#Now I’m on my way to treat myself to an overpriced hot drink and look at French universities for next year c: AHHHH | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

purplesurveys · 3 years

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Have you ever bought a YouTuber’s merch? No. Most of the merch that had been put out when I was still into YouTubers were always underwhelming and overpriced, anyway.

Do you think oatmeal tastes better when made with water or milk? Eugh, I don’t like oatmeal. Ate it everyday for breakfast as a kid and I just want nothing to do with anymore.

Have you ever left a note in a library book? No. I’m pretty sure that counted as vandalism or at least under some kind of violation, so I never did anything to my borrowed books beyond reading them.

What time of day do you prefer to wash your hair? There’s no time of day for me; I just wash it whenever I feel like showering.

Has anyone ever spread lies about you? Just a couple times when I was in like middle school but it was all very superficial stuff that I never think about.

Have you ever taken a photograph with a celebrity? If so, did it turn out the way you wanted, or do you wish you could retake it? Nah. I freak out about the idea of meeting celebrities and always turn down or pass up any opportunity I get lmao. I don’t handle nervousness well so I don’t trust myself to be able to behave or speak properly.

If you could move out of your home country permanently, would you? If so, where would you go? Yeah, anything to get out of this shithole. I’d love to move to Canada.

Is there a celebrity that everyone else seems to love, but you find totally overrated? Why is it that you don’t like them? Taylor Swift. Her music’s just never fallen under my personal preferences, but I don’t actively hate on her or bash her when there’s been no reason to.

If you could volunteer for any charity, which one would you choose? Do you think it’s more important to help humans, or are animal and environmental charities equally important? I don’t think acts of charity should be compared. Personally though, I tend to lean towards causes for animals.

Do you prefer holidays where you relax, or actually do things? My family alwaysssssss makes sure our itineraries are absolutely packed when we go on vacations. Seems like a waste of money to travel to a new place just to stay holed up in our hotel room.

Do you think that after we die our spirit is still alive? No, I don’t believe in those to begin with.

Has anybody ever told you that you could be a model? Yeah, usually because of my build. I hate posing and being in front of a camera, though.

Do you use different kinds of moisturizer for different body parts? ie. hand lotion for your hands, face cream for your face. Or do you just use one moisturizer for all body parts? I don’t use skincare products, though I should probably start because my skin is finally biting me in the ass and giving me breakouts 23 years later lol.

Have you ever felt like you were someone’s rebound? Nope.

Has anybody ever broken up with you over something really pathetic? What was it? Have you ever been dumped in a disrespectful way? (eg. through text, through a friend..) I wouldn’t say it was over something pathetic. She had her reasons and I respect that. Doesn’t mean I can’t resent her.

Did you have a lot of role models as a kid? Not really.

Do you feel like anyone looks up to you? Why or why not? I don’t know, but this isn’t a compliment I get a lot either. I don’t actively try to be a role model, so I don’t care about maintaining such an image.

What was the last thing you found offensive? My mom often throws around subtle homophobic remarks in passing. She knows I hate them because I shoot her a glare every time she does it, but for some reason she never learns...

Who is the nicest person you know? Angela.

Do you feel safe in your country? In a country where the president is a blatant liar, misogynist, has anger and cursing issues, and enables extrajudicial killings? Safety is a dream here.

Do you feel safe where you live? Very technically speaking, yeah I do since it’s a gated village so nothing ever happens here.

Have you been falsely diagnosed with something by a bad doctor? Not necessarily misdiagnosed, but I’m pretty sure I was prescribed the wrong set of medicines for my UTI last year...nothing came out of taking those pills and I felt just as sick (and dead) as I was after a couple of days. The only reason I got better was Angels’s mom is a doctor and gave me the right meds to take, which worked on me within a couple of hours.

Have you ever had a doctor refuse to treat you? No.

Name the strangest game you’ve ever played (video game or real game): WarioWare is suuuuuuuch a weird game haha. Doesn’t stop me from enjoying it, though.

Do you know anyone who has been struck by lightning before? Not that I know of.

Which cartoon character would you want to keep as a pet? Gary from Spongebob.

Do you like marshmallows? Haaaaaaaate them. I never got used to its weird, sticky texture so I always take them out when they’re included in like drinks and desserts.

What is your favorite flavor of candy cane? I don’t consume candy canes much. Too sweet.

Have you ever fostered an animal? Nope.

Do you still take hot showers when it’s hot out? No, I want the water to be as cold as possible.

When writing $ sign, do you draw one line through the S or two? I do two, though I rarely have any reason to write down the dollar sign in general.

What animal have you always wanted as a pet but couldn’t have? We weren’t allowed to have dogs as kids because we “wouldn’t be able to take care of them” – which they were right about, anyway. But we have two now, so it all worked out in the end.

List three people you’ve had crushes on: Gabie, Andi...and that’s it, really.

Have you ever thrown up from cramps? No. Fortunately my period cramps have never been that bad, and the only time they can be a headache is if they’re the leg crampjp that sends me waking up in the middle of the night.

List three people you had a hard time forgiving. I don’t really forgive. If someone fucks up badly enough that I feel the need to cut them off, that’s pretty much it for me.

Who is the most spiritual person you know? I don’t know.

Would you ever start a vlog? Sure. I’ve always wanted to try it, but I don’t have a decent vlogging camera and am not invested enough in the venture to spend on one. In general I’m also not comfortable being in front of the camera, as I’ve already shared several times here. Vlogging does look fun though, and I definitely would’ve already given it a shot if only I felt more comfortable.

Are your dreams coming true yet? Some of the short-term ones, sure.

Do you struggle with depression? I go through phases of it, but I’ve never been formally diagnosed just because I’ve never booked a trip to the psychiatrist.

Are you haunted by your past? No

What medical conditions do you have? Do scoliosis and lactose intolerance count? Those are the main issues I have.

Do you use a Magic Bullet? Why did I think this was a vibrator...? Anyway, I looked it up and no, I’ve never used one.

What does your apron look like? I’ve never had to use one regularly.

What are your favorite spicy foods? Curry, tteokbokki, ramen, samgyeopsal with ssamjang, spicy fried chicken.

Which do you like better: being an adult or being a kid? Being an adult has a lot more freedom to it even though I have to go through heavier and deeper shit, so it’s still more worth it to me.

Were you excited to be a teenager on your thirteenth birthday? I was heavily depressed back then, and was for a while, so I didn’t have any feelings about turning 13. I don’t even remember my birthdays up until the 15th.

Did you feel insecure in high school? In the first half, yeah. But I started opening up more and gaining friends by junior year, so at that point I wasn’t feeling too shy anymore.

Would you ever be friends with someone who was suicidal? I hate this question that I am simply ignoring it.

Who was the biggest bully in high school? My school didn’t tolerate bullies so no one ever dared to be one, in the grand scheme of things. But back in kindergarten Kaira used to love targeting me - she was my big bully before she became my friend, lol.

What was your favorite class in high school? History, of course. I personally didn’t like literature but I enjoyed English classes, just because it was easy and was a guaranteed A+ in my report card.

Would you rather have a daughter or a son? Daughter.

Have you ever written to an advice columnist? Nope.

Have you ever had a doctor not believe what you told him? Not really, but I’ve had a doctor be a total asshole towards me before.

If you’re female, would you feel uncomfortable having a male gynecologist? No.

Do you like Lisa Frank? No.

What gives you nightmares? I don’t really get nightmares.

Were you ever hospitalized as a child? Nope. I was hospitalized one time, and I had been 11 then.

Did you get senior pictures taken? Yeah, for both high school and college.

What color is your bicycle? The family bike is blue and silver. Not that I could ride it, lol.

Did you ever have to take home a fake baby in health class? No...is that a practice in other schools? That’s so weird if it was.

Would you rather wear ivory or white on your wedding day? What color will your bridesmaids wear? White. Ivory can be for the bridesmaids, actually.

Would you rather have a swimming pool or trampoline? Swimming pool. Trampolines are neat, but I would get bored of them so quickly.

Do you think babies are cute? For the most part yes, the only exception being if I have to be exposed with a baby/toddler that is prone to screech-crying. My patience is an extremely thin line when it comes to children like that lol and I FEEL BAD for feeling like so... but I just can’t deal with harsh sounds like that one.

Do you dream about the future a lot? I guess I daydream sometimes but it’s nothing obsessive.

Do you think about your past a lot? I’ll daydream or feel resentful sometimes, depending on what or who I’m thinking about lol. But I don’t stay in the past for too long.

How good are you at living in the moment? I’m a lot better at it. It’s nice to be in the now.

Have you ever questioned God’s existence? I did starting when I was 10, and I also disowned my religion by that time.

Vanilla frosting or chocolate? Chocolate foreverrrrr.

What’s your favorite foreign cuisine? It’s always a three-way tie among Indian, Malaysian, and Thai.

Have you ever moved to another state? No. We don’t even live in states.

Did you do anything productive today? Well I had work today, so yeah I’d say I was. I had two meetings and worked on a bunch of spreadsheets and decks, so it was a pretty productive day.

Can you say the alphabet backwards? Nope.

Do you like flowers? Sure, but I’m not obsessed. It always feels nice to receive them, though.

Have you ever thought you were gonna die? Every single time I get catcalled by men I always have the fear that they’d go all the way and drag me away to my death. That’s why I’m usually in shock whenever it happens and I’m never able to retort.

What kind of mood are you in today? Super relieved because it’s Friday. A bit guilty because I had Starbucks delivered when I had already spent a lot this week, but I keep telling myself I deserve it after working all week haha. I just wanna enjoy my coffee and salmon dill sandwich in peace lmaooooo

What are you craving right now? This salmon sandwich I ordered, so I’m hella glad I got it.

Is there anyone you would seriously punch right now if you had the chance? Maybe shove, but not punch.

What is worse, physical or emotional pain? Physical. My pain tolerance is extremely low, lol.

Have you ever walked in on somebody doing something… questionable? I don’t think I have.

If you were to make videos on YouTube, what would they be of? I think just doing the trendy games like the Lie Detector game would be fun haha. I wouldn’t take it too seriously.

Posting pictures of yourself in a bathing suit on the internet - ok or not? ...It’s 2021.

Do you typically laugh when somebody falls down? If it’s a close friend or a relative I’m close with, yeah. Anyone else I would immediately try to help.

What is the most disturbing movie you’ve ever watched? Eraserhead or Under the Skin, which I didn’t even bother finishing.

Your opinion of Katy Perry, please? I like her older songs.

If you could say anything to your Mom right now… what would it be? Stop acting like a brat when you don’t get your way. You’re literally reaching 50.

#survey #surveys

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abiteofnat · 4 years

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AN ANXIETY-APPROVED GUIDE TO SOCIALLY-DISTANT DINING IN THE NORTH SHORE

A headline I truly thought I would never write, because I used to be the type of person to leave work, jam myself into an L train packed with people, scroll through my phone while breathing in someone’s backpack, and then get to a busy restaurant to meet friends and dive into food without washing my hands. My entire immune system was chock-full of city scum, and eating indoors with dozens of other people who likely got off an equally full train? Not even a question of a doubt in my mind. Things took a quick and dire turn in May when suddenly I became afraid of everything and grossed out by anything, and after moving home with family I was certain I would never leave the house again. I miss being the fearless gutter rat I used to be, but times are different, and staying safe is key.

Alas, while my family has been taking quarantine very seriously, we reached a point in August where we all felt “ok” with sitting at a restaurant once or twice a week to feel like we were still part of society and because we all mutually hate cooking. After not being at a restaurant once since March, we nervously ventured out to a local Italian restaurant, sat outside very far from others, and ate pasta that was still piping hot from the kitchen and that didn’t taste mediocre after sitting in a takeout container for an hour. It was refreshing as FUCK. Rose? In a real wine glass? Served chilled? What am I, a QUEEN?

Ever since we have been carefully dining, only ever sitting outdoors, and carrying packs upon packs of antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer like actual loons. But safe loons! Being home and enjoying the local restaurants through new eyes and new level of appreciation has made me love them 10x more, even if we’ve eaten somewhere a hundred times before. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to dine with these spots, eat favorite dishes & try new ones, and be out of the house for 1-2 hours on a Friday during these wild times. So, why not share some of my favorite spots?? Maybe you’re also living back in the good ole North Shore, and looking for any excitement at all in the quiet of the suburbs. Here you go.

1. Mino’s Italian - Winnetka

This restaurant is newer to Winnetka, however it became an instant local favorite and is always, always full. They have a huge patio area with lighting, cozy wooden benches, tons of tables, heaters, and a menu packed with classic Italian dishes done so right. Their Calamari is unreal due to the seasoning and the roasted garlic aioli it comes with for dipping. Their Cacio e Pepe is magically light but still full of cheese and fresh cracked peppercorns, and the seasonal Risotto consists of warm mushroom richness. Their pizza is great to-go as well, and tastes like an NYC slice if you order the largest size.

2. Pescadero - Wilmette

Ok to be fair, Pescadero is not somewhere we’ve actually dined AT during the pandemic. We do pick it up quite often though, and it is some of the best carryout in Wilmette. The Fish & Chips is mouth-watering, with fresh fish covered in a seasoned batter that alone is delectable. Their chips (really more french fries) are thin, crispy, and topped with a parmesan and herb dust. DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE FRIES. The Mahi Mahi tacos are excellent and a lighter, fresher dish with broccoli apple slaw and avocado crema, and for fuck’s sake order a side of the Mac & Cheese just to stick a fork in. Pro Tip: You want as much extra tartar sauce as they will give you!!!

* Edit - since I wrote this post a few days ago, we ate on the Pescadero patio and it was delightful. Even though it was 55 degrees, the hot Clam Chowder and Fish & Chips warmed me up real quick. Clam Chowder served in a hot mug = a new fall dinner staple. Will only accept soup in a mug from now on. And, they do have heaters!

3. Depot Nuevo - Wilmette

I have eaten here no fewer than 3,456 times in my life and every single time I feel like I’m on vacation because the vibes, the food, and the booze are immaculate. Located in an old train station turned restaurant, Depot Nuevo is warm and inviting no matter if you’re inside (pre pandemic) or on their gigantic patio that allows for spaced out and comfy seating. They’ve added heaters for the fall, so don’t worry about being chilly- and if you are, the Pomegranate Margarita will warm you right up. It’s strong, delicious, and comes in a very pleasing traditional margarita glass. I always order the Appetizer Trio as my entree, which has queso fundido (ordered without the chorizo!), guacamole, and ceviche composed of scallops, shrimp, and calamari with vegetables and lime. Usually this comes with tortilla chips as it’s meant to be shared, but I ask for corn tortillas instead and then pile a little of everything in there for the taco of my DREAMS. Do it. Order it. I dare you.

The staff is exceptionally friendly and have taken COVID precautions seriously, so menus are disposable and everyone has gloves on. They will treat you like family, and they are family to us because we go there so often. See you on Friday, Depot!

Other good things on the menu are the Fish Tacos, Shrimp Tacos, BBQ Salmon, Chipotle Mashed Potatoes, Cheese Quesadilla (smothered in their salsa verde of course).

4. The Noodle - Wilmette

Can you tell downtown Wilmette is the place to be? It has truly popped off and the majority of restaurants aren’t serving up your typical “suburbs” food (you know- fried appetizers and burgers and weird salads and overpriced meat dishes) so I am always happy to be out in our little mini city. The Noodle is as classic Italian as you can get, with overflowing ceramic boats of buttery garlic bread, a salad OR soup included with your entree, and no bar- only wine (or beer) if you want a drinky drink. Incredible. I am partial to the house-made spinach linquine with Roasted Garlic and Sun-dried Tomatoes sauce, and the starter salad with house Creamy Garlic Parmesan dressing. Their Tomato Basil soup is also delicious, however I have some suspicion that that soup is the same as the Roasted Garlic and Sun-dried Tomatoes sauce... just served as soup... they refuse to confirm or deny whenever I ask. Either way, delicious. I tried a NEW DISH when we went last week to sit at one of the 6 large tables they have spaced out outside, and let me tell you that the bowtie pasta (not house-made) with Alfredo sauce is THE SHIT. It may be my new go-to when I just want to carbo-load the hecking out of my night. On your way out, get a Pot de Creme to go- it’s the richest, smoothest chocolate dessert on this side of town.

5. Hometown Coffee & Juice - Glencoe

Hometown deserves a round of applause for breathing life back into the stuffy grandmother of the North Shore - Glencoe. Between the gorgeous Writers Theatre and countless boutiques selling blouses and hand-blown glass jewelry, it used to only really serve a certain demographic, however Hometown said “let me give it a try” and changed weekends in Glencoe for good. This coffee shop, smoothie bar, bakery, & cafe hotspot is the perfect afternoon spot to grab a drink, enjoy avocado toast, and sit outside at one of the dozens of tables they’ve lined the corner and two streets with. They’ve moved their registers outside so you don’t even need to go inside to order, and the wait staff will bring you your order right to your table to make it as organized and safe as possible. The tables are spread out, the corner it’s located on is beautiful in the fall, and there are lots of good dogs out and about.

I will say that while Hometown is doing a great job with COVID precautions, the people of Glencoe are a little high & mighty, and seem to think they’re exempt from wearing a mask to wait in line to get their smoothie. It’s irritating that they’re putting the staff at risk and just ignoring state mandates because they feel safe in their little North Shore bubble and because it’s entirely outside, but come on. Be respectful and understand the privilege of these places even being open to serve you, and just wear mask. I hate people. ANYWAY. Love you, Hometown.

6. Coast Sushi - Evanston

Ok, so this gem is not open for dining indoors OR outdoors, however they have their carryout system down and their sushi is so, SO fresh and good. I’ve picked up from here a few times and eat time I fall more in love with the flavors and how consistently tasty it is- and with sushi, it’s always a gamble if it’s going to be really good or kinda fishy and old. The Coast in South Loop was a favorite spot for a while, however it has shut down and I am so happy to be able to get my favorite rolls up in the burbs. My go-to order is a Spicy Tuna Maki, Spicy Scallop Maki, Spicy Miso Soup, a side of Spicy Mayo, and a side of Sushi Rice. This sounds odd, but hear me out- I like to mix the spicy mayo into the sushi rice and eat it just like that. It’s. So. Good. Am I gross? I might be gross.

Anything you get from here is going to rock your socks off, so for your next night in (aka every night lol) treat yourself to some sushi, babbyyy!

I sincerely hope that we can keep dining outside for at least a few more weeks, and I am absolutely ok with wearing Uggs and a full-on coat to be able to. Just a reminder to keep your mask on when talking to wait staff, be polite, be patient, and don’t be an asshole. You don’t NEED to dine out- it’s a treat- and you should treat it as such. Don’t be a Karen, or don’t leave your house. Those are literally the only two options.

I hope you try somewhere new, whether it’s carryout or dining out, and tell me if you have any favorite North Shore spots I missed!

Until next time, Happy Eating!

- Natalie

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not-close-to-straight · 5 years

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A Valentines Day Rescue (Stuckony)

This one is for @ceealaina who wanted Stucky rescuing Tony from a crappy date! Very slight TW for a tiny mention of implied (past) domestic abuse.

VDAY COMMISSIONS HERE

**************************

It wasn’t easy to get a seat in the fanciest restaurant in the city on Valentines Day, but Steve had quite literally called on February 15th of the year before to make a reservation and called on the fifteenth of every month following to reconfirm, and then once a week through January and the beginning of February.

He had probably made a life long enemy of the poor hostess who had to reconfirm his reservation no less than a twenty times, but damn it, he had a reservation at the fanciest restaurant in the city on Valentines Day, and he and Bucky were currently getting drunk on overpriced wine at the best table in the place.

“I still cannot believe you actually got into this place.” Bucky looked around the room admiringly, up at the crystal chandeliers and at the floor to ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the city below. “How much did this table cost? How much did this wine cost? Stevie you’re a fucking starving artist, ow on earth did you afford--”

He squinted a look at his boyfriend. “Stevie?”

“Huh?” Steve jerked back to the moment, his smile too wide in an attempt to cover his distraction. “Sorry, baby. What were you saying?”

“I was saying that you’re a poor, pitiful, penniless artist who obviously is sleeping with the hostess to afford a reservation at this place.” Bucky raised his eyebrows pointedly. “But you’d know that if you were listening. What the hell has got you so distracted?”

“Nothing.” Steve shook his head quickly, reached across the table and squeezed at Bucky’s hand. “Nothing, I’m one hundred percent right here with you.”

Then his nose scrunched. “Bucky, I’m not a penniless artist, I’m professor of Art History at the university, I make more money than you do, even without counting my pay from my other job.”

“Yeah, well.” Bucky pushed his shoulder length hair off his shoulders and shrugged. “That’s good because I wouldn’t put up with you ignoring me over Valentines Day dinner if you weren’t paying for this ridiculously good steak.”

“You’re dumb and I love you.” Steve tugged Bucky over the table, placing a soft kiss on his lips. “And I’m sorry I’m not very present right now, but I’m a little distracted by the couple behind us.”

“What’s going on with the couple behind us?” Bucky went back to his steak, stabbing at a big bite and swiping it through the gravy and potatoes. “By the way, this steak is so good I’m never eating regular steak again. This has ruined my life. I am going to be so high maintenance from now on.”

“Pain in the ass.” Steve grinned.”If you weren’t so sexy, I’d make you pay for the dinner.”

“Well then thank god I’m sexy.” Bucky emptied his wine glass and waved the waiter over for another. “So. Couple behind us? Is something going on or are you just ogling them and I should be jealous?”

“I’m not exactly sure what’s going on.” Steve said slowly. “But I think the brunette is in trouble.”

“He's what now?” Bucky whipped around to stare at the table behind them, and then whipped right back around with his mouth open. “Holy crap Stevie, that guy is hot. Let’s take him home!”

“Oh my god, focus.” Steve rolled his eyes. “Look at how the blonde is treating him. Maybe this time don’t stare like an imbecile, and later we should have a talk about how you suddenly are open to taking home strangers.”

“Okay okay.” Bucky turned around slower this time, casually rotating in his chair until he could see the couple again.

The tall blonde wore a perfectly tailored suit of soft gray, a diamond tie pin glinting in the low light, a heavy, boldy expensive watch on his wrist. He lounged back in his chair looking entirely at ease and entirely comfortable in such a fancy setting, a cocky smile on his lips and hardened steel in his eyes.

His date on the other hand, a brunette that Bucky was still eyeing rather greedily, was dressed all in muted colors and hunched over in his chair, arms crossed over his body as if he were trying to hide, dark eyes flitting around the restaurant anxiously and then down at his untouched plate.

“I… I don’t like that.” Bucky said slowly and Steve nodded in agreement, adding a quiet-- “Keep watching, tell me if you see what I see.”

The couple was holding hands across the table, but the blonde was the only one holding, the brunette looking for all the world as if he wanted to pull away but couldn’t. When a waiter came to freshen their drinks, the brunette shook his head, but the blonde snapped his fingers and pointed towards a still nearly full wine glass to be topped off anyway.

“I don’t like that.” Bucky said again. “Not one bit.”

“We should do something.” Steve decided. “I don’t know exactly what that should be, but--”

“Oh I do what we should do.” Bucky tossed his napkin down and jumped to his feet. “I’m gonna go ask the brunette if he wants to take a ride on the Bronco, you go break the blonde’s collarbone, huh?”

“Bucky!” Steve hissed, scrambling up as well when Bucky started heading towards the other table. “Bucky I swear to god, don’t you dare ask him if he wants to ride the--Hey fellas.” he pasted an easy smile on his face when they came upon the other couple. “Happy Valentines Day. You mind if we join you?”

“You want to join us.” The blonde said cooly, arrogant gaze flicking over first Bucky and then Steve. “I’d say no thank you, but I don’t want to pretend to be that polite. Go back to your own table and leave us the hell alone.”

“Ty.” Quietly from the brunette, his gaze catching Steve’s and then skittering away. “Don’t make a scene, please. Let’s just have a nice dinner.”

“Don’t make a scene.” Ty repeated, his tone hardening in a way that made Steve’s jaw set angrily and Bucky’s shoulders square up in the way they only did before he delivered an ass kicking. “Anthony, I think perhaps you should reconsider your tone. You wouldn't want to embarrass yourself in front of--”

“You know what? M’bein’ an asshole, haven’t even introduced myself.” Bucky crowded into the booth next to Anthony and slung a friendly--and protective-- arm around him. “Names James Buchanan but friends call me Bucky and pretty people like you get to call me Bronco.”

He winked and Anthony blushed nearly scarlet, stammering uncertainly. “Well, I--I-- you-- um--”

“You wanna know why they call me Bronco, sweet thing?”

“Now see here!” Ty started to object but shut up abruptly when a rather large hand clapped down on his shoulder, Steve having to apply next to no pressure to keep the other man seated.

