#im gonna take a notebook but when's the last time i really drew anything

[yourknightinshiningplastic]

I'm dying in here.

[kafka-ish]

coward | s.u.

y/n, bold and beautiful, is now second guessing herself when she finds herself skinny dipping with stan uris 

word count: 2.5k

warnings/included: fluff, steamy-ish, exhibitionism, fem!reader

request: (from anon) “could i have a request where the reader is v v v flirty with stan and one day he says something really dirty even richie's shocked. it’s fine if not.” 

a/n: i accidentally changed it bc i misread ur request im so so sorry !!! also if u noticed i haven’t written in awhile it’s bc my classes started up again so fics may take more time to write/post -- hope u understand <3

-

What came out of y/n’s mouth next truly shocked Stanley.

“Wanna go skinny dipping?” It wasn’t far off from whatever usually spewed from her mouth that she and the rest of the Losers had a hard time controlling.

His mind flashed to all the times y/n’s hand grazed his: the light touches, the silent stares, the whispers that tickled his ears and kissed his brain.

“Next year for Halloween, you should be Stan without a shirt.”  

The hearts she drew on his notebook when he wasn’t looking, the hand she held in hers, the what-are-we’s before giggling in his wonderstruck face that she was joking; it was all a sign of want that he’d been too dense to see before.

“You’re great, you know. Great at being an asshole.”

Sweet, mischievous y/n; always blunt, always careless of what others thought of her. It never occurred to Stan of what she thought of him.

Richie was the first to speak up, Stan still having to catch his breath from the promiscuous words that left her mouth seconds ago. “Sure, toots, I’d love to see what’s under that suit of yours. God, you don’t know how much I hate that thing.” He laughed and Stan wanted to beat the shit-eating grin off his shit-eating friend. His jaw, pronounced and square, tightened and Richie saw. “On second thought, I think someone else would enjoy the view way more.”

Another laugh came from the group, but it wasn’t from Richie. It was y/n’s. The soft giggle leaving her luscious lips did nothing to calm Stan.

“Are you jealous, Stanley?” She asked. A smirk sat on her lips. She only called him by his full name when she teased him.

He definitely felt like he was being thrown a bone only to find out the pitcher never threw one right now.

“Of course not.” Stan gave her the side-eye, readjusting his position from the rock he sat on while doing so. “I can’t think of any situation where I’d be jealous of Richie.”

“Oh yeah?” Richie challenged and Stan squinted at him.

“Yeah.”

“I can think of one—multiple, actually.” Richie wore the same smirk as y/n—only his was less digestible. Maybe it was because y/n was less insufferable to be around, or because she didn’t take a crack at his religion every chance she had, or because her hair was soft and shiny on her head and something Stan wished he could run his hands through. Maybe it was because y/n was a girl, or because she was pretty and the way she batted her eyelashes made him see stars even in the sunlight.

“When?”

Richie leaned in and whispered something that was totally vulgar and jarring to Stan’s ears.

Stan flinched—unsurprised that his friend was ballsy enough to say such a thing, but because what if he had actually thought about doing such a thing?

“Gross, Ruh-Ruh-Richie!” Bill yelled from across the quarry, already knowing what his friend would say.

“Yeah. You’re disgusting,” Eddie said from next to him while he looked up at Bill.

“Ruh-lax. It’s not like it’s something I’m gonna do.” Richie opened a new can of Keystone Light next to his already half-drunken one. “I got freedom of thoughts though, right?” He winked and Ben rolled his eyes.

“If you already have a drink open you should finish it,” Stan instructed, ignoring the subject at hand.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist.” y/n sounded closer than she was before. Her arm brushed up against his and he thought she was about to hold his hand until her fingers grazed just past his to grab his can of beer. She took a sip. “Besides, it all ends up somewhere.”

She could be so careless with her actions. But this was the same girl who made sure paper and plastic went to recycling, the total opposite of Stan, a total enigma.

“I just think, if you want another one, you should finish the one you already have.” Stan explained himself clearly and concisely. It was something y/n always admired. She never got tired of hearing him talk—she could listen to him talk for hours on end.

“Whatever.” Her eyes rolled so far he’d thought they’d get stuck. “I’m going home. “Later, Losers.”

“Wuh-what about the sk-skinny dipping?” Bill asked and Ben elbowed him. He wasn’t yet comfortable in his body, though he had been on Derry High’s track team for a year and a half and lost a fair amount of weight (twenty-two pounds), he still wasn’t comfortable in his own skin (he didn’t think he’d ever be)—even around his best friends—friends he considered family.

“We can do it tomorrow.” y/n shrugged. “Sound good to you, Stanley?” Her eyes were only focused on him and Stan knew that. They glowered under the sun’s harsh rays and fixated on his figure.

“I don’t know.” Stan tried to sound as monotone as possible. “Maybe you should be asking Richie instead.”

At that, y/n smiled, leaving the rest of the group confused as she walked away.

“Duh-dude!” What wuh-was that?” Bill wondered aloud, astounded how y/n had him wrapped around her finger—or maybe it was the other way around.

“If I knew, I would tell you,” Stan said, holding the same shock in his voice.

“Are you and y/n like—”

“No!” The sharpness of Stan’s tongue cut Ben off quickly with a harsh glare he’d later apologize for. But it would be a lie to say that he didn’t want something with y/n. Another lie, that Stan would keep to himself, would be that he didn’t anticipate the events that were to come for tomorrow…

“Hey, stranger!” It was y/n from down below. She was already wading in the water—waiting for him, presumably.

“Hey, y/n/n.” He started for the long way down, not caring to cannon-ball ten feet down from the cliff of the quarry today. “Where’s Bill and Bev and Mike and Ben and—”

“—and Richie?” A beam shot across y/n’s face as soon as Stan met her eye line.

“And Richie,” Stan mumbled. That was the only thing he’d been worried about. Although he knew there was nothing about his trashmouth friend to worry about. But it was always best to stay skeptical.

“I told them not to come.” y/n said this with such nonchalance—such grace as she tilted her head into the water and drifted back, letting the water carry her away as if she were weightless.

“Why,” Stan asked, though it came out as more of a demand.

“Because.” y/n shrugged, but you couldn’t really shrug while you were trying to stay afloat. He noticed that her eyes were closed, and her bathing suit was still on. Maybe she was lying about skinny dipping and he had worked himself up last night over nothing. y/n was like that—making promises she never intended to fulfill. If it weren’t for y/n being, well, y/n, Stan might’ve been annoyed at her antics. But he wasn’t—far from it, even. He was infatuated with her being—clothed or not, enraptured with how sunshine she could be one hour and rain she could be the next.

Math and English were an easy feat—but trying to understand y/n was like trying to learn Mandarin blind and deaf.

Her curves spilled from the bikini bottoms that hugged her butt and the matching top she wore hugged her bust exceptionally. The bikini’s scandalous red color harmonized with y/n’s skin tone well and Stan couldn’t imagine her in anything else at the moment. He didn’t want to imagine her in anything else.

“Are you gonna get in?” Her presence startled him as she was quick to swim up to the rocks. “Or are you scared?” A sly smile splayed across her pink lips and Stan mirrored her.

“I’m scared?” He scoffed. “You were the one who said we were going skinny dipping.” He stripped himself of his shirt, revealing his pale, yet toned, chest. “Guess who’s not undressed.”

“You?” y/n guessed; the innocent tone surprising on her tongue. She had inadvertently licked her lips at the answer and Stan couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her mouth due to the action.

“No. You.”

“My bad.” A giggle escaped her bitten lips and y/n began to unclip the back of her bikini. “Is that better now?” The straps fell loose against her arms, but the top stayed covering her breasts.

Stan didn’t say anything.

“What if I…” y/n didn’t finish her sentence. Silently, she fully removed the straps from her arms and the contraption left her bodice.

“Christ,” Stan seethed out, but he wasn’t gentlemen enough to look away from the sight on display before him: y/n treading the shallow water that was crystal clear thanks to Mr. Sun that shone down on this part of town, giving Stan an eyeful.

“Don’t say his name in vain.” She had now slipped the bottoms off and Stan didn’t know what to do with himself. Get undressed, I guess.

His pants were the next to go as Stanley undid his brown leather belt that held his too-big khaki shorts together. His waistline had shrunk due to baseball season’s quick start. And although it was only early March, the heat had picked up fast in this small town they called home and Stan could feel himself already itching to feel the water on his sweat-stricken skin.

“What are you waiting for?” y/n called from below. She was growing impatient, but who could blame her?

Stan stood above her in only his underwear. If the rest of the student body was here, he would’ve been living out his nightmare—stripped to the bone with an audience to gawk at him. But only y/n was here to witness the grey Calvin Kleins that hugged his thighs and rather than a nightmare, this felt more like a daydream.

“Are you shy?” She teased. “C’mon, Stanny, there’s no need to be—”

“Shy my ass,” Stan interjected as he relieved himself of the last piece of clothing and jumped into the water all in a quick movement.

“Glad you could finally make it, slowpoke.” y/n splashed his face, disregarding his lack of clothes—both of their lack of clothes—but Stan couldn’t help but admire y/n’s skin that the water had already kissed and glowed under the flash of the sun.

He’d never seen her in such a state before. In fact, he’d never intended to. But this was worth it—even if it were the only time, he knew he’d have this memory burned into his skull forever the same way the sun would burn his skin the next day because he forgot to apply sunscreen. Since when does Stanley Uris forget to apply sunscreen?

“It’s rude to stare,” y/n deadpanned, but Stan couldn’t help it. How could he not take his eyes off her tan lines from up close and the divot of her collarbone? The way her hair slicked back from the water and the pout of her lips was all too tempting to not want to consume. Stan Uris would be an idiot to not stare. A polite idiot.

“You make it hard.”

y/n felt her cheeks heat up and she knew she wasn’t sporting a sunburn. y/n never burned. “Oh. Well, in that case, stare as much as you want.”

“Gladly.”

y/n was quiet now—a rare event, but it gave Stan an opportunity he’d never thought he’d get or go for.

He swam closer, the stroke of his arms creating rifts in the water and y/n shivered at the feeling of the coldness that hit her chest each time he got closer.

It was strange seeing him up close—in such an intimate setting. As big of a crush y/n harbored on the boy, it’s not like she did anything about it. A few remarks there, a few remarks there. This was the furthest they’ve ever gotten. Maybe a little too far now that she was considering it more closely. Since when did first base turn into skinny dipping in the quarry?

Before her thoughts could leave her second-guessing anymore, y/n felt her lips on someone else’s. They were pressed together firmly and tightly. She held her breath as if she were underwater, but her heart prevailed, only picking up at a speed she’d only feel when she caught him looking at her or when he laughed at her jokes.

The kiss was powerful and all she needed. If this were the last time they’d ever see each other again, she wouldn’t care, because she’d have that kiss to cherish. Maybe she’d long for one in the future. Just one more. But this kiss left her knowing that this skinny-dipping idea wasn’t so bad after all.

His lips were soft and tickled as he pulled apart to catch a breath. y/n’s eyes opened to find Stan’s pupils were wide and lustblown. She stood still in the water, amazed that anyone could feel that way about her.

“Wow.”

“Yeah.”

“Hey, Stan—”

“What?” Stan asked, eager and anxious for the words meant for him.

“This is embarrassing but.. I like you.” The words were bold and packed with courage—not far from the regular way y/n spoke, but this was different. It had a certain bite to it that Stan couldn’t quite taste.

“Are you embarrassed because you like me or are you embarrassed because you’re confessing to me without any clothes on?” Before Stan’s eyes could rake down to y/n’s body once more, a splash of water hit his face—cold and abrupt. His eyelids slammed at the impact and he flinched.

“You’re such a perv.” y/n scoffed as if she had forgotten her deepest secret had just spilled from her lips in front of the boy the secret was about. Secret. Don’t act like it wasn’t as obvious as a fat kid scarfing down their third brownie in the first place—

“You know if it’s any more embarrassing… I like you, too,” Stan said. He felt winded after saying it. His chest felt heavy and his toes dug into the sand in order to keep him from falling headfirst into the water. It was so easy for y/n. Brave, crass y/n who swore like a sailor yet had the face of a doll.

Stan’s train of thought was lost at the feeling of y/n’s body pressed against his. He’d forgotten they were both bare-assed and exposed for all of Derry to see because the warmth of y/n was all too much. His heart jumped out of his chest sixty miles a minute and the muscles under his arms were now stones. Stan didn’t recognize that her lips were on his until her tongue swiped his bottom one for access in which he granted.

Teeth clashed and tongues danced. It was a hot minute until y/n pulled away with a cheeky smile and lingering fingers on his collarbone that made Stan hold his breath.

“That was hot,” he heaved, finally cutting the silence between them. Of course, the birds still chirped and the water around them never stopped flowing. But the world just seemed to stop whenever Stan stepped foot into y/n’s intoxicating proximity.

“Hell yeah, it was.” One arm was still strewn around his neck while her free hand traced code on his shoulder.

Nothing else was said. Nothing had to be said. But Stan was sure of one thing; that y/n was no coward.

[irwinkitten]

okay daddy!ash taking princess out to dinner to make sure it’s okay that he proposes to you and then going ring shopping with her!!! LAURA IM NOT OKAY this idea popped in my head and now i’m a mESS

bro what about when ashton asks reader to marry him but he has to get Princess’s approval first and he asks her if it’s okay for him to marry her mommy and he proposes in the sweetest way possible

IDEA! your daughter having a daddy & daughter date with ash and she’s like “so when are you and mommy gonna get married?” AND SHE’S GOTTA HELP PICK OUT THE RING LIKE HE HAS A FEW HE LIKES AND HE HAS TO RUN IT BY THE PRINCESS FIRST

ok hi I cant stop thinking about Ashton talking to his princess about proposing to y/n and y/n overhears and she cant help but smile so big adhauerh

Heyyy! I’m absolutely loving your Ash posts with his little princess! I was thinking, maybe another part where he asks you to marry him after joining him with your daughter on tour?

Just finished the Daddy!ashton and i NEED one where ash gets princess to help with him proposing please! Love you!

Why hasn’t daddy!ash proposed yet???!?!?! I NEED this in my life.

ya’ll have been requesting this from day one. 3k words of pure fluff have fun with ur heart. this is my christmas present to you all. love u xoxo

masterlist is linked in the source

this is part seventeen

—

It was a rare day that you got with just your little girl.

Ashton was tracking for the record for the day and then he and the boys were off out to celebrate the final day. Plus Ashton was stealing her for the day tomorrow as they were going shopping for their theatre date of Finding Neverland. Which gave you an entire day with your princess.

As she climbed into your bed, Ashton having long since vacated his spot, she snuggled close with the small stuffed bear that never hardly left her arms when she was tired.

Most days, you had a list of stuff to do, but Ashton had gotten the last of chores that needed whilst he had his day off and your little girl had her last few days at school.

“Mama, can we bake today?”

“‘Course we can baby. What do you want to make?” She pressed closer to your side, her eyes falling shut as you ran a hand through her hair.

“Cookies n cupcakes.” Her words were half slurred as her breathing evened out and you half smiled, picking up the book on the bedside table. It wouldn’t do either of you any harm to enjoy this lie in and so you took full advantage of it.

When you both next woke up, you felt a lot more refreshed than you had done in a while, and the two of you were in the kitchen with the ingredients all across the counter.

“Cookies or cupcakes first?” You asked your little girl who gleefully cheered.

“Cookies!”

The mixture was easy to make, but it was mostly stopping the both of you from eating the raw dough.

Whilst the cookies were baking in the oven, the two of you washed and dried the bowls and equipment before you set up for making cupcakes.

You had the playlist playing through the speakers in the kitchen, a grin on your face as you helped her prep all of the ingredients before the timer went off for the cookies.

It felt like bliss being able to enjoy this time, taking short videos of her and snapping as many photos as possible, your favourite being the messy selfie she’d all but demanded you to take and send to Ashton.

He sent one back of him and the boys in the studio, waving at the camera.

With the cookies out to cool down, both of you sharing a warm one with a giggle and a promise not to tell Ashton when he got home later on, you began the attempt of making cupcakes.

This was more familiar territory as the two of you sung and danced your way around the kitchen flour everywhere and giggles echoing around the room.

By then time that Ashton crept into bed at about one am, you snuggled closer as he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead.

“How was it?” You mumbled, cracking open an eye to see him switch the bedside lamp off before curling his body around yours.

“Tracking went good, all finished up and shouldn’t need any extras. Party was a success. Pretty sure Luke left with the girl he’s been chatting up.” That made you giggle before snuggling closer as his arms tightened around you.

“She’s excited for tomorrow. We baked cookies and cupcakes. You have a very special one that she decorated by herself.” You hummed and he laughed softly.

“I look forward to it. Get some rest, love.” You were out like a light.

The next morning, you’d fully expected to have to wake Ashton up, especially after the long night he’d had. But the space next to you was empty and your daughters giggles were echoing up to your room, making a soft smile appear on your lips.

As you reached the kitchen, you felt your heart almost burst at the sight of her sat on the counter top, trying to shove a cupcake that had been made yesterday into his mouth.

Ashton was laughing whilst trying to take a bite, pausing to chew before peppering her face with kisses.

“The best cupcake I’ve ever had!” You watched as her face lit up with the biggest smile.

“Looks like I’m not needed for breakfast today.” You commented, both of them turning to look at you with cheesy grins.

“Sorry mommy! Daddy wanted a cupcake but I told him he could only have one if I fed him.” You laughed at this as you greeted Ashton with a quick kiss, blowing a raspberry on your little girls cheek before making breakfast for yourself.

“When you and your dad get back later, we’ll head out for dinner, how does that sound?” Your question drew an excited ‘yes!’ from her and Ashton laughed as he set her down on the floor.

“Go get changed then, princess. We’ve gotta leave in thirty minutes.” And with that, she was off upstairs, her footsteps stomping across the hallway as she headed into her room.

“And you, Mister Irwin, owe me.” Ashton grinned as his arms slipped around your waist, his lips finding the sweet spot on your neck with ease.

“You know I’ll make it up to you. For now, I’ve gotta get ready because if she’s ready and I’m not, there will be hell to pay.” He chuckled as you sighed dramatically before shoving him from the kitchen.

“Go on then. I’ll see you later, handsome.”

—

Once they were in the car and away, the excitement increased tenfold.

“Did you remember the notebook daddy?”

Ashton held up the little book before passing it back to her.

“It’s your job to keep it safe. We’ve got an appointment with the ring people which means that we’re gonna shop for yours and your moms dresses first and then we can go and see them.”

This earned him a playful whine of annoyance and he laughed as they headed into the city.

