Rachmaninoff

I'm glad you're loving it. o_O Since I'm a little brain dead on thinking of different negative actions as well as positive. But then this past week was horribly busy and since I have no school next week what with Fall Break coming up, I'll probably be less brain dead after I get some R & R in. I just hope I at least managed to earn one death point with that post. I really want another card. lol

"[B]Telumas, if I were granted, this senseless game would not even be occurring. And no God would be interfering with the mortal souls, not even myself.[/B]" Celesta explained, ignoring Telumas?s equally as surprised look. ?[B]You implied earlier that I would deny the hunt, that my motives for being here were unknown. If you were truly observant you would have understood that I entered to give the souls their lives back , to put an end to the interference. Even for those who hunt, since all are a part of the cycle of life itself.[/B]? Celesta shook her head sadly, ?[B]Would you really be any better Telumas? Or would you favor those capable of the hunt instead of cherishing all life? You said it yourself, you believe in killing for sport. Where do you draw the line? For those you would kill in sport, if such death is not needed for survival, it is no different than the murder of innocents.[/B]? Celesta admonished her. Celesta herself would have liked to see the mortal Christopher dealt with and yet at the same time the only thing she would do if she had the power, was to take away the terrible powers that had been bestowed to him. It was clear that they were driving him into madness. [CENTER] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-soul-naomi.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-soul-charles.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Naomi was tired, even though she had gotten some rest, the bruises from the fight with her ex-boyfriend the other day, were still quite sore. And now, thanks to what had happened earlier she had been separated from the others. Though she had chosen to leave on her on. But she was curious as to what had happened to Reiko and Kenneth. She was thinking about heading back to the hotel to see if the others were still there when the sound of running footsteps could be heard. Naomi turned to see what it was, just as a young man came running into the city from the outside. [I]Great. Just what I don?t need. [/I]She thought bitterly. [I]Another man[/I]. Naomi had reached the point where she was tired of guys. Ever since she entered High School she had quickly learned that guys had two things on their minds, food and sex. Or perhaps that was three things, food, sex and the expectancy that any woman they were with was suppose to literally serve them. After her last violent ex-boyfriend she had given up on dating. It just wasn?t worth it. Naomi considered hiding, but the man had already seen her. Coming to a halt a short distance from her. ?[B]Miss! I need medicine! Do you know where I can find some?[/B]? Naomi sighed. ?[B]Do I look like a nurse?[/B]? She gestured to the empty city. ?[B]In case you haven?t noticed, the city is pretty much empty, I haven?t a clue if there?s even a hospital let alone any medicine.[/B]? ?[B]Do you know how to treat injuries?[/B]? He asked hopefully. ?[B]Gods, are you deaf? I just said that I?m not a nurse. Who the hell are you anyway? And were are you from? What year?[/B]? Naomi asked. Wondering if he was like Kenneth and Charlotte, from a different time since his clothing was so plainly made. ?[B]Charles miss, I can?t read miss. But my granddad said something about it being 1854, and the plantation I was on is in Charleston, South Carolina.[/B]" Charles answered her, uncertain as to what to do. [I]Well, well, welll.[/I] Naomi thought she smiled inwardly a bit. ?[B]In other words you?re a runaway slave![/B]? ?[B]No miss! I didn?t run away, I found myself here! Ash removed the chains. Please! I would never run away.[/B]? ?[B]Is Ash your master?[/B]? Naomi smirked at Charles?s terrified look. ?[B]Just what I thought. Some kind of slave you are. You do realize that setting a slave free will get Ash in a lot of trouble. Have you no shame?[/B]? ?[B]But? I? Please miss! It?s not his fault![/B]? ?[B]Of course not,[/B]? Naomi snapped. ?[B]It?s your fault.[/B]? ?[B]Please miss, Jamie is hurt I need to find medicine for him.[/B]? Charles pleaded. ?[B]Oh is he? Too bad. Men are scum Charles,[/B]? Naomi pointed to her cheek. ?[B]Do you see this? I got this from a man who acted like he owned me.[/B]? She ignored Charles? pained look as she opened up her shirt to show him the deep bruise on her left breast where her ex had hit her. ?[B]I got this as well. As far as I?m concerned, this Jamie can rot and go to hell.[/B]? Charles squirmed uncomfortably, what she said was true, other than Ash and Jamie, every white man he had ever met was cruel and vicious, often taking pleasure in inflicting punishment on slaves who weren?t doing their jobs good enough. Even if they were doing the very best they could. ?[B]I?m going to make you a deal Charles, you?re going to do as I tell you and in exchange I won?t hand you over to your master. Unless you?d rather I simply hand you over right now.[/B]? Naomi smirked at him again. ?[B]But?[/B]? Charles started to protest. ?[B]Fine! Be that way, though remember, this Jamie as well as Ash will be punished as well for helping you. I on the other hand come from a country where there are no slaves and could speak to your master on your behalf.[/B]? Not that she really would, given his freedom, she figured that Charles would be like any man. Abusive and demanding. Naomi wasn?t even sure why she was bullying him into doing what she told him to do. She wouldn't deny that it felt good to finally be the one giving the orders instead of the other way around though. ?[B]I understand miss.[/B]? Charles looked down. ?[B]What did you want me to do?[/B]? ?[B]For starters you can carry this.?[/B] Naomi tossed her backpack at him. ?[B]Then once we find a better place to rest we?ll go from there.[/B]?

