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unknownjpegs · 8 months

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matter

“I came for you.”

“And did I fucking ask you to do that, Benj?” Maran yells, voice echoing around the tiny room. His hands are both splayed on his chest, face twisted with boiling fury. “Did I fuckin’ ask you to put more blood on me, or did you do it?”

It’s the worst fight they’ve ever had. Just two months after their escape from the ship, everything seems to catch up to them. To Maran, in particular. He has room now. Space to think. And all he can think about is—

“Maybe I deserved it.” Maran says quietly. The words are bitten out, bitter. His anger, loud and obtrusive, goes out with a hiss of steam. Benji’s cold, icy fury in a fight always dumps over him like a bucket of water. Makes him feel silly, sopping and pathetic for even being cross in the first place. He hates it sometimes. “You ever think of that, Benj? Was that in your plans, huh? That maybe they’re right. Everybody else gets conscripted. Everybody else joins. Not everybody swerves it. Not everybody blows up a fucking prison ship.” Maran punctuates each of those with a trio of shoves to Benji’s chest. He doesn’t move. “So why do I get to tap out?”

“Mar —”

“No! No fucking Maran from you like that.” He snaps, pointing at Benji with one of his remaining fingers. The raw end of his shoulder has just started the slow process of mending the tear. Benji rewraps it for him every night. He’s got a stash of credits from jobs that he’s saving. He won’t say, but Maran knows they’re for tech. Tech for him.

“Maran,” Benji says anyway. His voice is quiet. No longer frozen at the edges; he’s void of that riled sort of anger that leaves anybody standing too close, anybody stupid enough to touch, with frostbite blackened fingers. Maran’s melted it. They always get there eventually. Equilibrium.

He’s thinking of states of matter when Benji yanks him into a firm, inescapable hug. Plasma, solid, gas. When they pull apart, Benji reaches up and wipes over his cheek. Collects the tears and rubs them out into a darkened spot near the collar of his own shirt.

Liquid.

“It’s gonna get so fuckin’ nasty, Benj.” Maran croaks. He cradles the back of Benji’s head and pulls them together again, arms limp over his shoulders. “And it’s not gonna be worth it.”

“Yeah it is,” Benji denies confidently, with an immediacy that makes the tears sting at Maran’s eyes again. “And ‘sides, mate. Can’t get nastier than you.”

He laughs wetly, sniffling childishly. This time, Maran wipes away the tears himself. Uses the back of his three-fingered hand. “Fuck off.”

“Nah.”

Benji swings too hard, and he’s frowning and hissing oops, shit, sorry, as the clawed edge of his gauntlet touches bone and flesh. Cut through the air, nice graceful uppercut, touches bone and flesh, and keeps moving.

He’s not apologizing to the guy. He’s apologizing because —

“Aw, fuckin’ hell, Benj.” Maran is panting when he rounds the corner. He flicks off blood and coolant from his blade before it disappears with a smooth shickshickclink into the black, synthetic-weaved slot in his bicep.

“Told you to kid glove that one.” He crouches down at the mashed face, frowning. There are bits of bone and half a chip and shiny, sleek metal messy in the remains. His visor’s black-out fades clear, sweaty face in the helmet illuminated by the red glow of the neon sign above them.

“Had those new optics.”

“You were gonna take ‘em off a corpse and pop ‘em in your own fuckin’ dome?” Benji sneers, mouth twisting on one side. The blood’s dripping off his plated knuckles onto the pavement.

Maran clicks his tongue, straightening to tower over Benji. “Well, can’t do it now, can I?” He shoves Benji’s shoulder. “And wasn’t a corpse until you made him one, you prick.”

Benji’s day begins with a flash of light, a nasty rumble of their vessel, and turbulence so bad it sends him flying across the room. Benji heaves himself from the floor, clutching his head as if it’ll stop the rattle. He’s barely awake. The ache blooms over the side of his face, along with a trickle of blood. Fuck, is he awake? Or is this a dream?

“Fucking ow.”

Benji’s head whips to the side. Maran is folded upside-down, ass over boots, in the corner by the cockpit. There’s a cut on his scalp too, a bruise blossoming on his cheek. Benji watches as he rights himself and presses a palm to the spot, nose crunching when it comes back wet.

“I thought you said she was a fuckin’ pilot.” Benji coughs, hand pressed tight over another sore spot on his abdomen.

Maran sits up with a groans, shoots him a look with those spinning blue-ringed eyes. Not scavenged. Bought. “Didn’t say she was a good one, did I?”

“Figure if I ask you to get us a pilot,” he sneers, stumbling over as the ship shakes again to help Maran to his feet, “You might as well get a decent one? Or one that’s piloted at-fucking-all.”

“Listen, we’re up aren’t we? Next time, you can get the pilot and I’ll —”

“No you fuckin’ won’t, because the last time I left you to get the —”

There’s a clatter from the cockpit, and then the cabin fills with red light, shrieking warning sirens.

Eject process initialized. Eject process initialized. Countdown until airlock disengaged: ten seconds. Ten, nine, eight —

“Best pilot I’ve ever seen, yeah?”

“Really class. Can’t believe she was just sitting around. All that talent gone to waste.” Benji sucks his teeth.

The ship’s voice cuts as the red lights dim, its operator choosing mercy.

The mechanical tear and rip of synthetic flesh when Benji yanks off the robot’s left arm have Maran’s skin shivering.

Well, not really. He doesn’t quite shiver on that side anymore. Or have skin. When he flexes his right hand, the sensation is more akin to a phantom-like crawling chill. Disconnected. His brain’s capable only of pulling a memory of the feeling, instead of the real thing: uh, yeah, this is how it was, right?

“Why’d the rich types always need a fuckin’ trophy?” Maran grimaces as Benji hands the arm to him so that he can better rifle through the pocket of its jacket.

Maran frowns. Its. His? Her? Robot’s not alive to explain personal perceptions of gender, anyway. The frown deepens. Alive? Off?

Benji straightens up, tucking a little piece of machinery into the bag slung about his chest. Part for Matilda to fuck about with, he supposes. Join her growing army of tiny pieced together, poorly-programmed bots.

He gestures at Maran’s side, where the arm is dripping electric blue hydraulic near his boot.

“Oof,” Maran snorts, holding it further away. “Wet one.”

“G’on, Mar. Give it a shake then,” Benji quips. “Make sure s’all done.”

Maran grimacing again at the growing pool of liquid, steaming even in the rain, as he does exactly that. But when he glances up at Benji, both of their faces crack into sleazy, suggestive grins.

“Give it a shake, mate?”

“Awful,” Benji agrees, starts to laugh. Then of course Maran follows, and they’re both breathlessly hysterical when Matilda drops the ship down for pick-up.

Maran pokes his finger down the screen, cataloging scratched out entries. Names, nicknames, titles. Scrolling the data pad is audible, and a quick glance up at Benji in the co-pilot’s seat tells him that the repetitive noise is starting to bother. There’s a nasty pull of his brow.

“What about —” Maran reads one of the names off.

Benji doesn’t open his eyes. Or move at all. He stays statuesque in the chair, feet kicked up and heels resting against a blank section of metal on the control panel. His chest expands with a thoughtful, slow sigh.

“Blows.”

“You blow.”

“Regularly.”

Maran twists in his own chair. His eyes narrow as they level with Benji, even though his friend can’t see it. He’s got one arm behind his head, the other at a strange angle across his chest. He gets in the most uncomfortable fucking positions sometimes, Maran’s got no clue how he manages to relax that way. Sometimes, he’ll find Benji back in the engine room on the floor napping. Likes the residual heat of it, Maran supposes.

Scares the life out of him sometimes, to find Benji prostrate on the ground like a corpse. He’s got a picture Mati took of him, shoulders flush with the ground and hips level with the right angle of the wall and floor. His legs had been stretched up into the air, one elongated towards the ceiling and the other boot flat to the wall paneling. In the picture, Benji’s fingers had been a blur, because he’d been fidgeting. Tapping — drumming, how he always did.

“You’ve said that for the last fifteen.” Maran points out.

“The last fifteen,” Benji intones seriously, turning cheek to face his friend. He’s still not opened his eyes. “Have absolutely fuckin’ blown.” He twists a little to prop his face up in a hand. He looks as if he’ll fall asleep at any moment. “So I’m telling you that before you embarrass yourself. ‘Sides, wanting a mercenary name makes you sound like a loser, mate.”

“You make you sound like a loser, mate,” Maran shoots back awkwardly. Benji laughs and his cheeks heat. “Fuck you.”

He deletes the data pad list huffily, turning himself away from Benji in childish annoyance. Matilda comes onboard later that evening from a shopping trip in the colony they’d docked at for the evening. Getting chased through the vast void, easier to lie low in a crowd than in empty nothingness.

She finds the boys with their heads balanced together, their chests rising in cute opposing rhythms. Maran’s in her seat. She’ll have to readjust the position; she’s particular about angle and height while piloting. Precious cargo.

Precious cargo that fucking messes with her shit, even though she tells him not to. And yet it’s hard to be angry for an extended period, looking at the two of them peacefully resting together. Benji rarely ever sleeps enough that he isn’t woken by footsteps — no matter how light or quiet she makes them.

“Big day,” Matilda mumbles to herself, carefully putting the woven, net-like bags of food and supplies in the corner. She pats a stray lock of curly dark hair down, then kisses the crown of Maran’s head. “See you two in the morning.”

It’s a chore getting on the military vessel. Not difficult, but a chore. She refuses to concede any considerable sort of effort on her part, because they’re a bunch of authority-throating losers without her boys’ sensibilities. The difference between them and all the uniformed forces is that they had enough brains to get out.

And here she is, Matilda thinks with a sigh. Getting in.

She navigates her ship’s modified escape pod towards the rear end of the carrier. It takes an age and a half to cross the distance, and by the time she hovers near one of the massive structures of a thruster, her patience has reached its end. The discontent she’d felt since the boys had left on their plan to smuggle off necessary parts has morphed into something perilously close to fear.

She refuses that. Imagines, as she floats in the silent blackness, corralling it up like a handful of writhing snakes, stuffing it in a bag. Throwing it out the airlock to freeze and eventually, in a billion years, shatter against a comet. Maybe burn as it approaches an icy dying star. Get picked up millennia from now as an antique of the past. Matilda imagines the canvas sack containing her serpentine worries being opened long, long after she’s gone. Outlived by it, in a way.

She sighs. “I’m going fucking insane.”

Her fingers, quickened by muscle memory, flick at a series of switches. The escape pod slows as it approaches the exterior of the military craft. This sort of ship is meant for transport, not to be in a fleet. Or else sneaking onboard would be much harder. The cloaking chip she’d installed — a tiny green circuit board she’d had Maran help weld and check for bugs — keeps her off whatever system they use to radar surrounding areas. On the other side of this ship is another. Larger. Meant to house a bigger population. Meant to —

The pod beeps at her. Matilda sighs again, off-put by something that she can’t name or categorize, and readies herself to board.

She wishes she hadn’t. Matilda, as a general rule, trusts her gut. It’s one of the first things she’d been taught. Not even me, Mouse had once teased her, big eyes flashing up at her with the jest of it — and with a note of sincerity. As Matilda strips herself of the ego suit, meant to keep her alive had the pod crashed and launched her into space, she thinks of slim fingers brushing over her belly button. Trust this first.

“Shut up. Shut up, shut up. Stop thinking.” She hisses under her breath, flattening herself against a wall. In the loading area, patrols are sparse among the crates and boxes. It’s easy to dart between them, avoid the two burly soldiers who chat as they make their rounds.

They don’t make her nervous, but sweat collects on her upper lip. Her scalp prickles, that behind you! sense that has never failed to inform the angle of a gun, the trajectory of her dagger. In the next hall, the prickling changes to goosebumps.

Another soldier strolls lazily in a pattern up and down. His boots look as heavy as the rest, but his steps are near-silent. She watches the graceful movements of his body for a second too long to constitute intel gathering. Her observation has landed summarily into appreciation. She can imagine the look of put-upon impatience on Benji’s face, and the opportunity to cause him a bit more trouble is intrusive. Demands she act.

You stopped to bother some guard you thought was fit? Benji would ask her as she broke them out of their cage. Very fit, she’d correct.

She’s noting the extent of that attractiveness, the breadth of defined shoulders and tapered waist, as she follows silently behind him in the shadows each corner. The night cycle light is low; makes it easy. And when Matilda is close enough, she springs into action.

She presses the blade up against the small of his back. The startle reflex is enough for her to find time and space — slip the other dagger’s tip carefully perpendicular with his cheek. She’s got a few inches on him, so she leans on her tiptoes, pressed flushed to his back, to peer closer. Face is as cute up close as it was at a distance, and that makes her smile dangerous.

“You can’t feel it because of the coating, but these are custom made. Super-heated.” Matilda shuffles closer. Her eyes dart around the hallway, an anchor of awareness she’s grateful for because the feel of a body is nice. It’s been awhile.

Matilda notes where the control panels for each door sit, which corners turn which way. She has his route memorized, but not the rest of the ships layout. She’s never been on a cargo-class vessel like this — but they’re all kinda the same once you get inside. She’s good at figuring shit out. And she has a resource to do that, now.

He shifts a bit, like he might try to slip away. Might argue, fight back. Matilda huffs.

“They’ll cut through tungsten, okay?” She sighs, resting her chin on the top of his head. His hair is soft, has the standard clean scent of readily available shampoo. Nothing fancy, and yet —

“So they’ll definitely cut through flesh. And you have a pretty face. Please, please don’t make me tungsten it. I just need to know where the prisoners are.”

Unexpectedly, the soldier laughs. “I have a feeling you’ll find out where that is pretty soon.”

Matilda likes the sound of his voice, so they don’t end up where the prisoners are. At least, not right away.

First, Matilda is pressed into the wall of a supply closet. Both her wrists are caught in one hand. The strength holding them there makes her arch closer, and the sensation of her chest brushing against the firm armor of his has her shivering. They kiss, but it’s not only that. It makes her feel wild, that kiss. She’s wary of how right it feels, how good. Wary that he seems to know when she wants teeth to her neck, a tongue swept between her lips.

Not wary enough. Or maybe he fucking eats it from her, tastes the control and replaces it with him, smothers it with a heady flavor of want. Matilda lets her guard down for only a second, but it’s plenty long. The cuffs click around her wrists quick. She hadn’t even noticed his free hand had moved from the tight clutch on her hip to his back pocket.

“Oh.” She licks her lips, tasting mint. She hadn’t even noticed he chewed gum. “I like you.”

“Don’t talk.” The soldier rolls his eyes. There’s a tinge of color to his cheeks, across his nose. It makes him prettier. “You really were just gonna…what? Walk in here, take me hostage? What kind of plan is that?”

“A decent one. At least, up until you decided to kiss me.”

The soldier’s flush darkens. He scowls, no doubt feeling the heat on his face. The fact that it bothers him makes her feel victorious. “You kissed me first.”

“Hm. Alright,” Matilda concedes. “We can agree to disagree. Let’s just call it mutual? Move on to more mutual activities?” She bats her eyes at him, hoping for coquettish and knowing that the look still holds just a little too much of her usual, Mouse-like sharpness.

The soldier hesitates for a brief moment before yanking her harshly by the elbow. But the hesitation is a victory too, so when she’s tossed into the cell and caught by Maran, wide-eyed and mouth open in shock to see her, Matilda has that nasty grin on once more.

“What —”

“Thought that was going to go better than it did, Mar. My bad.” She glances around the cell. “Where’s Benji?”

Maran’s smile drops immediately. That’s how she knows something is wrong.

Maran hopes she’s okay. The ship, and Benji’s visit to it, had shaken Matilda. She’d taken one look out the tiny ovular window in their cell and gone white as a sheet. Real impressive that, considering how ethereal and eerie she tended to look in the harsh fluorescent lights of a ship.

He’s worried about her not just because of her reactions to seeing that ship a click away, hanging in the air like a flightless, frozen bird. Massive metal one, without wings, and — well, yeah, all right. Analogy didn’t quite track.

But that’s because he’s worried. The ship’s scared Matilda, and Mati doesn’t scare, so of course that gets Maran nervous, and she’s not even complaining about the lights washing her out. THat’s the worse part. That’s what lets him know something is very, very wrong. Matilda’s not complaining. Or spitefully trying to relieve whatever nuisance urges her lips to part.

“He’ll be okay,” Maran says. It’s the only thing he can think to offer. That’s a shit feeling. Not knowing exactly how to alleviate someone’s anxiety. How to bring them more to center. He’s usually good at that — at least told he is.

Matilda doesn’t acknowledge his assurance. She doesn’t even look at him. She gazes steadfast out the tiny porthole. She’s got ocular implants too. They’re newer than his, shiny and ringed with a narrow band of honey gold. They make her look spooky in the dark, sometimes. Maran presses their cheeks together to look out the window, too. He regrets it. Because —

“What is it, Mar?”

“It’s a ship,” he says. Another assurance. But he doesn’t sound sincere in his belief of that. As they gaze at the ship, fear touches in his chest like a bitter, dry old visitor. He feels compressed, looking at that massive blot against the stars. The side of its hull facing them is complete cast in shadow, facing away from the nearby star. “Just a ship.”

Matilda shakes her head slightly, their cheeks rubbing together. Slowly, she lifts an arm to wrap around his waist and pull him closer. Like she needs the comfort.

Maran gulps around a sudden lump of anxiety in his throat. He doesn’t like to think about the fact that just a ship has scared the spooky thing in the dark. He doesn’t like to think about Matilda shaken. And he doesn’t want to think about Benji on that fucking thing.

Because Maran knows that running from fear means it chases you all your life. On a closed ship, surrounded by the vacuum of space?

You run out of room to run.

Maran leans against the steel post to their bunk bed, his arm tossing behind him. “I just think it’s kinda mad that all it took to ditch us was —”

“Didn’t ditch.” Benji disagrees evenly. He doesn’t turn, back to Maran as he unpacks a small amount of clothes from a bag. They’ve been invited to stay, although the agreement seems tentatively peaceful at best. A for now sort of thing. Maran doesn’t like how other soldiers look at them. Their faces aren’t known, but their actions are — the day someone pieces those two things together, realizes who they are? Well, they’re fucked. They’re defectors on a military base, surrounded by people so blinded by the things they narrowly escaped that it would be admirable to hunt the two of them down.

Three. Three of them.

“She did.” Maran pouts, crossing his arms. He knows Benji’s right, but it’s hard not to hang onto the bitter taste of resentment. “And couldn’t even pick somebody fun?”

“I like Lark.” Benji says. He finally turns, a big navy t-shirt tucked under his chin as he folds it. Benji never fucking folds his clothes.

Maran’s eyes narrow. “Yeah, of fuckin’ course you do. You both are —” Benji raises his eyebrows expectantly. “Oh, fuck off. You know what I mean.”

“Got a bit of bias there, Mar?” He winds his wrist in a condescending circle. “You’re so jealous, mate. Green with it. What, Til’s not allowed to have fun after we all —”

“She should be having fun with us,” Maran grumbles. He tosses himself into the metal desk chair in the corner. It’s not comfortable, but it’s a far cry from that shitty cell. “And it’s awful bold of you, talkin’ bias.”

Benji glances up at him. There’s a careful, cold fury beneath his even expression. Maran sometimes feels like he’s even gifted a pair of x-ray eyes, specially made just to see what Benji’s got under the surface.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Maran tilts his chin peevishly. His eyebrows jump as he points to the shirt in Benji’s hand. “Looks big. Sure that’s not mine?”

He doesn’t think his best friend is aware of how protectively he clutches the blue fabric to his chest. “No. It’s not.”

Maran stands again. The annoyed embarrassment has washed all the anger out of Benji. Poke him, Maran thinks in a voice that sounds like him as a child. Poke Benji. Get a reaction.

“Well it’s not yours either, is it?” He drapes his arms over Benji’s shoulders, leaning his entire weight so hard that Benji has to stumble back to catch him. “Wanna play a game?”

“No.” Benji elbows him to no avail. Maran’s sticky on someone when he wants to be. “G’off me, you fuckin’ prick.”

“Oh, good. Here’s the rules, mate, yeah? You give me five guesses as to the owner of that shirt —” he points at it again, adopting a posh, clipped tenor like some gameshow host. “And I,” Maran splays a hand over his chest. “Guess correct on the first answer, which is so embarrassing for you, really. Then I win a prize.”

Benji tilts his head back, eyes up at the ceiling as he wheezes out an exhausted sigh. “Honestly go fuck yourself. I’ll knock the fucking window out and it’ll take us both —” Maran cackles madly. “No, really, pal. Really, just go fuck yourself.”

“Mean,” he needles, squeezing his arms around Benji’s neck until that sneering face is trapped against his shoulder. “You’re so mean to me, Benj, you know that? First Matilda now you.”

“How do you still get a bad fuckin’ attitude, managing double what we all are, huh? How’s that happen?”

Double? He doesn’t think he’s around Nomi all that much. Certainly not double the time Matilda spends doing who knows what with her strange, serious pet of a soldier. Or Benji and his. Nomi…

Maran shoves away immediately, feeling as though Benji has flicked a match at his face. He can’t even think of Nomi without all of him going solar-flare hot. He rubs at his cheeks — pretends the friction of skin is why they’ve gone so red.

“Shut up. I dunno what you’re on about, okay, shut up.”

“Mate,” Benji says piteously, laying the blue shirt on the top bunk before taking Maran’s shoulders in his hands. “Yeah. You sure don’t. Fuck’s sake.” He shakes his head with a scoffing laugh. “I love you, Mar, but…”

Maran grumbles it back under his breath, shrugging the hands off.

He’s not wrong, though. Maran has been doing a little defecting of his own again. A little ditching. And yeah, whatever. So what if it’s about double what either of them have been doing, giving in to vices and distractions. But it isn’t that way. Not how Benji thinks, at least.

Nomi isn’t a distraction. She’s distracting, sure. Maran’ll concede that. She’s especially so when she’s got her nose shoved in the circuitry of his arm, her tongue pinched between teeth as she assesses and works. Sometimes she hums when she works, when their usual soft conversation and banter has mellowed. Maran likes that just as much, the relative silence. Sometimes he falls asleep in her chair like that, chin propped in his fist while she works not he inorganic one.

It’s nice to wake up to her voice. Sometimes she touches his cheek when he comes out of it. She always tears the fingers away like he’s bitten her instead of woken up.

“Dozed,” Maran mumbles it with the same cadence he’d say sorry. His face is warm with sleep, but also because Nomi is a few centimeters away, her big pink eyes darting between his. “Hey.”

She smiles a bit. His chest compresses like the window has been knocked out, the vacuum beyond crunching him in a fist.

“Want to see something cool?” She asks in her pretty, careful lilt. Maran’s nodding before the question even fully leaves her mouth.

They walk to a viewing area on the South Bay. With the ship in a good position, it’d be the perfect window to observe a star or galaxy. Instead, all they see is the pitchy forever of space and stars. Until Nomi taps a button on the panel that springs from her wrist, and the window’s shutters close with a robotic hiss that makes him jump. The lights go on, and then —

Maran’s eyes flick back and forth across the fake horizon. Tracking the hue of orange and red as it flares and fades into blue. Then the artificial sun is gone. They had these sorts of rooms in prison. Most of them were broke.

“You don’t like it?”

He shrugs apologetically. “Bad memories.”

Nomi moves from her spot near the door towards him, eyebrow pinched. “Sorry. Here, what about this?”

The projection changes to a telescopic image of a nearby nebula. It’s better, swirling purples and sparkling orange against the backdrop of space.

“You forget this kind of stuff,” Maran says, although he isn’t sure why he speaks up in the first place. “Everything, like, narrows down. Four walls and your own head. Then that feels like it might go too. You’ve just become MGC-12013 or whoever.” He shrugs again, like he hadn’t just. A twitch. A habit he picked up to remind himself, keep himself present. Rolling his shoulders with the motion so he’s no longer hunched. “‘Cuz if you’re not that, when you’re in there, then it’s you. And they take whatever you are. So might as well keep something of yourself, for when s’all done.”

Left side, his dominant hand; three fingers tap on his knee. He remembers how strange it felt, how out-of-head fuzzy disconnected, to see them roll across the floor. He hadn’t even screamed.

“Sorry,” he laughs suddenly cheerful. Spark back to him, spine straight. He shoots Nomi a beaming, crooked smile. “Anyway. All that to say… you know, I get it. When you lot came back and you came to talk that time? And that mess, it got me thinking. Minds, weird things. Like limbs,” he bumps his elbow into the plush fabric of her coat. “Digits, whatever. Those’re replaceable. We’re all like…replaceable bits. Might as well.”

Her rose-pink eyes stare up at him, unblinking, and Maran feels anxiety scratch up his throat. He rubs a hand over the back of his head, stubble tickling his palm and fingers pinching at nothing.

“M’sorry for dumping’ that on you. Can you tell I’d be goin’ fuckin’ mad if I didn’t have Benji with me?”

“Yes.” Nomi says immediately. “So don’t apologize.”

“And Matilda.”