“Patience princess. We need to get the dresses first before we do anything.” This earned him a dramatic sigh in return before he rolled his eyes at her and turned the radio up, both of them singing along.

—-

It was the third store of the day before their appointment and they’d managed to find your dress pretty quickly.

Ashton had a good eye for colours and he knew what colour suited you best.

But his princess was determined to find one that matched her moms and he was helpless against her puppy dog eyes that she pulled which had him caving almost every time.

“Wait-daddy you gotta close your eyes!” He grinned at the sales assistant who’d been helping them out.

“Okay, my eyes are covered.” He called out once he dramatically placed a hand over his eyes, earning a giggle.

“Open ‘em daddy!” And as he pulled his hand away, he couldn’t get over how sweet she looked in a dress that wasn’t too dissimilar from yours.

“What do you think daddy?” She took the obligatory few steps forward before giving a small twirl and he grinned before putting on his best commentator voice.

“And here we have, a wonderful princess modelling the latest collection, a cute red dress, matched with a small black cardigan that makes her look like an absolute superstar!” he watched as her cheeks went very red, a shy giggle escaping as she rushed over to him, his arms opening up automatically.

“You really think so daddy?” Her tone was shy and he smiled, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

“I know so princess. I think we’ve found your dress, don’t you?” She nodded her head before beaming up at him. “Go get changed, I think we can grab some food before our final stop of the day.” Her excited gasp made him laugh as she ran straight back to the changing room, the sales assistant helping her once more.

He could hear her excitedly telling the assistant where they were going.

“My daddy is finding a ring for my mommy!”

Once she was out of the changing room and holding his hand, they paid for her outfit before heading out and to the building that housed their appointment.

It wasn’t overly obvious that it was a jewellers, but as they went up the stairs and reached the set of doors that led in to the actual store, he chuckled as her eyes took in the plethora of rings that adorned cases.

“Wow daddy.” She whispered as they moved to the counter so she could study the rings a lot better.

“Hey there guys, you our two o’clock?” Ashton nodded to the assistant.

“Yeah. We said we had a rough idea of what we were looking for. You got the notebook princess?” He turned to her and she grinned, her free hand clutching the small book before offering it to Ashton.

The assistant moved them over to a part of the counter where they could show the different ideas and soon the assistant was moving around the shop picking up various rings to show the two of them.

He tried not to get disheartened at the fact that none of them screamed out to him. He was determined and so was his little girl who vetoed a lot of the rings almost instantly.

It took a while before the assistant found the ring that had her gasping in excitement.

“Daddy look! This is like nana’s too!” Ashton found himself staring at the ring for a second before he felt that feeling in his gut, an excited twist.

“You reckon that’s the ring we’re getting for your mom?” She nodded vigorously and the assistant laughed.

“It’s a solitaire twist band with a princess cut diamond, 18 carat white gold.”

“Daddy, we have to get it!” He laughed as he pulled her up so that she could see the ring closer. “Mommy’s gonna love it.”

Ashton could feel his heart in his chest going miles a minute.

“Yeah, I think she is princess.”

—

You’d thought nothing of the small looks your daughter and boyfriend shared every so often. You knew they had their own inside jokes, so it didn’t bother you as much as the week carried on and before you knew it, it was time for the family date night.

Finding Neverland had been on the list of things you wanted to eventually see, and you knew that Shay had deliberately let slip to him about it, so when he surprised you with the tickets for your birthday, you knew this was going to be a good evening out together.

The show itself was incredible. You couldn’t help but share a look with Ashton every time the two of you glanced down to your little girl who had her eyes glued to the stage in awe.

By the end of the performance, she was going over her favourite parts before you finally realised that Ashton wasn’t driving you home.

“Ash?” You glanced over to him and his face held a grin.

“We’re doing a detour.” Was all you got in return which only served to confuse you further.

But you waited patiently.

Eventually you recognised the area and this only made you question what was going on.

“We’re going to Cal’s? Why didn’t you just say?”

“Nope. That’s a pit stop. Dropping someone off with her uncle as they’ve got a few friends around. We’ve got one more stop before we’re joining the party.” He explained and you nodded your head.

When he pulled up to Calum’s place, you went to get out, but Ashton stopped you.

“Don’t worry, love. I’ll sort her out.”

You eyed him suspiciously for a second before your daughter distracted you.

“Mommy, can we go to another show like the one tonight? I really enjoyed it.”

“Of course baby. We can look at the shows and how about you pick the next one, yeah?” She nodded her head and Ashton pressed a soft kiss to your lips before getting out of the car and then helping your princess out.

He was back in under five minutes, his lips in a full grin.

“I think a certain princess of ours is going to get taken out by one of her uncles that isn’t Luke. I’ve just had to placate two very jealous band members.” This made you laugh as he peeled away from the drive.

You talked about the album, the possible tour that would happen once it was dropped and the promotional tours as well. The discussion then turned to your job and the possible promotion on the horizon.

Eventually, Ashton pulled into one of the overviews of LA and you found yourself grinning.

“We haven’t done this since she was five.”

“Special treat.” He grinned as the two of you got out and he took your hand. The walk around was nice and you rested your head against his shoulder as the two of you walked.

“What are you thinking about, love?” His question was quiet as the two of you came to a stop, watching over the area.

“Us, the future, how much I love you.” You rattled off softly. “How lucky I feel to have you in my life and hers, and how excited I am for a quiet weekend with you.” This made you both laugh as you turned your head towards him and he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to your lips.

“Thing is, I’ve been thinking the same thing.” You smiled at him as he pulled away slightly, taking his hand in yours.

“Ash?”

“My future with you, I see us, I see my little family that has made me a better person, a better lover, a better dad.” His tone softened entirely and you could feel the tears in the corners of your eyes.

A gasp escaped as he got down on one knee and you knew there were tears as he produced the small ring box.

“Holy shit.” Left your mouth and he smiled.

“Even knowing you had your little girl, I still wanted to know you, to be apart of your life. I can see my future without either of you in it. Both of you are such a part of my world that I cannot begin to describe how much love I have for you and her. I want to make us, a foundation for our family in the future. Will you marry me?”

“Yes, a thousand times yes!” You finally managed out, your heart hammering in your chest as he took the ring from the box and slid it onto the third finger of your left hand. He kissed it softly before you cupped his face, bringing him up to press your lips against his.

His arms wound around your waist as he picked you up easily, spinning around and making you laugh into the kiss as you finally wiped the tears away once your feet were on the ground.

“I’ve had this planned for months, but the ring, that was the very last thing we got.” He whispered, pressing a soft kiss to your lips once more.

You could see his own stray tears, your fingers lifting up to wipe them.

“We?”

“Last weekend.” And then it hit you. The secretive looks and shared giggles.

“She kept it secret. I’m impressed.” You finally got out before the two of you laughed and he kissed you once more.

“Shall we go tell the others the good news?”

“I’ve been duped. You’re a good planner, Irwin.” He grinned as he led you back to the car and kissed you once more.

“I have to be. I live with a rambunctious soon to be eight-year-old who gets bored easily.”

When you arrived at Calum’s and stepped through the door, you were greeted an excited squeal as your daughter rushed from Calum’s side and wrapped her arms around your waist.

“You are a sneaky little miss. But it’s the most beautiful ring in the world.” You whispered to her hair and she giggled.

“I had to be sneaky! Daddy promised me it would be worth it. Will he be my real daddy now?” You were crying yet again as you held her tightly.

“Looks like it baby. I said yes, which means-”

“Mommy’s getting married!” She squealed excitedly and moved from you to Ashton and that caused the cheer from the gathered group of friends and, to your amazement, Ashton’s family, and you laughed through the tears that were falling.

“I told you I have to be a good planner.” He smirked at you and you could only smile as Anne reached you first, her arms wrapping around you as she welcomed you to the family.

Good planner indeed.

—

taglist: @cals-babylons , @plainwhiteluke , @calumspeachy , @wrappedaroundcal , @holidayhood , @mistletoemichael , @merryashmas , @hereforlukescruff , @astroashtonio , @catchinqcalum , @grinchluke , @qualitylu , @5saucewho, @babylon-uncrowned , @dontstopisagoodsongchangemymind , @therainydays4 , @asht0ns-world , @silverchainbee , @hidd3nfangirl , @doodleasouarus , @hemmomfg , @mylovehes , @songforhema , @kinglyhood , @youngblood199456 , @makecoffeenotwars , @5squash , @negative-love , @softboycal , @hollyjollyhood , @you-of-ghost , @dannisos , @jane-ofalltrades , @meetyoutheremgc , @lmao5sosimagines , @lietoash , @aw-hawkeye , @biggestslutforcalum , @drummerboy794 , @itkindajusthappenedreally, @mycollectionofnuts , @coreybryanttrash , @abitloudforanaccousticset , @boytoynamedcalum , @teampreator , @dukehoods , @hoe4hemmo , @calumhampton , @sassy-asht0n , @happycrimiscalum , @gigglyirwin , @blue-skies-are-alright , @hearts-to-the-sky , @tiddlerrr , @all-i-want-is2b-loved-by-you , @thesensationalcalum , @ashtxns-hxe , @cakeassx-blog , @hopelessxcynic , @5secondsof-im-so-dead , @baby-loba , @captivatingcal , @rosesfromcth , @esoltis280 , @cal-puddies , @dancingonanemptywallet​ , @rotten-kandy​ , @vipclifford​ , @musiclover1263​ , @irwinsbambi​ , @cliffordstxngue ,   

[angrylizardjacket]

ask your destiny to dance [2] {Roger Taylor}

[masterpost]

“So what do you think?” Freddie’s eyes are shining when he accosts Ash on her way back from the bathroom. Giving a gentle shove, she weaves through the crowd, picking up various empty glasses scattered about the room while there’s a lull between sets.

“Yeah they go pretty alright.” She concedes, pretending like she didn’t have Doing Alright’s harmony running through her mind. That seemed to sate Freddie well enough, and he followed along behind her, picking up a few glasses here and there before she headed back to the bar.

“Hey, Pocket Rocket,” the way the nickname is said makes Ash’s hair stand up on the back of her neck, and she fixed her best ‘customer service’ smile on her face. Roger’s grinning back at her, almost completely ignoring Freddie, who turned sharply to Ash and mouthed the nickname at her with raised eyebrows. His incredulity, which she catches out of the corner of her eye, still making unwavering eye contact with Roger, makes her sharply professional smile crack as she represses a genuine grin. 

“Yes, Roger? Can I help you?” Voice sweet, she sees Freddie’s eyes widen even further, if it were possible, recognising the poison in her voice from a mile away.

“Me and the boys are about to start our next set, could I grab some beers?” There was nothing innocuous in his words, and he kept his gaze focused on hers, but he’s grinning like it’s a challenge. She doesn’t back down.

“Of course.” She sets about her work, grabbing three bottles from the refrigerator behind the bar, uncapping them, and handing them over. His fingers brush against hers where he’s quick to pick them up, and Ash retracts her hand like his touch burns. “Well, if you need anything else-” Tone chipper, she’s quick to fold her hands behind her back, bouncing quickly on the balls of her feet.

“I know where to find you.” Roger agrees, his gaze lingering just a little too long on the tightness of her smile before turning away.

“You guys are playing really well, tonight.” Freddie adds, and Ash chuckles at his earnestness, the sound fond and sincere where she were artificially bright only moments ago.

“Yeah, thanks mate.” Roger looks over his shoulder, her soft, genuine laughter catching him off guard, but she’d moved to start washing up the glasses she and Freddie had collected. 

As soon as Roger had gone, Freddie rapped his knuckles against the bar top to get her attention, practically bursting with questions. With the band starting up, however, she can barely hear him over the buzz of the music and the crowd, and so she offer to take her break early. Waving off her offer, Freddie seems far more content listening to the music, but she knows that he’d bombard her with questions at the next given opportunity. 

By the time the last set is winding up, Freddie’s had to head home, like Cinderella before the strike of midnight, and a lot of the crowd had dispersed. 

“You boys did such a good job.” Maureen’s voice carries over from where she’s uncapping three bottles of beer for the guitarist. Ash, tries not to eavesdrop, but Maureen’s speaking loud enough so he can hear her across the bar, over the jukebox.

“Yeah, we’ve never really played here before, what made you guys try and find us?” Brian, leaning against the bar, takes a sip of his own beer, letting the other two sit patiently beside him, getting gradually warmer. 

“Ash is the one who asked, actually.” As soon as she hears her name come from Maureen’s mouth, Ash freezes. “Yeah, apparently her little friend is a fan.” And there’s a fond note in her voice that has Ash smiling abashedly.

“He around? Should thank him for getting us a gig.” Brian’s smile is bright as he turns, gaze roving over the crowd, though Ash joins them, grinning faintly.

“I think you’re talking about Freddie; he’s left.” And at the sound of her voice, Brian’s turning back, though Ash’s attention shifts to Maureen. “’Reen, I’m gonna have a smoke, can you manage this lot for ten minutes?” Grinning, she doesn’t even need to cast her gaze around the bar to know that everyone at the bar was too busy fawning over Tim, the singer, to be bothered to order much.

“I think I can manage, my little Pocket Rocket.” Maureen ruffles her hair, stepping out of the way as Ash went to swat at her, making a beeline for the back door.

“Ash, could you do us a favour?” Calling out after her, Brian holds out one of the beers as she turns back with a half smile. “Rog is out by the van, can you take this to him?” After a beat of hesitation, she forced a smile on her face and took the beer, heading much slower towards the back door.

He’s sitting in the open back of his van, leaning against the side door, wearing shorts that exposed way too much of his thigh. He’s got one leg hanging down to the ground while the other was drawn up to him, where he’s propped his hand which held a gently smoking cigarette. His head was leaning back, his eyes closed, and after a beat of watching him, so relaxed, taking a moment in the cool night air, Ash watches him exhale a lung full of smoke, watches the smoke turn rose gold in the glow of the streetlight. There was something pretty, even calming, about the sight, his aura of easy confidence apparent even without his usual posturing.

“This is yours.” Breaking the silence, Ash steps from the back doorway, onto the gravel of the back car park, letting the door swing closed behind herself. He doesn’t start when he hears her, just cracks open his eyes and gives her a once over, eyes zeroing in on the beer. Neither of them move for a long moment, and then he’s turning, grinning at her as he legs hung over the edge of the back of the van, holding out a hand for the drink.

“Thanks, love.” The crunch of the gravel sounds so loud in the silence created by the closed door. Once he has the beer, she’s moving back to the door, pulling one of the crates from the stack by the bins, and sitting on top of it, patting down her pockets. Part of her knows he’s watching, curious, possibly a little amused, watching as she finally pulled out a pack of smokes and lit one, stashing both the remaining smokes and her lighter in her back pocket.

“Where’s Pocket Rocket come from?” Roger’s the one who breaks the silence. Ash looks like she’s trying to melt into the brick wall, head back, shoulders loose, heels resting in the gravel where she’s got her legs straight out in front of her. Smoke drifts from her lips, eyes looking up at the stars, and at first she doesn’t answer him, he thinks perhaps she didn’t hear him, and he opens his mouth, but she speaks over the top of him.

“Me or the nickname?” Unsmiling, she digs her heels further into the gravel, listening to the stones shift against one another. Roger takes a long draft from his cigarette, gaze wandering across the back of the building, along the parking lot that was mostly empty, save for the staff cars.

“Surprise me.” He finally says, and Ash makes a noise in the back of her throat that he can’t identify, though it does sound a little amused, but not necessarily in a good way.

“Why?” She snorts, finally looking at him, smiling sharp and uncooperative.

“Why what?” He asks, frown creasing his brow, and her smile widens.

“Surprise me.” It’s a challenge not an answer, and he knows he met her a few hours ago, but he thinks her grin has turned a little more genuine, a little more playful. Or maybe he’s imagining things. Either way, he finally looks away, goes back to leaning against the inside of the van with one leg up, looking up at the sky.

“I’m just trying to make conversation, aren’t I? We’re probably going to be working together again, after all.” He lets himself smile at her snort of amusement, or perhaps derision, but continues anyways. “Fine; you first, then the nickname.” 

For a long time, Ash is quiet, watching him, trying to discern his intentions, and he waits patiently for her to respond, sipping his beer, flicking his ashes onto the gravel.

“Fife.” After a beat, she sighs, knowing before he even opens his mouth that he has no idea where that is. “Northern Scotland.”

“Hence the accent,” Roger muses, squinting up at the sky.

“Hence the accent.” she agreed, taking a moment to breathe in another lung full of smoke and lean back against the wall of the pub, joining him in his stargazing. “And I’m Pocket Rocket because I am.” It takes a long moment for her words to sink in, Roger flicking his cigarette butt away.

“That’s not an answer.” He scoffs, and Ash makes a hum of agreement, cigarette hanging from her lips as she pulls out her notebook. Her answer was incomprehensible to him as she spoke both through her accent and around the cigarette between her lips. “What?” He actually turned to her, brow furrowed, trying to decipher what she’d actually said. After a beat, and without looking up from her work, she takes the cigarette out and breathes out.

“‘s not like I owe you my origin story.” The way she drew out her annunciations made Roger feel a little bit like a fool, though there was something about her accent that he found charming. “What are you even doing out here? Shouldn’t you be inside with your groupies and whatnot?” Not even letting him get a word in edgewise, she goes back to speaking normally, which he can decipher easily when she’s not mumbling around a dart.

“Can’t a man have a smoke and get ready to load his van in peace?” Roger grinned, standing and stretching. Ash mumbled something else, too quiet for Roger to even hear, though it was accompanied by an eye roll where she was looking at what she was drawing. “Oi, watch it.” He went out on a limb trying to call her out, and when she looked up at him, flush with embarrassment, he at least knew what she’d said hadn’t been exactly polite.

“Watch yourself, drummer boy.” Despite the retort, she was bright red. Her gaze met his and she could see the triumph in his eyes. She could feel it rising within her, that anger from before at his sheer arrogance, even as he stepped out of the shadow of his van, haloed by the streetlight, smiling at her despite the situation, perhaps challenging, though, she thought it looked more playful than anything else.

Breaking the look, she turned away, face still warm with embarrassment having been caught shit talking under her breath. Stubbing out her cigarette, she put away her notebook and pencil, standing and taking a moment to kick the crate back to the stack beside the bin. Roger watches her all the while, his arms folded over his chest, as if analysing her; she doesn’t look back at him. The only sound is the aggressive crunch of gravel beneath her feet as she makes her way back to the back door of the pub, pulling it open to fill the night with the sounds of people talking and laughing, and the jukebox playing. They don’t exchange any more words, and when he comes back inside to start loading the van, she’s nowhere in sight.

