#U KNOW I HAD TO DROP SOMETHING FOR VALENTINES DAY GANG | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

artificialqueens · 3 years

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Me and You Together, 5/10 (Taywhora) - Ortega

fic summary: The cardinal rule of having flatmates is that you Do Not Catch Feelings For Your Flatmates, because everything inevitably goes to shit and gets made horrifically awkward. A’whora and Tayce both know this, but being in first year of uni and making good decisions have never really gone hand in hand.

a/n: I’M SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG! i won’t bore u with a big long a/n but i will say thank u so so much for everyone that’s shown this fic love and been supportive to me over the writing process of this chapter, it means the world. this one has a content warning for…drumroll please…smut! enjoy u slaaaags xo

last chapter: October- The gang made plans for their first year together, Tia gave everyone plans for the evening, and A'whora had a realisation that would change the dynamic of her friendship with Tayce forever.

this chapter: February- Tayce has always hated Valentine’s day. But will hatching a plan with Lawrence and spending the day with A’whora change her opinion on it this year?

***

Tayce thinks it’s nothing short of a miracle that they’ve not been caught yet.

Honestly, she should’ve known how her and A’whora attempting to sneak around would go from the start; it’s not as if either of them are subtle people. Between A’whora always needing people’s eyes and attention to be on her and Tayce simply being unable not to attract attention, it’s hard for either of them to be covert in any way, shape or form.

The first time (or first three times in quick succession) back last month had been easy enough; by the time Bimini, Lawrence and Ellie had returned back to the flat from their day drinking expedition with Ellie’s friend they’d all been too drunk to see their hands in front of their faces, never mind notice that Tayce’s room smelt of sex and that A’whora’s top was on back to front. But living with four other people and trying to find a time where they’re all out of the flat at the same time is like gold dust, so a lot of the time Tayce and A’whora will disappear to one of their rooms (ten minutes apart, so as not to attract suspicion) and then have to spend the entire rendezvous talking in hushed whispers or biting down hard on their lips or whining into their pillows to make sure nobody boots down the door and demands to know what’s going on.

Still, even if it’s quiet and covert, Tayce is nothing short of addicted to this new layer of the relationship she has with A’whora. There’s something intoxicating about giving A’whora what she wants: it’s in the way her big, pleading doe-eyes flutter shut in ecstasy, the way her lips drop open from a bratty pout into a blissful gasp or a too-loud moan that makes Tayce feel like clamping a hand over her mouth. It’s surely only a matter of time before the others find out and ruin this whole thing for them so Tayce wants to make sure A’whora doesn’t blow their cover, because there’s part of her that loves keeping it all under wraps like it’s their own little secret they share.

Besides, the sight of A’whora biting down hard on her knuckles when she’s trying desperately not to make a sound is never one that Tayce is going to pass up on.

It’s the way she goes quiet when things get intense and Tayce has to draw her words out of her like she does her orgasm, because aside from the fact that she needs to know if A’whora’s enjoying everything Tayce is doing, the way she starts blushing whenever she tells her what she wants or how good something feels is sinful enough to make Tayce believe that maybe hell wouldn’t be so bad.

The juxtaposition of the devilishness A’whora manages to radiate whilst looking like and talking with the voice of an angel isn’t lost on Tayce. The way she’s so eager to please, the way she always asks if everything’s okay, the way she’ll look up from between Tayce’s legs with that ever-so-slightly deer in the headlights look with her juice smeared across her lips like gloss and wait for Tayce to tell her everything feels amazing before she’ll relax, and a mischievous grin will take hold on her face before she’ll continue pushing her increasingly closer to the edge. Tayce had always thought praise kinks were a myth but A’whora is the living Kelpie that disproves her theory. She only ever needs to tell her that she’s a good girl, or that she’s pretty, or that she’s perfect (usually with a princess tacked onto it for good measure) for A’whora to whimper and beg, greedy and impatient. The way she reacts to the praise is enough to make Tayce want to keep giving it, so she supposes the relationship is a symbiotic one.

It’s funny the way they seem to swap personalities in bed. Tayce- who usually can’t shut up or slow down if her life depended on it- likes hushed giggles, breathy gasps, biting hard on her lip to make sure she’s not too loud. She likes to draw out the foreplay and teasing until they’re both burning up and so wet they drip down their thighs and onto the sheets, and when she fucks A’whora she’s always painstaking and precise, slow and languid. A’whora, for her part, is the opposite. She moans and whines and bucks her hips in the air, always desperate for satisfaction and to satisfy Tayce in return. She knows exactly how to push Tayce to the edge and then over it and she never wastes a minute getting there, sometimes ripping two or three orgasms from her in quick succession with nothing short of relentless, smug determination. They shouldn’t work together but Jesus Christ, they do.

It’s because of all this that the way they sneak around has become a kind of foreplay for them. The trips to the smoking area on nights out just so Tayce can back A’whora against the wall and crash her lips against hers needily. The squeeze they’ll give each others’ thighs under the table if they’ve all gone somewhere for dinner together, and the twinkle in both of their eyes acting as a promise of things to come later. The text A’whora gives Tayce from the sofa opposite as they’re all sitting around watching whatever shite Tia has stuck on that simply says “i want to 👅 your 🐈 until you 💦” which makes Tayce almost choke on whatever she happens to be eating or drinking.

But she supposes the rest of her flatmates have been too wrapped up in their own feelings to even notice her and A’whora’s lack of subtlety. The end of January saw Tia finally make things official with Veronica who she’d been seeing for a few months already, so she’s been bouncing around the flat with a spring in her step and a permanent smile on her face and always humming or singing a cheerful tune under her breath. Tayce is happy for the girl, she really is, but even she has to admit the pair of them acting like little loved-up Sylvanian Family squirrels is vaguely nauseating; the way they’ll nuzzle each others’ noses while curled up together on the sofa and the way they happily belt along to Heathers while they make pancakes together at eight in the morning on a Sunday, which is never the hangover cure they seem to think it is.

In stark contrast, Ellie has been stomping through the flat for the past few weeks or so as if she’s an assassin with a bounty on Cupid. At literally any mention of love or romance she’s there with a fake retch or a huge roll of her blue eyes, talking about how she wishes every couple on earth would drop off the face of it. She has stark disregard for Tia’s happiness, preferring instead to wallow in her own misery. It’s immature and it’s petty and it’s completely ridiculous but Tayce supposes Ellie is hurt and heartbroken, and Tia and Veronica are getting the brunt of it because they’re the root cause.

If Ellie is bad then Lawrence is worse. If Ellie is pissed off then Lawrence is woeful, and she’s not much better whenever she’s forced to be around the flat’s new couple. Her usually cheerful jokes poking fun at her various flatmates are now entirely based around how single she is, all delivered as if Eeyore had a stand-up set. There’s only so many times Tayce can fake-laugh at each variation, only so much enthusiasm she can inject into the laugh she gives in response to “I’m so single I canny even get a bus to hit on me”. Combined with the constant way Crazy for You is getting blasted from behind her closed bedroom door on a loop, Lawrence has been acting like the lesbian reincarnation of Bridget Jones for entirely too long to be considered acceptable.

“Why don’t we just tell Els that Lawrence likes her?” A’whora had suggested, as they’d lain in Tayce’s bed naked apart from her duvet that was wrapped around them both and the opening drum beat to Crazy for You had cut through the wall for the third time in the past ten minutes.

(Tayce knows Lawrence had asked her not to tell A’whora about her crush on Ellie. She does feel bad for telling A’whora about her crush on Ellie. But when A’whora had asked her why she thought Lawrence had been behaving like a war-era mourning widow for the past few weeks it had just slipped out. Besides, the threat of a month without sex that Tayce had used as leverage so A’whora wouldn’t blab to Ellie about it has so far seemed to be good enough motivation. As it stands neither of them seem to be able to go three days without a shag, so she’s really hoping A’whora doesn’t open her big mouth for both their sakes.)

“It’s not that simple,” Tayce had muttered, threading some of A’whora’s long, straight hair through her fingers absent-mindedly as she spoke. “There’s feelings there, they wouldn’t be able to just fall together like we did. It’s messier when there’s crushes involved. With us it’s just good sex with a good friend, you know?”

A’whora had gone quiet as she nodded, a minute frown appearing on her face. Tayce supposes it had been as a result of the prospect of more Madonna ballads from Lawrence’s room for the foreseeable future.

Bimini, who Tayce has been the most concerned about picking up on something being different between her and A’whora, has been surprisingly and uncharacteristically imperceptive. Bimini being Bimini hasn’t let on that there’s anything different going on with them, but Tayce is sure it’s got something to do with the bashful smile they give their phone screen sometimes, or the way they seem to be at the flat with them all less and less of late, or the uni project they’re completing with their friend Asttina which seems to have been going on for about a fortnight. Whatever it is, they seem happier than usual; a little cheerful glow lighting them up from the inside out that Tayce just knows there’s a reason behind. She’ll let them tell her in their own time.

If the atmosphere in the flat had been full of mixed-up, chaotic sets of feelings before, then when it reaches Valentine’s Day it’s on another level entirely.

Tayce begins her day waking up, rubbing her eyes, and stretching as far as her bones and muscles will allow. She’s alone in bed- she and A’whora never sleep over in each others’ rooms, the overwhelming amount of suspicion it would draw the next day would be staggering- but Tayce sometimes wonders what it would be like to wake up with A’whora. Maybe she’d be curled around her, having sought her out in the night to cuddle. Maybe she talks in her sleep. Maybe she snores. Tayce doesn’t know why she’s thinking about this, or indeed why she wants to know what it would be like.

They’re just friends, after all.

She sleepily snatches up her phone from her bedside table, checks the time (10am, a decent enough lie in) and then checks her notifications. She’s got a Whatsapp message from A’whora and she ends up spluttering a laugh as she opens it. It’s a photo of her having clearly just woken up, hair all messy in its bun and bags under her brown eyes. She’s sinking into the pillow and pulling a face that gives her a double chin. She looks a state, but something about the photo makes Tayce’s heart happy. It’s the fact that A’whora- the same A’whora who took a month before she let her flatmates see her without makeup, does a full face before even going to Tesco, and fake tans twice a week- has sent her a selfie with a sleepy, bare, ridiculous face. Tayce has always felt a little like their friendship has been a series of breaking down A’whora’s walls and with this, another one has crumbled. It’s nice that she trusts Tayce enough with every little part of her, and it’s a responsibility that Tayce doesn’t take lightly.

The message that accompanies the photo says “Happy valentine’s day bestie xxx” and Tayce feels her heart flutter a bit. It should feel weird that A’whora’s acknowledging the significance of the day. It’s kind of overstepping the line they’ve drawn together, it’s sort of breaking an unspoken promise.

But regardless, Tayce doesn’t mind. She actually likes it, more than she probably should. So she taps her nails against the screen, smiling in spite of herself as her message starts to appear.

T: that selfie’s really doing it for me uno

T: got me all excited for the romantic valentine’s day sex we’re gonna be having xo

The screen tells her that A’whora’s typing, and she can feel the heat begin to pool in her stomach already at the prospect of some flirty texts to start the day off. That is until there’s a muffled drum beat and an oboe that drifts into Tayce’s consciousness through the wall, and she realises with visceral frustration that Lawrence is playing that god damn bloody fucking song again.

Tayce lifts her leg and kicks the wall that separates her room and Lawrence’s with a thud thud thud, hoping it’ll make it all stop- the soundtrack to her friend’s emotional pining doesn’t double up as a good soundtrack to dirty texting. To Tayce’s exasperation, however, her door flies open a few moments later, and she cranes her neck and buries her phone under her pillow to find that Lawrence has invited herself in.

“Did you knock?” she asks inquisitively. Tayce narrows her eyes.

“If ‘knocked’ means ‘banged on the wall to shut you up’, then yeah, I did,” Tayce deadpans. Lawrence doesn’t seem to take the hint and instead lets out a dramatic sign, flops down beside Tayce on her bed as if to fully illustrate the fact she isn’t leaving anytime soon.

“Tayyyce,” she begins, whining pitifully. Lawrence is never one to conceal how she’s feeling and always wears her heart on her sleeve, which Tayce can appreciate in a friend. If Lawrence is annoyed, she’ll tell you. If Lawrence is happy, she’ll show it. If Lawrence is pining after her best friend she’s been in love with for years, she’ll let everyone know…apart from the only girl it affects directly.

“What is it, babe?” Tayce asks sympathetically, rolling onto her side to give her friend a cuddle. She knows what the matter is, but she also knows Lawrence clearly wants to vent, so she’ll be a good friend and let her.

Lawrence huffs a sigh. “Tia’s all loved up with Veronica in the kitchen and Bimini’s probably off shagging their pal right now and Ellie’s never going to know I exist as anything other than a friend. I fuckin’ hate Valentine’s Day.”

Tayce would normally agree. Tayce usually hates it too. It’s corporate and cheap and tokenistic, as if the only ways people can show love are through red roses, chocolate or teddies. Pick one or all three, give them to the person you love the most otherwise did you ever really love them at all? Maybe she’d like it better if she had someone to spend it with, but she’s not. She’s never.

Apart from today, that is. Apart from A’whora.

“It’s bullshit,” Tayce nods, squeezing Lawrence’s side. “But hey, you’re not on your own, girl. I’ve not got anyone to spend it with either, and neither’s A’whora.”

Lawrence sticks her bottom lip out. “Yeah, but you two aren’t all sad with feelings and crushes. I mean, we all know A’whora’s not got a heart so she’s off to a flyer already.”

Tayce laughs at Lawrence’s joke even though they both know it couldn’t be less true if she tried. She pokes Lawrence’s arm, frowning and unable to stand her moping much longer. “Well, why don’t you try and make a move today? Y’know, show Ellie why you’re a good option as well.”

“A good option? Sorry, I didn’t realise I’m sat in a fridge next to a sandwich as part of a Tesco meal deal,” Lawrence rolls her eyes. Tayce nudges her with her foot to make a point.

“Fuck off. You know what I mean! Hang out with her, do something fun. Maybe dial up the flirting a bit.”

Lawrence rolls over onto her side to face her, as if to drive home the pointed stare she’s fixing her with. “Have you ever seen me trying to flirt? There’s a reason I’ve never brought a girl back here. I mean my vagina’s so out of use I think it’s closed up like a pierced ear nobody’s put an earring through in a while.”

Tayce lets out a screech, part-horrified, part-disgusted. Her stomach hurts as she tries to collect herself, and an idea forms in her mind. “You could so do it if you tried. Hey, here’s what to do, right? Tia and Veronica are going out for that big romantic beach walk Tia’s been talking our ears off about for weeks. Bimini’s missing in action, as you said, and probably will be for most of the day. And I’ll get A’whora out of the flat for a while. So that means you’ve got Ellie all to yourself, on Valentine’s day, ready to be…I don’t know, wined, dined and sixty-nined.”

It’s Lawrence’s turn to howl in disgust now, but the sparkle’s back in her eyes as she grins at Tayce. “I don’t think we’re at that stage yet, doll. But I don’t know, maybe you’re right. I mean she’s never gonna see me as anything more than a friend if I keep acting like only that, is she?”

Tayce smiles, glad to see she’s instilled some confidence in her friend. “That’s my girl!”

Lawrence claps her hands together decisively. “There we go, then. I’ll have her drippin’ like a knackered fridge in no time!”

The pair of them burst out into untethered shrieks of laughter, ones that draw footsteps from the hall and cause Tayce’s door to open again, this time to reveal both Ellie and A’whora. It looks as if the pair of them were together too, and Tayce thinks it wouldn’t be unusual if Ellie had been venting to A’whora about her own unrequited crush.

“What the hell is so funny? I’m trying to do a big emotional, dramatic monologue about my broken heart to this one but I can’t, because all we can hear is your monkey screeching through the wall,” Ellie grumps, sitting herself down at the foot of the bed.

“We were shagging. That’s just the noise I make when I come,” Lawrence deadpans. As Ellie and A’whora splutter a laugh, Tayce fixes Lawrence with an incredulous stare, one which she hopes communicates “if that was you flirting then what the fuck?”.

“G’wan, Els. Do your big monologue here,” Tayce encourages her, budging up as A’whora squashes onto the bed too even though there’s barely room for two at the best of times, never mind four. A’whora groans long-sufferingly.

“Please don’t make me sit through it again.”

Ellie turns to her friend, affronted. “Girl!”

“I’m joking, babe.”

Appeased, Ellie lets out a plaintive little sigh as she casts her gaze up to the ceiling. “I’m just fucked off. I mean I get that Tia’s happy, and I’m happy for her-”

“No you’re not,” Lawrence cuts in matter-of-factly.

“No I’m not, but that’s beside the point,” Ellie rolls with the interruption, making Tayce snort with her honesty. “I just wish they weren’t…rubbing it in my face all the time, you know?”

“They can’t rub it in your face if they don’t know you like Tia, Ellie. You can’t get annoyed at them for existing,” A’whora pulls a face, honest to a fault. It’s something else that Tayce really appreciates about her; she knows she’ll never get bullshitted by A’whora, knows she’s truthful and upfront. It’s just another part of what makes their arrangement work so well- she knows A’whora’s not exactly going to be covering up any feelings anytime soon.

Ellie continues with a huff. “I know. And I know I’m being unfair, and I know I’m being immature about it all.”

“Give yourself some credit, girl, you only just turned eighteen about five minutes ago. You’re allowed to be immature,” Tayce quips, earning a laugh from A’whora and Lawrence and a scowl from Ellie that she knows she doesn’t really mean.

“It just sucks not being able to turn my feelings off. I want to get over her, you know? It’s just hard when we live together and Veronica’s round all the time.”

There’s a lull in conversation where the girls hum in agreement and empathy. Tayce chooses this time to sneakily elbow Lawrence in her side, as if to nudge her towards spending time with Ellie.

Lawrence takes the hint. “Ellie, what’re you doing today, hen?”

Ellie looks despondently at her. “Probs greetin’ into a pint of Haagen Dazs. How?”

“Well, I’m wanting to dye my hair,” Lawrence says, and the niche context for spending time together knocks Tayce for six a little. “And although I wouldn’t trust you to keep a succulent alive, I’d trust you to do a not awful job of hairdresser duties. You wanty help me out with it?”

Tayce tries not to look at A’whora because she knows they’ll end up sharing a knowing smile that’s entirely too suspicious as Ellie’s face lights up. “If anything would cheer me up right now it’s the prospect of fucking up your hair beyond all recognition.”

“Brilliant,” Lawrence deadpans, though there’s a little smile on her lips which suggests to Tayce that Ellie could very well completely shave her completely bald then dye her scalp yellow and Lawrence would still thank her.

Tayce turns to smile at A’whora. Time to hold up her end of the deal.

“Well, I don’t much fancy staying to deal with the fallout of this inevitable disaster. You wanna go for brunch somewhere?”

A’whora’s so clearly trying to bite back her smile, make it seem more contained and controlled, but it still spreads across her face like a sunbeam and it warms Tayce’s heart like one too. “Alright. S’pose I could squeeze you into the calendar somewhere.”

As the pair of them lock eyes and Tayce struggles to suppress her own smile, the girls are interrupted by a knock on the door. Tayce shouts them in, figuring they might as well squeeze a few more people onto the bed while they’re at it and attempt some sort of world record, but it’s Tia and Veronica and they aren’t staying long judging by the fact they’ve both got their jackets on.

“Just saying goodbye before our lil’ seaside adventure!” Tia smiles, her happiness completely uncontained and radiating from her; if A’whora’s smile was a sunbeam then Tia encapsulates the energy of the whole burning star. Tayce is happy for her.

“Have fun girlies, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Tayce smiles, waggling her fingers in a wave.

“Aye, no sex on the beach!” Lawrence says, unsubtle and untactful as ever. Veronica flushes so red she borders on purple, and Ellie gives a laugh dripping in schadenfreude.

“Wind your bloody neck in, you menace,” Veronica bites back good-humouredly, the dregs of her embarrassment still colouring her cheeks. “Have you seen the weather forecast for today? It’s absolutely freezing!”

“That the only thing stopping you? Sure you wouldn’t be the only people in existence that’ve tried to shag wearing two jumpers and a parka,” Lawrence continues to joke, and by now Ellie is a collapsed heap on the bed.

Tia speaks for her girlfriend who’s still blushing fire-engine red. “Well usually, Lawrence, you wear sexy underwear for your girlfriend on Valentine’s day. Not that you’d know.”

A’whora and Ellie let out a little whoop of shock in response to the shady comment, which neither Lawrence nor Tayce join in with. Tayce deigns to give it a little smirk, but knowing how Lawrence has been feeling for the past few weeks kind of removes the humour of the comment for her.

“Here, watch it. Only I’m allowed to make jokes about how single I am,” Lawrence herself narrows her eyes in response, before smiling tightly at the loved-up pair. “Anyway, have a lovely time, you two!”

“We will!” Veronica practically squeaks in delight, flicking some of her blonde hair over her shoulders as she loops her arm through Tia’s and they leave the flat, the front door clicking behind them. There’s a silence in Tayce’s room before Lawrence speaks again.

“Smug wee gits.”

The rest of the girls dissolve into giggles, Tayce whacking Lawrence on the arm. “Shut up, bitter Betty. Go make your bad hair choices.”

“Right, let’s go!” Ellie claps excitedly before reaching out for Lawrence’s hand. She of course accepts gladly, a hint of pink blush to her cheeks as she’s dragged out of the room by her enthusiastic friend.

The moment Tayce’s door shuts A’whora shimmies up next to her side, a little twinkle in her eye that Tayce knows all too well.

“Hey you,” she smiles, throwing an arm and a leg over Tayce in a full-body hug. Tayce laughs at her clinginess, how she remembers A’whora describing herself as “not much of a huggy person” when they first met in freshers’ week and now she’s the human embodiment of a baby koala.

“Stop flirting, God,” Tayce shoots back playfully, watching the affronted expression take hold on A’whora’s face for only a second before pulling her in for a kiss that A’whora instantly turns up the heat of. Her lips are soft but her kiss is full of a hunger that makes something inside Tayce tighten up, and there’s something about the way A’whora clearly wants her that leaves her feeling ever-so-slightly breathless.

“Right, that’s enough of that,” Tayce jokes as she pulls away, and A’whora’s plaintive pout is almost motivation enough to keep going. But Tayce has made a promise to Lawrence, so she doubles down. “C’mon, get ready. And wear something classy as well, we ain’t going to some scaff caff we could spend any old hungover morning in.”

“Wait, were you serious about brunch?” A’whora’s expression changes, her smile becoming almost shy. It’s ever-so-slightly adorable and completely endearing.

“Yeah, girl! I said to Lawrence I’d take you out so that her and Ellie can have some alone time. Get your shit sorted,” Tayce explains.

There’s shutters that go down behind A’whora’s eyes suddenly, and Tayce narrows her eyes, confused. “Unless you’re not keen?”

“No, of course I’m keen!” A’whora brightens up a little, smiles at Tayce mischievously. “If you’re taking me out, though, you’re paying.”

Tayce blurts out a laugh. “Fuck off! Fine, I’ll pay today. Just means you have to pay next time.”

“Oh there’s a next time, is there?”

A’whora’s batting her lashes at her flirtatiously, but her words have made Tayce’s heart do a little somersault. She supposes what they’re doing is a little bit like a date, and that’s not what their relationship is. They used to hang out like that, though, used to do things just the pair of them like go to the library and pretend to do work, go for lunch at Nandos, watch films together curled up in bed. In a way, Tayce supposes nothing has changed. It would be weird to not hang out just the two of them just because they’ve started hooking up.

So Tayce just returns the smile, casual and chill because that’s what they’ve agreed to be. “I gotta get paid back somehow, don’t I?”

“Could pay you back in other ways,” A’whora winks, and Tayce splutters in a giggle.

“Shut your whore mouth or we’ll never bloody leave the flat.”

They get ready after that, anticipative energy radiating through the wall of A’whora’s room. Tayce feels almost a little nervous. She doesn’t know why. It’s just a brunch, and it’s just A’whora. If she thinks about it, though, A’whora’s never been just A’whora. Tayce has always found an element of joy in spending time with her that she hasn’t ever felt with the others. The spark that goes off in her heart whenever A’whora laughs at one of her jokes, the comfort she takes in just being in the same room as her. The way Tayce has always looked forward to the time they get to spend alone together and the way that, since they started whatever the hell this is, that feeling has only intensified.

It feels more intense now than it ever has before, though. Maybe because it’s a little bit like a date. Maybe because it’s exactly like a date. Maybe because Tayce shouldn’t be this happy about that fact. Maybe the way she used to fancy A’whora- the way she used to just want to kiss her and get her in her bed- has evolved since they started this whole friends-with-benefits situation.

She takes a little deep breath, frowning at herself as she does her lipstick in the mirror.

“Pull yourself together, girl,” she mutters under her breath; because really, what the hell kind of levels of freaked out would A’whora be if Tayce were to show or to tell her any of this? They’re just friends. Friends that hook up. Nothing more than that, and Tayce can’t let herself hope that hard either.

A’whora knocks on Tayce’s door just as she’s securing two gold hoops into her ears. She’s taken the wear something classy brief as seriously as Tayce knew she would, and she’s dressed in a short, black leather skirt and a black and white tailored shirt; one colour on each side, separated by buttons down the middle. Every little detail and accessory has been as thought out as an outfit from a fashion student could be: a pearl choker around her neck and a pearl headband through her intricately curled hair, simple silver earrings and a pink faux fur coat and the black Michael Kors bag that Tayce knows has been her pride and joy since she got it for Christmas. Her legs are bare and she’s wearing high black stilettos which make her legs look entirely too good, and in turn fill Tayce’s head with memories that she needs to push out of her head or else the outfit A’whora’s spent so long putting together is going to end up on the floor.

“Love this,” Tayce points at her approvingly, and A’whora’s smile is a little bashful as she gives a twirl. “You look stunning. I mean, you’ll be freezing. But you’ll be stunning and freezing.”

“Just means you can warm me up later,” A’whora winks at her, and Tayce hides a giggle behind her hand. She never used to get shy if a girl flirted with her, especially not one with the lack of flirting abilities that A’whora possesses. She could always give as good as she got, she still can.

Tayce doesn’t know, though. Something about the past month with A’whora has changed her a little now that their relationship is inherently more intimate. Tayce can drop the cool, calm and collected persona she always used to wear to get girls into bed. Instead she’s allowed herself to be a little more goofy, a little more wild and animated and energised. A little more herself.

“You look stunning too, though,” A’whora adds with sincerity, the little grin on her face only making matters worse. Tayce has decided on a white shirt dress she’s cinched in at the waist with a huge belt, and paired it with thigh high vinyl boots. It’s one of those outfits she owns which is low effort but high payoff, especially when A’whora’s got a little twinkle in her eye like that.

Tayce snorts, grabs her bag from the side of her bed and whacks A’whora with it. “Stop trying to flatter me into bed and let’s go, gorgeous.”

They leave the flat with a shout of goodbye to Ellie and Lawrence, but judging from the way the door’s open and the showerhead’s running and both girls are yelping and laughing in the midst of some water fight, they aren’t able to hear it. Tayce leads A’whora through the cobbled streets and winding, dipping roads of the city as she talks a mile-a-minute about where they’re going and how she hopes they’ll have a free table. She almost wants to reach out and take A’whora’s hand, entwine their fingers together like another piece of the puzzle they share clicking into place. She doesn’t, but she wants to.

She’s sure the feeling will pass, anyway.

She’s sure it’s normal for her heart to swell as much as it’s currently doing as she walks beside A’whora, for it to flutter like a moth to a light whenever she smiles and flashes her teeth. A’whora is beautiful, and Tayce is sure that even friends that didn’t fuck would get tongue-tied if one of them was as stunning as she is.

To her delight, the brunch spot she’d had in mind has a table free for them; one beside the feature wall of plastic pink, blue and yellow flowers which Tayce already knows A’whora will be asking to take her photo in front of. She’s never actually been here before but she’s seen pictures on Instagram of the pink painted walls and pastel blue chairs and the white marble tabletops with shiny gold cutlery on top. She’s eyed up the breakfasts; avocado sourdough, eggs with golden yolks, and something which they’ve branded ‘donut French toast’ which A’whora is currently telling Tayce how excited she is to order, her eyes sparkling. If this was a date, it would be the perfect venue.

It’s just a pity that it isn’t.

They order two mimosas with their breakfasts- because fuck it, it’s Valentine’s day, and Tayce wants to celebrate the fact she’s got someone to spend it with even if it is just a friend- and the two of them fall into easy chat about all kinds of topics; uni, their courses, life at home in Wales and Worksop. Dating somebody new comes with stilted conversations, awkward pauses, the potential to cover a touchy subject. With A’whora there’s none of that. They already know each other inside out so they don’t have anything to re-learn. Tayce tells A’whora stories about Cara and Cheryl and understands when A’whora doesn’t join in with stories about her own friends from home. Instead, A’whora brings up their flatmates.

