Horendithas

[COLOR="Indigo"][quote name='Kenso'][SIZE=1]In the name of Kossuth, aren't there some sort of laws against revealing that sort of information about one's parents?[/SIZE][/QUOTE]I would imagine that if Aaryanna_Mom didn't want that known... it wouldn't be listed in her profile here: [URL="http://www.otakuboards.com/member.php?u=27884"][U]Click[/U][/URL] Also, I'd say you're right Kathy, you got adopted instead of the other way around. [/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"]School decides when I sleep as well as the fact that six hours seems to be more than enough to get me going. So depending on what I need to do, I'm often up all night before heading to school. I'll take either a nap in the afternoon or early hours of the morning, like today. I went to bed at 3am and got up at 9am. I just fit that six hour sleep in where ever it seems to work the best. Well other than weekends, I tend to sleep eight then. But still the same in that I do so when I'm tired and not at a set time per se. [/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"][quote name='James'][font=franklin gothic medium]If OB is a family, it's a slightly dysfunctional one. :catgirl:[/font][/QUOTE]Only slightly? *laughs* [quote name='Korey;810316][FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]Indifference: Provided the best Sig I've ever had on OB. Plus him and SunfallE Keep these boards run smooth as silk. When Indifference speaks, you listen. >: ([/FONT][/QUOTE]You might want to pay attention to this next quote. :p[quote name='Kenso;810323]Excuse me for a second while I laugh at Korey a bit. Sorry, man, but indifference is a girl.[/QUOTE]Exactly. I've thought of changing my user name to my real one since that would make it more obvious, but... I like it.[QUOTE=Riku'][FONT="Tahoma"][SIZE="1"][COLOR="DarkSlateBlue"]BKStyles I consider as a really, really great friend; he's like a big brother to me. He's lifted me up so many times I haven't even thanked him for everything yet.[/COLOR][/SIZE'][/FONT][/quote]He still signs in from time to time and I caught him on MSN recently. Aside from being busy from school and work he was doing good. I know where he lives though so if I'm ever in his area I'll hunt him down. There are others I'd do the same, if I was visiting where they lived, I'd want to drop in and say hello. [/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"][B]Raiha [/B]- The use of the desert as a setting for love was clever and the imagery is easy to see. It's a nice contrast. [B]Rach[/B] - The imagery of a barren place is clear and in a way reminds me of the more barren places here in Utah. Making it easy to see and imagine. Only one can be spoken to receive my token: I give it to [B]Rachmaninoff[/B].[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"]I like the simplicity of Treble's poem, like a call to just go and see the ocean for yourself. The feeling to 8bit's is more dark and though the imagery was vivid, it didn't appeal to me as much. The playfulness of the first poem calls to me the most so I vote for [B]Treble[/B].[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"][B]Gavin[/B] - You got off to a great start and the feelings were there. The second and third verse are nicely done too. Best part was the bit about being hollow and closing one's eyes in order to feel. [B]Allamorph [/B]- Your poem is certainly well structured and though it's rare I have heard dogs howling at night, even here in SLC. I like that since it reminds me of those rare nights that are quiet enough for that sort of thing. I can only pick one and for this I vote for [B]Allamorph[/B]. [/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"]Allamorph already said it and it certainly holds true, put that effort into your writing Prem and you'll really go far. However, for a poem, it was a bit too much. So like the others I will vote for [B]Aaryanna[/B].[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"][B]Kathy[/B] - I like the personal touch to yours in that it specifies a specific desire and closure in that one has been on vacation before. The idea of pictures making it last longer is nice. [B]Darren[/B] - Though yours is nice in a sense of wanting to escape. It seems more of a desire to get out instead of a real desire to go on vacation. Though being a student myself I can appreciate that sentiment. Both were nicely done and my vote goes for [B]Kathy[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"]Lets get back on topic here, OB is not AIM people. I'm looking at you chibi-master and CrimsonKnight. Use something like AIM or PM's, thanks. As for considering OB a family, sure there are people I would miss but no more than any other online place. It's different for me since some of my closest friends here were friends long before I joined. Some I've since met in real life as well, so naturally I'd miss them, the rest... I'd be sad, but seriously, I've lost online friends before, I'd get over it and find new ones. I've already done that since a few I knew when I first joined are already