SunfallE

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]*dumps ice water on both Sandy and Rach* Just cause I can! :p I can see how you would have gotten confused over that Sandy, and since I talked to Shy about it or rather I actually got the idea from him, I assumed you also knew about it. So it never occurred to me to pm you. It's your fault for never signing into AIM! *poke* I usually catch Shy online a couple of times a week so I just talk to him about stuff like that when I'm talking to him. But in the interest of being less confusing I edited my post to clear things up. It's not a lot of people, only five and it's a combination of doctors and potionists from three different medical centers. Anyway, Shy mentioned that the top doctors and potionists in High Czenoble were in danger of going missing so I decided to weave that into my post. It's what Nellie was talking about that she couldn't tell Alecia and Alexander when they ran into her at the gates to Rosengard. The thing that once she realized they didn't know she couldn't tell them since they'd find out soon enough. ^_~ [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]Without quoting too many people, I really don't see the issue so long as its consenting adults. Whether or not I agree is irrelevant to a certain extent since my morals or views should not be forced on others. I'm not going to openly support it, but I'm not going to openly oppose it either.[quote name='AzureWolf;801633] Even looking past that it's sex, the fact that it requires no talent/ability/intelligence/anything makes prostitution just not all that impressive.[/QUOTE]Whether or not it's impressive is also irrelevant. There are a lot of jobs out there that don't require talent/ability/intelligence or much of anything in order to do it. Cleaning, basic production work, etc. What matters is that whatever it is, it pays the bills and puts food on the table. In the long run, that's what's really relevant.[quote name='AzureWolf'']Let's be honest with ourselves for a minute: if we really thought prostitution was God's gift to the workforce, I think many more men and women would not attend school and just settle for this easy way out. The reason they don't is it's not a respectable job, not something you put on your resumé, and not something that should be done in the first place.[/quote]Lets be honest and admit that if it was legal, there's no way of knowing if people really would abandon school and settle for the easy way out. And even if they did, that is still [I]their choice[/I]. Your objections to it are personal and nothing more. Telling others what they [I]should[/I] do has it's limits and as far as I'm concerned this is one of those things.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]I get the feeling that things are going to get chaotic in High Czenoble. What with the increase in the patrols of the Royal Police Guard, the upcoming cat fights at Rosengard, etc. Should be fun! Oh and Happy New Year everyone! :catgirl: [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/alexanderedward-chronicle.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/alecialeanna-chronicle.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Alecia had done as requested, she along with Alexander, had gotten up early and headed down to the Eshe Rehema medical center to talk to the head of the facility. She had figured that things would be different after all that had happened the other day, the morning paper was filled with little else, though she and Alexander had not had time to truly read what had been published. But perhaps what had surprised her the most as her and Alexander took the train to work, was just how much the patrols of the Royal Police Guard had been increased. Rumors were flying everywhere, including the one that Leonhart was dead, not presumed missing. ?[B]Oh Alex,[/B]? She said as they entered the front doors of the Eshe Rehema medical center and were away from prying eyes and ears. ?[B]This is terrible! I thought the report said that they were searching for Grandfather. Not that he was considered dead.[/B]? Alexander put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently. ?[B]Don?t let it bother you, people always gossip about cases like this.[/B]? He smiled reassuringly as they made for the office of the Director of the facility and then entered upon knocking and hearing a voice from within telling them to do so. Much like Alecia, he too looked tired and worn out as he expressed his condolences and sincere wishes that Leonhart would be found and soon. Then with a wave of his hand as he took a seat behind the huge ornate desk, he indicated that the two of them take a seat as well. After seeing to Alecia, Alexander did the same. Sitting in one of the plush leather chairs across form the Director. It was his first time seeing the office and it strongly reminded him of a small library with the built in shelves filled with all sorts of medical texts and then a section that had to be drawers for keeping files on the staff there. There was a second door leading elsewhere, but to what, he had no idea. ?[B]Thank you for coming,[/B]? He said simply once both of them were seated. ?[B]There is much to be done so I?ll get straight to the point. I need to talk to you about your residency Alecia.[/B]? Alecia tensed up, reaching blindly for Alexander?s left hand, clutching it tightly in her own. [I]So I am going to be dismissed[/I], she thought dully as she braced herself for the bad news. ?[B]It?s simple, due to recent events surrounding some of the best doctors and potionists here at Eshe Rehema and other medical facilities in High Czenoble, we are going to need to go ahead and promote you along with a few others thought out the city to fill the gaps.[/B]? He stood up and started pacing back and forth, clearly nervous. ?[B]Until now, the Royal Police Guard asked us to keep things under wraps, to claim that the missing doctors and potionists were on leave, but I was informed a few days ago that there is no doubt that like other prominent Alchemists they too have been kidnapped.[/B]? A startled gasp escaped before Alecia could help it. ?[B]How many are missing?[/B]? She paused as she ran through her mind the number of people she knew of that were suppose to be on leave, there were two at the medical center she worked at, one at the center closer to the the Chimera Circuit and two at the other main center. Was the Director saying that all five of them were missing? Alecia's hand flew to her mouth as she choked on the thought. ?[B]Oh my? all of them are missing?