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sometimesiwrite · 3 years

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Sick of This

A/N: Modern AU inspired by a random piece of dialogue from TW2 (Roche’s Path) in Vergen when Geralt and Zoltan speak with Yarpen and Burdon (I think). We hear a story about how Geralt took care of Triss while they were travelling together and she had a horrendous illness. I’m working with hybrids of these characters, but primarily drawing on game dynamics with a bit of book influence for Yennefer and some Netflix influence for Triss.

Summary: Geralt and Yennefer are in town for a an important political dinner when Geralt learns that their friend, Triss is down for the count with a terrible stomach flu. With some time to spare, he visits her, intending to stay a short while, but her condition worsens to the point where Geralt feels he can’t leave. Internal and inter-personal conflict arises as Geralt vies to skip dinner in favour of caring for a friend in need. tl;dr: Going through a relationship rough-patch (again) and realizing you might have feelings for a close friend makes for a difficult night.

Characters/pairings: Geralt x Triss; Geralt x Yennefer; Yennefer x Istrid; Jaskier

Warnings: Infidelity, verbal abuse/toxic partnership, detailed descriptions of vomiting/severe nausea/stomach pain.

MASTERLIST

Triss looked down at the illuminated screen of her phone: “In town for a few days,” the text read. “Long story. Yen has a work thing. Anyway, let me know if you want to grab a drink.” The number didn’t belong to a name in her contacts—but then again, Geralt’s number never did. Every few months, he’d get a new pay-as-you-go so that old clients wouldn’t try to contract him under the table. It only took two calls from the same tight-assed, penny-pinching hypocrites who’d tried to low-ball him on his first case to make him realize an ever-changing phone number was a good idea. So: burner phones. As a nice added bonus, it made it harder for the Redanian Secret Service to keep tabs on him which meant a little more… investigative freedom when push came to shove. The few people he ever contacted regularly—Triss, Yennefer, Eskel, Lambert, Jaskier (Vesemir didn’t text)—never bothered putting his number in their contacts. By the time they got around to updating his number, he was changing it within a few weeks anyway. Besides, he insisted it was safer for all of them if they didn’t have his name in their phones in the first place. By now, everyone knew that if they got a text from an unknown number, there was a 99.9% chance it was Geralt.

The toilet gurgled as Triss returned to the sofa with a groan, scrunching her knees up against the pain in her stomach. She checked her phone again: “Only if you’re free, I know Foltest keeps you pretty busy…” She rolled her eyes and replied, “Thanks, Ger. Ordinarily, I could use one right about now, but I’m feeling pretty sick. Think I should stay home </3” She smiled weakly as the text fwiipped its way up the screen. Too bad she was laid up. Would’ve been nice to see him. Her friends always said he was too grumpy and moody to be any fun, but Triss always thought of him as being quite mellow and calming to be around. He never imposed expectations on their time together, unlike her other friends who were always scheming, gossiping, or bitching about their bosses. Just easy conversation and a few good laughs as they caught up on the past few months or years or however long it had been since they last saw each other.

She checked her phone again and fired off a few brief “not today, babes, sorry, I’m just so sick” texts before her mouth started watering again and she headed into the bathroom: a routine by this point. A few girlfriends had offered to keep her company with rom coms and ginger tea, but she was already feeling so exhausted and it was only 1pm. Besides, Triss wasn’t sure she was prepared for anyone other than her cat (who was hiding under the bed) to see her like this: tawny cheeks flushed with fever, tight brown curls haphazardly bunned on top of her head in a pragmatic attempt to keep them out of the toilet and away from her face, frizzy ringlets falling loose down the back of her neck… and she was acutely aware that she smelled of sickness. Her body’s best attempt to rebalance itself meant that her underarms would overpower even her best deodorant. IF, that is, she cared enough to put any on which she Did Not. She was also, like any sensible woman in her current state, not wearing a bra.

Nope. Today was a day of horrendousness. Her phone pinged. “You need anything?”

“A new body might be nice. If you happen to see one that would suit me… 😝”

The fwoop! came in before her screen went dark: “LOL, I’ll see what I can find. Any preferences?”

Triss smiled despite the pain in her stomach. “Hmmm I did always want to be a physiotherapist. Oooh! Or a gymnast!” Fwiip!

Fwoop! “Still at your same place? I can send it by courrier. Should get there before 3:00”

Triss was trying hard to come up with a witty enough comeback, but her head was starting to ache. Hmmm. Yes, body, I would love to hydrate you, but you keep rejecting everything I put inside you. “Ugh,” she groaned again and made her way to the toilet. When she got back a few fruitless minutes later, she checked her phone again. Nothing. She just replied, “Thanks, Ger. BRB, going to go die now. When the courier gets here, just tell him to transfer my soul into the new body. I’ll leave it under the Welcome mat.” The TV flipped on as its owner began the endless Netflix Scroll of Indecision. She finally settled on Blue Planet for the 50th time hoping that slow-moving sea blobs would be soothing in some way.

It didn’t. Another excruciating hour of bathroom visits every ten-to-fifteen-minutes had her googling ‘pressure points to relieve nausea’ by 2:30. She had just pinched a spot on her wrist between her thumb and forefinger when she heard a soft knock on her door. “Ugh, no, GO AWAY! LEAVE ME TO DIE IN PEACE!” she called out from her nest on the sofa. It was too late. The she heard the door brush against the spongy beige carpet as someone poked their head inside, “Triss?” It was Geralt.

“Oh gods, no, Geralt, stay back, save yourself!”

He gave a low chuckle and Triss already felt a little better. How does he always manage to do that? “I don’t have a new body for you, but I might have the next best thing. Permission to enter?”

Triss let out a rueful groan, “Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She heard him step in quietly and toe off his shoes as the door closed. A second later, he came around the corner with a Rexall bag in hand. He’d been to a barber recently, and his silvery hair was looking more stylish than usual—cut shorter on the sides and stylishly swept back from his face. Paired with his dark-teal flannel shirt and grey denim jeans, Triss thought he looked unusually striking.

Geralt tilted his head sympathetically at the sight before him. Triss was bundled on the sofa in an oversized sleep shirt and sweatpants, fuzzy socks bunched around her ankles, and what looked like any and all home remedies gathered around her: hot water bottle, cold pack, three mugs of tea (ginger, peppermint, and chamomile by the smell of them), a glass of ice water, a barely-touched bowl of chicken broth, a mangled bag of oyster crackers, and a thermometer.

“You’re really down for the count, huh? Got a fever?” before she could object, the back of Geralt’s hand was on her forehead. It felt cool and refreshing against the dry heat of her face as he assessed her condition. “Meh. Could be better, could be worse.”

“I could’ve told you that,” Triss retorted with a halfhearted smile. “Ugh… sorry, um, I have to…” she pointed towards the bathroom and Geralt raised his hands (‘say no more’) as his friend scuttled exhaustedly around the corner. He busied himself with watching manta rays gliding through the open ocean until he heard the toilet flush and Triss emerged again, looking ragged and a little sheepish. “Sorry,” she said, pouring herself back onto her nest of blankets and stuffed animals.

Geralt shrugged, “No need to be, you’re sick. Here,” he reached into the pharmacy bag and brought out a box of ginger Gravol tablets and a medium-sized bottle of Cherry Punch Pedialyte—she was allergic to most over-the-counter cold and flu medication.

“Geralt, you didn’t have to do all this for me. How did you even know I had the stomach flu?”

He looked over her shoulder at her laptop which was still open to the page of various nausea-relieving pressure points, “Hm. You should have this stuff around anyway,” he paused as Triss swallowed heavily and went to the bathroom again. It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to take care of herself, her mother had been a nurse practitioner for heaven’s sake. Still, Geralt was never one to leave a friend in need if there was something he could do about it. A particularly visceral sound drew him from where he was perched on the arm of the sofa. Triss was crouched on the bathroom floor, shivering with her forehead resting on her elbows over the toilet bowl. She spat. Geralt sat on the edge of the bathtub. “How long has it been like this?”

“Since about... 10am,” she managed to get out before her entire body heaved. Geralt instinctively reached out to place a hand on her back. She didn’t object. She never objected to these little shows of affection from Geralt. There was always something reassuring about them, and it felt particularly nice to be reminded that she wasn’t alone just now.

Geralt rubbed slow circles across her back as he coaxed her through retching and dry heaves. “You know you could've just asked.”

“I know but—”

“Stubborn?”

“Uh-huh,” Triss admitted, sitting back on her heels and flushing the mostly-empty toilet. “Besides, the last thing you need is to be taking care of a gross friend right before getting ready for a fancy business gala.

“You clearly don’t know just how little I’m looking forward to this evening,” Geralt grumbled, passing Triss a cool glass of water to rinse with.

“Not looking forward to talking the talk, Mr. Slick P.I.?” Triss’s eyes gave a twinkle as her freckled cheeks pulled into a cheeky smirk.

Even when she’s a mess she still finds a way to light up. Geralt furrowed his brow at his own thoughts. Where did that come from? “You know how it is, all this high-society stuff, rubbing elbows, laughing at tasteless jokes. It’s just not me. But Yen—well…” he sighed heavily, “I dunno. She’s right in that it’s a good way to get the information we need, stay visible to the right people but… I shouldn’t be talking to you about this. I know she’s your friend.”

Triss raised an eyebrow, “Oh, go on. Trust me, there’s nothing you can say about Yennefer of Vengerberg that will surprise me. Besides, you’re my friend, too.”

“Hm.” Geralt stared down and fiddled with his crossed thumbs. “Lately I can’t get anything right. I’m always asking the wrong questions, or I’ll try and talk to her about something I want us to work on and it’s never worded the right way and then it just turns into a fight which is what I want to stop doing in the first place. And then I’m either too sensitive or not sensitive enough and… it’s like she has a set of rules inside her head she won’t tell me about. Feels like it’s harder than it should be. But who am I to know?”

“I’m sorry, Geralt. Yennefer can be so unfair sometimes. I don’t think she understands how much she can push against the people she cares about. It’s one thing to be a friend, at least I can take a breather every now and then if I need to. But it’s different for you. You don’t like taking time apart.” Triss offered an apologetic smile before groaning and leaning back over the toilet and Geralt’s hand took up its place on her back again as he worked her through another round.

Geralt’s phone rang as Triss flushed the toilet. “Sorry, it’s Yen. I should take this. Be right back. Yen? Yeah, I’m with Triss, got a stomach thing, I stopped by to bring her some...” his voice disappeared around the corner as he went into the bedroom. Triss couldn’t make out their whole conversation, but it sounded tense. The phrase, “...just trust me to dress myself, I’m not a—,” came through the drywall. Triss sighed sympathetically. It certainly hadn’t been smooth sailing for the two of them. Geralt had his own flaws and foibles in the romance department—he could be callous and insensitive in favour of honesty at times, and never shied away from pushing buttons—but Yennefer was mercurial, brazen, rash, and brutal; all excellent qualities for a powerful and influential chief advisor. But as much as Geralt was his own handful, she’d never known him to willfully hurt someone he cared about, and was quick to apologize when he did.

When Geralt came back, Triss was trying to push herself to standing. He caught her as she swayed on her unsteady legs. “Whoa, whoa, Triss, easy. Here, sit back down, wait here for a second.” Triss did as she was told and settled miserably back onto the bathroom floor. Geralt immediately returned with two blankets before disappearing again. A few minutes later, he returned once more with a tea tray on which was balanced Triss’s laptop, a small glass of Pedialyte on the rocks, the pack of gravol, and the box of oyster crackers.

Triss let out a soft giggle, “What is this?”

“You need to try and get something in you. Might not be pretty at first, but if you don’t get some fluids soon, you’re going to be in bigger trouble.”

“Really. I had no idea. I can take care of myself, you know… sorry that was,” Triss sighed. “It’s been a long day

Geralt hunkered down next to her on the floor on top of a throw pillow, “Hey, I get it. But that’s not why I’m here. Just because you can doesn’t mean you have to. So take this, with a sip of this,” he handed her a blister pack of the Gravol and the glass of Pedialyte, “and let’s see if you can keep it down.”

“Cherry Punch. How did you know this was my favourite?” Triss could no longer hide the fondness that was welling up despite her unrelenting discomfort and growing exhaustion. Geralt gave a muted smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “How’s Yennefer?”

The lines on Geralt’s face became more pronounced, “She’s… fine.” Triss tilted her head (‘really?’) and Geralt relented, “There’s a chance Istrid will be there tonight.”

“The head of the Archeological Association? I don’t get it, what’s he got to do with you and Yennefer?”

Triss could guess the answer from Geralt’s pause. His words merely confirmed it, “They have history.”

“You don’t think that Yennefer will—I mean, she wouldn’t—”

“She has. She doesn’t know that I know, but…” Triss’s heart sank. “I don’t know why I’m waiting for her to tell me. Guess I don’t want her to feel like I went out of my way to find her at fault—which I didn’t, by the way. I found out by accident.”

“I’m sorry, Ger.” The weight of Triss’s head against his shoulder brought Geralt out of his daze and he looked down at the messy updo of mahogany hair. He smiled again, a delicate, private, unconscious thing that sparked from an unconscious uplifting somewhere in the middle of him and pulled the corners of his eyes. He thought about ignoring it, not wanting to have to go digging inside himself for what it meant. Instead he wrapped an arm around Triss’s shoulder and pecked a chaste kiss to the top of her head.

“How’re you feeling?”

The answer to that question proved complicated. Triss’s spirits were a bit better thanks to Geralt’s stubborn-yet-easygoing caretaking. But the introduction of contents into her contrary stomach was yielding less-than-desirable consequences. Painful cramps persisted between more frequent bouts of vomiting—which by this point was mostly dry-heaves followed by the occasional expulsion of bile. Meanwhile it was 5:30 and Geralt’s phone beeped a notification. He checkecked the screen with one hand while he soothed Triss with the other: Where are you??? Yen. Who else could it be? He’d have to call her.

“Geralt, go! Really, I’ll be fine I promise. You’ve got to rub elbows and laugh at bad jokes, remember?” Triss propped herself up on wobbly elbows over the toilet bowl, not trusting the wave to be over.

Geralt was already dialling. Triss heard the faint echo of her friend’s voice on the other line as she answered with, ‘Where the HELL are you?’

“I’m still with Triss, Yen. Things aren’t looking good here, she’s just gotten worse. If I can’t—Yen, listen if she doesn’t—if she doesn’t get any fluids in her I’ll need to take her to the hospital.” Geralt pulled an apologetic face and Triss gave him a reassuring wave that she’d be fine if he stepped out for a minute. “Yen, please, I thought we talked about this, please don’t use that tone, it makes me feel…” The conversation continued, though this time in the living room: “I know this is an important night for us to both be there, Yen, you’ve been reminding me for the last month, but I can’t just leave until… what’s that supposed to mean? That’s not—no, hang on, that’s not fair, Yen… Well if you already don’t believe me I don’t—Okay, then you tell me what I’m supposed to say! I’m tired of this, Yennefer, I am so. Exhausted trying to figure out exactly what to say in order for you to not react like this every time I… can I finish?...”

Geralt was pacing back-and-forth now, and Triss could tell from the tone on the other end of the line that Yennefer wasn’t backing down anytime soon, “Geralt, if you don’t leave Triss’s apartment and come back here and get dressed this instant, I swear I will—”

Geralt paused outside the bathroom door for Triss to flash a wilted thumbs-up as she tried to drink more Cherry Punch Pedialyte, “Or you’ll what, Yen? Count to ten and then chuck me in the coi pond? I—you know what?” he moved back into the living room, “No, you know what? How ‘bout this: I’m staying here with our friend who needs help, and you can go to this big event, embarrassment free, and do what you do best without the big idiot holding you back. Whatever needs to get done at this dinner tonight, I bet you’ll do better on your own than worrying about me screwing something up.”

Triss heard his phone flip shut followed by a heavy sigh before his sock feet padded back into the bathroom. Unfortunately, just then, her suspicions about not being finished proved correct as her mouth, once again, began to water. Thankfully Cherry punch wasn’t nearly as bad coming back up as other flavors were known to be. In less than a second, Geralt was there with a warm hand and a blanket around her shoulders. They didn’t talk much over the next little while as Geralt continued his attempts to soothe Triss’s stomach enough to hold something down. After an hour, Triss finally was able to rest a little, albeit still in quite a bit of pain. But with the toilet no longer an ongoing necessity, the sofa once again became a viable option. Geralt scooped up the blanketed bundle and carried her back into the living room to continue their journey under the sea, complete with cold compress and bendy straw.

By 7:30 Triss hadn’t needed the toilet at all in the last hour, and some of her stomach pain was starting to diminish. However, she was still shivering and achy, and not interested in food. She kept insisting that Geralt had time to meet Yennefer at the gala, that she would be perfectly fine on her own, but Geralt wasn’t convinced. Showing up now would not only put Yennefer in the awkward position of having to save face by not murdering him in cold blood in front of a dozen or more foreign dignitaries, but it would also mean having to face Istrid who, if he wasn’t already, would doubtlessly be very interested to hear Yennefer’s thoughts on a great number of things before the night was over. Geralt didn’t trust himself not to do something he’d regret—or at least that Yennefer would regret.

Another hour in and Triss was starting to perk up: minimal stomach pain, and she was making a decent dent in her Cherry Punch. Geralt decided it was time for a little chicken soup. He made a freezer pizza for himself and cracked a beer while he warmed up a can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle, ladelling out all the broth into a mug for Triss so she wouldn’t be tempted to eat more than she could handle. Geralt had only one goal for her tonight: keep everything down. If she could do that, then he had at least been able to do something for her. If not… Geralt tried very hard not to listen to the voice that said, ‘then you’re no use for anyone’ in the back of his mind. Thankfully, Triss finished her broth without concern and he didn’t have to worry about that voice for the time being. Instead, he settled a little deeper into the sofa cushions as Triss resumed a comfortable spot against his shoulder.

After another little while, a miracle happened: Triss started to have fun. That characteristic sparkle came back to her eyes, and the two friends quickly began to actively enjoy their evening. They watched The Fellowship of the Ring and took a drink of beer or Pedialyte every time Frodo had a dramatic closeup, was stabbed, or rolled his eyes for dramatic effect. Geralt microwaved a bag of popcorn, and Triss cautiously had a few oyster crackers as they laughed and caught up. Finally. It may not have been the original vision for what drinks and casual hangs would look like, but it was good. It was nice. Relaxed, and pleasant. Easy. Geralt’s mind wandered as the Fellowship fled the Balrog, and he didn’t notice the little line his thumb was leaving on Triss’s blanket as it traced up and down her shoulder. He also didn’t think twice when she shifted, half-asleep, to lie her head in his lap and his hand moved to the curve of her waist. It wasn’t until he looked down in the direction of soft snoring that he was reminded exactly who was lying in his lap.

His initial thought was, ‘shit,’ as he slowly removed his hand from her waist, not wanting to wake her, but also not knowing what to do. It was suddenly all so intimate, though he didn’t quite know why. As he watched her, peacefully asleep in his lap, he realized he didn’t want to break away. Didn’t want to wake her to adjust to a more ‘appropriate’ orientation. He touched her shoulder again. That was nice. That felt… nice. She stirred, and Geralt wondered if she was comfortable as he brushed a tight ringlet behind her ear. She smiled in semi-consciousness and his heart sang. This was bad. This was very very bad. He reached for the remote and flicked the tv off. It was after midnight, and high time everyone went to bed. Alone.

That was the only option. Right? In theory, no. There was another option, and a significant part of Geralt wanted to go with that one, stay in this soft warm place where everything felt easier… where he felt happy. But a louder part of him knew that wasn’t right, wasn’t fair; that even if he was unhappy—even if Yennefer had spent the night with Istrid (Geralt tried not to think about that). The bottom line was Triss felt well enough that he no longer needed to stay with her to make sure she was alright. That was why he’d come. If he stayed for other reasons, it wouldn’t be fair to anyone. End of discussion.

“Triss,” Geralt murmured, rousing her as gently as he could.

“Hmm?” Her eyes fluttered open to see Geralt staring down at her. She didn’t remember lying down in his lap, but she must have just before she fell asleep. “Did I fall asleep on you?”

Geralt’s eyes crinkled, “Hm. Yeah. You were pretty out of it.”

“Ah, shit, I’m so sorry!”

“You needed the rest. Wouldn’t be the first time someone’s passed out on me, and you’re significantly easier to deal with than Lambert.”

Triss bunched her blankets around her shoulders and shivered sleepily, “You should go. Yennefer’s probably waiting for you.”

“Hm. Yeah, probably,” Geralt heaved himself off the sofa as Triss released her hair and gathered her nest to head to the bedroom. Geralt waited until she was bundled in bed. “All set?”

A little smile peeked over the tops of the covers, “Mmmhmm, thanks.”

“Need anything else?”

“No, I’m good. Goodnight, Ger.”

