Rachmaninoff

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy'][COLOR="DarkSlateGray"]I wonder which Shinigami is the one who happens to listen to [B]Opeth[/B] XD[/COLOR][/QUOTE]I would imagine that the one who does is you DB. After all I already know I don't listen to metal bands. lol As for the piece or fragment thing. To be honest, that sort of confuses me a bit so I concentrate on the post instead. XP

[quote name='Retribution'][font=Arial]I look for mental strength. I look for reserved confidence. I look for open-mindedness and creativity. I like a girl who isn't afraid to speak her mind, who doesn't shy away from conflict simply to maintain harmony. I like a girl who demands more from me, but at the same time can accept my flaws.[/font][/QUOTE]I'll second that as well as add that I like a girl who is down to earth and has a great sense of humor as well. It's also a plus if she can tolerate my music, but even better if she too enjoys older classical styled music. It's more fun when you're dating someone who will actually go to a concert with you or attend one where you're performing. As for looks, that tends to vary a lot since I'm not that picky when it comes to hair and eye color. I do like one that is reasonably fit and yet isn't obsessed with how she looks. I really hate that actually, waiting on someone who spends more time checking how their makeup looks instead of simply having fun. The biggest thing that gets me more than anything is a pretty smile. There's just something attractive about someone who looks like they are happy and having a good time.

[quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Arial]Okay, [I]that's[/I] just creepy. And I'm talkin' "Superman looking in the kid's window" creepy.[/FONT][/QUOTE]Naw, not creepy. SunfallE is right about indifference using some references from Silver One. lol Not so much outright ones but personality wise? *is laughing at indifference* Anyway, be prepared to creep out more at me and SunfallE. XP But then both of us are using characters from the same video game series and our characters already have personalities that are similar to how they are in the game. So that makes it easier for both of us to know how the other one would respond.

In the end Alex had ended up missing the episode of the show he wanted to watch. Not that it mattered, but still. With a tiny little sigh he left the residence where he had sent the next soul on it's way. Moving through the walls with ease as he took up residence on the roof top, taking in the beauty of the calm and peaceful day. Moments later Nall settled down on his right shoulder. "So what should we do now?" He asked, knowing full well that Alex would most likely head off to the nearest gaming or anime and manga shop. As much as he protested, Nall really didn't mind, but then many of the shops also had those fantasy novels that he liked to read. Humans had the weirdest concepts about magic and life after death. But before Alex could answer Nall, both of them were startled by the aura of a messenger Shinigami who came to give Alex a letter before leaving. Curious Alex sat down on the roof and opened it up and read it. His eyes going wide as he realized just what it said. Vampires? They kidnapped another Shinigami? How was that even possible? They shouldn't even be able to see them if they didn't wish it. He tucked the letter into one of his pockets and kept the part out that was a clue, reading it several times before finally putting it away. "Wow! Vampires?" Nall said with disbelief. "I thought they'd been taken care of already. And who did they kidnap? I wish they had given us more information to go on. I haven't a clue as to where to start." "I've no idea either," Alex said as he stood up and flew up a bit to get a better view of the city. Just as he didn't know who else had been assigned to the team, or who had been kidnapped, he didn't even know how to look for a vampire. If they had managed to kidnap a Shinigami it meant that they had figured out how to detect their aura. "But more importantly, how does one go about determining if someone is a vampire? We can sense other Shinigami as well as when someone is about to die, but what about someone who has cheated death? Will their aura be any different?" It was something that puzzled him. He couldn't imagine that they couldn't tell if someone was a vampire or not. "I don't see why not," Nall reasoned. "After all they are no longer human. I would imagine that the only reason we haven't come across one before is because they've been avoiding us." "Yeah, I guess that makes sense, after all we'd be required to send them to the next phase after all. Cheating death like that upsets the natural balance on Earth." Alex looked around once more before making up his mind, taking off in the direction of a faint aura from a fellow Shinigami. "I think we should ask a couple of the others if they know what's going on or if they know how to tell if someone's a vampire or not." Moments later he descended and came to a halt in front of Lucia and Ruby who upon sensing their approach had stopped in front of one of the schools that the human children attended. "Alex, Nall," She greeted them. "I take it that you also got a letter?" "Yeah, though it didn't really say much, and I've no idea where to begin searching either." He shrugged, "I've no idea how to tell if someone's a vampire, do you?" "I would have thought that was obvious," Ruby said with a know it all tone of voice. "They've cheated death so they won't have any aura of dying about them like other humans do." Nall just snorted, "Or they may have an aura of being dead about them, or they may come across as normal. As always you jump to conclusions Ruby." "I do not!" Ruby said in agitation. "It's logical that their aura would be messed up." She started to launch into a speech but was stopped when Lucia hushed her. "Ruby and I have been discussing it and we are of the opinion that their aura will differ from normal humans, though we have not had the chance to test this theory. Right now we are hunting for other Shinigami in the area to see if someone is missing and to see who else got the letter. So far it seems that you, myself and Adrian have received one." Lucia finished. "They sent a letter to Adrian?" Nall exclaimed. "Why in the world would they do that? All he'll do is get bored and hand it over to someone else." Lucia just shook her head, "I don't know, but for him, he was unusually serious. He even hunted me down and proposed that we work together to see who else has a letter and to see who is missing. He's checking the north part of the city while I check the south." Alex reached up with his left hand to scratch the back of his head, "That is odd, for Adrian that is. Well if you've talked to him then that only leaves a few more to check on, as far as I know the only ones in this area besides ourselves is Nathan, Aeru and Shalua. Markus, was suppose to be here as well, but I hear he got moved to another area altogether. So it's unlikely that he's the missing one." "Yes, it is unlikely," Lucia responded. "In that case, unless you wish to work alone I suggest we finish checking the south part of the city and then meet up with Adrian." "Works for me," Alex said with a grin, "I'll take the western side of the southern city while you take the eastern. How does that sound?" Lucia just nodded. With another grin Alex and Nall took off to check the western part of the city. It shouldn't take too long, quickly he rose until he was high enough to have a good vantage point and yet not so far up that detecting another Shinigami's aura would be a problem. With three of them looking they would most likely know before the end of the day just who was missing and who else had gotten a letter.