gone. Yes I'm curious how they are doing, but that's about it. [/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"]Here's something fun that Des's post here: [URL="http://www.theotaku.com/worlds/desbreko/view/8882/turning_japanese%3F_i_don%27t_really_think_so/"][U]Click Me![/U][/URL] Reminded me of. It's a gif I ran into a while ago and saved. [IMG]http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/530/qsjbb7ey7.gif[/IMG] And since Gavin likes to call me Gaki, it can apply to Fanboys as well. :p[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"][quote name='Aberinkula;810145][COLOR="DarkSlateGray"][SIZE="1"]Quite the contrary my dear Indi. Each stanza has four lines, and two of them rhyme with each other. By that I mean that two lines rhyme and the other two rhyme. AABB, ABAB, ABBA and AAAA are those patterns. :p:p DOUBLE! My music teacher last year taught us the types of poems, haiku, quatrain. And he said for quatrain's the lines have to rhyme in those 4 patterns. So I'm only going by what I've learned from him.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/QUOTE]You're forgetting that Sabrina sets the rules for this contest not your teacher. And those rules are:[quote name='Sabrina'][FONT="Tahoma"]The idea is that at least one line has to rhyme with another one in each section. [B]So out of four lines, the endings of two have to rhyme, for a total of six lines throughout the poem.[/B] [B]The two lines that rhyme in one section do not have to rhyme with the next section unless you want to do that.[/B'] Also, if you wish for all of them to rhyme throughout the entire poem that's fine too.[/FONT][/quote]:p Pay attention Prem, the idea is to judge and write by the rules set forth, not what you learned elsewhere.[/COLOR]

[SIZE="1"][COLOR="Indigo"][CENTER][SIZE="2"][B]Distractions...[/B][/SIZE][/CENTER] Adrian picked himself up for the third time off the hard ground of the training area, ignoring the taste of dirt in his mouth while resisting the urge to dust his clothing off. He got the feeling that it wouldn?t be the last time that he would be sent sprawling. It was certainly one of the few times he found himself unable to recover before he hit the ground though. [I]What in the world is the Council thinking?[/I] He called his scythes once again, having lost them when he was sent flying. [I] Why is standard training so pathetic?[/I] What Karl had been running him through was far more grueling than anything he had ever done before. He didn?t have much time to think about it, Karl saw to that. Every time Adrian did something that Karl considered stupid, he would deliver a corrective measure in the form of a painful slap or in the case of something truly dumb, he would send him flying. Not before he explained to him why a move or behavior was dumb, but after Karl had taken the time to explain and correct him when he made a mistake. It was only when he fell back on it out of instinct that Karl reminded him by taking advantage of it to correct him. [I]Painfully. [/I] At this rate he was going to be black and blue by the time they got done, making him glad that Shinigami healed quickly. Still, he was already getting sore and Gavrie was making it harder by calmly sitting to the side and running Astera through all sorts of questions. With their tight bond, it was the same as if he was sitting there talking to Gavrie. All her thoughts, questions and answers were foremost in his mind; just as his attempts to follow what Karl was doing was in hers. The effect was one of utter confusion for both of them as they tried unsuccessfully to keep their minds separate from what the other was doing. Adrian had been tempted to ask Gavrie to shut up and leave Astera alone. The only thing holding him back was that he got the feeling it would make him look even more stupid if he actually said something. He only wished he knew why Gavrie was doing it since he had to know what a terrible distraction it would be for him. Too late he realized that he had done it again, allowed his attention to wander. He only got a split second to realize it before Karl?s left foot slammed into his chest, sending him flying to land hard on his back again.[I] How many times am I going to get hit?[/I] It was starting to really frustrate him. Adrian started to get up and halted half-way when Karl came over, stopping when he was only a few feet away. ?[B]Stop being distracted by what Astera is doing idiot.[/B]? He surprised Adrian by offering his hand and pulling him up. ?[B]It?s not that simple.[/B]? Adrian protested. ?[B]I can?t shut her out.[/B]? ?[B]Who said anything about shutting her out?[/B]? Karl sighed as he let go of his own weapons, sending them to where a familiar kept them before folding his arms across his chest. ?[B]Bond?s were originally formed with the intent of developing a tactical advantage in battle; to give a Reaper a secondary set of eyes. Any Shinigami capable of forming a bond was given additional training to in order to better utilize their new ability.