Ozymandius Jones

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][COLOR=DarkRed][B]?True, but still, we should watch our backs.?[/B] [/COLOR] [B]"You got that right...I didn't come all the way to Greece to get offed by some petty assassin...hey, here's the subway..."[/b] The stairs were well lit, nothing to get nervous about....but something...something was beginning to tug on the back of her mind, a tiny nagging, trying-to-get-your-attention feeling. She glanced at Kariz. [B]"You feel that?"[/B] Kariz nodded. [B][COLOR=DarkRed]"I don't quite like this..."[/COLOR][/B] They followed the typical stream of people, getting in line for the train to the shopping district. The train was just arriving when the speakers crackled on. [I]This is Raquel Mario, bringing you the lastest update on the assassinations that took place just the other day. The supposed assassin was captured and detained by the police...however; yesturday while the execution process was underway...a power outage enabled the killer to escape, and now is nowhere to be found. [/i] "Isn't that already old news?" Most of the people in the line didn't pay any attention to the speakers. Ima shrugged. [B]"Maybe they're having a slow news day."[/B] [I]As of this moment, delgates of North Korea have declared war upon all of Greece. Those who have served under those past politicians are hungering for blood...and they will not accept a simple escape of such a killer. They believe that the Greek government, and the police were neglegent; and are convinced that they had something to do with these murders.[/I] [B]"That seems kinda silly...people can't predict power failures..." [COLOR=DarkRed]"It's governement, they'll believe anything." [/COLOR] "True..."[/B] [I]We've just recieved word that Russia and the United States have declared war upon one another...as well as with North Korea. Alliances are being formed...old ties reformed...ladies and gentlemen....it's begun. No nuclear weapons have been launched yet is about the only good news that I have for you all at the moment. [/I] Ima and Kariz exchanged a glance. [B][COLOR=DarkRed]"It's starting..."[/COLOR] [/B] Ima tried not to look ill...she sure as heck [i]felt[/i] it... [B]"Yeah, but...so soon?"[/B] Something rumbeled in the distance. It could have been thunder...it could've been something else.... [i]We don't know when the attack will occure ladies and gentlemen...but we do advice that everyone stay indoor; locking all doors and windows. Our government feels that they will not attack civilians...but are indeed targetting two of our major cities for invasion...Athens, and Sparta. God bless everyone...especially for those in the cities I just mentioned.[/I] Ima shook her head. [B]"Guess we'd better..."[/B] she trailed off as she took in the sight of the panicked mob heading up the tunnel. [B]"...forget that, we've got to get out of the way!"[/B] A clear head, quick reflexes, and a few well placed elbows kept either from being knocked to the ground before clearing the crowd. They ducked into an alcove, panting. [B]"That was close..."[/B] She glanced at the sign on the door. [B]"Oh, geez..."[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed][B]"What?" [/B] [/COLOR] [B]"If anybody had told me three days ago that I'd be playing a role in possibly preventing the end of the world, and that in order to survive to do so I'd be hiding in the men's bathroom..."[/B] She began giggling almost hysterically. Kariz shook her by the arm. [B][COLOR=DarkRed]"Ima, stop. You can't have an emotional breakdown at a time like this!"[/COLOR] [i]What better time to have it?[/i][/B] She kept her retort to herslef as Kariz peeked out the door. [COLOR=DarkRed]"No one's out there. Come on."[/COLOR] Ima followed, trying to keep from...laughing or crying, she couldn't tell which, anymore. The subway platform was deserted, debris littering the floor from wall to wall. The two broke into a run, heading for the exit, when Ima felt it again.That tugging... [COLOR=DarkRed]"You feel it this time?"[/COLOR] [B]"Yeah...this way?"[/B] Ima turned and headed for one of the deserted cars. The feeling grew stronger as she jerked open the door. A woman with silvery-grey, shortish hair lay unconcious in one of the seats. The feeling stopped. [B]"I guess she must be the one we're looking for..."[/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=DarkOrange]OOC: That work for you, Reiku, Astdis?[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Navy][B]"So...gonna figure out who they were?" [/B] Julie leaned forewards, her elbows on Camen's desk. Carmen slapped one of them with a ruler. [B]"Get off my desk. And yes, I will, if you'd just give me a second..."[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]If you just give me a second...huh....we've been giving her the last two hours.[/COLOR] I [i]know[/i] Carmen glared. [B]"I know you're talking, now cut it out. I can't get into the citizen's records easily, you know...I don't have the rigt authority."[/B] Julie was up and at Carmen's elbow in an instant. [B]"You're hacking? I didn't know you were a hacker, isn't that illegal? You're a cop!" [/B] Again, the glare... [COLOR=DarkRed]One of these days, her face is going to get stuck like that....[/COLOR] [B]Wouldn't be any different from her normal expression...[/B] [COLOR=RoyalBlue][I][B]Oh, ha ha. You're SO amusing. At least I don't look like a fugitive from a genetic expiriment gone wrong, Red... [/B] [/I] [/COLOR] [B]He does not![/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]I do not! You're closer, with the wings and the glow...Just because someone has yellow eyes, it doesn't make them a freak, you pompous -[/COLOR] "Would you two cut it out?! I'm [i]working[/i]." the two deities fell silent, both giving off the distinct impression of sulking. Hedylogos spoke again; somehow Julie knew this time he was speaking to her and her alone. [COLOR=DarkRed]I don't believe I shall like her any more in the twenty-first century then I did in ancient times...[/COLOR] Julie sighed. [B]Carmen and I never got along, either...she was always getting me in trouble, if you care to recall...this is going to be [I]so[/I] much fun.[/B] Carmen tapped a few last keys, and hit "print". "Ok, got names on two of the kids in that video...got addresses on one, so...c'mon." She strolled out the door. [B]Hope the next one's aren't as grumpy...[/B][/COLOR]

