Mna_Grok

Follow-up to my own response.

These ideas came to me while sitting on the bus home from work, staring mindlessly out the window.

The end-product may be cool, however, the process by which you get there is not necessarily cool.

The thread that I started in this section (Rescuing the Rescuers) is not something that I think of as being roleplaying. I think of that more as interactive storytelling. To me, roleplaying is more immediate and interactive.

Lstar wrote
[ QUOTE ]
She took comfort as she looked to her right thru the her now completely messed up hair and saw Cocotte just before he ….

[/ QUOTE ]

Cocotte watched the hero clinging to the roof, and saw her start to fall, spinning in a somersault as she did so.

DId everyone take gymnastics but me in high school??

((I will use italics to reveal what he is thinking atthe time))

As she came out of the somersault, her feet extended and heading quite rapidly towards an unexpecting Hellion, he reached out his hand and with a mental twist, dropped a pool of darkess at their feet. It seemed to leach at their very soul and slow them down. It sprang into existance at the same moment as the unfortunate hellion had a rather unexpected meeting with a pair of smallish feet.

One down. Now to do something about those Lieutenants. That girl down their is probably pretty good, but is probably not up to dodging bullets yet

With another mental twist, Cocotte opened up a direct conduit to the darkness and attached it to the guy holding the sawed-off shotgun. After a few seconds, he and all of the 'bangers around him seemed somewhat distracted. Their movements more jerky and unco-ordinated, it was clear that they were now less of a threat, although still dangerous.

While all this was going on, he hears a large explosion behind him as well as through the communications system, and spares a quick look. Seeing Unix in obviously bad shape, he quickly alters his plan of attack.

Changing focus from the shotgun wielder to the one with the unmodified weapon, he unleashes another mental twist.If they don't know I am here now, the requirements for getting into the Hellions have dropped quite a ways. With a shudder, a cloud of inky darkness slowly crosses the distance between the shotgun-wielding thug and Cocotte. Hitting his body, he mentally twists again and transforms it into a comforting embrace. Won't do much to the hero below, she is pretty healthy, but it should help Unix a bit.

[ QUOTE ]
Are you calling yourself uncool??? Seriously. If you like to RP and think it's cool, then don't knock it...especially if you participate in it yourself. Sheesh. Talk about lack of self confidence. Don't be embarrassed about your own creativity.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think perhaps that we are just using different definitions of cool here. My wife is a teacher. A highschool teacher. Coaches the cheerleading squad. I am the manager of the team (That can be correctly interpreted as I carry the heavy stuff and provide snacks). The definition of "cool" that I am using is the one that they (the cheerleaders) would use. In the limited realm of MMORPG players that also participate in RP, than yes, it would be cool. In the broader realm of cool that I am using, it is not. I apologize to all those who were offended by my saying RP is not cool. I stand by my assertion, that in my opinion RP is not cool. That being said, I do enjoy RP quite a bit and find it very challenging and tricky to pull off well. I am going to regurgitate Checksum here a bit: Confusion on a Messgae board?? Who'da thunk it??

I like to RP. Do I find it interesting, yes. Do I enjoy creating the situations and characters, yes. Do I appreciate the work and effort that goes into RP'ing well (be it in game or on these boards)?? Hell yeah I do. Do I think it is cool (using the above definition)?? No.

Cool is, like book and movie reviews, very subjective. What I enjoy and find cool and interesting (and those are directly dependant on my opinions and definitions of cool and interesting) should have no bearing on what others think is cool or interesting.

As for me being uncool. I know I am uncool. I dress for comfort, not style. My wife often shakes her head with what I am wearing and tells me to change my clothes. The words geek[1] and nerd have (and will continue to be) applied to me and I would be hardpressed to dispute those claims.

[1] my definition of geek follows #2 here , not #1.


EDIT: PS - Thanks for the mention of my thread. I can hhonestly admit that my ego is stroked that (as of last I checked) 240 people have read it and find it interesting.

[ QUOTE ]
Let me put it this way. The guy wasn't roleplaying. It was clear. He was acting OOC. He was just hitting on me. And he stopped. No big deal. Water off a duck's back.

