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belle-keys · 3 years

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I Love Matthew Fairchild aka Incoherent Thoughts about Chain of Iron (2021) by Cassandra Clare

I made one of these rant-rave reviews for SJM's book so check it out if you want, no pressure tho lmao.

Aight so I finished Chain of Iron last night and OMG I HAVE TO YELL like I loved it sooo much like yooo, I have a lot to say. I know the book is new so... beware for spoilers plebs.

Also context: I been reading the Shadowhunter books since I was 12 and I'm 19 now *insert dead emoji face* so yeah, I'm just so happy rn with where the Chronicles have come and the fact that they’re still ongoing *insert uwu face*. I remember when in like 2014-2015 or something when Cassandra Clare teased that Will and Tessa's kids' generation was gonna get a trilogy set in Edwardian London, loosely based on Great Expectations, and holy hell? I think that was perhaps one of the best days of my life considering how much I adore The Infernal Devices (that trilogy really changed the way I see YA literature... don't ask cus I won't shut up about it) (also yes I read TMI and loved it too but there's a “generation gap” between TMI and the other Shadowhunter books stylistically so don't ask me about that either cus I also won't shut up).

Anyway, shoo from here if you want a critical essay on Chain of Iron. I'm not providing that, this is just me raving here for the fun.

Listen... I want the bulk of this to just be two main things: The Matthew Situation, and then all the literary and judeo-christian meta aspects of it.

BUT I ALSO NEED TO TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE SO FRICK LET'S JUST START WITH THE OBVIOUS SHIT LIKE THE PLOT AND WHATEVER

Okay, the plot and writing and shit, let's get that out of the way:

The WHOLE Jack-the-Ripper-esque ambiance was just sooooo good man wow like I did not expect the book to take this cold turn but it worked so well. There was such a contrast between Jamie and Cordelia's warm little house and then the cold winter and the stabbings and shit and it felt like a nice little callback to the actual Ripper phenomenon that preceded them and a nod to the Whitechapel Fiend story from Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy.

Bitch OFC that whole thing with Wayland was a set-up like nawww that was too easy to spot and I get why Cordelia feels like shit about it.

Dawg Lucie was just the Among Us imposter here in that my girl was just venting and sneaking around with dead people and I was like nooooo girl run, don't deal with Fade this is a set-up THINK ABOUT JULES LUCIE THAT'S LIKE YO GREAT-GRANDSON *sobs* but yeah anyway my girl has death powers she gonna kill some bitches next book.

You see that confrontation between Lilith and Belial? MASTERPIECE DIALOGUE like this was the point within which I was just like "yo is this the book of Genesis or a YA Fantasy novel" like when Lilith said "I may have been cast out but I did not fall" like??????????????????? I YELLED she did not have to END Belial like that. What a bad bitch.

More on Lilith and Belial... "You, who brought nations into darkness? Shall I finally be able to tell the infernal realms you have gone mad, lost even the image of the Creator." HAHAHHAHAHA SHE SAID "YO BELIAL GO GET SOME THERAPY AND GET OFF MY ASS" LIKE??????

Ughhhh yasss Clare has improved writing diverse characters in this book compared to in The Dark Artifices in my opinion... I'm not gonna expand on it cus ain't nobody got time for that but like, I enjoyed how she wove Persian poetry and tales into the story and the way in which she writes Cordelia and Alistair. They're not caricatures of Persian people but rather multi-faceted beings who also happen to be Persian and I appreciate that. Also, Alistair and Thomas and Anna and Ariadne were just so fun and interesting to read as coupbles but also as individuals. She really higlighted diversity in a very natural manner. All I need is a hijabi character and I’ll die a happy woman lmao.

The level of META man like the references to Classics and art (I swear, she might have compared Matthew to angels out of Caravaggio AND Rosetti AND Boticelli paintings and I Am Living For It) and just all the quotes from holy books and shit omg I love it here like you really feel catapulted into the time period, she draws reference to external art and philosophy so well and I feel like she upped the notch on it in this book (didn’t know that was possible but it was the prose is BEAUTIFUL, archaic, but not pretentiously so). No, like the characters live in their OWN worlds of literature and art and history in the way we are living in THEIRS. They quote Wilde and Milton while we'll quote Clare. It's awesome.

This is an unusually structuralist take even from me but: I like the way the milieu social of the book, i.e., the high society Edwardian circles and their values, have a direct influence on the plot. James and Cordelia got married because society’s values essentially forced them to, not a demon. Cordelia abandons Jamie at the end of Iron because her shame as a woman in society and fear for her reputation made her, not a demon. Thomas and Alistair can't be together solely because of how Alistair tarnished the reputation of the Fairchilds and Lightwoods by using the horror of infidelity against them. Issues relating to marriage, gender roles, etc, stemming DIRECTLY from the time period rule the sequence of events to the same degree as the epic fantasy aspects (demons, Princes of Hell, the lore itself) do and I LOVE that dear God above.

OKAY THE GOOD SHIT LET US TALK ABOUT CHARACTERS AND SHIPS (N.B. but imma discuss Matthew and the Fairstairs situation separately below this portion):

Alistair's redemption arc: No, cus Alistair's redemption arc is honestly amazing. He really did change and it's not like his betterment as a person was linked to any one heroic deed but rather he simply decided he wanted to be better especially for his family and he decided to become a proper protective son, a caring brother, and an amiable friend. He fully owned up to his Malfoy tendencies and apologized without expecting forgiveness. He shows how he cares in the little ways and omg it's so sweet and tender. I really do want him to love himself now and be embraced by Matthew especially and the rest of the Thieves.

Dawg Lucie and Jesse are so funny to me like it's so hilarious how this girl fell in love with a whole ass ghost that no one else knows about like HHAHA. Are Lucie and Jesse my ult ship ever? Nah, but it's nothing to do with Clare, it's just that their relationship happened pretty quick and feels quite like something epicly romantic that Lucie herself would write. I just like slow burn and friends-to-lovers the most from Clare. To be honest part of me just wanted Lucie to not have a romantic arc all together but like, it's all good, I'm not complaining.

Okay Grace- like yooooooooooo I never hated her yunno. She has been abused and isolated all her life. It's not that she is a bad person, but rather that she does not know what being a person even entails. Can't even say she's a “doll” of a person cus she's never even been pampered like one by her family. I really started understanding her motivations since when they gave us her half-childhood with Jesse. I want better for her but cmon can she REALLY be saved???

GRACE X CHRISTOPHER *pretends to be shocked*... Okay, sometime in the middle of the Dark Artifices series some big brain put together a very thorough family tree of the families and like, it clearly showed that Grace and Christopher got married so like, lmfaooooo, I knew this was coming one way or another, but the journey to this ship is more important than the destination. Like in a way Christopher is such a cute baby lamb that it makes sense he'd end up being immune to her Grace-ness when he's just a cute little Einstein boiii. Like this is just so funny to me cus he's so oblivious to social conventions while she makes the milieu social her entire life so OFC it's gonna work. Like, this is such a worlds-colliding trope like just Give It To Me.

James and Grace - aw mannn Jamie just had me fricking wanting to hit a wall every two seconds cus like yooooooo every single time I think he and Cordelia are gonna stop being emotionally-constipated spouses, Jamie says some kinda shit like "omg me and Daisy are just friends uwu" like DO I NEED TO HIT YOU?????????? See I can't blame him for not slamming the door on Grace's face even tho he totes should- Jamie is so cerebral and kind that even if Grace wasn't using the enchantment on him, I think he would always be soft for her even if it isn't in a romantic way. There's just so much miscommunication cus like he said "Thank God" when she broke off the engagement with Charles and lowkey embraced her but it also wasn't his fault cus it wasn't even romantic BUT OFC IT LOOKED HORRIBLE TO CORDELIA like James literally never told the woman at least once that he loved her so OFC she thought she was back to square one with him dear God above what a mess. Not his fault, but she DID set down one rule for him: don’t cheat with Grace. And yeah even tho he hasn’t properly cheated, it must FEEL horrible to her cus she’s just been enduring the pain of their unrequeted love for so long :((

See imma just say it but if Cordelia thought that James didn't love Grace then she def would have confessed to him about her feelings right but like James, on the other hand, was delaying his own romantic confession cus he was BEING EMOTIONALLY CONSTIPATED and I can't even say the bracelet was solely to blame cus like my boi was just being so difficult omg I believe he should be lightly spanked by his three parents aka Will, Tessa and Jem *cries*.

Cordelia is such a MOM like she's so mature and stable and her self-preservation instinct? OFF THE CHARTS I love this woman like James definitely treated her well as a hubby but like I JUST WANTED HER TO HAVE CLOSURE ABOUT SOMETHING and boy oh boy she did get that closure she got it good but not from the person she expected in the LEAST *hehe* *pelican screeching*... like Lucie was being sus with the whole ghost business and James was being just, quite a case, dealing with Grace and Belial right and I don't blame them at all for their secrecy and shit but her FATHER DIED and her friends were hiding a lot from her so in a way she turned to Alistair for help but he could only do so much cus of his own pain (she couldn't even talk to her mom cus she's pregnant and she doesn't wanna stress her right) and then there was this emotional block between her and Jamie, Lucie was often absent and conspiring with the dead... the last person remaining was HIM (imma discuss this soon), but yeah my heart just went OUT to her cus she's tryna save herself and her family and she just doesn't know what to do. That's why I love the way her mom told her to stop holding herself back for others and live her own life. Like Cordelia grew on me so much cus in Gold she undoubtedly was a strange Elizabeth Bennet-wallflower hybrid and I... do not usually get attached to wallflowers but in Iron I feel like I finally understood that she was just tryna be unproblematic and self-preserving all along and nottt put her family and friends in a tough situation.... she reminds me of my mom personality-wise so yeah I’m totally rooting for her now that her *situation* in the past seems clearer.

Anna, Thomas and Matthew are such a SQUAD lmfaooooo like united in their gayness they'd be so unstoppable.

Will and Tessa are the most in-love of all the in-loves in this story and I respect that so much.

I lost a year to my life every time the romance between James and Cordelia got cockblocked. Like they were MARRIED and I thought they were gonna at least sleep next to each other at least once BUT NO James couldn't take a hint omg I'm actually gonna eat my fist and sob (but in retrospect, I think this serves a bigger purpose in terms of the narrative structure i.e. the interruption of all the spicy James and Cordelia action serves a bigger purpose which I think brings me to my next section, *exhale*)

Welcome to the Matthew Fairchild Enthusiast Club (this section is me talking out loud; it makes no sense):

bitch.

LISTEN TO ME LISTEN WELL I LOVE THIS BOY SO MUCH IMMA SCREAM I REALLY AM GONNA SCREAM MY FIST IS LITERALLY IN MY MOUTH *BACKFLIPS OFF THE ROOF WITH LANA DEL REY PLAYING*

Okay like where to BEGIN I think the Shadowhunter boy who I'm most attracted to is Julian while the one I love the most is Will but I think I see myself in Matthew the most. Like ever since that first story where the Thieves all met at the Academy then got expelled, I think that I just KNEW Matthew was destined to be epic. Plus the whole Wilde obsession? I’m no libertine myself but I just love his chaos and passion for life.

NO CUS HE'S SO WITTY AND SWEET AND EPIC AND YET SO SECRETIVE AND DEAR GOD ABOVE AHHHHH WILL HE SURPASS JULIAN FOR ME??? Ion even know but this is just sodjsgdwsdygyegydgef

Hear me out but I said after finishing Gold last March that I wanted this book to be Matthew's healing arc right so halfway into the book when I realized that we weren't getting all that good healing arcing I was confused just cus I thought it seemed natural to address all of his alcohol issues and sadness by now. LITTLE DID I KNOW CASSIE WAS SETTING UP A WHOLE OTHER ARC WITH HIM THAT I WOULD HAVE NEVER GUESSED WTH.

At first I thought Matthew didn't have feelings for anyone at all, and if he DID develop feelings unexpectedly, I fricking thought that maybe he's catching feelings for James, if anyone??? I mean, I did have some suspicions about Matthew from the get-go: like he's so secretive and as readers we think we know everything there is to know about him since we were all privy to the truth potion incident in his short story right BUT NO I GOT PLAYED AND I DESERVE IT SO BADDDDDD.

Listen I hadn't shipped him and Cordelia simply because I never thought it in the realm of possibility but it MAKES SENSE as a ship... think about it: he never says what he feels, he flirts with her like he does with EVERYONE, he is kind to her in the way he is with EVERYONE. Really, Matthew is shippable with everyone, doesn’t matter if they’re taken cus that’s just what his Matthewnes allows for ya feel. There is such a beautiful irony that CORDELIA herself did not see this coming. Even the little teasers and hints in Gold have only NOW started making sense to me likejhss. I just felt like the hints in book 1 did not indicate to me that Matthew really harbored real romantic feelings for Daisy. I thought he was upset that James and Cordelia were being fakes, not a developing CRUSH on the woman fgs.

Not to mention that you usually sense a ship building when the emotional connection or sexual tension between the characters is made clearer but to me their FRIENDSHIP grew right but it didn’t feel like Cordelia was thought that she liked him or he liked her so that means me and Cordelia are clowns *together* 😤

Okay I was lowkey having SUSPICIONS but I immediately shut them down right... like firstly when he took her to the White Horse in his car and she went OFF and OFF and off about how she felt free for the first time? I thought Cassie was just tryna develop Cordelia's self-liberation arc through Matthew there. Heck, I didn't even think ANYTHING of it when Matthew confession to Cordelia about the "truth potion" incident at all cus I was like they're FRIENDS??? BUT now it's adding up now...

See when they were at the inn place and he was telling her that she doesn't in the least seem like a 100 year-old married woman? I was like hmmmm he's so sweet but why did Cassie phrase it like that like??? When Cordelia later reiterated that she thought Matthew's flirting was “meaningless”?? I was like hmmm kinda SUS tho. And then when he and James had their fight over the way Jamie kissed Grace like again I thought he was just like? ion know? mad at James for it but I didn't think he was in LOVE with Cordelia??? So I immediately put aside my slight suspicions. The probability that he had a crush on James at that point seemed more likely to me.

BUT THEN it started hitting me that every time Matthew drank, even before he explained his issue with the truth potion, that Cordelia would note it, she would worry about him, she would think of her father which seemed so poetic to me, history repeating itself and all that but this time you can FIX it??? Yeah, but again I didn't think the L WORD would be involved man???

Now imma sound like a delulu shipper here but it just makes sense they would develop feelings logically- reason being that it definitely is possible based on the way Cassie set up the story, like there's a combination of little “friend things” that can turn this into a proper ship: Matthew rescues Cordelia in the ballroom when Grace captures James' attention in Gold. Cordelia sees her father in Matthew all the time but knows now she has a chance to be there for him in the way she couldn't have been there for Elias (classic “history repeats itself” trope, she doesn't want Matthew drinking in Paris like dhshghdfhdhch). Cordelia tastes freedom for the first time when driving with Matthew. Matthew caught James and Cordelia making out in the room and was pissed but not even HE properly knew why then??? Umm, when she thinks James is forreal cheating with Grace on her she subconsciously goes to Matthew??? I also found it funny just how every intimate marital moment between her and James got interrupted somehow. Like, it's as if the narrative is just a living force REFUSING to let James and Cordelia as a ship be consecrated. Heck, every time Matthew is scantily clothed Cordelia notes it. LITTLE CRUMBS I TELL YOU LITTLE CRUMBS.

I tell you when Cordelia showed up to Matthew's flat I thought they were gonna f*ck as friends but I got SOMETHING EVEN BETTER SOMEHOW

THEY ARE GOING TO PARIS LA BELLE EPOQUE PARIS THE PARIS OF DREAMS AND ART LIKE??? FRICKKKKK I DID NOT SEE THIS COMING AT ALLLL MAN? I deadass thought the story would be restrained to the UK but like it MAKES SENSE the trope subversion MAKES SENSE.

“In Paris, with you, I will not need to forget.” SHITTRGEGGGDG

BUT CORDELIA LOVES JAMES TOO LIKE I CAN'T DENY THAT... where are we GOING with this like Matthew wouldn't lie about his feelings and yet Cassie wouldn't give us Matthew and Cordelia crumbs to only end it in the next book immediately for her to just ditch him for James. I mean she was clearly holding back on fleshing out James and Cordelia as a ship for this but to WHAT END??? Daisy feels wild and free with Matthew and she feels warm at home warm with James. I can’t advocate for the sinking of ANY ship here.

Imma say what we're all thinking: Is she gonna give us a Will x Jem x Tessa type situation where Cordelia gets both of them cus I'm not strong enough for this but I also think it'd be really funny if James gets a surprise bi awakening in the next books and then we get POLY even tho this would never happen, it’s actually impossible, because of the whole parabatai thing.

Listen I ship Cordelia and Matthew much more than Cordelia and James, not that I dislike James in any way tho. It's just: Matthew is so unrestrained and she's so composed. They seem like an unlikely pair so it makes sense that they hit harder for me. James and Cordelia have such similar personalities but I ALSO don't ship James with Grace at all so like?? Poly would be... ideal... but it can’t happen especially cus they are fricking parabatai... a Will-Jem-Tessa situation seems more likely but mannnn ion know what to expect. I just want FAIRSTAIRS to have their moment in Paris. I mean James and Matthew clearly don't abhor each other for this.

Take everything I say with several grains of salt, take everything I say with the whole Dead Sea actually, cus I damn well know that Matthew is so flirty and whatnot that I’d have shipped him with anyone in their little circle but now that she set him up with Cordelia it all feels so right?? I have wanted this man in a good relationship since he walked onto the page in Nothing But Shadows so-

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I can't believe Cassia duped me like this omg, Matthew is gonna have his healing arc in Paris with Cordelia by his side like- THIS IS ALL I HAVE WANTED AND SO MUCH MORE. Question to yall btw: are you all as surpised at Fairstairs as me or did yall see it coming all along like smart people? Am I a lone clown? 🥺

BRUH okay criticisms of CC?:

Lmfao a part of me feels like I GOTTA say something bad about CC or the book but honestly I have no objective complaints about it as of now. Am I saying that it’s the PEAK of Young Adult literature and Urban Fantasy? I mean, I make no such claims tbh. I’m not here to be critical when I read as a hobby and when CC’s writing makes me happy regardless of how flawed some people see it.

Okay what next?

So like I’m excited for the adult high fantasy she’s releasing in the fall and whatever other works she might be releasing outside of Chain of Gold within the Chronicles.

As for TLH itself? Man I’m just VIBING like I suspect I will reread Chain of Iron soon and maybe one of the anthologies just because I am happy that this series actually happened after me waiting like 6 years for it when it was just a concept: a Dickensian retelling filled with poetry and culture and history and the conventions I so loved in TID at age 12. This is all I been wanting tbh. I’m just enjoying watching this series come to fruition for it to inspire and transform me in some way. I feel like in a way my coming-of-age aligns with that of these specific characters yet I ALSO feel like I raised Jamie since infancy. Wack.

MATTHEW AND CORDELIA IN FRANCE LA BELLE EPOQUE TO BE EXACT IMMA CRY I DID NOT SEE THIS COMING AND AHHHHHH. ALSO WILL AND JAMIE GOING TO CORNWALL TO GET LUCIE AND MAYBE BOND I LOVE WILL. HE WAS ONE OF MY DILF AWAKENINGS AT AGE 12 AND NOW HE’S HERE AGAIN IMMA CRY. I WANNA SEE MATTHEW GET HAPPY. AHHH.

Ending with a fun quote: “In the wise words of someone or other, there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy, Maurice.” 😉

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spine-buster · 4 years

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The President Wears Prada (William Nylander) | Chapter 14

A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews on the last chapter. I hope you guys like this one! :) A quick reminder that I’ve set up a Ko-Fi incase you want to support my writing --> ko-fi.com/spine_buster . Enjoy!

December 25th, 2019

Aberdeen Bloom was celebrating Christmas.

Siena was home from Ottawa, having finished another semester of law school. Camden was the first one up, naturally, screaming at everybody that it was time to open presents. The family had been to Midnight Mass the night before, a tradition Orla had the family do every Christmas since they were young. After opening presents, everybody would shower and help her make the day’s big lunch before passing out in food and wine comas all over the house. If all went well, Gramma Frances and Grampa Alistair would call and they’d all say hi in a short FaceTime.

“Get up! Get up! Get up!” Camden could be heard screaming from the hallway, his footsteps getting louder and louder. “It’s time to open presents!”

“If he comes in here I’m gonna scream at him,” Siena mumbled into her pillow. Aberdeen laughed from her side of the room.

“Siena! Aberdeen!”

“We’re coming!” Aberdeen yelled, not bothering to move.

“Hey mom! Can I finally try coffee?!” their little brother wouldn’t shut up.

The girls snorted, with Siena groaning as she stretched in her bed, unable to fall back asleep. Eventually they got up and got ready, their little brother’s screams getting too annoying to ignore. “He’s getting more annoying as he gets older,” Siena said playfully, running a brush through her hair.

“Yeah,” Aberdeen agreed, “but at least he doesn’t jump into mom and dad’s bed like we did.”

“Remember that time you almost punctured dad’s lung?”

Aberdeen snorted. “Remember that time you almost broke mom’s nose?”

“Maybe we should do it again for good measure.”

The girls finally emerged from their room, finding Orla in the kitchen pouring coffee. Camden was dragging Mirza out of his room, Mirza playfully pulling him back in so Camden would slide on the floor. The family hugged each other before Aberdeen opened a cupboard to get the Chips Ahoy cookies. Camden snatched one right from her hands. She chased him around the house.

Opening presents was always fun. This year, Aberdeen was able to ask around the office for something for Camden, and she ended up with a Kyle Lowry Raptors jersey. When he opened it, he automatically loved it and hugged it like he was five and it was his favourite new toy. Aberdeen’s parents gifted her practical things – a chic new laundry basket and a nice throw she could use when she cuddled with Minerva and a bag of Doritos, and Siena bought her two new books she’d wanted to read. To his credit, even Camden’s gift was cute: a mug that said, “Cat hair, don’t care” in fancy lettering.

Once the gift giving was over and the family room cleaned of all the wrapping paper, everybody started to get ready. Orla began seasoning the roast beef and Mirza began preparing the potatoes. The kids showered and got ready so they’d look nice for photos and for their eventual FaceTime with their grandparents. Siena stayed on the main floor to begin whipping up the trifle. Aberdeen brought Camden to the downstairs kitchen with her to help with seasoning and roasting the Brussel sprouts and carrots.

“So what are the Maple Leafs doing today?” Camden made conversation as Aberdeen sliced the carrots and he laid them in their tray.

“Which ones?” she asked. “It’s not like they’re spending it together as a team. They’re all spending it with their families.”

“What’s John Tavares doing?” he asked. Camden knew much more about sports than she did. He found it genuinely cool that his sister was working for the Toronto Maple Leafs, even though he liked the Raptors a little bit more. When she told him how she sat with Masai Ujiri at the Major Donor Gala, he freaked out and bragged to all his friends. He was officially one of the coolest kids in school.

“Well, John and his wife Aryne just had a new baby in September, so this is their first Christmas with him. I think they’re spending it at John’s house with both their families there,” Aberdeen explained.

“What about Auston Matthews?”

“Auston’s entire family came up from Arizona – they’re having a big family lunch like we are.”

“What about Mitch Marner?”

Aberdeen smiled. “Mitch is spending it with his family, his girlfriend Stephanie, and his dog Zeus.”

“His dog?!” Camden’s face lit up. “Mom and dad won’t let me get a dog yet. They say I’m still too young.”

“Just wait,” Aberdeen encouraged him. “Mom will eventually want to replace me and Siena with a dog, and dad will be too powerless to say no.”

“You think so?”

“Mhm. What kind of breed do you want?”

“I want a German shepherd.”

Aberdeen laughed at her brother. He always dreamed big, which was good for a kid his age, but a German shepherd would be bigger than him. There was no way he’d be able to handle it out on walks. “Aim smaller. What about a corgi?”

“That’s your dream dog cause of their butts,” Camden furrowed his brows. “If mom won’t let me get a German shepherd then I think I want a goldendoodle. Greg at school has one and it’s really cute.”

“Why don’t you just get a regular poodle and cut its hair really weird like that lady in 101 Dalmatians?”

Camden started to laugh as Aberdeen sliced the last of the carrots. She made sure they were all lined up nicely before starting on the Brussel sprouts. “We can shave the Toronto Maple Leafs logo into its hair.”

“Exactly!”

“Then it can become the team dog!” Camden giggled, liking the idea already.

Aberdeen and Camden stayed in the basement kitchen for almost an hour – enough time so that all the carrots and Brussel sprouts were sufficiently roasted and seasoned properly as Orla taught them. When the carrots were ready to be brought upstairs, Aberdeen made Camden put on oven mitts and told him to grab the dish. “Go run these up to mom,” Aberdeen said. “And absolutely no funny business. If these fall on the floor nobody in this family will forgive you.”

Camden did as he was told, going up the stairs slowly. Aberdeen stayed down for another ten minutes, waiting for the Brussel sprouts to finish before putting on her own pair of oven mitts and bringing the plate upstairs. By then, the roast in the oven smelled impeccably delicious and Aberdeen could already see most of the food on the table as she rounded the corner. Before she could move any further, Siena came through and blocked her passage and sightline towards the front of the house, a look of panic on her face. “Ab—Aberdeen,” she was staring at Aberdeen wide-eyed, like she’d just seen a ghost.

“What? What’s going on?” Aberdeen whispered.

“Hey.”

Aberdeen knew that voice. She knew that voice anywhere. She’d be able to recognize it from miles away. It was the voice that tortured and soothed her all at once. What was it doing here? In her house? Her head turned quickly like she was in The Exorcist.

And there he was.

William Nylander. Standing in the middle of the family room. Her family room.

With her mother.

Aberdeen was going to pass out.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded, almost dropping the plate of Brussel sprouts at her feet. What was he doing here? What was he doing here? How the fuck did he even find out where she lived – where her family lived? And why did he have a glass of water in his hands? How long had he been here for him to have been offered a glass of water? Why didn’t she hear the doorbell? Why didn’t she hear a knock? Why hadn’t her parents called down to her in the basement to let her know he showed up unannounced to their Christmas Day family celebrations and why didn’t they—

“Aberdeen!” her mother scolded her as she walked towards her. “I know he’s a little early but that’s no way to treat the guest you invited.”

Aberdeen glared at William and then glared at her mother. She was almost rendered speechless by William’s stupid grin on his face. “I did not invite William to Christm--”

“Aberdeen, please, the Brussel sprouts,” her mother wasn’t having it, walking towards her and grabbing the plate from her hands, only to put it on the table.

Aberdeen looked at William, dressed in a nice pair of navy blue slacks and a fitted grey Ralph Lauren sweater with a collared shirt underneath. He definitely looked the part of innocent-hockey-player-come-to-spend-Christmas-with-a-welcoming-Canadian-family, but he wasn’t fooling her. Aberdeen looked back to see her mother disappear into the kitchen again. Siena was already gone, too. Good, it made it safe for her to cuss him out.

“How do I look?” he asked, waiting for one of her famous retorts.

He wasn’t going to get one. Not this time. He looked too wholesome, but more than that, he didn’t deserve one for crashing her family Christmas. “Seriously, what are you doing here?” she hissed as she stepped forward so she could get closer to him.

“Better than spending Christmas alone,” he shrugged his shoulders, the playful grin still on his face.

“I thought you were Skyping with your family,” she said, immediately regretting it. She knew Skyping was nowhere near close to spending actual time, physically, with your family on one of the most important holidays of the year.

“I already did, while I was having breakfast and they were having lunch. Six hour time difference,” he said.

“Will, I’m serious, what are you—”

“I thought you’d need a friend here after everything that happened,” he said quickly, his tone serious. His blue eyes looked into hers and every ounce of anger and shock in her dissipated. “I figured you probably haven’t told your parents, and definitely not your brother, but I know you told Siena, and I just thought it would be nice for you to have a friendly face around beside your sister that…I don’t know…might make Christmas more fun.”

He knew her. He knew he so well that she almost hated it, but mostly found it so admirable and so damn…cute. He knew that she’d only tell Siena because Siena was the person she was the closest to in the world, and he knew she wouldn’t tell her parents because…well, because they didn’t need to know their daughter got sexually harassed at work. She didn’t know what she was feeling right now. “How do you even know where my parents live?”

That trademark grin came back. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Aberdeen! You didn’t tell me William Nylander was coming for Christmas!” Camden’s voice rang from behind her. She turned around to see her brother with his arms crossed playfully around his chest. “Would have been nice, you know.”

“I guess I forgot,” she said absent-mindedly. She couldn’t believe this was happening right now. She couldn’t believe William was at her house for Christmas; that he was going to be spending Christmas with her family because, well, it wasn’t like she could kick him out onto the street now.

“Did you see I brought a dessert?” William said, his voice upbeat as he looked at Camden. “I picked up some treats from a Swedish bakery in downtown Toronto.”

Camden’s eyes lit up at the words. “Double dessert!” he screamed. “Siena made a trifle! You’ll like it. It’s got strawberries in it.”

“Alright! Everyone to the table!” Orla’s voice boomed throughout the house. “Is the wine on the table? Are there drinks?”

“Does everybody have a spot?” William whispered to Camden.

Camden nodded his head quickly before pushing William to the opposite side of the table. “Mom sits at the head,” he pointed, “Siena sits there, dad sits there, I sit at the other head, and then Aberdeen sits here.”

“So I guess I’m sitting—”

“Right here,” Camden took out the chair for him.

William took his seat. Aberdeen slipped into her seat beside him, still staring at him like he wasn’t real. Siena took her seat, then Mirza. Camden last. Then Orla brought in the roast, smelling absolutely delectable. William’s eyes widened at how good it looked. Everybody brought their plates forward and she put a few slices of the carved meat and gravy onto everyone’s plates – only then did the other dishes get passed around to fill up their plates: the Yorkshire puddings, the roasted potatoes, the Brussel sprouts, and the carrots.

“Are you Catholic, William?” Orla asked as she sat down at her seat.

“No ma’am.”

“Well, Christmas and Easter are the only two days of the year that we pray before our meal,” she informed him. “So, congratulations. Camden, why don’t you say a Hail Mary.” William watched as everybody around the table except Mirza did the sign of the cross, though Mirza did bow his head in respect. William quickly followed with his own sign of the cross. He listened as Camden recited a Hail Mary. When he was done, Orla spoke up again. “Lord, we would like to thank you for bringing us together to celebrate your birth, and we would like to thank you for bringing us William today to celebrate with our family. Amen.”

“Amen,” everyone said.

“Hallelujah!” Camden exclaimed, grabbing his fork. Everyone else did too, while Mirza stood up to start pouring the wine in everyone’s glasses, save for Camden.

“So you mentioned your family is in Sweden, William?” Orla asked, slicing her roast beef in pieces. “Whereabouts?”

“Most of my family is there, right in Stockholm. But I have a brother living in Chicago who also plays hockey. My sister Jacqueline is also in Texas at SMU playing tennis, but she was able to get home for Christmas,” he explained.

“And where’s your brother in Chicago going?”

“He has a teammate and his family. He lives in their basement,” William smiled.

“Orla has a habit of wanting to feed the entire congregation, if you know what I mean,” Mirza smiled from across the table. “Clearly Aberdeen knew, since she invited you.”

Aberdeen wanted to say that she didn’t, that he was hear because he somehow found their address and wanted to make her life a complete circus, but she decided against it. It was Christmas, after all. “Yeah, well when Aberdeen offered, I thought it was so nice, but I didn’t want to intrude,” William said from beside her. She could have killed him right then and there.

“Intruding? What are you intruding on? The more the merrier. And God knows I make enough roast,” Orla commented. “Besides, it’s not the first time Aberdeen’s brought something home and said ‘Surprise!’.”

“We all love Minerva and she is a great cat,” Aberdeen said firmly before anyone else could say anything.

Conversation flowed nicely. William was a natural, Aberdeen thought, and she chalked it all up to his endearing charm – his best quality. Well, at least to Aberdeen. It was what attracted her to him in the first place. That and the fact that he was so persistent. But everybody seemed to take a liking to him, and despite being the only person at the table who knew what had happened between them, Siena was surprisingly calm, warm, and chatty. Camden was an everyday 11 year old, asking William about the Leafs and if he’d met any Raptors and what playing hockey was like. He made them smile. He made them laugh. He made them love him. It was all so sickeningly sweet.

Camden cleared the dishes and Aberdeen cleared the food platters and Orla and Siena fetched the desserts. Mirza stayed to keep William company at the table. Aberdeen watched as Orla scooped all the remaining leftovers into a Tupperware – Aberdeen knew she’d give it to William when he left, and now she was stuck thinking about how William was going to return one of her Tupperwares without anybody on the team or in the offices knowing. It sent her head for a bit of a spin until Camden almost knocked her out with a swinging fridge door. “Camden, get the dessert plates on the counter,” she ordered, and he did as he was told. She got the trifle out of the fridge.

“Show him mine! I was so much cuter!” she heard Camden exclaim from the dining room. What was he on about now?

Aberdeen turned the corner. And then she saw it.

William Nylander. Sitting at the dining room table with her father.

Looking through her baby book.

Her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. “Dad!!!” she exclaimed.