“I get really existential about it all. Y’know, fate and stuff,” A’whora frowns across the table at her mid-conversation. “Like, what are the odds the five strangers I’d live with in first year would be people I all get on with and genuinely like? And most of them would become my best friends in the world. You know?”

Tayce nods understandingly. “No, I get that. And like, fate putting Ellie and Lawrence in the same flat when they’d known each other for that long. And Tia and Bimini on the same train up when they moved in. What a small world?”

“Everything happens for a reason,” A’whora says quietly, shaken out of her small reverie by the plate of sugar-covered toast that’s being placed in front of her and thanking the waitress politely. Tayce can’t help but splutter a laugh when they’re left alone together again, looking at how A’whora’s eyes have lit up at the food in front of her.

“You’re like a child! An actual child. Swear to God, girl, you’ve got the same eating habits as Will Ferrel in Elf.”

A’whora cackles a laugh opposite her. Tayce wonders why it gives her such a sense of pride when A’whora laughs at something she says. Well, no- she knows exactly why, and the reason makes her stomach flip over like clothes in a tumble drier. She can’t think too much about that, though, so she thinks of something else quickly to take her mind off it.

“Right. I’ve got a fun game. First impressions of the five of us, go,” Tayce says, the idea coming to her as a result of what A’whora’s said. In response A’whora’s eyebrows shoot up, a scheming smile on her face as she tilts her head to consider her response.

“Ooh, well…easiest one is Bimini, because obviously I loved them from the get go.”

“How could you not?” Tayce agrees, spearing a strawberry from the pancakes she’s ordered herself.

“They just had this calm, kind aura that just immediately made me feel loads better about being away from home,” A’whora continues, nodding earnestly. “Same with Lawrence, although she was different. I actually thought she was batshit crazy. Or like, an alien, because no one human could be that funny.”

Snorting, Tayce points a finger at A’whora in recognition. “Jesus, that’s so true! I mean I’ve told you the story of when I first got to the flat? I actually thought she might’ve been on something. But that’s just who she is; when she’s up she’s up and when she’s down she’s down.”

There’s a pause as A’whora eats some more of her French toast, her gaze fixing on the wall as she thinks. “Ellie was the opposite. I didn’t know what to make of her at first. She was dead quiet and I think my back was up because I hated her dress sense.”

Tayce splutters. “Of course it was.”

“But now, like…God, don’t you miss the days when Ellie was quiet?” A’whora laughs affectionately. “I don’t know what I’d do without her, though.”

“She seemed a little more reserved than the others at first. But then that comes back to what you were saying about fate, because Lawrence definitely helped bring her out of her shell a bit.”

A’whora nods as she considers Tayce’s words, then her face breaks into a smile and she hides a guilty laugh behind her hands. “Tia…I thought I would not get on with at all.”

Tayce sips her drink and shrugs. “Well, you didn’t get on with her at first.”

“True. She’s just not somebody I would’ve ever hung out with before. I mean she’s told me before she thinks I would’ve bullied her in school, which, to be fair, I might’ve done,” A’whora pulls a guilty face. “But I guess being somehow the only two bitches with the ability to clean the flat is one hell of a bonding opportunity.”

Tayce feels her jaw drop open, offended. “Hey! I clean the flat!”

A’whora smirks. “Oh what, you pour undiluted Zoflora into the overflowing bin bag so it doesn’t smell, instead of actually…I don’t know, taking the bin out? My mistake, sorry. You’re actually the second coming of Mrs Hinch.”

The pair of them giggle together and Tayce sticks out her tongue in response. She takes a bite of her own breakfast before thinking about the girl they’re considering.

“I thought Tia was nice. Fun. I never saw her becoming my bestie or anything, but you know,” Tayce shrugs.

“No, that title was reserved for me,” A’whora smiles smugly. Tayce decides to have a bit of fun with her, tilts her head and narrows her eyes a little.

“You mean Bimini?”

“Fuck off,” A’whora fires back instantly, and Tayce throws her head back in a laugh. The laughter dies down as both girls eat some more of their food, until Tayce frowns at A’whora suddenly.

“You never said me.”

“Oh!” A’whora realises. Tayce thinks for a second that she could be blushing, but the sun has begun to appear behind the clouds and the light is shining through the glass windows and hitting the pink walls. It could just be that.

She looks gorgeous for it regardless.

“Do you want me to go first?” Tayce smirks, breaking out into a laugh as A’whora gives her an unimpressed glare.

“No, because I already know you’re gonna tell me you thought I was a total weirdo.”

“Not true! I actually thought you were a lot like me. Scared, nervous, a bit emotional. Well,” Tayce reaches across the table and pokes her playfully. “Maybe a bit more emotional than I was, but you know.”

A’whora rolls her eyes. “Good.”

“But seriously, I thought we were actually quite similar, y’know, underneath it all,” Tayce says, her voice growing a little quiet as she thinks. “It’s weird, isn’t it? The first maybe…month of uni. Everyone’s figuring shit out and either building new facades or letting their old ones from school or their hometowns drop. It’s rare you find someone who’s just real from the get-go.”

A’whora nods. “I think that was another reason why I was so scared. Because I was one of the bitches in school, and coming here I didn’t have those toxic friendships around me anymore. And you coming into my room on that first day was like…the first time in a while someone had actually been nice? And kind? So I guess I didn’t have much of a choice to just be myself. But also there was a part of me that didn’t really know what that looked like. You know?”

The conversation’s taken a deep turn, and Tayce doesn’t really know why. It’s not a result of one singular mimosa, she knows that much. But she’s glad A’whora feels like she’s able to talk like this with her. She knows it’s not always easy for her to open up to her friends, she knows she’s been burned in the past.

So Tayce reaches out across the table and takes her hand. “Well, to me…Aurora is a caring, kind, loyal friend. She has the biggest heart and all this love to give to so many people. She’s a shady hound, but we all love her for it. And all her friends treasure her because they know how lucky they are to have her in their lives.”

Tayce can tell A’whora’s trying to stop herself from smiling, and her gaze drops down to the table bashfully as she tucks her hair behind her ears. It’s almost like she’s embarrassed, self-conscious of the way all the diamonds of her personality have been excavated and laid bare. For a second Tayce feels a flush hit her face, wondering if she’s overstepped a mark, but then A’whora’s eyes lock onto hers and she’s smiling gratefully.

“Thanks, Tayce.”

Tayce would love to take her other hand. Tayce would love to lean over the table and kiss her in front of everyone else in the room. Tayce would love to tell A’whora everything she’s feeling, all these little moments and emotions illustrating a bigger picture that Tayce just wants her to colour in.

But they’re friends. So Tayce gives A’whora’s hand one last squeeze and winks at her as she draws her hand away.

“You’re welcome. Slag.”

And then they’re smiling at each other, and the conversation moves on. A’whora never did say what her first impressions of Tayce were, and it’s too late to ask her again. Tayce supposes it doesn’t really matter all that much. She’s more interested in how A’whora feels about her now. For example- does she feel the same way Tayce is feeling? Is she sitting opposite her trying to stop her heart jumping every time she smiles, trying to stop the butterflies fluttering in her stomach? Tayce is an upfront, honest girl. She’s blunt, and normally she’d ask.

But this situation isn’t normal, and something’s stopping her. Tayce always used to be the girl in primary school who’d play with the boys, run around the playground roaring until her lungs were hoarse pretending to be a tiger or a dragon, roll across the dusty tarmac getting her knees scraped and dirty. One thing she always, always used to pride herself on was her fearlessness. She’d puff up her chest before the flu vaccines, the dentist, any remotely fearful situation and hit out with “I’m not scared of anything”.

Why is she so scared now? Because she’s older, and life’s big worries are no longer a needle or a tiny mirror in her mouth. She’s not afraid of anything physical, things she can see; it’s the things she doesn’t know, the things she can’t work out that scare her so much. The thought of telling A’whora that what she feels for her might not be strictly friendship any longer gives her an adrenaline rush worse than any rollercoaster she’s been on, and it’s not entirely a good kind either.

The waitress appears to clear their plates and Tayce slaps her card down against the little metal tray ready to be tapped against the reader to pay the bill, just like she’d promised. It’s funny, though, that A’whora’s lost all her gumption now the time has actually come for Tayce to follow through on her promise, and as the waitress reappears A’whora is protesting wildly.

“You honestly don’t have to pay. I was just joking!”

Tayce laughs incredulously. “Oh that was a joke, was it? Seemed like a legally binding contract when we were at the flat!”

“Shut up, hound,” A’whora sticks her tongue between her teeth as she smiles cheekily.

The waitress hands her card back to Tayce and she keeps talking as she puts it away in her purse. “Well, don’t feel bad. As I said, the next one’s on you.”

As A’whora raises her eyebrows, the waitress fixes them with a cheery smile. “Thanks so much for popping in today, ladies, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your Valentine’s Day! Is this your first one together?”

Tayce chokes a little on nothing, tries to stop her eyes from flying wide open. She doesn’t dare meet A’whora’s eye as she shakes her head. “No, uh, we’re-”

“Aw, I knew it couldn’t have been your first, I could totally tell you’d been together way longer! Well may I say, you make a lovely couple,” she continues breezily, Tayce finally meeting A’whora’s gaze and trying not to laugh. The waitress thanks them once more before disappearing, and the two girls are left in a small bubble of silence before A’whora releases her giggles, Tayce putting her hands up to her burning hot cheeks.

“Jesus, Mary and Nora, what the hell was that? The Spanish Inquisition?” Tayce babbles, and A’whora doubles over opposite her.

“Well it is Valentine’s day, Tayce. It’s not that wild to assume two good-looking girls like us with such obvious chemistry are head-over-heels in love with each other,” A’whora winks. Tayce feels her heart do a backflip at the mention of that word, and she’s got about a split-second to cover up the fact her whole body’s been rocked by a ten on the richter scale.

Just continue the joke.

“Oh, yeah. Long-term relationship, married, house, kids. The babas.”

A’whora splutters a laugh, gestures around her. “Except we don’t know where the little shits are!”

The two of them are in fits again, and for a moment Tayce could pretend that it is all real, that maybe in a different world this is a date, and they are together, and everything’s as simple as it was when she was little and not even scared of the dark.

They stumble back to the flat together all fizzy with anticipation, drunk off of one mimosa each and sheer excitable lust. The pair of them keep the joke going all the way home- they have a semi-detached house in the suburbs, their children are named Tarquin and Edith and they attend private school and go to hockey and rugby clubs, they have a live-in cleaner, they do their weekly shop at Waitrose- both of them making the story more fantastical and ridiculous with every new addition that by the time they arrive back at the flat Tayce’s stomach hurts from laughing and A’whora’s bottom lashes are smudged with mascara from her own tears of mirth.

Tayce shushes her as she turns the key in the lock of their front door, hiding her own giggles and pressing a finger to A’whora’s lips playfully. A’whora responds by opening her mouth and snapping like a crocodile, only serving to set Tayce off again as she takes her hand and opens the door, sneaking through it comically like a Scooby Doo character as they hang up their coats in the hall. Luckily, though, they don’t even need to be quiet. There’s a blast of a hairdryer from Ellie’s room which mingles with the sounds of Katy Perry behind the door, and two sets of screeching laughs that cut through the combination. Maybe Tayce and Lawrence’s plan is actually working.

Tayce feels a familiar flutter in her stomach as she pulls A’whora into her room, her anticipation building. When she closes the door she whips round to find A’whora has already dumped her bag on Tayce’s floor and is sitting on the edge of Tayce’s bed, frantically trying to unbuckle her heels. They don’t even need to discuss what’s to come. They both know it’s all the other has been able to think about all morning.

Tayce unzips her boots and sits beside A’whora, resting a hand on her bare thigh. She traces her fingers over her skin gently and presses a kiss against her neck, her heart thumping as she hears A’whora sigh gently in response.

Tayce brings her lips up against her ear as she whispers. “I think you should keep them on.”

“Fuck,” A’whora hisses, her reaction so visceral despite Tayce not really having done anything at all yet.

True to form, A’whora swivels her head around to meet Tayce’s, cups her jaw and brings their lips together in a kiss that’s eager and frantic. She can hear her breathing- heavy and laboured and shuddery as her hands push into her hair, her fingers wrapping around little sections and pulling gently in a way that makes Tayce pull back to hiss through her teeth, dig her nails into A’whora’s inner thigh in stark contrast to the way she’s been gently teasing her.

“Behave,” Tayce warns.

“You know I can’t,” A’whora murmurs, cocking an eyebrow in response. She’s got Tayce’s dark lipstick painting her own lips now and it looks too good, makes Tayce squeeze her thighs together when she thinks about the lipstick marks she wants to leave all over her bare skin.

“Can’t give you what you want if you don’t behave, princess,” Tayce responds, inching her hand up her thigh and stopping just short of where she knows A’whora wants her to. She wants it too, though. She wants to brush her fingers over the material of her underwear, feel how wet she probably already is. But not giving A’whora what she wants is just as fun as satisfying her, if only to see her being reduced to liquid form in front of her, full of frustration.

“Please, Tayce,” A’whora pulls her in again, pressing kisses to her lips between snatches of sentences. “Want it so much, fuck.”

“Already? So impatient,” Tayce runs her thumb over her soft skin again. She’s burning up too but she’s not going to lose her own composure, not when the payoff of staying in control is so good. “You gonna be good for me, angel?”

“Mm-hm,” A’whora pouts against her lips. Tayce pulls away and the sight of A’whora’s half-lidded eyes with her pupils blown from lust isn’t helping her keep a handle on the situation at all.

She gently pushes A’whora back against the mattress, straddles her whilst unbuttoning her shirt and punctuating each button with a featherlight kiss, which she knows is driving A’whora out of her mind if the way she’s squirming underneath Tayce is anything to go by. A’whora’s scrabbling at the buttons on Tayce’s dress but she doesn’t have the patience or presence of mind that she does, and Tayce almost wants to giggle at the way she’s only done two buttons by the time Tayce has got her out of her shirt.

“Fuck’s sake, why did we both choose to wear things with so many fucking buttons,” A’whora growls quietly in frustration. Before Tayce knows what’s happening, A’whora has grabbed each seam and pulled, ripping the buttons of her dress off to expose Tayce in her own bra with the criss-cross straps at the back.

A’whora’s staring at her slack-jawed and Tayce can only blink at her in response. She can’t decide if A’whora ruining her dress has pissed her off or turned her on.

It’s definitely turned her on.

“Oh, you’re in a whole world of trouble for that, missy,” she narrows her eyes, pulling the rest of her dress off before moving so she can tug down A’whora’s skirt. She’s left in a matching set of red lace which she looks so sinful in that Tayce’s brain hotwires. Judging from the way A’whora’s hips are bucking against thin air, though, she’s not the only one that’s wound up.

“Jesus, Rory, lie still,” Tayce insists through a laugh. “I’m not about to try and eat you out and get a bloody pelvic bone to the face!”

A’whora whines, and Tayce watches her chest rise and fall rapidly as she stares up to the ceiling in a petulant huff. Her pout cracks, though, when Tayce spreads her legs and kneels between them, replacing her fingers with her lips as she kisses all the way up the inside of her thighs. The way A’whora huffs in frustration and grips the duvet with white knuckles makes Tayce’s core throb, and the need to touch herself is clouding her thoughts like smoke.

She already feels like she’s on fire, so she supposes it’s apt.

So Tayce decides to have a little fun, pulls back from A’whora and sits on her heels as she lets a hand flutter across her stomach and under the waistband of her underwear. She’s not going to take it too far- she’s only trying to teach A’whora a lesson- but as she brushes her fingers over her clit Tayce can’t help but give a little gasp, the satisfaction flooding through her.

The way A’whora flinches in horror and disappointment as she sits up and realises what’s happening makes Tayce feel momentarily sorry for her.

“Tayce!” she whines pitifully. “Fuck off, that’s not fair!”

“Life’s not fair, princess,” Tayce smirks, resting her other hand on her thigh.

“Oh my God, you’re such a bitch,” A’whora pouts at her. She knows A’whora could very easily start touching herself too, but Tayce knows she won’t. Tayce knows she only wants her, and that thought is so intoxicating that it knocks her for six a little, turning up the heat from a simmer to boiling point.

“If you want something from me, you’d better start being nicer.”

A’whora sits up and takes Tayce by the hand, pulls her into a kiss that’s so intense and full of lust it almost topples her over. When she pulls back her eyes are so big and pleading that Tayce feels bad for ever teasing her in the first place. “Please, Tayce. You know I’ll be good for you.”

Tayce cocks an eyebrow at her, but she moves her hand and rests it against A’whora’s other thigh anyway. “That’s the best begging you can manage, is it?”

A’whora smirks. “I’m not used to begging, I usually don’t have much of a problem getting what I want.”

Tayce shakes her head, mocking her as she gently pushes her back against the sheets again. “Such a spoiled brat.”

“Your spoiled brat, though,” A’whora grins smugly, cutting herself off with a gasp as Tayce hooks her fingers over the waistband of her underwear and tugs it off.

Tayce knows she’s going to eat her out but seeing how wet A’whora is makes her consider fucking her with her fingers. It’s a tantalising thought; the way A’whora always has to clamp a hand over her mouth to shut herself up because her moans get too loud, the complete lack of self-control she has when she rides Tayce’s fingers and the way she’ll guide them into her mouth and suck her own juice off them afterwards- Jesus fucking Christ. Tayce needs some sort of release soon or she’s going to be too overwhelmed to speak.

She wants to hear A’whora beg just a little bit more, though. Wants to feel her squirm and taste her on her tongue and trace patterns over her clit that make her whimper and tremble. So she kisses up her thighs again but this time she doesn’t waste any time in brushing over her clit with her tongue, the broken whine A’whora gives at the contact sounding completely illegal. A’whora pushes a hand into Tayce’s hair needily, and Tayce can hear her breathing coming in short gasps as she licks over her slit, swirls her tongue over her clit in a way she knows is good but isn’t what A’whora wants. Tayce is being deliberately slow and lazy, everything A’whora doesn’t need.

“Tayce, please,” A’whora pleads. Tayce kisses against her, then makes a big show of licking A’whora’s juice off her lips. From the way A’whora squeezes her eyes shut at the sight, it’s had the desired reaction.

“What is it, baby?” she murmurs lightly. A’whora gives a broken sob, thuds her head back against the pillow.

“Please, fucking…I need to come, I’m gonna fucking die if I don’t.”

Tayce can’t help but splutter a laugh, one which makes A’whora narrow her eyes at her. She supposes she’s had her fun.

“God, well we can’t have that on the post-mortem, can we?” she deadpans, before dipping her head back between A’whora’s legs and running her tongue over her clit like she’d done before, only this time she allows herself to be a little more messy and unrestrained. She’s rewarded by the little gasps A’whora gives, the whining and the moaning that’s getting more and more frequent with every flick of her tongue.

Tayce pulls away a little, brings her head up to look at A’whora. She’s got one hand in the cup of her bra and the other limp by her side, her chest gleaming with a light sheen of sweat. Her eyes are closed and her cheeks are red and her lips have dropped open, her breathing heavy and rapid.

A’whora’s the most beautiful girl in the world, and fuck, Tayce is so screwed.

“Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” she says without thinking. She doesn’t know if she imagines it, but she swears A’whora’s cheeks grow redder.

“Does it feel good?” Tayce follows up her words, asks what she’d meant to ask in the first place.

A’whora bites her lip and nods her head. “Yeah.”

“You like it?”

“Fuck, yes,” A’whora squirms against the sheets, her frustration starting to show.

“Tell me how much.”

“Tayce, please-”

“Come on, princess. You’re being such a good girl using your words,” Tayce purrs, knowing that the praise will get a reaction out of her.

It does.

“Fuck, feels so good Tayce, so, so, fucking good…please don’t stop, please,” A’whora sighs out, then instantly cuts herself off with a cry as Tayce swipes her tongue over her clit again, gives her what she wants.

“Such a good angel baby,” Tayce murmurs against her, tracing over A’whora’s clit in circles and listening to her whimpers get more and more muffled as she bites down on her lip to shut herself up. She’s so desperate that she’s practically riding Tayce’s face at this point and it’s so hot that Tayce has to move a hand between her own legs, grinding against it as she licks A’whora again and again and surely she must be so close to the edge that-

Knock-knock-knock.

Tayce launches her head back from between A’whora’s legs so fast she thinks she’s given herself whiplash. When she locks eyes with A’whora her eyes are wide open too, the pair of them unable to do anything but look at each other, frozen in panic.

When Ellie’s voice comes, Tayce swears she’s never been closer to committing homicide. “Tayce, A’whora! We did Lawrence’s hair, you should see it!”

“Leave it, don’t answer,” A’whora hisses frantically at her. Tayce wouldn’t even be able to reply if she wanted to, the way the blood is racing in her veins and roaring in her ears rendering her motionless.

“We know you’re in, your coats are in the hall!” Lawrence’s voice comes, louder and with a hint of accusation to it.

Shit.

Tayce launches herself off the bed and throws A’whora’s clothes at her frantically as she shouts back. “Just…give us one minute!”

“The fuck are you doing in there that you need a minute?”

Tayce ignores her, trying to calmly turn her dress the right way round but it’s so inside out and jumbled up that it’s rendering the process a lot trickier than she needs it to be right now. A’whora’s in a worse situation, though- she’s got every button on her shirt to button up, and if she wasn’t able to unbutton Tayce’s shirt when she was horny she’s sure as hell unable to button her own up under pressure.

“Where the fuck is my thong? Where did you put it?” A’whora hisses at her, scrambling at the duvet in desperation. Tayce’s eyes dart round her floor, cursing herself for not having an immaculately tidy room like A’whora’s. With a sigh of relief she finds it sitting on top of a floordrobe pile and she snatches it up and throws it to A’whora quickly. She turns her attention back to her dress and can almost feel a stress headache growing at her temples. Why won’t the fucking thing turn the right way-

“Have we to stand out here all day like a pair of lemons?”

“Give us a bloody minute, Jesus!” Tayce yells back, feeling like punching the air as she finally sorts her dress out. Her blood runs cold, however, as she makes to tug it over her head and Lawrence’s voice comes again.

“For fuck’s sake, girls, I’m sure it’s not that bad, we’ve seen each other in worse states.”

The doorhandle moves and A’whora and Tayce both yell in tandem. “Nonononono!”

The door bursts open, Tayce is standing holding her unbuttoned dress in her bra and pants, A’whora’s on the bed in her thong and half a buttoned up shirt, and there’s Ellie and Lawrence in the doorway with their eyes wide and jaws slack. Lawrence, in all her freshly lilac-dyed glory, is the first to turn around, pushing against Ellie frantically as she tries to exit the room as quickly as she came in. As she’s leaving, Tayce hears the start of her sentence.

“What possible heterosexual explanation could there fuckin’ be-”

Tayce can only look at A’whora, whose head is in her hands in embarrassment. Her heart goes out to her and she crosses the room and sits beside her on the bed, placing a hand on her knee to comfort her.

“Well. They know.”

“And so will the whole flat in about five minutes’ time,” A’whora deadpans into her hands. When she pulls her head back her face is beetroot red, and even though Tayce is embarrassed too she can’t help but laugh at the state her friend is in.

“Fuck’s sake,” Tayce shakes her head as she giggles, resigned to the fact their secret is out. There’s a pause of silence before A’whora frowns.

“I’m sorry.”

Tayce frowns back at her affectionately. “What’re you apologising for! It’s not like it was either of our faults.”

There’s a silence again in which A’whora brings her knees up to her chest and hugs them.

“Do you still want to…you know. Do you still want to keep doing all this? Now they know.”

Tayce nods quickly. A thought occurs to her and she frowns. “Unless you don’t want to?”

“No! No, I still do,” A’whora insists, a shy smile growing on her face that lifts Tayce’s hopes a bit.

Tayce pokes A’whora’s arm, slyly grins in realisation. “Well. Guess if the whole flat knows then there’s no real reason to be quiet from now on, is there?”

When A’whora meets her eyes there’s a spark between them, and when they fall against the mattress together in a kiss then Tayce thinks maybe the others knowing about the pair of them won’t matter a single bit.

As long as they get to keep doing this together.

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365days365movies · 3 years

Text

April 9, 2021: Some Like it Hot (1959) (Recap: Part One)

If there was ever a movie more hyped than this one...

Ever heard of the American Film Institute? Well, according to them in 2000 (recent, I know), this is the funniest comedy...period. At the time, anyway. That beats Tootsie (getting there), Dr. Strangelove (love it), Annie Hall (also loved it), Duck Soup (classic), Blazing Saddles (classic, topical, and fantastic), M*A*S*H (maybe later this year), It Happened One Night (maybe next year), The Graduate (later this WEEK), and...THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN Airplane! IS NUMBER 10? You CANNOT be seri...yeah, OK, you know where I’m going.

Anyway. Yeah, so, maybe AFI has Oscar syndrome, because that’s a little bullshit. So, uh...how about the BBC? In 2017, they asked 253 film critics ACROSS THE GLOBE what the best comedy of all time was, and number ONE was Some Like it Hot. Other than beating Airplane! again, it also beat Groundhog Day, Monty Python’s Life of Brian and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, This is Spinal Tap, The Big Lebowski, and His Girl Friday, and...well, every comedy you can think of. This movie CANNOT be that funny.

...Can it?

But there’s more to this film than that. Apparently, it was made without the approval of the MPPDA, which means that it wasn’t Hays Code adherent! Damn! In fact, this film was partially responsible for its collapse about 6 years later! But what is the Hays Code? Well, briefly covered, it was a set of standards laid out by Will Hays and his Motion Picture Produces and Distributors of America, or the MPPDA. It was enforced in the mid 1930s, and stood firmly in place until 1968, when it basically disappeared.

So, what are these standards? Well, there are a lot, but in a nutshell:

No cursing or taking the Lord’s name in vain in any way.

No nudity, real or suggested. And sex is kind of OK, if consensual and between a man and a woman ONLY. But, they can’t be in bed together, and they can only kiss one time, IF one of them isn’t a villain.

No weddings, no wedding nights, and barely any reference to marriage.

No prostitution, or what was called “white slavery”. Yes. Really.

Oh, also, no weird race-mixing stuff. What’s a “civil rights”?

Buuuuuuut...don’t insult any races either. Of course, considering the time period, “insult” or “offense” is probably subjective, so...fuck that, I guess.

PRIESTS ARE HOLY AND CANNOT BE MOCKED

No guns, fire, American flags, murder, smuggling, drugs, hanging, electrocution, or...law enforcement?

No childbirth, seen or inferred, and no naked kids. I mean...that’s common sense, to be completely fair.

NO RACE-MIXI-oh. Oh, I said that already, didn’t I? Well, OK, I’ll pare it down a little. They can’t have sex, but I guess...looking at each other is OK? Yeah, yeah, we’ll go with that. I’m progressive!

That about covers it. And this movie wasn’t adherent to it? Oh...well, I am excited! Let’s jump right in! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Recap (1/2)

The whole thing starts with a bang; literally. It's Chicago in 1929, smack dab in the middle of the Prohibition Era, and a group of gangsters are smuggling some alcohol inside of a coffin, while riding in a hearse. The cops aren't fooled, ad a shootout takes place between the gangsters and the cops, but they eventually drop off as the group takes the coffin into a funeral home. At the funeral home, a man named “Toothpick” Charlie (George E. Stone) meets with Mulligan (Pat O’Brien) a detective who’s got Charlie as his informant. With his help, he makes his way into the funeral home, actually a speakeasy in disguise.

Said speakeasy is run by “Spats” Colombo (George Raft), and within the speakeasy is a massive party, which the partygoers call a funeral. Spats arrives there shortly afterwards, and Mulligan watches all the while. Also at this party is a group of dancers accompanied by a band, which contains two partners, ladies’ man and sax player Joe (Tony Curtis) and anxious double bassist Jerry (Jack Lemmon).

The two talk about what they’re going to do with their upcoming paycheck, with Joe planning on using it for gambling on dog races. Jerry is understandably worried about this, as they owe rent, but Joe rattles off other things that he might was well worry about.

Suppose you got hit by a truck. Suppose the stock market crashes. Suppose Mary Pickford divorces Douglas Fairbanks. Suppose the Dodgers leave Brooklyn! Suppose Lake Michigan overflows.

