Aaryanna

[COLOR=SeaGreen][quote name='indifference][COLOR=DeepSkyBlue] I also agree with your mom, the way Briana bossed him around was perfect. It really fit with how I pictured her from the first chapter. [/COLOR][/QUOTE]Hehe, thanks. She?s supposed to be a bit on the forward and bossy side even for her race. ^_^ [QUOTE=Ikillion][COLOR=#234d8a][SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS] However it is from this same thing that I have a feeling that Briana may bee one of those princess trapped alone in the castle as the whole world changes around her. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]Well?yes and no, she is different, but not in that type of manner. I think the next chapter will help to explain that a little better. [QUOTE=Ikillion][COLOR=#234d8a][SIZE=1][FONT=Comic Sans MS] Beware the Bichon Frise.[/FONT][/SIZE'][/COLOR][/quote]Hehe, ^_~ I figured that if the guardians in my story were going to have familiar spirits that I might as well have mine disguise herself as a Bichon Frise, though I suppose on that level it made me a bit predictable. Anyway, thanks for reading everyone and for the comments and tips. ^_^ [CENTER][IMG]http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/3742/theemeraldguardianbanner03vo6.jpg[/IMG] [/CENTER] Briana didn?t waste any time, the moment the human?s attention was elsewhere she wrapped herself within the protective magic of a forest guardian and with a deft mental twist she along with her familiar spirit Aries were off. She did not bother to look back as she knew that a human who lacked magic would not be able to see her anymore now that she was cloaked within her magic. Swiftly and surely as only a guardian could she followed the trail that the human had been using. Unless she was quick the traces from the trap he had fallen into would already be gone. Aries followed her without a word. She too had sensed the dark magic that had infected the human. Briana had cleansed the taint, but unless another human with excellent magical skills had checked his wound it would have gone undiscovered. And most healers lacked that kind of power. For such a thing to be present meant that just as Briana had suspected, a Dark Lord was most likely behind it. If both Mersis and Drasis had found other traps it would certainly explain why they disappeared. If a Dark Lord was on the move again the last thing he or she would want is to draw the attention of the Forest Guardians. [I]I wonder if they are still alive?[/I] She thought. The last time those of her world had dealt with a Dark Lord had been several hundred years ago. Long before Briana was born. But when she was accepted to become a guardian, she had studied the history woven into the dreamer rolls. Enchanted with magic they contained the memories and experiences of previous Forest Guardians. They had defeated the Dark Lord, but at a terrible price, many guardians and humans had perished in the struggle. When Briana arrived at the location where the trap had been she found that she was too late. Only the residue of lingering pain from the human being hurt remained. And only a tiny hint of dark magic that was fading indicated that the Dark Lord or their servants had most likely removed any traces of the trap. Within a few minutes even that faded and careful searching of the area by both Briana and Aries turned up nothing more than some disturbances caused by the movement of the human she had helped. ?[B]We need to report this to the elders immediately.[/B]? Aries said. ?[B]I know, we can ask the next guardian to check the part of our patrol that we missed.[/B]? Briana said. Without another word both of them traveled to the point where the two worlds connected. The wooded area they came too seemed no different than any other place but when Briana and Aries entered the area a ripple in the air seemed to form in the center of the small clearing. Without hesitation both Briana and Aries entered the doorway and the air shifted a bit before returning to normal leaving the tiny clearing empty. ?[B]You?re back early.[/B]? A voice said from behind Briana. She turned around to see another forest guardian with his familiar spirit already in human form preparing to enter the portal she had just come from. ?[B]I need to report something important to the elders.[/B]? Briana said. ?[B]Could you please check the last segment of my area for me? I would not ask if it were not important.[/B]? ?[B]So long as you promise to tell me why when I am done.[/B]? The other guardian replied. He didn?t wait for a response but simply left through the portal along with his familiar spirit. Briana waited until he was gone before extending her shimmering wings and picking up Aries before taking flight. Every time Briana flew among the huge Shiria trees that were their homes when she returned from the human world, she was struck by how destructive the humans with their lack of magic really were. They destroyed the trees in their forests to make their homes but her race used magic to influence the growth of the trees to make enclosures inside the trees like bubbles of air in water. Similar to the nests of birds they would weave and grow and create anything they needed to live inside the nearly round dwellings only accessible by a small hole just big enough to fly inside. Each tree was fully big enough to support over ten dwellings and many of the dwellings were large enough to easily support families as large as six members. Everywhere you looked it was green with leaves, vines and flowers. On the ground there were others busy with some type of work, either preparing food, cleaning or children giggling as they flew among the trees playing silly games of tag. There were those who were being trained depending on their abilities and off in the distance Briana could see others playing in the special hot springs that had been carefully made to cascade down upon a gentle hill just outside the main trees where the homes were. Each spring drained into the one below it, some were hotter than others. There were also pools carefully enclosed in greenery to provide privacy for adults who were interested in more than just bathing and shallow pools at the very bottom of the hill exclusively for the smallest children so that they too could enjoy playing in the springs. Magic was at work in keeping the water flowing evenly and the temperature for the pools just right and at the very bottom of the pools