William looked up at her, the biggest, goofiest, most sincere smile on his face. “You were a cute baby, Aberdeen.”

She was mortified. She thought about walking outside and freezing to death because that would be a better option than what was happening in front of her. She set the trifle down on the table loudly, her jaw on the floor. “Dad, come on!” she complained. “I work with William! He doesn’t have to see my baby pictures!”

“Well excuse me for wanting to show off my two darling daughters,” Mirza waved off her complaint. “Besides, I can’t say no when a guest wants to see.”

Aberdeen glared at William, who still had that smile on his face. “Oh, you’re gonna get it when we’re back at the arena.”

“Am I?” he taunted her.

“Look! Look here! Siena at four, Aberdeen at two,” Mirza diffused the situation, pointing to a new picture on the page. “We sent copies of this one to Orla’s parents in Derry. They had it up for years.”

Aberdeen knew exactly which picture Mirza was talking about. She and her sister were photographed by a professional photographer, with Siena wearing a frilly yellow dress and Aberdeen wearing a pink one, equally as frilly. They were both smiling at the camera while sitting on some sort of box, and both wearing small, dainty necklaces. They were adorable, but William didn’t need to know that. “These are evil eyes, right?” he said, pointing to the necklaces they were wearing in the photo, a small smile on his face.

“We say nazar. It protects from the evil eye,” Mirza nodded his head. “They’re very popular in Iran.”

“What made you come to Canada?” William asked.

“The revolution, mostly,” Mirza said. “I was fourteen. My parents didn’t want me to stay so they changed my name and I escaped the country. It wasn’t safe for me anymore. I went to Syria first – to Aleppo – and had all my documents processed there to become a refugee. I came to Canada when I was eighteen in 1984.”

William was quiet and had a solemn look on his face as he listened to Mirza. It was so unlike any other story he’d heard before, in terms of people’s parents at least. He grew up with a lot of “My dad played in the NHL” or “My dad works in hockey” – never “My dad escaped a revolution”. It was very new to him, and he almost felt ashamed at the lack of diverse stories his friends, acquaintances, and all the kids he grew up with had in comparison to this. “And you chose Canada?”

“Canada chose me, I think,” Mirza smiled. “Look at these pictures here,” he said, flipping to the back of the photo album. When he reached the page, he showed William, and Aberdeen already knew what it was: the few pictures he had of himself growing up in Iran with his parents, some photos of him in Aleppo, and the first photos of him in Canada. “That one was the year before I left Iran,” he said, pointing to one, “and this one…the month I arrived in Canada.”

William smiled. He looked up at Aberdeen, who was already expecting his reaction. “Sugo hat outfit,” he said, like it was a code language. “Holy hell. You weren’t kidding, Aberdeen.”

“Told you.”

“Sugo hat outfit?” Mirza asked.

“It’s nothing, dad. William just has an interesting fashion sense. Very European.”

Mirza shrugged, letting it go. “Canada led me to Orla. Led me to have this,” he motioned around at his house, “led me to my job, led me to be a father,” he nodded towards Aberdeen. “Canada has been very nice to Orla and I, because even she had her troubles. Literally.”

“Troubles?”

“Orla grew up in Belfast and Derry during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. There was religious violence all around her growing up. Catholics versus Protestants,” he explained. “She came to Canada to escape it, too, in 1988. And it brought us together. We met in 1993 at our citizenship ceremony, married in 1995, and had Siena in 1996.”

William couldn’t help but smile. Meeting your future spouse at your citizenship ceremony as you swore an oath as a new citizen of Canada? “That’s the most Canadian thing I’ve ever heard,” he giggled.

“I know!” Mirza smiled along with him. “Orla married the mailman – I mean literally married the mailman. You should have heard all the jokes we got from her friends when she got pregnant with Siena. They never ended.”

Dessert and most of the afternoon continued as thus: retelling old family stories and recounting family memories as everyone devoured both desserts, with William explaining each of the Swedish pastries he’d picked from the bakery. They called their grandparents in Derry just as they were finishing, with William politely staying out of view, and then everybody relaxed around the house. William promised Camden he’d teach him some stickhandling tricks with the old sticks they had somewhere in the garage, “once my food baby has passed.” Mirza and Orla sat on the couch, watching the Christmas specials on TV. Camden opened and started to organize the pieces of a Lego set he’d received as a Christmas gift on the dining room table. Siena, Aberdeen, and William went down to the basement to “watch Netflix”. They got through one episode of Brooklyn 9-9 before Siena told them to sneak back upstairs into hers and Aberdeen’s bedroom for some alone time. Aberdeen tried to say no but William was already up. When he winked at Siena as a thank you, Siena immediately understood what attracted Aberdeen to him in the first place.

When he walked inside Aberdeen’s room, he thought that it was everything yet nothing he imagined all at once. A small twin bed, a stylish comforter, a view pictures of her with friends strung along draped string and a corkboard above her headboard. “So this is your room?”

Aberdeen nodded. “Well, used to be just Siena’s room. Then when the little monster was born we moved in together.”

“You didn’t care? Didn’t demand a room in the basement?”

Aberdeen shook her head. “I told you how close Siena and I are. I actually didn’t mind at all.”

He sat down on her bed, looking up at some of the pictures she’d hung. He recognized Kasha in one of them, and what he assumed to be other university friends. There was even a picture of the family together, for what looked like one of Camden’s birthdays. “You have such a nice house…” he started, looking around some more. “A nice, like, home. It’s very homey and just, like, perfect. And your family’s really…warm,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “They remind me a lot of mine. Close knit and stuff. You’ve all got each other’s back.”

“Yeah,” she agreed, sitting down on her bed next to him. “Does it…I mean, does it make you miss your family?”

“Tons,” he replied automatically. “Especially on days like today. But it’s okay. I know this summer when we’re all together it’s gonna be a blast.”

“I know…” Aberdeen began. “Listen, I know you don’t like to talk about your feelings much, but if you ever do want to talk when you’re really missing them…you know I’m here to listen, right?”

William looked at her and smiled. God, he got so lucky. “I know,” he said. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

He paused, staring into her eyes before knowing he had to continue. “Listen…I got you something,” he said.

“You what?” Aberdeen was flabbergasted. As if enough didn’t already happen today. He saw her baby photos for God’s sake.

“I couldn’t help myself.”

“I really think you could.”

He sighed and smiled, reaching into a bag Aberdeen hadn’t noticed was there and pulling out a wrapped box, a ribbon tied around it perfectly. She had a hard time believing he wrapped it himself, but then again, he had a lot of siblings. That was his excuse for knowing how to do a bunch of things that he had no other logical explanation as to why he knew how to do it. “Merry Christmas, minskatt,” he said.

“I don’t have anything for you,” she blurted out, immediately regretting it.

“I don’t need anything. It’s fine,” he shook his head, pushing the box onto her lap. “Open it.”

It was small. Too small for her liking. She gave him one last look before sliding the ribbon off and ripping the paper. The box was neutral, which made her even more nervous. She opened the lid.

Inside, she was met with a ring. An evil eye ring made of yellow gold, with the centre of the eye bedazzled with a black diamond, circled by two bands of rich blue diamonds, and finished off with regular diamonds outlining and filling out the rest of the eye shape. Her breath hitched in her throat audibly as she stared at it and took in its beauty. She couldn’t believe William got this for her. She couldn’t believe he…he…

“I hope you like it,” she heard William’s voice say softly. “I know rings are…well, whatever, but…I saw it and I thought of you. It…it went beyond when you told me your dad was Persian. The blue…it sounds stupid, but the blue reminded me of your tattoo. The waves. Like now whenever I see anything blue I think of you and your tattoo and the waves and stuff, and…and—” he was rambling, and he knew it, but he couldn’t stop, “—and I just figured, I don’t know, you always wear nice jewelry, nice rings, and this can be part of it. And it’ll protect you, according to tradition or whatever. And maybe, I don’t know, every time you look down at your hand and see the ring, you’ll be reminded of me.”

Aberdeen took every word to heart. She’d been looking at him the entire time, and her heart was so full by the end of his rambling that she couldn’t think straight; she couldn’t think of what to say, how to say it, how to thank him, how to truly express how much she loved it, so she did the only thing she could think to do. The only thing she couldn’t do.

She kissed him.

It was slow at first, and it took William aback – never in a million years did he think Aberdeen would initiate any kiss, let alone a kiss on her bed while they were alone in her bedroom after he’d crashed her family’s Christmas celebrations – but eventually, and gradually, the kiss deepened and became more passionate, with William’s hand going lightly to her hip, and Aberdeen’s hand resting gently on his thigh. They stayed like that for a while, just kissing on her bed, William absolutely basking in the feeling, as if a thousand lightning bolts were moving through his body all at once, having waited for months – six months – to feel his lips against hers again. It intoxicated him as much now as it did that night in June so long ago; perhaps even more so now, now that he knew what her lips felt like but was denied for so long, only to be given the luxury again. He was drunk on the feeling.

It was only until William couldn’t help himself, when Aberdeen felt a slip of his tongue against her lips, that she was brought back down to earth, only for her to pull away quickly. “Oh God,” she worried. “I wasn’t supposed to do that.”

William half smiled as he bit down on his bottom lip. “It’s not like I’m gonna tell anybody.”

She felt William’s hand on her hip move to hold her hand that was resting on his thigh. He held it so warmly, still looking at her, and rubbed circles onto her hand. His touch was so delicate, so tender. So unlike other touches she’d experienced, other touches she never wanted to experience again. “Will?”

“Hmm?” he licked his lips.

She finally met his eye. “I…I never thanked you for going to Brendan about…you know…” she trailed off.

His face shifted. “Aberdeen—”

“No – please,” she interrupted him, looking down nervously at their fingers that had now entangled with each other’s on his lap. She didn’t know why she couldn’t look him in the eye. She’d just kissed him, for God’s sake. “I never thanked you. Or Pierre for that matter. If you guys hadn’t gone to Brendan, I’d still have to be dealing with him, and…and I just…”

“Aberdeen, you don’t need to thank me for doing the right thing. Anybody would have done the same thing,” William said. “Believe me. Any one of those guys in the locker room would have done the same thing. Pierre and I actually made the decision to wait until after the holidays to tell everyone what happened so they wouldn’t get upset before Christmas.”

Aberdeen furrowed her brows. “Why? They…they’d get upset?”

“Are you kidding me? Of course they’d get upset,” William said. “Jason would have gone insane if he knew. The guy has four girls. Auston, Morgan, Kappy – everyone thinks you’re a bit of nerd or whatever, but they’d all go to bat for you. And everyone’s gonna be really upset when they hear about it. Actually, they’ll probably get mad at me for not telling them so they couldn’t whoop Ethan’s ass themselves.”

Aberdeen never considered that. She knew the guys liked her well enough, but she never considered that they liked her enough that they’d be upset something like that happened to her. She never considered that they’d be protective of her in that way. For all that she was Brendan Shanahan’s executive assistant and on the administrative side of things, she never felt part of the team more than she did in this moment, in her room alone with William Nylander.

“Can you…can you tell me something?” William asked as he watched her think.

“What?”

“Why didn’t you tell me…you know, what Ethan was doing?”

There was the million dollar question. Aberdeen didn’t want to admit why. She didn’t want to admit to William that the reason she didn’t tell him was because she didn’t want him to know, didn’t want him to get involved, didn’t want to endanger his position in any way with the team by him speaking up on her behalf. She didn’t want to tell him it was because she didn’t think it was worth it. But she knew she had too. She took a deep breath and shrugged her shoulders. “I didn’t think you cared that much,” she admitted softly. “I didn’t think that it was…you know…worth caring about, even.”

It was William’s turn to furrow his brows. He looked pained, physically pained, at the words that had just escaped her mouth. “You’re always worth caring about, minskatt,” he said firmly, with no space to debate his tone or words. “You’re always…fuck, Aberdeen, you’re always fucking worth it to me.”

She couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of his mouth; couldn’t believe how much conviction was in his voice and how much he meant each and every word. Nobody had said those words to her before. Well – no guy had said those words to her before. She remembered Zane and how he refused to acknowledge how she wanted to become a writer. She remembered how, a second after she told him, William said she’d make a great writer even though he’d never read any of her work. To William, she was worth it; in every sense of the word, she was worth it. She was worth late night walks back to her apartment. She was worth sneaking into hotel rooms at night. She was worth calls to Sugo and paying extra to get dinner long after they closed down. She was worth sneaking around to get her phone number, and her parents’ address to show up for Christmas. She was worth spending whatever amount of money on a ring that reminded him of her. She was worth it. She was worth it all.

She moved closer to him again.

Closer.

And closer.

And…

“Aberdeen!” she heard Camden scream her voice down the hallway. So he apparently knew they were in her room. She and William moved at lightning speed not to be so close to each other. She shoved the box into her bedside table. Camden’s loud footsteps echoed down the hallway until they stopped outside her door.

Camden at least had the knowledge to knock. She’d yelled at him one too many times for him to forget. “Come in,” she said, her voice still a bit shaky from what had almost just happened.

He opened the door and stuck his head through. “William promised he’d play some hockey with me in the driveway before he left,” he said.

“William and I are talking right now,” she said quickly, trying to get him to go away.

“About what?”

“About work stuff.”

“What’s happening at work?”

“Camden.”

“Is Mitch Marner okay?”

“Can you give us maybe, like, five or ten minutes to solve this problem?” William asked. “I’ll meet you in the driveway after that. Practice your stickhandling so I can show you what to improve on.”

Camden nodded his head quickly and closed the door behind him as he rushed back down the hallway, yelling at his dad to open the garage and get his hockey stick. William looked at Aberdeen and laughed as she let out a breath in one long sigh, giggling to herself before shaking her head. “God…what am I doing?” she mumbled to herself.

“Realizing you’re worth it,” William said quickly, inching closer to her and kissing her again. It was nice, and it was innocent, and it was beautiful, and it was lovely, but it was also wrong. Aberdeen pulled back quicker than last time, but William didn’t seem to mind. He knew this kiss was gratuitous – an extra gift. “I can’t wait to see you on the plane to New Jersey wearing that ring,” he mumbled, grabbing her hand and holding it in his.

She stiffened for a second. “I can’t wear that to work.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s from you. Everyone’s gonna ask about it.”

“Have any of the guys, including Brendan, ever asked about any piece of jewelry you’ve worn before?” he deadpanned. Okay, so he had a point. “Besides, just tell them it was a Christmas gift from your parents.”

She shook her head. “You underestimate how good of a liar I am.”

“You spent six months lying trying to convince yourself you didn’t like me.”

She blushed. Okay, so he had another point. “Touché, Will.”

He licked his lips, biting down on the bottom one gently. “Why’re you so scared?”

“I’m not scared,” Aberdeen answered. “I’m just aware of how inappropriate this is and how much I’m starting not to care anymore.”

William smiled. And he leaned in again. But before he could kiss her again – helping as best he could to get her to not care anymore – Camden’s voice boomed through the house again. “Aberdeeeeen!”

She practically growled at another moment ruined. “Camden!” she screamed out.

This time, he didn’t bother to knock when he opened the bedroom door. He poked his head through again. “Do you know someone who drives a black Porsche Cayenne?”

Aberdeen furrowed her brows. As if she knew more than one person who drove a car that expensive. “My boss does…” she said.

“Well, it’s in the driveway.”

Aberdeen’s eyes bulged out of her head. She shot up from her seat and grabbed William and dragged him towards her closet. “Is that—” he tried to ask.

“Quiet.”

“Is that Brendan?” he asked as she practically tore her closet door off her hinges to open it. “What’s he doing here?”

“I don’t fucking know!” she exclaimed in one of those loud, frantic whispers. “Do you honestly think if I knew he was coming sometime today I would have let you stay in my house this long? Now shut up.”

“Aber—oooooowwwwww!” he protested as she grabbed the top of his head and pushed him down and into her closet like he was getting into the back of a cop car. He belonged in a cop car, Aberdeen thought, for showing up at her house on Christmas. “Aberdeen!”

“Shut up!” she said hurriedly, putting her hand over his mouth. “If you value your life as well as mine you will stay in here and stay quiet until I come get you,” she warned, closing the closet door in his face.

“Who’s that now?” Orla asked as Aberdeen hurried to the front of the house, where she saw her mother looking out the window. “We don’t know people who drive Porsches.”

“It’s for me. It’s my boss. Brendan Shanahan. The president of the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Aberdeen informed everyone. She saw Siena send a panicked look her way.

“Oh, did you invite him to Christmas too now and he just came late?” Orla joked.

“Is he here to see William?” Camden asked.

Aberdeen took a deep breath. She felt like her heart was going to explode in her chest. “Everybody listen,” she said loudly. “Brendan cannot know William was here…is here.”

“Why can’t Brendan know about W—”

“I’ll lose my job, okay?” she said quickly. Her parents’ eyes widened. “Brendan doesn’t like the players, uh…he doesn’t…just please, please don’t ask me to explain. Just take my word for it. Just don’t mention anything and…please be normal.” She knew Siena already knew. And she knew her parents were good for it – though she’d have to explain to them in more detail later. It was Camden she was worried about. She looked down at him. “You say a word about William being here and I take that Kyle Lowry jersey back and tell everyone at your school that you still sleep with Bubby.”

Bubby was the stuffed giraffe Camden got as a kid. He slept with it religiously when he was small, but he didn’t still sleep with it, though it stayed perched on his shelf. Camden grimaced but understood the ultimatum his sister was giving him – no kid would ever recover from that rumour being spread. “Fine.”

Their doorbell rang. Mirza moved to open the door. He couldn’t even see Brendan’s face – it was obstructed by a giant basket. “Oh my goodness!” he exclaimed, noticing it was teetering a bit. “Let me help, let me help!” he said, taking some of the weight of the basket. “Come in! Come in!” he moved backwards, and the two men balanced the basket on the half-wall that separated the entrance from the front family room.

Aberdeen felt like she was going to faint. Brendan Shanahan was now in her front entrance while William Nylander was stuffed in her bedroom closet. “You must be Mr. Bloom,” Brendan said, extending his hand to shake. “And Mrs. Bloom,” he said once he noticed Orla, shaking her hand too. “I’m Brendan Shanahan – I’m Aberdeen’s boss.”

“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Brendan,” Orla smiled. “Aberdeen speaks so highly of you.”

He waved and smiled at Aberdeen. Then he noticed Siena and Camden. “You must be Siena,” he smiled at her, “and Camden.” Camden nodded enthusiastically and silently. “I don’t mean to intrude on your Christmas,” Brendan held up his hands slightly. “I just – well, my family and I are on our way to my mother’s house in Mimico. I’m an Etobicoke boy too, you see. And when Aberdeen told me her mother was another Belfast lass, well, I had to see for myself.”

Orla giggled. Mirza had a smile on his face. “Irish too, then? Well, with a name like Shanahan, how could you not be?” Orla quipped.

“I don’t mean to stay long – we’re already late as is – but I just wanted to pass this gift along as a token of my thanks and gratitude,” he said, motioning to the giant wrapped basket. It had an assortment of things in it that Aberdeen couldn’t make out because she was scared William was going to scream out from the closet or walk around the corner any second and then she’d be out of a job. She knew Camden would take it all apart the second Brendan left, anyway.

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that, Mr. Shanahan—” Orla said.

“No no, I insist. It’s the least I could do,” he said. “I’m sorry for taking your daughter away from you so much and having her travel to every corner of this continent. I know it must be hard on you as parents.”

“It is,” Mirza said, “but she enjoys her job very much. She’s always letting us know about the cool things she’s doing or the cities she’s going to. She feels very fortunate to be in the position she’s in.”

“We’re very lucky to have her as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs team,” Brendan smiled warmly. “Anyways, I’m so sorry for taking up your time,” he turned to leave.

“Don’t be sorry at all, Mr. Shanahan. This is a very lovely gift, thank you.”

As he stepped through the threshold of the doorway, he turned back. “If I want to drop by St. Leo and bring some of the boys, am I calling you?” he asked Orla.

“You bet your arse you are, because you’re not going to anyone else’s class but mine.”

Brendan smiled. “I’ll call you to arrange something, then. Have a very Merry Christmas.”

When the door closed, Aberdeen let out a sigh of relief. “Was that harmless enough, Aberdeen? Was it to your liking?” Orla asked sarcastically.

“Don’t.”

“Camden, go fetch mummy a card from the drawer in the kitchen so we can write a thank you note to Mr. Shanahan for this enormous basket full of…full of…” she stopped, eyeing the contents. Suddenly, she jumped up. “Oh Lord! Oh heavens it’s a basket of Irish and British goodies! And sweets! Oh, bless that man! Bless that man!”

Aberdeen didn’t care about sweets. She thought about William in her closet and rushed towards her room. She closed the door to her room behind her and opened the closet door to see him holding up her high school kilt, like he was examining it. “What the fuck are you doing with that?”

He smirked at her. “Can you wear this for me sometime?”

“Get out of there!” she ordered, snatching her kilt away from his hands as he giggled like the schoolgirl she once was. She hung it back up in the back of her closet. “You’re a perv.”

“Only for you,” he continued to giggle.

***

William held on to the Tupperware Orla had given him full of leftovers as he and Aberdeen stood on her front porch. Aberdeen made sure not to get too close; partly because she had a feeling that at least one member of her family was spying through a window, but also, because if she got close to him, she didn’t know what she’d do.

William had charmed her entire family. Her mother invited him back for Easter. Camden thought he was the coolest guy around. Siena understood now why Aberdeen was so drawn to him. And Mirza – well, Mirza just liked him. Thought he was a good kid. And he was a good kid. Despite his upbringing and despite his job being one of the stars of the Leafs, he was just a humble, polite, guy when he came over – just a guy from Sweden who worked with Aberdeen. Aberdeen thought that maybe that’s all he wanted to be when he was around her – just a guy from Sweden. Not William Nylander, hockey star. He certainly showed that he liked and preferred it that way.

“You’re coming to Jersey, right?” he asked. She nodded her head. “What about New Years?”

“I’ll be there,” she nodded again. “Kinda sucks that we won’t get to spend it here, though. I think this is the first New Year’s I’ll spend outside of Toronto.”

“Well it has to be extra special, then,” he smiled.

Aberdeen bit her lip. She didn’t know what that meant. A part of her didn’t want to know while another part of her did. “Will…” she began.

“Minskatt?”

“Why didn’t you ever move on from me?”

William was taken aback by the question. The notion was absurd to him. “Why would I ever want to do that?”

Aberdeen couldn’t believe his answer. Was there really nobody else for him? Nobody in Sweden that summer he could have had fun with? Nobody in Toronto he could call? She didn’t know why he insisted on his life revolving around just her when she’d barely given him anything the past six months, three of which were spent in two separate continents. Was he insane? Was she?

A car pulled up in front of the house, and Aberdeen knew it was his Uber. He glanced at it before taking one last look at her. “Have a good night, Aberdeen. I’ll see you Thursday morning.”

She watched him get into the car, watched it pull out of the driveway and drive down the street. When she opened the door and stepped back into her house, she saw Siena waiting for her. “You’re fucked,” was all she said.

Aberdeen nodded. If other people could see it, then she needed to start accepting it. “I know.”

229 notes · View notes

danineverwenttoazkaban · 3 years

Text

SE Appreciation Week - Fic 1 (Karol route)

@sweeteliteweek Very late but I just barely ended this not so short fic.

This is Karol’s route imagining some moments like the airport goodbye and days later while they’re at home so Papa Scholar is also featuring. I couldn’t help but add a bit of Tegan too and I tried to put several ideas I had together on the same story. Hopefully the back and forth between present and past is not too confusing. I didn’t know how to name it so I just took a song I was listening to by Wilco that is really sweet if anyone wants to listen to it.

Jesus, Etc.

The familiar vibrant and noisy city was something Scholar hadn’t think she would miss during those months at Arlington’s. Especially not the noises from the neighbor from the floor above as she rowed with her husband for the third time tonight, the people pacing up and down the stairs, the kids playing, the pizza delivery guys and Misses Jones with her 5 dogs. She smirked thinking what Karolina would say if she heard all this noise and reminisced to when they met, smiling at the thought. She would be rich by now if she was given a dollar for each time she thought of Karolina since she got on the plane home.

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

“That’s my plane, people! Enjoy the journey home!”, announced Tyler as he picked up his heavy luggage. He hadn’t explained what the heck he was carrying on his bags but Scholar assumed it was something artistic.

“Hey Tyler, don’t forget about tomorrow’s match! There will be a 30% buff bonus”, said Tegan.

“Oh man, I told you I have that thing with my parents. I’ll make it up to you later, promise”, replied Tyler.

“… ok”, said Tegan as he gave him a weak smile, clearly disappointed.

“Cheers!”, shouted Tyler as he ran towards gate A27.

Only Scholar, Tegan and Karolina remained in the departure lounge. Neither Tegan or Karolina seemed particularly happy of going home, in fact Tegan was staring at the floor as if he had just been told Christmas had been cancelled this year.

“Hey, maybe I could join? I am not very good at videogames to be honest but you can teach me”, said Scholar putting a hand on Tegan’s shoulder.

Tegan looked up and smiled blushing.

“S-sure, I think you’d make a great cleric”, Scholar had no idea what that meant but she hated the sad aspect Tegan had.

She noticed Karolina was staring at her direction, a curious look on her face. In that moment, she heard her flight being called.

“Well, I guess I have to go now”, she said to both of them.

Tegan nodded.

“I’ll call you tomorrow to set your PC ready for the match”.

“Sounds like a plan!”, she answered before giving him a quick hug.

As she let go of Tegan, she looked at Karolina, unsure on how to approach her. Scholar took a step in her direction, asking for permission, they had barely talked since the night of the basement

“… I-I… goodbye, Karolina. Enjoy the holidays”, she said with slight nervousness, waiting for an answer.

Karolina was biting her lip and seemed uneasy, as if she was making up her mind about something. She leaped forward and put her arms around Scholar. The girl let go of the breath she had unknowingly kept as she felt Karolina’s warm embrace.

“Let me know when you arrive home”, Scholar heard Karolina whisper close to her ear, her breath sending shivers down her spine. She then felt something touching her cheek, she froze when she realized it was Karolina’s lips. The touch was so soft, so slight that it could had just been Scholar’s imagination. They let go of the embrace and Scholar felt her heart sink at the idea of being apart from her so many days.

“I will, you too, please”, she answered. Both Karolina and Tegan nodded and Scholar took her luggage before parting…

The following day, Scholar had to excuse to her father early because Tegan had opened an account for her in the game they were supposed to play, in fact he had even customized her character based on a number of questions he had asked, many of which Scholar wasn’t sure how to answer. As she started her PC and positioned on her seat, she could not help but feel excited, seeing Tegan through the webcam meant also, perhaps, seeing her as well. Tegan’s face as he logged in had a mixture of sadness, exhaustion and defeat, he didn’t have Karolina’s ability of putting on a straight face, Scholar didn’t want to push an answer out so she didn’t ask. They spent a couple of hours playing, Scholar died way too many times in pure noob style but Tegan didn’t mind, in fact he laughed each time as she panicked when the other players surrounded her with attacks.

“Thank you, Scholar. You made my day”, Tegan told her after the match was over.

“I’m glad, I had a great time even though I clearly suck for this…”, she answered giggling. Tegan laughed as well, he covered his mouth whenever he laughed and Scholar thought it was cute but sad at the same time how insecure he could be at times, even among his friends.

“… She’s busy talking to mom and dad, by the way”, Tegan added after a while, “in case you were wondering.”

“Oh… it’s ok. Is everything alright?”, Scholar asked concerned, to be honest their parents didn’t exactly sound like the kind that understood and supported their children.

“They didn’t take well all that happened in FAXION, I almost didn’t login for the game but she wanted me to let her handle it on her own”, answered Tegan, “she didn’t want me blowing up and them… “, he paused, “… doesn’t matter, I will take care of her now.”

“She’s a tough girl, she worries about you too”, said Scholar, “let me know if you need anything”

“Of course, thanks again. I will tell her you say ‘hi’ ”, said Tegan before closing the session.

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

Scholar sighed as she wondered how things had gone back at the twins’ house, hoping they were ok. The days that had followed to gaming night not much had happened. Tyler spammed them with funny selfies from the Red Carpet of God knows which movie his parents had taken him to, Tadashi and Alistair sent photos with the Drews, especially the dogs at Axel’s request, and Claire and Neha exchanged recipes for Christmas season. But barely anything from Karolina, still the fact Tegan kept sending memes mocking how bad she was at gaming was oddly comforting.

“Honey, I’m home, can you give me a hand with the bags?”, called Papa Scholar’s voice.

“Sure, dad, coming!”, answered Scholar and she walked towards the kitchen.

The bags were full of materials for her father’s famous pasta recipe but this time with a twist: he had agreed on incorporating one of Claire's many recipes. Both of them prepared everything for their movie night. Afterwards, they settled in the living room as they picked a title. They decided on one of the old movies that Scholar’s father loved “Pride and Prejudice”. Scholar had tried to get his father to watch the newer adaptation of the story but it had been pointless, the 1995 version was the one her mother loved and in a way for him watching the movie again meant reliving the joyful moments they passed together. Scholar had seen it too a handful of times yet this time it felt different, she felt connected not only because it had been her mom’s favorite movie but because the situation was now all too familiar. The pride and prejudice dance.

“You keep looking at your cell phone, expecting someone’s message?”, Papa Scholar asked as he arched an eyebrow.

“N-no, just checking the hour”, Scholar tried to reply, unconvincingly.

“Hmm, don’t forget I was your age once and fell in love at your age too”, the kind man answered giving her a warm smile.

But before Scholar could reply, they heard the alert of a new message coming in. Scholar jumped at the sound and widened her eyes at the name that appeared on the screen: “Karolina”. She quickly unlocked the cell phone, almost dropping it due to the urgency. Not paying attention to her father’s laugh at her clumsy movements, she opened the message:

Karolina: Are you awake?

Scholar: Yes, hi…

Karolina: Can I call you?

Scholar’s heart drop at her message. Almost three days without a message from her and now here she was asking for a call. She really did take that “best way to win someone is to surprise them” to the bone.

“Sorry, dad. Could we drop it here? A friend from Arlington wants to talk to me”

“Don’t worry, girl. Go call your friend”, she really did have the best dad.

Scholar practically ran towards her room and texted her back.

Scholar: Sure.

Immediately her phone was vibrating and ringing. She answered almost as a reflex.

“Karolina?”, started Scholar, trying not to sound too excited.

“… Did I interrupt you?”, asked Karolina. Her voice on the phone was something Scholar couldn’t had foreseen would make her feel weak on the knees.

“No, uhm, I was just finishing watching a movie with my dad”

“Was it one of those cheesy old movies your dad likes?”, Karolina asked on a mocking tone. Wow, she had really paid attention…

“Ha, yeah. Pride and Prejudice… because you know how much I’m into the hate to love trope”, she blurted out surprising herself. Was it too bold to hint at ‘them’ like that? What was it about Karolina that it made her go rogue often.

Silence.

“… yes, I know”, Karolina answered. Scholar wondered, hoped, if Karolina was blushing.

“And what are you doing?”

“Our parents threw a party”

“Wow, sounds like fun.”

“It’s just the usual winter party they throw every year ”

“I’ve never been into a party like that”

“Of course not”, Karolina blurted out, “… I didn’t mean it to sound like that, I-I don’t think you’re missing anything”

“Karolina, not that I mind but why are you talking to me instead of enjoying yourself out there?”

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

Karolina was standing in front of the wall mirror of her bedroom. Her new pine green dress matched perfectly the emerald earrings her father had bought her last year as well as the red lipstick. Everything fit together

“Miss, they are waiting for you downstairs”, the maid called after softly knocking the door.

Karolina took her purse and proceeded towards the lobby, across the dining room and into the garden. The surrounding people dressed in etiquette, the tables and the exquisite centerpieces seemed all surreal. She felt disconnected to this usual display of frivolity and superfluous social interactions, greeting people with a fake smile and pretending to care about the chit-chat. These people who if given the chance would rather see them in ruins.

At dinner, she sat with a couple of acquaintances, girls she had known since her childhood, the type her parents considered ‘appropriate’ but could never truly be friends. Her mind drifted elsewhere, back to the chalet, the sensation of safety, of being seen for the first time through the façade of her strong petty attitude, the possibility of being just ‘Karol’. She excused herself as the girls looked at her questioningly, stood up and walked behind a couple of bushes seeking some privacy.

“I heard she is going down her mother’s route”, she heard a voice say from behind the bushes.

“Her scandal at FAXION was disastrous, everyone has been talking about it”, followed another voice.

“Honestly, does it surprise anyone? It was a wonder she got this far”, said a third voice.

Karolina felt the anger and hurt built inside her, she was about to turn around and face whoever felt they had the right to talk behind her back in her own house when her cellphone vibrated. She took out her cellphone and noticed Scholar had sent a message to the group thanking Claire for the last recipe attaching also a photo of Scholar and her father cooking. She smiled at how happy they seemed and got lost in the sparkle of her eyes. She bit her lip debating on whether or not to message her… Screw it.

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

“… Hmm, Karolina, is everything ok? Can you still hear me”, Scholar asked.

“Yes, I-I just … “, Karolina answered.

“You know you can tell me anything”, Scholar said, “how is everything with your parents?”

She heard Karolina sighed.