“Goodnight, Triss,” Geralt flicked off the light. In the entranceway, he paused with his hand on the doorknob, took a deep breath, and left, locking the door behind him and putting the key back in its usual hiding place. Enough now. Done. He was determined that whatever he had felt, whatever warm, unexpected thing had bubbled to the surface, would forever exist behind that locked door, frozen in time. A blip. The important thing was nothing was acted on. Not really. At worst, they wandered into a grey area by accident. These things happen. The key now was not to dwell on it, to move forward.

Geralt’s stomach soured as he slid his keycard into the slot of room 622. The lock clicked open as the little light on top flashed green and Geralt turned the handle, closing the door behind him as quietly as he could. He toggled the dimmer switch next to the door; the lowest setting would give him enough light to get changed without waking up—Yen? The bed was empty, still freshly turned-down, with his pre-approved evening attire laid out as he had suspected. He fucking hated that tie. He put the suit back in the garment bag from whence it came and checked his phone. Nothing. No texts, no missed calls. Might still be out. It wasn’t unusual for these events to turn into afterparties which was where most of the juicy information was gathered. He hit speed-dial.

“Hi, Jaskier? It’s—yeah, hi. Listen. Are things still going over there? I just—hm? Yeah, she’s doing okay now. Took awhile for me to get anything in her, but no hospital visit so… yeah, she finally got to sleep just as I was heading out, made sure she was hydrated and had a little something… I’m sure she’d appreciate that… Actually, that’s why I’m calling, I just got back and she’s not in, I was wondering if you knew where she…When?…Okay…No, archeology… Mmm no, they’re very different fields. Nevermind, thanks, Jas…Yeah, no it’s, um, I just wanted to make sure that she was okay. Didn’t want to bug her in case she was in the middle of—something. Yeah… Well don’t let me interrupt that. Okay, all the best. Go get ‘em tiger. ‘Night.”

Geralt tossed his phone on the bed and flopped heavily on top of the duvet and rubbed a hand over his face.

“Goddamnit, Yen.”

__________________

@the-space-between-heartbeats

@just-a-sad-donut

@oxenfurt-archives

@thirstyforred

@titaniafire

@belalugosisdead

@lonelygayz

@awkward-turtles-world

@iloveyouyen

@criminaly-supernatural

@friendlybelladonna

@enkelikauneus

#geralt x triss #witcher au #Modern AU Witcher #Takin' care of Triss-ness #morethangeraskier #rarepairs #off-canon #tw partner abuse #tw2 #tw3 wild hunt

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mirkwoodshewolf · 4 years

Text

History comes to life; Ahkmenrah x reader

*Author’s note*

Hey guys well this has been a LOOOOONG time coming in. For years I’ve alwasy wanted to try and write an Ahkmenrah fanfic and thanks to a Wattpad friend of mine, she gave me that chance. So here we are with my first Ahkmenrah fanfic. Now this is only part 1 and I’ll try to have pt.2 up as soon as I can. Hope you all enjoy this fic my lovelies :)

UPDATE: PART 2 IS HERE

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@ixchel-9275

@dancingcoolcat

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@kairosfreddie

@queendeakyy

@geek-and-proud

@simonedk

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2006. New York City. The Museum of Natural History. My home away from home. I mean to a college girl going for a master’s degree history that’s a lot, and all at the age of 23. Yeah whenever it came to school I was always deemed the ‘smart one’ or in some cases the ‘nerd’.

Was Valedictorian in high school, completed my bachelor’s degree within my first 2 years of college and now I’m completing a 4 year master’s degree. Not only that but I once did an entire year abroad in Egypt as a part of one of my courses that gave me 3 credits for one of my History courses.

And now here I am completing an internship credit instead of going for a core course credit, here at the Museum of Natural History. So far into my second week of my three month internship it’s been pretty good. Since I’m also having to write my dissertation about the ruling of Ahkmenrah, this place has been a great place to think.

Whenever I wasn’t needed by the boss, Dr. McPhee, you would normally find me in the Ancient Egypt hall, sitting in the room of the pharaoh himself writing my paper. And I know it sounds crazy but sometimes I wish that I could actually have the chance to speak with him, I mean if I’m to complete my dissertation I wish to know things that I didn’t already know (there’s only so much you can find on the Internet).

Little did I know that that day would soon come, and it all started with a blast from the past.

I was currently walking down the steps after completing my day here at the museum when I saw walking with Cecil, one of the three night guards an old ‘boss’ you could say.

“Well I’ll be damned. Larry Daley.” I greeted as I came up to them.

“Oh hey, hi uhh…..” ahh the same old Larry forgetful Daley.

“(Y/n) (l/n). I used to live down the road from you guys.”

“Oh right sorry! Wow it’s been a long time.”

“Yeah about 3 years since I graduated high school.” I said with a smile.

“So I see you know our new nightguard huh Ms. (l/n)?” asked Cecil.

“Yeah I’ve babysit his son since the day he was born. How is Nicky by the way?”

“Oh he’s you know good. Fine. Loving hockey.”

“Oh that boy and his hockey. I remember he tried to get me to play it in the house and we ended up breaking that lamp.”

“Yeah thanks for reporting that.”

“Even though he tried to convince me not to speak of it.” I giggled. “So Cecil says you’re going to be the new night guard?”

“Yep. Just showing Larry around, giving him a little tour before his shift tomorrow night.” Cecil explained.

“Well, welcome to the team.”

“So do you work here too?”

“Oh no I’m just here for an internship credit but Dr. McPhee has allowed me to do further researching even after my internship’s up.”

“Read her dissertation a couple of days ago, she’s quite the researcher. Any further questions you can always ask her.” Cecil said.

“Oh Cecil you old charmer stop it. Well I better get out of here before traffic gets too crazy. Bye Cecil, Mr. Daley, welcome aboard again and I hope to see you before your shift tomorrow.”

“Yeah of course, see yah then (y/n).” I smiled and gave the gentlemen a nod goodbye before bundling up and walking out into the New York winter air.

I was now at home typing up what I had written down on paper and transferred it to the rest of my dissertation that was on Word. I heard my door open and in came in my mom and she said.

“Dinner’s ready.”

“Okay mama, just half a minute and I’ll have everything typed up.”

“Sweetie you’ve been working non-stop ever since you got home. You can step aside for ten minutes to eat dinner.” I looked up at her then saved the changes I had and said.

“Fine mama, you win.” She grinned down and said to me.

“I always do. Until you become a mother yourself, you’ll never win.” I scowled up at her before the two of us walked out of my room and headed downstairs to eat.

As we ate our dinner, I told her about my progress and about Mr. Daley now working for the museum as the new nightguard.

“Wow, Larry Daley. Hadn’t heard from him in a while. Not since the official divorce.”

“Wait what?”

“Oh honey I’m sorry to tell you this but Larry and Erica were going through a divorce this past year.”

“Ahh man. How’s Nicky taking it?” I asked.

“Well last time I ever talked to Larry he told me it was a joint custody agreement. Now whether that went through or not I’m not sure.”

“It must’ve, I mean he did say Nicky was still playing hockey so that must mean he gets to have Nicky at least some days of the week, maybe the weekends.”

“Erica was always hard on him. Even when they first got together. Don’t tell her I said that though.”

“I promise mom.”

After dinner, I took the dishes and cleaned them out before placing them in the dishwasher before going back to my paper. Before I even knew it when I finally ran out of ideas and edits, I saw that it was after midnight. So after saving everything I shut my laptop off and got ready for bed.

The next day it was like any other day. I went in, did my rounds for Dr. McPhee, organized some files and edited some papers. Then after my lunch break I had time to do my paper for the final 4 hours of my day today. Even with the small crowd of people in the Pharaoh’s tomb, I wasn’t really bothered or distracted from doing my dissertation.

In fact I was so invested into it that I almost didn’t hear the voice speak over me.

“Hard worker as ever.” I looked up and smiled at Mr. Daley.

“So, ready for your first night tonight?”

“I don’t think it should be that hard. I mean not really anything happens in a museum at night.”

“Do you got a second? Just wanted to see if you’re interested in a cup of coffee. Colleague to colleague?”

“So not just for the sake of me being your old babysitter? Is that all I am to you now, just a colleague?”

“No. I mean yes. But not in that way I mean I was just…..” I laughed and said.

“I’m just pulling your buttons Mr. Daley. I’d love to get a cup of coffee. Maybe even educate you on what you’ll be guarding.” I packed up my stuff and we both headed out to the coffeeshop just down the block from the museum.

As we walked around Central Park he asked me.

“So that paper you were writing earlier, what’s it on?”

“Oh it’s my dissertation paper for my master’s degree.”

“Masters?! Wait so you already got your bachelor’s?”

“Yeah. I got it just last year. Now for my masters I’m doing the full 4 years so in total I’ll be doing 6 years of college.”

“Wow, sounds exhausting.”

“It can be, but I can’t help it. I’ve got a thirst for knowledge. And as an ancient civilizations concentrator I can’t help but want more.”

“Yep your mom always did call you her little book worm.” I smiled and nodded. “So that paper.”

“Oh yes that. Well I’m doing my dissertation on the ruling of Ahkmenrah and how he was the most justified ruler Ancient Egypt had ever known. Sure there have been good pharaoh’s but I’m setting to prove just how fair and just Ahkmenrah truly was as a ruler. Even with his short time as king.”

“How long did he rule?”

“Well he was given the crown by his father when he was just 16 and ruled for only 4 years before he was murdered by his own brother.”

“Yikes.”

“Yeah, his brother was extremely jealous of Ahkmenrah. So much so that after murdering his brother, he tried to claim the throne only to throw Egypt into despair in just under a year of his ruling.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. Ahkmenrah sought to treat everyone with a kind but firm hand when need be. Did you know that he was the only pharaoh known to be kind to the Hebrew slaves?”

“I did not.”

“Yeah. He even tried to seek out a fair system where they wouldn’t have to work on their sacred holidays. Of course it wasn’t passed yet because well—he died just before he could declare it a law.”

“Wow, things would’ve turned out very differently had that happened.”

“Yeah. Cecil’s also been a good resource too since he was there when he found his tomb when he was just a kid.”

“Cecil found Ahkmenrah’s tomb?”

“Yeah. The three sarcophagus’ of him and his parents.”

“But wait I thought you said he had a brother?”

“He was. His brother wasn’t buried with them. Kahmunrah was condemned to be mummified alive and buried in a tomb far beyond the royal family’s because of what he had done.”

“Wow that’s—horrifying. Don’t they like rip their guts out or something?”

“All their organs were placed into jeweled canopic jars.”

“Wow. I think I lost my appetite to drink this coffee now.”

“Sorry Mr. Daley, I can be a little assertive when describing some of the things the Ancient Egyptians did. But you should’ve seen me when I actually got to set foot in an actual mummification area.”

“So you actually went to Egypt?”

“Yeah last year during my bachelor’s degree last spring. I spent an entire semester down there. Learned a lot, and I can speak a little Arabic. Ancient Egyptian is a little rusty but I know like a word or two.”

“So if you could, could you read what’s written around the tomb of Ahkmenrah?”

“Now you’re really challenging me Mr. Daley.”

“Thought you said you loved a challenge?” I chuckled.

“That I did. But sadly no. Probably a word or two as I said.” I looked down at my watch and said. “It’s almost sunset, better get back to the museum less you wanna get fired on your first day. I’ll check in on you first thing tomorrow.”

“Okay, thanks for the little history lesson on the pharaoh (y/n).”

“Anytime. And here, give me your phone.” He handed it to me and I went through his contacts to see if he still had my number. Turns out he didn’t so I went ahead and gave him my new number since I got a new phone. “Here, any questions or concerns or if you just wanna chat. Give me a call.”

“Thanks (y/n). Anything I can do for you, just let me know.”

“Give me a chance to see that knucklehead Nicky again and we’ll call it even.”

“Will do.”

“Well good luck Larry.”

“Thanks.” I waved goodbye and walked back towards the nearest exit and hailed down a taxi and told them my address.

As I lay down in my bed after typing up the next several pages of my paper, I charged up my flip phone since it was almost dead from this week’s use.

“Hope Larry’s liking his new job. I’d give anything to stay the night in that place.” I stretched myself out and cuddled into my bed before falling asleep.

Bright and early the next morning I got around and headed on out of the house.

“Mama I’m heading out!” I cried out.

“Have a good day sweetie, give my love to Larry for me.”

“Will do mama.” I gathered up my stuff and took the bus toward the museum.

Once I got there, I entered inside just to see Mr. Daley walk out.

“So how was the first night?” he looked at me like he had just been through a rumble with Mike Tyson or the Rock as he said.

“Well I—”

“Dad.” A young boy’s voice said. We both turned to see Nicky walking with another man with short black hair and looked younger than Mr. Daley.

“Hey, hey buddy. What are you guys doing here?”

“Oh Erica had to be in court early today so I’m taking Mr. Big stuff here to school. But he wanted to swing by see your new job.” The man explained with a smile.

“It’s so awesome that you’re working here.” Nicky praised.

“Well your dad gets a praise but I don’t get so much as a hello?” I teased.

“(Y/n)!” he came up and hugged me and I hugged the little monkey back. “Do you work here too?”

“No I’m just here as an intern for a couple of months.”

“So Nicky whose your friend here?” the man asked.

“Right, (y/n) this is Don. Erica’s new uhh…well he’s her new….” Larry tried to explain but Don butted in by saying with a business man snake-like smile.

“I’m her boyfriend. So you’re the famous (y/n) the babysitter I’ve heard about.”

“Yeah. So you’re the new guy huh?” I looked over him once over and all I saw was a monkey in a suit with an earpiece to his ear.

“Yeah.” He shrugged like it was nothing. “Hey Nicko. Wanna take a lookie-do inside. Maybe your dad or your friend can give you a VIP tour?”

“You know what we’re actually kinda slammed this morning but I promise I’ll show you around soon bud, deal?”

“Deal. Love you dad.”

“Love you too.” Nicky hugged his dad and Mr. Daley gave Nick a kiss on the top of his head before he and Don walked hand in hand across the crosswalk before heading towards his school. “Yeah Erica and I are going through a—”

“I know, mom told me the other night. I’m so sorry. You both seemed really happy together.”

“Yeah well sometimes life happens. I’m just thankful I get Nick on Wednesdays and every other weekend.” He said solemnly as he kept his eyes on Nicky.

“Were you really thinking about quitting?”

“How did you…..”

“I’ve seen that walk so many times with my friends. Hell I’ve even done that walk before once at the Library of Congress. So c’mon Mr. Daley the truth.”

“Last night was……intense I’ll admit. But I really want Nick to be proud of me, and not see me as…..ordinary.”

“As Teddy Roosevelt once said, ‘some men are born great, others have greatness thrust upon them’. Maybe this is your moment. Look I know being the night guard may not be the funniest job ever for you. But don’t do it for yourself, do it for Nicky.” I said as I placed my hand on his shoulder. He looked up at me and said.

“You truly were the best babysitter Nicky ever had. No wonder how he got so wise.”

“History geek, you get great life quotes. Not just from Star Wars or Lord of the Rings.” I then skipped up the steps and walked inside.

“Oi intern!” I sighed heavily. Even after 2 weeks he never really does call me by my name.

“Yes Dr. McPhee?”

“The Egyptian tour guide called in sick this morning, I want you to take over his shift. You’ve got the better resume to give a tour with your year abroad. So do it.”

“Yes Dr. McPhee.”

“And see to it that the children don’t touch the exhibit. God I hate it when those sticky little monsters think a museum is a-a-a-a-a…..touchy place.” He then turned away mumbling to himself.

“Out of all the bosses I’ve had, he’s by far the goofiest and strictest. But it’s better than organizing files again.” I then went up and Rebecca handed me my Egyptian tour guidance flag and I waited for the first wave of guests which was in fact kids from the middle school I went to years ago.

When the class arrived I greeted them and told them my name and that I would be their tour guide today. I walked them through the Egyptian wing before finally leading them to the tomb of the Pharaoh.

“Now we are finally arriving into the tomb of the pharaoh himself. King Ahkmenrah was known as one of the youngest pharaohs to rule in the Upper kingdom of Egypt in 232 BC. He was even the first pharaoh to be crowned above his older sibling.” It was then I had a young girl raise her hand. “Yes sweetheart?”

“What are these statues?” she gestured towards the 20ft. jackal guards.

“Ahh those are the Anubis guards. The Egyptian god Anubis, Lord of the dead is said to be the judge of the underworld. He would deem by balancing your soul on a scale with sand and if your soul weighed heavier than the sand, you would be damned in the underworld. But if your soul was lighter, you’d be granted peace in the afterlife. His guards which you see up there are the protectors of bodies, especially over the royal families tombs.” I got another hand raise this time from a black child.

“Do the mummy’s really get wrapped up in toilet paper?” at that the kids all laughed, to which I couldn’t help but laugh.

“No. No it’s not toilet paper. They get wrapped in special linen which is sorta like a gauze wrap. How many of you had an injury and your parents would wrap your injury with a sorta white bandage?” I got a few hands raised. “It’s basically that. But before they wrap up the bodies, they expose the body to a type of oil and salt to de-moisturize the body so that it could be preserved from the elements.” Another boy asked.

“What exactly is that gold thing up there?” I looked up and I said.

“Ahh that my dear boy is the tablet of Ahkmenrah himself. It arrived here at this museum in 1952 from the Nile expedition. It is said to bring the dead back to life.”

“Yeah right.” The boy sassed back. Kids today, so desensitized by movies and television.

“It’s a legend but never mock the powers of Egyptian magic. Okay kids, why don’t you have a look around and check him out. But please don’t touch the stone slab.” I then walked aside and the kids all gathered around Ahkmenrah’s sarcophagus. “If only it were real.” I muttered as I sat down and rested my feet.

The day dragged on until finally I was clear to go home. I decided that for tonight, I would leave my dissertation for next time and just immediately go to bed. I covered myself up with my thick warm blanket and was out like a light.

The next day it was just about closing time and once again I was in the tomb of Ahkmenrah. I stared down at his sarcophagus sighing softly.

“Excuse me miss, I’m afraid I’m gonna have to ask you to vacate the premises.” I jolted slightly but when I turned around I saw that it was only Mr. Daley.

“Oh sorry, just—kinda got caught up in my thoughts is all.” He switched his flashlight off and walked up to me.

“So this whole Egyptian stuff really—gets to you doesn’t it?”

“Ancient Egypt has probably been one of my most favorite ancient civilization. It’s just fascinating of how the Egyptians were able to build things like the pyramids, the sphinx, and intricate tombs that have endless passages in order to trap graverobbers when they didn’t have the technology we have today. It’s amazing.”

“Yeah, guess that is kinda cool.” We stood there side by side in brief silence before he said, “Hey (y/n), do you really believe History comes to life?”

“I mean yes. In a way all around us we are always being given knowledge of every historical moment. And this museum helps us to actually in a way live through it.”

“I mean do you truly believe that history can come to life?”

“I—don’t get what you’re saying Larry.”

“I mean that…..I tried to tell Rebecca this earlier but she ran off on me. She thought I was making fun of her but I really wasn’t I’m telling the truth, I told her the truth.”

“What truth?” he looked around before he leaned close to me and whispered.

“Everything in this museum comes to life. At night. All because of that tablet. Ever since they brought it here back in 1952, everything in this museum came to life.” I looked at him before saying.

“Uhh—have you been overworking yourself again?”

“No, no I swear to you (y/n) I’m not lying.”

“Look, your shift’s about to start and I should really get going. We’ll—talk about this tomorrow. Goodnight Mr. Daley.” I quickly walked around him but I could hear him trying to call out to me.

As I exited the museum I began thinking back to what he was saying. I mean I know I said that there could be a slight chance that the tablet of Ahkmenrah could hold some magic but this—this is something else. I hailed a cab and asked him to drive me back to my place and in just 10 minutes I arrived back home.

As it got darker and snow began to fall from the sky, what Larry had told me earlier this evening was still spinning in my head. I mean what he said was absolutely crazy, if he was implying that the figurines, statues, and the actual pharaoh himself can come to life at night—he was even crazier than when I first met him.

Suddenly something was thrown at my window. I gasped and turned on my lamp to see the leftover remains of a snowball. I got up from my bed and looked out the window to see some figures standing down along the sidewalk.

From the streetlights I could see that it was Larry and Nicky but along with them were two others. One was dressed up as an Egyptian pharaoh and the other was dressed like Attila the Hun. I put on my coat and boots and quietly walked down the stairs and unlocked the door.

“Nicky? Mr. Daley? What are you guys doing here?”

“Hey (y/n) look I know this is a lot to take in right now and I don’t have a lot of time to explain so I’m gonna cut right to the point. Cecil stole the tablet of Ahkmenrah, along with Gus and Reginald. We have the other two back at the museum but we need your help in getting Cecil.”

“Whoa wait what? Mr. Daley you mean to tell me that the former head of security, someone I’ve looked up to for years has stolen the tablet of Ahkmenrah? Why would he want to steal it?”

“He said he and the other two guards were gonna sell it so that they could get a wealthy long retirement.” Nicky spoke up. I then turned to the two costumed gentlemen and I said.

“Am I missing the historical convention or something?”

