Arlong Park Forums http://www.apforums.net/ One Piece Forums! en Thu, 17 May 2012 11:49:43 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.apforums.net/images/misc/rss.png Arlong Park Forums http://www.apforums.net/ One Piece Cherry MX keyboards key caps ESC key(s) http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35321&goto=newpost Thu, 17 May 2012 02:34:07 GMT Pretty cool, One Piece Jolly Roger Cherry MX keyboard ESC key caps:... Pretty cool,
One Piece Jolly Roger Cherry MX keyboard ESC key caps:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=14006467040

Most likely an unlicensed item. ]]> General One Piece jadae http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35321 One Piece 667 ITA HQ by Hyena Fansub Italia http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35320&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 23:12:51 GMT Eccoci qua! :grin: Vi lascio il capitolo e fuggo, che domani ho la levataccia! XD Notte notte!... Eccoci qua! :grin:
Vi lascio il capitolo e fuggo, che domani ho la levataccia! XD
Notte notte! :cool:

Link Mediacenter: One Piece 667 ITA HQ by HFI ]]> Translation/Scanlation Brook il Barbanera http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35320 Hello http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35319&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 19:58:59 GMT My name is Guybrush D. Threepwood and I'm a mighty pirate! ]]> Introduction Guybrush D. Threepwood http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35319 Chapter 667: Cool Fight http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35314&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 19:03:54 GMT FINALLY OUT http://mangastream.com/read/one_piece/45623522/1 FINALLY OUT


http://mangastream.com/read/one_piece/45623522/1 ]]> Manga poopbucket http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35314 Text http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35313&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:09 GMT
Spoiler:
This is a short piece of writing I wrote in the final cusp of winter. Just thought I'd share it. Thoughts?



"Hope you get better soon. : D"

You talk like love is a sickness. Like it's something that can be "cured" by lying in bed, watching westerns and eating chicken noodle soup. That is not the case. Love is something that devours you. It's something that changes how you think. your brain focuses on that person and only that person. Every waking moment becomes for that person. You begin to talk to yourself less, because that person would think its weird. You have less fantasies, unless that person's in them. Even masturbating becomes a sin, unless you're thinking about that person. You notice your gut more. And your virginity stands out. You check your phone more often. you always make sure to wear clean clothes, and deodorant, and you wash your hair better than usual. Every text you get, a surge of hope rockets in your chest. Maybe its that person. Then, when its not, the rocket descends, into icy depths. But when it is, the rocket breaks through the atmosphere and begins orbit. You eagerly devour the words and smileys. Thus starts the analyzation period. Every word is carefully processed on your inner conveyor belt slash x ray machine. It takes ages to think of what to say. Eventually, you clumsily type up an incredibly almost witty response, with a smiley or a winky face. Then you don't send it. Instead you stare, finger hovering above "send." Then you think, "if I respond this fast won't she think I'm too eager?" Grasping onto a reason not to send your text, a wave of relief washes over your spine followed by a wave of doubt and fear as you realize you still need to respond eventually. Finally you decide, okay, this is it. This is what I'll go with and you mash "send" before your brain protests. Time passes. And you check your phone too many times. This is what love is. It changes how you think, how you act. You stop living for yourself. Maybe love is a sickness. Just not one that can be cured with a John Wayne movie and mom's cooking. I hope I get better soon. ]]> Writings poopbucket http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35313 DayZ: Zombie Apocalypse Survival Simulator http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35310&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 05:06:20 GMT I don't think many people on here would be interested in the game (being an FPS and PC only) but I'm going to make a thread anyway.

DayZ is a mod for the military simulation games Arma 2 and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead, which together make Arma 2: Combined Operations. The game is currently in alpha so it's really buggy, but I find it pretty fun to play.

