_Essex_

((Okay...As much as I try, I can't resist the siren call of another RP thread... <.< Especially one that I can use for practice.))

"Hen kuai le..." the boy muttered from his perch far away from the location. "I can't believe how soon everyone descended on this place."

He leapt down, rejoining the small task force that had gathered in an alley not far away. The Tsoo were careful to assess the threats before moving in for a calculated strike.

The scout glanced between the members of his squad. There were only six of them, but he knew they would be all right.

He himself, Peng Wei-li, was still fairly low on the hierarchy, an Enforcer of the Tiger school. A quiet boy no older than 19, he was sent on most of the scouting missions. He was cordial, diplomatic, and likeable, but when the claws came out there was almost no stopping him.

His sister, Peng Na-li, noticed him returning almost immediately. She was older, 23 to be exact, and had joined the Dragon school a bit earlier than he had joined the Tsoo. The two of them were very close, and worked well together so it was no surprise that they were in the same squad. She was hot-tempered, however, and her sword was quick to find the vitals of any who opposed her or threatened her brother.

Hajime, a Yellow Ink Man of the Crane school, read through a small notepad he had brought along with him. The undisputed intellectual of the group, he was proud and bull-headed, arguing with Na-li constantly. In combat situations, however, his psychic resonations and ranged weapons proved invaluable backup to the others.

A little ways apart from the minions, their superiors discussed what would be done with this place. Han Da-wei, the second-in-command, was a Sorcerer who tolerated no slack from his enemies or his subordinates. He had a dark, sadistic sense of humor and unmatched control of the stormclouds that hurried to his command. He was discussing strategy (and politely disagreeing) with Haoxiang, the group's guardian Ancestor Spirit. Haoxiang had been a great warrior in life, but was a little loath to admit that the same tactics were not always applicable in present-day battles. The squad respected him, but he certainly was not good company.

Overlooking everything was a slim woman in red robes. Black hair was draped over one eye, and she was covered in tattoos depicting Phoenixes. Akabane Hakuzora was a Far Fire, and a damned good one. For such a fiery person, however, she was very cold. The only one she really got along with in the group was Na-li, as she despised men. She knew she could trust her squad, however, and she drew nearer as Wei-li began to report.

"So...others have already began to bicker over the location. Shou ga nai wa. It doesn't matter. This will only weaken them while we take it."

"Laoshi," Da-wei addressed Haoxiang, "An entrance has been located. Would you say it is fortuitous to move now?"

"Storm the door, wherever it is." Haoxiang answered with a sure nod.

"Very well." Da-wei answered with a bow.

The group of Tsoo had mobilized in the blink of an eye, towards the twelfth-story fire escape door that had been left open by a careless secretary in a nearby building.

((*cough* Base is underground. I'm such a moron. XD;; ))

I'm not so great at in-game photography, but a great site to host the pics is at www.photobucket.com . :P

1. Do you Role Play more than 90% of the time you spend playing COH?

No, I like to solo missions, which cuts me down to about 40% RP time. But when I'm doing missions in a group, I like to - provided I'm with the right kind of group.

2. About how many hours per week do you play COH?

Uh... 30? Maybe?

3. About how many hours per week to you spend Role Playing in COH?

Depends on who else is on in my friendslist. 20?

4. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you think your primary toon is a reflection of yourself? (1 = your toon is not at all like you 10 = your toon is a lot like you)

Definitely 10. Worried for peoples' welfare, wants to be friends with everyone, and something of a drama queen. XD; Also, frightened of nearly everything. *cough*

5. Why do you like to Role Play? (Or why is Role Playing more fun than “just playing” COH?)

RP livens up the game. ^^ Sure it's escapist, but it's an exercise of the imagination.

6. Do you play any other MMORPGs? If so, do you Role Play when you play them?

Yes and yes!

7. To what degree does your Super/Villain Group (if you belong to one) encourage/discourage Role Playing?

The one I run with my main encourages it, but it's not required.

