P.J. McKrafty

I would humbly request for and Avatar and a Banner to be crafted by one of you fine folks. I would prefer the Avatar be from the first picture and the banner be made with the second. If you could include the line "Use your words." on the Banner it would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!

The fridge was empty. Carter wasnâ??t much of a chef so stocking his fridge never really crossed his mind. All he had was four bottles of cheap beer and milk that had most likely spoiled. Deciding against food poisoning Carter pulled a bottle free from the cardboard cradle and popped the cap off the bottle onto the counter. Taking a swig he came to the dismal realization that the beer had gone the way of the milk and went flat. With a grimace Cater swallowed the stagnate brew and set the bottle down. Carter lived alone, moving to Los Angeles he hadnâ??t networked well at his job, leaving him with a rather pitiful social life. He mainly hobnobbed with his fellow stunt doubles and the special effects technicians and these guys were usually had to work a second job as waiters and car-washers, let alone are the kind of individuals privy to the goings-on in the Hollywood nightlife. With a sigh Carter set off to his room to get dressed, seeing as his only alternative for food would have to be to pick some up. Rummaging through the pile of clothes that was his wardrobe, he pulled out a plain black t-shirt and a pair of jeans that he could only speculate as to their cleanliness. Both were mercilessly wrinkled from days, if not weeks, of sitting in the floor. He was able to track down his worn leather boots, one of them under his bed and the other had somehow made its way into the living room. He was lacing them up when his doorbell buzzed at him. Carter cocked his head at the door, and finished lacing up his boots. The bell buzzed again when he was getting up to answer the door. He looked through the peephole to see a rather plain faced man in a navy blue suit stood stoically on the other side of the door. Carter opened the door hesitantly and greeted the man. [b]â??Hi, there anything I can help you with?â?[/b] Carter asked politely but devoid of a smile. The man stood unnaturally rigid and made him feel nervous. The man had plain brown hair and eyes, and unremarkable features. He had the kind of face that was easy to lose in a crowd. [b]â??Yes Mr. Grey, I am Agent Stevens,â?[/b] The man replied in a monotone as he produced a laminate badge. [b]â??May I come inside and speak to you?â?[/b] Carter gave this some thought before deciding not to incriminate himself. [b]â??Of course, please come in.â?[/b] Carter said opening the door for the man and leading him into the apartmentâ??s kitchen. [b]â??Is there anything I can get you? A glass of water maybe-â?[/b] Carter slapped at a small twinge at the back of his neck, a bug maybe. He turned to the man and saw a gun leveled at him. Two more muffled shots came from the gun and Carter looked down to see two darts stuck in his shirt. Carter instinctively ripped the darts from his shirt and picked up the beer bottle from the counter and threw it the man. It caught him in the face, shattering with a dull thud. The man stumbled and fell against the wall holding his face. The door shuddered under a heavy thump and then blew inward as a massive mountain of a man kicked it in. He wore a tacky burgundy suit that barely held in his giant form. He was completely bald and his face was covered in pockmarks. He was followed by a much smaller man wearing a grey suit and sunglasses. They quickly surveyed the scene and drew their guns, pointing them at Carter. [b]â??**** Hughes, he got Stevens.â?[/b] The little man squeaked nervously in what he must of thought was a whisper. [b]â??Cram it Dane!â?[/b] The large man snapped back. [b]â??Get your hands up asshole!â?[/b] He yelled at Carter. Carter slowly raised his hands staring at both of the armed men. [b]â??I was just defending myself. He opened fire on me when my back was turned.â?[/b] Carter reasoned in a quiet and even tone. [b]â??SHUT THE **** UP!â?[/b] Hughes bellowed. [b]â??Dane, check on Stevens, see if you can get him up.â?[/b] The little man holstered his gun and complied nervously. [b]â??Listen, I can explain,â?[/b] Carter took a step forward, Hughes face flared red and he drew back the hammer of his pistol. [b]â??One more step and I swear to God I will ice you ass!â?[/b] He yelled at Carter. [b]â??It was just self defense.â?[/b] Carter replied calmly as he took another step forward. Hughes gun roared and Carterâ??s head snapped back hard. The world flashed white with pain and he fell to the ground hard. His ears were ringing and his head felt like someone had just hit him with a red hot sledgehammer. He heard distant voices of the agents but couldnâ??t make out what they were saying, just that they were arguing. Carter rolled onto his side. [b]â??Do you know-â?[/b] he wheezed pushing himself up onto his arms. [b]â??How much getting shot in the head hurts?â?[/b] Carter shakily got to his feet his vision clearing to see the petrified face of Hughes starring at him. Dane helped a now bloody Stevens to his feet. Carter rubbed where the bullet hit. [b]â??I am going to have a ******* migraine for a week!â?[/b] Stevens spit blood on the floor. [b]â??Donâ??t just stare at him, take him down!â?[/b] he yelled at Hughes. Hughes snapped back into reality and charged forward slamming into Carter and pinning him up off his feet and into a wall, cracking the drywall and showering them both with dust. Carter replied with a knee to the guts and brought his elbow down hard on the back of Hughes head repeatedly until the hulking man stumbled backwards off of Carter. Carter took his opportunity the moment his feet hit the floor. He charged forward catching Hughes in his backward momentum. The glass screamed and exploded as they both went through his sliding glass door to his balcony. Still charging with what momentum Carter had left he slammed Hughes into and over the railing of his balcony. But Hughes had a hold of Carter as well, pulling him over the balcony with him. With the air rushing past him, Carter couldnâ??t help but wonder why he had pushed for an apartment on the top floor of the twelve story complex instead of settling for the fourth floor they offered him. He closed his eyes and prepared for the impact of the quickly approaching concrete. When Carter opened his eyes, he was surrounded by broken glass and twisted metal. He landed on a car which broke his fall, in the faintest sense. Carter tried to pull himself out of the wreckage but his limbs cramped and werenâ??t cooperating. Carter hissed as he forced himself up and out of the ruins and to his feet. He stood with his hands on his knees breathing through his teeth trying to get his head to stop spinning. A woman came into view gawking at Carter but recoiled when he looked up at her. He straightened up his back, going through a series of cracks as his vertebra re-aligned. Carter started limping down the sidewalk, and away from his building. He passed a broken and limp Hughes and cringed at the gruesome sight. Carter had just about made it to the end of the block before the agents were able to catch up with him. He didnâ??t see them, he didnâ??t hear them. He just heard the din of their guns. Two bullets slammed into his back sending him sprawling to the ground, and before he know it the weight of both men pinned him to the ground as they struggled with Carter to cuff him. [b]â??**** off!â?[/b] Carter growled as they hauled him to his feet. They both took an arm and brandished their badges to gawking pedestrians as they took him to the car. They loaded him into the back of a plain white van and Carter cursed to himself. He knew he wasnâ??t going to like what was going to happen next.

