Black Sand Artwork: http://totemo-oishii.deviantart.com/art/Jar-of-Hearts-214795311

Welcome to my profile. I am Oishii Hanashi but just call me Oishii (If you're curious it means 'Delicious Story'). I am a University student double majoring in Linguistics and East Asian Languages and Cultures. Afterwards, I will adventure off to Japan to either work as a translator or teaching English as a second language.

I started writing to improve my writing skills and it has proved its worth. One semester for me can comprise of reading a large list of short stories and 5-8 novels, and writing 3-5 full length papers and many short discussion assignments. We'll throw in a textbook or two to the list. Least to say, I am VERY BUSY during the semester, so don't expect any updates. If I do, it's either out of the goodness in my heart or a lapse in my sanity. Presumably the latter.

Black Sand Author Notes: This came out later than I anticipated. But between having medical issues come up, taking care of a new kitten, and starting an Advance Japanese class that has quizzes 5 times a week, I haven't had as much free time.

It's for the latter reason I may only be able to update maybe once during the spring semester. This Japanese class is pretty intense and I need to do the best I can. I may have mentioned it, but in the next school year I will be studying abroad. I will be studying the language as much as I can so I'll have an easier time while I'm there. Also, I have a long list of scholarships to do to help pay for my study abroad. I'm hoping my storytelling skills will make my application stand out.

So, comments about the last two chapters. I have to say, Set surprised me. It's funny how even though I already made a character profile of him and had a basic idea of what would happen, the things he said and way he behaved took me completely by surprise. It is the weirdest sensation because I should be the one controlling him, but it didn't feel that way. Nonetheless, he was really fun to write. Before I was thinking of leaving out some plans I had with him for the future, but I think I'll go ahead and keep them. I like his character.

At this point, it feels like the halfway point of the story. When Nakia left her home in chapter 3, there were eight jars to find. She's found four since then, and now there are four left. There is also the fact that I've pretty much laid out all the mysteries of the plot. With all these questions created the rest of the story will be spent trying to find the answers to them. Nakia as a character is also at a midway point. I think at this point there is so much trauma inflicted to her that there is no going back to who she used to be. Anubis has also gained a lot of who he is. It's sort of like how Anubis gains more of himself, Nakia loses parts of herself in the process.

Have I ever mentioned I make my characters just to torture them? It makes me feel better about my own life xD

Update 2/27: Just thought I would leave this note for anyone who checks my profile. Don't expect the next chapter soon. Why? I'm working on some huge overhauling that I want to do at the same time I release the next chapter. I will be rewriting the prologue to chapter 4, combining the prologue and first chapter to fix FF/FP's chapter numbering, and if I have time rereading everything to fix minor spelling errors. But don't fear. With the next chapter I will also have a special half chapter too that I hope you guys will enjoy.

Other Things to Read While You Wait:

'Dancing to Carmen: a story about Vice' - http://www.fictionpress.com/s/3004179/1/Dancing_to_Carmen_a_story_about_Vice

Links to another awesome story inspired by mythology:
Loki - Cupid: http://fav.me/d3c9hzu
Loki - Baldur: http://fav.me/d3dsiqp
Loki - Chapter 1: http://fav.me/d3fre4e