Nomi nods again, but the recognition Benji holds isn’t there. Matilda has stayed intelligently away from a lot of the ship crew, and Nomi was no exception. Lark seemed to be the only one.

“You’d like her.” It’s true, and he offers that information up with no hesitation at all. She would. Nomi has the same bite; she doesn’t flash her teeth often, but Maran has seen her snap at Xavier, twice her size. Chin-up to the ship captain, too, but he has a sneaking suspicion that might be a soft spot on his end, rather than an edge to Nomi. Nomi’s got teeth but she’s soft — she…actually, Maran can’t let his thoughts wander there.

“Her home planet,” Maran reveals instead, hoping that the focus of a story will be enough to drain the slight flush to his cheeks, “Is this real lush set-up. One of those rich people colonies. Er, I dunno, proper whole government, or whatever. Society.” He waves a hand vaguely. “Not important. She’s like, wanted there too, I suppose.”

“For?”

Maran shrugs a coy shoulder, glancing at Nomi from the corner of his eye. “Ooh, name it. Think Matilda’s got a bigger bounty than Benji’s got, even.” He snickers. “They’ve gotten in pissin’ matches about the number.”

“Well, yeah. That’s like him.” Nomi giggles. Her tone make his chin yank to the side, eyebrows high. There’s a thoughtful, dangerous smirk curling her pretty mouth. “Benji seems competitive.”

“Oh,” Maran laughs loud. “Oh, Nomi. Fucking hell, you have no idea.”

She scoots closer to him, her boots scuffing on the riveted metal flooring. Maran tries incredibly hard not to react to the press of her hip to his, the brush of their fingers. It’s cold in the hall. She could be uncomfortably chilly, seeking out his warmth to remedy that. He really, really tries not to react. To think it might be something else, maybe.

“Home planet?”

“Oh.” Maran says. He huffs a laugh, hoping the exhale takes with it all the nerves. “Right, well. It’s like, all green. You know? Just plants and trees and life everywhere. Almost completely covered in these dense fucking forests. There’s more something in the air, can’t remember what, so everything grows real big. And there’s lakes, like, massive fucking things of just water. More water than I’ve ever seen.” Maran thinks of his own home, of Benji’s. Dust and pollution toxic in the air, bringing down the quality to barely-livable on the best of days. There’s plenty of water there, but unlike the air there’s nothing livable about it. Maran had never been swimming until Matilda brought them.

“Probably nice because they outsource all the resources to other sad little planets, huh?”

“Yep.” Maran’s head bobs affirmatively. “You got it. But man, I know it’s fuckin’ awful, right, but the place is — it’s just gorgeous.” He turns more towards the window, gesturing out to the blue-purple nebula. “Reminds me of that. The buildings — ‘cuz that’s where everybody lives, nobody’s on the surface — they’re these big spires. They go all the way up into the atmosphere. You gotta be careful coming in, gotta be a good pilot. Everything’s covered in this mist too, all the output from the plants and nature and shit. Makes it foggy, I guess, unless you live high enough to break the clouds.”

Maran becomes aware of his rambling suddenly, twisting his hands together with a shrug. “It’s nice.”

“Sounds like it.” Nomi says. Even though her response is short, he doesn’t note any boredom or annoyance. She’s not trying to get him to go away, and that has Maran feeling…good. That she wants to hear more. That she’ll let him just chat shit at her — he wants to. He sort of wants to wake up, turn over, and find her next to him. Wants to talk.

“S’like a dream. Hazy. And it’s got two suns, so in the morning it’s all…” he waves his hands at the window, he expanse of stars they both gaze at. He doesn’t have a word to describe that view. He wants to show it to her. Maran catches her reflection in the window; he turns to see the real thing. His eyes trail over her profile; the soft cutting curve of her jaw, slips of shiny blue hair tucked behind her ear. He grins and nudges her with an elbow, waits for her to turn to him.

“Hm?”

“Makes it all pretty.” Maran says, gathering himself a bit. He doesn’t feel awkward talking to people usually, but Nomi makes him want to tread carefully. Say the right thing. He nudges her again, eyebrows lifting suggestively. “Like you.”

Nomi blinks up at him, her lips parted slightly. He can’t fathom the idea that he’s stunned her with that, and yet her cheeks flush intensely.

He doesn’t pull her closer. Instead, he feels like vibrating out of his skin while he waits for Nomi to move. It feels like an eternity passes before she does. A slow, timid step towards him. It’s miniscule. Barely a few centimeters. But it feels like he’s just stood at one end of a field, watched her cross the whole thing just to stand closer. Maran pictures her at the edge of one of those forests. He pictures her laughing with Matilda over something, pictures her tossing her hair over her shoulder to look back at him. He pictures it against green. Nomi’s a full spectrum. All the color in it, blue and yellow and pink in her eyes, red to her cheeks —

“Nomi?”

She stares up at him unblinking, her chin tilted slightly. Expectant? He has such a hard time reading her, but the mystery makes him breathe heavier.

Urges him to touch.

So Maran tentatively reaches out. Keeps the movement of his arm slow, leaves it there. Lets her decide if she wants to pull away if she wants. When she doesn’t, he’s immensely fucking pleased that his fingers are allowed to brush the back of her hand, her knuckles. He weaves their fingers together, eyes lidded as he stares down at the pale flesh interlocked between dark, gleaming metal and woven carbon fiber.

Best idea of my fuckin’ life, Maran thinks as he coasts his thumb over a vein between her thumb and index. Shellin’ out the extra credits for the neuro add-on. Worth it just to feel this.

“You alright, babe?”

Maran knows it’s a nickname. Not for him in particular, just part of her vocabulary. It still makes him grin big, eager. “Best in awhile.”

Nomi ducks her chin shyly. It’s such a sweet, innocent gesture from someone he thinks of so much bigger than bashfulness. Nomi went on that ship with Xavier. With Benji. And all three of them had come back. Maran feels a bit air headed sometimes, but he’s not so foolish to think that Nomi didn’t have a hand in all that. Benji wouldn’t speak so highly of her otherwise.

It makes the warmth in his gut climb higher, vines on a trellis. He blushes more, thinking of how they might have already rooted in other organs.

“Yeah, sorry. Lost m’thoughts there.” Maran toys with her sleeve, tucking a finger underneath. “I was gonna ask —”

“Do you want to kiss?”

Maran’s mouth drops open. “Yeah, yes. I mean — yeah, but… how’d you know I was gonna ask that?”

Nomi tilts her head. “Sorry?”

“I…” he feels the embarrassment take over then, making his laugh breathless and raw. “Oh, fuck. Being daft, huh? I mean, right, I was just gonna see if you wanted to kiss and then you asked me, so it’s—” He gulps for a breath, eyes wide. “Weird.”

She doesn’t interrupt his rant, even though Maran begs her wordlessly throughout to do exactly that. Instead she squeezes his fingers encouragingly and waits. Patient, with that slightly judgmental smile on her face that makes him feel unspooled, dizzy. As if she’s wound him up like hard just for the pleasure of rolling him loose into a messy, tangled pile. It isn’t a bad feeling.

The second the final word is out of his mouth, Nomi is darting closer. She slings arms around his neck and pulls him down the few inches between their faces. Maran goes with a happy, shocked noise. Not just happy, but fucking thrilled. Nomi’s warm against him where they press from chest to thighs. And she’s soft; just like he knew she would be. Her hair, too. It spills like liquid between his fingers, the blue fluidity of it reminding him of the vibrant water on that planet.

They kiss — or Nomi kisses him, rather, because he’s stunned into inaction the second their lips touch. He expected a shy, quick peck. Instead, Nomi clutches the back of his skull and urges his mouth open, kisses him with an intensity and wild, biting eagerness that he wouldn’t have guessed from her. She tastes like something sweet, something tangy and refreshing. Maran smiles into the kiss because it’s exactly how he thought she would taste, because it’s fitting, because he likes her so fucking much for that and more.

More. He goes to tell her as much, breaks for a gasp of air to say more, you taste good, more, to wonder privately what her neck tastes like, the curve of her breast, and more, more — but he’s yanked back in. He groans loudly instead of speaking, blushing at the rattle of that sound from him.

“Nomi —”

“Sh,” she hisses. Their faces are close enough that, when she licks her lips her tongue touches him. Just a hint. Barely a tease, if anything. And yet it’s enough.

Maran blanks. He must stoop to pick her up, swing them both around, because somehow suddenly Nomi’s been sat on the ledge of the window. Her knees pinch tight to his torso, booted heels digging into the backs of his thighs as they kiss and kiss. It’s messy and hungry and she tastes — fuck, she tastes… Maran doesn’t want to stop. He’d rather asphyxiate than let go of her face, lose the sensation of her smaller hands roaming his chest, his shoulders.

And he nearly does. When they finally part, his chest aches and he’s panting to regain some of that lost oxygen. He feels stupid with it, fingers clumsy and sluggish. They tremble as he tucks a messy bit of hair behind her ear.

“Fuckin’ hell,” he says, pinching the curve of it teasingly. She squeaks and bats at his hand. “Nomi. I could take you to see it one day.” He bites his lip. “Maybe. I mean, if you’d like that? I would.”

Nomi doesn’t respond, but she does fist her nails in his shirt. Leverage to violently shake him, her face pinched in annoyed disbelief. And Maran only feels happily liquid.

#writing #ua #bp #mmr #nw #mgc #mgc x nw #space horror au

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alloftheimaginess · 4 years

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Can you do a supernatural cast series where you’re the wife and you do different interviews, like the videos on YouTube like Ad or thirst tweets or just answering fan questions whatever plz. If you have questions just message me and I’ll try to explain it further

Lol sorry it’s been like four months so don’t hate me but it’s been hard work juggling trying to write, school and work so sorry. I think it sucks but hopefully you’ll like it and I’ll be tagging the other parts in this one

Burning Fan Questions

Other parts

Alexander Calvert

Misha Collins

Jensen Ackles

"Hi I'm Yn Padalecki and I will be answer the fans burning questions about my life" I say smiling at the camera as I grab the bucket that's full of questions.

"I'm super nervous for this because before I got here Jared double dog dared me to answer literally every single question so I can't use my skip button" I say and the crew behind the camera laughs.

"Please for the love of god let their be questions to embarrass Jared more than me so he can eat it" I say giggling.

"First question" I say grabbing a folded up piece of paper from out the bucket.

"Who is the rudest celebrity that you've ever had the chance of meeting?" I read and I laugh.

"Oh that's a lot of them, there's an unsurprising amount of rude celebrities who think that they own Hollywood" I say laughing.

"But enough stalling because I have to answer this question anyway, the rudest celebrity that I've ever met was Christian Bale, no offense but he was a total dick to literally everyone around him, on set, off of set just everywhere" I say digging around the bucket for another question.

"What scandals has your team had to cover up?" I read and I start laughing.

"Noooooo" I say laughing even harder because I know I have to tell them.

"Okay okay. When I was 23 I had first met Jared and we got caught you know doing the deed and then the pictures were about to go out and they had to buy all of them back for double of what they were going to get" I say laughing shaking the bucket up and grabbing another one out.

"Have you ever used your celebrity status to get something for free?" I read.

"One time when I was out my daughter, Harlow we were getting frozen yogurt and I left my credit card at the restaurant we were at before without realizing it and at the register she goes oh my god are you Jared from supernatural's wife and when I'm with my daughters I usually pretend like I'm not but I totally knew she was going to give us the yogurt for free so I was like yeah, and then I asked her how she was and she was like oh this is totally on the house" I say laughing.

"I eventually went back and tipped a massive tip because I didn't pay last time" I say.

I grab another one out and I put the bucket down opening it "how many kids do you actually want?" I read.

"Well I already have two now but I'm aiming for at least five" I say laughing.

"I have a big family I'm one of 9 so I've always wanted a big family but not as big as mine so four or five would be a perfect size family for me, I honestly have a enough love for a million but four or five is definitely good for me" I say grabbing another question.

"If we came to your house what would we find in your cabinets food wise?" I read laughing.

"What an interesting question" I say.

"Everyone in the Padalecki household has their own cabinets because they are huge smackers. Harlow's is filled with the stuff she likes such as teddy Grahams, fruit roll ups, dried Cranberries, jolly ranchers stuff like that. Mine is filled with little cakes, gushers, banana chips which I swear by, peanuts, popcorn and Jared's, he has tons of candy, he is absolutely in love with white chocolate macadamia cookies and he always has those in his stash and Kiernan she's still on baby food so she's fully stocked on that" I say grabbing another question out.

"If you had to marry anyone that has starred along side your husband in his show supernatural who would it be?" I read.

"Oh hmm" I say laughing.

"Okay, Jensen is like Jared's best friend but I'm way closer to Misha so I'd definitely have to say Misha but no offense to his wife because I'd totally marry her as well or maybe even Rob, I love that man to pieces, he's a really good friend but then there's Rich, no offense to his wife Jaci but Rich and I have the best dance off's so that would be something to look forward to" I say laughing as I grab another question.

"If you woke up in Jared's body and had to stay in it for a day what would you do?" I say laughing.

"Easy, I'd leave myself little notes with plans for tomorrow so when I switch back he'll have to go through with them and we could have a perfectly planned out day because I planned it" I say laughing.

"If you go out to dinner with your non-famous friends, do you all still split the bill or do you pay?" I read.

"It depends really, my childhood friends don't like for me to pay for their stuff so we'll all split the bill but if I'm the one inviting everyone out then I'll pay before hand because then it'll be a lot of work trying to break it up" I say grabbing another question.

"What's one thing that Jared does that absolutely pisses you off?" I read cracking up.

"Breathes" I say smiling at the camera.

"I'm just kidding" I say laughing.

"When I'm super busy and like concentrating on my work he'll come over and innocently wrap his arms around me but then when I'm not paying him enough attention he'll start softly biting me and while I'm trying to work that can be so annoying" I say.

"What was the worst rumor that has been spread about you?" I read.

"I've had some pretty bad ones that I like to pretend didn't happen because they were literally so outrageous but I guess the worst one was that I was cheating on Jared. A few years back Harlow and I flew to my hometown for a few weeks and we spent Halloween out there and my twin sister and I dressed up as Sally from nightmare before Christmas because we've always done matching costumes whenever we're with each other and I posted a selfie on Instagram so everyone knew what I looked like but no one knew my twin sister was dressed identical to me and she took Harlow around with her now husband while I helped my parents be set up for the party and the paparazzi caught them together while they shared a kiss and while Eric played with Harlow and she was giggling and they put the photos on the front of the magazine and I was getting so much hate before I even knew what was going on and I was getting calls from our friends and they were asking me like how I could do that and then I had to go and post my pictures with my sister and write this long ass message about it and it was super bad" I say moving on.

"Who do you look up to the most, and what qualities do you love about that person?" I read.

"My grandma, she pretty much raised me. My parents weren't around often so I had to live with her for like 5 years, me and all of my siblings" I say digging in the bucket.

"But the qualities that I love about her is one, the fact that she is the strongest person I've had the honor of meeting" I say holding up one finger.

"Two, her boldness is like unbelievable. I took her to the oscars and she started flirting with The Rock and that's when I realized my grandma was my hero" I say laughing and I pull another question out.

"What's something you did as a child that no one knows about outside of your family?" I read.

"For two years I only spoke in a British accent, I had everyone confused at school because I never broke" I say laughing.

"How often do you and Jared have sex?" I read burying my face.

"No, I'm not going to be embarrassed. Sex is a normal thing, it brings about joy, relaxation, sometimes accidental pregnancies" I say laughing.

"But back to the question, I don't know. He's gone for like nine months out of the year but if he has a three day weekend or whatever then we'll spend a night together but when he's home in the three months he's off of filming it's literally whenever the kids are gone if even just for 20 minutes. We try to keep it as normal as possible" I say laughing.

"What's the last text conversation you had?" I read pulling out my phone and I laugh.

"I texted Robert about his new Batman movie because it was announced the other day and I just seen it this morning so I had to quickly congratulate him and he tells me that while I'm super late he still appreciates it and won't hold anything against me when it's time to hand out movie tickets and I said I'd never forgot about you shiny and he sent the middle finger emoji" I say laughing.

"What are your pet names that you and Jared have for each other?" I read.

"Ha, finally a question that he'd normally not talk about but I was dared so I call him Bubba or bubs" I say laughing.

"Literally it's how he's saved in my phone and he thinks it's so embarrassing" I say pulling my phone out and showing his contact name and photo.

"He's Bubba and he calls me a lot of different things but the one he always goes back to is beautiful or baby" I say smiling at the camera.

“Do your siblings and Jared get along?” I read and I laugh sighing.

“Like I mentioned earlier I’m one of nine so that’s eight siblings and then all of my siblings are older than me. I’m the baby and they are all married so my older brother and his husband love Jared and Jared loves them, we’re actually both of their kids godparents but then with my third oldest sister she doesn’t like me so she doesn’t like Jared by default you know” I say grabbing another question.

“Okay this is a question I have to know how often you do and Jared shower together?” I read laughing.

“Do you have to know that?” I ask laughing harder.

“Sorry to let you down but we don’t really, we’ll not anymore with kids it’s best one of us is out the shower while the other one quickly showers because we can’t leave them along for too long” I say knowing that my answer is not what they were expecting.

“But before kids it’s was an every morning thing we did together before heading out for our different business or whatever we had to do that day” I say.

“Did you have an oh shit moment at your wedding, and if so what was it?” I read and I nod.

“Yeah actually I did. But it’s been so long since we got married that I actually forgot until I read this question. My brother bless his poor heart showed up drunk like he was pregaming our wedding and the security didn’t know he was my brother so they were like kicking him out and my sister runs in like “oh my god Yn, the security just kicked Kalin out” so I’m like half dressed and I go down to try to figure out what the hell is happening and then I meet up with him and he throws up all over me like I’m talking full body covered and the make up artist just left and I had to shower and call her back so she could come fix my face and it was very traumatizing because it was so gross” I say laughing.

“But the whole wedding was beautiful and he didn’t drink at all” I say.

“If you had to pick a song from the late 10’s-2020 to be you and Jared’s couple song what would you pick?” I read and I awe.

“That’s a cute question. I guess I’d have to say Flicker by Niall Horan, we danced together to that song when Alex Calvert and his wife got married and it literally felt so magical and now whenever I hear it, it takes me back to a happy place and I just think about slow dancing with my best friend and husband” I say smiling.

“Do you and all the wives of the supernatural cast get along?” I read and I quickly nod.

“Those girls are some of my best friends, they know what it’s like to have a family and their husband work on supernatural so automatically we have something to bond over also with Alex’s wife she has a massive family so we often talk about the drama and problems that come along with it” I say laughing.

"Last one. What celebrity have you had beef with?" I read laughing.

"Daniel Radcliffe" I say quickly.

"But it was when we were younger filming the Harry Potter movies. We didn't like each other for like the first 4 movies" I say laughing.

"Our characters were close in the movie but on set we hated each other, I don't know why and I don't think he does either, I guess our energies just clashed but when we got to order of the Phoenix and we talked it out before we started filming and have been best friends in person ever since" I say laughing and tipping the bucket over.

"That was my last question. I'm Yn Padalecki and this has been answering fan questions. Thank you for watching and I hope you got a laugh out of at least some of these questions or you learned something you never thought you would learn about me" I say smiling at the camera

#jared padalecki #jared padalecki x reader #jared padalecki x you #spn cast #supernatural cast x reader #sam winchester #jensen ackles #misha collins #alex calvert #Spn cast x reader #cast x reader #reader insert #supernatural #celeb!reader #famous!reader #actress!reader #celebrity!reader

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rayalahon · 4 years

Text

DreamSMP omegaverse AU:

Okay so hear me out.

Platonic omegaverse doesn't NEARLY get as much attention as it deserves in fandom spaces as a whole and I don't care if you think a/b/o is icky or not because you can pry this au from my cold dead hands

Part 2 here :>

Philza may have been their father, but his long absences during their childhood caused quite a bit of trouble. Tommy and Tubbo were still pups too young to survive without a pack hierarchy, so it triggered Wilbur's hormones to present as an Omega. He was only 13 and already the default leader of a mere 3-member pack, but it was HIS pack, and he'll make sure to raise them right.

(even after the two of them reached age of maturity, they would still turn to Wilbur for the default authority)

Being a piglin, Techno doesn't have a second gender. He does, unfortunately, have a really good sense of smell and is always awkward af around human scenting culture. Why. Why would you rub your wrists with another person. Aren't you worried about hygiene?? Personal space?? Phil I know that look on your face so don't you DARE come near me---

A!Bbh and A!Skeppy's scenting sessions constantly tether the line between pack and mate and nobody knows what to say or do about it. The two scent and speak to each other deeply like mates, and yet bad always ends up nipping and growling at skeppy to re-establish his authority as the pack alpha. Skeppy doesn't challenge him back.

Tommy, to the surprise of almost everyone, presents as an Omega. His loudmouted and assertive personality might've made him the stereotypical Alpha, but he was a protective and nurturing boy at heart. Whatever he considers "his" is constantly cared for and maintained with great dedication (whether that be his discs, or Tubbo, or L'manberg, or that dumb dirt hut he refused to leave). He's as stubborn and stupidly endearing that way. So yeah, classic Omega traits lol /o\

Dream has the most obnoxious grooming sessions ever. His tongue is unusually barbed for a beta, long and spiky and only uncomfortable if he combs too hard by accident. Nevertheless, Sapnap and George despise it because the appearance of the dreaded barbed tongue only occurs when he's cranky, looking for attention, or just lost a chess game and is sulky about it. They eventually indulge him anyway

(Only Antfrost actually likes the grooming. He says it's therapeutic and makes his fur look shiny, though at the cost of Dream hacking up furballs for at least a week afterwards)

Schlatt bites everything. Maybe that was just his goat/satyr side showing, or maybe a habit from childhood he never go over, but the man sinks his teeth in everything that won't immediately send him to the dentist chair or surgery. Wooden meeting tables, stone brick walls, item frames--you name it, it's got a vague tooth mark somewhere. His least proudest moment was the time he bit into a lava bucket as he was holding it in his inventory and very nearly burnt his fingers off. Never again.

Quackity is an Enigma, a rare but not unheard-of type that can shift the dominance of his Alpha/Omega gene as he wills. And while enhancing his senses as he needs them is a rather strategic skill in battle, he unusually prefers a more neutral state. "Scentless", if you will. Perhaps simply to fuck with people more, to keep them on edge in trying to figure out what exactly is his dynamic.

Everyone agrees that Tubbo has the most unusual scent. It isn't unpleasant, it's just hard to pinpoint the exact details. Wilbur likes to describe it as "smokey"-- warm and homey like a campfire charcoal on a good day, and pungent like burning dynamite on a bad one. Tommy claims there's also a bit of blueberry, and gets increasingly irritated whenever other people say they didn't notice it. He tells them their noses are shit and that his sense of smell is clearly superior.

In contrast, Niki has the clearest and most recognizable scent out of all of them. She may seem more quiet and mellow than her friends, but her scent is always a dead giveaway for her emotions. Strawberry chiffon is her natural, calm scent that slowly turns more pungent and stale as she gets unhappier. Though perhaps not as visually attention-grabbing as the others, her scent had always placed her in everyone's emotional radar.

The whole Dream vs Lmanberg war was just sapnap throwing a slight tantrum cus Tommy had accidentally overwritten his claim on a tree that bordered their territories. He then attempted to take Tommy's precious discs as a prank, knowing full well the value of an emotional stash of items, and the rest is history

......Okay I'm not done and I have even more thoughts about platonic!omegaverse and dsmp and will hc dump them....another time......gotta sleep first lol 乁[ᓀ˵▾˵ᓂ]ㄏ

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syilcawrites · 4 years

Photo

a/n: ok ik I said I was going to take a little hiatus but I found this one-shot in my files (back from like aug 2020) so I fixed it up a bit. And I wanted to post this right now for some reason!! (now I’ll take a break from writing heh). Hope ya enjoy it! So summary: Link has an existential crisis in Robbie’s tech lab

ao3

are you in the clouds or the rocks right now?

Link wears their corpse on his skin.

It's heavy and a little stuffy sometimes, but being the winner feels great. Like a sucker-punch to the face, like a ha moment.

Like a I win you lose moment.

Except, the corpse is the one winning and he's the one losing even though he's wearing its skin. Two corpses, to be exact. One (him) is still alive to a degree and the other one (Guardian) is actually really dead. Was the other one (Guardian) even alive to begin with? If Zelda were here, she would say something smart, say something to counter what he was thinking. Maybe like in their own way, they are alive, just like you and I. And then she'll insert another intelligent, meaningful phrase, and he'll nod and say yes, you're right.

Or something like that.

He's not entirely sure, because he's never met her—not really.

"Perfect fit!" Robbie says, smiling with all teeth. He's so short. Link wonders if Robbie has always been that short. Link also measured himself last week—he grew approximately five whole centimeters, but he's still pretty short. Does that mean both of Link's parents were short too?

Parents.

That means… why hasn't he thought about this before? It's never crossed his mind that he has a family, he had a family—

"Hm, hm, just a few more tweaks and then your shield will be ready too," Robbie says, and his voice sort of bonks Link on the forehead. Knocks his thoughts on the ground, and it's just

s p l a t t e r e d

in between the two of them, but Robbie doesn't even realize it's there.

