P.J. McKrafty

[quote name='Darren']Wait! Wait! Do I see guy liner mixed with breast gropage or am I going insane? Does not compute. I kid. I'm assuming that really is guyliner since you said it was for the crucible. (But then again, if you were just stage crew, I would start to wonder... :rolleyes:) EDIT: On second thought, maybe I am insane... Not to sound creepy or anything, but after looking closer I can't tell if that's eyeliner or not. Your eyes just look really... Poppy! (for lack of a better word)[/quote] There is some guyliner there (I was playing Hathorne) and yes that is some gropage. And my eyes are probably poppy because I have big puppy dog eyes.

Me being jovial after a few too many. [IMG]http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pjmckrafty/l_5368c4b7663f4e9b9cf116edfadc3664.jpg[/IMG] Me with Abigale backstage of our production of The Crucible. [IMG]http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pjmckrafty/l_3799834cc60a405cad3402873db4dec2.jpg[/IMG]

[COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial]Name: [/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial]High Captain Felix Michael Achard [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial]Age: [/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial]36 [B]Portrait: [/B][COLOR=Black][U][URL="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pjmckrafty/Dresden_Files_show_pic_WIP_by_Polar.jpg"]Felix[/URL][/U][/COLOR] [B] [/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial]Connection: [/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial]Son of Oliver Achard, Brother to Vincent, and then twins Belmonda and Frederic. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial]Occupation: [/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial]Felix is High Captain in the Citadel Guard, and helps run the personal protection of High Priests and the Sief. He lives in the Island Citadel in the barracks with the rest of the Guard. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial]Story: [/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial]Growing up Felix was never too close to his siblings. That being we was extremely protective of them and was often found watching over the twins and even his elder brother Vincent while they played. He was often described as having an “old soul”. He wasn’t as talkative as his other siblings, but was far from a melancholy person, often just laughing along with them. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Felix’s protective personality followed him to the SSF where he worked as hard as he could to move up through the ranks. His work did not go unnoticed. When a Cardinal from The Church of the Phoenix came around to recruit, Felix was among the top soldiers chosen to serve in the Citadel Guard. Though not the most devout of the recruits, Felix made up for it in skill and rose through the Citadel Guard ranks just as quickly as he had with the SSF.[/FONT][B][FONT=Arial][/FONT][/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]But it was during the rescue and recovery efforts after the Czenovian Revolution where he earned his rank of High Captain. Taking charge of a disheveled and confused team and leading the ground forces thought out the whole operation almost single-handedly. Upon their return to The Island citadel he was promoted to High Captain. [/FONT][/COLOR] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]It wasn’t until after this that Felix caught word of Vincent’s demise. Though he found solace in his faith, he (much like his sister) had become very critical of the Almagest family and Czenovia. He holds no trust for either of them.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Holt entered the elevator and pressed the ground floor button. The doors slowly started to close when a hand jutted through the opening making the doors reopen. A slender pale woman entered the elevator; she was wearing all black and was sporting a rapier on one hip and a whip on the other, her short white hair poked out from under her hat. She went to the button console and saw the ground floor button was already pressed. She moved awkwardly to the back next to Holt. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]The elevator descend was dreadfully long and the silence between the two occupants continued. Holt made a few cursory glances at the woman who would from time to time do the same. He saw her eyes fall upon his gun. As if in response he rested his hand on the handle and looked her in the face. She looked up at him and their eyes locked, similar to when two dogs stare each other down. This proceeded for a few moments before she broke the silence. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?Alabaster,?[/B] She said in a low tone. Holt averted his gaze to the door.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]My name is Alabaster.[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial] Holt refused to give his name. He had a strong preference against vampires. And she reeked of one. Alabaster rolled her eyes seeing she wasn?t getting an answer and she too went to staring at the door. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Holt?s radio suddenly crackled to life. [B]?Captain, we have a problem.?[/B] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B] ?Go ahead lieutenant.?[/B] He responded holding a hand up to his earpiece. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?We have reports of vampires setting charges in the general area.?[/B] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B] ?How many??[/B] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?We have no way of knowing at this time sir, we have reports of a dozen or so, and more coming in.?[/B] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?Send word to H.Q. and have them send out strike teams, tell them to neutralize all hostiles and disarm all charges,? [/B] Alabaster was now curiously watching Holt. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]Then meet me in the lobby and we will move out from there.[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B] ?Right away sir.?[/B] The radio then cut out. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]After a few more moments the elevator dinged and the doors slid open with a metallic smoothness. Holt quickly stepped out of the elevator leaving Alabaster behind. The other elevators had reached the bottom as well and the other members of the meeting were also heading out into the night. Holt scanned the crowd and saw the garb of a fellow operative. His young faced lieutenant weaved through the exiting crowd. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]He ran up and saluted his superior. [B]?Sir, H.Q. has been informed and is taking action, our team is assembled outside and is waiting for orders.?[/B] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]A small smirk flashed on Holt?s face at his lieutenant?s eagerness. [B]?Well done Stephens, fast as usual.?[/B] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]They made their way outside and to the side of the skyscraper. A large black van sat parked at the curve. They moved to the back and Holt threw the double doors open. His team sat on both sides cradling their guns eagerly. They all turned to look at their captain. The only all werewolf team in the whole force, Holt looked over his team then held out his hand. One of the occupants threw him his MP5. He caught it by it?s fore grip and checked the clip. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial][B]?Team, let?s go hunting.?