#3 M Springboard

[starr-angelofnarnia]

Cook N Bacon!

All I wanna do is watch the Olympics. All I can think about is the Olympics.

[magicalgirlgarbageunit]

Episode 01: Back on Track 

She had a slight diversion. But she’s back.

Back in uniform. Out of options.  Anna Glass didn’t think she’d ever return to the Bureau. But now she’s stuck on top of a runaway train, surrounded by strangers, and the monster’s already screaming.  Welcome back to magical girl work. It’s just as bad as she remembers.

The low hum of electricity filtering through cheap overhead lights was the only sound in the cold Bureau office. The silence stretched on forever.

A receptionist and a young potential employee sat across from each other. There was an unspoken tension in the room. The young hopeful twirled her hair absentmindedly, her nervous energy showing.

The receptionist didn’t look up. Her eyes scanned the folder stamped: “M-UNIT #1119-B-2 #5422-A-3, ‘GLASS, A.’”

“Glass, correct?” The receptionist’s voice was tinged with a hint of vitriol.

“Y-yes, ma’am…” The young woman across from her responded meekly, as if her voice would be swallowed whole in the aching silence. “A-Anna Glass.”

“A returning hire.” The receptionist’s voice was filled with skepticism, and she made no effort to hide her eyebrow raising.

“You’re to be deployed to your new unit in the field immediately.”

Anna couldn't stop herself from jumping in her uncomfortable seat. “W-what...? Don’t I get some training first?”

“Training,” the receptionist’s response was full of judgement. “Is reserved for people who are actually new. It’s not for failures who come crawling back to us after leaving so abruptly.”

Before any more words could be exchanged, the folder was stamped. No more discussion.

Well. Get out there, soldier.

---

Anna Glass stumbled through the crowd, her feet unsteady under the weight of her own body. It wasn't like her to be so inelegant, but having to get right back onto the field filled her with a kind of anxiety she rarely got to feel.

She broke through the crowd and finally stepped onto the train platform, panting and a little overwhelmed. 

She wasn't necessarily socially anxious… but she didn't like these crowded spaces just before a mission. Missions were already hard, gruelling work: it wasn't fun to be squished up against so many strangers just before one.

The train platform stood eerily silent and still. I thought the train was out of control? She thought to herself. It’s all quiet and peaceful here instead.

Almost as if on cue, the screeching sound of a train barrelling down the tracks sounded in her ears. She rushed to cover them as the train screamed its way closer to her. Now or never.

She flicked her wrist: the small, sky blue bracelet she wore began to shine. I hope this is a short transformation sequence!

A burst of blue sparkles exploded everywhere, followed closely by blue ribbons that wrapped themselves around Anna. She did the playful poses and cute winks she was trained to do - and internally begged it to hurry up this time. 

Her outfit exploded into being: a blue dress with adorable puff sleeves, a cute bustled skirt that ended just below her knees, a corset and matching choker with accentuating bows, and of course, two large ribbons that tied her long orange hair up into two soft twin tails.

Oh god, it’s the same outfit as last time! She realized with horror. Too late to fight it now: this is her battle uniform, for better or worse.

The transformation sequence finally settled to reveal… no train.

Anna looked down the tracks.

Yup. It passed her. Great.

Anna braced herself - and then blue magic swirled around her. This magic was a springboard: she leapt from the platform to a nearby lamppost, then another, and another, inching closer and closer to the dangerously speeding train. How has this thing not derailed yet? She thought to herself as she trailed it.

Finally, her leapfrogging got her exactly above the last train car… and on top of it, she could see the vague shape of figures. That must be my new team. Don’t mess this up, me!

She released her magical energy, letting herself land right in front of her new team.

It would have been really cool… if she landed on her feet instead of her face.

---

The first thing she noticed was that her unique magic - a shield to cover her body and absorb some of the damage she takes - did not help make this impact hurt her back any less. She groaned as she sat up, trying not to make the back pain any worse.

The second thing she noticed were her teammates.

“Nice entrance!” A strange, scratchy voice called out. Anna immediately turned to face her new team.

There stood two humans - a man and a woman - and of course, a Keeper and an Eater. She had expected the Keeper and Eater; a Ghoul can’t be stopped unless the Eater is there to, well, eat them; and a Keeper was needed to make sure the Eater was in check. That was normal. But this Keeper, this Eater, this team? Now that was unusual.

The woman - already looking ragged - just gave Anna a quizzical look.

The man - who, by the way, had the most extravagant and over-the-top magical outfit Anna had ever seen - just stared at her skeptically.

The Keeper was… unusually cute. Like, “Why isn’t she in the marketing material?” levels of cute.

The Eater, on the other hand… Anna was already a bit put off by her.

Before Anna could say anything, the man approached her, a serious look on his face. She was immediately put off - but before she could even say “Hey, what the hell are you doing?” He reached over… and snapped his fingers swiftly in front of her face.

She yelped. He backed off, grinning. “It’s ok, guys,” He announced with a smirk. “She isn’t a reptilian.”

WHAT THE FUCK??? Anna thought to herself as she watched the woman roll her eyes. “Good to know, Jack.” The man - Jack, apparently - just laughed in response.

“Sabine,” the woman offered, nodding to Anna and offering her a hand. “Sabine Durand.”

Anna took her hand and let Sabine lift her up.

“This idiot,” Sabine pointed to the man. “Is Jack Hartley. Ignore him, you’ll save more braincells that way.” Jack laughed loudly at that, which startled Anna a bit.

“The Keeper is Chocola.” Sabine continued. The Keeper gave a small, polite bow to Anna. “And the Eater is…”

“CARAMELLA!” The same gravelly voice from before shouted out. The Eater - Caramella, apparently - had quite an unsettling voice. I suppose that’s typical of Eaters, Anna thought to herself.

“Alright, enough introductions.” Sabine’s expression hardened, and she turned her attention towards the shifting limbs in the distance. “Let’s take this Ghoul down already.”

The Ghoul roared - a horrible, mechanical screech that reverberated in Anna’s bones. The numerous limbs it had, slick with oil and spouting steam from every rusted mechanical joint, all writhed around in random directions.

“I suspect it’s a manifestation of anxiety, burnout and fatigue after a long work day,” Chocola spoke up. Her voice was quiet and soft. Sabine nodded in response.

The team all turned their attention to the Ghoul. Anna swallowed back her fear. Guess I’m back to doing this.

[Song: “Diversion” by The Equals]

“Positions!” Sabine barked.

Nobody moved.

“Well?” she snapped.

“I just got here!!��� Anna yelped, stumbling backwards as the Ghoul finally noticed the team and lunged. Bursts of steam hissed from every joint on its wretched body, and the nearest hand - more like a broken train coupler than a human hand - swung toward her like a flail.

Anna just barely met it with her weapon - a plain, undecorated cutlass. The impact rang through her bones, and she staggered.

Jack dramatically stepped in front of her, letting his cape flow in the wind like this was a play. “Fear not, fair maiden! The world’s Number One UFOlogist is here to protect you from all e-”

Another writhing Ghoul hand struck him from the side mid-monologue.

“Can you do anything useful?” Sabine barked again, growing frustrated as she slashed an arm off with her long, jagged spear. Caramella gleefully ate the arm up as it fell.

The Ghoul reared back to stab Jack with its rusted metal hands - but Sabine struck first. She slammed her spear into the train beneath them, and chains burst from the train roof, snapping around the Ghoul’s limbs and anchoring them to the floor.

Anna slashed the now immobile arms right away, panic filling her expression. Caramella ate every arm with disgusting joy. Anna shivered at the sight, but tried to focus.

Jack staggered back to his feet, dazed but grinning. He brandished his own weapon - a long, ornate royal sceptre, and spun it wildly. It glowed, and a hypnotic pattern of spiralling red hearts emerged in the movement, pulsing like a hypnotist’s disc and catching the attention of the Ghoul… and Anna.

“See? I’m helping!” Jack cried out triumphantly - until Anna stepped in front of him, clearly affected by his magic.

“Oh, shit!” He yelped, dropping the illusion just as the Ghoul started lunging towards them.

“Goddamnit,” Sabine mumbled bitterly under her breath as she rushed over, slashing another pair of piston-jointed arms off for Caramella to devour.

“You two need to focus!” Sabine spat. Anna, still dazed from Jack’s magic, only groaned in response.

“I’m totally focused!” Jack yelled indignantly.

Sabine sighed again. “I’m ending this,” she declared.

She slammed her spear into the train with a heavy clang. Chains surged from the metal, wrapping the Ghoul’s twitching body like a straightjacket.

Sabine moved without hesitation, cleaving its last three arms clean off. They fell uselessly to the ground and were snatched up by Caramella in seconds, who devoured them with manic glee.

The Ghoul’s body collapsed in a heap of grinding gears and wheezing exhaust, twitching like a dying engine. It let out pitiful cries, half-mechanical and half-human in sound. Sabine didn’t hesitate. She slashed it with five quick swipes, dicing it up into pieces. Caramella ate them all with a sick glee.

The last scrap of the Ghoul’s grotesque body disappeared into Caramella’s smiling mouth with a loud crunch. For a moment, all that remained was steam and the hum of train wheels beneath them.

Ghoul hunt: complete.

---

---

The train screeched to a halt - finally under control now that the Ghoul was eaten.

Frightened passengers filed out of the train cars. Oh god, there were people in there that whole time??? Anna thought, her mind still racing.

She glanced over at her new teammates. 

Sabine was busy cleaning Ghoul ichor off her vest. Chocola was poised, licking her paw to smooth out her fur. Jack gave an over-the-top smile and a thumbs up. Caramella was... eating a shoe...? Where did she even get that...?

A strange group to be sure - but they got the job done.

She blinked slowly.

I guess I’m back at it again.

—

[cut to theme song or w/e]

[redux-iterum]

One of the things I love about this redux is that you take into consideration how bad an idea forcing people to do stuff they don’t wanna do is.

Think about it. If a seer hates their job then not only are they going to be miserable, but the people around them are too. Force one person to be utterly miserable in a way their family doesn’t approve of and suddenly its also the business of friends of the family and then that can spiral out real easy.

Forcing cats to have kits will lead to dead kittens. Forcing cats to do a job they don’t wanna do means the job won’t get done properly. The negative effects of that kind of pressure WILL build tension in the community and a community as small and insular as a clan is will struggle not to come apart under the strain.

The original clans struggled to feel like a community at all, let alone a tightly-knit, closed-off, and small one. But here, I can actually see how these cats are able to survive at all. Community is the name of the game here—the ability to remain a cohesive and efficient unit even in times of stress is and has been what determines if a group of people live or die. Here, especially, trust and care are paramount.

If these cats do not want to make this work then they are just as dead as if they starved to death. And it’s really nice to have an author that takes that part seriously, because even if it’s supposedly ‘less cool’ there is a reason soft power is still called power. Community matters! People who have their agency stepped upon WILL fuck your day up and make it your problem, and if that happens enough times then somebody’s going to wise up enough to have some common sense!

