Allamorph

[QUOTE=CaNz]hold on... your pissing GOLD? what kind of [I]whine [/I]are you drinking? ^~^[/QUOTE] [FONT=Calibri]I wish you could hear yourself....[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]Okay seriously, Winter, [I]go away[/I]. I love you. You're awesome. But I want Spring now. I'd also love it if Spring could stick around until, like, the middle of June. That would great.[/FONT]

[quote name='CaNz']even if the trainer definition is broad, how many people have taught there pokemon to fight well? i would think the number would be kind of high... the games arnt the best thing to base it on, but it seemed like most of the people want to battle with them.[/quote] [FONT=Calibri]Why? I realise that just asking that question might be a tad infuriating, but it [I]is[/I] necessary. I don't disagree, but I don't yet agree either. All I want you to do is explain. Pretend the concept is foreign to me, and convince me.[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]That would be more a tournament license, equivalent to, say, a NASCAR driver or something. But that still doesn't necessitate a license for people who simply want them for pets or for personal use. I don't really think equating pokémon to guns is an appropriate correlation. :p[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]I was actually going to ask for clarification of "trainer". 'Cause really , there are probably a vast array of people who actually own and "train" the critters, whether it be professionally, as amateurs, for a hobby, or just as pets. It's a lot broader scope than just labeling people as Trainers.[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]Not satisfied with one or two dialogue spots, not satisfied with one or two motions, bleh.[/FONT]

[center][font="Arial"][b][u]Prism[/u][/b][/font][/center] [font="calibri"]They took their meal in silence, the woman savoring each portion of her food as much as the last and only pausing to discourse with the waitress, the man in stoic immovability, eating as though it were merely required of him. The woman's voice, when she did speak, was vibrant and enchanting, almost intoxicating, to listen to, and was interwoven with a thread of foreign dialect that, had one been paying attention, one would have thought to be possibly German. She rarely looked at her companion, seeming content with the mere knowledge of his presenceâ??and on one of the rare occasions she did glance to him his gaze was lost in the ruby depths of his wine, and an amused, knowing smile flitted across her face. Their dinner passed, as did dessertâ??a small parfait for the woman, the man abstaining save for a glass of brandyâ??and the evening's bill came, for which the man showed a spark of life and caught up lazily while the woman again attended to the waitress. [b]â??I do hope you enjoyed yourselves tonight,"â?[/b] the brunette was saying. [b]â??Oh of [i]course[/i],â?[/b] replied the woman. [b]â??It is a wonderful little place, and the music has been delightful.â?[/b] She smiled. [b]â??I admit I am not familiar with many quality restaurants with live music. Some of the music they have coming through the speakers can be absolutely dreadful,â?[/b] she added conspiratorially. Tiffany grinned. [b]â??I think the boss told me about the same thing when we first started,â?[/b] she said. [b]â??He's a big supporter of the local talent.â?[/b] [b]â??Then give him my thanks, please,â?[/b] the woman urged. [b]â??It's such a little change, live music instead of piped-in music, but it really made the evening. Especially that string ensemble with the young man on synthesizer.â?[/b] [b]â??I'll be sure to do that, ma'am.â?[/b] [b]â??And thank [i]you[/i] as well,â?[/b] continued the woman. [b]â??Such pleasant service andâ??oh!â?[/b] The man's eyes snapped up. His companion had started sharply when she'd taken the hostess's hand, and her slight gasp had Tiffany in a controlled panic. [b]â??Ma'am, are you okay?â?[/b] she pressed, leaning forward. [b]â??No, I . . . I am sorry, my dear,â? [/b]the woman said, recovering herself adroitly. [b]â??It's just that your hands are so [i]cold[/i]. It surprised me, is all.â? [/b] Her eyes flitted down and sideways to the man, then back up to the waitress. [b]â??I apologise,â?[/b] she smiled, [b]â??it"s nothing.â?[/b] [b]â??Okay,â?[/b] said Tiffany dubiously, as the woman released her hand. [b]â??As long as you're sure.â?[/b] Clearing his throat, the man rose, withdrew a single bill from his wallet, placed it inside the bill folder, and pressed it into Tiffany's hands. [b]â??Keep it,â?[/b] he murmured. Without waiting for reply, he moved around the table to take his companion's arm. Tiffany opened the book, breath caught in her throat. [b]â??Butâ??but sir, are youâ??â?[/b] [b]â??Keep it,â? [/b]he repeated firmly, no louder than before. [center]--------------------------------[/center] When the two were outside at the car, identical to the first sedan except for the forest-green color, the man paused and looked at his counterpart. [b]â??It was him,â?[/b] she said. All the color had gone out of her face, and her lively eyes were slightly haunted. [b]â??I saw him. Lots of him. No mistake.â?[/b] She lowered herself into the car and leaned her head back. [b]â??I must rest.â?[/b] The man nodded and drew a phone from the breast pocket of his coat.[/font]