[/B] He said shoving the clip back in. This was meet by a harmonious ?OO-RAH? from the team. Holt climbed into the van and the Stephens closed the door behind him. The van roared to life and took off. It was going to be a good night. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[COLOR=Navy][/COLOR] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial]Name:[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] Holt Flynn [B]Age:[/B] 34 [B]Gender:[/B] Male [B] Species:[/B] Werewolf [B]Alliance[/B][B]:[/B] Counter-Rouge Task Force [B] Appearance:[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [COLOR=black][URL="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pjmckrafty/alex.jpg"][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial](Holt)[/FONT][/SIZE][/URL][/COLOR] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]He stands at 6?2? and weights between 200 to 210lbs. He has an athletic build that has developed over years of strenuous training and active duty. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [COLOR=black][URL="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pjmckrafty/norm-4380d003e33aa-Doom2005.jpg"][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial](Uniform)[/FONT][/SIZE][/URL][/COLOR] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Standard issue for his division of the task force, the uniform consists of BDU's made with a Kevlar-cotton blend to help protect against stabbing and biting, a SOV flack jacket, and an integrated radio system.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial] Personality:[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] A cold collected person, Holt rarely has a thought that isn?t tactical. He is extremely blunt to those around him and is not well liked by his fellow task-force members. Seeing a lot of death in the field has made him stone-faced. At this point in time I would point out the ?nice-side? of his personality. The closest one could get to saying he has one is the times where he will trade mocking banter. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]He isn?t exactly proud of being a werewolf and often tries to hide the fact that he is from the people he meets. Though it is an extreme advantage in his field of work he still sees it as somewhat of a burden. [B] Weapons: [/B]While on duty, Holt uses a tactical MP5 and compact shotgun, and he is always carrying his Ruger SR9 sidearm. He is adapt at hand-to-hand combat thanks to his time in the USMC and is not too shabby with a knife. [B] Unique Ability/Special Skills:[/B] Holt?s role as Captain is based on his skills at tracking. His scent capabilities and sensitive hearing mixed with Marine training have him at an extreme advantage in his raids on The Harbingers. It?s that reason that has kept him alive this long. [B]Writing Sample:[/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Holt inhaled deeply through his nose. He held it for a moment and let it out in a shudder of a breath. He faced west and sped down the side street. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]He had been tailing a fleeing ghoul for three blocks. His team was sent to dispatch a group of ghouls that had congregated in a condemned office building. His team was busy clearing the dilapidated cubicles when Holt saw one ghoul leap from his hiding place and crashed through a window escaping into the city. Not even pausing Holt sped off after the fleeing ghoul. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]He paused again took another breath and altered his course down an alleyway. With his MP5 leveled he scanned the alleyway and saw what was left of the fire escape after the creature had haphazardly climbed it. Holt wrapped the harness on the MP5 around him and jumped to catch the bottom of the mangled ladder. He hoisted himself up through the escape as slowly as he could to remain silent. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]He made a quick glance over the molding that trimmed the roof and saw the ghoul hunched over something. He retreated back behind the molding and shouldered his MP5, took a deep breath, and popped over the molding lining up his sights. He fired twice. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Both shots went wild. The ghoul instantly whipped up and sped toward Holt. He fire two more times before it was on him. With a wide sweep of it?s arm it knocked the gun to the side and slammed into Holt sending him sprawling. Holt held his arm up keeping the creature at bay. It writhed and clawed at him gnashing it?s fangs, yearning to tear into Holt?s neck. Holding the creature back was slowly wearing him down. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]Holt didn?t notice it until he felt his canines start to elongate. Suddenly he was hit with a second wind. He thrust him palm into the creature?s throat and kicked up with his knee simultaneously sending the creature rolling to the side. He quickly swapped positions as he was now pinning the creature. He felt and heard his joints pop as he went further into his transformation. His skin started to crawl and he reached for his knife, sheathed on his chest. The ghoul fruitlessly clawed at the arm that held it down. The knife slid out of the sheath effortlessly, Holt groaned as he swung the blade. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]The next thing Holt knew he was standing over the corpse of the nearly decapitated ghoul breathing heavy. His sleeves split at the seams and his jaw painfully poppy as it returned to its normal size. He looked over and saw a bloody heap that had once made up a vagrant. It amazed him that no matter how fearful the creature was, it couldn?t help but stop and feed. Holt walked over to the body and put two rounds in it?s head to be sure. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial]?Report.?[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] Chirped the head operative over the radio; a series of confirmations proceeded from the other members. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B][FONT=Arial]?Target down,?[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] Replied Holt holding down the button on his radio. [B]?Request a cleanup crew three blocks from your position.? [/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2]He received his confirmation and held position to wait for the cleanup crew.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Shali held my hand in a vice grip as they started to call the names. I was just as nervous as her but I tried to keep it to myself. I didn’t need to make things worse for her by showing her that I was just as scared as she is. They would call a name, people would cry, and a soldier came to escort the person to the caravan. I watched as this was repeated several times. It came down to the last few names, and as each was called my confidence grew. I had not been chosen these past four years. Why now? I began to muse the thought over in my head. As I did this I lost track of the world around me. [B]“Milo Strae.”[/B] cried the speaker. I snapped my head up and looked right at him, awestruck. All eyes seemed to fall on me, and all I could do is stare dumbly at the speaker. I felt Shali wrap her arms around me and start to weep. And all I could do was stare. I could hear my mother’s cry across the crowd. And all I could do was stare. The people around me started to whisper. And all i could do was stare. Finally i felt the grip of the soldier that came to take me off. I turned to see the scarred smile of Jeremy. [B]“Let’s go.”[/B] He demanded giving me a jerk. I smacked his hand off of my shoulder.