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By Mary Pat Flaherty; Doug Struck
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, December 22, 2000
LAMPANG, Thailand -- In this small city in northern Thailand, a group of pregnant women signed up for an experiment overseen by a U.S. Army doctor who sought to monitor the transfer of HIV infection to newborns.
His passive, observational study offered the women no medicine to prevent HIV transmission in order to give researchers "a more efficient and effective means" of studying them, he wrote in a memorandum. Twenty-two infants were born HIV positive to the unprotected mothers.
At a spartan drug clinic in the heart of Bangkok, heroin addicts lined up on a recent morning to receive an experimental HIV vaccine produced by an American company. Drawn by small payments and offers of free rice, they signed on for a test in which they had a greater chance of receiving a placebo--or dummy shot--than would Americans taking part in the same research in the United States.
In Bangkok's two largest maternity wards, pregnant women infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, enrolled in an American test aimed at reducing AIDS transmission from mothers to children. But half the Thai women were given placebos instead of a proven drug, and 37 babies who might have been spared were born HIV-positive.
Set against a staggering AIDS epidemic, the Thai cases highlight the unequal bargains underlying the recent boom in overseas drug testing by both private and public medical researchers: rich countries have the drugs and hypotheses, while poor countries have vast numbers of patients. Yet the trade-offs made in experiments do not always distribute burdens and benefits evenly.
Medical progress has always depended on some individuals bearing personal risk for society's benefit. Placebos give researchers a clearer view of which experimental therapies work and which do not, many scientists contend. Passive studies that track how a disease moves unimpeded through a population can provide insights into treatment and prevention.
But those long-standing research methods have become more complicated and controversial as scientists from wealthy nations increasingly work amid poverty in developing countries. Such tests have spurred angry debate on review boards of American universities, in the halls of African and Asian health ministries and in chambers of the World Health Organization.
Among the questions: When Western researchers travel to impoverished countries to set up drug experiments, which country's ethical guidelines should apply? While working with poor test subjects, must researchers provide the best treatment available in wealthy countries? Or are they free merely to provide the best local care available--which in some medically deprived settings may mean some test subjects get no treatment at all?
With 800,000 adults of its 61 million residents carrying the virus, Thailand's vast HIV-infected population has spent the last five years on these ethical and scientific frontiers. Open, increasingly democratic and cooperative with the West, Thailand discovered a scourge of AIDS in its midst a decade ago and turned emphatically to its wealthy allies for help.
In 1991, the WHO designated Thailand as a country ripe to test AIDS vaccines, sowing the seeds of research still underway. In 1994, WHO issued a second challenge, encouraging researchers to help developing countries find an affordable, practical alternative to the costly Western method of reducing the transmission of HIV from pregnant women to their infants.
After each appeal, researchers armed with new drugs and theories fanned out through the country. Testing new treatments against placebos, as many did, generated fast answers. But for the men, women and children recruited into such tests, the approach meant the luck of the draw determined who received care and who wound up with nothing.
Many in Thailand tried to "look at the bright side and accept that when you are a poor people you may have the choice between getting some treatment and care in a study or having none," said Vichai Chokevivat, until recently the vice chairman of Thailand's central ethics committee for human research.
Yet others in Thailand chafe at a system that allows Western researchers to present foreign test subjects with choices that provide less care and protection than those same researchers would be obliged to give subjects back in their own countries.
"It seems like every time this is the way things happen to Thailand," said Ratchanee Tunraka, a social worker with Siam Care in Bangkok, a charity that works with needy families, including some who participated in American research projects.
Why, she wondered aloud, are the studies brought to her country set up "to give someone nothing before we all can get a little something?"
A Race Against AZT
For the past decade, many U.S. researchers working overseas have given test subjects care only as good as the best local care available.
Thailand's experience with this practice has sometimes left a bitter aftermath. Consider, say some Thai doctors, the choices made by Lt. Col. Merlin L. Robb of Maryland's Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.
In late 1994, Robb drafted a proposal for a study of mother-to-child HIV transmission in northern Thailand. He wanted to join with Thai doctors in the city of Lampang to measure HIV characteristics of a mother's blood and cervical fluid for clues about a child's risk of infection. Urgent answers were needed: 10 HIV-positive women a month delivered babies at Lampang Hospital.
From the start, internal memos show, Robb was racing other U.S. researchers vying for access to test subjects in Thailand and racing the march of the anti-viral agent azidothymidine, commonly known as AZT.
Robb had said from the outset that if AZT became available in the area, he would encourage his Thai collaborators to use it. But if AZT did not arrive before his research concluded, he said, it would make for better results--because the drug would not cloud the natural passing of HIV from mother to child.
Robb had barely finished his research proposal before the ethical ground began to shift beneath him. A major study of pregnant, HIV-infected women in the United States and France showed AZT reduced newborn infection rates. The 1994 results were so dramatic--cutting infection rates by two-thirds--that AZT became standard treatment in industrialized countries.
Robb's trial design called for no AZT for mothers or their infected babies. AZT was scarcely available in Thailand, and Robb argued to an Army ethics board that withholding AZT would not deprive women and their children because they had little chance of getting the drug anyway.
On the other hand, giving test volunteers AZT could muddy his research and could, he said, attract "patients from other provinces, consequently increasing the health care burden at [the experiment's hospital] beyond its capabilities."
Two Army ethics board members objected. "We should insist on the use of AZT," wrote Michael Mazaleski, a civilian member of the Army's Human Subjects Research Review Board.
The full panel approved Robb's research, and in 1996 Robb won a grant from a division of the National Institutes of Health that would total $1 million.
Writing to a colleague, Robb said he was "somewhat uncomfortable" with the decision making by bioethicists "since their deliberations seem often devoid of the larger view of advancing medical science for the public good as opposed to the individual."
Less than a year after he enrolled his first mother in the test, Robb learned AZT was making its way to Lampang. A Harvard team was giving AZT to all pregnant women in research it had launched in the area. Meanwhile, Thai health authorities said they planned a pilot study on AZT in local hospitals. With the local standard of care changing, Robb and his team revisited their decision not to use it.
Robb asked NIH in early 1997 if he could redirect $15,000 of his grant to buy AZT and provide it sooner than the Thai government project would. NIH declined, saying the change would require a new, lengthy review of his proposal. It suggested he collaborate with the Harvard team--which also was NIH funded--if he wanted quicker access to AZT.
Robb's team in Lampang did not want to "surrender the site" to Harvard, e-mail messages show, and told him they preferred to wait and get AZT from the Thai government project. In a recent interview, Robb said he never intended for his research to get in the way of women receiving AZT once it was widely available, but he said he also did not want to override his Thai team's decisions.
As a result, the mothers in Robb's study went without AZT for another three months, until July of 1997 when the Thai government project started. The 101 women who got no AZT gave birth to 22 infected infants.
More than four years after his research began, final results have yet to be compiled, but Robb remains convinced the work could eventually prove valuable in the design of an AIDS vaccine. "This was ethical research," he said, that will elucidate "benchmarks for vaccine development."
"It was a disgraceful, shameful study," countered Vallop Thaineua, director of the Ministry of Public Health's regional office in northern Thailand.
But like Robb, his local collaborators take pride in their work. "I do not feel bad about our work. I believe it will be useful," said Vilaiwan Gulgolgarn, a research team member who now treats some of the HIV-infected children born during the study.
"We were ethical," she said, "the drug was not here from the government, and until then we did not need to provide it."
Unequal Odds
Robb's study was up and running in Lampang when researchers from VaxGen, Inc., a California-based biotechnology firm, arrived in Bangkok.
VaxGen had an AIDS vaccine under development in the United States, where 5,400 subjects, mostly homosexual men, had enlisted in tests. It wanted to add another 2,500 in Thailand, and to meet the need, it turned to drug addicts in Bangkok.
The Bangkok Municipal Authority arranged access to its 17 methadone clinics, where years of trust built up with counselors helped reassure heroin addicts about the experiment. "That's the reason so many agreed," said Kunyarat Maneesinthu, a psychologist at Bang Sue Clinic.
At the heart of negotiations between VaxGen and the Thai government was the question hanging over much of the research shifting to developing countries: How much did VaxGen owe participants or the host country?
VaxGen bargained tough. It risked losing Thai public support when it refused to pledge care for subjects who became HIV positive during the test. Thai health authorities finally stepped in and promised to provide the best local therapy--which was years behind what an American could expect.
VaxGen also refused to guarantee that the vaccine, if proven effective, would be sold to Thais at a reduced price. VaxGen recognizes the "special situation we have with Thailand," company president Donald P. Francis said recently. "They bought in very early to this and we said we would work as hard as we can to reduce the price for them. But we can't give vaccine away and bankrupt the company."
VaxGen also rejected the Thai requests for profit-sharing or a manufacturing plant to be located in the country. A "gentleman's agreement" the company wrote in 1998 to Thai health officials, suggested that if the Thais helped with packaging the vaccine, VaxGen might be able to reduce the country's costs for the vaccine. But "we will have to wait to see what actually happens with the Bangkok study."
The deal seemed the best Thais could get, said Jon Ungphakorn, who reviewed the study and is now a member of the Thai senate. "We were making test subjects available and we were agreeable to that. But on the other hand, we did not have that much bargaining power. Our situation was desperate."
Inside Bangkok's drug clinics, VaxGen used methods that would have been novel in the U.S. to recruit and track volunteers, records and interviews show. The company joined in a clinic program that offered free rice to addicts who brought in five friends. It tracked addicts into jails if they were arrested during the experiment so that shots and blood tests could be administered.
The Thai experiment's structure contrasted with the U.S. tests. In each arm, some volunteers received real vaccine and some dummy medicine, a calculated risk since participants in both studies were at high risk of contracting the virus. But Thais in VaxGen's ongoing study have a one-in-two chance of getting the real medicine. American volunteers have a two-out-of-three chance.
The Thai and American tests were designed differently because "it was thought it might be a motivational factor for American gay groups to participate" if they had a better chance at getting a vaccine, explained John G. Curd, VaxGen's senior vice president for medical affairs. "That may have been part of it," said Francis, adding that there was also a scientific reason involved. With U.S. infection rates so low, a larger pool of subjects receiving the vaccine meant researchers would reach enough people exposed to the virus. That way, researchers could determine more clearly if the vaccine was working.
Debate over designs of the trials was inconsequential to Thai addicts, who in interviews said they signed up for the test out of a mix of motives.
Wivat Chotchatmala, 35 and eight years an addict, said he volunteered "because I want the money"--about $9 for each of 15 visits, about a day's pay for drivers of tuk-tuks, Bangkok's three-wheeled motorcycle taxis. But he also wanted to "do something useful for society and get a chance maybe to protect myself."
The vaccine volunteers "are swept up in the mood that they can do something for their country. That is a powerful and persuasive appeal for Thais," said Supatra Nakapew, director of the Centre for AIDS Rights in Bangkok.