[/ QUOTE ]

You say he was acting OOCly. He says he was roleplaying. Until we can read his mind, I am willing to give him benefit of the doubt.

[ QUOTE ]
RP is much cooler than that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Please tell me you forgot the smiley after that phrase. Because, I am forced to admit, there is no way that RP is considered a "cool" thing to do.

Geeky - Yes.
Nerdy - Yes.
A bully Magnet - Yes.
A "chick" Magnet - No.
Cool - No.

lstar wrote:
[ QUOTE ]
She quickly decided she should warn who ever this was before they stumbled into the ambush wait only a few meters down the hall. “hello…………..?”

[/ QUOTE ]

Cocotte watched with a bit of amasement as Unix contorted herself and slid back into the vent they had just come from. He wasn't sure, but he didn't think that she had touched the bottom of the vent while doing that. have to get her to show me how she did that

Watching her disappear as she shrouded herself, he decided to check out what she reported to have found in the other rooms. He quickly reported the information back to Mother Hen, and then travelled along the vents to confirm the information.

As he approached the ambush site, he allowed the darkness to flow through him and ooze from his pores. He was never sure how it worked, but somehow the boiling black smoke rolling off his body made him harder to spot, even in broad daylight. It cost him a bit of speed if he wanted to stay within it's effects , but the payoff was well worth it.

Laying down on his stomach, he inched along the vent, careful to not make any noises or buckle the vent. Reaching a grate, he looked through it. Sure enough, there was the ambush. About 10 strong, mostly lower-level members of the Hellions, it didn't look like there were any of those damned Damned in the group.That will make this hallway a whole lot easier to handle Waiting and watching for a little while longer, his patience was rewarded with a pair of shotgun-wielding Lieutenants come into view. 12 in total, that's about the right size to be with two LT's.

He watched a bit longer, looking for patterns and looking for weaknesses. Out of the corner of his eye, barely visible from the vent, he saw another hero, hanging, somehow, by her fingertips and sheer force of will. Watching further, he saw her muscles tense. well, time to introduce myself to these guys

Sliding the vent out of the way, he waited for the girl to make her move.

((SteeleMagnolia, check your box for a PM before you reply))

[ QUOTE ]
Actually, he did stop. It wasn't a big deal to me, personally. The thing that got me was that he considered it roleplaying. I wasn't offended sexually. I was offended as a roleplayer. To do something that lame and call it roleplaying, you know? There are so many great things you can do in character. Anyway, thanks for the responses!

[/ QUOTE ]

You were offended as a roleplayer.

You will excuse me if I see that as a pretty arrogant position to take.

The fact that you arbitrarily decided that his method of RP is unacceptable or not up to your standards of RP is, in my opinion, not a shining example of your ability to RP. TO me, it appears that, to you, the only form of RP that is acceptable is the kind that you do (Whatever that is).

His character could have been extremely friendly, a flirt, someone whose soul has been brought forward from the "cowboy" era.

That being said, there is always the possibility that he was being a jerk.

In any case, like the poster above me said:

[ QUOTE ]

If it's an IC action and it only offends you OOCly, get over it.
OOC action that offends you OOCly, talk to the person try to get them to stop.
IC that offends you ICly, get the person to stop by in character means.
IC that offends OOCly, best bet is to just leave.


[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
((Curies's Dream is an level 11 Rad/Rad defender. He does have Mutate (rez) if we need it.. and I hope you do not mind a newb butting in... and I assume that the red guys was not in the car park, or MRs. Fields would have legged it long since))

[/ QUOTE ]

((Come on in, the water's fine. Looks like we have a defender strike force here. Should be fun. The "lawn dart" was on the grass to one side of the building. As for Mrs Fields, while not a hero, she is a pretty tough old biddy, with an overwhelming concern for Marcel/Cocotte.

Seeing as how it is Christmas Eve, and I am not likely to have a whole lot of time to post over the holidays, feel free to dop the thread until the new year..

Have a Merry Christmas all!!!))

lstar wrote:
[ QUOTE ]
“Anyway you slice it right now it’s a death wish please tell me you have some more help coming?”

[/ QUOTE ]

((Well, if no-one else show up soon, I will just make up some other characters.))