“Now see here.” Steve repeated, voice lowering dangerously. “I think you should reconsider your tone, because if you start a scene I can guarantee me and Bucky will finish it and you don’t want that to happen.”

“Sure would be a shame if I had to ruin this pretty table by putting you through it.” Bucky added, and when Steve sent him a look, Bucky ever so casually tugged at Tony's sleeve so Steve could see just the start of finger shaped bruises at his wrist. “Tell me, Anthony, how do you feel about coming over and finishing your Valentines Day dinner with us?”

“Um--” Anthony hesitated, and Ty tensed under Steve’s hand. “I-- you guys-- um--”

“Stevie here is a professor.” Bucky drummed his fingers on the table before turning his palm over, smiling when Anthony slowly slowly let go of Ty’s hand and took his instead. “Makes all sorts of money and bought me a real nice dinner, no reason why you couldn’t share it. The steak's bigger than my head and tastes about as good as I bet your lips do, what say we go give it a try?”

“I’m not super hungry.” A weak gesture towards the steak that was growing cold on his plate, and a wary look towards an increasingly agitated Ty. “But thank you.”

“That’s fine, Anthony.” Steve said clearly, calmly. “Everything's fine, but why don’t you go sit with Bucky for a minute anyway. I think Ty and I need to have a quick chat.”

“Please.” Anthony turned towards Bucky and whispered, “Please, I have to go home with him, we live together. I appreciate what you’re trying to do but you’re just going to make things worse in the end, please just leave it alone.”

“You don’t have to go home with him.” Bucky whispered right back, holding Anthony a little tighter when the brunette started to shake. “You don’t have to go home with us either, but you definitely don’t have to keep sitting here, alright?”

“Alright.” Barely audible. “Okay, I’d like to sit at your table please.”

“That’s all I needed to hear.” Bucky basically hauled Anthony out of the booth with one arm, sending Ty a smile that was more of a snarl. “Have a fan-fucking-tastic rest of your evening, ass-wipe.”

“Thank you, Bucky.” Steve only kept from rolling his eyes at his idiot boyfriend because he was still about an inch from attempting to snap Ty’s collarbone. “Ty, let’s you and I have a chat.”

“Do you have any idea who I am?” Ty bit out when Steve sat in the booth across from him. “Do you have any idea what I can do to ruin your life just because you’ve pissed me off?”

“I don’t care who you are.” Steve said lightly, mildly. “And I know you don’t care who I am, so I won’t bother with any introductions. But you should know that if you so much as look at Anthony wrong, I’m going to hurt you in a way that not even that stupid suit will cover, you understand?”

“Are you threatening me?” Ty was absolutely incredulous that a man in a cable knit sweater vest and button down was somehow trying to be intimidating. “Because you didn’t like how I handle my partner?”

Steve leaned across the table, voice deceptively calm, eyes blazing in anger. “I’m out here trying to have a nice dinner with my boyfriend, celebrate Valentines Day like a normal couple, but I look over here and see you so obviously mistreating your date? Leaving bruises on him? He’s over here cowering like he’s afraid you’re going to hit him and you expect me to not have something to say about that?”

“It’s none of your damn business.” Ty retorted. “And I don’t care who you think you are--”

“You should care.” Steve said flatly. “Because I’ve killed men for a whole lot less than mistreating their partner, and I wouldn’t even have to collect a paycheck to be willing to take you out.”

“I--” Ty’s mouth fell open, then closed a few seconds later as he started looking increasingly uneasy. “I-- what?”

“Have a nice rest of the night.” Steve stood up and straightened his vest. “And when Anthony comes over to get his stuff from your place it would be great if you weren’t around.”

“I--I--you--” Ty had nothing to say at all, and after another moment of flailing, he shoved away from the table and stomped from the restaurant.

“What do you think he said?” Anthony said nervously, watching Ty storm out. “I don’t want to be any trouble, I don’t want to start any trouble, I swear, I just--”

“Don’t worry.” Bucky said easily. “Steve’s fine, Ty won’t bother us.”

“Well what-- what does Steve do?” Anthony asked then. “He certainly doesn’t look like a professor.”

“Oh he’s a professor alright.” Bucky cut a big chunk of steak and placed it on the plate by Tony, scooping over some of his potatoes too. “But he also leads black ops missions overseas. Assassinations. Overthrowing governments. That sort of thing.”

“What?” Anthony’s jaw dropped. “He does what? You can’t be serious.”

“Sure I’m serious.” Bucky pointed at himself. “You don’t think he just keeps me around cause I’m a hot piece of ass, do you? I’m his second in command. All of this? The fancy restaurant and all that? We missed Valentines Day together last year because he had to kill someone somewhere secret so he is making up for it this year. And lucky us, you happened to be eating here too, and now we get to have this awesome bonding moment.”

“Lucky us.” Anthony repeated numbly. “So you guys-- you could actually help me with Ty?”

“If you want us to.” Bucky’s gaze zeroed in on the bruises on Tony’s wrist. “And you should want us to.”

“But that’s his decision to make.” Steve appeared at the table again, bringing an extra chair with him. “Anthony we didn’t get the chance to properly meet each other, my name is Steven--”

“You don't have to pretend to be normal, I already told him we kill people.” Bucky interrupted. “He didn’t think a professor in a sweater vest could handle Ty so I had to tell him.”

“I feel like you didn’t have to tell him.” Steve shook his head in exasperation. “But if that’s how we’re doing it, I’m Captain Steve Rogers, professor of art history at the university. This is my boyfriend and second in command Master Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes--”

“Bronco.” Bucky interrupted with a sly wink.

“He goes by Bucky.” Steve corrected. “So now that you know us, can we know you?”

“Anthony Stark.” Their new friend said quietly. “But my friends call me Tony. And thank you.”

“Ain’t no thang.” Bucky kicked Steve under the table and cleared his throat meaningfully. “So you coming home with us or what, sugar?”

“Christ, please forgive my boyfriend.” Steve cut in when Tony paled rather drastically. “What he means is, it doesn’t seem like you want to go home to that asshole, and if you’d rather not spend the night in a hotel by yourself, you’re more than welcome to crash at our place, we have a super comfy couch.”

“Yeah?” Tony picked at the tablecloth uncertainly. “That could be okay. I’d rather not be alone tonight.”

“Then you’ll stay with us.” Steve said decisively. “And in the morning we’ll go get your stuff from your ex boyfriend and we’ll figure it all out from there.”

“...okay.” Tony nodded once, then nodded again before digging into the shared food. “This is um-- this is the best steak I’ve ever had.”

“Look at that.” Bucky declared. “He’s a snappy dresser, hot as hell and knows a good steak when he sees it! He is definitely coming home with us. Happy Valentines Day to us!”

“Oh my god.” Steve sighed and went back to eating his food. “Tony, I’m sorry about him. I’d say it gets better, but we’ve been together like ten years and he just gets worse. He has no filter and next to zero tact and--”

“I like him.” Tony interrupted and Bucky grinned triumphantly. “But I like you too. You guys are like knights that rushed in to save a damsel in distress. Thank you.”

“It’s Valentines Day.” Steve brushed off the thanks. “You should be eating good food and laughing, not sitting with someone you hate.”

“Well, thank you anyway.” Tony managed a smile. “Happy Valentines Day to me.”

************************

SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE FIC!

BUY ME A VALENTINES DAY KO-FI!

************************

@bethy-sue @thesmollestgay @babypinkbunny @lilwitchybee @kloudbby @shipeveryonetogether @shadowrayven @deppfan16 @hausoffro @plutoisstillsalty @thereaderandwriterwithin @thecat-theparrot-theonion @zerokrox-blog @zuretha-metal @hurricanesass @tstilcr @ulnusilmukka @kahowl-knight @oswolfpack @larissaloki @stuckony-stank @blackhearted @iona-laia @itsallyd @youarenewformetoo @megahuffledor @starks-avengers @tabziecat @stitchinaride @ceealaina @cwar1864 @trinidaddee @emogoddess24 @my-drowning-in-time @pidgist @yukina64 @words-aremy-weapons @psychobitchgonepsycho @little-big-mac2 @multishippinglife @susana0 @paranormalmoonlight5

#ncts fics #valentines day #stuckony #tony stark #steve roger #bucky barnes

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camillemontespan · 5 years

Text

this heavy crown: part four [drake walker x mc]

Part Three if you want to catch up.

Happy Friday :) I’ve got prosecco and currently watching Gossip Girl after a long, horrible week at work. Hope you enjoy this latest chapter.

@jovialyouthmusic @moonlightgem7 @drakesensworld @tacohead13 @thequeenofcronuts @pug-bitch @ritachacha @be-still-my-aching-heart @sirbeepsalot @drakewalkerisreal @whenyourheartskipsabeat

*******************************************

Camille is in love with someone else.

She read the note, her heart pounding. Her eyes slowly met Liam’s. His face was calm and neutral; it was disconcerting. Camille realised that she never knew what her own husband was thinking, while she could read Drake’s face so clearly. ‘Um.. who wrote this?’ she asked quietly.

Liam sat back in his chair, studying her. He answered casually. ‘I don’t know.’

‘Right. Um..’

‘Camille, is it true?’

His voice was even. He raised an eyebrow and waited patiently. The silence was deafening. Camille knew this was her chance to tell him the truth. This was her out. But she remembered Drake’s words. Would you be ready to deal with the fall out if we told him? Everything will change. What we choose to do has massive consequences and to be honest, I don’t think we’re ready to deal with that yet.

He was right.

‘It’s not true,’ she whispered, feeling the weight on her shoulders get heavier. ‘I promise.’

Liam looked out at the harbour. He took the note and folded it up neatly, stashing it back in his pocket. ‘You see, Camile... I don’t believe you.’

Her eyes widened. ‘What?’ He shook his head. 'I just don't believe you. You've been acting differently ever since we got married. For God's sake, you left me at the wedding table at our wedding reception to do God knows what!' Camille reddened. She had gone after Drake. Liam stared at her. 'You came back the other night drunk. I've never seen you drunk before. You're usually so poised and elegant.. That wasn't the normal Camille.'

Camille stared at him. She never saw herself as poised and elegant. But then, Liam had never witnessed the genuine ‘normal’ side of her. He had never danced with her in a club and watched her slut drop. He didn’t know that early noughties Britney Spears was ‘her jam’. He didn’t know that she loved going to football games and eating overpriced hot dogs, while yelling at the rival team. He didn’t know that she hated the outfits she had to wear as Queen; she preferred jeans and her favourite oversized sweater. He didn’t know that she loved to cook hearty meals and that the brunch she had hosted for the court was not her scene at all. He didn’t know that her parents had died when she was small. Liam didn’t know anything real about her. But Drake did.

'Liam, I can still be with my friends and let loose. I can still have fun,’ she said, her voice edged with tension. ‘You always said you felt confined by your role as a prince, I thought you would understand -' He raised a hand, stopping her.

'Do you feel confined?' She looked at the table, her face reddening. 'Camille. I will find out if this note is true. I've got a horrible feeling it is, but I don't know who you could possibly be in love with, other than me. You agreed to marry me so it doesn’t make sense. But I will get to the bottom of this. But I don't believe you, I'm sorry. I just can't.' He genuinely looked apologetic.

Camille stood up, wringing her hands together. ‘But Liam-’

‘Enough, Camille.’ His voice had finally cracked. Gone was the constant composure, the relaxed voice, the smile. As he gently pushed her aside, she felt the weight of her guilt push down on her.

**********************************************

He didn't see her for the rest of the evening until he went to bed. As he got under the covers, he turned to face the other way. In the darkness, Camille's phone flashed up silently with a text. Without looking, she knew it would be Drake. He always texted her goodnight, even with his room on the other side of the Palace. Liam's voice cut into the silence, making her jump. 'Whoever texts you at the same time every night, Camille.. That has to stop.'

Camille blinked away tears. She couldn't help but feel that she had taken his kindness, his gentleness, every good thing about him for granted and had pushed him to the brink.

She had a fitful sleep but managed to get about two hours. She and Liam had breakfast in silence.

*****************************

That morning, too nervous to meet him in secret, she texted Drake. Liam got a note saying I'm in love with someone else.

He texted her back instantly. Did it say my name? What did Liam do? Are you okay?

She texted back saying that it just said 'someone'. He replied. Are you going to talk to Kiara?

Camille shut her eyes. She didn't want to speak to Kiara but she knew she had to settle this. She replied to Drake, saying she would set up a meeting in the boutique at 12pm. Camille texted Kiara next, asking her to meet. She had her dress appointment anyway, it was neutral territory and Liam wouldn't know.

*********************************

'Bonjour, Camille.'

Camille rolled her eyes as she zipped up her chosen dress. Liam had picked some beautiful ones for her and she had decided to go with the silver bias cut satin dress which hugged her figure in the right places. She turned and saw that Kiara was reclining on the chaise lounge in the boutique. 'Kiara.'

Kiara studied her. 'That dress is beautiful on you.'

'Why did you send the King that note?'

Kiara blinked and widened her eyes. 'What note?' Her voice was syrupy. Camille wasn't falling for it.

'You were the only one to hear my feelings for Drake. We begged you not to say anything and yet, you still did. Why?'

There was a silence. Kiara smirked. 'Have you forgotten? The world we are in, this court, its every person for themselves. Did you really believe I would listen to you? I know you're not going to stop the affair.'

Camille's heart hammered against her chest but she kept her voice calm. 'We were friendly during the competition, I at least thought you would remember that.'

Kiara shrugged. 'I do but I chose to ignore it. Drake is my intended. The king wants me to marry him. It helps that I've always had a little crush on Drake too, I mean, can you blame me? And now I'll be marrying him. I needed Liam to suspect you so you would stop the affair. Can I ask, have you even seen Drake today or are you too nervous?'

Camille clenched her fists. 'Your marriage hasn't even been agreed yet, Drake is still to decide.'

'Pah!' Kiara laughed. 'I doubt he will go against Liam's wishes. He is kind of his lackey, if I'm honest. Tres adorable. Would he really choose a commoner, and an American one at that, over his king? I'm sure his father would be disappointed, if he were here today, to find that his son put his own dick over king and country.'

Camille was over to Kiara in a shot. Her eyes blazed as she stood over her and even Kiara drew back when she saw how furious Camille was. 'You know nothing about Drake's father. You know nothing about Drake or his love for me. He isn't just following his dick, to use your phrasing. Everyone underestimates him, thinking he is just Liam's lackey. He is forced to stay in the shadow of the sun and be treated like crap by nobles like you,’ she spat. ‘You don't know him like I do. You will never love him like I do. But if you do get married, just be aware that you will always be second best and not his chosen wife. Because believe me, when he enters that church, he will approach the altar like it's the fucking guillotine. You're familiar with the guillotine, right?'

Kiara's mouth was gaping open like a fish and her face was pale. Suddenly, there was a cough. Camille and Kiara both turned to see Drake, Hana and Maxwell standing at the door, wearing similar expressions to Kiara. Camille pulled her shoulders back, putting on an air of poise. 'Now, Kiara, I have to help Hana find a dress. Get the fuck out.'

********************************

As soon as Kiara left with her head down, mortified, Drake rushed into the boutique and took Camille by the arms. His mouth crashed against hers. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close. When they parted, Camille was staring at him. 'What was that for?'

Drake gave her a small smile. 'I heard everything you said. Fucking hell, Montespan, you really do know me.' Suddenly, he drew back. ‘Fuck, I didn’t mean to kiss you in front of Hana and Maxwell. Fuck.’

Hana and Maxwell came in quietly, grinning. ‘We knew already,’ Maxwell said. Drake frowned. ‘But we’ve kept it hidden...’ ‘I got hammered on tequila the other night. I was upset about you and Kiara so the others tried to distract me. I ended up telling them the truth,’ Camille admitted. Drake’s eyes widened but he didn’t pursue it. Maybe it was good that Camille could have others to talk to about this... mess.

Maxwell pointed between the two of them, looking extremely excited. ‘FYI, I totally ship this.’ Drake blushed and Camille punched Maxwell jokingly in the arm. ‘You shouldn’t, I’m married to the king. Plus Drake is meant to be marrying Kiara, but hopefully we’ll find a way to stop that..’

'The way you spoke to her was amazing, Camille!’ Hana said. ‘I actually felt sorry for Kiara but only for a minute because she's a backstabbing little bitch.'

'Hana! I've never heard you speak about anyone like that!' Camille exclaimed. Hana giggled. 'I mainly keep it to myself, but everyone's being vocal today so why not?'

Maxwell saw a rail of suits and made a beeline for them. Drake groaned. ‘Guess I better suit up too.’

************************************************

That night after dinner, the court made their way into the ballroom to dance, drink and socialise. The usual string quartet was playing and there were servants offering champagne. ‘Now, please welcome to the floor, King Liam and Queen Camille!’

Liam took Camille’s hand and lead her to the centre of the dancefloor. The lights dimmed and the candles around the room cast golden shadows. The quartet began to play a lilting, romantic tune and the king and queen began to waltz. Soon, everyone else joined them. Camille saw that Hana and Maxwell were dancing together, just behind her, and Drake was dancing with Kiara, also a step away from them.

‘So I’ve been thinking...’ Liam murmured, grazing his finger against her jaw. Camille looked up and smiled weakly. ‘About what?’ ‘It’s Maxwell, isn’t it?’ Camille stopped. The couples around her looked to see what was happening while still trying to look casual. ‘Maxwell?’ she asked Liam, frowning. ‘Yes?’ Maxwell piped up. Liam sighed and leaned closer. ‘You’re in love with him.’ Camille stepped back, her heart quickening in her chest. ‘What?’ Liam reached out and pulled her back to him, roughly. Drake’s attention was caught then and he watched them out the corner of his eye, ready to jump in if Camille needed him. ‘If you stop dancing, everyone will think something’s wrong,’ Liam whispered. ‘Now waltz with me please.’ Camille cast her eyes down but obeyed. She knew he was right. She could only listen as she heard his twisted words in her ear. ‘You love Maxwell. It’s so obvious now. He sponsored you throughout the competition-’ ‘Liam, stop.’ He ignored her, continuing with his theory. He was openly talking now, forgetting to whisper. ‘He taught you about Cordonia, about court, everything. He danced with you at our balls. You were both always at each other’s side-’ ‘Yes because he was coaching me on how to win your heart-’ ‘You both always hug and kiss-’ ‘We’re both huggers!’ ‘You love Maxwell. Admit it, Camille.’

Camille was aware that Hana and Maxwell were behind Liam, but could hear everything. Hana had actually turned around to gawp at Camille, her face incredulous. The way Drake’s mouth was set into a hard line showed he had heard everything. Camille tried to move away from Liam but he held on tightly. ‘I’m not in love with him,’ she ground out. Liam’s eyes penetrated into hers. They were hard and cold; the warmth gone. ‘Fine. My brother, then.’ Camille pushed him away. Hard. ‘How dare you? God, you are really grasping at straws!’ ‘Did you just push me?’ ‘You just accused me of being in love with your brother!’ Camille said, lowering her voice to a whisper. Liam stepped forward to take her hand again but she stepped away. She noticed Drake had let go of Kiara and was about to go to Camille, but Kiara held him back. Camille silently thanked Kiara; despite the fact Kiara had put her in this bind, Camille was glad that Drake, at least, wasn’t being interrogated. ‘Camille. Be honest,’ Liam said, smiling. It didn’t reach his eyes like it usually did. Camille shook her head, holding back her tears. ‘I need to go,’ she whispered, before turning to get away. As she ran, she knocked into Olivia, who had been standing nearby next to a column. Her eyes were narrowed. ‘Camille-’ Camille ignored her, racing out of the ballroom to get out of the palace.

***********************************************

Camille sobbed as she rushed down the palace steps. She tripped over her dress and caught herself on the handrail. She felt so humiliated. She slowly sat down on the steps and held her head in her hands. ‘Camille.’ She looked around and jumped. Olivia had sat silently sat down beside her. She gave a deep sigh. ‘Well, Liam is an absolute bastard.’ Camille blinked. ‘What?’ Her voice sounded hollow. Olivia looked ahead. ‘I heard everything. Liam wasn’t discreet. I think he forgot this was a ball and the king isn’t supposed to have a domestic with his queen on the dancefloor. First for everything, I suppose. So, what are we going to do?’ Camille stared at her. ‘We?’ Olivia turned to look at Camille and smirked. ‘Yes, we. We need to fix this. You’re not happy, Drake’s not happy, Liam is certainly not happy.’ ‘I could tell.’ ‘He doesn’t suspect Drake?’ ‘No. He suspected Maxwell and his brother. I’ve barely seen Leo since I arrived here!’ Olivia screwed up her nose. ‘You would think Drake would be his top suspect.. that’s odd. It’s so obvious.’ ‘No, it’s not. It’s obvious to you now you know about it, but you didn’t think anything had actually happened between us. Maybe Liam still thinks that I’m not close with Drake? That I tolerate him?’

Olivia looked at her. ‘How in love with him are you, Camille?’ ‘I didn’t realise there was a spectrum,’ Camille replied dryly. Olivia chuckled, which was new. ‘Is it lust? Or do you want to be his girlfriend? Or do you see yourself marrying the guy, having babies with annoying American tendencies and permanent scowls?’ Camille smiled weakly. ‘First of all, annoying American tendencies?’ ‘I swear I’ve heard you say “ya’ll”,’ Olivia drawled. Camille laughed. ‘For a joke! I’m from New York, not the South!’ ‘Seriously, Camille. How in love with him are you?’ Camille’s shoulders slumped and she looked at her feet awkwardly. ‘I’d like to marry him and have babies with annoying American tendencies and permanent scowls.’ Olivia looked at the sky and murmured, ‘Way to go, Walker.’ ‘What?’

Olivia looked back at Camille. ‘I’ve known Drake since I was five. He was still as grumpy then as he is now. He got annoyed with how much I followed Liam around but he put up with me. One day, I fell from a tree and Drake was the one who fixed me up. Liam had cried like a baby, even though he hadn’t even climbed the tree, but Drake sat me on a bench and he cleaned the cut on my elbow. At five years old, he knew what to do. Look, I still have the scar.’ She lifted her sleeve and showed Camille a long, silver scar on her elbow. Camille smiled and gently touched it. ‘So,’ Olivia continued, ‘from that moment, I knew Drake was capable of feeling. He did care under that grumpy exterior. But I never saw him open up to any girls as we got older. When we were teenagers, he would dance with a girl but then ditch her as soon as the music stopped. My friends thought he was this mysterious loner who needed looking after, which I found sickening. No, Drake could look after himself. He didn’t need anybody. That is, until he met you.’

Camille started. She blushed but Olivia rolled her eyes. ‘Just stating the facts. As soon as you arrived in Cordonia, he would look at you when he thought nobody was watching him. But I was. I watched you so I could size up my competition, but I also watched him. I thought if he could somehow end up with you, then that would leave the competition open for me. It actually became a game for me. Like, say at dinner. I would watch when you left the table and I would take bets with myself to see how long it would take for Drake’s eyes to follow you out the room. Only took a few seconds.’ Camille listened, weirdly curious. It was interesting to hear an outsider’s perspective. ‘He loves you, Camille. He is willing to go behind his best friend’s back to be with the girl he loves. He has never lied to Liam and here he is, lying his heart out everyday. It kills me.’ ‘It kills you?’ ‘He is in pain and you’re in pain. I want you both to just bite the bullet and be together. Free yourselves. But I also want Liam to be happy and he won’t be happy with a wife who doesn’t love him. He doesn’t want to be a second choice husband. This is a messy situation, Camille, and I want you all out of it.’ Camille’s fingernails dug into the palms of her hands as she thought. ‘But what will happen if we come clean?’ Olivia shrugged. ‘Don’t know. This has never happened before. But you won’t know unless you do it.’ ‘If I tell the truth and end the marriage... will you become Queen? Sorry, it’s just a question, I’m only curious.’ Olivia smirked. ‘I know I’m manipulative and harsh, so you would question my motives. But no. I don’t want the throne anymore. I don’t want to be a second choice wife.’ Camille smiled weakly. She understood. Liam wouldn’t want to be a second choice husband. She exhaled and flung her arm around Olivia’s shoulders, making her jump. She gave Olivia a tight hug. ‘Thank you, Nevrakis,’ she whispered. Olivia smiled and squeezed Camille’s hand. ‘Anytime, Montespan.’

****************************************

The two of them wandered back to the ballroom. The string quartet was still playing and champagne was still being poured. Camille spotted Liam speaking to Drake. Olivia nudged her forward and Camille swallowed. She approached them and Drake gave her a nod; they always acted casual in front of Liam. Liam looked at her, his face unreadable. ‘There you are, my wife,’ he said. ‘I was just telling Drake how advantageous his marriage to Kiara will be. Wouldn’t you agree?’

