Retribution

[SIZE=1]I'm about 75% African American, and so it bugs me [i]deeply[/i] when I see people succumb to the racial stereotypes. Loud, ignorant, disrespectful, drives either an SUV they can't afford or a trashy car, and plays loud, belligerent rap music with the bass cranked. Really, I'm pretty much the opposite of it, and I'm tired of people asking me why I "talk white" or "act white." Jeez, people, it's like we're building ourselves into a box, where black people [i]can't[/i] be smart or successful! Heaven forbid use correct grammar. And the 'n-word' kills me a little inside every time I hear it. People don't understand that their ancestors fought hard to get rid of that word, and here we go again, bringing it back it. Actually, it's so bad that this n-word is now a casual term with which black people greet, dismiss, and generally address one another with. It's sickening. And you know, it would technically be easier for me to just have been born white. I like alot of rock, really don't enjoy too much rap, get 'white grades', talk 'white', and have friends that either are white or 'act' like it. But I feel guilty saying that, even thinking that. It would mean forsaking a rich heritage, and a struggle with which I'm proud of my parents and grandparents for enduring. As for [b]Lunch Tables![/b] I'm not sure if it holds true at your school, but at my school, tables are separated into intricate groups and arrangements. Disrupt the delicate balance, and you now have associated yourself with a clique. The African American people sit together, and the white people sit together. And the Asian people sit together. Yeah, and you take some ribbing if you sit with the majority, and your skin doesn't match. People will sort of look at you like "...wtf?" unless you're their friend. Now, within each race, there's more specific arrangements like pretty-gal types, nerds, outcasts hanging on the group's fringes, or the lives of the party. Heh. Very interesting, very sad.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]?What?s your name, sir?? Leonardo asked a man sitting at a bar. It had been a long walk through the city and a hard fight through the crowds. All he wanted now was a warm meal and a quiet nook. Things looked promising that he had found both in the quaint bar in the residential area of the city. ?Hey, I?m Lio. How about you?? Immediately, he sensed a dark aura from the man, but a good heart within. Instead of stopping the conversation, he gave him a chance. ?I?m Leonardo. Holy Sorcerer. You wouldn?t happen to manipulate dark energy, would you?? ?Actually, I do. I?m a Dark Knight. Nice meeting you,? said, giving him a smile in between bites of his meal. Leonardo ordered stir-fry and a drink that was quite similar to soda, which left a tingling feeling on his tongue after taking a draught. He stirred the beverage by twirling his finger idly in the air, which in turn gently spun the liquid within the cup. It caught Lio?s attention, and got a passing smile as well. ?Very interesting how you do that.? ?I suppose it is. Sorcerers have many spells that do little but make life easier. They?re relatively easy to learn if magic is in your blood.? ?Fancy that.? After their small talk was done, Leonardo exited the bar and was thrown back into the hustle and bustle of the busy city avenues. He ran into several people, some of which sneered at him, telling him to watch his step, others who chatted with him for a bit and seemed like good people. Once he had received his papers, he went to his quarters to call it a night. He enchanted a pen to fill out the questions that required no thought, and answered the more involving questions before he went to bed. While he was waiting, he practiced protecting spells with a fair deal of success. By the time sleep called his name, he felt he had accomplished something, though small it may be.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]It's been a long time coming for this... now please don't let this die. ;_; [B]Name:[/B] Alexander Crowne [B]Age:[/B] 25 [B]Sex:[/B] Male [B]Location:[/B] Madrid, Spain [Born & raised in USA] [B]Appearance:[/B] [URL=http://hyung-taekim.org/displayimage.php?album=10&pos=1][link][/URL] Alexander's hair is drawn back in a pony tail to prevent it from getting in his light hazel eyes. He enjoys dressing in what is shown in the picture, and when he is most casual, he can be seen wearing a silk dress shirt and a pair of khakis. He stands at an average height of 5'10", with a medium build and high cardiovascular endurance from playing soccer in Spain recreationally. [B]Personality:[/B] Alexander is a generally amiable person, but remains more reserved in front of those he does not know. He enjoys the finer aspects of life, and enjoys glasses of wine over a game