Raiha

[QUOTE=Tempest][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkSlateBlue] That's not very nice. What's with the [I]almost [/I] part of that sentence. Kinda mean if you ask me.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkOrchid]Well not everyone here is attractive. Some of the guys look like pretty boys [that I used to beat up in high school] or just ridiculous. Some of the girls, but a minority, aren't attractive to me at all. A little honesty never killed anyone.[/COLOR]

[font=times][color=darkorchid]"The Emperor will want my private report on how the battle was won." "You could just make stories up about how there was glorious death and victory by my hands. But I'd rather be there than in court. It was more exciting on the field." "I hear you're as death besotted as the next, but the Emperor will be glad to hear of it." [i]Chau looked over at The Flying Leaf, who was smiling sweetly at him, the silk flowers in her hair bobbing slightly with the laughter that drifted sensually from her lips and throat.[/i] "I certainly hope so." [i]While the military men chatted amongst themselves, Shai Guan and her only friend in the royal heirarchy, Moon, exchanged utterly bored glances. With half an ear attuned to what the General was saying. Quite honestly, the talk of war and death was a little beyond her, if not downright dull. Not that she didn't understand the main gist of it. Chau was giving details of the deaths and noted skirmishes when a gong sounded and Emperor Zheng himself swept into the room below them, surrounded by his servants and personal war attendants. The Flying Leaf stood quietly along with the others, straightening only to bow very slowly and revrently. Chua might have done the same but she didn't notice. She was too busy looking down at the marble floor. At the second gong, she straightend her spine slowly, the ribbons of her gown fluttering in their own private breeze. The White Lotus did the same, and the Emperor himself looked straight at the balcony where they were standing. Using one of the very obscure private signals that Shai had learned years ago, he turned his head to look back down at his court, and then the audience was over. Shai hid her smile behind a very quickly raised sleeve, the long fabric draping delicately across her lips and chest. Moon nearly mimicked her gesture, but flicked her own sleeve slightly in her own variation. Pra Chau Sua looked over at them, standing to one side, their clothes flickering as if they were standing before a powerful fan. Both swayed like bamboo forests, and he turned his attention back to them, report finished. Shai and Moon both raised their hands slowly and brushed them against his bare chest, nearly purring. Then, as if they were floating, turned and walked down the empty halls of the Imperial Palace, their country's champion following behind. Not a word was spoken as they walked, but soon enough, they were in one of the still, quiet rooms that Shai Guan had retained as her own right for her services. Once there, the door shut behind them without anyone raising a finger and Shai began to take the pins out of her hair, Chau turning around to see The White Lotus untying the elaborate sash that covered her hips.[/i] "So you two are my reward for my...service?" "What did you think you were doing here?" [i]He opened his mouth to reply, when he realized that he couldn't. Shai was already half naked, her robe falling down around her shoulders, lips pressed against his. With a swift grapping move, Moon swept her leg against the pair of them, pushing both against the bed, which cushioned their fall, Shai pressed up against the most dangerous man in the country. With a flick of her tongue, Shai nearly choked Chau with her body. He raised his head up slightly, taking the cup of rice wine that Moon was handing to him. With a slow drink, he tilted his head back and felt the instant gratification of both very strong alcohol and Shai's hands rubbing into his muscles. With a quick movement, she gripped his throat between slender fingers, dark hair falling down around her breasts and kissed him again, this time looking directly into his eyes. Quickly, she averted them and resumed her slow, sensual stranglehold. Chau touched her wrist very gently, and she looked back at him. His smirk told her that he'd both felt and acknowledged the slap of her aura against his. Moon refilled his cup and sat back, the folds of her dress revealing nearly enough, but not all.[/i][/color][/font]

[font=times][color=darkorchid]Oh my brothers, pray for freedom and justice for our fighting people. Take heart. The terrorist will be badly mangled and the blue Jihad will be well fed once more. Jenova! Hear our Prayers![/font][/color]

[QUOTE=Revelation][size=1][color=#8B008B]Anyways, another great addition. I wonder what'll happen when Sella shows up: big showdown? Traumatic, life-changing terrors? Someone dying [specifically her]? But I'm guessing that you're not going to put her in until later. ^_~* size][/color][/QUOTE] [font=times][color=darkorchid]Well boysies and girlsies, I'm on my home computer away from my home computer, so you won't see more until Monday. But in the meantime, take this rare oppertunity to catch up, get excited about Dragonball Z, and critique my numerous plot holes.[/font][/color]

[color=darkorchid][font=times]That's right, that's really me not a very well paid escort. Jealous? I hope so. Me in fishnets, not wearing any lingerie underneath, oh baby.[/font][/color]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][font=times]That it does not, sign ups are still open, since I never said they were closed after all.[/color][/font]

[font=times][color=darkorchid]Ahah, I found that bit to be confusing, I'll add it shortly. In the meantime, we are going for epic after all. And you'll want to shimmy your cute *** into Enshian on a diplomatic mission perhaps. The better to mingle with the tall and beautiful. Of course when Erica finally joins, there will be more than one female, but not more than two.[/font][/color]

[font=times][COLOR=DarkOrchid]I have started the Underground thread, so look for it if you want to see who's in and who isn't. Actually that's not true, I'll just tell you now who didn't get in. Kredion_Akima: Sign up is generic, you type in present time instead of past like all legends are typically written, additionally there are several mistakes in the post that detract from overall presentation. Meggido: Sign up is equally generic, only with a samurai flavor. The same criticisms of Kreidon_Akima apply. Oh well. Move on.[/COLOR][/font]