When you start the game, you are spawned at a random point on the coast of a 225 square kilometer map with the sole purpose to survive as long as you can. When you start, you are only given a handgun with a few magazines, some food, some water, bandages, and painkillers. Over time your character will get hungry and thirsty and need to eat and drink. Zombies spawn near and in towns, as of the latest patch there can be over 1000 zombies spawned at any one time. You have to go into towns to find food, water, weapons, ammo, etc. You can either play along or with others. There's no team system, it's all down to what you do. Talking through a mic is like talking in real life: the louder you talk, the farther your voice travels. You can kill other players whenever you want, but each player has a "humanity" level, which depletes by however many humanity points the player you killed had when they died. When you get below zero your clothes change and you become a bandit, which will make you a target for everyone else. If you get hit, whether by a zombie or by gunfire, you'll start to bleed and need to bandage yourself and maybe take pain pills. To replace lost blood you'll need a transfusion or to eat meat. Time is synched to real life and follows whatever region the server is in. If you're playing on a server in Chicago for instance, the game time will be synched with the time in Chicago. When you die, you lose everything and start over from the beginning.

Official trailer


A video series that is really cool


And just for fun, a video of a player getting robbed at gunpoint by two other players
]]> Video Games Sakonosolo http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35310 Weekly Animation Ratings Thread. http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35307&goto=newpost Wed, 16 May 2012 00:01:02 GMT Seeing as the Live Action shows get one, animation should get one too! *Final K6-11 Ratings for... Seeing as the Live Action shows get one, animation should get one too!

Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, May 5, 2012 Broadcast Networks only (Live + SD Data):
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
CW (Toonzai) 0.9/5 Avg. (7a-12p)
Cubix 0.3/3; Cubix 0.5/4; Sonic X 0.9/6; Sonic X 1.0/5; Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal 1.0/5; Yu-Gi-Oh 0.9/4; Dragon Ball Z Kai 0.9/4; Dragon ball Z Kai 1.2/5; Tai Chi Chasers 1.0/5; Yu-Gi-Oh 1.0/5
CBS (CookieJarTV) 0.2/1 Avg. (7-10a/10a-12p)
Busytown Mysteries 0.1/1; Doodlebops 0.1/0; Doodlebops 0.1/0; Danger Rangers 0.1/1; Busytown Mysteries 0.2/1; Horseland 0.3/2
NBC (Qubo on NBC)Avg. 0.1/1 (10a-1p)
Pearlie 0.0/0; Zula Patrol 0.1/0; Shelldon 0.1/1; Jane and the Dragon 0.3/1; Babar 0.1/0; Willa's Wild Life 0.1/0

Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, May 5, 2012 Cable Networks only (Live + SD Data):
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
NICKELODEON 3.3/18 Avg. (7a-1p)
Penguins of Madagascar 1.1/12; Penguins of Madagascar 1.8/14; Jimmy Timmy Powerhouse (1x60) 3.1/18; SpongeBob SquarePants 4.3/20; SpongeBob SquarePants 4.6/20; SpongeBob SquarePants 4.0/18; SpongeBob SquarePants 4.6/22; Legend of Korra 4.3/20; SpongeBob SquarePants 3.0/15; Power Rangers Samurai 2.8/13; SpongeBob Truth or Square (1x60) 3.3/17
DISNEY CHANNEL 3.3/17 Avg. (7a-1p)
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 1.7/19; Doc McStuffins 2.2/17; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 2.1/13; Jake and the Never Land Pirates 2.2/12; Phineas and Ferb 3.3/16; Phineas and Ferb 3.9/17; Phineas and Ferb 4.3/19; Fish Hooks 3.3/15; Jessie 4.1/19; A.N.T. Farm 4.2/21; Wizards of Waverly Place 4.0/19; Wizards of Waverly Place 3.7/18;
CARTOON NETWORK 1.7/9 Avg. (7a-1p)
Johnny Test 1.6/17; Redakai: Conquer the Kairu 1.3/10; Beyblade: Metal Masters 1.5/9; Pokemon B&W: Rival Destinies 1.8/10; Ben 10: Ultimate Alien 1.8/9; Thundercats 1.5/6; The Green Lantern 1.7/8; Young Justice: Invasion 1.9/9; Mad 2.1/10; Level Up 1.3/6; Ninjago 1.8/9; Ninjago 2.3/11
DISNEY XD 0.9/5 Avg. (7a-1p)
Suite Life of Zack & Cody 0.3/4; Ultimate Spider-Man 0.4/3; Phineas and Ferb 0.9/6; Kick Buttowski 0.9/5; Pair of Kings 1.0/5; Pair of Kings 1.5/7; So Random 1.2/6; Kickin It 1.3/6; Kick Buttowski (1x15) 1.0/5; Fish Hooks (1x15) 0.8/4; Phineas and Ferb 0.7/4; Nightmare Before Christmas (1x105) 0.6/3