VaxGen has invested $585,000 in equipment and facilities--which will remain in Bangkok when the test is over. But VaxGen's principal Thai investigator, Kachit Choopanya, said his overriding hope is that the vaccine will work. "That is the benefit we want most."
Next fall, a VaxGen committee will examine early results from the American study arm. VaxGen says it will stop both branches of the experiment and seek FDA approval if the vaccine proves 30 percent effective--a low threshold compared with other common vaccines.
If the drug is approved, VaxGen says, the Thais will immediately get one benefit akin to the U.S. side: All volunteers who received placebos will be vaccinated free.
Ethical Firestorm
The "race to the bottom" is how some medical ethicists have described drug researchers' moves into developing countries. But public health researchers, including some from developing countries, denounce as "ethical imperialism" the notion that Western standards of care always must prevail.
"The easy thing to accuse [international drug testing] of is Yankee exploitation, of taking advantage of disadvantaged populations," said Robert H. Rubin, professor of health sciences and technology at Harvard Medical School and a clinical trial pioneer in the United States. "Frankly, that's nonsense.
"It has to be done right, and appropriately, [but] if you believe as fervently as I do that there is benefit to society . . . then all society should bear some of the burdens" of developing new drugs.
The opposing viewpoints clashed sharply this fall as the World Medical Association met to revise the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki, the statement of principles that has guided ethical decisions in drug experiments around the world. With representatives from 45 countries, including developing nations that have become hotbeds for drug research, the conference voted to clarify language on the use of placebos, making it unethical to use dummy medicines on some subjects in trials where proven treatments may be available. The declaration does not have the force of law in the United States, but it wields considerable moral clout.
Outrage over American experiments on pregnant women in Thailand and sub-Saharan Africa was a driving force behind the change.
Public and private researchers in the United States are still unsure how they can comply with the strong international mandate while trying to tackle the treatment and prevention of life-threatening disease. The National Bioethics Advisory Commission, a presidentially appointed panel that is drafting ethical guidelines, has struggled with both the placebo issue and questions about what researchers owe local populations once an experiment is completed.
"Clearly, this is an evolving issue," said Helene Gayle, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for HIV, STD and TB programs. "Through research, we cannot change the reality that there are inequities and there is poverty in the world. We should, as citizens of the world, attack that reality, but not through constraining research."
But ultimately, the West's anguished ethical debates occur far from the ordinary, struggling families swept along in the global drug testing boom.
So it was for Petprow Madornglang, recruited in November 1997 for an AZT test conducted by the CDC.
Madornglang, who lived in the rural province of Ayutthaya, was one of 397 HIV-infected pregnant women who signed up for the test at Bangkok's Rajavithi Hospital. Once a week until she gave birth, she made the two-hour trip, crowding into the back of a small truck, then transferring to a van that left only when it had a full load.
Under the study launched in 1996, half of the pregnant women in the experiment received AZT, but in a shorter course--for fewer weeks and less frequent doses--than was standard in the U.S. The Thai newborns would get no AZT, unlike American infants who had received AZT for six weeks after birth.
The CDC's decision to use a placebo for half of the Thai study's participants--thus exposing some of their children to HIV, which presumably would have been prevented by AZT--outraged medical ethicists in the United States.
"If you have a safe and effective treatment anywhere in the world for a life-threatening condition, from that point on you cannot ethically conduct a clinical trial that gives some people placebo," said LeRoy Walters, a Georgetown University bioethicist. Researchers had other options. A Harvard team was studying how different doses of AZT worked on the transmission rate, for example.
But dropping the dummy pill from the research, the CDC contended, would have required adding more test subjects to ensure statistical integrity, adding time to the launch of the study and muddling the comparison. The Thai central ethics committee agreed.
"We felt it was not only ethical, but it was essential to conduct" the study, said the CDC's Gayle.
The CDC study tracked Madornglang and the other mother-child pairs for 18 months, and in the end, reported that the short course of AZT could reduce transmission by half. The results helped shape national health policy in Thailand, which early this year pledged to provide the treatment free to pregnant women.
With only half a chance at help, Madornglang wound up with the worst half, said her sister and a Thai doctor. She got the placebo.
In Bangkok, Madornglang's family still replays the "what ifs."
Her sister, Anchalee Soithong, did not want her in the test. Soithong volunteered at the Thai Red Cross, which offered the equivalent of the American-style treatment. She also knew that another Bangkok hospital had a more modest AZT program. She tried to persuade, cajole, and berate her sister into listening on a night when they huddled together in a bedroom, whispering about the infection and the pregnancy, trying to hide the news from their mother.
"I didn't want her to take a chance with her baby," Soithong recalled. But Madornglang wouldn't change her plans.
Madornglang joined the research in November 1997 while showing symptoms of HIV, including fungus in her mouth and skin lesions, according to a summary of her case.
After seven months, researchers referred her for medical care for her HIV symptoms, giving her some antibiotics. Despite that, she withered. And when she returned 10 weeks later, she was not further investigated or treated, according to a summary of her case.
Madornglang died in October 1998. She was 28.
"Placebo or AZT? Which worked better? That was their question and she helped them get the answer," Soithong said. "My question was why did they not take better care of my sister?"
Madornglang left behind her son born in January 1998, one of the 37 infants born with HIV. She called him Kittisak, but nicknamed him "Ice," because it seemed soothing in such a hot climate. And "because it sounded American, like that singer," said Soithong.
The boy received AZT and other treatments as his health deteriorated.
Ice lived long enough to pull himself up along the edge of tables, but not long enough to learn how to walk. He died last December. He was 23 months old.
About This Series
Sunday Nigeria
In sub-Saharan Africa, an American pharmaceutical giant uses desperately ill children to test an unapproved drug. The experiment illustrates a booming, poorly regulated system of international drug testing that far too often betrays its promises to patients and consumers.
Monday Regulation
The global boom in overseas drug testing means some of the newest drugs coming to U.S. consumers are tested far from the scrutiny of Food and Drug Administration investigators, in countries that may have few inspectors and little history of examining drugs for safety and effectiveness.
Tuesday Informed Consent
Testing in far-flung countries has weakened basic protections for naive, impoverished or uneducated human subjects who try experimental drugs because they are desperate for medical treatment.
Wednesday China
A massive blood harvest among Chinese peasants yields precious genetic material that means millions for a U.S. company and Harvard University. But the impoverished participants say they didn't get what they were promised.
Thursday Latin America
The dramatic increase in huge drug trials leaves domestic and U.S. regulators struggling to keep up. It also leaves open possibilities for mistakes, mismanagement and outright fraud.
Today Thailand
Staggering under an HIV epidemic, Thailand opens itself to experiments by foreign researchers. But what do the Thai people have to risk and what do they get in return?
"The Body Hunters" is the result of an 11-month reporting effort on five continents led by reporters Joe Stephens, Deborah Nelson and Mary Pat Flaherty of The Washington Post's investigative staff. In addition to reporting from Washington and other U.S. locations, Stephens visited test sites in Nigeria and Bulgaria, Nelson reported from Hong Kong and Costa Rica and Flaherty traveled to Thailand and Hungary. Other reporting was provided by associate editor Karen DeYoung in Costa Rica and Argentina, and staff correspondents John Pomfret in China, Sharon LaFraniere in Estonia, Russia and Switzerland and Doug Struck in Thailand. Reporters Joby Warrick and David Ottaway also contributed from Washington. Photography was provided by staffers Michael Williamson in Nigeria, Lois Raimondo in Thailand, Carol Guzy in Hungary and Michael Robinson-Chavez in Costa Rica. Researchers Alice Crites, Robert Thomason and Lynn Davis also contributed. Data analysis was provided by Sarah Cohen.
AIDS Series
This article concludes a six-part series on international drug testing that began Sunday. Starting next Wednesday, December 27, The Post will publish the last three parts of a series, which began in July, on the world's reaction to the AIDS epidemic in Africa. The articles will tell the story of how global pharmaceutical companies responded to the crisis, including a battle over the prices of AIDS medicines. Articles in both series are available online at www.washingtonpost.com.
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5523 Atlantic, Long Beach CA, 90805
Sold Price:
3,900 sqft
Status: Sold
Listing Provided Courtesy Of: INCO Commercial Realty Inc
Real Living Pacific Realty
(800) 660-9140
Last Updated: 11/22/2017 4:27 AM
Description for 5523 Atlantic Long Beach, CA 90805
• 6 Large 1 bed-1 bath units • Interiors in good condition – Kitchens & bath upgrades • 4 Onsite spaces and ample street parking • Separate Utility Meters • Laundry facility
Sold Price:
Sold Date:01/08/2016
North Long Beach (Nlb)
Los Angeles
3,900 (approx)
• 6 Large 1 bed-1 bath units • Interiors in good condition – Kitchens & bath upgrades • 4 Onsite spaces and ample street parking • Separate Utility Meters • Laundry facility
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1 Garage Spaces, 2 Parking Spaces
No Pool
Gutters, Sidewalks, Curbs Walk
Financial Considerations
$58,328 Income ,$20,657Expense
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Long Beach Real Estate
Long Beach is located in California. Long Beach, California 90805 has a population of 474,140.
The median household income in Long Beach, California 90805 is $52,944. The median household income for the surrounding county is $55,870 compared to the national median of $53,482. The median age of people living in Long Beach 90805 is 34 years.
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The public can use our tennis courts for recreation play free of charge, without having to book them.
Community and special events groups can book our courts for community events or tennis tournaments for the standard fee. Private tennis instructors (or companies) can book our courts for the standard fee.
Review the information on the tennis courts policies page.
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text: Home > Entertainment Gabby Concepcion bids goodbye to 'Dyesebel' ABS-CBN News Posted at Jul 09 2014 11:59 AM | Updated as of Jul 09 2014 07:59 PM Share Save Facebook Twitter GPlus LinkedIn MANILA -- Actor Gabby Concepcion finally bade goodbye to the hit fantasy series "Dyesebel," which is now down to its last two weeks. On Tuesday's episode of the series, Concepcion's character Dante Montilla died while trying to help his son Fredo (Gerald Anderson) save Dyesebel (Anne Curtis). In his official Instagram account on Wednesday, Concepcion thanked all those who are part of the primetime hit. "I only have good words and the BEST memories working with everyone involved in the making of DYESEBEL. It was a pleasure working with the cast, my directors, staff & crew. Big thank you to my Unit Director Head, Mr. Deo Edrinal & ABS-CBN for the break, trust and blessings. Many thanks to our sponsors and advertisers for their continuing support for all our programs at ABS CBN. Thanks to the Ravalo family for sharing and allowing ABS to share 'Dyesebel' to our loyal viewers," Concepcion wrote in the caption of a photo of himself. "Since I came back in 2008, I felt and realized the overflowing love and blessings from all of you. It was heartfelt and left an emotional impact. It was that moment which changed my perspective in life. This only strengthened my position to strongly declare that I have nothing to complain about and everything to be thankful for. Looking forward to giving you back only the best shows and excellent performances. Thank you and God bless to all," he added. Share Save Facebook Share on Twitter GPlus LinkedIn Read More: Gabby Concepcion dyesebel /video/business/11/21/17/ph-growth-still-below-potential-economist/news/11/21/17/2-guwardiya-sa-taguig-nahulihan-ng-mga-baril-at-bala/business/11/21/17/ptt-says-in-talks-with-8-chinese-firms-for-broadband-deal/news/11/21/17/excitement-and-worry-as-evacuees-in-iligan-return-to-marawi/news/11/21/17/p46-m-worth-of-smuggled-rice-seized-at-davao-port