[/B]? He started walking over to where Gavrie and Astera were still sitting, not bothering to see if Adrian was following or not. ?[B]It was quickly learned that there were two types of bonds, the first enables the ability to communicate telepathically. However, its only capable of simple speech where the other type of bond does far more, in addition to being able to talk mind-to-mind, the pair also feels what the other is thinking; sees what the other is seeing.[/B]? Adrian took a seat next to Gavrie, secretly grateful for the break. He was sure that Gavrie and Karl knew he was sore and exasperated from the extended sparring session. Though to him, it had felt more like a slaughter than a spar since he was nowhere close to being able to keep up with Karl. Most of the time had been spent getting lectured on his obvious mistakes, and then shown how to correct the mistake followed by more facing off as Karl ran him through everything he knew. Karl looked to him and Astera who had moved to sitting on his shoulder, ?[B]You?re not going to learn to shut her out; even if that were possible it wouldn?t do you any good. What you [I]are[/I] going to do is learn to have more than one thought at a time in that head of yours.[/B]? Adrian could feel Astera stiffen at the insult but quickly moved to head it off, something that after giving him a mental snort, she accepted. [B][I]?There was no need for him to be rude about it.-[/I][/B] [I][B]-Yes there was. My stupidity nearly got both of us killed, more than once.- [/B][/I] He could feel that she did not agree, but that she was not going to argue with him over it. [B][I]?I just hope we?re done soon for today, at this rate, I?m going to be too sore to move.-[/I][/B] ?[B]Both of you have a lot to learn,[/B]? Karl finished. ?[B]Now go and do something else for a while, doesn?t matter what.[/B]? He smirked. ?[B]I?m sure by now you must be feeling it Adrian.[/B]? He smiled knowingly at Adrian?s look of barely concealed irritation before turning back into his usual feline form and lazily sauntering back to the home. [/COLOR][/SIZE]

[COLOR="Indigo"][quote name='Aberinkula'][size=1][COLOR="DarkSlateGray"][B]Indi[/B], some of your words don't rhyme with other ones. The words 'grasp', 'ground' and 'sure' didn't rhyme with any other line... unless I just can't see the rhyme.>_> But it was stilll a good poem. //snip// ...God it's very hard to decide. But my vote will have to go with [B]Indi[/B], despite her rhyme issues.[/COLOR][/size][/QUOTE]Silly, Sabrina already explained that only two of the lines in each section had to rhyme. So some of the lines [I]aren't suppose to[/I]. :p[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"]So, I?m curious to know. What do you do when you?re mentally worn out and yet not sleepy? You see, with finals approaching, I?ve spend so much time finishing up school work that after about six to eight hours of writing today, I got burned out. Enough that I found myself just staring at the computer screen going blank. So right now I?m listening to this: [URL="http://www.lunarmusic.net/"][U]Wall of Sound[/U][/URL] and doing very little else. Sometimes I listen to music to relax, other times I watch something or just go outside and rest on the grass. Well when it?s actually warm outside, not during the winter since being cold does not make me relax or feel refreshed. Those are the main things that I tend to do, music, show, spacing, etc. Usually one of them gets me back on track within a few hours or so; not always though. [/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"][B]Edit:[/B] You're still a [I]brat[/I] Allamorph.[quote name='Sandy']Not opposing, but [I]different[/I] views. I don't think there's much of a discussion when people talk about how much they agree with each other. ;D At least that discussion won't go anywhere.[/QUOTE]You're missing the point. Discussions where people [I]agree[/I] are what led to laws being formed in the first place, to peaceful co-existence. Which by the way means [I]no war[/I]. So what's wrong with getting practice or even finding people who agree with you? Why should they [I]only[/I] discuss things where their views are different? You're still hung up on the idea that it has to be [I]different[/I] or [I]opposing[/I] for it to be a discussion and that's just not true. Those kind of discussions have enormous potential and you're missing that point. [/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"][quote name='Sandy']Well, why don't we all just shut up, then, with our poor discussion skills. That'll turn this board into a fun place. ;D[/QUOTE]Or just admit that sweeping generalizations got everyone off on the wrong foot. Also, you seem to have the misperception that a discussion is only happening if people have opposing views. Not true.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"][quote name='Sandy;810027]I would want to see that the young men of Finland were given a true choice of how to serve their country.[/QUOTE]If they have no choice at all, I can see why you'd want them to have one. However, I don't know enough about your political structure to really give an opinion.