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Infernal Conundrum: [Exalted/Worm] - Part 2: Hell is Other Exalts

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The Wards vote stunt feels off.

It's too accepting, there should be more emotional impact to it.

[X]Warding Off the City's Ills
-[X]Taylor's mind roiled in thought. Emma, her best friend turned chief tormentor had tried to save her. That was something that she could have seen the old Emma doing, not the female Judas who'd worn her best friends face this past year. And Madison? She turned herself in? Why now? Why not before? "I... " Taylor stopped and cleared her throat before trying again. "I used to look up to the Protectorate, the Wards. I always saw them as heroes, and now... finding out 'Hess,'" Taylor said with so much venom Uncertainty wondered for a moment if she'd spontaneously learned one of Kimbery's poison charms. "Was a Ward, someone who was called a 'hero' just..." Taylor looked down at the table, sighed before she looked the PRT and Protectorate members in the eyes. "I want to meet the Wards,." She said with a voice of steel. "I want to talk to them, get to know them, before I make my decision, whether or not to join the Wards. Any hint that they are like Sophia was, and you can forget me joining!"

[X]Sir Name Not Appearing in this Update
-[X] Thinking of a good cape name is important, so you shouldn't rush it. Talk to dad, ask the non-Clockblocker Wards for suggestions, check with Victoria and Amy to see what they think, see if the PRT PR folks ("We have PR to the T!") have any ideas, and maybe inspiration will strike after power testing. These powers can't be that hard to understand, could they? Oh, and consult with Uncertainty, of course. He saved your life, he of all people deserves to have a say in all this. <Thank you.>
 
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the DragonBard said:
The Wards vote stunt feels off.

It's too accepting, there should be more emotional impact to it.
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Agreed. There should be.


Anyway, as useful as Ward membership is, I think Taylor would know how limiting it may be, especialy in light of Uncertainty explanations. Taylor have secrets she is not be comfortable sharing with other heroes which is implied with ward membership. She also wants to make a difference and wards being what they are - hero trainees, would not be conductive to this. On top of that, training is one of main points of being a Ward. Taylor have a sensei already.

A team is needed, yes, but cooperation instead of membership seems much better idea.

I would dearly like to vote for:

[ ]Independently Verified and Registered

Does anyone have idea for decent write-in for that?
 
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[X]Warding Off the City's Ills
-[X]"I am considering membership in the Wards, but first I'd like to actually meet the people who worked with Sophia for half a year. It sounds like we're staying here for a while, so we can do the introductions when it's convenient." Piggot nods sharply, and you can feel Armsmaster relax his posture slightly. Was he expecting you to just rush out and hunt down Sophia on your own? Suddenly, one of the mental subdivisions finishes processing something Piggot said before your world crumbled. The distraction is welcome. "Wait, you said that Sophia escaped when the E88 freed Othala and Rune from a prison transport. Why would you put a black vigilante in the same van as criminals from a neo-nazi gang? Especially a high-value target like Othala? Sounds like someone dropped the ball there." The part of your mind that pays attention to such things notices a barely suppressed twitch from Piggot. You're pretty sure that the Director agrees with your assessment of the situation and based on her scowl, someone is going to lose their job over this.

[X]Sir Name Not Appearing in this Update
-[X] Thinking of a good cape name is important, so you shouldn't rush it. Talk to dad, ask the non-Clockblocker Wards for suggestions, check with Victoria and Amy to see what they think, see if the PRT PR folks ("We have PR to the T!") have any ideas, and maybe inspiration will strike after power testing. These powers can't be that hard to understand, could they? Oh, and consult with Uncertainty, of course. He saved your life, he of all people deserves to have a say in all this. <Thank you.>

I've never beeen a fan of Indep!Taylor, personally. I think it's a bit over used as well.
 
DiceOfStupidity said:
Agreed. There should be.


Anyway, as useful as Ward membership is, I think Taylor would know how limiting it may be, especialy in light of Uncertainty explanations. Taylor have secrets she is not be comfortable sharing with other heroes which is implied with ward membership. She also wants to make a difference and wards being what they are - hero trainees, would not be conductive to this. On top of that, training is one of main points of being a Ward. Taylor have a sensei already.

