Starwind

Here are some of my attempts at banner making. I'm new and I suck, but we've all got to start somewhere right. [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Past.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/RyuhouBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Power.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Savior.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Unforgotten.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/FullMetalBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/SoulTakerBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/SephirothBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/RahXephonSelfBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/KazumaBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/EvaBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/splashSanzo.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/saiyuki-a-06.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Get20Backers01076.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/bebop04.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Hellsing01029.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Rurouni20Kenshin001006.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Rurouni20Kenshin001019.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Rurouni20Kenshin001020.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Rurouni20Kenshin001025.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Rurouni20Kenshin001041.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/SoultakerBan.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/SoultakerTribute.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Retribution.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/KnightoftheDarkGlyphs.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Vin.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Alchemy1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/argento_2_8001.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/argento_lock_10241.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Draw1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/evangelion19_1024x7681.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/evangelion-wallpaper-031.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Bornoflight.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Argentosoma010661.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Argentosoma01007.jpg[/IMG]

I've come to aid my friend. Mind you they suck, but I did it purely for the amusement of doing it. I hope they at least don't completely suck. [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/splashSanzo.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/saiyuki-a-06.jpg[/IMG] Even if you don't like them, I still had fun making them.

Dorrian walked through the forest, following the trail of fallen trees and dragged dirt from the passing demons. He followed this trail to the mighty gates of Experiment, yet another massive city for the rave master and his crew to take refuge. Dorrian watched as two peculiar gentlemen enterd the city. No doubt they were probably part of the six, most likely Abaddon and Hellspawn, but it could just as easily be one of the other three. Dorrian stood back and waited for them to enter before approaching to keep from being noticed. He didn't need nor wanted the interference of the others, this was his mission and no one would take it from him. Dorrian marched the gate, being human, he had no problem getting inside the city. The city was alive and crawling with other people. This had become a waiting game again. He had only to wait for one of the other Demon Card members to attack the rave master or one of his team and then he would be able to find them. Everything was falling into place, even arriving at Experiment was like a sign that he was meant to succeed. Everything was set and now it was time for the actors to take the stage. It was time for the show to begin, he thought to himself as he settled himself at a small corner cafe and sipped away at a cup of coffee. Soon he would grand stand his stage and the world would open anew.

Kazuma knocked and enterd, he had gone home for the night but decided to return early in the morning. He came in to see Jun making breakfast, she said it was Nyoko, who had stayed the night. Kazuma volunteered himself to take it to her while Jun prepared everything for her party this afternoon. Kazuma took the tray up stairs to the bedroom where Nyoko was just waking up. She was still completely nude, but nothing about that was surprising.Kazuma put the tray on her lap and kissed her "Happy birthday Nyoko." She smiled back to him "Thank you Kazuma." Kazuma then returned back down stairs to see Jun busy at work, wrapping the presents and getting the food ready for the party to come. Kazuma walked over to her "Need some help." She shot him a qucik smile "Sure could, Kazu-Kun."

After the two had been put down, Kazuma was handcuffed again and led out of the building. They were led down a back staircase, down ten stories, then were brought out into the loading docks in back. There could be seen a group of unmarked white transport vans. This would be the way they would get to the private air stripe they always used. Kazuma was shuffled into the back of one of these vans and was shipped off like a piece of mail. The two guards who had escorted him down, were now driving him to the strip. In the back was a long locker of steel bars, like a cage. In it were the weapons he had to choose from. There was a whole assortment of weapons, the guard on the passenger side looked back to him "Pick the ones you want and we'll get them ready for the mission for you." Kazuma didn't speak, or even look to the man and began to pick out the weapons he would use in the mission at hand. The locker contained an assortment of weapons, from blades to guns to explosives. Kazuma leaned over toward the cage and used great scrutiny to decide which ones he would use. In the end he decided on The M-60, the 50-caliber rifle with armor piercing rounds, the beretta pistol, the M-16 A-2 rifle, and a katana he always used. This arsenal would be sufficient for the mission at hand. The van came to a hault, how long it had been he was unsure, and doors opend only seconds later by to different guards. He was taken out and then the cage was brought out with him, they had him point out the weapons he wanted. The took out his requested aresenal and locked it away in a seperate container that was then put aboard the plane. The guard turned to Kazuma "You'll get these when we land. Now get aboard, take off is in 5 minutes." Kazuma and the others were hastily hurried aboard the plane and the equipment that had been brought for each othem was quickly stowed away in the cargo hold. They were all taken aboard, and Kazuma was quickly detained once again. The engine began to rev and the plane began to taxi on the strip.