before the water entered the stream that flowed through the valley, magic cleansed any impurities that occurred due to those who washed or played in the pools so that plant and animal life would be unaffected. Briana turned her attention back towards her destination. As much as she wanted to bathe to get rid of any lingering taint from the polluted air of the human world, her report came first. In the center of the huge valley surrounded by lush green mountains was an enormous Shiria tree. Hundreds of feet wide at the base it easy dwarfed the other trees in the area. Briana headed for the top most section, as it was the chamber where the Elders would be. Unlike the other trees, this one was so huge that it had close to twenty different dwellings, all of them dedicated to the government of their world. Some took care of those who grew the food, where others were responsible for overseeing the training and schooling of the children. It was here that everyone came to be measured and assigned to the area their inner magic was most suited for. As much as she would like to return to her regular form before reporting to the Elders she was still on duty and the last time she had changed back before reporting, even though she was back in her own realm she had been lectured about staying in human form should she need to quickly return to the human world. Briana continued to fly among the giant Shiria trees tightly holding Aries. She was deep in thought as she effortlessly flew among the giant branches. It was rather annoying that she had to stay in her human form since Briana was unusual compared to other guardians in that her magical abilities were quite strong. Unlike humans whose internal ability at magic was rather limited, those of the guardian world were magical in nature. One was only limited in what they could do by their own inner strength. Most humans other than small magic?s were dependant upon the flow of magic in their world. It could be found almost anywhere, in the air, the water, the trees, all living things gave off magical energy and only those who were mages among the humans were skilled at gathering this energy to use as their own. Most of them lacked this ability. Guardians could also use this energy, but they did not need it as such magic came from within themselves. They still learned how to harness and use this power as part of their training. After all if they did not understand it they would not know how to counter it and humans were known for striking first and asking questions after the damage was done. Briana sighed to herself. Her magic was strong enough that changing forms was as easy as breathing, but the Elders did not care. The one time she had pointed this out she had been lectured about lacking the maturity to understand the need to not use one?s magic recklessly. With a sigh of exasperation Briana landed just inside the opening to the Elder?s chamber. Carefully she set Aries down on the floor. As soon as her report was done, she could finally go and get cleaned up. Now if she could just get some answers in regards to the disappearance of Mersis and Drasis. Surely the Elders knew something of their whereabouts. She hurried as fast as she dared without appearing disrespectful. Briana wrinkled her nose in distaste as she could still smell the pollution from the human world on her skin and clothing. [I]I definitely need a bath[/I]. She thought to herself.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][quote name='indifference][COLOR=DeepSkyBlue']Take Ria, she?s looking to be quite the mean character, but on some level I don?t see what makes her tick. Though I suppose that later you might be explaining that. [/COLOR][/quote]I think she meant to say Sophie since I was kind of thinking the same thing. ^_^ Still I am enjoying it. I don't really care for the sex in it, but that's just a personal preference since it does on some level make the story seem more realistic. Though it seems to me that Sophie's sister got over her shock and went into things a little to quickly. I figured she'd be upset for a lot longer. Anyway, keep up the good work. ^_^[/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][quote name='AnimeHeroX']I don't think so at least you can get through a manga. a friend of mine from school is still tring to get through war and peace. and at least a manga doesn't take a lifetime to get throught. sure the story are as boring or exciting in some novels. but at least your never bored with a manga. the thrill goes away on a novel and after you finish it once most likely. you won't want to read it again. :animesigh[/quote]If you are losing the thrill after reading a novel, then you just haven't found the right one yet. ^_~ The really good ones you find yourself reading again and again. As for Manga being more shallow...On some level I agree. Only because I'm more use to reading books that don't have pictures than ones that do. But even then some of them the story is more alive and vibrant because of the pictures so the lack of words is hardly noticable. One I'm thinking of is Earthian. Even though it was mostly pictures, it still had a fairly involved plot and the artwork was beautiful. I enjoyed it so much that I'm reading it again to pick up on any thing I might have missed the first time through. ^_^[/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][QUOTE=Sojiro47]I hate High School, but as ages go, I like being a teen more than a kid. I'm going with choice two. Would you rather die at the hands of a complete stranger? Or... Would you perfer to die at the hands of your best friend?[/QUOTE]I would choose a complete stranger as I wouldn?t want my friend to live with the guilt of having killed me. Sure they will still be sad that I am gone, but I think it would haunt them if they had done it themselves. And now that I?ve said the word ?haunt? I have to create a choice involving something along those lines! So? [B]Would you rather be a ghost cursed to be stuck in a huge mansion but you would get to have fun haunting the people who tried to live there.