“No, no, no. You know how I told you the tablet makes things in the museum come to life? I’d like you to meet Attila the Hun and the pharaoh himself Ahkmenrah.” I turned towards them and almost couldn’t believe it, especially with ‘Ahkmenrah’.

I mean there’s never been a real documented picture of him due to his short reign but—he was kinda cute. Wait what am I saying? This could all be a trick.

It was then Attila said something in Mandarin as he nodded to me. I looked at him confused, that’s when Ahkmenrah said.

“He says he’s honored to meet someone who knows his true history and not the fables that surrounded him.” I walked up to Ahkmenrah and I looked him over. His light blue eyes and sun kissed skin.

“How do I know you’re not just some method actor?”

“I assure you my lady I am no actor. But if you want to test me since you know so much about my history especially, ask me something only I would know.” I crossed my arms at his challenge.

“Okay.” I thought long and hard about a question that only either I or the ‘pharaoh’ himself would know. “How exactly did your brother kill you?” yeah I know it was a dark question but it was all I could think of that was a difficult question. Some scholars have even debated on Ahkmenrah’s death but I alone knew the truth after getting some good research done.

“It was sunset. I had just gotten through with wanting the Jews of Egypt to have free will among my kingdom when my brother called me into the studies to speak about the new law. At first I thought we’d go into another argument about it, but he wanted to drink a celebratory toast in light of the new law. I thought nothing of it so my brother and I drank the wine he had prepared. After the toast, I felt this pain in my stomach and—my brother standing over me with nothing but a cruel smile on his face.”

Oh…….my…..god. It—this was……Ahkmen—he…..Ohhhhhh shit!

“My pharaoh I—” I proceeded to bow before him but he stopped me and he said.

“Please no. There is no need for that.” Oh my god his hands were so warm on my cold ones.

“I—I can’t….I just can’t believe. Oh my god I’ve really fallen off the deep end haven’t I?”

“Told you I wasn’t crazy.” Mr. Daley spoke up.

“Okay, okay I believe you. So where is Cecil at right now?”

“Last we saw him he was heading for Central Park.”

“Then why the hell did you come here for!? Central Park from here is halfway across town compared to the museum! We’ll never catch him on foot.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” He then whistled and soon a horse came charging in and stopped right in front of us.

“Uhh Larry I hate to break it to you but we all can’t fit on one horse.”

“Oh I know this is my ride, your ride is Rexy.” I soon heard the thundering footsteps and soon following behind a toy truck was the giant T-Rex that you first see when you walk into the museum. It let out a roar and my mouth just dropped.

“You finally get your Jurassic Park wish huh (y/n)?” Nicky said to me with a wide smile.

“I—I suppose so.” The truck stopped right by us and I took notice of the two small miniatures inside that were inside. The Roman General Octavius and the cowboy Jedidiah.

“We ready to get this rodeo on the show now gigantor?” said Jedidiah.

“Yeah guys. So you remember the plan right? You all round Cecil off and I’ll follow behind him.”

“We’re on it my liege. Everyone hop on. The enemy must not escape our sights!” Octavius proclaimed. Larry and Attila got on top of the horse and the two of them rode off while Nicky, Ahkmenrah and I got on top of Rexy. Ahkmenrah got on first and he held his hand out to me.

I took it and he helped me mount onto the T-Rex. My back was pressed up against his chest and our noses almost touching each other’s.

“Thank you.” I softly whispered in awe.

“I didn’t want you to get hurt. It’s—very different from mounting a horse.” I nodded as I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.

“Shall I leave you two alone to get a room?” Nicky sassed out.

“Oh you little twerp just get on.” He grinned smugly as he came up and I told him to be careful as he came and sat in front of me. “K guys we’re ready!” Nicky told the two miniatures suddenly Rexy lunged forward and soon we were running full speed towards Central Park.

Within 10-20 minutes we arrived at Central Park and on the other side through the trees I saw Cecil riding on top of the money carrier horse and coach.

Rexy soon began to run faster which forced me to lean further up against Ahkmenrah. We looked at each other and smiled at each other as I felt him hold onto my waist tighter so that we wouldn’t fall off. Rexy then suddenly took a sharp left and we were now right in front of Cecil’s path.

But then Cecil took a sharp turn right past us just barely missing Rexy’s leg by a few inches. It was then I saw the horrifying sight of the truck that Jedidiah and Octavius were riding in spin out of control until it flipped over a small foot of snow before exploding.

With no bone to follow, Rexy soon stopped and whined and we all looked in the direction where the two miniatures had disappeared to. I saw that Larry had stopped just ahead of us and he was looking right where Jed and Octavius had fallen.

“Rexy let me down boy.” He lowered himself down so that I could get off of him.

“Where are you going?” asked Nicky.

“I’m gonna help your dad end this. Ahkmenrah, can you keep an eye on Nicky?”

“Yes of course.”

“Nicky, stay with him alright?” I told him in my sitter voice and he knew to never go up against me when I used that voice. I hopped off and raced towards Mr. Daley. “Larry!” he turned to me and I said. “I’ve got a plan, but I need you to do exactly what I tell you.” he nodded.

“Hop on.” I got on the back of the horse as Larry said, “C’mon Tex let’s finish this. HIYAH!” soon we took off racing after Cecil.

“Stay close to the back of the coach, I’m gonna try to hop on it and grab the tablet.”

“Are you crazy!?”

“Yeah well it’s been a crazy night. So just do it!” he urged Tex on and soon we were right up on the stagecoach. I reached out as far as I could and missed it a few times before finally getting a grip onto it. Once I pulled myself up, I nodded to him telling him to get Cecil’s attention while I went for the tablet.

“Give me the tablet Cecil!” Larry cried out.

“Can’t do it, son!” the horses whinnied as they ran faster and I slowly crawled up towards Cecil’s back where I could see the glimmer’s of the golden Egyptian tablet.

“Pull over!”

“It ain’t gonna happen. Moving on!”

“Last chance Cecil! Stop the horses or I will!”

“They can’t be stopped, Larry. Don’t you know your history? These are money carriers. They were trained not to stop for anything but a secret word.” I finally grabbed the tablet and pulled it out of the bag as I said.

“You don’t say?” It was then Cecil turned and saw me with the table. “You mean a word like—”

“DAKOTA!” Larry cried out. I then held onto the roof railings of the stage coach as the horses suddenly stopped and Cecil went flying forwards into the snow. As Larry rode up towards Cecil, I got off the stage coach and followed right behind Larry. “Read up on my history, along with a little help from a friend.” Larry said as he turned towards me.

“And by the way. Consider yourself out of my dissertation paper.” I told Cecil.

“And also, never talk to me like that in front of my son.” He then grabbed Cecil and threw his famed words back at him, “Moving on.”

We soon met up back at the stagecoach where Ahkmenrah, Nicky, and Atilla and his Huns came in.

“Oh hey, Huns.” Cecil said nervously as Larry transferred him over to them.

“Tell Atilla to have his boys take him back to the museum, put him back with the rest of the guards.” Larry told Ahkmenrah who then translated it to Attila in his tone. “Oh and uhh no limb ripping, okay?” Larry told Attila.

Attila tried to reason with Larry but he shook his head saying no. That’s when Attila pinched his fingers with a little bit of space between them as he asked Larry.

“Mikaka?” Larry turned to Cecil for a moment before turning back to Attila doing the same thing as he responded.

“Makeekaka.” Hearing that made Attila and his friends very happy as Attila then proclaimed out to his Huns.

“Hey, w-wait. Hold the phone. What’s Makeekaka mean? Wait, translation please?” he asked Ahkmenrah as the Huns picked him up and carried him back to the museum.

“That’ll teach him to steal from the museum.” I bragged. “Not bad Mr. Daley. That was impressive.”

“Hey, couldn’t have done it without those websites you sent me to help me out with the research. You’re the real hero here tonight (y/n).”

“Yeah, and that was so awesome of how you got onto that stagecoach. You were like a superhero back there.” I blushed at Nicky’s praising.

“They are right (y/n).” Ahkmenrah said. “We owe this night to you, thanks to you I once again have my tablet.” I smiled and said.

“It took all of us. Teamwork is what got this back.” I said as I held up the tablet.

“Oh boy.” I heard Larry say grimly.

“What is it?” asked Ahkmenrah.

“I gotta get you guys back to the museum.” He said urgently.

“Why? What happens if they’re not back at the museum? Well besides it being empty.”

“If the exhibits are outside of the museum when the sun comes up, they turn to dust.” He told me. My eyes widened in fear as I turned to Ahkmenrah and he looked at me with a grim expression that expressed the truth.

“How?” asked Nicky as I turned to see half of the museum already here in Central Park.

“It’s gonna take us hours just to wrangle everyone up. And this isn’t even half of the exhibits we need.”

“Ahkmenrah. We’re gonna need your help.” Larry guided me over to the young pharaoh as he continued, “This is your tablet, you know the instructions. We need you to get everyone back.” I handed him his tablet and he took it from my hands.

As we did the transfer, our fingers briefly touched one another’s and I swear to god I thought I felt a spark. I swallowed my little crush (was it a crush? I don’t know) and nodded to him and that’s when Ahkmenrah began to speak in ancient Egyptian as he looked down at the tablet.

As soon as I heard him say his name, the tablet glowed which reflected his face majestically, but that’s when I heard Rexy softly growl as he then began walking back towards the museum. Not only was he walking onward but all the exhibits, it seemed they were all in a trance as they walked on.

With that the four of us left alongside the exhibits and we went to make sure that everyone got back there and to their designated wings safe and sound.

Once everyone was inside, present and accounted for; I walked with Ahkmenrah back to his tomb and he said to me.

“Thank you, for helping me retrieve my tablet (y/n).”

“It was no problem. Really. I’d do it all over again a thousand times if it meant you and the others could live to see another night.” He smiled and as he placed it back to its proper place he asked me.

“Will I see you tonight?”

“Oh I don’t know.” I sighed heavily. “I can’t let Larry just get the boot for this, at least not if I can help it.”

“You have a kind heart (y/n). In another life you would’ve made the perfect Egyptian Queen.” I blushed and laughed shyly. “If that is the case, then it was an honor to finally meet you (y/n).”

“Believe me it was an honor meeting you. I just…wish we had more time. I have so many questions for you.” He smiled and said.

“If the Gods make it to be, perhaps one day we shall cross paths again.” I nodded as I extended my hand out for a handshake. He took it and instead of a handshake, he turned my hand over and kissed the back of it.

I felt my face heat up and butterflies fluttered around my stomach as I nervously smiled.

“Yeah, you too Ahkmenrah.” I then helped him back into his sarcophagus and once I closed it up, I heard nothing but silence. I turned to the Anubis guards who now stood very still and figured that it must be sunrise about now. “Wadaeaan ya fireawn. Num jayidaan.” I whispered as I gently touched Akhmen’s sarcophagus.

I left the Egyptian wing and saw that all the exhibits were now once again either statues once more or had phased back into their wax figurines. I walked down the steps to see the large mess once again.

“You got him back to his wing safely?” asked Larry.

“Yep. Safe and snug in his sarcophagus. C’mon. Let’s clean up whatever we can before McFreak comes in and flips out.”

“(Y/n).” Rebecca scolded me. I shrugged at her as I picked up a broom from the supply closet nearby and handed one to Nicky and the two of us began to collect all the toilet paper that had been tossed around.

When Dr. McPhee did come in, he was definitely not happy. After having Larry and I sit through the news that was talking about all the sightings that had happened last night from Rexy’s footprints in the snow, caveman drawings in the subway and even the Neanderthals up on top of the museum building waving torches in the air.

“Any explanation at all?” he asked the two of us. Larry thought about it before he came to a fake conclusion.

“No. Got nothin’.”

“Me neither.” I answered.

“Right. I’ll take your keys and your flashlight then.” He said as he walked up to Larry before turning towards me and continuing, “And you. Can turn in your membership and research card. You’ll be banned from the museum until further notice.” Larry and I looked at each other before Larry turned in his stuff and I turned in my access card.

He guided us out of his office to let us out of the museum but what we saw was something I had not seen since I was probably a little girl.

The museum was packed! There were probably hundreds maybe even thousands of people walking about, getting tours, checking in, and asking for information about certain figurines or exhibits.

A wide smile spread across my face as I placed my hands over my mouth trying to contain my excitement. But what really got me excited was when Dr. McPhee gave Larry and I back our stuff and gave us a small smile before walking away.

“Oh my god.” I said in awe.

“Seems the news really brought this place back on the map.” Larry said. I then hugged Larry as tight as I could and he hugged me back. “What’s that for?”

“I have no idea. Just—thank you for probably the greatest moment of my life.”

“You sure it don’t have anything to do with the pharaoh just one floor up?” he teased. I playfully punched him as hard as I could in the shoulder.

“I’ll see you tonight Mr. Daley. I’ll even pick up Nicky and bring him here.” I headed off to start my shift since I knew the tour guides needed more help so I decided to lend a hand and help out.

Of course that was fun and all, but the real fun began when the sun went down. With my I-pod hooked up to the stereo on my “Happy feet playlist”, I had my #1 song ‘September’ by Earth, wind and fire playing while all the exhibits were gathered around the main lobby in celebration.

Everyone was either dancing or playing soccer and I couldn’t help but smile at seeing a once ancient pharaoh dance so badly that it was almost embarrassing. Our eyes soon locked with each other and he came over to me and said.

“Come on, let’s dance.”

“Oh no, no, no, no, no I don’t dance Ahkmenrah.”

“This is our party and I demand you dance. By royal decree.” He teased at the end with a wink down at me. Well—who was I to deny a royal pharaoh’s decree?

“Just a little warning for you, I don’t know how to dance.”

“Neither do I.”

“So you’re not at all embarrassed?”

“Not really. We’re amongst friends. And true friends don’t laugh at one another, even in their silly moments. Now come (y/n).” he took my hands and pulled me onto the dance floor and the two of us danced to the beat as silly as we possibly could.

#rami malek #rami malek imagine #rami malek imagines #rami malek fanfic #rami malek x reader #ahkmenrah #ahkmenrah x reader #ahkmenrah imagine #ahkmenrah imagines #night at the museum #night at the museum fanfic #might at the museum fanfiction #rami malek fanfiction #night at the museum imagine #night at the museum imagines #night at the museum fanfiction

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inyournightmares97 · 4 years

Text

Ultimatum (Part 6)

Park Jinyoung is a master negotiator. He’s used to preying on people’s weaknesses and manipulating them to get his way. So he can’t understand you; a lawyer who sees the world in black and white, as either good or bad. Conflict is inevitable.

But if the two of you can just set aside your differences, perhaps you can perform miracles together.

Word Count: 7.1k+

Warnings: Angst, office!au, enemies to lovers!au. Some language

Part 1: In Which You Win

Part 2: In Which He Wins

Part 3: In Which the Common Enemy Appears

Part 4: In Which You Work Together

Part 5: In Which Nobody Wins

Part 6: In which Everybody Wins

Part 7: In which Love Wins

-----------------------------------------------------------

You weren’t sure how long you sat in your car.

It could have been hours, really. The sky darkened and night fell, but you couldn’t calm down enough to go inside. How were you going to tell your mother that you’d just been forced to resign? You had a decent amount of savings but elderly care was expensive and if you didn’t find a suitable job in two months then you were going to find it difficult to pay your mother’s bills.

You groaned.

How did this all go so terribly wrong?

Maybe you shouldn’t have exploded at the CEO. Did it really matter whether he valued your work? You weren’t a child that needed praises. You were getting paid well and that should have been enough incentive for you to keep your mouth shut and just do your work.

Maybe you should have listened to Jinyoung. He could be infuriating, but maybe he was actually much smarter than you.

At least Jinyoung’s pride hadn’t lost him his job.

Either way, there was no use moping about it now. Your time with the company was over and once you broke the bad news to your mother, you would have to go home and fix your resume before sending out job applications.

Fuck. You hated job-hunting.

You stepped out of the car and walked to the entrance of your mother’s care home. The usual nurse was standing in the lobby and her eyes widened with delight as soon as she saw you.

“There you are! Your boyfriend’s been here for a while, he kept asking when you would come!” she chirped. She giggled and leaned closer to whisper. “Where did you meet him? Is he rich? He looks rich, just something about the way he walks and his clothes-”

“Excuse me? What boyfriend?”

“The one who came yesterday!” she said. Her eyes narrowed. “Do you have more than one?”

"No, I don't..."

I don't even have one, was what you were about to say, but something clicked in your mind. The one who came yesterday. She could only be talking about Park Jinyoung. What was he doing here? Shouldn't he have gone home to pack for Busan after the disaster of today evening?

Or was he just here to torment you?

You went into the lounge and found your mother sitting in her usual armchair. Jinyoung was sitting beside her- his laptop bag strewn on the floor and his suit jacket slung over the back of the chair as he spoke to her with a handsome smile on his face.

You sighed. You didn't really want to face him tonight. Park Jinyoung had seen enough of your weaknesses tonight to last a lifetime.

"Hi," you greeted them, interrupting their conversation. Your mother looked up with bright eyes and Jinyoung looked at you too. His soft lips curved into a smile.

"Hey!" he greeted you cheerfully. "Where have you been? I thought you left work a long time ago! I tried calling but you didn't answer."

You forced a smile. "Jinyoung…"

"Yeah?"

"Not that I don't want you here, but I'd like a few minutes alone with my mother."

Jinyoung stood up and smoothed his formal shirt down with a nod. "Of course. But before that, I need a few minutes alone with you. Can we talk outside?"

You felt tired. "Can it wait? I-"

"No, it can't wait. It has to be now. Come on."

You were too exhausted to protest as Jinyoung wrapped his warm fingers around your forearms and steered you towards the exit of the care home. You found yourself back in the parking lot with a sheepish Jinyoung looking down at you and rubbing the back of his neck.

"What is it?" you asked.

Jinyoung cleared his throat. "Well… I'm not sure how to explain this but…"

"You have one minute."

"Okay. I talked to the CEO again and he said everyone can stay here and nobody has to go to Busan," he blurted out.

Your eye twitched.

"Excuse me?"

"You can stay here. And keep your job."

"No, I heard you. I just don't believe you," you replied. You narrowed your eyes at Jinyoung. Was he joking? Was this some kind of a trick? You might have gotten along with the successful salesman in recent days, but you couldn’t forget that he was a manipulative asshole capable of anything.

"I'm not lying. Check your email," he insisted.

You fumbled in your bag for your phone and quickly checked your email. Park Jinyoung was telling the truth. There was an email in your inbox from the CEO stating that the transfer orders had been cancelled indefinitely.

You felt weak.

"What the f-"

Jinyoung grinned. "I told you I wasn't lying."

"How did you manage that?" you demanded. You stared up at him in shock. "Park Jinyoung what the fuck did you do?"

Jinyoung wiggled his fingers in the air. "Magic."

You flung your handbag at him in frustration, and Jinyoung flinched when it smacked into his shoulder. Your red eyes showed how furious you were and he took a step back from you with a nervous laugh.

"Hey, now calm down…"

"You did something stupid, didn't you?" you demanded.

Jinyoung shook his head. "No, I-"

“Park Jinyoung tell me what stupid, dick-head move you pulled to get us our jobs back or I swear to god-”

Jinyoung backed away from you nervously. “Hey! Relax, I’ll tell you if you promise not to hurt me! Look. I didn’t do anything illegal. We had another negotiation where I pulled out another card I’d been hiding and it turned out that was his bottom line, so he agreed to let everyone stay. We’re not getting bonuses anymore.”

Your heartbeat was thudding. “I… I don’t understand.”

“Me neither,” Jinyoung complained as he rubbed his sore shoulder and pouted. “If I’d hit you with my bag then things would be a lot more serious, you know. You can’t just hit people. Even if you’re a woman.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

Jinyoung smirked. “And?”

Your eyes widened in shock. "Oh my god. I already emailed my resignation! So did Yugyeom and Youngjae! What if the CEO accepts them?"

"He can't."

"Why not?"

Jinyoung folded his arms across his chest with a smug smile. "I talked to my friend in IT. He recalled the mails and deleted them from the server. They're gone, long before the CEO had a chance to see them."

"Wow."

"Don't you have anything else to say?" Jinyoung pressed.

"What?"

“Let me give you a hint. An expression of gratitude. Two words, first word is five letters, second word is three-”

“Thank you,” you mumbled.

Jinyoung’s smile softened and as you looked up at him, you could see a quiet satisfaction in his eyes. It surprised you.

This wasn’t the usual haughty, egoistic pride that was spread all over Jinyoung’s handsome face. It was something more innocent.

The pleasure of having made someone happy.

Jinyoung had never imagined it could feel so wonderful.

----------------------------------------------------------------

“Well, well, well! Look who was gone for a whole minute! If it isn’t our Legal team.”

You looked up from your laptop to face Jackson Wang, standing over you. The entire office was in a cheerful mood this morning. News had spread that the Busan transfers had been cancelled and that the CEO had been forced to give in.

It was a victory that everyone shared.

People had been coming up to thank you all morning. You’d tried telling them that you weren’t sure how it had happened, but they wouldn’t listen.

