Dagger

[b][u]General Awards[/b][/u] [b]Overall Member of the Year:[/b] Semjaza Azazel [size=1]Honorable Mention: Charles[/size] [b]Male Otaku of the Year:[/b] AzureWolf [size=1]Honorable Mention: Shinmaru[/size] [b]Female Otaku of the Year:[/b] Arcadia [size=1]Honorable Mention: maladjusted[/size] [b]Staff Member of the Year:[/b] terra [size=1]Honorable Mention: Shy[/size] [b]Funniest Member:[/b] Shinmaru [size=1]Honorable Mention: wrist cutter[/size] [b]Most Opinionated Otaku:[/b] Crimson Spider [size=1]Honorable Mention: cloricus[/size] [b]Member most likely to be here in two years:[/b] James [size=1]Honorable Mention: Shy[/size] [b]Best Newbie:[/b] Arcadia [size=1]Honorable Mention: Dan ^_~[/size] [b]Best Oldie:[/b] James [size=1]Honorable Mention: Sara[/size] [b]Most likely to become a Staff Member:[/b] AzureWolf [size=1]Honorable Mention: PoisonTongue[/size] [b]Favorite Banned Member:[/b] sonicdivision [size=1]Honorable Mention: sixthcrusifix[/size] [b]Most improved Member of the Year:[/b] Amity [size=1]Honorable Mention: Conna_da_fox[/size] [b]Thread of the Year:[/b] MA KO's Ban on Gay marriages (ChibiHorsewoman) [b][u]Random Awards[/u][/b] [b]Avatar Award: (Best Avatars Overall)[/b] Semjaza Azazel [size=1]Honorable Mention: Transtic Nerve[/size] [b]Signature Award: (Best Signatures Overall)[/b] Charles [size=1]Honorable Mention: Semjaza Azazel[/size] [b]Best Location: (Best Specific Location)[/b] terra [size=1]Honorable Mention: Drix D'Zanth[/size] [b]Best Otaku Couple:[/b] Queen Asuka & PiroMunkie [size=1]Honorable Mention: Syk3 & Mei[/size] [b]Best looking Otaku:[/b] PiroMunkie [size=1]Honorable Mention: Shaun[/size] [b]Otaku clique of the Year:[/b] Otakuboards Yaoi/Shonen-Ai Club (maladjusted) [size=1]Honorable Mention: The Club of Obscenely Cool People (Baron Samedi)[/size] [b]Best MyOtaku:[/b] ShyGuy [size=1]Honorable Mention: Queen Asuka[/size] [b][u]Otaku Writers[/u][/b] [b]Poet Laureate:[/b] Drix D'Zanth [size=1]Honorable Mention: KarmaofChaos[/size] [b]Writer of the Year:[/b] Charles [size=1]Honorable Mention: PoisonTongue[/size] [b]Orginal Story of the Year:[/b] Otakuboards: Enter the Net (Solo Tremaine) [size=1]Honorable Mention: Hold Me Now (Charles)[/size] [b]Role-Player of the Year: Arcadia[/b] [size=1]Honorable Mention: terra[/size] [b]Brawler of the Year (sparring):[/b] Raiha [size=1]Honorable Mention: oshi[/size] [b]Role-Playing Game of the Year[/b] SYF: Aguila Del Desierto [size=1]Honorable Mention: Kill Adam: Volume 1[/size] [b][u]Anime Otakus[/u][/b] [b]Otaku of the Year: (Best Anime member overall)[/b] maladjusted [size=1]Honorable Mention: AzureWolf[/size] [b].hack//SIGN Member of the Year:[/b] AzureWolf [size=1]Honorable Mention: OtakuSennen[/size] [b]Least Disappointing Yu Yu Hakusho Member:[/b] Luminaire [size=1]Honorable Mention: Cahoots34[/size] [b][u]Otaku Artists[/u][/b] [b]Best Graphic Designer (Banners, wallpapers, etc.):[/b] Hittokiri Zero [size=1]Honorable Mention: haruno_sakura[/size] [b]Best "Traditional" Artist (Drawings, paintings, etc.):[/b] klinanime1 [size=1]Honorable Mention: maladjusted[/size] --Finished at last!--