[font=times][COLOR=DarkOrchid]Behold, the dark depths of the underground where members of different kingdoms quietly discuss their business without noticing the obvious differences in their origins. Here we discuss blood feuds, legal wrangling, diplomatic immunity, and note the scandals taking place. Also, at the moment, you'll see a list of who's been allowed in. Consider yourself lucky. Note that this list can change at any moment, so keep checking. [i][center]Cast List ~~~~~~~~~~~ Neuvoxraiha: Shai Guan "Flying Leaf" The Boss: Pra Chau Sua "The Tiger God King" Sandy: Hathi Jainar Parasuramana: "The Peacock Maharaja" Wondershot: Ichiro Satsuma "Sleeping Crane" Retribution: Taejong Muyeol "True Marrow" Engel: Hwang Zhejiang "The Winter Leaf" Malkav: Vidura "Avesavritra" Revelation: Moon Alyeong "White Lotus"[/COLOR][/font][/center][/i]

[font=times][color=darkorchid]Breakups are about as fun as getting injections of Novacaine in your mouth repeatedly. The part where you get home and try eating and slobber over yourself like a raving drunk is usually the equivalent of how you feel the next three days after the initial excitement. I've had several breakups and the easiest are the ones in which there was no a: sleeping together b: cheating during the relationship c: anyone watching. The worst are usually when you were romantically and physically involved. And then of course there's the manner in which the breakup is managed. If he breaks up with you in person, and is a man about it, I tend to feel better and am less likely to become a vengeful and raving maniac. When a guy breaks up via e-mail or phone, he'll usually discover he has no friends in two days because word of his ***** breakup will get out. And then everyone will agree with me, the aggrieved that he's a lame jerk and I'm better off alone. Of course I can't stay single for long, so I'll probably have more advice for you all very soon.[/font][/color]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][font=times]It behooves me to post in this mildly abandoned thread the various plotlines that are slowly being developed. Assault on Sun Heights. People that will be theoretically involved: Wondershot, Neil, Flash, The Boss, Death Knight, Shy, Dead. Reproductive Troubles: Malkav, Raiha, BKstyles The Fighting Scene: BKstyles, The Boss, Raiha Overt Acts Of War: Flash, Sandy, Gavin, Wondershot. People who Need to Post: ALL OF THE ****ING ABOVE. This has been a public service announcement. Be happy.[/font][/COLOR]

[i][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=DarkOrchid]I probably should have paid more attention to what dad had been telling me while I was dreaming, but to be honest... In the Gatelands of Sleep, it?s really hard to pay attention for too long, even when it takes your entire night up. The next morning, I woke up in bed and reassured myself that the house was still standing, that Vicky was still alive, which she was, and that nothing was being destroyed in a five mile radius. With a gentle flick of my fingers, I noted that the wards I?d thrown up last night were still active, and that not even the guys last night were up yet. Dressing casually in a pair of loose and horrible looking jeans and a ratty tank top, I drifted lazily three inches off the ground, out the door and down the stairs. I could hear snoring coming from all directions, and headed for the kitchen, which was empty. For some reason I was feeling like something was wrong, but I could sense nothing with any of my rational faculties, and nothing with my empathy. Will did throw off the readings a little with his added presence, but that was all. Absentmindedly, I opened the fridge door and reached for two eggs, holding them in my hands. With a slow and steady increase of heat that didn?t burn, but warmed my hands, the eggs instantly hardboiled themselves and I started cracking both on the tile counter. Vicky joined me while I was halfway through the first and salted the second one for herself. Then she turned and brought out the iron kettle we actually used for making massive amounts of warm cereal. The guys liked heavy breakfasts, and fortunately for them, we were up to the task, provided they remembered to do the shopping. Sure Neil and Andrew had whined like children about it for the first week, but after the food stopped coming, they wised up quickly. Apparently you have to buy food to get food. Shocker I know. Vicky leaned back against the counter, stirring with one hand and shoving messy hair out of her eyes with the other.[/i] ?Did you sleep good? I had nightmares.? ?Nightmares? That?s weird. Dad contacted me in the Gatelands again. Says Sella was spotted near our old home.? ?God if they?ve seen her, we?re in trouble. She?ll come for us.? [i]We exchanged the usual glances and were about to say more when Connor teleported into the room with a puff of displaced air. I gave him a glance and set my lips while I began slicing apples for breakfast and Vicky kept stirring and deftly flipped several pieces of bread into our oversized toaster. Without skipping a beat, she used her tail to flick the bottom pantry door open and bring out the jam and preserves. I didn?t flinch, but it was always weird to see that useful extra appendage do all the work. Hell, I nearly felt outclassed. Connor sat down on one of the high bar stools and pulled down a glass from the overhead rack.[/i] ?Orange juice please.? [i]I would?ve smirked like a bartender, but it was too early for that kind of humor. Instead, I poured him a tall glass of the pulpy stuff, grimacing at it?s consistency. I could never get into it, but for some reason the guys liked to drink it. I?m sure it made them feel like real men, but it just made me nauseated. Gavin was the next to show up and asked for the same thing. Then Andrew, and Will. Neil and Warlock were probably still dead to the world, but I wasn?t about to wake them up. I flicked toast onto the plates the boys held up and lobbed the tub of butter towards Andrew who caught it in one hand and the knife in the other. Lightning fast reflexes were a plus, although I always hoped that he?d miss and get a finger removed. Just for fun you realize. While the boys were shoveling down cream of wheat at the speed of sound, I leaned forward, holding a plate of fruit and toast.[/i] ?Just so you?re all in the loop. My dad saw Sella. He advised us to keep our heads down and do nothing exciting for the next few days until he gets in contact with me again.? ?That crazy bitch! She already ruined our chances of ever going back anyway.? ?What?s she going to do?? ?I don?t think that?s exactly our problem right now.? [i]We all stopped speaking at once and turned to look at Will. His eyes looked a little glazed over, and Vicky nudged him. His voice sounded hollow, and not at all like his own.[/i] ?Our problem is going to be what we?ll do when she does find this house.? ?I threw up plenty of guards and warning systems.? ?She?s more clever than we all give her credit. Hating her is one thing, but she?s smarter than us.? [i] Connor leaned back a little, pushing his empty bowl towards the sink. Then he turned and walked back up the stairs towards his room. I heard the door slam but none of us moved. Gavin hung his head over his food quietly, not speaking or offering any advice of his own. Andrew leaned against the corner over the kitchen bar and Will shook his head several times, as if he was clearing it. Vicky clattered a plate in the sink and we all jumped. Scaredy cats, the lot of us. Except Connor. He was just angry and I could tell. Every time he thought of Sella, he thought of his mom with her hands raised over her head, calling down the rage and fury of heaven to exorcise what she saw as a demon. I knew she meant well, but the mountain of trouble that had come afterwards wasn?t seeming like her sacrifice had done anything. I would?ve rolled my eyes, but that wouldn?t have sent the right message anyway. Instead I started stacking the dishes in the sink and signaled Gavin and Neil, who?d showed up halfway through, and they slunk towards the pile.[/i] ?That?s right. Do it slave.?[/COLOR][/FONT]

