Swordsaint

I'm happy to say I do know about weapons! Martial arts and the history channel are great! Don't worry, I don't kill people for the living. I prefer to think of it as facilitating a persons desire to witness the "Living impaired" Phenomena... :D anyways...realisticly...I'd go with my own body as a weapon. Not as messy and less to deal with and explain to the police in the aftermath, wether I lost or won. Fantasy? I'd say my favorite is a Katana, but I favor versatility and practicality as well as stylish grace so I'd throw in 357. when someone decided it'd be funny to shoot an AK-47 one handed *chuckles* It'd be difficult to explain to the police why I decided I need the Katana and magnum for a fight with people that jumped me, but it'd make for a crazy internet video if they didn't run!

[SIZE=1]I'm going to have to say I'm for it being legalized/tolerated ect. For a lot of the same reasons as r2vq, along with a few more added thoughts. I live in Montana and, at least to my knowledge, it isn't tolerated at all up here. But it still happens every day. So obviously it's a service in demand, but it is not normally provided for through legal avenues even in the larger cities. When there is a service desired, but not provided, the opportunistic will move in and try to create the service for the customers and in this case of it being illegal, the type of people that will create the service are not likely to be the kinds of people who will be concerened for the wellfare of their employees and would likely treat said employees in ways that are in and of themselves illeagal. This is why many prostitutes end up addicted to drugs or dead here in america and why slave trade flourishes with this business. Having it universally legalized acrossed the nation (again to my knowledge it's legal in some places but not everywhere here in the states) and have it become a legal job can have a significant positive impact on all the crimes associated with prostitution: Since it would become a legal job, basic workers rights would have to be enforced/protected. Given the nature of the work and the risk of STD's it would not be entirely unthinkable for healthcare/constant check-ups to be provided for the workers and they would be recieving a fair wage for their work and wouldn't have to worry about some pimp getting them hooked into drugs or beating them at random just to prove a point. That said, I don't necessarily think prostitution is right from a christian perspective, however I think it's better that people have the option of wether or not they be in this line of work instead of being forced and that they are accorded every opportunity to be able to live safely like anyone else. It is a persons right to be able to chose and who am I to say they're condemn them?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Sounds like fun, let me know if I've made any mistakes... Name: Issic Dennings Age: 32. Mentally 24 Nationality: Seattle Washington, United states. Enhancements: Issic has had extensive cybernetic replacements throughout his entire body, namely his muscles and central nervous system , which were both being rapidly deteriorated by a new biological agent used as an anti-infantry measure. As a result, over 75% of his body is now cybernetic, leaving only the epidermal layers and a majority of his organs intact. As a result of these replacements, his reflexes, strength and endurance have increased far beyond the human norm. Issic requires consistence maintanence check ups and repairs as well as the ingestion of organic compounds to keep himself operational. Primary (Military) Occupation:Iinfiltration, Close combat specialist Secondary Occupation: Chef Appearance: Issic stand at a full 6ft, and weighs 210 lbs due to the density of the materials used in replacing his muscle tissues. He is commonly seen wearing loose, casual clothing when not on duty and at the Italian restaraunt, Colacurcios, he wears the standard white uniform with his thick brunnette hair pulled back in a short ponytail. His blue eyes carry a light of intelligence and exude a sense of relaxation. With an eye for detail, his clothes are always clean and his appearance is well kept, despite his laid back personality Personality: Largely laid back, but since his military training, he carries a deeply ingrained sense of neatness and thus, keeps himself organized. Issic Enjoys both his military and civilian occupations and when not enjoying himself, is constantly applying himself to improving these areas of his life. History: Born and raised in the Seattle washington areas, Issic Joined the marine corps after graduating from highschool. He excelled in most areas of training and qualified for the Marine corps special forces training, excelling at close quarters combat. By twenty, he was in the field, undertaking covert operations for the U.S. in nuetralizing the leaders of terror cells, Rebellious organizations and opposing military officials. Issics primary job throughout all these missions was scouting out the perimiter and either evading or nuetralizing patrols and enemy personel. At twenty-four, on his last mission for the U.S., information was leaked to Chinese intelligence and they laid a trap for Issics' unit. All eight squad members were hit with a new biological agent that rendered them unconcious and began attacking the muscle tissues and the central nervous system. The mission was aborted and later denied by the U.S. government, leaving Issic and his dying team in the hands That's were AWDOG stepped in and paid off chinese military officals in order to acquire the last surviving squad member as a new recruit. after a year of constant surgery, Issic was awoken out of his comatose state and given a rundown of what had happened. His service record was reviewed and was told he'd be assinged to a similair squad like his, and he'd even have largely the same role due to his new cybernetic upgrades. Seeing how he had been declared non-existent by the U.S. government, he saw few other options and agreed to the new assignment.[/SIZE] [I]I took out the demolitions and espionage. A little too much specializing I felt[/I]

