Braidless Baka

[b]OOC:[/b] Well... I've never been a great user of Holy myself, so I don't remember... but in FF8 it only damages one enemy... but... *blinks* we only have one enemy... so it's not as if it really matters... oh bleh - I'll shut up now ^____^;; ~~~~~ Auron could take it, Zell decided, realising suddenly that he'd become a critical part of a "now or never" situation. Auron could take it... He brought his hand back in the water as though he was about to physically throw something at Geosgaeno, then, taking his hand forcefully through the water, sent the spell towards the giant fish. White light appeared from Zell's fingertips and scored swiftly through the water, like some kind of spirit. Straight through the fish's skeletal stomach, it writhed for a moment before curling up its throat towards its head and out of sight. For a second nothing happened. Cecil shot a worried, yet questioning look in Zell's direction, but Zell didn't even see it. He was too preoccupied with the fact that something should have happened by now. [color=orangered][i]C'mon, c'mon, C'MON![/i][/color] [i]Something[/i] should've happened by now. Even if that something was Geosgaeno eating them all alive. Then... the pearly light reappeared. Bursting from Geosgaeno's eyeballs. With a roar the fiend pulled back, not certain what was happening. Why were all these colourful people out to get him? He just wanted food! Nothing else pained him this much over on of their own. As Geosgaeno's pain intensified, his grip on Auron was suddenly released. Now confused and injured, Geosgaeno was in no mood to fight for his prize. Frantically, Zell motioned Cecil to get to Auron while he kept Geosgaeno occupied. Exactly how was going to be a feat in itself, but Cecil wasn't in shape to even be thinking of distracting the fiend. There was a second's protest where Cecil gestured and Zell ignored him. Frantically, Zell watched Cecil make for Auron who, worryingly, wasn't moving. What was he going to do? He had to keep Geosgaeno occupied... even if just for a couple of seconds. Something that would get the feind's attention. Quickly, having given up on Zell's ability to quit being the heroic type, and instead classifying him to be a complete and all-out idiot, Cecil made a beeline for Auron while Geosgaeno busied itself with being in pain. Twice, he was nearly swept aside by a flailing fin, but he doggedly kept on, his own lungs burning for air as he neared Auron. Desperately, he hooked his arms under Auron's shoulders and dragged the warrior towards the door, kicking desperately as he tried to propel them both in the desired direction. He wondered suddenly if Zell hadn't gotten himself the easier job with distracting Geosgaeno. Meanwhile, Zell still had his problem to sort out. Geosgaeno had recovered from the Confusion and was eyeing the two swimmers hungrily. Two for the price of one, as it were. Decidedly, Zell held out his arms for a moment, and drew from the boney fish. This, while not hurting Geosgaeno at all, was enough to divert his attention, turning back to the "colourful" blonde, it's beedy eyes suddenly remembering the earlier punishment. Mentally Zell checked what he'd picked up before throwing another confusion in Geosgaeno's direction. This should be... interesting... ~~~ [b]OOC:[/b] And my offline life calls O_o I'll come back and edit this if nobody beats me to it!

Personally... I'm up for doing some time in a university in Scotland... Not Edinburgh, that's way too elite, but somewhere in Southern Scotland. Or somewhere in Northern England, I haven't really decided yet, doing computer Science. I'm gonna do my first year in my based university then apply for an overseas exchange to an American university. *big grin* I've wanted to study in America forever and ever, so I'm trying really hard to see if the year exchange thing works out. I'm due to get my AS Level results on Thursday *cringe* so, that should help me decide what I'd be best suited to go for. Hopefully I can do my A-Levels and slip into a decent university. after that... who knows... I know I want to go to America to live at some point too O_o doing what with my degree is anyone's best guess ^_^;;

Surely it would go into the Otaku Lounge? I mean, it's not anime... or a video game *runs through the forums on her fingers* -- Unless it's video game RPG we're talking about, in which case it would go in the forum for the console... If it's just pencil and paper RPG, or TCGs or something like that, it should be fine in the Otaku Lounge, that's where I've seen the rest of them go... It really depends on the topic you want to talk about, I think.

Well bare with me... I've only read the last page of this thread O_o [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by AzureWolf [/i] [B]I wonder how other members treat online and offline friends. Is your behavior different online than offline?[/B][/QUOTE] I just wanted to respond to this ^_^ My thing with people I meet online is, I'm willing to reveal my location, if I like them even more I might reveal my approximate region. My age isn't a problem, if they ask they shalt recieve. If I like someone, and they ask for it (or it comes along in conversation) I'm willing to give my first name. I think that a friendship can grow with someone without you having to part with personal information. It's not like you have to gain their trust, or they wouldn't be talking to you in the first place. I used to be really paranoid about what I told people about myself online... but just recently I've loosened up a little bit. Phone numbers, addresses and such are a huge nono :nono:... but gender, location, first name, age etc... things that can't be used to track you down, are fine. Although I'm sure the main point was "behaviour" O_o *twitches* And I act pretty much the same. I'm perhaps a little more excited and bouncey than I would normally be, but that's normal for me too. I mean I'm meeting a new person, I get excited if I'm making a new friend ^_^ -- If I know them offline I'm a little more... docile. Yes... docile is a good word :twitch:

