stage, She reaches to the audience but disappears into the pile of sleepers. The rest of the sleepers stay at the front and follow slower. As she disappears into the pile they turn to the audience)
Sleepers: Now you are ours......
(The Sleepers are creating a cacophony of sound, scratching and slapping their bodies, while hissing at the audience, this can be accompanied by screeching and hysterical laughter, Dracula/ animals growling)
Scientist: Stop that!... (Composes themselves, send Igor over to settle the Sleepers) Now, as you can see... quite a traumatic experience for our first dreamer of the evening. With the use of Development inc.’s Dream Harvester, all negative experiences of this manner could quite easily be eliminated from your nights. (Clears throat and walks with purpose back to Dreamer one, who is now on the floor, alone, curled into a ball, who they poke with the tip of their shoe. There is no response the first time and the scientist repeats the action, a little harder every time)
Dreamer Number one: (Lifts Head and covers their eyes with their arm to gaze at the scientist)
Scientist: Well my dear how was that.... did you enjoy your dream?
Dreamer Number one: No M’aam, not at all, I’d rather not experience the second half of that one ever again, if given the choice, I would definitely eliminate it from my nights.. (She looks suspiciously over to the sleepers, who are now lined up at the back of the stage.)
Scientist : Well you have heard it for yourselves ladies and gentlemen, but let us not base our decision on merely one persons experiences,. Let us see what our second dreamer has for us. (Scientist pushes Dreamer number one back to their chair) Back you go now. Now Dreamer number two, would you like to please join us.? (They jump up eagerly, only glancing at the first dreamer who now looks haunted and flighty, she then looks at Igor who roughly drags sleeper number two onto the stage, pushing them forward)
Dreamer Number Two: Why yes, yes I would like to tell you about my dream....
Scientist: Shush now, you will be given a cue on when to speak.
(They put on the Dream harvester, and as previously the dreamer slumps to the ground seemingly asleep)
Dreamer Number Two: Well I have the same dream every night....... It starts and I am at a carnival. Usually I love carnivals and this one is spectacular, it is the brightest, loudest and most interesting carnival I’ve ever seen. I’m finding it difficult to believe just how amazing it is, all of the rides are intricate constructions that I’ve never even dreamed of. And the sideshow, a collection of freaks so unnerving surely could never have been done before.
(A number of the Sleepers line up behind her like the clowns at the fair.)
Dreamer Number Two: Everyone around me is having fun, but not me... I, on the other hand, keep feeling that something really bad is going to happen.
(the sleepers begin to turn their heads, singing the carnival theme, two of the sleepers rise and like over exaggerated clowns they move over to Dreamer 2))
Dreamer Number Two: I try to get involved, I go on a couple of the rides and peak at the freaks in the sideshow. My friends cannot stop laughing, they look to be having the best time, and I am too
(The 2 sleepers torment dreamer 2, while the rest of the sleepers form a circle around her and begin to move around her/ rising and falling like a merry go round, as they pass the audience they smile and wave grotesquely at them)
Dreamer Number Two: But all the sounds and the bright lights begin to frighten me, I lose all of my friends, I move to the edge of the fair to try and get away.
Dreamer Number Two: I find myself alone, very, very alone.
Dreamer Number Two: I sit down and eventually doze off.
(Dreamer Two falls asleep, the sleepers move into position around her, creating a type of cage, they begin to tickle and poke her to wake her up.)
Dreamer Number Two: I rouse from my nap and find that when I wake up I am very tightly squeezed into the mechanics of a merry go round, at the moment I am fine, but getting more and more frantic, if the ride starts (Gulps). I’m a goner
(the merry go round circle gets smaller and faster, more erratic)
Dreamer Number Two: I try to scream but no-one can hear me. I keep screaming and struggling to free myself, my voice is hoarse and my throat so raw that it burns. I hear a mighty clunk, and watch desperately as on the other side of the engine, is beginning to move, I have minutes, if not seconds.
(The sleepers open their mouths in a silent scream, the space that she is trapped in is getting smaller and smaller, her arms and legs begin to stick out of the gaps)
Dreamer Number Two: I’m almost tearing my skin off in my haste to try and free myself, I’m too late, the movement has reached me. I’m going to be crushed alive, It’s agonizing, I never thought a pain so excruciating could even exist. All I want to do is make IT STOP
