Shy

[center][size=1]Are you ready? It's time to play...[/size] [b][size=7]MATCH GAME!!![/size][/b] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX06ijHlFrU[/media][/center][size=1][u]The Rules:[/u][/size] [list][*]Every so often I will post five questions/statements. Each of these will have one of the words BLANKED OUT. [*]Fill in each of the blanks in your post. Try to be funny, try to be clever, or just post the answer that makes the most sense. [*]I will have a panel of six OtakuBoards celebrities (TBD) send me their responses in private, and I'll post them here. For every answer of yours that matches our celebrities you will receive 1 point. [*]Whoever gets the most matches wins, and then we start over again. Doi.[/list] [indent][size=4][b]Here we go.... 06/01/10[/size][/b] 1. If OtakuBoards were a meal Allamorph would be the [i]BLANK[/i]. 2. Always a pragmatist, Al Gore is using video footage from his pending divorce for a new documentary about his wife, An Inconvenient [i]BLANK[/i]! 3. Boo says: â??I think my girlfriend is having an affair with an auto mechanic, last night I found a [i]BLANK[/i] in her bed!â? 4. In real-life Desbreko is just like he is online. The only difference is that people don't like it when Des [i]BLANKS[/i] in public. 5. I've tried visiting other forums before but the people there always freak me out. On one message board their most popular thread is called The [i]BLANK[/i] Party.[/indent] [size=1]There. Go post. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='DeathKnight'][color=crimson]I hope Kuja comes back.[/color][/QUOTE][kuja]Me too. LOL! ;)[/kuja]

[quote name='Sara'][size=1]I'll have a look around. Sometimes expired film works. (Sometimes it doesn't, and that's sad, but still kind of charming.) Also, I think I've seen 600 packfilm (maybe from The Impossible Project?) at Urban Outfitters. I wouldn't normally recommend shopping there, but again, maybe worth a shot? I was totally bummed when they announced that they'd stop making polaroid film. It's just to much fun, you know? Polaroid combines the instant gratification of digital with the wonderful tangibility of analog, and it's a shame that it's so hard to find film now. I've started using 35mm film, which is fun in theory, but. . . I've shot probably a dozen rolls in the last two years, and only had two of them developed. They get left in cameras and forgotten about, or the film canisters get lost in backpacks or boxes. [/size][/QUOTE][size=1]I'll check out Urban Outfitters. I bought my brother a camera with a fish eye lens from UO a few Christmases ago, and his major complaint was that film was really expensive and hard to find. You could get the cameras pretty easily, but once you used up the film that came with it you were in trouble. I've started using the vintage cameras as decor around our apartment. The Brownie makes a pretty bitchin' bookend, if I do say so myself. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='Sara'][size=1]If that's actually the camera you have, it looks like it would take any old 600 packfilm that's still around. I still see it sometimes at Walmart/Walgreens/Target type places. It's about $15/pack here, but it might be more where you are (if there's any left). Worth taking a peek in some shady drugstores, though, if it'll let you take pictures before next month![/size][/QUOTE][size=1]I've looked all over my little state and I haven't been able to find any. Most of the film would actually be expired by now, anyway, but if you want to pick up some 600 brand film for me and send it my way that would be awesome. You know I'm good for it. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='Boo']SO. PICTURES YET?[/QUOTE][size=1]I'm still waiting on film. The Polaroid film for my specific brand of camera is sold out at the moment, but hopefully in the next month I can order some. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='Boo']On internet dating: Shy asked me to be his lady Shy. I couldn't be happier.[/QUOTE][size=1]And why you haven't changed your user name yet continues to baffle me. I've been incredibly close with several people from the Internet, but I don't think I've ever been in an official e-relationship. There are times when I've met people from the web and went on dates with them; actually most of my relationships have started from meeting people on a dating website. So in that sense, yes, but most of the courtship took place in 'real-life,' and not through chatrooms or a message board or whatever. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Those disposable cameras are awesome. I bought one for a birthday party and passed it around as the night went on. It was fun to have to wait until the next day to see how all of the pictures came out. Why does everyone take pictures from inside of the plane? I find myself doing that constantly. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]I can't watch an episode of 24 without a bottle of wine. No, really, that show is unbearable sober. There are also certain parts of this site I only dare visit when tipsy, but that's neither here nor there. I drink casually and on a fairly regular basis, but much less than I used to when I was a bartender. There's nothing that helps loosen one up at a social gathering than a nice cocktail, or a beer. It's especially nice now because I live within walking distance of my favorite bars, so I can grab a drink with friends without having to make a night of it (or worrying about driving home.) Oh, and [b]Allamorph[/b]. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Over the past few weeks I've been spending a lot of time at thrift shops and flea markets looking for various gifts for my friends. While looking for a gift for my beau I stumbled across an old Polaroid camera: [center][img]http://domestikatedlife.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/polaroid-camera-photo.jpg[/img][/center] It occurs to me that some of the members here might be too young to remember why Polaroid cameras were cool before digital took over. You see, rather than taking your pictures and waiting for your photos to be developed the Polaroid camera had special film that would develop itself instantly. I got one of these for my 4th grade birthday and loved it, although at the time the film was simply too expensive for me to use the camera regularly. Anyway, I bought it for five dollars and it's in perfect working order. There is even a company in Austria that manufactures new film! Today at a swap meet I found these two beauties: [center][img]http://mattdentonphoto.com/images/kodak_hawkeye.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.ozcamera.com/photo%2020/2070.JPG[/img][/center] Both of them are classic Kodak 'Brownie' cameras. The former is a still image 'Hawkeye' from sometime between the 1940's and 1960's, while the latter is from the early 60's and takes video images on 8mm film. Fortunately I'm in LA now, so finding 8mm film won't be impossible... just really expensive. The Hawkeye doesn't work, but it looks great and my shelf so I don't mind. I haven't played around much with photography, but these cameras I found are definitely inspiring me to rediscover photography as an art form. Does anyone else here use old/vintage film cameras as opposed to digital ones? Do you have any work you'd like to share with the boards? -Shy[/size] :whoops:

[size=1]My post is done. We just need to establish that Cole is returning to the mines because they figured out that is where the next artifact is. Also:[/size] [center][img]http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/08/08/article-1042825-0235890600000578-658_468x572.jpg[/img] [color=red][size=6][b]PEACE OUT, LIANA!!XOXOX[/b][/size][/center][/color] [size=1]...sorry about that. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]I haven't heard from Darren in months, so I'm assuming that he probably won't post. I'm going to handle his share of the posts to move that particular story forward, but it will take me most of the weekend I think. This hasn't been mentioned yet, but we're planning on wrapping up the RPG fairly soon. If there are any lingering subplots you want to resolve with your characters now would be the time to do so. Please contact me if you need specifics. We'll be touching on the Almagest world, the continuing mystery of the Xear, the heating political climate between Anova and Czenovia, and plenty of more things in the very near future. We just felt now would be a good time to pause, jettison some of the characters that have been abandoned by their writers, and start over fresh. There will be plenty of opportunities to visit your current characters in the next story, even if only in a cameo, but we want to pare thing down to a smaller and more manageable cast. -Shy[/size]

[center][img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/fauntleroy-chronicle.jpg[/img][/center] [indent]Fauntleroy Almagest pored over a pile of photographs he had brought into his steamcar as he and Charles approached the gates of the Dreadnaught Estate. The windows were rolled down ever-slightly, but the elevationâ??s fierce winds were enough to cause paper and picture alike to fly around the interior as if they were caught up in a small tornado. Charles had grown accustomed to his bossâ??s haphazard way of doing business, but after a long trip from High Czenoble to Brigit Town he had begun to grow increasingly frustrated. Although he appreciated the job security of being Fontyâ??s personal babysitter, he had a pair of twins of his own to take care of. The more he thought about his position the more it frustrated him: he was not allowed to give input on many business decisions reserved for the Almagest family, and with Cole now the clear successor to Leonhartâ??s fortune it appeared that little would ever change. â??[b]Did you hear what I said, Charles?[/b]â? Fonty asked. â??[b]No, Iâ??m sorryâ?¦ I guess I didnâ??t. What is it?[/b]â? â??[b]Weâ??re almost there. Make certain that you donâ??t want to mention the photographs to Beatriste or anyone. You know how upsetting this could be for her.[/b]â? â??[b]That shouldnâ??t be so difficult. After all, you havenâ??t even shown them to me.[/b]â? Fonty was a curious creature: charismatic, privileged, spoiled, but with as pure a heart as anyone Charles had ever known. In addition to the near-limitless fortune, Fonty had also inherited a unique camera from his late mother. Nobody was able to explain exactly how or why, but on occasion it took snapshots of people and events from the future. There was no telling who or what would be featured next in the picture, only that what it displayed was destined to take place. The resulting pressure of knowing the future and being unable to prevent it caused Fauntleroy enormous pain, so he only rarely made use of the device. The previous day he had attempted to discern the location of the next artifact by using the camera, but all he ended up with were a handful of unrelated snapshots: jockeys competing at a small chimaera race, a forest fire somewhere to the north, and snowfall over Le Monde. The camera always had its reasons for sharing the glimpses of the future that it did, but only one of the new photographs held any significance to Fauntleroy. â??