Kerstin did not look back when she left the observation room of the [I]Conqueror[/I]. She knew that her brother Darren would only try to stop her from doing as Fleet Admiral Stevens had told her to do. And really, what right did she have to object? What he said was true, keeping information about a known Resistance member was a serious crime. A crime that given the circumstances could warrant execution. It was her own fault, for allowing her personal feelings to interfere with her judgment. It didn't take her long to get to her quarters and then quickly change into a more simple set of clothing since the dresses she preferred to wear wouldn't really work or be very practical. A simple set pants and shirt, a moment to stuff a small bag with more clothing of that nature, pull her long hair up in a simple deal and she was done. Kerstin hurried on her way to the first docking bay. Not that she didn't want to see Darren, but she didn't want to argue with him either. Kerstin had barely walked into the first docking bay, bag in hand when a man dressed in plain clothes instead of a uniform approached her. "[B]Kerstin Anderson?[/B]" He asked her. She nodded. "[B]I'm Jeffery Sherman, this way please.[/B]" He motioned for her to follow him as he took her through the various ships currently in the bay, finally coming to one that was nothing more than a beat up civilian transport. Once on board, he took her to where her room was so she could drop off her bag before he took her up to the small bridge of the ship. "[B]Take a seat Miss Anderson, once we've taken off I'll explain your role in further detail.[/B]" He waited just long enough for Kerstin to settle in before taking his own seat and then requesting clearance to leave. "[B]This is the[I] Cerias[/I], requesting clearance to launch control.[/B]" "[B]Understood [I]Cerias[/I],[/B]" A male voice responded over the ships speakers. "[B]I'm sending you your flight path now, you may launch when ready.[/B]" A beep sounded, indicating the information had been received, "[B]Thank you control. [I]Cerias [/I]out.[/B]" Kerstin watched as Jeffery along with another one there began to get the ship ready for take off. Within a matter of moments the familiar hum could be felt and heard and then the ship smoothly took off, rising straight up before turning to face the bay doors. The first set of doors opened upon their approach and without hesitation Jeffery moved the ship forward, coming to a halt before the second set of doors. Waiting while the first set behind them closed and then finally, the second set opened up to space. It had been a while since Kerstin had taken a transport anywhere, though she had never been on the bridge while the ship moved to get clear of the gravitational pull of the surrounding planets before finally making the jump to hyper space. If not for being sent on a covert operation, she would have found it fascinating. But now, it was anything but that. It made her terribly nervous to have been separated from her brother Darren as well as from any form of military protection. After what had happened with Blaine Uratak, she was afraid of falling into the hands of any other corrupt representatives who resented her brother getting the position of Shipping Expert. And thanks to his position, Kerstin knew that it was likely that others already had a file on her. Wasn't Stevens worried about how easy it would be for others to recognize her? "[B]Miss Anderson,[/B]" Jeffery said as he turned to speak to her, having finished with putting the ship on auto pilot. "[B]How much did Stevens tell you?[/B]" "[B]Only that you need me to attend some sort of secret meeting in order to identify those who are attending.[/B]" "[B]Correct, we suspect that they are using either surgical or cosmetic means to hide how they look since even with a sketch made based on the descriptions, we are not coming up with a match. Even when running it through the standard comparison software.[/B]" "[B]What makes you think my sketch would make any difference then?[/B]" Kerstin asked. "[B]Because unlike the others who describe it and those who are doing the sketches, you are well known for your perfect memory for faces as well as your ability to recreate them by hand.[/B]" He replied. "[B]Now that also brings up the next point to worry about, we'll be changing your appearance to protect your identity. I sincerely hope you aren't attached to that blonde hair of yours. I have a stylist on board who will not only be cutting most of it off, but changing the color permanently. Though once this mission is completed you can always get the treatment to enhance your hair's growth as well as have it restored to it's natural color.[/B]" Kerstin reached up and touched her hair with her right hand and sighed. "[B]I guess I have no choice.[/B]" "[B]Good, in addition to that I'll be teaching you how to present yourself as a paid escort since that will be your cover.[/B]" "[B]Excuse me?[/B]" Kerstin said incredulously. "[B]I don't know what Stevens told you, but there's no way in hell that I'll agree to doing that![/B]" "[B]You misunderstand Miss Anderson, I'll only be showing you the mannerisms, you won't be required to actually provide the services a paid escort would.[/B]" He reached up and scratched the back of his head nervously. "[B]The person you'll be going with to the meeting is one of our own agents, so he'll know why you are there.[/B]" "[B]I see.[/B]" Kerstin said coolly. "[B]Then I suppose you'll expect me to also dress like one as well?[/B]" Jeffery nodded. "[B]Fine, then I suggest you introduce me to this stylist of yours so we can get this over with.[/B]"

[quote name='Lunox'][font="trebuchet ms"] Ok, but that sort of strengthens my point. 125 students versus 666... big difference. I'm not saying teachers are supposed to get in their faces and get to know them all, but if a group of teachers can't keep track of 125 students, they maybe shouldn't be teachers. And by 'know' I mean judge whether they'd become violent and harm other students, which can be hard, yeah, but teachers should at least have a general idea.[/font][/QUOTE]Let me ask you as well as everyone else here, how many of you actually teach? Do you even have any idea how much work goes into it? Let alone attempting to keep track of all of your students? Unless your lucky and the school has it prepared for you, which usually they don't. You have to prepare everything yourself, from the tests, lessons, course syllabus, etc. And that doesn't include keeping on top of those assignments handed in if you aren't lucky enough to warrant an assistant to help you with grading. I'll tell you right now, it's not anywhere as easy as people think. Even if you only have thirty students. Though I've got more than that. XP And that doesn't even include the students I give private lessons too. So though you can on some level pick up on your students, thinking teachers can keep track of the kids is stupid. We aren't trained to look for problem behavior in that respect. We're taught to look for the more obvious signs like stupid stuff with trench coats and such. I won't argue that in the cases where there are less students it's easier. But I hope parents and people aren't expecting it. Yeah it sucks that because of other incidents something as simple as clothing is considered a potential problem. Stereotyping certainly isn't very effective and often it's stupid as hell in my opinion. I have a trench coat, but after all the stupid stuff that's happened, I never wear the damn thing. It's just not worth all the stupid looks I get.