Repeatedly making people take up med cat duties is repetitive and lazy. It’s also just…absolutely, obviously counterproductive. It feels like the Erins don’t take them or their queens seriously. Which in the originals ends up being ‘the pregnant women that are probably close family to you have no sway or relevance to anything ever outside of motherhood which is NOT the future of your whole community and is instead A STUPID WASTE OF TIME’ and ‘the doctors we somehow have don’t matter even though we live in a community where BATTLE is referenced in our main code of law.’

Like. It’s bad? It’s misogynistic and wrong but it’s also just bad worldbuilding. There is no way a community of 30 people can manage to both 1) not highly value their pregnant people AND 2) last more than a generation AND 3) not piss off both those pregnant people and their family who can totally realistically make up a full 1/6 of your total community. There is no way a bunch of battle cats would, like, not value hypothetical doctors they have.

Anyways. All of this was a ramble but mostly just—you thought this through and I love that a lot. Like, this manages to feel like an actual society, and that is hard hard hard to accomplish when societies are made up of so many moving pieces which sometimes work against each other at random. So, thank you for writing! And rewriting! Because this is one of the best things in the whole wide world and my favorite warriors cats thing ever.

Thank you very much for this ask, my man! Well thought-out and a very interesting discussion to springboard off of.

The canon Clans always felt like they had...how to word it... "misplaced power", if that makes sense. It was, of course, in service of the plot, but that involved things like an entire Clan who hates their leader just obeying him because We Have To, No Matter How Evil Or Incompetent He Is. Mentors could bully their apprentices freely because the leader, deputy and family of the apprentice wouldn't step up and punish the mentor. Deputy mollies lose all power the instant they get pregnant, even though tom deputies can have as many families as they want and still remain in their position, and no one says anything about how unfair this is.

There's a lack of thought towards how powerful a community really can be, or how even one individual can make change by standing strong and refusing orders. It comes with this weird stupidity everyone gains when a villain needs to progress with their plans - no one asks questions about the power structure, or defends anybody for longer than a couple lines - but, moreover, it comes with a lack of bonds between characters. Even siblings don't speak up for each other, because they're not close or don't express their familial love. There's just a rigid structure that the plot and lore adheres to without examining how easily this structure can fall apart. Unless we need it to fall apart for whatever storyline we have this arc, and then it'll be back in place by the end of things, so it's fine.

[violetswritingg]

Canary Cry

Robin/Nightwing (Dick Grayson) x OFC!

Description: Her violence was silent. Until it wasn't.

"I'm fine."

"Fine is just another word for drowning."

Rating T-M (mentions of blood, child abuse, mental health, cannon situations of violence and the like. Loss of parents, hard of hearing/deaf character, poorly written fight scenes lol)

Want to read the other chapters?

Click here

13

Gotham City

August 27, 06:17 EDT

Goldfinch used the crates around her as springboards, hefting her batons over her head, newly outfitted with tasers on the ends, and tried to land a hit on Clayface. Only to be swiped out of the air with the force of a sledgehammer and slammed into a wall.

Her head snapping back and hitting the cement hard, black spots and stars exploding across her vision as she blinked hard, trying to get back up to her feet. Forgetting about screaming after trying it before and having it only result in slowing him down as he would just reform.

To say they were getting their asses handed to them was a disgusting understatement. Aqualad had made a careless play, and the plan crumbled in seconds when faced with the villain, it wasn't like their heroic leader to make stupid mistakes, and it had cost them.

Goldfinch fell as her world tilted, her head hitting the ground and knocking her out right beside her fallen teammates.

The blonde awoke to a familiar headache, groaning as hands grabbed her arms and helped her sit up.

"Take it easy GF." The blonde opened her eyes when Robin's voice sounded in front of her.

"Clayface-" Goldfinch's slightly out of focus eyes whipped around the space.

"Taken care of, don't worry."

"That's your job, I won't take it from you." Goldfinch huffed out a tired laugh, regretting it when her entire body ached. Her eyes fully taking in her surroundings and seeing the Dark Knight talking to Miss M and Kid Flash. "Why's Bats here?" He didn't usually come in person to oversee missions.

"He just had to swoop in and save us, no big." Robin said sarcastically, sitting down next to Goldfinch, leaning back against one of the many storage crates in the warehouse.

"Great," Goldfinch pinched the bridge of her nose as the pounding in her head spread across her forehead and behind her eyes. "That's just... Great."

~~*~~

MOUNT JUSTICE

August 27, 07:30 EDT

"Recongized, Robin, B-0-1. Goldfinch, B-0-4. Superboy, B-0-5. Miss Martian, B-0-6. Kid Flash, B-0-3. Artemis, B-0-8. Aqualad, B-0-2."

The computer called out through the echoey mission briefing and training room, not helping Kate's headache, that has only gotten worse. The team trudging into the cave, exhausted and covered in clay.

"I need to speak with Aqualad. The rest of you hit the showers and head home." Batman said, the team not needing much prodding to follow his orders, Kate internally hating that it was a Friday and that she had to go to school because of a history test she had in fifth. A test she hadn't studied for and would definitely fail with her current head trauma making it impossible to string together more than a handful of coherent thoughts.

"Are you still coming over after school?" Robin asked suddenly from beside Kate, the blonde flinching at the jump scare, having thought he stayed back with Aqualad and Batman.

Now was not the time to be asking her questions, evidence of that being when Robin had to ask again as she started zoning out, internally questioning what she had just been thinking about. "Kate?"

"Huh?"

"How hard did you hit your head?" Robin asked in concern, Kate just blinked and shook her head.

"Not hard, I'm f-"

"I'll lock you out of the library if you finish that sentence." Kate narrowed her eyes at the Boy Wonder.

"You wouldn't dare."

"I think I would." Robin smirked in silent laughter at how Kate crossed her arms and started pouting. "We can hangout when you don't have a broken head. Get some rest." Robin and Kate parted ways with quiet goodbyes. Robin frowning when his back was turned to the blonde.

~~*~~

STAR CITY

Starlight Prep

August 27, 08:30 PDT

Kate groaned internally, leaning her pounding head on her cool locker, "You okay?" Emily's voice startled the blonde, who let out a quiet yelp and put a hand on her chest.

"Jeez Emily, way to give someone a heart attack." Kate snapped, the bespectacled brunette contracting into herself like a scared turtle. The blonde sighed and grimaced out a smile. "Sorry, I just have a headache." Emily shyly smiled, looking up at Kate through her eyelashes.

"It's okay, I get it, I have some Aleve if you want?" Emily unzipped a pocket of her pink backpack and pulled out a travel sized container of pain relievers. "I get really bad headaches too, because of my glasses."

Kate gratefully took two, hoping it would help the pounding in her head, "Thanks, have you studied for the history test?" Kate asked, her and Emily basically having the same schedule by some stroke of luck. The short brunette nodded, her frizzy curls springing around her face. "Could I borrow your notes at lunch?"

"You can borrow them now." Emily enthusiastically gave Kate her history notebook, "It's the least I can do." Kate paused, biting her lip and playing with the sticker covered, pastel purple spiral bound in her hands.

"You don't owe me anything Emily, you know that, right?"

"I owe you a lot actually," Emily pushed up the bridge of her falling glasses, the lenses hiding what Kate suspected would be pretty brown eyes, "Ever since you started eating lunch with me and-and talking to me, people have been leaving me alone. I don't show up to school to a locker covered in sticky notes and mean words anymore.... Because you're my friend."

Kate had worked in the background to make that happen, using Ben's little crush on her to make the bullying stop, she had to promise to go to homecoming with him. But... it was worth it. Emily had taken Kate's introspective moment of silence wrongly and started to backtrack.

"I didn't mean to assume-"

"No, we are, friends." Kate smiled gently at the delicate brunette; she was fourteen but looked closer to ten. The blonde feeling some sort of protectiveness over her for whatever reason, it was a sudden change and extremely confusing but she couldn't stop herself from caring.

Emily didn't ask her about her past, or her family, their relationship consisted of recommending each other books and helping each other with homework.

It was... kind of nice.

"Cool, that's uh- that's great." Emily smiled bashfully. "I'll see you next period?" She asked tentatively. The only difference in their schedule being their first class.

"Yeah, see you in English. Thanks for the notes." Kate grinned, shaking the notebook in the air next to her head, "You're a life saver." Emily pushed a couple stray curls behind her ear and basically bounced down the hall. Kate chuckling quietly, feeling her headache start to fade.

~~*~~

"Hey! I'm home!" Kate called out upon entering Dinah's apartment. Their apartment. The blonde's stomach being filled with butterflies at that thought.

"I thought you were heading to Gotham today?" Dinah asked once Kate made her way into the kitchen, the teen starting to raid the pantry as usual.

"Nope." Kate said, popping the P and quietly cheering when she found what she was looking for. Pop tarts. God's blessing to mankind.

"How was school?" Kate looked at Dinah weird, biting into the delicious pre-packaged pastry, swallowing and going to answer when her phone rung loudly. Begging for her attention, and her attention it got.

Restricted

"I uh, I gotta take this." Kate distractedly said, quickly walking to her room and closing the door firmly. Hitting the green answer button, "Who the hell is this?" The teen snapped, mindful of how loud her voice was, met only by quiet breathing. "Stop calling, whoever the fuck you are." Kate hung up quickly and threw her phone on her bed.

Biting her thumb nail in stress as she paced, her uniform shoes squeaking in protest at the aggravated movement.

The same number had been calling her almost everyday since the first time it happened, if she didn't answer the first time, they called again. Never leaving a voicemail. At first, she had thought it was just some sick prank but as it kept happening, the more she thought it wasn't just prank calls.

Kate pushed it from her mind, getting changed into comfy clothes and heading back out into the kitchen, her phone staying in her bedroom.

"Everything okay?" Dinah asked upon Kate's re-entry, an interested, concerned look on her face.

"Yeah, it was nothing." The teen evenly dismissed, hoping that Dinah bought it.

"Okay, well, dinner tonight, as usual," Dinah paused, watching the teen in front of her carefully during what she said next, "Oliver wanted to bring Artemis...." Kate's eyes instinctively fell to Roy's chair. Artemis's chair now, she guessed.

"Right, um, I'll make sure to set an extra plate." Kate awkwardly nodded.

"You know, it's okay to feel apprehensive about her coming," Dinah gently laid a hand on Kate's, "Roy-" Kate snatched her hand away from Dinah.

"I don't want to talk about Roy." The teen snapped, starting to pull out plates and silverware, violently starting to set the table for the meal their little family would be having in less than an hour.

"I know it may be hard, but you can't bottle it up either Kate. Hey," Dinah grabbed the girl by her shoulders, "We're worried, that's all, you haven't talked about him since..." Dinah's eyes trailed over the three place settings, Roy's place left empty.

"There's nothing to talk about, he left. That's that. Changed his name and everything." Kate broke free of her mentor and guardian's grip, grabbing the last place setting from the counter, hesitating before setting it down.

"Kate-"

"What's for dinner? Italian or Chinese?" The teen bulldozed Dinah's attempt of shrink wrapping her head for the night. Going to grab her phone to call one of their usual places only to remember she had left it on her bed. "I vote Italian, cheese ravioli sounds amazing don't you think?" Kate didn't give Dinah any opportunity to answer, "I'm glad you agree, I'll go place the order." With that she made her escape.