“Ash, the band wants to see you!” Maureen calls when Roger leans against the bar, asking about their pay for the night once everything’s been loaded into his truck. All the bands get paid cash in hand, and Dave had left Ash in charge.

“If I have to talk to some long-haired muppet about how I owe him more than what I promised, I’m gonna retire on the spot.” Dave had said to her, looking exhausted at the mere prospect and putting a stack of notes in the till with a rubber band securing them together. “This is how much they get; no more, no less.” He’d been very serious about that part, and Ash took pride in the fact that he’d trusted her after so little time.

The smile she gives Roger is tight as she passes him the money, and he raises his eyebrows at her, finally picking up on her strained professionalism.

“Thanks again for the gig, uh, Pocket Rocket, was it?” He asked, feigning innocence, something inside of him delighting at the way her jaw tightened.

“Sure,” Ash said, working to untense her jaw, “it was lovely having you play.” After a beat, he gave her a nod, his own grin now just amused as he leaves to join the other members of the band where they’re talking to some, what Ash assumed to be, fans.

Roger catches her humming Doing Alright as she wipes down tables a little later in the night, and, for reasons he’s not quite certain of yet, he smiles.

the ususal suspects: @deakydickfanpage @hollyissuchahoe @laueecakee@smittyjaws @crystalshines2909 @i-am-sarah @legendsaresooftenwarnings@2ptonpt @benhardy24-7 @maiilovely @mickey-yr-a-goner @butter-times@heyyouitskay @yepimthatperson

[buy me a coffee?]

[franeridart]

Hi! Idk if you read fanfic, but would you happen to have any kiribaku fic recs? Or any bnha fic rec?

I’m pretty sure there’s stuff tagged as fic recs on this blog, yes! Nothing particularly new tho, I haven’t had the time to put down a new rec-list in a while ;-;

Anon said:How long does it take you to finish a drawing with and without color?

That honestly depends on a lot of factors - which tools I’m using, how many characters there are in the drawing/if it’s full body or not, how used to drawing the character I am, how big is the canvas, if I already have a clear idea of what I mean to draw or not, how precise I want to be with lines and stuff. 

That Yuuto sketch I posted yesterday took me about 40 minutes I think, and over half of it was spent trying to figure out how I was supposed to draw him since it was the first time I drew him - the tools I used are the ones I use when I want to be fast and don’t care about being sloppy. A small random Kirishima bust properly lined and colored could take me five minutes to sketch and line and as many to color on a good day, cause I’ve drawn him so many times by now I don’t even have to think to draw him. Deku, on the other hand, can take me an hour even just to sketch, I can’t seem to grasp how I’m supposed to draw him at all.

Sorry, it really depends on a lot of things, I can’t give a proper answer to this :(

Anon said:Ive been tryin to find ur art of sero carrying baku for like 20 minutes n i cant find it :(

Are you talking about this one? Or this one? There’s also this one I guess...? And maybe this one lol 

Anon said:yoooo, hey man, that cat kiribaku thing ya got going on is some 👌👌👌👌👌

HECK THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

Anon said:Has anyone ever considered Hadmie. Hadou x Camie before?? It just seems like it'd be a cute ship to sail with, tbh. That just might be me tho.

I dunno if anyone has before you, but I can’t say I have, sorry! If I gotta ship Nejire with someone after all it’s gonna be Yuyu haha

Anon said:Hey do you do commissions? I really love your art and I'd love to get a commission from you!! (and also I just wanna know if there's yet another thing that I have to save up for XD)

Not right now, sorry! Maybe after I’m done with the zine things!!

Anon said:*runs around like an excited puppy* DAVEDAVEDAVEDAVEDAVEDAVEDAVE!!!!!!! :D

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Anon said:AHHH i love your ocs so much also Nico looks so cute and i love learning new things about them

AAAHHHHH THANK YOU SO MUCH OH MY G O D!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anon said:KIRI + PINEAPPLE PONYTAIL = THE BEST THING EVER

I’M GLAD WE AGREE ON THAT

Anon said:your oc's literally kill me!! i already love nico, and i think i speak for everyone when i say that we definitely want more of him and luca!! i don't know if it's just me, but I love when the angry, swearing types fall for someone.

SOB thank you so so much for the kind words about my kids ;^;

Anon said:OH MY GOD LUCA IS BACK!!!! YESSSSSSSS FUCKING KILL ME THIS IS A BLESSED DAY I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. MORE OF YOUR OC'S!!! (only when you want to share of course, I'm just trying to convey my enthusiasm here. not demanding at all ^^)

I think that might happen soon enough, actually!!!! Thank you so much for the interest in them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anon said:Are josh and chris still not dating?

Sadly until I’ll sit down to write their story that specific part of it won’t go anywhere :( Chris gotta deal with a bunch of things before he’ll be ready to put a name to what’s between him and Josh 3 one day I’ll let him work through it !!!

Anon said:I'm so paranoid I'm going to repost one of your post by accident but the thing is is I never even repost anything at all but just because I know you don't want them to be I'm so scared that by accident I'm going to have something screenshotted and forget it's yours and like Ugh😂

Well, my name’s written on all my drawing so I doubt you’ll forget it’s my stuff lol to make sure you’re not reposting anything the author doesn’t want reposted you can always just ask before reposting it, tho~

Anon said:I was just scrolling through your OC stuff and I just. Love them so much. Thank you for the babies ❤

GOD THANK YOU ;O;

Anon said:Okay I've never seen your oc's before and Dave is the cutest green boy I love him

AAAAHHHHHH I’M GLAD!!!!!

Anon said:kamijirou getting together? :3 also if there were ever a scenario where jirou would confess first, what do you think she would be thinking?

I actually have half a thing planned for that :0 gimme a while to get around to drawing it!

Anon said:How do you feel imagine kiri’s parents???

Actually since I’m still hoping one day Hori will give us the official versions I try not to think too much about it! I don’t wanna grow attached just to have to give them up once I’ll have the canon versions haha

Anon said:hey quick innocent question ive been following for a long time and saw a lot of your art do you have a thing for feet

Are you asking because I draw a lot of people barefoot? Feet are just easier and faster to draw than shoes, anon

Anon said:I love how you answer asks all at once. It’s nice to see that you’re getting in bulk appreciation

THANKS I honestly just don’t want my blog to be more asks than art, so I let them pile up before answering - it does mean I make people wait a lot for answers tho orz sorry

Anon said:I LOVE YOUR ART

THANK YOU!!!!

Anon said:You've open a sea of possibilities with red pineapple kirishima. You're a legend :prayeremoji:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wouldn’t call myself that but I’m glad you appreciate him too hahaha

Anon said:i cant help but notice nothings been added to your sero tag in 4 months

That might be because I rarely use single characters tags! Try looking under #bakusquad and #seromina :D

Anon said:Hahaaa hi this is probably really really awkward but I just wanted you to let you know that you're super awesome!! And the fact that your art is something that I can look forward to is absolutely amazing (no pressure tho)!!! So yea, thank you for being cool and creating beautiful art~~ :D ✧✧✧

SOB it’s not awkward at all!!!! thank you SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!

Anon said:Would you mind adding some more Tokoyami art to your shop? More specifically the pieces where hes hanging out with Kiri, and the Tokoshoji piece :D Im desperate to bury my notebooks in stickers from your shop rn and the bird boy needs more love ❤

AHW I’m sorry anon, but those are definitely too small to be of any use on the shop ;-; if you’re okay with it I could add the last one I posted? I should seriously draw more of him..................

Anon said:That jacket that Kirishima has on...I NEED!

I drew it and that’s still a mood t b h

Anon said:I went so far back in your blog that it kicked me back to the beginning ;-; I was just getting to the D. Greyman stuff too

AW ;-; (..........it’s good tho, the further you go the least worth it my stuff is l m a o)

Anon said:Do you ever draw kiribaku or something else in paper or some kind of sketch book if you do i would love to see them❤(sorry if my english is bad)

I do have some doodles on paper posted on here somewhere? But tbh I rarely draw traditionally anymore unless it’s just random doodles :(

Anon said:Aahhh!!! I really love your kiribaku shit its so cute!!and you draw so goood too literally when i found this ship i instantly found you and you are so perfect in my eyes and your art!!!!! I looooooovvvvvvveeeeee yoooouuuuuu thank you for being here and showing us this stuff!!❤❤❤❤

HECK thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

Anon said:i adore your art so much and your bakushima comics make me smile a lot! :) you’re one of my favorite artists now dldksjshskdk

tHANK YOU OH MY G OD ;^;

Anon said:Consider this: fantasy Kirishima meeting normal bakugou, thinking that's his Katsuki 😂😂

.........................you literally got no clue how long I’ve been thinkin about drawing this............ he ck

Anon said:Your drawings give me life 😍❤️

sob thank you so so so much ;-;

[shadowedtalks]

I have no idea what to call this so.... My witch.

Haha! See, not much of a gap this time. :) I'm calling this my witch because it deals with a witch character of mine. Her having forbidden relationships woo lol. Yes their is another story just like it else where on the internet only because that is my co-author she does fancy edits an clean up... I really don't lol. I'm try my best but for now enjoy the raw one. ;) )))) Salem wandered the halls a little bit as she was on her way to class. The sky outside still dark and the bustle of students low because of how early is was. That an everyone preferred to be in the cafeteria before classes started in little under an hour where she preferred to wait by the locked doors or in the class room. Just to avoid most flutters of people. You see she wasn't like everyone else. She didn't have a group or a club or even friends. She was the school freak. Their was always one where the school body just collectively hated or avoided. An that was her. She was the victim of all the rumors. You see the shipping company fucked up not to long ago and tainted meat got served. So many students got sick. The response... Oh she did it. She cursed them to get sick. Shes the school freak she takes the fall for it all. The witch the weirdo and Gothic wannabe. She was so far down on the food chain of the school that even the looses and nerds pick on her. And administration snides her way, because the masses don't like her so they fallow blind their are a few that honestly like her. Her english teacher and the Librarian like her. Others act like she don't exist. But that was fine. By now she was used to it. Even when she didn't dress like she does now she was hated. She looked down at her book in hand everything hand written and well explained in it. She looked it over her deep auburn eyes scanning each symble letter and word. As she reached up messing with a stand of her long, im talking lower back, ashy black hair. She had been up late last night so everything reflected her more sluggish mind and was dulled down. She walked an walked till eventually she reached her hallway that held her class room. She walked over and leaned on the wall continuing to read and slowly turn each page as time passed. The sun rose and so did the noise in the hallway as other student's gathered. Everything was okay till she heard snickers and shushes and grumbles. Then her book was ripped from her hands. "Hey!" "Oh look at what i got here! Ripping material... Here cici have fun!" called the prep passing her book to the clone behind her. "Give me by book now." Salam said standing up as the clone waved it around in the air by the leather cover only stretching and damaging the spine. "What are you gonna do about it witch? Curse us? Ooo im so scared." "Careful what you wish for." "Oh im so terrified of a freak like you... Cici!" "Yeah!" called the second carbon copy as either grabbed each side of the book an they pulled ripping the book apart as salem watched, stuck in place momentarily, she would have to fix her precious gilmore yet again. The thick stock pages, enchanted, once she figured out how after the 5th time her poor book was trashed. Slowly sliced deeper into the girls palms the more they ripped without them noticing... At first. Then they threw the trashed book up laughing then started screaming as the pain set in from the gashes on their hands and the blood really ran down the arms and between their fingers of both hands. "You fucking witch! you did this!" "No. Your careless treatment of a book that you know nothing about is what did this." "Your in so much trouble!" "What are you gonna do? Run an cry to the principle? Call daddy? Way i see it im not the one with blood on my hands.... You want a curse their you go... Your cursed now... Those scars you see every day." she growled stocking closer so done with their shit. As the clone ran crying because of the pain and the other girl freaking as she slowly walked away and Salem turned to the hallway of on lookers. "What!? Anyone else wanna do something stupid this morning!?" she called as the chat returned in harsh whispers and they began cussing her out among themselves... No one having the guts at the moment to try anything but it won't last past the first class. She knelt down picking up the remains on her trashed gilmore. "Im so sorry this happened again girl.... Ill figured out a way to keep you completely safe soon." she muttered once she had all the pieces of her gilmore back in her hands. No one else could tell but she knew her book was weeping, she would piece it back together as best she could once at her desk, till then she cradled her book gently in her arms. About that time the teacher opened the door and allowed the student's in.... It was gonna be a long day, she just knew so, and classes hadn't even started yet. With a deep sigh and careful placed steps, she entered the classroom headed for her desk and sitting down and carefully putting her gilmore down onto the hard surface. She got into her bag that had what she needed as she begun fixing the cross stiches of the spine. It was all she could do till she got some better rest an for now it would hold every thing in place. "Shush girl its okay now. You have all your pages back in one place. Just hold untill i can get a nap an you will be good as new soon after i promise." she cooed softly to her gilmore to relax its cry's. Pulling the book down into her lap where it rested on her legs below the desk top hidden by where her bag hung off the side. Pulling out a simple notebook and pen she looked up at the bored as the teacher wrote on it. Detailing what he wanted done in the first 20 minuets of class. She wasn't wall that surprised to find harsher glares thrown her way. An like normal all the desks around her immediate area remained empty. However as closer time for class to start excited murmurs and chat began to pick up, mainly among the females of the class. The screeches im greetings drew her eyes to the door to see someone she never saw before standing their looking over the room. Salem however rolled her eyes. Probably some popular she hadn't see as it wasn't to long past her getting here did the food poisoning really kick in an she was still getting her classes in order as they kept bouncing her about from class to class. They were probably all excited he was back well did she care... Nope. Could care less just wishing the girls would quiet down some eventually. It was still to early to be so loud.

[vitalpen]

A Government Investigation Pt 2

(Hi again.  I’ve made the decision that I’m going with three parts because otherwise this’d be really long.  Given the timeframe provided by @squigglydigglydoo , Nixon’s in office and won’t be for much longer, the Vietnam war is becoming a very obvious lost cause, and the Cold War continues to keep everyone nervous of impending nuclear doom.  Previously, we had CIA agent Larry Lockart coming to Henry’s house to investigate the toons.  After encounters with both Boris and Alice, Henry sat him down and told him the story.  And so it continues.  Side note: This exceprt will now be in pt 3)

So the tale was spun. For the better part of an hour, Larry was told a detailed story of a man who lost his mind and turn to actual satanic rituals to create a world apart from their own, one where the cartoons walked, breathed, and lived like normal humans, and how his own power fantasies ended up being the end of him.  It went long enough that Boris ended up finishing the lawn and joining them.

By the time it was done, Larry was dazed, overwhelmed by the amount of unbelievable events he’d just been told.  He had to take a moment to collect himself, run things through his head again.  “Boy, I really asked for it, didn’t I?”  The agent finally managed to get out.

“You wanted the story,” Ross replied with an air of satisfaction.

Larry nodded slowly.  “Yes, I did,” he stood up and stretched a little, “but I was expecting science fiction, not fantasy.”

“We’re here aren’t we?” Alice spoke up to defend the tale.

“That’s true, that’s very true.”

“Do you believe it?” Ross asked.

Larry looked back to Alice, then to Boris, “The fact that I can’t confidently and immediately say ‘no’ is one of the most interesting and infuriating things I think I’ve ever experienced.”  He sat back down, folding his hands on the table.  “What you’ve just told me is absolutely insane, and I’m an idiot for even entertaining the possibility that it’s true.  But I staunchly believe that in too great a number, coincidences start becoming patterns.  This Ink Machine matches up decently to the list of tracked purchases we have connected to Mr. Drew.  The timeframes fit too.  The story explicitly accounts for the disappearances of Sammy Lawrence, Norman Polk, Susie Campbell, and Joey Drew, and can implicitly account for all the others.  But the key thing that keeps me from dismissing it all in an instant is the living proof we’ve got here with us.  They alone give a lot more credence to the rest of it.”  He leaned back.  “However, there’s a key piece here that’s missing.”

“Really, what’s that, pal?”

Larry flinched, both surprised and unsurprised by the voice.  Surprised in that he hadn’t expected it, unsurprised in that he knew exactly who it was the moment he heard it.  He had to be around 5 years old the first time he’d heard it, and around 16 the last time.  There were no crackles and pops alongside it though, it was clear as day, and right behind him.

He hadn’t heard the star of the show come in, nor had he noticed him take a seat on the counter, but when Larry turned around, there he was, completing the triumvirate of nostalgia.

Bendy, the Little Devil Darling, himself.

“Well, speak of the devil,” was all he managed to get out.

“Heh, cute,” the imp hopped off the counter and stuck his hand out.  “Pleased to meetcha, pal, I’m Bendy, Bendjammin if ya feelin’ formal.”

Larry took the hand and gave a hardy shake, “Lawrence.  That’s funny, I didn’t know Bendy was short for anything.”

“That’s cuz it ain’t,” the toon didn’t miss a beat, “always liked how it sounded, though.”

That pulled a laugh out of the agent, though whether it was the joke, or finally succumbing to being star struck, he couldn’t say.  “Ain’t that something.”

“Don’t I know it.  So Larry, what was that piece of the puzzle you were missin?”

“I’d hazard that you’ve got a fairly decent idea of who it might be,” he replied with a grin.

Every movement the toon made oozed shownmanship; the overacted way he crossed arms over his torso and held his head in one hand, tapping his cheek thoughtfully, to the gasp of shocked realization, to the agonizingly slow, shy way he looked back up at Larry, pointing to himself and squeaking out, “Me?”

“Mm-hmm,” Larry, unable to keep a smile off his face, gave Henry a raised eyebrow.  The animator sighed with a smile of his own.

Bendy clapped his hands to his cheek and gasped, looking like he was about to cry, “This is so unexpected!”

“Alright, alright, that’s enough schmaltz,” Henry ushered, earning him a pout from the imp.

“Oh, I don’t know, I was entertained,” Larry chuckled, blaming his urge to defend the toon on a fulfilled childhood fantasy.

Bendy’s smile returned in a flash, “Henry, I like this guy.  He’s got a good head on his shoulders.”

“Only because he doesn’t live with you,” Ross replied with exaggerated annoyance.  

“Or work with him,” Alice chimed in, smirking at Bendy.

“Hey,” the imp pointed an accusatory finger at her, “I am a joy to work with, ask anybody.”

“You’re talking about the times when you actually cooperate, right?”  Alice countered.

Bendy harrumphed and turn his lack-of-a-nose up at her, “That’s just part of my charm.”

“Charm, hmm?” Alice leaned forward with a taunting smile.

“Now, Agent Lockart,”  Henry interrupted the two before the schtick went on too long, “you had some more questions?”

