Dreams and Swords

I do not suffer fools gladly. I do suffer them, but I'm not happy about it.

So, two weeks ago, I posted three JCA ficlets to this journal. I got responses from JCA fans that I like and respect. All was well with the world.

Two days ago, I posted those same ficlets to FF.Net. I included an author's notes that they were all one-shots, and that I had no plans to write anything more.

Perhaps this was glossed over by many of my readers. No matter, I'm used to people asking for more chapters/sequels to one-shot stories.

However.

I am not used to dealing with reviewers like this:

"Wow! Awesome chapter! Who's Jade talking to? Gonna put some of her thoughts on the other powers and maybe a certain dragon we all know, love and hate?"

First of all, I thought that ficlet was clearly set as taking place after Jade was possessed by the wind demon chi. If she's thinking about the wind demon chi and talking to someone unseen who's promising to teach her to control those powers, just who in the Nine Hells do you think it is?!

Second of all, Jade's thoughts on Drago after "J2: Rise of the Dragons" aren't that interesting. He's the villain, she's the hero's sidekick. He's at least late teens, early twenties; she's barely hit puberty. What on earth do you expect me to write that could possibly be entertaining?

"So this is what was going through Jackie's head with the chi! Cool! Maybe you could put up what Drago was thinking too."

No. Amazingly enough, I don't care that much about Drago. Besides, remember that part about 'not writing any more' in the author's notes?

"Stupid Valmont! Why does he get the fire chi? I do hope that you put up more ficlets. I love them! They are the best! Update more, please!"

...

Don't. Even.

He gets the fire chi, because I like Valmont and I want him to win.

He gets the fire chi, because it's the most suitable of the demon chis for him.

He gets the fire chi, because I happen to think that Drago is what he says he is (i.e. Shendu's son), so Drago doesn't need the fire chi.

But mostly, he gets the fire chi because that's the story I wanted to tell!