[FONT=Calibri]Something has bugged me for a good while about the Pokémon universe, but only kind of in the back of my head until this evening when I had reason to bring it up in a related discussion with [COLOR="DarkRed"]Kei[/COLOR]. I think we've come to a mutual agreement already, but I'm going to go ahead and stick this out here for a quick general discussion, see what other impressions are out there. Basically, for the intents and purposes of this game, the entire world, all four regions included, are too underpopulated. [CENTER][B][U]Example[/U][/B] [IMG]http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/vv19/Carlos_Reiven/Pokemon/heartgold-soulsilver-ecruteak-city.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] This is what Azalea is laying seige to as of current canon. That's like, I dunno, maybe a hundred people? [I]Maybe?[/I] If we run with this kind of concept, the [I]global[/I] (relative) [I]population[/I] can't be over 40,000. And I was envisioning Saffron City as 60,000 easy, just by itself. I'd like to know who else sees this as a potential issue, and who might have a severe problem if [COLOR="DarkRed"]Kei[/COLOR] and I suddenly expanded the world to be big enough to make a war actually feasible. 'Cause, really, if the Ecruteak above were being rained on by exploding Pinecos, I'm pretty sure the siege would be over inside ten minutes. Open Forum gogogo.[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]holycrapsunshine ...kind of. But I'm not complaining. (Now I just need to replace my sunglasses.)[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]I remember sunshine. That was nice. Really, really was.[/FONT]

[CENTER][IMG]http://www.nataliedee.com/051306/unless-you-just-buy-them-to-prove-you-think-of-stuff.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [FONT=Calibri]Unless you just buy them to prove you think of stuff. Today's biting comic courtesy of Natalie Dee. [/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]Was it Skippy brand? 'Cause I know some of those things can get massive.[/FONT]

[quote name='Sara][FONT="Georgia"']Okay, I clearly know less about Pokemon than I thought. I thought new games introduced new Pokemon. Haven't those three been around for a while? (I recognise them, so they must have.)[/FONT][/quote] [FONT=Calibri]There are new games and then there are remakes of older games. FireRed and LeafGreen were remakes of Red and Blue (respectively) for the Advance, and HeartGold and SoulSilver are the atrociously-named remakes of Gold and Silver (respectively) for DS. So technically they're [I]brand[/I] new, just not [I]new[/I].[/FONT]

[quote name='ChibiHorsewoman][color=#9933ff][font=monotype corsiva][size=4]What if most of the people you've heard yelling that are Catholic?[/color][/font'][/size][/quote] [FONT=Calibri]Then Happy Hour now goes from four to eleven?[/FONT]

[quote name='ChibiHorsewoman][color=#9933ff][font=monotype corsiva][size=4]The crazy person says: Ai yi yi yi yi![/color][/font'][/size][/quote] [FONT=Calibri]That's Islamic racial profiling, that is.[/FONT]

[CENTER] [IMG]http://www.marriedtothesea.com/022310/i-hate-thinking.gif[/IMG] [/CENTER]

[quote name='CaNz']so long as people keep their stupid thoughts to themselves, i am fine with whatever they think.[/quote] [FONT=Calibri]Word. Completely unrelated, but I love dramatic irony. I love it [I]ever[/I] so much.[/FONT]

[quote name='Gavin][SIZE=1']I admit I am always a little perplexed by the fascination that has developed around the day, more so those with absolutely no Irish connections (and no, your housemate's third cousin's ex-girlfriend's grandfather does not practically make you Irish) being so enthused by it.[/SIZE][/quote] [FONT=Calibri]Over here stateside, the majority of the population is completely subconsciously paranoid about not belonging anywhere or to anything or with anyone, and so any little excuse they can drum up to identify with or to "belong" is jumped at headlong with both feet. That and Americans like to get drunk. Don't much care what they're drinking, really, provided they get drunk.[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]It's randomly snowing again. Come on, weather, make up your mind. And if you're gonna snow, you'd better freaking snow all day. And all night. =/[/FONT]