Realizing he was once more the center of attention, Larry quickly stifled his giggles and cleared his throat.  “Yes, there were a few.  Assuming I believe everything you’ve told me, and the jury is still out there, what are they capable of now?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you see all sorts of impossible things in cartoons.  Things that’d make any physics nut at NASA want to hang himself.”

“When it comes to the phyiscal properties,” Henry spoke easily and confidently, “they can redistribute their body mass, stretch, smear, things like that.  But when it comes to physics, nothing that human beings can’t do,” Henry replied matter-o-factly.

”Yep,” Bendy confirmed with a nod, “ya ain’t gonna see me pulling a hammer that’s bigger than me out from behind my back.”

“Shame; must make punchlines harder to land, eh?”

“You’re tellin’ me, now we gotta rely on,” he shuddered, “wit.” The word was spoken with overdramatized disdain.

“It was a real setback when we realzed he never developed any,” Alice ribbed.

Bendy squinted at her, “Think you’re a comedian huh?”

“Pays for one of us to be, at least.”  The angel shrugged.

“So no more superhuman abilities, huh?”  Larry interjected, making a note of it in his notebook.  “I think that’s for the best.”

The last statement caught Henry’s attention and he raised an eyebrow.  “Why’s that?”

“Yeah, afraid we’re gonna muss things up?”  Bendy prodded.

“Quite the contrary. That kind of thing can have a lot of potential in... certain areas of the world.”  He looked to Henry, locking eyes with the man.

It took a moment, but the animator’s eyes narrowed in a sudden surge of anger, “No, absolutely not.”

“Agreed,” the agent replied bluntly.  “I fancy myself a patriot, but I say keep the propaganda to the cartoons, not real life.”

“I’ll leave those to other studios, I’ve got better things to make,” Ross replied pointedly.  Made sense coming from a shell-shocked vet.

“The point being,” Larry clarified, “if the bloodhounds in Washington caught wind of something we have that the Reds don’t, they wouldn’t stop until they had it.”

“Then you’ll tell them there’s nothing here,” the words were more than a suggestion, but Larry let it go.

“So far, that seems to be the gist of it.  Now,” he shifted in his chair, “I was wondering if I might have some time with each of them alone.”

“No.” Ross’s reply came out like a reflex.

Larry sighed, seemed as though he’d finally found the brick wall.  “Mr. Ross, you clearly care about these three, and I can respect that.  But if you’re with them the entire time I’m talking to them, they’re going to censor themselves and I can’t have that.”

“That isn’t my problem. I am not leaving them alone with you.” His eyes were unwavering.

Larry sighed and stood up, walking around the table and right up to the man.  “Ross, let me be very clear.  If the story you told me got out, whether or not people believed it, Joseph McCarthy himself would come back from the grave just to shut you down and confiscate all of them.  If my report isn’t comprehensive, if Washington think there’s a single stone I haven’t turned over, they’ll send someone else.”  He leaned in, “That someone else isn’t going to ask.”

Henry stood from his chair, coming chin-to-chin with Larry.  “You have my answer, Agent Lockart.”

“For Christ’s sake, they aren’t children, Ross!  If what you’ve told me is true, they’ve got memories spanning back year.  You can play parent, but they’ve got a right to independence.  Let them choose.”

The words seemed to strike a chord.  The glare didn’t leave, but the jaw shifted.  Ross didn’t trust him, and that was fine, probably smart.  But Larry was their best shot at never hearing from Federal again.  Whether he liked it or not, his legacy was going to be built on the ashes of Joey Drew Studios, a place that already had McCarthiests ready to bust down the door.

Finally, Henry sighed and looked to the others.  At some point they had all huddled together and now they were whispering amongst themselves.  They paused and nodded in unison, then they all stepped forward, Alice in front, Bendy and Boris just behind her.

Alice nodded in agreement. “Henry, after everything you’ve done for us, let us do this for you.”  The other too nodded in support.

With all three agreed, Henry returned his attention to Larry.  “Fine, you’ll use the drawing room.”  With that, he stood up and walked out of the kitchen.  Larry followed him on a short walk down the hall.

The drawing room was exactly what it sounded like.  A cluttered mess of a room with a drawing desk on one wall and a score of drawings and artist’s tools all over the place.

Ross set up two chairs, “The door stays open.”  It was clear that this wasn’t up for negotiation.

Larry sighed, but didn’t fight it.  “Long as we’re not interrupted, I suppose that’s fine.  Now who’s first?”

“That’d be me, sir.” Boris stepped forward without hesitation.

Henry nodded, mostly to himself, then left the room.  Alice followed him.  Bendy lingered for a moment, looking like he wanted to say something, but eventually trailed after them.

“Which one would ya like, Mr. Lockart?”  Boris asked politely, indicating the chairs.

It seemed a superfluous choice to the agent, but he found himself charmed that Boris still thought to give him the pick.  He was starting to understand why the old lady was fond of him.  “Doesn’t much matter to me, take the one that strikes your fancy, Boris.  And please, call me Larry.”

“Mighty kind, Larry,” Boris took his seat and Larry took the other.

“So, Boris, how was mowing the lawn?”

“Pretty alright, I suppose. Long as I get to her every week ‘r so, it don’t give me no trouble.”

“Good, good, I’m glad to hear.  You typically take lawn duty, then?”

“Yes sir.  Workin’ outdoors is some of my favorite chores.”

“Never heard of anyone having ‘favorite’ chores,” Larry chuckled.

“Well, I like helpin’ out. Feels good to do somethin’ kind for other people.  I even started doin’ it for Ol’ Miss Wimble next door,” Boris indicated with a thumb toward the wall.  Larry could only assume Miss Wimble was the one he’d me earlier.

“That’s quite gentlemanly of you,”

“Why thank you kindly.”

“My pleasure.  Now Boris, aside from yard work, how do you usually spend your free time?”

“Well, mostly, I go walkin’ around, shoot the breeze with Bendy or Alice, help Henry around the house and yard if he asks, go fishin’ or do some whittlin’ every once in a while, or I take a nap under the tree outside.”

“A wolf of simple tastes, I can respect that.  Lord knows I wish for a life like that.  Got any whittling projects right now?”

In response, Boris looked around for a moment and perked up his ears, checking for any eavesdroppers, then leaned in close, motioning for Larry to do the same.  “Now, don’t tell nobody, but I got a little somethin’ I’ve been workin on for a little while now.  I’m making everyone at the office their own little sculpture.”

“Everyone, himm?  I imagine that��s quite a few people.”

“Yes sir, but it don’t bother me none.  Once I got all of ‘em done, I’m gonna give everyone theirs at once, let ‘em know how grateful I am for everything they’re doin’ for us.”

Larry couldn’t help but feel a warm tingle in his heart toward the wolf, “Isn’t that swell.  How far along are you?”

“Well, I was almost done a few weeks ago.  But Henry hired a few new folks, so I had to take some time to get to know’em, that way I can make sure they get somethin’ real special too.”

“So when new people show up, you add them to the list?”

The wolf nodded his head, “Uh-huh.”

“You’re a standup guy, Boris, let no on tell you any different.”  He made a few notes with his pen, “Now, moving on from there, given that Bendy’s made his own, are you planning any public appearances?”

The wolf scratched his head thoughtfully, “Guess I gotta sometime, but I usually leave that stuff to Bendy.”

“I can understand that. The world can be a bit overwhelming. How do you feel about it, being in the real world I mean?”

It was another question Boris had to think about for a moment.  “Well, I ain’t gonna be dishonest with ya, it was awful scary for a little while.  Lot’s o’ the stuff we used to do didn’t work no more.  But Henry told us all from the start that he weren’t goin’ nowhere, he was with us till the end.  He started teachin’ us how to do a whole bunch o’ new stuff, and these days we’re all right as rain.”

“Henry’s quite the guy.”

Boris nodded energetically, “Sure is.  Henry’s probably one of the nicest fellas this side of anything.”

“He certainly has your respect.”

“Yessiree, Bob,” he replied proudly.

“Would you say you’d do just about anything for him?”

“Just about,” the wolf agreed with certainty.

Larry leaned forward a little, “What wouldn’t you do for him?”  They had to get here eventually.  The next few minutes weren’t going to be fun.  But Henry had influence over them, that much was clear. He had to see how significant it was.

“Well, I… hmm.”  Boris held his chin and rubbed it thoughtfully. After a moment, he nodded, confirming something to himself.  “I wouldn’t hurt nobody.”

His reply brought a good deal of relief with it.; Larry let go of a breath he didn’t know he was holding.  Good answer.  “Really? If Henry told you to, say, bite someone, you’d refuse?”

“Yessir, I would,” the answer was given with conviction.  “I ain’t never hurt nobody before and I ain’t gonna start now.”

Larry nodded, satisfaction blooming, and took down a few more notes.  “Boris, that’s a good strategy to live by.”

“Well, thank you, Larry, kind of you to say.”

“My pleasure.  Now I’ve got just one last question for you.” He leaned forward once more and looked the canine in his notched pupils.  “What do you think about war, Boris?”

The toon gave him a puzzled, slightly uncomfortable look.  “What do you mean?”

“What’s your opinion on it? Why do we do it, when is it necessary? Who’s fault is it?”

Boris wasn’t fond of the question; he shifted a little in his seat, and his pupils got just a little smaller.  “Well, I don’t know if I can say anything about it that nobody else has.”

“Oh, that’s fine.  Just tell me what you can say,” he encouraged.

The wolf took some more time to think, tapping his foot and saying “hmm” every few moments.  His ears twitched a little too.  “I think…” he began slowly, working hard to convert complicated thoughts into words.  “I think that if you go around hurtin’ people, then ya only got yourself to blame if ya get hurt back.  But I don’t think yer always gonna have a choice, especially if yer tryin’ to help someone else.”

Larry nearly laughed from the surge of warmth he felt.  What was it the Miss Wimble had said?  “Such a good boy”, was it?  She could say that again.  “Well, Boris, I think that’s plenty.  Henry’s lucky to have you.”

Boris’s face lit up with a smile, “Well, thanks for sayin’ so, Larry.”

“What’s say we head back to the kitchen?”  He made a short summary of all his notes, fairly confident in his conclusion.

Boris is wholly nonthreatening.  A good country boy with not a single mean bone in his body.  Any resources spent on further surveillance of him would be wasted and could used elsewhere to much greater effect.

[illusionlockarchive]

Belief and Persuasion- Chapter 8 (Finale)

hey folks! i’ve been working on a little batim prequel fanfic for a while n its finally done! its a little long, so im dividing it in 8 chapters total!

if you want to read more, i’ll be tagging this under ‘bap fic’ on my blog!

summary:

Joey Drew gives an interview about how he managed to build his empire, and focuses on the two things needed most: belief and persuasion, the latter of which is trickier. As he talks about his philosophy, we can see examples of his influence at work.

This chapter: Joey finishes giving his interview, only to be confronted by Bendy.

(note: when Bendy “speaks” in this fanfiction, it’s not that he is actually speaking, but rather whistling, and everyone can just understand him, hence the parenthesis. It’s an old silly little trope, but I like it.)

"So, I think that will be all, don't you agree? You've learned quite a lot!" Joey seemed to be joking around, but the interviewer now seemed confused, as if the roles had been flipped.

He looked at his notebook to find scribbles and notes of some strange philosophy bordering in manipulation, things that he hadn't realized he was so absent mindedly writing, so compliant. Joey drew had really taken him for a spin. It really was true what they said about that man, he could have anyone wrapped up in his world in no time. But still, he had to leave.

"Thank you for having me, Mr. Drew." He stammered, getting up, almost not quite sure how to answer. "I will surely remember this, uh. I'll be making my leave now."

"Sure, sure, see you then!" Joey laughed gently as he watched the man make his way out.

After he had turned the corner, Joey moved into his wheelchair and rolled out, only to be confronted by Bendy, who seemed to have been snooping around, hidden from sight. He did not look happy, with his arms crossed and frowning.

"Why, what's this, Bendy? You look as sour as a lemon!" Joey joked, but Bendy had none of it.

"(I know what you did now. Alice and Susie are like this because you did it, didn't you? All of this, everything you do, it's just a game to you! You don't really care about making us stars, you only really care about what you want for the company. Well newsflash! I'm done bowing to you like a loyal little puppy dog, and Boris shouldn't either, no matter how much food you give him!)" Bendy whistled, pointing at him accusingly.

Joey seemed quiet for a minute, seeming genuinely caught in his deceitful manipulative behavior. Then, he nodded solemnly, and spoke again: "Bendy, you don't understand the true predicament I'm in. If I am rushing things, if I am using deceit and persuasion and every resource I can, it's because I'm truly desperate. I'm dying Bendy. The polio is eating me away." He then grabbed his toon's gloved hands, almost as if pleading.

"(What?)" Bendy took a step back. "(What- I'm sorry, that's really awful, but I still think what you did wasn't right.)"

"Yes, but there is a way to help me, to help this, I can be better, we can be better, together!" Joey grabbed Bendy's hands again, this time holding him firmly, as if not letting him get away.

"(... You... Are you honestly still...)" Bendy looked at him in dismay, trying to wriggle free of his grasp.

"Yes, Bendy, let's become one and the same, then I won't have to ever worry about death again! Won't you save me? Save your dear old creator? And let this studio prosper again? Really, killing two birds with one stone!" Joey kept holding him firmly, trapping him almost.

"(I can't believe it! You're doing it again, even when you're sick like this you're still thinking of what you can do to expand your greed! What about what I want? I'm not ready to have what happened to Alice happen to me!)" Bendy stared at him, visibly upset, his whistles growing louder and more aggressive.

"What you want? How can you possibly be so selfish when the one that has brought you to life is dying? You look positively despicable with that frown you know that! Now you better be smiling up and proud again because you are going to help me or you know what's going to happen? Without me, this whole studio's gonna come crumbling to the ground!" Joey snarled, now actually getting angry seeing as his initial persuasion didn't work.

But Bendy kept shaking his head in disbelief: "(No, no, I refuse to get the blame of YOU wanting to have a perfect little cartoon to dance for you. Maybe you should have never made me, if you weren't ready for me to disagree with you.)" Finally, he managed to tear himself free and ran off down the hall.

Joey huffed in anger and went after him; he had a feeling he knew where the little devil was going to.

Sure enough, Joey found him clawing and pounding at the ink machine, but so obviously unsure of how to attack it (if you could even call it an attack, so meek it was) that it made him laugh.

"Bendy." Joey laughed gently, but obviously mocking him. "What do you think you're doing?"

"(I'm going to destroy this wretched machine. Once it's gone, you won't be able to do any of your weird ideas anymore!)" Bendy growled between whistles, taking out random nuts and bolts and whatever he could out of it. Finally, he managed to reach one of the bigger gears, and started to pull it off, it was almost coming completely loose when...

"Bendy, no!" Joey screamed.

Bendy stopped, startled enough by how loud Joey had yelled.

"If you pull that, the pressure will de-stabilize and the whole studio's going to flood! Don't. Do that. Just gently ease it back into place and-" Joey couldn't finish.

Bendy, even if really had not moved the piece fully away from the machine, had already pulled on it so much it just came loose, and the machine immediately did its job, pipes bursting and flooding the room immediately, large amounts of ink washing over them in waves, pulling both Joey and Henry from where they were in swirls of black liquid. It quickly spread over to the other rooms, the work desks and chairs being knocked over, the items on the pedestals being washed out and spread around, the projectors violently swaying in the ink...

Alice Angel, or rather, Alice and Susie, now made into one being, heard it, from the level she stood, where she was still trying to accommodate her home, to come to terms with who she was now. Even with her having failed miserably at becoming perfect, she had still convinced the others to let her stay. But now, she thought it might not have been such a good idea. The employees that were also in that level immediately looked up, hearing it too, feeling the ceiling rumble. Then came the ink, first dripping down in small droplets, then coming down the elevator shaft, the pipes bursting. Something big and terrible was happening.

"Oh no... Oh my god..." Alice said to herself. Then she looked around, to her ex-colleagues, grabbed a microphone from a nearby booth and connected it to the speakers of the studio, shouting: "Get a move people go, go, go! This place is going to flood! Those who can, get into the elevator shaft, those who can't-"

She stopped herself, thinking about whether there was any other solution. She didn't want any of these people to die, but... No. She couldn't think of anything else. "Listen up people, try your best to keep swimming around the ink if you can, and stay atop big structures if possible! After a while, toons are going to start to form, and... and if you can't hold on until this all passes, and if you fear it's your last moment, coat yourselves in ink and become one with them. I'm serious, it's the only way, I'm immune to the ink, you will be too, but for now, try to stay alive!"

Back upstairs, Joey, who was at least trying to make an effort to hold onto the doorframe, felt himself slipping as the levels of ink rose higher and higher. Bendy on the other side of the room, had managed to hold on still to the top of the ink machine.

"Bendy..." Joey pleaded. "I don't think I'll hold on much longer..."

Bendy kept quiet, almost as if he was trying to ignore him.

"Bendy, look at me! You're the one that's doomed us all and you still refuse to help me?!" He tried an angrier approach, but that only earned him another silent distrustful and angry look from the demon.

Joey gulped, seeing as his last two fingers slipped off. "Bendy!" He yelled, as his hands finally gave out and he got washed away, engulfed by the ink. He tried one more time, using his last energy to yell: "Bendy please! You know I can't swim like this!"

Finally, guilt got the best of the little cartoon demon as he let go of the machine and swam with ease, diving towards Joey, who was now nearly drowning in the ink. Bendy was a toon, so he could keep his eyes open under the ink, and looking at Joey now, nearly unconscious, he did feel in the end, a pang of pity... His creator had been awful to him, his friends and the employees, but surely, Bendy went too far...

Suddenly, Joey's eyes shot up, blood red as they immediately reacted by being in contact with the ink, the human man grabbing the little toon and forcefully pulling him next to him. Bendy whistled and squealed in despair, his sounds muffled out by the layers and layers of ink, as he was pulled in closer and closer to the dark inky figure that had become of Joey...

Finally, the ink machine had given it all it could. The pressure had become extremely low, its fuel, whatever it was, had stopped functioning, it had for all purposes exhausted itself. At the surface of the black sea of ink, all was still for a moment, nearly peaceful.

Then a figure rose from the ink, tall, imposing, almost like a shark emerging from the sea waters, screeching and howling like and unnatural beast being born. But the most peculiar thing about this new monster was its happy grin that went from cheek to cheek.

[anonymous-hopeful]

Hopestuck

A fanfic with Danganronpa characters in Homestuck

I'm just going to post it all in one go, then update as needed.