The Hub

4/9/2012 6:30PM 0.124 The Aquabats! Super Show!
4/14/2012 8:00AM 0.134 The Aquabats! Super Show!
4/14/2012 5:00PM 0.248 R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series
4/14/2012 5:30PM 0.227 R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series
4/14/2012 8:00PM 0.164 Dan Vs.
4/14/2012 8:30PM 0.268 Transformers Prime
4/15/2012 7:00PM 0.148 Family Game Night
4/21/2012 11:00AM 0.321 The Aquabats! Super Show!
4/21/2012 1:00PM 0.483 My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
4/21/2012 1:30PM 0.475 My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
4/21/2012 5:00PM 0.153 R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series
4/21/2012 5:30PM 0.137 R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series
4/21/2012 8:00PM 0.171 Dan Vs.
4/21/2012 8:30PM 0.243 Transformers Prime
4/22/2012 7:00PM 0.093 Family Game Night

My Little Pony Friendship is Magic proves to be the highest rated Hub show EVER
The Legend of Korra - 11:00AM - New episode
3,784million viewers (#1 show on Nick that day)


And for last week too

Nick ratings for this past Sat/Sun (highest to lowest): KORRA 3.876M, PENGUINS 2.855M, ICARLY 2.750M, BTR 2.285M, POWER RANGERS 1.850M ]]> Western Animation Yonkou255 http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35307 Tex Murphy Kickstarter http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35306&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 21:14:58 GMT I've a lot of good memories of playing the old tex murphy adventure games back in the day - like The Pandora Directive & Under a Killing Moon, so I was very excited when Chris Jones (who created tex murphy) put up a video announcing a kickstarter a few months ago:



The kickstarter has now gone live:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/251 ... ect-fedora

Really hope this gets funded, along with DFA this would be the high point of the recent adventure game revival that kickstarter has begun. ]]> Video Games Darkstorm http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35306 Rurouni Kenshin - Kinema Ban http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35305&goto=newpost Tue, 15 May 2012 05:44:41 GMT http://www.mangahere.com/manga/rurouni_kenshin_kinema_ban/c001/ W... http://www.mangahere.com/manga/rurouni_kenshin_kinema_ban/c001/

Well, since there isn't any thread talking about this I figured I'll just start one.

Anyway, I've read somewhere about Nobuhiro Watsuki planning to "reboot" Kenshin. And apparently here it is, it certainly starts off differently from the previous version, though not necessarily better, I think I'm gonna hold my judgment until I've read further chapters.

I do think the pace is a bit too fast though, and Watsuki is using his old characters. In a way its nice to see old faces again, but on the other hand it feels like recycling, like he doesn't have new ideas.

So what do u guys think? ]]> Other Manga/Anime ponx http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35305 <![CDATA[Maron's Cluster of Comics & Cartoons]]> http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35303&goto=newpost Sun, 13 May 2012 19:30:45 GMT Hey guys. Finally decided to come around and start putting up work here. I love to draw and within... Hey guys. Finally decided to come around and start putting up work here. I love to draw and within the last year I've been working on developing the characters I have for use in a graphic novel. I've been reading books about comics and learning some things about the language behind them lately along with trying to look more closely at the work of artists I admire.

Currently there are three series I'm developing, two as a series and one a standalone. I'll be posting various comic strips and hopefully down the road short stories here of them as I pull them together into their final form. With that, I figured it'd be nice to start off with a Mother's Day comic I made yesterday. I'd rather quit blabbing and start putting things up!