(As Dreamer two say’s “stop” the sleepers slow down and freeze, while looking at her.)
The Sleepers: Crushing, Crushing , crushing,
Grinding Squishing little bones
Crushing , Crushing, Crushing.
Grinding Squishing Little bones
Dreamer Number Two: This is where I wake UP! (The sleepers scuttle back to the back of the stage, reaching out and being pulled back, like they are trapped with a giant rubber band))
(Lights up, the scientist stands and walks over the dreamer two)
Scientist: My, My that must be very traumatising for you EVERY night. (looks conspiratorially at Igor)
Dreamer Number Two: Yessum, but there are the good bits, I enjoy the first part… (Her voice is very small)
Scientist: (with a flick of the wrist) Go back to the waiting area now and get Dreamer number Three for me please. (To Igor, who fails to respond at first, gets his foot stood on by the scientist/ motivating him)
Dreamer Number two: Does this mean that I will no longer...
(Scientist turns and glares at Dreamer number two until she complies, goes to the waiting area and grabs dreamer three, as the third dreamer goes to walk away, dreamer two and one make as if to stop them, but then think better of it.)
Scientist: Soo, as you are beginning to see beyond a doubt Ladies and gentlemen, these err, so called nightmares can be considerably disturbing for the purveyor. As I am sure that you yourselves, ladies and Gentlemen are most aware, otherwise you would not be here partaking with us of this revolutionary experiment. Let us continue with our final dreamer for the evening, Dreamer number three, please come forward. (During this speech Igor is fawning over the scientist/ picking lint off her costume, nits out of her hair, like a monkey grooming)
Igor: Master, I would like to have those dreams... any dream at all really.
Scientist: Silence! No one asked you to speak. (looks at Dreamer number three)
(As with the previous dreamers they don the dream harvester, fall into sleep and then begin talking.)
Dreamer Number three: I’m climbing up a sheer cliff, as fast as I can, up until this point in my dream my climb, although fast has been relaxing. After a while, I realise that there is something behind me, I risk a look and see a hunched figure scaling the cliff behind me. I speed up, there’s something about the creature that makes me want to get away from it and fast. (Dreamer three and the sleepers gaze slowly upwards, indicating the sheer size of the cliff face) By speeding up I keep losing my grip on the loose rocks, making me scrabble to hold on.
(While Dreamer three is describing the climb the sleepers begin climbing along the ground towards Dreamer number three)
Dreamer Number Three: I refuse to look down, for if I do I will see what it is that I am climbing so desperately to get away from. Every time I lose my grip my pursuer inches closer. (The sleepers look down behind them fearfully) I can feel it’s breath on my ankles. I manage to push some of the loose stones down with my feet. I hear it lose it’s grip also, sliding further away. In my haste, I lose my own. (the sleepers grab dreamer threes legs, giving her support) )I begin to slip down the cliff, I’m tearing at the rocks with my nails, my hands are bleeding and the blood makes everything so slippery, I try so hard to grab onto something, anything. I feel that things claws digging into my ankle, it hurts, but the fear of being caught is more pressing, I panic further, I can barely breathe, every time I take a breath the air is scalding my throat. As a last resort I push away, from the cliff kicking the thing in the face to dislodge it with my other foot, I’m now soaring through the air. Me, soar through the air, this has to be better than being chased. As I fall through the air I can see the sun shining, It’s so bright. I turn my head, a star is out, I reach to touch it (Dreamer 3 and the sleepers all reach to touch the star) and it is at that moment that I reach the ground. (the sleepers stamp the box, dreamer 3 falls forward and slumps onto one of the sleepers.) On impact I wake up to find myself in a room, I’m still dreaming, (sleepers turn and face away from dreamer 3 ) I peer out of the window to see a shadowy figure moving steadily towards me. I gasp in horror (the sleepers all gasp), It hears, I quickly try to hide, knowing all the time that it is futile. I find a small, dark space and weep silently, fearfully, I can see the creature through the slats in the cupboard door (Sleepers raise their arms to symbolise the slats), it is moving, unfalteringly towards me, there is nowhere that I can be safe, except if I wake up…..With this knowledge and with huge effort I wrench myself awake... ( sleepers react to dreamer 3 waking by removing themselves to block the other three dreamers from view) this time, thankfully it is for real. My heart is pounding, I’m cold and sweaty.
Scientist: Now, you have this dream regularly?