[SIZE=1] Aj wretched, leaning heavily against the porceline bowl of his toilet. It was all over the news: People afflicted by...something, Disease, chemical warfare, drugs, brainwashing...no one knew anything other than that dozens of the creatres had been sighted and reported, and a few hundred more had been attacked. At first it had been regarded as a new wave of brutal hate crimes in the low income districts of the city, not really investigated all that much. Then the attacks spread, escalting in number, targets and scope. The mourges where the bodies were interred had been attacked, then they spread like wildfire from their. The police responded going at the...afflicted with their riot gear, only to meet disasterous results. as the afflicted people seem to have taken some pain numbing chemicals. Several policemen were slain in the skirmish, with the afflicted cannabalizing many, and dozens more policemen were injured, reciveing bite and claw injuries. Aj sighed, his stomach seemed to finally be calming down. As far as he could tell, the situation, while horrific, wasn't impossible. The images showed that the creatures for the most part stumbled about, a few even locked as though they were necrotic, falling apart as if they had been dead for some time. He looked to the mostly finished magnum he had on his coffea table near the couch, he planned on putting the last few parts together sooner than he had orgionally though. It almost seemed to him as if the guns parts were telling him it needed finishing for the urgent matters coming to hand. He wiped his mouth as he got to his feet, his workboots clomping hard on the tiled bathroom floor. He sat on the couch, taking the gun and it's few remaining pieces in hand with his tools. He relaxed even more as the machine took on it's final form, smiling back Aj's face to him off the cool, soothing metal. He checked it over, letting the wheel spin before snapping it shut, cocking the hammer back and squeezing the trigger to hear the satisfying click as the parts moved in conjunction. He picked up the six bullets his dad had sent to him from home. Aj found himself almost wishing his dad had sent a box, instead of going for the "Last stand" type of nostalgia, the soldier staring down his enemies as the closed, the last rounds loaded in the gun. Thankfully, he had his toolbelt affixed with hammers and screw drivers. He even picked up his big black and decker drill and buzz saw. A bit heavy to carry around, but he figured his car could be put to good use. He loaded up the beautifull vehicle before going back into his apartment to rumage through, taking his time. Finding nothing else he started back down the stairs, almost relaxed despite the events circling around him. He didn't have much, but the machines comforted him and he was sure a few heavy hammer swings could do some good, it would save him on bullets that's for sure.[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=Gavin][SIZE=1] Personally I really do enjoy it when martial artists get into your face about how they've got a high belt in Karate/Judo/Tae Kwon Do/whatever as the cocky little roosters always end up regretting it in the first thirty or so seconds. I'm just over six feet tall and weigh nearly 80 kilos, most of it pure muscle, so when the fight starts I just grapple and put a hurting on them. I rarely go for face shots, I just see them and belt shots as being the sign of someone who can't fight properly, I don't kick much either, mostly because I broke a guys ribs once with a roundhouse, and it's something I'd prefer not to repeat. Regardless of how angry I am with someone else, I never fight to really badly injure someone, just to put them down. [/SIZE][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]This brings up a few points for me that I agree and disagree with, to a point anyways. I said before that there really havn't been to many actual fights that I've been in or that I've witnessed. However, yeah Gavins right, it is funny when somebody that's gotten their higher belts in a martial arts class start acting like they've gone a few rounds in a UFC cage. To me that says whoever is teaching these people isn't really so much concerend about teaching their students discipline and restraint, the instructors are concerened with churning out tournament machines and nothing else, big egos and martial arts tend to not mix well in a fight. Mainly because no one style is superior or inferior, it is the person themselves that is superior or inferior to another fighter. With that said, I can't say I agree with not going