Raiha

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]The essay comes from a French word which boils down to 'the search for the truth.' It doesn't necessarily mean you'll find the truth at the end of your writings, but you should do your best. I like essays, if only because as an English major, I'm forced to. If I didn't I would've cut myself to death already. I've written 25 page short stories for my Critical Thinking/Creative Writing courses, and the longest actual research paper was a 15 page beauty on mold growth. Go figure.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]No sprechen de english. Actually it's Ich habe keine English. So that's two languages, plus ASL, which is technically a language, only it isn't spoken, although you can speak as you sign for the rare ASL user who also lip reads. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Stephanie'][size=1]I said that and then I forgot. >.< Whoops. Maybe do a short time jump? I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do between the current time in the RP and the "party" or whatever.[/size][/QUOTE] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Meeting/Party is in the later evening. Right now it's approximately 10 am in game. If you want to flashback though that's fine.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]I welcome input on any ideas anyone at this stage might have. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]I went to downtown San Francisco, and it was inadvertently action packed. Although we got there too late for the block party, midnight I suppose was just too late for some people... But anyway we went to get pizza and beer, came outside and saw some people just standing around sobering up or drinking more. But there was a lone asian guy, not even in green slamming his fist into the doors of closed bars. Then he started kicking the storefront window of one while the people inside just stared at him blankly. I lost sight of him but according to my friends, he went around the corner, and promptly fell over, clipping his head on the side of a metal trash can. He then lay there on the concrete sidewalk bleeding when my tipsy friend rushed in and turned on EMT mode. After some sternum rubs to make sure he was still responding [if only to painful stimuli] security FINALLY showed up and called the fire department and ambulance. The guy came around, started screaming and thrashing, and then fell back into a broken face coma. IT WAS AWESOME. BLOOD WAS EVERYWHERE![/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]*arrives after the sound of feet coming down a staircase* Ah yes, I've been here since practically the beginning of time. Pretty much only Charles remembers when my name was Setsuna instead of Raiha. But what the hey, here I am![/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Oh god, of all the magnificent quotes I had on this site, you had to pick that one. Oh well I suppose it could've been even less flattering. ...I suppose. And congratulations to the people that I voted for. I HAD A HAND IN YOUR VICTORY![/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Having just gotten a facial wax and shampoo and haircut, I'm inspired to ask. Do you people get groomed often? Ever? Have you even heard of soap? I get a trim every few months, six or so probably. I often forget. Every two months I treat myself to a eyebrow/upper lip waxing so I don't resemble wolfman anymore, and I like french nail manicures. The little Vietnamese women that seem to run virtually every nail and hair salon in the Bay Area are great. Most often they don't even talk to me, leaving me time to relax. I find getting shampoo and haircuts to be so blissful that conversation becomes an unnecessary burden. How much do you generally spend on these things? Or does your mom do it for you? Post a picture if you just got a haircut.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Somewhere near Valencia, Southern Island, Philippines, I picked up an amoeba infection. This resulted in explosive amounts of impulsive excavation from both ends. Onto my feet at one point because I was curled over my knees sitting on the edge of a bedbug infested bed. They had to put me on an IV drip for one night, and I more or less was forced to ingest all the gatorade I could hold so I wouldn't die.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]For the record, hover craft are in existence, but as recreational, sporting equipment only. Normal on the ground cars are relatively common, but there's a tram and portals [think pokemon], so cars are becoming less common, but still occasionally a penis extension like they are currently.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]See, that was almost helpful. If only I knew more about football. See Sara? It's hopeless.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]I confess an absolute ignorance of the significance of all of this, much less the topic title. It must be one of those man football things.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Is it a nightmare neighbor if it lives in the same roof? No? Well unfortunately I've personally had some nice neighbors. Not counting neighborhood kids who used to hurl effing [size=10]ROCKS[/size] into our middle bedroom window just for fun.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Probably via webcam, like everyone else who has the number. Also, everyone welcome Stephanie, who, against the grain, will be an actual female prostitute. And a masochist. Yay![/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]1) Member of the Year: Allamorph. Because he was hired and fired and generally went about his business with great strength of character, fortitude, and panache. 3) Female Member of the Year: Indi Because: She survived pre-wedding, wedding, and post-wedding without falling off of the Otakuboards radar entirely. 