Dilema - Medieval Post-Apocalyptic Adventure

[Tomo2000 60]

It's been 3 hours after what has only been called "Dilema" started. Dilema is a virus with, currently, no cure. This virus has currently killed over 10 times the people the black plauge did. The world is falling apart; entire cities wiped of life and left abandoned for the brave bandits or adventurers to scoure for resources and supplies.

 

The world we currently live in is called "Aydora". Aydora was once a lush and beautiful land, put it seems the virus also attacks living creatures that arn't human; animals and plantlife. Recent discoveries have proven that trees somehow, in a way, refuel the air we breathe and replenish it but with this virus it may cause the world to loose all of its oxygen. This is only a worst case scenario, however.

 

Aydora has 8 towns that run through it. The survivors of the initial outbreaks have been told of some kind of "Safe Haven" near the Forbidden Forest. Only one problem remains; why would it be there? That is where this whole mess started in the first place; that's why the bridge between the mainland and that acursed island was severed. What is really going on? Only a hand few will ever find out if they can muster the strength to venture on.

 

A map of Aydora

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff188/Torchick_1928/TheMap.png

 

To be a part of this RP you must fill out the following sheet;

Name (First and Last, preferably):
Age:
Race (Human, Elven or one of your own):
Weapon:
Home Town (Only Swordfish Bay, Koral Coast or Insignia island):
Description:

 

By Starting at one of those home towns it makes everyone close together and easier to find one another. Good luck and have fun.

[Tomo2000 60]

Name: Emma Heartstone

Age: 19

Race: Elven

Weapon: The Backened-Silver Battle Axe. A rich Elven weapon, usually only those who wield it have a rich and powerful family.

Home Town: Koral Coast.

Description: Emma belongs to a rich family. Her family was stuck with violence between the eldest son and her mother while she was at a young age. This caused her to develope an unnamed Phobia of the opposite sex/gender. Physical contact from males can lead to possible injuries. This is why she was sent to live with her Grandmother in a small farm on the Koral Coast.

[Tomo2000 60]

"I remember when it started... It was just meant to be another day. Another ordinary day. Today was meant to be Grandmothers "Bed Day". Every sunday always was, so I would have to do the chores. I took a horse and travelled to Wedsville, the lumber town just North of Koral Coast. I remember the horses whinnying and bucking before we were even in sight; knocking me off and the horse running away. I had scraped my knee in the event but not too badly."

 

"Upon entering Wedsville I must have nearly fainted at the sight; dead bodies pathed the paths, flies eating their horrid corpses and a disgusting green ooze in the air. I can't remember what happened after that... Everything happened so fast... I remember an old man, must have been nearly dead from the virus, wandering towards me. "Hhheeeeeeeeelp" he moaned. I couldn't move... My fear had taken control of my body. "Pppllleeeeeeeeease hhheeeeeeeeelp," he continued to moan... When he was close enough... I-I decapitated the old fool."

 

"Crying and heart-pounding I ran home. It didn't seem long but I suppose the adrenaline helped with the most of it. When I got back my grandmother was still in bed. I thought nothing of it until the next day when she didn't wake up. The churches Priest, an old friend of my grandmother, said that she passed away peacefully in her sleep and that she wouldn't be happy up in heaven, watching me in my current state; sad and depressed. Obviously, from the time he entered the house to the time he left I kept my distance. He understood what I was going through; he was a good friend."

[OverlordMao 0]

Name: Necro Ororirth (Necro is just a title, he lost his last name when he became a necromancer)

Age: Unknown (He's dead)

Race: Demon/Human (He's really a Necromancer.)

Weapon: Bone Staff. A powerful staff crafted of the most darkest material. No one living may ever touch it, or else...

(Sorry, no picture. It looks similar to the Lich's Bone Wand from Ragnarok Online, but more darker/eviler)

Home Town: Insignia Island (Where he was born as a human, anyway)

Description: Born as a human, he came into contact with his weapon when as a young kid (about 5~7 years of age). Back then, he always wanted to learn spells and the like. Being sent into a black vortex and becoming a Necromancer-In-Training did just that. Returning back to "the world of the living," under his three master's orders, he had to go and find the cause of the Dilema. Before becoming a necromancer, however, he was friends with Emma Heartstone.