Fun fact, though: the stock market’s about to crash in a year, Pickford and Fairbanks divorce in 1936, and the Dodgers left Brooklyn in 1957, famously. Lake Michigan has not overflowed...YET. It’s actually at record high water levels, and could cause flooding around it in the next few years. So, although those middle three were DEFINITELY part of the joke...that last one wasn’t at the time. Of course, it’s actually there as a line to set Jerry up with a way to tell him that the streets are “about to flood”, as he spots Mulligan and makes him. He tells Joe, and they both quietly pack up their instruments and leave, BEFORE the ruckus is about to begin.

And begin it does, and the cops raid the place almost immediately afterwards. As the party’s broken up and people are loaded into the paddywagon (Spats included), Joe and Jerry take their chance to escape behind the cops’ backs. However, this also means that the two musicians aren’t getting paid after all. Joe’s still set on betting money on the dog the next day, and get the money for the bet by selling their coats. However, while they do sell their coats, they instead end up looking for jobs at a local music agency, run by Sig Poliakoff (Billy Gray).

The agency is recruited by band owner Sweet Sue (Joan Shawlee) and her nebbish band manager Bienstock (Dave Barry), as they need a bass and a sax player to replace two of their own, in their band in Florida. On hearing this from Poliakoff’s secretary Nellie (Barbara Drew), the two barge into the office. However, much to their dismay, the only ones they’re looking for are women. While Jerry tries to weasel their way in, it doesn’t quite work, and they instead take a job up north for a Valentine’s Day dance. The two go to a garage to borrow a car from Nellie in order to get to the job. There, playing cards, is Toothpick Charlie with a group of men. But then...somebody else arrives.

Spats and his men arrive at the garage, and tell all of the men to stand with their hands on the wall. Joe and Jerry, however, manage to hide in the garage. And if you know anything about Valentine’s Day during Prohibition Era Chicago...then you know exactly what’s about to happen to Toothpick and the guys.

After the massacre (based upon the real St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Jerry makes a noise and alerts the gang to their presence. This is a problem, because Spats isn’t keen on the idea of witnesses, and immediately orders the musicians killed.With a distraction caused by the still-alive-but-dying Charlie, the two manage to escape Spats’ wrath. Now needing a fast way out of town, Joe figures out a plan. See, that job, the one from Sweet Sue, is in Florida, which is far enough away that they should be able to escape. But, uh...the band is only looking for women. And so...

This is the second most famous thing about the film. Meet Josephine and Daphne, the female aliases of Joe and Jerry respectively. As Jerry realizes the difficulties of the female wardrobe (namely skirts and heels), the two walk up to the band of women, known as “Sweet Sue and her Society Syncopators.” But they aren’t the only arrivals, and the other is the MOST famous thing about this movie...

This is Sugar “Kane” Kowalczyk, the lead singer, ukelele player, and...OK, look, it’s Marilyn Monroe, and I think I need to acknowledge this now. Marilyn Monroe is an underrated talent today, but she had a hell of a lot of potential as an actress and as an individual. She had a lot of troubles, and her early death by suicide is an absolute tragedy, no matter how you slice it. She’s a talented actress and singer, and she deserves recognition for that.

SHE IS ALSO INSANELY HOT I’M SORRY I’M WEAK

Look...it’s Marilyn fucking Monroe, OK? I know, I’m a straight cissexual man, but I wanted to make a point to acknowledge the fact that Marilyn Monroe is a talent far outside of her beauty and physicality. She (and all women) deserve that much, and deserve not to be objectified by the male gaze. I genuinely agree with this, and I do understand that concept. I’ll never personally understand the female experience, but it’s my responsibility and duty as an individual to understand experiences foreign to my own, including this one.

But DEAR LORD, her physicality is not easy to ignore, now and then! I mean COME ON! The woman’s considered a standard of classic beauty to this day by many (not by all, and not by herself), and it’s unfortunately her most famous feature to nearly everybody. But, of course, Monroe got a lot of grief for her looks as well (which is bullshit), and the stress of her life sadly led to her terrible suicide. But that doesn’t mean that her beauty inside and out shouldn’t be appreciated for what it is: beauty.

ALSO SHE IS DROP DEAD GORGEOUS I’M WEAK I KNOW

See, the train agrees with me! Oh...OH RIGHT, THE MOVIE! OK, where was I. Well, Joe and Jerry agree with me about Sugar Kane, but it is the 1950′s when the film is made, so of course they do. They watch her get on, and they follow suit, meeting the women of the band, and Sugar Kane. Sugar, see, has a teensy bit of an alcohol problem. That’s not necessarily to say she’s an alcoholic, but she is admonished for it by Sweet Sue and Bienstock, also being a repeat offender of drinking during working hours. That (and men) is something that Sweet Sue doesn’t tolerate.

She’s almost in trouble that night, when her flask falls from her stocking during a performance. However, Jerry covers for her, much to her appreciation. As they settle in for the night, all of the girls (including Joe and Jerry) sleep in the same cabin, much to the, uh, frustration of Jerry, despite Josephine’s urgings to keep it together. As Jerry continually reminds himself that he’s posing as a girl, he’s surprised that night with the appearance of Sugar, who comes to thank her for her help that night. Sugar tells “Daphne” that she owes her one, and also climbs into the cot with him to hide from Sweet Sue. Jerry...that poor mother fucker.

Well, Jerry tries to ease the tension by offering some of Joe’s whisky. But more of the girls overhear this, and eventually, a massive party erupts, with all the girls mixing drinks and sharing the single space of Jerry’s bed. Joe wakes up from all of this, and tries to help end the party, only for Sugar to climb out of it, and ask Joe for help with a block of ice for the drinks.

It’s here that she reveals that she used to work with men’s bands, but joined this band to get away from men. This is especially to get away from her weakness: tenor sax players. This intrigues Joe, the tenor sax player. However, she’s essentially sworn off of tenor sax players because of multiple bad relationships, and is instead hoping to find a millionaire in Florida, preferably one with a yacht. Meanwhile, Jerry’s bed is getting a little too full, and the girls are getting a little TOO familiar. They start to tickle him, and to prevent his cover being blown, Jerry pulls the train’s emergency brake. All of the girls scatter as the train stops, and they manage to get away with the party as Sweet Sue and Bienstock wake up only then.

The train gets to Florida, and the girls make their way into a hotel. As they check in, Jerry (as Daphne) is spotted by Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown), a millionaire, and a man with eclectic tastes in women. And those tastes apparently include Daphne, as he unsubtly (and unwantedly) hits on her. And Jerry’s having none of it. After Osgood pinches him in the elevator, he gets off after slapping him. Unfortunately, that makes Osgood only want Daphne THAT MUCH MORE. This man...this man may just be the legendary alpha simp of which the stories tell.

Meanwhile, Joe manages to get ahold of Beinstock’s luggage and glasses. He steals his clothes (after fending off an overeager bellboy), and uses them to dress as a millionaire. Why? Why, to seduce Sugar, of course!

This is right at the halfway point, so we’ll pick this up in Part Two! See you there!

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lady-stardust-writes · 4 years

Text

Playing Favorites | Arthur Morgan

You worked at the saloon in Valentine as a barmaid. It was nice paying job that tipped well, although it did have it’s drawbacks it was nothing you couldn’t handle.

Of recent you’ve noticed that the town had been abuzz about some new people showing up, looking for jobs. You didn’t particularly care but would take note of it so you could keep an eye open for them.

Your shift was a quiet one as you cleaned the counters of the bar, enjoying the peace of not having to do much until you heard someone walk through the doors which made you look up to see who it was.

“One of the new faces.” You thought as you certainly would remember a good looking face like his.

You tucked your rag into apron before making your way over to him as he took a seat at the bar.

“Hello sir, what can I get you?” You asked with a smile. He had his hands in his hands and didn’t bother to look up as he order.

“Whiskey, please.” You grabbed a glass from the bar before pouring amber liquid in and sliding it over to him.

“Thanks.” Was all he said and placed down a quarter which you picked up and went back to cleaning again. You would look back over at him after a few minutes and saw he hadn’t touched his drink.

You got curious enough to go back over and hop up onto the bar next him. He could sense someone was near him but didn’t care to look.

“Sir if you don’t mind me asking but are you alright?” You questioned as you were worried that something was genuinely wrong. He finally turned his head towards you, which gave you a chance to see such nice eyes staring at you.

“I’m fine just a long day is all.” He responded. You could see that something was troubling him which brought out your caring side.

“I know all about long days but you seem to bothered by something so much that you can’t even enjoy a prime glass of whiskey.” Your statement made him glance at it before back over to you again.

“It’s nothing that should bother a pretty thing like yourself.”

“I’m a barmaid half the people in here bother me with their problems everyday,” you stated before turning around and pointing at a guy in a corner.

“For instinct that guy over there is cheating on his wife with the butcher’s wife.” you said making the gentleman your talking to raise an eyebrow and chuckle a little.

“Is this the service I can expect if I tell you?” He asked unsure if he could trust you or not.

“No because that guy’s an ass for cheating, you on the other hand seem like a good person.” You commented which made him shake his head in disagreement.

“Trust me when I say I’m no good person and that I’ve done worst things then that man could have ever done which I doubt you would want to hear about.” You looked the man in the eye before speaking about a old customer of yours.

“I’ve had a man come in here once and who told me about how he killed his father and feed his body to the pigs just for 10 dollars, so I’m pretty sure I can handle it.” You still held his eyes on yours when you finished your story so he could know you were all but to serious.

The man would begin to laugh, not because of the story but because you really wanted to hear his problems that you told stranger that you never met a story that terrible. You would join in with him as you to can see the funny side of it all also.

“Well I guess you’ve earned it, but I would like to know the name of the lady to hold accountable if I end up in jail.” He would say making you laugh a little more before sticking your hand out to him.

“(Y/N) (Y/L), a pleasure to met you.” He took your hand in his and gently shook it.

“Arthur Morgan, and the pleasure all mine.”

After that he told you about his life and how he was in the most wanted gang this side of the southwest which you found surprising but you promised not tell anyone as you didn’t want to see him behind bars, nor did you want be killed if you did.

He would continue to talk to you all through out your shift, ranking up a bar tab along with him, but it didn’t matter to him as he enjoyed talking with someone that he didn’t have to do something for or worry about being turned in.

He eventually would have to leave which sadden you but you were still grateful for the time you did have as he got up to go, but before he did he remembered his tab and went to pay it but you stopped him.

“This ones on me.” You said which surprised him but he still tried to hand you the necessary amount of money.

“No I’ll pa-“ you cut him off and grinned.

“I’m going to pay for regardless of what you say, just make sure to bring yourself back over once in a while to make it up to me.” You see would him struggle with what to do before smiling at you.

“You are a saint. I promise you I’ll be back.” You returned his smile before he left and went along with your day.

Surprisingly he came back only few days and bacame somewhat of a regular at the saloon, always making sure to come on the days you were working. You found yourself becoming very fond of the outlaw, as every time he came you would bond more and more that you were quickly calling him your friend.

You would be working a late shift at the saloon when Arthur walk through the doors and greeted you. This made you drop what you were doing to go attend to him.

“Arthur, good to see you, are you having the usual?” You asked already reaching for the glass.

“As always darling.” You blush slightly before grabbing the whiskey, pouring it in the glass and handing it over to him. He would thank you as he took a sip of his drink.

“So how have you’ve been, escaped the law of recent?” You asked while putting away the whiskey.

“Nothing but a couple of low grade bounty hunters and few new scars, nothing drastic but other then that I’ve been fine.” You frowned as you looked him over to make sure he was okay. He saw this and smiled in attempt to distract youu.

“Ah don’t look so grim, I’m fine besides I’ve got you something.” He said as he went to pull something out of his jacket pocket. You were honestly thought it was the money for all drinks you’ve paid for over the course of knowing him but you were surprised to see it was a ring instead.

You would nervously start laughing. You knew he liked you but you didn’t think he liked you this much.

“I mean I like you and all but don’t you think it’s a bit to early to be proposing.” You would joke making him laugh.

“I wouldn’t be against it that for sure, but no I just wanted to give it to you as a thank you for listening to me ramble on and all the free drinks.” He responded. He beckoned you to hold your hand out which you did and he slipped the ring on your finger.

You would look at the ring and smile. It was made of gold and small diamond in the center, it was absolutely beautiful to you but you couldn’t help but to wonder how he got it.

“How’d you get this?” You questioned him, wanting to know if you could wear it without the worry of being arrested for theft.

“It was a reward for saving a old lady from being killed, she told me to gave it to my wife even though I tried to explain I didn’t have one but she didn’t listen so I thought I might as well give it to the closest girl I have to it.” You intensely blushed from his words and smiled at him which caused him do the same as he gently held your hand in his.

“Well it’s very beautiful, thank you Arthur.” You said although you found yourself lost in his eyes instead of the ring. The moment was perfect as it seemed you two were only ones in the world as you felt him cup your face and lean in.

You could feel the anticipation swelling inside of you as you leaned in as well wanting nothing more for this to happen. But like most good things you have to wait for it, it was ruined.

“You whore! You been giving him free drinks just because your sleeping with him!” Your eyes widen when you heard this and quickly turned your head to see one of the regular drunks glaring at you.

“Sir I pay for those myself and what I do with my personal time doesn’t concern yo-“ the man cut you off not bothering to hear any of it as he consistently insulted you. It made you angry but you just turned your head to ignore him but you saw Arthur get up with nothing but hatred it his eyes.

“I best reckon you apologize to her if you want to keep what little teeth you have left.” He threatened the drunk. The man turned his glare to him now instead of you.

“What did you say, boy?” The drunk asked with vemon in his words. You tried to stop him but he didn’t listen as this man had dared to insult you.

“You heard me. Now are you going to apologize or am I going have to make you?” Arthur barked back. The man started to march over to him with no intention to do what he was told to do.

The man had barely had a chance to fight back when Arthur decked him once he was close enough and then proceeded to beat the living crap out of him. The drunk physically couldn’t fight as he mounted by a man who now had a full intent to kill him.

Other patrons at the bar started to cheer him on as they crowded around him but you could no longer watch as this happened. You ran over to him grabbed his arm and attempted to pulled him away from the man.

He would let up when he heard your voice and allowed you to pull him out of outside into the night air. You were mad at him but you were still grateful for what he was trying to do but he shouldn’t have done it regardless.

You opened your mouth to scold him but was stopped Arthur as he crashed his lips into yours. You would forget what you were about to say and just melted into the kiss. He tightly held onto you as the perfect moment finally played out.

The two of you pulled back, he rested his head against yourself. His arm was wrapped your waist as the other was entangled with your hand.

“I’m sorry for what I did…I just couldn’t stop myself when I heard what he was saying.” He apologized. You were easily going to forgive him but he continued before you could say anything.

“(Y/N) you mean so much to me, that I would do anything for you regardless of what it is,” He lightly tighten his grip on your hand and looked at you with admiration.

“Because you are single-handedly the greatest thing in my life, and I love you more then you could ever know just for being here with me.” You smiled after hearing that. The man that you’ve liked ever since meeting him loved you which was even more then you could wish for.

“Well isn’t that funny because I’ve felt the same way since our first meeting, Mr. Morgan.” You said wrapping your arms around his neck and smiling, this caused him to grin and hold you closer.

“Is that so, then I guess we’ve got making up for lost time.” Arthur said before kissing you once more in the moonlight with a new found love.

………………………………………………………………

Requests Are Open

#red dead fandom #red dead redemption community #red dead redemption arthur #red dead redemption x reader #red dead redemption imagine #x reader imagines #x reader #fandom imagine #imagines #imagine #fanfic #red dead redemption #rdr2 arthur #rdr

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ellusquirk · 5 years

Note

Ahh! Your alphabets are so cute! Could you do one for gang orca? Any work! (Except angst :( I’d like some more positive stuff if possible!) thanks!!!

marriage alphabet || gang orca

———————————————————————————————————–

a - about (what about you made them want to marry you?)

definitely the fact that you don’t judge him for his looks. he knows that his appearance causes most people to freak out, so he’s immensely grateful that you took the time to get to know his personality rather than decide to judge him immediately for his looks.

b - baby (would they want kids with you as soon as possible?)

he’d want a family with you, but to be honest he’s low-key afraid of what your children may face if they look like him. he’ll probably put it off for as long as possible and really encourage adoption. he does want a family with you, but if you want your own kids then it may take some time to reassure him that you won’t allow your kids to face what he faced.

c - celebration (how would they celebrate your anniversaries?)

the ‘traditional’ way. smothers you with love throughout the day, takes you out for a fancy meal and buys you gifts and flowers.

d - divorce (how would they handle if you wanted a divorce? what caused it?)

he’d be deeply upset - he finally thought he had found the one for him, someone who would never judge him for who he is and would love him unconditionally, but he was wrong. he’d be respectful though, and most likely blame his scary appearance.

e - earnest (are they serious about your marriage? or can they be a little immature about it?)

he is completely serious. you are one of the few people who have got to know him for who he is rather than judging him upright and not trying to get to know him. you’re the most precious person in his life and he would never even fathom being immature about your marriage.

f - favorite (what was your favorite things before and after you got married to each other?)

his sweet little gestures. it’s adorable when he turns up at your door with a bouquet of flowers in hand - both before and after you get married. it’s just a cute little thing he does if he feels apologetic for neglecting you for hero work or he just wants to show you his love.

g - giving (do they spoil you?)

he doesn’t shower you in gifts, but he will buy you the occasional expensive purchase, along with a couple small little things. he doesn’t really believe in showering people with gifts for affection so he tends to avoid it.

h - honeymoon (what did you two do for your honeymoon?)

definitely a beach location, though not too hot otherwise his skin will dry out too much. he wants to be able to swim in the sea with you, plus it’s a convenient excuse to get to see you in a bikini/shorts.

i - invest (how much do they contribute to your marriage?)

he contributes a hell of a lot to your relationship, and he absolutely adores you. he wants to make sure that you know he’s there for you and will drop his hero work in a heartbeat to attend to your needs.

j - jealous (do they still get jealous even though you’re completely theirs?)

not really - he knows that he can trust you to fight off any advances from people, and when he sees someone chatting with you he doesn’t really get jealous. he feel self-conscious sometimes though, and although he knows you’re his there’s still that betraying thought in the back of his mind that you may prefer them over him.

k - kiss (how often would you two kiss? do you still have that spark?)

it’s kind of awkward to kiss with his mouth, but he does kiss you whenever he can. usually it’s just a brief peck on the top of your head, and passionate kisses and kisses elsewhere are reserved for when the two of you are in private.

l - live (where would you two settle down at?)

wherever his hero work takes him. of course he’ll make sure that you’re comfortable though, and he’ll make sure to go out of his way to ensure that you have everything in the area that your heart may desire. if you’re really uncomfortable with where you’re living then he’ll go out of his way to find hero work elsewhere where you’d be more comfortable.

m - make (do they still make your heart flutter after years of marriage?)

of course he does. he’s really sweet and kind of dorky, and his sweet little gestures are enough to make anyone’s heart flutter. he’s always finding new ways to show you his love and he’ll never run out of ideas.

n - never (what is something they would never do?)

he would never betray your trust. he knows he’s phenomenally lucky to have you and it would be the last thing he’d do to you. he’s completely transparent with you and wants you to know everything, and he most certainly would never go behind your back.

o - opportunity (do you two still get the opportunity to be intimate with one another?)

because of his appearance he worries that you won’t want to be intimate with him, so often you have to bluntly ask him about it. he’ll definitely make sure that the two of you have the opportunity to be intimate if that’s what you want.

p - pet names (what pet names do you two give each other?)

he isn’t really one for pet names to be honest, he’ll mostly call you by your name, but sometimes he does call you ‘my love’ or ‘sweetheart’.

q - quiet (do you two keep quiet about your marriage? or do you always brag about one another?)

he does keep it as quiet as possible. it’s not that he’s ashamed he’s just incredibly frightened of something happening to you because you’re married to him. he would hate himself if he was the reason why you got hurt - in fact he’d hate himself if you got hurt at all, so he definitely will try and protect you as much as possible even if it means hiding your relationship. sometimes he’ll talk about you to people the two of you trust, and when he does its clear he loves you a hell of a lot.

r - romance (how do you two keep your romance alive?)

he takes you on lots of little dates where the two of you can catch up with each other and express your love. his hero work takes him away a lot, so there isn’t really the opportunity for your romance to ‘die’. his sweet little gestures and reminders of his love for you also keep it alive.

s - selfie (would they take multiple pictures of you? would they save them on their phone?)

nope. all the pictures he has of you are from when the two of you have either gone on holiday or from your honeymoon. he has a few from your wedding day, and they’re definitely his lock screen and home screen. he has a picture of you and him on your wedding day on his desk.

t - teenagers (do you still act like teens when you’re older?)

nope. he’s not really that kind of person to be honest.

u - unrelenting (what hasn’t stopped since you two got married?)

his worries that one day you’ll realise how ugly he is and leave him. it’s his biggest fear, and although logically he knows that you wouldn’t, he still worries. still, his intense love and respect for you for not judging him definitely hasn’t stopped.

v - valentine’s day (what plans do you two make?)

he takes the day off, and really it’s up to you and whatever you want to do. he’s more than happy to take you out on a date, or just spend the whole day in bed with you loving you up. every couple of years he may even take you on holiday for valentine’s day - your choice of where you want to go of course.

w - wedding (what was your wedding like?)

definitely a beach wedding. a small affair, but still really sweet. nothing too big - a couple friends and family, a small tropical buffet and lots of activities for guests to lounge on the beach. no one is expected to turn up in fancy suits and dresses, but of course they can and bring along a swimsuit so they can go swimming afterwards.

x - x-ray (can you two see through each other? can you see when you’re lying or not?)

definitely. he may not realise it, but he’s really easy to see through, and being his partner it’s just a million times easier to tell when he isn’t feeling himself.

y - yearly tradition (what do you two do every year for your wedding anniversary?)

go to the beach and have a swim. your wedding was at the beach so why not spend your anniversary at the beach?

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written on 25/07/19. requests: OPEN.

#bnha #mha #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #gang orca #gang orca x reader

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dreamgloe · 5 years

Note

vanilla, letters & melt

prompt: vanilla, letters & melt (this prompt list here)

words: 4.56k

warnings: fluff, slightest bit of angst

notes: so this is really late but….better late than never, right? I’ll just keep it in the valentine’s day theme. ;) despite how long this took, i’m so happy to be writing some cute namjoon while writing some angsty namjoon (his chapter in ‘half of my heart’ has put me T H R O U G H I T)

tags: @joonieblossoms

mini playlist: fools by troye sivan | call your girlfriend (robyn cover) by clara mae | sponge by clay best friend by ikon

-x-

There were only two sounds in your apartment. One was the loud crashing noises of the Netflix romcom you’d decided to play with a hard press of your forefinger. Afterwards, you tossed the remote to the floor, not caring where it landed. The second was the scraping of your spoon against the paper carton of Tahitian Vanilla ice cream from your favorite neighborhood spot.

You told yourself that you hated this holiday, that it was a consumerist weapon holding people hostage in the name of love. If anyone asked you, you were boycotting and Galentine’s Day was the only holiday worth celebrating. Celebrating womanhood with your girl friends with copious amounts of sparkling rosé was the only draw to this time of the year.

However, that was a damn lie.

Not only were most of your friends in relationships, you actually loved Valentine’s Day. Well, you did. You loved the idea when you were in a relationship, which you had been in until about a month ago. It wasn’t as if you were certain that Choi Sungwoo was the one for you but you did spent the better part of eight months committed to him, his work functions–which you hated–and to trying your best to not demolish his ass in Overwatch every time you played with him. He was funny when he wasn’t trying to be and he was never ashamed to hold your hand in public. The sex was great, you knew there were no complaints in that department.

But…obviously something wasn’t working for him when he told you that it was over. He admitted that there was someone else. He said that he had feelings for someone at his work and he didn’t want to continue to lead you on if he was interested in someone else. He also said he wanted a chance with this person. He didn’t want any “what ifs.”. You couldn’t hate him for being honest but you hated him on principle anyway.

He wasn’t even a coward, you thought to yourself, stabbing your spoon back into the ice cream. You paused, looking into the carton. It was missing something, and with that thought you walked to grab the chocolate syrup out of the fridge, the kind that hardened on top of ice cream. Flipping the cap and squeezing it all over the ice cream, you only stopped when the top was almost completely covered. Flipping the cap back into place, you didn’t even bother to put it back in the fridge.

You just didn’t care.

It was at that moment that you were glad your roommate, Namjoon, wasn’t back. To be honest, you weren’t even sure what he was doing. You were just happy that he wasn’t home to watch the sad scene of a gross ice cream concoction and some pretty abhorrent Netflix romantic comedies.

He’d also broken up with his girlfriend around five months ago but he’d been dating his girlfriend as long as you’d known him which was a little over two years. If it was a competition, you knew he’d won hands down. You liked her too and were sad for him when she dumped him.

And that was pretty big of you, too, because when you first met Namjoon, you might have had a teensy crush on him. Teensy being an understatement. Who wouldn’t? He was smart, kind, tall, and had one of the best smiles you’d ever seen in your life. But the two of you quickly fell into a friendship, one that you’d rather die than ever mess up.

Knowing he was sad, you did everything you could to cheer him up. Museum dates, pounds and pounds of barbeque. You even went with him to see all those foreign films he liked even though you hated them. You should have better taste, having studied French Literature. You met Namjoon in a Modern French Philosophy class for crying out loud! However, you’d always been a sucker for girl gang movies and romantic comedies. But…you couldn’t bear the crestfallen looks across your roommate’s face so you did your best to cheer him up even if it meant sitting through a handful of painful German films.

At the time, you couldn’t bring yourself to pry into why she broke up with him. He’d tell you if he wanted to. That’s what you told yourself. Namjoon had been busy the last month but he tried desperately to be there for you as well. He watched a handful of dramas and even the latest season of Alexa & Katie with you on Netflix. Two things he hated and he did them for you. For that, you were grateful but it didn’t stop you from shovelling your way through the pint of ice cream in front of you, knowing full well you had two more in the freezer.

Obviously, you couldn’t help but soften at the thought of Namjoon holding your hand and giving you tissues as you cried your eyes out watching fucking Alexa & Katie, a show aimed at middle school girls. He wasn’t the best roommate in the world but he was definitely one of the best friends you have ever been lucky enough to have.

Why did your bout of loneliness have to bubble up on a day that was both the epitome and antithesis of loneliness, though? Couldn’t the universe give you a fucking break? You were still holding the carton of ice cream in your condensation covered hands, spoon in mouth, feet up on the coffee table when Namjoon walked in. You’d been so absorbed in your ice cream that your surprise caused the metal spoon to clack against your teeth harshly, causing you to spasm. “Ow,” you said, more to yourself, “Goddamnit!”

“Oh…hey Y/N,” he said, lugging his messenger bag off his shoulder and then onto the ground as he approached the edge of the couch. You sighed loudly, putting the spoon into the carton and placing the whole thing on the table. “Namjoon….” you said, a hint of whine, “don’t just…er….enter the apartment like that. Nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“So sorry, Y/N. Next time I won’t exist in my own apartment,” he said sarcastically, crossing his arms while looking at you, not being able to help the small smile that spread across his face.

“Thank you,” you say, “I’d appreciate it.” You said it seriously but you couldn’t help the smile that eventually followed too. You played with the blanket it across your lap, smoothing it out. You didn’t expect him to be home. But honestly, where would he be? Both of you were single on Valentine’s Day. You should have thought of that. It had been months since either of you had been relationships, where would you both be going?

There was a moment before you spoke. “Care to join me?” you said, motioning to the nest of blankets, dvds, snacks, and strangely, more than one Apple TV remote. He heaved a heavy sigh before he kicked his shoes off and said, “If we’re doing this, I’m getting the wine.” After grabbing a bottle of red and two glasses, he finally sat down on the couch with a big plop, getting under the blanket with you. He poured you a glass, handing it to you now that you no longer were holding the tub of ice cream. The two of you did a cheers and he leaned back into the couch, hi shoulder touching yours.

He let you finish off the romcom you were watching before the two of your poured over old DVD’s. He’d convinced you to settle on Notting Hill, claiming it was one of the best romantic comedies of all time. You argued and said it was borderline boring, to which Namjoon just scoffed. However, you did your best to conceal the tears you were crying towards the end. Namjoon decided not to rub it in your face because you looked so sad. Soon enough, you found your hand in his. His was warm and it only made you cry more. “Hey…” he said softly, pulling some tissues from his pocket.

You were crying and it wasn’t just the movie. You were sad and lonely as hard as that was to admit to yourself. You missed sharing something with someone, you missed holding hands like Namjoon was currently holding your’s, you even missed playing damn Overwatch. You thought yourself a very independent person and you hated yourself for crying because you were alone on Valentine’s Day. The thought itself drew a choked sob out of you and with your free hand, you furiously wiped at your face.

