Malkav

If these machines make it less of a hassle to move through the airports, than I say lets use them. Now if the engineers were particularly clever they would devise genitalia recognition software to run on the machine and blur out the unnecessary unless something suspicious is found. I'm pretty sure all it takes is a firmware update.

Name: Jade Servant of the August Personage (Jade Servant) Birth Name: Liu Fenghui Sex: Male Age: 29 Zodiac Sign: Fire Rabbit Social Status/Occupation: Negotiator, therapist, and errand boy for the Lady of a Hundred Paces at the behest of his Aunt. Affiliation(s)Notable Relationship(s): Sisterhood of the Serpent. Former lover of the Lady of a Hundred Paces and nephew to Thousand Crane Mother also of the sisterhood. Personality: A private individual, a bit introverted and withdrawn. Would rather work behind-the-scenes instead of being the center of attention in any situation. Do not misunderstand? he is not a recluse. In fact, he is a reasonably friendly individual who enjoys the company of a group of good friends whether at a business dinner or a holiday party. He just likes to be a part of the gang as opposed to the leader of it, although if called to action he will lead with conviction, albeit not zeal. At times, but very rarely he is prone to tantrums if everything gets too out of order for his lifestyle. Biography/Motivation: A child prodigy excelling in mathematics and logic, Fenghui found himself adopted by his aunt and raised to be an academic. Speeding through compulsory school he went to the London School of Economics and subsequently left with a MSc degree in Applicable Mathematics when summoned by his aunt to go into the family business. Upon returning to San Francisco, he finished his graduate studies at Berkeley. When he earned his PhD in Psychology, he was barely 24. Loyal to his aunt and her doings he now investigates the brothels under her command, counseling and evaluating the various high dollar courtesans for her.

Well I'm back from an extended summer job, so whatever happens I'm in.

So... what are we doing next?

Ok, so I haven't asked a whole lot of people for permission to use their characters but I just decided to sit back and let the creative juices flow. What resulted was a hodgepodge of a post that struggles to find itself, but is all in all awesome. There may be some heavy editing involved when people get around to reading this but for the record I want to say I liked my results.

[CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Belmonda_Achard.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Frederic_Achard.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Natalia_Lockmere.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/jackavatar.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/ladybavariaavatar.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Macey_Ellen.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Harrison_Almagest.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT="Palatino Linotype"][COLOR="DarkSlateBlue"]The thick stench of ash and burned paper filledl the air, smoke wisping listlessly towards the ceiling. A breeze shifted the columns toward an open shaft sending its signal to the rest of the ship by sneaking its way into their nostrils. Every corner of the ship soon carried the smell and below, one could hear the chimaeras growing restless in the bay, their sensitive noses being an unwelcome place for such a strong odor. A pile of ash accumulating at his feet, Mr. Deacon finished his second cigar. Everyone else had run off to explore other parts of the vessel, but not him. He knew where he stood; if they left, he thought, then they would have to come to this very spot. After a brief argument and splintering, Jack's crew decided to explore other places of interest. Bold amateurs, he mused, if only he had been smart enough to bring professionals. Taking one last long, hard drag of his cigar, Jack flicked it, holding the smoke as long as possible before blowing it gently back out. [B]"Deacon, I say Deacon!"[/B] came a voice from behind him, Frederic.[B] "We've discovered a large room, there seems to be some type of-"[/B] [B]"Engine, perhaps?"[/B] asked Jack, cutting Frederic off. Looking incredibly insulted, Frederic relented. [B]"Yes, it looks like an engine room. Perhaps you should see if you can get it working."[/B] Jack sighed internally, what he felt for them couldn't categorize itself as contempt, but something else. He wondered if he had been that clueless when he first boarded a vessel. [B]"We won't be able to start the engine unless we engage it from the bridge."[/B] he said. [B] "So all we have to do is find the room where that is located and go from there, correct? Where do you think it is?"[/B] [B]"We're standing in it, sir."[/B] Jack said. Noticing the blood flush into Frederic's face, he continued. [B]"I've been in here the past hour or so trying to figure out how to cut it on. It has something to do with this platform."[/B] He pointed to his feet, revealing that he was standing on a rather large glyph ridden platform. Stepping down from it, Jack eased over to a nearby column, leaning on it. The poor guy had no clue what to do next, having never seen this technology before. Jack shrugged and leaned his head back, resting it on the pillar as well. [B]"We may die here."[/B] Frederic began to speak but the words fell back down his throat. Jack's mind however raced, still trying to calculate how they would make this all work. Even as the girls made their way into the bridge and the three of them made their way into a corner, Jack's mind was racing. He considered everything, perhaps hot wiring the controls, but that wouldn't work; he could slowly try to reverse engineer the consoles and figure them out, but the crew would have eaten by then; hmm... bang it until it works perhaps? No. Jack had to give his intelligence more credit than that. Technology never had been one to elude Jack. Since he was a boy, through an inquisitive mind and flair for danger, he reverse engineered everything, but here; here was an entirely different beast. Memories of childhood and his first aircraft worked their way into his thoughts, reminding him of his lofty dreams to dance in the clouds, perhaps even the stars. Every design failed, every idea thrown to the wayside by an explosion or a faulty device. More than twenty years later, Jack not only knows more ways to create an airship than most engineers, he is aware of more ways not to make one than most everyone else. So with that in mind, how would he make this alien vessel fly? A...mu...net. A-mu-net... Amunet. Natalia was able to understand it. She wasn't the first person to come in contact so it can't be a first contact deal. Jack was, but if that were the case then why wasn't Jack chosen? Why her? Is it. No, that couldn't be... or is it? It is. Jack had figured it out. Without a moment's hesitation his focus settled on Natalia, who sitting near Belmonda, talking to her about something. Frederic was near them with his eyes closed perhaps trying to figure something out as well. Natalia stopped speaking as she caught Jack's stare, which in turn caught Belmonda's attention. They're sudden loss of conversation even brought Frederic around to see why everything had suddenly gone mute. [B]"W-what is it?"[/B] asked Natalia, who sounded either half-scared or half-excited, her eyes brightened up. [B]"You've... You've thought of something haven't you?"[/B] asked Belmonda, her voice almost a squeal as she and Natalia scrambled up. Jack felt something, as if the ship were responding to their excitement. "Natalia, this ship... It only responds to women, by some weird chance you are the woman it chooses to respond to" he explained, pushing through the confused looks of his comrades. [B]"It didn't move until you wanted to board it, and it responded to your touch. It wants you to stand on that platform."[/B] [B]"No, what if it hurts me? Or worse?[/B]" pleaded Natalia. Before she knew it he had her arm and was snatching her toward the platform. [B]"Unhand her you brigand!"[/B] screamed Frederic as he rushed to stop Jack. He was too late however as by the time he reached Jack, Natalia had already been shoved onto the platform. It began glowing eerily, illuminating the room in a pulsating light. Jack felt smug sense of satisfaction from being right, knowing that at any moment the ship would not be a mystery anymore. [B]"Natalia, step off of the platform."[/B] Belmonda said, throwing off Jack's train of thought.[B] "I don't like this at all. Please just step down."[/B] [B]"Why would she?"[/B] Jack asked sincerely, [B]"Her standing on that platform insures our survival."[/B] [B]"What of her survival, Mr. Deacon? You don't know what this will do to her." [/B]Frederic said, [B]"You may enjoy throwing yourself in the midst of these things, but judging from your arm it doesn't fair as well as often as you would like."