[B] “You bastard!”[/B] I growled shoving my finger in his face. [B]“You planned this! You had them pick my name!”[/B] He only answered my by smirking and drawing his rifle. I felt the presence of the two other soldiers approaching me from behind. [B]“Are you resisting?”[/B] He asked calmly. I didn’t answer him. I didn’t even think about it before I did it, but there I was standing over Jeremy my fist hurting and watching the blood slowly flow out of his crumpled nose. One of the other soldiers came up behind me, and wrapping his rifle around my throat he kicked out the back of my knees so I was pinned at a kneel. I clawed at the gun as Jeremy stood up and got a grip around the barrel of his gun. He drew back with it came brought the stock down hard on my head. The rest was black.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]The smell of roasted sheep hung thick throughout the town. Plumes of smoke could be seen rising over the houses as pillars of black. Today was the day of the festivities, a pleasurable time for those young of age, a most stressful time for those who have reached the eligible age. People were now walking the streets heading to shops or preparing for the festivities. A few soldiers walked the crowds but the majority of them were probably nursing their headaches from drinking all of the town?s ale and wine.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]I reached my parent?s home and was met by the dogs. Cat kept his distance as I greeted each of them one by one. I made my way to the door, stumbling a few times from the overeager hounds, but was able to push my way inside. I hung my water skin and pack at the entranceway and proceeded to enter the house. Much bigger than my house, my parent?s home was a target for many of the visiting soldiers. Each visit endured by them and each one grating more and more on my patience. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]I entered the dining room and my father turned his chair to see me. He has aged more since the accident, his hair now almost completely gray and his face taking a quite worn appearance. He smiled as I entered and nodded. I took my seat beside him and my mother entered the room carrying several plates of food. Her face brightened at the sight of me.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]?Milo, just in time.?[/B] She said beaming. [B]?I have just finished making breakfast for your father and our? [I]Guests[/I].? [/B]She spat the last word as if it were a curse.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B][/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]?Thank you, but I couldn?t.? [/B]I replied. She then placed a plate of fresh bread and marmalade in front of me. I sighed and started eating. My father ate in silence beside me. He never said much, which made what words he did utter very powerful. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]The door creaked and a uniform flashed as a soldier stumbled into the room. Drunk. He steadied himself on the table and leveled his dull gaze on me. He then snatched the bread from my hand. I jolted up pushing my seat back which made the slumped drunk have to look up at me.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]?Sit back down.?[/B] Came a familiar stern voice from the entrance of the dining room. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]I turned to see the face of Jeremy Hampton. He had his red hair slicked back and his uniform in shambles, most likely from a drunken night. The biggest change was his scar seemed to fade since I last saw him from bright pint to a pale flesh color. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]Jeremy had tried to use his rank to push around a local tavern owner to impress a girl. After the tavern owner refused to give in to Jeremy?s demands, Jeremy pulled a knife of the man. The story goes that Jeremy underestimated the man, and in an attempt of finesse, the tavern owner disarmed him. It continues on saying that the tavern owner took Jeremy?s knife to him, slicing him from his lip to right under his right eye, giving him a gnarled gash has left him undesirable to anyone. The fate of the tavern owner changes by tales, but the most conservative of stories has him being shot three times and bleeding out.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]He twisted a knife in his hands, I?m sure it was a threatening gesture, but all that passed through my mind was how amusingly ironic it would be that that very knife was the one that gave him the scar.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]?I said sit,?[/B] He said pointing the knife back to my chair. I did so. [B]?It is good to see that you are as obedient as ever.? [/B]He said a grin spread wide across his face. I gritted my teeth at every word that left his mouth.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]I spent a few hours with my parents and soldiers came and went through. Jeremy remained a permanent fixture though, eating and drinking, trading stories and telling jokes, most of which at my own expense. Jeremy sees me as his personal whipping boy while he visits Orsys. I can?t remember what incited the hatred between us, but it has been there since the first year he stayed at our house. I can honestly say I have never hated anyone like I have hated Jeremy Hampton. Time had escaped me as I sat at the table and my mother tapped my shoulder to remind me that it was about time to go meet with Shali.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]I was at the door jam when Jeremy called out to me. [B]?Milo!?[/B] I paused. [B]?Don?t you worry about Shali if you would happen to be picked tonight. I will take good care of her.?[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]Now, I would like to think I am a level headed individual, but the next thing I did was quite the opposite. On impulse, I grabbed up one of the knives my mother used for skinning and had laid on the table by the door, and hurled it. The room went silent as everyone?s eyes laid on the knife, stuck in the table, maybe an inch away from Jeremy?s hand. The blood drained from his face and he jerked his hand back cradling it to his body. I didn?t dare look to see my father?s expression, the disappointment that was surely plastered on it from my actions; I just gathered my things and left before the initial shock wore off.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]On the way back to Shali, I mused about how that the little skill of knife throwing I developed after a few wagers with the tavern regulars had put Jeremy in his place. It was only after the adrenaline wore off that I realized what I had done. What I might have done to Shali. Or my parents. Let alone myself. I tried to push it out of my mind, the lottery was tonight.