#Gate Driver Technology

[futureelectronic1527]

Power Integrations: SCALE EV Gate Driver Boards

https://www.futureelectronics.com/m/power-integrations . Power of Integration. Our SCALE EV gate driver boards for automotive-grade Econo-Dual modules reduce component count by 50% with the only active components being two safety-isolated, automotive-qualified PI ICs. https://youtu.be/_K5Rk_Oe_7Y

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Air Canada is poised to roll out facial recognition technology at the gate, making it the first Canadian airline to deploy the software in a bid to streamline the boarding process. Starting Tuesday, customers who board most domestic Air Canada flights at Vancouver International Airport will be able to walk onto the plane without presenting any physical pieces of identification, such as a passport or driver's licence, the country's largest airline said. Participants in the program, which is voluntary, can upload a photo of their face and a scan of their passport to the airline's app.

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Tagging: @newsfromstolenland

[the-froschamethyst4]

Their Career Change After the Military

————

COD Men Headcanons

————

König

Househusband

He was tired all the time after coming back from the Military so he picked up on being a househusband and doing all the chores around the house while his s/o goes to work

It started out as making lunches for you

Then hand delivering them to you before lunch

He also started to fix things around the house he told you not to call someone for because he could look it up and do it himself free of charge

Hates messes now. He started to develop this thing where he hates messes no matter what it was. It wasn’t OCD, but he hates when he cleans something and thing a few seconds later gets dirty again

Cleans…that’s all he does when he’s bored

Hardly sits, he only sits if he needs a break from whatever he’s doing

————

Ghost

Police officer

He misses how he use to help in the military so picked up an application and filled it out to be an officer

He guards around the royal palace to keep those stupid and annoying tourists in line when touching the royal palaces horses at the gates

His voice starts to slowly become more deeper over the years from telling pedestrians to leave the horses alone

Of course they listened to man holding a gun, not like he was ever going to use it, it was just to make myself look scary

Honestly hates working in the cold or rain but does it for his job

Gets shy when his s/o comes around to have lunch with him. He waits till he is relieved from duty to go eat with his partner

He loves seeing his s/o come around in cute outfits he knows that he will fold to

————

Price

Office manager

Loves wearing the suits to get a rouse from his s/o

Loves it when his s/o visits him in the office just to drop something off he forgot at home or just to have lunch together

Got the job because he knew some people that could help get this job after he retired from the military

His desk at his work his boring with a small framed picture of his s/o sitting next to his pc

He doesn’t go to the office parties, he’d rather stay home with his s/o and not have to worry about them, he deals with them long enough at work he doesn’t need to be there for after hours

Doesn’t have a “work wife/husband” because he’s married

————

Soap

Mechanic

Took the job because he liked fixing cars

He was a personal mechanic to a race car driver for some time but quit to open his own shop

Makes a lot

He fixes his s/o car for free

Has his personal project with a Porsche 911 GT3 that he does drag races in

His personal car has nothing special but maybe a loud exhaust pipe

Takes time in his work, if it’s something bad like a busted engine he’s going to take his time not rush the process just to get the car out of his shop. If it takes a month it’s going to take a month

————

Alejandro

Stock Broker

He didn’t want the job at first knowing it’s probably boring but when his friend bragged about the almost 3 million dollars sitting in his pocket

Took the job and makes close to 5 million

It’s a love hate relationship type of job. Hates it because of the people he works with, loves it because he gets to spend his money on his s/o

His s/o meets him for lunch dates

Doesn’t go to work parties

He does pull the late night hours coming close to 3 in the morning but doesn’t have to go to work till 11

He likes trying on new suits he bought to show them off to his s/o to see their opinion on his suits

Alejandro’s desk is full of random papers from other co-workers and from customers

————

Gaz

Works from home

He starts working from home. He was able to find a job he could work from home from and can go in once a month

Gaz was able to find a job as a I.T. Guy, when Gaz was younger he messed around with coding and helping people with new technology, so he figured this would be good for him

He’s stuck in front of a computer 6 hours a day, but then the rest of his time is with his partner

He loves the view he has from his home office being able to overlook the city as he worked from home and his s/o bring him lunch and snacks every so often

Gaz loves the idea that he can wear whatever he wants to his job and no one will know

Gaz sometimes loses his mind when he has to deal with an elderly who could barely remember their password, there has been many times Gaz would have to remind them that he doesn’t know their passwords

————

Alex

Picks up the hobby of gardening

He lowkey didn’t think he’d enjoy gardening

He thought it was boring till he grew his first strawberry bush with success and no rotten fruit

He started to make the garden bigger and then made a greenhouse for flowers and succulents

Started to sell fruit and vegetables at the local farmers market

Doesn’t make a whole lot and that’s fine with him. What he does make he spends on his garden or his s/o

His s/o also jumps in to help him with the garden

Starts asking his ol’ buddies if they were interested in some of the stuff he grew

The next thing now is he wants chickens to sell their eggs

[fwoom]

space + dystopian au

and no need to cry 🙄

Mwah 😘😘 also u didn't even give me a ship but I'll assign you charcarlando. [From this ask game]

Tl;dr: I'd write an AU in which charles, carlos and lando have to travel through space in a mickey mouse rocketship and the forced proximity and basic sexual needs makes them all start hooking up with each other.

So the world is going to completely end and explode/go up in flames and since technology isn't that advanced from what it is nowadays only really rich people get to live and save themselves, bc only they can buy personal space ships to go and settle on Mars. However the rich and particularly our f1 drivers aren't very smart about it and they go to the equivalent of the ocean gate submarine that uses a steering wheel controller to navigate this rocketship.

Since there isn't a lot of space on these rocketships but still they can't pay for their private ones bc they're really expensive, charcarlando team up to go together. Which is a bad idea 😊.

You have three incompetent ppl trying to navigate this rocketship while at the same time believing they should be the ones driving it bc they're #thebetterdriver and carlos who thinks he's an engineer and can solve problems in the (stupidly simple & dangerous) rocketship yet he only keeps fucking up more and more in comedic ways.

So they basically take turns to sleep, but it's like one sleeps and two are awake, as they might need to troubleshoot some problems. But then to get to mars it's a very lengthy time...and they start...having needs.... and since they are always awake with another person and in such a close space it's not like they can secretly take care of it themselves. So they start hooking up.

First carlos & Lando hook up, and Lando's mind and feelings are going crazy bc he's had a (hopeless) crush on carlos since they first met in f1. And he's like I can't believe the world had to end for this to happen but I'm so happy. Carlos thinks the sex is good, too, but is surprised cause he never saw Lando like that.

Then charlos start hooking up. This is more chill because they were hooking up when they were teammates in f1 (this whole au happens in the 2024 season let's say) and there's nothing new, the sex is great and intimate and they're happy they can still lean on each other in this crazy ass situation even if they often bicker between them (and with lando).

But then one day lando wakes up as charlos are having sex and he has a major crash out. What do you mean carlos, whom he thought he shared something deep and romantic with, is hooking up with Charles, while Lando sleeps a meter away? (*hisses*). He tries not to show his hurt and instead turn it around and joke around in an assholeish way.

Three very long days happen like this where everything is tense, lando doesn't want to talk to carlos and is just being a jerk to charles and also has trouble sleeping as he hates that charlos might hook up.

Until finally charles & carlos device this plan to slowly pay more attention to lando and flirt with him and only him, and be sweet and understanding to him even if he lashes out -> this culminates in a threesome where they both just make lando feel good.

And then they all talk about their feelings and whatnot cause I love a happy ending. But then the ship explodes bc #oceangate so not so happy 😕

[mariacallous]

This may be the shortest-lasting revolution in history. Just one week after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed so-called reciprocal tariffs on the world as part of a plan to replace a global trading system based on most-favored-nation status and national treatment with individually negotiated bilateral arrangements, he has effectively called off the experiment. Yes, there are still 10 percent tariffs imposed on most everyone, along with higher tariffs on autos, steel, and aluminum, but these are likely ceilings, and the only direction for these barriers to move is down.

The one exception, of course, is China, which—we must now always emphasize, as of this writing—faces U.S. tariffs of roughly 150 percent, if one includes the standard tariffs on trading partners, the penal tariffs imposed during Trump’s first term and left in place by President Joe Biden, the 20 percent on fentanyl-related goods, and the duties announced on April 9.

Trump’s fans say this is a well-concealed plan to focus on Beijing; others may see the shift as a face-saving way to reframe a retreat after markets crashed and businesses went into shock. Either way, it seems hard for China to escape unscathed, unless Trump makes another sudden U-turn very soon. The United States still can impose a lot more pain, albeit at significant cost to itself, including financial sanctions and banning exchange students or travel altogether, and can offer benefits to other trading partners that join the campaign to isolate China. A China cut off from the global economy and society would face enormous economic, political, and geostrategic troubles.

Despite this danger, my sense is that the Chinese government believes it has no choice but to stand its ground and that its leaders will not submit to negotiations in which they are the only ones expected to make concessions. Moreover, my recent travels to China and elsewhere reveal a broader, modestly more positive reappraisal by Chinese and international audiences about the resilience and strengths of the Chinese system.

During trips to China from late 2022 to late 2024, I found a country struggling along almost every continuum. The last few months of the COVID-19 pandemic were scarring, as residents of many cities faced suffocating lockdowns, and hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people were severely sickened or perished. The economic rebound that was supposed to occur following the end of the government’s zero-COVID policies rapidly evaporated. In an effort to jump-start growth, mountains of capital were poured into new manufacturing facilities for electric vehicles, batteries, medical equipment, robotics, and other sectors; however, domestic consumption did not grow to meet it, leaving a huge gap between supply and demand and severe deflation at the factory gate.

Pandemic insecurity, the collapse of the housing market, and a weak social safety net led households to expand their precautionary savings and for young couples to forgo having children, worsening the demographic problem. The broader political tightening and emphasis on state security also took its toll on public sentiment. Indicators for consumer confidence dropped like a rock in early 2022 and have barely moved since.