[quote name='Sandy']That would be great. I deleted my myOtaku account a while ago (hadn't used it for over a year), but the link leading nowhere is still up...[/QUOTE]That's interesting, because I'm currently logged into myO and clicking on your link says this: [B]The user profile you were trying to access is currently turned off.[/B] So are you sure you deleted it? Or did you just turn it off? Anyway, it does look nicer now that it's shortened up, but I still think removing those last two bits about view guestbook and Add as a friend is a good idea since they are unnecessary. Visiting someone's page via the first link takes you to their front page which has both options there.

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy'][COLOR="DarkOrange"]I wish I had my own pocket-[B]Rachmaninoff[/B]. You realize you are [i]the[/i] most uplifting person on earth? ----, if it weren't for you, this rp wouldn't even exist ^_^ *looks at [B]SunfallE[/B]* You better hold onto this one dammit! Yeah, that was my first excuse, but [B]Allamorph[/B] wouldn't take it! Meanie! *hides behind Rach* EDIT: Stupid non-bleeping underground thread![/COLOR][/QUOTE]*laughs* That's a new one: pocket Rachmaninoff. Heh. Also, you heard him SunfallE... Though I'm thinking I should hang on to you. :p And Allamorph, you my friend are way to literal. *pokes* [[SIZE="1"]hey if SunfallE can poke and miss I figure I can too. XP[/SIZE]] Also, why is the underground thread stupid DB? [[SIZE="1"]is confused[/SIZE]]

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy'][COLOR="DarkOrange"]:animesigh least it makes for good storytelling... but way to make me feel stupid, lol. Even the pixie is laughing at me! Still, though, I can't wait to see how this goes. Imagining a fight between a vampire and a shinigami just looks badass.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]I wouldn't, feel stupid that is, I think it's very creatively done. ;) In other words whoever is in charge is being cautious so that the Shinigami are working independently instead of in a herd. So you could say that they are always like that, telling no more than is needed. That and I chuckled at indifference's post. Heh. Besides... I thought you did that on purpose. So if you're stupid, so am I. XP