Dreamer Number three: Yes, since I was a child.
Scientist: Good, good, let us then ladies and gentlemen eradicate these people their terrifying nights, why just three hours of treatment with the ‘Dream Harvester’ and they will be dream free... pardon me... Nightmare free.
Dreamer Number Three: What do you mean, dream free..
Scientist: Well, the unfortunate sacrifice is that if you forsake your nightmares, the good dreams must also be eliminated.
Now Ladies and Gentlemen I know what you are thinking, I haven’t shown you anything but bad dreams and well you would be right, so without further ado, a demonstration of Development inc.’s brand new ‘Dream Harvester’.
(The sleepers surround all three dreamers, the lights flash and there are lots of electronic sounds, the sleepers ring like a oven timer, part and reveal the two first dreamers staring blankly)
Scientist: An Voila, now we have two young people that will no longer be tormented by their dreams.
(the sleepers part and reveal the three dreamers, hair frazzled, large vacant smiles on their faces, there is no attempt to communicate with the dreamers, the sleepers look from the dreamers to the scientist and back again. The shake their heads in disapproval)
The Sleepers: No! It’s not right, It’s not, we all need to dream, take away the bad dreams and the good will follow. We need the laughter, smiles dreams of change and futures.
(Igor nods emphatically agreeing)
Scientist: How dare you, you are merely my assistants, here to assist in the transition from dreams to dreamless nights, it is not your place to question. And you Igor, my trusted one, you’re dead to me now. DEAD TO ME!
The Sleepers: We need all of them... otherwise we falter.
(They are all silenced by a furious glare from the scientist, guiltily they move back to their positions)
Dreamer Number three: (Stands up, her speech is slow and stilted, like speaking is a second language showing her nerves at speaking up) I remember my other dream, the one that comes with the falling...... I’m floating on the fluffiest, whitest cloud I have ever seen (The sleepers move towards her as is mesmerised, they look into the air, as though they can see what she is describing). I bounce from cloud to cloud, giggling like when I was a child. This is great! I jump higher and higher, until I find that I am flying, as I lean forward I move through the air, the sun.... is so warm and bright... Will I still dream this dream?
Scientist: No, (Dreamers hiss as if burnt, retreating to the left of the stage where they line up to make 5 lines) as I stated just before, all things connected with the original dream will be deleted this is including the good dreams, a minor glitch in the hardware, that I assure you will be sorted promptly.
(Dreamer Three hangs her head dejectedly and walks miserably back to her seat)
Scientist: Anyway, now for our final dreamer, I trust that you are still interested ladies and Gentlemen. (Doesn’t wait for a response) Aah dreamer number four.. where are you?
(Looks at Igor, who gazes adoringly at her, yet still showing fear at the scientists recent outburst)
Scientist: Find her… NOW.
(Igor walks off stage and drags Dreamer 4 behind him, she looks dejected and scared)
Dreamer Number Four: I don’t want to relive my dream…. I hate it, it’s the worst place in the world. (She forcibly has the dream harvester placed on her, she looks very distressed)
Dreamer Number Four: I’m on the beach at a party; all of my friends are there. We are celebrating my birthday, it has been the best day of my life, never; have I felt more appreciated. I never dreamed that there would be this many people supporting me. (Sleepers begin lifting their arms up and down, rhythmically to symbolise the rise and fall of the surf) The night comes to a close, all night all I have heard is people laughing and enjoying themselves. Gradually the fire dies down, people begin to part and leave, I find myself sitting in the moist sand, the moon is huge and yellow, slowly rising over the ocean. It gets cold, I’m shivering. For some reason, I’m drawn towards the ocean, I can hear it calling me, all other sounds disappear from my awareness, all I can hear is the rise and fall of the surf. (sleepers begin making shhh sounds to symbolise the sound of the surf) I keep walking, I walk into the surf, fully clothed, (Dreamer four begins to retreat into the circle formed by the sleepers/ moving into the ‘waves’) I try to stop moving, but it is as though my legs have a mind of their own. I’m beginning to get scared, I’ve never been a strong swimmer, I don’t want to be going into the ocean, please….. I really want to get out now. The waves are getting bigger the water is inky black and freezing cold, I’m almost expecting it to be frozen over it’s that cold. Each time a wave breaks, I lose my breath, the cold knocking it out of me, it’s brutal, like a punch in the face. (Sleepers punch their hands, mimicking the sound of