Legacy (The Biodome Chronicles) (49 page)

ANIME TERMINOLOGY

Anime / Manga
– Anime is a distinctly Japanese style of animation, while manga is the term for comic books that feature anime-stylized characters. Anime differs from American cartoons in that it is more often created for teens and adults with a range of topics that typically explore serious themes. It has been criticized by parents in the United States for discussing such taboo topics as teen suicide, violence, social rebellion, spiritual ideas, and sex. However, anime and manga include many genres, including romance, comedy, horror and action, and feature several series for children, Pokémon being the most notable and successful in the U.S. Many video games, for general or mature audiences, feature anime-style characters and themes. In Japan, and even in the U.S., anime fans have formed a subculture with punk undertones emulating goth, emo, or cyberpunk movements.

Bishounen (bishonen, bish, bishie, bishy)
– literally, “pretty boy” in Japanese, a term used to describe a young man—including in anime, manga, and video games—who is notably beautiful and attractive

Henshin
– “to change or transform the body”; in anime and manga, this is usually when a character “transforms” into a superhero

Hikikomori
– someone who purposely stays in their house all day long, isolating themselves from society, and who usually spends all their time on the Internet, playing video games, or watching anime

Jitsu
– martial arts term for “technique” or “art”

Otaku
– in Japan, originally a very negative term to describe a recluse who has no life, usually because their world revolves around fictional characters, such as in anime and manga; in America, the word has been applied by anime fans as a positive term for fanboy/girl

Nosebleed
– used by fans about someone whom they think is hot or exciting; when an anime or manga character has become sexually excited, it is portrayed with a sudden nosebleed

ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS

Cob
– a type of structural mud made from clay, sand, water, and straw that is applied wet between stones or in clumps to form walls. Cob homes, shops, and barns became the preferred building type during the Middle Ages, especially in the British Isles. The mud structures reached the height of popularity with Tudor-style architecture made famous for the external geometric timber designs, stone or brick accents, oriel window boxes, and lead multi-lit latticed windows. This is the most commonly featured style of building in fantasy storybook villages.

Cyberpunk
– a literary and visual media genre that takes place in the future or near future Earth and is most notably known for the film noir detective-like qualities of the story, high technology (computers, hackers, robotics, artificial intelligence), and a degraded society. The world or place setting is typically regulated and influenced by large corporations and wealthy elite rather than traditional governmental bodies. The protagonist is usually a rogue/misfit, a loner in society with a dark past. The cyberpunk genre is prominently featured in anime and manga in Japan.

Dungeon Master (DM)
– individual in charge of organizing and planning the details and challenges of a given adventure in the table-top role-playing game “Dungeons & Dragons.” He or she also is a participant in the game, but their key role is to make all the rules and control the story, telling the player characters what they hear and what they see. The only part a DM does not control are the decisions/actions of the player characters.

Emo / Emocore
– an alternative rock subculture influenced by the punk music scene that emerged in the 1980s, featuring lyrics about self rather than traditional punk themes of society. The Emo scene exploded in the 1990s with the indie rock grunge scene and popularity of pop punk, and was later brought back to mainstream teen culture in the early 2000s through the Internet social media site MySpace. Individuals belonging to this subculture have a unique and notable fashion, the modern looks and trends believed to have been influenced by the anime and manga subculture. The Emo’s (sometimes called Scene Kids or Ravers) are described as being "emotive" in nature, giving rise to the idea that the boys possess more feminine traits and qualities than their non-emo counterparts.

Gamemaster (GM)
– individual(s) who officiate and referee multi-player role-playing games (table-top or live action). They arbitrate and moderate the rules, settle disputes, create and define the game world/environment, blend and weave player character stories together, and oversee the non-player character roles and influence in the story. The Gamemaster’s specific job and function is unique to each game.

Live Action Role-Playing (LARP
) – a style of game that transcends traditional table-top or video game role-playing into live action where people physically become a character and act out their role in a defined fantasy setting. A LARP must contain three consistent ideas in order to be considered true live action-role-playing (expanded in more depth by larping.org): collaborative (a mutual operation where everyone understands they are a character and must work together toward a common goal); pretending (a necessary element for each LARP, such as the game world/space, weapons and characterization, to name a few); and rules (agreed upon by the community of gamers and refereed by Gamemasters but usually sustained by an honor system among players).

Mundane
– an object or person that does not belong to the fictional game or setting, such as a cellphone in a medieval community, or the President of the United States in ancient China. In the LARP and role-playing subculture, mundane also refers to one’s “real” life versus his or her character life/world.

