Gavin

[SIZE="1"]In true geeky fashion, I'll allow Star Wars to explain my views on love and hate. [quote name='HK-47']"Definition: 'Love' is making a shot to the knees of a target 120 kilometers away using an Aratech sniper rifle with a tri-light scope.[/quote] [quote name='Yoda']Hate leads to suffering...[/quote] And no, I don't find it a bit odd the two definitions come from opposite ends of the moral spectrum.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"][I]Gavin knew that the loss of William was serious, but then again, he?d never been so much of a fighter anyway. And it was one less person he would be responsible for.[/I] Wow, jeez I'm glad to see I'm so moved by my friend's death. :animesmil[/SIZE]

[quote name='Tombstone'][COLOR="Navy"]It's a clash of giant swords. =)[/COLOR][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]Here's hoping Suigetsu has better luck with the sword than Zabuza, or at least isn't subjected to a plot-hole no jutsu. Given the recent chapters, I wouldn't be surprised if Kisame shows he can do a bankai. :animesmil [/SIZE]

[quote name='The Boss'][color=darkred][size=1]How can you say that, Gav? Suigetsu's powers thus far, have been left majorly unexplored, and the little we have seen of him has been immensely bad-***. So not only do we get to see more of him (definetly my favorite new character in Shippuden thus far), but we also get to see more of my favoirte Akatsuki member Kisame, we get to see more background on the relationships between Mist Village shinobi and the inner workings of the Seven Swordsmen. Its gonna probably be one of my favorite fights ever, if they show it all.[/color][/size][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]I'll admit, I do want to learn more about the kid and the Seven Swordsmen, because as a group they sound as if they kick ***. The thing is though, it took Gai to open six of the Eight Gates techniques to beat a 30% strength Kisame, that means that for Suigetsu to be able to fight at only a mild-disadvantage, he needs to be uber-strong, and I don't know, for me, that would be just a bit cheap. I just think it's more realistic for Kisame to dominate the fight completely.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]As I'm in my final year of high school now, things are pretty hectic. We've got state exams at the end of the year, the results of which determine what courses I can study in college. As such, it's a pretty much accepted norm that people work themselves up to (and beyond in some cases) the point of a mental breakdown in order to maximise their results. I'm looking forward to college next year when I can study something I actually want to.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Despite the fact that I can cook, I generally stick to making quick and simple things, because I hate being stuck in a kitchen for long periods of time. I absolutely suck at anything that involved baking, simply because I never learned how to do it, I can follow instructions just fine, but I prefer to leave baking to someone who can do it well. Seeing as I'm still living at home, cooking is mostly handled by my parents, I make dinner occasionally if they're busy, as does my sis, but they are generally the ones to handle it. Also, as I'll be in college next year, with a group of friends who I'm damn near certain can't cook, I suspect we'll be having a lot of take-out.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]A keyboard and blind luck.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]I fall into the same category as everyone else, the level of help I'm willing to give depends on a few things, like the situation of the person who needs help and my own situation. Obviously if I really need to be somewhere in the next ten minutes, I'm not going to be able to help someone with a flat tire, that said, if I was in Rach's situation and I needed to be somewhere, I probably would also have stopped to help. Generally I suppose I try to help out people where I can, it's just my nature.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Wait...Mike is one of the two twins ? So then who's the other one ? This was a lot easier when we just used people's first names. :animeswea[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]I don't really see why people are so excited over the Suigetsu/Kisame fight, I know Sasuke assembled Hebi for the sole purpose of killing Itachi, and thus probably made plans for taking out Kisame in the process, but really, I think it's going to be an immensely one-sided fight.