[quote name='Retribution'][font=Arial]My class had 197 students in it, but I live near an urban center. His point is valid, especially since there's only 125 kids in his grade. If teachers not only teach the students, but form lasting relationships with them and really bond, I think the chances of a shooting are significantly decreased. Not only does school become a positive environment, but the teachers are more able to detect a student who is being bullied or exhibits dangerous signs.[/font][/QUOTE]Not with out knowing how many kids per teacher here. Even if there is less students, you're most likely talking about a whole lot less teachers as well. And even then, a teacher can only do so much, if they have a good number of kids they are teaching, its just not going to be possible for them to truly know all of them. If anyone needs to be watching for danger signs it's the parents of the kids who really know them. Teachers can only do so much with the limited time they spend with each kid. [quote name='Lunox'][font="trebuchet ms"] 125 kids a grade is nothing compared to 2000 students in an entire high school, which evens out to about 500 a grade. Having only 125 students in each grade is just incredibly, incredibly small. I might be saying this because I go to a 2000+ student high school, but seriously. [/font][/QUOTE]Actually that translates into about 666 students per grade since I said the [I]three grades attending[/I]. 10, 11 & 12. Grades 7, 8 & 9 are in the junior high. I guess it must be different where you are. Though that's true even here in Utah as depending on the area, some High Schools are 9-12 where others are 10-12 as far as the grades go.

Celesta was ready, though she wished it not. She preferred to grant life, not take it away, but still, it was necessary and in the end all things passed on. She was not so foolish as to think granting eternal life was a good thing. She knew better than that. "[B]You look troubled Celesta,[/B]" Illyria said with a mischievous grin. "[B]I wonder why that could be?[/B]" She tapped her chin with her right hand and then continued mockingly. "[B]I know! It's because your about to end one of those precious lives you are so fond of![/B]" Illyria laughed at Celesta's stern look. "[B]No need to look at me like that dear sister. It's your fault for playing this game in the manner that you have, you could have easily chosen a different path.[/B]" "[B]I am well aware that life for the mortal souls is not eternal Illyria, if you really think I play this so that I can grant eternal life to others, you are sadly mistaken.[/B]" Celesta said with a hint of steel in her voice. Illyria sighed, "[B]Oh you're such a serious bore Celesta, unlike my love Bellanna. Perhaps she should have given you that passion power of hers! You could certainly use it to thaw that cold heart of yours.[/B]" Celesta turned her back on Illyria, watching the souls in the pool as she made ready to make her move. Even if she did not like it, she would do what was necessary to win this game of Paraxis's. [CENTER][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-soul-ira.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-soul-farah.png[/IMG][/CENTER] Ira had barely gotten back up when she heard a loud roar coming from the surrounding jungle. Both her and Farah looked at each other and turned as one to run back towards the city, away from whatever was coming their direction. It must have been massive from the sounds of the crashing among the branches and trees. If it was not one thing, it was yet another. [I]Why? Why did I end up in this place?[/I] Farah wondered if she ran. She knew nothing of such places as this jungle and with the way the other woman had instantly taken off she had done the same. Farah did not want to become some creatures dinner. But as the sounds of the crashing got louder, her fear that they would not escape became more certain. But then as if in slow motion Farah saw the other woman stumble and without thinking she reached out to grab her arm to steady her, but at the last second she pulled back instead, letting her fall. She knew she should have helped her, but something inside her would not. And other than to notice that she fell into a shallow depression she saw no more. [I]I was given a second chance right?[/I] Farah thought. [I]I have to be the one to survive. Right? [/I] But even as she thought it, she knew the justification for not helping the other woman was a lie. And yet even knowing this she could not bring herself to stop and go back to help, she just kept running as fast as she could. Farah looked back to see if whatever was in the jungle was still following her, turning her attention away for a crucial moment. She turned back just in time to scream in fear as she found herself running over the edge of a sharp drop off. It seemed like she fell for an eternity before darkness claimed her when she hit the ground with a heavy thud. Ira hit the ground hard when she stumbled and then she froze as she heard what was coming through the jungle slow. Her heart pounding in fear she could do nothing but lay there terror stricken. But then the sound of a scream echoed through the trees and whatever was there took off, leaping over her prone body in the direction of the sound. [I]Was that Farah? Was there more than one creature? [/I] She didn't want to find out, with a sob Ira got up and started running again, a few minutes later she came to another part of the sharp drop off. In the distance she could see the city she had been in earlier, but to the right and down a bit she could see what looked like a creature from ancient myths. A saber toothed tiger. [I]Those things really exist? [/I] But what horrified her the most was Farah's still body, her neck clearly broken from the fall. Ira carefully moved away and then found another path leading to the city, running there as fast as she could. It wasn't until she was back there and inside one of the buildings that she finally sat down, out of breath and too afraid to move. She wanted to feel bad for the woman she had met, but all she could do was feel glad that it wasn't her who had died. But that too was confusing since she had thought that she was dead. [I]Where am I? I should have never left the young man.[/I] Ira thought as she finally got enough courage to get up and look through the building she was in. [CENTER][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-soul-farah.png[/IMG][IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-deathcard.png[/IMG][/CENTER]

I saw this the other day and was thinking what fun it would be to play. Until I realized it was for the DS and I don't have a DS. And naturally I don't have the $130.00 needed to pick one up let alone the $35 for the game. lol Still if anything was to tempt me to finally get a DS it would definitely be a Zelda game. Especially since it looks like its the cell-shading look for the graphics and I love how the Wind Waker looks.