Camille clenched her fists. ‘Liam, can we talk?’ He ignored her request. ‘Seriously, Drake, her parents are so excited. You will be made a Duke, which levels Kiara’s rank up. They want the best for their daughter, which I’m giving, in return for their support!’ Drake nodded, grimacing. He wished Liam would stop talking; he felt like every word he said was stabbing Camille in the heart. Her eyes were red rimmed and dull. Every time Liam said Kiara’s name, she closed her eyes, as if holding back tears. ‘And Kiara! She’s told me how ready she is. How much she likes you,’ Liam continued. ‘Hey, maybe she could teach you French!’ Drake’s vision blurred as he listened to Liam. He didn’t want to learn French. He didn’t want to be a Duke. ‘She is already designing the wedding,’ Liam chuckled. ‘She told me she had Pinterest boards! Pinterest boards!-’ Drake’s vision righted itself and he could see clearly now. He could see Liam with his smiling face and excited eyes. He could see Camille clenching her fists tightly and her downcast expression. She looked like she had been crying. No. He knew she had been crying. ‘Did you know you could make a wedding Pinterest board?’ Liam asked. ‘Camille, you should introduce me to Pinterest.’ Drake didn’t want Kiara. Drake wanted Camille. ‘It will be such a good match-’ ‘I’m in love with Camille!’ Camille’s covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide. Everyone in the room turned to stare. Drake stood there, shaking. He couldn’t believe what he had just blurted out to the entire ballroom.

Liam stared at him, frozen. His eyes darted from his best friend to his wife, his face getting paler by the second. Finally, he shook his head and blinked hard, as if shaking himself out of it. He studied Drake. In a cold voice, Liam finally spoke.

‘Of course you are.’

#drake walker x mc #trr fanfic #choices the stories you play #the royal romance

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le-petitmort · 5 years

Text

Part II – This thing is about to be a thing

In one-point-four seconds I came to the realization that I am quite literally…the dumbest motherfucker ever. First, I never got her digits. Second…I never got her digits. Disgraceful. Where was my situational awareness? It was akin to a scrawny defender putting pressure up court on the opposing team’s guard, not paying attention and running smack dab into a pick set by a seven foot chiseled like a bronze formed by the hands of Donatello, NBA center. Basketball metaphors…get used to them.

Anyway, it knocked the wind out of my sails. The reason being is that I had formulated this grandiose plan for her to make the first move beyond the first move. To engage the conversation. Open the forum. Get the small talk out the way. Allowing me to pitter patter and tiptoe my way past the threshold of awkwardness and straight to the glory road of getting to know her intimately.

By intimately, I’m not talking about straight to boom, boom, out go the lights carnal skullduggery complete with passionate wet kisses, heavy petting and cock to pussy communication. I was angling for dinner first. Not wine, dine and sixty-nine dinner either. I had it built up in my head that I was going to treat this one like a lady. Later on, I could whisper filthy invitations in her ear that would make her coo, as my hand deftly slid up her thigh towards paradise. Getting to that point would be the hard part. Or maybe not.

Maybe, I had put this particular pussy on a pedestal. Perhaps she was a cum guzzling cock whore who jumped bed to bed trolling for fat cock in the ocean of fuckery that is Brooklyn?

Mayhap, she was one of those chicks who secretly delved into her passionate side by stroking the kitty by the light of her iPhone to kinky images on tumblr. Trolling for virtual cock with selfie side boob action, a toothy smile of seduction and a user name like…say…wantonbabygirldreamsandtequilamemories.

Perchance, all that was completely off base and she was raised right by her parents. A pristine catholic girl with of heart and mind of gold, devout in her love of our lord and savior Jesus Christ who would be spending good Friday getting ashes thumbed on her forehead…or whatever it is Catholics do on that religious day. I’m agnostic so, I have zero idea and I highly doubt she’s Ms. Goodytwoshoes since I had already noted in passing that she likes a smoke and a cocktail in the evening. Plus, she wears those fancy stocking that scream “unwrap me Daddy and see the present beneath”.

Let’s get back on point. This is how much I’ve thought into her. The epitome of pussy on a pedestal syndrome. Now, we’ve had an actual conversation. Albeit, a very short conversation. Brevity is sometimes good…except when you don’t get the digits.

The face to face was going to have to happen. Overcoming my fear of ineptitude and delving into my inner rico suave. A little more toned down though, than an unbuttoned white shirt to the navel, smooth talking lothario schtick. But, more than simply me. Yep, this girl has me all sorts of fucked up.

You’re probably wondering, “what’s with all the self-loathing, dude?”. I admit it’s got to be a bit of a turn off so, here’s the back story. No, I am not a virgin who sprawls across the couch in my jockey’s eating flamin’ hot Cheetos whilst penning dirty poems to lewd images on tumblr under a username such as…bigdongdaddysearchingforhootchiecocksluts. I’m also not the kind of man who walks into a room, drawing in beautiful, leggy, big busted vixens like steel to a magnet. I’m somewhere in the middle.

A relationship failure who gets too wrapped up in his work. Which can come off as neglectful to a significant other. But, I’ve had a plan since I was eighteen that I’d be retired on a beach in Mexico by the time I was forty, with my gorgeous wife and two adorable children playing in the sand as I sip a corona and reminisce about all the good times.

You see, I like plans. I don’t like flying by the seat of my pants. Life is analytical. Meant to be linear with a point A, B, C and onward. Peaks and valleys are for the weak. Which is why, when I first spied my dream girl promenading down the crooked sidewalks of Williamsburg, I stopped the initial urge to go in for the kill and went with formulation of a process. Fucking up in love multiple times will do such things to a man.

The plan was off though, for now. I wasn’t going to be able to slap another ”call me, maybe” note on her morning coffee to pique interest. That was already done. Mutual admiration and quite possibly mutual eye fucking were already in play. She had said it herself! Not so much in those words. But, I’d been noticed. How had I not noticed her noticing me? I really am daft at this shit…or maybe I need a lightning bolt of confidence in my life?

Is this moment it? Is that all I needed was the knowledge that there was a connection from across the room that I hadn’t felt? Was there truly distant simpatico? Was kismet closer than the vacuum of my unsure, fearful mind? Do we already have a thing for each other?! Holy fuck. These are the questions whirring in my head at 5 AM. Just like the ceiling fan spinning full speed above my bed. I’m one hundred twenty miles an hour of jubilation and angst. As much as I pride myself on a linear lifestyle, I climb to the mountain summit and hurl myself into a canyon of doubt with every passing second spent thinking about her.

I can hear the city coming to life. The traffic beginning to snarl. The metal clank of bodega doors rolling open. A single bird stationed on it’s perch singing.

I should be ambling into my office, coffee cup in hand starting my so-called work day. Instead I’m counting the minutes before I jump in the shower, clean up and go finish business with my future paramour. Yes sir, I’m forcing myself to project a dose of swagger. Laying here, mean mugging like an NBA power forward who just euro-stepped his way to a thundering game-changing dunk. I’m a winner, baby! Shelve that pitiful shit, bruh. You da man! Get fuckin’ fired up!

Which is why I basically pimp walked my way to the coffee shop when the time came for action. Outfit: casual. A hoodie from my alma mater, jeans with a strategic knee rip, green Nike air force ones on my feet. I popped straight through the shop door towards the familiar blonde at the counter like I owned the place. Ya boy iz in da house! Woof, woof, woof!

“Large straight black and a skinny latte, please.” I winked, expecting she’d question why I was getting two drinks instead of one.

She went straight to brewing and giving me the inflated total. “Twelve even. Name, please.” Ok, babe, maybe you don’t understand that lives are about to change in mere minutes. A whole cosmic galaxy is about to open up. Astronomers like Neil Degrasse Tyson will be talking about the cavalcade of stars falling out of the sky because two lips met at an overpriced local coffee shop in Brooklyn. Guess I’m getting ahead of myself there.

“Stephen…with a P.” I responded.

Apprehension and giddiness course through me. Giddiness seems unmanly but, my excitement isn’t. I’m bouncing heel to toe as our drinks magically appear before me. I check my phone one last time. Knowing her punctuality, we are currently at T minus 2 minutes and counting. Ps. I am not a stalker…to reiterate.

I grab the steaming drinks and fly towards the door, nearly tumbling over a shorty with her nose buried her phone. No time for apologies, I must nail down a cozy table on the sidewalk. I want this first meeting to be something the entire five boroughs of New York stops in awe to witness.

But, there she is coming through the door just as I reach for it. The coffees are in one hand and I can feel them about to crash right into her. I swivel my wrist, going for the save. No fucking way am I flinging a skinny latte across the object of my forever affections. Fuck no. Shit. There it goes. Whoa…steady as she goes. Eye widening panic! Boom goes the dynamite! My fingers grip the cups harder and safely held. Crisis averted.

Cool and casual like that. “Here you go Iona.” I handed over her drink with a smile.

“Iona?” She looked at me puzzled.

My eyes darted, alarmed. “Uh, yesterday…when you made your order here. Uh…you told the cashier your name was Iona?” Now it was time for my own quizzical. “Your name is Iona…right?”

She blew out a breath. The kind that shoots upward, blowing a dangling strand of her bangs from her rolling at being caught in a fib eyes. “That’s a thing I do. To sound exotic.” She gave a quick shake of the head and nodded to the counter. “I change it up every day. Glenda, Marion, Billie Jean...Iona. Whatever I’m feeling like that day.”

Her hand casually reached for a true introductory shake. “My real name is Tuesday…and I already know you’re Stephen…with a P.”

My smile was contemplatively wry. “Isn’t Tuesday an exotic enough name already? I mean…I’ve never met a Tuesday.”

“Yeah, well, a girl has to have many faces. One must stay intriguing and beguiling.”

“I’m intrigued and beguiled.” I shot back. Somehow feeling comfortable in my skin for a change.

The corners of her lips curved. “Mutual.”

Relaxation immediately struck. My entire being at ease. A wordless infinity.

“But, I’m sorry Stephen. Much as I’d like to sit down and get to know you, I have to be to work in five minutes. I’m all about a strict schedule.” Nice! She really is perfection.

“I completely understand that.”

Tuesday fished a hand into her oversized tote, withdrawing a business card which she handed over. “I neglected to leave you my number last night. I was a little jittery over it all…well...you know.” Our eyes locked. Mesmerizing. “Will you call me for dinner?” She questioned as if there was some sort of doubt.

“Absolutely.” I opened the door, leading her through. Two fingers steadied at the small of her back. Feeling a response as Tuesday’s back comfortably adjusted.

She turned to me on the street, one last parting moment. Words breaking apart the sweetest lips I’d ever laid eyes on. “Thanks for latte. I like a man who gets me coffee in the morning…cliché, I know.”

“The pleasure was all mine.”

Tuesday paused, giving thought to one last message. “Just so you know…I don’t do personal calls or texts during the work day. So, don’t bother. I’m married to my career. I have a plan.”

I gave the thumbs up. Fucking perfection.

-bart 4.20.2019

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allnaturalsuga-blog · 6 years

Text

AU Prompt List

Please refer to my RULES PAGE before requesting.

Send requests into my ask box with which list you chose, the number, and the couple you’d like to see. (I only take BTS reqeusts, so either request a couple amongst the boys such as Sugakookie, Vmin, etc, or specifiy you want [Y/N] x member of your choice)

Dialogue Prompt List

(all prompts belong to their rightful owners.)

You’re my roommate who’s super cute and it’s the middle of the night and you’re cramming for your exams in your flannel pajamas and disheveled hair and it’s becoming increasingly hard for me not to kiss you.

Our mutual friend invites us for Thanksgiving dinner with their other friends and now there’s a full-fledged food fight going on with potatoes and turkey flying everywhere and we’re both seeking refuge under the table whilst sharing a bag of chips that you brought (just in case)

You and I are at a sushi restaurant and you’re continuously snagging sushi off the belt that I have to pay for and you don’t seem to be going to stop anytime soon but you look so cute when you’re eating with that smile on your face what the hell man.

A little while ago the sirens would have scared him but now all he could feel was relief.

The evening sun is falling on their face and he thinks maybe, just maybe he is a little bit in love with them.

Emotions were difficult to control. Magic was difficult to control. But no one ever really taught me how to handle either of them. Not handling your emotions wasn’t the worst thing because everyone accepted high schoolers were testy. The magic was another story, however. Not being able to control that was a danger.

A bold traveler hires an introverted writer and/or photographer to accompany them on their adventures in order to document it.

A crisp chill settled into the air, signaling a change in weather and a change in myself. A new energy swirled in the skies. This was going to change everything.

i’m a prince/ss and you’re a servant and we’re not supposed to hang out but we’re gonna fall in love anyways (Requested w/ Namjin)

I’m sick so you make me chicken soup and I’m really grateful but I’ve also seen you read books on magical spells and potion-making so I’m not sure if I should drink your soup in case it turns me into a toad

I’m the owner of a magic shop and you discover my magics one day when you walk in on my cat flying around inside the shop on a broom and now I have to take you in as my apprentice or turn you into a toad

You’re the health-conscious med student and I’m the chain-smoking art student who’s also your barista and you leave me notes on smoking and lung health on your napkins and also a 20-page essay on lung cancer tucked under your saucer

I spilled my drink down your shirt and then tried to drink it off you.

I used to be the best baker in the neighborhood but then you showed up at Mrs Appleby’s 80th birthday with a stack of brownies which almost gave me an orgasm my honor is at stake and I’m going all out for the next event

I can’t tell whether this is a date because you asked to see a movie but I’m still not sure you’re queer, and I’m toeing the line because maybe you’re just trying to make friends

You’re a dragon slayer, and I raise dragons. The king has invited us to his castle to plead in favor of our causes.

I just captured the ship you’re on and about to kill everyone on it, but you’re cute, I’ll keep you (Requested w/ Vmin)

I needed to kidnap you for a mission but don’t worry I won’t kill you, you’ll be staying with my family for a while

You’re the neighbor that keeps their curtains open, even when changing, and I can’t talk to you without blushing (Requested w/ Jimin)

we’ve been roomates for a few months now and I never see you at night except this time when I caught you dragging a body into the kitchen

you hired me to be the surprise stripper for your friend at this bachelor/bachelorette party and they did not take it well and threw both of us out in the freezing cold this is all your fault

“youre singing in our dorm shower, and i just want to let you know that you have a wonderful voice, also oops i’m naked.”

you showed up at my place in the middle of the night with bruises and blood and you won’t say what happened so I just lead you into the bathroom and clean you up

stop yelling ‘parkour’ when you scale fences and run across the road that’s dangerous and an incredibly inefficient detour so gET BACK HERE

your hands ache and your knuckles are bleeding after getting into another dumb fist fight so I’m gonna bandage them and then hold your hand for the whole day

I know you won’t get into any fights when I’m with you mainly because you’re scared I’ll get injured and because you know I’ll whoop your ass even worse if you even attempt to

you may be really reckless and you’re always getting in trouble but I know for sure that every morning you sneak out of bed and go outside to feed the neighbourhood cats

From birth we were rivals. Always competing, always striving to be better than one another. Our parents expected a fight. So I guess that’s why I was startled when we kissed for the first time.

I tore myself apart for you, bit by bit, only for you to go in the grave. I hope some part of me stays with you, wherever the hell you are.

Waves rolled lazily, almost a leisurely stroll in the midsummer day. Somewhere down on the beach, a severed head washed up on the shore.

The rainy morning, the fog, and the news of a murder swept the town in a panicked, subdued state.

A ruby studded crown sat upon scarlet tresses while crimson blood leaked out of delicate rosey lips.

You marry your spouse young. As the years pass, the spark fades. One day, an incident ocurrs, and it is revealed that your spouse has been leading a double life. When their two lives collide, you are plunged into the action. Your brains says that the lies and secrets definitely mean the end of your marriage, but, throughout the chaos that follows, your heart is falling in love all over again.

He wasn’t an assassin or hitman; his only job was to dispose of the bodies.

He wouldn’t stop doing chest compressions on the unmoving body. If he stopped pumping the heart, his own would cease to beat.

We revolved around him like planets around the sun. Without him, we would all separate, scattered amongst the stars. We didn’t know what to do when our sun started to die. And we definitely didn’t expect that the supernova he exploded into would destroy us all.

They visited each other in their dreams because during waking life, it was much too dangerous to be seen together.

From colorful ring pops to bedazzled matching class rings to elegant wedding rings (and more ring pops along the way), we were always tied together with those little circular bands.

Lost hikers who mutually think the other is a bear or other predator rustling about in the forest, readying to pounce. They’re relieved to see that each other is only a human. At least until they hear more rustling.

You and I were sent on a quest together by the king, but now we’re horribly lost, and I’m fairly certain this quest was just meant to kill us.

I’m an alchemist, and you’re my ever-so-patient assistant who finds me the random ingredients I ask for, I really need to find a way to thank you.

You’ve been my best friend for years, and I can tell you anything, right? Good, because I sort of stole a dragon egg.

He was clothed in billowing gold fabric and he shone like the sun.

For everything you gain, you lose something else.

I woke up and found you in the kitchen wearing my shirt and humming along to ‘beautiful soul’ and jfc i think i love your dumb ass

I’m a broke ass musician who plays in the subway station and you drop a couple of dollar in my instrument case whenever you walk by. You’re very cute and i always wink at you because i just want to acknowledge you somehow. One day you show up with two burgers and asks if i wanna eat with you because ‘you didn’t have any change tonight

We’re friends and decide it would be a good idea to get jobs as phone sex operators to make some money over the summer. I thought it was just gonna be shits and giggles but turns out you sound ridiculously hot when you’re talking to horny dudes over the phone and I’m 100% screwed i can barely stand to be in the same room as you when we’re working jfc

I’m pretty used to you disappearing on me for days at a time. I don’t mind it, I have my own work to keep myself busy. One night you show up seriously injured, insisting on not going to see a doctor so I have to stitch you up myself

When we met, you were a drug dealer. I was young and you wanted to take me to see the world. It’s the best year of my life, but eventually I get too scared of the shit you do. I leave when you needed me the most and you feel used. You spiral into drugs. We meet five years later, in a bathroom stall at some club and you’re high out of your mind. I take you home and help you get clean.

You’re a night owl, and your partner has never been able to quite make it to the wee hours with you. You don’t mind them nodding off- their prescence and their sleeping face make the stars dull, to you.

Your partner has been really overworking themselves to ace their finals. You hate seeing them so stressed, so you leave them little treats they love, make sure they’re taking care of themselves, and become their study partner. You know they’ve got this- you’ve just to convince them of that, too.

I still wake up most nights from the nightmares about the bombings and the war, but you’re always there to tell me I’m fine and safe

I’m behind you in line at the grocery store and all you have in your cart are three pints of really overpriced ice cream and a bottle of vodka. Are you okay do you need a hug?

You work for a drug cartel and I’m an FBI agent working undercover. After a while, I already have all the information I need, but I end up actually falling in love with you in the process, so I keep lying to my commander telling them I need more time. Eventually you find out and you have a gun pointed to my head and tears in your eyes.

She sat on the stone steps of the brownstone house, the cold rain slowly drenching her, but she still looked happy

#bts scenarios #bts requests #bts fanfic #bts fanfics #bts imagines #bts fanfiction #bts imagine #bts senario #bts request #seokjin fanfic #yoongi fanfic #hoseok fanfic #namjoon fanfic #jimin fanfic #taehyung fanfic #jungkook fanfic #vkook fanfic #sugakookie fanfic #vmin fanfic

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everlarkbirthdaygifts · 7 years

Text

Happy Birthday page-28!

Happy Birthday @page-28! We hope you had a great day celebrating:) To help make your day is even better, @historywriter2007 has written you a lovely Everlark story :)

Rating: T

Katniss pulled her car along the curb in front of the newly renovated building and huffed as she put it in park. She was still fuming over the fact she had to come out here and review a coffee shop. A real coffee shop, not some place that sold coffee along with exquisite food, no a coffee shop. Katniss was a food critic, a damn good one, not a coffee critic; but her editor told her she owed one of the owners a favor so now Katniss was the one spending her afternoon at The Cornucopia Coffee Shop instead of trying to work on her pitch to Travel Panem.

Katniss took a deep breath and tried to collect herself before going in. She may be pissed about her assignment, but she was a professional and was going to act as such. The coffee shop was in an up and coming area of the Capital, many of the buildings were older and being renovated. The Cornucopia sat on a corner lot and appeared to have at least one apartment above it with the windows wide open. She pulled the doors open and walked in, the second she entered she noticed this was different than other coffee shops she’d been in. Unlike the ritzy chain shops with their dark wood and overpriced drinks this shop was bright, warm and inviting. There was no other way to put it in Katniss’ mind, the place felt like home. The wood floors and counters were light in color and the walls were all a warm beige besides the back wall which was a sunset orange.

Ed Sheeran played from a small speaker behind the bar so she knew someone was here but she couldn’t find them right away. She wondered to the counter and looked behind it to find a male with a very nice looking ass half in the display case.

“Excuse me.” She started, causing the man in the case to jump and hit his head with a loud bang followed by a whispered “shit.” He pushed his way out rubbing his hand along the back of his head, tousling his curly blonde hair in the process. When he straightened Katniss couldn’t help but to stare, he was around her age, medium height, well built, with bright blue eyes with a strong jaw and movie star looks.

She quickly regained her composure. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m Katniss Everdeen with The Capital Times, I am supposed to be meeting a Peeta Mellark here.”

The man gave her a nervous smile and extended the hand that was not holding his head, “I’m Peeta, it’s nice to meet you. When they said they were going to send someone to review the place I didn’t think I would get someone as well known as you.”

“I was told Effie owed you a favor so here I am,” Katniss replied.

Peeta let out a huff. “No, she owes Haymitch a favor and then some. He’s a silent partner, believe me if you ever met him you wouldn’t want him near your food, but he does make a mean Whiskey Sour. He is the owner of the Arena Bar a few blocks over, my guess is he figured if he got them drunk the night before they would need coffee the next morning. I’m sorry they dragged you into this, I am sure this is beneath you.”

Although he was saying exactly what she was thinking moments ago she felt a pull to him, there was something about him that felt familiar and comfortable, she found she wanted to help him. “It’s not beneath me, just not what I’m used to. I’m willing to go ahead with the review if you are.”

Peeta smiled for real this time showing off his perfect white teeth and dimples, “Sure, so how do you want to go about this?”

“Why don’t you get a few of your house specialties together and we’ll go from there.”

Peeta nodded and started to gather some dishes, “Why don’t you take a look around while I get everything together.”

Katniss smiled at him then walked away from the bar to let him work. She found herself wandering towards the back where a picture hung that seemed very familiar to her. It was a meadow in the spring, filled with dandelions. Katniss was immediately enchanted by the painting, she felt like she could smell the green grass, it was just like she was back in District 12 where she grew up. Peeta’s heavy tread came up behind her, she spoke without turning around. “Who did this painting?”

He was placing the tray down at the table next to her as he answered. “I did. It’s of the meadow outside District 12. I went there a few times while visiting my grandparents.”

Katniss turned to look at him, but he was now the one lost in the painting. “I’m from 12, I’m surprised we never crossed paths before.”

“We were never there very long, my mother hated going to 12. I would sneak away for a bit to see the meadow if I got the chance, I always loved how peaceful it seemed, especially compared to the hustle of the Capital.”

“I loved it too, I would go there a lot after my father died. It was the only place I felt I could let go of everything for awhile.” Katniss was afraid of where the conversation would go after she uttered those words and she changed the subject. “So what did you bring me.”

The two sat at the small table next to them, “I have a cafe mocha, a latte, and a hot chocolate. Also, I brought a sample of the food items I am thinking of carrying when I open, a chocolate croissant and some cheesebuns.”

Katniss noticed he had a cup as well, “And what are you drinking?”

He paused to answer before taking his first sip. “Tea, just cream, no sugar.”

Katniss chose the cheesebun first and couldn’t stop the sound she made as she tasted the treat. It was savory, with just the right amount of herbs and cheese to make her taste buds explode with pleasure. When she opened her eyes and looked at Peeta, his mouth hung open and his cheeks had a slight blush, one which she was sure her’s now matched. He swallowed thickly before talking. “I’m guessing you like them.”

Katniss simply looked at him and nodded, no food ever made her moan in pleasure before, she then took a sip of the hot chocolate, which gave her a similar reaction. It was smooth, but thick at the same time. Not to mention the way the savory from the cheesebun and the sweetness of the hot chocolate met in her mouth; it was as if she was tasting heaven. If she had known coffee shops had this kind of flavor she would’ve added more to her circuit.

“Oh my God Peeta, this is amazing. Where did you get the recipes?”

“I made them up myself. It took some time, but I finally got them where I wanted them.”