[u]Subject Number:[/u] #004 [u]Real Name:[/u] Carter Grey [u]Codename:[/u] Brawler [u]Age:[/u] 23 [u]Appearance:[/u] Carter is not incredibly intimidating from the sight of him. He is of average height (probably around 5â??11â? to 6â??) well built, but more like a basketball player than a football star. [u]Personality:[/u] Carter has always loved the limelight, going out of his way to grab what little he can. He is an incredibly driven individual, turning naysayers words into challenges that he strives to overcome. But the best way to describe Carter would have to be that no one is a bigger fan of Carter than Carter himself. He believes (and expresses often) that he is the most skilled individual in his field and will challenge anyone who says otherwise. [u]Powers/Abilities:[/u] To simply put it, Carter canâ??t die. At least he hasnâ??t found a way to die yet. He doesnâ??t succumb to any injuries, and if he does, it has to come from extreme trauma, and the injuries he sustains are minor. Besides that, he is physically like any other person. After finding out his ability at a young age he took up parkour during his young years as a form of rebellion against his adopted parents and actually became quite good at the sport. [u]Writing Snippet:[/u] The video crackles with static and quickly cut to the beaming face of a young man. He quickly scrambles to his feet and runs to a group of boys standing to the side of some railroad tracks, the horn of an approaching train ringing in the background. The crowd begins to chant and pump their fists. [b]â??Car-ter! Car-ter! Car-ter!â?[/b] the group chants in a two-noted unison. A young boy with a ragged mop of blond hair comes jogging into frame with his arms held above his head. He takes a bow before the crowd and the boys cheer and whistle. Carter finishes bowing and strolls onto the tracks, standing in the middle with his legs cocked to jump. The trainâ??s horn whined as the driver laid on it to scare the boy off the track. Carter fidgets, waiting to jump at the last minute. His legs lurch, He leapsâ?¦ And the train slams into him, crushing his frail form. The only image after this is the group of boys yelling in terror and the train speeding by before the video cuts to static. A few second go by and the video comes back. This time of a dock. Carter comes into view again, carrying a cinderblock tied to some rope. He walks until he is completely in frame and turns to the camera. [b]â??This is the water test.â?[/b] He says matter-of-factly with a smile and proceeds to throw the cinderblock into the water. He has enough time to wave to the camera and wink before he is snapped off his feet and underwater. The video instantly cuts to another boy thumping on Carterâ??s chest on the dock. Carter lays limp for the first few hits but then lurches up and hurls the water out of his lungs with a sputter. He sits gasping for a moment before he hoists himself to his feet and stumbles over to the camera. He glances at his watch and smirks. [b]â??Forty five minutes underwater.â?[/b] Beaming at the camera carter flashes a thumbs up. The video once again cuts to static to come back to Carter standing against a tree with a blindfold on and an apple on top of his head. [b]â??This is the arrow test.â?[/b] Carter mutters nervously. A boy walked into view with his back to the camera and draws back the string on a bow and arrow. There is a snap as the string went straight. The arrow catches Carter above his left eyebrow. It cracks and bounces off his forehead spinning. Carter grabs at his forehead falling to his knees. [b] â??SON OF A WHORE!â?[/b] he roars as his friends rush to check on him. [b]â??That hurts like a mother-â?[/b] One of the boys pulled Carterâ??s hand away from his forehead and turns to the camera. [b]â??Didnâ??t even break the skin!â?[/b] He yells excitedly. Carter touches where the arrow hit and then looked at his fingers expecting blood. [b]â??I guess thatâ??s it.â?[/b] He says with a tone of certainty. [b]â??I canâ??t die.â?[/b] [u] Other Skills:[/u] Carter has a bachelors in engineering, making him quite good at designing and machining just about anything, as well as a wide technical knowledge. After graduating with his degree his vanity overtook him though and he took a job as a stunt double on movie sets. From that he picked up some hand to hand fighting skills from the movies he would work on.

I am defiantly interested in this project. I am taking a very light school load this semester so I have plenty of time that I can put into this.

Cowboy paced in the garage waiting for the others to arrive. He had traded in his usual attire for the more snow acclimated gear they had on site. His jacket now a thick navy blue parka with a faux-fur liner and a â??P-1â? patch on the right arm sleeve, jeans now a pair of black snow pants, and a pair of bulky boots. Cowboy flexed his fingers trying to get used to the winter gloves. He gripped the silver survival knife sheathed in his beltline comforted in the thought of having it on his person. The room filled with the sound of hurried footsteps. Blu rushed into the garage in a white blur.[b] â??Iâ??m here!â? [/b]She announced excitedly. Looking around the room she noticed that she was the first to arrive.[b] â??I thought I was late. . .â?[/b] [b]â??Not at all, first on deck Blu.â?[/b] Cowboy replied with a small smile. [b]â??It is goinâ?? to be pretty damn hard to keep an eye on you when youâ??re the same color as everything around you.â?[/b] He teased. [b]â??Itâ??s all I had.â?[/b] She replied looking down at herself. At this point both Phil and Eun Jung strolled into the room, both dressed and packed for the venture and engrossed in quiet conversation. They both nodded to Cowboy and Blu. Phil stared at Cowboy for a moment with a studious expression. [b]â??You know Cowboy; I think this is the first time I have since you sans your hat. In fact, I am sure of it.â? [/b] Cowboy ran his hand through his hair. [b]â??I didnâ??t really want to risk my Stetson.â?[/b] He reached into the pocket of his parka and pulled out a black knit cap, sliding it onto his head. [b]â??Figured this would suit the occasion much better.â? [/b] Lastly Ally joined the group. She walked stiffly with her arms wrapped around her, shivering ever so slightly. Cowboy eyeballed her for a moment but gave up on telling her to dress warmly. [b]â??Now that everyone is present, we are goinâ?? to head out and see what we are dealinâ?? with. Hopefully it is just an overreaction, but letâ??s be prepared likewise. We are going to take their Snowcat to the rift; it is about ten klicks north of here.â? [/b] Phil nodded in confirmation, both Blu and Ally looked at each other and Eun just cocked her head slightly. [b]â??That is roughly six miles.â?[/b] Phil murmured to the others, garnering two appreciated nods from Blu and Eun. [b]â??Right, well we arenâ??t exactly sure where the location is, we do have an area we could check out due to some activity. And seeinâ?? as we got so many of you being able to feel the presence of these folks, I donâ??t worry too much about us findinâ?? the place. So if youâ??ll follow me, we can get goinâ??.â?[/b] Cowboy finished flicking a thumb to the side door of the garage. Ally jogged up beside of Cowboy. [b]â??Hey Cowboy! What is a Snowcat? I thought we would take snowmobiles or something.â?[/b] Cowboy chuckled to himself as he opened the door to the garage, windswept snow into the doorway and Ally quickly went rigid as the temperature hit her, making her inhale sharply and hold onto herself tighter. [b]â??Ainâ??t really the temperature youâ??d wanna take a vehicle with no heater or windshield. Wouldnâ??t you agree?â?[/b] He drawled with a smirk. They rounded the back of the building where a red truck, roughly the size of an RV, that sat high on treads was idling for them. [b]â??Figured I would have Para-1 get her warmed up for us. And that, Miss Harper, is a Snowcat.â? [/b] They all piled in with Cowboy holding the door and nodding as each climbed the stairs. When he climbed in he noticed how spacious the vehicle actually was. With seating for about ten people, along with allotted areas for research to be conducted, there was plenty of room for the team to spread out. Phil jumped in the driverâ??s seat and started looking over the controls. Blu and Eun took their seats near the back and were just staring out into the tundra, most likely hoping to catch a glimpse of a penguin. While Ally huddled next to the closest heating vent she could find to fend off hypothermia. Cowboy started checking the compartments of the Snowcat. He had almost soured the whole cabin before he found what he was looking for. He flung the heavy brown coat towards Ally. She caught it and gave it a questioning look before resigning to putting it on. She wrapped it around herself and gave Cowboy a grave look before turning her attention back to the heating vent. [b]----- [/b] An hour passed on their trek to the rift. Phil was taking his time traversing the terrain. Both Eun Jung and Blu gave up on spotting the penguins and had sunk back into their seat both looking quite bored and Ally had taken up their position at the window. Cowboy sat shotgun watching the horizon. The cabin was silent except for the growl of the engine. [b] â??This the right way Phil?â?[/b] Cowboy asked breaking the silence. He just received a glare from Phil as a reply. [b]â??Sorry friend, meant nothinâ?? by it.â?[/b] [b]â??This is taking forever! I could have walked there by now.â?[/b] Moaned Ally from the back. [b]â??Were almost there.â?[/b] Replied Phil. Cowboy checked the GPS that was left in the cabin of the Snowcat. It read that they were just about to the projected location of the rift when it suddenly cut out into static. The engine suddenly seized with a vicious groan and shut off. [b] â??I think that means we are close.â?[/b] Ally murmured wryly. [b]â??Iâ??d say so.â?[/b] Cowboy said getting up from his seat. [b]â??Looks like we are hoofinâ?? it from here folks.â?[/b] He looked over to Phil. He sat in the drivers seat, knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel tight. He stared blankly forward. [b]â??You okay there bud?â?[/b] Cowboy asked putting a hand on Philâ??s shoulder. [b]â??Something big is out there, something very big.â?[/b] He replied dryly. [b]â??The rift?â?[/b] asked Eun stepping forward from the back. Phil just shook his head in reply. [b]â??What about you Blu?â?[/b] asked Eun turning around. [b]â??What do you feel?â?[/b] Blue closed her eyes and pushed her senses out around her, feeling for the being. She sat for a moment, her face twisting in concentration. Then suddenly her eyes shot open and she stumbled back out of her seat, startled. [b] â??It is very violent. It wants us out of its territory.â?[/b] Blu gasped, trying to catch her breath. [b]â??So we are trapped in a broken down truck in the middle of the tundra with an angry being circling us?â?[/b] Asked Ally. [b]â??Seems that way.â?[/b] Replied Cowboy as he drew his knife and started darting between windows. Ally rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. [b]â??Perfect.â?[/b]

"this here mission" was what really caught me, but the rest of it actually seemed fine. And I might not get to posting until tomorrow so if anyone else wants to go ahead of me that is fine.