Mother's Day comic strip


 ]]> Arts Maron http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35303 Eiichiro Oda wins 41st Japan Cartoonists Association Award http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35302&goto=newpost Sun, 13 May 2012 11:29:20 GMT *Eiichiro Oda won 41st Japan Cartoonists Association Award*, one of the most prestigious award in... Eiichiro Oda won 41st Japan Cartoonists Association Award, one of the most prestigious award in Japan. I think only One Piece and Kochikame as Jump series won this award, other series like Nausicaa, Anpanman or Golgo 13 won it too.

http://www.nihonmangakakyokai.or.jp/...l=event&id=799
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news...toonist-awards

Quote:
One Piece, Keiko Takemiya Win 41st Japan Cartoonist Awards
Kimuchi Yokoyama's Nekodarake Nice, Kyoto Int'l Manga Museum also honored

The Japan Cartoonists Association of manga creators announced the winners of the 41st Japan Cartoonist Awards on Friday. Eiichiro Oda's One Piece pirate manga (pictured right) and Kimuchi Yokoyama's Nekodarake Nice cat manga (pictured below) won this year's 500,000-yen (about US$6,000) Grand Prizes.

Oda has been drawing the exploits of the rubber-bodied captain Monkey D. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates in One Piece since 1997. One Piece has broken or made many records, including most recently, the first series of any book category to sell over 100 million books in Japan since 2008. Nekodarake Nice is Yokoyama's acclaimed third manga book that follows three cats without words or dialogue.

The judging committee also gave a 200,000-yen (US$2,500) Special Award to the Kyoto International Manga Museum for its contributions to manga culture. Kyoto Seika University took a shuttered elementary school in the heart of Kyoto and transformed it into a museum and center for manga studies.

The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award went to shōjo and modern science-fiction manga pioneer Keiko Takemiya in recognition for her entire body of work and her other efforts. In addition to creating such acclaimed manga as Kaze to Ki no Uta and To Terra (Terra e), Takemiya has been an instructor at Kyoto Seika University.

The prizes will be awarded at a ceremony in Tokyo's Imperial Hotel on June 22. The judging committee included Anpanman creator Takashi Yanase, Space Battleship Yamato/Space Pirate Captain Harlock creator Leiji Matsumoto, Furiten-kun creator Masashi Ueda, and Lady Ann creator Machiko Satonaka. Help Man creator Riki Kusaka, Rakuga creator Kamakiri Uno, Manga Koshien competition's Kōchi Prefecture, Mainichi Kaa-san creator Rieko Saibara, and They Were Eleven and A Drunken Dream creator Moto Hagio won last year's awards.
]]> Manga redon http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35302 <![CDATA[Rebirth [Inheritance Cycle Fanfic]]]> http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35301&goto=newpost Sun, 13 May 2012 10:35:16 GMT
Rebirth [Inheritance Cycle Fanfic]


Note: Rebirth takes place fifteen years after the events of the final book of the Inheritance Cycle. All books are held as canon. Some small inclusions may be added. Although highly helpful, you don't need to have read the books to enjoy the fanfic. But otherwise, enjoy the story!



^click for larger, it will come in handy^

Chapter One: Pebbles On The Lake


Eira stood on the banks of Isenstar Lake, looking over the silent sheet of glimmering water. Snow was everywhere, for it was the midst of the winter season, and even the lake, although not frozen, seemed to be more still than usual. The snow was thick under her boots, and the air was chilling even though the wind was mostly calm. The trees that stood along the waters and further inland were bare of their leaves with last night’s snow resting upon the top of the branches. A few birds chirped as they attempted to clear themselves a spot, just as squirrels and other day time animals scurried through the snow as they emerged from hiding.

The scene was calming to Eira and she took very slow breaths, taking in the cold and letting it go through her being, and then releasing it. Eira would be turning sixteen years old tomorrow, which would signify adulthood in her village, at which point she would take up a husband as soon as possible and make a home for herself amongst her village mates. It was a very intense time for her, as it was for her mother and her mother’s mother, but it was the way it was always done, and she was prepared.