[font=times][color=darkorchid]I would like to remind people that have posted, and people that may post, that it's best if your names match up with your kingdom. If you pick a japanese sounding name, you'd best come from the kingdom that's based off of that country. Otherwise you'll look and sound like another anime fanboy that doesn't know how to read.[/font][/color]

[URL=http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raihadesktopyx2.jpg][IMG]http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6002/raihadesktopyx2.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [url]http://img364.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raihadesktopba5.jpg[/url] [url]http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/6882/desktop2df2.jpg[/url]

[font=times][COLOR=DarkOrchid]For several reasons, mostly selfish ones. If Raiha bunked with you and not Vicky, Vicky would get a room to herself. Also, during certain times of month, it's better to contain damage by locking two females in the same place at once. Furthermore, it just makes the dynamic of the house more volatile. Hold your horses, they'll eventually have their fun.[/COLOR][/font]

[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=DarkOrchid]?So are you a fighter too?? [i]Vicky was smiling in that foxy way that Will would eventually come to associate with her warrior instinct. I flicked my eyes in her direction and saw her envisioning a ki fight with him, with various explosions, and horrible screaming and death. I laughed inwardly and smiled sweetly at Gavin and Andrew both. They stood up, taking my cue for once and we went upstairs, leaving Vicky alone with Will. As I looked out the upstairs window, I noticed that it was dark outside...stupid winter weather. Then I saw the look on Andrew?s face and blanched.[/i] ?It?s dark. We should go out and have ourselves a fight or two. See what Will?s made of.? ?He looked a little shy for that. He won?t go for it.? ?I?ll bet Vicky will shove him right into it.? [i]I rolled my eyes and looked, probably, a little worried.[/i] ?Yeah, right off a cliff and onto his head.? [i]Gavin and Andrew both didn?t notice my sly response, but by then it was too late. I heard a shout, an ?you!? and then the front door was nearly kicked off its hinges. I was out the window in a shot, only to duck the slender beam of blue energy that nearly took off my ear. I whipped around and clenched both fists until my whole body covered itself in flame, my tattoos flaring up like they I had lava under my skin. Will jerked his body around, his hair flying back to reveal elongated elf-like ears and raised his palm, fingers straight up, to point at Vicky. I leaned back, hovering at least thirty feet above ground, laughing at the sheer excitement that near horrible injury brought. Andrew and Gavin both ducked out of the way and I smirked and spread a huge burst of wings, the air around me shivering with the heat. Andrew looped around behind the house and pointed a finger at me, attempting a sneak attack. In kind, I jerked my body around, concentrating energy in my right leg and kicked the ki beam he aimed at me directly back into his vicinity. His ki and my fire magic blended to create a burning fireball. A huge explosion followed and I flashed Gavin a grin, gaining altitude to look down on Andrew?s slightly smoldering form. He coughed a little, looking moderately singed, his eyes red and teary. Pursing my lips, I shook a finger at him and raised my hands up to form a deflection shield around my body, reflecting the stray attacks that occasionally flew towards me from both Will and Vicky. Looking back, I noticed that Will was keeping his distance, flicking back every time Vicky got too close, afraid to throw a punch, and afraid of physical contact when I checked. He probably knew he wouldn?t last in a hand to hand five seconds with a Saiya-jin, almost as well as I did. Connor stood on air next to me, and leaned over my shoulder for a better look.[/i] ?I think he knows he can?t do any serious grappling against her.? ?Embarrassing huh? Well I manage, he has good long rage attacks.? [i]Just as I said it, a huge blast of energy rocked my shield, which had extended to cover Connor too. I threw a hand up to reinforce, only to realize that Connor had drawn one of his weapon, and using it as focus, had thrown up an extension of the shield. I raised my eyebrow at him. While he didn?t often fight, he had very good defensive attacks that were almost impossible to penetrate. Of course we hadn?t ever tried it with a transformed Oozaru, but after Neil?s super happy fun time four years ago, we were completely over even thinking about it. I flicked my fingers at everyone present, except for Connor, who would?ve been out of range, and five tongues of fire flickered out around me. In a quick flurry they hurtled through the air, streaking so fast the smell of burning surrounded everyone. Andrew deflected his, giving up a very slight amount of skin on his fists. Gavin easily deflected mine with one of his own ki beams and I chuckled. Will had drawn up energy in his fist and knocked it aside, and Vicky whipped her body around to face me, and spread both her fingers for a bigger, and possibly unequivocal response. A opaque, shimmering red beam gathered around her palms and I threw up my own hands in an equal stance, bracing myself, flames flickering around my eyes and tattoos. Just as she was about to release, Will concentrated energy in his hands and knocked her to one side, her attack going wildly out of control, nearly taking out myself and Connor in the process. Of course, Connor had been thinking ahead and just as the attack was about to impact, time slowed down and I had the time to float to one side. With his sword, he poked it gently and the ki dissipated harmlessly. Two hours later, everyone had somewhat calmed down, and it was late. A hasty meal that should?ve been breakfast but passed itself off as dinner was distributed, thanks to Vicky?s innate ability to whip eggs into a froth in under five seconds and my ability to jump start a warmed griddle into smoking up. Will bedded down on the sofa, a blanket thrown at his head by the ever hospitable Vicky. I was falling asleep, sitting at the bathroom table, combing my tangled hair, and I leaned back. I figured Andrew and Gavin were already fast asleep in their bunk bed. The smaller room had gone to them after Connor and Neil won a game of rock paper scissors. Warlock had commandeered the basement the first day we moved in, and to be honest, nobody really minded. It was dark and dreary, and cave-like. Oh well, to each their own. I turned and crawled into bed, Vicky entering, and closing the door slowly behind her. After a scuffle, she usually went out like a light after the energy wore off. Eventually, everyone slept. I dreamed. ?Daughter...Sella?s been sighted. Your mom nearly went after her.? ?Is she headed this way, can you find her?? ?I can?t sense her, but be on your guard. Tell your friends to keep a low profile. I?d ask you to change your appearances, but that?s impossible, I know.? ?Great... ...is everyone else fine?? ?We?re both fine, everyone else is fine or moved. The town?s very quiet now that you?re gone. Nobody new has moved in for awhile.? I sighed in my dream form. Dad had come into my thoughts to meet me while I slept. It was one of the most efficient ways for us to communicate. We both called the watery, ever shifting realm that we met in the Gatelands to Sleep, but I?m sure they had a proper name. Either way, it worked, don?t knock it. After a little more small talk, Dad?s dream image wavered and broke up and I knew he?d either woken up or broken it off. I departed, unconsciously, and woke up myself, realizing that it?d taken hours for us to finish speaking. Reassured that we?d be alright, I drifted off again.