[b]Iâ?¦ only hope weâ??re not too late,[/b]â? Fonty said, poring over the photograph closely, just as he had been since he left High Czenoble. Charles hadnâ??t seen Fauntleroy so worried since the events of the Czenovian Revolution. His hair was unkempt, his tuxedo shirt was unbuttoned to the third button as sweat began to pour down his face, and most disturbingly he hadnâ??t had a drop to drink in hours. This was a much more serious, contemplative Fauntleroy that Charles had only rarely seen before. It was terrifying. Charles wondered what single image could have given his boss such a fright, but knew better than to press the issue of secrecy with an Almagest. The steamcar pulled out in front of the Dreadnaught Estate and came to a stop. â??[b]Master Almagest, Iâ??m afraid that the gates appear to be locked,[/b]â? the steamcar driver called out, â??[b]Would you like I try to contact them through the intercom?[/b]â? â??[b]That wonâ??t be necessary. Weâ??re merely dropping Charles off anyway.[/b]â? Charlesâ?? eyes widened, â??[b]Weâ??re doing what now?[/b]â? â??[b]I need you to stay here and watch over my sister and her family,[/b]â? Fonty said with an urgency in his voice, â??[b]Thereâ??s something I need to do, for my father, I want to make sure nobody else gets caught up in itâ?¦.[/b]â? â??[b]You could have wired them a warning rather than having us travel halfway across theâ?¦[/b]â? â??[b]Nobody in this family respects me![/b]â? Fonty barked, â??[b]The only way I can ensure anyone listens to my orders is if itâ??s you. You are my most trusted friend, Charles. I need you to do this simply task for me, to make sure that nobody is hurt.[/b]â? â??[b]Then why are you hiding that photograph from me, Fonty?[/b]â? Charles said, â??[b]Is someone we know going to get hurt? Is it about me?[/b]â? Fonty ran his fingers through his thick black hair. His breast of his jacket opened up just a hair, revealing a small pistol within its pocket. Charles was shocked: never in his years with Fonty had he ever known him to be more than a pacifist, let alone the type of man who would carry around a gun for protection, â??[b]Just do this for me, Charles. Please.[/b]â? Charles slowly opened the door to the steamcar, â??[b]What am I supposed to tell the family?[/b]â? Fauntleroy thought about this for a moment before answering softly. â??[b]Tell them all I love them dearly.[/b]â?[/indent] [center][img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/catherinesaraavatar.jpg[/img] [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Liana_Prideux.jpg[/img][/center] [indent]Liana withdrew her locket as she sat in a hallway and polished it with a piece of cloth resting on the window ceil. It seemed so funny to her that only a few days prior she was nervous to meet any of the Almagests, but now she was being welcomed into the legendary Cole Dreadnaughtâ??s estate as if she were one of the family. She was embarrassed that she had never read one of Coleâ??s books before meeting him, but she figured that she had probably heard enough from the boys in her class to fake it in a pinch. She could hear shouting between Beatriste, Gustave and Cole from another room. Whatever had happened outside the gates was enough to send everyone in the home into a tailspin, including Victoria Ann, who had locked herself in her quarters, demanding to be alone. An older woman who she recognized as Victoria Annâ??s Aunt, Catherine Sara stepped out of an adjoining room with a glass of water in her hand, â??[b]Liana? How are you doing, dear?[/b]â? â??[b]I am well. Thank you, Mrs. Almagest.[/b]â? Catherine smiled, â??[b]Would you like something to drink?[/b]â? Liana nodded and took a large gulp from the glass, â??[b]Thank you very much.[/b]â? â??[b]I apologize for all of the commotion. I hope you are enjoying your time with Victoria Ann?[/b]â? â??[b]Oh I am! I grew up with my grandparents, so they were both too old to play with me, and since Iâ??m working with in the jewelry story I donâ??t have time for adventures like Victoria does.[/b]â? â??[b]Yes, I love my niece tremendously but sometimes I wish all of the children had a moreâ?¦ [I]conventional[/I] upbringing, such as yourself. Youâ??re a good influence on the girl, and goodness knows she doesnâ??t have many friends her own age.[/b]â? â??[b]Why thank you, thatâ??s very kind.[/b]â? â??[b]Just donâ??t let her boss you around too much,[/b]â? Catherine said with a wink. The two laughed softly before Catherineâ??s eyes were drawn to a glimmer coming from Lianaâ??s locket, â??[b]Oh my. What is that?[/b]â? â??[b]This?[/b]â? Liana asked, handing it over, â??[b]This is a locket belonging to my mother. My Grandfather just gave it to me.[/b]â? â??[b]Itâ??s very beautifulâ?¦ and the symbol, itâ??s Xear.[/b]â? â??[b]Doâ?¦ Mrs, Almagest, do you think you could translate it for me someday?[/b]â? Catherine inspected the locketâ??s inscription more carefully, â??[b]Even better than that, I can tell you what it says right now. It seems to many that remnants from the Xear civilization have only started to appear in the past few years, but thatâ??s not true at all, and this locket is a sterling example of that fact.[/b] â??[b]This symbol means â??Love,â?? but itâ??s been a point of debate for centuries about how we know that. No Xear poetry has survived for us to read: all we have are statues and maps and architecture. Still, this symbol and the meaning behind it persist to this day. From one generation to the next people have been passing it onto one anotherâ?