Originally Posted by TexanAvenger

A bad-ass has a moral code of their own that need not conincide with those of anybody else. This is why people like ninjas, samurai, pirates, etc are often considered bad-ass.

A bad-ass is prepared (mentally and physically) for anything. Their emotions can be guarded and hidden as quickly as a six-pack on prom night, but are strangely empathic when it comes to a relatively innocent person's plight. You do not want to play poker with this person; they can bluff easier than they can be honest and know how to make you keep betting even after you've lost all your chips. You could pull a knife on them and their eyes would not dilate nor would their pulse go up. You, however, might not walk away with all ten fingers in the order they were in when you pulled the knife, since you threatened them for nothing. ..