The only good thing about this is I haven't actually bought anything made by this company so I don't have to worry about being stuck without being able to finish getting a series. Still, that really sucks that they won't be around anymore. I should see if they have a series that I was thinking about and snatch it up before they run out. Provided everything isn't gone by the time I get paid again since my first pay check of the month always goes to rent and such. XP

[quote name='Darren']And if the teachers would actually take time to get to know their students (seriously, it wouldn't be that hard to figure out who the problem kids are with only about 125 to a grade) they would have known that he wasn't the type to shoot up the school. He [I]is[/I] a gun enthusiast, but he's one of the smartest people I know. He's an honor student, and he had been telling us (myself and our friends) about that trenchcoat for a long time, and he was really excited about it. [/QUOTE]I have only one question and that's to wonder if you live in a rural area or something. Only 125 kids to a grade? The high school closest to where I live has over 2,000 students for the three grades attending. There's no way in hell that the teachers have enough time to get to know each kid. That's a bit unrealistic to expect them to do that really. Teachers do have a life besides working for the school. As for my own stories? I've never really run into much in the way of violence at school, either in High School or College. I know fights and such do happen, I've just never been around to see any of them.

Aaryanna got it in one post? >_< And since Crystia's points are zero and you say she's on a roll, that means that totally sick post probably got her another seven points. XP Man, and I thought your other posts were mean. ;_ ; You weren't kidding when you told me earlier today that your post was going to be sick. *pokes Crystia* I feel sorry for whoever Christopher belongs to. Blech!

[quote name='indifference'][COLOR="Indigo"]So with that in mind I place [B]Rachmaninoff[/B] up for sale. Why would you want him? If you love classical music, having your own musician would certainly be fun. Unless you don't like the Cello. lol And yes he really is good at playing since music is his career, at least it better be after all the money he wasted on buying a more expensive instrument! Anyway... The starting bid on that is of course $0.01 and like DeathKnight, if you want to buy yourself back Rach it'll cost you more than just a penny. :p [/COLOR][/QUOTE]o_O It's bad enough that Matt stole Beth's E but you're going to shamelessly attempt to sell me? Damn extortionist! Just how much more than a penny are we talking about here. For me to supposedly buy myself back that is. XP

Celesta didn?t really have anything to say, her strategy was in motion and empty boasts at this point really were unnecessary. She was tired of the game, ready for it to be settled. If only she could do so without sacrificing the souls that had been brought to the Ragnarok. But then the Gods had never been able to settle their differences before, so perhaps in the end, it was best if things were done in this manner. [CENTER] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-soul-charles.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-soul-ash.png[/IMG] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-soul-christopher.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] Charles didn't know what to think, why would some white man or in this case youngster help him? If he had heard it once, he had heard it a thousand times. You can?t trust a white man. He couldn?t see why this time would be any different. He blindly followed the one who called himself Ash since he didn?t know what to do otherwise. Every slave knew that to be caught wandering around with one?s master would result in one being punished. As they trudged on, even in the darkness, heading first through a jungle and then into what seemed to be an abandoned city. Little was said. Ash tried to talk to him but Charles didn?t know what to say and when some older white man clutching his left arm which had blood running down it came running down the street between the buildings and knocked Ash over. One look at the madness in the stranger?s eyes and Charles turned and ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He heard Ash?s startled cries and then sounds of what had to be a struggle, but Charles couldn?t bring himself to head back and help. Too terrified of what would happen, too scared by finding himself in this strange place. [I]Am I in hell? [/I] Charles wondered as he continued to run. Ash tried to talk to Charles, but it seemed that he really was afraid of him, making him wonder who had put the shackles on him. Had he made a mistake? He had freed Charles without giving it a second thought, but what if he was a criminal? That possibility had not crossed his mind at all. But as they wandered through the city they had found Ash did not get the chance to ask Charles, for he barely heard the sound of someone running before an older man came running around the corner and right into him, knocking both of them over. Ash tried to control his fall and failed, slamming painfully into the ground. ?[B]Why don?t you watch where you?re going old man.[/B]? He complained as he got back up, looking at the one who had run into him and then turning around in surprise at the sound of Charles taking off. [I]What the?[/I] Ash barely had time to register that the man had moved when he grabbed his arms and shoved him hard into the wall of the closest building and then used his greater strength to pin him in place. ?[B]Gah! What?s the matter with you?[/B]? Ash tried to get free. ?[B]Let me go! You?re the idiot who ran into me. What?s your problem?[/B]? ?[B]My problem?[/B]? Christopher said with a hint of madness in his voice. ?[B]My problem is all of you would be little saviors and your self righteous ways.[/B]? [I] Hell! What kind of nut is he?[/I] Ash thought as he tried to kick his way free, but the man simply reached up and slammed his head into the building, stunning him. Taking the fight out of Ash. ?[B]My problem[/B],? Christopher continued in a voice wracked with pain. ?[B]Is boys like yourself who grow up too damn fast.[/B]? [I] What is he talking about?[/I] Ash wondered as he began to feel faint from the pressure against his neck from the man?s arm pinning him against the building. Then just as suddenly, he let go and Ash fell to the ground to dazed to move. But not too dazed that he didn?t groan in pain when the stranger kicked him several times in the side. Ash felt something pop and pain blossomed in his right side. Then just as suddenly the stranger stopped and left him lying in the street. Ash waited until the sound of footsteps was gone before he tried to move, sitting up painfully. It was a while before he was able to stand up, clutching his right side which throbbed painfully where he had been kicked, making him wonder if one of his ribs had been broken or cracked. [I] Great.[/I] Ash thought. [I]Helping Charles was a waste of my time, he couldn?t get out of here fast enough.[/I] He started heading towards the next main street, in the opposite direction that the stranger had taken.[I] And naturally I just had to run into this city?s resident wacko.[/I] He walked out into the center of one of the bigger streets.[I] I wonder if there?s a hospital here?[/I]