Taking the tissues, you sloppily dabbed at your face, warm with tears and more than two glasses of red wine. “I’m literally the most pathetic person on planet Earth right now,” you said between sobs, “You don’t have to hold my hand, Namjoon. Thank you, but you don’t have to.” You waited for him to drop it but he only interlaces his fingers into yours more tightly. You looked up at him as he started to speak again. “I want to, Y/N,” he said, taking a deep breath, “What’s this about? What’s going on?” You couldn’t even be annoyed with him because he looked so concerned.

You gave yourself a few moments to breathe before you answer him. “It’s just….I don’t know if I miss Sungwoo or…” you said, trailing off.

“Or what….?” Namjoon asked in a concerned voice.

“Or if I’m just hopeless, awkward, and desperate for love!!!” you exclaimed dramatically. It only took Namjoon a second to get the FRIENDS reference. He laughed, intertwining his fingers with yours. The two of you still couldn’t get enough of syndicated FRIENDS reruns on basic cable.

He leaned his shoulder into yours as you took a deep breath. “But in all seriousness,” you continued, “I know it sounds dumb…but…it’s so nice to be liked, to be wanted or needed or whatever…” You looked down at your lap, blinking your eyes a few times.

“I get that,” he said softly, lukewarm fingers now starting to just slightly condensate in your grasp. Namjoon was rarely this affectionate towards anyone. However, in the last month, the two of you had spent a plethora of your time that you were not working on your dissertations, with each other. At your behest, a lot of it in front of the television with junk food, which contrasted to the time after his breakup. But you two had different tastes.

You liked sitting shoulder to shoulder with Namjoon on the couch, crying your eyes out to preteen multicam comedies on Netflix. But you weren’t sure why he’d put up with you. You just came to assume it was because he was concerned after your break up with Sungwoo.

“Ugh, sorry,” you say, shaking your head, trying to shake out of it, “Do you want to pick the next movie? I’ll even watch that Hebrew movie you were talking about? Fill the Void?” You paused for a second before continuing, “That’s the one about arranged marriage right?”

“The young woman married her sister’s widower,” he said, correcting you. You nodded and the two of you settled into the couch to finish the shitty romantic comedy you were watching. When you finished, the two of you had polished off the vanilla ice cream. You took the empty carton, grabbing your second tub and bringing it as Namjoon was loading up the foreign film. Taking another deep breath, you sat down next to him.

The film was slow but stunning and you couldn’t help but getting wrapped up into it along Namjoon. Shoulders still pressed together, you felt your eyes well up unblinkingly at the emotional scenes laying before you. In a lull, you couldn’t help but speak. “Maybe I should just have my family match me up like Shira,” you said, “Easy, relatively painless, percentage chance of heartbreak significantly lowered right?”

You were just bullshitting at this point, working your way through your second glass of wine, using the last tissue from Namjoon’s pocket to dab at some of the drink dripping from your chin. You were reaching the climax in your rant when Namjoon interrupted you. “Just stop, Y/N, okay?” he said, grabbing your shoulders, only shaking you slightly, “One day, a guy is going to be so lucky that you’ve let him be part of your life. Stop beating yourself up about it. It’s a dumb holiday. You are so very much worthy of love. Trust me, I know. So shut up and let’s finish the damn movie.”

He turns away from you and back to the tv, but you can’t help but stare at his profile. Serious and hellbent on concentrating on the subtitled movie. You eyed him suspiciously. “What do you mean ‘I know?”

He let out a large breath through his nose. “Fine,” he said, getting up, “I guess I’m doing this.” You watched him as got up, leaving you alone on the coach, and made his way down the hall in the direction of his bedroom. Less than a minute later, he came back with a stack of letters rubber banded together. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Y/N,” he said, as if he was annoyed.

As you started to ask, he pushed them into your hands. “Just read, don’t talk, okay?” he said, more forceful than you’d really ever seen him before. This time, however, he sat on one of the bar stools a handful of feet away as you slowly undid the two skinny rubber bands.

“Okay,” you said resolutely, as you carefully pried open the first envelope. It had been dated around five or so months ago, in Namjoon’s skinny, clear handwriting. You started reading, feeling your face crease.

Y/N, I took some time before writing this because that’s what you do when someone who has been a fixture in your life, no longer is. By the time I started this, I told you that Chaeha and I broke up. Chaeha told me that she knew my heart wasn’t with her anymore. What’s worse is that she wasn’t even mad. I denied it to her, told her that I only loved her, but she knew better. I don’t know when it all started but…I’m pretty sure you’ve always been more than a friend to me. Two weeks to come to terms with the fact that she was right.

That was only the first letter. There were definitely more than ten letters in the pile and one by one, you opened them. He had written to you once a week since his breakup with Chaeha. A few of the letters were just Namjoon talking about his day, a short trip he took with his parents, the weekend getaway you took with your mutual friends. However, they all revolved around thoughts of you, even if you weren’t present at the time.

You could feel your eyes and face soften. On one hand, it was all too much and the other, not nearly enough. As you picked up the latest one, dated two days ago, you couldn’t help but look over at Namjoon sitting on the stool by the counter. He looked at you as if to encourage you to keep reading but there was something in his eyes that didn’t want yours to leave either. Always an eloquent speaker, his letters spoke volumes beyond what he could physically say.

February 12th, 2019, February 12th, 2019. Two days ago.

I’m sure if you ever read these, Y/N, you’ll have figured it out quickly by this one. You’re so smart and that’s probably one of reasons we get along so well, why that Modern French Philosophy class was the best class I’ve ever taken at this place. Probably one of the reasons why Chaeha and I ended, even. The day I wrote about in the first letter, Chaeha told me it was you. I didn’t completely admit to myself but I’ve had five months to think about us and I can now confirm. I can confirm my feelings. I still am not sure when it all happened but it did. I fell in love with you along the way of our friendship.

Your eyes scanned the rest of the letter, trying to absorb all the information thoroughly but as quickly as possible. You finished, and turned to look at Namjoon over the couch. Your eyes growing softer, wider, and a bit wetter.

Knowing what was going on but not really knowing how to comprehend, your words faltered in your mouth. “What is–? Why–? Really–?” you said, only being able to form a few short, questioning words. You were emotional and a little buzzed already and now ….you were pretty sure your best friend was telling you that he broke up with his girlfriend five months ago because he was in love with you.

Snapping your head towards the kitchen to look at him, you were sure that you probably looked pretty lost. The expression on his face was serious but not hard, his chin between his forefinger and thumb. You wanted to move, to be able to look him closely in the eyes as if that act could provide you with answers. To be honest, you were overwhelmed and for a moment you thought you might just burst into tears. Where was all of this coming from?

The only thing you could do was hold up the stack of haphazardly opened letters. Not as in “I want to give these back” kind of way but in a way that says “I want to talk about these but my mouth and brain aren’t making the connection with one another.” He sloughs out of his chair and rejoins you back on the couch. You turn to him sideways, one knee up on the couch. You jester to him with the envelopes on your hands but a tight grip on them. A grip that might imply you don’t want to let them go, that if you do…what you just read will disappear.

“I know,” he says, “I know…it’s a lot, but it’s not–” He looks into your watery eyes and you can just tell he wants to stay more, that he probably has this eloquent speech or explanation planned out. He always knows what to say to you, what to say to other people. Where you were often speechless and stuck in your own head, he had a way with words that rivaled many heads of state.

You sighed and swallowed. “Tell me, then,” you manage to say, not quite knowing what is possessing you, “tell me what these letters haven’t.” Your knee brushed Namjoon’s thigh when you readjusted yourself next to him, placing the stack of letters on top of where your leg brushed his. You tried to remain as calm as possible for him, so that you could listen to him, but you were shaking. You couldn’t help it and you did your best to conceal that fact, by holding your arms to yourself, even though you didn’t want to look as if you were closed off from the conversation.

Once he started, you could only listen. The way he put into words possibly years of feelings…your heart was fit to burst. He’d been your friend for so long and you had built a relationship on being friends and roommates that you were more than satisfied with. Well, at least…that’s what you thought until the one person it also included flipped your world upside down with his confession.

“…You know I loved Chaeha. I was with her for half a decade,” he said, almost as if he was pleading. You nodded because it was true. He loved Chaeha. You loved her too…obviously not in that way but you’d grown close to her in the past two plus years of being Namjoon’s friend. She’d never…she’d never even given off any vibes that she didn’t like you, that she didn’t trust you, or that her boyfriend of five years might possibly be in love with another woman aka you. That thought hurt you too.

“I know, Namjoon,” you said, “I know you loved her so much. But why? When? How? I–I’m sorry. I’m not the articulate one in this friendship.” You held onto your own fingers so tightly, you knew there might be the possibility that they might bruise.

“I don’t know when it happened but here I am, fucking hopeless and in love with my best friend. Those five months taught me that Chaeha was right and that…she was right to dump me. I couldn’t continue to be in a relationship with her–even if I really cared about her because at the back of my mind, I was always thinking about you.” he said, finally shifting to face you, taking your shaking hands in each of his.

Never thought you’d see your best friend’s gaze falter, never thought he’d ever be at a loss. His hands were as warm as they were before but they felt different. This is what you were afraid of. Things changing between you. That’s why….whatever “little” crush you had on him when you first met, you pushed it aside. There was never going to be a way that you’d let Kim Namjoon slip away from your life. You had always recognized that you found him attractive but he was Namjoon, the PhD candidate with cartoon character pyjama pants and the guy who you’d let in the bathroom while you were in the shower so he could pee.

He still liked you after that and it confused you even more. “Not to sound like a broken record, but why me? What is it about me?” you asked. You were genuinely curious and confused. You weren’t a mess, per say, but you and Namjoon shared every streaming service and refused to purchase cable tv because you were on a budget. Chaeha had been beautiful, smart, and a fantastic career and life going for her. Why was your roommate looking at you like you held the fucking universe? Why was he taking a step closer to you right now? Why were his eyes bigger and glassier than you’d ever seen them before?

Why was it that when he squeezed your hands in his and he finally looked at you in the eyes, you could feel all the confusing puzzle pieces finally fall into place? Could he see the light bulb go off in your brain?

“What isn’t it about you?” he said, suddenly smiling more brightly than he had since he walked through the door, “One, you’re my best friend. Two, without you I would starve. Three, I realized you have always made my heart do this.” He took one of the hands he was holding and put it on his heart. It was beating rather fast. You could feel your fingers press into the shirt covering his chest, looking for some kind of anchor to keep you on this earth. Now that the two of you were closer, you could feel the light breeze of his wine breath on your face.

Of your own accord, you moved the hand on his chest to the juncture of his neck and shoulder in attempt to not pull him to you but still bring him closer. The only sound you could hear was the foreign film in the background and the sound of your own ragged breath. “What are you thinking?” he asks so quietly, that if it wasn’t silent, you wouldn’t have been able to catch it.

“It’s just that…the feelings I have…I have…I have pressed them so far down because of how much our friendship means to me, how much you mean to me…that I’m just trying to wrap my head around this,” you rambled. Your thumb rubbed at his jaw, reveling in the warmth and softness of his skin there. “Did you know…that I had a crush on you when we first became friends?” you said, not being able to help but chuckle at yourself a little.

“No,” he said, looking down at you.

“But you were with Chaeha and you two were really cute and I wanted to be your friend so bad that I–” you said but in a fast moment, were cut off by Namjoon’s lips against yours. You wanted to cry because you’d thought about it more than you wanted to admit. Repressing your crush on Namjoon was now going to take its toll in the form of big soppy tears that were pooling in your tear ducts.

Pressing your finger into his jaw, you used your hand to bring him closer, a sob stuck in your throat. You used a little more momentum than you had thought to and Namjoon ended up half on top of you as you fell back into the large, squishy couch cushion. His hands were soon around your waist and your arms slipped around his shoulders.

After coming up for air, you managed to get out “Sorry, I’m all emotional. This is all so good but a little much. I just…you overwhelm me…in a good way.” You tacked that bit on at the end because it was true. The very thought and feel of him right now consumed you.

“Please don’t feel pressured to say or do anything you don’t want to,” he said earnestly, “That’s the last thing I want to happen. Your friendship, regardless of this, means everything to me.” You smile, bringing his lips back to you. When you pressed him even closer to you, Namjoon eagerly maneuvered so that you were underneath him on the couch. His fingers brushed your bare sides while yours dipped under the collar of his t-shirt.

He melded to you like you had been there all along.

“I said it earlier but…Happy Valentine’s Day, Y/N,” he said, that big, happy doofy smile blooming across his face.

“You too, Joon,” you said, biting your bottom lip before pulling him in closer. The two of you remained tangled up together for several more minutes until eventually, you ended up on top of Namjoon. When you finally separated, the movie was over and you decided to clear up all your mess on the coffee table except for the wine.

As you reached for the tub of ice cream in order to take it to kitchen, you peered inside only to be disappointed. “Goddamnit, the ice cream melted!” you said annoyedly. But before you could walk to throw it in the trash can, a pair of arms looped around your middle as a chin pressed into your shoulder.

“So did I,” Namjoon said into your ear. You couldn’t help but chortle at the cheesy line. As cheesy as it was, it was still lovely. You wrapped your arms around his and leaned back into him as you help the condensation covered melted tub of ice cream. When his lips reached behind your ear, you leaned forward to place the tub on a surface, not wanting it all over the carpet.

Smiling at that moment, you promised yourself to never call Valentine’s Day a consumerist holiday ever again.

#hyunglinenetwork #btswritingcafe #namjoon x reader #bts fluff #bts angst #bts scenarios #bts fanfiction #namjoon fanfic #bts fanfic #kim namjoon #namjoon #namjoon fluff #namjoon angst #bts #bangtan #joonieblossoms #palepinksuga: writings #writings #fic: drabble

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luxurylives · 5 years

Text

Missing Pieces Part 4

Pairing: Logan x Vanessa Kingsley

Book(s): Ride or Die: A Bad Boy Romance

Word Count: 3,210+

Rating: No rating

Summary: Questions are answered and the truth is revealed.

Author’s Note: The fourth and final part to Missing Pieces. If some names are unfamiliar, the characters are from Hollywood U and/or High School Story. Pixelberry Studios owns the characters. Thank you so much to the hosts for Ride or Die Appreciation Week! I wish I had this uploaded in time, but summer classes are a pain. Thank you to everyone who read!

Tagging: @brightpinkpeppercorn @desiree-0816 @leelee10898 @lilyofchoices @emceesynonymroll @client-327 @cora-nova

Vanessa awoke to rays of sunshine hitting her face. As she rose from the couch, she stretched her arms and legs and took a deep breath. Today was the day for their trip to Boston and she felt more confident. Vanessa opened the curtains, allowing the sun to light up the room. As she neared the bedroom she froze and pressed her ear against the cracked door. Logan was on the phone with someone.

“I can’t even begin how long I have been wanting to hear your voice,” Logan said as his eyes began to water.

“Me too,” Ellie said tearfully.

For a moment, there was silence between them. “As soon as I got back to L.A. I went by the garage, but it was like a ghost town…Colt wasn’t even there”.

“That’s weird…maybe he gave up…or something happened to him…” Logan suggested. He knew Colt was hellbent on continuing his father’s legacy and revenge.

“I doubt it...he’s resourceful” Ellie’s voice trailed off for a moment. “Anyway, that’s not why I called you…I came back looking for you”.

Logan felt his heart race as every memory he shared with Ellie came rushing back to him.

“Where are you?” Ellie asked.

“I’m in Birchport, Massachusetts”.

“What are you doing there?”

“It’s a long story…but I promise I will tell you everything when I get back”.

“I hope you come back soon…I’ve missed you so much”.

“Ellie, listen to me, as soon as I get to Boston and meet her, I promise I am coming straight to you,” Logan said, his voice full of determination.

“I will be right here waiting” Ellie replied.

“When I get back, we can start over, just you and me”.

“What about…well…the Brotherhood? Toby and Ximena were just telling me about this other gang and— “.

“We’ll figure it out when I get back, but right now all I care about is finishing up here so I can see you again”.

“Hurry back okay?”

“I will,” Logan said. “Promise me one thing?”

“Anything”.

“You’ll wait for me at the train station on Friday”.

“I will be there,” Ellie said.

Logan smiled, imagining the look on her face and how it would feel to hold her once again.

“There is one more thing…”.

“What is it?”

“I love you”.

“I love you too, Troublemaker”.

Vanessa closed her eyes and backed away from the door. Her heart shattered into a million pieces, Chelsea had been right all along. She settled back onto the couch and gazed out the window. Once again, someone had played with her heart and stepped on it.

Later on that morning, Vanessa and Logan caught a taxi to her grandparent’s house. Logan tried to talk to Vanessa, but she kept distancing herself from him. Once the driver dropped them off, she quickly walked up to the front door with Logan following behind her.

“Vanessa, can we talk for a minute?” Logan said.

Vanessa brushed him off and took out the key she had and began unlocking the door. It wouldn’t budge so she tried another one she had. Ignoring Logan completely.

“Vanessa, what’s wrong?”

“Wait outside while I grab the keys,” Vanessa said coldly.

Logan was taken aback by her sharp tone and started to respond but figured she needed some space. He took a few steps back as he watched her enter the house and close the door behind her.

Once Vanessa got the keys to the car, they began the two- and a half-hour trip to Boston. As soon as they arrived in the city, Logan began taking in the downtown scenery, noticing how much cleaner and larger it was compared to Las Mente.

“Where did you say this was?” Vanessa asked.

“2612 Russell Street” Logan answered.

Vanessa sighed, remembering how confusing it was to navigate through Boston from the few times her family visited.

“Maybe we can ask someone for directions?” Logan suggested.

“I would not ask a local for directions,” Vanessa said coldly and looked at the address again. “I’m pretty sure that is in the Whitewood neighborhood”.

“Vanessa—” Logan began but stopped himself. There was no use, she wasn’t going to listen to him. He sighed and turned to the window, watching the pedestrians and buildings pass by.

After a while, they arrived in Whitewood, which appeared to be a more suburban and smaller version of Bay Village. Logan nervously tapped his hands on his thighs as Vanessa slowly pulled to a stop in front of a small brick home with black shutters.

“This must be it” Logan took a deep breath and turned to look at Vanessa.

Vanessa looked back at him. She desperately wanted to question him about the conversation she overheard this morning, but she figured it was best to let it go. He had made his choice…and it was not her.

“I guess we should say hi,” he said and gestured towards the front door.

Vanessa shook her head and both of them got out of the car walked up to the front door. Once they got to the front door, Logan rang the doorbell.

A few minutes went by and no one answered the door. Vanessa took out her phone to check the time, only to see twelve missed text messages from Chelsea. “What the hell…?” she said to herself and looked around at the other houses. There wasn’t a single person in sight and an eerie silence swept through the neighborhood. Another text from Chelsea began to come in, Vanessa was about to open it but looked up to see Logan staring at her.

“No answer,” he said with a frown.

“Try knocking,” she said and slid her phone into her purse.

Logan shook his head and knocked on the door and there was still no answer. He backed away and thought back to what Zoe and Rita told him, fearing the worst.

“Maybe she went out?” Vanessa shrugged and rubbed his shoulder.

“Excuse me, can I help you two?”

Both of them turned to see a middle-aged woman with light blonde hair emerge from a taxi carrying a bag of groceries and walking up to the house next door.

“Yes, I am here to see my Grandmother…do you know where she is?”

The woman stopped at the bottom of the steps as Logan and Vanessa joined her.

“Oh, dear…I’m sorry”.

Logan looked between her and Vanessa and furrowed his brows. “What do you mean?”

“She passed away a month ago”.

Logan swallowed looked at the ground, suddenly the world seemed darker to him.

Logan absently stared out the window deep in thought, he had traveled nearly three thousand miles across the country only to be let down. Vanessa came up behind him and rubbed his shoulder before stepping away from him.

“I’ve been picking up her mail for the past few weeks. Her son and niece were supposed to come by and get the house cleaned out and take care of things…but I have yet to hear from either of them”.

Logan turned around to see the woman walk out of a room carrying a small box.

“My name is Hilary Williams by the way,” she said as she set the box down on the coffee table. “I lived next door to Teresa Martinez for years, she was so kind, warm, loving…”.

“I’ll give you two some privacy” Vanessa said quietly and exited the room.

Logan reached inside the box pulling out a photograph, it was similar to the one he saw back at Zoe and Rita’s, except this time it was Hilary sitting at Teresa’s bedside with another man in the photo.

“Who’s the man in the photo?” Logan asked. He pulled out the photo he had in his pocket and held them side by side.

“Dr. Ethan Ramsey,” Hilary said. “He and another young doctor were caring for Teresa while she was at Edenbrook”.

Logan set the other photo down and Hilary picked it up, smiling. “I took this one, that’s Marlene and Sarah”.

“Do you know what happened to her…or how she passed?”

“She had Rhodes disease,” Hilary said with a sigh and proceeded to take out a few more photos that she had of Teresa and passed them to Logan who flipped through each one slowly. “They did everything they possibly could, the younger doctor, Casey Valentine, gave her an experimental drug, but it didn’t cure her”.

Logan remained silent and took in each photo that Hilary had of Teresa. There were a few of Teresa with her son, one taken at the Boston Common and Public Garden, and another at the Symphony Hall.

“The last time I visited her, she said she wished that she could have done more for you”.

“Wait…she knew about me?”

Hilary shook her head. “She did, she knew your mother was not well, your father was gone, her son couldn’t care for you either…but she kept hoping that one day she would get to see your face”.

Logan felt a tear slid down his cheek and wiped it away.

Hilary reached over and patted his knee. “When Teresa passed, she did leave a will and made sure to include you”.

Logan looked up from the photos. “Where is it?”

“With her lawyer, I’m pretty sure I have his contact information…” Hilary reached into her purse and took out her wallet. After a few minutes of searching, she handed Logan a business card.

“Duke Oakley, Darrow & Lockwood Law” Logan flipped it over, seeing a phone number written on the back. “Is this her attorney’s cell phone number?”

Hilary shook her head and then looked at the clock on the wall. “If you hurry, you might catch him before he leaves for the day”.

Logan stood up and shook hands with Hilary. “Thank you,” he said.

Hilary smiled and pulled him in for a quick hug. “Good luck,” she said.

A while later, Logan and Vanessa arrived at the law firm in McCord Bend, one of Boston’s influential neighborhoods within the downtown area. After convincing the parking garage attendant they had a meeting with one of the attorneys, Vanessa parked the car and they headed inside. Soon they approached the elevator and rode it to one of the top floors. Logan was nervous and kept wondering what Teresa wrote and left him, his heart was racing. After a few minutes, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened to an empty hallway. As Logan and Vanessa stepped off, a few lawyers stepped on talking amongst themselves. Soon they reached the office that belonged to Duke Oakley.

“Well…this is where I leave you” Vanessa took a step back and pushed some of her auburn hair behind her ear.

Logan took a deep breath and turned to look at the door to the office. He started to knock but stopped himself. Beads of sweat had formed on his forehead and his breath quickened.

“Vanessa…I…” he started to say but his brain was not functioning, and he couldn’t speak.

“I’ll wait downstairs” Vanessa coldly turned on her heel and walked down the hall, momentarily disappearing as she turned the corner.

Logan knew she was upset with him, she had every right to be. Especially since she got him this far. He turned back to the door and knocked a few times.

“Come in,” said the voice on the other side.

Logan took a deep breath and opened the door. The moment he had been waiting for was happening right now.

“Can I help you?” the man asked. He was sitting at his desk putting some files into his leather briefcase. The sleeves of his dress shirt were rolled up and his tie was loosened.

“My name is Logan and I believe you were my grandmother’s attorney…you must be Duke Oakley” Logan showed him the business card he received from Hilary.

“Yes, I am…who is your grandmother?”

“Teresa Martinez” Logan answered.

Duke stared at Logan for a moment and shook his head, trying to place him.

Logan quickly took the photos he had out of his pocket and handed them to Duke. “I just met with Hilary Williams before I came here and she— “.

Duke took the photos from him and studied them closely, after a moment he looked up at Logan and gestured to the chair across from his desk. “Please, have a seat”.

Logan slowly sat down as Duke walked over to a file cabinet and unlocked it. After a few minutes, he pulled out a file and sat down across from him.

“Teresa showed me a picture of you that was taken at your tenth birthday party,” Duke said as he opened the file and took out Teresa’s will. “She wanted you to come to Boston, but her health was failing, and she knew she couldn’t take care of you”.

“I know, Hilary mentioned she had Rhodes disease,” Logan said. “She also mentioned she had a son and niece…my cousins”.

Duke shook his head. “Yes, Raquel and Luis”.

“Do you know anything about them?”

“Eh…Luis has had a few run-ins with the law so to speak and Raquel keeps to herself. They joined Ms. Williams for the reading and that was the only time I saw them”.

Logan shook his head, it wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear but he was comfortable knowing he had some relatives out there. “Do you know if they live in Boston?”

Duke stroked his neatly trimmed beard and rested his elbows on his desk, clearly thinking back to the day he met with them. “I’m pretty sure they do, not sure where exactly but rest assured, they are in the city”.

Logan shook his head as he began to soak everything in. He wished there was a way to meet his cousins but figured there may be a reason as to why they didn’t want to be bothered.

“I tell you what, I will see what I can do on my end to get all three of you in the same room…I know Teresa would have wanted to see you all together”.

Logan looked up his heart racing. “Mr. Oakley, you don’t have to—”.

Duke held up a hand to stop him. “Teresa wrote to me before she passed and wanted to make sure you met your cousins…and I visited my father and brother in Montana not too long ago, so I understand how important this is.''

“Thank you,” Logan said quietly.

“You’re welcome, and now without further ado…Teresa’s will” Duke tightened his grip on the will and began reading.

Logan took a deep breath and leaned forward, carefully listening to every word.

Vanessa stood at the elevator impatiently, after a few minutes she gave up and bailed towards the stairs. She flung the door open and as she descended the stairs, she felt her legs give out. She couldn’t hold the tears back any longer. As she reached the second landing, she stopped and leaned against the wall, sobbing. How could she have been so stupid to trust him? Why did she let her guard down? Did she even have a chance with him? Vanessa wiped her eyes and took out her phone—Chelsea was calling.

“Hey Chels” Vanessa answered.

“Vanessa, where the hell are you?!”

Vanessa sighed and lowered the phone, after a moment she raised it back to her ear. “I’m in Boston with...Marco”.

“Oh my god Vanessa, you…oh my god…”.

Something about the tone in Chelsea’s voice sent a chill down her spine, Vanessa took a few steps forward and continued down the stairs.

“Vanessa, you need to get away from him…you have no idea who he really is”.

“Wait…I…what are you talking about?”

“His name isn’t Marco, it’s Logan!”

Vanessa froze and gripped the railing. “What...?”

Chelsea sighed impatiently on the other end of the line. “I met up with Ingrid and she was showing me the pictures she took at prom, one of the photos had that girl, Ellie I told you about in the background and Marco or Logan was in the photo! She was draped all over him!”.

Vanessa breathed slowly, her heart thumping in her chest.

“Ingrid told me they were hooking up, but that is beside the point! Logan is involved in a gang called Mercy Park Crew and they have pissed off a lot of dangerous people and are wanted by the police! That Emilio guy I told you about? Was in on it too! He was murdered by someone in a gang that was after them!”

Vanessa paced the landing nervously, “But…how…?”.

“Ingrid went to prom with Brent, who threw a party and invited Logan. Logan sold him stolen cars and set him up for a drug bust!”

Vanessa’s head was spinning, and her heart was racing. She looked up seeing the door starting to open and quickly hurried down the stairs.

“You need to get away from him! I went by the Lilac Palm and the manager said Javier has not been there in days!”.

Vanessa felt beads of sweat forming on her forehead…today was Thursday…she had lost track of the days with everything going on. She looked up hearing footsteps and hushed voices speaking in Spanish.

“I think Javier is involved in a gang…a different gang that is after anyone in the Mercy Park Crew”.

Vanessa’s mind raced back to the night she was at Ingrid’s house with Chelsea and how she mentioned the gun and the pictures of the two cars. Javier was probably planning a hit or was sent by someone who had put a hit on Logan.

“Vanessa, tell me where you are! Something is going on and I’m sure these people who are out to get Logan and anyone else involved with that crew will not hesitate to kill you too!”

Vanessa felt tears running down her cheeks. She was about to speak, but froze, the voices and footsteps above her had stopped.

“Vanessa?!”

“Chelsea…I don’t think I’m alone” Vanessa whispered into the phone and crouched on the stairs. She tried to see who was up above.

“Vanessa, where are you?”

Vanessa slowly lowered her phone and swallowed, her heart was racing. She didn’t even know what floor she was on but she was certain of one thing, she wasn’t close to the ground floor.

“Vanessa!”