the punch) Still my legs move onwards, I can barely touch the ground now, my toes brushing the sand with the crushing of each new wave, I want to stay afloat, and yet I need to feel the sand under my toes. The biggest of waves is coming towards me, I know this because of the giant wall of black that is blocking the rising moon (the sleepers move in slow motion, their arms rising and staying raised, until dreamer three goes under, they then move their arms swiftly downwards, pushing dreamer 4 under, accompanied by a whooshingsound), moving swiftly towards me. I go under, my head pops above the water soon after, spluttering for breath, and the cold is driving all oxygen from my body. I go under again, (the sleepers move in slow motion, their arms rising and staying raised, until dreamer three goes under, they then move their arms swiftly downwards, pushing dreamer 4 under, accompanied by a whooshingsound), I try to scream but my lungs are filled with water. It’s pointless, I’m going under again, I reach for the sky, it’s falling further and further away, the moon is distorted through the ocean, it looks wobbly and too far away. My last attempt to get above water, I push off the ground, but I can’t get through the surface it’s now covered in Ice, I try to bang it as hard as I can with my fist. I can feel the hands of the water pulling me down into its depths, when did it become so deep? (The sleepers cover her eyes and grab at her limbs, gradually they close the gap and the audience can no longer see her through them, all we can see are their backs) I take one last gasping breath of water. (The sleepers take a collective breath, coughing at the end of it) It’s too much, my mind shuts down, slowly, I can still feel the pain of the cold water crushing my lungs and my body, then there is no more…. All is black.
(the sleepers and dreamer four fall to the ground and the stage falls into black)
Scientist: Quite terrifying ….(Her voice sounds from the darkness, she moves into the single spot) Another dream that, ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure many of you would like to see eliminated.
(Dreamer four nods remorsefully)
Dreamer number four: I would like to get rid of it yes, but these dreams are what makes me who I am....
Scientist: Good night ladies and gentlemen (She talks over the top of Dreamer four, silencing her), I trust that you will judge for yourselves, but I can assure you that the ‘Dream Harvester’ will be a very fine investment for all of those who are interested please contact my company Development Inc. For further information.
(As the scientist goes to exit the stage, via the front the sleepers don hats etc and become reporters in a media frenzy, the scientist tries to escape through the audience, but the reporters are very tenacious)
Reporter 1: Do you have any response to claims that your ‘Dream Harvester’ is immoral and will lead to many more inherent problems with the human psyche?
Scientist: No Comment.
Reporter 2: Have you yourself tried it?
Scientist: No Comment.
Reporter 3: Isn’t this just another form of playing god? How can you justify controlling people to this extent?
Scientist: Now wait just a minute! (turns and faces them) All of these people have their own will... I am merely providing them with the tools.
Reporter 1: But isn’t that still giving people too much power? What about the possibilities of the ‘Dream Harvester’ falling into the wrong hands as a form of mind control or even torture?
Scientist: That’s enough! All I wanted to do was help people... to help us all.... (walks slowly away.)
Reporter 1: Surely Nightmares are not that bad, wouldn’t you say that this type of dream usually represents a lack of progress in the dreamers life, providing a means for these people to solve conflict in the real world… how do you say that this is bad thing?
Scientist: No comment, now please (tiredly) kindly leave me alone.
(Reporter 2, poses his final question to the audience, leaving the onus on them
Reporter 2: But surely the loss of the good dreams is too much of a sacrifice for even the biggest nightmare or night terror sufferers, you will be creating a generation of insane people!!! Is that really what we want? Really?
(The sleepers/ reporters turn and walk back to the front of the stage, quietly they start singing the chorus from just a man, getting louder and louder until the end.) Blackout.
Igor: (Spoken) Man was born to love
But often he has sought
Like Icarus to fly to high-
And far to lonely than he ought
To kiss the sun at east and west
And hold the world at his behest
To hold a terrible power
To whom only gods are blessed
But me, I am just a man”
(Whole cast, raising their arms in the air, singing)
“And every night I shut my eyes,
so I don’t have to see the light,
shining so bright
I dream about the cloudy sky,
about a cloudy sky.
And every night I shut my eyes
But now I’ve got them open wide, open wide.