As Katniss continued to try the drinks and food she asked Peeta more about the shop. He told her about how his grandparents had a bakery in 12, but he didn’t open a bakery due to the overhead. She, in turn, told him stories from her childhood, how she got out of 12 and that her sister was now studying medicine in District 4. Katniss also told Peeta about her idea for a new show where she would go around Panem trying restaurants and educating people about the forgotten history of each district. He was the first person who told her to go for it without finding a thousand reasons it would fail.

The conversation went on for hours, but neither noticed, they had stopped talking about the shop, it felt more like they were old friends catching up on lost time. Finally, Katniss realized it was getting dark outside. “I should get going so I can write the article, by the way, are there apartments upstairs? I know those are going for a premium in this area, I could mention it in the article if you’d like.”

“I’m the only one who lives up there. I bought the whole building and thought it would be better to only have my apartment up there. That way I could ensure I didn’t have a noisy neighbor keeping me up. Do you want to see it?” The words left Peeta’s mouth before he could stop them and the blush that took over his face made Katniss’ heartbeat speed up. She wanted to see the apartment, along with spending more time with its occupant, but she needed to keep things professional.

“No, that’s okay. I should get going. The article will be out in about a week, right before your grand opening.” Katniss spoke while trying to gather her notepad and other items, she needed to get out of there before she did something stupid like lick the bit of chocolate she just noticed in the corner of Peeta’s mouth. She couldn’t help the attraction she felt for him and it scared her.

If Peeta was thrown off he didn't let on, instead he gathered the now empty cups and plates and walked her to the door. “Well if you ever want a tour I would be happy to give you one.”

He gave her a shy smile that made everything in her melt, time to go. Katniss nodded and walked out the door shouting a thank you over her shoulder.

___

One week later Katniss found her way back to The Cornucopia with an advanced copy of the review she wrote. She never brought advance copies, but she couldn’t get Peeta out of her head. For once she decided to take a chance, plus her friend Joanna told her it’s time to do something with her life besides work. What’s the worst that could happen?

The door was open and Peeta was straightening up behind the bar, this time Imagine Dragons played over the speakers in the shop. Everything was ready for the grand opening which would be in two days. He looked up from the pile of plates and gave Katniss a big smile she couldn’t help matching. “Fancy seeing you here.”

Katniss answered while handing over the lifestyle section of the paper. “Well, I thought you would like to see what I wrote about the shop.”

Peeta took the paper and read the review while Katniss bit her bottom lip, she hadn’t been this nervous about a review since she wrote her first one for Effie.

Finally, he looked up. “You really think this is the best coffee shop you’ve ever been in?”

“I never write anything I don’t mean. I’m a horrible liar.” Katniss acknowledged.

“Thank you, this means a lot coming from the top restaurant critic in the Capital. Speaking of, where would you recommend someone go on a first date?”

Katniss felt a pit open up in her stomach, of course he would have a date. Peeta was far too attractive and nice to be single for long. She hoped her voice wouldn’t betray her as she spoke. “I would suggest The Ocean, as long as your date likes seafood that is.”

“Well Katniss, do you like seafood?” Peeta questioned.

Katniss stared at him with confusion, “Yes, why?”

Peeta chuckled and ran his thumb over her furrowed brows, “I would like to ask you out on a date. Now that the review is published we could go out right. Of course that’s only if you want to.”

Katniss released her breath, “I would like that very much, and maybe after I could get that tour of the new apartment upstairs.”

Peeta moved a hair from her face to behind her ear, “I’m sure that could be arranged.”

#everlark #everlark fanfiction #everlarkbirthdaydrabbles #everlarkbirthdaygifts #fan fic #by historywriter2007

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verdigrisprowl · 7 years

Text

July 17 Dancitron Movie Night - Sing

Swoop and Tarantulas got in a small kerfuffle and Prowl sent a flying kick at Swoop, and honestly Prowl jumping into a fight with a Dinobot is easily the dumbest thing he’s done all month.

Soundwave, Tarantulas and Prowl hung out after movie night was over. The contents of said hangout are still being roleplayed out and the chatlog is forthcoming. Highlights of what IS included in this log: Tarantulas has promised to capture a bunch of cephalopods for Soundwave, Bevel, and Prowl to meet. (Prowl doesn’t really care about meeting them all that much, but he decided to come along anyway so that Soundwave gets to meet three more species.)

