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Stupid Blueberry
Hyasyoda Terrestrial Acquisitions Firm
590
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Posted - 2014.11.19 15:46:00 -
[1] - Quote
Burning Snow
Many, many autumns agoGǪ a Dragon wanted to know how the snow tastes like. There was no snow in his planet, none at all, so he spread his dark wings and flew all the way across sky and space until he reached Home and the Kaalakiota Peaks, because back then the Kaalakiota Peaks were covered with the thickest, whitest snow in all of Eve.
The Dragon set his claws over the snow, lowered his huge head with his jaws wide open and tried to take a mouthful. But Dragons breath fire as hot as a thousand suns, and every time he opened his jaws the snow melted before he could taste it.
The Dragon tried and tried, but the harder he tried the hotter his breath became, and more the snow melted, and the Dragon was furious. Finally his anger burned so hot that all the snow was melting, and the Dragon stood huge and fierce, and yelled,
GÇ£If this snow I cannot taste, then none willGÇ¥.
So he flew high, high over wind and sky until his dark wings covered the sun and the day became night. And with his jaws open wide he rained fire upon snow, wood and mountain, and everything back Home started to burn.
Our houses burned... Our cities burned... Our families burned.
Only a lucky few that the Fire spared ran away to our ships and escaped from the Dragon, leaving Home behind.
ThatGÇÖs why grandma and grandpa had to leave Home far, far away, and thatGÇÖs why we live in Lonetrek and The Forge today.
ThatGÇÖs why Home is burned and scarred now, and the Kaalakiota Peaks are dark and barren, and now they have no snow.
And thatGÇÖs why we cannot return Home yetGǪ not until you and your brothers grow tall and strong, strong enough to face the Dragon, make him go back to his own planet, and leave our Home to us.
Hnolai ki tuul, ti sei oni a tiu.
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Stupid Blueberry
Hyasyoda Terrestrial Acquisitions Firm
590
|
Posted - 2014.11.19 15:47:00 -
[2] - Quote
Hand, Hilt and Blade
Some time agoGǪ soon after the Dragon came and we had to leave Home behindGǪ Blade, Hilt and Hand gathered in the Airkio woods, for they wanted to return.
First spoke Blade: GÇ£I want my home back. I am swift. I am strong. I will fight.GÇ¥
Then spoke Hilt: GÇ£You are strong. But you are blind. You cut friend and foe. I will be your guide.GÇ¥
Last spoke Hand: GÇ£You are powerful. But you are tools. I will be the master you will serve. Home belongs to Flesh and Blood.GÇ¥
ThatGÇÖs why we master Isk. For Isk has no friend and no foe, only many slaves and a few masters.
ThatGÇÖs why we serve a Corporation. As long as the Corporation works towards Home, and as long as it guide Isk, and are not its slave.
And thatGÇÖs why, always remember: Last comes Isk. Before comes Corp. Before Corp comes Blood.
And Home comes first.
Hnolai ki tuul, ti sei oni a tiu.
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Stupid Blueberry
Hyasyoda Terrestrial Acquisitions Firm
590
|
Posted - 2014.11.19 15:50:00 -
[3] - Quote
Pay attention, young Hakkilen
Pay attention, young Hakkilen. This is your last lesson.
Learn it well, my young student, for from this day your are the Master.
I can see it in your eyes, the doubts and the fear... my poor young Hakkilen, you still dont know that I'm the lucky one, for these old eyes will not have to see what yours will.
Cast aside your doubts, young Hakkilen. Why Fate took your leaders this morning, why Fate takes your Master now... We dont question Fate. We serve Fate with a steady hand, as we serve our State.
Our hands must never shake.
Hear my breath. It's deep and calm. Watch my eyes. They dont flinch. See my shoulders. They are relaxed. I even allow myself a little smile.
My hands are steady as the cup touches my lips. As I drink the hot tea. As I put the cup down. As I wait for the poison to take effect.
The Master never doubts. He follows the fate of those he serves.
Watch me as I look at our beloved home for the last time. It's a beautiful afternoon, isn't it? The fiery reds and the deep blues... I know you prefer the morning, my young student. That's why we always understood each other so well.
Soon Fate will come with fire and burning, and will drive you and our brothers to a home far away from home. Learn this lesson, young Hakkilen, for it will be your duty then. We are links in a chain as old as our State, and it's through you and the links that follow you that this chain will continue. And the link that follows the link will return to the chain.