of chess (he has a knack for tactics), browsing an art gallery, or watching a fencing duel during an evening meal. Those who cannot appreciate such things immediately place themselves at a disadvantage of befriending Alex, and on occasion, find themselves the target of his rare outbursts of anger. For the most part, he is a gentle soul, a quiet man, and masks his discontent, anger, or saddness behind a smiling facade. [B]Bio:[/B] Alexander was born in Washington, DC, and moved to Madrid when he was seven. His family raised him well, he coming out as an intelligent young man by the time he was 18. When Alex was young, his family taught him the value of knowledge and what it can get you in life. His mother and father worked very hard at both their jobs and at home to raise him and his two sisters right. They stuck together, and life got easier for the family. His father got a promotion, and his mother got a pay raise. They sent Alex off to Oxford for college, wanting on the best for their aspiring prodigy. He learned english at Oxford, making him fluent in both languages. He prefers to use spanish when he does not want to be understood, but as a general rule, speaks english most of the time. He worked hard at Oxford to become an aeronautical engineer, hoping that one day one of his own creations would allow him to fly above the world. He recieved a letter in the mail, telling him that he had been selected to live in a mansion of delights and to earn free money. What could go wrong? he thought, so he accepted. His parents were extremely happy for him, hoping that the extra money would give him a head-start into adulthood and establishing himself in the world. [B]Greatest Desire:[/B] To travel in space. He loves the idea of weightlessness, zero G, and the infinite vastness of space. He even wanted to be an astronaut when he was little. [B]Greatest Fear:[/B] Being killed, and to a lesser degree, bodily harm or mutilation. He will do anything to avoid these things; the survival instict runs strongly in his veins.[B]OOC:[/B] Yeah, I noticed that. I like how he looks, so I use him alot. So what?[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=Ilium][COLOR=DarkRed] True... but think about it. If your entire life is your home, you have NOTHING else, everything you own in the world is there, would you be so quick to just throw it away? Would you throw away everything you've worked towards in your entire life? Not many were expecting this to be the worst natural disaster in the US' history, they thought they'd ride it out in their home because, well, it's their home... I wouldn't just give up my house without a fight.[/COLOR][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]What can you do to 'fight' the hurricane? Board up your windows? Yes, you can do that, but it doesn't require watching the storm roll in from your door stoop. It would be hard to throw everything away, but if there's a manditory city wide evacuation, it's common sense to know that it must be a large storm. Cities don't have manditory evacuations for any old storm; they have them when there's a significant risk that you're going to die if you choose to stay. Sadly, that is what happened to a great many people. If there were a manditory evacuation, yes, I would leave my house. My life is more important than worldly possesions. I'm not saying this is some easy decision, but I would rather keep living and have to start over, rather than have everything end. [QUOTE][COLOR=DarkRed] Fair enough. But maybe when you've suffered as much as my family and my friends families and my communities have at the hands of this man you'll understand.[/COLOR][/QUOTE] What suffering what you endured? I'm being serious about this question; it's not meant to be sarcastic, despite how it sounds. [QUOTE=Sage]A government is a bureaucratic and politic system with it's own harsh realities and rules. Such systems tend to bring out the worst in individual persons, and when everybody are acting for their own personal benefit, things go rotten. So, I don't believe for a second that Bush didn't want to send help to New Orleans out of malice and racism, it's just that the system didn't allow it - and he knew it. There are countless cases of idealistic young politics who enter the governmental system and end up dropping their ideologies because of the corruption within the system. They either sell it for personal gain or just give up after seeing that they have very little influence on it. "Legally Blonde"-movies are a ditzy and humorous example, but if you look deep into them, you'll realize they have much truth in them. To summarize things, I wasn't saying that Bush is rotten to the core, but the whole system around him is.