“Not good but I’d rather not talk about it”

“I’m sorry about that but it’s fine, what do you want to talk about then?”

“Nothing really, I was just bored, this party is obnoxious”, Scholar’s heart skipped a beat at her words, does she just miss me?

“I see…”, Scholar said. With her heart palpitating like crazy and the excitement of talking to Karolina she couldn’t hold back her emotions and she added, “… I miss you too.”

“I never said… you’re right, I do”, Scholar smirked. Karolina admitting her feelings was so refreshing; Scholar would need one of Neha’s teas to calm down the butterflies in her stomach.

“So dull party, huh? Should I be thankful I didn’t get invited?”, followed Scholar.

“I don’t find this type of parties endearing anymore”

“What? Hanging out with me is harming your social standards”

“Haha, you wished. I’ve never liked these parties but it was a good opportunity to meet important people”

“Oh, did you meet anyone interesting this time?”

“No, I found out that people are still talking about my FAXION fiasco”, Scholar felt her blood boil at that.

“They did? I wished I could beat some sense into that people”,

Karolina chuckled.

“Hey, I don’t mind. It’s better if they talk about me, free publicity. Besides we technically won.”

“That you did, you two were amazing, seriously no one could rival Neha’s designs. Also, you looked so beautiful and classy… even though you weren’t feeling well, you pulled that off despite everything. I can only imagine the big things you’ll do in the near future”

“You’re sweet. But remember I could steal your third place in the Gold Tier if you’re not careful”

“Oh Miss Novakova, we’ll see about that, we could bet to me beating you up in the finals”, were they flirting for real this time?, Scholar thought.

“You’re not taking me to the cafeteria again, are you?”, oh they definitely were.

“Hmm how about taking you to the gardens? Like a picnic?”, oh god, was she asking her on a date?!

“Hmmm… ok, deal”, Scholar heard Karolina answer. She did just ask Karolina on a date and she said yes!

“Deal”, wow. But this time she wouldn’t let Karolina say it wasn’t a date.

She heard Karolina laugh on the other end and it made her grin like an idiot, she wondered if Karolina was blushing furiously like she was.

“Thank you, by the way”, Karolina said after a brief silence.

“For what?”

“Helping my brother stay calm. You didn’t have to do that”

“I’m glad to help, he’s a dear friend and it killed me to see him so sad”

“He has been happier considering…”, Scholar assumed she meant with whatever was going on in their house. She wished she could do more.

“And you? Feeling better?”, Scholar asked.

“Much better”,

“I’m glad. I’m here for you, always”

“I know, I’m here for you too”, her voice sounded soft, to think about how much had happened for them to get to this point.

“I have to hang up now, we’ll talk soon”, Karolina added.

“Oh ok, of course, go back to the party”, she didn’t know what to say, she could had kept talking to her all holidays if she could.

“Good night… Oh, and watch out your door tomorrow”, Karolina said with a curious tone in her voice, almost nervous.

“Tomorrow? What happens tomorrow?”, Scholar asked confused.

“J-just pay attention, ugh. I have to go now.”

“Ok, ok, I will do. Good night, Karolina”, and with that she was left with the usual cellphone tone.

The following day was Christmas’ Eve. To say she had spent the morning ecstatic was an understatement. She kept circling around the call she had with Karolina, the fact she had asked her out on a date and whatever she meant by watching out for her door. Her dad was surprised that out of all the friends she had made at Arlington it was actually Karolina whom she had a crush on (she had to tell him since she couldn’t hide her joy).

“My first guess was that girl Claire who kindly gave us the recipes for Christmas dinner”, Papa Scholar said as he found out about the source of her daughter’s disturbance.

“Funny you guessed Claire, dad”, sighed Scholar remembering the fatal mistletoe incident.

“Why funny?”

“Oh dad, it’s just… a long story”, Scholar said.

“Well, I have to say that Karolina girl is drop dead gorgeous and if you say she is nicer to you, I believe you. When can you invite her here?”

“Dad! We’re not even… I mean, we almost … kissed b-but …”

They were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it”, said Papa Scholar.

“Actually dad, can you let me check who it is?”, jumped Scholar as she headed to the door.

She peaked from the door peephole. On the other side there was a guy looking like a delivery man.

“H-hello? Who is it?”, Scholar asked.

“Good afternoon, I have a delivery for a person named Scholar”, the guy answered from the other side.

Scholar opened the door, the man was carrying a golden plastic bag with a red bow on the outside.

“Hi, I’m Scholar”

“Oh great, I’m supposed to deliver this”, he handed her the bag, “please sign here… and here”

Scholar did as he requested and looked at the bag, it looked very elegant for a plastic bag.

“Thank you, merry Christmas, ma’am”

“Thank you too, merry Christmas!”

Scholar walked towards the living room holding the odd bag on her right hand. She took a seat on the couch and placed the bag on top of the table, slowly opening it. There was a card and a small black box on the inside. She took out the small box and opened it being startled by its content. It was an astonishing silver necklace with a sapphire pendant on the center, tiny diamonds seemed to surround the almost heart-shaped figure of the pendant. Papa Scholar couldn’t believe his eyes either, he got the card out and gasped.

“Honey, you need to read the card, look”, Papa Scholar said as he handed it out for her.

Scholar took the card in her shaky hands and opened it carefully:

“Hopefully this starts your way into the better fashion sense you desperately need… Merry Christmas, Karolina”

Scholar lost no time and rushed to get her cellphone. Please answer, please answer, she thought as she heard the dialing tone.

“Hi”, she heard Karolina’s voice answer.

“I-I-… Oh god, I-I can’t even… It’s so beautiful!”, Scholar tried to say forgetting how to speak.

“I am glad you like it.”

“I just… wow… thank you! How did you know where I live?”

“Uh-oh, guess who, Scholar”, she heard Tegan’s voice say.

“Y-you! From the time we played together… should had figured. “, Scholar said laughing.

“You got me, hehe. I’ll give Karol back her cell phone. Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas, Tegan!”

“I am sorry I had to ask him”

“Don’t be sorry, I love it”, Scholar said, almost as much as I love you, she thought, “I didn’t get you anything for Christmas, I feel awful, you went through all this and I-“

“I don’t need you to get me anything, just everything you’ve done for me and … how much I … I can’t tell you on the phone, ok?”, Karolina said.

“… s-sure. Thank you so much, Karol”, was it the first time she called her Karol out loud?

“Besides I already feel like I have my Christmas gift… Anyway, our father is calling us. Merry Christmas, Scholar”

“Merry Christmas, Karol”, Scholar replied and added, “I… you know I do too, for a while now if I’m honest.”

“I kind of knew but didn’t want to see it… Enjoy your night”

“Y-you too. Bye”.

This was definitely the best Christmas she could had ever imagined, she only wished she could had thanked her in person but soon, very soon they will be able to figure it out.

END

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

Hope you guys like it! The ending was rushed because it’s super late here so sorry for that.

#sweet elite #karolina novakova #sweet elite week 2021 #tegan novak #scholar #sweet elite fanfiction #karolina x scholar

20 notes · View notes

pixie88 · 4 years

Text

Tease

Chapter 9 - Together - Adam & Ellie.

A/N: Thank you again for proof reading and scene ideas lovely @aussieez you are a star! This chapter I wrote the NSFW scene after I had a few drinks Friday night, so I hope I got all the mistakes out. It also includes something that happened to me in RL I’ll leave it up to you to guess what it is haha. Hopefully you find it funny as I have we need to laugh atm. I hope you like it!

If you like it let me know or if you don’t still tell me why I won’t be offended!

I am only tagging those who have asked to be tagged in this new series from now on as I don’t want to annoying people with tags. So Let me know if you would like to be tagged and if I missed anyone sorry just let me know!

Find previous chapters HERE under Together - Adam & Ellie.

Song: Sia - Helium

Word count: 2123

WARNINGS: ⚠️ Fluffy fluff, NSFW, Mild Angst & adult language.

Pairings: Adam x Ellie.

Enjoy!

After Nina and I had our nails done we did a bit of baby clothes shopping followed by lunch, which after Nina had a few drinks, so it turned into dinner too "Nina, can I tell you something?"

"Of course sweetie!"

"You can't tell Al! Adam and I were thinking Charlie could have Alistair as a middle name. Do you think he'll like it?"

"Oh, Ellie he will love that. That's so sweet!" she gets up and hugs me.

"Did you hear that Charlie bear you are going to be named after the two greatest men you could wish for"

I tear up a little "Nina, that's a lovely thing to say!"

She hugs me again "Aww Ellie, I didn't mean to make you cry, but let me elaborate on that"

I laugh wiping my tears "Ellie, I can tell your dad must have been a great man because you are a sweet girl and you adore my Adam. This is why I know you two will be great parents" This makes me even more emotional.

We finally get back about half 10 Adam and Al are already in bed, I open our bedroom door expecting him to be asleep, but I'm greeted by him in bed in just his boxers on his phone, he gives me that gorgeous smile "Did you have a good day beautiful?"

I start getting undressed "Hey, yeah, it was such a laugh your mum, and she's super sweet"

"She has a soft spot for you," he laughs while his eyes roam my body as I strip down to my underwear.

I climb into bed next to him, "What did you and your Dad get up to?" he pulls me towards him.

"Dad took me golfing, which reminds me. Mum has her book club tomorrow night and Dad has a darts night, so we have the house to ourselves" Charlie starts kicking, he hates it when I lay on my side.

I run my hand over my bump "Come on Charlie, Mumma just wants to cuddle up to your Daddy" I roll onto my back.

Adam's hand runs over my bump, his lips follow "Hey, You go easy on mummy" he whispers before laying back next to me "So this morning it wasn't very nice to tease" his hand circles my bump as he is laid on his side.

I smirk "It wasn't very nice to trick me at the pub either"

He kisses my nose "Well, you have started something now I'll finish it" He runs his fingers under and along the waistband of my underwear his touch is electrifying, I try to control my breathing.

His lips brush along my pulse line (Fuck! Do not let him win!) His hand slips into my underwear "I'm not going to make love to you Ellie" He parts my folds (God!) I bite my lip trying not to act bothered, he nips my collarbone.

His fingers enter me, I take another deep breath "So, who won at golf?" I try to change the subject.

I feel him smirk against my neck "We drew but right now I want to focus on making you come"

I laugh, "Adam!"

He speeds up his pace, I roll onto my side now Charlie has calmed down and I slip my hand into his boxers. I grasp him, work my hand along his hard shaft as my lips crash against his.

"My plan hasn't worked, I...oh god fuck..I was supposed to tease you and leave you wanting more...but..." his tongue tangles with mine.

I smile against his lips "But what?"

I speed up my pace "God...Ellie,"

I'm getting to him, "Come on Adam! I thought you were going to tease me?" I grasp his lip between my teeth.

He groans, "We've got to be quiet, baby, I don't want your parent to hear us" I pull his lips to mine again.

Both our paces speed up, we can't get enough of each other "Ellie come for me, so I can make love to you!"

"Not until you do!" I whisper against his lip.

He kisses me harder, firmer "I love you Ellie"

"Guess what?"

"God..what?"

I smile, "I love you too more than anything!" I can't hold back any longer "Yes, Adam Yes!!" I fall over the edge, and he hits his climax right after"Fuck baby!"

He pulls off his boxers and I help him remove my underwear as his body cover mine, he pushes pass my entrance.

"OH!! God..that's it! Yes!! Adam Fuck me!" my back arches of the bed I grip him tighter.

He grasps the head board, thrusting harder into me "Ellie, this is all I've been thinking about all day!"

"I have a secret for you...oh"

His lips move against my neck "Secret?"

"Uh huh, this is....all I've.....been thinking about all day too" his lips crash to mine.

He grasps my hips, moves faster against them "Oh god...I'm gonna..Ohhhhh" I hit my climax again.

"Yes, that it Ellie. God...Yes! Ellie!" We're both catching our breath he collapses onto the bed next to me.

"So, how did teasing me work out for you Adam?" I wink.

"Don't worry beautiful I'll get you back!"

I laugh, "We better clean up!"

I get off the bed and hold out my hand "Wanna join me in the shower handsome?"

"Depends on what you're asking?" he give me that grin.

"I'm asking you if you want to add extra steam to the shower?" I bite my lip knowing what this does to him. Adam jumps off the bed picks me up in a bridal carry and leads us to the bathroom.

~*~*~*~

The next evening his parent are out Adam has ushered me upstairs to get dressed up, he's cooking.

"Are you ready beautiful?" He calls up to me.

"I'm just finishing up now" I spray myself with perfume and make my way downstairs. It's smells amazing and beautiful every counter in the dining room is covered with tealight, lighting up the room.

"Wow this is gorgeous, Adam!"

He smiles "Glad you think so! I'll grab you a drink. Take a seat" I sit at the dining table and wait for him to come back.

"Apple juice for my gorgeous wife," he hands me the glass and pecks my lips "Right, have fun. I am shattered. I'll see you in the morning" he turns and walks out the room.

"Wait? What? Adam?" I heard his footsteps head up the stairs. (He's joking right?) I sit there confused for a couple of minutes, I pull out my phone and look for the nearest restaurant.

I grab my keys and bag, just as I'm making my way to the door I hear, him coming down the stairs "Ellie, where are you going?"

"I'm going out for dinner as I thought we were having dinner here together, but I guess not," I try not to act bothered but the tone of my voice gives me away.

He gives me that smile and chuckles as he wraps his arms around me "I was messing with you, I was getting you back for yesterday, did you really think I went to all this effort to let it go to waste?"

"WHAT!? You thought that was funny?" I spit back at him before I pull away from him and walk out of the house and towards the car.

"Ellie, wait I'm sorry it was just a joke!"

He gently grabs my arm and spins me round to see the massive smile on my face "Gotcha!" I stick my tongue out at him.

"Now that was evil! I thought I had really upset you!"

I laugh, "No, but now you have to come up with something better than what you had planned"

He grins, "I just dug my own grave didn't I?"

"Well, that will teach you for playing a prank on me won't it! So, get thinking Mister!"

He kisses my nose "I think I have just the perfect idea grab a coat and blanket. I'm going to grab the food and a few other bits"

"Where are we going?" I call after him.

"It's a surprise" he throws me a smirk.

A few minutes later we are in the car, Adam is driving "You know your Mum made her own playlist yesterday. There was a song that kinda reminds me of us and everything we've been through lately"

"Oh, what song is that?"

I laugh, "She actually heard it in one of the Fifty shades films she watched with your Nan!"

His face turns to disgust "Thanks for that! I didn't really want to know they had seen those films"

"Come on, Adam every woman has seen it or read the books"

He looks over to me for a second "What about you? Have you watched or read them?"

I laugh, "Yeah, I read book one but skipped two and three. But I have seen all three films, I can't remember if it were the second or third film me and my friend Gemma got kicked out of the cinema for laughing and talking the whole way through!"

"You got kicked out of the cinema?"

"Yeah, there was this moody woman in front of us we were talking she kept shushing us. I think the finale straw was when he'd put Anna legs in this spreader bar on this bed then he flipped her from her back onto her front or the other way round. Gemma snorted and said if her husband John did that to her, she'd end up peeing herself especially after having her two kids. We were both howling. After that we were asked to leave"

He laughs, "I can say I've never been kicked out of a cinema! What was this song anyway?"

"I'll play it, hang on a second" I scroll through my recent playlist Sia - Helium press play.

His face lights up at the chorus "So, I'm your helium?"

I smile, "Yes, I think it would be prefect for our first dance song. What do you think?"

"I love it! It's perfect. My sassenach! We're here"

I look out of the window "Where are we?"

"Blackford Hill, we need to walk just 2 minutes that way. The view is stunning"

We finally got to the top "Wow, Adam this is beautiful!"

"I know, it's stunning isn't it?" He places a picnic blanket on the grass with a couple of cushions "Dinner with a view. Am I forgiven now?" we both take a seat.

I roll my eyes, "I suppose. but it depends on what you've made for dinner?"

"Well, you will definitely forgive me if it depends on dinner," he reaches over to thermal bag and pulls out a little tub as soon as he pulls off the lid I know what it is "I've never seen someone face light up so much over a beef hotpot!"

"Oh my god! Wait, so our romantic meal you got your mum to cook?"

He chuckles "Actually I make this, and she taught me how. I have the recipe so if it tastes exactly the same I can make it at home for you. So, try it"

I try a forkful (It tastes exactly like Ninas maybe even better) "Oh, wow... this is awful!"

His smile drops "Is it?" he takes the fork out of my hand and tries it "Ellie, you're mean"

I smirk "OK I lied. It tastes exactly like it if not better but you can't tell your mum I said that" we laugh.

After dinner we are laid back on the grass looking up at the stars, "You do know I will get you back for earlier!"

I hear a soft laugh escape from his lips as pulls me tighter against him "But for tonight we can call it a truce?"

"I suppose so! But watch your back!"

"Hey, have you see anyone walk pass since we got here?"

"No, why?"

"Good!" Before I can ask him what he means, he pulls the blanket completely over us, his body covers mine as he captures my lips.

"Adam! We can't! Not here! Someone might see us" I giggle.

"We better be quick then!" I can't deny him.

Later we get back to his parents "Looks like they aren't back yet!" He picks me up and walks us into the kitchen and places me down on the counter.

"Down boy! I draw the line at doing that in your parents' kitchen! What's the time?"

He pulls out his phone "I have a voicemail" puts it to his ear, his face drops.

"Adam, what's wrong?"

It's changed from shock to anger the phone is still against his ear "Adam, you're scaring me what's wrong?"

Continue reading this story here - Chapter 10.

@lem-20 @aussieez @khoicesbyk @txemrn @shewillreadyou @irisofpurple

#adam #adam x ellie #manchester

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writingfortoomanyfandoms · 5 years

Text

Neighbourhood Barbecues

Pairing: Calum Hood x Reader

Summary: Its been a rough couple of months for him so he returns home at the plea of his mother and gets reunited with a distant friend from school

Requested: It won the vote so I guess it kinda was

Warnings: Swearing, it’s also excessively long so I figured that deserves a warning as well

A/N: I’m actually really happy with this one, I loved writing it and that’s probably why it’s as long as it is. I hope you guys like it as much as I do! This is another fic it would be cool to do spin-off blurbs for so if you have any spin-off requests then just let me know! Please remember to let me know what you think, if you liked it then please reblog or comment or send me an ask telling me so, I love hearing from you guys, getting those messages honestly make my day :)

Calum regretted coming.

If it wasn’t for the facts that he’d promised his friend he’d make an appearance and that he’d already rung the doorbell and that his arm was aching from the beer he had brought, he would have scarpered.

He figured he’d suffer through awkward conversations with old acquaintances for a bit and try to ignore the fact that most of them were just showing an interest in him because of his fame and then hang out by the food table and make use of the fact the food was free and so was the alcohol being provided.

And then he’d return home and find a new Netflix series to start binging and there he’d try and ignore his mother’s disappointed eyes on him.

God, she would be disappointed in him.

She had been so excited when Calum had said he was going to a barbecue today. He had been trapped inside the house almost the whole time he had been home so her excitement at his plans was understandable. He knew how worried his mother had been about him recently. He didn’t want her to hurt anymore than she already was.

He supposed he could stretch the awkward socialising from an hour and a half to two hours, just to keep his mum happy.

“Hey! Caleb said you’d be coming!” The smile on the woman’s face was wide and Calum desperately tried to place her, knowing that she must have been someone he went to high school with.

“Yeah, hi - he said it’d be fine if I came along?” He offered awkwardly.

“Yeah, course it is, Calum!” Yeah, he should definitely know who she was judging by her familiar tone of voice. “It’s good to see you again!”

“Who is it, bro?” Another voice called from the hallway and the woman who Calum assumed to be the hostess of the barbecue turned around to grin at the other woman who was walking down the hallway, a bottle of beer in her hand.

“Calum - you remember Calum right?”

“How could I forget Calum! He once kicked a football at my head,” this woman he recognised.

She looked different from the last time he saw her - though that was understandable considering that they had last seen each other in high school. She wad a little taller than before, held herself with more sureness but the smile on her face was the same, as were her eyes.

Yeah, perhaps she was difference appearance-wise but her mannerisms remained the same.

“Are you ever going to let that go?”

“Not until I get pay back and kick you in the head with a football,” Y/N assured him, placing her arm around the hostess’ shoulders. “I came to tell you that Rowen decided he’s a real man and so he’s in charge of the barbecue. I figured you should know before... you know, the house burnt down or something.”

“Fucking hell, again?” The other woman groaned, turning back to Calum. “Make yourself at home, Cal - it’s nice to see you again.” Y/N’s eyes fell onto Calum as her friend walked away, a half smile tugged at her lips.

“Admittedly it’s probably my fault - I’m on Rowen duty today but sometimes it’s just so funny to watch him when he’s pissed.” Calum was surprised by the laugh that her words caused in his chest.

“He still can’t handle his alcohol?” Calum asked in disbelief.

He remembered Rowen from high school - he was the life and soul of most of the parties held once their year group had discovered alcohol. Rowen was famous in school for being a complete lightweight and not giving a shit about it, and it was comforting to know that nothing had changed.

“I think he’s actually worse than before,” Y/N confided, turning to walk back through the house. She paused when she realised Calum wasn’t following and looked over her shoulder at him, eyebrows raised. “You coming? I mean, I know we kinda annoyed you in high school but I promise we’re not quite as insufferable anymore.”

“You didn’t annoy me in high school,” Calum protested, following Y/N into the house.

“Dude, we pissed off everyone. We were all so fu-hecking annoying but we’re slightly less so now.” Y/N scoffed.

“’Hecking’?” Calum quoted, his eyebrows raising.

“Oh right - yeah, these barbecues are a no-swearing zone. Didn’t Caleb warn you?” Calum shook his head and Y/N let out a breath. “You have been gone a while, Hood - a lot’s changed since you got too good for us small towners.”

“That’s not what happened,” Calum immediately said and Y/N let out a loud laugh that Calum wanted to join in with.

“I’m joking, Cal.”

“So... you say a lots happened - fill me in,” Calum insisted as they moved out into the garden of the woman’s house, filled with the familiar smell of barbecue food.

Y/N led Calum over to the table of drinks for him to deposit his beers down on.

“Well... that’s the reason over there that we’re a no-swearing zone,” Y/N nodded over to the other side of the garden.

A man he vaguely recognised was over there holding a toddler in his arms as he chatted with some friends - Caleb included.

“One of your lot has a kid?” Calum asked and Y/N nodded in confirmation, tipping her beer bottle up and finishing it off, throwing it into the trug being used as a bin and getting herself another one, seeing Calum’s look she scoffed.

“It’s my second, Cal, don’t worry,” she picked up a bottle opener and Calum picked up his own bottle, holding it out for her to take the top off of. “But, yeah, Alistair had a kid - she’s two years old and the sweetest child in the world. Her mum, however, is a complete bitch who we don’t talk about,” Y/N filled in and Calum nodded.

“Okay so... what else is new, then?” Y/N looked at him with cocked eyebrows. “Come on, I don’t care about you judging me for being so out of touch with the people I went to high school with but I don’t want all of them to think I’m a complete arsehole.”

Y/N watched him for a minute with a level gaze before nodding.

“Alright - well, I can’t imagine this coming up in conversation but Rowen is asexual and aromantic, a new thing. He cried when he told us and his parents weren’t best pleased either so it’s still a bit of a touchy subject anyway-”

“Why did his parents care?”

“Oh, none of us know. Rowen doesn’t either but hey ho, his parents always were dicks.”

“I thought it was a no swearing zone,” Calum deadpanned and Y/N raised her middle finger at him.

“Kind of an important one, actually but, you know...” Y/N gestured at the woman who was hosting the barbecue who was stood at the barbecue with the rather drunk person who Calum assumed to be Rowen.

“Yeah - I can’t remember her name, though,” he admitted a little sheepishly.

“Good - that’ll serve you well. They came out as non-binary a few years ago and while they’d understand you getting it wrong because you haven’t seen them since, try and make an effort?” Y/N suggested and Calum nodded, guilt flooding him from the assumption he had made. “Hey, don’t worry, Cal, you’re not the first one and you will make an effort so Charlie - that’s what their name is now - will be understanding.”

“Y/N!” The woman looked away from Calum and towards Alistair who was calling her.

“Yeah?”

“Can you watch her for a moment?” He requested, approaching her and Calum. Caleb was behind him, clearly only now noticing that Calum had arrived and he raised his hand in hello before walking towards Charlie and Rowen, clapping his hand on Rowen’s shoulder and Calum could hear him let out a loud laugh.

“Of course I can!” Y/N beamed, handing Calum her beer, who took it so that Y/N could take the young girl from her father. “Heya, sweetheart, you look exhausted,” Y/N chuckled. The young girl nodded tiredly against Y/N’s body.

“Who’s that?” She mumbled, her eyes only half open and fixed on Calum.

“That’s Calum - he’s a friend from school and he’s back in town for a little while.”

“C-Ca-Cal.” The girl struggled to say his name and Calum felt a smile come to his lips.

“Just Cal is fine, buddy - what’s your name?” He crouched down a little to be more on eye-level with the small girl.

“Emma,” she mumbled.

“It’s nice to meet you, Emma.”

“You know, Em, Cal’s really talented,” Y/N stated and Calum had to restrain himself from letting out a sigh, having reserved a slight hope at the back of his mind that Y/N wasn’t going to bring up the band and hark on his ‘talents’. He was having a nicer time than he had expected talking with his old distant school friend. He didn’t want it to be ruined now.

“Why?”

“Cal used to play football for the school team.”

“With Uncle Caleb?” Emma asked, her head perking up in interest.

“Yeah, that’s how we all met Cal, through Caleb.” Y/N confirmed.

“And I was in some of your classes.”

“Yeah but you only started talking to us because you made friends with Caleb on the team,” Y/N pointed out and Calum gave a conceding nod of his head.

“Where?”

“What was that, sweetheart?” Y/N asked, her attention returning to Emma, who was reaching a little for Calum. He placed their drinks down and took Emma from Y/N’s arms.

“Where?” She insisted.

“Where has he been?” Y/N offered and Emma nodded, curling up closer to Calum, her eyes drooping tiredly.

“I’m in a band, Emma.”

“A band?”

“Yeah - we go touring so I left Australia a while ago which is why I’m... never here.”

“But he’ll be coming to our barbecues, right Cal?” Y/N said, grinning at the bassist.

“What?”

“This is a weekly thing, Cal,” Y/N laughed. “Come on, Caleb must have told you.”

“I guess he mentioned something.”

“So you’ll come, right? Next week it’s at Rowen’s? He probably won’t be quite as drunk.”

“I - uh - I don’t have his address.” Calum mentioned and, truthfully, that was the only thing he was thinking about.

Because he’d spent half an hour with these people - with Y/N and her friends. And it was like he was back in high school, with nothing more to worry about than just one friend being a lightweight, than thinking of a funny comeback to a friends response.

It was the first time since leaving high school that he’d felt truly normal. Surrounded by people like Y/N. People like Caleb, Charlie, Rowen, Alistair and little Emma. Their other friends who he hadn’t yet managed to speak to.

“I’ll text it to you, Cal - and Emma will bring her trainers and you and Caleb can continue her football lessons.”

Yeah, Calum reckoned he could manage a few more barbecues.

///

“Calum! No way man! When did you arrive back in town?” Calum was surprised by the hug Rowen brought him into.

“Ro, dude, seriously how pissed were you last week?” Alistair asked, raising his hand at Calum from behind Rowen in the hallway.

“Were you at Charlie’s barbecue as well?” Rowen asked in shock, furrowing his brow as he tried to remember.

“Yeah, we actually had a very similar conversation and hug last week as well. It’s still good to see you again, though,” Calum told him, a smile on his face. Rowen stood back and allowed Calum to enter into his house. “You doing alright, Alistair?”

“Not bad, Calum. Yourself?”

“Yeah I’m good, thanks.”

And it was true. For the first time in a while, Calum was actually feeling good. He felt normal. At Charlie’s barbecue Y/N and Calum had exchanged numbers and they had been texting almost all week, about irrelevant things. It had started with Y/N sending him a photo of a dog she had seen on a run in the park that she thought he’d appreciate the photo. It had sparked a conversation and Calum found himself smiling more than before.

The day after the dog photo Y/N had added him to a WhatsApp group chat. She had texted him immediately after, apologising because she had realised she forgot to ask him if he wanted to be added. He didn’t mind at all, it was the only group chat other than the one with his bandmates that he hadn’t muted.

It was almost constantly going and it had taken a couple of days with Y/N encouraging him for him to get in the swing of writing responses.

“Wait - are you on the group chat?” Rowen asked, following Alistair and Calum through his own house. Calum and Alistair looked at each other in evident amusement and Alistair chuckled, shaking his head.

“Come on, man. Y/N has been waiting for you to turn up so that you can take her place in ‘football training’,” Alistair informed him, clapping his hand onto Calum’s shoulder in a friendly gesture and Calum’s heart soared at the mention of Y/N looking forward to see him.

“Oh - about that! I remembered Y/N saying that Emma was into football? And I saw what you were saying on the chat about, y’know, getting her some actual boots?” Calum said awkwardly.

“Oh, Calum-”

“No, no, man... I was just looking through some of my old stuff and I found my first pair of football boots and so I know they’re not much and it’s a kinda crappy gift but...” Calum reached into the bag he found and brought them out as an awkward offering. Alistair looked between Calum and the football boots before nodding.

“If you’re sure then... that’d be great... Emma’ll love them.”

“Okay, uh, cool,” Calum smiled and put the boots back in the bag to pass to Alistair.

“Go give them to her,” Alistair laughed, shaking his head a little. “I’m going to get some beers from the fridge - you want one?”

“Yeah - oh, can you put these in the fridge for me, then?” He asked, holding up the box of beers he had brought with him.

The moment that he stepped outside he felt his heart flood with instant relief, he felt free upon entering Rowen’s garden, surrounded by his new friends. Especially when he caught sight of Y/N. She was running around with Emma and Caleb. Emma was in a swimming costume and a pair of armbands, Caleb in a pair of trunks and Y/N was in a bikini and a pair of shorts, a flannel shirt unbuttoned adorned her shoulders and a pair of sunglasses perched on her nose.

The three of them were barefoot, kicking a football around, Caleb and Y/N taking it in turns to help Emma and ensure she didn’t stumble and fall.

“Cal!” Emma changed course quickly and Calum laughed, dropping his things to the floor to accomidate her rushing towards him.

“You made it!” Caleb cheered.

“I did,” Calum agreed, sweeping Emma up.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Y/N said, her tone a little soft and Calum wished she would take off her sunglasses so he could see her eyes.

An hour later, when food was being served up, Calum joined Y/N by the edge of Rowen’s pool, sitting down with his own legs dangling over the edge and into the cool water. Y/N looked over at him and offered him a grin.

“You stink,” she informed him.

“Well some of us have been entertaining children all day.”

“If you’re trying to bag a spot as being Emma’s favourite aunt or uncle then I’m afraid you’ve already missed the boat and you’re looking at her - she’s more loyal than you’d think.” Calum joined in with her laughter.

“I wanted to say thanks.”

“What for?”

“Y’know... all of this,” he gestured at the people around him and shrugged. “Just wanted to say thanks.”

“It was Caleb who invited you, remember? The rest of us just put up with that decision.” Calum smiled down at his plate of food and shook his head.

“Tell me something?”

“What’s up?”

“If Rowen’s parents were so pissed about... you know... him coming out... why do they let him have all of you guys at their house?”

“Well... he’s their only kid, you know? They’re... trying to get better with it all and... they’re on holiday anyway for the summer so they wanted someone to house watch.”

“It’s weird that you’re all back home for the summer.” Calum commented and Y/N shrugged her shoulders sighing and allowing her head to drop and land on his shoulder. Calum felt his heart rate pick up.

“Well Alistair moved back so Sydney a little after Emma’s mum abandoned them to be with his parents for support and all, and Tate moved here a couple of months ago for a job, and I guess you know why Caleb’s home,” Calum nodded, remembering what Caleb had told him about his mothers health. “Jess recently got together with Tate - but they think none of us know that - so while she says she’s back all summer to spend time with all of us we know that’s just a lie,” Calum laughed a little. “And then Rowen agreed to house sitting in an attempt to appease his parents.”

“What about you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you back all summer?”

“Well it’s nice being home and seeing the family, Calum. Not all of us have a rockstar life in LA to be missing out on,” Y/N said with a meaningful glance his way, her eyebrows raised in challenge and Calum understood the meaning behind her words.

“Well I’m glad you’re here,” Y/N’s expression softened as she listen to him and took in his somewhat bashful appearance.

“I’m glad you’re home too, Cal.”

///

“So are you feeling better, Cal? After being back home?” Michael asked his best friend down the phone.

Calum had been in Sydney for approaching three months and for two of a half of them he had been spending going to the weekly neighbourhood barbecues held by Y/N’s group of friends. He had very quickly been accepted into the group and had formed close friendships with most of them, the only two who he wasn’t as secure with being Tate and Jess, but Y/N had assured him that that was because the two of them were too wrapped up in each other at the present moment.

And he and Y/N had gotten especially close. He liked being around her. He appreciated the feeling of contentedness she brought him. He liked that she made him feel normal. He liked that she made him feel wanted as more than just ‘the bassist of 5 Seconds of Summer’.

