GinnyLyn

Thank you, everyone! ^_^ Oh, maladjusted, the pen question--I have a set of five with varying tip widths (from .005 to .5, I think). I usually do the main outline in the thicker ones, and the fine details with the thinner ones. It's helped my more recent images out a lot. Now I need to progress to not having the lines there for my final image. :shifty: I can do it...just a little...lazy, yeah, that's it. ^^

OK, as good as you are on shading (the poses look a little too perfect to me), you [i]seriously[/i] need to lay off the crotch revealing areas. We've got kids running around, you know. It may not be offensive to you, but I don't care for it myself.

IMO, they all look really bizarre ([i]especially[/i] the Special ones--well, maybe just Paine's, anyway), but you get used to them after awhile. (That's why Auron looks so bizarre in my own version of the Dress Spheres for him. ^^) ~~~~~~ EDIT Egad, hear the latest from a review on FFX-2 (Yuna Raider): "In the end, FFX-2 is exactly as envisioned: a cheaply made, cost-effective sequel to FFX that reuses the graphics, characters, enemies, and areas to create a mostly new gameplay experience. You might love it, you might really, really hate it - or, like us, you might be torn between the fun (if short and easy) gameplay experience and the fact that you're groaning every five minutes over the bad jokes and bouncing breasts. If you've been experiencing a growing displeasure with the Final Fantasy series over the past few years, FFX-2 won't bring you back into the fold." [color=red][b]MAJOR GAMEPLAY SPOILER[/b][/color] [spoiler]New Game Plus and multiple endings will be included in this game![/spoiler] Looks like a few names might have been switched, too--remember the lady and two guys trio? It's Leblanc and Logos (Uno) and Ormi (Sano) now. Ouch, and I just stumbled on a major plot spoiler that just blew most of the FFX-2 plot out of the water. *groan* If you want to hear it, PM me--though I'd strongly advise against it. *does more research on FFX-2* ~~~~~ YET ANOTHER EDIT Well, looks like this [i]will[/i] be a platformer/RPG game. Turns out you get missions, each with its own rating. Missions include (but are not limited to): [spoiler]dungeon crawling, giving massages, polling people, enjoying a musical performance, etc. Depending on what mission you perform, you can recieve certain Dress Spheres. [/spoiler] Rumors say that there will be up to eight playable characters in this game (though no one has provided any proof save for Yuna, Rikku, and Paine), and, depending on your actions at certain times (which missions you take on, etc.), certain missions will become available. ATB battle system is back, [i]but[/i] it turns out that, depending on what action you take, your ATB bar will be reduced (items take 1/2, magic 3/4). I'm liking the sound of this game more and more! :D Am I spoiling too much? If so, edit away. *bounces off and waits excitedly for Nov.* [url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/game/34661.html]Choose "Ability/Dress FAQ" for complete Dress Sphere information[/url]

Well, I just found a site that has images for each dress class (even if some are just screen shots), so PM me if you want the link. Meanwhile, GameStop confirmed that FF:X-2 is coming out Nov. 4--I am beyond excited. Even without Auron in it, the Dress Sphere bit has me extremely hyped. Read on if you want to learn more about the Dress Spheres (if you don't want to know, then don't read): [spoiler] Beserker: Character is dressed like wild animal/cave person. The attacks are all about physical attack and defense. Black Mage: The Rikku image is pretty common now, and the class should be, too. Four elementals (and [i]why[/i] they have yet to include Earth is beyond me), plus the ability to speed up black magic prep time. Dark Gunner: Like Gunner, but ?darker. If I understand correctly, Dark Gunner acts as the Enemy Skill class of the game. Dark Knight: Paine's image is common here. This seems to be the status attack Sphere, with poison, confusion, and petrification among its abilities. Plus, you can learn how to defend against such stuff, too. Flora Fleur: Yuna's Special (anotherwords, for Yuna use only?). The picture makes her look like some sort of angel, and the info says she can attack multiple times. Um, whoopee? *waits for more info* Gambler: We've seen the Rikku image, right? This Sphere relies heavily on luck, so it's not a good one for major battles. Gunner: Yuna's Default. Attack from a distance and eventually become immune to statuses that slow physical attackers down (sleep, dark). Item Shooter: The image looks strange--like Gunner, but more colorful? Anyways, the Mix command comes back with this one, plus you can use an Item without depleting your stock! VERY nice. Higher levels find the items having a stronger impact. Machina Muzzle: Rikku's Special. Looks like she's on a giant Machina and using it to fight. Mascot: Looks silly cool. Yuna-Moogle, Rikku-Cait Sith, and Paine-Tonberry. No info on what it does, though. Samurai: Another physical type of dress, though this one sometimes depends on how much HP you have (lower HP=higher attack). Paine looks really really colorful in this pic (more traditional Samurai like, too), and she's lugging an Auron type of sword around. Songstress: No, this isn't the first time this has been done! (Just got FF5, so I know it isn't!) Each dance causes mass status changes. That's right--ALL targets, not just one. Zankio: Paine's Special. Ok, this one just looks plain freaky. The best way I can describe it is to picture Majora's humanoid form (Majora's Mask), and imagine Paine riding in it like armor. O_o; Said to be an elemental fighting Sphere, but no other info.[/spoiler] TOO COOL! Heh, can't wait to play this one. There's also some info about preperation time? Some sort of new ATB system?

Check it OUT! [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/blackmageauron.jpg[/img] [url]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/blackmageauron.jpg[/url] I'm actually very pleased with how this turned out, the sword tip especially. I've also been told that, since I have my monitor on its highest brightness, it might appear darker to most of you. Oops. ^^; Up next in the works for Auron is: --[b]Tamer/Trainer[/b] (forgot which they called it): Trying to stay true to the basic idea of the class from the FFX-2 pics, with a masculine touch. He's looking like a ring top master at the moment O_o;, so a little more work. Also, do you think he should train a Dual Horn (FFX wolf with four horns sticking out of back), a Shoopuf (FFX Elephant), a Nidrogg (FFX ground dragon), or a Griffon of my own design? --[b]Dark Gunner[/b]: Think a cross between Squall (FF8), Vincent (FF7), and Auron. He'll mostly resemble Vincent, with a machina gun in his right hand, and a large gunblade type of weapon in his left. --[b]White Mage[/b]: Lots of white, some red, maybe sleeves that look like wings...maybe. Touch of Braska outfit? Still working on this one. --[b]Samurai[/b]: Too easy. Auron in all his normal glory. :p (There are several more classes than this, but these are the few I've been working with. Mascot and Beserker are in the works, as soon as I get some FF:X-2 pics of them.)

OoC: Anyone else notice the time seems off on the Boards? OoC2: EEEEEEEEE! Guess what I just got today!!!! My foot tall Auron figure I've been hunting after after all this time (Anthology, too, which I know Des will appreciate)! OoC3: Just remember, I love you guys, no matter how much I tease your characters! /_^ OoC4: (Lots of these, I know.) Since I'm not sure at what point in time in Spira we are in (or whether we will see Tidus or Rikku), I'm going to be a little vague about some of the story details. ~~~~~~~ The dirt road wound around high cliffs; the Spira newcomers marvelled at the lush vegetation and the waterfalls that fell in sparkling arches overhead. The group had to watch their footing as the road sloped sharply downhill. Below, the small hut village of Besaid hovered around a large building. [color=orangered]"What's that, a church?"[/color] [color=crimson]"Close enough. It's a temple."[/color] [color=teal]"May we go look?"[/color] Wakka crossed his arms and got a funny look on his face. Lulu ignored him and waved her hand to the figure that was racing up to meet them. "Yuna!" Lulu called. [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/yuna.jpg[/img] "Lulu, Wakka!" [color=crimson]"Lady Yuna!"[/color] Auron called, bringing attention to himself. Yuna gasped. "Sir...Sir Auron!" [color=orangered]"Oh boy, here we go again."[/color] Cecil giggled. Auron patiently looked at them over his shades. [color=crimson]"I don't care if you call me Sir or not--I'd prefer you not. But Lady Yuna deserves respect, so I expect you to give it to her."[/color] "Sir Auron..." Yuna's voice had a slight pleading tone to it, as if she didn't care for formality either. Her tone changed as she looked to him. "Have you seen Tidus?" [color=crimson]"I was about to ask you the same thing."[/color] "Tidus, he was s'pose da be in the Survivor thing, ya? But then he got kicked out right off. Funniest thing I'd eva heard." "Wakka!" Lulu said, berating him again for the second time that day. "Wha? Ain't I get a chance to say anythin' right anymore?" Yuna laughed gently and patted Wakka's shoulders. "Well, we mustn't keep the Survivors waiting. Do you know what the challenge is?" [color=teal]"Not really. Oh, my apologies, Lady Yuna, I am Cecil, a Paladin, at your service."[/color] He bowed. Not to be outdone, Zell chimed in. [color=orangered]"Right, and I'm Zell, um...fighter something or ot..her...at your service!"[/color] He bowed a little awkwardly, and brushed the ground with his hair. Yuna giggled again. "You sorta look like Wakka, with your hair." "Hey, maybe we be long lost brothers, ya?" Wakka put Zell in a friendly headlock and messed his hair around. [color=orangered]"Hey quit!"[/color] Zell yelped, breaking out of the headlock. [color=crimson]"Any sign of Rikku or Cid?"[/color] Auron asked Yuna. "No, but maybe after you get rest, they will show up. At least," Lulu continued, "Cid will. Rikku has been evicted too, correct?" Cecil nodded. [color=teal]"I always wondered what happened to people after they got evicted. hey, do you think we'll see Rikku or Tidus?"[/color] [color=crimson]"I don't know."[/color] [color=orangered]"Auron not know something? That's a first."[/color] [color=crimson]"Wakka...?"[/color] "Ya, Sir Auron?" Auron made a motion with his hand, and Zell found himself in another headlock. [color=orangered]"Hey, QUIT!"[/color] The group laughed good naturedly, and began to disperse. Lulu led Auron, Cecil, and Zell to the hut where they would rest until Cid came. "Best of luck, all of you," Lulu said, "and Auron, remember, no picking fights with Cid this time. He [i]is[/i] Yuna's uncle, after all." And she left. [color=teal]"Whoa, what was that?"[/color] [color=orangered]"Something about picking a fight with Cid?"[/color] Auron flopped on his bed and turned his face to the wall. [color=crimson]"I am tired right now, so if you don't mind..."[/color] [color=orangered]"But Sir Auuuuuuuron..."[/color] Zell whined teasingly. [color=crimson]"Do I have to get Wakka again?"[/color] [color=orangered]"Meep. Shutting up."[/color]