[/B] Or? [B]Would you rather be a ghost hunter, but be stuck in a world where you are the only one who knows about ghosts and the regular people keep trying to put you in an insane asylum? [/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen]Right now? I'd like to have a DS Lite. I've been wanting one since they came out. But my gamecube died last fall so I got a new one for Christmas and I finally got a Playstation 2 for my birthday. So I guess I can't complain too much right? And besides, there's still this Christmas, it just seems so far away. But oh to have one and to race Des and other members. That would be awesome. ^_^[/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][quote name='Aaryanna_Mom']As for the next chapter. Although it was easy enough to read, the flow of the sentences in a few places feels a little choppy as if they were just placed together. [/quote]Now that she mentions it, I agree. I didin't notice it before but I think she's right. It's nothing too serious, but a little bit of rewording would probably help. I'll be over later today if you'd like me to go over it with you. [quote name='Aaryanna_Mom'] Now as for this part, you have now definitely gotten my interest. I guess it?s because of where I live, but I?m too use to expecting the girl to be the one who is harassed. I know, it?s the LDS upbringing that ignores anything involving same sex relationships. I?ve never doubted that they have issues with stalkers etc. I?m just not use to hearing about it. Now I feel guilty for looking forward to what happens to poor Jason in regards to this character. :animeblus Or perhaps a bit embarrased. :animesigh (you know, these little smilies are rather cute :animesmil )[/quote]You know I'm never going to let you forget this statement right? Mwahahahahahahahaha! I've only been trying to get you interested in stories like this for what seems like forever! :p Even with knowing what happens I too am looking foward to it. And just one subtle hint for you SunfallE....[spoiler]WRITE THE NEXT PART WHERE A CERTAIN CHARACTER DIES ALREADY![/spoiler] :p [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][quote name='Tical Blue']This chapter was pretty good, once again it stands beside a few cliches but your writing is just fine and you seem to have a pretty fair story coming along. One thing you should definetally note, when someone is thinking, put their thoughts in italic, otherwise it looks like your just writing normal and its a bit confusing ^^;;[/quote]Thanks again for your input. ^_^ I didn't think to separate his actual thoughts from the descriptions of how he was feeling and thinking. Now that I look at it again, you're right it is confusing. So I went back and changed it so I hope it's less confusing this time around. ^_^ I'll be sure to remember to do that in the future.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][quote name='Tical Blue]Hai, normally I am not much of a fan of this sort of fantasy tale, but then again your story has only just begun and so far it's pretty good. I like how Brirana seems to be rather annoyed by her current position. I've seen scenes quite like this before where a spirit will be disguised as a girl and help a wanderer in need, but I think this is the first time she's been helping him just to keep him from contaminating the water. Not bad, though I don't think I can rightfully judge it until I've seen more.[/QUOTE]Thank you for the input. ^_^ It?s the first time I?ve written my own story so I?ve been worried that I would end up being overly influenced by everything I?ve already read or seen. I?m sure you already know as you have written stories yourself, but it?s turning out to be much harder than I thought. It seemed so much easier when I wrote the outline for it down. But to actually write the chapters, it's far more time consuming. [QUOTE=Aaryanna_Mom'] If you need any help with proofreading just ask and I?ll take a look. I may not have attended school since before you were born, but I can still spot typos and such. ;)[/quote]Only if you promise to not be shocked by what your little girl is writing Mom. :p [QUOTE=indifference][COLOR=DeepSkyBlue]I love fantasy and so far I think you have a pretty good start for your story. I like how Briana is upset over being required to dress and look like a human and the distain displayed by her familiar spirit over being mistaken as a hyper poodle is quite hilarious. I also like how Briana is annoyed over needing to help a human to avoid contamination of the water instead out of a desire to help him because he is actually hurt. Anyway, the only thing I see wrong is a tiny typo here where you used the word that instead of than before the 'your own skin'Anyway, I look forward to seeing more of your story. :)[/COLOR][/QUOTE]Thanks for your input and the tip on the typo indifference. Hehe, word isn?t very good at catching words that are the wrong one but spelled correctly. Anyway, here's the next chapter. ^_^ [CENTER][IMG]http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8431/theemeraldguardianbanner02ex3.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Alan paused for a moment, sitting down on a huge fallen tree trunk. Carefully he checked the blood soaked bandages on his right leg. He would need to change them soon or he would be leaving a trail of blood. Alan sighed. It was his own fault that he had gotten hurt. He had fallen into the habit of using game trails instead of sticking to the main road when heading out for work. Alan had thought nothing of it since the road did not go straight through but instead swung out to avoid some of the small hills in the area. It made travel easier for the merchants, but for someone like him it meant unnecessary time wasted when following the game trails was so much quicker. Alan had been traveling the same game trail for months and in all that time he had never encountered any traps. But then trappers often switched from section to section when hunting to avoid over trapping an area. With a sigh he picked up his pack and continued on his way. There was a small pond up ahead where he could clean the wound and re-bandage it. At least he was already done for the day and once his wound was treated, even though it was minor he would surely be allowed a day or two off in order to recover. Even if a healer used a touch of magic to ensure the wound did not become worse, everyone knew that a wound needed time to recover before returning to work. More importantly he hoped the trapper wouldn?t be too upset, as he had needed to cut his way free. Especially since he was not suppose to be traveling through the woods in the first place. His parents, his master and the town governor had clearly stated that traveling in the woods was forbidden for children and apprentices unless an adult