“Yeah, man… I feel a lot better than I did.” Calum agreed. He was currently walking over to Y/N’s house. It was her week to host the barbecue, admittedly some of the others had had to have it multiple times but it was fair enough seeing as though Y/N’s parents were still home for the summer as well, but had agreed to get out of the house for the day to allow Y/N to play hostess to her friends.

Y/N had joked down the phone that it really was just like being in high school again, having to wait for her parents to be out of the house for her to host a party.

That was another thing, him and Y/N spoke almost constantly. Outside of the barbecues that were fairly regularly scheduled, almost always landing on the same day every week, often at the same time as well, they would invite each other out to get coffee or ice cream or walk down the beach. Much of his summer break from the band had been spent accompanying Y/N when she took Emma to football practice to help out Alistair as much as she could.

Calum would likely never admit it to anyone but it was fairly doubtless in his mind that Y/N was much of the reason he was getting better by being back home in Sydney.

“That’s good…” Michael trailed off and silence fell between them over the line. For the first time since Calum’s somewhat downward spiral had begun, though, it wasn’t an awkward one. It felt as though he could feel the happiness radiating off of his best friend that he was feeling better, the pride that Michael felt in him that he was taking steps towards recovery. “I think-”

“I’ve been-” they began to speak at the same time, the two of them letting out chuckles. “Sorry, what were you…”

“No, no, you go first,” Michael said. Calum wasn’t surprised by that response. He hadn’t been willingly speaking much in the past few months before returning home so his friends encouragement made sense.

“I was just going to say I’ve been writing again.” Calum admitted as he began the walk up Y/N’s front garden to her door.

“Really?” Michael’s excitement was almost painful to hear and Calum winced, it hitting then (not for the first time) how much his mental state had been affecting his friends.

“Yeah! I was… I was thinking about maybe emailing what I have to you? You can check it out, see if its worth anything, you know?” He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

“Dude, I don’t think you’ve ever written a bad song, even when we were first starting,” Calum was laughing at Michael’s words when Y/N opened the door, raising her eyebrows as she saw Calum on the phone.

“Who is it?” She mouthed.

“Michael,” Calum audily answered.

“What?” Michael asked.

“Oh, shit. Sorry man, Y/N wanted to know who I was talking to,” Calum explained as Y/N stepped back to allow him into her house, mild amusement dancing over her features.

“Wait, Y/N from high school?”

“Yeah, Y/N from high school,” Calum confirmed, giving the aforementioned girl an exaggerated eye roll and Y/N covered her mouth to stop herself from giggling.

“The same Y/N you harboured a crush on for, like, three years and invited to our first concert to impress her?” Michael teased and Calum felt the blood rush to his cheeks, infinitely grateful that Y/N couldn’t hear Michael’s side of the conversation.

“Yeah, that Y/N… plus, at least I invited someone to that who actually showed up.”

“Is this your first concert?” Y/N asked Calum quietly and he nodded. “Showed up and brought friends - remember, Rowen somehow got in.”

“Yeah, remember how she brought a friend who got completely smashed?” Michael remembered at the same time, the coincidental nature of the situation causing Calum to laugh again.

“Is he coming home as well?” Y/N questioned and Calum relayed the question to his friend.

“Ah, yeah that was what I was trying to tell you - we’re all coming back for a couple of weeks. We’ve had our tickets booked for a while but didn’t want you to think we were checking up on you.” Calum explained Micahel’s answer to Y/N who nodded thoughtfully before grabbing the phone from his hand. Calum made a noise of indignation and chased her down the hallway and out into her garden.

“Cal’s having a barbecue at his next week, you should come! And the other guys too,” Y/N invited.

“It’s my fucking house!” Calum complained, but he didn’t really mind, truthfully he was thrilled at the idea of Michael, Ashton and Luke meeting his new friends properly.

“Language, Calum!” Alistair scolded, Emma was giggling in his arms after having heard Calum swear.

“Sorry Em!” Calum called, still chasing after Y/N.

“Yeah, of course they can come! I didn’t realise you were engaged, Mike, congratulations! And Luke’s really got a girlfriend? I figured he was still too awkward to talk to girls. He almost shit himself that time I congratulated him after the gig.” Y/N mused. She turned around and couldn’t stop herself from letting out a yelp of surprise when she saw how close Calum was. “I think he wants his phone back,” Y/N explained. “Yeah, it was nice speaking to you too, Mike… yeah, see you next week then!” Calum had his hand stretched out and while he tried to hide it his amusement from the situation was clear in his eyes. Y/N was reluctant to pass Calum the phone but placed it in his hand nonetheless with an innocent smile.

“She seems like fun.” Michael commented and Calum met Y/N’s eyes as he replied.

“Yeah, she’s pretty great.” Y/N’s embarrassment was clear and she excused herself away, joining Jess and Tate, stepping in the middle of the ‘secret’ couple and clapping a hand on each of their shoulders.

Calum and Y/N met again almost an hour later. He was last in line for food - all vegetarian this time since Y/N’s whole family were veggie and Y/N refused to cook meat and they walked together over to where two deckchairs were on the patio outside of her house, giving them a view of their friends.

“You okay?” Calum asked after a moment's silence and Y/N nodded. “You just seem quieter than normal,” he mentioned and Y/N sighed a laugh, leaning to rest her head on his shoulder.

“Sorry - I get a bit nervous when it’s my turn to host,” she admitted.

“Well it’s all been pretty great,” Calum assured her. “Excepting the lack of meat, of course,” he added, nudging her gently and Y/N laughed again.

“Cal?” He made a noise of acknowledgement. “Why… why are you back?” For the first time, the silence between them felt awkward. “Sorry - you don’t have to answer, I was just…” Y/N sat up, shaking her head. “I’ll go.” Calum’s hand was working on its own when it reached out to stop her from standing up.

“Stay,” Y/N looked at him, her eyes a little wide, unsure at his command but she gave hesitant nod. “My mum told me to come back,” he admitted and suddenly their closeness didn’t feel close enough. He wanted the comfort being near her brought him and he tugged her closer.

Y/N didn’t fight back against his affections and moved over from her deckchair to his, allowing his head to fall into her shoulder.

“I wasn’t… I wasn’t doing well in LA. I mean, I was. The band was doing great, we were planning for the tour and the next album and everything but…”

“But you weren’t great?” Y/N offered gently and Calum let out a long sigh before nodding.

“I was sad… I was just so sad so much of the time and I couldn’t find inspiration to write, I didn’t want to talk to anyone, I didn’t want to go anywhere and I just didn’t feel like me… do you know what I mean?” Y/N gave a wordless nod of understanding, knowing that if she spoke now, Calum would never finish his confession and she got the idea that he needed to get it off of his chest. “And I knew the others were worried about me - Mali wanted me to visit her in London because she thought a change of scenery was what I needed, Ash offered to let me move in for a bit but then my mum called and… she basically begged me to come home.”

“I’m glad she did,” Y/N confessed, rolling over so that they were face to face, her hands gently playing with the curls of his hair. He smiled gently at her, nodding.

“So am I… with you and the others I feel more like me than I have in a while,” he admitted.

“Because we’re all a bit more fucked up than you?” Y/N offered and Calum laughed, shaking his head.

“Because you don’t just see me for the band.”

///

“Am I early?”Calum was equally shocked at seeing Rowen on his doorstep.

The man was the least prepared of the whole group, consistantly late to anything they organised, always forgetting to respond to messages on the group chat and when he did send something it tended to be prefaced by something dumb he had done, he was almost always borrowing food from other people because he would forget to do his weekly shop.

Rowen was an idiot, but they all loved him.

Though it was the aforementioned reasons that their friends gave for not putting Rowen as their accountant, despite that being what his job was.

“Yeah, man - you feeling okay?”

“Yeah - I’m fully going to rub this in all of their faces when they arrive, though,” Rowen declared, entering through Calum’s house before pausing in the hallway and turning back.

“What?”

“I left the beer at home.”

“It’s probably for the best for you, Ro,” Calum mused, patting Rowen on the back. “And I know I said you’re early but there are already some people here.”

Ashton, Luke, Sierra, Michael and Crystal had arrived in Australia two days ago and had barely left Calum’s side the whole time. While they had assured him countless times that they weren’t checking up on him, Calum was well aware that they were, in fact, checking up on him. As a result of his friends suddenly developed clinginess, it was unsurprising that they were already at Calum’s house helping him prepare for the barbecue.

“Y/N also said she was going to try and come a little early,” Calum added after informing Rowen of his band mates presence.

“That was something I wanted to talk to you about, actually,” Rowen added as they moved into Calum’s back garden. “Dude you didn’t say you had a pool!”

“I one hundred percent did, but what did you want to talk to me about Y/N for?”

“Oh shit yeah. Right so, are you planning on telling her you like her or not?”

“Valid question!” Michael called from where he was attempting with Luke to light the barbecue.

“I-I don’t know what you mean,” he stammered out, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.

“He’s lying!” Ashton called from where he and the girls were arranging the drinks in the coolers on the table. Calum flipped off his friends.

“It’d be cool if you did because she likes you too.” Rowen informed him and Calum froze.

“She-she does?”

“Please, Y/N is never normally this friendly to anyone,” Rowen scoffed.

“She’s lovely!” Calum argued, growing a little defensive of the girl he had been harbouring a crush on.

“Yeah she is but she’s also a sarcastic bitch a lot of the time,” Rowen pointed out, rolling his eyes. “Either way, my point was that you should tell her.”

Rowen walked away to take a beer from where Ashton, Sierra and Crystal were, leaving Calum stood stock still alone on his porch, his mind racing.

“He’s right,” Ashton said as he approached his friend, passing Calum a beer as he joined him.

“Not you too,” Calum sighed, rubbing his forehead.

“Dude, this is the happiest I’ve seen you in months and I know for a fact its thanks to her, I’ve never heard you talk about any other girl in the same way that you talk about Y/N so… you need to tell her.”

“I can’t, Ash. She’s so painfully too good for me that the idea of telling her I like her with the hope of her liking me back is laughable. Actually, she probably would laugh if I told her. Look, you’ll meet her today and you’ll see what I mean.”

“I don’t need to see her to know she’s out of your league but that’s beside the point,” Ashton argued.

“You’re doing a great job at boosting my self esteem and building my confidence, by the way. Have you ever considered going into counseling if the band doesn’t work out?” There was a knock on the door and Calum gave Ashton an incredibly pointed look. “I’m going to get that. When I come back I want you to have learnt how to shut the fuck up.”

Calum walked away from Ashton, his friends infectious laughter following him down the hall and bringing a smile to his face.

“Sorry - I know I said I’d be earlier than this,” Y/N greeted him apologetically.

“Don’t worry about it - the guys were here to help set up,” Calum assured her, taking the box of alcohol from her hands.

“I just need to grab the rest of the stuff from my car,” she smiled.

“Do you need a hand?”

“No, no it’s fine. I’ll see you out back?” Calum nodded his confirmation and carried the box of booze she had brought out to his garden.

“Did you tell her?” Luke hollered across the garden, everyone but Calum erupting into laughter as the bassist groaned heavily.

“You make me want to slam my face into a table!”

“Don’t do that - you have quite a nice face,” Y/N responded as she came out of the hallway into the garden carrying two carrier bags. Rowen wolf whistled loudly and Y/N struggled with her luggage for a moment before managing to extend her middle finger at him.

“What do you even have in there?” Calum questioned, trying to move so that Y/N couldn’t see his face, which he knew would be red from embarrassment at her compliment.

“I made too much food last night for tea so I brought some leftovers for Al, Emma and Ro. And then I also picked up a bottle of wine for your parents to-”

“To thank them for letting you come over?” Calum interrupted, seeing where Y/N was going and she nodded. “Wow, we really are back in high school.”

“Fuck you,” Y/N groaned. “I’ve met your parents, like, once and we literally have come over and kicked them out of their home so we can be here and have a barbecue instead, I feel bad.”

“Trust me, they like you because they think you single handedly are the reason for me being happy again.”

“Are you trying to say that’s not the case?” Y/N gasped in offense, her hand going to her heart.

“Come on, we both know that Em was at least half the reason.”

“Valid point - I also bought some champagne that was on offer? Figured we could celebrate your band coming back or, if that’s too cheesy then there’s more alcohol for us to drink away our sadness with!” She cheered, bringing the champagne out of her bag.

“I like the sound of option B,” Luke chipped in, joining Calum and Y/N.

“Bro, you look absolutely nothing like I remember you,” Y/N commented, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked Luke up and down.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It was meant as one,” Y/N assured with a smile. “I’m Y/N, by the way. Not sure if you…”

“I remember you,” he confirmed, grinning and his gaze slid over to Calum. “Besides, with the amount Calum-”

“Alright, Luke, that’s enough,” Calum had never been more grateful for Sierra’s presence. “Hey, I’m Sierra, Luke’s girlfriend. It’s lovely to meet you.” Calum watched Y/N take her hand, her smile a little more nervous than he had seen it be before.

“Y/N, it’s nice to meet you too. Mike mentioned that you and…” Y/N’s face dropped a little, her eyes widening as she seemed to search her mind for the name.

“Crystal,” Calum filled in for her quietly.

“Yeah, of course. He said that you and Crystal would be coming,” she confirmed, turning to give Calum a grateful smile.

“Luke, I need your help with something,” Sierra mentioned and Calum and Luke’s faces both furrowed in confusion until Sierra shot a look at Calum and he quickly cottoned onto what she was trying to do. Calum shook his head, his eyes wide but the couple left, giggling as they did so.

“Everything alright, Cal?” Y/N asked, seeing the panicked and mildly pissed off look on his face.

“Uh, yeah! I was actually going to ask you the same thing, you seem nervous,” he added, allowing his concern to outweigh his own personal worry.

“Ah, I’m just not great at meeting new people.”

“You’ve already met the guys.”

“I never spoke to any of you guys really in high school, though,” she pointed out and Calum nodded a little, conceding to her point.

“You didn’t seem nervous talking to me,” he said after a moment of thinking.

“Yeah, but… I dunno, you’re you, you know? Plus, I had all the others to fall back on if you did decide you hated me so that was less pressure than this,” Calum snorted in laughter.

“You’re such a dumbass.”

“I take pride in it.”

Calum could feel the eyes of his bandmates, their girlfriends and Rowen burning into them as they lapsed into conversation. When there was another knock at the door, Calum was unsurprised to hear someone else call to say they’d get it.

“They’re… they are all acting kind of strange today, right? I’m not just imagining it?”

“Oh no, they’re definitely acting strange.” Calum confirmed.

“Do you know why?” She asked, observing them, though now they had gone into their own individual conversations. Calum had a feeling it was to try and play off that they were watching him and Y/N.

Calum sighed. He had a feeling that it was better to just tell her rather than have Rowen or Luke drunkenly blurt it out, knowing that the likelihood of that happening was quite high.

“I need to tell you something,” he began and his nerves came to hit him flat in the face when Y/N turned to give him her absolute full attention.

“That sounds serious,” she said, a nervous smile on her own face. “Is this a ‘sit-down-with-a-beer’ kind of serious talk or a ‘stand-up-and-shut-the-fuck-up-Y/N’ kind of serious talk?” Calum chuckled, his nerves easing just a slight bit from her familiar mannerisms.

“The second one, but I don’t want you to shut up,” Calum took a deep breath. “In fact, I’d gladly listen to you talk forever,” Y/N’s expression softened a little. “I… I’ve been really lost for the past few years of my life. Perhaps… perhaps I never really knew who I was because of what happened to the band happened so early in our lives that we never got a chance to figure out who we were. And the months before I came to Sydney I thought that… that maybe I wasn’t anyone other than ‘Calum the bassist from 5 Seconds of Summer’ but… when I’m with you I feel like I know who I am,” he explained, his gaze dropping down to his hands. “I thought being home would be shit, just another reminder of who I am and I thought when I went to Charlie’s barbecue that anyone I met there would just see me for the fame and not see me. But… you never did. You saw me for me and you accepted me and looked out for me and cared for me despite me being kind of standoffish that first barbecue,” when he risked a glance up he saw the tears in her eyes and sadness swamped him. “Fuck, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

Calum lifted a hand to her cheek to catch the tear that slipped from her eye and Y/N giggled a little, leaning into his touch.

“Happy tears, Cal, I promise - now go on, you were about to profess your undying love for me,” it was teasing, of course it was, but Calum could hear the underlying insecurity in her words, the worry that she may have misinterpreted what he was going to say.

“I really like you, Y/N.”

It was easier to say than Calum thought. He thought the words would be groundbreaking, momentus and earth shattering. But no. It was easy. Simple and sweet and natural. He wasn’t sure why he was so surprised. Everything with Y/N was easy.

Just like how it was easy to allow her arms to wind around his neck.

Easy to place his hands on her waist.

Easy to relax and let her tug him down to meet her.

But easy wouldn’t be the word to describe their kiss. Groundbreaking, phenomenal and otherworldly wouldn’t be quite right either.

No, their lips sliding together, the kiss tasting of beer and spearmint gum, the way that when they broke apart they laughed gently into one another's mouths, it wasn’t any of those things.

Being with her like that was natural.

#courts writings #5 seconds of summer #5 seconds of summer fanfiction #5 seconds of summer imagine #Neighbourhood Barbecues #calum hood #calum hood fanfiction #calum hood imagine #calum hood x reader #calum hood fanfic #calum hood fluff #calum hood angst #calum hood x you #calum hood imagines

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infinitestarsintheskye · 4 years

Note

a rose by any other name would smell as sweet (fic title)

FORBIDDEN RELATIONSHIP FIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bc my Shakespeare loving ass would not allow anything else!

Gonna take a leaf out of Baz Lurhmann’s book and modernise this thing bc I watched that film SO MANY TIMES for a final essay I could absolutely recite it n my sleep at this point.

Fitz and Jemma are the children of two rival businessmen, Arthur Simmons and Alistair Fitz. The two men were friends as business school nd had started their business together before sour feelings and accusations of stolen ideas turned the whole thing on its head. The men, and the company split, and they remained bitter rivals. Their children, though born not even a month apart, were kept far, far away from each other. The rivalry was bitter and split the very city in which they lived. You were either a Simmons loyalist or a Fitz loyalist, there were no inbetweens, and a terrible gang culture rose up in the city, the police chief, Coulson had a hard time keeping them all in line. When he was twenty, Fitz was dumped by his long term girlfriend and his friend Hunter was bored with him after nearly three months of moping. He drags him along to a party being hosted by the Simmons’s, which Fitz thinks is a TERRIBLE idea. They manage to sneak in and Fitz is having a truly awful time, until he notices this girl at the other side of the room, also looking rather miserable. He sidles over to her and somehow manages to strike up a conversation. She’s wonderful, a delight, and so beautiful. She’s a scientist, like himself, a biochemist. He manages to stammer out that he’s an engineer. His father hates it, wants him to continue on and work at the company, but Fitz finds the work dull and uninteresting. But this girl, she speaks so passionately about her work and Fitz can feel himself falling in love with her there and then. She asks for his name, and then suddenly Hunter appears, shouting that they’ve been rumbled, that security was on the way, and why the hell was he talking to the daughter of Arthur Simmons. Fitz gapes at her for a moment before Hunter tugs on his hand and shouts:

“COME ON FITZ LETS GO”

Fitz watches Jemma’s jaw drop as he’s dragged away from her. Impossible. He’d always been told that the Simmons girl was a stuck up self important brat. That couldn’t be more different from the funny, sweet, endearingly odd young girl that he had just met.

The next day he lingers around the Simmons household, waiting for Jemma to leave, which she eventually does. He manages to follow her until they’re far enough away from her house for it to be safe. He taps her on the shoulder and before she can say anything, he pulls her into a small secluded alley, well out of public eye. Turns out she was just as endeared by him as he was with her. They plan to meet again, away from the city, where no one will recognise them.

They meet regularly, at a small cafe over an hour outside of the city. Here no one knows who they are. Here they can truly be themselves. It does not take long for their relationship to turn to love, until the small motel two streets away from their cafe also becomes a regular meeting spot. Fitz has never loved anyone like he has loved Jemma, and vice versa. Slowly, they make a plan to escape, to run away together, somewhere neither of their families will be able to find them, and begin to set it in place. They have to act carefully, so neither of their families will suspect a thing.

BUT THEN

Hunter has been suspicious of Fitz’s behavior for a WHILE, and confronts him. Fitz, unable to keep it to himself, whilst being confronted by his best friend. Whilst initially Hunter goes mental at him, telling him how irresponsible it is, and how angry it would make everyone, he eventually calms down and agrees to help him.

SOMEHOW, Jemma’s father finds out and GOES UTTERLY BALLISTIC. Thankfully, her friend Daisy manages to get to her before her father does, telling her to go, to get out and that she’ll send her stuff on after her. Jemma does as she’s told, but cannot get a hold of Fitz. It’s awful and she’s so scared that his father has found out and is keeping him away from her, or that even worse, her own father has gone after him. Jemma gulps, not liking to think what her father might do to him. Jemma waits at their motel, pacing, until suddenly, the door is flung open, and there stands Fitz. He explains that her friend Daisy had crossed enemy lines to tell Hunter what had happened, who immediately told him, but it was too late. Jemma’s father had found him, and it took him ages to shake the tail he had on him. They manage to put their plan into action much sooner, and they’re on a flight out of the country that evening.

Thousands of miles away from their families, they marry, and settle down together. Their families never try to contact them and vice versa. It is better that way. They’re happier, so much happier, out of the shadow of their families rivalry.

#skye rambles #skye writes #fitzsimmons #pls know that I read all of the capitalised transistions like bob hale from horrible histories

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krreader · 5 years

Text

BTS reacting to finding out you had a baby years after your break-up.

pairing: bts x reader fandom: bts warnings: language genre: angst ; fluff word count: 2.2+k

a/n: tbh, I didn’t think it was very fitting to make this a super funny scenario since I don’t think laughing would be the first thing that you’d do after you find out something like this. I tried to keep it light-hearted though, I hope I kinda managed that.

kim seokjin

Jin had found out when he saw you out on the streets of Seoul, for the first time in five years since you and him had broken up.

His heart dropped when he was instantly hit with all those past feelings that him and you had once had for each other, but then it completely shattered when he saw the child.

Around five years old.

Call it intuition, but Jin just knew that this boy was his. Maybe it was the fact that he looked almost exactly like him, or maybe it really was just his gut feeling.

Whatever it was, for the first time in five years he opened up your contact and sent you a message, asking you to see him.

And so here you were.

“Believe me.. I wanted to tell you,” you said honestly. You were on your own, figured it would be best this way, “But we broke up because you were too busy, Seokjin. A child would have made things ten times worse for you.”

“You still should have told me. I would have supported you, (Y/N).”

“I know,” you smiled a little, reaching over the table to hold his hand, “We didn't break up on bad terms, I'm not angry.. in fact, I tell him about you quite a lot. He doesn't know who you are, obviously, but.. I tell him his father is a great man. He'd like to meet you one day.”

“I'd like to meet him too,” Jin smiled, “Sooner than later, actually.”

min yoongi

This was all an accident. Yoongi never meant to look at Jimin's messages, but when Jimin went to the bathroom, he had just left his phone unlocked and that's when the message came in.

A message from you.

“Can we please meet today?”

Yoongi knew you and Jimin had been friends, but he didn't know you were still seeing each other after you and him had broken up about a year ago.

He didn't want to open the chat, but at the same time, he did. A part of him was furious, thinking Jimin might have started something with you. And yes, Yoongi was the one that broke up with you, so he had no right to be jealous, but he still was.

However, when he was hit with the messages, he realized that this wasn't about a relationship at all.

“You need to tell him, (Y/N). You know he'd help you,” Jimin wrote a few weeks ago.

“I know.. I will tell him.. one day. After I figure everything out.”

“It's his baby too.”

And that's when he dropped his phone and Jimin walked back in.

But to his surprise, the younger member looked calm, even let out a sigh.

“I told her she needed to tell you the moment she knew she was pregnant. But.. she thought she could do it on her own. And you know her, she can. She's stubborn,” Jimin sat down next to his hyung, “But she's struggling. Financially. Her landlord threw her out because the baby was crying too much and now she can't find an apartment. I let her stay in mine for the time being, but she doesn't want that anymore.”

“Why didn't you tell me?!” Yoongi asked angrily, “Fuck, Jimin, she had a baby! My baby! Why didn't you tell me if you knew?”

“I had to promise her I wouldn't. She said it was hard enough for you to break up with her when you did. She knew the moment you knew about the child would be the moment you'd run back to her.”

“And why would that have been bad?”

“Because she knew that you weren't putting your band first anymore. And she knew with a baby.. your priorities would change.”

“And they should change!” Yoongi immediately got up, not even thinking about anything else but of you and this baby sitting in Jimin's empty apartment, probably scared and tired..

No, this wouldn't continue on like this.

You were surprised when you saw him, but also so relieved that you immediately started crying.

Yoongi wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close, “I'm so sorry, (Y/N). I'm sorry I wasn't there,” he wasn't angry with you that you didn't tell him. He was angry with himself that he never checked on you again. Angry that he let others influence him to break up with you.. angry that he wasn't there for you when you needed him, “But I'm here now and I won't leave you ever again.”

jung hoseok

“Are you okay, mom?” Hoseok asked, his mother poking and shoving her food around which wasn't like her at all. Was she sick?

“Of course,” she lied, faking a smile, “Why wouldn't I be?”

But the reality was that she found out about something today that she wanted to tell her son, but didn't know how.

She had seen you going down the street with a toddler, a little girl around three years old. Three years. The time that had passed since you and her son had broken up.

At first you had thought about lying when she had approached, but it was no use. Your daughter immediately seemed to know who this woman was, was so open with her and smiled from ear to ear. And the moment the little girl smiled was the moment his mother knew.

“Why didn't you tell Hoseok?” she had asked over a cup of coffee later, your daughter sitting in her grandmother's lap.

“I tried to. Many times, actually. But I was scared.. scared that he wouldn't want her. Scared that he'd be angry with me. He broke up with me because he couldn't put me first. But I knew that if he knew about his daughter, he'd feel obligated to. And I didn't want that..”

“I don't know, you seem like there's something on your mind,” Hoseok continued.

She put down her chopsticks and looked him dead in the eye, “I think you should contact (Y/N) again.”

“What? What makes you think that?” he let out a laugh, “I haven't talked to her in three years.”

“Exactly. Three years is a long time, Hoseok. A lot can happen in that time.”

He didn't know what she was getting at that night. Only when he and you agreed to see each other again and a little girl greeted him at the door did he know what she meant.

“You should.. probably come in and sit down,” you said, a little worried that he might pass out.

But he didn't. He was strong. He listened to your every word. And he stayed that night.

And every night that came after.

kim namjoon

As far as Namjoon knew, you had moved away from Seoul after your break-up. He hadn't contacted you anymore after that, but a friend of his had mentioned you moving at some point.

However, now that he was in the country that you had moved to, he couldn't help but want to see you again.

Maybe meet up for a cup of coffee, talk about the good old days. You and him hadn't broken up on bad terms, you didn't talk to each other anymore because the break-up wasn't easy for either of you and you needed space to get over it.

But he was ready.. ready to at least have you as a friend again if that's what you wanted as well.

Who would have known that you wouldn't come alone though.

“Oh,” he said in surprise when a young boy extended his hand to him, “And who are you, young man?”

“I'm Alistair (Y/L/N). Nice to meet you, Sir.”

Alistair.

Oh god.

Namjoon immediately looked at you, you fidgeting nervously with her hands.

“What would you want to name him?” you had asked one night as you were lying half on top of him, still naked from what you had done earlier.

“Mh.. I wouldn't want a Korean name, I think,” he brushed his fingertips over your back, then grinned at you, “I always liked Alistair. It has this.. wisdom to it. Like the little genius that our boy would be.”

Namjoon gulped down hard, then shook the hand of the boy.

His boy.

“I'm.. Namjoon.”

Apparently, I'm your dad.

park jimin

Jimin and you were still talking to each other. Well, messaging each other. It was the usual small talk, how are you, how are things.. never going into any detail though.

It continued on like this for about three years.. and then you slipped up.

“What are you doing today?”

“I have an appointment with a day care today, hopefully they’ll take her, I’ve been trying to find one for weeks.”

And you only realized you had sent the text about an hour later when it hit you.

You had been so careful not to mention anything, mainly because you knew Jimin would drop everything, including his career, to be by your side. And you didn't want that. He had worked too hard for it.

When you looked at your phone again, you saw fifty three missed calls and a dozen more messages all from him.

He wasn’t stupid. You weren’t in this line of work, there was no other reason to go to a day care for you than to put a child in there. And usually, three years was the age to start.

That day you finally came clean to him.

Had no other choice really.

He went over to your place that same day and met his daughter for the first time. He was sad, but also very happy looking at her playing with her dolls and also trucks at the same time.

“She's beautiful,” he smiled.

“She is.. reminds me a lot of you, actually.”

“Can I.. play a bit with her?”

He didn't know the first thing about being a father, but he wanted to learn. He didn't know what the future had in store for him, but he wanted to be there for his girl. Even if he came into her life three years later than he should have..

kim taehyung

Taehyung was angry with Jeongguk. Angry because he thought him and you were together now. He had found out that you and him were seeing each other a few weeks ago but when he asked Jeongguk about it, he said that you and him were just friends.

But friends didn't see each other this often, or at least not when one friend was an idol and barely had any time.

That's how this fight had started.

“You know how much I loved her, how could you do this to me?!” Taehyung screamed.

“I'm doing this because of you, you idiot!” Jeongguk was normally not like this, but he was frustrated with the entire situation, “She's alone with an infant, she needs someone to..-”

And when he saw Taehyung freeze, he knew he had slipped.

His first thought was that maybe Jeongguk had knocked you up, but that wouldn't work. You and him had only broken up a year ago and as far as he knew, Jeongguk only started seeing you about five months ago.

So that could only mean..

Jeongguk thought about stopping him at first, but he was so exhausted himself. He loved you like a sister, so of course he wanted to help you with the baby, but he wasn't a father.. he wasn't nearly ready to be one.. and he shouldn't have to be, because this baby was Taehyung's.

It didn't take thirty minutes before he stood in front of your door, taking a step back when he saw the baby in your arms.

“He told you, didn't he?” you sighed, “I knew he would..”

“Why didn't you?!”

“Doesn't really matter now, does it? You're here.. so.. come in.”

Taehyung knew that the second he'd step foot into that apartment, his life would change.

And he didn't think twice about it, he did it without hesitation.

jeon jeongguk

Jeongguk and you had been young when you had dated. It's been so long.. he barely could remember most of it.

But now that Bangtan had ended and he was alone and lonely, he couldn't help but think back to happier times.

That's probably what made him drive over to your place.

But maybe he should have called first.

“Can I help you?” a young girl, a teenager, opened the door.

“Oh.. I'm sorry.. is.. (Y/N) (Y/L/N) not living here anymore?”

“She is.. MOM!” the girl turned around, making Jeongguk gulp down hard. You had a child now.. that was.. great, “There's some guy here for you.”

“Stop being so rude,” you quickly walked over to the front door, stopping when you saw who it was.

Jeongguk and you stared at each other for a long time, Jeongguk smiling, but you were genuinely just shocked to see him.

“Uh.. this is kind of awkward,” your daughter said, but she seemed to find this amusing at the same time, “Hey.. are you my dad?” she jokingly asked the question every time there was a man that you seemed to know, simply because you never wanted to tell her anything about her father.

Only that this time, you didn't pinch her or tell her to go away like you usually did.

This time, you turned your head to look at her and tried forming a sentence that never left your mouth.

“Holy shit!” your daughter looked back at Jeongguk, who looked at his.. daughter, “You are my dad!”

“I'm your what?” his eyes almost popped out of your head.

“Wait, aren't you like a former idol?” she grinned from ear to ear, “Oh my god, I can't believe this, mom. I always thought my dad was a total loser, but goddamn, you managed to get knocked up by an idol.”

Oh my god.

You were mortified and Jeongguk was just downright speechless.

This would be an awkward first family dinner together.

#bts imagine #bts reactions #bts x reader #bts #bangtan #bangtan reaction #bangtan boys #kpop #kpop imagines #kpop reactions #bangtan sonyeondan #reader #bangtan x reader #bangtan boys x reader #requests

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tetrakys10 · 4 years

Text

Sweet Elite episode 9

It’s Halloween at Arlington academy, and we get a nice, lighthearted episode to make up for all the angst we went through lately. Long post below the cut.

The episode starts during preparations for the official Arlington Halloween party, you have a chance to ask someone to help you with putting up some decorations. Our favourite senior shows up to explain that this person will be the one we spend most time with during the episode. Whatever LI you chose, you have a chance to get to know them better and raise your infinity meter.

The following day we notice Ellie, Tayler and Tegan acting strange, we have a choice to follow them or not, not sure what happens if you chicken out, but if you go ahead you find out that they are building a robotic Arlingtonator to scare Tadashi on Halloween.

Afterwards, scholar suddenly remembers that they don’t have a costume yet and it’s very late for last minute shopping, so they end up buying a simple witch hat online. I don’t know if this changes between male and female scholar, but my two girls look really really cute.

(The one on the left is Tetrakys who is romancing Axel, the one on the right is Nyx who is on Tegan’s route.)