for face shots in a fight, though I do applaud you Gavin for being able to do so and win it says a lot towards your character and ability. I was taught that a fight is a fight and the only time there are rules is if you have enough friends to match the other guys. Especialy since theres always the offhand chance that someone has a knife or brass knuckles on em. I live in western Montana and just about all the people out here go hunting or live on/near a ranch and knives are common and usefull tools, so the possiblity is very real. If someone wants to start a fight and wont listen to reason, then they will know they've been in a fight. But then again, there are so many possibilities out there that can determine just how much you hold back or not. For example: I wouldn't go full out on my brother if he were drunk and starting a tussle with me, I'd want to go as far as simply restraining him. But again, you wouldn't want to go so easy on some dude that jumped out of an aleyway at you with a knife wanting your wallet, if you wanted to go rounds with them at all. In all though Gavin, I have to say I can appreciate and see the validity of what it is your saying and again, I applaud you for being able to put a person down more gently than I can, it is a reflection of your abilities.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1] AJ stood hunched over the engine of a black ford ranger, busily tightening the parts in place after replacing them. He chuckled slightly as he mused how easily a machine could tell him what was wrong with it as he worked, his eyes focusing on every detail of the engine. His tools clinked together as he reached for different wrenches, clattering about noisily in the oil covered tool box. The shop, normally well organized, was a chaotic mess since AJ had been working for the last ten hours, flying from one job to the next, quicker than most of the other mechanics on shift could believe. He loved this garage, it was a custom shop called simply "Petes' custom wheels". Normally to get a job here the owner, Pete, looked for people who went to tech schools with a focus on mechanics and engineering. AJ had gotten the job after outdoing one of petes best mechanics at a local mechanics competition of sorts. AJ smiled whistfully as he closed the hood of the Ranger and reached for his water bottle with a grease covered hand. He may love machines, but one drawback to them was that they couldn't give him good food and drink. He glanced to his left as the door opened, most of the employees were gone now, and Erin out front usually locked the doors by about now, so he raised his eyebrows seeing a casually dressed brunette shuffle through the door. "Sorry ma'am but it's about..." he glanced at the clock on the wall, it was 9 p.m. " 9 o'clock now, we're not servicing any vehicles now." the lady kept shuffling towards him, her head downcast. Leaning against the truck AJ sighed. "Look lady, I don't have the keys to open the garage back up...I'll tell you what, if Erin out there says it's okay and opens the shop up, I'll do what I can and call you a cab and you can pick up your vehichle tomorrow, Okay?" The woman leaned against the tool counter as she walked, slowly closing the distance. Billy's eyes narrowed slightly, woudln't Erin have seen this lady? why wasn't she answering him? Finally as she stepped closer, the neon lighting revealed dark splotches around the neck of her shirt, he could even make out dark red crusted in her hair. "Oh my God ma'am are you okay? Did something happen out there?" crap where was erin? Aj rushed to the phone in the shop, he called the front counter where erin should have been. He got nothing but a few rings. He flipped back towards the woman. "Ma'am wait here, I'm gonna go find the manager and call for help ok---" The woman had raised her head to gaze on him now, her eyes dead white and crimson blood, crusting and fresh, ringed her gaping mouth. A pained wailing moan filled the silence as a creeping sense of dread wormed it's way to AJ's gut. "Look lady...you stay right there, I'm calling the cops." The woman opened her mouth to moan back at him, her shuffling steps quickening. "Stay there!" AJ circled around the truck and darted for the door, noting the woman slowly turned to give chase. He was through the swinging door in an instant, using his only key to lock the door. He took a few deep breaths as he walked through the break room into the front. Aj snatched up the phone and dialed 911. Immeadiately a voice came on the other end of the line. "Hello 911 what is your emergancy?" "There's a woman here at the shop I work at, I don't know what's wrong with her she might be in shock or something, but she has blood all around her mouth and in her hair and..." He stopped as he saw blood start to pool at his foot from under the counter. He gulped, vaugely noting that the operator was asking him for the address. "I think she attacked one of my co-workers," rounding the desk, AJ found Erins' sprawled form under her the counter, bleeding from several bite wounds, most of which had taken large chunks from her neck, arm and stomach. "Oh Christ! Send an ambulance! Trace the call or something!" He dropped the phone, digging frantically for a first aid kit, anything that could help, even though a small voice whispered to him that she was already dead. AJ tensed as soon as he heard the footsteps behind him. He looked slowly over his shoulder to find his boss walking towards him, that bite wound he'd gotten bandaged a day ago had fallen off, revealing the rotting flesh beneath, his eyes dead white like the other woman, though his skin was grayer. Aj took off going through the door, running for his blue 63 Chevy Super Sport, He slammed the door, twisting the keys making the engine roar to life. He took off for his apartment a few blocks away, never feeling more terrified in his life. How little he know, how much worse things were going to get.