[/QUOTE] I feel like a dirty Bush-supporter defending the man, but whatever. :p Alright, I don't believe that Bush wanted to let New Orleans suffer, or perhaps I'm just not being cynical enough. What makes me say that is the several days it took for him to send aid there. Seriously now, it's not the 'system' that prevents him from sending help to New Orleans. It's his own lack of initiative that did it. What was stopping 'the system' from sending help just a few days earlier? Is it because this 'system' just wanted to watch some more death in New Orleans, or was it because Bush didn't appeal to them about it? Really, the whole blaming the system bit gets old after a while... It's true that America isn't run by one man, but essentially (for the time being, anyway) it is. He controls everything as of now, so what was stopping this system from sending aid? Nothing. It was himself. [Sorry if that argument was somewhat roundabout. Give me some of these 'countless cases' where some young upstart manages to claw his/her way to power, an drop his/her morals to fit in. I'm sure it's happened before, but not because the system is inherently corrupt. You think it's corrupt because the people operating within it have different ideas of what's 'right' and 'wrong.' You disagree with their stances on the issues. Let's be honest, if [pick your favorite president] were in office, would you be talking about how the system is so corrupt? I think not.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Right, valid points. However, I was saying that [b]those who could have gotten out in time, but chose to fortify their homes were foolish.[/b] Yes, there are those people who were trying to leave, but got caught in the storm, or those who did not have the means, but those people weren't everyone. Make no mistake - there defintely people who decided to camp out in their homes. As for the government being rotten ... eh, I still stand in the same place. I definitely don't approve of [most of] Bush policy, but I'm not going to call the man rotten or facist. [/SIZE]

[QUOTE=Genzo]To me, a Palestinian who has been denied his homeland all of his life, the Israeli withdrawl from Gaza Represents the Ultimate GOOD RIDANCE. I am so happy that the Palestinians can finally move around with ease, reopen the destroyed airport and seaport and rebuild them, no longer fear the radical settlers that poision their drinking water and spread chemicals on fields used by shepards for grazing. At the same time I also realise something else, to all of those who say to me that I dont need a homeland to be happy, I have this to say: GIVE THEM YOUR LAND, MY LAND IS NOT YOUR TO DISTRIBUTE TO ZIONISTS YOU FACIST PIG! As soon as the Airport re-opens I will be able to visit my father much easier. for this i have one people to thank, Hamas, PIJ, PFLP, DFLP, PFLP-GC, Fatah and all the other resistance movements that have made our dream of having our own nation a reality. Death To Israel, Zionism and all those who support them[/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]You're sick, and I mean it for real. Either that, or obscenely juvenile. I don't think I can address your last sentence without starting a flame war. Sorry to the mods, if this post didn't say much.[/SIZE]

[quote name='Sage']It's useless to say "they should've done so" when the damage has already happen, Retri - it's quite cruel too. Now the U.S. government should concentrate on helping those people, and I'm truly sickened by the fact that some officials diminished the situation in New Orleans so that sufficient help arrived a week later thatn it was supposed to.[/quote] [SIZE=1]True, it's useless, but I was telling Chibi something. I wasn't preaching, I was saying that those who camped out by choice aren't getting as much sympathy, as those who just couldn't physically make it out, from me at least. As for it being cruel, I don't think so - I think I was being pretty reasonable. And really, are we disallowed to remark on what should have been done, for the reason it might be cruel to the person? No! That's what history is. We remark about what should have happened. And yes, you do what you can in the present to help people. [QUOTE]Your government is rotten.[/QUOTE] Well, I'm no Bush fan, but I know enough to say that my country's government is not rotten. Yes, those holding office have different view from me [or you, for that matter], but that doesn't automatically make it a rotten-to-the-core system. Really, I'd like to think that the American government has more intergrity than that of the Chinese.[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=ChibiHorsewoman][color=darkviolet]Well, Ryan, that did happen. But not everyone in LA, AL, and MI (where Biloxi is) had transportation or the money to stay somewhere else. Also some people feel that it's their duty as residents to stick out hurricanes- many had done so three years ago (sorry, I forgot the name of that one, but I drove through it in OH) and it wans't nearly as bad. Maybe they figured this one wouldn't be as bad as it was.