Chapter One: What once was.

Chapter 1.
What Once Was

Before the concept of time was formed and manifested, the web of life had been intertwined with those forms of magic and magical creatures that we have long forgotten about. Believed and sought after by young innocents and those who had finally come to understand the very nature of things, for you see, it is these magical creatures that hold the key.

The Web of Life has been weaving its chaotic stitches for longer than even the elders can remember, intertwining all the elements of creation to construct its interconnected netting. The substance which gives all life its breath. Then, the web started to form complex images from which all forms of life appeared. Within these early life forms were combined all of the knowledge and memories of the web from which they had risen. (the Primordial consciousness if one may). Many of these creatures (both plant and animal)were equipped with naught but instinct and the fundamental knowledge that they shared with all living things their collective mind.

Some of these creatures were born or rose with something else. They too harboured instinct as well as the knowledge and memories of the web itself however they felt love which was accompanied by consciousness and thus with these attributes came understanding and if one may wisdom. Out of the web they crawled into an ominously large space filled with mountainous land masses and large broiling bodies of water. Each different species headed in a different direction, looking for somewhere that felt like home. Many of these groups were dissatisfied with the local terrain and set off to search for their own private sanctuaries. Of these groups many kept on with their tireless exploration of what was now their world. A large number of these groups found solace in the plains within the protection of the surrounding grasses. Others, still at a loss, kept on with their seemingly endless trek. Of these, many sank down into the depths of the ocean, finding peace beneath the surface of her undulating waves, adapting as became necessary.

Of those left, hordes sank down into the rich soil sprouting roots or burrowing deeper into its dark, cool depths. Some of these beings grew into large handsome trees. Giving many relief from the scorching orb of heat and light above. (what many now know as the "sun" but which has been known by many other names throughout the cycles.) Those few beings who still didn't feel at rest by way of understanding decided that their fields must lie at the peaks of the mountains scarring the surface. Ever upward they trudged. here and there some, unable to go on, veered away and found their "Fields" on the jagged peaks of the mountains. Still many more kept going, only stopping once they had reached the summits and then casting themselves into the surrounding updrafts, sprouting their respective wings. All of these creatures had after all been imbued with the magic and wisdom that makes the basis of the web which they had been borne.

The web has been described by those who have been blessed enough to behold it. As a cord of made of silver thread, a sticky Luminous substance, which mesmerizes and hypnotises those who behold it. This is the essence of life and magic woven together forming the thread, which then weaves the web.

Those creatures that came from close to the centre of the web, grew into highly magical beings, Wise and Strong, their magic originating from the core of the web where the magic is more concentrated, powerful. These creatures emanated love and compassion.. They were at one with all that existed, understanding intrinsically the way of the living world. A number of these creatures chose their body according to personal fancy. Some of these entities, just experimenting with their physical form. However, unlike the other creatures, who let their chosen environment define their physicality, many of the more obscure creations were developed on a whim, not environmentally defined necessities. It was here that all sorts of wondrous creatures came to be. (Griffins, Centaurs, Fairies, Pixies, Elves, Giants, Nymphs, Dwarves) Strangely enough many of these decided on their preference for the human physique or various aspects of it. They all harboured the ability to meld with the web, making subtle changes and accessing the webs ubiquitous vaults of knowledge, unleashing and manipulating the wealth of power which constituted the vastly complex web. Be aware that this plethora of power did by no means elevate them to the status of a deity, gods already existed, it was they who created the web.

pishogue- prologue

Prologue

The one whom they had named Flame “The Light Hunter”, so many cycles ago that one could scarce recall who had taken it upon themselves to name her thus. Absentmindedly, she watched the encroaching rays of light as they relentlessly crept forward, causing all in their path to light up, brilliantly. Causing the early morning mist and dew to glisten as thought for a brief moment they were precious jewels,
ready for the plucking. Only to evaporate into the early morning air, disappearing until the next such confrontation between warm, regenerating sunlight and early morning condensation.

Smiling to herself, Flame shook herself from her reverie and drew her focus from the sheer unbridled beauty of the play of light on the previously overshadowed forest undergrowth, producing an increasingly mottled effect everywhere she laid her eyes. Flame felt her hair light up as she was engulfed in a ray of sun that had found its way through the thick canopy overhead. She sighed as she felt the warmth creep through her. Her hair, for which she presumed she had gained her namesake (but in all honesty she could not have known infallibly) these things had occurred an age ago. To most all but forgotten, Flame had to admit that nowadays the cycles were starting to merge into the other. Time does, she contemplated, evaporate into a memory. Time passes in a blur of images and sounds, feelings and consequently an element of wisdom. (though we must be aware some learn quicker than others). Rousing herself again Flame glanced over at the stark reminder that she was only fooling herself, she would ever be ageless, the patches of light becoming cooler once more blanketed by the canopy of the forest.

Time or the concept of it would ever be something to be mused upon, something that would only ever be observed from a distance. Like peering into an Aquarium, watching its inhabitants as they move, oblivious that they are under observation. When one had seen and was likely to see as many cycles as she had, then, they may also come to understand this as the nature of things. The cyclic nature of things means that everything will rise and fall and rise again, continuing the cycle. However one cannot put a time frame to this pattern of events, the cycle will only run as long as is required.

