Horendithas

[COLOR=Sienna][QUOTE=Farto the Magic][FONT=Trebuchet MS][COLOR=DarkGreen]Alright, when I woke up this morning, my computer I found out that my computer had contracted tons of viruses and spent the next five hours fixing it and clearing them out. Needless to say, that sucked. Then I went to work and when I got back, I found my little brother using my laptop. The same one that I told him he could never use. The same one that I had spent hours cleaning and was still needed to be under careful observation. I threatened his life, chewed him out, threatened him again, then asked my parents if I could carry out my threat. He responded by telling me that I put all of the viruses on my computer and if the computer crashed, it was my fault. The only good thing to come of the whole situation is the blackmail items I found in his hotmail. In the end though, I was left wondering how his thought process works? Did he not remember me spending hours being frustrated at my computer and take that for permission to use it? Please, for the love of God, tell me if anyone else has this problem with siblings being annoying and/or stupid. If you are the annoying and/or stupid sibling, enlighten us please. Tell me I'm not alone...[/COLOR][/FONT][/QUOTE] This will sound a bit cheesy, but my advise, after you password protect your computer that is, enjoy it. As strange as that sounds, enjoy having a younger or older sibling that is annoying. Somewhere down the line the both of you will move on and unless your younger brother is a complete jerk you will find that on some level you actually miss them. Even more so if something were to happen and they were dead. I?m speaking from experience here. I guess I?m just curious if your younger brother is trying to get you to pay attention to him. I know siblings are annoying, but mine (before he died) often pulled all sorts of annoying stunts just to get my attention. And once I started paying attention and doing stuff with him, we had all sorts of fun. Yeah he was still annoying, but I?d give anything to have him back in my life. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]The one thing I could not live without is my friends. Life on many levels would be so empty without them. We have so much fun together and we are always there for each other when one of us is feeling down. It just makes things easier as you always know when things get a little rough that they will be there for you. I?d love to say my dog, but I don?t have one, but going back to the friends part, one of them who lives just across the street does have one. I get the biggest kick out of watching that funny little fluff ball (she has a miniature poodle) run in circles in the yard growling for no reason and the way she latches onto your pants and shakes and growls is just too funny for words. It?s the sort of thing that just makes you feel better when you?ve had a rough day. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna][QUOTE=Retribution][size=1]So I ignored the part about "If it's an option, then I'd be for giving that option," but in the grander scheme of your post, the rest really didn't corrolate. In any event, I wasn't trying to single only you out, your post just happened to be the one I saw first, so I replied to it. I was saying that in general, everyone telling me to use a different medium of communication if I don't like it is just overlooking the problem. That's what I meant by the 'love it or leave it'. Sorry if I sounded accusing or something. As for everyone bringing up the possibility of some evil person sending you an offensive PM, I'd like to ask you how often does that happen? I believe I got one, and that's because I deleted someone's post. For the great majority of OBers who are [b]not[/b] moderators, when would someone give you a profanity-riddled message? I just think everyone's blowing the mere possibility of recieving [i]one[/i] angry PM from someone, and deciding to just censor PMs based on that extraordinarily low possibility. I have a total of 1,155 PMs. If 1,153 of those are clean, then that means that 99.8% of them are unoffensive PMs. Is that 0.2% really enough to censor all PMs? It's ridiculous to do so for fear of that one fateful PM. I can understand being offended by profanity. What I cannot understand is why everyone thinks someone's going to mail them anthrax or something. I don't believe I called anyone high and mighty if you're referring to me, the only one 'offended' by being told to use IM/e-mail. Truth be told, I'm not offended, just a bit annoyed that people are trying to dance about the heart of the matter by suggesting that 'solution.'[/size][/QUOTE]I?m sorry, as I was not trying to come across, as I didn?t think the matter wasn?t important. I don?t know about others, but I?ve had plenty of experience with being flamed by other members at other forums. And honestly, the entire time I?ve been here I haven?t received a single negative pm. myOtaku is another matter as I usually get several a month since for some reason other members think that if I don?t give them copies of my pictures from adult video games that I?m a [insert censored swearing] type of person. It?s not a big deal since 99% of the time when they get no response they never bother me again. I?m sure that for 99% of the members it?s not an issue, but I?m sure that the few who have experienced it, well it is unpleasant. It?s not the same as say a normal conversation since the swearing isn?t meant to verbally attack or insult them personally. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna][QUOTE=Retribution][size=1]Swearing is not consider spam in the Arena to let people have more creative liscense or what have you. It's not like swearing is forbidden all across OB, as if they're a black plague. In addition, words like [B]Damn[/B] get through routinely. Don't tell me to "just use IM" or "why don't you e-mail?". I'm PMing the person the message for the exact same reason everyone else uses the PM function, and relegating my problem to a "love it or leave it" stance really annoys me. Why have the PM function at all if you're just going to ignore a suggestion and tell me to get IM? What if they don't have IM? What if they're never online because of timezones? A PM is like leaving a voice mail -- you're not talking to a live person, but the message still gets there.[/size][/QUOTE]And ignoring part of my post is an equally annoying stance. I'm getting a little tired of people putting words in my mouth for me. I never said I was ignoring people's suggestion. I've already said that I'm all for the idea of it being an option. The comment about using AIM or other services was and is a suggestion, not a final judgment. Even if I was the one making the final decision I'd still want people to have the right to choose. You and others think we should allow swearing and I've said that so long as it's an option so I can have the filter on I don't mind. I wish people would quit focusing only on my opinion that I think it's not necessary. No where in there did I say it shouldn't even be considered. [/COLOR] :animesigh

[COLOR=Sienna][quote name='DeadSeraphim][color=indigo][size=1][font=arial]Do you get a good view from your high horse? Swearing is a fact of life in any medium. In fact some people - myself included - feel [i]completely comfortable swearing, and don't actually realising they're doing it because they realise it's just words[/i]. In fact, acting all indignant about swearing under the guise of protecting everyone else is just a transparent way of saying "I don't like swearing, I don't want it on my forum, not even in PMs I can't possibly read". Face it, some people don't give a damn about swearing, acting high and mighty about it isn't about to win you any friends. In fact, it just makes you look like an elitist tool.[/font][/size'][/color][/quote]Since when did stating an opinion put someone on a high horse? I never once said I was trying to protect others from swearing, I was only going on the basis that if swearing is considered spam according to the rules it doesn?t make much sense to allow it. Don?t start putting words in my mouth. I?m all for the option of it being a choice. Honestly, I could care less if you swear. But just because you are comfortable with it doesn?t mean others are. And for the record, I don?t have a problem with swearing, but just because say you or others don?t mind, why should those who do mind have to put up with it? As for my comment about thinking it wasn?t a necessary change, that?s just an opinion, nothing more, nothing less. You have a right to your opinion, but I hardly think it?s necessary to be rude and make assumptions about mine.[quote name='James][font=franklin gothic medium']I think that's a legitimate point. But the way to answer it is to say that we'd have the censor activated by default so that nobody gets surprised - we don't want to rule out swearing and then surprise people by suddenly allowing it.[/font][/quote]That?s really my only concern, that no one gets surprised by someone sending them a rude pm. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Well seeing that swearing and offensive words in any format is considered spam, why allow it in private pm?s? Even if the pm?s are private, the pm system is still a part of the boards. It?s not like there isn?t plenty of other formats for sending such information. If it?s casual information, there are plenty of services like AIM and MSN that are free. Though I don?t know if they censor things or not. Sure it?s easy to tell another member to just suck it up and delete an offensive message, but why should someone have to even deal with that sort thing when it?s not necessary? I?d much rather get a message that was mostly gibberish due to the censor than one that was loaded with garbage. If any change was made I would be in favor of it being an option, with the automatic default being that the censor is always on unless you actually changed it to not filter out swear words. Though I think it?s a change that?s not necessary. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Not counting the new posts that ignored r2vq?s warning about post quality. Fourteen posts were deleted for poor quality and in spite of several warnings being given this thread keeps degrading. At this point I see no reason to keep it open. New Members that haven't come across them yet, please read the [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules/php?][u][COLOR=Sienna][B]Rules[/B][/COLOR][/u] [/URL] & [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/faq.php?][u][COLOR=Sienna][B]FAQ[/B][/COLOR][/u][/URL]. These, and reading older members' posts, should give you an idea of the standard we expect. If you have any questions feel free to pm myself or another member of the staff. ~indifference [B]Thread Closed[/B] [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]When I was a kid, every time my siblings or I did something wrong, my father would take us into his study and have us sit down. Being a Lawyer my father would then tell us about what happened to say a thief or someone who vandalized by using either examples from his own cases or from cases his colleagues had represented. It didn?t matter which one of us had misbehaved, we all were brought in and given a lecture. I didn?t know the difference between a lawyer and a Judge and I honestly thought that after being caught so many times lying or cheating on a test, even though it wasn?t me most of the time, well I thought that just like the people in the cases he told us about, my brothers and I would be escorted off to jail. My brothers enjoyed tormenting me by threatening to cheat on a test just so I could go to jail with them. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Welcome to OtakuBoards [B]stay(sic)[/B], The start of your RPG journey starts here: [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=48] [COLOR=Sienna][U][B]Adventure Inn[/B][/U][/COLOR][/URL] Something to keep in mind is that we have a rules page that all members are required to read before posting. These [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php?"][U][COLOR=Sienna][B]Rules[/B][/COLOR][/U][/URL] and [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/faq.php?][U][COLOR=Sienna][B]FAQ[/B][/COLOR][/U][/URL] can be found on the left navigation menu or you can use the underlined links I have just provided. The same goes for each section as they have a thread at the top of the section with rules specific to that area. Seeing that your question has been answered, I see no need to keep this open. Though if you have further questions not answered by the rules, feel free to pm myself or another member of the staff. ~indifference [B]Thread Closed[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Initially when I first started joining online forums I always used my name Crystia as a username. It just seemed odd to use a name that wasn?t me. After several negative experiences I decided to use indifference when joining new places. Most of the places I had trouble with no longer exist, but I was attempting to reflect my attitude that on some level if someone objected to what I liked in anime shows, well I was indifferent to their objection. Ironically, I?ve never run into that type of problem at either myOtaku or OtakuBoards, so the change ended up being unnecessary. However, now that I have been using it for almost a year, I?ve grown use to it and don?t see a reason to change it to something else. So in the end it didn?t really change my personality as the way I interact with others hasn?t changed either. It was just a part of me that already existed. As for it giving me a personality among others? Well I suppose it might, based on how others perceive it. The one thing I have noticed is that people often think I?m a guy where before there was no question that I am a girl. I?ve also encountered members over at myOtaku who tell me that I?m intimidating. I?m not sure how I managed that one though as I don?t behave any differently than I did at other forums. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]I stumbled across theOtaku while reading some reviews for a couple of anime shows I was considering getting. After lurking for many months I finally joined and started a myOtaku account. I wandered over to OB when I had a small problem with a wallpaper I had submitted and the professional manner in which I was helped by members really surprised me. So I kept coming back. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Welcome to OtakuBoards [B]Dnangelfan1990[/B], Please be aware that we have a rules page that all members are required to read before posting. These [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php?"][U][COLOR=Sienna][B]Rules[/B][/COLOR][/U][/URL] and [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/faq.php?][U][COLOR=Sienna][B]FAQ[/B][/COLOR][/U][/URL] can be found on the left navigation menu or you can use the underlined links I have just provided. I will be closing this thread since conversation is greatly valued here at OtakuBoards. For one thing you haven?t expressed why you are interested in a public machine deck. Also without giving a reason as to why you chose your card it leaves the thread open to spammy responses of simply listing a card. Those type of posts are considered spam. Once you have re-read the rules this will make more sense. If you have any questions feel free to pm myself or another member of the staff. ~indifference [B]Thread Closed[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Welcome to OtakuBoards [B]reuray[/B], Please be aware that we have a rules page that all members are required to read before posting. These [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php?"][U][COLOR=Sienna][B]Rules[/B][/COLOR][/U][/URL] and [URL=http://www.otakuboards.com/faq.php?][U][COLOR=Sienna][B]FAQ[/B][/COLOR][/U][/URL] can be found on the left navigation menu or you can use the underlined links I have just provided. I will be closing this thread since here at OtakuBoards, we greatly emphasize the concept of having clear, easy to read posts. This includes correct use of spelling, grammar and punctuation. Something your post does not do. Once you're re-read the rules this will make more sense. If you have any questions feel free to pm myself or another member of the staff. ~indifference [B]Thread Closed[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna][QUOTE=Grace][SIZE=1]For those of you who asked about this, I'll answer it as simple as I can. I work for a internet game community for teens around the world. Each Country (Hotel) has their own moderation team, who are to send in a report about serious offenders against our game rules. I am to go over the reports, and this one report happened to catch my eye. I hope that is what you were asking. What state do you reside in? I'm just curious. Sorry if I made it out to sound like a "Earth shattering event", for those were not my intentions at all. I simply wanted to bring up that the fact that people making fun of Mormons is starting to become more and more popular.