[/color][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]If there's a [B]city-wide manditory evacuation[/B] being held, you know the Hurricane means business. To all those who decided to stick it out, to hunker down and see what would happen, you're retards. That's why the death toll is going to be so high. Yes, there are those who lacked the means of leaving the city. That doesn't mean you just sit at your house and let the sh_t hit the fan. Hitch-hike, use public transportation, whatever you can do to leave the area, do it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]For a good friend. Take your pick.[/SIZE] [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/kairiavatar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/kairirage1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/kairirage2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/kairirage3.jpg[/IMG]

[size=1][b]Name:[/b] Leonardo de Medici [b]Age:[/b] 20 [b]Sex:[/b] Male [b]Trade:[/b] Holy Sorcerer -[I] Holy:[/I] This spell creates a reflective barrier for any sort of magic or projectile. The barrier returns the projectile to the attacker with the same amount of force. -[I] Gloria:[/I] Heals the caster?s target, as well as gives them a temporary ward against physical and magical attacks. -[I] Excelsis Deo:[/I] A short-lived boost in all the caster?s attributes (intelligence, speed, strength, endurance, etc) which is sometimes compared to a very powerful adrenaline rush. [b]Appearance:[/b] [url=http://hyung-taekim.org/displayimage.php?album=10&pos=1 ][link][/url] Leonardo?s hair is drawn back in a pony tail to prevent it from getting in his deep blue eyes. [b]Personality:[/b] Leonardo is in general a happy person, and enjoys talking to a good friend, singing a gleeful song, or attending a party. Despite his usually amiable demeanor, he appreciates solitude, silence, and manners, and seeks out those who mirror the same attributes. He is a gentleman in full, living up to the definition of chivalry, and hopes to never fail at it. [b]Still Life:[/b] The room was quiet. The mahogany floors reflected the candlelight glowing on the mantel, and the rich portrait of his family above it overlooked the entire bedroom. In silence Leonardo sat, reading [I]Introduction to the Alphabet[/I] in Italian, when a lady walked into the room. His gaze shifted, from the Latin book to the woman dressed in soft white silk, a jade necklace, and suede slippers. She bore a sad look, as if she were about to cry. ?Hello, mother.? He forced a smile before running over to her and hugging her. Leonardo knew something was wrong ? he had never seen his mother cry before. The strong mother who had supported his father?s mercantile business, the steadfast mother who had bore three children into the world, the firm mother who beat him when he stole an extra piece of chocolate from the kitchen counter. Here she was, with tears rolling down her smooth cheeks. ?What?s the matter? Please tell me what?s wrong.? ?It?s your father? the priests say he is possessed by a demon. He does not eat, he does not sleep. His temperature is beyond fatal, and his eyes roll back in his head from time to time,? she sobbed, finally letting her emotions go as she reflected upon what was happening to her husband. ?But surely God will save him. We must have faith ? He will save father, right?? Leonardo?s eyes opened wide in shock, and his arms trembled as he embraced his mother. He received no verbal answer, only an even tighter hug, and increased weeping. He could help it no longer; now he broke down into tears as well, all the while begging God to exorcise the demon from his father. ?He will answer. I know he will.? The world seemed to fade into blackness, as he slipped into deep thought, trying to cease his crying, praying for guidance to help. The divine answer: purify yourself; study the Word, and one day you will train to save others like your father. Your father is dead. All that is left for you is to prevent such a fate befalling others. ?I will? do my best, Holy Father,? he responded, utterly afraid of the command. But he would follow it, for his father.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Sorry for not replying to this sooner - these are actually pretty good. Really, I don't have much more advice to give to you. Pretty good job so far, although I'm not quite sure how much work it took to get what you have now. All I can really complain about is the poor graphics, but that's nothing a bit of rendering couldn't fix, or perhaps that's just how the program works. Either way, keep it up. Are you considering a job in video game design?