OoC: Now, [i]technically,[/i] Auron always plays fair to the point of being a stick-in-the-mud, but then I'm guessing Cecil is supposed to be a nice guy, too. :p :D Heh, just teasing you, Des. ~~~~~~~ The three finally struggled up on the beach, dripping, gasping, but thoroughly enjoying themselves. Lulu was still in a state of shock, her hands to her pale face. It was a little difficult to believe that Auron was here and [i]playing[/i], of all things. [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/lulu.jpg[/img] "Sir Auron, you never told me that you were--" [color=crimson]"Lulu,"[/color] Auron grumbled kindly, [color=crimson]"please...the formality? It's not needed."[/color] "But Sir Auron--!" Wakka protested. Auron cleared his throat warningly. [color=crimson]"Wakka..."[/color] The redhead sighed. "Yes, Sir Auron." Zell giggled and Auron rubbed his forehead, asking some deep reserve for patience. [color=orangered]"Hey,"[/color] Zell said, sidling up to Wakka, [color=orangered]"if you [i]really[/i] want to give the formality thing a go, how about..."[/color] Zell paused dramatically. [color=orangered]"...Sir Zell."[/color] Cecil's laughter was uncontrollable. Zell shot him a dark look, but Cecil kept laughing. Wakka shook his head at Zell. "To be a Sir or a Lady, you gotta prove you'self, ya? Do t'ings nobody else dare do. Den you come back...maybe?...and we talk 'bout how great you are." He chuckled deeply, as Zell looked indignant. [color=orangered]"Hey, do you know what I've been through the last few months?! It's a major thing--one most people would never do, and there are so few of us left."[/color] He motioned at the other two Survivors. "You a Suvivor? Heh, dat's a good one." "Wakka!" Lulu berated him. She turned to Zell. "So you have been to other worlds. What are they like?" [color=orangered]"Oh, simply incredible! Hey, think I'll have time to tell before Cid shows up?"[/color] Auron shrugged. [color=teal]"I don't see why not, [i]Sir[/i] Zell."[/color] Auron resisted the temptation to glare. [color=orangered]"Ah, thank you, [i]Sir[/i] Cecil."[/color] [color=crimson]"All right, that's IT! NO MORE FORMAL TITLES!"[/color] Auron grabbed his folded coat, collar, and bottle, and stalked ahead of them toward Besaid itself. Cecil and Zell traded glances and grinned. [color=teal]"Y[/color][color=orangered]e[/color][color=teal]s,[/color] [color=orangered]S[/color][color=teal]i[/color][color=orangered]r[/color] [color=teal]A[/color][color=orangered]u[/color][color=teal]r[/color][color=orangered]o[/color][color=teal]n!"[/color] [color=crimson]"Hmph!"[/color] ~~~~~~ OoC2: And anyways, I'm sure Cecil and Zell are famous in their own rights. :p I'm just having fun writing this. ^^

OOOO--very VERY interested! But how would you send it to me, how would I pay for it, how--*brains fizzles* Heh, yes please. ^^

Thanks for all the comments, everyone! I really appreciate it. :love: Here's update #1. I finished most of the color scheme tonight (aka, there is [b]no[/b] shading or highlighting in this version), leaving white areas (and undecided areas) white. In keeping with the Black Mage theme, I made sure to make most of the robe in the blue range, then remembered to throw in crimson for Auron himself. Everything else fell into place nicely. [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/bma_color.jpg[/img] [url]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/bma_color.jpg[/url] Now, with any kind of luck (this project is going quite well ^^), I should start the shading/highlighting tomorrow, and be done over the weekend, if time permits.

OoC: Oooo, I feel better now....^^ And I'm assuming you just put us at Besaid, what with the tropical stuff. As for how Cecil wants to dress at the beach, that's his call--read on. :) POST 100! WHOO! /________^ ~~~~~ [color=crimson]"Besaid..."[/color] Auron allowed himself a sad smile. [color=orangered]"GorGEOUS!"[/color] Zell cheered, running down the ramp. [color=orangered]"Ooooo, feel the sun!"[/color] Auron stood at the entrance of the ramp as Cecil walked past him. Cecil, too, revelled in the sun, grinning. [color=teal]"Coming, old man?"[/color] Auron narrowed his one eye. [color=crimson]"How many times are you going to use that joke?"[/color] [color=teal]"As many as it takes,"[/color] replied the Paladin, still grinning. [color=orangered]"C'mon, c'mon, c'MON!"[/color] Zell hollered, splashing in the surf. [color=orangered]"The water feels gr--AUGH!"[/color] Cecil and Auron looked startled as Zell disappeared beneath the water. Then he bobbed up again, his blonde hair plastered to his scalp; there were a few tan men floating around him, laughing. Cecil squinted at the group. [color=teal]"Does Zell have a twin? Or is bad hair a fashion statement that I don't know about?"[/color] Auron peered to the one he was talking about and chuckled gruffly. [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/wakka.jpg[/img] [color=crimson]"Ah, that is Wakka. And before you ask, no, I do not know how he keeps his hair like that even after being in the ocean. The others are his old Blitzball team, the Besaid Aurochs."[/color] "'ey, Sir Auron!" Wakka called. [color=teal]"[i]Sir?[/i]"[/color] Auron smiled at Cecil, his russet eye twinkling with hidden knowledge. [color=crimson]"Modesty forbids, but Spira regards me as a Legendary Guardian."[/color] [color=teal]"Greeeeeeeeat, I am with a celebrity..."[/color] [color=orangered]"Guuuys!"[/color] Zell hollered from the water, [color=orangered]"C'MON already!"[/color] "Yeah!" the Aurochs called. [color=teal]"You're gonna go down there in all that?"[/color] Cecil asked, indicating Auron's garments. [color=crimson]"Hmph, are you?"[/color] The Crimson Warrior was already shedding his red coat and collar, lying his sake bottle atop it and wandering down to the shoreline. "Whoaaa..." Wakka gaped. Behind him, the Aurochs bowed respectfully. Zell was confused, both by the Aurochs' action and Auron's coatlessness. Sitting on the beach, the older man took them all in at a glance. [color=crimson]"What?"[/color] "I...uh..." Wakka rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed. "I've jis' nedda seen you wi'out ya coat, Sir Auron." [color=orangered]"Whoa whoa whoa, [i]Sir[/i] Auron? Dang, so I [i]wasn't[/i] hearing things."[/color] Auron groaned; Cecil laughed. [color=teal]"That's right, Zell--the old guy's famous here."[/color] Zell whined and let himself fall backwards onto the water; he sat up again after a moment. [color=orangered]"That's just greeeeeat."[/color] [color=teal]"That's what I said."[/color] Auron massaged his forehead with his right hand, his long ponytail dangling to one side. "'ey, be respectful, ya?" Wakka laughed and slapped a hand against the water's surface, spraying Zell and soaking him. Zell fell over again, choking; the Aurochs helped him up, lost in laughter themselves. Pretty soon, Wakka and the Aurochs were in the middle of a water "fight", splashing every which way. Zell soon caught on, playing for all he was worth--and made a bit of a mistake when he splashed Cecil. Even Auron chuckled as Cecil gaped, his face dripping. With a pseudo war cry, he plunged in; the fight reached an new level of intensity as everyone (minus the Crimson Warrior) duck and wove in the water, splashing, dunking, and cheering. A few of the village children wandered in, and they too were instantly absorbed into the fun. Cecil and Zell broke off for a moment to converse secretly. They grinned in a conspiring manner, and turned to the figure on the beach. [color=teal]"H[/color][color=orangered]e[/color][color=teal]y,[/color] [color=orangered]S[/color][color=teal]i[/color][color=orangered]r[/color] [color=teal]A[/color][color=orangered]u[/color][color=teal]r[/color][color=orangered]o[/color][color=teal]n!"[/color] The timing was perfect. Auron was turning just as they combined both their sprays of water at him. He was soaked instantly. Wakka gasped audibly and everyone froze, staring at Auron. He was motionless, staring with an indecipherable stare at no one in particular. Water was running in shining rivers down his body, dripping from his glasses, and plastering his hair to his forehead, causing the white parts to go every which way. Wakka nervously inched over to Zell's side, then whapped the back of his head. "You idiot!" [color=orangered]"Whaaaat? What did I do?"[/color] Auron cleared his throat and stood up, wringing his ponytail out. Everyone watched him warily, and a few of the Aurochs backed up. Auron calmly removed his glasses, and stared directly at Cecil and Zell; the look was so intense, Zell crouched a little in the water, shrugging slightly. [color=orangered]"Oops?"[/color] The Crimson Warrior instantly broke into a mad dash, roaring as he did. At the edge of the water, he leapt and landed with a explosion of water, soaking everyone around him completely. The children cheered loudly and clustered around him as he resurfaced; the Aurochs began to laugh as the tension wore off, and even Wakka was throwing his head back, lauging loudly. Cecil and Zell traded glances, water dripping off them in large drops. It was only the work of a moment for the water fight to resume. Lulu was stepping down to the beach, carrying a large tray, when she spotted the group. "Wakka, I--SIR AURON!" The tray thumped against the sand, and everyone turned to look at Lulu, who was gaping at the unbelievable scene before her. [color=crimson]"Yes?"[/color] a dripping Auron asked in a dead serious tone. ~~~~~ OoC2: No, you don't have to refer to Auron as Sir Auron while in Spira unless you want to. It's just his respectful title--long FFX story.