[/COLOR][/FONT][/i]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][font=times][i]Seeking quick and talented posters with the ability to find the spell check button to join into a fast paced and hopefully quality RPG that involves myself, The Boss, and no one else at this point. Following the lines of an ancient East Asian epic tale of high drama, adventure and romance filled with blood, booze, war, true love, senseless violence, and the supernatural. What's not to love? In the 100th year of the second era, the world of Shijie is caught in the stalemate of an eternal war. Four great kingdoms of the great continent have been combating one another for supremacy, and no end is in sight. To the East, Tsuchi and their mighty samurai clans. In the West, Enshian with it?s many warlords and their mighty generals. Northward, the kingdom of Silla, homeland of the elite Hwarang warriors-officers. To the south, the massive desert-land of Matsya holds mighty forces and the power of the beasts that inhabit their land. These four great kingdoms, each with their own heroes and champions, are currently locked in deep blood feuds with one another, and have been for many life times. Each with their own motivations, they all believe that they are backed by their own patron deity to achieve victory and gain glorious renown. Each land has it?s own distinct culture, language, and religious base. As well, each land thinks all others to be completely alien. Few understand the many languages universally, and diplomacy is rare, if not absent completely. Due to lack of diplomatic capability or capacity, the universal language of Shijie has become warfare and bloodshed. The clash of swords has replaced words, the four nations battle one another endlessly using everything from common foot soldiers to magically-endowed spell warriors. Calling upon other-worldly forces to aid themselves in battle, each skirmish sees thousands of deaths. An unfathomable number of souls have been lost on the frontlines and oceans of blood have been spilt in the name of dominance. Despite this, the battles have become common things in the world, news of death being a daily fact; no one is fazed by the magnitude of loss. Each society has progressed in other fields other than warfare, each having a great population and large amounts of their own land, war is often far away from many citizens, the battles happening mostly on the borders of the nations. Life carries on while blood flows like rivers. The heroes of the era being the mighty warriors and officers who bring victory to the capitals, they have achieved a celebrity status amongst the people, and allow for unconsidered support towards the battle efforts. The dream of every child is to somehow become a great ?hero? for their nation. It has become glorified, and each land helps in the glorification. Heroes are celebrated, cowards are the flotsam of society and a death serving the nation is the greatest honor any one could even dream of. And so the war rages on, as these great fighters make their marks in history and in legend. You'll play someone searching for answers to the war, fighting in the war, or profiting off the war. Be you Nobleman, Warrior, General, or Commoner, there is room for all. Throughout the story, there will be massive wars, with heavy casualties, and mingled with this will be politics, intrigue, scandal, and danger. More about the plot, which does exist I swear, will be revealed in time. The Boss has plenty to add, when he posts of course. Your character should be original, and if someone posts before you, check to make sure yours isn't a total copy of another's. Your Legend should be a brief introduction that lets us know if you totally suck or are worth our time as well as serve to round out your character's personality and abilities. The others should be obvious, but no 16 year old wonders. Those are just annoying. Please note that signups will begin in an OFFICIAL capacity once The Boss posts.[/i] [center]~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/center] [b]Name:[/b] Shai Guan [b]Nickname:[/b] "Flying Leaf" [b]Age:[/b] 19 [b]Gender:[/b] Female [b]Country of Origin/Residence:[/b] Enshian, the West Kingdom [b]Profession:[/b] Court dancer, noblewoman [b]Appearance[/b]: see attachment. [b]Weapons/Style:[/b] Sleeves/Summoning [b]The Legend of Shai Guan:[/b] [i]It begins with the dance, the swinging sleeves, the bright eyes peering out from under pale silk. You see the silk flowers nestled in shinning black hair, and the brocade collar that sets off her pale neck and slender figure. She flickers from point to point on the stage, surrounded by her peers, but still standing out when you casually glance across the stage. The Flying Leaf is aptly named, for she moves like a fluttering wisp of fabric that drifts across your courtyard. She'll turn to see you, and stare you directly into the eyes. She's from the Middle Kingdom, and she can break your soul in two. With her magic, she can spear you to the wall. But while she dances in the Emperor's court, and dances delicately like an unfolding blossom, she's beauty and style and grace and delicate charm. Later you'll find her kneeling in her pavilion, with her sleeves trailing down like rivers across her knees and bamboo mats. And if you speak to her softly and sweetly, she'll do more than just gaze into your eyes with her own. The noble court gossips endlessly about her origins. They swear she's from the union of the Phoenix Princess and the Great Immortal White Tiger God that guards Enshian. Of course they also say that she's an elemental faerie that can bind your soul with a flick of her hands. Either way, it's true that she's not fully human, and it's even more true that she's irresistible. They tell stories about her charm and grace, but also about her heart. I can tell you one now if you like. Once, after Shai had finished her dancing, she returned to her quarters and rested quietly, surrounded by the scents of wisteria blooming down the trellises. A young man, well dressed and handsome strode across the courtyard towards her silk screens, hoping for an audience. When he approached, he did not kneel, and he did not observe the proper rites of conduct. She steeled herself before he was within ten meters of her, and if he had possessed an ounce of sense, he would've left her presence and never returned. However, he raised one hand in greeting and spoke to her boldly.[/i] "Lady Shai Guan, I ask that I may speak to you." "You move too quickly, too boldly, for me to even think of it." [i]But he persisted. And she grew very angry very quickly with every brash word he spoke to her. In a justified rage, she slammed two white palms down on the soft wood of her room, and the curtains around her whisked out of the way to let the man stare directly into her eyes. Long black hair flew out behind her like dark wings. Her voice rose in anger and her cool words whipped around his throat like a noose, causing him to struggle and cry out.[/i] "How dare you take the liberties to speak to me. To look me in the eye. To even think yourself equal to me in any way possible." [i]Her silken sleeves rose up in a swift flurry and choked him, buoyed by her words, and her magic alike, he began to suffocate under her grasp. Calling on the sounds of her voice as magic to fuel her attack, the Flying Leaf began the slow kill. Then, just as if someone had blown out a candle flame, she released him at once, and turned, swishing back behind her curtains, leaving him alone and gasping for breath in the middle of the royal gardens. The last he saw of her, through fuzzy vision was long hair trailing down to her ankles, and a swish of her hem, which fluttered in its own private breeze. He never returned to see her dance, and was never heard from again.[/i][/font][/COLOR]