Like and reblog, all that fun stuff

ACT ONE: THE BEGINNING

A young adult male stands alone in his room. He dons his zip-up hoodie, t-shirt, a pair of jeans, and sneakers. At first glance, this teenaged boy seems normal, completely ordinary, however, this is not so. For you see, atop his head is an ahoge, passed down from generation to generation. They say it's a mark of destiny. This boy will be known in history. This boy is extremely special. This boy...this boy is...

==> Name The Boy.

NAEGG MACOOKEM

...

"Actually, you're not that far off."

==>

NAEGI MAKOTO

"See? You were pretty close."

==>

Your name is NAEGI MAKOTO. Inside your dorm is your VARIETY OF INTRESTS, or rather, LACK THEREOF.  You don't really have much in your room, as every time you try to decorate it, IT PUTS OUT THE WRONG MESSAGE ABOUT YOU. The message being you're an INTRESTING GUY. The only reason you're even in HOPE'S PEAK ACADEMY anyway was because of the LOTTERY YOU WON. By winning said lottery, you were awarded the title of ULTIMATE LUCKY STUDENT, and the entrace into ONE OF THE MOST PRESTEGIOUS SCHOOLS IN JAPAN. While you try to FIT IN, you can't help but be intimidated by the other students who are TRULY TALENTED. Thankfully, someone connected you to CHAT-CHAN, a chat-room application that some students here use. You've made some friends under your CHANHANDLE, HopefulEgg. Unfortunately, you're too shy to talk to them in real life.

What will you do now?

==> Makoto: Examine your fetch modus.

Fetch modus? Oh yeah. That was the storage device you recieved when you came in on the first day. You look at your FETCH MODUS. It's the LUCK MODUS, of course. Once something goes in, whether or not comes out is up to sheer luck. You've avoided using the capchalouge cards for it. You don't need anything important getting stuck in the sylladex.

==> Makoto: Examine your strife specibus.

Strife specibus? Oh yeah. That was the weopon specializer you recieved when you came in the first day. You have the REVOLVERKIND, filled with a large supply of TRUTH BULLETS. You've avoided using that, too. Guns are dangerous, and you're no marksman.

==>

"Uwuu! Someone wants to chat with you!☆"

Looks like Chat-chan's alerting you.

==> Makoto: Chat.

MysteriousRamen [MR] began chatting with HopefulEgg [HE]

MR: Are you available at the moment?

HE: as of now, yes. whats up?

MR: I was wondering if you had taken notes from today's lesson.

HE: yeah, i always do that, why, do you need them?

MR: If we were able to meet up somewhere on campus, yes.

HE: oh, i see what this is! you're not making me fall for it, ramen -.-

MR: What is that at the end?

HE: it's a squinty face. it enforces that i'm not falling for the trick.

MR: Sure it does.

HE: :)

MR: I don't understand why you are so self conscious. Surely after our many chats, you will have become more confident.

HE: i have! a little...

MR: Would you at least tell me your name?

HE: eh...why don't you go first?

MR: I inquired first.

HE: still, i'm not ready!

MR: Then my identity shall remain hidden as well.

HE: fine by me.

MR: Seriously though, I do need the notes.

HE: don't worry, i'll send them via internet file.

HE: IMPORTANTNOTES.jpg

MR: Thank you. This will work tremendously in my investigation.

HE: what investigation?

MR: ...

MysteriousRamen [MR] ceased chatting with HopefulEgg [HE]

==>

You hope that investigation had good intentions behind it.

==>

*a knock at the door*

==> Makoto: Answer knock.

No one's on the other side, however, there are two envelopes left in their wake.

==> Makoto: Pick up envelopes.

You pick up the envelopes and look atbthe packaging. On each one, the logo for a game called SBURB in printed, but underneath, the text either says server or client. You have a vauge idea who left these at your dorm. After all, he's the only one that knows who you are.

==> Makoto: Chat with you-know-who.

HopefulEgg [HE] began chatting with CookiecutterPepsicola [CP]

HE: hey, did you leave these disks outside my dorm?

==>

You end up waiting a pretty long time. Eventually, you give up on the guy.

"SBURB...I wonder what it is..."

==> Makoto: Ask about SBURB.

You examine your chatmate list.

MysteriousRamen

WealthyLiterary

PsychoticLovestruck

CrystalClairvoyant

WaterloggedSprinkle

SeriouslyTalentless

OccultNobility

CookiecutterPepsicola

FamishedOlympian

HomicidalBabyface

Other than CookiecutterPepsicola, you're not sure who would have any idea about this game. You decide to take to the internet for this one.

==>

You find nothing. Literally nothing. Does this game even exist?!

==>

MysteriousRamen

WealthyLiterary

PsychoticLovestruck

CrystalClairvoyant

WaterloggedSprinkle

SeriouslyTalentless

OccultNobility

●CookiecutterPepsicola

FamishedOlympian

HomicidalBabyface

Looks like he's on now.

==>

HopefulEgg [HE] began chatting with CookiecutterPepsicola [CP]

HE: hey, did you leave these disks outside my dorm?

CP: Yeh. Cool, right?

HE: if i knew what it was, sure.

CP: Yer gonna find out soon enough. Along with the others.

HE: others?

CP: Mmhmm. It's all part of my plan.

HE: so you made this?

CP: Sorta. Some of th' stuff I got from this random guy that keeps botherin me.

HE: aw man. internet troll?

CP: Self proclaimed too.

HE: don't you know to just leave those guys alone?

CP: That's just it. He won't, and every time I block 'im, it seems ta override.

HE: :O

CP: I guess th' guy ain't that bad. Though, I guess I get some weird feelin's from 'im. Like...he's flirtin or somethin.

HE: :(

CP: Hold on. He's on now. I gotta get back ta ya.

CookiecutterPepsicola [CP] ceased chatting with HopefulEgg [HE]

==>

You're amazed. You can't believe that guy blew you off to indulge some internet troll. You almost feel offended. Actually, you do. Then again, you're not that surprised. He's a quirky guy.

==> Point of View: Switch.

Wait a minute! We're not done with this guy yet! There's so much more to...oh.  

It appears the point of view switches anyway. Bummer.

ACT ONE: POINT OF VIEW SWAP

A serious, dignified, and one might even say stoic girl stands in the middle of her dorm. The lavender-haired lass is wearing her dark purple jacket, paired with a tie, black gloves,  heeled boots, a skirt, and a small bow in a single braid. One look at this lady, and you know she means business, and even though her lips are sealed, she's examining, analyzing, studying, completely aware of her surroundings, and that you're looking at her. Maybe you should guess her name.

==> Guess her name.

CUP O' FANSERVICE NOODLES

...

"You couldn't possibly have done worse."

==>

KIRIGIRI KYOKO

Yeah. That's it. She wonders why you didn't get it sooner.

==>

Your name is KIRIGIRI KYOKO. You go to HOPE'S PEAK ACADEMY as the ULTIMATE DETECTIVE. As expected, you've got quite a bit of DETECTIVE MERCHANDICE in your room. A POSTER OF YOUR FAVORITE DETECTIVE here, a NANCY DREW BOOK there, and and old-timey DETECTIVE OUTFIT hanging in your closet. Your FATHER got that for you when you were accepted in. Your father, of course, is KIRIGIRI JIN, the HEADMASTER of Hope's Peak. He's a pretty good father, you think, when he's not being a total nerd. Quite recently, you took on another case, except instead of finding a MURDERER, you're trying to figure out who's on the end of each CHANHANDLE. Just saying, you all claim to go to Hope's Peak. The least you all could do is talk IN REAL LIFE. Still, you communicate with them under your own chanhandle, MysteriousRamen.

What will you do?

==> What are those notebooks on the floor?

Nothing. They're not important.

==> What's on that corkboard over there?

You sure are nosy.

==> What-

Before you can finish, she snaps up the item in her sylladex. Even if you wanted to see it, it'd only be a photo-copy. This is the CLUE MODUS. The only way to truly get the item would be to follow the clues on the back of the card. Only the wisest of detectives use this modus.

==> What about-

Once again cutting you off, she pulls out a SHIV, which was stored in her KNIFEKIND. She thinks it'll get you to stop. She's right.

==> Kyoko: Continue investigation.

You go on your computer and examine all of your files. You've managed to get majority of your chans to send over something with their handwriting on it. You just need two more submissions, then some difinitive answers can come up.

==> Kyoko: Have that conversation with HopefulEgg.

You have that conversation with HopefulEgg. The one where you asked for a picture of their notes. They were apprehensive at first, but the mission was a victory. The next nut got a tougher shell to crack...

==> Kyoko: Chat with WealthyLiterary.

MysteriousRamen [MR] began chatting with WealthyLiterary [WL]

MR: If it doesn't bother you, I'd like to ask you a favor.

WL: Fun fact: I don't do favors.

MR: Fun fact: this is important.

WL: ...

WL: Fine. Make it quick. I have better things to do.

MR: Of course. Could you send me a handwritten document via comupter?

WL: Excuse me?

MR: There is an extreme emergency within Hope's Peak.

WL: You're bluffing.

MR: I'm as serious as a heart attack.

WL: If you're being serious, you'll tell me what's happening.

MR: Gladly. It seems a thief in in this school, and  they leave notes behind every time they steal. I'm examining everyone's handwriting.

WL: Either this is true, or you're the Ultimate Liar.

MR: I couldn't be. They graduated last year.

WL: ...

WL: You've barely convinced me.

MR: Funny. Everyone else submitted a document. You are the first to downright refuse. This could cut out inveatigation all together. You must be the culprit.

WL: What? Impossible. I'd never stoop so low as to resort to thievery.

MR: Tell it to the judge.

WL: You really are serious about this, aren't you?

MR: As a heart attack, like I said.

MR: Now, either send me a document, or face jail time. Your choice.

WL: Give me a moment.

MR: (Time Lapse)

WL: Very mature.

MR: ; :)

MR: I try.

WL: Writtendocument.jpg

WL: There. Are you satisfied?

MR: Quite.

WL: Thank goodness.

WealthyLiterary [WL] ceased chatting to MysteriousRamen [MR]

==>

"That guy's a total douche."

==>

What? He is!

==>

That also wasn't a lie. Technically, there is a theif.

==>

And they've stolen your heart.

==>

You enjoy chatting with them. Whoever they are...

==>

HopefulEgg...

==> Kyoko: Begin deeper investigation.

You pull up each file. You begin to try and decode each sample. To aid in this, you take out the (completed and graded) essays you've stolen from the classroom. The investigation is-

==> Knock knock.

Who's there? You decide to go check.

==> No one.

Of course. Practical jokery, ha ha. You're so mad about the jape you almost don't see the two envelopes on the ground.

==> Kyoko: Pick them up.

You pick them up, just like it says.

"SBURB, huh?"

==>

Looks like a game of some sort. One's marked Server, and the other is marked Client.  You were never big on video games, but this one seems intresting. You decide to consult your local techie.

==> Kyoko: Consult your local techie.

MysteriousRamen [MR] began chatting with CookiecutterPepsicola [CP]

MR: SBURB, huh?

CP: What?

MR: Oh nothing. I would just like to know what's your aim in this game you've created.

CP: There ain't an aim in this. I just want everyone ta play it.

MR: It surprises me that you could purchace this for me.

CP: I didn't. I made it with the help of some internet troll.

MR: Oh?

CP: Now I know what yer thinkin, an' no, he ain't some creep.

MR: How does he describe himself?

CP: Um...it's weird.

MR: I'm sure I've heard weirder.

CP: He says he's an amethyst blooded, sea dwelling troll with a love for lusi, whatever those are.

MR: Intresting.

CP: Also, as rude as he usually is, I think he's bein' flirty. Endin every statement with ♡♤.

MR: Oh really?

CP: Yeah. He says he's fanscinated wit me.

MR: Hmm. Now that I think about it, a random person has began messaging me as well. Though I never indulge them.

CP: I suggest it. The guy I got's not bad.

MR: I will consider.

MysteriousRamen [MR] ceased chatting with CookiecutterPepsicola [CP]

==>

"Uwaa! ☆"

Speaking of...

==>

treblemakingSongbird [TS] began trolling MysteriousRamen [MR]

TS: Are you on? <(^^)

TS: Please don't block me again. It took our tech troll over an hour to decode the system. <(UU)

MR: Not this time.

TS: >(' ')!

==> Random Douchebag: Appear out of nowhere.

Oh boy. Here we go again.

ACT ONE: Who's this douchebag?

A random douchbag appeared. You examine him a bit. Straight-laced green suit, perfecty styled blonde hair, expensive looking glasses, and a narssicistic scowl on his face. All doubt leaves your mind; this guy really is a douchebag. Textbook definition of the term. If you looked up that word in the dictionary, there would be no words, only this guy's photo. He looks at you and raises a disapproving eyebrow. He wants you to guess his name. Actually, he expects you to know it already. What a prick.

==> INSUFFERABLE DOUCHEPRICK.

He says he's not going to acknowledge the degrading name you gave him.

==> TOGAMI BYAKUYA.

He nods a bit in approval. You guess that's who he is.

==>

Your name is TOGAMI BYAKUYA. As Hope's Peak's ULTIMATE AFFLUENT PROGENCY, you plan on letting everyone know YOU'RE IN CHARGE, and that you're basically BETTER THAN EVERYONE. In your dorm, you have decorated with EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE STATUES, BOOKS, AND FURNATURE, and in your closet is a wide variety of EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE SUITS. That's how rich you are. Of course, such is expected of the next owner of the TOGAMI CONGLOMERATE, one of Japan's BIGGEST BUSINESSES. You admit, you spent a long time working up to that level, and there's NO WAY YOU'RE BACKING DOWN. You also admit that you only went to Hope's Peak to see if anyone was as COMPETENT AS YOU. The only one that came close was the ULTIMATE PRINCESS. Well, also that really quiet guy, but that's for an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT REASON. Still, you do frequently chat with these lowly classmates of yours on Chat-chan, via your Chanhandle, WealthyLiterary.

==>

Because he knew you were about to ask, he demonstrates his CREDIT CARD MODUS for you. When an item is captchalouged, the card must be swiped on order for the item to be freed. It's reserved for only the rich, he tells you. You don't particuallarly care.

==>

He now takes the time to show off his MEGAPHONEKIND. A pull of the trigger releases an electric blast. As much as you don't want to care, you have to agree it's pretty cool.

==>

"Uwuu! Someone wants to chat with you!☆"

==>

"If it's her, I swear...".

==> Byakuya: Is it her?

No it's not. It seems that MysteriousRamen wanted to chat.

==> Byakuya: Chat against your better judgement.

You chat against your better judgement. The conversation wasn't all that bad. Seems that there's a thief in the school. You hope they get caught. You don't need any of your precious items stolen.

==> *Knock knock*

You hope this isn't the set-up of an incredibly juvenile joke.

==> Byakuya: Check the door.

That doesn't seem to be the case. You do have mail, however.

==> Byakuya: Examine mail.

SBURB Beta. Sounds like a video game. You don't do video games.

==>

"Uwuu! ☆"

==>

OH GOD, IT'S HER.

==> Byakuya: Attempt to deter.

PsychoticLovestruck [PL] began chatting with WealthyLiterary [WL]

PL: Byakuya...

WL: Go away.

PL: I swear, I-I'm not hitting on you this time! O~O

WL: Leave me alone.

PL: I'm being s-serious! OnO

WL: Fine, but if you even attempt to make a pass at me, I will hit block user.

PL: I understand...

PL: Did you...happen to recieve any mail?

WL: Please don't tell me this is yours.

PL: W-what? No! Ò.Ó

WL: Then yes. I happened to recieve two envelopes today for SBURB Beta.

PL: Was there both a server and client disk?

WL: Yes. Why do you ask?

PL: I recieved one too...

WL: Odd. I don't remember anyone even mentioning this game.

PL: I can say for certain that this isn't your everyday game...

WL: Elaborate.

PL: I chatted with Cookiecutter earlier. He says he made it with some help.

WL: Oh, really?

PL: He plans on all of us playing it. H-he says it'll be fun O*O

WL: Are you sure he didn't send this to me on accident?

PL: He gave one to everybody. He seems passionate about it, so...m-maybe I'll give it a go.

WL: You? Playing a video game?

PL: I-it would help me socialize.

PL: Whether or not you play is up to you.

PsychoticLovestruck [PL] ceased chatting with WealthyLiterary [WL]

==>

Wow. You almost can't believe it. You actually had a normal conversation with her. As for this game, you're thinking about playing it, but you aren't quite sure.

==>

"Uwuu!☆"

==>

gothicSnakeeyes [GS] began trolling WealthyLiterary [WL]

GS: Play the game, douchebag ;3

gothicSnakeeyes [GS] ceased trolling WealthyLiterary [WL]

==>

Great. Now internet trolls are after you. You dismiss the person watching to deal with with the troll.

==> Person watching: Watch someone else.

...

OH GOD, IT'S HER.

ACT ONE: OH GOD, IT'S HER

OH GOD IT'S HER. Large round glasses, uneasy smirk, two neat braids, conservative clothing. Wait. Why are you so upset? This seems like a nice, civiliized lady.  What could possibly be wrong with her? She says nothing, then looks away slightly. So shy...you'd be pretty surprised if this girl turned out to be a serial killer or something. She just says nothing. Hmm...

==> PROBABLY A SERIAL KILLER.

She cringes at the name.

==> FUKAWA TOUKO

She cringes at that one too, but slightly less.

==>

Your name is FUKAWA TOUKO. As Hope's Peak's ULTIMATE AUTHOR, you're expected to be SOCIABLE AND CHARISMATIC, but in reality, you're very SOCIALLY AWKWARD. You AVOID PEOPLE often, and REFUSE TO SPEAK UNLESS SPOKEN TO. In your dorm, you have BOOKS, PAPER, AND PENCILS scattered about, and posters of HOT GUYS hang on your walls. You're a bit of a PERVERT when it comes to some things, but you do speciallize in ROMANCE NOVELS, so you have a bit of an excuse. Those excuses don't help when you're caught STALKING YOUR CRUSHES, however, which, unfortunately happen often. The current guy you have your eyes on just happens to be HOT, but a HUGE DOUCHE, just the way you like them. In spite of not being able to socialize in real life, you tend to chat on Chat-chan, under the chanhandle PsychoticLovestruck.

==> Touko: Fetch Modus, please.

Your fetch modus is the LIBRARY MODUS. When an item is captured, it turns into a book, and is stored into the sylladex. In order to access it again, you have to read the book, which is essentally a novel about that item. It's actually some pretty good material.

==> Touko: How about that strife specibus?

That? It's equipped with SCISSORKIND, it seems.  She doesn't seem to want to touch it...