I've just started making my own banners and few avitars. The banner and avi I'm currently using are things of my own creation. I know there are alot of seasoned artists here and I'd like to get some honest opinions on the work I've done thus far. Mind you, it was all done today within the last two hours so it's not perfect, but it's a start. [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Past.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/RyuhouBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Power.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Savior.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/Unforgotten.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/FullMetalBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/SoulTakerBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/SephirothBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/RahXephonSelfBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/KazumaBanner.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/GeneOutlaw/EvaBanner.jpg[/IMG] Please let me know what you think. And if you see something you like, feel free to help yourself.

Chrono stood next to Aki and stared out onto the open horizon, it was dark and it looked almost like a velvet painting. Chrono glanced at Aki for a moment the jumped to the window sil and stood just on the edge. He glanced back to the slightly confused Aki "Let's go." He extended his hand to her. She took his hand and the two jumped from the window and out into the night air. The town was wrapped in a cool morning mist, from the mountain top it seemed like they were looking out on to the ocean. Chrono settled himself on a distant peak, wanting to keep some space between them and the school so they wouldn't be noticed. Aki landed next to him "I know we didn't come out here just to go for a quick flight. What is it your getting at?" Chrono just stood looking to the city "Remember what happend before we left for the end of the semester?" Aki just looked at him odd for a moment, then seemed to go off into thought. She finally cas her eyes back onto Chrono "What are you going on about? Alot of things happend at the end of the semester." Chrono turned to look back to her "I'm talking what I said to you." Aki stopped for a moment and then continued "You said alot of things, what was it imparticular." "I said something to you about my home." She stopped and thought on it for a moment "You don't mean that thing you said about your clan?" Chrono nodded "There is some termoil in the bat clan right now. The elder just passed on and now the higherarcy is in chaos. On top of that, I've been hearing rumors that mine isn't the only clan in a tough spot right now. I hear tell alot of the lycan and even a few vampire clans are experiencing similar problems." "What are you trying to say?" "I'm not sure at this point, it just seems like to much to be a coincidence. And to top it off, all the clans in question are some how tied to this academy. Which obviously makes it only weirder." Aki looked out to the city scape again "But why tell me about this?" Chrono sighed "Because right now I think your the only one I can really trust with this. Soir isn't from a clan and wouldn't understand the kinds of problems this could preesent for not just the clans, but the lycanthrope species. Something is coming and I want to know I can count on you if things get ugly." Chrono looked up to Aki with a troubled look in his eyes, he was truly concerned about the situation. She sat down next to him and the two stared at each other for a moment atop the cool misty mountain.

In all honesty, the UN is important, and it helps keep a peaceful understanding between it's member states if nothing else. At this point I think the US needs to stay strong nad hold it's stance with the UN. Do I believe we should be spending more time on bettering the lives on our own shores? Absolutly. But that doesn't mean I think we should ignore the rest of the world. As a nation we need to come together and see the rest of the world and recognize the true threats to our world, ones that can only be dealt with using force. And those that can be solved diplomatically. Recently the US recieved yet another video message from Osama Bin Laden, the scum of the earth in this, and every other soilders mind, pleading a truce between the two of us. Let me further elaborate, first in the video he claimed they had other attacks planed on us, then he said he wanted to make a truce. All I have to say to that is "Not a chance in Hell." Terrorism is in fact a problem that only force can solve, it's the simple fact for the matter. I believe that we can settle our problems with China diplomatically, without having to go to war with them. In short, the UN does serve a purpose, and even if it's not perfect, it still his leaving an impact. Most people usually don't see it because they simply ignore the diplomatic and international world, and simply wait for the next televised blood bath. American audiences are anxiously awaiting Vietnam 2. And no, Iraq is in no way like Vietnam.