¦. we know itâ??s Xear because it has the defining characteristics of Xear language, but thereâ??s no record of it existing in their lexiconâ?¦.[/b]â? The young girl nodded in agreement, but Catherine could sense that she was beginning to speak over the head of Liana, â??[b]Iâ??m sorry. I didnâ??t mean to bore you. Itâ??s just like an academic, though, to be confronted with love yet still question it.[/b]â? â??[b]I didnâ??t mind at all, maâ??am. I found it very interesting.[/b]â? â??[b]Youâ??re a sweet girl, and I donâ??t want you to get caught up in any dreadful family business. Iâ??ve already contacted your Grandfather and informed him that youâ??ll be heading back to Le Monde immediately.[/b]â? [b]Is Victoria Ann and everyone going to be alright?[/b]â? â??[b]Weâ??re Almagests. As long as we stick together the family will endure,[/b]â? she said proudly, clutching the locket tightly in her hands, â??[b]Now letâ??s find your bags and make sure that you donâ??t miss your steamtrain.[/b]â? The two headed down the hallway just as Charles, a look of panic in his eyes, bounded up the stairway towards them, â??[b]Hello Catherine. I need to speak with Cole and Beatriste immediately.[/b]â? â??[b]Now is not a good time to interrupt them. What are you doing here? Is my nephew with you?[/b]â? â??[b]He regretted that he had a personal matter to attend to in the cityâ?¦[/b]â? Charles paused, staring down at the young Liana, â??[b]Thereâ??s no need to talk about this in front of the girl, though.[/b]â? Liana nodded, â??[b]I can go get my bags and wait for a car if youâ??d like.[/b]â? â??[b]Why thank you, dear,[/b]â? Catherine said, embracing the girl tightly, â??[b]If Victoria were in better spirits Iâ??m sure she would wish you well on your trip home as well.[/b]â? â??[b]No, of course,[/b]â? Liana replied sullenly as she headed towards the doorway, â??[b]Remind her to write to me, wonâ??t you?[/b]â? As Charles approached Catherine, Lianaâ??s locket opened ever so slightly, just out of the groupâ??s view. Inside were two pictures: one of Lianaâ??s mother with the girl as a young baby, and the other an image of her father, the young Charles Cornwall Almagest. Not realizing the mystery that the locket was revealing, Catherine Sara closed the locket shut and rushed down the hallway to return it to Liana. Neither Charles nor Liana would ever be aware of how close they had gotten to reuniting that day. The events of the next few hours and following days would ensure that it was the last time Charles and Liana ever set foot in Brigit Town.[/indent]

[size=1]Just a reminder that I double-posted, but didn't [i]physically[/i] double-post, because uptight people like me hate that. James is working on something down the pipeline, but there are a lot of great characters and storylines that need to be forward. It would be wonderful to see some posts from everyone again. If you're unsure of where to take your character next just contact myself or James, or just post in this thread. -Shy[/size] :whoops:

[quote name='SaiyanPrincessX'][SIZE="1"]I went with a group of ninjas, a teacher at the high school I went to teaches Ninjitsu in the area(and these guys were not stealthy, or good, lol). We went to a little revolving sushi restraunt by Koshigaya station, one city away from where we were staying(very convenient). As we were riding our bikes back to our Inn I got seperated from the other guys I was with because the light changed, obviously they didn't wait for me so I was a little lost. I was riding through a crowd and a young guy stops and tries talking to me in his broken english. He said his name was Satoshi, but it was a very hard conversation because we couldn't really understand each other. What made it creepy was that he kept saying beautiful, then started touching my chest, and kissed me. He also asked if I liked sex. He was short, about my height, dressed nicely with these crazy pointy dress shoes. I'll [I]never[/I] forget that experience. The people I incountered were usually very polite, and distant, except for him. I should have taken him out, lol, but causing an international incident in Japan would have probebly given me a one way ticket home. Now everytime I'm out with a friend of mine, and I see someone with pointy shoes similar to his, she says "You like sex" loudly.[/SIZE][/QUOTE][size=1]This is an amazing story. The Japanese in general seem to have a very strange relationship with sex, at least by our standards. In some ways they seem very proper and conservative, yet their youth culture makes a fetish out of EVERYTHING. Especially in the 'romantic-comedy' anime I'm always surprised by how far they push the envelope. I've seen more than one show where a character has sex with their relative, but it turns out to be a clone or a devil in disguise at the last minute. Crazy stuff. I didn't know that smoking was so common in Japan until I read that article. Given how crowded their major cities are that just seems rude. -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Tim Rogers (via Kotaku) describes Japanese culture, and says the things few others are willing to:[/size][quote][url=http://kotaku.com/5484581/japan-its-not-funny-anymore]I swear, at every party I've ever been to in Japan, this exact conversation has occurred, word for word: "Ahh! Beer!" "This beer is delicious!" "Yes! This beer is delicious!" "There's nothing quite so delicious as a cold beer after a hard day of work!" You know those trees in "Lord of the Rings", where they have to sit in a circle for an hour making low sounds just to say "hello" to one another? That's what this is like.[/quote][/url][size=1]Other topics include mandatory work parties, why the Japanese like to scream so much, why every food item they sell has some sort of meat in it, and why having a tattoo means you can't get a gym membership. Enjoy. Has anyone here been to Japan and has some horror stories of their own? Are there any aspects of Japanese culture that still baffle you, even after being a member of this site for so long? -Shy[/size]