[quote name='CaNz' date='21 July 2010 - 10:14 AM' timestamp='1279721643' post='697586'] also, i left Cowboy in mid quote as an easy entry for the next person in my group... but if you think that's dumb i can change it... i just didn't want to write all of the crack intro. [/quote] That is fine with me, I can pick it up. But just for future reference, and no offense ment, you don't have to go all "howdy-doody" with Cowboy's dialog. Just the occasional southern pronunciation is what I was aiming for.

[size="2"][font="Arial"][i]Before the **** hit the fanâ?¦[/i] Peter shifted Lucas down in the shadows of a shipping container. He slapped Lucas on the back and disappeared. Lucas leveled his MP5 to and crept along the side of the line of shipping containers. The engines of the idling armored cars helped to cover Lucasâ??s footsteps. Every now and again he would pass a gap in containers giving Lucas a view of the scene. A tall dark haired man shouted orders to the guards scattering every-which-way. He wore a leather coat over fatigues and a tank on his pack that looked like a flamethrower. This was the Pyro. Lucas slid back into the shadows and set down his pack, he unslung the grenade launcher from it, and after checking the shell he returned to the gap in the containers. He went prone to help steady his aim and started adjusting his sights to the distance. A shot rang out in the distance. All of the guards around the armored car darted around for cover. [b]â??Seer taken outâ?[/b] Came Peterâ??s voice over Lucasâ??s headset. Lucas muttered a few curses and started to adjust the sights again when he caught the eye of the Pyro. The Pyro turned and looking directly at Peter. He raised his hand and yelled something to the guards taking cover behind the armored car. They all started pointing their weapons toward him. [b] â??Theyâ??re kicking off!â?[/b] Lucas yelled into the headset as he let loose with the grenade. The Pyro dove out of the way of the grenadeâ??s trajectory. It arched through the air and landed right below the armored car, sending it rolling over onto its back and crushing a few of the guards taking cover. Others were thrown from the explosion and lay motionless on the ground. Cracks of gunfire sounded in the distance from other areas of the complex but the little area laid out in front of Lucas was now deadly quiet. Lucas heard the click of and igniter and rolled out of the gap between the containers just as a column of flame came bursting through it. Lucas scrambled to his feet throwing the grenade launcher down pulling his pistol free from its holster and aiming it at the gap. There was a pause and the gap started to glow with the orange light of fire. The Pyroâ??s head peered around the corner for a split second. Lucas buried four shots into the side of the shipping crate near the manâ??s head making him retreat back. Lucas started backpedaling while keeping his pistol leveled. A strand of fire no wider than a fist came whipping around the corner and slammed into Lucasâ??s gun, making him yell and drop it. It fell to the ground completely turned into slag and burning red hot. Lucasâ??s hands were charred black. He turned to run but stumbled as the pain hit him. He struggled to focus and mend his hands and get to his feet as he heard the crunch of gravel and the chucking of the Pyro approaching from behind him. Lucas kicked to his feet and sped around the corner of the warehouse just as another plume of flame burst behind him. He kicked open a door to a corridor on the side of the building. [b]â??Where are you running to?â?[/b] Came the voice behind him. A fireball came hurtling down the hallway. Lucas dove to the floor, covering his head. Flames washed over him, and he was swept away in a sea of agony, as the flames bit at the back of his head, neck, and arms. Another fireball hit him with what felt like a physical force and charred his legs. Lucas struggled to breathe and maintain consciousness as he tried to heal what he could. The flames stopped. All of the flames still burning on his clothing and the walls around him instantly snuffed out. Lucas twitched and struggled against the pain to try and stand. A heavy boot came down on his back pushing him back down on the ground. Using his other foot The Pyro flipped Lucas onto his back. The Pyro just stared at the twitching Lucas with a menacing smile. A small flame slowly grew in his hand. Without a word the Pyro turned walked away and threw the flame over his shoulder as if it were an empty can. It slowly drifted down towards Lucasâ??s face and then exploded showering him in flames. All he could do is scream, long and hard with the little air that was left in his lungs. Out of pure stubbornness Lucas struggled against the pain to get his arms under him. In a slow agonizing motion Lucas rolled over and over again extinguishing the flames. Lucas strained and shuddered, and finally was able to cough, clearing his airway, and cold oxygen rushed into his lungs. Lucasâ??s thoughts became more clear, he started focusing on his face, then arms, then legs, and as he went about healing what he could. The soft sound of crackling burnt flesh being shed from his body. The pain dulled and Lucas climbed to his feet. Using the wall to steady himself, he made his way down the now half destroyed hallway. At the end by the exit Lucas found a water-cooler. He used it to help steady himself as he grabbed a paper cup, filled it with the now lukewarm water and took a slow drink, stinging his throat on the way down. He sat there for a moment breathing heavily with his head resting on the translucent blue water tank. The sound of yelling and more gunshots finally returned to Lucasâ??s attention. He pushed himself up and grabbed the exit door, pausing to see his reflection in the small window on the door. What wasnâ??t charred black was now bright pink as his skin shed its dead layer. Most of his hair was gone, his scruffy beard completely so, and what was left on the right side of his head was now black and sticking straight up. Cringing, he ran his hand through it fall to the ground. One of his eyes was cauterized and white, which explained his loss of depth perception. Closing the eye for a moment he opened it to see it was vaguely green. [b]â??Close enough.â? [/b]He muttered as he pushed the door open. Scanning the area he saw a flash of orange light from over one of the other buildings, hoping that was where the Pyro went and not just Natalie, Lucas started in that direction. Lucas came across a dead soldier and lifted a monstrous Desert Eagle off of the manâ??s belt. He checked the clip and chambered a round. Lucas heard a yell in the direction he hoped the Pyro was and picked up the pace, jogging gimpily towards the sound. Lucas came around the building to see The Pyro now moving towards a prone Alex. [b]"Nice try, Graham,"[/b] snarled the man, turning back to the Pusher,[b] "But you're gonna have to do better than that!"[/b] Lucas raised up the hand cannon. [b]â??How about this?â?[/b] and emptied the clip into the rat bastardâ??s back. Stepping over the Pyro's body Lucas winked (or at least tried) to Alex as skin started to grow on his face. [b]â??Distracting enough for you?â?[/b][/font][/size]

[b]Name:[/b] Sean â??Cowboyâ? Path [b]Age:[/b] 27 [b]Gender: [/b]Male [b]Appearance:[/b] His eyes are a dark hazel that set off his dirty blond hair that is cut close to his head, but you never see it because it is usually covered by his beige Stetson cowboy hat, thus his nickname. He stands at an intimidating 6â??4â? with the build of a boxer which would scare most people, if not for his almost constant smile and his amusing demeanor. He usually sports a gray fur-lined jacket over a t-shirt and jeans with steel-toe work boots to help extenuate his image. [b]Personality:[/b] Cowboy is as old fashioned as they come. Though he does come off as a quite intimidating, he tries to be as polite and pleasant as possible, striving to maintain his appearance as a southern gentleman. As much as it pains him to separate himself from his hat, Cowboy always takes it off when he enters anyone's home or place of business out of manners. He is very protective over the people he is close to. Becoming somewhat of a bodyguard over the people he works with. Cowboy honestly enjoys his job, he feels like he is helping keep people safe, and that this is his purpose. Though on a more primitive level, he does enjoy fighting more than the average person, and the fact that his job allows him to do that regularly. [b]PIT History:[/b] Cowboyâ??s first encounter with P.I.T. came by sort of an accident. While Zach was investigating a string of odd activities that appeared to be attempted summonings, he stumbled upon a small cult that was trying to summon up a demonic force. Zach followed the activity to a condemned church, and that is where he found the cult. They were in mid-ceremony; all thirteen men circled around a bound girl. Zach prepared to interrupt the ceremony, but never got the chance. Cowboy kicked in the door distracting the men from their ceremony. Within moments three of the cultists were down, and Cowboy had the rest running scared. Cowboy almost jumped Zach before he was able to explain why he was present. He was able to calm Cowboy down and gave him his business card to back up his story. Cowboy explained that the girl they were using in the ceremony was his kid-sister and that he had followed the cult there to rescue her. The two parted ways with the shake of hands, only for Zach to run into Cowboy at his office just a few days later, asking to work with P.I.T. operations. [b]Powers/Talents:[/b] Cowboy fills the role of â??the muscleâ? for P.I.T.â??s operations. He is a trained Marine and boxed during his time serving in the military. Thanks to Zachâ??s tutelage, he has become a major figure among the paranormal world. He is called mostly for bigger jobs, like the disposal of monsters, handling of demons, or when a poltergeist is putting up too much of a fight. [b]First Paranormal Experience: [/b]Cowboy actually never experienced the supernatural until he came across the cult that had kidnapped his sister. When he joined with Zach, he was slowly introduced into the world of the supernatural. His first assignment with P.I.T. was with an investigation of a possessed person. The person turned out to be a seventy-year-old man. Half way through the exorcism the demon decided to jump from one person to another and ended up inside Cowboy. He injured three people, jumped from a second story window and did untold amounts of damage to a police vehicle before four people subdued him long enough for him to be exorcised. He has still yet to live this down amongst his co-workers.