[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=Ima][SIZE=1]EDIT: What does the font under the eight mean? Could you tell me by any chance? I had a basic view of what it might mean but im not sure :P [/SIZE][/QUOTE][SIZE=1]"Selfish." It doesn't really corrolate with the splash, but whatever. Here's more art - critique. Or suffer my new technique, which I will murder you with. ^o^ [B]12th[/B] [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/12.jpg[/IMG] [B]Anthology Summer 05[/b] - It's time to say goodbye to the summer, so here's a farewell. [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/anthology.jpg[/IMG][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Coloring? I wish I had that homework, sheesh. I'm not really going to critique anything, because I don't know anything about drawing. However, I'll say a little something about your wallpaper [B]+001[/B]. So yes, I enjoyed the brushed look, and the colors too. However, it's a bit overwhelming to be a wallpaper on its own - you might want to consider having a lull in the action, or perhaps a variation to it, since things might be a bit tiresome with the same general pattern. Did you use pre-made brushes, your own custom ones, or none at all? Just wondering. ^_^[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Well, to be honest, it looks like you applied an effect to get this. One single effect. It's pretty simple, and you've lost alot of detail with this said effect. The colors look too defined, and instead of looking 'cartoony' like what I'm guessing you were going for, it looks sloppy. I'm very sorry to be so harsh, but I couldn't think of another way to phrase it. Forgive me. However, if you drew this with a tablet, or vectored it, then I worship your talent.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]?Let?s move in, but keep your guard,? Dust said in a hushed tone, and reloaded his revolver. The motion elicited a look of disgust and [I]?don?t you dare?[/I] from Vernacular, who stood in between him and Saturn. ?You know what to do, Vernacular.? The lady solidified her form, and closed her eyes for a moment to bring her mind into the element of a Korean youth. Upon opening her eyes, she stumbled into the adjacent room, breathing raggedly as if she had just run a short distance. [b]?I? I think I lost them. I heard a crash, and ran after someone got shot,?[/b] she lied. The children furrowed their brows, but accepted the tale after piecing together the screams and the crash of weakened floorboards. [b]?Alright, Speedy will protect us. I think the people you ran from are outside though. Maybe they followed you??[/b] Dust, on the other side of the wall with his ear pressed against it smiled as the bait was taken. Saturn stared at him, and then went back to feeling who was inside the room. He took a slow, deep breath after feeling a tinge of apprehension and anxiousness in his lungs. ?What was that?? He asked, his former smile slowly fading. ?Sorry. There?s so many emotions in this place, I?m having controlling where my powers go,? she lied. Dust shrugged, ignorant to how exactly her powers worked. His father had taught him that ?if it?s not broke, don go fixin it.? He turned his attention back to the room, where he heard more whispers. [b]?Did you hear them then? We might have to run,?[/b] Vernacular said, trying to strengthen their faith in her as a legitimate member of their crew. She was greeted by affirmatives from the three children there, but Speedy interjected. [b]?Hide, but we have no place to run. I?ll stop them.?[/b] Following the words, there was a creaking of old floorboards, and finally, silence. Speedy waited behind the door, several shuriken in hand, ready to embed them into whoever tried to enter unannounced. ?Cover me,? he whispered to Saturn. She nodded, and silently got behind a wooden rocking chair, hiding from sight. Dust kicked in the door, and brought his weapon to bear, but found no one. To his surprise, his hat was crucified to the wall by several daggers. He crouched, looking around franticly for the target. It was then he saw a glimmer in the shadows. Instantly they registered as throwing knives, and he shot all four of them out of the air, releasing brief blossoms of sparks before they died into blackness. A whimper, then gasps, to his right. Dust?s eyes fell upon a girl, no older than 15, silently crying. ?Saturn, stop,? he said as he approached Speedy. The thief backed away from the cowboy, tipping over a small stand and an empty bottle onto the ground. She fell with it, and sat, looking awestruck at Dust. Behind him, Saturn entered the room quietly, and stood beside him. ?I thought it would be easier to win the battle without weaponry,? she said, glaring intently at Speedy. Not breaking eye contact with the girl, who had finished crying, he called Vernacular. ?Come on out. We have Speedy.? Vernacular stepped forth from a closet, and the door groaned, as it swung open. ?Glad to hear that. Mission?s Accomp?? she was cut off by a shuriken diving into her left arm. She swore loudly, in a language that sounded more primal than human, and whirled around, looking for the source of her pain. [b]?You whore! You were with them all along!?