And when Fate and the State call you and those after you, your hands must never shake.
Watch me as my eyes close, young Hakkilen. As my breath stops. As my hands rest gently over the table, beside the cup.
Goodbye, young Master.
Goodbye, my sweet Caldari.
Serve Fate well.
Hnolai ki tuul, ti sei oni a tiu.
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Stupid Blueberry
Hyasyoda Terrestrial Acquisitions Firm
590
|
Posted - 2014.11.19 15:51:00 -
[4] - Quote
GÇ¥(GǪ) although Caldari refer to it as an "art" rather than a combat technique. Called "SGÇÖkarpur stalaandi" (literally GÇ£sharp steel spiritGÇ¥) it is one of the oldest surviving Caldari traditions, dating back to the Raata Empire (GǪ) [and] widely in practice still today although its lack of modern practical use.
Children are usually trained from the age of four, (...) [in] the rather questionable belief that it helps them develop discipline and spiritual strength (GǪ) [and although] being obviously useless for space warfare it is a requirement for all warship pilots.
Among the many bizarre misconceptions the Caldari hold for their GǣartGǥ (GǪ) is the clearly irrational belief that dueling against each other is a way to preserve unity among them (GǪ) belief that only a militaristic, tradition-obsessed society like the Caldari could possibly keep alive to this modern age.Gǥ
Quoted from Jean-Pierre Beaumont, GÇ£A short history of Caldari military traditionsGÇ¥
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Oh me/we
Yes, me/we
The shortest poem
In all poetry
Ancient song from Mother Earth
-
"But MasterGǪ it makes no senseGǪ"
"ItGÇÖs true..."
"If the master defeats the student, then the master has failed as a teacherGǪ"
"ItGÇÖs true..."
"GǪyet if the student defeats the master, then the master has failed as a warrior!"
"ItGÇÖs true..."
"ButGǪ butGǪ master!?!??GǪ it makes no sense at all!!!??"
"ItGÇÖs true..."
-
The student arrived at the clearing where the master knelt, his eyes closed. Steam rising from the cup battled with the raindrops.
It makes no sense. No sense at all.
The student knelt on the grass and closed his eyes. He deepened his breath. He emptied his mind.
Silence.
Wind on the pine trees.
An eagleGÇÖs cry.
Four empty scabbards in one hiss, four blades gleaming under the rain.
KestrelGÇÖs claw to the throat, MerlinGÇÖs talon to the right wrist. One step backwards, Blackbird-over-the-lake with one blade to each side. CaracalGÇÖs leap, right sword slashing to the forehead, left sword protecting the stomach.
HarpyGÇÖs slash to the chest.
CrowsGÇÖs dive kneeling on the the wet grass, left sword cutting up to the right knee.
And the master jumps forward, letting go of his shortsword, helding the longsword with both hands cutting downwards straight to the head. RavenGÇÖs fury. By the master. Impossible to stop.
Makes.
No.
SenseGǪ?
I see: One. And techniques become nameless.
The student buries his blade in the masterGÇÖs chest. The master softly kneels to the ground, blood and raindrops on the wet grass.
GÇ£ItGÇÖs true, MasterGǪ duality makes no sense.GÇ¥
The master smiles and closes his eyes.
The master bows, cleans his sword, and walks away into the forest.
Hnolai ki tuul, ti sei oni a tiu.
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Stupid Blueberry
Hyasyoda Terrestrial Acquisitions Firm
590
|
Posted - 2014.11.19 15:54:00 -
[5] - Quote
Four questions
HumGǪ The curious type, arenGÇÖt you? Sure, you can askGǪ but if you want answers, you will have to drink. After all, what good is knowledge without experience? YesGǪ one gulp does kill Intakis for sure, but Gallentes should survive one glass... maybe... No risk, no reward.
Deal? Very well... To your health my friend.
He heGǪ Yes, hak'len is strong. Here, have some waterGǪ it will help you quench itGǪ now, ask away.
Where does it come from? Interesting you phrased it that wayGǪ Well, originally it wasnGÇÖt called hakGÇÖlen, but kresh. Yes, kresh, like the tree so abundant in Caldari Prime. The liquor is made by fermenting the red grapes in much the same way as many other beverages. Ironic, isnGÇÖt it? We jump through galaxies but still it's the soil's essence what lightens our hearts.
