How many people have you kicked in your lifetime?


And, not counting training exercises for practice fighting...have you ever had to kick Brock?



And...does Brock (or any of your other buddies) ever make hare related puns that make you want to kick him?

He probably only wants to kick them if he's having a bad hare day.

"I can't even count that high, I have to admit. I mean, come on. I was a close-quarters combat specialist in the army for almost 10 years and saw action in at least 4 different countries. My style of fighting was mostly kicks, cause lets face it, I don't exactly have a lot of upper-body strength.

As far as Brock is concerned, I would never hurt him. That being said, yeah, I've kicked him in the tail a few times in the past. Usually for being a sarcastic ass or generally moping around stuck in his own head or something like that. He needs a swift kick in the rear every once in a while.

Finally, nah. My friends and family know I'm a little tetchy about species humor. Yeah, I'll admit it. I'm probably too sensitive to it, but... there you have it."

What's your number one ambition?

"My number one ambition? I'd have to say to be the best damn father to my kids I can be. They're a gift from above, and so all I want is to be worthy of them."

"How am I supposed to know that? I just got here this morning!

>> Az shakes Dragon's calaw and gingerly sits back down in his chair

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Mr. Dragon. As far as the deaths of the squad goes, I didn't even find out about Wey until after I came out of the coma. I vividly remember trying to give Clancy CPR, and for me... that was the worst point of the entire day. There was a moment, just a moment, that I had hope that I might be able to save him, but..." >>Az chokes up momentarily>> "it just wasn't enough. I mean, it was my JOB to make sure all the boys made it back to the barracks after each mission. At least, that's how I saw it. After that... I was kind of numb. When that bomb went off and took out Rojas and Gorski... I hoped... but I also knew there was nothing left. Then I saw Mel hurt. The sting. That damn FOY dart. When I was a leveret back then, I was only about halfway there. I mean, I kind of knew what was going on, and had some control of my own thought processes and actions, but instinct was a big driving factor. Once I was regressed, all I could do was watch as Edelman regressed Wey, then Mel. Last thing I remember is Edelman's breath in my face. Once I woke up, I pretty much found that same hour that Wey was gone, and Mel had survived but was leaving the facility for long term care. I begged Em to let me see him off one more time, and she let me... but once again, there was nothing I could do. I was too weak, barely able to keep my eyes open.

Yeah, Mel saved my life. There's no question in my mind that he did. It saddens me much that at that time I was unable to do anything to help him in return. We were brothers. More than brothers. And I couldn't do anything to alleviate his pain. Em told me later how he'd lashed out at her, and how she didn't blame him at all. But the only person to blame for the whole sorry mess was Edelman, and Edelman alone. I know I'd have been able to convince Mel of that if I'd been able to talk to him... but... there just wasn't any way. All I could do was try and wish him the best. He'd taught me that Irish Blessing the first year we were in the Rats together. Said it had always hung above the door of his family's home and he saw it every day before crossing the threshold, and I hoped that it would give him some comfort. In retrospect, I don't think it did. It only served to remind him of what he'd lost.

Oh, I'm pretty much as recovered as I will ever be with more metal in my leg than bone, but it really only bothers me in the limitations it places on me. The thing I miss most is simply the ability to run. I don't even think about it unless there's a change in the weather and the damn thing starts to ache on me. It's simply a part of who I am now, how the past shapes the present and the future. There's nothing to be done about it, so it simply is what it is.

Words for the future? I'm no great sage, I'm just a washed up old army corporal who's been through the wringer of life. Only thing I can think of is to protect the ones you love. There is no cost too high, no sacrifice too great if you can keep your loved ones from harm. Of course, this would be best if you loved EVERYONE, but sadly I don't think that will ever happen in my lifetime, my children's lifetime, their children's lifetime and so on and so forth. Anthrokind is what it is. So all you can do is try to make the little area around you better for everybody in it."

okay Az i got a qestion...if you could pick any one thing to change about yourself permanently and not have to worry about HOW it happend or HOW MUCH it would cost to do...what would you change?

"I want my leg to be whole again. If there's one thing I miss, it's being able to run, to walk without pain. I want to be able to play with my kids. To chase them around the yard. I bless Brock for that, that he can play with my kids, not only as a cub, but also to be that strong active male influence that children need. But, despite all his problems, I envy him that."

*hugs* I completely understand. but you have something with them he doesn't. A bond of blood and love