[/B]? Just the thought was starting to make her feel sick. The Director nodded sadly and sat back down. ?[B]Yes, each and everyone of them, including our head researcher in potionism, Dr. Victor Rawlings, your mentor.[/B]? ?[B]This is terrible.[/B]? Alecia looked to Alex, feeling frightened as she met his gaze before turning back to the Director. ?[B]I don?t understand though, I still have six months of my three year residency left. I know for a fact that there are quite a few students who are much closer to being finished than I am, so why choose me?[/B]? ?[B]You weren?t going to find out until later, but out of all of the students Dr. Victor Rawlings has worked with, he considered you to be the best replacement to take his place once he retired. The others, though competent at their work, are not qualified in his opinion. Or so he has told me on many occasions before he disappeared.[/B]? The Director stood up. ?[B]I know it?s sudden, but my understanding is that within the next day or two, news of the others who have turned up missing will be made public. I?ll need both of you to keep quiet about it until then.[/B]? He picked up a small bell and rang it, resulting in someone coming in from the door that lead to other areas of the Director?s office. ?[B]Please go with Davis, Alecia. He?ll walk you through the necessary paperwork as well as issue you your new uniforms. He?ll also set up the arrangements for you to start taking over Dr. Rawlings experiments in potionism, though since you were already working with him I would imagine there is little you don?t already know.[/B]? Alex looked over at Alecia as the two of them stood up, ?[B]Go ahead love, I need to speak to the Director.[/B]? He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. ?[B]If I run out of time before work, I?ll simply meet you at the restaurant later for lunch.[/B]? He waited for her to leave and the door to shut behind her before he turned to talk to the Director.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Arial]So, what, I should take it figuratively? :confused:[/FONT][/QUOTE]I think she means in relation to both love and hate instead of by itself. You can correct me if I'm wrong Crystia, but the way I see it is that in a relationship between two people, whether it's a couple, family or friends, etc. This kind of indifference can only happen between people who should have some form of connection, only in this thread we're talking about love and hate. The only way I can explain that is through my own experiences with my mother growing up. I won't mince words, she was and still is a horribly cruel and mean spirited woman. I could write for hours and still not be finished with all the things she did. She was literally indifferent to any pain or misery that she was causing me, all in the name of appearing to be a kind mother to others and yet doing nothing kind to me at all. I also think there were times that she genuinely hated me as well. Mostly at the end once I moved out and started getting free from her influence. Which was not easy by the way. Then, something happened, I grew up enough to realize that the problem was her, not me. And after a while, my desire to have a loving relationship with her died. Like any child who didn't know any better, I loved her when I was growing up and really thought that I was the problem as she so often told me. It took a while but once I had been away long enough, I became the indifferent one. I went through a period of intense hatred for things she did and then finally settled into what I have been for the past decade, a state of indifference. I no longer love or hate her. I simply have nothing to do with her at all. She has, in the past few years tried to make a token attempt to apologize, but they are far from sincere and she now bad mouths me behind my back to anyone who will listen, trust me I know, I've been accosted by total strangers from her church ward, telling me what a cruel and horrible daughter I am to be so uncaring towards my mother. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that a simple definition of indifference doesn't really cut it. It's part of the love/hate process and one of the possible outcomes. You can love someone, you can hate someone or you can end up in the middle, no longer caring about someone you once loved and hated. I think you have to have either loved or hated someone, or at the very least at least cared about them even if only as a friend, to truly be indifferent to them. For example, I'm indifferent to most of the world, but that's only because I don't really know the people out there. It's not because I chose to be that way or our interactions resulted in my being 'indifferent' to them. It's only because I don't know them. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]Right now I'm playing [B]Final Fantasy XII[/B]. It's a mixture of really liking the game and yet feeling like they could have done so much more. The battle system is fun, the side quests are fun and the voice acting is fantastic. The biggest thing that's bothering me about it is the lack of a more comprehensive story. I've put in seventy hours and yet there's only been one to two hours of actual story... I hope I'm close to finishing the game since I'm getting tired of playing it.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Rachmaninoff']I got to thinking about this on account of some of the criticism I?ve heard towards the movie The Golden Compass, that criticism going along the lines of calling the film anti-Christian and that the theaters shouldn?t play it. Because as I have heard it said? that it?s basically a story where evil wins and they want to kill God. [/QUOTE]Well having seen the movie in question, I'm not sure what the fuss is about. Though I am not familiar with the Catholic religion so if any form of hints or symbolism was used, I would not have recognized it. Still, in the end, regardless of the views of the author, it is what's known as [I]fiction[/I]. So the the objections seem pointless in my mind. Anyway, in general, I strongly disapprove of censorship, not making choices, but the kind where there is no choice because content that is considered questionable by some has been removed. That's just wrong in my opinion. [quote name='The13thMan'][COLOR=DarkOrange][FONT=Century Gothic] It seems to me that most of us here agree to the main points at the heart of the debate. How boring...