Dorrian had returned to his lonly trek through the waste land, he knew that his fate was bound to the boy and the rave master. They would meet again when destiny willed it. Dorrian simply needed the sword of the rave master, or it's power anyway. The boy, Suzu, was much more important at this point. Dorrian found he was coming up on where he had last battled the two. It had been quite sometime since then, and they had long since gone. However the smell of smoke still lingerd, this let him know they had escaped the other two. Dorrian smiled, it did him well to think Abaddon in such rage, having them escape from him like that. Abaddon was head strong, but no the brightest, he would surely let his rage get the better of him soon, then he would be a beakon to let Dorrian know where he should go. Dorrian could see the cleared dust from where he and the rave master had crossed blades. He was young and foolish, but had such potential. Dorrian was still disoriented from the throw off of his blood circulation. Clasping his veins shut wasn't the brightest idea, but it served it's purpose in combat. All Dorrian could do now was stare out to the horizon and wait for the sign to appear, and when it did, he would set journey after them. Soon everything would be in place, he had waited almost 3 years for this event. Waiting another week seemed simple by comparison.

Emilio was breath was rasping, as he could hear a light clap from his father "Nice show. Do you plan to cry some more, or is the show over? If your all done, I'll put an end to your suffering. It would only be the fatherly thing to do for his pathetic son." The march of his foot steps echoed in the black void, as Dredick drew near. Emilio was lieing on his side, still not moving, and now not even breathing. The slit and drag of a sword could be heard. Dredick spoke up once again "See you soon my son." He held the sword over Emilio, who was still lieing still on the ground. The wind whistled as the blade came down on the motionless Emilio. There was a sound of thunder. The sword once held by Dredick was now shatterd down to the hilt, Emilio had set the palm of his hand up and the blade broke like his hand was made of steel. Emilio gatherd himself to his feet as Dredick slowly back away from his, now consious, son. Emilio turned his head to fix his dead stoic gaze on his father, who was still retreating back. Emilio fixed his stance and set himself before Dredick, the void began to tremble and wobble like it was made of water. The ripples showed the weak stability of this world. Emilio took a step towards his father, the floor and walls rippled to the brink of shattering as he moved. Dredicks look changed from bleak, to enraged as he challenged his son again "You think a little persistence will change the truth! Your still a monster." Emilio turned his head up to look directly to him and spoke "I've come to terms. I did alot of horrible things, but you can always try to make up. No matter what I do, I can never make right, or justify what I did. But if I keep moving forward, I can make sure a tragedy like that is never commited again. I might fall short, but as long as I keep going I haven't failed." Dredick backed up again as the black void around them shatterd, giving way to an open field of tall grass and wild flowers. The expression on Dredicks face was becoming that of desperation, as he looked about himself manicly, as if he were looking for his way out. Emilio drew closer still "What is it father? Can't you see where we are? You have no where to go." Emilio rushed him and forced his arm through his body, as the body of his father disapated like mist into the wind. The feild gave way to the water waste land the once stood in. Before Emilio, was a single arch mage. He was a telepath, the elder must have thought the best way to beat him was to crush his will. The mage had been forced back into his own mind, and was suffering greatly. Emilio approached "He thought I would die that easily. Not only has he threatend my home, people, family, and my friends. But now he's just insulted me to boot. His'll be the next head I take." Emilio drew a sword from the water waste land and with a single swing, split the debilitated mage to ribbons. Emilio smirked and looked about himself "Now to find my friends. They're probably causing more trouble."