ItsyBitsySpyers 7:48 pm *Soundwave settles in on his usual spot, props his legs up with one feeler, and uses the other to give himself a head massage.* Swoop 7:50 pm *scampers in smelling like a furnace* ItsyBitsySpyers 7:50 pm [[Please smoke outside.]] Swoop 7:50 pm *which isn't measurably different from how he usually smells, but much more ... immediate this time around* What? Oh! Kehehehhehheh Me Swoop not on fire it okay :> *is a stinky stinker today, be prepared to get ash on all the things* best decepticon leader 7:52 pm ((We don't have Starbuck's here, is it good? FakeProwl 7:52 pm *appears, claims h is usual spot, and then gives soundwave a vaguely semi-concerned look. why headrub?* ItsyBitsySpyers 7:52 pm [[Try to contain your smell, then. We will have other guests.]] ((idk i don't like coffee haha)) Swoop 7:52 pm ((I don't drink coffee but their hot chocolate isn't bad.)) Uhh... how? Keheh FakeProwl 7:53 pm ((same. their ice tea tastes like ice tea, nothing super special. def overpriced.) Tarantulas 7:54 pm (( starbucks is like fancy-mcdonalds of coffee tbqh Bevel 7:54 pm [[starbucks is ok for like fastfood/chain shop coffee. i like their chai [[not much of a coffee drinker tbh Bay 7:56 pm (( *settles into chat* i didn't know who to bring, bc it's been a while. So for now I'm just a bunny 8D )) FakeProwl 7:56 pm ((eyyyy)) ((... i don't think i ever played with you on this account but hiiiiii)) ItsyBitsySpyers 7:57 pm ((fifteen minute warning. y'all get your snacks and drinks and bathroom breaks)) Swoop 7:57 pm ((thanks mom)) Bay 7:58 pm (( WELL idk about tumblr, but we've def played in the chat before -- looong time ago Bevel 7:58 pm [[roger roger, slender Bay 7:58 pm (( *with Prowl, I mean )) FakeProwl 7:58 pm ((did we?? which of your characters?)) Bay 7:59 pm (( I remember I came in as Jazz a few times? Unless there are secretly more Prowls than I'm aware of Bevel 7:59 pm [[all the prowls FakeProwl 7:59 pm ((............ you have too many characters, which jazz are you)) Bay 8:00 pm (( it was just an NPC Jazz on Twincast's blog boomtank 8:00 pm ((gdi bay Bevel 8:00 pm [[...was that my prowl? Swoop 8:00 pm Her Carly make a cake for Sparkplug birthday Chip say it taller than him And them laugh and then Sludge try to touch and it SMASH dead cake Bevel 8:01 pm *oh right here now just in time whoo, trudges over to her seat* Bay 8:01 pm ((...you know, now I'm doubting myself. HM.)) Swoop 8:01 pm *IS A BABY DRAGON sort of* FakeProwl 8:01 pm ((mighta been ur prowl, i don't specifically remember playing with an NPC jazz)) ((was the prowl you played with Aligned or IDW? im IDW)) Clich A 8:02 pm It is I, who is a bunny now apparently. Impact 8:02 pm *nyooms in* What's the moooovie? Swoop 8:02 pm *pretends to cough and pounds his chest so a little flame flickers out* *sparkplug taught him that one* :> Bevel 8:02 pm *makes room for tiny Impact* Impact 8:02 pm 3:D Bay 8:03 pm ((I do not recall. It was probably literally over a year ago at this point. I'mma give it a shrug. I remember them debating Twincast's defection to the decepticons, but that's about it? )) boomtank 8:03 pm -trots in and glances around for a seat- ItsyBitsySpyers 8:03 pm *Soundwave nods to the assorted newcomers and lifts his datapad to double-check the title. Once he sees what it is, he wonders why he even needed to do that.* [[Sing.]] Bevel 8:03 pm [[oh then it was probably definitely mine as it's been over a year since i've rp'd anything Tarantulas 8:03 pm *erring on the wrong side of caution, tarantulas arrives in root size, his usual mess of legs and fur, "sneaks" over to try and surprise prowl and/or soundwave* Swoop 8:04 pm *notices that he has dust, dirt, and/or ash falling off himself* FakeProwl 8:04 pm ((i don't remember that debate so yeah, prob not mine)) Swoop 8:04 pm *proceeds to jump somewhat in place to make a bigger mess* *good job swoop* Bay 8:04 pm ((Then I've had y'all mixed up for that long LOL. geez. this is what I get for crossing fandoms)) FakeProwl 8:05 pm ((i think we probably haven't played since i drifted off of starscream? unless we played on my drift at some point)) Swoop 8:05 pm *fuck clean floors, anarchy for life* Bay 8:05 pm ((I played w/ Drift as Kid. I know that for a fact. FakeProwl 8:06 pm ((THAT'S right. So it has been more recent than starscream.)) ((STILL. far too long.)) ((u jumped to megaman with butters, didn't you?)) Bevel 8:06 pm [[nice seeing you again, bay boomtank 8:06 pm ((Baaaaay what have you been up to? Bay 8:06 pm (( I DID and then to Yugioh & it's been. 8T I have regrets)) FakeProwl 8:06 pm ((lol)) ((how's that anime hell treating you)) Impact 8:07 pm ((i used to highkey adore yugioh but then the original series ended)) Bevel 8:07 pm [[*has been buried in the marvel fandom since leaving tf, so many regrets* FakeProwl 8:07 pm ((marvel's a rough place to be rn)) Bay 8:08 pm ((TBH there's a lot of drama in YGO and it's p elitist. idk. I play a filler character which means few ppl will give me the time of day)) Impact 8:08 pm ((awww, that sucks)) FakeProwl 8:08 pm ((tch. sucks for them.)) boomtank 8:08 pm ((their loss Bay 8:08 pm ((Also, I've had to make a whole new universe/timeline for every new character I encounter ((and I scream rl loud)) FakeProwl 8:09 pm ((ugh god ygo is one of those fandoms?)) Clich A 8:09 pm ((Oh wow, that can go to heckie.)) Bay 8:09 pm ((YEP FakeProwl 8:09 pm ((i can't STAND roleplaying in fandoms where everyone insists on a separate verse for every character interaction)) boomtank 8:09 pm ((that...kinda REALLY sucks Bevel 8:09 pm [[oh geez, i hate that FakeProwl 8:09 pm ((WHAT ABOUT CONTINUITY? WHAT ABOUT CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT??)) Bay 8:09 pm ((there are a few group unis, but it's. ugh &&YEAH. P MUCH.)) Bevel 8:10 pm [[what about the fun of playing with eight different versions of the same character all at once and having to make up nicknames to keep them all straight Swoop 8:10 pm Soundwavwe ItsyBitsySpyers 8:10 pm *If Tarantulas has made his way over to Soundwave, he'll find that the feeler massaging Soundwave's head turns and tries to catch him instead* [[Yes?]] Swoop 8:10 pm This sound like Her Carly sleepy music You put on LOUD FUN stuff!!! Clich A 8:10 pm Got any Miles davis in this playlist? FakeProwl 8:10 pm ((you haven't truly roleplayed until you've made a "Soundwave liked this post" bingo card and couldn't even fit all the Soundwave URLs on it.)) ItsyBitsySpyers 8:11 pm [[One something more Swoop's style and then that, as requested.]] Swoop 8:11 pm :> Bay 8:11 pm ((SO YEAH. I mean I've had some fun, but I wouldn't recommend it at all. 8'] I miss y'all regularly Clich A 8:11 pm Would Swoop enjoy "Screaming Jay" Hawkins? This is something I would like to know. boomtank 8:11 pm ((and your tf muses are still mia? FakeProwl 8:11 pm ((ur always welcome back here~~~)) Bay 8:12 pm ((don't tempt me)) ItsyBitsySpyers 8:12 pm ((*tempt tempt*)) Impact 8:12 pm ((*teeeeempts*)) boomtank 8:12 pm ((come baaaaack FakeProwl 8:12 pm ((also im trying to bring starscream's blog back from the dead so, yknow, folks to interact with would be VERY welcome.)) Swoop 8:12 pm *is 1000% sure Jazz has played this song while they were training before* :> Bay 8:12 pm ((also I might have to refresh here a sec, bc I just realised there's nothing playing on my end & there probably should be lmfao)) ItsyBitsySpyers 8:12 pm *Don't tell him. Someone already ruined Mr. Saxobeat.* FakeProwl 8:12 pm ((yeah, we got music going on here)) Swoop 8:13 pm *you're the one who can read minds, buddy* Bay 8:13 pm ((YEP THERE WE GO ((branch.io is very important)) Bevel 8:14 pm [[i came back as an updated version of an OC I used to play with minor plans for an old blog eventually Impact 8:14 pm ((:D)) Bay 8:14 pm ((fffff. I'd probably just come back as Twincast/his crew boomtank 8:14 pm ((awww Swoop 8:14 pm You Soundwave always do sitty music thing. Us do FIGHT stuff one day! Him Chip show games - Tekken, Mortal Kombat - fight tournament. THAT more than talky movie! Then OTHER dinobots come too!! Bevel 8:15 pm [[but bevel gets focus right now because OCs are a bit harder to establish tbh boomtank 8:15 pm ((boom gets to poke at twin again? Swoop 8:15 pm *JUMPS* Bay 8:15 pm (( /we *we'll see Tarantulas 8:15 pm *yeah, gonna try to dodge soundwave's feeler, probably fails because of the whole mess-of-legs thing* FakeProwl 8:15 pm *what's all this feeler waving abou—? oh.* Hi. boomtank 8:15 pm ((hehehe Swoop 8:15 pm *bounces straight into tara* Ka! Clich A 8:15 pm Ooh, nice, thanks Soundwave! ItsyBitsySpyers 8:16 pm *Also, the mun missed Prowl asking a question, so - a quick private text.* Clich A 8:16 pm WHo wants to big band dance with me? *Brow waggle* boomtank 8:16 pm -is just going to watch this mess of a room- Tarantulas 8:16 pm What's that sm - /ah/ Swoop 8:17 pm *catches onto a couple of tara's legs and just holds them* kehehehhehe Tarantulas 8:17 pm *ptero, meet spide* Impact 8:17 pm *wiggles by Bevel, gotta get comfy* Bevel 8:17 pm *pulls out a rust stick for Impact* Impact 8:17 pm *DELIGHTED GASP* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:18 pm @P: (txt): Sore spot. Backed into Buzzsaw sculpture during transport. Soundwave: fine. Tarantulas 8:18 pm Let go, let /go/, PLEASE. *not a fan. squirming legs will toss the kiddo around if he's not careful* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:18 pm ((ALL RIGHT SO... uh, I think there's flashing lights at some point and... and to be honest I watched this like two weeks ago so I don't remember well but I don't think there's much else?)) Swoop 8:18 pm *IMMEDIATELY clamps down once the wiggles start, it isn't even a thought, just an instinct* Tarantulas 8:19 pm *DEFINITELY not a fan* Lady306 8:19 pm ((wait I remembered a muse I could bring in w/o having to remember too much .u. )) Impact 8:19 pm ((oh?)) Swoop 8:19 pm *eventually all the parental lectures catch up with Swoop's body and he lets go* Bevel 8:19 pm *hopes this is a movie that's actually appropriate for Impact* Swoop 8:19 pm *but .... the setae feel weird on his hands* Lady306 8:19 pm ((306 -- assuming my name changes like it should)) Swoop 8:19 pm *better catch one in his fingertips and bring it with him* Bevel 8:20 pm [[it did ItsyBitsySpyers 8:20 pm ((one sec my audio glitched)) Tarantulas 8:20 pm *gonna get that servo slapped, swoop* What are you DOING. FakeProwl 8:20 pm *DISTRESSED TARANTULAS. Immediately zeroes in on the conflict.* Swoop 8:20 pm *bounces, holds up the yanked setae* Swoop grab! FakeProwl 8:20 pm *If it goes any further he's launching a flying kick at swoop's head* Lady306 8:21 pm *casually strolls in... not entirely sure what's going on, but he's going to get comfortable!* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:21 pm [[Let go, Swoop.]] ((oh ffs chrome... hold on y'all.)) Tarantulas 8:21 pm He can have the seta, for Primus's sake, but Swoop, you can't just - *inarticulate noises* Swoop 8:21 pm *cocks head* boomtank 8:22 pm -well, this is interesting to watch- Swoop 8:22 pm Can. DID! Keheheh. Tarantulas 8:22 pm You OUGHTN'T have Swoop 8:22 pm Why? Tarantulas 8:24 pm Because you don't just JUMP people you haven't - I mean, I /suppose/ we've met, but still Lady306 8:24 pm *if there's room somewhere over by Boom, he'll probably go sit by him, actually. It seems safe.* Swoop 8:24 pm Me Swoop am bomber :> ItsyBitsySpyers 8:24 pm ((OKAY FINALLY... sorry, y'all. my new computer is a glitchy piece of crap :| )) Tarantulas 8:24 pm The only bomber you are is a STINK bomber, by the way Swoop 8:24 pm ((pee on it to establish your dominance)) Impact 8:24 pm Animal movie! 3:D boomtank 8:24 pm Ah. Hello...um? Lady306 8:24 pm Hello, darling Swoop 8:24 pm Kehehehh! Yah. Me Swoop burn stuff *reaches up to try to touch the optics on Tara's forehead* FakeProwl 8:25 pm You might be a bomber, but Tarantulas is neither an enemy nor a target, and should not be treated as such. Tarantulas 8:25 pm *stands up straight for once so swoop can't reach* best decepticon leader 8:25 pm ((technical difficulties FakeProwl 8:25 pm Tarantulas, come over here. *he's going to be an anti-Dinobot shield* boomtank 8:25 pm -there's space, and Boom is probably a safe bet- Lady306 8:26 pm *and a cute bet* Swoop 8:26 pm *grabs tara's shoulder and steps on his knee to try to climb up* KEHEHEHEH Tarantulas 8:26 pm Ah - *don't have to tell him twice, prowl, tara's scrambling over to ya* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:26 pm *Makes room* Tarantulas 8:26 pm *and falling over because he got climbed on* FakeProwl 8:26 pm *THAT'S IT, THAT'S THE SIGNAL FOR THE FLYING KICK* Swoop 8:26 pm *SWOOP WINS* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:27 pm [[SWOOP.]] boomtank 8:27 pm -wait, what?- Swoop 8:27 pm Hi :> FakeProwl 8:27 pm *admittedly there isn't much weight behind a hollow holomatter avatar, but.* best decepticon leader 8:27 pm so dramatic ItsyBitsySpyers 8:27 pm [[Other side of the room or Laserbeak will not visit later.]] Tarantulas 8:27 pm *grumbling in a heap on the floor* Swoop 8:27 pm *is a bigger heap once Prowl hits and tara is the bottom of a pileup* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:28 pm [[Oh, for Primus' sake.]] Swoop 8:28 pm *is used to wrestling dinos so this is nothing* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:28 pm [[This is a movie night, not a brawl.]] Clich A 8:28 pm *Clutches spark* I love this song.. boomtank 8:28 pm ....whoever you are, I think we need to scoot over a bit more FakeProwl 8:28 pm *immediately rolls off and tries to rescue tarantulas from the bottom* Lady306 8:29 pm 306, but, ah, yes I tend to agree Swoop 8:29 pm *holds onto tara but whines at Soundwave* Me Swoop want to play with Bird! ItsyBitsySpyers 8:29 pm [[Then let go.]] Lady306 8:29 pm *quietly obliges the not-request and scoots further over* Swoop 8:29 pm *holds up his hands but makes no other move* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:29 pm [[Now go sit down.]] Tarantulas 8:29 pm Last I checked, I'M not Bird, so go play with HER *grumble mumble* boomtank 8:30 pm -follows to keep out of the way of the pileup- Swoop 8:30 pm Nooo kehehehh YOU not BIRD at aaaaaaaalll Lady306 8:30 pm And... I assume you're a Blaster? boomtank 8:31 pm Yeah, that's me Tarantulas 8:31 pm *gonna use his legs and prowl to dislodge the graspless swoop and try to crawl over to the couch* Swoop 8:32 pm *giggles the entire time* You pokey bot Tarantulas 8:33 pm *nope, a BOPPY bot. swoop gets bopped on the helm crest* Lady306 8:33 pm @boom - I apologise if it's rude to ask, but I take it you're alone tonight? Swoop 8:33 pm :V keheehee FakeProwl 8:33 pm *follows Tarantulas, keeping himself between him and Swoo—* Tarantulas! Don't encourage him. Swoop 8:33 pm You bad at punches Tarantulas 8:34 pm That wasn't a punch! That was a minor tap! *whiny hiss* Swoop 8:34 pm Yah! It suck. boomtank 8:35 pm Hmn? Yeah, no one with me. FakeProwl 8:35 pm *points at Swoop* And you. YOU keep your hands off of Tarantulas unless he gives you permission to touch him. Swoop 8:36 pm *is OVERCOME by a desire to poke Tara* Lady306 8:36 pm *smiiiiles at* Then I suppose we'll have to keep each other company, hm? Impact 8:36 pm *dozes off* boomtank 8:37 pm Yeah? Aren't we already? Tarantulas 8:37 pm /Don't./ *he can see the desire in swoop's optics damnit* Lady306 8:38 pm *pfft* Technically, yes. boomtank 8:39 pm ...? Swoop 8:39 pm *has zero interest in the movie, stares tara down* FakeProwl 8:39 pm @Soundwave «Requesting permission to bridge Swoop out if he lunges for Tarantulas again.» boomtank 8:39 pm -confused tank noises- ItsyBitsySpyers 8:40 pm @Prowl: (txt): Granted. Coordinates here. *Gives* Swoop 8:40 pm *iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinches* FakeProwl 8:41 pm *reaches back to put a hand on Tarantulas's arm* Tarantulas 8:41 pm *squiiiiiiiints* Impact 8:41 pm ((too sleepy for movie night. i'm off guys. night!)) FakeProwl 8:41 pm ((gnight!)) Lady306 8:41 pm ((sleep well!)) best decepticon leader 8:41 pm ((night Clich A 8:41 pm ((SLeep welL!(( ItsyBitsySpyers 8:41 pm ((night!)) Swoop 8:42 pm ((night)) Lady306 8:42 pm @boom I just didn't expect you to be so cheeky. That's all Swoop 8:42 pm *crouches as he leans, getting almost down on all fours* Tarantulas 8:42 pm *whisperhiss* Prowl, can I test how fireproof my webs are? boomtank 8:43 pm Cheeky? Tarantulas 8:43 pm *too bad if you say no because he's gonna do it* Swoop 8:43 pm ((JESUS CHRIST)) Lady306 8:44 pm Yes, cheeky. FakeProwl 8:44 pm @Tarantulas «Unnecessary. If he tries anything else, he's being immediately ejected.» boomtank 8:44 pm What do you mean? Lady306 8:44 pm I was offering you company and you answered that we were already sharing it I'd call that cheeky boomtank 8:45 pm But...? We are? Swoop 8:45 pm *leeeeeeeeeeeeans forward slooooowly and reaches out with one claw tip for tara's leg* Lady306 8:47 pm *would it be rude to pat you? Because he wants to* FakeProwl 8:47 pm *bridge open underneath Swoop's feet* *bye-bye* boomtank 8:47 pm -go for it. he'd only get more confused- Swoop 8:47 pm *squeals all the way to the next location he'll terrorize* Lady306 8:47 pm *Then he will* Never mind. It's not important Tarantulas 8:48 pm *tara already started to shoot silk at swoop's servo - it gets cut off by the bridge when it closes* ItsyBitsySpyers 8:48 pm *Shakes his head. He was really hoping that wouldn't be necessary. And yet, he's not surprised.* boomtank 8:49 pm -more confused noises from the tank- Okay? Swoop 8:49 pm *and it'll happen again, since he's has punched and headbutted people at movie nights before, there is absolutely no way he learned a single thing* *finger guns* Lady306 8:50 pm ...also, have you been following this movie at all? boomtank 8:50 pm ...nope Lady306 8:50 pm Oh good, I was worried that I was the only one. boomtank 8:50 pm -waves data-pad- Been reading Tarantulas 8:51 pm I /had/ him, Prowl *huff* Lady306 8:51 pm You came here to *read*? That sounds rather counter-productive ItsyBitsySpyers 8:52 pm *Well, now that that's over, he'll focus himself more on the film. So much music. Soothing after a rough week and a bump and too much work.* FakeProwl 8:52 pm I'd rather you not need to have him. Bevel 8:52 pm *is following the movie more than anything happening in the room right now* Clich A 8:53 pm That is just impressive boomtank 8:53 pm It's the only place I can go for some peace ItsyBitsySpyers 8:53 pm [[She is a many-talented creator.]] Bevel 8:53 pm *claps* That was awesome! FakeProwl 8:53 pm Besides, he wanted a fight. If he'd got one, it would just encourage him to do the same thing. Lady306 8:54 pm Ah, fair, then... although, I might contest that tonight. *chuckles* What are you reading? ItsyBitsySpyers 8:54 pm *Thinks the word "praise" in honor of Whirl.* boomtank 8:55 pm True, true...and I'm reading reports Tarantulas 8:55 pm He wouldn't have /gotten/ a fight, he'd have gotten wrapped up! FakeProwl 8:56 pm He would have had something to struggle against. Come on. *gonna try to, guide tarantulas to the seat. we're sitting now.* Swoop 8:57 pm ((PFFF okay that was legitimately funny)) ItsyBitsySpyers 8:58 pm [[This is either a very power-efficient theater or that was a very inefficient O.]] Lady306 8:58 pm *helm tilt* Should I leave you to it, then? Tarantulas 8:58 pm Nnnn *more whining but he's coming to sit down. can has cuddles pls* boomtank 8:58 pm Nah, I'm good ItsyBitsySpyers 9:00 pm [[He dislikes the... the whatever that is. The pointy creature.]] Lady306 9:00 pm ((they're acting like 100 grand is a really huge amount. Honestly, a super fancy car like that is gonna be more than that)) Clich A 9:00 pm Looks like a Poorr cuiiie pine Tarantulas 9:00 pm *mumbles* Porcupine ItsyBitsySpyers 9:00 pm [[Porcupine. Thank you both.]] Clich A 9:01 pm OH NO YOU RUN OVER YOUR Never mind. FakeProwl 8:01 pm *yes. absolutely. rubs his back comfortingly* You're not damaged, are you? Where did he pull on you? Lady306 9:01 pm *quietly settles in closer to Boom then. Goodbye personal space* best decepticon leader 9:01 pm Wish I could hit Megatron Bevel 9:01 pm It cleaned the dishes. Awesome. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:02 pm [[If you do so, do it with a warp cannon.]] Swoop 9:03 pm ((what was that voice acting)) Bevel 9:03 pm *so impressed with the pink lady* boomtank 9:04 pm -whelp, he's not going to complain- Tarantulas 9:04 pm No, I'm not. *huff* Just because I'm partially organic doesn't mean I'm /fragile/. Lady306 9:04 pm *excellent. He'd pull you into his lap, but that seemed a bit much* boomtank 9:05 pm -Yeah, he'd be so confused if Lady did that- Tarantulas 9:05 pm *arms curling around, he's starting to sulk over prowl worrying so much, but cuddles are priority* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:06 pm *Glances over at the two of them.* FakeProwl 8:06 pm Good. *continues backrubs* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:06 pm *...Doesn't sound like a full-blown argument. He'll let them be.* FakeProwl 8:10 pm *okay. tarantulas is taken care of. looks at soundwave.* FakeProwl 8:11 pm @Soundwave «I apologize for my role in the altercation. It was inappropriate and counterproductive.» ItsyBitsySpyers 9:15 pm *Looks back, tilts his head.* (txt): Next time, suggestion: bridge first. However... Swoop: dangerous. Prowl: protected Tarantulas. Action basis: accepted, approved. Tarantulas 9:18 pm *is totally lost in the movie but there are animals so he's distracted well enough to sit still* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:18 pm *Small cringes at the bad notes.* FakeProwl 8:20 pm *slight nod. yeah. bridge first next time.* FakeProwl 8:21 pm @Soundwave «... How's your head?» Clich A 9:21 pm These are all good things to hear. Bevel 9:21 pm He should leave him there. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:21 pm [[Yes, he should. And what do you mean, good things?]] @Prowl: (txt): Ache decreased. Check-in appreciated. ((also: anyone who says they've never wanted to do this kind of thing in the store is a liarrrr)) Clich A 9:23 pm *Seat dancing* FakeProwl 8:23 pm ((i haven't gone to grocery stores with exciting enough music)) ItsyBitsySpyers 9:23 pm ((:o i must tune your store to our store's channel)) ItsyBitsySpyers 9:24 pm *Perks. Squid!* Bevel 9:24 pm Oh no. *laughs* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:25 pm ((what the hell is that menu. go away menu)) Lady306 9:26 pm ((butters is trying to steal me)) FakeProwl 8:26 pm ((get revenge. steal butters.)) boomtank 9:26 pm ((hehe ((yes ItsyBitsySpyers 9:28 pm *Scoot scoot* [[Bah. He wished to see more squid.]] Swoop 9:30 pm ((Why would they think he'd keep that kind of cash around?)) Lady306 9:30 pm ((ikr FakeProwl 8:30 pm ((seriously)) ItsyBitsySpyers 9:31 pm [[Primus below.]] best decepticon leader 9:31 pm so... how many drown Clich A 9:31 pm apparently...just mike Lady306 9:31 pm None, apparently Tarantulas 9:32 pm I'm terribly sorry about your squids, Soundwave. Hyeh boomtank 9:32 pm .... Lady306 9:32 pm And that was also clearly not a very structurally sound building FakeProwl 8:32 pm ... Are the squid going to be okay in the sewer system? boomtank 9:32 pm That...went badly Swoop 9:32 pm ((omfg)) ItsyBitsySpyers 9:32 pm [[...He hopes so.]] Bevel 9:32 pm Aww no. best decepticon leader 9:32 pm Probably not Swoop 9:33 pm ((how did a broken fishtank turn into the flashback from Pacific Rim?)) ItsyBitsySpyers 9:33 pm ((the water pipes were still running)) best decepticon leader 9:33 pm Genius ItsyBitsySpyers 9:33 pm ((also: no $$$ for upkeep i guess)) [[Property of-- WHAT property?]] Tarantulas 9:34 pm There you are! Lady306 9:34 pm She's petty enough to claim the rubble just to spite him ItsyBitsySpyers 9:34 pm [[Oh, good.]] FakeProwl 8:34 pm Oh good. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:35 pm *Small huff. Jinx, Prowl.* FakeProwl 8:36 pm *thin smile at soundwave* Tarantulas 9:36 pm *craving cake now. are there treats? he's going to cast his gaze around for some* Lady306 9:36 pm Are we supposed to like the.. koala, was it? ItsyBitsySpyers 9:37 pm *Over on the bar, bowls full.* [[He thinks so.]] Lady306 9:37 pm Ah, pity boomtank 9:37 pm -huffs- Lady306 9:38 pm *yes Boom?* Tarantulas 9:38 pm *zoop goes the thread. that bowl is tarantulas's now* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:38 pm *LOUDER HUFF* Lady306 9:38 pm *..what* Bevel 9:38 pm ... Swoop 9:39 pm ((oh good god)) ItsyBitsySpyers 9:39 pm *Doesn't know if this is hilarious or horrifying* Lady306 9:39 pm *horrifying* Tarantulas 9:40 pm *definitely hilarious* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:40 pm *Slowly looks over to Tarantulas* FakeProwl 8:40 pm *is trying to figure out what it is* Swoop 9:40 pm ((is anyone else remembering that scene with skids in the marvel comics and just.....)) boomtank 9:40 pm -just watching the show and kinda...no- Swoop 9:40 pm ((combining it.... with this....)) ItsyBitsySpyers 9:40 pm [[...Are you a wash or dry spider?]] FakeProwl 8:40 pm PFF—!! *claps hand over mouth* Bevel 9:40 pm Ah, she is singing! Tarantulas 9:40 pm *FLOOFS UP* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:40 pm *Oh! What a voice.* boomtank 9:40 pm !!! Clich A 9:40 pm *falls prone, trying not to laugh* Tarantulas 9:41 pm I - I'm not dignifying that with an answer!!! *you're lucky he's not shoving you off the couch* Bevel 9:42 pm *giggles* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:42 pm *Dips his helm and places a smiley on his visor. Only meant in good humor, Tarantulas.* Lady306 9:42 pm Should they really be rebuilding on the property the bank repossessed? Tarantulas 9:42 pm *tarantulas hates that smiley so much* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:42 pm [[Probably not.]] Lady306 9:42 pm *also where did they get the money for it, anyway* FakeProwl 8:42 pm *it's an adorable smiley* Tarantulas 9:42 pm *a spider paw lands on the smiley and halfheartedly shoves* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:43 pm *Accepts the half-hearted shove with trembling shoulders* boomtank 9:43 pm -hums a bit and settles to watch the concert- FakeProwl 8:43 pm *... scoots closer to soundwave and tugs tarantulas closer* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:44 pm *Leans in.* Lady306 9:44 pm *also: cute* Tarantulas 9:45 pm *grumbles more but lets prowl pull him in* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:45 pm *PFF* Tarantulas 9:46 pm ...She looks like a cat pig peacock hybrid ItsyBitsySpyers 9:46 pm [[That is an interesting mental image.]] Tarantulas 9:46 pm *squints hard* FakeProwl 8:46 pm ... Getting ideas? Tarantulas 9:47 pm I'm not going to graft multiorganic chimeras, no, if that's what you're insinuating Bevel 9:47 pm They are gonna have like twenty more kids now. ItsyBitsySpyers 9:47 pm [[She can invent another machine to help her with them.]] Clich A 9:47 pm Please invent birth control Roseeta Bevel 9:47 pm Yeah! FakeProwl 8:47 pm Mm. Had to check. boomtank 9:47 pm That was fun boomtank 9:49 pm !!! Tarantulas 9:49 pm (( i love that this movie is basically advocating jailbreak for the sake of family love ItsyBitsySpyers 9:49 pm ((LOL)) boomtank 9:49 pm That...was probably a BAD idea Bevel 9:49 pm [[it also advocates running your family via machine ItsyBitsySpyers 9:50 pm *Looks at Prowl. How's he thinking about the prison break?* FakeProwl 8:50 pm *zero expression* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:50 pm *Ah, well.* Clich A 9:51 pm You cannot deny the power of a lorgee crowd Bevel 9:52 pm 😃 Tarantulas 9:53 pm *giggles a little, it's just like urticating hairs* Bevel 9:53 pm She is awesome. boomtank 9:53 pm These songs are fun Lady306 9:56 pm *um* boomtank 9:56 pm -snickering- Lady306 9:57 pm *is pretty sure the mouse should have been flattened* *not lifted* ItsyBitsySpyers 9:57 pm ((they do such a good job depicting stage fright. i have been her so often)) Tarantulas 9:58 pm *oh dear, tara has sudden feels for meena re: anxiety* Clich A 10:00 pm Wish they had..named..girl mouse. boomtank 10:02 pm Oh! It impressed her! Bevel 10:02 pm Yay FakeProwl 80:03 pm ... With that kind of structural damage, they should NOT be rebuilding on the ruins. They should have torn it down completely, removed the rubble, and rebuilt from scratch. Tarantulas 10:03 pm Oho, did you see the squids? *visor wink* best decepticon leader 10:03 pm they are not smart ItsyBitsySpyers 10:03 pm *Is delighted the squids are back* Bevel 10:03 pm *giggles* best decepticon leader 10:04 pm I would have thought that the squids would have been killed boomtank 10:04 pm That was a fun movie Lady306 10:04 pm It was.. something ItsyBitsySpyers 10:04 pm [[Hopefully it will not break again, then.]] boomtank 10:04 pm I liked the singing I guess I'm a bit biased FakeProwl 80:04 pm *... looks at soundwave* Do squids actually have biolights? Bevel 10:04 pm [[GDIT I KNEW I RECOGNIZED NANA Lady306 10:04 pm Oh, no, the actual singing was fine, but the rest of it... Bevel 10:05 pm [[*FLIPS TABLE* Tarantulas 10:05 pm *huffs, vaguely offended prowl would ask sw instead of him* Bevel 10:05 pm I liked it a lot. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:05 pm [[Some of them have bioluminescence, yes.]] FakeProwl 80:05 pm *soundwave spent over an hour lecturing prowl on a many-limbed earth sea creature. as far as prowl's concerned, he's the expert.* Clich A 10:05 pm Some Cuttlefish have rainbow style lights! Bevel 10:06 pm Can they change colors like that? ItsyBitsySpyers 10:07 pm [[There is a species which uses very tiny creatures living in it to glow based on the levels of light in the area. It is fascinating.]] [[It is a camouflage tactic.]] Bevel 10:07 pm Cool. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:07 pm [[And squid do change colors. Not... quite so neon as that. But others.]] boomtank 10:08 pm -and he's standing up now- Thanks for the movie, but I kinda have to go now. G'night ItsyBitsySpyers 10:08 pm *Soundwave nods farewell to Blaster* Bevel 10:08 pm Bye, Blaster FakeProwl 80:08 pm *... has a sudden realization* *didn't see a single dog singing* Lady306 10:08 pm Take care! FakeProwl 80:08 pm *inexplicably pleased* Lady306 10:08 pm ((LOL Tarantulas 10:08 pm *keeps going in and out of sulking and is considering faking a prior injury, now that he thinks of it* Clich A 10:09 pm Thanks for hosting Soundwave~! boomtank 10:09 pm ((g'night! Mun ahs to sleep! ItsyBitsySpyers 10:09 pm [[Quite welcome, Clich.]] best decepticon leader 10:09 pm ((night ItsyBitsySpyers 10:09 pm ((night! sleep well!)) Tarantulas 10:09 pm (( night! Bevel 10:09 pm [[night! ItsyBitsySpyers 10:09 pm *Now, now, Tarantulas. You know many kinds of organics inside and out. He only favors the one. Let him have his moment.* Tarantulas 10:10 pm *psh, he's catching up on old sulking too from earlier. just give him some pets and he'll perk up* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:10 pm *Very well. Stretches a feeler behind Prowl to gently pat a spide shoulder.* FakeProwl 80:11 pm *has probably been petting him off and on all night tbh* Tarantulas 10:11 pm *moarrrr* Tarantulas 10:13 pm *squints, this is something he hasn't heard of actually* FakeProwl 80:13 pm *oh! educational videos! prowl's favorite.* best decepticon leader 10:13 pm ((I have to go Tarantulas 10:14 pm (( /waves ItsyBitsySpyers 10:14 pm ((aw! thank you for coming 😃 )) Bevel 10:14 pm [[night best decepticon leader 10:14 pm ((night, thanks for the stream FakeProwl 80:14 pm ((night!)) ... Do they have spots that glow? Bevel 10:14 pm [[prowl should to see rock dog, it definitely has singing dogs ItsyBitsySpyers 10:14 pm [[This variety.]] FakeProwl 80:14 pm ((i think he'd be inherently suspicious of the name)) Bevel 10:14 pm [[lol Bevel 10:16 pm *100% into this* FakeProwl 80:16 pm *already knows everything the narrator has said. is pleased.* Bevel 10:17 pm *has armor /and/ camouflage ha* FakeProwl 80:17 pm ... So the glowing ones have luminescent chromatophores, then? ItsyBitsySpyers 10:19 pm [[The ones he showed. Photophores. The others use... what are they called.]] Pause. Viruses? Plankton? [[Bacteria.]] Bevel 10:19 pm Cool! FakeProwl 80:20 pm ... Aren't bacteria like parasites? Do they kill the squid? Tarantulas 10:20 pm *finally speaks up* Generally they're symbionts. Bevel 10:20 pm I think bacteria make humans sick. Not squids. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:20 pm *Perks. Tarantulas knows of them?* FakeProwl 80:21 pm ... Do bacteria only prey on humans? *that one gets directed to Tarantulas* Tarantulas 10:22 pm No, they're quite literally everywhere and prey on mostly things that can't be seen, if they prey on anything at all Tarantulas 10:24 pm They - hm! *is surprised by video* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:24 pm ((one more and then i'll do music lol)) Tarantulas 10:25 pm Soundwave, have you ever actually /seen/ a live squid before? *not accusatory or anything* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:25 pm [[Not the Earth variety. Nevada is notoriously lacking in oceans.]] [[And they do not fly.]] FakeProwl 80:25 pm ... What about an octopus? ItsyBitsySpyers 10:26 pm [[He has not had the pleasure.]] FakeProwl 80:26 pm *that's tragic* Bevel 10:26 pm I want to see all of them. Tarantulas 10:26 pm Well then, I know what my next order of business is, hyeh FakeProwl 80:26 pm You should introduce him to an octopus. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:27 pm [[He can do that?]] Lean. [[You can do that?]] *Looks over to Bevel. He will show you, if Tarantulas does.* Bevel 10:27 pm *would enjoy that very much* Tarantulas 10:28 pm I - yes? Of course I can. *forgets that other people don't just snatch specimens from Earths for science things* FakeProwl 80:28 pm ... Can any species safely survive on Cybertron? Bevel 10:28 pm You could make an environment for them! ItsyBitsySpyers 10:28 pm [[...Oh. Yes. He would not want to terminate a cephalopod.]] Tarantulas 10:28 pm A few, but none you would have heard of, I'm afraid Bevel 10:29 pm My creator has a special building just for Earth plants. FakeProwl 80:29 pm I'm sure a room could be temporarily arranged for one to visit. Tarantulas 10:29 pm Why would we need a room when I have a /lab/? Bevel 10:30 pm A lab is a room. FakeProwl 80:30 pm ... Is your lab set up to support Earth's ecosystem rather than Cybertron's? ItsyBitsySpyers 10:30 pm *Knows very well about the plants. Is hiding one. >> * FakeProwl 80:30 pm ... Oh. Wait. It WOULD be set up for Earth, wouldn't it. *chimera experiments and all that.* Tarantulas 10:30 pm *snickers and shakes head. there we go* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:31 pm [[...Would it harm them if he touched one?]] Bevel 10:31 pm *not following but yeah ok if Prowl says his lab is set up for Earth she'll believe it* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:32 pm *Same. Because if it's not, and the creature(s) die, he'll be irritated* Tarantulas 10:32 pm I could calculate the force necessary to harm one if you needed, but I think you'll be able to tell on your own. That is to say, you'll be fine, don't worry ItsyBitsySpyers 10:33 pm *Slowly growing brighter. This is the best thing. If it happens.* Tarantulas 10:33 pm I don't know why people think organics are so fragile, they're - well, they are, but they're not THAT fragile Bevel 10:33 pm I want to see. Can I see too? Because squish. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:34 pm [[He is not accustomed to handling them.]] Tarantulas 10:34 pm Don't squeeze, and you'll be fine ItsyBitsySpyers 10:35 pm [[He knows how much strength to use to contain a flobster. Not an Earth lobster.]] Tarantulas 10:35 pm OH - but for Primus's sakes please don't electrify them ItsyBitsySpyers 10:35 pm *Looks at Bevel, and then Tarantulas and Prowl. Would she be able to see too?* FakeProwl 80:35 pm *looking back and forth as they talk/"talk", quietly delighted* *... why's PROWL being looked at? he didn't say anything* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:35 pm *He's the one who had the idea.* [[He would never.]] Tarantulas 10:36 pm ......I don't see why not, hm. *if he's letting sw into his lab, why not a mostly-stranger* Bevel 10:37 pm Yay! FakeProwl 80:37 pm *... sudden sharp vent in. oh. wait.* Bevel 10:37 pm *oh no what happened* FakeProwl 80:37 pm @Bevel «Don't visit his lab alone. Go when Soundwave goes.» Bevel 10:38 pm @Prowl <<...Ok.>> Tarantulas 10:39 pm Is there any particular species you'd be interested in meeting? Bevel 10:39 pm *perks at songs* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:39 pm *Immediately wants to say "all of them" and has to stop himself. He knows there are too many kinds for that.* Tarantulas 10:39 pm ....Pick three. Top three. Bevel 10:39 pm *wants to say all of them too* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:39 pm *His feelers twitch and writhe while he thinks. So hard to trim down* Bevel 10:40 pm Cuttlefish! *c'mon, Bossbot, we just watched a buncha videos about them and they are awesome* FakeProwl 80:40 pm ... Is that three per visitor or three total? Bevel 10:41 pm *hums along to the song while waiting for SW's opinion* Tarantulas 10:41 pm ...I suppose three per visitor, but the more you suggest, the longer it's going to take to obtain them FakeProwl 80:42 pm So that's nine choices. *yes he did just invite himself over.* @Soundwave «Give me your fourth, fifth, and sixth choices.» ItsyBitsySpyers 10:42 pm [[One pacific octopus. One bobtail squid. One pearly nautilus.]] *Pings Prowl with something akin to actual glee. Let him think.* FakeProwl 80:43 pm *carefully suppresses smile* Tarantulas 10:44 pm (( i'm tempted to throw "octopus's garden" at you for the lolz ItsyBitsySpyers 10:45 pm ((i'll do it when this is over 😃 )) Tarantulas 10:46 pm You're starting with some heavy-hitters there, hyeh But of course ItsyBitsySpyers 10:46 pm @Prowl: (txt): Mimic octopus, blue-ringed octopus, stubby squid. Bevel 10:46 pm Mimic octopus. The one that turns into other fish. FakeProwl 80:46 pm Mi— *stops* Bevel 10:46 pm *Bevel can't hear you Soundwave* FakeProwl 80:47 pm @Soundwave «... SEVENTH choice?» ItsyBitsySpyers 10:47 pm @Prowl: (txt): Firefly squid. FakeProwl 80:48 pm *to be safe, he's waiting until they hear Bevel's third choice* Bevel 10:48 pm Are there really big ones? I want to see a really big one. ItsyBitsySpyers 10:49 pm ((what is with youtube not having this)) Tarantulas 10:49 pm That'd be the pacific octopus, as mentioned FakeProwl 80:49 pm ((... are there different octopus gardens?)) ItsyBitsySpyers 10:49 pm ((i was trying to find the actual one but i guess it's not on YT)) ((this version will be fine)) Tarantulas 10:49 pm (( oh my god.... beautiful. i/she were referring to the beatles one, but the copyrights are fiddly on the beatles Bevel 10:50 pm [[apple likes to take their songs down a lot yeah Tarantulas 10:51 pm There are larger squids, though Bevel 10:51 pm Really really big? Tarantulas 10:51 pm ...Although I oughtn't have brought them up, I'm not tracking down a colossal squid Bevel 10:51 pm Aww ItsyBitsySpyers 10:51 pm *Damn.* Tarantulas 10:52 pm They're larger than I am - well, larger than I currently am Bevel 10:52 pm ...awesome. [[not sure how big tara is atm but it's probably impressive for an earth critter Tarantulas 10:53 pm (( tara's 32ft, squid can be upwards of 40ft Bevel 10:54 pm [[lol Bevel's as tall as that squid right now Tarantulas 10:54 pm (( xD nice Bevel 10:54 pm [[i love this skit so much Bevel 10:55 pm Something that glows that Soundwave did not pick. *she knows you picked glowy ones* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:56 pm [[Hmph.]] [[He knows what he likes.]] Tarantulas 10:56 pm How about we make it chef's choice~? Pick of the day ItsyBitsySpyers 10:56 pm ((me: what are good classic sesame street bits? me: oh! i know. it's not easy being green. me: nO NO NO)) Tarantulas 10:57 pm (( sdgsfg FakeProwl 80:57 pm ... You're not going to eat them when we're done? ItsyBitsySpyers 10:57 pm [[What do you mean, CHEF.]] Bevel 10:57 pm *knows she'd like to see a huge mcfuckoff squid but reasons* Tarantulas 10:57 pm *snickering* No, probably not. I'm not fond of the texture. Bevel 10:57 pm I do not want that kind of energon either. FakeProwl 80:58 pm If you're going to eat cephalopods, at least don't eat the ones we'e befriended. *is expecting soundwave to make friends with them all* ItsyBitsySpyers 10:59 pm *You bet he's going to. He's going to try listening to their spread out minds too* Bevel 10:59 pm *is going to want to make a robot one for a pet* Tarantulas 10:59 pm You can't really - hyeh. As you wish. Tarantulas 11:00 pm Wh - ItsyBitsySpyers 11:00 pm ((i forgot that was in there omg)) Bevel 11:00 pm *laughs* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:01 pm ((i'm so sorry)) [[...He did not expect this.]] Tarantulas 11:01 pm *hard side-visor at sw* FakeProwl 81:01 pm *extremely neutral face* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:02 pm [[He only knew it was a parody of a human film we have seen. His apologies.]] FakeProwl 81:03 pm *what an important lesson that most Autobots NEVER LEARNED* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:03 pm *The listening?* FakeProwl 81:03 pm *unfortunately, yes* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:03 pm *Perhaps Prowl should anonymously send them that.* ((one more and then back to music)) FakeProwl 81:03 pm *he's sure they wouldn't listen to it* Tarantulas 11:03 pm *alas, if mesothulas had listened either* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:03 pm ((their parodies are usually p funny)) Bevel 11:04 pm ...*starts giggling and probably not going to stop until this is over* Mount Crumb Tarantulas 11:06 pm *...this is strangely uncomfortable for tarantulas, moreso than the ridiculous spider* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:06 pm *Soundwave's quietly dying inside. He didn't know this would have eggs.* *He'll never convince Tarantulas he didn't mean this.* Bevel 11:06 pm *in hysterics now* Tarantulas 11:07 pm *pfft he's not even thinking about the eggs actually, but NOW YOU MENTION IT* FakeProwl 81:07 pm *is it the self control, tarantulas.* Tarantulas 11:07 pm *shh maybe* Tarantulas 11:08 pm *.....he forgot about the snacks he snagged, they're just sitting there in his ding dang lap* Bevel 11:08 pm That was funny. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:08 pm *Is he gonna do it.* Bevel 11:09 pm *he did it* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:09 pm *No, no. Is Tarantulas gonna eat the bowl of snacks.* Bevel 11:10 pm *he definitely should* Tarantulas 11:10 pm ...Are you trying to pull some sort of reverse psychology here ItsyBitsySpyers 11:11 pm [[Not at all. He's simply suggesting that you enjoy the snacks you claimed. He can't put them back now.]] Tarantulas 11:12 pm *is tempted to subspace them just to spite u* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:12 pm *That's fine, too. Just leave him the bowl.* Tarantulas 11:13 pm *he subspaces MOST of them and slips one snack in between his mandibles before plopping the bowl in sw's lap. THERE* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:13 pm *Sets the bowl down. Fussy, fussy.* Tarantulas 11:14 pm (( omg cro (( like GONE gone? ItsyBitsySpyers 11:15 pm ((they're on the dead laptop)) Bevel 11:15 pm [[oh honey Tarantulas 11:15 pm (( 😨 sorry FakeProwl 81:15 pm ((oh no)) Tarantulas 11:17 pm *hm. mandibles. he never DID get to talking to bevel about them now did he* Bevel 11:18 pm *nope he did not, though Bevel's been lectured by Prowl and SW now* Tarantulas 11:20 pm @Bevel : «I JUST remembered. We never did have a proper mandibular demonstration. Might you be interested in popping over early before the cephalopod showing, just to sate a little of my scientific curiosity?» FakeProwl 81:22 pm *... scoots hip against tarantulas's, leans shoulder against soundwave's, and dims his optics* Bevel 11:22 pm *had been about to leave and halfway to standing up when she was pinged. she drops back down into her seat awkwardly* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:23 pm *Contemplates Bevel's presence. Decides he doesn't particularly give a damn if she sees. Gives Prowl's avatar a helm nuzzle and makes sure not to wiggle too much* FakeProwl 81:23 pm *nuzzles back* Tarantulas 11:24 pm *arm around prowl's waist, with his other paw scooping up some snacks from his subspace because you can't eat just one* FakeProwl 81:25 pm *puts a hand over tarantulas's paw.* *this is nice.* Bevel 11:26 pm *...awww, the mystery of SW's Prowl is solved. too bad she's not able to appreciate it since she has to awkwardly navigate a conversation over comms* @Tarantulus «Um, maybe. I got to see if Soundwave has to bridge me over since I do not think you want Blurr to know where your lab is.» Tarantulas 11:27 pm @Bevel : «Oh, there's no need. I have portal technology of my own, I can pick you up at your desired coordinates.» Bevel 11:29 pm *welp* Tarantulas 11:29 pm *welp indeed* Bevel 11:33 pm *ok frag it, she's an adult, even if he is apparently some sort of mass shifter who could outsize her by... a lot.* @Tarantulus «...Just mandibles?» *i'm an adult she says. caves immediately to pressure* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:34 pm *Someone somewhere is making a bad decision. He can feel it in his spines.* *...Probably Frenzy.* Bevel 11:34 pm *definitely frenzy* Tarantulas 11:34 pm @Bevel : «Yes, whatever you're comfortable with.» *in other words, whatever tarantulas can reasonably get away with* Bevel 11:37 pm *mentally decides to show up like ten minutes before Prowl and Soundwave so Tara will have very little time to actually poke too much at her. it's like following their advice except not at all yeah* @Tarantulus «Ok.» Tarantulas 11:38 pm @Bevel : «Lovely! We'll set things up once I've acquired the - cephalopods, then.» *almost said "the other specimens" instead* FakeProwl 81:39 pm ((run bevel, run)) Bevel 11:39 pm *nods and now she is going to leave before she either agrees to more or something else happens yep yep* Tarantulas 11:40 pm *visor winksmile at bevel as she goes* FakeProwl 81:41 pm *... is the coast clear?* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:41 pm *Waves farewell with a feeler. Lots of little wiggly tendrils goodbye.* Bevel 11:41 pm *waves to room and dodges out the door as fast as her big bulk will take her* FakeProwl 81:42 pm ... YOU'RE not the one who sent me this song, are you? ItsyBitsySpyers 11:42 pm *Soft puff.* FakeProwl 81:43 pm ... Is that a confession? *the room is down to three. excellent. pulls his knees up to his chest and wraps his arms around them.* Tarantulas 11:44 pm *little bit of squinting at sw&prowl, but is gonna cuddle real close to prowl when he pulls his knees up* *....while also eating snacks one by one. because why not* ItsyBitsySpyers 11:46 pm [[Consider it signed.]] *Stretches arm behind Prowl's back. It just so happens to also nudge Tarantulas a wee lil lil bit while it's there.* FakeProwl 81:46 pm Hmm. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:46 pm [[Thank you again for the opportunity to meet cephalopods up close, Tarantulas.]] FakeProwl 81:47 pm ... You're welcome to continue sending cheesy police-themed love songs. Tarantulas 11:47 pm *also gotta be conscious of - that. yes. not touching soundwave, except soundwave touched HIM, so. alright then* FakeProwl 81:47 pm Oh. I didn't give you my list of three. Tarantulas 11:47 pm Ah, no you didn't. I figured you hadn't made one yet FakeProwl 81:48 pm Blue-ringed octopus, stubby squid, and firefly squid. Tarantulas 11:48 pm ...You asked Soundwave, didn't you FakeProwl 81:48 pm *poker face* Tarantulas 11:49 pm I SUPPOSE that counts. They're wonderful choices, just not simple to get a hold of FakeProwl 81:50 pm Are any simple to get hold of? Tarantulas 11:50 pm Hyeh, I didn't mean literally, physically I'd be hard-pressed to actually catch one. It's just a matter of commonness And their global distribution FakeProwl 81:52 pm ... Not prohibitively difficult? ItsyBitsySpyers 11:52 pm *Almost suggests raiding an aquarium. Remembers Prowl is there and thinks better of it* Tarantulas 11:52 pm I shouldn't think so. Not the ones we've listed, at least. That's why I nixed the colossal squid. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:53 pm [[Perhaps if you had tanks, and a way to locate them, he could...]] *Trails off. Now thinking about what would happen if he opened a small bridge in the middle of the ocean and ran it past a squid* Tarantulas 11:54 pm Hyeh, no, I can manage on my own just fine. *has plenty of reasons why not to get sw or prowl involved* FakeProwl 81:55 pm ((nice album cover. two thumbs up. A+)) ItsyBitsySpyers 11:56 pm ((LOL)) [[Very well.]] Tarantulas 11:56 pm *nom. nomnom* FakeProwl 81:56 pm ... Don't do anything destructive to the environment or human property. Tarantulas 11:57 pm Tsk, don't worry so much, Prowl. Of course not. ItsyBitsySpyers 11:57 pm [[Or to the creatures you're capturing.]] FakeProwl 81:58 pm *don't say "of course not" like u would actually have compunctions against destroying someone else's property if prowl didn't tell you to have compunctions* Tarantulas 11:59 pm *shush let tarantulas tell prowl what prowl wants to hear* FakeProwl 81:59 pm Or that. We'd prefer them to be cheerful guests. ... Or whatever passes for "cheerful" in cephalopods. Yesterday Tarantulas 11:59 pm Lively. Lively and eating well, I'd say Tarantulas 12:00 am They'll be perfectly cheerful, rest assured. FakeProwl 82:01 am *nods. good. wants soundwave to have A Good Time* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:01 am *Very low, very quiet hum* [[Perhaps we could see more of your lab when we are done with them?]] FakeProwl 82:01 am *a sound!!* *leans on a little more* Tarantulas 12:03 am *wavers* ...Mmmaybe. We'll see. I'm not sure what of the lab you even COULD see, safely. Best not to worry about that now though ItsyBitsySpyers 12:04 am *Now you have his attention* [[Why? What is unsafe about it?]] *Doesn't want to move and dislodge Prowl; peers around him with feeler* [[Surely there are precautions he could take.]] FakeProwl 82:05 am *usually would be peering with soundwave. can't work up the giveafuck for it.* Tarantulas 12:07 am *it occurs to him he could invite sw in holo like prowl and avoid quite a few many things that way, hm. more thoughts he'll keep to himself* Tarantulas 12:09 am Not so much for you as for everything ELSE. There would simply be so many things to take into consideration, and depending on which hallways we choose, it just - it's /complicated/ *half true* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:10 am *Considers this. Shockwave's lab moves its insides around and can be dangerous to roam unattended. Maybe the "depending on which hallways" means something like that.* *...He'd better not try to sneak off after the cephalopod meeting.* [[He understands. Just this, for now.]] [[Though if there is anything else you wish to show off, he might be curious.]] FakeProwl 82:11 am *assumes tarantulas means that a few hallways exploded and are now too dangerous to travel* Tarantulas 12:12 am Of course you would be. *he knows that curiosity well by now* *ok what. he can't not hear rihanna* ...Soundwave, are you still in charge of the playlist? ItsyBitsySpyers 12:14 am [[Why? Is there something you'd like to request?]] FakeProwl 82:14 am *... if soundwave is going to be staying after the cephalopod meeting to explore part of the lab, then it would be inappropriate for prowl to not stay as well, since he's the one who's into that stuff. which means he'll be staying longer.* *is suddenly exhausted about a social interaction he hasn't even gone to yet.* Tarantulas 12:16 am Nnnnot in particular, but I - am... questioning that song choice ItsyBitsySpyers 12:16 am *"The one who's into that stuff," as if he doesn't like learning about everything Shockwave does too* FakeProwl 82:16 am *okay, the OTHER one who's into that stuff* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:17 am [[Ah. It's against your musical tastes, then. He'll be sure to find other artists in the future.]] Tarantulas 12:17 am *hard squint, but sure, he'll... go with that* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:17 am *He knows full well what Tarantulas means and is having a bit of fun* *As can be currently heard by the continuation of a theme* FakeProwl 82:18 am *nudges Soundwave* Puppet Man is good. Similar theme, different genre than the first two. *has picked up on the theme; hasn't realized it's being used as deliberate teasing* 5th Dimension. ItsyBitsySpyers 12:18 am [[He does not know this one.]] *Immediately puts it on.* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:20 am *...Vaguely uncomfortable with this one.* FakeProwl 82:20 am *well PROWL likes it* Tarantulas 12:20 am *is just going to eat, because that's always a stabilizing thing right. gonna turn his head and pop a dozen snacks in where they can't see well* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:20 am *It's good, it's just - he wouldn't have thought of it as being part of the same theme if Prowl hadn't said. His mind went somewhere else first.* [[He knows you have the snacks. You don't need to hide.]] FakeProwl 82:21 am *look on the bright side: you probably just learned something new about prowl's sex life* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:21 am *Yes. Yes, he has.* *And in that respect, he is interested. And maybe wondering if Tarantulas shares it.* FakeProwl 82:22 am *... and it's a good thing prowl isn't thinking too hard about the song right now or else HE would be uncomfortable too* Tarantulas 12:22 am *tara wasn't paying much attention to the lyrics so he's chill rn* FakeProwl 82:23 am *but he decided he liked the song before it acquired what would have been very negative connotations, so as long as he doesn't listen too hard he's safe* Tarantulas 12:26 am *well, maybe not entirely chill, he did just give an awkward twitch and laugh some as he swallowed* Hyeh, I'm - not hiding the /snacks/, that'd be silly ItsyBitsySpyers 12:26 am ((that is not the song i was remembering oop)) ItsyBitsySpyers 12:28 am [[...Ah. Do you not consume fuel in public? He apologizes.]] *Immediately withdraws the feeler* Tarantulas 12:29 am *snickers some, actually* No, not generally, but - I was considering /your/ comfort here, not mine FakeProwl 82:30 am That's good. *uncrosses one arm to pat Tarantulas's... knee? yeah, knee works.* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:32 am [[It is not as....]] *Fishes around for a word. Can't find it.* [[He knows to expect the noise. It is less distracting that way.]] Tarantulas 12:34 am *nudges more into prowl at the touch, touch is good* Tarantulas 12:36 am *smol helm tilt* Hm, is it just the sound that might disorient you then? Because I was considering the entire - well. You call them mandibles, but I've more than mandibles technically FakeProwl 82:36 am *more touch? thigh. thigh touch.* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:37 am [[It is both, in truth. But he should try to become accustomed to this sooner or later.]] Tarantulas 12:38 am *paw touch on thigh touch* Tarantulas 12:39 am I see. *restraining urge to click his mandibles now, heh* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:45 am [[...You are not required to, of course. You may eat in unseen peace, if you wish. He was simply - commenting. On it.]] ItsyBitsySpyers 12:47 am *Wasn't sure how much contact was permissible in this shared couch sort of situation; going to test the example set by Prowl and curl the feeler he withdrew from Tarantulas' vicinity up and around Prowl's lower leg. Maybe absently pet the armor with the tendrils.* Tarantulas 12:48 am Hyeh, not required to - ? Would you /like/ to see, then? *genuinely wasn't sure, is also very much looking at prowl too* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:49 am [[...................................Yes.]] FakeProwl 82:49 am Yes. *doesn't even know he's being looked at, he just felt like throwing that in* FakeProwl 82:51 am *shifts a bit to get a better view if tarantulas is going to—something's on his leg. glances down. hmm. puts his other hand on soundwave's thigh.* Tarantulas 12:53 am *can't help but laugh a bit at soundwave's hesitance, and shifts while they move around too* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:53 am *Fluffs the armor a bit to make more room for seam stealing and joins the watching* FakeProwl 82:54 am *not going to be as adventurous tonight, there's another person here* ItsyBitsySpyers 12:55 am *As he wishes. Soundwave's thigh armor comes with sizable gaps anyway, pff. Either way: he is, notably, pleased.*