[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]Well it was bound to happen right? A debate where most of us share the same opinion. :p [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Lunox'][font="trebuchet ms"]Although I have to disagree with SunfallE's post, or at least question it. I thought that the creator's studio merely sold rights to companies, and don't actually get any say in how they're being edited. Like, I doubt One Piece's creator was there approving everything 4Kids did to it. But I do agree that a show isn't the fans' property. [/font][/QUOTE]I've heard both, for example Spirited Away, they refused to give the rights to a company unless they agreed to not edit it at all. But the main point is that the fans are not the one who determines just what is edited and what isn't. Also, it's still something that if they don't want it edited, they simply won't offer it up for being translated and released in another country. It might not be the original creator per se, but the studio's still sign that release for it to be produced, knowing that the American company is likely to make alterations.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Allamorph']:rolleyes: [FONT=Arial]Ya, leik, whenever I, leik, don't know what's on, leik, the telly, I leik, flip over to, leik, TV Guide 'cause they, leik, show, leik, what's playing on, leik, all the channels. Oh, for ? [I]*!!!!!!*[/I] You, my [I]dear[/I] fellow, get entirely too defensive entirely too easily. You're also being a bit selfish; stop hyperventilating and let me pick on [I]other people[/I]. 'Kay? :animesmil Otherwise I might start talking to you like Carol Channing. Or Stacy London. And I'd have an extraordinary amount of fun doing it. With smilies.[/FONT][/QUOTE]*ignores Allamorph* [spoiler]Yes you're talking to someone else, but seriously, you need to be ignored[/spoiler] :p[quote name='Lunox'][font="trebuchet ms"] Dude, I think he was saying "you're kidding me" about Raiha's comment on how no one else probably knew about [i]Sweeney Todd[/i]. Which was a pretty false comment, lol. [/font][/QUOTE]Not as false as you might think. Shows like this don't get much attention around here in a state that is painfully religious and literally encourages all members to never go to anything that is rated R. I didn't know about it and when I started talking about it to others I know, absolutely no one even knew what I was talking about. Now as interesting as it sounds, chances are I won't bother to see it. I don't care for this type of storyline or violence, even though I like Johnny Depp. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Humaru;800919]Everyone knows how to get in contact with some great anime whether it be classic or new styled. But some anime is getting too childish I think. Of course there are animes just for kids, such as Pokemon or Digimon but what about Naruto or Dragonball Z. These animes in their original forms are just plain great but when they get shown to kids all watered down...they lose the impact they should make on an individual. [/QUOTE]Does it matter? No matter what the show is, if it’s put on a channel meant for kids, it’s going to get edited to fit that format. It’s not like you can’t get some of these anime's in their original format. Like Naruto for instance, I’m pretty sure they are selling those in an uncut format as well at the stores. There’s no such thing as losing impact when you consider that they are trying to market it to an audience that is full of children. And there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to do that really. [quote name='Humaru'']I love Naruto as much as the next guy but Im tired of seeing 4 year olds going around here wearing bandanas with the leaf village symbol on them. At first, Im thinkin that wow...this anime is really impactful but then parents are completely clueless to the fact that their kids are watching an anime that has people getting theirs hearts punched out and heads knocked off. Im not against kids watching anime but Im just angry that kids are making watching anime more childish by the day. I ,for one, dont want some old person coming up to me and say that stuff is for kids when I have a Naruto or Dragonball Z manga in my hand because I'll tell them off. What do you guys think.[/quote]To be honest, I get tired of the silly rant on how anime is being watered down, on how it’s being ruined by the kids when the fact is that it’s the major companies who are doing the edits, the authors of said shows who are approving of the changes being made. Not the kids who are watching it. I can guarantee you that not one kid in America or any other country gets to tell the producers or companies like FUNimation how they should make the shows. Seriously, let the kids be kids and enjoy their watered down version of Naruto or any other anime show. Don't try to force them to enjoy the show as it was meant to be enjoyed since usually that's for someone who isn't a kid. In time, like any other kid, they'll grow up and then if they so choose they can rewatch them without the edits or the changes. But for now, it's silly to get upset or even think that the companies shouldn't be able to produce versions that reach a broader market than just the teens or adults it was originally meant for. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]I've got a fair number of games I haven't finished, not because they were necessarily bad, but because either I lost interest, got busy doing something else or they really were bad. Some, even though I haven't finished them, I do intend to actually do so at some point so I won't bother to list those games. [B]Final Fantasy:[/B] Every game in the series, even my current purchase of FFXII, which even though it's fun and I love the game play and the voice acting, it's reached the point where you have to put in absurd amounts of time getting stuff just to be able to buy weapons and armor. Net result, at the moment, I'm starting to lost interest in it real fast. A few others don't count since a few years ago my house was broken into and my ps2 and games were stolen, so FFVIII, VII and IX didn't get finished because I no longer have them. FFX and FFX-2 were just annoying and I choose to not finish them. [B].hack:[/B] Because like Rach said, the need to get four installments and then the endless repetitiveness in the form of them being dungeon crawlers... got old real fast so I quit playing it. [B]Baten Kaitos Origins:[/B] This is surprising really, I do like it, but I got busy and never went back to it. And what's sad is I beat the first one even though I didn't like it as much as I like this one. [B]Children of Mana:[/B] I got this because I loved the SNES Secret of Mana game. It was disappointing to find that it too was a dungeon crawler in a very