As a result, many conversations among Chinese themselves during this period centered on why the Chinese leadership seemed unwilling to admit the extent of the problem and take the steps needed to boost growth. Hypotheses included a lack of accurate information about the country’s travails making it to the top, a weak team without a smart governing plan, the prioritization of security over economics, or a leadership fervently committed to focusing on advanced technology (what propagandists call the “new productive forces”) as the country’s most important growth driver.

These domestic anxieties were mirrored outside China. At a conference for thousands of institutional investors held by J.P. Morgan in early 2023 in Miami, the central debate was, “Is China investible?” There was no consensus, as some argued that the end of zero-COVID meant new opportunities, while others stressed the supply chain vulnerabilities and the crackdown on the private sector as reasons to hold back.

A year later at the same conference, there was a consensus answer: “No.” International investors offered a litany of worries about China’s short-term environment and long-term trajectory. Many said they had sold down their positions and reallocated their funds elsewhere, particularly to the United States.

Fast-forward to 2025, and the mood within China—and from many external observers—has perceptibly brightened. A part of the explanation lies with recent domestic developments. The first was the leadership’s admission last September of the country’s severe economic challenges and the subsequent announcement of a major stimulus plan, whose details were revealed this March. The second was the unveiling of DeepSeek’s pathbreaking large language model, which suggested that Chinese innovators were able to find workarounds to U.S.-led technology restrictions.

In discussions with business executives in China in March 2025, interlocutors suggested that the worst of the economic downturn was over and that they could see initial shoots of renewed growth. An auto executive said demand for their EV models was growing far faster than anticipated and that they would move up plans to open manufacturing facilities abroad.

An executive from a semiconductor firm sanctioned by the United States said they had improved their production efficiency and quality in the absence of service support from Western equipment suppliers. None said it was time to breathe a sigh of relief, highlighting the difference between announcing policies and having them generate results. One emphasized the continuing higher interest rate that private firms must pay for credit compared with state-owned enterprises.  Nevertheless, the dark clouds of previous years had receded.

The same shift was visible among the international business community. In the early 2025 version of the J.P. Morgan conference in Miami (and in similar conferences elsewhere), investors no longer complained about the Chinese leadership’s perceived missteps; instead, they repeatedly asked two questions: “How big will the stimulus be?” and “When will the stimulus translate into faster growth?”

At the China Development Forum, the conference held every March in Beijing that brings together leading Western multinationals and Chinese leaders, business executive after business executive highlighted their plans for new investments in China.

Although changes in Chinese policies and some technology breakthroughs explain some of the mood swing, the most important source of restored confidence lies 12 time zones away in Washington. Whether in Beijing, Shanghai, New York, Miami, or elsewhere, in meeting after meeting in the first quarter of 2025, the No. 1 topic was Trump. Almost every one of the conversations revolved around befuddlement at one or more of his policies.

Most alarmingly, although the context is so immensely different, many people, without prompting, compared today’s United States with China during the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, a period of unprecedented turmoil and suffering across the entire country. To be sure, the Cultural Revolution is the Chinese go-to for political analogies in bad times, in the same way that Nazi Germany is for some in the West. Yet the U.S. government’s actions have genuinely shocked Chinese observers, some of whom have worked or studied in the United States.

Many with whom I spoke in China said they understood the need to cut government waste and reduce corruption—prominent problems in their own country. But time and again, observers were puzzled why Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency was leading the charge to haphazardly dismantle agency after agency and fire tens of thousands of civil servants. In a meeting to discuss possible U.S.-China cooperation on science and technology, a Chinese policy expert—after hearing a list of cuts to U.S. government agencies and universities for work on basic science research, climate, medicine, space, and other spheres—asked in amazement, “Does the U.S. government even believe in science anymore?”

On numerous occasions, people expressed shock at the attacks on the media, lawyers, and the courts. One interlocutor said he and his friends were among the most pro-American in China and were proud to have studied there and worked for U.S. companies. But the country they knew seemed to be changing before their eyes, and they could no longer consider sending their children to live or study there.

Just as prevalent as the perplexity about U.S. domestic actions was puzzlement about the fundamental changes in U.S. trade and foreign policies. In discussions held less than two weeks before Trump’s self-declared “Liberation Day” but after the fentanyl-related tariffs were imposed, Chinese could not wrap their heads around why the United States would want to dismantle the multilateral trading system that had created so much prosperity in the United States and around the world. The notion that Washington could use tariffs to engineer a radical revival in manufacturing production and employment was seen as an outright fantasy. And some wondered why Washington would abandon its allies in favor of Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

The significance of these comments has little to do with whether they are correct; instead, widespread perceptions of what is viewed as governmental ineptitude and societal fragmentation in the United States have become an imperceptible mirror in which Chinese look to reevaluate their own country’s present and future.

In reality, many of China’s leaders are highly ideological; corruption is widespread; political purges still occur; information is controlled; scientists (both physical and social scientists) face substantial barriers to intellectual freedom; unfair regulatory restrictions on markets abound; and industrial policy puts foreign business at a distinct disadvantage—all of which threatens China’s development prospects and relations with others. But when refracted through the lens of the United States in 2025, China’s system is viewed differently.

For pro-regime nationalists, Trump is a gift. His illiberal turn means the United States has abandoned its ideological challenge to the Chinese political system. Moreover, his weakening of U.S. governing institutions, economy, and alliance relationships translate into “making China great again.” And his attack on the multilateral trading system makes it far easier for China to be seen as its responsible steward over the United States.

For many apolitical Chinese, they are not enthusiastic about today’s China and many specific policies, but by comparison, China feels relatively stable and predictable, leaving them minimally satisfied to live in their system and a world that supports it.

For liberal Chinese who have long admired the United States, the Trumpian turn in Washington prompts a deep sadness. For them, the United States had been, as they said, a “light on a hill” and a “beacon.” In 2008, with the global financial crisis, the United States undermined confidence in China in free markets. In 2025, with its political infighting, the United States is discrediting its political system. The consequence of such melancholy is resignation. To this group of Chinese, Liberation Day must feel like just the opposite.

In the coming weeks and months, the contest between Beijing and Washington will continue to evolve in unpredictable ways, even if Trump backs off his full-scale declaration of trade war. Both have economic strengths and weaknesses, and each could aim for the other’s weakest points. They will maneuver to outflank and isolate the other by wooing countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Plenty of drama has yet to unfold.

Yet my conversations in China and elsewhere suggest two ironic certainties. First, given the renewed resolve in Beijing, there is almost no chance the Trump administration will be able to wrangle any more concessions from China in the coming months that it could not have obtained on Jan. 20. The escalation, brinksmanship, and volatility will likely be a monumental waste of time.

And second, regardless of who is more effective at weakening the other’s economy or outfoxes the other at the negotiating table, the real contest for systemic competition, at least for now, is over. Whether in celebration or mourning, to most Chinese, Trump’s red tie is a white flag.

[superm4ks]

At some point I think teams and the FIA do need to have some type of conversation about the way young talent is developed for f1 because the current model just isn't sustainable . U look at the biggest driver programs from the big three, Williams and Alpine, and they don't produce talent, they produce place holders. Like by the time these kids even begin to be considered they're are not treated as future stars, its actually the opposite, like we're not even supposed to know they exist. When silly season hits even the ole reliable rbr meat grinder is now hesitating to put its young talent to the test. Yuki whos been in a permanent state of development for like 3 years and will prolly c the height of his career in a opposing team. He is a successful story for the academy but hes not treated like that.

The way some people choose to dismiss all this is that maybe the new crop just 'isnt as talented' or its 'not their time yet' but I argue that its their time to be in F1 if a team decides it is. U have Oscar who came in seemingly at the perfect time because Nando Alonso is an old bitch and thank God, -- showing more and more promise every gp, Ollie who did a great job and scored points his first race because Carlos insides physically exploded, Lawson subbed for Danny ric once and kicked Max out of q2 like ik rbr was going thru it but like still really dope.

Wid all the technology the new gen has access to, the increasingly realistic simulators, better cars, improving track conditions, u have a talent pool that's bursting out the seams and u shud be proud of it. But instead u have Torger ushering the one singular Kimi in and out of private tests like God forbid we know what the child can do, and fuck everybody else who cares if we already have the new Verstappen. Like u cannot build ur development program to push out One Really Good Teenager every like 5 years ((being nice)) because like that's not sustainable and it create disparities that will be obvious and take credibility out of the competition. The grid rn is awesome, I wud say, and loudly, one of the most dynamic group of baddies, but its also hanging on by a thread. Bet on your talent, nourish it, give it a chance to grow and make mistakes. I think its so important what Max said about making mistakes in F1 especially right out the gate u have to come in guns blazing fr but these teams are so scared of the cost cap in an already ((disturbingly)) elitist and exclusionary environment like ... its frustrating. Also the super license system needs to be abolished and respectfully, everybody who had anything to do wid it prosecuted

[hoursofreading]

The judge was suggesting that the various ways in which Uber monitored, tracked, controlled, and gave feedback on the service of its drivers amounted to the “functioning of power,” even if the familiar trappings of power—ownership of assets, control over an employee’s time—were missing. The drivers weren’t like factory workers employed and regimented by a plant, yet they weren’t independent contractors who could do whatever they pleased. They could be fired for small infractions. That is power. It can be disturbing that the most influential emerging power center of our age is in the habit of denying its power, and therefore of promoting a vision of change that changes nothing meaningful while enriching itself. Its posture is not entirely cynical, though. The technology world has long maintained that the tools it creates are inherently leveling and will serve to collapse power divides rather than widen them. In the mid-1990s, as the Internet began reaching into people’s lives, Bill Gates predicted that technology would help to equalize a stubbornly unequal world: We are all created equal in the virtual world, and we can use this equality to help address some of the sociological problems that society has yet to solve in the physical world. The network will not eliminate barriers of prejudice or inequality, but it will be a powerful force in that direction.