I rarely cry during any TV show--live-action, animated, or otherwise. The last anime which actually made me break down in tears was Voices of a Distant Star, a beautiful OAV about two lovers separated by war and duty. If a particular character's death is [i]really[/i] well done, then I might get a little misty-eyed, regardless of whether I actually liked him or her. For example, in the last episode of RahXephon, [spoiler]Makoto Isshiki is killed. I never cared very much for his personality, but his last words conveyed such agony that I couldn't help identifying with him. I was also moved by the effect that his demise had upon those who loved him (Itsuki Kisaragi, to be specific).[/spoiler] Hmm.... I can't think of how to phrase this properly. When it comes to anime, I find that tragic situations are more touching when they show quiet, desparate sorrow (as opposed to noisy tears). There's nothing more off-putting than a maudlin display of poorly acted grief. ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by WW2 [/i] [B]I can't wait for them to bring the Rahxephon movie over here. [/B][/QUOTE] Me either. Apparently the movie sheds some light upon RahXephon's slightly confusing ending. Well, I just came home and whipped through the final volume. I was completely floored by all the symbolism that the director packed into the last episode. I think those details alone ([spoiler]for example, the blue and red trains in the subway, and the painting of the dove[/spoiler]) would make for a fantastic discussion. However, I was especially impressed with RahXephon's symmetry--by which I mean that the show's beginning and ending reflect each other nicely. Up until the very last episode, I'd supported Ayato/Megumi more than Ayato/Haruka. I [i]had[/i] guessed that [spoiler]Mishima Reika was a younger version of Haruka, but I hadn't been sure that my theory would pan out. Does anyone know why Mishima's hair was lighter than Haruka's--could the director have done that simply so people wouldn't make the connection immediately?[/spoiler] There were some very powerful scenes in the last three episodes. I particularly liked the image of [spoiler]Itsuki and Sayoko holding hands. Itsuki has been my favorite character ever since I first started watching the show, and I was really happy to discover that--by merging with Ayato--he did get to be with Haruka after all.[/spoiler] My main complaint with RahXephon's ending is the fact that [spoiler]Quon became Haruka and Ayato/Itsuki's child. There's nothing wrong with that, since it allowed her to stay close to both Ayato and Itsuki. All the same, it detracted from the show's sense of balance. Since Ayato became one with Itsuki, his younger brother, I expected Quon to somehow join Maya, her younger sister.[/spoiler] One last note: the music in the final volume was thoroughly fantastic. ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Stephanie Ayler [/i] [B]Where else can we find a boy and girl character like them? They are funny, cool, and...funny. I love them; they ROCK!:love: :laugh: :) [/B][/QUOTE] Yusuke and Keiko, anyone? While I believe that Sesshomaru truly despises Inuyasha, it also seems pretty clear to me that he isn't planning killing him. Let's be realistic, folks--Sesshomaru is far, far stronger than his younger brother (especially toward the beginning of the show, before Inuyasha learns how to harness the Tetsusaiga's true power). He sometimes behaves as though he [i]wants[/i] Inuyasha to become more powerful, and constantly comes up with ways to test his strength. There are times when I think that Sesshomaru is, by acting as Inuyasha's guide, standing in for their father. For example, we know that Sesshomaru is very intelligent and manipulative. If I recall correctly, he's the first person who mentions the Wind Scar to Inuyasha. Why would he tell Inuyasha about Tetsusaiga's ultimate attack if he didn't want his little brother to learn it? Had he kept his mouth shut, Inuyasha might never have discovered the Wind Scar. ~Dagger~

Actually, I've always thought that Gravitation is severely underrated. Although the show's artwork and animation are far from fantastic, it's still one of the best romantic comedies in anime. With likeable characters, catchy music, a spectacular vocal cast, and the perfect balance of angst and humor, Gravitation compares favorably with most popular series (such as Fruits Basket). In my opinion, it also makes better use of super-deformation than any other anime. For example, Rurouni Kenshin's characters go into SD mode at the most inappropriate moments possible, completely destroying the show's dramatic tension. Fruits Basket is somewhat better in this regard, but its director often relies on bizarre facial expressions--rather than wit--to get laughs. Gravitation, on the other hand, uses super-deformation to surprise the audience and poke gentle fun at its characters. Since the whole show is pretty over-the-top, this works very well and doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. Despite Gravitation's controversial subject matter (it deals primarily with the trials and tribulations of a homosexual couple), I feel that almost anyone could enjoy watching this show. I personally was introduced to it by a straight male friend, which just goes to show the power of its appeal. ~Dagger~