[/B] Jack began to retort but suddenly Natalia spoke from the platform. [B]"I-I'm scared, its telling me something, something I can't quite comprehend. Its saying 'As-sim...assimilation. Assimilation.' Its preparing to assimilate me. I can't move my legs![/B]" [B]"Bloody hell..."[/B] Jack said under his breath as he moved closer to her.[B] "Natalia give me your hand." [/B]he held it out, the tips of his metal fingers penetrating the glowing light around her. Natalia, with obvious hardship, began trying to grab his hand. That's it, he thought, almost there. He figured if anything a console might have shown up, or the ship would have powered on and allowed him to control it, not this, not assimilation. He did not want to harm her. Her hands shivered as she reached out to touch him, shaking more violently the more her arm outstretched. Their tips touched, and Jack could see the relief in her face as he enclosed her hand in his. She smiled, a pretty, relieved smile, and then suddenly she was crystal. As if by magic- and it very well could have been- the platform became a large crystal, snapping Jack's hand off in the process and encasing it with Natalia. Sparks jumped as the stub of Jack's forearm lay torn open by the crystal. Inside of it stood Natalia, still smiling, and his hand suspended and enclosed around hers. [B]"****." [/B]Jack exclaimed as he pulled his metallic stub back, [B]"What in bloody hell is this?"[/B] [B]"You bastard, what have you done?!" [/B]screamed Belmonda, running and slapping Jack hard in the face. [B]"She's dead! You killed her! I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!" [/B]it took Frederic to pull her off of him and she was still kicking and screaming as he pulled. [B]"Well that was a thick ******* idea now wasn't it?!"[/B] he said as he subdued Bella. [B]"I... I didn't think," [/B]Jack began, realizing there was no way to avoid that he was at fault,[B] "I'm sor-"[/B] A loud screech filled the room, not a mechanical, something more human. Bella waited a moment before saying almost in a whisper [B]"Natalia"[/B]. Jack only able to read her lips took a moment to comprehend it then he realized that it was her. Natalia was screaming, but not through her own voice, but through the ship. Everything popped to light, consoles lit up, lights came on, the floors began humming, she was the ship, Jack realized, she was screaming through the ship. Jack only had a second however before a sudden jerk knocked he and the crew to the ground. Looking up he could see outside, he could see the darkness of the cave constricting. Were they in the air? Another jerk, this time as if the ship were turning. They were, the ship was out of control. She was panicking. Jack grabbed Bella, who in the midst of the confusion forgot to be angry at him, and pulled her to a corner with Frederic following close behind. The three sat in the corner as the ship bucked and swayed uncontrollably, the loud shriek beginning to make words. [I]Help... Someone... Where am I?... I can't see.[/I] The crew heard these words, but didn't hear them, the same as when Natalia had touched the column. Natalia was calling out to someone, scared and confused she wanted someone to help her. [B]"Natalia!"[/B] Jack yelled, causing the ship to fall silent, [B]"You're the ship! You have to calm down to control it."[/B] [I]Deacon... Deacon, you did this to me! Why? WHY?![/I] [B]"Listen to me! You're panicking, calm down!"[/B] The ship then began moving more violently and before they knew it, Natalia ran the ship right into the mountain, bursting easily through the rock and breaking through on the other side. As soon as the light of dusk was visible, the hatch flew open, sending Jack tumbling out. He landed with a very painful thud into the snow on the side of the mountain. [I]Where are you? Where are you?[/I] Jack took a moment to recover, hearing the ship above him hovering in panicked madness. He grasped the snow with his only hand and stumbled up, tumbling back down as he finally made it to his feet. He tried again, tumbling once more before he realized he had landed into something, sending it tumbling with him. [B]"Ahh! Buffoon! Get off of me!"[/B] yelled the feminine voice. Jack knew that voice, but he wish he hadn't. It had been years since he last heard it, and he wasn't sure if it were a good thing to hear it again. [B]"I said get OFF!"[/B]. There, that's when he knew whose voice it was, the tremble in his heart, the quake in his chest. [B]"Macey Ellen Almagest?"[/B] he said, making sure to pronounce each name carefully. For the first time Jack took a look around. There were large monuments surrounding him, those and Macey. [B]"This couldn't be the deepest circle of hell could it?"[/B] [I]WHERE ARE YOU?![/I] [B]"Where is that awful voice coming from?!" [/B]asked Macey, straining to get from under him and retrieve her tools. [B]"Where did you come from?" [/B] Jack stood without answering her, this time finally able to stand on his own two feet, and began limping toward the craft. It stopped jerking and bouncing and came to a hover directly opposite Jack. [B]"Natalia, I know that's you."[/B] he said to the craft, limping closer, [B]"I know you're angry that I put you in there but I need for you to calm down otherwise we won't ever know how to get you out. Do you understand?"[/B] [I]I... I don't want to be here anymore...[/I] [B]"I'll do everything I can to get you out, I promise!"[/B] [B]"Jonathan!"[/B] yelled another feminine voice. Before he knew it Bavaria was at his side. [B]"Oh my, what happened to your arm?"[/B] Jack nodded toward the vessel, causing Bavaria to immediately take position behind him. [B]"Natalia..."[/B] he said, holding his sister steady and looking to make sure Macey wasn't in any line of fire, if there were one. [B]"I... Bavaria, get Macey and get out of here right now."[/B] [B]"But Jonathan..."[/B] [B]"DO IT!"[/B] he yelled, Bavaria nodded and scrambled away only to realize that Macey had already taken off before her. Jack was in immense pain right now, it felt as if he'd broken a rib when he tumbled from his ship. Limping toward the large vessel to the point where he stood at the tip of the mountain he looked up at it. [B]"Calm down, Natalia."[/B] Jack said slowly, trying not to provoke her into another frenzy. [B]"You're not hurt, and the more you thrash around the more you hurt Frederic and Belmonda. I want you to land somewhere and we'll figure this out together. I give you my word I won't endeavor to betray you, nor will I hurt you. If you don't believe me, then shoot me now."[/B] He heard the sound of a barrel cocking. [B]"Or believe me."