[quote name='Sandy'']If you thought that in a war situation I'd just sit tight and do nothing, you're mistaken. I'm a professional social care worker, so I'd be of much more use in taking care of children, old people, the disabled etc. than rotting in prison for not going to the battlefront. But unfortunately those in power don't see that, because they were all raised to be "true men".[/quote]I think people were talking about a kill or be killed situation, not in general should a war break out. Also, in peace time those in the US may have a choice, but all men have to register. Should war come up and a draft is needed, they have no choice but to answer that call to serve. Except for women, we're exempt and not required to register. [/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"][SIZE="1"]Sandra did not approve of allowing the rigged ships to target whatever was closest, protesting vehemently when the decision was made and the preparations finished. But like many of her objections to how the war was being handled, it had gone unheeded. There were a lot of decisions being made lately that she did not agree with. It was all to easy for her to see the sentiment that she was too young, too inexperienced to be a member of the Council. It was maddening in the sense that she was positive that they were refusing to see that such a tactic would only backfire on them, making a lot of people unhappy. They couldn?t afford such a division, not when two of the six core systems had broken off. Taking them back was going to be a terrible shock, one that in itself was going to be hard enough to control. [I]Those fools?[/I] she thought bitterly. [I]At this rate, the end of the war will not end the formation of resistance factions.[/I] No, it was likely they?d have an even greater problem, one that could lead to the entire Versilan Empire collapsing. They had already lost most of what little faith the people had left in trusting in their rule. Of that she was certain. So here there were, on their way to retake sector four, to follow up on the chaos that would be created by the suicidal attacks. Which lead to another point of disapproval, one that she would have to address though she?d rather not. Sandra kept her expression neutral as she surveyed the bridge of the [I]Creator,[/I] deliberately ignoring how her newest Commander, Drace, was keeping on eye on her. It infuriated her that they had been unable to locate Jared, she had chosen him for a reason where Drace was merely an unpleasant necessity. A power-hungry one that she would have sooner jettisoned into space than allow to serve under her. He wasn?t nearly as clever as he seemed to think he was with his barely concealed disdain for her. Nor did she miss how he made a point of doing things to earn the loyalty of those serving on the [I]Creator.[/I] Sandra had dealt with his type before, and having to do so again only served to remind her of Jared?s absence. It was possible that he too was power-hungry, but she doubted it. She sighed inwardly, putting it out of mind, refusing to dwell on the reality that it was likely that he was dead. They would be arriving soon and she didn?t have the time to dwell on it. [CENTER]-------------------------[/CENTER] Jared still had no clue where he was, though he suspected that he was being transported somewhere. That much was certain from when he had first been brought to his new cell, the bit of conversation he had overheard making it clear. Just as it was also obvious that whoever had him was the middle person. The total lack of real contact was standard practice. Plus the first female voice he had heard never returned, there was no need really when most cells were designed to care for a prisoner automatically. The second voice, the one that had been off was a puzzle though. He hadn?t been onboard for long when that one started talking to him when he was awake, something that in his experience made no sense at all. At first he had thought it was some form of trick, a means to attempt to get information out of him. One that he had attempted to take advantage of by careful probing on his part. But whoever she was, she was every bit as skilled at not giving away information as he was, and just as patient in obtaining it. Spending hours and even days engaging in conversation even if the information gained was only a tidbit or hint of the whole picture. It had been a long time since he had dealt with someone that intelligent and though it irritated him that he was still in the dark, he did find himself oddly looking forward to the banter. It gave him a second thing that he wanted to know, besides who had captured him and why. And that was, to know who[I] she[/I] was. [/SIZE][/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"][quote name='Sandy;809887]Of course I know there are different positions inside the army you can train into. But when it all boils down, soldiers are trained to kill, or at least suffocate resistance with violence, not let's say diplomacy.