==> *Knock*

You wonder why they only knocked once. You're a bit offended by this. It doesn't seem like they're there anymore, so you decide to do something else.

==> Touko: Feed your stinkbug.

You feed your stinkbug. You found her when you were young. Her name is Kameko. You keep her in your dorm because everyone complains of her stench, but you don't care. Aftet all, she understands you better than anyone. If anything, you and that stinkbug are in it for the long haul.

==> Touko: Who knocked?

It seems that whoever was there has left something behind. Two somethings actually. You pick them up and instantly know who left them.

==> Touko: Chat to who left them.

PsychoticLovestruck [PS] began chatting with CookiecutterPepsicola [CP]

PL: Is this...what you've been w-working on?

CP: Cool, right?

PL: What is it exactly?

CP: A game. Once I finish deliverin em, we're gonna play.

PL: Um...

CP: What's up?

PL: I don't...really d-do video games...ÕnÕ

CP: You'll enjoy this one. It'll be fun.

PL: ...what's i-it about?

CP: I don't fully know. I got some help from my troll friend.

PL: Ugh, I hate internet trolls. T-they make so much trouble.

CP: This one's good, don't worry. He's real helpful.

PL: S-so...the game?

CP: All I know is that we can like, manipulate out enviroments and shit. Plus, we need to use both the server an client disk.

PL: Manipulate environments? L-like a simulator, or...?

CP: I think the guy meant in reality.

PL: OõO

CP: Yeah, pretty awesome.

PL: I-i admit, I'm on board...

CP: I'm proud o ya! I'mma go make more deliveries.

PL: I guess I'll chat with you l-later...

PsychoticLovestruck [PL] ceased chatting with CookiecutterPepsicola [CP]

==>

You think you want to inform your crush about this...

==>

"Uwuu! ☆"

==>

...and here's a sidetracker.

==> Touko: Answer sidetracker.

CrystalClairvoyant [CC] began chatting with PsychoticLovestruck [PL]

CC: YOO, TOUKO!

CC: DID U JUST GET A GAME?

CC:  PLZ SAY YES! (☆)

PL: Yes...

CC: GOOD, I'M SEEIN' THINGS RIGHT THEN.

PL: Huh?

CC: WE'RE ALL GONNA PLAY THIS GAME, RIGHT? BUT IT'S SO MUCH MORE, LIKE, I CAN'T EVEN.

PL: Really? Ø.Ø

CC: DON'T SLANTY EYE ME!

CC: DUDE, I SAW METEORS CRASHIN INTO THE SCHOOL!

CC: AND LIKE, THESE COOL PJS

CC: PJS, TOUKO

PL: Remind me why I'm on the recieving end of this?

CC: You sound like Kyoko, smh.

CC: You were the first one I saw on my dash.

PL: Even still...why w-would I care?

CC: I'm at least 33% correct...

PL: Chat with me when you're not acting like a lunatic.

CC: BUT

PsychoticLovestruck [PL] blocked CrystalClairvoyant [CC]

==>

You'll unblock the guy when you're done chatting with Byakuya.

==> Touko: Think about cool pjs.

What? You already know about the cool pjs. At least in your dreams. You've even chronicled your adventures in the dream world. You can't help it. The ominous purple aura really brings out your creative side. In fact, it's inspired a good chunk of your stories. You kinda wonder if that guy's there too. After all, you've seen Kyoko, Byakuya, and a few others there too. Sound asleep, but there. You wonder if they'll awaken soon. Maybe you'll tell this to the crazy guy. Well, after chatting with Byakuya.

==> Touko: Chat with Byakuya.

You chat with Byakuya. He doesn't block you, and actually, he seems to listen to you this time. Maybe there is a chance...

"Uwuu! ☆"

"Huh?"

==>

trippyPillpopper [TP] began trolling PsychoticLovestruck [PL]

TP: *please talk to me* ]:'(

trippyPillpopper [TP] was blocked by PsychoticLovestruck [PL]

==>

You don't need any of this troll mess. You just can't deal with it. Instead, you go to bathe. After all, if you're going to be social, you might as well smell nice.

==> Veiwer: Considerately view someone else.

You considerately view someone else. Touko appreciates it, but now a random wierdo seems to be freaking out at your sudden arrival.

ACT ONE: RANDOM WEIRDO

A random weirdo looks at you. You look at a random weirdo. His hair sticks up in all directictions, he has the slightest beard stubble, and he gives off a very strong hobo aura. He also looks too old to even be in this school...and you'd be right. Then again, he was never the brightest bulb.

==> TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER.

Okay, whoa. Calm down man, it was a joke. Just a joke...um...

It doesn't look like he's calming down anytime soon.

==> HAGAKURE YASUHIRO

" Huh?"

==>

Your name is HAGAKURE YASUHIRO. As Hope's Peak's ULTIMATE CLAIRVOYANT, you...don't really do much. Often, you'll offer to READ PALMS, and SEE INTO ONE'S FUTURE, but the STEEP PRICE usually turns others away. In your dorm, you have everything a shaman needs, CATCHY POSTERS, INTERESTING ARTIFACTS, and GIMMICKS GALORE. You would think that a BUSINESSMAN LIKE YOURSELF would stay out of SERIOUS TROUBLE, but it seems that a CERTAIN YAKUZA has a large TARGET ON YOUR BOUNTY. You haven't left your room since. Luckily, your classmates can supply you your work through Chat-chan, under the clever chanhandle CrystalClairvoyant.

==> Yasuhiro: Consult your fetch modus.

You have the CRYSTAL BALL MODUS. Rather than captchalouging spare items for later use, your modus captchalouges random items that you'll need for later use sometime in the future. Sometimes it's the near future, and others, practically months. It also doesn't help that you can't captchalouge immediately.

...looks like the crystal ball has sent a hamburger. Sweet!

==>

Whoops. It got stuck in that extra strife specibus card the crystal ball sent earlier. Now you have a FOODKIND to go along with your MAGICKIND. The MAGICKIND has a WAND inside. You haven't figured out how to work that yet, but when you do, all kinds of cool stuff's gonna happen.

==>

At least you have a use for the specibus portfolio you got months ago.

Hey, what's in the crystal ball now?

==> Yasuhiro: Look inside.

It looks like a copy of a game. Two copies of a game actually. Those had to be coming your way eventually. After all, the crystal ball modus knows all. Once you retrieve the card from the sylladex, you take the copies of the game and examine them. SBURB Beta, server and client copies. You haven't heard of this game before. It must be new on the market. You decide to see what it has in store via your clairvoyant powers.

==> Yasuhiro: See.

You take out the disks and hold them in your hands. Closing your eyes, you begin to see new, complex contraptions around your room. A hail of meteors rain outside, but then the scene shifts to a beautiful planet with little chameleons running around. At a moment, the scene blacks out, and you're on a planet of gold. You're wearing some pretty cool pjs.

==>Yasuhiro: Drop the disks.

You gently set the disks down. After that exclusive preview, you don't want those disks destroyed. Wait. It occurs to you...

"I GOTTA TELL SOMEONE ABOUT THIS!!"

==> Yasuhiro: Tell someone about this.

You tell someone about this! Unfortunately, they block you. Oh well. At least she listened to the majority of your spiel.

==>

"Uwuu!☆"

Oh boy.

==>

punkrockBallpark [PB] began trolling CrystalClairvoyant [CC]

PB: get hacked

CC: Nooo

PB: nice line driver t⊙ y⊙ur c⊙mputer

PB: tech tr⊙ll hit a h⊙me run

CC: Leave me be ;_;

PB: i've tr⊙lled y⊙u this l⊙ng, what makes y⊙u think i'm st⊙pping n⊙w?

CC: Why must you terrorize me so?

PB: eh, i'm b⊙red. my kismesis is ⊙ut d⊙ing whatever, s⊙ i'm just kinda here

CC: Kismesis?

PB: wh⊙⊙ps. i mean ⊙ne ⊙f y⊙ur human b⊙y/girlfriends

CC: In this case?

PB: b⊙yfriend

PB: Out there flying and shit

PB: y⊙u aren't dead, g⊙⊙d f⊙r y⊙u

PB: but it makes me hate him m⊙re, s⊙ i can't c⊙mplain

CC: Why do you want to hate your boyfriend ( ? )

PB: y⊙u're g⊙nna have t⊙ wait f⊙r that talk

CC: You realize I may be older than you...?

PB: i'm 9 sweeps

PB: translate it y⊙urself

punkrockBallpark [PB] ceased trolling CrystalClairvoyant [CC]

==>

You have no idea what sweeps are.

==> Yasuhiro: Ask someone what sweeps are.

CrystalClairvoyant [CC] began chatting with WaterloggedSprinkle [WS]

CC: Do you know what a sweep is?

WS: Something a broom does ~u~

CC: Haha! Nice. Seriously tho.

WS: No...I'll find out though.

==>

How rude. You came in just as she was about to find out.

ACT ONE: WELL, FIND OUT.

She looks around. She may have forgotten what she was doing already. Oh well, at least we can get on with the intro. A swirled ponytail, athletic clothing, and an inordinate amount of donut boxes? Certainly contradictory, but she seems to be in great shape, so you don't judge her. She offers you a donut. You would take it if you could reach through the screen. She apologizes, then eats the donut herself. You feel like you know this young lady's name...

==> DOUBLE D...ONUTS...

Nice save there.

==> ASAHINA AOI

"Hehe! Yeah!".

==>

Your name is ASAHINA AOI. You go to school at Hope's Peak Academy under the title of ULTIMATE SWIMMER. You do admit to feeling like a fish at times. Anyway, in your dorm is EVERYTHING YOU POSSIBLY NEED, including VARIOUS PLUSHIES, GIFTS FROM YOUR LITTLE BROTHER, AN AQUARIUM, A COMPUTER, and of course, DONUTS. LOTS OF THEM. You love donuts like crazy. Almost as much as you love swimming. You learned the hard way not to mix eating donuts and swimming. As much as you enjoy being at Hope's Peak, you miss having your old friends around, as NO ONE IS PASSIONATE AS SWIMMING AS YOU ARE. Maybe someday soon, you'll have a friend who ENJOYS A GOOD SWIM LIKE YOU DO. It would be nice. For now, at least, you chat with the friends you have on Chat-chan, under the chanhandle WaterloggedSprinkle.

==> Bzzz.

You look at an annoying fly and decide to use your BUBBLEKIND against it. A swift blow traps the fly in a large bubble. And they said that bubbles would be useless.

==>

You decide to captchalouge the bubbled fly in your HYDRATION MODUS. Basically, the cards in the sylladex are dehydrated, and in order to use an item, you need to put the card in some water. This usually backfires when you go for a swim in the school's pool.

==> Aoi: Isn't there supposed to be a knock now?

Nope. That happened a few minutes ago. At your door, you found two envelopes containing the game Sburb inside. You don't play video games often, but you think that this one's worth playing. At least it looks cool.

==> Aoi: Ahem?

What?

==> Aoi: Didn't you have a prior engagement?

Oh, that's right! You had to find out what the heck a sweep was. You think you may know someone who has that info.

==> Aoi: Chat with the troll.

WaterloggedSprinkle [WS] began chatting with muscularProtienshake [MP]

WS: Heey.

WS: Would you happen to know what a sweep is?

MP:  J(`v')J "why, yes, i do.".

MP: f(`o')J " a sweep is a year in alternia."

MP: h('v~)h "though it takes about two of your human years"

WS: Ooh, thank you!

MP: y(~v~)y

WaterloggedSprinkle [WS] ceased chatting with muscularProteinshake [MP]

==>

WS: Hey, Yasuhiro?

WS: A sweep is about two human years.

CC: Good. Now I have to deal with this punk troll.

CrystalClairvoyant [CC] ceased chatting with WaterloggedSprinkle [WS]

==>

Well that's that-

"Uwuu!☆"

==>

CookiecutterPepsicola [CP] began chatting with WaterloggedSprinkle [WS]

CP: Hey Aoi. Pay attention. I have some instructions for ya.

WS: Go on.

CP: You need ta be the first server player.

WS:  For Sburb?

CP: Yeh. You connect to Makoto, who'll connect to Kyoko, who'll connect to Byakuya, who'll connect to Touko, who'll connect to Yasuhiro, then he to you.

WS: Wait, why are we splitting up?

CP: From what I know, we're still gonna end up in the same session. By doin it like this, it should take a shorter time to get started.

CP: Essentially, I  should be the last player in.

WS: I think I may understand. Should I communicate this to Makoto?

CP: I reccomend it. Also, start running your server copy. It takes a while for it to load.

WS: Got it! Thanks, Cookie!

CP: Ey, ain't nothin!

==>

You decide to keep him on in case you need help. After all, were doing this man. Were making this happen.

ACT ONE: WERE DOING THIS

==>

A young troll is travelling in the vast expanses of space. He has finished playing his session quite a while ago, and he was one of few in his session who went god teir...though he had to in order to live through his session, for he was on the brink of death when he entered his land. Assisting him is another troll who went god teir, as well as a consort from his land. The troll himself is the Page of Time, his assistant the Rouge of Life, and the consort so generously named Delegate Hornliza. At once, this troll stops what he's doing, and rushes back to home, or at least what he and many others call home now. The reason? Another session is about to start, and he swore to guard a certain player...

==> Aoi: Communicate with Makoto.

WaterloggedSprinkle [WS] began chatting with HopefulEgg [HE]

WS: Hey Makoto, good news!

HE: what is it?

WS: You get to be the first client player! How cool is that?

HE: pretty cool, i guess. cookiecutter tell you this?

WS: Yep, and I'm your server player!

HE: ah, sweet! do i enter in the disk or...

WS: Yeah, just put it in your computer. It should instantly hook you up to my server program.

==> Makoto: Insert the disk.

You put the disk in. Just like Aoi said, it connects to her server.

==>

HE: i have confirmation we're connnected.

WS: Oh cool, I can see you!

HE: wait what?

WS: You're the shy new guy? I would have never guessed!

HE: ...thanks.

WS: Okay...lets see. We start with a cruxtruder, alchemiter, totem lathe, and punch card designix, as well as some extra captchalouge cards.

WS: You may want to move some stuff out of the way.

HE: why?

==> Aoi: Deploy Cruxtruder.

*BANG*

==>

WS: That answer your question?

HE: i got it. so what's this do?

WS: It apparently deploys an unlimited amount of cruxite dowels according to this instruction pamplet Cookiecutter included. If you can get it opened.

HE: how am i gonna manage that? i'm kinda short...and weak.

WS: Wait, I have an idea!

==> Aoi: Act on your idea.

Using your cursor, you pick up Makoto's bed. He seems to be in protest of this idea, but you continue on nonetheless. After holding it directly over the Cruxtruder, you drop it on top. The bed almost breaks in half, but the Cruxtruder is now open. A small, flashy thing flies out as well.

==>

HE: um, aoi? any idea what that is?

WS: Consulting Cookiecutter's guide...it's a ...kernelsprite. try putting something in it.

==> Makoto: Put something in it.

You look around. There doesn't seem to be much you want to prototype in the Kernelsprite. A ton of stuff from the school shop, but...oh wait. You remember that pinned butterfly you got from a nature museum. Papillio xuthus, or something. You decide to grab the case, remove the lid, and toss the butterfly into the sprite.

*Swift Toss!*

The Kernelsprite and the dead butterfly fuse, creating the Butterflysprite.

==>

HE: okay, what was the significance of that?

WS: You'll see later. For now, get a cruxite dowel from the cruxtruder by operating the crank.

==> Makoto: Operate the crank.

You push the crank with all of your might...just a bit more strength ought to do it...and...nope. Nothing. Nice try, Macookem.

==> Aoi: Pity assist.

You pity assist Makoto. With the magic of the cursor, you push the crank and extract a cruxite dowel.

==>

HE: what's next?

WS: The...totem lathe. Clear some room, Makoto!

HE: alright, alright!

==> Makoto: Clear some room.

You remove some random items from the floor in order to make room for the Totem Lathe.

==>

WS: Whoops...

HE: what now?

WS: The totem lathe isn't going to do much without the punched capchalouge card.

HE: so we need the designix?

WS: Actually, there's a pre-punched card included.

HE: oh good. also...what's this countdown for?

WS: What's it set for?

HE: four hours and thirteen minutes now.

WS: I think we'll be fine. I'm dropping the punched card in now.

==> Makoto: Examine the pre-punched card.

Yep. That card's punched alright.

==>

WS: Now put the cruxite dowel into the lathe and slide the card into the scanner.

==> Makoto: Do what she said.

You do what she said. The Totem Lathe carves the dowel into an intricate totem. These things are appropriately named.

==> *CRASH*

WS: What was that??

HE: i...don't know :(

==> *CRASH*

WS: I think something's happening outside.

HE: should i check?

WS: No. I have to get you into the session so you can connect to Kyoko. I'll probably check it later though.

HE: okay. so i have the dowel carved. what do i do now?

WS: I need to put in the alchemiter. This will read the code on the totem and create an item that you'll need to utilize in order to enter your session.

HE: oh, okay. let me make more space.

==> Makoto: Make more space.

You scoot your bed over to the side of the room, then oush aside some random items. That should be enough.

==> Aoi: Deploy Alchemiter.

You place the Alchemiter in the area Makoto cleared.

==>

WS: Boom! Alchemiter!

HE: so just put the totem on the pedistal and press a few buttons?

WS: That's pretty much it!

==> Makoto: Use the Alchemiter.

It takes a moment, but the device eventually scans the dowel and makes...a flower. You think you know what to do...

==>

You pick up the flower by its pot and turn to face Butterflysprite. It slowly flies toward it, then sticks out it's proboscsis and drinks the nectar. As Butterflysprite drinks, a white light consumes Makoto. As he enters the session, the troll waits for the right time to communicate. After all, one slip up could make the difference.

==> ACT ONE: WITHIN THE MEDIUM

==>

A HALCYON EASTGOER travels upons the vast expanses of dry, deserted land. He doesn't know where he's going, or where he'll end up. All he knows is that he'll be there soon.

==> Makoto: Communicate with Aoi

HE: so...that happened.

WS: I can't believe this! You're literally in the game!

HE: yeah, so is my room...which is miss a couple walls.

WS: I'd be able to build on it if we had more build grist.

HE: build grist?

WS: The stuff you need to build on to your dorm. Looks like you're gonna need a lot.

HE: amazing. just perfect.  how do i get grist?

WS: The pamphlet says you need to kill underlings and collect their spoils.

HE: underlings?

WS: Yep. They should be getting near you any moment.

HE: you realize i can't waste my time on this, right? i need to get whoever my client is into the session.