Then we go back to class, science class specifically, and realise that we don’t understand what the teacher is talking about and we need help. Luckily, depending on the person you chose to spend time with, someone will come to your help and organise a study group where your chosen crush will also be present.

Now, allow me to digress for a moment.

---

I don’t like when my scholar proves to be less capable than the others, she is a scholarship student, she should be smarter. While on Tegan’s route this part only slightly annoyed me but I soon got over it, on Axel’s route it was worse. Because, firstly, Tetrakys is in the science department, so not undertanding the science lecture and needing help is more serious and I would completely freak out. Second, the person who came to her rescue was... Claire. FREAKING CLAIRE. I hate Claire. Ok... I don’t hate hate her, but she really got on my bad side for multiple reasons:

1) The first time I played I was trying to pursue Tadashy, I didn’t know that, when the meter is the same, you get the illustration of the first person in aphabetical order. Which was... Claire.

2) Scholar was amazing during the department competition, she did a great interview, came up with the best idea and saved the day when things went downhill, and she ended up third place behind effing Claire who, of all things, was spending her time MANUALLY COPYING her notes for her classmates instead of scanning them.

3) When we were all helping Tadashi and people where looking for someone to help him write his speech I thought that it was finally our moment since our contribution that far had been to just buy computer parts online... and instead... they picked Claire! For the sole reason that apparently everyone loves her...??? We nailed the interview in episode 4!

And now, Claire again saves the day coming to our rescue using her superior intellect to explain the lecture for us...

It’s clear we will never be best friends.

---

Anyway, moving aside from my dislike of a 2D fictional character, we at least end up spending a bit more time with our crush, and even see some teasing from the other characters pointing out how that person was excited to have us in the study group.

Following this, we are asked to join a meeting with all the LIs except Tadashi, where Ellie explains that they have been organising a secret party and we are going to trick Tadashi to join it. One group is going to attend the official Arlington party and get Tadashi away with an excuse, another will stay at the dorm and prepare things. Scholar is always part of the kidnapping party.

While going back to the dorms we assist at a conversation between Karolina and Neha talking about an important fashion show that is going to happen soon at Arlington, a hint to the next plot I guess, probably Neha and/or Karolina’s arc.

Then it’s finally time for the party. We wear our hat (first illustration) and go to the gym. Once there we manage to take Tadashi away saying that we saw the Arlingtonator luriking in the dorms corridors, Tadashi believes us because Alistar is there too. We see Tadashi trying to put a brave face and not show how freaked out he actually is, we take him to the dorms and at the right time the Arlingtonator appears, scaring the crap out of him. Everyone laughs and the real party can finally start. They put Tadashi in a Pikachu onsie and crazy makeup

he is a good sport and lets people do whatever they want to him (he must be really greatful for the help everyone gave him during his whole ordeal). This is where we get the second illustration depending on the group we chose to spend time with.

Then we are told (but we don’t see it) that more time goes by chatting, playing, doing tarots, and finally telling scary stories. We see only the last bit of it before we hear some noises from the corridor, it’s the custodians who are making rounds. Time to end the party and rush back to our room. Before we can close the door someone burges into the room right behind us. We wait in the dark for the custodians to go away and then we find out that it’s the LI we chose to spend time at the beginning of the episode. There’s a cute scene between the two, then they leave and the episode ends.

---

What I liked

I liked the episode in general, I think we needed something lighthearted and fun, and there were lots of funny moments there. I loved how everyone ganged up on Tadashi because he is the perfect sacrificial lamb 🤭🤭🤭 but you could tell they were also doing it for him, to make him have fun and distract him after everything he had gone through, and he appreciated it. That’s real friendship.

I also liked that it feels like the company really listens to their players’ feedback and takes it into account. There were two main problems that I had found in the past few episodes: the fact that we were spending very little time with our LI, not advancing the relationship, and the fact that we were forced to spend time with all 10 of them equally, again reducing the amount of time with the characters we really want to focus on. This time they made up for both, by chosing our crush at the beginning we were able to spend more time with them and with just a few selected other characters. No one is forgotten, we eventually meet and talk to everyone, but it doesn’t feel like the time is equally shared and the game feels more focused and with a proper direction.

Another thing I really liked were the costumes. They were so damn on point. For everyone. They really capture the essence of the characters and I love when a game is able to stay true to its characters’ personalities even with the little things. And they all looked so damn good. Alistair as a firefighter?? HELLO MISTER! Raquel as a cheeky pirate, Ellie as a deadly Alice and... Axel 😍 Axel was some kind of modernised version of the Phantom of the Opera (I think) and HELLO??? This is one of my big bias, he looked so good 😍 I have only one complain: he took the mask off too soon 😭 he should’ve worn it the whole time 😭 I don’t care that it was too hot, it was hot in other ways too if you know what I mean...

One last thing I’d like to add is that I think the art was really pretty. I am totally useless when it comes to art, but to my ignorant eyes it looks like the artist is making lots of progress.

What I didn’t like

There’s only one thing, actually, and this is probably just a matter of personal taste. I thought that the writing lacked heat when it came to the romantic parts. I think that it was pretty good with comic and fluffy moments, but there was little passion. And I know this is a game aimed at a young audience so that’s why I said that maybe the problem is me, maybe I’ve just outgrown this type of games, but I also think that you don’t have to go all bang bang to describe heat between characters. Scholars says multiple times that she feels attraction towards the LI, and I read it but I didn’t feel it. I’m happy that I waited to play Axel’s route before making up my mind, because that’s actually better. And yes, Axel is more forward than Tegan, so there’s that, but it also felt like Axel’s romantic moments were more developped than Tegan’s as if the writer was more interested in him, if it makes any sense. However, even with Axel, I think they could’ve pushed more.

This is the first time in a long while that I’m in the mood to rewrite the scene of a game the way I have it in my head, maybe this will help me get out of my writing slump.

---

Anyway, all in all, I’m pretty happy. Looking forward to episode 10!

#sweet elite #se #se episode 9 #I just found out what happens if you pick the third option and play a game #GUESS WHO WINS

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secretsfromwholecloth · 4 years

Text

Dragon Age: Origins, day 5.

OK, you know what, let’s head for Haven and start working on getting to the Urn. Bringing Alistair, Zevran, and Morrigan with me, because I apparently hate myself and/or love drama. (And the sooner I can get Zev some experience, the sooner I can polish up his lock-picking skills.)

...besides, I did promise that this Warden would like Morrigan more than the last two, didn’t I.

For now, though, I’m condemning myself to a lot of “Insufficient skill” messages. *sigh*

Ah, Alistair and Morrigan bickering about the merits of the Circle like there isn’t a Circle-trained mage standing two feet away.

Creepy village is creepy, yes.

Why is my spirit healer girl reduced to asking Morrigan if she can do anything for Genitivi’s injuries?

OK, this was a good party for dialogue purposes, but if Zev doesn’t learn to pick these locks sometime soon I’m going to have to come back and do a sweep of the place with Leliana.

You know that thing in DAO where you click on a companion by accident when trying to loot something, and it turns out it was time for a priority conversation so you can’t just go “whoops, not now”? Well, here’s Zev begging Isaura to be friends with him and let him stay after they’re done with the Blight. Proper begging, the poor love, since she likes him OK but doesn’t quite understand that he’s at the point of actually wanting to stay with her. And her past MO of flirting/pretending to take things as innuendo is out of the question with Alistair, who she’s apparently actually dating now (Maker help her, how does she get into these situations), standing right there.

Oh, hi, dragon. With a level 11-13 party, I don’t think it’s quite dragon-slaying time yet.

Isaura will maintain to her dying breath that she did the best she could for Jowan. Even if only about 90% of her is convinced.

She’ll go on a weepy tirade if she wants, Zev, you don’t get to tell her shit.

Alistair, don’t. Nope. None of this “should’ve been me who died” business in front of your girlfriend, she’ll give you what for just as publicly as you said it in the first place. And do you really want Morrigan and Zevran watching that?

Heh, this is the David Gaider Talking To Himself party, isn’t it?

Being deemed ~*~worthy~*~ is very nice, yes, now can Isaura put her clothes back on? This is really not how she wanted to be getting naked with Alistair for the first time. Maybe back when it all started she could’ve broken the tension with some jokes about orgies, but...

Actually, it apparently is dragon-slaying time. Though that got really hairy—Isaura and Zevran both went down, and Morrigan was lucky the dragon stayed occupied with dear old indestructible Alistair and didn’t come after her.

I’m sorry, “Pure Bitch Braid” will never not be funny.

Sten, please, get it through your skull that Qunari gender roles aren’t universal before this becomes an issue.

You know, the kind of awkward thing about this game is that all the VAs seriously brought their A-game and did all this wonderful, nuanced, moving work—and then the character animations are just too limited to keep up. I spend a lot of time averting my eyes from the screen and imagining the acting just the way I want it as I listen to the dialogue.

Right, speaking of averting my eyes, the kid’s been devirginized. And the conversation afterwards got him to +100 approval, first out of all the party, bless. I look forward to the others’ smart-ass comments.

So, back to Redcliffe to drop off those ashes.

“This is a non-combat mission, I don’t need a second melee character. Let me give Wynne and Leliana some attention.” *cue darkspawn ambush*

The great thing about two healers in the party is that if someone is in need of healing, they won’t stay that way for long.

And Wynne just had her little fainting episode. Hey, Wynne, is this a prelude to you actually giving me your quest at some point?

Between Alistair’s paternity going from mildly interesting bit of trivia to overshadowing their entire future and then seeing Jowan all but offer himself up for execution, Isaura is having A Day.

I miss when party banter used to be a thing that happened.

OK, when I paid off Wade to make that drake scale armor faster, I didn’t realize it’d be “just about enough time to go for a jog around the market district” fast.

How about a DLC break before we go after the Dalish? I’m in a Return to Ostagar kind of mood.

...I could probably have planned this better. Alistair/Wynne/Zevran is a party I’ve brought here before, and I don’t know what kind of time Zev will have with any locks we encounter. We’ll see.

And a certain baby boy can now get out of his Templar armor. Kind of awkward to have him wearing that for so long, all considered.

Oh yeah, second specialization time. Arcane Warrior, here I come.

Wynne, I realize needling Alistair is delightful fun, but carrying on like that about taking him to bed is a little much with his girlfriend standing right there.

Oh, hey, there’s Wynne’s quest. Excellent.

Ah, that conversation. Alistair, dearie, you and Isaura aren’t going to get very far if it’s just the two of you, Wynne, and the dog. For one, you need a rogue in the party, so pick which of Leliana and Zevran you distrust slightly less.

Since we’ve already managed to take out a high dragon, let’s try going after Flemeth. Bringing Alistair, Sten and Leliana with me, and hoping I don’t regret my life choices.

That went nicely. Good job taking her down, Sten.

Back to Denerim, then, now that we know where Marjolaine is.

She’s creepy and all but promised she’d come back to hurt Leliana if left alive, so we’re going to not do that. Bye-bye, creepy lady.

And I think this is a good place to pack it in for the night. Probably more DLCs tomorrow, I don’t feel like heading for the Brecilian Forest quite yet.

#dragon age #dragon age: origins #isaura amell

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lunawho47 · 4 years

Text

Buzzfeed Unsolved: The Mysterious Doctor and the Omen of the Blue Box (Part 1)

Fandoms: Buzzfeed Unsolved and Doctor Who

Genre: Total Crackfic, Humor

Rating: 16+ (for language)

Summary: A script for Buzzfeed Unsolved, in which our two favorite jackasses, the Ghoul Boys, discuss the various internet theories surrounding the identity of various mysterious figures known only as “the Doctor” and the blue box that tends to appear around them. Well, Ryan wants to discuss the theories; Shane thinks it’s all urban legends and bullshit.

A/N: So, I’ve read a lot of these mock scripts going around for Unsolved discussing CW’s Supernatural as though it was real, and I thought they were hilarious. So, my brain started wondering what theories the reddit and conspiracy boards would think up about mentions of the Doctor, the Doctor’s companions, UNIT, and Torchwood. And to be honest, my brain came up with A LOT of theories that would make sense, and this format seemed a fun way to discuss all of them. It was originally going to be a one shot, but as I started writing, Shane kept interrupting in my head about how stupid all of it sounds, and that kept making the script longer and longer. So, it’s now going to be a few parts long cos the history of DW (even when seriously truncated) takes a long time to go through when you try to use the serials to make arguments about the Doctor’s potential identity(s).

So, here’s part 1. Please let me know if you like it and would like to see more. And if Shane and Ryan sound anything like themselves because if they don’t then the whole thing is nowhere near as funny as it should be.

Ryan: Today on Buzzfeed Unsolved we're looking into the puzzling mystery of an entity known only as "The Doctor" and the corresponding omen of a blue box. It's a mystery that, in its more comprehensive moments, is whimsically strange and, most of the time, is just plain batshit bizarre.

Shane: Okay, so I can hear the air quotes around the name, and you called it an entity. Are we talking like, cryptid creature that is based in reality or am I going to be sitting through theories about zombie plagues and Ant-man Ax murderers again? Just what am I in for here?

Ryan: No zombie plagues, and the Doctor has never murdered anyone with an ax. At least, not in any of the records available. It's just...well, it's hard to explain here, so let's just get right into it. Just bear in mind this is Gene Wilder Willy Wonka levels of weird when it's at its most sensical. And it's rare that this story makes any sense at all.

Shane: Alright, I'll confess I'm...intrigued. I'm ready to listen.

Ryan: Alright, here we go. *opens folder*

Ryan (in his Unsolved VO): The first documented evidence of a being calling itself "The Doctor" is in the files of now deceased British UNIT officer Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart.

Shane: Wait. UNIT? What's that? Sounds like something out of a video game.

Ryan: (wheeze) It does a bit, yeah. But there is paperwork evidence that verifies this group -- lame as the acronym is -- actually existed. They were set up in the mid-1960s by the United Nations to look into unexplained phenomena and for a long time they were a covert operation. The British Prime Minister knew they existed, and they answered to Geneva, but they weren't known to the wider public until after they shut down three years ago.

Shane: I'm sure that meeting went GREAT. 'Hey, everybody, thanks for coming down this Monday morning. Erm...thanks for protecting us from alien invasions for the last 50 years and for keeping such a great secret about it. Here's your reward: you're all fired, and we're going to tell the entire world what your names were and let you deal with the press about it for the rest of your life. Have a great rest of your Monday!' (Wheeze) What a bunch of shitty bosses.

Ryan: I mean, based on what little there is to read about how UNIT operated, the Brigadier we'll be talking about really had to go to bat for the organization in front of the Prime Minister a lot over the years in order to keep the operation going. After the Brigadier died, they were able to keep going for awhile, but as you'll see from some of these stories we'll be looking at today, the organization was considered obsolete long before it was disbanded.

Shane: Okay, so the Doctor first appears in conjunction with this UNIT?

Ryan: Right, so in the 1960s, there was some weird circumstance that led to the London Underground shutting down and the Brigadier, who was only a Colonel in the regular British army at the time, ran into what he described as a "(quote) man with a foppish haircut, ratty waistcoat, and tartan patterned clown pants; a young teenage girl; and a full Scotsman (end quote)."

Shane: So which is the Doctor?

Ryan: In this case, it's the first description. The man with the clown pants on. (wheeze)

Shane: (wheeze) Do you think he had clown shoes on, too?

Ryan: See, I know exactly what you're picturing right now. You're thinking of a guy with a depressing Beatles haircut and complete clown regalia, including the extra large shoes.

Shane: I am. 100% And you know, given some of the things we saw when traveling around London, including on (*with a terribly fake posh Oxbridge accent*) the Tube, a man dressed as a clown running around the platforms underground wouldn't even register as weird on a normal day.

Ryan: (Conceding) That is true. And on a normal day, I'd agree with you. But, bear in mind, this was the 1960s -- not the modern day -- and the Tube at the time was closed to the public because of this unknown threat the army was trying to deal with. And what's even more notable -- the reason why the future Brigadier apparently wrote about it in his official report to the Prime Minister -- is that the man who called himself the Doctor, together with the two other civilians, saved the day. The details are sparse, but the Brigadier makes it clear that the Doctor is the one who figured out what was really going on and managed to deal with whatever the situation was with minimal casualties.

And that's just the first time the Doctor and the future Brigadier crossed paths. There are later documents that report the Brigadier -- now promoted from Colonel and officially a Brigadier -- came across the same man and Scotsman, but a different young girl in London just weeks after the military organization known as UNIT was founded. And AGAIN, whatever the situation actually was, the Doctor and his friends were the ones that helped UNIT save the day.

Shane: Am I the only one who finds it suspicious that the details are always missing? Like, shady organization set up by the government to look into extraterrestrial happenings? Sure. (*puts hands in the air in surrender to argument*) I'll buy that. Governments do shady shit all the time. But, I mean, things like shutting down the London Underground and alien happenings in the city of London itself. People are going to notice, right? And how shitty are the Brigadier's write ups that no one remembers or knows any of the happenings in Britain's capital? "Dear Prime Minister, stuff happened. Doctor did some other stuff. Stuff stopped. The end. TTYL." Sounds like someone was crap at his job and when things just luckily worked out, everyone just swept it under the rug.

Ryan: You see, I would agree with you there. BUT...there are pictures. We can't show them to the audience because of copyright, but if you know where to look online, people love to discuss the Doctor and all the people who have gone missing while looking for the Doctor, so. Investigate at your own peril. But, Shane, here you go.

*the audience can't see the photos hidden by Ryan's open folder, but we see Shane's expression.*

Shane: (*laughs*) That Doctor looks like a moron. I mean, I still think the Brigadier must have been crap at his job, but he was bang on his descriptor of the Doctor looking like a clown. And I take it the guy in the kilt is the Scotsman?

Ryan: Yeah, I looked up what full Scotsman means when I read the description and apparently it means a guy who wears a kilt with no underwear on underneath it. Before that, I just assumed that it meant this other guy was wandering around the Underground, playing bagpipes and singing songs from Highlander or something.

Shane: You thought this guy was wandering around singing Who Wants to Live Forever over a decade before the film came out. (wheeze)

Ryan: Well, when we get into the theories that idea won't seem entirely out of place, I don't think.

Shane: Well, I'm going to go ahead and call a preemptive bullshit on that theory.

Ryan: Noted.

Ryan: (back in Theory VO) The next record of the Doctor's appearance comes about in the 1970s when a man is admitted to a local hospital after collapsing outside of a blue box in the woods.

Shane: There was a blue box in the woods? Like, human sized or was he scrunched up in it like Shroedinger's cat?

Ryan: We'll get back to the box in a minute, but it's larger than a human, yeah. In fact, it was something called a Police Public Call Box, which were common to see on city or town street corners in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. The idea was that if police or citizens saw a crime being committed, they could either phone the police from the box or shove the criminal in the police box and go fetch a policeman. But what's weird about the box in this case is: 1) it's in the middle of the woods, and not even on like, a hiking path or anything. But, the legit WOODS. And 2) it's the 1970s and police call boxes are no longer really a thing at this point. But, once the man calling himself the Doctor gets to the hospital it gets even stranger.

Shane: I mean, everything about this story so far feels like the Brigadier spinning a yarn, but keep going.

Ryan: So, the Brigadier gets a phone call from the hospital that a man called the Doctor has been admitted to the hospital.

Shane: Wait, how did the hospital know to call the Brigadier about that? Was there a national bulletin? Is the Doctor a wanted man or something?

Ryan: I don't know, man. Maybe the police just call UNIT whenever something with the label "fucking weird" comes across their desk. I don't know. This is just what the report says.

Ryan: (theory voice) Due to a situation UNIT was overseeing in the area at the time, the Doctor's appearance was notably auspicious for the Brigadier, so the UNIT officer went to see if his friend could help with the investigation. However, when he got the hospital, he discovered that he the man calling himself 'The Doctor' was not anyone he recognized.

Shane: Wait...what?

Ryan: (laughing). I told you the situation at the hospital is weird. So, the Brigadier is told that this man who has helped him out before has been admitted to a hospital that is nearby a situation that UNIT is investigating -- a clear sign, in the Brigadier's mind, that this Doctor who is injured is the same one he's met twice before -- and then discovers that it's a completely different man.

Shane: Well, I mean...that's not *too* weird. I mean, the man is in a hospital, and you usually see doctors in a hospital. And I'm sure a lot of doctors are known more by their title than their surname. There are millions of doctors on the planet, so I don't know if two different people wanting to be called Doctor is all that unusual.

Ryan: (with a haughty smile) That makes perfect sense, but listen to this.

Ryan: (Theory voice) The Brigadier assumed at first that the patient calling himself the Doctor was a coincidence and started to leave the room. However, he found himself called back when he heard the unknown man call the Brigadier by name. The conversation made it clear that, not only did the patient know the Brigadier's full name, but also knew the circumstances under which the Doctor and the Brigadier had met both times before. Information which, at the time, was highly classified and known only to those in the Prime Minister's office and those who had been in the UNIT planning room at the time of the situational crises.

Shane: Okay, I'm going to call it. I'm going with spy. I think the Doctor is a code name and this guy inherited the call sign and the information from the Doctor's previous operations.

Ryan: So, you think this is like, a 007 scenario?

Shane: I mean, I'm sure you'll peddle some alien abduction theory or some other supernatural bullshit, but...yeah. I'm going spy call sign. Makes sense to me so far.

Ryan: Well, you might not be a *total* dipshit, but...we'll see. There's still quite a bit more to cover. This isn't even the tip of the weird iceberg.

Shane: (sarcastically) Oh joy...

#buzzfeed unsolved #bfu #doctor who #fanfiction #(or at least fanfic adjacent)#the mysterious doctor and the omen of the blue box

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canyouhearthelight · 5 years

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The Miys, Ch. 54

This chapter is 100% dedicated to my beloved sister, @parisconstantine. While we never really got the chance to actually do this, I always wished we could.

Also, thank @baelpenrose for Arthur Farro and the unceasingly fun to write Alistair Worthington.

Content warnings for basic white girl shenanigans, you have been warned.

“It still tastes like chai,” I groaned as I sipped the drink my sister set in front of me. We were in her office, going over crew files to identify who we had available to start learning the material for the Galactic Core courses. Eino and Grey were solidly behind the initiative, along with Xiomara – purely for political and defensive reasons, but still – so with neither Pranav nor Huyhn having any objections, we had a tentative green light.

This concoction in my cup, however, did not have any such approval.

“It would probably help if we knew exactly what was supposed to be in it,” Tyche before wrinkling her nose at her own beverage. “At least we both like chai?”

I shrugged and nodded. “Maybe it’s the ratios… Hey, this guy looks promising. He’s already assigned to Eino, apparently was a teacher Before. Poor thing, he taught high school…” Tyche erupted in giggles. I scowled at her. “You don’t understand. High school students can be horrible monsters.”

“Agreed,” Alistair added as he breezed into the room. He stopped abruptly, wrinkling his nose. “Why does it smell like a tea shop in here, and why are we discussing the propensity of adolescents to be Eldritch abominations?”

“Latest attempt,” I raised my cup at him. “And we’re going through personnel files for candidates to teach the new curriculum.”

He nodded. “I received the alert that the Council approved. However, one would think Councillor Wiitala would be the one to handle the details.” He gestured at the console. “May I?”

I shrugged and Tyche nodded, so he dialed a cup of my sister’s most recent creation. “Eino will coordinate with the new educators to decide the actual curriculum,” Tyche clarified. “Personnel falls under Soph by way of me, and she’s responsible for logistics.” She made an eloquent gesture at me.

“And Sophia has no other staff to delegate this to?” He arched a brow as he took his first taste of the experiment in his hand. Grimacing, he managed to swallow before putting the rest in a recycling port. “Oh, that’s chai. And not even good chai. How are the two of you drinking that?”

“Grow up drinking coffee that could degrease and engine,” I muttered into my cup. It wasn’t that bad, I decided. My assistant just pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath through his clenched teeth. “As far as delegating, would you be interested in taking it on?”

“Not possible, I’m afraid. Between my day to day responsibilities as your assistant and those horrid swimming lessons, I have very little free time as it is. Madame Reid, you can stop laughing this instant, it is not funny in the least.”

Tyche exploded into laughter rather than complying with his admonishment. Wiping tears from her eyes, she gasped, “I can’t believe you took that bet!” She dropped her head onto her arms and shook, gasping now and then.

I managed to restrain myself to a smile, but it was a close call. “Anyway, if you are too busy, and Tyche is already handling the personnel files, then no, I can’t delegate this.”

“Surely you – “ Alistair broke off as Tyche’s hysterics escalated. At first, he looked confused, but dawning comprehension finally broke across his face. “You cannot be serious.”

“Mmm hmm.” I smiled wider, quirking an eyebrow at him.

“You really have no other staff?”

“Nope,” I popped before leaning back in my seat. “I come up with ideas, I vet ideas, but of the entire Council, I have the smallest staff. Two, to be precise.” I swept my arm, gesturing at him and the shaking lump of my sister, still slumped on the table.

“That is…” he trailed off, shaking his head. “How did I never realize this?”

Tyche’s head popped up. “I wish I knew,” she answered shakily, wiping tears from her face. “You have access to the entire staffing plan for the Council. How did you not see that?” Alistair muttered and turned his face away. “Come again? I didn’t catch that?”

“I thought the information was incorrect, Madame Reid.”

“Mademoiselle,” she corrected. “But Tyche is preferred. Did you really think that a staffing document that I, personally, manage would be incorrect?”

“Tyche,” I chided. “It is very common for those who manage personnel to leave their own updates for last. He’s not being rude.” I turned back to my assistant. “To clarify, that data is completely accurate. The entirety of my staff is sitting in this room. That doesn’t mean I don’t delegate, mind you. I just don’t delegate entire projects, that’s all. Tyche handles anything regarding staffing, whether it’s long term or short term. That is entirely on her, by the way, even though it falls under my department. If I need data, Pranav has given me permanent access to some of his people, and I can also reach out to Grey whenever I need. For something like this, once I figure out the logistics and make sure we have enough educators to do it, I hand it over to Eino, and it’s his problem.”

Alistair looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. “Additionally, I would venture that you have a sort of unofficial staff.”

I shook my head vigorously, immediately understanding what he was getting at. “No, I have a family, Mr. Worthington. Talking about your day, bouncing ideas off each other, that’s what a family should be. They are certainly not my staff.”

“I am,” Tyche offered, smirking.

Brat. “That’s different,” I sighed. “You actually report to me, in a professional capacity.” I picked up my cup to take another sip, frowning to find it empty. “There is a hole in my coffee cup,” I muttered.

Alistair rolled his eyes and snatched the mug from my hands. “Give me that before you make yourself sick,” he demanded waspishly.

I took a deep breath through my nose, trying to bring myself back to the actual task I was in here for. “Okay, no, I don’t have any other staff, so no, I can’t delegate this. And that fine, this was my idea, and I’m actually very excited to have a hand in bringing it to fruition. So, moving on… Arthur Farro goes on the short list. Who’s next?”

“Don’t kill me,” Tyche immediately responded.

“Not what I expected… why would I kill you?”

“We have one person on this ship with pretty much nothing to do, who has a very unique perspective on this and actually has read most of the material…”

“Tyche…”

“…And he’s not my favorite person either, but – “

“Tyche. Spit it out.”

“Simon,” she blurted, leaving me in stunned silence. “I know, he’s got the social skills of an enthusiastic squirrel, but he is the only human on the ship who already knows the majority of the material.”

I sputtered, stopped, and tried again. “But can he teach it?” I asked, incredulous. “Knowing things doesn’t always mean you can pass the information on effectively.”

“That is your objection, Councillor?” Alistair threw over his shoulder as he continued to do whatever he was doing at the food console.

“Well… yeah?” I confirmed, confused why I would have any other objections. “I am absolutely certain he knows most of the material and would probably learn the rest on his own. He didn’t have much else to do for the year he was on the Ark by himself. And he’s been working on his social skills, it’s just…” I sighed and ran a hand down my face. “Look, I’ve had those teachers, you know? The ones who know the material like they breathe air, but can’t teach it to save their lives. It’s an awful experience and always made me hate the subject instead of the teacher. Simon doesn’t need any more hate directed at him, thank you.”

“For what it’s worth, I’ve already talked to him, and he’s willing,” Tyche offered. “He’s been studying public speaking and body language, and said he would be willing to take some education courses if it would help. He really does want to give back.”

“Wait, body language courses?” A feeling of abject horror buried itself deep in the pit of my stomach. “Tyche… Which courses?”

“About that – “

“I swear on my bones if you sent him – “

“He found it himself!”

Hammering my head on the table suddenly seemed like a brilliant idea. “Oh my god. This is not happening.”

Alistair interrupted, sliding two mugs on the table before absconding with the cooling remnants of my sister’s not-chai. “You are doing it again. You are speaking ‘Reid-ish’ and I’m not quite fluent yet, so would the two of you mind speaking in full sentences so the rest of us mere mortals know what you are saying?”

“Oh, you’ll learn,” I threatened drily before sweeping a hand at my sister. “Go ahead. You love telling this story.”

She leveled a glare that would wither lesser people before turning to explain. “Sophia was an interpersonal communications expert in a former life. She wrote a paper, during grad school, on the importance of body language to people in positions of power. Specifically, educators and managers at various levels. It was controversial for a while, mostly because it emphasized the exact opposite of what most studies in that field encouraged. No ‘power poses’, no ‘assertive language’, nada.”

“And this is the paper Mr. Rodriguez found?”

“Oh, not the paper,” I groaned miserably. “Eventually, people started asking me to come give talks, and then seminars to their employees. It was a disaster.”

“It was an insane success,” Tyche argued.

“But I had to give seminars!” I cried. “You know I hate public speaking!”

You could have heard a pin drop. Alistair gaped at me, mouth opening and closing a few times in aborted attempts to say something. Finally, “You wrote an entire paper, and gave actual courses, on how to do something you hate?”

“That’s why I wrote the damned paper,” I admitted. “I hate public speaking because of all the toxic power-posing bullshit attached to it. It’s like you’re intimidating people to believe you. ‘Project confidence, don’t use filler language, use powerful language, executize’.” I mimicked in a squeaky voice. “It was a bunch of baloney, so I wrote the paper to prove that. I never expected people to take it that seriously. Not to mention, I nearly didn’t get my Masters because of that paper.”

“The professor was not impressed,” Tyche stage-whispered.

“The professor was an asshole who entered every room like a bull in a china shop,” I growled. “He blustered and intimidated people, and at least half his students were afraid of him.”

“And you basically wrote an entire paper about why you found him distasteful,” Alistair nodded. “I am genuinely floored that he disagreed with your findings.”

“Fuck him, I was right,” I ground out. “I managed to get nearly every undergrad in the school to participate in the study, which turned out to be the only way I was able to keep from failing the course – the sample set was so large, he couldn’t exactly argue it. But he tried, believe me.” Distracted, I took a sip of the drink he had set in front of me. “Oh my. Oh god. This… Tyche. Drink. Now.”

She took a sip and threw a predatory look at Alistair. “You did not.”

“I did,” Alistair replied smugly.

I was fighting back tears while simultaneously trying to learn how to live in a cup of coffee. Tyche just looked constipated. “I’ve been trying for two months. You just whipped it right up.”

“I will admit, I did not think your… quest… was as serious as it turned out to be, else I would have done it sooner. If for no other reason than to spare myself your various concoctions.”

“This used to be our thing, every fall,” I explained, sniffing my now-mostly-empty cup. “Before she moved to Paris, I mean. We would go out and get these, and hang out for a day.” I blinked furiously, refusing to cry over a cup of coffee.

Alistair chuckled. “Could the two of you possibly have a more stereotypical tradition?”

“No,” Tyche growled stubbornly before tilting her chin up. “Nothing says ‘comfortable with myself’ more than two women this white,” she pointed back and forth furiously between us, “Enjoying pumpkin spice coffee in the fall.”

“Being a walking stereotype is its own kind of confidence,” I admitted. “You know everyone is probably judging you for it, but you really just don’t care.”

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#the miys #humans are weird #autumn #aliens #science fiction #original writing #humans are space orcs #apocalypse

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elliotthezubat · 4 years

Text

DEATH CITY DAYS CHAPTER 125

[[cont from part 124]]

Crow: *perched on Misaki's shoulder*

misaki: ....*small smile* would you like a name?

Crow: "CAW!"

misaki: *strokes under the crow's neck* how about 'Alistair'?

Alistair: *closes eyes* =w=

misaki: ^^ *starts preparing supper*

Alistair: *flies to a bureau...there's a photo on it*

-it shows a young girl with a man and a woman. they look to be happy-

-the bureau has various knick-knacks, such as an astrolabe, a butterfly display, a mortar and pestle, and various books on anatomy, ornthology, botany, astrology, the occult and more-

Alistair: "..." *head tilt*

-it still looks overcast outside...lightning strikes in the distance*

misaki: !!......(i hope mr pumpkin is keeping dry.....)

-meanwhile-

creature: .......

Pumpkin: *wrings out his coat, hanging it up* -_-# "..." *stares at the Creature* "Don't you get drenched either--" *sneezes--a brief stream of fire escaping his nostrils* =~=#

-it's quiet, save for the sound of rain outside-

Pumpkin: "..." *curls up against a wall* "...I wonder if she avoided the rain walking back."