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Same for me as the boss and Panda...I'm in a mixed martial arts class oriented towards self defense, so I've been in several regulated matches that get stopped at a decisive strike or after 3 seconds and someone can't get out of an armbar ect. For actual fights I've only been in one that didn't involve my younger brother. The first one was in 3d grade, the PE teachers son and his friend were making fun of me for wearing glasses. I tried to keep going and ignore them, but one of them ran by my and yanked my glasses off my face. I tried to get them back for minutes, until finally they tossed them on the ground and said "Take em." when I reached down, the PE teachers son smashed them with a rock. I was so absolutely furious that I tackled him to the ground and let him have it until one of the neighbors ran out and pulled me off of him and that was that. As for me and my younger brother, we did things weird...We would wrestle around until one of us got a better hold, then we would slam the others head into a tree until we got loose then let the other have it. When we got to tired we'd sulk for a while then help each other home and play on the nintendo or something. that's about it for me.[/SIZE]

Oh jeese, there are so many things to list...I guess my favorites would be Martial arts, burying myself in a good book, enjoying intellectual conversations about the im/morality of hijacking cruise ships at spoon point and re-crewi ng em with midgets hopped up on caffeine till I reck into what was known as the ivory coast of africa to declare myself an emperor... I ocasionally doodle and tell jokes with obscure, odd-ball references...

I can understand that. There are a lot of Drunk indians here on the reservation that don't try, they skip school and get money from the government as well. However, that stigma doesn't apply to all native americans and to lable all as such is more than a little short sighted. I live on a reservation and have gotten to know the history depicted by both the federal government and the local resevation officials, who did try in school so they could reclaim their culture, and have gotten to see different view points. A problem I see, besides the fact that many native americans do take advantage of the handicaps the government gives, is the fact that many of the young native people here have grown up listening to their grandparents stories as to what the Native boarding schools were like and how horribly they were treated there, by people hired by the government to "civilize" the "savage" Indians. Unfortunately, yes there are many out there who use this as an excuse for their behaviour. But they are seen most often because they make the biggest mess. The ones that actually try to better themselves aren't really likely to make the news like the ones who beat your friend. I am actually quite sorry to hear that because of this one event, you beleive the native peoples to be cowardly, hopless people when there actually are many out there that take hope and stand firm despite the ill actions of other people. These are exactly the kind of misleading stigmas and steretypes that I hope I can lay to rest, or at least alleviate by answering peoples questions. As I said be for, I am not the be all that ends all fountain of information on native peoples, I simply have been able to look at both versions of the history and have found differing view points and historical accounts.

Alrighty thanks for clearing that up for me. I was sort of close to understanding you last night...now that I'm fully comprehending your previous post I can form a better opinion. I agree with the methods you described and am more than happy to hear that a fetus doesn't have to be aborted in order to provide a cure for someone. So with that in mind, I do agree with stem cell research. I don't really humanize sperm or eggs really, however I am of the opinion that once an egg is fertalized that it is a living, growing human being. From there my previous issues with stem cell research should be clear, however again thank you for clearing that up. Also, I don't know that you should laugh at everyone who opposes stem cell research. Mainly due in part to politicians/news media hype that people get swept up in. yeah it's sad that people always beleive what they're told on the t.v. by people who have no expertise whatsoever in any scientific field, even more so that they themselves don't take the time to research or discuss the issue like we are now. However I think it would be better to do like you've done now: help clear the issue up and inform people as best you can and leave God/buddah/allah/fate/nature to take care of the rest. But then again, who am I to say what's better...they say laughter is the best medecine...