[/b] More daggers flew towards them, several finding their marks on the trio. Speedy watched, then laughed at their expressions of pain. ?Speedy, we?ve come to recruit you to the Legionnaires. You can use your talents for good, and get a steady income. What do you say?? Dust wanted to murder the girl, but fought for civility in his voice. ?Drop your gun!? Speedy screamed, with command that startled Dust. She dipped a hand into her pocket, and let it stay there, gripping something. ?What? I?m here to help, not ?? ?Drop it or I?ll kill you. Drop it!? Dust looked at her, hating her more, but ultimately dropped the gun on the ground. ?Kick it over here.? He complied once more. Vernacular looked completely shocked. ?Listen to reason ? I can report you to the police, and you and your friends will be locked up. If you join the Legionnaires, you can do good for others, and get money, just think what you can get wi?? He was cut off again, and growled with impatience for the girl as she picked up his revolver. ?And I should trust someone who came into my home and killed my friends?? ?It?s impolite for little girls to cut off their elders,? Saturn chided. Vernacular looked as if she wanted to chuckle, but fought the urge. ?Yeah, Speedy, Saturn?s right. With that money, who knows? You might even be able to help out your friends. What can you lose?? Vernacular questioned her, and when she still showed signs of doubt, she changed to a blonde hair, blue-eyed lady in business attire, then back to her Korean youth get-up. ?Need more proof?? Speedy furrowed her brow, then shook her head, as if trying to get rid of a bad thought. After another eternity of silent, she drew another shuriken, and lobbed it at Dust. It landed on his chest with a sickening thump, but Dust gave no sign of pain, only silent rage. ?Look, miss. I?m going to kill you, your friends, and burn the place down if you keep that up. I don?t need a gun; trust me, I?ve taken care of bigger business than [I]you.[/I]?OOC: Don?t post until you check your PMs ? I gave you a posting order. Raiha, you?ll be finishing the mission with your post.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I fail. After looking at your colors, I realized you said [b]dark[/b]. Anyway, I'm gonna post it, since I think we need a fresh request. ^_^ [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/greenworld.jpg[/IMG] [b]Parameters:[/b] Words: GO!!! Colors: Erm... warmish colors, that make you feel excited.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I'd say this is outstanding work, and even better considering the method through which it was brought about. Very nice coloring, especially the eyes, by the way. Next time, if you have a scanner, I'd recommend you scan in the picture. It's alot more accurate and gives the image more quality. Even if you can't do that, sketching on plain white paper does wonders as well, as far as the clean up process goes. You'll find that you wouldn't have to retrace your lines, but merely touch them up if you use white paper and an image editing program. So, good luck with all your future art; you seem pretty gifted thus far.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Thanks for all the comments, people. I appreciate them. This next one I struggled with, although I had a clear mental image as to what it would look like. I'm not entirely certain I did my original idea justice, but here goes... [b]November[/b] [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/november.jpg[/IMG] [b]SUBPAR[/b] - I was making a spin-off version of [url=http://aozoranoeizou.net/images/entrance.png][b]this[/b][/url] splash image for my friend's site. Version 8. [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/subpar.jpg[/IMG] [b]Satellite[/b] [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/satellite.jpg[/IMG] The +, -, and inbetween are all welcome.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][b]The End[/b] I thought it life was great Now it's going back to A black hole status A tumble down great descend from ultimate to fearful Yes, fear what is to come Yes, fear what it will bring Yes, fear what will happen For you cannot escape.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]In response to the looting, I have mixed feelings about that. On the moral side, it's wrong to steal, and it will hugely impact the local economy (so I guess) due to the loss of product. On the other hand, however, what are these people supposed to do? Wait until the store opens again? After a day or so, and your food spoils, you're hungry, and you do what you need to do to survive. Personally, I would loot the store too, but only for food and necessities (a dry shirt, perhaps).[/SIZE]