4) Staff Member of the Year: Sunfall Because: I don't know if you've ever been trapped in a small room with many screaming people resisting being banned, but she has, and clearly survived without having to choke a...newbie. 7) Storyteller of the Year: Ace Because: YOU HAVE SLAIN WILFORD BRIMLEY! [/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Heaven's Cloud']I actually have my first real date with an amazing girl that I recently met on Valentine's Saturday. Despite my cynical few lines above I'm actually pretty optimistic when it comes to new relationships. Even if we don't end up clicking I am sure it will be a blast of a day.[/QUOTE] [font=times new roman][color=darkorchid]...Or she'll slit your throat and steal your wallet and leave you dead and decomposing in an alley somewhere in a bad part of town. Who knows?[/font][/color]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Just so we're clear Boo, you want Shy as Ghandi, a tray of gingerbread men, and the parkourist right? Also queued up are: *Gavin Dying with a Bitterly Tragic Loss of Faith *Allamorph Dying in a Thoroughly Interesting Fashion[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]I dragged myself mercilessly through [u]Up In The Air[/u] by a Mr. Kirn, and I have to confess, I did not like it. A few funny moments were overshadowed by strange phrases and sentences that didn't seem to flow, and a plethora of such drab dull characters that they were impossible to discern from each other. Mr. Morse could just as well be Mr. Bean for all I'd know.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"][i]The weather the next morning was hot, dreary, dull, and generally so unlike San Francisco weather, that Ling-Sum passionately entertained the idea of simply not going about her business until the evening meeting. But her father had impressed upon her both the effectiveness and necessity of her detente with the Lady's people and organization. As such, it was only kosher that she complete the lunch date she was holding with one of the Lady's men...so to speak. After that, dropping by the Brotherhood of Heavenly Peace was absolutely necessary to ensure the agenda between the Sleepers and their team was streamlined. Such was the glamorous role of the Silver Fairy. And what was her father doing this entire time? Probably perfecting his swing on the golf course with the CEO's of whichever international corporation he was fleecing this year. Although that might be slightly unfair. It wasn't as if the Bear General didn't also do his part to ensure the continuing good health of the Brotherhood. But that was neither here nor there, and Ling-Sum had work to do. Summoning up two servants from the kitchen, Ling-Sum took her breakfast over to her computer and scrolled through the local headlines while she gleefully consumed a bowl of congee with wheat gluten and hard boiled tea eggs on the side. In the adjoining room, Sen made the beds and then picked out Ling-Sum's neatly pressed light taupe skirt and blazer set. A light and flowy pink shell completed the ensemble, and matching shoes and crystal earrings complimented everything. It couldn't really be called an exciting or interesting outfit, but it allowed Ling-Sum to project an air of sensible, calm assurance, without seeming flashy. Flashy was for tonight.[/i] "Is the silver dress back from the cleaners?" "I'll pick it up after lunch and have it ready by 5 tonight." [i]Sen began pinning back Ling-Sum's hair with deft, quick movements, bobbypins stuck in the corner of her mouth.[/i] "That works. Makeup artist coming in at 5:15?" [i]Ling-Sum applied a light dusting of blusher across her cheeks and cast a critical eye at her pale pink and silver eyeshadow.[/i] "She promised. If not I'll send someone after her. Shouldn't be a problem." "That works. Please call down to have my car ready. Xingba and I are meeting around 11 and I have to drop by the office before then." "The Maserati or the BMW?" "Maserati. It sends a better message." "Eh." [i]Sen rolled her eyes and reached for the phone anyway. Ling-Sum stood up from her vanity chair, fully dressed and ready to grab the day between both perfectly manicured hands and shake it to death. Sen opened their door and the two headed downstairs. One in a perfectly natural colored skirt, the other in a simple charcoal gray pants suit. Briefcase, legal pad, and fan. And her driver leaped out to open the back door for his mistress, scrupulously bowing and muttering pleasantries. Without a single lurch, the Maserati rolled out of parking structure and onto the busy San Francisco streets, with the air conditioning showing it's owners exactly what it was made of.[/i][/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Careful, or you might end up with a quite complex complex. .......Anyway it's official. The typo counting has begun, so look sharp all...three of you that are posting regularly. Everyone else can play catchup later.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]I'm going to sit pretty and wait for the boyfriend to cough up the requisite two dozen red roses in a lead crystal vase. If he doesn't, I'm totally leaving him.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]*elegant curtsy*[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Ah, I suppose it's time to unveil something I should've probably mentioned earlier... BUT IT'S FUNNIER THIS WAY! I will be keeping track of every typo that you make that goes unfixed for twentyfour hours. After that time it will contribute to a point. When you get up to 10 points, and I WILL keep score, you will be slated for death. You might not die right away, but your character will have a target painted on their forehead. And since most of the people in this story are proficient with things that involve bullets, knives, machetes, and other hatchet death making devices, may the Crane Mother and the Jade Emperor have mercy on your soul There is however a grace period. You have until this next Monday to fix everything.