I have very little experience at using Photoshop to color black-and-white sketches, so please bear with me. Since I drew the original sketch in about two minutes flat, it's not exactly the kind of work that I'd normally display for the world to see. However, I would be very, very happy if someone took the time to critique my shading. I was trying to go for a soft, blended look. Please ignore the awful hair. ^_^;; ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Kagome 1 [/i] [B]Some of you people got problems. Just because you dont like Inuyasha does not mean you have to complain about it. I like Inuyasha I think it is the best anime. [/B][/QUOTE] I'm assuming that you mean me. Now, please don't misunderstand what I've been saying. I [i]like[/i] Inuyasha, although I used to like it far more than I do now. Frankly, I can't see what's wrong with discussing a show's faults. Considering that you haven't even bothered to write a rebuttal of my complaints, I also can't see why I should listen to your opinion. Okay, new topic. Do you think that Sesshomaru truly hates Inuyasha? ~Dagger~

Whew. That took a while. __________________________________ [b]Kyokokeiji:[/b] [i]Egyptian Goddess[/i] Medium: 6 Creativity: 8 Appearance: 7 Overall: 7 Score: 28 [i]Kiss[/i] Medium: 6 Creativity: 7 Appearance: 6.5 Overall: 7 Score: 26.5 [i]Water Goddess[/i] Medium: 7 Creativity: 8 Appearance: 7 Overall: 7 Score: 29 [i]Whisper[/i] Medium: 8 Creativity: 6 Appearance: 7 Overall: 7 Score: 28 [i]Sailor Water[/i] Medium: 5 Creativity: 6 Appearance: 5 Overall: 5.5 Score: 16.5 [b][i]Overall Score:[/i][/b] 25.6 [b]eino89:[/b] [i]Shaman King[/i] Medium: 7 Creativity: 8 Appearance: 5 Overall: 7 [b][i]Score:[/i][/b] 27 [b]Braidless Baka[/b]: [i]Crying[/i] Medium: 6 Creativity: 7 Appearance: 7 Overall: 7 Score: 27 [i]Girl[/i] Medium: 6 Creativity: 8 Appearance: 7 Overall: 7 Score: 28 [b][i]Overall Score:[/i][/b] 27.5 [b]ARTommy:[/b] [i]Naruto[/i] Medium: 10 Creativity: 8 Appearance: 7 Overall: 8 [b][i]Score:[/i][/b] 33 [b]Rhys Mayiessen:[/b] [i]Magical Dude[/i] Medium: 10 Creativity: 10 Appearance: 8 Overall: 9 [b][i]Score:[/i][/b] 37 [b]Eclectic:[/b] [i]Flower[/i] Medium: 8 Creativity: 10 Appearance: 8 Overall: 8 [b][i]Score:[/i][/b] 34 [b]Queen Asuka:[/b] [i]Asuka's Yellow Dress[/i] Medium: 9 Creativity: 8 Appearance: 6 Overall: 7 Score: 30 [i]Graceful[/i] Medium: 6 Creativity: 7 Appearance: 8 Overall: 7 Score: 28 [i]Chobits[/i] Medium: 6 Creativity: 6 Appearance: 8 Overall: 7 Score: 27 [i]Adam's Angels 2001[/i] Medium: 9 Creativity: 10 Appearance: 7 Overall: 8 Score: 34 [i]Adam's Angels 2003[/i] Medium: 7 Creativity: 9 Appearance: 8 Overall: 8 Score: 32 [b][i]Overall Score:[/i][/b] 30.2 [b]Shizoku:[/b] [i]Elf[/i] Medium: 8 Creativity: 6 Appearance: 6 Overall: 7 Score: 27 [i]Guy[/i] Medium: 7 Creativity: 7 Appearance: 6 Overall: 6.5 Score: 26.5 [b][i]Overall Score:[/i][/b] 26.8 [b]maladjusted:[/b] [i]Glaring Dream[/i] Medium: 10 Creativity: 10 Appearance: 9 Overall: 9 Score: 38 [i]At the Crosswalk[/i] Medium: 7 Creativity: 9 Appearance: 8 Overall: 8 Score: 32 [i]Magical Girl[/i] Medium: 9 Creativity: 10 Appearance: 9 Overall: 9 Score: 37 [i]Synonymy Project[/i] Medium: 8 Creativity: 9 Appearance: 9 Overall: 8 Score: 34 [i]Synonymy Project v2[/i] Medium: 8 Creativity: 9 Appearance: 8 Overall: 8 Score: 33 [b][i]Overall Score:[/i][/b] 34.8 [b]wiccansamurai:[/b] [i]Staff Girl[/i] Medium: 7 Creativity: 8 Appearance: 7 Overall: 7 Score: 29 [i]Watercolor Person[/i] Medium: 9 Creativity: 9 Appearance: 7 Overall: 8 Score: 33 [i]Elf[/i] Medium: 10 Creativity: 10 Appearance: 7 Overall: 9 Score: 36 [b][i]Overall Score:[/i][/b] 32.6 [b]Hetepka:[/b] [i]Ugly[/i] Medium: 5 Creativity: 7 Appearance: 5 Overall: 5.5 Score: 22.5 [i]I Did It![/i] Medium: 6 Creativity: 7 Appearance: 6 Overall: 6.5 Score: 25.5 [b][i]Overall Score:[/i][/b] 24 [b]klinanime1[/b] [i]Jolin[/i] Medium: 10 Creativity: 9 Appearance: 10 Overall: 9.5 Score: 38.5 [i]Motoko[/i] Medium: 10 Creativity: 9.5 Appearance: 10 Overall: 10 Score: 39.5 [b][i]Overall Score:[/b][/i] 39 [b]Mina:[/b] [i]Fantasy[/i] Medium: 9 Creativity: 10 Appearance: 8 Overall: 8.5 Score: 35.5 [i]Christmas[/i] Medium: 8 Creativity: 9 Appearance: 7 Overall: 8 Score: 32 [b][i]Overall Score:[/b][/i] 33.8 __________________________________ [b]Top Scorer:[/b] klinanime1 (39/40 possible points) [b]Top 3 Scores:[/b] 1. klinanime1 (39) 2. Rhys Mayiessen (37) 3. maladjusted (34.8) ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by anime babe [/i] Some of you people are very strange to go on and on over something that matters not. I just don't get how you can sit there in front of your computer and just nag on everything you see and read.[/quote] Hm. I'm not really sure how to respond to that comment, so all I'll say is that few things in life are perfect. If we just sat around rapturously praising the show, this discussion wouldn't be nearly as interesting. I don't think I'm overly critical, because I've seen numerous anime series and OAVs that excel in ways which Inuyasha simply doesn't. [quote]It's not always about the best drawn, or the best plot line or whatever. I would have to say what makes an anime series the best or most popular is not the way everything is worked out to a T. Its about seeing something that none of the other series offer. it's about when the end is coming and you like it so much that you want more and more until you can't take it anymore...you starve for the series...the perfect series that i find InuYasha gives its people.[/quote] Funny that you should say that. I usually "want more and more" when a series has gorgeous animation, skillful characterization, subtle symbolism, a captivating plot, and so forth. A show cannot evoke emotion without first demonstrating [i]some[/i] positive qualities. It's through good directing and acting that the viewer comes to identify with the characters. [quote]And you know another thing its far from perfect, but because it is people find that it is everything that they long for in anime. It's got a bit of everything in it and thats what makes it such a good series to watch. Thats all i wanted to say so i guess laters ppl~[/QUOTE] A bit of everything isn't necessarily a good thing, although Inuyasha does a decent job of combining its various elements. One thing I really don't like is the fact that it's so darn long. After a certain number of episodes, it starts to become really formulaic and repetitive, and the dramatic tension goes straight out the window. Few of the characters seem to undergo any serious changes. For example, I feel as though the scriptwriters avoided developing Kagome and Inuyasha's relationship because they wanted the story to keep dragging on. ~Dagger~