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Poor Bill, I actually didn't see that coming. Here's guessing that twin is going to meet mine or Andy's boot in the next few seconds.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Same boat as everyone else, generally if I don't finish a game it's because I've lost interest. [b]Final Fantasy XII:[/b] Despite having a vaguely interesting story, albeit it with mostly irritating characters, I just couldn't keep playing this grind-athon. I don't have any problem with spending an hour or so just training, but having to grind for five for one hour of gameplay, hell no. [b]Morrowind:[/b] How anyone ever got to grips with this game I don't know, I played it for ten minutes, after spending an hour installing it and decided that I didn't need an anurysm from stress. I can't for the life of me understand how it was rated a better game than Oblivion. [b]C&C3 Tiberium Wars:[/b] Just not worthy of it's lineage. C&C has always been at the forefront for pushing the boundaries when it comes to RTS games, with Tiberium Wars, we got a recycled plot and no innovation. Thanks for nothing EA.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Wow, two posts in one day, that's definitely a record. I purposely left out the actual dining room scene to give other people a chance to get there, that and I've no idea what to write. :animeswea[/SIZE]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/daedalusavatar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/maceyellen-chronicle.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [INDENT][SIZE="1"]"[B]If you think, for one minute, that I abandoned my father simply to preserve my pride as a scientist, than you've never had a thought that became you less.[/B]" The comment stung. Of all his nieces and nephews, he was closest to Macey. In ways, he may even have been closer to her than some of his own children. She was a scientist like him, perhaps it was that he just understood her better than he did his other children who had not followed his footsteps. He looked away from the furious stare she was giving him towards the setting sun of the evening. Daedalus breathed out slowly, rubbing his forehead, trying to regain his lost composure... and his pride. "[b]I'm sorry.[/b]" "[b]For which part ?[/b]" There was still an edge to her voice, but it had softened considerably with his apology. "[b]All of it, I shouldn't have shouted at you like that.[/b]" He looked back at her, she could be some damn infuriating sometimes, but he was proud of her and her achievements. She should not have seen such an unrefined side to his personality, he hoped he had not lost too much of her respect. The frown on her face was still present, but from the look in her eyes, the source for the frown was no longer his outburst. "[b]You think my father is really dead ?[/b]" Was it unfair of her to ask him a question like that ? Could he compare the loss of a sibling to the loss of a parent ? He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came. Was it just that he didn't want to admit it out loud ? That the same overly curious child who'd bugged him for all those years who'd gone on to become one of the greatest alchemists in history was nothing more than a few dust particles ? He could still see him, standing there in his uniform, before they'd both gone to the frontlines during the Mine Wars, that stupid cocky smile... "[b]...yes.[/b]" Daedalus' voice was hoarse, the affirmation only a hair above a whisper. Macey looked at him, one of the strongest men she had ever known and suddenly saw him in a different light. He wasn't Uncle Daedalus, the mountain who resisted time with an iron will, he could work comfortable to a point that would kill lesser scientists, he was, at that moment, just a tired old man suddenly burdened with a responsibility he had never wanted. She drew slowly closer to him, wrapping her arms as far as she could around him. At first he made no response, then his left hand rose and held her close to him. That was all it took, suddenly her shoulders sagged and Daedalus could feel a wet patch developing near his heart. She sobbed quietly and hot tears trickled down Daedalus' own face. It didn't last long, it just wasn't their way. After a minute or so, all the tears had stopped, no words needed to be exchanged, it had simply been a moment of mutual grief that they could show to very few people around them. Silently they walked away from the balcony and the sunset, by now, everyone would have gathered in the dining room.[/SIZE][/INDENT]