[/B] he said quickly. [B]"Why are you here, Deacon?" [/B]Jack looked back and saw a gun pointed directly at him. It was Harrison, and he did not at all look happy to see Jack. [B]"You're under arrest."[/B] [B]"God damn it."[/B] Jack spat onto the ground and looked to either side of himself. He had a feeling that either way it went, he was not going to like the outcome of this standoff.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Belmonda_Achard.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Frederic_Achard.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/jackavatar.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Natalia_Lockmere.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT="Palatino Linotype"][COLOR="DarkSlateBlue"][B]"What are you doing?!"[/B] squealed Natalia as she made it back to the stables. Inside Jack was busy undoing his sister Morphia's beast, Fervous. [B]"I'm releasing the animals,"[/B] replied Jack coolly, [B]"problem?"[/B] [B]"What do you plan to do with them?"[/B] [B]"I'm not sure yet, but if they stay here this room's going to fry them when I blow up the engine."[/B] [B]"Blow the engine up?!"[/B] Natalia immediately ran and started undoing another beast's harness, Jack thought she looked as if he'd just said he was going to kill them. Of course if they didn't get out of this ice trap Fervous would be the first beast he'd fricassee. [B]"Why in the hell would you do that?!"[/B] yelled Frederic, whom Jack had not shared this plan with yet. [B]"Why are you two yelling every question?!"[/B] Jack retorted, smiling after realizing he was contributing to the problem. [B]"Anyways, I'm going to blow the engine. The resulting blast will cook the ice for us and we can use the Chimeras to claw out of here. I'm open to ideas on what we do after that."[/B] [B]"That is a terrible idea."[/B] said Frederic, grabbing one of the loose animals by the harness and stopping it from walking free. [B]"By the time we hit open air we'll all be covered in so much slush we'll die of frostbite. Why don't we just get the engines running and then try to force our way out?"[/B] [B]"By the time the engines get warm enough, the ice will have settled in. Using my way I'm sure the blast will blow a nice hole for us rats to scurry through."[/B] [B]"What's to stop the flames from engulfing the entire ship?"[/B] Frederic asked. Jack spit onto the ground hating that he had to explain this. [B]"The ship has built in blast doors to protect against explosions during combat, if we stand behind one we'll be safe from the blast, however we must move quickly before the ice settles in once again."[/B] [B]"Mr. Deacon that is a terrible idea."[/B] [B]"Mr. Achard I would like for you to come up with one bet-"[/B] no sooner than he began talking, Jack felt a rumble that made the beasts go rampant. In the next instance the ship jerked violently and it started descending once more. Out of the darkness of the corridor Belmonda tumbled, falling into Natalia. Jack held on to Fervous as the beast found its balance and Frederic held onto the railing. They were falling again, further into the abyss. The Stelmaria's hull rattled violently for a spell and then suddenly, everything stopped again. Jack immediately ran out of the room, leaving the party behind as he made his way to the cockpit. There, using auxillary power, he turned on the ship's headlights which revealed a long cavern tunnel. Seeing this he took it back to his party, whom he showed what he just discovered. Skeptic as always, Frederic and Bella objected to leaving the ship but eventually it was decided their chances were better out there than they were in the ship. After further planning the small crew loaded up the chimeras and began their trek further into the cave. It was a dark and damp trip, with the chimeras doing their best to balance and not slip. As they walked the ship soon faded into the distance, its light dying as they found themselves deeper in the cavern. Soon Jack lit a lamp and everything around them became pitch black. Jack noticed as the moved the ceiling getting higher, indicating that they were entering one of the larger chambers of the system. [B]"Have any of you ever gone spelunking?"[/B] Jack asked, breaking the silence that had fell over the crew when suddenly the ground began shaking again. Jack beamed his light behind Frederic, who was in the rear, and to his horror he saw the cave collapsing behind them. [B]"Run!"[/B] He yelled, rearing Fervous and holding him steady as the others passed him. Taking up the rear, Fervous gave a shriek as he began to follow the other chimeras. Being bred to be a racer, Fervous was clearly faster than the other beasts but Jack held him back to pressure the others to move even faster. The ice fall began closing in on the small party, with Fervous feeling the slush graze his heel. The beast shrieked once again, before finally leaping and running ahead of the others. Fervous ran until suddenly, the ground gave from under him and he went tumbling down, the rest followed. Jack awoke with a pain in his side and an ache in his head to Fervous' thick tongue. Jack shot up and began feeling around for his lamp. Finding it, he immediately lit it and looked around, everyone was there, safe. But something else caught his eye. Behind his broken and battered crew was some kind of monstrosity, something he'd never seen the likes of before in his life. Whats more the other chimeras were circling it, as if it were something familiar to them.[B] "Do you know what this is?"[/B] Jack asked Fervous. [CENTER][IMG]http://docs.google.com/File?id=dg5275qm_54gfzxkff8_b[/IMG][/CENTER] Jack approached it, this metallic crustacean, and eyed it puzzled. It had two protruding mandibles from its front, as well as a whip-like tail in its back. It had several dozen dark green eyes in its front and more features which made it look like some type of odd... chimera. Jack watched as Fervous cooed and to his surprise, the thing let out a hum. [B]"What is that?"[/B] came a voice from behind Jack. It was Natalia, and no sooner had he turned around, the thing opend its front, startling them both. Jack looked inside and realized immediately what he was staring at. [B]"It... It's a [I]ship[/I]!"[/B] he yelled, and no sooner than he said that the boy inside of him forced him to go inside. Oh what luck! He thought. No matter where this thing came from, if they could get it running then they would be free. [B]"Natalia!"[/B] he yelled down from just inside, [B]"Get the others, we have our ticket out of here!"[/B][/COLOR][/FONT]