I'm not "related" to anyone... but a few people on OB are my really good friends offline ^_^ (My family don't get the internet long enough to join O_o) [b]doukeshi03, Bishie, Kal, Walnut[/b] Heh, [i]"Friends are the family we choose for ourselves."[/i]

[b]OOC:[/b] Gah... I foresee some problems with two Ravenclaw Alexes... (Or Alexia O_o) Walnut, you don't mind if I refer to your character exclusively by "Lex" do you? And Deedlit... do you mind awfully if I make Alex and Todd a prankster pair? *grins* ~~~~~ [color=purple]"So," murmured Todd, glancing between Shizumi and Alex quizically. "You two are related?" Shizumi nodded eagerly, and Alex proceeded to blush slightly. "Hey, you never told me you had a little sister!" Alex shrugged. "It's not like you ever asked." "You're embarassed of your little sister?" Todd raised an eyebrow, and then looked at Shizumi. "Don't see why. She seems nice enough." "I'm sitting right here," declared Shizumi suddenly, not liking the way she was being talked about as though she wasn't there. Todd smiled slightly. "Yeah right, you're so quiet I almost forgot." There was a pause, during which the general hum of the hall filled up again. Then Wolf spoke up. "What're classes like?" Todd shrugged slightly. "Pretty much school classes. You sit at desks, write essays or wave wands around. Herbology's a pretty practical lesson, I never knew there was so much to plants." He paused with a slight smile. "If you ever have a lesson that includes Mandrakes... be sure to cover your ears all right? They're right little buggars..." "They are?" "Mmmmhmm."[/color]

[b]OOC:[/b] Just a quick pointer, Danny's already got her morph, when she leaned down to stroke Fluffy, she acquired him ^_^;; So, she's allowed to be stubborn O_o ~~~~ "We've got a tiger, a wolf and a rhino standing around like they're [i]supposed[/i] to be here!" I squeaked. This was nuts! Completely nuts! "There's no way you guys are making me do this!!" [It's not as bad as it looks,] said Kevin, taking it upon himself to come towards me. Nervously I moved away. There were many things in the world I would tolerate, but having a wolf come this close was not one of them. "Oh no? Kev... you're a [i]wolf[/i]! Let's take stock of the situation for a minute!" [Danny.] Matt's - the rhino's - voice was measured. [You're not going to freak out on us are you?] "Matt, this is nutso!" Then I lowering my voice I continued. "What if someone comes in and [i]sees[/i] you guys?" [Just try it,] insisted Kitty, her tiger tail swaying slightly as she looked at me. [Just once.] "No way. This is insane, and I want [i]nothing[/i] to do with it!" "Danny..." I turned my gaze on Lea. I couldn't tell if she agreed with me or not, only that she was trying to diffuse the situation before it became something big. "No, c'mon Lea. How sane you [i]you[/i] think this is?" Lea paused for a moment, looking around our little assembley. Everyone was looking at me like I'd grown another head. Well? How was I [i]supposed[/i] to react? Fine, aliens in movies and video games are all well and good, but real-life aliens? Nooooooo. Most certainly not. But I just wished they'd stop looking at me like I was freaking out. I hadn't even [i]started[/i] to freak out yet.

Well... I'm against that too, mostly because I registered in December 2002 but didn't start posting actively until a couple of months after that. I mean, fine it wouldn't have taken much to get my post count (0 at the time I believe - I was an annoying n00b sending PMs to people ~_~;; ) - If my account had been deleted, I wouldn't have felt too warm towards the boards as a whole. Y'know? It would have been a case of "Why [i]my[/i] account?" I probably wouldn't have reregistered. There you have it: my viewpoint. O_O Although I'm sure some sort of pruning goes on in regards to usernames though O_o I'm just not sure what it is.