"Nice," Link says, through his teeth. He tears his gaze away from the mess on the ground that Robbie can't see, and in return Robbie hands Link the helmet. It looks like a bucket; a trash bucket. But Link doesn't say that and decides to just stare at the helmet blankly because for some reason when he stares blankly people don't ask him questions and Link really doesn't want to be asked questions right now.

Today is one of those bad days. One of those days where he can't really hear her—hear Zelda. She disappears sometimes; for weeks, even. He usually hears her in the flap of the birds, in the whistling wind; sometimes in the ground, within the tremor of the dirt or the coolness of the grass.

She usually likes staying above though, in the sky, and who can blame her? It's so free up there, and she's been stuck down here for a century. He would've gotten tired too.

"Well, try it Link!"

So Link tries it. He puts it on, and he can see through the eyes of the Guardians now. He wonders if he can see his own death through these too, if he goes back to Blatchery Plain.

"You're right, it's perfect." He takes off the trash bucket, tucking it snug between his arm and his hip as he fishes for some extra rupees. Robbie's been a lot of help, because he keeps Link from getting blasted to smithereens whenever he goes toe to toe with a Guardian. Well, tentacle to toe—were the limbs of Guardian's called tentacles? They definitely weren't toes.

Toetacles?

Zelda probably wouldn't laugh if he said that to her, but he still wants to tell her anyway. Maybe she'll laugh at how dumb it sounds, then she'll smile and then he'll smile because she's smiling and that'll be a really nice thing to see. It would definitely be a nice thing to see.

He hands Robbie the extra rupees, and the little old man doesn't hesitate to take it. He then tosses Link some extra ancient parts for some reason, which… defeats the whole purpose of him giving Robbie a tip. But Link isn't going to say no either to additional material—material that's definitely going to end up back in Robbie's hands when he comes back to Akkala for more weapons (and Akkala buns).

"You heading back to Hateno any time soon?"

Link struggles to pull the rest of the Ancient Armor off of him as he thinks.

"Yeah, I was gonna head there next. Maybe," he says, with a grunt, tugging one last time over his shoulders—the Ancient Cuirass pops off of him, finally.

It's been a while since he's been at his house—a month to be exact—because he has all of his dead friends' weapons hung up on the walls. For some reason he thought it would make him feel better, but it just makes him feel worse.

And they're dead. They're all dead.

His stomach twists into knots, as he quickly pulls the Champion's Tunic back over him, so his heartbeat can stop THUMPING against his chest.

THUMP-THUMP. Someone is knocking politely (yet loudly) on the door to his heart.

Safe, a voice reassures him. With it on, he's safe.

He straps his belts around him tightly, trying to concentrate on his fingers moving rather than the fact that his fingers can't do anything he wants them to do. Can't save anything. They can hold a sword and a sword is supposed to protect yet he can't even do that.

"Whenever you go back, would you give this to Purah for me?" Robbie is already fishing for something through his mess of a desk, scattering all sorts of metal trinkets onto the ground, before Link even responds. Everyone knows that Link will always says yes, I will. I'll help. Because he's a hero. "Thanks a lot," Robbie says, placing the thick paper envelope into Link's outstretched hand. The paper is wrinkled and yellowing—how old is it?

"Anytime." Link slips it into his shirt, where it'll be safe. With all the belts attached to him, it's like he can store anything in there because nothing falls out. He's stored all sorts of things—weapons, material, random stuff he finds around Hyrule that he thinks looks cool; like a pebble. He found one shaped like a heart on Death Mountain before. He likes to bring it around with him, in his shirt of course, for good luck.

Link presses his hand against his chest to feel the envelope. He's never stuffed paper behind his tunic before, and it feels… heavy. Physically, it is heavy since it's a package of envelopes… but there's something else to it that he can't quite put any of his fingers on.

"What is it?" Link asks, keeping his hand pressed against his chest. Hearing the crinkle of the old paper is satisfying to his ears. It's sharp and loud. It reminds him of swords clashing against one another.

Robbie doesn't say anything for a moment, and he doesn't look at Link either. "Just about a world you've forgotten. Don't think too hard on it, it's nothing important," Robbie says with a haggard sigh.

Sighing like that only makes Link more curious and agitated about the entire thing now.

"Letters are always important," Link responds back immediately, annoyed. "That's the point of them." He's not sure where he's getting this statement, but it's buried somewhere in his head. It's something he's always known.

He thinks, anyway.

Robbie turns his head to look at him, but Link can't tell what he's seeing because the shade of Robbie's eyeglasses are perfectly tinted. "It doesn't have to mean something, letters can be anything. There's no rules."

"Letters always mean something," Link says, insistent.

Something, nothing, anything; he hates hearing and seeing those words.

The sound of his breathing is loud in his ears, and his hand tightens against the fabric of his tunic, around the shape of the envelopes, as he waits for Robbie to respond.

"You're right," Robbie says. The tone of his voice shifts, as if something has clicked, as if he understands something that Link doesn't understand.

Link takes a step back.

"There's always a meaning..." Robbie's voice sounds smaller and smaller, until Link can't even hear the rest...

He takes another step to the door as his other hand reaches for the Sheikah Slate on his hip.

"Thanks for the armor," Link says, his fingers fumbling on the screen, and he taps onto the closest icon he finds.

"Link—"

Blinding blue light swallows his vision, and Link ceases to exist for just a split second.

——————————————————————

He ended up somewhere in Gerudo, and he sat there for five grueling hours on the edge of a Sheikah Tower before teleporting to Purah's lab to hand her the stash of envelopes.

Now, Link stares down at the empty parchment paper on his desk. He fishes for the single letter he stole from Robbie's stockpile of envelopes.

He hasn't opened it yet—for some reason, he feels like he won't like what he'll see. If it really is just meaningless? Just something... that doesn't really matter? Then what? What matters then, if his own thoughts were going to be considered something useless and unimportant?

Something shiny on it keeps catching his eyes, and irritably, Link stands up to glare at the object on the table downstairs.

The sunlight that glints off of the blade of the Master Sword winks at him. Maybe it's even laughing at him. Sometimes it feels like it is. He stiffly sits back down and hunches over the table so that he doesn't have to see that annoying glint anymore.

Why do people write again? Koko writes letters to her mom, because it means everything to her. It makes her feel better, and Link wants to feel better, so he's going to write, because unlike Robbie, Koko writes with meaning.

Zelda.

It comes out so sloppy, it looks like he wrote Zehdae.

He crumples up the paper and tosses it over his shoulder.

Z...e…l…d…a…

Zelda.

It's the best looking name he's ever written.

"Zelda," he says, loud and clear. But the dry air around him remains quiet.

The longer he stares at the shape of her name, the weirder it looks.

Who is Zelda? Is she the girl from his memories? The girl stuck in the castle? Is she the words that people whisper about? There's a Zelda in his head, a Zelda in the world around him. There's even one that hides in his heart, but that's a Zelda he'll never get to meet.

Link watches the ink from the tip of the quill drip onto the parchment. It taints her name with four dark droplets of varying sizes, but he can still read it, so he doesn't throw it away.

He decides to start off with a question first.

#botw #breath of the wild #zelink #ummm #my fanfics #honestly not sure how I feel about it but like who cares!!#i say let's go wild and post everything #yeah!!#also enduracarrotchips on the slim chance ur reading this i'm working on the prompt u sent me asdghs

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the-13th-battalion · 4 years

Note

⭐ have a star!!! For that one ask!!!

OK SORRY THIS TOOK ME A WHILE I really wanted to talk about chapter two of Where The Shadow Ends but I had to post it first skdkkskd

Here we go I have a lot of thoughts!!

He sighed wearily as he marched the perimeter of camp. His eyes passed over bunches of troopers huddled together in the mud, some of them lifting gaunt faces or giving him a salute. He tried to look past the battered men as he weaved through drooping, muddy tents and stepped around empty crates once filled to the brim with medical supplies and food. He prayed it was only more mud squelching in his boots, not blood, he had stepped in a lot of blood, too much blood-

He slammed his bucket back on his head. He swallowed against his nausea and forced his feet to keep moving, forced his eyes to keep searching.

Cody reached the other end of camp. He stopped and stared out at the smoke veiled wasteland, broken battle droids and hollow armor stacked in separate piles dotting the burnt landscape. Something quivered in his heart as he looked upon one of too many empty helmets. A blurry image of Obi-Wan's haunted eyes filled the blackened gaps.

He's not made for war. Not like us.

A more urgent thought followed. I have to find him.

He turned on his heel, as sharply as the mud would allow, and continued his circle.

I was talking with my friend about this before I started writing and she said "what if they were losing a battle" and I got this image of a vast, gray landscape covered in smoke and ash and blood, and all these piles of broken droids and neat rows of helmets and I was like "*crying* yup that'll work"

Also I will take EVERY opportunity to mention that Obi-Wan is too kind, too peaceful, for the violence and death he was given during the clone wars :( he didn't deserve any of it!

"Waxer and Boil are tending to the shinies."

This little section of dialogue from Cody is a random thought I had about the 212th. Waxer and Boil are the perfect ones to take over the care and feeding of shinies after their first battles. I can't imagine the absolute horror and grief these poor boys went through... they need some people like Waxer and Boil to talk them through anything bothering them, to help them breathe, to bundle them in blankets or give them food or whatever they need <3

He hesitated. Cody had shaken Obi-Wan from long meditations before, but this time felt different. Cody could practically see the weight resting on Obi-Wan's shoulders. He watched his eyes roam under his eyelids and his heart ached to imagine the horrors he might be reliving.

I can't let him do this alone.

This part here is a reference to a headcanon I share! Cody (and other people who love Obi-Wan) shake Obi-Wan out of long meditations because they're probably unhealthy! No one should spend so much time in their own thoughts, especially when it's most likely sad guilty thoughts :( also I imagine the Force is an ocean and one can actually drown in it...

Obi-Wan's eyes flew open and he let out a startled gasp. He grappled for a hold on Cody's arm, a grounding technique he recognized from watching Anakin interact with Obi-Wan. Cody unclipped his vambrace and allowed it to fall to the ground, giving Obi-Wan an easier grip. He waited as Obi-Wan took one, then two carefully calculated breaths.

This!! Right here!! Apart from being one of my favorite soft moments, this is a reference again to people shaking Obi out of long meditations. I bet Anakin does this more than anyone else, and I bet Cody has witnessed this. Anakin is probably no stranger to panic and needing to be grounded, so I headcanon that he created this method. Anyone who needs to be grounded can just grab hold of his arm. Obi probably has this as pure instinct now and just...grabbed Cody's arm, and then Cody was like "oh crap that's probably not comfy with my armor" and sdkdkks I'm getting sidetracked

Obi-Wan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Cody's chest tightened. Kriff it. I hope Fuzzy still has a stash of his migraine medication.

Honestly I wholeheartedly believe Obi-Wan gets migraines in canon. Also citing this gives me another excuse to yell about F U Z Z Y *sobbing*

"Yes, but sometimes, they are a glimpse of the future." Obi-Wan sighed. His hand went to the bridge of his nose again. "My master believed in visions and prophecies and such, but I never did, even though I had a recurring vision when I was a padawan. He had me seeing mind healers for it. He believed it was some sort of terrible premonition."

Cody imagined a much smaller, younger version of Obi-Wan in a huge chair, his freckled nose crinkled in indignation and his little arms crossed. He began to smile. "What did you think?"

"I thought it was just a nightmare."

This is a nod to the first chapter, but also mostly to headcanons I share about Obi's struggles with visions as a child. I think about it a lot, mostly because it's super dramatic and we all know I'm extremely dramatic lol

also I wanted an excuse to write in angry baby Obi in a big chair

Obi-Wan's smile faded too quickly. He stared down at his free hand, fingers absently twisting in the hem of his tunic. "They're all counting on me, Cody. They're all relying on me to lead them safely through hell. They trust me, and I can't let them down, but sometimes I look at their faces and the weight of that responsibility nearly crushes me."

The admission hung in the air for several heartbeats before Cody spoke. "Permission to speak freely, sir?"

"Granted," came the immediate reply.

"You were not made for this war, but what you've done in it, what you continue to do, is incredible. You have inspired so many people to stand and fight for a peaceful future. You have brought light to the darkest places and joy to the most sorrowful hearts. That's what they see, that's what I see. That's why we trust you. We see a man who fights for truth and justice, but fights with honor and mercy. A man who would lay down his life for a stranger. A man who genuinely cares for the people in this galaxy, for the people he loves."

Back when this fic was just an idea, I was bouncing ideas off my friend and she suggested a part about Obi-Wan discussing the pressure he feels in his position as a general and like a hundred other jobs. I loved it, and it morphed into THIS.

I'm not saying Cody's simping, but Cody's simping.

The storm in Obi-Wan's eyes calmed. "That's rather poetic of you."

Cody's cheeks reddened. "Ah...you left your datapad open once. You were reading poetry when you fell asleep. It...caught my eye."

Obi-Wan laughed. "I'm glad someone else enjoys a good poem. You know, poetry should be read aloud. Perhaps I should read some sometime, to you and the others."

Cody smiled. "That would be nice."

LISTEN!! OBI-WAN READS POETRY!!! He's such a poetry kind of guy HONESTLY

As Obi-Wan's gentle voice lifted into the night air, many of the troopers huddled together to sleep under shared blankets on what patches of dry ground they could find. His voice carried across the camp. Hundreds of hearts beat in unison as the words filled their heads and peace flooded their veins.

Cody fell asleep with his cheek resting on Obi-Wan's tousled hair, lulled by hushed lines of poetry in a Coruscanti accent. Obi-Wan drifted off not long after, his head on Cody's shoulder, their fingers still entwined.

LET THE 212TH CUDDLE 2021

Also I wrote that last paragraph before I wrote most of this fic so like I was leading up to this the whole time... they deserve the hugs <3

THIS WAS REALLY LONG OOPS anyway those are my thoughts :)

#YEET #thank you for the ask!!#star wars #star wars fanfiction #my fic #obi wan kenobi #commander cody

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litwitlady · 4 years

Text

When You Go, Take Me With You

On a warm July morning, Thomas Mann – not his real name, mind you – finds himself hauling ass down 285, praying that the airstream doesn’t come unhitched. Tommy has spent the last 11 months in Santa Fe grifting seniors in assisted living facilities out of their hard-earned nest eggs. But someone’s greedy little grandson finally noticed his grandmother’s savings dwindling away and called the authorities. He’s been riding hard all night and can’t remember the last time he ate. But he’s got a rap sheet three pages long and knows if he gets caught, he’ll never see the light of day again.

Eventually, his stomach wears him down, though, and he stops in Roswell at a kitschy little diner he hopes he can disappear into long enough to satisfy his basic needs. Halfway through his cheese fries, three sheriff’s deputies walk in and as they are chatting with the waitress at the counter, Tommy sneaks out and takes the scenic route back towards his pickup. He can’t really say he’s much surprised to find the actual Sheriff knocking on the airstream’s door. Knowing he’s lost this battle, he decides to cut his losses and run. The old Ford pickup is eventually auctioned off, but the airstream ends up in the impound lot collecting dust for the next year.

And then one day Michael Guerin accidentally illegally parks his truck on the Long farm where he promptly passes out drunk across the bench seat. Daddy Long calls the Sheriff and Michael’s arrested. Again. Max bails him out and drives him over to the Chavez County impound lot to collect his truck. And that’s where Michael Guerin falls in love for the second time in his life. The shiny, silver airstream gleams in the morning sunlight and he’s never seen anything more beautiful. Not in a long while, anyway. He convinces Max to bargain with the county in order to buy the airstream for him. Michael knows they will laugh him out of the precinct, but Max is one of their own. He parts ways with every single penny he’s ever made, but he’s rewarded with the first permanent roof he’s ever had.

Not that Michael expects the trailer to be a permanent thing. After all, no home has ever been forever. Most haven’t lasted longer than a year or so. Besides his truck, of course. The mere idea that the airstream is mobile proves the impermanence of the situation. He can flit from place to ungodly place without settling down with any actual intent. There’s beauty in the nomadic nature of it all. Mostly, he doesn’t have to worry about being rained on any longer or crashing on Isobel’s sofa or cuddling up with Sanders’ dog. So, he’s happy. Content. Proud, even.

The trailer is cramped. The engine is shit. And the toilet is literally two feet from where he lays his head at night. How he convinces any of his hookups to climb into that tiny bed with him is anyone’s guess. There’s been more than one conquest sent home with multiple bruises. Once he burns a piece of toast so badly that he can’t sleep inside for a week. There’s no storage, the floor is lopsided, and Isobel refuses to step inside for two whole years. But hey, nothing’s perfect.

After a year together, Michael and the airstream find a balance that works for them. He covers the windows with old newspaper, adapts to being very, very tidy, and sleeps outside when the claustrophobia sets in. He even fashions a front patio out of some old oak pallets he finds in the junkyard. In return, the trailer gives him privacy, a sense of autonomy, and a place to bring Alex Manes when he returns from his first tour overseas. And every tour after that.

Not that he was looking to bring Alex back to his place, of course. He hadn’t even known Alex was back. And then suddenly, there he is. Laughing with Arturo in the Crashdown. Michael hardly recognizes him with the regulation haircut and newly lean body. He tells himself to walk away, but the universe has other ideas. Alex spots him and his whole face lights up. No one has ever looked at Michael like that and he’s lost all over again.

Over the next decade, the airstream begins to collect memories. Isobel blowing the door open and taking her first steps inside to shout at him that she’s engaged. Max showing up at 3 am like clockwork every year on Liz Ortecho’s birthday because he’s smashed and doesn’t want to hear Iz’s lectures. The Sheriff’s random visits for one reason or another; he suspects she’s spying on him. The brief time he lets an old, senior dog share his space. There’s still dog hair in the many nooks and crannies.

And then there’s Alex.

He’s everywhere - in every corner, every empty inch of space – filling up the entire trailer. Sprawled naked across the narrow bed, one long, gorgeous leg hanging off the side. Standing over the small stove laughing as Michael teaches him how to make the perfect omelet. Two old Air Force t-shirts stashed deep in his closet that Michael will swear up and down he doesn’t know exist. The silly little cartoon of a cowboy he’s scribbled on every single yellowed newspaper taped to the windows. And the one solitary heart drawn in permanent ink right above Michael’s pillow. He’ll never admit how many times he’s traced that doodle and prayed that Alex’s heart is still beating.

Not every memory is happy, however. He and Alex have always fought as hard as they’ve loved. How many times Alex has stormed out, slamming the door behind him. The sound echoing off the trailer’s tinny walls, door hinges growing whinier as the years go by. Tears shed in anger and in desperate sadness every time the Air Force calls him back to some violent conflict a world away. Damn near feral sex fucked out through those same tears. The sun rising over two beaten, broken hearts the next morning. Another goodbye. Another lonely year stretching out into the desert wasteland. And suddenly the airstream feels suffocating and enduring. Set in stone and unmovable as Alex walks away one more time.

In the in-between times, Michael nurses his bruised heart out on Foster’s Ranch, punishing his body with grueling manual labor. He settles the trailer into an anonymous patch of dust and scrub brush. He begins to collect various trailer accoutrement. First, a rusted, used patio set he grabs off someone’s teetering trash pile. Next, a ‘free parking’ sign he finds abandoned on the side of Route 60. On Alex’s next leave, he’ll mark out the ‘free’ and write ‘no’ in its place. Michael will try hard not to overthink the implication. Isobel says he’s nesting, jokes that he should hang up a cross-stitched ‘Home Sweet Home’. Michael begins to panic.

At the end of ten years, he gives up. The airstream is home. There’s no point in denying the most basic fact of his existence any longer. The impermanent is now permanent. He flicks off the tin bucket and then lovingly wipes away some mud caked on the tire well. Love/hate, defined.

He returns to the trailer after another stint in the drunk tank (a home away from home, if you will) to find a uniformed Alex Manes knocking on his door. He knows he shouldn’t be surprised to find him there – Isobel, after all, had been the one to organize his hero’s parade down Main Street. But it’s been two years with no contact – the longest they’ve ever gone – and so when Alex turns to meet his eyes, the breath is knocked right out of him. So begins another cycle of fight or flight. The airstream will play centerstage. He can almost hear the aging trailer sigh.

But this time the cycle ends differently. Michael moves the airstream into the Wild Pony’s parking lot, shocking everyone. Ostensibly to keep Maria DeLuca safe. But really just to be near her energy, her spirit, her laughter. He hopes to love her. He wants to be good for someone, goddammit. But deep down he’s worried he never will be. That he’s about as solid and steady as his home on wheels. Good enough for a little while, but never long enough to last. Always ready to roll off a cliff with the slightest push.

He hates when he’s right.

Maria breaks up with him in a hospital room. The next night he meticulously searches the airstream for anything she might have left behind. A shoe, a bra, some lipstick. But there’s nothing and he feels like the trailer is out to get him, shoving those two old Air Force t-shirts in his face. The tiny, scribbled cowboys serenading him with derisive laughter. The black heart mocking him. And Michael can’t take it anymore. He slams the airstream’s door shut, nearly knocking it off its stupid creaky hinges and calls Isobel, all but demanding she meet him at the Pony. He needs a drink. Maybe several. And a shoulder to brood on. Perhaps he should call Max instead.

Michael doesn’t expect open mic night. He doesn’t expect Alex Manes and his dumb angel voice. He doesn’t expect to be confronted with the one answer he’s always wanted. But home is a tricky business. Especially for an alien stranded in the foster care system on the wrong planet. As Alex sings his song – asking Michael to come home – everything becomes crystal clear. And Michael tries to telepathically tell the airstream to go fuck itself. He’s pretty sure it doesn’t work.

Because here’s the thing. Home can be a person.

The answer has always been that easy and that impossible. And the airstream has always known. Watching all these years as the two of them danced around each other. The ultimate grift. The longest con job this side of the Milky Way. Michael Guerin has been played, marked, and left wanting. His genius brain duped and cheated. The airstream has never been more than a shit engine and lopsided floors.

After Michael leaves the Pony that night, he moves in with Isobel. And he goes to work. On himself – AA meetings, college classes, mending all his relationships with Max, with Maria. With Alex. And on the airstream – gutting the inside and converting the space into an admittedly revolutionary eco-friendly garden greenhouse.

Once the project is finished, he attaches the toe hitch to his Chevy and heads east until he pulls into the Chavez County Children’s Home. The director meets him outside and shakes his hand with tears in her eyes. Michael walks her and several of the children through the garden, excitedly explaining all the vegetables and flowers he’s planted. Isobel arrives to take pictures for the local paper and secretly shed several of her own tears. She watches Michael happily playing with all the kids and teaching them the wonders of composting. Soon, he gives her a kiss on the cheek and climbs back into his truck. He’s got one final stop to make.

As he drives through the center of Roswell, something swells in Michael’s chest. He knows this place so well – has been arrested on nearly every corner. The Crashdown has always welcomed him with a warm meal and silly antennae. New Roswell High – with all its memories, good and bad. The UFO Emporium – or what was the UFO Emporium – with its fake alien displays and empty corners perfect for kissing sweet emo boys with the biggest of hearts. Of all the places to crash land, Roswell hasn’t turned out so bad. It’s truly a stunning conclusion.

When he arrives at his destination, he pulls into the driveway next to Alex’s green Explorer, grabs his two duffel bags, and heads to the front door. He opens the lock with his key and shouts to Alex that he’s home.

#michael guerin #malex #malex fic #i never thought i'd write something michael centric #not sure it works but i tried #so have 2K words and fuck the 4th

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fox-fic-and-ink · 4 years

Note

Just seen the list and 15 for shiro/lush or osiris/saint if it's not too much trouble

We need some Shiro/Lush fluff after the last few angsts! 15, "You have no idea how much I want you right now." A little nsfw but your brain can run free at the end.

"You believe these things used to be all over the place?"

"It's not so different from the markets in the City," Shiro says right before he is reminded of the great, glass dome overhead and the chandeliers in every split hall. "Except maybe a bit more excessive."

Which, in part, is what made Shiro think to share this place with the Awoken Hunter. Bright eyes flick over every piece of once shiny decor and architecturally complicated feature.

Lush tugs Shiro gleefully over to the broken arch of a door-sized glass panel where a map was once projected and Lush's Ghost, Hops, hacks the remains to present the Guardians with a holographic rendering of the mall layout.

"Ah! It's huge!"

Sure enough, the overgrowth of trees and brush outside has done a spectacular job of hiding the scope of the place which Shiro had only barely glimpsed in a flyover months ago.

"Hey," Shiro pokes his eager partner in the rib. "Don't get carried away. We only have an hour until rendezvous."

Lush doesn't pout. It would waste too much time. Instead he takes Shiro's arm and tugs until they fall into a quick jog. "Just the highlights for now! You'll bring me back after!"

Lush jumps the counter of the first food stand they find.

"Welcome, handsome wanderer! What can I get for you?"

Shiro squints at the cracked and faded menu overhead. "I'll have a large...uh...whatever used to be where that bird nest is now."