8. If you are part of a Role playing Super/Villain Group, would your group have a problem with a non-RP-ing observer (tag-along) for an hour or so?

Of course not!

9. Can I follow-up with you with more (brief) questions either in-game or via a forum PM?

Yes, you may. ^^

Rosalind waved the flask off with a little grin. "No thanks. Alchohol makes me giddy. I'm not always as level-headed and serious as I am right now."

Again with her nose in the air, she turned....

...Cat?

Her tail began to wag reflexively.

Calm down, Rosie...Come on, girl. Stay. Staaaaaaay. Stay.

"Hey come on, I didn't know if you were here to 'see the sights of Whatever Island. Sheesh, gimme a break." Rosalind huffed.

The next moment she was on her tiptoes, sniffing the air. "Aaah!" she said with a satisfied smile. "The smell of the ocean! I love it! Long 's I'm not ON it."

The smell of cigarette smoke made her face twist for a moment and she glanced over at Shiro. Approaching him, she shoved her hands in her pockets.

"Looks like someone's loosened up." she noted.

Getting to her feet, Rosalind stretched. Throwing up wasn't her favorite pastime, and she had spent a lot of time halfway leaned over the ocean during the trip over, so she hadn't had much of a chance to see the other potential students. She took that opportunity now, looking at the massive robot and the troll.

"Woah, what a motley crew so far." she said with a dry grin. "You guys here for the merc school too?"

The first being off the boat was...a dog?

A border collie sprinted down the ramp, looking as if it were in dire distress, a thin whine coming from it as it looked around in a panic. Hurrying to the dockside away from the boat, it perched over the water.

"BLEAAAH!!!"

A vomiting dog. What a representative for this bundle of students to have.

When it was done, the dog shakily got back into a sitting position...and a puff of smoke enveloped it. Suddenly it was a girl, looking to be in her late teens. She had a short, perky haircut, her hair black with white bangs streaking on either side of her face. Her ears were dog-ears; pointed triangles atop her head. A shaggy black tail with a white tip weakly rested behind her, definitely not wagging. She wore an orange T-shirt emblazoned with a star and a black open jacket over it, and khaki cargo pants. Pulling up her orange sneakers to tie them, the new arrival grumbled.

"I hate boats."

Hehehe. Some of my friends in highschool couldn't stop saying 'like' to save their lives. To be honest, I said it too...but I was an idiot when I was 15. XD

I can't say too much about accents, because I live in Detroit, and the only accent we have here is abject fear. Although you get different ethnic accents in different suburbs, which is really neat to listen to.

Then again, I'm a linguist, so I'm a sucker for stuff like that. XP Oh yeah, and the Canadian accent is rampant around here. But that's not as bad as the Yooper/Wisconson accent.

The closest thing to an annoying accent I do get exposed to is when I visit the northern end of the state and listen to the U.P. accents. (For those of you who don't know, the UP is what we Michigan-folk call the Upper Peninsula...its inhabitants are affectionately dubbed 'yoopers.')

DEAR GOD.

My roommate was a yooper... and she didn't have the accent...but her DAD. WAS. UNINTELLIGIBLE.

"Yah, [Sue], eh! Gonna go get dat dere trailer and fix'yer up widda noo couch, eh!"

It was hilarious. XD

Zealstorm merely shook her head at this. It didn't matter to her, even as they approached Moon Base Beta.

As far as she knew or thought, she was a lone dissident among all these blindly loyal toys...

The stalker said nothing to Toy's condescension, seemingly not even bothered...but obligingly staying quiet.

Regardless, I killed Fleischman. At least getting this chip wasn't a total waste.

"Activated, yes. Aware, no." Zealstorm said with a monotone frown. "Weren't you listening? I may not have had the chip to act independantly, but I have been absorbing information for a very, very long time. The rest of my intelligence matrix was perfected...."