WS: I know. By the way, it's Kyoko.

HE: kyoko? oh...

WS: What?

HE: it's nothing.

WS: Mmhmm.

WS: The more you try to hide, the more obvious you are.

HE: :C

WS: Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret.

HE: what good is that gonna do? i like more than one person anyway.

WS: MAKOTO, BEHIND YOU!

==> Aoi: Squash the imp.

.   .   .  *SQUISH*

"Did you have to use my Midnight Crew comics for that?!"

==> Makoto: Collect spoils.

Looks like you've gone up to six whole build grist. That's going to do absolutely nothing.

==>

WS: Okay, here's an idea. I'll fend off the imps while you connect to Kyoko.

HE: good idea.

WS: Team break!

==>

"E¥. ¥a jus up an' left me. \/\/hat the glub \/\/as that all about?"

"My 4p010g13s! 1 h4d a pr10r 3ng4g3m3n7 th4t c0u1d n0t b3 pu7 0n h01d!"

( My apologies! I had a prior engagement that could not be put on hold!)

"\/\/hat? I'm ¥er motherglubbin' matesprit, I am ¥er prior fingagement."

" Y3s, 1 4m w3ll 4w4r3 0f 0ur m4t3spr17sh1p, 8ut 7h1s c0u1d n0t w41t!"

(Yes, I am well aware of our matespritship, but this could not wait!)

"Bullshrimp."

"W47ch y0ur l4ngu4g3!"

(Watch your language!)

"Shell, if \/\/e \/\/ere still on Alternia, I'd be th' glubbin' emperor by no\/\/."

"Mmhmm, 4nd wh47 w0u1d b3c0m3 0f m3?"

(Mmhmm, and what would become of me?)

"¥a'd be my peasant-blooded matesprit, that's \/\/hat."

"Y0u kn0w 1 d0 n07 3nj0y 7h3 us3 0f 7h47 d3r0g4t0ry 73rm! 83s1d3s, 7h3 3n71r37y 0f 4173rn14 w0u1d r107! 4 fush14-b100d w1th 4 v3rm1111on! 1 c4n h34r 7the pr073s7s fr0m h3r3!"

(You know I do not enjoy the use of that derogatory term! Besides, the entirety of Alternia would riot! A fushia-blood with a vermillion! I can hear the protests from here!)

"The¥ couldn't do a glubbin' thing. ¥er the matesprit, not them."

"Y0u kn0w, H1s 1ns4n17y Crys7411ys4710n k1113d h1s H473m473. "

(You know, His Insanity Crystallization killed his Hatemate)

"His Insanity Crystallization also up and left the glubbin planet and...oh yeah, was a big, cod-suckin tyrant."

"7h47 1s n0 w4y 7o sp34k 0f H1s 1ns4n17y!"

(That is no way to speak of His Insanity!)

" ¥ou shoal about that?"

"...1 4dm17, 7h3y h4d 70 c411 h1m H1s 1ns4n17y f0r 4 r34s0n."

(I admit, they had to call him His Insanity for a reason.)

"Told ya."

"S7i11, 1 h4v3 4 k1sm3s1s b4ck 47 h0m3 7h47 1'v3 b4r31y  p41d 4773nt710n 70,  4nd 7h3r3 1s s0me0n3 1 mus7 a773nd 70!"

(Still, I have a kismesis back at home that I've barely paid attention to, and there is someone I must attend to!)

"First of all, glub your kismesis, and second, \/\/e \/\/ere kinda in the middle of-"

"4s much 4s 1'd 11k3 70 dr4g 7h1s 0n, 1 mus7 134v3."

(As much as I'd like to drag this on, I must leave.)

"But-"

"W47ch 4f73r H0rn11z4 wh113 1'm 4w4y!"

(Watch after Hornliza while I'm away!)

"..."

".....fine...."

==> Makoto: Communicate with Kyoko

HopefulEgg [HE] began chatting with MysteriousRamen [MR]

HE: do you have your copies of the game ready?

MR: Yes. Yes I do.

HE: get ready for some intense instructions. when they you're going into the session, you're going into the session.

MR: Of course I will.

HE: alright, don't say i didn't warn you...

ACT ONE: SECOND PLAYER

==> Makoto: Run your server application.

==> Kyoko: Run your client application.

==>

HopefulEgg [HE] began chatting with MysteriousRamen [MR]

HE: alright, we should be connected now.

MR: Yes, I see the confirmation on the computer. What happens now?

HE: i have to put in some fancy techological junk into your room. by the way, i can see you

MR: ....

HE: anyway, you might want to clear some room, this stuff is pretty big

MR: Noted. You never told me who you were.

MR: By the way.

HE: oh yeah. um. later.

MR: Why am I not surprised?

HE: well, thats not important! what needs to happen now is that you successfully get into the session. right now, im going to put in this cruxtuder thing. when you open it, a kernelsprite will come out. it seems to like dead things, so put something dead in it.

MR: Will the bones of a desceased family member work?

MR: That being the example.

MR: I don't have any dead family member's bones...

HE: ...

HE: im just gonna put in these gizmos now...

==>

Meanwhile, years in the future, but not many, a Mindful Refuge finds herself roaming the expanses of a dry and sandy desert...

==>

In the same time, but different location, the Halcyon Eastgoer seems to have found some sort of shuttle. He messes around with it for a bit before finding a way to open the door. Curious, he wanders inside, only for the door to slam shut behind him. It seems that he will be stuck there for a while...

==> Page of Time: Is it time yet?

Oh, no no no. It's nowhere near time now! He hasn't even stepped foot on his land yet; how could it possibly be time yet? Besides, there's a specific system to this yet to happen chain of conversations...at least yet to happen for him. Man, you love these time shenanigans. Anyway, you decided that this would work like a clock; clockwise for him, counterclockwise for you. It's simple really; (12=1)(11=2)(10=3)(9=4)(8=5)(7=6)(6=7)(5=8)(4=9)(3=10)(2=11)(1=12). You're really looking forward to the 7=6 meetup. This meet, you two will talk in real life! At least, the one of you still on his timeline. Once again, thank you time shenanigans.

==> Rouge of Life: How's it hangin?

"Go glub ¥ourself."

Wow, rude.

==> Makoto and Kyoko: Any Progress?

Actually, yes. All Cruxtruder, Totem Lathe, and Alchemiter have been deployed, and the kernelsprite has been prototyped with a bee that had flown into it accidentally.

==> Kyoko: Add in a secret sauce.

What sauce? All you have is this box that may or may not have the bones of your father, the headmaster, who may or may not be dead.

==>

Swift toss!

==>

Beesprite is now Jinsprite.

==>

Makoto is now thouroughly weirded out.

==>

HE: uh...

MR: What?

HE: just...use the totem...

MR: You're judging me.

HE: yep

MR: At least you were honest.

==> Kyoko: Alchemize.

The carved totem creates...a box, with the word evidence engraved on the side. You've seen enough detective movies to know what to do with this.

==>

With a bit of effort, Kyoko lifts the box and carries it to her window. Staring outside, she notices that the weather has changed, and that there are a few craters in the distance. She decides to use this to her advantage, and toddes the box out of the window. Something comes outbof the sky and destroys it, maybe a meteor, but she does not see this happen, for as soon as the item was hot, she was transported into the session.

ACT ONE: Land of Snowstorms and Thought

==> Kyoko: Where are you?

She doesn't exactly know. Some of the walls on her room have vanished, and she is now quite cold. In the distance, she sees a whirl of flurries dance their way to the ground, and a group of shivering reptiles. One thing for sure; she isn't at Hope's Peak anymore.

==> Kyoko: Get in touch with the Egg.

MR: I'm cold.

HE: looks like you are.

MR: Is your place anything like this?

HE: nope. actually, it's called a medium. i think you may be on a specific land though.

MR: Interesting...perhaps you have yet to make it to your land?

HE: most likely. sprinkle's working on that though.

MR: Do you at least have walls?

HE: she's still on that. right now she's kinda protecting me from imps and stuff though so...

MR: Imps?

HE: oh yeah, stuff's going to try to attack you.

MR: Aren't I someone's server player?

HE: WL.

MR: That douche? Also, you could use names.

HE: i know, i'm just annoying you.

MR: Quite hilarious.

HE: :)

MR: It was a joke.

HE: :(

MR: So, what's your plan? Help WS get you to your land or keep back imps while I get WL in?

HE: which do you prefer?

MR: Honestly, I can hold my own. Though I am cold.

HE: are you sure?

MR: Yes. Help WS. I'll get WL in.

HE: alright, but keep me on standby.

MR: Will do.

==> Kyoko: Talk to Jinsprite.

Kyoko: So...how's being a ghost thing?

Jinsprite: I admit, not the first time I thought about thiszz.

Kyoko: Also, the bee thing..?

Jinsprite: Eh, it doeszzn't bother me. Though...how did you have my remainszz on hand?

Kyoko: The police let me keep them. I know, so irresponsible.

Jinsprite: I mean, I szzuppose it was foolish of me to partake in a volunteer zzspace expedition.

Kyoko: Without telling me.

Jinsprite: Yeah...at least I know szzome szztuff about this game.

Kyoko: Oh really? Like?

Jinsprite: Your land izzs called the Land of Szznowstormzzs and Thought.

Kyoko: Hmm...anything important about that name?

Jinsprite: Don't you have szzomething to do?

Kyoko: Ah, if there was anything I missed, it was your ability to hold a secret.

==> Kyoko: Chat with the Wealthy.

MysteriousRamen [MR] began chatting with WealthyLiterary [WL]

MR: Put in your disks.

WL: Time already?

MR: Oh yeah. Hurry up, I'm freezing here.

WL: What?

MR: You'll find out why later.

WL: Fine. I'm running them now. What else do I need to do?

MR: Clear some space in your room.

WL: What did Cookiecutter do now?

MR: I can certainly say it's something.

WL: Okay, my room has some cleared spaces.

MR: I see. Ah, so you are Byakuya.

WL: You can see me?

MR: Yes, just like Egg saw me, and Sprinkle saw Egg.

WL: Wait, I'm not the first one in the game?

MR: Nope. That was Egg.

WL: I'm slightly offended.

MR: When are you not? Whatever, we need to get started.

==> Makoto: How's the imp slaying?

This was the first time he used his specibus...and surprisingly, it's going well. At least imps are dying quicker, and grist can be collected quicker. Though, there's something about these...

==>

HE: hey, have you ever noticed these guys looking a bit odd?

WS: Uh, yeah. I checked Cookie's pamphlet. You know that stuff you put inside your sprite? I think everyone's affect what the imps look like.

HE: that's why they look like late principal kirigiri.

WS: Mixed with a butterfly and a bee. Seems like after entry prototypes don't affect them though. Is that a picture of your sister?

HE: yeah, why?

WS: Prototype Butterflysprite with it.

HE: uh, okay.

==>

*Swift Toss*

==>

Butterflysprite is now Komarusprite.

"Uh..."

"Hey bro!"

==> Makoto: Talk to Komarusprite.

Makoto: Could you help me with these imps?

Komarusprite: Sure.

Makoto: Also, is this really you or..?

Komarusprite: It's actually me! Mixed with a butterfly.

Makoto: But what about Earth?

Komarusprite: Actually...I kinda died...

Makoto: Huh?!

Komarusprite: These meteors were barreling down on us at home and while mom and dad got out I didn't...

Makoto: You say that like that's normal...

Komarusprite: I didn't feel anything when it happened. It just did. And now I'm here with you, as a ghosty thing!

Makoto: I guess that's a plus, but what about mom and dad?

Komarusprite: Well, um...huh.

Makoto: ...

Komarusprite: ...

Makoto: Let's just.. fight these guys.

Komarusprite: Yeah...

==> Page?

Everything's going delightfully to plan! It shouldn't be long now...

==> Kyoko and Byakuya?

WL: I'm sorry, what?

MR: Take Shinobu's ashes and put them in the Cricketsprite.

WL: You think I'm going to desecrate my half sister by tossing her ashes into some bug/sprite abomination?

MR: ',:)

WL: You disturb me.

MR: Wasn't she your secretary anyway?

WL: Does it make a difference?

MR: No.

WL: ...

==>

*Swift Toss*

==> Byakuya: Talk to Shinobusprite.

Shinobusprite: Why me?

Byakuya: I respected you enough to keep your urn.

Shinobusprite: When I was told I would get another chance at life by some offbeat clairvoyant, this wasn't what I was thinking.

Byakuya: I missed you as well...

Shinobusprite: *chirp chirp*

Shinobusprite: Fused me with a cricket, huh?

Byakuya: It jumped in...

==>

MR: Fun, yes?

WL: She's resentful.

MR: You're surprised by this?

WL: Just give me my next instruction now.

MR: Use the carved totem with the Alchemiter.

==>

Shinobusprite: Already done...

==>

WL: Alright...a stack of cash? What am I going to do with that?

MR: You know. ;)

==> Byakuya: Make it rain.

You make it rain as a meteor crashes in the distance. Looks like it crashed into the Conclomerate. This is the least of your concerns, however, as a white light engulfs your room...

==> Years in the future, but not many...

A WISE LONER comes across a destroyed building. He looks around. No one is near him. Not even close. Suddenly, something begins to rise from the ground in the near distance. Curious, he gravitates toward it. Perhaps, there will be someone there, waiting for him...

ACT ONE: Land of Heatwaves and Fortune

==>Byakuya: How's the weather?

HOT. So hot that you feel the need to remove some of your clothes. But you don't  because that's aginst your protocol. Seriously though, why the heck is it so hot out here?!

==>

You look out across the land you ended up in. You see towers of gold and silver, and even some of crystals. Across this sweltering place, you notice some sort of reptillian creatures seemingly unphased by the heat. Shinobusprite also looks unphased. Are you the only one roasting here?!

==> Byakuya: Consult Shinobusprite.

Byakuya: Well, any idea of where we are?

Shinobusprite: We are in your medium, more specifically, the Land of Heatwaves and Fortune.

Byakuya: I understand the heatwave part, but fortune?

Shinobusprite: That, too, will play a role in your session. I can't tell you yet, though.

Byakuya: You don't habe to act like a secretary anymore, Shinobu.

Shinobusprite: It's Shinobusprite now, Byakuya.

Shinobusprite: *chirp chirp*

Byakuya: Fine...who are they?

Shinobusprite: Those reptiles are desert tortises, and they will be your consorts, your loving helpers.

Byakuya: What does that make you?

Shinobusprite: As your sprite, I am your guide. Nowhere did it say I had to be loving.

Byakuya: ...

==> Byakuya: Let Ramen know their mistake.

WL: Let's see. My sprite hates me, and my land is as hot as Hell. What is this game again?

MR: SBURB. Wow, at least I could wrap myself in a blanket.

WL: Aside from my land, and my obvious issues with my sprite, what the heck am I supposed to do?

MR: You need to get the next player in. I'm sure Sprinkle or Cookiecutter know who it'll be.

WL: Why don't you find out?

MR: Yeah, okay.

==> Kyoko: Find out.

MysteriousRamen [MR] began chatting with WaterloggedSprinkle [WL]

MR: You're Egg's server, yes?

WS: Yep!

MR: Did Cookiecutter tell you the order we enter in?

WS: Yes! First was Makoto, then you, then Byakuya, then Touko, then Yasuhiro, then me.

MR: Hold on. That's just our class, or some of our class. What about the other class? Surely he's playing with them.

WS: Well, duh, but they won't start until we're all in.

MR: Ah, so once you're in whatever land you have, you'll tell him?

WS: That's the plan. Although...I am worried they may not make it in time.

MR: What's going on at Earth?

WS: Meteors are crashing all around. I'm surprised the internet hasn't been knocked out.

MR: Oh my. Stay safe, Aoi.

WS: You got it!

MysteriousRamen [MR] ceased chatting with WaterloggedSprinkle [WS]

==> Kyoko: Give Byakuya that sweet info.

MR: Guess what?

WL: Just tell me.

MR: You bring in Touko.

WL: PsychoticLovestruck?!

MR: I think that's her.

WL: As if my session couldn't get any worse...

WealthyLiterary [WL] ceased chatting with MysteriousRamen [MR]

==> Meanwhile...

The Mindful Refuge notices someone in the distance...but is he friend...or foe?

==> Byakuya: Let's get this over with.

WealthyLiterary [WL] began chatting with PsychoticLovestruck [PL]

WL: Who is it this time?

PL: You know who ♡□♡

WL: You know what? No. I'm not doing this with you.

PL: Oh, come on, ya know I'm more fun than she is ',8)

WL: I'm blocking.

PL: Ugh. You're soooo playing hard to get U♡Ó

WL: What even is that?!

PL: A winky face U3Ó

WL: Get her now.

PL: Fine...ÒnÓ

==> Touko: Where are you?

You're in your cool pajamas right now. It's a nice tradeoff. When...she...is out, you are here, and of course, the other way around. It's nice, being in this dream world. You dispose of your cares here. You fly without chains. Sometimes, you wonder what she does when she's here. Other times, you try to wake your friends. They're there too, but they're always asleep. You leave notes and letters every time you visit them, though. At least let them know you were there.

==>

She's trying to wake you up, but you don't want to go. Not yet...

==>

Seriously, stop. You aren't going back.

==>

PL: Okay, slight little problem.

WL: What...

PL: She's refusing to come to. Probably off on dream world again.

WL: Dream world? Now I've heard everything.

PL: I'm serious! It's like purple and dark, and there are people there, but they're like...covered in some black shell thing.

WL: A carapace?

PL: Yeah, we'll call it that. There's a golden one too. I've seen both. There's also these towers with everyone else in them, though I'm not sure why they won't wake up. It's like...you have to be conscious enough to wake up here...

WL: Alright, fine. I'll get you into the game then, and I guess I'll fill her in later.

PL: Yesss

WL: On one conditon.

WL: No flirting. At all.

PL: Hmmm.....

PL: Can I write them on a piece of paper?

WL: As long as you don't tell me.

PL: Deal! Now, tell me what to do.

==> Mindful Refuge: Inspect the loner.

It looks like he's heading toward the building rising out of the ground. You squint your eyes to see him better. It looks like he doesn't notice you at all. You aren't sure whether or not that's good. After all, you're seeking to find a place of your own. Slowly, you back away. As you do, your foot touches a hard surface, not at all like the sand you feel. You dust away the remaiming grains of sand to see some sort of symbol. Surprised, you jump up. This requires some investigation.

==>

As this happens, you fail to notice the PEASANT LIGHTHEARTED wandering in the distance...

==>

WL: I'll repeat this one more time. You can put whatever you want into the kernelsprite.

PL: Anything?

