#the stems

2024 UPDATE: Since my professor is putting our capstone projects in an exhibition show, I figured it would be the perfect time to update my work! I even added sheets for my God & Goddess :3c

THE STEMS, THE CREATOR, THE ENEMY

Full character sheets for my characters! The main four are referred to as the “Stems” in my world. Because their powers stem from the Goddess Eumelia! In my Voice Carries the Music story, these four are long gone. But they left their blessings for each of their countries to benefit from, and they each have decedents we meet in VCtM.

Comparisons of 2023 vs 2024 under cut mostly for me bc I love seeing my own progress and I gotta document it somewhere :P

[the stems]

7:03am

"we'll miss ya a lot, sweetie"

your dad smiled, patting your head affectionately. you could see a hint of sadness hiding behind his eyes.

the truck bed was full of cardboard boxes and totes. today was the day you drove halfway across the country to the city. Hokkaido to Tokyo, 19 hours, almost 800 miles, exactly 1,281.2 kilometers.

"you sure the farm will be okay without me, papa?"

he nodded with a somber smile, "your mother's coming back from her business trip in a few weeks. I can hold the fort down till then."

you smiled, jumping and squeezing him tight.

"I'll miss you, papa."

"I'll miss you too, my honeybee."

soon enough, you got in the cab of the truck. you started the engine, waving to him and starting your drive away. tears clung to your eyelashes as you drove down the familiar dirt road. the same rocks hit the underside of the truck.

the rear view showed nothing but a dirt cloud. you sighed, wiping your eyes. no sense dwelling on it, what's done is done.

11:56pm

rain poured down the side of the car, banging on the top as he drove. he knew the route too well, even with the obstacle of rain he could win this race easy.

he shifted the gear, allowing him to turn easily. he looked in the rearview, seeing his opponent struggling to keep up. he grinned, drifting around the next corner just to show off.

30 seconds later, he sped through the finish line skidding to a stop. he got out, collecting his praise and cash prize.

"congrats, wonder boy," the voice sent shivers down his spine as he turned,

"I thought I told you to stop coming her, Miuki."

"I just can't help it, the thrill gets my heart pumping," the woman approached him

"plus," she looked at the bag of cash in his hand, "I think you owe me. for the favor I had my guys do for you."

he rolled his eyes, "I payed you in full for that."

"true," she turned, "but now the cops are onto us."

his heart dropped to his stomach, his mouth hanging slightly ajar.

"now, I could let them figure everything out," she looked back at him, getting close.

"everything would lead right. to. you, Rinnie."

she spoke clearly, not letting him miss a beat. the words dripped from her mouth like honey, filling his ears.

"or, I could take that pretty money right there and lead them off ya,"

she backed up, "so, what'll it be, wonder boy?"

he ran a hand through his hair, sighing. his fingers tightened around the bag, his knuckles beginning to turn white.

"fuck, Miuki-" he threw the cash at her feet, getting in the car and speeding off. as he drove away, she scoffed.

"so much for a gentleman, huh"

.

.

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The Stems, “Liar”

Good-Bye Bad Times-Phil Oakey, Giorgio Moroder

Like To Get You Know You Well-Howard Jones

Secret Separation-The Fixx

We Close Our Eyes-Oingo Boingo

If You Could Know-Shannon and the Clams

Apple Pie Bed-Lawrence Arabia

Emotion in Motion-Ric Ocasek

5 O’Clock World-The Vogues

Rich Kids-The Drums

Rollerskate-Call and Response

Red Rubber Ball-The Cyrcle

Can’t Seem to Make You Mine-The Seeds

I Left a Woman Waiting-Leonard Cohen

The Year of Driving Languorously-The Lucksmiths

Whistle Down the Wind-Nick Heyward

At First Sight-The Stems

Common at Noon-The Real Kids

Summer Sun-Baby Shakes

The Caterpillar-The Cure

Sun In My Mouth-Bjork

Souvenir-OMD