[/SIZE][/QUOTE]That's exactly what I was asking since I hadn't seen anything recently about a report of what LDS/Mormons are so it had me puzzled as to what you were referring to. In all honesty it sounds like a bunch of people poking fun at it without bothering to find out what the LDS/Mormon Church is really like. I live in Salt Lake City, Utah. Which is suppose to be the headquarters of the LDS/Mormon religion. Unless they have changed that recently. I was referring to the fact that my parents will mention something in relation to the LDS/Mormon Church being in the news and yet it's not on the news here or in the newspapers either. Nothing earth shattering, but it does happen. There's no need to be sorry. If you've never run across it before, then it just makes it all that more surprising when you do. I've been running into it for a long time. Other people poking fun at all sorts of things including various religions. Personally I think it's rather sad, unless it's someone who's just trying to be funny. There are those who are genuinely being rude and others who poke fun but don't really have any ill will towards the LDS/Mormon Church. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna][QUOTE=Grace][SIZE=1]I was just at work going over some major problems we have in-game. I was sitting at my desk and drinking a delicious Blended Vanilla Bean from Starbucks (^_^). Then I came across this one report, which made me very, VERY, upset. "Mormons are *******, all they do is dress up in these ugly suits, and ride around on bicycles! And on top of that they have like 500 wives!"[/SIZE][/QUOTE]I?m curious as to what this report you are referring to is as well. Perhaps you could explain?[quote name='Grace][SIZE=1']AHEM AHEM AHEM! Well excuse me! I really don't think that's what Mormonism is all about. And why must everyone pick on the religion? Seriously, isn't there someone else that can get fired upon all the time?[/SIZE][/quote]I seriously doubt that everyone is picking on the Mormon religion. Even though I dislike the religion, along with many other religions, I don?t go around poking fun or making jokes about the LDS/Mormon religion. I don?t go around making fun of any religion. Even though I have been repeatedly harassed by members of the LDS/Mormon religion, I still do not view it as an excuse to make fun of them. Just as there are disagreeable members, there are also members who are not like that at all.[quote name='Grace][SIZE=1']Even on Late Night shows (Jay Leno, David Letterman) are starting to take aim at my religion. It's not funny, and not fair. I mean, God forbid someone makes a crack on a Catholic (no offence people, really). The whole church would go crazy and the person who said it will go under fire.[/SIZE][/quote]Starting too? Perhaps you haven?t been watching TV or following events, the LDS/Mormon religion has been getting made fun of for a very long time. Nothing I have seen indicates that the harassment is anything new. As for the Catholic Church, they may not like it, but people make fun of them all the time and they have not gone crazy so to speak. Gavin would know this better than I would. But I don?t recall anything in the news where the Catholic Church was going after someone for making fun of them. And for that matter, I don?t recall the LDS/Mormon Church going after anyone either. Though SunfallE makes a good point in that they did ostracize the member who published the book she mentioned. If anything it is the LDS/Mormon Church who goes nuts over something that doesn?t agree with their political agenda. My parents live back east and I?m constantly surprised by things that are filtered out of the news here that are negative towards the LDS/Mormon church. [QUOTE=Grace][SIZE=1]And as I know it, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints does not practice polygamy anymore. Yet, there is this one show on HBO called "Big Love" about some Mormons in SLC, Utah. I think the main character has like two wives and 10 children or whatever. What do you think about Mormonism always under fire? For those of you who ARE Mormon, do you find shows like these offensive? And finally, do you think if other religions such at Catholicism, were to be made fun of, would they be very upset and make a big deal about it?