#chat

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mattsammonsez · 4 years

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Brass Tacts: It’s Not Getting Knocked Down, It’s How You Get Back Up That Matters

Oh man...

A few weeks ago I wrote in Brass Tacts on how we’re witnessing a live lesson in marketing with the Popeyes vs. Chick-fil-a (and other restaurants) battle with the southern-style chicken sandwich. Popeyes won’t sell as many chicken sandwiches as Chick-fil-a, but now they control the conversation through smart social media usage and limited advertising. Now we’re witnessing another live marketing lesson at the other end of the spectrum: how NOT to do an ad campaign, and most importantly how NOT to respond to the fallout from a faulty ad campaign. Of course, I’m talking about the now-infamous Peloton commercial than has been skewered and lampooned since being released in late November.

Like a gift-wrapped Peloton, there is sooooo much to unwrap here. And ironically, the one person who will come out of this better is “Peloton woman”, and it’s not because she pedaled her way to happiness on an overpriced exercise bike. And as always, content creators and broadcasters have something to learn from all of this.

Where to begin? Well let’s start with my general thought of Peloton and similar “personal trainer” systems-- it’s a bunch of hooey. At more than $2,200 for the bike and a $39 monthly membership, if you want a Peloton it will cost you about $2,700 for a year’s usage. Depending on the state you live in and how much you pay in taxes, that amounts to about one full paycheck of net income if you make $100,000 annually. Suffice to say, roughly 80% of the population in the United States can’t afford one of these things, so in my opinion any commercial for this belongs in the “Lexus December to Remember” fantasy department. Yes, you too can have a pricey exercise bike featuring someone in a studio yelling at you to pedal harder if you haven’t emptied your bank account on the Lexus with leather seats (or the two GMC trucks you and your spouse gifted to yourselves, or the Buick SUV you treated yourself to). Most people in their right mind aren’t putting a big bow on a $60,000 vehicle in front of their fortress-size home for Christmas like they do on the TV.

I am also a big believer that if you do want to lose weight, or stay fit and trim, or enjoy the energy and confidence boost that exercising can provide you, I suggest from my own experience that you eat less crap and get up and move around more. I lost 40 pounds over the last 10 or 12 years by not eating fast food and limiting fried foods, virtually eliminating my soda intake as well as drastically cutting back on how much beer I drank, and by pushing myself to exercise for 60 minutes 3 times a week. Want a bike? They sell them at Goodwill for $40. There, I just got you a bike for the cost of one month of a Peloton membership, and you don’t have your “personal trainer” Vinny screaming from a sound stage to sweat a little more for him.

Ok, so personal thoughts on Peloton and exercise aside, let’s move on to what’s happening at Peloton right about now. The company is having trouble (surprise!) convincing people not in a six-figure household to buy one of these things, and a weaker-than-expected IPO on NASDAQ in September isn’t helping issues. So the holiday sales time, a key time for anyone in the physical fitness/personal wellness industries, was a must-hit for Peloton. As you know, they released the infamous ad on November 21st, right before you feel guilty about the 8 or 9 pounds of food you’re going to eat at Thanksgiving. At first the ad seems like the usual sappy/fantasy commercial-- much like the husband surprising his wife with a luxury car, here’s the husband surprising his wife with this expensive exercise bike. And like every other Peloton (or similar item) commercial, she pedals away in the spare room of her really large house and ends up in a good mood at the end of the commercial.

But over time came the now well-known backlash. Why is this already attractive and thin woman forcing herself on to the exercise bike? Why is her husband buying this for her, she clearly doesn’t need this? And the cringe-worthy finish: after a year of documenting her Peloton use, she shows off the compilation to her husband who grins and projects this aura of “well I kept her thin and hot for another year!” While the supposed message was empowering women to do great achievements (albeit on an expensive exercise bike), the various messages received by viewers was “fat is bad”, “exercise ‘til you drop”, and “stay sexy ladies or he’ll kick you and that royal lifestyle to the curb”. The reaction to the whole fiasco BY ALL parties is more fascinating to me.

“Now YOU get on that bike you smug little...”

Peloton got clobbered on Wall Street, losing upwards of $1.6 billion of its valuation after the ad became viral (although shares have recovered somewhat). Rather than admit that they were off the mark with the ad, Peloton is shifting the blame to the viewers, shocked that so many people “misinterpreted” what they were trying to sell (Hot tip: NEVER blame the audience for not getting your message. More on that later). Peloton’s CEO, John Foley, is suggesting this is old news (Hot tip: It’s not). And Peloton’s marketing partner, Mekanism, is very quiet on the whole thing, which is normally not a good sign. But these are all people behind the scenes. What about the people playing the roles of the misguided husband and wife?

This is the Brass Tacts lesson-- how you respond to being pulled into something you didn’t plan on being the center of attention on. And I’ll pull my own experience to the middle, as I was featured in a national ad campaign for H&R Block in the winter of 2013. Thankfully there was no controversy with that campaign, but even though I was used to broadcasting to thousands of people during my “day job” as the game day host of the Tampa Bay Lightning radio broadcasts, having my face pop up on TV screens and web ads across the nation for a solid two months was odd. And while the feedback from friends and strangers who saw the ad was all positive, it was still an adjustment for me to deal with the sudden notoriety I had. But after a few days I took it all in stride, and I still think back to that time 9 years ago when I was selected, filmed, and had a spot starring me delivered to the masses. It was a fun experience, but admittedly a little overwhelming. So if someone who is a professional broadcaster can be shaken a bit by a positive commercial experience, let’s see how our Peloton actors are doing.

Sean Hunter, a.k.a. “Peloton Husband”, was the first to speak out. Naturally, the guy who appeared in about 5 seconds of the ad, is playing the role of the victim. In TV and print interviews shortly after the public backlash, Hunter was stunned by the negative feedback that implemented him as a demanding and care-less husband. He was worried that this ad would stunt his day job as an elementary school teacher as well as his burgeoning acting career. But apparently he was so worried about this turn of events, he continued to give interviews and even changed his Instagram account name to “pelotonhusband”. I sure hope he survives to see his imminent stint on Dancing With the Stars.

But what about “Peloton Woman”? Her name is Monica Ruiz, and after laying low she released a statement through her agency on Saturday, also noting she was surprised by the backlash from the ad. But rather than play the victim, which in many ways she is if you see her character as an attractive young mother who has to pedal to nowhere and fast to keep her hot looks to keep her jackass husband happy, Ruiz ends up being the victor in this whole mess. As described in this New York Times article, actor Ryan Reynolds came to Ruiz’s rescue with one of the best response ads I have ever seen in my life. With Ruiz playing the role of a woman who has clearly been through A LOT lately, we find her at a local bar with her girl friends staring into space before chugging down a martini glass filled with Aviation Gin, Reynolds’ own gin product. As any good friends would do in a time of crisis, the friends reassure Ruiz that everything will be great and go ahead and throw back another. And by the way, one of the friends says to Ruiz, “you look great!”

Our hero Monica (center) in the ultimate clap back ad. I’ll drink to that.

As detailed in the Times article, Reynolds’ had to act fast to make the spot happen, and his timing couldn’t have been better with the public outcry at full pitch. Since the spot was filmed and produced by his own production company, the turnaround was quick and the spot debuted this past Saturday. In the end Ruiz’s character, who was supposed to be the damsel in distress who needed to ride this damn bike in her living room at all hours of the day to make her doofus husband happy in a bizarre way considering she was already an attractive young mother living a heavenly life in this beautiful home with a beautiful daughter, turns out to be the heroine. She didn’t need an expensive exercise bike to feel good about herself (and thus her husband somehow feels satisfied), she just needed a stiff drink with good friends away from home.

And in real life, Ruiz is the undisputed champion here, with a primary assist to Reynolds for getting her into the response ad so quickly. Ruiz comes out on top, shows the world that she cannot only take the heat, but she’ll spin it around and make a nice cool drink out of it. The sympathy for the awful Peloton ad, followed by the smart comeback in the Aviation Gin ad, likely means she’ll have more companies knocking on her door as a spokesperson. Meanwhile Sean Hunter looks like a sniveling idiot, CEO John Foley is likely throwing things in his office and blaming someone else, and Mekanism is probably wondering if they’ve lost the Peloton account for good.

I’m not much of a gin drinker, but I’ll be honest in saying while buying whiskey for my wife’s world-famous Irish Cream this past weekend, I glanced over at the Aviation Gin display. Mission accomplished, and I hope Monica Ruiz makes a mint off of every acting gig she gets.

So what do broadcasters and content creators learn from this mess?

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE: You need to know who you’re talking to, and how you’re conveying that message. While Foley is trying to pretend like this fiasco is old news, even he acknowledges that the Peloton message needs to be clarified. If you think a certain segment of the population needs to be convinced that buying your product empowers them to do great things, then you need to find a smart and delicate way of conveying that message. Having an already attractive young woman playing the role of a married mother living in a gorgeous house needing to ride an exercise bike her husband mysteriously gifts her to apparently stay young and fit and attractive and snuggled nicely into this rich guy’s house in so many ways looks down at that woman-- and any woman watching the ad. How Peloton, or the ad agency Mekanism, thought this was a good idea or continued to green light it to completion is mind-boggling.

Don’t just “know” through demographic stats and information who your target audience is. KNOW your audience by putting their thoughts and feelings in to the equation. I’m willing to bet my weight in Aviation Gin that during the entire concept and execution of this campaign, there weren’t a lot of (or any) married upper middle-class women with children in on the process. That includes at Peloton, Mekanism, or any test audience for the ad. This wasn’t someone knowing the intended audience, it was someone thinking they knew who needed to see this.

Don’t blame the audience: Maybe the audience did misunderstand the intended message, but don’t EVER publicly suggest that they did. By doing so, you’re implying the audience (including your target audience) is too stupid to understand your high-brow style of communication. The fact is, if a large segment of the population throws back your content, then maybe (no definitely) you’re way off with your target.

I recall back in 2011 when the Tampa Bay Lightning unveiled a brand new logo and color scheme, the one thing that fans were very vocal about was the lack of black in the new uniform design. Black had been part of the team’s identity since its inception in 1992, why did it totally have to go away? Likewise fans demanded that the Lightning’s unique lightning bolt pants, also a staple of the uniform since 1992, be part of the new concept. Rather than try to explain to the fans that they misunderstood what the team was trying to do, then-CEO Tod Leiweke said the team was going back to the drawing board. Not only was black reintroduced to accent the predominantly blue and white uniform, the pants had the lightning bolt down the side. In this situation, the customer is always right, even if they’re wrong for not seeing what you were trying to do.