When Oliver showed up with Artemis in tow, he could tell things were tense in the Lance household. Pulling Dinah aside in the kitchen as Artemis awkwardly tried to help Kate dish out food at the table. The fourteen year old obviously not in a very sociable mood.

"What's wrong with little bird?" Oliver asked in concern. Dinah sighed through her nose and let her eyes settle on the teenage girl as she made stilted conversation with the emerald archer's protégé. She always got like this when Artemis came for Friday dinner's, tonight was the worst it had been though.

"I tried to get her to open up about Roy earlier, after telling her Artemis was coming... It didn't go over very well." Oliver looked to Kate as well, his blue eyes filling with sympathy and pain.

Dinner was tense, Kate in a foul mood, Dinah and Oliver walking on eggshells trying to get the girl to actually engage in conversation, Artemis just watching the family drama go down slightly confused and a little worried.

"Why don't you show Artemis your room Kate?" Oliver suggested over-enthusiastically, the teen just looking at him deadpan before sighing quietly and getting up from her chair, the legs screeching against the floor.

"Come on." Kate quietly said, nodding her head in the direction of the hallway. Artemis uncomfortably getting up as well and following the younger girl.

"Cool room." Artemis said truthfully, taking in the LED string lights strung up around the ceiling and the bookcase shoved up against the far wall. Bursting at the seams with well-loved paperbacks and more vinyl records Artemis thought you could ever listen to in one lifetime. A desk and laptop in the opposite corner, right beside the door. The bed stationed in the middle of the spacious room, the medium wood headboard flush against the wall, a vintage record player sat on the nightstand beside the sage green comforter covered queen sized mattress, opposite to a wall length mirror covered closet.

Polaroids stuck to the wall by the door and over the bookshelf. There weren't many, which inadvertently called even more attention to them, and made them seem more special.

"Thanks."

Artemis walked over to the bookcase, ghosting her fingers over the faded and hard to read titles, "I'm not trying to take Roy's place." The older blonde said, looking over her shoulder at the fourteen year old as she plopped onto her bed.

"Nobody said you were." Kate said detachedly, not looking at the blonde archer, but focusing on what she was doing, tensing up when Artemis ran a finger over a polaroid of her and Roy, ice cream on the red heads nose, his expression unamused as he glared at a laughing Kate.

"You feel like I am though." Artemis called her out, not one for people's bullshit.

"Doesn't matter, I told you when we first met, it doesn't matter how I feel-" Artemis rolled her eyes.

"Of course it does," the older blonde whirled around to face Kate, "We're teammates, on the team, on this team," Artemis pointed to the door, "I'd like to think we're maybe-friends. I don't have to come to these dinners if it makes you this upset."

"I'm not- It's not you-" Kate huffed, trying to put together the words she wanted to say.

"Then what is it?" Artemis pushed.

"He's an asshole!" Kate surprised Artemis with her outburst. "I knew that, but I didn't know he was this much of a dick. I trusted him, I let him in, and he just-" Kate cut herself off, suddenly very aware of who she was with and who was probably listening in.

"He left, and I'm sure that sucked," Artemis harshly started, earning a glare from the girl on the bed, "But you can't just sit on the hurt, you either let it consume you or you push past it and move on. You sink or you swim. It's up to you and only you. But don't take it out on the people that are still around. All that does is make you as big of an asshole as he is." Kate's glare softened as she took in Artemis's words, her eyes falling on the polaroid's of her and Roy on the wall in front of her.

The older teen sighed and sat down next to Kate, their eyes meeting when Kate cautiously looked up at Artemis. "Sorry." The blonde archer just shrugged, "I don't mind having you come to dinner. It's actually... kind of nice, to not have an empty, glaring reminder right across from me, you know?"

Artemis smirked, "So, what you're saying is.... You actually like having me around?" the teen gasped in fake shock, "Oh my gosh! Next thing you know we're going to be painting each other's nails and braiding each other's hair and gossiping about how in love you are with- oof."

Kate elbowed the older blonde, knocking her back onto the bed.

"Not. Another. Word." Artemis laughed at Kate's tomato red face, the little bird pursing her lips and puffing up her cheeks.

"I don't hear a denial." Artemis playfully jabbed, earning an eye roll from the younger girl.

"Shut up." Kate grumbled, right before two loud dings went off at the same time. The teens sobering and sharing a look.

Kate rushed to grab her suit and gear, all of it placed in a black duffle under her bed. Her and Artemis quickly exited the apartment, the briefest of goodbyes being thrown over their shoulders.

They zeta-ed to the cave and got changed. Meeting up with their teammates in the mission room, Batman and Aqualad standing before them with a holo-screen behind them.

"The Watchtower detected an immense power surge in the Bialyian dessert..."

~~*~~

[laurencna]

Open Your Nursing Career: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding CNA Classes Near You

Unlock Your Nursing Career: A‍ Extensive ⁢Guide to Finding CNA Classes Near You

Are you interested in⁤ starting​ a​ rewarding career in healthcare? Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant​ (CNA) can be an ​excellent first step towards‌ achieving your professional nursing goals. This comprehensive guide will ‌help you navigate ‍the ​process of finding CNA classes near you,along with ​essential data to kickstart⁢ your‍ career in nursing.

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Documenting patient care

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Before diving ​into how ⁤to find CNA classes, ⁢let’s explore some benefits of becoming a certified Nursing Assistant:

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1. ‌Online ⁢Search

Utilize‍ search engines and local directories. Try searching phrases like:

“CNA classes near ⁤me”

“Certified Nursing Assistant programs in [Your City]”

“Nursing assistant schools in [Your State]”

2. Community Colleges

Check with local community colleges. ⁣Most community colleges offer CNA training programs that are affordable and comprehensive.

3. Nursing Homes and Healthcare Facilities

Contact local nursing​ homes,⁢ hospitals, and healthcare facilities.Many of these organizations offer training ⁤programs or‌ can refer you to accredited classes.

4. State nursing Boards

Visit your state’s nursing board ‌website. They frequently enough provide lists of approved CNA training programs ‌by state.

Essential Questions to Ask When Evaluating ‌CNA Programs

When selecting ⁣a CNA program, ask the following questions:

Is the program accredited?

What is the duration of the‍ program?

What are ⁣the ‌tuition costs and available financial aid options?

Dose the program include hands-on clinical experience?

What is the pass rate for the ‍CNA ‍certification exam?

CNA Training: ​What to Expect

The typical CNA training program consists of classroom‍ instruction ‌and hands-on clinical ‍skill‌ training. Here’s an overview ⁢of⁢ what to expect:

Training Component

Description

Theory Classes

Basic nursing principles, anatomy, and patient care techniques.

Clinical Practice

Hands-on training in ⁤real healthcare settings under supervision.

Exam Preparation

Review materials and practice tests to prepare for⁤ the CNA certification exam.

First-Hand Experiences: Voices of‌ CNAs

here ‌are‌ some testimonials from individuals who completed‍ CNA training:

“The CNA program opened so many doors ⁤for me!‌ I loved the hands-on approach, and it was the perfect springboard into‌ my nursing career.” – Lisa M.

“Becoming⁤ a CNA was one ⁣of the best decisions I ever made.⁣ The experience I gained helped me get into nursing school, and‍ I still use my skills daily!” – John K.

Practical ‍tips for Success

Here are some practical tips to help you succeed in your CNA journey:

Stay ⁤Organized: ⁢Keep a planner for assignments and study schedules.

Practice Skills: ⁣ Regularly practice CNA skills,such⁣ as taking‍ vital signs,with friends or family.

Network: Connect with classmates and ⁣instructors; building professional relationships can help your career.

Reflect: After every ‍clinical experience, take‌ time to reflect on what you learned and ⁢what you can⁢ improve.

Conclusion

Finding⁤ the ​right CNA classes near you can ⁢set the foundation for a ​fulfilling ⁣career in nursing. With the right education, hands-on training, and a commitment to patient care,‌ you’ll be well on ⁢your way to making a meaningful impact in the healthcare field. Take the next step towards unlocking your nursing career today!

https://trainingcna.org/open-your-nursing-career-a-comprehensive-guide-to-finding-cna-classes-near-you/

[addpayseo123]

Decoding Investment Banking: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Investment banking is a dynamic and complex field that plays a crucial role in the global financial system. For beginners looking to navigate this intricate landscape, understanding the fundamentals is essential. This comprehensive guide aims to decode the world of investment banking, providing insights into its key functions, roles, and the broader impact it has on the financial markets.

1. Introduction to Investment Banking (150 words)

Investment banking serves as a bridge between companies and the financial markets. Its primary functions include facilitating capital raising, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and providing strategic financial advice. Investment banks act as intermediaries, connecting businesses in need of capital with investors seeking opportunities.

2. Key Functions of Investment Banking

a. Capital Markets

Investment banks assist companies in raising capital through the issuance of stocks and bonds. They play a pivotal role in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), where a private company goes public by offering its shares to the public for the first time.

b. Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Advisory

Investment bankers advise companies on buying, selling, or merging with other businesses. They evaluate potential targets, negotiate deals, and structure transactions to maximize value for their clients.

3. Roles in Investment Banking

a. Investment Bankers (150 words)

Investment bankers are the professionals who work directly with clients. They pitch ideas, structure deals, and manage the execution of financial transactions. Analysts, associates, vice presidents, and managing directors are common roles within this hierarchy.

b. Sales and Trading

Sales and trading professionals are responsible for buying and selling financial instruments in the financial markets. They facilitate transactions for clients, manage risk, and ensure liquidity in the markets.

4. The Impact of Investment Banking on Financial Markets

Investment banking activities have a significant impact on the broader financial ecosystem. By facilitating capital flows and supporting companies in their growth and strategic decisions, investment banks contribute to the overall health and efficiency of financial markets.

5. Challenges and Risks in Investment Banking

Despite its crucial role, investment banking faces challenges such as market volatility, regulatory changes, and the constant evolution of financial products. Managing these risks requires a deep understanding of the market dynamics and regulatory landscape.

6. How to Get Started in Investment Banking

For aspiring investment bankers, obtaining a strong educational background in finance, economics, or related fields is essential. Networking, internships, and gaining relevant experience are also crucial steps towards entering the industry.

Conclusion:

Investment banking is a multifaceted field that involves various functions and roles. This guide provides a foundational understanding for beginners, serving as a springboard for further exploration. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and adaptable is key for anyone interested in the world of investment banking.