[/SIZE][/QUOTE] Polygamy is no longer practiced because it?s illegal. Otherwise I doubt the church would have quit that practice. So long as it?s between consenting adults I see no problem with it. If we were to remove every single show that was offensive to someone there would be no show?s to watch on TV. Have you even watched this show? I?ve seen the Internet and a physical petition to get this show removed and it?s pretty laughable since like SunfallE mentioned, many of the people haven?t even seen the show. It?s a melodramatic soap opera that is not meant to be taken as fact. What do I think? That like any other religion, they get poked fun at. I don?t see it as an earth shattering event that anyone needs to get worried about. I agree that it?s not very polite, but I really don?t see it as a huge problem. I am not Mormon, and though the show is a bit tasteless, I don?t find it offensive. If they were to present it as a story about actual members of the church, then yes I would think they had crossed the line since at that point it would be evident that they are deliberately making fun of specific individuals. And if they had it would be slander as well. As for your last one. The Catholic Church is already being made fun of, and so far they don?t seem to be making a big deal over it. I?m kind of curious as to how you got the idea that they aren?t being made fun of. [QUOTE=Grace][SIZE=1]Have you seen the commercial of two young women sitting in some sort of eating area? One woman (the Mormon) hands the other one a Bible. And tells her that it's good to read, and that she should check it out. Then at the end it says something about this being a message from the Mormons. See? She didn't just barge in there and tell the woman to go baptize herself as a new Mormon now did she? That's how I feel we should feel portrayed. And for those of you who like Napolean Dynamite (spelling -.-) well that had some Mormons in it. Hehe.[/SIZE][/QUOTE] Commercials are designed to portray things in the best light possible. I cannot see how you can say a commercial is an accurate portrayal of any religion or product, etc. [quote name='Gavin][SIZE=1']However I still feel that religious people have a right to become offended when someone offends them, just as any one else has the right when they're insulted.[/SIZE][/quote] I agree, that everyone has a right to be upset, I just think it?s important to wonder if it?s worth getting upset over. Some things need to be ended but others, I wouldn?t say it?s harmless, but on some level you can?t make people not crack jokes at a religion. I know plenty of LDS/Mormons who pretty much ignore the negative comments and are comfortable enough with their own religion to poke fun at themselves. One of the funniest jokes about polygamy and Brigham Young I learned from a member of the LDS/Mormon Church. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Hello, Starfire0567, and welcome to the Arena. I will be closing this thread for a couple of reasons. [B]One:[/B] All RPGs must go through recruitment in the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=48][COLOR=Sienna][U]Adventure Inn[/U][/COLOR][/url]. This area is for creating a thread where other players can post if they have questions about your RPG. So it?s not the correct place to be recruiting for an RPG. Once you have the basic plot and story posted in the Adventure Inn, as well as what you want other players to include in their signups, other people can sign up. [B]Two:[/B] You may have not noticed, but blooming has been banned so it?s unlikely they will be able to participate in your RPG. [B] Three:[/B] It?s usually a good idea to give a brief summary of what your RPG is supposed to be about. That way members can decide if it's something that actually interests them. Please read the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=44317][COLOR=Sienna][U]Sticky[/U][/COLOR][/url] for instructions on creating an RPG and make sure your RPG meets all the requirements before you start it again. Thank you. ~indifference [b]Thread Closed[/b] [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Welcome to OtakuBoards [B]Takanutsu[/B], A word of advise when creating threads, telling others to ask you about your manga [I]later[/I] is not a good way to ask for advise or to start a thread. If you don?t have the time, then it?s better to come back and create it when you [I]do[/I] have the time. Not only is there nothing on what your manga is about, your asking for advise on what to use without providing any links to your work or without explaining what you?ve used when creating it; well that sort of defeats the purpose as members don?t even know what to advise you on yet. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the rules before posting again. Also punctuation is important as well as it makes it easier for others to understand what you have written. Feel free to re-create this thread, just be sure to provide more information like a short outline of your story, links to your work or descriptions of what you have used to draw them, etc. If you have any questions feel free to pm myself or another member of the staff. ~indifference [B]Thread Closed[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Welcome to OtakuBoards [B]Martyrpuppet[/B] Since the rules clearly state: [B]· Selling/Distribution/Advertising of Copyrighted Materials:[/B] Posting threads/posts with the intent of selling, distributing or advertising copyrighted materials is prohibited by OtakuBoards. We do not offer any trading post services at OtakuBoards.com. Furthermore, posting links to illegal ROMs, full episodes of movies or any other such material is unacceptable. I am closing this thread, as posting links to the material you have requested is not allowed. Also because conversation is greatly valued here at OtakuBoards and a simple request for information doesn?t leave much room for a discussion. Please take a moment to review the rules, once you?ve done that we look forward to seeing your posts. ~indifference [B]Thread Closed[/B] [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]I admit, on some level I agree with you Retribution. It does seem a bit far-fetched that everyone would be handling a tremendous shock such as being in a coma, losing everyone and yet still be calm enough to attend a ball shortly after waking up. I even toyed with the idea of my character refusing to leave his room until someone explained just what the hell was going on. I decided on having him come based on the fact that he is now a hybrid and animals and insects do not have the same emotional and social structure that humans do. An aspect of the hybrid side helping him to adapt much quicker than a normal human would to a similar stressful situation. A least that?s what I was thinking. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Since this is actually a game it belongs in the Play It section. So I?m moving it there. InuyashaWB, it's a good idea to check the section's rules before creating a thread. Also it's a good idea to take the time to explain what the game is about so that others have a better idea of what you wish to discuss. Post quality is pretty important here at OtakuBoards, so please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the rules. ~indifference[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]I don?t care for honorifics in dubbed anime. For the most part the English language, at least where I live, doesn?t use it. So it just seems out of place. Although the idea of having triple audio on DVD?s is a good idea, I would imagine that if you had to record the tracks separately it would be too much of a hassle. If it was a matter of just recording it with the honorifics and then editing out the honorifics for the next track something that would not require the voice actors to do it twice, well then it might be feasible. Otherwise I think it?s better to just stick to one format. And since most people don?t use honorifics I think that for the most part it?s best to leave them out. Another reason I don?t care for them is that most disks have them in the subtitled Japanese version. Since they really apply to the original version why have them in English when they don?t really fit? They sound far more natural in the original language anyway. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Well though I like the idea of being a pirate with the puffy shirts, swords, ships and the whole sailing the seas bit. And searching for treasure is something that I would love to do. I just like the idea of being a trained assassin/sabotage agent more. So in the end I?d probably want to be a pirate who sticks close to the coast and plunders by day and then work as a ninja by night. The whole pirate bit can be my cover. ;)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Darren had finally found a spot where he could watch the other people without having to actually talk to anyone, well other than the occasional waiter that passed by to see if he needed anything. Although the wine one of the waiters had finally convinced him to take was excellent, he just wasn?t that thirsty or hungry for that matter. Which considering how wonderful the food smelled was a shame. But his stomach was still in knots and he didn?t trust it to keep anything more substantial down. He already felt incredibly uncomfortable just being there, throwing up in front of everyone was the last thing he wanted to do. He leaned back further into the incredibly soft and comfortable chair he was sitting in. [I]I wonder if someone can show me how this place was built[/I]? He wondered. Now that would be something he would enjoy doing if he was going to be stuck in this place. Darren watched the people dancing for a little longer and then closed his eyes, and just listened to the music. If only he would just wake up somehow making this a dream, but the longer he was awake, the more real this other world became. Darren sighed and opened his eyes. More people had arrived and all of them except one seemed to be either dancing or chatting with someone. There was even a priest among the people. Was he one of the others who had been in a coma? Darren was tempted to go and talk to him, but he had never felt very comfortable around religion, as he had never really believed in God. Still it would be nice to talk to someone. Just sitting here was making him even more depressed. Maybe once the priest was done chatting he would go over and introduce himself. ?[B]Can I get you something[/B]?? A voice asked. Darren turned to see yet another waiter standing next to his chair, he had been so lost in thought he hadn?t even heard the man come over. ?[B]Thank you, but I?m kind of feeling a little sick[/B].? Darren said weakly. ?[B]Ah, I see[/B]," The waiter reached into his pocket, pulled out a little pouch and poured it into one of the glasses of wine on his tray before offering the glass to Darren. ?[B]It?s just a side effect of the coma sir, drink this and you?ll feel better in no time[/B].? He said with a smile. Darren traded glasses with the waiter. ?[B]Thank you[/B].? ?[B]Just wait here for a moment and I?ll get you something on the soothing side[/B].? The waiter said as he took Darren?s glass from him. Darren took a tentative sip of the wine the waiter had mixed the stuff in, no point in not drinking it. After all if they had wanted to drug him they could have easily done that while he had been in the coma. To his surprise the stuff seemed to work almost instantly. He finished the rest of the glass as the waiter who had given it to him returned with a plate of various appetizers and another glass of wine for him. ?[B]Feeling better sir[/B]?? The waiter asked as he offered the plate of food and glass of wine to Darren. ?