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Rape is defined as non-consensual intercourse with another person. Under the general rule and the general definition, there are a number of distinctions. This can be non-consensual sex due to force or assault. It can also be because an individual is incapacitated and/or where an individual is not of an age of consent.
If accused of rape you are facing sever penalties including fines and jail time. For this reason, it is important you consult with a Richmond rape lawyer to discuss your case and build a defense. An attorney will look at the facts of your case and help you minimize the harm of your charges as much as possible. Call today and schedule a consultation with a sex crimes lawyer in Richmond.
Importance of a Richmond Rape Lawyer
It's important to hire a rape attorney in Richmond, Virginia who understands these cases and has had experience with them, because criminal defense for rape is different from other areas of the law. It requires specific techniques, knowledge, and experience from an attorney. You want an attorney who understands the evidence that the state will use, the testimony required to obtain a conviction, and how to challenge such evidence.
Many rape cases really come down to a he said/she said type of situation so you're going to want an attorney that can go after the witnesses to determine if they have ulterior motives or if they're telling the truth in a case like this.
Types of Rape Charges in Virginia
There's a number of ways you can be charged with rape in Richmond, Virginia including:
- Standard rape which is the forcible non-consensual intercourse or just basic non-consensual intercourse that can occur through force and/or the incapacitation of the alleged victim.
- Statutory rape, where an individual has sexual intercourse with someone who is under the age of 15.
- Date rape, which is referred to as rape with someone that you are familiar, either a coworker or a friend.
- Marital rape which can occur in the course of the marriage, again when there's forcible intercourse.
Another type is sexual assault, which doesn't always require actual intercourse to take place, but an assault where the intention is to have some sort of sexual contact or sexual touching. For information on what type of rape you are facing and how this could affect the potential penalties, call and schedule a consultation with a Richmond rape lawyer today.
Penalties for Rape
Penalties for rape can vary from a few years in jail to life in prison. With the stigma of such a conviction comes extremely high fines and a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender. Besides long term incarceration, a conviction will also likely result in the loss of your job and possibly your family making it imperative that you consult with a Richmond rape attorney as soon as possible after you are accused.
What Are Some Aspects of Rape Cases That Make Them Different From Other Sex Crime Cases?
Rape cases differ from other sex crime cases in how the cases are presented and the evidence used. Prosecutors will attempt to use DNA or forensic evidence to prove their case to go beyond he said/she said version of events. So they'll use rape kits and medical documentation to show that the rape did take place and they try and match the victim to the defendant for DNA evidence or other testing.
You need to know how to challenge this type of scientific evidence and in some cases provide your own witnesses to challenge it. You also need an attorney that is not afraid to confront the Prosecution's witnesses.
An experienced Richmond rape attorney can help with a rape case in the Richmond area by understanding what the state has to prove in this case and understanding how to challenge their evidence. A rape lawyer in Richmond needs to know how to challenge DNA and forensic evidence, by either challenging how it was obtained and/or the chain of custody for that evidence. An attorney must also be confident enough to challenge the state's evidence and in particular challenge the state's witnesses.
This can be very difficult to do, but an attorney must often show that the victim or the witness are not telling the truth and/or either have an ulterior motive or may even be retaliating against the defendant. You have to be able to cross-examine expert witnesses but also the attorney needs to have enough knowledge to present their own witnesses and their own experts.