[quote name='chibi-master']I just spent a lot of time shoveling a pathway to free it from about 4 feet of snow... My hands are freezing and my lower back is burning...[/quote] [FONT=Calibri]Sounds awesome. (And that isn't sarcasm or dismissiveness, either.) Russell Stover chocolate pieces are very nice. Also these two things (New York cheesecake ganache and southern pecan chocolate torte; good grief, long enough names?) are possibly the first filled chocolates I've ever had and liked. Not a huge fan of filling otherwise. And I'm terrible with cordials. =/[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri][URL="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8537741.stm"][COLOR="Blue"]Article[/COLOR][/URL]. (BBC) So essentially, in a combined effort with Symantec (creators of Norton), The University of Washington, and independent e-intelligence foundation [URL="http://www.shadowserver.org/wiki/"][COLOR="Blue"]Shadowserver[/COLOR][/URL], Microsoft has managed to secure a legal order to temporarily switch off domains to the Waledac botnet, one of the ten largest in the States. Essentially, a botnet is a series of networked computers (networked I assume through the internet) all infected by the same virus by the same hacker. Spammers use this botnet to send loads of crap email to other internet users. Here's a [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botnet#Formation_and_exploitation"][COLOR="Blue"]nice section[/COLOR][/URL] from Wikipedia describing it more completely. I always wondered who the frack sat around sending that crap all day.[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]Words from a friend of mine who does know computers: when using compressed air to clean out dust, use small, controlled bursts of air. Condensed air is going to come out very cold, and condensation on your computer parts is not something to be desired.[/FONT]