OoC: Thank [i]you[/i], Mei. It's been a blast! (Talk to me on AIM some more, please? I like talking with you.) In other news, this is my 99th post in this RPG! I know, :wow:. ~~~ EDIT OK, please, can we get going again? Please please please? I've been driving poor Des up the wall in our AIM convos, because every third line is "FF:S? FF:S? FF:S?" ^^;

Well, after I color him, I'd be glad to loan part of the pic for a banner for you, if someone wants to make it. (I'm not so good at banners.)

I left the eye empty on purpose--it's gonna be a pupil-less yellow, heh. ^_^ Thanks all! I hope to have this one colored soon (though given my track records on saying that for all my projects...:cross:.).

I thought I'd share one of my most recent art projects before I go on hiatus status. A little background info (those of you who aren't RPG gamers can skip this part :)): FF: X-2 is bringing back the class system in a "dress sphere" form. The three main characters will actually change attire completely when in a different class (which covers anywhere from White Mage to Thief to Tamer). Even though Auron (as well as Wakka, Lulu, and Kimhari) is not a playable character in FF: X-2, I figured I'd give it a go in the dress sphere fashion (in keeping with my Auron otakuness at the moment, as well :bluesweat). So here is Black Mage Auron. [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/bma.jpg[/img] [url]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/bma.jpg[/url] The dark smudges are where I put the image files together--this pic was so big, I couldn't capture it in one scan! I plan to use a lot of dark colors for the clothing. As for his face, it's going to be very shadowy, with yellow for the eye (hey, Black Mage, after all, heh!). So what do you think?

Offgame: No drinking for Sage! *thwap* Dang, until Sunday? Sheeeesh, heh. Have fun! *hugs Mei and bawls* Mweh....bye bye my dear. *looks sad* Um, I'm going to be gone at Six Flags all day Tues, the 24th. Which is this upcoming Tuesday. So um...ah, dunno why I put that up there, but just thought I'd let you know.

OoC: *squeals happily and falls over* Now I feel ridiculous for worrying! ^_~ Uh oh, I dunno who to vote out...oh boy...um...err...*reluctantly puts PM in* And per Sage's request, here is the small version of his birthday present I made over the weekend. (The page for it is on the site, but....heh.) [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/b-day_small.jpg[/img] ([b]Life size, Full detail version[/b]) [url]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/b-day.jpg[/url]

Mweh. It's been a while, I know. Anyways, I decided to share one of my last little pet projects before... This is a WIP, natch. Or maybe not. You can decide. And yes, there's tiny bit of white edge around the left image, but that might have been a result of me using a 75% opacity on it. Anyways, R+R, C+C, do whichever. ^6;

[color=red][b]PERSONAL[/b][/color] [b]Member Name:[/b] GinnyLyn [b]Former Member Names:[/b] DigimonEmpress, Arula, BaDaBoOm. [b]Member Since:[/b] 2000. Month I don't know. [b]Current Status:[/b] No Life Auron Lover [b]Nicknames (past and present):[/b] DigiWebMistress, ModRodGodess, Human DigiGnome, Auron Lover, Beelzemon Freak, Gin, GinGin, GinLyn, Ginneh, Virginia, Ginger. [b]Favorite Forums:[/b] (then)Digimon; (now) Adv. Arena, Art and Design, Zelda/Final Fantasy [b]Favorite RPG:[/b] [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23032]Final Fantastic Survivor[/url], [i]Otaku Big Brother II[/i], Tamers: V2 [b]Favorite Threads:[/b] N/A [b]Favorite Smiley:[/b] :modrod: The smilie that Sara made for me. [b]Most Memorable Moment:[/b] When I became a part of theOtaku/OtakuBoards staff; when I met Sara and dragged her to these Boards; when I fell into strong like for Shaun; when I met Mitch, who lifted me up from my darkest moments; when I decided it was time to leave OB... [b]Quotable Quote:[/b] "Bweh?!" [b]Words of Wisdom:[/b] Live like there's no tomorrow--because there might not be. [b]Wish to be remembered for:[/b] My extreme passion in all that I did. [b]Desired Epitaph:[/b] (blank) [b]Favorites:[/b] God; my OB and AIM peeps; Auron, "Otherworld", and FFX; Zelda and Breko's inflatable Biggoron sword; my art, your art, their art, our art [b]I will....[/b] .....[u]my Digimon creating energy[/u] to [b]KittyLynn[/b], 'cause she just loves mine so much! .....[u]my RPG wit and humor[/u] to [b]all my FF:S peeps[/b], 'cause you've been a great crew! .....[u]my love of the deep thoughtful stuff[/u] to [b]Mitch[/b], 'cause he just listens and understands so well. .....[u]all my Christian CDs and my faith[/u] to [b]all my Christian OB peeps[/b]--you were there for me and you so deserve them! .....[u]Drayo, Raeko, Era, Ptori, Ada, and Maulo[/u] to [b]Sara, Shaun, Flora, Mitch, Adam, and Jamal[/b], respectively, because they were always yours to begin with. .....[u]a mind that forgets the bad and only remembers the good[/u] to [b]all OB members[/b]--life is far too short. .....[u]my love and respect[/u] for [b]all of you[/b]--because you earned it, you deserve it--these past three years have been simply incredible. [color=red][b]MOST AND BEST[/b][/color] [b]Most likely to succeed: [/b] Adam [b]Most likely to secede: [/b] T.N. [b]Worst spelling: [/b] *computer explodes from so many names* [b]Best poster: [/b] intelligent posts equal best posting. Again, my computer just exploded. [b]Cutest couple: [/b] Sara and Shy. [b]Best writer: [/b] Mitch, hands down. [b]Best artist: [/b] ME, heh. DarkDeath, maladjusted, and a few other names that escape me at the moment. [b]Best...spar-er?: [/b] Bwahat? [b]Craziest: [/b] :shifty: You sure you wanna go there? [b]Funniest / wittiest: [/b] I'll get back to you on that. [b]Interesting-er-ist: [/b] I think very highly of myself. ^^ [b]Random award: [/b] JuuJuu, Jenna, or QueenAsuka for being the sweetest person here. Duke it out, ladies. [b]Nerd-tastic Power Rangers Award:[/b] Nerdsy, any day of the week. He respects my love for Austin St. John. [b]Digimon...something....award.: [/b]Devi, for his Annoyingly Long Episode Rants; D_M, for her exactitude on DigiQuotes. [b]Most Incredibly Patient Person-ness Award: [/b] Whoa, um...hmmm, whoever waits the longest patiently for me on this can have this award. [b]Teh Silly Bucket Award[/b]: Desert Shadow. [b]Other Disappeared Cool People:[/b] Navi, KariKamiya, Ben, Nerdsy, and our old newbie selves. A moment of silence, please. [color=red][b]SIGNATURES[/b][/color] (If I forget anyone, I am truly sorry. I like you all, but my brain can only write so much, and my net keeps eating this post!) [b]Sara:[/b] My first internet best friend. How times change. Words prevent, but hearts still speak. Bweeka o EIMer! [b]Shy:[/b] *hug* [b]Nerdsy and Ben:[/b] Yo, evil ones. Pink lovers. You sparked life all those years back--stop hiding already, heh! Start posting again or else. :shifty: lol [b]Adam and James:[/b] For the intelligent discussions and the power...oh the glorious power! Heh...and for those moments we learned we are still unique humans... [b]Queen Asuka:[/b] The absolute plushiness of it all! [b]My Final Fantastic Survivor Crew:[/b] This has been one of my absolute fave RPGs ever! Thanks for making it happen. [b]Sage:[/b] Go capital letters. ^^ Your Ginger speaks, and luvs ya! You were the first to call me that, you know. [b]Flora and all you AIMers of mine:[/b] That's right, MINE. Heh. Thanks for all the midnight chats! [b]kuja:[/b] The first guy I almost married online. *still has those last three Mod Rod whacks waiting* [b]Shaun:[/b] What can be said? *sincere* Thanks. *toasts* To the Other World. [b]Justin and Dan:[/b] My faith boosters. You guys rocketh! [b]Mitch:[/b] Deep and thoughtful. Sincere. You showed me I can have deep and thoughtful conversations as much as any one else. Love ya, Meh. [b]Desbreko:[/b] Inflatable Biggoron swords, gender changes, RAICHU!, heh, and Animal Crossing. Isn't life grand? =D [b]Everyone:[/b] Words are not enough, but I care for and respect every last one of you, whether I have met you or not. These last three years have been an integral part of my life, and I have learned much about me and about the world around me. Thank you for exposing me to your views, beliefs, culture, humor, fears, concerns, and simple being. I have been blessed far more than I could ever give back.