Sadly, the first episode of Bebop I ever watched was number twenty-six--which, as you may imagine, basically ruined the entire series for me. I went back and saw the rest of it, but I've never really loved the show. Anyway, having made that disclaimer, here are my impressions: Cowboy Bebop is among the most stylish, mature series ever made. It's definitely one of the greatest sci-fi anime, right up there with RahXephon and Voices of a Distant Star. However, I do feel that people tend to exaggerate Bebop's good qualities--while simultaneously minimizing its faults--and I think it's a terrible mistake to say that it's the best show ever made. Cowboy Bebop is almost entirely about style. Every aspect of the series, from its slick opening sequence to Spike's witty remarks, exudes a certain cool. CB's subject matter (bounty hunters) is hardly original, but its unique flair and careful attention to detail do make it stand out. Its mood and atmosphere are different from that of any science fiction anime or movie I've seen, which is a pretty commendable accomplishment. Most of the main characters are stock sci-fi characters, and I got a little tired of the "everyone has a super-mysterious past" theme. However, Cowboy Bebop manages to transcend the stereotypes upon which its leads are based, and make them genuinely interesting people. CB has great music and outstanding animation (especially considering that it wasn't made that recently), but the episodic nature of its storyline doesn't appeal to me very much. I found the individual episodes to be pretty predictable, and I didn't like the fact that there are so many peripheral characters; there were times when I felt that this show simply presents a more grown-up version of a "monster-of-the-day"-type plot. I guess I'm just a fan of strong continuity. If I purchased Cowboy Bebop, I can't imagine wanting to watch it more than once or twice. ~Dagger~