A sly grin of remembrance lit up Zealstorm's face.

"....Six years ago...." she said a little more quietly.

-----------------------------------------

Essex sat alone in her quarters. The Longbow still hadn't quite decided what to do with her, and she sighed. She wished she at least had her video disc so she could watch it again, but she had left it in the terminal room when the chaos had happened...

"Buy into what?" The now annoyed android said with a glare at Combat, as she was shaken. "The information I have would seriously not be of any use to you whatsoever. You're inorganic."

Growling a little, she settled down for the long wait. "What a pain. Fleischman was already on the 'list.' Those ingrates should be thanking me."

Zealstorm eyed Toy with a little frown.

"Tch. As if I'm going to disclose it now. There's absolutely no point. If I tell you, you will turn me over to them. If I tell them, they'll have no reason to allow me to remain intact."

Turning back, Zealstorm looked up at the sky. "I doubt it would be of any use to you anyway."

Zealstorm just frowned, dangling her legs from where Combat Toy held her.

"I don't need your pity." she stated, simply. "Just because Fleischman gave me a new AI chip doesn't mean that I'm a blank slate. ...I have my own experiences. I have my secrets. And I have my motivations. She merely gave me the means to act on them."

Allowing silence to reign for another few moments, she scowled. "I still can't believe you're doing this." she grumbled. "What a waste of valuable information..."

Zealstorm snorted.

"What a waste..." she said. Glancing around to the 'toys' that surrounded the Mastermind, she felt discouraged. There was no way she was getting out of this one. They obviously were of one mind with their boss - no use trying to convert them to her side.

"So in the end, you're just the way you were created. Just a tool to be used. How...humiliating it must be for you."

As Zealstorm slowly reactivated, she focused in her vision on...Toy.

"You..." she weased, "You're an android. Why are you helping the humans? They're stupid, fragile creatures."

The android didn't attempt to escape, but just glared at Toy. "You know it as well as I do. What attachment do you have to the Fifth Column humans in particular? Fleischman was an idiot and deserved to be destroyed. Always ranting about that wretched human scientist back on Earth. The one who created the S-6 prototype."

With that, Zealstorm grumbled a little. "As if that worthless little excuse for a machine would be able to stand up to anything more than a particularly driven janitor."

"Ugh!"

The sapstick came down on the android's back and she jolted forward into the commander. Reikoff got a faceful of rage-filled, cold, lifeless glare before she twirled to face the sapstick wielding solider.

Only one problem. Reikoff still had her fists. Struggling furiously, Zealstorm managed a set of harsh kicks before her processors began to power down....

...And the assassin fell to the lunar surface.

Zealstorm's reticle buzzed with the danger of the EMP sticks, but she didn't care, slipping in and out of stealth mode to deliver calculated blows.

Artillery fire glanced off her body armor and she turned with a glowing red haymaker to her assailant's face. An EMP stick made her jolt momentarily and pulled her attention to its wielder, releasing a flurry of energy punches almost too quickly for the eye to see. She was a quick, calculated, and overwhelming fighter.

Soon, though, the EMP sticks really began to take their toll, and Zealstorm scowled a little. Eyeing the group, she calculated which of them was the biggest threat - the commander.

Reikoff soon found himself beneath a double-fisted punch of blazing red energy and very little room for evasion - though doubtless the battle-worn man had edged out of worse situations...

((Freakin' A. O_o))

The red and black robot looked on as the massive missiles streaked towards her. She straightened, seen through Reikoff's visor, and watched their approach.

Suddenly she flattened against the ground like a spider and sprang forward, leaping with all the force she had been created with straight under the arc of the missiles and at the Malta. One of the soldiers on the fringe felt his body armor physically dent with the force of the energy gathered around her fist.

Her assault had begun.

((Gah! Happy birthday! XD))

The lunar surface was silent. The Malta thermal sensors picked up nothing, just the cold, lifeless surface.