Lush's whole body twists with laughter and then he rushes through the tattered curtain leading to the hidden food prep area. There's some rummaging and a gasp before the Hunter returns with a swollen bucket slopping black something that expired the Maker knows when.

"Bad news, handsome wanderer!"

Shiro takes his turn behind the counter and plunks keys on the mossy cash register as Lush reads everything off the menu and adds on a few he makes up. Shiro states some fantastic total at the end and earns himself another one of those bubbling laughs.

They pass dozens of shops at a brisk pace. Most have clearly been ransacked at some point or other. Some, like electronic-based entertainment stores, greeting card shops, and knickknackeries seem largely undisturbed. Lush pulls them into an apparel store for a fashion show but most of the clothing is rotting off the racks so they arrange the mannequins into a tableaux instead.

A shopping cart race too close to an inert escalator leads Shiro to a twisted arm and an impromptu bullet/revival combo. Only after he's back up does Lush laugh until tears stream down his cheeks.

Time is drawing to a close when they jog past a shuttered corner business. Lush's boots squeal when he halts suddenly and backs up for a better look. "Shiro!"

The Exo pads back, swerving back around a fallen section of ceiling and the vines that dip down four stories to brush the mall floor. Lush is already tugging at the rusted cage but he's trying to be gentle about it. Shiro checks his internal clock and rips the protective shutters away from the concrete wall to the pop of locks and horrible scratch of metal as it drags across the floor.

"I was going to put it back," Lush explains but then shrugs and places a quick kiss on Shiro's cheek. "Thanks though."

Lush practically skips inside and it's instantly clear what caught the Hunter's eye.

"Wow." Shiro can't help but gawk at the find. "I've never seen so much jewelry in one place."

"Isn't it gorgeous!"

Lush wipes a display case with his sleeve and practically puts his nose to the glass for a closer look. The Awoken is the one with the appetite for shiny baubles. What Shiro sees is bartering material for parts and the rare outside labor on his ship.

The Exo is still debating if they'll fetch more by keeping the pieces whole or by separating rare metals from gems, when he notices Lush has made his way behind the display cases and is crushing locks with a precise, void-wreathed fist. There's three necklaces glittering around the Awoken's neck by the time Shiro pipes up in reminder. "Andal's rule is no more personal plunder than you can carry."

"Andal's not here," Lush counters with an easy smile and slips a stack of bangles over his slim wrist. "But even if he were, we're not technically on a run yet. Also, I'm wearing it, not carrying it."

Shiro concedes that point. "You better stash it all away before we see Cayde though. He's gonna want to know where you got it."

"There's two bookstores, an arcade, and a bowling alley in this place. With Cayde's weird instincts, he will find it on his own. We'll just be sure to take the best stuff now."

Shiro shakes his head fondly as Lush examines himself and his gaudy collection of heaped jewelry in one of the shop's many mirrors. If Lush didn't glitter before, he most certainly would now. Though some of the smaller pieces are quite pretty against the pastels of the Awoken's skin. Shiro might suggest they personally keep just a few pieces. Lush catches Shiro staring and winks before continuing on his magpie rampage. Shiro doesn't blush but he feels a telling warmth building in his chest.

"Oooh! And what have we here?"

An entire tray of rings is liberated from its case and set on top.

"Now I know you don't have enough fingers for all those," Shiro teases.

Lush grins and reaches across the counter to snatch Shiro and bring him closer. "You're right! Better give me your hands too."

The Exo is so used to being pushed and pulled along that he follows easily even if he huffs. "I don't want to wear all this nonsense."

"Hmm. You're right." For the first time since they tore open the shutters, Lush seems to stop and consider Shiro with his plain but functional armor and almost gunmetal paint job. Lush scans the tray of rings. With a small 'aha' he bypasses all the large, sparkling stones and swooping designs to pluck a single band. He tugs off Shiro's glove and slips on the ring. The thing sits perfectly at the base of Shiro's finger.

"Oh!" Lush giggles. "It's kismet!"

Shiro blinks at the band of gold with its warm amber inlay. The colors aren't so bad.

"You know, most City couples wear a ring on their right hand when they get engaged," Lush whispers as if it's a particularly important secret and taps the tip of Shiro's right finger- the one with the newly acquired ring. "Then, when they get married, they switch the ring to their left hand."

Lush picks out another ring. This one is the same gold but thinner with a gentle loop around a smooth piece of amber and he holds it up to the fourth finger of his left hand so Shiro can picture it there forever.

The words tumble right out of Shiro's hanging mouth. "You have no idea how much I want you right now."

Lush's laugh fills the shop. He places the smaller ring in Shiro's hand and then offers his right with a prompting flick of the fourth finger. "Do it and we'll celebrate."

The ring slips right onto Lush's finger with just enough room for the Awoken Hunter to then curl his hand in Shiro's as the Exo hauls the smaller man across the counter- piled jewels and all- for a spectacular kiss.

When Lush comes up for breath, he orders sweetly, "Now take off my pants."

*Prompts currently closed. Btw, I am without income due to the pandemic. Tips are greatly appreciated! https://ko-fi.com/foxficandink

Or join me on Patreon for more fic.

https://www.patreon.com/foxficandink?fan_landing=true

#destiny #destiny 2 #shiro #lush #shiro/lush #prompts

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geekyladypumpkin · 4 years

Text

The tea incident

Resupply days were always a breath of fresh air. After a battle the simple fact of knowing you have enough rations to feed your men and enough ammo to blast the clankers put a lot of minds at ease.

These days are all the more important for medical where it seems supplies are always short.

Ayana was in the main medbay looking over the inventory where troopers could be seen carrying around crates from one end to the other and organizing supplies.

''Hey Coric?'' they called to a trooper putting away some bacta patches. ''Do you have the manifest for the bacta crates? I have 5 less than what was requisitioned.'' Coric paused his movements to look at a datapad lying on a chair. ''That's because they delivered 5 less. They're starting to ration the supplies. The same thing happened with hypos and stims.''

Ayana looked back at their datapad. It's the second time this month that the resupply came short. The senate was already making budget cuts due to the war. If this was happening 6 months into it, they shivered at the thought of what else they would cut if the war dragged on.

''I'll try to slip a word about it to the General next time I see him.'' Coric gave them a tired smile, ''If you think it will help Lieutenant.'' They both knew that if there were budget cuts there was probably not much General Skywalker could do. If that was the case, they would have to figure out alternative means to fill in the gaps, maybe call up Amaya and see if there was anything she could come up with.

Ayana kept scrolling down on the list of items looking for one in particular. After scanning the list for the third time, they gave a small sigh and put the datapad down on the desk beside them. '' Has anyone seen my supplements?'' That immediately sent a small wave of amusement through the troopers, Kix not even hiding his giggles that traitor. A series of negatives sounded off from everyone. Ayana pinched the bridge of their nose. The misplacement of their food supplements had become some kind of running joke among the medics. Sometimes Ayana was lucky to find them properly labelled and in the appropriate crate. Unfortunately, more often than not they had to scour the different manifest to find where they had been stashed.

''That's what happens when you try to smuggle tea in with it.'' Kix says with a grin plastered on his face. Ayana directs a glare at him. ''I don't know what you're talking about. The only thing in that box is supplements and sleeping aids.''

''Yes and engineering definitely isn't brewing moonshine under the barracks.'' Coric pipes in while still sorting supplies.

Strictly speaking the tea relaxed their nerves and Ayana could use a cup right about now. Sleep was a fickle thing for them these days. Never mind the fact that their sister slipped a couple of credits to make sure people looked the other way when inspecting said box. Kix stood up from his position crouched in front of a crate and walked to the desk where the discarded datapad was and began flipping through the list. ''Maybe they got mixed in the mess supplies again? They do look a lot like condiments packets. It's the most likely place after here.''

Ayana picked up their helmet for the desk and puts it on ''Yeah I'll go take a look.''

''Tell us if you find it.'' Kix says. Ayana waves at him in acknowledgement before leaving the medbay.

Because they may joke about this but when it comes down to it if Ayana doesn't find that box by the end of the day they'll help them search every nook and cranny of the ship for it. They quickly found out that while they could survive on light and water it certainly wasn't ideal.

The mess was quiet at this time. The last meal rush wasn't for another two hours and only a couple of troopers were dispersed around. Ayana made for the door that leading to the back area and knocked twice. A scruff reply came through the door ''Foods not ready. Come back later!''

''It's Ayana. I just need a quick look at the storage.'' There was a bit of shuffling before the door opened revealing a trooper with a bald head and a bit of a stubble. ''Supplements got misplaced again?'' Ayana gave a shot nod, ''It would appear so. Can I take a look in the back?''

''Sure.'' The trooper replied. ''Got some shinnies sorting through there right now. Maybe they've seen it.'' He stepped to the side to let them pass through. A few other troopers were also there behind stations preparing food. Nothing fancy but it was probably better than rations. ''Thanks Chef!''

Weaving through the troopers without disturbing them Ayana reaches the door at the back of the room. The storage was neatly organized. Chef run's a tight ship after all. Whispering can be heard somewhere within the rows. As they go through from row to row trying to locate the two shines, the conversation becomes clearer.

''You sure these aren't condiment packets. It tastes like salt to me.'' A voice whispered,

''No can't be. Those come in another packaging. These don't look regulation at all.'' the other whispers back.

''You think we found Chef's contraband?'' Says the first one in a mischievous tone.

As Ayana round one of the rows they see two troopers sitting on the floor with the coveted supplements between the two of them.

''Well what do we have here.'' Ayana says their tone almost gleefull as they step into the row.

They both scramble to their feet standing at attention. ''Sir!'' Ayana walks towards them, bends down and pick up the bag containing small gray packets. They then look at both of the men. Not so shiny if they already have their paint. The one with the hand print on his chest plate feels familiar but they can't quite place where they've seen him before.

''Well I'm waiting trooper...'' They trail off purposely ''Echo, sir! And this is Fives. We were looking at some of the new requisition for Sergeant Chef when we found this. It's not on any of the lists''

''And why pray tell you didn't advise the Sergeant of this error?'' Ayana replies. Letting them squirm a little.

''We wanted to try to figure out what it was before bothering him.'' the one called Fives replied, ''We didn't so we were just about to do that when you arrived Sir.'' Echo added hastily. Ayana didn't feel a lie coming from him. Although they didn't know if Fives agreed with what Echo said.

''Well you won't have to do that. These packets are supposed to be in medicals resupply. You didn't eat what's in it did you?'' Ayana wishes they could see their faces behind those buckets.

''Just a little to see what they were. It's not bad is it'' Echo speaks his voice wavering a bit.

''We'll that depends. These are fast acting laxatives. I say you have about an hour before they take effect.'' They say in the most serious tone they can muster. You could hear a pin drop in the silence that followed. Ayana manages to keep a straight face under their helmet for a good 30 seconds before they let out a laugh. The two seem to relax a bit at that.

''At ease. I'm just pulling your legs. These are just my food supplements. They get mixed up all the time.'' At that they seem to relax a bit further, dropping their rigid stance ever so slightly.

''Good one Sir.'' Fives replies. ''Now I just need the other pack that was in the box they came in and I'll get out of your hair'' Ayana says looking around for the discarded box containing the coveted tea. Maybe they could have some quiet time before the mess got too rowdy.

Just like that the two troopers went back to being rigid as a stick. Ayana zeroed in on Echo.

''Where is the box.'' They said with a strained tone.

''Well you see, there was something loose in it, like those things you see sometimes in fragile boxes, and we just thought it was part of the packaging so we sort of...threw it in the garbage.”'

Ayana's brain stalls for a bit. He can't really have just said that. This is not happening.

''So let me get this straight, not only did you find a box that wasn't in the requisitions, you threw half the contents with the box and then tasted the other half! And at no point did it cross your minds to ask a superior?!'' They concluded channeling every once of authority they could muster.

Fives seems to want to speak but they're silenced before he can get anything out. Ayana stepped forward until they could hear their breathing through the buckets.

''Well I hope you didn't have plans for tomorrow morning because I want to see you bright and early for a bit of training. I expect to see you at 0500 in training bay 3 in full kit. Am I clear!'' They said with finality.

''Sir, Yes Sir!''

With that they turned away and stalked out the storage and back to the medbay. If they weren't getting any sleep tonight, those two would have to suffer as well.

#star wars #clone wars #clone wars oc #star wars the clone wars #kix #coric #fives #echo #The trials and tribulations of Ayana Vonshuten #Ayana #tea is sacred #especially when its the only thing they can have besides water #i swear this makes sense in my head

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mst3kproject · 6 years

Photo

301: Cave Dwellers

Have you ever gotten the feeling that they were just making these movies up as they went along? Oh boy, have I got a story for you!

Achronus the Great One has discovered the secrets of the Geometric Nucleus, which is… um… okay, I admit it, I have no idea what it is. Lord Zor, the Darth Vader to Achronus’ Obi-Wan, wants the Nucleus for himself, so Achronus sends his daughter Mila to find the warrior Ator, the only man capable of protecting such a terrible weapon. Mila convinces Ator and his sidekick Thong that their planet needs them, and although it only took her four hours to get to their place, the three of them spend approximately six weeks heading back, stopping for a couple of side quests while Achronus and Zor trade bullshit philosophical dialogue. At last Zor is defeated, and Ator takes the Geometric Nucleus away and detonates it in stock footage of a 50’s nuclear test.

This movie is fucking amazing. Nothing in it makes sense. Achronus keeps the Geometric Nucleus in a hole in the wall and Mila has never noticed this bright glowing thing before despite the fact that she lives there. Ator apparently carries a fucking hang-glider around in his loincloth or something. Literally all of the dialogue is nonsense, especially the stuff that comes out of Achronus’ or Zor’s mouths. Thong never talks, although Ator makes several references to him having been right about something… I like to imagine that he actually doesn’t speak English and is doing some other quest of his own, with no idea why Ator and Mila are following him around. They never give us the slightest idea of what the Geometric Nucleus actually is, besides it being bright and shiny and able to destroy the world if it falls into the wrong hands. Maybe it’s the seventh infinity stone.

But I promised you a story, didn’t I? All right – well, according to an interview with David Cain Haughton, who played Zor, Cave Dwellers is the way it is because they literally improvised the whole thing. The actors turned up to be in some completely different caveman movie, but that got canned at the last minute. Director Joe D’Amato still wanted to make a movie, so he decided to make one anyway, whether or not he had things like a ‘story’ or a ‘script’. He’d already made Ator, the Fighting Eagle starring Miles O’Keefe, so since O’Keefe was there they did an Ator sequel, literally making the whole thing up as they went along!

That explains so much. It explains why we never learn what the Geometric Nucleus is – they never bothered figuring it out. It explains why the conversations between Zor and Achronus are total nonsense – they were literally first drafts. It explains the invisible assassins – they didn’t have any extras that day. It explains why Ator’s love interest from the first movie dies offscreen in narration – the actress wasn’t available on such short notice. It explains the random caveman footage in the opening – that was the only thing shot for the original movie before they were told they couldn’t make it anymore. I could probably list every single confusing or nonsensical thing from the entire film and explain it in this way… except the hang-glider. There’s no explaining the hang-glider.

That would be a boring review, though, and my specialty is analyzing that which defies analysis. What is there, then, to analyze in Cave Dwellers? The movie seems to have two intentional points that are repeated throughout, and these are explicit enough that I think D’Amato and the cast probably talked about them and agreed to use them as unifying themes. The first is the idea that human ingenuity is both our greatest strength and the greatest threat to our survival.

This is hardly a new or unique idea – we saw basically the same thing, much better-executed, in First Spaceship on Venus. Although Cave Dwellers is pretty explicit about this theme, it doesn’t actually put a lot of effort into it. The Geometric Nucleus, which seems to represent human hubris and which Achronus didn’t dare to show even to Mila, never does anything and is only a MacGuffin. Achronus states that imagination – ingenuity, the ability to invent – is as important as knowledge, which is a sentiment I’m sure any scientist or engineer worth their NaCl could get behind, but we don’t see a lot of ingenuity saving the day in this movie. Mila is able to break out of the cell by making her own gunpowder Captain-Kirk-style, and Ator later uses gunpowder against the cavemen and during his castle flyover, but the payoff of this doesn’t seem to match the setup. Ator and Thong throwing their cloaks over the invisible ninjas is some nice improv, but when confronted with the giant snake Ator simply fights his way out.

I think the big ‘ingenuity saves the day’ moment is supposed to be when Ator appears on his hang-glider, but I refuse to believe he built that thing in the woods in five minutes. Achronus says he taught Ator the secret of flight, so I find it much more plausible that they’d stashed the glider in the woods somewhere earlier, and Ator just dug it up and patched a couple of holes.

The other ostensible conviction of Cave Dwellers is that all human beings are equal. This is stated several times, both by Achronus and by Ator, and to their credit both actually act on it. Achronus asks Zor to treat Sandor the Magician with mercy, even though Sandor is also Achronus’ enemy, and insists that Zor himself stand trial rather than letting Ator kill him outright. Ator allows himself to be distracted by the plight of the village of Solachek, despite Mila’s objections, because the people there are no less important or in need of rescue than her father.

At the same time, Cave Dwellers presents us with a profoundly unequal world. In the opening shots we see the titular Cave Dwellers, sitting in filthy caverns eating raw meat and killing each other for no apparent reason. Then we leave them and meet Achronus and Mila, who live in a castle and benefit from textiles, metallurgy, medicine, and literacy. Somewhere in the middle are the people of Solachek, who seem closer to Achronus and Ator’s medieval world than the Cave Dwellers’ prehistoric one, but are still very primitive. Exactly what the relationship is between these three levels of society is very unclear. The cavemen seem to live in isolation just because they eat anyone who intrudes, which I guess is fair enough, but what is Achronus in relation to people like the villagers?

The likeliest-seeming explanation to the historian in me is that he is a lord and they are his serfs. That would explain who feeds Achronus and Mila, since they clearly aren’t out tilling the fields in between conducting science experiments. Yet Achronus himself seems completely unaware of the outside world except insofar as it contains people like Zor and Ator, who are his intellectual if not always his moral equals. He is certainly not interested in the crisis in Solachek, though it seems like something he would probably disapprove of. The villagers never refer to any form of government except for the ‘elder’.

This failure of worldbuilding is, obviously, the sort of thing you get when you make shit up as you go instead of sitting down and thinking your story through properly. In the film itself, however, it just makes Achronus look like a rambling old hypocrite. He claims that all men are equal, but rather than righting any of the copious wrongs going on around him, he just hangs out in his castle all day wearing a robe and mixing beakers of kool-aid. In fact, it’s possible to make a similar argument about Ator: he says no one person’s life is more important than another’s, but when he wanders off to help the people of Solachek he lets us know that they are actually his own kin – his parents were born in the village. It’s hard to drive a lesson home in a movie when the characters who embody that lesson seem to be telling us to do as they say, not as they do.

Then there’s Zor, the villain. David Cain Haughton claims he was meant as a parody of mustache-twirling evil and honestly, that might be the best explanation for why Zor never does anything much. He invades Achronus’ castle and makes a couple of long-distance attempts to stop Mila and Ator, but for most of the movie we’re just watching him and Achronus stand around talking each other to death. He claims he could torture or kill Achronus if he wanted to but doesn’t because that would be too easy – indeed it would, then the movie would be over. Nor do we ever find out what Zor plans to do with the Geometric Nucleus if and when he gets it. I guess they couldn’t tell us that, since we would have to know what the damn thing does for it to make any sense.

Which brings us to what is possibly Cave Dwellers’ third intentional message: the anit-nuclear theme. This would be part of the thing about human ingenuity making us a danger to ourselves, and its hinted at several times. The name Geometric Nucleus and the idea that this object is a terrible weapon imply that it might be something atomic, although the fact that Achronus carries it around in a wine bucket seems to argue against it being radioactive. This actually led to a rather interesting discussion on the Sattelite of Love News episode guide for Cave Dwellers, as MSTies try to figure out if the movie is supposed to be prehistoric or post-apocalyptic. The opening narration, talking about long ago and the ‘fiery period of man’s ascendency’ seems to imply pre-historic, but the fact that Achronus calls the Geometic Nucleus a ‘discovery’ rather than an ‘invention’, and that the equipment available to him is in no way equal to controlling nuclear energy, would appear to speak to the latter. The easiest answer, I think, is that Cave Dwellers takes place, as many movies do, in another universe entirely – one that is obviously not constrained to make logical or narrative sense.

The footage Film Ventures International used over the opening credits is apparently from a movie called Thor and the Amazon Women. I definitely have to see that.

#mst3k #reviews #cave dwellers #80s #curiously caucasian cavepeople

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elliotthezubat · 6 years

Text

DEATH CITY DAYS CHAPTER 117

Duncan: *approaches the library desk* "..." *rings the bell--*

Poe: "EEEEEK!" *falls back*

Duncan: "..." *drops a pile of books* "Isn't there usually another librarian here?"

rowena: she's currently out on a mission.

Poe: "S-She's on a mission?" *picks himself up*

Duncan: "..."

*the books seem to be about weapon abilities...*

Poe: *flipping through the books, and as he scans one--*

Duncan: *spots an image of something called the Holy Sword* "What is--"

rowena: isnt that-

hiro: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! *KICKS THE BOOK INTO A WALL*

Duncan: "?!! I was reading that--"

Poe: "THAT IS DAMAGING LIBRARY PROPERTY!"

rowena: 0____0

hiro: trust me, the less known about that-...that THING...the better!

Duncan: "..." *wipes his eyes*

EF: *enters, panting* h-hiro..h-how do you even run that fast?

hiro: sixth sense.

Poe: "Oh, that's fascinating! Look, Rowena--psychic abilities..."

Duncan: *grabs the books, hugging them close as he walks away*

EF: *notices him* ??

rowena: is that true?!

hiro: only in regards to this subject.

rowena: is that so? could it be....you're a descendant of king arthur pendragon himself?!

*loud steps are heard running into the library*

rowena: hmm?

*the doors kick open--as Arthur slams his foot into Hiro's head*

EF: D8

hiro:......HOW DID YOU GET HERE ALL THE WAY FROM THE 8TH BRIGADE BASE?!

Arthur: "I AM THE KNIGHT KING--MY SPEED IS LEGENDARY!"

Poe: >3< "Shhh!"

EF:.....perhaps it's best not to question it anymore. *sweatdrop*

-elsewhere-

present mic: you guys ever think about having kids?

midnight: *SPITTAKE*

blood king: what brought this up?!

present mic: *shrug*

Aizawa: "...I already have cats and 2 morons."

midnight: oh, i could never have kids. i mean, i could, but i dont think i'd be able to look after small children. they may be cute, but they're crafty little buggers.

present mic: is it cuz your paranoid they'll get into your stash of stuff?

midnight: YOU DONT HAVE TO BE SO BLUNT ABOUT IT!! DX<

Aizawa: -_______-

*knock on the door*

blood king: ??

Shinso: *slides the door open...he's with Yuuji*

Aizawa: "Oh, there you are. Finish cleaning up?"

yuuji: yeah.

Shinso: *writes on whiteboard*

yuuji: well, i've had several younger siblings during my times in foster care, so i think i can handle them well enough.

blood king: *ahem* as i myself was about to say, my sister sometimes asks me to look after her little ones. *shows a picture on his phone of two young boys and a young girl, all with the same hair color and fangs as him*

Aizawa: "..."

Shinso:

blood king: they certainly are popular among my students.

{pony: SO CUUUTE!!}

{itsuka: they look just like you!}

{shouda: i wonder if their quirks will be the same as his.}

{kinoko: dude, that's rad}

yuuji: i see.

Aizawa: "You stop class to show baby photos?"

blood king: -_-; this was during homeroom.

Aizawa: "Still class."

blood king: >n<

midnight: boys, just because we're talking about children doesnt mean you should be acting like children.

Shinso: <Ha.>

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: *lying back in a beach chair* =u=

miyuri: *pokes a hole in the sand with her shovel until a crab comes out* oh!

Crab: "..." *steps to the side*

miyuri: *staring intently, with shiny eyes*

Crab: "..." *steps again to the side, picking at the sand*

sonia: *collecting rocks and shells*

*there's a shiny rock by the tide*

sonia: *picks it up*

*it sparkles like diamond under the sunlight*

sonia: *puts it into her bucket and walks over to chuuya*

Chuuya: *stretches* *looks* "Hey! How you enjoying the beach?"

sonia: pretty good. i found this.

Chuuya: "Wow, that's shiny!"

-near the rocks, the sound of a little girl crying can be heard-

miyuri: ??

sonia: do you hear that?

???: *sniffle* waaaah! mamai! w-whe-where are you? *crying*

miyuri: *goes over*

sonia: miyuri!

miyuri: *peeeeeeks*

-there's a young girl sitting on one of the rocks, her lower half not visible from where miyuri is standing-

miyuri: HI FRIEND!

girl: ?!?!?!? *turns to look*

Chuuya: "..."

sonia: are you alright? we wont hurt you, promise.

girl: um..i-i...i got lost a-and i-i cant f-find my mu-mama. *hic*

Chuuya: "Where did you last see her?"

girl: w-we were going t-to the docks b-bu-but then i got s-swept up in the current.

sonia: ?? !!! papa....her lower half....