[river-bottom-nightmare]

Nightwing 79 Review

i said i would and i will. i did like this issue! not as striking and attention grabbing as 78, but i think this issue was meant to be a foundation one, laying out the groundwork for the future. overall, pretty good. also there wasn't enough bitewing. as promised, overly extensive metaphors and me reading too much into things under the cut

i know i've talked about this cover before, but this particular thing is oddly important to me, so i'll talk about it again

this is me, once again screaming about how artists put nightwing in traditionally feminine poses and how every time i see it i just get whiplash. i mean, true, the main reason why is because nightwing is a so often sexualized character, and putting him in these poses just increases the objectification, which is a goal that dc producers have. but there are very few popular male characters that do this. the only one i can think of off the top of my head is deadpool, but that was so obviously a critique and a way to make fun of the media industry. when they draw dick like this, they’re being serious. they’re putting him in appealing poses meant to show him off, and that’s something that’s traditionally only been done to women.

it's a very direct and very loud breaking of traditional gender roles in media, especially for a character as high-profile and historic as dick grayson. colour also plays a factor in this. the entire background is pink. i was absolutely shocked when i first saw it, when the teaser came out, because i cannot think of any comic book covers of male comic heroes this high-profile where pink is even just prevalent in the cover, let alone the majority of the cover. the pink does look beautiful: it offsets and highlights the black and blue of dick's suit gorgeously, but does it with more finesse than orange or red. but the fact that the stylistic choice was made to accent and draw this cover with aesthetic and beauty in mind, completely ignoring traditional hard-set gender rules in art, was a conscious choice and one i wholeheartedly support.

just another example of the sexualization i was talking about. i remember seeing harley quinn in this exact pose in suicide squad.

so far, taylor's been pretty dead-set on bringing alfred to the forefront of importance in this series. he wants people to know how much he loves alfred's character, and how much the butler meant to dick growing up. he was dick's father too. but what i adore is how taylor managed to stress alfred's importance in a way that didn't insult or belittle bruce.

this is one of the best bruce and dick interactions i've seen, and it's done in one simple interaction. in this, bruce is tough and harsh. he knocked dick down hard, but then he reached a hand down and helped pull dick back up. let me analyze their dialogue for a minute

on your feet: this is bruce telling dick to get up. he's trained dick, he knows what the younger boy is capable of, he knows his limits, and he knows what dick can do. this is bruce telling dick i know you're strong enough to get up, so get up and prove me right

are you just going to knock me down again?: surface-level, it looks like dick's complaining. he doesn't like bruce's rough training, and he's tired of bruce knocking him down. but look at his face in this. he's smiling up at bruce, knowledgeable and a little hopeful. he knows that bruce is doing this to help dick better himself, he's completely on board with the rough training, because they both know the rewards are incredible. also, he's teasing. he's bantering with bruce. there's an ease in that joking statement, one that belies affection and intimacy. they've only known each other for a little bit, but they're already slipping into a close familial relationship.

it depends on how fast you learn: this is bruce bantering back. this is bruce not being a stoic, unfeeling asshole. instead, he's shown with the dry humor that a good batman writer knows is a staple of the character. he's teasing dick, telling him he'll basically whoop his ass if dick doesn't learn fast enough. it's incentive for dick to train harder, while also being lighthearted enough to tell dick that believes in dick and doesn't want him to push himself too hard.

gosh i love the titans. also it looks like wally's staring at dick's ass.

this was cute. a prod at dick's silly and playful sense of humor, while not dumbing him down for the sake of a laugh. instead, he's joking about food, which is stuff everyone jokes about. this is the kind of stuff that'll actually make me laugh, instead of just making me vaguely uncomfortable.

bludhaven's almost always portrayed as a cesspool of a city. and to be honest, it really is. but this panel gives the city a meaningful history, while also giving us a reason for why dick moved there.

it talks of a time when people still thought they could beat the monsters. that if they fought hard enough, they could win the fight. it was a tentative hope that you could always overcome hardship.

dick's little "i like that it's still standing" shows how he still believes that, despite what the rest of the world thinks. despite everything that he's been through, dick is still tentatively an optimist, and believes he can fight the monsters of the world and win. it's a beautiful testament to his character, and i'm like that they added his signature element of hope back in. it used to be what he symbolized as robin, and despite his growth and character arc from robin to nightwing, this is one aspect of robin that i'm glad nightwing still has.

remember when i said "things that make me vaguely uncomfortable??" yeahhhh,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Shooketh Dick: A Sequel

(the expressions in this series are just,,,,on point)

this was an incredibly sweet and kindhearted thing for dick to do, but i found it kind of,,,,,,,,desperate? maybe that's just me, but let me explain.

dick's suddenly a billionaire, and he has entirely too much money that he knows what to do with. it's also alfred's money, what the man left to him, so dick forever links it with alfred. in addition to that, he's back and bludhaven and looking at it with "fresh" eyes. (at least, from a different point of view since he got shot in the head. then mind controlled.) he's desperate to do something with the money and he's desperate to help the people around him that so obviously needs up, so he comes up with an on-the-fly solution that's a little impractical and a little crazy, but it still helps and still does some good.

to me, dick seems a little lost. he hasn't completely found his balance yet, and he's trying to do things that will. he tries charity, because that's what bruce did and it's what he knows, even though he admitted that he always thought bruce could have done more as bruce wayne than batman.

they have a family group chat guys yall were right.

also, do i think that dick would ever actually get his wallet stolen?? no way in hell, he’d notice someone getting ready to pickpocket him a mile away. but i suppose it’s important to the Plot. 

okay this is getting interesting. first blockbuster, now maroni (+ the weird heart stealer guy). i can officially say that i am intruiged

this particular artistic quirk is shown a lot in this issue, and from this art team in general, but i feel like this panel is one of the best examples of it. it was stunning enough to take up a full page, and it’s well deserved.

the way they show dick moving is absolutely brilliant. as a reader, i like seeing these smaller versions of dick getting clearer and in more detail as they come closer to the screen. not only do they show depth in the picture beyond what a simple 3 dimensional piece of art does, it also shows the passage of time.

in addition, it showcases dick’s skill. dick spots these mobsters running after a group of petty thieves. he then, and follow me here, leaps off the roof of one building feet first, springboards backwards off the side of the adjacent building with his feet, gracefully continues his backflip, rights himself, shoots a line with perfect timing: just in time to soften his landing but not slow him down, execute said landing on top of a moving bus, keep running on the moving bus without missing a beat, shoot his grapple, use the grapple to swing, use the swing to build up momentum, then use the momentum to deliver a powerful blow to the mobsters. and he did all that fast enough to catch up with the mobsters, even though he was a ROOFTOP OVER. 

d a m n  s o n

this panel, the very first in the issue, is also another example of that art style, but a little more distinctive. i love the way they showed dick’s different costumes through the ages, along with him simply growing up. it’s a little heartbreaking, but a lot uplifting to see how far he’s come. thank god he got rid of the red. now all we need is the fingerstripes, and we’ll be golden

discowing my beloved. also i can’t clearly see discowing’s hair but it definitely looks like it’s pulled back. it looks like he put it in a ponytail. guys. guys. dick had a ponytail omg. 

he’s having a Hero Moment

are you talking about the city, dick, or are you talking about you? the kgbeast, the court, the joker. dick fell to each one of them, no matter how hard he fought. he won in the end, eventually and with his family’s help. but i think he’s feeling a little low, a little defeated right now. it’s almost like he needs a win, he needs to feel victorious, he needs to feel like he helped someone (hence the food and the hotel room), just because he needs to remember what it feels like.

these lines were supposed to resonate with you, and goddamn they did.

i looked at it from two ways. first, it’s the girl asking, begging nightwing not to hurt them. bludhaven doesn’t know dick the way gotham does, they’re still a little frightened of him. this child was brave enough to step in front of all of the other hurt and homeless kids and ask, to a strange man in a mask, if he was going to hurt them like the other men had. it’s heartbreaking, but commendable, and an echo of the city itself that dick’s decided to protect. they’re bloody and broken and terrified, but still gritty and brave enough to stare what they fear in the eye and ask it not to hurt them.

second, it’s dick seeing the question reflected in himself. recently, he got shot in the head and lost all his memories. while i think that the way ric reacted was a perfectly valid and human response to the situation, i think dick still regrets how callously and rudely he treated his family. then, he was manipulated by the court of owls, then he was brainwashed with a magic crystal by the joker. dick does have a guilt complex. it’s not a big as bruce’s, but it’s there. and right now, with this girl begging her not to hurt them, dick is probably thinking about all the times he hurt people, in control of his own actions or not, bc he “didn’t have a heart.” 

little ambitious don’t you think, dick?

also just look at the sunset colours loOK at the they could not make this any more obvious oh my godddddddddddddddddddddddd

in conclusion, i need more of her

[lunnanunna]

No Pressure

STRAY KIDS Extra Member AU

Summary: Ollie is competitive by nature, and it shows during the vault jumping on Kingdom’s Sports Day.

Warnings: swearing

Taglist: @hyunmijung @galacticstxrdust @boss-baby-jongho @kimonmars @mythicalamphitrite @poutypoutybin @sunflower-0180​

Let me know if you’d like to be added or removed from a taglist.

A/N: I don’t know the exact rules to vault jumping, but let’s pretend like this is totally possible. Also for my story, the third round will have 3 teams; Ateez x Stray Kids x Btob, SF9 x iKon x The Boyz, and then my girls will be their own team. While the first two teams (The original teams) will break up into rap, vocal, and dance, my girls will be just one team/group. Hope this makes sense.

Requests are closed. Please like, leave a comment, or send in an ask. Doing any of these things is one more reason for me to keep writing.

Excitement coursed through Ollie’s veins as she watched each group have their go at the vault jump. She had cheered on her members, along with the opposing teams, but where she did her hardest cheering was for her girls.

Seeing as everyone was split up by the teams for the third round, Ollie was teamed up with the girls in Kingdom.

She was excited to hear that they were splitting up into teams, three groups in each, then to have subgroups for each position; rap, vocal, and dance. But where she was the most ecstatic, was when Changmin announced a third team.

Apparently fans didn’t just want to see the vocals working together, or the rappers, or the dancers. They wanted to see the girls work together too. Meaning, Ollie was on a team with Miyoung, Bao, Yoori, and Sara, and were given free range on what performance they could do exactly.

Ollie had cracked up when Yoori blurted out (While the cameras were still rolling) that she finally got to be in a girl group. Then everyone joined in on the laughter when indignant squawks and protests came from Ateez.

Only downside to being on this team was the athleticism, or lack thereof. Ollie was the competitive type, so she had to bite her tongue when she saw that vaulting was their first event. Taking a look at the girls, she knew exactly how it was going to go.

Bao was the first one out, not at all to Ollie’s surprise.

The rapper stood at the start line and squinted at the vault, arms folded over her chest. She took one look at Ollie, then pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Sorry, shortstacks. I don’t do these kinds of things,” Bao said, looking at the dancer. She then turned to everyone else and took a slight bow. “That’s it for today. This has been Bao, ‘till now,” she smirked, holding up a V.

Ollie let out a long sigh as she watched Bao walk back over to the girls, clearly unbothered that she just lowered the chances of their team winning. “You were never gonna try, were you?” Ollie asked her.

“Nope. Now if it was baseball, then that would have been a different story,” Bao shrugged, then patted Ollie on the head, “Plus we have you. Other than Stray Kids and us, no one knows the power you hold.”

“No pressure,” Sara snorted, leaning her weight on one foot, hands in her pockets.

“You’re at least gonna try, right?” Ollie asked the youngest.

Sara shrugged. “I will. How far I get, depends on my energy today,” she said.

“Your energy’s never high,” Miyoung sighed, rubbing at her temples.

“There seems to be tension among the team,” Changbin spoke into the mic, earning chuckles from everyone.

Ollie turned to him, offering a fake smile. “Watch yourself, Changbin-ah.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Changbin said quickly, placing his mic on the table. More laughter was heard.