Kazuma reached out and drew the envelope from the table and pulled from it, his passport for the mission. He pulled his out, it had his image on it, but the name was that of Eesei Tsubaki. He was a native of Hokaido, or at least that was the guise he was to take. The girl who had thrown up on her shoes and the floor was stilling seeming a bit off and was speaking quite oddly. Her biblical tone and call made it clear why she was called 'Sister'. She seemed to hold some disagreement with Kain, but that too was none of his concern. He took his passport and boarding pass and rose to his feet and stood next to the door, awaiting the others. He was impatient in waiting, he just wanted to leave, to get out of here and away from this place. He had tried so many times to get away, but he always failed. His last attempt was a year ago. The same time he stoped talking. The one who came to catch him the last time, was Sir himself. He was the only one who knew Sir's full skill. Maybe, not even his full. After that he never tried again, nor did he ever speak again. The strange girl approached him and gazed him over "Who are you child?" She spoke weird, but Kazuma still didn't respond. She seemed irratated at the fact he wouldn't respond to her. Kain approached her "Don't bother on that one. He hasn't spoken in a year. He doesn't speak to anyone." She looked him over once more, then turned away. Kazuma payed little mind to them and sat proped off against the wall, waiting on the others.

Kazuma and Jun split up and went off to look for there respective gifts. Kazuma did kind of owe her a new apir after he kind of ravaged her other pair during there last little encounter. He made his way through the isle, he wanted to find something he thought might appeal to her. He wanted to find something sexy and elegant. He finally found a pair of thin black lace panties. He thought they would be perfect for Nyoko and bought them for her and left to meet up with Jun. Jun was standing out front waiting for him, a box in her left hand. She walked up to him and looked to the box he was carring and smiled "So, did you pick her something good?" Kazuma smiled to her "You'll have to wait til tonight to see." "Ah, come on, show me." Kazuma laughed "Sorry, I want it to be a surprise. It'll make it more interesting if you don't know." Jun pouted a bit, but got over it pretty quickly. She ran up to Kazuma and took his arm "Let's get going, we need to get ready." Kazuma followed her as she pulled him along to his car.