OoC: Yes, I realize this is a double post, but the fact of the matter is that my previous one is so frelling long, it wouldn't be fair to y'all to make it even longer. This also brings the RPG back up to your attention. Everyone better hurry! This challenge is wrapping up pretty soon. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Auron gave his traditional, all purpose, [color=crimson]"Hmph!"[/color] as he strode out of the Tomb of the Unknown King. [color=crimson]"[i]That[/i] was disappointing."[/color] In his sleeve rested his two newest cards, Sacred and Minotaur. [quote][center][b]Got Sacred Card! Got Minotaur Card![/b][/center][/quote] Looking at the golden edged sky, Auron realized it was later than he anticipated and so he decided to head for Galbadia. More cards of all levels awaited him there, and people who were ready to lose them, too. [color=crimson]"No, watch the confidence,"[/color] he muttered to himself with some amusement, [color=crimson]"you don't need another T-Rexaur incident."[/color] Overhead, the wind whistled, flew down into the plains about him, brushed against his grey streaked head. Auron's large empty sleeve and bead strings flapped behind him as the wind tore off in the opposite direction. Then in the same direction, as it tore past Auron again, carrying his sleeve and beads in front of him. Patiently he trudged on, detecting how the air was getting cooler, the light dimmer--but he chalked this up to the oncoming night. If he had but turned around, Auron would have seen the black, mountain like clouds piling upon each other in some sort of race to reach the top of the heavens first. As it was, he only had his eye on Galbadia, which was in sight, and he walked faster as the light seemed to disappear completely. [color=crimson]"Hmmm, the Galbadia Garden. I wonder what I can find--"[/color] "AUGH! The storm, it comes!" Auron looked curiously at the person that ran past him screaming, then paused, pointed at the sky, and screamed again. "The clouds pile high, like mountains with three peaks! AUGH!" [color=crimson]"Excuse me--"[/color] Lightning bolts dashed out of the lower regions of the clouds, prompting more screaming from the hysterical person. "AUGH! Like lightning are his large fangs! We will be struck down again!" [color=crimson]"Ex[i]cuse[/i] me--"[/color] "What god would sport with death like a dog?" Auron was getting nowhere, and quite frustrated, too, so he grabbed the man by his shirt and began to holler: [color=crimson]"[i]EXCUSE ME--[/i]"[/color] The loud clap of thunder drowned his voice out and provoked yet another scream from Mr. Hysterics. "AUGHH! His battle cry does break across my e--" [i]Thump.[/i] Auron wrung his right hand, grimacing. "Hey!" a feminine voice called, "what d'ya punch Benny out for?" Auron shrugged. [color=crimson]"Seemed like a good idea at the time?"[/color] The young lady grinned, extended a hand. "Good answer, stranger. I've been wanting to wallop him for an hour now. Oh, by the way, I'm Meg." She nudged the unconcious Benny with a sandalled foot. [color=crimson]"Auron. Does he always do this?"[/color] "Every time there's a storm," Meg replied, smirking. Overhead, the sky lit up brightly for an instant, then went dark again as thunder rumbled loudly. "Gosh, this one sounds like a monster. Could you do me a favor and help bring him inside?" Auron and Meg propped Benny between them and stepped into the Galbadia Garden; the wind was getting strong now and shoved them roughly through the door. Inside, they eased Benny onto a bench, and Auron watched as other students filtered in, not wanting to be caught in the storm. Another loud thunderclap, following by a heavy tattoo of falling rain. Meg grinned, smirking at the sopping wet students who had made it inside too late. "Looks like Benny is wrong once again." [color=crimson]"Yes, I'd like to ask about that--wrong about [i]what?[/i]"[/color] Meg grinned again. "Well, Benny's been rather scarred in the head. A few years ago, Galbadia was attacked by a--" She paused as a flash of lightning lit up the lobby, blinding everyone for a moment. Earsplitting thunder filled the air, and Auron could feel the vibrations of the earth shaking beneath him. He blinked his eye for a moment, trying to get rid of the spots dancing in front of it; even when they faded, he saw it was still dark. "Oh [i]dangit![/i]" Meg's voice complained next to him. "There went the power!" There were a few startled shrieks, and Auron heard Meg laughing. "Bunch of babies, scared of the dark." The Crimson Warrior's eye was adjusting to the dark and could make out Meg and Benny's dark silouettes. Benny sat up, looked around, then pointed at the center of the lobby and opened his mouth wide. "AUUUUGHHH!!!" "Oh [i]shimatta[/i], Benny, now wha..." Meg's voice had tapered off sharply. Concerned, Auron snapped his head around to look in the direction Benny had pointed. Three large pairs of eyes were staring back at him. [center][img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/cerberus.jpg[/img][/center] "Cerberus! Cerberus!" Benny was screaming shrilly at the top of his voice. It carried well throughout the lobby and caused instant panic. Students fled every which way, and Cerberus snapped at them in warning. [color=crimson]"Meg? Meg!"[/color] Meg was backing up against the wall, gasping in terror. "Oh my gosh, it's real, it's really real..." "Told ya," an arrogant Benny remarked. Auron punched him again and was already walking up to Cerberus before Benny hit the ground. [color=crimson]"HEY!"[/color] The three headed canine bellowed back with something between a lion's roar, a Doberman's bark, and thunder. The windows lit up with lightning again and the storm thundered at Cerberus in response. Unimpressed, Auron held the Masamune out with both hands, pointing the double tipped blade at the monster. Whenever the windows lit up, it reflected off the sword, captivating Cerberus. The three heads watched Auron with keen interest, so much so that they followed the blade as he slowly moved it in a half circle. The screams of terrified students were dying down--those that had not already fled farther into the building clung to the walls, like Meg. [color=crimson]"Meg,"[/color] Auron called as loud as he dared, [color=crimson]"tell everyone not to panic, or to make any sudden moves or noises. I think I have Cerberus under control."[/color] "Ok," Meg whispered to herself. She eased herself away from the wall, cautiously sliding along it to reach the other students. Meanwhile, Auron was still waving the glinting Masamune slowly in front of Cerberus, who was waving slowly in time with the blade. Cerberus crouched down, its six eyes half open. Auron kept waving Masamune, wondering what he could possibly do. If he stopped, Cerberus might attack, and the lobby was not big enough for any kind of fight. There were far too many civilians around, as well--Auron didn't want to risk anyone getting stepped on or roasted, even if by accident. Then he spied both his potential solution and massive complication--the rare Cerberus card was sticking out from between two of the monster's heads. Auron's mind wandered for a moment--if the cards were obtained when the monsters were defeated, then why was this one already in existence? Or could it possibly be that the cards were always there--they just needed to be relieved of their monstrous prisons? [color=crimson]"The real question is,"[/color] Auron murmured quietly, [color=crimson]"will Cerberus the monster disappear if I take the card into my possession?"[/color] The monster in question was stretched out luxuriously, its eyes barely open now. Auron carefully waved the Masamune and approached the three heads. "Auron!" Meg hissed. She was halfway across the room from Benny's prone form, still talking to frightened students. Auron motioned at her silently, telling her not to worry. He reached a hand out toward the crease between two of the enormous heads, the card just in a few feet away. A bright flash of lightning caught him off guard and Auron froze as his shadow cut black and sharp behind him, tiny next to Cerberus'. The thunder was almost instant and Auron held his breath. Cerberus twitched an ear, but made no move. "Au[i]ron![/i]" Meg hissed again, frantically. Her heart was racing incredibly fast. Auron motioned and reached out for the card again. Meg grimaced--[i]Crazy old coot, crazier 'n Benny[/i]--and held the hand of another female student; both watched Auron with frozen breath. Too close to wave the sword now (not that he needed to), Auron put the Masamune on the ground, and gently placed one hand against the grey and red muscular neck of the right head. He propped himself against the neck as he strained his body to reach for the card. Once, twice, his fingers brushed the closest corner of the card, but failed to dislodge it. He grunted, sweat starting to bead on his forehead--this was far too close for comfort--and inched a step closer. Touched the card with his fingertips. Was about to get a firm grip on the card when-- "AAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!" (Guess who?) Cerberus' three heads snapped up instantly, and with it, the card. Auron cursed under his breath and stumbled backwards as the triple set of fangs lunged at him. Auron felt the cool metal of the Masamune's handle beneath him and gripped it, brought it up. Snarling, Cerberus crouched low, then leapt high, straight through the lobby roof. Rain and wind fell in instantly, soaking everyone and everything, and Auron scowled. [color=crimson]"[b][i]IDIOT![/i][/b]"[/color] he bellowed at Benny as he raced out the front doors. Cerberus thunder-roared to the boiling clouds above, and the storm reacted by thundering back. The monster crouched low to leap into the clouds when it heard the red human shout at it. The nearest head glared at Auron, the middle and right ones peeking out behind it. The blade, wet with rain and shining brighter than ever from the lightning, waved in arcs again, but Cerberus was ignoring it now. It snapped at Auron, warning him to stay back, but he kept running at it. Snarling, Cerberus threw back its middle head to howl, the other two heads joining it a moment later; all three keened to the storm, the wind whistling back just as eerily. "Auron, come back inside!" Meg called from the Garden entrance. Auron ignored her. Above, the cloud boiled, then began to rotate in three circles. "Auron, come on! Cerberus is calling tornados down!" Still Auron didn't respond. Cerberus kept howling, bolts streaking about it, three tips of black clouds forming and moving downward. Auron stood his ground and held the Masamune up as the tornados touched the ground and circled about Cerberus. The monstrous canine thunder-roared, taunting Auron to try something now. Meg was no longer calling to him, but merely watching the spectacle. Behind her, the students from the lobby gathered. "Crazy geezer's gonna get himself killed!" someone commented. "I dunno, he looks pretty tough..." "Auron," Meg mumbled, "get back here..." "I told him," Benny started, "but noooooo--" [i]Thump.[/i] "Benny, shut up," Meg grimaced, wringing her right hand. "Oh my gosh, look at that!" a student called. Meg returned her attention to Auron and Cerberus. "There's another tornado coming down!" "It's not coming down, it's going up..." "Weird, it's almost like that old guy's making it." The students were buzzing with excitement now as they watched the new tornado grow larger. It intersected with Cerberus's three and the four merged into one gargantuan twister. "Dang, what happens now?" "Well, he can't make another one--it just got sucked up by Cerberus'." "Yeah, he's dead for--" Collective response: "WHOA!" "Did you see that?!" "Incredible!" "I didn't know tornadoes were flammable." "That one was." Auron watched as Cerberus flailed within the fire tornado. With a small amount of panic, he remember the card again--the whole reason he had chased after Cerberus--and, with a deep breath, he threw his wet self into the tornado. "AURON!" "See? Dead guy." Meg whirled around to punch the offender but froze as an incredible burst of fire light exploded behind her. There was a woeful thunder-roar, followed by three wailing howls. The massive tornado was melting back up into the clouds, and as the students peered out into the slacking storm, they could see a lone figure making his way back to the Garden. "He made it!" The students broke into loud cheering, which was accompanied by slaps on Auron's sodden back as he stepped (wet boots squishing) back into the lobby. All around him the students hooted, hollored, whistled, screamed with joy, and cheered. Meg followed Auron. In all the hubbub, Auron simply walked over to Benny's prone form and nudged it with his foot. Benny was out cold. The Crimson Warrior turned to Meg, who flexed her arm and grinned. [color=crimson]"Dang it, Meg, [i]I[/i] wanted to do that."[/color] [quote][center][b]Got Cerberus Card![/b][/center][/quote] OoC: You know what--it's Sage's B-day! And you know what? I'm not going to risk a triple post (bad me!) for his present. So somebody else [i]please[/i] post. =) OoC2: Oh wait, duh! Just jump over to the site and you'll see it! (It's actually been up there for a few days now, so hee hee hee...)

