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crumbledcastle28 · 2 years

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Matt Murdock: Forget

Pairing: Matt Murdock x fem!reader (she/her)

Summary: An endless cycle of reviewing is interrupted by some much needed negligence.

Warnings: SMUTTTTT, law student Matt, law student reader, probably inaccurate law school studying, p in v sex, oral (female receiving), finger licking, with a dash of dom!reader.

A/N: Something about Matt in She-Hulk really messed with my head. Here is my first marvel fic (I can’t believe that) for my fellow INFJ and love of my life. Thank you all for your patience in my lack of updates. I hope this makes up for it.

If you’d like to leave a like, comment, reblog, or ask, it would be much appreciated <3

(I completely forget where I got this gif. Please let me know if it’s yours).

Matt’s nails scratching against the scruff of his face was not helping your focus.

Neither were the rays of the city lights against his darting dark eyes.

He leaned forward on his leather couch, squeaking the fabric against his hard body, and exhaled.

“Okay,” he breathed, staring down at his case-covered coffee table. The clock behind him shined red an ungodly hour of the night as he dragged his long, slender fingers over the braille, and exhaled again.

“We know the defendant’s breach of duty, and we know the plaintiff’s sufferance of an injury.”

You “mhmed” him along as he spoke, grateful he could not see your eyes glued to his hands gliding down the page…

…or so you thought.

“We just don’t have proof that the defendant’s breach actually caused the injury defined through proximate cause.”

You swallowed with another “mhm” and started rubbing your eyes. “Right,” you said after a moment, confirming that you heard him fully.

He sighed again and rubbed at his scruff. He was really really good at that.

“Aka the most important fucking element for a negligence case.”

He stood up at that and placed his hands on his hips. His body somehow broadened even more when he did this, and the white sleeves of his dress shirt from a day of mock court and a night of play pushed further up his forearms.

What the fuck was wrong with you?

You had a final tomorrow morning—actually this morning—and all you could think about was how much you enjoyed seeing your “study buddy” angry.

You rubbed your fingertips against your temples, trying to force yourself to fucking focus, but nothing would work. You knew nothing would work, because on any other night at this hour, the only thing on your mind would be how pretty Matt would look between your legs. Your brain had built those thoughts into your head so consistently that it became a habit. That, combined with being sleep deprived and having the man of the hour standing right in front of you, you were fucked.

Beyond fucked.

And the worst part was, you didn’t even care.

You had met Matt as an L1, first day of Civil Procedure, and something about the way his hair sat, the way his voice sounded, the way he laughed at himself, and the way he moved drew you to him like a magnet.

You had yet to leave that magnetic force, even when your trusted buffer Foggy wasn’t around. After over a year of slowly knowing Matthew Murdock, you had never loved anything else more.

Not that he knew any of that, of course.

The slap of a legal pad hitting the floor broke you from your train of thought, and Matt sat down with a huff.

You took a deep breath, centering yourself. “Why don’t we take a break?”

Matt chuckled. “A break? This entire night has been a break, Y/N.”

He was right. The two of you had gone out, much later than anticipated, and procrastinated studying to the last possible second.

And if it wasn’t for the way he said your name just then, you might have agreed.

“We’ve already been at this for two hours, Matthew,” you snapped back. “We are obviously exhausted, and like you said, we know 99% of the elements on this case. We can wake up early tomorrow, figure that out, and then take the exam afterwards. It will be fresh in our minds.”

You wanted to add and delightfully avoid staring at your stupid fucking eyes for the entirety of the night instead of the task at hand, but decided against it.

“You of all people know that that’s not how it works,” Matt replied. “Sleep is the time when the brain sorts everything together, not an hour before an exam. We need to do this tonight.”

You scoffed. “Speak for yourself. I’m going home.”

That was what made him pause, and the dimples on his cheeks disípate.

“What? You’re leaving?”

“If you’re going to sit here and panic and stress me out then yes, I’m leaving. I’m exhausted, and cramming for this won’t help.”

You stood from your seat, but Matt stood with you. Meeting you at your level, just as he always had.

“We’re in this together Y/N. You’ve said that a million fucking times.”

You breathed through your nose, continuously frustrated at his pattern of remembering seemingly everything you had ever said. “I just need to forget about this for a while, Matt. That’s all.”

With that, he made his way around the coffee table, and creased his eyebrows together fiercely. He moved closer and closer to you as he spoke.

“You think I don’t wish I could forget about this too,” he spat. “Do you honestly think I don’t want to throw all this shit out the window and spend a night with you, enjoying myself for once in my fucking life, and just forget? You think I don’t want that?”

You were frozen solid. It was unlike Matthew’s personality to raise his voice, especially around you.

He breathed rapidly, trying to regain composure.

“My whole life I’ve done what’s good, what’s right. Hell, the entire reason I’m becoming a fucking lawyer is to make things right…but there’s nothing I want less than that right now. There’s nothing I want more than to forget everything in the world but you.”

Your eyes met his unfocused ones, and you took a step closer. An unprecedented confidence overtook you, like the universe was giving you a shove, and you had no fucking clue where it was coming from.

You stood closer than you had ever been to him. Close enough to feel his hot breath on your face and his usual musk of birchwood and peppermint.

“Then forget, Matthew,” you whispered. Boldly. Making up a sexy voice that you had only heard from women in movies. “Forget with me.”

Whatever you did worked, because with one last second of rapid breathing, he slid his hands around your jaw, and attacked your mouth with his own.

Nothing could have prepared you for the addiction that was the feeling of his body against yours and his tongue in your mouth.

You immediately pulled him closer to you by his collar, kissing him so harshly your teeth clashed, and he reciprocated the motion by lifting you into the air. He backed you up into the coffee table and, with his mouth still meeting yours with a fever, single-handedly swiped every document and legal pad off the wood. You gasped as you heard the papers fly through the air and smack against the ground, but at the same time, you pressed against his crotch harder.

Something about him knowing exactly where this was going knocked every rational thought from your brain.

You moved your hands to his face and hair as he laid you down delicately and crawled over you, completely covering you with his body.

Nothing could have prepared you for that feeling either.

He moved to your neck, and his loud breathing mixed with frequent moans sent chills down your body. Your breathing matched his in volume, and you slid your hands under his shirt, desperate to feel more of him. All of him.

You smiled dreamily, already feeling completely fucked out, before asking innocently, “Do you want to taste me, Matty?”

His body shuddered at your ask, and your heart leaped to your throat.

“Please Y/N,” he groaned in your ear, “please.”

Had you ever heard him use that word before?

You chuckled. “Get on with it.”

He removed your clothes so fast you didn’t even have time to wonder why a “blind” person would know how to do that so well.

You pulled his shirt and pants off as well, but when you reached for his boxers, he politely moved your hand away.

“No,” he said softly. “If you touch me anywhere close to there I’m going to drench them.”

He giggled—giggled—at your silence, likely imagining a shocked expression etched upon you, and kissed all around your face.

“What?” he questioned. “I thought sex was about honesty.”

You laughed back. “Not necessarily brutal honesty.”

“We’re lawyers,” he countered, moving down your body with his lips.

“Not yet.”

He smiled and kissed around your stomach and hip bones, breathing deeper and slower. He was slowing himself down.

“Don’t rush me Y/N,” he whispered against your skin. “I’ve waited over a year for this.”

“Trust me, I won’t.”

And then he dove in.

You were surprised your scream didn’t shatter his windows.

He mapped you out so intentionally, so thoroughly, and so unapologetically that it felt different than anything else you had ever experienced. He hit every crevice just enough to leave you wanting more before moving onto the next one, and you dug your nails into his hair to keep you tied down to earth.

“Matthew fu—fuck.”

He grinned and swirled his tongue so perfectly that the familiar rope of heat began to coil in your belly faster than you had ever had.

“I feel you. I feel you. Fuck you’re right there Y/N,” he breathed. He then moved up your body and held his fingers above your lips. You didn’t hesitate to bring them to your mouth and swirl your tongue around them, tasting a mix of his sweat and skin.

You could’ve sworn he drooled at the feeling.

You pressed a kiss to his palm before he went back to work with his fingers instead of his mouth, perfectly lathered, and when he massaged your clit just so, everything inside you imploded.

You regained feeling when Matt brushed a piece of sweaty hair from your forehead and kissed it gently.

“That was the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.”

You scratched your hands up his naked back and kissed his shoulder. “Just wait until you give me a second one.”

He didn’t laugh at that. “Are you sure?”

You held his face in your hands and rubbed your thumbs over his cheekbones. “I’m sure.”

With that, a smile so big it reached his eyes etched over his beautiful face, and he kissed you long and hard.

“Okay,” he said excitedly, and reached for his discarded pants on the floor. “Alright.”

He pulled out his wallet and tore through it with shaky hands. You laughed and took it from his hands, finding the condom almost immediately.

He couldn’t stop rubbing your body.

“Classy, Murdock.”

“When am I to not be prepared?”

You kissed his nose and dragged your hand down his stomach, tracing every ab, every scar.

“I wish you could see how beautiful you are.”

He hummed, tensing up at the word, and you kissed him softly.

One day you would make him believe it.

“You can take them off now,” he said softly, and you obliged. His cock sprung free, hitting his belly, and you felt your pupils grow almost instantly.

He laughed at your silence. “That bad?”

“Yeah,” you replied, opening the condom with your teeth. “That bad.”

He laughed again, and you slid the condom over his length. He hissed as you did this, arms shaking in restraint, and you pumped him only once.

He growled through his teeth, “Careful.”

You were never that. Not with him.

He lined himself up and kissed you softly, breathing into your mouth, and slid his right hand into yours with a loving squeeze before he entered you.

You knew about Matt’s religious affiliations. You knew how close he held that to his heart and kept his moral code in check, but you weren’t that way, had never been, and never planned to be.

But when he slid inside you and the curve of him entered you just right, you had never believed in God more.

The two of you gasped cohesively when you felt how well you fit together, and Matt stayed still, forcing himself not to instantly snap his hips back.

You squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek. “Let go Matt. I can take it.”

And did he ever.

He rocked into you so intensely you saw stars and every molecule of oxygen from your lungs escaped you. His rocks were hard and deep, touching places inside you you didn’t even know existed.

Matt’s breath was just as stolen, and with every thrust, he had something more to say.

God Y/N you’re perfect.

I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted this, but how worth it it’s been.

I’m going to believe in God for the rest of my life. The rest of my life. What else could have created you?

Let’s keep doing this. Fuck let’s do this forever.

A single tear dripped down your face, and he licked it away.

“I’m almost there,” he whispered into your ear, and gave your hand another squeeze. “Tell me how to get you there.”

You swallowed. “My—touch me where you touched me before. Right there yes right there.”

You clenched around him, and he sucked in a breath.

Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead down onto you as he said, “I’m…I’m there Y/N. I’m coming.”

You exhaled, drenched in euphoria. “I am too.”

And you went together, just like you always did.

There was nothing left in your body but pleasure. No aches or pains from stress, nor pounding in your head, there was only him. Only Matthew.

He pressed his forehead against you, still inside of you, and kissed down the bridge of your nose.

“I needed that,” he mumbled. “I need you.”

You smiled and rubbed your thumb against his shaking hand, still encapsulated in your own. “I need you too.”

He pecked the side of your mouth before moving his mouth down to your breasts, kissing all around them, before ending his feast on top of your heart. He pressed a longer kiss there before fully collapsing on top of you, exhaling in an entirely different way than before.

“Fuck this test,” he whispered, and you smiled. Feeling only him.

“Fuck this test.”

Tag list:

@leahkenobi

#matt murdock smut #matt murdock x reader #matt murdock #matthew murdock #daredevil x y/n #daredevil x reader #daredevil x you #daredevil #marvel fanfic writer #marvel #sub!matt murdock #karen page #foggy nelson

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schraubd · 1 year

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Loose Cannon

Judge Aileen Cannon has been assigned to oversee the criminal prosecution of Donald Trump.

I've seen enough high-profile political cases to be familiar with a very specific script that gets written about the judge assigned to the case. Pretty much without fail, you'll get a passage that reads something like the following:

Judge Smith is a veteran judge who ascended to the bench after fifteen years in the U.S. Attorney's office. He has a reputation for being no-nonsense and demanding a tight ship at trial that includes rigorous questioning of attorneys on both sides.

"He doesn't tolerate a lot of guff," said one attorney who had practiced before him for many years. "You won't agree with all of his rulings, but he's universally respected."

This template is so common I've begun to wonder if it's reflex (not every judge can be "no-nonsense"!). Which makes it all the more striking that nobody -- nobody -- is writing lines like this about Judge Cannon. They weren't writing them even before she went 100% YOLO in trying to block the Mar-a-Lago investigation; they certainly aren't writing them now.

Since the news broke, I heard folks suggest that Cannon was only assigned to the preliminary aspects of the case, which appears untrue. Then I heard other folks assert that Cannon likely will be forced to recuse herself from the case. And honestly, I'm dubious about that too.

To be clear: Judge Cannon absolutely should recuse. Her conduct in the Mar-a-Lago case suggests that she's so completely in the tank for Trump that there's no possibility that she'll be perceived as impartial. But if she was the sort of person who could be shamed into recusing just because it's the right thing to do, it wouldn't be as much of a problem if she didn't recuse.

The fact is our judicial system is not well-equipped to handle a problem like Cannon. The problem is not that she was nominated by Trump -- two of the three 11th Circuit judges who bench-slapped her Mar-a-Lago catastrophe into oblivion were Trump appointees. The problem is that Cannon, specifically, is a complete hack who's decided that her job as federal judge is to be Donald Trump's offensive line.

For very good reason, our judicial system starts with a healthy presumption of impartiality on the part of its judges. We don't let either party force out a judge just because they don't like their lean. Recusals are easiest to justify when the judge has a direct financial stake in a given controversy, or when they're close personal friends or associates with a party. These sorts of connections give everyone a face-saving option -- the problem isn't actual bias, but the appearance thereof; one could be as pure as driven snow and still agree that it is a sound policy to not preside over a case where your best buddy is being charged with a serious crime.

Unfortunately, other than the fact of her nomination Judge Cannon doesn't have those concrete ties to any party here, which means that there's no hiding the actual issue on the table. Judge Cannon needs to recuse because Judge Cannon is, in relevant respects, incompetent. I say incompetent not to suggest that her mistakes stem from ignorance rather than malice; rather, an important part of Judge Cannon's job is to administer the law fairly and impartially, and she has demonstrated herself to lack competency in that dimension of the judicial role. Hence, she cannot be trusted and is not qualified to preside over a trial like this one, with a defendant for whom she's already shown herself to be incapable of adjudicating impartially.

But once again, if Judge Cannon was the sort of person capable of recognizing that shortcoming, she likely wouldn't have it. There's no clear face-saving out where one can disclaim actual bias but recuse for prudence's sake, and there's no universe in which Judge Cannon agrees "I was so egregiously wrong in the Mar-a-Lago case that one can't help but infer I was biased." Which means it is up to an appellate court to make that determination for her, and needless to say, that's a very awkward proposition which appellate courts are going to be loathe to undertake.

Appellate courts are not prone to saying "this case must be stripped from this district court judge because this judge is in general too biased to handle it." The closest one sees to that sort of ruling is when a case is stripped from a lower judge after repeated obstinance in refusing to implement appellate orders, and that is exceedingly rare. Even assuming that the Mar-a-Lago reversal should count towards such a showing in the criminal case, the problem with Judge Cannon's ruling there wasn't really that of repeated lower court disobedience of superior court mandates. It instead stands out because of Judge Cannon's absolute, rancid lawlessness. But again, our system is not well-built to account for the possibility that an Article III judge might as a general matter -- not due to financial stakes or personal connections, but purely as a matter of ideology -- be congenitally incapable of ruling in accordance with the law.