-the girl has no legs.....but a tail?-

Chuuya: "...Forgive me being obtuse, but are you a mermaid?"

girl: *nods* i-i came with mamai for her job. sh-she trades pearls with the land people. b-but i-i dont know where she iiiis! *crying*

miyuri:...it's ok! we'll help you find your mommy!

girl: y-you will?

Chuuya: *looking around* "Maybe the docks, but that's some distance."

miyuri: miyuyu....ah! miyuri has an idea! *drawing something in the sand*

sonia: ??

-miyuri has drawn a walking bathtub full of ocean water-

miyuri: TADA!

girl: oh!!

Chuuya: ._.; "That's something alright. Let's help you in, um...What's your name?"

girl: my name's Elodie.

Chuuya: "Okay, let's help you in, Elodie."

-elsewhere-

Crona: *lying down* "..."

mami: *sitting next to them* how are you feeling?

Crona: "I feel wiped out--like every bit of energy pulled out of me."

mami: i could imagine.....im just....so glad you're alright....

Crona: *weak smile, sniffles* "I-I'm not sure what to feel."

mami: well. im hoping for the best...*pats their hand*

Crona: "Hee..."

mami:...*gently kisses their knuckles*

Crona: =\\\\= "Mami..."

mami: ^////^ your blushing is different now.

Crona: "Wh-What?!" O\\\\o

mami: *hands them a pocket mirror* the color's different now, see? it's more of a pink color now.

Crona: "... ... ..." *crying*

mami: !!!!

Crona: T~T "I-I can't believe all of this..."

mami:......*hugs*

Crona: *hugging her* "I-I am happy but scared...Mami..."

mami:....it'll be ok....its going to be ok.....

Crona: *nod nod* "*hic*"

-elsewhere-

Asher: *sitting at a fast food restaurant with a box of chicken nuggets in front of them* "..." *has been dunking one in ketchup for a minute*

izumi: hey, you ok?

Asher: "Hmm? Yeah. Why?" *the entire nugget is just ketchup now*

izumi: your nugget....

Asher: "...I was wondering why my fingers felt gross." *wipes them on a napkin* "Distracted."

izumi:...wanna talk about it or...

Asher: "...Just the training camp..."

izumi:.......

Asher: "...You could've gotten killed."

izumi:.....

Asher: "...I wasn't of any help."

izumi: that's not true, you helped zeke.

Asher: "But not to you. I don't know what exactly a weapon is supposed to do when--whatever that thing was attacked..."

izumi:......

Asher: "I don't know that I could've done anything...You seemed to reach her well enough."

izumi:....i guess so.....i could have easily just left her behind, after everything she did......

Asher: "But that's not who you are."

izumi: if i did leave then, i wouldnt have been able to forgive myself...

Asher: *nods* "That makes sense...You're a good person."

izumi: so are you.

Asher: "...Thanks."

-elsewhere-

sonia: there's the docks.

Chuuya: *guiding the bathtub* *looks around*

-a woman in the water is talking to a man in a boat, she seems frantic-

elodie: !!!! mamai!!

Elodie's Mother: "?!!" *turns* "Elodie!" *swims towards them*

miyuri: *waves*

elodie: *jumps into the water and hugs* TT~TT

Elodie's Mother: *stroking her head* "My poor baby! I was scared to death!"

miyuri: miyuri, sonia, and papa found her by the rocks and helped her find you! ^^

sonia:..........

Elodie's Mother: *shaking, looking at them* "Th-Thank you..."

miyuri: you're welcome. ^^

Chuuya: "Y-Yeah..." ("Didn't think I'd see a mermaid.")

-elsewhere-

Monica: -_-# "So, you going to rat me out to Mom and Dad?"

lorenzo: well, obviously they need to know what happened, right?

Monica: >_<# "You don't have to narc on me to them about a two-week suspension! Just make something up!"

lorenzo: hmmm. how about we break your leg?

Monica: "?!! YOU WOULDN'T! R-Right?"

lorenzo: <chill sis> im bluffing.

Monica: -~-; "Ha ha..." <Asshole.>

lorenzo: well, mom and papi are probably still at work, so you want something to eat in the meantime?

Monica: "Duh--I was stuck in the desert and then getting poked and prodded at school all day--I'm starving."

lorenzo: anything in mind? *putting on the apron*

Monica: "Whatever is fastest--even leftovers."

-elsewhere-

Saria: *texting* [i think i'm on house arrest for the next millennium. : p ]

hibiki: [ouch, that bad huh?]

Saria: [the dads were not pleased. but i think they'll calm down with time. how are u?]

hibiki: [death by lecture from the fam via phonecall #riparroni]

Saria: [oh no! i'm sorry. are u alright?]

hibiki: [it's cool. axel + zeke got a lot of shit from their mom, tho. other than that, all good]

-zeke joined the chat-

Saria: [speaking of which...]

zeke: [axel's writing his will as we speak. he wants the space jam theme played at his funeral]

hibiki: [is that meme still a thing? wtf?]

zeke: [memes R forever]

Axel: [it makes my heart soar. like that song]

hibiki: *she sends a pic of herself facepalming*

Saria: [ ^^; i see u 2 are in well enough spirits]

Axel: [i am happy not to be dead]

-elsewhere-

miura: sir? are you drunk? -_-;

Mori: *hic* "I'm so lonely!!!"

elise: sucks to be you.

Mori: TT~TT "So mean!"

miura: -_-; why not call up an escort?

Mori: *sniff* "My favorite blacklisted me."

elise: not surprised.

Mori: "I need to find an-an-another..."

miura: then why not try a dating site?

Mori: "R-Really?"

miura: it's worth a try, isnt it?

Mori: "...Elise, bring me my laptop."

-elsewhere-

higuchi: ...gin, did you feel that too?

Gin: "Oh, yeah."

higuchi: *urk*

Gin: -~- "I'll get the ginger ale."

-elsewhere-

Kid: "Stocking, come to bed--you can continue tomorrow."

stocking: just...a little....*yaaaaAAAAWWWwwn* more....

Kid: *holds her up* "It'll be here tomorrow. Let's get you some sleep."

stocking: =~=

Kid: ^^; *walks with her*

-elsewhere-

Kau'i: *crushes a soda can on his forehead* "That was insane! What the hell was that black stuff?!"

dagon: i'll start looking into it now, sir.

audrey: Q~Q i've never been so scared in my whole life!

Derek: "Quite scary indeed." *shivers* "I don't think that was what Mr. Barret was anticipating on this trip."

lumina: do you think it could have been related to the moon incident?

nisha: that's a possibility.

Kau'i: *suddenly has a giant muffin in his mouth* "Huh? What Moon thing?"

lumina: didnt you see the news? *pulls up an article*

Kau'i: *munch, chew, swallow* "I don't read the news. That's how you end up having to debate people who really think the Earth revolves around the Sun."

Derek: "..." *opens his mouth...then just shuts up*

-elsewhere-

Ragnarok: *gobbling Jell-O* "OH MY DEATH, MY TASTE BUDS ARE INCREDIBLE!!!" *shakes an empty glass* "MORE MILK!"

nurse: how much is he going to eat? .____.;;;

Blair: *hiding behind the nurse* "I don't know--and I'm really scared!" >~<

Crona: .______________.

mami: oh dear.....

Ragnarok: *staring at Crona and Mami* "...Dang, Crona, you look scrawnier from this angle!"

Crona: >_<; "It's not my fault that I had to eat for both of us all this time!"

mami: hmm. that just leaves the rooming situation...

Ragnarok: "... ... ...I don't think the bed is big enough."

mami: you're on the couch.

Ragnarok: "WHAT?! We're not even going to flip Crona for it?!"

Crona: "Flip a coin!"

Ragnarok: "You heard what I said!"

mami: *protective hug for chrona as she GLARES at ragnarok*

Ragnarok: *frowns...then opens his mouth, a giant slithering pink tongue blowing a raspberry and revealing rows of teeth*

mami: ._.;

Crona: O_O; "What the heck kind of body did they give you?!"

Ragnarok: "...The kind that lets me lick the peanut butter out of the bottom of the jar now--WOOT!"

-elsewhere-

Black Star: *holding the broken sink...as the pipe that once connected it is leaking water* O_O;

himawari: D8

tsubaki: what on earth??

Black Star: "I DON'T KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH RIGHT NOW, AND IT'S FREAKING ME OUT!" *steps forward--and his foot falls through the bathroom tile* "SHIT!"

tsubaki:....im calling stein.

Black Star: "This can't get any worse--"

*Black Star crashes through the floor*

Black Star: "AAAAAAAH--"

*BOOM*

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: *studying a string of pearls*

miyuri: *asleep*

sonia:......

Chuuya: *sets them down* "Did you have fun, Sonia?"

sonia:....*nods*.......

Chuuya: "Same. We'll have more tomorrow."

sonia:....im glad....we helped elodie find her mama......

Chuuya: "..." *nods*

sonia:.....it must be nice. being hugged by a mama....

Chuuya: "Sonia..."

sonia:....am i a bad person? for being jealous of her?

Chuuya: "No--feeling that way is completely normal. What we do with those feelings is what matters."

sonia:.....may i have a hug?

Chuuya: "Always..." *hug*

sonia: thanks papa.....

Chuuya: "You're welcome. I love you."

-elsewhere-

Harvar: "Ugh, no one here sees anything..."

kim: they seem a bit hesitant....

Jacqueline: "Give them time to get used to us..."

kim: what are we even supposed to be doing on this mission again anyway?

Harvar: "Locals and their livestock and crops have gone missing."

kim: ah.

Jacqueline: "Disappearances tend to happen overnight, so we'll need shifts to be nightguards."

ox: right.

Thunder: *yawns* =A=

-the next day-

suzune: *yaaaawn*

arisa: wakey wakey! we have a busy day today!

Chisato: *making breakfast*

suzune:.....how long have we been in kamihama now? -_-;;

Matsuri: "Quite a while, actually." *sets out a cereal bowl*

-elsewhere-

Kid: *yawns...reaches across the bed--and finds it empty* "???" *sniffs*

stocking: *looking exhausted* good morning darling. =u=

Kid: "??? Hey. Were you working again?"

stocking: yes.

Kid: ^^ *leads her to bed* "Now, lie down, and think of pleasant, happy dreams."

-elsewhere-

gin: ryuu, its time for breakfast!

Akutagawa: *grumbles*

gin: we're making omurice!

Akutagawa: "..." *walks out* "Coming."

higuchi: looks like theres going to be a night market at the park tonight.

Akutagawa: "Hmm." *nom* "You going?"

higuchi: yeah, might find some nice deals. ^^

Gin: "We could use something to make the living room look a bit more complete. Maybe a sculpture."

-elsewhere-

Black Star: *sticks out his tongue*

Stein: *looking in his mouth* "Well, it's not fuzzy..."

nurse valentine: *taking notes*

Stein: "Well, it's obviously a soul strengthening that is channeling your latent and trained muscular power to exert greater force."

Black Star: "... ...Obviously. Now put it in a way I can understand."

Stein: "Whatever has altered in the atmosphere is giving your soul more power, which is strengthening your body."

Black Star: "..." *rubs his eyes, then looks at Valentine--* "?!!!!"

nurse valentine: what he said.

Black Star: "Nah, nurse--what the hell is that stuff on you?!"

Stein: "..." *looks* "There's nothing on her."

*Black Star is seeing...something glowing around her and Stein...*

nurse valentine: what exactly do you see?

Black Star: "It's all glowy and wavy!"

nurse valentine: *glances at stein*

Stein: "I see...Your soul perception up to now has been pathetic. Now this power boost is letting you see them--"

*SPLASH*

Stein: *dripping wet* "..."

Black Star: *holding an empty glass* "...IT'S STILL THERE!"

nurse valentine: -____-;; i see his mental perception still leaves much to be desired...

Stein: "Small miracles..." *takes a surgical cloth to wipe his glasses, while looking at Black Star...he sees his soul* "But it is as I said: his power is increasing. And given what happened to Crona, I would not ignore the common cause."

nurse valentine: meaning this is related to what happened with the moon....

Stein: "A power...out of madness."

-elsewhere-

atsushi: *yaaaaaawn* -~-;;

Kyoka: "Good morning."

atsushi: i see you're already awake.

sylvia: *resting on the couch*

Kyoka: *sets out rice* "Yes. What would you like to drink?"

atsushi: some milk would be fine.

Kyoka: *nods* *walks to the fridge, looking out the window* "...Oh."

atsushi: *goes over to look*

*Dazai is setting up bricks in the yard*

atsushi: *sigh* i'll go check it out. i'll get the mail too while im down there. *exits and heads over to where dazai is* do i even want to know?

Dazai: *sets a board over the bricks* "Good morning, Atsushi! I'm making a see-saw!"

atsushi: for...?

Dazai: "The baby, of course!" *stands on one side of the board* "See? Then I add the hinge to let it swing up and down."

atsushi: i see. *examining the see-saw* points for innovation, but im not sure it's exactly....child safe. *sweatdrop*

Dazai: "Fortunately, I have determined a good way to test this." *looks up to the tree* "Okay, Kenji--let 'er rip!"

kenji: *waves*

atsushi: O____O;;;

Dazai: *readies himself*

kenji: *drops an old car onto the board*

*Dazai goes flying up--and crashes into barrels behind him*

atsushi: *wince*

Dazai: "I'm okay! ...Oh, I found a mouse--AH, GOD, MY FACE!"

-elsewhere-

chie: *filling up a kiddy pool*

Yohei: "Looking forward to this, kiddos?"

io: yappi!

toru: ah!

Tool: "Careful with that--maybe a floatie is needed..." *holds up a rubber ducky to Io*

io: *squeaks it* *laughs*

Yohei: "Cute." *picks up Toru, carefully putting him into the pool*

toru: *splashes his hands on the water*

Yohei: *rubs his own arm* "You seem pleased."

Tool: "Up you go..." *lifts Io and puts them into the pool*

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: *looking under the bed* "??? Um, Mito? Mito? Where are you..."

mito: *mrrp* *sitting on the couch*

Chuuya: *stands up--and hits his head under the bed* "OW!" *looks at the couch* "Ugh...There you are."

mito: *purrs*

Chuuya: *strokes her back* "Where did you run off to?"

-elsewhere-

Crona: *looking out the window*

lord death: good morning.

Crona: "Oh...Hello, sir."

lord death: how are you feeling?

Crona: "Okay...A little different."

lord death: *nods* i see.

Crona: "...Thank you for this. I never felt I deserve this..."

lord death: it's not about 'deserving' or not.

Crona: "I-I'm sorry--I'm not used to thinking that way."

lord death: it's quite alright. have you had breakfast yet today?

Crona: *shakes their head* "Still getting used to adjusted hunger--as I'm not two people now."

lord death: ah... well, im going to be doing a soul scan for you now, to see how the proporties of your soul have changed.

Crona: *gulps* "I-I see...Or don't. Should I be worried?"

lord death: not to worry, this will only take a moment, and it's painless.

Crona: "..." *nods* *sits still*

-later-

lord death: hmm, interesting.

Crona: .~.;

lord death: seems you have magic potential within you. although given your parentage, i suppose this is unsurprising.

Crona: "...It's a little surprising!" *looks at their hands* "I never tried..."

lord death: never to late to learn, i suppose.

Crona: "Who would even teach me?"

lord death: i can think of a few people...

-elsewhere-

Kimizuki: *staring at his phone*

hyakuya: *taps her foot as she stares out the window* boooriiiiing.....

Kimizuki: "It's called off-time. Enjoy it."

Yoichi: *reading a newspaper*

mitsuba:.....how about we go over to the batting cages?

Yoichi: "Oh, fun!"

Kimizuki: "Hmm...Could be good for aim."

hyakuya: sounds great!

-and so-

Yoichi: *puts on the helmet--and it's too big* ._.;

mitsuba: ^w^ not to brag, but i _was_ on my elementary school's baseball team as a kid.

shinoa: i think i remember that. you were known as the blonde ogress who made 5 boys cry.

mitsuba: >n<#

Yoichi: ^^; *backs away*

Kimizuki: "Checks out."

mitsuba: HEY! D8<

hyakuya: loser buys lunch! *takes her stance*

Yoichi: "Good luck!"

-the ball is thrown-

hyakuya: *swings....letting go of the bat and getting hit in the face* GRF-

Kimizuki: "..." *facepalm*

Yoichi: D8 "Oh no!"

hyakuya: *nose bleeding* IM OUT OF PRACTICE! CUT ME SOME SLACK! >n<

mitsuba: that.....that was the worst baseball fail ever......in the history of literally everything.

hyakuya: YOU ARENT HELPING!!

Yoichi: *offers tissues*

-shinoa's phone dials-

shinoa: ?? *answers* hello~? ^^

Guren: "Mission briefing in 10 minutes."

shinoa: ok. we got a mission

Kimizuki: "Oh, joy. So much for rest."

mitsuba: *pouts*

-elsewhere-

chess: hmm.... im soo booooored!

crowley: *checking his phone* ooh! text from ferid!

chess: oooh! what'd he say!

crowley: you know that guy shahal?

chess: he's in charge of keeping livestock, right?

crowley: well, apparently he's been neglecting his duties as of late, and several humans have escaped.

Horn: "Oh, that's no good. Is our priority to retrieve the humans, or punish Shahal?"

crowley: given how often humans make more humans, i say our main priority for now is shahal.

Horn: "...Flawless logic. Very well."

-elsewhere-

stocking: *checking recipes*

Rin: *tapping his fingers* "So what're you thinking?"

stocking: im thinking a brownie coffin filled with little candies for the desert.

Rin: "Oh, creative! Would definitely appeal to the Death Children..." *opens a book* "How many courses is this again?"

-elsewhere-

Giriko: "Then the entire blob thing went *BOOM* and took out Gruk, too."

arachne: hmmm....this is rather concerning...

Giriko: "What you think it was?"

arachne: *takes out her journal* since i've lost most of my old spellbooks, i've taken notes in here......just as i suspected. it's likely black blood.

Giriko: "Uuuuuum..."

arachne: what?

Giriko: "Isn't that what your dipshit sister worked on?"

arachne: *nods* according to lord death, she's still at large somewhere, supposedly....

-elsewhere-

Medusa: "... ... ..." *rubs her nose* *looks along the forest path*

-it's surprisingly dark and a bit foggy-

Medusa: *holds up a small orb...something shines inside, pointing to the left* "..." *turns left*

-elsewhere-

shinoa: *takes a seat*

-at the other end of the table, a woman seems to be distressed. -

Kimizuki: *holding a notepad* "We received initial details. Tell us about her."

woman: *sniffles* y-yes. about two weeks ago, my daughter, riko was abducted by a vampire.

shinoa: guren told us that one of your maids made a sketch of the vampire, correct?

Kimizuki: *looking*

riko's mother: of course. *hands them the sketch* i-i-im not sure how accurate it is, but-

Kimizuki: "No, this is useful."

hyakuya: hmm. how exactly are we going to find him?

Kimizuki: "Good old fashion sleuthing."

-elsewhere-

-in a room in an old cathedral, a young girl is looking out the window-

girl:......

Shahal: "Back away from there."

girl: *looks over at him*

Shahal: "You don't want to fall down--it's not the best window." *holds up a plate* "Sugar cookie?"

girl:....um....*gingerly takes one*

Shahal: "I hope they're okay. You need milk, Lana?"

girl: t-they're alright....a-and i already told you, my name isnt lana, it's riko.

Shahal: "??? Since when? Is this some phase? Like when I insisted on wearing my shirt backwards--"

riko: erm.... ^^;

???: "Oh, wow--a pet?"

riko: ??

Shahal: "?!" *stands up sharply*

horn: so _this_ is why you've been abandoning your post, shahal?

chess: aww, she's so cute! *grabs her*

riko: *yells*

chess: she's so adorable, i could just EAT HER UP! *bears fangs with a feral fervor*

Shahal: *grabs Chess by the neck--and tosses her into the wall*

horn: !!!!

chess: OWIE! >n< ugh, so RUDE!

horn: such ungentlemanly conduct...

Shahal: "Back away from her. She is not a part of this."

horn: oh? it looks to me that she's the reason for our little visit.

riko: *trembling*

Shahal: "State your business and leave us be."

chess: jeez, if you're gonna be so hostile, maybe we _wont_ tell you that an extermination group is coming for you tonight~ whoopsie~ i let it slip~ *cute fist bonk on her head as she winks with her tongue out*

Shahal: "What?!" *looking out the window* "..." *studying different escape paths*

horn:.....unless you're going to return to your post and hand the girl over as livestock-

Shahal: "Lana stays here!"

horn:....very well, you've made your decision. but when death is at your doorstep and that girl is taken and drained of every last drop of blood in her, dont come crying to us. come chess, let's go.

chess: yes ma'am!

Shahal: "..."

riko: *still trembling*

Shahal: "Hey, it's going to be okay."

-elsewhere-

Crona: *buttoning up*

mami: *waiting outside the room*

Blair: *brings up the wheelchair* "Crona almost done?"

mami: i think so....

Crona: *buzzes the button* "I'm done"

mami: *opens the door*

Crona: *in jeans and a black t-shirt...smiles*

mami:...*hug*

peg: we got this one too. *brings out ragnarok...strapped to a gurney a la hannibal lector*

Crona: *holds Mami close* "Don't look behind you." ^^;;;;;;

Blair: O_O;

Ragnarok: "Hello, nurse." *slithering tongue noises*

mami: ......

peg: mister dont _make_ me put the mask back on. -_-#

Ragnarok: "Look, I just got this body, and I got years of experiences to make up for it. I've already exhausted myself on 2 out of 7 deadly sins--want to go for 3 more?"

mami: *GLAAAAARE*

Ragnarok: "?!!!" *looks away* >_>;;;

-elsewhere-

Black Star: *meditating--under a giant waterfall*

child: mama, what's that guy doing?

Mother: "Oh, I think I saw this in a kung fu movie once! Warriors do that for training to improve their minds."

child: wow cool!

Mother: "I wonder whether it's working--"

Black Star: *collapses under the water*

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: "Careful not to tap on the glass." *looking at the fish tank*

miyuri: *face plastered against the glass* oooooh!

Fish: O_O *swims away afraid*

sonia: *looking*

*there's a hermit crab on the tank floor, changing into a new shell*

sonia: .....

Chuuya: "Really surprising creatures, aren't they?"

sonia: yeah....

Chuuya: "...I think they let you hold a sea urchin..."

sonia: ??

Chuuya: "Those little spiny sea creatures."

sonia: wont they hurt?

Chuuya: "The trainer shows you how to cup your hand so it won't."

sonia: ....

miyuri: WOOOAH LOOK AT THAT THING!

Chuuya: *looks*

-seems to be some kind of whale-

Chuuya: "?! Wow!"

miyuri: IT'S HUUUGE!! IT'S LIKE A WATER ELLYFANT!

Chuuya: "Y-Yes, indeed..."

-elsewhere-

Mori: *seated at the outdoor cafe table, sipping a coffee* "..." *looks around, then at his phone* *texts* [she's not here]

miura: [perhaps give it some more time?]

Mori: [it's already been 20 min]

Waiter: "Refill, sir?"

Mori: "...Check, please."

-elsewhere-

tomura: *SCREECHING* IM MISSING ONE OF MY HANDS!!

Kurogiri: "Okay, take a deep breath, and let's retrace your steps."

Dabi: *whistles* "Yo." *waves a hand...holding a hand*

tomura: *looks*

*two of the fingers are curled into a circle*

tomura: FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-.....one day i will kill you in your sleep.

Dabi: "Sure." *tosses it*

spinner: bold move, my dude.

shaula: AW SHIT SON HE ACTUALLY DID IT THE ABSOLUTE MADLAD!

Kurogiri: "...I'm confused."

Dabi: "Please, I'm no hero. Literally."

banshee:.....we _are_ professional villains, arent we? -_-;

Kurogiri: "We try."

-elsewhere-

*knock on Kanin's apartment door*

amelia: *peeks out the peep hole*

*looks to be Genny, Duncan, and some others*

amelia: kanin, we have guests.

free: *wave* ^^

Kanin: *cooking* "??? Oh...Hello." *aspects of his werewolf appearance remain but have gradually reverted back to slightly more human*

lei-lei: how're you feeling? we brought some ingredients for a hotpot! ^^

Kanin: "...I'm fine." *takes the ingredients* "...Um...Amelia, can you see about more chairs?"

amelia: *nods*

Kanin: "...I-I'll be busy cooking. Help yourselves to..." *gestures to an old-fashion candy bowl full of what can be described as grandparents' candy choices, as he hurries away*

genny:....

Duncan: *picks a piece of candy--that is stuck to the top of the pile of them* -_-; "Old fashioned... ...You know, maybe he needs help in the kitchen."

-elsewhere-

hyakuya: .......

Kimizuki: *looking through binoculars*

mitsuba: see anything?

Kimizuki: "The door looks like it was forced open."

mitsuba: should we go in?