 

"It was a curse I had to live with. Almost 12 human years ago, on this very date for the human calander, I began my training as a necromancer. However, today was the only day my masters could let me leave this world. 'From the time you came, we had to remember the very day,' they told me, 'For the only time you may travel back, is the very day you came here.'

 

"When I returned to the world of the living (or as I called it, existence) it was about the same time that Emma had entered Wedsville, although I had no idea she was even alive at the time. One of my masters was able to communicate with me telepathically, and told me to head for Koral Coast. I wasn't sure why, until I got there...

 

"'It couldn't be her,' I kept telling myself, 'the Dilema must have gotten her.' I wasn't even sure it was her, yet at the same time I could tell it was her. 'Emma was hit by the Dilema, that just can't be her!' It was Emma, and although she couldn't see Ororirth, he saw her clearly. Ororirth wanted to say something, anything would have worked, but he said nothing. All he did was run. He ran all the way to Wedsville, and saw the same thing Emma did.

 

"It was worse for Emma, when she saw all the dead bodies. I guess that just comes with being a necromancer. For an average human, they would have been scared stiff at seeing all the dead here. Ororirth, however, knew the stench of death well. "Might as well see what happened here," and with that, Ororirth began a low chant. When he finished the chant, he had five undead people infront of him. Before Ororirth could ask what killed them, they turned into dust. The Dilema was the only thing he knew that would be possible to take out even the dead. And so, he waited. He learned many things as a necromancer, and one thing was patience. Patience was the only thing he needed right now, for no curse or disease could linger on the undead forever. He left the village, and began to wait under a tree and fell asleep. He dreamed that he was on Insignia Island for the first time that he became a necromancer."

[Kiriashi 117]

[i might join this if I find the time to come up with some good ideas. I don't wanna join if I'm not going to write something good. Did our other RP with the zombies ever end? I guess we all forgot about it. At least I did.]

[Tomo2000 60]

[Yeah, Kirishi, you can join. Also, the map is finished.]

 

I ran into my room, slammed the door and cried. I couldn't believe that the entire city of Wedsville was... dead. I wish that I actually knew somebody that was left... That... Wasn't dead. I cried at the thought; I had no family nor friends left. Most people that I even knew I was afraid of because of what happened when I was a child...

 

I opened my footlocker using the key on the necklace around my neck and pulled out my mothers axe; the Backened-Silver Battle Axe. I shed another tear when I re-read the inscription she left for me; 'Never stop fighting for what you believe in'. I swollowed and gathered all my courage; I needed to find out exactly what the virus was and what it did.

 

I decided to return to Wedsville. I carried a school photo with me. I streemed through the faces; Isabelle, Michael, Jack... And Ororirth... I shed another tear at his sight. I think the Dilema must have got him. We were best friends. I wonder about him sometimes... I always wonder if he is OK, if his family is doing well.

 

He disappeared just before his 8th birthday. I thought he died but something deep inside me told me he was OK. That feeling is still inside of me but now I'm not sure if it's true or if it is just telling me what to believed.

 

I stepped foot into Wedsville again but something was different... something wrong. There were about 5 piles of ash on the ground where bodies may have been. "H-h-hello?" I asked, taking a look in all directions. I drew my battle axe. It was just the wind; it was really stong but I mustn't have noticed when I first arrived. The wind picked up, throwing my photo out of my hand. It landed 10 feet away; face up, showing the photo and preventing the glass from shattering.

 

I picked it up and looked around cautiously. The feeling in my gut was stronger than ever. I had to trust it... It may have been insane but... but I just had to. "Umm... Ororirth. Are you around here somewhere?"

[OverlordMao 0]

"I wasn't sure if it was someone alive, or one of the hundreds of ghosts floating around me. One of the many things I was able to comand as a necromancer was ghosts. One of the ghosts I had to listen to kept repeating his death over and over, saying how an elf girl had saved him from the long pain he would have had to endure. It was after the 30th time he repeated the SAME FREAKING line of his 'short story' that I sent all the spirits away. Then I saw something that caught my eyes...