[quote name='Catgirl08']Oh! I'm sorry i got you confused. I didn't mean that artist should get more comments than people that don't draw. That does sound arragant. The real question is that, how do I get people to comment on my post on my site. The thing about me is that I like to read what others have to say and you learn more about people that way. But I'm sorry ifI confused you by my post and question. Sometimes, when I try to ask people questions, it comes out the wrong way. Lol I do really appreciate your advice.:animeswea I'm still new to this site thing.:animesmil[/QUOTE]No worries. ;) Just follow Allamorph's advice and before long you'll make friends. There are a lot of nice and friendly people over at myOtaku. I wouldn't worry so much over comments but rather on making friends, and before long you'll end up with people who do come and visit and comment on your page. I wouldn't worry too much over being popular since that's overrated. Besides, you're always welcome to keep coming here and being a part of the discussions at OB. People here are nice and friendly too. ;)

^ *pokes Anomaly* :p[quote name='Sirius'][COLOR=#35425e][FONT="Palatino Linotype"] Says the pot to the kettle.[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]Not at all, I'm trying to point out that one's belief is not a deciding factor for me and many others when it comes to whether or not assisted suicide should be allowed. Whether or not the person in question is genuinely suffering is what I think should be considered. As well as whether or not there is any relief or hope of a cure. Otherwise many terminal patients spend their last days in horrible pain that seems totally unnecessary to me when they are going to die.[quote name='Lethargy'][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkGreen]So since you don't believe in a higher power, killing people is okay then, right?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/QUOTE]You've missed the point. Saying that it's wrong due to a belief in God or whatever you believe in ignores the fact that a terminally ill person is suffering. What I'm saying is we need to look beyond that to see if allowing such suffering is inhumane and cruel, not whether or not it's 'morally' right or wrong. Because people's views of what's right and wrong are very different. I never once said, killing people for any reason was okay. Not quite the same thing. [quote name='Sirius'][COLOR=#35425e][FONT="Palatino Linotype"]The problem is that a lot of people get anal when Person A invokes God as a basis of his beliefs and jump at the chance to say otherwise without really thinking about where Person A's coming from. Though we agree that one should not force one's theistic doctrines on another, I am of the opinion that we agnostics and atheists should, in turn, not force our beliefs of God being non-causative and/or non-existent on those who think otherwise. So please, [b]let's not turn this into another "Does God exist or not?" discussion.[/b][/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]On some level it's unavoidable, I want to argue that if the suffering is severe enough, then the person who is suffering should have the right to make that decision. Those who believe suicide in any form is wrong due to religious beliefs would say otherwise. All I'm trying to say is on some level, when making choices for other people, you have to set those beliefs aside to some degree. ;) Or rather to be fair I think that's the best way to go about it. It doesn't mean I'm right.

[quote name='Catgirl08']I'm a member of theotaku, and I have 31 fanart pics and so far 516 votes, but I have a site here too and I don't recieve alot of comments on my post. Then there are others that don't even do fan art but they have like 15 to 40 comments every time they post something random. I don't think it's fair because they want people to comment on their post but, yet they don't comment on mine. is there something I need to do? Also, I have another question. How do you become popular on theotaku? If you want to see I what I mean, visit my site, My user name is Catgirl08.[/QUOTE]You've sort of lost me here, but then based on your post, your implying that in order to be popular someone has to have fan art for it to be fair for people to post on their myO page. Don't you think that sounds a bit arrogant? That artists are somehow better than other members and therefore deserve the comments? Where others do not? If these people are getting comments I would imagine it's due to them being friends with others around the site. Even if they don't comment on others sites a lot. After all there are more ways to communicate than comments, like pm's, using AIM, etc. I have a number of friends over there and we almost never comment each other's page since we talk via pm's and other means instead, so there's a lot more to getting popular than being able to draw. ;) And to be clear, I am not popular over there and could care less, I joined since I have friends who are members, I couldn't draw to save my live. lol Another thing, you don't get popular by wanting it, you get popular by being nice and making friends. Yes some people will be popular since they do have great art that they post, but in the end, I would think wanting some good friends would be more fun.