Kimizuki: "I think when it gets darker."

hyakuya:.....(mika……)…..

{Mika: *sad smile*}

hyakuya: *bites her lip*

shinoa:...akane?

hyakuya: !!!...im fine. dont worry about it....

Yoichi: "..."

-that night-

Shahal: *standing guard*

riko: *asleep*

{???: big brother?}

{Shahal: *shivering* "Yes?"}

{girl: will we be able to eat soon?}

{Shahal: "Yes, soon...Just be patient. Please..."}

Shahal: "Not again...I'm protecting you this time."

-meanwhile-

shinoa: *looks inside* ok, this should be the back entrance...

Kimizuki: "How reliable was your intelligence?"

shinoa: i chatted up some urban explorers for advice. ^^

mitsuba: so far so good.....

Yoichi: *looking at the stairs...they look rotted*

hyakuya: this place sure has seen better days....

Kimizuki: "So keep an eye for debris used for this vamp to hide."

shinoa: and keep silent. our primary objective is to retrieve riko.

Yoichi: *nods*

-crash-

hyakuya: ????

Kimizuki: "?!" *aims*

???: spread out, he should be here somewhere.

???: of course, lady enacotta.

rubile: *grins* (once i claim that traitor's head, i'll go up in the ranks for sure!)

mitsuba: *whisper* shit, vampires? here?

shinoa: this is bad. if they're here for shahal, then riko's at risk as well...

Kimizuki: "...Then we need to find her first. With the stairs broken, he's likely holding her upstairs to discourage people following up."

hyakuya: i'll look for a way up.

Kimizuki: "While we keep the vampires away..."

hyakuya: *nods and heads off*

Kimizuki: *following the vampires' path*

vampire: *looking around*

Kimizuki: *hides behind the vamp...readies his sword*

vampire: ?? *turns*

*slice*

vampire: GRK-

Kimizuki: *stabs them through the chest*

vampire: *SCREAM*

Kimizuki: *beheads*

Shahal: "?!!!"

riko: hnn??

Shahal: "Shh."

riko: what's going on?

Shahal: *quietly* "Come on. Hide in here..." *leads her to a wardrobe in the attic* "Stay here."

-meanwhile-

rubile: *slashing with her sword*

mitsuba: *blocking with her axe*

Yoichi: *behind debris, aiming*

shinoa: take this! *SLASH*

vampire: GRAHH!

Yoichi: *fires off shots*

-outside-

hyakuya: *looking around* (come on, there has to be something...)

*a brick in the side of the building falls, rolling down to her feet*

hyakuya: !! *looks up*

*a vampire can be seen scurrying down the hall--then blood splatters against the hallway wall*

hyakuya: .....*looking around for a way up*

*there are missing bricks in the wall--and a buttress above the window*

hyakuya:...that'll work. *spits on both her hands and rubs them together* here we go. *starts climbing*

*a window she passes breaks, as a vampire is tossed out of it*

hyakuya: OxO;;

*the noise seems to have stopped...*

hyakuya: *keeps climbing*

-inside-

rubile: tch- damn...you humans dont know when to quit...*she's holding her arm, which has been cut along the bicep*

Kimizuki: "Call us stubborn." *aims*

rubile: *lunges at him*

vampire: lady enacotta! we need to retreat!

rubile: NO! we've come this far already, im not going to leave without our prize!

Kimizuki: *sweeps his leg at hers while he swings his blade at her neck*

rubile: !!! *dodge*

*there's a wardrobe*

hyakuya: *looks inside*

Riko: *curled up in the corner*

hyakuya: ...hey, it's ok.

Riko: "Wh-Who are you?"

hyakuya: you can call me akane. *small smile*

Riko: "...Are you a vampire?"

hyakuya:....no, im human, like you.

Riko: "...Like Shahal was."

hyakuya: shahal, that's the one who kidnapped you, right?....wait- so he wasnt born a vampire?

Riko: *shakes her head no* "He keeps calling me Lana. His sister. She died."

hyakuya:....how did you figure that part out?

Riko: "I-I kind of read his journal...Don't tell him I did that."

hyakuya: i wont...did he try to hurt you at all?

Riko: "No--he really misses his sister, and he keeps treating me like her."

hyakuya:.......(mika..........) do you miss your mom and dad?

Riko: *nods*

hyakuya:.....dont worry riko, i'll help you get back to your parents. you can count on us. *smiles*

Riko: "A-Are you going to hurt Shahal?"

hyakuya:....i'll try to talk to him.

-downstairs-

mitsuba: WOAH!

Kimizuki: *crashes into furniture, collapsed*

mitsuba: *charges at him, yelling*

rubile: there you are! *charges at him as well*

Shahal: "..." *leaps just as they are close to him--*

rubile: *has her arm hacked off* *SCREAMS*

mitsuba: *gets her side sliced* GAH!!

Shahal: *grabs Mitsuba by her wrist* "Now leave."

hyakuya: HEY YOU!!

Shahal: "..." *holds Mitsuba up by the arm* *looks at Hyakuya* "Leave, before there is more bloodshed."

hyakuya: let her go!

Shahal: "Of course--" *and flings Mitsuba at Hyakuya*

mitsuba: oof! nngh....

hyakuya: mitsuba, are you alright?

mitsuba: bleeding, but otherwise just peachy.

Shahal: *aims at Shinoa*

hyakuya: leave my friends alone!

Shahal: "Leave my _family_ alone!"

hyakuya: your ‘family’ is dead!

Shahal: "?!!" *rushes at Hyakuya* "What did you do to Lana?!!"

hyakuya: i didnt do anything to her! that girl riko, she's not lana! i dont know what happened or how she died, but your sister isnt here anymore!

Shahal: "WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP LYING TO ME?!" *swings the blade at her head*

hyakuya: !!! *blocks with her own sword* im not lying!

Shahal: "Yes, you are! Everyone is trying to confuse me! But I remember what was done--and I am not letting you take Lana!" *presses the sword forward*

hyakuya: listen! i know what it's like, to lose a loved one. i've lost my parents, and my adoptive family, and every day it hurts thinking about what i could have done differently to save them, but the past is in the past, isnt it? the only thing left is to go forward. accept what's happened and move on, so quit living in the past and face reality already!!

Shahal: "..." *just staring at her* "...Lana..."

shinoa: *charges*

Kimizuki: *follows Shinoa--*

Yoichi: *gives them cover*

Shahal: "?!"

shinoa: take this!

Shahal: *tries to block--*

-SLICE-

Shahal: *howls in pain*

hyakuya: please listen, i dont want to fight you, but if you dont stop this, i wont have any choice! you were human once, remember??

shinoa: (what on earth has gotten into her...?)

Shahal: *holding his arm* "Lana...stop this. I'm not human anymore--but I need to protect you!"

hyakuya: im not lana either! if you keep deluding yourself like this, you're only going to hurt yourself even more!

Shahal: "I'm willing to get hurt if it means my sister can live! I can't let her die!"

hyakuya: she's already dead!

Shahal: "She can't be!" *approaches Hyakuya* "Stop lying!"

-SLASH-

Shahal: *stares wide-eyed*

riko: *collapses*

hyakuya: *stunned* !!!!!

Shahal: "N-No!" *cradles her* "Why would you do this?!"

riko: i-it's ok....it wasnt that deep of a cut...

hyakuya: riko....

Shahal: "...Riko..."

riko: *smiles* im not mad at you, shahal. because i think, despite everything...you're still a good person.

hyakuya:....*shaking slightly* mika.....

Shahal: *crying* "How can you think that? I thought..." *holds his head* "I'm so confused."

riko: you took care of me and made sure i was safe, and you never once bit me or drank my blood.

Shahal: "...I just wanted my sister back."

riko:....but im not her. i dont know how she died exactly, but im sure she misses you too...

Shahal: *sobbing* "I can never see her again..."

hyakuya:...........yuu.....chihiro....ako....kouta....fumie....taichi.....

Shahal: *looks at Hyakuya* "Who...?"

hyakuya: my siblings....ferid killed them....i was....the only one who got away.....(liar...mika was.....)

Shahal: "...Oh God...I'm sorry..."

hyakuya: ever since then, i've hated vampires....and wanted nothing more than to kill every last one....but after seeing....my one sibling....mika....turned into one of them....and seeing this...i....i dont know what to think anymore...

riko:.......

Shahal: "...You end them."

hyakuya: ??

Shahal: "You don't leave one standing that can and will hurt humans, eventually."

hyakuya: ......

Shahal: "You can bring them peace...to let them die and reunite with their lost family."

hyakuya:...are you...asking me to kill you?

Shahal: "...Yes."

hyakuya: but what about riko-

Shahal: "She deserves to be with her family."

hyakuya:.....*bites her lip, clutching her sword*

-as the sun rises, hyakuya screams out, piercing her blade into shahal's heart-

Shahal: *shudders, coughs...starts to disintegrate at the heart...looks at the sun with a smile* "Lana...Thank you."

hyakuya:.....

lana?: big brother!

-a spectral girl seems to be waving to him-

Shahal: "?!!!" *reaches up, his hand disintegrating as he does...*

lana?: i've been waiting for you for so long now! come on, i have lots of people to introduce you too!

-soon enough, they are both gone....-

hyakuya:.............

mitsuba: hey....akane....

hyakuya: hehe...hehehehe....hahaha..HAHAHAHAHA!! *cackling madly*

Kimizuki: *grabs her by her shoulders* "Hyakuya! Hyakuya! Damn it, Akane, get a hold of yourself..."

hyakuya: *sharply inhales and starts hysterically sobbing into his chest*

Kimizuki: "..." *holds her, letting her cry*

mitsuba:.....

shinoa:.....we should probably give riko first aid.

mitsuba:...yeah....

Yoichi: *holds up the kit*

-elsewhere-

Kid: "Absolutely adorable."

shiori: *in a new little jumper* lookie!

Kid: *shivering* "IT'S SO CUTE I COULD DIE!"

stocking: ^^

lord death: TOO CUTE FOR WORDS!

Yumi: *snaps a photo* "Indeed."

-elsewhere-

Monica: *buried under blankets* =_____= "I'm boooooooooooooooored!"

mrs ramirez: mija! your friends are here!

Monica: "... ... ...YOU DIDN'T CHECK THEM FOR KNIVES AGAIN, DID YOU?!"

mrs ramirez: first thing i did, honey!

yolanda: jeez mrs R, have some faith in us. -_-;

Zarya: *grunts*

Monica: -_-; "You here to rub it in before you go off to school?"

yolanda: just wanted to see how you were?

Monica: "Bored out of my f--" *spots her mom* "...freaking skull. I need to dunk someone's head into a toilet now!"

mrs ramirez: that reminds me, that nurse from the hospital, mrs albarn, wanted to have coffee later and to chat. she's your friend izumi's mother, isnt she? ^^#

Monica: "... ... ...She's not my fucking friend."

Zarya: "... ... ..." *takes one giant step back away from Monica*

mrs ramirez: .........

stephanie: welp we're totes late, bye! *RUNS*

Monica: "?! YOU TRAITORS--"

mrs ramirez: monica, i'd like to have a little talk with you. in private. ^^#####

Monica: D8 *loud whimpering noise*

mrs ramirez: monica rosa-marie ramirez, you arent going anywhere! *smiles with a demonic glare*

-elsewhere-

Asher: "... ... ..." *small smile*

cassidy: asher? you ok?

Asher: "...I think I feel lighter."

cassidy:...

-elsewhere-

kyouko: hey rin, is shiemi doing alright? last i saw her, she seemed kind of down.

Rin: *sighs* "I think she's trying to figure out some stuff with school."

kyouko: hmm....is she having problems?

Rin: "Kinda. She's leaving the exorcist class."

kyouko: wait really? what happened?

Rin: "She said she wanted to focus on what she can do for now--without getting in over her head. It's rough when you really want something but are not sure you're ready."

kyouko:.....

-rin's phone starts going off-

Rin: *checks*

-text from renzou-

Rin: *reading* "...??? It's from Renzou Shima. He's...ranting about diapers?"

kyouko: i'd rather not know -__-#

renzou: [CODE OMEGA! I REPEAT! CODE FUCKING OMEGA!!]

Rin: "Neither do I . But now he's yelling 'Code Omega.' I think his bro told me that means to meet up." *looks at the key hooks* "Tell the old man I'm stealing his keys."

kyouko: ._.

-and so-

Bon: *holding his stomach* "Ugh...I hate traveling with keys." >~<;

izumo: you guys got called too?

Shima: -_-; "Yep..."

Rin: "WOOOOOOOW! It looks so different at this time of year!"

izumo: we were here last year around summer, in the longest fucking summer ever -_-;;;

shiemi: im surprised we were invited to juuzo and mamushi's baby shower.

unagi: it'll be nice to see my family members again.

Shima: "Don't curse in front of my fam, Izumo--I want to keep a good impression with them."

shura: yeah, so behave yourself.

izumo: sure thing-....wait.

konekomaru: how long were you-

shura: kunoichi skills bitches.

izumo:.....-___-;

Bon: *shoves Shima* "You're one to criticize anyone, spy."

Shima: ^^; "Former spy?"

shiemi: well we better find the restaurant then.

shura: you kiddos go on ahead, im gonna have a quick chat with the okumura bros for a minute, kaaay~?

Rin: "What?! But I'm starving!"

shura: *waits for the others to go* welp, now we can talk.

Yukio: "What is this about?"

shura: yuri egyn. your mother.

Yukio: "?!"

Rin: "...What?"

shura: it was around the time i met shiro...

{-knocks-}

{yuri: who is it?}

{shura: *flailing* putmedown! pummedown!! >n<#}

{yuri:.....is...is that a kid?}

{Fujimoto: "Um, no. It's obviously a new species of mountain rat. A smelly, dirty mountain rat--"

{yuri: .___.;}

{shura: I'LL BITE YOUR ANKLES IN HALF!}

{yuri:....why dont i make you something to eat? ^^;; }

{Fujimoto: ^^; "I actually have some tasks to attend to, so that would help me--OW! DID YOU JUST BITE ME?!"}

{shura: *HISSSSSS* *STOMACH GURGLE*.........food please.}

{Fujimoto: T^T "What do you even eat, kid?"}

{shura: squirrels mostly. sometimes birds. hachirou got me a boar once.}

{yuri: .______. shiro....where did you find this girl exactly?}

{Fujimoto: "In the mountains. Meet the fabled wild child of Towada. I've named her Shura."}

{shura: offer me food, mortal!}

{-...-}

{yuri: eat up!}

{shura: *ravenous eating*}

{Fujimoto: ^^ "Better than tiny squirrels with hardly any meat on their bones, right, kiddo?"}

{shura: *pulls the food closer and snarls* MINE!}

{yuri: goodness, she's got an appetite. ^^; }

{Fujimoto: "And needs to learn some manners..." *sniffs* "Ugh...and a bath."}

{shura: a what?}

{-...-}

{shura: *asleep*}

{yuri: so, what are we going to do about her?}

{Fujimoto: "Mephisto ordered me to keep an eye on her, and after seeing that Hachirou thing, I don't want her going back to it. After that? I'm not sure..."}

{yuri: maybe she could stay here? it gets lonely up here, so it'd be nice to have some company. ^^}

{Fujimoto: "??? For real? Mephisto was pretty insistent on not letting her out of my sight..."}

{yuri: you could stay here too, if you'd like. it'd be like a family.}

{Fujimoto: "..." *pulls out a cigarette, lights up* "Don't say it like that."}

shura: from what i remember, she was a really kind woman, she had eyes like yours, rin. and lots of moles, like yukio...and that concludes story time with shura for today!

Yukio: "..."

Rin: "...YOU COCKTEASE! DON'T STOP THE STORY THERE! TELL US MORE! What did she sound like?!" *grabs her by the shoulders* "Why didn't you tell us this before?!"

shura: now if you boys excuse me. im gonna go hit the bar. cheers! *walks off*

-later-

torako: <enjoy your stay with us.> *walks back to the front* !!!! <ryuuji!>

Bon: <Hey...>

-a child runs up and tackles shima-

child: <ANKO WENZO!>

Shima: <OW! ???>

woman: <ten, sweetie, there you are! what did mama tell you about running off?>

ten: <sowwy mamai>

woman: *looks* !!! <renzou!>

Shima: <?!!>

izumo: you know this woman?

woman: <oh, you must be renzou's friends. koneko and bon know me already, but im Jun Shima. renzou's sister.>

unagi: <a pleasure to see you again, ma'am'>

jun: <unagi! i was surprised to hear that you enrolled in true cross. how are you doing?>

unagi: <im very well. i've been learning a lot of english.>

???: <UUUUUUNAAAAAAAGIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!>

-a woman comes barreling down the hall and clutches unagi-

woman: <MY SWEET BABY GIRL! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! HAVE YOU BEEN EATING?! IS YOUR TEMPERATURE WELL?! DO YOU HAVE ANY INJURIES?!>

uwabami hojo: ^^; <easy now, orochi, she's just fine.>

Bon: <We've been keeping an eye on her, ma'am.>

unagi: <hello mother, hello to you too uncle.>

Konekomaru: *sad smile, steps back*

girl: <hey sis, do we have any more- !!!! k-k-k-k-KONEKOOOOOO~<3 > *TACKLE* >///w///< <3<3<3<3

Konekomaru: .\\\\.; "Um..." <You can let go now?>

girl: <KINZOU TOLD ME YOU WERE HERE _LAST_ YEAR TOO! WHY DIDNT YOU TELL ME? I WOULD HAVE BAILED ON THE CLASS TRIP TO EUROPE IF I KNEW!!>

Konekomaru: ^\\\^; <We were a little busy on an investigation and--well, things got away from us. Sorry.>

Rin: -_-; *has a big handprint slapped on his face* "Freaking boobzilla..."

Yukio: -_-; "Please don't embarrass us more while we're visiting someone else's house."

jun: ?? <more friends of yours?>

Rin: <He gets that a lot.> *waves at the child*

girl: <hey. you smell different koneko, are you using a new bodywash?>

Konekomaru: >\\\\\\< <Wh-Why would you sniff me?!>

ten: <mamai! this guy has a tail! is he a kitty?>

Yukio: *facepalm* <Oh good lord...>

jun: .....^^; <why dont we help uncle gozo with the garden, ok?>

ten: <ok!> *runs off*

Yukio:

-outside-

nishiki: *eating watermelon shaved ice*

???: <over here sir?>

Tatsuma: <Yes, that's a good spot for it.>

???: *sets the statue down, wiping sweat from her brow* <yep, i reckon that's a mighty good spot for it>

Tatsuma: <Looking good! ...Maybe rotate it a bit more towards the morning sun.>

torako: <tatsuma! yoshikuni! bon and his friends are here!>

yoshikuni: <REALLY?!>

Tatsuma: <!!! My baby boy!> *gets up quickly--and throws out his back* >n< "AH!"

torako: D8

Bon: *steps out* <?!! Old man!> *runs up*

yoshikuni: <LIL RYUU! long time no see!>

Bon: <?!! Yoshikuni?!>

izumo: another friend of yours?

yoshikuni: <im his fiancee~>

izumo: O/////o W-W-WHAT?!?!??!

Bon: -_-; <Yoshikuni, please.>

yoshikuni: <LOL! JK JK! it's just a joke!>

izumo: *beet red*

Tatsuma: *trying to sit up* <Ha ha ha! ...I don't know what 'luul' means.>

Bon: <?!!! I will have you know I am desirable to people who like men with a strong will, you stubborn mule!>

izumo: <BEEF HEAD!>

Bon: <POLKA-DOTTED MUTT!>

izumo: <ROOSTER HAIR!>

Bon: <HA! I STOPPED DYING IT, SO YOU CAN'T EVEN USE THAT ONE ANYMORE!>

torako: <my my, they're acting like me when i was that age.>

{young!torako: <GET BENT, BALDIE!>}

{Young!Tatsuma: <Babe, I _shave_ by choice because it makes me look cool!> *wink*}

torako: <so persistent.> *sigh*

Tatsuma: <And yet still so beautiful.>

torako: >/////< <oh stop!>

Bon: <OW!> *slapping his hand on the ground*

-elsewhere-

Kanin: *puts bento boxes of leftovers into their lockers* "Okay. I'll see you for lunch after morning classes."

genny: *nods*

Kanin: "... ...Well..." *rubs the back of his head...he's managed to revert almost back to human appearance*

genny:....i-if you want to talk...a-about anything, you can-

Kanin: "I-I appreciate that...M-Maybe later..."

genny: .///. r-right...see ya! *runs*

Kanin: "..." >\\\< *knocks his head against his own locker--and instantly hulks out into werewolf form, ripping his shirt* "...Aw, man..."

marie: kanin? are you alright? ._.;

Kanin: "?!! S-Sorry, Miss Marie! I'm fine, really! I'm not going feral..." *struggles to slowly revert to human form, as he takes off the torn shirt and opens his locker to retrieve a new shirt* "J-Just, you know, typical teenage hormonal stuff..."

marie: do you want to talk about it?

Kanin: "..." *nods* "Did other students ever deal with this kind of thing?"

-elsewhere-

arisa: so what do you guys want to check out next?

kanami: im kinda hungry, maybe we should get lunch?

suzune:..... !!!

arisa: suzune? you oka-....OH.....MY....G!!

kokoro: hmm?

masara: *looks* !!!!!

arisa: Y-YOU'RE KOKORO AWANE!!

kokoro: yep, that's me alright.

arisa: do you remember me? im arisa narumi!

kokoro: oh right! you're that girl from back then!

arisa: you were so cool and inspiring that i became a magical girl too, see? my friends are-

-CLANG-

suzune: *blocking masara's knife with her sword*

masara: what are _you_ doing back here, magical hunter?

suzune: im not here to fight, honest.

masara: a likely story. im not about to let you hurt kokoro.

Chisato: *gestures to her own weapon* "Let's all calm down. This is not a place for any fight."

masara: how can you be so calm when a murderer is among you?

suzune:.....

Matsuri: "This is about giving people another chance, you know?" ^^ "She may have done bad things, but that doesn't make her a bad person!"

suzune: matsuri....

Matsuri: "Just give her a chance."

kokoro: easy there masara. sorry about my friend, she can be a bit protective, but she means well. ^^;

arisa: i take it you met suzune before?

kokoro: yep. say, you mentioned being hungry, right? it just so happens we know a great restaurant called 'Walnuts'. ^^

-elsewhere-

Monica: *glare*

izumi: .___.;;;;;

Sachiko: ^^ "I always come by here--I didn't know you managed it!"

mrs ramirez: well, assistant manager, but still. ^^

Monica: *takes her drink, sips--and crunches on the ice loudly*

izumi: ._.;;;;;

mrs ramirez: mija, dont you have something to say to mrs albarn's daughter?

Monica: "..." *mutters something*

mrs ramirez: speak up honey, no one can hear you when you're muttering.

Monica: *inhales* "I SAID 'I'M SORRY'!"

izumi: um...thanks..f-for apologizing...*shifts in her seat*

Sachiko: *uncovers her ears* "Y-Yes, thank you...How about you kids get a treat?" *hands Izumi some money* "The cookies looked good."

-elsewhere-

Rin: "So, Konekomaru, who's the girl?"

girl: *clinging to his arm* ^////^

konekomaru: this is yumi, shima's younger sister.

Rin: "Ah, so you all grew up together?"

yoshikuni: pretty much. <so you guys really defeated the impure king last summer?>

Bon: <We...did the best we could.>

Rin: <Well, us and my girlfriend, too.>

konekomaru: <come to think of it, where were you?>

yoshikuni: ^^

Juzo: *fretting back and forth in front of the building*

gozo: <easy bro, she's not due for another two months yet.>

Juzo:

gozo: <take a deep breath and chill.>

kinzou: <yeah, you're gonna give yourself a hernia!>

Shima: <Yeah, don't think of dead babies--that thought'll stay in your head forever.>

Juzo: *GLARES AT SHIMA*

-elsewhere-

Kanin: *staring at the tea* "I don't know. I never had these problems controlling my appearance. But since that...thing got in my head and down to my soul..."

marie: perhaps it was an effect of madness from that clown.

Kanin: "I think so...But it hasn't gotten back to normal. I don't know when it will, if ever."

marie:.....

Kanin: "I don't know who could even help."

marie: i can think of a few people...

-elsewhere-

mami: lunch is ready!

Crona: "Smells great."

mami: the doctors recommended this to help you regain your strength.

Crona: *nods*

Ragnarok: *has on a bib* "AND FOR ME?"

-elsewhere-

naoya: how is he?

kouyou: still locked up in his office, crying. how unprofessional. -_-;

miura: -___-; *patting mori's back*

Mori: *head resting on a pillow* TT~TT "It's like I'm cursed."

elise: wouldnt be too shocked if that were the case.

Mori: "I need some good luck..."

-elsewhere-

Kimizuki: "..." *sets down a bottle of water*

hyakuya:.....thanks....

Kimizuki: *nods* "You're welcome...The ride will be here in another hour."

hyakuya:........

Yoichi: *packing the first-aid kit* "Any more cuts and bruises?"

riko: i-im ok....