“Morning, Jackson,” you greeted.

“Good morning. I see some bright and happy faces!” Jackson waved at both Yugyeom and Youngjae. Then he turned back to you. “Anyway, I’m here to check up on the sale agreements I asked you to look through?”

You nodded. “I’ll send them to you with my comments by the end of the day.”

“Good stuff, good stuff.”

“Was there anything else?”

With a nod, Jackson climbed up and sat on the edge of your desk with one leg. You frowned in disapproval. You didn’t like people sitting on your desk. Then again, Jackson Wang was hardly the most tactful person in the world.

“What do you think about Jinyoung?” he asked eagerly.

You raised an eyebrow. “Jinyoung?”

“Yeah.”

“What do I think about him? In what context?” you asked, confused.

“In every context.”

You folded your arms across your chest and leaned back in your chair. “I’m a little busy, Jackson. Can we save the games for outside of working hours?”

Jackson sighed. “You know, Jinyoung might seem a little selfish but deep down he’s a really sensitive guy. You get what I’m saying? He reads poetry in his free time. He likes little kids. He really loves his mom and he’s passionate about his work. And recently, I learned that he even has the potential to be rather… romantic?”

You stared at him. “Are you two dating?”

“What? No!”

“Then what the hell are you trying to say?”

“Screw it. Never mind. You wouldn’t understand,” Jackson replied as he got off your desk and dusted off his pants with a frown. “You’re really cold, you know that?”

“Please go away.”

“Fine. I’ll leave. I just feel bad for Jinyoung, that’s all.”

“Seriously Jackson, go away.”

“Fine!”

Jackson left and you rolled your eyes, accidentally making eye contact with Yugyeom who was watching the exchange with interest. You shrugged in bewilderment and Yugyeom grinned until his phone buzzed and he looked at it with wide eyes.

“Hana?” he answered happily.

You sighed and turned back to your laptop.

Young love. You wished it was that easy for you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You had just sat down to eat your lunch in the cafeteria when Park Jinyoung slid into the seat across from you.

“Hi,” you greeted him, mildly surprised.

Jinyoung barely looked at you as he unwrapped his sandwich hastily. “Hey. Can’t talk for long, need to eat fast because I have a meeting with a client in about fifteen minutes,” he blurted out before taking a huge bite.

“O...k?” you replied. You hadn't even asked.

He looked up at you as he swallowed. “How’s your day going?”

“Um, fine, I guess.”

“Just a heads up, don’t take any rumours you hear around office too seriously. Jackson might be saying some stuff, but that’s because he’s been smoking too much weed. Oh, but don’t tell anyone I said that either. HR might organize a drug test and I don’t want him fired.”

You stared at him. “Jackson shouldn’t be smoking.”

“I know, I keep telling him that but he doesn’t listen!” Jinyoung insisted as he took another huge bite. His sandwich was half gone and he rapidly drank half a bottle of water.

“What kind of rumours, though?”

“Huh?”

“What kind of rumours is he spreading?” you repeated. “If he’s saying something that’s affecting you badly, or disparaging you then shouldn’t you talk to him? Or at least ask HR to talk to him?”

Jinyoung laughed and waved it off. “What? No. It’s cool.”

“If you say so.”

Jinyoung swallowed the last of his sandwich- you hadn’t even touched your own food yet- and crumpled up the wrapper before finishing his water bottle. Then he looked at you with a handsome smile.

“Oh, and did I mention? I kind of need you to attend this client meeting with me.”

You stared at him. “Excuse me?”

“I’m negotiating a huge sale and the client is being stubborn. I know our good-cop-bad-cop routine didn’t work too well on the CEO, but it would be great if you could come along. I’m up for an award in March and I really need this sale.”

Your face turned white.

“Park Jinyoung, I cannot believe you-”

“I’ll see you at Conference room 7 in… thirteen minutes? I knew you would be a sport. Thanks so much!” he gave you a friendly pat on the back and a charming smile before briskly walking out of the cafeteria.

You stared down at your lunch tray and took a deep breath as you waited for the anger to wash over you.

You should have been furious. Park Jinyoung had signed you up to attend a meeting during your lunch break with almost no notice and you should have been raging mad at the nerve he had.

But you weren’t.

Because taking someone from Legal to his negotiations was something Jinyoung had been refusing to do for the past year, no matter how many times you begged and pleaded with him. He always said that wasn't something he could compromise on. Maybe his failure to give you enough notice was annoying and inconsiderate but in the bigger picture…

You had won.

You smiled to yourself and then glanced at the time.

Oh, shit. You had barely 10 minutes to eat lunch.

Fuck you, Park Jinyoung.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Oh excellent, you're here," Jinyoung greeted you with relief as you turned into the hallway. He looked smart and well-dressed; the suit jacket was only pressed and worn for client meetings and you could smell his cologne.

Park Jinyoung smelled wonderful.

You frowned at him. "You don't just spring meetings on people. That wasn't funny."

"It was to me."

You sighed. "Look. There's still 2 minutes left, at least give me a quick briefing and tell me what this meeting is about?"

"Relax. The deal is in the bag. The client's product specifications are really particular and nobody else in the industry is willing to accomodate them. So they need us badly. The issue is getting them to pay a better price. Right now, they're acting arrogant and low-balling us with the figures."

You raised an eyebrow. "How do we fix that? Price negotiation isn't my strong point."

Jinyoung chuckled. "Nobody in Sales is stupid enough to ask you to negotiate anything for them. Don’t worry. That's not what I expect."

"Then what do you expect?"

"I just need you to be a bitch."

You bristled. "I'm not sure how I feel about you calling me that word repeatedly-"

Jinyoung blinked innocently and shook his head. "What? No, I'm not calling you a bitch. I'm saying that I need you to act like one, just for the purposes of this client meeting so that they get a little flustered and agree to a higher price."

"Still not an appropriate word to use in the workplace," you pointed out stubbornly.

He groaned. "Fine. I'm sorry. Can you please come and be unreasonable and obstinate, like you always are whenever I ask you for anything?"

You folded your arms across your chest. "You can do better than that."

“This is absurd.”

“Asking for basic decency is absurd?” you demanded.

Jinyoung groaned and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Fine. Let me try again. Will you please attend this meeting with me and help me strike fear in the hearts of the clients with your powerful and fearsome ways?”

You smiled. “I like that.”

“Come on, let’s just hurry up and go inside.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“That won’t work.”

The client looked flustered. Jinyoung leaned back in his seat and watched as you handled the entire meeting yourself, cutting off the client at every turn, insisting that nothing would work and being an obstinate, unreasonable bitch.

Jinyoung was having the time of his life.

“But we’ve already compromised on a lot of the terms,” the client insisted. The lady had looked confident when she entered, but she was slowly buckling under your strength. Her desperation was leaking into her voice. “We’re offering the best terms we can and we want something that will benefit both parties-”

“Then how about you offer something that will actually benefit both parties? Because what you’re offering right now is a joke.”

Jinyoung leaned forward in a half-hearted attempt to control you.

“Now come on. Let’s not be too harsh. Mrs. Kim is doing her best-”

“Mrs. Kim needs to do better,” you replied sharply. “What they’re asking for is something completely out of the box. There’s no standard protocol to follow to produce a product like that and we would have to customize all processes from the ground up. I’m a lawyer, should I really be teaching you about business processes, Mr. Park? Please bring your common sense to this negotiation.”

Jinyoung blinked in amusement. You were even turning against him, now? Even though your lips were pressed together in a frown, he could see a glint in your eyes.

You were enjoying this.

Fuck, Jinyoung thought as he gave up and relaxed back into his seat. He had never realized exactly how attractive you were when you were flaunting your power. Or maybe he had. Maybe this was just the first time he wasn’t at the receiving end of your wrath, so he could sit and watch you with leisure.

Mrs. Kim bit her lip. “These are the final numbers I can offer you. Can you take a look?”

You glanced at the numbers and stood up. “This is really a waste of time.”

“What-”

“I don’t think this meeting is going anywhere like this,” you decided. You tossed your pen onto the table and it hit the surface with a thunk as you gathered up your belongings. Mrs. Kim looked shocked but you kept a perfectly expressionless face as you slung your bag over your shoulder. “Perhaps we can meet again, Mrs. Kim, once your company looks at the numbers and comes up with a more competitive figure.”

Jinyoung blinked. “Are you really-”

You stormed out, unable to suppress the giggles that were threatening to erupt from your lips. You waited until you were in the corridor and at a safe distance before allowing yourself to laugh. It was awful; you felt bad for the poor woman but she now understood who had the upper hand and she would be forced to concede to whatever Jinyoung asked.

Still, setting aside the satisfaction of winning…

It was the most fun you’d had in a while.

You heard the conference room door open and Jinyoung stepped out into the corridor. His eyes were shining as he walked towards you briskly.

“Okay,” he said with a grin. “I knew you were good but I didn’t know you were that good.”

“I almost feel bad for her,” you giggled.

“Relax. The numbers they were quoting originally were terrible. You finally brought her up to a more reasonable price. I can’t believe you just stormed out like that, though, that was…”

You bit your lip. “Excessive?”

Sexy as hell, Jinyoung thought to himself silently.

“Effective,” he said out loud. “It was effective. I’m going to go back in there and comfort her and seal the deal, okay? Thanks for doing this, honestly. You saved me from having to accept her low-balled figure.”

“Park Jinyoung? Showing gratitude? I must be dreaming.”

Jinyoung frowned. “Hey. I’m a reasonable guy.”

“Sure.”

“And besides. It’s not too bad when we’re on the same team, is it? I always imagined you would get in my way during negotiations but honestly… when we’re on the same page I think we do pretty well,” he admitted.

You nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah. I guess we do work well together.”

“Anyway. I should go back before she cracks. See you.”

“Yep. Bye.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

You returned to your desk to find Yugyeom waiting for you.

“What’s up with you?” you asked.

“I feel like I should tell you something,” he began awkwardly. Yugyeom lowered his voice and shielded his mouth with one hand to whisper. “Hana told me that there’s some rumours going around the Sales department.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Really Yugyeom? Participating in office gossip? I expected better from you.”

“It’s about you,” he insisted.

“What about me?”

He cleared his throat. “Okay. I know this sounds absurd, but... Jackson Wang is going around telling people that Park Jinyoung is in love with you.”

You stared at him.

“What?”

“Park. Jinyoung. Might be in love with you.”

You couldn’t help it; you laughed. The thought was so absurd that you couldn’t react in any other way. Jinyoung? In love with you? Wasn’t he always calling you a witch and a teacher’s pet and saying he found your moral superiority annoying? How could he possibly be in love with you, in any sense of the word?

“Wow, I needed that laugh.”

Yugyeom frowned. “But it’s serious. People believe it.”

“What is this, middle school? Do we spread rumours about every guy and girl who talk? Park Jinyoung hates me. Sure, maybe we worked together on a couple of things and have some level of professional compatibility, but-”

“Professional compatibility?” Yugyeom questioned.

“You know. We work well together. That’s it!”

“Huh.”

You flushed. “What are you getting at here? Just because Park Jinyoung and I managed to work together like decent human beings does not mean that he suddenly likes me in any way. He’s a selfish asshole and I’m not his type in the slightest. We have to struggle just to have a civil conversation.”

Yugyeom shrugged. “If you say so.”

“I do. Why is Jackson spreading rumours like that? Is he actually high while at work?”

“Jackson doesn’t smoke up.”

You blinked. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, he quit smoking years ago. And he’s Jinyoung’s closest friend at work, don’t you think he would know what he’s talking about?” Yugyeom reasoned. “I know Jinyoung isn’t typically nice or flirtatious but he does seem to find reasons to come around here a lot and you get really worked up around him so it could be… you know.”

“No, I don’t know. Tell me.”

He lowered his voice with a childish grin. “Sexual tension.”

“Do you want to be fired less than a day after getting your job back, Kim Yugyeom?”

“No, ma’am.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You were just getting ready to leave when Park Jinyoung came by your desk.

“Hey,” he greeted. “Heading home?”

You nodded, feeling flustered at the sudden sight of him. As much as you wanted to brush off the rumours, you couldn’t completely ignore them.

Could they be true? Had something changed between you and Jinyoung?

“Yup, getting ready to leave. Did you need something?” you asked him.

“Just thought I’d stop by and update you on how the negotiation went. We signed off on the deal, Mrs. Kim offered way more than I expected her to. She was relieved not to have to negotiate with you anymore. I guess you do have some skills, teacher’s pet.”

You rolled your eyes. “I’ve always had skills.”

“Anyway, I thought we should celebrate sealing another deal. Want to go get a drink?”

“I have plans tonight. Maybe some other time. You’re supposed to take someone from Legal along to all of your important client negotiations, I hope you remember that?” you demanded.

Jinyoung chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. We’ll see.”

“No. Don’t brush me off. I’ll see you at the next negotiation.”

“You’re enjoying it, aren’t you?” Jinyoung asked with a chuckle. “You were in your element today. Fine. Who am I to deny you some excitement in your dull life of reviewing contracts? I’ll give you a call when I find my next client. Good night!”

“Night.”

Jinyoung left and you shut your laptop down, sliding it into your bag and zipping it closed. You had just slung it over your shoulder when you noticed that both Yugyeom and Youngjae were staring at you with wide eyes and open mouths.

“What’s wrong with you two?” you demanded.

“Park Jinyoung just asked you out!” gasped Yugyeom.

“Huh?”

“He just asked you out to drinks after work! Right in front of our eyes! How are you so calm about this, you rejected Park Jinyoung!”

Your cheeks burned up. “What? No! I helped him close a sales deal so he probably wanted to celebrate by getting a drink, that’s all! Colleagues do that all the time, don’t they? Don’t the Sales guys treat you two to drinks when a deal you’ve been working on goes well?”

“No. The Sales guys are stingy as hell,” Youngjae replied.

“But-”

“He just asked you out and you said no.”

“He did not!” you insisted, flustered. “This is so absurd, I don’t know why you guys are so hung up on this. Jinyoung doesn’t date women like me. I'm sure he goes for a different type.”

“Do you know what his type is?”

“... No. But-”

Yugyeom and Younjae both exchanged a meaningful look while you stared at them in bewilderment.

What was happening?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

You didn't realize it at the time but perhaps in his own subtle and clueless manner, Park Jinyoung was attempting to woo you.

“What’s this?” you asked.

Hana had turned up at your desk early in the morning on Monday, carrying a small box with three take-away coffees in it. She set one down on your desk and smiled.

“Coffee,” she explained cheerfully. “Mr. Park asked me to get some for the Legal team. I dodn’t know if you like sugar and milk so I just bought some extra for you to add. There are muffins too, if you guys are hungry.”

“Wow,” Youngjae looked suspicious as he took his coffee. “This is a first. Do you think it’s poisoned?”

Yugyeom grinned as he reached for his own cup. “Thanks, Hana. Although maybe it’s our boss we should be thanking. We all know who Park Jinyoung really sent the coffee for, and it’s not you or me, hyung.”

Youngjae grinned and raised his cup in your direction. “Thanks, boss.”

You glared at them. “He sent it for all of us!”

“Sure he did.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jinyoung was pacing the corridor and talking on the phone loudly.

It was mildly distracting but it wasn’t as if you could ask him to shut up; it was an open office space and people talking on the phone and discussing things was a common noise that you should be able to ignore.

It still didn’t make sense that he wanted to take his phone calls here, so far away from his own desk.

You closed your laptop and took two steps towards the corridor just as Jinyoung ended his phone call and fell into stride beside you.

“Hey!” he greeted. “Going to get some lunch?”

You nodded. “It is lunchtime…”

“Great. I’m hungry too. Let’s go together. Do you want to hit that chinese place across the road? I have some discount coupons and their wontons are amazing. You don’t have any meetings right after lunch, do you?”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “Not unless you spring one on me like yesterday.”

Jinyoung chuckled. “Me? Not today.”

You followed him out of the office, unable to find a reason to say no. And why shouldn’t you go with him? Colleagues could go out to grab lunch together, right?

To be honest, you’d never really been close enough to anybody from a different department to have lunch with them but lots of people at work did it. Besides, Jinyoung had talked about discount coupons and nobody said stuff like that if they meant it to be a date.

Right?

Why were you even thinking about this? Yugyeom and Youngjae must have gotten to your head.

“Thanks for the coffee this morning,” you told Jinyoung as he opened the door for you at the restaurant. He smiled at you sheepishly. “Why did you ask Hana to get us all coffee and breakfast?”

Jinyoung shrugged. “I don’t know. You guys work hard. Just wanted to appreciate it.”

“Huh.”

“Why do you sound like you don’t believe me? Table for two, please,” Jinyoung said quickly to the waiter, who led you both to a corner table with a pleasant view.

“I just never pegged you for the appreciative type. Not to mention that I don’t think the company as a whole really appreciates anything my department does here,” you mumbled bitterly.

Jinyoung stared at you, dark eyes concerned. “Hold on. You’re not still hung up on what the CEO said, are you? It’s his personal opinion. You can’t take it to heart. Most of us don’t feel that way about Legal. It’s just one guy.”

You sighed. “That one guy runs our entire company, Jinyoung.”

“I know. But…”

“But what?” you demanded. “He controls the policies and the way things run here. A company is moulded by its CEO. I don’t know how much longer I can stay knowing that he dislikes me. I’ll never be able to grow in my career, I’ll be stuck here forever.”

“You can find ways to grow!”

“Under his authority?” you scoffed. “You think the man is ever going to give me a promotion, after the shit I pulled with him? I’m not sure how you convinced him to give us our jobs back but I can guarantee he’ll bear a personal grudge against me.”

Jinyoung frowned. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t.”

You rolled your eyes. “You don’t control him.”

“I got him to cancel the Busan transfer, didn’t I?.”

“Yeah. How did you do that?” you asked with a frown. “I was too surprised to push you for an answer that day, but you never explained. What did you do? I hope you didn’t blackmail him or do something dangerous, Park Jinyoung.”

Jinyoung scoffed. “Please. I told you I didn’t do anything illegal.”

“Then how?”

“I just figured out his bottom line and threatened to rip it out from underneath him.”

“What was his bottom line?”

Jinyoung smiled cryptically as he picked up a lunch menu and flipped through it. “Maybe I’ll tell you someday. What do you think about shrimp wontons? They’re personally my favorite.”

“I hate them.”

“Fine, I’ll order a single portion then. Oh look! They have some Christmas specials. Speaking of Christmas, are you planning to go to the annual office Christmas party tomorrow? It’s a lot of fun. There’s free cocktails and they usually do this stupid little Secret Santa thing.”

You groaned. “God, I hate those.”

Jinyoung chuckled. “I thought you would.”

“I never get a nice present. I got socks one year, and this disgusting scented candle set the next. It stank up my house whenever I lit it. Besides, I can’t on Friday. They’re having a Christmas celebration at my mother’s care home and it’s really important to her that I go.”

“Oh. That’s nice.”

“Yeah. We used to have these huge family Christmases when I was a kid but, well… we don't anymore and I think my Mom misses them," you admitted. You sighed and flipped a page of the menu. "I know it’s hardly enough, but I should at least spend time with her myself, so she’s not completely alone."

Jinyoung blinked. "Huh. I've always found huge family Christmases a pain. Then again, I've never really spent Christmas alone."

You raised an eyebrow at him. "You have a huge family?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"I don't know, I figured your family abandoned you as a kid because they couldn't stand you anymore," you said flippantly.

Jinyoung frowned. "That's not nice."

"I'm not nice. And I don't like shrimp wontons. Can we order chicken instead?"

Jinyoung sighed and closed the menu. "Yeah, fine, have it your way."

---------------------------------------------

Your mother always looked sad around Christmas-time.

“How much longer do we have to listen to her?” you whispered to your Mom with a playful grin, in an attempt to cheer her up. Another one of the elderly ladies at the care home was reciting poetry and she seemed to have an entire sheaf of papers to read from. “Is she reading us a poem or an entire trilogy?”

Your Mom hushed you. “Don’t be rude.”

“But it’s boring.”

“Yes, but it’s important to her that we listen to her poetry so let’s not interrupt her,” she insisted. She placed a weak hand on your arm and smiled hesitantly. “I’m sorry you had to come and stay here with me on the night of your office Christmas party.”

You rolled your eyes. “Come on, Mom. They do those Christmas parties every year. People just exchange cheap gifts and get extremely drunk. It’s no fun.”

“And listening to Mrs. Jung read her poetry is?”

“It’s fine because I’m with you,” you promised.

“You should be out with your friends and coworkers. Or your boyfriend. What happened to that nice young man who came by here a couple of times? He seemed interested in you.”

You flinched. “Park Jinyoung?”

“Yes, Jinyoung. I thought he liked you. He seemed very polite and charming.”

“He’s just like that. Besides, I don’t think I’m the type Jinyoung would really go for,” you replied. You turned to your Mom and bit your lip. “I think I’m going to look for a new job, Mom. Don’t worry. I’ll look for a company nearby so I can stay near you, and something that pays well, but… I don’t think I see a future for myself with this organization.”