My opinion on her and the Dynast was simply he was there for her. She had a Father and Brother who was much too busy bickering to really provide her comfort and another entire family who hated her from day one. I was told that sometimes a woman just needs somebody to be there for her and the only person happened to be the Dynast. I think she needs to adopt a child.

If she dies, all of the brats are going with her, just sayin.

[CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Belmonda_Achard.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/jackavatar.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT="Palatino Linotype"][COLOR="DarkSlateBlue"]A luminous glow fills the Stelmaria's bridge as it cruises through the night. The seawater under it reflects its silver broadside, giving the illusion of a second ship flying adjacent to it. Inside its cockpit, Jack sips whiskey long and graciously, enjoying its burn as it trickles down his throat. He takes one long swig, holding his flask to his mouth as long as he can. The burn rages war against his senses as he begins to feel it in his ears, nose, and mouth. Pulling the flask away, Jack feels the burn sink down his throat to chase his liquor down and coughs a little. Here he is, a pawn in his sisters' machinations and the best response to their use of him was to drink to them. [B]"Cheers![/B]" he yells to no one and he raises his flask into the air. [B]"I'm not sure if I want a drunk pilot."[/B] comes a woman's voice from behind him, the safeties in Jack's automail arm release themselves.[B] "Maybe you should let someone else from your crew take the helm."[/B] Jack glances up as sees that it is only one of his hitchhikers. Belmonda, he remembers. [B]"Why don't you go back to your quarters, love."[/B] he says, [B]"We will be in the Vosper region soon. Look, the water's turning to ice."[/B] He points out to the sea in front of them, showing Bella the small white chicklets of ice forming underneath the ship. She walks close to the window and stares outside. [B]"The view is beautiful."[/B] she says, taking in the moon and the sea, she had never been in a ship that flew this low before. [B]"Can I sit down?"[/B] she asks, referring to the empty co-pilot seat. [B]"If you must."[/B] The two sit there and Jack, in a spell of slight inebriation looks her up and down. Maybe its the light from the moon, or the liquor he just finished drinking, but he swears she looks just like Audrey, perhaps with longer hair. Just looking at her reminds him of earlier that day. When the woman he is reminiscing about actually was the one he was looking at. Earlier today he met with Audrey, felt her skin, ran his fingers through her hair, and laid with her, but once again, she chose not to return to life on his ship. He takes another swig, and continues on the course. [B] "In the morning I want you and your friends dressed, warmly, and ready to go. We have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow, and we should move as fast as possible."[/B] [B]"Why?"[/B] Bella asks, standing and stretching slightly. [B]"Because your friend, Frederic... Well, you'll see. Go back to the stables. We climb the mountain by beast-back tomorrow."[/B] [B]"I have a feeling you don't want me here, Mr. Deacon."[/B] says Bella defiantly. Jack's arm safeties release again, making a loud click noise. He has yet to learn how to control that reflex, especially under the influence of liquor. He would much rather be left alone to his misery right now, and at the same times he knows this isn't a friendly visit from her. [B]"You don't trust me, do you Miss Achard?"[/B] he questions. She looks at him, taken aback by his bluntness. [B]"You have nothing to worry about, as long as you are on this ship, and in my care, I will not endeavor to wrong you."[/B] [B]"That is not it..."[/B] Bella says, [B]"You're an Almag-"[/B] [B]"I'm a DEACON!"[/B] yells Jack, slamming his fist into the arm rest. Bella's face flushes and she stands up to leave. As she moves to leave she feels Jack grab her by the arm. [B]"I'm sorry. Please don't hold this moment against me."[/B] he says. She tries to free herself from him, but his grip is steady as he begins to talk again, [B]"I knew Vincent."[/B] At the mention of the name, Bella stops struggling and looks at Jack. [B]"We met only briefly, and I also met his whore-witch of an ex-wife, Macey Ellen. I knew everyone he loved in that family, for better or worse, and everyone who loved him. I was there when Rosier, the man who ordered his execution, was shot dead and Vincent's murder was avenged. Now here I am, escorting members of his family to Vosper to uncover something that non of us can begin to understand at this point. I don't know Vincent as well as you or Frederic, but fate has somehow tied me to him, and as long as I'm here, I will make sure no one he cares about will come to harm."[/B] Bella frees her arm and looks deep into Jack's hazel eyes,[B] "You know nothing of Vincent."[/B] she says, storming off to her quarters within the ship. Jack watches her leave, wishing there were more he could say to make her feel better, but he's silent. Vincent's death affected many, even Jack by proxy. Had it not been for Vincent's passing, he and Audrey... Well, she's in the past now. Jack focuses once more at his task at hand and pushes the throttle forward, wishing to end this damned journey. A rooster tail rises behind the Stelmaria as it blasts along, Mt. Vosper visible on the horizon.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[quote name='Darren']I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!! I suck at life. Been so busy with school and all. But for realz, expect a post tonight![/QUOTE] Same here. Someone get in contact with me as the backstage has revealed that Bavaria's probably gonna be on an expedition with those bratty Almagest children, then again, don't contact with me, but please players, don't make her out to be the bitch I know you all wish she was.

Nathan, if you don't mind, could you post our character's meeting? I'm going to be out of town this weekend and midterms start next week so I'm gonna be MIA for a while again. Just run into Jack in Le Monde, you don't have to know what he was doing beforehand. He'll most likely be in a bar or tavern but I'm going to put him in your creative control for a while. If you need any references on how to RP him then you can research the Almagest Legacy thread. Don't worry, Shy, Raiha, and some others have a good idea of him so you can always ask them too if you're that much of a stickler for accuracy.

[quote name='Indi'][COLOR=indigo][FONT=Arial]Malkav, you're a silly one. I guess you missed it, but you posted here in the backstage instead of in the main thread. :blulaugh: [/FONT][/COLOR] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=indigo]And since this isn't the place (snerks at the pun that the Utahan's will get) I went ahead and just moved the post. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][/FONT][/quote] Thanks love, I guess I was rushing it to print.:catgirl:

[center][COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/ladybavariaavatar.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/jackavatar.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/morphiaavatar.jpg[/IMG][/FONT][/COLOR][/center] [FONT=Palatino Linotype][COLOR=navy]The Lordless Lands, a barren twelve mile expanse on the border of Czenovia and Anova, earned a nickname in its long history, the Forge. Here, Czenovia, Anova, and whatever countries, counties, and realms they were before have always come to make their deals. Here alliances and treaties, accords and par lays, have been forged for centuries in blood, tears, war, strife, and secrecy. It is in this desert, where the ground has been made stale by the bones and rusted armors of armies and pirates that a deal is going to be made this night. In the stinking realm where neither Czenovia or Anova will claim within their borders, our story begins not on the ground, as no one knows what parasites and beasties may grab them, but in the air.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Palatino Linotype][COLOR=navy]In the air, there flies three ships, all state of the art and all strikingly anachronistic. They fly at the behest of their three masters, the children of Agron Deacon, as what they are about to discuss should not be heard within any country's borders, particularly because one of them is not allowed in Czenovia and the other is not particularly well liked in Anova. The third child, the eldest, is a diplomat and finds it easy to get along with most governments and ruling classes, however at the behest of her siblings she arranged the meeting here in the Lordless Lands. Aboard the Lady Imp, Lady Morphia Markham's personal airship, Jack Deacon sits in the conference room, meticulously going through the business of his sister's company, Artemis Air Transports. Financial reports, statements, proposed solutions all fall under his eye as he attempts to dissiminate the work. Across from him sits his sister, cross-legged and armed staring daggers at him.[/COLOR][/FONT] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype][B]"If you are done trying to find ways of telling me how to run my company, you should let me know."[/B] she shot at him. Jack looked up, watching her through horn-rimmed spectacles (a rare look for him) and once again buried his head in the papers.[/FONT][/COLOR] [FONT=Palatino Linotype][COLOR=navy]A solid ten minutes pass before he looks up at her. [B]"You got the deal for another airport in the new globe? How?"[/B] he asks, showing a genuine look of wonder.[/COLOR][/FONT] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype][B]"I let the local head of state take me on a wonderful cruise in the tropics."[/B] she replies throwing her hair back to reveal pearl earrings.[B] "You can't solve everything in the business room anymore I'm afraid."[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype][B]"Did you-"[/B] before Jack could finish he felt the lightning strike of Morphia's hand hit his face, making his glasses fly off into the corner. The shock of it set the gears in his arm into motion for a moment before he could recover from it. [B]"Alright, I'm sorry for asking. Good job."[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][FONT=Palatino Linotype][COLOR=navy]"I don't need your approval of how to run my company dear brother."[/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Palatino Linotype][COLOR=navy]Jack opens his mouth the say something, but fearing another slap he closes it and tucks the papers away into a manila envelope. As he does so the door swings open to the conference room and his other sister dashes in, Lady Almagest, but to them Bavaria.[/COLOR][/FONT] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype][B]"It's been too long you two."[/B] Bavaria says as she struts to the table. Her heels can be heard striking the floor as she makes way to her seat. [B]"Have you already told him, Morphia?"[/B] she asks as Jack pulls her seat out for her.[/FONT][/COLOR] [B][FONT=Palatino Linotype][COLOR=navy]"Well I was, but he wanted to give me another lecture on what to do with the company. I've already been proclaimed the richest woman in the world, and yet he wants to criticize me on the type of oil I use for our consumer transports. He'll be doing this long after our wealth surpasses the Almagests I would imagine imagine."[/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype]The name makes Jack cringe slightly as he remembers the family: the bratty kids, Leonhart's clueless son, and not to mention the witch-whore who nearly killed him. However Morphia did have a point, the company's economy had already surpassed that of many sovereign nations' and Leonhart was getting frighteningly close to having to change his name to Deacon by the laws of Czenovia. These were exciting times for the Deacon family indeed. Jack shook to and finally asked after a long moment, [B]"How is my appeals process going?"[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype]The sisters exchanged looks and Morphia even let out a giggle. [B]"Well, there is no appeals process."[/B] she said, covering her mouth slightly, [B]"You're still wanted for crimes against the state. Also it appears that because your actions were against the military, they will handle your trial in a tribunal, not through our judiciary system."[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype]Jack's expression changed instantly. [B]"What do you mean crimes?! They were killing civilians!"[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype][B]"Calm down Lightning Jack."[/B] Bavaria retorted, amusingly using one of the names the papers called Jack. [B]"We wouldn't call you here unless we had a way to avoid the tribunal."[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [FONT=Palatino Linotype][COLOR=navy]Jacks eyebrows raised, showing his peaked interests, slouching back down he settled in to hear what his sister had to say, although he knew it undoubtedly involved him running some errand or doing some favor.[/COLOR][/FONT] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype][B]"Czenovia's first parliamentary election is coming up, Jack."[/B] She began, snapping her fingers and ordering a servant in with wine, [B]"and sadly as a result our family is now a house divided."[/B] Bavaria took a small sip of her wine never once loosing her composure or control, [B]"After much deliberation, it has been decided that I will represent the new political entity, the Central Labour party, as it has thrown my name is as its candidate for Prime Minister."[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype][B]"Congratulations."[/B] Jack mumbled.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype]"[B]Well, the problem is. The Conservative party, headed by non other than our dear father, has thrown his name in as well for the position of prime minister."[/B] chimed in Morphia, who obviously was just as informed about the situation as their sister. [B]"Bavaria needs an edge in the election and recent polling has shown her to be behind our father. So..."[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype]Scratching his chin, Jack immediately understood what was wanted of him. [B]"You need me to stage a publicity stunt and in the wake of my popularity expound the greatness of your party and its agendas. I can understand why this would benefit you Bavaria, but what about you Morphia, what do you get out of this?"[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [B][FONT=Palatino Linotype][COLOR=navy]"Bavaria opposes government protected unions. In essence without government backing, unions won't be able to make superfluous demands for less hours and more pay. Artemis Air Transports is already ranked as one of the top employers in the world, it doesn't need its workers trying to bleed more out of the company. Meredyne already made many policies that protect workers rights, but given that extra power by the government the union will want a place at the board, which quite frankly neither you or I want, Jack."[/COLOR][/FONT][/B] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype]Jack said nothing for a moment, taking time to consider all of the information that just been fed to him. It was true that labor unions were forming all over the country and they were wreaking havoc on company price margins with their demands for higher wages, fewer hours, and pensions, Jack had heard too many stories of countries going under simply because they couldn't meet union demands. He was sure Meredyne wouldn't approve of letting such a toxic beast into her company. [B]"So what do I get out of this?"[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype][B]"A pardon from the King,"[/B] said Bavaria, [B]"sadly under the new constitution he will still have final saying on who gets pardoned or not, but he can be pressured by parliament. Its your only hope if you want your citizenship back."[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype]Silence once again fell on the room. If Bavaria were anxious, she hid it well, Jack's sisters both held their faces steady, business-like as they awaited his decision. [B]"I'll do it, just tell me what I have to do."[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype][B]"Oh good! I knew you would come around."[/B] said Morphia, dropping her business composure and kissing Jack on the cheek. [B]"I am sure you're familiar with the term Xear?"[/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=navy][FONT=Palatino Linotype]Jack raised one skeptical eyebrow, [B]"Now this, this should be interesting."[/B][/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Shy'][SIZE=1]Well, your character is nicknamed Jack, Maybe there's a story there... Maybe 'Jack' lost his name in a bet? -Shy[/SIZE][/quote] No dude, my guy totally just set his name aside for later. His family calls him Jonathan anyways, lol. We should totally do fisticuffs for it.