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Massey College is a graduate students' residential community affiliated with, but independent from, the University of Toronto. It provides a unique, congenial and intellectual environment for graduate students of distinguished ability in all disciplines to share in a rich and stimulating community.
Tea Hut, Coffee House's springtime twin, is a talent night put on by the Junior Fellowship that is open to all members of the college. This year, it will take place on Saturday February 25th, in the Dining Hall. Past tea huts have featured everything from musical performances and poetry readings to demonstrations of how to properly eat an apple (from the bottom). All forms and genres are more that welcome! While most acts are usually put on by Junior Fellows, any and all members of the college can sign up to perform. The LMF will post a sign up in the foyer shortly, but anyone interested in performing can also email the LMF at email@example.com to ask questions and sign up directly.
Copyright © Massey College 2013. Design by Clifton van der Linden using Wisdom of Life Theme for WordPress. Photographs courtesy of Milan Ilnyckyj and Eric Foss.


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Prof. Nöthen in his laboratory; © Volker Lannert/Uni Bonn
Under the direction of scientists from the University of Bonn Hospital, the Central Institute of Mental Health of Mannheim and the University of Basel Hospital, an international collaboration of researchers discovered two new gene regions which are connected with the prevalent disease.
In this unparalleled worldwide study, the scientists are utilizing unprecedented numbers of patients. Throughout the course of their lives, about one percent of the population suffers from bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder. The patients undergo a veritable rollercoaster of emotions:
During extreme shifts, they experience manic phases with delusions of grandeur, increased drive and a decreased need for sleep as well as depressive episodes with a severely depressed mood to the point of suicidal thoughts. The causes of the disease are not yet fully understood, however in addition to psychosocial triggers, genetic factors play a large role.
"There is no one gene that has a significant effect on the development of bipolar disorder," says Prof. Markus M. Nöthen. "Many different genes are evidently involved and these genes work together with environmental factors in a complex way."
In recent years, scientists at the Institute of Human Genetics were already involved in decoding several genes associated with bipolar disorder. The researchers are now using unprecedented numbers of patients in an international research collaboration:
New genetic data from 2266 patients with manic-depressive disorder and 5028 control persons were obtained, merged with existing data sets and analyzed together. In total, data on the genetic material of 9747 patients were compared with data from 14,278 healthy persons. "The investigation of the genetic foundations of bipolar disorder on this scale is unique worldwide to date," says Prof. Marcella Rietschel from the Central Institute of Mental Health of Mannheim.
The search for genes involved in manic-depressive disorder is like looking for a needle in a haystack. "The contributions of individual genes are so minor that they normally cannot be identified in the 'background noise' of genetic differences," explains Prof. Sven Cichon from the University of Basel Hospital.
Only when the DNA from very large numbers of patients with bipolar disorder are compared to the genetic material from an equally large number of healthy persons can differences be confirmed statistically. Such suspect regions which indicate a disease are known by scientists as candidate genes.
Using automated analysis methods, the researchers recorded about 2.3 million different regions in the genetic material of patients and comparators, respectively. The subsequent evaluation using biostatistical methods revealed a total of five risk regions on the DNA associated with bipolar disorder.
MEDICA.de; Source: University of Bonn Hospital


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Princess at Summer Day; Young Queen; End Summer Break; Christmas Elf Jumping; Little Halloween Witch on Pumpkin; White Unicorn; Schoolboy.
Keywords: alice, angry, art, artworks, blackjack, card, cards, cartoon, characters, clip, crown, designs, drawing, fairy, gambling, game, graphics, heart, hearts, illustration, imagination, picture, queen, royalty-free, storytelling, symbol, tale, vector, wonderland.