[b]OOC:[/b] Gah... inspiration has fled!! O_O;; Whoever said writing was easy is a down-right-liar!! *composes self* Here goes the world... ~~~~ [color=orangered]"Okay... so... We've sat in here "planning" -- what did we come up with?"[/color] Zell's voice was curious as he lowered himself back into the water. The tunnel lead back under the wall and into the larger body they'd escaped from not so long ago.[color=orangered]"Last time we didn't have a plan I was almost-"[/color] [color=teal]"Almost?"[/color] [color=orangered]"Okay, okay... I [i]was[/i] eaten. It's an experience I'd prefer not to repeat."[/color] [color=crimson]"Then,"[/color] declared Auron, following Zell, who was by now a little way away and treading water efficiently. [color=crimson]"Then, perhaps, you should stay away from its mouth?"[/color] Zell's face took on a sarcastic expression. [color=orangered]"Haha, look who's the funny man."[/color] He then turned his glare on Cecil, who wasn't hiding the fact that he was grinning quite openly. He shrugged before following the other two survivors. [color=orangered]"But seriously,"[/color] pressed Zell, releasing Cecil from his glare. [color=orangered]"What's the plan?"[/color] [color=crimson]"[i]The plan[/i] mostly consists of us avoiding being killed by Geosgaeno, long enough for us to get into the temple."[/color] Zell paused. Then he blurted, [color=orangered]"If you don't have a plan at least say so!"[/color] [color=crimson]"But that was the plan."[/color] [color=orangered]"Some plan."[/color] [color=crimson]"I somehow see it being better than your usual plan of getting killed by [i]everything[/i]."[/color] growled Auron. Cecil winced. [color=teal]"That's a little harsh..."[/color] [color=orangered]"Yeah! Listen to him!"[/color] [color=crimson]"ALL RIGHT!"[/color] Auron bellowed suddenly, prefering to avoid a complete riot. He sighed, collecting himself before continuing. [color=crimson]"[i]Here[/i] is the plan."[/color] There was a pause. Water dripped somewhere. [color=orangered]"Well?"[/color] [color=crimson]"Well [i]what[/i]?"[/color] [color=orangered]"You said there was a plan..."[/color] Auron, not for the first time since the competition started, looked a little flustered. [color=crimson]"I..I'm just wondering whether to tell you."[/color] [color=orangered]"What kind of a plan is that?!"[/color] Cecil continued grinning, despite himself. [color=teal]"Zell... what he means is he hasn't got a plan."[/color] Zell looked between Auron and Cecil. Then he rolled his eyes to the ceiling with a sigh. [color=orangered]"I'm not going out there again until I know what's going on!"[/color] [color=teal]"Okay... how's this for a plan? Auron and I can't realistically use our swords against it, so we're down to magic. It's weakness is... electricity, I'd assume?"[/color] Auron nodded. [color=teal]"So... electricity is the way we should be going with this. Common sense tells me fire will be no good, like ice... and water is taboo against it."[/color] Cecil paused. [color=teal]"What would water do to it in this world?"[/color] [color=crimson]"Heal it."[/color] [color=teal]"I thought as much."[/color] Cecil then glanced at Zell. [color=teal]"What you do is up to you. You can punch it if you like, but I imagine moving that close to it would be a problem. Do you have many spells?"[/color] Zell shook his head. [color=orangered]"I have... urm... that Holy that I never used... and a few Confuses left over from Klikk... and a Beserk... But..."[/color] [color=teal]"Beserk would be very bad... let's not go there..."[/color] Cecil paused. [color=teal]"So, how's that sound?"[/color] Auron smiled slightly. [color=crimson]"Quite the strategic mind Cecil."[/color] Cecil shrugged. [color=teal]"You two weren't going to get anywhere on your own. Now come on... Geosgaeno's not getting any weaker..."[/color] ~~~ [b]OOC:[/b] And for me that's a long post... Gah... and I didn't even get us to Geosgaeno O_o That was pretty wordy and pointless, but knock yourself out!

Urm... I've only read the last few posts... but I shall make an [i]un-biased[/i] comment ^_^ 1) I don't believe Tsukasa is lvl99 because there's been plenty of times when he could've used Wavemaster abilities... and he hasn't - most of the time he demonstrates... other methods (can't be bothered to explain and use spoiler tags) 2) Despite the fact that Crim had been away, his lvl wouldn't have gone down if he was using the same character - but I'd say his levels are pretty high. He's not a player many could hope to take on and win. So... in all honesty, I think Crim [i]would[/i] win a straight fight. Crim (seems) to be more competent than Silver Knight, and Tsukasa needed help in his first encounter with Silver Knight (cryptic or what? :)) So I guess that's your "proof" Although, just for the record, Tsukasa is still my favourite character ^____^;;

Ooooooohh!!! I was gonna post on this but lacked nerve ^_^ But I shall do so now!! [B]I just wondering if any of you who are married have actually met.[/B] Nope, not unless he was travelling around America sometime while I was there O_o Heh, I probably would never have known if we had O_o But it's something I think I would like to do, not as husband and wife or whatever. There are a lot of people on OB I'd love to meet, Geist being one of them ^___^ Maybe when (if) I do the whole "come to America to study" thing, I'll get to meet people ^_^ *grins* ROADTRIP!! I'll let people know when (if) it happens ;) Here's to hoping ^____^;; [B]When did you guys decide you wanted to get married?[/B] Well... See, here's the thing... O_o I'm not really sure! It was Logan's fault really for forcing me into marriage! Logan was kidding about, but I thought about Geist, considered it, then thought no... it was kinda embarassing O_o and he'd probably think I was a kook and never speak to me again - for a while I put it off. Then I was talking to Geist in PM one day and thought, to heck with it! So... I mean it's not really a "serious" thing when you marry on OB... but it's a friendship builder, and I appreciate it for being that ^_^ [B]I was also wondering who are some of your favorite married couples...[/B] [i]Duh[/i]!!! *grins* Well, I think Mei and Syk3 are a great couple, but I have to put myself and Kouby first ^_^ - I refuse to explain the Kouby thing, smart people will get it ^_^ (And people who've read his sig O_o) But yeah, me and Kouby, then Mei and Syk, Japan_86 and Bottsai (I think that's the spelling) then Tori and Piro... then anyone else who adds themselves onto my list!! But Kouby's mine!! *gush gush* ^___^;;