accompanied them. No, he would not only get the lecture of his life, but he would probably be required to pay for replacing the trap he had destroyed. It made no sense to Alan, sure he could understand how little children would get lost, but someone like him who was almost a man? Everyone whispered of dark magic and dangerous creatures, but other than the simple magic performed by the town healer or his mother as she used her tiny bit of magic around the house, he had never seen any form of ?dark? magic. [I]It?s probably just an old wives tale[/I], Alan thought to himself. The people of the village were certainly superstitious enough. Sure there were strange creatures in the woods, but that was hardly proof that there were dark lords. Or that there were forest spirits as well. Somehow he just couldn?t bring himself to believe that magical creatures with pointed ears, slender bodies and shimmering wings really existed. The last time someone claimed that they had seen one was several hundred years ago! And the pictures that were drawn of them well they were laughable at best. Alan shook his head and continued limping down the path, so lost in thought that he practically jumped out of his skin when he heard a growling sound in front of him. With a start he stopped dead in his tracks, his heart pounding as he was certain the smell of blood had attracted something. With yet another start he looked up to see a girl dressed in a green dress of the finest fabric sitting on a moss covered rock next to the pool. And though he was relieved to realize that the growling sound was coming from the little white dog sitting next to her, he was horrified at the thought of being caught trespassing on a noble?s estate! [I]I?m in for it now![/I] He thought. Alan had known that a lot of the land belonged to different estates, but his education did not include studying maps of the area. Maps were expensive to produce and therefore not something a mere apprentice would have. Unless he was required to travel more than a days walk he was expected to follow the roads. Alan started to apologize but the girl interrupted him. ?[B]Sit down.[/B]? She commanded him indicating another rock close to where he was. Startled by her forwardness Alan set his pack down next to the rock and took a seat. Once he was seated the girl continued. ?[B]You were planning on washing your wound in the pond weren?t you?[/B]? She said accusingly. Alan opened his mouth to respond and then clamped it shut at her angry expression. ?[B]I thought so,[/B]? she said her eyes flashing with anger. ?[B]Don?t you know that doing so will contaminate the water? Even a child would know better.[/B]? Speechless Alan watched as she got up and walked over to where he was sitting. He watched as she took the container for water from his pack and went and filled it with water from the pond before returning to where he sat. ?[B]What are you waiting for?[/B]? She demanded when she returned. ?[B]You do have a medical kit don?t you? I?m going to need it to re-dress that wound of yours.[/B]? ?[B]Uh..Yes my lady,[/B]? Alan stammered as he reached into his pack to retrieve the medical kit. Before he could offer it to her, she knelt in front of him and reached out and took it from him. Alan watched as she quickly undid the bandage, cleaned the wound and to his surprise she applied the necessary healing to help the wound heal properly. [I] No wonder she knows about the water![/I] He thought. [I]She must be a healer![/I] Within a matter of minutes she was finished. Then to Alan?s surprise she took the water and carefully poured it where it wouldn?t get back into the pond. Then she handed him the medical kit and walked back over to where her dog had calmly sat the entire time. Faced with her angry eyes on him Alan felt himself blush hotly. With the surprise of her being there and helping him fading he realized just how beautiful she was. With her heart shaped face, reddish brown hair and eyes so green that they looked like jewels, she was easily the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. ?[B]What are you waiting for?[/B]? She demanded when he did not move. ?[B]If you don?t hurry it will be dark before you get home.[/B]? ?[B]Yes my lady,[/B]? Alan stammered as he got up. ?[B]Thank you for your help.[/B]? He bent over to pick up his pack and when he looked up again she was gone. [I]What the hell?[/I] He thought.[I] I didn?t even hear her leave![/I] Alan looked down at the bandage as if to reassure himself that he hadn?t imagined what had just happened. It was obvious she had known what she was doing. It was as neatly done and dressed as the work he had seen done by other healers. [I]I guess that explains why she was in the woods[/I] he thought. Even though she has seemed no older than say fifteen years old, it was obvious she knew what she was doing. She probably already had full healer status. Giving her the right to be in the woods alone. [I]I wonder what her name was?[/I] He wondered as he left the pond and continued towards the village.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen]Only about one show that I can actually remember. I had just finished watching the uncut version of Sailor Moon. I had borrowed the set from one of my friends and literally spent a week watching it every chance I got. By the time I got to the end of the disks she loaned me I started having dreams where I was Sailor Moon and I was using the special attacks from the show to clobber criminals. It was kind of weird since I dreamed the same type of dream several nights in a row. Even though I was suppose to be Sailor Moon in my dream I often used attacks from different characters in the show. I think I did that for about three nights and then my dreams went back to normal. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen]When I first saw this thread I was thinking, wow, that would be kind of cool to be in an anime. And then I started thinking about it. Anime is always wacky with all sorts of strange things happening and psychotic villains like Muraki from Yami No Matsuei. So even though it would be fun it would be one of those cases where you end up being the one who can make things happen so naturally the villain would be after you. So in the end I would rather pass on the being in an anime type world. Though I do have to admit the idea of being able to travel in space is appealing. And then I find I need to bang my head on the nearest wall chanting "Being in an anime would is not for me!" Over and over until I pass out. :p[/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][QUOTE=Shy][size=1][b]#4[/b] [indent][i]You know when you have one And you can give them away But you don't always know when they see it.[/i][/indent][/size][/QUOTE] Private Messages ^_^ At least that's what I think it is. [/COLOR]