Ollie turned back to her team. “Let’s at least try, okay?” she said, looking at the girls.

“I’ll try hard, Unnie. I just can’t promise too much,” Yoori pouted.

Ollie chuckled. “As long as you try that’s all that matters,” she patted Yoori’s head.

“Though if you could let your demon come out to help get you over 1.7 meters, then that’d be awesome,” Sara smiled, holding a thumbs up.

“I’m barely 1.5 though,” Yoori bite her lip.

“So are we,” Ollie pointed at herself and Miyoung.

“Unnie and I barely make it to 1.7, we’re all at a disadvantage,” Sara chuckled, signaling to Bao.

“At least it’s not as embarrassing as Jinhwan’s situation. The man refuses to jump,” Bao snorted.

“Bao, be nice,” Miyoung scolded.

“Okay, okay. Let’s just move on. Sara go,” Ollie said, pushing Sara towards the start line.

The younger shook out her limbs then yelled, “I’m going!” Sara then ran, jumped, and flew over the vault. When she landed, Ollie knew Sara was done.

“You’re done, aren’t you?” Ollie quirked a brow as Sara rolled off the mat.

The dancer sheepishly nodded, dragging her feet towards Bao. “This takes way more energy than you’d expect,” Sara said, pointing at the vault. Ollie rolled her eyes.

“Okay, my turn,” Ollie sighed. In less than a few minutes, Ollie had jumped over the vault with ease and joined the girls again.

When it was Miyoung’s turn everyone cheered, watching as she struggled a bit, but still managed to get over the vault. Yoori was a different story.

The poor girl jumped, and latched onto the vault when she saw herself flying towards it instead of over it. She then proceeded to giggle as she climbed up, letting out a victory scream at the top.

“And that’s our demon,” Wooyoung spoke into the mic, grimacing.

Sara and Miyoung didn’t make it past 1.8 meters, but Ollie wasn’t really surprised. She had mentally prepared herself for this. As the vault kept getting higher, so did her motivation, and her jumping.

Soon it was just Chan, Minhyuk, and Ollie. The vault stood at 2.4 meters, and Ollie knew that this would be the end. Either she’d make it here, or she’d make it here. Losing wasn’t in Ollie’s vocabulary when it came to sports.

Sadly, all three failed their first attempt. At the second attempt, Chan and Minhyuk failed again. Now it was Ollie’s last chance.

“Changbin? Tell me about Ollie’s athletic record, because seeing as she’s made it this far, she’s got to have a pretty impressive one,” Eunkwang asked.

“Well she’s our main dancer, of course. Back in school she did track and was the libero on her volleyball team,” Changbin began.

“Meaning the girl is fast and can jump,” Changmin chuckled.

“Exactly,” Changbin nodded with a proud smirk. “She’s also a gym shark, as you can tell by the biceps on display,” he motioned towards Ollie who had stripped down to her tank top as the event went on.

Ollie smirked, then proceeded to flex. “I also have better abs than Changbin could ever dream of having,” she shouted, sending a wink towards the rapper.

“This is true,” he nodded dejectedly, getting everyone to laugh.

“Well, then let’s see just how good she really is,” Changmin smiled.

Ollie nodded, fist pumping the air. She then took a deep breath, and readied herself. When the referee gave her the signal to go, she released her breath then began to run.

As she got closer to the springboard, Ollie realized that she wasn’t going to make it over, but that didn’t stop her. When she jumped, she knew she’d have to use up all of her upper body strength if she wanted to make it over. And she did, in the most Ollie way possible.

She placed her hands on either side of the vault, and sensing that her legs were too low, pushed herself up. Ollie when saw that she had used too much strength, she mentally cursed, but used the momentum to her advantage.

With the amount of strength she used to push, it sent her legs flying up and over her head, basically doing a back walkover. She flipped herself over the vault and landed on the mat on her side, rolling off of it due to the momentum. Ollie managed to stick her landing, surprising herself and everyone around her.

Slowly looking back up at the vault, Ollie gawked at what just happened. “What?”

“She’s just as surprised as we are,” Changmin said in awe.

When the referee gave his approval, everyone erupted into cheers. Ollie grinned wide as Chan ran to her, tackling her in a hug.

“How’d you manage that?!” Chan asked.

“Are you even human?” Minhyuk asked, eyes still wide in shock.

“Unnie! That’s my unnie!” Yoori cheered by the sidelines, standing on a chair. The other girls cheered as well, sending Ollie thumbs ups.

“Ollie, do you think you can make 2.5 m?” Eunkwang asked, almost hesitant. Everyone waited for her answer.

Ollie knew that that was a fluke. It was a fucking miracle. There was no way she’d make the next one. Someday, but definitely not today.

Smirking, she looked at the MCs. “The world may never know,” she made a big show of shrugging, then walked off towards her team.

“Well, now I’m curious,” Wooyoung whined.

“There’s no way she’s human. I need to make sure to never anger her,” Changbin stated in mock fear (Or maybe it was real?), then sent Ollie finger hearts as she walked by.

“See? I told you you’d win it for us,” Bao smirked from her seat as Ollie joined the girls.

Ollie pouted. “I just really wanted to see you jump, Bao.” Yoori giggled, nodding her head in agreement.

“Maybe someday. If the time’s right,” Bao shrugged.

“The heck does that mean?” Sara asked, leaning back in her chair, arms pulled into her hoodie.  She looked about ready to tap out.

“Whatever you want it to mean, kid,” Bao shrugged again.

“This is going to be quite an interesting team,” Miyoung sighed, blinking. Ollie chuckled, because, yes, this team is going to be chaotic. One of Ollie’s favorite things.

Ollie’s Masterlist

[danwhobrowses]

NXT World's Collide - Initial Thoughts

Now to part 2 of 3

In NXT UK's last hurrah before taking a hiatus and becoming NXT Europe, what remains of the UK roster are to be integrated into the normal NXT, including their titles. The World's Collide event sees NXT UK cross NXT in battle in our second PPV of the Weekend, All Out will be (somehow) fitted in tomorrow

Spoilers for the PPV

No matches for the Kick-Off, bit remiss given how it's only a small card

Starting with NA title with Pretty Ricky, but Melo with the hanged jerseys mind games, Sikoa among the shirts, Melo has the NA title decal on his knee pad too

The two are very clean in their wrestling, a great double springboard cutter to cancel each other out popped the crowd

Also Stu Bennett has been great on commentary

Melo wasn't sneaky leaving his foot out for Trick to pull like half an inch XD

Good match, probably could've benefitted from story, Trick did bide Melo time but it was the paul smackage when Ricochet landed on his feet for the Shooting Star Press

Oh, so Roddy's dead

There are a lot of bodies for this four way

Ahhh Briggs and Jensen eliminated first by Gallus, so much for the NXT UK Tag Champions

That alliance between PD and Gallus didn't last

Creeds then eliminate Gallus, who don't leave quietly

Julius' hot tag was great

The eliminated teams are fighting in the ramp for some reason which leads to a le sigh ref bump

Kemp then of course uses this to turn on the Creeds

Urgh they had to go with the Zoolander Twins, where was Brutus throughout all of this?

The same promos from Clash are on NXT, does WWE think that we don't watch both?

Tony D'Angelo trying to validate the fact that he lost LDF doesn't work, but he looks to be trying to side with Cameron Grimes who blows him off

You make Meiko come out first!?

Bit too much smoke for Bea/Blair

Mandy arrives in a...car? Sporting USA attire

Someone is screaming far too much

Yeah that list doesn't do Mandy favours

Reminder that Meiko is 42 years old and still amazing

Bit dumb though to wait for Mandy to pose and not take advantage of it

Mandy's gear seems to be struggling to contain her girls

KAMIGOYE! Only 2

Of course the fickleness of American crowds that they will cheer anyone American against non-Americans

And Rose *URGH* wins, Meiko hits the Scorpion Rising on Blair and after having to set her up, Rose hits both with the running knee

I am absolutely fucking baffled that between Bea Preistley and MEIKO SATOMURA, WWE choose Mandy Fucking Rose to still be their champion

Why do I even bother? They made her beat Raquel, KLR and Io after all, I just expected the better wrestler to win

They moved Axiom vs Nathan Frazer to Wednesday :/

Just be Nikki Cross and Piper Niven already!

First to challenge all active women's championships but won nothing in NXT

Chance is literally so mini compared to Doudrop XD

Toxic Attraction make a distraction which occupied Nikki so that KC2 can beat Piper, even though Piper proved able to handle both women previously in the match

That's 3/4 interferences btw, plus Nikki could've made it, weak match really

Main Roster bias made the tag champs look weak as it is

The Dyad are just weird, why couldn't we have the Grizzled Young Vets?

Still not sure how I feel about Bate with the long Jesus hair

Of course my internet chooses the main event to start blipping out and killing the vid quality, I've seen the buffer bar longer than I saw Bate's entrance

Never been done? Titles have been unified from two different brands and even companies for like decades

Bronn's shoulder was well up from that Airplane Spin slam

Bronn kicks out of the Tyler Driver 97 but Bate gets to the ropes for the Gorilla Powerslam

Bate forgoes the second Tyler Driver attempt to try his rebound Shotei and runs into a spear to lose

Least Tyson Fury didn't come out to sing American Pie, but again it was just, fine? I guess I never quite bought that NXT would give it to Bate

There's something missing as well, I can't quite explain it but it's like that buzz in my chest that makes me into it, Bate and Bronn are great workers, but I feel like they could've done a lot more

Conclusion

Honestly, I would've rather slept. The opener was good but after that it was just a snowball of weak booking choices, I get you wanna make it feel evens but the fact that Pretty Deadly and Mandy became unified champions in succession then postponed a potential best of 3 banger between Ben Carter and A-Kid shows the mentality NXT 2.0 has at play, thew Vince-ism is still there, right down to the 'home team' bias.

I also hope that the NXT UK belts aren't gone, they are WWE's best looking belts, and if they are gone I will happily take the UK title for myself if they name a price.

Overall it was fine, somehow didn't top Clash at the Castle, ball's in All Out's court now. Now I have to have 5 hours sleep...

Match Results (and Predictions)

Carmelo Hayes (c) [w/ Trick Williams] def. Ricochet (Pinfall via Small Package) Pretty Deadly [w/Lash Legend] def. The Creed Brothers (c) [w/Damon Kemp], Briggs & Jensen (c) [w/Fallon Henley] & Gallus (Mark Coffey & Wolfgang) [w/Joe Coffey] (Final Pinfall by Prince on Julius after chair shot) - NEW UNIFIED TAG CHAMPIONS Mandy Rose (c) def. Meiko Satomura (c) & Blair Davenport (Pinfall by Rose on Blair via running knee) - NEW UNIFIED WOMEN'S CHAMPION Chance & Carter (c) def. Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. (Pinfall by Chance on Doudrop via 450 Knee Drop) Bron Breakker (c) def. Tyler Bate (c) (Pinfall via Spear) - NEW UNIFIED CHAMPION

[lovecolibri]

Okay on a short break from work so I’m gonna try and get this out as quick as possible so I can focus on my meetings and not have this rattling around in my brain all afternoon.