It's a similar problem to the situation with those single-division Texas judges. The thing everybody knows and everybody is thinking -- that the problem is that these judges are utterly and completely in the ideological tank such that law simply doesn't matter for them anymore -- can't be uttered out loud, at least not in a formal proceeding. On the outside, everyone knows that's the problem. But in a filing, you can't come out and say "judge, our basis for recusal is that you're a lawless hack." And since that is, at the end of the day, the problem, whatever alternative basis you try to hang your hat on will ultimately be a poor fit that probably won't end up justifying recusal. The structure of Article III life tenure means that placing a hack like Cannon on the federal bench is an irreversible mistake.

So count me skeptical that Judge Cannon will recuse herself, and count me skeptical that any superior court will force her recusal, at least immediately. Unfortunately, the reality is we're likely stuck with Judge Cannon and whatever hijinks she comes up with to justify torpedoing this case -- at least for the foreseeable future.

via The Debate Link https://ift.tt/qbk4rVJ

#crime #Donald Trump #judiciary

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watchmakermori · 1 year

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fontaine archon quest part 1 thoughts

so I finished the first archon quest this morning and my thoughts on it are somewhat mixed.

maybe my expectations were a tad high because I'd seen a lot of positivity for it, but it wasn't quite as strong a start as I hoped. I definitely still enjoyed it, but it felt somewhat...fragmented to start with. A lot of the elements and characters were introduced clumsily, in my opinion, and I don't think the stakes have been set up as well as they were in sumeru.

Furina is great. She's exactly what I hoped for - I love how imperious and downright pathetic she is. I love cringefail women and genshin doesn't have enough for them. The fact that she's so concerned with spectacle and celebrity among her people is a really interesting dynamic, especially because the people of fontaine don't actually seem to respect her much at all.

I also like Lyney and Lynette a lot, though Lyney's dialogue suffered for how fucking obviously expository it was sometimes. Even so, I really liked the reveal that they were part of the fatui - I wish I hadn't known about it beforehand. It's the first time we've seen the fatui properly placed in a more sympathetic light. Obviously Childe is a relatively sympathetic character, but that's always been in spite of his fatui status. With Lyney and Lynette, they don't really seem ashamed of it - Lyney defends the organisation to an extent, pointing out how vast it is and that their branch of it is not working towards nefarious aims. That adds some interesting nuance, even though I'm not really sure I believe that Arlecchino actually has good intentions for the Gnosis. I think (and hope) that she's still batshit insane beneath her caring demeanor

Speaking of lyney and lynette's backstory, it had some really dark fucking undertones? I don't know if I was just reading into it, but it came across like Lynette was literally going to be. trafficked. to a predator. and the implications of Lyney being paraded around by that aristocrat were kind of weird as well. the fact that arlecchino literally went and violently murdered the guy who 'bought' lynette is unusually grim for genshin but it's pretty fucking cool as well. I'm soooo excited to see arlecchino in game

but with respect to the stuff I didn't like so much...childe's appearance felt very strange and abrupt, as glad as I was to see him. the vibe just felt off between him and the traveller - weirdly friendly, given that the last canon interaction between the two of them was back in liyue. I've never been of the view that the traveller hates childe or anything, but they've always been pretty wary and suspicious of him. it felt odd that they were chatting away like old buddies, rather than the traveller being more like 'hello Friend..what the FUCK are you doing here'

also, they dump a LOT of childe's lore on us at once. I was partly surprised that Childe would be so open about it, but I guess there's nothing canon to say that he keeps it quiet. In general, it just felt like we had to digest a lot at once - that childe fell into the Abyss, that he has some power in him, that his vision is acting up. I think they're obviously setting something up for later in the archon quest, but it didn't feel organic or subtle. We'll have to see how it turns out.

I felt that the court case was kind of fun - very hammy, but deliberately so. However, the traveller's purpose in Fontaine does feel a bit nebulous so far. In Sumeru, it was pretty well established - they needed to speak to the dendro archon, but they couldn't get to her, so they had to keep pushing and investigating to find out why she was being locked away. In fontaine, the traveller wants an audience with the hydro archon...but they're kind of just milling around and not really overcoming any particular obstacles to bring them to that goal.

I'm not totally sure it works to have the traveller defending lyney at trial. I don't mind that it's goofy - I think that's by design. it's more that we haven't really spent enough time with lyney to really get why the traveller would go so far to help him, and saving lyney doesn't serve their other goals either. If Furina was in the habit of refusing to meet people, maybe standing against her in court could've been a way to get her notice. Or maybe Lyney could've had access to intel/connections that would've helped the traveller find their sibling, which he would promise to share if they helped him build a case. We just needed more of a robust reason for the traveller to get involved.

So those are my thoughts so far. It's definitely not as strong a start as Sumeru, but I like the vibe of Fontaine and the general insanity of the characters. Navia and her bodyguards are so fucking funny. I'm curious to see where the plot goes from here

I also LOVE furina and neuvillette's dynamic. she is a brat and he is Tired. when he was like 'please pay attention to the archon so she doesn't throw a tantrum' I could've howled

#genshin impact #genshin impact spoilers

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friendshipprecure · 6 months

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A GIANT Order in the Courts! (Launge De Chat Cookie Growth)🍪👨🏼‍⚖️☕️

Launge De Chat Cookie Walked into The Balanced Brew Café to meet up with his personal friend Cappachino Cookie, They Became Friends After resolving some issues with the Whole Rougefort Cookie Incident. The two were chatting about Work, Since they Both Now work under the Hermadail Royal Family Crown, They worked for the Justice Court, One of the Five Courts of the Hermadail Palace.

My Cappuccino Cookie: So, Launge De Chat, how's your shift? I hear your 5th Case Was Hard to say the least....

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Uggggh, Tell me about that, Not only was it Harsh, but Maxirella Wasn't even Paying attention to When That Convict When Was taunting and telling My Client About how It Wasn't His Falt That he was the One who Crashed his Car into My Client's Shed!

Earlier that Day Launge De Chat Cookie Was Defending a Golden Rose Water Seadail who was an Old Veteran who's Garden Shed was destroyed when a Drunk Gang Cartoon Member Crashed into it, but He Claimed that He Into it Because It wasn't up to Code and was built Illegally. To Make it Worse Maxirella, Who was a Pompous And Entitlely Selfish and would only Take a Client if They were Loaded like a Trillionare's Butt, Argued that His Client wasn't Only in the wrong, but He Shouldn't have Even Built that Shed At All and Insulted the Poor Dude, So she was a Entitled Person From the Deepest Parts of the Web. It Took Hours But Launge De Chat Cookie's Client Won and Maxirella's Client Was sent to Jail and Alcoholic Treatment and Maxirella was Hit by a Pie in Court. *Maxirella Hated Launge De Chat Cookie Because she thought Rougefort Should Rot in Prison Even Though she Knew that His Trial was A "Tampered and Bribed Scale Trial" *Which Means that Judge Bear Jelly was Bribed*...

My Cappuccino Cookie: Jeez, That's Rough Buddy, if you pardon my Avatar Reference.

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Yeah, you're Pardoned...*Sigh* *Drinks his Coffee* I Just Wish that I could Show Her who's the Big one in charge of the Court!

Suddenly My Cappuccino Cookie Got an Idea...

He'll asked if He could get them a Cup of Coffee on the Go Before The two went back to work.

My Cappuccino Cookie: Oh, Looks at the Time, Hey want me to Get us a Cup of Coffee?

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Oh, Yeah sure Go ahead.

So Cappuccino Cookie went to the Counter Top were he Looked at the Coffee section of the Menu and He Spotted a New Item on it, It was a Coffee Creamer that was Mixed with The Growth Potion, it was Perfect, and Since it Could be Mixed into the Coffee, it'd be a way to One Up Maxirella in a Big way, A corse he was Also Tempted to also get the "Iron Mallett Mussle Enhancer" Coffee Creamer as well, but Due to His Friend Being Overly Sensitive to the Mussle Growth Potion, He decided that the "GIANT Order in the Court" Coffee Creamer was 'In order' and He Ordered Two Coffees, One a Cappuccino Latte and the Other with "GIANT Order in the Court" Coffee Creamer, The Barista Finished the Order and He Payed for it.

My Cappuccino Cookie: Hey, I Have our Coffee, Here's yours, *Gives Launge De Chat Cookie The Coffee with the Special Creamer* I Asked them to give you a Special Coffee Creamer, It'll help you Be The BIG One in the Court.

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Oh, That's Nice okay let's get back to the Courts,*Checks his Phone that has a Notification* Looks like I Have Another Client waiting for me Again.

My Cappuccino Cookie: Oh Really? Well who is it?

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Oh, it's a Sweet little old Lady From Canditopia.

The Duo Left the Shop and they returned to the Justice Court. Launge De Chat Cookie to a Sip of his Coffee, it was Nice and Warm, and Actually it made him feel More Confident, but he Didn't realized that he'd Gain a Few inches of height from that tiny sip. He Loved the Flavoring of the Coffee Creamer, He went into a Elevator were He got the first notice of the effect of the Creamer, he looked to grab his phone and he Grabbed the Handlebar, he thought that it was strange as it was usually a little higher than himself as he was a Cookie, Even with the Size Scale Genarators, he was at the Hight of a 3 year old's lower chest, and had to reach Very high to hold it. But this time it was like only two inches above his head, but he Decided to Ignore that fact and Answer a Important Support Call from his Parents.

LDC Cookie's Mom: Hi honey, how's Work?

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Oh, Pretty well, 5th Case Was Hard, but hey at least I won.

LDC Cookie's Dad: Oh That's Great son, keep the good work and Deliver Justice.

They Hanged up as he reached his Floor and Meet up with his Client.

Honei Berri Sweet:

Species: Hermadail

Type/s: Candy and Animal.

Age: 85

Description: A Sweet, Elderly, Over Bear-ing, Kind and friendly Honey Bear with Pale, golden, yellow and Fluffy Hair, Pale green eyes framed with Gold Hexagonal Glasses, an Old Fashioned Fairytail Frilly Baker's Dress and a Honey Wand in her hand, Acts like Walking cane.

Honei: Oh hi there Sunny, Thank you for taking my Case....

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Oh It's a Pleasure Mrs. Sweet.

Honei: My, have you gotten taller, have you gotten a Growth spurt?

My Launge De Chat Cookie: *Noticed it* Oh...uh yes I did, Hehe. *Thinking* How is that Possible?...

Honei: Oh I See you've gotten yourself some Coffee, I've got some Honey Bee And Lemon Tarts for you when the Case is won.

Launge De Chat Cookie Agreed, He Pulled out his Court Card and Swiped it in the Card Reader, When it Loaded him and his Client into Court Arranger and read the Case Number it Shows Who Else is at the Court Hearing. Unfortunately Maxirella was Going to Be the Convict's Lawyer, but was Relieved that Maribella/Me and Cappuccino Cookie will be their as Co Judge and Prosecutor. He and his Client went Inside and the Case was About to begin.

Case# 13298745002

Case Name: Honey Bear Bomb Brawl.

The incident: A Attempted Armed Robbery that Ended with Victim and her Friend Severally injured for Two Weeks.

The Culprit: Naxxen Anderson BOOM.

Culprit Lawyer: Maxirella Shrewdia.

The Victim: Honei Beari Sweet.

Victim's Lawyer: Launge De Chat Cookie.

Vet. Prosecutor: Cappuccino Cookie.

Co. Judge: Her Majesty's Maribella.

Judge: Martin Von Helhelioton.

Then the trial Begins.

Judge Martin: Order in the Court, *Bangs the Gavvel* The trial Is now in session.

Maribella/me: Indeed, this trial is Being Recorded by the Crown for the Public Record.

My Cappuccino Cookie: Yeah, Now who's the Defendant.

Maribella/Me: Defendant name: Naxxen Anderson BOOM, Defendant had, In a attempted robbery, Thew Toon Bombs into Mrs. Honei Beari Sweet's Bakery While with a Acomplist Tryed to Take the Registrar and, in the Act of Self Defense, The Victim and here Friend Hit him with Their Wands and the Culprit Thew a Bomb at them and they were Damaged and Had to go to the Hospital were the Culprit was Arrested after Athoraties were summoned.....

Judge Martin: Alright, Now Nax, You Said that it was an accident and that wasn't what the Plantive said, is that true?

Naxxen: Oh, Yes your Honor So, Your See-

Maxirella: Your Honor, it's My Pleasure to tell you that my Client's Side of the Story is true and that Cat's Toughn Cookie's Client is Lying! *Maxirella Calls him that Because Launge De Chat Translate to 'Cat's Toughn'*

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Actually Your Honor, I have Evidence that My Client Was telling the Truth. *Pulled out A File Filled with Photos of the Crime scene*

The Court Listened As the Two Talked, Argued and Told Each of their Client's Sides of the Story, A corse there was Mud Slinging, Shouting, Hissing and Shaming in the Court, The Victim and Launge De Chat Cookie, All from Maxirella's Side, even to the Point where the Defendant Pled Guilty. The judge and Jury were Annoyed and Bored of this.

Judge Martin: Alright, Settle Down, Now The Convict Confessed his Guilt.

Me: Yeah, I Think that he just wants to get this Over with, Just the same as All of us.

My Cappuccino Cookie: Yeah, *Yawning* Okay, As Prosecutor, I Request A Sentence of 10 to 14 Months of Prison and-

*Maxirella interrupts*

Maxirella: OBJECTION! I won't Except this!

Naxxen Anderson BOOM: Maxi, Please Calm Down, I Deserve it.

Maxirella: *Trying to Use Manipulation Management to Persuade Her Client* No, you only Pleaded Guilty to make Me Look Bad!

Naxxen: *Who isn't effected By this* No, I just want to Get away from you Women!!

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Yeah, heck why did you Even Hire her?!

Maxirella was now Pissed off, She Decided That to Pull one of Her Dirtiest Tricks Ever!: Intimidating the Victims Lawyer! She used her Psychic Powers to Summon Launge De Chat Cookie's Parents, her Stone Chains Around them as they dangled over Metal spinning Saws!!!

Maxirella: Here's the Deal! HONEI Here and her Lawyer will Drop the Charges, Or Cat's Tough Cookie's Mommy and Daddy Will Be Turned to CRUMBS!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

My Launge De Chat Cookie: HUH?!?!

My Launge De Chat Cookie's Parents: HELP!!!

Maribella/Me: HEY! Now hold on, Maxirella! You're going too Fa-!*Gets Hit Along with Judge Martin by a Anvil and got Knocked out by it!

Now Launge De Chat Cookie Was Nervous, He was now in a Corner, either he Dropped the Charges or Lose his Loved ones. He was Nervous about it when he Spotted Cappuccino Cookie pointing to his Coffee Cup and Said Quietly mouthed "Drink it All, it'll Boost your Confidence!"

So, Now Confused But Determined he Quietly Grabbed his Coffee and Drank it All, The Court, Including Maxirella and Launge De Chat Cookie's Parents were Confused.

Maribella/Me: *After I Removed the Anvil* Oof! Huh?

Maxirella: Seriously?! In all moments, THIS is the Time to Drink coffee?!

Judge Martin: Hmmmm....

My Launge De Chat Cookie: *Takes a Deep Breath* Now Listen Here you Rat!

Maxirella: Grrrrr, WHAT Did you Call Me?!

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Oh You Heard me, *Unknowingly Grows a few Inches Taller and Bigger* Let go of My parents!