A team is needed, yes, but cooperation instead of membership seems much better idea.

I would dearly like to vote for:

[ ]Independently Verified and Registered

Does anyone have idea for decent write-in for that?
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If secrets are the matter isn't it hypocritical to pull together a team at all? You can keep the we are crazy secrets as a ward and reveal them as we get closer and more credible.


And we're mostly pyrian. Wouldn't not being in am or be more limiting?


Finally our coadjutor sense is not omnicompetent. Having one doesn't mean you can't use more. He's also a martial artist and being somehere we can use that with people is just grand.


[X]Warding Off the City's Ills
-[X]"I am considering membership in the Wards, but first I'd like to actually meet the people who worked with Sophia for half a year. It sounds like we're staying here for a while, so we can do the introductions when it's convenient." Piggot nods sharply, and you can feel Armsmaster relax his posture slightly. Was he expecting you to just rush out and hunt down Sophia on your own? Suddenly, one of the mental subdivisions finishes processing something Piggot said before your world crumbled. The distraction is welcome. "Wait, you said that Sophia escaped when the E88 freed Othala and Rune from a prison transport. Why would you put a black vigilante in the same van as criminals from a neo-nazi gang? Especially a high-value target like Othala? Sounds like someone dropped the ball there." The part of your mind that pays attention to such things notices a barely suppressed twitch from Piggot. You're pretty sure that the Director agrees with your assessment of the situation and based on her scowl, someone is going to lose their job over this.

[X]Sir Name Not Appearing in this Update
-[X] Thinking of a good cape name is important, so you shouldn't rush it. Talk to dad, ask the non-Clockblocker Wards for suggestions, check with Victoria and Amy to see what they think, see if the PRT PR folks ("We have PR to the T!") have any ideas, and maybe inspiration will strike after power testing. These powers can't be that hard to understand, could they? Oh, and consult with Uncertainty, of course. He saved your life, he of all people deserves to have a say in all this. <Thank you



Like the vote though it seems like the stunt presumes much.

And is more hedging than I'd like.

Don't really have an idea right now though.
 
KaneTW said:
Sophia? Is that you?

More seriously, you're being childish and very disrespectful to your fellow posters. For someone talking about "growing up" you're behaving like an average highschooler who needs to prove he's a big boy.
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You're not helping by firing back. Between my post here, on Valor's profile, and my subsequent redirection back to the vote, I was saying I considered the matter addressed and wished to resume the prior business at hand. Please respect that.
 
Larekko12 said:
If secrets are the matter isn't it hypocritical to pull together a team at all? You can keep the we are crazy secrets as a ward and reveal them as we get closer and more credible.


And we're mostly pyrian. Wouldn't not being in am or be more limiting?


Finally our coadjutor sense is not omnicompetent. Having one doesn't mean you can't use more. He's also a martial artist and being somehere we can use that with people is just grand.


[X]Warding Off the City's Ills
-[X]"I am considering membership in the Wards, but first I'd like to actually meet the people who worked with Sophia for half a year. It sounds like we're staying here for a while, so we can do the introductions when it's convenient." Piggot nods sharply, and you can feel Armsmaster relax his posture slightly. Was he expecting you to just rush out and hunt down Sophia on your own? Suddenly, one of the mental subdivisions finishes processing something Piggot said before your world crumbled. The distraction is welcome. "Wait, you said that Sophia escaped when the E88 freed Othala and Rune from a prison transport. Why would you put a black vigilante in the same van as criminals from a neo-nazi gang? Especially a high-value target like Othala? Sounds like someone dropped the ball there." The part of your mind that pays attention to such things notices a barely suppressed twitch from Piggot. You're pretty sure that the Director agrees with your assessment of the situation and based on her scowl, someone is going to lose their job over this.