Smoke pooled around Lucasâ??s face as he exhaled his final pull from the cigarette. He stood with the others and they all filed out of the room to get their gear together for the mission ahead. Lucas quickened his pace through the complex. He fumbled into his pocket withdrawing a half crushed pack of cigarettes and drawing the last one out. He placed it in-between his lips and threw the empty pack in a trashcan as he passed by. [b]â??Thoseâ??ll kill you.â?[/b] Natalie chided as he fell into pace beside Lucas. [b]â??I never got married for a reason Nat, I donâ??t like being nagged.â?[/b] Lucas retorted pulling his lighter from his shirt pocket and snapping it open. [b]â??You would think someone with your knowledge of the human body would know what that could do to oneâ??s lungs. I know that would turn me off the junk.â?[/b] She said stepping ahead of him making him stop. [b]â??Nag, nag, nag,â? [/b]Lucas lit the cigarette and took a long pull. [b]â??Cancer doesnâ??t scare me.â? [/b] Lucas said through exhaled smoke for dramatics. [b]â??Hell, if I think hard enough I can stop the aging process in my body.â? [/b]Lucas winked and flipped the lighter at Natalie. [b]â??A lighter will suit you better in the mission than that book of matches. See you in five Callahan.â? [/b] [b]---[/b] After getting the proper gear on (I.E. boots, camo pants, and a t-shirt) he proceeded to arm himself. Lucas stepped into the armory by the firing range. The cold room had all white floors, ceiling and walls. Racks made of what looked to be brushed steel flanked either side, spanning the length of the wall. The room was separated into two aisles down the middle of the room with another standing rack. All of which were filled to the brim with ammunition, explosives, all around firepower and equipment one might need to take down their oppressive ex-employers. Lucas walked down one of the aisles scanning the racks. He stopped at a cabinet which he opened. Inside was an assortment of body armors that looked like they were meant for anything from civil disobedience, all the way to one of the suits that is meant to take an EOD explosion. After browsing for a moment Lucas decided that he wasnâ??t going to take a RPG rocket to the chest so he went for the lightweight tactical Kevlar vest. He strapped it on and set the straps so it fit snugly. He walked down the rows of weapons and grabbed what he thought would be useful. He grabbed an MP5 SMG, a compact single shot grenade launcher, and a supped-up M9 handgun. [b]â??Well someone is ready for war.â?[/b] Lucas cast a glance over his shoulder to see Alex meander into the armory. He wore his black military fatigues from the meeting but had gained a vest much like Lucasâ??s. Lucas smiled cracking open the barrel of the grenade launcher and loading a shell before snapping it shut and hefting it up to his shoulder. [b]â??I canâ??t blow things up with my mind like you. So I have to improvise.â?[/b] [b]â??Understandable. But the desert camo pants are a little conspicuous, donâ??t you think?â? [/b]Alex asked crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. [b]â??I mean, for an urban operation.â?[/b] [b] â??I though they made me look more. . . [i]Soldiery[/i].â?[/b] Lucas replied gesturing to his legs. [b]â??That they do, come on. Everyone is about ready. Time to get going.â?[/b]

[size="2"][size="2"][font="Arial"]As far as Lucas was concerned, it was a slow night. Only ten calls during the first four hours, a rarity in Miami. He rode shotgun in the ambulance watching the streetlights go by. After dropping off their last patient, they decided to run over to a convenience store for their break. They rolled into the parking lot. The building was lit up like a Christmas tree with neon that made the parking lot glow in a hodgepodge of colors. They parked and Lucas exited the ambulance with his partner. [b]â??I wonâ??t be that long. You can just relax in the ambulance.â?[/b] Said Mickey, the portly middle-aged paramedic that Lucas regularly worked with. [b]â??I know, I am just going to have a smoke.â?[/b] He replied flashing a pack of cigarettes and lighter. Mickey nodded patting Lucas on the shoulder and proceeded into the store. Lucas opened the back on the ambulance and sat down with a grunt. He lit his cigarette and took his first drag before a car pulled into the parking lot. It parked in the parking spot behind the ambulance, its headlights trained on Lucas. He lifted his hand to shield his eyes. The car's engine and lights cut off and a man stepped out. He had close cut hair and a decent amount of stubble that made it look like he hadn't slept in days. He walked slowly toward Lucas, hands in his pockets. [b]â??Hey Alex.â?[/b] Lucas greeted nonchalantly in between puffs, waving his hand. [b]â??Lucas.â? [/b]He replied with a nod. [b]â??How have you been?â?[/b] [b]â??Pretty well, yourself?â?[/b] [b]â??Iâ??ve been better,â?[/b] Alex crossed his arms. [b]â??You arenâ??t surprised or worried about seeing me?â? [/b] [b]â??If you want to kill me there isnâ??t really much I can do about it, I am unarmed and you can crush me to a pulp with relative ease.â?[/b] Lucas took a long drag and let it out slowly.[b] â??Besides, Second Sight didnâ??t send you.â?[/b] Alex paused for a moment, and then put his hands back in his pockets. [b]â??So you already know your situation then?â?[/b] [b]â??Yep, I died in the explosion at the hotel, and that is how I would like to keep it.â? [/b]Lucas replied sharply. He flicked what was left of his cigarette on the ground and stomped it out violently. [b]â??I love these get-togethers and all, but I am still on my shift.â?[/b] He turned and shut the doors of the ambulance. [b] â??I am getting the members of Part One together. We could use your skills.â?[/b] [b]â??Iâ??ll pass on the high school reunion, thanks.â?[/b] [b] â??We are going to take on Second Sight. Get our lives back.â?[/b] Lucas turned back to Alex. [b]â??I have a life.â?[/b] He gestured to the ambulance. [b]â??They donâ??t bother me, why should I risk myself for you guys?â?[/b] Alex took a step toward Lucas. [b]â??This isnâ??t a life, it is a facade and you know it!â?[/b] He barked pointing a finger at Lucas. [b]â??You live a fake life, in a two bit job that you are overqualified for. No matter how many times you reassure yourself that they arenâ??t after you, you still walk softly and look over your shoulder on every other step.â?[/b] Alex took another step forward, making Lucas back up a step. [b]â??We can offer you a real life, we can offer you your freedom.â?[/b] Lucas stared at Alex for a while. They both sat in complete silence. Alex then let out a heavy sigh in frustration, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. [b]â??Lucas, if you want to live this fake life, with a fake name, and a fake career, then donâ??t let me interrupt. But if you want to return to what you had, join us.â?[/b] He paused for a reply and let out another sigh. He turned back to his car. [b]â??Good to see ya Lucas.â?[/b] Lucas froze. He gave up his old name, he went by Mark Alderman now. He worked at a local hospital as a paramedic when he probably knew more about medicine than most of the doctors employed there. He had a plain apartment on the edge of Miami that he paid way too much for. All he had in his apartment was his bed, an old sofa, his clothes and a TV, nothing else, nothing on the walls, no food in the pantry or the refrigerator, nothing. He had no friends, he had co-workers but outside of work he had nobody. He had secluded himself from everyone else. [b]â??Alex! Wait.â?[/b] Lucas called right before Alex got into his car. Alex looked up at him. [b]â??Do you really think we can do this, with just the few of us?â?[/b] Alex nodded. [b]"Then I'll do it."[/b] He pulled a pen and a notepad from his shirt pocket and wrote down his address. [b]â??Meet me at my apartment at six, I will be done with my shift by then and we can go from there.â?[/b] Alex nodded and smirked as he took the slip of paper with the address on it. He got into the car and drove off. Lucas sat in the parking lot and watched him go. [b] â??What did I just get myself into?â?[/b][/font][/size][/size]