Two sky captains named Jonathan? I smell a sitcom!

[B]Name:[/B] Jack Deacon [B]Age: [/B]34 [B]Connection:[/B] Brother to Bavaria Algamest, second wife of Leonhart. [B]Portrait:[/B] [B]Occupation:[/B] Jack has commissioned his ship, the Stelmaria, to work with the Eastbay Company in exploration and general relic hunting. His usual crew of scalawags and scoundrels has been replaced with academics and archaeologists and he runs a surprisingly legitimate venture. Seeing as his family now owns Artemis Air Transports he also works as a senior advisor to his sister, Lady Morphia Markham. He also has direct access to MinkWorks (he holds the unofficial title of Chief Architect) and through the research arm he equips his ship with the latest technologies and systems. [B]Story:[/B] From a young age two pillars have dominated Jack's life, his independence and love of flying. He's never been a fan of the aristocracy and is easily bored by the life of parties and high society politics that come along with it. Because of this, his closest friends are commoners, which his family shuns. He was raised for the most part by his sister Bavaria, who is the only member of the family that he considers a kindred spirit to him. Being able to blend in with the commoners as well as aristocrats, it is well known that he grew up with two accents. He attempted to build his first small airship at the age of 13 with his friends from New Czenoble. However, on its inaugural flight, it crashed into one of the wings of his family's estate, causing them a small fortune in damages. His father attempted to have his friends arrested, but they ran away from New Czenoble, as did Jack, and went into hiding at one of the other cities. Jack was not seen again until he was 15, when he came back after running out of money and places to run to. By this time, the family had labeled him a black sheep and his relationships with all but his sister became strained. After a stint at CHAOS marred by near expulsions yet stellar grades. Jack commissioned into the Royal Police Guard as an Airman but left citing disinterest. At this time he was in his early 20s and began work on the Airship Cygnus almost completely independent of Artemis Air Transports, using his savings and donations from investors. He began his company, the Deacon Group, and funded it by treasure hunting, exploring, and consulting. No one knows exactly when he got into black market dealing, but the family thinks he was just bored and looking for thrills. His father has repeatedly asked him to stop trading under his name, but Jack insists that he owns the name as much as his father and has the right to use it how he pleases. After the Czenovian Revolution Jack disbanded the Deacon Group in order to help his sister manage Artemis Air Transports. Taking an advisory position he assisted Morphia in developing a long term roadmap for the company. Nowadays he spends his days traveling, mapping, and exploring, always sending his findings back to the company before continuing. Although he's a local hero in New Czenoble, among the aristocrats and officials he's still little more than a criminal. Sad to say he's not welcome in High Czenoble and thus his trips are usually limited to the airport and New Czenoble. Finish later... school