Maribella/Me: *Spotted this and Cappuccino's Face and understood what's Happening* Hm? Oh! You're a Clever one Cappuccino.

My Cappuccino Cookie: Hehehe, I thought that He Needed some Confidence.

As Maxirella and Launge De Chat Cookie were Arguing over the Case and the Unfair. Choice of Intimidation, Launge De Chat Unknowingly Grew Bigger and Taller as he started to Town over Maxirella, Who didn't want to Back Down but was Obviously Frightened By the Ever Growing Cookie, Launge De Chat Cookie Felt Confident and Didn't Know that he was Getting Bigger!

Luckly The Courtroom Have Very, VERY High Ceilings and Lots of Room, As The Court, Launge De Chat Cookie's Parents and Maxirella saw The Lawyer Growing Giant, Now He knelt down because of a lower Part of the Court.

Maxirella: *Now Sweating Bullets* Uhhh...Well....

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Oh, what's the Matter Maxirella? Feeling a Little Short?

Judge Martin: *Bangs the Gavvel* GIANT ORDER IN THE COURT!!!! Launge De Chat Cookie?

My Launge De Chat: Yes your Honor?

Maribella/Me: uh...YOU'RE HUGE!!!

My Launge De Chat Cookie: *Noticed it* Huh?!

He Slowly got up and looked Around him and he was Shocked, He Seemed to be 60ft Tall, the Ceiling was 80ft High, but it Now felt like he had only 20 inches between him and the Ceiling.

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Whoa...I'M HUGE!!, How did this Happen?! *Spotted Cappuccino Cookie* Cappuccino Cookie...did you Put something in my Coffee?

My Cappuccino Cookie: well I Thought that you needed something that could Make you the BIG one in the court.

Maribella/Me: Ooooooh, I get it.

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Well in that Case, I Won't Drop the Charges Then!!!

Maxirella: Oh, So That's THAT!

She Dropped Launge De Chat Cookie's Parents and they Almost fell into the Grinder, But luckily their son Catched them and with his Skill He Sent her FLYING THOUGH A WINDOW!!

Maxirella: AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Maribella/Me: And That's what you Get!!

My Launge De Chat Cookie: Mom, Dad are you Okay?

My Launge De Chat Cookie's Mom: Yes Sweetie.

My Launge De Chat Cookie's Dad: we're glad to have you here Son.

The Launge De Chat Family Hugged eachother and There was Audible 'Awwwwww's From the Court.

The End.....

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secretmellowblog · 2 years

Text

Another funny detail I feel a lot of people miss about Javert is how he literally Does Not Care At All about protecting people. He cares solely about punishment. Sometimes, he will put innocent people in danger because it makes it easier for him to punish people!

The two most obvious examples of this are the plot points where Javert “rescues” a bourgeoise person and then is unable to ask them questions because he’s so busy “punishing the evil poor people” that he doesn’t even glance in their direction. This happens after he “rescues” Bamatabois from Fantine and after he “rescues” Valjean from Patron-Minette. In both cases he’s so busy making a big pompous Ceremony over punishing the criminal that he doesn’t even bother to check on the victims. Because he doesn’t actually care about the victims.

The most compelling example of how little Javert cares about protecting people, imho, is the way he handles the Gorbeau House ambush.

After Marius overhears Thenardier planning to ambush Valjean— his first plan is very reasonable! He plans to intercept Valjean the moment he arrives at the house, talk to him before he enters, and warn him to leave.

Should he wait for M. Leblanc at the door that evening at six o’clock, at the moment of his arrival, and warn him of the trap? But Jondrette and his men would see him on the watch, the spot was lonely…

Marius’s top priority is Valjean’s safety.

He only goes to the police because he’s afraid to warn Valjean on his own and believes that the police will give him the backup he needs to execute this plan to prevent any harm from coming to an innocent person-- but that isn’t what happens.

The problem is that police— and Javert— have completely different priorities than Marius. They don’t care about protecting the innocent person who’s in danger. They care about arresting and punishing as many people as possible.

Javert gives Marius a pistol that he can fire to call in the police. Then he tells Marius that the most important priority is that he must wait until the criminals have done something that can legally be punished by the law, to make sure they’ll have a good case when they go to court. That is Javert’s only concern. Never, not once in the entire scene, does he express any concern for the victim.

“Leave them to their own devices for a time. When you think matters have reached a crisis, and that it is time to put a stop to them, fire a shot. Not too soon. The rest concerns me. A shot into the ceiling, the air, no matter where. Above all things, not too soon. “

Instead of attempting to warn/rescue the innocent victim Javert deliberately encourages putting the victim in danger so that they can have something to punish! He expresses no concern for the victim’s life or health! It’s not his job to worry about those things! (And again, he has no idea this man is Valjean, he just thinks it’s some random innocent gentleman!) He has no empathy, and cares more about protecting the abstract concept of Order than he does the lives of human beings.

A couple Discord Server buddies and I have talked about how the Gorbeau House would have gone so much better if Marius had asked for help from Les Amis instead of Javert— and YES. Because Les Amis actually care about protecting people and would’ve probably gone along with Marius’s initial plan of “warning Valjean before he even enters the house,” because they would’ve been motivated by a desire to protect the innocent person.

I’d also like to add that, along with Javert not caring about protecting other people— he also doesn’t care about protecting himself. At the barricade he’s completely indifferent to his own death. He smiles haughtily when he’s caught; he surrenders with complete tranquility; he doesn’t utter a single protest or plea for mercy; he seems very content to die. In fact, he repeatedly encourages them to execute him sooner.

He doesn’t value the lives of other people, but he also doesn’t value his own. He won’t defend other people, but he also won’t defend himself. He believes human life is worthless.

And that’s why the moment when he lets Valjean go is such a turning point— it’s the first moment in the book when he does act out of compassion, when he does realize someone’s life is worth defending. And it’s not a coincidence that in order to be compassionate he has to rebel and deliberately refuse to follow orders and do his job, and “turn in his resignation to God” and the police at once.

#les mis #javert #clearing out some of my drafts lol

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texasthegreatdestroyer · 2 years

Text

Well. EA finally took a stance on pay walling, and creators are triggered.

It hasn’t even been a full day since this information has been released, and people are already losing their shit about it and saying some of the stupidest shit, and it’s... wow, I fuckin live for it. Someone get the popcorn, I’m down to watch mental breakdowns caused by getting kicked off pedestals. I want to give my thoughts on some stuff, and the first thing I want to address is the whole Felixandre supposedly talking about taking EA to court, which I haven’t seen a statement directly from him saying that, but I mean, with how money hungry these exclusive assholes are, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was something that left his dumbass gullet. (That and I’m sure it’s a passing thought most exclusive creators are having right now, so I’m gonna make a statement on it under the pretense of if this was true.) So here’s a little bit of a raining on the parade for all the perma paywallers who actually wanna take this to court. News flash!!! You’re gonna lose. No, seriously. Microstar vs. Genform is the only case on mods that realistically on par with what the Sims 4 community has been dealing with on mass, and it’s a case where the IP holder won. The defendant, Microstar, took a bunch of Duke Nukem mods, burned them onto CD’s and sold them. Genform sued their ass and won, setting the legal precedent we have today stating that profiting off of mods is illegal. Now I’ll give them some benefit of the doubt, this precedent is over 20 years old and very well could be challenged, HOWEVER. If Felixandre is suppose to be the case to turn the tides, well uh... I got some bad news for ya buddy. The Duke Nukem mods that successfully got Microstar sued were actual mods that transformed the game play. They were custom made game levels. They weren’t just the kind of mods you create, that being a mere reskinning of assets. Your little kitchen set is not transformative enough to justify allowing a bunch of random people the ability to profit off someone else’s IP directly through their programming. To keep it short and sweet for you, if legitimate gameplay altering mods weren’t considered transformative enough to win a copyright lawsuit, what makes you think your mere reskinning of assets in a game that simply only makes it look pretty is going to get a stamp of approval from copyright law? The answer is it won’t. So if you want to waste your time going after a multi-million dollar company for copyright in a lawsuit that you will objectively lose, be my guest. It would be so fucking funny watching you go bankrupt. Please, be that stupid. As for the stuff with Early Access creators. I have always supported the idea of Early Access, and the reason for this is because of the fact that it’s a happy middle ground were people can make a little bit of side cash for the work they do, and everyone still gets the content they want for free. However, EA has also done away with that. This isn’t the end of the world however, there are ways to adapt. If you’re skilled enough, consider taking it to a professional level. Get your portfolio out there, show companies what you can do, and get yourself working for legitimate game companies. Because realistically, that’s how it starts for people who do this stuff professionally. They build up a portfolio through making mini games, pushing their own projects, and mods. Creators can also, and I’ve been saying this for months now, essentially utilize a loop hole. You cannot profit off of cc it self, but you can profit off of the blender files. Sell your models to hobbyists and allow them to put your models in game. If someone likes what you do enough to put your work into the game, you will get paid for it. As stupid as it is, if people are willing to pay for blender renders, something that does not alter the game in the slightest and really just isn’t sims anymore, they will pay for models to put in the game. Additionally, @mack3030 made a good post on other things people can do to make up for the fact that Early Access has been done away with. Her Post: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/mack3030/691299466761961472?source=share It’s also important to note, that while I understand that getting a job can be a tough thing, especially for those who have a disability. (I get it. I am disabled myself, however, I unfortunately still have to take a job, even if destroys my body, because you do what ya gotta do to survive.) I understand those people are the ones who struggle the most with this, and that’s understandable, but Sims 4 cc was never made to be profitted off of. This whole thing with EA making a statement about mods and such is not anything we didn’t already know, that anti paywall people much like myself haven’t already said. If anything, EA is simply putting their foot down and saying that those rules still very much apply, and that the people who were breaking their ToS needed to shape up. From the start, this was never supposed to be profited off of at all. Even early access shouldn’t have existed. That’s not to say I don’t support it, but based on the ToS, it shouldn’t have, and Guru Drake should have known better before even speaking on it, because the community took his word as gospel, including anti paywall peeps who liked the middle ground provided, and because of that, a community got reliant on it, and now there’s a lot of confusion and understandable stress on how to deal with this, because some people’s lives have catered to this and it’s now being torn down around them. If early access had never existed, it would have sucked, yes, but it would have meant less people would be reliant on it in the first place. It means people would have a more stable way of adapting to situations like this where people are being stripped of the extra cash they needed. Now honestly, I think people should support their patreons regardless of the content, because those are people who actually need the money, as opposed to Cowbuilds and their 10,000 off of patreon alone which is likely gonna end up crashing around them, because I can tell you now, they’re likely going to be one of the first people EA comes after once reported, and I mean... Let’s be real here, would anyone be naïve to think that there aren’t people reporting her content now that it’s been made more possible to do so? The community has a chance to get rid of a well known doxxer in this community, I doubt there isn’t at least one person taking that opportunity as we speak. Hopefully creators can learn to adapt to the changes, but unfortunately that’s how it has to be, and EA is justified in doing as such, as it is their game in the first place. Over all, I’m glad EA has actually said something now, and has clarified that their stance on mods have not changed. Rather or not most of Patreon creators are going to heed their words is another thing entirely, and I’m looking forward to seeing how that’s going to end for those creators, but now this debate can finally end, and now the exclusive creators can seethe and cope. Again, they can talk about suing all they want, or leaving their community because they’re big mad, but uh. 1. Good luck with that. None of yall are gonna win, and 2. Good riddens. You won’t be missed, and half of your stuff is likely up on anti paywall sites anyways. Update: The new thing I’m seeing now is apparently Leosims and a few of her buddies are trying to loophole this shit with garbage word play that means nothing in the grand scheme of things. She’s sitting there talking about how she’s going to just sell regular meshes for conversion purposes now, which is all fine and dandy, and then turns around and says, “I’m going to make free Sims 4 conversions of those files to give to patrons.” (Not the public, patrons.) if it needs to be explained why that’s an issue, allow me to point it out. If you have to be a patron to get those conversions in the first place, then they aren’t free, and thus breaking EA’s ToS, and EA can still sue them over it. They can also deny them services and make it to where they cannot make Sims 4 content anymore. So really what it comes down to is Leosims is still going to do the same illegal shit she was doing before. And if anyone decides to leak her Sims 4 content, make sure you report her while you’re at it. She can also say that her “lawyer” said it’s fine all she wants, but these people have lied about legal interpretations in the past, going as far as to fake screenshots with EA employees to make their points seem more valid than they actually are, and additionally, I don’t think a lawyer would realistically potentially risk their reputation by telling them “If you word it this way, you can still do illegal shit.” because if theoretically this went to court, and Leo lost the case because the only basis to their argument is literal word semantics, then that would be on the lawyer. I’d like to think that most lawyers are smart enough to know that’s not a bright move.

#sims 4 #sims 4 cc #sims 4 cc sales #sims 4 download #anti paywall #sims community #sims 4 anti paywall #anti paysites #sims cc

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the-magicians-blue · 3 years

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10:31am

Something about dating a thick black girl just makes so much since in Bokuto’s head. Just about everyone knows he likes plus sized people but its just something about how you carry yourself that drives him crazy. Akaashi has seen Bokuto do some weird things, but physically drooling as he stared at you from across the court? That was a new one. You weren’t even there for them you were an exchange student at Nekoma and promised your friends Kenma (your online gaming buddy before you moved to japan) and Kuroo to be a manager so they could brag to Karasuno about having the cutest manager during the summer training camp. And to Bokuto, cute was an understatement. The way that red tracksuit complimented your skin tone and the way your thighs jiggled as you walked by made Bokuto almost lose it.

He can’t help but show out the whole game, trying his hardest to catch your eye (which wasn’t hard to do since he stared at you every time he got a spike through). After beating Nekoma, Bokuto rushed for Kuroo and Kenma, begging them both to introduce him to their gorgeous manager to which they both refused immediately. This didn’t stop him in the slightest. Though Kiyoko lived close enough to go home every night you were a different case. Your guardian’s house was too far so you stayed in a room to yourself in the building meaning you would be having dinner with them. This was Bokuto’s shot. Before Kuroo and Kenma could respond fast enough to defend you Bokuto swiped a seat right next to you and introduced himself. He almost malfunctioned hearing your voice and Akaashi had to come get him when he immediately asked you to marry him before Kuroo came to drag him away. You didn’t mind it, you actually thought he was kinda cute when you saw him play but Kuroo and Kenma were always super protective of you.

The next time he saw you you were with Kenma tying up your hair for the night before playing a few rounds of smash. Bokuto immediately sat down mesmerized by your actions. He asked a ton of questions about you hair before commenting on how much he loved it. He made sure he didn’t touch it though, Akaashi taught him that its rude to do so without asking and he didn’t think you knew him well enough to ask. Bokuto spent the rest of that camp spending any free time he had trying to sneak you away from your guard dogs to talk. After a while it was you searching for him, you found his presence so energizing and sometimes got bored when he wasn’t around. He nearly fainted when he overheard you ask Akaashi where he was.

The last night of camp was what got the both of you in some trouble but it was the most important night for both of you. Bokuto snuck the both of you into the gym for some late night practice with just you and him. You weren’t the greatest player but you knew enough to set balls for him to spike. He’d boast about how he was the best ace in all of japan to which you claimed you could probably block him. This immediately caused an uproar between the two of you. Then grabbing the ball you told him if you could block him he had to take you on a date. This made him freeze completely. He was gonna ask for the same prize if he won. You liked him? Like, REALLY liked him? He wanted to prove you couldn’t block him but he wanted that date so bad. So he purposefully lost and excitedly picked you up, asking where you wanted to go for the date. When you headed back to the rooms you stayed up just a little longer to watch some anime. You even let him wear one of your bonnets since he seems so intrigued by it. Before you knew it, you were both sound asleep in your room.