[b]OOC:[/b] Okay... I apologise if my post is a little bland... I've spent all night writing for Otaku Idol, so yeah... forgive the blandness and we're fine ^_^;; ~~~~ And after Zell's amazing and rather surprising display... ...he managed to miss. [color=crimson]"ZELL!"[/color] [color=orangered]"Gah! Give a guy a break!"[/color] Quickly, Zell came down the pile of rubble, several stones skittering from under his feet. Cecil leaned back as the blonde careened past him, showering stones at him. Klikk meanwhile, had sensed that Zell deserved a little more caution than he'd been given. [color=crimson]"Zell, what're you [i]doing[/i]?!"[/color] Quickly, Zell ran forward towards the huge fiend, trying to corner it. [color=orangered][i]As if cornering it would do any good..[/i][/color] he murmured mentally to himself. [color=orangered]"Just getting something!"[/color] he called in response to Auron's question. [color=teal]"Zell?!"[/color] [color=orangered]"Just gimme two seconds!"[/color] Kilkk was fast... Zell needed to make it stay still long enough to cast slow on it again. That was the plan. Yeah... "the plan..." What a time to have stupid, obscure little spells that did no damage! Klikk inched further and further away from Zell, and only an idiot could tell it wasn't about to snap and attack him at any second. [color=crimson]"Zell!"[/color] bellowed Auron. [color=crimson]"Whatever you're planning on doing, do it now!"[/color] No slows... no stops... no deaths... what did he have at his disposal? He was planning on drawing from Klikk, but apparently Spira monsters didn't have that many spells to draw. Which pretty much sucked... [color=teal]"ZELL!"[/color] Suddenly, as though triggered by Cecil's voice, Klikk had taken it upon himself to move, blasting past Zell and knocking him into the opposite wall. [color=orangered][i]Dumb bravery... Dumb dumb DUMB bravery![/i][/color] Savagely Zell berated himself as he threw out a hand, willing to draw anything to throw at Klikk or his own companions. Then, in glee his eyes widened. [color=orangered]"CONFUSE! YOU STUPID BUG!!"[/color] Promptly... Klikk ran into a wall. Well it wasn't stop, slow or death... or anything remotely useful... but it wasn't really sure what it was doing anymore... And that HAD to be a plus. ~~~~~ [b]OOC:[/b] Urrrrrrmmm O_o Yeah... It was mostly focused on Zell, and I apologise... O_o But Kilkk ran into a wall!! *sniggers* Muwahahaha O_O;; *eery pause* I'll stop that now ^_^;; *pets the post that wrote itself*