[SIZE=1][SIZE=1]I didn't realize it till I got to college and the professors pointed it out, but I've found there's really a lot left out from the history books about Native Americans (Indians) I've even begun to notice that a good number of people are under the impression that the Native American Tribes are extinct. Seriously, Not making that one up. I've met a few people who were surprised to find I'm nearly half native American (About a 1/3 all together). Heck, even I'm willing to admit I was largely ignorant about that part of my ethnical background, now then...to the point of this discussion: I'm curious to see what everyone here knows/beleives about native american tribes and history, and I 'd like to try to help enlighten people about the tribe in my area and help put to rest some stereotypes. This is not to say I am Indian Knowledge God, I've just been able to see another version of the historical acocunts, ones not commonly seen in the history books. For example, The battle at wounded knee: I don't really remember this being talked about much in the history books I had in High school only a few years ago. I thad maybe a brief sentence or two, not really describing it at all. When I got into college, we ended up discussing Wounded Knee at length in a Native American History class. According to historical accounts gathered/passed from elders (long dead by now) It wasn't really much of a Battle at all. The indian people in the camp were performing a sort of prayer called the "Ghost Dance." The native people were praying for their ancestors/the creator to make the land well again and to bring back the buffalo so they could survive. The U.S. soldiers "mistook" it to be a war dance and opened fire with their cannons, shelling a native american camp of a few hundred people made up mainly of Elders, women and children. Very few young men were in the camp and all of them had already been disarmed by the U.S. soldiers. The unit in charge of this camp was the 7th calvalry. The 7th calvary suffered a major defeat at the battle of the Little Big Horn, Armstrong Custers famous "Last stand". I can't recall the exact figures, but nearly all of the refugees at the camp were killed and the U.S. government awarded 15-17 Congressional Medals of Honor, the single largest number of medals awarded for any battle. your thoughts, beleifs, opinions, questions about tribes?[/SIZE]

This one has been touch and go for me for a long while, mainly because it was my understanding that the main source of stem cells came from fetuses that were being/going to be aborted and from a personal standpoint (not even religious, just personal) I find aborrtion to be abhorrent in most cases. This isn't to say that I don't sympathize with people who could benefit from the cure's/rehabilitative procedures that could be made from utilizing stem cells, I just wanted a different alternative than, in my opinion, denying life to a new human being. Now, upon learning that there are alternative sources of stem cells that wouldn't require fetuses to be aborted, I feel that stem cell research is a great idea and should be greatly looked into and worked with. I will say that I do beleive harvesting stem cells from embryos/fetuses is murder because I beleive each to be human from the moment of inception and I beleived that even before I found faith. [CENTER]* * *[/CENTER] Answer: Yes, actually. We are now able to take your somatic cell's nucleus, and modify it genetically so that if it were to become undifferentiated, it would not be able to develop into a viable human being. The genes that allow the embryo to coordinate which body parts go where is removed, so if the cluster of cells were allowed to develop, it would have zero potential to develop into a human being. If implanted into a uterus, it would be aborted without fail. [I]Quote from Adahn[/I] [CENTER]* * *[/CENTER] It's about 3 a.m. where I'm at and I'm about to crash (hence why I couldn't remember the regular quote thingumy) Could you perhaps Explain this for me in laymans (SP?) terms? I think I know what your saying, I'd just rather comprehend it before my tired mind tries to discuss it.