[CENTER][IMG]http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6555/theemeraldguardianbanner01dk1.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [COLOR=SeaGreen]Briana paused for a moment to look at her reflection in the water. She tried to keep a straight face but failed. She looked like a human with reddish brown hair carefully trimmed to keep it out of her face while the rest flowed behind her back to her waist. Her green eyes and small heart shaped face just reinforced the illusion. It didn?t help that she was now required to wear human clothing as well. Briana grimaced at her appearance; she looked like one of the spoiled nobility among the humans with her finely woven green dress. If you looked closely you could see the hint of different leaves and flowers woven into the overall pattern, but it was still a dress. The only concession to her being a forest guardian was in how the actual dress was carefully designed to not restrict her movements. Unlike human clothing she was not burdened by layers of petticoats or a corset. She also had a circular opening in the back of her dress to accommodate her wings should she decide to use them. The opening was cleverly covered by her long hair, but the entire outfit was also enchanted so that any human looking at her would think she had full petticoats and if they happened to see her back, they would not see the opening for her wings but instead would think she was properly covered as human girls were expected to be. Briana sighed. She had tried to argue with the elders about the clothing but the ideas of a mere apprentice were simply dismissed. Admittedly her objection was because she preferred to only wear the simple one piece shifts made from the leaves of the magical Shiria trees. All one had to do was simply wrap it around yourself and the material would do the rest. Molding itself to your body, covering only what you wished. It was no different than your own skin except that it kept you warm or breathed in the summer to keep you cool. Unfortunately in this respect the elders were correct, although the Shiria wraps were ideal. They were easy to detect to those who were sensitive to the flow of magic. Her dress may have been enchanted, but no more than a daughter of a rich noble would have so nothing would be thought of it. Now that humans were increasing in number those who used the magic for their own gain were increasing as well. Just last week one of the guardians had disappeared. Even the elders had been unable to find him or his familiar spirit Drais. Although the elders were keeping quiet, Briana was pretty certain as to what happened. Mersis was either dead or a prisoner of one of the dark lords. Forest Guardians did not disappear. Briana sighed and took off her slippers and put them in her pouch. Oh how she hated wearing those things! Once the pouch was securely tied she carefully bent over and cupping her hands she took a drink of the cool clear water. She let her hands air dry while her familiar spirit also got a drink. Briana watched as Aries daintily lapped up the water in her disguised form. With her white curly fur and round fluffy head she looked like one of those silly poodles minus the bizarre haircut. ?[B]Why did you choose such a ridiculous disguise?[/B]? Briana asked her. ?[B]Those horrible little yapping poodles are hardly what I would consider a proper disguise![/B]? Aries finished drinking and turned to Briana and said with great dignity. ?[B]I am not one of those brainless, hyper poodles, I am a Bichon Frise, there?s a difference.[/B]? She finished self-importantly. ?[B]Fine, fine, you?re a Bichon.[/B]? Briana said sarcastically and then sighed. ?[B]I still like your original form better. Even if we are suppose to look normal to the humans it doesn?t mean I have to like it.[/B]? ?[B]Nor do I, but it is necessary and you know it so stop your complaining.[/B]? Aries said. ?[B]Besides, someone is coming and they will think you are crazy for talking to your dog.[/B]? Briana turned towards the path to see who was coming. Leave it to Aries to show off her ability to detect things before she did. It didn?t help that she was required to depend solely on her passive magic instead of actively scanning her surroundings. The elders were so paranoid these days. Even if the humans found the entrance to their world they would not be able to enter. One simply could not enter unless a Forest Guardian wished it. Was that why Mersis and Drasis had vanished? Was a Dark Lord trying to force them to grant them entry into their realm? It was something she would need to ask the elders when her patrol was done. She extended her magic as far as she dared without actively sensing what was coming. It was only a woodcutter?s son. Around fifteen years old and he had hurt himself. Not seriously, but there was the hint of blood around him. Briana found a rock covered with moss and sat down and waited for him to arrive. The idiot was probably coming to wash his wound in the cool water, heedless of the contamination it would cause. Foolish humans, they didn?t even understand how to take the water and wash it away from the main source as to keep it from spreading. But then they couldn?t even detect the flow of water, so it was to be expected. Briana sighed. She would help him and then finish her patrol. Aries came over to her side and sat down next to her to wait for the human to arrive as well. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen]Well now that I finally have a Playstation 2 I?ve been getting into this game. I?ve seen it before and even played a tiny bit, but it just wasn?t the same. I?m finding it?s horribly addicting. Even though the graphics are older I love the summon sequences and how you can pretty much equip anyone with [spoiler]a GF.