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Fehily 'hopeful' over Kauto date
Corkman optimistic of King George showdown with recovering Commander
A pessimist, dismayed by the suspension of jumps racing, might find it hard to imagine a thaw in time for next month's King George, but optimists yesterday preferred to embrace grounds for believing that two of the central protagonists, Imperial Commander and Noel Fehily, will each overcome setbacks to their participation.
In fairness, some who consider themselves realists would reckon it in Imperial Commander's best interests not to go anywhere near Kauto Star, in what will be very much a home game for the horse seeking an unprecedented fifth success in the Kempton showpiece.
But Imperial Commander's trainer and owners seem to have their hearts set on disproving a popular theory that he is less effective round Kempton than Cheltenham, scene of his Gold Cup success in March.
And it seems that the cut sustained by Imperial Commander, when making that fluent return to the fray at Haydock 10 days ago, is healing sufficiently to renew those ambitions.
After a week of box rest, the bandages came off his foreleg yesterday. And while his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies stressed that Imperial Commander is "still not certain to get there by any means", he nonetheless declared his vet delighted by what he found.
"Things are all good," he said. "It's healing up really, really well."
Even so, Imperial Commander will not be able to resume cantering until Thursday at the earliest, in the meantime being confined to roadwork.
And while he would always have been due some recuperation after Haydock, he remains perilously close to the margin of a feasible training schedule, certainly if he is to give Kauto Star any more to think about than in two previous King George disappointments.
As for Corkman Fehily, he has not yet despaired of his momentous opportunity on Kauto Star after injuring a wrist at Newbury last Friday.
Though a fracture was suspected, X-rays have proved inconclusive and the jockey, offered the mount because Ruby Walsh broke a leg at Down Royal earlier this month, is hoping he can return in time to prove his fitness to Kauto Star's trainer, Paul Nicholls.
"The doctor said he's very hopeful I could be back in two to three weeks, well before Christmas," Fehily said. "Realistically, I'd have to be back riding a week before."
Fehily had secured the mount after what amounted to an audition, in the same Clive Smith silks, on Master Minded at Ascot 10 days ago. He got a magnificent round of jumping out of his mount, making Master Minded look the obvious one to beat from 10 acceptors for the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.
Sadly, the meeting already seems in doubt, frost having insinuated itself beneath the blankets on the track, and with snow also in the offing.
For the time being, Fehily is not missing a great deal. Indeed, the five shivering amateurs who made it as far as the start for the first race at Folkestone yesterday could well prove the only jump jockeys to weigh out all week. Increasingly heavy snow prompted the stewards to summon them back, and abandon the meeting.
Ayr and Catterick have already given up any hope for tomorrow, and the presumed loss of Plumpton following an inspection this morning would leave just an all-weather meeting at Kempton. An extra such card is being arranged for Lingfield on Thursday.
Another injured rider, Robert Thornton, had a further positive meeting with his surgeon yesterday. Told that he potentially faced a year off after rupturing three out of four knee ligaments in a fall in July, he remains optimistic of completing a comeback before Christmas. Assuming there are any meetings for him to ride at. (© Independent News Service)
Irish Independent


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I Have Seen A Jackalope
A group for peep that saw a jackalope and lived to tell about it. be afraid - be very afraid! haha .. 8 People
I Seen It!I saw one in Louisiana, hoping about in a grassy area I thought I was going crazy so I stare at it, it was definately a rabbit it horns and I noticed the front paws were little hooves and the back feet were big rabbit feet as you would expect. So either I saw a jackalope or a...
learntoswim 22-25, F 1 Apr 14, 2013


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Complete a puzzle to spell a word, while developing a sight-reading vocabulary or use the letters for stenciling. 64 colorful wooden letters fit into the 8 two-sided cutout boards to spell three- and four-letter words! All spelling and fine motor fun fits into one compact wooden storage case!
Dimensions: 3" x 6.5" x 14" Packaged
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Do the Miners Have Any Chance to Upset #18 Arkansas?
Tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m., the 2015 UTEP football season will kickoff in Fayetteville, Ark., against the nationally-ranked Razorbacks...
Tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m., the 2015 UTEP football season will kickoff in Fayetteville, Ark., against the nationally-ranked Razorbacks...
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Police say former Arkansas football player Josh Melton has been arrested on a second-degree murder charge.
Arkansas may have dropped from No. 8 to completely out of the Top 25 after losing to Louisiana-Monroe last Saturday, but that hasn't stopped their fans from being hog-wild for the Hoggies. This bizarre musical tribute video from a Razorbacks' fan is proof of that.
If, for some stupid reason, you ever start thinking you've grown too big for karma to reach her arms around you and your reputation, think again, long and hard, and remember the name Bobby Petrino.
We don't know if recently fired University of Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino is moving on, but we do know he's moving out.
When news of Bobby Petrino's firing surfaced yesterday afternoon, many people were surprised. Within minutes of the press conference to announce his firing, SI.com's Stuart Mandel suggested to CBS.com's Bryan Fischer via Twitter that Petrino's next landing spot should be UTEP.
Although Arkansas moved up to #3 in the latest BCS poll, the news was overshadowed Sunday by the tragic death of tight end Garrett Uekman, a redshirt freshman who had played in nine games for the Razorbacks this season.
It should come as no surprise that Mike Anderson chose to leave Missouri and return to Arkansas to become the school's next head coach.
It is that time of year again, Miners fans. Currently, two high profile universities have openings for a head men's basketball coach.


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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — When Sophia broke up with her boyfriend about a month ago, she said he began posting naked pictures of her online and even sent them to her family.
She said he also posted her name, address and phone number.
But police in Oregon can't do anything to help her.
"I was mortified," she said. "Just messed up it's allowed to be done."
Police told Sophia what her ex-boyfriend did is not a violation of the Oregon criminal code because the pictures were taken with her consent.
So she began a petition to criminalize what's called "revenge porn" in the same manner other states recently have.
"Not only is it dangerous, anybody can see it and come exactly to my house and do what they want," she told KOIN 6 News. "But also nobody should have the right to explicit pictures of anybody else without their consent. Period. No matter what."
She asked police to charge her ex-boyfriend with cyberbullying. But that law only applies to kids in schools, not the general population.
An attorney who spoke with KOIN 6 News said harassment laws in Oregon generally require some sort of physical threat or involvement. That's not the case with Sophia.
On the National Conference of State Legislatures website is an overview of revenge porn laws through the US.
California recently signed a bill into law, but even there the act is criminal only if the victim did not give permission for the picture to be taken.
Both Florida and Georgia criminalized revenge porn last month.
The national Cyber Civil Rights Initiative says similar laws exist in three states and are under consideration in several state legislatures.
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill aimed at stopping jilted lovers from posting explicit pictures of their former flames online to get revenge.
The measure sponsored by Arizona Republican Rep. J.D. Mesnard makes it a felony to post nude photos of a person without their written consent.
The bill also defines some postings as acts of domestic violence.
Colorado is considering a bill that would make it a misdemeanor to publish that material without a person's consent to hast them emotional distress, and offenders would be fined at least $10,000.
In Michigan, bills would make it illegal to post those images online without the subject's written permission.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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- Please select a date to see the proper prices!
Description of the accommodation:
Rooms, services Byron Lakeside Holiday Apartments Byron Bay is offering 19 nicely furnished rooms to stay in to those seeking accommodation in Byron Bay. Parking is availably nearby for those arriving by car. If you wish to learn more about the exact scope of services provided by Byron Lakeside Holiday Apartments Byron Bay (including any available for an extra fee), you will find them on the information sheet below.
Payment Credit card guarantee or advance bank card payment may be required for the reservation, depending on the chosen room, date and price.
Arrival, opening hours The earliest time of check-in is 14:00, the latest time of check-out is 10:00. The personnel of the apartment can speak with you in English.
Byron Lakeside Holiday Apartments Byron Bay rooms Rooms
- Please select a date to see the proper prices!
Accommodation services
- Pool (Outdoor - seasonally open)
Hairdryer, Fridge, Microwave oven, Washing machine, Tea/coffee-maker


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1 Answers
What type of work permit/visa is needed for a trained horse specialist?
Asked by: sboc 222 views USA Immigration
My husband is a specialist in training gaited horses. He has had invitations to conduct clinics in the USA but we are unable to find out what type of work permit/visa is needed. Clinics would be 3 – 7 days long, a few times a year. He has a diploma in agriculture but no degree, but has been working in this field for 40years. He is an Equine Consultant and teaches/lectures on many areas of the horse industry. What would be the best avenue to look at for this? He would be paid for this work.