I’ve been seeing all the takes about yay Michael is upset, good he should be, and that he did this to himself and while yes, he did, that little preview absolutely solidified my idea that because of what they did with season 2 (and how much was c*rina we’ll never know), they wrote themselves into a corner with Michael and there isn’t a good way to handle f*rlex and his reaction because of it.

If we had season 1 Michael looking sad about Alex moving on, if we saw season 1 Michael being jealous and mopey about Alex moving on it would make perfect sense. Because of who Michael is as a character, we SHOULD be seeing him sad, and jealous about Alex’s new boyfriend. BUT, because season 2 refused to a) allow Michael to put Alex first over m*ria to show that relationship as the most important one (like Max putting Liz over everyone and everything) and in fact did the opposite, and b) let Alex have any emotions even privately that weren’t cheerfully supportive and helpful about m*luca, there isn’t a way to have Michael be sad and jealous like his character should be without him coming off as hypocritical, and an absolute dick after Alex was so supportive of m*luca. Which he shouldn’t have been or we should have at least seen him struggling. I think they tried to play off Michael leaving during the song as him being “supportive” but that whole scene was a mess and didn’t make sense anyway and it doesn’t change the fact that after all he did and the way he reacted during season 2 (which I firmly place on the writer’s shoulders and not on the character), that him being jealous and sad and petty about it now makes it VERY hard to have sympathy for the character. I wanted to see jealous, sad Michael in season 2 when we should have had f*rlex and m*luca happening at the same time and then had the song be the springboard into season 3 Malex. Instead we got *gestures vaguely at a trash bin on fire*

[cgmayra]

Hello Mayra! Hope you're doing well, perhaps a prompt to make you feel better? This is canon adjacent but also kind of AUish. Weresonamy but it takes place in the Storybook world (you knows those games). Sonic is now the big bad wolf and Amy is little red riding hood. At first she's afraid of him which hurts Sonic but there's a bigger threat and he jumps into action protecting little red. So the werehog saves the day and earns little reds trust and he realizes how much important Amy's support is

<3 I could always feel better lol But I’m doing great, thanks for asking! :Db

Also, still not sure if Canon Adjacent means Semi-Canon..? Eh? -help please I’m old and I don’t read fanfiction anymore lolol-

PROMPTS ARE ON SHUTDOWN. You know the drill, don’t send any more prompts until they’re announced to be reopen again! :Db

My response and first impression of this prompt: Pajama Blogs - Prompt Requests Ep. 1 (x - 41:05)

Prompt:

I was told to immediately head to Miss Vanilla’s house with Cream and I’s cookies. I was holding her hand as the path grew dark and strange noises kept crushing the leaves that blew in the full moon night.

I heard grunting at different intervals, and as Cream clung close to me, I stroked her head but couldn’t find the strength inside myself to open my mouth and give her encouragement. Comfort... I greatly needed that too.

“M-Miss Riding Amy?”

She was a kind girl, Cream. A small rabbit, that any predator would make a gruesome snack out of. I was a traveling adventurer who just happened to be fortune telling when she asked me for this favor.

Her mother lived so far out into the enchanted woods... doesn’t she know the stories and rumors? Even in all my travels... I’ve never heard of a forest this dense with evil magic!

“What is it, Little Cream?” I asked, moving the basket from her arm and switching it to my other side, cradling her once burdened arm now tightly within my own.

Escorting was the easy part, but monsters were at the forefront of my worries.

“D-do you think mother is safe living so far from town?” She asked me.

‘How the heck would I know, kid?’ I made a sour face, but kept my slurring suspicions to myself. “She’s your mother, Cream.” I finished my thought out loud, even with the tone of my voice being rather foul. “Which means she’s got to be twice as strong and brave as you! Right?” I bounced her arm in mine, smiling down to her from my red hood with a white rim that coupled nicely with my dress. It was tied tightly around my neck and even looked good with my corset, something I had picked up along my travels. “Now then, stay close, and everything will be alright, okay?” I manipulated my voice to sound assured, the only comfort I had waited for my lips to speak seemed more for myself than anything else.

Still,... I wasn’t going to leave a helpless little bunny to the hands of these deadly forest.

I glared at them, as though warning them that at any wrong move, I’d hammer them!

We continued down the dark path before I couldn’t tell dirt from moss anymore, and the colors dulled into deep blues and blacks, the moonlight no longer helping from the shadow of the trees above...

“Hmm...” I frowned, trying to gauge by the wind if a storm was coming... I squinted my eyes through the cold and thought I saw a shadow turn and inch closer to a tree.

I took Cream’s hand tighter, “Let’s keep moving...” and continued my brisk steps towards where the compass pointed us too.

I didn’t see it till later... but scratch marks revealed the sign had been tampered with, and with the compass pointing north, but the sign saying that her Mother’s cabin was another way... I took the other path.

I shook the compass when it was clear we were walking on grass, with no more trodden down carriage routes, and then...

We heard the howl.

“Miss Riding Amy!” Cream jumped into an embrace at my waist, as I put an arm protectively to her back and looked around. I could hear soft, misty voices as creatures that looked like chameleons began to materialize as though invisible this whole time! Tracking us?! They crawled down the trees with hooks for feet, sharp bluish and purple bodies with horns, and their tongues flung out and wiggled themselves in front of us before they jumped to attack.

I summoned my hammer and threw Cream back behind me, and as my first powerful swing locked onto one of the nightly creatures, my hoodie flung off.

I also didn’t know... that a beast within the forest’s eyes dilated at seeing my face, who had secretly followed us in the hopes of guiding us back on the correct path... hidden this whole time as well, when he saw my face, he immediately disregarded his own reservations at staying out of sight, and used the cover of darkness to swing his massive fists, stretching far and wide, to make it look like my hammer throws were hitting them all.

I didn’t see through his illusion, instead, I thought I was whipping my hammer around so fast that the monsters couldn’t keep up, till one ducked and dodged both our tactics and walloped me right in the chin. I was flung back, with poor Cream’s basket getting thrown in the impact and landed with her cookies that we had spent so long making.

This quest was harder than I thought.

I scooted back on the ground as Cream cried out to me, but the monster tried to ready his tongue to lasso Cream, when an even larger beast finally sprung out into our sights, and began to throw a gorilla-like tantrum with his arms, banging the ground and causing it to shake.

He roared fiercely and grabbed the chameleon by it’s ankles, swinging him wildly as it looked like an unwanted carnival ride, round and round.

His fur shuffled in the wind as he finally released the foul terror and it slammed against a tree, twitching... before it’s misty hide disintegrated back into the forest’s magic power...

I quickly pulled myself up and gripped Cream in fright, but held my hammer out with harsh pants, still not fully quitting without a good struggle first.

The beast relaxed it’s shoulders... then slightly turned its head to us.

I continued to hold my hammer out, before shifting it behind my shoulder, ready to swing at any given notice.

He slowly reached his hand out, letting its true length be known and lifted it above my hammer as I swung to defend ourselves, but we were both surprised when he picked up the basket.

He then swiftly gathered up the cookies with precision in his claws and lengthy fingers, before withdrawing his arm back to it’s normal, monstrous-still size and presented it at our feet.

We were still both laying upon the ground, except my torso raised slightly, before he nodded and was about to walk away when we heard a woman’s voice shriek out in fright.

“Mother!” Cream called, looking behind me and taking off.

“Cream! Wait!” I didn’t even think about the basket, and took off after her. Dust in our wake, I suddenly looked back to see the blue, hairy monster carrying the basket in his mouth, and lowering his head, scooped me up and onto his back. “W-wo-AHH!!” I gripped his back like a baby monkey, just trying to not get jostled off as he raced on all fours with such velocity.

‘He doesn’t look to be hunting Cream.’ I surmised, and then for a moment, actually thought riding this beast was my calling... it was fun, it felt like I was meant to trust him... I only had this feeling when drawing tarot cards, and seeing the fortune of ‘Destined Love’ written upon it...

“I don’t know who you are-!” I immediately shouted out, positioning myself more comfortably upon his back as he dipped his head and was about to scoop up Cream to his back as well, “But let’s save this family!” before another even more frightening beast that looked like a phoenix swooped down and clamped its claws to her. “Ah!” I cried out in shock, it happening so fast.

“Oh no!” The burly voice of the monster had thrown the basket back up to me and I caught it instinctively, before seeing him reach out his hand to extend it again beyond normal means, and grab a branch.

Like a springboard, we were slingshotted to that branch as I let out another yelp of shock.

This... was surprisingly fun! If it didn’t mean my little friend and her mother were in danger.

“Can you go faster!?” I encouraged, and suddenly, the beast seemed to take offense to that.

“Hold on!” he called out, a harsh grumble in his voice he may have not meant to make, and immediately we began swinging and launching ourselves closer and closer to the flying bird creature, when I noticed another--adult--rabbit in it’s other talon.

“It’s got her mother!” I cried out, and his eyes seemed to bleed with the necessity to save them as well. 

“Do you trust a monster?” He asked, dropping to the ground after each failed jumped couldn’t get us close enough to reach them.

I held my hammer at the ready, looking to the strange beasts as though the term ‘monster’ didn’t suit how heroic he was being in trying to help us.

“N-no.” I stated, and he looked down a moment, as though disappointed. “I trust you.” I stated, boldly and point-blankly. “You’re willing to risk life and limb just for a couple of girls... I wouldn’t know a monster that noble, but I do know heroes that stalwart and true.”

His head rose and for the first time, I could see his full face. He looked touched by my words... before nodding with a narrowing of his eyes. “Alright then, Miss Rose Rider. Prepare to ride to wind!”

“W-what?”

He shot his arms out and pulled himself back, just like a slingshot position!

“Ho, boy!” I bit on my hammer and kept it between my teeth, realizing I needed to hold onto this ride with both hands....

He strained, before finally whiplashing us both into the air.

“Now, go!” He reached back to grip me, as best he could without injuring me with his brute strength, and threw me like an arrow across the night sky to the belly of the beast.

“HHHAAAAA!!!!” I slammed my hammer into it’s gut and had it coughing up a storm, dropping it’s prey as the woman and her child screamed upon their descent.

“Hero!” I called out, deciding never to use the term ‘beast’ or ‘monster’ again for such a kind soul.

The Hero seemed to understand I was addressing him, and threw out his arms to grab the girls and tucked them into his chest... falling down... Oh no...

“NOO!!” He was taking the plunge for them!

I wasn’t able to think about it long though, as the dark phoenix cried out and came for me, but I whammed it’s beak away from devouring me and grabbed a talon, using its body to take the hit for me on the ground while I remained safe at the underbelly of it’s feathers.

Spitting out said feathers, I then frantically backed tracked further into the forest, before seeing Vanilla and her daughter crouched over the Hero, tears of regret in their eyes.

“He... He took the fall for us. All of it.” Vanilla admitted, seeing that I was the one with Cream.

“Oh, Miss Riding Amy...” Cream wiped her tears, holding her mother’s hand and pulling themselves away from him. “He was the bravest, nicest wolf I’ve ever known!” She then pulled me into that said hug, but my eyes never left the body of the Hero.

His fur swiveled in the breeze... and the forest moaned as if losing something precious.