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]The walk back from the fields is my second favorite part of the day[/FONT][/COLOR][FONT=Arial],[COLOR=navy] the first being dinner. I spend my mornings working in the shop crafting my fabrics and my afternoons in the fields minding the flock. The moment the sun started to fade into crimson I knew that it was time to go home. After rounding the flock up into it's pen with the help of the dogs I started my trek across the now emptying fields that made up the outside of Orsys. The knee high grass scratched against my trousers as I waded through it. Every now and again the tail of Cat would appear over top the grass behind me lolling lazily side to side. The aptly named Cat was a stray cat that took a particular liking to me when I would sneak him into the shed at my shop during last winter. Since then he has been accompanying me during my daily routines. He was a rather rugged looking cat covered in mismatched shades of brown, red, and black. He slept outside of the house seeing as Shali never warmed up too him and shoos him off every time she sees him. But that doesn't keep him from waiting for me in the morning to escort me to the shop and to the fields afterward. I lazily picked at the leftover bread from the lunch that Shali always packs me, and washed it down with the remains of the water in my flask I take with me to the field. The house came into view and Cat raced ahead of me toward the gate. He jumped up onto the fence and proceeded to pace up and down the length of it until I caught up with him and let myself through the gate. Cat then jumped down and ran over to the old blanket I leave out for him. He waited patiently for me to toss him the last of the bread I save for him and go inside the house. Shali had already set the table up and was sitting quietly waiting for me. The door wheezed shut and the locks hissed as I slid them into place. The soldiers seem to over look the smaller houses in the area so it was just me and Shali staying here. A small smile appeared on her face when she saw me and she stood up to greet me. I grabbed her and gave her a kiss before reaching into my vest and retrieving the Loosestrife I had picked on the way home. [B]"Do you think a flower will make me forget that you are late?"[/B] She asked as she rolled it in her fingers. [B]"I can always hope can't I?"[/B] I replied with a chuckle as I leaded down and pecked her on the cheek before going and pulling her seat out. [B]"How was your day?"[/B] she asked sitting down. [B]"The soldiers stopped by and told the owners that the shop would be closed for tomorrow for the festival, but other than that nothing out of the usual. My parents say Hello."[/B] [B]"The same could be said about my day."[/B] An awkward silence fell over the table which was only accentuated by the sounds of me tearing into my food in the usual manner. I knew something was on her mind but I wasn't about to pressure it out of her. We finished up dinner and cleaned up before getting ready for bed that night. We settled into bed and I extinguished the last candle, leaving only the dim orange glow filtering through the cracked door from the fireplace. I sat in the dark staring at thee ceiling for a moment before rolling over and resting my arm over Shali's waist. She rustled and clasped my and in hers. [B]"Are you okay?"[/B] I whispered in her ear. She paused so long that I almost dismissed it when she whispered back. [B]"Yes."[/B] I didn't believe her but before I could think about it longer the exhaustion from my work caught up with me. The blackness of the room soon enveloped me and I fell sound asleep.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][B]Name:[/B] Milo Strae [B] [FONT=Arial]Age:[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] 21 [B]Gender: [/B]Male [B] Village: [/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy] Orsys[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2] [COLOR=Navy] [B] Appearance: [/B][URL="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pjmckrafty/Fresh_in_the_woods_by_Piolvan.jpg"][U]Picture[/U][/URL] A fairly tall man, but by no means intimidating. Milo has a young face that is accented by his near white blond hair, making him look much younger than he is. Though he makes beautiful fabrics, he very rarely wears them. Instead wearing more conservative clothes, mostly browns and whites, often covered in assorted patches from wear and tear. All of this is topped with a sheep skin vest his mother made for him. [B]Occupation:[/B] He acts as a shepherd for his father's flock, but his real specialty is in weaving. Though his father looks down upon it, he must admit that his son has a great skill at it. [B] Background:[/B] Milo was born and raised in Orsys. His father was a shepherd and his mother tanned and skinned the hide of sheep. As he grew older his skills as a weaver became more and more apparent, much to his father's dismay. Milo's father taught him all he knew about shepherding, but it didn't matter much as his weaving became better and better as the days passed. The day he was told about his marriage with Shali was also the day of his father's accident. His father was trampled when the flock was spooked and his back was broken, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Milo was the only one who could take care of the flock. The day Shali came to town was one of the most intimidating in Milo's life. Not only was he marrying a woman he never met, but to an older woman at the age of fifteen. Since their marriage Milo has grown to love Shali, usually pampering her with the luxuries he can afford and the fabric he makes, and is hoping to give her a second child. [B] Personality:[/B] Milo is quiet, polite, and even-tempered, he can't even remember the last time he got angry. [/COLOR] [B][COLOR=Navy] Color:[/COLOR] [/B][/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy]Blue[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]I walked through the common area of the station, where the officers were preparing to change shifts. A number of cliché praises were mentioned and a couple officers that were a bit wet behind the ears shook my hand and said that they hoped to see me in action some day. It?s nice, real nice; it?s the praise I sought to gain when I joined the force. It?s only fitting that I am preoccupied by my other duties to properly soak it up. Love that irony. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Commissioner Harris called me in and sounded beyond pissed off. He didn?t mention any details before hanging up. I pushed the door to his office open. He stood staring out his office window at the city. I cringed when I looked at what lay on his desk. A head half concealed by a bag and a stack of bloody hundreds lay strewn about the table top. The sight of the head alone made me want to throw up my past three meals. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][B]?Sir you ??[/B]I was cut off by my own gagging. [B]?W-wanted to see me??[/B] I held my hand up my mouth to try and block the smell. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]He remained silent for a moment just staring, and then he turned and met eyes with me. [B]?We need to fix this?[/B] he said waving his hand to the head. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][B]?Sir, I don?t know what to say but, I don?t think he is going to make it.?[/B] I am glad the hand was there to hide my smile at my own comment. Harris didn?t seem to enjoy it as much as I did. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][B]?These vigilante shits are making us look bad, I need you to look these guys up. The Eckhart Brothers, look for them, bring them in.?[/B] He sat down, his cold eyes staring daggers at me as he lit a cigarette. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]I just nodded and left, I knew there was nothing I could say that wouldn?t dig me in deeper, besides there is work to do. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][center][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][B][U][FONT=Arial]That night?