[quote name='Gavin'][SIZE="1"]I can taste the irony, and I have to say, it tastes good. ;) I really enjoyed the story SunfallE and as weird as this sounds, I hope you dream about OB more often, just so you can supply us with a few more cool stories.[/SIZE][/QUOTE]I so agree. Locking Sandy up with a horde of fan girls was priceless. Heh. Also, I too hope you have more dreams about OB Beth. I'd love to see a couple more [I]cool stories[/I] as Gavin put it since I really enjoyed reading this. Even if I was the first one 'captured' so to speak. XP Anyway as Kathy put it... Fun Stuff! Though I'm kind of sad that its over now. lol

[quote name='Athena;788286][size=1][color=darkslateblue]Okay, I didn't catch the entire story on the news, and if I asked my father about it, he got all wound up on this subject. So, forgive me if I didn't get all the information correctly....[/size][/color][/QUOTE]I'd be curious to know just how current this news is, or for where. The last time I heard about it was when including information like that was blocked from public schools in Maryland back in 2005. [QUOTE=Athena'][size=1][color=darkslateblue]Homosexuality is going to be taught in schools..to 10-year-olds?? Apparently, from what I overheard, schools (certain/specific/all, I'm not sure) are going to start teaching young students all about homosexuality. Everything from what the word means to how homosexuals have intercourse. Who's idea was that? I mean, do NOT get me wrong. I do NOT have anything against homosexuality...but is this too extreme?? I feel that homosexuality is something that cannot be taught. It's a lifestyle that isn't just developed in a semester or a year of studying. Not only that, but it's also a touchy subject that children don't fully understand at the age of 10. Even so, say a child does understand, who's to say they are going to be willing to participate in class and give their experience (if there is any at all). [/size][/color][/QUOTE]Let me get this straight, you do not have a problem with homosexuality and yet you consider this too extreme? What is your view on regular sex ed then? Is that too extreme as well? Or is that somehow okay? And isn't the point of sex ed to well... educate? Teach kids about the pitfalls and dangers as well as other aspects of being sexually active? Why should we teach one side and yet not the other? [quote name='Athena'][size=1][color=darkslateblue]We all know children, and what child is going to open up to that topic? How are parents allowing this; particular homophobic families?? I can see it now, children are going to be even more cruel to each other because some families raise their children to believe homosexuality is a sin/a terrible thing. I guess, the idea of teaching children about homosexuality is to teach them that it is perfectly normal to be homosexual; [b]and it is[/b]. Lots of families are not going to agree and therefore confuse their children.[/size][/color][/QUOTE]Kids already are cruel to each other because they have been raised to believe that homosexuality is a sin, I doubt a class would really change it all that much. Of course there is going to be resistance, after all, anytime you make a change like this, people will be unhappy. And it seems to me that the easiest solution is one that many schools already do. Parents have the right to opt out of their kids taking sex ed, so I don't see why it should matter. Just as they think it's wrong, millions of other people do not. Refusing to teach something just because someone doesn't agree isn't a good premises for denying a topic. Not by a long shot. [quote name='Athena'][size=1][color=darkslateblue]I feel that homosexuality should be learned through experience, and that it should be supported by the family...because that's what matters the most. Society is cruel and not so understanding; but you know, tell society to kiss your ***, because as long as your family loves you for whatever sexuality you choose, then nothing else matters. So, all in all, I don't think homosexuality should be "taught" in school. It's just going to cause a greater deal of drama to a child. In my opinion. What's yours?[/size][/color][/QUOTE]That's all fine and on some level I can agree, but keeping it behind closed doors like that will only foster the hatred or rather the [I]'ignorance'[/I] about homosexuality instead of generating understanding or at the very least, [I]tolerance[/I] of it. So in the end, I think teaching something like this is long overdue. Though considering what I've heard, I don't see it happening anytime soon.

