Greetings and salutations to all of you on this board. The people i represent, headquartered in tokyo, would like to congratulate you all in your successes.

Now. This is where you expect me to make an offer of "join us or die, your deaths coming as swift blades from the darkness"

however, having had seen the very notable lack of success for those with that type of approach, i will try another.

I represent for the moment, a large conglomeration of people with varying skills and abilities. We have been most impressed by the actions undertaken by, surprising enough not just some but by most, of your membership. We would like to hire any and all of you as troubleshooters and or trainers. with training from people like you the agents of the family would be able to take back the night from those things that share it with us. We offer housing,whne needed, travel expenses, medical and dental, good pay, and more importantly to some of you we cover the operational expenses and equipment.

Koyla, we can aquire your release from your terms of service to your country - if you desire it.

Holister, we can not only show you more ways to keep your family safe, we can also see to it that young molly is surrounded and educated around those with similar gifts, by people that understand those like her.

Celeste Darken, we can help you to avoid sliding back into the pits of animal instinct, as well as offering access to the best sifus, senseis, and chidoshi in the world.

Ron Caliburn, we can stop it for you.

Kon Thaak, some of the teachers at one of our schools belives that you could learn a great deal working with them, and they you.

Fate, your orginization has had no problems with ours and we would like to leave it that way.

Something for everyone. Too good to be true? It isn't true.

I can secure my own release. I'm where I want to be.

No thanks. I'm out of this conversation.

Greetin's From Maine

I didn't know that this site offered oriental take-out. I have a side order of orange chicken, some seasame chicken, and an egg roll.

Happy Huntin'

What? I'm not worth bribing? I'm insulted!

I would be the last one would expect to rain on your little parade, but I believe The Unnamable already tried the whole "join our side" bit. It very humorously did not work then, I do not think it will work now.

Speaking as a fellow member or "The Dark Side", these hero types dont take kindly to any offers, banter, or threats made by our kind. The only thing however that seperates orginazations like mine from the pee wee legues like yours and The Unnamable, is that I at least know better than to lower my dignity to such levels as to beg for recruits. That is just a pathetic last ditch effort of the desperate.

I believe that if you want to recruit, try the rehab centers and mental health facilities. I hear theyare chock full of new recruits that fit your needs quite nicely.

Adieu

Ashikaga Hideoshi wrote:Greetings and salutations to all of you on this board. The people i represent, headquartered in tokyo, would like to congratulate you all in your successes.

Now. This is where you expect me to make an offer of "join us or die, your deaths coming as swift blades from the darkness"

Does that mean you considered such an option?

Ashikaga Hideoshi wrote:Celeste Darken, we can help you to avoid sliding back into the pits of animal instinct, as well as offering access to the best sifus, senseis, and chidoshi in the world.

I thank you for the offer, but I will tell you my answer later. My . . . present circumstances . . . would not allow an immediate answer anyway, and the road to salvation is one that demands a personal journey. Besides . . . I believe you would be hardpressed to find a teacher as qualified as Sifu Long; in fact, it was not the teacher’s fault that the teachings fell flat; rather, it was the student's.

So . . . thank you for the offer. I will consider it.

Celeste Darken wrote:

Ashikaga Hideoshi wrote:Greetings and salutations to all of you on this board. The people i represent, headquartered in tokyo, would like to congratulate you all in your successes.

Now. This is where you expect me to make an offer of "join us or die, your deaths coming as swift blades from the darkness"

Does that mean you considered such an option?

Yes.

I guess that I am in the same boat as Bert on this one. Not that I would have said yes anyways.

Does not sound like a bad boat to be in..

I am not complaining.

Yea, I know.. didn't mean to imply such.

I can smell the desperation in your sweat. I can hear the desperation in your voice. You ªhuman' and those you serve are not worth my time, as I focus my fury against those inhuman creatures that stalk the dark reaches of this world, but if you dare to go after Celeste I will unleash more pain and more suffering than your miserable mortal mind could fathom. As for the other members of this society, their choice is their own.

Sounds like a good time.

Sounds like it would be something to see Yakuza VS the Monster. No disrespect to Grim.

Greetin's From Maine

Looks like your recruitent plan has hit a few snags their guy. But the, Im still waiting on those egg rolls.

Happy Huntin'

Great, sounds like GRIM'my's going all creepy-stalker on us over Celeste... Makes me wonder what a broken weapon like him wants with her. As for myself, I have to side with Bert and Shadow in wondering where my bribe is.

Then again, I am one of the least talkative among us all. After all, I focus on results, not words. But still, it would be nice to be noticed enough for someone to TRY to seduce me with somthing noteworthy. Makes a man feel appriciated.

And in case you're wondering why I'm acting so oddly, it's a combination of insomnia and forcing myself to take a break from old habits. Kinda loopy right now.

Shadowstalker wrote:I guess that I am in the same boat as Bert on this one. Not that I would have said yes anyways.