Istar wrote

[ QUOTE ]
I would rather take the vents thus avoiding walking directly into the jaws of certain death.”

[/ QUOTE ]

<mumbles to himself> "You've never met Mrs Fields before..."

[ QUOTE ]
She gracefully swung up into the air vent. “Come on up I hear the vents are warm this time of year. I think I heard some type of fight up ahead.”

[/ QUOTE ]

"Right behind you."

As he is about to jump up, there is a crash of glass and a thud outside. Taking a quick peek through the window, Cocotte can see a body encased in red armor with a severely singed cape lying limply on the ground.

"Hold on a sec..."

Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a small vial. He throws it through the window, striking the figure and releasing a greenish cloud.

"Whoever that was, that should keep them stable while they recover. They were wearing armor, and their cape was singed. Badly. That can only mean that we have at least one boss in the building somewhere. Probably more."

He followed her up into the ventilation system, passing along the information to Mother Hen.

"Sure hope we get some more help here soon."

((Still more room for players here.!!!))

Istar wrote
[ QUOTE ]
...Ls Unix and yes I am here to assist you, no I am not from your agency. Guess that was three questions. Now what is going on here and who is that laughing?”

[/ QUOTE ]

"I wish I know. I was being strong-armed by the old lady who lives across the hall from me to pick out a 'companion'. When we got here, I found the door ripped off it's hinges, saw the flames in the reception, and deduced that this is not the normal way a Canine rescue organisation does things. I sent the old lady to get back-up and came in to see what I could do to help."

<fumbles around in cleverly hidden pockets>

"Here, slip this into your ear and stick this on your throat, right like mine." <shows neck> "It is a secure communications channel, should help keep the confusion down a bit. LEt me tell base that you are on this channel."

"Mother Hen this is Cocotte, prepare for another voice to be on this channel. Ls Unix was already inside the building."

<to Ls Unix>"My agency's sources indicate a surge in Hellion activity in this area. That, combined with the flames leads me to believe they are involved but, beyond that, I don't know. I suspect that they are looking for something based on, well..." <indicates the mess inthe reception area with his head>" Did you see anything while you were hidden??"

((Welcome to the fun. Cocotte is a DDD, L12>>

[ QUOTE ]
I for one, welcome our new Kheldian overlords!!!

(bonus points for correctly identifying the quote)

[/ QUOTE ]

Pshaw. Kent Brockman during the live broadcast when Homer goes to space and accidentally smashes the ant farm.

Personally, I think we will all be saved from the Kheldians by the inanimate carbon rod!!

((When people post, could you include the last line of the message that you are replying to as well as who wrote it?? Might help keep things clearer.))

MarsBar wrote
[ QUOTE ]
...Continuing towards the building, a dark cloud envelopped him as he walked up the stairs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Summoning the darkness that was always whispering to him, Marcel hid himself. He was not quite sure how it worked, but even though he was in plain sight, people seemed to look right by him when he did this. Breathing a bit easier, he rounded the corner and pulled off his sweater, revealing the outfit he always wore underneath. A quick flick of the wrist dropped gloves and a bob of the head allowed him to pull the mask up over his face. With the mask securely in place, he felt a whole different personality come to the fore. Cocotte, a spirit that had been with him since, well, forever, and used his body to work off a debt owed to something not existing in this plane of existance. He felt his footsteps slow and become more sure as millenia of experience filled him.

Standing in the door, confident in his concealment, Cocotte looked into the room. The reception area had been completely trashed and small fires were burning here and there. Scorch marks and ashes showed other areas where fires had burnt themselves out. There was a cmputer on the floor, the monitor thrown through the wall into the adjoining offices. Paper scattered all over the floor, combined with the filing cabinets and drawers opened and emptied showed that someone had been searching for something.

Laughter continued to echo throughout the building as he decided what to do. If Mrs Fields had done her job, he though to himself, there everyone else should be joining me shortly. The question is, do I wait now and risk allowing innocents in here to get injured, or do I press on.

The earphone in his mask came alive with a short hiss.

"Mother Hen to Cocotte, Code Bravo received, backup on the way. Be careful, an increase in Hellions activity has been reported in the area surrounding your location."