Kresh adapted itself very well to many planets through The Forge and Lonetrek, although hakGÇÖlen from Caldari Prime is unanimously considered the very best. The flavour of home, sort to speakGǪ whether thatGÇÖs taste or nostalgia, IGÇÖll leave it for you to decide.
Why the change of name? HumGǪ Feeling brave today, arenGÇÖt you? Another answer, another shot. HereGǪ one... two... three. Again, to your health my new friend.
The change of nameGǪ you see, kresh is deeply rooted in Caldari lore. The origin of the liquor is lost in time, but even before the liquor came the tea, which goes by the same name. Some say its our oldest tradition, the only one remaining from our ancient past. Whatever the case, itGÇÖs made with the leafs of kresh, and only those trained in the art can prepare it. In the wrong amounts, its poisonous. Death in a hot cup.
ItGÇÖs drank only in three occasions. You taste it first along with your class mates when you turn 14, as a sign of leaving childhood behind. Yes, of course I drank it, the same as every Caldari you know, the ones raised inside the State at least. CanGÇÖt be describedGǪ The taste of mortality, if you wish. We drink it at funerals, as a reminder of the thin line we will all soon cross GǪ And it is drank at the Meetings of Reasoning.
YesGǪ the fabled MeetingsGǪ no, they are no myth I assure you, but they happen so seldom, sometimes generations apart, that itGÇÖs no wonder many outsiders tend to think itGÇÖs something that never really happens. But they do. What goes insides nobody knows, except for the fact that the world tends to change rather violently after them, and because in the Meeting the CEOs drink tea.
Now, for such an extraordinary event, an extraordinary man exists. If for outsiders the Meetings of Reasoning are almost a myth, the Tea Master is surely a ghost. A man whose sole purpose in life is to serve the State in that particular occasion, which may very well never happen in his entire life, and never seeks anything elseGǪ I guess its safe to say no other member of Caldari society is held in deepest respect.
Hakkilen was the Tea Master during the Exodus to The Forge, and he brought with him the kresh from Caldari Prime. Kresh adapted amazingly well in what is today New CaldariGǪ but since then, both the tea and the liquor were named after the one who transplanted our roots to a new home. New CaldariGÇÖs hakGÇÖlen is by far the very best... after Caldari Prime's, that is.
One more question, indeed? Your... thirst for knowlede is remarkable. Of course I will held my end of the bargain.
Here you go... to your health, my friend.
Ah, finally you ask what you really wanted to know... why is the liquor sacred to us fighter pilots? Why do we drink it before every battle? I think IGÇÖll answer you both for the same priceGǪ IGÇÖm feeling like you deserve a 25% discount for your courage.
And again... kind of a bad pun really. No, of course it is not something as superficial... the reasons are deep, as everything we do. It helps us remember that we are cowards.
Yes, cowards. You see, after we turned our backs to our home, after we fled from you to this corner of space, most of us took to tatoo GÇ£Haak-kin kGÇÖlenGÇ¥ on the back of our neck. You can obviously...
Why are you so pale? Trouble breathing? WellGǪ hakGÇÖlen will do that to you, my friend. Paralize your nervous system and choke you to death. CGÇÖmonGǪ donGÇÖt give me that angry lookGǪ I said Gallentes could perhaps survive one gulpGǪ but surely not three in a row. DonGÇÖt worry, death will be slow enough to allow me to fulfill my part of the bargain.
Now, where were we? Yes, Haak-kin kGÇÖlen. A bad pun. You can obviously hear the fonetic similarity with the liquorGÇÖs name, even if your are struggling to breathe your last. ItGÇÖs what Toba shouted as he plunged forward, his final transmision, his last words. The legacy every Caldari strives to uphold.
Haak-kin kGÇÖlen.
In Caldari, GÇ£We will returnGÇ¥.
Hnolai ki tuul, ti sei oni a tiu.
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Stupid Blueberry
Hyasyoda Terrestrial Acquisitions Firm
590
|
Posted - 2014.11.19 15:59:00 -
[6] - Quote
The blade, the root, the mountain and the CEO
A man climbed up a mountain, and then he climbed down. He returned to the same place, but returned a different man.