 

"It was just a photo. A photo taken when I was before I became a necromancer. I knew I couldn't cry, the dead and undead are unable to shed any tears. If I was still human, I might have cried so loud, I would have begged the Dilema to take my life away. I saw all my old friends on the photo. I didn't want to keep the photo, so I threw it down onto the ground. The glass shattered, and struck me in my leg at three different spots. I used my staff as a walking stick, limping away from Wedsville, and leaving a trail of black blood behind me. Well, its not what humans would call 'blood' but its the only thing that could describe it. I began my long trek back to where I needed to start my search. The only clue I had about the Dilema was that one of the ghosts said it started at Insignia Island... Then again, I never did like ghosts that much."

 

[First, I think it might be important that this is known. NO ONE knows that Ororirth is even alive, and no one knows hes heading to Insignia Island. Second, when he calls for ghosts, he may sometimes not be see if he gathers almost 100 ghosts. They create something like a cloak around him. Only a well trained eye could see him, or if its a very bright day. And third, the ghosts don't block out sound.]

[Tomo2000 60]

I looked around. He must be dead then... I thought. I shed a few tears. I was about to leave, back to my home, when I saw a trail of what looked like (and could be mistaken for) black ooze. I know this wasn't here earlier. My heart missed a beat at seeing it. "Hello!?" I said, hoping that whoever was leaving it would be able to answer... But there was no answer to my hails.

 

I gripped my axe closer to my chest and decided to follow this trail. It went on for quite some time, the black ooze seeming to appear from mid-air. What could be causing this? I decided to keep my distance but follow it just the same.

[Azure Flames 1]

Name: Laura Silver

Age: 18

Race: Dragonoid

Weapon: Dragon Sword, a sword that absorbs the energy and power of the user and uses it to power up (no pic)

Home Town Koral Coast

:Description: Laura Silver merged with a dragon at her birth. She wielded the Dragon Sword- the weapon that uses the user's energy to create a powerful energy that fuels the sword and user. Laura is talented in medical skills and can heal bad wounds, but since she has the Dragon Sword, the wound is still there, just close to healing.

 

My head throbbed with the pain. The Dragon Sword's energy link to me was telling me of another dead city. I unsheathed the sword and gripped it tight, looking for the location in hundreds of pictures flowing from the memory of the Dragon Sword. I snapped my eyes open. Wedsville! It had been taken over by the Dilema! My heart skipped a beat as I remembered that girl who lived closeby, a neighbour, perhaps. Emma Heartstone, 19. Her grandmother died and I knew Emma went to Wedsville on Sundays to do a chore or something. Emma Heartstone was in danger. I flapped my wings and ran out of my house. Outside I flapped my wings as hard as I could and I hovered above ground. I didn't have enough energy to fly. Ugh, I would have to get there on foot. I dropped to the ground and ran. I dropped onto all-fours and ran forwards as fast as I could go. Sometime later I reached Wedsville, and I gasped. Everybody was dead! The Dilema struck Wedsville! Emma was in danger! I raised the Dragon Sword and walked through the streets of corpses.

There was a trail of black ooze. I followed it, careful not to touch it. I began to run and I found Emma.

"E-Emma Heartstone! What are you doing here?" I asked slowly, "I'm Laura Silver, 18, live a house away. Remember we used to play? What are you looking for?" Emma sighed.

"Look, Laura, I'm just curious... Do you really want to get yourself involved in this dangerous act?" Emma asked me.

"Of course I do. The Dragon Sword is always tense around areas like this... I want to stop the Dilema with you. Come on, let's go," I said and we headed back up the trail.

[Tomo2000 60]

I sighed and carried my axe in one hand behind me. "This town, in a way, was always dead to me. Not with the bodies littering the streets but just the flawed way it was built. It is a town quite a fair distance away from the shore but yet its main import and export is fish. How long would it take to get to the shore, even by carriage, get a heap of fish and come back? A day? This town would have been dead and starved anyway before the Dilema came along.

 

I turned around to see the black ooze. What ever was making it had healed and didn't leave a continious trail. "Your a dragon, or at least part dragon, right? Shouldn't you live for 300 years or something?" I asked.

[Azure Flames 1]

(Who's next?)

[Tomo2000 60]

(Anyone :D )

[Azure Flames 1]

I sighed and looked at Emma.

"Even though I'm half dragon, I don't have such an increased life... I can only live to be 200, right now I'm living out my life. I'm 18... Look, I'm not as fantasy as I look. Wait- look- see that?" I gasped, pointing ahead of me. The trail of black ooze was so thick it was about up to my knees if I were to go in.