The street was dark. The three outlaws huddled together on a corner against the unanticipated chill, their breath fogging in front of them. Shawn, the youngest of them at fourteen, was taking it the hardest, his blonde hair plastered to the side of his face as his teeth chattered in a cold sweat. ?Where is he?? muttered the second of them irritably, a raven haired girl called Trigger. She hugged Shawn closer against the cold as she glared at the third of them. ?He should have been here by now,? she continued darkly. Their companion made to answer, but then heard the familiar ?chug-chug-chug? of something approaching. All three of them leaned into the shadows as a police patrol floated by, the vehicle hovering inches from the ground as it hummed its way past them. After a few more moments, the lights dimmed around another corner and they relaxed. Irritably, Trigger pressed the issue. ?We?re going to die of the cold soon. We need to get in there.? ?I know,? came the hissed reply, as Jackal turned his weathered face to look at them. ?But we can?t go until we get the signal, alright? No signal, no safety. You got that Trig?? Quietly, Trigger nodded. She knew. She just didn?t like it. ?What if this is a set-up?? murmured Shawn, after a few moments of silence had passed. ?We?ve been standing here for 3 hours now?? ?Three and a half.? ?Okay,? conceded Shawn quietly, pulling himself out of Trigger?s grip to rub his arms, noting quietly that his fingers were turning an uncanny shade of purple. ?But, what if-? ?Will you quit with the ?what if?s?? snapped Jackal suddenly. ?You?re not helping anything. And besides-? ?Besides,? cut in Trigger, her voice holding an element of excitement, ?there?s the signal!? Turning his sharp gaze, Jackal noted the light that was peering out of one of the windows in the complex. He nodded quietly. ?So it is,? he said, taking a cautious step into the street. Then he beckoned for Shawn and Trigger to follow him. ?Let?s go.? They were a well-balanced group of people. Trigger specialised in infiltration, perfectly capable of creeping about in the dark. Jackal was, despite outward appearances, a combat mage. Some people had latent magical abilities, though few were willing to admit it. And Shawn, too new at this to even have acquired himself a nickname, was their computer specialist. Quietly, they moved around the dark building, the waning light throwing awkward shadows onto the ground. Trigger took the lead, sneaky things being her speciality. Her violet gaze roved the area before she flicked it towards Jackal. ?We need those cameras out.? ?Right now?? She nodded. ?It?ll take them a little while to realise they?re gone. I hear the security chief sleeps on the job.? As she spoke, she removed three earpieces out of a pouch on her belt and handed one to Shawn, watching as he put it in. Then she turned to see Jackal muttering something under his breath, his hands making small motions that she would never hope to understand. Then, with a faint glow, and a crackling sound, the cameras went down. ?Okay,? he murmured. ?We?re good to go.? Quickly, Trigger handed him his earpiece, and then got up to move, pulling lightly on Shawn?s jacket. ?C?mon kiddo. Your turn.? Shawn was already delving into his own small bag, pulling out a series of wires and connectors. He took a position, cross-legged on the floor and started connecting everything together. Jackal was watching him with an almost disgusted expression. He?d seen what Shawn did next? and it just wasn?t natural. Not by a long shot. He winced visibly as Shawn pushed back the hair by his temple, revealing a small socket, and clicked the wire into place. ?Doesn?t that ever make you sick?? ?To the stomach,? murmured Shawn, with a slight nod. ?Every time.? Jackal didn?t say anything, but watched the boy. Now that he looked, Jackal noticed that Shawn did look a little paler than he had done a few seconds ago. What must that feel like? But the question was idly wondered ? they had things to do. ?Go on kiddo,? murmured Trigger, having produced a dangerous-looking gun. ?We?ll cover you.? ?I know you will.? ?Both of us.? Jackal rubbed his hands together as he spoke, reciting combat incantations in his head, in case he should have need of them. Which was all too likely. Shawn sighed. He breath wobbled in his throat. Every time he had to do this he wanted to run away. To run clear away where he wouldn?t be found. But he was this deep now. He was so deep he couldn?t see daylight. In fact, he hadn?t seen daylight for a long time. None of them had? Quietly, but quickly, he clicked the last wires into place. Then he flicked the power on, and the small console in front of him hummed to life. ?I?m going online in 5?4?3?2?1?? ?Zero? was lost on his lips as Shawn?s eyes slid shut, and his face was suddenly expressionless. Like? he wasn?t quite there anymore. Trigger couldn?t help but shudder. She?d once asked him about it, what it felt like to go ?online?. He?d told her that his mind was busy somewhere else. That he really didn?t have time to focus on what his face was doing. It had sounded stupid at the time, but the few occasions when she?d witnessed him going ?online? she had to agree with what he was saying. It didn?t seem like he really did have time for much else. ?Keep your guard up,? she murmured quietly. ?But you said they?d be slow to figure it out,? protested Jackal gruffly, continuing to rub his hands together, and not entirely from the cold. ?I did,? Trigger agreed quietly, ?but they?ll figure it out eventually. And he may need longer than that to get us in.? Five minutes later, though, they were packing up and unplugging the shivering blonde. Jackal took all the wires and main unit apart, although Trigger had to take the wire out of Shawn?s temple. He was shaking too much to do it himself, and Jackal simply refused to touch it. ?Why do that to the lad?? he hissed quietly. ?Because he wants to,? she hissed back, her voice sharp. ?Because it?s the only thing he ?can? do now.? Jackal, although he said no more, held a highly disapproving demeanour as the slipped through the, now unlocked, front door of the huge building. After another minute or two, Shawn stopped shivering quite so much. ?I?I?ve taken out all the cameras from here to the fourth floor,? he managed to stammer. ?We?re good up until there.? Trigger nodded, peering round the corner. ?That?s better than I thought you?d manage. We need to get to the fifth floor, but everything we can get is a bonus.? Still trembling, Shawn pulled out a pistol from his small bag and checked it. ?You can aim?? Shawn shook his head quietly at Jackal?s question. ?Couldn?t hit a barn door.? ?So how??? ??They? don?t know that though.? ?Ahh,? murmured Jackal after a blank pause, suddenly nodding in understanding. ?I see where you?re coming from now.? Hushing them quietly, Trigger motioned them onwards. ?We don?t have time to waste?? Then Jackal winced as an ear-splitting siren filled the silence. ?Trig? you jinxed it! I swear you jinxed it!? ?Quit whining, and get MOVING!? she bellowed, suddenly breaking into a sprint. ?They know we?re here, but they don?t know exactly where yet!? Suddenly, desperately trying to keep up, Shawn swore. His weapon was clutched in hands, slippery with sweat. ?What?? barked Jackal, Trigger seemingly having not heard. ?The thermal scanners,? murmured Shawn, his blue eyes wide, slowing to a stop, causing the whole party to stop running and turn to him. ?What was that?? Trigger?s voice, for the first time in Jackal?s hearing, was afraid. ?What did you say?? ?The thermal scanners are still online.? His voice shook, as the gun finally slipped from his shaking fingers, clattering to the floor and skittering a short distance from him. The air was still cut by the wailing siren, but it seemed almost silent to the three, suddenly presented with their doom. ?They?ll find us in a heartbeat. They?ll be on their way now?? ?But I thought you?? ?I thought I?d taken care of everything!? Shawn?s words were earnest and insistent, his eyes holding his terror like a glass holds water. He was so afraid? ?I thought I had, and--? The unmistakable sound of a single gunshot scorched the air. Then Shawn blonde fell forward, his mouth still forming his explanation as Trigger caught him, her mouth gaping in surprise. She looked up, her surprise turning to a glare as a patrol of about five men stood there. Hurriedly, she pushed Shawn?s hair aside so she could see his eyes. They were open, but misty and dim. He was dead. ?You?? she whispered, her voice then whipping up into a stormy bellow. ?YOU JUST KILLED HIM!!? The man holding the proverbial, and quite literal, smoking gun simply smirked at her. Then he levelled the weapon again. But Trigger was faster, as her name perhaps indicated, two of them writhing on the floor before the main gunman had pulled his trigger. Then she and Jackal were sprinting away, like ghosts on a breeze. But they?d soon be found again, they couldn?t stop themselves being warm blooded. Their footsteps rung hollowly through the corridor, Shawn gliding further away from them like a nightmare. ?Can?t you ?do something??!? Trigger snapped in Jackal?s direction. ?You?re the one with all the mystic mumbo-jumbo!? ?Oh yeah?!? he retorted, his temper risen, suppressing his distress at Shawn?s death with a savage efficiency. There were some things even a hacker didn?t deserve. ?Hold on a minute while I become a God will you?!? ?Well hurry it up, before I personally-!? Another crack filled the air. The mere sound made Jackal want to cover his eyes and never look up again. The sight of Trigger lying in a pool of her own blood was terrifying to the mage. The hole in her right temple was acute, accurate, and lethal. She didn?t even breathe anymore. Jackal stepped back, his dark eyes coming up towards her murders. They were laughing? The stupid imbeciles had the NERVE to laugh! ?Wanted dead or alive, man.? The words sounded almost like an apology. They might even have been convincing had the officer holding the weapon not been smiling. This made Jackal angry. He was a mage, he reminded himself forcefully, trying to keep calm. But then he also reminded himself that this didn?t make him a saint, and that keeping his temper had never been his strong suit. With a final glance at Trigger, her silently bid her farewell, before straightening notably. ?Well?? asked the officer, moving the gun slightly gesturing his willingness to use it. ?Which is it going to be? Dead or alive?? ?I don?t really care.? Quietly, he built up the energy inside him. A lot of anger was there. Two companions dead. It was enough to stir up a hell of a lot of anger. But there was passion there too. Memories. Friendships. Things he?d barely achieved before they were stolen. Emotion writhed in him like a snake begging to be set free. Almost as though his actions weren?t his own. He heard sounds, voices, but they didn?t matter anymore. Revenge. Revenge mattered. Mattered more than anything had ever mattered before. He had so much energy, he could barely feel himself anymore. And then? he set it all free. Somewhere, on another compound far away, a spectacled man rested a clipboard on his knee. He watched a small light go out on a huge wall-mounted map before turning to his supervisor. ?Light 786 just went out, sir.? ?Add it to the list.?