OoC: Oh no, Sage is only generally pleased! *comically freaks out* ^_~ Yeah, this isn't so bad. I hope I can get around to picking up one of those high level cards sooner or later. OoC2: For Mei--if you did want to continue that post where Rinoa found Auron, go ahead. I'm going to leave a little hole in this post, a passage of time, if you will, that could be where Rinoa helped Auron. In the meantime, I'm going to go get more cards! ^^ OoC3: Bear in mind I know nothing about FF8 still, so if I describe something wrong, you do NOT have permission to crucify me. ^_~ ~~~~~~~~ Auron was finally up and running again, much to the Balamb nurse's protest. She was still of the opinion that he needed rest, but the Crimson Warrior brushed that off. Auron stretched, relieved to be released, and noticed that he was missing his robe. Not that he was worried, but he strode rather quickly to find the nurse and inquire about it. "That old thing? We had to get it washed and mended. If you aren't gonna stay put, you are at least going to go out dressed properly!" Auron grimaced, his back still aching a little, and pulled out the world map Cid had offered everyone when they first reached this world. [color=crimson]"Hmmm...Tomb of the Unknown King...sounds interesting."[/color] "Oh no you don't!" the nurse retorted as she bustled into the room with Auron's robe, clean, mended, and folded, two cards laying atop it. "The last thing I need is to patch you up again. You should feel fortunate that Rinoa found you when she did." Auron slid his red robe back on, adjusting the sleeves accordingly. He was startled to find the T-Rexauar and Glacial Eye cards, but put them with the rest of his deck. [color=crimson]"I [i]am[/i] grateful."[/color] He buckled his right arm bracer on and checked his belt. "And you're gonna show it by going and getting yourself nearly killed again?" Auron was quiet for a moment. He was remembering Rinoa telling him the death of the baby T-Rexaur had been in defense, not because of him. He sighed and shook his head, gripping the Masamune (which had been leaning against the wall near his cot) and hefting it on his back. [color=crimson]"That's not what I meant. Do you know where the nearest port to the Tomb is?"[/color] "I'd be stupid to tell you. Why don't you just stay here and relax? I'll get you some tea and --HEY!" Auron was already walking out the door. [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/masamune.jpg[/img] [i]At the Tomb of the Unknown King[/i] Auron stepped onto the shore and looked about him. The boat was already pulling away, but the captain had reassured him the port in Galbadia could help him if he needed to get back to Balamb. For now, Auron was on his own. He checked his now heavily stocked supplies and allowed himself a grin--that prattling nanny nurse wasn't going to have to worry about him too much. [color=crimson]"Back to work,"[/color] he mumbled, striding into the Tomb. Something like a three winged bat brushed past him almost immediately, shrilling with a high voice. Auron steadied the Masamune with his right hand and waited. When it dove down again, he gripped the decorated handle with his left hand as well, swinging the massive blade powerfully. The Buel was in two pieces now. [quote][center][b]Got Buel Card![/b][/center][/quote] [color=crimson]"That was easy enough."[/color] The Buels seemed to be the residental cave bat of the tomb, for Auron had to brush past several of them before he saw a new monster. Two of them, actually. One was large, green armor on top and a bright orange to mark the soft underbelly. The large forearms seemed unusual as compared to its tiny back legs, and Auron figured this would be a brute that needed force. The other creature he almost missed because it was like a shadow. It was, in fact, a shadow indeed, with long wispy tendrils for fingers and sickly red eyes and a white shark grin glowing with sadistic glee. The Armadodo almost missed the Creeps in the darkness as well, until the shadow creature thwapped its hard green shell with smoky tendrils. The Armadodo snorted, unsure of what hit it; a tendril was still touching it, and this agitated the monster. It tried to shake it off, but the Creeps only grinned nastily, the tendril still attached. Bellowing, the Armadodo charged and ripped the Creeps apart. Something like a crazy giggle escaped the shadow monster as the tendril attached to the Armadodo was torn from the rest of the Creeps' body. The Creeps died... ...but as the tendril dangled limply from the Armadodo's shoulder, it began to wriggle. The Armadodo snorted and clawed at it, trying to dislodge it. In an instant the tendril turned white hot and the Armadodo was screaming in pain. With a loud thump, it collapsed on the floor, dead. A card floated out where the Armadodo had lain. Though he had not slain it, Auron wasn't about to pass up the chance to grab the card. As he walked to it, he wished it had been that easy to get a Creeps card. Something was rather unnerving about that monster. [quote][center][b]Got Armadodo Card![/b][/center][/quote] A sibilant hiss caught his attention and Auron watched as the severed tendril dropped from the Armadodo's dead body. It hovered in midair, then reformed into the Creeps. For a split second, its body shone the colors of the Armadodo, then it turned completely black and shadowy. Auron's voice was full of sarcasm. [color=crimson]"Ah, a, uh, life stealer. Great."[/color] The Creeps giggled maniacally, waving its tendrils at him. Auron glared, shouldering the Masamune. [color=crimson]"There is no way in Heaven or Hell that I am going back to that nurse!"[/color] The red eyes glowered at him, and the Creeps shot its tendrils out. Auron betrayed all traces of being slow and steady as he ducked between the tendrils. One still managed to stick to his neck, and Auron looked somewhat concerned. [color=crimson]"Life stealers cannot revive until their opponent is dead. It would be too easy for me to kill you, because then I would die and you wouldn't. And wouldn't that be a terrible way to get evicted after all this time."[/color] Auron smirked, touching his gloved finger to the tendril. [color=crimson]"All right. Only one way to fix this, then."[/color] He wound his index finger around the tendril until it was forced to pop off his neck. A tiny spot of blood welled up, for the end of the tendril seemed to be leechlike. The Creeps hissed darkly, shooting out more tendrils, but Auron had already put a Reflect spell (taught courtesy of Yuna, among other people, some time ago) in place. The tendrils bounced off, enraging the Creeps. Auron charged at it, the tendril still wrapped around his finger, and the rest of his right hand wrapped around the Masamune's handle. In one deft motion, he planted the tendril against the Creeps body, then slashed it with his sword. The Creeps convulsed bodily. It was slain, yet it was attempting to drain life from the victim it had attached to. Being that its victim was itself, it was only killing itself faster. The glowing red eyes turned white, and it gibbered angrily at Auron. In a puff of black smoke, it was gone. [quote][center][b]Got Creeps Card![/b][/center][/quote] Buels shot overhead, screeching, and Auron detected the sound of more sibilant hissing. He decided to press on to the center of the Tomb before anything else attacked him. The Tomb itself was immense. There were a few places for torches along the cavern walls, but only one or two were faintly giving off light. The rest of walls were intricately detailed with carvings and paint, and Auron felt a sudden pang of memory for the Phoenix Esper. [color=crimson]"No matter what world, all Summon Monsters seem to have the hidden cave deal down pat. Especially if they don't want to be found."[/color] He glanced about the cave. [color=crimson]"As this one seems to be."[/color] Auron waited for a few more moments, but he realized he had to get moving to Galbadia soon to get more cards. It was a shame, really--if he had managed to defeat the Minotaur and Sacred rumored to dwell here, he would have walked away with powerhouse cards, indeed. Auron took one of the torches from the wall (to scare away any more Creeps that might try to ambush him) and walked back to the opening of the Tomb. He was stopped by the Minotaur slamming into the ground just in front of him. [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/minotaur.jpg[/img] The large violet creature waved his weapon and threw his golden horned head back, bellowing his challenge loudly. Auron could almost immediately pick out his weak spot and calmly closed his eye for a moment in amusement. He shifted his slung arm out and beckoned the Minotaur to "bring it on". The earth shook again, just behind him this time. [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/sacred.jpg[/img] [color=crimson]"Great. Double trouble."[/color] Auron shook his head and eyed the Minotaur's twin, Sacred, who had crimson horns instead of golden ones. Sacred also bellowed his challenge at Auron. [color=crimson]"All right, then,"[/color] Auron said gruffly, [color=crimson]"Let's get this over with."[/color] ~~~~~~ EDIT Yet ANOTHER OoC: E hee hee, I have something for Sage's birthday. Mu haw haw--and he can't get it till it's Tuesday in my neck of the world! :devil: But you've like it, Sage, trust me! ;)