Looking around, Flame realised that the light of day had moved along to lay its tendrils of light and heat elsewhere, Staring forlornly at the fading warmth, Flame stretched her arms back and shaking out her now deliciously dry and somewhat warm wings, letting them drop to her body, stroking her skin making her shiver in mild ecstasy. Straightening herself up she started to move back, trying not to think about what lay ahead. She bade her goodbye to the small glade that had allowed her some time away from the circle of mushrooms that she could feel, even though she could not at present see it. She longed, desperately to linger some more but she knew that she had dallied long enough. Turning to face the doorway ahead she steeled herself for the coming onslaught of queries she would now have to fend. As she stepped into the circle the familiar sensation enveloped her. Looking out of the ring she noticed the last rays of light fading into the distance. A panorama she new she would not be witnessing soon enough.


***************************************

On the other side of the world Magmas “The Night Hunter” was taking his evening vigil around his neighbouring forest, getting rid of pesky beasts and keeping the area safe for all of those who lived within his “realm”. This forest was one of the myriad of offshoots from the mother of all forests, wherein much of the mysticism of the world still resides, although it can be found permeating everything,. This forest is known to all who revere her as “Gaia” for within the centre of this forest stood the mother of all trees, older than even the ancients, she has seen all and stood firm through all manner of environmental upheavals, standing tall and strong. Wise beyond comprehension, Gaias’ roots spread deep, feeling every shift in vibration upon the earth that is her home. Anyhow, Magmas was perusing the area when at the edge of his senses he perceived a discordant vibration coming from the far side of the forest. Displeased at having to now traverse through the forest, he quickly checked his quiver to see how many arrows he still had left. (Although he was a infallible shot and his arrows were dipped in a fatal poison, if the antidote was not administered within 24minutes the unfortunate being would fall into a deep sleep, so deep in fact that after a while one forgot to breathe.) Magmas made all his own potions, having being adopted by an anarchic, warrior sect of the elves, Elves after all become masters at whatever they set their mind to, he was in all senses of the concept, a very self sufficient man.

While he headed towards the inconsistency, he tried to sense what sort of being he had come across. It certainly wasn’t one that he had encountered before, so he held himself in an alert readiness, ensuring that his already light gait appeared as though he wasn’t even touching the ground. Continuing to move towards the shifting vibration, Magmas was beginning to get concerned, recently many more warped and twisted beasts had made their way through the web, all of which were starting to affect the equilibrium of the world. He was starting to feel as though it was time for a journey back to Gaia, to commune with those who may have an answer to what he was finding more and more difficult to understand.

Aware that he was getting closer to the abnormality, as he was now referring to the beast, for want of a better name, he slowed himself down and became as invisible as possible, (Which in the case of the Night Hunter was complete.) Ahead, about fifty paces lay a small copse of bushes, which looked to be wilting swiftly the closer he got to them. Looking around Magmas noted a somewhat larger tree, that could support his weight, which would put him in a defensibly strong position but still invisible vantage point. Thanking Gaia and The Web that it was not too light for him to be seen, but still light enough for him to see. Quickly he scaled the tree, thanking, its spirit, he found himself a spot high enough for him to have a clear view of the glade.

At first it was only his senses that told him there was something within the glade, even his outstanding eyes could scarcely make out anything more than a shadow amongst the now, putrefied trees. Then, he realised what he was looking at; ahead, about fifty paces lay an indistinguishable black mass. It was in the centre of the glade, which for the present moment was strangely awash with light, yet he couldn’t help but note, that the very light itself seemed to be sucked into the very substance of the beast. Much like what was happening to the shrubs that grew around the glade. Gaia’s once beautiful shelter and sanctuary for weary travellers was being mutilated while he watched, just from being in proximity to the creature.


With a deep feeling of nausea, that was growing at every moment, in his being, but still desperately curious he tried to get a fraction closer Careless in his intent focus on getting closer, he made the smallest of noises, what would have been the only noise he had emitted all day. The beast heaved, grunting gutturally and raised its makeshift head, pieces of flesh falling off it, as though its own flesh rotted off it while it sat. From this angle Magmas saw that what he had at first thought was skin, was actually a malleable black mass of a sticky slimy mess, that was now actively swarming across its surface, like an angry hive of insects, that were trapped just beneath its skin, forming what we could be led to believe was its face, it shifted somewhat, and Magmas noted that it appeared to be injured.

Looking now at the rest of the shape he realised this really was nothing like any living thing he had seen before, and he had seen many debauched creatures tear through the web. To him it looked as though it was a mismatch of creatures, sloughed together like a badly made quilt, he was sure he could see the remains of a Dragon and what looked to be an Orc among the tattered patchwork of various hides. Then, the creature looked at him directly, what he saw shocked beyond all else, empty pits of loathing and malevolence, yet with an inexplicable intelligence, probably due to the number of creatures that made up its exterior alone, Magmas, shuddered with a despair, that welled, up from deep within his soul. Quickly, he moved back through the canopy of the trees, quickly retracing his steps, glancing back periodically to ensure that the creature did not follow.