[center][img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Harrison_Almagest.jpg[/img] [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Macey_Ellen.jpg[/img] [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Ivan_Almagest.jpg[/img] [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/ladybavariaavatar.jpg[/img][/center] After a tense standoff, the two groups parted ways and the Czenovians returned to their airships. Both sides were aware that there was little they could do to the other without sparking an international incident. What was even more frustrating to Harrison was that he was once again confronted by Jack Deacon, but powerless to act. If he defied the direct orders of Colonel Tallis he could very well be court-martialed, further disrespecting his fatherâ??s legacy. He shook with anger as their airship departed Vosper Summit to return back to High Czenoble empty handed. â??[b]The Dynast King is going to be outraged,[/b]â?Lady Bavaria fumed, rocking back and forth in her seat, â??[b]Weâ??ve wasted two days time for little more than an extended field trip.[/b]â? Macey sneered, â??[b]Pipe it, Bavaria. Someone simply beat us to the punch. Perhaps if we werenâ??t carting the infirm along on this urgent mission we could have made better time.[/b]â? â??[b]There is something strange about ship the Anovans are using,[/b]â? Ivan said softly, hoping someone would pick up on his desire to change the subject, â??[b]Do you think itâ??s some kind of new design?[/b]â? â??[b]Jack is always working on something,[/b] Bavaria replied, â??[b]I see his handprints all over the design.[/b]â? â??[b]Another reason not to engage them any further,[/b]â? Colonel Tallis said, â??[b]Weâ??re in a simple passenger craft, and if that pirate wanted us attack us it wouldnâ??t be a problem. The Anovans were much better-prepared for this expedition than we were. We wonâ??t make the same mistake next time.[/b]â? Colonel Tallis eyed the controls briefly, then he turned to Harrison, who was co-piloting the vessel. â??[b]What are you doing, son? You are far off our flight path.[/b]â? â??[b]Iâ??m going to snake around the Summit one more time, and see if any other airships are departing the area. If Maceyâ??s right and someone we donâ??t know about recovered the artifact, I want to find out who it is and where theyâ??re going.[/b]â? Lady Bavaria shrieked, â??[b]Youâ??re insane! If itâ??s a group of pirates, or even the Al-Ahmaris weâ??ll be blasted out of the sky![/b]â? â??[b]This ship carries the seal of The Dynasts. They wouldnâ??t dare fire on us.[/b]â? â??[b]The boyâ??s right,[/b]â? Macey said, â??[b]If theyâ??re pirates theyâ??ll merely hold us for ransom.[/b]â? The group stumbled a bit as Harrison made a sharp turn, out of the corner of his eye he noticed a small passenger airship leaving in the distance. â??[b]There,[/b]â? he said, pointing them out, â??[b]They must be the ones who have the artifact.[/b]â? â??[b]I recognize that vessel,[/b]â? Colonel Tallis said with a nod, â??[b]Thatâ??s a humanitarian vessel belonging to the Church of the Phoenix.[/b]â? â??[b]They have to have the artifact,[/b]â? Macey said, â??[b]We need to do something.[/b]â? â??[b]Should we follow them?[/b]â? Harrison asked. â??[b]Thereâ??s no need. We know exactly where theyâ??re going.[/b]â? Bavaria replied. Ivan raised an eyebrow in confusion, â??[b]How do you figure that?[/b]â? â??[b]That airship is headed to the Island Citadel, the most secure location on the planet. If the Church recovered a Xear artifact we have much more to worry about than my brother and some new airship. We need to contact The Dynast King at once.[/b]â? [center] [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Belmonda_Achard.jpg[/img] [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Frederic_Achard.jpg[/img] [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/jackavatar.jpg[/img] [img]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Natalia_Lockmere.jpg[/img] [/center] Belmonda clutched a small washcloth she had carried inside of her pocket and used it to wipe the sweat from her forehead. Despite the freezing weather on the Summit, within the airship things were increasingly warm. The group had returned, and told her of their encounter with the Czenovians. Bella was grateful that she hadnâ??t had to endure that awkward affair, especially if Macey Ellen were a part of it. â??[b]Letâ??s try to think about this logically,[/b]â? Bella said, â??[b]This [I]has[/I] to be the artifact, doesnâ??t it? The change in climate started almost immediately after activating the ship.[/b]â?? â??[b]But the map doesnâ??t line up,[/b]â? Frederic countered, â??[b]Itâ??s luck that we found this thing at all.[/b]â? â??[b]Thatâ??s true, but the maps weâ??re going off of are ancient, itâ??s entirely possible the topography has changed since the Xear created it. With the climate changing and the avalanches it would be a fools errand to further explore the region anyway.[/b]â? â??[b]I agree with you there. We need to return to Le Monde and share what we have found with the Prime Minister and the SSF.