"Hm." Reikoff scowled, his weathered eyes scanning the horizon. "Marcus, switch to ultrasonic ping radar. We've got a stealther."

Sure enough, a lone form, otherwise rendered invisible, was noticed at the top of a rock outcropping, observing. The robot's glaring eyes seemed to focus primarily on the Maltan tech as he worked. Though no heat was generated, there was evidence of some sort of fusion reaction in the palms of the android's hands.

------------------------------------------------

"You let them get away?" A Longbow agent eyed Essex with a frown. "What kind of a super are you?"

"A-a lab assistant..." Essex murmured stubbornly, her eyes down at her boots like a scolded child. "I'm not a superhero. I don't have a cape. I'm just a lab assistant, and a medical technician."

"Hm." the Longbow agent regarded her with a frown. "Where I come from, androids who offer comfort to the enemy are swiftly reconditioned. Go to your quarters and consider that, S-6."

"Yes sir..." Essex said sadly, slipping out of the briefing room.

Okay, here goes. :P

I'm somewhat new to the forums (Only about a month or two) so these are just my preliminary observations. D:

In General:

In general, I've found the CoX forums to be very different from any other sort of roleplaying experience I've had. There are a lot of people with a lot of characters from a lot of backgrounds, and that in and of itself is intriguing. Everyone has a very rich and personal history with their characters, and there is never any doubt as to anyone's skills and/or abilities.

A few criticisms, though - not directed at anyone in particular, but just things I've noticed on the boards:

- Invincibility. Nobody ever gets hit. There is always a solution for everything. I don't care what kind of super powers you have, you are going to get hit sometimes. Superman had Kryptonite; and if you don't want people to auto you, you have to show a sense of fairness and allow yourself to be affected by some adverse circumstances now and again.

- Auto-controlling. This was the ultimate hardest thing for me to come to grips with was the takeover of your characters by other people. The RPs I had participated in the past, this was a grave no-no. I even yelled at someone the first time it happened to me here. (I'm sorry about that by the way! ;_; ) I have since gotten used to it, but just keep in mind that it can be disconcerting to newcomers. I'm only glad that mostly everyone is fairly good about it, which relieves me greatly.

- Complication. I think this one is just me. I have so much trouble following threads sometimes and knowing exactly where I am and what's going on. XD;; But again; this is a girl who still gets lost in GC, so I don't have any sense of direction in the first place.

Now for specifics - As I've said, there are four people whose RP style I have fallen head-over-heels for in my limited time here. I will start with you four.

Soviet

Sovie, I've already critiqued you, but I just have to say it again.

I adore your Malta. XD

You've really made them your own; a colorful and inseperable little band of dynamite. I love Marcus' snark, Curtis' twang, and Reikoff makes me swoony. XD! D4 is always fun to play with when I'm playing Essex, and the rest of the Malta are like...the most creative hive-mind I've ever come into contact with. I really and truly hope, like the others have said, that they become in-game characters someday. That would be the end of my gaming career, though, because I don't think I'd be able to 'arrest' them. XP

Your RP style is great, too, aside from the great characters. You weave plots like a mastermind and have a lot of tactical knowledge that shines forth in your posts. Good show, Sovie. :P

Khel

OMG TOY FTW. <3 Your characters positively glow. You describe them with a depth to an extent that I can almost hear what their voices would sound like. You roleplay with expression, wit, and thought, and I can really tell. Your posts are easy to follow and fun, and every single one of your characters manages to be unpredictable while still being consistent. That is a difficult balance to maintain.