Vanessa slowly moved down a step and then another, just as she reached the next landing, she jumped as the door flew open. An older man in a grey suit carrying a briefcase stood above her.

“Can I help you?”

Without thinking, Vanessa shoved the man out of her way and took off running. She briefly looked over her shoulder and saw three masked figures emerge from the stairwell, in hot pursuit. A scuffle broke out as one of the figures threw the man who stopped her down the stairs. Vanessa winced, as she heard a gunshot follow. The other two bolted towards her, reaching for their guns.

“¡No la dejes escapar!” she heard someone shout.

“Vanessa! What is going on?!”

Vanessa quickly disconnected the call and continued running, blinking back tears. She hated herself, this is what she got for trusting a bad boy and developing feelings for him in the process. He had dragged her into his mess and there was now a dark road ahead of her.

#rodaw #choices fanfic #choices stories you play #choices rod #ride or die #rodaw reblog mar #choices fanfiction #ride or die: a bad boy romance

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elliotthezubat · 6 years

Text

DEATH CITY DAYS CHAPTER 104

more monte cristo stuff and the agency gains a new member!

[[cont from part 103]]

Francesca: *looking at photos on the walls* <...I see where you get your eyes.> *points to one photo of a child with Valentine's grandparents--who are also much younger in the photo*

valentine: ^///^; aww...

Francesca: *sad smile* <Sorry. I know you didn't...>

valentine: it's fine, fran, really.

Francesca: "..." *shudders, holding onto herself*

valentine:...fran? are you ok?

Francesca: *shakes her head* <I-I see how well you get along with them...and I miss him...>

valentine:....*hugs*

{*a little girl smiles as her father enters...he's in a military uniform*}

{Fran: <Daddy!>}

{fran's father: *hugs her* <hello, sunshine.> ^^}

{Fran: <Hee hee...Daddy hasn't shaved!>}

{fran's father: <oh my, seems i forgot> ^^; }

{Fran: <Go shave before Mommy gets upset!>}

{fran's father: <ok, sunshine, i will.>}

Francesca: <...> *holds onto Valentine*

-elsewhere-

Joker: *smoking on the roof, looking out at Amaterasu*

nana: .....

Joker: *points* "Don't go near that place..."

nana: ....someone died there, didnt they?

Joker: "..." *nods* "Lot of people..."

nana:.....do you remember your mom and dad?.....i only remember my mom....she left and never came back for me....it's because of what i am, wasnt it?

Joker: "...Beats me what happened to my parents. But given what I know of the Shadows, I wouldn't blame your mom...If she came back, the Shadows wouldn't let her have you."

nana:.......i wish she would....but i know she wont....

Joker: "...Sorry."

nana: ....if i wasnt born romani, i wouldnt be here....

Joker: "It's not fair, is it?"

nana: *sniff*

Joker: "..." *pat on shoulder* "I'm sorry, kid..."

nana: 7~7

Joker: "Just let it out..."

nana: *gross crying*

Joker: "..." *hug*

nana: !!!!

Joker: "I'm so sorry for what they put you through..."

nana: ........

Joker: "It can get better..."

nana: how?

Joker: "Find something you want to do to make this world better."

nana:....

-elsewhere-

stocking: *enters, looking exhausted*

Kid: "Welcome home...Tired?"

stocking: *walks past him and flops face first onto the bed, groaning into the mattress*

Kid: ._.; "..." *sits on the side of the bed, rubs her lower back gently*

stocking: *pleased groan*

Kid: "Rough day?"

stocking: *responsive grunt*

Kid: "I'm sorry...Just rest. Can I get you anything?"

stocking: i demand cuddles. =3=

Kid: "..." *lies down, holds her*

stocking: *purrs* can i lay my head on your lap?

Kid: ^^; *sits up, letting her head rest on his lap*

stocking: =///w///= *purrs*

Kid: *strokes her head* "So cute~"

stocking: hehe~<3 u/////u

Kid: *hums*

-elsewhere-

heloise: ......

Villeforte: <You took your time getting home...>

heloise: ...<traffic was terrible.>

Villeforte: *spots her shopping bag* <But not so bad to waste more money on cosmetics...>

heloise: <is that so wrong?>

Villeforte: <...Valentine is at her grandparents tonight. Did you put down Edourard for his nap?>

heloise: <of course i did!>

Villeforte: <?! ...Thank you. I have some work to finish...> *turns away on his cane*

heloise: ......*glares* *heading upstairs to her room* ......*unpacking her bag and looking at one bottle*

*it looks like a liquid...labeled 'brucide'*

heloise:....

{Fawkes: <Brucide?>

{heloise: <yes. i can offer you any ammount of money you'll take for it.>}

{Fawkes: <...What do I need money for? Besides, it's a common enough medicine--I'm sure a physician could write you a prescription...>}

{heloise: ..... }

{*behind Fawkes are different insects in glass cages*}

{heloise: !!! <what are those ghastly things?!> }

{Fawkes: <...Bugs. You know? Insects?>}

{*one seems to be on fire...*}

{heloise: ?! }

{Fawkes: *sighs* <These things--> *taps the glass* <--may clue us into why humans are blowing up.>

{heloise: <these?>}

{Fawkes: <Yes, these...Between you and me, I think they turn humans into those Infernals.>}

{heloise:.....<how dreadful...>}

{Fawkes: <Indeed...That's why we need to learn how they can cause that in humans...to stop it, of course...> *turns his back to her, while he adjusts something on the cages...*

{heloise:.... *glances at a bottle* }

{Fawkes: *still turned away from her...*}

{heloise:....*takes the bottle*}

{Fawkes: "..." *smiling while she's not able to see him*}

heloise: (im amazed how i managed to get away with it so easily... oh think of what i can do with that money. vacations in milan, penthouse in new york, and then....) *thinking about wilmore* =w= hehehehe.....

{Wilmore: *strokes her face* <Such soft skin...>}

heloise: *drooling*

-elsewhere-

Dumas: *shudders*

marquis: ?? <is something wrong?>

Dumas: O~O; <...Did someone leave the window open? I felt a chill...>

-elsewhere-

Aizawa: "...This means keeping the location secret even more important..."

nezu: indeed.

Aizawa: "You briefed Kan yet?"

nezu: indeed i have. the buses will take different routes to the location.

Aizawa: "What did background checks on the bus drivers turn up?"

-elsewhere-

Twice: "Okay, so, according to the Internet, a typical human can lose 3 pints of blood before dying..."

himiko: take two pints, got it.

Dabi: -_-# "They only take _1 pint_ when you _donate it_..."

himiko:....one and a half pints, got it.

Twice: *slides the panel on the door* "Hello! Please put your arm through here!"

Queen: *curled up in the corner* "..."

himiko: queeeeeeeniiiiiiie~ we'll give you a cookie if you doooooo~

Queen: "..."

himiko: owo want me to come on in? OK! *goes in* wanna talk about crushes? OwO

Queen: *gets up, back to the wall, assuming a fighting pose*

himiko: aww, she wants to play! ^^

Dabi: "We're not supposed to cause undue harm..." *takes out a rag* "Let's just knock her out..."

-elsewhere-

Stevi: *still 'wearing' Reina's face* "No luck finding her...Damn...They hide in public, no one spotting them...Inside person...Spies...Whole plan they have going..." *mutter mutter...*

reina: ._.;;;;

Stevi: "...I made it awkward..." *reverts, to their faceless appearance* *their voice seems to come out of nowhere* <Is this better?>

reina: ^^;

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: "Wash up."

sonia: ok papa.

miyuri: ok! ....how do you wash dishes? owo;

Chuuya: "..." *gets the step-stool*

miyuri: *watching*

Chuuya: "First, use a fork or paper towel to brush the big food off into the trash can..."

miyuri: *nods*

Chuuya: "Then we take one drop of dish soap...to scrub the plate clean."

miyuri: ooooh!

sonia: ...*smile*

Chuuya: "Right...Make sure to scrub the rough greasy spot..."

-elsewhere-

Akutagawa: "Be careful."

gin: we will.

Tachihara: "I promise, nothing bad will happen to me."

naoya: i got you guys covered. ^^

Akutagawa: *nods* "Thank you...Give them hell."

-elsewhere-

Mantis: -^- "At least he paid us...but that Church fiasco..."

nailfile: no shit.

izzy:....

Lust oni: "What's wrong, Izzy?"

izzy: just...still annoyed is all.

Lust oni: "D'aw, that's too bad, sweetie...That clown man bother you?"

izzy: not him....it's burns that's pissing me off....

Lust oni: "??? The Church?"

izzy: he went full name basis on me. and THEN he had to bring up those fucks from haijima. like, FUCK, let me live my damn life in peace already!

Lust oni: "You're right--it's not fair...Want to kidnap him?"

izzy: nah, it aint really worth it.

Lust: >w> "...Could I~?"

izzy: ....

-gunshots from outside-

izzy: the fuck?

Mantis: "?!" *grabs a knife...*

-silence-

-the door then is shot into the room at high force-

izzy: !??!

nailfile: what the hell?!

hirotsu: good evening. i hope you dont mind us dropping in.

Tachihara: "We're just in for the drink special..."

hirotsu: and i believe you're in our seats.

izzy: tch- _your_ seats? just who the hell are you anyway?

Tachihara: "The people who control this bar, this port--" *aims his pistol at Izzy's head* "--and soon this town..."

izzy: *whistle* well arent you cocky.

Tachihara: "I don't like to brag..." *wink*

Lust oni: o\\\w\\\o

Mantis: "Nuts to that! We're the Hell Blaze Gang!"

hirotsu: so we've heard. tell you what, we'll give you two options, the first being leave now without any troubles.

izzy: and if we refuse?

hirotsu: then it wont be pleasant for you.

Gin: "..."

Mantis: *bug hiss*

izzy: really....well then gramps....*holds up her dice* wanna gamble with fate?

Gin: "???"

izzy: *drops the dice, which releases a smoke screen*

Gin: -_-;

Tachihara: *covers his mouth...*

izzy: *PUNCH*

Tachihara: *knocked down* "OW, MY NOSE!"

Gin: "?!" *aims...tosses--*

Mantis: *catches*

Gin: "?!!"

Mantis: *throws--*

Gin: *dodges, leaps behind overturned table*

Waitress: "FUCK THIS! THE TIPS AREN'T WORTH IT!" >~<

Tachihara: *shooting at their table*

Mantis: *sneaking on Tachihara through the smoke...tackles Tachihara, dragging him into the smoke*

Tachihara: "SHIT!"

hirotsu: !!!

nailfile: *lunches*

hirotsu: *dodges and grabs her by the arm and throws her*

nailfile: GAH!

Gin: *pulls out something from her jacket*

naoya: BEHIND YOU!

Gin: *tosses the kunai over her shoulder, and the bomb at their table*

-FWSSHHHH-

Lust oni: *coughing* "Ugh!"

Gin: "Naoya, close the exit..."

naoya: got it!

Lust oni: *frowns* "Oh, no you don't!" *stiffens their body--which becomes engulfed in flames*

naoya: !!!!!

Lust oni: *runs at Naoya*

Gin: "Naoya!" *finds the extinguisher ball, tosses--*

-nice catch-

-TOSS-

*sonic vibrations shake around Lust, their flames going out as they cover their ears*

Izzy: mantis, get in there!

*from the lingering smoke, Mantis's blade flies out--it pins Gin to the wall by her sleeve*

Gin "?!" *ripping at the sleeve*

*looks like Mantis is emerging from the smoke behind Izzy*

izzy: took you long enough-

*a sound of the safety being taken off a gun is heard, its muzzle at the back of Izzy's head, and a knife put in front of her neck from behind*

izzy: ?!?!

???: "Now, then...How 'bout giving us back our table?"

*Tachihara, wearing Mantis's clothes, stands behind Izzy*

izzy: you little shit...

Mantis: *punched, collapsed without his clothes on the floor* X~X

Tachihara: "Hee hee..."

-elsewhere-

Kid: "Zzz..."

stocking: *snuggles*

Kid: =w= *sleep snuggle*

stocking: love you kiddo~

Kid: "Love you, Stocking..."

-morning-

naho: =~=;;;

Sakuya: "What's wrong?"

naho: just got into a ship war with some person online last night. =3= kinda in a sour mood.

tsubaki: want us to call your friends over?

naho: *nods*

Sakuya: "That should be fun..."

Black Star: "..."

naho: yeah, i know maki's wisdom and naomin's open-mindedness will cheer me up!

Black Star: "Good attitude!"

-elsewhere-

Gin: "One torn sleeve...Not terrible."

higuchi: im just glad you didnt get hurt to bad. *sewing the sleeve*

Gin: "Likewise. Now to be ready for their inevitable counter-attack..."

higuchi: yeah....im still worried about the rats to be honest....

Gin: *nods* "Even with the pardon, they could be anywhere...We'll need new security."

higuchi: and allies...

-elsewhere-

Lucy: *doing push-ups*

kirako: *reading the paper*

-more ability users appearing from the woodwork! could it be the fallout of the death city mist incident?-

Tanizaki: "Scary stuff..."

kirako: i guess those abilities had to go _somewhere_ if not to their original owners...

Lucy: *finishes* *pants* "But...could you imagine that? Like, if my Anne went to someone else? Or if Tanizaki's did?"

Tanizaki: "..." ("Or if I got mine...")

kirako: it would be quite scary.

Lucy: "Y-Yeah..."

Tanizaki: *looking dour*

yosano: or if i got some other ability entirely.

Dazai: "Good morning, everyone--" *he's in a furry tiger suit*

kirako: .....

ranpo: cool pjs.

Tanizaki: O_O;

Dazai: "Thankee!"

atsushi:....im gonna take a nap in the clinical room now.

Lucy: -_-# "I find this offensive and will kick your butt down the street..."

Kunikida: *hears Lucy* "..." *single tear*

fukuzawa: before you do that, we got a case.

Tanizaki: "O-Oh?"

fukuzawa: it seems a middle aged man in the suburbs has recently awakened an ability and refuses to leave his room. his wife contacted us in hopes we could convince him to leave the building.

Lucy: "Oh, like Mr. Katai?"

kenji: i'll help!

Tanizaki: "I'll go, too."

atsushi: same here.

kenji: ^^

Lucy: "Have fun!"

Kunikida: "Don't screw up."

-elsewhere-

valentine: <thanks for having us over.> *hugs*

Mrs. Saint-Merand: ^^ *hug* <You're always welcomed.>

Mr. Saint-Merand: >_>;

Francesca: "..."

valentine: <see you soon.> *waves*

Mr. Saint-Merand: <D-Don't be a stranger...> >_>;;

Francesca: ^^; ("How sweet...")

-elsewhere-

maki: ^^

naomi: thanks for inviting us out today.

naho: ^^

Master: "Orders are on their way...Here are your drinks."

naho: thanks!

Sakuya: *sips on his cola* "How've things been at the Fire Company?"

maki: we did get some new recruits. ^^

Tsubaki: "That's exciting. How are they getting along? They becoming new friends?"

maki: yeah. petra's a bit stubborn, but rita's really sweet.

Sakuya: "Those are the nuns, right?"

maki: mmhmm. ^^

Tsubaki: "Anything special the Agency is doing for summer, Naomi?"

naomi: still thinking on that.

Tsubaki: "Same, I'm afraid. It's been surprisingly busy..."

naomi: yeah, especially since the mist incident.

Sakuya: "What was that, anyway?"

naomi: i still dont know. bro's still shook up about it...

Sakuya: "Sorry."

Tsubaki: *nods* "That's too bad...He's still at work?"

naomi: yeah, he's actually working a case today.

Sakuya: "Hope it goes well.

naho: *nods*

Tsubaki: "..." *smiles* "How about a get-together? We could cook something for him."

naho: yeah, that's great! it'd be like sebby cooking for ciel! >w<

naomi: i know! >w<

maki: ^w^

Tsubaki: "...Um...Yes." ^^;

Sakuya: *sips*

naho: now that i mention it, i should probably bring up what's bothering me. you know 'youkai gakuen' right?

naomi: um, YEAH! the anime announcement just came up and im so excited!

naho: yeah! takagi and shima-kun are so OTP!

naomi: totes!

maki: you mentioned a ship war, please dont tell me you got into the TakaShi vs TakaMoto drama.

naomi: i wont judge, im a multishipper anyway, gotta keep an open mind. ^

naho: it's not that, this person ships TakaShi too...

naomi: but you said-

Tsubaki: O_O; *whispers to Sakuya* "What is--"

Sakuya: -_-; "Just listen sympathetically..."

naho: the PROBLEM IS THEY SAID SHIMA IS AN UKE AND TAKAGI IS A SEME! THEY'RE WRONG! IT'S TOTES THE OTHER WAY AROUND! SHIMA-KUN IS THE SEME AND _TAKAGI_ IS THE UKE!

naomi + maki:............*FALLING OUT OF THEIR SEATS*

Master: *looks up* "???"

Sakuya: "?!"

Tsubaki: ._.;

naomi: is...is that so. ^^;

naho: *nods*

naomi: i can understand where you're coming from, it's one of my switch ships.

naho: really?

Tsubaki: ("...Is that...a transformer? A 'switch ship' into another vessel, like a plane or--") @_@

maki: you're probably confused. allow me to explain, a switch ship, AKA Riba ship, is a pairing in which the positions of seme, the top partner, and uke, the bottom partner, can be easily interchanged.

naho:...naomin...maki....Q~Q you're so wise.

Sakuya: -__-;;

Tsubaki: .\\\\. "...Oh..."

naomi: oh, the food's here!

-elsewhere-

Tanizaki: "Just around the corner..."

kenji: here it is! ^^

-it's a small two-story house in a suburb, a middle aged woman is on the lawn, concerned-

Tanizaki: "Hello, ma'am. We're from the Armed Detective Agency..."

woman: yes, thank you. my husband's in our room, and he's refusing to leave. he developed this ability to shoot blasts of ice a few days ago...

Tanizaki: "Hmm...I promise, we'll do our best."

kenji: *heading in and knocks on the door*

???: d-dont come in! please! s-stay away!

Tanizaki: "It's okay, sir. We're ability users, too, from the Armed Detective Agency--"

-ICE BLAST-

kenji: woah!

Tanizaki: *falls back, just dodging icicles* "Damn!" O_O;

???: "STAY AWAY!"

kenji: wow, that was pretty strong, sir! i bet you'll be able to keep really cool during the summer!

???: "ARE YOU NOT LISTENING TO ME, CHILD?! I DON'T WANT THIS ABILITY! JUST--JUST--" *sobbing*

kenji: it's ok, mister. you're still the same person you were, right? you just have powers now is all.

???: "I don't want them! I'm a freak, and I'm scared I'm going to get someone killed!"

kenji: we know a place you can get help. the agency building also has a consultation office you can talk to.

???: Q_Q "I can't leave here!"

kenji: dont worry, i'll carry you there! *opens the door and lifts him up*

???: "EEEK!" *swinging his arms*

Tanizaki: ._.; "...I-I'll just make a cover?"

kenji: when i first developed my ability, it was scary, but i soon got used to it, and now i have so many new friends. ^^

???: "Why would I want friends?! I just want to not screw this up!" *crying...ice*

woman: *hugs* there there, you're still the same person you were.

???: "!!!! I-I don't want to freeze you!"

kenji: dont worry, the consultation office can help you to understand your ability and try to control it.

???: T~T "F-Fine...Just don't let the neighbors see me..."

-elsewhere-

marquis: <crepes anyone?>

Dumas: -_-; <This is a bad idea...We're supposed to be incognito...>

marquis: <we are!>

Dumas: *he's just in a hoodie* >_>; "..." <My other disguises are being washed...>

boy: *bump*

Dumas: "???" *looks*

Cervantes: ^W^ <Pardon, little one.>

boy: *running*

Dumas: "Hmph." <Must be in a hurry...Fine...Let me buy some crepes--> *pats himself* "..." *pats himself more* "... ... ..." *frantically patting himself*

boy: *sprinting*

Cervantes: *cackling* <You got pickpocketed! The brilliant tactician and strongman got his stuff stolen--> *pats his side--and notices his rapier is missing* "... ... ..." *fierce frown* “FIND THAT CHILD, AND SEND HIM TO HELL!”

boy: Q~Q *runs into an alley* WAAAAH!!!

Dumas: *in pursuit* <YES, HIDE IN THE SHADOWS--THEY MAKE ME ALL THE STRONGER!>

Cervantes: <I'LL USE HIS BONES AS MY NEW SWORDS!>

boy: *crying*

-DOUBLE CHOP-

marquis: <now both of you stop it! cant you see he's scared senseless?>

boy: <p-please, i-*hic* i'll gi-give your stuff ba-ack..>

Dumas: >_<# <What the hell did you steal our stuff for anyway?!>

Cervantes: X_X

boy: <pl-please, my mama and uncle, we're poor and dont have much!>

marquis: ...

Dumas: -^- <And that makes it right to rob us?>

boy: Q~Q <w-wha-what else can i do, huh??>

marquis: *hug* <there there, it's ok. we'll help you.>

boy: <r-really?>

Dumas: "..." <What?>

marquis: *nods* ^^

boy: *sniff* <t-thank you...>

marquis: <anytime. what's your name, sweetie?>

boy: <b-benedetto..b-but my friends call me 'benny'!>

Cervantes: *gets up* <How blessed!>

Dumas: -_-; <We're not adopting kids...How are we supposed to walk around town with him?>

marquis: <well......does wilmore have kids~?>

Dumas: "... ... ..." *sneers at Benedetto*

benedetto:... *gulp*

-elsewhere-

Lust oni: -3- "How humiliating..."

izzy: damn, they dont fuck around, do they?

Mantis: "I SAY WE GET BACK AT THEM!" *he's covered in a blanket*

-elsewhere-

Dumas: *evil chuckle*

benedetto: *disguised as a girl* =~=;

marquis: <oh, you look absolutely adorable!>

Cervantes: <What should we name our child?>

benedetto: >n<

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: "How was school?"

sonia: it went well.

Chuuya: "I know it's another big adjustment..."

sonia: yeah, but mr cavendish is nice enough.

Chuuya: *smiles* "That's good...How much homework tonight?"

sonia: just a bit. im gonna go do that now.

Chuuya: "Okay. Miyuri was lying down earlier..."

miyuri: *busy doodling upstairs*

Chuuya: "I'll make some snacks..."

-elsewhere-

eiko: so, i hear you're looking for information, eh?

Kurogiri: "Yes. We could use some muscle..."

eiko: i see. well, i did make up some profiles from reports and photos i've taken. *hands him a folder*

Kurogiri: *takes it, opens one file* "Hmm...The locations of some of these are not known...What about this one?"

eiko: oh, taken an interest in muscular, eh? from what i've heard, he's currently on the run. from what i hear, he was supposedly last seen somewhere in yellowstone park.

Kurogiri: "...How convenient. We had some other business there..."

eiko: is that so now?

Kurogiri: "Well, around there...Having Muscular would make the labor easier."

eiko: i see. i wish you the best of luck in your search then.

Kurogiri: "And I'll trust you to keep us up to date on locations of people of interest."

eiko: as always. my camera is always ready for a snapshot~

Kurogiri: *nods* *takes the file*

-elsewhere-

Shinoda: *prepping something in the kitchen*

nea: =w=

Shinoda: "And you want a cherry on top?" *scoops more ice cream*

nea: yes please~<3

{little nea: *walking through the hallways* ^^ }

{Mafioso: *standing upright against a wall, holding a gun*}

{little nea: <hello~ is papa in?>}

{Mafioso: <Yes. He is meeting someone...>}

{little nea: =3= <im bored.>}

{Mafioso 2: ^^; <...Want to play a game?>}

{little nea: *nods* ^^}

{Mafioso 2: <Okay, what're you up for? A puzzle? Tag?>}

{little nea: <boss practice!>}

{Mafioso 2: OwO; <...'Kay...Um, 'Boss,' what are your orders?>}

{little nea: <get me ice cream! chop chop!>}

{Mafioso 2: TwT <Okay...I think we have vanilla, chocolate-->}

nea: hehe ^^

-elsewhere-

Wilhelm: "You can't catch me!" >w<

jakob: *laughing*

Kafka: -^-; ("Stuck babysitting...again. Typical...")

{gretchen: *playing with her doll*}

{Franz: *reading* *looks up* <Having fun?>}

{gretchen: *nods* <claudia seems to like her new dress.>}

{Franz: <That's good. You'll need to keep it clean--it was pricy.>}

{gretchen: }

{Franz: *nods* *looks out the window* <...They still aren't home...>}

{gretchen: .....}

{Franz: "..." *sighs* <Should I start dinner?>}

hans: kafka, kids, dinner's about ready now!

Kafka: *still sitting, motionless*

hans:...kafka?

Kafka: *wipes his face* "I-I heard you..."

-elsewhere-

maki: im back!

Takehisa: "Welcome back. I'm setting the table now."

maki: sweet? what're we having?

Takehisa: *stares at her* "..."

{Takehisa: *sitting at a curry stand, with a satchel of his belongings* "..."}

{maki: ...?? *salutes* sir? }

{Takehisa: "..." *salutes* "Private Oze...What are you doing here?" *he's not in his uniform...*}

{maki: just on a patrol run, you off duty?}

{Takehisa: "...Off duty, permanently."}

{maki: !!! oh no! you werent discharged, were you? D8> }

{Takehisa: "..." *nods* "Dereliction of duty, defying protocol, interfering with rescue and recovery--"}

{maki: yikes...}

{Takehisa: "...Can I be blunt with you? I know I'm no longer your superior, but I have some advice."}

{maki: what is it?}

{Takehisa: "You're soft."}

{maki: excuse me?}

{Takehisa: "You're soft. Now, I am not referring to your physical abilities--I have monitored your training regiment, your endurance is admirable. But emotionally, you're too soft to be a soldier. And this military has no place for soft people: your commanders will stomp on you to ascend higher in the ranks, and you'll be nothing more than a sacrificial lamb in any military engagement."

{maki: ...well _that's_ depressing...}

{Takehisa: "You should quit."}

{maki: i would, but my dad would flip...}

{Takehisa: "Yes, he would...Do you like being in the military?"}

{maki: hm....}

{Takehisa: "..." *pours a drink* "I think your talents are better elsewhere."}

{maki: like where?}

{Takehisa: "...How good are you with fire?"}

Takehisa: *sets down her plate*

maki: thanks for the food!

Takehisa: "You're welcome." *sits with her* "How is your friend doing?"

maki: she's doing better now.

Takehisa: "...That was kind of you."

maki: ^^

Takehisa: "..." *small smile, eats*

-elsewhere-

Daisy: *slams down her beer mug* "Another!"

Jordan: ^^; "Good to catch up..."

owl eyes: indeed.

Daisy: "Yo, Erina--you need a refill on your drink?!"

Allison: ^^;;;

erina: im fine, thanks. ^^;

Jordan: *pats her hand*

Daisy: "Then Owl Eyes! You can't just keep being a tea total--tea total--a sober guy!" *hic*

owl eyes: -)_(- someone has to be the designated driver here.

Daisy: -3- "Fiiiiiiiiiiine."

Allison: "So, your boss still all rich and stuff?"

owl eyes: yes, pretty much.

Jordan: "He's going to Italy!"

erina: wow!

Daisy: "Shhhhh...It's a secret!" >_<

-elsewhere-

Joker: *checks on Nana's room*

nana: *asleep, holding something under her pillow*

Joker: "???" *sneaks in...*

nana: *jumps onto him, holding a butter knife up to his throat*

Joker: "..." ._x; "...No, see, you want to aim here where the jugular is--"

nana: =n= dont go startling me then.

Joker: "I was checking to make sure you were sleeping well and not suffocating on your pillow!"

nana: for your information, im a light sleeper.

Joker: "Milk usually helps. Or a hot bath. Or pills--"

scarlet: *ahem*

Joker: "??? Yes, Red--you got an idea?"

scarlet: im about to head home for the night, and i have a spare room-

nana: *hug*

Joker: "Super! I'll pack an overnight--"

nana: *HISSSSS*

Joker: Q_X "You're so mean tonight..."