You mother blinked. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’ve started applying already.”

“If you say so, dear. You’ve always been responsible about your decisions, I doubt there’s any advice I could give you.”

You chuckled. “You’d support me no matter what.”

“Of course I would.”

“What do you want to do on Christmas Day? I can ask the doctor to let you out for a bit and we can have lunch at my apartment. I’ll buy groceries and cook for us both. How does that sound?”

“It sounds lovely, dear,” she said softly.

“You don’t sound so sure.”

“I am, really.”

You opened your mouth to press her further but before you could, a round of polite applause filled the room. Mrs. Jung had finally finished reading her poetry. Your mother waved for the nurse to come over and take her to her room. “I’m a little tired, dear. I think I’ll go to bed. Drive home safely, okay?”

You nodded and gave her a hug goodbye.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outside in the parking lot, Park Jinyoung was losing his mind.

He couldn’t stop thinking about you. The Christmas party had been a blast from the start; Jackson was a hilarious drunk and he’d even caught Yugyeom and Hana making out less than an hour in. Jinyoung should have been having fun but he kept thinking about how much he wished you were at the party.

After drowning just enough wine to lose any remaining sense of propriety, he’d taken a cab to your mother’s care home.

And now he was standing outside in the chilly winter air, wondering what the fucking hell he was doing outside an elderly people’s care home, drunk and clutching an expensive bottle of wine that he’d swiped from the party and waiting for you to come out.

It was pathetic, really.

And Park Jinyoung wasn’t pathetic.

No. He wasn’t. Women fell for him, not the other way around. Park Jinyoung had never struggled to find attractive and willing female companions, even before he’d acquired a high-paying job and bought his own apartment. So why was he so fixated on you?

Why was he sitting here in this desolate, pathetic, miserable place?

Perhaps it was because the moment you entered his line of vision, his mind went blank and all he could think about was how adorable you looked walking over towards him in the cold, your arms wrapped around yourself and face snuggled into your scarf.

“Jinyoung?” you called out in disbelief. “What are you doing?”

Jinyoung didn’t know how to respond. He decided that bare-faced shamelessness was the best way to go. He was drunk so he would blame it all on the alcohol later. He smiled and held up the bottle of wine.

“I felt bad that you were missing the party, so I decided to bring the party to you,” he called out cheerfully. “After all, I am the party. What more could you want?”

You laughed. Your laugh was beautiful, Jinyoung thought. Maybe it was all the more precious because it was so rare. Maybe the fact that you were usually frowning or upset meant that when you laughed, you really laughed, and there was nothing fake or forced about it. You never tried to please anyone. You never tried to seem friendly or polite to satisfy someone else.

You were yourself, and perhaps that was what Jinyoung found so attractive about you.

“Are you drunk?” you asked as you neared him.

Jinyoung pouted. “Just had a few glasses of wine.”

“How did you get here?”

“I took a cab.”

“Fuck, it’s freezing. Let’s get inside my car and turn on the heater and then talk, okay?” you decided, fumbling for your keys. Jinyoung had a stupid smile on his face as he slid into your passenger-side seat. He smelled faintly of wine and cologne.

“Was the party boring?” you asked.

“It was okay,” he replied with a shrug. “I found Yugyeom and Hana sucking face in the janitor’s closet but I swear I didn’t tell anyone about it.”

You giggled. “I see.”

“I may have suggested to Jaebeom from HR that he would find something interesting if he went looking for a mop, but I swear I didn’t tell on them myself, I would never do that,” Jinyoung insisted. His words were clumsy and you could see that he was a little drunk.

“Is the wine for me?” you asked, pointing to the bottle in his lap.

Jinyoung grinned. “I stole it from the party.”

“Hand it over then.”

You took a swig of the wine straight from the bottle and giggled when you saw Jinyoung staring at you in awe. “What are you gaping at?” you demanded. “You didn’t think to bring me a glass, did you?”

“Nope,” he admitted.

“So keep your mouth shut until I’m at least half as drunk as you.”

“My pleasure.”

You had never imagined getting drunk on wine with Park Jinyoung in the parking lot of an elderly care home, but a lot of things had happened in the last one week that you’d never imagined. Perhaps you should just let loose and take life as it came.

You turned and looked at Park Jinyoung. His dark eyes were watching you closely.

“Jinyoung,” you said.

“Yeah?”

“What’s your type?”

His eyebrows furrowed. “Huh?”

“You know, in women. What you look for in a woman. You must have some kind of a type,” you insisted. With all the gossip going around, you needed to know if there was a chance that Jinyoung could ever be attracted to you.

“I just…” Jinyoung blinked at you slowly. “I don’t know.”

“How can you not know?”

“I just don’t know.”

“But you must-”

Jinyoung’s eyebrows furrowed, irritated. “Fine, I do know. But I’m not drunk enough to say it out loud in front of you, and you can’t make me so don’t try to trick me into it. I’m smart. I don’t blurt out stupid things when I’m drunk. I’m Park Jinyoung, and you won’t get a word out of me.”

You blinked at him. “Fine, I didn’t know it was a secret.”

“It is a secret and I won’t tell you.”

“Fine, then. Why did you come here?”

“Ha! Another trick question!” Jinyoung shook his head and smiled, leaning his head against the seat drowsily. “I won’t tell you. I’m not going to let anything slip. I won’t.”

“Is everything a secret?”

“Yup.”

“So you won’t tell me anything tonight?”

“Nope.”

“So should I talk, then?” you asked, taking another swig of the wine. You sighed and leaned back in your seat. “I don’t know what to do to cheer my Mom up. I think she’s lonely and I try to spend as much time as I can with her, but I think even I can’t fix the loneliness she feels around Christmas-time. I think she misses big, traditional family Christmases.”

Jinyoung grinned. “You can bring her to my house.”

You blinked. “Really?”

“My family makes a huge deal out of Christmas. My parents and my sisters and my aunts, uncles, cousins, they all cram themselves into that tiny house and break out of the food and decorations. Lonely?” Jinyoung scoffed and rolled his eyes. “She won’t have room to breathe in that crowd of overbearing nuts.”

You giggled. “I still can’t believe that you come from a big family.”

“Tell your Mom she has to come to Christmas at mine. Call her right now.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do. Call her.”

You giggled as you took your phone out of your pocket. Your Mom answered on the first ring and the wine was the only reason you said the next words that came out of your mouth.

“Mom, Jinyoung wants you to go over and spend Christmas at his house. What do you think?”

Your mother sounded confused. “What, sweetie?”

Jinyoung gestured for you to hand him the phone. You gave it to him and he held it up to his ear clumsily. “Ma’am, you are most cordially invited to Christmas lunch at my house. My Mom makes the best chicken in the world but since you need to take care of your health please stay away from my sister’s gravy that shit is toxic,”

You laughed and took the phone back from him. “Sorry Mom, he’s drunk.”

“I think you are too,” your mother replied with a small laugh. “Good night, sweetheart.”

“Goodnight.”

You hung up and turned to see that Jinyoung was staring at you, his eyes glazed over. He ran his fingers through his hair and your heart skipped a beat when he smiled down at you softly.

“Hey. We make a good team, right?” he asked carefully. “I like… I like it when we’re on the same side. Like at that meeting. And with the CEO. And now. I hated you when you were getting in my way but now it feels like we’re on the same team and it feels right.”

You giggled. “You’re a good teammate, Jinyoung.”

“Really? Why do you think so”

“I don’t know. You’re… reliable. And smart. You’re a bit of a pain but honestly, I think you’re growing on me. Kind of like a fungus, except less disgusting.”

Jinyoung chuckled. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“And I have a nice ass, right? I’ve seen you staring at my ass.”

You laughed, unable to control yourself. This situation was absurd, this conversation was absurd and everything you were doing right now was completely absurd.

But in some odd way, it also felt right.

“You have a lovely ass, Jinyoung.”

He scoffed. “I knew it.”

“And now that I just said that, I realize I’m officially drunk too, so we're gonna need to call a cab to get us both home.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#got7 #got7 scenarios #got7 scenario #park jinyoung #jinyoung scenarios #jinyoung angst #jinyoung fluff #jinyoung romance #got7 jinyoung #park jinyoung angst #park jinyoung fluff #got7 series #got7 office!au #got7 fanfiction #jinyoung fanfiction

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kumoriyami-xiuzhen · 3 years

Text

Translation Plans

Well... my break was pretty good. was finally able to download the clean fresh live version of the cxm secret mission that i had my eye on since i ranked up, saw the 1984 wonder woman movie (it was okay and I could write an essay on what didn’t sit well with me as a fan of the comics [im kinda of a comic book purist when it comes to the way characters think and their behaviour] but I really liked Lynda Carter’s cameo).... made a lot of progress on one of the hakumyu piano arrangements i’m working on (have now probably listened to certain parts of that song over a hundred times now), watched a bunch of the original hakuoki musicals in hd.... and I finally got my dad to play Batman: Arkham Asylum. My bro and I have been trying to get that to happen for years lol... especially since it has Conroy and Hamill doing the Batman and Joker voices (the animated series is the best!). super steep learning curve tho since it’s being played on the ps3 and the last console he used was the Nintendo Gamecube.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to stock up on translations as much as I would have liked to during this time on account of my hardware seriously acting up... to the point that I needed to send my laptop in for repairs and get a new one. Aside from how unresponsive my keyboard was and how hot it got, the laptop itself had become quite slow... though that might have been because my passport [external storage drive] took a bad fall which made a lot of my files harder to access since it was barely able to handle files being accessed/copied/moved off of it (this is after diagnosing it and repairing it via command prompt chkdsk x: / r), with the latter being what I spent most of my break waiting for as i avoided using my laptop since the majority of my drama rips and game capture videos were on it... To give you an idea of how long this took (and how long it is still taking), I went from being able to transfer my 50mb of files in a few seconds... to sometimes taking more than a day (tho other times i’d be able to get 4gb moved in >24 hours, making the timing super inconsistent. also i don’t have access to a cd drive now so i can’t just re-rip things)... which is why I haven’t been able to work on any videos since my last post (I have more than 1.3TB of stuff to move, so my new laptop isn’t exactly at its best right now and won’t be for a long while since I’m not going to be using a recovery service as waiting out the transfers for everything out will definitely be cheaper... the ballpark estimate I got was being anywhere from $500-2000, which is money that i am not exactly eager to part from just for the sake of saving time)... meaning I also probably won’t get to videos for a while since subtitling requires accurate timing and im not fond of things freezing on me while working on videos... ugh. i still have to do an insane amount of grinding later in warframe once my current batch of files finishes transferring...

Anyway, below is a list of what I’ve mostly managed to schedule (anything with a “?” is something that I haven’t committed to) and a list of what I’d like to get done this year (can’t make any guarantees... however, im probably going to try and translate some things with souma this year cuz of hakumyu), while the stuff in bold text is on my shortlist of things I intend to prioritize (Saito’s Ginsei no Shou chapters and Shinsengumi Oni-tan are still being worked on though not as actively since they’re a lot longer...).

Also, aside from December, the month that CNY falls on (February this year) and March (bday) will be the only foreseeable times when I put out less translations tho I’ll probably be playing video catch-up during that time this year since i’m not sure what i’ll be able to get done as i wait for my files to get moved.

oh well. I’m still aiming towards posting stuff on a weekly basis for the rest of the year... here’s hoping that it’s less volatile.... tho i unfortunately have non-existent expectations given what made the news yesterday. just glad i don’t live there.

YAISA!

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January

Yuugiroku 3 Saito Fall story today!

Chapter 7 of Saito’s route from Ginsei no Shou + 4-koma

Hakuoki Kyoka-Roku Kazama CG Character Perspective [no vid. havent beaten this game and im not sure when i’ll feel like speed running through it]

Hakuo Gakuen Q & A

February

Stellaworth Hana no Shou After Story - Harada

Chapter 1 of Saito’s route from Ginsei no Shou

Web drama 8

March

Yuugiroku 3 - Short Episode #8 (Kazama/Amagiri/Shiranui) [still need to get video and screenshots]

Yuugiroku Drama CD Thumb Sized Samurai Track 1-4 (4 is WIP)?

Char monologue?

April

2017 Otomate Hakuoki SSL April Fool’s Day

薄桜鬼遊戯録隊士達の大宴会店铺特典「教えてください山崎さん！」 (completed yesterday)

Yuugiroku 3 - Short Episode #6 “Yukimura the page’s secret”?

char perspective?

Other

Hijikata Biyori (cuz these are short)

Yuugiroku 3 Short Episodes (these are longer than the ssl cross and daily stories)

Kyoka Roku Conversation in the Rain - Okita/Toudou/Kazama

Kyoka-Roku CG perspectives

2013 Otomate Party Hakuoki drama “Ideal place for a disagreement”

Saito Ginsei no Shou Chapters

Shinsengumi Oni-tan

Stellaworth Hana no Shou After Stories - Souji, Heisuke (THIS YEAR FOR SURE DAMMIT!)

2011 Hakuoki Reimeiroku Otomate Party drama

Stellaworth Nightshade Kuroyuki CD

薄桜鬼遊戯録弐祭囃子と隊士達 A店特典「あなた好みの想いの形」

薄桜鬼真改 ~風華大全~ 特典「稽古の痛み」

2016 Otomate Party Code:Realize drama* (this is almost 30 min so i will probably translate less that month if i get to it)

2019 ????????????? Halloween SS?*

????????????? Stellaworth Vocal CD (8 tracks)*

*have to check these 3 since I don’t actively follow these fandoms/tags tho im pretty sure no one has translated anything from the fandom for the last 2 items.

also, re:patreon goal - i am currently not able to access the files for the drama i am looking to get a translation commissioned for as it is in the process of being moved off of my damaged passport. 29gb remains as part of that transfer, which is the result of me trying to move all 865 files from where i keep the majority of the hakuoki dramas i’ve saved all at once... ended up doing that because every time I access that hard drive, each time i open up a folder, and every time I highlight a file to move, the file explorer goes “not responding” for an uncertain amount of time, and have instead opted in doing something that would hopefully reduce the likelihood of something crashing.

#personal post #update post

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monster-addict · 5 years

Text

Unexpected

Orc x Human!OC

Multipart Fic - Part 2

I woke up early, and took a shower. I already had my bag packed for class, I had my textbooks on my phone, so I didn't need to worry about that weight. I had my notebooks and different colored pens for my note taking. That's mainly what these first few weeks are going to be, note taking.

I made breakfast for everyone again, but it was small, toast and sausage. I put some tea in my water bottle and waited for Nick. He came down not too long after I finished my food. We didn't really say much, but it was comfortable. We got to class and I sat in the front or the far left side of the class, no one really sat over by me, which I was glad about.

It was a small class in a big lecture hall, it was maybe 14 of us in the class. Nick sat directly across from me in the class, but later on during the class when our teacher wanted us to read. That was when a girl from the middle of the class went over and sat by him. I assumed it was his girlfriend, or a close friend of his. I continued to read and next thing I know, class was over.

"I forgot to show you my schedule yesterday." I went up to Nick after class.

"Yeah, you share my schedule except for the gen ed classes. I think Orlov has those classes though." He told me, the girl was lingering behind a bit.

We walked to the next class which was down the hall a little bit, him and the girl talked a little bit more before they parted ways.

It seemed as if it were the same class, fewer people too. It was mainly orcs in this class, three female orcs, and I was half the amount of human females. It was about 4 human males and 5 male orcs. This professor was orc, with long hair down his back. I took out a different notebook and started my note taking process. This class he mainly talk, our reading was to do on our own time. I made a note in my phone to read, as well as in my agenda.

Class was over and I had about an hour before my last class started for the day. I went to the library just to browse their collection. I was going to do all of my reading once I got in, it wouldn't take me long anyway.

"Are you new around here?" I heard a voice come from my right.

"Yeah, I just transferred actually." I turned to the male.

"Demetri." He stuck his hand out.

"Skylar." I shook his hand.

He wasn't as big as Orlov or Nick, but considering I'm only 5'2 most orcs tower over me. He has a slimmer figure should I say, but he's still very tall, maybe 6'3.

"What are you majoring in, literature?" He asked.

"No, I'm actually a biochemistry major." I laughed a bit.

"Oh I would've never assumed. Most of the girls around here found those classes to be boring or not really for them. Now if you were taking the regular classes to be a doctor, that would be different. Not a lot of people around here are doing biochem in the first place to be honest." He said.

"Yeah, I've noticed the lack of students in my earlier classes, on top of the fact that they are early classes. What about you, what's you major?" I asked.

"Take a guess." He said.

"Accounting, or sometime of business major?" I asked him.

"You hit it on the money." He said.

"Lucky me, so what year are you in?" I asked him.

"Well, technically my second year, I just switched my major around so these classes are new for me. I like them more than psychology." He said.

"That would've been my back up, psychology. Either that or dermatology." I said.

"Why dermatology?" He looked confused.

"I like extracting comedones." I said.

"Whatever that means." He rolled his eyes.

"Blackheads and whiteheads." I laughed at him.

"Come sit with me?" He asked.

"Sure."

I followed along beside him as best as I could. I could tell he even tried to slow his pace so I could keep up, but it didn't work too well. We finally sat down in a nice corner without too many people.

"How are you liking it here so far?" Demetri asked.

"I haven't been here long enough to have an opinion, but so far so good." I said.

"How's your dorm and roommate?" He asked.

"Well, honestly, my best friend is the one that convinced me to come here. She just got one of the houses they let you rent out. She said beforehand she was in the co-ed dorms, but her roommate didn't like her. She got along with the two dudes she shared the bathroom with, so they are our other roommates in the house." I told him.

"What's your friend's name?" He asked.

"Aria." I told him.

"Oh that's the one that helps out with our dance team, do you dance?" He asked me.

"Have you seen any of her videos?" I asked.

"Yeah, but not many, why?" He asked.

"Oh well, I'm in some of her videos, so yes, I do dance." I told him.

We talked a little more until I had to go to class, we exchanged numbers and he walked me to class.

I got seated in what is going to be my regular spot, for the rest of my college life. This professor was an elf, so that was a little change up from the rest of my routine. That class went by fairly fast as well, and before I know it I'm walking over to Nick.

"Hey, you mind dropping me off at the house. Orlov said you like to go to study hall after class." I said.

"You aren't going to come too?" He asked.

"No, I don't do well studying in groups, or around a lot of people. I'd rather be in the comfort of my own bed." I tell him.

"I get that, I can drop you off. And for the record, I only go to study hall to meet up with June." He said as we walked.

"June is?" I looked up at him confused.

"Oh right, June is my girlfriend." He said.

"I didn't want to assume, but it seemed like it." I said.

We didn't say much of anything walking out to the car, but I saw Demetri on the way out. I gave him a slight wave and he gave me a head nod. Once I got to the house, I gave Nick a quick thanks before he drove off. I went in the house, and no one was home, not yet at least. We need a group chat for the house, or at the very least, I need to be added to it. I went up to my room and got out my agenda, going in order by class. I opened the book on my laptop, so I can annotate it while I read. I then wrote in my notebook some things to better help me understand the subject.

I spent around 3 hours doing my work, an hour for each class, making sure I at least understand the material. I went online to check my work to make sure I didn’t forget anything. I heard the front door open and close with a little bit of force. It was hard to tell who it was, all orcs are really strong, and tend to over do things when not paying attention. It turned out to be Orlov, I figured by peaking my head out.

"Hey Sky, you need something?" He asked before he went in his room.

"Nothing major, I wanted to know if there was a group chat for the house? I wanted to cook dinner for everybody again. But I don't have you guys numbers, nor am I in a group chat." I said.

"Oh yeah, we do have one, give me your number, I'll add you to it." He pulled out his phone.

I gave him my number and he added me to the chat, I already had Aria's number, and Orlov just told me his, so that just left Nick.

"Hey, umm, do you think you could help me with something?" Orlov asked.

"Sure, what's up?" I asked him.

"I need some help with my math, and Aria would always say how you were a pro at math, and she would go to you for help." He said.

"OH, I remember you now, you play football right?" I asked him.

"Yeah." He smiled and puffed his chest out a bit.

"But yeah I can help you, you want to knock it out of the way right now?" I offered.

"Yeah, might as well get it over with." He lead me into his room.

He got out his workbook and textbook and showed me what he had problems solving.

"Oh this is easy, let me show you a different way to think about it." I told him.

He had some geometry like stuff so I was grabbing random objects around his room using them as examples. I could show him how to do the problem, but that won't mean he'll understand it. If I help him understand the process, then he can solve the problem himself.

"Oh man Aria was right, you are good at this. Thanks, I really appreciate it." Orlov tells me.

"It's no problem, anytime you need help with anything, just let me know. I'm happy to help." I tell him.

"You want to join me for a few games of COD?" He asked me.

"You have any other work you need to do?" I asked him.

"No, I got it all done in class and during my hour break period." He said.

"Sure, I'll play a little, then I'm going to go cook." I told him.