[QUOTE=JT Darkfire]I don't know why, but everyone seems to be passing up The Scorpions, Lynyrd Skynyrd,ZZ Topp, Guns and Roses... for me the list keeps going. I guess I just love classic rock, but I'd have to say that my favorite is Styx. I love everything they've done (with exception to their album "Kilroy Was Here;"What were they thinking?) Eric Clapton is another must, and so is Queen. I guess I'm just a classic rock addict.[/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkOrange]1. I cannot [i]BELIEVE[/i] I forgot Skynyrd. *Hits self on forehead* I love them, especially Free Bird. I think I have a thing for long songs...plus the lead guitarist is a genius. On the subject of lead guitarist, I realised I also forgot to included the Allman Brothers in my original post. It the lead guy for Skynyrd is a genius, Greg Allman is their King. 2. I also love Styx...but "Mr. Roboto" (which, I believe is off of "Kilroy") is my favorite song by them...it's addicting. I don't know why, it just is....[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Orange][B]Name: [/B] Alask Fey'lya [B]Age:[/B] 27 [B]Gender:[/B] Female [B]Personality:[/B] Alsak is very tactful. She's not above fibbing to get things her way. Why would she be? She's a [i]Bothan[/i]. Sneakiness is a fact of life. She's very calm, and hardly ever acts happy. She could be overjoyed, and you'd never be able to tell. This doesn't mean she's emotionless...she just hides them very well. [B]Appearance:[/B] [B]Species discription: [/B] [URL=http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~kuppem/customs/bothan4.jpg]Bothan[/URL] [B]Personal Discription:[/B] Alask is avarage for a Bothan, about five five. Her fur is light brown, shading to cream on her face, muzzle and down her front. Her hair is the same color, and she keeps it cut short. She shares her cousin's bad hair, so she usually wears a head scarf over it. Her eyes are said to be exactly like those of her great-grandfather, a deep amathyst. [B]Bio:[/B] Alask was raised hearing about two people all her life: her gerat grandfather Borsk Fey'lya, a politition vital in the founding of the New Republic, and Corran Horn, the Jedi fighter pilot who trained her uncle. So all her life, she's heard of the two worlds - politition and Jedi. Alask actually wanted to go into poloitics. She was excellent at arguing her cases, at getting her point across...but when she discovered that she did have Force powers, she chose to join the Academy; not wanting her to lose control of them and possibly hurting someone. Progress has been slow. She is not good with her lightsaber, and she still tends to argue rather than focus on the problem... [B]Lightsaber colour and type:[/B] Sunny orange-yellow, about [URL=http://barefootranger.com/img/b/jediguardian2.jpg]this[/URL] color. [B]Most likely to turn to:[/B] Light Side[/COLOR] OOC: Bothans own all!!!

[COLOR=DarkOrange]First thing I did when I saw this thread was shriek, I'm embarassed to say... :animeshy: But what can I say? I looooooooove Curious George. I hope you like this... [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/curiousjj1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/curiousjj.jpg[/IMG] *huggles banner* It's so cute! Er....I'll just leave now...[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Ima follow Kariz from her house to the airport, her pack heavy on her back. They were halfway through the checkouts, almost to the metal detector, when Ima's stomach flopped. [B]"Um...I just thought of something..."[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed][B]"Que? What is it?" [/B][/COLOR] Ima pointed at the detector. [B]"You have a gun and knives, I've got a gun and a sword. That is [i]not[/i] going to go over well." [/B] [COLOR=DarkRed][B]No, I don't think it will."[/B][/COLOR] The two women looked around. [B][i]Distraction, distraction...[/i][/B] Ima happened to glance up. Her eyes caught hold of a little sprinkler.[B] [i]Ah ha...[/i][/B] She nudged Kariz. [B]"Hey...your element's fire, right?" [/B] Kariz nodded. Ima jerked her chin upwards. Kariz caught on instantly. [COLOR=DarkRed][B]"That works..."[/B][/COLOR] She narrowed her eyes. Ima half-watched her, half watched the security gaurds. Tiny air particles were shifting, rubbing together, becoming brighter as the friction caused them to heat...there was the tiniest wiff of smoke - and every sprinkler in the lobby went of, sending frigid water cascading down onto the waiting passengers. There were yelps and outraged cries as the passengers got an unexpected shower. [B]"Hey! What kind of airport are you running here?"[/B] [B]"Look! My luggage is ruined!"[/B] People's nerves - already frayed and tense from the news - seemed to have reached their last straw. A tiny, yet very angry, mob formed around the ticket counter. The secruity guards glanced at each other, exasperated. [B]"We'll be right back..."[/B] Ima glanced back. She and Kariz were the only people [i]not[/i] paying attention to the brawl that was starting. She grinned, jumping over the rail to bypass the metal detector, climbing back into line just as if her luggage had already been scanned. Kariz followed suit. The sprinklers clicked off, and security returned. [B]"Sorry about that, folks..."[/B] Kariz smirked slightly. [COLOR=DarkRed][B]"We're not..." [/B][/COLOR] She and Ima laughed most of the way to the plane. Rio was a small airport - one security check, and that was it. Ima watched everything with interest...compared to what she'd learned in the last day, even, people rushing back and forth on business seemed incredibly futile. She followed Kariz the rest of the way onto the plane. [B]"You ever been to Greece before?"[/B][/COLOR]