"Oh no!" Emma wanted to go on further, but with this black ooze it was impossible!

"Hold on," I said, and I gripped Emma by the waist. I flapped my wings and took to the air.

"Whatever made that ooze made it a few minutes ago by the looks of it," I said slowly.

"But how did we not see it?" Emma asked.

"How am I supposed to know? Anyway, I think at this rate I'll catch up with it," I said, and I flew faster, enjoying my regained energy. At least 2 minutes later, we saw what made the ooze...

[Tomo2000 60]

(We'll have to wait for OverlordMao to post something because he is the one who is currently making it so I'll do something else)

 

Flying was nice, I suppose, but only when I did it; back when I could without being hunted down. I sighed. "What's wrong?" asked Laura. I shook my head, "Nothing... Don't worry about it..." She paused, lowering me to the group just outside of the ooze. She folded her wings to her back and stood there. "We're not continuing until you tell me what's wrong," she said.

 

Could she be trusted?[/b] I thought to myself, "What if she is like the others?. I shook the thoughts out of my head. "Can you keep a secret; no matter what happens?" I asked. She seemed puzzled for a moment. "Yes," she said, "What is it?"

 

I sighed, "You promise you won't kill me?" I asked. She laughed, "Why would I kill you?" she replied. I took a quick look around to see if nobody was around; nobody was nearby. I outstretched the two, semi-undead wings from my back. Laura gasped. "I'm a Fallen," I said.

 

[Fallens are semi-undead. They were hunted because people believe that they are the opposite to angels; slaves of satan with wings. This isn't true. Fallens have, basically, dragon wings but instead of having skin they just have bones. They also have the wing membrane].

[OverlordMao 0]

[sorry, I forgot about this, truthfully X_X]

 

Although they were following my trail of Black Ooze, they (inwhich I didn't know who "they" were, at the time) didn't realize that they were following a fake trail. Using Arcane tricks I learned, I had the trail move on its own while I moved underground. "Why allow myself to become infected with the Dilema, Its an above ground disease, so travel in the air or underground would be best."

 

It took many days, often getting lost underground, but I finally reached Insignia Island... only a few days from my "human" birthday. Emerging from underground, I look to the sky and my bones stiffen. "A Dragonoid..." I said under my breath. Even now, I was fascinated by dragonic-creatures. All I did was watch it in the air, as I forgot how to do anything at the time, even how to breathe. Then again, I only needed to breath every millenia or so.

 

[He is compleatly covered in a dark cloak, so you can barely see his face, by the way.]

[Tomo2000 60]

Laura stood there, speechless. This was the usual thing that people did when they found out that a friend of theirs is a Fallen. I decided not to wait for an answer; I took off into the sky and flew off. I think she tried following me but she didn't catch up to me. My Grandmother was at Insignia Island with a few friends of hers. I had to fold the wings against my back at the bridge so nobody would see me.

 

I ran to where Grandmother's friends house was. I was struck with sorrow when I saw the result; the house, along with a few around it, had been burnt to the ground. Certain sections were still on fire. I sat in the center of where the house used to be; now nothing but a pile of ashes surrounded by flames. I just sat there, not sure why.

[OverlordMao 0]

[Guess I'll have to improvise...]

 

The Creature I was staring at landed only a few feet from me. It appeared to be a strange breed for a Dragonoid. The Dragonoid had black scales covering most of it's body, hook-like claws ready to kill in a human's heartbeat, and piercing red eyes. It took two steps to me, then jumped all of 5 feet to be within 1 foot of me. I could smell it's breath when it said "You are the Necromancer called Ororirth, correct?" It's breath smelled of blood, death, and somehow the Dilema.

 

I stood frozen in shock. "It knows my name..." I kept quiet, unsure if it was friend or foe. "The masters have sent me to here, so that I may aid you, Ororirith." It was then that I realized it was friend, or atleast I hoped it would be. "Yes...," I began to speak slowly, "I am indeed Ororith..."

 

"I have consumed much while waiting for you, necromancer. I can eat those who have died by the Dilema, so that you can speak with their ghosts quicker. I may be used as a form of transportation through the skys, for soon the Dilema will take to the ground when those who have died are buried or sink into the ground."

 

"Can you answer me this?" I hoped he might know. "There is an Elf, Emma..."