He put it on Blackout immediately this time around, a first we were dying a little bit. I blamed it on both of us just now starting to play. After the first 3 games, we started to place higher in the matches. In our last game, we got really far, 3rd team, before someone killed Orlov, so I was left by myself playing. I was able to take the last two teams out and win the game.

"YEEEEESSSS!" We both cheered.

Orlov picked me up and spun me around, before Nick opened the door, that's when Orlov put me down.

"Well, time to get cooking." I smiled and walked towards the door.

"What's going on in here?" Nick frowned a bit.

"Sky here just carried me to a victory." He said.

"Oh please. I'm making tacos that sound okay?" I asked them both.

"Yeah that's fine, corn or flour?" Nick asked.

"Well which do you want?" I asked.

"Corn." Nick said.

"I hate corn, it's all dry and nasty. FLOUR PLEASE!" Orlov said.

"How about I make both, I like both so they won't go to waste." I laughed at them.

They agreed and I went downstairs to brown the meat, that's when Aria came in.

"How was your first day?" She asked me.

"Nothing too exciting." I said.

"Meet anyone?" She asked.

"Someone named Demetri, but I get a playboy feeling from him, not that I'm looking for a relationship. I just--"

"Yes, the drama attached to the dick-- I mean man." She cut me off.

"Exactly." I laughed at her.

"Tacos?" She asked standing next to me.

"Yep, corn or flour?" I asked her.

"I'll gladly take flour, who eats corn?" She said in a fake disgust.

"I do, and apparently Nick does too." I laughed at her.

"You two are something else." She shook her head and went upstairs.

I finished making the taco meat, and I assembled all the toppings and tortillas out.

I sent a text out, letting everyone know that the food is done, shortly after everyone came down.

"Just taste it." I handed my taco out to Aria.

She hesitated for a second before she bit into it.

"Mmm, you know, that actually is good, what did you do to it?" She asked me.

"I warmed it up of course." I laughed at her.

"O, you really should try it." Aria took a taco off my plate.

"And convert me to your corn tortilla loving cult, I think not." He put up an argument.

"Please." I gave him a slight pout.

He stared at me, debating whether he wanted to take a bite.

"Man, you don’t play fair." He took the taco from Aria, biting into it.

"Damn, when you're right, you're right. This is good." He laughed nodding his head.

"Told you." Nick pitched in.

"I still love my flour though." Orlov hurried and added.

I shook my head and laughed at him. We talked and laughed a bit before I got tired. I cleaned up and put away the leftovers. I went upstairs and took my shower, I checked to make sure my bag was packed for tomorrow and I went to sleep.

//Masterlist//

#orc x human #exophilia #gxf #unexpected

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fanfics4all · 6 years

Text

The Northside Serpent: Part 8

Request: Yes / no

Don’t be shy, request things! <3 Have a nice day/night (Request are closed)

Sweet Pea x Keller!Reader

Word count: 3191

Warnings: A few curses

Y/N: Your Name

Y/N/N: Your Nickname

Summary: You’re Kevin Keller’s little sister when you’re mom left to go to war and your dad started cheating (I’m making it so he’s been cheating since season 1) You started rebelling; dying your hair, getting a nose piercing, tattoo, and hanging out on the southside.

PLEASE DO NOT STEAL MY WORK, I WORK HARD ON MY FICS AND IT’S NOT COOL TO STEAL SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK!

If you want to be on the tag list for anything (My series fics, specific character fics, or just all of them) All you have to do is send me an ask and I will add you!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7

Masterlist

(Not my photo, credit to whoever made it!)

A week after the Southsiders transferred to Riverdale High everything was pretty normal but at the same time not normal. I was hanging out with my Southside friends mostly and my Northside friends were starting to worry about me. The Serpents were transitioning well now that they had their own little safe haven in the school. Sweet Pea actually tried out for the basketball team and obviously made it. He was great at it and it made him happy to knock over some Bulldogs during practice, especially Reggie.

Right now Riverdale was getting ready to celebrate its founder General Augustus Pickens. I was in class with Jughead and he was on his laptop working on his book probably. Cheryl was giving a big speech about how it was her great great grandfather that actually discovered Riverdale or something like that I don’t know, tune her out since she does this every year. Thank god the bell rang to save us from this hell. Sweet Pea was at basketball practice and I was going to watch him along with Toni and Fangs.

“Sweets is amazing!” I said with a huge smile.

“Yeah, he’s great now can you please focus on helping us with homework?” Toni asked rolling her eyes.

“Right sorry, I’m just really glad you guys are here.” I said giving them an apologetic smile. During the practice I help the two with their homework making sure they understood what was going on but I also watched Pea practice. Once practice was over Sweet Pea jogged up to us and sat down on the bleachers next to me.

“Hey babe.” He said slightly out of breath.

“Hey, you were great.” I said and kissed his cheek, his skin was salty from the sweat but I didn’t care.

“Stop distracting Quinny! She’s helping us with homework!” Fangs said annoyed at Sweets.

“Relax Fangs, you guys have me till at least eight.” I said looking at my phone. I texted my dad earlier telling him I had to tutor some kids and he said it was fine but I had to be home no later than eight.

“Great! Then let’s go to the Wyrm and you can help all of us, plus we can eat.” Toni said packing up her things.

“Great idea!” I smiled and we all packed up our stuff. We walked out to the parking lot and Kevin was waiting by the car for me, shoot I forgot to text him!

“Y/N!” He called over to me.

“I’ll be right back, sorry guys.” I said and walked over to my brother.

“I’ve been waiting forever, where have you been?” Kevin asked.

“I forgot to text you, I’m sorry but I need to tutor them so I’m going to the Wyrm to help them and eat.”

“Does dad know?”

“He knows I’m tutoring some kids but he doesn’t know their Serpents…” I said playing with my fingers.

“Y/N…”

“Kev, I’ll be fine. Sweets will drop me off after, dad said to be home by eight so I will, I promise. Please don’t tell him who I’m tutoring.” I begged him.

“He’s going to find out and you know it.” Kevin sighed.

“Then I’ll deal with it when he does but you won’t tell him, right?”

“I won’t tell him.” He finally said and I smiled and hugged him.

“Thanks Kev! I love you.” I said pulling away.

“Love you too sis…” He said and I walked back to my friends.

We drove to the Wyrm and I spent the few hours I had helping them catch up. It was a little hard for them since Southside High didn’t actually do much teaching but they were getting the hang of it and that’s all that matters. I looked down at my phone and noticed it was almost eight.

“Shit, guy I gotta go. If I’m late my dad will kill me.” I said putting my stuff away.

“Aww really? I was just getting the hang of it!” Fangs wined.

“I promise during any free periods tomorrow I’ll help you guys more but I really gotta go.” I said getting up.

“I’ll drive you.” Sweets said also packing up his stuff and getting up. I smiled and grabbed his hand.

“See you guys tomorrow!” I called over my shoulder and the two young Serpents were making kissy faces at us. Sweets and I walked outside and we got on his bike. He drove me to the end of my block just like last time so my dad wouldn’t see and I hopped off. Sweets grabbed my arm and pulled me to him.

“What about my goodnight kiss?” He asked with a pout. I giggled and leaned up to place my lips on his. He pulled me closer and went to deepen the kiss but I pulled away.

“Sweets I love you but I really can’t be making out with you right now, especially when my house is a few feet away.” He groaned and placed his head in my neck and started kissing it.

“Pea, seriously I need to go if you ever want to see me again.” I said trying to push him off.

“Noooooo…” He said like a small child whos toy got taken away. I giggled and pulled it face up to look at me.

“I promise, we’ll have a day all to ourselves soon, okay?” I said with a smile and he nodded.

“I’ll hold you to that.” I smiled and pecked his lips once more before getting out of his grip and walking home.

“You’re late.” My dad said as soon as I walked in the door.

“I know, I’m sorry but I’m not that late! I just lost track of time…” I said placing my bag down.

“Who were you tutoring?” He asked as I walked to the stairs.

“Just some students.” I said with a shrug.

“Southsiders?” He asked and I froze. Did Kevin tell him?

“N-no…” I stuttered a bit. He sighed and shook his head.

“I told you to stay away from them.” He said annoyed.

“They’re my friends! And my teachers asked me to since I am an A+ student!” I said, it wasn’t a lie, every single one of my teachers noticed I hung out with them and they asked me to help them.

“Well as your father, I’m telling you that you can’t.” I rolled my eyes.

“Too bad, they go to my school now dad and I’m not going to just sit there and let my friends fail because they went to a shitty school!” I said crossing my arms.

“Watch your language!”

“Whatever, I’m tried so I’m going to bed.” I said and turned around and walked up to my room.

The next day I woke up and I was feeling like dressing in something really cute. I put on a gray long sleeve shirt with a cute pink cat in a pumpkin wearing a witch hat, a pair of thigh high stocking with a cross on them, a pair of black shorts with crossed on them to hold up the stockings, a pair of pink heels, and I curled my hair a bit and put a black bow in.

For makeup I did pink and a sparkly purple eyeshadow with a cat eyeliner, and a nice pink lipstick.

I usually dress in darker clothing but something about today made me really want to dress in something really cute. Kevin drove us to school and I asked him if he told dad that I was tutoring the Serpents and he said no. I’ll believe him for now since I don’t have any proof that Kevin told him.

After school Kevin dragged me into the student lounge where Betty, Veronica, and Jughead were sitting. Betty told us how she found her long lost brother and now he’s living with them. She took out her phone and showed us a picture of him.

“Well, he's very fetching for someone who was living on Skid Row.” Veronica said and handed the phone to Kevin.

“Yeah, he's a hottie who looks incredibly familiar to me, by the way.” Kevin said and handed the phone back to Betty.

“Your adventures in the woods?” Jughead asked.

“I don't know, but maybe if we were allowed to meet this hottie in person.” My brother said with a smiled and I laughed a bit.

“Chic's still acclimating. And I'm trying to get him to trust me, but my mom is treating him like he's a ten-year-old and my dad's acting like he's the devil's spawn.” Betty said with a sigh.

“Well, I have an amazing idea.” Veronica said and we all looked at her.

“Bring The Omen to Pickens Day and we can all meet him. Everyone's coming, right?” She asked with a smile.

“No, because the Serpents weren't invited.” Jughead said.

“The Serpents were specifically asked to come.” Veronica corrected him.

“Yeah, to provide security. It's like we're all on the Snowpiercer train, but the Serpents happen to be the ones eating the cockroaches.” I rolled my eyes at Jughead overdramatic nature.

“You don't have to work if you don't want to.” Veronica said.

“The damage, as they say, has already been done.” Jughead said and grabbed his bag.

“Talk to you guys later.” He said getting up.

“Plans with Toni?” Betty asked with a hint of jealousy.

“Uh, yeah, I'm interviewing her grandfather for my oral history report. The oldest living Serpent.” He said.

“Can I come?” I asked with a smile.

“Sure.” He smiled and I grabbed my bag and the two of us walked to Toni’s grandfather trailer.

“So you and Toni hooked up?” I asked.

“It was a one time thing…” Jughead said.

“Oh I know, Toni is more into girls so I don’t know why she hooked up with you.” I said with a smirk.

“Hey!” Jughead shoved me a little and we laughed. Once we got there Toni was waiting outside for us.

“You brought Quinny!” She said happily and hugged me.

“And she’s dressed like a fairy threw up on her…?” Toni said confused and looked me up and down.

“Leave me alone, I woke up wanting to wear pink for some reason.”

“I didn’t say I hate it, just use to you wearing dark colors.” She smiled and we walked inside.

“Grandpa, this is Jughead and this is Quinny, or Y/N.” Toni said introducing us.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I said with a smile. The four of us sat down.

“Thanks again for meeting with me. Toni told me that you're one of the founding members of the Serpents.” Jughead asked and Toni and I sat next to him.

“Yes. The snake, the laws, it's all based on Uktena tradition.” Toni’s grandfather said.

“Who were the Uktena?” Jughead asked while writing down notes.

“Uktena is a serpent, a horned serpent, a water serpent. Before there was a Riverdale, all this land belonged to the Uktena.” Her grandfather said.

“How did the Uktena evolve into the Serpents?” Jughead asked and He laughed.

“The Uktena, we didn't evolve. We were all slaughtered.” Jughead and I looked at Toni shocked then back at her grandfather.

“When my grandpa was a baby, there was a raid, and it was led by your hero over there, General Pickens. The battle, if you want to call it that only lasted for 12 minutes, but the slaughter was total and savage.” He explained.

“The General Pickens whose statue stands proudly in Pickens Park?” Jughead asked confused.

“Yes, and every year the Northside honors this man who massacred children. When my grandpa died, we formed the Serpents as a way to keep the family together.”

“How do people not know about this?” I asked confused.

“Well, some do, but-” Her grandfather tailed off.

“t's called the whitewashing of history. What, did you think Jason Blossom was the first person to be murdered in Riverdale?” Toni asked adding her usual sass.

Once Jughead was done with the interview I had to meet Kevin at Pop’s for dinner. We worked on our homework together and it was nice. Until he called Betty to tell her that her brother was a cam-boy. That kind of ruined my appetite. Other than that everything was great. We finished then went home.

“You’re coming to see me wrestle tomorrow before school right?” Kevin asked me and I smiled.

“Of course Kev!” I said and he hugged me. We went upstairs and went to bed.

The next day I had to wake up early and I was still in the mood to wear color. So I put on a black crop top, a mint greenish blueish overall skirt, some skeleton leggings, some turquoise creepers, some cute cross earrings, and finished it off with putting my hair in a bun and putting a big bow on.

For makeup I did and black and silver sparkly eye with winged liner and a turquoise lipstick.

I walked down stairs and Kevin and I got in the car while dad got in his police cruiser. We got to school and dad and I walked to the gym and Kevin walked into the locker room to get changed. We bother watched my brother take down Archie a couple of times and it was kind of funny to watch. After dad had to go to work and Kevin and I were meeting Betty in the blue and gold.

“It felt so good, Betty. It's like, yeah, Archie, you have the physique of a 1970s porn star, but that doesn't mean you can wrestle.” Kevin said with a huge smile on his face.

“Speaking of porn stars…” Betty said.

“Did you get lost down a webcam rabbit hole last night?” I smacked Kevin.

“Ew!” I said cringing.

“It's fascinating. I brought Chic home to help my mom without knowing who he was, and now to find out he's actually multiple people, performing online. How do I broach that with him? Do I broach that with him?” Betty asked and before either one of us could answer Jughead knocked on the door and came in.

“Hey, am I interrupting?” He asked.

“Yeah, kinda…”

“No.” The two said at the same time.

“I just wanted to run some stuff by you, but I can come back.” Jug said awkwardly.

“No, no, no, it's fine.” Kevin said getting up.

“I should go find Sweets, have you seen him?” I asked Jughead.

“Uh, yeah, he’s by his locker with Toni and Fangs.”

“Great! Thanks!” I smiled and walked out the room.

“Hey cutie.” I smiled walking up behind Sweet Pea.

“Hey babe.” He smiled pulling me around in front of him.

“Whoa, still in a colorful mood I see.” Toni said with a smirk. I just shrugged with a smile.

“Yeah, don’t really know why but I’m just feeling colorful!”

“Well I think you look great in anything babe.” Sweet Pea said and kissed my head.

“You two are disgustingly cute.” Fangs said in fake disgust.

“Shut up.” Sweet Pea smirked and shoved him.

“So are you guys going to Pickens Day?” I asked.

“We were asked to work, but I doubt we will.” Fangs said annoyed.

“Are you going?” Toni asked.

“Have to, my dad is making me.” I said rolling my eyes.

“Maybe I can meet up with you guys after?” I asked.

“Of course babe.” Sweets said and kissed me while Toni and Fangs made bafing noises.

The rest of the week was interesting with Jughead’s article out about what really happened. But it was finally Pickens Day and I was there with my brother and father. Kevin had gotten us some fair food and I was really happy since fair food is amazing.

“I’m gonna go talk to Cheryl.” I said to my dad and brother.

“Okay, have fun honey.” My dad said with a smile.

“Hey Cheryl!” I said walking up to her.

“Y/N/N! Hey.” She smiled back.

“I would hug you but I don’t want this candy apple to get stuck in you hair or something.” I laughed and nodded. The two of us talked for a bit until Fred Andrews came on stage.

“Hello, Riverdale. Happy Pickens Day. On behalf of Lodge Industries and Andrews Construction, we are thrilled to kick things off with a new twist on an old favorite. So, Veronica and the Pussycats.” He said and Cheryl and I looked at each other confused then looked at Josie. Veronica started singing and during her singing he Serpents walked up holding sighs and some had tape over their mouth. I smiled at them and looked over at Cheryl expecting her to be annoyed but she shoved her candy apple to her mother and grabbed my hand. She dragged me to the front and smiled at the Serpents.

“Toni? Jughead? What the hell is going on?” Veronica asked as the music stopped.

“We're here representing the dead and the silenced. Pickens Day is a lie. General Pickens slaughtered the Uktena tribe, my grandfather's family. And this land, the land that we're standing on, the land that will soon give way to a new Southside, was stolen from them. And we can't bring them back, but we can and we must honor them.” Toni said and Cheryl nodded.

“What gave you a change of heart?” I whispered to her.

“My family did this…” She said and I smiled proudly at her and wrapped my arm around her.

“Hey, folks, hi. Uh I think we can all be proud to live in a Riverdale where young people stand up for justice. Where a young woman can defend the honor and legacy of her grandfather. And where we can celebrate the living legacy of the Uktena, who contribute to the rich tapestry that is Riverdale, that is the Southside and that will be SoDale. So let's hear a round of applause for that, am I right?” Hiram Lodge said and everyone cheered. Toni looked around annoyed and disappointed. After that the Serpents left and I left with them, hopefully without my dad noticing.

“I can’t believe them!” Sweet Pea said pissed and punched a wall.

“Their Northsiders, what do you expect?” Toni said also pissed.

During the next few hours I tried to keep Sweet Pea calm, which was probably the hardest thing to do. Unfortunately my dad noticed I left and said I need to go home now. I sighed and got up.

“I’m sorry but I have to go.” I said sadly.

“I’ll take you home.” Sweets said but I shook my head.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.” I said stopping him.

“She’s right Pea.” Toni said backing me up.

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” I said and they nodded. Sweet Pea walked me outside and pulled me to him.

“I’m sorry you had to see me so angry…”

“I don’t blame you babe.” I said placing my hand on his face.

“I love you.” He said and I smiled.

“I love you you too.” I stood on my tip toes and placed my lips on his.

Tag list: @54fangirl @southsidehufflepuff @xrosesareredx @cvvlxx @skeletalwolfcat @demigodofthesun @depressed-octopods-art @nalayrene @yourfavouritefuckup @staygoldsquatchling02 @sataninsatin @im-socialy-awkward-no-joke @dark-night-sky-99 @aframeofbones @fly-slytherin-queen @jojokoko0717 @nixdunbarhale @wanderlust-and-poetry @theyouthfulmoon @seasiren96 @nixdunbarhale2 @misskarynie @emo-godess-loves-you @blueandgoldaus @les-bio-lie @tashy-bear

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momorabu · 7 years

Photo

Ensemble Stars! Event Story - Reminiscence * Sentimental Liars / Guilty of Perjury

Sorry for the really long hiatus since it’s been like 3 weeks since my last translation ><” Things cropped up after my trip, therefore, I still haven’t had the chance to really sit down and finish reading the next event story I was going to translate… TWT

However, on April’s Fools, Happy Elements released a short story showing the teachers’ side stories again, in a similar fashion like last year. Since it was pretty short (only 4 chapters), I decided to read it and translate it. (Helps that it was fully voiced so I could understand it better - wish it was like this for all of Ensemble Stars’ stories~)

PS: This event story happens after the event story from last year’s April fools, though I don’t really think there’s much in relation so it’s okay if you’ve not read it yet. (If not there’s probably some translation floating around somewhere) I currently have no plans to re-read and translate that story yet, but if you really wish for me to do, please give me a shout through my ask box~

Anyway as always, the summary of the story can be found below. Translation may not be 100% accurate due to my poor Japanese skills~

通行止めの天國 / Impassable Heaven: Chapter 1

The story starts whereby one day “I” went to the sickbay and found Sagami Sensei asleep on the desk, and thus went onto waking him up. Sagami wished “I” didn’t wake him up since he was really having a nice nap, but then he also realised that it’s bad practice to fall asleep in the middle of the job =w=“ Rather than waking him up normally, he wished that “I” do it in a more “cute” way like “Please wake up~ Sensei~” while hugging him XD (No way “I’m” going to do that though…)

It was quite a busy time of the school year, as Sagami Sensei said it’s not fun looking after the these “not cute” kids at all as he probably has to help with taking care of some matters (I guess…)

The reason “I” went to the sickbay was to hand in the duty roster diary, which Sagami Sensei said that it’s not really needed for him to check it so “I” could just leave it on the desk and didn’t have to wake him up. (Just sounds like he doesn’t want to check it though…) He said that even if something was to happen in class, the teacher may not know about it since student could always choose to omit information and not write it in the diary, but realising that he was referring to “me”, he quickly changed his tune and said that of course he trusted “me”, to the point he totally don’t even need to check whether there’ll be false information at all… (How ironic =w=“)

Another reason he doesn’t want to check would be his failing eyesight, making it difficult to read small words…

Just then, Akiomi Sensei appeared, saying that he has something for Jin (which is Sagami Sensei). Noticing me at the sickbay, Akiomi wondered if I’m feeling unwell, saying that being in a different environment suddenly might cause one to fall sick easily, as “I” had just transferred to this academy at the time of this event story. Akiomi has noticed that “I” seems to be suffering a lack of sleep recently, and gave advice that “I” really should make sure “I” have proper sleep~ (Aww~ Akiomi is smiling while giving out such advice, I can’t help but say “Yes Sensei, I’ll listen to you”, though he said “I” might die at this rate if I don’t get enough sleep =w=“)

However, towards Sagami Sensei, Akiomi has a different attitude towards him, demanding him why on earth is he taking a nap during working hours XD He also dissed him that if he slept for too long, his brain cells will start dying and Sagami Sensei will become someone more like a zombie =w=“

Sagami Sensei just coolly rebutted it though, saying that he has no use for his brain cells anyway and he’s alright in just letting them die~ OWO

Sagami Sensei didn’t like how Akiomi is always nagging on him, like a mum indeed. He even teased that perhaps Akiomi wanted to be his bride (a.k.a wife) which is why he’s so naggy on him XD (He even played along his surname with Akiomi’s name, saying that it’ll have two “mi” since the whole name will be Sagami Akiomi if Akiomi took on Sagami’s surname ^^;)

In the end, Akiomi has to ask him to cut it off since it’s very embarrassing to talk about such stuff in front of the student (which is just “me” only actually ^^;)

Sagami Sensei couldn’t even remember what he has asked Akiomi to help him with, which is why Akiomi came to look him for. Turns out that Sagami Sensei has received a videotape that he can’t play (no video tape player), and thus requested the help of Akiomi. Akiomi has used all his network to finally track down on someone who was able to extract the video files from the videotape and burned it on a CD-R. And thus he was here to pass the CD-R to Sagami Sensei.