[QUOTE=The Drizzle][COLOR=DarkGreen] I also heard the pre-phil collins genisis rocked too. The article I read said they were more prog rock and were not the type that parents typically liked. What would be some good albums/songs to get from them?[/COLOR][/QUOTE] [COLOR=DarkOrange][B]Foxtrot[/B], [B]The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway[/B], and [B]A Trick of the Tale[/B] are my recommendations, [B]Foxtrot[/B] first, if only because of "Supper's Ready", a 22:17 minute epic that covers half the musical styles Genesis ever preformed, mixing it in with some very strange philosophy. [B]The Lamb[/B] is rumored to have been Genesis's answer to Tommy, the Who's rock opera. It has a very definate story, as strange and somewhat hard to follow as it may be. For that album, I would recommend looking for "Carpet Crawlers" first. Phil Collins was the lead singer for [B]A Trick of the Tale[/B], but it's still a good album. All the songs tend to be surreal lyrically, but that's what makes it so good. I would recommend looking for "Squonk" or "Dance on a Volcano" first. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=Navy][B]Never really thought I'd be seeing the inside of a police office...[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Without being in the cell, you mean?[/COLOR] [B]Well...ok, yeah. True.[/B] Julie leaned on her hand, watching the tv with half an eye. The news was full of explosions - nothing new really - except that such explosions weren't normally caused by cyclopses...Carmen came walking back in, shaking her head. [B]"Stupid bearucrats..."[/B] Julie sat up. [B]"What?"[/B] [B]"I'm on probation."[/B] Julie almost snorted, but thought better of it. [COLOR=DarkRed]Haha...[/COLOR] [COLOR=RoyalBlue][B][I]I can hear you, you know...[/I][/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=DarkRed]...[/COLOR] [B]Great. Now I have [i]two[/i] voices in my head.[/B] [I][B][COLOR=RoyalBlue]Only if you let [u]him[/u] insult Carmen.[/COLOR][/B][/I] [B]Look, dude...ette...I can't control him. At all. So...push off, 'k?[/B] [B]"Boy, you're still a bit of a loser, aren't you?"[/B] Julie glared at Carmen. [B]"And you're still a jerk."[/B] Carmen waved a sheaf of papers under Julie's nose. [B]"Ah, but I don't sell the answers to midterms, now, do I?" [/B] [B]"HEY! You can't go through my st - meli glossa..."[/B] Carmen blinked, midly dazed. Julie smirked. [B]"How about you give me the nice papers, and never mention them again? Doesn't that sound so nice..." [/B] The papers found their way into Julie's hand. She started to stick them back in her backpack. Carmen shook her head, her eyes clearing. [B]"You little...Apati!"[/B] The papers seemed to turn into a snake. Julie yelped, dropping it. [COLOR=DarkRed]'s not real, you know...[/COLOR] [B]Yeah, well, you pick it up, then![/B] Too late. Carmen had picked up the "snake" and slid it into her desk by that point. [B]"Now, about those papers..." "You give them back!" "Make me."[/B] [B]"I wil - hey, that's us!" [/B] The televisiion had shifted images from an explosion to somewhat blurry photographs of two women. [B]"I see that...why are we on tv?"[/B] [B]"That camera crew, perhaps?"[/B] [B][i]"And in another, seemingly unrelated attack on a shopping mall,[/i][/B] the picture shifted to that of four young men and women fighting with more of those cyclopses [B][i]these brave youngsters..."[/i][/B] [B]Why do reporters always call teens "youngsters"?![/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]I have no clue.[/COLOR] [B][i]"Fought off the monster that attacked the mall. Also, at a stable outside the city, there are reports that yet another of these creature has been spotted and defeated by yet another citizen."[/i] [/B] The reporter turned towards the news anchor. [B][i]"Looks like a rash of good samaritans out there today, hmm? Now, on to weather..."[/i][/B] Julie looked first at Hedylogos, then at Carmen and Iris. [B]"Guess we're not the only ones, then, hmm?"[/B] Behind each person in each picture had been the shimmering face of a diety.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]Hmm....Bunny = King of the World! Mwaha. Anyways.... [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/gbbavi.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/gbb.jpg[/IMG] Just different fonts, and a little color burn...wee! You will all learn to fear Bunny....*skulks off to spread Bunny*[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]I hope this is what you were looking for, I think it turned out nice. :) [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/innocentavi.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/innocentbanner.jpg[/IMG] I hope you like them. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=SandyBrown][B]"Flight 84, Heathrow to Montreal, now landing. Please leave your seat in an upright position, turn off all cell phones and lap tops, and buckle your safety belts. And thank you for flying British Airways."[/B] Dave sighed, buckling his seat belt. Once this was all over - if it ever was over - he never wanted to see another airplane again. He'd left Bea and Garret in the protection of the London police...there hadn't been time for explantion. He'd taken Garret's car, and got to the airport as fast as he could. He got off the plane and headed for the "High Flyers" lounge, silently joining the others. For once, he didn't even wish he could talk.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][B]He turned his face toward her and did nothing, but smiled.[/B] [B]"What? You can't just smile, that's not an answer!"[/B] Kadar didn't respond. Ima sighed. [B]"Oh, ok, so I ask a lot of questions...this - this situation is just so...odd."[/B] Still, Kadar did nothing. Ima sighed, silently following him onto the boat. [CENTER]***[/CENTER] Some time later, the boat entered the harbor at Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian sun shone down, just as warm as the sun at home would be. The landsacpe was decidedly different, but beggars couldn't be choosers. Ima rose from leaning against the rail. [B][i]Time to find Kadar, I guess...[/i][/B] Kadar was wandering the ship...it didn't take that long to find him. He grinned as he saw Ima coming. [B]"What, more questions?"[/B] [B]"No...we're here. I just have no clue where we're going, so..."[/B] Disembarking didn't take long. All either of them had was in easy-to-carry packs, nothing that had needed to be stowed. Once in the city, Kadar stood still. [B]"What are you doing?"[/B] Again, a straight answer did not come. Kadar merely pointed North. [B]"We have to go that way."[/B] Wordlessly, he began walking. Also wordlessly, Ima followed. What else could she do, in a strange country, with a strange man... [i][b]Why am I doing this again?![/b][/i][/COLOR] [COLOR=DarkOrange]ooc: it's a bit short, but I wasn't sure how you wanted to find Aries, so...[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Navy]Last class. Almost home free... [COLOR=DarkRed]Yeah...almost...put those away before the professor sees them! [/COLOR] Julie smirked, straitening the pile of papers...copying quizzes by hand might be tedious, but she had almost-perfect recall. And it brought in a little extra cash... [B]Oh, all I'd have to do is flutter my eyelashes, and he'd forget all about yelling at me...