“N-...No...” My cards never predicted this... I moved the grieving girl and mother apart from me,... crawling to the Hero’s fallen form. “Please... I still want to... I still want to know you... I want to thank you...” My voice began to break, gripping his fur in my white gloves. “I didn’t even know your name...” I sobbed more than I ever thought I could have...

“I... I love you... Mr. Wolf, sir.” Cream began, “Thank you... for saving both me, my mother... and my friend.”

I shook my head, “You and I... we fought like a supersonic comet... that bird didn’t know what hit’em.”

Then...

While the sun began to rise... his form twitched and rumbled as though something was happening.

I pulled away only when a bright light flashed and yellow streams of golden ribbons flew around him.

He was lifted into the air and the golden streams wrapped around him before revealing a handsome--more beautiful hedgehog man than I’ve ever seen in all my life--slowly floating down to the ground before blinking his eyes open.

“Who...” he began, rubbing his head and shaking it as he got upright, spooking us all as we were jaw struck. “Who said my name..? And that they... could love a beast?”

We had a big party that night at Vanilla and Cream’s home. Cream explained her mother didn’t like her walking the path at night, due to the trickery of the forest dwelling monsters, but that she always knew a kind, mysterious figure protected her and her daughter every time they crossed.

On this particular day, Cream was attending the Chao Kindergarten in the village and had played so long with the Chao, had forgotten the time. Vanilla was so worried she went in search of Cream, finding the wolf and asking if he was the one that kept them safe all those many years they lived there.

He agreed to go on ahead before finding Riding Amy with Cream, and stalked them to make sure they got to safety, but was too afraid to reveal his cursed form.

The curse could only be broken by someone speaking his name after a declaration of admiration and love. 

“That’s... amazing.” I was still in awe at how handsome the young hedgehog man looked. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him, but when he looked at me, my heart raced and I had to look away, pulling up my hood so he couldn’t see my blushing cheeks. “You should-! Ehem.” I was getting too excited... “You should come with me on my travels. I’m sure you could do a lot of good now that you’re not so afraid of what others may think of you.” I explained.

Though, in my heart, no matter what box this beautiful man came in... he was still a hero... just... more dashing in this form!

He smiled to me, and I felt my soul withdraw into his arms at such a sunny-disposition.

“I’ve always wanted to see the world, so that sounds great! But...” He looked to Vanilla.

“We’ll be fine.” She patted his arm. “You’ve been watching over us all in the village for far too long, time we took precautions for ourselves!”

We both didn’t realize that the Chao were formidable fighters... and ended up joining with each villager to protect them come night time, where their little forms could judo slam any monster that tried to trick in the night!

Sonic and I... We... hehe!

Well... The cards are never wrong.

I was destined to ride alongside the spirit of the wind!

[rucbarthatbowtiesarecooldw]

Saturday Morning Session notes

The Morning Breaks

Arise O God and Shine

Choose the Right

 President Russell M Nelson

The Lord directs the affairs of His Church

He will hasten His work in His time

The strength of the Church lies in the efforts and ever-growing testimonies of its members

With the Saviors help we can remove the old debre in our lives – it is a gospel of repentance, hope, healing, progress, and joy

 Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf

God is among us and is personally involved in our lives and loves His children

He offers to all His children something unimaginable – to become hairs of God and joint hairs with Christ

He has not duped His children to stumble through mortality without hope for a bright and eternal future - He has provided instructions for a way back to Him

Instead of dwelling on them and feeling hopeless, we can repent

Our failures do not have to define us – they can refine us

Mistakes do not disqualify us. They are part of our progress.

The Savior always teaches timeless truths – his message is and will always be one of hope and belonging

Love thy God and serve Him

Seek God - Jesus would teach us to open our hearts to God and reach out to others.

Let us not love in word but Love in deed and in truth

Keep searching with Faith and Patience – ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you

God is Among Us

 Sister Joy D Jones

To our HF children have never been secondary – they have always been primary

We value children and we do all we can to combat the evils of abuse – their care is primary to them as it is to us

“we have the greatest opportunity to teach the young

“We have the greatest opportunity with the young. The best time to teach is early, while children are still immune to the temptations of their mortal enemy, and long before the words of truth may be harder for them to hear in the noise of their personal struggles.” – Eyring, The Power of Teaching Doctrine

Teach these things freely among your children – the fall of adam, the atonement of Jesus Christ

We need to have caring conversations with our children so they can understand what they believe as well as why they believe

We need to teach them what to do when they are tempted (by the things which could hurt them)

Children are to be taught by word and example

Help them be equipped with faith, courage, and confidence

Eternity is the wrong thing to be wrong about

 Elder Jan Eric Newman

Everyone deserves to learn – to deepen our conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ

How can we teach more like the Savior

1 learn all you can about the Master Teacher

2 home centered church supported gospel learning

3 remember that conversion must come from within

Come Follow Me is the springboard that allows each of us to dive deeply into the living waters of Christ

Provide a nurturing environment free of thorns

Parents cannot pass on their testimony (you can’t give your immunity to covid to anyone else, they need to get their own vaccine)

Conversion is a personal journey

 High on the Mountain Top

 Elder Gary E. Stevenson

Rabbits?????

Even if you receive the exact same thing as someone else  - the exact same learning, understanding, etc. you will turn out differently than everyone else because of your experiences

The relationship made the difference

Kindness as a fundamental healing gospel principle – one that can heal hearts emotionally and spiritually, and even physically

Hearts knit together in unity and love

Power maintained with kindness and gentleness, not force

We have a primary responsibility to be role models of kindness, inclusion, and civility is important especially in these times

Loving kind tolerant and benevolent to everyone

Prejudice, racism, and violence have no place in our communities

Use compassion and generosity to help everyone live through this stupid pandemic (my interpretation ahah)

We are under the care of a compassionate caregiver who extends Himself in kindness

The Lord is MY shepherd

 Elder Gerrit W Gong

He welcomes all with room in His inn

The Good Samaritan

Be a good Samaritan like Christ

1 we come to the inn as we are with our imperfections

In Him we find clarity, not dissonance

He trusts us to help make the inn the place He needs it to be

In [Christ], we find cause to be good, reason to do good, and capacity to become better. 

We mourn, rejoice, and are there for each other

2 Make this a place of space and grace with room for all

3 perfection is in Jesus Christ, not of the world

Our savior Jesus Christ knows everything about us we don’t want anyone else to know. And he still loves us.

4 we become part of a gospel community anchored in Jesus Christ

5 rejoice that God loves His children in their different backgrounds and circumstances – with room for ALL in His inn

Disciples of Jesus Christ come from everywhere in every shape, hue, and background

Waiting for the Lord upon His blessings is a holy position. It must not be met with pity, patronizing, or judgement, but instead with sacred honor.

Shall renew their strength like the wings of eagles

Miracles occur when we care for each other as He would

��Teach Me to Walk in the Light

 President Henry B. Eyring

In the temple you can receive revelation

What is your greatest motivation for being worthy of temple experiences?

Unable to see by the power of the holy ghost if you go to the temple unworthily

The temple is where you can be assured about eternal families

What can you do more in the temple?

Build a desire to go to the temple

The Spirit of God

[pod95]

Pairing: Finn Balor X OFC (Ciara)

Word Count: 1310

Warnings: Mature to explicit as the story goes on.

Description: After moving to the USA from England to start her career as an NXT superstar, Ciara gets to meet her long time crush, NXT champion Finn Balor. It's clear the pair have chemistry, but when tensions start to rise, will they find they want more than a no strings attached relationship?

So this is the first piece of fanfic I have written literally ever. I will be posting them here periodically, but I already have 6 chapters out on my Wattpad, AO3 and FanFiction pages.

This series will involve romance, drama and (although it will take a little while) some smutt too. Hope you enjoy it! 😊

Chapter 4: Up Close and Personal

I awoke startled to the sound of my roommate banging on my door. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I checked the time on my phone, 9:36. Shit! I'd slept through both of my alarms and needed to be at the Performance Center by 10 for my first day. I opened my bedroom door and a panicked Alex was standing on the other side.

"You're gonna be late! Quick, take a shower and I'll drop you off on my way to work." She handed me some towels as I gave her a thankful look before rushing into the bathroom to get ready.

I don't normally sleep in but I didn't get back from the party until late and I definitely went overboard with the alcohol. Fergal and I talked way into the night before sharing a taxi back to our respective homes. Nothing happened obviously, despite my drunken attempts to flirt with him. I cringed at the thought of my clumsy pickup lines and awkward attempts at being alluring. I would have to be very careful around Fergal from now on, after all this was the second time in as many days I was trying to wash away my shame with water and shampoo.

I was washed, dressed and in the car in record time, arriving at the Performance Center a little after 10. Not too bad considering how late I woke up.

"Ciara! Follow me," Paul greeted me as I entered the lobby, "so like I said before, you debut in 3 weeks. You'll be entering into a feud between Tegan and Dakota as Tegans tag partner. Obviously you're very experienced in the ring but here in NXT we have our own rules, own way of doing things so you'll be working with some of our trainers today just to help you adapt."

He led me to a ring, where I was taught the basics of wrestling for the WWE.  There were so many rules, some of which didn't even make sense. Obviously certain moves were banned, no blading, no head shots, all the usuals. But then there was a lot of differences too. Matches often have "agents" that help to set up a match, if you wanted to use certain weapons you need written approval, and don't even get me started on the list of banned words. I was starting to become worried that I was out of my depth here.

After going through the rules and doing some initial training, I was introduced to Steffanie (Tegan Nox), Cheree (Dakota Kai) and Victoria (Raquel Gonzalez)

"Oh hey you're working with us right?" Steffanie asked, extending a friendly hand.

"Yeah! I'm Ciara! Looking forward to working with you all." I introduced myself to the girls and got to know them a little better before getting to work on our tag match

We'd been working for a couple of hours and had some good spots perfected. It was just the finish left to go, where I would hit my finishing move ( a Canadian Destroyer I called the "Natural 20") on Dakota and make the pin.

After practicing it a couple of times, I began to feel like someone was watching me. Glancing around the room, I spotted Fergal, leaning casually against a wall and observing our practicing.

Thankfully for my heart he wasn't shirtless today, in fact he wore a baggy hoodie which concealed his physique like a well hidden secret. I gave him a small smile and turned back to the girls.

"If I might offer some advice..." Fergal interrupted.

"Please." I gestured for him to join us in the ring.

He climbed up onto the apron and jumped over the top rope, clearly showing off.

"Your finisher is a Canadian Destroyer right? It's a good move-"

"Thanks!"

"-But, it's a little overplayed. In WWE alone there's Sin Cara, Adam Cole, Rey Mysterio and Chelsea Green who use it. If you wanna stand out, I'd switch it up a little."

I didn't know how to respond. He was right of course, but I'd always had the same finisher. I didn't want to change it.

"I've always had the same finisher, it means a lot to me. I don't wanna do a different one."

"I'm not saying to do a different one. I'm saying to tweak it a little."

After thinking it over for a few moments, I still didn't have any idea what Fergal was getting at.

"How?" I yielded, knowing that it would result in a cocky smile.

"Have you ever seen anyone do a springboard Canadian destroyer," he smirked.

"I haven't.."

"There's a reason for that. Its not done that often."

He took his hoodie off and threw it into the corner of the ring, revealing a tight vest which hugged his torso.