[/QUOTE]Wrong, the military or rather war is for many countries a last resort. Their presence is often used as a deterrent, a means to say don't push or attempt to control us or others because we won't accept that. If it was really used to suffocate resistance, then you obviously don't bother to read up on standard procedures for most forms of law enforcement. And that is to use [I]non-lethal methods first,[/I] to break up problems, long before the actual fighting begins.[quote name='Sandy'']No, I am not an anarchist. XD Sure, if my country was at war, my opinions could be different. But living in a safe country (in both local and international level), I can hold on to my ideals. That's a luxury I know many people don't have.[/quote]News flash Sandy, many of us also live in a safe country and what dangers we face come from our fellow citizens, not some other country that requires a military presence to end it. We have our problems and issues of crime, but guess what? The fact that we have a military has nothing to do with whether or not our cities are safe since they aren't the one's providing the security. So harping on living in safe country isn't really relevant, other than the international level. And you know, no offense, but those other countries that have those[I] larger[/I] standing armies, just happen to deter those who would consider a tiny spot like Finland an easy target. I mean, even if you called in reserves, it's a harsh reality that by having those relations, it helps to cut down on unnecessary conflict. We have the same luxury of holding to our ideals, you just choose to not see it. We have similar ideals in wanting a world without war, where people can live in peace. We just realize that with any ideal, the other side of the coin must be present. So that those millions of citizens living in peace can get as close to them as possible.[quote name='Sandy']I've repeatedly said that I know the realities of life (I know that even the puny Finland could have use for an army at some day and age), but even those realities couldn't make me change my ideals except under the most absurd, sci-fi horror type of situation where it's the fate of the world vs. killing a guy, which I'm glad doesn't happen in the real world (or at least in my part of the world).[/QUOTE]I sincerely hope you never find yourself in the position of having to make that choice. Because until that moment happens, no one really knows for sure what they'll do. And thinking it never will or that the idea is absurd, is also naive. Ironically, your chances of facing that are higher outside of a military conflict and more likely in a rural setting.[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"]It's been a while since this happened back in August of 1999, but this is the scariest storm I've ever been in: [CENTER][YOUTUBE="Salt Lake City Utah Tornado"]h0VB5905Ebg[/YOUTUBE][/CENTER] And yes, that terrified the hell out of me because just like the reporter says in the clip, when you're too close, you really can't breathe, it feels like you're being suffocated or something. We've had other bad storms, but that one was the worst.[/COLOR]

[CENTER][COLOR="Indigo"]Frantic Frenzied hurried pace Dancing with elegant haste Impetuous call one must take Delirious[/COLOR][/CENTER]

[COLOR="Indigo"][CENTER]It starts with what seems like a hint of ice, Wrapped in delicate dances of elegant lace, Seemingly held secure in it?s grasp, The air begins to stir, changing pace. A caress of warmth, friendly, soft and sure, Swaying in showers as they gently call, Outbreaks of green are everywhere, Hot and sweltering, you can feel it all. Abandonment sweet, leaves upon the ground, Frost gracing the edges, a promise nice, Fluttering down through the chilly air, Found once again, taking on, a hint of ice.[/CENTER][/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"][quote name=''[Sound_Nin];809659'][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Book Antiqua]So here's my advice: doctors and police, despite seeming like it, are NOT your friends. They just want a paycheck. If you don't keep pushing them to investigate, they won't. So just keep on them. Or nothing will ever get done. Sorry to say it, but there are a lot of crooked people in this world. [/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]To quote your own statement:[QUOTE='[Sound_Nin];809659'][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Book Antiqua]Okay, wow. You're scary. [/FONT'][/COLOR][/quote]Seriously, that's one of the dumbest reasons I've heard in a while to claim doctors or cops or anyone doesn't do their job. Everyone wants a paycheck, because you know... working and not getting paid just doesn't make sense. Putting that aside, Aceburner already covered it well enough. Don't jump to conclusions, give things time to be investigated and keep your cool so you don't do something you'll regret later. Losing someone suddenly is never easy, I know, and I'm sorry to hear that your friend is gone. [quote name='Zombie_Nosh'][COLOR="Green"][B]EDIT:[/B]And now I see that this guy was banned. Is this some sort of pisstake? Because, if it is, I feel mighty foolish right now . . .[/COLOR][/QUOTE]No, they are not banned. That's just their custom title, like yours that says [I]Security Cameras in Operation[/I] If they were banned, that would be located where the title member is just under one's user name. Just look here to see what I mean: [URL="http://www.otakuboards.com/showpost.php?p=751397&postcount=196"][U]Click[/U][/URL] [/COLOR]