[SIZE="1"]So I take it the space kitties are going to be staying with us a while longer then ? Well so long as they're both neutered and house-broken, I don't see any problem. :animesmil[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]OK, so we get to see how Daedalus reacts to the idea his brother really is dead, as that's the line of thought he's working off of at the moment. I may have pushed the "he might be alive" line a little much, right now, it's only a tiny chance in his mind and he'll emphasised that to both Catherine and Dame Grimalkin. D'Ann, Daedalus is really, really angry, so I'd advise Macey tell him the absolute truth or she'll regret it. That probably includes information about Gadget.[/SIZE]

[CENTER][IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/daedalusavatar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/catherinesaraavatar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/maceyellen-chronicle.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/damegrimalkinavatar.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee132/Runaway511/almagest/gadgetavatar.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [INDENT][SIZE="1"]Daedalus felt old...terribly old. Time seemed to be moving slower and slower. Dozens of people were moving around him, giant mechanical constructing digging out large pieces of concrete and iron from the ruins. And yet everything was perfectly silent... it was as though Daedalus has suddenly been deafened to the world around him. Every few seconds there would be a billow of dust as the machinery dug away, looking for survivors, it was like clockwork, predictable, his most intimate territory... he hated it. For the first time in a long time, Daedalus wanted to be surprised. He wanted, more than anything else to see his brother show up, unharmed with a quiet quip about his how his older brother shouldn't have worried about him. Hell, he'd settle for him to show up, battered and bruised, so long as Leonhart was alive. It was the waiting that was killing him. A young royal guard officer was hovering around him, perhaps he was unsure of what to say, perhaps he had nothing to say. He was little more than a child, eighteen or nineteen, far too young to have to witness something like this, the stream of stretchers and body-bags, Daedalus actually pitied him. Maybe it was the very fact he was young that he was saying nothing, unsure of what to say to this old man. "[b]What's your name boy ?[/b]" He locked eyes with the youth, who visibly flinched. "[b]Uh...um...Gast sir, Felix Gast.[/b]" "[b]Felix... how old are you ?[/b]" "[b]Eight...eighteen sir.[/b]" "[b]Is this the first time you've seen something like this ?[/b]" Daedalus swept his hand towards the disaster scene. Felix nodded slowly. "[b]I'm sorry you had to see it.[/b]" "[b]...thank you sir.[/b]" He was rambling, but it helped. Just talking to this boy was helping him. It was keeping his mind from thoughts that he didn't need to be thinking of. In the distance, a new airship was touching down, he recognised the RPG insignia on the side, he had been expecting this man for the last half-hour, it was unlike him to be so late. After a few minutes he was standing only a yard or so away, dressed in the same uniform as always, the same cold grey eyes behind his spectacles, leaning slightly on his trademark silver cane. "[b]Gaul.[/b]" "[b]Daedalus. I'm sorry to be so late, unfortunately we've had another explosion.[/b]" There was genuine sorrow in his voice. Daedalus appreciated it. He had known Gaul Rosier for years, if something had kept him, then that was all there was to it. "[b]Any sign of Leonhart or Macey ?[/b] "[b]Nothing yet I'm afraid.[/b]" "[b]COMMANDER !!! COMMANDER !!![/B]" A middle-aged officer was racing across cobblestone yard, frantically crying out for Gaul's attention. By the time he arrived, his cheeks were red and his breathing laboured. "[b]Sir... we believe... we've... uncovered.... all the... remains...[/b]" Daedalus braced himself, closing his eyes. "[b]Unfortunately... we... cannot... locate... the bodies... of... Lord Leonhart... or Lady Macey...[/b]" Daedalus' eyes snapped open, perhaps they had survived the explosion... or perhaps they have been vaporised in it. "[b]Thank you for the report. You may return to your previous duties.[/b]" As the man strode off, Daedalus' shoulders finally sagged under the weight of everything that had happened. "[b]Daedalus I...[/b]" "[b]Thank you Gaul... I'm going to return to Rosengard... if... if you learn anything else, please dispatch someone there.[/b]" Without another word he started to walk away, he didn't want anyone to see the tears streaming down his face. He was Daedalus Almagest, the head of the Almagest family, he could not afford to look weak. He forced himself into a dignified pace and did not look back. The return trip to Rosengard was utterly silent. As his airship touched down, Daedalus suppressed the urge to vomit. He could see Catherine waiting silently for him, her skin the same pallid colour it had been when she'd left him earlier in the day. He didn't know what he could say to her, or anyone. The same feeling of nausea returned, he forced it back down, he would not, and could not break down in front of her. "[b]Daedalus, oh Daedalus. Macey Ellen is here, she's safe !![/b]" "[b]What ?![/b]" "[B]Yes, Anna told me when I arrived.[/b]" "[b]Oh thank God.[/b]" "[b]Daedalus... since you're back... what happened to Leonhart ?[/b]" He looked away, just because Macey had survived, he couldn't get her hopes up. The very fact that Macey was alive but on her own suggested the worst possible outcome. "[b]They don't know. No body was found.[/b]" "[b]But the fact that Macey Ellen...[/b]" "[b]I know... and I hope you're right. But it's also possible that...[/b]" His voice trailed off, he coughed, then coughed again, willing himself to stay stoic. To her credit, Catherine's head merely dipped as she broke with his gaze. "[b]I need to go talk with Macey.[/b]" "[b]Alright.[/b]" Daedalus needed answers, and he was going to get them. "[b]DAEDALUS ![/b]" Turning, he found himself staring into the worried face of Dame Grimalkin. "[b]Anna, where is Macey Ellen ? I need to speak to here immediately.[/b]" "[b]She's in her room... Daedalus... what happened to Leonhart ?[/b]" "[b]I don't know... they don't know. Please, call everyone at Rosengard to the main dining room. I will be there shortly to explain all I know.[/b]" "[b]Yes, of course.[/b]" Pushing himself into an unusually quick pace, Daedalus cleared the five long hallways and two stairways standing between himself and Macey Ellen. He arrived opening the door without knocking. He found Macey clutching at what looked like a child in her arms. Her eyes widened seeing him, for the first time in her entire life, her uncle looked at her angrily. For the first time in her life, she understood exactly why people could be so afraid of him. "[b]Macey. Outside. NOW !![/b]" He'd roared the final word unintentionally. The boy in her arms flinched at the sight of this... monstrously large man. Dutifully Macey turned and walked outside, he cast one last look at the boy before closing the door. "[b]Explain.[/b]"[/SIZE][/INDENT]