[quote name='Corey][size=1'] It went until three in the morning, and the only reason it ended was one of the amplifiers running to the speakers got overheated and burst into flames.[/size][/quote][SIZE=1]That's hotness. I want to see something like that someday... [quote][size=1]Everyone was well prepared and the blaze was under control in seconds.[/size][/QUOTE] [I]That's[/I] where it becomes a borefest, lol. Anyway, do you dance in a rave, or do you just kind of ... move around? It doesn't look like there's much room for dancing, save putting your hands in the air and shakin' it. Heh.[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=Ilium][COLOR=DarkRed]To answer Raiyuu's question, my first name is Alexander, which is Greek. As far as I know, Alexander the Great was the first Alexander. Due to his conquering nature, he was called Protector of Men. Therefore my name means Protector of Men. Neat. Oh, and Alexander is the 8th most common name in Sweden :animesmil Amazing what you find on the internet [/COLOR][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]Name stealer. I'm the original Alexander. Die. *murders you* Heh. Only a few million more to go. As for Japanese names, I think there's those baby name lists that you can look up Kaneda on. It usually has a meaning, as well, but I can't promise anything.[/SIZE]

[size=1][b]Chapter 2[/b] [b]Characters:[/b] All [b]Worldwide Happiness Level:[/b] 80% - Parades in the Mistress? honor; Worldwide holocasts praising them. [b]Summary:[/b] The Mistresses and their servants go to a massive parade in Tokyo, Japan celebrating the Mistress? solution. After coming back to Earth Almighty Queen?s headquarters (London), the Mistresses go to sleep, while their servants sneak into the Mistress Lounge (figure out how to) and find a volume of Plato?s Collected Works.IC: Sergio rose early the next morning, and went through the motions of preparing his Mistress? breakfast in her favorite way. He realized midway that he had always wanted some of it, but never did. Daring himself onward, he took a small sip of the hot Oolong tea, then immediately chewed a piece of gum to conceal the deed, and filled the cup back up. ?That?s certainly ? different from Spanish tea,? he remarked quietly as he carried the laden tray towards the room once more. [I]Knock knock.[/I] ?Enter,? she sounded less tired, and more relaxed, but still maintained her brusque manner. ?Good morning Ms. Hiwatari, breakfast and tea?? She silently nodded at the formality, knowing that Sergio knew she wanted it. ?Is there anything you would like?? She chewed slowly in thought, but finally gave him a firm no, but delivered a surprising piece of information. ?The Worldwide Happiness Level is now 80%! There?s parades everywhere,? the energetic remark caught him off guard. Sakura was usually very reserved, being more of a business type than one to socialize with a subordinate. ?That?s wonderful. I?m sure you deserve it.? She shrugged off the compliment. ?We?re going to Tokyo by jet.? She gave an invisible smile, and he knew she was pleased with going to Japan for a parade in the Mistress? honor. ?We will walk to Airpad 2-A, where we will meet with the rest of the Mistresses and servants.? She slipped behind the changing screen, but did not dismiss Sergio yet. ?I?m relieved everything is in order. I will wait for you outside the door.? ?Before you go, know this: You should be groomed exquisitely; I don?t want you looking scraggly in front of the world, when you represent me. Wear your finest.? He nodded quickly, then left her room and went into his own. He took out a silk shirt, and matching pants, and put on a fresh, white trench coat with black highlights. He re-combed his jet-black hair, and stepped out the door. It was only another minute before Sakura was there, wearing something western with a Japanese twist, and looking beautiful. ?It was custom tailored,? she said, happening to read his thoughts. He nodded respectfully as they set off to walk to the designated Airpad. Sergio remained silent, as did Sakura, until they reached their destination. Sitting down on a nearby couch, he gazed out the massive window, which revealed a great many Airpads, where he saw a few planes land, and supply crews dash about. After waiting a few minutes, he was joined by Bruce, who took a seat in a chair across from him. ?Tokyo. How about that?? he