Personally, I believe that I don't have the right to make that choice for someone. If they are suffering and as of now cannot be cured, who am I to come along and force them to suffer more?[quote name='Lethargy;788234][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkGreen]Everyone dies when they are supposed to die, and if you disrupt this natural occurrence by choosing the time of one's demise, you are essentially playing God, Allah, Jehova, Jah, Seaxnéat, Amun, Zeus, Vishnu, Shiva, Brahman, Anshar, that rock, the sun, Bob Saget, or whatever higher power you believe or disbelieve in.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/QUOTE]What's natural about it? Stop and think about it, people die from car accidents and all sorts of things that aren't natural. So why should they suffer through a terminal disease if they don't want to? And saying it's playing God only applies if you actually believe in God. So that's the same as forcing your beliefs on someone else. No one has the right to force someone to do things based on their own religious beliefs.[quote name='Lethargy'][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkGreen]It is not one's place to decide when one shall leave this world.[/COLOR'][/SIZE][/quote]Then it's also not your or my place to tell them that they can't. It really comes down to people making that decision for themselves. It may seem cowardly, but until you or I have experienced pain severe enough to make you wish you were dead, you can argue all you want that it's wrong, but until you face that moment, you don't know what you'll do.

[quote name='Shy'][size=1]I don't think the Yu Yu Hakusho forum suffered because the franchise-forum system was bad, it was just that we didn't have enough member demand for that type of forum. If members really care about the subject matter there is no shortage of threads and discussions they can create.[/size][/QUOTE]I hope you realize that my comment is purely based on references that I found not on actual experience since I was not around then and it seems that quite a bit of material was lost when the forums were deleted. However, that observation still stands since I've yet to see a place that does it effectively, sure they avoid outright spam, but none of them come close to the quality I see here. Though again, I've only been doing the forum thing for less than a year, so I've no doubt that it could work. I still prefer the centralized format since it seems far less messy and easy to understand once you get the hang of it. So I'm still for the idea of allowing more threads instead of creating more forums. ;)

If I'm allergic to something, I've yet to run across it. So I'm assuming that what ever allergies I do have, they are mild enough to never give me grief. My only experience with them at all is seeing what Crystia has had to deal with since I met her in High School. None of my friends or family have much in the way of allergies, just her. Though seeing what a pain it is for her at times. I can see why people hate them.

Heh, excellent work Aaryanna. I went through and did some formatting based on what you sent me Kathy, so the next revision has been sent to both of you. I must say that I like your idea better, it's far more focused than how I had it written up before. Anyway, I know you said you're still waiting on some more information, so once we have that I say we work it in and then after double checking everything... We submit it. I mean it is getting pretty lengthy and I'm thinking that after a certain point it's best to simplify it since it's an article and not a term or research paper in the truest sense of the word. So too much more and I think it would only make it cumbersome and be a bit of a turn off as far as reading it goes.

Earlier today I was listening to some of the music by M. Lehto, from the album [B]October Falls[/B]. M. Lehto does metal, which I'm not to fond of, but apparently he also does acoustic works, something I was not aware of until Jakehammaren sent me a pm along with links to four songs from October Falls. As he put it: [INDENT][I]Very, very melancholy, lots of atmosphere, and falling-leaf type song structures. It's not particularly complex or ground-breaking, but it's the ambiance that makes it excellent. Great music to just get lost in.[/I][/INDENT] Something that is not only true, but it's nice to listen to. Eventually I want to hear the rest of the album, though it seems I'll have to import it since M. Lehto is from Finland and the stores here don't have it. As of this moment I'm listening to the soundtrack [B]Yellowstone[/B], from the IMAX production. It's something that Beth suggested I get and listen to. And though I've yet to see the actual IMAX film, just listening to the music has me wanting to either purchase the DVD or head up to West Yellowstone and see it in person. The orchestration has a wonderful grand feel to it as well as very playful moments that have me wondering if at that point in the show it's to reflect some of the unique geysers and other features of the park.

My dealings with the police have been little to none. I've never been pulled over or charged with anything. About my only real experience with them was last year when I was in a car accident. I was in the passenger side and someone ran a red light and slammed into the door, breaking my leg. It was not a fun experience. But the one thing I do remember is how nice those guys were as they handled the whole situation, up until they got me out of the car and on my way to the hospital. I have seen people getting arrested though, usually once or twice a year, some of the residents at the apartment complex I live in get themselves totally drunk and then go out into the parking lot to start breaking things. Some of them have gotten evicted from the complex as well, but it seems like the place is talented at attracting someone new to live there that will do either the same thing or something very similar. Also, it's the same here as it is for you Beth, there isn't much of an issue with the police abusing their power. I'm sure there are incidents and such, but for the most part they do a good job.