{sister: *turns around* oh. it's you again. *smiles*}

{Pumpkin: ._. "H-Hi?" *steps in* "Am I bothering you?"}

{sister: not at all. ^^ i see that you've gotten a better handle on speaking now. hehe. ^^}

{Pumpkin: *clutching a book* "Th-This helped. I am returning it..." *holds it out*}

{sister: oh! why thank you. *takes it* ..... *looks around* well, the abbot isnt here right now, perhaps i could help you with this?}

{Pumpkin: ._. "Y-You would?" *looks around...sees chairs*}

{sister: of course.}

{Pumpkin: "...Is that a 'chah-air'?"}

-THUNDER STRIKE-

Pumpkin: "?!!!" *swings around, shrinking back against a wall*

-elsewhere-

Akitaru: *holding an ice pack to his head, lying down in the back of the Matchbox* =~=;

Takehisa: *driving* "..."

Arthur: "..."

shinra:....*ahem* s-so commander...

Akitaru: "Don't try to out-drink Honda..." *sits up* "How you holding up?"

shinra: im fine, sir. but i was asking. *ahem* well, iris suggested that we have a party? n-not to celebrate commander arg's death! it's awful that happened! it's just- well things have been tense for all of us and, well... maybe this could help to build morale?

Akitaru: "...Iris is really smart."

shinra: yeah, she is. *smiles*

Akitaru: "Just let me sleep this off, then we'll get pretty balloons..."

shinra: thanks dad.

Akitaru: *yawns* "You're welcome, son..."

-elsewhere-

hinata: konro's back!

Konro: "Hello, Hinata. You keep the home safe while I was out?"

hinata: yep! we sure did!

hikage: ooooh beni's gonna get soooo scolded for not going!

hinata: 500 yen says he's gonna get spanked!

Konro: "Well, can't settle that unless I know where he is--where'd he go?"

hinata + hikage: he's over by the pond!

Konro: "Then I'm on my way..." *walks to the pond*

Benimaru: *feeding koi*

Konro: "..."

Benimaru: "..."

Konro: "So..."

Benimaru: *grunts*

Konro: "..." *kicks Benimaru into the pond*

hinata + hikage: OOOOOOOHHH!!!

Benimaru: "?!!" *COUGH COUGH* "What the hell?!"

Konro: "You didn't even show up. A man is dead--"

Benimaru: "A man that couldn't even be here for us."

Konro: "...Is that what you think?"

kirei: what happened? i heard a splash- ah!

Benimaru: "..." *stands up, his feet squishing in the mud as he walks* "...He wasn't here when you needed him." *walks by Kirei*

kirei: ah-....konro?

Konro: *scratches the back of his neck* "Sorry...The master was being an ass again."

kirei: ....should i go talk to him?

Konro: "I think that'd help."

-elsewhere-

maki: we're back!

Viktor: *stuck to the wall by scalpels*

argit: *drinking a soda can* oh great.

Akitaru: "You been celebrating?"

argit: eh.

Takehisa: "I suggest we start charging him rent."

nozomi: tamaki! what happened?!

tamaki:....just fell....that's all....

Komori: *patching her up*

Arthur: *stares* "..."

argit: oh yeah, that happened. it was pretty funny.

shinra: NOT COOL, MAN!

argit: ok! ok! cripes, im sorry for laughing! there? ya happy now?

Arthur: "...In this castle...you will not insult or mock anyone in it...or I will slice your tail off and feed it to you."

argit: yeesh! what's your deal?!

shinra: you just shut the fuck up you shitty sonic the hedgehog knockoff!

Arthur: "Yeah, what the demon said, vile rodent!"

argit: D8<

Akitaru: "!!! Boys!"

shinra: *shuts up*

Arthur: >_>;

argit: heh.

Akitaru: "..." *sighs* "We all need some rest--go to your quarters." *pats Argit on the shoulder--and grips him* "Let's talk. In private."

argit: QwQ; *gulp*

-elsewhere-

yuuji: *looks at a box full of posters* are these for me?

Aizawa: "Yeah--figured you need something for the walls."

yuuji: t-thanks....oh sweet, grateful dead!

Aizawa: "??? Something you've listened to?"

yuuji: yeah, i like listening to classic rock from time to time.

Aizawa: "Hmm...Yamada may have some to borrow. Just don't mention 'Stairway' in front of him."

yuuji: i'll...keep that in mind, sir....are....um...are you sure you dont mind?

Aizawa: "I wouldn't be giving them to you if there was a problem--I wanted you to have them."

yuuji: n-not that, i mean...you know...me living here?

Aizawa: "...Ah. ...Not going to lie, a lot of things have ruined my status as the 'longer Pro Hero who looks like a homeless man' vibe. But that kind of disappeared when Midnight tricked me into teaching here."

yuuji: i see.....still, cant help feeling out of place, me being an ex-villain and all...

Aizawa: "...Even heroes come out of unexpected places."

yuuji: ..t-thanks...i suppose.

Aizawa: "No problem...After all--" *unrolls one poster--and tenses up*

{Oboro: "--then this checkerboard room shows up with this little dude dancing around--" *handing Aizawa a VHS tape: 'Twin Peaks'*}

{Aizawa: "Hmm. Not sure this is my thing."}

{Oboro: "Dude--give it a shot already!"}

Yuuji: sir?

Aizawa: *looks at the poster, showing a light signal and mountains* "...Could you knock that 'sir' stuff off--'Shota's' fine."

yuuji: um o-ok s-... mr aizawa.

Aizawa: "..." *head pat* "Sure."

-elsewhere-

greg: *sniffs* it smells delicious, bugbear! ^^

Saria: "You really think so? I'm still trying to perfect this recipe..."

saria's dad: well, you worked so hard on it, so of course it will be great!

Saria: "..." *sighs* "I'm not sure about that...What if it's not hard enough..."

greg: well, if you put your all into something with love, it will turn out well, and even if it doesnt, it's still good because you at least tried.

Saria's Dad: *nom* =w= "So tasty..."

Saria: "..." *sighs* ("That's what they always say.") "May I be excused? I want to do more reading?"

greg: you go do that, we'll save some for later if you get hungry, ok?

Saria: "..." *nods, gathers her books, leaves*

Saria's Dad: "...Did we upset her?"

greg: i hope not...

Saria's Dad: "...Let's put away the leftovers and start on the dishes..." *picks up a plate, one crumb rolling off onto the table*

greg: hmm...

Saria's Dad: *scraps crumbs off the plate into the trash...*

*the crumbs settle at the bottom of the can before the lid closes...then start to shift*

*in saria’s room*

Saria: "..." *checks her phone*

lei-lei: [hey sari! u ok?]

Saria: [worried about tomorrow]

lei-lei: [nervous?]

Saria: [incredibly -~- ]

lei-lei: [understandable.]

Saria: [can we meet up before class? i want to have enough time to put the ingredients away]

lei-lei: [sure! ^w^]

Saria: [thnx. i'll finish reading recipes then head to bed]

lei-lei: [k! C U tomorrow~ \(^o^) ]

Saria: [night] "..." *sighs, opens the 'recipe book' again--* "...What the heck is a 'Black Mercy'?"

-the next day-

Monica: "Mornin', losers."

yolanda: ...

Zarya: "Shh...She's focusing."

Monica: -_-; "Hmph. She's got this in the bag."

lei-lei: *has her apron on*

Saria: *puts some prepared dishes into the fridge* "..." *looks down*

lei-lei: hey, we got this! ^^

Saria: "I hope so--I wasn't feeling confident. But if these recipes work out, maybe I'll be surprised."

lei-lei: that's the spirit!

Saria: *closes the fridge door, smiles lightly*

-the food shifts a bit...then blinks*

Duncan: *looks inside the kitchen* "??? You're doing it wrong--you really should separate the yolks--*

-meanwhile-

yukiko: thanks fer invitin' me as a judge, azusa-san! ^^

Yumi: "We're happy to have you. Have you met Lunch Rush before?"

yukiko: i've heard of 'em.

Lunch Rush: *waves*

Rin: *drooling over the proposed menu* "I am so blessed..."

yukiko: easy there, kiddo. *hair ruffle*

Rin: =_=;

Yumi: "That leaves...Wait, where's Tsubaki?"

-meanwhile-

tsubaki: ._.;

Black Star: "I can't believe they moved the hallways around again! ...Wait, I know a short-cut..." *punches a hole through a hallway wall*

-back at the contest-

Yumi: -_-# "We're going to need a replacement judge--and where am I to find one at this late hour--"

Mephisto: "Hello~"

Rin: *chokes*

lord death: oh! i was half expecting stocking.

Mephisto: "Unfortunately, she's tutoring students--it came up at the last minute."

lord death: i see.

Mephisto: "So, how about Arg's death?"

Rin: ("WHERE IS HIS FREAKING TACT?!")

yukiko: i just want it on record the 7th had nothing to fucking do with that, alright?

Yumi: "No one is accusing anyone, and the internal investigation has concluded that it was a suicide." ("Not that any of us believe that for one second...")

yukiko: tch- i oughta give that department a piece of my mind...

Mephisto: "By the by, Death, I think you have problems with your basement--lot of rats getting into the works down there, if you know what I mean..." *HINT HINT WINK*

Rin: "..." ("He wants an exterminator? What the heck is he talking about?")

lord death: *sigh* we'll see what can be done, but they're elusive little bastards...

Mephisto: "I think you'll need to consider out-sourcing. Rin, for example."

Rin: "?!!! What?!"

*students start entering, dressed like chefs*

Kanin: "Thanks for your help with the vegetarian option--I wanted to offer something that maybe others wouldn't..."

kenji: of course! ^^

Kyoka: *STARING AT THE DISHES* "..." *stomach growl*

Axel: "Mountain Dew chicken and rice FTW!"

Duncan: *grimaces* "You have no class..." *sets down a Jell-O mold*

kyouko: they better not waste anything...

Ragnarok: "Dibs on leftovers!"

Saria: *shakes a bit, but manages to set the dish down carefully...it looks like a very well put-together and delicious quiche*

izumi: it looks delicious!

Saria: "Th-Thanks...I hope I did it right..."

Monica: *pushing people out of the way*

-and so-

Rin: *samples the vegetarian option* "Hmm! This is quite good!" *holds up a sign: 8 out of 10*

yukiko: *nom nom* eh, not terrible. *7/10*

Mephisto: =_=; "Pedestrian. Had better." *holds up a sign: 1 out of 10*

Kanin: ^^; "Worth a shot..."

izumi: wow...

Monica: "Go up and present, girl."

Saria: *watching Yolanda* "..." *gulp*

Lunch Rush: *signing* <What have we here?>

yolanda: well, i decided to make a gumbo that my grandma used to make when we would visit.

Rin: "Oh, cool. I had to make dishes at the church since everyone else's cooking sucked."

-meanwhile-

Fujimoto: "...FFFFFFFFFFFF--"

-back at the contest-

Lunch Rush: <It's good to see dishes with a history!>

Mephisto: =_= "Hmph."

yukiko: *nom* this is really good! i can really taste the spices in it! *9/10*

Rin: *nods* "I think it's super!" *10/10*

Mephisto: "Eh." *2/10*

nagisa: hmm, tough competition.

Crona: "Everyone looks like they put in a lot of work..."

mami: indeed.....*notices someone in the crowd* hm?

Poe: *holding what looks like a stick* "..." *points the stick in different directions*

mami: (what are they doing?)

Mephisto: =~= "How many more entries are there..."

Yumi: -_-# "Just a few more--could you fake interest?"

Mephisto: "I've eaten every dish around the world--five times. Little impresses me..."

Saria: *gulps* *walks up* "H-H-H-Here?"

Poe: "Nothing here..." *points towards the judges' stage*

Karl: *growl wimper*

yukiko: *sniff* smells good enough.

Saria: .~.;

Rin: "That's a unique spice--tastes kinda good!"

Lunch Rush: <Very unique!> *thumbs up*

Mephisto: "..." *tugs on the spoon--and it sticks* "??? ..." *sniff sniff* *eyes widen* "?!!!!!"

Poe: *pointing at Saria's dish* D8 "OH NO!"

izumi: ?!

Saria: Q_Q "Is it really that bad?!"

Quiche: *GURGLES...THEN BLINKS* "..." *SCREAMS*

rowena: !!!! oh no, we're too late....

mami: !!! *soul gem out*

yukiko: shit! *transforms*

Mephisto: "...Okay, I admit, I did not see this comin--"

Quiche Monster: *SWALLOWS MEPHISTO* "..." *BURP*

Yumi: D8

Rin: "...BWHA HA HA HA--"

Quiche Monster: *whips Rin into the wall*

Saria: *stunned*

-people are running away while others join the fight-

kyouko: what the hell is going on?!

Hyde: *snapping pics* "Don't know. But the effects have really gone up this year..."

rowena: sterling rodgers.

Poe: *nods*

Asher: "...The hell is a Sterling Rodgers? A gem?"

rowena: he was a necromancer that hid his spells in cookbooks.

Axel: "People actually do that?"

Yumi: "..." *glares at Poe*

Poe: "It's not my fault! I was moving books, and it was the Nihilque Omnino Liber a Daemonibus Inita--"

Axel: "...That's really wordy."

Asher: "So it's a Food Necronomicon?"

lei-lei: either way, it's a mouthful!

genny: now isnt the time for that!

Poe: "We need the book! I need to apologize to the girl I bumped into and caused all this mess!" >~<

lukas: saria!

*The space where Saria was standing is vacant*

lukas: !!! dammit! *goes to look for her*

yukiko: *fighting the monster*

Axel: "!!! Bro! This is totally going on the bucket list--fighting giant food monsters!"

zeke: hell yeah!

Rin: *stumbles off the wall* "Okay, you quiche bastard! I'm gonna--"

*the Quiche has infected other food, as a spork stabs Rin in the nose*

Rin: "... ... ...AAAAAAAAAAAH--"

Rin: *charges blue flames along his sword* "Now you're gonna get--"

*NOM*

*Rin is now swallowed whole*

kyouko: *slashing at the monsters* RIN! *ATTACKS*

Asher: "...This turned into vore so gradually that I haven't noticed."

hibiki: how do you know what- on second thought i dont want to know.

Asher: >_>; "...Izumi, just hit me against a monster--"

*a flying spaghetti monster lunges at Izumi*

izumi: *dodges out of the way*

-meanwhile-

Saria: *hiding under stairway, sweater pulled up to cover her face*

lei-lei: sari! there you are! come on, the others need us!

Saria: "...This is all my fault..."

lei-lei: sari...

Saria: *whimpers* "I hated it. I hated everything...I felt like I wasn't good enough..."

lei-lei: .....*hug*

Saria: TT~TT "I didn't want to fail and be left behind..."

{Saria, younger: *looking at a recipe book* "??? What's this one, Daddy?"}

{greg: it's a souffle. ^^}

{Saria: "That's sounds funny--" *looks it over* "It looks fluffy!"}

{greg: why dont we make one, all three of us? ^^}

{Saria: 8D "Can we?!" *reaches for the book--but knocks over a glass of water* D8> }

{greg: oh- *chuckle* it's ok bugbear, it was an accident.}

{Saria: "..." *sniffle* "I didn't mean to..."}

{Saria's Dad: "Every problem has a solution--" *shows a roll of paper towels with little ducklings on them* "So we just got to wipe this off and keep going!" *smiles*}

{Saria: "..." *nods* "O-Okay..."}

{greg: *head pat* right!}

Saria: "..." *pulls down the sweater* "I made this mess..."

lei-lei: then let's fix it! ^^

Saria: "..." *nods--and transforms*

lukas: HEEEEELP!! *stuck in the spagetti monster*

lei-lei: *TOSSES SARIA*

Saria: "Lukas!"

lukas: !!! *reaches out*

*good catch!*

nagisa: *attacking the monsters* mami, im about at my limit!

Crona: *swinging Ragnarok into pudding--*

Ragnarok: *SWALLOWS* "..." *burp* "...Hey, this one got tinier!"

*a soup monster crawls on all fours--*

Janitor: "...Soup on all fours? I thought soup would be bipedal..." *desperately trying to clean faster*

Saria: "..." *LIGHT BULB* "That's it! Crona, you're weapon is a genius!"

nagisa: *attacking, when her soul gem darkens, and something comes out of her mouth*

charlotte: MOGEGEGEGEEEEE!

Axel: "...What."

kyouko: shit!

Quiche Monster: *still infecting other food*

Yumi: "There's no spot to fire at!" *keeps shooting*

charlotte: *starts eating the monsters*

Saria: "Do what the worm thing is doing--eat them!"

yukiko: the fuck? that wraith is _helping_ us?

Quiche Monster: *doubles over, groaning* *looks like it's turning blue?*

kyouko: !!!

Quiche Monster: *gurgles--before it gets cooked--and explodes, revealing Rin and Mephisto inside*

Rin: *wielding his blue flames* -_-# "Ugh--nothing worse than overcooked food..."

Mephisto: *licks his finger* "Mmm! Not bad!" *holds up a sign: 6/10*

Ragnarok: *sliding along the floor, mouth opening and closing as he eats* "WAKA WAKA WAKA WAKA--"

kyouko: *cringes* this better not go to waste!

Axel: "Five second rule!" *eats a monster mini-bagel pizza*

-and so-

charlotte: *dissapates*

Yumi: *intense stare at the NOTers and the Occult Club*

nagisa: mmmn... ugh...*RAINBOWBARF*

Crona: ._.; *offers a napkin*

yukiko: what the hell?!

Lunch Rush: <This reminds me of the Austin chili contest fiasco--they still haven't gotten the scent out of the canal...>

Poe + Saria: "I'M SO SORRY!"

lord death: *sigh and tiny chop to them both* next time double check on these things.

Poe: TT~TT "Yes, sir..."

tsubaki: we're he-... ._. what on earth?

Saria: "Please don't fire Mr Poe! It's my fault..."

Black Star: "I told you my shortcut would-- ...YOU STARTED A FOOD FIGHT?! WITHOUT ME?!"

izumi: it's a long story.

Kaoru: "Lord Pheles! I came as soon as I got your alert!"

Mephisto: "There you are, Tsubaki!"

tsubaki: im right here though?

Kaoru: "??? No, I'm Tsubaki."

naho: .w.

Black Star: "..." *PUNCHES KAORU* "STAY AWAY FROM MY WEAPON!"

mahiru: just how many tsubaki's are there?!

Kuro: =_= "This is the stupidest thing I have been involved in all month."

Hyde: "Oh, what up, bro?" *covered in red stuff*

Kuro Cat: *walks in, leaps on Rin's shoulder*

Kuro: "... ... ...Nope."

izumi: you know, i think i learned something today....

Asher: "Cooking was a mistake?"

Axel: "Wash your hands before dinner?"

izumi:.....actually i got nothing i was hoping i'd think of something. ^^;

Monica: "Yolanda is the only one we should let cook."

Mephisto: "We still need to decide a winner...Which dish was not infected by the demon?"

Yumi: *holds up a Jell-O mold*

Mephisto: "Fine, this thing wins."

Duncan: "Ha!"

lei-lei + hibiki + others: WHAT?!

Duncan: "What do I win?!"

Janitor: *hands Duncan a mop* "Clean up duty."

Duncan: 0n0#

-elsewhere-

Todoroki: *staring at a text message* "..." *sets down his phone* "..." *sets his arms on the table, thinking*

fuyumi: ?? everything ok?

Todoroki: "...I got a text from someone claiming to be Natsuo's classmate."

fuyumi: did something happen?!

Todoroki: >_>; "...They said their sister wants my autograph."

fuyumi: ...^^;

*Fuyumi's phone has a text message*

fuyumi: *looks*

Unknown number: [sis someone stole my fone so ignore weirdo messages]

fuyumi: [it's 'phone']

Unknown number: [thats how u know its me :P ]

-elsewhere-

All Might: *coughing, doubled over in the teachers' lounge*

midnight: .-.

All Might: *waves* "I'm fine..." *wipes his mouth* "Just need to take five..." *sits on the couch, reaching for his bottle of water*

midnight: maybe head home for the day, i'll handle the rest of your workload-

All Might: "I-I can't--I'm trying to finish up a training schedule for--" *collapses*

midnight: !! shit! recovery girl! get in here!

*a small siren is heard--as Recovery Girl drives in on a scooter*

-elsewhere-

Shinsou: <So support students don't go on training trips like the hero students?>

mei: nope! besides, i couldnt just leave my babies unattended all summer!

Shinsou: ._.;

mei: alas, not this time. but it'd be nice to see the blonde angel again~<3 huh? oh right!

Shinsou: (" 'Blonde angel'?") <"Oh right" what?>

mei: i wanted to show you something! follow me!

-elsewhere-

NOS: "Absolutely appalling security parameters--I'm asleep how long, yet what advancements have I seen..." *thumbing through psychological profiles of Pro Heroes*

himiko: *brushing the hair of a doll*

Dabi: *looking stuff up on his phone* "Says the 'bot who's running on DVDs and 8-trax."

twice: BUUURN! *hand up for a high five*

Dabi: "..." *back to his phone*

NOS: -_-# "I have upgraded to SSD and cloud storage. So watch it, before I share your search history with the entire group."

shaula: ok boomer.

NOS: "YOU'RE OLDER THAN ME, YOU TROLLOP."

shaula: =3= ruuude.

Kurogiri: "Please do not squabble." *offers Shaula a drink--and passes motor oil to NOS*

kurome: *sips her orange juice*

NOS: "..." *whispers to Himiko* "How old is the child?"

himiko: 4-5 i think?

NOS: "..." ("Do I even want to know how this happened? Or where the mother is? Is there a mother?")

kurome: *looks up* *offers her juice*

NOS: "Um...No, thank you."

-elsewhere-

Kota: *kicks a rock up the path to the cave* "..."

sphinx: there you are, kouta!

calico: mandalay was worried about you.

Kota: "?! Were you following me?!!"

calico: more of we were following your footprints-

sphinx: *elbows her*

calico: >~0

Kota: "?!!! Jerk!" *stamps on Calico's foot*

calico: OWIE! >~<

Kota: *starts running*

sphinx: *runs after him*

calico: ok I’ll just be here. on the ground. hurtin'.

Kota: *trying to get through the trees--*

*SMACK*

*hits a tree branch*

sphinx: *picks him up and carries him back*

Kota: @_@ *looks like his nose is bleeding a bit*

calico: heeeey...

sphinx: *dragging her by the arm*

calico: thank you.

-elsewhere-

Monica: *lifting Saria up by the collar* "YOU APOLOGIZE FOR THIS MESS!"

Saria: TT~TT "I've said I'm sorry, Yolanda--twelve times now!"

yolanda: come on, monica, let her go already...

Monica: "...Tch." *sets Saria down*

Saria: TT~TT "I just look forward to going home after today..."

lukas: mind if i walked you home?

Saria: "I-I'd appreciate that, thanks..."

lukas: *nods and walks with her*

Saria: "...I really screwed this up."

lukas: saria...

Saria: "I just felt like I wasn't good enough...Sometimes I wonder what we're all doing here--the DWMA is not an easy school..."

lukas: ....*hug*

Saria: "...?!" .\\\\\\.

lukas: im not really the best at giving advice, so...i thought this would help...

Saria: "..." *hug* "Th-Thanks..." *sniffle*

lukas:.... .///. well....

Saria: "I-I...I--"

*CRASH*

lukas: ?!?!?!

Saria's Dad: "I got another one!" *holds up a mini-Waffle Man on a fork*

Waffle-Man: "UNHAND ME, MORTAL--"

greg: EEEEP!! >~<;;

Saria's Dad: *nom*

Saria: D8>

greg: BUGBEAR, HELP!! DX>

Saria: O_O; "I am so grounded...Lukas, will you do the honors?" *transforms*

-elsewhere-

Charon: *rubbing his shoulder* "Take five." *walks away from a bloodied Hood*

hood: *groan*

arrow:....

Charon: *walks into the infirmary, opens the freezer for an ice pack*

Sho: *hiding behind Arrow* "..." *looks around her at the victim*

arrow:......

Sho: *cringes, holding his chest*

arrow:......*looks at sho, worried*

Sho: "I-I'll go back to my room now..." *walks to leave--and bumps into someone*

Hood 2: "?!!!! I'M SO SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!" *bows in front of Sho*

arrow: ??

Sho: "No, it's fine--"

*slice*

Hood 2: *falls down, unconscious*

arrow: !!

Haumea: "Hmph." *steps on Hood 2* "No courtesy from these lemmings. Get this one back to the infirmary."

arrow:......

Sho: "..." *grabs Arrow's hand* "Take me back..."

arrow:....of course, my lord....

Hood 2: *dragged to the infirmary, blood spread down the hall...*

Sho: *shaking*

arrow:......

Inka: "Yo, Sho!" *waves*

Sho: *hides by Arrow's side*

arrow: inka, he's not in the mood for this.

Inka: "Come on--he's rarely makes any appearances anymore! How about we go pester the moles a bit more--" *starts poking Sho in the cheek--*

*CHOMP*

Inka: "... ..." *screams*

arrow: !!

Sho: *lets go of Inka's finger*

Inka: "WHAT THE HELL?!" *clutching her hand* "...At least do the other one, too--"

arrow: *glares at her before walking off with sho in tow*

Sho: "..." *starts crying as they near his door*

arrow:.......

Sho: *falls onto his bed, face-down in his pillow* *muttering* "I wish I was..."

arrow: with your brother....right?

Sho: "Dead."

arrow:.........*hugs him*

Sho: *sobs into her shoulder* "I'm a monster..."

arrow: *rubs his back*

Sho: *hiccups and cries himself until he passes out*

arrow:.....(we cant....stay here anymore.....we'll likely be on the run for the rest of our lives, but he cant...he cant stay in this place.....)

Sho: "Zzz..."

arrow:.....(we'll leave this place....even if it kills me....)

-elsewhere-

Vector: *at a burger stand* <You ever seen this man?> *holds up a photo of Luke*

kid: <wasnt he on TV a while back?>

Vector: <He was in that Robot Fight in IC Prefecture--before that terrorist attack.>

kid: <oh yeah...i think he died or somethin?>

Vector: <...Yeah, sure, that's it.> *groans* <Do you have a veggie burger?>

-elsewhere-

Rin: =_=# "It was such a mess..."

kyouko: TT~TT

Fujimoto: "So let me get this straight--someone who wants to become the next Paladin got eaten alive by a demon foodstuff. ...Excuse me." *turns away--and starts laughing uproariously*

Rin: >_<# "IT'S NOT FUNNY, YOU OLD FART!"

kyouko: so much wasted food....

Fujimoto: "What, didn't anyone eat the leftovers?"

-elsewhere-

nagisa: *laying on the couch, clutching her stomach* =~=

mami:.....

Crona: "Would you like more ginger ale?"

nagisa: *nods*

Crona: *pours some*

Ragnarok: *stomach expanded* =w= "We were eating fine today~"

mami: *thinking about how charlotte appeared as nagisa's soul gem was darkened* hmmm...

sayaka: and you're sure you dont remember anything?

nagisa: *shakes head* not really, i just kinda blacked out...

sayaka: hmmm, i think it's like what happened to me in hoozuki...only i didnt lose consciousness...do you think it has something to do with that marble we got off those white hooded twins back then?

mami: perhaps....

Crona: "..."

Ragnarok: *nods off*

mami: homura mentioned something about a dream she had the other night. a dream that said to go to kamihama city...

sayaka: KAMIHAMA!? the magical girl capitol of, like, the whole world probably?!

Ragnarok: "Ngh, be quiet..." *tosses a couch pillow at Sayaka*

Crona: ._.; "May be worth a look?"

mami: perhaps.....from what i've heard, similar cases have been happening in kamihama in recent years as well...

Crona: "Want to call in assistance?"

mami: a good idea...

-elsewhere-

Pumpkin: *pulled in against the rain*

-footsteps are heard-

Pumpkin: *alert, conjures a shield*

misaki: mr pumpkin, are you in?

Pumpkin: "...You."

misaki: *small smile*

Pumpkin: "...Why are you here? It's miserable out."

misaki: i was....i was worried for you.

Pumpkin: "Hmph. There's no concern for that--" *his arm, wet from the rain, falls off*

misaki: oh!!

Pumpkin: "...It-It grows back...I swear." >_>;

misaki: *picks up the arm and hands it to him*

Pumpkin: "..." *nods, reattaches it...* "..." *sniffle*

misaki:....*offers her umbrella*

Pumpkin: "...Thank you."

misaki: *smiles*.....say.....if you wanted....you could stay at my house for a while.....s-sorry, that was a bit forward, wasnt it?

Pumpkin: "...How the hell am I supposed to do that? I stick out like...do you have 'sore thumbs' in this dimensions?"

misaki: it's quite alright. i live alone...well, there is that crow, alistair, but....

Pumpkin: "YOU NAMED THAT WINGED BEAST?"

{Imaginary Alistair: "CAH HA HA HA~"}

misaki: ^^;;

Pumpkin: "I assure you, I need no chari--charit--AH-CHOO!" *sneezes fire--then collapses*

misaki: !!!! *helps him up*

Pumpkin: *he looks barely conscious*

misaki:......*helping him walk*

-in asunaro-

???: *running through back alleys while two hooded figures are in pursuit*

???: "We're getting closer."

-the person reaches a dead end-

???: SHIT!!

???: well, you dont have anywhere to run now, so you may as well join us. right tsukasa?

Tsukasa: "Please say 'yes'--it makes things more pleasant."

???: tch- you really think im willing to go with you after you attacked me?! fat chance!! besides, what you're talking about, it's crazy!

tsukuyo:....well, that is rather unfortunate...wouldnt _you_ agree?

???: i said- *freezes as she feels something in the shadows behind her*

Demongo: "Hello~"

???: !!! g-get the hell away from me!!

tsukuyo: my apologies, akane sumire, but you made your choice...

akane sumire: s-stay the hell back you freak!!

Demongo: *his skull-mouth opens wide* "AAAAAAAAAH--"

-sumire can barely let out a cry for help-

-VREEEN-

tsukuyo:.....nn...

Demongo: =w=

Tsukasa: "Well..."

tsukuyo: that was unfortunate....oh well, whats done is done....let's go, the magius will be expecting us back in kamihama by tomorrow...

Demongo: "Give me a second--got to walk this off...Need to jog more..." *follows*

-not too far away, a figure watches them-

???: "My, my, my; what lovely gems~"

-morning-

mirai: uuuugh, it's too hoooooooot!! =~=

Umika: "Yes, summer tends to be warm."

kaoru: let's go to the beach!

niko: im not fond of sand. its gritty and it gets everywhere.

Saki: "Okay, Anakin."

mirai: i agree with niko, the only swimsuit i look ok in is a school swimsuit and people will laugh at me!

Satomi: "How about camping? We could even see wildlife up close and personal."

mirai: good idea, saki, umika?

Umika: "Beach."

Saki: "Beach."

niko: it appears we're at a tie, then...

Umika: "I guess that leaves it up to Kazumi."

kazumi: leave what up to me? *her hair is complete bedhead*

kaoru: *SNRK*

Umika: *clears her throat* "We were thinking of a summer trip. Would you prefer the beach or camping?"

mirai: we're half-and-half on what we want to do.

kazumi: ...well, summer break is until september, right?

Saki: "Uh huh?"

kazumi: it's july right now, so there's no reason we cant do both, right?

kaoru:....she's got a point.

Saki: "...I suppose so?"

niko: that still doesnt answer the question.

kazumi:..... .n.; coin flip?

Umika: "Heads beach, tails camping...Who has a coin?"

niko: *holds one up*

Saki: "Flip it.”

-HEADS-

kaoru: wahoo!

Saki: "Neat!"

mirai: *siiiiigh* i'll go get my stupid swimsuit then. =A=

niko: at least the water will cool you off. plus better wifi.

Umika: "Kazumi, we should get you a new swimsuit as well."

kaoru: and a haircut! *laughing*

kazumi: really?

Saki: "Wouldn't it make you feel a bit better?"

kazumi: ...i guess so.

toto: *pokes head out of her hair* mrow?

Umika: "..." *stifles her laughter*

-elsewhere-

Yumi: *dialing on a mirror* "...Marie? You there?"

marie: yes?

Yumi: "Hello. I wanted to follow up about an official report from your trip."

marie: honestly, it feels like we havent gotten anywhere.

Yumi: "I'm sorry to hear that. Have you found witnesses to the crimes?"

-elsewhere-

Anya: *curled up in bed* "..."

mio:....hey....anya?

Anya: *grunts* "Yeah?"

mio: you doing ok?......i brought you a baguette.

Anya: "..." *STOMACH GROWLS* "...Thank you." *sad nom*

mio:......sooooo....

Anya: "...I grew up without siblings, so the thought of even having one never crossed my mind! Now I'm supposed to think, 'Oh, so I may have a sibling'?! HOW AM I TO DEAL WITH THAT?!!" *angry nomming*

mio:...i think i get it, suddenly having a sibling can be a shock. it sure as heck shocked me when my little brother was born.

Anya: "Hmmm...What was that like? How old were you?"

mio: well, my-....hmmm, let me do the math on that...

Anya: -_-; "In any case, at least you knew your sibling from the beginning--I know next to nothing about...mine."

mio:.....im not sure what else to say....

ao: you're afraid.