started. ?Yeah, very interesting place, how Sakura describes it to me. Picturesque,? Sergio replied. When Lane arrived, they greeted him, and soon loaded onto the private jet. They took seats in the servant?s quarters, and sat down in the plush, tan reclinable chairs that faced one another. There was a sound seal, which prevented them from hearing the Mistresses? conversations, but it worked the other way as well. The private jet also lacked audio surveillance, as it was assumed that no crime could occur with only sound. Taking advantage of the situation, Bruce spoke. ?I?ve been thinking, maybe we could write a book or something, and publish it under a woman?s penname.? They considered the idea for a bit, before it was shot down. ?And how would you propose we publish it? They could see that we?re physical male. But? perhaps?,? said Sergio. Lane continued his thought. ?We could still write a book though. Maybe one day in the future, it would be read with open minds.? ?Do you think that men haven?t already done that? Maybe we just need to find the book?? The idea that Bruce offered frightened Sergio, but excited him even more. The three nodded in excitement. Just that moment, another man came into the room. ?Would you like refreshments?? He was subordinate to them, the three who were the top of the male caste. ?I?ll take a root beer,? Sergio ordered. His mind was paranoid; perhaps he had heard? They needed to be more careful next time, or they would be executed. [b]OOC:[/b] So you can continue the conversation for a bit, but have everyone exit the jet after arriving. We exit the jet, and get into a motorcade, the servants in one open-top convertible, and the Mistresses in another. After we ride around, we go to a restaurant. Have fun with all that.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]The walk was relatively short, even through such an expansive compound to get to the grounds. They passed through several security checkpoints; the most rigorous one of all was at the gate leading to the enclosed grounds. Although the trio was known by sight to everyone, it was a routine in which no exceptions were made, even for the Mistresses themselves. Their conversation was still relatively controversial, so they kept their voices low, even on the empty lawn. ?So what exactly were you two talking about?? Lane asked quietly. ?Well, Bruce thinks that there's something not quite right going on. How men don?t really write much in books. I can?t say it bothers me too much?? Sergio trailed off, and looked at Bruce, waiting for the man to defend himself. ?Don?t you ever wonder if there was actually a time when?? he paused, realizing he was about to speak treason ??when men were equals?? Lane and Sergio looked at him with eyes open in shock. After stuttering, they arrived at the conclusion that he was alone in his wonderment. ?Look, Ms. Hiwatari treats me like nothing, but that?s expected. History hasn?t been forged; it?s there, Bruce. It?s there. Just like your arm.? ?Just because she treats you like trash doesn?t mean that men have always been like this. Lane and I have great Mistresses!? ?Guys, guys, calm down. I understand it?s a touchy topic, but we can?t get angry at each other,? Lane interjected a moment of calm and understanding in their debate. ?Sorry I put down your ideas,? Sergio apologized. ?And I?m sorry I talked about your relationship with your Mistress,? Bruce followed suit. They were silent for a while, Sergio thinking deeper about Sakura, and why he got someone as indifferent as her, when Lane and Bruce had very caring, understanding Mistresses. There were feelings of resentment, and he began to dread going back, having to work for her again, and having his sacrifices go unnoticed. Letting his ideas simmer, he took a seat on the grass, and laid his back against a cherry blossom tree in full bloom. The men were atop one of many sizeable hills on the grounds, and took a moment to survey the precisely cut grass, well-trimmed trees, and magnificently built compound. ?Are we lucky?? He asked, staring at the compound. ?Are we lucky, you know, serving the best, or are we unlucky that we have to stay imprisoned??[B]OOC:[/B] Ladies, please finish the meeting soon - post something about how the meeting was finished up with a decisive vote, and then fast foward to later in the night. That way people can fill in the blanks, instead of keeping the RPG at a stand still.[/SIZE]

[quote name='DeathBug']Do you know the context of that? Because David goes rogue towards the end of his life, if I recall correctly.[/quote] [SIZE=1]Yeah, he goes rogue, but that's not the context of the quote. [B] [url]http://www.pbc.org/dp/stedman/psalms/0394.html[/url][/B] Check that, it's not what David's saying, he's quoting what his opponents say about him.[/SIZE]