WL: Anything.

PL: In that case...

==>

You open your drawer to find your not-so-secret stash of model magazines. Cosmopolitan...Vogue...ah, Playboy! Slowly, you tear out a poster of a rather risque woman and toss it into the sprite, which becomes a...Modelsprite.

==>

SQUISH

==>

Huh? Kameko?! You should have seen this coming. She was always a sneaky one. Luckily, you were going to need her anyway.

==>

*Sprite Ex-Machina!*

This was used several times already.

==>

Modelsprite is now Kamekosprite.

==>

WL: I'm almost surprised you didn't prototype a photo of me.

PL: What?! I'm not THAT obsessive!

WL: Yet you put your stinkbug with a model...

PL: She wanted to be pretty. Did ya think I sat around and looked at that smut?

WL: You didn't?

PL: No, I do.

WL: Disgusting.

PL: You asked! Now what's next?

WL: Get one of those dowels of cruxite and carve it with the totem lathe.

==>

Kamekosprite: Ooh, what are you doing, Syo?

Syo: Trying to start some game.

Kamekosprite: Is that why you mixed me with the pretty lady?

Syo: Well yeah. You're joining the ride, too.

Kamekosprite: Aw, thank you...though did you have to do the one from Playboy?

Syo: It was the only one with a poster that didn't have an ad for cologne on the back.

Kamekosprite: But...I smell bad...

Syo: Nonsense, you smell amazing.

Kamekosprite: *w*

==>

WL: How nice. You and your sprite get along.

PL: Wait, can you see me?!

WL: I thought you knew.

PL: Damn, if I did, I...

PL: won't say what I'd do.

==>

*Noice Save!*

==>

WL: Totem?

PL: Lathed.

PL: What's up with your sprite?

WL: Let's just say Shinobu didn't like being my secretary as much as I thought.

PL: Eh, she'll come to realize that you love her, too.

WL: She's also part cricket, so...

PL: Like Kameko is half model?

WL: Correct.

WL: Syo.

PL: Yes?

WL: ...

WL: Put the totem on the Alchemiter. It'll make the item you need to enter your land.

PL: Okie.

==>

Kamekosprite: Allow me.

==>

PL: Seriously? A book? I read enough of those to get my stuff out of the fetch modus.

WL: Well, what would Genocider Syo do to the book?

PL: Ahh...

==> Syo: Do what you'd do to the book.

You get your scissors from your strife specibus and go to work cutting up the book. You feel Touko cringing within you as you desecrate the piece of literature, but personally, you couldn't care less...that is, until an unprompted sneeze switches you two. Gosh darn it, why doesn't she tell you this beforehand? Why couldn't she do the sneeze earlier? Still, she takes over as your room is covered in white...

[objectsdeconstructed]

Chapter 1, Tale 1: “The Present"

“What are you doing!? Get your hands off of me, you jerk!” Leafy screamed.

“Leafy, leafy!”, Firey defends himself. “Leafy, I’m sorry for what I did. I realized what I wanted most wasn’t Dream Island, It’s you. Your friendship. I just want you to know that I’m tired of all this turmoil that’s going on, all these conflicts and stuff. And I’d rather spend my time with you, whether It’s on Dream Island or not.”

“Really, you mean it?” Leafy whispered, as they hang glided away.

“Hurry up! We have to get back to the execution!” Golf Ball shouted, from the ground.

But it was too late. The lovebirds were already flying off into the sunshine, to a better life, a better tomorrow.

“THE END”

“Battle For Dream Island.”

“Written by-”

________________________________

The TV is shut off. “What a load a’ bullshit.“ Larson mused. “That was corny as hell.”

“Larson!” Mariette shrieked. “We have children in the room!”

“Ah, don’t worry ‘bout that, Ma’. Lil’ Liam’s been out for 10 minutes already.”

It was true. Liam had fallen asleep in his mother’s lap. It seems that he’s been asleep for a while.

“Cute lil’ fella. Here, let me-” Larson gently lifted up his youngest brother, whispering. “I’ll take ‘im to the bedroom.”

Mariette thanked Larson, and Larson left the room, with Liam in his arms. Seeing this, Susan spoke up. “Wow. Uh… so, any thoughts on that episode?”

John turned to his sister, “I thought it was kinda good. I mean, for a season finale. Wrapped up stuff nicely. Good enough for me.”

“Wait, really?! I thought it was disappointing as heck! Like, seriously! Even for a cartoon that was absurd! Where did all that come from!? The love arc at the end was jarring and out of place!” Susan complained.

“Well, dear, like you said, It’s a cartoon. Don’t think too much about it, dear.” Mariette replied, yawning. “I’m getting kinda tired, though. You kids wanna keep watching TV, go ahead, but remember to clock in early for tomorrow.”

“What? No, mom! It’s not just a cartoon- We’ve been following this show for like, 2 years now, and It-”

“It’s getting a new season in a few months”, John interrupted. “Don’t worry too much ‘bout it. They’ll probably tie up a few loose ends.”

“Yeah, but- Urgh! I can’t wait that long! I need my fix now!”

“Well, what about Inanimate Insanity? That’s still going.”

“But It’s on hiatus!” Susan groaned.

“Well, you’ll have to find another show on your own. There’s literally hundreds. I’m goin’ to bed.” John remarked, before standing up, carrying his empty drink cans, and heading to his room.

“Ugh, fine. Bye, bro.”

“…Also, you should probably go to sleep soon. It’s getting late-”

“Yeah, no.”

Susan flipped through the other channels, searching for something else to watch.

John walked up the stairs, tossed the cans into the trash, and retreated into his bedroom.

John’s bedroom was a mess. But It wasn’t an ugly mess. It was the kind of mess that felt comfy, and warm, and familiar. There was a mattress at one corner of the room, covered in magazines, books, and other reading materials.

Next to the bed was a desk, textbooks, notebooks, pens and pencils strewn everywhere upon it. Upon the desk was also a laptop. This was John’s most prized possession, and it was old.

John booted up the computer, checking to see if anything interesting has been happening recently.

John was pleasantly surprised to see that his posts have gotten some attention. Making a mental note to check out the comments later, he created a new post, trying to, admittedly, capitalize on BFDI’s recent finale.

Since he didn’t really had anything else interesting to say on the matter, John turned his attention over to what his relatively small social circle had to say on recent events. Maybe there’s some drama or something weird happening.

And away, we go…

Click.

Huh.

John had to admit that he was friends with some really peculiar people. Welp, Anna was… being her usual self. Tony was, in John’s opinion, still trying to influence things outside of his control (John found this trait of Tony’s admirable, but mistaken in this situation). Bryan was still raising questions about his sanity (and apparently, his abilities to spell the word “evasion"). The next post was-

Wait.

What the fuck?

That account uploaded a post.

That account never uploads.

Hold on.

As expected, everyone’s going wild in the comments, but that’s not what matters right now. Something is going on. John had to find out what.

John immediately opted out of his social media tab, and opened up another tab, typing in the address of a less-popular, less-friendly website.

Enter.

The web-page loaded. John stretched back, and scrolled down-

The door to John’s room slammed open.

John slammed his laptop down like hell.

“AAAH!”

Liam was standing in the door way. Larson stood behind him, looking extremely sleep-deprived, yet, amused.

Liam inquired, with large eyes, staring up at him. “John? Are you okey?”

Larson glanced at John, who realized that the sight of him holding down his laptop, staring wide-eyed at the door might not have given off the best impression.

Larson chuckled, “Welp! Uh, Liam. I think we walked in at a bad time-”

John shot him a look.

“No! It’s- Sorry, uh, Liam! Bro! What’re you doing here?”

“…I want give you pwesent.” Liam whispered.

“What?” John asked, flatly.

“Present. Liam wants to give you your Birthday present.” Larson motioned at his mouth “Gotta work on that “Arr" sound. Look, we know that you don’t wanna celebrate your B-Day, and haven’t done so for the last few years, but, what the hey! It’s not every day our boy turns 18!  I mean, our man turns 18. Wait-”

“Ah! Thanks, Liam! But uh, you didn’t have to!” John said, beaming at Liam.

Liam just looked down.

“Uh- No. Kid! Liam! He means that in a good way. Now, give him the drawing, Liam.” Larson said, reassuringly.

Liam beamed up at John again, shoving a slightly wrinkled drawing in his face.

“It’s a pic of our- our family, and- that’s, um, you. And, um, mom and sis, and me and larson! Um, and that’s our ages, but yours is, um, eighteen! With an explooooosion! Because you turn eighteen! Today!” Liam babbled, pointing at the multi-colored representations on the paper.

“Not sure why I’m wearing a suit.” Larson whispered, grinning.

Frankly, it was one of the finest works of art that John had ever seen, despite the fact that Liam drew his arms on his head.

“Wow! It’s awesome, champ! I-”

John was interrupted by Liam giving a huge hug.

“I love you bro.”

John put his hand on Liam’s back. “…Love you too, Liam.”

Larson was just kinda hanging at the door, absorbing the general awkwardness of the situation. “So! Liam! You wanna hit the hay yet? Because I’m about to give out any second now. So! Hop to it, lil’ buddy.”

Larson clapped his hands together. “Chop chop.”

Liam walked to Larson, and they left together.

John was about to reopen the laptop when Larson popped in again. “Hey, uh, kid-”

“Dude, you gotta stop calling people that. I’m 2 years younger than you now-”

“-Sorry, force of habit. John. Uh, I wanna have a word.”

“Yeah, can you make it quick? I’m kinda tired.”

“Don’t worry, I will. I’m pretty close to collapse myself. So, uh…” Larson clasped his hands together. “Enjoy your life, make the most of it, don’t panic,  be careful, don’t hold grudges, be a good man, save up money as soon as possible, word smart not hard, something something eggs in baskets, and uh, don’t take shit from anyone. Oh! and invest in some stuff smartly, watch the stock market closely- And BUY. BITCOINS. Yeah, okay. I think that’s it.” Larson said, extremely quickly.

John blinked.

“…Sorry, what?”

“Life advice, John. That’s life advice. Good night.” Larson yawned, “You can proceed with whatever…” Larson waved his hands “…weird stuff you were doing before. Not gonna judge you, kid.”

“Lars!”

“Right! Not gonna judge you, John. Look, I’m super-”

“What was that?! The life-advice thing!”

“Well, Ah’ don’t really see a point in making that some kinda big deal, so I gave you all I got at once. Don’t expect anymore advice for a while, John. G'night.” Larson was closing the door now.

“…Uh, okay, yeah. Good night, Lars.”

Clank.

Finally. Silence. Privacy. Now-

Bam!

“Lars! For crying out loud-”

“Shit. Sorry ‘bout the door- Happy 18th Birthday, John!”

“Yeah, thanks, bro. Just-”

But Larson had already closed the door.

John waited.

Sensing no one, he opens the laptop again.

[kates-coming-home]

I had to repost because tumblr lost the other post??? Little fic idea I got from an anon sent to @minikate--24-05 about Toni the dog Word count: 1872 Pairing: kinda Kibbs "Gibbs I need help" Abby wheeled around on her chair facing her friend with a defeated look on her face. "Can you remember Toni? Well she needs a home because Ka-, after Kate, basically Toni needs a home and I was looking after her for Kates parents but they don't want her anymore, something about having a cat and too much stress getting her to their house. So she doesnt have a home and my landlord wont let me have a dog even though I begged him. I was going to ask Tony but it'd be too awkward, having a dog called Toni while being named Tony and Mcgee was that adamant he wouldn't be able to look after her and Ducky already has to look after his Mum and the Corgis and I doubt Ziva would take her so she has no where. But she really needs a home and she can't go to a shelter because if no one adopts her she'll be put to sleep and Kate wouldn't want that and even if she gets adopted she might not go to a nice-" "Whats your point Abbs?" Gibbs stopped the goths rambling, putting a caf-pow in her hand and pushing her chair over to the computer. He briefly glanced up at the drawing Kate drew of Abby as a bat but he felt his heart pang in his chest so he quickly averted his eyes. He still had her notebook hidden in his desk draw, and often caught himself flicking through drawings of the team with tears in his eyes. "Can you take her? I can help you look after her and stop by to walk her whenever I'm not at work, I just want her to have a nice home and you could give her that." "I don't really have time for a dog Abby" "Please Gibbs, if I could take her I would but my landlord said no and shes the sweetest little thing ever, you wont regret it. Kate would want someone she could trust to look after her. Plus I'd help, she already has toys and a bed and food so you wouldn't need to buy her anything. She could sit in the basement and keep you company when you work on the boat. Please, Gibbs." Looking into Abbys eyes Gibbs knew he had no choice in the matter. Damn the soft spot he had for his favorite lab rat. "Okay Abbs, but you better help me look after her" A sparkle came back in the goths eyes as she flung herself into his arms. "Thank you thank you thank you! I'll come round yours at 11 tonight to drop her off and give you all her stuff. I'll bring some take out food as well amd I can sit and watch you work on the boat" "Okay Abbs, now what have you got for me on the case?" Abby swung back round on her chair and pulled up fingerprints on the monitor. "I managed to pull some partial prints from the gun, but not enough to run through the system, but they have enough points so if you brought me a suspect I'd be able to match them. Now the bullet that Ducky pulled out of the marines body matched the bullets from the gun..." ~~~ Gibbs closed the casefile, glad it was a simple case that didn't require much paper work. Jealous ex-girlfriend that shot him after seeing him with his new girlfriend. He pulled his jacket from the back of his chair and made his way to the elevator, the rest of the team had left about an hour ago, making it quarter to 11. So if he broke some basic traffic laws he would make it home in time for Abby. He made his way out the building, wishing Harry a goodnight before locating his car and driving home. Pulling up he noticed the goths hearse was already parked at the other side of the street so he checked his watch. 2 minutes to 11, he wasn't late which was good. He climbed out his car and opened the door of his house to be greated by a high pitched barking at his feet. "Hey girl" he scooped the dog into his arms and carried her to the basement where Abby was waiting with chinese food. "Gibbs, I'm jealous! I've known you for years and you've never greated me like that but you warm up Toni on the second time of seeing her" Gibbs gently placed Toni back on the floor, patting her head one last time before straitening up and sitting next to Abby on his work bench. She passed him food and chop sticks before digging into her own food. "I already took Toni for a walk before I came over so she'll be okay untill tomorrow morning, you'll need to take poo bags with you, I put them in the kitchen along with her food and water bowl, I put her bed down here so she can keep you company while you work, but she liked to sleep in my coffin so if you ever go sleep in your actual bed instead of sleeping on your work bench she'll probably follow you up. You need to make sure theres water down for her all the time, and feed her atleast twice a day and walk her in the morning and night, but she'd be quite content to just roam in your garden I think." Abby threw a piece of chicken down for Toni who caught it before curling up next to Abbys feet. "You made the poor dog sleep in your coffin? And I know how to look after a dog Abbs" "I didn't say you couldn't I was just making sure you knew everything. Also her toys are in a box next to her bed, you might want to unpack them tomorrow morning so she has something to do while you're at work. Ill probably stop by tomorrow night to make sure she's settling in okay, Im gonna miss having her around my appartment" Abby put her finished takeaway box down on the bench next to her then leaned on Gibbs shoulder. "I miss Kate too" Gibbs put his arm around Abby, pulling her into a sideways hug, and discarded his food to the side. "I know Abbs, I know." He tried to pull up a tough facade for the sake of Abby but she saw right through it, turning sideways on the bench to pull her silver haired fox into a proper hug. She pulled back a few moments later and looked him in the eyes. "Im gonna go use the restroom quickly, I'll be back in a moment." With that she swung her legs of the bench and jumped down being careful to avoid landing on Toni. When she had made her way up the basement steps Gibbs stood up and made his way to the box of dog toys in the corner on the floor. Sitting down next to it he pulled the first toy out, a pink octopus, missing one of its legs and eyes, it's nose hanging on by a thread. Toni ran up to the octopus and stole it from the older mans hands before setting down in his lap and chewing on one of the remaining legs. "Hey little girl, I know my house isn't the most exciting place in the world, but welcome to your new home." Gibbs said in a soft voice, before noticing Abby had taped a picture in the inside of the dogs bed. Straining his eyes he noticed it was a picture of Kate, his stomach dropped and his heart squeazed tightly in his chest before he looked away. "I knew your Mummy you know, she was one amazing woman, and I loved her very much. You were lucky to have her for a Mum, even if it was only for a short time. Im sure she spoiled you, and I'll do my best but I'll never be as good as a parent to you as Kate was. She was always good with animals amd children, I can remember a case we once had, where there was a blind little girl that had been kidnapped, and Kate found her and looked after her so well. Kate always had the biggest heart on the team, and sometimes it got her in trouble but it was one of the best things about her." The little dog had fallen asleep in his lap, but he continued his ramblings anyway, glad to get some of it of his chest. "I still walk into work everyday and expect her to be sat at her desk, awaiting orders or annoying Tony. Tony was her team mate, she actually named you after him as a joke, but despite teasing him all the time I know she loved him like a brother. Did you know she once stayed with Tony while he was seriously sick, even though there was a chance that she would get sick too, she thought he was dying and if she got sick too there was a chance she would die, but she didn't care. Like I said, she had the biggest heart. Your Mummy actually died protecting me, and I'll never forgive myself for that, Im just an old bastard, a gloomy gus as she once called me, but she still had so much to live for. Promotion, starting a family, meeting new friends, but she gave it all up for me and I hate myself for that, it should have been me-" "Gibbs," Abbys sad voice broke Gibbs out of his trance like state. "Kate wouldn't want you to blame yourself, she gave her life for you because it was her duty to protect you, and I doubt she'd regret that choice" Abby sunk down next to him against the wall and snuggled into his side, gently stroking Toni's head who was still asleep on his knee. "Sorry Abbs, I didn't mean for you to hear that" "Rule number six, never appologise it's a sign of weakness" "I know, but you can make exceptions for friends" Gibbs placed a gentle kiss on the goths forehead, "It's getting late, you should go home and get some sleep" "But what about you? Will you be okay?" "I'll be fine Abbs, plus I have Toni here now to keep my company" "Can you atleast sleep in your actual bed tonight then?" "Sure Abbs, come on I'll walk you out" Gibbs gently scooped Toni up and placed her in her bed before offering a hand out to Abby. He followed the goth up the basement steps and watched her get in her car from his front door. When she turned to wave him goodbye he signed I love you before closing the door and walkimg back down to the basement. Toni had woke up again and jumped on his work bench, letting of a little growl when Gibbs reached for his tools. "Whats the matter girl?" When the dog nugged his hand with her nose he smiled, petting her head softly, "just like your Mummy then, knowing what she wants"