[color="#000080"][size="2"][font="Arial"]Name: Lucas Kane Age: 27 Gender: Male Role Within Team: Stitcher Abilities: The powers that a Stitcher possesses require extreme concentration. They have to focus on the molecular level. Lucas is very capable at healing his own body, actually able to heal himself from the brink of death. His ability to heal others, though impressive, is limited. He is able to close wounds and stop internal bleeding, but anything beyond that would risk himself. If he exerts himself too much, or he loses concentration, he can actually cause the injuries to backlash on himself. Lucas is considered a wunderkind among Stitchers, but not because of his healing abilities. He was the first to use his powers to cause harm, from stopping a manâ??s heart, or unleashing his powers at a distance to cause lacerations against his opponent. He is able to take a body apart piece by piece if provoked to do so. Physical Appearance: [URL="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pjmckrafty/downloadblog.jpg"]Lucas[/URL] Personality: Lucas plays the role of the braggart. As long as Lucas can remember he has always been a charismatic and playful person. He maintains an optimistic attitude in situation where most people would call it in. He copes with stress and most problems by making smart-ass comments and jokes. Lucas sees himself larger than life and is not afraid to let his teammates know this. He has somewhat of a romantic ideal of heroism that he tries to personify. When someone, especially women, is in need of help, he feels compelled to step in and aid them in any way he can. Though his power has the potential to cause great pain and harm to a person, Lucas doesnâ??t like to use them as such for reasons he will not divulge to others. Weapons: Since Lucasâ??s power doesnâ??t offer much offensive capabilities, he carries a pistol at all times and has an AKS-47U. Other Skills:Lucas is probably the least competent in combat out of the entire squad, instead having some of the highest technical knowledge. He can bypass almost any lock given enough time, be it electronic or a conventional lock. Writing Sample: Lucas stared down at his glass. He swirled the class of amber liquid. The hotel bar had very few patrons that night, only three others including the bartender. One elderly man was chatting up the bartender at the opposite end of the bar and a stocky man was sitting alone in a booth in the back imitating Lucas with his own drink. The barâ??s lights flickered with the surging storm growing outside. Lucas cast a glance to the high windows that showed the occasional hurried person's feet splash by in the rain. In between Lucas's alcohol induced buzz and his current mental distance he didn't notice the stocky man rise from his seat in the booth. He didn't notice him slowly approach taking careful quiet steps. He didn't notice the man draw the matte black knife from his jacket. He didn't notice, until it was too late. The blade moved swiftly, and plunged into Lucas's left kidney. He yelped but it was muffled by the attackers hand. The two other attendees ran out of the bar. The knife flashed down and into his right kidney. Lucas surged with pain and went limp. The attacker made his final strike by sliding the blade across Lucas's throat. He let him fall to the floor and pulled a phone and a white business card out of his pocket. He typed the number, referencing the card a few times and paused. [B]"It's done." [/B]Lucas struggled through the pain and concentrated. His wounds slowly started to close. After a few moments he opened his eyes. [B]"Son. Of. A bitch!"[/B] Lucas rasped rolling over onto his back to look up at his attacker. The man's face went ghost white. [B]"Do you know how much that hurts?"[/B] The man stammered for a moment unable to find words.The phone dropped to the floor and he started back peddling to the door. He spun on his heels and lurched forward towards the steps and his freedom. Two loud claps of thunder rolled by in succession. The man fell dead on the floor. Lucas held the smoking revolver pointed at the body for a moment and then tucked it into his pants. He rose gingerly and stalked over to the man's body. He rolled it over with his foot and keeled, and check his pulse real quick to make sure the man was staying down.[B] "Bit off more than you could chew huh bud?"[/B] He mocked and then spit to the side. He rummaged through the man's pockets and came out with a plain business card with just a number on it. Lucas, still kneeling picked up the discarded cell phone and dialed the number. [B]"What do you have for me?"[/B] Answered a woman on the other line. [B]"He's dead" [/B]replied Lucas in the gruffest voice he could manage. There was a pause as the woman on the other end consulted someone else. [B]"Good, then return to Second Sight to redeem your fee."[/B] Lucas let the phone drop. Second Sight had hired someone to kill him. He sat there on the floor of the hotel bar for a moment to collect himself. After a while he rose and climbed the steps to the hotel lobby. He hadn't made it two steps into the lobby before things got a whole lot worse. The basement bar roared, flame shot up the stairs and caught Lucas, throwing him off his feet. He landed, quite luckily, on one of the couches in the lobby and the whole world started screaming. More explosions sounded in other parts of the hotel. Second Sight was trying to cover their tracks. Lucas scrambled to his feet. The room was almost complete wreckage. Half the room was being engulfed with flames. He stumbled towards the door but froze before he could reach it. He heard coughing. He spun to see the young receptionist was trapped under a beam that had fallen from the ceiling. She reached out a hand towards him but faltered and fell flat. [B]"Damn."[/B] Lucas muttered as he looked between his freedom and the trapped girl.[B] "Damn!"[/B] He shuffled his feet in indecision. [B]"Damn damn damn damn damn!"[/B] He screamed as he charged through the smoke toward the girl. He reached her and checked her pulse. She was alive but unconscious. Lucas grabbed the beam and hefted with all that he could. Groaning in effort he was able to lever it off of her limp form. He picked her up in a fireman's carry and, coughing and wheezing, carried her outside. He laid her on the sidewalk and fell beside her to catch his own breath, the cool rain falling on his face. The sound of sirens approaching in the distance reached Lucas's ears. The girl coughed and sputtered into consciousness. Rolling over to look at Lucas. [B]"What was that?"[/B] She asked quietly. [B]"That."[/B] Lucas drawled. [B]"Is my pink slip."[/B][/font][/size][/color]

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][FONT=Arial]Name:[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] Malcolm Wright [B] Superhero Name:[/B] Green Lantern [B]Age: [/B]28 [B] Gender: [/B]Male [B] Appearance: [/B] [U]In costume[/U] - [URL="http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs5/i/2006/349/d/b/Hal_Jordan_by_AndresZ44.jpg"][Picture][/URL] [U]Out of costume[/U] – Malcolm is around 6’4” with a muscular build. His eyes are dark brown, almost black. He is often wearing stained gray coveralls and often has grease on his face from his job as a car mechanic. [B]Personality: [/B]Malcolm takes his job very seriously, but has been known to be a fan of the theatrics, taking on somewhat of a persona. He grew up idolizing The Justice League so when he became a bearer of a power ring, it was almost like a dream come true. He is usually a very level-headed individual but has been known to lose his temper. He was chosen as the bearer because he was a hardworking individual who would gladly sacrifice himself for others. [B]Powers: [/B]The ring that is gifted to all Green Lanterns has amazing abilities when in the hands of one with great willpower. It has been call the universe’s most powerful weapon by some. It can grant the wielder the ability to fly, to produce energy projections and force fields, to create energy constructs and much more. The only limit is that of the user’s willpower. The ring also alters the wearer’s strength and speed to near superhuman levels.[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial] [B]Equipment:[/B] Green Lantern Ring[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][FONT=Arial]Character Bio/Snippet: [/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial]Malcolm’s life wasn’t much until he acquired his ring. He lived in a lower middle class home with just his father raising him. After graduating high school he went straight into the work force as a Car mechanic at his father’s shop. His father passed, leaving the shop in Malcolm’s hands. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Around the time Malcolm inherited the shop, Hal Jordan left the Green lantern Corps to lead the Sinestro Corps. There was no one was there to take his place. The Corps sent a Green Lantern to help out in the system. When Hal [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Jordan heard about his new replacement he sent his lieutenant, Tarr Valspir, Out to deal with him. He finally hunts down the Green Lantern in Coast City, the former home of Hal and the current home of Malcolm. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]A battle ensues in which the Green Lantern was struck down. Unbeknownst to Tarr, Malcolm had taken cover in his car nearby and watched at the villain went in for the final strike. Knowing he had to help Malcolm put the car in drive and floored it. He hit the unaware Tarr and slammed the car into a telephone pole. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Dizzy from the crash, Malcolm went to exit the car but the car suddenly flipped, and there stood a frazzled, but unharmed Tarr. Before Tarr could retaliate against his new attacker, three other Lanterns, one being Kilowog, showed up as backup for the previous one. Tarr fled being outnumbered. The Lanterns took Malcolm to the hospital for treatment. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Days later, Malcolm had an unexpected visitor. Kilowog came and offered him Hal Jordan’s ring for showing bravery and self sacrifice when helping the downed Lantern. Malcolm accepted and after he was released, started into his training. Malcolm has since finished his training and made quite the name for himself among the Lanterns. The ring, in Hal’s possession for so long, gave Malcolm a uniform not too different from Hal’s and when it speaks to him, it is often in Hal’s voice. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][U][FONT=Arial]Archenemies: [/FONT][/U][/B][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][FONT=Arial]Name:[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] Tarr Valspir [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][FONT=Arial]Superhero/Supervillain Name: [/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial](Same as above)[B] [/B][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][FONT=Arial]Gender:[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] Male [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][FONT=Arial]Appearance: [/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial][URL="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pjmckrafty/Seph_Renn___Yellow_Lantern_by_holly.jpg"][Picture][/URL][B] [/B][/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][FONT=Arial]Personality:[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] Tarr is a vicious man. Having killed both his parents and all of his siblings for his throne on his home planet, he drew the attention of Sinestro himself. Known among those in the Sinestro Corps for his sadistic nature, he was promoted to Hal Jordan’s lieutenant when he took command. He has a personal hatred for Malcolm due to the defeat at his hands before he was even a Lantern. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][FONT=Arial]Powers: [/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial]The powers of the Qwardian Power Ring are almost identical to that of the ring given to the Green Lanterns, granting the wielder the ability to fly, to produce energy projections and force fields, to create energy constructs. The only difference is that the ring is fueled by fear and so the energy it uses is yellow. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Tarr’s alien heritage gives him increased damage resistance and strength, take into account that his ring multiplies this, he is quite the fore to be reckoned with in combat. [/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][FONT=Arial]Equipment: [/FONT][/B][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]Qwardian Power Ring[/SIZE][/FONT][/FONT]