Did Aaryanna do like BKstyles did before he pulled out? Earn good and bad points? Because she doesn't have any at all. o_O Just wondering. That and though I know what I want to write... I'm being a bit brain dead on how to go about it. lol I really want to get those last two points so I can get started. Heh. Also, I'm glad to see that someone else joined in. It would have sucked to have lost a God so early in the game.

[quote name='Aceburner']The thing is, to a certain extent, it makes sense to promote a candidate based on your beliefs. Think about it: If your pastor finds out that there is a candidate who promotes something you don't believe in (ex. abortion [don't flame me,]) it stands to reason he's gonna bring it up next service. If a candidate doesn't share your beliefs, odds are s/he's gonna make some decisions your morals don't like. After all, isn't voting for someone dependent on your beliefs anyway?[/QUOTE]That's the point though, if they know their beliefs already, they don't need the religious leaders making suggestions as to who they would vote for. As A_M said, that would make it easy for people to be lazy and not bother to really get to know who's running. Where otherwise, they have to actually put in the effort to know what's going on. To learn what the issues are. So I guess I'm saying I don't like the herd mentality of expecting someone else to make that decision for you. I've run into people who literally think, well my church leader is voting for this person so I will too, and yet they'll know nothing about the candidate in question. In the end there's nothing stopping church leaders from doing it, I just don't agree with it.

I ran into a poll about religion and political candidates that was done by CBS news back in June. [URL="http://www.pollingreport.com/religion.htm"][U]Poll[/U][/URL] I found it kind of interesting and so with that in mind I have altered it just a tiny bit as well as only including the questions from the first poll listed on the page since it seemed like an interesting thing to ask others. [B]1 - Do you think it is appropriate for political candidates to talk about their religious beliefs as part of their political campaigns, or do you think this is not appropriate?[/B] Being a rather non-religious person myself, I'm of the opinion that such beliefs hold no place in politics and yet at the same time I don't see how it would be realistic to expect otherwise. So it's kind of hard for me to firmly say one way or the other when it comes to it being appropriate or not. [B]2 - Do you think it is appropriate for religious leaders to urge people to vote for or against a political candidate, or is that not appropriate?[/B] Now this is easier. It's one thing to know what a candidates view is but for religious leaders to try and make sure someone isn't voted for because they don't agree with their views? I really disagree with that. The LDS church where I live is guilty of this sort of thing on a regular basis and on some level I find it offensive. People need to decide for themselves who they vote for instead of following the recommendation of their church leaders. [B]3 - Thinking about your vote for president next year, how important is it that a candidate SHARES your religious beliefs?[/B] It's only important in letting me know if they hold views that I do not agree with. And even then, that would only matter if I knew they would allow those views to affect how they would serve. For example, I would not vote for someone who I knew would do everything they could to block the rights of homosexuals or abortion. [B]4 - How important is it for a candidate to have STRONG religious beliefs, regardless of whether those beliefs are the same as yours?[/B] Not at all. I'm of the mindset that having strong religious beliefs is not necessary for being in a position of power politically. Sometimes I think it's more of a detriment instead of a strength. Anyway, time to see what the rest of you think. Since I'm sure my views do not mirror others. Heh.

Hmm... Well even with school, I have time to post. But then this is my final semester for getting my masters and all of the really time consuming work has already been done in previous semesters. I don't really have homework or rather enough to matter. [[SIZE="1"]I don't count practicing since that's a given whether I'm in school or not[/SIZE]] But honestly, I give out more homework than I actually get. lol That will probably change when I start the doctorate program for music next semester, though in all honesty I'm not entirely sure on that either. As to whether or not it will result in a lot of homework. Anyway, one would hope that we will be back on track with the next twist before the next semester starts. Heh. Besides, if there's nothing going on here... I have other things going on that I won't be upset over spending my time doing that instead.

Matt... DB.... You two are letting Crystia out do both of you for the darker and more twisted posts! lol I mean.. Crystia! I was not expecting you to take Bellanna's power and make it too powerful for the mortal to control. Leave it to your [I]twisted[/I] mind to toss in Christopher's dark thoughts and actions... And now poor Reiko getting raped by Cho who is lost in Bellanna's power. Gah! >_< Oh that post Crystia... *cringes* Anyway... Though it seems to have already been settled... I agree with not worrying over political correctness and such. That would just suck the life out of the game in my opinion. And since it seems that many of you agree... I'd say we are set. Especially since Sandy, the host, has said so himself.