Raata folklore
-
GǣYou cannot go alone CEO IshanoyaGǪ I cannot allow itGǥ
GÇ£Lai Dai pays you to give me orders Uootadan?GÇ¥
ThereGÇÖs ice in her voice, cold and sharp. Enough to make a lesser corpGÇÖs CEO drop begging to his knees. Uootadan sighed and shaked his head, and for the first time in his career saw his employerGÇÖs back getting more than 10 steps away from him.
-
Alakoni finished the long climb up. Wind on the pine treesGǪ She steeled; gripping the scabbard she approached to the wooden house.
The old man and the young boy were sitting by the low table. Now. It has to be now! Alakoni took her hand to the hilt. Now!! She noticed the third cup and doubted for an instant. A third cup? But for whoGǪ?
GÇ£Greetings, CEO IshanoyaGÇ¥.
HowGǪ?
GǣPlease CEO, honor usGǪ join usGǥ
The old man had his blind eyes turned to her. The young boy was looking at her. Both were smiling. Waiting.
Alakoni sat in front of the third cup, still clutching to the hilt.
The old manGÇÖs hands flow among the pots as he crumbles the leafs, as he pours the hot water. Mist rises from the cups.
All of a sudden she realizes that tea is served, and somehow she is the guest. The guest drinks first, thatGÇÖs the tradition... The aroma: hakGÇÖlen. Death in a hot cupGǪ
Her hands trembled midway between the hilt and the table.
The old man smiles and takes his cup to his lips. With slow, fluid hands he drinks.
Alakoni takes a deep breath and steadies herself. Takes the cup. The fragance reminds her ofGǪ
Sip.
GÇ¥IGÇÖm sorry dear Hoken, my loveGǪ all this time doing nothing but work, and now that you are so pale in your coffin how I wish I could trade all this years for a moment with you my loveGǪGÇ¥
Sip.
GǥGoodbye dadGǪ I wishGǪ I wish we had had more time for each other, more time for father and daughter, more timeGǪ but now you are gone dad, oh dadGǪGǥ
Sip.
GÇ¥WHY?? WHY!! Oh God, whyGǪ DonGÇÖt leave us mom!! DonGÇÖt leave us!! Be well again mom!! Oh God mom donGÇÖt dieGǪ
Crash.
The cup bounces against the table and smashes against the floor spilling the rest of the tea.
GÇ¥What are you doing to me old man!!??GÇ¥
GǣSharing our traditions with a most powerful CEOGǪGǥ
GÇ£I didnGÇÖt come here for traditions, crazy old foolGǪ I came here to kill you. Kill you! You and the old ways!GÇ¥
GǣA tree cannot kill his own rootsGǪGǥ
GǣNONSENSE!! Traditions are for foolsGǪ The Meeting was posponed, 5 votes against 3GǪ but I cannot take the risk! It cannot happen againGǪ It will NOT!! We will not go to war for a rockGǪ We will not be ruled by traditions!!Gǥ
GǣA treeGǪGǥ
GÇ£TRADITIONS ARE FOR FOOLS!!!GÇ¥
GÇ£Even courtesy for an old blind?"
ThereGÇÖs snow in his voice. GÇ£Master Kierou would be disappointedGǪGÇ¥
Slash.
And Master Kierou jumps forward, letting go his shortsword, helding the longsword with both hands cutting downwards straight to the head.
Slash.
GÇ¥Pain. Blood. Oh the painGǪ Sorry MasterGǪ IGÇÖveGǪ IGÇÖve failed youGǪ IGǪ I couldnGÇÖt... Argh, pain!GǪ Master.. wh-why are you smiling?GÇ¥
Slash.
Master Kierou smiles. GǥStand up my young AlakoniGǪ Failed? You survived what cannot be stopped. Now follow your path. Raise to the top... but always remember your scarsGǥ
Hiss.
The blade comes out of the scabbard, and Alakoni jumps forward, helding the longsword with both hands cutting downwards straight to the head.
The old man and the young boy drink their tea.
The blade shivers.
I canGÇÖtGǪ
The blade trembles.
I can't!
Master Hakkilen puts down his cup, over the table.
GǣI daresay that Master Kierou taught you better than to hold your sword with trembling handsGǪGǥ
His eyes. They do not flinch.
GǣGǪor to sheate a clean bladeGǪ Gǥ
His hands. They never shake.
GÇ£Farewell, CEO. We will meet again.GÇ¥
-
CEO Ishanoya finished the long climb down.
Slash to the left shoulder, thrust to the right. Twice cutting deep, yet not to the bone.