[/FONT][/U][/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][B][U][FONT=Arial][/FONT][/U][/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][/center] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][B][U][FONT=Arial] [/FONT][/U][/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]I can?t tell you how many times I have gone to [I]Kitty Kat?s Klub[/I]. Not for the erotic dancing, the drinks, or the ?benefits you get for being a good tipper. No, I come here for sleaze that owns the place. Hu Meng, a tiny little prick that seems to have his ear to the ground as to what goes on in the underworld. If these brothers are decapitating crime lords, then Hu will know where I can look for them. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]I stick mainly to the shadows, guy wearing a costume kind of draws a bit of attention if he walks down the sidewalk. The club comes into view and I know it right away. Decent sized place, bathed in pink lights from the neon he has strewn about the place, gives it that real smutty feel that you would expect a place like it to have. What you never expect is the people who go there. Business men, lawyers, politicians, any man with an out if control libido can be found stalking the locale at all hours of the day. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]I made my way up the access ladder to the roof and waited at the back entrance for Hu to make his appearance. It didn?t take long for the bastard to make his cue. A short and portly man wearing a stained suit left through the back door with one of the clubs best girls in tow. They climbed into Hu?s car and I waited for a few moments so that I could catch him while he is? distracted. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]I jumped down from the access ladder and crept up to the car. It rocked slightly as I checked the door. It was unlocked. I flung the door open and there he was seizuring on top of the now unconscious woman?s body. I grabbed the pig?s ankle and dragged him out of the car. Still in shock he didn?t start cursing until I was a good ten feet from the car. I stopped and let him up and let him get his clothing situated. When his pants were back up I caught his with a right hook sending him to the ground again. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][B]?Hello Hu, I?m back,?[/B] I said cheerily as I wrapped my left hand around his throat and drew my pistol with my right. [B]?I need some information.?[/B] [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][B]?Fuck?s wrong with you??[/B] He replied, trying to fidget. [B]?What makes you think I am gonna answer your questions??[/B] [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]I drew back the hammer on the pistol and put the barrel on his forehead. [B]?Intuition.?[/B] [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Hu replied by chuckling. [B]?You know how many times we have done this song and dance? I know you ain?t gonna kill me, so this threat ain?t working.?[/B] [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][B]?Your right,?[/B] I said pulling the gun up. A smirk grew under my mask. [B]?But this won?t kill you.?[/B] I moved the gun to his groin and his expression changed from confident back to the scared little pig face I was used to. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][B]?What do you want??[/B] He screamed sweat not welling up on his forehead. [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial][B]?Anything you know about the Eckhart Brothers, and mind you, I am not feeling very patient tonight.?[/B] [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]Hu cringed as I pressed the barrel down harder on his groin. [B]?They have become a real pain in the ass for a lot of families around here. They don?t feel safe anymore.?[/B] I pressed down again. [B]?The have been seen around the Grainger Storage Facility in the Slums!?[/B] [/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][SIZE=2][FONT=Arial]I sat there for a second reading his face. I believe him. I let the hammer down and got up. Hu sighed with relief and instantly went to checking his face. After he decided there was minimal damage he started to get up. I gave him a good kick in the ribs and made my exit. I need to wait out the Grainger Storage Facility to see if the Eckhart?s show up tonight.[/FONT][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT]

[quote name='Omega'][SIZE=1]=D Most splendid! So how to go about this... Would you like to do me the honor of setting up this epic showdown?[/SIZE][/quote] Oh, Omega. I'm touched. Yeah, I guess I will take the pleasure of kicking this bitch off. Be expecting it soon.

[quote name='Omega'][SIZE=1]I have a... [I]challenge[/I] for P.J. McKrafty. Your character and mine are gun proficient, so I think it'd be interesting to have a confrontation. What say ye?[/SIZE][/quote] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]If I am not mistaken, a gauntlet has been thrown. I accept.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[SIZE=2][COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]I looked down at his watch. I got off duty just an hour ago and have been waiting in line to cash my pay check since. Didn't even have time to change out of my uniform. The new automated system just made things more complicated if you asked me, but they say its safer. No clerks, just computers and holograms. Virtually unrobbable, but criminals still find a way. Suddenly the front doors to the bank shot open and three men stormed in. All of them dressed like they were just on a battlefield and sporting the toys to match. The first one across the threshold let loose with a burst of automatic fire; which had everyone diving to the floor, screaming their heads off. They saw me before I could do anything. The second guy had me in his sights and started screaming profanity. [B] "Don't you fucking move or I will splatter your head all over this fucking place!"[/B] he yelled as he started toward me. The other two had taken of me but decided to let him deal with me and start in on the other patrons. [B] "No one tries anything funny and everyone leaves alive. We want you all to empty your accounts and we will take what you can get."[/B] The third one said quite calmly pacing between civilians and periodically leveling his machine pistol at ones head making them scream. [B] "You!"[/B] The second one screamed at me. [B]"Hand over your belt!"[/B] I can already tell this guy is the weakest one, the other two have so far kept their cool where as this guy has been freaking out since he came inside. I complied and unfastened my belt and held it out. He came closer and stopped about four feet away from me. That is where he made his mistake. He let go of his rifle with his left and and motioned at me to throw it to him. I looked and thee other two were directing people over to terminals and were not paying attention. So I made my move. I threw the belt as hard as i could. With all the gear on it it must weigh a good ten pounds. It hit him in the chest and set off his balance. I flung myself at him and grabbed the barrel of his gun. Pushing hard I made the stock hit him in the face. Blood sprayed from his nose from the hit and he fell to the ground. I quickly spun the rifle around and fired two shots. It hit the third guy in the upper thigh and in the forearm making him drop his machine pistol. I wasn't quick enough for the first one. He grabbed up a woman and had his pistol on her temple by the time I had lined up my sights. [B] "Why don't you just chill the fuck out there hero!"[/B] He yelled with his head ducked behind hers. [B] "Let the woman go. We can talk this out."[/B] On cue the sirens from about a dozen cruisers came flooding into the bank after I said this. The bank must have some sort of automated alarm system. He tensed up and pushed the gun harder against her head making her whimper. [B]"You called backup?"