Sorry for being so long winded. Heh, it was hard to condense all of that meeting into just one post. Anyway... *pokes Beth* I'm beginning to think that Darren is never going to not be picked on by either Jared or Stevens. lol I just laughed and laughed when I read my first objective. Though for Stevens to take advantage of both of them foolishly not revealing Resistance members in the past makes sense. and writing up Kerstin's response to all of this is going to be fun. You are so right Aaryanna, I'm glad to be a part of this again too. :catgirl:

"[B]I wonder why Fleet Admiral Stevens had both of us transfered to the Conqueror.[/B]" Kerstin wondered aloud as her and her brother Darren took the lift to the floor where the bridge was located. She smiled at Darren who merely shrugged his shoulders. "[B]I can understand why they transfered you, but it seems pointless that they would keep me on board, I am a civilian after all.[/B]" "[B]I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.[/B]" Darren replied as they left the lift and headed for the bridge doors, once inside the deck officer who was waiting for them directed them to the doors to the left leading to the observation and conference room just off the main bridge. Watching them only long enough to make sure they had entered. Fleet Admiral Stevens was sitting behind the large desk at the other side of the massive room, with a huge table to the left with chairs around it and the floor to ceiling windows along the right with an impressive view of space. With a wave of his hand he motioned for both of them to take a seat across form where he was sitting. Darren did as he was told but not before both he and Kerstin gave the Admiral the bow of respect that his position as both the fleet Admiral and a member of the High Council required. Stevens smiled at both of them, Darren in his formal uniform of the Shipping Expert and Kerstin in her usual old fashioned styled ball type dress, both of them equally as beautiful in his mind. He set a data chip on the desk and pushed it towards Darren who cautiously picked it up. "[B]I'm sure you're wondering why I had both of you transfered,[/B]" Stevens said as he stood up, motioning for both of them to stay put. "[B]Your instructions Darren are quite simple, everything you need to know is on that data chip.[/B]" Stevens smiled as he walked around the desk and then sat down on the corner right next to Kerstin and looked down at her. "[B]What's not so simple is the assignment I have for you Kerstin.[/B]" "[B]What do you mean assignment?[/B]" Darren protested nervously. "[B]She's a civilian, not an officer.[/B]" But Stevens sudden serious look silenced him. "[B]She's a civilian who failed to inform the military that she knew that Daniel Landers was posing as Daniel Timbers. I hardly need to remind you that harboring information about a known Resistance member is a serious crime.[/B]" Stevens reminded both of them, ignoring Kerstin's sudden intake of breath as well as how she looked down, clenching her hands together in her lap and trembled a bit. "[B]Why you.[/B]" Darren started to say but Stevens cut him off. "[B]Don't get me started on the time you deliberately lied to Commander Jared Scorer about Jason's sister Sara, or how you warned her to leave so she would not be arrested.[/B]" Darren went cold all over, freezing in place and then he too looked away. "[B]You and Jared are the same, sir.[/B]" He said bitterly. [I]So it's come to this has it? Dammit![/I] He had known it was only a matter of time before something was demanded in return for Kerstin not getting in trouble for what had happened. He turned back when Stevens laughed out loud. "[B]I'm like Jared am I?[/B]" He smiled mischievously. "[B]I am nothing like Jared. Had I been the one to deal with you when you were first assigned to the task of assisting with the shipping, I would not have been so reserved."[/B] Stevens smiled at the way Darren turned red when he realized just what he was saying. "[B]Now before both of you get so worked up, perhaps you should listen to what I have in mind first.[/B]" He turned his attention to Kerstin who was still fighting to still the trembling. "[B]It's quite simple really, I intend for you to go with a task force that is infiltrating secret meetings that have been taking place in sector eight. Though we've managed to get people in there, no recording or any form of technology is allowed for the meeting, making it next to impossible to identify those who are a part of it.[/B]" Hesitantly Kerstin spoke up, "[B]I take it that even with someone to draw a likeness based on their descriptions you are not finding a match in the databases?[/B]" "[B]Exactly, I intend for you to be placed in the group that is attending so you can personally see their faces. Once you have done that you will immediately be returned to either the Conqueror or sector one to draw up the necessary pictures so we can determine just who these people connected to the New Alliance are.[/B]" Stevens smiled a bit. "[B]You've already proven that simply seeing someone once, even if merely a photograph is enough for you to draw a perfect copy of their appearance.[/B]" "[B]I understand sir,[/B]" Kerstin said. "[B]When do I leave?[/B]" "[B]Kerstin![/B]" Darren protested. "[B]Immediately, you are to gather your things and head to the first docking bay.[/B]" Stevens smiled as she stood up to leave. "[B]Remember Kerstin, I will be taking care of your brother Darren for you while you are gone.[/B]" "[B]Thank you sir.[/B]" Kerstin said and then before Darren could utter another word she turned and practically ran out of the observation room. Darren moved to follow her and was halted by Stevens grasping his right arm. "[B]Let go of me![/B]" He hissed at him as he tried to pull free but Stevens did not let go. "[B]Let's get something straight Darren. So far both you and your sister have been granted quite a bit of leniency in regards to your foolish actions in the past. Far more than either one of you really deserve.[/B]" Darren went cold all over as Stevens continued coldly. "[B]You know perfectly well that what you both have been asked to do in return is far from unfair. Your position alone as the Shipping Expert grants you privileges that others would literally kill to have, so don't play stupid with me.[/B]" "[B]But...[/B]" Darren squirmed in an attempt to get free, but Stevens was not done. "[B]Yes I know... You didn't ask for it.[/B]" He rolled his eyes a bit. "[B]The point is, you do have it and with all that has happened, if I were to hand it over to someone else, your life would be forfeit and you know it. There would be no reason to continue providing military protection for both you and your sister and there are many more like Blaine Uratak who would only be too glad to deal with both of you.[/B]" "[B]I...[/B]" Darren stopped trying to pull free and looked away. "[B]I understand.[/B]" Stevens let go. "[B]Good, whether or not you believe it, I have no intention of placing your sister in any more danger than is necessary.[/B]" A moment later the doors to the observation room opened to admit two security personnel. "[B]Shipping Expert Darren Anderson is not feeling well. Escort him to his quarters and see that he stays there undisturbed while he rests.[/B]" He ignored Darren's startled look. "[B]Once you've rested Darren, we will go over your new assignment. Dismissed.[/B]"