With a click of his tongue against the roof of his mouth, he acknowledged receipt of the message, relaxing a bit knowing his vitals were being monitored.

Looking around, he saw series of timecards scattered on a desk.

Ah-ha, I can tell how many employees should be in the building still.

Shuffling through them rapidly, I know that working at McDonalds would come in hand one of these days he rapidly determined that there were two employees who had clocked in this morning and had not punched out yet.

Sliding back out the door, he saw two cars in the parking lot whew, Mrs Fields has moved across the street and a bike in the bike rack outside.

That makes at least 3 people inside.

Speaking softly, he passed the message on to Mother Hen that there were at least 3 civilians inside, and that he would be moving slowly throughout the main floor of the three story building to search for them.

MarsBar wrote
[ QUOTE ]
...Opening another window on her computer, she entered the GPS co-ordinates along with the street asdress and name of the building, and sent it out over the communications network.

[/ QUOTE ]

Around the city, pagers and cell phones went off, summoning heroes to the PCCR building.

((this is an opening for a couple of more people to jump in if you feel like it. Maybe 2 or three more, to make a group size of about 5 or 6 people in total. Anyone interested in joining, drop a message in here if you don't have a chance to get something on the wire))

From Prodiguy
[ QUOTE ]
..., but who might be inside... except dogs?"

[/ QUOTE ]

Mrs fields jumped away from the window with a muffled shout as she heard a tap on the window. She had been so focussed on the cell phone, willing it to ring with some information, she hadn't seen the figure in the cape and red armor walk up to her window. She stared at him, not really sure what was going on.

"Who's in there ma'am? I need to know."

"My neighbour, Marcel. The lady on the phone called him Cocottus."

Just then, there was a series of rapid cracks followed by the sound of glass hitting the ground.

"Ma'am, you had better get around the corner out of sight. Do you know if anyone else is in there??Staff, customers, anyone??"

"No, we had just gotten here and we saw the door ripped off the hinges. He sent me back to the car and gave me this cell phone, then he went back in. You have to help him!!"

((Come-on down!!!))

((I have a lot of stuff in the air IRL, so forgive me if this takes time. I also have no clue where this is going, so bear with me.

As I mentioned before, anyone else that feels like playing along, feel free to join me. I know I would like to keep it at lower levels (14 and below) simply because that is what I have played up to...

Here is a short dose to keep you happy.))

Rescuing the Rescuers, Part 2

As she closed her car door Mrs Fields watched the inky cloud evaporate as Marcel turned the corner. His bearing had changed as he walked up the stairs. No longer loose and relaxed, a tension filled his body and his gait transformed from any easy walk to a purpose-filled glide. Sitting in her car, she locked the door and tried to dial the phone.

"Damn these cell phones, I can never figure them out" she cried in frustration as she stared urgently at the buttons.

After several minutes of frustration, she finally manages to dial out, putting the phone to her ear aas she waits for someone to pick up.

"Come-on, come on. Someone answer this darned phone."

With a click, she hears the phone pick up and and bored sounding voice answers the phone.

"Jacque's Handyman Services, no call is too small. How may we help you."

"Oh, I am sorry, I think I got the wrong number. You can't help." she says with a hint of desperation and panic.

"Help with what ma'am. We have very many experienced contractors on call."

"I don't know what is wrong, I was told to dial this number and tell you code Bravo-"

At that word, the demeanor of the secretary changed in an instant. If MRs fields had been able to see to the office where the phone was answered, she would have seen a rush of organised chaos as the receptionist turned on monitors and activated beacons. Metal grates slid down quietly over the windows and quickly locked shut with an ominous KA-CHUNK. The receptionist replaced the handet that she had been using with a headset and quickly opened a window on her computer.

"Calm down ma'am, I will have contractors at your location as soon as we can. Where is the problem located."

"The Paragon City Canine Rescue building."

"And who told you to call ma'am"

"Marcel, the young man who lives across from me, he said to say that Coconut was requesting back-up" she cried with an edge of hysteria entering her voice.

"Coconut, we don't have anyon...Did he say Coconut, or Cocotte?"

"Cocotte, yes, that is it!! Please hurry!!" This last came out as a scream as Mrs Fields heard a loud whoosh and saw a cloud of darkness leaking through the windows.