[/b]â? Jack paused for a moment before speaking, â??[b]I suggest we wait for the Czenovians to get a good distance ahead of us before we leave, Natalia,[/b]â? Jack said, â??[b]I let a few words slip out in our time together, but Iâ??m pretty sure they have no idea what we have our hands on.[/b]â? â??[b]Neither do we,[/b]â? Bella said with a sigh, â??[b]Iâ??m worried about Natalia being connected to this thing for as long as she has. What if there are some kind of side effects?[/b]â? â??[b]I feel fine,[/b]â? Natalia said, her voice echoing throughout the ship, â??[b]Iâ??m just scared is all.[/b]â? â??[b]You have nothing to be afraid of Natalia. Weâ??ll be home soon enough and then we can start to learn about how exactly this ship works.[/b]â? Jack placed his hand along the interior of the ship. It was warm to the touch. During the Czenovian Revolution the world had come to see what governments would do to their citizens in the hopes of understanding power. He would aid Frederic and Belmonda as long as necessary, but there was absolutely no way he would allow the Xear ship and Natalia to fall into the hands of the Anovans. [font=garamond][size=4][right][b]Political Matters[/b][/right][/font][/size] While the Anovan elite had called the Bourgade Distrct home for generations the real power of the nation lie in Helmonde Circle. Since the Purge of 220 it has been home to Anovaâ??s parliament, courts and ministers, although for brief periods other locations have been used throughout the city. This is because an archaic Anovan law forbids the government from owning any land, so the space has been privately owned since its construction. Having to lease hundreds of properties as government offices has nearly bankrupted Anova on several occasions, and each session of parliament ultimately spends the majority of their time trying to balance the nationâ??s budget. Traditionally the Prime Minister owns both Helmonde Circle, and the Provincial Palace, a relic from Anovaâ??s deposed monarchy during the civil war. The Prime Minister passes both down to his successor in a sign of good faith, although during difficult periods of political transition several have withheld their rights to the land as a means of political bargaining. The palace itself is as grand and ornate as even the finest estates in High Czenoble. Tall archways loom over every entrance, with hand-carved stone gargoyles standing watch over all those who enter. Fittingly the Prime Ministerâ??s office is the highest in all of the land, standing several stories above that of any other in Anova. With the election only a few weeks away the outgoing minister, Kinsley Ogrand, has called her two potential successors for a private meeting. â??[b]Thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice. I know you are both very busy with your respective campaigns,[/b]â? Prime Minister Ogrand said, shepherding the two men into her office from an adjoining waiting room, â??[b]Can I have Mrs. Deleroque get you anything to drink?[/b]â? Both men shook their head. â??[b]Iâ??m fine, thank you, Madame Prime Minister,[/b]â? the taller of the two said, â??[b]Iâ??d prefer that we begin this meeting right away.[/b]â? He was Harold Marquis, a liberal justice of the Anovan court who had recently stepped down from his post in of hopes of taking a larger role in Anovan politics. His experience in public affairs easily trumped that of his opponent, Samuel Follet, but a career of compromised rulings had made it difficult for the public to believe him as a man of conviction. He was a tall man, looming over both Ogrand and his opponent; he had a neatly trimmed red beard and sad grey eyes surrounded by a quarter century of worry lines, the result of a lifetime of public service. â??[b]I appreciate your eagerness to get down to business, Justice Marquis,[/b]â? Ogrand said, â??[b]Iâ??ve been watching your campaign closely and it is my hope that the voters may pick up on that drive as well.[/b]â? â??[b]Yes. What are we here for exactly?[/b]â? Samuel asked, his impatience growing with each pleasantry being exchanged. Follet had dark features, even darker eyes and a boyish face that did a lot to conceal his receding hairline. Unlike Marquis, Samuel Follet was not a darling of the Bourgade Distrct. He was born in Serie, a small farming village south of Cobalt Bay and had spent much of his life working to provide for his siblings and parents. When his younger brother was finally able to assume those responsibilities Follet moved to Le Monde for his education, where he quickly became caught up in the politics of the region. He wrote speeches for junior members of parliament, oftentimes without even being asked to. He was a young man with a drive, but without an ideology. That would change soon enough. The conservatives of Anova saw Follet as an opportunity, and quickly drafted him into service working for various ministers and justices, molding him to fit a need that they so badly needed. He was a brilliant writer; persuasive, relatable, honest and unwilling to compromise. To put it simply Samuel Follet had become a political cannon with the full force of the nationalist Anovan movement (â??The Nationalsâ??) behind him, and these days that cannon was aimed squarely at Harold Marquis. Prime Minister Ogrand walked to her large wooden desk and sat down. Laying on the desk were several maps containing Xear symbols, and a pair of folders labeled â??Confidential.â?? She handed one folder to each of the gentlemen. â??[b]This is what we need to discuss.[/b]â? Ogrand said, a newfound gravity in her voice, â??