[COLOR="Indigo"]If you're in here reading this before the post... *Thwack!* Go read the post and then come back. Anyway, I'm sure the rest of you guessed that Karl could [spoiler]assume a human form[/spoiler] And to make that easier to visualize I have a picture for it here: [URL="http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/5779/karlxb9.jpg"][U]Karl[/U][/URL] Something for you to add to the first post Rach. Also, to explain things a little, when becoming partnered to a Shinigami, most familiars gain some sort of ability, like being able to ghost through walls. In the case of werecats, they also get a limited ability to summon a non-scythe weapon. They do not have the ability to use them like Shinigami can. They cannot use a weapon to base a spiritual attack on, since they cannot wield the flames of purification; nor can they change them like Nathan did his. So it's more like they gained the ability to have them with them at all times, or rather in a state that lets them summon the weapon at need. It can ghost through walls as well, but nothing else is special about it. No separating of souls since that is something only the Shinigami can do. So basically becoming a familiar would only allow them the weapon, the ability to fly, and the ability to ghost. The actual ability of course would depend on the familiar, obviously Astera would not gain such a thing since her tiny size makes using a weapon impractical, plus her nature is more defensive instead of offensive so it wouldn't suit her at all.[/COLOR]

[SIZE="1"][COLOR="Indigo"][CENTER][B][SIZE="2"]So, where were we?[/SIZE][/B][/CENTER] When he woke up from resting yet again, Adrian was still thinking about what he had seen when he found Gavrie and Nathan sparring in the back. Or perhaps it was better to say he was thinking about what he [I]couldn?t[/I] see; because that was exactly what had happened. He had tried, unsuccessfully, to follow their moves. Other than the more obvious ones where Nathan had somehow altered his scythe into something different and Gavrie twirling his for what looked like spiritual blades to deploy at each end; he had struggled to keep up with the rest. Adrian didn?t know how in the world he was going to manage to learn how to move like those two could. It was so quick that by the time he managed to follow one strike in his mind, Gavrie and Nathan were past that, several moves beyond his ability to follow them. The Count, in comparison, was so slow that it was pitiful. The realization that he had needed to channel Astera?s ability to stop the Count, was both painful and humiliating. He had always known Gavrie was a lot better than he was, but until now, he hadn?t realized just how big that gap really was. [I]There?s no way the Council will allow me to stay here long enough for real training. [/I]Adrian sat up slowly, careful to not disturb Astera who was curled up in silk blankets next to his pillow, fast asleep. He looked to the window to see that it was light out, he had either slept the day away, or the night as well, making it morning of the next day. It didn?t matter though, what did was that by not having to waste any spiritual energy to ward himself and Astera, the healing process was well underway. In another day, two at most, he would be fully healed. Silently Adrian got up, heading over to the window to gaze out at the field and training area, feeling defeated. He leaned out a bit, both hands resting on the open window sill, his thoughts in turmoil. He had made so many mistakes, endangering not only himself but Astera too. If not for Nathan, both of them would have died. With a sigh, Adrian turned back to the bed when he felt that Astera was starting to wake up. He smiled at the sight of her stretching a bit as she truly woke up, sitting up sleepily. He didn?t know how, but if he couldn?t get training here, he?d find a way, somehow. [CENTER]-------------------------[/CENTER] Gavrie had gotten what he wanted, it hadn?t been too hard to convince them that he should train Adrian, he wasn?t going to explain it to the boy though. That too was part of the deal and though he would have rather left it alone, it had been the best route to ensure that they got the training they needed without too many complications. By now he was certain the pair would be healed enough to start and as he landed on the front veranda to his home, the feel of their auras as they slept confirmed his thoughts. He sat down in his usual spot, Karl choosing to sit in the chair opposite instead of curling up on his shoulders like he often did. The two merely stared at one another and only the tiniest hint of a twitch in Karl's tail from time to time betrayed the irritation that he seemed to be feeling. ?