Well, when I was a teenager it kind of bothered me, but now? I've kind of gotten where the whole deal of seeing a pretty girl with an ugly guy and vice versa gets little to no reaction from me at all. Sometimes I wonder why it even bothered me when I was younger. Now it seems to be more of a, if they are happy together who cares? type of deal. Or maybe it's just because in the end, it's none of my business who someone dates anyway. Heh.

I'm not in favor of switching to forums that are specific to one series or franchise, but then the team I'm a part of for the Survivor rp is currently doing an article on the old Yu Yu Hakusho forum so I've been running into a lot of material indicating just how much of a mess that system was. However, at the same time I'm not completely in favor of the single thread format either. I'm more inclined to do what Des is suggesting and allowing more than one thread per series or franchise. Obviously if a couple of threads are too similar they could still be merged, but other wise people could still have the freedom to go off on a tangent without essentially taking over the thread. A good example that comes to mind is some of the lengthy debates I've seen in the Twilight Princess thread, those could have easily had their own thread. As for the current format keeping people from joining a thread, even if it's older? I guess that could be true, but since it was like that from the moment I joined I never thought anything of it and simply located the thread in the directory and posted. I've seen other examples where reviving an older thread didn't stop anyone from joining the conversation.

Michael was not expecting to actually manage to translate the language before they arrived at the gate, but damn if he didn't want to. The symbols were elusively familiar and yet at the same time they were not. There were striking similarities to the known ancient languages of the different races who were a part of the CIF, and yet the differences made it clear that the appearance of being similar could be meaningless. After Brianna left Michael pulled up the rest of the information for where the gate was found. Either there was nothing else there, or the Creid's government had not included the information. Knowing if there were any surrounding structures would have been useful and could possibly make a difference as to what the meaning was. If there were other buildings, then based on the notes written by the Creid's the language was nothing more than instructions on how to use the gate in question. But if there was nothing else, or the Creid's government was wrong, based on everything he knew about the ancient languages along with what the governmental branch had listed as the translation, well, it was possible that it could instead be a type of warning. One of the dangers associated with using the gate in question. Michael sighed and leaned back a bit, reaching up above his head and stretching before going back to the data. If only he knew for sure if the information he had was correct as well as complete. At this point he really needed more data or clarification of the current data to narrow down his speculations. Once again Michael stretched a bit and then after glancing at the time and realizing that he had been working on it for quite some time he retrieved his CCB and turned the terminal off before leaving the bridge to take a short walk around the ship. [I]I really need to talk to Brianna and see if there is more information than what she gave me.[/I] Moments later he had left the bridge and simply continued down the passageway until he came to a set of stairs leading up. Michael stopped and pulled up the layout of the Argo Navis. [I]So the rec room and the cafeteria are the same room? That should be interesting.[/I] Curious he went up the stairs to check the place out, still glancing at the different floor plans for the entire ship. [I]Perhaps I'll check out the rest of the ship too,[/I] he thought. It certainly wouldn't hurt and a brisk walk would certainly help him to clear his mind and relax a bit before he continued working on translating the symbols on the gate. He turned his CCB off and entered the large room. It wasn't what he expected, though that was kind of silly since upon reflection, he wasn't sure just what he had been expecting. Still it seemed nice enough, satisfied he turned and left to head for the lower level of the ship.

Okay, my post is up, if you need me to change or add anything just let me know GuyYouMetOnline. At this point Kerstin knows nothing and doesn't completely understand why she said nothing to Stevens or Jared. Anyway... Now Williams and Daniel need to take off [I]before[/I] Kiva goes after them. Heh.