Akiomi was more curious on the sender who sent this videotape actually since he was Sagami Sensei’s rival back then when they’re still idols and wondered if it’s some dangerous message and content in the video files. (Seems like Sagami Sensei has alot of enemies from his old idol days back then, where there’ll be people sending him threatening letters OWO”)

In the end, they decided to play the CD-R to view the videos and got out a laptop to play it. Sagami Sensei was afraid it might be a curse video (where one will be cursed if he watched it? XD) Akiomi has to comfort him and that Akiomi will be the one watching it anyway, and Sagami Sensei could just close his eyes and not watch if he’s that scared XD Also there’s a letter/note that came with the videotape, saying “Liar!”, which nobody understood what that means.

通行止めの天國 / Impassable Heaven: Chapter 2

The video brings us back to the old days where Sagami Sensei was an idol. (Shall call him Jin now that he’s younger XD) During a concert, Jin announced to his fans regarding a certain event that happened and affected him greatly, which is that his older brother has passed away due to cancer recently.

He talked about things that he had done when he was at the hospital visiting his brother, like drawing on the walls. He also mentioned things that his brother had told him to always do in life: to always greet people, to not bring trouble to other people, to sleep and wake up early. Jin confessed that he does feel lonely now that one person who has always been supportive of him had left.

But most importantly, he felt that he wanted to thank his brother and that he loved him, as a very important member of his family. And thus he will dedicate the next song to him, as thanks~

At the end of the live concert though, Jin felt extremely exhausted and also guilt towards his brother, since he knew that he’s using this sad tale of his brother passing away to gain sympathy from his fans and thus increasing the sale of his CDs.

This is what his company has ordered, and so Jin felt that he’s really just a by-product, and that idol is just something to be sold and thus has no right to say anything.

He wondered if it would have been better if he had become a doctor instead (maybe guiltily thinking that he might have helped to save his brother’s life that way?) Jin’s family was actually against of him being an idol, with his dad being right in saying that idol is just a product (at that time), that his brother was the only one who supported Jin’s dreams. Jin’s brother is really encouraging and supportive towards him, and that’s why Jin felt that his brother would definitely be able to go to heaven when he passed away. As for him, Jin thinks that he won’t be able to go to heaven and thus will descend into hell, where the demons might just pull out his tongue…

(This whole part just sounds so depressing and shows how dark the idol world can be on the inside… TAT TAT It also showed that it’s hard for one to keep on working hard to become an idol, especially if one suffers from objection from his family and there’s no support from them.)

Just when Jin was thinking whether he has really become “someone he wants to be” and whether “super idol Jin” is someone he wanted to be, his thoughts got interrupted when Akiomi and his unit came on stage and asked him to get off XDD

Jin looked over at his junior Akiomi and praised him that he has finally able to become an idol by himself. However, Akiomi frowned and said he would never be, since Jin will be the last “Super Idol”, as now companies are releasing units instead of solos, with the concept of idols changing again with time. (Now it’s gradually heading towards to era of groups and units~)

Sensing that Akiomi doesn’t seem to feel happy about it, Jin wondered whether Akiomi doesn’t get along with his “comrades” / unit members. Akiomi denied that they’re his comrades, stating that they’re just people who happened to be “sold” as a set.

(Wah…. Akiomi is suddenly so dark and realistic, I remembered in the last story, he was all Kira Kira about wanting to debut OAO” Guess this is what happened when you’ve stepped into the industry and realised it’s not what you’ve envisioned?)

Akiomi felt sad about letting Jin go (probably meaning that he’ll retire from the idol world), and that he really wanted to be able to sing and dance with him. He felt sorry that even after so much practice and even support from Jin, Akiomi has not been able to become the “Super Idol” like Jin in the end…

通行止めの天國 / Impassable Heaven: Chapter 3

After the concert, Jin found Akiomi still practising in his performance outfit. Akiomi shot him back by saying that Jin was also the same as he was wearing his performance outfit too. But Jin just smiled and explained that he has been busy after the concert since he has to attend interviews and such that he doesn’t even have time to change actually.

He went onto asking Akiyomi to save him from the evil empire, as everyone is robbing of his sleeping time ^^; Akiomi just coolly asked him to feedback to his manager though, as it’s no help that he’s complaining to him. For Jin, his schedule can be pretty terrible since he said that sometimes he can only rest when the doctor forced them to stop his schedules when his body is at quite a critical condition… (What a terrible management company Jin is in OAO”)

Seems like Akiomi was still feeling down that he has not been able to become a Super Idol like Jin, where Jin said he has already warned Akiomi before (that the idol industry won’t be a pretty place). Akiomi gets it since it’s actually pretty similar to how the model industry works, as he’s in it too. However, it’s still pretty crushing knowing that what you’ve seen on TV and has imagined an idol would be, is actually quite different in reality…

Jin was being sarcastic and said that being an idol is kind of similar to working in a religion, where one can actually accumulate lots of wealth by “selling” a certain concept for people to believe. (I don’t really think Jin wanted to insult religion that way but I guess he’s just referring to how religion cults gain believer’s donation when they spread the religion thinking out =w=“)

Jin, being a solo has to sell an image of “love” to fangirls, saying that almost all of his songs are love songs and that he always refers to his fangirls as “you” instead of “you guys”. This is such that each and every fangirl will feel entitled that the solo idol is giving them a one-on-one treatment, pretty much like an imagination boyfriend kind of image.

Jin even sarcastically said that he feels like he’s cheating the girls of their love and money, similar to how those who cheated the other party by saying that they’ll get married and yet ran off with the money =w=“

But things are going to change now that people are realising what the idol industry is exploiting, and now units like Akiomi’s are going to rule and save the idol world, even though it’s probably going to take some time for the public to get used to the new system~ As for Jin, he knew he’s going to retire, along with all these lies that he’s been weaving over the years, and even asked Akiomi to step on him as he likes…

Jin’s still glad that towards the last remaining time of him glowing as an idol, he still had a chance to perform with someone else like Akiomi, as Jin has always been performing alone. He asked Akiomi to come to him if he ever encountered any trouble in the future, as he has treated Akiomi as a very good friend of him~ (Ahh~ What a nice way to end the chapter in their past)

通行止めの天國 / Impassable Heaven: Chapter 4

And back at the present, Akiomi watched the video and realised it’s a video that’s taken secretly during one of Jin’s live. During live concert, it’s actually not allowed to take videos at that time but seems like some fans still did it secretly, and these videos turn out to be very precious and even cultivated a market at that time.

And why does Akiomi knew about this? He was actually a fan of Jin at that time, but he knew that he should abide by the fan club rules and thus he doesn’t do that (as in filming Jin’s performance), but he also knew all these dark behind-the-scenes secrets in the fan club +W+ (Kind of cute seeing how Akiomi admits to being Jin’s fanboy even when they’re both adults XD)

Jin used to be really popular that he has alot of fans, which is why it’s not weird that some of the fans can be weird or too crazy in general to break the rules. However, looking at Jin now, Akiomi could only think the past is in the shadow… (I like how there’s this new animation as Akiomi is just side-eyeing Jin that way XD)

Jin knew that everything is just a trend and thus he, like many others will just be passed over when they’re not in trend anymore. However, he wondered why on earth does this videotape is sent to him now? It has been many years since he has retired from the idol industry… And what is it about the note that said “Liar!”

Upon watching the video again, Jin recalled that it was filmed during a time he was VSing another idol on a TV broadcast. The other idol was placed as Jin’s rival on the management companies’ decision, and as expected, he was beaten very badly by Jin’s performance and popularity.

Jin remembered how badly the idol had cried as he had worked very hard yet still lost and has asked Jin to continue his dreams of being an idol. Jin felt very bad for trampling on yet another idol’s dream at that point in time.

However, Jin’s dreams of being an idol did not last long as he soon retired from the idol industry. And since Jin didn’t keep the promise to become an idol forever which the other idol asked him to, he probably thought of Jin as a liar.

Jin wanted to contact this old rival of him to apologise and to clarify the past with him, but at the same time, he’s afraid that the other party is bearing a grudge on him and might end up getting his children (if they’ve followed their father’s footstep in becoming an idol) or his students to come to take revenge on him by targetting his students ^^; (This is why you should not have made so many enemies in the past… OAO”)

In the end, Jin gets so worried that he’s afraid that he might not be able to sleep well tonight. Akiomi just laughed and said it’s just nice that he doesn’t sleep since he has already slept so much in the day so it’ll balance out XD

Realising that “I’m” still there listening to their tale, Akiomi Sensei urged me to go home, and even offered to drive me home. (I’m… I’m so touched Sensei~ ^///^)

Even though the past forms the present, what’s important is the future. And thus Akiomi Sensei wished that “I” would be someone who could support the idols in the future.

(So cute that he just want me to go home and soon and sleep warmly~ Sensei is so nice to me that I want to cry already TWT TWT)

And that’s the end of this short story. I’m glad that Ensemble Stars has taken this chance to let us know the back stories of the teachers more since we hardly got any chance to see them shine in the event stories.

Even though this was quite a sad and dark story showing the ugly side of the idol industry, it was still pretty interesting to see things from another view since I do read up on idol industry, scandals and backstage stories in the past in kpop (though not all of them are true). Therefore, I’m glad that they decided to show a more realistic side of being an idol here since generally Ensemble Stars stories doesn’t talk much about the dark side of being an idol much as they’re still pretty much focus on showing the good side of idols and showing how idols enjoy singing and performing etc~

Jin looks really handsome in the past which is why I find it a shame that he has become lazy shagged ojisan who doesn’t shave ^^; Akiomi grew up to be even more handsome now, my heart fluttered when he was so nice to “me” in the story though~ And I definitely thinks he looks good in glasses +W+

After reading all 4 chapters, players would be able to receive these two cards in their card album. As the teachers have already retired, we can’t take them out, unfortunately. I didn’t have any spare jewels to bloom them so I guess they shall remain unbloomed in my album ^^; (I need my jewels to level up other cards Orz)

Oh, and Ensemble Stars are going to release an album/song of Jin and Akiomi in their younger days as idols, which I’m kind of looking forward to ^^ The preview sound really nice when I listened to it, just shame that it ended just when we’re getting to the good parts ><”

#ensemble stars #special story #akiomi #jin #summary #translation #otome game #es:special #es:translation

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uniformbravo · 6 years

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so...,.,,...,,.,..,......,.,.,..,.,,,,....,,.

it’s 3:30 am & ive just spent the last hour and a half looking up ways to recover data when u have no backups because i accidentally permanently deleted a large portion of the fic i was writing ,,,;;., , yy

i mean. i m ea n uhhhh this is a lesson i needed to learn?? i guess???? i was um, writing it on my phone, like a fnngj idiot, on the generic note-taking app that has like, the bare minimum of writing capabilities, right. i even mentioned how i had to start a new document bc the first one was getting too laggy after 4000 words, right. it wasn’t very stable or uhhh reliable in the first place?? so why was i using it as the one place to store this fic???

im kind of devastated rn if that wasn’t a given uhhhhh i want to try and rewrite it but first i have to get over the loss and boy what a fuckin. what a doozy am i right hghghghuogooo

bc the thing is i already knew this wasn’t a very secure place to store it and had been considering making a backup , and thats actually what i was doing when i lost it? i have a part 1 and a part 2 right now and i had already transferred part 1 to my laptop via email by copying the whole thing & pasting it over, and that went super well. i went to do the same for part 2 and like. i started the selection at the top and dragged down, but i pulled down so far that my finger was over the keyboard and something stuttered since it was such a big document and uhh,, it stopped selecting but kept the portion i had already highlighted selected, & my finger was on the comma key i guess so it turned that whole selected portion into 3 commas like. all those words i had written turned into “,,,”

the thing about this app is there’s no option to save without quitting, if you exit out of it or back out in any way it autosaves your stuff. there is an undo button, but for some reason it wasn’t an option? it wasn’t highlighted so i guess it didn’t count what i’d just done as something that could be undone? & as soon as i realized that, thats kind of when i lost my marbles, which was my second mistake (or, like, 12th in the grand scheme of things)

because uh, the autosave thing also happens if the screen times out, and i didn’t think to force shut off my phone by taking out the battery until much later, so uh. the screen timed out while i was busy freaking out so it saved those commas so even though i didn’t exit out of the app or anything and just straight up took out the battery, when i turned the phone back on that shit was still royally fucked

it’s even more devastating that i could have saved it if i had thought fast enough, though, because after that i did a test where i deleted the commas and then immediately removed the battery, and when i turned on the phone again the commas were back so i just. oof

so yeahhhhhh that’s kind of a huge bummer.,,.,,,,,,,,,,,.,,.., i’ve looked up a lot of shit in desperation but i think there’s really nothing i can do to get it back, just precautions i can take in the future like mmm saving backups all the time and generally not writing on shitty phone apps that aren’t meant for what i use them for??

im kind of exhausted & i kind of dont want to go to bed just bc i know it’ll hurt to wake up and remember what happened but hfff i need sleep i guess.,,.,. maybe to clear my mind or something, so i can get started on rewriting?? i really wish this had happened to the part 1 instead because it’s a slow start to the story & really my least favorite part of the whole thing so far, i already considered rewriting that anyway. and this part that got deleted had one of my favorite scenes that i had worked on so im super upset about that, not quite sure how im gonna be able to recapture that but i had reread it enough times before, i think i can piece something together at least

ahhhhhhhhhh anyway i think i’ll sign off here uh. wow. what a night. everyone, please don’t write your beloved stories in unreliable apps like me, make backups & take screenshots instead of riskily copy/pasting the whole thing at once, it’s fuckin. super not worth the risk. be safe

#mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm #negative /#retag later #vent post /#hmmmm sorry to put this here maybe i'll delete it later i just. needed to uhh get it all out u know?#it'll be ok i just need to. get it together & just move forward w/ the rewrite #its aaaaaaaaall goooooooood