unimaginative manner. I got tired of it rather quickly, even though the sprites and the graphics for the DS were cute. [B]Legend of Dragoon:[/B] In spite of being a fun game for an older ps1 format. The tedious aspect of hitting buttons in the right sequence just to pull a move off got on my nerves. Once the story reached the point where you had to do that a lot, I put it away and never took it out again. And once it was stolen, I never bothered to replace it. [B]Kingdom Hearts:[/B] I never finished the first one because I disliked the battle style and Sora was annoying as well. [B]Every Racing Game ever made:[/B] I just hate unlocking levels. I like playing it for fun but to actually earn the stuff? I just get annoyed since I have no interest in getting good enough to beat the stupid AI. In fact, like Rach, I traded in the few I had years ago and never made the mistake of wasting my money on another one. [B]Almost every Mario game for the NES: [/B]Well other than Super Mario Bro. 2. For some reason I was able to beat that game. The rest? Even though I spent hours playing them with my brother, I never managed to beat any of them other than the one I mentioned. [B]Xenosaga: [/B]After so many horribly long cut scenes, I lost interest and never finished the first one let alone get any of the other ones. I'm sure there are others, but those are the main ones that come to mind. There are a few that I couldn't beat the final boss of the game, but since overall I enjoyed it a lot and finished off a lot of the quests as well as the main storyline, I didn't list them since they are close enough that I consider them pretty much finished.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Neuvoxraiha'][COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"][LIST][*]Twenty dollars in cash in the obligatory red envelope. Muahahahaha! Vegas here I come![/LIST][/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]That reminds me of the times I've driven from California back home on Christmas Eve... It's amazing how many people from California you'll find on their way to Vegas for Christmas. Anyway, I had a good Christmas this year and that included getting some nice stuff. The nicest or rather the one thing I'm likely to use the most is a combination printer, scanner, copier that I was given to go with my new computer I got a few months ago. Then some other fun things were the Case Closed movie, the second season for Darkwing Duck, the second Phoenix Wright game for the DS, about $100 in gift certificates to play with and an adorable little stuffed reindeer. :catgirl: This does not include the Christmas Concert I went to earlier or the fact that my present to myself this year was new tires for my car. lol The concert was fantastic, but the tires? No new game consoles this season. XP Also, apparently my boyfriend has a surprise for me as well, but I won't find out about that until later when we get together to watch movies and take it easy. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Anomaly'][FONT="Georgia"]Haha, I feel bad, but I'm trying to find a party or a huge group of people to join onto so I can avoid spending New Years by myself with a particular friend who, unfortunately for him, has a crush on me. I like spending time with him and everything, but if we were alone I'm pretty sure he'd try to go in for the midnight kiss. GOD FORBID. So [I]hopefully[/I] we will find a party and I can avoid any and all awkward scenarios.[/FONT][/QUOTE]Heh, and here I'm hoping I'll end up with some time alone with my boyfriend for that midnight kiss... since it's likely the party we'll be going to will have quite a few friends around as well. lol Other than that I have no plans, just a get together with my boyfriend and friends is what it looks like I'll be doing this year. :catgirl:[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Panache']I was confused because he didn't directly ask a question. He asked what we thought of what he thought and I didn't understand what he thought the way he worded it. Now that indifference explained it to me I think I understand what he thinks but I might be wrong. Bah this is confusing as hell.[/QUOTE]Time for more confusion right? :p I kid. Anyway, I think Korey was talking more about the abstract aspect which requires leaving labels behind unless they are serving as an example. Like the one about someone claiming to like say rap when they personally don't but their friends do. The mainstream aspect of this would be that the music is liked by their friends. Being an individual or rather not suppressing their individuality would be for them to either one, actually like it or two willingly admit that they don't really care for it. A rather simplified version but the same principle just the same. Another perhaps more extreme would be suppression on a more national level. The government removing political views that they deem unacceptable and putting out materials of what is considered acceptable. A person who disagrees would be 'dealt' with if they were to actually speak out and say they disagree. You could use Hitler and world war two as an example here. The problem is making sure you are talking about a real lack of individualism instead of something that only appears to be that way. So what's currently mainstream or the labels are something you have to watch out for since it's the situation that determines if someone is fake, etc. I think the confusion comes mostly from tossing out actual labels since often as Crystia said, the first reaction is, I listen to that because I like it and that distracts from the general principle of mainstream vs individualism. I'm sure I'm not explaining it very well, but it's not something that is so easily explained. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]My views on love and hate... hmmm. [B]Love: [/B]That's a little hard to define since in general, there is very little that I truly love. There are things that I like and enjoy, but other that a handful of people I can't say that I love them. I just like them. It's a word that gets tossed around a lot and for the most part I think people don't think about how they use it out of context a lot. Though so long as you know what you mean, for the most part I think that's sort of a non-issue. [B]Hate:[/B] Now this is a word I just don't use or rather don't really mean. I hear people comment on how they hate things and yet I doubt that they truly hate someone or something. For one thing, the energy required to maintain the intense feelings of hatred are something I can't imagine doing. Even when something has happened or someone has annoyed me beyond my acceptance, once I'm no longer around them that feeling goes away. I can't imagine truly hating someone or something. Instead I just have people I don't like or things I don't care for. I think Vicky got it right in that love and hate are at the extreme end of the spectrum and what we feel is somewhere between those two and for myself, rarely is it at either end. Though I can say that there are more things that I genuinely love than I have ever hated.