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"Evidence based medicine insists on rigorous standards to appraise clinical interventions. Failure to apply the same rules to its own tools could be equally damaging" – Joseph L, Ioannidis JPA, Norma T, et al. The case of the misleading funnel plot BMJ 2006; 333:597.
Hypothesis: Hierarchical levels of evidence based medicine are incorrect.
Objective: To analyze the strength of evidence provided by different types of study designs: systematic reviews and meta-analysis, controlled clinical trials, and observational studies (case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional).
Analysis of public databases (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Embase, and WHO ICTRP) according to the following variables: geographical locations, sponsors (i.e., industry and non-industry), study designs, conditions (diseases), and interventions (pharmacological and non-pharmacological).
Estimation of unpublished clinical trials according to the variables listed above.
Analysis of publication bias in systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
Data and analysis supports the hypothesis in the title of this abstract.
Human pharmacology is a non-linear science created by multiple variables at different levels of complexity:
1. Drug effects at molecular and cellular levels: drug-receptor interaction (pharmacodynamics) and drug disposition (pharmacokinetics)
2. Effects of drugs on human health and disease: safety, efficacy, and effectiveness
3. Effects of drugs in the society: economical aspects (i.e., pharmacoeconomics), epidemiology (i.e., pharmacological surveillance), healthcare systems (i.e., definitions of essential medicines), over the counter availability of medicines, drug addiction, and many other variables.
Hierarchical levels of evidence-based medicine (EBM) are over-simplistic to understand complex relationships involved in human pharmacology. The first EBM article matching search terms in PubMed was published in 1992. The model of drug approval into the market, as well as our methods for appraisal of the evidence involving therapeutic interventions in humans, are supported by opinions instead of real data (i.e., evidence).
Evidence-based medicine is not "evidence-based".
Ramirez, Jorge H (2015): Evidence Live 2015: Hierarchical levels of evidence based medicine are incorrect. figshare. http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.1286767


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The media would have us believe that abortion is safe and rare, but that isn't the truth. The truth is that nearly 80% of women suffer depression after an abortion, some even to the point of killing themselves. A percentage of women also suffer from complications including future miscarriages, infertility, and death. Abortion has been linked to cervical and breast cancer. Though this story is fictional, it is based of true stories, but the good news is that God has the power to heal and forgive. If you liked Gosnell, you need to read this book.
Where It All Began (Book 2): excerpt
The lump in my airway grew, and I swallowed it down and nodded. My legs shook as I pushed up from the chair and stumbled in her direction. Weights like anchors pulled on them. Were they even part of my body? A screaming erupted in my head, urging me to flee, and I froze. My eyes tore about the room, but there was no one screaming. What am I doing? I turned to flee, but then I remembered Peter's ultimatum, and the fact that I couldn't raise this baby alone. It's for the best. The mantra started again and propelled me to the waiting woman. Up close, she was even more harsh looking. Ice for eyes, no smile, a don't-mess-with-me aura, hair pulled back in a tight brown bun. Executing a nearly perfect three-point turn, the nurse spun as soon as I reached her and marched into the back. Shoulders down, I followed, even as a small voice pounded in my head to turn around.
The nurse turned into a tiny room with a bed, a stool, a hard plastic chair, and a tray with instruments. "Undress from the waist down and put this on," the nurse said as she picked up a gown off the tray. She shoved it unceremoniously into my arms, and then she left the room.
The cold sterility of the room tightened the fear on my heart, but somehow I managed to pull off my clothes and fold them on the chair. I slid on the paper thin gown, wrapping it around my body. I shouldn't be here. I thought about bolting, but what good would it do? Instead, I climbed up on the bed, the paper crinkling beneath me. Surely, something in the room would calm my nerves. I glanced around, but there was nothing on the stark white walls, not one picture. No beaches, no calming words. Just a harsh white. Why did the walls present nothing calming? Surely other women felt the same anxiety.
A knock at the door arrested my attention, and I jumped. An older man with bushy white eyebrows and a wrinkled forehead entered along with the hardened nurse. I waited for a comforting word, but none came.
"Lay back," the nurse pointed. I acquiesced and focused on the white tiled ceiling. No comfort there either. "Legs up." I positioned my legs in the cold, metal stirrups and shivered again.
"Am I going to be awake?" I asked as the fear squeezed ever harder.
"Yes, did you think we would put you out?" A sharp stare from the icy eyes.
That was exactly what I had expected. I didn't want to be awake for this. If I got up to leave now, would they let me? A sharp sting caused me to suck in my breath.
"That was a local anesthetic. It will help."
A weight like a stone rolled on my chest, and it grew hard to take a breath. I squeezed my eyes shut, but that only intensified the sound of the clanking metal instruments. I opened them and began counting the holes in the tiles. One, two, three, "Ouch!" Tears filled my eyes as the pain intensified. Why had no one warned me about the pain?
"Hold still." A cold hand held my legs apart, and the freezing sensation crawled up my leg. Then the scraping started. I bit back the screams, though moans escaped, and tears flowed freely down my cheeks now. Scrape, tug, scrape, tears, moans, scrape, tug. My hands clutched the side of the bed. The scraping stopped, and I sighed with relief. Surely this was almost over. Then the whirring started, and my heart stopped. More suction, more tears, and still no comfort. The sound stretched to eternity; the pain never ceased. And then it was silent.
"You can get dressed now," the nurse said, and they left the room. The doctor had never spoken; I didn't even know his name. How different from all the doctors I worked with, who always introduced themselves. I tried to sit up, but my body fought me. The feeling of being punched repeatedly in the abdomen kept me prone. Then the guilt crept in. What had I done? A feral moan reached my ears. Was that me? And then a baby's cry echoed throughout the room. My eyes darted about, but I was still alone. The cold returned and hungrily licked up my body. Crossing my arms, I hugged my own shoulders, wishing I had never entered this vile place.
Where It All Began is technically the second book in the Heartbeats series, but can be read stand alone. You can get it at Amazon or Barnes and Noble and it is free to read with Kindle Unlimited.


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Team Barran Liebman Sponsors Bradley Angle 2016 Purple Purse Lunch
Published October 26, 2016
Barran Liebman was proud to sponsor and attend the Bradley Angle 2016 Purple Purse Lunch held on October 25th at the Portland Art Museum. This luncheon is the capstone to a month-long Purple Purse Challenge campaign, sponsored by the Allstate Foundation, for the month of November. Bradley Angle's mission is to serve everyone who is affected by domestic violence. The luncheon was hosted by the captivating Poison Waters, and was filled with inspiring stories that were shared, including Governor Kate Brown's personal experience with domestic violence. We are very proud that our very own, Traci Ray, Barran Liebman's Executive Director, serves on the Bradley Angle Purple Purse Luncheon Committee and helped plan this event. "The immense resources provided by Bradley Angle is a game-changer for our community. The support shown at the luncheon to help domestic violence victims take control of their lives speaks volumes about Portland, and the amazing people who are committed to make a difference in the lives of others," said Traci after the event. Thanks to the support of all the sponsors and attendees, the luncheon was a success, raising over $100,000 to kick off a month of fundraising.
Team Barran Liebman at the 2016 Purple Purse Lunch with Poison Waters.
About Bradley Angle
Bradley Angle's mission is to serve all people affected by domestic violence. They do this by placing people experiencing—or at risk of—domestic violence at the center of their services and providing them with safety, education, empowerment, healing, and hope. To learn more about Bradley Angle and the Purple Purse Lunch, please visit their website here.
Barran Liebman LLP is a Portland-based law firm that focuses on management-side Employment, Labor & Benefits Law. Learn more at www.barran.com.


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- D. K. Whigham and
- D. G. Woolley2
The effect of corn (Zea mays L.) leaf orientation on grain yield and production practices has been the subject of conflicting reports over the past few years. Plant population is reported to be the cause of the discrepancies. The objectives of the present study were to determine the effect of plant population and leaf orientation on corn plant efficiencies and their interaction. Two contrasting leaf angles were compared by the use of near-isogenic versions of the single-cross hybrid (Hy2 ✕ C103) consisting of the liguleless (lg2) and its normal counterpart. Light penetration, light reflection, total dry matter production, and grain yields were measured to determine the effect of the leaf orientation, leaf area, and plant densities on corn production.
Leaf angles of the two versions differed by 20°. Nine percent more light was intercepted by the horizontally oriented leaf type (ML). Plant populations (from 39,305 to 88,958 plants/ha) had no effect on leaf angle. High populations resulted in mutual shading which reduced the yield per plant. The mean leaf area per leaf of the HL was 17% larger than the vertically oriented leaf type (VL). Plants grown at 69,189 plants/ha had smaller leaves than those at the 49,421 population. Defoliation above the ear removed less leaf area than any of the other treatments and produced the smallest grain yield. All defoliation treatments reduced grain yield. Reflectors did not increase yield. Leaf orientation had little effect on corn production in rows spaced 76 cm apart.Please view the pdf by using the Full Text (PDF) link under 'View' to the left.
Copyright © . .


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Contact Information
Department of Psychology
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego CA 92182-4611
Campus Location: LS 110
Tel: (619) 594-5359
Fax: (619) 594-1332
Jennifer Thomas, Ph.D.
(619) 594-5401
Admissions Coordinator
Jackie Jones
(619) 594-5359
firstname.lastname@example.com LSN 110
Psychology (MA)
How to Apply
Step 1: Apply to the University through Cal State Apply.
Step 2: Submit required documents to Graduate Admissions.
Step 3: Complete Program Application. Consult the department website for details concerning required materials.
Please note that the Cal State Apply application must be completed PRIOR to the program application. Please plan to complete the Cal State Apply application AT LEAST one week before the program deadline.
Fall 2018 Deadlines
- Submit Cal State Apply Application December 15
- Submit Documents to Graduate Admissions January 12
- Complete Program Application December 15
Spring Deadlines
- Not currently accepting applications for Spring semester