"She is alive" My 'heart' jumped at the quick response. "She is alive, and has followed some of your trail. All I can say is, wait near the beach where you first left this world. Wait, and she will come." I knew where it was the Dragonoid was talking about, it was called Deep End Beach, since it had very few areas with shallow water.

 

"Also, you may call me Eziel." The dragonoid said, smiling in the process. It's teeth were the same color as fresh blood, crimson red.

[Tomo2000 60]

I looked around the ruins to find anything that survived the fire. I caught something gleem in the fire. I walked over to where it was and discovered that it was a red stone that appears to have something orange glowing inside of it. I picked it up and peered inside of it. I saw two figures, one that was alike a dragonoid but the other... I recognised him instantly; Ororirith. Could it be?

 

They were talking about something, I'm not sure what when Ororirith mentioned my name. "Can you answer me this?" he said, There is an Elf, Emma..." The dragonoid interupted, "She is alive, and has followed some of your trail. All I can say is, wait near the beach where you first left this world. Wait, and she will come."

 

I smiled but was kinda confused. How did it know my name and Ororirith? I decided to make my way to Deep End Beach and meet up with Ororirith. "Thank you, Grandmother," I said before putting the stone into my pocket and leaving the town so that I could simply fly to Deep End Beach.

[OverlordMao 0]

We made it to Deep End Beach, and I froze at what I saw. Ghosts, millions of them! "They have come here because I called them here." As soon as they saw me, all the ghosts flew to me, forming what most could only see as a 'impenetrable fog.' Nothing could see me or even reach me unless it was Eziel, who stood next to me, or one of the millions of ghosts. I almost couldn't bare it. So many different voices, screaming their last few words, them telling me that they wished to part from this world (which was out of my powers), and even the endless cries of babies. They all had died from the Dilema. All I could do, as I grew insane from the endless stream of words, was fall to my knees, grab at the sand, and detach myself from my body in a trance used to calm one's mind.

 

I would sleep for all of an hour, unable to be awakened until the hour had passed.

 

[if its not to much trouble, could you have anything that involves Eziel talking be in the correct color? Its {color="#FF0000"}]

[Tomo2000 60]

I flew above what was Dead End Beach. I saw fog everywhere; it reminded me of a dream I had. "Ororirith?" I yelled as I landed near the beach but outside of the fog. I saw a figure, slightly, appearing to be exiting the fog. "Ororirith!" I said with happyness. It was not Ororirith, it was the dragoniod I had seen with him.

 

"Ah, a Fallen. Well well, this puts a twist on things," he said. I folded the wings into my back again and drew my axe. "Calm down, I am not here to harm you. I am an aid to Master Ororirith," "Master Ororirith?" I asked, "Where is he?" The dragonoid pointed into the fog. "In there,"

 

"Well," I said, "Can you get him to come out?" "No,"he said, "He is resting, having detached himself from his body," I gasped, "Is that possible? Will he be OK?" I asked. "Of course,"he said, "He will awaken in an hour. My name is Eziel, by the way."

 

"Nice to meet you... I guess," I said, "Can you take me to him?" "Follow me," he said, reentering the mist. I followed him into the mist to where Ororirith was laying. "Here he is, Master Ororirith,"said Eziel, "You will have to wait, nothing in your or my own power can bring him back. We will just have to wait"

[OverlordMao 0]

When I detached myself from my body, my spirit returned to the demon realm I 'came from.' During that hour, I spoke with my masters, asking about Eziel, where he came from, could he really eat those who had died from the Dilema and not be infected himself. It took them only a few minutes for them to answer all those questions, and many others I had. When it neared the time I would return to my body, I saw a messenger rush into the room, screaming "The Dilema! Its has entered our world!"

 

Upon my return to the human world and to my body, I knew that the ghosts were silent. For what reason, I knew not. When I sat up, the first thing I saw was Emma. In my thoughts, I cheered that my friend was not harmed, yet I was also saddened. I had fellings for her that I could never speak of. 'I must live forever, cursed to be what I am,' I thought quietly, 'she may not be human, but she will still be able to die naturally. We can never be together the way I once hoped we would...'

 

I remained silent, seeing Emma eye to eye. It was Eziel who broke the silence. "Silence brings death, or is that what you two wish for?"