[i][COLOR=DarkOrchid][FONT=Times New Roman]I should?ve known Vicky wouldn?t have let it drop, but silly me, tired out from a day of dance, fighting, and cerebral work, didn?t even think about it until it was too late. Connor was sitting in his room, polishing one of his pointy weapons while Warlock was lifting weights in the basement with Neil. Gay! Never mind. Anyway, I was sitting alone in the room Vicky and I tentatively shared, and simultaneously killed each other over half naked, stretching out my spine, which was feeling the impact and strain of classical ballet repetitions and variations. I didn?t hear their voices until the front door was thrown open, and I usually have very good hearing. [/i] ?And this is the living room. The guys play fighting games all day. My room mate and I have to kill them to get the controllers sometimes-? [i]I stood up from my inverted yoga position and subsequently freaked out. She?d brought someone over without warning anyone. I was sure nobody was taking the trouble to hide their tails. Andrew and Gavin were somewhere in the house, and I?m sure that it was going to be a horror show, when I peeked down the stairs and saw that the green haired ?alien? that Vicky had brought home with her had unnaturally long ears. I saw them through his hair, and then I finally put together that she just may very well be right about him. I stayed on the landing upstairs, out of sight for now, and closed my eyes, inhaling very slowly. Quickly, sensations of the young man who was named Will, flooded into my mind. I reached out a hand to steady myself and let the fingers of my mind pluck against his thoughts like the strings of a harp. Named Will, a ki user, alien breed is Konatsa-Jin, with the power to perform long range attacks... ...the color of blue, the sound of a voice screaming over a PA system, a savage beating...and there the sensations stopped. I paused in my musings and opened my mind?s eye once more, staring straight into his.[/i] ?So you see me. William.? ?I take it you?re Vicky?s room mate.? ?I am. You have remarkably good mental control for a non telepath. Well, since it?s out, welcome to the house of aliens.? [i]I smiled to myself, opened my physical eyes, and tripped down the stairs, giving Connor a shout as I did. He poked his head out his door, sword in one hand, cleaning rag in the other. I sighed and looked over at him, gliding the rest of the way down the banister.[/i] ?Try to be normal for the poor boy will you?? ?The who?? ?Just shut up and come downstairs! And go find Andrew and Gavin!? [i]He recoiled instantly as I snapped at him, my hair bursting into a bright sheet of blue and white flame was it was wont to do these days. Will and Vicky turned and I sheepishly waved a hand at him, fingers curled slightly. As I did, I noticed his skin glowing slightly under the flare from my hair and I shook it once, turning the flames off almost instantly.[/i] ?Sorry, been having trouble with that lately. Stress triggered you know.? ?Riiiiiiight. I?m sure it?s all very fascinating. Anyway, Raiha, meet Will. He met me in History earlier.? ?Does he know you?ve got a monkey tail?? ?Shut your face!? [i]I dodged her back handed slap and skipped back a few paces to hide behind Warlock, who was shirtless, and still covered in a sheen of sweat. Gavin and Andrew popped in from upstairs, probably after jumping through the windows like I did, and greeted the newcomer, who looked slightly unsure of himself, and probably intimidated too. I closed my eyes for half a second and flicked them open again. He was actually slightly annoyed at all the personalities that he was now morally obliged to sort out. I gave him a half smile, a knowing one at that, and headed for the kitchen, Gavin following on my tail, no pun intended. Once there, I told him to take out the blender without breaking it, and set out six avocados on the counter. Two bags of chips, three plats of guacamole, and twenty beers later, everyone who?d stuck around to listen, was up to speed. Will was listening with a certain degree of interest while Neil had fallen asleep completely on the floor, mouth open and everything. I guess it?s true. Women?s voices are soothing, at least when they?re not your ex wife?s voice. I sat back on the cushy couch, half supported by Gavin?s arm and gauged Will?s reaction when we brought up Sella.[/i] ?Wait. Is she blond, totally evil, and scary beyond reason?? ?The very same. Are you related, distant cousins perhaps?? [i]Vicky looked mildly confused, as did the rest of us. Even Neil?s ears perked for a change. Will looked stricken. Maybe he?d know more about her than us, but a common enemy was good news for him.[/i] ?She?s a changeling, comes from the planets near Saiya-Jin or thereabouts, and from what I hear, descends from a line of pure monsters.? ?Sounds like the one we know.? [i]Connor looked quite grave at the mention, probably considering his mother?s fate, and how she?s sacrificed her home to get at the woman who threatened her guests. I raised my eyebrows and ran a quick scan over his mind, testing him for falsehood, and found none. I turned to look Will directly in the eyes, and he blanched for the first time, noticing that I?d taken the liberty of removing my contacts when he wasn?t paying attention. I didn?t blame him though. Everyone freaks out the first time they get a load of my blank spots.[/i] ?Ever met her then?? ?Not me, my parents. Their house was destroyed in an accident years ago that probably has something to do with her. But then she vanished.? ?Creepy. What does the bitch do, go around ruining people?s lives?? ?Sounds like something a monster would do.? [i]I gave Connor an eye and he exchanged an affirmative. We were thinking the same thing. Find her, make her talk, and then kill her. Maybe not in that order.[/FONT][/COLOR][/i]

