explosivedesire

[explosivedesire]

"Better. Now what the hell do you need? My number? It's expired but you can have it anyway if you want."

Oh right...Inside voices! Now above a strained whisper, Usagi goes:

"yahaaaaaah---!!"

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"WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING? CAN A LADY NOT MAKE A COMMENT IN PEACE?"

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Quick! They need your sixteen digit credit card number and the three wacky digits on the back!!

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"How how many goddamn mascot characters are there now?"

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"I mean if I had one. But I ain't got the time to be looking up spells and all that. I can just shoot whoever is causing me problems or breaking in."

Which meant their captor did file underneath the later, something Architect did have to excuse for the time being. Any kind of rocket at this range would just cause more problems then good. That and she didn't seem like a complete hassle to get along with. Maybe there was hope she could befriend another person.

"Oooh a night owl? Yeah I only sleep if I really care to. Sometimes if I get real comfy in my onesie I'll just let it happen too. Otherwise sleep mode will come when I feel its right. Or you know, I can't stay awake any longer. Guess that means we'll just have to be doubly buddy buddy now even when the moon is up in the sky."

"Huh? I was totes under the impression that people could use magic here, so wasn't there a chance you could use a spellbook?" Lilith tilted her head to the side inquisitively while pitch black fingers tapped on her own hip. She knew that was true either way. If magic didn't exist, Servants couldn't be summoned and she wouldn't have a place.

If people broke in regularly, they'd probably be in for a surprise if they did so when Lilith was home. Then again, she was a demon. She wasn't going to be spending many nights at the house when she was a creature of the night.

"Architect... Architect..." Was that her real name? It sounded more like a title. It definitely wasn't a Servant class. "Hehehe! I wouldn't worry about it. I'm not gonna hang around here all the time. I'm not much of a sleeper!" She didn't have a Master to supply her mana though, so she might have to start.

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"This laughter is going to drive me up the goddamn wall."

Was the only thought that ran through her mind upon hearing it yet again right after the man spoke up. This had to be one of those shows people always watched but it was only when one was sitting in the seat of the cast that you realize just how grating it was. Even more so when someone was implying the one next to her was her marriage partner.

"Did I really wear the dino onesie there?" Another laugh, one Architect almost snapped at even if the individual couldn't have been seen. "And wait why did she get to wear the suit? Why wasn't I in it? She'd rock a dress better then I could!"

Better question on her mind, why wasn't it a shark suit?

"Ok well we're married let's go with that! Did we kiss at the alter?" A stupid question but one she needed to know. "Really hearing your recount might be the best thing for the two of us. Down to every little detail if you must."

"Woah, you guys skipping it or something? If you didn't have the cash to celebrate, then..." The man dug around in his wet front pockets, turning them inside out. Nothing at all fell to the floor. "...Not like I could have helped ya!"

The laughing rang out again. Ivy concluded it was coming from several places around the wall this time.

"I don't even recall a marriage," she said, standing up. In the silence of her system, she added, Let alone this house. What she'd learned of Architect so far suggested this wasn't her style, either.

"You're so forgetful, cuz! Or are you just dying to hear me recount your big day?" he strode over closer, first throwing his arm over Ivy's shoulder before she immediately brushed it off. It didn't stop his reminiscing, hand moving through the air before them as if painting a picture with his words. "You were wearing this slick suit, and she was wearing that big dinosaur costume... not my idea of romance, but you do you, yeah?" He winked in Architect's direction. Cue more laughing.

Ivy cracked a small smile at the image he crafted, turning it toward the floor. Absurd and false as it was, she'd fabricated worse memories for humans. This one was... entertaining.

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"Gah alright alright ALRIGHT SHUT UP ALREADY!"

Part of the doll wanted to throw the doll straight onto the ground in a fit of anger. Hell even turning off her hearing for a brief moment just so the squeaking didn't pierce their ears would have been a better option. But instead all Architect could manage was dropping them unceremoniously, placing her foot on them in order to attempt the body twisting. No fun allowed ever in Spirale...

"You know I can just blow you up right? I really would love to do it if I had even the slightest idea on how I want to see you go boom."

「✶」 There's a brief lull in activity while Aurelius considers what manner of action would change Architect's heart the fastest. Then he realizes what a laughable attempt that is and settles down for—

Squeak squeak squeak squeak squeak!!