I'm liking the Vash one ;) especially the "manga-ness" (and then I discovered I wasn't the first person to call it that ^_^) And the blocky one is cool, I've had a thing for "blocks" recently, and... I dunno O_o it looks really spiffy, like the banner isn't just a big box, but that you've somehow made it into a weird shape... or something... *twitch* Yeah, I'm liking the banners (and avis O_o) keep 'em coming! ^____^

"What the heck was that?! 'Getting away before something happens?' What's with all this?!" I couldn't stuff this through my head. It was all so... bizzare... I watched Kitty and Ben seem to pour over things, quietly watching us. Those two had always been the quieter of us. Kevin was fidgeting as we walked quickly along. He'd never been able to keep calm about things. Quietly, I could guess, he was sinking into some kind of thoughtful solitude, recognised by most to be depression. To the rest of us, of course, he was just thinking hard. Matt looked troubled, a look you didn't often see with Matt, the cheerful track-runner he was. And Lea looked like... Lea. Like she had figured something else out, but was unwilling to share. "Hello! Danny to anyone!" I rapped on Kevin's head for effect and he swiped my hand away. "Does anyone but me wanna make sense of this?" "What if it never happened?" Kitty's face was quiet. "We're all dreaming or something...?" "But we're not," I snapped, kicking a stone aside in anger. "And you [i]know[/i] we're not!" She shrugged, seeming to back away from my vicious temper. "Danny," Lea said quietly. "It's not worth getting all excited about it." "Oh it's not?!" My words were hot. I was panicking. "No, not right now. We can talk about it more in the morning." She glanced about everyone. "We can [i]all[/i] talk about it in the morning." Sighing, I realised she was right. It was getting late, and I hadn't even had a chance to think properly yet. Coming to my back gate, I leaned down to stroke the family cat, Fluffy. My hand tingled as I ran it down his back. I blinked, but said nothing about it. "Well... night guys," I murmured, opening my gate and standing to wave to them until they moved on, out of sight. Then I closed the gate and went in. I didn't realise just how interesting things were about to get around here...

Personally I think, yes Outlaw Star is a great anime, but the dubbed version was one of the worst I've seen. If you're planning on getting the DVD you'll see what I mean. I, personally, couldn't force myself through the dub, Gene and Jim expecially were destroyed in the dubbed version. But buy it, see what you think ^_^ I loved it as a series!!