Don’t get caught up, when you get caught up: Sometimes you get stuck in the middle when something goes awry, even if it isn’t your fault. Sean Hunter didn’t go into the audition process for the ad desiring to be seen as this idiot husband demeaning his wife by suggesting the already rail-thin woman needed to exercise more. And while most reasonable people don’t see Sean Hunter the actor as a real-life embodiment of the husband, understandably some people just connected dots and thought Hunter and the husband were one in the same. But Hunter should have laid low, let the controversy pass (because it eventually will), and let Peloton or the agency take the heat. Instead he was one of the first to speak out, coming off like a whiny victim, and despite this “career-threatening” moment he is still getting paid. And if it’s an ASCAP deal for him, when the ad stops running he’ll still have $10,000-$15,000 in his pocket for being in the ad. That’s hardly a negative game-changer.

Compare that to Ruiz who stayed out of the fire, and was treated to a sympathetic audience not only because of the unfortunate thrust in to being a face of gender inequality but also for being put in a similar position as Hunter. Rather than book every interview and complain about how her life was ruined, Reynolds came along and was able to recast her in a much lighter role that gave he personality the redeeming qualities of humility (”I can’t believe I was in that ad?”) and humor (”I think I’ll suck down another glass of gin with my friends.”). Eventually this will all blow over, but Ruiz will be remembered for looking calmer and wiser than Hunter, and her acting career may last longer than Peloton.

When the waters get choppy around you from a storm that is out of your control, often the best thing to do is put your head down and keep rowing for land.

Matt Sammon has been in broadcasting and content creation for 24 years, and was most recently the Director of Broadcasting & Programming for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Learn more about him and what he can do for you at SammonSez.com.

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torontoseoulcialite · 5 years

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Next Stop: Reykjavik

Can you believe I made it to Osaka, Shanghai, Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Taipei, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, Bali, Orlando, and Korea (duh!) over the past 3 years? When I was in Korea, all I wanted was to escape the freezing temperatures and fly to warmer climates. Now that I’m in Canada, I’m eyeing Europe – particularly the Nordic countries! While I only just started my “new” job in August, I’ve already earned enough vacation days to take a little trip. Hello – dream job! If you’ve been following along on social media, you’ll know that I just got back from Reykjavik, Iceland. With Wow Air flights this cheap, I couldn’t not go!

Toronto – Reykjavik

First things first – my flight to Reykjavik’s Keflavik International Airport was an absolute steal. I’m not fussed over having luxuries like in-flight entertainment or 5-star dining. Let’s be real – I flew Air Asia practically everywhere. I flew Wow Air and paid $235.92 CAD for my round-trip flight from Toronto to Reykjavik. This price was inclusive of HST, Airport Improvement Fee, Air Travelers’ Security Charge, ZU passenger fee, and IS Airport service charge).

Once I arrived in Reykjavik, I booked an Airport Direct shuttle from the airport to the Blue Lagoon at 7:30 AM. My total transfers from the airport to Blue Lagoon and then along to my hostel came to a total of ISK 5,500 ($58.35 CAD). Not exactly a steal, but a great option when things in Reykjavik can be quite pricy.

I decided to ball out at the Blue Lagoon and treat myself to the Premium experience:

Entrance to the Blue Lagoon

Silica mud mask

Use of towel

1st drink of your choice

Second mask of choice

Slippers

Use of bathrobe

Table reservation at Lava Restaurant

Sparkling wine when dining

From ISK 9 900 ($105 CAD)

The Lamb fillet and shoulder of lamb: Rutabaga, carrots, rhubarb, thyme set me back ISK 4 900 ($51.97 CAD). It’s a once in a lifetime event and I wanted to enjoy every second, but honestly? Not worth it to get the premium – don’t bother with the crappy food at Lava. It’s plated beautifully but lacks any sort of flavour whatsoever. Save your ISK and just get the comfort package. The only extras you get are flip flops, a robe, and an algae mask.

The lagoon itself is gorgeous and relaxing. I didn’t indulge in the spa treatments, but the silica mask you get leaves your face and shoulders feeling baby soft. Heed warning about your hair, though. I thought that covering it in conditioner would be enough, but my hair was a wreck. Trying to pull a comb through it was incredible painful wet or dry, and it lasted for days. Heed the advice of other bloggers and put your hair up in a bun!

Arctic Adventures – Iceland’s South Coast

4 days in Iceland is plenty to scratch the surface. I can’t imagine how many gorgeous places there are to discover. If you’re like me and have limited vacation days, Reykjavik is a great adventure destination even if just for a few days away! Over the course of 10 hours on an Arctic Adventures minibus, we got through the tight schedule of:

Skógafoss Waterfall

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Sólheimajökull Glacier

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Reynisdrangar Basalt Sea Stacks

Vík in Mýrdalur

Included

Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavík

Guided Visit to South Shore Highlights

English Speaking Tour Guide

Free WiFi on Board Your Bus

Seljalandsfoss

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I went chasing waterfalls in Iceland. I climbed icy rocks to step behind Seljalandsfoss and make my wish. I couldn’t find any evidence of Icelandic folklore to support the idea of making a wish behind the falls, but I had on my trusty HBC boots, my Columbia snowsuit, and propensity for mischief, so behind Seljalandsfoss I went. Can you guess what I wished for? Hint – it wasn’t surviving the climb up out and down the other side!

Skogafoss

Skogafoss waterfall (by the way – that’s redundant as “foss” means “waterfall”) was certainly safer than Seljalandsfoss! To get up to the top and get an aerial view of the falls, you can walk up some stairs. It takes about 5 minutes – the record is 3 minutes, apparently. Legend has it that there was once a treasure chest buried at Skogafoss and those trying to reach it would experience delusions. You can read all about it here. I’m sure glad that my wishes come from the heart, and not for the wallet!

Reynisfjara

The iconic black sand beaches and basalt sea stack formations featured in “Game of Thrones” are found at Reynisfjara. There are a few legends as to how the stacks were formed. One involves two trolls dragging a three-masted ship into land and failing. The other is of a free-spirited woman pulled away from her husband by the trolls, destined to spend eternity among the rocks and sea. As stunning as the landscape of Iceland is, I’m sure it would be even more breathtaking with a partner. I felt incredibly calm, but especially lonely at this beach as a solo traveler.

Vik

When I told people that I was visiting Iceland, they told me I absolutely had to go to Vik i Myrdal. I certainly wanted to see the iconic church (Reyniskirkja), but beyond that I wasn’t sure. We only stopped here for a quick view of Reynisfjara and the town of Vik, then we were on the bus and headed for a 3 PM “lunch”. The food in Iceland is already incredibly expensive, so imagine being in a town where a truck stop is your only option for food on the tour. I think I paid $25 for the crappiest, tiniest curry ever. Stick to the hot dogs and burgers, when available. They won’t be cheap either, but at least they’re dependable! I was surprised that in a country like Iceland their fish would be frozen, square, deep fried pucks. Bring food with you on the tour, for sure!

Aurora Borealis: The Northern Lights

If you really want great images you must really know how to use your camera and have a much better tripod than I did. Also – avoid these huge tour groups. They’re big ole money grabs. We were taken an hour in one direction to a chalet where we were expected to buy drinks and souvenirs. The lines were insanely long and it was just pretty uncomfortable. Then, we were brought back in the direction of Reykjavik and further down to the South Coast to a small area near a very brightly lit church. It was very hilly and quite windy – not ideal for a tripod and camera. With drunken idiots stumbling in front of your tripod trying to see the lights through your lens and littering water bottles full of vodka, we were incredibly lucky to actually see the lights dance! This is what it actually looks like chasing the Northern Lights with a tour group.

Photos from my Samsung S9 – I was pretty impressed with the image quality they were able to produce:

Food and Drink in Iceland

Since food and drinks are so expensive in Iceland, your absolute best is to stock up on vodka or even champagne when you get off the plane. Drinks at bars in Reykjavik will cost about $7 – $10 during “Happy Hour” (very common in Reykjavik due to the obscene prices) and $10 – $20 otherwise. Most people who have visited ask me if I survived on hot dogs. I must admit, I ate a couple as moderately cheap sustenance! I took myself out on my first night and a bowl of olives and a pint cost me $20. i suggest you pre-drink at your hotel or even get an AirBnB so you can cook. “Bonus” is the cheapest grocery store around, I’ve been told. Liquor stores are closed on Sundays, so prepare in advance. People in Iceland leave to go out quite late at night, too.

Last Day in Reykjavik

On my last day in Reykjavik I rounded out some of my other bucket list goals. I visited Perlan – Wonders of Iceland. I walked around the city getting great views of Hallgrimskirkja, the iconic Catholic church in Iceland’s capital city. On the way back to my hostel in Hlemmur Square, I saw an incredible mid-afternoon sunset behind the Sun Voyager.

Perlan – Wonders of Iceland is a museum which will really need a post all to itself. The incredible architecture makes way for a 360 observation deck, and since it’s up on a hill you get a phenomenal view of the city, the glacier, and the water. Ut i Blainn, the restaurant inside Perlan’s dome, was another example of overpriced food (better than Lava, however) and piss poor service, but the ambiance was nice and it was a good way to relax before making my way through the impressive exhibits and the brand new planetarium.

Reykjavik for Romance

Iceland is a wonderful place especially for couples and especially around Christmas. It’s an inexpensive flight from Toronto, you can get pretty good deals on AirBnB’s, and there are plenty of ways to relax together or get an adrenaline rush. I would absolutely suggest heading over even if you, like me, only have a few days to get away! Absolutely DO go chasing waterfalls. Let me know if you head to Seljalandsfoss and we can compare notes on waterfall wishes, too – I hope they come true ❤

Have you been to Iceland? Where was your favourite place to visit? Let me know in the comments!

The Perfect Stopover in Reykjavik, Iceland! Next Stop: Reykjavik Can you believe I made it to Osaka, Shanghai, Bangkok, …

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purplesurveys · 3 years

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1105

surveys by seachaange

What do you do when someone is talking to you about something you don't care about? I listen and try to ask questions or add my own input so that they can see that even though I personally don’t care about the thing they’re talking about, I’m invested in them.

What is the best pizza place in your neighbourhood? Erm, we don’t really have a lot of independent pizza joints, actually. Most of the ones I see are chain restaurants like Pizza Hut and Domino’s. The best pizza I’ve had is from Vu’s at Marco Polo, but it’s been a whileeeee since I’ve had their food. Mama Lou’s pizza is also good.

Do you have Photoshop installed on your computer? I do but I only had it installed for school. I have no personal interest to learn it.

Are there any teachers you have that you are close with? I wouldn’t say that. I’m kinda chummy with one of my English teachers from high school - like he knew about me and Gab and supported us, I show my support for his art, we greet each other every now and then, etc - but we’re not ‘close.’

Do you have friends that play field hockey? No.

What about soccer? Not friends but I do know a number people who play football, yeah.

Do you think homosexuals are leading a bad lifestyle? This question aged like milk, didn’t it...

What do you think of the iPad? I remember when it blew up like crazy. It was such a revolutionary thing back when it was new, so much so that my dad even felt the need to buy one. It was fun when the hype lasted; but nowadays I don’t know people who would still seek out an iPad other than artists and law/med students, lmfao.

Do you put lotion on after you get out of the shower? I don’t.

Do you have any concerts on dvd? A lot, but they’re of concerts from a time when DVDs were still a thing. I haven’t had a new DVD in around 7-8 years.

Do you still have a VHS player? I think my parents have thrown theirs out already.

Has anyone ever given you a promise ring? No.

Do you send postcards to people when you go on vacation? I don’t. But aw, this made me remember when Jo did a summer exchange program in London and she sent postcards to Aya in the few months that she had been away. I thought that was sweet.

What do you think is the most comfortable shoe? Out of the pairs I have, my Onitsuka Tiger shoes for sure.

Have you seen Lady Gaga's music video for Telephone? That was suuuuuuch a big deal when it came out. Yes, I definitely have and I must’ve watched it a thousand times. Also rude, Beyoncé was in there too lol

If so, what do you think of it? It was so creative and a lot of fun to watch, especially for 2009 when artists weren’t exactly daring with music video concepts yet. I can’t believe they never collaborated again since.

What do you think of the septum piercing? It’s great.

Do you frequently skip class? Depends on my interest in the class/the professor, OR how tired I am that week. I skipped my psychology elective a lot because I didn’t think the instructor was all that great; and as much as I loved every single one of my history classes, there were a few sessions I voluntarily had to skip because I wasn’t doing mentally well. It really depends.

When you're really thirsty, what do you enjoy drinking most? Water. Anything else wouldn’t be able to quench my thirst as well.

What do you find inspirational in the world? I think it differs based on what I need to see at a given time, I guess. At this point in my life, I like hearing from people who have risen from their trust and abandonment issues, because it’s what I’ve been going through as well. I probably never would’ve found something like that inspirational, say, 6 months ago, so it really depends.

When hanging out with your bf or gf, what do you like doing most? I’m a very ‘let’s spend time in silence’ type of person. I cherished it the most when my ex and I would go to a coffee shop and work for hours, in complete and comfortable silence; or when I would be driving and no words would be exchanged for nearly the entire ride. Even though I stay quiet, in those moments I’m actually very happy. Of course new experiences are great too, but I personally enjoy the conventional ‘boring’ stuff the most when with a partner.

What do/did you think of your high school? Teeming with homophobia, bigotry, and just your typical Catholic gatekeepy judgmental environment. I look back at high school fondly because of the friends I made, not because of the toxic environment they nurtured in there.

What is the dirtiest rap song you have ever heard? I don’t listen to a lot of rap. But as an 11 year old listening to Nicki Minaj’s Itty Bitty Piggy, I was immediately traumatized lmao. I still can’t listen to that song.

What about a dirty song in any other genre? Uhhhhhhhhh probably Drunk in Love?? Lmaoooo I’d die for Beyoncé a million times but I always skip that song. My asexual ass just can’t deal.

What is a genre of music you simply can't stand? One of them is techno.

What is, in your opinion, the best way of dealing with a break up? Being kind to yourself.

What flavour of Doritos do you like best? I’ve only ever tried the nacho cheese flavor, but I love that one.

Where do you do your grocery shopping? I don’t do the grocery shopping in the family but my parents usually do it at SM or at this local store we have nearby.

Would you ever go to a comedy club? Yes, with a friend so I’d be more comfortable.

Do you think Victoria's Secret is overpriced? I haven’t been in one of their stores in a while, so I can’t really say.

Do you still have a VHS player? Again, I don’t think so.

Do you have a tumblr? :))))))

Why is it that photography is becoming a trend? So this survey was made in 2010 and I can definitely confirm it was a crazy huge trend lol. Even I got into it and asked my parents to get me a DSLR back then. Anyway, I think it was because during this time, DSLRs had been slowly becoming a thing? and they were kiiiiiiiinda cheap - at least cheap enough to be accessible to a large amount of people - so it allowed people to play with different styles that were very unfamiliar at the time, like light painting, fisheye, close-ups, etc. And then at one point everyone had DSLRs and it just wasn’t as enjoyable anymore because everyone was doing the same kinds of trendy shots lol.

What is the funniest movie you have ever seen? I’m gonna go with The Proposal - Sandra Bullock was gold in that movie.

Did you watch American Idol this past season? No. Do they still air new seasons of that?? I stopped watching when the same guitar-playing, country-singing white men kept winning.

If so, how did you feel about the winner? It’s been more than a decade since I last cared for the show.

Don't you hate it when one of your earbuds stops working? Sure.

Do you have a normal landline, or do you use MagicJack? Holy shit I have not heard of MagicJack in a goddamn WHILE lmao, what a throwback. We had one, I’m pretty sure...but I never knew what it was for.

Do you even use a house phone anymore? Landlines are still common in the Philippines. Are they not in other countries? Hahahaha.

Would you ever consider dating someone who lived across the country? If I loved, trusted, and was committed to them enough, yes.

What was the most expensive restaurant you've ever eaten at? I wasn’t able to track the name but I’m pretty sure it was the fine dining restaurant in our cruise trip that my parents treated me to for my birthday.

Do/did you take foods classes in high school? My school didn’t offer such a class, but we had home economics and we were occasionally taught how to cook and bake certain dishes.

Do you have a tattoo? No, not yet.

If you do, describe the pain you went thru when getting it done. Eugh this is what I’m scared of :((((

Do you enjoy making hemp necklaces and bracelets? I’ve never tried.

Have you ever watched the show Strangers With Candy? I’ve never even heard of it before, I’m sure.

What is your favourite bookstore? Fully Booked, because their collection is expansive, always complete, and they let you take a book of the shelves and read it if you’d like.

Have you ever used torrents? Mostly throughout high school. I did use a torrent to download Midsommar recently, though.

How can we tell if you are in a bad mood? I go quiet.

How are you when you're in a really good mood? Complete opposite - I will be bubbly and chatty, especially in instances when I’m not really expected to be.

Are you nice to everyone, even people you don't like? Yes.

When you're bored in class, what do you do? I seldom found myself bored in class because I’m constantly furiously taking notes. But if the prof themselves are very boring and there’s nothing to take notes about, I go ahead and check my social media either from my phone or laptop.

Would you rather go to Lollapalooza, Warped Tour, or Bonnaroo? As a teenager, I had always wanted to go to Warped Tour. As I’ve gotten older, though, the lineups for Lollapalooza have appealed to me more. Plus it’s in Chicago, soooooo a million more brownie points for that.

Do you have anything that is autographed? By who? Yeah, I have an autographed poster of AJ Lee. It was my most prized possession and I even placed it on a big picture frame and had it up on my wall for yearsssssssss, and then my mom had to take it down because of course it’s my mom and of course she had to do it.

Can you sleep when it's really hot? Welcome to summer months in the Philippines.

Do you know anyone who works at McDonald's? I think Carley does, but idk if that’s changed in the last few months. I don’t stay updated about her life, haven’t been for years.

Do you have a debit card? Yes.

What bank do you (or your family) use? I am not sharing that lol.

Would you ever hitchhike? I think I’m mostly open to it, though I will say I’ve read enough stories about murders that involve hitchhiking that make me a little scared of the idea, hahah.

Have you ever been kayaking? We did a boat thing in Palawan a few years ago but I’m not sure if that was kayaking or canoeing. Anywho, the experience was breathtaking.

Do you have a problem with swimming in a pond or lake? In the context of my country, yeah, because our natural bodies of water aren’t exactly...the cleanest, lmao. I’d feel much more comfortable swimming in a private beach.

Does anyone in your family go hunting or fishing? Nope. But maybe some of my relatives living in the US do?? Idk for sure.

What do/did you do when someone you barely knew asks you to sign their yearbook? We don’t really practice that. Only the really expensive, bougie, international schools here that have foreign students to begin with do that, I think.

In high school are you/were you in the plays and musicals? No.

Do you have a birdbath in your yard? No, we don’t.

Is the house you live in old or new? It’s fairly new; we had it first built in 2005 and we officially moved in 2008.

Where do you go when you need a new pair of sneakers? Depends on what brand I’m in the mood to buy.

Do you make New Year's Resolutions, or do you not even bother? I typically don’t.

Most annoying commercial? Haven’t been paying attention to them lately.

What does your favourite bathing suit look like? It’s just a simple black bikini but its overall shape and design is super cute and chic.

Do you like Silly Bandz? No.

If you do, how many do you have and what are your favourite shapes?

What do you think of My Super Sweet 16? I never watched it because I feel like I’d only get stressed if I did.

Do you have mini-blinds in your house? I have pull-down window shades in my room, not blinds.

Do you rent your home or do you own it? My parents own it.

What is your favourite song right now? Trigger by Hayley Williams.

Do you use Firefox? Nope.

Do you have a pool in your backyard? We don’t.

Do you have a gym membership? No.

Favourite field trip you've ever been on? Freshman year of high school when we went to two museums :)