[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Yeah, well, the school board wouldn't.[/COLOR] [B]Does anybody care about them?[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Well, I don't...but they probably kick you out... [/COLOR] She had to admit Hedylogos had a point. After paying to study in Japan, she didn't [i]really[/i] want to get expelled. She slid the sheaf of papers back into her back pack. [B]Ok, so you have a point....[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Of course I d -[/COLOR] There was an explosion; the wall of the classroom caved in, throwing Julie and the other students - five in all, as it was still 10 minutes before the class was supposed to start - out of their seats. Julie was flung into the teacher's desk. She coughed, clutching a hand to her ribs. Hedylogos frowned. [COLOR=DarkRed]You alright?[/COLOR] [B]Yeah, I think so...[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Good. You're going to NEED to be alright...[/COLOR] [B]What? Why?![/B] Hedylogos pointed at the hulking creature stomping out of the smoke. [COLOR=DarkRed]Because that cyclops doesn't look happy.[/COLOR] [B]CYCLOPS?![/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Um...yeah? You're gonna need to transform... [/COLOR] Julie raised an eyebrow. [B]Dude? Your power is sweet talk...[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Yeah?[/COLOR] [B]...[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]I'm sure you'll think of something...they're basically human, after all...[/COLOR] [B]Hedylogos?[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Yes?[/COLOR] [B]I don't like what you're implying.[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]What? What am I implying?[/COLOR] A huge chunk of plaster fell from the ceiling, passing through Hedylogs and missing Julie's foot by mere inches. She lept away, startled, adrenaline filling her, adding to her panic. She sighed in resignation, letting the emotion fill her. A soft, orange-yellow light engulfed her body - when it faded, she could no longer see Hedylogos, although she sure could still hear him. [COLOR=DarkRed]See? Wasn't [I]that[/I] hard...[/COLOR] Julie's shoulder-length curly brown hair had grown nearly to her waist, as curly as ever, but with feathery streaks of reddish, fox-orange, the tips bright white; her eyes had shifted from dark brown to a golden amber. Even her normal school clothes - simple jeans and a t-shirt - had changed into a form-fitting white shirt and flowing white pants. She stared at her hands - her fingers were exactly the same - long and somewhat gangly - but they seemed to be glowing slightly from inside her. [B]I could get used to this...[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Ok, Julie, focus...[/COLOR] That wasn't going to be a problem. In the mere moments it had taken her to transform, the cyclops had navigated around the rubble pile, and was now striding towards her, a decidedly malicious look on its one-eyed face. [COLOR=DarkRed]Repeat after me: [I]Meli Glossa[/I].[/COLOR] [B]Meli Glossa?![/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]OUTLOUD![/COLOR] [I][B]"Meli Glossa!" [/B] [/I] Her voice was odd...slightly deeper and huskier than her normal, clear tone...[B][I]that doesn't sound half bad,[/I] [/B] she reflected. [COLOR=DarkRed]Now...just do what you do best. Meli Glossa means he'll be....somewhat more receptive to your suggestions.[/COLOR] True enough, the lumbering creature seemed thick headed and dimmer than he had when he'd first entered. Julie leaned against the desk, smiling just [i]so[/i]. [B]"Hello, there..." [/B] The cyclops shook his head slowly, a smile coming to his face. [B]"What's a guy like you doing in a dump like this?" [/B] [B]I think I'm gonna be sick...[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]No, no, that's good...you can always wash your mouth out after this...[/COLOR] The cyclops grunted something that may have been a response. Shuddering all the while, Julie approached the dazed monster, smiling sweetly. [B]"What say we find someplace a little less...conspicous?"[/B] [B]Somebody shoot me now....[/B] She put her arm out. The cyclops, moving as if through molasses or honey, grabbed it, almost gently. She led the monster out of the school. She paused to whisper back to her cowering classmates. [B]"When you don't see us anymore, run!"[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Well, this is going grand, don't you think?[/COLOR] [B]Hedylogos, I just flirted with a stinkin' CYCLOPS! I don't know how much brains these things have, but anything male would recognize that as a come-on! Why couldn't you have been Zeus or Artemis, or a warrior of some sort?[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Zeus was boring, you wouldn't have liked him.[/COLOR] Two blocks later, Julie was beginning to be alarmed. The cyclpos wasn't reponding to anything she said. [COLOR=DarkRed]Uh-oh...guess Meli Glossa only has long term effects on things closer to human...[/COLOR] Julie just focused on trying to reclaim her arm. [B]I hate you right now, ok?[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Oh, look...maybe she can help...[/COLOR] Julie glanced from the cyclops to see Carmen Loki and her detective partner running up the street. Carmen just stared at Julie-Hedylogos...as did the shimmering woman standing behind Carmen. [B]What, she's one too?![/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Oh, Zeus, it[I] had[/I] to be Iris...[/COLOR] Julie ignored Hedylogos, trying to keep the panicked edge from her voice. [B]"Little help, please?!"[/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=DarkOrange]OOC: Tag, Theresa....[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]You may want to wait until Xy gets on, but I think the other Zodiacs are supposed to post about their daily lives... I don't think you'll have to wait very long to meet other characters...Aries is the second found, so...[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]Well, I can tell you right now it doesn't quite match your avi...but that might be ok, 'cuz I made you a new one anyway! It's got a pretty fairy on it...I rather like it, but lets see if you do. [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/fairyal1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/fairyal.jpg[/IMG] Hope you like them. :)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]Well, I'm not a fan, but this picture was nice, so I thought I'd see how you liked it. All I did for the avi was resize a picture, but the banner has a little cut-out effects thrown in... [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/nin.