Yup, I'm on there as the VERY imaginative "Braidless Baka" - this thread is handier than it looks O_o It beats aimlessly searching in the search field ^_^;; [url]http://www.myotaku.com/users/braidless_baka/[/url] Mwahahaha!! O_o;;

[b]OOC:[/b] Stalling in the plan are we? Oh... and that picture is coooooool!! I'll probably tell you again this afternoon, but MY GOD!! @.@!! *cough cough* ^_^ I played the game again especially to figure what should happen next! Be proud! O_o *twitch* ~~~~~ His footsteps echoed through the vast building as he jogged through. His breath fogged in front of him as he picked a door and went into it, slowing to a walk as he peered into the gloom. Just because they were away from Geosgaeno didn't mean they were safe. He wasn't quite [i]that[/i] stupid (contrary to popular belief). [color=orangered]"Wood... wood... wood..."[/color] he mumbled to himself, rubbing at his upper arms. The rubble was damp and wet, over the years having accumulated slime as he walked past it. It looked like there had been some sort of huge cave in. Craning his neck to the ceiling, Zell turned in a full circle, trying to get a full idea of the damage. But it didn't really matter anyway. The air above any holes were just as thick as the ceiling itself. [i]This place felt strange...[/i] He didn't know how to explain it... but something just felt... wrong somehow... But, oh yeah! He was looking for wood! Eventually he came across a [i]withered bouquet[/i] in a crumbling vase which was fixed to the wall. Smiling slightly with his success he pulled the bouquet out of the vase and tried to pat some of the dust off with a hand. However, he ended up patting more of the plant off than dust, so eventually he decided to just leave it be. Then, behind him, there was a scuttling sound. He turned, trying to identify the source. But as he looked, it was gone. Puzzled, he leaned over the banister and saw Cecil and Auron sitting on the ground, apparently preparing battle strategies without him for the giant fish. [color=orangered]"Did you guys hear something?"[/color] [color=crimson]"Hear?"[/color] Zell nodded, swinging his weight slightly on the banister. [color=orangered]"Yeah, like a scuttling sound?"[/color] Quickly, he jumped back as bits of the banister started to crumble underneath his hands. Cecil shook his head. [color=teal]"We haven't heard anything."[/color] [color=crimson]"But we should be careful."[/color] Auron glanced about, suddenly suspicious. [color=crimson]"Geosgaeno may not be the only thing guarding the temple..."[/color] Zell sighed in mock-exasperation as he pushed himself off the banister, deciding to go look for something to "start" their fire. [color=orangered]"Forever the pessimist, hmm? Why can't you assume something's going to go [i]our[/i] way for a change?"[/color] [color=crimson]"Because I'm usually right..."[/color] [color=orangered]"Details, details!"[/color] ~~~ [b]OOC:[/b] I included the withered bouquet ^_^ *bounces around happily* I'm so proud!!

I remember, my dad used to trim the hedge... and this isn't some little baby hedge... ohhhh noooo this is a huuuuge hedge! the trimmings were the size of branches!! And I spent a good couple of hours picking them up... and I'd get 50p (about 75cents) to pick them all up O_o and I thought I was getting paid well!! Right now I work as a sales assisstant in a clothes store ^_^ It's not especially well-paid, but I appreciate the money. My wages are better than my pocket money was anyway ^_^ I have to get the bus there and back, but it's all good I guess. It gets a little hecktic during school, but during the summer it's a good way to get yourself out of the house ;)

There're people on these boards I know IRL (you guys know who you are ;)) so I'm just gonna cover the bases for the ones I've never met before ^_^ [b]Geist:[/b] He's just funny and wonderful and curious. I swear, he's so great ^_^ He's constantly asking me questions about England, and what my opinions on different things are. I've never met a more curious person - and it's great ^_^! [b]Logan:[/b] It's creepy, I can be at ease enough with someone that they don't even say "hi" to start an AIM conversation O_o - he likes to open conversations with his most recent banner ^_^ And I like that [b]Japan_86:[/b] She hands out compliments like nobody's business ^___^ - it's kinda cool really. She makes me feel more upbeat about the things I do, and she's always good for a laugh ^_^ [b]erinzyger:[/b] Not spoken to her much recently, but she's still funny and mad and insane ^_^ and those monkey-soldiers of hers are always amusing to take pot-shots at ^_^;; [b]Domon:[/b] Pushing me to write when I wasn't feeling my happiest or my most creative. The RP in question died shortly afterwards, but I appreciated his understanding and constant prodding. [b]GinnyLyn:[/b] I totally admire her determination and loyalty to an RP. FF:S wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for her I don't think. There's [i]no way[/i] I could stick with an RP for 3 months or more with the same vigour and determination she has. She inspires me to stick with things ^_^ *grins* Go Ginny! [b]Milliefan:[/b] As doukeshi03 mentioned... she keeps things interesting ^_^ She may disagree with a lot of people, but at least she obsesses politely (which is more than a lot of people do O_o), and the subject aside, she's a pleasant and polite individual. I wouldn't mind getting to know her better to be perfectly honest ;) Heh, there we go ^_^