[B]You got permission.[/B]? He stated flatly. ?[B]Yes.[/B]? ?[B]Why? You know what that will mean.[/B]? ?[B]I know what it will mean if I don?t.[/B]? Gavrie crossed his legs, sitting up a little straighter. ?[B]Do you have a better solution?[/B]? It was obvious from Karl?s flattened ears that he did not. ?[B]Would you have me turn them down?[/B]? He asked softly, even though he knew the answer already. ?[B]Of course not![/B]? Karl snapped. ?[B]It?s just that?[/B]? He looked to the side, his tail twitching even more. ?[B]I hate my other form.[/B]? ?[B]All the more reason to use it.[/B]? He kept a straight face when Karl looked back to see if he was being serious. ?[B]He won?t understand anyway.[/B]? ?[B]I know.[/B]? Karl sighed, turning his attention towards the back of the home as both of them could feel that Adrian had woken up, the change in his aura unmistakable. ?[B]Besides,[/B]? Gavrie quipped. ?[B]You?re getting rusty.[/B]? He grinned at the irritated glance Karl shot in his direction before hopping down with a look of disgust to head into the home to retrieve the two. With a negligible sigh of his own Gavrie got up to head for the training area. [CENTER]-------------------------[/CENTER] Adrian was confused. Instead of the lecture he had expected and felt he deserved to receive, he was standing inside the fences surrounding the training area, baffled by having been fetched by Karl. In the past, other than to watch a little and to offer cutting remarks, Karl had never given him the time of day, and he had never entered the fenced off area. Gavrie, along with Astera was sitting on one of the larger wooden posts, his look unreadable. [I]What is going on here? [/I]Adrian looked to Karl who was calmly sitting about ten feet from where he stood, grooming himself as if he didn?t have a care in the world. He looked back to Gavrie who had an amused grin on his face, wondering what the deal was since other than to tell him he would be staying until he said he was done, he had refused to explain how he had gotten the Council to agree to his training. It was perplexing since unless things had changed, he knew from before that extensive training beyond what one got when they became a Shinigami, was not allowed. Though Gavrie had still found the time to slip in some additional training after he found Astera anyway. [I]How did he get permission?[/I] It was a question that by the look in Gavrie?s eyes, he was certain he would not get an answer to. Before he could do more than frown slightly a shift in energy, coming from Karl?s direction, caught his attention, something he had never sensed before. It was spiritual energy, but different from that of a Reaper. Startled he looked back in time to see what, to his eyes, looked like some form of mist surrounding Karl. With a mental twist it flared and then settled into the shape of a human. Without thinking, Adrian took an involuntary step backwards in surprise. Not because he didn?t know that werecats could change into a human form, but because he had never seen Karl do so before. Dressed all in black with brown boots, gauntlets and belt, the shirt open a few buttons in the front; he was just under six feet tall, his frame a medium build. Dark chocolate brown hair, the same color of his fur, fell about six inches past his shoulders. Green eyes met his and Adrian noticed what looked like a decorative tattoo framing his right eye, the blue color standing out sharply. The greatest shock came next when yet another stirring of power could be felt and twin scimitars materialized in Karl?s hands. A few practice twirls and swings made it clear he was no stranger to the blades either. Adrian was stunned; doing nothing but staring in shock. [i]Familiars can summon weapons?[/i] He couldn?t help but glance at Astera even though he knew through the bond that she was just as surprised as he was. Gavrie snickered at his dumbfounded look. "[B]Surely you don't need me to spell things out for you?[/B]" Adrian opened his mouth but nothing came out. [I]Surely he's kidding... isn't he?[/I] "[B]Did you really think this dimwit would get it?[/B]" Karl sighed. Adrian's gaze shot back to Karl who was giving him a look of disgust. [I]What the hell?[/I] He knew he should say something, but for the life of him, his mind was going utterly blank. "[B]Summon your scythes Adrian,[/B]" Gavrie explained patiently. "[B]For now you will be working with Karl for combat training.[/B]" "[B]But...[/B]" He started to protest but Gavrie cut him off. "[B]No buts.[/B]" He said firmly. "[B]Don't worry, I'll go easy on you.[/B]" Karl snidely quipped. Snarling inwardly Adrian summoned his scythes, wondering what the hell to expect as he moved into the first basic defensive stance that he had learned, the left scythe angled in front to block, the right loosely to the side and ready to strike. Karl just gave him a tiny half smile, something that only served to increase the feelings of uneasiness that Adrian was experiencing.[/COLOR][/SIZE]