That morning you awoke to screaming. Bokuto, who was half awake, was getting dragged out by Akaashi while Kuroo, who was being held back by Kenma and Morisuke, was attempting to kill Bokuto for supposedly sneaking into your room. You tried to calm the group down by explaining you were just hanging out because you couldn’t sleep and ended up sleeping together on accident but what came out of the half awake ace’s mouth made the situation worse.

“I mean, she’s gonna be my wife one day, what’s the harm in sharing a room for one night?” At that comment Kenma and Morisuke let Kuroo go leaving poor Akaashi to block him as best he could so Bokuto could run. You grabbed Kuroo before he could chase and asked him not to make a scene. The Nekoma boys tried to ban Bokuto from ever speaking to you again but you informed that he owed you a date and therefore that wasn’t possible. Once everyone was finally ready to go home everyone packed onto their respective buses. Before you could get on Bokuto stops you, quickly earning glares for the entire team from the bus windows. He gave you his team jacket and a small peck on the cheek before scurrying off to his own bus. You had to fight some of the Nekoma boys once you got on your own bus as they tried to wipe the kiss off of you. As you sat down an put on the jacket you noticed a note in one of the pockets.

“I can’t wait to see your smile again.Don’t forget about me before our date ok!? -Bo”

Like you could forget someone like him.

#Aster’s rando hcs #haikyuu x plus size reader #haikyuu x chubby!reader #haikyuu x chubby reader #haikyuu x black reader #haikyuu headcanons #haikyuu #bokuto x y/n #haikyuu bokuto #bokuto kotaro #bokuto fluff

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angellesword · 4 years

Text

YOUR EYES TELL | JJK (03)

Summary: You live in a world where people see in black and white. The solution to finally see the colors? It's simple. You need to meet your soulmate and look at him in the eyes, but what if the person bound to you is already contented with the monochromatic world? What if...Jeongguk, your soulmate, is already in love with someone else?

Alternatively;

"A future without you is a world without color."

Genre: soulmate au, e2l, slow burn, angst, fluff, roommate au

Pairing: Artist!Jungkook x Lawyer!Reader

Word Count: 2.4k

SERIES: CHAPTER 2 | CHAPTER 4

Note: OC is a lawyer but the author knows nothing about law except the three law subjects she took last semester. errors. ah. there will always be errors here bc english isn’t my first language. anyway!!! enjoy!

Jimin wasn't lying when he said you were a mess. This was evident to Jeongguk the second he stepped inside your apartment.

Pile of cardboard boxes and papers were cluttered all over the floor, causing him to feel uneasy. The faint colors visible in his eyes didn't help to calm his nerves. It was as if he suddenly became hypersensitive to his surroundings.

He assumed that your house wasn't really that untidy, but as stated, the colors made it seem like it was untidier.

"Hi there, buddy." Jeongguk forced a smile at the cat glaring at him. He remembered Jimin telling him that your cat was a bitch. The fury pet was making this strange, scary sound. Jeongguk suddenly wished you were here to stop the cat from attacking him.

He wasn't expecting you to lock yourself inside your room the moment you realized that he was your soulmate.

He was so startled by your reaction that his first instinct was to run after you. The thing was, your cat was blocking your bedroom door—stopping him from intruding your personal space. It was obvious that the little animal didn't like the fact that Jeongguk invited himself inside your home.

Jeongguk didn't know why you were hiding from him. In your defense, you were embarrassed. What were you supposed to say to your soulmate? How were you going to explain to him that the reason why you looked like a mess was because of your demanding job?

Being a civil lawyer was exhausting. One second you're negotiating settlement with the other side's attorney, then you would just find yourself filing motions in court and of course, there were many instances where you're standing before the jury and judge to present a case.

Expertise wasn't the only thing necessary in law. You also needed a great amount of empathy so that you could understand your clients. You cared for them a lot; this was why it was such a big deal for you whenever they choose to omit facts.

You hated it when your clients were being dishonest, you didn't need them to be innocent. You only wanted them to tell you the absolute truth so that you could properly defend them. It wasn't like your job was easy. The fact that most people living in your world see in black and white was already a pain in the ass. Earlier this day, you had a client who was suing a businessperson for selling fake whitening products. She claimed that she spent a whopping two thousand dollars to get that fair skin tone. Sadly, it didn't work.

The opposing side asked your client this: how can you say that the products don’t work when you can’t even see colors?

You were shocked to learn this. Your client was subject to a color test for eyes. She said she could see colors when in fact, she couldn't. Actually, the only reason why the vendor sold your client the whitening products was because she also lied to the seller. The latter's rule was that she wouldn't allow people who see in black and white to purchase her products. This was so she could protect her business' image from fraudster like your client.

Things like this often happened in court. The one you encountered were usually easier to resolve, unlike what criminal lawyers face. This, however, didn't mean your job should be taken lightly.

What happened in court today actually took a toll on you. Your boss humiliated you in front of your colleagues, saying that he couldn't believe an experienced lawyer like you would make such rookie mistake. This made you feel like a loser that's why you decided to go home early to rest. You knew you couldn't work when your heart was this heavy.

You ran yourself a bath the moment you reached your apartment. Jimin was bombarding your phone with text messages to remind you that Jeongguk, a friend of his, was going to drop at your place later today since he was interested to be your roommate.

You simply replied 'Yes, I haven't forgotten. Stop pestering me,' to your best friend. Truthfully, Jimin hadn't shut up about this guy named Jeongguk since last week. He kept telling you that he was the perfect replacement for Seulgi, your former roommate.

You just shrugged it off. Honestly, you didn't care if Jeongguk was the perfect roommate or not. At this point, you would take anyone in. You seriously needed someone who could help you with the household chores.

The warm water grazing your skin made you feel sleepy. Before you knew it, you're off to dreamland; however, your little slumber was disrupted by loud knocks coming from your front door.

"Shit!" Your eyes went wide upon realizing that your supposed to be new roommate was already at the door. As if to confirm the horror, your phone rang.

Jimin was calling.

"Where the hell are you? Jeongguk is in front of your door!"

"I know. I'm so sorry! I fell asleep." You got out of the tub, hurriedly putting on your bathrobe.

"Talk to you later!" You ended the voice call, rushing towards the door. Unfortunately, you slipped on the wet floor.

You whined in pain. Luck was truly not on your side today, but instead of getting annoyed, you simply stood up and went your way to the door.

"I'm sorry, I was in the shower. I swear I heard you the first time you knocked, but I was panicking so I slipped down the floor and I..." You were already blabbering right after opening the door. You hadn't seen your future roommate's face because it was easier to lie without looking at someone in the eyes.

You didn't know why you told him you heard his first knock, when in reality, you didn't. You guessed you just hated disappointing people. What happened with your boss today was something you couldn't let to be repeated again. You couldn't bear to irritate another person.

You kept yourself busy as you reasoned out. You ran your hand through your wet hair, eyes widening when you saw your fingers covered in soap suds.

"Oh, my God!" You were panicking again. This time, you finally looked at Jeongguk to see his reaction.

It was like the world stopped.

No. You did not see colors instantly. What you felt was something strange—mystical perhaps. It was just like how they described it in books and movies.

You thought people were exaggerating about what they claimed they felt when they met their soulmates.

Apparently, they were not.

You know the feeling of finally seeing the rainbow after the strong storm? It was like that. Except this was way better. Your young self was probably rejoicing now. Being able to meet and look in your soulmate's eyes was dazzling.

The colors were becoming visible now, it was faint—this was in contrast to the embarrassment you were feeling.

You suddenly became very self-conscious with what you looked like. You were wrong. Your young self wasn't that happy because she wasn't expecting to meet her soulmate like this.

You were aware that you looked awful. The bags under your bloodshot eyes were probably so deep. The soap suds in your hair made you appear ridiculous. The most horrifying of all? You were wearing a bathrobe designed with the face of your favorite cartoon character.

"Uh—"

You ran away, locking yourself in your room before Jeongguk could finish what he was about to say.

Your heart was beating so fast as you stared in the mirror. The disgust you felt intensified. God. You looked horrible. You mentally cursed the brand of the mascara you were wearing. So much for claiming to be smudge proof! Curse yourself too because this wouldn't happen in the first place if you only refrained from crying over your boss' mean words, but it seemed like you never learned. You just scolded yourself from crying easily, but here you were, tears were painting your cheeks once again.

"No..." Your lips quivered. You were stronger than this. You weren't going to ruin your chance with your soulmate.

Determined, you quickly changed into a sage dress. Your hands were trembling because of your new found excitement. You loved colors ever since you were a kid. The fact that you couldn't see them didn't stop you from learning its meaning. You studied good color combination before. You were aware how to aesthetically match the hues. For instance, you knew that you would look ridiculous if you wore a neon green shirt and bright pink jeans. You were always careful in choosing what to wear, so now that you could finally see colors without referring to your color palette generator, you were beyond happy.

When you looked decent enough, you decided to finally face your soulmate. The first thing you saw as you opened your bedroom door was Jeongguk sitting on your couch—this was a very shocking scene. No. You weren't surprised because he was casually plopped down on your sofa, what you didn't expect was to see Miri, your bitch of a cat, to be so comfortable on Jeongguk's lap. Your pet looked at peace; the usual hiss she was making was replaced by a silent purring. Her bambi eyes mirrored your soulmate's same big, doe eyes.

You cleared your throat to get Jeongguk's attention.

"I let myself in, I hope you don't mind." You couldn't decipher what he was feeling. Jeongguk's voice was soft, but there was no hint of emotion there. His expression was also unreadable.

Jeongguk tore his gaze away from you when he realized that you were staring. As if this wasn't already awkward for him, you went on to say something that made him more uncomfortable.

"I've been waiting so long to meet you! Are you going to move in with me now?" You plopped down beside Jeongguk, squeezing your body between him and the arm of your sofa. Miri hissed since she was astounded by your sudden action. Actually, Jeongguk was surprised too. Your couch was pretty spacious; he didn't understand why you had to press yourself beside him.

Jeongguk also didn't know why you sounded so hopeful. The sparks in your eyes caused him to scowl; however, this didn't stop you from speaking your hopeless thoughts.

"We could do a lot of things together! I had planned everything since I was young!" You giggled. You didn't know why you were so comfortable telling him things. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that you two were soulmates.

However Jeongguk was confused with your weird idea of wanting to do all of this romantic stuff with him. The uneasiness he felt couldn't be contained anymore when you abruptly talked about dating—as in dating him.

"Whoa, whoa..." He cut you off, arching his brow and moving away from you. "Slow down, will you? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh." You blushed, immediately realizing that you had gone too far. "I'm sorry I got carried away. I was just excited to meet you." You couldn't help but beam at him.

Jeongguk continued to raise his brow at you.

"Why? Are you really that desperate to find a roommate?"

It was your turn to raise a brow at him.

"N-No, I just..." You breathed in, unsure of what to say. "I'm just happy to finally meet my soulmate."

"Soulmate?"

You flinched because of the bitterness in his voice. His innocent eyes turned dark, he was glaring at you. Miri was startled once more. She jumped on your lap because she was getting scared of Jeongguk.

"I'm sorry to break it to you, but I don't believe in soulmates." The word 'soulmate' sounded so rough coming from him, making you flinch again.

Many people had told you that you were good at gauging the feelings of other people, this was why your heart skipped a beat when you saw pain and anger crossed Jeongguk's feature. It was as if he was betrayed by someone.

"It's the most absurd thing I've heard in my entire life. Only stupid people believe in soulmates. I mean—" Jeongguk sucked in a breath. He was so annoyed that he didn't even know how to express his thoughts without breaking apart. "It's limiting the possibilities for people. Why am I required to fall in love with someone I barely know? Why should I leave the person I truly love just because a person meant to be the love of my life," he paused, quoting the words love of my life in the air. "Helped me see colors? It's like forcing me to do something I don't—no, I can't do. It's such a burden. Love can't be bought. I refuse to be with people just because they helped me."

There was silence after Jeongguk's long speech of the reasons why he didn't—or as what he claimed—couldn't love you.

Jeongguk wetted his bottom lip. The silence was making him hate himself. He hated himself because he saw the tears forming in your eyes, an obvious sign that you were hurt because of what he said. But most importantly, he hated you.

It was unlikely of him to hate someone he just met—or to simply hate anyone at all, but everything about you was making him mad as hell.

He hated your hopeful eyes, he hated your beliefs, he hated that you were the person hindering him from being with Red.

He knew it was unfair to blame you since Red chose to leave on her own, but he still couldn't help himself because the idea of soulmate was what urged her to leave.

You were Jeongguk's soulmate and for him, it meant nothing. So with a furrowed brow, he stared hard at you as he said this:

"I'm making you choose right now. Either accept me as Jeongguk, your tenant or Jeongguk, your soulmate. But just so you know, I will never stay with you if you treat me like a soulmate."

His word stung, though you were aware that the only way to make him stay was to choose the former option. At least this way, you got to be with your soulmate.

The colors you see were starting to fade away and it was okay...

#jungkook #jungkook fanfic #jungkook fluff #jungkook angst #ficswithluv #bangtan angst #bangtan ships #jungkook x y/n #jungkook x reader #jungkook x you #jungkook enemies to lovers #jungkook friends to lovers #jungkook roommate au #jungkook soulmate au #jungkook fic

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ultraviolet-ink · 2 years

Note

Yay!! :D

So my blorbos are Manfred Von Karma, Damon Gant, Blaise Debeste, Miles Edgeworth, Phoenix Wright (those two are obvs lol) and strangely enough Human!Pinkie Pie. (I’m not a furry, unfortunately. Trust me, I tried getting into it, but it’s not my thing :,3)

Basically, I did a shitpost where I had an AI generate a story with Pinkie Pie and Manfred Von Karma solving a case together. I got too invested in the idea, so now they’re my BROTP. Grumpy old man x Sunshine young woman is peak friendship trope

Oh and you know Friday Night Funkin? Especially with the mods, I tend to imagine the songs being Ace Attorney, where Phoenix Wright, Miles Edgeworth, or any other attorneys are defending/prosecuting the singer AKA the opponent. Sometimes, my mind comes up with a separate plot, like with Gumshoe solving crimes with Apple Bloom, or Damon Gant getting wrapped up in the plot of Bad Seed (In a nutshell: Damon Gant has to defuse several children from committing war crimes). I can tell you more about them in a different ask if you want; the mod BTW is called Funkin Is Magic!

On another FNF Mod playlist, Funkdela Catalogue, I imagine it being a story where the main characters (whomever they may be) having to deal with Alternates on the stand, and being unable to tell which witness is real and which witness is an alternate. It’s a lot more desperate and dark, with Phoenix and whoever else (I’m thinking Franziska, maybe? Or Miles) having to figure out what actually happened at the scene of the crime without accidentally letting an alternate go free (who could potentially kill everyone in the court if not dealt with).

TLDR,

Camaraderie with this image lol, this is what Tumblr really is meant to be XD Admittedly, I don't know much about Friday Night Funkin', but from your enthusiasm and absolute passion for it, I'll definitely have to check it out! Also, your brain is so huge! I would read the HELL out of the Pinkie Pie & MvK Buddy Cop/case fic omg!!! I feel like my eyes have been opened lol!