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/nin1.jpg[/IMG] Hope you like them. :)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][I]Waves. Wind and waves...and sand...everything seemed to be spinning around and around and...[/I] Ima opened her eyes, frowning in confusion. [B]I'm in a...hotel? But...I...[/B] She sat up, swinging her feet over the edge of the bed. The room was empty. [B]How'd I get here?[/B] The last thing she remembered was the mysterious windstorm fading. She had just stood up when the silver-haired tourist came in through the door. She backed away. [B]"Who - who are you?" [/B] Even as she asked, she remembered him introducing himself as Kadar[B]..."Nevermind that, what are you? How did you do that?" [/B] Kadar looked tense about something....having no clue what, Ima just continued. [B]"Why'd you bring me here? What do you want?" [/B] Kadar stood, his arms crossed. Ima stopped. She'd been blabbing... [B]"HAHAHAHA! Are you finished?"[/B] She nodded, confused as to how this was funny. He sat down next to her. [B]"The name's Kadar. It's a pleasure to meet you. To answer the first question, I have powers, in layman's terms, like yours. That's how I survived when you threw me in the air like that. Second, I brought you here, because I don't know where you live. If I did, then that would make me a creepy person. And finally, I want to make sure that you are one of the chosen Zodiac."[/B] Something started to ache, right between her eyes. [I][B]Powers. Zodiac. Right.[/B][/I] She felt like walking out right then and there...but something stopped her. [I][B]Got a better explaination?[/B][/I] [B]"I have powers?!"[/B] Kadar nodded. [B]"Everyone has something, but you are special. You have been chosen to be one of those who keep the balance. A universal importance." [/B] [I][B]Important to the universe...me? Wow... [/B][/I] She felt the hysterical edge coming back.[I] [B]Wh-what if I don't want to be important?[/B] [/I] another voice argued with the first. [I][B]You saved that boy...there are thousands, millions of children out in the world...how many more could you save?[/B][/I] With that thought, it was easy to keep her voice from shaking. [I][B]"So...what's going on? I...I don't understand."[/B][/I] [B]"Apparently, the world is changing. Something's going wrong. I need to find the other Zodiacs...I was told to come here, so..."[/B] He spread his hands in a "here-I-am" gesture. [B]"Here we are now." [/B] Ima nodded slightly.[B][I] At least the sign fits...[/I][/B] [B]"So...what do we do now?"[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]Personally, I thought that signup was rather good. You can sometimes tell how well a person'd post by the quality of the signup, so... On another note, I'm almost ready to send y'my part to check over, Xy...[/COLOR]

[COLOR=SandyBrown]Dave stared at the seat in front of him. He was twitching slightly, his leg bouncing with nervous energy. Normally, he would have some sort of release - but here on an airplane, he couldn't play his guitar, couldn't run...in short, he was stuck. [I][B]"They've been sent after our families..."[/B] An impromptu meeting had convened on the front porch...Dave felt his stomach drop. The thought of Nerve or any of the others near his family made a strange chill, a mixture of anger and fear, run down his spine. [B]"I guess we're going to have our abilities tested..."[/B] Last time, he'd paused to get his belongings from his apartment; this time, the only thing he did was say goodbye... [/I] After what felt like an eternity later, the plane landed at the Heathrow International Airport. Ignoring the line of taxicabs, he broke into a run the moment he exited the terminal. It was nothing like the last time - the warm tingle had been replace by something that felt like heated shards of glass, or knife blades, shooting into his foot...[I][B]didn't really expect it to be easy, did ya? Wish I'd trained a little more...[/B][/I] The only training he'd done had been two hours spent with the old Chief, before his conversation with Dimitri...it had felt closer to meditation than training... [I][B]"That is because your powers are defensive, young one...unlike those with the animals and weapons, your powers will be used not to attack, but to stay far from battle." [/B] Dave sat with Torin on the shore, staring out at the waters. [B]"But...what good is that? If all I can do is run away, or 'ope me enemies are close enough to 'ear me, I'm pretty much useless in a fight...." [/B] he sighed, rubbing his forehead. [B]"...I'll wind up gettin' m'self or somebody else killed." [/B] Torin just smiled. [B]"Do not worry, my son...your abilities will not let you fail."[/B][/I] Now, Dave ignored the pain as he forced himself to run. Slowly, but surely, he felt himself gaining speed. The buildings and people seemed to become a blur. It was only by grabbing a streetsign at precisely the right moment that kept him from missing the street he was looking for. He slowed to a stop outside an apartment that looked mere moments from collapse, pounding on the door. [B][i]Hope he's not completely fried...[/i][/B] [B]"Garret! Open up!" [/B] The door creaked open, and Garret Taylor, one of his classmates, opened the door, bleary eyed dispite the fact that it was noon. [B]"Yeah, whaddya wa -"[/B] He saw Dave, and his mouth fell open.[B] "Dave! Where y'been, man? Everyone's been worried sick, they found your pack shredded an - "[/B] [B]"You still have that Glock?" [/B] Garret's mouth closed with a snap. [B]"I never told anyone I bought that. 'ow'd ye..." [/B] Dave narrowed his eyes. [B]"That day you came t'class completely drunk? Y' 'ad it in your car's boot. Y'really shouldn't keep guns in y'car." [i]'e shouldn't come t'school blitzed, either...but I can't really do anythin' about tha'...[/i][/B] Garret had the good sense to look abashed. [B]"Right...f'got about that..."[/B] [B]"Never mind that, d'you still 'ave it?"[/B] Garret nodded. Dave held out a hand. [B]"I need to borrow it. Now."[/B] Now it was Garret's turn to narrow his eyes. [B]"Why? You in some sort of trouble?" [/B] Dave tried to silence the clock in the back of his head, counting every second. [B]"Yes, I'm in trouble y'idiot! I need that gun!"