Giridharadas, Anand - Winners take all _ the elite charade of changing the world-Alfred A. Knopf (2018)

[kolbisneat]

MONTHLY MEDIA: March 2024

……….FILM……….

Dune: Part Two (2024) Every piece of technology felt and looked so tangible. The baby worm too! Love the tactile nature of this whole production and I hope studios take note that CG can't be the only tool in your belt. So much bigger than I imagined and just enjoyed the whole thing.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) Ages surprisingly well and a script that lets the main quartet be both funny and layered.

……….TELEVISION……….

Columbo (1.01 to 1.03) Hey I'm starting Columbo! Love that each episode is feature-length and Columbo appears fully formed right out of the gate. The sets and costumes are all so glamorous and L.A. Very excited to keep going.

Succession (2.05 to 3.04) The Kendall play at the end of season 2 felt very much like the Kendall play at the end of season 1 and while I'm still a huge fan of this series, I just hope it's not the same going into season 3 and 4.

Delicious in Dungeon (Episode 1.09 to 1.13) Great adaptation that isn't just a straight recreation of the artwork in the manga. The more kinetic/frantic moments in the animation are a nice departure and while they don't pop up in each episode, now that I'm 13 eps deep I can appreciate how they're sprinkled throughout.

Love is Blind (Episode 6.02 to 6.13) It still amazes me that anyone goes on reality tv.

……….YOUTUBE……….

Twilight | ContraPoints by ContraPoints Yes I did watch a nearly 3-hour essay on Twilight, sexual expression, and all that comes with that. And you should too. VIDEO

Instagram fatigue and the rise of 'Resentment Reels' by Taylor Lorenz While I haven't noticed this specific phenomenon, I have noticed Instagram declining as an app (both as a user trying to see anything other than ads, and a creator trying to get my work seen in between those ads). It's a bummer. VIDEO

Saltburn: The Tumblr-ification of Cinema by Broey Deschanel Every since I saw Saltburn, I've been thinking about what wasn't quite sitting right with me. This unlocked a lot of what I couldn't describe and most of it stems from the writer/director's upper class upbringing. Saltburn isn't a "take down the rich" movie, it's a horror story from the perspective of a wealthy family. VIDEO

Why Is It So Hard To Cross The Street? (& What You Can Do To Help) by Strong Towns Accidents where drivers hit a pedestrian are going up in my area so this really hit home. And for those feeling like there's nothing you can do at ground level, consider taking their course (not a paid sponsorship I'm just in real support of community-lead initiatives). VIDEO

……….READING……….

Elric of Melniboné by Michael Moorcock (Complete) After picking up the last book in this series (which I've yet to read) I figured I'd start at the beginning. Love the fast pace pulpy action and I can see how this influenced the creation of D&D.

The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie (Complete) This one would lose me for stretches but the final quarter of the book is stronger. A lot less cozy and a lot more action than I was expecting but skimming other reviews it sounds like this was written during her more...adventure-focused era. Three books deep and I have to give Christie credit that each has been a completely different experience.

Adventures of a Japanese Business Man by Jose Domingo (Complete) Always love going back to this nearly wordless epic that follows the titular Japanese business man. I love the complexity of the earliest panels and wish that could carry throughout more of the book, but it's always such a treat to discover just where each new panel will go.

Delicious in Dungeon Volume 5 by Ryoko Kui (Complete) Enjoying rereading this with shorter breaks between volumes as I certainly missed/forgot details on my first read. It's here that the story and tone shifts from light romp to a more dramatic and dangerous affair but it never loses its spot-on humour. Love those dryad pumpkins.

Ultimate Spider-Man HC Volume 11 by Brian Michael Bendis, Stuart Immonen, David Lafuente, and more (Complete) Going from some of my other comics back to this, I'm struck by just how wordy it can get. Now knowing where the story goes, it was a great idea to prime readers to the idea of Peter Parker dying even if it's not from this event.

……….AUDIO……….

Blank Check with Griffin & David (Podcast) Late to the game on this but really enjoying burning through their back catalog. Obviously started with their episode on Speed Racer as it's a near perfect film that you should watch right now.

……….GAMING……….

Oz: A Fantasy Role-Playing Setting (Andrews McMeel Publishing) The Tuesday group just killed a mayor! So the aftermath of that is going to play out over the next couple of sessions. And the Mof1 crew is investigating the aftermath of their own district-wide catastrophe and it's all looking rather suspicious!

Spot It (Blue Orange Games) I can't recommend this game enough. It's so easy to learn, rounds last maybe 5 minutes, it plays well with small or large groups of any age, and all it requires is pattern recognition and quick reflexes. Every time I've played this someone says they're going to buy a copy for themselves.

And that's it. See you in April!

[siremasterlawrence]

Puppeteering My Slave

Four best friends live in this beautiful plush ole fashion mansion pervading with modern technology they invite me to their home for a Hypnosis session.

Apparently, they all have anger issues that have them dealing with the results of their actions actually and it is so fucking weird I mean.

My cab arrives at the gates they open up in a big huff shaking as the driver parks by the front pond, I pay the guy off then exit the car and head for the door.

The door swings open up with a whoosh of air flowing through the air conditioner is on extremely loud and the mansion is fucking cold.

He guides me to the living room offering me a drink then sits down with this evil glare aimed at me like a laser ready to shoot if j move.

He sighs slamming his fist he demands for us to commence then crosses his arms in an annoyance facial expression on his face it to idiotic.

Rolling my eyes I place a giant black back pack the unzip it reaching for the interesting looking objects and place it on the glass table.

James is having a what the fuck moment at the sight of this strange object that he gives a slowly flick as the pendulum rotates side to side.

Instantly his eyes fall from mine focusing on to the pendulum going back and forth the light hits the glass casting a strange shadow over him.

I enjoy all of this yawning a bit my arms are on full strength outstretching into the air in a row of succession and he is sock swept into the darkness.

I rise to my feet standing over him letting the trance be induced I help him to visualize his own submissive plane an exact copy of his living room.

Upon my instructions James stands on top of the staircase as he takes a few steps down counting away to his own self destructive demise.

The projection of his mind swirls from his eyes on to the walls emitting a black and white spiral spinning widely out of control before him.

He is soon fraught in a sea of trouble that holds him back as he struggles to even try to escape and calling him to relinquish all control.

A door fall from the ceiling landing in front of him he steps down grabbing the handle in his palms he twist the knob then walks in to the room.

The door closes behind him ceiling shut in his own mind I can see transformation upon him and I snap my fingers as his body falls in.

Falling forward his body laying on his lap his head and legs drips down hitting the floor as I consume him completely and I am in charge.

Laughing bit I let my echoes go through the air swirling as it hit the wall bouncing across the world and it hits his head hard as he is screaming.

“How can I help you? What is your issue?”

“You know the deal anger management”

“Ok then! So Sam take a gander at this.”

“What in the sweet Jesus is that?”

“It’s called a metronome now shut the fuck.”

“Excuse me!”

“Your attention span is fading and all you can see is the pendulum.”

“The room vanishes”

“Your mind goes blank”

“Nothing else matters”

“I am your life “

“I am your everything “

“You are lost in sweet surrender “

“Give me all else “

“I am your world and existence “

“Your body collapses “

“Eyes hyper focused “

“Mind open only to me”

“What do you want?”

“STOP”

“SCREAM”

“Look in the mirror”

“Who the hell is that?”

“You are evolving”

“Changing a true transformation “

“You have no will of your own “

“You can hear me”

“My voice is strong”

“Resonating deep”

“Deeper then ever”

“Fuck the old you”

“The old me”

“SAY IT”

“Fuck the old me”

“You love your Master”

“I love your Master”

“Stare into the mirror”

“Hold onto the mirror”

“Take a deep dive”

“Fall into the mirror”

“Drop in to the pit of no return”

“It’s a torment of circus”

“He breakthrough “

“Shattering glass”

“Shards sparkling”

“Crashing on him”

“All disappears”

“A new man will be born”

“How do you feel?”

“At peace “

“Quiet”

“Nothingness”

“Succumb to me”

“I am all yours “

“Master Lawrence is that you ?”

“I am here “

“May I sit with you?”

“You are different “

“All due to you “

“Obviously! I am King”

“Address me as Master”

“Sir Yes Master Sir”

“Kneel at my feet”

“Get in between my legs “

“I love your touch”

“The ultimate caress”

“My touch is eternal”

“I am your light”

“I burn eternally”

“Inside your mind”

“You are buried under it all”

“Mwahahahahaha! No escape “

“I desire your life”

“Your body “

“My will is your will”

“You are my puppet “

“I am under your thrall “

“Swoop me up in your arms”

“Tell me “

“Tell you what?”

“How you feel?”

“Do you love me?”

“I feel wonderful “

“I love you “

“How much?”

“With all my soul?”

“Yes “

“I love you too”

“Thank you “

“Babe”

“Master come on”

“Take a break”

“Get over here”

The end

[sjsmith56]

Escalation - A Private Man, Chapter 12

Summary: Thaddeus Ross moves against Bucky, trying to provoke a confrontation. Later, Rebecca makes a phone call for help from a higher source.

Length: 4.8 K

Characters: Bucky, Tracey, Thaddeus Ross, Rebecca, Janice, Matt Murdock.

Warnings: Thaddeus Ross being a dick. Bucky tries to keep his temper.

Author notes: Things are getting heated and it will escalate even more.

<<Chapter 11

When Tracey pulled up in the parking lot near the dock security gate she texted Bucky that she was there for him.  He answered back with a heart emoji which she smiled broadly at.  They had spent an hour one rainy day going over what the different emojis meant, even looking several up on the internet when she wasn't sure of their meaning.  Since then, he tried to use an emoji with every text.  It was adorable and indicative of how much he tried to learn about new technology.

When he came out of the gate Tracey stepped out of the driver's seat, honking the horn and waving to him.  His face lit up when they made eye contact and he came to the car, with that soft look on his face that always told her that he loved her.  As they hugged and kissed she must have put something more into it because he pulled away with a look of concern.