"[B]What were you saying about unnecessary Illyria?[/B]" Celesta commented as she watched Jamie use the power to heal the injured woman. He clearly did not understand how the ability to heal worked. Though once he woke up he would. Just as it took his strength to heal, once he had rested, the injuries that he took upon himself would also heal. Even now as she watched him through the pool his finger had already regrown and the blow to his head had stopped bleeding. A little while longer, and other than the blood on his clothes, there would be no sign of injury at all. "[B]Lets see just how willing he is to heal again, after that incident, your power is as good as useless.[/B]" Illyria taunted. "[B]We shall see.[/B]" Celesta said with a serene smile. [CENTER] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-soul-ira.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/SamSandy/Ragnarok/ragnarok-soul-jamie.png[/IMG][/CENTER] Ira was beyond confused, she had left the devastated building where she worked only to find herself in a strange lush jungle she had never seen before. She had turned back to go back into the building, but it was gone. Now, as she traveled in an attempt to figure out where she was, the sounds of someone moaning caught her ears. [I]Is it someone else who escaped the building?[/I] Without giving it a thought she ran towards the noise and halted at the sight of an attractive young man in tight jeans and a tight tee shirt with blood stains lying on the ground. Alarmed she moved to see what had happened only to halt at the strangest sight she had ever seen. As she watched, his wounds began to close and the bleeding stopped. [I]What in the world? What is he?[/I] Ira considered running but his eyes opened and met hers, looking equally as confused as she felt. He looked at her stupidly and then with great alarm he looked around while running his hands along his own body where the wounds had been. Then after letting out a sigh of relief he turned his attention back to Ira. "[B]Who are you? What happened to the other woman?[/B]" He asked her as he slowly got up. "[B]My name is Ira but as for another woman? You were the only one here and I don't know what happened. I left the store after the earthquake and found myself here.[/B]" Ira explained. "[B]Well good riddance.[/B]" Jamie said. "[B]To the other woman that is, she's the stupid bitch who hurt me in the first place.[/B]" He lied just a bit, while smiling at the attractive woman he had just met. Nothing like the silly cold bitch he had helped. "[B]My name is Jamie, why don't we see if we can find out where we are?[/B]" He offered his hand to her and then smiled inwardly when she hesitantly took it. [I]Perfect![/I] If he was lucky, he would get to do more than simply hold her hand. She was exotically beautiful with her high cheeks, slender body and beautiful flowing brown hair, nothing like his cold girlfriend. Who the longer he looked at Ira, the more he decided to dump her the moment he saw her again. In no time the two of them came across what appeared to be a deserted city made of marble. The first home they came to was fantastically built with very lush furniture and such. [I]Man what I wouldn't give to have a place like this![/I] Jamie thought as he looked at Ira who was also gawking at the place. "[B]Well it seems that no one lives here and night is coming, so I say we simply take the place and use it.[/B]" Jamie ran his hand possessively along a set of silk curtains in the main room as he looked to see what Ira thought. Wishing on an unconscious level that both would soon be his. "[B]I guess that would be best.[/B]" Ira said shyly as she met his gaze. "[B]I'll look and see if there is anything to eat, I'm sure a place as large as this has several bedrooms.[/B]" Quickly she left the main room, slightly embarrassed by how much she had enjoyed being looked at. Back home she was considered more common looking and quite frankly envied the other girls who got more attention. [I]Was I saved from the earthquake so I can finally have a chance with someone? [/I] She knew it was wrong, but as she moved through the beautiful home and explored further, the greater the desire to simply move in and spend her time in idle leisure became. [I]Have I died and gone to heaven? [/I]She wondered, after all, why else would an attractive man actually show any interest in her.

[quote name='Sandy;792256]I will interfere occasionally to input some plot twists if the going gets too stale, but I know many from this bunch of players like to make their own twists without the gamemaster's control. ;D[/QUOTE][quote name='SunfallE'][COLOR="RoyalBlue"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]:D You know it! Though some of the others are a bit more talented at that than I am. [[SIZE="1"]is looking at Matt and Crystia as well as DB[/SIZE]][/FONT'][/COLOR][/quote]*Looks at Crystia's post with Christopher and cringes* Looks like the next twisted post will be from either Matt or DB since you were correct as to who would be the first Beth. At adding in twists that is. :p And now it's time for me to go and be mean... I, sure as hell, am not going to follow up on what you started Crystia. That post was sick. lol And dammit! It earned you four death points! If you hadn't lost two... You would have hit the required seven!