[/B] His voice cracked. He is starting to lose composure. His partner I shot struggled to his feet while cradling his shot arm. I whipped my gun on him, but he just put his free hand up and sat back down, kicking the machine pistol away from himself. Good man. While I had my attention on him the first man threw the woman to the ground and made a run for the door. I threw the rifle down and dove toward him. I caught him mid-waist and we both tumbled to the floor. I hit my head on landing and it threw me into a fog. He had the upper hand. I caught a right hook on the lip and my mouth started to fill with blood, so I used it. I spat in his face and shoved my knee into his groin. He tensed up and I delivered the final blow by head-butting him as hard as I could. The rest of the experience was to muddy to make out but backup arrived and cleaned the place out. A medic got to look at me while they took the perpetrators away in stretchers. I might get a medal from the city for this whole thing. Whoop-dee-fucking-doo. But for today, i have work to do. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]Name/Alias:[/FONT][/COLOR][/B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial] Alex Tennant, "The Hand", or "The Hand of Justice"[/FONT][/COLOR][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial] [/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]Age: [/FONT][/COLOR][/B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]27[/FONT][/COLOR][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial] [/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]Occupation:[/FONT][/COLOR][/B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]Police Officer/Vigilante[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial] Weaponry/Skills:[/FONT][/COLOR][/B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial] Alex fancies himself an excellent marksman, and he isn?t too far off. Having trained most of his life with side arms thanks to his father?s occupation and his time in the academy, he has become extremely adept with handguns and an assortment of rifles. He was declared one of the most talented men with a gun by his instructor at the academy. So, as to best use his skills, he carries an assortment of handguns and if the mood strikes him or if the situation calls for it, he might sport a rifle of sorts. His arsenal has been built up by the government, making him one of the most well armed men on Zeitgeist.[/FONT][/COLOR][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial] [/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]Though Alex tries to avoid doing it, he often finds himself participating in hand-to-hand combat. Training in multiple martial arts classes in his youth and learning C.Q.C. in the academy have made his quite proficient in the art. Though he doesn?t like doing it, he finds some kind of satisfaction in the success of taking someone down. Since taking on his persona, he has become even more adept and can be considered quite a threat.[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]Description: [/FONT][/COLOR][/B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]Alex stands a little overt six feet tall with an intimidating build. His hair is dark brown and kept short due to police regulations and to keep people from using it against him in a fight. His eyes are a light gray and are usually surrounded by bags from his lack of sleep. His appearance is often gruff and gives him a dour look. Though he does come off cold, he has been known to smile. [COLOR=Black][URL="http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/pjmckrafty/alex.jpg"](A picture of Alex at the academy)[/URL][/COLOR] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]When working he is seen wearing his standard navy blue uniform and utility belt. When in his persona of "The Hand" He dresses in black fatigue pants, a black shirt, and a black Dragon Skin vest that bears the white hand symbol that he uses. He also wears a black half mask to conceal his identity that bears the same symbol.[/FONT][/COLOR][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial] [/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]Personality:[/FONT][/COLOR][/B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial] Alex has become jaded and stoic since dawning the title of The Hand[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]. He has seen firsthand what the criminals of the planet are capable of and what they are doing to its people. So Alex decided that the only way for him to fix the society is to remove the criminal element completely. Even though he objective sometimes calls for it, Alex does not like to kill, he doesn't see what it accomplishes and thinks that it merely just create a mess. Much to his dislike though, he has had to take the life of a few people seeing as it was either his assignment or they left him with no other choice. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=2][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]Biography: [/FONT][/COLOR][/B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]Born into a middle class family Alex was raised an only child. His mother was an elementary school teacher and his father was a Sargent with the police. His father always wanted Alex to emulate him and go into law enforcement. His hopes were met when Alex entered the police academy after his schooling. The police academy was based in a desert miles outside of The Garden of Thebes. This is where Alex developed most of his friendships and had the best times of his life. He participated in many of the competitions that the academy and became a renown marksmen among his comrades. At the graduation ceremony he was presented an award and was named top of his class. He was accepted into the police force in The City of Dis a small time afterwards. Alex became a beat cop and met great success at this and lead the force with the most arrests and citations. He rose quickly in the ranks and by age twenty-four he reached his father's rank of Sargent. He was finally approached by the commissioner and asked if they would speak privately. He was taken to a room where he was told about The Hand of Justice. They select a officer that shows and exemplary amount of skill and then they employ them as a personal vigilante for the government. Giving them the ability to operate outside of the law. Having the government on their side also kept the previous incarnations of the Hand out of the media. They told him of the men and women that came before him and how they died, and that he would certainly meet the same fate as them. Knowing full well what he was getting himself into Alex abruptly agreed and took on the job. For the next month, Alex was trained to hone his current skills and use them as The Hand. At the months end he took to the streets under his new persona. While trying to maintain his daytime duty as an officer. He has been The Hand for three years now and has outlived each and everyone of his predecessors. [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial][/FONT][/COLOR][/B]