[i][font=times][COLOR=DarkOrchid][center]One Year Into College ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/center] Vicky and I were sitting back and relaxing in our bedroom, the master one actually. We?d rock paper and scissored our way into multiple successes when it?d come to the housing situation. Not only had I managed to actually get us into the nicest room by way of using my rapidly developing psychic abilities, I also succeeded in putting the men on ?buying groceries? duty every night we cooked. And since Warlock nearly set the entire kitchen on fire and Andrew had made it ten times worse by spilling oil just moments before it broke out... ...Vicky, Connor, Neil, Gavin, and I had all voted against them ever touching the wok and the gas stove again. I knew the gas stove would?ve been a problem, I should?ve gone for the electric range, but Vicky swore up and down that her stir fry would?ve been absolute crap without it. And so there we were with a kitchen that still smelled slightly of scorch and carbon whenever we turned off the fan. It was pretty nice though, living in a house that was just a quick fly away from the college where we were all doing better than previously expected. Vicky and I had started capoiera, and done more damage that was expected. Naturally there was also a wrestling team, soccer, and baseball, and the boys were all booked. I?d managed to get into a fun and complicated horticulture class and Vicky was making the men cry in her drafting courses. I was surprised at how well Neil was doing, but I was secretly thinking it was because of the lack of people leaning over his shoulder, throwing books at him. I?d also like to think that all of us were doing better without our parents near by and Sella hovering just in our peripheral vision.[/i] ?Exciting isn?t it?? [i]I was leaning back against the chimney of the house, one leg drifting against the ocher red tiles and the other curled up underneath me. I was watching Gavin and Andrew lock horns, exchanging punches high above. Vicky was equally reclined, staring straight up, her eyes not bothered in the least by the strong sunlight. I saw a huge flash of green light, countered by Andrew?s blue and lazily rose up, floating almost to their level. I suppose my fire wings must have been smoking or something because both paused and looked down.[/i] ?Hey, don?t you think having ki fights right above the house is the way we?ll eventually get bad press?? ?Wha-?? ?Bad wha-?? ?Oh right, when you?re fighting, it?s not like either of you are thinking.? [i]Vicky had also lazily trailed her way upwards to our level and was leaning almost halfway back, her arms crossed over her shoulders. I shook my head and dove back down through my window, clapping both wings together just in time to avoid singing off the panes. Once inside, they burned out in a matter of seconds and I leaned forward to rummage through my backpack, ensuring I had all the necessary books before class, and turned in time to step out of Vicky?s path. She grabbed her own and we tripped down the stairs towards the front door, noticing that both Neil and Warlock were still fast asleep on one of the three huge leather couches we?d found at a garage sale, consoles still flickering, controllers dangling loosely from their hands. I tiptoed forward with a feather duster and was about to pull probably the fiftieth prank when Vicky grabbed me by the backpack straps and jerked me towards the front door.[/i] ?Come on, I?ll be late for history.? ?Yeah but I?ll be super early for ballet.? ?Cry me a river.? [i]I rolled my eyes at her and we took off at a light run, both of our legs eating up the distance faster than we would have if we were like the typical humans that went to the college we?d become familiar with. As we ran, we noticed Connor heading towards home, and I noticed for the third time the scar that slit down the side of his face. I tilted my head back slightly and thought about the last day we?d spent in town. Vicky noticed my look and her face clouded over too. We?d all barely escaped town with Sella hot on our tails. That graduation day, Leila had lost it and nearly destroyed Sella and the entire house at the same time. I don?t know what really happened, but several people in the town all disappeared relatively quickly, and Sella disappeared too. Leila moved to a new city, and Neil?s too. Everyone else stayed, but changed their appearances slightly. My mom told me to not ever talk about it again. Connor wasn?t the only one with new scars. In the explosion, most of our skins remained intact, but Vicky dislocated several disks in her back, and I had fun and exciting marks down my back that my alien physiology had covered over in a most tattoo like manner. We didn?t keep in contact with our parents, except via me and telepathy with my dad. But now that I think about it, Vicky?s mom had moved back to the U.K. And well, that was that I suppose. We?d probably get in trouble when we went back, but we weren?t exactly missing home. Besides, college was super.[/i] ?We?re here, you can bring your head back.? ?Shut up. Go to class.? [i]Vicky rolled her eyes at me this time and flounced off to her first period. I went to my own, fastening my shoes as I went. Ripping off my outer layers of clothes, I realized that my clock was in fact slow, and Vicky was right. I was going to be late. Cursing her and myself simultaneously, I took my place in line just in time and straightened my spine, thanking the form covering leotard that hid my back. Meanwhile, Vicky had swung around a blind corner and slammed face first into someone she instantly figured for an alien. He had green hair, long, covering his ears for one, and second, he smelled like power. Not the kind that Warlock and Neil exuded like testosterone, but more like my power, or Sella?s. Of course without the festering evil sensation that came with her. She instantly raised her own guard, and barely kept her tail from twitching. Later, we met over a light lunch, well light for me anyway, and she broached the subject of letting a new guy into the house.[/i] ?So I ran into this guy. I don?t think he?s human.? ?Fascinating.? [i]I was reading a book at the time, and halfway through a salad, until of course she slammed my book down on the table and grabbed my head. I focused my eyes on her chest of course, in time to read that her shirt said: ?Defeat enemies, Gain EXP.?[/i] ?No wonder you ran into him. Or was it him fixated on you? That shirt always does wonders for getting attention from questionable sorts.? [i]She ignored my slight and raised a fist instead, to slam it down on the table to make her dramatic point.[/i] ?I think we should bring him to the house.? ?What if you were wrong and he?s just an ordinary or sort of anyway...human? Neil or Connor will say something, and then someone will see something else, and then he?ll freak out, and I?ll have to do a partial wipe of his memory...? ?Oh bah, I can sense an alien just as good as anyone.? ?...except me.? [i]Still bickering, we threw away our trash and went back to classes..[/COLOR][/i][/font]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][font=times][i]The faithful memebers gathered around me, Rai Al Haswiri, Reverend mind you, and placed their black hoods over their heads. The beloved leader handed me the ceremonial holy sword, the Sword of Sephiroth. Premonition shivered, held in the very firm grip of Boss and Jeremiah. I laughed aloud while the people around me chanted rhythmically.[/i] "Jenova, Jenova, take us back to Sephiroth....Jenova..." "Oh no, not like this!" "You had your chance traitor! Be honored to die in this way?! Soon you will feel the touch of the Great Mother!" [i]With a forward, and then backswing, I lopped his head off, with a fantastic gush of arterial blood. The chanting came to a hushed pause, and Charlie reached for the head and held it up high over his head. Immediately, the chanting started anew and I raised the bloody sword, whirling it over my head.[/i] "It is over! He he has joined the Great Mother?! Praise Hojo!" [i]Riotous laughter began, laughter so loud it could be heard in a frightening echo across the entire Square, making the counter terrorist heathens shiver in their whitewashed fear. The remaining bits of the traitor were set on fire by a very enthusiastic Dead and then eaten while still on fire by the Blue beast that we loved so much. A flurry of rocks were tossed in the air for celebration, and White leapt around in circles with Simplicity and Sakura. Indifference shouted with glee, leaping to the ramparts, holding the head.[/i] "We've done Jenova's work! Fear us! Fear the Lifestream!" [i]Just before the Blue Jihad managed to finish off the intestines, I nipped in and ripped them away from the huge teeth and crushing jaws. With a quick flick, I tossed them towards the very big pitbulls that were straining and jerking at their cast iron collars.[/i] "Feed and receive the gift of the Mother!" [i]With happy growls and chuckles, the horrible sounds of gushing tissue was heard. [/i][/font][/COLOR]