"[B]Trap you say?[/B]" Celesta resisted the urge to sigh. "[B]I do not trap, nor hunt, I support all of creation.[/B]" She could see that the others were going to speak but she deliberately turned her back on them to look at the pool instead. It bothered her that they could not resolve their differences and were resorting to such a terrible game to put an end to the petty bickering that had plagued them for so long. [I]I must win this, or else all of creation is doomed[/I]. For most of those who remained would be troublesome should they be the one to emerge as the victor of The Ragnarok. [CENTER]**************************[/CENTER] When Charlotte Jouet came too, it was not where she was suppose to be. Startled she tried to get up, frightened by how she had ended up in such a distant and unknown place. She had barely sat up on the cold stone street among the equally cold buildings made of a type of marble when a young man carrying some strange cases came running out one of the doors only to halt in confusion. "[B]What the hell?[/B]" Kenneth Harvey exclaimed. "[B]Where the hell is this place?[/B]" Charlotte took in his poor attire with a glance and without thinking, slipped into the stance of one of Nobility and spoke up with authoritative tones when the young man's glance met her's. "[B]What are you gawking at? Help me up at once![/B]" But it did not have the reaction she was accustomed to getting as the man simply raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "[B]Why don't you get yourself up lady. I don't know what hole you crawled out from but I don't take orders from stuck up strangers.[/B]" Taken aback Charlotte couldn't help but glare at him, how dare he insult a lady in such a manner! Furious she struggled with her long skirts until she was finally up. She stalked over to where he was, prepared to slap him for his insolence only to gasp in surprise when he caught her wrist. "[B]Now I know you're nuts.[/B]" He snarled at her as he pushed her back and let go of her wrist at the same time. "[B]What kind of bitch rudely demands someone help them and then tries to hit them when they refuse because the one asking was rude to begin with?[/B]" "[B]What kind of man would refuse a lady who was obviously in need of help? Clearly I mistook you for a gentleman, I won't do so again.[/B]" Charlotte said with a huff. She turned to stalk off and halted again. For one thing she didn't recognize the city she was in. It was built of fine marble and was of excellent craftsmanship, but it was also empty. Other than the rude man she had just met. "[B]I take it you don't know where this crazy place is either, or else you wouldn't be standing there gawking like an idiot.[/B]" Kenneth said. Charlotte turned around. "[B]If I knew that I most certainly wouldn't be talking to you.[/B]" "[B]Oh of course not, since according to you I'm not a gentleman. Well I got news for ya, you aren't a lady either.[/B]" Both of them just stood there, glaring at one another, wondering what the hell had happened and how they had ended up in this strange place. [I]Great,[/I] Kenneth thought. [I]I finally get out of having to go to work only to get stuck with this nut case.[/I]

[[SIZE="1"]is tempted to start poking people to get things running around here[/SIZE]] But since Matt beat me to it... I'll just make a note here to indicate that if my post didn't make it totally obvious... I have not lost interest in this RPG. :catgirl: I mean... >_> I really want to know what the hell is going on! I hate being left in the dark. lol

The longer they were on the space station the more uneasy Michael felt. And now that they were almost to the end of their side of the area where all the shops were located, he noticed that he too was feeling a little cold inside. He was considering taking his backpack off and fetching the field jacket when Colonel DeSouza motioned for both of them to take a seat in the chairs next to the lift where they were suppose to meet the rest of the group. Michael had thought it was an exit, and it was, just not the type he had expected. As the Captain took a seat, still looking cold to him even with the field jacket, Michael decided to study the controls for the lift instead. In addition to the ancient writings on the actual panel, there was another set just to the side of a more modern script. With a start he realized that he recognized it. "[B]Colonel![/B]" Michael said excitedly. "[B]Take a look at this![/B]" He indicated the plate that had been attached to the wall next to the main controls for the lift. "[B]What exactly am I looking at Dr. Travis.[/B]" "[B]These instructions for operating the lift, they may be an older dialect but they are definitely in the Creid language. It can't be more than a generation or two old. It would indicate that someone has been here within the last hundred years.[/B]" Michael shrugged a bit as if in apology for not being more precise. "[B]Though since it's that recent, it doesn't rule out the possibility of someone having been here in just the last year. It's close enough to the current dialect that just about anyone among the Creid's people would be able to read it and understand it.[/B]" Michael grinned a bit, excited at finally having found something he could help with. "[B]In other words sir, with it being that close to the current dialect, there would be no need for someone to change it to the more current format of their language, it would be rather silly since it's such a close match.[/B]" "[B]I see, what about the original control panel? Is it of Creid's origin as well?[/B]" Colonel DeSouza asked, even though his attention was towards where the other group would be coming from. "[B]I can't be positive, but it certainly looks like it, though it's likely quite old. Also... based on the readout. With the station being on standby, it's indicating that there isn't enough power for the lift to operate. Unless there are some stairs nearby, we'll have to use the emergency ladder in the lift to climb up to the Command Center.[/B]" Michael finished and then when the Colonel motioned for him to take a seat he stepped over and did so, smiling at Teresa who simply nodded. When Teresa didn't say anything and simply kept watch in the direction of where the rest would come from, Michael couldn't help but worry about her. Compared to earlier when they had been exploring the clothing store, she looked even more cold than she had then. [I]I wonder if she really is sick?[/I] "[B]Are you alright? You don't look so good.[/B]" Michael asked her. But Teresa just smiled brightly at him. "[B]There's no need to worry Dr. Travis. I'm fine! Honest! I'm just a little cold, that's all.[/B]" Michael accepted her statement of feeling alright with trepidation, but still, it bothered him that she didn't seem okay. Even her skin looked a bit white, [I]maybe I should mention it to the Colonel, if she really is sick, then it would be better if she's back on the ship getting some rest.[/I]

The13thMan, honestly dude, you drag things out and keep insisting that everyone is misunderstanding you when all that's going on here is they have a different opinion than you do. :animesigh As well as having underlying implications as to what others think that when called on you change your stance. Talking to you is like talking in circles since you always come back with 'you are mistaken and didn't understand me' You questioned if Beth was simply agreeing with everyone and she said no in the context of the boards. Whether or not you were talking about everyone is pointless since her statement said she was going on what the two people said and not what others did. There really is no need to completely nitpick every single word when the general statement of what people are saying is obvious here. Like the openly speaking their mind and not sugar coating things. No one is saying they should! Only that often we expect people in a higher position to at least try to be politer. It's got nothing to do with sugar coating the content. Your arguing semantics and giving meaning to people's statements that isn't there. I think he shouldn't have been so rude, you think it was fine. XP How hard is that to understand? That's what's making you look pig headed and stubborn, you're arguing that it's freedom of speech and such when it's merely a difference in opinion here. lol