"What's wrong?" he asked.  "Something's happened."

She nodded and smiled grimly then sat back in the driver's seat as he got in the passenger side.

"Val de Fontaine approached me," she said, knowing it would make him angry.  Immediately, his face hardened and she could see the little tic at the side of his jaw he got when he clenched it.  "She was all friendly at first, trying to make it seem like you working for her would be worth it monetarily.  When I told her no she became nasty, brought up you finding men for sex before you met me.  She threatened to release that information, then threatened to tell my dad where my mom is.  I have it on a recording, if you want to hear it.  I sent it to Matt already."

"Let me hear it," said Bucky, in a low, dark voice.

Taking her phone out she opened the voice memo app and began the playback, watching Bucky's face get darker and darker as he heard the conversation between the two.  When the recording ended they sat in silence for what seemed like a long time but was likely no longer than a minute.  She could see Bucky's hands clench and unclench as he dealt with the anger coursing through his system.  Gradually his breathing lightened and he finally reached out with his metal hand taking her right hand in his and kissing it.

"I'm sorry," he said, in a low voice.  "John warned me they were going to try something but I wasn't expecting this.  To go after you ...." He shook his head in disgust.  "We can call it quits if you want.  Get out intact, protect your mother."

"No!" exclaimed Tracey emphatically.  "That's exactly what they want so they can point out that even your girlfriend is disgusted by you.  Which I'm not.  We've had no secrets, Bucky.  I love you and someday I want to marry you, have children with you, and grow old with you."  Tears started to fall from her eyes.  "Don't you give up on me because I'm not giving up on you."

Bucky wiped his eyes and nose, then pulled Tracey across the console to be on his lap, kissing her feverishly.  They sat there for some time, comforting each other.

"Alright," he finally said.  "United front.  Does Rebecca know about Val?"

"No, I didn't go home after and I didn't tell her," said Tracey.  "But she should know.  She can handle it."

He nodded in agreement.  Tracey slid back into the driver's side and started up the car, with Bucky’s hand on her thigh the entire ride back.  At least he kept it there until they arrived at the house and a man, a tall older man with a moustache, got out of what was obviously a government vehicle when they pulled up to the house.  Bucky's face grew dark when he recognized the man.  Before Tracey could ask who the man was Bucky spoke from the passenger seat.

"Call Matt.  Tell him Thaddeus Ross is on our doorstep."

He got out and opened the trunk to get to the groceries as Tracey phoned Matt Murdock.

"We need to talk," said Ross, when he saw Bucky.

"No we don't," said Bucky.  "I'm retired.  I live a private life."

"You don't understand," said the grey haired man.  "I want you on my team and there are ways to make you."

"Try it," said Bucky, as he lifted several bags out of the car to carry them to the door.

Tracey had her phone to her ear and finished speaking with Matt then went to the trunk, taking the rest of the groceries and following Bucky with them as she walked past Ross. 

"Why do you think your claim for back pay has been stalled?" asked Ross loudly. "The funding for the wheelchair ramp is also being delayed.  I can even get the funding for your sister's personal aides stopped, immediately and permanently.  There are ways to expropriate your house."

Bucky stopped and looked at Tracey.  She nodded imperceptibly and opened the door while he waited.  On the sidewalk he noticed some of the neighbours were gathering and he spoke loud enough that they would hear his conversation with Ross, hoping that someone would record it.

"My lawyer is on his way," said Bucky.  "You have no right to interfere with my sister's funding.  That is all in her name and she is legally entitled to it.  If you think for one moment that you can do that so I will work for you as a killer you have another thing coming."

"You did it for HYDRA," said Ross.  "Why won't you do it for your country?  As I recall my war history that was part of your work for the Howling Commandos."

"I was a sniper when I was in the service of the army," said Bucky.  "It's a big difference to be doing it in a war situation against armed combatants versus killing people outright.  HYDRA made me their slave giving me no choice, none.  Now I do have a choice and I won't do it ever again.  Leave me alone."

He went inside the house, dropping off the groceries and saw that Tracey was holding Rebecca's hands while her mother had her arm around his sister.

"They're on their way," said Tracey.  "Matt said to try not to engage with him and if they try to come in to phone the police to report a break-in in progress.  I told her about Fontaine."

They looked out the window and saw several unmarked black vans come up with several armed men dressed in black exiting the vehicles.  It was overkill but obvious they intended to take Bucky by force.  They each recognized the man who had watched the house and the man who had been at the supermarket, as the same man.  The armed men dispersed around the yard.  Tracey noted several of their neighbours were on their cell phones, some of them recording what was happening.   Without taking his eyes off the window Bucky spoke to the women.

"Get into the bathroom.  The window is too small for them to come in and it will be the safest place for you."

"No, we're not leaving you," said Rebecca.

Only then did he shift his gaze as he turned to his sister and placed his palm against her face.  "Please.  If they try anything with any of you I won't hesitate to use force on them.  I would rather you didn't see that.  People will get hurt."

His eyes were pleading with Rebecca as she made a sound of disagreement but she nodded.  Janice helped her up and they walked slowly to the bathroom.  Tracey went to the walker, touching Bucky on the shoulder as he looked back outside.

"I'm going to make some calls," she said softly.  "We need people to know they're trying to take you against your will.  Try to wait for Matt to get here."

He nodded but was breathing heavily, making her worried that he was preparing himself to get physical.  Quickly she kissed him on the side of his head and returned to the bathroom with the walker, locking the door.  Bucky went into the kitchen and brought the knife block into the living room putting it on the coffee table.  He returned to the kitchen for his cast iron frying pan knowing it would stop anything under a 9 mm.  While there he considered taking his two inch thick maple cutting board but without a handle it would be too unwieldy.  Quickly he checked out the back window, noting there were two men in back.  A sound of breaking glass in a side basement window alerted him that someone was trying to enter and he closed the basement door, locked it, then jammed a chair up against the handle, hoping it would at least delay them.  At that moment, his phone went off; the call display showed Matt Murdock.

"We're almost there," said Matt.  "What's happening?"

"He's brought reinforcements including that guy who was watching the house," said Bucky.  "They broke a window in the basement so I locked and barricaded that door.  Tracey, her mom, and Rebecca are in the bathroom.  Hopefully she called the police once she heard the broken window sound.  He said he could stop all of Rebecca's funding and take the house."

"Alright, Foggy is also calling the police right now and I've talked to a federal judge to issue an injunction against Ross," said Matt.  "Hold on, we're just minutes away."

Bucky hung up and continued to watch outside while listening for any further incursions into the house.  The sound of sirens grew louder and several police cars pulled up.  Ross loudly tried to claim federal jurisdiction but the one officer, who Bucky recognized as the man who came to take his statement after the liquor store robbery ignored Ross and rang the doorbell.  Bucky answered it, noticing Ross giving his men a hand signal to stand by.

"Officer Brandon," said Bucky, still watching Ross.

"What's going on Mr. Barnes?" he said.  "We got several calls of trouble brewing then of a break-in in progress followed by another call from your lawyer that the feds were trying to take you against your will."

"All correct," said Bucky.  "He has several armed men in the yard and one of them broke a basement window.  He's here to force me to be an assassin again, against my will.  That's not a crime to resist that, is it?"

"No sir," replied Brandon.  He got on his body microphone and asked for the other officers to take custody of anyone trespassing in the yard.  "We'll take care of anyone who doesn't have permission to be in your yard.  As for the other matter I don't have jurisdiction in federal matters but that's certainly something that the media would like to know about.  I'm pretty sure they're on their way."

He smiled slightly at Bucky then turned around and loudly addressed Ross and his men out front.

"Sir, I am placing you and any of your men inside the property line under arrest for criminal trespassing.  All of you are to put your firearms down and place your hands behind your head."  Ross started to protest.  "Sir, this is my last warning.  If you do not comply, I will have to give the order for a taser to be implemented."

Ross nodded to his men and they dropped their weapons just as three officers brought out the three men who were in the side and back yard.  Ross and his men were told to put their hands behind their heads then handcuffed as they were read their rights.  A vehicle driven by Foggy Nelson pulled up as that was happening.  Right behind him was a TV news van; a cameraman and reporter scrambled out while Matt got out to make his way to the house.  He slowed down beside one of Ross's men, smelling his tobacco and a slight smile creased his face.  One of the police officers stopped Matt and Foggy from entering the yard.

"Those are my lawyers," said Bucky loudly and they were allowed to approach. 

Ross looked sideways at Matt.  "A blind lawyer," he said, scornfully.

"Don't need to see to know that you have threatened the 5th, 9th, and 13th Amendment rights of my client," said Matt loudly so everyone could hear.  "Just so you know those are the rights to due process, rights not enumerated, and the right not to be forced into involuntary servitude.  The federal judge that granted an injunction against you or any agent affiliated, employed or contracted by you to be within a mile of my client agreed.  Don't even think of continuing to block the back pay that is legally owed to my client, or to threaten the funding that his elderly sister is legally entitled to, Mr. Ross.  We will make sure the media knows who you are and exactly what kind of man would do that to a 94 year old woman in order to force her brother to become a killer against his will."

Bucky and the officer standing with him smirked as Ross's face turned to stone, a very pink stone.

"Get them out of here and call a tow truck to take their vehicles in," said Officer Brandon to another officer.  "Mr. Barnes, I'll call someone to bring some wood for that broken window.  I'm sure you'll want to seal it until you can get it repaired."

"At Mr. Ross's expense," added Matt.

"Thank you," said Bucky to the officer.

While Ross and his men were placed in the patrol cars, Matt and Foggy came up the steps. Bucky stepped aside to let them in but Matt stood beside him.

"Talk to the news crew," he said quietly in Bucky's ear.  "Tell them everything.  I'll be right beside you."

Several of his neighbours waved to him making him happy that they didn't mind the second incursion of police into the neighbourhood.  As he stood there the reporter with the cameraman approached and asked if Bucky would like to say anything.