Agreed.

GRIM wrote: but if you dare to go after Celeste I will unleash more pain and more suffering than your miserable mortal mind could fathom.

I'll second that, but expand it a bit to encompass the entirety of the community. You should not dare to even cast an evil eye upon the people here.

Greetin's From Maine

Still looks like your gettin the ol' negative response their pal.
I am honored that I was considered for a bribe, really, but yo know what, my give a damn is busted. Why don't ya take up a new hobby like Ikebana, Go, or maybe Hiku. It will be alot safer than hangin round here. By the way, hey Bert send this guy an e-mail (lol).

PS: Im suprised that Ron hasn't taking shots at this clown yet.

Happy Huntin'

Maybe Ron hasn't been on, yet.

I'll second Ben's sentiment of being honored that I was picked out as being respectable enough to be bribed. I must say that I'd be lying if I didn't at least mull it over for a few minutes. After all, when one's views of the universe don't include concepts such as "good" or "evil", it's easy to consider taking up such an offer, and play up to exactly who you truly are... If I were to take you up on this offer, and again, it is tempting, though I haven't gotten to exactly why, yet, I'll admit I'd have to use you to learn and gain all I could, and when asked to help, and I find that what you ask me to do is of a...less than generous nature to someone other than "the family", I'd advise you that it goes against my beliefs and my teachings.

Which is why I will have to turn you down. Accepting it would just cause us both too much trouble.

It's a shame, though... Both my wife and I would dearly love to move to Japan.

Gomen-nasai.

Though we almost lost ya to the darkside there KT. Gad ya came to ya senses. I got some insider on these clowns. Don't accept any candy these goons are offerin KT, trust me, you and your family would be better off.

I know. The Yakuza are to be respected, but not crossed nor joined.

I would argue the respected bit, too. But I'm not going to.

This one is quite a wind bag anyway..

There was a major earthquake in Japan in the '70's. I forget where, exactly, but the Yakuza were the first on the scene giving out blankets, helping the injured, and getting people to shelters.

They're like the old mafia in a lot of ways... They still feel strong ties to their community and their country, in spite of the illegal activities they commit. On top of that, they're notable warriors.

All of these things add up to that I very much respect them...but still want nothing to do with them.

Good call KT, you're too good for those guys anyway. Sides, you don't want to move to Japan, what if Godzilla sides to stomp it flat again. Thats a whole new ass load of worries right there.

PS: I'm still waitin' on my egg rolls there buddy. Man, service here stinks, I ain't ever eatin' here again. Ya would think with all the blatant empty promises that they would afford to have one good waiter. *-)

KT, I said I was not going to argue, and I am not - I am going to clarify what I mean, not change your mind.

Consider for a moment Hamas. They are a social security blanket providing schools and hospitals and many basic needs and services every day. I am not saying the Yakuza and Hamas are the same thing, but comparable on some relevant levels.

Whatever there is to be respected in determination, discipline, and committment to this or that... being a good warrior... I respect in principle, if taken completely subjectively, without the context of reality in which they operate. Arrogant racketeering and/or terrorist organisations do not get my respect because there is a shitbag motive behind the altruism.

It is not about right and wrong for me, it can't be because I am more wrong than right myself -- it is about being human predators.

Holister wrote:PS: Im suprised that Ron hasn't taking shots at this clown yet.

Saving my ammo for a better target.


The Not Me hasn't been dealt with - should these folks deal with him for me, I might talk to them for a while, but for now, I have other hings to do.

You all seem to have misunderstood my offer. The people here have commodities of extream value. they cannot be stolen, taken, or destroyed. With an upsurge in strange events in areas that we care for we must find a way to aquire those commodities; knowledge and experience. I am actually not offering employment as the want-to-be's that run around on the streets. I am not offering employment as a specialist performing unsavoru tasks. I am offering emplyment teaching, and sharing your knowledge with special teams that we have formed. The things that prowl the shadows will not find us unready when they decide to make their move.

Ummm....still nothin'. Buddy aren't you waistin' your time. Go back to strong arming old ladies and schoolyard kids. Or did they get also too tough for ya.

Holister - Hideoshi might be a criminal, he might sink to levels that we would not entertain even for a moment, he would not however do any kind of direct harm to a woman or child. (the Ashikaga do try to at least appear honorable - to the point of eliminating their own men when there is an apperance of dishonor)

As for Hideoshi's "empty promises" in fairness i must say he probably can deliver them. The question is if you can watch the talents, skills, and art that you teach and love corrupted and put to no good purpose. (No kohei no matter what you do with it gathering power and wealth at all costs is not a good purpose)

Hideoshi - i understand you have been promoted. congratulations. i also hope that one day soon you realize that when you embrace the light you will then be a worthy successor to my art - untill then i keep searching kohei.

Ashikaga Hideoshi wrote:You all seem to have misunderstood my offer.

Oh, I understood all right. And I will tell you my answer later.