Anya: "WHAT?!" *shivers*

ao: suddenly everything is different for you and you're beside yourself on what to do...would this be an accurate assessment?

Anya: *shaking* "I-I think so..."

ao: i see. i suppose that's reasonable. if i were in your situation, i'd probably feel the same way, unsure of who to confide in or talk to...

Anya: "...I don't even know how I would talk to _him_."

mio: w-well you dont have do talk to him _now_.

Anya: =_= "I suppose...Not like I was going to dial him up." *gestures to...a phone that looks like it was made by Alexander Graham Bell*

-elsewhere-

Black Star: *packing an overnight bag*

naho: whatcha doin?

Black Star: "Got a mission! A quick one!"

naho: cool!

Black Star: "Yeah! There's been all these disappearances in Seoul!"

tsubaki: otogiri, shamrock, you'll look after things while we're gone?

Belkia: "D'aw, why don't you ever let me be in charge?" *has Sakuya tied and hanging from the ceiling*

-elsewhere-

Kid: *appearing on a mirror in Soul's apartment* "We have to talk."

soul: sup?

Kid: "There are missions piling up after the Kishinites incident--so Father wants to send out as many available people as possible. Unfortunately, some are already on missions overseas."

soul: ah. let me guess, one of these missions is for me?

Kid: "Perceptive, as usual. We have a few options. Perhaps a visit to France?"

soul: i take it no bringing the kids?

Kid: "...Given the circumstances of this case, I think it would be best not to."

soul: thought so. im sure blair will look after them till i get back.

Kid: "Good, then. I have to travel as well for a mission."

-elsewhere-

Nirvana Employee 1: "He's been...less pleasant than usual since the first madness spike."

luka: *sigh* perhaps i should talk to him.

Nirvana Employee 1: "Try this." *hands a box of chocolates* "Also, don't extend your hand out." *has an arm entirely bandaged*

luka:....i doubt he'll be amused, but whatever...

*there's one door where humming is heard*

luka: *shudders* *touches her necklace before entering*

Asura: *resting his head on Mikan's lap*

mikan: *looks up* hm?

Asura: *groans* "What now." *the energy is radiating off of him*

luka: am i interrupting?

mikan: as a matter of fact, yes.

Asura: "I already told the last flunky--my head is killing me. Or do you want a 'manicure,' too?"

luka:....would you care to explain _why_ your head is killing you?

Asura: "If I knew that, I would have stopped the pain already. I only feel this much pain when around another with a powerful soul wavelength..."

luka: like your wife?

Asura: *pierces the wall by her head with a scarf* "We are compatible."

luka: right, she's the only thing keeping you from going on a rampage.

Asura: "...These are brave words from someone with a death wish."

luka: im just stating the facts.

Asura: "...These are amateurs, playing with a madness wavelength that is discordant with my own. That is all I can determine. Go tell that to your supervisors."

luka: very well then. *exits*

heibito:....daddy? what wrong?

Asura: "..." *pats his head* "Just a headache."

-elsewhere-

Akane: "Good day. Sorry that Clay made us late. I brought donuts."

Youta: ._.

Sid: "Have a seat. We were going over intelligence."

clay: so what's up?

Sid: *shows a map with Kishin Symbols all over it*

clay: dang....

Cho: "The Kishinites were targeting Death City, likely as a distraction for global efforts...Sid was telling me about certain Magic Tools that would assist them."

clay: and the sages?

Sid: "They're doing the best they can--but that's like using a hammer to smash ants. Our work is more precise. So while Zubaidah and others help with the flashy stuff, we're going to be working in shadows."

-elsewhere-

shinra: *YAAAAAAAAAAWN* =~=

Relan: "Zzz..."

shinra:....*pats his head before getting up*

Akitaru: *already making coffee in the kitchen*

shinra: morning.

argit: yo.

shinra:.....why are you still here?

argit: eh, just felt like it.

Akitaru: "I've tried getting him to leave."

{Akitaru: *spritzing with a water bottle*}

argit: *shrugs and eats his bacon*

Viktor: -^- "This is so annoying--some newbie showing up at random out of nowhere, uninvited." *eats toast*

maki:.......

Komori: <Are you fucking kidding me?>

shinra: -.- (i'd rather have schop here...)

Arthur: "In times of famine, desperate people often turn to consuming the vermin present to satiate their hunger. I propose we eat the mongoose."

argit: hey fuck you!

maki:.....so shinra, you feeling any better?

shinra: y-yeah, i dont know what came over me last night...

Akitaru: "...You going to be ready for today's tasks?"

shinra: of course!

Akitaru: *nods* "Keep your phone on today to check in. This is going to be an important one."

nozomi: good morning everyone.

tamaki: *following behind her*

Akitaru: "Howdy! Just about done with the eggs."

Arthur: "..."

tamaki:....thank you.

Komori: *holds up a sign at Argit*

argit: hmn?

Komori: *small print for only Argit to see* <Talk shit about either of them, and you'll wake up in a bathtub without your kidneys.>

argit: o-o tch- *grumble grumble*

-elsewhere-

Australian Park Ranger: "My people found the nest without its eggs. This job was too clean to be a predator--at least, not a non-human predator. These were poachers."

janine: damn...

marie: how awful, the poor mother...

Ranger: "What bugs me is that no one ever sees 'em--it's like they're invisible. Not even footprints."

janine: hmmmm *looking around*

*the nest has feathers in it, as would be expected--except one does not look like the others...*

janine: hmm?

*the feathers in the nest are white or gold...this one Janine sees is purple*

janine: well look at that...

Ranger: "??? What's that supposed to be?"

janine: not sure....a clue most likely.

-elsewhere-

*a Tennessee purple finch eats sunflower seeds before hopping back onto its owner's shoulder*

Poacher: *rubs the bird's head* "You got them locked up?"

???: yeah, these lil bastards wont be causing trouble anytime soon.

Poacher: "Can't wait--Blanche here can't stand this heat. Ain't that right, Blanche~?" *pets Blanche the finch*

Blanche: =w=

*something big rattles in a cage*

-elsewhere-

tsukasa: *playing DDR*

Tsukuyo: *sips a soda, watching*

Demongo: *posing as a shadow*

tsukasa: *stomach rumbles* im hungry, tag out!

Tsukuyo: *sets the soda down, leaps in*

Demongo: "Pick me up something, too!"

-the door opens and a girl enters and approaches-

tsukasa: ??

souju: *takes a seat at their table* ^u^

tsukasa: uhhhh may we help you?

Demongo: "???" *observing Souju*

souju: *offers hand* ayase souju, at your service! please, call me souju~

tsukasa: erm... ._.;

Tsukuyo: *finishes up* "Ta-da!" *looks back* "???"

souju: you two are magical girls, yes~?

tsukasa: ?! h-how did-

souju: i saw you both last night.

tsukasa: !! *looks at tsukuyo* (do you think she's onto us...?)

Tsukuyo: *goes stone-faced* "Hm. And what would that be?"

souju: i'd like to invite you to my house for tea~ ^^

tsukasa: ?? that's it?

Demongo: OwO ("WITH LITTLE COOKIES--")

Tsukuyo: "I don't know..."

Demongo: =_=;

souju: you mentioned something about 'joining' and it got me curious...

Tsukuyo: "?!"

tsukasa: *looks at tsukuyo*

Tsukuyo: "..." *shakes her head*

souju: pretty please~? i'll make it worth your while~

Tsukuyo: "...If you're serious..."

souju: wonderful!

Tsukuyo: *looks at Tsukasa* ("I got a bad feeling about this...")

-elsewhere-

*in a hospital in Seoul*

Doctor: <Another one...>

Patient: *staring up at the ceiling...with eyes that are white, blinded*

nurse: <what do you think happened?>

Doctor: *gestures to rows of patients, all with the same affliction* <This is too coincidental...>

-elsewhere-

Pumpkin: *snoring*

-smells like toast?-

Pumpkin: *groans, opens his eyes...* "...Where am I?"

misaki: oh, you're awake. *smiles*

Pumpkin: "...Oh. Right. Hello. Has the rain stopped?" *looks around*

misaki: *nods* i made some toast...

Pumpkin: "..." *stands up, looking where he slept*

Alistair: *eating from a bowl of seeds*

-the couch seems a bit old, but not uncomfortable-

Pumpkin: "..." *tries to fold up the blanket*

misaki: *making tea*

Pumpkin: "...It was a comfortable sleep."

misaki: im glad to hear that.

Pumpkin: *takes a seat at the table, looking around the kitchen*

-there are various spices and cooking tools about, as well as a few herbs and a cookbook-

Pumpkin: "You cook much?"

misaki: usually for myself, i dont have guests often.

Pumpkin: "I see..." *spots a textbook on the table* "???'

misaki: toast is ready.

Pumpkin: "...Thank you." *takes a piece* *nom* "...It's good."

misaki: *smiles*

Pumpkin: "Is that cinnamon on it?"

Alistair: *hops onto Misaki's shoulder*

-elsewhere-

Hirotsu: "Here are the crayons, the paper, the paste, and the glitter. Have fun, kiddos."

Tachihara: *seated at the kiddie table* "...WAIT A SEC!"

miyuri: yaaaay!! ^o^

Tachihara: *grumbling* "Why's that old fart treating me like some kid?! I ain't a child--" *doodling on paper* "Yo, Sonia, could you pass the yellow crayon?"

sonia: *hands it to him*

Tachihara: "Yeah, thanks--WHY'S HE GOT TO BE LIKE THAT TO ME?! What if it was your pops treating you like that?!"

sonia:......

Tachihara: "..." *grumbles* "I'm sorry for yelling..."

sonia: you're frustrated.

Tachihara: "You're daaaaaaaaa--...darn right I am. Sometimes I feel like I'm treated like the misfit."

sonia: im sure you'll prove yourself someday.

Tachihara: "...Maybe. I'll...I'll just get back to drawing...What you drawing?"

-elsewhere-

Meme: "Tsugumi, look at this email!"

tsugumi: hmm?

*it looks to be from Marie Mjolnir*

tsugumi: oh!

Meme: "She seems really busy with poachers!"

tsugumi: gagantous!

Meme: "She is reaching out to anyone available to help..."

tsugumi: hmm....

Anya: *packing*

tsugumi: anya?

Anya: "We should help Miss Marie! It would give me something to focus on..."

mio: good idea.

Maid: "Princess, I am afraid you are not permitted to leave."

tsugumi: eh?

Maid: "It would be dangerous to have you go running out so abruptly..."

Anya: "?!!!" *shuts her suitcase, marches out of the room* "Then I know with whom to speak..."

tsugumi: wait, anya!

Anya: *heading into the throne room...*

kathleen: ?? anya?

Anya: "What's this about me not being allowed to leave?!"

kathleen: !! *looks at charles*

Charles: "Anya, now calm down--"

Anya: 0n0 "I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! I am my own adult, and I get to make my decisions--"

*cooks are setting out an extravagant dinner...*

kathleen: anya, please-

Anya: "WHY WON'T YOU LET ME FINISH A SENTENCE--"

Cook: "Excuse me, Princess--will you be having the beef or the pork?"

Anya: "Beef please, thank you. AND ANOTHER--...What."

kathleen: we just.....wanted one more family dinner before you left in the morning...

Charles: ^^; "I suppose we should have clarified to the maids that it would be dangerous for you to leave on an empty stomach..."

Anya: "... ... ..." T\\\\T;

-elsewhere-

kazumi: woah!

Umika: "Impressive, isn't it?"

kaoru: *in a sporty swimsuit* heck yeah it is!

Satomi: >_>; *watches a hermit crab*

mirai: *staaaaare* 0n0

Saki: "Ah, come on--try to have some fun."

mirai: IM NOT CRYING AT ALL!

kazumi: the sand feels so funny!

Umika: "Hang on--let's finish your sunscreen..."

kazumi: o-ok.

Saki: "But then we're going seashell hunting, and swimming, and snorkeling, and--"

Satomi: *curls up under an umbrella*

nico: -.-;

Umika: "The camp will be waiting for us--now, it's fun and sun. There, you are successfully blocked."

kazumi: thank you!

Saki: "What do you want to do first?" *holds up a bucket* "We can also make sandcastles?"

kazumi: yeah!

Saki: ^^ "Okay!" *buckets up sand*

kaoru: umika, lets play some volleyball!

Umika: "Very well--maybe go a bit easy on me..."

mirai: *sulks under the umbrella* T^T

Satomi: "My sympathies..." *opens a book, puts on sunglasses*

mirai: *stares at her* (IM NOT CRYING AT ALL!!)

Satomi: *offers a tissue* "Here."

nico: *looking around*

*looks like an ice cream stand on the boardwalk*

nico: *checks her wallet*

*big sign: "FREE SAMPLES"*

nico:.....hey, anyone want something from the ice cream stand?

Saki: "Yes, please!"

mirai: parfait.

Umika: "Kazumi, want anything?"

kazumi: shaved ice for me!

Umika: "And sorbet for me, please."

Ice Cream Vendor: *ringing the bell*

-elsewhere-

Flight Attendant: <Welcome to Seoul.> ^^

Black Star: *yaaaaaaaawns* "I need coffee and a donut."

tsubaki: ^^;

Pilot: "???" <Fancy DWMA logo on that scarf, ma'am. You looking for the regional office?>

tsubaki: <yes.>

Pilot: <You're going to want to speak to the police station in Terminal A, first floor. They'll provide you an escort.>

Black Star: O_O; ("I hate being behind the language barrier...")

-elsewhere-

Cabbie: *speaking French* <You from around here, young'un?>

soul: <not locally, no.>

Cabbie: *driving by a shipyard...looks like an airship docked there*

soul: <more or less, yeah.>

Cabbie: <Got ya. Well, there's the spot...Kind of a rundown chateau, you sure this is the address?>

soul: *checks phone*

*that's the address--looks like there are some text messages, too*

soul: <yep. this is the place.>

Cabbie: <Alright. That'll be 50 euros--I'll get your bags.>

soul: ......

{Kid: "We've had a serial killer. I warn you, the scenes are...reminiscent of work you've seen before, in Stein's classes."}

{soul: ok....i'll keep an eye out.}

soul:....

*it looks like someone is loading crates off an airship into a van labeled "Haijima"*

???: <Careful--those are rare specimens.>

soul: ...*walks up to the house*

*inside are two elderly women*

soul:...*ahem* <good afternoon, ma'ams.> *nods*

???: <Ah, hello, young man. Are you Mr. Evans?>

soul: <and if i am?>

???: <We got the call to set up your room. I'm Sami Champlain, and this is my wife, Françoise Du Pont.>

Francoise: -_-; <Death is making his kiddos scrawny now...> *pokes Soul's arm*

soul: ^-^;

Sami: <Stop teasing the boy, Franny. Here, I'll help you with your bags...> *moves fast but is taking such small steps with such small legs that she is nowhere near his bags...*

soul:

Francoise: <You don't even look like you could lift a feather!>

Sami: <I'm sure it's just jet lag, dear.>

soul: *lifts the bags*

Francoise: <MAKING FUN OF ME, EH?! I bench-press a sea-cow every morning! Feel this arm!> *flexes*

-elsewhere-

nico: the barbeque is ready.

Saki: "Thanks! I'm starving!"

kazumi: *nom* *shiny eyes* woah! this is good!

Satomi: "It sure is!" *bites into roasted corn*

kaoru: *nom* mmm!.... huh, looks like someone's shooting discs.

nico:.....

{*BANG*}

{-screaming is heard...-}

umika:...co...nico?

nico: !!!

Satomi: "You okay?"

nico:....i-im fine. just...zoned out for a moment.

Satomi: "Maybe you need something to drink?"

nico: y-yeah..

-elsewhere-

Demongo: *staring at tiny cakes*

tsukasa: .w.

souju: dig in~ ^w^

Tsukuyo: "..." *hesitantly picks one up*

souju: ^w^

Demongo: *whispers* "Pst--I want the strawberry one..."

tsukasa: 7n7

Demongo: "Come on--do it!"

*looks like a door is opened a bit nearby...*

Tsukuyo: *looks at the door* "???"

souju:....want to see something amazing?

Tsukuyo: *looks at Tsukasa* "Want to?"

tsukasa: hmmm...

souju: please, i insist~! ^^

Tsukuyo: "O-Okay?" *stands up*

Demongo: *following in shadows*

-inside of the room is magical girl merchandise. all over the walls. the floor, bed, everywhere-

tsukasa: um....wow...

souju: isnt it wonderful~?

tsukasa: yooouuuu really like magical girls, dont you?

souju: oh i absolutely ADORE them!

Demongo: ("...Not wrong, mostly?")

Tsukuyo: *backs up* ("Something isn't right...")

souju:...you know, im rather jealous of you two...being able to know your sister.......i was supposed to be a twin as well, but my sister, luca, died in childbirth.

tsukasa: !!

Tsukuyo: "Oh dear--I'm so sorry..."

souju: indeed....i was quite lonely, and the fact my parents were always at work didnt help matters.....but when i discovered the world of magical girls, it was true love at first sight...so i began collecting.

Tsukuyo: "I see...It is an impressively exhaustive collection..."

souju: indeed....but it wasnt enough....i wanted to collect more....authentic, merchandise, shall we say.....*takes out a box, full of soul gems* even if the donors were....less than willing~

Tsukuyo: "?!"

Demongo: "OH SHIT!"

tsukasa: are those.....actual soul gems?

souju: but of course! sadly, i had to get my hands a bit dirty to get them, but arent they just beautiful? they say soul gems are connected to their souls themselves.

tsukasa: you're....you're insane.

Demongo: "I agree--and that's saying something..."

Tsukuyo: *backs away*

souju: oh, you arent leaving now, are you~?

tsukasa: yes, we are! you're nuts! even _she_ isnt this bad!

souju: that's a shame...i really wanted to add you to my collection. *transforms* it seems i'll have to dirty my hands again. oh well~<3

Tsukuyo: "?! Tsukasa!" *transforms*

tsukasa: right! *transforms*

Tsukuyo: *prepares her shinobue flute*

-elsewhere-

*an elevator in Lotte Tower is taking Black Star and Tsubaki up to the top floor*

DWMA Agent: *passes a security badge* <It's not our usual policy to have patients brought to the offices, but this was a rare exception given their condition.>

tsubaki:

Black Star: =_= "I don't suppose you speak anything else?"

DWMA Agent: ^^; "Sorry about that--just a bit flustered with these cases and, well, we heard a lot about both of you."

-ding-

*doors open to a skull-shaped hallway, with glass walls showing out over Seoul*

tsubaki: wow...

Black Star: *face pressed against the glass* "No wonder Lord Death wanted this thing up here--you can see everything!"

Agent: "Tallest building in the city!" *leads them down the hall* "I have to warn you, this might get a bit intimidating..."

tsubaki:...*nods*

Black Star: "How bad can this be?" *spots the door* "I'll go first!" *kicks the door open--*

???: "OW!"

tsubaki: D8

Black Star: "???" *looks behind the door to see a very annoyed physician*

Physician: -_-# *pokes Black Star in the eyes with two fingers*

Black Star: "GAH!" *clutches his face* "WHAT THE HELL?!"

tsubaki: black*star!! *goes over to him*

Agent: "How's the patient, doc?"

Physician: "Their aura got worse. Bring the weapon, leave the meister."

tsubaki:....

Black Star: "HEY! I'm plenty useful too--"

Agent: *leads Black Star into a briefing room*

Physician: "Weapon Nakatsukasa, how familiar are you with medicine?"

tsubaki: well, i do know first aid at the very least. and please, call me tsubaki.

Physician: *a shorter person, looks up at Tsubaki* "...Hmph. That won't be enough to understand the physical condition of the patient, but your connection to the Nakatsukasa may help..." *opens a door, revealing the patient in bed...their eyes are blank, pure white, just staring up blind at a ceiling*

Patient: "..."

tsubaki:......<hello.>

Patient: *sniffles, crying* <H-Hi...Who are you? You don't sound like the doctor--you sound actually friendly.>

Physician: -_-#

tsubaki: <my name is tsubaki. what's yours?>

Patient: <...Bong.>

tsubaki: <it's nice to meet you, bong.>

Bong: <Th-Thanks...I want to go back to work--but I'm like this now. That thing came out of nowhere...>

tsubaki: <what thing?>

Bong: <It was hideous--it pulled me into an alley and had this eye growing out of its forehead...>

tsubaki: !! *listening*

*a man in a business suit enters*

???: <Don't tell me you're lecturing our guest upon their arrival, Doctor!>

Physician: -_-# <Director.>

tsubaki: um...

???: *offers his hand to Tsubaki* <Lee Sang, Seoul DWMA director. A pleasure to meet you, Weapon Nakatsukasa.>

tsubaki: <likewise. and please, call me tsubaki.>

Sang: <Of course! I should've made it clearer to Kro to have you and Black Star brought to me first! Oh, Bong--how's it goin'?>

Bong: *whimpers*

Sang: <Hm--still that bad, eh? Hang in there, soldier.> *pats Tsubaki's shoulder* <Let's talk in my office--Kro brought Black Star there already.>

tsubaki: <right.>

-elsewhere-

Damon: *staring at the phone Soul left for him and Becky* "...Still nothing."

becky: at least he didnt leave us home alone...

Damon: "Yeah, but they seem kind of busy..."

Blair: *flipping through a magazine*

Katai: *hiding under a blanket*

nagisa: why dont we play some jenga?

Blair: OwO "Yes, please!"

Katai: "O-Okay...I hope I don't topple it..."

Damon: "..." *shrugs* "Sure, Nagisa."

-elsewhere-

Sami: *holding out a spoon* <Here comes the helicopter--VROOM!> *puts the spoon up to Soul's mouth*

soul: =_=;;;

Francoise: <WHAT?! HER COOKING NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YA, STRING BEAN?!>

*the doorbell rings*

soul: i'll get it. *sits up*

Sami: ^^ <Such a polite young man.>

*at the door is someone holding boxes up over his head*

soul: <can i help you?>

Max: <Hi, Mrs. Champlain--I got your deliveries--> *looks around the boxes* <??? Oh! Sorry--should've recognized by the voice you weren't her...Could you take some of these--they are too heavy.> >_<;;;

soul: <oh, sure thing, dude.> *carries some boxes*

Max: *groans* <Thank you, sir...>

Sami: <Maxie! Pull up a chair! How's your Grandma?>

Max: <Busy, ma'am...> *rubs his back* =_=; *looks at Soul* <??? You look familiar...You a musician?>

soul: <well...no?>

Max: <Hmm...Guess you got one of those faces!>

Francoise: <How many albinos have you seen, Max?!>

soul: o-o

Sami: <He's from Death City, dear.>

Max: <Oh! I have friends over there now!>

soul: <ah.>

Max: ^^;

soul: <maybe i have, maybe not. who knows.>

Max: <...Well, that was suitably cryptic.> ^^;

soul: *small wave*

Francoise: *opening a box* <Finally!> *pulls out a giant shield*

soul: ._. um....

Sami: <Franny collects weaponry for historical purposes--and combat training.>

Francoise: *poses with it* <How's it look?!>

Sami: =w= <Beautiful, dear.>

soul:

Francoise:

soul: ummmm....

Sami:

soul: D8> (WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN INTO?!)

-elsewhere-

*an assassin is on top of a building in Death City...their eyes narrow to follow a target*

Assassin: <Target spotted.>

*the target exits a grocery*

???: *pulls out a phone, dials* "...Izumi? It's Papa. Running a bit late."

izumi: are you alright?

Assassin: *holds up a red bow, aiming an energy arrow at him* <Steady...Ready...>

Spirit: "Yeah, sorry, the grocery was just more crowded than usual and is out of milk, so I'll need to make another stop."

izumi: ok. should i get started on dinner?

Spirit: "Sure thing! Let Cassidy know I did manage to find your mom a surprise dessert!"

*someone is walking down the sidewalk--and bumps into Spirit*

Assassin: *stops* <?!>

???: "Oh, dear--sorry, sir!" *is looking at a map* "I can't find anything around this city..."

Spirit: -_-; ("It's like Marie or something...") "No problem, buddy--where you heading?"

???: "I was trying to find 'Rest in Pizza'?"

Spirit: *points* "Around that corner."

???: *smiles* "Merci!" *hurriedly runs away*

Assassin: -_-# <Tourists...> *aims again--*

Spirit: *reaches into his pocket for his keys--then stops* "..." *rapid movements* "...Izumi? I'm going to be a little late--BECAUSE SOME ASSHOLE JUST PICKPOCKETED ME!"

???: *heads into an alley* "Hee hee hee!" *calls out* <Peppino! We are eating well tonight!>

peppino: <yay~!> ^w^

Vampa: <Indeed! So, I was thinking a large with cannolis--> *opens the wallet--and pulls out $400* ._. "...I was not expecting this much...Dude was loaded!"

peppino: *SQUEEE* <let's go somewhere fancy!>

Vampa: <Sounds good to me! We could-->

*tap tap on Vampa's shoulder*

Vampa: "???" *turns* "Oh? Do you have a recommendation?"

Spirit: OnO#

peppino: oxo;;;

Vampa: OwO;

Spirit: *slams Vampa into the wall, aiming his scythe blade at his forehead*

peppino: !!! *SHOVE*

Spirit: *turns on her* "You want some of this, too, thief?!"

peppino: !!! *ducks and covers* >~<;;;

Spirit: "..." *groans* "You petty thieves...Just give me my wallet, and I'll be on my way..."

*a laser dot appears on Vampa's forehead*

peppino: !!!!!!! *tackle*

Vampa: "?!"

*an energy arrow collides with the wall, obliterating it!*

Assassin: -_-#

peppino: >~<

Spirit: "What the hell--"

Assassin: <Actually hit him this time.>

bow: <oi, its not my fault that girl caught me off guard!>

Assassin: <Whatever.> *aims at Spirit--*

Spirit: "This is not my day. You two, get back--" *turns--and sees they both ran off already* "HEY! YOU DIDN'T EVEN LET ME BE HEROIC--"

Assassin: *releases the bowstring--*

Vampa: *pulling Peppino away* "What the hell was that back there?!"

peppino: i thought you were going to get shot!

Vampa: "Thanks for saving my butt back there! And I know how to get us out of here..."

Spirit: *dodging in the alley, before throwing a garbage can at the Assassin*

bow: <SHIT!>

Assassin: *blocks with the bow* <He's wily.>

Spirit: *running down the road* ("I need to get to my car and--") *checks his pocket* "...AGAIN?!"

*Spirit's car comes down the road*

peppino: *waves and blows a kiss* ^w^ bu-baaaai~

Spirit: D8< "THAT MOTHERF--"

*an energy blasts right by Spirit's ear*

Assassin: "Do not move, Red."

Spirit: "..." *holds his hands up*

bow: *shift* well look how high and mighty you are now, death scythe.

Spirit: "You're two to talk. What is this about? Please tell me I didn't make a pass at your sister or something..." -_-;

Assassin: "You posed a significant problem for us some time ago. The Crimson Lotus wants retribution. And eliminating one of Lord Death's soldiers is a start."

bow: *chuckles*

Spirit: "What? Oh, you mean when you two got your asses handed to you mere children? Yeah, that was pretty hilarious."

bow: *WHAM*

Spirit: *knocked to the sidewalk* *spits blood* "That was rude..."

Assassin: "Easy...I'm sure the boss would like this one alive..."

bow: nyeheheheh~

*a courier bike parks*

bow: eh?

Spirit: "...Well, I don't have a ride, but let me help with that--" *SCYTHE LEG SWEEP*

bow: WOAH!

Assassin: "?!"

Spirit: *tackles the Assassin, then flips them into the wall*

Assassin: "GRK!"

*the bicyclist looks up*

Ox: "?! Mr. Albarn?!"

Spirit: "Ox! I'm borrowing this!" *takes Ox's bike--and pedals off*

Ox: D8

bow: HEY YOU GET YO ASS BACK HERE, PUNK!

Assassin: *rubs their head* "Not so rusty for an old timer...Let's go." *leaps up to the rooftop, following Spirit*

-meanwhile-

Vampa: *leisurely driving* =w= "Nice wheels, eh?"

peppino: hmmhmm~ you knooooow~ i heard there was a 'lovers lane' not far from here~<3

Vampa: =\\\w\\\= "Oh ho ho~" *switches the radio to love songs...*

*thump on Peppino's window*

peppino: *looks* OxO;; ohhhhhh biscuits.

Spirit: *pedaling like a madman* "GIVE ME BACK MY CAR AND MY WALLET, YOU THIEVES!"

Vampa: "Hey! We stole this free and legally! Go harass actual criminals!"

Spirit: "OVER MY DEAD BODY!”

peppino: that can be arranged~<3

Spirit: "...Oh biscuits--"

-VERRRN-

Vampa: "Watch the wheel!"

*the car is pulled towards the bike, nearly colliding into Spirit*

Spirit: "!!!" *turns his feet into scythes, leaping off the bike to skid along building walls*

Hyde: *running a hot dog cart on the street with an umbrella* "That'll be five dollars--"

*SLICE*

*the umbrella is sliced by Spirit's feet*

Hyde: *a hot dog smashed into his face* =_=#

bow: LOL

Assassin: "Focus." *rooftop running* "We only need the Death Scythe--the thieves are expendable." *aims...*

Ox: *running over sidewalks, huffing and puffing* *calling on his cell* "Yeah! Two assassins! I--" *trips over the hot dog stand* "...Ow."

Vampa: *steadies the wheel--then glares at Peppino*

peppino: QAQ

Assassin: *aims at the hood of the car...*

Spirit: *reaches through the window--and leaps into the car, landing over Peppino and Vampa*

peppino: *SCREAM*

Vampa: "GET OFF OF ME!"

Assassin: *FIRES*

*the energy arrow hits the hood--and the car flips up and through the air, towards a familiar building...*

Vampa: *HIGH-PITCHED SCREAM*

Spirit: *slow-motion* "NOOOOOOOO--"

peppino: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

-meanwhile-

Lucy: *sitting in the Agency office* "Hmmm...Kenji, I can't figure out this crossword. The clue is 'blank blank goose.' Four letters. You got any ideas?"

*outside, Spirit's car is flipping through the air towards the window Kenji is looking out of*

naomi: DUCK!!

Lucy: "Oh! That fits..." *starts writing it down--*

Kenji: .w.; "...SIR!"

Fukuzawa: "..." *sighs* "Kunikida. Lucy. Kenji."

Lucy: *looks up* "?!"

Kunikida: "On it!" *grabs Naomi*

Fukuzawa: *stands in front of the oncoming car* "..."

*slow-motion, the car goes through the wall of the Agency...*

Vampa: "FUUUUUUUUUU--"

Fukuzawa: "..." *swiftly swings his blade, slicing the car down the center in half...*

Kenji: *catches the half with Peppino* "Hello!"

Lucy: *sends the other half with Vampa into Anne's Room*

-outside the door-

Kyoka: *walking to the door with Atsushi* "I hope there's work for us to do soon..."

atsushi: *opens the door*

Kunikida: *protecting Naomi from debris*

*the entire wall of the building is destroyed*

Spirit: *hanging from the ceiling, blades dug into the ceiling, his clothes sliced* Q_Q

atsushi:.....yep, just another normal day.

Kyoka: "...I'll get the dustpan."

Assassin: *across the street* "...You have to be kidding me. What rotten luck."

bow: awww maaaaan....

Assassin: <No way I'm going against Fukuzawa today. Let's head back to base.>

-elsewhere-

Vampa: *sitting at a tea set with Anne* O_o; "...Are you going to eat me?"

-elsewhere-

Asher: "Yo. What did your dad say?"

izumi: he mentioned getting dessert for mom.

Asher: "Seems to be taking his time--think he did something?"

izumi: i-im sure he's fine.

-elsewhere-

Spirit: *seated at a table in the police department--across from Vampa and Peppino, handcuffed to the table*

peppino: QAQ;;;;;

Vampa: "It's all a setup! It wasn't us! It was two people who look just like us! One of them, how do say it in English--'double gangers'! Two gangsters!"

Spirit: "..." *reaches into Vampa's pants*

peppino: D8<

Vampa: "HEY! NO TOUCHING WITHOUT DINNER FIRST--"

Spirit: *pulls out a wallet*

Vampa: "..." *sneers* "Good luck finding the money, mister--I kept that in my safe spot! HA!"

officer: ...

peppino: 7//w//7 nyehe~

Vampa: "See? She knows what I'm talkin' about--"

Spirit: *not looking up at them, looking through everything but the money pocket of the wallet* "You have kids?"

peppino: e-eh?

Vampa: "??? No? I mean, I don't think so?"

peppino: why do you care, mister?

Spirit: *opens his wallet, as a roll of photos falls out...they seem to be photos of a baby, then that same child a little older along 4, 10, and 13...then there are photos of another girl and her mother...*

peppino: these your kids?

Spirit: *nods* *points to the girl in most of the photos* "This is Maka. That's my daughter."

peppino: she doesnt look it.

Spirit: "...She takes after her mama, a bit."

peppino: can we get to the point of this now?

Spirit: *slams one hand onto the table--extending his blade*

peppino: OwO;;;;;;;;;;;

Vampa: "!!!"

Spirit: "These photos are some of all I have left of her! I hope you never have children, because I'd hate to see you running scared of losing what little you have left in your pathetic waste of a life! I don't give a shit about the damn money--keep it if you want!"