[/spoiler][QUOTE=Dagger]Also, is it just me, or does this game have the dorkiest victory dances ever? :animeswea ~Dagger~[/QUOTE]No I?d definitely say its not just you. In what I?ve played so far Zell and Selphie are almost ridiculous with their little victory dance. Even Seifer was a bit weird. I?m not far enough to see the others yet. Anyway, I?m to the point where Squall, Zell and Selphie just [spoiler] graduated and became official members of seeD[/spoiler] so I?m really looking forward to seeing what?s next. ^_^ The one thing I?ve found useful is that one of my friends told me to make sure one of your GF?s learns[spoiler] item and magic refine abilities first[/spoiler] so it?s really useful as you can go ahead and [spoiler]use stronger magic that you got from refining items and low level spells.[/spoiler] The only drawback, it?s time consuming as you have to fight battles to get the items and the initial spells needed. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][quote name='Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]A total of 230 Lebanese have been killed so far and only 25 Israelis. I'm not saying that Israel is targetting civilians, though it might be. I'm just saying it is knowingly killing civilians. Its target is Hizbollah, but it knows civilians are in the region and bombs anyway without a single care. They give a "warning" for people to evacuate, but they bomb while people are evacuating and end up killing them. "Oh we tried our best" they think. Its because they don't give a damn about innocent Lebanese people.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]I highly doubt it, honestly Chabi, if Israel really wanted to flatten or outright kill civilians they would target everything! They wouldn?t bother with warnings, they would just [b]Do It![/b] The people who don?t give a damn are Hizbollah as they know that civilians are in the area and they don?t care if it makes them a target. Seems to me that the one who really doesn?t care about innocent Lebanese people is the militants and not Israel.[QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f']People are only supporting Israel because they are racist against arabs. The idea that anyone can support Israel after how many innocents it has killed, after how many people it has tortured and punished unfairly, shows just how skewed people morality is. You still think we're all terrorists and we all want to kill you. Grow up and start thinking for yourselves, and stop parroting your power hungry leaders.[/COLOR][/quote]That?s right, if my view doesn?t match yours I?m a racist. :animesigh Do you even realize how stupid that statement is? Instead of trying to understand what?s happening you have fallen back on the old tired tirade of if you aren?t with us you must be against us. What happened to trying to understand one another and working towards peace? Argue all you want, but kidnapping people because you disagree with how Israel is dealing with prisoners is an act of terrorism. It?s a do things my way or else attitude. Others have already mentioned that there are other avenues that can be pursued to resolve the situation. Yelling that Israel doesn?t care about peace when Hizbollah is committing acts of terrorism is hypocritical. Peace is about working out a compromise not one side decides everything. It?s not a lack of maturity or inability to think for one selves, or even one of following what our leaders are telling us. It?s being apart from the situation and being able to see it without being involved as you are and in all honesty it?s you who needs to stop parroting what others have said and grow up a little.[QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]Israel started this whole thing by jailing innocent people without charge and keeping them for months or a year at a time, and by their consistent lack of respect for the basic human rights of palestinians and other arabs they have hurt. Why do they deserve peace if they don't give us peace and justice? People want peace in the region, but to the Israelis this means that palestinians leave them alone and let them carry on occupying and oppressing our people. They can hurt us, but we're not allowed to hurt them.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]I already mentioned it, but there are other solutions besides one of terrorism. Kidnapping soldiers and killing others isn?t exactly peaceful. And for the record, no one said that Arabs and Palestinians don?t deserve peace. And Israel has made efforts towards peace, but idiots like Hizbollah refuse to see that and resort to idiotic acts of terrorism and then cry about how they are being oppressed. [QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]Anyway, while I hope that no innocent Israelis are hurt, and while I am upset that Hizbollah's actions have brought so much destrution to Lebanon, I hope Hizbollah destroys Israel, gives them a taste of their own medicine. That'll teach Israel once and for all that it is not excused from the the rules of war. That'll teach them to stop collectively punishing our people for the terrorists they themselves have created from their constant oppression of our people. That'll teach them to destroy an entire country for their polical gain. An eye for an eye. They only want Hizbollah out of Lebanon because it was Hizbollah that drove Israel out Lebanon. They want Hizbollah out so they can occupy southern Lebanon again.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]You hope that no innocent Israelis are hurt and yet you hope Israel is destroyed? What kind of twisted logic is that? Honestly Chabi, stop and think about what you are saying! This kind of mentality is what keeps the pointless fighting from ending! I sincerely hope you were just angry when you wrote this post and not serious. An eye for an eye just perpetrates the endless cycle of violence and solves nothing. And if Hizbollah wasn?t so intent on destroying Israel they wouldn?t have an issue. Others have already said it, I have said it, if Israel really wanted to destroy Lebanon, it would already be ashes. But they haven?t and it?s because whether you believe it or not, they are [b]Civilized.[/b] [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen]No I would not, think of the chaos such an ability would create, people would be bringing the dead back all the time. Even if I could choose which body part I would lose I still would say no. It?s just not worth it, or the complications that would eventually occur. I mean, what if they died again? What part would you sacrifice next? It could lead to a paradox of destroying humanity as sacrificing parts to keep bringing people back would result in us no longer being full human beings. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][quote name='PaganAngel][font="Gill Sans MT Condensed"][color="#993366"][size="2"]So, everyone, tell me your biography: How'd you stumble across the Otaku trifecta (TheOtaku, MyOtaku, and Otakuboards)? I think it'd be interesting to find out which site everyone started with.[/size][/color'][/font][/quote]My story is rather simple. I had been browsing online, but I didn?t know which if any place I should join. So for the longest time I never joined any place. Then when I was visiting my friend SunfallE I saw that she had a myOtaku site and after asking her about it I joined. ^_^ Shortly after that I also wandered over to OtakuBoards and joined here as well. At first I didn?t do a lot, but the longer I?ve been here the more I love it. That and I need my daily dose of stalking Des. ;)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen]If you leave physical appearance behind I would probably guess that I was older. Not by much though. Maybe a few years? I?ve never been very good at gauging people?s age as teenagers vary so much in terms of maturity, and other things as well. The only reason I would guess I am older is that online, pretty much everyone thinks I?m older. Which is fine by me. ^_^ I?m use to the being ignored because she?s just a stupid young teenager in real life, so it?s nice to not be ignored or dismissed as being irrelevant due to my age or lack thereof. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][QUOTE=Sangome]Out of all the anime I have seen (or most of them), I always wind up liking the [I]least[/I]-liked character! I'm certain you've had this problem before - you go into a forum of some kind to discuss your favorite anime, and when asked your favorite character, you proudly announce: "My favorite character is ___________!!!" And you get flamed for it by n00bs and homicidal fanboys/fangirls. Anyway, this is a thread where you can discuss underappreciated characters from your favorite anime. But to keep this place from getting locked up, here's what you should put, with [u]detail[/u] - -Your favorite underappreciated character and what anime they're from (of course) -Why do you think they're underappreciated? -Why do you like them so much? -What would you do if the character suddenly became popular overnight? Would you still like them, or do you think the popularity would cause them be overrated?[/QUOTE]The one I get flamed for is Shippo from InuYasha. Every time I mention him I get the usual flood of how he?s so useless and whiney and that the show would be better without him. :animesigh For me it?s the other way around, if Shippo wasn?t in the show I probably wouldn?t watch it. Anyway I think he?s underappreciated since he adds a good counter to the usual supposedly competent character who can usually take care of themselves. The complaints about him being useless are undeserved as he is a child and it?s rather unrealistic to expect a child to be useful when fighting demons or anything else for that matter. I also think he serves as a reminder to the rest of the group as to what has happened as many people have lost their families and loved ones to demon attacks. And please, lets not get off on the tangent of Sango has suffered more, that really grates on my nerves since it?s not a contest of which character has ?lost or suffered? more. I guess I like him because I love watching him and InuYasha argue and fight like siblings. It kind of reminds me of how my older brother teases me when he comes home for a visit. The other reason, I just think he?s cute with his little tail and the funny magic tricks he can do. If he were to suddenly become popular, which he might be though I?ve yet to run into very many Shippo fans, well I don?t think it would change my opinion. I might see some over rated opinions as to why he would be popular, but that?s about it. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen]Since this is about resizing a picture you did it needs to be in the Art Studio so I will move it there. Also [B]ghostuniitxx[/B] At OtakuBoards, we greatly emphasize the concept of having clear, easy to read posts. This includes correct use of spelling, grammar and punctuation. So please work on improving your posts. It would also be a good idea to go over the Rules and FAQ which are located on the left sidebar and depending on what section of the forum you are in, it's a good idea to check the sticky threads at the top of each area for the rules pertaining to that section. ~Aaryanna[/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]But I also believe that it's hypocritical for anyone to call these groups the "terrorists" when Israel also kills innocet civilians, and and many more than the militants too. The militants, and the general population for the matter are called terrorists, while Israelis are not. I also blame the militant groups for provoking Israel, and causing it respond harshly, but that certainly does not mean that Israel is not responisble for its actions.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]No one said Israel wasn't responsible for their actions. But it still remains that they are not the one who started kidnapping soldiers. They aren?t holding them as prisoners of war but rather as leverage to get what they want. It was not an act of war but one of terrorism and in that respect the soldiers are just as innocent as the civilians who have been killed. [quote name='Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f']There is absolutely no justification in killing innocent people.[/COLOR][/quote]So are we saying it?s okay to kidnap and kill soldiers? Just because they are soldiers doesn?t mean they aren't innocent of wrongdoing. Why are they demanding the release of women and children instead of demanding justice for the people who were killed on the beach? Were the soldiers who were kidnapped directly responsible? If they were I might could understand it a little more, Otherwise this whole mess makes no sense whatsoever. [QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]Ummm.... who are the ones with the guns? That's right, the militants. I hardly expect unarmed civilians to approach these people. And there are those who do apporach them, tell them to stop but are beaten or even killed by the militants. It is true that some unarmed people support these militants and hide them, but that still doesn't justify the killing of innocent people. It makes no sense to say that just because some civilians help the militants, that means you can attack and kill any of them. There are children being killed there. Does that not matter to any of you?