[quote name='DeLarge'][SIZE=1]I'd hate to see what the other Baals think of this. Much growling and clawing is soon to follow, I feel.[/SIZE][/quote] [COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]I am going to have to agree with my winged rival here, that is very presumptuous of you to start naming people alpha. Last time I check the young can have a bit of fight in them.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Knuckles' Girl'][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Comic Sans MS]All of you pale in comparison of us Baal, yes it is true that wolves fight over alpha's but once that link is established we will be loyal to that alpha to a fault. Our strength and superb senses will be your downfall. [/FONT][/COLOR][/quote] [COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Good luck with deciding which of you is the best, and then kneeling at said persons feet. :)[/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Drizzt Do'urden']You silly creatures with your "machines" and your trickery. You don't realize that Wolf-packs are among the strongest societies in the world. All your cunning and technology only breeds more conflict.[/quote] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Aren't wolf packs always in conflict over who is alpha? Doesn't sounds like a strong society (if you can call it that) to me. Intelligence has been considered the best weapon for centuries.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]I don?t know how I learned this. I don?t know where I learned to hack the keypad like I did to get in here. I don?t know where I learned to use the equipment, or where I learned to engineer what I did. Hell! I don?t even know what I made! But here I stand, in my professors closed off workshop holding the syringe of what I had just made. It started a few weeks days ago. I was at rugby practice. I almost had my friend when he went up for the ball. Last thing I remember is him coming down with what looked like might be a vicious elbow. I woke up some time later with a paramedic shining a light in my eyes. He said something about blood and my eyes and I was taken back to the ambulance. I was foggy for a bit, but I do remember seeing them for the first time. My eyes. I was lying in the stretcher and I turned to the side and saw my reflection in the metal of the storage cabinets in the ambulance. Instead of my comfortable brown eyes, I was confronted with crimson. I stared for a moment, blinking a few times to see if it was just a trick of the eyes themselves, but it wasn?t. I held my eyes closed and resigned that something was incredibly wrong with me. Every test they ran came back negative. There was no reason for it; they told me that it was like I was born with red eyes. Pictures were taken and I was questioned for hours on just about every aspect of my life, but at the end of the day I was sent home with a few aspirin for the bump on my head and nothing else. I don?t know how many hours I spent looking in the mirror that night, I don?t even remember falling asleep. Thought I do remember the dreams. Dreams of great things: colossal monoliths of technology, living hardware, knowledge beyond human reach, and a tall dark figure covered in metal. I awoke and suddenly ideas and plans had formed in my head. A list of components and ingredients had made itself known to me through these dreams. As the days passed the list became clearer. It got to a point where I felt like I physically needed to build what my mind was showing me. It all came as impulse. The next thing I knew I was standing outside of my professor?s office. As if by instinct, I ripped off the keypad that unlocked the door and started connecting wires to let me in. Upon entry I went to work on a machine near exclusive to MIT. It was a large computer that mass produced nanobots. I pulled a now gutted and mutilated PDA from my knapsack and wired it to the computer. It instantly started transferring data over and the computer went to work. A few stressful hours later and the machine was done. A vial of clear liquid was produced. And here I stand, holding the syringe filled with nanobots that I have no idea what they would be capable of, and wondering why I would do this. I tied the surgical tubing around my left bicep and started to flex my hand until the vein appeared in my arm. I paused once more, looking at the clear liquid, wondering what it could hold for me, and finally the plunged the needle into the vein. I dumped the contents into my system and sat there for a moment. Nothing. I felt nothing. I decided to go home and sleep what was left of the night in my bed. Fixing the computer and keypad was just as easy as gutting them and I snuck my way out. I slept well that night, but the morning brought new horrors. My muscles were the first to feel the effects. They burned as if hot coals were pressed against them and they were constantly contracting. The next was my heart. It felt as if I was being shocked repeatedly by a defibrillator. The only recess I had was when I finally passed out from exhaustion. I don?t know how long I was passed out, but when I awoke I felt, enhanced. I had evolved. [/COLOR][/FONT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][INDENT] [/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Allow me to introduce Tobin Hawkins, or [URL="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pjmckrafty/brennan.jpg"][U]Toby[/U][/URL]. Originally from Hawaii, he is currently a student at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]He is a twenty-three year old descendant of Reshef. [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] The only thing Toby gained by his linage is a vast knowledge of technology. Though unable to draw upon it by will, it all seems to come to him as impulse and second nature. What he just did in that piece was, unbeknown to him at the time, evening the odds with himself and the other disciples. The nanobots in his body are constantly at work, bringing his physical abilities to Olympic levels. A second set has sped up his metabolism so that, though not instantaneous, his body can mend itself at ten times the rate of the normal human. A third and final kind of nanobot was placed into his system that does nothing but circulate through his blood. This creates friction throughout his body and produces static electricity. It takes days for his body to build up it's own charge, but in a pinch, Toby can (quite painfully) "aquire" energy from any live source. Toby has yet to perfect this skill, and, seeing that electricity is quite unstable, he is only able to use it through direct contact. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]The back door of Sherwood?s Bar rasped shut and Allen heard the lock slide on the other side of the door. He took the last long drag of his cigarette and let it out with a pleased sigh. He flicked the butt aside and scanned the alleyway behind the bar. Other than Allen, it was deserted. He readjusted his jacket and walked down the alley. He rounded the corner and there sat an old Indian Motorcycle.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]The hog had seen better days but it still served its purpose dutifully. The paint had begun to fade and anything that once shone with chrome was now tarnished and cloudy. It is said that one should not read a book by its cover, but in this case that rule does not apply. It ran like crap and took a lot to get started.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]Allen donned a pair of goggles that hung on the handlebars and mounted the bike. He got everything in motion and tried the kick starter. The bike sputtered and quit. Allen pumped the kick starter three more times before the engine caught. He adjusted his goggles and set out.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]The only rational place to find the information he needed on the officers would be the personnel files at the recruiting office. Allen weaved in and out of traffic, enduring all kinds of honking horns and curses. After a few minutes and a few near death collisions, Allen pulled into an underground parking garage about four blocks from the office. He opened up one of his saddle bags and pulled out a small case and systematically removed each of his piercings. They would make him stick out too much and were a bit of a liability when it came to a fight. He replaced the case and started on his trek the rest of the way to his target.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]The streets weren?t as busy as they used to be, most people didn?t think it smart to just go wandering the city. Allen had to go to great pains to stay unnoticed, but it had become second nature to him. He crossed the distance to the recruitment center without so much as a hiccup.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]The building was tall, made of glass and concrete. Two guards stood at attention at the entrance as recruits and recruiters alike went in and out. Allen watched the entrance for around an hour before decided that that was the wrong way to get in. By doing a bit of backtracking Allen made his way to the back of the building. He sat in the back by the dumpster for a few minutes watching the service door. As to be expected a weathered looking uniformed man, presumed to be the janitor, came out bearing a garbage bag. Allen fumbled with a cigarette and came around the dumpster.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]?Oi mate! Mind if I bum a light from ya?? [/B]Cried Allen popping the cigarette in his mouth.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]The janitor blinked at Allen before sighing and fishing into his pocket. He pulled out a bronze lighter and lit it walking forward to light Allen?s cigarette. He didn?t notice as Allen put his hand behind his back. He lifted his jacket and felt numbly for his gun. He found the heavy handle and pulled. He inhaled deeply as the cigarette took spark and rolled the gun in his hand until he was holding the barrel.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]?Much obliged.?[/B] Allen said as the man pocketed his lighter. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]He waited until the janitor turned his back and brought the handle of the revolver down on his head. The janitor stumbled and gabbed at the back of his head. Allen grimaced as he brought the gun down on his head again. This time the man fell, out cold. He holstered his gun and pulled some plastic ties from his pocket.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [B][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]?My apologies mate, If it wasn?t for that fancy outfit of yours I wouldn?t have done it.?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/B] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]Allen undressed and tied the man with the plastic ties before placing him in the dumpster as gently as possible, he then the dressed in the uniform and tried to tidy himself up as much as he could and went to enter the building.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]The janitor?s keycard opened the outer door and Allen found the man?s cart on the other side, along with a number of other keycards to the rest of the building. Allen then went about searching the building for an empty office. He moved through a few populated rooms and even though he feared it, he was never discovered. In fact, he wasn?t even given a second glance. Walking like you belong in a place is better than being invisible.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]He stumbled upon an unoccupied office and slid the corresponding card to get in. He checked the hallway once before pushing the cart in. Before the door even closed Allen had gone to work hacking the terminal, he hooked up his own hard drive and started plugging in numbers while the computer was still booting up. It took about ten minutes before Allen had made his way through the password protection and started on finding the files. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]Two men passed by outside the room and one paused outside the door. Allen snapped up and froze eyes wide. He watched as the blurred silhouette of the man stood right outside the door. Allen pulled his revolver free and thumbed back the hammer. The man said something muffled to the other and bent down and picked something up off the ground before holding it up and heading after the other man.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]?Easy Allen, can?t be losing it this far in the game.?[/B] Allen sighed to himself as he let his thumb off the hammer and holstered the gun.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]Allen found the personnel files and uploaded them to his hard drive. He exited the office after making sure the hallway was clear and left the building, he had to hustle to make it back to the bar on time.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][U][B][FONT=Arial]Name:[/FONT][/B][/U][FONT=Arial] Allen Dales [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][U][B][FONT=Arial]Age:[/FONT][/B][/U][FONT=Arial] 22 [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial][U]Gender[/U]:[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] Male [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][U][B][FONT=Arial]Appearance:[/FONT][/B][/U][FONT=Arial] [COLOR=Black][URL="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pjmckrafty/eagleeye_tournage_3.jpg"][U]Allen[/U][/URL][/COLOR] He stands a little over average height. He usually wears a military issue coat, variant of dark shirt and pants, and a pain of worn leather work boots with a steel toe. He has two pricings in his left eyebrow, one in his lip, and has his tongue pierced. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][U][B][FONT=Arial]Personality:[/FONT][/B][/U][FONT=Arial] Known as a plain and simple smart ass. Alain has a larger than life view of himself, and often refers to himself as a ?jack-of-all-trades?. Does follow orders readily but has a tendency to whine while he does. His major pet peeve is to be bothered while working his craft, weather it be his music or anything else. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][U][B][FONT=Arial]Affiliation:[/FONT][/B][/U][FONT=Arial] Hood?s Gang [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][U] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial]Writing Snippet:[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/U] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Allen squeezed through the crowd around the stage. He could barely hear anything over the noise the amps were giving off as the next band took the stage. The way the people were packed it was all too easy to get into the pockets of those he passed. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Upon reaching the bar he had four wallets in his possession. He sat down and, upon receiving the recognition of the bartender, ordered his usual Stout and lit up a cigarette. By the time his drink arrived another man in a leather jacket came and sat next to him. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?I?ll take two shots of whiskey.?[/B] Said the man holding up two fingers. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Allen looked the man up and down and shrugged. [B]?The man?s drinks are on me.? [/B]He called to the bartender. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?Thanks, but I can afford my own drinks.?[/B] The man said nodding politely. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?It?s nothing at all, I ain?t seen you round these parts, and what kind of person would I be if I didn?t treat a new visitor to a drink??[/B] Allen replied waving it off and taking a drag from his cigarette. [B]?Besides, I like your fancy jacket?[/B] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]The bartender brought back the shots and set them down in front of the man. He then turned to Allen and held out a hand. [B]?Pay up.?[/B] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Allen fished into his jacket and found one of his recently acquired wallets and pulled it out. He pulled a worn looking wallet of brown leather with a red 'R.L.' printed on it. The newcomer gave the wallet a look and checked his pockets. He gave a small chuckle and took up one of the shots and tossed it back. He stood and walked over to Allen grabbed him by the front of his jacket and in a quick motion slammed his back into the bar and pinned him. Allen froze with a look of utter shock on his face, the man just smirked. [B]"Woah mate! I don't know how they do it where you come from, but when a man buys you a drink here, you usually act a little friendlier!"[/B] Allen said trying to pry his jacket free from the man's grip. [B]"You are good, didn't even notice it was gone 'til now, but I would like my wallet back."[/B] [B]"I don't know what you are on about!"[/B] Aleen said pushing the man's arms off him and standing. [B]"So why don't you piss off!"[/B] The man just laughed quietly and shook his head.[B] "My name is Robert Locksley, and that wallet in you possession is mine. I'm R.L."[/B] Allen thought this over for a moment, his tongue piercing clicking against his teeth making a barely audible noise. He sighed and pulled the wallet back out throwing it back to Robert. He held his hands up and smirked. [B]"No offense meant Robbie, man's got to make a living somehow now-a-days. And Sheriff ain't made things any easier." "Very true, what's your name?" "Most call me Allen, Allen Dales" [/B] The man hooked a thumb at the door. [B]"Walk with me Allen, I have a proposition for you."[/B] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [U][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial]Weapons:[/FONT][/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/U][FONT=Arial] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]Allen carries a chrome snub nosed .357 in a holster in the small of his back, along with a folding and fixed bladed knife on him at all times. He is also good at improvising weapons on the fly. [U][B]Special Skills:[/B][/U] Dropping out of high school after being shunned by his parents, Allen took to the streets and picked up all kinds of neat tricks. Along with pickpocketing, Allen has become a very skilled lock picker, he can pick anything from a locket to some of the most high tech safes used in banks today. He also has picked up hot wiring, and, if given the opportunity, can hack a computer faster than even the most skilled programmers.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [/FONT]