Eventually dropping to the ground so he could travel more efficiently, eager to put as much distance between him and the beast as possible. He had planned to continue, searching the area and then head home. Now, he was going straight home, and then, to the council. He steadied his mind and lithely made his path through the forest, moving as fast as he could.

Far away, though not so far that we could not see her, a lady, glowing, iridescent, radiant and wise, looks up from the task that she had set for herself. Her head, cocked to one side, as if listening to some distant sound that only she was privy to. Her eye’s, the pupils, shaped like crescents, glazed over, staring into a realm, many miles from where she now sat.


She stood up, her glistening, blue hair tumbling down the curve of her spine, she looked down at her skin, so dark that it was darker than the blackest night, yet, interspersed were various glowing moons, in all of the waxing and waning phases. Like her eyes, they represented her charge, and the major part of her responsibility. But we’ll talk about that later. Stepping back, into the twists and turns of the tunnels beyond, she made her way back to where, now apparently there were things to be done.
* * *

“Now, the story you are about to hear, may seem a little odd at times, but I assure you that, when I, your host, Elysian, finish in the telling, you can be sure that you have just been in witness of a fine, and true story. The only thing that may influence, whether or not, you truly agree with what I’m about to tell you, is whether I have told it well enough.
For, you see this is what I have come here to do. To tell you a story that just maybe, hopefully, will change the way you look at the world a little. Or, at least, if that doesn’t happen, you fail to view the world differently, to move you in some way that you have never been moved before. To inspire you perhaps, ah but that would be a grand folly to hope for such a thing?”


The only thing that I truly ask is that you enjoy the tale I am about to tell, let it bring a smile to your face, or a tear to your eye. For you see, it is those stories, that we remember for eternity. For they are the ones that are meant to be told, and they are the ones that are real. Please do not use the information that I am about to tell you for wrongdoings or harm. I am giving you this information in trust and good will, much of the information you are about to find out is highly secret. If, in my haste to try and help, I have in fact done the opposite, then, well…. We’ll just have to see what happens. I have faith in you, so please above all else do not worry.”
Namaste
Love and Respect
ELYSIAN

The future of Theatre/ old writings.

Dating back into mans earliest forays into the dramatic arts, the primary function of performance has been to transport the audience, and the performers into a sustained reality away from the reality of the world beyond the stage or the theatre. Creating a dreamland per say, a space for them to dwell in briefly, juxtaposed to their mundane lives. The original formations of theatre were seen in the Greek “Rites of Dionysus” where participants played roles of salutation to the god “Dionysus”, the god of Food, fertility and entertainment, hence the dramatic arts. Theatre is a founding element of all established societies, regardless of its form or the location of the society. Theatre was, until the industrial revolution, the pinnacle of social outings; this precedes even Greece and dates back into the Depths of Africa through Asia, Europe and the America’s. The main element attributing to this cross-section is the fact that theatre transports the psyche into the realm of the script or the story being retold. It is the most visual way to tell a story that we had, until the advent of moving images, followed by Television and the Film industry. However, the advent of this technology is not in itself what has brought around the fall of theatre from youth and much of the population that makes up popular culture today. What has brought this about is theatre’s lack of utilization when it comes to the tools they have at their availability, hence by not staying abreast of the technological revolution they have lost the interest of a vast majority of our youth. Many plays still follow the same old Edicts, making it impossible to pique the interest of anyone further than your average theatre goers or thespians. Those few performances that do scorch our memories are the ones that display outstanding acting, scripts, or remind us of a time past through their use of strong physically based characters, less reliant on text. Much of this rises from the fact that no- where in the public sector are we invited to enter a social environment (Similar to a club or restaurant) where we are invited to not only observe but also participate entirely in its pure, undeveloped, improvised forms. There is not a space for people to enjoy the arts at their leisure (without exorbitant prices and or the structure of lessons that have to be paid for in advance.). If such a venue or space was available then theatre as we know it would undoubtedly evolve into a hybrid, yet immensely more powerful and far reaching form. (For as we know only experimentation breeds developmental change. It seems somewhat preposterous that within all this hype that has been developed in regards to electronic music, film and recently the circus. (Cirque de Solei). As entertainment artists, we are failing to utilize three of the most influential elements when dealing with our audience. Firstly, the stimulation of the intellect could be introduced through complex weavings of multimedia throughout the performance. This could be introduced as both reflections of the music or performance as well as Brechtian offsets, contrasting the performance. Secondly, many dance parties, plays and live music acts neglect the strongest form of communication, touch. What if this space or performance developed the concept of deep physically characterized characters, which interacted completely with the audience, whilst adorned in fantasy inspired costumes? (Remember, they can do anything for films these days.) A Performance resembling and utilizing elements of Film, Electronic a, Music, the Theatre and The Circus. Thirdly, what is to stop us, as performers from enabling the audience to experience our performances through all of their senses, not just two of them?
The most feasible conglomeration, would be to turn a music act into a multi sensory piece of theatre. Something that here to forth has not been explored effectively. Even Cirque de Soleil although highly successful have still let themselves down by neglecting to satisfy the senses.