 

[Eziel is cursed to only speak the truth that he sees. He can speak and write in all languages, can fly for hours without becoming tired, and eats only meat. When he speaks, he may often be cruel with his choice of words. Oh, and if you get him pissed... don't blink, or you'll miss how you died!]

[Tomo2000 60]

I helped Ororirith get up. "It's been a while," I said, "And... I think it's time I told you something," I stretched the wings from my back in sight of Ororirith. "I'm a Fallen, as was my Grandmother," I said, "I had to keep this a secret because otherwise the humans and other races would have hunted us down... But now it's just me, my grandmother is dead; died in a fire that destoryed several houses."

 

[Does Ororirith already know that Emma is a Fallen?]

[OverlordMao 0]

[No, he didn't know.]

[Also, before I continue. Do Fallens live forever? (anything else you can provide about Fallens would be helpful)]

[Tomo2000 60]

[Fallens can live forever but only in their natural environment, which is that undead place where your character trained because they don't require to breathe as much because down there they have adapted to thin oxygen which, in turn, lows their heart-beat, etc.. Usually, up above ground, they would like for several hundred years because the oxygen is far more rich and there is also something to do with Sunlight, which under the ground there is none or very little.

 

Fallens, also, are hunted because people believe that they are the opposite to Angels, which would be a minion of Satan. Fallens are usually in a family line, so if the mother or grandmother was a Fallen then so may the child be. In Emma's case, it skipped her mums generation.

 

Fallens, also, have been known to live for tens of thousands of years if they live in a dark and sealed off place like a cave or old mining shaft. If you need to know anything else specific about Fallens just ask]

[OverlordMao 0]

[i can work with that]

"A fallen!" Eziel said suddenly, before I had a chance to speak. "It has been over a meillenia since I have had eaten, I mean, seen a fallen." Before Eziel could walk any closer to Emma, however, I was the one too stun him with a small spell. "If you EVER eat Emma, so help me Satan, God, and anything else divine by nature, I will make sure you will NEVER see the light of day, the dark of night, and even see death come a take you. I will PERSONALLY eat your very soul to make sure of that."

 

"I would remember those words very clearly, if I were you." Eziel spoke in a low voice, "Words spoken in darkness will often eat away at those who spoke them."

[Tomo2000 60]

I stood there, quite shocked if anything, watching Ororirith and Eziel. "Calm down!" I said, "We need to do something about the Dilema. If we don't... well..." I paused and sat down on the beach, starring out to the horrizon. "What if there will be no end? What if everybody dies? What if, by a strange cause of fate, this is supposed so be out end?" I said. "Don't worry," said Ororirith, "I promise it won't be the end."

 

"But now what?" I asked, "Where are we going to go? What are we going to do?"

[OverlordMao 0]

"First, we find a safe area to call shelter. Second, we find a nearby town close to the safe haven and investigate. Third, if this is fate, then I will defy it to the grave. And fourth..." at this, Eziel's wings grew four times larger then anything Emma or Ororirith had ever seen, Eziel's claws grew more hook-like than before, and his tail grew to half the size of a single wing, inwhich a single wing's span was that of a house's side "Never tell me to calm down, for if it wasn't for what Ororirth had told me, your skeleton would already be 6-feet underground while the rest of you would be within my stomach, including your soul.

 

"Now, how about we try and go to the Forbidden Forest, hmm?"

[Tomo2000 60]

"I have an idea," I said, "Instead of heading directly to the Forbidden Forest why don't we head to my Mothers Holiday House in the Dayburg Mountains? It's easily securable and defendable and, along with that, its near Dayburg which gives us a town to investigate and possible raid" I stretched my wings, not flying long distances in a while requires a good stretch. "What do you guys think?"

 

[Emma's parents were extremely rich and that's why they have a Holiday House in the Dayburg Mountains]

[OverlordMao 0]

"Dayburg... that town has already begun to become infected. If a fallen were to enter the area, they would blame the Fallen. If Ororirth were to enter, then necromancers would be blamed for the Dilema, and if I were to enter..." At this, Eziel's wings, claws, and tail reverted back to normal, "...then again, we might have to make that risk."

 

"I'm not really sure there is much else we could try," I said with uncertainty, "We might as well give it a try."

[Tomo2000 60]

"Ok," I said, "How are we going to get there; on foot or by flying?"

 

[sorry about the really short post but I need to go. Be back in a hour or so.]