Todd grinned as the first-years joined the [b]Ravenclaw[/b] table. Ravenclaw always got the best first-years, there was no two ways about it. "So, let's see," he said to himself, leaning over the food to get a better look at them. "We've got... Shizumi Tristan, Alexia Lee, and Wolf Maximus. Not bad, huh?" One of the other Ravenclaws beside him nodded. "It's a smaller bunch than last year though." Todd shrugged, seating himself again as Alexia caught his gaze. "I guess so. But some years are smaller than others, right? This year will just be a small intake." "You sure?" "Am I ever [i]not[/i] sure?" The other Ravenclaw laughed as Todd pushed some brown hair out of his eyes. "Sometimes I wonder if you're even [i]all there[/i] Todd." Todd peered down the table again curiously. "What d'you think of them then?" "Snape'll have a lot of fun with the Gryffindor first-years. But he manages that [i]every[/i] year." "Any that're going to lose Ravenclaw house points, d'you think?" Todd's companion shook his head while trying to wedge a chicken leg down his throat sideways. "Mmmmhmenmemmeo!" "Umm... yeah..." Todd glanced across with a comical expression. "[i]Whatever[/i] you say..." Around the table and the hall, general conversation continued... ~~~~ [b]OOC:[/b] Forgive my "staticness" but I really couldn't think of a constructive way to push us forward O_o - Just as pointer though, I spoke to Outcast and I'm safely in [b]Ravenclaw[/b] - if any Ravenclaw first-years want to talk to/get teased by the big Ravenclaw fifth-year-who's-not-a-prefect ^_^;;

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Pressure [/i] [B][color=silver][size=1]Of course, I was given numerous detentions [ that I never attended ] for listening to music between classes. Buy those little itty bitty headphones that fit in your ear.[/color][/size] [/B][/QUOTE] *grins* We had a kid that did that once (we're not even supposed to bring our walkmans to school) and he claimed it was a hearing aid. The teacher believed him... O_o *twitch* Well... I'm in Year 13 this year, which I think compares to Senior Year... and after this year I'm off into the big wide world, go me! But when I had my first year of highschool, I remember being pointed in the wrong direction more than once. But you manage, and teachers are sympathetic for the first week ^_^ - Or at least they were with me. We don't have so much going on by way of clubs, but I figure that's a great way to go out and make friends. Just try and stick your foot in, first impressions really count. (Belated impressions aren't too bad either, so don't worry too much ^_^) Just go, be yourself, and have fun. Schools, especially American ones in my opinion, (it doesn't start until yr 12 for us - we all look identical until then, darn uniforms O_o) are where you get to really express yourself and prove who you are ^_^ Don't be afraid of it!

I like it ^_^ A suggestion though (even though I can't CG for BEANS O_o) possibly, scan it waaaaaay bigger, and colour it in waaaaay bigger (or reduce it before colouring), and then reduce it to the size you want. That "should" get rid of the jagged lines. That was why you softened it, right? To get rid of the jagged outlines? Personally, I reckon the starry background would've looked better behind the middle picture... But it's cool ^_^ my CG attempts have gone waaay worse than that *twitch twitch* O_o;; Nice one ^___^

[b]OOC:[/b] Got your PM and PMed you back ^_^ We've got a bit of creative genius in our Ginny haven't we? ^____^;; ~~~~ [color=teal]"So..."[/color] murmured Cecil after a pause, [color=teal]"Where is it?"[/color] Zell, too, glanced around uneasily. The giant fish, Geosgaeno, had again disappeared underneath the water. Treading water, he turned full-circle, trying to figure out where it was. Water dripped quietly from the damp ceiling, making hollow plops against the surface of the water. Zell blinked as, looking up, a drip landing square between his eyes. Raising a hand to wipe it clear, he turned a glance towards Auron. [color=orangered]"Can you see anything?[/color] Curtly, Auron replied, [color=crimson]"I'm not psychic..."[/color] [color=orangered]"No... no you're not."[/color] Sighing, Zell turned his gaze away again. Everything remained quiet for a another good few minutes, until his legs were beginning to ache with treading water. [color=teal]"Why don't we just make for the door? If it comes then it comes."[/color] [color=crimson]"Oh, don't worry. It'll come."[/color] [color=orangered]"Well, it's better than [i]waiting[/i] for it to come, right?"[/color] Auron seemed to turn a glare on both of them. Obviously they didn't know [i]quite[/i] what they were dealing with. Geosgaeno was no mere goldfish - as they had already seen. But, on the other hand, they were right. There was nothing to be gained by just waiting, they were going to have to fight the fiend sooner or later. [color=crimson]"...and sooner would probably be best."[/color] [color=orangered]"What?"[/color] [color=crimson]"Nothing... let's g-"[/color] For a second, Auron and Cecil gaped in pure confusion as, with a yelp, Zell suddenly disappeared below the surface. Auron, however, was the first to recover. [color=crimson]"MOVE!"[/color] he bellowed, diving beneath the surface after Zell, Cecil quickly following. Geosgaeno was a sneaky fish indeed, Zell decided. Only an exceptionaly sneaky fish would wait until they were talking before dragging him down by his leg. Desperately we wriggled for a few moments, flecks of blood passing through the water by him from where Geosgaeno's teeth had a solid grip on his leg. Then, without warning, the big fish stopped, releasing Zell and flicking him forward through the water. Then, like some kind of demented vacuum cleaner, he sucked the blonde into his skeletal-type stomach. ~~~~ [b]OOC2:[/b] I soooo HATED that move... cos if you killed him like that everyone died... O.o And just curious can they breathe/talk underwater? I've never understood how they could... But for the purposes of the RP, is it a yay or nay vote?

Wooo girl! First a chair, and now pottery O_o Makes me feel [i]too[/i] academic... >.> Heh... at first I was worried the iguana was supposed to be a pot ~_~ Stupid Baka...! *grins* No, it's really nice. They all are in fact. ^_____^;;