OoC: *bows to Zell* Thank you! You have no idea how many times I had to edit that sucker to get it right! =) OoC2: Sage, perhaps to prevent potential godmodding (though I doubt anybody here would intentionally, if at all, do that), perhaps we should limit how many there are of certain cards--like how, once an Esper was gone, it was gone. Just a thought. (= OoC3: My gosh, this post got unexpectedly violent near the end. Not gorey, just violent. Another one of those posts that writes itself. Oo; ~~~~~~~~~ Auron was, believe it or not, sulking. [i]Bad.[/i] After the flurry of his win against Zard and the excitement of getting Behemoth, the Crimson Warrior had gotten a little too egotistical--he had lost his Belhelmel card to a kid with a calmer head. "Hey, wanna try that again?" the kid had asked. "I don't think you were paying too much attention, ya?" Auron didn't even notice the familiar accent. He simply stomped angrily down the corridor, mad with himself for getting cocky. And now he was lost in some sort of jungly looking area--[i]inside[/i] the building. Well, Zell and Rinoa had said this was the Balamb Garden. Maybe this was the Garden itself? Something chittered in the bushes, but the Crimson Warrior just leaned against a large rock, still scowling. Still sulking. Something chittered again. Then there was silence. An ancient roar screamed through the air and Auron was jerked out of his brooding. Trees shook and a few cracked as they collapsed. Something quite large was coming. The roar bellowed again, a lot closer, as a T-Rexaur tore through the trees. It spotted Auron and charged. [color=crimson]"Hmph."[/color] Auron had to laugh. If there was one thing he was good at... He nudged the Masamune higher on his shoulder and just waited for the right moment. Baring its dagger teeth, the large red monster opened its gaping jaws...and found them shut again as Auron's sword cleaved up sharply from below its bottom jaw. The Crimson Warrior tore the sword out, then pulled it back behind him and leapt, swinging the Masamune in deadly arc. The T-Rexaur cried out in pain and collapsed to one side, one of its large scaly feet twitching. [color=crimson]"Don't interrupt a brooding warrior ever again."[/color] Auron stepped to the body, searching for the T-Rexaur card, avoiding the monster's claws. It sounded almost pityful now, mewling mixing with roaring. And just for a moment, Auron wondered if he should have attacked this creature, especially since he couldn't find the card. A tremendous bellow, far deeper and much more ancient than the T-Rexaur's in front of him, shook the air just behind Auron. With a slow turn of his body, he looked behind him, only to find a large T-Rexaur eyeing him darkly, jaws slightly open and salivating. The smaller one mewl roared again and the larger shoved Auron to one side with its massive head, nudging the smaller one gently. [color=crimson]"Oh no...I just slaughtered...a baby..."[/color] Auron stood stunned, gazing at the baby, as if doing so could will it back to life. But it didn't work. With a final weak cry, the baby rolled its eyes back into its head and died. In disbelief, the larger T-Rexaur roared softly, nudged the dead body once more, then stood motionless, soundless. Auron was thoroughly and utterly shamed. The T-Rexaur turned on him in an instant, shrieking and bellowing for all it was worth, eyes bloodshot and murderous. Though not reknown for his speed, Auron put a few rumors to rest as he dug his boots into the soil and bolted as if his life depended on it...for it did. Each time he thought he had lost it, the monster would come stomping through, finding him, screaming at him as he fled once more. After one minute, Auron had to abandon his sword in order to keep running--a dire drawback. After a few minutes (even without the weight of the Masamune now), Auron was beginning to wear out. He wedged himself in a small area, watching as the monster stepped past, and almost breathed a prayer of thanks when, suddenly, it stopped, sniffed the air, then whirled about to face him. [i][color=crimson]How in the name of all that's truly holy does it keep doing that?![/color][/i] And with a sickening realization, Auron discovered it was smelling the spilt blood of the baby on his robe. The T-Rexaur snarled, opening its mouth wide. For the first time since this challenge had started, Auron felt fear--gut wrenching, stomach freezing fear. He was trapped, and the T-Rexaur knew it. [i][color=crimson]All this for a bunch of bloody cards! Cid had better appreciate this.[/color][/i] With a deep breath scarcely let out through his nose, Auron looked at the free area just past the T-Rexaur. He just had to run beneath it and he would be safe. Auron gave his short laugh again. [i][color=crimson]Cid had better[/i] really[i] appreciate this![/color][/i] And he pushed himself out of his small hiding spot, racing toward the T-Rexaur, beneath it, he could see the area just past the monster, was about to reach it, almost there-- And all his senses exploded dangerously in his far-too-small body as the T-Rexaur sunk its teeth into his leg. Unbalanced, Auron tumbled to the ground and grunted with pain as he hit. The monster firmed its grip and began to pull Auron backwards; desperate, he scrambled at the ground, trying to find a hold somewhere in the gravel, but without luck. He couldn't think now. The pain blinded him and ricochetted inside his head unbearably and in some detatched part of his brain, Auron wondered if this was how the baby had felt and whether this was his just punishment... The T-Rexaur was trying to bite into his other foot now, still keeping a hold of his leg. He struggled feebily, kicked the free foot against the scaly head to keep it out of range, and the dinosaur growled in warning. Auron kept struggling, though, and in response, the monster stalked over to a large wall. It jerked its head once, as if unsure of what it was doing; the jerk swung Auron's body in a slight half-circle, not touching the wall yet. Satisfied, the T-Rexaur tried another, stronger, jerk, and made contact with the wall, slamming its prey against it. Auron cried out as his back was wracked with pain. [i][color=crimson]Oh Aeons, I'm going to die. I'm really going to die this time.[/color][/i] Auron, about to pass out, decided to go ahead and resign himself to his fate when... [color=blue][size=1]"Come back here!"[/size][/color] It was faint, but it was another person. Auron was sure of it. A small flock of Glacial Eyes appeared, startling the T-Rexaur into dropping Auron. He collapsed and mercifully fainted. The Glacial Eyes screeched in shock at the T-Rexaur snapping at them. Blizarra flew, teeth tore, and in a few moments, the remaining Glacial Eyes continued their flight away from danger. [quote][center][b]Got T-Rexaur Card! Got Glacial Eye Card![/b][/center][/quote] Both cards fell deftly to the ground, wafted about by the dafts in the "garden". Both wedged themselves neatly into Auron's torn and stained robe, hidden from view. [color=blue]"Sheesh, those things sure can--OH MY GODS!"[/color] Rinoa had been the one chasing the Glacial Eyes, hoping to get a few cards. She already had one, but wanted to get a few more to trade with someone. And that's how she found Auron. [color=blue]"Auron? [i]Auron?![/i]"[/color] Terrified, she shook Auron's shoulder and nearly sobbed in relief as his good eye fluttered open. Auron groaned, croaked: [color=crimson]"Some kind of Garden you got..."[/color] ~~~~~~~ Final OoC: Mei, you can help Auron or just take him to a Balamb doctor, it doesn't matter. Rest assured Auron will be just fine next post. ^_~ Final OoC2: (Gah, too many of these!) This post was written in "memory" of the time I kept getting killed by those wretched T-Rexaurs when I was trying to figure out where Quistis was at the very beginning of the game.