Are you referring to the camp song that references everything from Burger King to various car models (including the Ford Escort)? If so, then I do know what you're talking about, although I didn't realize that it had a name. ~Dagger~

My family is heading to Montclair, New Jersey for our annual reunion with several old friends. We share some rather odd traditions (including giving each other hubcaps on New Year's Eve). There'll probably be some kind of low-key party, complete with Monopoly, Cranium, and Super Smash Brothers--all in all, I expect to have a great time. ~Dagger~

I love anime (that's why I first started coming here ^_~), but I wouldn't call myself an otaku. To me, the term implies that you don't have a life outside of Japanese pop culture. It also seems to indicate that you love everything which might fall under the category of "anime," regardless of its quality. Despite the fact that I [i]am[/i] a big fan, I'm fairly picky about what I watch, much less what I choose to spend good money on. In Japan, isn't the word "otaku" sometimes used as derogratory slang for someone who stays in his or her house all day long either watching anime, playing video games, or surfing the net? I could be mistaken, but I think it's pretty ironic that non-Japanese anime fans declare themselves otaku without realizing that it isn't necessarily a positive label. ~Dagger~

The Da Vinci Code, written by Dan Brown, has been a national bestseller since the week it was first released; the novel's sales show no sign of letting up. You should be able to find it in any bookstore, large or small, and there are probably several copies at your local library. ~Dagger~

I really, really loved watching T-1 and T-2; Judgment Day is [i]still[/i] one of my all-time favorite movies. Its action sequences were revolutionary during the era in which it was made (where would The Matrix trilogy be without the liquid metal effects pioneered by James Cameron in T-2?). The original Terminator films are fantastic entertainment. They combine drama, humor, and pulse-pounding car chases--elements which many newer, glossier action movies fail to integrate successfully. While Rise of the Machines allows Arnold to deliver some hilarious one-liners with his usual stoic panache, like Shroom said, it wasn't nearly as good as T-1 and T-2. Its ending made me fear that they were planning to put together a fourth film. I [i]hated[/i] the fact that [spoiler]Judgment Day came despite everyone's attempts to stop it. In the first two movies, Sarah Connor said "There is no fate but what you make." So what the hell happened to that principle? I thought that the ability to defy destiny was supposed to be one of the trilogy's main themes.[/spoiler] ~Dagger~

[b]syn·op·sis:[/b] A brief outline or general view, as of a subject or written work; an abstract or a summary. Anyway. I still haven't read Trickster's Choice, which is odd, since I usually buy Ms. Pierce's books the moment that they're released. In the interest of saving money, I suppose I'll either check it out from the library or wait until it's released in paperback. I didn't like The Circle of Magic books or their various sequels, perhaps because those seemed to be aimed at a younger audience. I was also [i]very[/i] disappointed with Lady Knight--while it wasn't a bad novel, I felt that its ending was a pretty big let-down. ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Hack Helba [/i] [B][size=1]Umm dude shes grounded, lol.[/size] [/B][/QUOTE] I'm with AzureWolf on this one. Unless your girlfriend is grounded for the next six months or so, you can both wait to get physical until you have access to a more private space. School should be an environment for learning, not hooking up. ~Dagger~

If Tamora Pierce's books were manga, they would be categorized as shoujo. Her fan base seems to consist mostly of middle-school girls, and with good reason: her most popular novels involve a strong, imperfect female lead, numerous male love interests, and a large dose of girl power. None of her series are works of genius, but they're certainly fun to read. My personal favorite is the Wild Magic quartet (quadrilogy?), mainly because of the rather scandalous romance between Daine and Numair. ~Dagger~

I dye my hair every so often, just for fun. It's naturally a sort of mahogany brown. Since I don't want to use bleach, I usually buy dye in shades of either red or black; the longer-lasting the dye, the most noticeable its effects. Because I choose fairly natural-looking colors and have very dark hair, I'm pretty much safe from any truly disastrous mishaps, although there are times when I have to leave the dye in for a [i]very[/i] long time in order for there to be a noticeable difference. My main complaint is that even permanent dye tends to fade very quickly--which in your case, Carr, might be comforting to know. ~Dagger~