"Yes ma'am. We will get someone there as fast as possible. I am going to hang up on you now, but you need to do something. Get away from the building, and please keep the cell phone with you. If you see anything else. Anything else at all, call back and let me know. If the phone rings, answer it, I may have information for you. <click>"

With the click, the once sedate secretary moved quickly. Typing rapidly, she brought up a window which showed Cocotte's vital signs and enabled her to communicate with him.

"Mother Hen to Cocotte, Code Bravo received, backup on the way. Be careful, an increase in Hellions activity has been reported in the area surrounding your location." The acknowledging click relieved a bit of her tension and she focussed on calling up the profiles of the on-call members, deciding who to call.

With a quick mental review of the information she had on the happenings in the area around PCCR, she quickly determined who would be required. Opening another window on her computer, she entered the GPS co-ordinates along with the street asdress and name of the building, and sent it out over the communications network.

[ QUOTE ]
OOC: For not having much experience at RPing, you're doing just fine writing. Post more! Your fans await!

[/ QUOTE ]

((Thanks. I will try to keep writing, and if anyone else wants to join in and play, feel free to do so. Drop me a PM and we can discuss where it (the story) feels like it should go.

As for me being a pervert...Well duhhh, I am a male. ))

Whoah!!! This rocks!! Just found this today and read through the whole thing. I look forwad to reading more.

((I am very (read have none) inexperienced in RPing in a forum, but would like to give it a shot. Please be gentle and, if you see something that I should change or do differently, please don't hesitate to let me know. I won't cry too much. Thanks))

Honey, I'm home!!" he yelled as he opened the door to his apartment.

"Did you get a girlfriend while I was on vacation Marcel??" asked the lady with the apartment across from him.

"No Mrs Field, I didn't", he replied, pausing before entering the apartment, "Although you know what they say about the power of positive thinking, maybe if I say it enough often enough, I will end up with one" he said with a self-mocking smile.

"2 months in Paragon City and you still haven't left your apartment except to go to work. Not healthy for a man your age. My grand-daughter, Shirley, might be able to help with some companionship, if you are looking for something."

"Um, your granddaughter, that would be kinda wierd", he interjected.

Ignoring the interruption, Mrs Fields continued over the objections. "Could even arrange for something tonight if you aren't too picky. Are you interested? Of course, you are, strong young man like you. Come with me."

With a strained look on his face, Marcel allowed himself to be pulled down the stairs by the 85 year old grandmother who was doing a very good job of ignoring his objections.

"But...Hold on...Just a second...I'm busy..Wait a minute..."

"Get in the car, and be quiet, or the next time I bake some cookies, you aren't getting any," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Yes ma'am", he sighed, his 6 ft tall, 200 lb frame radiating disappointment as he folded into the sub compact car.

Driving, Mrs Fields kept up her chatter, every sentence causing Marcel to look more and more depressed.

"She has quite a wide selection. Big ones, little ones. Fast ones, strong ones, skinny ones, chubby ones. Some of them have even been through numerous training programs"

"Training programs??" he choked out.

"In fact, she got some real young ones in last week, and they are just about ready to be chosen. I bet that's what you would liek, wouldn't you?? A young one that you can train just the way that you want."

"STOP IT!! I don't know what kind of guy you think I am Mrs Fields, but I am not sure that I want what you are offering me" he yelled, agitation quite evident on his face in the glow from the neon sign on the side of the building they had stopped in front of. Not looking up, he whispered, "please take me home".

"Well, it's too late now, we are here, the least you can do is come inside and take a look. You never know, some of them are very cute."

Looking up at the sign with a look of revulsion on his face, he did a double take and got a very embarrassed look on his face.

<<Paragon City Canine Rescue>>

((You are all a bunch of perverts. Every one of you!!))

With a note of contrition in his voice, he started to apologize to Mrs Fields.

"I am really sorry Mrs Fields. Umm, you see. When you were talking about what your granddaughter did and could offer, I had a whole other thing in mind. I am really sorry"

Mrs Fields paused halfway out the door as he started speaking. Once he finished, her shoulders started shaking.