-elsewhere-

{???:....<traitor....>}

{Fernand: "?!"}

{-a corpse like man grabs fernand by the neck-}

{???: <you killed me!>}

{Fernand: <L-Let go! Who the hell are you?!>}

{???: <you killed me! you killed me!>}

{Fernand: *growls* <Then I'll have to kill you again!>}

???: <fernand?>

Fernand: *screams*

mercedes: <fernand! please, calm down!>

Fernand: *panting...hugs her*

mercedes: !!!.....*pat pat*

Fernand: *shaking* "..." <Sorry for waking you...>

mercedes: <bad dream?> ^^;

Fernand: "..." *nods*

mercedes: <need something to drink?>

Fernand: *nods*

-morning-

hermine:.......*looking out the window*

*there's a garden outside...looks like the spring saplings are growing well...*

{hermine: *rubs her stomach*}

{*knock on the door*}

{hermine: !! }

{*a man walks into the room*}

{???: <Pardon. Your maid let me in...>}

{hermine: !!! <you...> }

{???: "..." *nods* <...I had not seen you at the last fundraiser party...> *sits across from her*}

{hermine:..<why are you here? if->}

{???: <...I had heard you and your husband were expecting...>}

{hermine:.........*shakes*}

{???: <...He doesn't know, does he?>}

{hermine:....*whisper* <it's not his...>}

{???: <...You don't mean...?>}

{hermine:...*she nods*}

{???: <...Oh.>}

{hermine: <im scared.....>}

{???: <Hey...> *holds her hand*}

{hermine: .....}

{???: <You know what would happen if your husband learned...or what would happen to you...or to my career.>}

{hermine: ...<what should i do?>}

{???: <Let him think it's his.>}

hermine:.....

Eugenie: <Mama!> ^w^

hermine: !!! <oh, gigi, you startled me...>

Eugenie: *rests her head on her lap* <I'm sorry...You look sad.>

hermine:...<would you like a snack?>

Eugenie: *nods*

hermine: *smile* <how about pudding?>

Eugenie: <Yes!>

-elsewhere-

Nurse: -_-; <What a cranky old man...>

noirtier:....

{Villefort: *opens the door* <You!> *he's holding some files*}

{noirtier: hm?}

{Villefort: *slams down a file* <Another lie, Father?! When does it ever stop with you?! Now I find out you're...you were...>}

{noirtier: <-part of mimic? the only thing they did wrong was to be decieved by the government.>}

{Villefort: <...When _exactly_ had you planned on telling me, your son, who is _part of this government as one of its top prosecutors_?!>}

{noirtier: }

{Villefort: <?! ...I have no idea what you mean...>}

{noirtier: <that look on your face says otherwise...>}

{Villefort: <...Are you attempting to blackmail me? You're a traitor--that's far worse than whatever you think you're accusing me...>}

{noirtier: <says the man who has an affair with a married woman. and so soon after his own wife's death...>}

{Villefort: <!!! You bastard...>}

{noirtier: *chuckles* <will you really turn in your own father, gerard? after all i've done to put a roof over your head?>}

{Villefort: <...If I did...the knowledge I was the son of a terrorist would have me expelled from my position in the court...What would you suggest? This man was trafficking in Mimic materials to be delivered--to you!>}

{noirtier: <asking me for advice are you? figure it out yourself!>}

{Villefort: <...> *spots his cigars* <...> *takes two, offers one to him*}

noirtier:...heh...

-elsewhere-

peppino: *looking around* <mr vampa, remember when you saved my life?>

Vampa: *packing his suitcase* <Hmm...>

peppino: <it was a while back, and you saved me from some nasties who were trying to beat me to a pulp! and all for being myself! >3< >

Vampa: "..." *sighs*

peppino:

Vampa: <...Any time...At least we paid them back in kind...>

-elsewhere-

francesca:

*a priest walks up*

francesca: <yes, can i help you?>

Busoni: <Taking these out...> *look to be European history books*

francesca: <ah, i see....>

Busoni: <Sorry--our church lacks such resources to reunite families...>

francesca: .......<families...right....>

Busoni: <After the casualties of Mimic, we've been trying to locate remains...>

francesca:........... <my father was killed in a battle with mimic....>

Busoni: <Sorry. You're probably too young to remember...>

francesca: <i'm nineteen.> -_-;

Busoni: <That's still practically a kid...At least you didn't have to read about these wars...>

francesca:.....

Busoni: <...Wait...Did you lose someone in the war?>

francesca:

Busoni: <What was his name?>

francesca: <monsiour d'epiany.>

Busoni: <Ah, I saw his record...Shocking that it's only know that we discovered that he-- ...Sorry, I ramble.>

francesca: <what, discovered what?>

Busoni: <...You know how he died--those injuries. At least, that's the official record, since they found him in that bombing, but...Well, a bomb that size would've been spotted on radar, enough time to escape.>

francesca:.....

Busoni: <...> *sighs* <I suppose I should tell you...The church requested some additional tests on remains and found a high concentration of sulfur in the remains. Now, sulfur is what you smell when a corpse decomposing, but the record showed the concentration higher than I expected, so when I checked on various poisons-->

francesca: <are you-....> *whisper* <are you saying my father was murdered?>

Busoni: <In war, all are murdered...and I don't think it was a bomb that killed your father.>

francesca:.....

Busoni: <...I can look into this more if you-->

francesca:

Busoni: <...> *takes his books*

francesca:....

-elsewhere-

Dabi: *looking at a map*

himiko: hehehe...hello froggy~

frog: 0-0

Twice: "That something else you gonna kiss to turn into a prince?"

himiko: maaaaaybe.

frog: 0_0;;;;;;;;

banshee: please dont disturb the wildlife.

Dabi: *checking nearby caves* "..." *gets down on all fours, looking at the ground*

himiko: owo~?

Dabi: "...Okay. See that mark? Something was killed here..."

himiko: ooooh.

Dabi: "..." *sniffs the ground* "...Deer. He must've pulled it into the cave to eat..." *follows a path* "And be quiet--I don't feel like dying today."

Twice: "...Were you raised by wolves?"

banshee:....

Dabi: *leads them to a cave* "..." *gestures for them to stand around the exit...* "..." *summons flames along the cave's interior walls*

himiko: ^u^

*something roars inside...*

himiko: hiya!

*it's still roaring, as thumping steps are heard from inside...*

banshee: ...

Dabi: "...We're not here to fight, just to talk..."

Twice: "The whole fire thing was his idea, BT-dubs!"

???: *from above the trees* "Then you mis-aimed..."

Dabi: "?!" *looks up*

banshee: !!!

*a muscular man lounges in the trees*

Muscular: *smiles* "Now...for some bloodshed..."

*out of the cave comes out a bear, running at the Villains*

Twice: O_O; "Dabi...YOU DONE FUCKED UP!"

Dabi: "Shut up and run!"

himiko: WHEEEE! ^o^

Muscular: "HA HA HA! I'm going to enjoy this! Seeing you ripped limb from limb--"

banshee: *inhales* *SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*

Bear: Q___Q *gets down on all fours, trying to cover its ears*

Muscular: "?!"

*the sound knocks the bear into the tree--*

Msucular: *falls out of the tree--slamming onto Twice*

Twice: "..." *muffled* "Ow."

banshee:....too much?

Dabi: *hanging from another tree* "You knocked out two birds...I'd say that's enough..." *leaps down, walks to Muscular...slams his foot onto his head*

Muscular: "Ow! Watch the eye..."

himiko: hi mr muscle man! ^w^

Muscular: "Who the hell are you freaks?!"

banshee: part of the league of villains.

Muscular: "...So you want me? Hmph. I know you're all pumped up on what people say about you, but I don't just join up with some team because I'm asked nicely...I need some proof you deserve me."

banshee: we can provide you shelter and protection from the authorities.

Muscular: "Lady, I can provide for myself just fine, so I don't think you understand what I'm saying..."

Dabi: "..."

Muscular: "You see what you did to that bear? That's what I want...I want to see what you got..."

himiko:....i think he's asking you out, banshee!

banshee:.......*facepalm*

Dabi: -_-;

himiko: *whispers* i ship iiiit....

Muscular: "Nah--I'm asking to fight you..." *smirks, as he grabs Twice up from the ground by his ankles, as his body mass increases* "And if you survive...I'll join your group...what's left of it."

Twice: X_X "Fire my remains into the sun..."

banshee: !!!!

Dabi: *charges flames...*

Muscular: *cackles...as his body starts to get bigger, his muscles seeming to rip apart his skin...*

himiko: *shiny eyes and takes out her knife*

-SLICE-

Muscular: "Ha! That tickles..." *tosses Twice at Banshee and swings his fist at Himiko*

himiko: *giggles and stabs*

Muscular: "Really, this is getting cliche..." *his fist gets bigger, as he clutches Himiko by her neck*

himiko: GRK-

banshee: !!!!

Dabi: "Let go of her!" *leaps onto his back, slamming his flaming palm onto his back--*

Muscular: *muscle forms along his back*

Dabi: "?!"

Muscular: *slams into the tree behind him, crushing Dabi*

Dabi: *coughs up blood*

banshee: !!!!! *SHRIEKS*

Muscular: "?!!!" *lets go of Himiko, covering his ears*

himiko: *throws a rock at him*

Muscular: "URK!" *swings, missing Himiko*

Twice: *shiny eyes* "Now it's my turn..." *his ears are bleeding* "RAAAAAAAWR" *kicks Muscular in the head*

Dabi: X____X *collapses*

Muscular: *K.O.*

himiko: we did it! *hugs dabi* and dabi! you _do_ like me!

banshee: *coughing* ugh...

Dabi: X___X

Twice: *shouting* "He can't hear you! I think he's dead!" *his ears are still bleeding*

Muscular: *grumbles, gets up* "Ugh...Well, 3 out of 4 of you are losers..."

himiko: =3= meeeeean.

Muscular: *sits up, leans against a tree, laughs* "One question...Do I get to kill some people?"

himiko:....*griiiiins*

-elsewhere-

Fernand: *walking...enters a bar*

peppino: OwO;;

Vampa: "..." *smiles* <Mr. Mondego.>

Fernand: *his hand is in his pocket* <...Bartender. Three bottles of Crown Ambassador.>

Vampa: <Oooo, expensive...This our last drink?>

peppino: Q~Q;;;;;;

Fernand: <...>

Bartender: *serves the drinks...*

Fernand: *pays...* *sips his beer*

Vampa: "..." *picks up a beer, sips too*

peppino:.... TT~TT *sobs*

Fernand: <Could you shut up for 1 minute--you're drawing attention, you stupid bastard.>

peppino: TT~TT

Vampa: <Don't fucking call her a stupid bastard.> *paps Peppino* <Relax. If this dumb bastard wanted to kill us, he'd have done it already...>

peppino: *sniff*

Fernand: -_-; <Don't call me a dumb bastard--I'm not the one who kidnapped my child in broad daylight.>

peppino: .~.;;;;;;

Vampa: <Yeah, that doesn't make sense...> *puts out his cigarette* <Why would _you_ kidnap _your own kid_? Your phrasing made no sense. Also, it's kind of hard to kidnap a kid from your house at night, so we figured during the day-->

Fernand: *HARD GLARE* <ARE YOU SERIOUSLY STILL NOT AFRAID WHAT I CAN DO TO YOU?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE DONE TO PEOPLE LESS THAN YOU-->

peppino: >~<;;;;

Vampa: *holds up a hand* <Calm down...We'll be out of your hair...>

Fernand: "..." *pulls his hand out of his pocket--*

peppino: !!!!

Fernand: *slams down--an envelope*

peppino: ._.

Fernand: <Take it and get out of here. If you're not gone by sundown, you're dead. That is what happens to anyone who touches my family.>

peppino: Q~Q;;;;;; *gulps*

Vampa: "..." <Is there white powder in this thing that'll kill us?>

Fernand: <When you die, it'll be to your face, not poison like some coward.> *leaves a tip, walks away...*

Vampa: "... ..." <Peppino...> Q____Q <THAT WAS SO FREAKING FRIGHTENING!>

peppino: *hug* <hold me> QAQ;;;;;

-elsewhere-

Danglars: -_-; <He's late again...>

-knocks-

lucian: <yes?>

'andrea': =n=;

Wilmore: ^^; <Sorry--my daughter took forever to get dressed.>

andrea: 7n7

Danglars: -_-;

eugenie: *peeks*

Danglars: <???> *points at Eugenie* <You. Go take this girl to the backyard and play.>

eugenie: <yay! new friend!> *takes andrea's hand and heads to the yard*

andrea: 0_0;;;;; *shoots a glare at wilmore*

Wilmore: ^^ <Have fun, sweetie! Daddy loves you!>

andrea: >n<

Wilmore: <Children really are incredible, aren't they? They have such potential...It's important to foster it while they hold onto such hope, isn't it?>

Danglars: <Hmm? Oh, yes, of course...That's why I hire only the best help.>

Wilmore: ^^; *sits, gestures to his assistant* <Please show Mr. Danglars the stock prices...>

lucian: *sweatdrop*

marquis: <of course, sir~>

Danglars: *looks* <Hmm...You've had a downturn in your stocks.>

Wilmore: <Keen eye. I'm afraid we have had a set-back on our Paris orders. My company fell behind on a deadline to get the next product out, as we're finishing the new scents for your upcoming international shipment. I may have to expedite the local orders first before we can proceed with your order-->

Danglars: <?! Unacceptable! Your contract promised me that shipment on time!>

Wilmore: OwO; <...I-I'm so sorry! But we're pressed for time without extra labor to meet the deadline, and I already invested so much into your shipment-->

Danglars: <Too bad! You have your commitment to me first!> *stands up* <Lucian, kick them out so they can hurry up with their work>

lucian: <sir, they came all this way->

Danglars: <And they can go all the way back! A man who is not of his word-->

Wilmore: <--is not worth living at all.>

Danglars: <Yes, exactly! ...> *does a double-take* <...>

lucian: ._.;

-in the garden-

andrea: .....

Eugenie: >w< *SQUEE!*

andrea: mhmm...*looks at a spot on the ground*......*looks up at the window*

Eugenie: "..." <Oh. We're not supposed to play there--Mama says not to...>

andrea:....*wipes eyes*

Eugenie: <??? Hey? What's wrong?>

andrea: !!! *cough* *ahem* ^-^;;

Eugenie: <...I cry sometimes, too.> *hug*

andrea: !!!! >->;;;

Eugenie: <Let's be friends! And make sure the other doesn't cry! Want to play with my dollies? I'm okay sharing...>

andrea: ....*makes an 'ok' sound*

Eugenie: ^^ <And it's okay to be shy...> *whispers, points to a doll* <Mrs. Bonacieux is rather standoffish...>

Mrs. Bonacieux: O^O

andrea: ._.;;;

Eugenie: *sits in the grass* ^w^

-inside-

Wilmore: <So, I can't afford to lose _both_ of these excellent opportunities! I turned to Danglars Shipment because I knew they were the best at meeting their deadlines, and you are absolutely correct, I have to meet my own...But an adult also knows when to ask for help...I need more money to pay for them. If you could invest-->

Danglars: <Investment? As in...own part of you? And your company?> *smirks*

Wilmore: <Yes. I'm willing to sell shares in my company-->

Danglars: <49 percent.>

Wilmore: <?! Sir, that is quite a lot-->

Danglars: <Then we're done. Lucian, kick them out.>

Wilmore: D: <F-Fine, sir! 49 percent! I'll need my lawyer to complete the paperwork for your review...>

Danglars: *smirks* <Very well. Please send them to my attorney...>

Wilmore: *gulps* <Y-Yes, sir...>

marquis: OwO;;;

Danglars: <If that is all, I'll see you for the tour of the ship next week...Goodbye.>

Wilmore: *sad face* <R-Right...Let's go...> *turns to exit...smirking*

-elsewhere-

Bon: =_= "It all smells...It's all dirty...And I don't know what I'm reading any more..."

lewin: find anything interesting yet?

Bon: *sighs* "I made a list of former Blue Cross exorcists..."

lewin: that's a start!

Bon: *stretches* "So, what do we do? Call these people?"

-elsewhere-

Asher: *reading notes* "Okay..." *jots something down* "So, different things screw up soul energy, like lack of sleep..."

cassidy: hint hint.

Asher: =_=; "Sleep is for the privileged..." *yawns*

-elsewhere-

Simon: *trying to type on a laptop--and cringes from neck pain in his brace* >_T *searching on villains*

peter: find anything?

Simon: *nods* "Yes...Medical report on a UA student who encountered them...Lost his eyes..."

peter: yikes....

Simon: "...All the more reason we need to get Queen back, now...I've been trying to contact these UA students and...Um..." >_>;

peter: yes?

Simon: "...'Go die.'"

peter: ._.;

Simon: ^^; "I did contact some others, so maybe they will be friendlier than..." *squints* " 'Kacchan'? ...Huh. Odd name."

-elsewhere-

hitoshi: *feeding stray cats*

???: *sounds like fast footsteps*

hitoshi: ??

???: "Gotta get back to the lab to finish it before I forget the design--OH, LOOK, KITTIES!"

hitoshi: *takes out whiteboard and writes* [hi mei]

Mei: ^w^ "Hi, Fluffy! How are the felines holding up?"

hitoshi: *writes* [doing well]

Mei: *drops a satchel of parts--with a loud metallic THUD* "Great!" *holds out a hand to one*

cat: *sniffs the bag*

hitoshi: *writes* [bought more parts from the scrapyards?]

Mei: "I'm building new goggles! And voice changers! And wrist guards! And a catapult!" *nodding*

hitoshi: [i see.]

Mei: ^w^ "..." >w> "..." <w< *glances back and forth, whispers* "I know a secret~"

hitoshi: ??

Mei: "...TOILETS."

hitoshi:...........*blink*

Mei: "See, I was hard at work in the lab--"

{Mei: *asleep on blueprints*}

{Nezu: "...Um...Cementoss? Could you wake her? We need those..."}

{power loader: *nudge nudge* um, miss hatsume?}

{Mei: *grumbles, rolls over off the table--falling onto the floor* "...Owie..."}

{Nezu: ^^; "We are almost done designing the new facility...But we'll need to customize some locations--"}

{Mei: *bounces up* "Like the elevators to handle the varying weights of students, the different door dimensions, making sure the individual bathrooms are customized--"}

{power loader: mei! focus!}

{Mei: "BUT YOU NEED TOILETS! Some of your students have dimensions not accommodated by these small facilities. Please consider the size limitations!"}

{Nezu: "... ... ..." *FLASHBACKS OF BAD TIMES* Q_Q "Yes, size considerations are vital...Please get to work on them...I need to lie down now..."}

{Mei: ^w^ *offers a pillow*}

Mei: "DORMS. STUDENT. FRICKIN'. DORMS!"

hitoshi: .....huh....

Mei: OWO *freezes*

hitoshi: !!! .-.;;; *CHOP*

Mei: *awakens* "FLAMING SWORD TO SLICE THROUGH WALLS BY REVERSING THE POLARITY OF THE ELECTRICAL IMPULSES AT VARIABLE RATES! ...Thanks."

hitoshi: *writes* [sorry]

Mei: "It happens to me all the time--I go off on tangents then freeze anyway! But imagine it--DORMS! And they don't look like those icky boys' dorms the DWMA students use." -3-

hitoshi: [as opposed to the girl's dorms?]... *writes* [not that'd i'd know.]

Mei: "Me neither--but I heard the girls' dorms had expensive plates, sun room, bath--" *frowns* "--but no toolshed..."

-elsewhere-

Kamui: *looking from atop a roof* "..." *into incom* "Nothing in Sector 4-3. See anyone on your end? Over."

mt lady: all clear here, so laaaame... =3=

*someone walks past her, mumbling to himself...he's carrying groceries*

???: "Having to shop for this crap...What a joke..."

mt lady: ??

*looks to be a pretty average looking guy...*

???: "She said 'I need paper,' I said, 'I'll give you paper!' BUT THE CHARCOAL LOOKED NICE-- Shut up!" *keeps walking towards a bar...*

mt lady:...*shrug*

*inside the bar*

Kurogiri: "Welcome back. Did you get everything--"

???: *shaking* "I did it--I WAS REALLY SMART TO SAVE MONEY BY TAKING HERS--Shut up! Why am I here?!"

Kurogiri: "Oh dear...Someone, get the mask back on this one..."

magne: *masks him there you go. ^^

???: *pants...steadies himself...then does a dramatic pose* "Thanks, sweetie~<3 !" ^^

Kurogiri: *checking GPS mapping*

magne: anytime. ^^

???: "So...How's other me doing?"

-elsewhere-

Twice: X___X "I need medical..."

Dabi: *ice on his head at a motel* "Shut up..."

banshee: *patching them up*

Muscular: *bouncing on the bed he's seated on* "Where's your next stop?"

himiko: aboooout.....*points to a map* here!

Muscular: "What's there?"

himiko: we're gonna find out!

Dabi: "Something called 'Orion.' May be a weapon, may be a person..."

Muscular: "...If you're looking for a belt, I'm going to strangle you at the end of this."

Twice: "Your big-boy pants look like they need a new one--"

Muscular: "...Yo, school girl. Get me something to drink."

himiko: you got it!

banshee: ...

Dabi: *groans* "Where'd you learn medical?"

banshee: someone has to know these things.

Dabi: "No kidding...And given what we're facing next, we needed the muscle...and ruthlessness..."

Muscular: "..." *sick grin*

-elsewhere-

Hyde: *checking the register at the grocery* "...?! Oh, for Pete's sake..." *checking the bills* "Who the hell still writes on money nowadays?" *rubs the ink off his hands* " 'Queen'? Feh. Lord Death's not a queen--Wait, do you elect Lord Deaths, or are they installed?"

ochako: i always figured it was handed down through generations, but then again, he _is_ like, super duper old.

Hyde: "...Well, going by 'queen' is progressive...Not bad doodle, either..." *another bill shows some girl on it with a grim face* *snaps a pic* "And...go viral!" *send*

-elsewhere-

Dumas: <And now, the dumb oaf will be paying us for shares in a company that doesn't exist...Perfect.>

Cervantes: "?!" <B-But the catalogue shows such excellent fragrances! Can't we go into this business?>

Dumas: -_-;

benedetto: ....

marquis: <is everything ok, benny?>

benedetto:...

Cervantes: <Is it the dress? We can buy a new one.>

benedetto: <no. that garden....it feels...familiar, i guess...>

Dumas: <??? Did you steal from the Danglars before?>

benedetto: <...my uncle said to stay away from that place...>

Dumas: "..." -_-; <You were going to tell us _when_?>

marquis: <dumas, dont yell at him.> =3=

Dumas: <I'm not yelling--I'm asking a fair question...Why did he say not to go there?>

benedetto:

Dumas: <...Where's your parents?>

benedetto:............

marquis:....<you dont have parents, do you?>

benedetto: .....

marquis:...*hug* <it's ok. i dont have my parents either...>

benedetto: !!

Dumas: >_>;

Cervantes: Q_Q *hug*

benedetto: !!

Dumas: ("Of all the corny--")

Cervantes: *pulls him in for the group hug* <We'll be your family!> T~T

benedetto: ._.;;

Dumas: -_-; <You're making this uncomfortable, you weirdos...>

-elsewhere-

lewin: *whistling*

*a slight bell sound is heard...but only by Lewin*

lewin: well, what have we here?

???: *someone is watching him, but can't be seen, even by Lewin--*

lewin: come on out. i know you're there...

*??? steps up, revealing...*

Shima: "How did you know?"

lewin: i marked you with a sylph bell, i have sylph spies all over the place.

Shima: -_-; "Tch. Am I that untrustworthy?"

lewin: they're not the best with communicating, but when you return from their base, then i'll have a vague idea of where it is!

Shima: "?! You mean you're tracking me back to the Illuminati?"

lewin: bingo!

Shima: D:< "They'll kill me!"

lewin: do you really think you can become a spy and still die a peaceful death?

Shima: "...Honestly? I was hoping when I die it would be resting in the lap of a beautiful woman."

lewin: talk about straight forwards.

Shima: "So, I might as well lay the cards out...What're your intentions with Bon?"

lewin: hm?

Shima: "If you're using him to get to me, you should know better: he's too proud, serious, and pure-hearted to fall for that shit."

lewin: aw, you do care!

Shima: O_O; "Hey! Don't undermine my moment!"

lewin: no worries, i just admire his talent is all...

Shima: -^- "As well you should...Just warning you, if you cause trouble, Sir Pheles will know..." *fades into the shadows*

lewin:...

-elsewhere-

Valentine: *knocks* <Heloise? Can I get the keys to take Edouard for a drive?>

heloise: <they're on the table!>

Valentine: <?! ...Thanks...Keeping busy?> ^^;

heloise: <yes, yes.>

Valentine: <...Well, if you need anything, I'll have my phone...> *walks away* ("Jeez, what a cranky old person...")

{heloise: *looking at a smaller valentine* ...}

{Valentine: "..." <Your tummy is big.>}

{heloise: <that's because i'm having a baby.>}

{Valentine: <Ooooh...With Daddy?>}

{heloise:...<yes>}

{Valentine: <Daddy used to have other women visit after Mommy died.>}

{heloise: ?! <....is that so...?>}

{Valentine: *nods* <Some used to stay in the guest room, or come over for breakfast.>}

{heloise: ......}

Villefort: *knocks* <May I come in?>

heloise: !! <i'm changing!>

Villefort: -_-; <Oh, like there's any surprise there...We got tickets to a fundraiser. We're going.>

-elsewhere-

Max: *carrying a box* T~T <So heavy...>

fawkes: <need a hand there?>

Max: *shiver up his spine* QwQ *shakes his head* <I-I'm fine! Just working out that muscle...>

-elsewhere-

francesca: <-and that's why i'm here...>

Beauchamp: <That was quite a while ago...>

francesca: <please...i just...need to know the truth.>

Beauchamp: *sighs* <This kind of work will take time. If governments from more than 3 nations haven't routed out every last bit of Mimic, I don't know what you can expect from me...500 Euros, upfront.>

-elsewhere-

Daisy: =_= "Still nothing new learned about that Danglars creep..." *yawns* "Why is the boss having us do this?"

jordan: free trip.

Daisy: "...I am getting drunk on the beach every last day."

-elsewhere-

Ice Person: "Th-Thanks..." *sips his tea--then frowns* -_-; "I was hoping it'd be hot..."

frances: it was. ^^ a small side effect.

Ice Person: "...Well, that's just worse..." T_T

frances: it shouldnt be too awful, mr o'neill.

O'Neill: "I didn't ask for this ability...I just woke up with it, and it's awful..."

frances: you're afraid, that's normal for such things as this.

O'Neill: "Normal when reacting to something so stu-stu-stu--AH-CHOO!" *sneezes--an icicle, which strikes--*

???: "?! MY HAT"

frances: oh dear.

barrie: ._.;

London: "That's some no-good rootin' tootin' mess right there!"

O'Neill: Q_Q; "I'm so sorry!"

bierce: 'least yer skull didnt get iced, mate.

London: "..." *shrugs* "Good point..." *pulling the icicle out of his hat*

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: *drawing on a tablet* "..."

miyuri: *napping*

Chuuya: *looks out the window at the tree* "..." *holds up the tablet to the tree*

miyuri: *yaaaaawn* whacha doin?

Chuuya: "?!" *puts down the tablet* ^^; "Drawing..."

miyuri: oooh, is sonia home yet?

Chuuya: "Soon--her bus should arrive."

miyuri: she promised to tell miyuri stories about school.

Chuuya: "I'm sure she will...You're excited to hear them?"

miyuri: *nods* miyuri's learning soooo muuuuuch! the world is super big!

Chuuya: ^^; "Kajii been talking to you about that?"

miyuri: *nods* miyuri heard of something called a 'zoo' with lots of animals! can we see one? can we?

Chuuya: "Well, this weekend would be best..."

miyuri: YAAAAAAY! ^o^

sonia: im home.

Chuuya: "Welcome back."

sonia: .....*sits down*

Chuuya: "How was your day?"

sonia: next week the kids are doing a performance for their families...

Chuuya: "Oh?"

sonia: there'll probably be a lot of mommies...

Chuuya: "...Ah..."

miyuri:....*huuuug* i can draw mama for a bit if you want.

Chuuya: "..."

sonia: thank you, but i'm fine for now.

Chuuya: "...I'm sorry. But we'll be there..."

sonia: ok.

Chuuya: "...So...What kind of performance were you planning?"

sonia: i havent decided.

Chuuya: "Well, I'm happy to help..."

-elsewhere-

Akutagawa: *walking through the Port District...*

Mantis: *watching from binoculars* "...Following him..."

izzy: good.

lucy: *walking home with groceries*

Mantis: "??? Wait...I see someone else...He's approaching her..."

Akutagawa: O^O

lucy: oh....7_7 hello.

Akutagawa: "Why are you here?"

lucy: im buying ingredients for a dinner party this weekend.

Akutagawa: "...With the Tiger?"

lucy: with the whole agency, so yes, it includes atsushi...

Akutagawa: "...How nice for you. Are you now part of the Agency?"

Mantis: *watching, but can't hear* "Wait...He's talking with someone...Looks kinda scrawny..."

lucy: not officially, mind you. but sort of an honorary member.

Akutagawa: "Hmph. Congratulations. I hope you're happy with them." >_>;

Mantis: "I could probably knock her off, but then that'd alert him and he'd be off and running...Any advice?"

lucy: ???