 An “Electronic Orchestra of the Senses”
 “Dance Party to Delight”
 “Theatre of the Evolved”
Ideally all of this could be developed within a defined space which could also be used as an Entertainment Club, an area with rooms or space for live music, theatre, painting, improvisation, set/ costume design and Mask designing, film studios, edit suites, Jam rooms, philosophy spaces (With incredibly comfortable furniture). The potential in regards to décor within such a space is limitless. The lighting essential.

The final evolution would be to remove all of the musicians from the orchestra pit to spaces which instead, surrounded the audience. Musicians in grated over holes in the ground, in Gallows nests hanging over the heads of the audience. This would also mean that interactions between the musicians and the audience would be able to interact, the musicians heckling the audience.
Seemingly the only real setback arises from the fact that at the moment, it is all still the beginnings of an idea, in order for it to be successful there needs to be quality. Quality music, quality storylines and images and characters. Essentially it is a strong plan even if it means years of work.

Elena Kaye Morton October 1st 2003

Thursday

So I've been doing a bit of reading... (those of you who know me will be like: 'Elena, reading, never...' (little bit of sarcasm for you. I've been reading about and researching the idea of sacred geometry and spontaneous DNA, WOW, what interesting stuff there is in the world.... Did you know; Silica (otherwise known as sand) when heated to ridiculous tempuratures, will spontaneously form single cell and multi cell DNA or organisms. SOOOO.... When something enters our atmosphere, it heats up to similar temperatures, one could surmise that, just by entering our atmosphere life could be created. WIld huh..... Sooo cool, another awesome thing that I've been getting excited about for a while, is the idea of Sacred geometry, seriously people, check it. The fibonacci sequence, otherwise known as the Nautilous shell, is possibly the most important geometric form in our knowledge, all things are based on this form of growth, don't believe me... check out davinci's man. Our entire physique is based on the concept of the fibonacci sequence... and..... Phi. Lovin it!!!. Now I do understand that for many of you this is completely unimportant, but for just one second cast your mind over the phenomenal aspect of life, that it is all connected and intertwined, completely related to one another. All things are related in one way or another. Next blog I promise I will try to be less Deep. Be well peoples.

Docs

I gotta wonder, when every doctor you go to tells a different story from the other. Soo, I end up arriving at work later than usual. I come for my drama students, the work piles up around me, but my senior students do keep me on track, purely by keeping my spirits up. I'm constantly amazed at how brilliant these kids are from one day to the next, don't get me wrong, I'm not some bullshit idealist teacher who believes that all students are amazing. But many of them are, it seems as though as soon as I lose faith in them they blow me away. However, here is where I get lost... I am constantly providing creative thoughts and problem solving for my students. so much so that my own work gets put by the wayside and left behind. Maybe, just maybe this is why I am feeling so bereft of ideas, becuase I give them all away. But if I was to live with my art and be a designer or come what may... isn't this what I would be doing.... giving my ideas away again and again. On another note, I must be honest with myself that I am a bit nervous with the current trend of environmental fractions that have been occuring, so just this year we have ahd over 5 eaerthquakes/ major ones, cyclones, floods, mudslides, mega snow and many others. Is it just me or is it getting more and more likely that we are falling into an iceage? VEry excited to hear that with the deepest core samples that they have taken, they have discovered that the poles were once tropical. HAH!!! another thing to support the theory that the poles shift before every ice age that we as a world have fallen into.. Think about it peoples, think about it. I'm getting my super warm gear together, lol, cause I have so much these days..... Fuckin fires. My final point for the day, I want to come back to and explore further in future is relating to Doidges, "The brain that Changes itself" do something good for yourselves, read this book, it'l change your mind. Faith.... that is what I need more faith in myself, I create things and then have to find the flaws, I create myself and have to find the flaws, but I can change, and I need to start with appreciating my own abilities a bit more. I am talented, not a boor and not useless.... trust yourself Elena, trust yourself.