Vampa: "...Sweet! We earned a profit!"

Spirit: *FORMS ALL THE BLADES*

officer: MR ALBARN, please calm down!

Vampa: "EEP!" *struggles to put Peppino behind him as he shields her from Spirit*

peppino: ...*mutters* not like i could have any on my own anyway.....

Vampa: Q~Q

Spirit: "..." *knocks the chair back as he stands, picks up his wallet* "Enjoy collecting the evidence, officer--I have to go recycle my car for scrap metal!"

-elsewhere-

Stein: "I'll be back in about an hour--he asked me to pick him up." *picks up the keys* "The new paint job should get a reaction out of him."

valentine: just try not to scare him _too_ much.

Stein: "I promise, he will survive." *opens the doors, as a modified ambulance is parked in front of the Lab*

-elsewhere-

kazumi: *yaaaawn* im tired...

Umika: "But you had fun, right?"

kazumi: mmhmm! i want to get to experience more fun things like that.

-BANG BANG-

nico: !!!!

kaoru: what the heck?

Saki: "?!" *holds her whip*

-looks to be a fight between 3 magical girls and a 4th figure...-

souju: see? your demon collects magical girls as well! we arent any different from each other, right?

tsukasa: shut the hell UP ALREADY! *kicks her in the nose*

souju: GRK-

Tsukuyo: "Contain her!"

Demongo: "I'M TRYING!"

souju: hehehe~ my face is all bloody now...that's not very friendly~....*slashes behind her, bisecting airi anri, who then evaporates and returns to demongo*

mirai: what the hell?! t-that was-

nico: a wraith? no....this one seems....different...

tsukasa:...sis, we have company.

Tsukuyo: "Shit!"

Demongo: "...Lot of girls--dang. Is this a convention?"

tsukasa: dont get any funny ideas, stupid demon!

souju: ahh~! the pleadies saints! this is such an honor!

mirai: just who are you girls anyway?

Umika: "Looks dangerous...Summon weapons just in case?"

Saki: *nods*

nico: that girl just now, she was airi anri, wasnt she?

tsukasa: and what if she was?

kaoru: QUIT BEING SO CRYPTIC AND ANSWER THE QUESTION!

souju: *charges at tsukuyo*

Satomi: "?! Wait!" *tries to use her wand for protection*

Umika: "Damn it! Kazumi, stay behind me..."

Demongo: "HANDS OFF HER!" *summoning...*

akane sumire: *KICK*

souju: OOF!

akane sumire:.......

Satomi: "?!!! What on earth?!"

kaoru: !!! sumire-chan!

akane sumire: ..... *charges at them*

kaoru: sumire-chan stop! it's me, kaoru maki! we play soccer together!

-she doesnt reply-

nico: her eyes.....

kaoru:...*growls* WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HER?!

Tsukuyo: "Now may be a good time to make some distance..."

kaoru: why YOU!!! *charges*

kazumi: kaoru!

???: *GRAB*

kaoru: !!!

"Yuuri": *stares with dead eyes--aiming a gun at Kaoru's neck*

nico: !!

kazumi: NO!!

-kazumi then transforms and sends and energy blast-

souju: !!! GYAAHH!

Tsukuyo: "Maybe that'll shut her up."

-'yuuri' was also evaporated-

kaoru: holy shit, i thought i was seriously gonna die!

Umika: "What is going on?!" *glares at the twins*

souju: *unconscious, her magical girl outfit torn up*

Satomi: "Why did she attack? Who is she?"

souju: *her eyes snap open as she stands up* ....well....that's certainly annoying.....

Demongo: "WHY CAN'T SHE JUST DIE ALREADY?!"

Tsukuyo: "Quiet..."

tsukasa: (she seems....different somehow)

souju: *takes out a second soul gem and transforms*

mirai: ?!?!?!

kaoru: what?

souju: allow me to introduce myself proper. my name is Luca Souju. im sure you're all well acquainted with my twin sister, Ayase.

Tsukuyo: "?! Sis...What the hell..."

tsukasa: but...ayase told us...you died....

luca: yes. it's true that my physical body died in infancy. however, my soul continued to live on in ayase's body as a 'secondary conscious' of sorts. It's said that twins are one soul in two bodies, well our situation is reversed; two souls in one body.

tsukasa: one soul.....

Tsukuyo: "...Then we have to contain this second soul, too."

luca: now, with all due respect. please die. *charges*

Demongo: "Hoo boy..." *tries to summon--*

kaoru: *ATTACKS*

tsukasa: oh shit- RETREAT!

Tsukuyo: "Damn it!" *grabs Demongo* "Come on!"

Demongo: O_O;

luca: ....

kaoru: GET BACK HERE!!

Umika: "Kaoru! Focus before--"

luca: ......*looks at kazumi* you. you've lost your memory, right?

kazumi: eh? w-well....

luca:....go to the museum of the teddy bears. you'll find the answer in the basement. *flees*

Satomi: "Get back here!"

kazumi: .....

Umika: "...Kazumi? Do you know what she meant?"

mirai: museum of the teddy bears....ah! does she mean angelica bears?

Satomi: "Probably our best lead?"

Saki: "..." *nods*

-elsewhere-

Lucy: *directing Anne* "Okay, set the wall over there..."

Kenji: *picking up debris in the office*

Kyoka: "That sounds like quite a mess..."

sylvia: s-scary...

Fukuzawa: "This is why we have contingency plans in case of any attacks on the office."

atsushi: ...

Kunikida: *holds up a binder* "Multiple plans." *hands one to Atsushi*

atsushi: *looks* fire...flood...... ._. geese?

Dazai: "Sharp tooth-filled feathery monsters." *munching on chips in the corner*

-elsewhere-

kazumi:.....

kaoru: what do you think we're going to find?

mirai: i dont know, i just have the deed to the building!

Satomi: "Sh-Should we be in here?"

kazumi:.....i think we have to...

Satomi: *sighs...nods* "Where do we start exploring?"

nico: she said the basement....

Satomi: *takes out a flashlight*

mirai: *opens the door leading to the basement* well....here goes....

Umika: *follows...sniffs* "Ugh--really dank..."

-they head down the stairs, that seem to go on endlessly-

Satomi: "It's like something out of a horror painting...Like Esher..."

-soon, they reach a corridor-

Umika: "Cover our bases..." *takes position before they open the door...*

kaoru: *defensive stance*

Satomi: "!!! What the hell..."

kazumi: *eyes wide in shock* w..wha.....

-there is a lab.....with several incubator machines containing copies of kazumi-

Umika: "My God..."

Satomi: *looks around...spots a set of photos on a desk*

kaoru: mirai, did you know-

mirai: of course not!

kazumi: *collapses to her knees, stunned*

Satomi: *picks up one photo* "Wait...I know this...Michiru..."

mirai: ?!?! what?

nico: why would there be a photo of her here?

kazumi:....mi....mi....

kaoru:....well, i guess we should explain.....

Satomi: *looks back and forth between the photo and Kazumi* "...Y-Yeah..."

{Umika: *dials on her phone...*}

{???: yes?}

{Umika: "Hello? It's me, Umika Misaki? I had sent my manuscript to you and--"}

{???: yes yes, how can i help-}

{Umika: "Why was my novel under someone else's name?!"}

{???: ah, miss misaki! good to hear from you! when can we look forward to your next work?}

{Umika: "..." *drops the phone* "...Some idol..." *falls back in her chair, next to a book review, praising some idol credited for writing _her_ novel*}

-...-

{kaoru: nnngh....huh? wha...what happened?}

{Nurse: "You're awake..." *sets down a chart, holds a flashlight to one of Kaoru's eyes*}

{kaoru: ...}

{Nurse: "Do you remember what happened? Do you feel any pain in your legs? Do you need more pain reliever?"}

{-the sound of footsteps are heard-}

{Nurse 2: "Clear the way!"}

{*someone is attached to the gurney being run in*}

{kaoru: what's going on out there?}

{Nurse: "...You were in a soccer game with that girl..."}

{kaoru: !!}

{Nurse: "You collided in your match, breaking your legs...They found your opponent int he bathroom when she...tried to..."}

{kaoru:.....ah-.....*sobs*}

-...-

{mrs usagi: happy birthday, satomi!}

{Satomi: OwO "Yay! What do I get?"}

{cat: mii!}

{Satomi: *tiny gasp* "Kitty..."}

{cat: *hops into her arms* mii! ^w^}

{Satomi: *hugging and petting* "Awww, you're so cute!"}

{cat: *nuzzles and purrs*}

{Satomi: *opens the front door*}

{sare: *laying motionless on the floor*}

{Satomi: "??? Sare? ..."}

{-...-}

{vet: im sorry, there's not much we can do now...}

{Satomi: *covering her face* "I did this...If I had paid more attention..."}

-...-

{mirai: *sitting in class* .....}

{Classmate: *talking to another student* "Let's check out the new crepes at the bakery!"}

{mirai:....(who needs them. as long as i have my teddies, im fine!)}

{Classmate 2: "Sounds good!" *bumps into Mirai's desk* "Ugh--hey, four eyes, can't you ever put your desk in the right spot?!"}

{Classmate: *staring at Mirai's teddy bear* >_>; }

{mirai: s-sorry.......*holds her bear close*}

{Classmate: "Aren't you a little old for stuffed animals?"}

{-...-}

{mirai: *sewing her bear's arm* stupid classmates......i....*weeps* i want friends....}

-…-

{niko: *laughs* over here!}

{Neighbor: "Slow down! I need to catch up!"}

{neighbor 2: you'll never catch me, coppers! *laughs*}

{Neighbor: "Oh no you don't!"}

{niko: bang!}

{Neighbor: *fake scream* "Eeek!"}

{niko: BANG!}

{-BANG-}

{Neighbor: "?!!"}

{*it sounds like something shattered*}

{niko: ah-}

{???: what was- !! NIKO! WHERE DID YOU GET THIS?!}

{Neighbor: "!!!" *runs away*}

{niko: *trembling as she drops the gun* i....i didnt.....}

{???: "Call an ambulance!"}

-...-

{???: big sis look!}

{???: "Oh--what's this that you've found?"}

{-the girl holds up a lily of the valley flower-}

{???: isnt it pretty, saki?}

{Saki: "Oh so incredibly..."}

{???: when i grow up, i want to have lots of pretty flowers like this so i can have a bouquet for when i get married!}

{Saki: "Aww, but I find it hard to believe there's someone out there good enough for someone as amazing as you!"}

{???: hmm... *hug* then i'll marry you, saki! >w<}

{Saki: ^^; *hug*}

{-...-}

{-in the remnants of an accident, the girl lays on the ground, glass lodged in her throat as she chokes-}

{???: someone! get help!}

{Saki: "M...M-Miyuki..."}

-...-

{-the girls stand at a bridge-}

{kaoru:.....}

{mirai: *holding her bear*}

{niko: *holding a newspaper article on the shooting*}

{Saki: *holding the lily*}

{Umika: *holding a manuscript*}

{Satomi: *holding a cat toy*}

{-before they can jump, a magical net seems to catch them-}

{Satomi: "?!"}

{kaoru: !!! wha- what was i just....?}

{???: *phew* that was a close one. you girls just sit tight while i take care of this bad boy.}

{-a young woman in a witch's outfit appears-}

{Umika: "What...What are you?"}

{???: a magical girl. *leaps up to fight the wraith that has appeared*}

{Satomi: "A...Magical?"}

{Saki: "How does someone do that?"}

{-...-}

{???: perhaps i should introduce myself, my name is Michiru Kazusa.}

{kaoru: that was so awesome! you beat that...whatever it was like paper!}

{Umika: 'What was that thing, exactly? A demon?"}

{michiru: a wraith. a creature that brings misery and suffering...}

{mirai: that...it tried to kill us!}

{Saki: "Th-Thanks for not letting us get killed?"}

{michiru: of course.}

{kaoru: if things like that exist, then we need to stop them!}

{Umika: *still holding her manuscript* "..." *nods*}

{niko: but where can we even start?}

{michiru: you've heard of the incubator gardens, right?}

{mirai: i think so?}

{michiru: you can become a magical girl there, as well as have a wish granted.}

{kaoru: for real?!}

niko: she was the one who helped us form the pleadies saints.

mirai:.....she was almost a second mom to us.

Saki: *looks downcast* "Until..."

kaoru:.....

Umika: "...When she passed away...."

niko: *looking through notes left behind*

kazumi: *unable to speak*

niko: ?? i think i found something.

Umika: "??? What is it?" *looks*

Saki: "!!! These papers mention Michiru..."

-michiru came by again today. we decided to go to the natural history museum for a while. i swear, her smile could light up a room. she told me she got a report from the doctors this morning. the tests came back negative. i was heartbroken for her. she really wanted to start a family, and so did i. i promised her that i would find a way. ~Kazuhito Asakura-

Umika: *tenses up* "...You mean...They..."

mirai: i didnt know she had a boyfriend.

niko: *skimming notes*

-she's gone. this evening she stumbled into the lab in terrible shape. i tried to get medical help, but her wounds were too severe.-

*it looks like there are dry tear stains on the paper*

-if soul gems really are connected to souls, maybe there's a way to save her using the clones. if i can find a way to do a transfer-

Saki: "Wh-What is he talking about? 'Clones'? Soul gem transfer?!"

-test 1; failure-

-test 2; failure-

-test 3; failure-

Satomi: "Th-This is insane--this is too much..."

mirai: i think im gonna be sick....

-test 13; i think i succeeded. i'll name her 'kazumi'-

*the rest of the notes are torn out*

kazumi: ah.....ah......

Umika: "Ka-Kazumi...It's going to be okay..."

kaoru: where even is this guy- whoever he is....

???: im afraid that wont be needed.

Saki: "!!!" *spins around, weapon ready*

souju: dr asakura has been dealt with already, my benefactor made sure of that~

Umika: "Everyone, arm yourself!"

souju: *hits a button, causing the incubator machines to open and release the other clones*

Clones: *groan...*

kazumi: *shaking*

clone: KREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Saki: "!!!" *blocks*

kaoru: shit!

Umika: "Don't let that fiend get away!" *aims at Souju*

clone: *lunges at kazumi*

Satomi: "!!!" *attacks the clone*

kaoru: *picks kazumi up* come on!

Satomi: "..." *tries to reach for papers on the desk--*

-elsewhere-

izumi: ....

*the front door opens*

izumi: *looks up*

Spirit: *enters, staring down at a set of photos in his hands*

izumi: welcome home.

Spirit: "H-Hi..." *his tie is loosened, he looks like a mess* "I'm sorry I couldn't pick up everything..."

sachiko: what on earth happened?!

Spirit: "...We better sit down. C-Can I get some water?"

-and so-

Spirit: "--then I told the police."

izumi:.....

Spirit: "I'm speaking with Lord Death in the morning."

-elsewhere-

Kro: *flipping through pages of a sketchbook* "And this is of our HQ! And this is of my neighbor's parrot! And this is of a bowl of fruit--"

Black Star: TT~TT ("The one guy who speaks English here...")

Kro: *flips a page to a giant multi-eye monster*

tsubaki: !!!

Kro: "Oh! This is what the victim reported seeing before their eyes went--" *passes a hand over his face back and forth* "--blind. Wild, right?"

tsubaki: *looks at black*star*

Black Star: "FINALLY--SOMETHING WE CAN FIGHT! Where'd that monster go?!"

Sang: *covering his ears* ^^; <"He's certainly energetic...>

tsubaki: <that's one way to put it.> ^^;

Kro: "Oh! Um..." *flips through paperwork, all covered in doodles* "Ah! Bong had encountered the monster in an alley off of Jung-gu at the Dongdaemun Vegetable Market--"

Black Star: "WE'RE ON OUR WAY!" *runs...then walks back in* "Which way is that?"

tsubaki: -.-;

-elsewhere-

kabo: y'all got plans for the summer?

camie: malibu, baby!

Inasa: "Awesome! You going to get some TRAINING done for our LICENSES?!"

camie: yeaaaah that too! ^^;

Seiji: =_= "You both should take this seriously--or you'll never get your licenses at this rate." *bites into his burger*

camie: =3= mood killer.

Inasa: "AW, HE'S JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE HE CARES!"

kabo: sure has a funny way of showing it.

Seiji: "No, I'm serious--I doubt either of you will get your license with the way you're carrying on."

Inasa: QwQ; "Ouch, buddy."

camie: i bet that rock's gonna make a fine diamond when it comes out.

Inasa: "??? I don't get it."

Seiji: -_-; "Kabo, what will you be doing?"

kabo: im gonna be helping my fam out with the farm.

Nagamasa: "How is your family doing?"

kabo: we're doing pretty well. weather's been nice.

Inasa: "What's in season? You got peppers?"

kabo: yep, plus we got zucchinis for ma's famous zucc pie!

Inasa: "YOU HAVE TO MAKE SOME FOR US BEFORE YOU LEAVE US BEHIND!"

Seiji: *hair blown back* ._.

-elsewhere-

*it's nighttime in Seoul...the downtown area is starting to disperse as people head home...*

*one woman is walking with her service dog*

Black Star: "IT'S THIS WAY, RIGHT?!"

tsubaki: not so loud...

Black Star: "Sorry--just wanted to see what was there to find a clue--"

*BUMP*

Woman: <Ow!> *knocked over*

tsubaki: ah! <sorry!>

Woman: <Ow...That really hurt...>

Black Star: "Hey, watch where you're going next time!"

Woman: "... ... ...What the hell did you just say to me?"

tsubaki: oh.

Dog: *helps her up*

Black Star: "... ... ..." *light bulb* ._.; "Oh shit--sorry!"

Woman: "Yeah, thanks a lot--OW!" *she has a cut along her arm*

tsubaki: ah! you're hurt!

Woman: "Ah, it must have been when I fell over..."

tsubaki: *taking a mini med-kid out of her bag*

Dog: *kneels down next to her*

Woman: "Do you have a bandage?"

tsubaki: here...

Woman: "Ah, thank you, ma'am..." *applies the bandage* "Bae, the groceries?"

Bae (the Dog): "WOOF!" *picks up the bag*

Black Star: " 'Bae'? Ha! That's funny!" *pets Bae*

Woman: -_-# "Could you not pet my dog while she's on duty?"

Bae: *growls*

tsubaki: ^^;

Bae: *barks--and runs into the alley*

Woman: "?! Bae! What is it?"

tsubaki: ah! *follows*

Black Star: "!!!" *picks the woman up* "I am really sorry about running into you, Miss--"

Woman: "Chul. Don't you know how to follow directions?"

Black Star: "I know where I'm going! Why don't you--...Oh, nevermind! Wait here..." *runs into the alley*

Bae: *chasing after something*

tsubaki: here bae! *whistles*

Bae: *corners something under a dumpster* "BARK BARK--"

*CRASH*

Bae: *knocked into a wall*

tsubaki: !!! *runs over to her*

Bae: *struggling to get up--before something whips at her leg...something covered in eyeballs*

tsubaki: !!!!!!

Bae: "WOOF!" *bites into the whip--ripping it off*

???: *inhuman scream, before it reveals itself, sliding along one snail-like tail...a giant creature, covered in eyeballs, just like Kro's drawing*

tsubaki:....*blade arm*

Eye Creature: *gurgles, its eyes shifting all over...*

*Tsubaki's eyes start to glow...as her vision starts going dark*

tsubaki: *SCREAMS*

*two new eyes start to form along the Eye Creature's body--*

*SLAM*

*Tsubaki's vision is restored*

tsubaki: ah!

Black Star: "TAKE THAT!" *slammed a dumpster on top of the Eye Creature*

Bae: *holding the Creature's tentacle in its mouth* "RAUR?" *head tilt*

tsubaki: black*star!

Black Star: "Hey! I caught the monster--"

*an eye-tentacle whips out, grabbing Black Star by the ankles and swinging him around*

Black Star: "WAAAAAAAH!"

-SLASH-

Black Star: *lands against the alley wall* "Thanks, Tsubaki! Let's kick this thing's ass--" *kicks the dumpster--revealing a giant slimy hole underneath it...and no creature* ._.

tsubaki:....

-elsewhere-

Sami: <Will you be needing anything else before beddy-bye time? Some sleepytime tea?> *literally tucking Soul into bed*

soul: =~=;

Francoise: <Stop babying the boy, Sami! You! Go to bed!>

Sami: ^^; <Good night, Mr. Evans!>

soul: <good night.>

Sami: *turns off the lights*

Francoise: *slams the door behind them*

soul:..... (well this has been a weird day.)

*phone vibrates on the nightstand*

soul: *checks*

Blair: {they're so cute >w< } *photo attached of the kids asleep on the couch*

soul:...*smile*

-morning-

-it looks a little damp outside, like it rained a bit-

Izuku: *jogging*

jirou: sup, midoriya.

Izuku: "Oh, Jirou--hello! You're getting an early start!"

jirou: guess so.

Izuku: ^^; "Sorry--just trying to keep my training up before the summer trip."

jirou: yeah, thats like, any day now.

Izuku: *nods* "I had to finish shopping from online purchases after--...Well, after." *slight shiver*

-elsewhere-

Asher: "Thanks for the alternative ride this morning, Mrs. Albarn."

sachiko: no problem. you got your lunch all packed?

izumi: yes, mom.

Asher: *holds up a bag*

-elsewhere-

Gen: =_= "...I try to run a nice clean facility..."

Spirit: *crying over the remains of his car, scattered all over Gen's workshop*

Gen: "And you ruin that for me. Why."

Spirit: *sobbing*

hakuno: come on, albarn, suck it up!

Spirit: "My baby! Those crazy assassins and damn thieves ruined my baby! Please, re-build it!"

lord death: *ahem*

Spirit: Q~Q *wipes his nose* "R-Right..." *clears his throat* "The police identified the two thieves as two-bit hoodlums, but the assassin definitely was from that Crimson group."

lord death: hmm...

Gen: *examining a sliced fender* "Gee, no wonder you couldn't out-run them in this old jalopy--"

Spirit: OnO#

Gen: *whistles innocently* >_>;

Spirit: "But why would they target me--I'm lovable!"

hakuno: -.-;

lord death: given the position of power death scythes have, it would make sense they would be targeted by an enemy faction.

Spirit: "But to kill me? That's a bit much for some assassins to show themselves!"

hakuno: ....

Gen: "Things are getting more desperate after those Kishin people showed up. Everyone's skittish--and thinks they can make a power play."

-elsewhere-

*there is a dungeon...*

Twice: *walks up to the jail bars with a tray of food* "Mornin', sunshine~!"

Queen: *locked in the cell, emaciated, bandages on her arms* "..."

Twice: "Hey, Banshee--take a break, it's my watch."

Queen: *growls*

banshee: *nods and exits*

Dabi: *standing in the hallway, looking irritated*

banshee:.....?

Dabi: "...It's quieter here than the noise upstairs with those loons."

banshee: i suppose so.

Dabi: "...I finished errands. Your meal is in the fridge."

banshee: thank you.

Dabi: "..." *grunts, goes back to leaning against the wall*

Twice: *heard yelling inside the dungeon* "No, you're supposed to _eat_ with the fork!" *pokes his head outside--with the fork jabbed in his forehead* "Dabi, be a dear and help? THAT'S AN ORDER!"

-elsewhere-

mirai: .......

Umika: *carrying a tray of food* "...You eaten yet? I was hoping to get Kazumi to eat..."

mirai: saki got me some french toast.

Umika: "..." *nods* "Okay. Please try to be patient with Kazumi--this is a lot of information to take in."

kaoru: no kidding, i mean, if i were in her situation....

Satomi: *overhearing from the hall before she steps in* "All we can do is be supportive and listen to her--it'd be more useful than just sitting around."

-elsewhere-

Saria: "Morning! Was that your mother dropping you two off?"

izumi: yep.

Kanin: "He was crying and saying something about 'my darling red and sleek baby.'"

izumi: ^-^; yeah, his car... it got kinda totaled.

lei-lei: golly! i hope he's alright!

Asher: "He was pretty shaken up."

Axel: "Did someone say a mechanic?" *pulls out a wrench*

-elsewhere-

Anya: *in outback attire and carrying a giant bug net* "I am ready to confront the Australian wilderness." *swing swing*

mio: Q-Q

Meme: "Relax, we're not even out of the airport! It's not like there's some wildlife already--"

*a crocodile is sitting in the back of a Jeep to pick them up*

crocodile: yo.

Anya: *smug look* "Don't you hate being wrong all the time?"

ao: i dont know, dont you hate having a spider in your hair?

Anya: *LOUD SCREAM, rips off her hat, smacking it against the side of the Jeep*

ao: made you look~ ^^

Anya: OnO#

Meme: ._.; "Um...We were expecting a ride to see Miss Mjolnir?"

driver: hop on in.

tsugumi: so no one is gonna acknowledge that the crocodile just spoke?............no one?..........just me?.........ok then.

-elsewhere-

Iida: "Forward, forward! The bell will ring shortly!"

Bakugo: "Jeez, the stick up your butt must be extra rigid today..."

Iida: "THAT IS A LIE AND YOU KNOW IT!"

kaminari: *snicker*

Izuku: *runs into the room*

Eijiro: "Morning!"

Aizawa: *already in the classroom...asleep*

ochako: im here! *coming in through the window* my alarm clock broke.

Mina: "Wow, swinging in like Spider-Girl! Training must be paying off!"

tsuyu: *also comes in through a window*

*tick tick--DING*

Aizawa: *bolts up awake* "In your seats."

-everyone's seated-

Aizawa: "We're finishing up your training camp route. Be present at 5 AM, as we're leaving bright and early...So early..."

*the blackboard behind him has a chart on it*

Aizawa: "This also should prepare you for your daily training schedule--" *he taps the blackboard--and the electronic portion lists a daily schedule--including one marked "REMEDIAL" with the names of Mina, Eijiro, and others*

kaminari: owo;

Eijiro: "Aw, man..."

Mineta: OnO# "WHY AM I LISTED?! I DIDN'T FAIL THE EXAM--SERO DID!"

Sero: "Hey!"

Aizawa: "I can answer that..." *disappears behind the desk, and a grunting sound is heard*

ochako: ??

Aizawa: *lifts up a very heavy binder folder labeled "WHAT MINETA DID"*

Mineta: ._.

jirou: *almost falls out of her seat*

Mineta: "B-But I still passed the exam!"

Aizawa: "Yes, you did. And yet the complaints keep coming in about conduct. Need I remind you of the Sports Festival? Or the locker room incident?"

tsuyu: let's not forget last thursday.

Aizawa: "...I don't have a record of last Thursday." *pulls out stationery and pen*

Mineta: Q_Q *trying to inch out of the room*

jirou: you stay and face your crimes, coward.

Mineta: "..." *sighs* *turns, faces the class* "Part of being a hero is having the courage to face your fears."

Izuku: "Aw, Mineta..."

Mineta: "The other part IS KNOWING WHEN TO RUN FOR SAFETY!" *bolts*

Aizawa: *flings his scarves* "New assignment--capture the coward."

tsuyu: way ahead of you.

ochako: omae wa mou shindeiru.

-meanwhile-

Shinso: *walking down the hall--*

Iida: "GET BACK HERE!"

Mineta: "NEVER!" *runs by Shinso*

Shinso: "... ... ..."

ochako: dont just stand there, get him!

Shinso: "..."

Mineta: *cornered in the other hall, turns, runs back--*

Shinso: "..." *holds out his foot--*

-le trip-

Mineta: *slow-motion* "NOOOOOOOOOO--" *face-plant*

jirou: time to pay for your crimes.

Shinso: <What did he do this time? Is this about the fly paper and rubberbands?>

Mineta: D8 "SPARE ME, JIROU! REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES WE HAD TOGETHER!"

jirou:.....you know what, i've thought about it....

Mineta: 8D

jirou: and i've decided....im going to destroy you twice as hard now.

Mineta: Q_Q

Aizawa: "I said capture, not 'destroy.'"

-what occurred next was far too heinous to depict here-

Aizawa: ._.;;;; ("Oh, the principal is going to rip me for this one...")

Shinso: "..." *tilts his head*

Mineta: *horrifying shriek*

-elsewhere-

Customer: "--and I don't appreciate people like you showing up where I live! This used to be a nice community before your kind showed up!"

Cashier: *has a Quirk* =_= "Sir, this is a Death Mart."

mitsuki: *checking the wine rack and humming*

Inko: "Mitsuki?"

mitsuki: oh hey girl!

Inko: ^^ "Hello! How's it going?"

mitsuki: oh the usual. and yourself?

Inko: "The same. I was trying to find something for Izuku's workout diet. How's Katsuki?"

mitsuki: oh, you know how he gets. ^^; *mutters* beingalittleshit...

Inko: "Oh dear...I was worried after Izuku mentioned their last exam...It sounded far too violent." T~T

Customer: "IF I HAD A FACE LIKE THAT, YOU MUTATED FREAK, I'D STAY HOME!"

Cashier: =_=#

mitsuki: ! you got a problem with quirks, buddy?!

Customer: "I got a problem with ones that turn people ugly! This asshole didn't give me the right change--probably because his stupid eyes are on either side of his head."

Cashier: *blinks in annoyance*

Inko: "...Well, it takes all kinds, _sir_."

Customer: "Did anyone ask you two old hags?"

mitsuki: HOW ABOUT WE TAKE THIS OUTSIDE, BUDDY?!

Customer: "Well, Dad raised me never to hit a woman--too bad I don't see any here!"

Inko: "... ... ..." *sets her purse down in her shopping cart*

mitsuki: you know what's gonna happen if you dont shut up, im going to punch my fist through your teeth, down your throat, grab you by the BALLS and PULL YOU INSIDE THE FUCK OUT!

Customer: "Probably the only action you've gotten in the last year."

Inko: *rolls up a sleeve...*

mitsuki: WHY YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT!!

Manager: "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to--"

Customer: *swings his fist towards the manager*

-WHA-BAM-

Inko: =_=# "Some people nowadays are so inconsiderate, aren't they?"

mitsuki: *has the customer in a chokehold*

Customer: *high-pitch squeak* "Ow! Let me go, please! Owie owie owie!"

Inko: "Hold him still, Mitsuki--I don't want to have to deal another one..."

Manager: ._. "..." *dials the cops*

-elsewhere-

Black Star: "AND IT WAS SUPER GROSS--EYES EVERYWHERE!"

tsubaki: ^^;

Physician: =_=# <It is really pathetic that you two needed a dog to procure this sample from the creature...> *keeps it under glass* <Where did the dog even disappear to?>

tsubaki: <they left before you got here...>

Black Star: ._. "???"

Sang: <What a shame--we really could have gotten more information.> *smiles, pats Physician's back* <Good thing we have an excellent forensics team! I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of this!>

Physician: =_=#

Sang: <Why don't you two see the town? It would help to acclimate yourself.>

tsubaki: that sounds like a good idea.

Black Star: "Yeah! Let's go find that blob monster in the sewers!" *has not heard of word of this in Korean*

Kro: "Oh! I can give you the tour!"

-elsewhere-

Vortex Cafe Master: "We heard the crash all the way down here...An entire car, through your window?"

Kunikida: =_=

cafe master's wife: did anyone get hurt?

Kunikida: "No, thank goodness. Our team was able to stop the vehicle."

Lucy: =_=

atsushi: and the consultation office was nice enough to offer their office temporarily while we do repairs.

Kenji: "Their plants are so friendly!" ^w^

*the cafe door opens*

Cervantes: "GOOD DAY!"

frances: hello dears~

Kunikida: *nods* "Ms. Burnett."

Kenji: "Hiya! Did you finish watering already?"

frances: indeed i have, young kenji. *looks at the cafe master* i'll have my usual please. *hands him the money*

Master: *smiles* "Right away." *begins brewing*

-elsewhere-

Blair: "AW, YOU LOOK SO ADORABLE IN YOUR UNIFORMS!"

Damon: ._.

becky: -_-; did dad approve this?

Blair: "He wanted you to have a busy and productive summer! I heard the Death Scouts do all neato activities! First aid, weaving, build campfires..."

becky:....i guess i've always wanted to do scouts. 7.7;

Damon: "I was hoping to stay indoors and read?"

Blair: "You can read the Scout Guidebook--" *pulls out a pocket-size book*

Damon: "???" *opens it* "Oh, a bug guide!"

-elsewhere-

Chuuya: *fanning himself* "I just want to figure out something to keep busy, you know?"

naoya: i feel ya.

Chuuya: "And with the girls, that's a challenge, to keep them occupied, you know? It feels like I haven't had a night off..."

naoya: i could look after them for a day if you'd like.

Chuuya: "Oh, that'd help--thanks! What would you like to do with them--anywhere you'd want to go?"

naoya: i could take them to the zoo or mephyland or something.

Chuuya: "Not bad choices--although I'll have to ask Sonia first...That clown on the Mephyland logo is creepy."

-elsewhere-

stocking: zzzz....

Kid: *holds her, gently rubbing her shoulder*

stocking: *nuzzles up to him* =///w///=

Kid: *yawns* "Love you..."

stocking: hmhm~ ^^

Kid: "Want to just stay in bed?"

stocking: yus.

Kid: *smiles* "I love summer breaks..." *nuzzle*

stocking: mmmm~<3

Kid: *kisses her shoulder*

-elsewhere-

#death city days

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