[center][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Felix_Achard.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Juste_Achard.jpg[/IMG] [/center][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] Juste circled the spire scanning the ancient lettering. Every now and again pausing and running his fingers over a symbol and then continuing on in his circuit. Felix sat a few paces off watching as he excitingly bobbed here and there following the flow of the words. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]After his third lap Felix decided to put his pack down and set up camp. He knew that Juste would want to stay as long as he could to investigate. Plus the pains of the fall were catching up with Felix and some rest sounded really good. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]He set out the bedrolls and was digging the fire pit with one of the broken instruments from Juste?s bag when Juste came bustling by. He wordlessly rummaged through his bag and pulled a leather-bound notebook from it. He went back to the spire and started jotting down what Felix could only guess were the symbols. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B]?Am I going to be doing all of the work??[/B] Felix playfully chided returning to his digging. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B]?I am working.? [/B]Juste replied flatly not looking up from his notebook. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Felix sat back onto his knees. [B]?What does it say?? [/B][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B]?Not sure yet, a lot of it is illegible.?[/B] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Felix rocked back on his heels and stood up. Brushing the dirt off his knees he walked over to Juste and leaned over his shoulder. He had scores of the symbols drawn out with notations next to almost every one. Felix lingered a little while longer before garnering a glance from Juste. Juste cleared his throat telling Felix to stop. The cousins met eyes and Felix sighed and set off to find firewood. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Grabbing his rifle as he went Felix checked the action and the shells and set off into the jungle. Each step came with its own unique sound as the dead foliage varied throughout the forest floor. Felix heard animals moving with caution around him, even caught a few blurs of color as they rushed away from this new invading creature. Felix tried to stomp around as much as he could to try and not sneak up and surprise anything that would rip his face off if startled. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]After a few trips, Felix had everything he needed to keep the fire going nice and bright all night. Usually a small fire is better and easier to attend, but a big one would help ward off any curious predators and hopefully help Jace and the others find them if they found a way down into the jungle. He arranged the wood in sizes and then went back into the thicket to find some kindling. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Felix found some dried bark that would work well and started traveling back to camp when his boot struck something that made an interesting noise. A hollow metallic sound came from beneath a bed of vines. Felix took a knee and struck the vines with a closed fist and the sound came again. He stared at the vines for a moment. He tried prying them up with his hands but they were too interwoven. He sat for a moment, thinking, then pulled the hold-out knife that was sheathed in his boot and proceeded to cut at the vines. A while later he stared flabbergasted at his uncovered treasure. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B]?Juste! Juste you have to see this!?[/B] Felix cried. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]A few moments passed and Juste stumbled through the thicket breathing heavy. [B]?Now what do I just have to-?[/B] Juste stood jaw slung open staring at a beaming Felix next to what looked like a metal man. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]He was rusted and tarnished so that it was hard to tell his original metal, but seemed wholly intact. His face was just a plate with slits for eyes and a mouth, but the rest of his body was much more complex, he had an untold number of markings on him, including new scratches from where Felix had cut him loose. It looked like he was a little clunky, but had enough moving parts to make him more graceful than one would expect. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Juste took a moment to gather himself. [B]?Where did you find that??[/B] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B]?Oh this??[/B] Felix drawled. [B]?It was just lying around.?[/B] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B] ?This is magnificent.?[/B] Juste fell to his knees beside the metal man and started looking him over. [B]?Can we move him back to the camp??[/B] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Felix starred for a moment at Juste. [B]?This thing is like, four hundred pounds.?[/B] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Two hours later Felix and Juste flopped down in the campsite, metal man close by. After a few minutes of wheezing Juste finally got up enough energy to go over to the metal man and start examining him again. He seemed even more excited about this discovery than the spire. Felix on the other hand, had done most of the labor carrying the man and had decided that he already hated him. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B]?Do the symbols say anything??[/B] Felix asked after a long silence. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B]?They are just as illegible as the spire?s, if not more.? [/B] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Juste ripped at the vines still entangling the man and pulled some of them out of his openings. Felix sat up to watch Juste, much to the displeasure of his limbs. Juste found an odd ridge running down the front of the man that led to a mostly legible Xear symbol. He scrapped off most of the rust blocking it from view but still couldn?t read it. He traced it with his finger to it center. Pushing down, the center of the symbol gave way. An audible click came from him followed by a whir of motion from inside the man. Felix sprang up to his feet grabbing Juste and putting himself between the two. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]And the man moved. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]I apologize for my lack of posts as of late. Not to be cliche, but Senioritis has hit me hard and driven me to the life of slacking and beach parties. I am starting to come out of it. (besides the beach parties symptom that is) To follow suit of everyone else, I apologize if I brutalized your character in any way Rachmaninoff.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][center][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Felix_Achard.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Juste_Achard.jpg[/IMG][/center] [/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] Felix blinked is eyes a few time to focus. Juste kneeled over him snapping his fingers. After a few moments he realized he couldn’t focus due to the fact that blood was flowing into one of his eyes. This added to the mixed pains from all over his body made Felix just want to lose [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=navy]consciousness[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] again and sleep until the pain was gone. Felix sighed and grabbed Juste’s hand to stop his snapping. Felix went to sit up but Juste put a hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B] “You shouldn’t rush up coz. You have a nasty bump on your head. I am not doctor or anything, but it doesn’t look like you need to be stitched up.”[/B] Juste said taking his hand back.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B] “That is good enough for me.”[/B] Felix replied sitting up. He paused looking around wide-eyed at the new, more tropical, surroundings.[B] “Where are we?”[/B][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Juste shrugged and looked around. [B]“A jungle of some sort, inside Vosper Summit. ”[/B][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] Felix nodded. [B]"And what are those?"[/B][/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]He pointed out to several large pointed metal spires that stood above the trees at certain points.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B] “I honestly cannot say. Maybe ruins of some old civilization that lived here, I have never read anything about it though.”[/B][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] Felix grunted at Juste's reply and started to get up. Juste rose and gave him a hand to his feet[/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]. It was then when Felix felt his sweat. The temperature must have risen a few dozen degrees because his undershirt felt soaked. He stripped his heavy coat and half expected steam to hiss out when he did. He sat it down on the ground and started stripping off his other layers. Juste seeing this followed in suit. When they were done Felix sat in his beige battle dress uniform with the sleeves rolled up.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] He then began checking the packs to see what they had with them. They had enough, it wouldn’t have hurt to have fallen with the saddle bags, but Felix had enough on him to keep him running for a few days, less with Juste, but he could ration it out. Juste’s pack was a different story. Books mostly, a few smaller instruments, most of which were broken in the fall, but some of them could be salvaged for tools if they need them. What Felix had been most elated to find was his rifle and saber had survived the fall with minor nicks and scratches.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] By the time Felix had gone through the packs and repacked them according to what they needed and could use, it had been a few hours. Juste insisted they bandage his forehead, so he had some gauze and a strip of fabric ripped from the lining of one of the heavy coats wrapped around his head. [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] He rose to his feet, Juste with him, and handed him one of the packs. [B]“We are heading for higher ground.”[/B][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B] “Wouldn’t it be smarter to wait here, for the others to find us?”[/B] Juste asked reluctantly slinging the pack over his shoulders.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] Felix gave Juste a look and then glanced up the rock face they fell down from. [B]“I don’t think they will be coming the same way we did. At least I hope they aren’t. Besides, how else are we going to find out what those spires are for?” [/B][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] Felix swung his pack onto his back, picked up his rifle, and buckled his saber to his belt. He then paused thinking and pulled a holstered pistol from his pack and handed it to Juste.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B] “What is this for?”[/B] He asked as he took the gun and tried to figure out how to fasten it to his belt.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][B] “A precaution. I am the only one guarding you and I would rather be safe than sorry. Stay close.”[/B] Felix replied.[/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] [/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] They both then departed into the forest to the closest spire.[/COLOR] [/FONT] [FONT=Arial] [/FONT]