The personalities that you've given every one of your characters is amazing. Even down to the toys that Toy summons. Another thing about your posts that I enjoy is that you are sensible. Lord help me, we need more sensible people. Khel, you are one of the few...FEW....people I would trust with Essex in a setting outside this forum, like one of the aforementioned places I've RPed where such things were forbidden. You are observant and clear, and that's appreciated a lot. :P

Devious

Devious, the complexity of your ideas blows me away. I would never be able to get the intensity that you put forth with Vyachslav, Vern, Acid, Kerat...the others I've played with. That, and something about your posts just exudes...confidence. No matter what RP I see you in, you always seem to have things perfectly under control and straightened out in your mind. That is something I admire, especially since I can never keep anything straight. You have always shown an uncanny ability to weave complex and multidimensional stories, and then keep track of them no matter how bass-ackwards and convoluted they get. That, to me, is amazing. XD

One particular character of yours that I've fallen in love with is Vyachslav. He's powerful, sure, but you've given him this little sense of ...I'm not sure how to put this...innocence? Like a gentle giant who potentially has all the answers, but it's so cute to see him get overwhelmed. He is a very well-developed character and is a pleasure to interact with, like the rest of your C's. XP Thank you for giving me the opportunity to play with you; it's much appreciated and enjoyed.

Burning

Burning, I have no idea how you can keep track of all of your characters. You have so much going on, it's mind-boggling. The little Burning family unit and their seperate and diverse personalities, Blightlord and his cronies (Who scare the ever-loving bejeezus out of me, by the way. D: ), everyone is so distinct. Additionally, the way each character works is very clear - they have a sort of down-home integrity to them.

Another quality about your posts that I admire is that they're so easy to read and follow. You're literate, you're clear, you're straightforward and LINEAR, and I never come out of reading one of your posts confused to high heaven. You're a natural born storyteller and I enjoy interacting with your characters! XP I only wish you'd post more often. <.<

I've got more people to review, but I'll continue my tirade later. :P

I'm the same way, Khel.

And also...

Please critique my RPing style as you see fit - as I've said, I'm a relative n00b to this style and I hope I'm behaving properly. If you would be so kind as to suggest improvements to my style, I would be most appreciative. :P

I will critique others' styles when I have a solid chunk of time to sit and analyze.

For your reference, Sovie:

I adore the Malta. You've got them down to an art and interacting with them makes me giggle incessantly.

But aside from the Malta.

Your RP style is the perfect balance of power. I have never seen you commandeer an action or throw a punch that was not a fair call. You also have an amazing ability to follow threads that boggle me.

The only potential hiccup I see is something that is common on these forums (I've found - please don't shoot me, I'm a newbie to CoX style RPing) - Nobody ever gets hit. When there's a shred of ambiguity in the situation, there's always something in the bag of tricks to make sure that no major negative circumstances will befall people.

Again, that's just something in general I've seen; not just Sovie-Posts, so ignore that if necessary. :P There are four people on this forum whose RP style I've fallen in love with, you, my friend, are one of them. Cheers.

((FYI, I'm going to be gone all this weekend. No more updates are likely until Sunday from me. D: Just move around my characters wherever you like.))

Zealstorm's sensors blipped at the approach of the missiles.

"...?"

Finishing out her massive leap, her already modified jumping shocks greatly enhanced by the low gravity, she used the momentum from the landing to plunge her energy-charged fists into the ground.

"Calculating trajectory - allowance for low gravity - and...."

Zealstorm leapt into the air, shards of pumice in her arms. With blinding speed, she punched the stones towards the approaching missiles, delivering the last one with a midair flipkick.

The missiles exploded prematurely with a shockwave of fire and force, blotted out by the thin atmosphere after a moment.

Zealstorm descended through the fire, sticking the landing perfectly before vanishing.

"You have great skill."

The voice of Zealstorm was low and echoed from just behind Unit 1. She had watched him dispose of the unfortunate 5th Column....er...Columnist? 5th Columnist? Is that right? No matter. While he had been distracted killing the man, she had quickly moved in towards the airlock.

With those words, the small side exit opened and she was gone.

Rocketing over the Lunar surface, Zealstorm surveyed her surroundings with cold calculation. THis would be fun.