#ask #manfred von karma #pinkie pie #miles edgeworth #phoenix wright #blaise debeste #thank you for this!! :D

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tinyidle · 3 years

Note

I was crying so hard when I heard about soojin like did she even get to defend herself in court?!? To add onto that how she begged her dad for years to become an idol. My sooshu heart as well...💔:(...fuck cube (if they kicked her out)

honestly, when i saw the news on tumblr after having a pretty chill time after mowing our big-ass lawn, my mood changed for the worst. it's nearly 24 hours and im still pissed off at what happened. the only time soojin got to defend herself was in u-cube, but that was it.

soojin almost debuted in a super cutesy group but then debuted in a group whose style fitted her the most. even as a sub vocalist her voice is stable, clean, and very beautiful to listen to. her tattoos and dancing skills enticed many, and this beautiful woman even made it to artist of the month of studio choom (the first 4th gen idol to do so back then).

also yujin let it known that clc is basically disbanded. like wtf cube? wtaf?

i wonder how shuhua will adapt without soojin to be her listening ear and comfort buddy. i know the second closest member to her is probably soyeon, but soyeon is most likely taking this very hard as it is, being leader and all (she actually posted 4 stories friday morning at around 5-6am kst showing that she couldn't sleep; this must have been it). she still kept a brave face.

shuhua is most likely taking this the hardest though.

as for me, ive been trying my hardest to watch other groups (especially ateez since they are one of the only groups that make me feel better on a shitty day), but my mind can't get off the fact that this case is strange and sad.

i want to listen to songs that have soojin's voice like i did earlier (before i knew what happened), but my mind wanders off to seeing what twitter vultures are saying.

unfortunately a small handful are claiming her to be a bully because of seo shin ae's mini claim and soojin's leave. people forgot that soojin was accused by an unknown person first, then second, then shin ae made her vague yet passive-agressive statement. and when shin ae said soojin was a bystander but then changed it to her being a bully people went rampant. i don't know, but something seems fishy.

the case is still reportedly ongoing, but instead of letting soojin stay hidden and cube make frequent updates as they should have, they hid her almost completely and let her make what seemed to make a non-proofread statement that probably hurt her in this case. especially this part:

this is what really hurts me. that this is probably what might have broken their case.

so im just more very annoyed than anything else. im sorry for you all other nevies and soojin-biases who loved and admired her. i hope her case becomes similar to wonho and hanbin (b.i), whose cases were subjectively worse imo, where she is actually innocent and goes solo. cube doesn't deserve her nor idle nor clc nor pentagon nor btob nor lightsum nor anyone else they plan on debuting in a group.

fuck cube indeed.

burn as well as your shitty stocks and free your groups. idgaf about legalities anymore. morals matter a lot more.

...........................................................

if you want to help petition for our soojinnie to comeback, or at least for some closure, sign here:

#gidle #(여자)아이들 #gidle soojin #수진 #gidle shuhua #슈화 #gidle soyeon #소연 #gidleis6 #ot6 #gidle miyeon #미연 #gidle yuqi #우기 #gidle minnie #미니 #change

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renegadewangs · 3 years

Text

Van Zieks - the Examination, part 6

Warnings: SPOILERS for The Great Ace Attorney: Chronicles. Additional warning for racist sentiments uttered by fictional characters (and screencaps to show these sentiments).

Disclaimer: (see Part 1 for the more detailed disclaimer.) - These posts are not meant to be taken as fact. Everything I’m outlining stems from my own views and experiences. If you believe that I’ve missed or misinterpreted something, please let me know so I can edit the post accordingly. -The purpose of these posts is an analysis, nothing more. Please do not come into these posts expecting me to either defend Barok van Zieks from haters, nor expecting me to encourage the hatred. - I’m using the Western release of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles for these posts, but may refer to the original Japanese dialogue of Dai Gyakuten Saiban if needed to compare what’s said. This also means I’m using the localized names and localized romanization of the names to stay consistent. -It doesn’t matter one bit to me whether you like Barok van Zieks or dislike him. However, I will ask that everyone who comments refrains from attacking real, actual people.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

And here we have the second half of The Unspeakable Story, because the case was so long I had to split it into two.

Episode 5: The Unspeakable Story – Part 2

When we last left off, Gina was allowed to testify about the omnibus murder two months ago. Sure enough, she talks about what really happened and how she was threatened into lying in court of law. The judge realizes that he made a grave error in letting McGilded walk. Again, I'm not sure why he's only realizing this now when that trial ended in disarray, with the entire gallery shouting about whether it was or wasn't a gross miscarriage of justice.

I'm giving Van Zieks an additional scumbag point for this remark, since Ryu had already admitted to his wrongdoing and, despite Van Zieks's repeated warnings of 'are you sure about this', brought the details of the falsified testimony up himself. Don't pretend to be understanding about the position this puts Ryu in if you're going to be a jerk about it afterwards, Van Zieks.

Some shenanigans and Gregson whispering to Graydon later, Scotland Yard returns with the small box! Turns out it's a music box! When suggested that the court should listen to the music on the disc, Gregson interjects and unconvincingly claims the music box and disc are unrelated to the case. Ryu objects to say that the disc is fundamentally important for understanding the motives of the crime and Van Zieks, on his own accord, chimes in that the prosecution has no objections. When Gregson continues to stammer that the disc is police property, Van Zieks says:

“But it is policy of this prosecutor to leave no avenues unexplored. And you, Inspector, have no jurisdiction here to prevent that from happening.”

So Gregson and Van Zieks are definitely not buddies. Since Gregson is a key player in this case (and I mean that in a negative way, since Gregson is actively hiding important knowledge from the court), the fact that Van Zieks is turning a deaf ear to his pleas does in fact make Van Zieks an accomplice of ours in a roundabout way. Only for this particular context, though. The point is, so long as the prosecution continues to agree with the defense about unveiling key pieces of evidence, Van Zieks is helping Ryu achieve his ultimate goal. Also it's just plain fun to watch Gregson panic. We're having a jolly old time in this courtroom!

Unfortunately, when the box is played, there's no music. It's just weird tones. So Ryu is confronted with the question of whether the music box's sounds are relevant to the case or not. Naturally, I chose that they aren't relevant to see what would happen. I don't know why I expected any different than this:

“When you speak, you must mean what you say. ...Or be prepared to suffer the consequences.”

Penalty from Van Zieks! He's right though, I never learn. Okay, so let's say the tones are relevant. Van Zieks jumps onto that like a cat pouncing on a mouse toy, of course. He wants to know just what that relevance is. Ryu says that the chimes aren't necessarily music, and Van Zieks pursues relentlessly. “Well, now that you've told us what they are not, I'm sure the court would like to hear what they are. Do enlighten us, my Nipponese friend.” This is all very standard fare, of course. In any Ace Attorney game, the player has to outline their reasoning in steps, which means the prosecution and/or the judge will continue to ask for elaboration until all the details are out in the open. Of course, Van Zieks has to be a jerk about it as he follows it up with the words “Surely you have an idea in mind? Because if not... It will be the death of your ill-formed argument!” Eesh. Harsh wording for such a simple concept of 'your argument is void if you don't tell us exactly what you mean'. What's bothersome about these moments is that often, the player already has an exact idea in mind, but the game's dialogue will beat around the bush a bit more and really rub it in. (example: Iris telling Ryu at this very moment that the music box isn't broken at all and it's meant to play these particular chimes.) But because the player isn't given the option to just figure this out for themselves and then gets scolded by the prosecution for 'taking too long', naturally the player may get frustrated.

I'm getting there! SHEESH! It's not my fault Iris is distracting me! I had the evidence ready to present like two minutes ago!

Anyway, Ryu finally links the chimes to government messages being intercepted and leaked to other countries. These messages are usually telegraphed in morse code, so it should be obvious where Ryu's going with this. Van Zieks looks horrified at the notion of the disc containing secrets in morse code. Still, alongside Ryu he works through the logic of what happened and how McGilded would've been involved in this. Graydon, who works at a telegraph office, is of course the prime suspect for intercepting those secrets and that's the reason why he broke into the pawn shop to recover the disc. Graydon is outraged by the accusation, saying “I've had to stand here in silence while that pretentious foreign lawyer has been prattling away!”, but Van Zieks cuts him off with an objection.

“The prosecution demands the witness testifies... in response to the accusations brought by the defense!”

It's Mrs. Garrideb all over again! Yes! So just to reiterate, the prosecution has nothing to gain by doing this, the way I see it. Ryu can't actively prove any of his theories, he's got no hard evidence. The only thing Ryu can do at this point is have Graydon testify and hope that he'll slip up; and Van Zieks is supporting this notion instead of demanding to see this currently non-existent evidence. So Graydon testifies, the topic of morse code comes up again, and we get a lesson in the basics of how it works with the dots and the dashes.

Surely it can't be that a prosecutor in an Ace Attorney game is being passive aggressive again? Anyway, turns out the music box doesn't play morse code at all because instead of dots and dashes, there's only one of the two. The testimony continues on to address that Graydon's last name used to be Milverton, a fact which causes Graydon to react very heavily and attempt to deny it. Van Zieks subtly reminds him that this effort is futile, since Graydon is a communications officer attached to civil service. His personal details would've been thoroughly checked when he was appointed to his position.

I enjoy it when Van Zieks finally gets turned around to point his sharp finger and sharp words towards people who actually deserve it. Yes, he's ferocious and a somewhat horrible person, but Graydon had this coming for being, y'know, a literal murderer who tried to frame a teenage girl. Van Zieks even reminds Graydon of the same sentiment (“it would really take no time at all for the court to subpoena those records”) later when Graydon continues to deny that Mason Milverton was his father. Good boy, Van Zieks. You're learning that not all British citizens are upstanding and it's okay to accuse some of them of wrongdoing. Because remember, in earlier trials when Ryu would indirectly accuse witnesses (or juror no 4) of lying or criminal activity, Van Zieks would overreact with an “HOW DARE YOU, SIR” of sorts. But not this time, oh no. How dared Graydon?

So with the relation between Graydon and the victim of the omnibus murder proven, we've made headway, but still not enough. So long as the music box chimes seem irrelevant, we don't have the full story to pin Graydon down for anything. For this reason, Ryu gets back on that topic and insists it's very much possible for the disc to contain secret messages. Van Zieks is still not quite convinced.

Covering his insecurities with fancy speech, I see. Van Zieks can act as smart as he wants, but the brutal truth of the matter will always be that he's not smart enough to take evidence in his own two hands and flip it over or open it up. Ryu's the only one who takes the practical approach, opens the bottom and finds out that the music box can actually play two discs at the same time. One for dots and one for dashes, which means there's a second disc out there. So with this out in the open, it's time for everyone's favorite type of Ace Attorney tennis: The back and forth truth reveal! Ryu and Van Zieks take turns in detailing the chronology of Graydon's illegal dealings with McGilded, with negotiations apparently turning sour in the omnibus two months ago, and thus the brickmaker met his end. McGilded attempted to hide the stolen disc by sticking it in his coat and pawning it at the pawnshop, but Graydon found out about this, etc. We've all played the case, we all know the story.

Graydon ultimately admits to having been at the crime scene that night, but still refuses to admit he worked with McGilded or stole government secrets. (Okay okay, ALBA, your denial is too powerful to let this game end, have it your way.) Ryu surmises that only Graydon could have shot Windibank, as he would've been the third intruder holding a third gun. Graydon flips this logic around; now that he's admitted he was at the crime scene that night, he can also admit to 'what he saw' as a 'key witness'. He claims that he saw the moment Windibank was shot by the pickpocket and he took the third gun afterwards, and he's ready to testify about it. Van Zieks, who should technically be jumping at the opportunity to hear decisive testimony for his precious guilty verdict, is instead not amused at all.

“If it is shown that your claim is false, you will have incriminated yourself as the killer.”

And these are some very telling lines once again. Why would he warn Graydon about this if he didn't have reason to believe those claims would be proven false? Why would he think Graydon could incriminate himself as the killer if he were 100% convinced that Gina is the culprit? He must know by now there's a strong chance that Gina is innocent and Graydon is the real killer. But sure enough, Graydon testifies about watching through a peephole and seeing blood spatter over the coat. Blood which he couldn't know is there unless he saw the murder happen. So the judge wonders whether the coat can be tested for blood and indeed, Van Zieks confirms that it can. A German scientist discovered that test 'very recently' and it's already being used in several courts around the globe because this test was actually, y'know, verified in the field of science.

“Ideas are no use to us here. In science, as in law, theories must be proven before they stand.” “We could shatter all vestiges of doubt within minutes!”

rip. To be clear, it doesn't seem as if Van Zieks actually knows for certain there's blood on the coat, because how could he? His insistence on the blood test doesn't seem to be motivated by hope of 'cornering Gina because the blood will definitely be there'. Rather, I think he just wants to either prove or disprove Graydon's testimony so we can all get on with our lives. Plus, I think he may want to flaunt these 'official methods' just to diss (S)Holmes's methods some more. While waiting for the results, Ryu is allowed to cross-examine the very suspicious peephole testimony. Despite Ryu being the one to press Graydon at every statement, Van Zieks will occasionally chime in with questions of his own to get some clarification. Which is funny, because the prosecution isn't the one who has to cross-examine witnesses. Van Zieks should technically be staying out of it. The fact that he's butting in to needle Graydon some more is just... I don't know, it's another one of those very telling moments, I suppose. Again, he probably already suspects that Graydon is the real killer.

The cross-examination is put on hold when the test results finally come back, confirming the blood on Gina's coat. Ryu still tries to save his case by saying the blood actually belonged to Mason Milverton, but that's obviously a very dangerous route to take.

“Did you not argue fervently for McGilded's innocence? And yet now that the man is dead... You brand him as a murderer? Your conduct shatters any shred of respect you may have earnt for yourself in this country!”

We all know he was a murderer for real. Van Zieks knows this more than anyone in the courtroom (well, except maybe Graydon). Besides, Gina testified about this like fifteen minutes earlier. To be frank, the fact that Ryu is admitting to this openly should actually warrant more respect as opposed to breaking it down. Because, remember, Van Zieks gave Ryu several options two months ago to blindly defend McGilded and instead of taking those opportunities, Ryu instead admitted he couldn't say for certain whether there was foul play happening. I think what's going on here may be that Van Zieks is emotionally conflicted. He was already buying into the theory that Gina is innocent and Graydon is the real killer, but the blood on the coat threw a wrench into it all. Graydon hypothetically could only have the coat knowledge if he'd seen it happen, which makes Gina the real killer after all. With something so conclusive, any belief he might've invested into Ryu's integrity has just been 'betrayed' and indeed, if Ryu's integrity is in doubt, anything else to come from him will also be relentlessly drawn into question. That doesn't just apply to Van Zieks; all the jury members who were on Ryu's side before immediately, unanimously vote guilty. Van Zieks assumes that there will be another Summation Examination, as has become the norm.

Ryu grows desperate, because changing the jury's minds is going to be exceptionally difficult now. Thankfully, our hero (S)Holmes appears! That mischievous scamp!

“Detective (derogatory)”. I think it would've been an interesting plotline if (S)Holmes actively investigated the Professor case back then, perhaps even at Van Zieks's request, and failed to find the killer in time to prevent Klint's death. That would explain why Barok now thinks so badly of (S)Holmes and the amazing detective he's described as in the novels. Unfortunately, the second game never really addresses whether (S)Holmes played a part in the Professor investigation and if so, why it ultimately came down Genshin's duel and Gregson forging evidence to 'close the case'. You'd think that if (S)Holmes investigated the deaths, he and his partner would've tracked down the real killer long before things could escalate that badly.

Anyway, (S)Holmes asks for five minutes of the court's time to pass some evidence on to the defense. Van Zieks begins by saying that the trial has already taken up many hours of the court's time. So 'having spent that long already...' Gregson cuts him off to agree, saying that since they've spent so long already, they don't want to waste even more time. Unfortunately for him, that's not what Van Zieks was about to say at all.