"My client, Bucky Barnes, is a World War II veteran who fought against Nazis and HYDRA, underwent a long and traumatic experience as a HYDRA POW and slave, and was forced against his will to perform acts of murder and mayhem for the benefit of that genocidal organization," said Matt.  "You're damn right he has something to say."

Tracey came out of the house to stand with Bucky, putting her arm around him, making him thankful for her presence as it grounded him, and made him calmer.

"When I was pardoned for the crimes I was forced to commit I was under the impression it freed me to live the life of a private man," he said.  "I hoped that the Avengers would be able to reorganize and I could use my skills with them to help fight threats against humanity.  That didn't happen and after my elderly sister suffered a stroke it became necessary for me to find a job and take care of my family.  During the summer I helped stop a robbery in progress, then recently I was fortunate enough to save a man from falling at Coney Island.  I was arrested by the FBI shortly after that rescue for breaking the Sokovia Accords.  I was released several hours later and the charges thrown out.  Since then I learned that a couple of high ranking individuals in the American political machine have decided to form their own group to replace the Avengers.  Thaddeus Ross was identified as the man behind the group and made it clear he wanted me to do for that group what I was forced to do for HYDRA.  He threatened to take away my sister's funding for personal care aides, physiotherapy, and even threatened to take our house, all to force me to comply.  A second individual, Val de Fontaine, accosted my girlfriend this afternoon threatening to release personal information about me and also threatened the well being of my girlfriend's mother.   I am not a killer.  I am no longer the Winter Soldier.  I am James Bucky Barnes and if there isn't an Avengers team that works within the law then I wish to live life as a private man to take care of my family."

He looked at Tracey after he said that, pulling her closer.  Several of the neighbours who came closer to listen began to applaud for Bucky and the cameraman turned the camera to capture their reaction.  The reporter waited until the clapping subsided before he asked Bucky another question.

"What would you like to say to those people who might still think of you as the Winter Soldier?" he asked.

Bucky took a deep breath and looked down at his hands for a moment.  Tracey could feel the anxiety and emotion the question brought up in him as he struggled to answer.

"Anyone who actually knows Bucky, from small children to older people know he is one of the kindest men they will ever meet," she said, looking directly at the reporter.  "What was done to turn him into the Winter Soldier was cruel and depraved but it didn't make Bucky, the real Bucky, cruel and depraved.  He made amends with the families of every one of the Winter Soldier's victims, even though Bucky Barnes wasn't the one who actually killed them.  People like Thaddeus Ross still see him as an asset to be exploited and controlled.  If Ross is allowed to do that to Bucky, what's to stop him from doing that to your son or daughter, especially if they've been damaged by their own military experience.  Look past what Bucky was and see what he is right now, a private citizen, wanting to live the life that was denied to him since 1945."

She hugged Bucky again as he kissed the top of her head.  "I can't say it any better," he added. 

"I think that's enough for today," said Matt.  "Perhaps you could turn the camera on Thaddeus Ross or Val de Fontaine, and ask them why they wish to force this good man to become a killer against his will.  No reason they give should justify that."

Turning around Matt entered the house followed by Bucky and Tracey.  Rebecca was sitting on the couch with Foggy and put her hands out for her brother.  Hugging her hard Bucky turned to the two lawyers thanking them both.  Foggy smiled but Matt's face remained serious.

"I don't think this is the end of it," he said grimly.  "Ross has made a career out of stepping out of bounds legally to get what he wants.  We exposed him today but he's made promises to certain individuals in the defence and intelligence community.  Getting you was one of his goals.  He's not going to give you up willingly.  Neither will Fontaine." 

"Why do they need Bucky?" asked Rebecca.  "He's not a spy.  Surely they can get any number of thugs to be their assassins."

"Because Bucky knows Wakanda," said Matt.  "The scuttlebutt on this team Ross is assembling is that it is going to be used to infiltrate Wakanda and ... "liberate" their biggest natural resource, vibranium.  I told Colonel Rhodes yesterday and was going to tell you today."

"I won't do it," said Bucky emphatically.  "I owe everything to Wakanda.  They healed me, replaced my arm.  Ross has no idea what he's up against.  They're much more advanced in technology than the West."

"Which is why he wants you and others with exceptional abilities to form this team," said Matt.  "My concern is that we've blocked his first attempt and I expect he'll come up with something dirty but completely legal to force you into compliance.  We'll need to keep the media on top of this so if you're approached to say something, do it.  You need public opinion on your side."

A sigh from Bucky showed his reluctance to be in the public eye but Matt made it clear that until they could find definitive proof of actual wrong doing by Ross and Fontaine, that being public was going to be their best weapon.  A knock on the door revealed Officer Brandon with a piece of plywood.  Bucky ushered him into the house.

"I just wanted to bring this over and let you know that Ross and his men are in the process of arranging bail," he said.  "We're not being particularly helpful so it could be all night before they get out of the precinct.  He was hoppin' mad after we took him into custody, especially about that camera crew being here.  There was another crew at the station filming them being escorted in.  You haven't heard the last of him.  Is it true what you said about what he wants you to do?"

Bucky nodded.  "He still sees me as a killer, an asset to control.  HYDRA had to scrub my memories repeatedly and torture me to do it.  I didn't particularly like being a sniper for the Howling Commandos but it was wartime and it was my duty to protect them."

"Well, if they show up again you call," said Brandon, giving Bucky his card, "especially if they're on the property.  That's still trespassing and you have every right to defend yourself ... unless ... your pardon, was it full or conditional?"

"Conditional and I fulfilled all of the terms of those conditions well over a year ago," said Bucky.

Matt shook his head and swore.  "He was deliberately trying to get you engaged with his men, physically.  Your conditional pardon likely doesn't allow you to engage in a physical confrontation.  Even though it was granted by the President if Ross could show you still have violent tendencies he could probably convince him to rescind his pardon.  It would be the first time ever but I wouldn't put it past Ross.  Bucky, under no circumstances are you to engage physically with any of Ross's or Fontaine's men.  I need to verify if you fulfilling your conditional pardon bumped it up to a full pardon."  Matt stood up suddenly, followed by Foggy.  "I have work to do on this.  Stay focused.  I'll talk to Colonel Rhodes and see if he has any thoughts about how to handle this."

Without delay, Matt and Foggy left.  Bucky took the plywood and thanked Officer Brandon for the update, seeing him out the door.  Rebecca patted the sofa next to her for Bucky to sit, taking her hands in his.

"I'm sorry," he said to her, then looked at Tracey and her mom, "to all of you.  This is escalating and you're being put in the line of fire."

"It's not your fault, Bucky," replied his sister, squeezing his hands.  "Thaddeus Ross is an asshole." Bucky looked at her, amused at her language.  "He is using me to force you into servitude.  He's just a bully, thinks he can boss you around.  Why, I'll bet if you didn't have that arm you wouldn't be able to shoot and he wouldn't come near you.”

"I'm still very capable without it," he admitted.  "All of you promise to be vigilant when I'm not with you.  If he tried anything with any of you I would go overboard."

He went outside to see to the broken window, making a disgusted sound when he saw they broke the frame.  As he sat back on his heels wondering how he was going to fix it he heard someone come into the yard and turned around to see their next door neighbour.  Kneeling down beside Bucky he looked at it and made the same disgusted sound.

"My son works for a home renovation company," he said.  "Let me call him to see if he knows someone who can fix or replace that frame."  He looked at his hands.  "I never really understood how you became a killer for HYDRA.  I'm sorry you went through that and if those guys show up again I'll stand with you.  There's a few of us on this street with military experience and at least we can be a presence and a witness for you."

"I appreciate it, Tom," said Bucky, offering his hand.  "My lawyer has advised me not to engage with them if they come back.  He thinks they want to make me fight them so they have a case to reverse my pardon and force me into their service."

"Dirty bastards," said Tom.  "All the more reason that us vets stick together.  We'll have your six, Bucky.  Let me see if my son can find someone to come by today before you board that mess up."

Tom went back to his place to call his son while Bucky went into the backyard to make sure they didn't damage anything else.  At first he didn't see anything then he noticed that someone cut through many of the strings of fairy lights with a knife.  It was petty, disrespectful and showed a complete lack of regard for the people he put the lights up for, Rebecca and Tracey.  As he stood out there Tracey came out and he showed her.

"Why would they do that?" she asked, upset at the senselessness of it.  "Did they do anything else?"

"I haven't looked," he replied. 

He went over to the pergola but it seemed to be intact, as did the table and chairs.  It still bothered him about the lights and he got the ladder out of the shed to check the ones higher up.  Fortunately they were intact but he would still have to replace the others.  Sighing he disconnected the power supply so that the damaged strings didn't spark.  Then he sat on the back step and stared into the distance, feeling down.  Tracey sat next to him, interlacing her hand with his, and leaning her head on his shoulder.

"I'll help you replace them," she said.  "They looked so pretty."

He smiled and released her hand to put his arm around her.  "You still sure you want to live with me?"

"Absolutely," she replied.  "I don't want to live anywhere else."

"I love you," he whispered, as he kissed the side of her head.  "I don't know if I could handle this if I didn't have you or Rebecca."

"I meant what I said, Bucky," she whispered back.  "I want a life with you, a real one, with kids and everything.  I won't let them take you away from me."

They embraced as they sat on the back steps, while Rebecca and Janice watched from inside the house.  The two other women left the couple alone, returning to the living room.  Picking up her cell phone Rebecca looked something up on the internet then dialled the number.  When it was answered she cleared her throat.

"Hello, my name is Rebecca Barnes Proctor," she said clearly.  "I am the sister of James Buchanan Barnes.  I would like to speak to the President about my brother's pardon."  She paused.  "No, I won't contact my congressman or my senator.  There are people in the government who want to turn him back into a killer and I don't think it's right that they are threatening him, me and his girlfriend to do it.  So I'm going to wait until you connect me with the President.  He's the one who pardoned my brother and he's the one who should stop this madness before someone gets hurt."