Akutagawa: "...I don't know why he welcomes you back. Your Guild tried to destroy the city."

lucy: well, people can change.

Akutagawa: "...Well, that's obvious."

Mantis: "...Eh, screw it..." *aims a knife...and tosses--*

*the knife comes towards Akutagawa...*

-SLICE-

lucy: MY BRAID! D8>

Akutagawa: *clutching his ear* "Damn it!"

Mantis: "Shit! He moved..."

lucy: *turns* !!!

Akutagawa: "Get moving, fool!" *grabs her arm, pulling her away*

lucy: *runs*

pixie: aww, where ya going~?

Akutagawa: "...The hell..."

nailfile: *flame claws*

izzy: well well well, look what we found, the black hound of the port mafia. and his little red-head friend.

Akutagawa: " 'Friend' is rather loosely used--"

lucy: im an innocent bystander in this!

*the heat feels like it's coming from the wall behind them*

Akutagawa: "?!"

lucy: ?!?!

*BOOM*

lucy: AH!!

*the brick wall explodes, revealing a half-Infernal*

Lust oni: "D'aw, aren't they just precious~?"

lucy: wha-what the....

Akutagawa: *trying to shield with Rashomon, but fire is still on it...*

Lust oni: *leans down over Lucy* "We need the Hound, but probably not her~"

lucy: !!! *bites lip and punches*

Lust oni: *direct hit to the jaw, which is not on fire* "OUCH!"

Mantis: ._.; "...Well, shit..."

lucy: skunky, do something!!

Akutagawa: *roars, aims--then stops* "...Right. No killing--" *swings at the Gang, knocking them into the wall--*

lucy: come on, run!

Mantis: "UMPH!" *knocked into the wall*

izzy: grk- after them!

Akutagawa: "I know!" *follows* *looking around the alleys* "It's a labyrinth...Use it to our advantage..."

Mants: X_X

Lust oni: "Oh, of course~" *chases*

lucy: *looking around*

Akutagawa: *spots a dumpster* "..."

lucy: that's too obvious...

Akutagawa: "True...But this isn't..." *picks it up with Rashomon--and tosses it at the direction where they came*

lucy: OxO

Lust oni: "?!" *dodges under it, still in pursuit*

Akutagawa: *sighs* *picks up Lucy*

lucy: h-hey!

Akutagawa: *tosses her up, while he uses Rashomon to try to pierce at Lust*

lucy: *SCREAM*

nailfile: *jumps in and slashes*

lucy: !!! skunky!

Akutagawa: *Rashomon is sliced* "You stupid bastard--"

Lust: "Heh heh~" *and Lust burns Rashomon off his back, lighting his back on fire*

Akutagawa: "?!!!" *rips off his shirt, rolling on the ground*

lucy: *falls* *scream*

-OOF-

*She lands atop Akutagawa's burnt back, who is already face-down on the pavement*

Lust: OwO "~<3"

lucy: why you....*grabs lust oni's arm and with all her might, flings them to the ground*

Lust: *SCREAMS--and slams into Mantis*

Mantis: *MUFFLED SCREAMS OF PAIN*

Akutagawa: X_X

lucy: *picks up akutagawa and runs*

Lust: O_O; "...Well...This is embarrassing..." >w< "But so hot~!"

Mantis: X__X

Akutagawa: *grumbling*

-elsewhere-

Kyoka: *hanging up streamers*

demon snow: *rearranging furniture*

Kunikida: "Be sure to vacuum under the rugs, too...Where are the others?"

-phone buzzes-

Kunikida: *answers* "Hello?"

lucy: hey, sorry im late, ran into a little trouble on the way.

Kunikida: "Hmph. That's not being on time. Get here ASAP. Did you get everything on the list?"

lucy: of course i did! it's safe in anne's room!

Kunikida: "...Well, that is efficient to avoid carrying a heavy load..."

lucy: impressed, right? and due to some circumstances that i'll explain when i get there, im bringing something else too....just...promise not to get mad.

Kunikida: "...WHAT."

lucy: um.....^-^ it's a surprise?

Kunikida: -_-; "The last 'surprise' had me in prison."

lucy: ._.;;;;;;;;;

-and so-

atsushi: .______________.

Kyoka: "?! Oh no..."

naomi: .....

Kunikida: "...I repeat...WHAT."

Akutagawa: *passed out*

lucy: *explaining everything*

Tanizaki: "..."

yosano:...*cracks knuckles* leave him to me.

Kyoka: "Is he technically _near death_ yet?"

yosano:.....*smirks*

Tanizaki: "...DO IT."

Kyoka: ._.;

naomi: ._.;;;;

Kunikida: *glares at Lucy* "Brat...DO YOU KNOW HOW BIG A MESS THIS NOW PRESENTS TO US?!"

lucy: look, im sorry, ok, but what else could i have done, huh?

Kunikida: "I don't know--the hospital?! Now the Mafia is going to think we did this--"

*explosions are heard blocks away*

Tanizaki: O_O; "Oh no...They're starting early..."

lucy: i dont think that's them.

Kyoka: "It's those gangsters...Well, if you could take out two of them, this can't be too difficult..."

Tanizaki: T_T "I'll get ready..."

Dazai: "Have fun!" *dipping chips into the guacamole--*

lucy: no. i already brought enough trouble for you, im going to handle this myself so you dont get involved too.

Kunikida: "...Noble, although rather stupid, since if you get injured, the doctor will already be busy with one patient..."

*the window breaks*

sylvia: *screams*

Kyoka: *shields Sylvia*

*it's a knife with a message attached to it...*

kenji: *looks*

*it's horribly written but seems to want Lucy, with the line "We want the redhead!"*

lucy:....

Mantis: *on the rooftop across from the Agency* -_x "In one week, I've lost my clothes, my pride...and now my back is killing me!"

Lust: *shouting* "WE WANT THE REDHEAD~!"

izzy: they heard you!

Kunikida: "..." *sighs* "If you get killed, I'm not tolerating Atsushi's whining."

lucy:....im going out there. *hands them the groceries and turns*

Kyoka: "..."

Tanizaki: "..."

Dazai: "Have fun!"

atsushi: lucy wait! *holds her hand* .... *kiss* at least...let me be able to do that.

lucy:....dont worry. i have a plan.

-and so-

Mantis: *tapping his foot* >_X "Get your ass out here!"

Lust: *filing nails*

lucy: hey, jerkheads! come get me!

Lust: "??? No! How about you come here--"

Mantis: "RAWR!" *runs towards her*

pixie: *flies in*

lucy:....

Lust: "..." *shrugs* *follows*

-the other hell blaze members rush at her-

lucy:....*wicked smile and snaps her fingers*

-they appear to be in...a doll room?-

Mantis: *leaps at her--and falls onto a giant plushie* "..."

izzy: the hell?!

Lust: "..." *looks around* "..." -3- "Oh, this won't do..."

lucy: hello hello everyone~! welcome to anne's room! shall we play a game of tag~?

Mantis: "..." *muffled screams, as he starts slicing up the plushie* "YOU STUPID ASSHOLE! I DON'T WANT TO PLAY TAG! I WANT TO STAB YOU--REPEATEDLY!"

Lust: "Now, hang on--tag can be fun~"

lucy: now, that's not nice! emengarde hasnt done a thing to you. anne, show him the door~

Mantis: "WHO THE FUCK IS ANNE?!"

-something grabs him and the lust oni-

Lust: *looks up* OwO "..."

anne: owo

Mantis: *SCREAMS*

Lust: "OOOOOOOOH~" =w=

-arms reach from the dark room and grab them, pulling them in-

izzy: !!!!

Mantis: *biting Anne's hand* "BURN THIS THING!"

nailfile: what the fuck is that thing?!

Lust: "I'm trying!" *lighting up--but Anne keeps extinguishing...*

lucy: two down, several more to go~

Blaze Gangster 1: Q_Q "...Have I mentioned I have a phobia about dolls?"

nailfile: <oh fuck this shit!> *turns to run, but something has grabbed her leg* ?!?!?

-small dolls are climbing up her-

nailfile: *SCREAMING*

Blaze Gangster 2: *shrieks, running from toy soldiers*

izzy: motherfuck, what the hell are you?!

lucy: just an ability user, that's all. and i have a little favor to ask 💗

izzy: you want a favor?

lucy: leave the agency alone, and i'll let you all go.

Mantis: "WHAT THE FUCK IS THE AGENCY?!"

Lust: =w= "I'm in no--AH!--rush~"

izzy: *puts her hands up* we dont have a beef with you, girly, we just want the mafia dog, and we'll leave.

lucy: *glares*

Mantis: *SCREAMS, as Anne tightens her grip*

Lust: "AAAAAAAAH~!"

lucy: then i guess we'll be trapped here forever and ever then~

nailfile: *on the verge of panic*

Gangster 2: *climbing a giant tea set to escape toy soldiers*

izzy: ....tch-, fine then, we'll go, for now.

lucy: promise?

izzy: ...deal.

lucy:...*snaps fingers*

-back to reality-

nailfile: gross....

izzy:....let's go.

Mantis: *face-down on the pavement*

Lust: =o= "I-I need a moment..."

Gangster 1: *holding onto Gangster 2* Q_Q

Mantis: *grumbles* "Just let me stab her once..."

izzy: *holds hand up* we're going now.

lucy: and dont let me see your mugs around here again or else!

Lust: *gestures "Call me"*

Mantis: *gestures a knife along her throat*

lucy: *flips them off*

Lust: ._.;

Mantis: *MANTIS NOISES*

lucy:.....

fukuzawa: ........

Kunikida: "...Sir?"

lucy: !!! m-mr fukuzawa!

fukuzawa: miss montgomery. what you just pulled was reckless, foolish, and could have potentially killed you.

lucy: i-i know, but-

fukuzawa: and even so, you risked your life to protect us...

lucy:.....

fukuzawa: now, having said that, let me be the first to say.....*head pats* welcome to the armed detective agency.

lucy: ?!?!

Kyoka: "..." *tosses confetti* "Yay."

atsushi: lucy! *tackle hug* congrats!

naomi: *clapping*

sylvia:...*small smile*

kenji: you did it!

lucy:...ah....*tearing up* uu...*hugs atsushi, sobbing*

Kunikida: "..." ("I suppose I can keep my lecture to her for later, after she's done sobbing...")

kirako: oh, that's wonderful news!

Dazai: *mouth full of chips* "Yay!"

yosano: well, the patient's been taken care of, did i miss anything?

ranpo: new member.

yosano: !!

Tanizaki: "So I guess this is now a welcome party."

ranpo: here here!

-elsewhere-

Meme: *in the Deathbucks outfit* "Welcome! How many for your table?"

Izuku: "4. We may have 1 more."

mio: hey meme. .///.

Rin: *at another table, staring at notes* Q_Q

fani: =~=

Meme: ^^; *waves* "Hello!"

shinra: yo!

Rin: T_T "Hello...I'm going to fail my test..."

Izuku: "...Well, that's no good..."

shinra: im sure we can help you out.

Izuku: *nods* "What's the test for?"

Rin: "Exorcism stuff..."

???: well, allow me to assist.

-a wild annabelle warren appears-

annabelle: ta-dah~!

rui: *waves*

Rin: >~< "SAVE ME!"

-elsewhere-

Valentine: *pulls over* <Ready, kiddo?>

edouard: *responsive noise*

Valentine: "..." *sad smile, opens the door, gets to his side, opens the door for him and unbuckles the belt* <Want to feed the ducks?>

-elsewhere-

Danglars: *eating dinner* "..." <So, I'm going to have near-majority holdings in a cosmetics company.>

hermine: ...<that's nice...>

Danglars: <Yep! Imagine--me, selling those fruity perfumes and makeups! Ha! Never thought that'd be me...>

hermine: ....

Danglars: <Ha! Maybe I could get you a discount! ...> *looks at Eugenie* <Hey. Did you upset your mom or something?>

eugenie: =3=

Danglars: <And you better treat that girl well--lot of money now riding on her.>

-elsewhere-

Sakuya: "How you feeling now?"

naho: much better. also kinda hungry.

Sakuya: "What you hungry for?"

naho:...crepes.

Sakuya: *nods* "Let's do this."

-elsewhere-

Gin: *checking her phone* "..."

higuchi: still nothing?

Gin: "No..." *pulls up a GPS app on her phone*

-elsewhere-

Mantis: Q~Q "Well, I can now add 'dolls' to the list of nightmare fuel..."

Lust: =w= "Same."

izzy: hmm....

Mantis: >_<# "Let's find the rest and kill them!"

-elsewhere-

Akutagawa: *lying on the surgical table, looking up* O_O;;;

*sounds like fun outside...*

Akutagawa: "..." *gets up* *looks at the chair...there's a shirt there*

-it’s a pink shit that has a kitten hanging from a branch that reads ‘hang in there’-

Akutagawa: *picks it up* "..." =_=#

-outside-

Kunikida: "--and if you ever do something that foolhardy again that makes this organization look bad--!"

lucy: yes sir. -_-;

Kyoka: *slaps Ranpo's hand* "Hands off my cake."

ranpo: >3<

atsushi: never a dull day, huh?

Dazai: ^w^ "Nope..." *looks* "Is it going to be awkward?"

atsushi: what do you mean?

Dazai: "Which part: the awkwardness of working with someone you're dating, or the awkwardness that one of my former proteges is in the medical ward recovering from getting saved by your girlfriend, which is likely only to make things more awkward for all of us and Lucy?"

atsushi:.... .w.;;;

*the door opens*

Akutagawa: "..."

lucy: um... hey sku-

Akutagawa: *GLARE* "...Thank you for not letting me die."

lucy:.... ^^; no problem.

Akutagawa: *GETS UP IN HER FACE* "I do not like being in someone's debt."

lucy: ._.;;;;;

Akutagawa: *points at Dazai, still staring at Lucy* "DAZAI! I have managed not to kill, not for you, but to grow as my own person!"

Dazai: ^^ "And that's just grand--but I think you meant to say that to Atsushi..." *nudges him*

atsushi: .w.;;;;;;

Akutagawa: *turns, looks at Atsushi* "...Hello."

atsushi: *ahem* hello.

Akutagawa: "...She saved me. But I could've handled them fine." >_>;

Dazai: ("Wow. High praise.")

atsushi: ^^; yep, that's lucy for ya.

lucy: =///3///=;

Akutagawa: "Hmm...Well, good for both of you. I need to leave before the Mafia tracks my GPS chip back here and assumes you all kidnapped me."

Kyoka: ._.; "...They're doing _that_ again?"

naomi: ^^;

Tanizaki: *glare*

Akutagawa: "...Oh. Hello. How are you?"

Tanizaki: "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

-elsewhere-

beauchamp: hmmm....

???: *cough cough sniff* <Hey, mister--mister! You got a smoke?>

beauchamp: <oh, sorry, i dont smoke.>

???: *pulls out a lighter, illuminating his own face, revealing a scraggily man with missing teeth* <Good for you!>

beauchamp: !!

???: *chuckles* <What's wrong? You wanted to see me, didn't ya?>

beauchamp: .....

???: *coughs, wipes his face* <Mosqueton, as your service!> *holds out his hand...it looks unappealing*

beauchamp: .... <likewise. call me beauchamp>

Mosqueton: <And a good chap you are!> *loud laughter* *wheezes* <...Okay, enough pleasantries. So, you were looking into the Mimic war?>

beauchamp: *looks around* <yes>

Mosqueton: *whispers* <Didn't the history books give you enough info?> *smirks*

beauchamp: ......

Mosqueton: <But you know you can't believe everything you read there...After all, think about the people Mimic must have still hanging about...In your neighborhood...at your local police station...in the president's office...>

beauchamp: .... <what do you know?>

Mosqueton:

beauchamp: <kidnapping?>

Mosqueton: -_-; <Work with me here, my fine gentleman...Look him up. He was 'arrested' for being a courier for Mimic. Now, who was the recipient for the mail he was delivering?>

beauchamp: *listening*

Mosqueton: <There's no evidence left--because the prosecutor on the case burned it up.>

beauchamp: !!!

Mosqueton: <As for Dumas, the lad was sent to some black ops prison--the entire case isn't even on public record--they disappeared! That prosecutor did...>

beauchamp: <but why?>

Mosqueton: <Aren't you listening to me? Mimic has its people everywhere--so that prosecutor must have some connection to them. I only know the package Dumas delivered was listed as a recipient at Artagnan Plaza--some chemist--the addressee was listed as 'Colbey' or something...Dumas probably knew something he shouldn't have, so--> *imitates a beheading*

beauchap: .... *gulp*

Mosqueton: <You sure you want to go down this path, my fine sir? If you do, no telling what you'll find--or who will be gunning after you.>

beauchamp:.... <i'm already in this deep...>

Mosqueton: <Yes...You are. Now, about my payment--> *opens a switchblade*

beauchamp: !!!

Mosqueton: <I'll take my payment, now.>

-elsewhere-

valentine: <hey max> ^^

Max: <!!! H-Hey, Valentine!> ^^; <How are you?>

valentine: <just brought my brother to the park for a bit.>

Max: *looks* <He looks like he's having fun...>

valentine: <yeah. how was work for you?>

Max: "..." <Odd.>

valentine: ??

Max: <...You see your step-mom around?>

valentine: <she's at home. why?>

Max: <...I saw her at work.>

valentine: <really?>

Max: *nods* <...And she didn't recognize me.> -_-;

valentine: ^^;

Max: <Any idea what she would be doing there?>

valentine: hmmm...

Max: <I'm not sure, either--we haven't done anything special aside from the relic collection and whatever Mr. Fawkes is up to.>

-elsewhere-

Fernand: "..." *steps away from the phone, enters the living room...*

mercedes: *asleep on the couch*

Albert: *snoozing with her*

Fernand: "..." *sits beside them* "..."

mercedes: zzzz....

Fernand: *tucks a blanket over them*

-elsewhere-

marquis: <you can sleep here if you want.>

Benny: -^-; <...Better than the floor...>

marquis: ^^

Benny: "..." >_>; "..." <Do you know any stories?

marquis:

Benny: *pulls the blankets around himself, listens*

marquis: <a long time ago, there was a prince. he was very small, and very lonely, as his mama and papa were always elsewhere...>

Benny: <...>

marquis: <one day, the prince left his home, in hopes of finding somewhere he could be loved. at first, he thought he had found it, with a large man in a mansion in the woods. but the man didnt love him the way he hoped, but he pretended to be happy anyway...>

Benny: <Why pretend? Why not leave?>

marquis: *sad smile* <because the prince was so desperate for any kind of love at that point, that he stayed. then, two men came and rescued the prince, and he's been happy ever since.>

Benny: <...> *curls up* <Okay...So, running away was good for the Prince?>

marquis: <in a way. he had finally found a place to call home, and people to call family.>

Benny: <Hmm...Does this family love him?>

marquis: .... *smile*

Benny: <...Okay...> *yawns* *lies, down, closes his eyes*

marquis:....*gets up, rubbing his eyes and exits the room*

Cervantes: *whispers* <Hello! He's asleep?>

marquis: *nods* *sniff* ^^

Cervantes: *concerned look* <You okay?>

marquis: *hug*

Cervantes: <!!!> *pat pat*

marquis:....<thanks>

Cervantes: ^^ <Any time...Want a drink?>

-elsewhere-

Kid: "Feel more relaxed?"

stocking: ^^

Kid: *smiles, rubs her shoulders*

stocking: =w=

Kid: *kisses the back of her neck*

stocking: ah~<3

Kid: *continues massaging* "So cute~"

stocking: =///=

Kid: *hugs her from behind* "I love you..."

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: *drawing...yawns* *looks out the window at the city at night*

mito: *resting by his feet*

Chuuya: "...Mito...Rain..."

mito: *meeew*

Chuuya: *pet pet stroke*

mito: *purrs*

Chuuya: *sad sigh*

-upstairs, the girls are asleep-

sonia: *sleeping peacefully*

miyuri: *sprawled out on the floor* zzzzz

Chuuya: "..." *picks up Mito, walks upstairs*

mito: *mii?*

Chuuya: *goes to the girls' room...sets down Mito*

mito: *walks over to miyuri, licks her cheek*

miyuri: hehehe... =w=

Chuuya: *small smile...picks up Miyuri*

miyuri: zzzzz....

Chuuya: *sets her in bed, tucks her in*

miyuri: =w=

Chuuya: *strokes her head...looks at Sonia*

sonia: mmn....*holding her teddy*

Chuuya: *tucks her and the teddy in*

sonia: *she seems happy*

Chuuya: *sighs* ("...I wish you could see this...")

-silence-

Chuuya: "..." *wipes his face*

-early morning-

Archivist: <Court cases?>

beauchamp: <yes>

Archivist: <Which year?>

-beauchamp explained-

Archivist: <Hmmm...I'm not familiar...Let me open the files for 6 years ago...>

-elsewhere-

Villefort: *sipping tea*

Valentine: *sighs*

heloise: <im going to be running errands.>

Valentine:

Villefort: -_-;

-elsewhere-

Jeje: "Wake up."

mikuni: zzzzzz.... =w=

Jeje: "..." *picks him up...*

mikuni: mmn, that feels nice, darlin'...zzz....

Jeje: -_-; *slams Mikuni into the ceiling*

mikuni: YEOWCH!

Jeje: "Work is starting."

-elsewhere-

Dumas: *snoring*

{Dumas: *his wrists are chained to the interrogation table...he's in a prison jumpsuit...the laces are removed from his shoes* <LET ME OUT, DAMN IT! I DEMAND TO KNOW THE CHARGES!>}

{villefort: *entering*}

{Dumas: *stares, trying to recognize the person...* ("Prosecutor?") <...Who are you?>}

{villefort: <gerard de villefort, as the prosecution.>}

{Dumas: <...Monsieur, I was taken out of my home--it's my wedding day. I don't even know whether she knows I'm here! No one is explaining to me what I'm charged with!>}

{villefort: *examines the envelope*.... !!!!!!!}

{Dumas: <What? It was what my captain asked me to deliver-->}

{villefort: ....<we will investigate this matter immediately.>}

{Dumas: "..." *nods* <When can I be presented to the judge to post bail?>}

{-...-}

{villefort: <as you can see, this man's knowledge of mimic's actions makes him a liability. it makes him a dangerous man. i find it is only fitting to lock him away where his knowledge is unable to harm anyone.>}

{Dumas: <You can't do this! I'm innocent! I don't even know what I had! Please, your honor-->}

{Judge: <I'm inclined to agree. Officers, please escort the prisoner-->}

{Dumas: !!! *shakes*}

{juror: !!! <w-what is that?!>}

{Dumas: *dark energy is around him--as he snaps the handcuffs offs and throws the table into the ceiling lights, knocking them out*}

{-there is panic and screaming-}

{villefort: !!!! <what the devil-->}

{Dumas: *in the dark, he grows only more powerful, before he grabs Villefort by the throat* <YOU LIED TO ME! I HATE BEING LIED TO!>}

{villefort: !!! <GU-GUARDS!>}

{Guard: <Shoot!> *fires a tranq*}

{*the tranquilizers hit Dumas...he's still moving*}

Dumas: *shaking in bed* <No...NO!> *slams his fist onto the bed--smashing its frame*

marquis: <dumas? is everything ok-.... ._.;;; >

Dumas: <...> *sits up* =_=# "..." <What?! YOU'VE NEVER SEEN SOMEONE BREAK THEIR BED?!>

marquis: eep! >^<; <b-breakfast is ready!>

Dumas: <FINE! THANK YOU! IS THERE ORANGE JUICE?!> *pushes the broken bed to the wall*

marquis: <please, dont shout? ^^; >

Dumas: O^O *angry whispering* <WHY NOT?>

marquis: <you'll upset the neighbors.>

Dumas: <...> =_=; <Fine. Good point...> *buries his head under the pillow*

-elsewhere-

Max: <I'm heading out...>

morrel: <take care.> *smiles* .........*sigh*

Max: <...I'll be home at 4. Call me if you need anything...> *sad smile*

-elsewhere-

Izumo: -_-; ("I finished sweeping the apartment, so just need to find food...") *checking cupcakes at the grocery* ("How did I get talked into a 'sleepover'?")

-phone ringing-

Izumo: "???" *answers* "Hello?"

shiemi: hi izumo! when are you coming over?

Izumo: "I'm on my way--I'm just picking up some items." -_-; "...Should I be bringing anything?"

-elsewhere-

Akutagawa: "--then she buried the cleaver into me, nearly killing me, before activating her ability to heal all injuries." *sips tea* "...Hm. This is quite good."

lucy:.....*awkward laughter*

Akutagawa: "...My fatal injuries amuse you?"

lucy: oh no, i didnt mean it that way!

Akutagawa: "In what way, then? What was funny?"

atsushi: anyone want cupcakes? ^^;;

Akutagawa: "...Fine." *takes one* "Who made them?"

atsushi: kyouka did.

Akutagawa: "...Have you been taking good care of her?"

atsushi: of course.

sylvia: *peeks* .~.;;;

Akutagawa: "...And who is that person?"

atsushi: that's sylvia, she's a new member as well.

sylvia: >~<;; *ducks behind the wall*

Akutagawa: "...These are your recruits? In the Mafia, we focus on power..."

atsushi: well, lucy has proven herself willing to give her life for the sake of the agency, just like i did.

Akutagawa: -^- "I could've saved myself--I was busy not killing them and making sure she didn't get killed..."

lucy: and i appreciate that

Akutagawa: "...You're welcome." *bites into the cupcake--gets frosting on his nose*

atsushi: um...you got something on your- *points to his nose*

Akutagawa: "Yes? ..." *looks* "..." *wipes with a napkin* "...Thank you." >\\\\>;

atsushi: ^^;

-CRASH-

atsushi: ?!

lucy: ???

sylvia: EEP! >~<;;

Akutagawa: *already aiming Rashomon* "!!!"

???: "Now, calm down--we're not here to--" *suddenly, his voice goes up in pitch* "OW!" *Tachihara collapses into the room*

Akutagawa: "???"

gin: GIVE RYU BACK!

hirotsu: gin, i understand you're upset, but we need to be diplomatic about this.

gin: diplomatic my ass! *runs into the room and hugs akutagawa* WHY DIDNT YOU ANSWER?!

Akutagawa: O\\\\O; "...I was busy, recuperating from injuries. Also, there were cupcakes."

gin: *glares at atsushi*

atsushi: ._.;;;

lucy: ._.;;;;

Akutagawa: "...Wait, you don't think they injured me, do you?"

hirotsu: *ahem* greetings, armed detective agency, we're just here to recover one of our members.

yosano: he was injured before he got here....granted i helped, but that was to heal him.

Akutagawa: *nods* "Granted, I was first attacked by some fire-users--the same that took the Mafia's bar."

gin: !!!

Akutagawa: "They followed me back here, attempting to destroy the Armed Detective Agency as well."

hirotsu: hmm...

Kyoka: *walks in with more tea* "And obviously we were not destroyed--and Lucy sent the Hell Blaze Gang away."

lucy: *beaming*

Akutagawa: >_>; *opens his mouth to repeat his point--then stops* -_-;

Tachihara: T~T "Who the hell is Lucy?"

lucy: .... that would be me. -_-;

Tachihara: "??? You mean ‘carrots’ over there?"

Akutagawa: *stifling himself*

lucy: *PUNCH* WHO DO YOU THINK YOU'RE CALLING 'CARROTS'?!

gin: -_-; ignore him, he's a moron.

Tachihara: X___X

Akutagawa: "..." *pokes* "He's not dead, so no need to treat him..." *picks him up* "...Thank you for the shirt."

atsushi:...right... *sweatdrop*

lucy: er-...sorry about your coat.

Akutagawa: "It's fine..." *takes hers*

lucy: D8

Akutagawa: "Let's go home."

gin:....*nods*

-elsewhere-

Joker: "Welcome back!" >w<

nana: =A=;

Joker: "How did you like staying over with Aunt Red?"

nana: it was nice.

Joker: "Does she have nice furniture?"

nana: yeah, it was fancy. we ordered pizza.

Joker: "Oh..." *looks up* "I guess I owe you for that..." *opens wallet*

nana: ??

scarlet: it's fine.

Joker: "Well, owe you for the pizza..." *hands her a $20 bill*

scarlet: um...thanks, i guess.

Joker: "So, when can we have a slumber party?"

scarlet: ... -_-;

-elsewhere-

-knocks-

mrs saint-merand: ?? *opens the door* <oh, heloise, what a surprise!> ^^

Mr. Saint-Merand: -_-; <Hmph.>

Heloise: <Hello.> *smiles* *holds up a box*

mrs saint-merand: <oh, how lovely!> ^^

Heloise: *adjusts her pearl necklace*

mrs saint-merand: <why of course, dear.>

Mr. Saint Merand: *stares at her necklace* "..." ("Familiar...")