[X]Sir Name Not Appearing in this Update
-[X] Thinking of a good cape name is important, so you shouldn't rush it. Talk to dad, ask the non-Clockblocker Wards for suggestions, check with Victoria and Amy to see what they think, see if the PRT PR folks ("We have PR to the T!") have any ideas, and maybe inspiration will strike after power testing. These powers can't be that hard to understand, could they? Oh, and consult with Uncertainty, of course. He saved your life, he of all people deserves to have a say in all this. <Thank you



Like the vote though it seems like the stunt presumes much.

And is more hedging than I'd like.

Don't really have an idea right now though.
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You can come up with your own stunt...
 
Larekko12 said:
If secrets are the matter isn't it hypocritical to pull together a team at all? You can keep the we are crazy secrets as a ward and reveal them as we get closer and more credible.


And we're mostly pyrian. Wouldn't not being in am or be more limiting?


Finally our coadjutor sense is not omnicompetent. Having one doesn't mean you can't use more. He's also a martial artist and being somehere we can use that with people is just grand.
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It's less about importance, and more about in-character emotions. I simply do not see Taylor being comfortable sharing all Uncertainty explanations, details of her power, and her possible future. She would assume she should if she became ward. Does that make a strong logical argument agains joining? Not really. Does it make strong emotional reason? Yes it does.

As for secrets in context of creating the team - it is entirely differnt matter than joining Wards. Different approach. Different type of 'deal'.

In regards of being pyrian - I tend to disregard labels, and focus on character. What Taylor could or would do in given situation. Being a ward is limiting, since wards are trainees. This is both truth and the way Taylor sees them. Not heros, but heroes to be. I can see Taylor wanting to join Armmaster and Miss Militia - they do things. They makes decisions. They act, even though overally they end up not making much difference for city. Wards? Such as Kid Win? They train. They do limited patrols. Nothing more. They do not make difference. Taylor wants to.

The same thing with sensei. It's not logical. It's emotional. Taylor already have teacher and companion. One that is also her friend. Does she feel she needs help to train and understand her power? Does she feel like she need another mentor? Or a team of scentist that would poke her? I do not believe so. Partner? Yes. Team member? Yes. Mentor? No. That's why it is one more point against joining the Wards.
 
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DiceOfStupidity said:
It's less about importance, and more about in-character emotions. I simply do not see Taylor being comfortable sharing all Uncertainty explanations, details of her power, and her possible future. She would assume she should if she became ward. Does that make a strong logical argument agains joining? Not really. Does it make strong emotional reason? Yes it does.

As for secrets in context of creating the team - it is entirely differnt matter than joining Wards. Different approach. Different type of 'deal'.

In regards of being pyrian - I tend to disregard labels, and focus on character. What Taylor could or would do in given situation. Being a ward is limiting, since wards are trainees. This is both truth and the way Taylor sees them. Not heros, but heroes to be. I can see Taylor wanting to join Armmaster and Miss Militia - they do things. They makes decisions. They act, even though overally they end up not making much difference for city. Wards? Such as Kid Win? They train. They do limited patrols. Nothing more. They do not make difference. Taylor wants to.

The same thing with sensei. It's not logical. It's emotional. Taylor already have teacher and companion. One that is also her friend. Does she feel she needs help to train and understand her power? Does she feel like she need another mentor? Or a team of scentist that would poke her? I do not believe so. Partner? Yes. Team member? Yes. Mentor? No. That's why it is one more point against joining the Wards.
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Those are good emotional reasons. My counter is simple she's also emotionally inclined to join them and the overarching immediate circumstances override these childish feelings.

Specifically she took the be a damn good daughter charm and became person who prioritizes her dad over these things.

That is specifically the reason we're after getting our shit pushed in by Oni lee.

Axiomatically there is no force available that would provide for the protection of family as throughly and absolutely as joining the wards.

There is no team resource team that provide the rate of return on security versus entanglement.

There is no team legally bound in our favor that we have any sort of leverage on.

There is no team that is not a significantly larger gamble even one we made. Especially as by mathematics and standing requirements independents availible for us to pick up are either fence sitters or have problems significantly greater than what we can generally expect in the wards with less ability to deal with it if we welcome them.
 