Janice Harris sat back, impressed with the bravery of this 94 year old woman deciding to go straight to the top.  She was even more impressed when the President took the call.  After very clearly telling him what had just happened and hearing his pledge to get to the bottom of the issue Rebecca thanked him and told him not to let her or her brother down.  Then she hung up and looked at Janice.

"Not a word to Bucky or Tracey about this," she said.  "We'll see what happens tomorrow."

With a nod and a smile Janice agreed and the two women said nothing when the couple entered to begin making dinner for all of them.  They still didn't say anything when Bucky nailed the plywood over the broken window or when everyone went to bed or got up in the morning.  But plenty happened in the meantime as they found out the next day.

Chapter 13>>

Series Masterlist

Please support the author by reblogging.

[monsterbachelors]

Welcome to Dawncrest!

(as the stories appear, there will be links added so check this post regularly or follow me!)

The air is filled with the smell of car exhaust and petrichor. You cough as the strong fragrances nip at your lungs. If the pollution doesn't kill you, rampant nicotine abuse by the citizens surely will.

Like a strange mockery of clouds, Zeppelins float across the dark sky. Some of them have commercials on their sides, while others remain voiceless - probably another way for the bourgeois to admire the exotic mundane lives below.

The metal flyover shakes dangerously as a high-velocity train shoots through the city. For a moment, the clanging drowns out the chatter around you. A few passers-by seem offended by the unwelcome interruption in their conversation and so they give the train a murderous scowl. When the machine disappears beyond the corner, the chitchat continues without a care.

Dirty water in a puddle splashes as a family of well-fed rats runs across the street. Their brown fur glistens like that of a show champion horse. A child points at the rodents but their parent only rolls their eyes. Some dogs bark and run after the would-be snack. The rats, however, are quicker than pinschers - squeezing through a sewer gate, they disappear into the maze of tunnels below the city.

In the middle of a traffic jam, a goblin leaves his car and behind to yell quite creative invectives at another driver. He almost drops his cigar angrily gesticulating. The reason for his outburst seems to be a kobold, who's too high on illegal snuff to comprehend the present moment. The furious goblin begins to yell even louder until he shoves the other driver. The kobold sways on his weak legs only to fall to the ground and immediately fall into drug-induced slumber. It will be hours before he wakes up. You want to watch the scene unfold when somebody bumps into you. The elegant dwarf quickly apologizes and continues walking while staring at something high in the sky. Curious, you follow his gaze:

Lomelia, arguably the most famous celebrity of the decade, is advertising a grape-flavoured soda. Her sinful beauty stares at the citizens from a large billboard hanging on the front of Amber Food&Drink headquarters tower. The longer you stare at the purple-haired diva, the more you're certain her teary, silver eyes are blinking... Sirens are banned from being in commercials, unfair advantage and all that noise. Lomelia is only half-siren - at least that's what her legal team claims. So if you think that her eyes on a billboard are moving, you're most definitely mistaken and there is not an ounce of siren magic involved.

Dawncrest is a city of dreams - both reveries and nightmares.

You shake yourself awake from those thoughts. Pondering the honey trap that is Dawncrest has left your mind blank. There was something you were supposed to do...

Where in Gods' name were you going?

-> Dawncrest University of Technology and Science, Department of Chemistry

Despite his rather imposing appearance, there is nothing scary about Professor Minghao. Unless you're confidently incorrect about science, that is. Being one of the nagas, he's faced his fair share of prejudice, which led him to confine himself to musty textbooks, chemical reagents and student papers to grade. And that, in turn, led the naga to become the youngest professor in the history of Dawncrest. He's very knowledgeable in many subjects... Sadly, Minghao tends to believe that no one will see him as a person first and a serpent second. He may be cold-blooded, yes, but his heart is definitely not cold. Fun science facts included!

-> Sabertooth Brewing

Elegant clothes, blind in one eye and a silver tongue - Yanu is a rakshasa that definitely stays in memory. The low lights of the bar often cascade off his sharp fangs but rarely because of a growl. Mixing complicated drinks, he always finds a moment to listen to the patrons' stories, share one of his own or do an agile trick with a bottle of alcohol. Yes, he is rather skilled with his hands... Sabertooth Brewing is situated in a not-so-good part of Dawncrest but once the local 'warlords' saw Yanu's Medal of Honour hanging on the wall, they began looking out for the rakshasa free of charge. Fancy a drink?

[The three don'ts of Sabertooth Brewing]

-> Sanguis Aurum, house of fashion

Sanguis Aurum is the key to the hearts of the elites - if they don't wear their clothes, they surely wish to. And there's nothing strange about that as Lysander, the owner of the company, prides himself in creating looks of the highest quality. Like most of his kind, he enjoys decadence and beauty. But even more than that, the vampire loves shameless self-love, the confidence of not being afraid to be seen as you are. "People will always bite you, darling," he said in one interview, "So you might as well bite back." Considering his rather prominent fangs, Lysander might just be the expert on biting. Wanna know what's the next big fashion trend?

-> Safren village, Eastern Monkgate Forest

A few miles past the borders of Dawncrest, lies a village called Safren. Its population consists of lumberjacks, farmers and hunters, who supply the city. Safren borders the Eastern Monkgate Forest - a place so strange, that even the most seasoned hunters refused to delve into it. If their prey ventures beyond the first moss-covered ruins, they begrudgingly let it go. The game belongs to Arkoth now: a wolf-headed god of hunting. Not much is known about the deity except for the fact that he stalks every soul that steps into his kingdom. Once a year, when the hunting season is about to begin, the villagers of Safren leave a human offering for Arkoth, so that the canine god keeps his servants, wolves and wargs, away from the settlement. Are you brave enough to let yourself be found by the wolf-god?

-> Bullhead Motors

The bullheaded mechanic is a strange one - there really is something grim about Nagrim. Whether it's his scruffy looks, sombre mood or a glistening look in his eyes, the mechanic always appears melancholic. Followed by the smell of motor oil and sweat, he finds joy in physical work. Usually, clients of the workshop might hear a bit of wise advice from Nagrim while he's fixing their vehicle. He's also happy to share some food for thought when asked, even spontaneously. When he's not returning old cars to their former glory, the taurus can be found in a run-down gym practising his boxing skills. Whether it's an engine, a weak punch or a broken heart, rumour has it that Nagrim can fix anything.

-> House of Magisters

"Infernal Magister" and "Prince of Hell" are titles to be proud of but Ezrach could do without them. It's not that he doesn't like the power, he's just fed up with the close-mindedness of other diplomats. He'd love to go back to what devils do best - roping desperate creatures into pacts that never end well for them. But he's the smallest of Lucifer's sons and so he's destined to complete whatever jobs his five brothers refuse to do. Although he's of a rather average physique and carries the humiliation of a chipped horn, Ezrach is far from being a failure or an outcast. In fact, thanks to his brilliant mind, he's leading a life of influence and comforts his siblings can not reach. Need someone to moderate your caucus?

-> Dawncrest Police Department

Dawncrest is not a nice city but Kenndar is not a nice man. Growing up in the gutters, he's learned the ins and outs of the demimonde. Life on the streets has left him with a lot of scars - both physical and mental. Difficult past and the typical drow grumpiness make the detective appear like a tortured character out of a noir movie. Kenndar expects no-nonsense, discipline and obedience, which didn't garner him much sympathy in the force. On the other hand, despite the avid reluctance of his co-workers, everyone respects him a great deal. Kenndar might be a grumpy boss but he sure is outstanding at his job, finding the culprit no matter the cost. Any insidious deeds you would like to confess?

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

#15yrsago How Britain’s Pirate Finder General is trying to save the Analog Economy at the Digital Economy’s expense https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/nov/26/digital-economy-file-sharing-mandelson

#15yrago Musician’s open letter, sung to Peter Mandelson, Britain’s Pirate-Finder General https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_P4lJD_OPI

#15yrsago Scientist explains why climate scientists talk trash https://rifters.com/crawl/?p=886

#10yrsago The clown-prince of DHS checkpoint refusal videos https://www.youtube.com/user/ttoutpost/featured

#10yrsago Song for Shaker: free the last UK Gitmo prisoner! https://standwithshakeraamer.tumblr.com

#10yrsago Vodafone made millions helping GCHQ spy on the world https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/11/new-snowden-docs-gchqs-ties-to-telco-gave-spies-global-surveillance-reach/

#10yrsago Uberdystopian: the surge-priced nightmare future https://www.vice.com/en/article/one-day-i-will-die-on-mars/

#10yrsago Essential reading: the irreconcilable tension between cybersecurity and national security https://opencanada.org/the-cyber-security-syndrome/

#10yrsago Strong Female Protagonist Book One https://memex.craphound.com/2014/11/26/strong-female-protagonist-book-one/

#5yrsago Four union organizers fired from Google https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2019/11/firing-of-four-google-employees-is-retaliatory-activists-say/

#5yrsago 1941 film shows striking animators brandishing a working guillotine at the Disney studio gates https://web.archive.org/web/20191126175152/https://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/that-time-animators-brought-a-guillotine-to-the-disney-1839802702

#5yrsago Christian TV pastor Rick Wiles: Impeachment is a “Jew coup” https://web.archive.org/web/20191127005302/https://www.patheos.com/blogs/progressivesecularhumanist/2019/11/christian-tv-host-warns-followers-trump-impeachment-is-jew-coup/

#5yrsago In defamation case, Elon Musk will testify that “pedo guy” is a common South African phrase and not an accusation of pedophilia https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-california-dmv-is-making-dollar50m-a-year-selling-drivers-personal-information/

#5yrsago Across America, DMVs make millions selling your license data to private eyes — and randos https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-california-dmv-is-making-dollar50m-a-year-selling-drivers-personal-information/

#5yrsago Bloomberg’s $34m presidential campaign ad-buy is 1.1% of the taxes Bernie, Warren and Steyer want him to pay https://newrepublic.com/article/155844/michael-bloomberg-big-hedge-wealth-tax-2020

#5yrsago How to argue with your racist Facebook uncle this Thanksgiving https://action.dccc.org/pdf/knowyourstuffing-2019_print.pdf

#5yrsago Podcast: The Engagement-Maximization Presidency https://ia803104.us.archive.org/30/items/Cory_Doctorow_Podcast_316/Cory_Doctorow_Podcast_316_-_The_Engagement-Maximization_Presidency.mp3

[starspangledspanks]

Serendipity 8

(If you guys have gotten this far I really appreciate it! Any comments you have are super welcome! I have an idea of where I’m going with this but it's a work in progress. I try to do at least one chapter a day.)