[SIZE=1]Looks like fun, though I think I'll make someone a little more "ordinary." Name: AJ Erickson Age: 25 Appearance: AJ never was the largest person, by no means small at his height of 6ft. and 165lbs., but the coaches never really gave him a second glance for any of the sports teams. His dusky dishwater blonde hair flies about as it pleases through the days, and despite his laid back apperance, his dark blue eyes never loose that look of intelligence up to mischeif. His clothes are always scored by numerous burns and layered with grease from the machines and engines he builds and works on and becacuse of his work, his clothes are very plain, leaving him largely unnoticed by society at large. Status in Society: Civilian Occupation: Mechanic Skills: His greatest talent and greatest love in life, is piecing together the machines that talk to him. They tell him whats wrong and he fixes it, even making the machines run better than before. Whatever it is, if it has a motor and moving parts, he can figure out how to build it and fix it with time. He took a few Jeet Kun Do classes as well during high school, but like so many other things in life, he couldn't keep his focus on it Weapons before arming yourself: nothing other than his bare hands and the assorted tools in his toolbox (screw driver, hammer ect.) Weapons after arming yourself: .357 magnum with only the six shots loaded in it and his tools Personality: Laid back, easy going and for the most part, likeable if you can show enough interest in the machines he builds and repairs. Otherwise he keeps to himself, more than happy enough to let others be. He's easy going with most folks, if seeming a bit distracted from whatever conversation is being held. People that that try to get a rise out of him usually only get a blank stare, and those that press him further only get him to leave. The few stubborn enought to get physical ended up getting a good view of Aj's knuckles and backside as he turned to leave Bio: AJ grew up in a small suburban town. He never really did well in school. In fact he did so horribly they tested him to see if he needed to be placed in special Ed. The school faculty was astonished to find that not only did he not need to be placed in special ed, he probably should've been placed ahead about 8 grades. But no matter what the teachers did, nothing could hold his attention for long and he even began to stop doing the I.Q. tests to him. Until one day he wandered into the shop class when by chance the Shop teacher had been re-assembling one of the skill saws. As the machine roared to life, AJ stood transfixed, marveling at the chugging sound of life that drove the saw blade to cut through chunk after chunk of wood. He was hooked, immersing himself in every kind of mechanical instruction manual he could find. Cars, saws, four wheelers, even learning to put together a few guns for his dad when he became old enough to order the parts. there really wasn't enough room in Aj's life for a love interest. He's thought about it, but the woman would have to like mechanic's work to even get him to open up.[/SIZE]

This short story centers around a character I had come up with some time ago, and is involved in another, larger story I'm working on. I would like for those that respond to please tell me if I need to flesh the character out more, change my writing, and how ect, ect. other than that, I hope you all enjoy it! *ahem* [SIZE=1] [SIZE=4]Devis leaned back in his wooden chair, propping his booted feet up on the well used oaken table. His inquisitive Blue eyes took in the sights of the crowded tavern as best they could. The lighting was poor, and provided by only a roaring fire, and a few scattered candles. The sounds filtered into his keenly trained ears which picked up on the choicest bits of conversation from the local townsfolk, mostly talk of the encroaching army of the cruel lord Ragvauck. His lips split into an amused grin as he shifted his large frame, the dulled breasplate he wore scraped against the chair. In his expierience, one lord seemed as cruel as another. Many were just trying to do the best they knew how to make their lands prosperous and powerfull. Downing the last of his ale, Devis loomed to his full height, stretching his toned arms before grabbing up his sword. Digging down into his bag, he turned up a few coppers, slapping them in front of the barkeep as he passed. The rotund man looked up from polishing a filth covered mug, taking in the dulled coins with his piggish eyes. "Back on duty again eh?" the mans voice always seeped from his mouth like oil, leaving Devis feeling revolted, like he'd somehow stepped in a large pile of dogshit and need to scrape it off his feet. "Yep!" he mustered as much politness as he couldin his deep voice, the barkeep also owned the room he was staying at, "Gotta make sure the city stays safe enough fer you and yer daughters to walk aboutin safety!" the barkeep glowered at devis for that. It amazed Devis the number of ugly men that seemed to make such pretty young girls. Not so surprising to Devis was how protective the fathers ended up. The grin took on a mischeivious smirk as he remembered his night with the said daughter. Sighing as he stepped outside, he lookd over the city Krevek. Settled in the hills near the Urug'Gor Mountain range, it came under attack from all the creatures that dwelt there that saw the landmark of civilization as a blemish on their territory. It also was sitting nearly on top of one of the largest gem mines in Azelia, which attracted merchants, and warlords like flies to a corpse. Which in turn brought many months of work and good pay for a hired sword like devis. He chuckled at the irony of the thought, the very thing that made Krevek prosper was also the source of constant irritation. The clouds bespoke their displeasure by starting their downpour while Devis strode along the cobbled