[CENTER][FONT="Arial"][B][U]Distance[/U][/B][/FONT] [SIZE="4"][hidden track][/SIZE][/CENTER] [font=calibri]The receptionist returned to the front desk alone, her face masking admirably the distress the waiting woman knew she felt. That alone was answer enough, but there was no harm in being thorough. [B]â??Iâ??m sorry, maâ??am,â? [/B]the girl said, retaking her seat, [B]â??the applicant seems to be gone.â?[/B] [B]â??Really?â?[/B] inquired the woman. [B]â??Yes, maâ??am. Iâ??m not sure who let her leave; I certainly didnâ??t authoriseâ??â?[/B] [B]â??Which room did you show her to, again?â?[/B] the woman interjected, cherry-polished fingernails drumming thoughtfully on the countertop. [B]â??The private room across from the Silverwood conference hall, as the instructions indicated.â?[/B] [B]â??And she made no indications she wanted to leave?â?[/B] [B]â??She did call down to the desk once to ask how long the wait would be,â?[/B] the clerk replied, [B]â??but she didnâ??t make a sound since thenâ??and we didnâ??t think cameras in the room would be necessary,â?[/B] she added tentatively. [B]â??Mmm.â?[/B] [B]â??I am [I]terribly [/I]sorry, maâ??am,â? [/B]the receptionist offered earnestly. [B]â??I just donâ??t see howâ??â?[/B] [B]â??Please donâ??t worry yourself over it,â?[/B] the woman reassured her, patting her shoulder. [B]â??There wasnâ??t a way for you to have known.â?[/B] [B]â??Still....â?[/B] [B]â??I know.â? [/B] The woman straightened and adjusted her blazer. [B]â??But there doesnâ??t seem to be anything for me to do any longer, so Iâ??ll let you get back about your business.â?[/B] She paused, then asked, [B]â??You wouldnâ??t happen to know any good restaurants nearby, would you?â?[/B] The desk girl brightened visibly. [B]â??Oh!â?[/B] she said. [B]â??Oh, yes, thereâ??s a nice little place just a few blocks from here. Here, let me get you directions.â?[/B] [CENTER]--------------------------------[/CENTER][/font] [CENTER][FONT="Arial"][B][U]Don't Think Just Move[/U][/B][/FONT][/CENTER] [font=calibri][B]â??I know we didnâ??t do all that great, but why did you leave before we were finished?â?[/B] Nathan busied himself with retying his shoelaces. [B]â??I had a sudden death I had to oversee,â?[/B] he said. [B]â??A sudden infant death, actually, followed immediately by a sudden life-support system failure two floors above and a wing over.â? [/B] He grinned devilishly. [B]â??Thereâ??s a small part in the respirator that failed, and I think whoever designed it is going to wish he hadnâ??t, come Monday.â?[/B] [B]â??You still could have left us a message or something,â? [/B]Nall grumbled. [B]â??Ahh, yâ??all are big boys, you can take care of yourselves if no oneâ??s around to supervise.â? [/B] Alex rolled his eyes. He liked Nathan, but lately he was starting to feel more and more like the man wasnâ??t telling them what they needed to know as much as he was telling them what he wanted them to know, and it was bothering him a little. He often wished he could get a straight answer out of the man once in a while. [B]â??So why did you want to meet today?â? [/B]Alex tried again. [B]â??That,â? [/B]said Nathan, straightening, [B]â??is because I didnâ??t get the chance to show you how I meant you to do this exercise last time, since I had to leave. â??I intended it as a combination between speed, accuracy and reflex training, but it ended up looking more like an easter egg hunt. So this time Iâ??m going to demonstrate what I want you to do, and youâ??re going to try and keep up!â?[/B] The blue man grinned again, and almost immediately frowned. [B]â??Whereâ??s Adrian?â?[/B] [B]â??Across the Gate,â?[/B] said Alex. [B]â??He said he had some stuff he wanted to look up over there, and that it might help us get better prepared for what weâ??re fighting.â?[/B] Nathan considered this statement. [B]â??Hunh,â? [/B]he decided. [B]â??Well, at least he took the initiative.â?[/B] Chris joined them then, alighting on the corner of the rooftop with a small wave, which Alex and Nall returned and Nathan acknowledged. [B]â??Iâ??ve scattered the stuff around like you said,â?[/B] she informed her brother. [B]â??I hope you enjoy it.â?[/B] [B]â??I do believe I shall.â?[/B] [B]â??So, um, about how many targets are out there?â?[/B] asked Alex, shifting a little. [B]â??Just, you know, so I can get a rough idea.â?[/B] The twins looked at each other. [B]â??Um,â? [/B]said Nathan, [B]â??probably something easy; about ninety or a hundred or something like that. Sound about right to you?â?[/B] [B]â??I left you a hundred and fifty-eight,â?[/B] Chris clarified. She smirked. [B]â??Figured you might get bored if I went too few.â?[/B] [B]â??Ah. Good call.â?[/B] [B]â??So is that about how many we can expect to have to find?â?[/B] Alex asked again. [B]â??For starters?!â? [/B] Nathan looked shocked. [B]â??Good grief, of course not! This is a simple speed-run for me. Iâ??ll be setting you guys about fifty each, and when you can hit all of them and get good times I might start increasing it. â??Right now, just watch and learn.â?[/B] As Nathan shot into the air, Alex gave Chris a sidelong glance. [B]â??Our shoelaces donâ??t come untied,â? [/B]he told her, then followed his mentor. Chris blinked. [CENTER]--------------------------------[/CENTER] Alex watched Nathan spin into a tight figure-skaterâ??s corkscrew, whirling faster and faster until he seemed to lose all distinctness, and just as Alex began to feel dizziness claim him, the blue man simply stopped, his arms sweeping a slow circle in the air. [B]â??Donâ??t search with your eyes,â?[/B] he said, his own eyes lightly closed. [B]â??Locate and identify with your [I]ken[/I], use your eyes to confirm the target.â?[/B] He rocketed down so fast that Alex almost lost track of him. The young reaper managed to catch up a bit as Nathanâ??s flight path curved and leveled out, but the veteran was extremely fast and seemed to know exactly where he was going, taking corners so hard that had Alex been much closer he would have missed every one of them. When the first circle opened up, Nathanâ??s arm was already pointed at it, and a single dart leapt from his extended fingers and sailed into the circleâ??s center, the ring collapsing just as Alex sped by. When he looked back, Nathan had already fired at two more circles, and looked to be tracking a fourth that Alex couldnâ??t see; it appeared over a billboard to the right, and almost instantly another flaming dart hit home. Target rings were appearing all around them now: some up high, others far below, still more cleverly hidden amongst the cityâ??s architecture. Nathan nailed them all, his body twisting and turning smoothly as he flew through the upper stories, his arms sweeping in smooth, seemingly random patterns. Down one street a circle opened right by Alexâ??s ear, and just as he realised it was there a burning bullet seared by him and shut it down. So preoccupied with finding the myriad targets was he that he almost missed Nathan reverse direction, and a split second later the man tore by him, causing Alex to reel in his flight, barely making the course correction in time. Up ahead, Nathan barely noticed his protégéâ??s struggle. He was in a zone, all of his senses trained on the trace spiritual fluxes left by dormant targets, the variations in those about to open seeming almost as loud as rifle reports. His mind darted from one target to the next. He couldnâ??t stop; each shot was reflex now, a part of the one before it, and the one before that; each shot was a release, the time between them an agonizing exhilaration. He no longer knew where he was flying, only that he was flying fast and wild and free, dodging anything between him and his targets. A timed circle was opening nearby, and he pulled an arching loop backwards to the next street over straight into a hard left turn for one shot, and a tight Immelman to a chicane between office buildings. Some small part of his mind registered the halfway mark, but he paid it little heed, careening ever towards his next target.[/font]

[FONT=Calibri]SWITZERLAND Beseech BETTY WHITE Examine CAUSEWAY JUMP, GYPSY Want A FANTA[/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri]You're all wrong. The correct answer is 6000. Like, duh.[/FONT]