—being purely annoying. Bending his torso at the right angle triggers the built-in squeaker in his body (why he has one in the first place, Aurelius doesn't want to know), and the high, sharp, piercing noise soon fills the space between them as an expression of his displeasure.

Squeak squeak sQUEAK sqUEAk SQUEAK!!

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"Eiden its a city you can find a damn can or something and throw it like your life depended it."

Still seeing him kick the window directly was more then an enjoyable sight. The doll would've sworn he'd find a rock or something rather then getting up close and physical. If only rockets didn't explode, then things would've been a whole lot easier.

...But also a whole lot more boring too.

"Yeah yeah I'm coming bucko!" Shaking herself out of the stunned state she hopped on into the window, pushing down the other mannequin before taking one of the coats from the side model as well.

"You want one of these? I don't think anyone's gonna care at this point. They might even thank us for helping keep these freaks out."

" No but like! This stuff here lasts only so long right?? Like we're not forever stuck with this stuff right?! "

Eiden liked excitement as much as next but he'd like to pass up getting chased by zombies on a regular day. It wasn't even Halloween yet!!!

" How much stuff do you see around to throw!! " Eiden snaps back.

Still, start is enough - he proceeds to push a kick from where the windows cracked, followed up with another before it cracks properly. If he gets glass shards on him then he does. Irritation turns into elation, maybe a rush of adrenaline too.

" That's better right. "

He climbs into what seems a display window. He stops there for a bit.

" ...the coat's kinda nice... wait I mean -- " Eiden starts before giving the mannequin a good embrace to move it aside.

"-- Archi, you coming or not? ! "

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"Yeah? What else am I gonna use some magical spellbook?" It sounded fun but she could've sworn that the big rocket looking thing in front of her was a bigger giveaway. "Unless you have something cooler then that for me to see."

Still it was those dreaded words that Architect didn't want to hear. Another roommate meant this wasn't her own little abode any longer. Shouting at the top of her lungs sounded like a good way of getting any frustration out but going deaf wasn't on Architect's list of things she needed to accomplish today.

"You'd be really surprised how many people break in nowadays in this place. It's almost a dozen times a week give or take." And probably half of those were from her. In a certain individuals place of living to try and get back at home.

"Anyway name's Architect! This little shitshow of a place has been my own casa del amusment for awhile. But I can share the space with you if I gotta."

"Oh?" Of all the things the Berserker had anticipated she might hear, a clear declaration of violence hadn't really made the list. A good samaritan probably would have voiced some concerns about blowing things up, but that wasn't really something the demon cared about. "Like, with bombs or what?"

On its head, the question seemed a little silly to the Servant. "Hmm... Why else would someone be in a home? I live here, duh! Starting today!" There weren't any ifs, ands, or buts. It wasn't like she could get kicked out of there when she had permission to stay! Lilith wouldn't do anything to jeopardize a roof over her head anyways.

"C'mon, isn't that obvious? My name's Lilith by the way!"

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If Architect was being honest with herself (which really didn't happen often) absolutely nothing could prepare Architect for anything that'd transpire within the few moments she "sat down" on the sofa next to Ivy. The sudden situation reminded her of all those live performances and insanely choreographed shows. Not that she saw anything wrong with them, not until she was thrown into a situation like this in the first place...

"...Honeymoon?" Seeing Ivy look down at her ring only caused more confusion to start storing up inside her mind. And something about cousins? Nobody here could've been related, could they?

"Wait wait slow down what are you on about. That's just a ring right? Did I give her something special and forgot?"

The world from before disappeared, returning Ivy to her usual form. Now, she was put through snapshots of time to a cheery vocal track, mostly with a similarly out-of-place Architect. A chaotic encounter at a grocery store; a time spent exploring the city; a comfortable picnic interrupted by a man jumping up between them with five dogs rushing in to lick whichever face they could reach. Ivy couldn't even keep up with all of the fleeting situations by the time the music stopped.

Then she was firmly in a silent home. It was filled with sentimental human items, like framed photos, used cup coasters, and encouraging words quaintly carved into planks of wood. On guard but catching on to the crux of the issue, Ivy looked to Architect — placed familiarly beside her on the plush, centered sofa — and formed the words to speak.