#survey #surveys

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lulumania · 7 years

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Pearls

Summary: OKAY SO THIS IS GONNA BE MY FIRST STORY ON THIS TUMBLR SO MY MIND IS FREAKING OUT! I HOPE U GUYS LIKE IT AND ALSO ITS ORIGINAL!! Word count: 6556 Pearls. When you first see pearls, what do you think of? Do you marvel at the silky color or think of a full moon in orbit? Innocent and pure are two words that come to the mind of a jeweler. For those who know the truth, innocent and pure never enter their minds when they stare at this powerful jewel. The words that should be going into your mind, are horrific and unsettling. It all makes sense in the end. It was June 3rd, 2001, and I, 19 year-old Samantha Baker, was vacationing in Saudi Arabia with some college friends. Sadly, we weren’t visiting to see the many sites the country had to offer, but instead just staying for a few days till we finally could go to the Red Sea. The Red Sea is located between Saudi Arabia and Sudan and is composed of saltwater. Since the Red Sea was mostly famous for it’s diving experience, I decided to put my marine knowledge to the task. I hired a guide online and was set to meet them in two days. Our airplane landed in Jeddah, a small city near the docks. Being college students, we didn’t have much money, so we booked two rooms at a small, gloomy inn with peeling wallpaper, broken windows, and overflowing trash cans. We soon found out our rooms were located beside the trash cans and tried to bribe the owner into getting us new rooms. “Sorry. Only two rooms available. No refund.”, says the small, portly man across the counter with a smile that has almost no teeth. Mary all of a sudden yells at the man, cursing him and his overpriced rooms. He threatens to call the cops so we drag Mary back to our room. This riles her up even more. The room we paid $200 for contains two shabby and sheet-stained twin beds, a hot plate in the corner, two plastic chairs in another corner and the bathroom shower only sprays out cold water. The worst part is the floor and smell. The floor is covered in stepped on roaches, spilled drinks and in a corner something that looks similar to dog droppings. The smell is something between a dead racoon, yes I know how that smells, a lot of diapers, and a wet dog. As some would say, utterly disgusting. But we are not some people, so instead we deal with it by getting some nose plugs. “Someone pick up the bloody phone!”, yells Stuart from across the rooms, hunched across a laptop, probably writing to his mother about these horrid conditions he has to live in. I hadn’t even noticed my phone had been ringing. The smell must be getting to me. I grab it and walk out, hoping to get some fresh air, but instead the dump next door worsens it. “Samantha Baker here. Who’s this?”, I say as I answer the call, hoping for it to end so I can get back inside and take a nice, cold shower. “Ah Samantha, this is Larry. I’ve called you because there’s been a change of plans. Since tomorrow is going to be stormy I need you to pay a bit more for safety. About….$100?”, replies a voice so smooth and creamy, I stop myself and imagine him saying those words again. The way he rolled his r’s kinda took my breath away a bit. I didn’t imagine a sailor having this kind of a voice. “$100?! For a silly storm?!”, I suddenly yell out as I come back to my senses. $100 is way much for just a silly storm. Unless…something more dangerous is out there? Maybe the currents get too strong? “It’s not just the storm Miss Samantha. Creatures….dangerous one’s mind you…like to hunt out when it gets stormy. Sharks and m-…whales. Whales….”, say Larry, his voice now even deeper, as if he’s…afraid? If he was worrying about sharks, wouldn’t he have to cancel the diving trip and give me another date? “Mr. Larry I don’t have $100 on me. Couldn’t you just reschedule the appointment for I don’t know….in a week?”, I plead into the phone, making sure my voice quivers as if I’m about to cry. The truth is my parents are bloody rich, but they wouldn’t send me here with that much money. If I had to buy food or anything, I used their card and they would see my purchases. Pretty much stalkers if you ask me. But parents are parents. Sometimes they change, but mine never do. “You know what? Nevermind Miss Samantha, instead of paying me $100 just don’t bring your friends. Too much flesh will attract sharks and such. I’m sure you and me could make it just fine.”, replies Larry after an ominus minute, his voice in a higher pitch, like when someone is guilty of something. After a minute of thinking, I decided it was the best choice. “Deal. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the docks, okay?”, I reply but before I can say another word, Larry hangs up. What a strange man. I step back inside and prepare myself for sleep. I didn’t get to sleep until midnight due to Stuart’s typing and the blaring traffic outside. We just had to pick an inn near a highway, didn’t we? I don’t think anybody actually slept that night but me. I woke up to a bag of chips, an apple, and a bottle of water for breakfast. Mary had gone to the nearest food market and had bought food that seemed edible-like because apparently she didn’t trust food she’d never heard of before. The other’s had already gone off exploring, so just Mary and me had breakfast alone. At 9:30 I started to pack my bag with necessities for the diving trip. Larry already had my diving suit and tank and such, but I still needed my camera for pictures, my flippers, and a knife to open some clams up. Larry said there might even be pink pearls down there, which would really up my day right about now. My boyfriend, probably studying for exams, had begged me to bring some pearls back. Even though he was working to become a college teacher for neuroscience, his passion lay in jewelry. For two year now, he has collected countless shells and gems. Yet, he’s never really gotten a real genuine pearl in his collection yet. Today might be his lucky day, if the weather holds up. By 10:25 I was safely dropped off at the docks, even though it had taken 10 minutes for me to translate using my phone to tell the taxi driver where I needed to go. His fares were more expensive than the ordinary American taxi driver. Is everything expensive in Saudi Arabia, or is it just this town? A wild notation popped into my mind. What if my parents were playing with me? Seeing if I was a good or a bad child? But the notation was soon swept away as a young boy, 17 or 16, climbed out of a small, white boat and headed my direction. “You must be Miss Samantha?”, the boy says as he gets nearer and he shakes my hand. His hand is cold and brittle, and his hands feel firm, as if they have been worked for many years. His smile was somewhat clumsy-like, but what really caught me was his eyes. They were like any regular normal brown eyes, except that they weren’t looking at me. His eyes were moving in all directions, as if….looking for me? “Your blind..”, I whisper and I suddenly clasp my hand over my mouth before any more words spill out. I can feel my face turning slightly pink from embarrassment. Then, he started laughing. “It always get you Americans. No, I am not blind Miss Samantha, it’s called a joke.”, the boy says through his guilty laughs. His eyes then look in one direction like a normal person, as if to show that it’s fake. I feel a sudden wave of anger. I feel like strangling the bo, yet…i don’t know why. All sorts of torture enter my mind. Maybe…no…I shake these delirious thoughts out of my mind. Ever since I’ve come to Saudi Arabia, my mind has somewhat…changed. Dramatically. I don’t feel like myself. I feel…trapped. It must be the new scenery change, that’s all. Is it though….? “Are you Larry?”, I say in a calm voice, though it still manages to shake in anger. I know the answer before the man behind says it. “No. I’m Larry. That’s Michael. Sorry about him, he’s not very smart.”, replies the voice behind me. I plaster on a smile, try to ease my mind, and turn my body around, expecting a handsome, but elderly, sailor dressed in a cap and all. “Still, I’m the only person in this city that can help you with rigging.”, Michaels word’s go through my ears, but I can’t hear them. Instead, I only see the person before me. To put it in simple words, the man with the smooth voice is none other than a 65 year-old drunk who’s only talent is steering a simple wheel. The boy must do all the work. Larry is dressed in a stained white top, the stains must be beer, and in some tan shorts that reveal his hairy legs, a jungle no man can ever breach. I giggle to myself at the thought, but then stop myself. His hair is slicked back by some kind of white gel and the worst part is his mustache. That thing can hold hundreds of crumbs, that I can say. Otherwise, pretty normal I must say. “Let’s get going shall we?”, Larry says and then I realize, his voice is not smooth. “Larry’s” voice is gruff and loud, like any normal sailor’s is. That can’t be possible…unless…I’m being scammed. “I’m sorry, but are you really Larry? The thing is, the Larry on the phone had a different voice. It was more…smooth. Did something..happen to him?”, I stammer out before Larry can take another step. He hasn’t once looked me in the eyes, and I don’t trust that kind of a man. He seems frozen, as if seeming to wonder if he should lie or not. “That was Leonardo. He handles all the…paying and such. He’s a joker too. Sorry if this is all too…confusing. Well…..come on then.”, Larry whispers, yet I can barely hear him over the rush of the waves. Michael also looks away, not looking at me. Have I done something wrong? “I’m sorry, but have I offended you?”, I blurt out. People have been treating me so differently, and it makes me feel so…attacked. Michael freezes in his spot and Larry turns around, a spark in his eyes. “Sweetheart, you’re not that special.”, Larry says, and his eyes skim over my clothes. I now realize that I’m wearing designer clothes. How rude! I fluff myself like a bird in anger and follow them into the boat. I have heard that richness does make some people fear or hate you. I just don’t know why. Yes, I’m richer and more successful than you, but that doesn’t give you a reason to hate me. Does it….? The boat starts and Michael leads me to a small room where I can change. The floor is covered in fish guts and the occasional baby squid. The suit is extremely tight, but that must be normal for when you go diving. Since I have no where to put my clothes, I sadly drop them on the deck, covering them in all sorts of seafood. I really liked that shirt. Michael is nowhere in sight, but Larry is already on deck preparing my cage for when I descend. Out of nowhere I suddenly get the jitters. What if a shark attacked my cage? Would my parents ever really know how I had died or would I be presumed missing? Well, no turning back now. The storm had grown more frantic, as if the sea was in a hurry. Or as if…a monster was lurking below. What silly thoughts I have had ever since we went on this trip! I hope I will be back to normal by the time we go home. “Step in Miss Samantha.”, Larry says as he walks away from the crane, which had moments ago moved a small cage into the ocean, so only the top is seen. I hate it when you can’t see at the bottom of the water, don’t you? Monsters of all sorts might lurking below..like seaweed. Ugh, when it gets wrapped around your leg and the slime irks you. It makes me shudder thinking about it right now…. Before I put one foot in the water though, I think to myself, why am I doing this again? Am I really risking myself because my stupid boyfriend was too coward to come himself? Why, he hasn’t even texted me yet, and he promised! He could be cheating on me right now, with Sammy Doyle. Sammy Doyle has been keeping her eye on my boyfriend ever since highschool, thinking we just had to break up one day. As a matter of fact, I should call him right now, the cheater! “You know wh-”, I say, anger bubbling in my mind. But before I can back off and head towards my bag, Larry gets up from his seat faster than me, grabs my arm, and pushes me into the cage! Before I fall in, I try to land a blow on him, but all I hit is clean air. When I hit the water, the cold shocks me even further. I swim up, hoping I can get out before Larry latches the cage shut, but I’m too late. I swim up to the top and hold onto the bars, struggling to breath. Too much water has seeped into my nostrils and mouth, making it hard to even gasp. I spit out the water, coughing feverishly, and look up at the deck. Standing on deck is Michael and Larry. Larry is working at the ropes, using a dinner knife to cut away at them. It doesn’t take much time because the ropes look extremely old, older than this boat. Michael isn’t looking at me, instead he’s sitting down on a cooler box, staring down at something in his hands. “Micheal! Micheal! Please Micheal, help me! Are you seriously going to kill me, an innocent person?! Michael please, I’ll pay you double what he’s paying!”, I yell, making sure to use my last oxygen wisely. The only thing rushing through my head right now, is that I must survive. No. I will survive. No matter the cost. But, do you really want to? After all, when you go back home, nothing’s going to be the same again. Your parents will lock you inside, ground you. Why, you’d be lucky to even go to your backyard! What about your boyfriend too? College? Are you really ready for a life of misery? Studying studying studying. Maybe…it’s best to just…die., the voice inside my head says. But then, it’s too late. Too late to care whether I should die or not because the cage is already descending. Where? Some may say heaven, some hell, some no answer. I know where I’m going. Somewhere new. I hold my breath as long as I can and soon my whole body is surrounded by water. I can feel it now. I can feel the release as Larry finally cuts the last strand of rope and soon, the cage is plummeting. I look around, looking at my surroundings. Nothing. Just blue emptiness. I start to tear up. I can’t hold my breath much longer, but I feel like I’ve been plummeting for hours. I shake my mind back on earth, and guessed how long I’ve been plummeting. Maybe about…7 minutes? The edges around my vision start to blacken to a crisp. As the cage starts nearing the bottom, I can see reefs and castles. Wait..not castles..no it must be a kelp forest. Also, is it just me, but do the fish seem larger? Yes, and they seem to have….faces? Oh great, the water’s getting to me. I squint, hoping for the illusions to go away, but only succeed in tearing my eyes up more. “King Altea will be pleased with this one. Larry sure knows his humans.”, a voice behind me says. But I can’t turn around because my body has suddenly gone numb. After a few seconds, my vision is gone. Water enters every part of my body, killing me slowly. “Maybe I should ask the king if I could have this one. She’s cute for one of them.”, the voice says again. It’s a female’s voice. I can tell. “You know what happens after some time. That;s why nobody has attachments to one of them. There gone before you know it. Plus, aren't’ I better?”, says another voice. Male. “You are a coward. You cry when someone takes your food and whine when someone doesn’t want to be your friend. So…no. You’re too…stupid.”, the female voice replies. I hear a grunt of distaste and a sniffle, as if someone is about to cry. Then, I black out. What a cliffhanger. “Is she awake?”, are the first words I hear when I awake from my deep slumber. My eyes aren’t open yet though, instead there glued shut. “Hello? Larry?”, I whisper out, my voice cracking. It hurts to even move my mouth. I hear a chuckle and some movements. Then, I hear a loud sound, like doors being opened, and a woman’s shriek. “How dare you bring a human in here Leo!? You are breaking the law you created by even touching her!”, shrieks the woman’s voice. Suddenly, my eyes flutter open, but I soon close them due to the burning light. But I adjust. The sight that greets me is one I have never seen before. What I think is a floating woman, is actually a woman with fins, swimming and breathing in water. I then panic because if she’s in water, then I must be too! “Ha! Look, she’s panicking like all the other humans before her. Look darling, there’s a bubble around you. You’re alright.”, the first voist voice says. I recognize it. It’s the smooth voice on the phone. Leonardo. The impostor “Larry”. I move my head to see a man about my age sitting on a chair next to me, which must be extremely uncomfortable because he also has fins. “Aren’t you uncomfortable sitting like that?”, are the first words that pop out of my mouth. I instantly regret them. Why, he’s dressed like royalty! The man next to me, the man who the woman addressed as Leo, is dressed like a king. He is not bare-chested like I imagined mermaids to be, but instead he wears a shirt made of a green floaty cloth. He doesn’t wear pants, but instead a sort of skirt that you would see in Egypt. The skirt catches my eye because it is covered in millions of tiny little glass beads. They are all the same color, gold, but each one has a sort of different shine to it. His eyes are same old brown, like mine. His blond hair is swaying with the water, making impossible to look away. His tail is the most perplexing of all. It is not green like any respectable cartoon mermaid, but goldfish orange. The scales blinded me like the sun, but were almost impossible to look away from, like the sun. I hear a small growl and look to see it has emitted from the woman who had shrieked. “Leo darling, why is there a human here?”, the woman says and i can hear she is trying so hard not to strangle someone. I turn around again to Leo frown, but then smile when I caught his eye. “Marina don’t be jealous, she’s only staying here for a few days until we can get her back up to the surface, then she’ll be gone my sweet. May I ask my pretty pearl, what is your name?”, says Leo. At first I decide to tell him a fake name, but then he flashes a charming smile and then all my worries are gone. What’s the worst that can happen? “Samantha. Also, where am I?”, I say as politely as I can. Marina huffs in anger when Leo flashes another smile and she swims out of the room in a hurry. She must have a crush on him, but I know I can do better. “You are in Altea, the kingdom of mermaids, our kind. The woman who stormed out is our Queen, Miss Marina. The man next to you is none other than our king, Leonardo Altea. The ropes holding your cage must have snapped, otherwise Larry wouldn’t let you this far down. Look’s like you have to stay here for a few days, like the king said.”, says a woman hovering above the king, a trident in her hand. She must be a guard of some sort. Her skirt is lined with knives of all shapes and sizes, and her clothes are made of a different cloth than the kings. It’s almost….glossy. Her hair is like the flames of a rising sun, stunning. But I can tell she also hates me because she has a look of pure hatred on her face, one I have had experience with. “Who are you? And who do you think you are to show me this disrespect! The king is talking to me, you distasteful fish!”, I bark out, letting all the anger loose. Then I realize, it’s not me, it’s this place. This place is making me say what’s deep inside my mind. I can be free here. “Who do you think you are? You are just another human who has ventured down here by accident. Oh yes, you are not the first human that our king has taken a liking too. Why I remember, the last time a female human came down, they had a child, but she was soon killed. Marina would simply not allow it.”, the woman lashes back. Her voice and face are as calm as a drifting cloud, no sound, no movement. “Just because he has done something wrong in the past, does not mean you should judge him for that! Anyway, he’s your king, so he can do whatever the bloody hell he likes! Like this!”, I yell in fury, angry that she is so calm. I grab the king by his shirt and plant a kiss on his lips, our chests connecting. I don’t know why I did it, but I know it was the wrong thing to do. For all I know, this mermaids could be carnivores or be hostile. His breath tastes of strawberries, which is perplexing as strawberry’s can’t possibly grow down here. His lips are as soft as a petal, his eyes in panic. Suddenly, I feel someone grabbing me and I can hear my spine break as I am thrown down on the floor. The shock keeps me down, not the pain. “I am so sorry King Altea. I promise you, this won’t happen again. I’ll take her to her room now. Go get some rest Leo.”, the female guard says and soon, I feel a hand dragging me away, probably towards a cell. Like I said, something new. “The King will deal with you later. He has more pressing matters to deal with right now than a silly little girl. Get comfy, while you can.”, the guard says and I can tell that she is smirking, even with my eyes closed. I am dropped onto what feels like a slab of stone, but upon further exploration with my hands, is actually a cold mattress. After a few minutes, I hear the slam of a door and I am finally alone. “What did you do? The last human had a kid with the king, so what did you do?”, a voice says from somewhere. I open my eyes in panic and look around, until I see a hunched figure in one corner of my cell. Oh great, a cellmate. “I kissed him. It was…worth it.”, I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I’m already imagining him hearing about me in pain and rushing over here to heal me and then make me his new queen. I hear a snort. “That’s what they all say sweetheart. Trust me kid, you’re better off without him. He’ll turn you into one of them if you do keep following him.”, the voice again replies. I flame up again, ready to fire back and demolish this person. Yet the angry I had felt before has somehow…left me? “They have that effect on humans. They make you do things you could only dream of. The name’s Sally Charm, and I’ve been here long enough for me to resist their sweet dreams. Though, it won’t be long now before they drag me away to death. They’ll do it too you too. Soon enough.”, Sally says, and then I realize, I didn’t say the anger had left me, out loud. “How did….how did you do that? Are you..one of them?”, I say, frightened. If they can control my feelings and read my mind, what hopes do I ever have of leaving? Another snort emerges from Sally Charm. “No darling, I’m not a fish. The only reason I can read your mind is because your face says everything. No mind-reading honey. Just one look at your pale face and that’s all it took. So, name?”, chuckles Sally. What an idiot I am. “Oh. Samantha Baker. Can you come out of the corner so we can come up with a plan to get out of here?”, I say and I try to see out of the corner of my eyes, but lying flat on a bench can really block your vision. “Here, take this. They use it to heal their people and it does wonders. I never use the stuff though. What hope do we have of getting out anyway?”, Sally says as she emerges from her dark corner. In her hand lies a small white rectangle that looks like a square of gum. I can tell it isn’t though, because it has a sort of shine to it. Sally Charm is not as dainty as I thought she would look. She spoke like a true wise woman, and sounded like one too. Instead, what stepped out was a 15 year-old girl. Not exactly charming attire either. Black cargo pants, a red tank top ripping at the seams, and some sandals covered in mud. Her shoulder-length red hair was in a ponytail, but the worst part was the scar. Who could have done this to a kid? A cracked scar ran down through half of her right eye, which was closed shut. Her other eye was a pale blue, but otherwise fine. How did she come down here? I took the medicine and popped it in my mouth, swallowing it whole. It left a kind of soapy taste in my mouth. “I know what you’re thinking. How could a kid like me, end up down here? And how did she get that horrid scar? I’ve told this story a million times already, but I think today might be my last. I would ask you to sit down, but I see you’re already comfortable.”, Sally again reads my mind. “Haha, very funny. Actually.”, I say, the laughing part causing me more pain. But then, I feel a sort of, floaty feeling? Then, I sit up and face Sally. No pain. “How?”, is all I can utter. Sally’s face shows no interest, just sadness. I sit back down and make the hand motion for zipping your lips. “I’m sure you know Larry by know, and that he was the one responsible for letting you down here. They’re never going to let you go. Larry works for them. When someone doesn’t want to pay him or the mermaids are looking for victims, he “accidently” cuts the rope. I used to work for him. I didn’t know about him killing people and stuff, until I found out. That’s when he dumped into the bloody water and the fishes dragged me down.”, says Sally, and I feel anger for Larry. He left me here to die, so if I ever see him again, I’ll make sure he can never breath again. “And the scar? If you don’t mind me asking…”, I say bluntly. What kind of weapon could have possibly caused this? “When the mermaids dragged me down here, I fought back a little. One of them got their claws on me and soon I got a shiny new scar. I’ve been stuck down here for…what…2 years? Yep, pretty much insane now.”, Sally says, and for good measure, she pulls a funny face. I laugh, the worry flowing away. Then I remember. “Tanks. In the corner of the cage of which I came from, there are oxygen tanks. Have you seen where they put the cage?”, I ask frantically, looking around the room. Outside our cage, the only thing outside is a few lumps under as blanket, some tables, and chains. “Hold your horses doll. The lumps under the blankets are probably your tanks, they bought them in a few hours ago. They kept asking me what they were, but I didn’t answer them. Hey, this might actually get us out. We have a window with bars, some tanks, and hope. Great plan.”, Sally says, the sarcasm oozing out of her words. I sigh. “Okay, maybe not the best plan, but’s it’s a start, no?”, I say, trying to make a point. Sally grunts, rolling her eyes. This girl is going to be tough to cooperate with. “But….what about the king?”, I say before I can stop myself. Do I really want to leave this place of luxury for the sick world above? Maybe, in time, Leo will come to truly love me, unlike that sorry excuse of a man back home. “Tell me Samantha, why do you like the King?”, Charm says, her one eye squinted at me, trying to figure out my secrets. I mull over her words. Well let’s see, he’s rich, cute, has fins, a dazzling smile, and adorable. Is that it? Hmmm…not a long list. Wait, what if he’s cruel and cheats on me? I mean, he was pretty mean to his wife. Marina…hmmm…how could he ever marry her? “How did they end up together?”, I say, awaiting my answer. Sally seemed to know who I’m talking about, probably because hundreds of other female humans before me have asked the same question. “Marina was human once. She was my best friends. Was. Then, when she fell down here, she met the King. Marina wasn’t like you or the others. She could resist them and she didn’t have any feelings for the King. She didn’t even think he was cute.”, chuckles Sally, but I can see in her eye a small tear forming. “She was thrown in a cell like me, but the King was intrigued by her. He had never met someone who could resist him. So, every afternoon, he called Marina from her cell and she was forced to go to his chambers. He tried to talk to her, befriend her, and even tried to kiss her once. But, she never wavered.”, Sally continues, tears already rolling down her cheeks. “Then, one day, he took her, there. She said she had never felt more vulnerable, more naked in her life. The King taught her, no matter what complaints she gave. She finally cracked though. One day, after three years of hoping, she cracked. Like a walnut. I remember the last time I saw her. When she left her cell, her eyes said forgive me, but her smile said I’ve forgotten you already.”, Sally ended her story, and then turned towards our barred window, staring into the water abyss. “Where’s there?”, I ask. Of all the tone I’ve spent here, everyone seems to fear there. “There is where they kill you. Not physically, but mentally. They take your soul, and make pearls using them. How else do you think pearls get their shine? Then the human you, the one without soul, is set to working in their labs forever. They prod, poke, and dissect you, never minding your screams. You can hear them at night sometimes.”, Sally whispers, her eyes till trained outside the window. “You know, for a 15 year-old girl, you have a pretty vivid imagination. I’ve never met anyone quite like you.”, I speak my mind, not caring if she would attack at this outburst of mine. Instead, she laughs. Oh, her sweet, sweet laugh. What a beautiful thing to here in a world like this. “I don’t know if that’s a compliment or just rudeness, but I’ll take it as a compliment. Thank you, Samantha Baker. Now, let’s get planning, shall we?”, Sally turns around, a grin on her small face. She looks like the most hopeful girl in the world. Let’s hope that will get us somewhere. At midnight, some guards delivered some food. A small metal tray full of seaweed, peas, some pink meat, and a fork. Getting peas with a fork is extremely hard, in my case at least. Sally said the meat was from some kind of shellfish, that’s why we ate it raw. Sally says that she has been planning for the past two years now, ever since she’s been caught. Under her bed, she takes out a sharpened fork, sharp enough to pick the lock on out cage. “Now?”, I yell-whisper as the lock clicks open, and Sally opens it, carefully so the door doesn’t make a noise. She makes a hand motion for me to follow her, and she leads me to the ranks. I remove the blankets to reveal two oxygen tanks and two masks. I check it, and sure enough, thirty minutes each. I carry one and strap it on my shoulders, the weight a little bit too much. Sally seems to carry the weight just fine. She points out my red face and giggles a bit, but soon we are back on task. “Once we open that door, there is a hallway down. There are three doors at the end. We go to the left one, which leads to a small garden they have. There they have a small canon, big enough for two humans. I know it’s there because when I fell down, it came down in the cage with me. It won’t shoot us straight to the surface, but close enough for us to swim back to land.”, Sally commands, her voice strong and clear. She could have been a soldier in the army. But what happened next in a few minutes, determined her future. Sally opened the door and stepped out, memorizing her surroundings. I stepped out too when she finally gave the word that all was clear. The hall was not long, but it certainly catches your eye. All along the walls hung ordinary human objects. Sporks, footballs, beach toys, a dead bear, an old phone, and much more. Plaque’s held the names the mermaids had created for them. Such as the phone, they had renamed it as a “loud thing”. Guess it doesn’t get much service down here. “Okay. Open the door Samantha.”, Sally says, her sharpened fork at the ready. “If something attacks me, I will kill you.”, I mutter, and Sally chuckles to herself. I roll my eyes and put my hand on the nob. Breath in, breath out. Open. “It’s beautiful….”, I whisper as I behold the wonders above. Seeing no guards in sight, I run forward and pick at every flower. There are huge forests of kelp, hundreds of tiny seahorses in huge groups, endless corals, and benches around every bend. The ground wasn’t ordinary sand or mud, but a sort of pinkish….gravel? In the distance, you could see a tiny town constructed from huge amounts of coral. Lamps hung from kelp, illuminated by a single fish trapped inside. “We don’t have time to oggle. Come one now.”, Sally’s voice pierces through my mind, snapping me back to reality. I poke the bubble around head, hoping it will distract me, but too no avail. I turn around to stare at an odd fish, when I hear a sickening sound. It sounded like something soft being…stabbed. “SALLY!”, I scream and run towards her as she falls, the mermaid behind her taking his trident out of her stomach. When I get to her, she is clutching her wound, her breathing ragged. The water does nothing to help, causing the blood to flow out more than ever. A small smile etches onto her face. “Sally, why are you smiling!? Okay, just hold on to it, okay? Their going to help you, I’m sure of it. Just, breath. Please…”, I say, my breathing ragged as well. Sally, my only true friend, even if I had known her for only a day, is dying. The other’s on the surface, they never cared for me, but Sally, she was something else. “You know…they aren’t…going to…help me. Good…bye….Samantha.”, Sally moans, and on the last word, her chest stops. I wrap her up in my arms and let out all the pain, misery, and screams. She looks so peaceful. The wound is still bleeding, but not too much now. Maybe, it was for the best. What kind of life would she have if she went back up with me? She would have been homeless, or worse thrown in jail. Larry would just throw her back in, and my parents would never allow her to live with us. So, was it better this way? I feel a tap on my shoulder. “Take her down to the plantations, and make sure she stays there.”, a familiar voice behind me says. Sally’s story replays in mind. Her coming down here, planning away, being betrayed by that witch. I jump up and run towards her, intent to leave my mark. She doesn’t see me coming until I already plunge the sharpened fork into her eye, making sure to leave a scar. No pearl medicine can fix that. “TAKE HER DOWN. NOW.”, Marian shrieks, her eye oozing blood. I try to lunge at her once more, but some guards catch me before I can, and knock me unconscious. When I open my eyes, I don’t see a cell or some random room. Instead, I see my hands working to pull out weird green plants out of the ground. I look around to see that hundreds of other people are doing the same, no stopping, no noises. Just picking. I can’t breathe nor speak. I can’t stop my hands from picking the same plant over and over again. When I get to the end of my line, my body drags me to a small room that is labeled “no stealing”. The room is covered in white light. Hundreds of shelves contain small cases, each one holding to about 50 pearls. My hands pick up a cloth and sprayer from one shelf, and a case from the other. It is labeled “recent”. I flip it open, and it in, one pearl. Below the pearl, another label, “Samantha”. There is when they take your soul, and reform it, into something more precious. Then, you are left to work in the fields until you die. I learned this the hard way. How do you know this? You were probably caught too. The End. Hope u guys enjoyed it!! Sorry about the format I promise my other ones aren't gonna be like this!

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