OoC: Bwa ha ha ha! BB funny! Till Tuesday, huh? Mkay. And yes, please clear it up one last time for us--is it the matter of points or is it the matter of posts? Or... [b]Sage:[/b] *turns into enraged Ifrit* SHUT UP AND--*turns back into Sage and smiles sweetly*--write. [b]Ginny:[/b] :wow: :faint: Heh, *hugs Sage*, I know, we're being terrible. But don't forget, we are also getting [i]very[/i]competitive, now that we are down to the last four. ...how many cards in a Starter Deck? At least 5, right? (I'll edit that part of the post as needed.) ~~~~~~~~~ The Grat shrieked as the Masamune cleaved directly through its leafy body and it collapsed. The long twig arms twitched briefly, and Auron plucked the Grat card from its grasp. [quote][b][center]Got the Grat Card![/center][/b][/quote] [color=crimson]"So that makes a Grat, Fungar, Bite Bug, Red Bat, Blobra, Blood Soul, Caterchipillar, Cockatrice, Mesmerize, Belhelmel, and Ochu. Mmmm, I suppose I could take someone on with this deck..."[/color] and he swung his great sword with a great hint of battles to come, [color=crimson]"...but why would I want to?"[/color] "Hey watch it, old man!" "Oh my god, he killed Kenny!" "The butthead!" Shocked, Auron looked behind him at the group of students--surely, as an experienced warrior, he hadn't-- The student in question was twitching comically, clutching a bottle of ketchup. Auron glowered and stalked away. "Yeah, that's it, old man, get scared and walk away!" [color=crimson]"Ah, that's why..."[/color] "Kweh kweh WAAAARK! Lookit the big chicken man running away!" The group was laughing and jeering now, even Kenny. Auron gritted his teeth, telling himself not to be rash, but even as that thought crossed his mind, he had already slapped his deck down angrily and glared at the taunters. "Oooo, old man wants to pwaaaaay!" Laughs and jeers. "Take him on, Zard!" [color=crimson]"Yes, take me on, Zard."[/color] "Are you sure? Don't you think it's past your bedtime?" [color=crimson]"It's far past yours, you inconsiderate little snot."[/color] Zard did a passable imitation of him. "'Inconsiderate little snot.'" He deftly closed his right eye, leaving his left eye open, and clutched his left arm to his body, running around in an overly exagerrated manner, yelling, "Lookit me the old man who thinks he's stuff 'cause he uses big words!" His buddies were screaming with laughter now, and Auron was only getting angrier and angrier. When he could take it no more, he put his sword down, shot his right hand out, and grabbed Zard by the collar. He drew Zard up to him, nose to nose, and whispered in a voice dripping with fury: [color=crimson]"Let us start so I may kick your ***."[/color] ~~~~~ OoC: To be contined--I'm running late for work! ^^; BTW, this is only the 2nd time Auron has ever swore. I know in the game he never did, but this heightens drama, yes? Heh. *grin* ~~EDIT~~ Zard sat at the table across from Auron, his buddies (Kenny included) crowding behind him. The teen smirked at Auron, fanning his cards against his face. "Any time, old man." [color=crimson]"Any special rules?"[/color] Zard smirked. "What special rules do you know about?" Auron looked lost in thought. [color=crimson]"One, and...Diff? Is that what it is called?"[/color] Zard's smirk grew wider, and his friends sniggered. "Have you heard of ALL?" Auron tried to hide his lacking knowledge. [color=crimson]"What do you do?"[/color] Zard spread his arms, as if to show no harm. "Heh, it's where, if you turn all the cards to one color, the winner takes all of them. Fair?" Auron looked wide eyed over his shades. [color=crimson]"Sounds...difficult. Which means I shouldn't lose any cards, correct?"[/color] "Yeah, that's right, old man," Zard said, stifling his laughter. [i]This is gonna be too easy![/i] "Just remember to let me go fi--" Auron put a card down. [color=crimson]"Mesmerize, in the top right."[/color] [center]5 4 3 3[/center] "What the [i]he--[/i]!" [color=crimson]"Afraid?"[/color] Zard growled. "You're gonna in be in for such a shock, old man!" He slapped Gesper into the middle right square. [center]1 1 5 4[/center] Auron raised an eyebrow as the Gesper flipped to his own color. [color=crimson]"Are you sure about that?"[/color] "Yeah, yeah, just play already!" Auron placed the Ochu card from Quistis below Gesper, to further firm his hold on it. [center]5 3 6 3[/center] Zard put a Fastitocalon-F in the left middle square. [center]3 1 5 2[/center] [color=crimson]"Now you're just running scared,"[/color] Auron commented. "He ain't running scared of nobody!" Kenny shouted, jerking a hand at Auron. "My boy be right, old man. I ain't running scared. I'm just waiting to shake you up." Auron put his Belhelmel just above the Fastitocalon-F-- [center]3 3 4 5[/center] --capturing the Fastitocalon-F instantly. Kenny led the group in cheering Zard on. [color=crimson]"Just shut up and play."[/color] That silenced the group instantly. Zard growled at Auron's ability to quiet his crew--[i]his[/i] crew!--but then grinned at his trump card. He was biding his time. To tease his opponent further, he tossed his Blood Soul card in the bottom middle square-- [center]2 1 1 6[/center] and smirked as it flipped to Auron's color. His crew cheered wildly. Auron noticed the grin on Zard's face and began to wonder. Either the kid had something up his sleeve, or he was, quite frankly, high. Regardless, the Crimson Warrior needed the practice, and his deck was holding out thus far. Auron laid his Blobra card in the bottom left corner. [center]2 5 3 1[/center] Zard's smirk was demented looking as he tossed a Fungar-- [center]5 3 1 1[/center] --in the top middle square, laughing as it flipped to Auron's color. "Now for the piece de resis--" [color=crimson]"Ah ah ah..."[/color] Auron shook his finger at Zard, a twinkle in his good eye. Zard frowned at him, then suddenly noticed his crew was very very quiet. "Wait a minute, what's going on? It's my turn!" [color=crimson]"Are you daft? It's my turn."[/color] "No, it's not!" Zard was starting to get a little hysterical. "It's always my turn when the only spot left is the middle square." And that's when it became clear to Auron. Zard's strategy. By knowing the common method of using the strongest attack cards possible, Zard played on that by using exceptionally weak cards. Once his cards were captured in the pattern of his choosing (a cross around the center square), it was just a matter of taking the center. The trick was in Zard being the first to play a card; and the few times he didn't, he must have wheedled his way into an extra turn, still exuding the sense of having nothing but weak cards. Once his powerful card rested in the center, though, it would flip all his weak cards back to Zard. Instant win. And with the ALL rule in effect, he could pick up the strong cards from the other players, not only building him up, but weakening their decks, paving his way for future wins. Well, not this time. [color=crimson]"It is [i]my[/i] turn."[/color] Auron looked around, then suddenly spotted Zell racing down the corridor. The Crimson Warrior beckoned the frantic looking blonde to his side. [color=crimson]"Question."[/color] [color=orangered]"Answer--and quick! She's after me!"[/color] [color=crimson]"If I go first, does that not mean I get five turns, as opposed to the 2nd player's four?"[/color] Zell nodded, gulping air. [color=orangered]"That means the center square is all yours, Auron. Dang, no worries--looks like you are about to clean up."[/color] "YOU!" [color=orangered]"Eeps! Gotta run!"[/color] And Zell did. Zard and crew stared in shock at Auron. "Please, sir," Zard whined, "you already beat me. Just let me lay this one last card down and..." [center]1 5 3 3[/center] Auron had already tossed his Bite Bug card into the center square, much to Zard's dismay. "No!!" The Bite Bug gleamed at him from its place in the center, the place where his last card was supposed to go. "Nooo!!" His last card: Behemoth. "NOOOOOOOOO!!!" Auron reached over and swept all the cards into his grasp. [color=crimson]"Well,[/color] he chuckled, [color=crimson]"looks like this old man got lucky. ALL means all the cards. Including,"[/color] and he reached over and yanked Behemoth out of Zard's hand, [color=crimson]"this one."[/color] "Wha?" [color=crimson]"I may be older than you, but I'm far from senile. The ALL rule is not to take all the cards if they are the same color. It says that, if a player should win, then [i]all[/i] the cards used in the game goes to that player."[/color] "But..." Kenny and the others were starting to drift away from Zard. It was his first loss ever...and a spoiled legend was nothing worth hanging around. [color=crimson]"Face it, kid. You lost."[/color] "My...my strategy..." [color=crimson]"A really dishonorable one. I wonder how you managed to get this beauty."[/color] He held up the Behemoth card. [color=crimson]"Ah well, nothing like a fresh new start? And Zard, this time,"[/color] --here his voice was deceptively caring-- [color=crimson]"do it right for once, hmmm?"[/color] Auron walked away from the dejected cheater, one super strong card richer. Perhaps this challenge wasn't going to be so bad after all. [quote][center][b]Got Behemoth card![/b][/center][/quote] How Auron won: [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/diagram.jpg[/img] [url]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/diagram.jpg[/url] How Zard [i]would have[/i] won: [img]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/diagram2.jpg[/img] [url]http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/elementis/Survivor/diagram.jpg[/url] ~~~~~~ Final OoC: Oh c'mon, don't tell me you haven't seen this type of scene before! ;) I know I have, several times. heh.