Yoichi: ^^ "That's a relief."

riko:.....

Yoichi: "...Happy to go home?"

riko: i guess so....

Yoichi: "That man...did release you."

riko:.....do you think....he's in a better place?

Yoichi: "...I like to think so."

-elsewhere-

arisa: mmm~ this is so yummy!

kokoro: i know right?

masara: *eating, not taking her eyes off suzune, staring intently*

suzune: *looking down at her plate, sweating nervously* ._.;;;;;;;;;

Chisato: "...Masara, how is your meal?"

masara: *nom, still staring at suzune* delicious.

suzune: *gulp* ._.;;;;;;;;;;;

Chisato: "...So, what are everyone's plans this afternoon?"

kokoro: well, masara and i were going to go hiking for a bit later.

Chisato: "Ah. It'd be good to get into the outdoors."

-elsewhere-

Guren: "Welcome back."

hyakuya:...*nod*

Guren: "We'll begin debriefing...You look like a mess. Go lie down."

hyakuya: *grunts and walks off*

Guren: *looks at the others* "Shinoa, walk with me. I'll start the debriefing with you."

shinoa: right.

Guren: *walks with her into the interrogation room* "What happened to Hyakuya back there?"

shinoa: she took the vampire down...

Guren: "I've seen her take down vampires--I haven't seen her acting like this."

shinoa: i'll speak with her about it when i can.....she has been different since our encounter with ferid....

Guren: "And that can be a liability. We need her in the field--and if her head is not in this, that will be a danger."

shinoa:....understood.

Guren: "Tell me about this vampire and child. Why did he take her?"

-shinoa explains the situation-

Guren: "Hmm...I knew vampirism can do things to the brain, but this is something else entirely."

shinoa:...perhaps vampirism has nothing to do with it....

Guren: "??? Explain."

shinoa: based on my observations, his reactions seemed rather human. perhaps relating to his previous life. sadly, without any official documents on him, we can only go by word of mouth for information.

Guren: "Hmm. So, what, he got confused, had memories of his pre-vampire life, and those influenced his mind? That still sounds dangerous."

shinoa:......

Guren: "I'll ask C3 to check on this--they may have a bit more information on neuro influences after the transformation."

-elsewhere-

Rin: *pats his belly* =w= "Tasty meal..."

torako: <you seemed to enjoy it. ^^>

orochi: <will you be staying the night?>

Rin: *pats Bon's shoulder* <But I'm sure Bon would be happy to stay with family for the night!>

Bon: -_-# *twists Rin's arm* <We're studying for exams right now.>

Rin: Q_Q *slapping his hand down on the floor*

shiemi: ....

Shima:

izumo: *GLARE*

Shima: "?!!!!" *averts his glance* <Granted, that also depends on whether your own family wants to see you...> >w>;;;;;

-elsewhere-

higuchi: *washing Q's hair*

Q: >~< *whining*

higuchi: ^^; the water wont hurt you, and that visor is supposed to keep the shampoo out of your eyes.

Q: "It feels slimy!"

higuchi: ^^;

Gin: *sets out a towel* "It's that, or your hair will get covered in dirt, disease, and fall out, leaving you as the youngest bald person on this planet."

Q: Q_______Q "What?"

higuchi: .-.;

Q: *flailing* "AAAAH! PLEASE WASH MY HAIR, MOMMY!"

higuchi: *getting all wet from the splashing* ah! ok! ok! >-O;;

Gin: "My work here is done." *turns away*

Q: =~= *relaxes*

higuchi: *sigh* *mutter* next time _you're_ in charge of bath time...

Gin: *walks into the living room* "Kuniko, Ryu, your chores?"

kuniko: dishes are about 78% done!

Akutagawa: *uses Rashomon on a dish towel to dry*

Gin: "As for homework?"

-elsewhere-

Mephisto: "Then we use this key to open the closet, and..." *opens the closet to reveal Death City from the top of a building*

shion: bwoah! *shiny eyes*

Mephisto: "Impressive, yes? You can see our house from here! And there's Mephy Land!"

shion: ^o^ dada! dada!

Mephisto: "Hee hee--that's my head on that ferris wheel! But you need to be a bit taller to ride the roller coaster."

-elsewhere-

sonia: *eating ice cream*

Chuuya: *hands out napkins*

miyuri: *LICK LICK LICK* >~< GYEEK!

Chuuya: "Brain freeze?"

miyuri: miyuri's head feels bad! >A<

sonia: you shouldnt eat it so fast.

Chuuya: "Try putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth to warm it up."

miyuri: *does so*

Chuuya: "Feeling better?"

miyuri: *nods*

Chuuya: "That's good. Now, eat more slowly--we got plenty of time."

-elsewhere-

Hibana: =_____= *sneezes*

mikami: are you feeling alright, commander?

Hibana: "No--I haven't been sleeping."

ryuuko: do you need to see a doctor, or would that be too much?

Hibana: *groans* "Why would I need that?"

ryuuko: it's important for one to look after their well-being. perhaps some tea and meditation might help? that's what my father does when he's stressed.

Hibana: "I already do that--I set aside 5 minutes for meditating in-between the 10 AM and 11 AM meetings, and some tea when I get home at 9 PM."

Rino: *holds up a schedule* "She's booked solid 8 AM to 8 PM. She's killing herself. _It's not going fast enough_."

mikami: rino!

gabriella: princess, please rest.

Rino: >_>;

Hibana: *slams her fists down* "I have work to do! I have some genetic experiments out for my head! I have to figure out what the hell Haijima is doing with those kids! I--I--... *collapses*

gabriella: D8>

Rino: "?!!!" *tries to hold her up* "Jeez, she's heavy..."

Hibana: *unconscious*

-elsewhere-

sasori:....

nana: so, is sasori your actual name?

sasori:...not really.

ivy: is that right?

ria marcelo: yeah.

Joker: "Well, a lot of people change their names. Take Red for instance."

scarlet: ........

nana: and my name is seven.

Joker: "Nana, what did we agree? Your name is Nana now."

nana: EAT SHIT.

ria marcelo: .....she seems to have high regard for you.

Joker: *sniffs, wipes his eye* "I know--makes a father proud."

scarlet:.... -_-;

Joker: "So, Ria, ready to scope out Hibana's latest work?"

ria marcelo: im listening...

-elsewhere-

Hajiki: *somehow stuck behind the vending machine*

hito:......why.

Hajiki: "I don't know--I was trying to get food, then I forgot what I was doing, and I ended up here."

hito: have you tried shimmying out?

Hajiki: "Let me see..." *shifts--and the vending machine starts rocking*

-elsewhere-

Asako: *runs out of a patient's room* "EEEEK!"

vivian: ??

*fire shoots out of the patient's room*

vivian: !!!!

Patient: *frowning, lobbing another fireball* "THAT THERMOMETER WAS COLD AS HELL!"

vivian: OwO;;;

Asako: >~< "That's only if you pursue the Dantean understanding of Hell--"

Patient: *throws another fireball, this one nearing at Vivian*

vivian: *dodge* gyah! how rude!

Patient: "I didn't want to be some fucking second generation flame person!"

Asako: >~< "Third-generation pyrokinetic, sir!"

Patient: "SHUT UP!" *tries to get out of bed--and falls face-first into the bedpan*

vivian: ._.;;

tao: owo~? what's going on here?

Asako: *sigh* "We've had more patients coming in awakening pyrokinetic abilities. And he's been the nicest of them..." -_-;

-elsewhere-

Kimizuki: *carrying a tray of food to a room* *knocks*

hyakuya: it's open....

Kimizuki: *enters* "Hey. Brought your dinner."

hyakuya:..thanks...

Kimizuki: "I wasn't sure what you would like, so if you want more of anything, I got more on the stove to heat up."

hyakuya: *nods*.....kimizuki?

Kimizuki: "Yes?"

hyakuya: did i do the right thing?

Kimizuki: "...Our job is to neutralize vampire threats. Who knows what he would have done next."

hyakuya:.....i saw mika in him.....

Kimizuki: "...So when you see Mika again..."

hyakuya: NO! i cant....i have to get him home....i just.....ever since that day my head's just been all tangled up...

Kimizuki: "How do you convince him? He's not the same kid you knew back then."

hyakuya: what would you do if you were in _my_ position? if it were mirai that was a vampire? would you just kill her without a second thought?!

Kimizuki: "?!! Okay, that's a low blow! It's not my sister that is a vampire, now is she? This is your friend who is suffering--and that's the reality you're dealing with!"

hyakuya:.............

Kimizuki: "...I'm sorry. I don't know what I would do either."

hyakuya:...h-he's my family....*curls up into fetal position* i already lost him once....i cant lose him again....

Kimizuki: "...Then let's bring him back."

hyakuya: *looks up at him*

Kimizuki: "We figure out how to convince him, we figure out what C3 has already done about containing vampires without imprisoning or killing him. If he's that important to you, then I'll help."

hyakuya:...thank you......sorry....about what i said-

Kimizuki: "It-It's fine. If it was me, I would've said something as...passionate.”

hyakuya:...heh...you jerk...*wipes her eyes*

Kimizuki: "Me, a jerk? You're a jerk yelling at me like that..."

hyakuya: *laughs a bit* yeah, got me there....

Kimizuki: *small smile* "Then I win."

hyakuya:....*hug*

Kimizuki: "... ..." *pat pat, hug*

hyakuya:....*looks at him for a bit*

Kimizuki: *looks into her eyes*

hyakuya: kimizuki...i-

shinoa: *opens the door* hey guys~!

hyakuya: *YELLS AND PUNCHES KIMIZUKI IN THE FACE*

Kimizuki: "?!" X_X *knocked to the floor--flipping over the food tray onto Hyakuya*

hyakuya:......

shinoa: oh goodness. was i interrupting something~?

hyakuya:....nothing. nothing at all. -_-#

-elsewhere-

Jeje: "Johannes has not left the basement in days."

metsu: should i check on him?

Jeje: *hands her a taser* "Stay armed."

metsu: *nods* i need to bring him his dinner anyway.

Jeje: *nods, as he rummages through a box of vials*

metsu: *heading downstairs* johannes?

Johannes: *curled over his desk, looking at blood samples*

metsu:....i brought your dinner. *sets the tray down and collects the dishes from the last meal*

Johannes: "Huh? You say something?" *looks up--and has a long white beard*

metsu: ......... ._______.

Johannes: "What's with that look? ..." *glances down* "Oh, right--" *grabs the fake beard, rips--...then covers his mouth to let out a tortured scream* "I forgot the glue!!!"

metsu:........im not even going to ask. *heads upstairs*

Johannes: "Thank you for the meal! Bring down body wash!"

Jeje: *pulls out a vial...swirls its contents into a mug of hot chocolate*

-elsewhere-

Rin: *lies down*

-knock knock-

shiemi: rin? may i ask you something?

Rin: *sits up* "Hey, Shiemi--what's up?"

shiemi: well, pardon if it's intrusive, but i noticed you and yuki werent talking much during dinner....you two didnt have a fight, did you?

Rin: >_>; "That's...kind of personal. It's nothing..."

shiemi:....ok. well, good night.

Rin: *grunts* "Night..."

{Rin: "What brought this on?"}

{yukio: dont you want to know about our birth? according to the knight of true cross, she was the one who bore satan's sons, and most information on her is classified. but i want to know more about her...}

{Rin: "After what we've heard so far, and what we've gone through? No, it can't be a good story. Just knowing that she was a kind person is enough for me."}

{yukio: why are you trying to avoid this? dont you even care? this is our mother for god's sake!}

{Rin: "..." *frowns* "Why are you needing this so badly?"}

{yukio:......he...heheheh...haha...AHAHAHA!!}

{Rin: "?!!! Yuki? Wh-What's wrong?"}

{yukio: HAHAHAHA.....that's right....we can never truly change how we think, right? we're both right and both wrong......it's funny.....we're twins, yet we're total opposites....well....just....just forget we had this talk, ok? come on...the others are waiting...}

Rin: "...What the hell, bro."

-elsewhere-

gozo: <tatsuma, sir, are you in?>

Tatsuma: *reclining in a chair, a book resting on his lap* "???" <Yes?>

gozo:

Tatsuma: "..."

gozo: <nothing much yet, but we are researching it at the india branch's underground library. sadly, we havent yet found a way to summon a demon possessing another person.>

Tatsuma: <Hmm...> *holds up his book* <I'll have to finish this reading on exorcising Karura from Todo so to resummon...>

gozo: <there is a problem. based on renzou's observations from aomori on todo's appearance, it seems karura is bonding to its new vessel...>

Tatsuma: *sighs* <Then it is up to me to hurry. Thank you for this information. Please, continue your investigation.>

-elsewhere-

Fire: *yawns* *gets out of bed, looking out the window*

kim: .....

Jacqueline: "??? Fire?"

Fire: "I think I see something."

kim: ??

Fire: "I saw something glowing and moving in the forest."

kim: *looks to the others*

Jacqueline: "...Maybe wake the others." *nudges Kilik*

-elsewhere-

Kanin: *tucks Amelia in*

amelia: good night.

Kanin: "Good night, Amelia. I'll see you in the morning." *walks away...*

amelia:.......

Kanin: *gets to the door* "...Should I leave a light on, or...?"

amelia: im fine.

Kanin: "O-Okay...Good night." *closes the door*

-elsewhere-

Crona: *lying awake in bed* "..."

mami: *asleep*

Crona: ("It's so quiet now...I used to hear his voice even when he wasn't talking...It's hard to get used to.") *looks at Mami* "..." *hug*

mami: *she seems quite relaxed*

Crona: *closes their eyes, sighs quietly*

-morning-

Bon: *walking through the temple*

izumo: *cleaning*

Bon: "??? What, Mom has you working?"

izumo: i volunteered, for your information.

Bon: -_-; "Well, thanks--it's looking better."

-elsewhere-

Relan: *walking with his shoulder in a sling* *cringes*

iris: how are you feeling?

Relan: "The meds help, but it still hurts a lot."

iris: hmm...

Relan: "Enough of that--another day is ahead of us...How did the talk go with Mr. Fulham from the 1st?"

iris: well....

-she explains what happened-

Relan: "I'm so sorry. This can't be easy on everyone in the Church."

-elsewhere-

Yoichi: ^^ "Welcome back to work!"

hyakuya: morning.

shinoa: oh, that reminds me, riko's family invited us to their mansion for a celebration. ^^

Kimizuki: "What's to celebrate? We did our job..." *awkward glance at Hyakuya*

shinoa: they wanted to celebrate the return of their daughter, of course. so get your formal wear~

Yoichi: "Yay! ...I don't have really good formal wear, so I may need to shop a bit."

hyakuya: i dont have any formal wear!

Kimizuki: *sighs* "Looks like a few of us are shopping."

-elsewhere-

Monica: *in the cafe uniform* -_-# "Welcome. May I take your order?"

girl: i'll have a Frappuccino.

guy: do you still have the shamrock shakes?

Monica: "...It's June. Not March. So no. Is there something else you want to order?"

guy: can i have a mint green mocha then?

Monica: "..." *writes it onto a cup* "Sure. Name?"

-elsewhere-

Harvar: *looking at footprints* "Well, someone was here."

ox: or something....

Fire: .~.; "Like the thing we're supposed to find?"

kim: most likely...

Jacqueline: *following the steps' path--that lead to the edge of a cliff* "..."

-elsewhere-

*a man in a monocle opens his car door*

???: mr dragulsec i presume?

Dragulsec: "???" *turns--*

-WHAM-

*Dragulsec is knocked to the street*

Dragulsec: *groans, sitting up* "L-Lighting?!"

lewin: salutations, doc!

Dragulsec: "What the devil is wrong with you?!"

lewin: word on the street is you've got connections to the illuminati.

Dragulsec: "Balderdash! Your 'word' would tell you I already entered a contract that would prevent me from cooperating with them!"

lewin: but that's the mystery i need to solve. after all, not many people can get away with a massacre and stay in the same line of work for over a decade...

Dragulsec: "Absurd! Hollow reasoning! You have no idea how such a massacre continues to affect me!"

lewin: talk is cheap, doc. but i'll still need a bit of proof. teyonebuse and so on...

*something buzzes around Dragulsec, striking him*

Dragulsec: "GAAAH! Stop this!"

lewin:...mortem.

Dragulsec: *screams, as his collar is ripped*

lewin:....so _that's_ it, huh? welp. thanks for your time, doc. im gonna vamoose, as it were.

Dragulsec: *coughing* "Y-You won't get away with this! I'll report this! They'll lock you away, Lightning, you madman!"

lewin: funny you should say that. i intend to have you prosecuted~

-elsewhere-

Lucy: *waves to the cafe manager* "Hello!"

manager: good morning, lucy. ready to start the day?

Lucy: *smiles, nods* "Ready!" *grabs the apron* "I wonder how busy it'll get."

*the door opens*

manager: welcome.

Q: ^w^ *waves his doll's hand* "Hello!"

higuchi: *nods*

Lucy: ._.;

-elsewhere-

kirako: ok, i brought everyone's orders. ^^

Kyoka: "Thank you." *smiles*

Kunikida: "Thank you very much. That was very kind of you."

fukuzawa: .....

Kyoka: "...Sir? You aren't touching your food. Do you anticipate it is poisoned?"

fukuzawa: im more concerned for miss haruno.

kirako: sir, im fine, really.

Kunikida: "Did you make sure to buy a meal for yourself?"

kirako: just something light.

Kunikida: "I see..."

Kyoka: "Can always have my fortune cookie." *holds up hers*

kirako: thank you kyouka.

sylvia: *noms her food* t-thank you!

Kyoka: ^^

Kunikida: "How did your check-up go?"

kirako: well, i did get a good report.

Kunikida: "Oh? That's great."

-elsewhere-

nana: *intently staring at a book*

Ria marcelo: "It's okay--try saying it aloud."

nana: hmm......aaa....pp...ley?

Ria marcelo: "Apple?"

nana: yeah, this thing. *points to a picture of an apple in the book*

Ria marcelo: "Right. It's a fruit that comes in a variety of colors and flavors varying by sweetness and tartness."

nana: uhhhh.....huh?

Ria marcelo: "It's food."

nana: oh. ok.

Ria marcelo: "And it's a common word when learning English and other languages because it starts with the first letter in the alphabet, 'A.'"

nana: ah...which one is 'A'?

Ria marcelo: "The first letter." *circles the "A" in "apple" with her finger*

nana: oooh! i see.

Ria marcelo: "..." *small smile* "There are some other words that start with 'a,' too."

-elsewhere-

Kimizuki: *looking at ties* "Hmm...Red may be too intimidating."

shinoa: alright, we've picked out our dresses.

hyakuya: 7,7;

Yoichi: "Great! This'll be fun, like playing dress up!"

mitsuba: wouldnt be my first formal dinner party.

shinoa: same.

Yoichi: ^^; "I'm out of practice on formal dining etiquette."

mitsuba:...*glances at kimizuki*

Kimizuki: "Hmph. I'm familiar enough with the dining practices." *picks out a black tie*

-elsewhere-

Saria: *walks up to the counter* "Hello! I'll have--" O_O; *hides behind Lukas*

Monica: -_-# "Just give it to me."

lukas: um... ._.;

Monica: "SPIT IT OUT! I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY!"

Saria: >_< "Iced tea, please!"

-elsewhere-

kyouko: ......

Fujimoto: *reading, looks up* "Hey, kiddo--feeling a bit bored?"

kyouko: a bit stressed from studying and work, i guess. *sigh* i havent been this exhausted since working to pay off your medical bills.....

Fujimoto: "...You know, you had been saving up some money for a bit of travel..."

kyouko: ?? are you sure?

Fujimoto: *nods* "I think you need a break. Maybe I can help with your trip..."

kyouko: hmm.....

-elsewhere-

mami: feeling any better?

Crona: "Still lethargic, but less affected by whatever happened...Ragnarok has been a bit more unhinged but nowhere near as mindless when we were together."

mami: i see. do you need anything at the moment?

Crona: "...I'm kinda hungry." ^^; "Maybe pudding?"

mami: ok, two puddings coming up. ^^

Crona: "Thank you..." *looks out the window* "Maybe we could go out when I'm a little stronger."

mami: *nods*

*giggling is heard in the hallway*

mami: *looks*

Ragnarok: *in the apartment hallway, talking to a neighbor* "--then I said, 'It's supposed to be flat--it's roadkill!'"

old woman: ._.;;

Ragnarok: "So, how long you been living here? Since Peloponnesian or Trojan War?"

mami: hello mrs onozuka. he isnt bothering you is he?

mrs onozuka: hello mami, dearie. is he a friend of yours? ^^;

mami: more of a permanent house guest. 7_7;

mrs onozuka: that reminds me, how is chrona? i heard they were in the hospital.

mami: they're doing much better. i was actually about to make some food for them.

Ragnarok: "Not since they pulled me out of Cro--"

mami: *shoves ragnarok back inside*

Ragnarok: >_<# "You jerk! I'm making headway with that octogenarian!"

mrs onozuka: if you'd like, i could bring over some of my homemade ohagi. ^^

mami: that would be lovely, thank you. ^^

Ragnarok: "MAKE ME SOME TOO, MRS. O!"

-elsewhere-

kim: ugh...feels like we've been walking forever!

Jacqueline: *looking at the trail* "Maybe they are trying to confuse us--meandering."

kilik: ......

ox: *shivering*

Harvar: "This is the part in the horror film where someone gets pulled away screaming to their death."

ox: can you not? im cold enough as it is!

Thunder: *striking a stick along the trees*

-something growls-

Fire: O_O;

ox: EEK!

kim: ?!?

Harvar: *gets in front of Ox*

-something comes charging at them-

kim: jackie!

Jacqueline: "Right!" *transforms*

kilik: fire, thunder, let's go!

Fire and Thunder: *transform*

-a large green creature charges-

creature: *GRRAOOOOOOO*

Jacqueline: "!!!"

Fire + Thunder: "HOLY MOLEY!"

Harvar: "??? Are we in The Green?"

-the creature swings a fist at them-

Jacqueline: *lets out a fire in the air* "Get back, Kim!"

kim: *jumps back* jackie, blast it!

Jacqueline: *blasts it*

creature: *SCREECHES*

Thunder: "??? Are they upset we're on their land?"

kim: why dont we try asking it. OOOI! WHAT DO YOU WANT!

creature: *SHRIIEEEK*

ox: *dodging* ?? hey! there's something in it's back!

Harvar: *looks*

-in the creature's back is a black shard that looks like glass, but has an orange glow to it, similar to the creature's eyes-

Harvar: "Looks magic-y."

kim: *looks* !! we need to get it out!

Jacqueline: "Touching it directly may be dangerous. It may be safer to use a weapon to dig it out. I suggest using Harvar."

Harvar: -_-; "Thank you for your concern."

kim: and after we get it out, we need to destroy it.

kilik: you recognize it?

kim: *nods* it's a binding shard. witches use them to control living beings sometimes.

Jacqueline: "Who wants to be the distraction?"

kim: hey you big lug! over here! >XP

creature: *ROARS and attacks*

Jacqueline: "Oh boy..." *blasts up to let Kim fly over*

creature: *swings a fist at them*

Fire + Thunder: *charge up*

kilik: *runs at the creature*

Fire: "FIRE FIST!"

Thunder: "THUNDERSTRUCK!"

-SHAFWOOM-

creature: *SCREEEEEEEEEEEE*

Harvar: "Ox, now!"

ox: HYAAAH!!

*direct hit*

creature: *SCREEEEEEEEE*

Harvar: "Now get back!"

ox: *jumps back*

Jacqueline: "Kim, what happens now to it?"

kim: we need to smash the shard!

Fire: "Punch it!"

-POW-

-SHATTER-

Thunder: ^o^

-the beast stops. then a blue light appears in it's eyes, staring at them-

Jacqueline: "Did it work?"

Harvar: "No, the beast got contact lenses."

Jacqueline: -_-#

-the creature looks at them, letting out a low growl, as if to say 'thank you', then walks off-

Fire: "Bye bye!"

kim: well, i think that's case closed...

kilik: guys....i think that thing may have been the forest guardian...

Thunder: "Huh--that would make a lot of sense."

kim: i thought forest guardians looked like huge bucks?

kilik: in some cases, they do. the appearance of the guardian changes depending on the state of the forest it protects.

Jacqueline: "So this mossy forest..."

kim:...we should probably go now.

-elsewhere-

Black Star: *huffs, puffs* "...OKAY! AGAIN!"

Hyde: *operating a wrecking ball* "Okay!" *swings the wrecking ball--*

Black Star: *stares...pulls back his fist, and--*

*CRACK*

tsubaki: what on earth?!

licht: idiocy. idiocy is happening.

Black Star: *knocks the freaking wrecking ball away--as it flies off the chain and towards Licht and Tsubaki*

ochako: *gravities the chain and sends it up*

Hyde: "Woot! Look at that sucker fly!"

Black Star: "Damn! I can't believe I knocked that thing away! Looks like I'm getting this strength thing under control!"

Fitzgerald: "THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING WITH MY WRECKING BALL?!"