The waves had consumed Emilio, he was somewhere dark and cold. The wind whipped hard and stung his face like needles. His eyes slwoly opened up again, he was high up in the air. The air felt thin and the wind was meciless, but where was he? He looked about himself for a moment, then noticed a small shrine just to his left. He looked at it for a second, then felt the air drawn out of his lungs. This was the place, this is where Kami tried to kill him. As this thought hit him, he felt the burning at his back. He turned quickly and watched Kami slowly step back as he felt the warm blood slowly run down his back. He was trembling, but not from the wound. He trembled for seeing the woman he knew to be dead, for he was the one to kill her. He knew this had to fake, this was a trick. It had to be. Emilio called out "Nice try you elven scum, I know the woman before me is nothing more then a fraud." A voice echoed through the wind, as the air grew warmer. It was not Kami's voice, it was a far more loathsome voice. It was that of Dredick Batou, his father. The atmosphere around him was changing, but where was he going? Something was amiss here. The air was now sweltering, he could feel the sweat starting to roll. Suddenly he heard a burst and cries of pain. He looked to the source and saw a crater at the summit. This was another familar site, this was Dante's Peak. He heard more cries, those of women and children. He looked out and saw the image of himself, a small childs lifeless arm clenched in his hand. The Dredicks voice returned "This is you. The truest you there is." Emilio felt the strength draining from him as he saw the look of his own fcae in that moment. That shear look of lust and hatred, killing innocent and destroying the lives of these people. Emilio screamed "Bullshit! This isn't me, this is only what you forced me to do!" "Really, boy? What did I do to force you? I merely told you to go and you went. You were glad to sully your hands." Emilio looked down to his hands as they were stained with the blood of those people, the voices pleading to him. Asking why he had killed them, why he did it? He had no answer to offer them. He had no reason for what he did. Was he really a monster? Emilio started to scream "NOOO!!! That's not me! It's not! Just leave me alone." He opend his eyes again and he was gone from the volcano. He was now in this black void. Dredick's voice echoed to him again "Is this what you want, my boy?" Emilio calmed fora moment, but the feeling of isolation quickly consumed him once again. He looked around and saw no one, but heard the voices of his comrades growing more distant. He called to them, but a reply never came. He looked franticly, but was met by no one. Then Chrys appeared before him "Why did you kill them? You killed so many of my friends and kinsmen on that mountain. Why?" Emilio felt his heart race again, as he turned as if to run only to be met by the image of Gale "Your just another blood thristy demon, aren't you?" He turned, then Achilles "You rely on no one, so I will leave you to yourself like you belong." He turned to see the brothers, Sarin "Can you believe this pathetic little fool." Amer "Why don't you just hurry up and die." Turned to see Kami "It's time to go Emilio." Turn to see Grace "Why do you hate me?" Emilio could feel his mind craking, he couldn't stand it anymore. He went to his knees and saw a pair of feet stop just in front of him. He looked up to follow them to his father standing just in front of him. He smiled down to his distraught son "This is how you belong. Curled at my feet." In the distance of the shadow he could see the others walking off, leaving him behind. Was this how it was to end? He couldn't find his strength anymore, he couldn't even come to speak in his own defence or even face the images of his friends. And now he was at the mercy of his father, the dark lord Dredick. He felt a burst as the foot of his father came across his face and sent him across the the empty void. His father laughed "How sad. You were once so proud, but once you see what you are you crumble away under guilt. How turly pathetic you have become." Emilio still couldn't find the words to fight back. His will had been shatterd, he had nothing left to offer. Emilio began to cry "Someone, anyone. Please, help me. PLEASE, HELP ME!!!"

I'm gonna have to say that the UN is in fact very important in the world we live in. The US is not the only nation that holds power. There are five permanent memebers and they each have the power of veto and can hold just as much control over the council as the US could. The UN right now is in the process of analyzing this worlds greatest military threat, Iran. That's right, Iran has been declared a rogue nation and is rebeling against the US and the UN. But two of the permanent members of the security council, namely Russia and China, are using there power of veto to keep them from appearing before the council. These two nations have close economic ties to Iran, so the odds of them allowing Iran to face the council, which could result in political and economic sanctions, is silm. The point is, the US is not holding tyranical control over the UN. It is even spread power, even though the US is the biggest contributor. And that's okay, because there shouldn't be anyone nation in control, regardless of there economic status. Would we be in the US be better off without the UN? I would think not. But that's just me. Would the UN be better off without the US? Definitly not. People need to stop veiwing the UN as the US's board of associates, and start seeing the fact is that the US in not very high in regard. At least not more then the other four permanent members.

One by one, new faces enterd the hollow room. They each came in with a different expression and different circumstances. The first to arrive was Uhade. Kazuma knew little about him, but he seemed a bit off in the way he acted. Perhaps he was bi-polar, but Kazuma had no way of knowing if that was true. Kazuma usually worked alone, so he knew nothing about him. The one called Kain, showed himself in. He was well trusted and was a long time vet here. He glanced at Kazuma and noticed he was chained to the chair. He smirked a bit and spoke to him lightly as he passed "Still causing trouble, Kazuma?" Kazuma gave no form of response as he walked on to his seat. Rumors had started of Kazuma being a mute. He hadn't spoken to anyone in almost a year. The only one who discredited these rumors was Sir. The only one who could pull a response out of Kazuma. The next to come through the door was Valisa, another enigma to Kazuma. She seemed to be in her own world most of the time, and today she was seeming a bit dazed. He had heard the guards refer to her as 'Sister', but he didn't know what this meant. To his knowledge, it was completely derogetory. But again he had no way to be certain of this ones true identity or personality. Finally the stoic Sir, at the head of the table stired "We've waited long enough. The others will join shortly. I have your next assignment. You will be together." His smooth and arrogant voice drove like needles into Kazuma's heart, it made his body tremble. A manilla envelope was thrown onto the table as he spoke again "You will be going to the main land, to South Korea. There has been alot of American interference with the North. Our funds are closely tied to the North koreans. We can't have American interference. Go there and you will recieve further and more specific orders upon arrival. The envelope holds bording passes and passports for all of you. Under assumed names of course." Kazuma trained his eyes on the envelope and then back to Sir again. His body was trembling again, but he wasn't sure if it was out of anger or fear.