After all, it wasn’t all bad. She learned from her older sister, Elisa, that the Coming to Age Celebration was something to embrace and feel proud of. Sure, she would be leaving the care of her home, but it was the natural way of things. And after all, the celebration was full of presents from her peers and elders, blessings, plenty of food and drink, music, and storytelling. It should be something she should be looking forward to more than anything else.

But today was her last day as a child, and she decided she would spend it around the lake she grew up with, Isenstar. Isenstar was one of the larger lakes in Alagaësia, which itself was a huge continent filled with all kinds of people and places. It sat in the northern regions of Alagaësia, fostering the huge city of Gil’ead, along with many smaller villages, one which was her own, Imoria. Imoria rested on the most northern part of Isenstar Lake, along the edges of the great forest of Du Weldenvarden, the forest where the ancient elves reside. Eira loved it here, for the calming waters of Isenstar always gave her comfort and the forest of Du Weldenvarden always struck her curiosity. Of course, she had never wandered into the forest before, but at a younger age she could have sworn she saw a group of elves along the edges of the forest, staring back at her while she was on the lake.

But on this day, she saw no elves peeking through the forest at her, but only giant ancient oaks and calm waters. The silent was suddenly ended, however, when a figure appeared on her side and spoke.

“What’s on your mind?” asked Elisa, Eira’s older sister by five years.

Eira smiled back at her. If there was anything else in the world she cared about more than the lake or the forest, it was her family and sister. She turned and looked back out at the water, then said, “I’m not sure exactly.”

Elisa chuckled, reaching down and picking up a pebble off the ground. She examined the smoother surface in her hand for a few seconds, then she gave it a swift toss and it skipped across the water, disturbing the silent water for a few seconds before finally coming to rest and sinking. “I had the same feeling,” she responded, smiling. “The key is accepting it and not to let it bother you.”

“You can say that,” Eira said looking at her sister. “You have a working husband and a home and a child. You’ve gotten past all of the tough parts. I’m still just a girl.”

“Not tomorrow, you won’t be.” She pat her sister on the back when it didn’t seem her mood would change, and then turned to make her way back to the village Imoria. “Don’t stay out too late, Eira. You need your rest for tomorrow. I would stay out here with you longer, like we used to do but… I have things I need to take care of myself now. As you will soon, if you just have faith. Everything will be fine.”

Eira didn’t respond, but just gave a small somber nod as she heard her sister’s footsteps grow quieter as she grew further away until she could not hear them at all. She then reached down and picked up a stone, a light bluish white one which gleamed even in the setting sunlight. It was a particularly smooth stone, she considered, giving it more precedent then it probably should have been given. She lifted it up and then tossed it towards the lake. It hit the surface with a small and sunk to the bottom of the shallow banks.

Eira shrugged, crossing her arms. She turned back towards Imoria, straightening her dress and making sure she seemed pleasant, and began her way back. As she walked, she saw a quick dark movement on the top of her vision, and she looked up at the sky. Where she thought she saw something, a shadow of movement, there was now nothing. She did spot a few stars shining in the distance, but that was all. Sighing, she looked forward again and made her way to her home.


The sun seemed to rise too soon for Eira.

She awoke in her bed, put on her clothes, and went to the living area of her small home and had breakfast with her mother and father. Her mother was a stout, thick woman named Elderna, a somewhat independent and feisty woman for her village. Her father, Nedor, was the town’s book and record keeper, a silent man who let his wife do most of the decision making.

She sleepily sat at the table as her mother passed her a bowl of stew, a mix of carrots, radishes, and potatoes with a gravy type of broth. She spooned it up and took slow sips, letting the warmth fill her. She gave a nod towards her mother and thanked her for the good breakfast. It would be one of her last within this home.

“You’ll need it for tonight, Eira!” said her mother, but it might have well been a shout for her loudly she spoke. “Tonight is your special day!” Her face turned red, as if she was holding in something fantastic, some secret she wasn’t allowed to tell, and her smile beamed beyond any she had ever seen before.

“I know mother,” nodded Eira, who did not carry the same weight of happiness as Elderna did.