[quote name='Lunox'][FONT=trebuchet ms]I also love how a lot of Americans think oil will just go back down to normal one day, like sub-dollar normal. Haha. [/FONT][/quote] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] Let us dream. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]I'd like to know when I die, I hate surprises. Plus I would like to see how many women I can get in before hand. I plan on going into law enforcement so my life expectancy ain't exactly sky rocketing, but who wants to live to become sexually impotent anyway? I want to go down in a hail of gunfire and glory, maybe doing something heroic that would get me a statue or monument of somesort. No boring death for this man, not way no how. Plus my death would make my autobiography, [I]Three days in the Tub[/I], sell like hotcakes. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Aaryanna'][COLOR=DarkGreen][FONT=Book Antiqua]My question about the e-mail is why would people take that seriously instead of seeing it as a possible prank? Perhaps I'm missing something but I'm not seeing a reason why my character would do anything with it other than to delete it.[/FONT][/COLOR][/quote] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Shhhhhhhh! There is no reason, just plot devices.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Kaz and me read over the message. [B] "What was it you were saying about a big hunt?"[/B] Kaz sighed while finishing reading. [B] "Hot dog!"[/B] I shouted while pumping my fist into the air. [B]"This is great! We both made the list! So what do you think?"[/B] [B] "I think it is a trap."[/B] Kaz replied dismally. [B] "Exactly, thats why its so awesome! We need to get packing, that's New Orleans, from Atlanta thats about a seven hour trip." "Who said I want to go in a car?" "Do you have the money and patience for a plane? Honestly?" [/B] Kaz simply gave me a hard stare and stalked off grabbing a backpack off a table and going into a back room. I took this as a good sign and went down to the Hunts-mobile. After waiting around fifteen minutes he came back with a swollen backpack, a metal briefcase and his weapons under arm. I opened up the back and pulled up the interior to reveal the wooden gun case. We packed his weapons in snug and he put the rest in the back. We drove about ten miles before we came up on my street. I backed up into the garage and closed the door so as not to have any prying eyes from the neighbors. I opened back up the gun case and ran up into the house. My roommates all stood huddled around the computer and reeled when I entered the house. [B] "Marty! Did you see this?"[/B] cried Kurt pointing at the screen. [B] "Most likely. If it is the proverbial gauntlet that was just thrown down, then yes."[/B] I replied while running through the common room and slamming my door open. I opened my closet and grabbed a few days clothes and stuffed them in a gym bag. I then rooted under my bed and found the hard gun case and opened it. My Kalashnikov and four clips stared back at me. I quickly closed it and hustled out of my room with it and the gym bag. Making a double take I grabbed my aluminum bat that sat next to the door. You never know when you will need a replacement. I darted back through the common room and started loading my gear in. [B] "You got the coordinates? Where are they?"[/B] Asked Kurt from the doorway. [B] "They are a secret, you read that."[/B] I said closing up the back of the Hunts-mobile. [B]"I'm off to face uncertain doom and probably face my own death. See ya soon!"[/B] I giggled to myself at the accidental rhyme and I climbed into the drivers seat, hit the garage door opener and off we went. I can honestly say that Kaz is an unpleasant man while traveling. He has yet to say a word and just sat in the back reading some book with a rather unpleasant expression on his face. [B] "Will Kaz cheer up?"[/B] I asked jokingly as I shook the eight ball. [I]Outlook looks grim. [/I]Gonna be a fun trip. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[center][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/zelda/ariadoravatar.jpg[/IMG][/COLOR][/FONT] [/center] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] Ariador woke up to a meal being slid into the cell. He ignored it and rolled over on the pile of hay that made up his bed. He didn?t feel hungry. He had barely ate since he was brought to Hyrule. He fidgeted in the hay a moment more before he gave up on returning to sleep, and picked up the plate. Most of the food had sloshed off the plate when it was slid into the room. Ariador looked at the rest in question. He had never eaten anything like it. It had a gritty texture and barely had a taste. He finished quietly and slid the plate through the small hole at the bottom of the door. Ariador had just sat back on the pile of hay when the light from the hallway flooded the room. A bundle was thrown into the floor in front of the door. [B] "I suggest you get dressed quickly."[/B] The guard commanded. Ariador quickly opened the bundle to find his clothes and quickly threw them on. He stepped out of the cell and saw the young man from earlier standing with a torch in hand. He held a piece of parchment and cleared his throat when Ariador stepped from the cell. [B] "After being deemed not a threat to the kingdom of Hyrule, and a vouch for your release. You are being let go."[/B] Thee man motioned down the corridor and departed down the opposite direction. Ariador looked down the corridor and then started down it. The same empty eyes he saw before stared out at him. He couldn't help but feel their new found envy of his release. He didn't make eye contact with any of them and kept his gaze at his feet. He passed the wooden door where they took him the day before without a second glance and came upon a set of stairs. He climbed them to the top and found the older man from earlier leaning in the doorway leading outside. He starred at the kingdom in front of him quietly. Ariador stopped a few steps shy of the man and waited. [B] "I had a son in your position. For all I know he still is."[/B] The man said keeping his gaze outside. [B]"It must be a horrible life, living in servitude, never to be free. That's why I am offering you this chance at a new life."[/B] He turned and met eyes with Ariador. [B]"In hopes that in some way, it helps me absolve myself. For abandoning my son to that life."[/B] He walked up to Ariador and held out his hand." Ariador paused for a moment and then took it. [B]"Thank you."[/B] He murmured. The old man just shook his head. [B]"I don't deserve it."[/B] With that he left Ariador and retreated back into the dungeon. Ariador watch him descend the stairs and leave from view. He turned to see his longbow and quiver standing in the corner by the door. He picked them up and shouldered them. He left the dungeon into the kingdom. Into his new life.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial]"What you just saw was a great example of what I have been doing,"[/FONT][/COLOR][/B][COLOR=navy][FONT=Arial] I replied, leaning back and rubbing his eyes. [B]"I need another big hunt. This is just getting tedious." "Count me out, I don't think I can survive another bonding experience with you."[/B] We both laughed at Kaz's response and then drifted off back into an awkward silence. [B]"Get up! A beer isn't a proper breakfast, lets go get something dripping in grease at a diner."[/B] I spouted heading for the door. [B]"I don't know-"[/B] [B]"I don't know,"[/B] I jeered while attempting to mimic Kaz. [B]"Catch!"[/B] I tossed Kaz the eight-ball key chain. Kaz sighed and shook it. [B]"It is a corner... I can't read either side."[/B] [B]"That's a good sign, let's go." [/B] Kazimir rolled his eyes and followed me to my car. We both climbed in, and off we went in the early morning twilight. Windows half-rolled down to fight the smell of dead werewolf that still lingered. The streets were deserted except for the night-shift workers that were heading home. The banter between Kaz and me was pathetic and getting worse as the ride dragged on. I think we were both relived when I pulled into the parking-lot of the Waffle-House. We took our seats in the back and placed our orders.