OoC: I noticed Braidless Baka was checking out the thread, but she didn't post, which means she might not have been able to post either? Here, I'm gonna have another go at the link Sage posted. In the meantime, *throws herself on the mercy of the Grand and Immortal Wise Sagacious Mighty Yu Sage*, could this not be an eviction challenge? I have a feeling this might be difficult for all of us. :( Please don't hurt me, Sage...*hides and whimpers* I'm really trying hard to understand this challenge, I really am! :) ~~~~~~ [color=crimson]"While we wait, may I ask a few questions?"[/color] "If you don't mind me putting you on the spot in front of everyone else later, then go right ahead," Quistis grinned. [color=crimson]"A player gets five cards. He gets those cards by beating monsters or other players and winning new cards."[/color] Quistis nodded. Auron continued, a little unsure, but ready to stop if he needed to be corrected. [color=crimson]"Players put the cards on a 3x3 grid. Depending on what values a card has, it can either take or be taken by another card. Whoever has the most cards at the end wins."[/color] Quistis clapped jovially. "Excellent, excellent. Now Auron, which is the highest value?" [color=crimson]"I believe that is A, followed by 9, then 8, and so on, until you reach 1."[/color] "There you go! Auron, you know the basics now!" [quote][center][b]Got Starter Deck![/b][/center][/quote] "And for being such a quick learner--" Quistis walked up to Auron and brushed her nose against his cheek. Auron's good eye widened and he hunched down into his large collar, hiding the flush spreading across his face. When he felt the card tapping against his nose, he blinked, and Quistis winked. "Don't lose that one in your first card battle, ok?" [quote][b][center]Got Ochu Card![/center][/b][/quote] "Care to test your ability, Auron dear?" [color=crimson]"I...I guess I could try."[/color] [i]Two minutes later...[/i] "Good god, Auron, I should have never given that Ochu to you!" Quistis complained. [color=crimson]"And I think I shall take that Belhelmel of yours for good measure,"[/color] the Crimson Warrior smirked. [quote][b][center]Got Belhelmel card![/center][/b][/quote] "Oooo, why you--out! Out! GET OUT!" Furious, Quistis chased a chuckling Auron out of her classroom. Fuming, she stomped back into the room, and Auron went on his way to play Triple Triad elsewhere. ~~~~~~ Another quick OoC: OOO, I think I know how to play the game itself now--at least the basics! How do we keep from letting ourselves godmod the stuffing out of playing? I'm sorry I'm being such a pain about this challenge--I just, I...I...*whimpers again*

OoC: But I've had a total of 5 different people attempt to teach me Triple Triad/FF9's game, and I have yet to understand it. If I can't understand it, I'm gonna have trouble posting, and boy am I screwed for telling everyone this. >.< Well, here goes every little nothing. ~~~~~~ The halls were scantly filled with the occasional groups of students. The Crimson Warrior passed by one who was listening to a set of headphones, playing loudly. Auron could pick out a few familiar words... [i]"Hope dies and you wander The otherworld it makes you Dreams they rip asunder The otherworld it hates you Free now, ride up on it Up to the heights it takes you Go now if you want it An otherworld awaits you..."[/i] He gazed in surprise as the student walked away, unaware of him and still listening to the hard rock. [i][color=crimson]That's a song from Zanarkand...but how...?[/color][/i] Shaking his head, unable to grasp an answer, Auron strode into the appointed Balamb Garden classroom, feeling somewhat out of place. Fortunately, this particular class had let out for the day, leaving only Quistis, the beautiful teacher, behind. She was studying three books spread out in front of her intently. Auron coughed to get her attention. "Oh, my, and who might you be?" [color=crimson]"The first student for Triple Triad?"[/color] The words were still foreign to him, though both Zell and Rinoa assured Auron that this was [i]the[/i] game in this world. Auron made a mental note to show them blitzball...[color=white]if he ever made it that far...[/color] "There are a few more of you, yes? I want to wait and teach you all at once. Less work on my part." Quistis winked at him. "I'm sure you'll catch on right away. [color=crimson]"Do you know the phrase...an old dog cannot learn new tricks?"[/color] "Such optimism," Quistis laughed. "I'd try it before I knock it, if I were you." Auron sighed heavily. [color=crimson]"I guess..."[/color] And so he sat and waited for the others to show up, so that the tutorial class would begin.

OoC: Oh ye gods, I'm screwed. I hated this game in FF8/FF9 and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna hate it now. *bawls* What time Saturday are we talking about, here? My double shift at work is all day tomorrow (like it's been all my life), which means I'm going to lose time as compared to everyone else. *looks ill* Ye gods, ye gods, why did it have to be Triple Triad? Um, after all that rant, heh, sorry Sage, I'm still confused. What [i]exactly[/i] are we doing here? Who are we playing against, IRL online? I know you say Quistis, but how exactly are we supposed to be writing these posts? *looks quite lost* I am not giving up...but I can't fight on if I don't know what I am doing. :bluesweat