[That may need to be fixed] I'll keep score starting this Tuesday.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Yes, I had nearly forgotten I'd said Monday. You are now all encouraged to post an opening of some sort. The only thing to remember is that there is a formal dinner event in the near future if you have any sort of business dealings with the Sleepers. If you don't, you're welcome to go extort some innocent people or eat babies or something.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"][i][b][center]The Brotherhood of Eternal Repose Heir Apparent: Ginling Ling-Sum as "The Silver Fairy" NPC: Sen, Ling-Sum's maidservant NPC: The Bear General Ginling Xia-Liu The Sisterhood Of The Serpent Liu Fenghui as "Jade Servant of the August Personage" Lady Mu-Rong Zhenzhen as "Lady of A Hundred Paces" Male Prostitute: Gan Xingba as "Jade Serpent" Male Prostitute Fei Xen as "Black Claw" Madam Yang Meili as "Yellow Plum Female Prostitute Tseng Zhen-Yin the "Obsidian Butterfly" Free Agent Mercenary Fei Wo Han as "The Crimson Steed" Half Breed Gabriel Yu Officer Of The Law, SFPD Detective Lieutenant Sebastien Bastien" Besson ******[/center][/b] The rain was incessant now, and on the penthouse floor of the Brotherhood of Eternal Repose, a beautiful girl sat on a white leather chaise lounge, her legs stretched out, ankles tapering to well proportioned and manicured toes. Designer wedge sandals blended neatly with her almost peasant style Western dress, and her maidservant was dressed in a slightly more subdued version. The two were waiting patiently, for half an hour now, but the rain was most likely the reason for the nearly inexcusable delay. Her father was never late. The Bear General would sooner sacrifice a finger or possibly even a hand, in order to avoid tardiness. And eventually the wide french doors leading to the hallway and elevator opened. Two well dressed suits walked into the room, earbuds not even apparent. They nodded politely to their employer's daughter and then turned to flank the entryway. Another manservant followed, this time right on the heels of the Bear General, Xia-Liu, loving father, ruthless leader, cunning CEO of multi-national corporations. He opened his arms to his daughter, and she rushed to him, the better to be embraced by arms that were likewise embraced by a five thousand dollar suit from Los Angeles.[/i] "Baba! You're terribly late! Dinner has gone cold." "Oh come now, surely I'm not quite that late." "You are! The cook must have hung himself by now in despair." "I'm sure we can replace him. Tea please." [i]Freeing himself gently, Xia-Liu turned and accepted the cup of Oo Loong from his daughter's maidservant. Taking a healthy gulp, despite the temperature, he sighed with pleasure and took his daughter's arm, leading her into the dining room. Sitting closer to each other, rather at opposite ends, the meal began immediately, with the cook, surprisingly alive, serving everything with the sort of silent slavish devotion that one normally saw in an expensive restaurant. Not only did he disappear as soon as he'd served the soup, but he'd also managed to refresh their glasses of water, and somehow pour the plum wine in the bargain. Some days, their employees earned their mildly embarrassing salaries. Conversing quietly, father and daughter talked of their mutual business concerns, and once more, Xia-Liu marveled at the daughter he had been blessed with. Not only was she as unfrivolous as a woman could possibly be, she was also smart enough to know a good venture from a bad one, and capable of holding the reins of power in his increasingly common absences. All that remained was her future marriage and production of a healthy male heir to his fortunes. He had no doubts that his daughter would fulfill his desires in the fullness of time. When dinner concluded with the obligatory slices of fresh fruit and still more tea, Xia-Liu brought out a package for her that his manservant had patiently been holding all throughout dinner.[/i] "I hope you wear this for tomorrow night's function." "As long as it isn't a funeral shroud." [i]Sen opened the box for her mistress and held up a shimmering chi pao in silken silver and gold threads, with heavy brocade embroidery at the hems and throat. Ling-Sum, as unspoiled as an only child could possibly be, let her hands flutter uncertainly and look to her father as if for permission to touch such a gift.[/i] "Oh Baba, you've been in the garment districts again!" "I'm glad you like it." "People will think you've gone [i]tongxinglian[/i]." "Nonsense, every father needs to give something like this to his daughter, especially before an important meeting." "Oh...alright." [i]She kissed his cheek gently and swept up both Sen and her gift on her way to her rooms. There she sat at her vanity table, undoing the pins in her elaborate chingon, while Sen put away her present. As her hair came undone to swirl around her face in a dark cloud, she sighed with a certain sort of melancholy and shook her head quickly to clear it.[/i] "Hot water please Sen. The lavender this time." "Of course." [i]With alacrity, Sen turned to the bathroom that was meant to be Ling-Sum's, but happily shared with her supposed servant, and began the process of filling the inlaid bathtub with both water hot enough to boil eggs, and lavender scented chips. As the steam began to occlude the mirrors, Ling-Sum allowed Sen to help unzip her high necked dress, then help her down the rather slippery steps into the water. Such was the perogative of the rich. They could afford beautiful things that one could slip on and then break their very rich necks upon.[/i][/FONT][/COLOR]