[B]Yes, much better[/B],? he said as he gave the waiter the empty glass and took the plate of food and the other glass of wine from him. ?[B]Thank you[/B].? ?[B]My pleasure[/B],? the waiter said with a bow. ?[B]If you need anything else just let me know[/B].? He bowed slightly again and left to attend to other guests. Now that he didn?t feel sick Darren realized that he was very hungry. To his relief the waiter had given him nothing but finger food. [I]I wonder if he realized that I don?t even know how one would eat at a formal ball[/I]? Darren thought. Well either way he was grateful. In a very short time he had eaten everything on the plate. It was the finest tasting food he had ever eaten. Before he could even think about what to do with the empty plate yet another waiter took the plate away for him. Now that he was no longer feeling sick or hungry he took another look around the ballroom. With a start he realized that one of the women had long black hair with blue highlights that looked just like his sister from behind. She was dressed in a beautiful green gown and about the same height and build as Bethany was. Without even realizing it he was up and walking over to see if it was her, hope warring with dread over it being someone else. Either way, he had to know if it was Bethany or not.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Darren sighed as he looked at himself in the mirror. Taking a shower and getting ready had done nothing to make him feel better. Cleaner maybe, but not better. It just didn?t seem real. The expensive surroundings just reinforced the feeling of displacement. Bethany would have known what to do. Though that thought just made him want to curl up and cry. He looked over at the clock near the small white panel, it was already a few minutes past eight. [I]I?d better get going before who ever is in charge gets angry[/I]. He thought. At the very least the ball would give him something to think about besides believing any of this was real. And that meant he could still believe that both Bethany and Mom were still alive. [I]I wish this nightmare would end[/I]. He thought as he pressed the small white panel. He ignored the voice telling him what to do when it started to repeat the message in different languages. The hallway was empty as he moved towards the ballroom. His steps echoed as he walked making him feel even more alone and out of place. When he finally reached a set of huge doors that looked like hardwood with decorative marble trim and molds, he felt the urge to just turn around and run back to his room. The room the doors lead to was massive beyond belief. Darren took a few steps inside and stopped. There were a handful of people already there. Darren felt himself blush when most of them turned and looked at him with inquisitive eyes. He wasn?t use to any form of attention from well dressed ladies, even if it was only curiosity. ?[B]Um[/B],? he stammered. ?[B]I don?t suppose that one of you know what?s going on[/B]?? To his disappointment several negative shakes of the head indicated that they too did not know what was going on. Darren stammered out his thanks and quickly moved on to explore the room. He wouldn?t even know how to associate with the others. Checking out the construction of the room was at least something he did understand. The whole room was impressive and in spite of looking closely at some of the pillars and statues; there were elements to their construction that he had never seen before. Darren looked around the room again but there didn?t seem to be any sign of the chancellor mentioned in the letter. In fact other than the other people and a couple of waiters he didn?t see anyone who could shed some light on the situation. Darren sighed. [I]I wonder if I can just go back to my room[/I]. He thought. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Sienna]Although I do enjoy good graphics I?ll pick a game with less flashy graphics if it has a better storyline and interaction with the other characters. Although I enjoy good visuals, it kind of ruins it if there isn?t much of a plot or ability for your character to react with other characters. Take Crystal Chronicles. It has beautiful visuals, but it bored me to death within a very short time. I?m also very picky about game play. I have no patience for games that require precise execution of a series of buttons to complete a move. Legend of Dragoon comes to mind. I enjoyed the game, but the special moves annoyed me to no end. I know others love that kind of stuff, but I wish more games would give you the option to just use the technique without the hold this, press this and so forth. Yeah I?m lazy, but sometimes I enjoy it and when I don?t, well all the game does is sit on my shelf for months without getting used. Music is pretty important to me as well. I like games that have a variety of music instead of listening to the same few clips throughout the entire game. I get sucked into various Star Wars computer games for the simple reason that I enjoy the diversity in the music since they usually use music straight from the movies. That and I love Darth Vader?s theme. Anyway, one thing I?d love to see, and perhaps it?s already available, but games like Need for Speed or Burnout would be more fun if they had more than a handful of songs to choose from. I rarely unlock all the features or cars as about half-way through I get tired of the repetitive music and later when I?m not tired of it, well I?ve lost my edge and don?t want to spend the time to get it back again. [/COLOR]