"I am sooo sorry Mrs. Fields, really, please don't tell your...Are you laughing!!! You knew all along I had the wrong idea didn't you!!"

"I am sooo sorry Marcel, it was too precious an opportunity to pass up. Will you forgive this evil old lady??"

"For a double batch of your chocolate chip cookies, I will consider it. Now lets go see these dogs your granddaughter has."

Getting out of the car, he walked around the car and helped Mrs Fields up the stairs and around the corner to the entrance of the building.

They paused as they saw the front door ajar, hanging off of one of it's hinges. An orange flickering glow was reflecting off the glass, and laughing could be heard coming from inside.

"Ohhh Marcel, we had better call the police. This doesn't look right."

Reaching the car, he gave her his cellphone and started back towards the building, saying over his shoulder. "Take this cellphone and dial speed-dial one. Tell the receptionist that the location is the Paragon City Canine Rescue Building, it is code Bravo, and that Cocotte is requesting backup."

Continuing towards the building, a dark cloud envelopped him as he walked up the stairs.

((Like Emmanuel, this is also my first time RPing. Be gentle with me also. Why do I get the impression of the blind leading the blind...))

"Honey, I'm home!!" he yelled as he opened the door to his apartment.

"Did you get a girlfriend while I was on vacation Marcel??" asked the lady with the apartment across from him.

"No Mrs Field, I didn't", he replied, pausing before entering the apartment, "Although you know what they say about the power of positive thinking, maybe if I say it enough often enough, I will end up with one" he said with a self-mocking smile.

"2 months in Paragon City and you still haven't left your apartment except to go to work. Not healthy for a man your age. My grand-daughter, Shirley, might be able to help with some companionship, if you are looking for something."

"Um, your granddaughter, that would be kinda wierd", he interjected.

Ignoring the interruption, Mrs Fields continued over the objections. "Could even arrange for something tonight if you aren't too picky. Are you interested? Of course, you are, strong young man like you. Come with me."

With a strained look on his face, Marcel allowed himself to be pulled down the stairs by the 85 year old grandmother who was doing a very good job of ignoring his objections.

"But...Hold on...Just a second...I'm busy..Wait a minute..."

"Get in the car, and be quiet, or the next time I bake some cookies, you aren't getting any," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Yes ma'am", he sighed, his 6 ft tall, 200 lb frame radiating disappointment as he folded into the sub compact car.

Driving, Mrs Fields kept up her chatter, every sentence causing Marcel to look more and more depressed.

"She has quite a wide selection. Big ones, little ones. Fast ones, strong ones, skinny ones, chubby ones. Some of them have even been through numerous training programs"

"Training programs??" he choked out.

"In fact, she got some real young ones in last week, and they are just about ready to be chosen. I bet that's what you would liek, wouldn't you?? A young one that you can train just the way that you want."

"STOP IT!! I don't know what kind of guy you think I am Mrs Fields, but I am not sure that I want what you are offering me" he yelled, agitation quite evident on his face in the glow from the neon sign on the side of the building they had stopped in front of. Not looking up, he whispered, "please take me home".

"Well, it's too late now, we are here, the least you can do is come inside and take a look. You never know, some of them are very cute."

Looking up at the sign with a look of revulsion on his face, he did a double take and got a very embarrassed look on his face.

<<Paragon City Canine Rescue>>

((You are all a bunch of perverts. Every one of you!!))

With a note of contrition in his voice, he started to apologize to Mrs Fields.

"I am really sorry Mrs Fields. Umm, you see. When you were talking about what your granddaughter did and could offer, I had a whole other thing in mind. I am really sorry"

Mrs Fields paused halfway out the door as he started speaking. Once he finished, her shoulders started shaking.

"I am sooo sorry Mrs. Fields, really, please don't tell your...Are you laughing!!! You knew all along I had the wrong idea didn't you!!"

"I am sooo sorry Marcel, it was too precious an opportunity to pass up. Will you forgive this evil old lady??"

"For a double batch of your chocolate chip cookies, I will consider it. Now lets go see these dogs your granddaughter has."

Getting out of the car, he walked around the car and helped Mrs Fields up the stairs and around the corner to the entrance of the building.