Visual Kei (“visual music” or “visual system”)
– an alternative rock music movement in Japan that features band members who typically try and emulate a unified androgynous appearance. They embody unique makeup, hair styles, and clothing that is punk in nature with mainstream success and influenced by western concepts such as glam rock, goth, and cyberpunk. Some argue that Visual Kei is no longer about a music genre but about a subculture of individuals who reflect this fashion style and trend.

TRANSLATIONS

The young noble reached out and placed a hand on Willow’s arm, saying in a low voice, “Je suis désolé que tu ne savais pas cela jusqu’à maintenant, Oaklee. Père m’a fait promettre de ne pas partager jusqu’à ce que ce soit absolument nécessaire.”

Translation:
I’m sorry that you did not know this until now, Oaklee. Father made me promise not to share this information until it was absolutely necessary.

“And so you chose to share it with
him
?” She shrugged off Leaf’s hand and stepped aside, creating space between them. “Je suis déçu de toi, Leaf. Je pensais que je pouvais te faire confiance.”

Translation:
I’m disappointed in you, Leaf. I thought I could trust you.

“Dokka ikanaide. Boku ga chekku shiteiru kara,” he said with a sly smile.

Translation:
Don’t go anywhere. I am checking.

“Baka mon da.” He took the ID back, and then spit on the ground, giving the bouncer an annoyed look before stepping inside.

Translation:
Stupid man.

He turned faintly to give his sister a side-glance, and then said in a low command, “Moshi mitsukarenakattara, kanojo no Cranium wo motte kitara, ore ga hakku suru.”

Translation:
Find her real ID and check that. If you don’t find it, bring me her Cranium and I’ll hack it.

“S’il te plaît reste calme et ne réponds pas à ses provocations,” Leaf said to Willow, who clenched and relaxed her fists, over and over again, as her eyes began to water.

Translation:
Please remain calm and do not respond to his taunts.

With a sigh, she said, “Voici un témoignage de mon affection, conservez-le bien.”

Translation:
Here is a token of my affection, guard it well.

He respectfully placed a hand on his heart and offered to her what little he possessed in reply. “Korekara zutto, ore no jinsei wa anata no mono desu. Zutto eien ni sasagemasu.”

Translation:
“I now see that you have always owned my life, and always will. I give it to you.”

MUSIC PLAYLIST FOR “LEGACY”

and DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

A message from the author:

Music transports me to other worlds, and I envision stories and experience feelings while living in the mundane. In a way, my mind engages in role-playing due to the sounds, beats, tones, and melodies. I become a character in a story, feeling the emotion and experiences of another. And sometimes, I connect to myself, finding a piece that was missing or finally able to express what has been burning inside of me.

Here is the music that specifically influenced “Legacy” as well as “The Biodome Chronicles” series. What do you think? Can you see it? Feel it? Or do you have different music ideas?

Email me at
[email protected] or leave a message on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/thebiodomechronicles). I’m curious about the songs you feel would be perfect for this book/series, and any scene ideas you envision while listening to that particular piece of music. I might feature your suggestion in another book’s playlist with credit. You can email or Facebook me with your thoughts to my questions below, too. I would love to hear from you! Music is a huge part of my life, and I always enjoy discussions on this topic.

—Jesikah D. Sundin

1)
“Elements” by Lindsey Stirling
This song is a classical crossover mixed with dubstep. The story line behind the video as well as the sound made me ponder, “What if an old world society existed today purely because of new world technology?” And that is how you get a LARPing community inside a Mars prototype. “Elements” kickstarted this adventure and brought all my characters to life.

Which element is your favorite in this song?

2) “Map of the Problematique” by Muse

Ever been so over your head or so obsessed that you’ve lost all control and function? This song explores the anxiety and grief born of loss, which has been interpreted due to greed, power, control, a breakup, and even mental faculties. Each of the main characters in the book are struggling with sensations of emotionally drowning and desperately wish for the feelings of isolation to end.

Which character—Leaf, Oaklee, Fillion, Coal or Lynden—do you think of most when listening to this song?

3) “The Race” by 30 Seconds to Mars

This is an emotional anthem about feeling saved through another’s personal sacrifice and the willingness to stand and fight for what is right. Through the death of something meaningful, the singer shares that he has found life and new purpose. But we must fight for that life and rebirth. The lyrics express that we won’t die of a broken heart or the pain it gives us, instead it can make us stronger. (Did you notice the name of the band? Hmmm...)

Does this fit the motto of New Eden? Which character believes their life will be saved by another?

4) “Numb” by Linkin Park

This is a gripping song about shutting down until the breaking point from not fulfilling the manipulative, judgmental, and unreasonable expectations of parent figures. Although, I believe this is true regardless of who is doing the emotional, psychological, and perhaps even physical abuse. This song helped me channel Fillion’s journey with his dad and with his generation, as well as Leaf’s as he compared his ability and worth to his father’s.