[/B] Garret crossed his arms. [B]"Someone after you? What did you get yourself into? Drugs? Women?" [i]Great, of all t'times for 'im to get a concience...[/i] "I 'ave no clue, but it's none o' that...they already tried t'kill me, 'e's goin' after me parents...give me t'gun b'fore I come in [I]for[/I] it!"[/b] Garret backed up, hands raised. [B]"Alright, alright! C'mon." [/B] He led his way into his apartment. [B]"Stay 'ere, I'll get it." [/B] He disappeared up the stairs. [i][b]What's takin' 'im so long? 'ope I'm not too late...please, God, don't let me be too late...[/b][/i] Garret reappeared, holding the handgun. [B]"'ere."[/B] He watched as Dave hoisted the gun...it was heavier than it looked. [b][i]Never actually touched one of these before...[/i][/b] [B]"'ow y'gettin' 'ome?"[/B] Dave stared at the gun in his hand. [i][b]Never thought o' that, did ye?[/b][/i] [B]"I...I don't really know."[/B] Garret grabbed his keys out of the sink, pushing Dave out the door. [B]"Y'can't get there on foot. I'll give you a lift."[/B] [b]"Thanks."[/b] [CENTER][B]***[/B][/CENTER] The ride to Liverpool seemed to take forever, despite Garret's infamous disregard for life, limb and vehicle. When the car finally jerked to a stop in front of Dave's parents' house, Garret made as if to get out. Dave held out a hand. [B]"Stay 'ere...I may need to leave in an 'urry." [I]Please don't make me 'ave to leave in an 'urry, please please please....[/I][/B] The rickety steps to the front door creaked in all the same places, the dingy grey house looked the same as always...every thing looked normal. Even the front door was locked. Dave drew his key out of his pocket, sticking it into the lock. He pushed the door open, sticking his head inside, the gun a reassuring weight in his pocket. [B]"Mum? Da?" [/B] There was only silence. He took two steps into the house. [B]"Anyone 'ome?"[I] Bea should be gettin' 'ome soon...[/I][/B] The house seemed empty as he climbed the stair up to the second floor and the bedrooms. He was halfway up when the stair behind him creaked. His tattoo seemed to react involuntarily, flashing the hot spikes into his foot as he spun, jumped into the air and kicked out, using whatever was behind him as leverage to get away from it. "It" was Nerve. He stumbled back against the wall when Dave's feet impacted his chest. Dave himself hit the banister, flipping over it to land flat on his back on the living room floor.[B] [i]Ow...maybe that wasn't such a good idea...[/i][/B] He rose to his feet and dodged for the door, almost making it when something slammed into his back, spinning him around and pinning him to the wall. Nerve grinned in his face, a heavy arm across his chest... [B]"MiLady was most displeased with you, lad...doesn't do to have that, now. Your wonderful parents and I just finished havin' a lovely little chat..." [/B] There was a thud as Nerve's knife stabbed into the wall a centimeter from Dave's neck. The blade was stained deep red. [B]"Now we just wait for little Bea to get 'ome....we 'ave a little talk with 'er, and then it's Davy's turn..."[/B] With the perfect timing of every horror movie he'd ever seen, the kitchen door creaked open. Dave glanced up to meet Nerve's eyes, covered again with the sunglassess. The collector's grin grew. [B]"Right on time..."[/B] [B]"Mum? Daddy? I'm h - "[/B] The rest of the sentence dissolved into a scream, giving Dave very little doubt as to where his parents were. Nerve wrenched his knife out of the wall. [B]"Stay right 'ere like a good boy..."[/B] [B]"Screw that!"[/B] Dave pushed the hulking collector away from him, breaking into inhuman speed, through the kitchen to scoop his little sister into a bear hug, covering her eyes. There was blood all over the kitchen... [B]"Don't look, baby, don't look..."[/B] He shoved Bea behind his back, drawing the gun out of his pocket as Nerve strolled calmly into the kitchen. [B][i]Wow...not even shakin'...[/i][/B] All emotion seemed to have transmuted into a pure, simple rage. [B]"So the coward get's brave for the little one, does 'e?"[/B] Nerve stopped when he saw the gun. [B]"Oh, ho...s'ya think that'll stop me?" [/B] He took a step forward. [B]"Takes a little more than a little gun t'put the Baine out o' commission..." [/B] Another step forward. Dave pulled the trigger, sending a bullet into Nerve's right leg. The collector collapsed, growling. [B]"Gonna break y'neck, boy!" [/B] Dave didn't stop to think, scooping Bea into his arms and dashing out the front door. [B][i]Shoulda shot him dead, Dave...[/i][/B] He shook his head, feeling the tears begin to form as he reached Garret and the car[B].[i]Bea 'ad t'come first...much as I wanted to...[/i][/B] His classmate just stared, opening the car door. [B]"What the he-" "Just drive!"[/B] Garret reacted admirably, flooring the gas so hard that Dave and Bea were thrown back against the seat. Bea was sobbing quietly into his shirt. She was thirteen now...but she looked like a fifth grader. She'd always been small...he hugged her close. [B]"It'll be ok, I promise, luv..."[/B] [B]"They're DEAD David!" [/B] Bea's sobbing grew louder. [B]"They're not comin' back!" [/B] Dave buried his face in his little sister's hair. [B]"I know that, Bea...I know..."[/B] That was the last straw. The tears began to run down his own face as Garret silently drove back towards London. [I]An' it's all my fault...[/I][/COLOR] [COLOR=DarkOrange]ooc: great. I can kill off my character's parents, but I still can't get rid of Nerve. Odd. My psycho muses' wanted to kill off Bea, too, but I put my foot down. For the record, Reiku? You're still a meanie. :p[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]Well, one way or another, it's over now. Terry Shiavo died earlier this morning. Her parents were denied access to her bedside at her last minutes. I've been silent on this subject, because otherwise I knew I'd get into howling arguements. I didn't post to avoid these arguements not because I am afraid of arguing, but because I don't trust myself not to make a flaming horrible person out of myself while I am arguing. The poor woman is dead now, starved to death. I don't know whether her dieing is the issue. Maybe her husband was right, and she wouldn't have wanted to live. Maybe her parents were right, and a travesty was just commited. The main problem is that we spend millions and millions to save