Uootadan flinched less in pain than in surprise.
GÇ£With all due respect CEO, but why was that for?GÇ¥
CEO Ishanoya cleaned her blade and sheated her sword. GÇ£Lai Dai pays you to question me Uootadan? Get into the car. Patch your bleeding. Back to HQGÇ¥
Hnolai ki tuul, ti sei oni a tiu.
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Stupid Blueberry
Hyasyoda Terrestrial Acquisitions Firm
590
|
Posted - 2014.11.19 16:05:00 -
[7] - Quote
Kanisaka
GÇ£[GǪ] usually found in Raata and pre-Raata myths. [GǪ] Old Napanii believed Time is a stream where the Spirits live, and every now and then One of them would drop a rock into the Flow. [GǪ] The phenomenon was known among the Napanii as GÇÿKanisakaGÇÖ [lit. "Rock in stream"]GÇ¥
Civrie, R. GÇ£The DreamFlow: Napanii and Raata cosmogony in modern Caldari expressionsGÇ¥, YR 105, Napanii Preservation Society, Lai Dai press. (Reprinted with permission)
Fox left her cubs nestling in their cave and out she dashed to find them something to eat, so they could grow tall and strong.
The day was hot and the search was long and soon Fox felt tired, and she decided to take a nap under the shadow of a kresh tree.
She dreamed of her HomeGǪ She dreamed of her cubsGǪ She dreamed of a menacing shadow at the entrance of her cave!
And she dreamed of a big, heavy Rock.
She awakened with a scream, She ran, jumped, sprinted and rushed, and when she arrived at her cave at the entrance she found
Kanisaka!
Big, huge, heavy Rock, exactly like in her dream.
Fox wriggled her paws and cried in despair, GǣOh my cubs, oh my Home! Rock is so big, so heavyGǪ how can I have her gone?Gǥ
Raven laughed, big and powerful. GÇ£Use your muscles, little Fox. Push him with all your body; Rock will bow to your strength.GÇ¥
Fox pushed, and pushed, and pushed, and then she pushed some more. Nothing. Rock was so big and heavy not even Caracal could have lifted him.
Scorpion chuckled, sly and cunning. GÇ£Use your brain, little Fox. Words can move mountains; chatter and chatter and chatter until Rock goes away.GÇ¥
Fox talked, reasoned, pleaded, threatened, and then she talked a bit more. Nothing. Rock was either deaf, or too stubborn to move.
Buzzard smiled, old and wise. GÇ£Go to sleep, my good friend. Rock came from the Dreamworld; he will return to the Flow.GÇ¥
GÇ£Crazy Buzzard!GÇ¥ yelled Fox, GÇ£me sleep while my cubs are trapped? Who cares from where it came!? All I want is Rock to go!GÇ¥
Raven laughed at Buzzard, Scorpion chuckled at Buzzard, Fox stared angry at Buzzard and she said GÇ£Be gone!GÇ¥
And Buzzard vanished into thin air.
Scorpion gasped, Raven choked, Fox was speechless and Buzzard gone.
And then Buzzard was there again.
GÇ£The Dreamworld and the Treeworld get entwined, sometimes,GÇ¥ he said. GÇ£Go to sleep, little Fox; IGÇÖll sing for you and your cubs.GÇ¥
Raven was quiet And Scorpion was too, And Buzzard sang a bed song and Fox went to sleep.
Fox dreamed of her cubs, And she dreamed of her Home, And she dreamed of all of them hugging together,
And her cubs licked her awake.
GÇ£My little cubs! My little Home! Thank you, wise Buzzard! That bad, evil Rock finally went away!GÇ¥
GÇ£He was not bad mommy!GÇ¥ cried the cubs very excited, GÇ£he saved us while you were away!GÇ¥
GǣButGǪ how!? When!?Gǥ
GǣRock saved us when hungry Caracal came sniffing! He justGǪ appeared, like if dreamed, and closed the cave!Gǥ
Fox stared at Buzzard with her eyes about to pop Buzzard grinned, winked, smiled, nodded his head and he was gone.
Hnolai ki tuul, ti sei oni a tiu.
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Stupid Blueberry
Hyasyoda Terrestrial Acquisitions Firm
603
|
Posted - 2014.11.20 13:19:00 -
[8] - Quote
bump for a friend
Hnolai ki tuul, ti sei oni a tiu.
Haajakin Kalen.
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