They paused as they saw the front door ajar, hanging off of one of it's hinges. An orange flickering glow was reflecting off the glass, and laughing could be heard coming from inside.

"Ohhh Marcel, we had better call the police. This doesn't look right."

Reaching the car, he gave her his cellphone and started back towards the building, saying over his shoulder. "Take this cellphone and dial speed-dial one. Tell the receptionist that the location is the Paragon City Canine Rescue Building, it is code Bravo, and that Cocotte is requesting backup."

Continuing towards the building, a dark cloud envelopped him as he walked up the stairs.

[ QUOTE ]
What emotes do you want for your Villian?

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know if it has been mentioned yet.

I saw a couple of people mention the finger across the throat thing, I would also add a variant of that to the list. The thumb across the throat. For an example, watch the WWE and the wrestler Chris Benoit.

Marcel

[ QUOTE ]
(OOC: I though it might be fun to interview some peoples characters and then edit the interview like I did in this topic: Interview with a norm . Imagine your hero is being interviewed by the reporter Steven Harris under the false pretense that he is doing a positive documentary on heroes. Just fill in the blanks between the questions and I'll re-edit them as Steven Harris for Behind the Mask later on to give them a different spin. ))

[/ QUOTE ]

((Thank you for putting forth the effort to do this. This is my first time at RP, so be gentle, and if you see me in Infinity, say hi!!))

Harris: First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to appear on the program.

Marcel: Thanks.

Harris: Could you tell the viewers at home a little bit about how and why you became a hero.

Marcel: Sure.

/stands up in heroic pose with big toothy smile

Because I wanted to fight for Truth!! Justice!! and the Canadian way!!

/sits down with goofy looking grin.

Sorry, had to do that. A buddy of mine at home now owe's me a box of Beavertails for doing that.

Anyways. On to the thruth, as as much anyone knows of the truth. I was always a bit of a loner in school. You know the type. Smart enough to be liked by all the teachers, smart enough to be hated by the rest of the kids 'cause I liked school. Smart enough to be protected by the bullies because I helped them with their homework. Not an ideal life, but my life. Never really into team sports or anything like that. About the time I started secondaire 1, umm that would be grade 7 or 8 down here I think, I started taking martial arts. My parents forced me into it at first. "Don't want you spending all of your time in the basement in front of that computer."

Here I found something that just seemed right. You know that feeling. When something you do just fits with your soul and seems to be not something that you are learning, but something that you are remembering. That is what it felt like to me. So I kept in it. Spent most of my free time it it, and even went into the more spiritual side of it. The meditation thing, all of that. At the time, I was trying to better myself. Now I realize that I was already who I was destined to be, I just had to realize it.

I went to tournaments, fought. Won some, lost some. Wasn't at the top, but at the same time, wasn't a complete pushover. The other competitors respected me, which isn't as uncommon as you would think.

/Marcel's eyes lose focus. Pitch of his voice flattens.

A couple of weeks ago, there was a fundraiser for CHEO, a local children's hospital in my hometown. I was asked to do a demonstration. I agreed, and said I would get back to them with what i would need. I called some of my competitors and asked them if they wanted to be involved. I got a bunch from each of the disciplines. They all seemed enthusiastic. 20 of the top competitors, having fun. That was it. We started the show. Then, it happened. Remember those portals that opened up here a couple of weeks ago. Well, one opened up at home, near the hospital. Didn't last very long, but one or two...things...came through. Started killing kids, parents, doctors and nurses. We tried. We did what we could. The top martial artists in the world, and we were useless. They shrugged us off like we were mosquitos. I don't know how I survived. Last thing I remember is flying through the air and hitting a wall. They said later that the bushes I hit broke my fall.

I woke up in the hospital 1 week ago. Had the wierdest dreams. All the other competitors saying goodbye, and passing me something. I don't know what. I woke up, and found I was, different. Stronger. My movements were more precise. More athletic. Tougher. I healed faster than the Dr's had ever seen.

I heard on the news that Paragon City was the only other place that these cretures were seen. I need to be here.

Harris: What would you say is the greatest reward for being a hero?

Marcel: The kids. Seeing them able to be kids.

