I've leaned on friends in the past. == ok Many of the forces that were at play within that group == this sentence is not complete. Maybe "Many of the forces that were at plan within that group I see in this group too"? It is a ripping yarn, so buckle your seatbelt. == good idiom, for saying the story is a bit long or crazy It depends on whether they are few or many. == ok Speak only one language hinders me from getting a trip. == Speak is incorrect tense. "Speaking only one language hinders me from getting a trip." I'd rather walk upright when I'm 50. == good idiom for refusing to do something dangerous So either he took them somewhere... == this sentence is not complete, he took them somewhere or ??? Let's say this device gets filed into evidence. == Let has an incorrect apostrophe, should be "lets say this device gets filed into evidence" If we get a "No" vote then, the agreement will be scrapped. ==good I'm probably about as miserable as you are. == good

I want to know if those sentences sound natural or maybe it could be a little bit awkward. Tell me if it's sound okay, if it's easy to understand. And if you find some weird, tell me a better way to say it.

What's the aim? What criteria for "better"? Sorry, I have little idea what you want.