DiceOfStupidity said:
Being a ward is limiting, since wards are trainees. This is both truth and the way Taylor sees them. Not heros, but heroes to be. I can see Taylor wanting to join Armmaster and Miss Militia - they do things. They makes decisions. They act, even though overally they end up not making much difference for city. Wards? Such as Kid Win? They train. They do limited patrols. Nothing more. They do not make difference. Taylor wants to.
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How do you know that Taylor sees the Wards as heroes to be and not heroes? I'm not remembering her opinions on them from canon, at least not until she became a villain, but the BB wards see an unusually high amount of action.
 
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Canon Omake: Why?
  • Threadmarks
    • @Thief of Words

    Got a bit inspired by the recent revelation.

    Why?

    Taylor paced in her room (well, not 'her' room, but rather the room she'd been assigned while in 'protective custody.')

    "Emma... tried to rescue me? Emma? After over a year, and 'now' she grows a freaking conscious?" Taylor muttered to herself.

    <Can you tell me about Emma? It seems like there's a lot going on I don't know about.> Uncertainty asked, diffidently.

    Taylor sighed, and lay down on the bed, her hands under her head, staring up at the ceiling.

    <Emma... before she started bullying me... was my best friend. More than that, she was like my sister. We shared everything together.> Taylor's thoughts went back to happier times. Before her mother's death. <Our dads were pals for years. I think they met in school, and became best friends. They were best man at each others weddings.>

    She could feel Uncertainty almost nodding in understanding at her.

    <I don't really remember a time I didn't know Emma. I'd go to her house, she'd come to mine, almost every day.> Taylor chuckled. <Mom said that, when Mrs Barnes would call to say Emma was sick, she knew to stock up on medicine because it was a sure bet I'd have the exact same thing pretty quickly.>

    <Then what happened?> Joyous Uncertainty asked.

    Taylor shrugged. <That's the question. I don't know. Wish I did.> Taylor sighed. <Mom died in an accident a couple of years ago. Dad and I... it destroyed us. Emma helped me to start recovering. Dad sent me to a camp for a few days. I called a few times, and we talked. Then, Emma stopped answering my calls. Her parents told me she was out, or wasn't feeling good. Seemed strange. Then, when I got home, she wouldn't see me. When I finally saw her again, it was like she was an entirely different person.> Taylor started to tear up. <She told me I wasn't her friend anymore, and to just go away. That hurt, but then she and her new best friend started bullying me, and using everything I told her against me. Betrayed every confidence. They even stole Mom's flute from my locker.>

    Taylor chuckled through her tears.

    <At least that's one mystery solved. I'd wondered how they got it out of my locker. Since Sophia is Shadow Stalker, she must have used her power to pass through solid objects to reach in and take it.> That thought made her burn. The fact that a person who claimed to be a hero could do that, and still think of themselves as a hero.

    Uncertainty seemed to think. <From what you've said, something must have happened while you were away. Probably something that involved this Sophia. Maybe some kind of attack, with Sophia saving Emma, and Emma wanting to be closer to her hero.>

    Taylor thought for a moment. <That would fit, but why did she suddenly, after everything, decide to try and save me?>

    Uncertainty seemed to shrug, or at least the mental equivalent of it. <I don't know. I can barely understand why some of the other First Circle Demons do what they do, let alone humans.>

    It was a bit later, when Taylor was eating in the cafeteria, that her father sat down beside her.

    "You look deep in thought." Danny said. "Something on your mind?"

    Taylor gave a wan smile at her father. "Just trying to figure out 'why.' After all this time, Emma finally decided to try and help me. Why?"

    Danny got a faraway look in his eyes, as he pondered his daughters question.

    "That's a question I think your mother would have been better able to handle, but I'll give it my best shot." He said with a smile.

    Danny sighed. "It's possible she didn't mean for things to go as far as they did, for you to be in there as long as you were, and when she realized you were still stuck in there, she decided it was too much, and tried to free you."

    Taylor shrugged. "Maybe."

    "Also, you two were almost like sisters growing up. That's a bond that, no matter what happens, it's not easily broken. Twisted and frayed, but not broken. It might be that was enough to spark something in her, and convinced her to try and let you out." Danny patted Taylor's shoulder with a smile. "And I'm thankful for that. Doesn't mean I'm not mad as hell at the girl, but at least she tried to set you free."