"—CUZ!"

The front door was opened and kicked aside the rest of the way. The man that had interrupted the picnic strode in as if he owned the place, shouting that word of human relation at one of them. The lower half of his body was soaked, clothes dripping generously onto the rugs and wooden floor.

"Remember what I said about trying to keep fish next? Well, one thing led to another and I'm subletting the whole place to them now!"

Laughter from multiple voices came from somewhere. Certainly not any of the three currently in the room. (Ivy checked.)

"I hate to interrupt your honeymoon, but me and the girls need somewhere to stay for a bit! You'll look out for us, right, cousin?"

"Honeymoon?" A vacation or period of time immediately following a marriage? Looking down, Ivy did see an unfamiliar, sparkling ring on her hand.

— ☾ @explosivedesire — ☾ crew call: family sitcom!

[explosivedesire]

"God I really should just burn you on the spot." The tiny punches into her side were annoying, almost weirding her out that it felt seemingly alive. Still somehow not the weirdest thing that'd happen to her here or back at home. As weird as that was to admit to herself...

"So what are you gonna keep punching me if I don't? Come on this is a once and a lifetime experience for me!"

「✶」 Asshat who?

Aurelius tries staring back with equal disapproval, but all his face does is smile. He settles for beating his tiny, fingerless fists against the thumb pressing into his abdomen instead, making enough fuss that his body goes squeak of its own accord.

A fanclub sounds horrendous, even if he made one for Klaus. Though now that there were so many of him, maybe the membership numbers would be impressive—no, wait.

A free nub wipes stray soot out of his face before shaking itself at Architect.

Unhand me.

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"Return normal from WHAT? When the hell have you heard of any zombie just magically coming back to normal without a second thought?!" Probably some comic out there or actual disease could probably explain it better but that wasn't Architect's area of expertise in the slightest.

"Just break the window here!" The doll shouted slamming the nearest hard object on the ground into it, shattering part of it as an annoyed sigh escaped her lips.

"And maybe smash it quicker!"

" Hey there are plenty of good quality wigs out there, don't knock t-- never mind that!!! " Eiden starts all agitated all in sudden as he looks at the horde.

" No! We can't kill, they're like... they could return normal after!!! You... you can just crash into some store right?! Fly through the window or something??? "

They wont follow... right...?

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"Huh?" The awkwardness managed to seep its way into the room pretty quickly upon seeing someone else busting open the door to her room in the townhouse. Sure she knew other people probably lived here at some point but the doll was just sitting on her bed, rocket launcher sat upright as she polished its exterior. And in comes someone else, at least compared to every other roommate she had prior.

"...I was probably gonna blow someone or something up outside?" Said with about as much enthusiasm as someone who loved doing that sort of thing could muster up in the awkwardness. But then the real kicker finally hit the brain of the former sangvis command doll.

"Wait who the hell are you?! How did you even get here in the first place?"

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"Oh. Here I thought I was gettin' three bedrooms to myself. Guess that changes my plans." Lilith didn't show any regret nor did she offer an apology for suddenly opening the door to a bedroom that wasn't her own and sticking her head in. There'd been no one living in the other room, so she figured it didn't really matter.

In fact, instead of just leaving like any normal person would, the Servant popped her sucker into her mouth while hanging out of the door and let herself in the rest of the way. She only removed the candy when she finally had something else to say.

"Whatcha up to, roomie? C'mon, let me in on the deets!"

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"Mmmmpphhh!" The explosion was pretty wonderful all things considered but there wasn't any rubble that could've attached itself to the dolls face. And if it actually was rubble her head would've came clean off. So upon pulling whatever it was away from her mouth all Architect could do is look down at her hands in sheer disappointment.

"...Who in the hell is making plushes of this asshat? Did Aury really get a fanclub here before ME?"

「✶」 KABOOM!!

In the aftermath of an explosion, rubble and debris go flying everywhere…along with the small, slightly sooty body of a cotton plushie doll that goes sailing straight at...Architect’s face.

giant challenge starter ໒꒱ @explosivedesire

[explosivedesire]

"If you even catch me wearing a wig I swear you might as well put me out of my misery."