[font=times][color=darkorchid]I take very specific instructions, do very specific tasks, and I'm happy to tell you all that I've been invested by the Church of Latter Day Summons as your cleric. Reverend Rai Al Haswiri at your service. So pray to the great mother Jenova for forgiveness and strength for the battles ahead.[/font][/color]

[font=times][COLOR=DarkOrchid]I'm trying to see how tentacle monsters are a bad thing. They have feelings too you know. Anyway, I'm almost shocked that you're all so interested in the proclivities of hentai viewers. Not all of us are sexual deviants just because we enjoy things that others find questionable. [/font][/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrchid][font=times][i]Luyii sat back quietly in the back seat, her driver weaving slowly through traffic to the main base. As they drove, her bodyguards sat silently and unmoving in the passenger seats. She reached into her purse and withdrew her cell phone, flicking it open to reveal several messages from both Lai and Sai as well. She sighed quietly and began to listen to the voice mails. Some of them were of meetings she had listed for the day. Lai sounded happy too, Luyii smirked to herself and thought of the look on her face. "I suppose she's quite happy about Dead. I hear he's fun stuff from the girls." She shook her head to clear it, an amused smile finally crossing it and she laughed aloud, drawing worried glances from her bodyguards. They looked mildly worried, but they were soon at the mansion once more, and they leapt out to open the door for her. The bodyguards at the door first saw a flash of leg and a perfectly laced sandal. Lai was there just inside the foyer to bow and greet her cordially, and respectfully. The cruelty and sarcasm was reserved for private displays.[/i] "Lunch with your father in five, you're just in time." "Cutting it a little close, how bad is it?" "It's not bad at all." [i]Luyii hurried down the hall, gliding really, but to her, she was booking. She pressed her hair back into place, and straightened her earrings. Just in time, the doors opened and she was ushered into the quiet side room of her father's office, where he received certain guests for lunches, and always dined with his daughter every Thursday afternoon. The ivory chopsticks glistened under the glow of lovely ambient lights and the food was steaming. She sat, the chair being pulled back for her by Yugo, and faced Boss Fai with a perfectly cultivated smile on her face.[/i] "Good afternoon father." "Daughter, I hear that you met with Dr. Xiao. Was it a good session?" "It was our last. I'd appreciate it if you sent him a gift in thanks." "To what do I owe him gratitude for?" "I know you want me to marry father," [i]Luyii poured them both tea calmly and with a light flourish. She handed him a cup as he watched her shrewdly, and she poured her own, taking a light sip, savoring the jasmine scent.[/i] "Well of course I do. War means I'm the most vulnerable to attack. Your marriage to the War Dragon is the best thing that could happen, and the sooner the better." "I'm aware of this, and I'm ready to do as you've asked." [i]Boss Fai smiled slowly, and leaned back in his chair, holding his chopsticks and bowl in a relaxed manner. She smiled and held her own bowl between very graceful fingers. They ate quietly, and in silence for the rest of the meal. Their form of communication was usually limited to strictly business, but he showed his love for her with gifts, small things, and notes. Today she would find a small box with a antique jade pin carved in the shape of a resting tiger. Tomorrow it would be the matching pin of a dragon rampart. After, she went to her room with Lai, and called her now fiancé back.[/i][/font][/COLOR]