Do you think this describes Oaklee’s free fall experience as well? Do you think she feels this way with Coal? Which character did you identify with most when listening to this song?

5) “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day

When we face trials, many times we feel messed up, that we walk alone, and that no one else understands what we are going through. However, during times of isolation, we are given an opportunity to really see ourselves and face the deepest, darkest areas we would rather keep hidden away. This song was instrumental in writing the scene when Fillion walked from New Eden Enterprises to The Crypt, when he hacked into Messenger Pigeon before running into Oaklee, and when he arrives at the Salton Sea and sees the pomegranate tree for the first time.

Can you think of another time Fillion may have felt this way in the story? What about Leaf? Oaklee?

6) “Crystallize” by Lindsey Stirling

This song reminds me of Oaklee. It is mournful, reflective, and then, suddenly, a flurry of emotion. The old-world sound of the violin mixed with the new technology of dubstep is a perfect blend of the culture and environment she was born into. I listened to this song when writing the “free falling” scene leading up to Coal’s introduction, and when Oaklee sits in the tree reflecting over her life before she discovers Leaf and Ember.

Is there another soundtrack moment in Oaklee’s life where this song could be heard?

7) “Comfort Zone” by General Fuzz

To me, this is the sound of New Eden Township—ancient, mysterious, and beautiful. The ambient piece is a masterful blend of old-world and new-world sounds. When I listen to this song, I close my eyes and I can envision an ancient culture trapped within a Mars biodome, or a high technology culture grasping for connection to their roots to remain emotionally alive. If books had cinematic songs playing in the background while reading, this would be the one for Legacy.

What scene in the novel did this song especially bring to mind?

8) “Fortune Days” by The Glitch Mob

This is the song I listened to when I wrote the scene in The Crypt. The tribal beats, electronic dance mix, and old-world feel sucked me in, and I felt I was in the middle of an underground rave. One could almost imagine zombies rising from the graves in search of life—or at least, a young crowd dancing with holographic confetti falling over them, raging against their culture.

What part in the song do you think is when Fillion noticed Lynden and Pinkie?

9) “Breakdown” by Seether

Judgment is something that Fillion faces continually as the child of a corporate world leader. The world has painted a view of who he is and what he’ll become, and Hanley feeds those wounds with his expectations and actions against him. But just as Willow says, Fillion is not what he appears. He is wounded deep inside. I really love this song because it shows the pain of being judged and a man internalizing the wounds and damage, but also recognizing that he is so much more than meets the eye.

Do you think Fillion believes he is more than what others say about him? Or, do you think he is still imprisoned by all the lies? Have you ever felt judged in such a way it wounded your sense of identity? Do you believe you are more than meets the eye?

10) “Moonlight” by The Piano Guys

Edgy, mournful, and cinematic, this is a modern variation of “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven. This song captivated my imagination when writing the “sneaking out” scenes for Leaf and Oaklee. It is the perfect soundtrack for the journey they take physically and emotionally each time they visit the secret basement. Additionally, this song seemed like a perfect “death march” through the North Cave at the end, leading up to the Exchange.

How did the song make you feel? Could you feel Oaklee’s grief and fear as she ran through the night with her brother?

11) “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day

This song is an incredible expression of love and loss. Originally, it was written to honor a band member’s father who died when the band member was ten years old. It is also a song written in honor of those who lost loved ones during the 9/11 attack. The message is to value life and treasure the gifts of love given, and to take the loss and pain and turn them into something that makes you stronger.

Did this song convey the love and loss that Leaf and Oaklee feel regarding their father’s death?

12) “Lying From You” by Linkin Park

This is such an intense song about anger, depression, and feeling powerless, especially in a relationship. Every time I hear this song, I envision Fillion raging inside about being trapped in his dad’s world, feeling he is becoming his dad, and also the torment that he feels in playing a role to protect Leaf and Willow. Through the book, he constantly changes who he is to fit different situations, depending on who he is with and what they want from him.

What scene did this song make you think of the most? Do you think this is what Fillion was expressing when he told his dad that he would never be like him? Do you think Fillion feels this toward the media and social networks, too?

13) “Madness” by Muse

Such a great song about feeling haunted by someone, not sure if what is going on is real, and then realizing in the end that you need to jump off the cliff and fall, taking the risk to be loved. The ending of this song is fantastic when he sings that he needs to love and begs her to come and rescue him, and that their love is madness (heart sigh).

Did this song remind you of Fillion’s battle with his delusional memories of Willow and the present reality of falling for her?