[center][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Felix_Achard.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Frederic_Achard.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest%202/Belmonda_Achard.jpg[/IMG] [/center] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]“[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]I thought this was supposed to be a day for celebration,[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]”[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy] Said a stange man, making Bella and Fredric both lift their heads and face him. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]A man dressed in the white dress uniform of the Citadel Guard stood tall before them. A small smirk graced his worn face and a golden sheathed saber hung at his hip. A moment passed and then a look of realization swept across Bella’s face. A small smile cracked at the corners of her mouth and she ran her forearm across her face to rid it of any leftover tears.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]“Felix,”[/B] she said pushing off of Fredric. [B]“I half expected you not to come since you didn't reply to the invitation. [/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]“[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]And it has been two years at least since we have last seen you at a family gathering.”[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][COLOR=Navy] Fredric chimed in[/COLOR][/FONT]. [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]Felix rolled a shoulder and shifted his gaze to the ground. [B]“My job is a demanding one, I can’t leave too often. In fact I am only allowed here because I am supervising the security over some of the members of the church attending.”[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]Bella’s smile faltered some. Fredric stepped up beside her giving Felix a bit of a glower. [B]“You couldn’t take off to see your family? A little too devoted are we?”[/B] Fredric scolded.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]“I’m supposed to be the worrisome one,”[/B] Felix replied teasingly tussling his brother’s hair. [B]“Besides being the High Captain of the Guard does not come without responsibilities.”[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]Bella and Fredric both responded to his answer with almost the exact same expression of displeasure. It was true that Felix was a little too absorbed as a Citadel Guard. He wrote Bella regularly, but had fallen out of contact with his father and Fredric within the past year or so. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy] Bella’s expression was the first to soften as she walked over to him looking at him then eying his uniform. Felix just then noticed how much taller he was than his siblings. He was head and shoulder over Bella and and the top of Fredric's head was just at his nose.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]“You couldn’t have at least worn the suit we sent you?”[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy] She asked eyes falling on the sword at his side. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]“And is that necessary?”[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]“Well I heard that Macey Almagest was attending.”[/B] Felix chuckled. [B]“I just wanted to be prepared.”[/B] Fredric’s glare faltered at the utterance of that line and they all stifled laughter. They quickly regained their formal composure and glanced around to make sure they didn’t make spectacles of themselves. Felix gave a heavy sigh. He had missed the twins. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]