[b]If you look over the documents youâ??ll understand why I pulled you both from your campaign schedules.[/b]â? â??[b]So the rumors are true,[/b]â? Follet said, thumbing through pages showing surveillance records of the Villette Mines, â??[b]Cole Dreadnaught found something in Brigit Town.[/b]â? â??[b]This is my first hearing of any of this,[/b]â? Marquis countered, â??[b]There was a Xear map buried beneath the mines? A map to what exactly?[/b]â? â??[b]Iâ??m afraid we simply donâ??t know, but the details of the map are incomplete at best. As a result only one location is able to be discerned from the map so far, and itâ??s on Anovan soil.[/b]â? â??[b]Thatâ??s not going to stop the Czenovians from trying to get a hold of the artifacts, especially the Almagests.[/b]â? Marquis nodded, â??[b]Yes, but they would be violating international law by taking any artifacts found on Anovan soil from the nationâ??s borders. That would give us cause for legal action.[/b]â? â??[b]It is much worse than that,[/b]â? the prime minister replied coldly, â??[b]It gives us grounds for military action, if there really is something to be recovered at all.[/b]â? â??[b]Following the Czenovian Revolution our government officially put out a mandate forbidding the study of Xear artifacts for military purposes. My most adamant supporters would be outraged to discover that I was even sending out a search party for something that could be potentially used as a weapon. That is why Cole arranged for a small group of trusted family members to search, rather than a military contingent.[/b]â? â??[b]It allows you deniability should the public become aware of it,[/b]â? Samuel said with a smirk, â??[b]And if something were to be recovered, Cole could experiment on the artifact privately without intervention or knowledge of your own parliament.[/b]â? â??[b]This is a dangerous affair and the Anovan people should know about it.[/b]â? There was a moment of silence. Ogrand nodded her head, â??[b]Iâ??m sorry, Justice Marquis. But there was no alternative but to hide this matter from the citizens, for fear of it causing a panic.[/b]â? â??[b]Iâ??ve always prided you on your integrity, Madame Prime Minister, but this had made me wonder what else you have been hiding from your citizens during your tenure in office.[/b]â? â??[b]Please, Harold. Donâ??t take that tone with me. It wasâ?¦[/b]â? â??[b]--A necessary evil that can be rationalized, should it ever come to light,[/b]â? Samuel said dismissively, looking over the papers, â??[b]But the involvement of Jonathan Deacon will irk even the most fiercely Anti-Czenovian Nationals under my wing.[/b]â?? â??[b]I agree. There are no two ways about it, that man is a war criminal.[/b]â? â??[b]I have little choice but to trust Coleâ??s judgment in the matter. The Dynast family and the Deacons have been aligned for generations. This information was going to come to his attention eventually, and weâ??d all rather he be working for our side than the Czenoviansâ?¦ or worse yet, his own.[/b]â? â??[b]I brought you both here because I wanted you to be aware of your governmentâ??s efforts, should this story break during the campaign. More importantly, it puts our ties to Czenovia on unstable ground for the time being, and both of you need seriously consider what options are available to you should Czenovia recover this potential artifact first.[/b]â? Kinsley Ogrand was not a populist Prime Minister in the least. She had been raised in a wealthy aristocratic family in Bourgade, and was a presumptive candidate for Prime Minister practically at the time of her conception. She had won re-election by a small minority, and public statements she made in support of the Dynast family put her at odds with the Anovan people, who had grown tired of the monarchyâ??s authoritarian rule over the region. As a result Justice Ogrand, who shared many of her political views, was being wrongly pegged as pro-Czenovian by his opposition. Marquis rose to his feet, his face red with anger, â??[b]Iâ??m anti-military, and youâ??re telling me that I need to come to terms with the fact that if Iâ??m elected I might be forced to wage war with the most powerful nation in the globe?[/b]â? â??[b]I said I was sorry, Harold. But the Czenovians cannot be allowed to harness the power of Xear technology for military purposes. We have a moral obligationâ?¦.[/b]â? â??[b]I have an obligation to those who elect me into office to follow through on my promises. I canâ??t do that if Iâ??m tied to a war of this magnitude.[/b]â?? â??[b]If this information goes public it would create chaos. Rumors had already been circulating that the Czenovians were trying unsuccessfully to rebuild the doomsday cannon found on Mount Grail. Do you really want to see one of those attached to the hull of every airship in the Czenovian fleet?[/b]â? â??[b]I stand by your decision, Madame Prime Minister,[/b]â? Samuel said as he extended his hand to hers, â??[b]And I would make a public statement attesting to that fact.[/b]â? Minister Ogrand glared, â??[b]Iâ??m not trying to politicize this, Mr. Follet. This information is but a courtesy I extended to both of you. This election is a very close race, and regardless of who wins I want you both to be prepared for the decisions that might face you.[/b]â? The prime minister rose to her feet, causing Samuel to stand up as well, â??[b]I will be in communication with you with the outcome of the Dreadnaught expedition. Good day, gentlemen.[/b]â? â??[b]Good day, Madame Prime Minister.[/b]â? â??[b]Thank you, Madame Prime Minister.[/b]â?