“Oh come on,” Elderna responded, tapping the ladle of the stew pot against the edge of Eira’s bowl. “Your sister had no problems at all with the Coming of Age Ceremony. She took it with strides, and look at her now. A well respected woman among the entire village. And an amazing husband to boot!”

Although Eira did not like her mother comparing her to Elisa her sister, her last sentence struck her the most. The main attraction of the Coming of Age Ceremony was the being presented with a husband. In Imoria, the female was the one who chose the male, usually out of a small group, five or six, during the ceremony. Whoever she chose she would be bound by for the rest of her life.

Of course, there were cases when a young woman did not find the proper man during the Ceremony, but that was a very rare thing, and it did not last long or looked upon with good eyes from the rest of the villagers. Eira knew she would also be presented with a group of individual boys, and she would have to choose one for her own. That was what made Eira the most nervous.

Elderna watched as Eira did not give a response, and then she eyed Nedor with a frown. “But try to pick a better husband than I did,” she muttered, causing her husband to look up from his book at his wife. “I wish I picked Delron, for crying out loud!”

“Oh hush,” said Nedor in a voice that was quite different from his wife’s. It was an aged sullen voice, but one that did hold a bit of wisdom. However, getting the hint from his wife, he turned towards Eira and said, “I’m sure it will go fine. I will be there, your mother will be there, Elisa will be there. You will choose a good husband. I have faith in you, my daughter.”

That did make Eira give a small smile. Her father was not the closest father, but when he did speak, it was comforting words. She gave her parents a nod and finished eating the rest of her breakfast stew.


The day went by quick. Eira had spent her time wandering through the village, greeting everyone who greeted her. Most people looked upon her with big smiles, as if she was supposed to do something amazing on the spot. Others gave her warming smiles of pride, and some of the boys looked at her as well, which made her blush and walk faster.

There were many males her age in Imoria, but none she truly had any strong feelings for. There was Eldnei, who was two years older than her and a strong blacksmith. There was Igor, who was a soldier, an archer to be specific, one year older. There was Kalverslack, a butcher’s apprentice, but he was actually the last person on her list because of the smell that seemed to stick to him. And there was Eralor, a boy three years older than her who was the Earl’s son. He was a friend since she was young, and he would frequently go with her and Elisa out to the lake to explore and play.

But Elisa wasn’t sure if Eralor would be among the chosen few for her to choose from. And even if he was… she wasn’t sure she would make that choice either. It was all so draining she gave a long sigh, her mind in a million places at once. It was then that Eralor appeared before her, as if by faith, giving her a smile.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, obviously having noted her deep drawn out sigh. “You seem a bit down, Eira.”

Eralor was, by all means, a handsome young man. He had short brown hair, intense brown eyes, and a strong figure. He was not as bulky as Eldnei, nor as thin as Igor, but had a good balance between the two. His smile and his eyes always caught her sight, and did care for the boy, if not in a deep way, as friends at least.

“I’m fine,” lied Eira, her eyes looking forward.

Eralor didn’t say a word for a few seconds, which for some reason made Eira nervous, then said, “We should go to Isenstar today, before the Ceremony begins. One last time.”

The thought made Eira’s heart skip a beat, and she almost staggered. One last time? It was customary to keep the men who would appear before her during the Ceremony a secret, but was this a hint that Eralor was not chosen? Would Eira have to pick some other man, even Kalverslack? The thought made her shiver. She was so distressed, she formally declined the offer. “I shouldn’t go,” she said. “I don’t want to get filthy before the events. I need to look my best, my mother says.”

Eralor shrugged and gave a nod. “Fair enough,” he said. He then stopped, which made Eira stop as well, and gave a small wave. “I should be off then. I also have some things to do before tonight. I’ll see you at the Ceremony though.” He gave a smile and vanished between two buildings. Eira watched him go, sighed, and continued on her walk.


It was 6pm and the sun was setting in the west, creating a fabulous glow across Isenstar and Imoria. The entire village had entered into the party. There was music at every corner, food spread out on benches stretching many yards long, dancers, story tellers telling ancient tales, fire breathers, sword fights for show, magicians showing off varying skills, and all kinds of other amazing sights.