[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=DarkOrchid]?How fun would it be if I set her hair on fire?? [i]Gavin eyed her sensual bun of silky blonde hair, probably laced up with fun and exciting accelerants such as hairspray and mousse, and snorted into his drink.[/i] ?It?ll go up like the Fourth of July. Go for it.? [i]I pointed me finger at her covertly and was about to do it, when Connor caught my eye with a flick of his hair and I jerked my hand back to rest in my lap. I closed my eyes for half a second and inhaled very slowly. Sensations of the group around us massed into my mind like a series of very slow photographs. While Vicky, Warlock, and all the other full blooded Saiya-jins had steadily improved in their power with training and time, my powers had veered off into a very weird direction. Either because the Siyannan blood won out against the annoyingly dominant Saiya-jin blood this time around, because while I could still defend myself for an okay amount of time against Gavin and Vicky at least, I was massively outclassed by Neil, Warlock, and Andrew. I suspect Gavin held back because we were dating after all. But seriously. I had the creepy and really annoying empathic skills, which only increased my fear of Sella. She was supremely pleased with herself for being here, and looked down on the us and our parents alike with the same disdain she?d always had the long four years we spent under her thumb. Leila was furious, but like any competent Dryad, could rein the emotions in. Any Saiya-jin present was bursting blood vessels under the strain of not jumping her, and like me, my dad was gathering the sensations of the group, his mind colliding against mind like two soap bubbles being teased by a light breeze. ?She?s pure evil you know.? ?Course I know that, I?m just making sure she?s not going to start anything now.? ?I?m too scared to take a closer look.? And I wasn?t lying. I was scared of her. Not so scared that I couldn?t make smarmy comments when she wasn?t paying attention, but scared enough that I knew that however funny her hair on fire would be, it wouldn?t be funny afterwards. Even though I knew her only by what limited empathic readings could give, I knew that she?d go after Gavin first, and then systematically torture everyone else, or manipulate them. Neil was almost literally cowering, and Warlock wasn?t too far behind. Andrew kept his head down while Sella ?mingled? with our parents and we all slowly, as if unintentionally, began to drift away towards the house. I looked over my shoulder fearfully, even as Gavin steered me purposefully towards the back door. Once inside, we all burst towards the upstairs, to Connor?s room, and looked over each other?s shoulders into the back yard.[/i] ?Has Leila cracked yet?? ?I dunno, she looks happy and normal.? ?Don?t let her fool you, she?s ready to mangle Sella.? [i]Connor shot me a look that basically confirmed it. I wasn?t surprised. Dryads bonded with their children to an almost embarrassing level of intimacy. It was a good bet that he was channeling her emotions ten times stronger than I was. I sighed and leaned back against Gavin?s chest, keeping my eyes open so I didn?t keep on reading what was going on downstairs. Turns out that wasn?t the greatest idea. For some strange reason the grill suddenly burst upwards in a huge burst of the signature flames that I knew were my dad?s and mine by birthright. Warlock and the others recoiled from the windows, shielding their eyes.[/i] ?Those colors look awfully familiar.? ?That?s dad blowing off some steam, while simultaneously creating a diversion.? ?Diversion for what?? ?No idea, I was just guessing wildly.? [i]Connor rolled his eyes heavenward and I nudged Vicky with an eye towards the look on Sella?s face. She looked angry and we exchanged glances. Vicky sighed quietly and gripped both of her fists very slowly, clenching and unclenching very slowly. Her eyes glimmered blue and green for half a second and then she returned back to normal. Fear of retribution kept us from doing foolish things generally, but I was sure we?d eventually crack one day.[/i] ?She?s pure evil, isn?t she?? ?I swear to you she isn?t even close to normal aliens. She?s not even close to Neil?s mom.? ?You got that right.? [i]Neil was leaning against the corner, his arms crossed, his head down, not even looking at the people below. So much for a happy graduation. There was good news though. Once we were across the city lines, I could start placing wards around the place that wouldn?t even allow guests unless I deactivated them long enough for them to slip across the boundaries. Only one distraction. Connor stepped on the remote and turned on the TV, and flicked on the PS2.[/i] ?Who wants to dish out a little Tekken love?? ?Oh me me!? [i]I wasn?t looking, but I knew Andrew was jumping up and down while Vicky was trying to mash his head in. I naturally ignored them both and sat back on one of the easy chairs and relaxed.[/COLOR][/FONT][/i]

[font=times][COLOR=DarkOrchid]Those symptoms you've described are hardly indicative of anything. Take the text as soon as you've thinked you've missed your period by a week and then see a doctor. Morally, I can't advise you to have an abortion, even though I can understand your gut reaction. I'd ask you to carry your baby to full term and put it up for adoption, as there are hundreds, thousands of couples willing to adopt, open or closed, it doesn't matter usually. If you're using protection, then I'd worry less. Irregular periods are usually not a good sign, but you can always get free birth control from Planned Parenthood or any other reproductive clinic. Do so if you aren't pregnant, taking birth control when you are is not a viable option, as it damages the fetus and you. Also, taking the morning after pill at this point, is too late, and will possibly cause a serious chemical reaction.[/COLOR][/font]