people from starving in Africa - and let a woman die of it here. Starvation is suffering. It's not a nice way to go... Why did it have to go on this long? I'm mad at both parties involved right now. If they really loved their daughter so much, couldn't they have let something else be done to her, instead of it taking [i]two WEEKS[/i] for her to die? If he really loved her, how could he watch her STARVE to death? I apologize if this isn't coherent...I'm so confused at the moment. [/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue][B]Name:[/B] Nerve Baine [B]Age:[/B] 43 [B]Gender:[/B] Male [B]Origin:[/B] Liverpool, England [B]Appearance[/B]: Six foot two, and built like a brick wall. He normally wears jeans and a bomber jacket over white tank tops. His eyes are a brilliant, baby blue, [B]History:[/B] [Unknown] [B]Personality:[/B] Crazed, deranged yet strangly charming lunatic. He seems to veiw the world at large as his youngsters, generally calling anyone "lad" or "lass". He also seems to delight in calling his victims by affectionate names. He speaks with a very thick scouse accent. [B]Tattoo/s: [/B] A somewhat nasty looking [URL=http://www.zhippo.com/davincitattoohosted/images/gallery/knife_tattoo-L.jpg]knife[/URL] (left arm), and [URL=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/eyeofhorus.jpg]"Eye of Horus"[/URL] tattoos around both eyes. They give him control over fire (when his right eye glows) and ice (when his left eye glows)[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]The children stopped fighting to glare at her. [I][B]Great...tourist brats...[/B][/I] [B]"Why?"[/B] [B]"Because, I don't want you falling in the shallows and breaking your necks, or head, or something like that. You could end up spending the rest of your life in the hospital."[/B] A chill ran up Ima's spine, like someone was watching when she was alone. [B][I]Odd...people are watching...but that shouldn't cause this feeling...[/I][/B] She turned slightly, spotting a young man with silvery hair walking down the beach. [B][i]Huh, another tourist, I guess...[/i][/B] The children, being children, went back to their fight the instant her back was turned. And, due to the law of averages, Murphy and all else evil, that had to be the one time, the ONE time somebody actually slipped. Ima spun around just in time to see one of the children trip and land, face down, in the shallow water. She dashed into the water, and to the kid's side. The child wasn't moving, and his angle was such that she couldn't tell if moving him would hurt him further...but the fact that he was face down...[I][B]I hate it when it gets like this![/B][/I] She glanced around...all the people who had been swimming were now staring...something about that made her uncomfortable, as she decided to chance it and deal with the most immediate threat - the water. She started to place her hands under the unconcious boy's body...when they started glowing. Startled, she drew them back - when she realized that the light from them had grown to encompass the boy's whole form in a silvery white light. [B][i]What on earth...?[/i][/B] Carefully, gently, she lifted her hands. Lightly, as if he were floating on air, the boy rose from the water - unresisting, yet perfectly still. Ima noticed, as if in a dream, that the winds were picking up, whipping her hair into her eyes, but so focused she was on her task that she failed to hear the whispering. [B]"Madre di Dio!"[/B] [B]"Is he [I]floating[/I]?"[/B] [B]"What is she?"[/B] The boy safely on the shore, Ima knealt on the beach. [B][i]he's not breathing...[/i].[/B] She bent over, preparing to administer CPR, when a hand caught her shoulder, holding her back. [B]"Don't touch him."[/B] She looked up to see the boy's father. He looked frightened. She brushed hair back from her eyes again. [B]"Why? What's wrong with you?! That's your son, I can help him!"[/B] [B]"What are you? Are you even human?"[/B] [B][I]Wind's picking up...[/I][/B] Odd, what a mind notices at a time like this... [B]"What's that got to do with anything?! Let me help your son!" [/B] Still, the man held her back... [B][I]...you don't have to touch him to help him...[/I][/B] The voice was gone so quickly that Ima wasn't even sure it had spoken. She just stared at the boy...her eyesight seemed to sharpen until she could see individual air molecules, twisting and turning and moving...moving! She pushed mentally against the molecules, forcing them in through the boy's mouth and nostrils, and out again...in...out...in...out....suddenly the boy coughed up water, and began sucking in air in deep, gulping greedy breaths. The boy's father released her arm, kneeling by his son to cradle the boy in his arms - and Ima leapt to her feet, the only thought in her head to get away from the people who now stared in earnest. She almost broke into a run - when a blast of wind hit, so strong it knocked the lifegaurd seat off it's legs and began to fling sand in crazy patterns, high into the air. [B][i]Am...am I doing this?[/i] [/B] People began to run, screaming, as the wind blew harder...hardly any of the beach was visible now, as the force kept rising...the beach was almost abandoned when she saw [i]him[/i]. The silver haired tourist - unlike everyone else, he was running [i]towards[/i] her...she braced herself against the wind. [B][i]Maybe it's not me...maybe it's him...[/i][/B][/COLOR] [COLOR=DarkOrange]OOC: Will that do, Demonchild, XXy Ggu? PM/IM if it needs changed...I'm quite flexible that way...[/COLOR]