There was a thud of metal slamming and sliding. The lock on the door was being taken off. A command came from the door "Walk to the door slowly. Keep your hands up." A small window in the door opend up and the eyes of a man peered through. He was staring at Kazuma, who was sitting in his corner of the grey room with no windows and no light. He rose to his feet with his hands raised and slowly backed up to the door. The voice spoke again "Now up your hands behind your back. Keep it nice and slow." He continued to comply with the voices commands and put his hands behind himself. He felt the pressure on his wrists and heard the quick clinks of the handcuffs fastening tight to his wrists. The door opened behind him with a loud, rusted squell. He heard a chain go slack, then tighten as he had his ankels bound as well. The guard grabbed the chain to his handcuff sna twirled him out of the cell and against the wall. He then peeled Kazuma from the wall and lead him down the grey hall, which wasn't much of an improvement from the cell he was just in. As they walked, noises became apparent in this place, like the rummbling of machinery. They passed through the black double doors at the end of the long hall and it opened up into a boiler room. This was so the screams and cries of the young and the new couldn't be heard from the outside. They left the loud boiler room and stepped on to a light carpet. This moment of civility was only brief as he was immediatly thrown into a side room. This one too was grey and had no light in it, only the ominous glow of a single lamp in the middle of the ceiling. The room was a long rectangle, with a steel table of the same shape. Standing at the head of this table was the instrumentalist, Sir. He stood with his usual smug smile and then used the heel of his hand to push his green glasses off the brim of his nose. He walked over to Kazuma, who had remained stoic to the whole endeavor. The man stopped at the end of the table and put a hand out to one of the seats "Please be seated Mr. Uta. The others will be arriving soon." Kazuma gave no response and simply sat down in the chair. He showed only a single element of response, in the form of a light scowl as he sat at the seat. He wanted so badly to see the sun again, but he knew that he never would. He had run away so many times, only to be brought back. No one cared for him anymore, he was alone. OOC: You can start anywhere you want. You can be in a cell like Kazuma or you can be on assignment, or whatever else you can think of. It's not even required you show at this hall. I just need at least three others to come, but note that at one point we all will converge on each other.

To all who applied, this thing is going up now. I'd like to thank all of you for if nothing else faining interest. I'm going to start it up, but sign ups will remain open for at least a little while longer.

Chrono gatherd himself up to his feet as the little fox girl ran off to meet with the enigmatic 'Hunter'. Chrono looked to Aki "She was acting weird, right?" Aki shrugged "A little. At least til she cracked you." She giggled to herself a little at that comment, Chrono simply nodded "You got that right. I'll go ahead and clean up, I'll see ya later tonight. Remeber, the north tower in two hours." She started off witha look over her shoulder "Don't worry I won't." And with that said they left Chrono to his devices, cleaning up the pile of books on the floor left in Soirs wake. He started retunring them to the shelves, it was the he heard someone else enter the library. But upon inspection there was no one to be found. It was like something out of some B rate horror movie. Instead of following the stereotype and just ignoring it he set his sonar off to try and find the person. After a couple quick beats, he heard nothing. There wasn't a echo out of place. The night was really getting to him, if he was alone, then he was jsut being paranoid. But instead of chancing it, left the books where they lay and went on out of the library. His animal instincts were screaming to him to get the hell out of there, and those were not to be taken lightly. He left the library and prepared for his meeting with Aki "Raven" in only a few hours. They had something left undettermined from last semester that needed dealing with.