[/COLOR][/QUOTE]Sure they may be the ones with the guns, but that doesn?t mean that every single person hurt in the attack was a civilian. I never said it was okay to kill children and civilians, I was trying to say that not everyone is as innocent as they would have you to believe. I feel bad for those who are not part of this mess and are being killed simply because they live in that area. But the militants do not care if innocent civilians are hurt which is why they hide among them making them targets. Actually if they do support them, then they know that they are putting themselves at risk. Are you saying Israel should just give into any demand they make and let them keep kidnapping and killing soldiers? Doing so would be foolish as it would just encourage more kidnapping any time Israel did something they didn?t like. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][QUOTE=Chabichou][COLOR=#004a6f]Whoa. The situation is really getting bad now. Now Hezbollah, a lebanese militant group has kidnapped another two soldiers. Israel has replied with extreme force and killed 55 people, the vast majority being civilians. It makes me so angry how they can get away with that. What Israel is doing is just plain terrorism. Don't get me wrong, Israel has the right to defend itself from any further attacks from militant groups, but why must civilians pay the price for what these militants do? Why must Israel bomb the airport, bridges, and people homes too? It's so sad.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]So Hezbollah should be allowed to get away with terrorism and Israel should just take it? Why are you say Israel is the terrorist when it is the other group who keeps kidnapping soldiers? The harsh reality is that Hezbollah knows that Israel is likely to respond with force and they don?t care! If they did they would quite doing things that are going to provoke a response. They know that civilians will get hurt and on some level they don?t seem to care. And I can?t say that the civilians are all innocent as they don?t do anything to stop the militants in their group. Maybe they can?t do anything, but do they even try? [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen]In general yes, I do think they are too high. However since I do not fully understand all the differences between how things are done for a show like Stargate vs. DNAngel or any other anime, I don?t think they are a good comparison when considering prices. For starters, how about some actual statistics on how each show makes their money? Show?s like Stargate often get their money from advertising when the show actually airs. I?m assuming it works in a similar manner over in Japan. But unlike Stargate I doubt that DNAngel gets the same amount of air time. Or the consideration that a production like Stargate is going to cost more since there is more episodes in the season and that each episode is 44 minutes where DNAngel is only 22? It?s only natural that it?s going to cost more to make when you take that into consideration. Also, since a show like Stargate is popular, releasing the DVD?s is often not how they make their money, so they can afford to sell it for less. There are other shows that cost more for the season since it?s not as popular. Anime shows often have lots of stuff you can buy so perhaps that is part of where they do get their money. I?ve noticed that many anime series have become cheaper, but they?ve also left out a lot of the extras you use to get. Anyway, I think the reason why there is such a price difference between anime and regular shows is a little more complex than just an attempt to overcharge people. Though overcharging is something they all do if they think they can get away with it. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen]Why someone would want to lie about having a desktop I?ll never know. o_O Anyway, I usually have one of my own wallpapers that I?ve made as my desktop. Right now it?s this one that I just finished making and submitting over at theOtaku. [URL=http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aaryannascreenshot2xd.jpg][IMG]http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/575/aaryannascreenshot2xd.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Here?s the link to it: [URL=http://wallpapers.theotaku.com/view.php?action=retrieve&id=96093][COLOR=SeaGreen][B]Di Gi Charat[/B][/COLOR][/URL] Before I switched them today I was using this one: [URL=http://wallpapers.theotaku.com/view.php?action=retrieve&id=87601][COLOR=SeaGreen][B]Di Gi Charat[/B][/COLOR][/URL] The one thing I like to do is have something that fit?s the season a little, like in the fall I?ll have a picture of autumn leaves instead of one of my wallpapers. And for Christmas I?ll have one of my dog playing in the snow. But the rest of the time I just use one of my own wallpapers. ^_^[/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen]I primarily use Firefox. The biggest reason I like it, is it protects against pop-ups much better than IE ever did. My mom and I were getting slammed with pop-ups and SunfallE recommended I use Firefox instead. It's so much nicer. I also like it cause you have more options like the one Desbreko mentioned where you can block images from loading or you can view an image separately so you can see it without all the other stuff on the page in front of it. I have still have IE, but I rarely use it. Only on the rare occasion when I run into something that doesn?t work in Firefox. I?ll try it in IE but that?s about it. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][quote name='indifference][COLOR=Sienna']I have yet to see a series that has actually made me cry. Sad perhaps but to outright cry? I?m just not the type to cry over a show and it always seems a bit weird to see my friends cry. I?m always running into the watch this anime as I just know you will cry when you watch it, but so far I?ve yet to actually do so. [/COLOR][/quote]That's me as well. I don't cry over stuff. I get really sad and feel like crying, but I don't actually cry. The closest I came to crying was in Yu Yu Hakusho when Yuske [spoiler]dies in the very first episode[/spoiler] But that sorted itself out fairly quickly. [/COLOR]