So he's fully on our side again! Hurray! All well and good, but he does still fling one of his chalices later to signify the five minutes are up. (S)Holmes thanks Van Zieks for allowing the brief recess, the reply being that he needs no thanks, since “the die is cast”. In other words, they've already reached a point of no return here. At first this seems like a very cryptic dismissal of gratitude, but what Van Zieks is actually saying is that the jurors have already made up their minds and settled on guilty. “Any attempt to alter the verdict now would be utterly futile.” Which still doesn't say much about whether Van Zieks believes they're headed in the right direction, it only says that he doesn't believe Ryu can convince them to change their minds this time.

Surprise! Ryu doesn't have to! When (S)Holmes came into the room in disguise to deliver the lab results of the coat, the cross-examination of Graydon was actually suspended. This means that, by law, Ryu has the right to continue that cross-examination instead of turning to the jurors for the Summation Examination. Van Zieks suffers through his damage animation (which has been rarely seen by this point in the game and honestly, it's a delight to watch), calling the whole matter absurd. This is the law, Ziekie boy! Deal with it! So with this final chance granted, Ryu presents the catflap device to debunk Graydon's testimony about the peephole. Susato tampered with the crime scene and made that cat flap mere minutes after Windibank was shot. So if the cat flap wasn't there before, how could Graydon possibly have witnesses what he claims to have witnessed?

Oh, he's thrown off now. He's got no idea what to believe anymore. I can't blame him; who would expect a trial to take a turn like this? We're getting close, but Van Zieks has one more obstacle to throw our way, as all prosecutors do. How can we prove that the peephole flap was made after the crime as opposed to before it? “When was the peephole cut? The prosecution demands proof of your answer!” Again, this is par for the course. This is what any prosecutor would demand. Evidence is law in Ace Attorney world and Van Zieks needs tangible proof that Ryu isn't just a 'lying traitor' like Genshin was. Naturally, we have proof and Van Zieks is the one we have to thank for that.

Considering Van Zieks is the one who showed up to court that day with a big stack of photographs from that very same 'infernal camera', this line will never stop cracking me up. So now we know for sure the peephole was made after Windibank was shot! Unfortunately, in submitting evidence we now also know one other thing.

To be fair, Susato didn't know it was a legit murder scene until the cat flap was created and they could see the body. Up until that point, it was just a scene for breaking-and-entering, along with (S)Holmes shooting. I'm sure that was taken into account when discussing the punishment later on, though. Anyway, we've proven Graydon's perjury, but Van Zieks insists we still haven't quite proven that he's a killer. Luckily, Ryu's already two steps ahead of Van Zieks here. Since we've proven that Graydon was lying about what he saw, the question is now how he knows about these things to begin with. He couldn't possibly have seen the peephole with his own eyes, so how did he know it was there? And how did he know about the blood on the coat? Gregson once again decides to interject, asking Van Zieks for 'a word, please'. He wants to leave the courtroom and return to the station to put in his report.

“You will remain exactly where you are until this trial concludes.”

Heeheeh. Brutal. So with Gregson forced to stay, Ryu is free to insinuate that information about the crime scene must've been leaked to Graydon. And since Graydon had no idea he'd be summoned to court to testify on the murder, he could only have received the information after arriving at the Old Bailey. The only person with the opportunity to pass that information to him (in the middle of a trial, I might add) was Gregson. Gregson immediately barks that he had no reason to leak information about the investigation to someone like Graydon, but we know that's not true. Ryu suggests there was a deal.

I really enjoy this particular expression on Van Zieks, and it fits especially well in this context. While he usually looks very calm and cold on the surface, he now looks outwardly ferocious, slightly unhinged. Perhaps even in pain. This is the face of betrayal and humiliation. We learn in the second game that Van Zieks had already suspected Gregson of having dirty hands when it comes to the Reaper, so I expect this insinuation hits extra hard now. It's confirming to Van Zieks that Gregson is indeed not above dirty tactics. He doesn't take it lightly, of course. “With the stakes so high, the prosecution is not prepared to listen to baseless charges. It is incumbent on the defense now to present evidence in support of this diabolical claim.”

So let's do it. It all comes down to the music box disc and the stolen government secrets, of course. Gregson admits that he was ordered to retrieve the stolen information and do it “on the q.t.” Top secret mission, this one, though earlier on it was implied to have been ordered by Stronghart. Van Zieks concludes that Gregson objected so heavily to the disc being used as evidence because he knew of the information on it. Gregson replies that he realized there was a possibility of it. Since we know the music box plays two discs, the deal must've involved this second disc. Van Zieks is now thinking ahead very quickly, here. He asserts that since Gregson is a Scotland Yard detective, he would've approached this deal with extreme caution and not simply taken Graydon's word for it. He would have asked for the article in question to be handed to him immediately and so, it stands to reason the second disc is in the courtroom at that very moment. Gregson doesn't take lightly to the accusations and when Ryu suggests a cavity- sorry, I mean body search, Gregson agrees to it without so much as a flinch. Suspicious behavior, to say the least. But this means the body search is allowed and everything rests on the outcome.

“If, following the search of the inspector's personal effects, no disk is found... You will be deemed unfit for court service, this trial will end and my country's government will formally demand of yours that you are severely reprimanded.”

But Van Zieks, if Ryu were deemed unfit for court service, who would you face in hectic turnabout trials? He's your one true nemesis now, remember? The judge agrees with Van Zieks's sentiments, but Iris has some very interesting insight: “You're just threatening Runo because you're scared!” Since Iris is one of the most clever characters in the games, we have to examine this statement further. If he's scared, then what's he scared of? My guess would be the firm, undeniable confirmation that Gregson is willing to screw with a fair trial and let a killer walk free. Yes, he was ordered to do this by his superiors (STRONGHART), but it doesn't change that Gregson is throwing an innocent girl under the omnibus to get what he wants. And again, keep this in mind, Van Zieks already held suspicions that Gregson had something to do with the Reaper curse. But they were friends once; Gregson was Klint's friend. There's a difference between suspecting an old buddy of being up to no good and hard evidence that it's true. What adds credence to this being the reason of Van Zieks's fear is one of the game's recurring themes: You mustn't look away from the truth, no matter how blinding it is. No matter how painful, it needs to be acknowledged.

So the game asks whether Ryu still insists on the search, knowing there'll be grave consequences if nothing is found. By this point I was so tired that I didn't choose any of the other options and went straight for the correct answer: Search someone else! Gregson's being so cool about it that we can already surmise he doesn't have the disc on him, but he did have the perfect opportunity to hide it on the taller Skulkin brother earlier in the trial. So Ryu insists on there being a search, and Van Zieks says:

“But your typical Nipponese stubbornness may well land you in hot water this time. Perhaps the lesson will do you some good.”

This sort of implies to me that Van Zieks has also realized the disc isn't on Gregson's person. He's known the guy for a very long time, and so, he'd also know that Gregson is easily flustered with zero poker face skills. There's no way he could look so cool if there was a chance of the disc being found in his pocket. So this is the point where Ryu reveals that he doesn't want the search done on Gregson, which does succeed in ruffling our dear old inspector. Gregson starts accusing Ryu of having lost his mind and the court shouldn't have to put up with this nonsense, with the gallery also erupting into chatter. Iris snaps and tells everyone to be quiet. Ryu's just doing what he was told to do and having the courage of his convictions, so they should all respect that and listen to what he has to say. The judge admits that the court is in awe of the defense's convictions and I could write an entirely different essay here about Ryunosuke's growth throughout the games, but I won't. Point is, the cavity- sorry, I mean body search of Nash Skulkin is allowed. Gregson absolutey has zero poker face without a doubt, as he tries to object to the search in the name of Scotland Yard.

“In this courtroom, only the prosecution and the defence have the authority to object.”

Gregson tries to sputter his way out of this, but Van Zieks says: “I have no idea what forces are in play that might influence your actions, but personally I have no intention of obstructing the course of this trial.” (Gregson literally said that Van Zieks needed “Stronghart's paw print” to get more details on the top-secret investigation into McGilded's shady activities, but sure. No idea what forces are in play. Okay.)

Pin 'im down and use the rubber glove, bailiff! The missing second music box disc is pulled out of Nash's jacket and Ryu explains why he knew it'd be found there.

Uhhhhhhhhhh. I think what Ryu's trying to say is that Gregson would rarely fly into such a rage that he'd assault someone physically, but... This man absolutely loses his composure all the dang time. Just ask the fish n chips he keeps aggressively chomping down or scattering over his shoulder. He doesn't strike me as a composed character at all, so to say he behaved “extremely out of character” is kind of off to me. But whatever, it proved our point so I'll let it slide. When the judge asks why Gregson didn't just submit the second disc as evidence the second he got his hands on it, Van Zieks surmises that if the information on the disc were revealed in court, it'd be problematic. Gregson once again confirms he's working under direct orders from the ministry (STRONGHART) to keep the stolen info on the down low. But now we've got a problem. Neither Graydon nor Gregson will admit that they made a deal for the disc (it just magically appeared in Gregson's possession then, sure) and so long as they don't admit to that deal, we still can't prove Graydon lied about his testimony in regards to Gina being the shooter. The judge is ready to turn the matter over to the jury for their final learnings, and if these people had any common sense they'd all vote not-guilty because Graydon is getting away with his nonsense through a sheer technicality. Even so, Ryu intends to put the squeeze on Gregson by playing the second disc along with the first to determine whether there's truly morse code involved. Either Gregson admits to unlawful dealings with a witness to protect state secrets, or those state secrets get played out loud for everyone to hear. Gregson warns him he'll be making an enemy of the entire British government if he lets those secrets out into the world. Ryu insists he'll stop at nothing to do his job and protect his client, no matter who he makes an enemy out of. Van Zieks pours himself another glass of wine in silence.

Yeah, a real shrewd, calculating man. Uhuh. Again, I want to take a second here to point to the symbiosis we usually have between prosecutor and lead detective. Even in the case of Fulbright and Blackquill, with their unique circumstances, they still worked in tandem. You'd never catch them bickering about whether or not to present a certain piece of evidence. It's fascinating to watch Van Zieks consistently ignore Gregson's pleas. Speaking of which, let's have a leg slam to shut Gregson up.

“I'm a prosecutor. ...I'm no Scotland Yard puppet. In this courtroom, my duty is to the law. So let me propose a toast. To uncovering the truth... by fair means or foul.”

YOOO!!! Get him, Zieks! There's absolutely no denying now that Van Zieks is 100% on Ryu's side. He knows that playing the secret message will cause Gregson to cave and admit to his shady deal. And once we know for certain Graydon's testimony is one huge sham... Well, as Van Zieks already said earlier, Graydon will be incriminated as the real killer.

So the box plays for about ten seconds with actual morse code this time and Gregson cracks like cheap porcelain. When Ryu confronts him with how this dealing would lead to the defendant being wrongfully accused of murder, Gregson just kind of shrugs it off. On its own, you might be thinking Gregson is a scummy asshole for this, but there's some very important factors to keep in mind here from the second game. First of all, very simply, Stronghart ordered Gregson to retrieve the info 'no matter what' and Gregson isn't in any position to refuse at this point. But then there's the Reaper's curse, which is way more important. Even if Gina were found not guilty, she'd still have to die. Not just die; Gregson would have to arrange for her death. I doubt he enjoys being in that position, so it's easier for him to just willfully sabotage the trial and have Gina be executed by the government. Some of the blood would still be on his hands, but at least he wouldn't have had to orchestrate some elaborate death trap himself, leading to all the blood on his hands. (Cool justification, still second-hand murder.)

Uh, wait, this is a Van Zieks essay, not a Gregson essay. So anyway, after Gregson gets choked by Graydon and nobody steps in to help him, we finally get the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Graydon has a semi tragic backstory and he was the one who cause the omnibus fire.

I guess Graydon wasn't too familiar with the Reaper's curse. Either that, or he didn't believe it was real. So now, to reiterate, we're told several times that anyone prosecuted by Van Zieks is doomed, but only one of the defendants Ryu's had so far has died a tragic death and it wasn't even because of the Reaper's curse. It was because someone else sought revenge, so even if Van Zieks hadn't been the prosecutor, McGilded still would've died. Graydon then goes on to talk about what happened in the pawnbrokery and how he shot Windibank without even thinking about it. Van Zieks has something to say about this.

“A man who used his wealth and influence to distort the facts and escape justice for the crime of murder. What tragic irony... For what you have done... is exactly the same. You've become the very monster you saw, and despised so deeply, in McGilded.”

I feel like this is even more elaborate setup to the fact that Van Zieks's brother, a wealthy and influential man, was actually a mass murderer. For bonus points: 'someone realized the wealthy man was a murderer, knew he wouldn't be confronted with his crimes and therefore took matters into his own hands with vigilante justice'. Does that sound familiar too? Gosh, I love foreshadowing. The judge tells Gregson he'll have to face charges as well, with Van Zieks chiming in that even if it was in the line of duty, Gregson's crime is a serious and inexcusable one. With that, the attention is turned to the defense. The judge says that the morse code thing was an unexpected revelation (and this is said in a complimenting sort of way), with Van Zieks unable to stay silent on this:

“In fact, I think we should applaud my learned friend's courage here today. I propose a toast. To demanding that government secrets be disseminated before the entire courtroom!”

Hee hee... Well, Gregson did warn him beforehand that he'd be making an enemy of the British government if he played those music discs. Ryu becomes very flustered and apologizes, but the telegraph juror interjects here to say that the dots and dashes weren't really morse code. Rather, it was just gibberish to her. So despite Iris looking thoughtful, it seems we didn't spill any beans after all and the matter is dropped. We move on to our verdict, a unanimous not-guilty for Gina Lestrade. Hurray!

Now there's a very clumsy scene transition of Ryu and Van Zieks standing in the abandoned courtroom, facing one another. I suppose Van Zieks made some sort of gesture for Ryu to hang back so they could speak in private? It's odd for them to still be standing behind their respective benches, though. Since court's dismissed, it'd be easy for them to just walk up to one another instead of shouting across an empty room. It may be symbolism that there's still a gaping void between the two of them; the Professor incident. Or maybe I'm giving the game too much credit there and they just couldn't be bothered to animate new backgrounds for this single scene. So here we have a very important conversation. I'll type it out:

“I must say you've surprised me, my Far Eastern friend. Despite being a Nipponese, you saw through the pretence to the malice that festered within that Englishman. And at the same time, you saw through the grime to the surprising heart of your English client. You have a curious talent for judging character, especially considering our very different cultures.”

So here we have a telltale problem with racial prejudice. Van Zieks assumed that because Ryu has a different background, especially culturally, he wouldn't be able to understand or relate to English citizens. We've seen this sentiment before in case 1-4, where Van Zieks is shocked that Ryu would understand the mind of an English policeman. Ryu says that he doesn't think there's anything curious about it at all, because whether people are from Britain or from Japan, they're all human beings. They're not so different on the inside. Ryu is effectively saying that Van Zieks needs to stop categorizing people based on their nationality because that doesn't work. Human beings are human beings; some of them are good and some of them are bad. Van Zieks doesn't directly reply to this, instead confirming what we already suspected.

“You know, I took this case for one very simple reason. To lock swords with you once again here in the courtroom. When I encountered you for the first time two months ago, it reminded me... of toasting friendship and trust with another Nipponese... only to find my trust betrayed. Through you, I hoped to look into the eyes of the man I once knew... and try to understand.”