[COLOR=Navy][I][CENTER]Julie Norton, senior in college... exchange student... [COLOR=DarkRed]Guiltless con?[/COLOR] And proud of that fact, thank you very much...[/CENTER][/I] 10:15 am. Tokyo. She had half an hour to get to her classes...so where was she? A small booth, placed in the middle of one of the market streets, selling paintings, glassware and other "antiques" to unsuspecting tourists...like the middle aged gentleman who was examining a "ancient" painting. She smiled charmingly at him. The motion was matched by the tall, handsome red haired man standing right behind her...the tourist didn't see [i]him[/i] though...Hedylogos appeared for Julie, and Julie alone. "Ah, yes sir...that particular piece is very old. It is said to be a replica of the original picture made not even a hundred years after the original, so it is still very, very rare." The tourist looked impressed...something Julie knew he would be, had he known she had painted it last night. [B]"I sold one like it just last week to the Prime Minister's wife. You have excellent taste.".[/B] The tourist seemed to swell up. [I][B]He's buying it...[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]'Course he's buyin' it, [i]you're [/i]selling it.[/COLOR] [B]well...true...[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Pay attention! You're losing him...[/COLOR][/I] Sure enough, the tourist looked as if he was going to set the painting down. [I][B]Time to lay it on thick, I guess...is he a - aha![/B][/I] The tourist had a good luck charm of some sort hanging from his watch. [I][B]Score! Superstitious.[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Heh. Always a plus...[/COLOR][/I] Julie smiled. [B]"Painting such as these are also said to bring good luck, sir. The...uh..."[/B] [I][COLOR=DarkRed]Conflict of colors![/COLOR][/I] [B]"The conflict of the colors is said to offend the eyes of the foulest spirits."[/B] The gentleman picked the painting back up. [B]"Really?"[/B] [b]"Yessir." [/b] [I][COLOR=DarkRed]And there's a bridge in Brooklyn we'd love to sell ya, too...[/COLOR] [B]Shut up! You're gonna make me laugh![/B][/I] The man looked thirty seconds away from making the buy. [I][color=darkred]Tilt your head, and smile pretty...[/color] [/I] Julie did, raising her eyebrows slightly. [b]"Please sir? I do kinda need the money, my landlord's about to kick me out..."[/b] [I][color=darkred]Nice touch. [/color] [b]Thanks, I thought so too...[/b][/I] The tourist reached for his wallet. [B]"How much will that be?"[/B] [B]"Um...ten thousand, seven-hundred-forty-two-point-thirty-eight yen."[/B] [B]"WHAT?!"[/B] Julie corrected herself hurriedly. [B]"Or a hundred even in American." [/B] The tourist relaxed, the wallet in his hand. [I][color=darkred]What have I told you? If they're American, tell them American first! He almost had a heart attack![/color] [B]Yeah, yeah. I forgot.[/I] "I'll take it, then."[/B] Julie smiled brightly. [B]"Good! Thank you so much sir..."[/B] She extended her hand for the money - and found herself holding a badge. The "tourist" was frowning at her. Frowning in a VERY mean way. [B]"Second Century "Kanningu" wouldn't happen to actually be Twenty First Century Norton, now would it?"[/B] [I][color=darkred]Busted...[/color] [b]Crap. How'd [i]he[/i] know?[/b] Hedylogos rolled his eyes. [color=darkred]Betcha she had somethin' to do with it.[/color][/I] Julie looked up to see Detective Carmen Loki step up next to the frowning psuedo-tourist. She groaned inwardly. [I][B]What is she doing in Japan?![/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Why are you asking me?[/COLOR] [B]I dunno, you're the god, you're supposed to know these things![/b][/I] Detective Loki smiled in a way that was somewhat less than friendly [b]"Trying to scam tourists again?"[/B] Julie pasted on an innocent smile. [B]"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, Detective Loki...some guy just asked me to sell his antiques for a few weeks as a part time job, so..."[/B] Detective Loki just held up a hand. [B]"Stop it, you're sickening me. Just...stop. Don't let me catch you doing this again. Take all this stuff home, and get an [i]honest[/i] job."[/B] She and her partner walked off, leaving the painting...almost. Detective Loki turned around, and picked the painting up. [B]"Think I'll take this...evidence, you know."[/B] Julie could have sworn she saw a wink, but it was gone too quick to be sure. She growled. [I][COLOR=DarkRed]Calm down, it's one painting.[/COLOR] [B]No, she shut me down![/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]Technically...[/COLOR] [B]Technically what?[/B] [COLOR=DarkRed]She only said don't let her [i]catch[/i] you.[/COLOR][/I] Julie's smile returned slowly. [B]She did, didn't she...heh....guess I'm still in business, then...and I gotta get to class...[/B] Hurridly, and talking to Hedylogos the full time, Julie began packing up her stall.[/COLOR] [COLOR=DarkOrange]OOC: I think I'm gonna like this character....heh.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrange]Heh...you love you...I love me...everyone's happy when they like themselves...:p I'm still fairly new to the animated banners scene, butI think this turned out pretty nice... [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/ozyssite/Copy9ofAVI.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://images5.theimagehosting.com/opal.1.gif[/IMG] Hope you like them. ^__^[/COLOR]

[COLOR=DarkOrange][SIZE=1]OOC: Hello, people...Ozy here, as agreed...already talked to Xy GGu a tiny bit to figure out how our characters wind up meeting...still figured I'd better do the "establishing" post....[/SIZE][/COLOR] [CENTER]***[/CENTER] [COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]Imahyn Eliandro, known to all and sundry as "Ima", sat on the beach, feeling the warm air caress her face. Just another boring day... Not that she disliked her job...rather, on the contrarary, she loved her job. She was good at it. She'd taken the lifegaurd position almost a year ago...and not a single person had lost their life while she was on duty. There had been a couple of close calls - last month a ten year old had gotten too tired, 90 feet out...the ocean's current, normally gentle, had been strong enough to start carrying the youngster out to sea. She winced even now at the memory. [B][I]If it hadn't been for that wind...[/I][/B]The locals had counted it a miracle - a fluke windstorm, appearing just in time to save a child? It had been odd...but the sea was a strange thing. But while she loved her job...[I][B]every now and then I wish I'd picked a job with a little more future, instead of sitting on this beach day in and day out...[/B][/I] She watched two children splashing each other, half smiling. [B][I]'s funny...thousands of people out there wish they could sit on a beach all day...[/I]you[I] get to, and no longer wish to...[/I][/B] The splashing changed to pushing, followed by morphing into a kicking, biting fistfight. Ima sighed, rising to her feet and putting the whistle in her mouth. [I][B]Yeah, well, those people don't see this part...[/B][/I] SHRIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! [B]"Hey! there will be no roughhousing in the shallows! I do not want to call an ambulance!"[/B] Just another boring day.[/COLOR] [CENTER]***[/CENTER] [COLOR=DarkOrange][SIZE=1]OOC: hope that works for a first post...[/SIZE][/COLOR]