Eira walked through the streets. She was wearing a beautiful red gown that stretched just below her ankles, black flats, and a striking light snowy blue rose in her hair behind her ear. Her face glowed and her smile was bright. At her side was Elisa, and her other side, Eralor. Although she was smiling, and she did truly enjoy seeing all the amazing festivities, especially because they were all surrounded around her, she still had a deep anxiousness insider her, one she was not sure how to deal with. She didn’t let it appear on her face, nevertheless.

“Isn’t that amazing?” commented Eralor towards a magician. Eira turned to face the man who seemingly made a small stone rise above his the palm of his hand, split into many small stones, catch on fire, and fly around in insane patterns before returning to its original state.

It truly was amazing. Magic had become somewhat common knowledge in Alagaësia after Queen Nasuada had taken the throne some fifteen years ago. Before then, as far as she knew, magic was used in horrible ways to treat people unfairly, but now that she was the queen, it was better maintained and kept in check. Something like splitting a rock didn’t alert Queen Nasuada, however, killing someone with magic, which was totally possible, would.

She didn’t know much before Nasuada’s time. She had been the queen almost all her life. Although Imoria itself had an Earl, that person gave fealty towards Queen Nasuada over any other. From what she did hear from story tellers during some occasions, she did know of Galbatorix, who was the previous King. He was what they called a Dragon Rider, one of an ancient organization of men and elves and dragons. The Dragon Riders were a group of people and dragons who wandered the land and protected its citizens. However, Galbatorix had turned and killed the other Dragon Riders and taken throne for himself. It was then, fifteen years ago, when a new Dragon Rider named Eragon appeared, slain the king, and made Nasuada the Queen before leaving Alagaësia to take care of new Dragon Eggs in hope that they would hatch and remake the Dragon Riders.

But that was all she knew, and everyone knew that. The details escaped her, but she could learn more whenever she wanted, her father being a book keeper. But now was not the time to talk of ancient orders and kingdoms. Now was a time for celebration into adulthood in the village of Imoria.

“I wonder if I could ever use magic?” speculated Eralor as they walked away from the magician. “I bet I could do amazing things, like move mountains.”

Eira giggled at him, which made him give her a wondering look. “You don’t seem like a magician type in my opinion,” she said, smiling. “You’re destined to be a politician, aren’t you? I know of none magical politicians.”

Eralor shrugged. “I could be the first. Eralor the Politically Magical.” Eira chuckled again as did Elisa.

It was then that five horns blew, one after another, a resonance so deep it echoed through all of Imoria. Eira stopped in her tracks, knowing exactly what that meant. It was time. Her mother appeared from seemingly out of nowhere, grabbing her by her wrist and pulling her away from Eralor and Elisa, walking down the street in a hurry.

“Oh dear oh dear, we must hurry Eira!” shouted her mother, and as she walked the rest of the town paused whatever they were doing and gathered behind her, all walking with upmost anxiousness.

They walked for what seemed like forever, her wrist starting to get sore from her mother pulling at it so much, until they finally came to a stop along the banks of Isenstar Lake. The sun had already gone down and now the moon was bright in the winter sky. On the edges of the bank was a raised platform where five individual men stood. She stood facing then, and on her right and left was a huge gathering of villages, almost everyone.

Eira turned to her right, seeing her mother in the crowd who was giving her a hand motion to go on and Elisa behind her giving a warming smile. She turned to her left and saw Eralor, giving a nod but seeming somewhat sad, although it did not show clearly on his face. Eira frowned, wishing more than ever he was beside Eralor right now, or Elisa, or his mother or father.

She felt her heart beat faster as she turned towards the raised platform. There stood five men. She recognized them all. She was not particularly close to any of them, but she had talked to them on occasion and knew them by name and by profession, but not much else. To her dismay, Kalverslack stood in the center, the tallest of all the others.

She gulped, feeling her legs freeze up as she tried to take a step forward. Her mind was racing, trying to decide which she should pick, or if she should deny them all. It was totally a possibility, but knew that everyone would look down on her for it, for these five individuals were personally handpicked by the elders for their pros. It would be nothing less but insulting to deny these men, and even if she found a husband at a later date, she would always be one rank down from all other women in the village.