Emilio lie resting, deep in sleep, dreaming of better times. He heard Graces voice call to him. Something was on it's way, there was no time to lose. Emilio gathered to his feet quickly and woke Achilles who was sleeping not more then ten feet from him. He then ran to Grace "Is it already time to go?" She nodded to the still grogy Kappa "Yes. We need to hurry, if we don't they might catch up to us." Emilio nodded back and everyone hurried the things together. Today they would trek over the mountain to the forbidden land beyond. The land where the elves had found themselves banished all those millenia ago. Somewhere beyond those mountains was the key to there ultimate destruction. They began there treacherous climb of the high mountains and took great care. Here they were well within enemy territory, anything could happen to them here. Emilio kept his wits about him, the mountain had alot of snow on it. Snow was just solid water. It may have been harder, but he could use it too, if it became necessary. The trek was long, but they could make it in less thena day if they managed to avoid the enemy for long enough. Emilio looked to Chrys and Gale, the two were standing at each others side. They were in love. Much the way Emilio had once been, it made him feel at ease to see that even now they could show hope. He knew that if they made it over the mountain they would succeed. The mountain would be there final obstacle, the last great triumph. Emilio looked to Grace who was walking just ahead of him. She also put him at ease. He felt a kinship with her and felt like he needed to look out for her on the battle field. In the short time he ha known all of them they ahd turned him from the vicous red tide, the butcher of the north. To the proud prince and future ruler of the great north lakes. For this reason, if nothing else, was the reason he had to look after them and see to it that no harm befell them on this journey, esspecially not Gale or Chrys. He couldn't explain why, but he knew they would be the most important of all.

To be perfectly honest I would love to see a world of pacifism, that way soilders like myself wouldn't be needed. But I have to agree with Retribution here (Which is odd since it seems like I rarely agree with Retri). Humans, I feel, may call for peace, but yurn to prove themselves through a combative nature. War has primarily been fought for this reason. One's need to prove that there right and the other is worng, the need to protect there land, whatever the case may be. I think sometimes people just fight to show they can, and just use some pretence as there justification for this destruction. People like to believe we are so above primal beasts when really we're only a small step above. In nature at least. What do people kill each other over? Love(animals fight for mates all the time), Land(animals fight for territory), beliefs (pack animals will fight for dominance to push there way on others). We may think we are so far above the animals, and don't get me wrong, we are above them, but not by very much. We are still very much primal beasts at heart.

Then get there. Like I said, If you have someone who is willing to take you in, at 15, you can legally chose where you want to live, as long as there is a consenting adult who is willing to vouch for you. At 15 your considerd at the age where you can consent on where you want to live. When you little you can't, but now your old enough to chose. Look at me. I have three familes, or at least the way I count it. I have my mom, which is who I live with now, my dad, who I visit every once in a while, and my friend Jason and his family. At my age, if you can get a lega adult of 21 to consent you can live anywhere you really want to. Your at the age where you can, and the law will let you. I wouldn't have to give a reason to leave my moms care if I really wanted to live with either of the other two. I'm, and you are too, old enough to chose where I wan to live as long as one of the adults agrees. If your second choice is another part of your family that's even better, because custody will always favor your choice.