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Korey'][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]That's funny, because there is a theory called the "Spiral of Silence", where the exact opposite is true. For example, my Journalism professor (who ironcially enough, taugh us about this) was at a conference and they asked everyone in the crowd their opinion about a specific topic, and almost everyone unamously agreed with the subject, minus my teacher. He was the only one that disagreed. After the conference was over, he was approached by several others that said "I love what you said, and I totally agree". Thus the "Spiral of Silence". Sometimes people are afraid to veer from the norm in light of people judging them in a bad manner, so they stay "mainstream" (ugh this term stinks now...lol) in order to avoid such harsh judgements. Overall, even though some may say that I've already answered the question in my originial post....I think the topic was a complete success in the fact that it spurred discussion on this overall abstract concept. Like I said before....[/FONT][/QUOTE]I know what you are referring to and there's a movie or show I saw a long time ago about a professor attempting to help his students understand how someone like Hitler could have occurred. It basically went along the lines of him indicating there was some special group for teens all across the nation and very few students dared to even object to what seemed like an undue influence on others by the teacher. It's kind of sad that I don't remember the name of it, but I remember how it ended, with the teacher showing the students a clip of their national leader [spoiler]which by the way was a clip of none other than Hitler himself[/spoiler] I wish I could remember the name since it showcased people's reluctance to speak out for fear of reprisal or isolation from the majority, even though others agreed in a very powerful way. Anyway, I wouldn't say that you completely answered the question in your original post since obviously, there are different degrees or aspects of the theory behind mainstream vs individualism or rather situations to which you can apply and study it's effects. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Korey;800726][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]Mainstream: This is often used to describe a large mass of people who have similar tastes, whether it be in fashion, music....what have you. Some examples would be wearing Hollister clothes and listening to the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus or Good Charlotte of (insert popular band here). These people don't really tend to stray away from the norm, at least in theory anyways. [/FONT][/QUOTE]I would say that they don?t stray away from what is considered the norm perhaps in visual actions, but thoughts and feelings? Unless they truly do like mostly what is considered mainstream tastes then it?s likely that there are non mainstream tastes that they do have yet never openly acknowledge. Peer pressure is a pain, whether its to fit in with other kids or perhaps the expectations of whatever religion you were raised in. [quote name='Korey;800726][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]Indiviualism: People who strive to be "different" from others, by ways of fashion, musical tastes, etc. Goths, metal heads, and many niche groups tend to fall into this stereotype. These people are often persecuted (at least they think so) or looked in a lesser way, because of their choice to veer from the socially common value in place[B][I][U] at that time[/U][/I][/B'].[/FONT][/quote]Personally I think the desire to claim one is an individual is more of a fear that one has of not being seen for who they are. So in an effort to make sure others know they are ?different? they go off on a quest of only doing what isn?t considered mainstream just to prove a point. Even if they don?t even like the less popular or mainstream choices out there as far as music, clothing, etc. Unfortunately, that just leads to losing yourself anyway in my opinion.[QUOTE=Korey'][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]Now here's my thing about individualism and mainstream. First off, let's ditch those maudlin terms. There is no such thing as Mainstream or Indiviualism period. You cannot be totally similar to someone else, because you will differ in some way, no matter how minute (this stems particularly from your life experiences and choices), so the term mainstream should really be called "Popular for the Masses". Individualism is a really old, cliche term too. You aren't gonna be totally different, because somewhere, at sometime...someone came up with the same ideas as you. You tend to hang out with people of similar tastes right? How is that being an individual if you want to be part of a group? This means you go with the mainstream of that particular niche group. Soooooo...basically, in my own humble opinon. Everyone is mainstream in some way, every one is and individual. It's really a balancing act, there is no one extreme or the other. What do you think?[/FONT][/QUOTE]For the most part I agree with what you are saying here since like a few have said, it?s not so much whether something is considered mainstream but rather whether or not you are making your own choices as to what you like or enjoy, regardless of whether or not something is popular. Though in all honesty, when I think of individualism I think of self-reliance and personal independence instead of whether or not my taste in music is considered mainstream or not. lol In the end I think it's almost a pointless debate or topic in the sense that if you already do things based on what you really like or feel; being considered mainstream or an individual is rather meaningless because all that matters is being yourself and leaving the labels behind. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]No worries, I know that people have been busy with school and most likely with the upcoming holiday as well. ^_~ So there's no need to apologize for the delay. Everyone just be sure to have a good Christmas next week and then once that's said and done I'll get any changes or new objectives out to those who need it. Though with new years coming up shortly as well, there's no rush to get things done. Just have fun everyone. :catgirl:[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]Jason could tell that Celestia was depressed and fighting to shake it off as she did her best to catch up for the work she had struggled to do the week prior to the invasion of sector seven. Even though it had only been a few days since they had been dressed down by Sub-Commander Drace, it felt like an eternity. And part of him kept expecting stricter punishment, for someone to show up and take them away to be disciplined, after all they had been [I]corrected[/I] for less than that in the past. Not that he was going to point that out to anyone. Nor was he going to say anything about why the woman with Drace puzzled him a bit, or rather that she reminded him of Crystal for some reason, though he didn?t know why. Shaking his head Jason focused on finishing up what they had for the day, the revised program for the update system was almost done and though they wouldn?t have time to get it finished that day he was certain they would have it done before they arrived in sector eight. He was wondering what they would be assigned to do next when Celestia?s sharp intake of breath caught his attention, causing him to turn to her to see just what was wrong. Though there were plenty of things that could be responsible. The rumors were certainly circulating around the [I]Creator[/I], from one about Jared conducting an interrogation to the more startling one of Sub-Commander Drace being in disfavor with Commodore Sandra Luciana. And the last thing Jason wanted to do was run into the Sub-Commander if he really was angry. ?[B]What is it Celestia?[/B]? He asked her softly as he prepared to shut down his terminal for the day. ?[B]I?ll tell you when we get back to our quarters.[/B]? She replied, refusing to look at him, making Jason wonder just what in the world was so startling that she wouldn?t talk about it in the computer lab. But then considering that Kenath had been disappointed that they had not been strongly disciplined, something he had commented on, snidely stating how if not for the High Council the two of them would have been dealt with in a more appropriate manner. Jason was not surprised that she was refusing to say anything. If anything, since their encounter with Drace she had been far more guarded and quiet and though she might cry from frustration in their quarters, she was deathly silent during the day. It was a development that was both good and bad. Good because getting upset only resulted in them getting in trouble, and bad since it bothered Jason immensely that they were required to behave. Though that was nothing new and as always for a brief moment he wondered how any slave managed to continue working without going insane. Celestia finished up what she was doing and then took herself and Jason back to their quarters, carefully holding in what she had just discovered by sheer accident. It was late enough that she could get away with saying nothing to Kenath since he was already gone for the night and she could rightfully claim that she wanted to verify what she had discovered before saying anything to him. But more importantly she wanted to talk to Jason about it and have him verify it as well, though she doubted that she was mistaken. Though she wished that she was since it presented a horrible dilemma, one that she wished she had never discovered. ?[B]Alright,[/B]? Jason said once the door to their quarters closed and locked behind them. ?[B]Just what was so important that you couldn?t speak openly about it in the computer lab?[/B]? Celestia turned to face him, ?[B]There?s an exploit in the main computer system, a way to bypass the security for just about anything.[/B]? She rocked a bit when Jason grabbed her shoulders. ?[B]Are you sure about that?[/B]? Celestia nodded. ?[B]I spent the last hour confirming it. Jason, I tested it and it let me into anything I wanted to access. I?d have to look further into it, but it?s possible that it was set up by someone working for the Resistance.[/B]? ?[B]Damn![/B]? Jason swore as he let go of her shoulders. ?[B]No wonder you didn?t say anything in the lab! Hell![/B]? He started to pace and then stopped himself. ?[B]Would anyone be able to tell that you discovered it?[/B]? Celestia shook her head, ?[B]I don?t know, considering how messed up the program for the update system was it?s likely that no one knows about it. And it?s designed to erase any traces of the system being accessed, even at the higher levels.[/B]? She looked at him with a worried expression. ?[B]What should we do? If there is currently a Resistance agent on board, if I reveal it to Kenath I will have no choice but to alter it to trace whoever is using it.?[/B] Celestia sat down on the sofa in their quarters, leaning over and placing her head in her hands. ?[B]I don?t know if I can do that Jason, willingly track down someone who works for the Resistance.?[/B] She said with a tremor in her voice, causing Jason to come over and sit down next to her, placing his arm around her in a comforting manner. ?[B]Then don?t.[/B]? He said, pulling her close as she started to object, hugging her tightly. ?[B]Just leave it alone.[/B]? ?[B]But?[/B]? ?[B]If it?s brought up, I?ll take care of tracking down who set it up or whoever is using it.[/B]? He sighed a bit. "[B]It's not like I couldn't do it after all.[/B]" Celestia pushed Jason away, ?[B]But you can?t do that! You know what will happen if they?re caught![/B]? Jason smiled sadly. ?[B]I know what will happen if I don?t.?[/B] Celestia choked and then threw herself into his arms and cried. ?[B]It?s not fair! It?s bad enough that we have to help them win this war so they can keep us enslaved, but to actually?[/B]? Jason held her tightly. ?[B]Don?t worry over it, besides, it?s possible that no one else will even realize that it?s there so it may never be brought up.[/B]? He gently pushed her back just enough to kiss her on the forehead. ?[B]Just let me deal with it should someone notice it okay?[/B]? He waited for her to nod and then just held her for a while. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]It would really depend on the situation as to whether or not I would help someone. The flat tire deal is something I most likely would, especially in a case like you described Rach. Because changing a tire really is pretty easy to do if you have the right equipment. Now for other issues like a drunk, if it was someone I knew I'd take their keys from them, I've done it before. Now, if it was a complete stranger, if they actually drove off in that condition, I'd call the police and let them deal with it. Helping someone on the road who is stuck or in a car accident is something that unless the cops are already there, I usually stop and do something. It's kind of habit since I got use to doing that when I was a truck driver. I mean if you see an accident, you have to stop and wait to report it to the police. XP I don't have to now that I don't drive a semi anymore, but like I said, it's kind of a habit that I got use to doing and stopping in a car is easy. lol I've never run into a crying kid in the store who was actually alone, but I suppose if I did I'd probably alert an employee there so they could see that it was taken care of. For the most part, if it's something that takes little effort on my part I'll do something. Because like DEM just mentioned with his dad, that sort of thing almost always comes back in the form of others helping you out. Which is always appreciated. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][B]Ability:[/B] [U]Cleansing Tempest[/U]. Gives the wielder the ability to control the air within a radius around their body, creating a powerful cyclone. [CENTER]***********************[/CENTER] [I]You?ve got to stop running Sandra! [/I] [I]Don?t you think I know that?[/I] She snarled back at the pink stone. [I]Sena?s toying with us, he could have finished me off the first time he got close.[/I] Sandra turned her attention back to Sena as she readied her barrier to stop the slivers of darkness that he sent flying her way, wincing as they impacted on her barrier in a shower of sparks. It was a tactic to wear her down and nothing more since unlike Lust and Greed, Sena, the bearer of the stone of destruction, was not coming after her in full force. [I]He?s over confident, I need to take advantage of that, let him think that he is winning.[/I] Though it wouldn't be too hard since at the moment, he was. Sandra took a couple of steps back, readying her next move as Sena came after her at a dead run. She ignored everything, focusing on his eyes, waiting for an indication that he was about to strike. He was less than twenty feet from her when she saw his eyes narrow a bit in concentration. Sandra didn?t give him a chance to attack as she drew on the power of the stone and imagined the air about her moving in a swift circular motion like the stone had taught her. Within mere seconds a sharp crack was heard as the air whipped around her, tugging at her clothing and hair even though she was in the center of the storm. Sena was slammed sideways, into a row of chairs, his next shot of the electrical energy going wild, streaking past her to the right before it hit a group of chairs, causing them to explode and send debris flying. Debris that was quickly caught up in the cyclone of air flowing around Sandra, mercilessly slamming into Sena, knocking him over several times as he pulled back and out of range of the storm surging all around her. ?[B]Much better,[/B]? he purred at her as he wiped some blood off of his face where some of the debris had cut him. ?[B]I was beginning to worry that you were going to disappoint me.[/B]? Sandra ignored his taunts as this time she started heading towards where he was instead of running, taking it one step at a time, the cyclone of air tearing apart chairs, ripping them free from where they were bolted to the cement. Then with a flick of her right wrist she launched the light of judgment. Sena moved to dodge and then halted in surprise when instead of heading towards him they flew to the outer edge of the storm and settled along the edge, tearing through the cement as they slowly worked downwards, driven by the force of the storm. Sena attempted to launch an attack but the dark energy was deflected by the force of the storm surrounding Sandra. Seconds later, with an even louder boom, the section Sandra was on collapsed, falling into the darkness of the structure below, the storm dying instantly. Without hesitation, Sena moved forward to the edge of the jagged hole, looking down into the darkness, but nothing could be seen. He stood there for a few seconds and then stepped off and leapt into the darkness and vanished. [I]What do you hope to achieve? [/I]The pink stone asked Sandra as she stood up from behind the chair she had ducked behind. [I]It won?t take him long to realize that you aren?t down there. [/I] Sandra sighed a bit before answering. [I]I would have thought it was obvious, even though that last attack of his only clipped me? [/I]Sandra stopped as the stone realized what she was saying. All she was doing was buying a little time to figure out just how in the world she was going to defeat him. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Arial]Ya, I know. I just like makin' a big deal out of little stuff. I still don't approve. :p[/FONT][/QUOTE]At least you admit it. :p But other than that... I could care less really. And like Lunox said, it doesn't even smell good. Coincidence or not, I don't think it matters. The L won't make the product any better or more appealing. lol[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]Alright, I have posted. XP Cyrstia and I worked out a few details so she will be the one to follow up on what Lucia started with her communicator. Oh and the bit with Astera messing with the little vampire girl was her idea. :p[/FONT][/COLOR]

Lucia stood back a bit as Adrian moved to engage the Count, pulling out her Crystal Communicator and using precious seconds to start a new program she had written but hadn't used yet. There hadn't been a situation where she could, but now? she set it in motion and then quickly put it away. It would let her know when or if it was able to gather the information she needed. Until then dealing with the Count and his speed which was similar to theirs was going to take all of her concentration and then some. "Are you ready Alex?" She queried as she watched Adrian and the Count, focusing on watching his reaction time and how he moved. "It doesn't matter." He looked directly at her. ?I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that with that kind of speed, Ruby and Nall would be better off steering clear, they aren't exactly graceful or very quick.? "I heard that you twit." Ruby growled. "Even if we aren't as quick our true form is far tougher than yours." "No, he's right. For now, both of you steer clear and wait for the right moment to strike." "Fine!" Ruby took off in a huff and went over