My parents gave me The Da Vinci Code for Christmas, and I just finished it. It's a very interesting book, although I thought that the storyline was somewhat predictable (for example, I was able to guess that [spoiler]Teabing was the Teacher[/spoiler]). Although the writing itself isn't very special, I really loved reading about all the puzzles and bits of symbolism. Dan Brown did a fantastic job of making the novel seem real--he wrote so convincingly about Opus Dei and the Priory of Sion. I was impressed by the fact that he referenced real books (i.e. Holy Blood, Holy Grail), and it was often hard to tell how much of the book was fact, and how much was speculation or fiction. The characters weren't terribly compelling or anything, but The Da Vinci Code is clearly supposed to be a plot-driven novel, so that didn't detract from my enjoyment of it. ~Dagger~

I don't really mind canoodling, but that doesn't mean it's entirely appropriate for a high school environment. When things go horizontal, I think that an adult should intervene; there's nothing worse than tripping over a pair of writhing bodies in one's quest to reach one's locker. I've engaged in my share of PDA (and been admonished for it, too), but I've never gone quite that far. Some expressions of affection should be saved for one's bedroom or basement couch, thank you very much. Middle schools and high schools [i]should[/i] establish a set of guidelines regarding PDA. It can be very distracting, and certain people might even find it offensive. Holding hands and kissing is fine; making out on the floor definitely isn't. A lot of kids just don't know where to draw the line, so there are times when the faculty has to do it for them. ~Dagger~

I try not to judge an anime by its opening episode, but it's difficult to avoid doing so. In my experience, an excellent show will [i]always[/i] have a suitably impressive beginning. This holds true for many series, including RahXephon, Last Exile, Fruits Basket, and Yu Yu Hakusho. I find that if a show has a bad first episode, I simply lose all interest in seeing the rest of it. Inuyasha initially drew me in because of its interesting and well-directed inception; I gave up on Get Backers after watching only one episode. I [i]wanted[/i] to like Naruto, but its first episode led me to believe that the series wasn't quite so good as everyone seemed to think. So here's my question: After seeing a mediocre (or really terrible) first episode, are you willing to forgive a show for its initial shortcomings and continue watching it? ~Dagger~

I didn't get any of the series that I requested, but I [i]did[/i] receive Kiki's Delivery Service (which was also on my list), as well as a gorgeous RahXephon artbook. Having still not seen Kiki's Delivery Service, I'm very excited about watching it. Although I never got all the way through Princess Mononoke, I didn't like that particular film nearly as much as Castle in the Sky or Spirited Away. So for all practical purposes, Kiki's Delivery Service completes my Miyazaki DVD collection. ~Dagger~

Although I'm a member of a church-going family, I can't claim to be particularly religious. I enjoy setting up our decorative nativity scene because I have a certain sentimental attachment to its little figurines. I attend our church's candlelight service on Christmas Eve because I like singing carols; I don't really pay attention to their lyrics. I personally think of Christmas as a celebration of both filial love and materialism (which isn't nearly so bad as everyone makes it out to be ^_~). Whatever Christmas truly means, I know that I'll always love to get [i]and[/i] give presents. ~Dagger~

Just killin' time. ^_~ ____________________________ Miyuki placed her hands on her hips and scanned Trini from head to toe. Despite her near-perfect posture, Miyuki could do little to disguise the fact that this newcomer was at least a good seven inches taller than she. Pursing her lips, she leaned forward to examine Trini's face. Apparently satisfied with what she saw, the blue-haired girl rocked back on her heels and offered Trini a brilliant smile. "I'm Miyuki," she announced, then cast a critical eye at Ruben. Though he cut an imposing figure, his every inch packed with hard-hewn muscle, she appeared utterly unintimidated. "We should probably start picking rooms," Trini commented. She observed that though Miyuki seemed far too thin for her own good, she possessed a kind of sharp, lovely beauty and flaunted it to her full advantage. The teenager's skirt was almost scandalously short. Miyuki beamed and spread her arms, whirling around in what seemed to be a burst of giddiness or joy. But then the aforementioned skirt flared, rising to reveal slender thighs and shadowy curves. Surprised at the girl's apparent obliviousness, Trini frowned. She would have spoken if Miyuki hadn't shot her a quick, almost lascivious smirk, before turning to address the rest of the contestants. "Well, even with a house this big, there might not be enough bedrooms for us each to have our own," Miyuki told them. "So if worst comes to worst, I for one would like to have an [i]entertaining[/i] roommate. Are any of you feeling up for the challenge?"