street. Miners began quickening their strides to get indoors, while merchants hastened their servents to carry their wares under cover. The young mercenary smiled, spreading his lightly armored arms wide in warm welcome of the rain. Finally reaching his post at the north corner tower, Devis leaned against the door listening to the guard captains ire: "That hell blasted merc's late again!?...that down trodden son of a flea bitten whore's gonna get latrine duty fer a week straight..." Devis couldn't help but laugh, he was always laughing at the poor man, he never remembered his name either. Shrugging, he slid the heavy door open to see the graying man in plate armor swing about to look at him, redness coloring his otherwise pale cheeks. "You!" the man seemed to have trouble keeping his hands from the halbered near the wall. Seeing a chance to push his luck further, Devis enthusiastically shouted back "Me!" "watch yourself now you rotten bastard...this be the ninth time ye've shown up late here." the captains eyes glowered with his hatred for the young mercenary 'If it happens again, yer digging the shit out from under Krevek for a week!" Devis grinned through it all, nodding at the enraged little man. Stepping around the cot set uo for the gaurds, he reached the rack where he'd stashed his extra gear, a simple wooden shield, reinforced with bands of iron, and a brace of small throwing axes. He grabbed the items, bounding up the nearby stairwell to the top of the tower. As he came up through the hatchway, Devis spied the gaurdsman he was supposed to releive, leaning over the side. A gurgling sound and heavy breathing soon followed. "Carefull not to fall over the side there mate," He cleared the hatch and shut it agin, the tower was covered providing some cover from the rain and a large iron gong sat nearby with it's hammer resting next to it, "it's a long way dow.." Devis's voice caught in his throat as the gaurd slipped over the side. He almost darted for the side, until he spied a large grappling hook grasping to the ledge. Wasting no time, Devis sprang for the gong. Taking up the hammer he struck the gong three times to alert the other towers. No sounds came from the tower to the right, or from the one behind him. People near the tower were rushing about now, but it would take longer for word to spread. Devis blanched as heard the sound of someone heaving themselves over the wall. Glancing over his shoulder, he spied a large hulking, horned figure, wearing light armor cobbled together from bits of leather and chain, bearing the birght yellow half moon half skull symbol of Ragvauk. It had the body of a large man, but it's semblance of humanity ended with the bull like head. The Minotaur grinned, or at least it looked to Devis like it did, as it reached for the black mace slung on it's back. The beast took to long, thinking the young human to be shaking in his boots. Devis spun about, drawing his curved blade in the same motion. Blood spurted from a wound that flared open along the surprised minotaurs belly. It grabbed at the opening, trying to stem the tide of it's lifeblood. Devis moved passed the dying creature, arcing his bloodied blade at the next horned head that began peering over the edge. The sharp blade bit deep into flesh and bone, meeting the Beast-mans brains. The body jerked about before falling thirty feet to the ground, the rope and grappling hook soon followed. Shaking his head, Devis looked at the gaurd that had fallen. It was Ishmael. A young fellow that had seen one less year of life than devis's 21. Even more a pity, Devis had come to like the brash young man. A sigh escaped from devis as he tilted his head up. He wished he hadn't, for a large seething and roiling mass was moving swiftly out of the mountains towards the city. "That'd be Ragvauk's army now I'd wager." Devis Jumped, he hadn't heard the hatch open. Looking behind him, he saw that the gaurd captain had joined him. He also saw into on of the nearby streets that no reinforcements had arrived. "Captain?" Devis let the tourble he fekt be plain in his voice, "why hasn't at least the militia arrive here?" Sighing the old man drew a small crossbow from behind his back. "that'd be because I announced the gong as a false alarm." the troubled feeling turned into an ocean of weight on Devis' shoulders while the captains face took on a grim look. "yer handy with a blade I'll give ye that..." the gloved hand tightened about the trigger "Hell, yer handy with most any weapon...But I'll be damned if some snot nosed kid like you gets in the way." The weapon leveled with Devis's heart...[/SIZE][SIZE] To be Continued

Nothing against Boba, But I think it's pretty sad when guys avoid forming relatioships based on personality. Don't get me wrong, looks do play a part, but like mr. Rodney Carington says: "I'd rather be with a big woman who had a sense of humor than a B*$#$ that looked good." Not the exact quote, but you get the point, now to actually answer the origional question: If I see someone attractive, yes I do take notice that they look good/ dang sexy. I can't help it I'm human. However, I wouldn't immeadiately say that "I'd hit that". for a number of reasons. 1) I was brought up to have a healthy respect for woman, and wanting to hump a girl just cause she looks good ain't even close to being respectful. Granted, if both parties understood that it was going to be a one night stand/ relationship based on having relations, I can't say that it's wrong because both people know exactly what they're getting. 2) I already have a girlfriend with good looks, and a personality that makes her good looks glow golden! (She like anime and video games, nuff said) 3) Because of witnessing certain actions my father took, my beliefs regarding this have been reinforced further. I hope that answered your question at least a little bit. if nothing else ye got a peek in my mind.