More than Meets the Eye ~ by SaralynArati

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Thanks a bunch, LadySky!! Some of these ideas are entirely my own... the tiger transformation was based on a dream I once had... but others are remnants of books and stories I've read coming back to me now, I confess... often from more than one source, each...

6 years ago

LadySky

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This is such a creative and original and clever story! I really really like how your writing feels like the retelling of a myth or legend. True storytelling. And I totally agree with Yellowauthor's thoughts regarding the tiger and how he grows. So romantic, le sigh. Also the fact that the sword is sentient is really cool, becoming a character rather than a tool. What a great idea! <3

6 years ago

SaralynArati

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Many thanks, Lexia!! I don't think, at least at first, Mulan knows exactly what's going on any more than Shang or the tiger do. It's kind of a wtf moment all around... and although Yu Lien is the only "owner's manual" the Sword comes with, even she doesn't fully understand it. There will be more on this in the next doll, I promise. :)

6 years ago

DysMalLexia

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I wonder how Mulan felt when the sword removed that memory from Shang or is she not fully aware of what had been removed from him? Either way I'm on the edge of my seat for this! Also this scene is wonderful it has so much going on without becoming too busy. Love the bathing outfits and the magical traces! Bravo!

6 years ago

SaralynArati

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Thanks lots, Mytha!! The guardian spirit, Yu Lien, has some magic of her own and a human-like intelligence. Indeed, she can't remember if she was once a living woman. She was responsible for loosing the Sword of the Heroine and alerting it to the crisis at the river, although she's never sure what action the nearly sentient weapon will take. The Sword itself has great power associated with it, and is often "open to suggestion" from its wielders, but can demonstrate an independent will.

6 years ago

Mytherva

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Ooh, great turn of the plot, looking forward to more! I really like his belt as well!

6 years ago

SaralynArati

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Thanks so very much, Yellow!! I love the feedback, especially as the doll was sort of... skimped on, a bit! I really should practice more with skin shading, but when I have a story idea I'm excited about, I tend to make lazy dolls. However, I'm thrilled that you're enjoying the plot so far!

6 years ago

Yellowauthor

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How interesting! I like how the age of the tiger Shang transforms into corresponds to the "age"/level of development of his feelings for Mulan; what a unique idea! I also love how the sword is almost sentient in its instinctual transformations to protect the identity of its holder. It makes for great suspense, wondering what it will do next! It honestly kind of reminds me of a superhero trying to protect his secret identity; those are always nail-biting moments! This story is very intriguing! ^^

6 years ago

SaralynArati

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(cont) The Sword of the Heroine takes action of its own volition to protect itself and its holder; the man must not remember what he's seen, but on the other hand, his transgression doesn't warrant his death to the steely and alien consciousness of the sword. Therefore, all awareness of that event, along with his suspicions of and feelings for Mulan, are removed from the young man's brain, and manifested into the body of a tiger, only half-grown as Shang's love is as yet only half-formed.

6 years ago