"Jump at me," Fergal instructed, taking me by surprise slightly. Physical contact with people who are practically strangers wasn't unusual in our line of work, but I still felt nervous at the thought of being that close to him. I did as he told me.

Taking a slight running start, I jumped at Fergal, his strong arms catching me beneath my thighs. As he held me there, explaining the next part of the move to me, two things crossed my mind. The first was that this man was even stronger than I realised. He was holding my full body weight with only his forearms and not even breaking a sweat. The second thought was how close his face was to my chest.

"Right, now I'm gonna bounce your back off the top rope, kinda like a rope assisted powerbomb, only on the rebound, jump over my shoulder into the Canadian Destroyer. OK?"

He spun me around and bounced me off the top rope, but I didn't quite have enough momentum and ended up bashing my chin on his shoulder blade.

"Ahh!" Fergal put me down gently before inspecting my chin.

"Are you OK? Can you move your jaw?" he asked, genuinely concerned.

"I'm fine, don't think it's injured at all, just hurt a bit."

Relieved, he backed off a little, seeming a little guilty that his suggestion had hurt me.

"Shall we try again?" I smiled at him, hoping to reassure him that I was fine and he had nothing to feel bad about.

"OK, but this time you need to really just dive over my shoulder OK? It'll be easier with the girls cause they're smaller."

We went again, and this time I used my full body weight to push myself back off the top rope, Diving elegantly over his shoulder and completing the move. It was a little clunky due to never having done it before, but after a few more attempts, I was able to do it perfectly.

After we'd finished practicing, I collapsed in the ring exhausted. Fergal handed me a bottle of water before sitting cross-legged next to me.

"Good job today. You worked really hard."

"Things are a lot different here in the big leagues huh?" I commented, sitting up and taking a much needed sip of the water. Fergal chuckled.

"You'll get used to it. I can see why Paul likes you."

It was only upon hearing this that something occurred to me.

"Wait, you were here to train too right? Damn, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to talk up all your ti-"

"Dont even worry about it. I came here today to keep an eye on the newbies, " he smiled, reassuringly.

"I know but you could have been helping the others and instead you were stuck with m-"

"Are you hungry?" Fergal interrupted "I'm starving. Come on, I'll treat us to dinner," he stood up, helping me to my feet and leading me out of the training room before I had a chance to refuse, not that I would have done.

[convoy914]

It‘s all rather emblematic (if that’s what that word means) of the problem with RWBY‘s earlier Volumes (context sort of in my last post), and yet why some people are so puritanical about them: They left SO much undefined beyond the basics that the characters knew at first, SO much left painfully vague yet clearly building to SOMETHING. And the release schedule, over a few YEARS before we started to get said explanations, what happened is that people used the vague springboard provided here to write their OWN stories. To come up with their own, wildly different, explanations for everything. I refer to RWBY Volumes 1-2 as a sort of “mystery box play pen”, which I suspect was-intentionally or not-part of the appeal for some people. And it’s understandable WHY it was so limited at first, both cause of the kind of show this is and cause Volume 1 only had 5 animators, it’s a minor miracle it was even MADE. Didn’t exactly have a large budget back then, hence using Beacon as the springboard.

And then Volumes 3-4 onwards, they actually started delving into the plots, explaining what they left so vague yet very obviously always planned for. And well, the people that got attached to their own versions, their own ideas, well we all know how THEY’VE reacted. But there’s one more piece of the puzzle here: The idea that Monty Oum was some kind of sole visionary, and that M&K “took over” after he passed (psst, they were there from the beginning and actually helped to develop the world and characters quite a bit). It thus provides an excuse for them to attack the show, for them to claim that THEIR vision is somehow truer, as if they’d know. The truth is they don’t. They just couldn’t tell the difference between their headcanons and ACTUAL canon, and they were given a convenient-and quite disgusting-excuse. I don’t know I’m probably repeating what others have already said and I probably didn’t explain it very well, but nonetheless. All I know is, when I first watched RWBY in mid 2016, I only really liked Volume 3 (Tho if you view all 3 as a long Season...)

[scourge-sympathiser]

for your Squirrel/Crow au, I would like to know how the kids relationship is with their parents? Is crowfoot happier?

in a word- yeah!

both squirrelflight & crowfoot r definitely a Lot happier in his relationship thn thy r in canon! i think their relationship would strike a good balance of teasing to genuine, stopping eachothr from falling too much into self doubt... i think the fact tht their relationship would be an active choice thy hav both made 2 fight 4 n continue having would do a lot of good for the kitz!

crowfoot still haz a bit of an emotional distance from his children, partially born from the conflicted discomfort the whole ordeal of pregnancy brought him, howevr- he rly doez care very deeply 4 thm & is able to show it much better thn canon crowfeather did to breezepelt...... like he bounced from the nursery as soon as it waz possible, but from there still visited near daily

course the 3 still feel a little Abandoned, not by any purposeful actionz of course but tht doesnt make sleeping without their parent any less painful....... but crow is still the first to go to bat for junipershade [somthing tht is equal partz appreciated & annoying as hell 4 him] givz suncloud tipz on how to use his bulker shape to his advantage [second hand- he asked squirrel 4 tipz whn he noticed him struggling in training] sitz with midnightbreeze & actz as a mostly silent springboard 4 her ideaz [she tend to overthink wht the optimal way of doing any such thing would be] tho of course there r dayz where seeing his kitz remindz him of how squirrel n him r in different clanz & he tendz to avoid thm thn.. this inconsistency causez the 3 a bit of grief, it can be hard to deal with not knowing if yr dadz gonna take one look n run away or if hez gonna share tonguez n be vv caring on any given day

squirrelflightz relationship with the 3 m still unsure of.... idk when or how thy find out about her n stuff like tht is very important to how thingz shake out in the end! in any case from her side she Hatez having to watch her kitz grow up without her- it doeznt help tht her n crow actively try to avoid interacting very frequently at gatheringz... but she doez go out of her way to try n start up conversationz- learn who her kitz evn R

therez also the matter of nightcloud! the assumed othr parent- course, she isnt, and her n crow nevr talked about her taking tht role... whn the 3 were first born she avoided thm bcuz her n crowz friendship waz on the rockz- by the time she realized tht this waz her chance to be a mother, which she greatly wanted, the kitz were already apprenticez- tho she doez try to reach out to thm? midnightpaw SUPER lookz up 2 her, sunpaw feelz a little awkward around her but is genuinely happy about her making the effort to be in their livez evn if itz late, n juniperpaw is Bitter & also clashez with her as he haz the tendency to seek out malice in actionz where there is none...

as for brindlefoot!!!!! his relationship with squirrelflight is a bit odd in tht squirrel treatz him like her son [of course] but brindle seez her as & treatz her like an aunt [very painful 4 her] hez resentful towardz his bio parentz for leaving him behind n feelz a void in his life despite squirrelz best attemptz... but he is a good deal less? murder-y? thn in canon? 

brindle n crowz relationship for sure startz off like. soo super bad- he feelz rly hurt by the fact tht crowfoot didnt keep him but did keep his siblingz, as at som point he somhow findz out about who his father unbeknownst to any1 else & startz building a resentment towardz crow bcuz he THINKZ wht happened waz tht crowfoot left him 2 die bcuz he didnt want him, as he isnt aware of squirrel being his mother && the case being tht she actually just wanted him so much

[ariyadaivaris]

yeah yeah 205 etc heres notes i took while watching 4/2 ep

-commentary talking about devlin being "longest reigning cw champion of all time back to wcw" and talking about his legacy as though, aside from Everything Else, he has ever done anything as a champion at all, is absolutely fucking infuriating. he didn't do anything as champion before covid and he hasnt done anything as a champion because he was Taking Some Time Off while people decided you couldnt do TOO much about sexual assault, if you do anything to address how prevalent and widespread this shit actually is, how embedded it is into fucking everything, then Maybe You're Going Too Far ! its just. its so. i fucking hate this

-tony wincing in pain after his and ariya's punchy entrance routine. you are both so dumb <3

-"daivari said if he ever heard me speak before tony entered the arena, he'd have a few choice words for me. i am trying to stay on daivari's good side" what is wrong with that man. i love him (ariya). DON'T talk to me before i've had m

-it feels like tony and ariya are constantly arranged so one of them is Above the other doing their own thing not looking at their friend and the other is looking up and smiling at them. what do they mean by this.   -i will TELL you what they mean by this. just kidding i don't know but it feels like they are just a little out of step cosntantly. they are in the same BOOK and they COULD be on the same page but they constantly think the other is on a different page. ariya thinks that tony doesn't think he's a threat and that he needs tony to win and resents it a bit even if they are friends again. tony thinks ariya's great! just dandy. kind of a dipshit but tony's willing to forgive that bc it's not a big deal to him, really. they're very very close but they also don't always see how much they mean to the other person. very tragic...very sad...a heem heem

-bollyrise storyline my beloved

-gossips. teehee   -tony leans in like this to talk to ariya before matches a lot its very cute. i think ariya does it a little less, he initiated it before the soft reset a few times i think and was literally whispering and giggling behind his hand when he did. i love cartoon bullies

-ariya carelessly messing with the tag rope on the turnbuckle. i love when he is bitchy

-ariya is kind of a Cold Rage/Simmering person and tony is more like...idk a word right now. theyre like. its a difference between a rival character and a villain character you see. tony gives people a hard time, drags on them, and ariya cuts across them. if tony is there to give people a hard time, ariya is there to make their life miserable. tony doesn't have that same sharp killer instinct to him unless he's actively seeking revenge. which he isn't right now. tony employs revenge quests with thought and time. ariya seeks revenge against EVERYONE. ariya sees the entire world being against him. (it kind of is)

-i love 205 (i used to anyway) but it feels so long since ive been excited about anything on it...its very slice of life rn which is fine, there are still stories happening, but they are almost all woven offscreen and nothing like...BIG happens. yknow? very few consistent feuds, very few...PLOTS. the potential for something more but it's never fulfilled. i don't think it's just the pandemic (it should be. there should not be wrestling right now) especially because, like, cruiserweights on nxt are doing ladder matches and shit. i think dissolving most of 205's mainstays, like King Of Street Fights Akira Tozawa, means there's just...not a lot of thought given to like. i don't know! something that feels like a big deal! /i/ feel like some things are big deals but that's because i am constantly overthinking ariya's character development all the time! these moments aren't carved out in the space intentionally! it's so............sigh. i want to be excited about 205 again. i want to feel like there's something to look forward to besides my own internal storytelling and understanding of the cruiserweights as they could be/once were

-THE SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT IMMEDIATELY INTO THE TAG................SNIFFS SO LOUDLY

-tony really is a good wrestler

-ARIYA WAS FRAMED

-IM BOILING ariya gets wins dirty AND clean and people are constantly cheating to beat him!!!!!!!!!!!!!! who is telling off grey!!!!! who is telling off samir!!!! commentary goes booooooo we hate your ariya with no provocation and ignores his record and everyone else cheating to beat him is all "oh well turnabout is fair play ^_^ you understand how it is" I HATE IT HEREEEEEEEEEEEEEE

-i mean i also love that bollyrise actually got a win good for them!