Kerstin had just barely finished putting away all of her paints and cleaning up when without warning the door to her quarters opened to admit two people she had never met before. She was too surprised by two armed personal who were obviously wearing some type of body armor somehow entering even though she had not heard a chime or voiced the authorization for the door to open. She relaxed ever so slightly when the woman introduced herself as the Elite Specialist Kiva Salqarian, but her next questions caused Kerstin to freeze, terrified. [I]Ho.. How did she find out? I... I erased the data![/I] But when she wanted to know more and Kerstin hesitated... "[B]Answer the questions Kerstin.[/B]" Kiva said in a tone that told her she had better do so. Kerstin looked from her to the man who was with her and then back again as she fought the tears that started to well up in her eyes. [I]Where do I begin?[/I] She wondered, even as she mentally cursed herself for not leaving things alone. Finally she looked down at the floor before answering in a quiet voice. "[B]I ran the comparison because of this picture,[/B]" Kerstin picked up her portfolio and opened it, getting out the sketch of Anna Landers. She handed it to Kiva who glanced at it. "[B]Daniel Timbers had a picture of her in an old fashioned locket. When I saw the locket I took it from him without asking and looked at the picture, but he wouldn't tell me who she was and took the locket back.[/B]" Kerstin clasped her hands together, wringing them a bit out of nervousness without realizing that she was doing so. "[B]Later when Blaine's men came to make sure we had changed into the clothing provided, they scanned both of us and took our personal belongings including his locket even though he tried to stop them.[/B]" This time she didn't bother to stop the few tears that escaped as she remembered what had happened next. "[B]They made fun of the woman in the picture and then destroyed it. I tried to stop them but all they did was punish me until Daniel interfered and they then instead used the disruptor restraints they had placed on him to torture him.[/B]" Kerstin reached up and wiped the tears away before continuing. "[B]I wanted to know who the woman was since the official record for Daniel Timbers shows a different person as being his mother and he has no sisters. I thought that perhaps it was a friend or a lost loved one.[/B]" Kerstin looked away again. "[B]Once I've seen someone, I can recreate a sketch of them from memory, so I drew the picture and searched the public records for her. It pulled up the record of an Anna Landers who was executed for being connected to the Resistance.[/B]" She paused to look back at Kiva and the man who were patiently listening to what she had to say. "[B]It didn't make any sense that Daniel Timbers would have a picture of Daniel Landers mother on him, especially when the official records indicate that neither one has been in the same sector at the same time. I thought that perhaps they were related and Daniel Timbers was hiding that knowledge.[/B]" Kerstin felt the urge to start crying but held it in. "[B]After all,[/B]" she said bitterly, "[B]Everyone knows how the family of Resistance members are treated. They executed Anna Landers even though she was not a member. But I didn't expect the comparison to indicate that the chances of them being the same person was 98%.[/B]" Miserable, Kerstin sank to her knees and started to cry. "[B]I went down to Reflection and confronted Daniel Timbers, but he denied what I found out and when I showed him the picture I drew he simply refused to answer my questions. So I left and came back to the Creator. I haven't spoken to him since.[/B]" She buried her face in her hands. "[B]So why didn't you tell Stevens?[/B]" Kiva prompted her when she didn't say anything else. Kerstin lowered her hands and looked up. "[B]I don't know why, I mean, I know I should tell him, but it just seems wrong somehow.[/B]" She choked a bit before continuing. "[B]I just don't understand, after all, you hear that people in the Resistance are fanatical and unrealistic, that they only care about having things done their way. That they don't give a damn about the welfare of anyone else. And yet if Daniel Landers really was so horrible, why did he do what he did when we were kidnapped by Blaine?[/B]" She continued to cry, "[B]Why did he interfere and keep getting tortured by Blaine's men just to protect me? Why didn't he leave the sector after I confronted him?[/b]" She buried her face in her hands again. "[b]I'm sorry, I know I should have told Stevens, but after what he endured on my behalf, I just couldn't bring myself to do so.[/B]" With that she just continued to cry. [I]Gods, I should have left it alone. [/I] [CENTER]----------------------------------------[/CENTER] [B]OCC:[/B] Tag, GuyYouMetOnline