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Avatar: New Legends (IC)
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September 21st, 2013 (11:38 PM). Edited September 22nd, 2013 by Sephear.
Believe in the you that believes in cheese
Silver Tier
Join Date:
Apr 2011
Davian Krotesse & Julienne
Julienne peered over the top of the seats, noting how many guards were standing nearby that would notice that both of them left. The rest were on opposite sides of the stadium or too far away to notice anything. She sat back down, looking over at Davian. "There's only three. If you can knock them out, we should be able to get to the exits. We have to be really quiet about it though. Just hit them in the head with something and let's go."
The plan itself was crazy, but it had to work if she was going to get out of here. "Think you can manage that?"
Davian smirked at Julienne. "Manage it? Oh, I think I'll find the strength to handle it." He undid the drawstring on his left hip pouch and pulled out the remaining Omni-Orb, then pulled both of his hands away from it and each other in smooth motions until it became a small baton. "Stay close enough to react if something goes wrong, but far enough that they won't hear you or hit you if I screw up okay?" Julienne nodded in response.
He only waited long enough for her to nod before creeping forward, he chose the guard further to the left for a smooth start. He straightened his back just enough to reach above the man's head before bringing the baton down right on the back of his skull, there was only a dull thud before he slumped to the floor.
Good thing these guys were trying ot blend in, if he was wearing a helment of any kind that would've been loud.
After factoring in the possibility that the remaining guards might have heard the noise or actually seen it, Davian acted fast for the second step. He made a ninety-degree turn and sprinted at the other two. Once he was closer, he jumped and kicked the further one in the face, rebounding off of him to get in another little jump and bring the baton down on the last one's nose.
Julienne jumped up from where she was hiding and swiftly ran over to him. "Wow, impressive. If you had fought Angelique, it certainly would've been interesting. Let's move." She dropped back down and began to crawl her way through the stands, keeping her head below the tops of the seats in front of her.
Davian wasted no time getting down to the floor and following Julienne...for the
part he managed to avoid enjoying the view. "Let me know as soon as you see something, the sight lines are a bit narrow back here.
Julienne scowled. "My butt isn't
big, okay? I know I've been putting on weight. Sheesh... guys are so insensitive some times." She continued to crawl forward, her elbows starting to hurt.
Holding in the chuckles fighting for dominance of his body, Davian continued on silently behind Julienne. Eventually, they made it to the end of that row, which dropped off down to the floor that led to the exit. Two guards were standing by the door, facing forward and actually
their job. "Okay... there's two guards. They're both facing forward, so you might have to take them out long distance. Can you do that from where you're at?"
Once they stopped, he tried to get a good view of the guards at the exit. "Ugh... this would be a lot easier if I had a crossbow. I doubt I can throw accurately from this far." His face was momentarily overtaken by a mischeivous smile. "And just so you know, I was talking about the seats getting in my way. But by all means, talk about your butt more if you want. It's not bad at all."
"I can kick you in the face from here."
"Fair point."
Julienne looked back out to the guards. Guess it was her turn. "Well, I can do something. I'm going to distract them. When I do, you attack them. Okay? Just don't hit me if you throw something."
"Hit a lady? Me? I shudder at the thought, so no worries."
Julienne nodded before she coughed loudly, making sure to add in a realistic hacking noise. She crawled forward, lowering herself down on the floor, which caused the guards to jump to attention. She continued her coughing, holding her stomach and walking slowly towards them. "*cough* *cough* Yo, I'm really sick. *cough* *cough* I think I'm gonna throw up. *cough* Can you take me to the *cough* bathroom?"
The guards looked at each other, contemplating what to do. They weren't supposed to let anyone leave, but they really didn't want this girl to blow chunks all over the place and then get in trouble for it. "Eh... can you just throw up over the railing instead? We're not supposed to let you leave."
"I -" Julienne fell down on her knees in a fake coughing fit, making both the guards go over to her and see if she was alright. From behind her back, she motioned for Davian to make his move. The guards were almost perfectly in line with the row they were in.
Dammit, those guys are a bit too far apart... Oh! It looks like I'm not gonna need the daggers at this point.
He reached into his shirt and his boot sheath to pull out the daggers when Julienne first started talking to them. Davian then re-liquefied the daggers and added them to the baton to make it almost a full staff before aligning himself to the drop. He braced himself and took off, running as hard as he could from across a different section of seats. "Thank whatever gods I'm still in shape!" He leapt as far as he could and reached as far forward as possible with the staff, bringing it down on both guards' at the same time.
Julienne stood up as both the guards fell down beside her. "Not bad." She commented, looking at them both. "Coulda just thrown something at them, but that works too. Now then." She began to walk towards the exit that lead back into part of the lobby.
"Woah woah woah, hold on. The lobby is one of the most likely paths escapees would take. It's probably guarded well too." Davian whispered to Julienne as he sidled up to her.
She stopped as Davian suddenly appeared next to her. But, he was right. She sighed, crossing her arms as she thought. "Well, I guess you're right. But where are we supposed to go? I mean, it's not like this place has some kind of escape tunn- AAAAH!"
Suddenly, a gloved hand grabbed Julienne from behind, sending electric shocks through her body that made her scream out in pain. Davian turned quickly as it happened. "Juli-" But before he could react, another guard came from nowhere and struck him in the stomach, kicking him into the wall. After a minute of shocking, the guard let go of Julienne, who immediately fell to the ground as she groaned in pain. Both guards turned towards Davian. The one who shocked Julienne spoke first. "Whoops, did we hurt your girlfriend? Sorry 'bout that. Guess you're next."
Davian gritted his teeth in pain and had to use all of his willpower not to grab his ribs. "I gotta say, I'm disappointed. I was beginning to think you guys were pretty smart... but then you decided a good hit to the gut was enough to stop me." He moved to sweep one of the guards' legs with his staff, but the man's reflexes were pretty sharp after all. He grabbed the staff with his gauntleted hand and thought he had one, but Davian was ready before he could think up a cocky retort. "Sorry pal, this metal doesn't conduct electricity. It's cellular structure -"
Before Davian could continue his explanation, the other guard came from the side and delivered a rough punch to his face. "No one asked for an explanation." He then proceeded to kick Davian down on the floor, pulling the staff from his grip and throwing it behind him.
"Learn some manners. I was speaking!" Davian made a few quick gestures with his hands, ending with a sweep towards himself. The staff seemed to change it's mind on the whole "being thrown" thing and proceeded to fly directly into the back of the mouthy guard's head. As soon as he was off balance, Davian used him as leverage to pull himself up. As soon as he had his balance, but before getting all the way up he backhanded the guy with one of his spiked bracelets.
The other guard took the opportunity given through his fallen partner to deliver a spinning kick right to Davian's face before stomping hard on the ground and kicking him in the same spot Davian had gotten kicked in the first time, sending him to the ground once again. Before Davian could do anything, the guard came over and stomped down on his wrist, grabbing Davian's shirt with the metal glove. "That's quite enough. You lose, son."
Davian kept his arrogant smirk on while he looked the guard in the face. "Hate to break it to you, but a smart man always has a back-uuuuuuuuuuuuuup -" The last bit of his sentence was drawn out by the electrical current that began to flow freely into Davian from the glove.
"Heh, that should shut you up." The guard stood back up, stepping off of Davian's wrist. "Now then, for the girl."
As the guard turned around, however, he was met with a terrible fate. Julienne had gotten up during the small fight and jumped right at the guard, the dagger gripped tightly in her hand. Before the guard could get a hold on her, she landed on him, pushing him to the ground and driving the dagger into his chest. The guard screamed as the metal entered his body, piercing him in the lungs Julienne held it in place for a few moments before angrily ripping it out, throwing it to the side. The guard made a few nasty choking sounds before he finally stopped moving and, well, died.
Julienne immediately jumped over away from the guard, realizing exactly what she had just done. She looked at her hands, hoping not to see any blood on them, and was relieved to find that they were clean. She shuddered slightly when she looked back over at the dagger before crawling over to Davian. "Dude, get up. We don't have time for this. Come on." She gave him a gentle slap across the face.
The beat-up Metal Bender blinked absently a few times before his eyes really shot open and he shook his head. "Easy for you to say. A cracked rib and a gajillion volts of electricity slows a guy down." He coughed hard a few times and was pleased to see no blood came out.
Julienne decided against reminding Davian that she had gotten shocked too and helped him sit up, being careful not to hurt his ribs more than they already were. "Right. Sorry. Okay, so... now what? Where are we supposed to go, and how are we supposed to defend ourselves while we get there? You aren't exactly in prime fighting condition, and I'm... I'm not touching that dagger."
Davian sat up and patted Julienne's shoulder. "Well for what it's worth, thank you. Don't feel too bad; you did what you had to. Speaking of which, I'm done trying to be a good human being and just knock these guys out." He stood the rest of the way up and grabbed the dagger off of the floor. He separated the staff and the dagger back into two orbs before concentrating and giving them new shapes. Both orbs formed into long swords with cutlass handguards and blades like a straight katana. "We're going to have to hope there is a better path out, because they've definitely got some guys who actually know how to fight."
"W-W-Whoa now, hold on!" Julienne was extremely frightened by the fact that Davian was literally planning to go on some kind of morbid killing spree. "We don't need to kill anyone! I... I have a weak stomach, and I don't think I can hold that fried chicken down if I see any of that. Besides, killing people is wrong, and they weren't trying to kill us! Let's just..." She gently pushed the blades away from her. "... not do that."
Davian pivoted and held the swords upright away from Julienne. "Listen to me; I'm not gonna go looking for trouble. If I can avoid violence, I will, but that whole ordeal right there just proved that if any of these guys are strong enough to power through one of my hits I might not win."
Julienne didn't take too kindly to this suggestion. "Dude, you can't do that. Killing people is wrong, okay? It's just... you can't do that."
"We can sit here and argue about morals or we can try to get out. Those guys may not be out to kill
, but they're looking an awful lot like equalists. And if that's true, you'll probably be fine. But since it's not very likely they have someone who can take bending away, what do you think will happen to me if we get caught?" Davian paused to let the last sentence sink in.
Julienne was silent for a moment, and then she stomped her foot down. "Ugh! I can't believe this is even happening..." She muttered, crossing her arms and looking away. "Why do we have to kill people? I can't bring myself to d..." She stopped when she realized that she literally just did. "... do it again."
"You don't have to." Davian tried to make his voice sound reassuring. "I don't expect you to fight anymore. Besides, I've already made my peace with killing in a situation like this..." He didn't elaborate. "I think I know a path that might not be so heavily guarded. They took out the pro benders right away before anyone else, I think."
"You mean... the training rooms?" She asked. "Are you sure that's completely safe? Because... that's really not logical. If anything, that's probably worse than the lobby."
"Exactly, it's not logical. The actual competition platform is a good distance away from the stands so normal people couldn't just jump down. And if they've already got all the pro benders, why would they expect anyone to leave through either of the training rooms?"
"... I'm not following."
"It basically just comes down to 'they shouldn't expect anyone to leave that way' so we can either try to get out through the training rooms or push through the lobby. If you can think of something better, I'm all ears."
Julienne pondered both possibilities. Okay, the lobby didn't sound too safe, and with the Training Rooms already raided, it'd probably be easier to get out that way. Of course, there was no guarantee that they were safe, but it seemed better than just standing here and waiting for another attack. "Okay... that works. But how are we gonna get down to the platform?"
Davian put his hand to his chin. "That's a good question. Do you have any gloves?"
"Nope. Nothing but the clothes on my back."
"Well then, I guess I'll just have to make some and hope the friction isn't enough to burn the nerves off of my poor little hands. Here you go." He reached into his bag and pulled out a pair of fairly thick leather gloves and handed them to Julienne.
She loooked at the gloves questioningly. "Uh... what exactly did you have in mind to get us down there that would involve... burning the nerves in our hands?"
"Well." Davian began, taking one of his Omni-Orbs and stretching it bit by bit. "I'm thinking I can make a metal chord that will get us down to the platform from the edge of the stands. Hence the gloves, althought i don't think the metal ones I'm gonna have to make myself will protect or grip too well."
"Um... well, what if I just hung onto you while we slide down so you can use the gloves? That way we can both get down without risking, y'know, falling in the water. Or nerve damage. Or both."
Davian scratched his chin a bit. "Y'know, if I was better looking I'd think that was just an excuse. But it's a good idea. Do you think you can hold onto me tight enough to stay on your own or should I hold onto you? I'll only have one free hand so it would be hard to keep my positioning... appropriate."
She bit her lip slightly in hopes of clearing the awkward. "Well, um... I'm pretty sure I can hold onto you. No big deal. And if I fall, well... I can swim, so I'll take a platform up to one of those balconies and be right in the training room."
"Good thing you made the suggestion, I just realized I can't make gloves and make the chord long enough." Davian added the second orb to the chord and kept lengthening it while he spoke. "Alright, I think this'll do; you ready?"
Julienne gulped, handing the gloves to Davian. "I guess so. Just know that none of this is intentionally sexual. Don't get any funny ideas."
Davian slipped the gloves on and smiled. "Not intentionally, but I can't help ideas. I've got self control." He made his way towards the stands again. "C'mon, don't worry. I won't tell your friend we had any physical contact. And I don't let my hands wander."
I should tell her that the only physical contact was my fist in your face.
Julienne thought angrily as she followed Davian to the stands. "Okay then. So, did you think about how to do this discreetly? Because I think people might notice two people sliding down a metal bar onto the platform."
He coiled the chord a couple of time and slipped it over his shoulder. "Another wise question... seems to me like we'll either have to hope our original seats are still fairly clear of guards after knocking those guys out.- wait, those guys!" He looked towards the lobby entrance and, sure enough, the two guards he had knocked out with his mini-staff were still there. "Maybe if we each put one of their fancy gauntlets on, anybody who sees us will think we're chasing down an escaping bender or something."
"Well... that is a good idea, but from the looks of it, these people aren't really benders. If you did put those things on, you probably shouldn't metalbend in them. Besides, we never know what they can do. They might be set to be specifically for one person and will electrocute anyone who isn't them that tries to wear them. They could also be locked onto their wrists and only be taken off with a passcode."
"Maybe for the higher ups and such, but I'm sure enough of these guys are just regular jerks who believe in the cause. There's no way they could afford to put all the time and effort to make each gauntlet special. They must have a basic mass-produced version for the grunts. We'll just have to hope that's the case with some of the guys we've already taken out."
"... I guess it's a better defense than a hastily-made metal dagger. No offense." Julienne climbed up into the row above Davian so she could walk along towards the three unconscious guys they had knocked out before.
Davian hoisted himself up beside her and knelt beside one of the guards. "Let me try first just in case I'm wrong, I may be a jerk but I'm not watching you get hurt again if I can help it."
"Okay, I get it. You can ease up on the nobleman act now. I'm not
useless." She crossed her arms. "Dude just caught me by surprise is all."
"I'm not criticizing; did it look like I was prepared for them? I'm just saying there's no way to be prepared if it
booby-trapped and I'd rather not see it happen to you. Don't be so defensive. You've saved my butt twice, I'm not gonna underestimate you." He reached for the guard's right arm and after a few good pulls, the gauntlet came off. "So far so good." He slipped the guantlent onto his own right hand and flexed his fingers a few times. "Looks like we're in business."