The jet landed in LA, the sun welcoming us with open arms. We all filed out of the jet and into the cars that were waiting for us. Jeremy in one separate as apparently he had other matters to attend to. The dark Suburban made its way down the LA roads and into the mountains, security vehicles to the front and back of us. Steve was tense, I could tell. His head looking all around us and occasionally behind every few moments. 

“Steve,” I said, taking his hand in mine. “Relax. It’s just a precaution.”

“What did you say your dad did again?”

“He’s in AeroSpace. He makes defense technology for the government.”

“So he’s probably not my biggest fan at the moment?”

“My father had nothing to do with the tech that was in D.C.” I said.

“And you believe that?”

“I do. He has no reason to lie to me.” I said reassuring him. He rubbed his hands on his pants nervously.

The car finally making it to its destination, the large security gates opened to reveal the long driveway. After a moment the large cliffside home was visible, the white exterior and the large windows shining against the blue ocean background.

“Welcome home.” I nervously laughed looking at Steve. He was hesitant I could tell. For a moment I regretted even asking him to join me. The car pulled up to the front doors, my mother waiting expectantly outside. One the driver opened our door she ran up to greet us.

“Oh my little bunny, I am so happy to have you home.” she said, hugging me.

“Good to see you too mom,” I reciprocated. Steve was desperately trying to haggle with the driver to let him grab our bags. Presumably to avoid the first greeting he was so anxious for.

“Mom, this is Steve.” I said waving the soldier over. Steve put on a brave face and sauntered over to shake her hand.

“Steve Rogers.” he held out his hand.

“Nonsense, give me a hug,” she said, going in for the embrace. “Oh my what big muscles you have. Good job Campbell. My name is Charlotte honey, that's what you can call me.”

“Nice to meet you,” Steve said feigning being crushed by the 105 lb woman who barely reached his chest. Clearly she had not recognized who he was, or was just pretending so my father could be the one to handle that discussion.

“Come come let me show you to the guest house,” she said, letting go of Steve and waving us in.

“The guest house?” I was puzzled that she’d even consider letting us stay by ourselves.

“Honey, you're 25 years old, your father and I know what you do with your boyfriends.” she laughed, leading us through the main house and out to the backyard. I cringed inwardly. Not only was it embarrassing that my parents thought I was having sex but that it was worse that they did and I wasn’t having sex. Plus calling him my boyfriend when I wasn’t even sure that's what he was?

Steve gave me a small smile letting us go down the stairs first while he trailed along. The guest house was a small little place with a bedroom, a full bath, a living room, and a kitchen down by the pool of the main house. It was somewhat secluded in the immense gardens my mother had painstakingly curated over the years.

“I’ll let you two get settled, your father is in a phone meeting until 6. Dinner is at 7.” she smiled letting us into the little home. SIlence fell over me and the Captain as he looked around the house.

“Your mom doesn’t seem so bad,” he said.

“Wait until she asks what I’ve accomplished since last Christmas.” I said, rolling my eyes. He came to embrace me and placed a kiss on my forehead.

“Boyfriend huh?” he laughed.

“You caught that too? I swear that’s not what I said.”

“Would that be so bad?”

“Do you want to be my boyfriend?”

“Are you asking me to be your boyfriend or if I want to be your boyfriend?” he laughed.

“Steve.” I quipped.

“I want to be your boyfriend Miss Quinn.” He said, grabbing my chin and pulling in a kiss. It was sweet and gentle. I could feel the care in it.

“Were girlfriends and boyfriends a thing in the 40’s?” I giggled. He pondered for a moment before a smile graced his beautiful face.

“We would have already been engaged by now.”

“Is this a proposal?” I laughed.

“Oh no trust me you’ll know when I am doing that.” My face physically dropped when he said it. Did he already think about it?

“Should I have not said that?” 

“No, no, I just- I guess I’ve never really thought about it before.” I said, stepping away from him.

The idea of marriage and kids and a future suddenly seemed overwhelming. It was something I had never thought about. I was just trying to make it through school, never mind make it down the aisle.

“Hey hey it wasn’t like I meant I’m gonna go down on one knee in the next week. I just meant-” I cut him off.

“It’s ok. I think it just took me by surprise is all.” I smiled at him “We have a couple hours before we have to be at dinner want to explore?” He nodded in agreement. We made our way back through the main house and back up to the cars where I called the driver and gave him direction to take us to the Santa Monica pier. We spent a few hours walking around the pier enjoying each other's company. We played games, ate fair food, and had a good time.

“You want to ride the ferris wheel?” he asked, pointing to the large ride.

“Oh my god I have honestly never been on it. Heights scare me.”

“C’mon I’ll protect you.” he said, marching to the ride practically dragging me along.

“Steveee” I pleaded to show my fear. I really was terrified of heights and the old ride gave me the heebies.

He handed the ticket man our stubs and ushered me onto the ride. I clung to his side as it started moving, burying my head into his shoulder so as not to look at how high we were. Steve laughed wholeheartedly at me the entire time trying to get me to look. When the ride had gone around a few times it stopped again at the very top. A movie moment for sure.

“C’mon bell look at me.” he said, tipping my head to look at him. The sun had just started to set showing off a lovely shade of pink and orange. When it made contact with his blue eyes they shimmered even more. I was lost in his eyes for a moment, not sure even what he was saying.

“Doll?”

“Oh, huh?” I asked.

“You feel safe now?”

“I would feel safe anywhere with you Steve.” The moment over taking us and coming together for a passionate kiss. It was true. I had never felt more safe with anyone before. I would follow him anywhere. 

After our ride we headed back to the house to get dressed for dinner. It was still warm so I put on a little white lace dress and a pair of gold strappy heels. My tan already turning golden from being out in the sun for the day, my hair its natural wave. Steve was looking as delicious as always in some khaki dress pants and a long sleeve button down. 

“Are you ready for this?” I asked buttoning the last button on his shirt knowing Daddy would immediately clock the unkempt look if undone. He shot me a smile, squeezing my hand as we walked up the stairs to the main house.

The doors of the dining room open to allow the sea breeze to wrap around us as we entered. Jeremy and Mom welcomed us in with hugs and we were immediately served glasses of wine.

“Where’s daddy?” I asked, noticing his lack of presence.

“I’m right here darling.” He said arms up expecting a hug, his sport coat crisp and pressed, his gray beard and hair trimmed and quaffed to perfection. A scotch in one hand, his big Harvard class ring on the other.

“Daddy,” I breathed into the hug. I did miss him but the man terrified me.

“Now where’s this man I’ve been told about.” He said pulling away from the hug looking around for my date. He made eye contact with Steve, his mouth in a straight line.

“Daddy this is Steve Rogers.” I said. He walked slowly towards Steve, almost sizing him up despite him being about a foot shorter.

“Very nice to meet you sir.” Steve said, extending a hand to him. My father shook his hand silently whilst looking him up and down before speaking.

“Preston Quinn.” he said, sipping his scotch, still gripping Steve's hand. I cringed at how unhappy he seemed.

“Well Campbell I always say strive for excellence but I have to say you have really outdone yourself this time.” My father said, the tension in the room dissipating into calm. I let out a breath and I could see Steve relax as well once he had finally let go of his hand.

“Well God Damn everyone Captain America is my own personal guest who would have thought.” he said pouring himself another scotch. We all mingled for a few moments before sitting down for dinner. The servers pouring wine over our shoulders and serving our meals. The conversation was light for a while, gradually leading back to Steve.

“So what’s it like being back topside,” my father asked.

“It’s strange but I’m adjusting. Some things are definitely way better. The Internet's nice.” he smiled. My cell phone rang suddenly and I jumped. A disapproving look from my father was shot my way before I glanced down at my phone realizing it was Juilliard.

“I’m sorry this may be about my audition excuse me,” I said getting up quickly and heading out to the kitchen.

“Hello?”

“Hi is this Miss Quinn?”

“Yes this is she.”

“Hi this is Meredith from the Broadway admissions council. I just wanted to reach out to let you know that we loved your audition but unfortunately at this time we are unable to offer you a position. We just think you’re not quite right for our company at the moment. But, we wish to extend you an invitation to apply again at the end of next semester.”

“Thank you for the opportunity. I really appreciate it.” I said hanging up before she could speak again. Tears were welling up in my eyes as hundreds of thoughts passed through my brain. Now what? What do I tell my parents? What do I tell Steve? I choked down the tears but I found it difficult. Wiping away my disappointment I walked back into the dining room, the tension now returned. I sat back down next to Steve, his hand immediately placed on my leg.

“Well they certainly had the jump on you.” My father said, sipping his scotch.

“I’m not sure that’s very fair sir,” his grip tightening on my leg. Being in the industry my father was well versed in the incident in D.C. and was clearly giving Steve the what for.

“And what has you down in the dumps.” my father gestured to me. My heart fell to my butt.

“I- uh- I didn’t make it into the program.” I said, hanging my head.

“What? You were amazing.” Steve chimed from beside me.

“They said I wasn’t the right fit.” 

“Well, isn’t that just cosmic. I’ve got a son who can barely make a phone call alone and a daughter who can’t even make it in a career where you spin for a living.”

“Preston-” my mom was silenced by his class ring clad finger. Steve had gripped my hand at this point.