    Taylor nodded, then turned to her father.

    "I want to meet with Emma as soon as we can set it up with the PRT." Taylor said with finality. "I want her to look me in my face, and explain it to me. We'll go from there I guess, depending on what she says."

    Danny nodded, and started digging into his food. "I'll talk with them about it, after I finish eating."
     
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    • sainen said:
    hardly, we did more damage to ourselves removing the thermite than Lee did with the thermite

    not sure what to vote on so I'll do this
    [x]FunkyEntropy

    and yes I know he hasn't voted yet, but I'm fairly confident that based on his posts we want similar things for this Taylor.
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    We got our shit emotionally pushed in by lee. We were trapped isolated and ambushed without ability to get helped and if he'd brought anything heavier we'd already be dead.
    If he'd gotten bakuda to pass him something heavier than thermite we'd have been dead on arrival.

    And for everything we actually knew we couldn't have survived that attack before it happened.
     
    Larekko12 said:
    We got our shit emotionally pushed in by lee. We were trapped isolated and ambushed without ability to get helped and if he'd brought anything heavier we'd already be dead.
    If he'd gotten bakuda to pass him something heavier than thermite we'd have been dead on arrival.

    And for everything we actually knew we couldn't have survived that attack before it happened.
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    Bakuda isn't in the ABB yet.
     
    the DragonBard said:
    The Wards vote stunt feels off.

    It's too accepting, there should be more emotional impact to it.
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    Actually, the way I'm reading it, she's taking refuge in the Pyrian mentality to deal with it. Reason first, emotions second.
    Recall that she came here planning in great detail how to get the PRT to value her highly and get a permissive deal.
    Recall also that she's gotten three great bombshells in a row.
    Recall what her latest outburst of emotions led to, against Oni Lee.

    Heart is a great power, but here she's more of Freedom Lets Go.
    Fortunately Taylor has the "Love your loved ones obsessively" charm, not the "Grudge like a dwarf would get jealous of" charm.

    [X]Warding Off the City's Ills
    -[X]"I am considering membership in the Wards, but first I'd like to actually meet the people who worked with Sophia for half a year. It sounds like we're staying here for a while, so we can do the introductions when it's convenient." Piggot nods sharply, and you can feel Armsmaster relax his posture slightly. Was he expecting you to just rush out and hunt down Sophia on your own? Suddenly, one of the mental subdivisions finishes processing something Piggot said before your world crumbled. The distraction is welcome. "Wait, you said that Sophia escaped when the E88 freed Othala and Rune from a prison transport. Why would you put a black vigilante in the same van as criminals from a neo-nazi gang? Especially a high-value target like Othala? Sounds like someone dropped the ball there." The part of your mind that pays attention to such things notices a barely suppressed twitch from Piggot. You're pretty sure that the Director agrees with your assessment of the situation and based on her scowl, someone is going to lose their job over this.

    [X]Sir Name Not Appearing in this Update
    -[X] Thinking of a good cape name is important, so you shouldn't rush it. Talk to dad, ask the non-Clockblocker Wards for suggestions, check with Victoria and Amy to see what they think, see if the PRT PR folks ("We have PR to the T!") have any ideas, and maybe inspiration will strike after power testing. These powers can't be that hard to understand, could they? Oh, and consult with Uncertainty, of course. He saved your life, he of all people deserves to have a say in all this. <Thank you.>
     
    Well, apparently I hadn't actually clicked the Watch Thread button. *sigh*
    Anyway, liking this vote.

    [X]Warding Off the City's Ills
    -[X]"I am considering membership in the Wards, but first I'd like to actually meet the people who worked with Sophia for half a year. It sounds like we're staying here for a while, so we can do the introductions when it's convenient." Piggot nods sharply, and you can feel Armsmaster relax his posture slightly. Was he expecting you to just rush out and hunt down Sophia on your own? Suddenly, one of the mental subdivisions finishes processing something Piggot said before your world crumbled. The distraction is welcome. "Wait, you said that Sophia escaped when the E88 freed Othala and Rune from a prison transport. Why would you put a black vigilante in the same van as criminals from a neo-nazi gang? Especially a high-value target like Othala? Sounds like someone dropped the ball there." The part of your mind that pays attention to such things notices a barely suppressed twitch from Piggot. You're pretty sure that the Director agrees with your assessment of the situation and based on her scowl, someone is going to lose their job over this.