"Great." She reached down and grabbed one, slipping it on as well. "Ooh, I like these. It's so weird how they're made of metal but still so flexible. You should totally learn how to do this. Can you make something like this with metalbending?"
"Well... I made an almost living metal that can switch between solid and liquid states with a bit of bending, so I don't see why not. After all, there are flying machines and moving pictures. Tell you what, if we ever meet again after this remind me." He stood back up and crept over to the railing. "You ready?"
"Yup. let's do this." She put her hands on the railing, looking down over the water. "Quick question though: did you test your bending in the gloves yet like I said before?"
"Good idea, let's see." He held the chord in his left hand and swept his fingers back and forth with the right. After a few moments the chord remained still but Davian's right hand jerked over his shoulder and then back in front of him. "Well... that's a bit of a downer, but I can still bend with my left hand just fine. As long as neither of us slips and I don't have to catch you, we should be good. If worse comes to worse, I can use some bending to make the chord move the way we want it to."
"Yeah, try not to move it while we're sliding down unless it involves stopping us from crashing into something." She added. "So, you ready? Because once we get down there, it's action mode. Probably."
"Ready? I'm looking forward to it; sliding down a metal chord towards impending doom with a lady sounds fun no matter how she feels about me. Just get a good grip on me however you think would be easiest to hold on and let's go. I'd say don't
get any ideas, but girls are a bit more subtle than that when they want something."
"Just shut up and get on the cord before I push you off the stands." She rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah." Davian tied the cord around the railing tightly and stepped up to get the angle right. "Okay, step on up and let me be a hero for once." He teased with a light chuckle.
She rolled her eyes but gently stepped up, placing a hand on his shoulder to keep her balance. "Alright... so how am I gonna do this while we're standing up here without falling off the rail?"
He almost slammed the palm of his hand onto his temple right then and there. "Well that's an impressively idiotic lapse of judgement on my part, although it does help that you're already up here. Makes for less climbing." He hopped off the railing and turned away from Julienne, putting his hands palm up behind him in case she needed help. "Here you go, all aboard the metal jerkward express."
She grabbed his hands, almost losing her balance as he jumped down. After a momentary pause, she jumped onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, somewhat awkwardly. "Er... alright, I guess this'll work. Somewhat."
When Julienne almost put him in a stranglehold, Davian's neck muscles tensed as he tried to keep his breathing steady. "I was just expecting an arm on my shoulder and one around my waste, but whatever. There's nothing that would make this awkward for me."
"Yeah... right. Sorry." Julienne felt extremely uncomfortable on Davian's back, but couldn't really do anything about it because it was two certain things causing the discomfort.
Times like this makes me wish I didn't have breasts.
Davia stepped back onto the railing and then over, setting both gloved hands on the metal cord. It was the jarring of landing that made Davian finally realize what the two points of extra pressure on his back were. "Here we go. I'll try to go softly."
Julienne honestly wasn't even listening to him. As soon as the two bounced during the landing, her already intense grip grew worse, to the point where she could probably squeeze Davian's heart out if she were stronger. "ohmygodhoymgodjustgoogogogogogogo-"
Julienn's rambling was interrupted by a shifting in their gravity and a, "Your wish is my command." When Davian stepped off of the edge and they began to slide downward. His neck muscles tensed harder in an attempt to keep air circulating through him; he was slowly failing. "I... ack... might not be able to hold on tight enough if I can't breathe."
Julienne, who was adorning the most painful looking face nodded somewhat. "S-Sorry... I'll try to slide down a bit..." Although the idea seemed great in theory, the minute Julienne let go of Davian's neck, she slid down
far, causing her to deliver her intense deathgrip to Davian's, well... waist. "ohmygodohmygodohmygofasterpleasegofastergetmeoffofthisthingohmygod."
"Agh!" Davian's hold on the cord loosened dangerously when Julienne slid downward and their progress became considerably faster... and more dangerous, his voice had also been raised an octave or so. "I just meant to loosen up a bit! Crapcrapcrapcrapcrap." When they got close to the bottom, Davian was finally able to hold on tightly again, slowing them down and making a loud scraping noise thanks to the metal in the equalist glove. The cord began to sway hazardously back and forth.
Julienne squealed each time she felt herself swaying, her grip getting worse with each one. "GETMEOFFOFTHISTHINGOHMYGOD PLEASAERGET ME OFF OH MY GOD EEEEEEEE." Her words became a jumbled, incoherent mess as each minute passed, and her grip would make any man in Davian's situation feel rather feminine afterwards considering the damage being dealt.
Right now I'm really wishing I could make a certain place metal. This is not how it's supposed to happen when a guy and girl are alone.
"Alright that's enough! I'd rather kiss the platform than this, and I don't care if I piss you off!" Davian used a quick bet of bending with his left hand to make the cord swing towards the platform. Once he was satisfied with the way they were moving, he grabbed Julienne's shoulder, hiked her up and put an arm under her legs. He didn't care where it was he gripped her; he just had to end this. Once he had her secure he leapt towards the platform and angled himself so Julienne was directly on the other side of him, opposite from the platform. The positioning elicited quite a loud, "Oof!" and an even louder scream of terror when they landed, once that more than likely brought every guard in the arena to attention.
"The lobby... sounds... like heaven right now... berry protecting heaven..." Davian muttered in his stupor of pain and fatigue.
Julienne immediately released Davian's grip on her legs with a smack to his hand before she crawled forward and immediately began kissing the ground. "Oh sweet ground, baby, don't you ever leave me again. Oh good god I missed you so much." After her ground worshipping was over, she immediately turned to Davian, her face very red and angry-looking. "What the hell was that? What the hell was
Why did you sling me over your shoulder like that? Huh? What if I fell? Do you think I would have survived a fall like that?! What if I hit my head off the platform when I fell? And just so you know, you almost grabbed me in the crotch. You're lucky I have long legs or I would be bashing your damn face in right now!"
When Davian finally felt he could stand up, he just looked Julienne absently in the face while she yelled at him.
Why does she look so much hotter than I remember right now? I think I have a problem.
"You're going to give me crap about where
hand went? I guess the fact that I shielded you with my face doesn't count for much in light of what a pervert I am."
She squinted her eyes angrily. "Frankly, I hope it hurts. For a long,
"I guess I should have left you up there since I'm
a jerk. You'd probably be better off without the likes of me." He was really beginning to wish Julienne's evaluation of him was true so he wouldn't have a reason to care. "Besides, did you really have to squeeze me like that? These gauntlets work just fine for sliding; maybe I'm not the one with grabbing issues. Now let's go before whoever heard your scream gets here."
She opened her mouth to protest against his lewd statements, but immediately she shut up when she realized that she probably could have and most definitely should have slid down the cord herself. How that didn't occur to her, she didn't know. "... Whatever. So how do we get to the training rooms from here, genius?"
Davian liquefied the cord and reconstituted the orbs in his hands before putting them back in their pouches. "Easy, we walk. Maybe you were too unfocused too notice while we plummeting here, but they never finished closing everything up before this attack started. The entry walkways are still connected to the platform. We need to go
and I'm not leaving you at this point, whatever you think of me."
"Fine then, we'll go now." She mocked, making rather childish "meh" sounds afterwards. "Don't wait up." She immediately stormed ahead of him angrily, her hair bouncing in synchronization as she stomped across the platform with gusto."Frickin' metalbenders..." she mumbled.
He watched her stomp towards the training rooms and let out a huge sigh. "I guess I'm not doing this for thanks. But would it kill her to appreciate that I'm not even angry at her for nearly sabotaging us?" He shrugged and followed her.
However, as he stepped on the platform and she stepped off, there was an almighty humming, which caused both of them to stop. Before they could react, the walkways began to slowly retract back into the platform on both sides. Julienne hastily looked around. "Dude, what's going on? Come on, you need to hurry over here and - look out!"
From behind Davian came a random guard, hand electrified and ready to attack.
Davian decided he had kept the stupid gauntlet long enough and pegged the guard right in the face with it. Once it hit its target, he clenched his fist and the gauntlet released its payload as if he were still wearing it. While Davian turned back to cross the walkway he shouted. "Keep going! Don't wait for me!"
"Dude, I'm not leaving you behind! I don't care how rude you are, I still need - ah!" A guard from behind grabbed Julienne, holding her to where she could only struggle and kick her legs. "Let go of me you creep!" Despite the force of her struggling, he slowly began to inch his way over to the edge of the platform, probably planning to throw her off.
"It'll be easier to cross if you're not in the - no!" Various obscenities left Davian's lips as he sprinted towards the pair across the retracting walkway.
Why is nothing ever simple with women?!
He was halfway to the other side when he noticed the guard was dragging Julienne towards the edge. "You're looking for benders, right? Then try this on for size, YOU COWARD!" In one fluid movement Davian took the Omni-Orbs out of their pouches and, in a miracle of emergency, formed them into the blades from earlier. When he reached the edge of the walkway, he realized there was no other choice. He jumped in complete defiance of how badly his most sensitive area hurt and how hard his legs tried to ignore him. After a few moments of sailing through the air, Davian realized with horror that he wasn't going to make it.
No... no. I can't watch somebody die again!
He thrust the right sword forward with adrenaline's precision and buried it in the guards shoulder. Immediately afterwards gravity took hold of him again and only his left sword getting caught on a gap in the floor kept him up a few moments longer.
As soon as the guard was stabbed, Julienne forced herself from his grip. She immediately turned around and delivered a sharp punch right to his face, making him stumble backwards into the railing. She followed up with a nice cheap shot with her foot, using the force of the kick to push the guard over the edge. She wasted no time and dove over, grabbing Davian's hand as the sword came loose and fell down towards the water. Her other hand held onto the railing desperately as she tried not to drop him. "Ah... this is really bad... I don't know if I'm strong enough to pull you up."
Davian was incoherent with relief for a moment. "You're alive... thank god."
"Well, yeah, great. How am I supposed to get you up here without tearing my arm to pieces?" She looked around, hoping for some kind of thing he could grab onto. That railing... "Okay... I'll try to pull you up somewhat. When you think you can reach it, grab the railing and get up here. Think you can do it?"
"Can't lose to fate now. I'm getting up there if I have to let go and climb up from the water by hand later, so give it a shot!"
"Okay. I hope those workout videos pay off!" She grunted painfully and began slowly pulling Davian up with all her might, clenching her face in extreme pain as she did so.
"C-C'mon, grab the stupid thing!"
As soon as Davian felt himself lifted a few inches higher he swung his right arm as hard as he could at the railing. His first attempt was a failure, but the second time his fingers wrapped around the railing and he started pulling as hard as he could until he felt himself moving upwards. Only a few seconds after his right hand started working it's magic his left hand lost his grip on Julienne's. He hadn't realized it in the haze of adrenaline and determination, but when his sword caught in the floor the wrenching had dislocated his wrist. Luckily Davian had done plenty of pull-ups and he could make it one-handed, however slowly.
As soon as Davian's feet touched the balcony floor, Julienne ran over from her kneeling spot and hugged him tightly - not tightly enough to kill him. "
scare me like that ever again! I seriously thought you were a goner, dude!"
Before Davian realized he was really safe or thought much of anything he found himself hugging Julienne back. "Why couldn't you just go? I thought you were gonna die!" For a second, an image of a handsome young firebender looking at him with empty eyes flashed through Davian's mind and his vision blurred a bit when his eyes moistened.
"Dude, I thought
were gonna die! I couldn't just let that happpen. I wouldn't want to deal with that kind of guilt." She commented back, just now noticing that he was hugging her back too. "I was fine until freakshow showed up. Thanks for bailing me out though. I kinda needed it."
Davian stopped the skipping record that was his head from repeating
she's alive she's alive I didn't have to watch anyone die.
He let go of Julienne. "I really hope he was the last guy between us and the exit... I'm not feeling so tough right now." He shook his left arm with its useless hand a bit.
Julienne leaned to the side a bit, looking behind Davian and then turning her head to the side to look out at the stands. "As long as those twenty guys in the stands can't get down here, I'm sure we're good." She tried to ignore the nagging feeling that she kind of enjoyed Davian's hugs and didn't want to let him go, trying to keep a cool demeanor like Angelique would.
She would be so much better at stuff like this... She wouldn't need bailed out like that... and Davian would probably be happy to hug her over me... ugh why am I even thinking that? Does it matter? Stupid thoughts...
"I, uh... er... I'm sorry I squeezed you like that. I don't know what came over me."
"... Well... considering that I accidentally destroyed your pelvis, I think we can just call it even, m'kay? Besides, all you did was grab my thigh. Nothing too serious about that."
Davian scratched the back of his head.
Why am I getting all worked up about this? Am I really that messed up? I feel like a child, Getting all emotional.
He stood up, realizing that Julienne hadn't let go of him yet.
As soon as Davian stood up, Julienne realized that she was
hugging him. She immediately let go, her hands flying behind her head. "Haha, right, yeah. Let's, um... we should keep moving."
Oh God I'm such a blonde...
He only smiled at her. "Just a second." He grabbed his left wrist and jerked it one way, and then the other, causing Julienne to wince. Once it finally snapped into place he grimaced and shook it a bit. "There, now I can use it... no matter how bad it hurts." Without a thought he patted Julienne's shoulder once. "Alright, it's about time we finished our daring escape... I can't wait to tell the story of how some random girl saved my life. I make a better damsel in distress than I would've thought."
"... Oh wow, I just felt some of the chicken from earlier come back up." She turned tail and walked towards the training rooms slowly, trying not to let the overwhelming sickness caused by Davian's wrist repair hinder her.
"Oh my... sorry!" Davian called after her while he moved towards the training rooms, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
Quite a day... isn't it, Bouho?
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Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Carolina Hurricanes - 3/5/16 NHL Pick, Odds, and Prediction
Carolina Hurricanes (29-26-10) at Tampa Bay Lightning (38-22-4)
NHL Hockey: Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 7:00 pm (Amalie Arena)
The Line: Tampa Bay Lightning -205 / Carolina Hurricanes +184 --- Over/Under: 5 See the Latest Odds
The Hurricanes look to inch closer to a playoff spot as they take to the road to face off against the Lightning in Tampa Bay.
The Carolina Hurricanes head into Tampa on Saturday night looking to move within four points of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference but they are in tough on the road against the defending East champions. Carolina is a quiet 29-26-10 and while they are likely to fall short of the postseason they have exceeded expectations in most circles and could very well pull off a shocker and sneak into the playoffs. However, with the parting of Eric Staal and a relatively young core it looks like this team is going to move forward with a rebuild and a respectable draft pick is in the cards to help move that process along. Eddie Lack continues to get the call in the Carolina crease as he will face off against Ben Bishop.
USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Lightning head into tonight's game at home sitting in top spot in the Atlantic but are joined by the Panthers, Bruins, and Red Wings in the chase in what is a very exciting battle between playoff hopefuls. Tampa is 8-2 in their last 10 contests and are 20-10-2 at home this season which bodes well for them here against the Canes who are 13-14-4 on the road this season and with the Bolts holding a big edge in the goaltending battle I think they have more than enough in the tank to get a big win here. Tampa is a pretty heavy favourite so I recommend playing the regulation angle and getting a better payer.