to join Astera who was over by the little vampire girl, a moment later Nall did the same. Both of them looked at one another and then took off to join Adrian who was already attempting to pin the Count down to finish him off. But he was quick, far more than any vampire or creature that any of them had faced and to Lucia?s eyes, it was clear that Alex was already moving slower as a result of the injury he had sustained. A fact that as they attempted to strike the Count, was mercilessly exploited by him, forcing both Lucia and Adrian to be on the defensive a bit. She was beginning to wonder if they would be able to stop him without Aeru's help when a sudden blast of the energy the Count had used to curse them, forced the three to dodge the attack, leaving him open to shout at Nevril to come to her master's aid. But to everyone?s surprise, she simply stared forward, ignoring the Count. "Get over here!" The Count demanded as he gracefully sidestepped Adrian?s downward cut, ignoring the sparks that flew from his scythes hitting the stone floor. Angered he started to move towards Aeru and stopped incredulously when of all things, Astera laughed at him in her tiny shrill voice. "Shes not listening!" She cried triumphantly. "You're not the only one who can use magic loser!" Furious the Count gathered the energy in a ball, hurling it at the group but Aeru knocked it to the side with a laugh, leaving the Count no choice but to retreat a bit when the others converged on his location. "You can't break the ties between vampires." He hissed with fury. "I can cloud them, any fairy can." Astera smirked. "What's the matter? Afraid to face the others? Are you saying you need to hide behind a child to win?? She laughed mockingly at him and then chastised the others who were watching. "Dont just stand there looking stupid! Take care of that bastard!" With a tiny shake of her head Lucia turned back to dealing with the Count, she could sort out what Astera said later. Fairy or not, to the best of her knowledge, Astera had never once done anything to indicate that she was anything more than just a companion for Adrian. After all familiars were not chosen based on ability but rather on suitability for their intended partners. Though as she got a glimpse of Nall and Ruby who were hovering close to the little vampire, it was clear from their expression that they were not surprised. Interesting.

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"][CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/alexanderedward-chronicle.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/alecialeanna-chronicle.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/harrison-chronicle.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/victoriaann-chronicle.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] It had been no surprise to Alecia that Macey had collapsed earlier that evening. Considering all that had happened it was a wonder she was unharmed. As the day wore on, it became increasingly obvious that no one was interested in talking or rather Alecia was finding herself too tired to pay attention to what little was being said. Between missing lunch and the stress of work on top of worrying over whether or not her grandfather was alright, even though she knew she needed to have something, she simply had no appetite. All of them were still in the dinning hall and Alexander leaned over to whisper to Alecia. "[B]Perhaps it would be best if we went home, you're looking rather worn out.[/B]" "[B]I can't do that.[/B]" Alecia objected. "[B]Why not? Sitting here fretting over what happened won't make things any better. You've had a stressful day as well.[/B]" He took her hand in his squeezing it gently. "[B]You won't be able to help anyone if you don't take care of yourself.[/B]" Alecia started to object and then changed her mind. He was right after all, she was tired. Nothing like the others of course but still, as a Potionist she knew just how important it was to see to one's own health. With a nod she got up and said her goodbyes to the others before her and Alexander made for the main gate to Rosengard. "[B]Alecia! Alexander![/B]" A voice called out just as they were about to leave the Estate. They stopped and Alecia turned just in time for Victoria Ann to catch her in a hug before letting go and looking up at her with a disappointed expression on her small face. "[B]You're not staying for dinner?[/B]" She pouted a bit when Alecia shook her head. "[B]You never stay for dinner anymore.[/B]" "[B]No one wants to listen to you talk nonstop pest.[/B]" Harrison said from where he was leaning against the open door leading into the wing where his and Victoria Ann's room was located, his expression unreadable. Victoria turned to face him, placing her hands on her hips, "[B]I am not a pest.[/B]" She narrowed her eyes, "[B]Besides you called me by my name earlier today, have you forgotten it already bird brain?[/B]" Alecia looked up to see Harrison turn slightly red before he made a flustered comment about stupid pests and turned and stalked off into the Estate. She looked back down at Victoria who sighed much in the same way that Dame Anna often did. Alecia carefully hid a smile when Victoria turned back to face her. "[B]You heard about what happened right?[/B]" She waited for Alecia to nod before turning to Alexander with a look of expectation. "[B]You're going to find grandfather, right?[/B]" Alexander hunched down until he was speaking to her at the same level, "[B]We'll certainly do our best to find everyone who has gone missing.[/B]" "[B]Thank you.[/B]" Victoria gave him a hug as well and then let go and took off, back into the same door Harrison had just used, pausing at the door to turn and wave before shutting it behind her. "[B]I certainly do hope they find him.[/B]" Alecia started walking down the street towards their home, leaning into Alexander when he put his arm around her shoulders. "[B]I can understand why people want things to change, but violence doesn't solve anything.[/B]" Alexander sighed a bit. "[B]In all honesty, I'm not sure about finding the missing Alchemists. I haven't been assigned to any of the cases so I don't know if they've made any real progress or not.[/B]" Alecia could sense his frustration at not being able to reassure her. "[B]It's alright Alex. I know that you aren't privy to what's going on.[/B]" She smiled at him or rather she tried to. "[B]I'm sure the guard assigned to the task will keep us updated as to their progress.[/B]" He answered her by squeezing her shoulders as they continued towards their home.[/FONT][/COLOR]