[size=1]Calumon_Lover? I used to be Shyguy, heh. Funny how nobody ever seems to disappear for too long. Welcome back. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='CaNz']well.. this is the last time i am ever gonna drink illegally...[/QUOTE][size=1]Are you 21 now? -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Just posted. One minor thing: I changed it so that the Czenovians are unaware that the Anovans have a Xear ship. They merely assume that it's one of Jack's (which makes the most sense to me.) I'll assume Aaryanna isn't going to post, so James or myself will move the story forward. The best thing everyone else can do is return the three groups to their respective homes. Natalia/Jack/etc. are going to make it back to Le Monde briefly, but just long enough for him to toss Frederic and Bella from the ship. Be careful. Leonhart Almagest is on the loose and considered very dangerous. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='Japan_86'][COLOR="DarkRed"]Oh, and the new icarly/star wars toys at McDonalds SUCK![/COLOR][/QUOTE][size=1]I assume you have a choice between the two toys, as opposed to there actually being combination icarly/star wars toys. Which is a shame, really. -Shy[/size]

[size=1][b]What is it?[/b] Zeitgeist [b]What is it nifty?[/b] We're cool, deal with it! Whether it's the hottest trends or the most unknown cult classic OB has a resident expert (or two) eager to discuss it. Our nerdiness is not just limited to anime, and we revel in that. We are a motley crew of artists, musicians, politicos, historians and... well.... awesome people. [b]What is it?[/b] The Otaku Prose Contest [b]Why is it nifty?[/b] Although OB is home to some amazing writers, it's rare that the site spotlights that outside of RPGs and Suggestions arguments. It was great to go toe-to-toe against some of my online peers, and though I lost I'm glad I participated in it. [b]What is it?[/b] Mr. Maul. [b]Why is he nifty?[/b] Consistency is key here, and Mr. Maul continues to prove with every post how consistently awesome he is. He's often too smart for the room, but chooses to entertain us with his presence anyway. [b]What is it?[/b] OB Meet-Ups [b]Why is it nifty?[/b] This is a personal one for me, since I've been on the site [i]forever[/i] (and make a point of reminding people that in every post I make.) But through this site I've been able to meet up some of the funniest, kindest and most sincere people on the Interweb. Whenever possible I try to meet up with some of them in real-life, and the results have always been great. There's a level of trust and familiarity with my friends on OtakuBoards that does not extend to other sites: OB is my online home, and by that same sentiment its members are my family. [B]1) Member of the Year:[/B] SunfallE [B]2) Male Member of the Year:[/B] Boo [B]3) Female Member of the Year:[/B] chibi-master [B]4) Staff Member of the Year:[/B] Sangome [B]5) Otaku of the Year:[/B] Shinmaroo [B]6) Funniest Member:[/B] John [B]7) Storyteller of the Year: [/B]James [B]8) RPG of the Year: [/B] I Forgot What You People Look Like (Image Heavy) [B]9) Thread of the Year:[/B] The Padded Room Party. -Shy[/size]

[quote name='Ace'][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]You know what, if this does actually end up being what happens, I propose naming it "The Lil' Lounge". Though I'm up for anything that boosts Shy's ego a little more. I need a nominee if I'm gonna get that award I proposed approved.[/FONT][/QUOTE][size=1]'Shy Presents: Lil' Lounge.' Just sayin' -Shy[/size]

[size=1]Worried? Hardly. I created the most popular thread in the site's history. All in a day's work. -Shy[/size]