So remember in the previous essay when I surmised that the torrid look of hatred in Van Zieks's eyes was directed at someone who died ten years ago? Well, it's confirmed here. Van Zieks didn't see a fresh newbie whenever he looked at Ryu; he saw Genshin Asogi. The betrayal which took place ten years ago was never given closure. Sure, Van Zieks managed to send Asogi to the gallows to exact 'justice' and get some form of payback, but he was never given Asogi's motives. He never got to confront this man with the emotional turmoil or the hurt, because he wouldn't have been given the opportunity to do so and even if he'd tried, he wouldn't have gotten satisfactory responses. Asogi was abruptly executed and Van Zieks never learned just what possessed a dear friend to murder his brother. He was left with boiling hatred, grief and a whole lot of questions. So indeed, now he hoped to 'understand' Asogi through Ryu, but that was never an option to begin with. Ryu has no relation to that man, so Van Zieks might as well have tried to grasp that understanding by 'locking swords' with Beppo. It's about the same level of futility. Van Zieks's misguided attacks appear to be born from the assumption that it must've been a cultural thing; that perhaps betrayal is something which comes naturally to people from Japan. It's an incredibly stupid, naive way of thinking, because by simplifying Genshin's motives down to his race and cultural upbringing, it takes away the option that there's a far darker truth to be found. Quite frankly, I think Van Zieks is afraid of that truth, just as he was afraid of confirmation that Gregson's not above dirtying his hands. To affirm that Genshin Asogi's friendship was genuine and he truly was an honorable man would imply that he'd had a reason to take Klint's life. I'm not saying it was a good reason! I'm just saying... a reason. When Ryu asks for more details on what happened back then, Van Zieks won't reply.

“Coming to be known as the Reaper of the Bailey, and my retirement from service five years ago... It gives me cause to wonder if our meeting has some deeper purpose. So... Farewell, my learned Nipponese fellow. Until we meet again.”

(He crushes another chalice in the process of saying this, because of course.) The deeper purpose alluded to here, along with the earlier line that Ryu may one day learn the answer, can only mean that Van Zieks foresees something of a journey here. A path to walk down together with Ryu in which, eventually, the Professor case will once again surface. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing for Van Zieks, we don't know. I'm not sure he knows. But he did admit to having been pleasantly surprised by Ryu and he had a civil conversation with him just now, so the sentiment here is that Van Zieks is slowly letting go of some of his earlier grudges. He doesn't outright admit that he was wrong to be a scumbag to Ryu, nor does he apologize, but by admitting he was only attacking Ryu to make sense of something that happened in his past, he's basically admitting to his behavior being irrational. He's softened up a little, and with a second game on the way, it means at the very least the option of further character development is there.

The conversation ends and in the defendant lobby, Gina is reminded she's not in the clear yet. There's the curse, after all. Gina's not afraid, because he say she sees it, “the Reaper is a bit like Him upstairs.” Sort of funny to equate the Reaper to God, but what she's basically talking about is karmic retribution. Rotten coves like McGilded get what's coming to them, but she knows she's a good person deep down and so, she thinks she'll escape the curse just fine. Which doesn't say much about all those other victims who came before McGilded, mind. We can't say for certain they were all rotten too. Well, the second game will tell us whether she escapes with her life or not. And normally I would also take a look at the little 'bit' that characters have in the end credits, but Van Zieks didn't get his own bit for whatever reason. He's only briefly mentioned by Pat and Roly Beate, so that's it when it comes to his character in the first game.

Next up, we're moving on to case three of the second game, taking place six months after The Unspeakable Story!

#dgs #dgs spoilers #tgaa #tgaa spoilers #barok van zieks #hot dang #this trial escalated quickly #I took like 500 screencaps when Graydon went for Gregson's throat

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thanksjro · 4 years

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More Than Meets the Eye #29 - The One Where Everyone Gets Super Shiny

Our issue opens up with Swerve laying down the Story So Far in the Exposition Dimension.

Fantastic, you funky little man.

If Swerve looks like he’s been tossed through the car wash a few dozen times, it’s because this is where our new colorist comes in! Everyone, please say hello to Joana Lafuente- known for her love of gradients and attention to light sources, this actually isn’t the first time we’ve run into her. Lafuente worked on colors for several issues of The Transformers (2009), Last Stand of the Wreckers #3, and a few issues of MTMTE Season 1. However, she was matching the styles of her co-colorists on a majority of these, so we haven’t seen her style properly until now.

Getting into the story proper, Cyclonus is busying himself with staring out the window at a PNG of space, as he is wont to do, when he hears the tell-tale sound of tires squealing down the hall towards his room. Oh, goodness, whoever could that be?

Nearly forgot about him, didn’t you? Yeah, it’s a little difficult to follow up on things like a character’s recovery from a horrific disease when you’ve got comic event contract obligations to deal with.

After getting tackled by Tailgate, who reminds us all about the time he stuck his dirty little fingers into a dude’s brain meat, Cyclonus takes the little nerd on a walk through the ship.

You’re not going to convince me to reread “Dark Cybertron”. I don’t care how much of a marshmallow you are, it’s not happening.

They’re passed by Megatron and a bunch of crew members carrying that coffin we saw at the end of last issue down the corridor, Tailgate has a moment, and we get a taste of Cyclonus’ distaste for the Autobots as a whole. Tailgate is mildly offended by this, as he gropes his chest in distain, showing off his shiny new Autobot badge- a gift for not dying a terrible, gruesome death.

Good job, Tailgate. Proud of you.

They’re also passed by an absolutely blitzed Jackpot and Mainframe, the former singing Tailgate’s Tyrest-stopping praises as the latter carts him over to the Medibay to deal with the almost alcohol poisoning he’s got going on. Cyclonus remarks that Tailgate was missed, though Tailgate can’t help but wonder if that’s really true.

Y’all like slowburn romance, right? Because these two dumbasses have been roommates for two years, and we’ve just gotten to the point where physical contact can happen without one of them needing to be dying.

Anyway, it’s been a good day for Tailgate so far. Let’s hope it stays that way for the little dude.

...And that’s a series wrap on Tailgate! Let’s give him a hand, folks!

Hopping back in time to Megatron’s trial, things get underway, as Optimus Prime takes a nap in the judge’s bench as Gripper- whose name you don’t need to remember, as he’s not actually important- tells everyone about how brutal the Decepticon Justice Division is, even to Autobots. Which isn’t really supposed to be their deal, given their, y’know, name, but I suppose nobody’s perfect.

Up in the stands, in an… opera box, I guess? Rodimus is watching the proceedings, when Atomizer walks in. Which I guess you can just do in a Cybertronian court case. Sure.

Atomizer, in case you forgot, is the dude who has a bow and arrow, and used to be an interior designer.

Say, didn’t Whirl has a bow and arrow in the last issue when he attacked Megatron? Mighty curious, that.

Rodimus and Atomizer briefly reflect on the DJD, recalling the horror that was Vos- not that Vos, the other one. Rodimus would really just rather this all be over with so the Lost Light can get back to finding the Knights of Cybertron, and it’s at this point that Atomizer breaks out a thing he really ought not have- the count for the vote on whether or not Rodimus should stay on as captain. Rodimus doesn’t want to look at it, because it was supposed to be anonymous for a reason, and tells Atomizer to destroy the list entirely.

Hm, that’s not a terribly determined face there, Rodimus.

Back in the present, specifically in Swerve’s, Groove is threatening to break Streetwise’s arm, as we get the downlow on just what exactly our Legislator buddy’s deal is. Turn’s out, Swerve got one of the things reprogrammed, so that he follows not the Autobot Code, but something else entirely.

Hey, Swerve?

I don’t expect you to know this, because I don’t think you were present when they revealed this information to the readers, but… your new bouncer is made of people. He’s a dude made of other dudes, namely the Circle of Light. There’s a chance that you reprogrammed a sentient being, my good bitch.

Anyway, Swerve’s in a fucking mood because his shoulder hurts, someone’s stealing his shit, and Megatron has joined the narrative. Over at a nearby table, Skids, Nautica, and Riptide take a gander at the tabloids. Trailcutter, who is positively smashed, to the point where he’s just leaking booze out of his face like it’s his job, isn’t terribly interested in that, however.

What an astute observation, Riptide. And people say you’re stupid!

Trailcutter wants to drink some more, because it’s very likely he’s got a problem, but the mention of “Megatron’s super fuel” makes him feel like it’s time to stop hounding Swerve and start performing crimes.

Back during the trial, we get to Starscream’s testimony. He’s wearing his crown. He’s acting like a self-righteous asshole, as he defends Megatron.

Well, “defend” in the technical, legal sense, I suppose.

But really it’s more about him insulting Megatron’s intelligence, strength, and courage, in front of a LOT of people, while also trying to make himself look better in the war crime department. Megatron doesn’t appreciate this very much, if his murder-face is anything to go by.

Megatron lets Ultra Magnus (his defender, if you’ll recall) know that he wants a private word, and court goes into a brief recess.

Back in the present, Nightbeat’s busy looking at a pin-up of Rung’s alt-mode, when someone knocks on his door. That someone is Chromedome, who’s trying to solve the mystery of The Missing Declaration of Love. Not that he says that specifically out loud.

You two were married, why- okay. No point in yelling at this digital copy of a comic book.

Anyway.

So, the whole screaming thing only happened the one time, and everything was back to normal on subsequent plays of Rewind’s message. Nightbeat seems to be leaning towards the depressive isolating getting to Chromedome, which Chromedome responds to by telling him to get the fuck out. Alas, someone’s blocking the door!

YO WHAT THE FUCK-

Back with Trailcutter’s subplot, our drunken friend is in the middle of breaking into the Medibay. Our trio of cool-colored pals watch him from back at the bar, by way of a laptop that looks like it was built the same year I was born.

As Trailcutter attempts to commit a crime, Megatron, Ultra Magnus, and Ratchet pass by, trying to figure out how to handle the whole coffin situation. Trailcutter’s about to punch the locks off a door, and Nautica decides that this is where she’s going to draw the line today, leaving the gaggle of fools to their shenanigans. Then Tailgate glomps Skids, throwing the computer to the ground and breaking it, as Trailcutter finds the door to the Medibay magically open.

If you don’t know what glomping is, there’s a 60% chance that you’re not old enough to vote in the US.

Trailcutter sneaks into the Medibay, we get a reminder that Ambulon is super dead, and Trailcutter commits theft from a food bank. What a guy.

This is the point where security shows up, armed with a great deal of guns, one of which is Megatron himself. Trailcutter, instead of feeling super powerful, actually feels positively awful after consuming Megatron’s rations of “super fuel”. Because he, as an Autobot, doesn’t want to be within 50 yards of Megatron, Trailcutter breaks out the forcefields the moment the guy approaches him. And oh, what a doozy this one is.

Trailcutter’s gotten himself a fancy new trick- this forcefield he’s broken out lasts for a solid half-hour, and he can’t turn it off. I’m sure that won’t bite him in the ass at any point in the near future, no-siree!

Back in the past, Rattrap is commending Starscream on playing the field and getting the public slightly more on his side, but Starscream’s too busy patting himself on the back to really pay attention. He knew damn well that Megatron wouldn’t like what he had to say on the stand, and now things are finally looking up for ol’ Screamer.

Over with Optimus Prime, Slamdance is showing off how the general public is really into this whole “folks being held accountable for their actions” thing.

In the present, Chromedome and Nightbeat seem to have remembered they have alt-modes and are driving down the hall back to Nightbeat’s room- wonder what the speed limit for the Lost Light is?- and discuss just what the hell happened. The current theory is that the Rewind they saw was a Data Ghost- a collection of information so dense, it had a not-quite-physical presence that wasn’t 100% removed when he died.

Which is a little fucked up, but let’s see where this goes.

Nightbeat undoes the 40,000 locks on his door while Chromedome bleeds guilt all over the shag carpet over the fact that he hasn’t been looking for Dominus Ambus like he said he would.

C’mon James, gimme that Chromedominus endgame.

Nightbeat finally opens the door to find a small problem.

Hm. That’s… not normal.

Over in the Medibay, Trailcutter’s bubble has burst, allowing Megatron to slap him in the back of the head. This head-slapping induces his FIM chip permanently, making it so that he can never get drunk again.

Weird party trick, Megatron. Kinda shitty, really.

Megatron then gives Trailcutter the job of director of security, because he needs direction in his life. Trailcutter just sort of takes what he’s given, because I suppose you can’t really argue with a guy who can literally slap you sober, and also threatens to destroy you if you fuck up even once. Nice, Megs. Nice.

MEGATRON THAT’S BEEN SITTING LIKE THAT FOR OVER HALF AN HOUR YOU FUCKING WET NOODLE

So, since there’s mystery juice all over the floor and no one’s died, Megatron assumes that the coffin ought to be fine to crack open.

Please note that Megatron is not a medical professional, and his views are now peer reviewed by medical professionals. Megatron is in no way endorsed by the WHO.

Anyway, Rodimus is in there.

Pretty fucked up.

Back in the past, recess is over, and Ultra Magnus comes bearing bad news- Megatron wants to change his plea to “innocent.” This gets about the reaction one would expect from just about anyone.

Well, except Rodimus, who’s too busy reading that list that he wanted destroyed. He’s very sad about it.

I know, what a bummer!

#transformers #jro #MTMTE #world shut your mouth #issue 29 #maccadam #Hannzreads #text post #long post #comic script writing

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inawickedlittletown · 5 years

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9-1-1 Meta: The Lawsuit

Note: this is over 2k of meta on the lawsuit as inspired by some discussion on the buddie discord.

So I think there are definitely a few sides to the story when it comes to the lawsuit and why a lawsuit was necessary. I think that Buck was absolutely right to do it. He was in a corner at the point where the lawsuit happens and I don't think he actually had any other choice. Should he have talked to any of the others? Yeah, probably.

But here's why I don't think Buck thought that it actually mattered: Buck is depressed and upset prior to the tsunami and yet afterwards he pulls himself out of that and he actually goes and takes the fire marshal job and he might not want it but he's there doing it and I think he was content doing that as long as he needed to because he absolutely felt that eventually when the fire department decided he was ready or he got off the blood thinners that he would be cleared to work.

Buck even has this idea that hey maybe if his friends/coworkers and captain write a letter pleading his case that it might help change the minds of the department or fire chief or whoever decided that he was a liability while on blood thinners. Buck is so sure that he has their loyalty and their friendship that he fudges their numbers for the drill and that he tells the lawyer that he is absolutely not going to help him sue the city or the first responders. And the lawyer sees him as a victim, he sees Buck as someone that is wrongfully kept from his job and yet despite Buck agreeing with that, Buck in that moment defends the department and his friends and essentially says that they have his back and he has their backs too. That Buck is willing to wait to get back to his job and yet in yearning for it back and in seeing the way that the others are working and seeing Bosko, Buck comes up with a plan. It’s what he does. And he thinks that maybe he just needs the support of the 118 to get the department to let him return to work.

I don’t think that Buck even fully believes that something as little as a letter would help, but he wants to be active and he wants to do something and that’s the only thing to him that he can do.

I’ll pause here to talk about Bobby. I don’t believe 100% that Bobby wanted to keep his decision to keep Buck from working from Buck. I will always be left wondering if Bobby was going to talk to Buck in that moment at the station before the call comes in and they all leave Buck at the station because it does seem like Bobby wants to talk to Buck about something...it just doesn’t happen. I just have to wonder about when Bobby was asked his opinion and how much time passes between that and Buck finding out.