"Jonathan!" A stern voice said from the door to the bedroom. He turned lazily from his position of lying down and semi facing the television where his favorite video game could be seen, momentarily paused. "What do you want Mom?" He asked. With a shake of brown curly hair she walked over and around the bed to switch the game and the TV off. Uttering a tiny sigh when she turn back to face her son, crossing her arms across her chest and tapping her foot slightly. "You know you're suppose to be resting, no games until you get better!" "Aw, come on Mom! I'm not going to get better so why can't I have some fun before I go?" Jonathan pleaded. He watched as she sat down on the edge of the bed and then pulled him into a fierce hug. Something that he simply tolerated until she was done. "Sweetie," she said when she finally let go. "You don't know if you're going to die or not, the doctor said their's a good chance that they'll find a donor soon." He looked down at his hands, instead of lying back down. "No Mom, Alex said my heart will give out before that will happen, why won't you believe me?" He looked up when she firmly grasped his hands in his. "I don't know who this Alex is, but no one knows when someone is going to die," she let go and stood up. "You are not to talk to Alex anymore understand?" "Why don't you tell him yourself Mom? After all he can hear you." Jonathan pointed to the corner of the room where Alex was casually leaning back against the wall with Nall sitting on his left shoulder. But Alex just shook his head. "She can't see or hear me you know." He reminded Jonathan. "There's no reason for her to see me." "Couldn't you talk to her? Just this once? I really want to finish that game." Jonathan pleaded. But Alex merely shook his head as he always did when Jonathan asked that question. Jonathan's mother looked back and forth, clearly confused as to what her son thought he was talking to, until finally she gave up. "No games allright?" She waited for him to nod before finally leaving, closing the door behind her. He turned back to Alex to ask him to turn the TV and the game back on when a sudden pain exploded on the left side of his chest. With a gasp he fell backwards, struggling to breathe as his weak heart started to finally give out. Jonathan looked up to see that Alex was standing next to his bed, his scythe ready. "So it's finally time is it?" He managed to whisper. "It is." And with a swift stroke the scythe slid through Jonathan's body as if it were smoke. There was no sign of any damage, but when it left, his body was still. Moments later Jonathan was floating just to the side of his own bed, looking down. "Wow, I thought it was gonna hurt more than that." He said. Alex just laughed. "That sort of thing never hurts for long, now it's time to go." He reached out with his right hand to take Jonathan's in his. With an encouraging smile he took of, straight through the walls and to just above the house. Then he let go as Jonathan started to fade. Seconds later he was gone. "Well that was pretty easy, what should we do now Nall?" Nall just snorted, "I don't know why you ask, you never do what I suggest anyway. You like those video games and anime shows and always go to some silly store or shop to watch them no matter what I say." "I do not!" Alex protested. "Just name it and we'll do it! I promise." But before Nall could speak Alex's cell phone started ringing, he pulled it out of his pocket to answer it. After listening to the message he closed it and then let out a little sigh. "Man, now I'm gonna miss the next episode of..." "Ha! I knew it!" Nall said triumphantly. "You had no intention of doing what I suggested." Alex gave him a hurt look, "That's not true. Besides work comes first, you know that." But Nall just laughed. "Sure, you keep telling yourself that Alex." But Alex pretended to not hear Nall as he flew off into the sky towards his next assignment, perhaps if he was lucky they would be watching the show he didn't want to miss.

Just to put it simply, what kind of toys did you have when you were a kid and which ones were your favorites and why? For myself, to be honest I don?t really recall what I played with all that much, I was a little to serious and probably didn?t goof off enough as a kid, but still, one thing I do remember quite clearly was Transformer toys. Those were just the coolest things ever, even though I didn?t watch the show very often. I still loved the cars, trucks and such that turned into robots. I don?t even have any of them anymore, if I remember correctly me and my siblings sort of played with them till they practically fell apart. The other one I can remember is a few from the Star Wars movies, the first three movies that is. I remember liking all the little sets you could get for different parts of the movie with all the little figures. I think I still have a few pieces from those lying around somewhere. I also remember liking any type of water gun or using balloons filled with water, when ever it was warm, there probably wasn't a week that went by that there wasn't some sort of huge water fight. Super Soaker's were essential in my neighborhood when I was growing up. Pretty much everyone had one.