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canaryatlaw · 6 years

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alright. well today was.....the first day of the bar exam. Don’t know if I have any better description than that. it was something alright. I woke up to my alarm (which I had set to the Mean Girls song I’ve been using as my pump up song but starts with just Kevin screaming “Yo Yo Mathletes!!”) and did get myself out of bed, I was planning to leave at 6:15 so I had plenty of time to get ready. So I brushed my teeth and changed, they said to dress in layers because the exam rooms might be hot or cold (spoiler alert, it was FREEZING), so I picked a tank top and leggings with a zip up hoodie if needed. The email they sent (they people the people from my school who are trying to get us to pass the bar) yesterday said that when you wake up read a book or something (but no outlines) for 10 minutes to wake up your brain, or something like that, so I read the little local Chicago magazine that they keep in hotels saying all the cool things to do in Chicago this summer. I made the microwave minute muffin that I was telling you all about last night, but I was super careful to stir it all the way so there were no unmoistened bits and it was a wonderful double chocolatey muffin experience that I was very pleased with, and then ate a granola bar for good measure because you know, good breakfasts. when it was like 6:15 I headed downstairs where there were several other law students (recognizable because of the plastic bags we all had with our computers inside them) were all waiting and got in an uber, I thought of maybe sharing with some of them but there are like 3 different test sites all in this area so idk where they all were going. And in this area I mean these are the only sites for all of Chicago (and potentially all of Illinois? don’t quote me on that but that might’ve been the case) and there were a ton of kids from other law schools around, mostly recognizable because they were all wearing stuff from their school which I apparently did not think to do, but oh well. I arrived there around 6:20 (it was a really short ride obviously, that was the point) and got out of the uber to see my bus orgs professor standing there looking slightly confused, and he saw me so I said hi and he said that a group of them were supposed to be here greeting us (which was also in the email from yesterday) and that he had been told to get there at 6:15 but he was now the only person present, which sounded familiar to me always be the on time person. But we chatted a little which was nice, I hadn’t really seen him since the class ended in the fall, and despite me finding bus orgs terribly boring I did rather enjoy him as a professor. So the doors were opening at 6:30, so a bunch of us were just kinda milling around in front of the building. It was on one of the college campuses around here (it’s U of Illinois Chicago) in a building called the “forum” which apparently has large rooms in it where a lot of people can sit for tests. So they open the doors at 6:30, there are metal detectors directly after the doors, and they were checking bags as well. I’m not sure if metal detectors would find the kind of contraband they were actually looking for (like I’m sure it’s good to know there aren’t any guns too, but nobody’s really concerned about sneaking a gun into the bar exam), they were more focused on keeping all electronics out of the room, which is understandable. I still have had my period today but very little cramping, so I didn’t need to use the thingy that I stowed in my bag anyway but wouldn't have been able to use during the test because technically it’s an electronic. But we got through the metal detectors and were directed to tables where we showed them our photo IDs and they gave us our photo name badges which we then had to wear for always the rest of the test. I have the world’s worst photo of me on mine, but it’s technically my fault because I’m the one who uploaded it, but in my defense it was like, two hours before the window for submitting your application was gonna close and like 10 o clock at night so I just took a photo of my unmake-uped face against my white wall without me smiling like they wanted and surprise surprise, it looks terrible, but oh well I’m over it. We then got shown the room where we could leave our stuff we couldn’t bring into the test room, which was pretty much everything. I was using my black legends drawstring bag that we got in Florida, so I left my phone, the charger I brought with me and the external battery (because I’m prepared) along with some food and a gatorade, plus a few other things. The only things we could take into the room were our laptops and chargers, then in a little ziplock bag you could have your photo id, cash/credit card, transportation card, keys, pads and earplugs. We all had giant ziplock bags (the 2 1/2 gallon ones) to carry our laptops and chargers in because that’s what they told us to get. So we got into the test room with our little bags and computers. I found my seat all the way in the front right corner, and this room is BIG, like best estimate there were maybe 2,000 people? You didn’t really see it until everyone went to leave and it was like impossible to get through the doors and then you’re like oh wow, there’s a lot of people here. But I was in the second row, third seat in from the right wall, so pretty much on the edge, but hey it’s fine we got a perfect view of the guy at the podium who was legit right in front of us. They had the two big screens down both displaying a “clock” tab with the time counting up by seconds. In the instructions it had said if we were mac users who didn’t have a usb port you could bring your little converter thing, so I took mine with me just in case, but didn’t think I would need it. I got to the instructions they had on the tables for the computers and it had this whole thing about no usb’s or data transferring devices and I was like shit am I gonna get in trouble for this? So I took it to the proctors right in front and said it said in the instructions that I could bring it but idk if it qualifies under these rules. They both pretty much looked at me like they had no idea what I was talking about, probably because they didn’t understand what the thing actually did, but recommended I go on to the tech people, who I asked and they said oh yeah that’s fine, the other’s just don’t understand how to use things lol so that was solved. I didn’t think I’d need it, I just didn’t want to get in trouble for having it. So I sat down and logged onto my computer, got the exam stuff up and waited. There was this stuff on the program saying if you didn’t have wifi access you’d have to wait to upload your exam answers to later and I was like well that sounds perturbing so I checked if we could get wifi and that was a big nope, so that was a nice little anxiety inducer. Waited for a while, more people came, I think we officially started at either 8:30 or 9, I don’t remember exactly. First was the “Illinois Essay Exam” which is the only part of the test that is completely unique to Illinois, the other portions are all used by other states (most states have switched to what they call the Uniform Bar Exam which has reciprocity across most states, but Illinois isn’t switching until next July [boo], so we instead had pieces of the UBE but not the whole thing). I was a bit nervous about this part because a lot of it depended on knowing where Illinois law differed from the majority law you would otherwise learn, and there was the potential to be hit with some questions from the really fringe subjects like personal property that you know I had a 2 hour lecture on and that was it, so I was glad to see it was mostly mainline stuff, so that wasn’t bad. 90 minutes for that, 3 essays, not bad. After that we switched into the Multistate Performance Test that most other states use as well, and it’s a closed packet of info from which you need to draw up some sort of legal document based on the facts and laws inclosed. I had thought this would probably be the easiest part for me because given all the info I can write stuff no problem, and it definitely wasn’t hard, but it was.....odd. Not like any of the practice ones I’ve done, it was about drafting language for the articles of incorporation of this rugby league and dealing with a bunch of corporate stuff that seemed really easy, like stupid easy? So either I did really well or I totally fucked it up, but I’m fairly certain it was the first lol, so that was a relief, even though the nerdy side of me was like awww now I don’t get to write a long essay that I’m really good at writing, but that’s really okay. We breaked for lunch, I saw a few of my friends briefly but then got separated from them. The deal was that the school was going to bring us lunches, and they were set up somewhere for us to get to. When we left the building there were like 3 other schools set up with their lunches right there but ours weren’t, so I was trying to follow the directions to the spot they said in the email but it was not going well and I could tell I was just getting lost, and I was like fuck it I’ll just get some food from the popeye’s that’s right here, except it all got fucked up and was spicy and I couldn’t eat any of it except the biscuit, so basically lunch was a massive failure on multiple levels, but I had some pretzels in my bag so I wasn’t starving. Got back in and ready to go, the afternoon was the Multistate Essay Exam (don’t you love all these titles?) which was similar to the Illinois one but based on federal/majority law. It still had the opportunity to get into some fringe subjects though. it was 3 hours, 6 essays, so same odds as before. It can be hard for me to tell how well I actually did coming out of a test like that because I’m really good at bs-ing and I know it, so if I can come up with some good bs my mind thinks it’s all good when it could actually not be, but whatever. The first one was a con law question that was about marijuana of course, but was kind of on an odd basis, but I think I got the law part right so that was good. There was one about a corporation where I got to use my favorite line of the day “....because things that do not exist cannot enter into business deals” and one regarding trusts that was probably the biggest fringe subject, but I spent the last few days going over trusts (for like, the first time, but still) so the rules were fairly fresh in my mind and I think I got all of the intricacies of it right. There was one question that was just like straight evidence questions, and like those are my jam, so I get typing and I’m going and going and- oh wait, I hit the character limit and I didn’t even start the third prompt within the question yet. WHOOPS. The character limit was 4600, which really is not very much, so I had to go back and remove the bs I wrote in the first two prompts, just because I knew I could write it, and then wrote my third answer and had to move some more stuff around and delete some more bs, but I ended up with a final product that was exactly 4599 characters, which is really a masterpiece, so I was like alright perfect I’m not touching it from here lol. I ended up finishing with about 20 minutes left, so I read over a few of them and made minor changes, just details and such. Then we were done and had to wait for them to collect all the papers and then account for all of them before we could get released, then of course I had to make it through the massive crowd just to get outside. I did get outside and got an uber to my hotel room because I had to go there for wifi to upload my friggin exam answers, and let me tell you guys, this was the most anxiety inducing thing, because when you click submit on the test it will try to upload the answers but then see you don’t have wifi and be like oh it failed and the proctors are just like “yeah just go home and when you get wifi open the program and it’ll upload the answers” and I’m just like.....you couldn’t have just let us into the wifi you already have set up in this building??? Like do you know how much anxiety this process is going to give me?? The proctor said to make sure we hold onto our laptops as in the previous year someone had actually left theirs on a Chicago public transit bus which was like oH GOD WHY level nightmare, so I was making sure that didn’t happen. The uber took a while to get there because it was rush hour and there was traffic, and while I had been taking the afternoon part of the test I was like I’m gonna get out and text Jess and bug her until she agrees to go get food with me, then when I turned my phone back on and opened twitter I already had a message from her being like I can’t wait till Thursday morning like we originally said I need to see you and get food after the test tomorrow and I was just like bitch come get food with me now which she readily agreed to, which was easier than I expected lol. The uber finally came, I got to my hotel and logged onto wifi so the exam answers would upload, and legit right after they did that I switched a few things out of my bags and then headed back out. I walked a few blocks to the train that’s nearby, it’s the same stop as my church so I was familiar, and took that to the red line and then up to where we had agreed to meet because Jess wanted to take me to her spy restaurant which is really the only restaurant she knows in the city of Chicago (and now that I wrote that she’s probably going to wind up reading it even though she never reads these posts) and we definitely did not get lost getting there, that did not happen, but we did get there and it was cool, you just enter this random door on a building and it brings you to this little entry way where you have to say the “password” and get confirmed, then the wall opens and there are stairs down to the actual restaurant, which was pretty cool, outfitted with a lot of spy and James Bond stuff. We ended up just getting a table by the bar because it was kind of crowded, so we just chilled and she told me literally everything that happened at SDCC this weekend which, let me tell you, was a trip, then we decided we’d split an appetizer of cheese curds, then we were both gonna order the grilled cheese that also contains cheese curds because we are 100% those people lol. The service was kinda slow but I didn’t really care because we were talking and have fun, but of course those are Jess’ stories to tell so I won’t spoil any of them here other than saying she had a ridiculously awesome time, even if it had some stressful moments with stupid security guards. We eventually finished and paid, then ran around the restaurant checking out the rest of the spy stuff and hitting random buttons that caused different things to happen which was pretty cool, then to get out you had to put a dollar in a payphone which would then ring and give you a code which you had to enter, and then the wall would open which led to this staircase down and then up again that was covered with the little name tags they give you to write your “spy name” on, and then when you get to the door you come out in the lobby of this random hotel that’s like, a fully functional hotel, so that was pretty fun. We eventually figured out how to get to the train (read: I wasn’t navigating and Jess only got lost a little bit this time) and we decided to save ice cream for tomorrow even though I wanted ice cream now, because I was also full of cheese curds and other types of cheese. So I got on the red line and then switched to the blue line, then got off and walked the rest of the bit back to the hotel. While walking back my parents called, just wanted to check in so I told them everything and they seemed pretty happy about all of it, so that was good. Since we did all the essays today tomorrow is just going to be the multiple choice questions, 200 of them in two sessions of three hours each, 100 per session. They’re all hypos though so they take a while to answer and the supposed time allotment for each question is 1.8 minutes, so it’s a solid amount of work I’d say. It was like 9:15 by the time I got back and I desperately needed to shower because I hadn't since Monday morning because I didn’t want to have to wake up even earlier this morning to do it, so I got in the shower and changed into my pajamas, watched tv and did internet stuff for a bit before figuring I still had to get up pretty early, though an hour later than today, so that’s an improvement, so I’d better start writing this post and that’s what I did. Of course it took longer than usual because I end up being incredibly detailed about days like today even when I don’t consciously think to do it. Oh well. And now I’m here, it’s almost midnight, and I need to wake up at 6:30 am, so I’m gonna take all of those as reasons why it’s time for me to go to bed now. Goodnight babes. Stay magical.

#daily journal #July 2018 #Rachel's lawyer adventures #Jess tag

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rantingisabadhabitbutwhatev · 3 years

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June 28, 2021

Well, it's been a few years since I wrote anything here. Mostly because these past few years have been an absolute whirlwind. My last post ended with Sean and I almost becoming official. Well, last week we had our 3 year anniversary together. Time flies.

Since my last post, I got accepted into the biotechnology program, for which I am forever grateful for. The program is very, very difficult and was the most mentally and emotionally taxing thing I had ever done up until that point. Being in class from 8:30am-4:30pm everyday with only 1 hour lunch break was rough. 6 to 7 classes a term was rough. Having a never ending midterm season was rough. But it was worth it. I made some amazing friends who I will hopefully have for the rest of my life. I gained some amazing lab skills and had some amazing opportunities. And best of all, I can actually see an end goal for my career. I don't know exactly what it will look like yet, but I know I want to be working on research in some sort of management position. Maybe not for forever, but for some time at least.

First year at BCIT was rough. Hard adjustments, lots of work and figuring out our class dynamic. But I came out of it stronger, knowing more about what I could do and how to succeed. Sean and I went through a rough patch in November of our first year together. His best friend from high school, whom he had feelings for for most of the time in school with her, was breaking up with her boyfriend of 5 years and basically went to Sean and said "I said no in the past but if you asked me now, I would say yes." And he doesn't know what to do so all he can do is come and tell me about it. And of course this happens on my birthday. So what do I do for my 18th birthday? Cry all night long. Yea, it was fun. It takes him a week to decide to choose us. Pretty rough but in the end it makes us stronger, especially since she comes around again in a year (but I'll get to that). After that Christmas, things change again. We were happy and then suddenly we stopped texting. Because of my schedule, we could only see each other once a week on Fridays. Everything was fine when we were together but during the week, everything felt empty and wrong. It took us until April to finally talk about it - I even wrote a letter about being upset that he's never read. But we finally talk about it and we figure out that we need to talk more and so we start calling each other. From then on, we try to discord each night and it has done us well.

After my first year at BCIT, I land my first co-op job in the Hancock Lab. I didn't think I was going to get a job at that point but I was so glad that I did. We did some really cool stuff with pseudomonas where we screened mutants for biofilm defects and tested biofilm growth in anaerobic conditions. I got to present my first poster at CBR Research Day. The lab pre-covid is amazing. Susan bought us beer and pizza and sushi every Friday and over the course of the summer, the drinking of the beer would start earlier and earlier (5pm at the beginning, all the way up till 2pm by the end of the summer). I had a great time in the lab and learned a lot.

My second year at BCIT was rough too. The workload got even worse that first term and I'm pretty sure we all hit our lowest lows. Just surviving became the name of the game and we did it well. Despite that, we had time to go play volleyball and support Josie's badminton tournament and fool around playing ultimate and snowball fights. We had some amazing memories and we didn't realize how fast time would fly until it was almost over.

And then Covid-19 hit. Assumed to be transferred from some sort of animal to humans in a Chinese wet market, racism and violence against Asians skyrocketed, just as the world shut down. Our last month at BCIT was canceled right before our eyes and we never got to celebrate finishing and surviving. Instead, classes went to online lectures and exams went to online formats and we stopped being able to see friends or go out or do anything really. Restaurants and attractions were shut down, maximum capacities and masks enforced and uncertainty everywhere. Talks for vaccines were hopeful, but I was skeptical about anything being ready until 2021. And I was right. As of today, all of us in the family have 1 dose of Moderna, although Mom is to get her second dose next week. Things are slowly opening up (provincial travel bans were lifted and movie theaters opened 2 weeks ago!) They're talking about what a post-covid world will look like, and I think everyone is grateful. In some ways, we lost a year and a half of our lives to this virus.

After finishing my time at BCIT, I was hoping to do a 4 month co-op placement abroad. Nothing of my applications turned out, but given covid, all travel ended up being restricted anyways. Not only that, there were no co-op jobs as every company in the world faced very uncertain economic and social times. I ended up taking April and May off and worked June and July at Collingwood again. Camp was different (lots of pool noodles and yoga mats) but in some ways, very much the same. I was grateful.

Despite the continued uncertainty of the next school year in a pandemic world, I was lucky to have the connections with the Hancock lab to allow me to do a full 8 month Honours Thesis with them. I took 4 classes per term on top of that and took them in the bioinformatics room on my laptop so I could be in the lab for the rest of the day. And boy, was I always there. 9am starts to 7pm finishes were not uncommon. Plus the 1.5 hour commute each way. Things were not easy. I thought BCIT was hard. 4th year at UBC trumps BCIT, easy. I was always stressed and strung out, I was constantly having to miss classes to do experiments (thank God for recordings) and at times, basic things refused to work (bacterial plating will be the death of me yet). The mandatory classes were all crappy and each have their own story that I may have to tell another time, but needless to say, I was not having a good time. I'm glad I made the effort to do an 8 month project, and in a way Covid made it both easier and harder. Easier because everything was recorded so my schedule was flexible (although I did my best to try to attend most lectures synchronously). Harder because I was in the lab more than I should have been and it meant some of my school work was compromised (thank God for Nabeel inviting me to his CHBE group). I survived, but I don't think I would have been able to go on much longer. Thank God for co-op and 8 months away from school.

In January, we were all on the hunt for co-op positions. Amazingly, I was super popular, scoring 6 different interviews of the 12 different applications I put in. I never got a Zymeworks invite though, which made me a little disappointed. But I think it worked out for the better because it meant I was more open when I was calling with Michelle. Meeting with Ting and Julien, we hit it off right away. I never get nervous for interviews and because of that, I feel like I'm really good at covering and clicking with interviewers. I asked lots of good questions and we were all laughing during that 1 hour interview. I got a call 2 days later from Michelle telling me I had gotten the job and I was so excited. It was the perfect fit. The chance to do more cell culture. The chance to do some research. The chance to maybe be hired on after grad. Working now, I feel really grateful for the opportunity. The company is a little odd, but our little CPD bubble is great to be a part of and I hope that one day we can make a difference.

I bought my first car on my first day of work - a 2012 Mazda 3 Hacthback with only 105k km. He's black and I've run him into the curb a few times, but he still looks super shiny (despite getting shat on within the first hour of being home) and I love him very much. The freedom of having my own car is amazing.

So why am I posting now? Well, I've been having some doubts and I needed a place to write it all out and I remembered this Tumblr. Reading back my old posts is a little sad because I started this Tumblr because I was sad. Things have been so much better in the last few years so I haven't been around. And make no mistake, I am so much happier than I was back then. But I've always learned while writing, so here I am to learn about myself and my feelings.

TBC

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filmmakerssn · 7 years

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The one question we, as well as every photo/video related site, get is “What Camera Should I Buy?” I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out how to answer that question but maybe the best approach is to walk through how I decided to buy our new camera.

VIDEO

Now I knew that I needed to make the transition to 4K (yeah, I know I’m a little late to the game). Although I still plan on delivering 1080 for most projects for the foreseeable future, there are just a lot of advantages to 4K acquisition that cannot be denied.

About a year ago I decided to rent a Sony AR7 II. I had heard so much about these second generation Sony cameras and wanted to get a feel for the different brand as I was still shooting on my trusty Canon 5D Mk II. Well I figured out that if I rented the camera on Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I would only be charged for 2 days rental even though I wouldn’t have to return the camera till the following Monday (6 days).

One of the photos from my Sony AR7 mk II photoshoot

Although I mainly used it to shoot stills, this was my first foray into shooting 4K motion picture (outside of a GoPro or something like that). I liked the 4K imagery but frankly I just wasn’t too impressed with the way the camera felt in my hands. As a photo camera it was okay but for video I prefer a lot more tactile control on the camera itself – instead of having everything buried in a menu.

A few months past (and now we’re in March) and I got a call to shoot thank you video (a greenscreen documentary) honoring a patron of a regional playhouse. I had been doing a lot of greenscreen documentaries, renting a Blackmagic Pocket Camera as a second close up camera to my BMCC which captured the master shot. For this project, why not just rent a single camera that could shoot 4K and get my master and closeup just by reframing the shot in post?

I went to LensProToGo.com for my rental – I found that not only did they have the best selection of video cameras – they also had a great deal going on at the time. Now this is long before they became a sponsor of ours. Since I had always been partial to Sony, I started with the FS5 – and got for a very reasonable price and shipped directly to my office.

I completed the project with the FS5 and was really impressed by the beast. The FS5 when stripped completely down is incredibly tiny while still having a terrific feel to it. To me this kind of modular design is a pretty important thing. There are some rare times where I may want to deck out a camera and, but there are probably even more times when I just want everything really nice and compact. Another grand slam for the FS5 was it’s variable ND filter – you could actually adjust the strength of the ND filter smoothly up and down. That was some next level wizard stuff right there!

But… and he’s what I just didn’t like about the FS5… the 4K codec was brutal on my computer. It bogged down Premiere so much I really had to master in 1080 to get decent playback. It wasn’t that my computer was that outdated, it was just a very difficult codec to deal with.

A few more months pass (now we’re in July) and I get a call for another greenscreen documentary, this time on a research center for Alzheimer’s – time to try out another camera: the Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro.

The Ursa Mini Pro felt like Blackmagic at least moving in the right direction in terms of the feel of their cameras. I hate the button layout on the Cinema Camera and frankly wasn’t impressed with the layout on the Ursa when I looked at it at NAB. But the Ursa Mini Pro finally looked a real “big boy camera”.

Again I order it from LensProToGo. It arrived, as all their cameras do, in a hard Pelican case and really well shipped. On the whole the Ursa Mini Pro is an impressive camera – Since I was shooting hours of footage I opted for shooting ProRes Proxy to conserve space (worked just fine for greenscreen as talking heads had very little movement), the files played perfectly fine on my computer. I also really like the ability to shoot all kinds of flavors of ProRes… even overshooting to 4.6K but I wasn’t really able to do much with that as I didn’t rent CFast cards to save on the rental.

But… the dang thing was a tank. LIke literally a tank. Where as the Sony FS5 felt nimble like a roadster, the Ursa Mini felt like driving a school bus. It was just too heavy. I couldn’t imagine putting it on a gimbal or jib. Even the viewfinder was stiff – it took a bit of muscle just to pry it open.

Almost a week after we wrapped on the the Alzheimer shoot, I get another call to do a greenscreen piece for an Autism Center. The Canon C200 had just come out I ordered the last on that LensProToGo had in stock.

Like the Sony, the Canon C200 had a great tactile feel. It wasn’t as small and nimble as the FS5 but it was still a good modular design. I’m still a bit confused with how the viewfinder is suppose to close when in storage (actually I think you’re suppose to pop off the assembly).

Now I’ll be honest, when I first saw the footage on my laptop as I was transferring files off the card I was a bit underwhelmed. Something didn’t quite look right. It wasn’t bad, maybe something weird with the saturation… but something trivial enough that I thought could be fixed in post.

When I got the files on my main editing machine and started to key out the green, I shocked to find that the quality of the images was AMAZING. What jumped out immediate was the skin tone – after apply just a minimal amount of Red Giant Cosmo, the skin tone had a warmth and softness that just felt right. That C200 did something special – I don’t know exactly what, but everybody’s skin looked absolutely amazing.

The other two MAJOR bonus points for the C200 was the 4K MP4 format it recorded to was robust, played well with my computer, and wasn’t a total space hog (good for documentary work) and the you had the option for a

Unfortunately the Canon C200 was also the most expensive camera that I ended up testing. Months went by until I was just browsing the prices of these cameras and saw that Canon was offering a Financing deal that let me pay it off over 3 years. Well now it suddenly made financial sense for me and I pulled the trigger.

Axel the Rabbit approves

If you are looking to buy or upgrade your camera – you really need utilize a site like LensProToGo.com to do your homework and test the cameras you want to buy first (They became a sponsor after I had rented all these cameras and paid for them out of my own pocket – or at least out of my budgets for these greenscreen documentaries).

I think people can get overly obsessed with spec sheets and camera reviews. As someone that has done camera reviews I can tell you they have a bit of value in determining the “gotcha’s” of a particular camera system but the footage from them is mostly bunk. The shots you see in a camera review aren’t a testimony to the camera but rather to talents of the photographer themselves. I’ve also stayed far away from the toxic camera flame wars – especially in regards to Canon (so much hate…)

The most important thing to determining if a camera is a fit FOR YOU is to rent on and try it out on a PROJECT. Not just a series of tests that don’t reflect your workflow – but put it through the paces on an actual project. And don’t be afraid to take your time. I started this process of camera testing 8 months ago, it’s okay to take your time.

Now I know that the cameras might be cost prohibitive to many of my readers. But LensProToGo does rent a wide variety of camera bodies where you’ll find something that fits your budget. And if you’re doing industrials, you can always work these rentals into your projects.

And of course, they don’t just carry camera bodies, you can rent lenses, lighting, and all manner of accessories.

Ultimately using LensProToGo gives you flexibility and options. Need a second camera? Rent one. Got a big client and need the best camera money can buy… well don’t buy… rent one! (here’s a secret – big Hollywood movies don’t buy cameras – they rent them!)

When LensProToGo came onboard as a sponsor, I was ecstatic. I would have written this post with or without their sponsorship. Please take a look at their service as a thanks for supporting the kind of content we create here.

I came up in my career with the notion that I couldn’t rent gear because I wasn’t close enough to a rental facility to make it work. But with the freedom and flexibility that a service like LensProToGo offers, well anything really is possible.

via FilmmakerIQ.com

#filmmakers #registi #autori #news

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