“You kids are a disgrace to the Quinn name. Your grandfather is surely convulsing in his grave. I have given you every opportunity to make something of yourselves and this is how you repay me?” his voice was getting louder.

“Dadd-”

“No! You two are coming to work for me and that is final. No more dancing, no more stock market, no more New York City.” he stood up turning away from the dinner table finishing his scotch in one gulp. The silence that sat in the room was heavy.

“Sir, with all due respect your daughter is wildly talented. I was there, I saw her audition. How she wasn’t accepted is amazing.” Steve stood up for me, which I loved but he didn’t know my father. It was only going to make things worse.

“I’m not going to take your word for it, Rogers.” he said glaring at my soldier. I could see Steve’s jaw clench.

“You’re all dismissed. I’d prefer to not see any of you until Christmas morning. After that we will discuss what we’re gonna do with the two of you.” he said, slamming his empty glass down on the table and leaving the room. I was shivering with nerves and felt like I was going to be sick. Steve urged me to stand wrapping his arm around me and ushering me towards the doors to go back to the guest house. I could hear him say something to my mother but I was so upset it was just mumbling to me. I was so nauseous I didn’t even remember how we made it back to the house. The second the doors closed behind us I broke down into tears falling to the floor. Steve joined me on the floor, wrapping his arms around me and just letting me sob into him.

“It’s okay my dear, hush.” he said, rocking me. I wiped my eyes, surely knowing I looked insane.

“Wha-what am I gonna do?” I asked him.

“You’ll get through this. I promise. I’ll be right there with you.” he said, brushing his hand over my hair.

“I just thought I was gonna do it. I thought I was finally going to impress him.” I said sitting up and wiping my face.

“He doesn’t see how hard you’ve worked. He has no right to say those things to you.”

“I’m sorry he was so rude to you Steve.” I apologized.

“Don’t you worry about me doll,” he smiled. “You want to go to bed?”

“No, I need a distraction.” A bright idea popped into my mind. All I wanted was Steve, I wanted to forget my troubles. “Let’s go swimming.” 

“Are you sure?”

“Oh yes Captain Rogers. Put your trunks on, we're going for a dip. I’ll meet you down there” I beamed at him. The switch in my meltdown surely must’ve sent him for a loop. I changed into my little bikini and went to meet him outside. Off the guest house there were some stairs that led to our own private beach. Stepping down the stairs I could see him standing on the beach. His trunks hanging loosely off his hips, his irresistibly wide back facing me. The night was warm and the breeze off the ocean felt nice.

“Ever been in the ocean soldier?” I said hands on my hips, not yet off the stairs so I was just about his height. He turned around to face me but no words came from his lips. Just wide eyes and a frustrated sigh. I knew I looked amazing. My tan skin glowing as the moon light bounced off it and my abs surely showed. I knew my body was something I was super proud of.

“You gonna swim with your shirt on?” I asked, laughing as I came to stand in front of him. He immediately grabbed his shirt over his shoulders and tugged it off. The same puppy dog look of desperation covering his face.

“See something you like?” All he did was nod his head.

“Well come on then.” I shot him a seductive smile and walked backwards towards the beach tempting him to come join me. He took off in a sprint to chase me and I giggled as I tried and very poorly failed to out run him. He picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder. I yelped with hysterics as he easily wadded into the water before tossing me down. The water was still warm for December and it felt good against my skin as I bobbed back up to the surface. I stood up pulling him down into the water with me, knowing I wouldn’t have been able to if he hadn't actually wanted to join me. We laughed and splashed in the water for a while before the tension started to build between us once again. At this point we were so deep in the water that I was wading and he was still just standing. I waded over to him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and my legs around his waist. I placed a kiss on his lips conveying all the thankfulness that I had for how he had treated me since our time began together. He deepend it quickly and our little swim quickly became much hotter.

“Have you ever been skinny dipping?” I asked, pulling away from his lips.

“You know, every time you’re about to do something naughty you ask me if I’ve done it before.” he laughed.

“Are you saying you have?”

“No bell, I have not.” He said face turning red.

“Do you want to?” I still wanted to make sure it was okay to take things one step further. He nodded his head and I easily made work of his swim trunks with my feet before throwing them to shore.

“Captain Rogers, you're naked.” I gasped, faking being shocked.

“And you’re next.” he said quickly, making work of untying all my bikini strings and discarding what little fabric was already there. How easy it would’ve been to just take him there, but I knew he wanted to make it a special moment. Our first time would not be in the ocean. After a couple more minutes of our deep make out session and sent him a sneaky smile before pushing off him and swimming away, again urging him to chase me. It was a fun little romp but I still hadn’t seen the man naked. And boy did I want to….

[f1wags-opinions]

Prev anon fucks sake gotta realise that it's a sponsorship from a company who happens to make makeup. We gonna start gate keeping racing teams and drivers from companies who want to give them money? Like what difference does it make if the decals on the cars are makeup or technology or fucking tobacco? Truly wild take lmao???

I might be reaching but isn't that opinion trying to keep apart something that's feminine leaning like makeup and something that's perceived to be masculine leaning, like racing? Yknow, doing the very thing that is trying to be overcome, the whole separation of women from racing? Who the fuck cares if it's a makeup brand? What rules are there that stops let's say, a super rich hand bag company or a fashion company from sponsoring teams in racing? Fucks sake

I agree, but good lordt-

[lividcryptid]

Heyyyy so remember when I wanted to yap about my project moon ocs? Yeahhhhh here’s Psycho car!

Disclaimer: Anything that I write does not reflect my own views. They’re written this way for me to look at new perspectives, to explore toxic dynamics, and for me to improve writing. I do not condone any of their actions.

TW: Religious topics under Babylon, traditionalist views under Lady, sorry guys Lady hates men a lot;;;,

Rivers:

They/Them

Weapon: Scythe

Believes that people nowadays don’t value life due to technological advancements such as getting a prosthesis or K-Corp combatants always using HP bullets on the battle field. It’s disgraceful to the natural way of life. If you die on the battlefield, you should die for good

Decides that it’s their job to remind everyone how short life truly is

They so delusional to the point where they believe that they are a proxy for Death and that they are doing people a service

Hates that people are “cheating their way out of death” by using prosthesises

Tbh if they met Kromer, they would’ve joined Nagel und Hammer because of how their views align

Is the main reason why Psycho Car takes on so many assassination requests

Has an early 2000s club goer attitude

Lady:

She/Her

Weapon: Meat Cleaver (main), will use other cooking utensils as weapons

Has a victim complex

Believes that she is a poor sheep about to be sent to the slaughter house; thinks that everyone is out to bully her

No matter what you think, you will be punished for it

If you agree with her views, she’ll think you underestimating her strength as a woman and that you believe she’s too helpless to the point where you’ll kill her. She’ll instead kill you to “protect herself” even if you weren’t planning on attacking.

If you disagree with her views, she’ll think you’re bullying her. She’s just a poor woman who is in need of assistance and yet you deny her that. How dare you. She’ll kill you for that too.

Has very traditional views but tends to also contradict them due to her job (Ex: Women should always be pretty for her man (she’s scared of and hates men), women should always be prim and proper, always in the kitchen and take care of her fellow members, etc)

Refuses to be the driver of the car. Like. Ever. She doesn’t believe that the lady should drive the car and that it’s a man’s job

Oddly enough, she always targets the men first in assassination requests

Babylon:

Any pronouns

Weapon: Whip

They’re the reason Psycho car was even formed in the first place

It’s technically her own way of starting a cult or at least having a crew to help them gain followers

Believes that the gods do not exist at all and that humanity should place their faith onto them and tgem alone

The Babylon name refers back to the story of the Tower of Babel. Since the name means “Gate of God,” it gives him some kind of irony haha

Has a saying that goes “There is no god, so place your faith in me as if I were one.”

Babylon doesn’t really identify with any gender or wants to be perceived to be anything like that tbh

Is the main driver for the car because they actually have a license and is technically the most responsible (?)

Crow:

They/She

Weapon: Meteor Hammer

There’s not much to know about Crow’s life before joining the group. Their excuse is that no one asked, therefore there wasn’t a need for the past to be known.

The only person who has gotten close to figuring out Crow’s past was surprisingly Lady. She knows that they’re more alike than what meets the eye, especially with their views on men.

Crow took their new name because it’s somewhat ironic in a beautiful way. Crows are typically associated with death and are seen as the messengers for the other side. It doesn’t quite fit someone who is aware of their overwhelming beauty. Yet, it does. Despite the negative connotation, crows can also be seen as symbols of mystery, intelligence, and fate; they’re all traits Crow possess.

She’s the closest to Rivers due to their carefree, selfish attitude. It’s refreshing in a way compared to their old life where they lived for others.

Crow may appear reserved, but they’re not quiet. She’ll respond whenever she feels like it, which is pretty often. Though, their responses are very crude and blunt.

[pandorafallz]

Some things were never meant to leave Earth.... or be known about. Let alone being introduced to a whole new world, new life and a species called the Na'vi that probably didn't understand that there were worst things that came from Earth than Humans with technology. Grace Agustine learns first-hand how shit things can go when things go south after one driver leaves with his avatar and their existence gets known.

Chapter 1 Snippet

Mansk didn’t know what the fuck had happened but he knew a shit-show when he heard it all the way across Hell’s gate. He wasn’t the only one but Walker and Kamath got there a few seconds before he did, tacking Trina off her victim and pinning her down between them. Mansk ignored their squabbles, dropping down to see….

Dr Grace Augustine.

Fuck.

Her face had lost all colour, her neck bleeding profoundly which soaked into her clothes and puddled onto the floor under her. But what stood out immediately was also the angle of her upper body and lower body weren’t straight which led to the conclusion that one of the cracks he heard had been the woman’s spine. Her wrist looked broken as well but that wasn’t as bad. With the rasp to her breath so he could conclude possibly broken ribs or internal bleeding.

“Oh fuck!” Choi finally caught up behind him.