She turned back towards Eralor, but he seemed to vanish in the huge crowd and she could not pick out his location. Tears almost came to her eyes and she turned back towards the choices. Mind racing she examined each one, thinking about them, about who she really wanted to spend her life with. She knew them all, some she considered friends… but husbands…? But what choice did she have.

She took a deep breath, centering on one individual and opened her mouth. The silence was like ice as they awaited her decision, waiting to hear what she would say, who she would choose. Her voice froze up. She closed her mouth, took another deep breath, remembered what her mother, father, sister, and Eralor had told her, and knew she had to decide.

She opened her mouth and called out –

Isenstar Lake Exploded.

Eira’s mouth held open as she saw a dragon fly out from the lake, roaring at the top of its lungs and shooting a golden flame fifty feet into the air, as if to burn the moon. It snapped down towards the shore, biting one of the choices in half as it clawed its way onto shore. People screamed, cried, yelled, ran for cover. The remaining male choices for the ceremony, at the sight of the dragon and one of their own being eaten, dashed for their lives, abandoning the ceremony.

Eira stood frozen in her place, her eyes wide, her jaw dropped as the dragon made its way on shore, giving another tremendous roar and blowing fire into the sky. The dragon was at least twenty-five feet long from tail to head. It was a striking orange dragon, a blast or red like a scar across face and underbelly. Horns sprouted from its head and made a trail down its back all the way to the tip of its tail. It had two giant wings, both orange with red tips, and for a short moment Eira seemed to notice its left wing seemed to be damaged, bleeding perhaps but she could not be sure. But nevertheless, it was the most awesome sight she had ever seen in her life.

“A-a-a d-dra-dragon,” she muttered.

Suddenly she felt someone pull at her side, but she could not take her eyes off the sight. She could still hear though, and she heard Eralor yelling at her.

“Come on Eira! It’s a dragon; we have to get out of here! Your mother is waiting for you with your sister, hurry up!”

“Look at it,” muttered Eira, her voice so hollow it almost didn’t seem to make a sound at all. Eralor gave a pause to look up at the huge dragon as it stopped in front of her, roughly twenty feet away. It’s eyes were fierce and violent, moving around in its sockets, but keeping basic direction: Facing Eira.

Human!

It was as if a voice boomed in her head, and she knew it came from the dragon. It was unlike anything she had ever heard or felt before, and at that moment she felt as if she could drop to her knees in amazement.

I will have my revenge!

Then the dragon opened its giant mouth and a spray of bright flame shot towards Eira and Eralor and overtook them in an instant. ]]> Writings Hitotsumami http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35301 Your new buddy. http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35300&goto=newpost Sat, 12 May 2012 23:36:04 GMT I'm Friction

I like One Piece.
I like drawing One Piece.
I like One Piece games.
I like One Piece soundtracks.
I like everything about One Piece.
:laughing: ]]> Introduction Friction http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35300 <![CDATA[547: ''Back to the Present - Hody Begins to Move'']]> http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35298&goto=newpost Sat, 12 May 2012 23:32:02 GMT Where we're going we won't need roads...because we're underwater, that's why!

Title: ''Back to the Present - Hody Begins to Move''
Chapters Covered: 627
New Characters: None
Animation Director: Takeo Ide (***1/2)
Time: 8:30PM EST
Watch It: www.onepieceofficial.com ]]> Anime Crossword http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35298 Soul Sacrifice http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35297&goto=newpost Sat, 12 May 2012 16:57:08 GMT Inafune presents on a Sony conference his new Vita game:

• Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-u_whUpaTg
• Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiQyBgKAUQs
• Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBH8O8b_0KI

This game intrigues me greatly it's heavily reminiscent of dark souls regarding the mood.
I'm excited this + persona 4 the golden might make me buy a vita before the revision.... Have to withstand the temptation :P... ]]> Video Games DarthAsthma http://www.apforums.net/showthread.php?t=35297