Subject: Shinji's Prologue
Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 12:24:45 +0800
From: Ian Chongson <ianstu@ibm.net>

A bright full moon cast white luminence on the silent Monastary.
It's towering spires and temple stood like sentinels in the mist of the
night. The monastary was quiet except for the melodious ringing of the
windchimes, drifting like wraiths upon the cool night breeze. Silent,
but if Shinji wasn't careful, it could get very noisy, very quickly.
Ever so gently, so as not to cause the ancient hinges to creak, he
opened his window and slipped out onto the window ledge. He looked about
for the shadows of a passing monk. Satisfied that he was alone, he
pulled himself out onto the tiled roof of the dormatory. Yeah, sure it
was risky, one loose shingle would send him straight through the roof,
but it was necessary if he wanted stealth. He had chosen tonight because
of the full moon, the light would help him negotiate the numerous jumps
and steps he would have to make if he wanted to get to the main gate
safely. Of course, that also meant it would be that much easier for
someone to see him.
  It was a risk he was willing to take.
  Shinji took a deep breath, the began running. His boots made a light
thumping sound as he stepped on the clay shingles. He followed the
pathway he had investigated two nights ago, unfortunately, Shinji never
really had a care for memory, and his oh-so-well planned track was
fadded in his memory. Cursing inwardly, he did his best to reach the end
of the roof, praying that he wouldn't hit a weak thatch of roof and go
plunging into the dorm. Finally, he was a few feet away from the edge of
the roof, and he could see the overhang of the training building where
he had to jump to. But just as he was planting his feet, one of the
shingles gave way. Shinji's eyes went wide, but he jumped anyway, and
fell short. Shinji threw his arms out wildly, hoping to catch anything
at all. His right hand latched onto a small lion statue, but the
momentum of his jump swung him face first into the ornate carvings of
the archway. Shinji grunted as the wind was knocked out of him, but he
held on for all that he was worth. Thats when the shingle hit the floor,
smashing apart with a loud crash. Shinji felt his heart (and practically
everything else) leap into his throat as one of the windows opened.
Karu, another student, peered sleepily out the window. He looked about,
until he saw Shinji. Shinji went pale.
   "Hey, Shinji, did you see anything strange out here?" asked Karu,
rubbing his eyes drowsily. Shinji thanked heaven that common sense was
something Karu never really attained.
   "Nope, but I'll be sure to keep my eyes out for anyone suspicous," he
replied, turning around to face Karu.
   "Okay. Goodnight Shinji," he said with a yawn.
   "Good night Karu," Shinji responded, smiling with relief. He waited
till he was sure Karu was well on his way back to dreamland before
forcing his straining arm to pull him up onto the ledge.

    Shinji was on the last building at last. He ran as quickly as safety
allowed, making sure another Karu-like incident didn't take place. He
bounded across the roof top, then lept down to the cobblestone pathway
to the main gate.
    "Going somewhere Shinji?" came a soft voice from behind him. Shinji
turned around to face the speaker. It was Orchid, of course. No one else
had that voice in the entire monastary. Of course, there wasn't another
girl in the monastary. Orchid was the grand-daughter of the Most High
Elder Reinas. She had come to the monastary to train as well, and even
though Shinji didn't want to admit it, she was just as good as he was.
It didn't help his pride that she was two years younger than him either.
Then Shinji remembered she had asked him a question.
     "I couldn't sleep, so I decided a midnight run would help clear my
head," Orchid just looked at him with her bright green eyes.
     "Your leaving aren't you," she said, her cool demeanor, unable to
hide a trace of sorrow. Shinji was about to say something, but then he
gave it up and sighed.
     "I could never lie to you. Yes. I'm leaving," he said in defeat.
Orchid hopped down off of the pedestal she was on, her long tail of
black hair following like a dancer's ribbon.
     "Why?"
     No matter how many times he had talked to her, it never ceased to
amaze him how straight to the point she could be.
     "I just can't stay here. You can train till your arms fall off, but
all you will be doing is fighting air, and air doesn't fight back," he
said. He clenched his fist tightly. "I don't see the use of learning how
to fight, if Sensei won't let us fight living opponents."
     Orchid just looked him in the eye, the light of the full moon
making he light armor gleam softly. She reached behind her head and
undid her white ribbon. Her hair, now released from it's former bonds,
fell into a dark waterfall clear to her ankles. she suddenly grabbed
Shinji's hand and shoved the silk garment into it. Before he could say
anything, she covered his mouth with her hand.
     "Just go. But I want that ribbon back, so I expect you will be
alive to return it,"
     Shinji nodded, then turned and ran to the gate. With a final wave
of good-bye, he dissappeared down the steps. Orchid stood there for what
seemed like forever, then with a small smile, she returned to her room.
     "Good-bye, Shinji."