    [X]Sir Name Not Appearing in this Update
    -[X] Thinking of a good cape name is important, so you shouldn't rush it. Talk to dad, ask the non-Clockblocker Wards for suggestions, check with Victoria and Amy to see what they think, see if the PRT PR folks ("We have PR to the T!") have any ideas, and maybe inspiration will strike after power testing. These powers can't be that hard to understand, could they? Oh, and consult with Uncertainty, of course. He saved your life, he of all people deserves to have a say in all this. <Thank you.>

    The name Myth/Mythos is nice, though it could sound like someone is addressing us with a lisp "Excuth me Myth".
    Slendergirl is amusing, but also not ideal. (Besides, I imagine PHO is going to call us that no matter what name we come up with)
    Other than the telekinesis stuff, we may have to rely on physical appearance for theme. Perhaps Karkinos from Greek Myth? Does have the downside of being an antagonist to Heracles. Also jokes about crabs.

    Damn it, names are difficult.
     
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    Just for curiosity, would it in the narrative work if she tried to think calmly and detached about the Sophia-situation and (accidentaly) Freedom Lets Go her feelings towads Sophia?

    That might make her decision here less difficult and emotional.
     
    [X]Warding Off the City's Ills
    -[X]"I am considering membership in the Wards, but first I'd like to actually meet the people who worked with Sophia for half a year. It sounds like we're staying here for a while, so we can do the introductions when it's convenient." Piggot nods sharply, and you can feel Armsmaster relax his posture slightly. Was he expecting you to just rush out and hunt down Sophia on your own? Suddenly, one of the mental subdivisions finishes processing something Piggot said before your world crumbled. The distraction is welcome. "Wait, you said that Sophia escaped when the E88 freed Othala and Rune from a prison transport. Why would you put a black vigilante in the same van as criminals from a neo-nazi gang? Especially a high-value target like Othala? Sounds like someone dropped the ball there." The part of your mind that pays attention to such things notices a barely suppressed twitch from Piggot. You're pretty sure that the Director agrees with your assessment of the situation and based on her scowl, someone is going to lose their job over this.

    [X]Sir Name Not Appearing in this Update
    -[X] Thinking of a good cape name is important, so you shouldn't rush it. Talk to dad, ask the non-Clockblocker Wards for suggestions, check with Victoria and Amy to see what they think, see if the PRT PR folks ("We have PR to the T!") have any ideas, and maybe inspiration will strike after power testing. These powers can't be that hard to understand, could they? Oh, and consult with Uncertainty, of course. He saved your life, he of all people deserves to have a say in all this. <Thank you.>
     
    veekie said:
    Actually, the way I'm reading it, she's taking refuge in the Pyrian mentality to deal with it. Reason first, emotions second.
    Recall that she came here planning in great detail how to get the PRT to value her highly and get a permissive deal.
    Recall also that she's gotten three great bombshells in a row.
    Recall what her latest outburst of emotions led to, against Oni Lee.

    Heart is a great power, but here she's more of Freedom Lets Go.
    Fortunately Taylor has the "Love your loved ones obsessively" charm, not the "Grudge like a dwarf would get jealous of" charm.
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    Maybe, but it doesn't really come across in the stunt.
    There's no real reason in the stunt for her acting that way, so it comes across as 'way' off.
     
    sainen said:
    hardly, we did more damage to ourselves removing the thermite than Lee did with the thermite

    not sure what to vote on so I'll do this
    [x]FunkyEntropy

    and yes I know he hasn't voted yet, but I'm fairly confident that based on his posts we want similar things for this Taylor.
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    +2XP for the Omake. I may have to live up/down to my username and steal a version of this. With your assent that is.
     
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