[B] "This place smells." [/B]Kaz declared a bit abruptly with a wrinkled nose. I about spit coffee all over myself before I regained my composure. [B] "That is the familiar smell of broken dreams and hash browns. It has comforted me over the years."[/B] We both laughed at this. The waitress came over and placed our orders down and staked off with a rather displeased expression. [B] "I think she heard you."[/B] He replied in a whisper leaning in. I shrugged while shoving half an omelet in my mouth. We both ate our food in almost complete silence. I finished in a matter of minutes, again, while Kaz seemed to take his time. I placed down the money (mostly in one's) and sat back and waited for Kaz to finish. One of the worker must have turned on the radio; campy country music leaked out of the cheap intercom system. I looked around to make sure no servers were around before I started speaking. [B]"So have you seen anything on Hunter-net that might interest me?" "Nothing that just shouted 'Martin' to me," [/B]Kaz said putting his fork down. [B]"Why do you ask anyway?" "I barely check now-a-days, do you know how long it has been since I have been chased down a hallway by an explosion?" "I'm going to go out on a limb and say, never."[/B] I rolled my eyes and got up and left with Kaz trudging along behind me. We both climbed back into the Hunts-mobile and took off. The sun now cresting over the horizon. The light was blinding so I donned the gold rimmed sunglasses (replicas of what Elvis wore) I had on my dash. Kaz just looked at me and laughed. [B] "You look like a fool." "Yeah, yeah, where to there big boy?"[/B] [/FONT][/COLOR]

[FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]Christopher Nolan did a great job with both of his Batman movies, and I personally hope he has another one coming. It seems like he is favoring the darker, more realistic villains. If he does work on a new movie I'm wondering which villain he would go with in this film? I know he has already used Joe Chill, Ra's al Ghul, Zsasz (hidden in Batman Begins), Scarecrow, Joker (of course), and [spoiler]Two-face.[/spoiler] I would love to see them use Firefly, Bane, or Hush. [/COLOR][/FONT]

[COLOR=Navy][FONT=Arial]It sorta reminds me of the Superhuman Registration Act in the Marvel Civil War series. But I think it's is a great idea, I always loved the whole, Legion of Doom premise. Plus, who doesn't like being a bad guy every now and again? I do have one question though. Are we going to be doing this in a campy, comical, sort of way, or is this serious and dark? [/FONT][/COLOR]

[center][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/zelda/ariadoravatar.jpg[/IMG][/center] [LEFT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]The cell was cold. Ariador sat in the corner hugging himself for some warmth.[/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy]He had been brought back to Hyrule a few days ago after finding him half dead wandering on the fringes of the Eastern Dessert.[/COLOR][/FONT][FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] He had been stripped of all possessions and thrown into this cell until they could discern if he was part of some sort of a forward force. All he could do now was wait for the soldiers to get back and take him for an interrogation of some sort. The hinges on the door made a heinous whine as it was swung inward. The silhouette of a man stood in the light. [B]"Get up, you are wanted."[/B] he demanded in a stern voice as he grabbed Ariador's arm and jerked him to his feet. His arms were bound and he was practically dragged by the overzealous guard. The corridor seemed so much longer than it actually was. They would periodically pass by a cell with an occupant, most of them just starring blankly out. Eyes flicking on him as he passed. This place felt so evil to him. The further down the corridor they moved the brighter it seemed to be though. They finally reached a solid oak door with a brass knob on it. The guard yanked the door open and dragged Ariador into the room like he was some sort of rag doll. He was pushed down into a seat here his arms were bound at the wrists to the rests on the side. The man leading Ariador stepped to the back of the room. A guard stood on either side of him each with their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Both of them stood rigid as the door to the back of Ariador swung open. A young looking man stepped forward and started to pace in front of Ariador. [B] "What condition is he in?"[/B] the man asked. The guard in the back of the room leaped forward at this and presented himself. [B]"From what we can gather he is completely illiterate, but he does respond to simple questions and has shown no signs of hostility to us yet."[/B] The man stopped pacing and nodded to the guard. He then stepped up to Ariador and drew his face up so he could see him eye to eye. [B] "Can you understand me?"[/B] He asked slowly. Ariador nodded. [B] "Can you speak?" "To a point,"[/B] Ariador answered quietly. [B]"We were seldom allowed to speak." [/B]The man look at Ariador with a puzzled expression and then looked up at the door. Apparently someone had entered and Ariador hadn't noticed. Without an exchange of words the young man stepped back from Ariador and an older man who had started to gray walked into view. [B]"At this point, we have yet to think of an interrogation that would work on you,"[/B] The older man said in a solemn tone.[B] "You have been through many tortures in your life. Your spirit broken long ago I can imagine."[/B] Ariador just dropped his head at this. When he looked up the older man was kneeling in front of Ariador at eye level. his eyes were a blue that grayed on the fringes just like his hair. He just stared at Ariador for a moment then rose and left the room without another word. The room remained silent until finally the guard in the back came up and untied Ariador from the chair and led him back to his cell. Ariador sat alone in the darkness again, just wondering what the expression on the man's face was. [/COLOR][/FONT][/LEFT]

[quote name='Aceburner'][FONT=Comic Sans MS]As for Joker, yeah. I know. It just kind of bothered me how everyone in the theater instantly cracked up every time he shot a guy in the face. No hesitation at all. The guy [I]is[/I] supposed to be a creep, after all.[/FONT][/quote] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] But that's the point, he is the Joker. JOKE-er. He doesn't just shoot the guy in the face, he does something comical. Something that is scary, but you can't help but bring yourself to crack up. [spoiler]When he pulled the pencil trick, not only did I laugh, I clapped. His delivery was not only unexpected, it was in true Joker fashion.[/spoiler] That is how the Joker operates. It's not what he is doing, it's how he delivers it. If you don't realize that, then maybe you don't understand the character. Of course he is a creep. That's why we all enjoy him.[/COLOR][/FONT]

[quote name='Aceburner'][FONT=Comic Sans MS] -There were young children in the audience. Seriously, people. Folks think some guy committed suicide over his role in this movie. Why the hell are you bringing your four year olds? [/FONT][/quote] [FONT=Arial][COLOR=Navy] Heath Ledger didn't commit suicide, he accidentally overdosed on prescription drugs and passed out face first on his bed where he asphyxiated. His suicide was a rumor, he might have lived if he hadn't fallen face forward. P.S. made #1 on top 250 on imdb today! [/COLOR][/FONT]