Harris: Have you ever found there is any drawback to being a hero?

Marcel: What. You mean besides the zero possibility of getting a date?? Yeah, there are downsides. Just because I am a hero, doesn't mean that I went to some hero school that teaches me how to unlock your car, I can't fix your ADSL. Also, do you know what the insurance rates on my apartment are like??

Harris: What is going through your mind when you are in a dangerous situation that could lead to civilian casualties? That must be a scary situation.

Marcel: It is hard to say. there is always a part of me that is worried about that. I guess that is why I never got into any guns or stuff like that. There are techniques that I can use to attack at a distance, but if I miss...where does it end up?? I can get teleported to the hospital, one of the "perks" of doing this. Civilians can't. That is why I get sent to the hospital more often than average. If I have to go to the hospital to let a civilian get away. So be it.

Harris: How do you feel about people that use their powers for crime like the outcast or the super villains we starting to see around the city?

Marcel: Do you want the PC version or my version...<laughs> The PC version my government preaches is that you need to talk with them, have a dialogue and find out what demons drive them and resolve it peacefully. I think that talk is credit, and I am the cash that is used to cover the bills when the credit card company comes calling. They have all had their chance. They saw what happened in the invasions, the deaths that occurred. They stated where they stand by their actions.

Harris: What do you think is going through these criminals minds when they commit these acts?

Marcel: I wish I knew. I know that there are some that are thinking of buying formula for their baby, or food for thier dog when they are doing this. That is why I never use lethal force. If you kill them, they don't get a chance to reconsider, travel the straight and narrow.

Harris: How do you feel about the various anti hero and anti mutant groups that believe heroes course more problems then they solve? Given the amount of work heroes do for the city this must be quite upsetting.

Marcel: It is, but at the same time, it isn't. All of the great democracies have a tradition of opposition, dissent, stuff like that. It is all part of the democracy. They are exploiting a feeling that does exist in the population, and it would be wrong of any hero to ignore it. That being said, if they want heros to go away, show me that they can protect this city as well as we can.

Harris: and finally, have you ever worked along side the Statesman? What is he like?

Marcel: Statesman. Heck, I have enough trouble working up the courage to talk to Blue Steel, Ms. Liberty and the other trainers out there without worrying about what to say to Statesman.

Harris: I would like to thank you for coming on the show and on behalf of the citizens of Paragon city thank you for keeping the streets safe

Marcel: Thanks. My pleasure. And if you see me on the streets, say hi!!


Marcel

[ QUOTE ]
so, just so I understand the scenario. If I buy City of Villains and City of Heroes, then I can choose to log in as one faction or the other on the same server. (Exactly like the way DAOC does it?)

And if I am new to the game then I can choose either faction to buy and play the game with that, on the same servers as everyone else, i just don't have the option to switch and play the hero side?

Is this correct for those of us that are confused by one, the other or both?

[/ QUOTE ]

Here is the way I understand it.

If you buy only CoH, you pay 1 monthly subscription fee and can play with any of the Issues that have come out for CoH.

If you buy only CoV, you pay 1 monthly subscription fee and can play with any of the Issues that have come out for CoV.

If you buy both, you pay 1 monthly subscription fee and can play either CoH or CoV, choosing which one to play each time you log on. I imagine the choice will be made by deciding to play either CoH or CoV (which Icon you click to start the program from Windows).

There will be, as I understand it, some features common to the game. PvP interactions IIRC.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Last statement from States on the issue was that the current plan was for the $15/month would cover one, the other, or both.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, I've read that somewhere, too.

One fee will be valid for CoV, CoH or Both.

[/ QUOTE ]

My understanding is that if you want to play CoV, you will have to pay for the expansion. It will be priced at whatever it will be priced at. i suspect that it will be close to that of CoH when it first came out.

You will be able to play CoH or CoV or both, for 1 monthly subscription fee.

Looks good, but I would change one thing. Where he says "I am drawn to this strange Gem", it sounds very forced.

As opposed to that, maybe you could add a bit of backstory. Maybe some pictures of them going spelunking and collecting cool looking rocks.

Then, after the burial, he goes home and one of the rocks is glowing.

Then he picks it up and merges with his brother.