From what I've read Hamas has been carrying on bombing raids since the Gaza strip was vacated by Israel. This situation is not entirely different from one that happened earlier this year. If we recall Georgia was oppressing the people of South Ossetia and taunting the Russians under the belief that the Ruskies wouldn't attack. They were wrong and look what it cost them. The same thing could be said about Israeli conflict going on now. All you have to do is replace South Ossetia with Gaza and history repeats itself less than 4 months later. To oversimplify this, after the Yom Kippur war Israel made a pledge to itself to become the biggest baddest bully on the block in order to protect its sovereignty and its people. The constant string of wars, conflicts, and attacks have hardened the little country into one of the powerhouses of the middle east and they have to be in that position. If Israel were to ever fall behind its neighbors would make good on Ahmadinejad's promise to wipe them off the map. I'm not at all an Israel sympathizer nor am I trying to justify their killing of hundreds, but really what did you expect was going to happen? Israel's been fighting wars in its backyard for decades and now a small terrorist group is firing [strike]Chinese[/strike] rockets onto Israeli countrymen and the country is just supposed to sit idle? If Mexico started firing rockets from Tijuana into Spring Valley then the US would march right into Mexico City and demand Calderon's head. I really hate to see such a terrible thing happen to innocent bystanders, and Hamas is a terrible organization because their actions put these people in danger to begin with. If they survive it can be expected that they'll use this to start a propaganda war against Israel and something like this will probably happen again.

Sea of Sorrow sounds slightly out of place in a science fiction story. I'm just saying as much realism as we've exhibited in the last game and our firm dedication to the scientific over magic I would think that the sea would have a more practical name. Other than that the sign-up looks promising. I was hoping there would be more of an effort from old players to help create Anova. Shy can, but I believe will have trouble, doing it on his own. I personally have an idea or two about organizations that will be prominent in Anova. That's about all I have right now.

Disabling plugins didn't help. It only appears on the main page and I've attached a picture below. I just recently realized facebook believes I'm using IE6, so I'm wondering what exactly is wrong with my browser. Any suggestions?

I'm having a problem with OB not rendering correctly in Firefox 3.0.5. The icons for going to the last post run off the page. I did install the latest java update though and am wondering if its the plug in, any help would be appreciated, thankyou.

I put [U][URL="http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg5275qm_38cqv5jmdj"]this[/URL] [/U]together in a fit of Sunday boredom. I don't know if it will push the game to being that much closer to completion, but I had some ideas regarding Artemis Air that I wanted to get on paper... or computer screen, whatever. Well read, comment and enjoy. Just realized I started the second page so... FIRST!

Ok, so I've read all of your responses and I decided to put in my ideas. For one I would want to bring Jack back simply because I love RPing as him. I thought I'd make my own list of how I see the state of things. [LIST] [*]I think the year of the dynast would be the perfect year for the King's transition government to relinquish most of his power to a parliament. That would make the year an election year as well and the story could pick up on the day of or after the newly appointed Prime Minister's speech from the throne. Of course the new PM will come from the aristocratic class because I would imagine it would have had time to recuperate after the events. PM's are chosen by the head of state, so I'd also imagine not necessarily the people. My idea would be for Agron Deacon to get PM and pardon Jack and those associated with him from their crimes when they were associated with the Underdogs. The public won't mind because I'm sure by now news will have gotten out that he took down the Vigilant which was firing on innocent civilians (and I'm sure Agron will work magic in his statement that sways the public's favor) This will probably start trouble [*]Being the freewheeling (and filthy rich) pirate that he is, after his great trench adventure (which is an unfinished story in the anthology) I had an idea that he would be unofficially sponsered as a privateer and navigator by the country/AAT (much like Sir Francis Drake) which would allow Czenovia to plunder its rivals without blame while also keeping its imperial strength during the time of the transition. Once again, this is bound to make alot of people mad. [*]One of the things I really liked about my character was that he was more of an Almagest cousin than an actual member of the family. This gave me the freedom to operate outside of all of the dinners and political intrigue. In reality Jack really only came into the main story to shake things up and I was able to develop him without much influence from outside parties. [*]I see there being room for more pirates and criminals to enter Czenovia following the events of Almagest I and they may hatch a plot, perhaps to send Czenovia into Anarchy. It could become a pirate utopia if a big enough power vacuum were to appear. [*]Artemis Air Transports in the time since will have started selling lowcost transport ships in the Old Globe. Jack was writing about them earlier on in Almagest I, his designs will be a reality now. Anyone without scruples could easily convert them into military devices to transport armies however. [*]Since Morphia's pretty much NPC now, I think its important to go over her role. I'm sure she would be a shrewd businesswoman whose belief in global expansion of AAT would bring her both admirers and enemies. Particular enemies would be those who are against the monopoly she's created in the aftermath since her family is one of the few to survive the disaster relatively unscathed.[/LIST]That's just some of the ideas I have. I know they mostly center around my character but I think if there were a sequel this immediate after the original, his role would be enlarged.

*Yeah, when life gets you down, just crank that [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpocrqvP2Yg"]souljaboy[/URL] and let the stress go. Or [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT_C2pOfmCA"]Whoop Rico[/URL] on a particularly trying day.The names of the dances are links by the way if you don't know how to do either.

Did anyone watch the Macy's parade this morning? The Foster's float rickrolled America with the actual Rick Astley on live television. I was laughing so hard when that happened.