[quote name='Tombstone'][COLOR="Navy"]Indeed. Even though that fight wasn't all that great, I still want to know that secret. (Perhaps even more than I want to see Tobi's identity.)[/COLOR][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]I know what you mean, seems that Kishi wants to keep his secrets a bit longer. Speaking of secrets, I wonder when we'll find out what "that jutsu" Jiraiya was talking about a while back is.[/SIZE] [quote name='Tombstone'][COLOR="Navy"]I've been wondering where people said something about Zetsu's split personality, but I see it as clear as day here. Maybe somebody should've ran into him. I'd like to see how he fights.[/COLOR][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]Of all of Akatsuki, he's actually the only one we know next to nothing about now at this point, but for some reason he just doesn't interest me. Maybe if he fights my opinion will change, but right now, he's just the messenger boy.[/SIZE]

[quote name='Tombstone'][COLOR="Navy"]Hmm... I don't know where I stand with this chapter. I've made it no secret, that I'm no fan of Mayuri, but what's her name..... (man... memory lapse) his vice captain. [spoiler]If she's really dead, I didn't see that one coming at all.[/spoiler] I mean, with so many other titles like this, it's kind of rare to see someone stay [spoiler]dead[/spoiler]. But knowing Mayuri, he'll probably do a little bit of this and a little bit of that lol[/COLOR][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]I'm the same way on this chapter, when I read the "Battle of the Barbarians" title, I assumed it was going to focus on the fight between [spoiler]Kenpachi and Nnoitra[/spoiler] as opposed to there only being an off-hand reference to it made by Mayuri. As for Lieutenant Nemu [spoiler]honestly, I don't think she's dead yet.[/spoiler] Call me crazy, but we all saw how angry Mayuri got the last time people questioned the durability of his creations. [/SIZE]

[quote name='Revelation'][size=1][color=#8B008B]Eh, like the others this is a 'for the sake of no double-posting' as well[/size][/color][/QUOTE] [SIZE="1"]Bah, seems you beat me to it. On the actual update, you're ability to write such visceral combat is really impressive, twice as much for me because I can't write fight scenes for shit.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]I know we're not using spoiler tags any more, but in this case, I feel it's necessary. [spoiler]R.I.P. Jiraiya.[/spoiler] Anyway on a less sombre note, seems the Uchiha dojutsu fest is finally starting, here's hoping it's a better fight than the last one.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]I should be able to make a post sometime today, sorry about the delay but it's been an utterly hectic week. [/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Poor Gavin, having such a hard time. I assumed himself, Andrew, Connor and Neil would want to cut loose for a while before finally taking on some of Morrigan's fighters. You've got me awfully curious about those twins hun, what're you planning ? :animesmil[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]Yay, I'm the captain and apparently get to do a Kirk with the sexiest of the alien women on the ship. Life is good !! All kidding aside, I can't believe how much you've written in such a short time, it's going to be a bit of a challenge to keep up. Still I'll be finished for Christmas after tomorrow so it shouldn't be as much of a problem.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="1"]As I said to you yesterday Matt, I'm no expert when it comes to PC gaming mice, as I'm still using the standard Dell PS/2 mouse that I got with my XPS when I bought it two years ago. That said, I just read a review of the DeathAdder from a site I'd have a bit of trust in and it got 9.1/10, so I'd say it must be pretty kick ***.[/SIZE]