Kazuma and the girls quickly coverd up. Kazuma stepped out witha towel on and he went to Sakura and bowed "Sorry, we got a little carried away. We didn't expect anyone to come by." Sakura still had her arm by her face "A little?! Ha, that's and unserstatement. You guys were having a damn orgy in the school pool." Kazuma smiled a bit as the girls made themselves decent "Yeah, again, sorry you saw that." Nyoko made her way over to him "I've got to go, it's been fun. Hope to see you tomorrow." And with a light kiss on the cheek to Kazuma she walked on out and home. Sakura was inclined to join her, but Kazuma grabbed her arm before she got out "Hey, Sakura. Tomorrow is Nyokos birthday and we wanted to ask you to help us in shopping for a gift for her." She turned to him "We?" She glanced over his shoulder to Jun who wa climbing out of the pool "Oh, okay, I suppose I could lend a hand. You two just have to promise to behave yourselves in public from now on. Let's not repeat today." Kazuma nodded "Okay, I can agree to that. So let's get out of here and get shopping, we've only got a few hours til party time." Sakura ran up to him as he and Jun were leaving the school "How many is a few hours anyway? You throwing it a midnight or something?" Kazuma shook his head "No, it's more like 21 hours." Sakura "Then why rush if it's not til 7 o'clock tomorrow." Kazuma turned to her "Why waste time, let's get to work crew." Jun gave a jump "I'm with you Kazu-kun." And with that they were off to the mall for some birthday shopping.

Like I said before, running away won't help you. Turn to someone else, someone who can help. Your 15, you can be emancipated and turned over to the custody of someone who will look after you. At 15 you can choose where you want to live, but living on the street is only going to bring you more problems, I already said this if you botherd to listen to me.

As the wind settled from it's stir, Dorrian appeared. He was now miles away from them, even though only a few minutes had passed since leaving. To go so far in such a short time had even Dorrian winded, but it was well worth the journey. He had reached his destination, the pilgrimage he never dreamed he'd make. He stood before a large mountain, before the mouth of a vast cave. Dorrian slwoly enterd the damp, dreary, dark air of the cave. From the great depths could be heard a churning of sorts, something moving, like rusted gears. Still Dorrian marched in, undetterd by the unearthly grinding. As he moved deeper the darkness gave way to and eerie light coming from the walls themselves. The tunnel opend up into a massive inner chamber. The size of this room made it feel as if the mountain itself was hollow. Dorrian stopped in the center of the room and looked about the cave. The grinding, which had been growing louder as he approached, now abruptly stopped. Dorrian proceeded forward, headed toward the only area of the great chamber still cast in darkness. Dorrian drew his sword and drew the edge against the stone floor, sending sparks to the air. The sparks jumped and the corner of the room was illuminated. In this corner stood a monolithic tablet, draped in a long cloth covering the entirity of the front. The tablet was bound to the walls by chains holding it down, the cloth under neath the chains. Dorrian smiled at the image before him, though all that could be seen was the cloth, he smiled like he could read it without seeing it. He rose his hands "I have found the one who will bring you out. The fire in his soul will ingnite you. And with the power of the ten powers sword as a catalyst, you will awaken. The exalted black wings will rise again." Dorrian turned and began to leave as the sound of gears returned to the hollow chamber as he left. He returned to the fresh open air, casting only one final look to the mountain "A place where the truth lies, a place that can only be found by those who already know where to find it." Dorrian left with another whirl of the wind, leaving only the question his true intentions in the wind.

I'm afraid I have to say to not do it. I understand how things can be horrible at home. I worked a tragedy relief counciling center for a long time and heard a lot of pretty horrible stories and knew many people who lived on the street as a runaway. Hell I knew a kid who lived under the the tampa causeway bridge out here for three weeks. In the end there lives were never better for it. If things are really that hard, then yes, get out of there, but you don't have to turn to the streets. Once your 15 your free to choose where you want to live by law. You can stay at a church or even get emancipated from them. There are government programs to help make sure this works for you, but the street and open road is not the answer. Just look to someone near by. A church, a police station, even a school. These are just a few places that will not only take you in, but help you get out of an uglly situation you don't wan to be in anymore. If you get yourself emancipated, then you can move out and live with a friend, a teacher, someone you trust, who can adopt and look after you so you can finish high school. I think that would be your best choice. Do what you have to inorder to get the hell out of there, but don't go to the road.