A bit of an overreaction but one she still stood by. Although the moment Eiden began to speak more did Architect realize the group of individuals approaching were in fact not "nice" people. Rather the opposite, hostile, and a desire to kill whatever managed to end up in front of them.

"...Yeah maybe we should." How this kept happening to her was anyone's guess but the doll didn't want to end up on someone's platter for food regardless of who it was.

"Or I can just blow them up. That works too but you better decide pretty quick!"

" ....y'know wigs exist right? "

Imagining Architect going around nabbing people's hair doesn't seem too out of character though.

" Huh whom -- wait he's also ....bald... wait all of them.. "

Eiden blinks.

" Wait, Archi ... those are... "

Yeah, the more he looks the more obvious it gets - baldness aside - that growling, the way they are moving ---

" We should run. "

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"That's a pretty weird trait if you ask me." The vision of course was nothing to scoff at but the ability to smell fashion sounded a little too hard to believe. Then again the floating bike was not something she was expecting either and yet Architect managed to ride on one in just this very moment. So maybe disregarding logic wasn't the worst idea for the time being...

Still despite flying back up with a clean and quick drive by the Glitched managed to be tenacious as ever and continue clutching on the straps. Maybe they had the same fashion sense she did...

"Can you get the hell off the lady's bag buddy?!" Architect shouted throwing a few quick kicks at it before aiming her launcher at them, realizing just how awful of an idea it really was.

"Fly a little faster and I'll make sure this idiot doesn't rob us both blind!"

BOOM!

Impressive explosions aside, Mary Sue's already directing their bike straight towards the crowd below them.

"Don't worry!"

"I have, like, 20/10 vision for these things. Besides, I can smell good fashion from a mile away!"

Her messenger bag definitely oozed cuteness and style even though all the smoke and mess! Without hesitation, Mary Sue dives straight into the fray and sticks out her arm. The next second, she snags the handle of her messenger back with her wrist and starts ascending again, but—

"Huh, why is it so heavy?" Mary Sue looks down.

The Glitched who stole her bag is still clutching at the straps, hanging onto it as they fly back up into the skies!

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"That's freak show behavior! And that's coming from me!" Glass cookies sounded like a way to try and prank someone else or get revenge. Even then to put them into a treat that was supposed to be sugary and sweet felt like a war crime. Which was a bold claim for someone who was very much in the boat of that kind of thing.

"Sure whatever I'll question it later."

With a target in sight Architect finally pulled the trigger, releasing the explosive payload to the group of Glitched beneath them. And upon reaching its destination did the massive cloud burst out, consuming anyone caught within the blast.

"Are you gonna be able to find whatever the hell you need in that?"!

"I really wanna, but the Stars won't let me!" Mary Sue calls back over her shoulder. "Oh, have a piece later if you want—" she snags a handful of falling glass out of the air and crunches some casually between her teeth.

"I always like to make these into sugar candy, it's yummy."

Meanwhile, the Glitched below them have inevitably looked up at the commotion. Most of them are busy dodging the broken sugar glass as Mary Sue leans forward and puts her pedals to the metal.

"Okaaaay! Moving in now!!"

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"Oh please you don't need a dealer in a time like this. I mean the world is basically on the verge of collapsing isn't it? That just means there's a free for all over who gets what! It always works like that in these kind of scenarios."

Of course the movies she watched where that sort of thing happened were indeed fictional. Meanwhile the Glitched that continued to approach consistently without much breathing room were very real. To the point one had to wonder if this actually was similar to the situations at home or someone controlling it instead. The later was a much more boring answer, even if it would've been par for the course with the Stars...

"Look just follow me alright. I can take you somewhere where you won't regret even in the slightest bit. And you won't be sorry in the slightest!"

Lowering her gaze to her weapon, Ivy rotated it in her hand. It was useful and didn't consume much energy to carry or use, but it showed its limitations in handling groups starkly.

"I'm not familiar enough with this island to know where firearms dealers are located," she remarked, shifting her attention back to Architect's sizeable weapon. "This knife was easily accessed near where I live. If you recall a location where I can pick up something with "oomph"—"

Over Architect's shoulder, new opponents shambled forward. Ivy's lips formed a disapproving line.

"...If you even have a guess, I'll go with you now."