Instead, Athena invites Buck over to their house for dinner and Bobby isn’t too happy with that and he’s especially not happy about it once Buck starts talking about his plan. It’s interesting to me that Bobby didn’t have to say anything to Buck about his part in keeping Buck from returning. He could have just let Buck go on and on about what he hoped to do with the help of the team. Maybe he could have told Buck that it was a long shot or he could have explained that it wouldn’t work. Instead, Bobby admits that he’s the one keeping Buck from returning to work and Bobby explains his reasoning behind it. So I actually don’t really see this as lack of communication or clarity as much as Buck finding out at the wrong moment and Bobby not giving him all the info.

So for me the problem is not that Bobby made that decision and didn’t tell Buck...it’s the way that Bobby delivers the information to Buck. It’s the way that he isn’t exactly gentle with Buck or explains himself — he sort of treats Buck like a child that’s done something wrong and the worst thing is that Bobby is making excuses to rationalize his decision instead of admitting that it’s entirely an emotional response. Bobby is scared and he’s probably guilty because the kid involved in the bombing was after him and he’s also afraid of losing Buck and we see this fear the moment that he gets that call about Buck at the hospital during the Halloween episode. None of this makes Bobby any less guilty, but I think his part in this isn’t as bad as everyone makes it out and Bobby’s mistake is in that he doesn’t share his feelings with Buck — he isn’t open about his real reasons for not wanting Buck back at work and instead makes it about the job and about his duty as a Captain and that’s not what Buck needs not when Buck is someone that is very open with his heart and his feelings as we see in the Christmas episode where he tells Bobby how much he cares about him.

The reason that Buck is so shocked and upset is because Bobby goes against everything he believed — Bobby does the exact thing that Buck never expected from him. He expected Bobby to support him and for Bobby to be just as eager to have Buck back at work. And the thing is that no one seems to fully understand why Buck is so eager to have his job back. Maddie doesn’t get it. Ali left him over it. And he’s seen his team working with someone new and seemingly not missing him. Because despite how much Bobby cares and how he tells the others that Buck has them no one but Eddie actually makes it clear to Buck that Buck has them. (Although Buck is pretty sure that they’re in his corner too) Eddie is the one that reaches out and pulls Buck out of bed and forces him to watch Chris and while we know how that ends, it does seem to make a difference to Buck in that after all of that is done, he does take the fire marshal job.

I also see a lot of mention of Eddie not being there for Buck, but he was. He went and tried to help in the only way that Eddie could. And after the tsunami we get that amazing scene where Eddie tells him that he trusts Buck with Christopher — with the most important person in Eddie’s life. But we then have to remember that Christopher went through a trauma and that Eddie is dealing with a lot post-tsunami and he can’t worry about Buck because Chris comes first. Not to mention that since Buck got back to work (even as a fire marshal) that Eddie probably figured he was okay and over it. The others probably felt that Buck was okay too. And life is busy so it’s perfectly understandable why they might not be constantly checking up on Buck.

But let’s also take note that Athena invites Buck over perhaps because she feels like checking in on him or just because she cares about him and she knows that he isn’t around his friends often and I think also because she knows what Bobby’s done and she assumes that Buck already knows and she likely wanted to clear the air or at least make sure they were okay except that Bobby didn’t tell Buck and then there’s just drama at her dinner table and you can tell in that scene how much she feels for Buck. Bobby did not handle that well at all and Athena is well aware of it.

But now as to the lawsuit. So Buck leaves Bobby and Athena’s and he feels betrayed and I think that had Buck not met that lawyer, it wouldn’t have even been a thought to him. He probably would have quit being a fire marshal though...or maybe he would have spoken to the department directly. But Buck is completely worried about himself and his job only. He had no time to think about anyone else or to presume that anyone else on the team would be on his side (or maybe he expected the rest of them to be and for them to just understand and accept what Buck is doing and not hold the lawsuit against him) or be able to do anything about it past commiserate with him. But the lawyer...now he can absolutely do something for Buck. And I think Buck absolutely feels like it is his only option. Bobby has after all told him that he won’t be approving Buck coming back until he is no longer on blood thinners but now Buck has some idea that the department might think otherwise and Buck can be a bit impatient and he’s also desperate and he’s really doing what he needs to do and what he feels to be his only option.

The real problem with the lawsuit is the lawyer. He’s sleazy and he’s basically out for a payday and nothing more. We actually don’t fully know how much Buck tells him and how much he already knows or finds out on his own. After all, we do know that he’s looked into Buck before he even tries to talk Buck into suing. This lawyer doesn’t care about Buck or what Buck wants and I think it’s important to note that Buck does end up refusing the money and also that the city and the department felt that they needed to settle the lawsuit rather than take it to court.

I could argue that the city doesn’t want to deal with a lawsuit and the press and all of that and that’s why they decide to settle and it’s sort of what Bobby tells Buck when he tells him he can return to work, but I think it can be equally true that they settle because they feel that they might lose if they go to court and that will make things worse than just giving Buck a payday. But that’s not what Buck wants...he wants his job back. And if they can admit that he’s right through settling then clearly Buck is right about how he should have been back at work long before this. And it isn’t in some ways about Buck winning or being right as much as it is about Buck being treated equally and how Buck’s decision to take the risk and work while on blood thinners is being taken away. It speaks to anyone that’s had their workplace refuse to let them return to work because they’re unwilling to work with their disabilities or their injuries or their medical conditions. And using examples about the others and how quickly they were allowed to get back to work in comparison despite perhaps not being fully ready in a mental or physical capacity was an important thing for the case even if it brought up personal things that clearly upset the others a little.

I get why people were upset about Buck going through with the lawsuit. I get why Eddie was upset and why Bobby didn’t want Buck back at work, but I don’t feel that any of that negates how important and how necessary it was for Buck to go through with the lawsuit because he clearly had a winning chance and because Bobby’s reasons for not allowing Buck to return to work were personal and emotion based and shouldn’t have played a part in spite of the blood thinners clearly being a setback and being a concern and a risk. But it’s a high risk job anyway and something that Buck has already signed up for.

It’s just interesting that Buck goes and tells Bobby directly what he’s done and that Hen and Chim aren’t too bothered by it. Hen is probably the most understanding of all of them because she knows how little Buck has outside of the 118 and because she doesn’t take any of it personally. Chim understands what it’s like to not be at work and I think he recognizes that things were handled differently for Buck than him. They both welcome him back in their own ways and don’t hold the lawsuit against him. Bobby is clearly just worried about Buck but he doesn’t ever share that with Buck and instead does everything he can to keep Buck out of danger. And Eddie...well to Eddie it felt like being left and abandoned and especially so when he can’t even call Buck to bail him out of jail. He’s definitely having his own issues and projecting and not really understanding Buck’s side of it at all because he just doesn’t think that Buck’s problems are important or at least not worth a lawsuit and to Eddie that feels like betrayal but that all goes back to his issues with being left by Shannon.

All of this to say that Buck was absolutely in the right to do what he needed to do for himself and to get what he wanted which is his job and his family back.

#911 fox #911 meta #911 fox meta #evan buckley #911 on fox #meta #basically I wrote an essay about this because I can't ever keep anything short #now that I finished writing NTM I have time to dive into all the meta I want to write

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softestvirgil · 5 years

Text

Feelings

Authors note: This is loosely based on this post

Summary: Logan holds a court case by himself to vent, and an unexpected visitor shows up

Genre: Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Rating: PG

Pairing(s): Platonic Analogical

Word Count: 1643

Warnings: Crying, Yelling, Deceit references, Emotions, Cursing, Shoulder touching, Unresolved ending

Let me know if there’s any more I should add!

Days after Thomas’ “callback or wedding” dilemma, Logan still felt miffed that he was left out.

He knew it was Deceit's doing, but he also knew if the others could, they would probably do the same, and if he was honest with himself, that didn't feel good.

Feel.

Logan didn't “feel” anything, so why was that the only word he could come up with for what was happening? He wasn't sure. All he knew was that he needed a way to let it out.

To get rid of it so he could continue to do his job.

So, he went into the mindscape and recreated the very same courtroom they had all been in days prior, and held a private case, by himself.

First, he reads the case against him, then he makes himself swear on a bible, to tell the truth, and then the case began with him acting as the prosecutor.

“The accused clearly displays symptoms of emotional activity, yet he denies it, why?” He said.

Then he switched over to the witness stand. “I don't feel anything,”

“Falsehood!” He yelled at himself, slamming his hands down for emphasis. “There is clear evidence that you were upset by being left out, there is clear evidence that you got angry at Roman a few months ago, to the point of physical violence, and there is clear evidence that you have been feeling inadequate for a long time! Admit it!”

“No!”

“Why not?!”

Then, he lost it. “Because- because I need to do my job! I need them to take me seriously! I need to see things objectively and not be blinded by foolish biases such as human emotions. If I have feelings, then what good am I? What is the point? How can I help Thomas?”

Tears were streaming down his cheeks now, fogging up his glasses. He tried wiping them away but more came in their place.

Then, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Ahhh!” He yelled, jumping up from his seat. He then saw the face of Virgil, staring at him in bewilderment. “How did you even get here?!”

“What… was that?” Virgil asked him, ignoring his previous question, shock evident in his gravelly tone.

Logan turned away, not letting the other side see him like this. “What was what?”

Virgil’s eyes went big, then he repeated himself. “What was that?” He gestured wildly. “And don't say nothing or he will show up,”

“How much did you see?” Logan replied, not daring to meet Virgil's gaze.

“Enough,” Virgil replied, getting closer to Logan.

Then anxious sides’ face softened ever so slightly. “Are you crying?”

Logan sighed. “I uh, I suppose I am. I won't lie to you since that seems to be off limits from now on without, unwanted company,”

“I had no idea that you… I mean I had wondered about it before but I assumed it was impossible,” Virgil admitted, thinking out loud almost whilst anxiously fidgeting with his zipper.

“Assumed what was impossible?” Logan probed, no longer crying.

“You… having feelings,” Virgil stated, meeting Logan's eyes that were rested on him.

Logan shook his head. “I shouldn't,”

“We all do, and we still manage to get our jobs done,” Virgil pointed out.

“That is correct but you do not do your jobs as efficiently as you would without feelings in the way. I, for example, am no longer serving Thomas the way he needs me to, and he has made it clear through all of you that he grows tired of my efforts to try to. I'm not the fun one. The interesting one. The cool one. I'm just the one who upon entry, ruins the enjoyment of the whole experience. That has become my role,” Logan was crying again, which went unnoticed by him but not by Virgil.

“You're uh…” Virgil started, pointing at Logan's cheeks.

“Again?!” Logan shouted, clearly not familiar with how crying works.

“Listen, buddy, Thomas does need you,” Virgil said, trying to be as warm as he could. He wasn't a very comforting presence to have around, and he was fully aware of that, but he cared about Logan.

“Oh, I am aware that he needs me,” Logan replied confidently.

Virgil put his hands through his hair. “Then, what-”

“I am simply saying, that while I have a necessary function, I am unwanted,” Logan finished bluntly, his tears had stopped, and his expression was blank.

“You- you know what? This is ridiculous,” Virgil yelled, about to sink out from frustration.

“That is exactly what I meant,” Logan commented.

“What is?” Virgil asked, sinking back up and tilting his head.

“You were just about to leave because you felt upset,” Logan stated. “Making your opinion biased by feelings,”

Virgil raised his hands up in the air. “Yes! Because- because what you said is stupid!”

Logan pursed his lips. “And why would you say that it is “stupid” as you have so eloquently phrased it?”

Virgil was growing more and more frustrated as this went on. “Because! Because I- because we...”

“Because... you?” Logan pried.

Virgil gave up. “Because we love you,”

Logan scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“I cannot believe you right now. How could you think such a thing of Thomas, of me?” Virgil argued, clenching his jaw.

Logan was screaming now. “You all have left me at this conclusion, and yet you are mad at me?! Preposterous!”

Virgil sighed exasperatedly. “Yes, I am mad at you! Do you know how hard it was for me to admit that thing before? Do you know how much your presence helps me? Helps Thomas? Do you realize that you, right now, have done exactly what you tried to teach me not to do?”

“What do you mean-”

“Cognitive distortions, Logan!” Virgil said, slamming his fists onto the desk.

“Fuck,” He muttered under his breath as mild pain shot through his knuckles.

“You- you're… right,” Logan admitted. Virgil was as shocked to hear those words leave Logan's mouth as he was himself.

“I always thought of myself as removed from those issues. Thinking that I could somehow help you better if I did not experience them myself. Now I am unsure what to do. I am defective. Once Thomas finds out... what will he think of me?” Logan was shaking, hard. He was shaking so much that his legs weren't stable on the floor anymore.

“Logan, I-” Virgil began but was cut off.

“-I'm scared, Virgil,” Logan confessed. “I am so scared because I am not used to this. I am not used to not knowing what to do,”

Virgil chuckled, helping Logan back over to the chair to sit down. “Now you know how I feel,”

“I suppose I sort of do, in a way,” Logan agreed.

“Thomas may not understand you, but he does need and love you. Trust me, I know. I went through that, too, don't you forget. For the longest time, I thought I was just acting as the party pooper, coming in to destroy any fun anyone was having, and that was all my job ever could be, but now… things are different. Maybe things could be different for you too if you are open about what you are going through,” Virgil explained.

Logan shook his head again. “I cannot do that. I do not want to burden Thomas with my inconsequential emotional turmoil,”

“Man, and I thought I was stubborn. This,” Virgil gestured to, and around Logan. “Is like talking to a brick wall,”

“I apologize that you are upset,” Logan said, adjusting his glasses. “You are free to go, so long as you do not repeat any of what went on here today,”

Virgil moaned. “Ugh! You know I can't do that. That would give him a reason to come back!”

“He will come back eventually,” Logan stated blankly.

“Yes, but shouldn't we do everything we can to prevent that?” Virgil asked him, looking around fearful of the snake finding a way in.

“I suppose but me telling Thomas will not do me, nor him, any good, Anxiety,” Logan explained. “I need to do my job. I need to be taken seriously. I must be listened to, or things will not get done,”

Virgil got up on the desk. “Listen, man, I just told you I loved you a few minutes ago, alright? Cut me some slack,”

“You said “we love you” not “I love you” Logan recalled. “There's a difference,”

“Fine!” Virgil yelled. “I... love you,” He said, as gently as he could manage.

Logan's features, once tense and full of contempt, had reasonably softened now.

“I believe you,” Was all Logan could say.

“That's it?” Virgil inquired.

Logan scoffed. “You are not going to make me say it back after you just spent the past 1800 seconds arguing with me, are you?”

“No, I guess not,” Virgil said, mocking hurt. He didn't actually really care if Logan said it or not but he figured it would be cool to hear it anyway.

“Alright, fine! I love you, too,” Logan said back, finally.

Virgil smirked devilishly. “I did it. I got Logan, to say he loves me. My power…”

“Quiet, you!” Logan yelled, playfully swatting Virgil on the arm.

Virgil grabbed his arm. “Ow! Hey! You said you loved me!”

Logan tried not to smile, but he was enjoying this. “I did do that, however, you were being foolish,”

“Fine. If that's how it's gonna be then…” Virgil started and transported himself into the judge's chair.

“I, Virgil, find the defendant guilty of all charges!” Virgil shouted, banging the gavel.

“Objection! That is not how sentencing works!” Logan yelled, then he snapped them both back into Thomas’ living room. No one else was there, so it was still just them.

“I am just going to say that, I refuse to lie if you having feelings ever comes up, Later...” Virgil said cheekily before sinking out, as to not let Logan argue.

“Then I suppose, I must attempt to do better at concealing them, then,” Logan whispered, with the smallest bit of a smirk on his lips.

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