Hyde: "..." *runs for it*

ochako: YEEP!!

Mr. Uraraka: "Oh, hey kids! Careful on the equipment."

Fitzgerald: *picks up a pebble, throws it--and it smashes Hyde into the ground*

ochako: D8>

licht: ?!?!?

Hyde: *buried*

Fitzgerald: "Hmph. Not even worth $25."

-elsewhere-

Tetsutetsu: *staring at the list* "So many flavors...So many desserts..."

pony: they all sound so delish!

Sen: "Hmm...Maybe just something simple--like fudge ripple..."

Tetsutetsu: *staring at the sundaes*

Yosetsu: "Just a little bit before our training kicks into high gear!"

nirengeki: maybe i'll just get something small.

reiko: i suppose i'll treat myself to the chocolate fudge.

tokage: you sure, yanagin? it's a bit pricey.

reiko: *nods*

Hiryu: "Ibara, you want anything?"

ibara: i'll just have vanilla.

kinoko: dude, that's rad.

Hiryu: *nods* "That red velvet is calling my attention..."

-elsewhere-

mina: you think horses have dreams?

Jirou: "??? Probably. Animals make noises when they sleep and all..."

mina: what do you think they dream about?

eijiro: horse stuff i guess?

Hagakure: "Like winning the Derby?"

mina: maybe.

-elsewhere-

Todoroki: "??? What happened to your friend?"

Hyde: X___X

ochako: antics happened. ^^;

licht: *staring at todoroki*

Todoroki: "...Oh. Hello, um, 'bro.'"

licht: hello again brother, angel of the frozen flame.

Todoroki: -_-; "Not the moniker I intend to use for superheroism, but poetic."

-elsewhere-

Rin: *sitting under bamboo, has a monkey on his head* "I don't see what the big deal is..." *hands a grape up to the monkey* "The baby isn't out yet, so you still got time..."

Monkey: ^w^ *eating*

izumo: i guess they wanted so celebrate anyway.

Rin: "Yeah, but I mean his panicking over something that isn't happening yet--still got time to learn diapering, burping, cholic, warming up milk--"

izumo: how do you know about all this stuff?

Rin: "The old man kept seeing mothers all the time, so someone had to look after the kids while he was doing whatever with them."

izumo: i see...

Bon: "What a mother."

-elsewhere-

#death city days

0 notes

withouta-voice · 6 years

Text

You And Me

Title: You And Me

Word Count: 5,124

5K story commissioned to me by my best friend Captain! <3

Summary: Michael and Aidan Lynx are brothers raised by a pirate. The story of their lives growing up together, learning new things and getting their lives together side by side.

When you’re a child, you have big dreams. You want to be this or that, this great, impossible thing or this simple, achievable thing. Ideas changed over and over, new and improved or old and more thought out. Some ideas stuck and became true to form dreams, and sometimes they faded off to make room for newer, bigger dreams.

When Aidan was little, he was adopted by a pirate. John, his name was. John was a good man. He was a pirate, yes, but he never killed anyone. It was against what he believed. Now, he could be a thief all he wanted, he could fight other sailors and the law, and he could defend himself. But John would never kill someone. He wouldn’t take a life because it wasn’t his choice to make.

His crew was his family. They all cared immensely for each other, worked together, took care of each other. John’s many sons and daughters. He’d protect them all with his life and vice versa.

After weeks of the crew encouraging him, his own first mate laughing and clapping him on the back as she grinned at him, told him he’d be amazing, John found himself at a large home – two stories. A kind woman greeted him at the door and brought him in. That was where he found Michael. The nine year old boy had psoriasis. Other kids teased him and told him it looked like scales, but Michael didn’t seem upset. Dragons were cool.

John signed papers that very day and brought Michael onto his ship to meet the crew. Everyone loved him right from the get-go and Michael was one of them.

He seemed a bit bored a lot of the time as years passed though, started to spend more time flicking water in a bucket than interacting with the crew. He was well taken care of, that was clear. Generally entertained, slept in a comfy cot with the crew on the boy’s own request. Food to eat, water drink and toys to play with, but he was bored. John thought he understood why.

One day when Michael was twelve, John brought home another boy. Michael was confused, surprised as he saw this ten year old clinging to John’s pants, shyly peering out at Michael. Shoulder length fiery red hair, freckles smattering his skin and a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt. John moved the boy in front of him with hands on his shoulders, smiled reassuringly and introduced them. Aidan, meet Michael, your new brother. Michael slowly stepped closer and gently took Aidan’s hand, both boys’ eyes full of wonder even as Michael led Aidan off quietly to go show him his toys and get him a cot near Michael’s.

The boys have been inseparable ever since.

Every morning, Aidan the morning person would wake up before Michael with the rest of the crew. Some days he would wake his brother up, other days the younger boy pulled Michael’s blanket more over his shoulders, kissed his cheek and let him sleep. Aidan was an affectionate one, enjoying clinging to people he cares about or hugging and giving cheek kisses constantly, especially Michael and their father.

Throughout the years, Michael and Aidan only grew closer, solidified their friendship. When things went down or left them hurt or broken hearted, the two were there for each other. When things were great and nothing was wrong, the two enjoyed those days together.

John tried to let them go to school once. It was hard having his boys away from them. He hated it, that lonely feeling while he waited for his sons to finish school for the day and return to the ship – and to him in turn. He had to pull them out of school in just one week. Aidan had mumbled something about some kid telling him he shouldn’t follow his dream and Michael immediately got to his feet and picked a fight.

That was how they found out Michael’s a dragon, huffing soot and smoke from his mouth as he followed after John, kept Aidan close to his side with an arm around his shoulders and his other hand on his shoulder as he steered his saddened little brother onto the ship. They got into a considerable amount more trouble now knowing Michael was a dragon, but John didn’t mind. He loved his boys with all of his heart, and let’s be real; it made lighting candles and torches easier.

John had a lot of treasure he kept in a hidden away spot on an island, things he’d stolen or found, jewels, gems, anything shiny that no one knew about except himself and his crew. He showed the boys one day when Aidan was fourteen and Michael sixteen. The boys gasped in awe at all the gems and jewels piled together and John told them both they can each pick one thing to keep with them, so John is always with them even when he physically isn’t.

They were both still before Aidan picked up a necklace near his foot – a dazzling string of turquoise beads all hooked together on a gold chain with a larger turquoise gem hanging in the middle. He hooked it around his neck and grinned at the two, getting the same grin right back. Michael, he looked around a little before finding a ring. Celtic in design, encrusted with a ruby and just as dazzling. Aidan gasped and told him how pretty it was; Michael grinned and pocketed it after testing it. Too big to wear, he’d have to simply hang onto it for the time being. That was okay. They both hugged their father tightly and he hugged them right back, reminding them just how much he loved them.

The boys never removed their jewelry. Aidan kept his necklace on at all times unless he was bathing. When Michael had to change shirts he’d switch the ring to the pocket he had on him in his new clothes.

As time happened, life did as well. John helped Aidan and Michael figure out what they wanted to do in life. Michael was dead set on being a captain. Not one of the seas like John, but one of the skies. Aidan just wanted to be a baker.

One day when they were alone, after hours of thought, Aidan told Michael he didn’t feel like a man as the two lay out on the grass on land while John bought supplies. I don’t feel like a man. Not really. Michael propped himself up on an elbow and asked a few simple questions, gave him a smile when Aidan nervously answered to soothe the obvious nerves.

Finally they came to one word they knew. Michael spent time learning about such things, observing people and asking questions when he could. So he put a word to the feeling and it felt a lot easier to talk about. Aidan was genderfluid. Michael asked about pronouns, tried different ones in different sentences for him and they decided Aidan was fine with anything. He’d still use male pronouns for himself, but anyone else can use whatever they think suits him.

Michael changed his pronouns at a rapid pace whenever he spoke about Aidan from then on and it confused everyone. After changing Aidan’s pronouns six times in one small sentence when talking to John, he finally consulted Aidan about it and gave him a grin as he got the answer.

The crew accepted it like they accepted anything else from the boys.

John was confused at first when Michael kept changing the pronouns he used to refer to Aidan, but after speaking to his son himself, he understood and accepted it as well.

Even as young adults, the two got in trouble. The only difference was they were older, wiser, bigger and more capable of handling such things. They were tutored on the ship by various members of the crew for various subjects, things like English, math, other languages and so on. It was fun to learn alongside the crew – their family. They were all calm and patient teaching the boys which made it so much easier, helped the boys take to their teaching much easier.

As adults, Michael could easily steer the ship and sword fight flawlessly and Aidan could bake some amazing things with what skill he had from crew advice and his own experimentations. It warmed John’s heart to see the two fulfilling their dreams. Eventually, Michael and Aidan were on their own, moved and worked with help to fulfill their dreams. Suddenly with help and a good amount of money from John’s stash, they had an airship all to themselves.

Michael and Aidan moved in to the airship right away – it was huge, beautiful and it was so fun to slowly move in together, picking rooms across from each other. The kitchen was connected to the dining room – the rooms huge in themselves. Idea after idea and after some construction, it was more open, more windows, an entrance that led straight to the dining room. All sorts of chairs and tables and Aidan opened it as a bakery he lived in, a big sign on the top and everything. It was all thanks to John that this happened, and the boys were exhilarated.

Michael, he did some work of his own on the ship that John gave to him the moment Michael was twenty-two. John got a new, simpler ship for himself, anonymously sold jewels and gold all going into their almost endless funds for their dreams. John had a simple ship for himself and his crew, though some of the crew more knowledgeable in the kitchen went with Aidan and joined his employees in his new bakery Sugar & Spice, and some went with Michael on John’s request to get his sons started.

It took years. Four in fact, for these projects to be completed, but then Michael had an airship of his own made for his voyages, something from his father and Aidan had a large airship for his bakery that also served as a home in the skies for them. It was amazing. Michael went on so many voyages of his own; John went back to his pirating life to make up for the treasures he lost, though he wasn’t broken up about the lost jewels whatsoever. It went to a good cause.

Aidan, he stayed in the airship, slowly drifting through his hair, occasionally tending to customers that boarded the airship for the bakery. The pay was rather good and helped Aidan keep the bakery well stocked for the constant baking. Michael stopped by the bakery rather often after voyages, but Aidan refused to take any money from his brother. Michael got baked goods and sweets and tea for free because to Aidan, his pay from Michael was the years of learning and companionship together.

They were close; it was obvious to anyone who saw them. Michael and Aidan hanging off each other, laughing together, making tea or baking together; even years later with their dreams being accomplished, they never drifted apart.

It didn’t take long for Michael to become a rather feared captain. He was ruthless. Michael wouldn’t allow himself to be pushed around. He was tall, he was strong and he was brave, given the same temperament as John. He was kind to his crew; he was calm and relaxed and smiled at them often. When he was around enemy pirate ships and those that opposed him, Michael didn’t seem to be the same person. Hell, he may as well have been a demon for all anyone knew. He was fast, cunning, smart, and clever. It seemed like no one was a match for him.

Soon enough, Michael’s name was known throughout the skies. The second most feared captain.

This terrifying, deadly, violent captain with such a title squealed to Aidan in excitement when he heard the news. Aidan laughed, made him tea and congratulated his brother.

One day when Michael was on a voyage, a young woman and a young man entered the bakery, dressed as though they were mercenaries with their simple clothes and the guns on their backs. They just ordered water, fairy bread and that was it. Aidan leaned against the counter, eyeing the only two in the bakery aside from him on the slow day, examining them. The woman was tall, taller than Aidan. She was 6’1, 6’2 maybe? The man was just a bit shorter than her, 5’7 likely. Two blondes, the woman had her hair parted to the left, bangs dyed a soft pink, and the man had his hair parted to the right, his bangs dyed soft blue.

They seemed close, chatting softly – or, well, the woman was. The man wasn’t saying a word, simply nodding or shaking his head in response to her words. When they were finished eating, Aidan walked up with that kind smile and took their plates, asking the usual, “Will that be all for you two?” and she simply requested that they could stay longer to talk – they were waiting for someone.

Half an hour later, Aidan was leaning against the counter again, half asleep – he may as well have been drooling and the woman approached the counter, said “sir?” loud enough that Aidan jerked up and looked at her in surprise, flustered as he apologized. She just laughed quietly and asked if they could just have some appetizers and more water while they waited. Finally, Aidan gave into his curiosity and asked what her name was.

Emily, she’d said. Her brother was – a long pause – Odin. Aidan laughed and she laughed too. What are your names really, he asked and she was quiet for a long moment before answering again. Emma and younger brother Oliver Beckett, she told him, and Aidan smiled and told her those names were nicer than Emily and Odin. Emma laughed a little again and shook her head before Aidan said he’d be right over with their food and she went back to her brother.

Somehow, Aidan got talking to the two of them after that – it was nice to get to know them, and they enjoyed getting to know their server that added to the conversation. Aidan A. Lynx, son of Captain Lynx and brother of the terrifying pirate Michael Lynx. It was nice to get to know them. When he got past the fact they were, in fact, mercenaries – bounty hunters, really – they were quite nice people. Oliver was mute, didn’t say a word; not even since he was a baby. He had a notepad on him, had been writing his responses to Emma with a pencil so he could erase mistakes or his words to write something else.

Soon enough, what appeared to be a young, dark skinned girl around Aidan’s height came in, long dark brown hair tied back, streaks of blue in her locks and her hair parted in the middle, right side of her bangs dyed blue like Oliver’s. Her dress was a sort of raspberry color with soft blue fabric flowers lining the waist and one on the top of each shoulder. On that note, she also had a light gold bird with blue feathers on its head on her shoulder and she strolled over to them with a pleased grin.

“Ollie, Em!” She said excitedly and the two stood up, both hugging her between them. Aidan laughed a little and smiled as he looked at his two new friends and their sister. “I’ll let you three be. Want anything?” He asked and the new girl’s gaze turned to him and she shook her head with a smile. “New friend?” She asked, looking up at her brother and sister and the two smiled, nodded. “Aidan,” Emma began, catching his attention and he looked curiously at her. “This is our sibling Morgan!”

Aidan furrowed his brows for a moment before his eyes widened in realization and he nodded, offering them a hand and a smile. Morgan shook it and grinned at him, answering his unspoken question, “Agender,” before releasing his hand and Aidan nodded his understanding. “Genderfluid, and what’s your bird’s name?”

Morgan and the bird looked at each other before they looked so amused, smiled innocently at Aidan. “Polly Parton.” He snorted a laugh and nodded. “Does Polly want a cracker and Morgan some fairy bread?”

That pulled a laugh from Morgan and an imitated cackling sound from Polly and the three of them sat down while Aidan served them more water, fairy bread, some devilled eggs as appetizers. They left after a while, though Emma wrote down all three of their numbers on Morgan’s request- altogether demanding their sister do so because they wanted to get to know him too, especially since Polly seemed to like him.

Weeks of the three of them stopping by occasionally, chatting with Aidan and testing what he could bake. He let Morgan do taste tests in the kitchen more often than not, and eventually asked if they wanted to join the crew since they seemed to enjoy it there so much; a kitchen smelling of cookies and vanilla, a fully accepting employer that would let them keep their bird in the kitchen with them so long as he could build a perch and keep Polly there to avoid feathers in food and free food whenever they wanted.

They said they’d have to ask their mom and dad. Mother was wary, father met with Aidan the next time they came and took a look around before agreeing right off the bat so long as Morgan had him to pick them up and take them home during work days. They settled that they could work Saturday, Sunday and possibly later in the afternoon on Wednesday due to still being in school. Aidan had no issue with that whatsoever and told them they can come in whenever they wanted and he’ll pay them like anyone else.

It was great working with Morgan and getting to know them better and better. Emma and Oliver’s visits became few and far between; because of their work, Morgan had told him and Aidan nodded his understanding. That was fine, his own brother’s visits took a while sometimes too, he told them and they grinned. Reaching an understanding, Morgan and Aidan fist bumped and got back to work. Within a month, Michael visited, called for Aidan and seemed surprised to see the new employee trailing after him like a lost puppy. Aidan happily introduced Morgan to Michael, flipped the open sign to closed and Morgan, starry eyed, mentioned they’d already heard about Michael the fearsome pirate and Aidan how did you forget to mention he was your brother?!

Morgan became fast friends with Michael, introducing him to the bird and watching as Polly climbed into Michael’s finger for a moment. Just that moment, Aidan tripped over something in the kitchen making Morgan gasp in surprise and Polly let out quite a long list of colorful words in Aidan’s direction that had Michael cackling.

“Polly want a cracker? No. Polly wants to fuck some people up, right?” Michael asked as the bird continued to swear. Then he moved Polly back to Morgan’s shoulder and after a minute of idle chatting with them, a pillow came from seemingly nowhere, hitting Michael in the face and sending Morgan into a fit of giggles as Michael shrieked, “Are you challenging me?!”

They liked these brothers, for sure. They sat back at a table, watching Aidan and Michael start a ruthless pillow fight. Grown men that acted like children around each other no matter how fearsome one was and how business-y the other could be. They were good friends and brothers, goofing around in the empty bakery. Eventually Morgan moved Polly to her perch in the kitchen in clear view of them, found a bedroom, grabbed a pillow and joined in the fun. Later on, Aidan set both of them and himself up with hot chocolate and a few laptop movies at a table in the bakery until Morgan’s father showed up to pick them up.

Two months later and lots of time spent with them, occasionally stammered conversation and happy grins, Morgan helped Aidan ask Emma out and watched, delighted as their sister said yes. He took Emma to dinner off the airship, saw no use in trying to cook for her himself; his skill was in baking, not cooking unless she wanted bacon and possibly burnt popcorn which made her laugh when he asked her that very question.

The dinner was quite the success and Aidan was obviously head over heels for her. A week after the date, Emma took a deep breath when the two were hanging out together by themselves and told him she was a werewolf. They were both quiet for a moment before Aidan whispered, “Werewife.” And she burst into a fit of laughter. The two smiled, Aidan kissed her cheek and that was it. He didn’t mind, if nothing else it made her all the more interesting. Does this mean Oliver’s a werewolf too, he’d asked, and Emma nodded, asked if that bothered him either. He thought about it and answered, no as long as he doesn’t try to rip my throat out.

Another laugh pulled from her and the two relaxed together, not a care in the world as they watched stars together, made constellations in their minds, consulted real constellations and once or twice the made up ones.

Another two months, and Aidan was excitedly telling his visiting brother about his new girlfriend, and Michael responded in kind about his boyfriend, the boys gushing together like the boys they really were inside, like they didn’t grow up into strong men living their dreams really as Michael’s crew hung around the bakery enjoying their free treats courtesy of Aidan. Morgan had been promoted – Aidan gave them better pay so they’d have money to do things they wanted to, get things they wanted or needed. They appreciated it, beamed at him as he helped them get work experience and good pay.

The boys were stood there by the counter chatting away, eventually moving and sitting at one of the tables as they talked about this and that, their loved ones in particular – a subject that would never get old for the brothers. This and that, back and forth until the door opened and Emma and Oliver walked in, Morgan nowhere in sight. It made sense – it was still early, they were still in school.

Aidan lit up, and Michael smiled and waved, whereas Emma bristled and Oliver narrowed his eyes. Aidan was confused, the boys standing up as Aidan asked why they looked so irritated, did something happen? What’s going on?

But then Oliver tackled Michael and Aidan full on screamed in horror, Emma pulling him back from trying to pull Oliver off his brother. It was a tense moment of silence as Michael held up his hand, stopping his crew from taking any action as he stared blankly at Oliver for flooring him out of nowhere. That was considerably rude, no doubt. Aidan just watched on in horror, pleading that Oliver not hurt him – he’s on their side after all! – While Michael’s crew kept their muskets all trained on Oliver.

Emma gave Aidan such a look when he said Michael was his best friend and brother though, but he didn’t notice, too busy worrying for his brother. After a long moment of silence, Michael grinned at Oliver causing the other to give him such a confused look. He was on the floor basically at the mercy of the bounty hunter, and he was grinning?

“Be a good little boy and let me tell them to back off.”

That earned a good punch to his cheek, but Oliver climbed off Michael. Emma continued to give Aidan such a look as the smaller man screeched at the bounty hunter for hitting his brother. He buried his face in his hands, groaning about how Michael was a good man and a good pirate. Then he said Michael saved his dog once and Emma looked confused at him and Aidan stared at her, holding back his smile as he whispered in a dead serious tone, “he saved my dog, Emma, we have a pact.”

Michael chose then to get up, assuring his crew and his second that it was quite alright, that it was a misunderstanding. Then he was slinging an arm around Aidan’s shoulders, grinning at his brother and stating, “You were the dog.”

Aidan laughed and wrapped his arms around Michael’s waist, giving him a squeeze before they both let go and Aidan said a quick, “I’m gonna make tea, please try not to kill each other?” before darting off to the kitchen, hoped they could smooth it all over that way. Emma and Oliver both leveled glares with Michael, but to their credit, they didn’t attack or try to fight him again.

After a long moment of silence, Emma held a hand out, kept glaring at him while Oliver relaxed a little. “Emma.” She said, and Michael stared right back before taking her hand and giving it a shake before releasing it just as quick. “Michael.”

“I know.” They left it at that. Aidan came back soon enough with the tea and they all sat down to chat and maybe try to get to know each other. Michael warned them if they fought him and fucked up Aidan’s floor further than the little scuff marks already there, he’d really make them pay for it. They didn’t put it past him, him being a pirate and all and left it at that even as Aidan gave them a look for mentioning how he’s a pirate yet again.

Five months later and they were on okay terms. Not good, but not wholly bad either. Emma and Aidan were engaged, Morgan and Aidan were close and Morgan was even receiving sword training from Michael in secret – their father knew, but they don’t need to know that – and Emma and Oliver hung around more. It was at a calm, quiet point once again. No problems, no fighting amongst themselves. The boys gained more friends to talk to and rely on, and it was all well and good.

You know, until Michael came home with three dragon eggs he’d found abandoned three years later. They’d all been surprised. The nest had been abandoned a couple days, no sign of the mother coming back. Something must’ve caused her to leave, so Michael took them home and kept them safe in his room. Aidan blanched at the thought of small dragons running around, but he let it be and helped Michael set up a good, big circular bed in his room for the three eggs to rest comfortably. They bought some toys, natural baby things; neither of them knew how to care for dragons.

When they hatched, Aidan was even more concerned as Michael tried to take care of the three dragon babies. It seemed to be going relatively well though. Aidan and his now wife Emma had two kids – two three, nearly four year olds by then named Miles and Charlie. The kids were easy going, and it was cute to see all five of them excitedly play together.

And of course, to add to their strange growing family, a few years later, four or five at most, Oliver was coming home looking so exhausted with a little plant dragon girl trailing after him, light green markings glittering along her skin, long dark hair braided down her back and a towel hooked around her to serve as clothes. Her name was Artemis, Oliver told them on his notepad. He found her abandoned and she refused to leave his side no matter what he said or did and please god help him he was supposed to hunt her he’s not ready for kids.

Michael and Emma got Artemis the six year old dragon settled into some clothes from Michael’s kids and sent her off to play with them. Morgan was utterly delighted to learn about Artemis and showered her in love and adoration. Artemis, after some confusion of human concepts and a few conversations about it, kept calling Morgan ‘Auntie Morg’ until Morgan told her to simply call her ‘titi Morg’. Artemis loved the word so much.

Their family just kept growing, becoming bigger, stronger, and closer. Even if Oliver and Emma got off on a rough start with Michael, it didn’t seem to matter when the kids were together. She still glared at him often, both of them driving each other up the wall, but for Aidan, for the kids, and when they put that in the forefront of their minds, it seemed to be working. They got along alright when they kept that in mind. They disagreed on a lot, and Emma still highly disapproved of the fact he was a pirate – a well known and feared one no less, but that was alright. He enjoyed voyages and he kept Aidan and their family safe.

When Michael went on voyages, depending on the reasoning he’d tell Aidan, whether it was to fight another captain or simply for the sake of voyaging, he’d leave the dragon kids there.

Aidan would tell them their papa was on a big adventure and he’d come back soon with lots of stories to tell and even gifts for them.

Michael always stayed true to that and brought back little souvenirs from places he visited for the three little dragons every single time without fail, whether it be a rock, clothes, even food.

One day, Athena took Oliver’s hand and told him quietly she didn’t feel like a girl and didn’t want to wear dresses anymore. Oliver was confused for a few minutes, asking questions before he understood finally. Suddenly Athena became Ryder from that day on; no one minded, not at all. They switched the pronouns, gave him new clothes, made sure to help him understand what this all meant. He asked for what he wanted, told them what he didn’t.

Their family was kind of a mess. A sky pirate with three dragon children and a wonderful husband, a baker, his bounty hunter wife and their troublemaking daughter Charlie and sweet, kind son Miles – the twins, the bounty hunters brother and his transgender male dragon son Ryder and the two bounty hunters little baker sibling and their bird Polly Parton. It was an amazing mess. A loving mess, a hectic mess, even a slightly crazy mess too sometimes, but they were family above all. That’s what mattered.

#Commissions #You And Me #I Meant Them || Stories

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