Heloise: <Shall I brew?>

mrs saint merand: <are you sure dear, we dont mind->

Heloise: <It would be my pleasure...>

-elsewhere-

Akutagawa: -_-; "I appreciate your concern, but I think this is going too far--"

gin: im seriously not letting you out of my sight for a week!

Akutagawa: "YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!" >_<# "I WAS DOING JUST FINE!"

gin: DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW WORRIED I WAS?! WE ALREADY HAD YOU GO MISSING ONCE! *hug* i cant....i cant let it happen again...*shaking*

Akutagawa: "..." T~T *hug* "I'm sorry."

gin: *sniff* you're a real jerk sometimes, ryu...

Akutagawa: "I love you, too..."

gin:.....

Higuchi: Q_Q *watching from around the corner*

Akutagawa: "...Can we just have lunch already..."

gin: ..r-right.

Q: i want omurice! ^o^

Higuchi: "!!" *runs back to the kitchen*

Akutagawa: -_-; ("Q gets kidnapped all the time--why do I get in trouble when I do...")

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: "Okay, so there are the tools, the wood planks--"

Motojiro: "The death laser--"

Chuuya: "..." *STARE*

ayako: OwO

Chuuya: "...How...How about instead a kaleidoscope in the treehouse?" ^^;

Motojiro: "Hmm...Colorful...I suppose.............."

leo: perhaps a light show for the reception would be nice?

Motojiro: "...YES...We shall build it!"

-elsewhere-

Kunikida: "Let's not rest on our laurels--you're now in this Agency, so now you're going to start with the grunt work."

lucy: yes sir.

Kunikida: "Good. You're on Ranpo duty."

lucy: *sigh* i figured.

-elsewhere-

Lord Wilmore: <Don't fall behind, sweetie...>

andrea: =~=

Lord Wilmore: *knocks on the door* ^^

lucian: <yes? ah, lord wilmore, please, come in>

Lord Wilmore: <Hello, Lucian--a pleasure to see you again. I am here to leave paperwork for Monsieur Danglars to review...>

lucian: <right this way>

Lord Wilmore: *follows* <Maybe Andrea would like to play with her new friend?>

eugenie: <andrea!> *hug*

andrea: !!!

Lord Wilmore: <Have fun, you two!> *smug wave at Andrea*

Danglars: *in his office, muttering over financial records*

-elsewhere-

Izumo: "Hello? Anyone here?" *looking at the garden*

shiemi: oh, you're here! ^^

Izumo: "Hi..." *holds up bag* "I brought some snacks..."

shiemi: oh how nice! come on, my room is in the garden storehouse.

Izumo: "The storehouse?" *follows* *looking at the garden*

-it's quite a lovely garden-

Izumo: "...It must take you a lot of work to tend to all of this..."

shiemi: it does, but it's worth it. *opens the door*

-inside is quite cozy-

Izumo: "...Um...This isn't bad..." >\\\>; "...Where should I put these?" *holds up the bag*

-elsewhere-

*knock on the 8th's door*

shinra: ??

Ogun: *waves* "Hey."

shinra: ogun! great to see you!

Ogun: "Same!" *hug* "How you holding up?"

shinra: pretty well. *calls out* hey guys! ogun's here!

Arthur: "Finally--pleasant company."

Ogun: ^^;

karin: OwO nozomiiiin~ someone's heeeere~

Petra: "..." *whispers* "I have no idea who he is."

iris: he's a friend.

Petra: "Hmm...I hope he's more dependable than some people..."

rita: ^^;

maki: so what's new with you?

Ogun: "...Is Commander Obi here?" *he's holding some files*

maki: yeah, he's out training in the garden.

Ogun: *nods* "I can wait...I think you, Dr. Itou, and Vulcan may need to hear this...You too, Shinra."

shinra: what is it?

karin: ...

Ogun: "I overheard Commander Huang and Captain Arg visiting Commander Arg...They sounded really upset about what happened to some patients they had...The 6th and multiple hospitals have been transferring burn victims..."

karin: oh jeez...

shinra: ....

Ogun: "The Captain wanted me to tell Obi, especially given where the burn victims have been transferred..."

-elsewhere-

Dr. John: "...Son of a gun." *kicks a garbage can*

sachiko: !!

Dr. John: *she's looking at empty beds* "Burn victims...in comas, moved against my orders...How dare they..."

-there is murmurs amongst the hospital staff-

nurse: how strange...

nurse 2: what about the moriyama girl?

Dr. John: "Everyone, listen up! Do not let another patient be transferred--not until I give Haijima Industries a piece of my mind!" *rolls up a sleeve* "Or my fist!"

-elsewhere-

Scientist: *looking out the window* *sighs* "Get another bed ready..."

*a child lies motionless behind the glass on the stone floor...*

???: right away.

???: "..." *walks up to the glass, staring at both scientists...bangs a fist on the glass*

scientist 2: !!!

???: *muffled through the glass* "Bring me another."

Scientist 1: ^^; *speaks into the microphone* "Take an hour break--you earned it, champ--"

???: *bangs on the glass again* "Another."

Scientist 1: OwO; "..." *looks at Scientist 2* "Get another kid."

???: now come on, they're kids for cripe's sake.

???: *looks at ???, glaring*

Scientist 1: >3< "SHHHHH! Do you want to get killed?!"

scientist 2: always the moral one, eh fujimi?

kahono: well _someone_ here has to.

Scientist 1: -_-; "Then you convince him..." *hands Kahono the microphone*

kahono: kurono, quit being a dingus and take a break for an hour, you'll burn yourself out otherwise!

Kurono: "Hmph...I don't have a lot of time, and a break is just wasting time..." *clenches his fist* "...Get a doctor in here to check on this..."

kahono: *entering and checks on the child*

Kurono: "..."

Child: *knocked out, barely breathing*

kahono:...im so sorry for this, kiddo. *picks them up*

Kurono: "Weakling."

kahono:…

-elsewhere-

Heloise: *walking up the steps, one at a time* "..."

{Heloise: *sets down the tea* <Such lovely cups you have...>}

{mrs saint-merand: <why thank you.> ^^}

{Mr. Saint-Merand: <Hmph.> *sniffs the tea* <What is it?>}

{Heloise: <Hibiscus.> *looks* <Where are your servants?>}

{mrs saint-merand: <oh, we dont have any.>}

{Mr. Saint-Merand: <Yes. You've been here before, haven't you?> *sips*}

{Heloise: "..." *smiles* <Sorry. I'm so forgetful...>}

{mrs saint-merand: *sips hers*}

{Mr. Saint-Merand: "..." <That necklace looks familiar...>}

{Heloise: <...Oh? Does it?> *knowing smile*}

{Mr. Saint-Merand: <...What the hell...?>}

{mrs saint-merand: .... !!! *coughing*}

{Mr. Saint-Merand: *his hand is shaking* <Wh-What...WHAT DID YOU DO?!>}

{Heloise: *keeps sipping her tea*}

{mrs saint-merand: *collapses*}

{Heloise: *smirks* <Well, that settles--GRK!>}

{Mr. Saint-Merand: *strangling Heloise, his hands shaking from the poisoning*}

{Heloise: *desperately swinging her arms at him*}

{Mr. Saint-Merand: *his grip loosens...as he clutches her pearls, ripping them off, scattering them on the floor*}

{Heloise: "?!" *coughing...settles herself, noticing he's convulsing but motionless* "..." *picks up the string of pearls and the ones that fell off* ("That's all of them...") "..." *kicks Mr. Saint-Merand...he's not moving...* *smiles, coughs...* ("Now to wipe the tea set...Well, _my_ tea set...")}

{*she doesn't notice something shining from under Mrs. Saint-Merand's couch...*}

Heloise: *walks into her room, sits on the edge of her bed* "..."

-elsewhere-

Asher: =_= "Why are you doing this to me?" *staring at a roller coaster*

Kanin: *eating cotton candy*

izumi: we thought it'd be a nice change of pace.

lei-lei: yeah!

Saria: "If you don't want the coaster, we can try something else, like bumper cars--"

Asher: "Done. Enjoy getting heart attacks." *walks to bumper cars*

izumi:.. ^^;

Axel: "I'm not scared. The Hell-Scarer 8000 isn't as bad as the Hell-Scarer 9000. I heard this one only had 4 injuries this week--"

zeke: true, true.

Yafeu: *AGGRESSIVE NOMMING ON CANDY APPLE* "LET'S DO THIS!"

-elsewhere-

Shamrock: *vacuuming...lifts the couch up and--* "...TSUBAKI. THEY'RE DIGGING TUNNELS AGAIN!"

Belkia: *pops up, wearing a miner's hat* "We'll get to Asakusa in less than a month!"

otogiri: -_-;

Black Star: "GET OUT OF THERE!" *pulls Belkia up by the neck* "NOW WE GOT TO FILL THIS HOLE!"

Shamrock: "Hmm...Maybe just lay a rug for now..." *sets the rug*

Sakuya: *walks in* "What's all the noise--" *falls through the rug into the tunnel*

Black Star: D8

Shamrock: X_O;

Belkia: "..." *snort laugh*

naho: D8 SAKKUUUUN!!

Black Star: O_O; "We're all so dead..."

Belkia: "What, again?"

Shamrock: X~T

Sakuya: @~@ "Please...Beat the shit out of them for me..."

-elsewhere-

*knock knock on the Agency door*

lucy: ??

*someone outside carrying a futon*

lucy oh, mr katai!

Katai: O~O "H-H-Hello, Lucy...Visiting today?"

lucy: oh, i actually work here now.

Katai: "Oh, I see..." ^^ "...HUH?!"

-atsushi explains what all happened-

Katai: Q_Q "I'm glad I avoided that...After the last time I met Mr. Akutagawa, he got angry with me..."

kirako: oh, katai! please, come on in.

Katai: *walks inside, sits down* "H-Hello. How's the baby?"

kirako: coming along.

yosano: so what's up?

Katai: =_= "I was kept up all night by loud noises..."

yosano: loud noises?

Katai: *nods* "I heard some scuffle outside my window, like someone was stealing from someone. I looked up but didn't put on my glasses in time before the potential thief and the potential victim ran off..."

yosano: hmm...

Katai: "M-M-Maybe someone could do a stake-out--"

Ranpo: "SLEEPOVER."

aya: yeah!

Katai: O_O; "Not what I had in mind--"

Kyoka: "We'll need to order pizza."

-elsewhere-

Izumo: *pointing at the books* "That's the name of this technique, so memorize it--no cutesy nicknames for it."

shiemi: oh... *looks*...... ._.

Izumo: -_-; "Okay, look, your nicknames are a way for you to memorize. So how about we use that to our advantage..." *holds up the book, showing a plant* "This is the osha plant. It is used to ward away spirits. So, what do you nickname this?"

shiemi: kumako-chan.

Izumo: ._.; "...Where did you get that name?"

shiemi: they call it bear medicine, right? kuma means bear in japanese, hence, kumako-chan.

Izumo: "...That...is actually impressive. Okay, so now you need to remember the actual name, so, um, maybe..." *doodles a bear* "This is, um, 'Osha the Bear'?"

-elsewhere-

Beauchamp: =_= *yawns* ("I can't find anything on this 'Dumas'...It's like he really was wiped from public records, not even a birth certificate...") *opens a web page for Judge Villefort...*

-there is a photo of himself, a young blonde woman, and a young blonde girl-

Beauchamp: *reads the caption* " 'Mr. Villefort is seen here with...'" *tries to read the names* "Hmm..." *searches for the name of his wife* <Deceased...> *pulls up family records* ("A few of them are dead--his wife, his dad...That's troubling...") *pulls up a file on Noirtier Villefort...*

-confirmed MIA, assumed to be deceased-

Beauchamp: *pulls up a photo and--* "!!!" *hunts through his photographs of Villefort from following him around town--* "?!" ("That old man in the chair...That's him! Who is he...") *searches the nursing home...* "...COLBY?!"

Librarian: -A- "SHHH!"

Beauchamp: O_O; <Sorry...>

francesca: ._.;;;

Beauchamp: "?!" *whispers* <Hello...>

francesca: <hey.>

Beauchamp: <...This is something big...>

francesca: ??

Beauchamp:

francesca: .........

Beauchamp: <And this man is a chemical technician, retired, who I think was the person involved with mimic--Villefort, assumed dead in the war but still alive!>

francesca: !!!!!!!! <y-you dont think....>

Beauchamp:

francesca: *shaking*

Beauchamp: <This is big...We can't even go to the cops with this...Hey, you okay?>

francesca: <he.....noirtier....he's my girlfriend's grandfather....>

Beauchamp: <...Oh no...>

francesca:...

Beauchamp: <...What, we talk to him?>

francesca: hmmm....

Beauchamp: <...> *texting*

-elsewhere-

Dabi: *pulls over* "We're here..."

himiko: *looks*

*looks to be a dusty ghost town with a railroad near it...the sign says 'Orion'*

himiko: ooooh.

Twice: "Ooooo..." *snaps a pic on his phone--*

Dabi: *slaps his hand* "Stop. We can't be tracked here..."

Twice: -3-

banshee: ....

Muscular: "What's supposed to be here? It's just sage brush and dust."

Dabi: "Appearances can be deceptive..." *tosses a shovel* "Start digging."

-elsewhere-

Steinbeck: *on the phone* "Sir, I really don't understand what you're--...Okay. Okay! We'll be on the look out...Right...Right..." -_-; "Sir, we don't work for free--" *shouting heard on the phone* >_<# "..." *hands the phone to Emily*

emily: ._. um. h-hello?

???: "--and I said this is important to these kids! How would you like it if you were kidnapped or if I put my boot up your--...Oh, Ms. Dickinson. Hi. This is Salinger."

emily: mr salinger, hello!

Salinger: ^^ "Hello, dear. Spencer, say hello to Ms. Dickinson!"

*a dog barking is heard*

emily: ^^ so, what's the occasion?

Salinger: "I'm afraid I have some bad news--a kid in my neighborhood's friend was kidnapped, and he thinks she's in your area."

emily: oh goodness!

Salinger: "Could you look out for her? I could mail you a news clipping, but that'll take a long time--maybe there's something on the World Wide Web on your computer?"

-elsewhere-

Lord Wilmore: <A pleasure, sir...> *takes the signed paperwork, shakes Danglars's hand*

Danglars: <Yes! I can't believe I get to own your stuff now!>

Lord Wilmore: ^^; <49%, sir...>

-upstairs-

andrea: *staring at the teaset* ...

Eugenie: <It's pretty, isn't it? Mama tells me to be careful so not to break it because she wants it for when friends are over...But she never has anyone over...>

andrea: ......

Eugenie: <...> *smiles* <Maybe you could be Mama's friend, too!>

andrea: !!! .///.;;;

Eugenie: <Mama? Meet my new friend!> *takes Andrea's hands*

andrea: ._.;;;

hermine: ??

Eugenie: <This is Andrea!> *whispers* <She's really shy...>

hermine: ...<h-how do you do?>

andrea: .~.;;;

Eugenie: ^w^ <May we have snacks?>

hermine:...<of course> *heads downstairs*

-elsewhere-

Duncan: *struggling to pick up the 'strong man' mallet to hit the weight to strike the bell* *huffs, puffs* "Hang on...Hang on..."

Axel: "Bro, this is just sad."

zeke: *shakes head*

hibiki: i might die from second hand embarrassment.

Duncan: >3< *swings--and hits the weight's countermeasure--and the weight barely goes up*

Hyde: "Aaaaaaaaaand you got 2 out of 100..."

Asher: "That sucks." *their hair is blown back*

amelia: may i give it a go?

Duncan: "Pfft! Like you can even lift it--"

amelia: *takes the hammer* *intense look* *SHA-WING!*

Kanin: *watches*

-she just knocked the bell off-

amelia:....................oops.

Duncan: Q_Q

Axel: 0_0

zeke: ....bruh.

Kanin: O_O

Hyde: -_-; "...I got to stop running this in Death City..."

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: *sawing*

naoya: *streeeetch*

Chuuya: "...Think they'll like it?"

naoya: hell yeah!

Chuuya: ^^; "Thanks...I just want this to be perfect...Maybe paint some of it with animals..."

naoya: good idea.

Chuuya: "And Kajii and Leo are working on the kaleidoscope...You know what would be cool? Maybe some playground here..."

naoya: maybe a pool?

Chuuya: "Yeah! Wait..." ._.; "I don't know whether Miyuri can swim..."

naoya: i'd suggest starting with an inflatable pool.

Chuuya: "Sounds good--I'll add it to the shopping list..."

-elsewhere-

Heloise: *rubbing her neck*

edouard: <mama?>

Heloise: *quickly turns...nervous smile* <Oh, Eddy...You startled me...>

edouard: <are you ok?>

Heloise: "..." *nods* <Yes...> *picks him up* <Much better...>

edouard: ^^

Heloise: <Hee hee...> *forehead kiss* <Let's make snacks.>

-elsewhere-

Lord Wilmore: <Andrea? Time to go home...>

andrea:...*nods*

Lord Wilmore: <...You okay?>

andrea: *nods nods* ...

Lord Wilmore: <Okay...Wave bye-bye to your friend...> *looks at Mrs. Danglars and Eugenie*

andrea: *wave*

Eugenie: ^w^ *happy wave*

-elsewhere-

Akitaru: "Jeez...This is pretty serious, folks..."

Ogun: *nods*

karin: ......

Vulcan: "I think we're also forgetting something big--this isn't the first time Haijima has been up to some shit. My family, Giovanni's connection to the Hoods, what they did to Lisa--even the 5th's commander was up to sneaky stuff."

shinra: yeeeah... >->;

Akitaru: "And something that's been obvious for a bit...that Viktor was put here by Haijima to keep an eye on us."

Ogun: "...Huh. That...makes a lot of sense."

Takehisa: "Obviously."

Vulcan: "No duh."

Arthur: "Totally."

karin: i fucking knew it.

Relan: ._. ("...I didn't...")

nozomi: !!

iris: ._.

rita: ????

Petra: -_-; *signing* <The Viktor boy is a spy for Haijima--because of course.>

rita: <oh.> .... <wait, is haijima the enemy or no?>

Petra: *signing while talking* <So, now that you know Haijima is the actual threat, when do we treat them like you treated the Church?"

shinra: *looks to oubi*

Akitaru: "..." *looks to Karin* "I don't suppose you could find some floor plans for their buildings?"

karin: just leave it to me!

Vulcan: "I also may have some jamming equipment to see if we can listen into their security guards' PA system."

-elsewhere-

Noirtier: *sitting by his window* "..."

-two nurses enter-

francesca:...

Noirtier: "..." *smirks* <You're new...>

Beauchamp: "..."

francesca: <do you need anything?>

Noirtier: <Yes...Do you intend to kill me here, or kidnap me first?>

francesca: ._.; <erm...>

Noirtier: <Oh, come now--you're so transparent. Do you know how long I've waited for this? Just--Just pour the water already, and let's chat...>

francesca: .......

Noirtier: <Now, then, what did you want to ask me?>

francesca:.... *shaking*

Beauchamp: <Mr. Colby...or, should I say, Mr. Noirtier...>

Noirtier: *smiles* <Who told you?> *looks at Francesca* <Oh, come off it--are you a welp or an adult? Just spit it out!>

francesca: <monsiour d'epinay, did you kill him?>

Noirtier: <D'Epinay? Oh, I was stationed with him...Heh...He convulsed for minutes...>

francesca: !!!!!!!

Beauchamp: <Sir! You killed this woman's father?!>

Noirtier:

francesca:......*she collapses*

Beauchamp: <!!!> *picks her up, supports her head*

Noirtier: <Pity...Where's a nurse when you need one...>

francesca: <why you->

Noirtier: <Why? Have you seen this nation, this continent?> *coughs* <After the horrors I've seen, I'd rather see it all burn, so something else could be built...>

francesca: <shut up...>

Noirtier: *smirks* <Or what? I've been running my mouth longer than you've been alive-->

-PUNCH-

Noirtier: *knocked out of his wheelchair*

francesca: <YOU SON OF A BITCH!> *kicks*

Noirtier: *collapsed, wheezing* <St-Stop! Help me!>

Beauchamp: *too stunned to do anything...*

francesca: *tries to strangle him*

Nurse: *breaks down the door* <Stop! You'll kill him!> *grabs Francesca*

francesca: <let go of me!>

Nurse 2: *grabs Francesca by the hair*

Nurse 1: *pulling away Francesca's arms*

Noirtier: *coughing* <Get her away!>

-elsewhere-

sonia: *writing*

Chuuya: *wipes his brow* *looks*

sonia: *looks up, wave*

Chuuya: *smiles, waves...walks into the school, looking at the halls' walls*

-there are several posters and drawings by the kids-

Chuuya: *smiles, laughs a bit* ("Where's Sonia's...")

-the is one with a drawing of a girl in a sundress in a field of sunflowers-

Chuuya: "???"

-it has sonia's name on it-

Chuuya: "Wow..."

teacher: quite amazing, isnt she?

Chuuya: "Hmm? ...Yes, she is. Thank you."

teacher: ^^ its quite remarkable, she's so mature for her age group.

Chuuya: ^^; "I keep telling her that..."

teacher: *chuckle* ^^

Chuuya: "I was just here to pick her up..."

teacher: ah.

Chuuya: "How is she? Is she getting along okay?"

teacher: she seems to be doing well.

Chuuya: "...Good. It's been a big adjustment again for her..."

teacher: i've heard...

Chuuya: >_>; "I'm kind of worried whether she's making friends..."

teacher: she does talk to her classmates, but spends more time talking with the teachers.

Chuuya: *nods* "Yes, she tends to get along better with some adults..."

teacher: truth be told, we're considering having her skip ahead a few grades.

Chuuya: "Oh? That would be a big change..."

teacher: it would indeed.

Chuuya: "I think I'll talk with her, too..."

teacher: *knocks* sonia, your father's here.

sonia: ok. *collects her belongings and exits into the hall*

Chuuya: "Hi, Sonia. How are you?"

sonia: good. *hug*

Chuuya: ^^ *hug*

-elsewhere-

Kuro: *paws at cupcake*

mahiru: ok, now we need three eggs.

Kuro: =_= *picks up eggs* "Here. Where do I put them?"

mahiru: crack them open and put them into the bowl.

Kuro: "I was kidding..." *tosses the shells* "Stir now, or..."

mahiru: *nods*

Kuro: *stirs* "What flavor will these be, when can we eat them, and where's the frosting?"

mahiru: it's a strawberry cake for the school bake sale.

Kuro: "...That doesn't answer 'when can we eat'..."

mahiru: we'll have the second cake later.

Kuro: =_= "Fine...I'll help bake these for your bake sale..." *stirs more slowly*

-elsewhere-

Kyoka: *rolling up a sleeping bag* "We'll also need soda."

sylvia: *nod nod*

tamaki: oh, hey kyouka!

Kyoka: *shiny eyes* "Tamaki." *hug*

tamaki: ^^

sylvia: um...h-hi...

Kyoka: "Sylvia, this is Tamaki. She saved me at the Sports Festival."

sylvia: n-nice to...m-meet you... .~.;;;

tamaki: shy?

sylvia: eep! >~<

Kyoka: "Yes. Her ability has not been a lucky one."

tamaki: i can relate. too well. *excalibur face*

Kyoka: *sympathetic pat* "We were getting ready for a stake-out / sleepover."

tamaki: oh, sounds fun.

Kyoka: *nods* "This will be a first for Sylvia since joining the Agency." *whispers* "We're worried about organized crime around a friend's apartment."

tamaki: jeez.

Kyoka: "So be careful...We already had the Hell Blaze Gang attack us. And some weird fire woman with an eye mask..."

tamaki: !!!!!! what did her eye mask look like?

Kyoka: "??? Like a Burger King crown? It was in the Nether months ago--"

tamaki: holy-..*shakes* y-you were lucky to get away, that person, she's....*looks around and whispers* she's part of a group called the knights of the ashen flame. all im gonna say is that they're bad news.

Kyoka: "I know. They ripped my friend Atsushi to bits, then burned the bits, then burned him alive again. Twice."

tamaki: D8

Kyoka: "He got better. He can regenerate."

tamaki:.....bruh...just....bruh.

Kyoka: "He's also the weretiger, so he also has a cat theme."

tamaki: ....riiight. ^^;

sylvia: .~.;;

Kyoka: "It's better now. We have more recruits now, and we put a fundamentalist extremist into prison."

tamaki: wow, you've been busy. we've been busy too, but that's classified info, sadly.

Kyoka: "I understand. Good luck with confidential work."

-elsewhere-

Hyde: "Here you go..." *hands a neon glow-stick necklace*

izumi: thanks hyde! ^^

Hyde: "Don't mention it. Say hi to Soul for me!"

Axel: *wearing a balloon hat* "Need the bathroom before fireworks. Bro, I entrust this to you..." *hands off the balloon hat*

zeke: *salutes*

hibiki: *looking for a good spot*

*looks to be an open spot on the hill...*

hibiki: how about there?

Duncan: "Allow me to roll out the blankets..." T~T

izumi: ^^

Asher: *their face is painted* ._.

Saria: ^^ *sits on the blanket, pats a spot next to her*

lukas: *takes a seat*

Kanin: "Here you go, Amelia."

amelia: *noms on cotton candy*

Kanin: ^^

Yafeu: *putting on 'fireworks glasses' "KALEIDOSCOPIC!"

lei-lei: ^^

*the PA system turns on*

???: "Is this thing on? Hello?"

???: "You're already pressing the button, Lord Death..."

lord death: ah yes, welcome to the festival everyone! how's everybody doing tonight?

Sid: -_-; ("They can't respond--")

Audience: "YAY!"

lord death: are you ready for some fireworks?

Audience: "YES!"

lord death: alrighty! let's get this party started!!

*WHEEP* *something fires into the sky before exploding into a firework*

amelia: wow!

Axel: *runs up* "Crap! What have I missed?"

*another shoots off to form a skull head*

-clapping-

-elsewhere-

valentine: *knocks*

*no answer*

valentine: <grandma? grandpa? it's me!>

*no answer still*

valentine: ... (maybe they're asleep...) *tries the door*

*it opens...*

valentine: !!! *coughing* *dialing 112*

Dispatcher: <112, what's your emergency?>

valentine: <there's a gas leak in my grandparent's home!>

Dispatcher: <Please give me the address to send emergency.>

-she explains the situation-

Dispatcher: <Emergency is on its way. Are your grandparents in the house?>

valentine:

Dispatcher: <You should not be in there to breathe--you need to leave to let emergency provide oxygen to your grandparents...>

-elsewhere-

Heloise: "..." *knocks on Villefort's bedroom door before walking in*

villefort: <it's open.>

Heloise: *already inside...locks the door behind her* <...Gerard...> *walks up to him...*

villefort: *turns-*

Heloise: *holds onto him in a hug*

villefort: !!!!!

Heloise: *kisses his cheek down to his lips*

villefort: <ah- what's gotten into you?>

Heloise: *downcast eyes* <Gerard...I was so lonely...I just want to be close to you...>

villefort: .....

Heloise: *rubs a hand over his chest, leans against him* <I'm sorry for being so cold...Gerard...I love you...>

-elsewhere-

francesca: ......

Beauchamp: *sitting in a jail cell* =_= <Well, I can add this to my resume...>

Jailer: <Hey, are you Beauchamp and d'Épinay?>

francesca:....<what about it?>

Jailer: *opens the door* <Bail posted.>

francesca: <wait, really?>

Beauchamp: ._.;

Jailer: <He's outside for you...>

francesca: *looks*

Lord Wilmore: *waves*

francesca: ....

Beauchamp: <Um...Thank you, sir-->

Lord Wilmore: <Lord Wilmore.>

-elsewhere-

Kid: *crawls into bed*

shiori: *peek*

stocking: oh, seems we have a visitor.

Kid: *smiles* "Hey, Shiori..." *waves*

shiori: *crawls into bed with a picture book* story book!

stocking: want us to read to you??

shiori: *nods*

Kid: *takes the book, opens it up* "Pretty drawings, aren't they?"

shiori: *nods and points*

Kid: *looks*

-seems to be a book of fairy tales-

Kid: "Any particular tale to start?"

shiori: dat one.

Kid: " 'Beauty and the Beast,' huh? Sure! 'Once upon a time, in a castle far away...'"

-elsewhere-

Katai: >_<; "It's kind of cramped in here..."

aya: *noms on taiyaki*

Kyoka: *sitting under the kotatsu* =w=

Ranpo: *sipping ramune* "What's with all the cat toys? You adopted one now?"

sylvia: ._.

Katai: O\\\\\\O "..." *looks out the window* "L-Let's just look for those loud crooks..."

atsushi: ....

#death city days

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